Pakistan's Bowling Strategy for SAF

[iafzal]

SAF has a very potent batting attack and Pak will need to have a very good strategy to keep them in check. I am afraid if we continue our current boowling order SAF will sure to have a set plan to attack it and so we need an element surprise that also add strengths to our bowling.

We should open with Aamir with Afridi from the other side and hold back Razzler. Bring Razzaq back at the 6th over with Ajmal to take us to the 10th over.
Nex 5 overs should be a mix of Afridi, Malik and Ajmal with Gul starting around 13 or 14 overs to complte his set of 4 overs. Razzler should bowl 2 of the overs in the last 5 overs of the game.

There are 2 advantages I see from this approach.
1. Afridi should be a surprise and will for sure trouble Smith if not Kallis. His faster one should be a handful as well.
2. Razzler is much more effective when the bowl is slightly old as he in his prime was a reverse swing guru himself as well. He should be able to get some reverse if he end up bowling in the last few overs instead of the beginning of the game.

See Razzlers bowling at death here as evidence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMG7Bs5qOg4&feature=PlayList&p=F9B5C9CA39F07585&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=41

[abdulqadir786]

i think u gotta point!!

[Jonty]

I was also thinking something along these lines. But Afridi is crucial in the middle overs...

[iafzal]

I was also thinking something along these lines. But Afridi is crucial in the middle overs...
I agree Afridi is crucial in the middle overs but Ajmal has been brilliant in the middle overs and he will need to do it there for us. Plus Razzaq can bowl a couple there as well.

Bottom line if we go with our standard lineup of last 3-4 games I am sure SAF have a good plan to neutralize it. We need to surprise them and make them think on the spot rather then let them go through as they have planned.

[Couch Cricketer]

I disagree with you Afridi is 1 of our three bowlers that keeps the scoring rate down if we bowl him at the start and he goes for runs we wont be able to stem the tide of runs in the middle overs.
plus because of Afridi is able to keep the runs down in the middle we can bowl Ajmal at the depth where he get wickets as they are unable to play his doosra and they are trying to hit out.
Gul is so unplayble at the depth not just because of reverse but also for his pace he can bounce the batsman to keep him on the back foot then bowl the inswinging yorker that swings in late because of his pace
where as Razzak does not have the pace to do so and even he is able to get reverse good batsman will be able to come forward to his balls and play it as full toss and neutralize the swing.

[kingusama92]

Although your idea of having an element of surprise is interesting... it's extremely risky and could completely backfire.

[Savak]

I think flexibility is the key, if someone has a really bad over, replace him. Plus i think the Pakistani team management hopefully should understand that they are playing South Africa, the same tactics will not work against them. They are highly suited to attack all out bowlers. Guys like Morkel can smash Gul's yorkers for sixes as well.

We have to use different options today in case things dont go according to plan.

[the true passionist]

I am also a bit concerned opening with Razaq and Aamir. Razaq maybe experienced but is really slow while Aamir is inexperienced. Bowling to Smith, Kallis, Gibbs, and AB De Villiers will be a huge challenge.

The way to handle this challenge is to keep Gul ready to be able to step in at any time. Infact it would be better if Gul bowls at least one over in the beginning to be less predictable. Bowling all four overs can be a challenge at the death overs especially if a players starts to go after you. Our bowling has not really been challenged thus far the end of an innings. So you never know how we will fair when someone really gets going in that part of the innings.

[iafzal]

I disagree with you Afridi is 1 of our three bowlers that keeps the scoring rate down if we bowl him at the start and he goes for runs we wont be able to stem the tide of runs in the middle overs.
plus because of Afridi is able to keep the runs down in the middle we can bowl Ajmal at the depth where he get wickets as they are unable to play his doosra and they are trying to hit out.
Gul is so unplayble at the depth not just because of reverse but also for his pace he can bounce the batsman to keep him on the back foot then bowl the inswinging yorker that swings in late because of his pace
where as Razzak does not have the pace to do so and even he is able to get reverse good batsman will be able to come forward to his balls and play it as full toss and neutralize the swing.
I do not disagree with you as Afridi is one of the best bowlers for the middle oves but if keep the same old of the last few matches we have to bowl or best to have any chance. Changes are risky but also gives an opportunity to shake up SAF. I do disagree that Razzler will be taken apart in the end because of slower speed. He is the most experienced fast bowler in the side and has bowled extensively in the late overs. SAF has face enough fast bowlers so express pace is not enough you need experience and need to know where to pitch the ball as well. I think Razzler has that.

[SAM'S]

i really though Younis will experiment this in the early stages of the tournament buthe never did. I think it won't be a bad idea to attack with Afridi for one over spell and save other 3 for middle overs. Afridi being a meager customer, he wont give away too many runs even if he doesn't get wicket(s) upfront.

[AZ]

if it ain't broke, don't fix it

[iafzal]

if it ain't broke, don't fix it
I just hope SAF does not brake it.

[MIG]

Its out batting against SA that concerns me.

[Xohaib]

Amir and raazak wont be easy to hit,amir gets lot of bounce and razzak has been getting seam movement lately,so i will attack with them.

[abc_to_xyz]

Don't change it.... Keep it same... Thats what SA wanted to do with us.. To shuffle our lineup and destroy our rhythm...

[AZ]

Its out batting against SA that concerns me.

exactly...the state of our middle order barring YK is the real worry

[*sallu*]

The bowling plan should be the same,
sometimes its best not to change whats working best for you

[Inswinger]

The bowling has carried us into the semis. Aamir has improved with every match and should get the new ball along with Razzler. It's the Misbah and Malik duo that might cost us this game.

[saffer]

Bowling and fielding strategy ? That won't help them. They need a fetching stategy !!