Pakistan record confidence-boosting win ahead of India encounter
86
SYDNEY: Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq scored a majestic 91 not out to lead Pakistan to a thrilling four-wicket victory over England in their final World Cup warmup at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old notched up five fours and two sixes in his 99-ball knock, turning the match in a fourth-wicket partnership of 133 with Umar Akmal.
Akmal fell for 65 to leave Sohaib Maqsood (20) and then Shahid Afridi to help their captain guide the 1992 world champions past England's total of 250 for eight with seven balls to spare.
Afridi (eight not out) scored the winning runs with successive fours but rode his luck with the decisive second, which was almost caught at mid-off.
Pakistan's batting had been far from convincing in their win over Bangladesh on Monday and they will now head to Adelaide to face reigning champions India in their tournament opener on Sunday with renewed confidence.
England's bowling spearheads James Anderson and Stuart Broad took a couple of wickets apiece to keep the contest alive until the last few overs but the English were punished for anything loose.
Misbah brought up his half century with a thumping six into the noisy band of Pakistan fans packed into the members' stand and Akmal reached the milestone in the same manner 10 overs later.
Ehsan Adil had earlier set the tone for a fine Pakistan bowling performance in an opening over which accounted for Moeen Ali (4).
Gary Ballance came in at number three with a point to prove in his first game since September after recovering from a fractured finger, however, and he steadied the ship with a well-crafted 57.
It was only after he had departed with an ill-executed slog sweep and out-of-sorts skipper Eoin Morgan fell for a duck attempting a lap sweep to a full toss, however, that England really got a grip on their innings.
Joe Root provided the adhesive with a sparkling 85 off 89 balls and combined with Chris Jordan (31 not out) to steer his side towards a competitive tally.
England rested Ian Bell, Chris Woakes, James Taylor and Steve Finn but all should return when they open their World Cup campaign against co-hosts Australia on Saturday.
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Comments (86) Closed
Feb 11, 2015 09:12am
OMG our bowling lineup is really weak. We are in big trouble. Sohail Khan a.k.a Swim Champ was all talks. Sohail is hardly touching 130 kph, he is getting smoked. Ehsan Adil is a midyoker below average bowler.
Please send Junaid Khan and Umer Gul even if they are 70 percent fit. We need experience and quality in our bowling lineup.
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Feb 11, 2015 09:54am
Now imagine our bowling lineup without Afridi. He is the only one who looks like picking up wickets.
That is why I keep on saying his retirement is premature Pakistan need him in the team. Specially wheh he is super fit and performing.
Same with Misbah imagine our bating lineup without him. Do a fitness test on both Misbah and Afridi both will be on top of the list and our yongsters will be at the bottom
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Feb 11, 2015 12:25pm
Pakistan have done a very decent job. Ehsan Adil was disciplined and within himself while bowling with new ball. Sohail seem to have lost a bit of pace but his death overs were good. Pakistan have to play Yasir Shah in every match we play in Australia. He bowled beautifully and it's great to see a proper leg spinner bowling in Aussies wickets. I think if we aren't rushing Rahat Ali in first match then Pakistan has to go with Irfan, Wahab, Adil, Afridi and Yasir. Can't leave 10 overs to Haris against India. Batters need to complete the job and get confidence. For a very weak bowling unit, we have done a good job with Ifran.
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Feb 11, 2015 12:28pm
Well done Pakistan in restricting England for 250.
I'm sure, Indian team is watching this game closely and strategising their moves for THE Big Game on 15th. Let's see if Pakistani team can chase 250.
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Feb 11, 2015 12:31pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan: well, do not Count Afridi against India on 15th, for he has never been successful either with ball or with bat against India so far. Check stats for confirmation.
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Feb 11, 2015 12:37pm
Can Afridis and Misbahs of Pakistan strike form just the way Rohit, Suresh and Ajinkya did the other day? It will be good omen if they do.
Well well can't hold my excitement till 15th. Whatever one says, India-Pakistan is 'India-Pakistan'. Come on guys let's enjoy all over again.
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Feb 11, 2015 12:49pm
this is the best warm-up game Pakistan needed to prepare for India. Lets see if batting can handle it. Well done
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Feb 11, 2015 01:00pm
we have to go with 5 quality bowlers with haaris sohail as a part time bowler otherwise india will going to crush us..3 PACERS and two regular spinners..so we have to pick 2 out of Wahab, sohail khan and Ehsan Adil as irfan will be in the team for sure.
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Feb 11, 2015 01:15pm
What can I say pakistan 2 down for 10 runs in 5 overs
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Feb 11, 2015 01:20pm
@Bahadur Dude, he stroked 2 sixes to win the Asia Semi, keep you chin and hopes up!
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Feb 11, 2015 02:02pm
Younus Khan gone after another failure.....maybe now he will get a little ashamed......
Average hovering around 30 barely after nearly 15 years....Players have strike rate better in test cricket than his ODI one......Complete failure in ODIs for i cant remember how many years now.....
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Feb 11, 2015 02:13pm
wow, after watching our comedians bowling side, including Wahab, who got one wicket in last over else it shopuld have been 10-0-46-0 sohail khan is absolutely no threat to any team, NOW, we are watching great batsmen chosen by our selfish PCB, openers out in just 10 runs, younes took ages to reach 19 runs, Can PCB think, what will happen next with this team that they have sent. YOUNES, WAHAB, SOHAIL KHAN and co.
Shame on our PCB Management and team selection committee
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Feb 11, 2015 02:31pm
good job team green!!!keep it up.
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Feb 11, 2015 02:34pm
Looks like Pakistan is throwing this one too. Now I can say with confidence. History is going to repeat on 15th. :-)
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Feb 11, 2015 04:07pm
Is there anyway team management can drop YK? Why our management thing he is so special to drop. Dawn and other newspaper should highlight his failure.
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Feb 11, 2015 04:26pm
Excellent performance Pakistan.
WOW Misbah Masha Allah once again you proved that you are the backbone of our fragile batting lineup. Once again I would say, why retire when you are fit and performing. Age doesn't matter play for Pakistan, the team needs you both Misbah and Afridi.
Pakistan Zindabad
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Feb 11, 2015 04:27pm
@Bahadur
Pak won...now wait for INDIA turn to loss
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Feb 11, 2015 04:28pm
For slow starters Pakistan, 2nd consecutive morale boosting victory,
After losing first 4 games.
Well done
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Feb 11, 2015 04:29pm
@Bahadur Spoke too soon while Misbah was still there!!
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Feb 11, 2015 04:33pm
outstanding game and captaincy from pak captain.just get India out for under 250 and you are better than Moran khan. Batted like miandad
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Feb 11, 2015 04:35pm
Bravo! Let's face it on 15th. Match de excitement.
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Feb 11, 2015 04:36pm
Curtains fr MYK....!! If he cant perform in WC matches, he should first apologize for his bragging and ego show and secondly retire and do some transport business.
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Feb 11, 2015 04:40pm
Well Done Team Pakistan !!!!
Still bowling dept. is weak Ajmal and Gul or Junaid needed for the front line bowlers.
next mach let the Younus sit out and bring in sarfarz
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Feb 11, 2015 04:42pm
Pakistan played with 12 players today, only change i would suggest for match against india is Irfan in place of sohail or ehsan and please drop younis khan
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Feb 11, 2015 04:42pm
Pakistan Victory !!!
Good chase by the green caps, led by the most reliable batsman in the Pakistan team. No doubt the distractors will come out and accuse Misbah of 'Tuk Tuk'.
91 from 99 balls, that's from 99 balls.....what have the distractors got to say today? In my opinion, Misbah and Afridi are the backbone of this Pakistan team, Afridi is un-predictable
but nevertheless a match winner. Misbah, what can you about the guy? He's cool, calm and reliable, he gives 100% for the green caps.
I can't comment on rest of the team, too in-experience, they cannot be relied upon. Bowling unfortunately is very week, probably the weakest Pakistani bowling line up in WC tournaments.
Lets forget if's, but's, can do's, and should do', lets get behind our team, support them no matter what, now is not the time for negativity.
Pakistan Zindabad
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Feb 11, 2015 04:47pm
Umar Akmal should play at no. 3 and Sohaib Maqsood at # 6 against India. No Younis Khan please,,, At least Pakistan should play with correct strength. Will request to Recommend if it makes sense to you people and will put pressure on team management.
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Feb 11, 2015 04:49pm
A calculated chase from Misbah and Akmal. Umar needs to complete the job when he is in. I think we are good to go against India. All the best green shirts.
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Feb 11, 2015 04:49pm
Excellent performance. A part from openers and one down hiccup, it was a perfect show. Good spell from Ehsan who was targeted previously due to his mediocre bowling. Yasir, Afridi, Wahab, Sohail all stuck to their decent line & length with Yasir being an exceptional bowling display. Good partnership between Misbah and Umar A sees us through..
Well done Team Green
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Feb 11, 2015 04:50pm
I think right after the world cup, we need to start the team building to play the next WC. And this team building process should be without parchi process. Must be done on merits
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Feb 11, 2015 04:55pm
Game On hai! Super Sunday 15th Feb, Pakistan has the edge because they have got some winning momentum, but its yet to see how the perform on the day!
one request please please don't play younis khan, pretty please!
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Feb 11, 2015 04:57pm
So again Mr Younus failed & watching Nasir Jamshed failing was such a normal thing. I really bet that if you move these 2 batsman & play with a 5th bowler, then Pak team will be a bit stable. These 2 players are total waste. Why not Sarfraz open innings. Sohail khan needs to learn alot, not good with 130 speed
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Feb 11, 2015 04:58pm
awaiting 15 Pak vs India Takara....!!
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Feb 11, 2015 05:06pm
My future prediction: We will beat India and then Loose all our matches. But because we have beaten India, we´ll excuse our incompetent team and hail them as heros.
Shame on us
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Feb 11, 2015 05:14pm
top 3 is a concern for Pakistan now, no contribution at all this is giving extra pressure to the middle order.
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Feb 11, 2015 05:27pm
@Bahadur. Does the last year Asia Cup 2014 ring a bell.
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Feb 11, 2015 05:27pm
Congratulations Team Pakistan! Insha'Allah you will win against India as well!
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Feb 11, 2015 05:31pm
Ajmal needs to play these warmup matches. Cmon!
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Feb 11, 2015 05:33pm
Well done Pakistan and can't wait for the Pak Ind game. It just shows that if we have healthy competitions in all all aspects within India and Pakistan then that would be great for both countries so who ever wins I think we need to celebrate cricket that can unite us and try not to divide. Please live and let live and let's enjoy each others company. May the best team win........Pakistan lol
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Feb 11, 2015 05:36pm
Still Pakistan will lose against India hahaha. Loserzzzz
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Feb 11, 2015 05:38pm
Well done Misbah... This kind of inning we always want from you... We just need the innings that really help Pakistan to win. First time you seems to be a FINISHER.
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Feb 11, 2015 05:45pm
Though Pakistan played well, but history shows that we play practice matches as though they are the real matches and real matches as practice.
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Feb 11, 2015 05:50pm
@Bahadur you know nothing about cricket, you are just a screamer, I don't think you ever play any sport other then a fan of cricket.
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Feb 11, 2015 05:53pm
All the best. Bring the trophy home. Play with full heart with the spirit of game and glory will be Yours.
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Feb 11, 2015 05:54pm
Well done Pakistan. This win is a moral booster with the captain leading from the front. Remember the nation loves its winners and performers and criticize those whop fail.
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Feb 11, 2015 06:03pm
We must learn to support our team whatever the consequences. Rubbishing them just for the sake of it is no good
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Feb 11, 2015 06:06pm
So we did very well in the tests and the warm up matches but flop in ODIs
So whenever the stadium is empty, we win and do well and when it is full with crowd, we lose
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Feb 11, 2015 06:06pm
I am impressed by Pakistani bowling and batting against better bowling and fielding team on a batting track today. If Pakistanis play against the weak Indian attack in the same fashion, they are sure to win on fifteenth of this month.
Now that there is no usual hype and expections on either side, the Pakistanis stand a better chance of win against Indian team provided they treat it as any other international match and nothing else. Best of luck.
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Feb 11, 2015 06:06pm
Well done Pak. Good game for Yasir Shah. Ehasn Adil also showed how to seam the ball, but he needs more strength in his bowling.For 21 yr older not a bad day.
But, sad to hear words for Pak bowlers like "cleverly bowled" instead of "intelligently bowled" by our own great "Wasim Akram"....
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Feb 11, 2015 06:06pm
Pakistan, hungry for victory, winners!
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Feb 11, 2015 06:22pm
Even a warm up match denied century to Misbah. Poor Fellow
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Feb 11, 2015 06:38pm
Reality is if Pakistan would have lost this match they would have definitely won the India match but now its not possible. Very sorry for that.
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Feb 11, 2015 06:39pm
Well done Team Pakistan!
But its time to decide the playing 11, and team management still confused about of playing 5 main stream bowlers or 4. Loosing Hafeez as an allrounder has created a big mess and confusion about playing 11.. and if Afridi willing to play as an opener might solve the issues.. but it will be a big risk.
Drooping experienced Younis Khan is also not ideal.
And I would like to see Haris, Sohaib in playing 11 as well.. so
1) Ahmad Shehzad, 2) Afridi 3) Younis Khan 4) Haris 5) Misbah 6) Umar Akmal 7) Sohaib Maqsood 8) Wahab Riaz 9) Yasir shah 10) Irfan 11) Sohail khan / Rahat Ali
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Feb 11, 2015 06:45pm
@ali u mean automated (4 wheeled) transport business or animated (4 legged) transport business
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Feb 11, 2015 07:09pm
@Ramesh Kumar after all Bahadur was too Bahadur but in the end turned out to be a coward!
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Feb 11, 2015 07:15pm
most honorable thing for mr younis khan would be to opt out himself against india
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Feb 11, 2015 07:32pm
Now india pakistan match Is big fight.
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Feb 11, 2015 07:34pm
With a heavy heart I have to agree that Pakistan has an upper hand in the upcoming 15th encounter. This Indian team is a fragile team. The pressure and onus is on the Pakistan team to easily beat this Indian team. Good luck Pakistan.
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Feb 11, 2015 07:44pm
I fail to understand why every Pakistani, be it a player or an ordinary civilian, talking about beating India in World cup cricket match, instead of winning the cup? Tell your team to perform well, results will automatically come in your favour.
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Feb 11, 2015 07:51pm
I checked the indian press and they don't really seem to care about the pakistan encounter like we do over here
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Feb 11, 2015 07:52pm
@Bahadur Asia Cup dude??
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Feb 11, 2015 07:53pm
There should be a warm up world cup as well :P
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Feb 11, 2015 07:55pm
Why are most Pakistanis cribbing their team is really bad? Ours is worse. We lost very badly to this same England team (twice) during the recent one day series. Indias bowling is even worse. Maybe batting is slightly better but even that, on current form, theres not much difference.
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Feb 11, 2015 08:01pm
@Bahadur Can you be kind enough to share those statistics with us. As far as I remember Afridi has played lots of game changing innings against India. Scoring few centuries and fifties... including 50 in 22 balls, and 100 in 45 balls. Yes he has failures too... but, that is part of this game.
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Feb 11, 2015 08:23pm
If Pakistan play with same level, they can beat India. I can't see India scoring more than 250 runs against the Pakistani bowlers.
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Feb 11, 2015 08:41pm
the team selected for this match was much much better than what they had in the previous warm up and also during 2 odi against NZ. At least on paper the team looked stronger. If only some how the management can replace Sohail and Adil the 2 right armers. Atleast one will be replaced by Irfan but i hope they do not play Irfan, Rahat and Wahab altogther as they all the left arm bowlers. They need at least 1 right arm. very happy to see Yasir play. I hope he plays in regular games as well as Ajmal's replacement. WE need one genuine spinner who can turn and slow the pace of the game. If only openers, younis can perform, then we are in good shape, given the lack of talent and injuries.
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Feb 11, 2015 08:49pm
Misbah has delivered yet again!
Afridi the lucky almost caught at mid-off.
I believe in Misbah.
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Feb 11, 2015 09:30pm
Now I truly believe one individual can change the shape of the game
what a superbe performance by
my Misbah Ul Haq .
As an example 1982 fifa World Cup zbigniew boniek was carring the whole Poland team towards victory if not him being red carded and sit out the semi final Poland would have been fifa World Cup champions 1982.
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Feb 11, 2015 09:33pm
Good win by the green-shirts.
This might also be the start of the tipping-point in their favor during the 2015 Cricket World Cup if they don't get complacent and start believing in themselves.
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Feb 11, 2015 09:59pm
Ooh i'm shocked . Because pakistani team weakness for all side . Mean bowling side or fielding or bating side .. but pakistan win . thiss match does not matter pakistan win .its practice match . Then real match pak vs india. Indian team really strong .but real challenge for pakistani team to win . I am happy pakistan win .. inn shaa allah pakistan win all future match. Thanks
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Feb 11, 2015 10:08pm
Best of luck pakistani team...its a good chance to break the jinx....pakistan should play with confidence instead of thinking past world cup encounters .....a pakistani win is good for pakistan and india cricket...by a indian
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Feb 11, 2015 10:27pm
we needs to send umer akmal as opener and let him play more deliveries so he can improve his skills further
look at tendulkar , rohit sharma they shined when they have more to face as openers
its time for us to send umer as opener
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Feb 11, 2015 10:38pm
Please throw out younis bring fawad alam in
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Feb 11, 2015 11:10pm
what on earth is all the jubilation about?
did you NOT see the quality of fielding and bowling from the so call pakistani tiger or eagles whichever ?
this team is about to fall flat on face on15th against the indian super-performers, and by the way - beating india isn't world cup. its way more and PCB chielf already come up with words "there is life beyond world cup"- when you have players like these , & a chielf leader with this mind-set, come on you got nothing
mediocrity is the middle name of Pakistani set-up.
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Feb 11, 2015 11:10pm
@Bahadur i agree actually
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Feb 11, 2015 11:14pm
@Karamat you seem to know little about misbah and afridi history.
it was the rift and dirt among them that one lobby was pulling for defeat and others' lobby for victory in 2011. a semi-final match that was simply handed over to the arch rivals. and you are saying the team has 'these' ppl as backbone, what a backbone it will be!
bahadur is right - its all set to "repeat history".
pakistani team and players and management do not deserve to win. its as simple as that. look at the JOKE that the board and mediocre pushers have been... just look at them, what they have been doing past 1-2 years. is it a surprise the neigbours laugh at pakistani management?
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Feb 11, 2015 11:20pm
good warm up for both teams. Good batting by Misbah and Umar. Haris chipped in as well. bowling was good. especially wahab and sohail at the end.
only concern remains is how to balance team. Younas is total flop and they need to play 5 bowlers. Sarfraz will more likely sit out as he isnt that good keeper as well as batsman if playong at no7.
there should be 1 playing from nasir / younas. if they want younas to play then he can open. he came in to bat in 1st over so he can open. ideally nasir should play.
1- ahmed 2- younas/ nasir 3- haris 4- maqsood 5- misbah 6- umar 7- afridi 8- wahan 9- 10 two of rahat/ sohail/ yasir 11- sarfraz.
but from past few weeks, i think they will drop a bowler to play younas. 4 bowlers will not work against indian lineup as they have good batting lineup and apart from irfan, rest of the bowlers are not good.
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Feb 12, 2015 12:18am
Afridi could again have been caught at mid off in his short innings. He should stop his hit out or get out attitude and bat sensibly and treat every bat on merit otherwise he will be lucky once and unlucky ten times and will not be able to contribute much to the team score.
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Feb 12, 2015 12:19am
@ParDas - Pakistani bowlers? who?
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Feb 12, 2015 01:22am
How big are the chances that some batsman gets injured and Fawad is included?
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Feb 12, 2015 04:57am
gambling rate at its peak.
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Feb 12, 2015 05:45am
We want to hear: "its a six...Afridi you beauty".again from Rameez Raja!!
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Feb 12, 2015 05:46am
@Hakim Don't think Fawad will get chance for this WC, Shoaib Malk is in line next!!
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Feb 12, 2015 06:40am
@adnan
you shouldn't watch cricket if you are so sarcastic.
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Feb 12, 2015 06:57am
@Ak
Fawad is not brian lara.
He has n't got power in his shots.
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Feb 12, 2015 07:39am
The warm-up matches just warm up hopes of winning. Any score less than 300 is a defeat score. Last game target should have been reached in 43 overs.
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Feb 12, 2015 10:40am
@mubeen yes both the teams are equal...means both have fragile batting as well as pathetic bowling... but in fielding department indians hold their hand up...nearly 50 runs more will be saved by kohlis rainas jadejas rahanes....and in the end result will show that... pakistan loses to india by 50 runs
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