The World Cup Final 1999 - A Preview

Re:

What a splendid performance by Australia. Looks like they are giving a drubbing to the Pakistanis.

The final will be a biggie ! Foremost reason for this being that both Pak and Aussies have made enough money through their respective huge upsets that they have made their ``dehari`` (you know the bookie stuff). Now they`ll fight for the cup and fight dirty .. Boy .. will it be a BRAWL !

Zeemax

It is Pakistan all the way !
IMHO, cold logic suggests it.

On a head to head, Pakistan definitely holds the edge.
The palpable extra 5 mph coupled with the laser guided yorkers put Shoaib way ahead of his counterpart McGrath, even if the `record` (WC stats) may suggest parity.
Marvellous Wasim is well Wasim. Followed by his two able support bowlers Azhar Mahmood and Razzaq definitely outgun Reifel, Fleming and the 5th Aussie bowler (definite weak link). With AM and Razzaq being rock-steady consitent yet brilliant in flashes, they throw things in Pak`s favour (better Aussie top order notwithstanding)
If turn plays a factor then the magician with the off spinner action will definitely balance any advantage the Aussies might hope to gain with the resurgent Shane. Plus, I feel, sub-continent batsman are at home with spinners, at least compared to how comfortable the Aussies will be against Saqlain. Saqlain just needs to go back to his attacking mould and give the ball more flight and loop. He has been bowling them in straight and fastish which lends his bowling a defensive `containing` flavour. Maybe, he has been instructed to `contain` and steady the final overs while the Shoaib and Wasim go for the kill.

In terms of batting, in Mark/Steve Waugh, Ponting and Bevan Aussies have a formidable top order. But, after Moody, Warne, Fleming, Reifel, McGrath constitute a long tail which could be the weak link.
Pakistan batting stranghts are matched, albeit in a different order. They have a lethal late middle order in Moin (despite that broken finger he has valiantly carried throughout the tournamen !!), AM, Afridi, Akram. The top order is weak, but if the classy Anwar fires, OR if the brilliant Inzamam doesn`t make any school boyish mistakes OR the clubber Ijaz lagaoos some nice hard lusty agricultural heaves to rest the initiative from Oz, then Pakistan have no batting problems.
THe Pakistani late middle order will go after the 5th Oz bowler. It will be interesting to see Waughs bowling changes to negate this definite advantage.

Should Pakistan play Youhana to strenghten the batting ? I think Wasti has shown good technique and sound temperament and promises a good inning.
No point risking Youhana. If the hamstring acts up again I could bet Steve Waugh would not allow him a runner, the Hansie did. No point risking it. Plus this leaves Afridi to go after the 5th bowler.

Good luck to Wasim. Overcome it all (diabetes, Oz, nerves, etc, etc.) one more time and let the Ozzies know that `common sense` suggests that their `fateful` and determined 6 match winning streak, that began with the required calculated bludgeoning of Bangladeshi bowlers, has to come to an end.

It is going to be a long night here in the US.
But after the final ball has been bowled ``Inshallah`` Pakistan will carry the day.
May the best team win the World Cup of Cricket
in 1999.

Ras