ICC Cricket World Cup - May/July 2019

[CerealKiller]

I think Junaid should have been picked ahead of Wahab and I would have definitely picked Wahab in place of Hasnain. This is my opinion. I wouldn't bother starting with Wahab in the XI but as a back up to Junaid.

My issue with Pakistan is that they again picked the XI today with a defensive mindset. Sarfaraz is good enough to bat at 4, in fact, he is not capable of being a 'finisher.' He is a very busy batter and probably one of the best people to have in the middle of the innings. Malik at 5 and Asif at 6.

They'll probably put Malik in for Haris the next game.
Unlike us, the Windies know about NRR, and are trying to finish it quickly.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Archer was my MOM yesterday and Russell today. Both times they didn't get it.

 

[CerealKiller]

So now we have to beat Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (and we're capable of losing all three), plus two out of Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and India, just to have a chance.
Much improvement needed, and quickly.

 

[Master Khan]

Haha well i had a night shift and thank god I didn't watch the game.

 

[abhi_jacko]

So now we have to beat Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (and we're capable of losing all three), plus two out of Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and India, just to have a chance.
Much improvement needed, and quickly.

5 wins out of 8 games? Doesn't sound like huge task for a team looking for a place in a world cup knockout stage

 

[CerealKiller]

5 wins out of 8 games? Doesn't sound like huge task for a team looking for a place in a world cup knockout stage

Just a theory. NRR would probably come into play. Too early to say anything. There could be upsets.

 

[Master Khan]

So now we have to beat Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (and we're capable of losing all three), plus two out of Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and India, just to have a chance.
Much improvement needed, and quickly.

The way they play today I don't think they can win any match haha
.

 

[Trex99]

So now we have to beat Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (and we're capable of losing all three), plus two out of Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and India, just to have a chance.
Much improvement needed, and quickly.

you need to win 6 matches to qualify for semis.[DOUBLEPOST=1559311682][/DOUBLEPOST]35.2 overs bowled. This match ended before a t20.

 

[Master Khan]

I think even the Indian fans will feel sorry Pakistan after today match.
I Live in Nottingham and I was going to book a day off and watch this game but after the way Pakistan played the last matches I decided against it.
I guess I made the right choice.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Well, I don't think Bangladesh and Afghanistan are easy fixtures for Pakistan. They will thump Sri Lanka in my estimation, depending on when they play them. If they don't beat them, I will be quite shocked. The other five games I just don't see them competing. Man for man, they're just not good enough. In these situations, tough teams like NZ/India who keep their nerve can still push through but that is actually the Achilles heel of Pakistan. Two of those teams will have to have shocking days for Pakistan to have a chance. Looks bleak. If it comes down to NRR, I think WI have smashed the daylights out of that in one day.

 

[qpeedore]

While disappointing for Pakistan, it's not the end of their World Cup.

I think the West Indies did the right thing by bowling first, the conditions were overcast and the new ball did swing a little for them. Not that they gave it enough length to swing, but it was there.

Let's analyse the WI bowlers.

Cottrell: Quick enough, not express but he's a left armer and that in itself brings natural movement while bowling to right handers. His first wicket was definitely a gift, but we've seen worse shots from better batsmen.

Holder: To be honest I think over the past couple of years he has figured out his lines but more importantly his lengths. Don't give the batsmen the drive. He's a tall guy, and he has used it well in recent times.

Russel: You don't expect this guy to bowl 85+ MPH by looking at his run-up. I think his wickets were batsmen being surprised.

Thomas: THIS is the guy you expect to bowl the bouncers. He's the quickest in the team, yet he's the one bowling the fullest, generally speaking. It has to be said that he's still developing and we have yet to see the best of him.

Braithwaite: Meh. Not a big fan, tries too hard sometimes but seems to have found some consistency as of late.

It wasn't so much that Pakistan couldn't handle the short stuff, just that they didn't expect it to come from where it did with the consistency that it did.

 

[SaiSrini]

That was a royal thrashing. As someone said here, it almost made even rivals of Pakistan feel sorry for them! But even though Pakistan have some pretty glaring weaknesses, count them out on your own peril. No matter what the format of this tournament is, Pakistan suddenly jump onto the right switch and keep it on till they get to their destination. A few wins here and there and a few shocking days for the other teams and before you know it, Pakistan will be in the knockouts and there they have good days and they can lift the trophy.

But boy, West Indies look superb. If they get good batting wickets (which is likely), they could smash the daylights out of a few teams. And on just a tiny bit of help for bowlers and they do have the likes of Thomas/Russell/Holder to take advantage. I would say right now that the Top 4 of the league phase of this WC is not set in stone. I am expecting some shockers when the Top 4 finalizes at the end of it all. I just hope India do not give me that shock (it would be hugely unpleasant for me if that happens)

 

[Master Khan]

Pakistan really need to work on their short balls, they can't seem to play them in this match.

 

[aditya123]

That was a royal thrashing. As someone said here, it almost made even rivals of Pakistan feel sorry for them! But even though Pakistan have some pretty glaring weaknesses, count them out on your own peril. No matter what the format of this tournament is, Pakistan suddenly jump onto the right switch and keep it on till they get to their destination. A few wins here and there and a few shocking days for the other teams and before you know it, Pakistan will be in the knockouts and there they have good days and they can lift the trophy.

But boy, West Indies look superb. If they get good batting wickets (which is likely), they could smash the daylights out of a few teams. And on just a tiny bit of help for bowlers and they do have the likes of Thomas/Russell/Holder to take advantage. I would say right now that the Top 4 of the league phase of this WC is not set in stone. I am expecting some shockers when the Top 4 finalizes at the end of it all. I just hope India do not give me that shock (it would be hugely unpleasant for me if that happens)

This is when Pakistan become dangerous. They almost always start this way. They got thrashed by India in the CT opener. They lost to a much weaker WI in the 2015 WC but then went on to beat SA!

 

[LiveLoveABD]

This is when Pakistan become dangerous. They almost always start this way. They got thrashed by India in the CT opener. They lost to a much weaker WI in the 2015 WC but then went on to beat SA!

They will get thrashed further. Mark my words.