Injury woes: Wahab Riaz, Hafeez doubtful for crucial New Zealand game
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MOHALI: Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz and batsman Mohammad Hafeez are doubtful starters in the key World Twenty20 match against the unbeaten New Zealand on Tuesday.
Left-armer Riaz was hit by a ball on the head during a training session on Monday while Hafeez has pain in the right knee.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said in a medical bulletin that Riaz was hospitalised and later given the all-clear. It adds that his fitness will be assessed on Tuesday.
Hafeez had complained of knee pain for the last two days and the PCB says “it is likely that he would not be able to take part in the match against the Black Caps.”
Pakistan has two points from two matches in Group 2 after it beat Bangladesh before losing to rival India.
Must win game
A resurgent New Zealand will be eyeing a semi-final berth when they take on a deflated Pakistan in a World Twenty20 group match in Mohali on Tuesday.
Smarting under a six-wicket defeat to arch rivals India, Shahid Afridi's men need a victory against the table-topping Kiwis to keep their hopes alive of winning the trophy for a second time.
Pakistan won their opener against Bangladesh comfortably but things have since gone downhill as they unravelled against the Indians on Saturday, sparking an angry backlash from fans back home.
The Black Caps in contrast have been riding high with their horses for courses policy paying rich dividends against India and Australia.
New Zealand are perched on top of Group 2 with four points followed by India and Pakistan on two each from as many games.
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On DawnNews
Comments (118) Closed
Mar 21, 2016 11:29pm
blessing in disguise
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Mar 21, 2016 11:42pm
Extremely unfit players who constantly get injured
All unfit Pakistani cricketers must be immediately dropped
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Mar 21, 2016 11:42pm
Play Imad in place of Hafeez and another spinner in place of Wahab.
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Mar 21, 2016 11:42pm
Brimg Misbah instead of Hafeez
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Mar 21, 2016 11:43pm
politics going on...Wahab in any case does not deserve a place in team , hafeez as the rumors are split in the team may be posing to be unfit.....if so is the case may be shunted out of team no matter what the result is....Openers shahzad and sharjeel followed by srfraz to bat at 3, hamad 4, afridi 5, akmal 6, shoib 7, nawaz 8, Sami 9, aamir 10, Irfan 11.....no issues no need to cut a deal....rather all 4 spinners come into play
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Mar 21, 2016 11:49pm
That's o.k
Pakistan should play Imad wasim and Nawaz. Both are allrounders who are spinners. There's absolutely no need to play this many fast ballers.
Heck I would say just play Amir and Irfan as two pacers. Then you can have nawaz, wasim and Anwar Ali. Imagine Pakistan's batting going till number 9.
No need for Sami or Wahab. Two fast ballers are enough. Just look at newzealand. Boult and Southee were not played
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Mar 21, 2016 11:50pm
No wonder, atleast the youngsters will get the chance to show their potential, otherwise ????????????
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Mar 21, 2016 11:52pm
Excuses not to show up for a must win game he he he
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Mar 21, 2016 11:57pm
Both are useless players Wahab one spell and lost w/cup in Aus vs Pak, is this true Mr, have u given a winning bowling combination or any match sorry one spell can loose match. Hafiz 2014 looser of Asian cup and resign from captain, you should learn lesson from Mike clark he was w/cup winners but lost ash series resigned and retired. Both of u Wahab / Hafiz looser should resign from cricket and retired for the sake of cricket let give young and talent,
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Mar 21, 2016 11:58pm
Take care of your health..These games will keep happening and there will always be mad crowd..Nothing else matters but health.
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Mar 21, 2016 11:59pm
Why dont give a chance to Khalid Latif and a spinner in place of these two.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:00am
This may well be good news for Pakistan. Youngsters Babar Azam and Imad Wasim will get a chance
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Mar 22, 2016 12:01am
Good news for Pakistan this is the only way you can make them sit out and get youngsters a chance. Can someone help me here reminding me when was the last time Wahab Riaz won the match for Pakistan or when was the last time he took 5 wickets. When was the last time Hafeez scored 50 plus against top teams.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:04am
good drops, can they drop Afridi too and then we have a fighting chance to win
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Mar 22, 2016 12:04am
its something going fishy inside the camp. its all tell the story now why hafeez came down at no 7 and wahab is not performing well.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:07am
Wahab's injury may be a blessing in disguise. Hafeez will be missed.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:07am
With Wahab and Hafeez out Pakistan has a great chance to win
this match.
Hafeez would have lasted few balls against NZ pacers in any case. He is hiding
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Mar 22, 2016 12:11am
Afridi getting injured instead of these 2 would've been a + point for team Pakistan
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Mar 22, 2016 12:14am
Me-I- and Mine wouldn't let win Pakistan team...
hafeez and Riaz unfit??? Send the team without the Super Star ..You know who i mean !!! They will win NZ.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:15am
Maybe a blessing in disguise .Wahab needed to be dropped any-way.As far as Hafeez is concerned,if he is not 100% fit,he needs to sit also.Imad & Nawaz should be given a chance.PAK TEAM will have much more balance in bowling & batting.Best of luck. #TEAM-GREEN.:)
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Mar 22, 2016 12:15am
So it means they are soon returning to Pakistan. Tickets should be confirmed.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:16am
Why are they finding excuses for not playing? Are they afraid that they will be blamed for the lost match?
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Mar 22, 2016 12:19am
This is the only thing left in this world cup drama!
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Mar 22, 2016 12:31am
Bad for the injured but its the perfect opportunity to play Imad and the attacking batsman Khalid Latif, that man is massively under-rated!
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Mar 22, 2016 12:36am
Shukr that Wahab is out - he can sit on the sidelines and ponder his next move against Afridi in his ongoing tussle with the captain. He should play no more part this event no matter how elongated or shortened Pakistan's stay is. hopefully Hafeez can be fit to blast the kiwis in first 6 overs. We need the prof. now!
Waqar and Afridi: go with Imad Wasim and do not bring in Wahab even if he recovers from the tonk he received in practice.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:39am
The Wahab Riaz injury is a blessing in disguise. Hopefully Nawaz can get in his place with Imad replacing Irfan.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:39am
Opportune time to take a ball to the head
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Mar 22, 2016 12:49am
Something fishy about injuries. Maybe they are trying to give Wahab a respectable exit. And Hafeez is not happy with the captain's decision of coming on his number in the last match against India.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:52am
Finally some good news from India
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Mar 22, 2016 12:52am
Hafeez absence is a blessing in disguise.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:53am
We can do without Wahab but definitely need Hafeez for tomorrow's crucial match.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:54am
good for Pakistan.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:55am
It is a shame that Yasir Shah is not able to play. He would have been a very good resource.
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Mar 22, 2016 12:58am
Well - This could be a blessing in disguise. Both of them not that much of winning players. Maybe Hafeez's absence could be an upset but Wahab Riaz hasn't proved anything so far.
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Mar 22, 2016 01:05am
May be good for Pakistan if Wahab does not play. So far, he has not given any performance. Hafeez is a loss..he is capable of scoring quickly.
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Mar 22, 2016 01:08am
I already knew some players will back off. they just want to secure their places in team after Wt20
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Mar 22, 2016 01:19am
Depleted ? Are you sure with the current form of Wahab Riaz and The Professor . I say take a chance, It's a golden opportunity to play Imad and Nawaz, both are better bat than Riaz, very likely both will give up 30 odd runs but in return , perhaps 4plus wickets. I really feel this "depletion" will work in Pakistan favor.
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Mar 22, 2016 01:20am
Blessing in disguise. Give chance to imad wasim and muhammad nawaz. Nz don't stand a chance against spin
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Mar 22, 2016 01:24am
No worries, we were not going to win anyways. Bring the "boys" homes let them mature into able "men" who can deliver
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Mar 22, 2016 01:24am
New Zealand are my favorites as of now; a well balanced team; they made India look an average team and beat them convincingly.
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Mar 22, 2016 01:27am
I was reading Afridi statement regarding his retirement from test cricket, in which he said that I am not good enough to be a captain and a captain should lead bu example. And what happened in the next test series, the trio get caught. I am telling you all, this Afridi is a biggest ring leader of match fixers and he knows when to quit. He is dodgy, his selection is dodgy, his planning is dodgy. Please Afridi for the sake of Pakistan, if you care about Pakistan, please go and don't look back. I pray and hope that we lose every single match. It really hurts to say something like this but that's the only way to get rid of these corrupt heads. Watch Afghanistan and Bangladesh, they are going to be a great teams in next world cup.
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Mar 22, 2016 01:29am
Beating Bangladesh close to the Bangladesh territory is big enough accomplishment for this side and a huge accomplishment for someone of the calibre of Afridi.
We should show the same appreciation to this Pakistani cricket team the way we appreciated our special olympics team.
This team did it's best in its capacity. We should not expect more.
Good job team, Waqar and Shehryar. We have candies and balloons for each one of you when you get back. You have made us proud!
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Mar 22, 2016 01:30am
Hafeez down! Thats tough. Mohali traditionally is a seamers' pitch. It's 21 March midnight and from Delhi to Mohali very cold wind is blowing, a sudden change in weather. It seems there will be swing conditions in Mohali 22march evening.
Mohali being the closest venue to Wagha, hope we see more Pak fans travelling and watching match in Mohali.
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Mar 22, 2016 01:32am
This should be good news. This will allow Pak to select Imad Wasim and another spinner. I am surprised that Pak selection team still have not realized that all pitches in India are spinner friendly and they need more spinner than fast bowlers. Amir and Sami should be only fast bowlers and if they need an additional fast bowler that they should select Anwar Ali. My line up for Kiwis game will be:
1.Ahmed Shahzad
2.Sarfaraz Ahmed
3.Shahid Afridi
4.Umar Akmal
5.Shoaib Malik
6.Khalid Latif
7.Imad Wasim
8.Anwar Ali
9.Mohammed Nawaz
10.Mohammed Amir
11.Mohammed Sami
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Mar 22, 2016 01:38am
Blessing in disguise....
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Mar 22, 2016 02:00am
Hafeez and Whab Riaz are trying to save their careers. They scared from NZ and Austrlia teams.
Specially Wahab Riaz, accept one spell in the 50 overs world cup. I never seen good bowling from him. He does not deserve slot in the team.
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Mar 22, 2016 02:07am
Good... Save your skin..
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Mar 22, 2016 02:08am
Nothing will change...
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Mar 22, 2016 02:11am
Wahab out? At least Pak has a chance to win now.
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Mar 22, 2016 02:22am
Preparing reasons for early exit from world cup?
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Mar 22, 2016 02:23am
Loss of Wahab and Hafeez are hardly worrisome. Wahab has been mediocore and Hafeez without the ability to bowl is useless. Pakistan are badly in need of a solid top order batsmen, Hafeez and Afridi both need to go after this WC and we need induct Rizwan and Khurram Latif into this team. The lack of spin bowling is hurting, cant believe we went in with 4 quicks against India on an Indian pitch?
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Mar 22, 2016 02:25am
What is the expression? I can't get out of my own way. Pure entertainment.
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Mar 22, 2016 02:42am
hahahahah Lol I can sleep properly now
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Mar 22, 2016 02:59am
this must be a joke, they are hopeless in winning and they are also injured
no wonder the bookies dont even bother forcing them to loose
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Mar 22, 2016 03:02am
For Hafeez - need him back soon as an opener, key batsman. For Wahab - thanks to whoever it was, maybe this is what was needed for him to get over the Watson spell. If not, use a bat.
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Mar 22, 2016 03:05am
Cricket team is just like PIA. They are both elephants and both need to go. They take so much energy away from the people. The team is as corrupt as the other departments are.
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Mar 22, 2016 03:09am
Its time for Wahab Riaz to take a break and refocus. He is not producing lately and maybe a break will help.
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Mar 22, 2016 03:10am
Oh. Now Mr Afridi wouldn't be able to play with four seamers on a turner. BTW, Pakistan's only winning chance is if Captain decides not to play today.
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Mar 22, 2016 03:17am
Oh common! Same old silly excuses not fit to play.... Same old topi drama... Wahab Riaz dont deserve place in playing XI... What he has done after world cup? Better go with 2 spinners and 2 fast bowler...
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Mar 22, 2016 03:54am
Whether Wahab or Hafeez in or out, result is not going to change for Pakistan. The problem is Pakistani batting. Sharjeel is not an international level player. He is good at pulling on leg side only which is his pressure release shot. Shehzad has trouble rotating strikes. Akmal is an impact player but has temperamental and technical issues. He just thrives on hand-eye coordination. Hafeez and Malik are the only 2 technically sound batsmen who can score quickly or play defensive. Afridi slogs his way through and usually gets out without giving too much trouble. Sarfaraz is good but doesn't get much opportunity since he bats lower down the order. Everyone talks about Pakistani bowling but frankly only Amir looks little threatening on seaming pitches. Wahab, Sami, Irfan or Anwar Ali don't look threatening at all. And Amir can't get entire team out so even if opposition team looses few wickets, rest of their batsmen will win the game for them. Pakistan needs better batsmen.
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Mar 22, 2016 04:00am
Wahab is a right handed Sami.
Speed but no intelligence in their bowling
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Mar 22, 2016 04:01am
People here are banking too much on Imad Wasim or Nawaz or Khalid Latif. Yes, they may be good players but they are not very experienced. You can't expect them to single handedly win matches for Pakistan in high pressure games. If the rest of the team is not performing, then it is useless how well a new player does. Best example is Amir. Look at the way he is bowling. But he neither gets support from other bowlers, batsmen or fielders. In this situation, what impact can he make except bowling few fiery spells? None. Look at India. Indian bowlers have been consistently performing for them since 2015 World Cup but they are underrated, don't have pace and don't have one match winner impact bowler like Amir, so no one talks about them. But when it comes to bowling as a unit and hunting in packs, no one can beat them. Except Ishant Sharma, everyone including Nehra, Shami, Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar, Yadav, Ashwin, Harbhajan, Mohit Sharma have bowled as a unit since last 1 year.
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Mar 22, 2016 04:07am
This would be blessing in disguise for Pakistan. I think Youngsters should be given a chance in Mohali on a seaming pitch.
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Mar 22, 2016 04:11am
this is nice way to say " Mr XYZ is being dropped due to poor performance"
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Mar 22, 2016 04:14am
Wahab and Irfan have disappointed. Their performance shows lack of homework and thinking. Good teams and players observe weaknesses of their opponents. These two come and throw ball and go back.
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Mar 22, 2016 04:31am
Play Imaad Wasim and Nawaj in playing XI.
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Mar 22, 2016 04:45am
Should help get over the Watson Spell. Need to Get Hafeez back on his feet asap.
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Mar 22, 2016 04:49am
Nawaz and Imad should be in, Wahab and Sami should be out. The rest should stay the same.
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Mar 22, 2016 04:52am
Pakistan win don't worry
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Mar 22, 2016 05:25am
Wahab is non performer. When was the last time he performed with the ball or bat?
Please a spinner all rounder instead.
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Mar 22, 2016 05:26am
Injuries on no injuries this time as Pakistani supporter I don't believe Pakistan team has a chance. The body language is simply not there on top of it we have a out of control Capitan Mr. Afridi, God save us. If Pakistan can not even beat a weak Indian team, winning two games against Aussies and Black Cats looks to me a mission impossible. But like always I will still be cheering for my Pakistan a hopeful Pakistani with a broken heart.
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Mar 22, 2016 05:31am
More politics
Never ending drama
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Mar 22, 2016 05:57am
Hafeez always get injured before crucial games. He got injured ahead of world cup 2015.
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Mar 22, 2016 06:11am
By now it is obvious that spinners are the key to win and not fast bowlers. Pak should bring in both Imad Wasim and Nawaz then they may have a chance to win against NZ.
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Mar 22, 2016 06:25am
Great morale booster Sheharyar Khan.. *applause*
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Mar 22, 2016 06:39am
I will support NZ.
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Mar 22, 2016 06:40am
Pakistan has 1.2 billion supporters for this match
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Mar 22, 2016 06:41am
Ha feel should strap his knee and play...it is a crucial game and batters is what the side needs. Cricketers play with worse injuries unless he can't run, of course. Let's see. Perhaps it is a reaction to batting at 7 the other day.
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Mar 22, 2016 06:53am
Wahab has not been effective of late, so no real loss.
Hafeez is on again, off again. not reliable. question is: is there any one to fill his shoes.
Umar Akmal should play #3.
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Mar 22, 2016 06:55am
Wahab being out is a blessing in disguise indeed
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Mar 22, 2016 07:05am
Something fishy...two big players out without playing.
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Mar 22, 2016 07:12am
Ho many ppl are sying that pakistan should have not gone to india. Tgey could have made political gain and alsi from humiliation.
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Mar 22, 2016 07:18am
How convenient !!
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Mar 22, 2016 07:19am
Wahab Riaz the one-hit wonder has been riding the wave for 2 years now with little to show apart from that one spell in Australia.
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Mar 22, 2016 07:24am
Play Imad and another spinner. All team should be united like Nz.
Williamson didn't play 2 frontline bowlers in wins against India on a turning pitch and Australia. They are playing as a unit with only one goal. For next 2 wins same set of mind is needed from our coach, captain and players.
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Mar 22, 2016 07:26am
majority of indians on here thinks pak is stronger n will win..while pakistani thinks kiwi will win lol...funny
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Mar 22, 2016 07:28am
Good excuse. Let whole team be sick and then we can get B team there.
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Mar 22, 2016 07:42am
I ll pray for Pakistan to this must win Game
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Mar 22, 2016 08:06am
I think the Ladies team is more fit and motivated. We should give them a chance.
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Mar 22, 2016 08:19am
@Imran A. Misbah has already taken up a cricket analyst assignment with a Gulf based television network.
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Mar 22, 2016 08:25am
Just last year you wanted to make Wahab Riaz captain after a single performance. And now Amir is Akram reincarnate.
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Mar 22, 2016 08:38am
I don't trust now, because politics ruined our team, that's what i came to know through TV and public views.
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Mar 22, 2016 08:44am
With most fearsome bowling in the planet and boom boom batting stalwarts, we will crush New Zealand !
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Mar 22, 2016 09:06am
These injuries seems to me mere excuse as both might have opted not to play or being side lined.
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Mar 22, 2016 09:08am
Is there any way to get rid of Afridi???
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Mar 22, 2016 09:09am
What difference does it make. Have fun as usual. By the way fitness is one of the many issue of our team, one can clearly observe the commitment and their movement during any practice session. They all are lazy lads.
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Mar 22, 2016 09:16am
Junaid Khan should be in the squard instead of Wahab Riaz. I think he is fit for the playing cricket and unfit for team politics..:)
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Mar 22, 2016 09:24am
Just come back, learn from Women's Cricket team
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Mar 22, 2016 09:37am
Only the mentally weak start to get physically vulnerable.
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Mar 22, 2016 09:41am
@Logic .......... do you have any "constructive" feedback?
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Mar 22, 2016 09:52am
With respect to Pakistan vs Newzealand match which will be taking place today evening,Indians will be rooting for Newzealand as Pakstans loss to Newzealand will eliminate runrate difference for India wrt Pakistans as Pakistans runrate is higher than India.So Indian crowd will be rooting for Newzealand to win in this match.
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Mar 22, 2016 10:18am
Please send them back to Pakistan, it is truly a blessing in disguise, Wahab especially is just a useless player. Can we please see Afridi & Waqar also coming back.... Please
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Mar 22, 2016 10:18am
Need Misbah and Younus Khan back in the team.
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Mar 22, 2016 10:33am
I have a feeling that Pakistan will pull this one through. May be law of averages will work for them. New Zealand is virtually through so they may not take the game seriously enough giving Pakistan an opening.
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Mar 22, 2016 10:45am
Wahab is too over-rated and Hafiz is the most inconsistent batsman but quite good on flat tracks. It is time PCB look for specialist batsmen and bowlers not allrounders like Afridi and Hafeez .
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Mar 22, 2016 10:59am
Hafeez running away from drowning ship.......wise decision to fix his position in post worldcup team, with poor avergae in T20, and mediocre in other two formats he has a rock solid position in team
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Mar 22, 2016 11:08am
"Rats abandon a sinking ship"!! Writing on the wall.
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Mar 22, 2016 11:12am
@Omer Welll...NZ won bro...And I hope that U respond me back saying Pak won I hope so badly that i go wrong...But by seeing the Pak team actions...I think We lost already.
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Mar 22, 2016 11:19am
Well..I hope they had a good time travelling in India and shopping for gifts for their wives and families and I hope they have a confirm return ticket to Pakistan of tomorrow....And Congrats in advance NZ u deserved the victory.
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Mar 22, 2016 11:29am
good sign! bring in Nawaz ,Imad & Khalid Latif & bring out Irfan.
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Mar 22, 2016 11:37am
So now the real story comes out about Hafeez and having in come so late in the innings. He has been injured for a while and He still gets to keep the "Match Money"even if he does not play and his position stays safe.
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Mar 22, 2016 11:38am
@Ragu I am also supporting New Zealand just because of our Indian brother Ishbir Singh Sodhi in their team
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Mar 22, 2016 11:53am
....and the Pakistani teams whining and whinging starts Hafeez should never be part of any form of cricket set up along with afridi all they do is to showup once in a blue moon and politicise the team
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Mar 22, 2016 12:56pm
The chairman PCB has made it clear that the Pakistan cricket playing the W T20 is not even second class or third class it is seventh class...so please Mr. Chairman give us a better team...and now all these excuses...even if they are not injured they are worthless...
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Mar 22, 2016 01:44pm
It's a good news that Wahab is out . Last matches he bowled 100% on short peach and it was not clear what he was bowling getting wicket or just completing six bolls. But why r u supporting newaz . Did you watch his previous international matches very very ordinary bowler.
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Mar 22, 2016 03:46pm
If serious pain is not there then Hafeez can play but if Hafeez is opting to sit in the pavilion then this is another question. Hafeez would have done good in the last match if Lala did not snatch his no. 3 position.
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Mar 22, 2016 04:04pm
Everyone is smart enough to know Imad Wasim is being kept out because he has captaincy credentials. His batting is so technically sound and correct. Wahab Riaz well, for all the aggression he showed his team mate, that seems to have gone now, and he cant even buy a wicket.
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Mar 23, 2016 08:46am
players who are injured / out of form should ne sent home . its s much more cheaper than to keep them abroad
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