- 8 months ago
- #uaenews
- #cricket
- #t20worldcup
It has been a thrilling day of World Cup cricket which all started with South Africa’s shock defeat by the Netherlands that saw the Proteas eliminated from the tournament. Then, Pakistan sealed a semi-final spot against New Zealand with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second game before India laid out their credentials with a big win over Zimbabwe to set up a last-four meeting with England. Gulf News cricket experts Shyam, Satish and Ashfaq discuss the day’s action.
See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos
Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km
Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV
#UAEnews #cricket #t20worldcup
See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos
Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km
Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV
#UAEnews #cricket #t20worldcup
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome to Golf News Straight Back.
00:09Today all eyes were on Group 2 in the T20 World Cup where there was a big shock as South
00:14Africa were beaten by Netherlands, meaning the pro tees are out of the tournament.
00:19That surprise result meant that India qualified for the semi-final before they even played
00:23their last group match against Zimbabwe, which they ended up winning by 71 runs.
00:28South Africa's failure also meant that there was a chance for Pakistan or Bangladesh to
00:33reach the semi-finals.
00:35After Bangladesh won the toss, they batted first and posted 127, but Pakistan chased
00:42that down to win by 5 wickets and book their place in the last 4 where they will face New
00:47Zealand and India will take on England in the two semi-finals.
00:52Now Sham, the tournament has been full of surprises, but the Netherlands beating South
00:56Africa has to be the biggest one of all.
00:59I mean, South Africa, they crumbled under pressure again, like they've done so many
01:03times on the big stage, but did you see that result coming?
01:05Not at all.
01:06That is the only result I saw that was totally out of the blue.
01:10Actually, I was doing the analysis for the semi-final, actually, three days in a row
01:15I wrote about the possibilities and I had completely discounted Netherlands.
01:19Netherlands beating South Africa, I had put in a line and my comment was an unlikely event.
01:26I know cricket is full of uncertainties and unpredictable results, but this one, I didn't
01:31see it at all.
01:32This is totally out of the blue.
01:34Satish, South Africa were one of the tournament favourites, what can explain this shock defeat
01:41today?
01:42Unfortunately, they are not able to shed that choco stack which started in 1992 in Sydney.
01:50Since then, they have succumbed on the big stage.
01:53Yes, this World Cup, they were unlucky because they were almost just about 13 runs away from
01:58winning against Zimbabwe.
02:00If they had won it, maybe they would have been through by now, because otherwise, they
02:03have to share the points and other match was also washed out.
02:07But having said that, it was in their hands today.
02:10They could have easily gone past a small team like Netherlands, which is an associate nation.
02:15And actually, the way Netherlands played, they played a pretty positive cricket.
02:22I woke up around 4-4-15 and I started watching the match and by then, they were almost like
02:28first 5-6 overs, they were in a good start.
02:31And then they continued with that, the openers were there, then they continued, they continued
02:35and got themselves a reasonable total.
02:37I think the last three overs, they scored about 30-odd runs and then they gave themselves
02:41a reasonable total.
02:43But it was in no way a winning target.
02:46Yes, the wicket was down.
02:48But I think South Africa, they played too many shots.
02:55They were not able to take the pressure, basically.
02:56So they wanted to ease the pressure with the big shots and they kept coming one after the other.
03:03It was a big surprise, I think.
03:04Ashfaq, you'll also be very pleased though, because that means Pakistan went on to beat Bangladesh.
03:12And from the way Pakistan started their tournament, you know, they've lost two matches, they've
03:16won two.
03:17So today was a massive game for both teams, in fact, because Bangladesh also could have
03:21made it to the semi-final had they won.
03:24But Ash, what did you make of the Pakistan team performance today?
03:28I woke up this morning with Shyam's message and I was surprised that Netherlands won.
03:34I just jumped out of the bed and straight away to the TV, I said, what happened here?
03:38So it was a big surprise, like Pakistan came back from the dead, from the ashes like Phoenix
03:46today.
03:47I mean, it was nowhere expected.
03:48I mean, this will happen.
03:50This has given hope.
03:51Otherwise, we would have been talking about the Pakistan team's obituary today instead
03:55of rebirth.
03:59And it gave Pakistan another chance and Bangladesh as well.
04:03But Pakistan, I think, was too good for Bangladesh today because they have already started peaking
04:10from the last couple of matches with Haris Rao's inclusion and Shaheen Afridi getting
04:15back his rhythm.
04:16I think the team is all set for the next two big matches.
04:21And there will be more surprises.
04:23We would love to see India-Pakistan finish.
04:26I think every neutral would love to see that.
04:28But Ash, going back to today's game, the wicket of dust was a crucial moment in the game.
04:32In the last game, he played really well.
04:35He went for just, I think, 10 runs today.
04:37The damage was done, as you just mentioned, mostly by Shaheen Afridi.
04:41He took four for 22.
04:43How impressed were you with him today?
04:45He was absolutely spot-on.
04:49I think we forgot to mention Naseem Shah.
04:51He's not taking wickets, but he's very miserly.
04:54He's not giving runs.
04:56Just 15 runs and three overs.
04:58And the actual damage was actually done by Shadab, who came and removed both the openers.
05:04So that was a big damage which he did.
05:06But then Afridi continued.
05:09And smart bowling moves by Babur.
05:12He introduced Iftikhar today because the fast bowlers were getting hit.
05:16So he introduced Shadab and Iftikhar instead of Nawaz because they were more left-handers.
05:23Iftikhar is almost a spinner, so that worked.
05:26Iftikhar also was miserly.
05:28He just gave away 15 runs in three overs.
05:31That trick worked as well.
05:33So I think all together it was a good performance.
05:34They contained them on 27 because they were 70-plus in 10 overs.
05:41And in the next two overs, they could score only 50-plus runs,
05:45which was a pretty much good total for Pakistan to chase.
05:50Shaham, there was a controversial moment in that match
05:54when Shaqib Al-Hassan was given out LBW for zero.
05:59He wasn't happy with that decision and he refused to walk off.
06:02The review seemed to suggest that he hit it,
06:05but the third umpire decided that the bat was hitting the ground.
06:08Now, what do you think?
06:09Do you think it was out or not out?
06:11And how big a moment was that in that game today?
06:14It was a big moment because Shaqib Al-Hassan is a captain
06:17and he's a very good player too.
06:20In fact, Pakistan, I mean, Bangladesh's best player in history.
06:24So that was a huge moment.
06:25But the third umpire's decision, I don't know how to make of it.
06:31But technology has not been perfect because the technology is being handled by the person behind it.
06:36So the person who is handling the technology can make mistakes,
06:39which I think must have happened today.
06:44Just to add to that, I think it was a very close call
06:49and the third umpire made a very quick decision.
06:52I think at least he must have seen it two, three times
06:55because you have to be extremely sure that it was a bat which hit the ground
07:00because there were two spikes.
07:02One was a small spike and the other one was a bigger spike.
07:04So you need to make sure that obviously the two spikes can both be ground,
07:09bat hitting the ground.
07:10But from the naked eye, what I could see,
07:12there was a bit of a space between the bat and the ground at the point of time
07:17when there was a spike.
07:18So instead of going back and forth a few times,
07:21the third umpire made a very quick decision.
07:23That is what I would say was a mistake from the third umpire's point of view
07:27than the entire decision.
07:29Because when the technology is available, when the time is available,
07:31use it to the best of your abilities.
07:34And Ashfaq is smiling there.
07:36Clearly we know what Ashfaq believes.
07:38Ash, it was that, wasn't it?
07:41Say, Imran, I can't say.
07:43As Shyam said, it was quite tricky.
07:46But I don't think so.
07:47Even if they could have added 20, 30, 20, 50 runs more,
07:50I mean 20, 30 runs more, it wouldn't have made a difference
07:53for Pakistan to finish the match like in the 17th over.
07:57So I think the decision happened.
08:01This thing happened like in the last match, like Nawaz got LBW,
08:05then he ran and then he got run out.
08:07And he just walked off without checking with the umpires.
08:11So that was a crucial moment as well,
08:13but it didn't make a big difference at the end.
08:15So these things happen. It's cricket.
08:18And cricket...
08:19So I think that overall, if you see the match,
08:21Pakistan dominated Bangladesh in all fields.
08:25Bangladesh was sloppy in fielding today.
08:27They dropped Rizwan.
08:28And I would say they dropped the match there.
08:32They could have put the pressure on Pakistan from the very beginning.
08:35So Rizwan, Babur, batting until the 10th over
08:38means you build a very strong foundation for the players to come.
08:42You save 10 wickets. And that's what happened.
08:45In turnovers, they were like something close to 50.
08:47And the next seven hours, they finished the match.
08:50I mean, that's what they did today.
08:52So Rizwan's catch was very crucial.
08:54And then the run outs, overthrows, no balls,
08:57drop catch, like all over there.
08:59I think they were under immense pressure.
09:01They couldn't hold themselves in the field today.
09:04That's what I said.
09:05No, but credit to them, Ashwak.
09:07Yeah, credit to them, Ashwak.
09:09Bangladesh is a new side.
09:10They are all youngsters.
09:12I think only a couple of them had some experience from what I have seen.
09:15Yeah, but that doesn't matter.
09:17It's a World Cup.
09:19It's a small new side, an old side.
09:21Playing against Pakistan is no mean feat.
09:23Look at Netherlands, who they are.
09:26That's true.
09:27Anybody can perform on a day.
09:29Yeah, true.
09:31Again, I saw you mean to say Pakistan and South Africa are the same.
09:36I thought Pakistan is different.
09:38They are a far better team than South Africa.
09:40That's my opinion.
09:41Oh, of course.
09:41Pakistan was beaten by Zimbabwe as well.
09:44Look at that also.
09:45That's true.
09:45That's true.
09:46Yeah.
09:46No, no, catchers win matches.
09:48There are two ways about it.
09:50In T20, as you know, catchers win matches, rightly said.
09:52So, and they drop many.
09:55Satish, I mean, we're talking about Rizwan.
09:57He was dropped on zero.
09:58He went on to make 32.
10:00Bangladesh certainly didn't help themselves today with the bat or with the ball today, did they?
10:06I think that particular phase where they lost two wickets of Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al-Assan.
10:13They put them in a bit of a spot because it's a wicket where newcomers can't come and
10:19improve their tempo immediately.
10:21So, you need a set batsman.
10:23At that point of time, if one of them had stayed, maybe another five overs,
10:26if they had waited till 15th to attack, maybe Bangladesh should have got another 20-30 runs.
10:31And if they had taken the Rizwan catch, the team should have been a lot more closer.
10:37But again, all in all, Pakistan were a superior team.
10:41And I don't know whether Shakib said it in jest or whether he actually meant,
10:46he said he didn't come to win the World Cup.
10:48He came here for experience.
10:49Because it is a team that is in the rebuilding process.
10:53So, in that sense, I think coming so close itself was a credit to them.
10:58Because they came and played a couple of matches here in the UAE.
11:01In the first match, they almost lost to UAE.
11:03So, it's a team that is in the building process.
11:07But I think some of the guys are really good, talented guys.
11:13Maybe they could have made it count against Pakistan.
11:15And a semi-final appearance would have given them more confidence.
11:18But the positive is this guy, a left-handed opener, Najmul Shantu,
11:24who has got a second half century.
11:27So, these are some little guys playing with a lot of positivity.
11:32So, these are all some of the positives.
11:33Taksheen coming and bowling very well.
11:36So, some good positive vibes for Bangladesh over the years to come.
11:41But yes, I think today they could have done much better in the fielding aspect especially.
11:47Maybe you can't do much about your bowling and batting.
11:51Because a lot of factors come into play.
11:54But your fielding is in your hands.
11:55So, if they had fielded well, more aggressive and efficiently,
12:01I think maybe it could have come in even more closer.
12:04Because right now, it's only about one and a half overs spare or something like that.
12:08There was a difference.
12:09So, it could have come in even more closer.
12:11So, some positives there for Bangladesh, says Satish.
12:15Ashfaq, any positives there for your skipper, Babar Azam?
12:19Yes, he was not in good touch, but he managed 25 runs.
12:25But that should give him some confidence.
12:27It's a good thing.
12:29But the inclusion of Haris, that does make a difference.
12:34Today, he is a game-changer in the 16th over.
12:36I mean, he just came and he's hitting freely.
12:39He's in great touch.
12:41And I think that's the positive for Pakistan.
12:43Shaheen Afridi is getting back into form.
12:45It's positive for Pakistan.
12:47And another positive, Pakistan facing New Zealand.
12:51Semi-final is also positive for Pakistan, if history repeats itself.
12:56Because it's the same situation which happened in 1992 World Cup.
13:01When Pakistan came out nowhere through prayers and things.
13:05And then face the unbeaten New Zealand in semi-finals and beat them.
13:10Right?
13:10And this is the same.
13:11New Zealand is unbeaten again.
13:13It's the same scenario.
13:13He came to semi-final with prayers and a lot of magics and things.
13:19So that's the positive.
13:20I think, I hope they will go through semi-finals.
13:24Because they are in good touch.
13:27Now they are back on track.
13:30But I think New Zealand lost only one match, I think.
13:33England?
13:37New Zealand lost one game.
13:40Pakistan isn't it?
13:43Pakistan?
13:47No, no, no.
13:47Sorry, New Zealand lost to…
13:50England.
13:51England.
13:52Sorry, England.
13:53They lost to England.
13:53Yeah, yeah.
13:54Okay.
13:56Okay, Shams.
13:56Speaking of England.
13:57India are going to be facing England on…
14:00Is it Thursday?
14:01I believe they are playing on Thursday.
14:02Yeah, yeah.
14:02They are playing on Thursday.
14:03In Adelaide.
14:05Yeah.
14:05Shams, how do you feel India will get on against Josh Butler and Co?
14:12It's going to be very difficult.
14:13I think India needs a huge slice of luck.
14:15Because man for man, England is a much better side.
14:19And I keep saying they are the most powerful side in the World Cup.
14:23So India can't afford to drop their guard at any point of time.
14:27And like today's match, you saw how the spinners were taken for a run.
14:31So, that is actually a shortcoming for India.
14:36But otherwise, the bowling group, the rest of it is coming together.
14:40And also, one thing is they seem to lose far too many wickets in the power play.
14:43That is another concern.
14:45So, which is why I would put it as 60 England, 40 India.
14:51But depending if David Mallon recovers from his groin injury.
14:55He hobbled off in the last game.
14:56That will be possibly a deciding factor.
14:58Satish, but India will be feeling quite confident in the semi-finals, won't they?
15:03Yes, batting-wise, I think India is quite okay.
15:07But bowling front, I think both Ashwin and Akshar have not delivered.
15:12Because the reason is, after so many matches,
15:14they have not understood how to bowl on these Australian wickets.
15:18They are bowling faster the way they used to bowl in the Indian subcontinental wickets.
15:22Where the ball will grip and turn when you bowl faster.
15:25But here, when you bowl faster, the ball comes onto the bat nicely.
15:29So, if you look at everybody, today, after the break,
15:32Shadab started giving the ball more air.
15:35I think that's what Sakle and Mushtaq told him to do.
15:37So, similarly, the Indian spinners have not learnt it so long.
15:42They are not giving the ball the air and it doesn't go to the bat slowly.
15:47They are pushing it harder.
15:48I think the last two overs, Ashwin tried to do something like that.
15:51But I think it's high time we bring in Chahal.
15:56I think that's what Rohit Sharma said that almost everybody played.
15:59But I don't know if Chahal had played even a single game in this World Cup.
16:04I don't think so.
16:05Maybe we could have played Chahal in today's game.
16:09And given him a chance and get ready for the semi-final.
16:12But my feeling is, bring in Chahal and Huda, who can bowl a bit of off-spin.
16:23And then replace Aksar and Ashwin in that next game.
16:29I think maybe Ashwin might get that edge because there are some left-handers in the England team.
16:37Maybe to keep that quotient into play, they might play Ashwin.
16:40But I still feel Chahal should come into the team.
16:45Okay, and the last semi-final...
16:47Well, the first semi-final.
16:48We're going to discuss it last.
16:50Ash, Pakistan will take on New Zealand.
16:51How do you think that will go?
16:54I think it's going to be a big match.
16:56Because I would say Pakistan should bat first.
17:04Because their bowling is better than their batting.
17:06So that's how it should be decided.
17:10If they bat first, if they manage 170-180, then it's going to be a match.
17:18And we hope they go through.
17:20It's going to be tough to know.
17:23Okay, two huge semi-finals to look forward to on Wednesday and Thursday.
17:26We'll be back to see how the teams get on.
17:28In the meantime, head to gulfnews.com for all the latest news.
17:31And follow us on all our social media channels.
17:33Thanks to the guys, and we'll see you again next time.
Recommended
0:25
|
Up next
10:22
15:31
14:24
0:30
18:58
Be the first to comment