2024 Pakistan Super League - General Discussions

[Rehan_24]

I like this guy Asif from Islamabad United. Technically looks good as well as with aggressive approach. Quite disappointed with Sahibzada Farhan so far, He looked great in one of the domestic matches and earned his way to PSL, So far, Couldn't impress

 

[Rehan_24]

My pick from PSL are definitely Sohaib Maqsood and Asif at the moment. Sohaib seems that his game has improved a lot, I saw a bit of young Inzy in him. Sohaib must be recalled again for shorter formats in the upcoming tours while Asif should be given a potential chance in the any upcoming T20 series if he carries on his form in the rest of the tour.

PS: I don't think so Umar Akmal was that bad when he first came in. He showed some great potential talent wise in all formats in his debut run while this tournament was a supreme platform for him to showcase his skills, but he has definitely been a constant failure and has had huge attitude problems. Now players like Sohaib Maqsood and others deserve far more chances than Umar Akmal

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Every time I watch Umar Akmal play cricket, my blood boils. How can someone with that much potential not understands how to play the game or play according to a situation.

Every time a country with as rich talent as Pakistan calls Umar Akmal talented, my blood boils. He's a product of the media hype that plagues countries like Pakistan and India as well *cough Rohit Sharma cough.*

I have never understood 'talent' other than the marriage of someone in deep love of the game with the desire to work extremely hard.. *cough Kohli cough*

Sure, I don't deny that some people are more gifted than others and while I've got that feeling from Rohit I never have from U Akmal. I get that from Amir a LOT.

After 25 years + of watching cricket, I feel now I'll use words like talent for Kohli.

 

[Ahmad94]

Every time a country with as rich talent as Pakistan calls Umar Akmal talented, my blood boils. He's a product of the media hype that plagues countries like Pakistan and India as well *cough Rohit Sharma cough.*

I have never understood 'talent' other than the marriage of someone in deep love of the game with the desire to work extremely hard.. *cough Kohli cough*

Sure, I don't deny that some people are more gifted than others and while I've got that feeling from Rohit I never have from U Akmal. I get that from Amir a LOT.

After 25 years + of watching cricket, I feel now I'll use words like talent for Kohli.

Here is the thing.

When Umar Akmal started playing, the likes of Inzimam, Razzaq, M.Yousuf, Younis Khan had just retired or were coming to the end of their careers. His first series against Sri Lanka was exceptional (and that too for a mere 19 yr old) scoring his first century of just 72 balls as well as quick half-centuries (often chasing) followed by a Test Century in New Zealand - something that was so desperately needed for the likes of Pakistan. I remember watching both those series and thinking that this is the solution to our problems.

Because of his natural ability to play fast and unorthodox (he was the first Pakistani I saw playing the lap sweep often and well). From then on, he tried to become something he isn't and got the worst attitude to have (I remember he faked an injury because Kamran Akmal got dropped). The amount of games Pakistan failed to win because Umar Akmal threw his wicket away or get a decent total is too much to count on my fingers. I strongly believe that he should be dropped until he has a stellar (and I mean exceptional) season in both First-Class and List A.

Whereas the comparison to Rohit Sharma is not fair to Sharma as he has clearly worked so hard to become something. I remember he was a walking wicket for the first couple of years and now he is a decent opener (barring swing tracks) that can walk into almost any ODI/T20 side. Whereas Umar Akmal has gone backwards from his debut - probably because the early media praise got to him.

Moving on to Kohli, he is a once in a generation batsmen. It is difficult to put anyone in the category even if you argue that he pays most of his games in batting friendly conditions. Plus, I have watched multiple interviews where he talks about his diet and gym sessions which honestly I don't see the current crop of Pakistani players adopting. I remember before Mickey Arthur there was a report that stated that Pakistani players were eating Nihari for breakfast and follow that up with a proper heavy desi meal at lunch or the interval. How can you possibly play to full potential when you start the game which such a diet?

 

[CerealKiller]

Sohaib seems that his game has improved a lot

As proved by his performance today

 

[CerealKiller]

Multan are definitely the favourites to win this. Really balanced squad

 

[Perfect Square]

Multan definitely is the team going to final in Karachi.

That was a great knock by Sohaib. Needed this 180+ total in this tournament.

 

[Rehan_24]

As proved by his performance today

Yeah and the thing is commentators were matching his style of play with young Inzy Anyway, What a knock that was by Sohaib. Sheer talent

 

[Rehan_24]

Here is the thing.
Moving on to Kohli, he is a once in a generation batsmen. It is difficult to put anyone in the category even if you argue that he pays most of his games in batting friendly conditions. Plus, I have watched multiple interviews where he talks about his diet and gym sessions which honestly I don't see the current crop of Pakistani players adopting. I remember before Mickey Arthur there was a report that stated that Pakistani players were eating Nihari for breakfast and follow that up with a proper heavy desi meal at lunch or the interval. How can you possibly play to full potential when you start the game which such a diet?

Spot on all points mate. Just to add up another point that it is unfair to compare the old legends with this generation best batsmen. The talent all around the cricketing world is not what it used to be. On a lighter note, Inzy used to have a Chargha at night and score a century next morning imagine If he would have been on Virat's or modern greats batsmen diet, He would have been crossing Bradman for sure with no world record of run outs as well

On a serious note, Diet and fitness are mandatory as the game has changed quite much and its like a giant step comparing the two eras however I believe that less focus on diet but with positive work attitude can still do wonders for your team. Not every one can follow and be the fittest but his professional attitude can distinguish him and able him to knock match winning performances. The main problem lies in the attitude than the fitness tests and diet in my opinion.

 

[Ahmad94]

Anyone else watching the MS Vs QG match. The commentary team is speaking Urdu (Wilko and the Aussie commentator) and they're surprisingly good.

 

[Ahmad94]

Something else that irritating me is Ahmed Shehzad. He can clearly bat and clear the boundary, then why does he seem to waste 10 balls getting himself "settled" followed by 20 balls rotating the strike and then get out with a pathetic score of around 20,30 at a strike rate of 90-100.

I have seen him play proper aggressive cricket in NZ in his early years - why then has he now then adopted this ridiculous method of failure. He has an ODI average of 32!! Not only is that pathetic, its a waste of space within this ODI and T20 setup for Pakistan.

Edit: PSL2018(Stats) Ahmed Shehzad 6 innings, 114 runs, 80 SR!!!

 

[AliB]

Quetta seem to have completely ripped MI's shoulder design...

 

[Ahmad94]

Tell me this league isn't one of the best in the world!!!!!

Another exceptional game.

So happy to see such a great game, and so much emotion. Worth every penny.

Only thing that could make it better is having the game in Pakistan (imagine the game in Quetta)

 

[Alexei.]

During the MS innings and the start of QG innings I was like Quetta will easily win. But then, Gul's 4 wickets and after that the 17th and 18th over. Those were intense. MS bowlers are amazing and Quetta's Bowlers in terms of batting

 

[Rehan_24]

Something else that irritating me is Ahmed Shehzad. He can clearly bat and clear the boundary, then why does he seem to waste 10 balls getting himself "settled" followed by 20 balls rotating the strike and then get out with a pathetic score of around 20,30 at a strike rate of 90-100.

I have seen him play proper aggressive cricket in NZ in his early years - why then has he now then adopted this ridiculous method of failure. He has an ODI average of 32!! Not only is that pathetic, its a waste of space within this ODI and T20 setup for Pakistan.

Edit: PSL2018(Stats) Ahmed Shehzad 6 innings, 114 runs, 80 SR!!!

Shehzad has been utterly poor in this PSL. He is just saving his own wicket, lost his natural game. Wonder what has happened to him. His attitude is strange, He even tried to push Maqsood in the last match off the crease to save his wicket in that run out. I'd like to see Shan Masood in place of him in the next match. Masood should be tried out as opener with Sanga

Coming to match, Yet again an exciting game in one of the best leagues in the World. It was nervy. I believe that Multan Sultans were 10 runs short on the pitch as well as two sixes in Gul's last over played a huge part in Quetta's victory. In T20, 9 runs in a over is nothing even if you are left with two or even one wicket.

As I saw, Gul's six wickets were more from luck than any special skill, though he mixed the slower and faster ones well, but his old magic is no where to be seen specially his T20 specialist yorkers. I personally believe that MS shouldn't have changed their winning combination. Gul death overs are no more what he was used to be. Junaid Khan is better prospect and why not giving him a new ball with Irfan, He can give you early breakthroughs but I have a gut feeling that MS will go with Gul now in the next match atleast and can pay the heavy price if they persist with Gul.