Babar Azam "Mine and Rizwan's plan was to take the game deep and see where we are after 40 overs"

[MenInG]

Babar Azam "Mine and Rizwan's plan was to take the game deep and see where we are after 40 overs"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam "Mine and Rizwan's plan was to take the game deep and see where we are after 40 overs and not to lose our wickets" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvNZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvNZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1613225317782458395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

==

We didn't start well with the ball but came back nicely. Also, we lost a couple of wickets early with the bat and hence we were behind the game.

The wicket had turn and bounce, it was difficult to take on the spinners and Salman did well to play his shots.

The ball was coming on differently compared to the first match but credit to the New Zealand spinners as they bowled well.

The pitch generally plays better in the second innings here but today was a one off.

 

[TheSultan]

So much insight from our genius. Why does every game have to go “deep”? Why can’t you take some initiative - be a bit proactive

 

[WengerOut]

Nothing to see. You are all out

 

[Marooned]

Yes and we kinda forgot we had to score too.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

Vacuous

 

[Mamoon]

It wasn’t a pitch where you could take the game deep. One of them needed to play a counter attacking innings to subdue the spin, not wait to get out.

Disgraceful partnership by a terrible pair.

 

[Amjid Javed]

no matter what the format same boring excuses. Babar might as well have just said.

"We were going to bat for our personal milestones and then let other batsmen take risks with the sky high run rate in last 10 overs"

The sooner this selfish shameless captain and his negative mindset is removed from team the better.

 

[mon858]

this makes sense if you lose 3-4 wickets early. not if you are just 2 down. you play normal cricket getting at least 4-5 run/over, not playing 3/over and expect the last half of batting to magically get 8-10/over on this pitch (or any pitch).

stats padding at its best.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Yes.

Play at 3 a over and build your averages.

Let the remaining 8 batsmen figure out how to bat at 12 an over for last 10.

Go home hoodwinking the nation about good average and score.

 

[jnaveen1980]

aw MSD plan lol Didn't work out

 

[ArabKnight]

Mine and Rizwans plan was not to score runs and let other batsmen slog at 10 RR.

 

[TheSultan]

no matter what the format same boring excuses. Babar might as well have just said.

"We were going to bat for our personal milestones and then let other batsmen take risks with the sky high run rate in last 10 overs"

The sooner this selfish shameless captain and his negative mindset is removed from team the better.

Seriously - he is better being honest.

We both wanted to get to our half centuries by the 40th over and if there’s a chance after that we’ll give it a go

 

[Plumb]

).... and dot balls don't move the score card you genius. A new meaning to take the game deep...

 

[mon858]

simple question, how come agha salman was able to score over run a ball on same pitch against same bowling. all it needed is some intent, some better strike rotation and odd boundary from at least one of RizBab and other could play anchor. but both playing anchor, shutting shop, makes no sense, especially when they are not the likes of players you have 5th/6th gear to go at 8-10 RPO themselves if they had become "set" on the pitch.

 

[ArabKnight]

Babar logic.

Take a game deep by running out Agha Salman, only batter batting at 100 plus SR.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I've have said this numerous times now Imam / babar and rizwan in LOI games just play for themselves, these guys rarely take risks in PP etc.. once they get to a 50 or 100 they play a few big shots so it makes there end of inns strike rate look good .

Their batting approach is same as Sunil gavaskars famous inns in 1st ever world cup.

 

[ArabKnight]

simple question, how come agha salman was able to score over run a ball on same pitch against same bowling. all it needed is some intent, some better strike rotation and odd boundary from at least one of RizBab and other could play anchor. but both playing anchor, shutting shop, makes no sense, especially when they are not the likes of players you have 5th/6th gear to go at 8-10 RPO themselves if they had become "set" on the pitch.

He also ran him out. This guy makes no sense.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Babar is funny.

 

[PakEngFan]

He also ran him out. This guy makes no sense.

Salman ran himself out there is never a single there. But then again you had a no 11 in Faheem opening for Pakistan.

 

[ArabKnight]

Salman ran himself out there is never a single there. But then again you had a no 11 in Faheem opening for Pakistan.

It was Babar fault. There was a run but he sent him back while he was half way down pitch. Then the Kiwis capitalized when they saw that he was in middle.

 

[deems]

It wasn’t a pitch where you could take the game deep. One of them needed to play a counter attacking innings to subdue the spin, not wait to get out.

Disgraceful partnership by a terrible pair.

Exactly. Babar didn't play one attacking shot in that partnership. And Rizwan , as always more drama than scoring. He should be at a theatre.

If Pak lose the series, Sethi will defo crown the Prince (Shan) with the captainship.

 

[MenInG]

It was Babar fault. There was a run but he sent him back while he was half way down pitch. Then the Kiwis capitalized when they saw that he was in middle.

Video of run out

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 53.167%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/kjmshe" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Saj]

The required run rate by that time could have been about 15 runs per over.

Very strange tactics.

 

[Saj]

55 runs from 16.3 overs between Babar and Rizwan today.

Yes the pitch was tricky but that is way too slow and the batting lacked any urgency.

 

[Plumb]

I've have said this numerous times now Imam / babar and rizwan in LOI games just play for themselves, these guys rarely take risks in PP etc.. once they get to a 50 or 100 they play a few big shots so it makes there end of inns strike rate look good .

Their batting approach is same as Sunil gavaskars famous inns in 1st ever world cup.

Please don't speak the truth.. no one wants to live in reality

 

[shamaan]

Salman ran himself out there is never a single there. But then again you had a no 11 in Faheem opening for Pakistan.

Even if thier was a run it went behind the wicket so its Agha call pluss trust your partner.

 

[Maher96]

Nothing to see, just Babar’s Pakistan on verge of losing yet another Series at home.

The more we go into analysis the more we understand Babar is yet again let down by Rizzy n co. When Fakhar or Rizwan don’t go deep Babar is left clueless.

Haris and Agha didn’t capitalise anyhow.

Imam is always out of form. Never does he look like he is in any command. No matter who is bowling Zimbabwe or NZ.

 

[The_KING]

I long for the day where our players come out after a poor performance and admit that they played poorly and messed up. Instead, they make excuses and justify their pathetic performances. I am sick of it.

 

[shamaan]

That was a poor partnership with no urgency in running or trying to do something different.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The required run rate by that time could have been about 15 runs per over.

Very strange tactics.

Same dumb tactics in 2nd test vs NZ, seems like plan is to bat negatively, let run rate climb and then take risks.

Its either Babar is just that dumb or he's not playing to win.

 

[Snowflake]

Give them a target of 200 and they’ll want to take the game “deep”. What an idiot this guy is.

Such an inept captain. You were 50/2, not 50/5 that you wanted to take the game deep. With this guy in charge, forget about Pak cricket

 

[pakistani pride]

Yes.

Play at 3 a over and build your averages.

Let the remaining 8 batsmen figure out how to bat at 12 an over for last 10.

Go home hoodwinking the nation about good average and score.

This.
Always the same take it deep non sense!

 

[Markhor]

Babar and Rizwan in white ball cricket always let others do the heavy lifting in terms of boundary hitting. Rarely do they take the initiative themselves.

 

[Snowflake]

“ Also, we lost a couple of wickets early with the bat and hence we were behind the game. ”

This tells you his mindset. Lose a couple wickets and he thinks we’re done for. You only a few counter attacking overs and you are right back on track! But this pair thinks that losing 2 means that they have the allowance to forget about the RRR and just play and see if someone else can play a blinder.

 

[Rana]

Babar and Rizwan in white ball cricket always let others do the heavy lifting in terms of boundary hitting. Rarely do they take the initiative themselves.

Feel so sorry for Salman, Usama and Wasim JR

No.1 ODI batsman not out at the other end making them do all the hard work whilst blocking and taking singles himself

 

[Rana]

Babar let 2 easy drive balls go to the keeper in the 7th over against Southee

He wasn’t switched on at all since then. Just happily went into a shell

 

[ElRaja]

same old **, the worst part is no one calls him out on it, ever.

 

[shah_1]

His approach is a failure of taking the game deep, never understood this idea. New coach should take over all decision making on type of game we need to play.

 

[BreadPakoda]

PCB has already uploaded a video titled “Brilliant batting by Babar Azam”. They don’t mind this approach.

 

[Markhor]

PCB has already uploaded a video titled “Brilliant batting by Babar Azam”. They don’t mind this approach.

Of course ! Pakistan cricket is seemingly secondary to Babar's brand building.

 

[jnaveen1980]

PCB has already uploaded a video titled “Brilliant batting by Babar Azam”. They don’t mind this approach.

Fans in forums are very different from Fans in social media. They take hero worshipping to a new level. Almost all Indian fans are aware of this more than anyone else. Especially big names like MSD.

 

[Kroll]

Funny thing was that Babar started off quick then slowed right down.

 

[Suleiman]

Both of your plans since last year have been absolute doodoo

RizBab is great for PR. Nothing else anymore. Used to be a decent pair up till end of 2021. Now they are good for the PCB social media pages. Pics of them smiling together, hands around each other “I love batting with my friend” type statements. I remember Rizwan smiling on camera and waving the team back with Babar whenever the latter made his weird declaration Vs NZ in the first test.

It’s clear that neither has the strategy nor are they willing to work on their weaknesses. Both need someone on the other end holding their hand to push the innings otherwise you will see a match losing 50.

Last game it was Haris, this game it was no one. Probably was gonna be Agha till the run out.

This is why we need to stop comparing Babar with Kohli in ODIs. Kohli has multiple gears he can tap into in LOIs, he’s a master of pacing innings, something neither Babar or Rizwan can do.

 

[hitthestump]

I don't think Babar has actual brains to go with his talents. Given he's related to the Akmal's it would make sense i guess.

The guy has been criticised heavily for not adapting his game and playing too slowly, and he still comes out to the press repeating the same old mantras. He doesn't get it.

Just say "the pitch was bogging us down" or "New Zealand bowled really well".

Why he'd admit that him and Rizwan set out to play slowly and then cross their fingers for Razzaq's ghost to get us over the line is beyond me.

 

[shujaatraza]

Someone advised him that ‘do not let outside criticism effect you. You do what you think is best’. He has made sure he sticks to this advice forever.

 

[PakEngFan]

Funny thing was that Babar started off quick then slowed right down.

Not hard to work out as the fast bowlers were on. It was spinners paradise.

 

[James]

This was a poor batting performance.

The plan was executed very badly.

 

[proud_pakistani]

Every game they want to go deep. Even in T20s they want to go deep. No harm in having a plan B. And when you take the game deep and it doesnt pay off you end up putting pressure on the other batters.

 

[Ali Active]

Babar and rizwan are selfish they will like pakistan to win games but they should only be the reason for it they wont let anyone else become a hero .

 

[adi_62941]

The most disturbing and frustating part to see was the body language of babar while facing turning deliveries. Why you would make surprise faces on all turning bowls which you missed? its absurd to see as he a top ODI batter. And he used to have this habbit of doing this.
Its ok if you make silly surprise face for 2-3 missed deliveries/shots but he was constantly making these faces throughout his innings which shows your low confidence and believe in yourself to go for a win and only to survive. Also it sends negative message to incoming batsmen

 

[zaidihusain]

Babar & Rizwan play every game with this mindset whether the target is 200, 250 or over 300 or even while batting first. This typical Misbah type approach of taking every game to deep is a disaster in modern day ODIs & T20s. Pakistan has lost numerous T20s & ODIs with this kind of selfish approach and also due to this defensive approach these players doesn't want to innovate or enhance their skillset. Playing dot balls is criminal as it adds pressure, they should learn strike rotation, converting ones into twos, twos into threes

In every match, they basically dig deep hole for middle order & lower middle order and in the end whole team fall in it. Pakistan won few matches only because of extra ordinary efforts from few individuals in middle order

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Excuses have become the same across formats... I rmb they said the same during Asia cup final loss..

Babar was scoring nicely at a good SR but then when Rizwan started to struggle against spin, Babar adopt the safety first approach , he believes Rizwan as someone equal to Gilchrist and value his advices ... Its obvious ever since Rizwan's debut that he cant play spin easily...

He has no business batting at no.4 , keeping Haris at 5 who is a better player of spin than Rizwan..

BaRiz eat nearly 10 overs of spin before Haris came in and put him on so much pressure to take risks against more deteriorating pitch..

had they counter attacked the spinners early on , spinners would have varied their lengths and with right/left combo it wouldn't be easy...

 

[emranabbas]

Hope this is not going deep

These guys need to change the plan

 

[aukhan]

The same old tried and tested strategy.

Take the game deep, score your selfish runs, and then blame the lower-order batsmen for not scoring a 50 on 20 deliveries.