Pakistan to take on Netherlands in T20 World Cup

[Sachinism]

Pakistan's aura of unpredictability, something that made watching them so fascinating, has come to an end. The buzz that was evident a week ago, in the warm-up against India, was replaced by gloom as they set about chasing the second highest target so far in the event - 184 - set by England. Previously, Pakistan might have come out blazing, but today you could predict their downfall as easily as the outcome of the French Open final between Roger Federer and Robin Soderling. Even though Shoaib Malik plucked a blinder at point to cut short Ravi Bopara's innings, Pakistan's bowlers never seemed a potent force that would halt the march of the England top order led by Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright. Their captain Younis Khan had asked England to bat as he felt the numerous cracks on a weary pitch (this was the fourth match played on the same surface in two days) would help his bowlers keep the hosts to a manageable target of 160. "I would never had thought we would end up chasing 185," Younis said after the defeat, which he blamed on the utterly shoddy fielding. "Our fielding was bad and [because of that] we easily gave away 20-25 runs. This is a matter of concern for us." Asked to put a finger on the exact reasoning behind such sloppiness, Younis said he himself was trying hard for answers. "I have no idea why our fielders are unable to field properly. Maybe they are under certain pressure. It is not as if we are not working hard but we are not just getting it right for reasons unknown to me." It is not funny when more than one fielder in the team starts spilling catches and fumbling in the outfield. Pakistan dropped four catches at various points during the England innings: Saeed Ajmal (twice) and Yasir Arafat and Salman Butt (one apiece) were the culprits. Butt was the comfortably the worst fielder and his captain did not hide his anger and disappointment. "Even if Butt scored 28 as an opener we'll have to think about him [for the next game] because of his fielding," Younis said. Another man Younis singled out, who he thought has failed to rise to the occasion, was Kamran Akmal. "Kamran Akmal is a senior batsman but he can't somehow take the responsibility. We need a senior guy in the top order who can play the anchor role." Pakistan were playing only their second Twenty20 in seven months and the rustiness went beyond the fielding. Unlike their smooth sailing into the 2007 World Twenty20 finals where they only lost twice - both times to rivals India - Pakistan are still lumbering to the task this time around. They lost both their warm-ups and seem to be grappling with the cold conditions in the UK. None of the Pakistan bowlers, apart from the inexperienced offspinner Ajmal, came to their team's rescue, as England built on the platform laid by Pietersen early on. Though Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi are two of the best bowlers in this format, they failed miserably. Gul may feel deprived for not having a go after picking up a wicket in his very first over but surprisingly Younis decided to replace him immediately. It wasn't an isolated moment because there were numerous other points during the England innings when the Pakistan captain appeared as desperate and lost as he would on a busy day on the chaotic streets back home in Karachi. When the time came to chase the huge target Pakistan failed to get the required kick-start and lost wickets easily. They were 41 for 3 at the end of Powerplay compared to England's 63 for 2. "We lost a lot of wickets in the first six overs. Also we lacked a good partnership - England did well on both fronts," Younis said. For the next game, which Pakistan need to win by at least 60 runs against Netherlands on Tuesday to qualify for the second round, Younis has put the onus on his senior batsmen senior guys like Afridi, Misbah ul Haq, Malik and himself. "I hope they will come forward." And, for the curious, Federer won. http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/current/story/407946.html He outed all the non-performers

[cowboysfan]

his math skills are worse than my skills:lol:

[EnterTheVoid]

Time to find a new employer. Goodbye Eunice, nice knowing you

[Sachinism]

^^ :hysterical:

[flamy]

^^ :hysterical::hysterical:

[jf1gp_1]

Pakistan's aura of unpredictability' date=' something that made watching them so fascinating, has come to an end. [/quote'] Many years ago i was watching a pak test match i think against aus, i saw these 2 young Pak bowlers both had played handful of games and though they got tonked all over the place there was something about them. One was akhtar other i dont remember his name but he i thought was quicker than akhtar. I hated paki team not because of our history but because they always had better players than us. Every time a pak player made debut my fear was they found another crazy tribal who might not be able to add 2+2but knows how to play cricket. Gone are the days. Akram during commentary kept talking about talent in pak but no application, sorry mr akram wht i saw today there is no talent you are only fooling yourself, change as many coach you want, bring ICL guys back nothing is going to change till you find real talent, continue like this and India B will start beating your national side.

[someone]

Go Dutch!!! So when they play pak? If they win, then Pak is out However, What do they need to lose by so they and england are both in by NRR

[vipin]

they need to win by 25

[King]

Pakistan a few years ago when they were formidable ended up promoting wrong causes such as religion and prima donnas. Pakistan continue to promote the likes of Shoaib and Asif despite knowing they are gulity of unfair means. It came back to bite them hard as both ended up screwing their repsective careers. Inzi was good in terms of unifying the team a bit as he could command respect but the likes of Younis or Shoaib Malik don't really command as much respect. There has always been a lot of *****ing and back stabbing in the Pakistan cricket team and only a leader like Imran Khan was able to keep them united. Less talked about PCB the better. Unless PCB is better managed there is no way Pakistan will be able to put forth their best team. They can still go all the way and win the T20 like they did in 1992 but fairy tales don't transpire every other day. If something isn't done quickly enough cricket will be a dying sport in Pakistan. Already bereft of any cricket at home why will the fans continue to support the team if they carry on losing game after game badly? This is how West Indies cricket had gone for a while. West Indies slowly seems to be crawling back and they have some terrific players including exciting speedsters. The former greats have no interest whatsoever in Pakistan cricket. It was quite ironic to see Mushtaq Ahmed in the England dressing room grooming Adil while the best leg spinner Pakistan could front up was Afridi. That says a story.

[diegovegaz]

i really want them to beat pakistan

[DomainK]

Pakistan a few years ago when they were formidable ended up promoting wrong causes such as religion and prima donnas. Pakistan continue to promote the likes of Shoaib and Asif despite knowing they are gulity of unfair means. It came back to bite them hard as both ended up screwing their repsective careers. Inzi was good in terms of unifying the team a bit as he could command respect but the likes of Younis or Shoaib Malik don't really command as much respect. There has always been a lot of *****ing and back stabbing in the Pakistan cricket team and only a leader like Imran Khan was able to keep them united. Less talked about PCB the better. Unless PCB is better managed there is no way Pakistan will be able to put forth their best team. They can still go all the way and win the T20 like they did in 1992 but fairy tales don't transpire every other day. If something isn't done quickly enough cricket will be a dying sport in Pakistan. Already bereft of any cricket at home why will the fans continue to support the team if they carry on losing game after game badly? This is how West Indies cricket had gone for a while. West Indies slowly seems to be crawling back and they have some terrific players including exciting speedsters. The former greats have no interest whatsoever in Pakistan cricket. It was quite ironic to see Mushtaq Ahmed in the England dressing room grooming Adil while the best leg spinner Pakistan could front up was Afridi. That says a story.

Well said.

[Don Sharma]

I think Intikhab Alam is a decent coach. He was the Paki coach in the 92 WC as well. But they lack a serious captain and Younis for me is a very weak captain. I dont know why he keeps on laughing, he is worse than Munaf. Look at his comments... "It won't be a disaster even if we exit before the Super Eights," said Younis. "It would be sad if we don't make it, but I have never attached too much importance to Twenty20 cricket, as it is fun cricket. I mean it is more for entertainment, even if it is international cricket. It is all for the crowd. Twenty20 is all about fun. Everybody expects players to come out and entertain."

[King]

I think Intikhab Alam is a decent coach. He was the Paki coach in the 92 WC as well. But they lack a serious captain and Younis for me is a very weak captain. I dont know why he keeps on laughing, he is worse than Munaf. Look at his comments... "It won't be a disaster even if we exit before the Super Eights," said Younis. "It would be sad if we don't make it, but I have never attached too much importance to Twenty20 cricket, as it is fun cricket. I mean it is more for entertainment, even if it is international cricket. It is all for the crowd. Twenty20 is all about fun. Everybody expects players to come out and entertain."

Strange that... Just prior to the tourney he said he wants to take the cup back home as it means a lot for his people. He has changed so much in just few days :nervous:

[DomainK]

I think Yunis is trying to look cool and he has over done it. He has ended up looking careless. There is a difference between carefree and careless.Yunis probably wanted a carefree impression of himself. He ended up looking careless.

[Don Sharma]

Strange that... Just prior to the tourney he said he wants to take the cup back home as it means a lot for his people. He has changed so much in just few days :nervous:

Yep...he has given up so early and you dont expect that from your captain.

[King]

I know I'm going to be hated for this but honestly I feel bad for Younis Khan. Not for Pakistan but for Younis Khan. Reluctant captain he is and appears to be a good bloke. He almost sounds like he has gone half mad. One top quality player they have and Pakistan is hell bent to screw him by giving him captaincy. He must be under tremendous pressure, poor bloke. Knowing what happend to Bob Woolmer given the pressure these guys should take it like Younis Khan is taking right now otherwise they will screw their health. Just imagine the amount of pressure the Indian blokes had to go through after WC'07 :((

[someone]

Can anyone then answer my question So how many runs/wickets must Pak at least beat the dutch to qualify

[Guest gaurav_indian]

Can anyone then answer my question So how many runs/wickets must Pak at least beat the dutch to qualify

Pakistan's aura of unpredictability, something that made watching them so fascinating, seems to have taken a break. Previously, they would have made a fist of chasing 184 - the second highest target so far in the event - but today you could predict their downfall as easily as the outcome of the French Open final between Roger Federer and Robin Soderling. Even though Shoaib Malik plucked a blinder at point to cut short Ravi Bopara's innings, Pakistan's bowlers never seemed a potent force that would halt the march of the England top order led by Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright. Their captain Younis Khan had asked England to bat as he felt the numerous cracks on a weary pitch (this was the fourth match played on the same surface in two days) would help his bowlers keep the hosts to a manageable target of 160. "I would never had thought we would end up chasing 185," Younis said after the defeat, which he blamed on the utterly shoddy fielding. "Our fielding was bad and [because of that] we easily gave away 20-25 runs. This is a matter of concern for us." Asked to put a finger on the exact reasoning behind such sloppiness, Younis said he himself was trying hard for answers. "I have no idea why our fielders are unable to field properly. Maybe they are under certain pressure. It is not as if we are not working hard but we are not just getting it right for reasons unknown to me." It is not funny when more than one fielder in the team starts spilling catches and fumbling in the outfield. Pakistan dropped four catches at various points during the England innings: Saeed Ajmal (twice) and Yasir Arafat and Salman Butt (one apiece) were the culprits. Butt was the comfortably the worst fielder and his captain did not hide his anger and disappointment. "Even if Butt scored 28 as an opener we'll have to think about him [for the next game] because of his fielding," Younis said. Another man Younis singled out, who he thought has failed to rise to the occasion, was Kamran Akmal. "Kamran Akmal is a senior batsman but he can't somehow take the responsibility. We need a senior guy in the top order who can play the anchor role." Pakistan were playing only their second Twenty20 in seven months and the rustiness went beyond the fielding. Unlike their smooth sailing into the 2007 World Twenty20 finals where they only lost twice - both times to rivals India - Pakistan are still lumbering to the task this time around. They lost both their warm-ups and seem to be grappling with the cold conditions in the UK. None of the Pakistan bowlers, apart from the inexperienced offspinner Ajmal, came to their team's rescue, as England built on the platform laid by Pietersen early on. Though Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi are two of the best bowlers in this format, they failed miserably. Gul may feel deprived for not having a go after picking up a wicket in his very first over but surprisingly Younis decided to replace him immediately. It wasn't an isolated moment because there were numerous other points during the England innings when the Pakistan captain appeared desperate and lost. When the time came to chase the huge target Pakistan failed to get the required kick-start and lost wickets easily. They were 41 for 3 at the end of Powerplay compared to England's 63 for 2. "We lost a lot of wickets in the first six overs. Also we lacked a good partnership - England did well on both fronts," Younis said. In their the next game on Tuesday Pakistan need to win by at least 25 runs, or with about three overs to spare, against Netherlands to qualify for the second round. Younis has put the onus on his senior batsmen senior guys like Afridi, Misbah ul Haq, Malik and himself. "I hope they will come forward." And, for the curious, Federer won.

http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/current/story/407946.html But heavy rain is predicted on Tuesday.B->

[Desi Cartman]

Go Ho-land

[mhr123]

senior batsmen senior guys like Afridi, Misbah ul Haq, Malik and himself. "I hope they will come forward."

LOLLLL... Is Afridi a senior Batsman ... :hmmm: