Pakistan Team Discussion

[pillowprocter]

Shan Masood just made 51 off 26, and Saim is going well again. The Faisalabad batting looks really bad, i don’t know how they made the final.
And why is a guy named Ghazi Ghouri making his FC debut in this game?

From what I can tell, Ghouri is a specialist no. 5/6 batsman. He replaced Ammad Alam who had played all of Karachi's previous matches but only averaged 23.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

I’m so done with this whole crap

So thought this would be the best thread to discuss, but looks like Pakistan cricket has gone back to pre 2020 days. The recent success Pakistan saw in T20's with the WC's was because they looked settled, less politically driven and more hardwork driven.

The yesteryears Pakistan would have fitness issues, would have issues on and off field, would have issues with fielding and making mockery, but that all stopped post pandemic. It looked like a professional unit, one that I am sure all Indians feared in the game against them. Previously it was a little bit relaxed.

What the hell is going on now! In the middle of the world cup, the selector resigning, Babar is thrown under the bus, the team's been scrutinized like crazy, I feel so bad for Babar. Now dont get me wrong, Babar as a captain is horrendous but looking at him, I just feel so bad. He has done so much good for the Pakistan team and he is being treated this way.

What is the way forward according to you @CerealKiller ?

 

[Bevab]

I’m not even sure how much of the criticism should go towards Babar for the strategies or lack of it shown on the field by the team when the support system around him is this bad. Unless you’re an extraordinary captain it’s difficult to work wonders without proper guidance or backroom support and in the wake of all this it’s clear that Babar will inevitably be the fall guy.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

I’m not even sure how much of the criticism should go towards Babar for the strategies or lack of it shown on the field by the team when the support system around him is this bad. Unless you’re an extraordinary captain it’s difficult to work wonders without proper guidance or backroom support and in the wake of all this it’s clear that Babar will inevitably be the fall guy.

And the thing is they will do something so stupid where Babar wont be anywhere near the team in near future. Pakistan is known for doing this. They have a once in a generation talent and unlike taking away his captaincy AFTER the world cup they resort to cheap tactics like this.

Also what is this obsession with Sarfaraz Ahmed, he is mediocre at best. Going back to him for captaincy for tests is like going to Duncen Fletcher for India's coaching job.

 

[CerealKiller]

Also what is this obsession with Sarfaraz Ahmed, he is mediocre at best.

He is still salty over his justified sacking in 2019. He hosts dinners with journalists from Karachi, and gets them to run his narrative. The insanely toxic anti-Rizwan narratives are disgusting. The journalists from Karachi, apart from wanting to stoke pro-Karachi regionalist sentiments among fans, are happy to create controversy and attract attention and ratings.
The current chairman was appointed by the People's Party, which is in power in Sindh, the province Karachi is the capital of, so he is happy to go with the same narrative. After his appointment, he installed his people in the media department, who are in bed with toxic journalists, and after the South Africa match, those journalists demanded the removal of Pakistan's media manager, Ahsan Nagi, because he protected the team from journos' toxic antics. Instead, Umar Kalson, a recent hire after the change in administration, was flown to India to replace Nagi. Cricbuzz reported that he is expected by the board to leak news to one of the Pakistani journalists in India, whose expenses are being covered by the board.
Apart from the political pro-Sarfraz angle, the board is pissed at the agent for most of Pakistan's players (Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen etc), Talha Aisham, because he was the lead negotiatior for the new central contracts, which forced massive increases in the players' monthly retainers, and in a historic first, forced the board to share 3% of its ICC funds with the players, which sets a precedent for the percentage to keep increasing in the future. Obviously the PCB does not point out that the players' salaries are still not on the same level as other boards.

The Hunger Games of Pakistan cricket

As the fires engulfing Pakistan's World Cup campaign continued to rage, a senior player told Cricbuzz: "We've come here to play a World Cup, and the PCB is busy playing politics."

www.cricbuzz.com

 

[icyman]

I’m not even sure how much of the criticism should go towards Babar for the strategies or lack of it shown on the field by the team when the support system around him is this bad. Unless you’re an extraordinary captain it’s difficult to work wonders without proper guidance or backroom support and in the wake of all this it’s clear that Babar will inevitably be the fall guy.

If you are the captain, you gotta ensure the team rallies around you. That way, even if you aren't in form, the team stands strong. Babar hasn't been able to do that. As a captain, the on-field decisions will be taken by Babar. He is often clueless and looks bemused when the opposition keep piling on the runs. Babar deserves the criticism that is being diverted towards him in this case.

Some of his bowling changes, field placements have been horrendous- not bringing on your strike bowlers when it matters is a clear sign that the person doesn't know what to do next. I am quite surprised that you are questioning the criticism hat is being diverted to him.

Also what is this obsession with Sarfaraz Ahmed, he is mediocre at best. Going back to him for captaincy for tests is like going to Duncen Fletcher for India's coaching job.

Actually, as captain, he seemed like a good fit. He might not be as enigmatic as an Afridi or someone else, but he still did the job in a decent manner. The clamour for Sarfaraz will grow given that he is the only one in recent years to have given them an ICC trophy. The other thing is they really don't have many options. Rizwan and Afridi are 2 guys- but I'm not sure that the board will entrust them with it in entirety.

 

[CerealKiller]

He is still salty over his justified sacking in 2019. He hosts dinners with journalists from Karachi, and gets them to run his narrative. The insanely toxic anti-Rizwan narratives are disgusting. The journalists from Karachi, apart from wanting to stoke pro-Karachi regionalist sentiments among fans, are happy to create controversy and attract attention and ratings.
The current chairman was appointed by the People's Party, which is in power in Sindh, the province Karachi is the capital of, so he is happy to go with the same narrative. After his appointment, he installed his people in the media department, who are in bed with toxic journalists, and after the South Africa match, those journalists demanded the removal of Pakistan's media manager, Ahsan Nagi, because he protected the team from journos' toxic antics. Instead, Umar Kalson, a recent hire after the change in administration, was flown to India to replace Nagi. Cricbuzz reported that he is expected by the board to leak news to one of the Pakistani journalists in India, whose expenses are being covered by the board.
Apart from the political pro-Sarfraz angle, the board is pissed at the agent for most of Pakistan's players (Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen etc), Talha Aisham, because he was the lead negotiatior for the new central contracts, which forced massive increases in the players' monthly retainers, and in a historic first, forced the board to share 3% of its ICC funds with the players, which sets a precedent for the percentage to keep increasing in the future. Obviously the PCB does not point out that the players' salaries are still not on the same level as other boards.

The Hunger Games of Pakistan cricket

As the fires engulfing Pakistan's World Cup campaign continued to rage, a senior player told Cricbuzz: "We've come here to play a World Cup, and the PCB is busy playing politics."

www.cricbuzz.com

The shitshow continues

PCB chief Zaka Ashraf accused of 'flagrant misdoings and unconstitutional decisions'

Member of his own management committee writes email, copying it to the ministry which has oversight over sports

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[pillowprocter]

Naseem's brother looking good.

Huraira is struggling in domestic now, really hope he can turn his form around soon and fix whatever kinks that have come up in his technique.

 

[CerealKiller]

A comprehensive recap of the current saga

How the PCB, betting companies, media wars, and contract troubles derailed Pakistan cricket

The PCB is going hard after Saya Corps. The Sports Management Company claims they are the victims of a witch hunt

profit.pakistantoday.com.pk

 

[pillowprocter]

First saw him in U19 cricket, I thought he was a bit of a stonewall, an anchor way too slow for top level cricket.

But he's an excellent spin hitter as shown in this video. He picks the ball out of the hand and can spring into position. Interested to see how he goes

 

[CerealKiller]

First saw him in U19 cricket, I thought he was a bit of a stonewall, an anchor way too slow for top level cricket.

But he's an excellent spin hitter as shown in this video. He picks the ball out of the hand and can spring into position. Interested to see how he goes

Promising start to Pakistan Cup. However, as demonstrated by the Usama Mir vs Abrar debate, need to look at FC record as well.

 

[Viper.]

What ever happened to Abbas Afridi? I knew him since like 2020 and watched him reach his peak in the PSL in 2022 (I think, Ive lost track of time these few years). Thought he could challenge for a spot in the White Ball team, but never even got picked even in a Shaheens or A side.

 

[pillowprocter]

What ever happened to Abbas Afridi? I knew him since like 2020 and watched him reach his peak in the PSL in 2022 (I think, Ive lost track of time these few years). Thought he could challenge for a spot in the White Ball team, but never even got picked even in a Shaheens or A side.

He was the highest wicket taker but PCB doesn't rate him because he's not a pacy bowler. His main weapon in T20 is slower balls and changes of pace, most coaches and admin in Pakistan are older so they don't know how important it is.

Should've gotten a go in the A side, although it's also true they haven't played any T20 other than Asian Games

 

[Na Maloom Afraad]

Babar Azam's captaincy:

View attachment 777L-GZkTF_6YWeM.mp4

 

[Khan Sahab54]

According to GEO news, Shaheen will be our T20 captain and Shan Masood will be our captain in tests.