ICC Cricket World Cup - May/July 2019

[Bevab]

England have been a lot better with their approach to dealing with good balls today, preferring to block them instead of trying to be aggressive. Ominous signs indeed if they have finally acquired the patience to accompany their flamboyant playstyle.

 

[Rehan_24]

On top of that even weather didn't help their cause so yeah it is a good thing that they have almost made it to the top 4. The exact reason why Pakistan never plays their potential is because of the hype the get from their fans and the media in their Country. When they perform well they get carried away by that and believe they are one of the best side in the world. And it's Captain and coach are a lot responsible for it. I think in Misbah-ul-Haq's Captaincy the players actually wanted to play their best Cricket. I completely disagree to Shoaib Akhtar's Criticism after Pakistan's exit from the 2015 WC. The fact was Pakistan's bowlers were inexperienced and failed to use the conditions well enough and flat pitches in Australia didn't help their cause either. And top of it you had players like Nasir Jamshed and Umar Akmal who were never consistent. TBH I was a huge Pakistan Cricket fan but since the time Sarfaraz has become the Captain I don't get any particular attachment with them.

And sorry if I say this but I am getting that feeling that Pakistan will face it really difficult to beat Bangladesh and there are chances that Bangladesh can knock them out even if they don't score much. This is what exactly had happened in Asia Cup last year. If Pakistan wins the toss they should bat first and get runs on the board which can put pressure on Bangladesh.

I don't think so Pakistan team takes media criticism quite seriously nor do the Indian team as the media performance is almost the same in both countries. Rather than fans and media, Pakistan's brand of cricket is being unpredictable and the entire World Cricket knows it. As far as this tournament is concerned, I won't shy to accept that Pakistan's performance has been shaky, up and down and that is because of their lack of preparation before World Cup, Preparation not of matches rather than a consistent Team Selection before All important Tournament like WC is also an integral part of Preparation.

Against Bangladesh, I am at the moment not in a position to pick winners but one thing I can say that Pakistan can be either devastating for itself or for Bangladesh. I said it here before our match against South Africa even that I am concerned with Bangladesh more than Newzeland and South Africa matches and there is no harm in it as Bangladesh is certainly not a minor team now. This team is far better with talent and skill wise compared to Srilanka and with Pakistan, they do play with extra passion, However, since that Game can be called as Quarter-Final of the Tournament. A sure-shot do and die match for both teams, I am expecting a very exciting contest and Pakistan with the right leadership can turn the things around. By Leadership I mean to say right bowling changes so let's see how it goes. I am a firm believer that for the sake of argument even If Pakistan wins the World Cup here, I would be among ones wanting some constructive changes in the team as well as in the selection committee.

 

[Bevab]

Another brainfade from the umpires. Aleem Dar ffs.

 

[Bigby Wolf]

Hardik will be belted today and Kedar will also bowl overs today.

Shami deserved a wicket in the first spell - just too many edges going against him.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Another brainfade from the umpires. Aleem Dar ffs.

We did have a review and it must have been a faint one when Dhoni decides not to review it.

 

[Neo 7]

LEGENDARY !!!!

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Can't say anything of England's performance yet as Kuldeep Yadav is still yet to bowl. Pretty strange !!!

 

[Gaurav_7]

Wow that is some lovely batting by these two! Pandya is going to be crucial here and if he goes for runs today, Kohli will find it difficult. Hopefully it will be a run fest with Indian batsmen going berserk as well and ending up winning the game.

 

[Bevab]

We did have a review and it must have been a faint one when Dhoni decides not to review it.

I remember Dhoni making another mistake with regards to DRS in the previous games. And in any case, I wouldn’t blame the players for not reviewing it when they’ve got only one for 50 overs. It’s the responsibility of the umpires to be correct with their decisions at the end and this is not something that you would want at the highest level of cricket.

Bairstow seems to be growing into the game and is finding the middle of the bat more often. A wicket needs to fall soon.

 

[Rehan_24]

Expecting India to end up as the winning side today. I still stand by my belief that England will make it to the Semis though.

If England loses today, the only way they can enter into the Semis If Pakistan loses with Bangladesh, otherwise no chance for England.

Talking about today's Game. England appears to come in full-mood to pile up 300+ which gonna be hard for India if the top order didn't perform. If India gets a huge total to chase for, there will be huge pressure on Rohit Sharma and Virat to perform as they most of the times. The way India performed with the bat against WestIndies and Afghanistan raise questions regarding their overall batting line up except for Sharma, Virat, and Dhoni. To my view, I have never really seen Kedar Jadhav performing to the extent a middle-order batsman should perform. KL Rahul is going strictly okay while I haven't much seen Pant, today I will watch and observe.

Meanwhile, Bairstow and Roy are smashing India all over the park except Bumrah. Regardless, India is still very much in WC even if they lose today against England but they have to be very watchful against dangerous Bangladesh so I don't think so India can relax here against England as well. They will definitely want to win today to be in the Winning Streak momentum.

One point I want to make regarding Pandya, Do you really consider him a complete all-rounder? I don't think so.

Talking about the World Cup, It is little surprise that a Host Country to whom everyone in media and ex-cricketers virtually declared champions even before the World Cup is now at the brink of the tournament.

 

[Ahmad94]

Today (like a lot of Pakistanis) I am actively supporting India.

And compared to supporting Pakistan, it is far more relaxing. Every time England hit a six, I know India has 10 players that can do the same. Is this what supporting a competent team feels like?

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

There you go !! Roy smashes Kuldeep.[DOUBLEPOST=1561891190][/DOUBLEPOST]

Today (like a lot of Pakistanis) I am actively supporting India.

And compared to supporting Pakistan, it is far more relaxing. Every time England hit a six, I know India has 10 players that can do the same. Is this what supporting a competent team feels like?

Infact we are feeling the heat at the moment 3 of our best bowlers are getting clobbered !!

 

[Bigby Wolf]

Seems like 400 on the card today. Just the belter of a track with one side too short.

Honestly don't mind this situation before a knockout game will test us to the full core instead of having one odd one in the finals.

 

[Rehan_24]

This is some amazing power-hitting by England openers. Literally smashing Indian spinners all over the park. I think Bumrah should be introduced back to halt this on-going momentum[DOUBLEPOST=1561891360][/DOUBLEPOST]

Today (like a lot of Pakistanis) I am actively supporting India.

And compared to supporting Pakistan, it is far more relaxing. Every time England hit a six, I know India has 10 players that can do the same. Is this what supporting a competent team feels like?

Actually, the beauty of this game should be May the best team won today so we should see how it goes. Whoever will play better cricket today will win.

 

[Bevab]

One point I want to make regarding Pandya, Do you really consider him a complete all-rounder? I don't think so.

Shakib is the only player that I would consider a complete all-rounder, a player that would get into most sides as a pure batsman or a pure bowler.

Pandya needs to improve his bowling accuracy to be considered one, but I would rather groom another all-rounder and have Pandya as the ‘impact’ bowler like Stokes to take key wickets with his pace and sudden magic deliveries rather than try to turn him into a line and length bowler making him lose his pace like Munaf and so many others.