Pakistan unconvincing in victory over Canada
Which is perfectly fine, because I feel that's all we're going to get from Pakistan if they're going to win games this World Cup. It's hard to analyze the result from the scorecard itself, without watching it live, so I'm not going to indulge in reading between the lines of their performance too much. It was a warm up game for sure, but Pakistan will be concerned that their openers couldn't last 10 overs. But there is a bright side...
Younis Khan has been promoted to opener, which is about bloody time. I think it solves a key issue. For one thing, What is interesting is that YounisYounis Khan has played pretty much as an opener anyway, since our actual openers don't seem to last very long. Secondly, this means we're sending our best players first. I like how Mohammad Yousuf went one-down and Inzi went two down. Not only is this a confidant message to the opposition, but it means our best players get the most time out there in the middle.
Strange that we're experimenting so close to the WC. I would have hoped that we had these plans setup prior to the warm ups.
Anyway, another positive is that Pakistan still bats pretty deep. The loss of Razzaq will be effectively nullified by Azhar Mahmood. Mahmood may not have Razzaq's penchant for the big shots, but Mahmood can be pretty handy himself late in the game.
The negatives are obvious. Rana Naveed sucks and I have no clue what is wrong with him. If our opening bowling can't pierce Canada's armor, then what hope do we have against the rest of the countries? Umar Gul, should have bowled more than 4 overs. I hope he isn't injured. The bulletin didn't say anything though.
We also lost 4 wickets under 100 runs. That isn't cool. Its a nice strategy to send our best players first, but the buggers need to bat the first 10 overs out.
5 comments:
Omar,
I saw Azhar Mehmood clobber South Africa to all parts en route to a 100 - in a test - in South Africa..
That boy can bat and, unlike Razzaq, he has more gears than the first and fifth.
Well, it's only a minnow side. I wouldn't get too worked up about it. Most Test teams don't really take the minnows seriously - so it's hard to gauge Pakistan's World Cup changes from this game alone. Besides, these games are a great opportunity to experiment and mess about with batting orders, etc.
It looks good for Pakistan.
I'll be very surprised (and very excited) if Younis Khan's promotion turns out to have been a serious experiment. My guess is it had more to do with him managing to get his pads on first. If not, it is a strategy I've been harping on about for a while. Looks like there may be some semblance of systematic thought in this team after all...
As usual Rana Naved was upto his ass-sucking ways. As I reiterate, unless someone assasinates this chap Pakistan doesn't have a hope in hell.
Everyone loves the guy because he's got a "big heart". But that doesn't mean he gets to perform ass-banditry in every game. Hence someone should sodomize him. Afridi probably did it anyway.
I apologize for my language.
Guys! Sorry for the late response!
Homer. You're right about Mahmood. He CAN hit, but he is a lot weaker than Razzak. You're def. right. He can play in the middle gears plus play spin a lot better and can actually play square of the wicket. Though just how flat the pitches will be is up for debate
Athiest. I need to get pissed. Otherwise I won't write anything. PLus I am a pessimist. One can't be a Pakistani fan without being a pessimist. Well...a true fan at least :)
THough I disagree with you. I feel its too bloody close to begin to experiment with the batting order. THe players need to know what roles they are undertaking and what their position is on the team.
Billu, Good point. Actually credit goes to you for convincing me about Younis going up the order. And you're right. Doubt it'll happen again, though they tried it only once.
Omar - I still like Rana for some odd reason. Don't worry about your language. It makes me hot. (Readers: I know this fellow. Don't worry. I am not a sex-starved lunatic)
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