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.

Blame Canada ... but not Pakistan's poor cricket form

Sheila (Kyle's mom): Times have changed, our kids are getting worse
They won't obey their parents they just want to fart and curse

Mrs. Marsh: Should we blame the government? Ms. Cartman: Or blame society?

Boys fathers: Or should we blame the images on TV?

Sheila(Kyle's mom): No,blame Canada, blame Canada
With all their beedy little eyes have packed their heads so full of lies, blame Canada, blame Canada,
we need to form a full assault its Canada's fault.

Courtesy: STLyrics.com

I want to hear Inzi's comments after this game. He might as well quote Kyle's mom in his post match interview, because he sure as hell doesn't think anything is wrong with our side.

South Park aside, Canada are in the process of wiping out Pakistan's top order. That's right. Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf are both in the pavilion. If we lose this game, its going to be pretty depressing and embarrassing. Though, I'd rather lose a warm-up then go down to Kenya.

Zimbabwe and Ireland seem to be equally, if not tougher, than Canada. We're done for.

Sigh...

Pakistan are going to go down this WC. I feel that amongst all the 'giant' test playing nations, we have the greatest probability of losing to a minnow.