I have always stated that I am not a firm believer of the tag ‘favourite’ and I was proved right once again by Pakistan’s win over Sri Lanka.
Most people had termed Sri Lanka to be the favourite to win this match but as I always believe, it is the team in form on that particular day which took away the honours.
Pakistan needs to be congratulated for the win, but at the same time Sri Lanka will have to be careful in preparing wickets.
They have to prepare the twenty-yards in such a way that the team batting first after winning the toss doesn’t carry away most of the advantage. The wicket at Premadasa slowed down as the game went on and run-chase was extremely difficult.
I have liked the Pakistan team as much I have seen them till now.
Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq at four and five will have crucial role to play in the tournament and will be the anchor for the team’s batting. The Pakistan think-tank have set the batting line-up in such a manner that it portrays perfect balance with Afridi and Razzaq at seven and eight.
The Pakistan bowling also looks to be in good health with Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar leading the pack. Afridi seems to have developed hugely as a bowler and is leading with his heart.
They could have won the game with ease had they not let off Sangakkara and Chamara Silva early on.
It will be interesting to watch Pakistan in the next few games, waiting to find out as to how they keep the momentum going.
Sri Lanka, I have always believed, is a top heavy batting team. They rely heavily on Sanga and Mahela and if these two fail to shoulder the team Samaraweera, Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews seem to lack the wherewithal to carry the burden.
Sri Lanka is definitely missing Lasith Malinga in their scheme of things. His ability, experience with the new ball and at the death is being surely missed by his team.
The big matches are now on in this World Cup and it’s time for the cricket fans to sit up and take note. One needs to keep a close eye on how the big guns are shaping up for the final onslaught from the quarter-final stage.
Most people had termed Sri Lanka to be the favourite to win this match but as I always believe, it is the team in form on that particular day which took away the honours.
Pakistan needs to be congratulated for the win, but at the same time Sri Lanka will have to be careful in preparing wickets.
They have to prepare the twenty-yards in such a way that the team batting first after winning the toss doesn’t carry away most of the advantage. The wicket at Premadasa slowed down as the game went on and run-chase was extremely difficult.
I have liked the Pakistan team as much I have seen them till now.
Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq at four and five will have crucial role to play in the tournament and will be the anchor for the team’s batting. The Pakistan think-tank have set the batting line-up in such a manner that it portrays perfect balance with Afridi and Razzaq at seven and eight.
The Pakistan bowling also looks to be in good health with Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar leading the pack. Afridi seems to have developed hugely as a bowler and is leading with his heart.
They could have won the game with ease had they not let off Sangakkara and Chamara Silva early on.
It will be interesting to watch Pakistan in the next few games, waiting to find out as to how they keep the momentum going.
Sri Lanka, I have always believed, is a top heavy batting team. They rely heavily on Sanga and Mahela and if these two fail to shoulder the team Samaraweera, Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews seem to lack the wherewithal to carry the burden.
Sri Lanka is definitely missing Lasith Malinga in their scheme of things. His ability, experience with the new ball and at the death is being surely missed by his team.
The big matches are now on in this World Cup and it’s time for the cricket fans to sit up and take note. One needs to keep a close eye on how the big guns are shaping up for the final onslaught from the quarter-final stage.
No comments:
Post a Comment