A loss against Kiwis created much panic among the Paki cricket fans; so much so that people has started writing off Pakistan as a potential candidate for quarterfinal berth - I received approximately 18 text messages predicting Pakistan's loss against Zimbabwe and Australia which will eliminate them from the tournament. For me, Pakistan played their top cricket against Kiwis until the 45th over. It was only the last 5 overs that took the game away from Pakistan.
I know not many people will agree to me but I really believe that Pakistan is the most balanced side in the tournament and is my very favorite for the glory.
Pakistan has the best spin attack of the tournament in the form of Ajmal and Afridi. Ajmal is the most lethal spinner in these conditions and it is only Afridi's defensive mindset that is reluctant to try his best spinner. Rehman's best bowling figures after 18 ODI's are 2 for 20; I failed to understand how can Afridi opt him over Saeed Ajmal.
Lets have a look at the fast bowling department; Akhtar, Gul, Riaz and Junaid Khan. Gul is back in form and this has lifted the team's morale. Wahab Riaz is another poor soul being a victim of Afridi's defensive captaincy - Riaz and Gul can be extremely dangerous in the death overs; both are quick and can bowl deadly yorkers. Junaid Khan can be the surprise package, the little that I have seen him in the highlights of a domestic game - he looks promising.
If we talk about batting - Younis, Misbah, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal makes the best middle order possible. With Ahmed Shahzad's poor form we may get to see Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez opening the innings.
On paper, Pakistan's team looks the most balanced side in the tournament. However, it is the technical errors that our team management keeps committing that costs us in the big matches.
If we talk about other countries; Indians - I don't think will be making into the final fours. The best chance of India to qualify is to play quarterfinals against New Zealand; South Africans cannot handle pressure in big matches and their inability to play quality spin will be the biggest obstacle in their way to glory.
Sri Lankan's are my second most favorite team for the cup - as my pre-tournament prediction was that World Cup will remain in Asia. Australians have not been tested yet - they haven't played against big team but so far they haven't impressed me to a great deal. It will be interesting to see their clash against Pakistan.
Only time can tell who will be the King of the kings; who will be taking the Glory; but for me, the most likely finalists are Pakistan and Sri Lanka!
I know not many people will agree to me but I really believe that Pakistan is the most balanced side in the tournament and is my very favorite for the glory.
Pakistan has the best spin attack of the tournament in the form of Ajmal and Afridi. Ajmal is the most lethal spinner in these conditions and it is only Afridi's defensive mindset that is reluctant to try his best spinner. Rehman's best bowling figures after 18 ODI's are 2 for 20; I failed to understand how can Afridi opt him over Saeed Ajmal.
Lets have a look at the fast bowling department; Akhtar, Gul, Riaz and Junaid Khan. Gul is back in form and this has lifted the team's morale. Wahab Riaz is another poor soul being a victim of Afridi's defensive captaincy - Riaz and Gul can be extremely dangerous in the death overs; both are quick and can bowl deadly yorkers. Junaid Khan can be the surprise package, the little that I have seen him in the highlights of a domestic game - he looks promising.
If we talk about batting - Younis, Misbah, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal makes the best middle order possible. With Ahmed Shahzad's poor form we may get to see Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez opening the innings.
On paper, Pakistan's team looks the most balanced side in the tournament. However, it is the technical errors that our team management keeps committing that costs us in the big matches.
If we talk about other countries; Indians - I don't think will be making into the final fours. The best chance of India to qualify is to play quarterfinals against New Zealand; South Africans cannot handle pressure in big matches and their inability to play quality spin will be the biggest obstacle in their way to glory.
Sri Lankan's are my second most favorite team for the cup - as my pre-tournament prediction was that World Cup will remain in Asia. Australians have not been tested yet - they haven't played against big team but so far they haven't impressed me to a great deal. It will be interesting to see their clash against Pakistan.
Only time can tell who will be the King of the kings; who will be taking the Glory; but for me, the most likely finalists are Pakistan and Sri Lanka!
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