Pakistan’s failed run chase against India in New York on Sunday must be one of the worst in recent times, certainty that I can remember in international T20 cricket, anyway.
It screamed of a side lacking clear strategy, highlighting poor confidence and a moderate batting line-up that isn’t fit for purpose in this format.
The pace bowling remains strong but essentially, this is a team still living off reputation and the old wife’s tale that Pakistan are unpredictable – average one day and blindingly brilliant the next.
I don’t see it that way at all and having also lost to United States of America in their previous match, I’m keen to take them on again, this time against CANADA who might not have as much to find as many expect.
Canada come into this match on the back of a relatively comfortable win over Ireland, one which came after a couple of impressive fightbacks following stuttering starts to their batting and bowling innings.
Prior to that, they scored 194-5 with the bat against USA before slipping to defeat, no disgrace when you consider how USA dominated most of their next match against Pakistan before eventually winning on a Super Over having threatened to fluff their lines at the finish.
Those pieces of collateral form with USA certainly suggest Canada can be competitive here and you’d have to be impressed with how they defended 137 against Ireland on this same ground on Friday.
Their bowlers all performed in that match and there is plenty of depth there, with Dillon Heyliger the fifth bowler used but showing himself very capable as he claimed 2-18 from his four overs. Jeremy Gordon finished with figures of 4-0-16-2.
Interestingly, the batting appears to have plenty of options, too. Navneet Dhaliwal made a good 61 in the fixture against USA, while Nicholas Kirton has scores of 51 and 49 from number five so far. At number six, Shreyas Movva has made contributions of 32 not out and 37. Look out for Dilpreet Bajwa who is another who hits a clean ball.
Of course, Pakistan should still prove the stronger from 1-11, but they really do appear to be all over the place at present. Babar Azam returning as captain, only a matter of months after being replaced by Shaheen Afridi, isn’t working and they could be vulnerable against an energetic and confident Canadian outfit.
Furthermore, this is a ground that has suited the outsider already, Canada’s win here very nearly overshadowed by Netherlands pushing South Africa very close at the weekend.
If Canada were to win the toss and bowl first, seemingly the preference in New York, they would really fancy their chances. Nevertheless, as they and India have proved already, defending a small score at this venue is very possible.
All in all, this has the makings of another close and nervy encounter, one which Canada could very easily come out on the right side of.
As such, they have to be a play at 6/1, with another option to back them on the Betfair Exchange and then trade out the initial stake at 3.5 or lower. I can’t believe Canada won’t compete well enough for their price not to shorten at some stage in the match.
Posted at 1115 BST on 10/06/24
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