[msdivy]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Either that, or I am getting old

Not really. If the result of the game is decided after one-side has batted, then there is no interest in that game whether it is Test, T20 or an ODI.

Tendulkar had a drastic suggestion to ICC to revamp ODIs. He suggested to split the ODI into 4 innings of 25 overs each. So like in Tests, one team will bat 1st & 3rd innings and other will bat 2nd & 4th innings. This will reduce the effect of toss, dew factor, playing under floodlights. Forget ICC trying such a revamp, it was not tried in any domestic tournament anywhere.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by kavensri

This is plain bullying from BCCI through its money power, if not anything else.

I see nothing wrong with it. Maximum revenue is generated from India. But from what i've read lately, BCCI clout has reduced slightly after Supreme Court got involved, then the Lodha Committee & now the COA!

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Never seen a more lacklustre World Cup.

Last 2 editions of the IPL were far more exciting than the World Cup so far.

Originally Posted by harry10

However, for that England has to play quite shitty

Make England play on a slightly greenish pitch, something which English curators won't do!

[NPV]

What a game, Pakistan played like they were possessed
After 11 straight ODI losses, Pakistan beat England, no less. Superb batting and bowling (especially at the death) by Pakistan edged out England's very good batting.

[hemanth.anand]

The first good match of the tournament. Paisa Vasool Match for spectators. 2 centuries and losing a match in a world cup is a first among many firsts that this game saw

[harry10]

Originally Posted by harry10

Anyways coming to today's match.

90% people believe England will win. Rest 10% are Pakistanis fans.

Personally I would like Pakistan to win. It will do 2 things.

1. Burst Englands bubble of being invincible ( they look really solid though).

2. Create excitement in an otherwise dull tournament so far.

However, for that England has to play quite shitty and Pakistan to play extraordinarily well. let's see..

Quoting my own post before the match for reference.

Finally a game worthy of World cup.
Makes the competition more entertaining. Also, like I said before, England isn't invincible and will crack under pressure. That's why they have never won a world cup.

[Eddy]

This is a good read on Pak's win yesterday

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/...n-untangles-it

[ValarMorghulis]

My only worry with this Eng's loss is that they will no longer be complacent...
And Pak will have their tail up.



That said, this was the first exciting game of this WC so far. While teams have completed their one round of ups and downs, India is yet to take the field!

[NPV]

Though India gets a good week to recuperate and acclimatise themselves with English conditions, they will first be up against South Africa who after two straight losses will be determined and focussed. India will also play a resurgent and unpredictable Pakistan lineup soon, I think we're in for some tough competition in this world cup after the first few easy one-sided games

Yesterday's game also showed that England aren't unbeatable, even at their peak form they can lose close games. Being a world cup game definitely played on their minds and added to the pressure.

[deehunk]

Bangladesh and Pakistan can upset India with their current form. India can face a tough challenge from West Indies if batting first on a green top wicket.

[pganapathy]

Originally Posted by kavensri

Though media may portray this win as ‘upset’, I never had any doubt that SA will struggle against Bangla. SA team is on decline

probably taking leaf out of England book?

On a different note, any idea why India is not playing until 5th when most of the teams must have already played their second game by that time (In fact, SA will be playing their 3rd game!)? Did BCCI requested them to delay their first match so that they will get enough rest after grueling IPL season?

My friends in South Africa say that they never had much expectations of South Africa doing well in this World Cup.

Bangladesh is a team that is better the shorter the game is. They have slowly started improving as the format gets longer. They are a real force to be reckoned with in ODI's and will slowly get there in Tests.

The Supreme Court had passed a ruling that said Indian International matches needed a 15 day break from the IPL, and so the ICC was kind enough to permit that. That is why some teams will have played 3 matches by the time India plays one. The downside to this is that India's 9 matches will be much closer together, meaning a small niggle to a player might never get time to heal properly

[Spitfire]

See some posts saying Pakistan played really well. I don't really think so.

England was horrible when they fielded and their bowling was all over the place. That ground has not seen a score less then 300 and chasing 300+ totals was no biggie.

England got 2 centuries for crying out loud and still lost. I don't believe Pakistan bowling did anything special here. Only the spinner to trouble them was knocked around and he got something out of it.

England lost more then Pakistan won. Pakistan was on the mat till Butler was around - 44th over. And if Moen Ali could have shown some more spine and stood up to the pressure, England could have been through. Easily.

I will stick my neck out say it was a fluke win. Now lets wait and watch. The quality of cricket has improved by leaps and bounds and only a bad day for the opposing team will give Pakistan the foot in the door.

[NPV]

Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan - Just when Sri Lanka seemed to be going well, they lost 3 wickets in one over of Nabi and are now 176-6 in ~30 overs!

[hemanth.anand]

21 overs 144-1 to 180-8 in the 33rd over . Wow! that's some collapse. Nabi has demolished the SL middle order!
With Kusal Perera also Gone, It's all Afghanisthan's match to lose from here.

[harry10]

Rohit
Dhawan
Virat
Rahul
Msd
Hardik
Jadeja
Kuldeep
Chahal
Shami
Bumrah

This will be my team.

Jadeja instead of Kedar cos he can bowl better when needed and currently his form with bat is quite good. Plus kedar has no match practice whatsoever in so long. Shouldnt risk it.

Shami instead of bhuvi as bhuvi has been down on pace and confidence where as Shami has been blowing hot and his pace has only increased.

Also, depends on pitch. If its something like yesterday SL match we should play both shami and bhuvi.

[NPV]

Bumrah was again the man for India with 2 quick wickets of the South African openers, but after that they seemed to have kind of settled down into a rhythm with a solid partnership between Du Plessis and Van Der Dussen to get to 78-2 in 19 overs.

Edit:78-3 in 19.1, Chahal gets Dussen

Edit 2: Chahal gets du Plessis in the same over, 80-4 now!