ICC Champions Trophy 2017

[CerealKiller]

I would`ve liked us to bat first today. Bangladesh do not have the experience of chasing in a big game. If we allow Bangladesh to put up a decent score, the variety in their bowling might just surprise us in the chase. We need to get Tamim early today. I`d even open with Ashwin. I`m disappointed with our bowling lineup. Despite Shami and Umesh being such good options, we have opted to go with the soft option in Pandya. Bangladesh struggled against Umesh in the warmup game as well. Bumrah bowls really defensive lengths with the new ball. Umesh and Shami bowl the 'Pakistani' length with the new ball. I`m disappointed with the defensive mindset.

I am truly shocked at Shami's omittance. He was one of the world's best in ODIs before getting injured.

 

[RUDI]

Loving this new drone camera report

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[Rehan_24]

Yes, Ganguly and Manjerekar should be banned. Raja should be knighted and Rashid Latif should be made ICC chairman! Why are you comparing commentators? Is it any use? They have their views, like you have yours. Do you have an ounce of justification for the garbage Latif posted? Very honestly, there is no competition between Indo-Pak in LOI since the 2007 WC in ICC events. They were not talking about international matches in general. And like you, even I would have loved a test series although 2 years back Pakistan was the clear better team. For 2 years even stevens, now with Misbah and Younus out, I think India have the advantage.

As for my 'step by step' comment- It was made with good intent. I am as happy as you about Pakistan making the final. Hell, if it had been a PAK-ENG final, I would have supported PAK. But, right now you are talking as if India and Pakistan have been at the same level as limited overs teams for 10 years which is rubbish. Also, while there is a lot of respect for Akhtar and Afridi, particularly Afridi, you need to visit a psychiatrist about the 'scared the shit out of them' part. These cricketers are not scared of anyone. Not Indians, nor Pakistanis. They're pro's ffs. Sourav Ganguly is the same chap that beat Pakistan with Afridi and Akhtar in it in their own den. I'm not mentioning the WC defeat because basically all Indian captains have done that!

Calm down and enjoy the fact that Pak is in an ICC final! Be proud as well. Your team has played out of their skin!

Hahaha, I have also replied the step by step comment in a good fun way so take it that way too. There has been no intention of offending anyone with my opinions nor I am bashing anyone. Bashing and giving your objective opinion are two entirely different things. As you said yourself every one has his opinion, So I am having mine concluding the entire CT. Trust me, It isn't over excitement. Latif and Sehwag are participating outside CT as media analysts. Both are irrelevant.

I don't know where Ganguly mentioned about the ICC events only. He said no competition since last ten years which is highly unfair comment in my view so a reply is very necessary. And how many times Pakistan has beaten India at their dens? Have you forgotten Afridi's performance in that 5 ODI series at India's Den in 2006/07? When Shastri said, Afridi! Your bat is made up of Iron seems like Surely you have.

We all know they are professionals. By scaring the hell out of doesn't mean bashing or offending. It does happen in sports and its very common. Ambrose and Walsh used to scare Pakistani batsmen a lot. I won't shy away accepting that. Likewise, In the golden days of Shoaib Akhtar, The fear of his pace was clearly seen in batsmen eyes all around the World. If anyone wants to deny the fact than its his will. This doesn't mean that Ganguly and Sehwag were not good players in their times. The point is that talk about your era as well, Pakistan was not only great in the Salim Malik's Javed's era. The 1999 to early 2000 era was golden as well. Even today, Pakistan is not behind any Top Team due to its unpredictable nature. The side has always been like this with ups and downs in phases I can remember we lost many matches in that 93 to 95 era as well. I differentiate him simply and everyone has a right to disagree with opinions and reply.

Rest assured, We are as calm as you anyone. If you support Pak in some matches then you should remember that I also consider Kohli as a best batsman in today's era. We aren't shy away from what is good in Indian Team. Similarly credit should be given to the Pakistan side without any ifs and buts and extra undermining isn't good

 

[Bigby Wolf]

Sabbir Rehman has come out with an aggressive intent and is middling the ball well too.

 

[aditya123]

I am truly shocked at Shami's omittance. He was one of the world's best in ODIs before getting injured.

We are opting for a defensive T20-style bowler in Bumrah ahead of genuine wicket-takers like Shami and Umesh who were exceptional even in the last WC.

 

[Aoun13]

Good decision by Virat to bowl first although its the popular choice for all captains. I am not too keen of using Bumrah as a new ball bowler, Shami would have been better but even in this team I think India can try Pandya specially in such conditions.

 

[Ahmad94]

Don't understand why Mahmudullah hasn't been used up the order. He is clearly a decent batsman, give him the opportunity to score big hundreds. I remember he used to come in at 4 in the WC.

 

[Villain]

England down and out as well. Who's Next?

On a separate note, The most criticism done on Pakistan team throughout the tournament was from Gangully and Manjerakar. They under-estimated the team a lot after the Indian defeat. Let's see what their views are when Pakistan now in the finals. Writing your arch rival off is easier than praising and accepting them. People say things about Ramiz Raja's Commentary abilities but atleast he tries to remain unbiased and praise the opposition performances with open heart. I can remember, After the India match, Gangually was talking about the Era of Salim Malik and Javed, While forgetting that Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi scared the hell out of him million times during the clashes. 1999 to 2004 Moreover, He said Post 2007 T20 WC, There has been no competition between two teams. I guess he forgot the Six hit by Shahid Afridi to Ashwin to clinch the dramatic win in the Asia Cup. And in 2013, We won the series there in India when Junaid Khan destroyed the batting line up quite a few times in the same series. Though India has improved a lot and adapted itself greatly to ODI Cricket, but the fact is that matches have been played very few. Let's do a one day and test series after every two years to judge the capabilities. Pakistan was top-notch in Test Matches under Misbah Captaincy and was among top 3 sides. That time was wasted to have a decider test series. Anyway

Most if not all including your countrymen were confident that Pakistan won't go pass the group stage so I don't blame Dada or anybody else who predicted the same. 99% of you'll thought it's game over when they were paired against England. You people abuse/criticise your own players most of the time and say they should be axed, when they suddenly perform you go like 'you beauty'. That's double standard and you can't expect others to have faith in your team when you yourself cannot.

They've performed well which is commendable and very good for cricket. Many Indians including me supported Pakistan against England and others but the reason is people like you why we hold ourselves back supporting our neighbouring country against other nations.

Difference between other nations and PAK/BAN is very clear: They win one match and act as if they won the world cup.

Talking about India's 10 years of domination.. lol it's more than that just go through the stats after the year 2000. But we don't live in the past currently we are a better team and have beaten you single handedly few days ago. Talking about sixes:

Lastly on being scared: Sachin, Kohli.

 

[zwarrior]

Why is Bhuvi continuing to his 6th over ?

 

[aditya123]

I hope that this idea of having Bumrah as a new-ball bowler does`nt last long. He is clearly not a new-ball bowler. The ideal scenario is to have him as a first-change bowler as it allows us to bowl the bulk of his overs in the slog. Currently, he is not skilled enough to be given the new ball. A Shami/Umesh bowling in tandem with Bhuvi gives a completely different look to this attack. At the moment, Bumrah and Pandya are both defensive options.

 

[Bigby Wolf]

Why is Bhuvi continuing to his 6th over ?

We are missing Shami or Umesh here . Not sure what the team management was thinking for opting not to play an extra seamer.

 

[aditya123]

We are missing Shami or Umesh here . Not sure what the team management was thinking for opting not to play an extra seamer.

This is why I hate the IPL. Pandya is talented but he is not good enough to be the 3rd seamer in a 3-seam attack. He is at best a 4th seam option. Same with Bumrah who is very easy to play out and won`t pick many wickets with the batsmen not going for their shots.

Pandya is a disaster waiting to happen. If a couple of batsmen get in, just like the SL game, we are in for a pounding. You can see this today. Pandya has no control. He just releases the ball.

 

[Ahmad94]

Most if not all including your countrymen were confident that Pakistan won't go pass the group stage so I don't blame Dada or anybody else who predicted the same. 99% of you'll thought it's game over when they were paired against England. You people abuse/criticise your own players most of the time and say they should be axed, when they suddenly perform you go like 'you beauty'. That's double standard and you can't expect others to have faith in your team when you yourself cannot.

They've performed well which is commendable and very good for cricket. Many Indians including me supported Pakistan against England and others but the reason is people like you why we hold ourselves back supporting our neighbouring country against other nations.

Difference between other nations and PAK/BAN is very clear: They win one match and act as if they won the world cup.

Talking about India's 10 years of domination.. lol it's more than that just go through the stats after the year 2000. But we don't live in the past currently we are a better team and have beaten you single handedly few days ago.

Lastly on being scared: Sachin, Kohli.

What an utterly stupid post!!!!!

The point was that when Indian "critics" formulate opinions on cricket matches that Pakistan participates in, namely Dada, they often pander to the Indian audiences by making a sarcastic joke or comment regarding Pakistan - I assume you guys have the same issue with Rameez Raja.

Secondly, no one is doubting the India has been a very strong team over the last 5-10 years in all formats, but the mentality of Asians never changes. One big game you're a hero, one bad game you're zero. With a team that is currently rebuilding its squad, Pakistan, we are critical of our team because we know we can do better. Just like Pakistani supporters, Indians (and Bangladeshi) have a mentality to criticize their players, this has nothing to do with not having faith in the team.

Finally, what an usually pointless video of Hardik. I could so easily pull up a video of Maindad's Sharjah six or Afridi's three sixes in the Asia Cup.

 

[Bigby Wolf]

And Pandya is already struggling a lot happened in his first over 3 No- Balls (1 for front foot which was a wicket follwed by a wide next ball,1 for an extra fielder in the inner circle).

 

[Ahmad94]

And Pandya is already struggling a lot happened in his first over 3 No- Balls (1 for front foot which was a wicket follwed by a wide next ball,1 for an extra fielder in the inner circle).

I guess the mentality is that he adds an extra dimension with the bat down the order.