Building on from the Champions Trophy

[babajee]

The CT was an incredible achievement by our players. Yet it has prolonged the careers of our mediocre senior citizens.

We are seeing the effects of this now in New Zealand, a series in which we were expected to give tough competition but have been a pushover so far.

How do we build on the confidence gained from the CT and create a team which could be one of the best in the world?

 

[Syed1]

The blame firmly lies on Inzi for:

Selecting over the hill seniors
Selecting his nephew over much more talented players
Selecting Mohammad Nawaz in the squad when the tour is for NZ and a spinner won't even be needed
Not selecting an additional pacer when Junaid and Shinwari were not available

The rest of the blame lies on Arthur and Sarfaraz for:

Continuing with Azhar, Hafeez and Malik while Haris Sohail continues to warm the bench
Thinking that opening with Azhar and Imam will work out
Sarfaraz's fitness and batting/keeping form
Not thinking out of the box to promote someone like a Fahim or a Hasan as a pinch hitter when rest of the batting is tuk tukking away

 

[waleed88]

Lets be honest, rain hasn't helped.

Both the games got rainwashed, and it made difficult for the match to reach completion.

I'm not ruling out Shadab causing a bit of problems for the NZ batsmen, as Santner did the same against us.

We have been better than what the score line suggests.

 

[Kroll]

Had the chance but we've blown it big time as evidenced by the mauling in NZ. It was clear despite the victory, the turgid, timid and inept batting was needing an overhaul. Even the batting strategy has been found wanting by playing snails as openers when the likes of Fakhar are unavailable.

 

[Abdullah]

Had our moments in both games to turn the screw and think the lack of a proper 6th bowler is hindering sarfaraz who likes to mix up the pack

 

[PakLFC]

This is to be expected when there seems to be six months before every test/one day series or any other tournament. Need to play a lot more if we are to improve as a side.

 

[coy0607]

Lets be honest, rain hasn't helped.

Both the games got rainwashed, and it made difficult for the match to reach completion.

I'm not ruling out Shadab causing a bit of problems for the NZ batsmen, as Santner did the same against us.

We have been better than what the score line suggests.

Are you serious? If anything the rain has hid how bad this team has actually been?

1st match - it didn't start raining till the very end, after this team had given up a record of 300+ at the Basin, and the batting collapsed to 54-5

2nd match - what did the rain have to do with this team collapsing to 140-7?

blaming the rain is absurd

 

[waleed88]

Are you serious? If anything the rain has hid how bad this team has actually been?

1st match - it didn't start raining till the very end, after this team had given up a record of 300+ at the Basin, and the batting collapsed to 54-5

2nd match - what did the rain have to do with this team collapsing to 140-7?

blaming the rain is absurd

Well in both matches, there was obvious problems for our batsmen adjusting to the pace and bounce of the bowling. Which clearly indicates lack of preparation. As the pitch eased out even the tailenders made use of the conditions.

Its not down to tailenders playing well, we didn't get enough practice for playing in these conditions. Our batsmen are at sea. We should've been more prepared but its clear we aren't.

In both games we did manage respectability. Which is heartening to see

 

[giri26]

Pakistan's biggest problem is that in spite of the brilliant CT win, their weakness was carried on. The home series against a weak SL team did not help either. If Pakistan need to really build on that win they need to do it with Hasan, Babar, Faheem, Fakhar and Shadab as the pillars and get rid of the oldies from the national ODI squad.

I feel that the selectors missed a trick here, I think it is too late now to completely overhaul the ODI side with just 1 year left for the WC.

 

[TeymurBlake]

They have worked on the areas where they are weak. They also keep selecting players that are useless in certain conditions like NZ and can't adapt to ODI cricket. This format now requires quite a few hitters and batsman that have the ability to score at an incredible rate. Its okay to get yourself in and take your time. But only 1-2 players should do that not the 4 of the top 5. Fakhar is the only big hitter in our top order. The next is Faheem at No.8. Shoaib and the others only like to hit against spinners but are incredibly inconsistent at. Main of these players will likely still remain in the team which is upsetting. CT win allowed us to get a new lease on life, gave us hope that we are going towards the right direction. Well Fakhar, Faheem, Shadab, Hasan and Babar(to a certain extent) can't this on there own. We need some hitters and strike rotaters in the team.