Pakistan

[Kabooka]

LoL do they have any holy relation with him? i think that's why they are using his name for themselves

Brother, you know what politics is & what politicians are like. They would take any name/agenda to appeal to their target vote bank. Earlier it was a political party created to appeal to the Hindu sensibilities & now they claim to be the voice of the common Marathi . Shiv Sena has no relation with any holy identity. (Similar to the Taliban, whose literal meaning is "Students of Islamic Faith/Knowledge" but we all know that what their actions are & that these actions certainly that don't justify what their name stands for)

Also, considering the fact that the ICC world cup is an event that shall be telecast world wide any disruptions to its proceedings are absolutely out of question.

 

[BKB1991]

Seems likely that there could be some swapping in our batting order. I really like the composition and the versatility in it, depending on the scenario tomorrow we could be seeing Umar Akmal coming above Misbah. If we lose early wickets it has to be Misbah, but if its like 30is overs Umar would be my call.

Akhtar seems to be destined for a start. Its amazing how we can still neglect a spinner of Ajmals calibre. Personally if Akhtar wasnt fully fit, I would have preferred giving Ajmal a shot to see how it goes. Hoping for a good start tomorrow!

Probable XI:
Hafeez
Shehzad
KAkmal
Younis
Misbah/UAkmal
Misbah/UAkmal
Afridi
Razzaq
Gul
Akhtar
Riaz

 

[Auwais]

What was the reasoning behind leaving Yousuf out of the squad? Was he out of form? Injuries?

 

[BKB1991]

Out of form. Didnt score a century for the past 2-3 years barring one against Bangladesh. Despite the great player he is, I dont think we really miss him in this format atleast.

 

[Insomniac]

Out of form. Didnt score a century for the past 2-3 years barring one against Bangladesh. Despite the great player he is, I dont think we really miss him in this format atleast.

I think Yousuf would have made the squad, but Misbah's stunning return to form ended that. As it is, we can only afford 2 "slow" players in the team, which for the entire tournament looks set to be Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq with Asad Shafiq as a possible replacement if needed.

Shahid Afridi did announce that he plans to split Younis and Misbah up, so they are not batting together. I figure Umar Akmal will slot in between them, so the run rate stays at a steady 6 an over throughout the innings.

 

[Papa_Smurf]

That's a bad idea. What happens if Umar gets out? Does Afridi bring himself on before Misbah? A floating order will never work if the players don't know their roles.

For me, the structure of the line-up is fine. Shahzad + Akmal for explosive start while Hafeez keeps the other end ticking along. Then, Younis+Misbah to anchor and set up the platform for the last 15 overs for Umar, Afridi and Razzaq to fire.
Each player, this way, gets to play his natural game.

 

[ksduded]

That's a bad idea. What happens if Umar gets out? Does Afridi bring himself on before Misbah? A floating order will never work if the players don't know their roles.

For me, the structure of the line-up is fine. Shahzad + Akmal for explosive start while Hafeez keeps the other end ticking along. Then, Younis+Misbah to anchor and set up the platform for the last 15 overs for Umar, Afridi and Razzaq to fire.
Each player, this way, gets to play his natural game.

I would like to keep Younis and Misbah separate as well. I would give Younis a go first, because Misbah can still hit out if needed. Usually Misbah places his innings really well, he consolidates when its needed and then unleashes the big shots, which he is very capable off.

But it is also weird to not play your best batsman (Misbah) early.

I don't really like Kamran Akmal up the order. He is more prone to getting out early which creates extra pressure. If we have Younis at one and Umar at 2 with Misbah in tow then we have Afridi, razzaq and Kamran as the power hitters. This way if a wicket falls early we have Younis to steady the ship.

 

[Papa_Smurf]

Considering his performances over the last year in ODI's, Kamran's played much better at the top than lower down. I just don't see the point of changing it - it worked against the Kiwis.

Having said that, Kenya would be the perfect team to test things against.

 

[BKB1991]

I think Yousuf would have made the squad, but Misbah's stunning return to form ended that. As it is, we can only afford 2 "slow" players in the team, which for the entire tournament looks set to be Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq with Asad Shafiq as a possible replacement if needed.

True.

That's a bad idea. What happens if Umar gets out? Does Afridi bring himself on before Misbah? A floating order will never work if the players don't know their roles.

For me, the structure of the line-up is fine. Shahzad + Akmal for explosive start while Hafeez keeps the other end ticking along. Then, Younis+Misbah to anchor and set up the platform for the last 15 overs for Umar, Afridi and Razzaq to fire.
Each player, this way, gets to play his natural game.

The idea of rotating is too make sure each player plays his natural game on the situation that demands it. Umar Akmal will only be promoted if Pakistan are in a decent position when they lose we lose our third wicket. Generally I would like Akmal to come when the rate is going around about 4-5, and approximately 25+ overs have passed. This allows him adequate time to settle in and play his shots. If we are stumbling and lose like three quick wickets before the 25 overs or so, then bring in Misbah to consolidate.

The problem with putting Younis and Misbah together is that they may slow things down too much, because both of them take their time to settle down, if they fail, they waste too many bowls and put loads of pressure on the fragile lower order.

I think the biggest weakness going into this world cup is are bowlers. All our bowlers have the potential to be to be too hot or too cold. Razzaq 's overs are also the key, considering teams will target him due to his lack of pace and if he fails at bowling 5-6 overs at a decent ER, it may disturb the teams balance immensely.

 

[sami ullah khan]

Pakistan should not make that useless Kamran Akmal to bat at number 3. He has been failing miserably at the top of the order. Younis Khan is our best bet at number 3. Useless junior can follow him at number 4 although I would prefer Asad a lot more but I know how things work in our team . Misbah can handle any collapse situation at number 5. Afridi and Razzaq can give the innings any required boost with some help from Wahab.

 

[Paki007]

I know they will keep palynig Kami because there is no othr keeper in the sqquad so we better swap kami with razzaq i think razzak can do better while batting at the top order this will give him more balls to settle down and also he is in a good form as well

 

[Kabooka]

Too many decisions for Pakistan

I, as a neutral would certainly like to see Misbah finish the innings in style.

 

[Paki007]

I am looking forward to SHAhZAD'S innings i am getting a feeling today that he might perform

 

[Kabooka]

I am looking forward to SHAhZAD'S innings i am getting a feeling today that he might perform

Ouch !!

 

[BKB1991]

Well Akmal tbf seems to be well suited at no 3. Hes a waste down the order and generally plays the quicker bowlers better and likes it when the bowl comes to the bat.

Good performance first up, but we have got arguably the toughest game of the world cup next. Lets hope we can do it. Dont see the need of changing the combination, unless the conditions require another pacer where we can bring in Riaz for Rehman.