Black caps, Pak fight to stay alive in World T20
Saturday, May 8, 2010
3:12 AM
Labels: 2010 , 2010 Group E , 2010 New Zealand , 2010 Pakistan , 2010 Super 8 , 2010 World Cup , New Zealand , Pakistan , 0 comments
New Zealand and Pakistan both suffered massive defeats in their first matches of the super 8 stage. The team that loses this match will be packing their bags and going home. Pakistan who is the defending champions should be more worried after a string of bad performances that saw them lose convincingly against both Australia and England. The cracks are beginning to appear in the team which has been ever so fragile in its composition.
Pakistan will have some hope as they have a 100 % record against New Zealand in T20 cricket. They have won 4 out of 4 matches against New Zealand and would love to make it 5 in 5 and improve their chances of going into the semi-finals.
Pakistan was brushed aside by England by six wickets, in which the batting totally fell apart, managing meager 147. However, given Pakistan’s history of comebacks, one cannot help but still give them a good chance against the Kiwis. The first thing on the agenda for Pakistan should be plugging the holes in the fielding department which saw them drop no less then 6 catches against England. Then they should aim to stabilize their batting, especially in the middle order so that they can post a total that Pakistani bowlers can defend.
New Zealand on the other hand started the tournament with two wins on trot against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. However, the Kiwis lost a crucial match against South Africa, falling short by 13 runs.
The Black caps will be hoping that Brendon McCullum gains his form. He is believed to be the most destructive batsman for the Kiwis but has had a relatively quite time in the world cup so far. He has scored 0, 22, and 6 in first three knocks so far.
For Pakistan Umar Akmal has been a shining light with his brief but promising knocks against England and Australia. If he can deliver the goods, it will be a boost for the Pakistani team. The team is desperately looking for someone in there battling lineup to inspire the rest of lot.
New Zealand's bowling has been lackluster in the event to say the least. We may see Kyle Mills making his way into the playing eleven in the place of Tim Southee who was smashed for 3 sixes in an over by Albie Morkel in the game against South Africa. On the other side, Southee can be a potent weapon at the death of an innings with his accurate yorkers. Nevertheless, if the team is to go for experience, Mills may be the choice.
Muhammad Sami, who was disappointing to say the least in his first two games, has had huge shoes to fill as he replaced the injured Umar Gul just before the world cup. Muhammad Asif, who replaced Sami in the game against Australia, failed to impress, and with the bounce and carry at Kensington Oval, Sami may be brought back for one more go.
Shane bond and Muhammad Aamer are to be watched out for, as both bowlers have the form and pace to pin down the opposition. Both are blessed with raw pace and the uncanny ability to make the ball talk.
Pakistan will have some hope as they have a 100 % record against New Zealand in T20 cricket. They have won 4 out of 4 matches against New Zealand and would love to make it 5 in 5 and improve their chances of going into the semi-finals.
Pakistan was brushed aside by England by six wickets, in which the batting totally fell apart, managing meager 147. However, given Pakistan’s history of comebacks, one cannot help but still give them a good chance against the Kiwis. The first thing on the agenda for Pakistan should be plugging the holes in the fielding department which saw them drop no less then 6 catches against England. Then they should aim to stabilize their batting, especially in the middle order so that they can post a total that Pakistani bowlers can defend.
New Zealand on the other hand started the tournament with two wins on trot against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. However, the Kiwis lost a crucial match against South Africa, falling short by 13 runs.
The Black caps will be hoping that Brendon McCullum gains his form. He is believed to be the most destructive batsman for the Kiwis but has had a relatively quite time in the world cup so far. He has scored 0, 22, and 6 in first three knocks so far.
For Pakistan Umar Akmal has been a shining light with his brief but promising knocks against England and Australia. If he can deliver the goods, it will be a boost for the Pakistani team. The team is desperately looking for someone in there battling lineup to inspire the rest of lot.
New Zealand's bowling has been lackluster in the event to say the least. We may see Kyle Mills making his way into the playing eleven in the place of Tim Southee who was smashed for 3 sixes in an over by Albie Morkel in the game against South Africa. On the other side, Southee can be a potent weapon at the death of an innings with his accurate yorkers. Nevertheless, if the team is to go for experience, Mills may be the choice.
Muhammad Sami, who was disappointing to say the least in his first two games, has had huge shoes to fill as he replaced the injured Umar Gul just before the world cup. Muhammad Asif, who replaced Sami in the game against Australia, failed to impress, and with the bounce and carry at Kensington Oval, Sami may be brought back for one more go.
Shane bond and Muhammad Aamer are to be watched out for, as both bowlers have the form and pace to pin down the opposition. Both are blessed with raw pace and the uncanny ability to make the ball talk.
