Pakistan is going to face Netherlands in a do-or-die match tomorrow (9 June) at Lord's, London in an important Group B match of twenty20 world cup 2009. Pakistan has lost their opening game to England last night by 48 runs. Naturally, they are now facing an elimination threat ahead of their last group match against Netherlands. The Dutch side caused a huge upset, when they outperformed host England in the first match and won the game by 4 wickets.
Match: Pakistan vs Netherlands; Group B, ICC World Twenty20 2009
Date: 9 June 2009
Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, England
Kick off: 12:30 GMT (Local Time13:30)
So, England now sits atop the point table with 2 points and the hosts have a very good run rate and it is pretty much certain that they are going into Super Eight. With 2 points, Netherlands secures the second spot with a plus run rate, while Pakistan takes the last place in the group with a negative run rate. That means, even a victory would not be enough for Pakistan to win a Super Eight spot. Pakistan has to outdo the Dutch by net run rate. On the other hand, Netherlands just need to ensure that they do not suffer a huge defeat to Pakistan tomorrow.
Well, there is no doubt, the task Pakistan has got to do is not easy in twenty20 cricket where making a big different is always very hard. So, Younis Khan and his boys need to be very determined and play at their top against Netherlands, if Pakistan wants to progress to the last eight of the tournament. However, Pakistan’s performance was not impressive at all against England following some poor shows in the warm up games.
I do not know why Pakistan played Yasir Arafat and gave him the first over to bowl. I understand that Sohail Tanvir could not do well in the warm up games, but you should not forget that he is well-fit in twenty20 format and was the highest wicket taker of IPL 2008. I hope that Pakistan would include him in the first eleven against Netherlands. Moreover, I think, Younis Khan should have used spinner before power-play because England cruised to 62/2 in the first 6 overs and that was enough for England to have a good platform for the middle order batsmen. Moreover, Umar Gul should have given the new ball, in stead of Arafat. In an interview published in gulfnews, captain Younis Khan revealed his disappointment at the poor fielding of his team against England:
What is wrong with your team's fielding?
Frankly, I have no answer to this question. Maybe, the pressure on the players is forcing them to fumble. With the whole world criticising our fielding, I think there is a lot of pressure on them.
In batting, Pakistani top order failed to live up to the expectation, except Captain Younis Khan. There is no doubt, Pakistan has a very balanced batting line up, but I feel the gap of another quality opener like Imran Nazir alongside Salman Butt. Now, Pakistan batsmen like Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq all have to play their role with sheer success against Scotland and that would be a viable option for Scotland.
If Pakistan bat later, then they would have to chase the winning target within a certain amount of overs that they would already know before they start their innings. If the run rate is pretty high, then I think, Pakistan could take a chance by sending Afridi in the opening slot. If they bat first, then Pakistan should amass as much runs as possible and bring spinners into the attack early in the innings to check the run rate.
Netherlands would give their best to get a place in the Super Eight in what would be the biggest ever achievement by their cricket team. However, it would be easy for the Dutch, given Pakistan’s reputation of making good come-back when they find their back in the wall. Netherlands has a number of excellent players like TN de Grooth, who was instrumental behind their 4-wicket victory over England in the first game. Moreover, they have some effective all rounders like Ryan ten Doeschate and PW Borren. Darron Reekers and Bas Zuiderent are the two important batsmen. The Dutch also has an effective pacer in Dirk Nannes who impressed for Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2009.
Online Live Score and Updates
You can find the live score and updates of the match from several cricket websites like Cricinfo, Cricket Next, Cricbuzz etc.
Overall, Pakistan is favorite against Netherlands, given their disadvantage over poor run rate, I think, it would be a very hard task for the Pakistanis to achieve a spot in the Super Eight. Netherlands might have been in an advantageous position at this moment, but they have to be at their best against Pakistan, if they are to see themselves in the last eight of the tournament.
fuckin rains gonna b the problem
ReplyDeleteblessing id disguise bro!!!!! netherland bat first hampered with rain reduced to 5 0ver get 30 runs pakitan come in for 5 run and get 60
ReplyDelete