Was the use of power play strategical or random?

[vvvslaxman]

NZ forced Pakistan to use up the overs of Afretard and Gul by taking power play around 41st over. If somebody uses the same technique against us like forcing Zak to complete his overs how should we react? From this match one can see drawing one strategical mistake can benefit you hugely. Not that Pakistan is a super team that we need so many strategies to bring them down. But last 10 overs were well thoughtout with a 'bit' of assistance from Khatmal.

[Ultimate_Game]

Rather than us worrying about how teams may use the power play against us, we should be focusing on how to make better use of it while batting. IMO we should send Pathan up the order when spinners are bowling in the middle overs. He's such a brute against the spinners that opposing captains will be forced to bring in their best bowlers early and even if Pathan doesn't attack the fast bowlers, the opponents will not have overs from the strike bowlers to bowl at the death or in the batting power-play which other players like Yuvraj & Dhoni can exploit. Btw if we play Ashwin he would be a great bowler to bowl during power plays as batsmen will find it tough against him on a turning track and especially against the carrom ball he possesses.

[vvvslaxman]

Yup.. there are some freaks in this world cup. They might be out of form. But on their day they can wreak havoc. Pollard, Gayle, Taylor, McCullum, White, Watson... kind of players. We need to be prepared for such guys.

[kabira]

Thats was good strategy, But Afridi should have kept atleast one over of Gul for last 2 overs and tried Akhtar instead. I think you should take power early around 35th over if both the batsman are well set or even if someone like Sehwag or Sachin well in. If wicket falls, send in a pinch hitter, someone like Bhajji. If around 35th over there are two new batsman wait and take it around 41st overs, to build some momentum going into last 5 overs.