World T20 Champs Super 8s & KOs, Feb 21-March 8

[meninblue]

Good knock by Shady to score 23 runs at a nice strike rate. Takes Pakistan past 160. England need 165 to win. Bad fielding including dropped catch cost them 15-20 runs but it's part of the game. With 91% humidity, the 5 spinners of Pakistan will find it tough. Out of 5 spin options, only Usman is specialist spinner and the remaining 4 are all-rounders. Not going to be easy to control the ball. Shaheen is also woefully out of form. Jos Buttler and Phil Salt need an out of form bowler to get back in form in crucial phase of the knockouts. Can't expect better, the required rate is also below average for this wicket. England were favorites for me before the match started. Now with hindsight at the innings break, this should be a win for England.

[andy]

Salt goes first ball

[sussexpob]

That started well then..

[alfie]

164 may be a good score. Or not... England batting has been dodgy.

Have to say the bowling today (apart from Jacks ) was generally excellent. Let down by some poor fielding , which cost maybe 15-20 runs all up (Shadab drop was costly) ; balanced a bit by some fine catches.

Oh dear : Salt gone first ball ! Not ideal

[andy]

Good to see Brook push himself up to number 3 could do with a big score from him and need Jos to find form desperately too!

[meninblue]

First ball wicket for Shaheen. That was a good ball bowled across through stump channel. Out of form and balls a really good one first up.

[Durhamfootman]

what a start

thank goodness Buttler is still there...... England can't afford to throw away his 7 runs a game

[meninblue]

Good to see Brook push himself up to number 3 could do with a big score from him and need Jos to find form desperately too!

Doesn't he bats 2 down Why do you think is this change today, any tactic behind this.

[andy]

Play and miss first ball from buttler...don't think I've ever seen him in worse nick throughout his whole career?!

[meninblue]

what a start

thank goodness Buttler is still there...... England can't afford to throw away his 7 runs a game

Awful form, cost me FL points this tournament. But white ball ATG batting like Chris Martin this series.

[andy]

Salt is killing me..my opening combo have been dire in this tournament!

[sussexpob]

Does England's loss to Windies count in this stage?

[sussexpob]

Might be time for our Jos to retire, maybe.... just a shadow of himself nowadays

[andy]

His dire form continue! At what point do they give salt or banton the gloves and bring Duckett in?

[meninblue]

Two wickets for out of form Shaheen. Probably needed two out of form batsmen Fun apart, have to say his line and length has been significantly different in this match. Deserved those wickets.

Salman cannot afford to bowl so much short at his pace. England batters will score of that.