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2023 in Review - What were the positives and negatives for Pakistan?

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MenInG

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Obviously as humans/fans we only remember the negatives and there are many of those in 2023 for Pakistan

1. Asia Cup disaster
2. World Cup failure
3. Babar lost his ICC ODI/T20 crowns
4. Possible series loss to Australia...

But the win against Sri Lanka in Tests cannot be dismissed as anything but positive.

So how can we judge this year for Pakistan?
 
Babar Azam lost his form and captaincy too. It was a disastrous year for Pakistan cricket. The worst thing that happened to Pakistan was the appointment of Zaka Ashraf. Under his management, all things went out of order. Due to this, the team couldn't perform well in the Asia Cup and World Cup. Nepotism has also cost Pakistan this year.

The positive thing I see is the appointment of Mohammad Hafeez as director. I have high expectations from him in the coming year.
 
MenInG said:
Obviously as humans/fans we only remember the negatives and there are many of those in 2023 for Pakistan

1. Asia Cup disaster
2. World Cup failure
3. Babar lost his ICC ODI/T20 crowns
4. Possible series loss to Australia...

But the win against Sri Lanka in Tests cannot be dismissed as anything but positive.

So how can we judge this year for Pakistan?
Click to expand...
The biggest takeaway from Pakistan cricket in 2023 has been their injury prone issues. First we lost Naseem before CWC, and now in a space of two weeks we had to rule out players like Khurram, Abrar and now Norman Ali. So it seems like PCB is not serious at all regarding such frequently occurring issues and as a result Pak team fans are paying the price through watching their team throwing in the towel in crucial matches.

This needs to be changed in 2024.
 
Honestly considering the players we had for the world cup and how weak we were, finishing 5th is a massive achievement for Pakistan... that's a success in my book
 
Pakistan biggest achievement in 2023 for me was to whitewash Afghanistan in ODI series and that win also helped to gain the no. 1 spot in ranking though temporarily.
 
Very difficult to take positives. There were some nice moments but they have quickly been overshadowed by the shambles of the Asia Cup and the WC.

Our cricket has went backwards this year.

Our administration has went backwards.

There is no hope.
 
Positives:

1. Babar relinquishing the captaincy was a positive move, as he hasn't proven to be an effective leader. This change is beneficial for both him and Pakistan.

2. Despite being 70-7 in the first test, the Test series win in Sri Lanka was something to be cherished about.

3. Securing an ODI home series victory against New Zealand was a commendable achievement.

4. The highest World Cup chase against Sri Lanka.

5. Fakhar's outstanding performance in Chinnaswamy in WC against New Zealand was a memorable display of skill.

Negatives:
1. The Asia Cup turned out to be a disaster for the team.

2. The overall poor performance in the World Cup was a major setback.

3. Babar losing form added to the team's challenges.

4. The distraction caused by circus TV shows during the World Cup was an unnecessary disruption.

5. Losing fast bowlers to injuries left, right, and center posed a significant problem for the team.
 
Maliq_Mudasir said:
Positives:

1. Babar relinquishing the captaincy was a positive move, as he hasn't proven to be an effective leader. This change is beneficial for both him and Pakistan.

2. Despite being 70-7 in the first test, the Test series win in Sri Lanka was something to be cherished about.

3. Securing an ODI home series victory against New Zealand was a commendable achievement.

4. The highest World Cup chase against Sri Lanka.

5. Fakhar's outstanding performance in Chinnaswamy in WC against New Zealand was a memorable display of skill.

Negatives:
1. The Asia Cup turned out to be a disaster for the team.

2. The overall poor performance in the World Cup was a major setback.

3. Babar losing form added to the team's challenges.

4. The distraction caused by circus TV shows during the World Cup was an unnecessary disruption.

5. Losing fast bowlers to injuries left, right, and center posed a significant problem for the team.
Click to expand...
If you look at Pakistan success vs teams

It came agaisnt Sri Lanka in world cup and test match you mentioed

New Zealand in world cup and ODI series
 
There are more negatives than positives TBH.
Fakhar's thrashing against New Zealand was a big positive considering he was down and out but his comeback was strong.

Negatives include the form of some big names like Shaheen, Babar, SHadab, Haris rauf.
Lost to India again in the ODI world cups
Injuries for some top players including Naseem, hasnain etc.
Lost to Australia again in the test match.

This list can go on and on.
 
stani_pak said:
If you look at Pakistan success vs teams

It came agaisnt Sri Lanka in world cup and test match you mentioed

New Zealand in world cup and ODI series
Click to expand...
True that !

But Test series deserved to be highlighted considering the position we were in 1st test and then ended up wining the test.

Same goes for WC win vs SL, it is highest ever chase in WCs.
 
Not many positives but winning 2-0 in SL was impressive. Not many teams can go to SL and win 2-0. SL are generally good at home.

Finishing 5th in World Cup was a par performance.

Bowling has regressed.
 
I think the biggest negative has been Babar and Shaheens decline. Both look badly out of form currently and I'm not sure they can find their best anytime soon.
 
Sher Khan said:
I think the biggest negative has been Babar and Shaheens decline. Both look badly out of form currently and I'm not sure they can find their best anytime soon.
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Pretty much this your star batsman and star bowlee declining is big negative
 
stani_pak said:
Pretty much this your star batsman and star bowlee declining is big negative
Click to expand...
As much as I hate to say this it is probably true. I don't see Shaheen getting to his previous levels. It's too hard for a pace bowler to get his pace and zip back.

But Babar can probably take some time and ease back into form with the NZ t20s coming up.
 
Sher Khan said:
As much as I hate to say this it is probably true. I don't see Shaheen getting to his previous levels. It's too hard for a pace bowler to get his pace and zip back.

But Babar can probably take some time and ease back into form with the NZ t20s coming up.
Click to expand...
Yes exactly I dont think we will see the Shaheen we once knew, he might still be able to be a key bowler but he wont have have the venom, the pace, the zip and fear factor he use to have which is a shame
 
Would you consider taking 20 wickets at the MCG a positive for Pakistan cricket?
 
Most runs in 2023 tests. They all played five matches, except for Sarfaraz.

Saud 537
Salman 380
Shafique 357
Shan 298
Imam 246
Sarfaraz 235 (2 matches)
Babar 204

So a possitive for me would be Saud who was heads and shoulders above the rest.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Very difficult to take positives. There were some nice moments but they have quickly been overshadowed by the shambles of the Asia Cup and the WC.

Our cricket has went backwards this year.

Our administration has went backwards.

There is no hope.
Click to expand...

Agree with this. Seems to me even Pakistan cricketers are now understandably more concerned with looking after their own careers in various international T20 leagues rather than representing their country. Can't really blame them, the PCB has not been able to create a succesful domestic cricket scene even after decades of knowing this is an issue.
 
Biggest positive for me is it looks like our fast bowling pool is not as bad as it looked couple of weeks back

Khurram, Jamal and Hamza and Wasim Jr also at World Cup look they can hang it at the top level I think this will reduce the over load on Shaheen and Naseem and improve their output in the long run.
 
The Sri Lanka Tests were a fleeting glimpse of the Pakistan team I want to see consistently.

Positive, proactive batting even when losing wickets; a balanced bowling attack and sharp, nimble fielding.

From the first ball to the last, that was as clinical a display over a series as I've ever seen from us.

Unfortunately we went back to default mode in the Asia Cup and World Cup which were the biggest disappointments.
 
Our cricket survived.

This year personally i have given up and accepted things as it is.

After every two years we get a new set up. The new set up will come and be determined and would be focused on fitness, proper coaching and proper scouting of players. New set of youngsters are chosen aswell to develop them. Than all of a sudden the staff gets fired before completion of term and a new set up comes in place takes credit of the last set up's early success and than they will try to undo and do stupid things.

This is what has happened and its a mess. Good thing is our cricket is somehow just surviving.
 
Some of the Positives for me:

From being 70-7 in the first test against Sri Lanka in their home condition, winning the Test series was something that needs to be acknowledged.

ODI home series victory against New Zealand was some achievement as well.

That World Cup chase against Sri Lanka was some record to be made.

Fakhar's brilliance in the WC against the Balck Caps was a treat to watch.

Some of the Negatives for me:

The Asia Cup loss in the Final.

The worst performance in the World Cup.

Babar and Shaheen lose their form and Haris and Shadab underperformed when needed the most.

Injuries left, right, and center for some key fast bowlers added to a huge set back for Pakistan.
 
If 2024 is surely the election year then we would have a new Chairman, new coaching staff etc etc. More drama to come.
 
Positive: Beating New Zealand 'C' at home and becoming the No.1 ODI team in the world.
 
The only positive is that 2023 exposed the superficial and shallow mindset of the Pakistan cricket team and administrators. They have relied on flimsy stats and other stunts to propel a group of weakling and mediocre players to stardom. 2023 gave a wakeup call to both fans and Pakistan cricket as Pakistan was trounced comedically by every team including Afghanistan. The dismal dismissal for 89 runs in the 1st Test Match in Australia cemented this brutal exposé of Pakistan Cricket.

2024 will prove that Pakistan cricket isn’t as bad as people think…it’s much worse.
 
A very mediocre effort in 2023, as the results show.

Particularly poor in T20Is where they lost 6 out of 11 including 3 losses to Afghanistan.

We are a very average cricket team in all formats these days.
 
I might be way off the mark here but I feel that Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafique look like genuine batsmen if they are given a longer run in the team. They look like proper batsmen who play according to the line compared to many flashier rivals.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
I might be way off the mark here but I feel that Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafique look like genuine batsmen if they are given a longer run in the team. They look like proper batsmen who play according to the line compared to many flashier rivals.
Click to expand...

I also think they (Abdullah and Saud) should be persisted with.

Abdullah Shafique did very well during Pakistan's 2-0 win in Sri Lanka.

Chopping and changing too frequently are counterproductive.
 
the negatives are well known, and by gones are by gones, so lets focus on the positives. i might get flamed for number 1 since hes not flavour of the month

1. Abdullah shafique, has some technical issues, but if you were gonna tell me he'll average nearly 50, opening, after 16 tests when he debuted, id have taken it with both hands.
2. Saud Shakeel, not suited to Aus conditions, but an immense player of spin, will be very important for all matches in asian, west indian conditions.
3. Salman Ali Agha, a rare commodity in Pakistani cricketer, a team player, does the job asked of him, and helps to bolster the batting attack in different conditions, also plays at the right tempo for modern test cricket.
4. Aamer Jamal, early days but a potential all rounder with a bit of grit who can bowl mid 80s, huge improvement over fahim.
5. Saim's CPL stint, we all saw how nasim shah benefitted from getting away from the Pak setup, and came back much improved after his CPL stint, hoping Saim can do the same.

Even if three of these guys can go on to cementing a test spot, it will improve Pakistan's test team significantly, and most importantly all are the right side of thirty, so have at least 5 good years if they work out.
 
Naseem Shah injury was the biggest disappointment/loss and abysmal in Test cricket remained concerned over to 2024 now
 
The seeds of the destruction that were laid in 2019 fully grew in 2023

For those who couldn’t see it, this was a bad year.

For those who could, don’t say you were not warned.
 
Positives - none
Negatives - pretty shambolic in all formats across the year. Probably one of worst in pakistans entire history
 
Amjid Javed said:
Positives - none
Negatives - pretty shambolic in all formats across the year. Probably one of worst in pakistans entire history
Click to expand...
nope, losing 3-0 to england at home in 2022 was the absolute nadir of Pakistani test cricket, i have never seen anything worse. beating sri lanka, albeit a rubbish sri lanka 2-0 away is a decent result.

as far as white ball cricket goes, its been rubbish for ages, unless pak get lucky they dont make it to knock out games.
 
ElRaja said:
the negatives are well known, and by gones are by gones, so lets focus on the positives. i might get flamed for number 1 since hes not flavour of the month

1. Abdullah shafique, has some technical issues, but if you were gonna tell me he'll average nearly 50, opening, after 16 tests when he debuted, id have taken it with both hands.
2. Saud Shakeel, not suited to Aus conditions, but an immense player of spin, will be very important for all matches in asian, west indian conditions.
3. Salman Ali Agha, a rare commodity in Pakistani cricketer, a team player, does the job asked of him, and helps to bolster the batting attack in different conditions, also plays at the right tempo for modern test cricket.
4. Aamer Jamal, early days but a potential all rounder with a bit of grit who can bowl mid 80s, huge improvement over fahim.
5. Saim's CPL stint, we all saw how nasim shah benefitted from getting away from the Pak setup, and came back much improved after his CPL stint, hoping Saim can do the same.

Even if three of these guys can go on to cementing a test spot, it will improve Pakistan's test team significantly, and most importantly all are the right side of thirty, so have at least 5 good years if they work out.
Click to expand...

I thought Khurram Shazad looked decent as well. First time I've seen him but I like any bowler who can make the ball move both ways.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
I thought Khurram Shazad looked decent as well. First time I've seen him but I like any bowler who can make the ball move both ways.
Click to expand...
But he did broke down after only one game. This shows our fast bowlers in domestic cricket are not fit enough. Time for PCB to invest in trainers and high profile coaching staff in domestic cricket. This is the nursery for developing cricketers, not the PSL where a bowler bowls 2 overs spells in the beginning and in the end.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
I thought Khurram Shazad looked decent as well. First time I've seen him but I like any bowler who can make the ball move both ways.
Click to expand...
he was decent but his lack of pace, and the fact that at that pace he broke down after one test is a worry. still next series is home against WI i think, and given nasim wont be back he'll pbly get another shot in the rotation.
 
greatest said:
But he did broke down after only one game. This shows our fast bowlers in domestic cricket are not fit enough. Time for PCB to invest in trainers and high profile coaching staff in domestic cricket. This is the nursery for developing cricketers, not the PSL where a bowler bowls 2 overs spells in the beginning and in the end.
Click to expand...

I don't know anything about him. Is he injury prone or is this just a case of poor fitness standards being endemic in domestic criket in Pakistan.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
I don't know anything about him. Is he injury prone or is this just a case of poor fitness standards being endemic in domestic criket in Pakistan.
Click to expand...
Naseem, Ihsanullah and before them Shaheen. I think we need a specialist fast bowling coach because coaching a 90 mph bowler requires different training and technique. Someone like Shoaib Akhtar or Allan Donald knows more about fast bowling than Umar Gul or Azhar Mahmood.
 
Positives-
Fakhar in the world cup was immense.
Abdullah in tests was very good generally. Which is encouraging that one of our younger players is already doing well in a format.
Rizwan did pretty well over all formats
Agha Salman has been good across formats, and pretty underrated
Saud doing well in tests. I think he's pretty talented too which is good.
At points our pacers did well, at least pre world cup
Getting to no.1 rank in ODIs

Negatives-
Babar and Imam's loss in forms. Especially disappointing since both were doing well in 2022
I thought Saud should have done far better in ODIs. I think he'll improve but he underperformed.
We finished about par for the strength of our team at the world cup. I'd hoped we'd overperform though.
Pretty concerned about Shaheen, he doesn't look the same bowler he was.
Haris failing after a decent initial start and now out of the team
Shadab
Asia cup was pretty disappointing (not just performance, injuries too), should have done better


Hopefully 2024 will be better. Imam, Babar, Shadab and Shaheen losing form really hurt us this year.
 
Overall, a very horrible and miserable year for Pakistan cricket on and off the field. Zaka Ashraf has been an utter disaster for Pakistan and so has nearly everything on the field from Naseem & Ihsanullah injuries and mishandling of injuries, Asia cup and that dreadful reserve day vs India, almost the entire WC, Test series vs NZ, catch drops vs Australia, Babar's captaincy and form, Shaheen's pace/health, etc.

The only positives for the year is:
- Entertaining PSL
- Rizwan solidifying his spot in ODI's and him dominating across formats
- Abdullah & Rizwan's innings to break the chase in a WC
- Fakhar's innings NZ in WC & 180* in the series was epic too
- Entire SL Test series & Saud's double ton
- Saim Ayub

Hopefully a better year ahead in 2024. Babar going back to dominating, a healthy Naseem & Ihsanullah would be great to see, a win in the WC and some compelling Test matches at home for once.
 
Won’t do a pros and cons list because a lot has already been covered, but imo one of the saddest trends has to be the increased frequency of us being in a winning position only to choke and throw it away.

Has happened too many times in 2022-23.

SL Asia cup final last year, 2022 t20 WC Vs India, MCG test. All 3 we dictated from a winning position only to throw it in the gutter.

And the saddest part isn’t even this. It’s the falling standards of our fans that sinks lower every year.

Eg. Now they are saying “Pakistan did better than expected in the 2nd test Vs Aus, so it’s okay. I don’t mind the loss, we competed well”

Competed well?! Who gives a duck?! You lost from yet another stupid collapse after a strong batting foundation, dropping crucial chances, it doesn’t matter if you competed well.

We are in a position where we desperately need wins but our team is so pathetic that just “doing a great job 😃” and “hard fought 😃” is good enough for our fanbase to cope.

Want some wins that are worth talking about in 2024. So far, this year, there were none except beating NZ via FZ.
 
Mohammad Nawaz.....the biggest negative of Pakistan cricket not only in 2023.....but since his debut.the biggest fruad of cricket
 
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Positives:
1. The return of Saifi into the test team
2. Saud shakeel proving himself to be our best test bat
3. Mir Hamza emerging as our test spearhead
4. The plethora of talent coming from Karachi
Negatives:
1. Mohammad Rizwan still being a starter in all 3 formats
2. Babar Azam continuing to be considered by fans and pundits as a world class bat
3. Shaheen preferring to focus on his image rather than performance
4. A disastrous World Cup and Asia cup lead primarily by Rizwan but assisted by Babar, Shadab and Shaheen
 
Disastrous year

Positives
SL tour tests
NZ ODIs
Emergence of some new players Saim, Jamal, and I also liked what I saw from Mir and Khuram
No 1 ranking achieved in ODIs
Chases in WC SL and NZ- NOBODY thought we had that in us to chase those scores down

Negatives
World Cup disaster
Asia Cup disaster
Aus tour disaster
Fast bowler injuries /pace
Bobsy's form (looks good in 2024 though)
 
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