"Does the directive come from Babar, who wants to bat on a road & improve his stats": Simon Doull

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"Does the directive come from Babar, who wants to bat on a road & improve his stats": Simon Doull

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It was going to be a bumper home Test season for Pakistan given teams like England and New Zealand were set to travel, however, all the excitement came crashing down from the first Test in Rawalpindi in December's first week against the Ben Stokes-led side. Thankfully, the new England team doesn't believe in playing draws, and hence defied a lifeless Rawalpindi pitch and managed to get a positive result out of it.

The pitches in Multan and Karachi for the second and the third Test were much better, however, the flat tracks returned for the New Zealand series and the captain and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been under the scanner once again.

Due to logistical issues and weather in Multan, both matches were slated to be played in Karachi and it seemed that the pitches would play better if the third Test against England was any indication. But it wasn't to be as the match ended in a draw despite skipper Babar making it exciting by declaring with 15 overs to go. The pitch didn't deteriorate enough for bowlers to get any sort of assistance, somehow the captains and the team management are defying the tracks to get a result.
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Similarly in the second game, New Zealand batted first and scored 449 runs and in response, the hosts scored 408 runs. These two innings took over 260 overs and nine sessions to get done with. Even though New Zealand have lost four wickets and have a lead of over 150 runs, the pitch doesn't have any demons to suggest that the bowlers will have any say as the visitors will have to take 10 wickets to get a result out of it.

Several former Pakistan, England and New Zealand cricketers have criticised PCB, team management and skipper, however, ex-pacer Simon Doull came up with a seething one during the live match. on Day 3, during Pakistan's first innings, Doull was talking about how pitches in domestic cricket are spicier in Pakistan compared to the ones produced for international cricket while saying, "Where does that directive [for the nature of pitches] come from? Does that come from Babar, who wants to bat on a road and improve his own stats or does it come from [the people] above him?"

There are still more than four sessions left and a result is still a possibility that looks bleak. New Zealand will hope for a match-turning spell from one of their bowlers to skittle the hosts in the final innings.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...for-flat-tracks-on-air-video-article-96760849
 
So many guys improved their stats in Pakistan recent times. Ajaz Patel, Bracewell, Henry.
 
I think if he really said that, then it’s a shameful comment - both for him as an overseas commentator who should be more tactful and for Babar with the kind of reputation he’s developed for scoring runs on easy pitches.
 
Directive came from former PCB chairman Rambo. He admitted it in a video somewhere.
 
I think if he really said that, then it’s a shameful comment - both for him as an overseas commentator who should be more tactful and for Babar with the kind of reputation he’s developed for scoring runs on easy pitches.

It absolutely needed to be said. This stat padding mentality has killed our game.

And the worst part is……our players are not even good enough to pad their stats. But Harry Brook, Williamson and a few others have done very well out of it
 
Glad overseas commentators are asking this question.

It's either Babar's typically negative, draw first mindset or his selfishness that's contributing to these awfully dull pitches.

Against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa the tracks were far more sporting than what we've seen in last 12 months so it's not like our curators are totally incapable.
 
Babar is the only batsman in paksitan team who can bat anywhere. Its absurd to blame babar when pakistan has been dishing out such pitches for sevwn decades. 45 percent test matches on pakistan soil have been draws.

Remember in 2009 when srilanka played pakistan in karachi, srilanka score 650 and pakistan scored 750. It was a lame draw.
 
No result in qaddafi stadium lahore this season, no result in lahore in domestic for 9 matches.
 
When WI/BD is touring? Pitch will suddenly look different.
 
Outside the box…..sorry below the belt remark by Doull.
 
Babar is the only batsman in paksitan team who can bat anywhere. Its absurd to blame babar when pakistan has been dishing out such pitches for sevwn decades. 45 percent test matches on pakistan soil have been draws.

Remember in 2009 when srilanka played pakistan in karachi, srilanka score 650 and pakistan scored 750. It was a lame draw.

Sri Lanka 2019, Bangladesh 2020 and South Africa 2021 had sporting pitches.

Ever since Babar was given total power by Ramiz, the pitches have become worse than graveyards.
 
Sri Lanka 2019, Bangladesh 2020 and South Africa 2021 had sporting pitches.

Ever since Babar was given total power by Ramiz, the pitches have become worse than graveyards.

It’s Rambo’s call, you can’t blame the captain for the pitch. Plus people overestimate Babar’s influence, he isn’t Inzi or Imran
 
Sri Lanka 2019, Bangladesh 2020 and South Africa 2021 had sporting pitches.

Ever since Babar was given total power by Ramiz, the pitches have become worse than graveyards.

Easy to blame babar without sufficient information .its pakistan where bowlers come to die. You deny the whole history of pitches in pakistan when you blame the pitches on babar.
 
Whats your take on this? Is babar calling the pitch shots?

Yes I think so. We all know Babar is a very selfish batsman who is obsessed with individual accolades.

The last time Pakistan produced result oriented pitches at home (South Africa 2021), he failed miserably.

He also got a lot of leverage from Ramiz who was obsessed with making a Kohli type brand out of Babar but unfortunately he is not even a China copy of Kohli.

I think we will see better wickets in the future because Babar might not even be Test captain by the time we play the format again & even if he is, Sethi will not allow him a freehand like Ramiz did.
 
Why would Babar want a pitch that will get him no wins or make a fool of himself.

This is a question Babar will answer himself when some of these people have the guts to ask him at his face.
 
It’s easy to say it is Babar’s directive but the wickets in Pakistan have been roads since I can remember

Sehwag scored a 300 ball 300 here
 
Thing is as simple to understand PCB wants to earn money, broadcasters want 5 complete days of a test match. Pakistan team can't compete with good teams, they don't have the resources and skillset for test cricket right now. Only way left is to make accommodating pitches for batsman.
 
Don't think it was disrespectful. He is asking a legit question.

I suspect (though this is just a suspicion as it is for anyone who claims it is Babar) the order was coming from Ramiz.

The pitches for Bang, SL and SA series were very good. Things changed when Ramiz became chairman.
 
Why would Babar want a pitch that will get him no wins or make a fool of himself.

This is a question Babar will answer himself when some of these people have the guts to ask him at his face.

Tbh Babar doesn't strike me as someone who gets emotional and hurt by the team's performance. His body language is extremely poor where there is not even a semblance of hurt for the team's performances under him in the last 12 months.
 
Nobody will own up to wanting/ordering flat decks.

As I wrote before, a friend of the PCB curator actually said that the previous Chairman had asked for such flat decks yet was blaming the curator.

The funny thing is, we lost 0-3 to England on these flat decks - how embarrassing.
 
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Nobody will own up to wanting/ordering flat decks.

As I wrote before, a friend of the PCB curator actually said that the previous Chairman had asked for such flat decks yet was blaming the curator.

The funny thing is, we lost 0-3 to England on these flat decks - how embarrassing.

Unfortunately embarrassing losses since 2020 keep mounting yet captaincy is not changing. The Babar fan club have too much power and have made Pakistan into a joke of a team.
 
Nobody will own up to wanting/ordering flat decks.

As I wrote before, a friend of the PCB curator actually said that the previous Chairman had asked for such flat decks yet was blaming the curator.

The funny thing is, we lost 0-3 to England on these flat decks - how embarrassing.

It is very clear Ramiz ordered the pitches to be blunted. He has admitted himself against Australia. The pitches under Ehsan Mani, Wasim Khan were a lot more natural and sporting. The Khi wicket against Sri Lanka in 2019 had a decent amount of green, pace and carry.
 
Our next home series is against the mighty West Indies. I'm sure that series will be played on spicy pitches. After all beating the West Indies is always special.
 
I doubt the directive comes from Babar but the directive comes from someone who wants to make Babar look good at least.

We all know about Ramiz’s obsession with India and making a brand out of Babar just like Kohli
 
Doulls comments are disrespectful and its uncalled for questioning Babar s Credentials as a batsman. He s proved himself globally and has commanded respect from his colleagues globally for his Batsmen ship.

It would be valid to question the chairman and board and perhaps ask his fellow commentators off air their views.

As far as captaincy goes Babar is on a tight rope and there for has very little to no say in selection.

I know for a fact that Babar didn't want to play Mir hamza but it was an Afridi selection.
 
It is very clear Ramiz ordered the pitches to be blunted. He has admitted himself against Australia. The pitches under Ehsan Mani, Wasim Khan were a lot more natural and sporting. The Khi wicket against Sri Lanka in 2019 had a decent amount of green, pace and carry.

You do realise that Pakistan will lose whoever is captain….
 
I am glad this was brought up because it needs to be asked whether its to Babar or PCB. Why is there such a mentality "to not lose" rather than to win.

It's absolutely insane that Pakistan will likely go winless in a combined 8 Tests at home vs Aussies/England/NZ. All this poor & negative mindset has left this team in shambles.

And the biggest thing for me is that this team seems oblivious to their own strengths. Like management/coach/captain seem to think that their strength lies in spin and that will have a spin advantage over these SENA teams when its proved to be completely opposite. Most of our batsmen are so mediocre vs spin and they don't have great spin options themselves. Pakistan strength has been pacers and getting the ball to swing & our pacers take advantage of that by bowling up. It's why Pakistan have generally done well in England and why they fail with that same strategy in Australian conditions.

What an absolute disaster it has been from Pakistan not knowing their own strengths & weaknesses, no settled lineup, no clear bowling lineup either and so many players are debuting or come in & outta the lineup, matchup issues, poor field placements and it doesn't seem like coaches come up with a good bowling plan either considering how often they have failed to take 20 wickets. What a mess and Pakistan deserve every bit of criticism for everything that has gone on in the past year for Tests.
 
Shaheen and Babar are the only world class players Pakistan have. Without either of them we will struggle to win, it's as simple as that, nothing to do with pitches or whatever. Pitches in Pakistan have been like that since ages.

We had way too many debutants in our bowling attack against England. The only world class bowler we have is injured.

Even if the wickets were green or whatever in the england series. I don't think attack of M.Ali(debut), Abrar(debut), Wasim Jnr(Debut), Rauf(Debut), Zahid Mehmood, Nauman and Nawaz would have been more threatening than Robinson & Anderson on a spicy wicket, both are ranked in top 10 in tests.

The only top 10 ranked bowler we have is injured, rest of the bowling line up is below average and will remain so till shaheen gets back.
 
Oooft, thats got to sting. Babar will be out for revenge tomorrow. Good that he made these remarks, the gauntlet has been set down, time for the King to arise.
 
You do realise that Pakistan will lose whoever is captain….

We weren't losing at home when Misbah was coach and Waqar was bowling coach and Ehsan Mani was chairman and Wasim Khan was CEO. Things changed when Ramiz took over the PCB and started interfering in the pitches.
 
Oooft, thats got to sting. Babar will be out for revenge tomorrow. Good that he made these remarks, the gauntlet has been set down, time for the King to arise.

Well even if Pak wins via a Babar master class, it still doesn’t debunk Doull’s comments here. The pitches have been atrocious throughout most of this home season.
 
Cricviz during world T20 released an analytical pitch report which showed Pakistan has the lowest bounce.

Capturewer.jpg
 
Apparently some local sports reporters are unhappy with Simon Doul for these comments, they are upset at Bazid Khan for not being man enough to give a shut up call to Simon Doul and counter him immediately that Babar has scored runs all over the world. Some suspect this episode was triggered to further humiliate Ramiz Raja who interfered with the pitches during his reign.
 
Well even if Pak wins via a Babar master class, it still doesn’t debunk Doull’s comments here. The pitches have been atrocious throughout most of this home season.

Maybe but it would still feel good.
 
Simon asking all the right questions. Who is responsible for this disaster?
 
Apparently some local sports reporters are unhappy with Simon Doul for these comments, they are upset at Bazid Khan for not being man enough to give a shut up call to Simon Doul and counter him immediately that Babar has scored runs all over the world. Some suspect this episode was triggered to further humiliate Ramiz Raja who interfered with the pitches during his reign.

Doull asked the question which he is entitled to do.

That's what makes him a decent commentator and not a yes-man who bores the pants off everyone like most of the Pakistani commentators.
 
May not be the right way of asking the question. Probably influenced by social media. But underlying truth cannot be denied. Third back to back series Pakistan has rolled out one road after another. If it were old England all 3 tests would have ended in draw. Even here it is NZ that is taking the initiative. Not Pakistan. They try to make a match of it.
 
Why can't commentators ask such questions?

I would encourage more commentators to ask questions like this instead of just towing the party line.

Too many commentators these days who just talk rubbish all day, praising players and Boards just to stay in a job.
 
We weren't losing at home when Misbah was coach and Waqar was bowling coach and Ehsan Mani was chairman and Wasim Khan was CEO. Things changed when Ramiz took over the PCB and started interfering in the pitches.

The pitches were better yes, but not the opposition. The only series win that has any merit is the South African one. However, we have to remember South Africa are probably bigger mental midgets than us. Add the fact that their batting is nothing to write home about, it’s no great feat to beat them at home. Certainly no comparison to Australia, England and New Zealand
 
Bit of a cheap shot from Doull?

I was surprised to hear it being said on live commentary in such an unfiltered manner.
 
Doull asked the question which he is entitled to do.

That's what makes him a decent commentator and not a yes-man who bores the pants off everyone like most of the Pakistani commentators.

Does he ask similar questions during IPL/ India matches as well? Genuine question.
 
Why can't commentators ask such questions?

I would encourage more commentators to ask questions like this instead of just towing the party line.

Too many commentators these days who just talk rubbish all day, praising players and Boards just to stay in a job.

They have every right to question flat tracks, but they cannot pass fatwas on the motivation behind them, especially those that name a cricketer.
 
Apparently some local sports reporters are unhappy with Simon Doul for these comments, they are upset at Bazid Khan for not being man enough to give a shut up call to Simon Doul and counter him immediately that Babar has scored runs all over the world. Some suspect this episode was triggered to further humiliate Ramiz Raja who interfered with the pitches during his reign.

It's kind of hard to counter when Babar has 2 tons in 26 away tests and at same time he has 6 tons in only 13 tests in Pakistan. These are just poor pitch made to avoid loss.

I don't think Doull should have said that, but it hardly matters if it's Babar or PCB calling the shots. End result is flat roads after flat roads. Aus tried to force results, Eng tried to force result and now NZ is taking risk to force result. Pakistan started with intention to draw all tests and against Aus, Eng and NZ. Flat pitches are simply a way to get desired results.
 
Disrespectful from Simon Doull

Babar should give him a befitting response with a masterclass on Day 5
 
The directive came from Babar because he's a selfish player who only cares about his stats. Ramiz has played his part as well by making a brand out of him.

Misbah should also be held to account because Babar inherited this mindset of "don't lose at any cost" from him.
 
It is disrespect from Doull and hopefully it will get a reaction from Babar who will tell us whos really responsible for these joke pitches
 
Does he ask similar questions during IPL/ India matches as well? Genuine question.

You will be surprised. He does ask some uncomfortable questions from time to time. He is not Danny Morrison who is all about sugar coating
 
To be really frank I don't think there is anything wrong with what Doull said. May be as a commentator he could have used some discretion but again what he said was absolutely right. Pakistan are neither helping themselves nor making watching Test cricket interesting. The visiting teams are making the games watchable with their performances. Doull could have kept quiet and enjoyed this performance from NZ in this series but he decided to raise a pertinent point. People shout and scream about Test matches which finish in 3 days but again at least the host teams are preparing wickets to win. What are Pakistan trying here to do? We will all know how good all these batters are when they tour overseas in the coming years.

It is hard to judge a batter when number 10 & 11 are scoring runs for fun.
 
Very cheap comment from Simon Doull. Yes you can complain about the pitch, but saying such thing on live commentary is not acceptable.
He should apologize for his comments and make sure he clarifies himself that he didn't mean to disrespect the player. But who am I kidding ... this is PCB afterall...
 
What else a commentator's job , if not to comment on obvious ongoing issues related to wicket ? Nothing wrong with that.
 
Pakistan are not producing result oriented pitches but somehow still producing results and close fought draws.
 
I'm pretty sure a walking wicket like K.L. Rahul can average 50 if he plays his home matches on such tracks, LOL.
 
Why can't commentators ask such questions?

I would encourage more commentators to ask questions like this instead of just towing the party line.

Too many commentators these days who just talk rubbish all day, praising players and Boards just to stay in a job.

Like an Indian commentator said and then got banned from commentary lol. However, I do agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and commentators should have freedom to speak their minds.
 
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Like an Indian commentator said and then got banned from commentary lol. However, I do agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and commentators should have freedom to speak their minds.

In an ideal world, yes. However, not when establishments world over want to control every narrative under them even though commentary is an area which should ideally always be free of any apparent bias or pressure.
 
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And despite that, the guys does zilch whenever his team needs him to perform :))
 
How many of the draws in Pakistan's home session really ended with Pakistan in a better position than opposition to win the game?
 
IPL? Is IPL part of WTC?

How many tests have been drawn in India recently?

Calm down. You are just jumping into the conversation without checking whom I directed my question to and why I did that. My question was not about WTC or Test pitches. The poster said Doull was not "yes-man who bores the pants off everyone". Doull asked whether Babar wanted to boost his stats and I asked if Doull had courage to aske similar question in India where Dhoni or Kohli was involved in something. Stop fiddling around, just try to understand the question I asked.
 
I think its important to look at things from the Kiwis perspective.

They recieved a lot of flack when they pulled out of a tour previously. Wasim Khan was reduced to tears and all of Pakistan reacted furiously. Some even claimed that New Zealand had killed Pakistan cricket.

Now after much cajoling behind the scenes they finally arrived and are greeted by the flattest of pitches and empty grounds. These pitches are so awful that it seems like they were made to deter people from entering Pakistan. The dead crowds has totally shattered the PCBs media statements that Pakistan is a cricket loving nation, its unfair how we are treated, our players deserve to play infront of home crowds etc etc.

The series is only interesting because the kiwis chose a bold declaration.

In fact, the three recent test series have made an absolute mockery of cricket and the opposition have made aggressive declarations and offered to hand the series to Pakistan on a plate each time. They clearly don't care much about losing to Pakistan because the series have been completely devalued.

From a kiwi perspective they must be wondering just what the hell all the fuss was about the first time they pulled out and are right to ask questions.

They are essentially playing these matches at gunpoint, under the threat of blackmail and guilt tripping and then been served a dead pitch in a dead stadium.

I can't blame Doull for asking these awkward questions. I wonder what the kiwis are thinking deep down, what sort of conversations they are having in the dressing room and back home, because this series is a complete slap to their faces.
 
Calm down. You are just jumping into the conversation without checking whom I directed my question to and why I did that. My question was not about WTC or Test pitches. The poster said Doull was not "yes-man who bores the pants off everyone". Doull asked whether Babar wanted to boost his stats and I asked if Doull had courage to aske similar question in India where Dhoni or Kohli was involved in something. Stop fiddling around, just try to understand the question I asked.


But to ask that question there has to be something?
 
I think PCB don't believe they can win test match on sporting pitches. So they ae playing for draws and for that purpose - dead pitch is the best option

Now who gave the directive for this draw mindset - is it Ramiz Raja or Babar Azam ?
 
No negative questions please...

Babar as a strong authoritative captain has every right to order the kind of pitches which suits his batting style...to hell with boring test match results...

Babar should continue to order the pitches he feasts on and be like...
"Yeh taufa humne khudko diya hai"

:inti
 
Huge pressure on Babar today to do something special.

The pitch in Karachi is not that great for batting but this is where he can prove people wrong.
 
I'm surprised people are defending Doull here. Whenever martial law is imposed in Pakistan, the generals always have a justifiable reason that serves the higher purpose or greater good. But the very fact that it throws the constitution in the trash makes it illegitimate.

Truth fairies need to understand that a commentator just can't slander a cricketer without evidence, even if that cricketer is Salman Butt. I'm not sure if Babar saw this, but Doull should have been sacked just as Deano was let go after the "terrorist" remark.
 
Apparently some local sports reporters are unhappy with Simon Doul for these comments, they are upset at Bazid Khan for not being man enough to give a shut up call to Simon Doul and counter him immediately that Babar has scored runs all over the world. Some suspect this episode was triggered to further humiliate Ramiz Raja who interfered with the pitches during his reign.

Babar averages 27 in 10 innings in Australia (which is a good enough sample). That's not even good enough for a poor Test batsman. Clearly he's below par when pace and bounce is at it's highest, so it's perfectly reasonable to imply he prefers slow low bouncing wickets.
 
Doull hasn't been seen in the ODI series. Looks like broadcasters called Morrison in his place.
 
I think its important to look at things from the Kiwis perspective.

They recieved a lot of flack when they pulled out of a tour previously. Wasim Khan was reduced to tears and all of Pakistan reacted furiously. Some even claimed that New Zealand had killed Pakistan cricket.

Now after much cajoling behind the scenes they finally arrived and are greeted by the flattest of pitches and empty grounds. These pitches are so awful that it seems like they were made to deter people from entering Pakistan. The dead crowds has totally shattered the PCBs media statements that Pakistan is a cricket loving nation, its unfair how we are treated, our players deserve to play infront of home crowds etc etc.

The series is only interesting because the kiwis chose a bold declaration.

In fact, the three recent test series have made an absolute mockery of cricket and the opposition have made aggressive declarations and offered to hand the series to Pakistan on a plate each time. They clearly don't care much about losing to Pakistan because the series have been completely devalued.

From a kiwi perspective they must be wondering just what the hell all the fuss was about the first time they pulled out and are right to ask questions.

They are essentially playing these matches at gunpoint, under the threat of blackmail and guilt tripping and then been served a dead pitch in a dead stadium.

I can't blame Doull for asking these awkward questions. I wonder what the kiwis are thinking deep down, what sort of conversations they are having in the dressing room and back home, because this series is a complete slap to their faces.

Solid point. Pakistan has wasted a golden opportunity here to win on and off the field with 3 back-to-back SENA teams touring.
 
I think he was right, and the results are there for everyone to see (ICC awards).
 
I think he was right, and the results are there for everyone to see (ICC awards).

Indian media manufactured our former kaptaan as a star, an artificial one but a star nonetheless.

PCB seem to want one of their own. Good hustle.
 
I think he was right, and the results are there for everyone to see (ICC awards).

True. But Babar needs to understand winning the matches is equally important. He stops telling curator to make such roads and try to prepare supportive result oriented pitches. Personal glories won't that matters.
 
Indian media manufactured our former kaptaan as a star, an artificial one but a star nonetheless.

PCB seem to want one of their own. Good hustle.

No media can transform a cricketer in to a star. A player turns in to a star solely because of his performance. The only cricketer in history to turn in to a star in his country with below par output is Shahid Afridi.

Your comment is laughable.
 
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