Today is the beginning of the tussle which will decide who is the Top Gun of the world. The first clash is between South Africa and Pakistan. You can watch match here live and also post match highlights.
South Africa has done well to reach this stage. It has not given an opportunity to any of the teams that it has competed with to reach the top position in its group. South Africa has beaten New Zealand in its group matches and then went on to beat West Indies, England and India.
South Africa has obviously kept its best performance for West Indies where it notched up an impressive total. Its other matches with England and India were decisive but not exciting. But then South African batting line up has not been tested for its endurance. If South Africa wants to lift the trophy its batting line up and the execution will be tested in the next two days. The first team to do so will be Pakistan which now has a good bowling attack but cannot follow it up with a performance with the willow.
That would mean that even if Pakistan succeed in containing South Africa it will not be able to make a dent to the South African attack.
This is not to take away any thing from Pakistan. They have fought their way up to regain a semi final berth and they will no doubt give their best shot. But considering that they are not starting with a clean slate- having lost a match to England and Sri Lanka already.
But today is a new day and a new beginning and may the best team win. You can watch this pakistan vs southafrica match in this site once it commences.
The Last of the Group F matches will be played out on 16th June between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
This match will be important in deciding the fate of New Zealand. Having lost its match to Pakistan, New Zealand will be fighting with its back to the wall if it has to force an issue.
Our stand on Sri Lanka has been vindicated and the fate of the other team West Indies whom we have backed would have been decide by now.
Frankly to all lovers of good cricket irrespective of nationality, New Zealand has disappointed and Pakistan managed to claw its way back into the tournament when it was cornered. Good for them.
South Africa is the only other team with consistent performance and a real depth in batting which will no doubt be tested in the finals.
If Sri Lanka has a chink in its armour it is the lack of depth in their lower order and also the absence of a quality pace bowler to create that additional pressure to augment their spin attack and back up Lasith Malinga.
I guess you cannot ask for every thing.
As this match commences on the 16th June, every Indian would be aware that the curtain has come down for India. This match in no way makes a difference to the outcome of the results in Group E.
It goes without saying that all Indians have been disappointed. If any one owes an explanation to the people of India it is first the selectors. That our top order cannot stand up and deliver and crouch when the ball is banged short or play into the hands of the fielder placed for that purpose.
West Indies used the ploy to hilt and even England followed suit. It is no consolation that India lost only by 3 runs. Those 3 runs could have been saved by Harbhajan who gave away twice 5wds or by Dhoni who could have come at number 4 in place of a rookie like Jadeja ( or is he also incapable of handling bounce?). Or it could have been that the in form Yuvraj may not have been dismissed in an unfortunate manner.
But then for a loss we can search for hundred reasons. It was also the unceremonious manner that Sehwag went back being declared medically unfit.
It is imperative that there should be introspection and many heads if they have to roll should be put under the axe, including the captain,s, who cannot lead by example. Except for Yuvraj and Yusuf Pathan none of the batting greats could make an impression.
There was no dearth of talent in the IPL. But the lack of fore sight and planning in the selection of the team and understanding of the technique of our top order and the English conditions was obvious.
Today the Group F matches will reach the half way stage. Our stand on Sri Lanka has been vindicated. They have moved closer to clinching the semi final berth by their victory over Pakistan. If the Pakistani bowling did not trouble the Sri Lankans, except for Younis khan and to some extent Misbah ul Haq, Pakistan could not attack Sri Lankan bowling. Bit it was the finger licking Muttaih Muralidharan who turned the tide for Sri Lankans and not the magic wand of Ajantha Mendis.
The chink in Sri Lankan batting tends to get exposed if both Jayawardhane and Sangakkara get out and one of them is unable to finish the game. Tilaka Ratne DIlshan is easily the back bone of the Sri Lankan team and he is in wonderful form. He is carrying on where he is left off with the Delhi Dare Devils.
The youngsters in the side have to rise to the occasion especially Mubarak Jehan to make a meaningful contribution in the end.
The advantage Sri Lanka have is that they can play themselves in and get ready for the battle ahead.
Time and opportunity is on their side before stepping on to the main stage.
So firends here you can Watch Ireland vs Pakistan Online ICC T20 World Cup:Live & High Lights The match between Ireland and Pakistan, both in Group F will be played on Monday. Ireland will only be too happy to be part of these super 8 matches. It will be richer in experience and carry those memories home. What strikes about the Irish team is the way they huddle across when their national anthem is being played. What strikes you about the Indians is the way the crowd joins in when the national anthem is being played. What strikes us about the Pakistan TV is that the commentators of Pakistan ask would the Indian crowds cheer the team the way Pakistani crowds do ? We guess it’s a question “mere crowds jyada safed than tumhara crowds”
About the match unlike what we’ve called England, the punching bag of group E we would not ascribe similar epithets to the Irish for they should first upgrade their skills. It is a foregone conclusion that Pakistan will win and even aspects like run rate may come into play. Remember that is the way Pakistan have got into the super eight and a similar situation may arise in group E also.
The problem with Pakistan batting line up is after Younis khan Misbah ul Haq there is nobody to carry on with the batting and Shahid Afridi is being of no help in the batting department to Pakistan
If we have to choose between New Zealand and Pakistan for the spot in the semi final we will wager our bet on New Zealand. This will become clear once Sri Lanka have a face off with New Zealand. That match will probably decide who will top Group F. The unlikely scenario that Pakistan will be hoping for would be is that Pakistan beats New Zealand and Sri lanka would lose to New Zealand. Even if the latter were true we doubt if the former can happen.
Two traditional rivals will clash at the Oval today. Unlike the Group F matches which are predictable and are more of academic importance, the Group E matches are full of excitement and unpredictability. Except for England which seems to have become the punching bag in Group E, rest of the matches are full of possibilities and eagerly awaited outcomes for their respective home crowds.
But India and South Africa have the luxury of an extra win in their group matches when compared to West Indies.
The West Indies therefore have to work that much harder to clinch a berth in the semi finals. They certainly are not short of talent determination and the will to excel.
South Africa has won both its previous encounters against England and New Zealand albeit chasing paltry totals of 127 and 111. It will be a different game all together if they have to set a target for West Indies or if they have to chase a target.
Graeme Smith has not been convincing and Kallis is not the explosive type and he does not seem to be getting the necessary support from Herschell Gibbs or Graeme Smith. This is not to take away anything from the middle order and the depth that South Africa but that is no excuse to put all pressure on them. Then there is the extra pressure on both the teams considering their rivalry.
The second of the group F matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played today at the Oval at 2200 hrs IST. The group F matches are predictable barring a memorable performance from Pakistan.
Pakistan although the winner from its group has won only one match and has made it to this group by virtue of its run rate. New Zealand also has lost a match to South Africa and having stood second in its group has made it to Group F in the super eight. Except for Sri Lanka which seems to be assured of a berth in semi final from this group because it has the cushion of an extra win, this match will be crucial for both New Zealand and Pakistan.
New Zealand seems to have the edge in batting line up and Abdul Razzaq has been recalled by Pakistan to add some sting to its bowling attack. The New Zealand team is more cohesive and appear to be more determined than Pakistan. Much will depend on the performance of Brendon Mc Cullum and Jesse Ryder. It will also be test for the Black Caps as to how they will tackle the spin of the Pakistanis more than their pace.
It will be a do or die battle for Pakistan and when it has its back to the wall Pakistan can be a dangerous opponent.
More than the excitement this match can generate it is the importance of this match for which it cannot be missed.
This will be the second match of the Group E in the super eight stage. This will be played at Lord’s on the 12th of June. Lot of water has flown under the bridge for the groupings to have come to this. Each of the six matches in this group are important and will be followed with interest. Most probably one of the teams that qualify to go to the semi final will eventually win this tournament.
This undoubtedly is an important match for India. It is the first in the super eight stage and West Indies is a temperamental opponent. The absence of Sehwag will no doubt be felt. Much will depend on the tempo that the openers provide whether India bats first or chases a total. Strategies will have to be evolved to maintain the correct run rate required If Chris Gayle erupts in the match. India will no doubt prefer to bat second if it wins the toss. If India is put in to bat first the openers must go hammer and tongs at the West Indian bowling attack. Rohit Sharma will no doubt play a crucial role and the batting depth of India will no doubt be tested in this match.
Much will depend on how much Chris Gayle values his wicket. But then given the law of averages he has to fail in some matches. Another interesting fact to be seen is if Chris Gayle can pace his innings and play a long innings while chasing a total.
The second of the Group F matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played at the Lord’s on June 12th.
This is a crucial match in the Group F because both Pakistan and Sri Lanka were toppers in their respective groups. Pundits had expected Sri Lanka to go into Group F by losing to West Indies at the group stage but Sri Lanka had other plans. Sri Lanka has been criticized that it does not have a finisher in their team. If Sanath Jayasuriya clicks in a match that will leave one of either Sangakkara or Mahela Jayawardhane to stay on till the end of the game. That gives them flexibility and both of them are good finishers of the game and it gives freedom to Tilakaratne Dilshan to play his shots as an opener with out pressure. As for the youngsters De Silva and Jehan Mubarak, Mubarak has especially shown that he is not in awe of great bowlers including Bret Lee.
Sri Lanka has already won two matches at the group stage while Pakistan has won only one. Sri Lanka will no doubt want to keep the momentum going and Pakistan will see an opportunity to come back in to the tournament.
The Pakistani pace attack lacks the sting to trouble the Sri Lankan batsmen. It will also be eagerly watched as to how the Pakistani batsmen will handle Ajantha Mendis and Lasith Malinga not to mention Muttaiah Muralidharan. The depth in the btting will be tested as wickets will tumble and they have to decide and execute whom to go after and when to.
Once the match starts you can watch the live and highlights here
