[EXCLUSIVE] "Pakistan should have won that game against India": Ian Pont

[Cricket Warrior]

What is the point of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) if Pakistan continues to play such uninspiring cricket?. This sentiment has only intensified after the team's shambolic showing in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

In the latest episode of PakPassion Exclusive Interviews, Saj Sadiq and elite fast bowling coach Ian Pont discuss this very issue. They also delve into Pakistan's disastrous campaign, the parachute arrival of Gary Kirsten in the midst of what appears to be a Pakistan team in meltdown, the lack of unity within the team, and the potential way forward for Pakistan cricket.

00:14 - Introduction
00:52 - Is the PSL fit for purpose?
02:25 - On Pakistan's World Cup performance
04:30 - On the Super Over against the USA
06:46 - On Pakistan's pacers in the World Cup
08:16 - Why are Pakistan's pacers injury-prone
11:19 - On the standard of pace bowling in the World Cup
13:31 - On Gary Kirsten
16:14 - On alleged infighting within the Pakistan team
17:43 - Conclusion

 

[kach]

This is known, India had no business winning that game. Infact Pakistan had batted well and then choked.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

This is known, India had no business winning that game. Infact Pakistan had batted well and then choked.

Pakistan actually didn't bat well.... they contained India just because of their bowling so the real culprit was Rizwan's slugish inning throughout the game.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan actually didn't bat well.... they contained India just because of their bowling so the real culprit was Rizwan's slugish inning throughout the game.

Not really.

Here are the scores of our regular batters

 

[kach]

Lack of planning, Rizwan started that collapse because he was overconfident he can take on Bumrah but until then batted nicely keeping the required runrate well within reach.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Not really.

Here are the scores of our regular batters

Look at their strike rates... horrible!

It doesnt look like a scorecard of a T20 match.. more like a Test match.

 

[pakistani pride]

Look at their strike rates... horrible!

It doesnt look like a scorecard of a T20 match.. more like a Test match.

Yes, this lot should really retire and leave Pak cricket alone!

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Look at their strike rates... horrible!

It doesnt look like a scorecard of a T20 match.. more like a Test match.

Babar azam strike rate is 130. What else we want? 300 strike rate?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Babar azam strike rate is 130. What else we want? 300 strike rate?

yeah for that he will get a "Tamgha-e-Jurat"

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Grouping in the team is clearly visible now, if we are still in denial then no one can help us.
Babar will regret like many players in the past. Problem with pakistan is we keep repeating the history.
What is the solution?
Step no. 1
We need a sincere and patriot person for PCB chiarman not some tat punjiye who are there only for luxury life and money.
Step no. 2
Each player is mandatory to complete full 8 sessions with psychiatrist before joining national team.
Step no. 3
15-25% profit from PSL directly goes to clubs for up-graduations each year, after 10 years your clubs will be international standard.
Step no. 4
Whoever try to create groups in team should be ban from all type of cricket for minimum 3 years.
Step no. 5
Be sincere with your country and pride.

 

[pakistani pride]

Babar azam strike rate is 130. What else we want? 300 strike rate?

Babar indeed played a great knock scoring a grand total of 13 runs.

 

[Inswinging Yorker]

Pakistan are always mentally weak in pressure situations. They can also create pressure on themselves as happened against India and USA

 

[giri26]

Well it was a tough pitch and to be frank Pakistan did very well for a while. Don't forget this was a wicket where 119 was the highest score and the highest successful chase was around 111. So yeah technically Pakistan should have won the game but again it was not as straightforward as it seems. Pakistan got within 6 runs because of Naseem Shah scoring a few boundaries in the end otherwise the margin would have been bigger, that tells a lot about the surface.

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

Well it was a tough pitch and to be frank Pakistan did very well for a while. Don't forget this was a wicket where 119 was the highest score and the highest successful chase was around 111. So yeah technically Pakistan should have won the game but again it was not as straightforward as it seems. Pakistan got within 6 runs because of Naseem Shah scoring a few boundaries in the end otherwise the margin would have been bigger, that tells a lot about the surface.

couple of strategic errors in batting cost Pakistan this match. 119 was chase able and Pakistan did well to score 65 in 11 for loss of 2 .. Fakhar Zaman wrongly took on short ball of Hardik Pandya. he should have waited it out until over of Either Jadega or Patel.. perfect match up for him.. and he could have scored couple of boundaries easily to ease it off. same over was eventually played by Imad and he struggled to put a bat on ball.. ended up wasting 5 precious deliveries. and second error was rizwan taking on Bumrah. we only needed to score singles from his overs. new batters came in and struggled

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Lack of planning, Rizwan started that collapse because he was overconfident he can take on Bumrah but until then batted nicely keeping the required runrate well within reach.

Rizwan's wicket was the key (once Fakhar fell), he needed to bat till the end. Rizwan made a match turning mistake by playing loose agianst Bumrah. Imad, Shahdab & (especially) Iftikhar were not good enough to negotiate the difficult (double paced) pitch and guide the team to the end. In the end Pakistan was just one good cameo away from success. However it came too late in form of Naseem Shah. Lateness of that counter attack was due to the pressure the team was under (playing against India and having lost to USA) that was due to the negative mindset.

 

[FearlessRoar]

I completely agree that our team's management needs a boost, especially when it comes to taking care of our fast bowlers discipline. It's heartbreaking to see our fast bowlers sidelined with injuries. Jimmy Anderson's dedication to his craft and it shows what can be achieved with hard work and discipline.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1804960172147654828

 

[Misia]

If the captain, vice-captain, his right-hand man, or seniors are all of the "go deep" mentality this willl keep happening.
Sack the captain and rebuild with solid attacking fighting players who be scarred to lose

 

[zaidihusain]

The fact is most of the current players in Pakistan team play for their own 15-20 runs irrespective of their SR or match situation with clear lack of intent. Same is the case with bowlers who just wants to get 1 or 2 random wickets at economy rate of 8-9. Even after playing so much cricket, the current lot doesn't have proper game awareness or doesn't play as a team with an aim to win matches. Even minnow teams like Ireland, Zimbabwe, USA etc. play with more hunger and as a unit to win few games. Fans must stop celebrating individual performances or milestones, contribution in winning cause should be the only criteria for performance

 

[Thephenom]

Let’s not gloss over it, Rizwan got out because he didn’t have the courage to take on Bumrah and gave his wicket away!

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Not really.

Here are the scores of our regular batters

Babar and Fakhar only two managed to put the SR above 100... rest of the team cant even come close 100 SR..
Look at Rizwan and Imad the 2 big culprits of this chase batting at 70 and 60 SR.. 46 runs off 67 balls thats terrible in a ODI game too in this modern era..

Iftikar and Shadab what a waste these two... Naseem came in played a scoop and hit a boundary on the offside threatened India Kohli was putting hell of dive there trying to save the boundary...

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pont is right, Pakistan should have won against India. To lose from that situation clearly shows that our players have some mental brittleness too.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Babar indeed played a great knock scoring a grand total of 13 runs.

In that match 20-30 runs scored at 130+ SR would make a difference.. look at what Imad did 15 runs off 23 balls and Rizwan 30 from 44 balls (struggling to put bat on ball and for the first 10 overs the ball was coming to the bat nicely and no real demon in the pitch with fielders in the circle in PP), Babar played 10 balls hit 2 4s and fakhar played only 8 balls and managed to scored 4 and 6 each outside PP... Rizwan played 44 balls to hit 2 boundary shots , what was he thinking keep on run between the crease to score 120 to win match such a brainless hack , some even recommend this dud to be next captain lol... Look at Pant in that game scored 6 boundaries... India in total hit 13 4s , compare how much Pak got

 

[Inswinging Yorker]

Pont is right, Pakistan should have won against India. To lose from that situation clearly shows that our players have some mental brittleness too.

Should have won against USA too. They are mentally weak and play without confidence.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

Ian is absolutely right we should of won the game and done it comfortably.

This isn't the first time we have cocked up and given the game on a plate.

We could go back decades and see this has been the same theme for years.

 

[GillEdits]

What is the point of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) if Pakistan continues to play such uninspiring cricket?. This sentiment has only intensified after the team's shambolic showing in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

In the latest episode of PakPassion Exclusive Interviews, Saj Sadiq and elite fast bowling coach Ian Pont discuss this very issue. They also delve into Pakistan's disastrous campaign, the parachute arrival of Gary Kirsten in the midst of what appears to be a Pakistan team in meltdown, the lack of unity within the team, and the potential way forward for Pakistan cricket.

00:14 - Introduction
00:52 - Is the PSL fit for purpose?
02:25 - On Pakistan's World Cup performance
04:30 - On the Super Over against the USA
06:46 - On Pakistan's pacers in the World Cup
08:16 - Why are Pakistan's pacers injury-prone
11:19 - On the standard of pace bowling in the World Cup
13:31 - On Gary Kirsten
16:14 - On alleged infighting within the Pakistan team
17:43 - Conclusion

Everyone knows this, that Pakistan should've won the match except Pakistan team

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

Look at their strike rates... horrible!

It doesnt look like a scorecard of a T20 match.. more like a Test match.

This match wasn't about strike rates.

The pitch told the story.

It was about finishing the game by occupying the crease after being 80 odd for 2.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

This match wasn't about strike rates.

The pitch told the story.

It was about finishing the game by occupying the crease after being 80 odd for 2.

Pakistan never got all out in that match. They ran out of overs because of this tuk tuk.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

Pakistan never got all out in that match. They ran out of overs because of this tuk tuk.

All that was required was common sense.

The first 6 overs we should of gone hard and then bat smartly and finish.

It wasn't a 150 plus strike rate pitch.

South Africa struggled on the same deck against the U S.

 

[GillEdits]

All that was required was common sense.

The first 6 overs we should of gone hard and then bat smartly and finish.

It wasn't a 150 plus strike rate pitch.

South Africa struggled on the same deck against the U S.

But South African openers, especially QDK knows how to use PP. It's coz of the PP they won against England.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

But South African openers, especially QDK knows how to use PP. It's coz of the PP they won against England.

I mentioned we needed to go hard in the first 6 and then bat smartly and finish.

We haven't made use of the first 6 PP consistently for a long time because we don't know our best openers.

S A and others have no such issue.

 

[batandballbattle]

They still have the outdated mindset of taking the game deep which applied more and more unneeded pressure as the game went on. 120 from 120 made them believe they can tuk tuk all the way home.
In reality you need to be able to know which overs and bowlers to target to make the task easier, and there was no strategy in that regard. Case in point Rizwan's wild swipe as soon as the world's best bowler returned.

 

[GillEdits]

I mentioned we needed to go hard in the first 6 and then bat smartly and finish.

We haven't made use of the first 6 PP consistently for a long time because we don't know our best openers.

S A and others have no such issue.

Yeah, that's the difference.

 

[UP]

What do you expect from timid players and cowards?

Pakistan cricket was known for its charisma and flavour. The past 15 years have been rather full of timidness and talentless hacks who lack game awareness, mental toughness and skills. The current crop simply wet their pants when facing India.

There was a time when Pakistan used to manhandle and beat India for fun.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan should have won against USA as well but these guys are not playing for the country. They are playing for themselves and making others look bad.

They won't be winning anything if this individuality continues.

 

[Saj]

No stability, no guts, no determination.

Pakistan cricket is in a state of turmoil.

It's declining fast and needs saving quickly.

 

[usman.sandhu]

No stability, no guts, no determination.

Pakistan cricket is in a state of turmoil.

It's declining fast and needs saving quickly.

I feel its beyond saving now unfortunately.

We are the new minnows of world cricket. Timid and weak players with no game awareness and zero mental strength...

Will take a miracle to turn this around!

 

[UP]

No stability, no guts, no determination.

Pakistan cricket is in a state of turmoil.

It's declining fast and needs saving quickly.

I expect Pakistan cricket to fall to Zimbabwe level in about ten years. Rotten and nonexistent domestic, club and school cricket is to blame. We have produced utter garbage and timidness post 2010.

 

[MenInG]

Time to move on but the problem is what lessons have been learnt?

Already we are hearing that no real action is expected from the PCB - so are we back to square one?

 

[usman.sandhu]

Time to move on but the problem is what lessons have been learnt?

Already we are hearing that no real action is expected from the PCB - so are we back to square one?

I think we shouldn't move on without fixing the core issue.

We have to get rid of our unfit toxic political core (Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen, Haris, Shadab, Iftikhar) and send a clear message that no player is bigger than the sport

We have to set the right tone

We lose anyway, at least create a competitive disciplined environment..

 

[BouncerGuy]

Time to move on. India is not even an issue atm. The real issue is the performance against newbies like USA. Pakistan should be looking to beat them first. India is the last thing they should focus on.

 

[Buffet]

Time to move on. India is not even an issue atm. The real issue is the performance against newbies like USA. Pakistan should be looking to beat them first. India is the last thing they should focus on.

Should Pakistan arrange T20 5 match series against USA??

I think Pakistan should beat USA 8-9 out of 10 times. Posters are reading too much after one game.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Should Pakistan arrange T20 5 match series against USA??

I think Pakistan should beat USA 8-9 out of 10 times. Posters are reading too much after one game.

No point in arranging a series if the team is filled with a friend group. Something has to be changed.

 

[Sir Alex]

I think we shouldn't move on without fixing the core issue.

We have to get rid of our unfit toxic political core (Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen, Haris, Shadab, Iftikhar) and send a clear message that no player is bigger than the sport

We have to set the right tone

We lose anyway, at least create a competitive disciplined environment..

This is like throwing the baby with the bathwater
Too much of a shocker and will destabilize the team, not to mention plunge it even further.

As I posted elsewhere earlier, Pakistan Board needs to address this in two ways. I.pkement strict fitness and fielding standards in junior level cricket all the way upto U-19 immediately and install appropriate controls to ensure effective observance of those.

Secondly, they need to implement fitness standards in senior cricket in a step by step manner. These cricketers aren't absolutely useless - barring a few most of them are still international class and has reached at this level based on superlative effort with bat and ball. Give them a reasonable but strict window of time to work on their fitness and elevate it. Slowly raise the bar over next 6 months to a year or even 18 months. Meanwhile monitor those who are being lazy and overconfident and start planning to replace such players over the same period.

Such an effort will forever change Pakistan cricket iit will save Pakistan from the current torrid cycle of mediocrity and push it to a virtuous circle of excellence and install a self sustaining high performance culture

You can't have quick fixes for institutionalized systemic issues.

 

[usman.sandhu]

This is like throwing the baby with the bathwater
Too much of a shocker and will destabilize the team, not to mention plunge it even further.

As I posted elsewhere earlier, Pakistan Board needs to address this in two ways. I.pkement strict fitness and fielding standards in junior level cricket all the way upto U-19 immediately and install appropriate controls to ensure effective observance of those.

Secondly, they need to implement fitness standards in senior cricket in a step by step manner. These cricketers aren't absolutely useless - barring a few most of them are still international class and has reached at this level based on superlative effort with bat and ball. Give them a reasonable but strict window of time to work on their fitness and elevate it. Slowly raise the bar over next 6 months to a year or even 18 months. Meanwhile monitor those who are being lazy and overconfident and start planning to replace such players over the same period.

Such an effort will forever change Pakistan cricket iit will save Pakistan from the current torrid cycle of mediocrity and push it to a virtuous circle of excellence and install a self sustaining high performance culture

You can't have quick fixes for institutionalized systemic issues.

If we are unwilling to change and adapt, we will face more humiliation at the international stage..

These players have proven over the past 1 year that they are power hungry politicians and have no interest in improving themselves or playing as a team..

If you believe we need to stick with them, and I'm afraid PCB might agree with your POV, then there is nothing left to look forward to in Pakistan cricket..

As I had suggested elsewhere, a quadrangular between Pakistan, USA, Ireland and Zimbabwe..