Group B - Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

[_Ed_]

Brave innings from Styris, he was in a lot of pain through some of that.

Of course he should have been out two hours ago, but let's ignore that.

 

[Pratters]

Poor effort by Pakistan in the fielding over all in the last few overs despite the catch to get Styris out. It is costing Pakistan some runs which could prove very costly.

 

[Dravid]

From this bowling performance, Pakistan don't deserve to win the match IMO

 

[_Ed_]

Oh how I love watching McCullum bat when he's seeing the ball well.

 

[Dravid]

Yorker for four...haha this is too fun to watch.

 

[_Ed_]

Razzaq...are you sure, Younis? Have you thought this one through?

 

[Dravid]

93 scored in the last 10. Final over coming up and its 265-6.

 

[nightprowler10]

Cricinfo hasn't updated in a while. What's happening?

 

[MoxPearl]

274-7 all up

nice effort nz

Would stay up.. but stuff awaits ^_^

 

[Dravid]

Inning comes to an end at 274, which is unbelieveable looking at what they were after 30 overs. Tsk tsk tsk, Woolmer needs to work on his bowlers, and fielders. If Pakistan lose this match, the following should be blamed in order 1)Bowling, 2)Fielding, 3)More bowling, 4)Batting.

 

[nightprowler10]

Poor performance by Pakistan in the last 25 overs. It'll be a tough chase from here on, especially under lights.

 

[nightprowler10]

Inning comes to an end at 274, which is unbelieveable looking at what they were after 30 overs. Tsk tsk tsk, Woolmer needs to work on his bowlers, and fielders. If Pakistan lose this match, the following should be blamed in order 1)Bowling, 2)Fielding, 3)More bowling, 4)Batting.

Is that a prediction?

 

[Dravid]

Yes, Pakistan all out under 230.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

Who was posting in CC the other day about Razzaq potentially becoming the leading ODI wicket taker? He needs someone to screw his head on, seriously. Most eight year olds realise that if something doesn't work after several repetitions, it probably isn't worth persevering with.

 

[Pratters]

Perfectly planned inning for New Zealand. They ensured they would get a minimum total of around 235 and didn't go for a lunge before they could guarantee such a score. Such a planning ensured against getting to too low a total (180-210) in pursuing a higher target score.

Then, they launched the attack and McCullum was almost perfect to in at the time he did. Pakistan kept it tight for most of the inning but lost the plot in the end overs. They have to introspect on who to bowl the death overs. The current bowling performance in the end overs left a lot to be desired. That the fielding was reckless didn't help.

274 is a top score and New Zealand should be able to win it from here.

 

[_Ed_]

Razzaq really has gone downhill as a bowler...he remains a VERY dangerous prospect with the bat though, and if he has a good night 274 isn't enough.

Nevertheless, I'm fairly confident at this point.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Horrible fielding and death bowling from Pakistan. Couldn't believe when Oram was batting with Styris and Razzaq was sending down length deliveries and even short stuff one after the other. Even a full toss would be harder for someone like Oram to score big runs off.

McCullum was fantastic though, and New Zealand have a total that will be really tough to chase. A couple of early wickets and it's game over.

 

[nightprowler10]

We'll need a good start from our openers.

 

[nightprowler10]

A couple of early wickets and it's game over.

Not sure about that, we're used to losing our openers early on.

 

[meatspx]

You've got to love it when the Pakistanis start reverting back to their fielding hi-jinks
Afridi's day dreaming was the personal highlight for me...

Anyway great stuff from NZ. It will be interesting to see if there is any movement in the first 10 overs, could be the winning of the match for either side.