Fawad Alam's (108*) batting master-class sees Pakistan reach 374/6 at Stumps on Day 2

[AnonKB]

Sure these Zimbabwe bowlers aren’t the best but you still have to set yourself in. Both Babar and Faheem took them too lightly and played silly shots too early.

There’s no need to play a fancy wrist flick on your 2nd ball.

 

[Titan24]

More than that it was a lazy shot.

To be honest every wicket has been a lazy shot (Abid, Imran, Azhar, Babar and now Faheem), atleast Rizwan's delivery did something in the air. Yes should have played it better but, there would be a lot of should have, would have for others as well.

 

[Zeshan547]

Why would you send Hasan here in dying moments, Nauman as he shown in SAF series has best defense among all bowlers and could easily have defended these last few overs, but no we need hitter Ali now, these may not matter much here but these are little tactical details which give insight to captain and coach game awareness.

 

[Rafa]

Faheem deserved a maiden 100 in NZ, hope he gets one here instead.

Now don't HOPE for anything else.

 

[hitthestump]

Faheem Klusener's purple patch with the bat might be over tbh.

 

[Zeshan547]

Faheem Klusener's purple patch with the bat might be over tbh.

Yup was never convinced, too loose technique to be a consistent performer.

 

[hitthestump]

Why would you send Hasan here in dying moments, Nauman as he shown in SAF series has best defense among all bowlers and could easily have defended these last few overs, but no we need hitter Ali now, these may not matter much here but these are little tactical details which give insight to captain and coach game awareness.

Agreed. Nauman to see off this mini collapse, Hasan to score quick runs tomorrow makes perfect sense. Misbah makes all kinds of errors in his decision making.

 

[Titan24]

Faheem Klusener's purple patch with the bat might be over tbh.

Its too early to say based upon just one dismissal at test level when we all know the wicket in Harare is slow in pace and not the best wicket to get going. He averages 30-32 in FC cricket and currently averages around 40 in test cricket. Even if he can average 30+, ideally mid 30s he will still be a useful all rounder to have at no 7.

 

[Rafa]

Only want Fawad to complete his Century now that's it.

 

[Titan24]

Pak should score 400+ in the innings, ideally 450 or so

 

[Rafa]

Fawad just one boundary away from a great knock. He has held this innings together. If he was also dismissed for a nothing score like Babar, don't know what position would Pakistan be in then.

 

[Titan24]

100% conversion rate for Fawad

 

[Rafa]

He has got it :clap:

 

[Shoaibbtt]

100 for Fawad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PakPremi]

Let's see posters now cry about Fawad celebrating his milestone against mighty Zimbos.

 

[PakPremi]

Had Fawad been playing before for Pak we would have avoided so many embarrassing defeats, especially in UAE.

 

[guna]

Fawad Alam is Pak's 2nd best player and the most reliable batsmen in crisis time. Well played.

 

[Zeshan547]

Hassan ali this acha bcha defense will only increase your chances of getting out sooner, just smash and it get whatever you can.

 

[Zeshan547]

Had Fawad been playing before for Pak we would have avoided so many embarrassing defeats, especially in UAE.

But we had shafiq technique, who need man of crisis.

 

[Ahmed216]

Very good pitch this very rewarding for good batting and bowling both

 

[PakPremi]

Fawad also has amazing fitness running all these 3s even at the end of day.

 

[Rana]

Hassan can clear them!

 

[NeVerMind]

Hasan ali...this will be short but sweet!

 

[NeVerMind]

2 sixes by Hasan Ali in that over...and now I wish we didn't have just 2 overs left in the day!

 

[Zeshan547]

That's more like it Hassan boy.

 

[NeVerMind]

Fawad getting into the act and smashes 4!

 

[Rafa]

This is like a T20 partnership

 

[Titan24]

Why are they using extra time? Dont want Hasan to get out today

 

[Titan24]

Ok its good, Hasan survives.

 

[Rafa]

Okay good day overall, lead almost 200.

 

[90MPH]

Perfect day for Pakistan.

They have absolutely pummelled Zimbabwe. Yes first session was slow but as I said at the time they totally demoralised the Zimbabwe bowlers because they bowled well but got nothing for their rewards

Sessions 2 and 3 they got some wickets but got hit for plenty of runs as they toiled.

Pak now have nearly a 200 run lead with 4 wickets in hand, Zimbabwe are done.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Perfect day for Pakistan.

They have absolutely pummelled Zimbabwe. Yes first session was slow but as I said at the time they totally demoralised the Zimbabwe bowlers because they bowled well but got nothing for their rewards

Sessions 2 and 3 they got some wickets but got hit for plenty of runs as they toiled.

Pak now have nearly a 200 run lead with 4 wickets in hand, Zimbabwe are done.

Zimbabwe are pretty much done now for me, even if we get bowled out our spinners are gonna trouble them along with our pacers.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Fawad getting another century. You absolutely love to see it.

A complete travesty he was not in the Test side for so long despite his incredible debut and domestic record.

Still has more T20's played to his name than Test matches if you ever wanted to question PCB's competency.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Fawad getting another century. You absolutely love to see it.

A complete travesty he was not in the Test side for so long despite his incredible debut and domestic record.

Still has more T20's played to his name than Test matches if you ever wanted to question PCB's competency.

Yep, this ground was always gonna suit him. Completely frustrated Zimbabwe today, a good opportunity to build confidence prior to the WI series which will be a big test for this year in my view.

People keep talking about youngsters, our test cricketers hardly play any cricket and this is a good chance to build on confidence and prepare yourself because from now we don't have any tests till October.

 

[mazkhan]

Tomorrow the batsmen need to make quick runs try to extend the lead by another 50- 100 runs

250-300 lead is more than enough

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2123564

A hundred from Fawad Alam (108*) and a half-century by Imran Butt (91) propelled Pakistan to a 198-run lead on the second day in Harare. Having resumed the day at 103/0, a deficit of 73, Pakistan cruised on the back of Alam's fourth Test century and Butt's maiden half-century to extend their lead to 198 by stumps, despite Zimbabwe picking up six wickets.

The Pakistan batters were cautious in the morning session as they amassed 59 runs from 32 overs. Zimbabwe's bowlers had found the rhythm that was absent on opening day, and their disciplined bowling performance helped them pick up the wicket of Abid Ali (60) – the opener edged one behind off Tendai Chisoro, and the 115-run opening stand was broken.

Thereafter, Butt was accompanied by Azhar Ali for a 61-run stand, the duo taking the side through to lunch. However, Zimbabwe had some cheer early in the next session, with Donald Tiripano provided quick wickets. First, Azhar was dismissed caught in the gully, before Tiripano followed up with the big scalp of Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who departed for a golden duck.

In came Alam, and Zimbabwe nevre really had much joy thereafter. Pakistan breezed past Zimbabwe’s first-innings 176, and thought the home side then dismissed Butt – he fell nine short of a maiden century after a 236-ball knock – Alam and Mohammad Rizwan arrested the slide and snuffed out Zimbabwe's opening.

The pair added 107 runs in 185 balls for the fifth wicket, with Alam striking at a high rate. Rizwan matched him for the most part, but a lapse in concentration meant he chopped one on to the stumps off Blessing Muzarabani when he was five short of a half-century.

Faheem Ashraf then perished for nought – a leading-edge was caught by Tendai Chisoro off Tiripano’s bowling – but Hasan Ali came out all guns blazing and tonked 16 runs off one Roy Kaia over. His counter-attacking approach and quick-fire knock of 21* (18) stretched Pakistan's lead to a massive 198 before stumps were drawn.

There was time before that for Alam to reach three figures in Test for the fourth time in his career – it was his third century in his last five Tests and Zimbabwe will be desperate to snuff him out early on day three.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

This is not Test match cricket. It is an insult to Test cricket.

It is basically a club level match because most of the players on show, except for 4-5 on the Pakistan side and perhaps B. Taylor, are basically club level cricketers.

The only reason this match has Test status is because both teams are Test playing nations, otherwise the quality of cricket on display is not Test level.

You started watching in 1992 and I started watching in 1997-98. You have seen enough Test cricket over the years and you still see enough Test cricket between proper sides to realize this is far from Test match quality and probably the lowest form of cricket that you can see today at the international level.

If you think this is better and higher standard of cricket than watching white ball cricket between two top teams, you are either in denial or have a very funny taste in cricket.

I would hope it is the former because there is no cure for the latter.

Started watching in 1997-98, No wonder you hate Pakistan so Much.

 

[JibranAnsari]

He has a very good defensive technique, just when he drives outside off looks a bit loose. So he’s got a good defensive game, just needs to move his foot a bit closer when playing his shots. He deserves more games.

his feet do not move well , very limited stroke play and he almost always is falling away when playing on legside. Limited as well , as he doesnt spot the ball early enough

 

[imshally81]

Another century by Fawad... 100% conversion rate...

 

[Anis Shivani]

Every time Fawad Alam goes out to bat, it's a validation of Mohammad Wasim's selection philosophy (focus on domestic records) and a slap in the face of those who go by whimsy and gut instincts. It's a pity that already over a period of some months Misbah's gutlessness has negated Mohammad Wasim's selections to a large extent. Misbah will still pick the rotten old core to the extent he can get away with, and only reluctantly and selectively give chances to others who look objectively better. The current spinners are entirely Muhammad Wasim's doing, yet Misbah won't give a chance to Tabish Khan. How do we know until we try him? Misbah has to be dragged kicking and screaming, mostly under media pressure, to do the obvious. Case in point, Fawad Alam. An entire roster of young players is rotting away on this tour despite being selected by Wasim.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Its too early to say based upon just one dismissal at test level when we all know the wicket in Harare is slow in pace and not the best wicket to get going. He averages 30-32 in FC cricket and currently averages around 40 in test cricket. Even if he can average 30+, ideally mid 30s he will still be a useful all rounder to have at no 7.

Problem is that his bowling isn't really of high standard by itself. He's not a bowler who can create a breakthrough frequently enough, he's at best a supporting bowler who sticks to a line and length and keeps nibbling at it.

I'll assume that this dismissal was a lapse in concentration, but against this bowling attack, the expectations were much higher for Faheem. Also Babar, I don't know what he was doing.

 

[topspin]

Hundreds against Zimbabwe are what we call a masterclass now?

 

[Zaz]

Hundreds against Zimbabwe are what we call a masterclass now?

It is a masterclass on proper test match batting

Hes shown the rest how to bat against this opposition and on this wicket

If it was that easy or the rest were as good as him theyd have all scored tons

A few of the batsmen on pakistan side can learn how yo go about constructing a test match innings from him