35.5 overs, Aus 213/3, Pak 215/5

[namak]

A lot of threads here have focused on Azhar's slow start, and Shoaib Malik's slow batting, and Umar Akmal being put in a position where the asking rate was too high. At 35.5 overs, Australia were 213 for 3, with Travis Head not out on 1 off 1 ball, and Glenn Maxwell was the new batsman at the crease (Australia had just lost Steven Smith's wicket). At 35.5 overs, Pakistan were 215 for 5, with Umar Akmal at 10 off 18 balls, and Mohammad Rizwan the new batsman at the crease (Shoaib Malik had just gotten out).

From the same score, Maxwell and Head got to their half centuries, but Rizwan and Umar Akmal failed miserably. I understand that we had lost two more wickets, but, India were at 173/5 at 31.5 overs in their match against England. Despite that, they almost made it.

Now, Im not saying that Umar Akmal and Rizwan could have won it from that position. They were disadvantaged by being two wickets behind, but at least get to 300-310 maybe 320 even. Try to do the finisher job. Try to be at least like 50% of Travis Head or Maxwell.... Is that too much to ask from Umar Akmal and Rizwan?

 

[Anis10]

I think it's clear that Rizwan is not good enough for this level and well Umar Akmal is Umar Akmal.

We're just not good enough at the moment, we deserve to be ranked where we are.

 

[Snatch]

I think it's clear that Rizwan is not good enough for this level and well Umar Akmal is Umar Akmal.

We're just not good enough at the moment, we deserve to be ranked where we are.

Yeah Pakistan's limit in ODIs sadly seems to be around 280. It's like they haven't moved on from the late 90s/early 2000s when all the other sides have. It's weird since they were always naturally good attacking strokemakers in the first 30 years of ODI cricket & they were also pretty good at T20s in the early days.

 

[The_KING]

We don't have any big hitters like Afridi or Razzaq anymore. We are left with rubbish like Akmal, Rizwan, Imad who won't get us anywhere.

 

[Syed1]

You also have to understand that we dropped Travis Head twice, and Maxwell also got a reprieve once if I remember correctly.

But yes we have severe dearth in talent and Akmal, Rizwan and Imad are not going to be the solution of that problem.

 

[160KPH]

Rizwan has been a major let down with the bat even though he's been keeping incredibly. Him and Akmal both don't deserve to play for the team uless batting improves big time. Imad has earned himself a few bad games after the amazing performances in the last few.

 

[Messiah]

Rizwan has been a major let down with the bat even though he's been keeping incredibly. Him and Akmal both don't deserve to play for the team uless batting improves big time. Imad has earned himself a few bad games after the amazing performances in the last few.

Imad tried to up the run rate unlike umar or Rizwan who played selfishly

 

[Hamza78]

Pakistani players can't even clear 15 yard cricle can't found gap they are useless players they not for this level for sure

 

[waleed88]

Difference was, Australia gained momentum towards the end of the innings, they started going after the bowlers from the 35th over.. whereas the Aussies knew they had 350 on board, and Pakistan appeared to be slowing down big time.. they were deteriorating as a batting unit in the pressure of the asking run rate

 

[Manager101]

When Umar Akmal came to bat, we lost the entire momentum due to his slow batting. He failed in Australia during world cup and our selectors still selected him in the squad for this tour.

 

[Cricket World]

Umar Akmal looks unfit and out of sorts playing for his position

 

[yasir]

Dropped Catches costs us extra 40/50 runs

Maxwell was dropped at 10(11), Head was dropped twice, Smith was dropped at 10(11) as well... If you have taken out Maxwell, they did not had any other power hitter to score 120 in last 10...They could have scored 310/320...

We would not have lost Babar or Hafeez or even Malik if they had to chase 310, wicket was too good for that kind of score and the start Sharjeel had...

We don't have batting to chase 350 against any team, forget about Auses in Australia...We also played their quicks very well(except Cummins, but they had hard time against Hasan too), both Sharjeel and Babar went after them pretty aggressively...Babar lost his wicket trying to be Sharjeel, when he did not had too, kind of in the heat of moment...

We don't have batters who can play cut and pull except except Sharjeel(that is the biggest problem)

Pakistan biggest problem is that we have no batsmen who can take on seamers other than Sharjeel, Nasir Jamshed was another guy who could do that in recent past, lot of that has to do with playing in UAE...You should be really good at pull and cut to take on bowlers of 140/145 consistently, even on flat wickets...Against most Pakistani batters, you bowl that cut and pull length and they will be dud, its very easy to contain them...If you can play those shorts, bowler has to change his length and worry about getting hit, right now, they don't fear any Pakistani batter...BTW: its easy to wack the ball pitched up on flat wickets, you will get that ball if you can wack the shorter length, you have to eat your veggies first to get to your steak

Unfortunately I don't see any other batter in the pipeline who can cut and pull...All these Shezad, Fakir and what not are good against pace, again none of them can pull and cut, without those shorts you cannot be aggressive batsmen... Babar and Harris Sohail has to learn those shorts or their carrier will be cut short

 

[Pete Rose]

That score was largely down to sharjeel. pity we did not have one more like him batting in the top 3.

 

[adzzy786]

It's a shame watching the cricket in the 2000's and the aggressive entertaining cricket we used to play. Our batting line up now is beyond pathetic.

 

[Abdullah]

Rizwan has been a major let down with the bat even though he's been keeping incredibly. Him and Akmal both don't deserve to play for the team uless batting improves big time. Imad has earned himself a few bad games after the amazing performances in the last few.

like sarfaraz rizwan is not a slogger. number 7 is too low for him and he cant play that role. though i did expect a bit better from him the other night

 

[Monsee]

Umar Akmal, who in their right mind gave him clearance on fitness grounds?

Only in Pakistan a guy who gets paid to be a sportsman is in worse shape than most average folks out there

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

This Pakistan team reminds me of BD of 90sss, you knew they will be collapsing somewhere down the track. Well the situation has not changed for BD dramatically but Pakistan is competing well with BD

 

[cricketInsight]

Australia has a much longer batting lineup and it also shows you the value of the 2 middle order wickets.

 

[namak]

So there were dropped catches, Australia had lost 2 fewer wickets, and Australia had a longer batting lineup. Australia went from 213 in 35.5 overs to 353 in 50 overs. That is 140 runs in 14.1 overs, at almost a run rate of 10 runs an over.

India went from 173/5 in 31.4 overs to 316 in 50 overs. That is 143 runs in 18.2 overs at almost a run rate of 7.8. Granted, India had 18 overs and a star studded lineup of Kedhar Jhadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichadran Ashwin, Bhuveneswar Kumar, and Jasprit Bumrah, and motoring along at 7.8 for 18 overs with that lineup is also probably too difficult.

Pakistan was at 215/5 , with 14.1 overs (less than what India had). Lets say Pakistan scored at 6 an over, for these 14.1 overs. This would result in 85 runs, and a total of 300. Now 6 an over is something that we used to be able to do in the 90s.

Is it too much to expect Umar Akmal and Mohammad Rizwan to make runs at 6 an over with the tail ? Im not asking him to match the exploits of the star studded last five of India, or the star studded last 7 of Australia, because clearly it is too much to expect Umar Akmal and Mohammad Rizwan to bat like Glen Maxwell, Travis Head, and Kedhar Jhadhav. But is it too much to expect them to bat with the tail at 6 an over, which they failed to do?

 

[Slog]

Umar Akmal looks to be carrying a child of his own, who in their right mind gave him clearence on fitness grounds?

Only in Pakistan a guy who gets paid to be a sportsman is in worse shape than most average folks out there

which is funny cos Pakistanis arent exactly a fit qoum as is

 

[Syed1]

which is funny cos Pakistanis arent exactly a fit qoum as is

Actually one of the most obese ones out there, which is not surprising. I used to frequent a gym in Pakistan and the wisdom that the instructor imparted on me was "jo nazar aye khao, nihariyan biryaniyan, issay jaan bunti hai"

 

[Statsman]

Actually one of the most obese ones out there, which is not surprising. I used to frequent a gym in Pakistan and the wisdom that the instructor imparted on me was "jo nazar aye khao, nihariyan biryaniyan, issay jaan bunti hai"

Pakistani food might be tasty but its the most unhealthy food I've ever had. Especially the greesy nihari.

 

[waleed88]

Umar Akmal looks to be carrying a child of his own, who in their right mind gave him clearence on fitness grounds?

Only in Pakistan a guy who gets paid to be a sportsman is in worse shape than most average folks out there

Two words - 'match-winner'

We have a chief selector who was probably unfit his entire life..

 

[cricketInsight]

Is it too much to expect Umar Akmal and Mohammad Rizwan to make runs at 6 an over with the tail ? Im not asking him to match the exploits of the star studded last five of India, or the star studded last 7 of Australia, because clearly it is too much to expect Umar Akmal and Mohammad Rizwan to bat like Glen Maxwell, Travis Head, and Kedhar Jhadhav. But is it too much to expect them to bat with the tail at 6 an over, which they failed to do?

Rizwan has been pretty average with the bat - not sure that his form tanked just when he got a chance or he just isnt capable. His domestic record is not that bad but we havent really seen him do well at this level so not much to expect. Starc is probably a better option that Rizwan at least at current form.

Akmal is Akmal. Not deserving but keeps getting opportunities because no one else locks up his slot while he gets thrown out for 2-3 series.

However, 6 RPO is not what they were going for so unfair to expect especially since this was the second inning. They were targetting 8-9 RPO and failed to get it - that is not to say that they would have actually achieved 6 RPO for 14+ overs if that was there target indeed.

 

[super hitter]

A lot of threads here have focused on Azhar's slow start, and Shoaib Malik's slow batting, and Umar Akmal being put in a position where the asking rate was too high. At 35.5 overs, Australia were 213 for 3, with Travis Head not out on 1 off 1 ball, and Glenn Maxwell was the new batsman at the crease (Australia had just lost Steven Smith's wicket). At 35.5 overs, Pakistan were 215 for 5, with Umar Akmal at 10 off 18 balls, and Mohammad Rizwan the new batsman at the crease (Shoaib Malik had just gotten out).

From the same score, Maxwell and Head got to their half centuries, but Rizwan and Umar Akmal failed miserably. I understand that we had lost two more wickets, but, India were at 173/5 at 31.5 overs in their match against England. Despite that, they almost made it.

Now, Im not saying that Umar Akmal and Rizwan could have won it from that position. They were disadvantaged by being two wickets behind, but at least get to 300-310 maybe 320 even. Try to do the finisher job. Try to be at least like 50% of Travis Head or Maxwell.... Is that too much to ask from Umar Akmal and Rizwan?

great observation!

 

[ExpressPacer]

Actually one of the most obese ones out there, which is not surprising. I used to frequent a gym in Pakistan and the wisdom that the instructor imparted on me was "jo nazar aye khao, nihariyan biryaniyan, issay jaan bunti hai"

LOL. Couldn't agree more. But things are changing haha, I see a lot of new gym trainers focusing on diet. New educated individuals in the fitness sector for our Actors and cricketers. Actually, I heard Shan Masood is a fitness trainer too lol.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Pakistani food might be tasty but its the most unhealthy food I've ever had. Especially the greesy nihari.

Too much oil in everything. And the overdose of spices has left majority of the population relying on Hajmola for acidity.

 

[the Great Khan]

if your relying on umar akmal for anything then I feel sorry for you and other fans. The boy is useless. Rizwan has turned into a failure from someone who looked fearless. He needs a arm around his shoulder. Akmal is useless and needs to be dropped. Choose a youngster or try some new players and prepare for 2019. But alas we will get battered in 2019 and then we will rebuild for ten years, get battered again and it continues..

unless we make a stand now, and take a risk,..

 

[itsme]

Setting a target is different from chasing it,being 5 out isn't the same as 3,aus batting is deeper than pak and we dropped both of them.

 

[itsme]

Forgot the free runs our fielding give them .

 

[Monsee]

Two words - 'match-winner'

We have a chief selector who was probably unfit his entire life..

One key (huge) difference, this match winner is barely fit enough (ability or literally as well) to lace Inzi's shoes!

 

[Monsee]

which is funny cos Pakistanis arent exactly a fit qoum as is

And to top it all, his elder brother, whom I used to make fun for the same weight issues actually (by all accounts) is much fitter than before...and his performances have improved as well.

 

[waleed88]

One key (huge) difference, this match winner is barely fit enough (ability or literally as well) to lace Inzi's shoes!

Inzi was a match winner, only in Test Matches..

Secondly we like to blame Afridi for instilling a mindless sloggin mentality in our batsmen..

Inzamam should also be blamed for instilling a mentality in our players, that if you are talented, you can get away with fitness issues that you have...

Inzamam was one of the first where he was made the exception to the rule, since then this has resulted in numerous chubby players playing for us... who compromise on fitness, and their losing weight results in them becoming even worse batsmen.. Sharjeel Nasir Jamshed Shahzaib are prime examples.. Umar Akmal is no exception to the rule.. Kamran also kept wickets for us despite being well before International fitness for a while

 

[Pete Rose]

Unhealthy focus on the bottom of the innings. You need to bat at 6 to 7 an over consistently in the first 35 overs before you complain about a big hitter. The problem with this line up is simple:
Sharjeel : aggressive
Azhar: consolidator
Babar Azam: reasonable batsman
Hafeez: mentally weak consolidator
Malik: mentally weak consolidator
Umar akmal: aggressive mentally weak
Imad wasim: too early to decide
Rizwan: based on this oz series, it would seem like he has never held a bat in his life

How people think that number 6 is our biggest problem is beyond me

 

[Black Zero]

Unhealthy focus on the bottom of the innings. You need to bat at 6 to 7 an over consistently in the first 35 overs before you complain about a big hitter. The problem with this line up is simple:
Sharjeel : aggressive
Azhar: consolidator
Babar Azam: reasonable batsman
Hafeez: mentally weak consolidator
Malik: mentally weak consolidator
Umar akmal: aggressive mentally weak
Imad wasim: too early to decide
Rizwan: based on this oz series, it would seem like he has never held a bat in his life

How people think that number 6 is our biggest problem is beyond me

If you permit, I would say that he is mentally too strong for team's good as he avg 43+ in losses as compared to 29 in wins.
These players are more harmful.

 

[Pete Rose]

If you permit, I would say that he is mentally too strong for team's good as he avg 43+ in losses as compared to 29 in wins.
These players are more harmful.

Yeah maybe i am too harsh with mentally weak calls: lets just say inconsistent. As for Imad, still feel its too early to decide what he's gonna do.

 

[Monsee]

Inzi was a match winner, only in Test Matches..

Secondly we like to blame Afridi for instilling a mindless sloggin mentality in our batsmen..

Inzamam should also be blamed for instilling a mentality in our players, that if you are talented, you can get away with fitness issues that you have...

Inzamam was one of the first where he was made the exception to the rule, since then this has resulted in numerous chubby players playing for us... who compromise on fitness, and their losing weight results in them becoming even worse batsmen.. Sharjeel Nasir Jamshed Shahzaib are prime examples.. Umar Akmal is no exception to the rule.. Kamran also kept wickets for us despite being well before International fitness for a while

Wow, Inzi was not a match winner in ODI's and he is to blame for Umar Akmal and all others since 2005 (that were not physically fit)? All the new comers despite saying they idiolize this and that player (even Indians) but hardly any new ones have named Inzi as their ideal. Yet, he has influenced them the most, you make no sense.

As for Kamran Akmal, how do explain his better performances before gaining weight (early part of his career) or recent ones after becoming fitter, not every player is Inzi, he played with extra weight and still performed at a level above all bar one or two top Pak batsmen!

Umar Akmal's is his own man, he has messed up his career, Inzi didn't do anything to it, so stop making excuses for him!

 

[waleed88]

Wow, Inzi was not a match winner in ODI's and he is to blame for Umar Akmal and all others since 2005 (that were not physically fit)? All the new comers despite saying they idiolize this and that player (even Indians) but hardly any new ones have named Inzi as their ideal. Yet, he has influenced them the most, you make no sense.

As for Kamran Akmal, how do explain his better performances before gaining weight (early part of his career) or recent ones after becoming fitter, not every player is Inzi, he played with extra weight and still performed at a level above all bar one or two top Pak batsmen!

Umar Akmal's is his own man, he has messed up his career, Inzi didn't do anything to it, so stop making excuses for him!

I am the biggest critic of Umar Akmal, but Inzi's best knocks have come against India in losing situations, whereas he has only 10 ODI 100's to his name.. don't think many of them were that memorable except the ones against India..

Not defending Umar, this was a post primarily about Inzamam and the weight culture he introduced in our team.. he was the first example of overweight, but exceptional cricketers.. other players in this era have followed suit, they have realized that you can get away with weight issues if you have the ability to be a 'match-winner' on your day

Everyone knows that when Inzi played.. and he entered the stadiums he was called 'aaloo' by the crowd, his runout jokes regarding his weight and fitness have been talked about for a very long time... everyone loves Inzamam for who he was, but its a well known fact his fitness was his own worst enemy..

Once you create special criteria for others.. you can't go about judging others for wanting the same treatment Inzamam got

 

[super hitter]

Unhealthy focus on the bottom of the innings. You need to bat at 6 to 7 an over consistently in the first 35 overs before you complain about a big hitter. The problem with this line up is simple:
Sharjeel : aggressive
Azhar: consolidator
Babar Azam: reasonable batsman
Hafeez: mentally weak consolidator
Malik: mentally weak consolidator
Umar akmal: aggressive mentally weak
Imad wasim: too early to decide
Rizwan: based on this oz series, it would seem like he has never held a bat in his life

How people think that number 6 is our biggest problem is beyond me

mentally weak consolidator for hafeez n Malik; totally immature description...they're the strongest consolidators with the experience they've got. Azhar can never handle pressure in LOI's, Babar has never done it in his short span career whenever the pressure was on his side. Umar akmal has done it many many times!

 

[Pete Rose]

mentally weak consolidator for hafeez n Malik; totally immature description...they're the strongest consolidators with the experience they've got. Azhar can never handle pressure in LOI's, Babar has never done it in his short span career whenever the pressure was on his side. Umar akmal has done it many many times!

Yeah you got no numbers on your side. So, not much to add to this.

 

[Monsee]

I am the biggest critic of Umar Akmal, but Inzi's best knocks have come against India in losing situations, whereas he has only 10 ODI 100's to his name.. don't think many of them were that memorable except the ones against India..

Not defending Umar, this was a post primarily about Inzamam and the weight culture he introduced in our team.. he was the first example of overweight, but exceptional cricketers.. other players in this era have followed suit, they have realized that you can get away with weight issues if you have the ability to be a 'match-winner' on your day

Everyone knows that when Inzi played.. and he entered the stadiums he was called 'aaloo' by the crowd, his runout jokes regarding his weight and fitness have been talked about for a very long time... everyone loves Inzamam for who he was, but its a well known fact his fitness was his own worst enemy..

Once you create special criteria for others.. you can't go about judging others for wanting the same treatment Inzamam got

Not really sure how all that relates to Umar though, he is not as talented, as athletic (despite his size Inzi was quite athletic and a very safe fielder as well), has no temprament to play long meaningful innings (can scratch around like in this game under discussion), etc.

His best shot these days is a hoick to mid wicket / mid on and most of the times he gets out caught there as well, more than physical fitness he need psychological fitness!