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Champions Trophy – Pakistan
By TJ for Stani Army in International Cricket, Pakistan Cricket
The Champions Trophy is set to kick off on the 22nd of September in South Africa. On paper, Pakistan seem to be in the tougher of the two groups (A) but with the typical unpredictability of them and the West Indies, who are in their group, this may turn out to be the easier of the two groups in terms of the margin by which the top two progress to the knockout stages. The other two sides in group A are Australia and India respectively. Should the West Indies and Pakistan blow cold rather than hot, Australia and India will pretty much cruise through. Should they do their potential justice however, it will be a very tough, exciting and close fought group.
Umar Gul and Younis Khan have come out and said how they’d love to beat India but there’s a trophy out there up for grabs, a tournament, so let’s concentrate on that. Holding the Champions Trophy as well as the Twenty20 World Cup will strengthen any argument about Pakistan being the side to beat in the shorter form of the game so there’s plenty of incentive there.
The other group (B), is made up of England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
So to the team. This is a real tough one as the 50 over form, though criticicsed, still does throw up different challenges to the twenty over game. Having said that, the abilities of our players would probably see the Pakistan 50 over team the most similar to its twenty20 team than any of the other countries. The one change which will probably be a given is Mohammad Yousuf coming in to strengthen the middle order. Here’s my picks:
Imran Nazir
Kamran Akmal (wk)
Younis Khan (c)
Mohammad Yousuf
Umar Akmal
Naved-ul-Hasan
Shahid Afridi (vc)
Umar Gul
Saeed Ajmal
Mohammad Aamer
Mohammad Asif
Fawad Alam
Iftikhar Anjum
Misbah-ul-Haq
Shoaib Malik
The tail does seem a bit long but there’s no point taking Asif if he’s not going to play. We have 60 overs available from our bowlers so options for the captain if a bowler has an off day. Admittedly, it’s a bold batting line up as 50 overs is a long time but they’ll just have to step up to the mark, particularly the opening pair. It’s encouraging to see competition for places as two players who were dead certs not long ago, Misbah and Malik, will now find it tough to find a place in the team in my opinion.
Will Pakistan come out as winners? Well, with the short format and a potentially difficult group, a good start is vital. Get that and I think it’s a real possibilty. Watch out for Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer.
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September 2nd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
You guys have the advantage, mentally & physically. I agree that Pak & WI (in my mind) should go through.
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:25 am
I would cross Yusuf from the team list and get in Alam in his place. For fresh legs, eagerness to perform. Pakistan can get past West Indies and give tough fight to Australia as they gave in desert sufari.
India, well i dont know. game of the tournament. could go either way. India hv slight edge for their batting. Umar Gul for his bowling would be key.
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 am
Hi Sam,
Many people would agree with you in replacing Yousuf with Alam, but I think the old man still has a few years left in him. He’s been out some time and has not found consistent form on his return but his undoubted class will be a vital stabilising component in a batting line up which already has many youngsters. Had it been a twenty20, I may have indeed included Fawad myself in place of Yousuf. Added to that, the emergence of Kamran Akmal’s brother Umar, has made competition for batting places even more tough.
I agree about that India should have the edge when it comes to batting but our bowling attack will probably balance this out and make it a quite even and interesting contest. Pakistan will arguably have the best bowling attack in the tournament, above South Africa due to the proficiency of our spinners.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Why didn’t my first comment go through?
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:29 am
Oh, that was a test. I entered www. again. Sorry
I agree, may Pak & WI go through. It always makes me feel warm & fuzzy inside when Aus gets knocked out.
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:59 pm
It is a tough group! All four teams are unpredictable at the moment. But may WI and Aus go through! It makes me feel warmer and fuzzier when SA knocks Aus out
.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Tou-ché
September 4th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Bon,
Hmmm, so you think India and Australia will go out? This would be depressing for their fans as both had early exits from the twenty20 World Cup also.
I think we may produce but I’m a little concerned about the Windies being in the right state of mind and physically prepared after the internal strife they’ve been having.
You going to any games Bon?
Purn,
You really don’t like Pakistan do you? You’re assuming South Africa are going to get through the group stages? You’re not choking…I mean joking are you? They’re going to be beaten by England of all teams. Not only that, but Broad (your favourite player) will get a hat-trick.
Sri Lanka will win the group and England will face of against the Kiwis whilst SA watch. If SA do get to the semis, they’ll only get choked out by us just like before.
September 4th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Is this some dream you had Stani? I bet you love Broad’s pre-puberty face. The Poms don’t play cricket. They just visit a really green field with people all around and sip tea.
This isn’t 20 overs cricket, hon. Plus, you have that ability to collapse from a winning situation for no rhyme or reason.
September 4th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Tou che, Purna.
Tut, tut, Stani. SA will go through.
Yes I have taken leave for the end of September and will be going to all the Wanderers game, I will also watch the first game SA vs SL at Centurion.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Tou-che Purna.
Stani, I will be going to a lot of the games. You see I am taking leave at the end of Sep from work. I will try to go to all the Wanderers games and the SA vs SL game at Centurion.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Stani, Brandon is having problems commenting on your site.
Oh, and SA will be going through.
September 5th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Purn,
Tea is for civilised people, you won’t know about that would you? Actually, Broad is one of my least favourite cricketers because of his attitude….particularly keeping in mind that his dad is a match referee. The old folks tell me that his dad, Chris, used to be the same, a right miserable so and so.
Not 20 over cricket? Are you talking about Pakistan? Errr, we have won the 50 over World Cup so we do know, unlike Bangladesh, what 50 over cricket, or even cricket itself, is. We may collapse but we cause collapses too. Bring it I say.
September 5th, 2009 at 5:22 am
What does his dad have to do with him? I’m genuinely asking. I don’t know much about him, since I don’t care.
I thought you knew a lot about cricket Stani. You are comparing Bangladesh to Pakistan? And that win was in a different lifetime with a different team. It has no bearing on the Champion’s Trophy.
September 5th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Purn,
Him and his dad are the same. I was just raising the point that now that his dad is a match referee, Broad should sort out his attitude towards officials.
Read this about his dad, it’s hilarious particularly the middle part. It will show you how the old saying rings true; like father, like son. By the way, how on earth was Broad sent in before Adil Rashid in England’s narrow defeat to Australia yesterday? Rashid is a genuine all-rounder, had he faced those few extra balls that Broad wasted, England may indeed be 1-0 up. It’s still good to know about things you don’t care about so as to prevent them from biting you on the bum one day.
No, I don’t know a lot about cricket. This is why I have a blog so people can come and tell me with intelligent and structured arguments. But, you are right, there is no comparison between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
You was implying we don’t know how to play the 50-over form. I said we do, as our history proves.
September 5th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Read what about his dad?
Broad is the new Flintoff haven’t you heard? He will guide England to glory. I don’t question their stupid tactics. I just let them be and enjoy the results after.
Yes there isn’t. Pakistan has been playing international cricket longer than Bangladesh. It’s like comparing the UAE to Bangladesh.
You did, as your history proves. We’ll see how much of it you remember.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Bon,
Don’t leave it to the group stages, you may not make it. I suppose the consolation is you will end up watching your second team, Pakistan, the eventual winners.
Bella,
SA will choke. A official ICC tournament cannot be without SA choking.
Purn,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Broad
New Flintoff? You mean drink and eat rubbish then retire early having treated the game that’s made him a millionaire like it’s a run out with the lads?
The UAE will soon surpass Bangladesh and their snail paced progression.
September 5th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I hate Broad as much as I dislike Watson.
LOL, Stani, you’re trying to be funny, eh? I’d rather support NZ or SL then. See I don’t loose either way because England won’t be going through. GO GROUP B!
September 5th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Yes Bon! Go Group B!! NZ, SL and SA are all going to MURDER England…yay!!
Stani, ever heard of the expression slow and steady win the race? You are acting like Pakistan became World Champions overnight.
September 6th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Bon,
Why would you rather support NZ or Sri Lanka than Pakistan? Like boring cricket Bon? You must like Bangladesh too then?
Purn,
Yes but the Bangladeshi’s are so slow and steady (maybe not steady) that they haven’t even began the race. Compare Sri Lankan cricket to Bangladeshi cricket in terms of progression and you will see what I am getting at. The tigers are so bad that they’re not even included in the Champions Trophy after all this time playing 50 overs ODIs.
September 6th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Boring cricket my ….
September 6th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Bon likes Bangladesh. Shakib is his top player.
Very funny. Like I said, I am not going to comment because one day my boys will make you eat your words. The ICC is dumb. That’s why they didn’t get included. Now the tournament is going to be predictable.
September 6th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Stani
Pakistan and India both will make it to the semis.I think we are giving a bit too much respect to this relatively toothless Australian team, their batting is quite unpredictable these days and in the absence of quality spinners their bowling also looks weak.
As regards WestIndies they rarely look like a team.
Aamir and Gul will get an automatic selection, whereas Asif and Rana will compete for the slot of third pacer, Misbah will be in the side while Imran Nazir and Malik will compete for the opening position.
Sam
Charity begins at home why don’t you talk about some fresh legs replacing Sachin and Dravid.
September 7th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Guys, I’m gonna disappear, need to get away for a while since hearing of Ames’ passing. You can chat amongst yourselves you know, I’m not the only one here with opinions! In disagreeing, please be kind and respectful though. I’ll be back soon.
Please leave your thoughts on Amy’s blog if you haven’t already.
http://amy-cricket.blogspot.com/2009/09/rest-in-peace-amy.html
Thanks
September 9th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Awaiting your return……….