LM the fact that they came close had nothing to do with the first 15 overs. Secondly Pakistan are bad chasers, so I dont think they will be able to chase such a huge total sucessfully. Coming close is one thing, winning it is quite another.
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Ehsan Bhai had they been scroing at 3 an over for the first 15, they would have crumbled under pressure for a lot lower total. That match went right down to the wire and we won because Sami kept his never in the last over. Boeta Dippennear was still there and well set, in all fairness I think he should have been able to pull it off for South Africa. He was well set and was seeing the ball well and I think he should have tried to retain most of the strike to ensure South African victory. Its not a matter of if they lost of won in that match they could have very well won that match. So we need someone in the opening slot to ensure we dont score at snails pace.
We got 10 wickets...so every player gets a fare share of 5 overs or 30 balls to play...so each player should take into account to make the best use of his allotted 30 balls...
And the same goes to bowlers too...
A RR of 4-5 per over in the beginning is nice and still not losing wickets for the later mid-lower order clout...all the factors should be considered.
I think the ODI's are developing and will look like the baseball game in the future... :)
Our worst opening 15 overs to date int he 4th ODI with 39-2. It's not so much down to the tactics this time, just bad selection. Hafeez shouldn't still be opening and putting Faisal in at no 3 was like shooting yourself in the foot.
Aamir Sohail just talking on tv how it wasn't Sri Lankans who invented the ploy of hitting over the infield in the first 15 overs but Saeed Anwar which is totally spot on. He first did it in Australia where he hammered them to all parts of the ground totally changing the approach for future one dayers. Glory days.
I hope he does [that is if he plays @ all..!]