 Pakistan will play Canada at the R Premadasa Stadium in the 17th game of
the Cricket World Cup this time. The Pakistanis have played two games so
far and have been runaway winners in both the games. On the other hand, Canada
have played two games as well but lost both of them. This could just be the biggest
mismatches of all times.
Pakistan has shown remarkable form in the tournament so far. In the
first game of the tournament, which they were expected to win as it is, they
scored 335 and then bowled Kenya out for nothing. They had won by 205 runs.
then, they came across a Sri Lankan side and had gone in as second favourites
but went on to upset the home team's apple cart.
Click for Live Score Card of Pakistan Vs Canada
Clearly, it looked like the Pakistani juggernaut has begun and one would expect
them to get the better of a side which has lost both their games.
What makes matters worse for Canada is that they have looked woefully out of
their depths in the tournament. In the first game that they played against Sri
Lanka, they were beaten hollow by a whopping margin and this was followed by
another drubbing in their second game. However, what would worry the Canadian
side about the second game drubbing would be the fact that it was another minnow
nation, so to say, in Zimbabwe that had taken the cleaners off them.
The problem with the Canadian side is rather simple. They rely too much on
one batsman, in John Davison and when he fails, as he has been failing
for some time now, the rest of the side capitulate hard. They need to unearth
some other talent, which can go and play freely - someone like a Nitesh Kumar,
a 16-year old who had played in the last game.
Nitesh Kumar was unlucky to be dismissed the way he was and he will look to
make some amends in the match by scoring some runs and taking the pressure of
Davison.
One also thinks that Davison needs to bat lower down the order. There cannot
be too much doubt that the batting of Davison is not suited to hard pace and
that is what the opening bowling will deliver.
Rizwan Cheema is the other batsman to look out for the side but he needs to
be pushed up.
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