A draw against Australia in the first Test will be Pakistan's defeat

[Hawkeye]

If Australia pulls up a draw from here, this will be no less than Pakistani defeat.

Many reasons.

This is the weakest Australian batting lineup likely in their history.

Playing in totally foreign conditions for the first time, I think 3 debutants as well. Pakistan was in such a great position to win. Almost two days to get 10 AUS wickets.

And our tactics have proven to be horrendous so far. Not enough pressure, patience, to get these last few batsmen out.

After the Sri Lankan loss, and this too, who is going to be held accountable?

 

[BlackShadow]

Not only are they the weakest Aussie side in memory, but they also lost the all important toss and this is first match of the tour! Pakistan have been very poor here.

 

[Hawkeye]

Not only are they the weakest Aussie side in memory, but they also lost the all important toss and this is first match of the tour! Pakistan have been very poor here.

Excellent points.

You win the toss , you win the match in the UAE.

Extremely poor so far. Lack of discipline, no pressure on batters.

 

[Barragan]

Well, Pak deserve this fully!!

You just cannot go to the UAE and expect positive results without genuine spinners.

They did not learn from the SL series or even the recent Asia cup - pathetic.

Bilal did well in the first innings, but that was primarily due to him being unknown and that novelty factor wore off in the 2nd innings because they will have studied his bowling thoroughly during the Test and he isn't a genuine spinner either.

Pak have Shadab in reserve, but he isn't a genuine spinner either or should I say, he still has to learn how to bowl in the longest format and even struggled against the WI in WI, which was a huge sign he isn't ready for Test cricket and shouldn't be selected.

As for Yasir, he is coming back from an injury and it will take him time to get back into the groove, hence why he needed a genuine spinner to support him.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Pakistan is performing poorly because it's main strike bowler has suddenly stopped taking wickets. Pakistan will struggle to win tests against Bangladesh here if Yasir Shah bowls rubbish like he has in this match. He had had ample support from Bilal Asif and Mohammad Abbas.

 

[MenInG]

A draw is not a defeat

 

[Josh]

A draw is not a defeat

But it will not mean that much for Pakistan as it would for Australia. Almost two days to ball them out.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Well, Pak deserve this fully!!

You just cannot go to the UAE and expect positive results without genuine spinners.

They did not learn from the SL series or even the recent Asia cup - pathetic.

Bilal did well in the first innings, but that was primarily due to him being unknown and that novelty factor wore off in the 2nd innings because they will have studied his bowling thoroughly during the Test and he isn't a genuine spinner either.

Pak have Shadab in reserve, but he isn't a genuine spinner either or should I say, he still has to learn how to bowl in the longest format and even struggled against the WI in WI, which was a huge sign he isn't ready for Test cricket and shouldn't be selected.

As for Yasir, he is coming back from an injury and it will take him time to get back into the groove, hence why he needed a genuine spinner to support him.

The bowling just isn't good enough. Yasir Shah coming back from injury might wash as an excuse if his previous recent bowling history wasn't equally bad. Only Abbas has looked a threat in this innings, the rest are bowling like losers. That is the truth, plain and simple.

 

[Fineline]

I Wholeheartedly agree! Yasir's decline and Sarfaraz's captaincy as usual has been woeful!

 

[Junaids]

It’s the pitch that is the real disgrace: 31 wickets in 5 days.

Hopefully Yasir Shah’s failure opens the door for Shadab Khan to replace him in South Africa.

 

[Aman]

I wonder how Aus would have fared if they had Smith, Warner and one of Hazlewood/Cummins.

 

[Chikkeh]

I think you need to give the Australians some credit rather just blaming Pakistan for it.

Yes we should win this game but Australians have showed true grit taking it down to the wire.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I wonder how Aus would have fared if they had Smith, Warner and one of Hazlewood/Cummins.

They might hav lost if Yasir was in flow.

Cricket can be a funny game.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

They might hav lost if Yasir was in flow.

Cricket can be a funny game.

Just after i typed this Yasir took a wicket.

Tense period but not impossible to draw.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Another wicket. Pakistan wining it now. Relax.

 

[Buffet]

Pakistan should win this. Tails can't last 60-70 balls on wearing pitch against spin.

 

[MeanAndGreen]

Garbage cricket pitch.

Bad luck for Pakistan, they couldn't get it done today but were by far the better team over the last 5 days. They must regroup and not let negative emotions get into their head for Abu Dhabi.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Brilliant batting from Paine and Khawaja.

Poor bowling from Pakistan in the second innings.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think you need to give the Australians some credit rather just blaming Pakistan for it.

Yes we should win this game but Australians have showed true grit taking it down to the wire.

Aussies deserve credit no doubt, but equally Pakistani bowlers deserve to be criticised. In that position no team should escape, the pressure of batting out two days would normally doom most sides if the bowling side knew how to turn the screw.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Garbage cricket pitch.

Bad luck for Pakistan, they couldn't get it done today but were by far the better team over the last 5 days. They must regroup and not let negative emotions get into their head for Abu Dhabi.

Australia have a very good chance of knocking over Pakistan in the next Test. This timid bunch looks so short of confidence, it’s aftually hilarious now.

 

[Ozeirk]

Sarfaraz did not review a clear lbw at the start of the day. Had that been taken pakistan were clearly winning this.

 

[MeanAndGreen]

Australia have a very good chance of knocking over Pakistan in the next Test. This timid bunch looks so short of confidence, it’s aftually hilarious now.

This bunch has talent but is being led by a guy who is currently a nervous wreck and its doing the team no favours.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Take a bow. What a great fighting spirit. Paine emerging like a true leader.

Lots to ponder for Pakistan. Riaz, another spinner, Sarfaraz’s form and captaincy

 

[Usman Chadda]

This bunch has talent but is being led by a guy who is currently a nervous wreck and its doing the team no favours.

Sarfraz was awful with his captaincy in this test. He is being selfish and needs a danda to get him in order.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

It’s the pitch that is the real disgrace: 31 wickets in 5 days.

Hopefully Yasir Shah’s failure opens the door for Shadab Khan to replace him in South Africa.

Australia play well to survive on 5th bay dead batting most things and pitch is a disgrace.

South africans do the same and pitch is okay but AB is ATG etc.

Apparently its Pakistan who can do no wrong.

 

[Junaids]

Australia play well to survive on 5th bay dead batting most things and pitch is a disgrace.

South africans do the same and pitch is okay but AB is ATG etc.

Apparently its Pakistan who can do no wrong.

?

Pakistan made plenty of mistakes:

1. They picked the wrong bowling attack.
2. Sarfraz copied Misbah and declared far too late.
3. Sarfraz copied Misbah and used excessively defensive fields.

 

[sugumarrising]

No smith no warner, inspite of having a massive total to defend in the 4th innings Aussies pulled of a draw, pakistan was always considered a bowling strong team, if they couldn't dismiss this inexperienced Aussies that too in Asian countries this match will be considered a defeat for pakistan.

 

[Fineline]

?

Pakistan made plenty of mistakes:

1. They picked the wrong bowling attack.
2. Sarfraz copied Misbah and declared far too late.
3. Sarfraz copied Misbah and used excessively defensive fields.

Nice try but Misbah did not let us down in UAE in and won most of the matches he captained there.Come up with better excuses!

 

[Rahul1]

?

Pakistan made plenty of mistakes:

1. They picked the wrong bowling attack.
2. Sarfraz copied Misbah and declared far too late.
3. Sarfraz copied Misbah and used excessively defensive fields.

LMAO. Still blaming Misbah. Poor guy has been retired for over a year now.

 

[Fineline]

LMAO. Still blaming Misbah. Poor guy has been retired for over a year now.

He is well known for his Misbah phobia just like many others but all of them are hiding now as their beloved Captain hasnt done any better!

 

[Barragan]

The bowling just isn't good enough. Yasir Shah coming back from injury might wash as an excuse if his previous recent bowling history wasn't equally bad. Only Abbas has looked a threat in this innings, the rest are bowling like losers. That is the truth, plain and simple.

Well, that is what I've said.

Only Abbas and Yasir (as mentioned needed time) are quality, whilst the rest not good enough.

Don't know why riaz was selected and for petes sake, get a genuine spinner in the team!

 

[the_outsider]

?

Pakistan made plenty of mistakes:

1. They picked the wrong bowling attack.
2. Sarfraz copied Misbah and declared far too late.
3. Sarfraz copied Misbah and used excessively defensive fields.

Come on now this is absurd.

Misbah didn't let you down today. Sarfraz did.

 

[Junaids]

Australia play well to survive on 5th bay dead batting most things and pitch is a disgrace.

South africans do the same and pitch is okay but AB is ATG etc.

Apparently its Pakistan who can do no wrong.

Come on now this is absurd.

Misbah didn't let you down today. Sarfraz did.

Sarfraz is a follower, not a leader.

He copied Misbah’s fields and declarations, but with a sharply inferior bowling attack on an even flatter wicket.

 

[Rahul1]

Sarfraz is a follower, not a leader.

He copied Misbah’s fields and declarations, but with a sharply inferior bowling attack on an even flatter wicket.

Brilliant excuse. Now Sarfaraz fans can claim that Misbah indirectly denied Pakistan a win and their hero Sarfaraz is the best captain ever who tried his best.

 

[the_outsider]

Sarfraz is a follower, not a leader.

He copied Misbah’s fields and declarations, but with a sharply inferior bowling attack on an even flatter wicket.

If Sarfraz is not a leader then that's on him. Not Misbah.

 

[Madplayer]

Pakistan might lose the next test.

 

[Junaids]

If Sarfraz is not a leader then that's on him. Not Misbah.

I totally agree.

 

[Fineline]

Its all Misbah's fault.Always has been and will aways be!

 

[jeetu]

Pakistan batted bit too slowly in this match. They should have been scoring atleast 4-5 rpo in second inning.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Sarfaraz did not review a clear lbw at the start of the day. Had that been taken pakistan were clearly winning this.

How could you possibly say that?

 

[Ozeirk]

How could you possibly say that?

It would have broken the most important partnership that led to Australia drawing the match. Travis head and Khawaja partnership was not broken till the 80th over of the match well into the second session.

 

[OmarKhan99]

The team is clearly suffering since Sarfraz hasn't been able to take control of his nerves.

It's quite evident that we are seeing a Sarfraz vastly different to the ruthlessly attacking captain he once was. The team hasn't been able to play to its potential just because how unnecessarily defensive his tactics have become. Keeping no short 45 for Khawaja when he was taking risks with the sweep, early on, was just criminal. Also, with the massive confidence loss, he is starting doubt his own judgements and has dealt very poorly with the reviews.

The management needs to get a hold of him before things get worse. In Sha Allah, we will bounce back!

 

[Josh]

Sarfraz is a follower, not a leader.

He copied Misbah’s fields and declarations, but with a sharply inferior bowling attack on an even flatter wicket.

If not a leader than why is he captain. That's absurd. Reasons are Pakistan didn't ball good in the fourth innings and field was not attacking enough.

 

[WengerOut]

Sarfraz is a follower, not a leader.

He copied Misbah’s fields and declarations, but with a sharply inferior bowling attack on an even flatter wicket.

I read in some other thread you want to replace an established Yasir from this sharply inferior attack, with Shadab, who is not a front line batsman or a bowler. Why?

 

[MMHS]

?

Pakistan made plenty of mistakes:

1. They picked the wrong bowling attack.
2. Sarfraz copied Misbah and declared far too late.
3. Sarfraz copied Misbah and used excessively defensive fields.

Boss, do you know what Misbah did last time to an AUS side with Clarke, Smith & Warner in it? Here it is for a reference

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/727915.html

Apart from No. 1, other two are completely wrong - had Sarfraz declared an hour earlier with 420 to defend, AUS would have won this Test, because Sarfraz won't have set the field he did for last session in fear.

No. 3 is even more wrong - Misbah new exactly how to use spinners and what sort of balance between attack & defense is required. He won 14 Tests (including 2 in WIN on similar wickets) in UAE and you can add the 2 Tests at Lord's & Oval also, which offered him chance to use spinners.

Misbah is retired, just leave him. He is proving by every day that compared to current savior, he was like Richie Benaud.

 

[cricketindiafan]

At some stage, along with the captain, coach will have to get some blame as well.

Last 4 tests in UAE, 3 losses no wins, Asia Cup in UAE getting knocked out, team looking a bit disjointed. Micky Arthur should be ready to face tough questions.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Boss, do you know what Misbah did last time to an AUS side with Clarke, Smith & Warner in it? Here it is for a reference

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/727915.html

Apart from No. 1, other two are completely wrong - had Sarfraz declared an hour earlier with 420 to defend, AUS would have won this Test, because Sarfraz won't have set the field he did for last session in fear.

No. 3 is even more wrong - Misbah new exactly how to use spinners and what sort of balance between attack & defense is required. He won 14 Tests (including 2 in WIN on similar wickets) in UAE and you can add the 2 Tests at Lord's & Oval also, which offered him chance to use spinners.

Misbah is retired, just leave him. He is proving by every day that compared to current savior, he was like Richie Benaud.

)

Classic MMHS to Junaids.

Misbah was really good in attritional cricket.

 

[Savak]

One thing I will indeed give to Misbah, very patient and calm captain. Based on what I have seen of Sarfaraz, I don't see him changing his natural instincts. You can't have a captain who loses it when things are not going well, cannot think rationally, make rational decisions and takes his frustrations out on his team mates

 

[Hawkeye]

?

Pakistan made plenty of mistakes:

1. They picked the wrong bowling attack.
2. Sarfraz copied Misbah and declared far too late.
3. Sarfraz copied Misbah and used excessively defensive fields.

Junaids, normally your posts are excellent. But you couldn't be more wrong about Misbah.

Misbah was a legend when it came to winning Test matches. A brilliant, shrewd brain when it came to 5 day cricket.

He knew how to strangle the opposition, get 20 wickets, force the opposition to make mistakes.

Very good post by MMHS Below:

Boss, do you know what Misbah did last time to an AUS side with Clarke, Smith & Warner in it? Here it is for a reference

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/727915.html

Apart from No. 1, other two are completely wrong - had Sarfraz declared an hour earlier with 420 to defend, AUS would have won this Test, because Sarfraz won't have set the field he did for last session in fear.

No. 3 is even more wrong - Misbah new exactly how to use spinners and what sort of balance between attack & defense is required. He won 14 Tests (including 2 in WIN on similar wickets) in UAE and you can add the 2 Tests at Lord's & Oval also, which offered him chance to use spinners.

Misbah is retired, just leave him. He is proving by every day that compared to current savior, he was like Richie Benaud.

 

[Hawkeye]

)

Classic MMHS to Junaids.

Misbah was really good in attritional cricket.

One thing I will indeed give to Misbah, very patient and calm captain. Based on what I have seen of Sarfaraz, I don't see him changing his natural instincts. You can't have a captain who loses it when things are not going well, cannot think rationally, make rational decisions and takes his frustrations out on his team mates

So missing Misbah's calmness and shrewd brain.

Unthinkable that we went undefeated under Misbah and UAE was the fortress.

 

[Hasan123]

Boss, do you know what Misbah did last time to an AUS side with Clarke, Smith & Warner in it? Here it is for a reference

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/727915.html

Apart from No. 1, other two are completely wrong - had Sarfraz declared an hour earlier with 420 to defend, AUS would have won this Test, because Sarfraz won't have set the field he did for last session in fear.

No. 3 is even more wrong - Misbah new exactly how to use spinners and what sort of balance between attack & defense is required. He won 14 Tests (including 2 in WIN on similar wickets) in UAE and you can add the 2 Tests at Lord's & Oval also, which offered him chance to use spinners.

Misbah is retired, just leave him. He is proving by every day that compared to current savior, he was like Richie Benaud.

Misbah made the team on merit and Breeley saab doesn t.

 

[MMHS]

So missing Misbah's calmness and shrewd brain.

Unthinkable that we went undefeated under Misbah and UAE was the fortress.

He was, arguably best player of his team in his last 2 series in ODI & Test - and was MoS in his last tour of UK. He gets lots of bashing here for prolonging his career beyond decency level, but guy made every XI on merit & led the side with dignity. Even in ODI, by every day, we are getting a glimpse of what Sarfraz's team'll do if they are to face 1st choice IND, SAF, AUS, NZ teams regularly, like Misbah's team.

 

[Hawkeye]

He was, arguably best player of his team in his last 2 series in ODI & Test - and was MoS in his last tour of UK. He gets lots of bashing here for prolonging his career beyond decency level, but guy made every XI on merit & led the side with dignity. Even in ODI, by every day, we are getting a glimpse of what Sarfraz's team'll do if they are to face 1st choice IND, SAF, AUS, NZ teams regularly, like Misbah's team.

Very true.

Nobody else in the team seems to have brains for leading 5 day cricket.