Pakistan v Canada – ICC World Cup 2011 - preview
UPDATE: Pakistan won by 46 runs; Pakistan 184 (43 ov), Canada 138 (42.5 ov)
Another one-sided tie is expected as Pakistan is gears up to take on minnows, Canada, in their third World Cup fixture at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Pakistan has not made it to the knock out stage since the 1999 World Cup and this time, the side is looking forward to end the twelve year wait when they take on the tournament outsiders.
Following their victories against Kenya and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the quarter-final stage would become quite certain if they seal another convincing win.
Their terrific 11-run win over co-hosts and World Cup favourites, Sri Lanka, particularly give the cricket deprived Pakistan nation hopes of a successful tournament after two disastrous World Cup campaigns in 2003 and 2007 when the side got kicked out of the mega event from the preliminary stage.
Canada, on the other hand, have been trounced in both of their World Cup matches so far and will be particularly humiliated by the 175-run crushing at the hands of another low-ranked side, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045.
Pakistan cricket finally seems to be recovering from the spot-fixing saga and the credit goes to their flamboyant captain, Shahid Khan Afridi, who is leading his side from the front.
After a five-wicket haul against associates, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752, Afridi claimed four match-winning wickets against Sri Lanka and has changed the controversy-hit Pakistan team with his invigorating brand of captaincy.
Pakistan’s batting line-up has shown some maturity after a long time, specifically the middle order of Pakistan has been very strong and responsible in the last two games.
Wicketkeeper batsman, Kamran Akmal, is enjoying his role at the one-down position, while middle-order veteran batsman, Younis Khan, and, the vice-captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972, have made successive fifties in the two games and are in top form.
Considering Pakistan’s recent batting form, it looks as if the Canadian attack would once again be put to the sword if the former opt to bat first after winning the toss.
Misbah-ul-Haq is most likely to not play, as he is battling a minor hamstring injury and the captain and coach would not risk the main gun in the game against minnows. Asad Shafiq, in all probability, will get a World Cup cap if Misbah gets a rest day.
In the bowling department, slow left-arm orthodox spinner, Abdur Rehman, might make way for Saeed Ajmal, as the former has not yet completely recovered from a muscle injury he had picked during the match against Sri Lanka.
Express pacer, Shoaib Akhtar, could also be given a rest given his injury-prone record, and Wahab Riaz would be a most suitable replacement.
Leg-spinner, Balaji Rao, picked up four wickets in the 175-run defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe and will need to bowl well again if they are to contain the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khurram-Chohan-c1791 and Rizwan Cheema would have to back Balaji and show more consistency if Canada want to regain some pride.
The minnows would also need to impress with batting if they want to entertain the cricket fans with an upset or even a well-contested defeat. Canada’s skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashish-Bagai-c46284, and, Rizwan Cheema, would have to emulate their performances with the bat in the warm-up games.
The side will also need runs from John Davison, who has not been impressive so far with the bat but the 40 year old has the experience, which could be crucial for the inexperienced http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748 side.
Shahid Khan Afridi, well-known for his Boom Boom batting style, is a real threat with the ball this time as he has claimed nine wickets from just two games. And if he gets a chance with the bat as well, the match could once again get hideous for the minnows.
Frankly speaking, Canada would have to be at their absolute best and Pakistan at their extreme worst to script another upset in the ICC 2011 World Cup.
Teams:
Pakistan (probable XI): Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (Wicketkeeper), Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 (C), Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz
Canada (probable XI): http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rizwan-Cheema-c2328, Harvir Baidwan, Khurram Chohan, and Balaji Rao.
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