PAK-NZ 4th ODI

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Pakistan running out of options

Wisden Comment by Kamran Abbasi

January 12, 2004

When Mohammad Hafeez bombed out against South Africa he left Pakistan with an unfamiliar dilemma: no sixth bowler. Inzamam-ul-Haq says that Imran Farhat is his sixth man. But actions speak louder than words, and Farhat barely bowls. Both Inzamam and Javed Miandad have been involved with teams that had a proper sixth bowling option, which makes their current strategy baffling.

Flexibility is one route to success in one-day cricket - and Pakistan’s bowling attack doesn’t have it. Another strategy - one that Imran Khan championed and made a mantra - is that nothing slows the scoring rate better than taking wickets. Pakistan enjoy 20 overs of speed from Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, but the remaining 30 are delivered by Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, and Shoaib Malik, none of whom is a genuine threat to international batsmen.

A hallmark of good Pakistani one-day teams has been a wicket-taking bowler on at one end throughout the 50 overs. The current reliance on batting allrounders makes this impossible. Indeed, Pakistan’s one-day side is so packed with batting that you wonder if the tour selection committee has faith in its batsmen?

A solution to both these problems (no sixth bowler and only two pure bowlers) is to drop a batsman, pick a bowler, and use Abdul Razzaq as a frontline batsman who bowls rather than as an allrounder. Mahmood, Malik, or Razzaq - whose bowling is in decline - could bat at No. 3 if Yousuf Youhana is reluctant. Hence, out with Saleem Elahi, and in with Shabbir Ahmed or Danish Kaneria. Beyond this tour, Pakistan might want to reconsider Saqlain Mushtaq.

The current strategy might well be enough against New Zealand, but there is a superficial threat about Pakistan’s bowling attack that doesn’t inspire confidence. Survive the missile-launchers and opposing batsmen are rewarded with pie-throwers. India’s middle order must be licking their lips.

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Pressure on Pakistan as New Zealand seek to shut out series](Yahoo is part of the Yahoo family of brands.)

NAPIER, New Zealand (AFP) - For the first time in the series, New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming sees Pakistan under pressure as they go into the fourth one-day match here with the pendulum of favouritism swinging back in New Zealand’s favour.

Following on from his match-winning 115 not out in Christchurch last weekend, Fleming is intent on backing up with another matchwinning knock to close out the five-match series 3-1 and give New Zealand a rare victory over Pakistan just a month after being on the receiving end of a 0-5 hiding.

To do that, the New Zealand Black Caps must exploit Pakistan’s preference to play just five bowlers by seeing off the frontline pair – Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami – then launch into the rest of the attack.

Akhtar, the star paceman, reached 159 kilometres per hour in Christchurch and will be a big threat again on what should be another hard and fast surface.

Fleming said it was up to New Zealand to turn Akhtar’s extreme pace to their advantage.

“They’ve got three quality backup bowlers (Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood and spinner Shoaib Malik) but once you’ve faced 150-160kmh, you’ve got to be a pretty special bowler to then follow in because guys, if they get through it, are going to look to pick up the pace,” Fleming said.

“There’s certainly pressure on their bowlers three, four and five.”

That was the formula New Zealand adopted in Christchurch where they won by seven wickets to give their confidence a much needed boost after snatching a surprise win in the first game of the series and being comprehensively outplayed in the second.

They are also buoyed by their sound record at McLean Park here where they have won 13 and lost six.

Fleming too has happy memories of the ground, having scored 90 on debut against India in 1994 and his only other century in New Zealand – 111 not out against Australia in 1998.

He averages 64.4 from 14 matches here and said the big challenge for him was to back up from the sapping 213-minute knock in the Christchurch heat.

“I’d love to do it again. I have had good times here and I enjoy batting here.”

Pakistan may well take in the same team that lost in Christchurch, although there is an injury concern with Salim Elahi, who topscored with 80 on Saturday.

He is nursing a badly bruised finger and would make way for Younis Khan if ruled out.

New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Craig Cumming,Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Andre Adams.

Pakistan (from): Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Salim Elahi, Yousuf Youhana, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Younis Khan, Danish Kaneria, Umar Gul.

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pakistan won’t drop sami cos they love him so :smack: i say drop shoaib malik and bring in shabbir ahmed + if the wicket is spin friendly try danny-nanny

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The weather looks good for today's match. Not ideal but still no rain in the forecast.

I would like to see:

Yasir
Imran
Elahi
Yoyo
Inzi
Malik
Moin
Razzaq
Sami
Shoaib
Shabbir

25

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by funguy: *
The weather looks good for today's match. Not ideal but still no rain in the forecast.

I would like to see:

Yasir
Imran
Elahi
Yoyo
Inzi
Malik
Moin
Razzaq
Sami
Shoaib
Shabbir
[/QUOTE]

Elahi might not play due to injury, in which case I think Younis might come in. I agree Shabbir should come in for Azhar.

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^^ Why not Taufeeq ?? Both Yonis and Elahi are slower than him. Alteast he has confidence more than both of 'em.

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Somehow I feel that people dont like Saleem Elahi because he is from Lahore?? There has always been bia against Lahori Players.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by fair_&_balance: *
Somehow I feel that people dont like Saleem Elahi because he is from Lahore?? There has always been bia against Lahori Players.
[/QUOTE]

You are an Indian and have no right or basis to say such things.

By the way,

the chief selector, PCB CEO, and Chairman are all from Punjab.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by funguy: *

You are an Indian and have no right or basis to say such things.

By the way,

the chief selector, PCB CEO, and Chairman are all from Punjab.
[/QUOTE]

I didnt say anything about the Official.I am talking about bais of people on this forum.
It doesnt matter if I am Indian or Japanese. I have noticed this on this forum.There has always been bias against guys from Punjab.You must be from karachi??

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I am ONLY a PAKISTANI and that should be enough for you.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by funguy: *
I am ONLY a PAKISTANI and that should be enough for you.
[/QUOTE]

I agree and respect that.
Dont be angry.But I think you would be naive to think that there isnt bais against Punjabis when it comes to cricket?

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by fair_&_balance: *
Somehow I feel that people dont like Saleem Elahi because he is from Lahore?? There has always been bia against Lahori Players.
[/QUOTE]

So you think Taufeeq is from Lala Musa ???

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Right.. but the captain of Pakistan cricket team speaks Punjabi during post match interviews. :confused:

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Just a reminder, this thread is about Pak vs. NZ with ODI. :k:
Pakistan should bring in Younis Khan for an all-rounder. Inshallah, Pakistan will win today’s match!!

35

Anybody broadcasting today’s ODI? :flower1:

36

What time does match start?

37

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by fair_&_balance: *

I have noticed this on this forum.There has always been bias against guys from Punjab.
[/QUOTE]

Assuimg by 'guys' you mean 'players', i would say no. There is no "bias" against players from Punjab. What you are referring to is just a personal opinion of some members against the selection policies of the PCB. And that's that.

Personally, i fail to understand what the fuss is all about since Sindh and Punjab both seem to dominate the cricket scene.

38

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by smooth_guy: *
What time does match start?
[/QUOTE]

Match starts at 23.00 GMT which is 19.00 NY time.

F&B stay balanced and khamkha ka phadda na dhaal. :)

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I think it's 1800 NY time.

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Match starts at 6PM EST. 2 hours from now!