A very Pakistani Post mortem - Fully judging Pakistan's performance vs England away, 1st Test 2020

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

The aim of the piece will be to have a cold, qualitative look at the Pakistan's performance, both as a team and as individuals.

Everybody's emotions are understandably very high after the defeat to England in the first test, including mine. I've tried to step away from this forum to help form my judgment.

I will not comment on the bowling in detail, as I did not see the majority of Pakistan's bowling efforts

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

The Batting: The positives

Before I delve into the negatives, let’s acknowledge the positives.


- In the first innings, Shan Masood demonstrated the tangible gains of putting in the hard technical and mental work in improving your game. There’s a lesson there, not just for other team mates, but for domestic batsman who aspire to play for Pakistan as well. That first innings will inshAllah hopefully give Shan confidence over his place in the team, and inshAllah make him less nervous at the start of future innings.

- In the first innings, Babar demonstrated, that once he’s set, he will add forty to fifty runs to a score quite rapidly.

- Shadab showed the signs and stickability to be an effective future test bat, if worked with diligently on his mindset.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

The Batting: Everything else...

The Negatives:

- Shan Masood, for all his efforts in the first innings, mentally went into ‘easy street’ in the 2nd innings, by edging an innocuous Broad delivery down his leg side. Maybe, subconsciously, he thought his work was done. Never the case in a SENA test match against a fighting team.

- Abid Ali, I’m afraid, has not shown the mental strength required to play overseas test cricket. In both innings, after doing the hard work of seeing off the new ball, he got mentally outfoxed by opposing bowlers. The second innings dismissal was incredibly disappointing, and showed a lack of responsibility. He, of course, will play the second test, as Misbah will try to give this team belief by playing them again. However, it’s clear, from his mental lapses and his age, that Pakistan need to start scouting for replacements for the next series, in addition to Imam.

- Oh Azhar. I have previously spoken up for Azhar in this forum, as I‘ve always believed in a person’s ability to come back from adversity. Azhar is absolutely a gentlemen and a respected player who has played some memorable knocks in his career. But, in his case, stats absolutely don’t lie, given his decline in recent years. Also, when you, in 2020, with slower reactions, are STILL getting out the same way as you were in *2015*, the writing is on the wall. For his own legacy I hope he can see this, and walk away, at the latest, by the end of this series.

- Babar, as we all agree has great ability. But as both his first innings and second innings dismissals show, is vulnerable early in his innings, in a new session, and when he feels that he’s getting bogged down. These are all mental blocks that can be trained out of him. But he must recognise they are there, to fulfil his test potential

- Asad Shafiq, as can be agreed, has TERRIBLE body language. He conveys not a sense of calmness, but of anxiety, whenever he’s on screen. This manifested in him getting stuck on the crease in the first innings and being run out in the second. I suspect that he will still stick around, even if Azhar retires. However, it’s true that Pakistan need an alternative to him in the middle order long term.

- Rizwan was a disappointment in the first innings, as his nerves were on full display, in how he kept playing with hard hands. However, there was a definitive improvement in the second innings, in that he was more relaxed. That can only be a good sign.

- Shadab, for all his energy, again got bogged down in the first innings and needlessly gave his wicket away. He needs to understand that test cricket is not about the previous 6 balls, but about playing the next ball on it’s merits. That’s it. If he can take that on, there’s the potential for a batsmen in him.

- Yasir Shah's contributions with the bat in the second innings could have been the difference and respect to him for that. However, it's a sign with him batting at 8, of how fragile the batting is!

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

The Bowling (in summary):

This attack should have been able to defend the second innings score they were given. Yasir, despite leaking runs, demonstrated again his fighting qualities. The quicks were amazing in the first innings, and still quite effective in the second innings, but it just wasn’t to be. Shadab, did disappoint in the second innings with his drag downs, and his effectiveness as an ‘allrounder’ has to be questioned. I still think he has scope to improve as a batsmen.

I still retain faith in this attack. However, it may be prudent to replace one of Shaheen or Naseem Shah for the next test, to allow them to recuperate. For a young lad, such defeats can be mentally taxing.

I would also hope that Mushie works with Yasir in developing a response to getting reverse swept so frequently.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

The Wicket Keeping and the Captaincy

One of the big positives from this test was Rizwan’s quality keeping. Having suffered through a period of Kamran Akmal, Pakistan fans can appreciate the value of an able keeper, and Rizwan most certainly is that. Examples of good keeping include the first innings catch of Root and the inspired second innings review of the Stokes wicket.

All in all, Rizwan was a chirpy, busy presence behind the stumps, and certainly a proactive character.

In contrast, Azhar was more circumspect. He, in his post match press conference, emphasised that he mentally was keeping his batting and his captaincy separate. But it’s impossible for someone to not be effected by the precipitous fall in form he’s experiencing. A captain’s true worth can be judged by their actions when things are not going your way. The overuse of Shadab in the second innings, not bringing Yasir Shah into the attack earlier after tea, the lack of a third slip for the final Woakes edge, don’t look like very favourable in hindsight. Azhar, like most recent Pakistan captains, tends to be reactive, rather than proactive, in an ‘unknown’ scenario. It’s also fair to say, that he holds his current position out of seniority rather than his ability to inspire.

Whilst it’s clear that Azhar will be replaced as captain sooner rather than later, I’m absolutely dead against Babar being the next test captain. Babar needs to concentrate on his batting.

Clearly, there are few other alternatives, as there is a clear lack of inspirational leaders in this team. However, as Kane Williamson has demonstrated, leadership comes in different forms.

And Rizwan, through his energy and his street smarts may well be the best choice for next test captain for Pakistan.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Forward looking conclusion

There is a lot of disappointment still, and perhaps a feeling that Pakistan will now get clean swept. Azhar and Asad Shafiq will continue, as it’s not Misbah’s style to make sudden important decisions in the middle of a series. Because of the Rose Bowl’s conduciveness to spin, I expect the same line-up to play again in Southampton, with perhaps one of the quicks rotated out.

For all the negativity around this result, this series is not over by a longshot, and on a spinning Rose Bowl pitch, inshAllah Pakistan are still able to upset England. The batting will, somehow need to step up.

I believe inshAllah, that Pakistan can still win this series. I encourage you all to do the same.

 

[MenInG]

Think captaincy lost us the game - tight games is where the captain's role comes in and Azhar Ali failed in this test.

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan lost due to these reasons:

1) Pakistan probably got a bit carried away after having a lead of 100+ runs. They thought they could bat a bit and set a big target but that didn't happen. Focus wasn't there during 2nd innings.

2) Azhar Ali was very timid. I don't think he should be the captain.

3) Bowlers really should've defended 277. Shaheen and Naseem were not very consistent. They could've bowled bouncers more. Only Abbas was good.

 

[shamaan]

One of the big positives from this test was Rizwan’s quality keeping. Having suffered through a period of Kamran Akmal, Pakistan fans can appreciate the value of an able keeper, and Rizwan most certainly is that. Examples of good keeping include the first innings catch of Root and the inspired second innings review of the Stokes wicket.

All in all, Rizwan was a chirpy, busy presence behind the stumps, and certainly a proactive character.

In contrast, Azhar was more circumspect. He, in his post match press conference, emphasised that he mentally was keeping his batting and his captaincy separate. But it’s impossible for someone to not be effected by the precipitous fall in form he’s experiencing. A captain’s true worth can be judged by their actions when things are not going your way. The overuse of Shadab in the second innings, not bringing Yasir Shah into the attack earlier after tea, the lack of a third slip for the final Woakes edge, don’t look like very favourable in hindsight. Azhar, like most recent Pakistan captains, tends to be reactive, rather than proactive, in an ‘unknown’ scenario. It’s also fair to say, that he holds his current position out of seniority rather than his ability to inspire.

Whilst it’s clear that Azhar will be replaced as captain sooner rather than later, I’m absolutely dead against Babar being the next test captain. Babar needs to concentrate on his batting.

Clearly, there are few other alternatives, as there is a clear lack of inspirational leaders in this team. However, as Kane Williamson has demonstrated, leadership comes in different forms.

And Rizwan, through his energy and his street smarts may well be the best choice for next test captain for Pakistan.

I agree with everything you said but he needs to organise the slip abit better as he could have come up a tiny bit to avoid the ball falling just short

 

[Nervesofsteel]

The biggest reason we lost this game was captaincy. We have all witnessed Azhar Ali being an extremely poor ODI captain...& that is now continuing onto tests.

I personally have nothing against the guy. Infact I like his work ethic. He is extremely hard working, humble, educated & well spoken. But as a captain he lacks the killer instinct.

He needs to realize he needs to quit. Just as Darren Sammy quit as Zalmi captain in the middle of the PSL & became an assistant coach...same should be done with Azhar.

It's pathetic that powerful & influencial individuals in Pakistan will take those tough decisions where huge sums of money is involved... but are hesitant to take such bold steps for the betterment of our national cricket team. Sad.

 

[Cricketrenew]

Reasons for Loss:

1. Negative coach and captaincy.
2. Pakistan should have learned from the past tours, here they will be told to get of the pitch when bowling, should have been prepared.
3. How the speedsters not be able to Bowl a decent bouncer than a Yorker?!
4. Why did the team not look after the ball for reverse swing, no attempt was made?!
5. Yasir Shah gets big spin but how many times in Tours abroad has he used variety and out thought the batsmen to get a wicket. Likes of Saqlain, Mushtaq, Saeed Ajmal had better ideas.
Out of all the wickets he got only two wickets were from good bowling.
6. Batting needs strengthening, Azhar needs replacing and another batsman adding at the expense of Yasir. Imam or the other opener Farqhar? need to be included.
7. Waqar, Younis, Misbah great players but as captains and strategies they are lacking. How many times has Waqar failed now as coach?

Misbah team selection has improved but he needs to improve his thinking on Bowling out teams and getting slightly faster scoring when there is opportunities. Babar, Rizwan and Shadab seem the stand out players currently.

 

[Bigboii]

Ok I know we are stuck with Azhar for the time being but why can't we bring Fawad or Haider Ali (he is a prodigy like Babar) in place of Asad

I mean at this point it's common sense right?

 

[Bigboii]

Reasons for Loss:

1. Negative coach and captaincy.
2. Pakistan should have learned from the past tours, here they will be told to get of the pitch when bowling, should have been prepared.
3. How the speedsters not be able to Bowl a decent bouncer than a Yorker?!
4. Why did the team not look after the ball for reverse swing, no attempt was made?!
5. Yasir Shah gets big spin but how many times in Tours abroad has he used variety and out thought the batsmen to get a wicket. Likes of Saqlain, Mushtaq, Saeed Ajmal had better ideas.
Out of all the wickets he got only two wickets were from good bowling.
6. Batting needs strengthening, Azhar needs replacing and another batsman adding at the expense of Yasir. Imam or the other opener Farqhar? need to be included.
7. Waqar, Younis, Misbah great players but as captains and strategies they are lacking. How many times has Waqar failed now as coach?

Misbah team selection has improved but he needs to improve his thinking on Bowling out teams and getting slightly faster scoring when there is opportunities. Babar, Rizwan and Shadab seem the stand out players currently.

Nah Yasir should be in the team I don't think we can win without him

 

[Cricketrenew]

Nah Yasir should be in the team I don't think we can win without him

If after this series we are still sticking with him and he has not found a way of working out batsman, then it will be even more worrying. He has loads of wickets but on foreign tours when he is the one we are looking at to win the game. How many times has he done it by wile and skill alone and not luck or bad shots.