Group A - Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh

[Uppercut]

Hmm, this is a bit of a let-down.

 

[Arjun]

Okay, fair to say this'll be the XI come Monday;

WwdIs 88/10 (20.0 ov, DP Nannes 1/21) - Match over | Live Scorecard | Cricinfo.com

So they've stacked the batting and will be relying on Smith for spin with Dussey/Clarke to roll the arm over if needed. Far better side than with Lee in it. Still a bit worried about their ability to accelerate after the first 10, whether having three (essentially) part-time spinners = 1 good one and a pace attack of Johnson/Nannes/Tait is potentially pretty damn wild but it's not bad.

That's a very strong team. Would you have Smith or Hauritz in there? Smith seems more T20-ready, but Hauritz can hold his own in this format, and is more experienced. Maybe even Daniel Christian, who's a better batsman, but is yet another seam bowler. This looks a team that will go the distance in this tournament.

 

[social]

That's a very strong team. Would you have Smith or Hauritz in there? Smith seems more T20-ready, but Hauritz can hold his own in this format, and is more experienced. Maybe even Daniel Christian, who's a better batsman, but is yet another seam bowler. This looks a team that will go the distance in this tournament.

Smith - quality batsman, one of the best fieldsmen in the world and coming on as a bowler (i.e. immensely talented but very inexperienced and potentially expensive)

No idea why Christian is even in the squad

 

[BoyBrumby]

Hmm, this is a bit of a let-down.

Aye. Tamim will probably get a blob to complete the misery too. Pakistan should be nudging 200 from here.

Highlight so far has been Waqar's magic Pakistani/Ocker fusion accent.

 

[Prince EWS]

That's a very strong team. Would you have Smith or Hauritz in there? Smith seems more T20-ready, but Hauritz can hold his own in this format, and is more experienced. Maybe even Daniel Christian, who's a better batsman, but is yet another seam bowler. This looks a team that will go the distance in this tournament.

Smith's a better bat than Dan Christian.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Smith's a better bat than Dan Christian.

Pretty much a batsman who bowls a bit, isn't he?

 

[Prince EWS]

Pretty much a batsman who bowls a bit, isn't he?

Yep. Christian's must the same in limited overs cricket himself, but he (Christian) basically plays as a bowler who can add useful runs from #8 in First Class cricket days. Both are a bit odd in that a lot of people have misconceptions over what their primary skills are.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Razzak for the last over? Really? Shakib still an interesting captain.

EDIT: Suppose 8 off it something of a minor triumph.

 

[Pothas]

Aye. Tamim will probably get a blob to complete the misery too. Pakistan should be nudging 200 from here.

Highlight so far has been Waqar's magic Pakistani/Ocker fusion accent.

172 in the end, very few boundaries at the end but still that is a very imposing total.

 

[Jayzamann]

19.1 Abdur Razzak to Abdul Razzaq

finally got to witness this

 

[Xuhaib]

172 should be enough.

was a dire watch apart from Salman Butt's knock.

 

[King Pietersen]

Shot Tamim! Bangladesh almost entirely reliant on Tamim making a huge score. Hopefully he delivers; will certainly be entertaining if he does fire.

 

[social]

Yep. Christian's must the same in limited overs cricket himself, but he (Christian) basically plays as a bowler who can add useful runs from #8 in First Class cricket days. Both are a bit odd in that a lot of people have misconceptions over what their primary skills are.

Smith interests the selectors because he has the potential to be the spinner Oz is looking for since Warne retired and is only 20/21

However, whilst he's learning how to bowl (and he looks like he has all the potential in the world), he's also scored runs for fun and is a genius in the field

IMO, he could easily bat 6/7 but shouldnt be trusted to bowl 4 overs every game - the selectors take a different view

Christian, on the other hand, is a slightly worse version of James Hopes

I'd pick Smith because the kid may well win games for you

 

[social]

Shot Tamim! Bangladesh almost entirely reliant on Tamim making a huge score. Hopefully he delivers; will certainly be entertaining if he does fire.

If he goes off, Pak dont have enough

 

[social]

And that's the ball game

Good night and good luck

 

[AaronK]

what was wrong with that shout of hafeez? i thought it was plumb out..

 

[BoyBrumby]

Jeez. Pies from Razzaq. Length at his pace is terminal in 2020.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ajmal's been on report for chucking before, hasn't he? Christ it looks an ordinary action.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ashraful looks in top nick here. 50 up off 38. Still have my money on Pakistan, but with him and Shakib there....

 

[Pothas]

Yeah nice reminder by Ashraful of why he has dissapointed so many people, lovely 6 of Afridi last over.