Are current Pakistan players too soft, friendly?

[The Bald Eagle]

The current era of Pakistan cricket has seen a visible shift in team culture, moving away from the "enforcer" archetype toward a more professional and mild-mannered collective. While this has improved the team's image globally, it has sparked a heated debate among fans and former players who miss the "street-fighter" mentality of the 90s and early 2000s.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032527204559524008

 

[SportsWarrior]

yeah, they look too casual, too eager to please. You don't have to unlikable like pathetic bD players, but you can be strictly professional. I liked the professional aura of Wasim, Inzy, etc. They all looked professional and difficult on field but when i met them they were friendly and easy going. These days players look confused and not really confident in their own abilities to carry themselves professionally

 

[Rana]

They showed a vile side to themselves in the Asia Cup

We all kind of liked the attitude era version of Pakistan as compared to their usual PG version.

Indians generally think they are quite tough and mean on the pitch against SENA teams but that Asia cup side overwhelmed them big time.

 

[Savak]

Well, they don't have the performances to back any sort of aggression unfortunately.

We started becoming soft under Misbah ul Haq's influence and captaincy

 

[shah9425]

Well we used to do be aggressive in past
But we also had performances to back on

But now neither we have performances now
And they have gone way too soft

 

[LordJames]

The current era of Pakistan cricket has seen a visible shift in team culture, moving away from the "enforcer" archetype toward a more professional and mild-mannered collective. While this has improved the team's image globally, it has sparked a heated debate among fans and former players who miss the "street-fighter" mentality of the 90s and early 2000s.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032527204559524008

They don't have the performance to back up an 'attitude", Wasim/Waqar could amp it up and deliver...

 

[Prince of Dorne]

They showed a vile side to themselves in the Asia Cup

We all kind of liked the attitude era version of Pakistan as compared to their usual PG version.

Indians generally think they are quite tough and mean on the pitch against SENA teams but that Asia cup side overwhelmed them big time.

Which Asia Cup did you watch bro?

 

[shamaan786]

Bunch of softies.

 

[sweep_shot]

This was stupid and evil from Miraz. He should be stripped off captaincy.

Pakistani players are nice and there is nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, it is noble.

 

[BaankeJi]

Which Asia Cup did you watch bro?

Maybe 1961 edition.

 

[Suleiman]

Maaz will make it right. He’s an Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar type. #MaazMania

 

[SportsWarrior]

Which Asia Cup did you watch bro?

the one that happened in his dreams, where Pak won on three sundays convincingly and showed India their place in the cricketing hierarchy

 

[Bhaijaan]

When it comes to crikey purely, our boys can play as hard as anyone if not more.

But behaviour wise, we will continue to set very high standards because this is the cultural heritage of our nation and something we must be proud of.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

They’re just extremely well brought up kids whose parents gave them the teachings of oneness of Ummah and kindness.

When it comes to crikey purely, our boys can play as hard as anyone if not more.

But behaviour wise, we will continue to set very high standards because this is the cultural heritage of our nation and something we must be proud of.

where is my Sanatani brother @Bhaijaan ? kahan gaya wo?

 

[kron]

They showed a vile side to themselves in the Asia Cup

We all kind of liked the attitude era version of Pakistan as compared to their usual PG version.

Indians generally think they are quite tough and mean on the pitch against SENA teams but that Asia cup side overwhelmed them big time.

The are all soft kittens. All of our players were soft kittens vs India and even vs Sena

 

[kron]

They’re just extremely well brought up kids whose parents gave them the teachings of oneness of Ummah and kindness.

When it comes to crikey purely, our boys can play as hard as anyone if not more.

But behaviour wise, we will continue to set very high standards because this is the cultural heritage of our nation and something we must be proud of.

It’s just that we are meek because of our upbringing. 90s we had more juzba, daleri etc cause we were on top.

Since 2004 ish we have done downhill and our h2h record in t20 and odi since 2000 has been absolutely horrendous.

So the new generation is still mentally scarred by the rowdy endians.

We need to win a big game vs India or we will continue in this pathway towards perennial decline!!

Imo we need power hitters but we lack the genetics to compete with the rowdy endians who are tough physically and mentally.

Our players are too pampered. Many come from wealthy backgrounds too.

And also pick players from Quetta first class side. Dont just look at stats. Look at ability to sustain pace between 135 to 145. Look for those who can take the pitch out of equation. Bouncers and also out swing etc. look at characteristics. How they perform in Ko stages of Quetta first class.

Then pick accordingly.

Also pick the tough boys who have had. Shard upbringing cause they usually have a point to prove.

 

[kron]

Well we used to do be aggressive in past
But we also had performances to back on

But now neither we have performances now
And they have gone way too soft

Aggressiveness will only come when there is performance to back it up

But if someone starts trouble, stand up to them and fight.

 

[Hitman]

Aggression without performance would make you another Bangladesh. Try imagining Virat Kohli in his prime with his aggression but with performance comparable to Sanjay Manjerakar.​

 

[BouncerGuy]

Be a world beater and then you can have an attitude like Shoaib or Virat or whoever you want... Cannot be doing shoulder and stuff when you have nothing to show.

 

[kron]

Be a world beater and then you can have an attitude like Shoaib or Virat or whoever you want... Cannot be doing shoulder and stuff when you have nothing to show.

Also promote Quetta first class players more

Pick the talents who show skills and pace

1) bouncer - killer fast bouncer
2) channel ball to keep it tight
3) out swing
4yorker

In this order plus ability to sustain 135 to 145 pace

Only
Pick players who meet most of these requirements. 100% there should be talent.

Then later on in swing can be added.
Reverse can be taught etc.

Slow ball potentially.

That’s what I want to see. I don’t care about losing. But I want to see fast bowlers with skill. When you have good fast bowlers again, it’s easier to win tournaments.

Sure power hitters are needed to and LoI is a lot about power hitting. However, good test class fast bowlers can do well in any format. So that should be priority.

Make bouncier pitches too.

 

[NishanKonar]

This is actually true. Just look at the body language of Pakistani players when Ishan Kishan went berserk at Colombo. The Pakistani players looked visibly nervous & tensed

Same thing happened with Haris Rauf when Shivam Dube whacked him for 6 in that Asia Cup final. Haris looked like he wud burst into tears anytime

 

[sweep_shot]

Be a world beater and then you can have an attitude like Shoaib or Virat or whoever you want... Cannot be doing shoulder and stuff when you have nothing to show.

Many legends never had attitudes --> Saeed Anwar, Tendulkar, Inzamam, Wasim Akram, Pat Cummins, Starc, Joe Root, Donald Bradman, Rohit Sharma, Jayasuriya etc.

I don't think Kohli is a role model for cricket. He has zero manners. Rohit is a better role model.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Many legends never had attitudes --> Saeed Anwar, Tendulkar, Inzamam, Wasim Akram, Pat Cummins, Starc, Joe Root, Donald Bradman, Rohit Sharma, Jayasuriya etc.

I don't think Kohli is a role model for cricket. He has zero manners. Rohit is a better role model.

Don't have to be rude, but you gotta have performances that others will think twice before being rude with you...

 

[gazza619]

Its okay to be friendly when you are playing with your brothers.

 

[Vikram1989]

This is actually true. Just look at the body language of Pakistani players when Ishan Kishan went berserk at Colombo. The Pakistani players looked visibly nervous & tensed

Even when abhishek was slaughtering pak bowlers during Asia cup super 4 match, abrar and saim were looking like about to burst fearful kittens on the ground

 

[NishanKonar]

Even when abhishek was slaughtering pak bowlers during Asia cup super 4 match, abrar and saim were looking like about to burst fearful kittens on the ground

Yes thats what. Abrar looks petrified everytime he plays India. Read a cricinfo article by a Pakistani journo where he mentioned Abrar has a big problem with nerves in big games - hence he got dropped after the India game

But its true for others as well. Just look at Shaheen & Salman Ali Agha after Ishan smashed his first ball for 6. Both looked pale after that shot

 

[Vikram1989]

Yes thats what. Abrar looks petrified everytime he plays India. Read a cricinfo article by a Pakistani journo where he mentioned Abrar has a big problem with nerves in big games - hence he got dropped after the India game

But its true for others as well. Just look at Shaheen & Salman Ali Agha after Ishan smashed his first ball for 6. Both looked pale after that shot

They know their best hope is a wonder to beat a good side.pak knows they dont have any decent options in bowling/batting to compete. Past 6 months, Pak is lucky that they have played india mostly on bowling/sluggish pitches in t20s but not any Mumbai kind of batting tracks to get obliterated.

 

[NishanKonar]

They know their best hope is a wonder to beat a good side.pak knows they dont have any decent options in bowling/batting to compete. Past 6 months, Pak is lucky that they have played india mostly on bowling/sluggish pitches in t20s but not any Mumbai kind of batting tracks to get obliterated.

Look in the last 3 years India has lost to teams like Sri Lanka , Bangladesh & even NZ B team

So Pakistan can beat India - but due to their nerves & fear factor , they just freeze in front of India

 

[shah9425]

Aggressiveness will only come when there is performance to back it up

But if someone starts trouble, stand up to them and fight.

Exactly they have zero performances to show that type of aggression

 

[Rana]

 

[Mesozoic]

Pakistani players are too meek. There's a reason why they implode under even a little bit of pressure in big games.

They lost so many T20 games against India just because of their weak hearted mentality and meek nature.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Pakistani players are too meek. There's a reason why they implode under even a little bit of pressure in big games.

They lost so many T20 games against India just because of their weak hearted mentality and meek nature.

Well punjabi players of pakistan in past weren't like this akram akhtar waqar were all monsters in cricket field it's just now this so called pathan maulana rizwan is carrying this team by being too nice which is not what pakistan punjabi used to be.

 

[kron]

Look in the last 3 years India has lost to teams like Sri Lanka , Bangladesh & even NZ B team

So Pakistan can beat India - but due to their nerves & fear factor , they just freeze in front of India

All these teams can beat India if India doesn’t try or play at its best.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Attitude without performance will make you look stupid. Unfortunately this current lot had zero talent to compete with the big teams, so that constantly plays on your mind.

We have imploded from winning positions numerous times against good sides, that’s because these players are mentally very weak. Mentally weak players cannot be expected to have aura or swagger.

 

[Misia]

I Remember Shakib in the world cup.

 

[sithb]

I'm not a Kohli fan but if you notice his demeanor is to do with him during match days.

He's personable enough when approached outside of match time.

Contrast it with the social media game played by Pakistani cricketers

 

[Local.Dada]

Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib had the skill and pace in their to prime to kill you or hurt you with the ball. That’s where the intimidation came from. It’s not like they can come up with a smart comment or sledge based on their commentary and public speaking skills. Max they might have said some common abuses in the heat of the moment.

Similarly you take a guy like Afridi, he was a dangerous player, could turn a match on its head if he came off. So even though teams knew it’s a matter of time he will be out, there was always a fear factor of what if he comes off.

Thats where the intimidation came from. Not because they were abusing or intimidating teams with their behavior.

 

[Mesozoic]

Well punjabi players of pakistan in past weren't like this akram akhtar waqar were all monsters in cricket field it's just now this so called pathan maulana rizwan is carrying this team by being too nice which is not what pakistan punjabi used to be.

I don't think it has anything to do with ethnic background of these players. Babar Azam , Imam, Salman Agha are all Punjabis (IINW) but they are nowhere near as expressive as the ones you mentioned.

I think it has got more to do with the inferiority complex and low self esteem among the current Pakistani players due to the lack of skills and talent.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Shaheen used to be aggressive but he was backstabbed by Babar and now looks lost.

 

[Local.Dada]

Shaheen used to be aggressive but he was backstabbed by Babar and now looks lost.

Hoo haa and abuse is not aggression.

The 3 most current aggressive players in Pak side are
Fakhar Zaman- the clutch soldier of fortune
Naseem Shah- the babyface assassin
Rizwan- the Wild card.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Hoo haa and abuse is not aggression.

The 3 most current aggressive players in Pak side are
Fakhar Zaman- the clutch soldier of fortune
Naseem Shah- the babyface assassin
Rizwan- the Wild card.

Shaheen is Eagle. He is the biggest match winner Pakistan have had in recent times. What has Naseem won?

 

[Kianig89]

Hoo haa and abuse is not aggression.

The 3 most current aggressive players in Pak side are
Fakhar Zaman- the clutch soldier of fortune
Naseem Shah- the babyface assassin
Rizwan- the Wild card.

Agreed , the way Rizwan as captain led the team down under to a series win was a stellar achievement

 

[Local.Dada]

Shaheen is Eagle. He is the biggest match winner Pakistan have had in recent times. What has Naseem won?

Naseem Shah knocks vs Afghanistan. His attempt to win the match vs India in NY and also a guy who bowls the clutch overs.

Build the team around those 3 and Pak will look a stronger unit in Whiteball.

I would say Naseem Shah has the ability to be Pat Cummins of Pakistan. Game awareness, clutch batting and ability to bowl tough overs

 

[RyanRyan10]

Naseem Shah knocks vs Afghanistan. His attempt to win the match vs India in NY and also a guy who bowls the clutch overs.

Build the team around those 3 and Pak will look a stronger unit in Whiteball.

Knocks vs Afg, an “attempt” to win vs India….....

LOL

You mocked Pak ex-players for using buzzwords, yet you keep repeating words like “clutch.” Don’t post like it’s your friends’ circle. This is an international forum. Tukkebaazi won’t work here, at least not with me.

I would say Naseem Shah has the ability to be Pat Cummins of Pakistan. Game awareness, clutch batting and ability to bowl tough overs

@Rana


After, Rizwan = Chanderpaul, Bhuvi = Asif; now we have another Gem of Local Dada

 

[Rana]

Knocks vs Afg, an “attempt” to win vs India….....

LOL

You mocked Pak ex-players for using buzzwords, yet you keep repeating words like “clutch.” Don’t post like it’s your friends’ circle. This is an international forum. Tukkebaazi won’t work here, at least not with me.






@Rana


After, Rizwan = Chanderpaul, Bhuvi = Asif; now we have another Gem of Local Dada

Rizwan is clutch when he knows he’s in danger personally. Nothing he does is for the team first.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

They showed a vile side to themselves in the Asia Cup

We all kind of liked the attitude era version of Pakistan as compared to their usual PG version.

Indians generally think they are quite tough and mean on the pitch against SENA teams but that Asia cup side overwhelmed them big time.

Heights of delusion.

 

[Rana]

Heights of delusion.

Was it me crying or was it your little players after the match? Gaala bhool gaye ho?

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Was it me crying or was it your little players after the match? Gaala bhool gaye ho?

Players were saying that Pakistani were abusing them when they were hitting sixes and answering with the bat.

In what world is that crying? India manhandled Pakistan 3 out of 3 times.

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1970042292992909817

Indians trying to act like this didn’t happen

Oh bhae Pakistanis are generally cool people. The moment you give them a reason to become vile and vicious, they will make you cry publicly. India learned this at the Asia cup.

 

[Rajdeep]

Yes they are. It is the mostly a reflection of the country - Pakistanis living in Pakistan have become soft. Even in this forum, most sharif posters are Pakistanis who actually lives there. All Badmash, Jazbaati and daleri Pakistanis seems to have shifted overseas, especially in UK. They are most vocal here in this forum as well.

 

[jnaveen1980]

If you are going to get whacked for 4 sixes by Shanaka , showing aggression will make a fool out of you.

 

[Local.Dada]

Yes they are. It is the mostly a reflection of the country - Pakistanis living in Pakistan have become soft. Even in this forum, most sharif posters are Pakistanis who actually lives there. All Badmash, Jazbaati and daleri Pakistanis seems to have shifted overseas, especially in UK. They are most vocal here in this forum as well.

Bro supeingly I have heard Mo Ali and Rashid podcast clips on YouTube. They seem extremely intelligent,knowledgeable, decent folks and also great ambassadors. Maybe these guys are well travelled, educated and professionals so they could be exceptions.

 

[shah9425]

Shaheen is Eagle. He is the biggest match winner Pakistan have had in recent times. What has Naseem won?

Eagle who was pummeled by SL team just recently

 

[Rafale Nidhal Fan]

Well, they don't have the performances to back any sort of aggression unfortunately.

We started becoming soft under Misbah ul Haq's influence and captaincy

they started becoming soft when Babar was captain, every single players started showing their "big heart" attitude on and off the field. It was cringe worthy who they would send tweets to support kohli and encouraging him about his poor form. When the same kohli didn't tweet about their abysmal forms

 

[Savak]

they started becoming soft when Babar was captain, every single players started showing their "big heart" attitude on and off the field. It was cringe worthy who they would send tweets to support kohli and encouraging him about his poor form. When the same kohli didn't tweet about their abysmal forms

Lol at blaming Babar? Did you not see how he played our cricket and behaved under Misbah? Misbah killed off any sort of natural aggression in Pakistan.

 

[TheSultan]

This is nothing new. I’ve been saying this for a while. We seem to be more interested in making friends and winning hearts and minds. I don’t know why anyone feels that does us any good at all. The reality is - nobody cares. Opposition cricketers don’t care. The ICC don’t care. Opposition commentators have already ridiculed it (e.g. the Xmas presents on the Aus tour.

It is unnecessary and quite cringe tbh. Pakistan has no need to be the gatekeepers of honesty and fair play.

I grew up watching the Pakistani teams of the 80s and 90s especially in England as I’ve lived my life there. The English hated losing to Pakistan but not only that, they hated that the Pakistani players did not bow to them and had no problem getting in to confrontations with them. They wanted Pakistan to be beneath them in performance as well as behaviour and attitude. They would have liked nothing more than what the current Pakistan team has become. Smiling at them, backslapping them, avoiding confrontation, queuing up to shake hands with their players, tipping their hat to them etc.

Conversely, the Australians like Ian Chappell, Bill Lowry actually respected Pakistan for that confrontational and fighting spirit.

The 2016 tour of England, they finally got what they wanted. Yes the series was drawn at the last minute, but Pakistan didn’t have that danger, that snarl. Misbah was the perfect subservient brown sahib captain they always wanted from a pak captain. Pakistan got a lot of good press for it.

They tried the same nonsense in Australia immediately after, and along with their meek surrender on the field, the Aussies had no time for this new age Pakistan team. Ian Chappell was particularly scathing of Misbah and even went as far as to suggest Pakistan not send a touring team to Aus again unless they changed.

 

[Snowflake]

When you lose confidence in your abilities and accept that you are inferior on the field of play, you become soft and try to come across as good natured.

If this team was world beaters, their attitude would be of those as well.

 

[TheSultan]

Lol at blaming Babar? Did you not see how he played our cricket and behaved under Misbah? Misbah killed off any sort of natural aggression in Pakistan.

It didn’t start under Babar you are correct, but the optics are the Babar team really relished this. The man-crush smile on his face every time Kohli looked at him was cringe and what we’ve seen is that since Babar took over, this happy clappy nonsense has got even worse. It’s not only Babar - Shan Masood has continued it and now we see the same with Salman Agha

 

[AZulfi]

They don't have the necessary skills, confidence, or self-belief to be aggressive on the field. The timid approach can be seen in both batting and bowling.

The aggression of old is missing. This is Sydney 1995, the last time Pakistan won a test in Australia.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Some of the most successful bowlers in current world cricket are very soft

Bumrah
Cummins
Rabada
Starc
Hazlewood


None of them are aggressive. They just go about their business.

 

[AZulfi]

Pace and aggression go hand in hand (by that I don't mean sledging or bad behaviour). It adds to a pace bowler's aura.

Most cricket pundits, including Australians, would rate Dennis Lillee more than Glenn McGrath for that reason alone.

 

[AZulfi]

more highly..

 

[kron]

Some of the most successful bowlers in current world cricket are very soft

Bumrah
Cummins
Rabada
Starc
Hazlewood


None of them are aggressive. They just go about their business.

Not true at all

Bumrah is not soft
It’s a myth. He has shown plenty of juzba baboon aggressiveness when he needs to

He is aggressive at the batsman. Bowls bouncers if he gets hit etc.

Rabada used to be very aggressive. Only toned down when he got a lot older and matured

Same with cummo Starc gazelwood

All were aggressive early on until mid 20s only when they hit 30 etc they started toning down.

And they are still aggressive and relentless when they bowl. That is true aggressiveness.

Without a aggressive mentality you will never be a top fast bowler

You need to be aggressive always.

Srinath if he was aggressive would have average around 24/25 like pollock

Instead he averaged 29 cause he lacked the aggressive mentality


It’s a total myth and absolute nonsense to suggest these guys were not aggressive

 

[jnaveen1980]

Not true at all

Bumrah is not soft
It’s a myth. He has shown plenty of juzba baboon aggressiveness when he needs to

He is aggressive at the batsman. Bowls bouncers if he gets hit etc.

Rabada used to be very aggressive. Only toned down when he got a lot older and matured

Same with cummo Starc gazelwood

All were aggressive early on until mid 20s only when they hit 30 etc they started toning down.

And they are still aggressive and relentless when they bowl. That is true aggressiveness.

Without a aggressive mentality you will never be a top fast bowler

You need to be aggressive always.

Srinath if he was aggressive would have average around 24/25 like pollock

Instead he averaged 29 cause he lacked the aggressive mentality


It’s a total myth and absolute nonsense to suggest these guys were not aggressive

I don't think they are talking about that aggression lol They are talking about drama bazzi on the field

 

[Van_Sri]

I don't think they are talking about that aggression lol They are talking about drama bazzi on the field

It reduced over years due to heavy fines

 

[BouncerGuy]

Does not matter if they are soft or not. their performance is not worth showing any attitude... Improve that first

 

[Suleiman]

The marshmallow like softness and lack of resilience and skill has led to this. Each Asian team took turns beating down Pakistan and now it’s back to the drawing board after the humiliation ritual at the hands of BD.