Why Akhtar+Gul factor could be crucial at Mohali (stats)

[cricwiz]

I was looking at stats of Pakistani bowlers at the semi-final venue (Mohali)... and I was pleasently surprised that Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul has had fair amount of success at Mohali...

Shoaib Akhtar - 2 matches, 5 wickets @ 12.00 avg
Umar Gul - 3 matches , 7 wickets @ 19.85 avg

For me, both Akhtar & Gul are vitally important for Pakistani success, and their previous stats at Mohali makes my belief more stronger. I hope the management looks on these stats, before deciding the final 11..

[Muhammad Waleed]

Bump !

[ddss]

Akhtar>Wahab.

Whenever wahab comes in as the first change he always changes the momentum by giving loose deliveries and we have gotten away with it twice. I don't think Indian batsmen will allow that

[haroonrasheed320]

Imagine the first spell from these two brings us 4 wickets, would be curtains for India and I believe only A & G can do that.

[khurramjamil]

I think Junaid Khan can be brought in, in place of Wahab... it can be a surprise tactic. Nobody has seen him bowl and i think we have enough bowling options to cover up in case he fails to do so... anyways its just my thought ....

[Fahad_16]

I think Junaid Khan can be brought in, in place of Wahab... it can be a surprise tactic. Nobody has seen him bowl and i think we have enough bowling options to cover up in case he fails to do so... anyways its just my thought ....

I would love that, but I don;t know if he can take the pressure of semi-final against India in India.

[khurramjamil]

I would love that, but I don;t know if he can take the pressure of semi-final against India in India.

I have a feeling that Shoiab will not be played in the match so we have a choice between Wahab and Junaid ... its going to be a crucial match for Wahab also ... Lets hope Waqar/Afridi prepares a good plan for the indians just like they did for the Aussies ...

[cricwiz]

Another reason why Wahab MUST not be risked against India.. I dare say that Shoaib is not a big risk while playing Wahab could turn suicidal for Pakistan chances.. I am saying this based on stats by Wahab's short career figures so far.. If anything is to suggest, Wahab struggles badly against top oppositions and it is quite evident from his stats.

Mat Overs Runs Wkts Ave Econ SR
v Australia 1 6.0 39 1 39.00 6.50 36.0
v India 1 9.2 86 2 43.00 9.21 28.0
v South Africa 4 37.0 214 5 42.80 5.78 44.4
v Sri Lanka 1 9.0 52 1 52.00 5.77 54.0
v New Zealand 4 26.5 145 8 18.12 5.40 20.1

v West Indies 1 6.0 29 0 - 4.83 -
v Bangladesh 2 13.5 45 5 9.00 3.25 16.6
v Canada 1 5.5 23 1 23.00 3.94 35.0
v Zimbabwe 2 14.0 40 3 13.33 2.85 28.0


The short career so far suggests that Wahab has struggled to get breakthroughs against top batting nations i.e. India, Srilanka, South Africe and Australia... He did have some degree of success against NZ but that was in other part of the world where seam bowling is much suited to the conditions...

All his other success has come against lesser teams...

So my hope is that Shoaib+Gul form the Pakistan opening bowling unit with Pakistan dropping Wahab Riaz for Akhtar...

[Fireworks11]

Mohali wicket suits Umar and Shoaib. Pacey.