Tri-series- Pakistan’s match up problems against India
on June 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pmPakistan won its first match of the Tri-series against Bangladesh by 70 runs, the match was reduced to 40 overs due to a delayed start because of rain, batting first Pakistan posted a total of 233, Salman Butt and Mohammed Yousuf scored 70 and 59 respectively a late charge by Misbah ul Haq who scored 39 off 22 balls ensured a decent total by Pakistan.
Pakistan were at 179/4 after 30.2 overs and the platform was set for a huge total, but due to the poor form of the lower middle order and a double strike by Alok Kapli who removed both Afridi and the well set Mohammed yousuf in the 31st over pegged Pakistan back and as a result Pakistan could only manage 54 runs in the last 10 overs.
The total of 233 proved to be more than sufficient against the Bangladeshi batting line up and Pakistan won the match comfortably by 70 runs.
Although Pakistan won their first match but their line up has been exposed and they face serious match up problems against India.
Since Shoaib Malik doesn’t bowl any more, Kamran Akmal is usually sent as an opener to make room for a fifth bowler as a result Pakistan is always short of one batsman, the situation is further compounded by the of the poor batting form of Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi and the below average allround skills of Fawad Alam and with Younis Khan consistently failing at the top order the need for another regular batsman becomes essential.
If Pakistan goes with the same line up against India they will face several problems, Indians generally play spin better than other teams, Afridi who is arguablly the best ODi spinner in Pakistan has an econ rate of 6.02 against India in the last 12 months where as his career econ rate is 4.6 he only took 2 wickets in the four matches he played against India during the last year, I think Pakistan selectors made a mistake of selecting Fawad Alam a head of Mansoor Amjad who is a much better bowler than Fawad. Pakistan should drop Fawad in the match against India and Malik should bowl as a fifth bowler otherwise there is no justification for his place in the team, he bats too low down the order and he has given up the bowling, he should bat at #3 to regain his confidence and should bowl as a fifth bowler, Nasir Jamshed Should come in place of Younis Khan and should open with Salman Butt, and Nauman ullah should play in place of Fawad Alam.
Or Nauman Ullah should play in place of Younis Khan and Sohail khan should play in place of Fawad Alam. The above changes will restore the balance of Pakistan team.
Pakistan will have to remove the weak link in their bowling and will have to strengthen their lower middle order to match up with the Indian line up.
Indian team will be more balanced as they have two genuine and inform all rounders the Pathan brothers they will have more flexibility to pick up their line up. Their whole batting line up is in form, Pakistan has slight edge in bowling and that will be lost if Fawad Alam is in the line up, I have nothing against the youngster but he needs to polish up his bowling skills.
I guess Asif must have have given him the address of that Hakim and he might be smoking the same thing what Asif was smoking.
Unless Pakistan makes the requisite changes they will not win against India let alone beating them by a thumping margin.
I hardly doubt Malik will make any change, he has the same stupid stubbornness as Inzamam had, he will have to drop younis Khan and Fawad Alam and should include Nauman Ullah and Sohail Khan.
They should realize that against Bangladesh their batting line up didn’t lasted 40 overs, how would they last 50 overs against India, unless they strengthen their batting and drop Fawad Alam who is the only weak link in their bowling they don’t stand a chance against a formidable Indian line up.
Lawson is talking about giving India a thumping with a 150 run margin.
Does he need a reality check or what?