I am sure the idea of Pakistan beating Australia will make Indian team and Indian fans happy as it will give them a chance to qualify for the semi final.
However in Pakistan’s own interest they must win this game which will make them Group A leader (A1).
A1 will play its match against B2 (which I am hoping is going to be Newzealand). But the most important part about being A1 is the opportunity to play the semi final on Centurion and not Jo’Burg.
A1 will play B2 on Friday October 2nd @ Centurion. Whereas the second semi final will on the tricky pitch of Jo’Burg. We all know that it might get difficult for any team to play on that pitch. Not to forget there is a forecast of rain during the seconf semi final @ Jo’Burg.
so Pakistan should go all out instead of throwing in Asif and Fawad in place of Rana Sahab and Nazir?
If they can figure out a way to squeeze Asif within the final 11 it will be good. Could be at the epxense of Gul.
Another option will be to drop Ajmal so that even if Australia qualifies for the semi and than if they meet Pakistan again in the final (assumptions) they will face Ajmal for the first time in the tournament.
Interestinly whenver Pakisan and Australia have met in a tournament (once in a pool game game and then in the final) the results have been similar. This has happened twice. Once during 1999 World cup and then later during 2001 in England.
On both occasions Pakistan beat Australia in the pool games by batting first and scoring a big total which Australia failed to chase. While both finals have been one sided with Pakistan batting first and getting out cheaply.
Tomorrow's encounter will be a must watch game. India will be following closely the match before they start their game and even during their game. Luckily for them their encounter with Windies is a day night game while Pakista's is a day game.
Re: Why Pakistan must win against Australia tomorrow?
Should Pakistan really win this match?Infact they can take a call on that.A defeat means India will be out of the tournament and even if Pakistan does it,India can not blame them because it was the sheer irresponsible game India played that landed them in this predicament.
But I am hopeful that India will remain in this tournament and will win the cup :)
Re: Why Pakistan must win against Australia tomorrow?
Should try Asif regardless of risk of loss. hes a match winner and deserves to play. drop Rana, have Asif pair with Aamer as strike bowlers with gul as first change.
BTW theres a chance now that NZ can be group toppers. In this case if Pakistan lose they're face NZ which has traditionally worked out well for us.
I am sure the idea of Pakistan beating Australia will make Indian team and Indian fans happy as it will give them a chance to qualify for the semi final.
However in Pakistan's own interest they must win this game which will make them Group A leader (A1).
A1 will play its match against B2 (which I am hoping is going to be Newzealand). But the most important part about being A1 is the opportunity to play the semi final on Centurion and not Jo'Burg.
A1 will play B2 on Friday October 2nd @ Centurion. Whereas the second semi final will on the tricky pitch of Jo'Burg. We all know that it might get difficult for any team to play on that pitch. Not to forget there is a forecast of rain during the seconf semi final @ Jo'Burg.
Why not drop Rana for Asif? That is the only change I w'd make against Australia. Gul is a match-winner on his day. I agree he is not in the best of forms at the moment but that can happen to anyone (and I agree with Ehsan bhai there). I w'd persist with Imran Nazir but he needs to tighten up his game a bit and resist the urge to play lofted shots all the time. He has made some decent scores against Australia in the past & esp. did well during the 2002 series in Australia
Rana as we know can be very wayward and expensive. So I w'd definitely not play him against Australia
Look at what happened to England today. They got floored by Bond and co. Gul can do the same to Austraia tomorrow
Why not drop Rana for Asif? That is the only change I w'd make against Australia. Gul is a match-winner on his day. I agree he is not in the best of forms at the moment but that can happen to anyone (and I agree with Ehsan bhai there). I w'd persist with Imran Nazir but he needs to tighten up his game a bit and resist the urge to play lofted shots all the time. He has made some decent scores against Australia in the past & esp. did well during the 2002 series in Australia
Dropping Rana would be an ok option too.
nazir will not be playing tomorrow since he is injured. Not sure if he wil be playing the semi final as well.
Look at what happened to England today. They got floored by Bond and co. Gul can do the same to Austraia tomorrow
What happened to England is mainly due to the fact that the game was at Jo'burg. Pakistan's game will be played at Centurion tomorrow.
Imran Nazir w’d hopefully recover before the SF. He has the captain’s backing as well
“Nazir has stitches and it could take six or seven days. My plan was to play him in the next game because I know he will play one big innings in this tournament, whether in the semis, the final or against Australia.” http://www.cricinfo.com/iccct2009/content/current/story/427336.html
Ian Bishop's first comment in the post match presentation today was about the pitch and then he mentioned to Strauss about England now playing their semi @ Centurion on Friday.
NZ on the other will be playing on Saturday @ Jo'burg.
I guess Pakistan can take positives from whatever opponent they'll be playing in the semis. It is going to be either England @ Centurion or Kiwis @ Jo'Burg.
Should Pakistan really win this match?Infact they can take a call on that.A defeat means India will be out of the tournament and even if Pakistan does it,India can not blame them because it was the sheer irresponsible game India played that landed them in this predicament.
But I am hopeful that India will remain in this tournament and will win the cup :)
before i called it +ve attitude. but it seems like a joke now. u r joking rt?