What's new

“It will be an exciting series but I can’t see Pakistan winning a match” : Ian Botham

Abdullah719

T20I Captain
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Runs
44,825
“It will be an exciting series but I can’t see Pakistan winning a match” : Ian Botham

London: England’s legendary all-rounder Ian Botham believes his country’s Test side is the most feared in the world and deserves to be in the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings. Alastair Cook’s team is fourth in the ICC world rankings behind Australia, India and this summer’s tourists Pakistan, who they face in the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday. England have won four of their seven Test series since a shock home defeat to Sri Lanka in 2014, with their victory over Angelo Mathews’ men earlier this summer following triumphs against India, Australia and South Africa.

Cook’s side has also drawn with New Zealand and the West Indies in that time, with their only defeat coming against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last November. England can leapfrog Pakistan and tie India with a 2-0 or 3-1 series win, but former skipper Botham insisted they’re are already the best side in the world regardless of where they are ranked come the end of the four Test matches.

“England are the best side in the world right now and certainly the most feared – they proved it against Australia and then beat South Africa on their own soil,” Botham was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Wednesday. “England are a confident side and a very well-organised unit. I don’t pay too much attention to the ranking system, they deserve to be number one in the world now.”

Pakistan’s recent record in England is poor, with 0-3 and 1-3 defeats in 2006 and 2010 respectively, and Botham does not expect things to improve this summer, despite the hosts being without record wicket-taker Jimmy Anderson and all-rounder Ben Stokes for the opening Test. “It will be an exciting series but I can’t see Pakistan winning a match,” he said.

England have had their problems at the top of the order and have countered that by moving Yorkshire’s Joe Root up to No.3 following Nick Compton’s decision to take a break from the sport. Root had an indifferent series against Sri Lanka, scoring 87 runs in the series, and slipped down to number four in the ICC rankings, but Botham believes it is the right move to promote him up the order.

Botham agreed with the decision to move Root up to No.3 in the batting order. “I’ve no problem with Joe batting at three. All the best batsmen in world cricket bat at three – look at Ricky Ponting and Viv Richards. Joe is the best batsman in the world right now, and I’m sure he’ll be fine with moving up the order,” Botham concluded.

http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/england-test-side-most-feared-in-the-world-ian-botham-471345
 
No test team is feared atm. He is extremely biased so I don't take his opnion too seriously tbh. They are a good team but the only reason they are being considered for number one is because of decline of south Africa and Australia maybe not as strong as they once were. But at home this England team is difficult to beat.
 
I agree with every word.

England is the team to beat currently and will be the team to beat for the next 2-3 years.
 
Perhaps !!! But in a one on one scenario Pakistan has done better than england.

Pakistan won a test on their last tour ,
England havent won one in the UAE/Pakistan on the last three trips.

Botham has had the same opinion for every one of those series . Lol
 
ICC Test Ranking:

1) Australia
2) India
3) Pakistan
4) England
5) New Zealand
6) South Africa
7) Sri Lanka
8) West Indies
9) Bangladesh
10) Zimbabwe

Actual Test Ranking:

1) England
2) Australia
3) New Zealand
4) India
5) Pakistan
6) South Africa
7) Sri Lanka
8) West Indies
9) Bangladesh
10) Zimbabwe
 
They are not feared, but are surely the best touring side in the world.
 
Lol.He also once said that the 2011 Eng team was comparable to Aussies of 2000s and WI of 80s.

England team is not feared.They got decimated in AUS and UAE.
 
ICC Test Ranking:

1) Australia
2) India
3) Pakistan
4) England
5) New Zealand
6) South Africa
7) Sri Lanka
8) West Indies
9) Bangladesh
10) Zimbabwe

Actual Test Ranking:

1) England
2) Australia
3) New Zealand
4) India
5) Pakistan
6) South Africa
7) Sri Lanka
8) West Indies
9) Bangladesh
10) Zimbabwe

New Zealand is seriously overrated. Who do they even have except Williamson?
 
Lol.He also once said that the 2011 Eng team was comparable to Aussies of 2000s and WI of 80s.

England team is not feared.They got decimated in AUS and UAE.

Watch him predict England to beat India in India. He is so biased it's unreal. After the 1st test when we played them in UAE, he was making comments say Pakistan are out on there feet England will beat them, blah,blah,blah. Than Yasir and co shut him up.
 
How can a team who failed to beat west indies last year deserve to be top of the rankings?
 
How can a team who failed to beat west indies last year deserve to be top of the rankings?

Cos England are the best touring side in the world.

By a mile.

They won SA in SA....India in India....drew with SL last tour....drew with NZ in NZ.....

At home:

England pounded Australia, India and SL recently.

Truly the best test side in the world.
 
No team is clearly no.1 currently. So if Botham says England then it's alright but IMO it's Australia closely followed by England. India and Pak are next in line. NZ is overrated lost vs Aus both home and away and SA are going through weak patch. Then we have SL and WI following up.
 
Cos England are the best touring side in the world.

By a mile.

They won SA in SA....India in India....drew with SL last tour....drew with NZ in NZ.....

At home:

England pounded Australia, India and SL recently.

Truly the best test side in the world.

Last time we toured Sri Lanka and New Zealand we won and they lost to us in UAE . I wouldn't consider us the top test side.

If they can go avoid series defeat in australia and India, I will have no problem in them being called number 1. But for now the number one slot is open to any of big 3 with Pakistan behind.
 
England got smacked around in the UAE. Will get smacked around in India aswell. The kids in the middle-order are downright pathetic when it comes to playing spin.

Worse than subcontinent players are when they tour abroad and encounter swing/bounce.

England can never be taken seriously (specially as a 'fine touring side') when they get dished out 3-0, 2-0 scorelines consistently in the sub-continent. The 2012 Indian tour was an abberation.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
 
Aus get whitewashed in 2 main countries like there's no tomorrow.

If India get whitewashed in England and Aus like they did in 2011, they have NO business being number 1.

Same goes for Aus.

Plus Aus got destroyed in England too.

They ain't number 1.

Maybe number 2 or 3....but not 1.
 
Cos England are the best touring side in the world.

By a mile.

They won SA in SA....India in India....drew with SL last tour....drew with NZ in NZ.....

At home:

England pounded Australia, India and SL recently.

Truly the best test side in the world.

Those results in India doesnt count as its outside the 3 year period.They also got decimated in UAE and AUS.

Also when was that NZ drawn series?
 
Last edited:
England are probably the best team in the world but certainly not the most feared. Their touring credentials are a bit overrated.
 
Last time we toured Sri Lanka and New Zealand we won and they lost to us in UAE . I wouldn't consider us the top test side.

If they can go avoid series defeat in australia and India, I will have no problem in them being called number 1. But for now the number one slot is open to any of big 3 with Pakistan behind.

That's why look at the whole cycle.

For an non Asian team, to win in Asia is a BIG deal.
Same for Asian team to win against non Asian team.

England winning in India (last time we lost a series in 2004) is like India winning in Aus or SA.

Whole cycle:

England tours India - Wins
England tours SL - Draws
England tours Pak in UAE - Loses (but not hopeless thrashing)
England tours Aus - Thrashed
England tours SA - Wins

At home, England faces India - Thrashes them
England faces SL - Thrashes them
England faces Aus - Scoreline may be 3-2 but the series was brutal destruction for most part

Now compare that with Pakistan (if you go as far as NZ tour, then we have to include other series too)

Pakistan tours NZ - Wins
Pakistan faces Aus in Eng - Draw

Pakistan tours Eng - Loses
Pakistan tours SL (before) - Whitewashed (0-2 loss)
Pakistan tours SL (again) - Wins
Pakistan tours SA - Whitewashed
Pakistan tours Zim - Draw

At home (UAE), Pakistan faces SL (before) - Draw
Pakistan faces SA - Draw
Pakistan faces NZ - Draw

Pakistan faces Aus - Whitewash
Pakistan faces Eng (before) - Whitewash
Pakistan faces Eng (again) - Wins

---

Compare both and see.
 
Sorry missed out England touring Pak (UAE) and getting thrashed in 2012 and losing -0-1 to SL at home.

Still point remains the same.
 
That's why look at the whole cycle.

For an non Asian team, to win in Asia is a BIG deal.
Same for Asian team to win against non Asian team.

England winning in India (last time we lost a series in 2004) is like India winning in Aus or SA.

Whole cycle:

England tours India - Wins
England tours SL - Draws
England tours Pak in UAE - Loses (but not hopeless thrashing)
England tours Aus - Thrashed
England tours SA - Wins

At home, England faces India - Thrashes them
England faces SL - Thrashes them
England faces Aus - Scoreline may be 3-2 but the series was brutal destruction for most part

Now compare that with Pakistan (if you go as far as NZ tour, then we have to include other series too)

Pakistan tours NZ - Wins
Pakistan faces Aus in Eng - Draw

Pakistan tours Eng - Loses
Pakistan tours SL (before) - Whitewashed (0-2 loss)
Pakistan tours SL (again) - Wins
Pakistan tours SA - Whitewashed
Pakistan tours Zim - Draw

At home (UAE), Pakistan faces SL (before) - Draw
Pakistan faces SA - Draw
Pakistan faces NZ - Draw

Pakistan faces Aus - Whitewash
Pakistan faces Eng (before) - Whitewash
Pakistan faces Eng (again) - Wins

---

Compare both and see.

We are useless out of Asia in the last 10 years. Hopefully that changes this year.
 
England RIGHT NOW is not a good touring side. Won't do well in Asia NOW.

But what they did in the last 3-4 years makes them the BEST touring side.

Essential distinction.
 
After they destroyed us in 2012.

They toured NZ and ended with 0-0 (they played badly though).
They are nothing great.Nothing separates them from AUS or Ind.Pakistan is slightly behind because they havent toured outside Asia.
Sorry missed out England touring Pak (UAE) and getting thrashed in 2012 and losing -0-1 to SL at home.

Still point remains the same.
 
Sir Ian says lots......

I don't think there is a standout test side at present.
 
They are nothing great.Nothing separates them from AUS or Ind.Pakistan is slightly behind because they havent toured outside Asia.

Right now..no.

They ain't a great touring side. Wouldn't do well in Asia.

But post 2011, they were best touring side after SA.
 
England RIGHT NOW is not a good touring side. Won't do well in Asia NOW.

But what they did in the last 3-4 years makes them the BEST touring side.

Essential distinction.

They won against a depleted South african side which just got battered and bruised in India. It was a good win but certainly against a weak side.

Before that, their away record read 5-0 in Aus, a drawn series against a poor windies, and a 2 nil loss in the UAE. They couldn't win against an average Kiwi side in NZ (the NZ side became better only next year).

They probably were better than Asian sides but SA was by far the best touring side of the last 3 to 4 years.
 
Lol, they don't instil fear in my heart, they should be wary of our team instead, we have the best batting line up in Tests, currently, and our bowling is good as well. Even if still they don't consider us anything, fine, we are beating them anyways in this series.
 
They won against a depleted South african side which just got battered and bruised in India. It was a good win but certainly against a weak side.

Before that, their away record read 5-0 in Aus, a drawn series against a poor windies, and a 2 nil loss in the UAE. They couldn't win against an average Kiwi side in NZ (the NZ side became better only next year).

They probably were better than Asian sides but SA was by far the best touring side of the last 3 to 4 years.

After SA I meant.....I forgot them. Haha.

So I mentioned in a later comment.

By the way, Eng won a series in Aus in 2010 and no team apart from SA can boast of something like that in recent times.
 
Last edited:
Lol, they don't instil fear in my heart, they should be wary of our team instead, we have the best batting line up in Tests, currently, and our bowling is good as well. Even if still they don't consider us anything, fine, we are beating them anyways in this series.

You are the most positive fan ever. :D
 
Try to imagine to be an Indian fan during 2011 tour of England and Aus. And then 2014 tour of England.

Torture fest. :))

Hahahah I can remember the England one, never expected you to win that one. Against Australia team was mentally gone. In 2014 you looked much better.

With kohli Rahane and Vijay in your batting ranks, if you can find some decent bowlers wouldn't be suprise if you ran one of Australia South Africa or England close.
 
Why are people saying England got decimated in the UAE ?

They could've easily won in Abu Dhabi until the light intervened, needed to bat out just 6 overs to draw the Dubai Test and had a 1st inns lead in Sharjah.

I've little love for Botham but don't lurch to the other extreme.
 
After SA I meant.....I forgot them. Haha.

So I mentioned in a later comment.

By the way, Eng won a series in Aus in 2010 and no team apart from SA can boast of something like that in recent times.

That is like 6 years back man:narine

Anyway I don't think the English will consider winning in Australia a huge achievement as they regularly play each other because of the Ashes rivalry. Maybe from a rivalry perspective, they'll treasure it, but not compared to other teams.
 
Got to agree with Ian. England is well settled and is better than most sides currently.
 
That is like 6 years back man:narine

Anyway I don't think the English will consider winning in Australia a huge achievement as they regularly play each other because of the Ashes rivalry. Maybe from a rivalry perspective, they'll treasure it, but not compared to other teams.

Which world do you live in?

For England winning is Australia is the greatest thing even if it means they get pummelled everywhere else

I tend to agree too.

Australia have only lost 2 series at home for 25 years or so now
 
That's right Ian, England are truly the most feared test side at the moment - With them trailing 5-0 against us, the English surely have put the fear of God among us, however we will cope with this is beyond me.

6-3 if we take into account the 2010 series as well - truly nightmarish stuff for us indeed !!
 
Which world do you live in?

For England winning is Australia is the greatest thing even if it means they get pummelled everywhere else

I tend to agree too.

Australia have only lost 2 series at home for 25 years or so now

I worded it wrongly. I know they treasure it very much from a rivalry pov but they also get to play Australia much more than other teams and because of the rivalry, they are expected to win by their fans. I'm saying England's chances to win in Australia are much higher than an India's or Pakistan's or Sri Lanka's because of the conditions, a hundred year rivalry factor and regularity of matches.

If India and Pakistan get to play a marquee test series every 2 years like the Ashes, and India beats Pakistan in the UAE, even though that would be a great achievement, still in a rivalry which occurs regularly, a team is expected to win. Like Barcelona are expected to win at Madrid more than Valencia or Atletico purely because of the rivalry between the two teams.
 
I don't know about the fear part, but they certainly are a competitive side more so than Aussies and I don't see them winning series in UAE, India or Australia any time soon.
 
Got to agree with Ian. England is well settled and is better than most sides currently.

Well settle is relative term. They lost to us 2-0 just this winter, 5-0 in last two visits. They best an SA team that is dead right now, with Styen and Kallis they are in lost mode, specially Styen...it will take them few years to rebuild, England and Australia can roll over them at their home now.

They beat Australia at home 3-2, that was achievement but hardly when you look at score card both teams lost every match by big margin, if not for that green wicket, where Auses were out at 60, the score line could have being different. But nevertheless Australia atleast win 2 test, what did England do in down under??? - Do we have to remind everybody what Mitch did to them ? - you can use any word but settle... they will loose again in down under, fear will be other way around if Strac, Cummins and Pattison are fit [emoji33][emoji33][emoji33]

Btw: England has some 7/8 batting collapses in last 25/28 test matches, which their own experts bring up including beefy whenever that happen, so much for the settled side [emoji56][emoji56][emoji56][emoji56]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Lol, they don't instil fear in my heart, they should be wary of our team instead, we have the best batting line up in Tests, currently, and our bowling is good as well. Even if still they don't consider us anything, fine, we are beating them anyways in this series.

Best batting lineup and Hafeez, specially in west cannot be in one sentence... When you have the worse possible opener and lot of uncles, how that batting lineup be best specially in England?? [emoji49][emoji49][emoji49]

I don't want to be a delusional fan... We have a very slim chance to beat England with these openers, but best batting is way over the top [emoji43][emoji43][emoji43]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
That's why look at the whole cycle.

For an non Asian team, to win in Asia is a BIG deal.
Same for Asian team to win against non Asian team.

England winning in India (last time we lost a series in 2004) is like India winning in Aus or SA.

Whole cycle:

England tours India - Wins
England tours SL - Draws
England tours Pak in UAE - Loses (but not hopeless thrashing)
England tours Aus - Thrashed
England tours SA - Wins

At home, England faces India - Thrashes them
England faces SL - Thrashes them
England faces Aus - Scoreline may be 3-2 but the series was brutal destruction for most part

Now compare that with Pakistan (if you go as far as NZ tour, then we have to include other series too)

Pakistan tours NZ - Wins
Pakistan faces Aus in Eng - Draw

Pakistan tours Eng - Loses
Pakistan tours SL (before) - Whitewashed (0-2 loss)
Pakistan tours SL (again) - Wins
Pakistan tours SA - Whitewashed
Pakistan tours Zim - Draw

At home (UAE), Pakistan faces SL (before) - Draw
Pakistan faces SA - Draw
Pakistan faces NZ - Draw

Pakistan faces Aus - Whitewash
Pakistan faces Eng (before) - Whitewash
Pakistan faces Eng (again) - Wins

---

Compare both and see.
How were England not thrashed in the UAE? Did you only watch the first Test? Playing 1-2 sessions well over the course of 5 days is NOT the definition of being competitive. Any team who's media was celebrating ALMOST drawing a match doesn't deserve to be taken seriously.

Atleast sub-continent teams accept their short-comings whole-heartedly, while England and Australia always 'play well' and come back with 2-0, 3-0 wallopings. Then they whinge about being competitive

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
 
How were England not thrashed in the UAE? Did you only watch the first Test? Playing 1-2 sessions well over the course of 5 days is NOT the definition of being competitive. Any team who's media was celebrating ALMOST drawing a match doesn't deserve to be taken seriously.

Atleast sub-continent teams accept their short-comings whole-heartedly, while England and Australia always 'play well' and come back with 2-0, 3-0 wallopings. Then they whinge about being competitive

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

England could have easily won first test if not for lights.

The second test was close before Wahab's spell sealed the game.

The third test England was thrashed.

Anyways, its not about what England and Aus accept (that's a different topic). Its about performance.

And even if we assume England were thrashed in UAE, they have done well in other places.
 
England could have easily won first test if not for lights.

The second test was close before Wahab's spell sealed the game.

The third test England was thrashed.

Anyways, its not about what England and Aus accept (that's a different topic). Its about performance.

And even if we assume England were thrashed in UAE, they have done well in other places.
If we are going to stick to the other places narrative, I won't drag this discussion out further. Otherwise there are quite a few instances where sub-continent teams have dominated 2-3 days in a test (yet lost), rather than sessions like England and Australia usually do.

My perception is based on watching England play my team, since I don't usually watch other cricket as much. They didn't look any different than India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka when it comes to touring outside the sub-continent. Hoping for a win, rather than look like a contender. Yeah, they played well in 1-2 sessions over the course of 5 days. Still lost heavily. Sub-continent teams do that abroad aswell, still lose heavily. You don't see their pundits declaring them 'most feared' after a few series wins.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
 
If we are going to stick to the other places narrative, I won't drag this discussion out further. Otherwise there are quite a few instances where sub-continent teams have dominated 2-3 days in a test (yet lost), rather than sessions like England and Australia usually do.

My perception is based on watching England play my team, since I don't usually watch other cricket as much. They didn't look any different than India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka when it comes to touring outside the sub-continent. Hoping for a win, rather than look like a contender. Yeah, they played well in 1-2 sessions over the course of 5 days. Still lost heavily. Sub-continent teams do that abroad aswell, still lose heavily. You don't see their pundits declaring them 'most feared' after a few series wins.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

There you go.

That answers the question.

England won in India 2012 and drew in SL.

That's like an Asian team winning in Aus/SA and then drawing in say NZ. Plus Eng won in Aus in 2010 something which no one apart from SA did in recent times.

When an Asian team does that, we will have this conversation buddy.
 
Last edited:
Never said they are most feared.

If I say student A is good, does that mean student A is the greatest ever who cannot ever be beaten and who makes all the other kids fill with hopelessness?

No.

It just means student A is good.
 
Never said they are most feared.

If I say student A is good, does that mean student A is the greatest ever who cannot ever be beaten and who makes all the other kids fill with hopelessness?

No.

It just means student A is good.
Read my post again. I specifically said 'pundits', which is what this thread is about.

As for your previous post, clearly mentioned why I think England is over-rated and not good enough to be called a great team yet. Kudos to them for being competitive in other parts of Asia recently. Certainly not good enough to be 'feared' or 'number 1 irrespective of rankings' material though as Botham and his kind might have us believe.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
 
And Pakistani side is the most rude in the world according to Wahab.

So the most feared vs the most rude...gonna be nasty!
 
England are a good side at home and also in conditions which allow for swing and seam and help fast bowling (new zealand, S.A etc..)

However, lets see how they go in bangladesh and India this winter as they once again struggled in the UAE. Like most teams in world cricket now england are strong in conditions that favour them and are found wanting otherwise.
 
We payed both recently, Aus are definitely more scary than England IMO.

They play the game at such a pace that if you don't don't match it, you're chasing the game or playing for the draw.
 
Last edited:
Best batting lineup and Hafeez, specially in west cannot be in one sentence... When you have the worse possible opener and lot of uncles, how that batting lineup be best specially in England?? [emoji49][emoji49][emoji49]

I don't want to be a delusional fan... We have a very slim chance to beat England with these openers, but best batting is way over the top [emoji43][emoji43][emoji43]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The team showed us many glimpses that they are well prepared in English conditions, by looking at the warm up matches. Be realistic, brother.
 
Typical Beefy exaggerating and getting excited.

England is a decent side but certainly not good enough to be 'feared', in this or any era. They have too many vulnerabilities: the middle / lower order batting is formidable and the opening bowlers are world-class, but sadly the top order batting is certifiably pants and the spin bowling is nonexistent.

The only two occasions where England in my life played with the sort of nonchalance, ultra-high skill and borderline 'swagger' which could potentially be associated with a feared XI would be the 2005 home Ashes against Australia, and then the 2011 away Ashes against Australia. In these two series' England looked a certainly irresistible and an occasionally unbeatable prospect.

Apart from that though the 'feared' tag does not suit the England team. They're too English.
 
These days we have no feared side most teams are good in certain conditions and rubbish in others.

Some people love to overhype things and Botham is definitely one of them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It would be disappointing if any world cricketer is scared of a player from England (in the cricketing sense).
 
"England will defeat Pakistan comfortably at home" : Ian Botham

"And I don't think No.2 is a true reflection of Pakistan".

Just came across a video of a post series discussion of Sky pundits after the UAE series last Autumn. I'm all for honest punditry, but at least give opposition credit instead of ignorant arrogance. Too bad we didn't win in Birmingham Test just to knock the smug look of his face
 
Last edited by a moderator:
He once said England were going to whitewash Australia.

Then Australia beat England 5-0
 
When does anyone turn to Botham for cricketing advice or any predictions.

He knows more about drinking beer and doing long walks these days then having knowledge on the 10 test playing nations.

For someone who doesn't really like Pakistan or our culture i don't know why he turns up to UAE every time to commentate on the matches.
 
LOOL

Some people just never learn in life.

Well he is right to an extent. England's depth due to numerous quality all-rounders is unparalleled at the moment.

What England is lacking at the moment is one world class batsman to complement Root and Cook. Someone who could replace Hales, Vince or Ballance.

James Taylor retirement definitely hurt them.
 
Imagine if somehow via a miracle we beat England 5-0 in the ODI games, I'd fear for Botham's health.
 
Well he is right to an extent. England's depth due to numerous quality all-rounders is unparalleled at the moment.

What England is lacking at the moment is one world class batsman to complement Root and Cook. Someone who could replace Hales, Vince or Ballance.

James Taylor retirement definitely hurt them.

ya we saw how he single handedly won it for eng in uae.. lol
 
hahaha This guy always gets owned by Pakistan.

First by Aamer Sohail, then Imran Khan, and now the entire class of 2016.
 
Botham is by far my least favourite English commentator, literally hate his biased views and uninteresting opinions. He overrates his side too much.
 
Botham will be always Botham. Eng is best and yada yada...
 
Back
Top