Excuses if Pakistan win the South Africa series

[Suleiman]

I said the same question at the start of our last overseas expedition to England, and sure enough the excuses came in droves. Pakistan only win at Lords, Pakistan only win at Oval, Pakistan only win at rectangle. Pakistan were lucky Jimmy Anderson didn’t play first test.

All nonsense.

Listen, I wouldn’t think of even asking the question if this was 2013 with mugs like Rahat and Wahab bowling for us.

We have arguably the best test pace attack, maybe number 2 behind Aussies and tied without South Africa.

Hasan, Shaheen, Abbas, even Amir all came to play not to make friends. You have awkward height, left and right arm pace, reverse swing, new ball bowlers. Keep writing Pakistan off.

Right now the two guys whose form was suspect, Azhar and Shafiq, just came back to form too.

I wasn’t sure if we had a chance, but now that Hafeez has graciously stepped down, a good opening pair is all we need, and we have good options.

This is our best chance to make history with Steyn as injury prone as ever, rest being inexperienced. Amla can’t hold a bat to save his life these days. No Ab, No Graeme Smith, No Kallis.

Someone asked if this is India’s best chance to make history in Australia. This is Pakistan’s best chance to become yet again the first Asian team to win in South Africa.

 

[MeanAndGreen]

I get the sentiment of people writing off Pakistan completely but this will be a much closer series than the 2013 one.

PAK's bowling will cause South Africas batting problems all throughout the series. Azhar, Asad, Babar and Haris all have the calibre to score against the best - just need a consistent showing from these 4 and a contribution here and there from someone else and this series is on.

+ Lets not forget Mickey knows South Africa like the back of his hand.

I back PAK to snatch a test from SA, especially considering how feeble their batting line up is.

 

[Godhelpma]

I don’t think that we will need to give excuses this time too

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Haha

SA were missing AB, Morkel, xyz, abc, Tom Cruise, Muralitharan etc etc

If Pakistan wins this 3rd test against NZ easily i have a feeling we will win 2-1 in SA. Inzamam tried his best to mess it up with his pal Hafeez but still we have a chanceee!

And i know the diplomatic lot will not say anything in fear of what Indians, Bangladeshis and some attention seeking Pakistanis will say and how they will bump this thread if we lose the series but hey lets back the boys here. If you believe we can win then don't hold up lol.

 

[Sarwar89]

Excuse.

No Asian team has ever won a Test series in South Africa.

Best excuse.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Why being so defensive? This is a weak SA without ABD and it would be dishonest to term his absence as an excuse.

AB DeVilliers was the reason why India couldn't blank SA 3-0 last time.

110 runs in the first game. SA's highest scorer in both innings.
Vital 80 in the second innings of the second game.

He sustained himself till the all important India tour which basically drained off whatever fuel that was left in his tank. Post that he didn't care anymore.

Without him this is basically SA-B. Much like the one India demolished 7-2 in the ODIs and T20s. Ironically, AB played in one of those wins too.

This is the best chance any sub-continent team will have to beat SA.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Why being so defensive? This is a weak SA without ABD and it would be dishonest to term his absence as an excuse.

AB DeVilliers was the reason why India couldn't blank SA 3-0 last time.

110 runs in the first game. SA's highest scorer in both innings.
Vital 80 in the second innings of the second game.

He sustained himself till the all important India tour which basically drained off whatever fuel that was left in his tank. Post that he didn't care anymore.

Without him this is basically SA-B. Much like the one India demolished 7-2 in the ODIs and T20s. Ironically, AB played in one of those wins too.

This is the best chance any sub-continent team will have to beat SA.

And the Indians have started........

Any team which Pakistan play these days is either their A, B or Z team lol.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

It's better for Pakistan if people write them off.

 

[BreadPakoda]

And the Indians have started........

Any team which Pakistan play these days is either their A, B or Z team lol.

An excuse would be something like "the home team was taken by surprise", "they weren't ready", etc.

Missing a vital player such as ABD, Jimmy Anderson, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, etc. is not an excuse. It's a legit reason why a team is not as strong as it could be. And why it should be easier to defeat them.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

An excuse would be something like "the home team was taken by surprise", "they weren't ready", etc.

Missing a vital player such as ABD, Jimmy Anderson, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, etc. is not an excuse. It's a legit reason why a team is not as strong as it could be. And why it should be easier to defeat them.

AB has retired for almost an year now, its not as if he is missing the series due to some injury.

We can say Pakistan will be missing Younis as he retired 2 years ago. It doesn't work this way.

And don't compare Indian bowling with Pak bowling. Indian bowlers weren't just good enough to dislodge AB. Pakistani bowlers have more skill so we cant say if AB scored heavily against India he would have done the same against Pakistan.

Anyways SA still have quality batsmen in Amla, Faf, Markaram, Elgar for SA conditions.

 

[Suleiman]

Why being so defensive? This is a weak SA without ABD and it would be dishonest to term his absence as an excuse.

AB DeVilliers was the reason why India couldn't blank SA 3-0 last time.

110 runs in the first game. SA's highest scorer in both innings.
Vital 80 in the second innings of the second game.

He sustained himself till the all important India tour which basically drained off whatever fuel that was left in his tank. Post that he didn't care anymore.

Without him this is basically SA-B. Much like the one India demolished 7-2 in the ODIs and T20s. Ironically, AB played in one of those wins too.

This is the best chance any sub-continent team will have to beat SA.

Series hasn’t started but excuses have.

And then we ask why cricket is dying.

No respect for champion teams.

 

[Mamoon]

Forget winning the series, even winning a match is completely out of question.

This series has 3-0 written all over it, and if we can somehow draw a Test (albeit a rare occurrence in South Africa) we should be proud of ourselves.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Without ABDV, Morkel, Ngidi this is a much weaker SA team compared to the one India faced in January. So Pakistan should run SA close this time.

 

[DRsohail]

Without ABDV, Morkel, Ngidi this is a much weaker SA team compared to the one India faced in January. So Pakistan should run SA close this time.

Like aus is weak.But SA is still good team and we at best can win a test match.

 

[Rana]

The best excuse right now is Hafeez being selfish and retiring on the eve of this big tour leaving Pakistan with no choice but to find a new opener

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Like aus is weak.But SA is still good team and we at best can win a test match.

Morkel and Ngidi wouldn't have made the SA X1 in presence of Steyn, Rabada and Philander. Don't feed the trolls.

 

[DRsohail]

Morkel and Ngidi wouldn't have made the SA X1 in presence of Steyn, Rabada and Philander. Don't feed the trolls.

SA is one of the strongest team to beat at their home.Steyn or no Steyn ABD or no ABD.Thid ABD thing does not make sense as he has retired an year ago and SA should have adjusted by now like we have lost Misbah and Yonus.
AUS is definitely weak as their two WC players have suddenly and unexpectedly gone unlike ABD.
I will take beating SA Z team in a single test this time .

 

[Ab Fan]

ABD averages 65 against Pakistan. So, he is a big miss.

But still Pakistan bigger issue is to face Rabada and Vern in SA conditions. Morkel is not a miss if Steyn plays and doesn't get injured.It will help for Pakistan though if Ngidi is injured as well.

I think Pakistan will lose this series quite easily because of lack of quality batsmen and experience. If they win, it is a great win indeed. No excuse.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Morkel and Ngidi wouldn't have made the SA X1 in presence of Steyn, Rabada and Philander. Don't feed the trolls.

SA normally play with 4 seamers + Maharaj. Morkel is the one troubles the Sub Continent batsman most due to his height and bounce he gets. He would hv been sure starter if available and so would AB. Yes, Ngidi would hv been backup if Steyn gets injured midway (again) but now they have to rely on Pheluwakayo.

So this is definitely a much weakened SA team.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Not sure our best chances are on a batting pitch or a bowling pitch. My hunch is a bowling pitch will even things out better between the teams and give Pakistan a better chance - provided we are lucky with the toss.

If we get good pitches, a 1-1 is possible.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

SA normally play with 4 seamers + Maharaj. Morkel is the one troubles the Sub Continent batsman most due to his height and bounce he gets. He would hv been sure starter if available

Not true. They played with a combination of 3 seamers + 1 spinner in their last home series against Australia. And no Morkel wouldn't have played in presence of Steyn, Rabada and Philander. Steyn >> Morkel.

Stop making things up bro.

 

[Madplayer]

Without ABDV, Morkel, Ngidi this is a much weaker SA team compared to the one India faced in January. So Pakistan should run SA close this time.

Pakistan is also missing Imran khan,Wasim Akram and Inzimam ul haq.

 

[AAli98]

Pakistan is also missing Imran khan,Wasim Akram and Inzimam ul haq.

Those players did jack in SA so will these current lot!

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Not true. They played with a combination of 3 seamers + 1 spinner in their last home series against Australia. And no Morkel wouldn't have played in presence of Steyn, Rabada and Philander. Steyn >> Morkel.

Stop making things up bro.

What are you talking about? Morkel played every test in that Aust series except the 2nd test where he was injured. He also played every test in the India series. You are living in fools world if you think if Morkel was available he would hv been benched. SA normally goes with 4 seamers for all visiting Asian teams.

The issue is they have not only lost Morkel but also his replacement (Ngidi) and have to rely on a quota bowler Pheluwakayo.And then there is AB missing as well.

Don't get me wrong, SA would still beat Pak as it don't take much to do it. But its far from the best SA team and much weaker than the one Ind faced in January.

 

[the Great Khan]

excuse number 1: "AB wasnt there and this is SA's Z team. Pakista fluked it. Next time it will be different mark my words. This is a mediocre team"

Excuse number 2:" Shafiq was bound to have a good innings after his string of failures. Everyone has one good innings"

Excuse number 3:" Steyn wasnt the same as usual"

Excuse number 4:" India played on different pitches so Pakistan were lucky"

Excuse number 5:" We are still medicore so enjoy this. Azhar is still rubbish we are a number 8 team"

Everything is a fluke...

 

[lonex]

Forget winning the series, even winning a match is completely out of question.

This series has 3-0 written all over it, and if we can somehow draw a Test (albeit a rare occurrence in South Africa) we should be proud of ourselves.

I have lost the count how many times you had to eat your words. If we win this time around, it will be a fluke for sure, right ?

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

What are you talking about? Morkel played every test in that Aust series except the 2nd test where he was injured. He also played every test in the India series. You are living in fools world if you think if Morkel was available he would hv been benched. SA normally goes with 4 seamers for all visiting Asian teams.

The issue is they have not only lost Morkel but also his replacement (Ngidi) and have to rely on a quota bowler Pheluwakayo.And then there is AB missing as well.

Don't get me wrong, SA would still beat Pak as it don't take much to do it. But its far from the best SA team and much weaker than the one Ind faced in January.

World doesnt revolve around India.

Morkel played all tests against Aus because Steyn, Rabada and Philander weren't all available at a time.

I have seen enough cricket to know Steyn, Rabada and Philander are more skillful bowlers than Morkel. Only a fool wick pick Morkel over a fit trio of these 3 and all 3 will probably retire as ATG test bowlers.

And why would SA play 5 bowlers against Pakistan when we Pakistanis are already infamous for our poor batting. Once again world doesn't revolve around India.

Matlab excuses k liye abhi sai kuch bhi ??

 

[Muhammad10]

"Fluke on favourable pitches against a below-par South African side. This lowly team would still be clobbered if it came up against the number one Test side (India)."

 

[Madplayer]

Those players did jack in SA so will these current lot!

Okay. But fact remains. Pakistan is missing them just like SA is missing Ab and morkel.

 

[AAli98]

No asian team is winning a test series in SA/Aus if you land 5 days before test match.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

No excuses, if pakistan wins the series it"ll be fair and square..
But you people are over rating babar and sohail, i bet they won't do much.

 

[BilalSez]

We will be lucky if we win even one session on whole tour with current miserable, selfish and coward bunch.

 

[Mamoon]

I have lost the count how many times you had to eat your words. If we win this time around, it will be a fluke for sure, right ?

Considering our rankings in Tests and ODIs and the alarming frequency by which we get flogged by the top teams, I haven’t had many days where I have had to eat my hat.

This is not about me so please do not get personal. I simply have a realistic measure of this mediocre team, and I am stating the obvious here - our batsmen do not stand any chance of outbatting their South African counterparts because in those conditions against the South African pace battery plus the guile of Maharaj.

You cannot fluke Test wins. If Pakistan somehow win this series, it will be the biggest achievement in our Test cricket history. However, the chances of that happening are equal to the number of Tests we have not lost in Australia since 1995.

 

[Bilal7]

Couldn't care less about the excuses. It will be a great achievement for this young(ish) side. However, Pakistan need to beat NZ first.

 

[shariqnoor]

If its a green pitch and Pakistan bowls first with an attack of Abbas/Shaheen/Amir or Hasan, I feel we can win one Test match at least. SA aren't that great as they are being made out.

 

[Mp812]

Pakistan is also missing Imran khan,Wasim Akram and Inzimam ul haq.

Ah that golden era when these players toured SA in their prime and were victorious on every tour. Those are some nostalgic memories eh )

 

[Red Devil]

Don't even bother thinking about them.

 

[Snowflake]

Lol! Who cares about excuses? You give too much value to the doom-and-gloom souls!

 

[GLORY OF '92]

If We win in SA it will be the greatest victory in our Test history. Let's he honest we are struggling in the UAE vs NZ. Very unlikely.

 

[Markhor]

Don't do it to yourselves. Time and again I've seen better Pakistan teams than this go to South Africa, only to get flogged.

I'll be surprised if we don't get bowled out for at least two sub-100 scores.

Anyway let's beat NZ first.

 

[ILcricket]

You will not need them excuses i think

 

[Abdullah]

I'm more worried about this test for now. I've always felt it would be an awesome achievement to win this series after what happened in game 1.
Today we had the chance to get the foot on the throat and we let it slip big style. Need 3 wickets in the first hour for 30 runs now

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Don't do it to yourselves. Time and again I've seen better Pakistan teams than this go to South Africa, only to get flogged.

I'll be surprised if we don't get bowled out for at least two sub-100 scores.

Anyway let's beat NZ first.

Agreed. Batting is even weaker than normal this time.

 

[Madplayer]

Ah that golden era when these players toured SA in their prime and were victorious on every tour. Those are some nostalgic memories eh )

The point mate. Look at the point.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pakistan aren't winning the test series in SA. This is SA, not Zim or WI.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

The best excuse right now is Hafeez being selfish and retiring on the eve of this big tour leaving Pakistan with no choice but to find a new opener

Fakhar Zaman and Abbas are injured aren't they?

 

[Usman Chadda]

If we win, it will be one of the greatest victories in the history of world cricket. No Asian side has even come close to winning a series in SA. It won't matter whoever is not playing, but if it happens, these boys will create history and will be regarded as the best touring Asian side by far.

However I don't see it happening. If SA prepare wickets similar to the Indian series, we will be lambs for slaughter.

 

[sam_ahm]

Won't happen, South Africa will win 3-0 in my opinion.

 

[Pete Rose]

Won't happen, South Africa will win 3-0 in my opinion.

first match will be mauling, second match close loss, third match dejected loss.

 

[imshally81]

Forget winning the series, even winning a match is completely out of question.

This series has 3-0 written all over it, and if we can somehow draw a Test (albeit a rare occurrence in South Africa) we should be proud of ourselves.

Maybe Law of Average hits SA

 

[mastersaan10]

Lol Pakistan won't even compete,. Imam will be hospitalized and Sami/Masood will be selected to be sitting . Only way a team can win in SA is team effort but our batsman have not even scored in uae collectively so no expectations from them in SA. If kohli couldn't win his team that series I doubt azhar will, he is the only batsman I have some hope from of scoring more than 300 runs, the test I will be surprised if they score one 50 between them.

 

[Greenstorm]

If Fakhar and Abbas are fit enough to play then we will have a chance to win this series. Harris, Faheem and Shadab's role will be crucial too.

 

[ARK Rafay]

A team no matter how weak always knows best on how to play at home. Pakistan needs to play positive and attacking Cricket and have to be on top of South Africa most sessions.

 

[Justcrazy]

If Pakistan can bat well and get 300 consistently , they can win.

All the XI have to contribute with bat. Last four have to get 60 - 70 runs consistently.

 

[Kaptan]

Lol Pak might lose the current series and some have already started dreaming about winning series against SA in SA. )
Bhai pehle ye to jit lo.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I'll be over the moon if we somehow even manage to win one test. It would be a major achievement.

 

[KevinFern]

Should be a fun thread going ahead. Anyway hope its competitive atleast. And South African crowds come to jam pack the stadium to make the legend [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] happy.

 

[Napa]

I said the same question at the start of our last overseas expedition to England, and sure enough the excuses came in droves. Pakistan only win at Lords, Pakistan only win at Oval, Pakistan only win at rectangle. Pakistan were lucky Jimmy Anderson didn’t play first test.

All nonsense.

Listen, I wouldn’t think of even asking the question if this was 2013 with mugs like Rahat and Wahab bowling for us.

We have arguably the best test pace attack, maybe number 2 behind Aussies and tied without South Africa.

Hasan, Shaheen, Abbas, even Amir all came to play not to make friends. You have awkward height, left and right arm pace, reverse swing, new ball bowlers. Keep writing Pakistan off.

Right now the two guys whose form was suspect, Azhar and Shafiq, just came back to form too.

I wasn’t sure if we had a chance, but now that Hafeez has graciously stepped down, a good opening pair is all we need, and we have good options.

This is our best chance to make history with Steyn as injury prone as ever, rest being inexperienced. Amla can’t hold a bat to save his life these days. No Ab, No Graeme Smith, No Kallis.

Someone asked if this is India’s best chance to make history in Australia. This is Pakistan’s best chance to become yet again the first Asian team to win in South Africa.

Might as well fantasize about a Pakistani series victory while there is still time and before the real world comes crashing down on you.

 

[munda_khi]

either this SA side is a weak side then winning against them is not a fluke or accept that this is a strong side and winning against them will be a fluke.

 

[Plumb]

No excuses we will Win fair and square, those who don't accept door is this way

 

[zn426]

Can Pakistan win? Certainly.
But it will take an absolutely excellent bowling effort combined with Azhar and Shafiq having strong series. I believe Azhar should open-we haven't found a solution outside of him, and while he scores slowly, he has shown the ability in England and Australia to blunt the new ball successfully-if that's the case, then we could see the middle order score plenty of runs.
Having a four pacer attack will be vital. The Saffers are vunerable and the Test pace roster has performed better of late.

 

[Acricfan]

Our bowling may hold up, but our batting is nothing noteworthy. Babar, Haris and to an extent Azhar are the only ones likely to make a meaningful contribution. We'll have to play exceptionally well as a team, and hope that others can score a few runs around those 3.

 

[Suleiman]

It’s good that most are not giving Pakistan a chance as that’s when they are most dangerous vs when people expect them to win. Case in point, CT17 and Asia cup 18. Nobody cares about Asia Cup anyway where we lost to a mug team like Bangladesh and barely beat Hong Kong.

People only remember the 2013 tour but forgot in 2006 Asif and co caused the South Africans problems in their own home. AB was Asif’s bunny. Even Inzi played a clutch innings on a green mamba.

This is a young hungry Pakistan side, no lethargic over the hill Misbah or Younis holding them back.

 

[Ami]

Very difficult...we just dont have the team for it.
Talent wise or mentally.
If we win a test...itd be great.
Im not the one looking for draws to feel good.
S Africa are better than us esp in their own backyard...at UAE we can compete.

 

[austerlitz]

Even without AB,Morkel if you can win one match it will be good feat.Forget winning series.Pak batting will never cross 200 against steyn,rabada,ngidi and philander.

 

[Ab Fan]

It’s good that most are not giving Pakistan a chance as that’s when they are most dangerous vs when people expect them to win. Case in point, CT17 and Asia cup 18. Nobody cares about Asia Cup anyway where we lost to a mug team like Bangladesh and barely beat Hong Kong.

People only remember the 2013 tour but forgot in 2006 Asif and co caused the South Africans problems in their own home. AB was Asif’s bunny. Even Inzi played a clutch innings on a green mamba.

This is a young hungry Pakistan side, no lethargic over the hill Misbah or Younis holding them back.

How is this a hungry side, when they lose series to Sri Lanka and fail to dominate weakened Australia and NZ in their home/UAE?

In 2013,with YK and Misbah, atleast Pak fared better in UAE against better team. There is no signs to say that this side will do better than what Pak have showed up in Australia and SA in this decade till now.

 

[gazza619]

If Fakhar Zaman gets going, who knows. We have a chance.

The excuse would be that Pak beat SA B team which was without AB.

 

[New Yorker]

Let's first think of excuses for why we lost this NZ series. May come in handy in a couple of days.

 

[Buffet]

Why there is any need for excuse? No matter what team SA puts, it won't be easy to win series. If Pakistan wins the series then it will be a great achievement for Pakistan.

 

[ikky47]

Why there is any need for excuse? No matter what team SA puts, it won't be easy to win series. If Pakistan wins the series then it will be a great achievement for Pakistan.

I seriously think you are overselling Pakistans chances, I expect Pakistan to suffer at least 2 innings defeats in SA. Most likely we will get whitewashed, imo we will do well to avoid losing 3-0. Big Vern and Rabada will run through our batting line up in no time.

 

[Buffet]

I seriously think you are overselling Pakistans chances, I expect Pakistan to suffer at least 2 innings defeats in SA. Most likely we will get whitewashed, imo we will do well to avoid losing 3-0. Big Vern and Rabada will run through our batting line up in no time.

Nah, you got me wrong. I don't think that Pakistan will win. I was simply saying that why anyone needs to look for an excuse if Pakistan wins series in SA.

 

[ikky47]

Nah, you got me wrong. I don't think that Pakistan will win. I was simply saying that why anyone needs to look for an excuse if Pakistan wins series in SA.

Yes my bad I misunderstood your post. I agree if Pakistan do win the series all credit will be given to them. But as I said I will be happy if we can draw or even win 1 test match.

 

[rhony]

Philander and Steyn will eat this Pak batting for lunch. Pak bowling barring Abbas is mediocre. Shah will not have much impact on those pitches. A draw in a test would be a great achievement for this team that can't win at home consistently

 

[Mamoon]

One win thanks to a freakish, once in a lifetime spell (8 wickets in 14 overs) and our fans forget their place. So typical.

Cannot beat New Zealand in the UAE but yet we are harbouring hopes of winning in South Africa. We are minnows and Pakistan cricket is finished - the sooner we realise, the lesser the pain and disappointment will be.

I do not get upset when Pakistan lose anymore because I am aware of the fact that 8 out of 10 times, we will get flogged by teams like India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand etc. Also, I do not want to hear the nonsense about our T20 invincibility - this drama of being the best T20 side will end soon, but it will take a humiliating exit in the next WT20 for our fans to wake up.

If you want a swift and quick death of your delusions, schedule a T20 series with India today and see what happens.

 

[Varun]

I cannot imagine any scenario - not even a single one - where Pakistan will win in South Africa.

Not happening. It is as obvious as night following day.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan wont win a single session in SA let alone a test

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Pakistan wont win a single session in SA let alone a test

Philander's test bowling average might go below 20 after Pak series.

 

[sam_ahm]

Pehle jo hand pe hai wo to jeet lete

 

[Varun]

Pakistan wont win a single session in SA let alone a test

But let's be kind, they might win a toss or two.

 

[jagatk]

This thread is a textbook example of counting chickens before they hatch.