Pak, like SA, are real force

In their match against New Zealand, Pakistan again proved that if you have experience and quality batsmen, then runs can be scored against the new white ball, that has generally dominated the competition. In the last few matches, team totals have increased considerably and wides conceded by the bowlers have been reduced. This has probably coincided with the warmer weather andpitches starting to dry out and players warming to the task, feeling good about playing and making some significant contributions to the team.

Inzamam-ul Haq has been a bogey player for the Kiwis ever since the 1992 World Cup semi-final at Eden, Auckland, when he scored a scorching match-winning innings of 67 from 29 balls. At Derby, he played a superb innings of 72 in 61 balls to play the Kiwis out of the game. Inzamam is starting to find some real form in this competition, following his 81 against Australia.

Fast bowlers have also been impressive in this competition, none more so than Shoaib Akhtar who is causing top order batsmen problems with his extra pace. He runs a long way, puts a lot of effort into his bowling and he is moving the ball around in the air and off the pitch life for batsmen is difficult.

There is some speculation that he will be the first bowler to bowl at 100 miles per hour, that gives a batsman 0.3 of a second to react and get into the right position to defend or attack theball. I find it hard to believe that he can bowl as fast as Australia’s Jeff Thomson, who along with Dennis Lillee, formed one of the most lethal bowling attacks in the history of the game. Shoaib, who looks very menacing, knocked over the Kiwis top order and bowling in partnership with the most complete fast bowler in the world cricket today, Wasim Akram, must be a young fast bowler’s dream.

The Kiwis need to pick themselves up again after suffering two bad defeats in their last two matches against West Indies and Pakistan. Pakistan have won 62% of their encounters over New Zealand, so the results in Pakistan’s favour continue. New Zealand still have an opportunity to put Australia out of the competition if they can defeat Scotland in the last match of the preliminary rounds.

The New Zealand versus Scotland will not be a classic encounter, but an important one for both teams. Scotland were humiliated by West Indies to record the second lowest score in the history of World Cup cricket, so they need torestore some pride and confidence. New Zealand should win, but the top order batting has been very disappointing in the first four matches. Unless Astle, Horne, McMillan and company can get their act together, then Kiwis could find themselves in a very embarrassing situation.