4fer from Shaheen Shah Afridi & 88 from Fakhar Zaman help Pakistan level series with a 6 wicket win

[Amirforpresident]

He’s actually a fine Number 3 for UAE Test matches.

Faster than Azhar but more mature than Babar.

I was actually talking about odi’s

 

[Sirris]

Fakhar to score a 50+ score here.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Imam looks so out of place, it's not even funny. A struggling Fakhar is out-pacing him by a big margin

 

[Pakhs]

Batting at 26 SR..... Is he even an upgrade on Shehzad, let alone Azhar?

Well he is facing Bolt I dont think any of those two can do any better when bolt is swinging the ball. Even the likes of Rohit will look to just survive against bolt but he will cash in later or against other bowlers.

 

[Pakhs]

Imam looks so out of place, it's not even funny. A struggling Fakhar is out-pacing him by a big margin

He is facing one of the best bowler of this generation swinging the ball.

 

[Ahmed216]

Even a 40yr old farhat is better than him.
Looking at him it just doesnt seem cricket comes naturally to him.
Lipstick powder kinda batsman

 

[Badsha]

Imam is class. You guys need to back our players. What he's doing right now is mature

 

[Syed1]

Well he is facing Bolt I dont think any of those two can do any better when bolt is swinging the ball. Even the likes of Rohit will look to just survive against bolt but he will cash in later or against other bowlers.

An out-of-form and "found out" Fakhar Zaman is handling the same bowling attack with much more ease.

 

[Badsha]

Even a 40yr old farhat is better than him.
Looking at him it just doesnt seem cricket comes naturally to him.
Lipstick powder kinda batsman

This is UAE. We have a target of 209. This is how you play on this wicket.

 

[Amirforpresident]

What's worse is that he's a young guy, grew up watching T20s etc.

And he bats like he's in the 1990s.

Especially in this day and age where batting is supposedly easier.

True. The only shots Imam is capable of playing is the nudge to third man, cover drive and a mistimed pullshot

 

[ManFan]

I was actually talking about odi’s

I know.

 

[Syed1]

That's how mediocre bats get their boundaries by having to charge down the wicket. How often you see Kohli charge down the wicket?

 

[Usman Chadda]

He is facing one of the best bowler of this generation swinging the ball.

What about Southee, who is trundling in?

 

[the_outsider]

Been really impressed with Latham for some time now.

He is the future of Kiwi batting. Very good head on his shoulders and a good player of spin.

 

[Gullycricket]

#Asif as Opener

 

[Pakhs]

An out-of-form and "found out" Fakhar Zaman is handling the same bowling attack with much more ease.

Couple of fluke 4s doesnt mean he is handling it better. Imam is yet to get out to bolt in this series despite facing most bowls, fakhar was bowled comprehensively in last match.

 

[Syed1]

In this short innings he has had three close appeals for LBW and two appeals for caught behind but experts are saying "this is how you play in UAE"

 

[Nasty Naz]

Imam is one of my least favourite batsmen to watch in ODI's right now. Not particularly great against pace or spin, doesn't really have any attacking shots. Offers no positive value in his fielding and can't bowl.

In UAE, I'd just rather have Hafeez open and have Haris bat at 4.

 

[ManFan]

That's how mediocre bats get their boundaries by having to charge down the wicket. How often you see Kohli charge down the wicket?

More often than you think actually.

But not against the new ball; more so medium pacers and spin.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Imam is class. You guys need to back our players. What he's doing right now is mature

He will be a really good Test batsman, I'm certain. But he is out of place in LOI cricket. Fakhar and Babar are under a lot of pressure to score at a good click because of Imam's constant poor SRs.

 

[angrypathan]

Been really impressed with Latham for some time now.

He is the future of Kiwi batting. Very good head on his shoulders and a good player of spin.

2 days too late

 

[the Great Khan]

This is UAE. We have a target of 209. This is how you play on this wicket.

but but strike rate, but we need 100 in five overs..erm yeah..

 

[Pakhs]

That's how mediocre bats get their boundaries by having to charge down the wicket. How often you see Kohli charge down the wicket?

Lol kholi charges down the wicket quit often actually so does dhawan.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Decent start by Pakistan

 

[Pete Rose]

If Pakistan win this by ten wickets in 40 overs then maybe, just maybe they can talk about their batting having done well.

Doesn’t really matter if pitch is conducive to stroke play or now.
End of the day - this game if Pakistan win, is set up by bowlers and does little to reassure me about our batting woes.
Expect malik and or hafeez to play big role in victory since there is no scoreboard pressure. It’s a pattern we have against better teams: we win through these two guys when chasing 200 to 220

 

[Pakhs]

What about Southee, who is trundling in?

He has not faced much of Southee yet

 

[MMHS]

I think, today's challenge will be once the balls get a bit softer. Openers must not leave the chase after scoring 30s or 40s - new batsmen might struggle to adjust here.

 

[Badsha]

He will be a really good Test batsman, I'm certain. But he is out of place in LOI cricket. Fakhar and Babar are under a lot of pressure to score at a good click because of Imam's constant poor SRs.

Same excuse was used for Misbah. There is no pressure. If Imam gets to 50 you will see his strike rate will adjust. We need less than 5 and over and these first few overs are tricky. Just need to bat it out.

 

[Syed1]

In any case now that he has used his family connections to get to the side and played 25 odd balls in this innings I'm hoping he scores atleast a 50 because I don't have a lot of hope from our batting lineup.

 

[Gullycricket]

Relax guys we got this

 

[Plumb]

Lots of talk about Imam incompetence... just patience people this is what we got. We have tried the Farhats, shezzy, Sami...Atleast he is holding an end. Southee/Boult bowling good line with new ball... Just have some patience this is UAE cricket and pakistan is known for slow batting, unless someone like fakhar/sharjeel happen to come once in a blue moon

 

[Ahmed216]

True. The only shots Imam is capable of playing is the nudge to third man, cover drive and a mistimed pullshot

Cover drive straight to the fielder*

 

[Usman Chadda]

Same excuse was used for Misbah. There is no pressure. If Imam gets to 50 you will see his strike rate will adjust. We need less than 5 and over and these first few overs are tricky. Just need to bat it out.

Not just talking about tonight, Imam will cost us games with this approach. Azhar was more positive, and that's saying something.

 

[the_outsider]

2 days too late

Anybody can jump on the bandwagon when the going is good.

 

[Chokli]

I think, today's challenge will be once the balls get a bit softer. Openers must not leave the chase after scoring 30s or 40s - new batsmen might struggle to adjust here.

And then the collapse will begin... 170 or 180 all out

 

[ManFan]

Same excuse was used for Misbah. There is no pressure. If Imam gets to 50 you will see his strike rate will adjust. We need less than 5 and over and these first few overs are tricky. Just need to bat it out.

Imam is an opener while Misbah was a middle-order batsman.

 

[the Great Khan]

Same excuse was used for Misbah. There is no pressure. If Imam gets to 50 you will see his strike rate will adjust. We need less than 5 and over and these first few overs are tricky. Just need to bat it out.

exactly..in short run chases you need to bat out the dangermen and keep your wickets intact. The runs will come..they are doing ok..

 

[Ahmed216]

I think, today's challenge will be once the balls get a bit softer. Openers must not leave the chase after scoring 30s or 40s - new batsmen might struggle to adjust here.

New zealnd have only one spinner

 

[ManFan]

Anybody can jump on the bandwagon when the going is good.

He averages 46 outside NZ and 23 in NZ.

Fine, fine player of spin.

 

[Syed1]

Not just talking about tonight, Imam will cost us games with this approach. Azhar was more positive, and that's saying something.

I don't want him to hit boundaries we have Fakhar for that, but atleast look for the ones and twos..... he is hogging the strike for 4-5 balls an over.

 

[MMHS]

And then the collapse will begin... 170 or 180 all out

Probably not today - Buzurgs can manage 4.5 asking here. But, that's in general tactics on slowing wickets - PAK won't be chasing 210 every day.

 

[MenInG]

A black armbands being brought out soon if Pakistan win but we sympathize with such people. May ALLAH give them Sabr in such trying times.

 

[Syed1]

He averages 46 outside NZ and 23 in NZ.

Fine, fine player of spin.

Has that compact batting style that flourishes on pitches that stay low

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Fakhar has struggled when the bowlers have attacked the stumps

 

[Pakhs]

I don't want him to hit boundaries we have Fakhar for that, but atleast look for the ones and twos..... he is hogging the strike for 4-5 balls an over.

Mate if you are expecting any of Pakistan batsmen to play bolt any better then you are dreaming these two have actually done okay so far.

 

[babajee]

Fakhar getting his confidence back hopefully.

 

[Chokli]

Not just talking about tonight, Imam will cost us games with this approach. Azhar was more positive, and that's saying something.

Luckily Fakhar is clicking today, you may be right about him for today.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Imam nicely playing out dots at a mighty SR of 48.

 

[Syed1]

Mate if you are expecting any of Pakistan batsmen to play bolt any better then you are dreaming these two have actually done okay so far.

Don't clump Fakhar with Imam.


Fakhar has done well, Imam has clung on for dear life.

 

[Plumb]

Fakhar

 

[ManFan]

FZ’s SR is almost 3 times that of Imam...

 

[MMHS]

New zealnd have only one spinner

I don't think PAK ever lost small chases to "reputed" bowlers - won't be surprised if G'homme or even Munro comes with their cutters and gets 2-3 in quick succession.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Good couple of shots by Fakhar. He's surpassed his average in the UAE.

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] completely agreed with what you said about this strokeless wonder par kya karay misbah sa nijat mili tu Azhar ,Azhar sa Imam and then it will be again Shahzad.inzi the great.

 

[rhony]

Good going by Fakhar. Playing the incoming deliveries well.

 

[ManFan]

These NZ’s are of very brittle character.

Show their real masks when the chips are down.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I think, today's challenge will be once the balls get a bit softer. Openers must not leave the chase after scoring 30s or 40s - new batsmen might struggle to adjust here.

Ball is coming on much better now than it did in NZ's innings. Munro had to use a lot power to score his shots. Now they are just using timing.

 

[Syed1]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] completely agreed with what you said about this strokeless wonder par kya karay misbah sa nijat mili tu Azhar ,Azhar sa Imam and then it will be again Shahzad.inzi the great.

It seems like someone drafted a master plan of Pak side and said one opener will play test match irrespective of format and we keep following that script

 

[srh]

Openers have to be aggressive by nature which Imam is not. Timid openers time have long gone.

 

[Plumb]

Boults nut bolts needs to be tighten ... Comon Fakhar spank him a few more

 

[MMHS]

FZ is really struggling. Few balls back, he pushed a full-toss to mid-on with bat face following through extra cover. May be a long outing in middle will give him some confidence.

 

[iPakistani]

Excellent start 43-0 after 9 overs is the best possible result against this bowling attack. Brilliant, secret Pakistan haters in this forum are fuming right now.

 

[Badsha]

This is how we should have our opening pair. One aggressive and one stabilizer. Doesn't matter if it's modern or 40's cricket. If it works it works

 

[the_outsider]

He averages 46 outside NZ and 23 in NZ.

Fine, fine player of spin.

I saw him in India and 2017 and whatever his stats may be, he is a very good player of spin. It is very evident when you watch his batting.

He scored 200+ runs in those 3 matches, including a match-winning 100 against Kuldeep & Chahal.

And you saw his batting in the 1st ODI of this ongoing series too.

 

[angrypathan]

As much as Imam's slow batting annoys me, it's not out of place for the situation this time. There's no need to rush this chase

 

[Justcrazy]

Much better performance by pakistan here

 

[Pakhs]

Don't clump Fakhar with Imam.


Fakhar has done well, Imam has clung on for dear life.

yeah thats where Imam is better he stays on and make sure bolt doesnt get a hatrick like fakhar did last match. Imam role is to play out if the bowler is bowling well and dangerous and fakhar role is to take the attack its working and when it hasnt worked its been mostly fakhar fault for getting out too early.

 

[Badsha]

Openers have to be aggressive by nature which Imam is not. Timid openers time have long gone.

No they don't have to be aggressive by nature. We don't have to follow every trend.

Besides, Imam has an overall S.R of 80 which isn't bad

 

[Usman Chadda]

Ball is coming on much better now than it did in NZ's innings. Munro had to use a lot power to score his shots. Now they are just using timing.

Bus kardo yaar

New Zealand have thrown away these ten overs by bowling too straight at Fakhar.

 

[Plumb]

Ball is coming on much better now than it did in NZ's innings. Munro had to use a lot power to score his shots. Now they are just using timing.

Or May be pakistan bowled well??

 

[ManFan]

I saw him in India and 2017 and whatever his stats may be, he is a very good player of spin. It is very evident when you watch his batting.

He scored 200+ runs in those 3 matches, including a match-winning 100 against Kuldeep & Chahal.

And you saw his batting in the 1st ODI of this ongoing series too.

He was also overshadowed by KW and Baz’s batting in the UAE last time but was really impressive.

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] completely agreed with what you said about this strokeless wonder par kya karay misbah sa nijat mili tu Azhar ,Azhar sa Imam and then it will be again Shahzad.inzi the great.

 

[Chokli]

The collapse is imminent.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

45-0 after the powerplay.

A good start overall.

 

[Badsha]

yeah thats where Imam is better he stays on and make sure bolt doesnt get a hatrick like fakhar did last match. Imam role is to play out if the bowler is bowling well and dangerous and fakhar role is to take the attack its working and when it hasnt worked its been mostly fakhar fault for getting out too early.

This is pakpassion. Every batsman must be smashing it around with a 95 strike rate and 55 average.

 

[Justcrazy]

This is God send situation for Imam , he has no rush

 

[Ahmed216]

The problem with Imam is not his strike rate but his strokeplay. With good range of shots strike rates can be managed.

 

[Syed1]

Well 45/0 after 10 overs is not bad start. So well done to openers particularly Fakhar

 

[Madplayer]

Pakistan look a different side when Fakhar performs.

 

[MMHS]

Ball is coming on much better now than it did in NZ's innings. Munro had to use a lot power to score his shots. Now they are just using timing.

It's a 3 PM start means by the time 2nd innings starts dew already had started. It wasn't a big factor in Asia cup in SEP, but now we are in NOV. Still, I am sure if Ken wins the 3rd toss, he'll bat first - Kiwis won't chase much against 30 overs of spin.