Credit where due: Acknowledging some good calls by Babar Azam and team management

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Plenty of criticism of tactics.

Here is some good stuff. Some forced, some by design, but Pakistan is now in the semi finals and and 8 other teams are not. Some tactics we didn't think were smart at the time but have paid off.

1. Making Shaheen play all the games. If they had rested him in 2 or 3 games out of 5, he would be appearing in the semi final half cooked. Still could go for runs but it won't be for lack of overs under his belt.
2. Playing Haris and then playing him up the order. Pakistan's hand was forced here but there was every possibility they could have played Haris at no 6 or 7 as a six hitter. Or brought in some other player. Smart to break up Babar-Rizwan and Shan.
3. Not bowling spinners in powerplay. Pakistan do not have a powerplay spinner and there was no point using that tactic through Nawaz.

Some bold calls prior to the world cup as well - playing Shadab (and Nawaz) up the order, replacing some non-performing players after unjustifiably extensive runs, sorting out bowler lengths etc.

Not sure this is enough to reach the final and win it. But credit where due.

 

[the Great Khan]

Yes a good post. They are really thinking about things. Two semis in a row and a team that looks like it has a plan. Unlike in the past when we relied on mentally weak players

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Yes a good post. They are really thinking about things. Two semis in a row and a team that looks like it has a plan. Unlike in the past when we relied on mentally weak players ..

Easy to get carried away in criticism. If they win the semi finals, it would mean real progress - particularly after the NZ series.

 

[hitthestump]

Babar's record as captain has been pretty good.

Additionally, for all the criticism about him being timid he seems to be able to get the best out of his players. Rizwan, Shadab, Rauf and Shaheen have come on leaps and bounds under his wing. Rizwan may have peaked (i could regret saying that) but the other 3 show no signs of slowing down.

Babar's reputation as a batsmen is getting shot in this WC but aside from this tournament, he has maintained his status as world class. To do that and be all format captain of Pakistan deserves kudos.

Babar has given izzat to this nation which also contains the likes of disgraced figures like Umar Akmal, Sharjeel and Amir. We are definitely lucky that he is leading our country and the others are banished.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Bowling Ifti against Bangladesh. Don't think they expected Iftikhar to bowl this tournay.

 

[Gayle_Force]

I think the approach of winning or losing as a team has been really good. There seems to be a real camaraderie amongst the team and I for one am happy that Babar has backed some of his players through tough times.

Watching the negativity spewed by some of the players sitting outside has been disappointing. Some of the post match shows after Pak made the semis was telling. You could see thy some players were geared up for bashing the team after a first round exit and were left disappointed. I am glad these players are no where near the team currently.

 

[shamaan]

I did say that Shaheen should not be dropped after his first 2 world cup games and rightly so wasn't dropped or rested.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I think the approach of winning or losing as a team has been really good. There seems to be a real camaraderie amongst the team and I for one am happy that Babar has backed some of his players through tough times.

Watching the negativity spewed by some of the players sitting outside has been disappointing. Some of the post match shows after Pak made the semis was telling. You could see thy some players were geared up for bashing the team after a first round exit and were left disappointed. I am glad these players are no where near the team currently.

Tbh Amir should never have played after 2010 that was a total injustice and disgrace.

 

[hitthestump]

I did say that Shaheen should not be dropped after his first 2 world cup games and rightly so wasn't dropped or rested.

Nope. Team management/Babar handled it better than those who said he should never have played against India.

 

[Kriketer]

Lovely thread among the usual doom and gloom as I like to usually put it out here.

As poster mentioned above, Babar has given "izzat" to this cricket team so we the real fans stand with him strong. I have questioned his captaincy at times but for greater good, one has to support with optimism. That's the least a sporting fan can do who simply watches the action on a screen. Don't let nationalism dictate your common sense.

 

[hitthestump]

I think the approach of winning or losing as a team has been really good. There seems to be a real camaraderie amongst the team and I for one am happy that Babar has backed some of his players through tough times.

Watching the negativity spewed by some of the players sitting outside has been disappointing. Some of the post match shows after Pak made the semis was telling. You could see thy some players were geared up for bashing the team after a first round exit and were left disappointed. I am glad these players are no where near the team currently.

You've made me consider whether it is worth leaving toxic figures like Imad Wasim out for this purpose.

There is no real doubt in my mind he is a better cricketer than Nawaz. But like Mikel Arteta purged his star players and it paid off not soon after, i wonder whether Babar might just been a step ahead on this front too.

 

[Gayle_Force]

Tbh Amir should never have played after 2010 that was a total injustice and disgrace.

Amir should be thankful that he was forgiven and PCB gave him another chance but instead he now feels entitled. Really disappointed in him and some others as well.

 

[charlie007]

This credit only became due because Netherlands beat South Africa. In reality, none of these things would have made a difference if the Dutch hadn’t zapped the Proteas.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

This credit only became due because Netherlands beat South Africa. In reality, none of these things would have made a difference if the Dutch hadn’t zapped the Proteas.

Thank you!
Rightly said.

 

[Dantheone]

Still the bad decisions outweigh the good ones. I think he was on the way to be relieved and that one Ned-SA game changed everything.

 

[Gayle_Force]

This credit only became due because Netherlands beat South Africa. In reality, none of these things would have made a difference if the Dutch hadn’t zapped the Proteas.

yep Pak forced SA to lose comprehensively against Ned. Pakistan won three games and marginally lost two and that’s why they are in the semis. South Africa played worse cricket than Pakistan and hence they are out simple as that.

Also, both England and India had their fare share of luck as well getting into the finals.

 

[Bewal Express]

yep Pak forced SA to lose comprehensively against Ned. Pakistan won three games and marginally lost two and that’s why they are in the semis. South Africa played worse cricket than Pakistan and hence they are out simple as that.

Also, both England and India had their fare share of luck as well getting into the finals.

India should have lost to us, could have lost BD and apparently we are the lucky ones. We have done well and IA we will win. Its natural to want more as fans but the nonsense spouted by some is galling.
The good calls by management include no panic and the players not left to fight each other. If people remember the other times when it's gone badly, the 1st casualty was any team spirit, as each man for himself became the norm, players briefed against other players and management.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Lots of credit to Hayden.

He is now calling the shots - He is the mastermind behind the game plan and he is the Think Tank. He is even calling the batting order.

His field placing and game plan was absolutely generous when he had the boundary fielders placed 10 meters inside - and that confused NZ batters to go for it or not?
Pak Fielders and bowlers responded great.

And the only Blunder Hayden made was to send in Shan Masood. I mean, what the heck???
You have Iftikhar, Nawaz n Shadab to deliver the death blow.
Shan got lucky on the 4 bye runs or else he was almost bowled - HORRIBLE T20 batsman.

We also noted that Haris is ABSOLUTELY CLUELESS against spin bowling when it comes to hitting big. Will need to work on him.


All the best to Pak in the finals - and Thanks again, Netherlands.

 

[shamaan]

Nope. Team management/Babar handled it better than those who said he should never have played against India.

What you mean nope ?

 

[charlie007]

yep Pak forced SA to lose comprehensively against Ned. Pakistan won three games and marginally lost two and that’s why they are in the semis. South Africa played worse cricket than Pakistan and hence they are out simple as that.

Also, both England and India had their fare share of luck as well getting into the finals.

That wasn’t the point - what I’m saying is that all the points OP mentioned about the “credit where due” would mean nothing if the Dutch didn’t beat SA.
Pakistan fully deserve to go to the finals - they beat NZ , no THUMPED NZ. All the best there!

 

[hitthestump]

What you mean nope ?

As in i agreed that he should not have been dropped. We played him into fitness. He is now a beast.

 

[Gayle_Force]

That wasn’t the point - what I’m saying is that all the points OP mentioned about the “credit where due” would mean nothing if the Dutch didn’t beat SA.
Pakistan fully deserve to go to the finals - they beat NZ , no THUMPED NZ. All the best there!

I suppose those are still all positive things. Pakistan still had to beat South Africa to have a remote chance and could have easily folded after the Zimbabwe defeat.

 

[charlie007]

I suppose those are still all positive things. Pakistan still had to beat South Africa to have a remote chance and could have easily folded after the Zimbabwe defeat.

Again, beating SA would have amounted to nothing if Dutch had not beaten SA. Air is clean, temperatures are not extreme, someone somewhere gave food to a poor kid are all positive things too but they are immaterial and can’t be credited.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Good bowling changes and field placements from Babar, but the fact that he also wanted to bat first had they won the toss is a bit worrying.

It’s a used pitch, we’re good at chasing totals, we can’t defend 50 off the last 3-4 overs, no one knew what a good score would be on this pitch…and yet they still wanted to bat first just because stats showed us teams batting first won most of their games at the SCG.

 

[Gayle_Force]

Again, beating SA would have amounted to nothing if Dutch had not beaten SA. Air is clean, temperatures are not extreme, someone somewhere gave food to a poor kid are all positive things too but they are immaterial and can’t be credited.

If Pak lost to SA than they would have been out there and then regardless of the Dutch beating SA.

 

[Mujtaba2900]

Again, beating SA would have amounted to nothing if Dutch had not beaten SA. Air is clean, temperatures are not extreme, someone somewhere gave food to a poor kid are all positive things too but they are immaterial and can’t be credited.

I just don't get this rant of getting lucky like seriously it would have been the same for south Africa wouldn't it ? Getting lucky because guess what Zimbabwe did them a favor beating us?.
BOTH TEAMS made mistakes and only one got
Through

 

[Suleiman]

Good bowling changes and field placements from Babar, but the fact that he also wanted to bat first had they won the toss is a bit worrying.

It’s a used pitch, we’re good at chasing totals, we can’t defend 50 off the last 3-4 overs, no one knew what a good score would be on this pitch…and yet they still wanted to bat first just because stats showed us teams batting first won most of their games at the SCG.

It would’ve been fine if we batted first. P much all experts alluded to the toss being important because the teams batting first had won 5/6 encounters in Sydney. (someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I saw the stats for batting first across Aussie grounds in the last 6 games and that’s what I remember).

NZ just looked more under pressure than us. Winning your first WC trophy is a bit like getting your first 100 for some players I guess. You get really nervous every time you’re in the 90s and fail to get to 100, until you finally do get a 100. That’s how it is for NZ getting to semis and finals across 50 over / 20 over WCs only to fall short. And every time they fall short that pressure rises.

No insult to NZ, but this is a valid observation. And an understandable psychological block if you want to call it that.