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Are Pakistan now favourites for the World Cup?

austerlitz said:
Can't believe how much champions australia are being underarted.Smith,warner,finch,marsh with the trio of cummins,hazelwood and starc is a strong team.
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They lost 4-1 at home to this English side. Definitely not favourites in my opinion .
 
Nikhil_cric said:
They lost 4-1 at home to this English side. Definitely not favourites in my opinion .
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Yet they'd be favorites in a head to head against India, Pakistan, NZ and SA.

They'll beat all of those teams in the group stages and in the SFs.
 
No team is favourite at the moment. All the teams are trying to figure out their right combination.
 
Talent is there and I'm assuming Pak will thoroughly be trying them in this current Zimbabwe ODI series. A better conclusion can be deduced by how they fare in Asia Cup, Australia, NZ and SA series'. Until then, we have to continue the minnow bashing :hasanali:sarf:ba:amir2:uks:fz
 
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Aman said:
Yet they'd be favorites in a head to head against India, Pakistan, NZ and SA.

They'll beat all of those teams in the group stages and in the SFs.
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Think people are giving them too much credit here. They have played rubbish cricket consistently to be ranked below Pakistan right now. The new Australia, without their star players, has only played one series so far. If the WC was in Australia, I would back them to still win the whole thing comprehensively. But in England, I think they'll struggle and probably get a severe beating from the likes of England and New Zealand
 
The idea that Amir Hassan and Shinwari are better than Starc Hazelwood and Cummins is utterly delusional. And Pakistan's current batting would often crumble against proper bowling attacks.
 
Usman Chadda said:
Think people are giving them too much credit here. They have played rubbish cricket consistently to be ranked below Pakistan right now. The new Australia, without their star players, has only played one series so far. If the WC was in Australia, I would back them to still win the whole thing comprehensively. But in England, I think they'll struggle and probably get a severe beating from the likes of England and New Zealand
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Yep. This is what i think too. In Australia they'd be favourites but in England but i think they can be beaten by ENG/NZ/PAK and even India
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Yep. This is what i think too. In Australia they'd be favourites but in England but i think they can be beaten by ENG/NZ/PAK and even India
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The wickets in England are some of the flattest in the world.
 
We will know how good this Pakistan ODI side is by the end of the year. Our fans shouldn't read too much into the ODI series vs Zimbabwe B.

I'm confident we will beat Australia and NZ in UAE but this is a prediction, let's see how we do.
 
Another clinical performance by Pakistan. Absolutely destroyed Zimbabwe and that too with a second string attack of Junaid and Yasir.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Another clinical performance by Pakistan. Absolutely destroyed Zimbabwe and that too with a second string attack of Junaid and Yasir.
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Bro this thread will backfire when we destroy SA in SA. I will bump it then. :yuvi
 
Rayyman said:
Bro this thread will backfire when we destroy SA in SA. I will bump it then. :yuvi
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If you thrash SA in SA how will this thread have backfired? It will be correct. Mickey and Inzi have scouted and selected the best you have to offer and the results will come along. Btw the Indian team just smashed SA 5-1 in ODIs. Should be a cakewalk for Pakistan.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
yeah but on those flat tracks they would get outbatted by England.
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The only team I think Aus will struggle with is England because of their batting depth. I think they'll get past NZ, India, Pakistan and SA with little trouble as they're more balanced or their match winners are better.
 
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Aman said:
The only team I think Aus will struggle with is England because of their batting depth. I think they'll get past NZ, India, Pakistan and SA with little trouble as they're more balanced or their match winners are better.
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That actually depends. We don't know whether Smith and Warner will still be as good as they were after being out of the team for a year.
 
At one hand I am feeling optimistic about the team since we aren't carrying passengers like Shehzad, Akmal and Hafeez. However on the other hand we'd need to play against stronger oppositions like AUS and SA to truly test our strength. Our lower order with Asif Ali and Faheem Ashraf is still an unproven entity, while there are question marks on whether Malik, Sarfraz and Amir can give consistent performances.

This series against ZIM is useless since we already know Fakhar and Babar are somewhat dependable. I don't see us getting a chance to test our lower order especially when chasing. And even if we do get to bat first there won't be any pressure to put on a big score since we know ZIM can hardly get past 100.

Still I am looking forward to the world cup and feel better about our chances than in the past with heros like Misbah, Afridi, Wahab, Shehzad and Akmals.
 
Aman said:
Yet they'd be favorites in a head to head against India, Pakistan, NZ and SA.

They'll beat all of those teams in the group stages and in the SFs.
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NZ was on course to beat them in the CT last year, rain saved Aussies. I'd back India and Pakistan to beat this average Aussie team as well. You keep underrating NZ and overrating Australia.
 
Only a fluke can stop Pakistan from winning the WC.
 
Having being swept by NZ 5-0 in last ODI, they are now dominating Zimbabwe B team with a whitewash likely. Preparation are in place so ''Only a fluke can stop Pakistan from winning the WC''
 
Pakistan could do it...why not?
There were placed 8th before CT, ended up thrashing SA, ENG & IND...
So why not?
 
What is it with Zimbabwe B and Zim C team?

Are they resting their couple of players in the ongoing series for a bigger series like WC 2019??
 
399 - And now the batting impresses as well. Fakhar/Imam/Asif/Babar. Shobby was a good player in the past for his allround value but I daresay if Pakistan find another young gun batsman at 5, this batting lineup would be up there with the best in the world. Hopefully Mickey/Inzi can replace Malik soon.
 
Unless Pakistans batting improves against the better sides in ODI cricket then they will be lucky to make it out of the group and into the semis for the world cup. People getting over excited by this perfomances against a Village 3rd X1 also known as zimbabwe :facepalm:
 
AssassinatedDevil said:
That's the best coping mechanism I've ever seen.
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It would be a coping mechanism if I bring it up after we manage to beat the top teams in a series. However, unless that happens, this reality check in New Zealand remains the true worth of this minnow bashing team.
 
Mamoon said:
It would be a coping mechanism if I bring it up after we manage to beat the top teams in a series. However, unless that happens, this reality check in New Zealand remains the true worth of this minnow bashing team.
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That series was just a fluke,a flash in the pan.
 
babajee said:
We will beat India, NZ, Australia, South Africa in the coming months and you will still continue to bang on about this :))
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South Africa are a poor ODI outfit now, if we still lose to them we should probably stop playing cricket.

However, as long as we don’t beat the other said teams in a series, we are not in a position to thump our chests. The New Zealand reality check back in January cannot be forgotten. Not yet.
 
Mamoon said:
It would be a coping mechanism if I bring it up after we manage to beat the top teams in a series. However, unless that happens, this reality check in New Zealand remains the true worth of this minnow bashing team.
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You remind me of Salman Khan from Dabangg, minus the soundtrack as well as your tendency to walk towards the walls instead of the camera. Forever stuck in a loop of head-banging.
 
Cannot wait to play Pakistan, it will give us an idea of where we are.
 
Mamoon said:
You can’t fluke a 5 match series against a quality opposition.
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The Champions Trophy also had 5 matches including against teams like SA,SL(who had just beaten India),England and India.Yet you have no issues calling that a fluke.
 
AssassinatedDevil said:
You remind me of Salman Khan from Dabangg, minus the soundtrack as well as your tendency to walk towards the walls instead of the camera. Forever stuck in a loop of head-banging.
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I despise Salman Khan and I don’t watch his movies. Sorry cannot relate to the analogy, but I am sure it is a good one.
 
Amjid Javed said:
Unless Pakistans batting improves against the better sides in ODI cricket then they will be lucky to make it out of the group and into the semis for the world cup. People getting over excited by this perfomances against a Village 3rd X1 also known as zimbabwe :facepalm:
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Nah, there's only 6 teams who can possibly make the Semis. Aus, India, Pakistan, England, NZ and SA.

SA have lost their best player and have zero expectations on them. NZ lack match winners who they can count on in world tournaments and have no expectations from fans, most don't expect them to do well or make the Semis.

The SFs are pretty easy to pick from here.
 
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Arham_PakFan said:
The Champions Trophy also had 5 matches including against teams like SA,SL(who had just beaten India),England and India.Yet you have no issues calling that a fluke.
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Yes, but we beat those teams in one-off games. Beating India on a good day is different to beating India in a 5 match series.

South Africa are poor in ODIs right now, but this Pakistan side is not good enough to win a series against India, England, a full strength Australia and New Zealand.

Until that happens, I will keep reminding people (with their heads in the clouds) of the whitewash in New Zealand
 
On a serious note, the only way we will be favorites is if we take this momentum and win matches against bigger teams. World records are nice and all, but there are definitely alot of things this team needs to sort out. We need to rest Imam and Fakhar in the next game and shift the batting order around.
 
Mamoon said:
Yes, but we beat those teams in one-off games. Beating India on a good day is different to beating India in a 5 match series.

South Africa are poor in ODIs right now, but this Pakistan side is not good enough to win a series against India, England, a full strength Australia and New Zealand.

Until that happens, I will keep reminding people (with their heads in the clouds) of the whitewash in New Zealand
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Beating India on a good day, beating england, south africa, etc... on consecutive good days is a fluke?

Its not a one off.

Its beating multiple good teams by having consecutive good days.

Not sure where you are going with this.
 
Mamoon said:
South Africa are a poor ODI outfit now, if we still lose to them we should probably stop playing cricket.

However, as long as we don’t beat the other said teams in a series, we are not in a position to thump our chests. The New Zealand reality check back in January cannot be forgotten. Not yet.
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Yes we will beat them and you will come up with some other crap :))
 
Mamoon said:
Yes, but we beat those teams in one-off games. Beating India on a good day is different to beating India in a 5 match series.
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Not really.Playing different opposition after each game is a more difficult challenge,especially in alien conditions.The pressure of playing in a tournament is also there.
 
blackanhyellow said:
Beating India on a good day, beating england, south africa, etc... on consecutive good days is a fluke?

Its not a one off.

Its beating multiple good teams by having consecutive good days.

Not sure where you are going with this.
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We caught South Africa, England and India on their off-days and a lot of things went our away.

However, when you play a long series against one team, these things even up and it eventually comes down to the quality of the two teams.

Considering our well deserved humiliation in New Zealand, I don’t think this team is in a position to win a series against teams like India, Australia, England or New Zealand.
 
Mamoon said:
We caught South Africa, England and India on their off-days and a lot of things went our away.

However, when you play a long series against one team, these things even up and it eventually comes down to the quality of the two teams.

Considering our well deserved humiliation in New Zealand, I don’t think this team is in a position to win a series against teams like India, Australia, England or New Zealand.
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I think you can beat us, you're playing really well atm and our middle and lower order is weak.

If two of our top 4 don't perform, we're not going to be competitive.
 
Mamoon said:
We caught South Africa, England and India on their off-days and a lot of things went our away.

However, when you play a long series against one team, these things even up and it eventually comes down to the quality of the two teams.

Considering our well deserved humiliation in New Zealand, I don’t think this team is in a position to win a series against teams like India, Australia, England or New Zealand.
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Well youve already called south africa a weak team. So even if we win in December, you will just claim they are a weak team. I see how you prepared this excuse just in case, even though they are not weak at home at all.

Then our next series against a proper team is England right before the world cup.

So I guess you will keep chirping until then.
 
Aman said:
I think you can beat us, you're playing really well atm and our middle and lower order is weak.

If two of our top 4 don't perform, we're not going to be competitive.
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Your pacers are too strong for our mediocre batting lineup. I don't see Pakistani batsmen outscoring New Zealand batsmen. We have a better chance against your lot than we do against India or England, but I would still back you to win the series because you are simply a better team.
 
blackanhyellow said:
Well youve already called south africa a weak team. So even if we win in December, you will just claim they are a weak team. I see how you prepared this excuse just in case, even though they are not weak at home at all.

Then our next series against a proper team is England right before the world cup.

So I guess you will keep chirping until then.
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This current South African side is indeed poor, and it can be highlighted by the way India thrashed them. De Villiers has retired and Amla is finished, their batting is basically de Kock and du Plessis now, and the bowling is largely dependent on Rabada and Tahir who is also in retirement age now.

We have ten ODIs against Australia and New Zealand in the coming months, I hope Australia would field play the likes of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood. If we fail to beat them, no excuses would work. However, if we do beat them, we can definitely say that we are among the favorites for the World Cup.
 
Arham_PakFan said:
Not really.Playing different opposition after each game is a more difficult challenge,especially in alien conditions.The pressure of playing in a tournament is also there.
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Everything that could have gone right for us in the Champions Trophy went right, and everything that could have gone wrong for the opposition went wrong.

de Villiers got dismissed for a rare duck, and we were helped by the D/L method. We played England on a used pitch who could not adjust overnight, and we cashed on a no-ball in the final and India's top three failed.

How often would de Villiers get out for a duck and how often would we be helped by D/L method? Similarly, we beat England in the first ODI of the 2015 series in the UAE, before they adjusted to the conditions and smashed us black and blue. Moreover, it is not usual for India's top three to fall cheaply, that too in the same match, and for Pakistan to capitalize on a no-ball dismissal the way it did.

That is why facing a team top in a long series is different to playing a one-off match against them. Speaking of the conditions, they weren't exactly alien. We played South Africa and England on slow pitches with lots of reverse-swing. It played into our hands.
 
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]
So going by this logic bilateral odi series>>>>>>champions trophy
 
AAli98 said:
LOL..miserable bitter man defaming paks best team since 99, enjoy this team whilst it lasts.. theyl go back into mediocrity soon.
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Yes, we saw this "best team since 99" against New Zealand.

Pakistan's best ODI team since 1999 was the 2005-2006 one, and they will smash this current lineup.
 
Kashmirilion said:
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]
So going by this logic bilateral odi series>>>>>>champions trophy
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No, but if you win a trophy and your bilateral performances are poor, it means that you fluked it. To be called a top team, you have to win majority of your matches against the top opposition whether it is a tournament or a series.

You cannot be called a top team by winning a trophy as the 8th ranked team, and then going to New Zealand and getting your backside whooped, and then following it up by creating fake records against weak teams and minnows.
 
Bleedgreen4ever said:
Even with their full strength squad they lost heavily to ENG at home and the CT

Their full strength squad is overrated
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Aus will surprise every team in 2019 worldcup. I actually feel they have biggest chance to win worldcup since all focus is on england, india & pak.
 
Mamoon said:
Yes, we saw this "best team since 99" against New Zealand.

Pakistan's best ODI team since 1999 was the 2005-2006 one, and they will smash this current lineup.
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05/06 team had Rao Iftykar in it is he your benchmark for world class??
 
Mamoon said:
No, but if you win a trophy and your bilateral performances are poor, it means that you fluked it. To be called a top team, you have to win majority of your matches against the top opposition whether it is a tournament or a series.

You cannot be called a top team by winning a trophy as the 8th ranked team, and then going to New Zealand and getting your backside whooped, and then following it up by creating fake records against weak teams and minnows.
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Dude you don't make sense. You beat the two best sides in the tournament and not just beat but completely maul them that too in semis and finals yet it was a fluke. Had we scraped both games I wouldve had agreed with you but you are trying to hard to show your hatred for anything Pak cricket.
 
Sam99 said:
Aus will surprise every team in 2019 worldcup. I actually feel they have biggest chance to win worldcup since all focus is on england, india & pak.
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Aus and Pak are front runners, people are just writing them off because performances of their B and C teams.
 
Mamoon said:
Everything that could have gone right for us in the Champions Trophy went right, and everything that could have gone wrong for the opposition went wrong.

de Villiers got dismissed for a rare duck, and we were helped by the D/L method. We played England on a used pitch who could not adjust overnight, and we cashed on a no-ball in the final and India's top three failed.
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Usually that's how many teams win tournaments. Many things have to go right for winning team. Winning 4 games against good teams deserve credit. Pakistan may lose all games after that, but it's unfair to not credit a team for playing well enough to win a tournament.
 
I think after today’s performance against Zim, I think Pak is the only favourite to win WC. No other teams are even close. Well balanced unit. I think FZ and company may shower few 200s in WC too, will be amazing to watch. India should be worried, very very worried.
 
kuskash said:
I think after today’s performance against Zim, I think Pak is the only favourite to win WC. No other teams are even close. Well balanced unit. I think FZ and company may shower few 200s in WC too, will be amazing to watch. India should be worried, very very worried.
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Are you kidding?
 
Mamoon said:
Everything that could have gone right for us in the Champions Trophy went right, and everything that could have gone wrong for the opposition went wrong.

de Villiers got dismissed for a rare duck, and we were helped by the D/L method. We played England on a used pitch who could not adjust overnight, and we cashed on a no-ball in the final and India's top three failed.

How often would de Villiers get out for a duck and how often would we be helped by D/L method? Similarly, we beat England in the first ODI of the 2015 series in the UAE, before they adjusted to the conditions and smashed us black and blue. Moreover, it is not usual for India's top three to fall cheaply, that too in the same match, and for Pakistan to capitalize on a no-ball dismissal the way it did.

That is why facing a team top in a long series is different to playing a one-off match against them. Speaking of the conditions, they weren't exactly alien. We played South Africa and England on slow pitches with lots of reverse-swing. It played into our hands.
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A) if SA depended on only one batsmen then they clearly weren’t the better side
B) If English batsmen couldn’t adjust to their home conditions then they deserved to lose
C) If one no-ball can decide the fate of a game then any side that doesn’t bowl a no ball shell always win (p.s. that doesn’t always happen)
D) The only match where luck was truly in our favour was against Sri-Lanka. To win a major tournament, 9 out of 10 times you would require luck to go into your favour.
 
NO, being a Favorite is not a good thing. 1987 Pakistan was hot favorite and even the mighty West Indies (of the 80's) was eliminated by Pakistan. but then Pakistan lost to the underdogs (Allan Borders Australia ) In 1999 Pakistan defeat Australia in the round Match. but was destroyed in Final.

Being a Favorite does not suit Pakistan. Plus Warner & Smith's suspension will end 2 months before the world cup 2019
 
PP's a funny site. Pak wins a game or two or even a series, some of us go as far as calling them WC favourites, #1 team in the world, etc. When Pak loses, then it's trash, overrated team, we are doomed in upcoming tournament, axe half the team, they fluke their wins, etc. Where is the middle ground :danish?
 
Usman Chadda said:
He took the CT loss a bit too hard :sanga
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Bhai, can you care to explain why would I take CT loss too hard? My team was not even in final of CT.

Dont spread lies just to make your fake agenda strong. Just FYI, 2017 was the first CT win by Pak, a tournament which was won by team like WI in 2004 beating many stronger teams. Now come out of CT bubble, its even annoying for neutral fans let alone Ind fans.
 
kuskash said:
Bhai, can you care to explain why would I take CT loss too hard? My team was not even in final of CT.

Dont spread lies just to make your fake agenda strong. Just FYI, 2017 was the first CT win by Pak, a tournament which was won by team like WI in 2004 beating many stronger teams. Now come out of CT bubble, its even annoying for neutral fans let alone Ind fans.
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If your team wasn't in the final, why do you keep getting triggered whenever the CT is mentioned? :))

We will stay in this bubble how long ever we want. Your team wasn't even in the final so :shhh
 
Usman Chadda said:
If your team wasn't in the final, why do you keep getting triggered whenever the CT is mentioned? :))

We will stay in this bubble how long ever we want. Your team wasn't even in the final so :shhh
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At least be humble in your win. We have won many more WCs than you, but thats not our style. It took 25 years for you guys to get out of WC 92 bubble, I really hope Pak wins all major trophies year after year so they dont have to annoy other fans on ongoing basis.
 
Why Pakistan Won Champions Trophy:

1) SL dropped easy catches off of Sarfraz. Of course that never happens.
2) Devilliers got out on a Duck. Of course that never happens.
3) Helped by rain and the D/L Method against SA. Of course that never happens.
4) England were shell shocked by a used pitch and could not adjust. Of course that never happens.
5) Fakhar got a life on the Bumrah no-ball. Of course that never happens.
6) India top order almost never ever gets out that cheaply. Of course that never happens.

A similar list could be made for ever major tournament ever won by any team. The reach here is petty and ridiculous.
 
Ab Fan said:
What is it with Zimbabwe B and Zim C team?

Are they resting their couple of players in the ongoing series for a bigger series like WC 2019??
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No their top players are striking due to nonpayment of salaries.

ZCB are also mad those rebel players led by Taylor set up a Union.
 
TeamPak95 said:
PP's a funny site. Pak wins a game or two or even a series, some of us go as far as calling them WC favourites, #1 team in the world, etc. When Pak loses, then it's trash, overrated team, we are doomed in upcoming tournament, axe half the team, they fluke their wins, etc. Where is the middle ground :danish?
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I try to remain there but it's a lonely place at times :))

Litmus test comes this winter for this promising young Pak team.
 
Markhor said:
I try to remain there but it's a lonely place at times :))

Litmus test comes this winter for this promising young Pak team.
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Well, as far as I know now there's two people there at least :)

Only time will tell where our team truly ranks and I feel, at least till next year, we gotta reserve the 'fluke', 'humiliation', and 'alignment of the stars' type comments..
 
imranq said:
Why Pakistan Won Champions Trophy:

1) SL dropped easy catches off of Sarfraz. Of course that never happens.
2) Devilliers got out on a Duck. Of course that never happens.
3) Helped by rain and the D/L Method against SA. Of course that never happens.
4) England were shell shocked by a used pitch and could not adjust. Of course that never happens.
5) Fakhar got a life on the Bumrah no-ball. Of course that never happens.
6) India top order almost never ever gets out that cheaply. Of course that never happens.

A similar list could be made for ever major tournament ever won by any team. The reach here is petty and ridiculous.
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But of course, that never happens. :)
 
lol [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] , common man our team may not be the world beaters yet but definitely in the top 5 ODIs side atm and that's a fact. If we tweak our batting a bit more and find an equally attacking batter to partner Fakhar and Asif Ali really improves and Fahim becomes Razzaq type consistent hitter than there is a very strong chance of Pak making it to the WC Final and even possibly winning it.
 
muhammad saad said:
lol [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] , common man our team may not be the world beaters yet but definitely in the top 5 ODIs side atm and that's a fact. If we tweak our batting a bit more and find an equally attacking batter to partner Fakhar and Asif Ali really improves and Fahim becomes Razzaq type consistent hitter than there is a very strong chance of Pak making it to the WC Final and even possibly winning it.
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To summarize your post: if Pakistan can find 4-5 excellent players, it will become a top team. Very insightful analysis of course, since it doesn’t apply to pretty much any team in the world.
 
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