Group A Discussion

 Sri Lanka are extremely tough to beat on their own patch - we'll see how good Pakistan are this weekend , I think it could be the game of the round robin.

I somehow expeced NZL to surprise the aussies, instead I was surprised by the drubbing.

Talking of fantasy after having two horror games, my team is back on track with Shakib and Tamim scoring valuable points. As one would expect, I've got four pakistani's in my team for tomorrow's game!

The big game today - really the first real match of the tournament this one - expect a close one.

PAK well and truly on top, 4 down srilanka and boy am I loving this!!!

Terrific performance by Pakistan, This was a very very important game to ensure they get a good placing in the table. Normally if they can get through ZIM and CAN which they should they can have a decent shot at 2nd position, They can expect to win against NZL as well and have a chance to even finish first depending upon how AUS fare against PAK themselves and SLN.

I'm very very happy with the way the team ahs performed, although it shouldn't really have gone till the last over once Sanga was out, they will have to work on that.

Great to see Pak winning this match, very important win for them. Sri Lanka would have liked to win this one in front of that massive crowd.

Originally posted by flipper Terrific performance by Pakistan, indeed it was sam. Saw the game up till the last five overs, at that point I had to surrender the t.v to the kids. Pakistan looked well worth their win for me.

Anybody just looking at the scorecard might think '11 runs - must have been close' but for me, once Dilshan and Tharanga were gone, Sri Lanka were never getting the runs and Pakistan always looked in complete control.

I tipped them a couple of weeks back to win the World Cup - so long as 2 of their batsmen keep firing and Afridi inspires with the ball, they'll go far into the tournament.

It was not unexpected - Sangakkara knew Pakistan will be a tough team and you write them off at your own peril. Having Younus and Misbah is the middle order gives Pakistan the cushion to take control in the middle part of the innings and explode towards the end and not many teams have got this leverage. They still have to improve on their fielding and effective utilization of the key players. Razzaq has to play more balls than just the 4-5 balls he gets to play. If a wicket falls after the 40th over - Razzaq should come ahead of both Umar and Afridi - he is much more dangerous than them.

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi It was not unexpected - Sangakkara knew Pakistan will be a tough team and you write them off at your own peril. Having Younus and Misbah is the middle order gives Pakistan the cushion to take control in the middle part of the innings and explode towards the end and not many teams have got this leverage. They still have to improve on their fielding and effective utilization of the key players. Razzaq has to play more balls than just the 4-5 balls he gets to play. If a wicket falls after the 40th over - Razzaq should come ahead of both Umar and Afridi - he is much more dangerous than them.

I agree its not a surprise result. Its just that considering all that the team had been through in recent times one would have though would have a barring on the team. Well watching their last game That definitely doesn't seem to be the case.
A word of praise must be given to the captain and the team for such resilience and character.

I have also always thought very high of Misbah , more so for his mental toughness than his skill. Never agreed with him not being in the team. Such a vital cog for Pakistan. The ideal player you need in that middle order. brings about a good balance in that batting line-up.

Edited by vote4peace - 28 February 2011 at 7:07am

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi Razzaq has to play more balls than just the 4-5 balls he gets to play. If a wicket falls after the 40th over - Razzaq should come ahead of both Umar and Afridi - he is much more dangerous than them.

I agree with that. Razzaq has to bat higher up the order than No.8 , else for  most of the games he plays as a bowler who bowls around 4-5 overs. Also don't  like the idea of having him share the new ball. Few question marks over Shehzad too, would rather Kamran Akmal as the opener, Umar Akmal at 3 or 5 and Razzaq at 6. gives pakistan the room to add a wicket taking pace bowler, maybe Wahab Riaz, to share new ball responsibilities with Akhtar. This doesn't really weaken or unbalance the batting of the team, while it strengthen the bowling.
 Agree that Umar Gul should continue as the first change, with his ability to sometines get the ball to reverse as early as the 15th to 20th over being crucial.

not at all, Shahzad I believe will hit a century in the next game. The team balance is perfectly fine, Razzaq is underutilized I agree but then he is there as a back up both in bowling and batting. But yes, if he doesn't get to bat at all then you can't expect him to do wonders when required. He should bat a little higher against Canada just to get a hit and be comfortable.

Here an interesting interview with Shoaib Akhtar... Shows how far the bowler has come since his controversy filled days.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/interviews/Shoaib-not-a-fast-brat-anymore/articleshow/7597863.cms

Slinga Malinga is at it again. Man sometimes i wonder where the Lankans dug him out from.

What a difference one man has made to that bowling attack.. From being mediocre to dangerous. He has without doubt added a new dimension to the sport.
GO MALINGA!!!!

If only had Malinga played earlier, he was in my fantasy team you know... not anymore though! :(

Anyways, Lasith Malinga will be the man if SLN are to do some serious damage.

Malinga's control with that slingy action is remarkable. 6 wickets , 2 lbws , 4 bowled and all blockhole deliveries!  He's got a simple philosophy , I'll take the pitch out of the equation completely - it doesn't matter to me how slow it is !
                He'll bowl the odd 5 wides , but all batsmen will be fully tuned in for the agonising toe crunchers and wicket wreckers  !