Pakistan tour of South Africa - 2018/19

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

What the actual f that Faf got banned for one test because of slow over rate for a test match that ended in 4 days? ICC really needs to revamp its rules and regulations to meet current gen. If it was a 5 day match, fair enough but this test ended in 4 days. Also this is a new year, isnt there a rule that 2 slow over rates in 1 year?

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Sarfaraz: ""Our fast-bowlers haven't bowled up to the mark in this Test. Our bowlers bowled at an average pace of 130kmph while they, on the other hand, were bowling at 145kmph. If you lack pace here, you don't get wickets... I don't know what is going on. I don't know what held them back on this Cape Town wicket."

Ok, they were bowling the same pace before, and have been bowling the same pace the whole year. A year, where they have literally been the second best attack in Test cricket statistically. But you know what for sure doesn't get you wickets, it's dropping easy catches. And not learning from your mistakes, standing the same distance back at slips and grassing another one after just having done that in the first game. It's absolutely ridiculous this from a so called captain of a team whose batting has looked like club cricketers aside from Shan Masood. Display some leadership for god's sake and focus on your true weaknesses. This is unbelievable tone deafness.

Sarfaraz is a Pakistani Kohli minus his brilliance as a batsman or his intensity. I know how much I was slandered when I said it bluntly that it was so around the CT. If he wanted 'pace' Abbas shouldn't have played and Hasan Ali should have. I think Pakistan's bowling is just fine. I think their batting has and always is massively under rated. The innings Shafiq played was brilliant and Babar Azam will 100% get a lot of runs overseas if he's given the right backing. What's not right is the person who is captain and it doesn't take a scientist to see that Zaman is cut out to play white ball cricket. If you try and make him a red ball batter, he might forget the one thing he actually can do and that's hit a white cricket ball and tear up attacks.

 

[hammadahmed88]

Sarfaraz is a Pakistani Kohli minus his brilliance as a batsman or his intensity. I know how much I was slandered when I said it bluntly that it was so around the CT. If he wanted 'pace' Abbas shouldn't have played and Hasan Ali should have. I think Pakistan's bowling is just fine. I think their batting has and always is massively under rated. The innings Shafiq played was brilliant and Babar Azam will 100% get a lot of runs overseas if he's given the right backing. What's not right is the person who is captain and it doesn't take a scientist to see that Zaman is cut out to play white ball cricket. If you try and make him a red ball batter, he might forget the one thing he actually can do and that's hit a white cricket ball and tear up attacks.

Perhaps a fair read, but I'd have to disagree here respectfully to some extent. I don't think Sarfaraz deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Kohli personally. I concur that Kohli might be the best captain, but his performances alone means he at least leads from the front, and sets the bar rather high for his teammates. Also, I do believe Kohli understands the game better than Sarfaraz. He has a lot more range. I think a lot of this comes from a kind of Dhoni withdrawl. M.S. was probably - it can be argued - one of the best captains of all time. Anyone was going to be criticized who followed him. Kohli is fine I think, nowhere near among the top of the group (i.e. Faf, Kane Williamson, etc). But his batting, fielding and fitness alone give him something, not one of which Sarfaraz possesses. He's too often panicked, screaming and out of control. His statements attacking bowlers alone attests to that. I think the BCCI handled the Kumble situation rather badly. Clearly there is consensus on Ravi Shastri, and I take it most people are not fans of his. Not just Indian fans, I think the entire cricketing world now might have to endure Shastri a bit longer now that they have won the series.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Perhaps a fair read, but I'd have to disagree here respectfully to some extent. I don't think Sarfaraz deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Kohli personally. I concur that Kohli might be the best captain, but his performances alone means he at least leads from the front, and sets the bar rather high for his teammates. Also, I do believe Kohli understands the game better than Sarfaraz. He has a lot more range. I think a lot of this comes from a kind of Dhoni withdrawl. M.S. was probably - it can be argued - one of the best captains of all time. Anyone was going to be criticized who followed him. Kohli is fine I think, nowhere near among the top of the group (i.e. Faf, Kane Williamson, etc). But his batting, fielding and fitness alone give him something, not one of which Sarfaraz possesses. He's too often panicked, screaming and out of control. His statements attacking bowlers alone attests to that. I think the BCCI handled the Kumble situation rather badly. Clearly there is consensus on Ravi Shastri, and I take it most people are not fans of his. Not just Indian fans, I think the entire cricketing world now might have to endure Shastri a bit longer now that they have won the series.

Kohli doesn't understand anything about tactics. Not even the 't' of it. Him and Sarfaraz are pretty much in the same boat. If I am to pick out one difference then it would probably be that Kohli will do what he feels like i.e chop and change for no rhyme or reason while 99% of Sarfaraz captaincy is dictated by his local media.

Kohli being Dhoni's successor has no bearing on his image or perception as captain. The number crunchers will hail VK as some god. To be honest, if you were here on planet cricket when Dhoni decided to give up the test leadership, people were overjoyed. Most felt he was a bad red ball captain. I always felt that he never had an attack to support him but some of the criticism was absolutely fair. As far as white ball cricket goes, Dhoni even beats Imran Khan who in my opinion is the greatest overall captain/leader of all time. So, it's not that that Kohli looks bad just because of Dhoni. You can see my user name and I am telling you that AB was another god awful captain. He, like the Kohli mould made unnecessary and stupid changes and the one time he wanted to not make a change, the quota system didn't grant him that (SF WC 15). The difference between Kohli and AB is that the latter wasn't imposing or arrogant. Anyone, who sees Shastri as a fit is barking mad. He has the team to win what he's winning and 90% of this team was built by MSD.

What Pakistan needed to do was make Azhar test captain once Misbah left. He should never have played in a green jersey, let alone be the first name on the sheet. Sarfaraz should be opening the batting with Zaman in limited overs. I have no idea why he was bumped down after doing so well in the 2015 world cup. Shoaib Malik should have led the side and Hafeez should have been made the coach of the national team if he had to be in the team. His game is 1275463 years outdated but he continues to play every alternate series.

 

[CerealKiller]

ODI squad

Sarfraz Ahmed (captain, wicketkeeper), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imamul Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari

Junaid is unfairly dropped again, imo. And Hafeez's selection remains a mistery

 

[CerealKiller]

Junaid is unfairly dropped again

 

[hammadahmed88]

View attachment 216737

And the official excuse this time around is, "Junaid Khan has not been considered for this tour because we feel he has to work more on his bowling since the fitness issues that he had cut short his series against New Zealand."

Is this a joke? He seems to be going fine in domestic cricket. Inzimam has all but destroyed his character for me. So it's fine to carry three players who are injured/unfit in the Test squad (Harris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Abbas [1 game]), but not a player who is clearly not injured presently and has earned a spot? Pathetic honestly. Even by Pakistani standards this is incredible.

I was going to write out my XI, but it really feels like it's a pointless exercise. The people who play will be those who are in the captain's and chief selector's good books, or are his nephews.

 

[Rehan_24]

ODI squad

Sarfraz Ahmed (captain, wicketkeeper), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imamul Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari

Junaid is unfairly dropped again, imo. And Hafeez's selection remains a mistery

Have you guys all forgotten what I was opining about it long ago. Junaid has never been in Sarfraz and mickey arthur plans. Sarfraz is only comfortable with his little friends circle. Junaid Khan has been destroyed by this Inzy, Sarfraz and Mickey trio.

For the ODIs, I think SA will win it all easily while Pakistan will keep experimenting to settle the lineup. Its a shame they had thar champions trophy lineup and squad ready but nepotism and friends circle destroyed it...

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Is Afridi dropped?

 

[CerealKiller]

We probably won't even get a lead, but it's great to see that the bowlers can still hold their own.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Hercules comeback by Pakistan! I have no idea if Afridi was dropped or injured but Ali and Ashraf bowled some real trash today! Their wickets were pure luck. Some top stuff by Amir and Abbas. I think Abbas reminds me a lot of Asif. His channels are similar and he just gets it to do enough. Fast becoming one of the best reverse swing bowlers as well. Why is Amir down on pace? Was bowling 130-135!

Sarfaraz is being literally carried by his bowlers. He drops an awful number of catches for a test keeper. Should be removed altogether from the test team, let alone lead it.

 

[Ahmad94]

The thing that has annoyed me about this series against SA is the lack of application of the batsman. We are pathetic in these conditions. And our bowlers aren't anywhere as useful as their counter parts.

The fact that Shan Masood is the highest scorer in the series is a real testament to the poor nature of these tracks. The fact that Sarfraz had "gained" form by hitting 50's that are literally playing with luck is another joke to come out of the series. Imam is mediocre, Azhar has gone down hill since MisYou - literally, nothing positive has come from these test matches - If anything it makes me worry about the ODI series coming next.

 

[hammadahmed88]

The thing that has annoyed me about this series against SA is the lack of application of the batsman. We are pathetic in these conditions. And our bowlers aren't anywhere as useful as their counter parts.

The fact that Shan Masood is the highest scorer in the series is a real testament to the poor nature of these tracks. The fact that Sarfraz had "gained" form by hitting 50's that are literally playing with luck is another joke to come out of the series. Imam is mediocre, Azhar has gone down hill since MisYou - literally, nothing positive has come from these test matches - If anything it makes me worry about the ODI series coming next.

Not to mention the pathetic way in which the selection committee and management have handled things. Picking injured players, nepotism and ignoring those who deserve an extended run at least. Specifically, team selection was also horrid for the first two games. Nothing is working for Pakistan cricket as far as I'm concerned presently. The worst thing that happened to Pakistan was that they somehow managed to win the Champion's trophy. They played well the last three games, no doubt. But, that blanketed a lot of problems that needed fixing. Unfortunately, not much can happen now before the World Cup at least. A good captain, coach and team selection would have given Pakistan a really good shot in England. They like those conditions. With the current lot however that remains a long shot. I hope though to be proven wrong there.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Not to mention the pathetic way in which the selection committee and management have handled things. Picking injured players, nepotism and ignoring those who deserve an extended run at least. Specifically, team selection was also horrid for the first two games. Nothing is working for Pakistan cricket as far as I'm concerned presently. The worst thing that happened to Pakistan was that they somehow managed to win the Champion's trophy. They played well the last three games, no doubt. But, that blanketed a lot of problems that needed fixing. Unfortunately, not much can happen now before the World Cup at least. A good captain, coach and team selection would have given Pakistan a really good shot in England. They like those conditions. With the current lot however that remains a long shot. I hope though to be proven wrong there.

From here making the semis would be something like a real big achievement for Pakistan and I don't see them doing that either. A spirited side back in 2013-14 is reduced to a hollow team who achieved nothing barring CT'17 post that time period

 

[Rehan_24]

Not to mention the pathetic way in which the selection committee and management have handled things. Picking injured players, nepotism and ignoring those who deserve an extended run at least. Specifically, team selection was also horrid for the first two games. Nothing is working for Pakistan cricket as far as I'm concerned presently. The worst thing that happened to Pakistan was that they somehow managed to win the Champion's trophy. They played well the last three games, no doubt. But, that blanketed a lot of problems that needed fixing. Unfortunately, not much can happen now before the World Cup at least. A good captain, coach and team selection would have given Pakistan a really good shot in England. They like those conditions. With the current lot however that remains a long shot. I hope though to be proven wrong there.

I dont think so we should be too worried about the upcoming World Cup in England. There is still a long way to go. By that time, The side will lift up and its a dangerous side when people think its down and out.

By that time, I m hoping Imam will be out and Inzy would either be axed or would be taken to a level by pressure that he will make sensible selections.

My only concern is team unity. Under Sarfraz, Pakistan did receive that and only an internal politics and captaincy run can kill it at this time. I hope I go prove wrong and we come great in the World Cup