Bang at it
Bangladesh may have been somewhat too Tiger-ish. After gorging on big game – South Africa – into their first outing, their bellies were complete. Surethey weren’t satisfied and although they swatted a paw today and then against the previous four, they didn’t have the nous to take down the other scalp.
Against Pakistan that they will not feel that victory would be considered a shock. It is the standard. Bangladesh have won the last four and although it could be easy to worry if they’ll be straining every sinew, one only needs to have a basic comprehension of the history of the two teams to reckon they’ll be’at it‘.
There are no lack of gun gamers. Shakib-al-Hasan, the player of the tournament, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin have enhanced their reputations.
Saifuddin, who has been excellent with the chunk, boshed an unbeaten 51 from India in a gutsy Bangladesh series on Tuesday. The balance of that XI was eye-catching with Mashrafe Mortaza batting at No 9.
Pakistan unfortunate
Pakistan may well feel aggrieved they haven’t made it into the semi-finals. They beat England, who look to be running into form at exactly the right time, and New Zealand, who have pipped them on net run rate. Their washed-out clash against South Africa probably robbed them of greatest points, also.
Given New Zealand’s pathetic efforts when they’ve come up against teams of note, it is not unfair to wish it was the guys in green who had been progressing. Sure, they are sometimes chaotic but that is exactly why you’d want them . Who knows what they might have pulled out of the hat?
The remember of Shaheen Afridi is a good example. Perhaps if he had been playing with ball one they wouldn’t have missed out. Afridi has taken ten wickets in four games.Lord’s wicket a little tricky
Here are the last 17 first-innings scores at Lord (1/2 denotes game won by side batting second or first ): 243-1/285-1/322-1/308-1/153-2/328-1/251-1/309-1/300-1/227-2/220-2/272-2/280-1/246-2/265-1/277-1/235-2. As you can see there is a trend – the side batting first will have to at least post 280. Australia razed New Zealand using a diminished 243 but it’s pretty much par for the course that the New Zealanders fear when they are going to beat their old rivals. The 285 by Australia against England was more instructive. At the break it seemed somewhat light but the wicket does not play accurate and will hold up.
Disrespectful cost about Tigers
After Pakistan beat New Zealand an older buddy on Twitter asked: how do you call what Pakistan will do?
It’s pretty easy: not bet them when they’re odds on. So we’ll be providing them a wide berth at no greater than 1.57. The 2.66 about Bangladesh is disrespectful given their head-to-head advantage.
That wobble against Afghanistan from Pakistan hints at complacency when Pakistan reckon things will be simple. Fingers crossed that they are either smarting about the exit, checking flight times or thinking they are superior.
Imam worth another follow
Shakib is, unsurprisingly, the hot favourite at 5/2 using Sportsbook for top Bangladesh honours. On data he shouldn’t be as short but it is difficult to take him . We have a soft spot for Mushfiqur. For Pakistan, Imam-ul-Haq’s price is up and down. As 11/4 jolly he had been rated against Afghanistan. Following that failure he is out top 9/2 having been consistent at 7/2. He’s got a win rate on the market on two-year form. For top Pakistan bowler, Afridi gave us a nice winner in that game. With a 31% win rate if you can get 5/2 or better it’s a wager.
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