[pratyush6]

Originally Posted by Eddy

If this happens, dinner is on me if and when we meet

Don't get me wrong, there are players in Pak whom I really like but they are very few. Amir & Wahab are pretty much the only 2. Sarfaraz is almost like a street fighter but one who is a sore loser. Ordinarily they have been one of my favorite teams to follow, just because they can do anything.

Also, the thread proves the wounds of CT17 still run deep

PS. NZ have put 237 on the board, we have a game now.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by pratyush6

Don't get me wrong, there are players in Pak whom I really like but they are very few. Amir & Wahab are pretty much the only 2. Sarfaraz is almost like a street fighter but one who is a sore loser. Ordinarily they have one of my favorite teams to follow, just because they can do anything.

Also, the thread proved the wounds of CT17 still run deep

Oh yes, player on player I like almost everyone in their current setup - except Amir.

Among them are Imam who has shown guts against nepotism allegations, Wahab is a fighter, Babar is a fantastic bat.

It's the ones that I have seen in the 90/00s that I don't like - Miandad, Moin Khan, Ijaz Ahmed, Sohail etc

The reason I don't want them to qualify is the threat to India. Indo-Pak rivalry is a secondary reason.

[harry10]

Top class innings.. deserved a century..
Fighting total in the end considering the bad start. 2 quick wickets and pakistan might even lose this. Although after being 80 odd for 5, Pakistan would be cursing letting NZ make 237. Also Colin D GRANDHOMME played a mature hand for a change.

[naveenroy]

Looks like Pakistan will win this easy from here on. Good stable knocks I guess. Am only reading commentary.

[Eddy]

Brilliant batting by the young batsmen. The conditions and the bowling were good, but they've shown excellent judgement.

Not even Pakistan can lose this one now.

[Aditya_Bhp]

Anyone supporting England on June 30th vs India, if England wins, Pakistan will not be able to qualify for the semi finals, but then both India and England can still qualify.

I would be turning English for their next match against the Kiwis.

[naveenroy]

I'd like to see the English go. Will make the remaining matches more interesting.

[NPV]

Pakistan have yet again emerged as the unpredictable geniuses!
Upto their 7th match, it's been a repeat of 1992 for Pakistan and with their last 2 games being against Bangladesh & Afghanistan, I think they have lot more chances of making the top 4 than England who will need to play India and New Zealand!

Bangladesh holds the key to Pakistan's qualification (along with their own fate) as their last 2 games are the ones against Pakistan & India.

[Eddy]

30 Jun - Ind vs Eng
2 July - Ind vs BD
3 July - Eng vs NZ
5 July - BD vs Pak

These are the matches that will matter.

Eng vs NZ and BD vs Pak will be the ones that ultimately decide the 4th place.

[SoumenD]

What an effort by babar & Haris sohail seems to have given them the much needed solidity in middle order. Kudos to them. Well deserved victory over the mighty NZ

Somehow I am happy to see pakistan get back their mojo. I would like to see them in top 4 & possibly an Indo-Pak final clash giving India a chance to avenge the CT2017 final. That scar still stays & can heal only with an ICC tournament final victory

[mac187]

Happy that the tournament has truly opened up and everyone has a chance. Else these last few matches would have been really boring. ICC's round robin gamble has paid off.

As rightly pointed out by @Eddy, some mouth watering clashes lined up. Ban, Pak and Eng anyone of them in semi-finals will be under pressure. Ideal scenario will be for India to face one of these guys, win and get to finals. Question is who can beat Aus in semi finals? If the Aussie reach the finals, I will be chewing my fingers out.

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

What an effort by babar & Haris sohail seems to have given them the much needed solidity in middle order. Kudos to them. Well deserved victory over the mighty NZ

Somehow I am happy to see pakistan get back their mojo. I would like to see them in top 4 & possibly an Indo-Pak final clash giving India a chance to avenge the CT2017 final. That scar still stays & can heal only with an ICC tournament final victory

I dont think anybody cares for the ICC Champions trophy except Pakistan. We have beaten them once already here. They are not ruled out of the tournament but not sure if they will really make it to top 4.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by srishiva

They are not ruled out of the tournament but not sure if they will really make it to top 4.

Right now, they have the maximum probability of making it to the top 4 - at England's expense.

[harry10]

I want England out of the competition even if it makes Pakistan get into top 4. I would anyday like India to meet pakis in semis than England.

Looks like weather has cleared for today's match and we might get a full game. We should win comfortably unless someone like Gayle decides to do something special. Also, we should play Pant or DK at 4 rather than Shankar who simply isn't cut out for that position.

[am1m]

Misbah (yesterday): Shaheen's accuracy and length were perfect.

Also Misbah (a week ago): Shaheen was struggling even in the last series, He was not putting the ball in the right areas.