well, lets see. Razzaq should count as half a bowler since he actually is half the bowler that he once was. Waqar is 3/4 of a real fastie. So, if we play "five" bowlers, we actually have 4.25 bowlers, and we need someone to pitch in with at least 5 overs to cover for Razzler and Waqar. And you propose, we use Younis Khan.
Younis Khan has bowled the most expensive over in test cricket history. McMillan murdered him, took his carcass all the way to the graveyard and gave him a dignified burial. So, you'd like Younis to bowl in a game where bowling is all about stopping runs?
Afridi cannot be played as a batsmen. Not anywhere in the top 5 spot. We need 5 specialist batsmen up there, to put up something our bowlers can defend. If Afridi is to be played, than it will have to be as a bowler, and I dont see that happening cause their just is'nt anyroom for him.
As far as getting hit....every one gets hit on his bad day. Saqlain, for instance. You remember what Gibbs did to him a few weeks back. Destroyed his career average in a single innings.
We will have to trust these people. Afridi is no Imran Khan, that he will single handedly save us. Infact he does'nt even deserve to be in the team. Razzak and the rest of the lot are going througha bad phase. Inshallah they will find their form, and then their will be no looking back.
I agree that Waqar is not as fast as before but he's still dangerous with the new ball. It's what happens when he comes on as a change bowler I'm interested to see. I still think Shoaib should bowl 1st change for just that reason. Afridi IMO should only be played on the sub-continent. If the ball's seaming around (and the English bowlers might not be fast but they can do that) then he's likely to get out fast. I don't think there's much chance of him playing anyway as we had a decent start last time round.
I don't think Waqar should be coming on first change. Because when the batsman knows that even after playing out Wasim and Waqar he'll be facing Shoaib and Saqi, he is bound to be nervous.
On the other hand, if the openers manage to deny Wasim and Shoaib in their opening spells, the game is as good as lost from Pakistan's point of view. All Waqar has to do as an opening bowler is not stray on that middle to leg line and he'll be fine. The rest Wasim, Shoaib and Saqi will do.
I think Pakistan will win this match easily. Wasim and particularly Waqar have always bowled well againast them. England bowling is really weak with Giles and blackwell both out of the game.
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*Originally posted by Asif_k: *
I think Pakistan will win this match easily. Wasim and particularly Waqar have always bowled well againast them. England bowling is really weak with Giles and blackwell both out of the game.
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Blackwell and Giles don't make a difference to Pakistan's batsmen. It's the Pringles that we hate facing. I think Jimmy Anderson and Flintoff might play some role in England's bowling attack.
I wish their spinners were fit. I am yet to see a QUALITY spinner from England in recent times.
By the way, it was a treat to watch Shoaib firing in with FIVE slips and TWO gullies against the minnows. Cricket has so much variety to it. I never knew a field placing would excite me so much.
Miss watching test cricket.
Last I saw was when Mc Grath had Lara catch in third slip for his 300th wicket in Australia.
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*Originally posted by Asif_k: *
I think Pakistan will win this match easily. Wasim and particularly Waqar have always bowled well againast them. England bowling is really weak with Giles and blackwell both out of the game.
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I'd agree with taht, the only doubt factor is if we have to bat under lights. If the ball starts zipping around because of the dew that's England's only hope. Shame it wasn't a day match because it wouldn't even be a contest all things equal.
I dont think Flintoff's bowling should worry any team, I would be more worried about his batting. If he gets going he is very dangerous and can send any attack packing.
Xtrmeo - match hasn't even started yet and you started listing excuses ;). Anyways If Pak bats first Pak wins . If Pak bats second and England scores 240+ (which I doubt) England wins.
Akhtar should be first change....coz tht'll put some pressure on the batsmen in the middle overs.....they'll be under enuff pressure in the beginning n the end....wit wasim n waqar bowling.....so there is some pressure needed in the middle overs n akhtar is the right person for it!
the logic of keeping Shoaib back is that he will still be dangerous as a first change bowler whereas Waqar is only dangerous with the new ball from what I've seen. Waqar is capable of doing damage to the opening batsmen but with the ball a bit older he won't get swing - and he's already lost pace so there's a danger he'll be easy pickings.Maybe he'll prove me wrong and bowl well first change. I certainly hope so.
the logic of keeping Shoaib back is that he will still be dangerous as a first change bowler whereas Waqar is only dangerous with the new ball from what I've seen. Waqar is capable of doing damage to the opening batsmen but with the ball a bit older he won't get swing - and he's already lost pace so there's a danger he'll be easy pickings.Maybe he'll prove me wrong and bowl well first change. I certainly hope so.
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And I thought being master of reverse swing he was best with old ball.
I think idea of having Wasim and shoib as opening bowler is best.
Waqar is lousy either as opening bowler or one change.Atleast this way your best bowler gets chance to exploit the new ball and Waqar has cushion of having spread out field.
Totally agree with AQ. Waqar MUST always have a DEEP MIDWICKET and DEEP Square leg when he is bowling those inswingers aimed at middle and leg. Those used to be great at 150 KMH but at 130, they are more like “come hit me’s”.
I would rather have him bowl short at middle and leg. At least there is some chance of getting a wicket by a miscued pull. But with half volleys at such line and length, you are ONLY bound to get hit.
And I thought being master of reverse swing he was best with old ball.
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Reverse swing only comes into the equation once the ball is 30-40 overs old. It's not going to reverse afte 10 overs.
As for Waqar being lousy with the new ball that's not the case. He CAN be lousy but he can also be brilliant if he gets his line right. He's capable of bowling genuine swing both ways and he has struck early several times doing just that. Your point about cushion of having spread out field is valid though. That might be something to consider.
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