Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

NZ win the toss and bowl.

Our first sighting of Pakistan for a while. They seem not to have included many bowlers.

Astonishing lack of a defence sees Hafeez out for a duck.

Pakistan couldn't beat a very unfamiliar NZ representative team in their warm ups. Interesting to see them, and their characteristically weird selection (Hafeez is banned from bowling, two of the bowlers are very inexperienced, they will rely on part timers). Still, NZ resting some important players.

NZ re-enforce their position as the music players to notice. First time I've heard Mercury Rev over a tannoy.

Not many in. NZ have had good crowds otherwise, this (their) summer.

Nothing new from Pakistan they somehow never pick the right balance in their odi side their either pick too many bowlers or too many batsman.
from 2011-2013 for a stupid reason they picked 6 bowlers in the team and all 6 got picked for their bowling.
Afridi and Hafeez are a major headache for them since both would take vital spots in the team and not really do their job.
Hafeez would open and not score but chuck is way to 10 cheap overs absolute ridiculous that a genuine part timer like hafeez could chuck is way into being a front line bowler I remember he barely bowled before even in Domestic cricket but since 2010 he bowled a lot more over and was probably more of a front line bowler with his work load.
Afridi would bat at 8 not offer much with the bat and not bowl many overs since pakistan had 5 other bowling options.

Looking at their squad not sure how they will get 4 Genuine bowlers in unless Afridi bat's at 7 but if they pick their 4 best bowlers their will have 4/5 number 11's.

Still can't believe pakistan have to get 20 overs from Younis Khan/Afridi in this game.

Afridi is a decent limited overs bowler.

Only positive today for Pakistan was Chuckridi. Blistering 67 in just 29 balls and 1 for 39 in 10 overs.

After the 2 defeats handed over by New Zealand Board President's XI, this was a very comprehensive win. Well done Kiwis.

Guptill managed to score some runs I see.

No Kane Williamson?

rested probably

almost forgot these 2 were playing tonight

Shame it's a late start.

NZ currently ranked fifth, one below England (...!). Aus, then India (tales of their demise have been exaggerated), then SA.

Kiwis quick off the block again.

BMcC out. Big wicket.

Well pakistan one team that doesn't have 6 bowlers with younis and Harris Sohail bowling 10 overs between them.
Both are not exactly good option with the ball.

I might have to backtrack my statement about pakistan they look terrible no junaid Khan is a big loss be a tough ask to expect them to win one knock-out game especially considering like most team in this world cup haven't really pick the best squad/bench available.
Never seen pakistan go to a world cup with such a depleted and very few bowling resources with only 4 front line bowlers with only Wahab Riaz being able to bat and very few team combinations that give 5-6 bowling options and 8-9 batting depth.
None of the combinations also give 3 or 4 genuine bowling options they would have to do something special to cause a shock in the quarter finals.