The Umar Akmal factor

[Rana]

This is the biggest game that Umar has to play so far in his career. I assure you, he has a huge mission to undertake.

His form= the best of the pakistani batsmen. Has looked a different player this tournament. A typical sub continent player and is showing his potential for pressure handling.

His passion= The most passionate player I have seen in years in a green jersey. Exactly what is needed for a game like this.

His aggression= If Indian batsmen are known to not take the foot of the gas, this lad is no exception. The Pakistani batsmen tend to play in a more defensive manner, but on a wicket like mohali and a bowling attack lie india's, he will be the key if Pakistan are going to make a difference.

His fielding= one of the safest hands in the team and an outstanding ground fielder. He can create a moment out if nothing, something that will lift the team and silence the crowd.

His sledding= For someone who doesn't understand him, he can give him a headache or even a migrane. Against India, Umar will have 11 targets to frustrate. He can change the game, hurt their egos, make them think. This is the first time umar's sledging will actually be understood.

Come on the 30th, a star is to be born. A story will be made. I am backing this guy to make his name here. I'm sure that he understands his goal.

[freelance_cricketer]

True!

Big match for him. The good thing for you is that although the batting is very underated and hasn't fired much but you still can look upto 3-4 guys for a big one in next match. Something that separates Pakistan from other low ranked sides

[Animal]

Yes, Jr Akmal is the one wicket India should be looking to get early. He's a momentum-setter. If we get him out cheap, we can play the waiting game with the momemtum-breakers to follow

[Pak_Jazba]

How much id love for all this to be true mate. INSHALLAH .

As far as sledging goes we should watch out for

But then we have to be nice and give the handshakes as well

[Jinx]

This match will prove that UA is overrated.

[Riff]

Asad and Umar have really stepped up this WC. But I think in such a crucial game, Younis or Misbah need to take the responsibilty of building the innings.

[Sledger]

Originally Posted by Animal Yes, Jr Akmal is the one wicket India should be looking to get early. He's a momentum-setter. If we get him out cheap, we can play the waiting game with the momemtum-breakers to follow

Akmal comes AFTER all these players. Therefore Umar is more of a momentum-shifter.

He is one third of the three headed dragon Pakistan [plan to] unleash in the PP.

[*sallu*]

No doubt.

For me

Younis and Umar Akmal are the key batsmen on Wednesday

[Fireworks11]

Umar is the backbone. He is so vital at at this young age.

[abc_to_xyz]

Originally Posted by Jinx This match will prove that UA is overrated.

Nah! I can easily deny that

[AZ]

the Shehzada will once again rise to the top and stun the Indian bowlers with his devilish batting.

[Krishnan]

Will he be the highest common factor or least common multiple

[Riff]

Originally Posted by fireworks11 Umar is the backbone. He is so vital at at this young age.

lol

[talha3]

Originally Posted by Jinx This match will prove that UA is overrated.

LOL so you just made an account for this match, to jinx india with every post.

[GabKhan]

Umar Akmal is the most promising young batsmen on the planet.

Its very rare when you see a batsmen only play a few shots, that you can immediately see how much talent this batsmen has. And Umar Akmal is one of those rare players. And he is still just out of teens at 20, he will get better.

[Hamxa89]

I truly believe Umar will be the most important player come Wednesday. He has performed on crucial situation and has what it takes to become a really good batsman. The semi will provide him with the perfect opportunity and he will flourish.

InshAllah.

[JibranAnsari]

he can only come to party only if hafeez and akmal are out. Hafeez and wadda akmal will chase the target.

[sully3]

big match player this lad.
he is going to do us proud

[IAJ]

The Lahore dynamite is ready to explode in Mohali!

[NO 1 AFRIDI FAN]

Definetly, he has been amazing throughout the tournament so far. Hopefully he will get a century this time

[PakPeace]

Well my fav player needs to score a hundred even if he doesn't and we win the match i will be on top of the moon

[Energy]

We'll know a lot about his pressure handling capability after the game. Best watched for now.

[GOAT]

I'm having a hard time predicting who will be our best batsmen come Wednesday. So many contrasting styles, Asad, Younis, and Umar will be vital though. One of these three can score a century Wednesday.

I'm leaning a bit towards Asad and Younis because they bat higher up but if Umar fires tomorrow, the match should be ours. He'll be vital for our ending overs. Hope he does well

[Rana]

Originally Posted by LowkeyP I'm having a hard time predicting who will be our best batsmen come Wednesday. So many contrasting styles, Asad, Younis, and Umar will be vital though. One of these three can score a century tomorrow. I'm leaning a bit towards Asad and Younis because they bat higher up but if Umar fires tomorrow, the match should be ours. He'll be vital for our ending overs. Hope he does well

have you booked your holiday for monday? the match is on wednesday.

[GOAT]

Haha whops, I have the day of Wednesdays so I'm good

[Die-Hard TestCricket Fan]

Really wanting Umar to fire, we have seen he is capable of turning a match aroud.
He is really talented and passionate, I love watching him bat.
Inshallah, he will get going when we really need him on Wednesday!

Always rooting for you, Umar! Green lips!

[avidlearner]

Umar is undoubtedly the star batsmen for Pakistan in the middle and lower middle order but the batsmen I am most worried about are Younis (Traditionally a very good player of Indian bowlers) at the top and rejuvenated Razzaq at the bottom.

Have not watched much of Asad, but whatever little I have seen of him suggests me that he too looks good for a supporting role against Younis or Misbah. Not sure what to expect from Kamran and Hafeez (could be a swashbuckling start of 50 for no loss after 5 overs or 30 for 2 after 5 overs kinda start)

Overall IMHO, the Pakistan's batting is not as bad as they have been projected by some of the PPers in the other threads.

[sohailmm]

People tend to forget that we only need a solid start like 40-50 for 0/1 in first 10-12 overs .After that our batsman tend to play wiht much more confidence and score big.
I am expecting special from Akmal brothers ,specially Kamran as he comes early and a quick burst will definitely boost our our chances of scoring 270-280 which for me is a winning total .

And talking of Umar ,he is the unfinished diamond of World Cricket and may be the next big thing in cricket after the legends like Sachin and Ponting retire.

[Golden arm]

Originally Posted by Animal Yes, Jr Akmal is the one wicket India should be looking to get early. He's a momentum-setter. If we get him out cheap, we can play the waiting game with the momemtum-breakers to follow

but the problem is Pakistanis are saving him quite down the order. he comes after asad, younis,and misbah. By that time, only threat would be zak reverse swing. If he can manage 2-3 overs of zak and doesnt play loose shot, he would be treat to watch.

[Rana]

Originally Posted by sohailmm People tend to forget that we only need a solid start like 40-50 for 0/1 in first 10-12 overs .After that our batsman tend to play wiht much more confidence and score big. I am expecting special from Akmal brothers ,specially Kamran as he comes early and a quick burst will definitely boost our our chances of scoring 270-280 which for me is a winning total . And talking of Umar ,he is the unfinished diamond of World Cricket and may be the next big thing in cricket after the legends like Sachin and Ponting retire.

Not enough im afraid. Its gonna be a belter by the looks of it. 300 will have to come naturally, the rest will be the difference.

[sohailmm]

Its world cup Semi Final . Teams tend to play causiously than their usual attacking self ,so thats enough to put presure on the opposition.
Dont recall a high scoring World cup Finals other than Australia's 370 in the 2007 edition.

[Rana]

Originally Posted by sohailmm Its world cup Semi Final . Teams tend to play causiously than their usual attacking self ,so thats enough to put presure on the opposition. Dont recall a high scoring World cup Finals other than Australia's 370 in the 2007 edition.

Thats the last thing BCCI would want. If they are gonna win this game, then its gonna have to be on their attacking self, otherwise pakistan will be in its comfort zone.

[Animal]

Originally Posted by Golden arm but the problem is Pakistanis are saving him quite down the order. he comes after asad, younis,and misbah. By that time, only threat would be zak reverse swing. If he can manage 2-3 overs of zak and doesnt play loose shot, he would be treat to watch.

He needs to come up the order. He's clearly the best bat in your team and needs to play max overs. It's foolhardy to leave him down the order when you already have razzaq.

[PakPosheeda]

He could do an Inzi in this semi final. Even though Asad wanted to emulate Inzi. Both of these youngsters look in good touch.

I have the highest hopes with Younis and Misbah. Misbah averages 47 against India, and Younis 73 in his last 8 games against India with 3 centuries! They have to anchor down.

Kami and Hafeez, like avidlearner said, could give a flying start or disastrous one. But I'm backing them to do a Windies repeat. India's bowling isn't that better than Windies - Zaheer averages 41, and Bhajji 63 against us.

And of course down the order, Afridi and Razzaq could decide the match like they have done so often. Against this Indian attack, I'll back at least one of them to rain sixes. If Dhoni was any smart, he'd have spin on for Razzaq and pacers on for Afridi.

India's batting is the strongest, but so is the attack of Gul, Akhtar, Afridi, Ajmal, Razzaq and da Professor.

[Justcrazy]

The critical thing would be that one of the openers bat till 30 overs, that should be the plan. Afridi needs to come up at 4 maybe and try to play a few shots. If he can do that for 5 - 7 overs, the middle overs will get momentum and then Umar Akmal and Razzak could be really dangerous. Pakistan would need 300 plus the put India under pressure.

[MRSN]

Yes If Umar gets a good start then even 350 is chaseable I hope one of our main strike batsmen fires on Wednesday.

[PakistaniThinkTank]

Umar Gona Make 100

[Turbokam512]

Umar Akmal might not even bat .. as Asad & Younis will cross the finish line in some style..

[Sultan Yusuf]

I just hope that this is one of the matches that this fool uses his brain and gets some luck.

[wiseguy]

i have a feeling Akmals will shine on wednesday

[aby10rulz]

Stop jinxing the young lad!
Lol joke, but on a serious note, if we in (inshaALLAH) Umar will surely play a huge part if he bats. He truly is a verrry rare talent.

[SG]

India got to snare UA early. He is such a dangerous bat especially lower down the order.