World T20 Champs group stages, Feb 7-20

[Durhamfootman]

Maxwell-esque innings from SKY

I suppose for once India isn't controlling the playing surface

[andy]

Shaheens having a shocker...what's happened to him over last few years?! He was exceptional when he came through

[andy]

Shaheens gone for 30 in 1.4 overs! Bowling in the slot buffet bowling

[Durhamfootman]

170 looking more realistic than 180 with 6 balls to go

up to Dube to change that

although I ignored the Afridi factor when I posted that. India will get 180

in the slot, short and wide, in the slot

He really isn't a very good T20 bowler on current form, so Durham will probably sign him for the Dribble

[andy]

Pak close on 175-7 comical run out of dube in final over....you feel India should defend that with their bowling attack but you never know.....I could do with Abhishek bowling and getting a wicket or two haha!!

[Durhamfootman]

Nope... wrong again

India throw away the chance to score 180 with some self inflicted nonsense

Pakistan need 176

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, it could have gone worse for Pakistan

But not much worse.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Thought they might leave out Archer or Overton and play Rehan.

Think they are always going to include three pace bowlers. Though I would like to have tried Tongue.

Against Italy, maybe an opportunity to bring in those not yet selected.

So that's Duckett, Rehan and Tongue, plus Wood who played in the first game.

[GarlicJam]

UAE are looking pretty good against Afghanistan atm.

A win for the UAE would be great for cricket there, I assume.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Still game on isn't it? Afg been keeping up with the RRR for the past few overs, and have wickets in hand.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A win for the UAE would be great for cricket there, I assume.

That motivated me to look the place up, as I thought it would be another case of the game being sustained by expats from Pakistan and India. Only 11% of the population is native born. 60% of the whole population is from Indian subcon. So most people will be India fans.

I'm guessing, but as the British controlled the region until the 60s, it's possible that the 11% won't be well disposed to their sports.

Surprised that English is the most widely spoken language there. Probably everyone's second language.

[GarlicJam]

Qatar has a similar ratio of citizens vs foreign born residents, from memory.

Surprising then that they have not entered into my horizon on the cricket front. UAE have been around and abouts for well over a decade, haven't they?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wasn't the Sharjah match fixing scandal back in the 90s? I think the UAE have been around WCs at least that long.

Solid chase by Afghanistan in the end.

[sussexpob]

England likely to give Italy a chance here.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England unchanged. Must either think everything is fine, or the reserves are worse.

If England lose this it will be an all time low.