Pakistan have arguably been the most impressive team in the world cup, given that during the 16 days seen so far, we’ve seen a host of battling collapses and terrible bowling from many of the top sides. It says a lot that the only team apart from Australia not to be at the top of the market to be unbeaten is India, in fortunate circumstances as well considering they tied with England.
Two of their three wins have been over associate nations but the one win that really impressed many onlookers myself included) was their win over Sri Lanka. Half-centuries from Younus Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq allowed Pakistan to post a competitive 277 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs.
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| Shahid Afridi has taken 14 wickets so far |
Sri Lanka got off to a good start but an awesome performance by Shoaib Akhtar and 4 wickets from Shahid Afridi restricted the home side to just 266 for 9 in their chase, having triggered a batting collapse that took them from 75-0 to 96-4 ending the game against Pakistan. Jayawardene and Samaraweera made only three between them, and thus the chase was ended, with no half centuries from the top three in the starting order.
Pakistan’s bowling looks in menacing shape. Against Kenya, after some excellent top order grit, the remaining seven wickets fell for just 39 runs in just over ten overs. Afridi was the chief man in all of this, although the excellent contributions of Shoaib Aktar and Umar Gul also played a big part, and once against they were called on to save the Pakis against Canada when he made 5-23 including the removal of the potentially destructive Rizwan Cheema to take Canada from 104-3 to 138 all out.
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| Misbah-ul-Haq has been Pakistan's best batsman |
Their batting however, has some flaws. Pakistan can be forgiven not having made 200 against Sri Lanka but a score of 184 against Candada doesn’t make god reading and Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad have put on 11, 28 and 16 against Kenya, Sri Lanka and Canada but on two occasions the middle order has bailed the side out.
A solid and reliable member of that middle order is Misbah – Ul Haq. He is Pakistan's leading scorer in the tournament with two fifties and his 37 was the second-highest score against Canada. He is also in the midst of a spectacular run of form against New Zealand, with six fifties in Tests and ODIs against them in New Zealand in January. Younus Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, and Umar Akmal, all of whom have at least one 50 to their name this tournament, are all there to put in a big score.
New Zeland were brushed aside against Australia but they’ve got a bouncy pitch to help their bowlers and Pakistan’s openers to look there for the taking against Hamish Bennett, Tim Southee and Kyle Mille, who have taken 15 wickets so far and Daniel Vettori has also given his fair share of good deliveries.
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| Martin Guptill has looked in good touch |
Their batting has looked relatively good against Associate Nations, but it showed a real flaw when none of their batsmen could get a decent score on the board against the quality bowling of Australia. Indeed, thanks to the dominance they’ve had against minor teams the only players who can boast some sort of form are the openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill, the others having been skittled against Australia. Guptill looks in good touch and may be able to post a decent score if sticking around.
Pakistan can make their place in the next round safe with a win here. They’ve been accused of flattering to deceive in the past but they’ve probably been the most consistent team in the tournament and they can see of New Zeland, who were unable to handle the quality of Australia in their one real test so far this tournament.
Advice
3 pts Pakistan to beat New Zeland (8/13 Boylesports)
2 pts Misbah – Ul – Haq to make over 26.5 runs (5/6 Ladbrokes)
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