Hi people, Wasn't around here for some days. I want to put some cents here regarding World Cup and recent matches. I believe that this World Cup has the most competitive format and teams for more than a decade of World Cup history but thus far rain is taking the competitiveness away a bit too far. When the top teams failed to compete with each other back and forth due to rain, disappointment does occur and then luck plays its major part rather than team performances. I don't support a roof technology or indoor stadiums here, I believe Rain in ODI especially add beauty and value to the Cricket but back to back entire washouts and that too of crunch games which can play a major part ahead in the tournament isn't a too feel-good sign for the audience and teams as well.
I don't support the reserve days for crucial matches either that will stretch the already long tournament and not the way to work for pool matches. However, I feel ICC and boards should build a consensus to have the World Cup Tournament in the period of normal weather conditions. This seems an extreme weather situation where rain is scaring people coming to see matches. I heard there are rain forecasts for semi-finals and finals even. Not Happy.
Today was a big game of Newzeland against India, got all in vain without any competition between the two top teams.
Now I'd love to talk about Yesterday match between Pakistan and Australia. Most of my friends here must have remembered that I was among ones who voiced the opinions strongly that Malik and Hafeez in same batting lineup is a huge gamble. You can't rely on Babar Azam every other day, He is a human being, not a run making machine. He gave a great start yesterday but fell short in an attempt to pull a shot which deserved to be pulled. I can remember in 1999 World Cup, Inzamam played a very similar shot against Damien Fleming in the pool match with Bill Lawry voicing his classic commentary for that shot and it went for a boundary level six so I won't blame Babar here. My point was that Fakhar Zaman is already not a consistent aggressor off-late, you don't have a third specialist opener, Babar is your number 3 backbone if he gets out early, Would you bank on Hafeez, Malik and Asif each and every day? I guess not, instead of banking, you'd rather be hoping that one of them gets clicks. That's not the right strategy. You don't win the World Cup with a bunch of part-time batsmen/bowlers in middle order every other day.
I believe Haris Sohail should be the part of the squad in every match, He can bowl 3 to 4 overs like Malik, I know Malik is better with his spin, however, Haris gives you solid base and trust in the middle order. Had Haris be in yesterday match coming in such a crucial stage, Most likely Australia would have been struggling to get him out. He is your proper specialist middle-order batsman.
Pakistan made a huge blunder not picking up Shadab that was the talk of the town yesterday. The team needs a balanced selection and have to be professional in fielding. Literally, teams don't deserve victory with such bad fielding and child's play batting which Pakistan showed.
Inzy made a bad call picking sluggish opener Imam alongside risky Fakhar, boy we've had a major flaw in opening pair. I'd put more onus on sluggish Imam and less reliable Hafeez in yesterday loss than any other else. Bowling was sloppy as well by Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi.
Coming to India vs Pakistan, at present looking at vibe and situation, Pakistan is looking towards the losing end, but you never say never when Pakistan is playing, that's how they have been operating over the decades. Aamir, Shadab, Babar, and Shadab would be keys for Pakistan. All Pakistan needs is 3 good balls to destruct the top 3 of Indian batting lineup and game will be very much on
Let's see IF Rain doesnt come into play.
