Fifth straight loss for the "settled" Test team

[IAJ]

The amazing thing is that the defeats have come in 3 different countries so they have had different conditions as well.

The year which started so well in Test cricket have ended in 5 defeats on trot.

 

[Syed1]

Thank you Misbah

 

[Speedster777]

Misbah is a pathetic captain and a mediocre batsman.

 

[Speedster777]

In England, we won by a fluke. Otherwise, this test team doesn't deserve to win outside of UAE phattas.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Misbah hasn't been the best captain lately but blaming everything on him is just unfair.

He didn't tell Yasir to bowl full-tosses, or did he? He didn't tell Wahab to bowl no-balls, or did he?

He hasn't been holding Younis' bat for the last 5 matches, or has he?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Misbah hasn't been the best captain lately but blaming everything on him is just unfair.

He didn't tell Yasir to bowl full-tosses, or did he? He didn't tell Wahab to bowl no-balls, or did he?

He hasn't been holding Younis' bat for the last 5 matches, or has he?

Well said. I criticized Misbah a lot for his tactics but this is a typical Pakistani reaction happening on pp and things will slowly return to normal before the SCG chest and then become like this 5 days later.

 

[Syed1]

Misbah hasn't been the best captain lately but blaming everything on him is just unfair.

He didn't tell Yasir to bowl full-tosses, or did he? He didn't tell Wahab to bowl no-balls, or did he?

He hasn't been holding Younis' bat for the last 5 matches, or has he?

Apart from the Yasir full-tosses Misbah was in a position to influence the other two things you mentioned.

Why do Younis and Wahab keep getting picked despite zero performance?

 

[Pete Rose]

This was one tour too much

 

[Aman]

In England, we won by a fluke. Otherwise, this test team doesn't deserve to win outside of UAE phattas.

Nah, England are super overrated.

They lost a series to SL and drew with NZ (fortunate to draw too).

 

[160KPH]

I blame Misbah, Younis, Sami, Babar, Sohail Khan, Wahab, Amir, and Asad and Sarfraz for not standing up when we needed them.

The only people that deserve a spot at all or I think we should really worry about holding onto after this is:

Azhar Ali
Asad Shafiq - Shows promise, but lacks consistency. If he can't be consistent, drop him.
Amir - Can't really blame him after him beating the edge 40+ times and performing with the bat.
Sohail Khan - If Sohail Khan can continue the batting, he deserves a spot as a Pace-allrouner
Sarfraz - Mediocre batting and keeping, but he's the best we have.
Yasir Shah - Never expected Yasir to perform in Australia. However, he was absolutely destroyed when they started attacking. He needs to improve.


A few new batsmen, a new pace bowler, and I would give Imad Wasim a chance. First things first, we need to dominate West Indies in their home ground.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Apart from the Yasir full-tosses Misbah was in a position to influence the other two things you mentioned.

Why do Younis and Wahab keep getting picked despite zero performance?

As if Misbah alone can kick Younis out. That's like saying Faf should kick Anla out. Can't happen. Selectors need to talk to Younis and tell him his time is up. As for Wahab he bowled well at the MCG

 

[marlonbrowndo]

I blame Misbah, Younis, Sami, Babar, Sohail Khan, Wahab, Amir, and Asad and Sarfraz for not standing up when we needed them.

The only people that deserve a spot at all or I think we should really worry about holding onto after this is:

Azhar Ali
Asad Shafiq - Shows promise, but lacks consistency. If he can't be consistent, drop him.
Amir - Can't really blame him after him beating the edge 40+ times and performing with the bat.
Sohail Khan - If Sohail Khan can continue the batting, he deserves a spot as a Pace-allrouner
Sarfraz - Mediocre batting and keeping, but he's the best we have.
Yasir Shah - Never expected Yasir to perform in Australia. However, he was absolutely destroyed when they started attacking. He needs to improve.


A few new batsmen, a new pace bowler, and I would give Imad Wasim a chance. First things first, we need to dominate West Indies in their home ground.

Would've been easier if you listed the people you don't blame

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Apart from the Yasir full-tosses Misbah was in a position to influence the other two things you mentioned.

Why do Younis and Wahab keep getting picked despite zero performance?

Wahab keeps getting picked because there are no outstanding angels in domestic cricket. I'm no Wahab fan, I actually think he gets a free ride like Afridi because of his once in a blue moon performances. But again, we don't have a replacement for him; not that I know of.

Regarding younis, nobody can drop him. There's a seniority culture in Pakistan (albeit wrong) that allows people past their sell date to keep on playing. Misbah can do nothing about it. When you have a stupid chairman that always come out in support of Younis what can the captain do. Inzi is the selector and he is the one who has to take the final decision on Younis, not Misbah.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

As if Misbah alone can kick Younis out. That's like saying Faf should kick Anla out. Can't happen. Selectors need to talk to Younis and tell him his time is up. As for Wahab he bowled well at the MCG

At the Gabba I meant

 

[world cup captain]

Well, there are two complete passengers right now, Younus and Misbah.

These two should leave after this series allowing some half decent prospects to come in.

The batting order has to be shuffled. As [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] has been saying, Sarfraz needs to bat up the order as he is being wasted with the tail. He is an attacking player who thrives on spinners. If he can bat at four, he will surely score more than what he is scoring now.

Last but not least, Babar needs to move his feet. He has been caught with glued feet and it has proved costly again. He has to sort out this issue or else he will never succeed in tests since he isn't Sehwag.

 

[160KPH]

Would've been easier if you listed the people you don't blame

Only 1 name then, Azhar Ali.
Our batting and bowling both failed in the most miserable and pathetic way possible.

 

[Syed1]

Wahab keeps getting picked because there are no outstanding angels in domestic cricket. I'm no Wahab fan, I actually think he gets a free ride like Afridi because of his once in a blue moon performances. But again, we don't have a replacement for him; not that I know of.

Regarding younis, nobody can drop him. There's a seniority culture in Pakistan (albeit wrong) that allows people past their sell date to keep on playing. Misbah can do nothing about it. When you have a stupid chairman that always come out in support of Younis what can the captain do. Inzi is the selector and he is the one who has to take the final decision on Younis, not Misbah.

That's the same mantra that Afridi used to play for 2 decades that "there is no one to replace me". Well guess what we found Imad after Afridi got dumped and he has done a far better job so far.

You will only find out if there is a Wahab replacement if you drop Wahab and actually select someone else.

YK needs to go ASAP. Why can't keep a passenger in the side just because he is chasing a personal milestone.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

That's the same mantra that Afridi used to play for 2 decades that "there is no one to replace me". Well guess what we found Imad after Afridi got dumped and he has done a far better job so far.

You will only find out if there is a Wahab replacement if you drop Wahab and actually select someone else.

YK needs to go ASAP. Why can't keep a passenger in the side just because he is chasing a personal milestone.

Yk will not retire before 10k runs. If he is dropped, he will destroy PCB along with his analyst friends

 

[MMHS]

Well, there are two complete passengers right now, Younus and Misbah.

These two should leave after this series allowing some half decent prospects to come in.

The batting order has to be shuffled. As [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] has been saying, Sarfraz needs to bat up the order as he is being wasted with the tail. He is an attacking player who thrives on spinners. If he can bat at four, he will surely score more than what he is scoring now.

Last but not least, Babar needs to move his feet. He has been caught with glued feet and it has proved costly again. He has to sort out this issue or else he will never succeed in tests since he isn't Sehwag.

Trust me, there are bigger passengers in the team - Wahab, Sohail, Rahat & Imran.

It's harsh for Sohail - poor guy lost his best 5/6 years from sheer nepotism & grouping, but I can't help him. At 38, he can't be part of 4 bowler strategy, neither he is god enough with bat to be all-rounder & 6th batsman. Others are hand carried by Misbah & this guy Wahab, outside UAE, won't play for Bangladesh, & I am honest here.

Take, 4/5 new pacers - all officially U25, to build an attack around Amir & Yasir - only then there is a chance to steady this free fall, otherwise by 2020, Test team will go down to 8th. This Test wasn't lost by last day collapse - this Test was lost by the pathetic bowling by pacers other than Amir - without him, Aussies would have declared last night with 250+ lead & a collapse won't have required.

 

[Hawkeye]

Waking up to this rubbish.

Unbelievable. Pathetic stuff from this team.

Misbah isn't alone but he too gets some blame for the losses, as do other non performers.

YK, Misbah, Sohail, Wahab Riaz, Rahat, Babar Azam, Sami Aslam.

Each of these poor cricketers are responsible.

 

[Varun]

Nah, England are super overrated.

They lost a series to SL and drew with NZ (fortunate to draw too).

Not to mention that they couldn't even beat Bangladesh.

 

[Aman]

Not to mention that they couldn't even beat Bangladesh.

The quality of cricket today makes me sad

 

[JaDed]

England in England are not overrated they probably lost what 2 series at home since 2007 that is a good record.

 

[Aman]

Waking up to this rubbish.

Unbelievable. Pathetic stuff from this team.

Misbah isn't alone but he too gets some blame for the losses, as do other non performers.

YK, Misbah, Sohail, Wahab Riaz, Rahat, Babar Azam, Sami Aslam.

Each of these poor cricketers are responsible.

You've turned heel on Misbah?

 

[Aman]

England in England are not overrated they probably lost what 2 series at home since 2007 that is a good record.

They aren't dominant like other teams either... they're incredibly overrated and their failures have been ignored for too long because of their one series win against an unsettled SA side in SA.

 

[Hawkeye]

You've turned heel on Misbah?

Always criticized non performers, don't take sides.

 

[asfandyar]

Always criticized non performers, don't take sides.

Why not Amir?

 

[moghul]

5th test defeat in a row, time to show the door to Chairman, Selectors and Captain

One against WI, two to NZ and now two in Australia, team's losing streak is unstoppable. If there is a time to push the panic button , its now. If there is time to show the door to the people responsible, its now. Hope some action will be taken to stop cricket from becoming hockey in Pakistan.

We have a Chairman who's age and health is certainly not helping Pak cricket.
We have a aged captain and "premier" batsman and they are in denial to their age and slow reflexes and we have a chief selector who's priority we all know is not cricket.

We all were waiting for this tour with great anticipation, but it turned out to be a disaster one, people should take responsibility, show some dignity, resign or should be shown the door.

 

[Big Mac]

We all were waiting for this tour with great anticipation, but it turned out to be a disaster one.

Are you telling me you expected anything other than 3-0?

 

[troodon]

Over reaction from Pak fans again.

This was expected. I was actually surprised when Pak drew against England when all pak fans hailed Misbah and the team as the greatest Pak team ever.

Point to understand here is nothing has changed for Pak since England series. It's the same personnel. The only major difference is Yasirshah.

Yasir has been winning games for all of you in UAE and even he 2 won tests in England and fans got overconfident. I have never seen an Asian spinner dominate in Australia. Yasir is no exception. Conditions simply do not assist spin bowling .

Just wait for the next home series in UAE and fans will hail the same players again.

This is one of the reasons why I will wait to hail India as the greatest team until they win in Aus/NZ and SA. Especially Aus and SA.

Pak fans are expecting too much from their team.

 

[The_KING]

First show the door to most overrated player Mohammad Amir. Overrated as hell and his comeback in the test team has led to our decline. No performances. Get out mate.

 

[moghul]

Are you telling me you expected anything other than 3-0?

I am a man of faith and believe in miracles.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Inzamam has been lazy lately but it would be unfair to dismiss him in 8 months. Give him at the least 1,5 years.

Misbah is going anyway. He never wanted to continue after Eng series but the PCB will always make things worse.

The chairman? That entirely depends on Pak politics. At the moment Nawaz regime is going strong.

 

[ali ray]

I am a man of faith and believe in miracles.

We are actually drawing this test easily

 

[Fahdi]

Yeah a bit of an overreaction here mate.

Yes we need a new captain and should replace Misbah but show him the door? The man has served Pakistan so loyally and with such professionalism that he produced better results than the star studded teams of the past. He is clearly not one to linger around for personal gain and has already stated in the recent press conference that he is thinking about retirement and there is no point hanging around the team without contributing. He will probably step down on his own but if he doesn't he should be asked to leave but must be given his due honor and respect.

There were hardly any great blunders in the selections. Yes they were lacking in vision but still were fair enough. Inzimam has been a far better selector than most others who have held the office. The squad we brought to Australia was practically selected by itself. We have had a very settled test team for a while now. A few tough tours on the trot should not blind us to the fact that pretty much the same team and squad has taken us to so much success and glory in the very recent past. There are no world beaters just waiting around in the domestic circuit who if they had been selected would have brought Australia to their knees.

And lastly what has the chairman to do with the performance of the test team? You can question his administration of the board and handling of the organisation but you have raised no such points. I am no fan of Shehryar Khan's administration or his statements to the media but what sort of argument is:" We have lost 5 tests and and the chairman is old. Sack him!"?

 

[MRSN]

Over reaction from Pak fans again.

Point to understand here is nothing has changed for Pak since England series. It's the same personnel. The only major difference is Yasirshah.

Yasir has been winning games for all of you in UAE and even he 2 won tests in England and fans got overconfident. I have never seen an Asian spinner dominate in Australia. Yasir is no exception. Conditions simply do not assist spin bowling .
.

That's the truth actually. Pakistan have heavily relied upon Yasir Shah in the last 2 years. Whenever he fires we win if he doesn't we lose. So he has been hiding a lot of passengers in our team who we need to get rid of about time.

Its sad that it will take consistent thrashings to make changes in the team. I think the top management are not taking work as duty instead they are enjoying. If they were really serious we would have seen better planning ahead of this series.

 

[street cricketer]

Over reaction from Pak fans again.

This was expected. I was actually surprised when Pak drew against England when all pak fans hailed Misbah and the team as the greatest Pak team ever.

Point to understand here is nothing has changed for Pak since England series. It's the same personnel. The only major difference is Yasirshah.

Yasir has been winning games for all of you in UAE and even he 2 won tests in England and fans got overconfident. I have never seen an Asian spinner dominate in Australia. Yasir is no exception. Conditions simply do not assist spin bowling .

Just wait for the next home series in UAE and fans will hail the same players again.

This is one of the reasons why I will wait to hail India as the greatest team until they win in Aus/NZ and SA. Especially Aus and SA.

Pak fans are expecting too much from their team.

Pretty much my thoughts.

There is no single great team that wins away consistently now.

 

[MRSN]

Yeah a bit of an overreaction here mate.

Yes we need a new captain and should replace Misbah but show him the door? The man has served Pakistan so loyally and with such professionalism that he produced better results than the star studded teams of the past. He is clearly not one to linger around for personal gain and has already stated in the recent press conference that he is thinking about retirement and there is no point hanging around the team without contributing. He will probably step down on his own but if he doesn't he should be asked to leave but must be given his due honor and respect.

There were hardly any great blunders in the selections. Yes they were lacking in vision but still were fair enough. Inzimam has been a far better selector than most others who have held the office. The squad we brought to Australia was practically selected by itself. We have had a very settled test team for a while now. A few tough tours on the trot should not blind us to the fact that pretty much the same team and squad has taken us to so much success and glory in the very recent past. There are no world beaters just waiting around in the domestic circuit who if they had been selected would have brought Australia to their knees.

And lastly what has the chairman to do with the performance of the test team? You can question his administration of the board and handling of the organisation but you have raised no such points. I am no fan of Shehryar Khan's administration or his statements to the media but what sort of argument is:" We have lost 5 tests and and the chairman is old. Sack him!"?

I can't blame selectors as this is the team Misbah wanted. They wouldn't want to put their job in danger by challenging Misbah's powers..Also it was sensible as they are appointed just recently and Misbah has been carrying his favorite team for last few years so he totally deserved the team he wanted.

but it's criminal that a guy who had so much influence in Pakistan cricket couldn't understand the basics of captaincy. I mean how can he not demand selectors to find him a decent off spinners instead filling bowling line up with left handed spinners despite having a prominent leg spinner in the side. How can he not build a decent all rounder all these years? Why did he make two young batsmen scapegoat on tough overseas tours when he should have taken a settled side to these tours?(referring to Baber and Sami)

 

[moghul]

Inzamam has been lazy lately but it would be unfair to dismiss him in 8 months. Give him at the least 1,5 years.

Misbah is going anyway. He never wanted to continue after Eng series but the PCB will always make things worse.

The chairman? That entirely depends on Pak politics. At the moment Nawaz regime is going strong.

Inzimam is not lazy, his mind is somewhere else and his priorities are different, don;t know why he accepted this job, certainly everyone likes to be in power. I know someone who knows Inzi closely. I don't want to say all and risk my post "censored" , but even people know Inzi well say he is a very nice guy personally but hardly care about the cricket anymore and I personally not sure whether he follows the results even. How can you retain the same team after New Zealand if you knew the results and just look at the team announced for ODIs.

 

[MRSN]

Inzamam has been lazy lately but it would be unfair to dismiss him in 8 months. Give him at the least 1,5 years.

Misbah is going anyway. He never wanted to continue after Eng series but the PCB will always make things worse.

The chairman? That entirely depends on Pak politics. At the moment Nawaz regime is going strong.

true. It's shame really we have to depend on the likes of Nawaz Sharif to improve our cricket. These guys give jack about what the public wants.

About Inzi as I said he did what any other selector would do. give an experienced captain the team he wanted on tours like these. but now we can expect Inzi to have his say after these tours and I'm sure we will see changes.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Inzimam is not lazy, his mind is somewhere else and his priorities are different, don;t know why he accepted this job, certainly everyone likes to be in power. I know someone who knows Inzi closely. I don't want to say all and risk my post "censored" , but even people know Inzi well say he is a very nice guy personally but hardly care about the cricket anymore and I personally not sure whether he follows the results even. How can you retain the same team after New Zealand if you knew the results and just look at the team announced for ODIs.

Which is exactly why I said he was being lazy and retained the same squad for the third or fourth time.

If you are not serious about something then you don't spend much time on it. Not saying that he is not, but if that that's the case according to you then it doesn't surprise me.

 

[Markhor]

If we carried out mass changes every time a Pakistan team lost in Australia we wouldn't have much of a team left.

I understand people want to vent. It is a galling and infuriating defeat. However there are some good players to work with and build a team around.

Clearly the bowling is an issue and there an overhaul is needed. Arthur clearly isn't happy with his right-arm pace options whilst Wahab and Rahat should be shown the door. We depend too heavily on Yasir, whose strength is meant to be control yet bowled so many pies in this Test, poor field settings or not.

Our middle order is completely out of sorts. Whilst I understand the desire for experience on a tough Australian tour, the two old warhorses look like they've had it. There's only so long you can cheat Father Time. In hindsight, Shafiq should've stayed at 3 to allow Babar Azam an easier transition into Test cricket at 6. Babar at 3 on his first Test tours of Australia and New Zealand was a baptism of fire. Meanwhile Sami Aslam looks bereft of confidence. However he's made runs in challenging conditions in England and New Zealand and should be given the four Tests in the West Indies.

We can all play Monday Morning Quarterback and say X and Y should've been selected - but given Pakistan for 40 years have struggled in Australia its doubtful the scoreline would be any different.

Instead of calling for the head of chairman, selectors and UN Secretary General - we need to put this defeat in context. We're in an era of international cricket where nearly all Test sides are struggling away from home. England have won only 7 out of their last 28 Tests away from home. Australia are abysmal in Asia. South Africa and New Zealand lost heavily in India.

This same Pakistan Test team between Oct 2014-Nov 2016 went on a 7 series unbeaten run - their longest ever undefeated streak in their history and reached #1 in the rankings. The last two occasions they went on a similar run was arguably our greatest ever Test side under Imran between 1985-1989 and after the spot-fixing scandal under Misbah between Nov 2010 and Jul 2012. Yes you can say many of those wins were in Asian conditions, but winning at home mustn't be taken for granted given how we often lost series in Pakistan even with arguably more talented sides than this.

Yes we need to make changes, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[MRSN]

If we carried out mass changes every time a Pakistan team lost in Australia we wouldn't have much of a team left.

I understand people want to vent. It is a galling and infuriating defeat. However there are some good players to work with and build a team around.

Clearly the bowling is an issue and there an overhaul is needed. Arthur clearly isn't happy with his right-arm pace options whilst Wahab and Rahat should be shown the door. We depend too heavily on Yasir, whose strength is meant to be control yet bowled so many pies in this Test, poor field settings or not.

Our middle order is completely out of sorts. Whilst I understand the desire for experience on a tough Australian tour, the two old warhorses look like they've had it. There's only so long you can cheat Father Time. In hindsight, Shafiq should've stayed at 3 to allow Babar Azam an easier transition into Test cricket at 6. Babar at 3 on his first Test tours of Australia and New Zealand was a baptism of fire. Meanwhile Sami Aslam looks bereft of confidence. However he's made runs in challenging conditions in England and New Zealand and should be given the four Tests in the West Indies.

We can all play Monday Morning Quarterback and say X and Y should've been selected - but given Pakistan for 40 years have struggled in Australia its doubtful the scoreline would be any different.

Instead of calling for the head of chairman, selectors and UN Secretary General - we need to put this defeat in context. We're in an era of international cricket where nearly all Test sides are struggling away from home. England have won only 7 out of their last 28 Tests away from home. Australia are abysmal in Asia. South Africa and New Zealand lost heavily in India.

This same Pakistan Test team between Oct 2014-Nov 2016 went on a 7 series unbeaten run - their longest ever undefeated streak in their history and reached #1 in the rankings. The last two occasions they went on a similar run was arguably our greatest ever Test side under Imran between 1985-1989 and after the spot-fixing scandal under Misbah between Nov 2010 and Jul 2012. Yes you can say many of those wins were in Asian conditions, but winning at home mustn't be taken for granted given how we often lost series in Pakistan even with arguably more talented sides than this.

Yes we need to make changes, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

it's not just Australia. We lost a series in NZ after so many years too without putting much of a fight other than Azhar.

 

[Pete Rose]

Over reaction thread like many today.
I do however think the pcb needs to figure why younis must be continued to be a sacred cow. Surely he must be benched for Sydney even if misbah chooses not to play that match

 

[Markhor]

it's not just Australia. We lost a series in NZ after so many years too without putting much of a fight other than Azhar.

NZ series was very disappointing but Test matches on greentops like those can be a bit of a lottery. The preparation was woeful with the only warmup rained off. That's not to excuse the batsmen who shouldn't have collapsed as badly as they did but we won last time in 2011 in NZ so let's call it even.

It'll be more disappointing if we walk away from this Australia tour empty-handed. Sydney Test is huge - staving off a whitewash and breaking this 11 match losing streak in Australia would be massive for confidence.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

This is Zaka Ashraf PPP govt legacy. We are still recovering.

Zaka left PCB with Pakistan isolated, current PCB administration are doing a good job clawing out of this mess. It will take a while.

 

[Deception]

One against WI, two to NZ and now two in Australia, team's losing streak is unstoppable. If there is a time to push the panic button , its now. If there is time to show the door to the people responsible, its now. Hope some action will be taken to stop cricket from becoming hockey in Pakistan.

We have a Chairman who's age and health is certainly not helping Pak cricket.
We have a aged captain and "premier" batsman and they are in denial to their age and slow reflexes and we have a chief selector who's priority we all know is not cricket.

We all were waiting for this tour with great anticipation, but it turned out to be a disaster one, people should take responsibility, show some dignity, resign or should be shown the door.

Poor post !
The current state of test team is not fault of Selectors or Coach, this is the same team who has been winning matches. Things will get interesting now as how do Selector and coaches react to this debacle tour of Australia, do the selectors revamp the whole squad introduce new players or stick with oldies !
I feel these failures will bring losts of positive in year ahead.

 

[street cricketer]

Misbah should just say that "Australia are the better team certainly in these conditions" in the presentation ceremony after the 3rd test and sign off like a boss!

 

[Junaids]

Are you telling me you expected anything other than 3-0?

I did.

I thought 2-0 at worst but probably 2-1, until the squad was announced during the Hamilton Test.

It had never occurred to me that Asif and Butt would be omitted, after how they did in Australia last time.

 

[Junaids]

Poor post !
The current state of test team is not fault of Selectors or Coach, this is the same team who has been winning matches. Things will get interesting now as how do Selector and coaches react to this debacle tour of Australia, do the selectors revamp the whole squad introduce new players or stick with oldies !
I feel these failures will bring losts of positive in year ahead.

That's the whole problem.

They picked players for a UAE series, even though the NZ tour had shown that they weren't good enough in these conditions.

 

[R0H1T]

Misbah should just say that "Australia are the better team certainly in these conditions" in the presentation ceremony after the 3rd test and sign off like a boss!

Tbh that's an England only thing, you'd be hard pressed to see any other opposition give (or not give) credit to the winning team the way these Englishmen do

 

[hitthestump]

Inzi has got to go! He should shoulder full responsibility for having an unfit Sohail and a useless Rahat selected for so many consecutive series. Why are Misbah and Younis still in the team? Mickey can only work with what he is given.

 

[hitthestump]

Over reaction thread like many today.
I do however think the pcb needs to figure why younis must be continued to be a sacred cow. Surely he must be benched for Sydney even if misbah chooses not to play that match

There are (quite deliberately imo) no suitable replacements groomed for either player. You can't send a rookie on a tough tour like Australia. This allows Younis to pull the plug whenever they want so that he can ensure he'll get to his personal milestone of 10,000 runs.

 

[MMHS]

Well, there are two complete passengers right now, Younus and Misbah.

These two should leave after this series allowing some half decent prospects to come in.

The batting order has to be shuffled. As [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] has been saying, Sarfraz needs to bat up the order as he is being wasted with the tail. He is an attacking player who thrives on spinners. If he can bat at four, he will surely score more than what he is scoring now.

Last but not least, Babar needs to move his feet. He has been caught with glued feet and it has proved costly again. He has to sort out this issue or else he will never succeed in tests since he isn't Sehwag.

I wished Sarfu to bat at 5 actually, so that he can avoid new ball. It's his limitation, but he is in the team in duel role & for his other role, he is undropable; hence he should be accommodated the best possible opportunity to succeed. Playing him at 4 might work adversely as might face the 1st new ball too often.

ideally, I'll play a lefti at 4 or 6 - depending on where Asad is comfortable & confident, while Babar & Sarfu at 3 & 5.


Regarding Babar's footwork - it won't change in nets. You have to play cricket where footwork is required. Cricket is applied skill - 35 hours of net session/week only can make you perfect in your shadow; won't help much unless it's applied in match condition.

 

[Justcrazy]

Younis has destroyed his legacy , what is the point in getting to 10 K like this ? He should be kicked out now .

Pakistan need to get rid of 5 players at least from this squad.

Sohail Khan should be played in OD only.

 

[Hawkeye]

Why not Amir?

Why would you attack your only bowler who looked a bit threatening?

 

[world cup captain]

I wished Sarfu to bat at 5 actually, so that he can avoid new ball. It's his limitation, but he is in the team in duel role & for his other role, he is undropable; hence he should be accommodated the best possible opportunity to succeed. Playing him at 4 might work adversely as might face the 1st new ball too often.��

ideally, I'll play a lefti at 4 or 6 - depending on where Asad is comfortable & confident, while Babar & Sarfu at 3 & 5.


Regarding Babar's footwork - it won't change in nets. You have to play cricket where footwork is required. Cricket is applied skill - 35 hours of net session/week only can make you perfect in your shadow; won't help much unless it's applied in match condition.

Your previous post, I completely agree with.

I understand that you want a left and right combo through the order. However, wouldn't it be better for Sarfraz to come in at 4 than 5? This allows him to come in between the 30-50 over mark when the ball won't be moving around for the pacers and regardless, the spinners would most likely be on.

That would allow the team to counter attack unlike now where we tend to go in a complete shell when things go haywire at the top. A counter attack in such situations will surely throw off the opposition.

As far as Babar is concerned, I believe he has been in the system for at least 8 years. If a deficiency of such degree hasn't been sorted yet, it indicates that traditional methods are simply not working for him.

To make up for it, he can play tennis in the off season. It's is a wonderful way of learning to move your feet. It could transfer that mindset into his batting.

 

[MMHS]

Your previous post, I completely agree with.

I understand that you want a left and right combo through the order. However, wouldn't it be better for Sarfraz to come in at 4 than 5? This allows him to come in between the 30-50 over mark when the ball won't be moving around for the pacers and regardless, the spinners would most likely be on.

That would allow the team to counter attack unlike now where we tend to go in a complete shell when things go haywire at the top. A counter attack in such situations will surely throw off the opposition.

As far as Babar is concerned, I believe he has been in the system for at least 8 years. If a deficiency of such degree hasn't been sorted yet, it indicates that traditional methods are simply not working for him.

To make up for it, he can play tennis in the off season. It's is a wonderful way of learning to move your feet. It could transfer that mindset into his batting.

Up to No. 4, you should send regular batsman, preferably best 4. Apart from new ball threat; WK/All-rounders need to manage work load as well. After Keeping wicket for say 100 overs, if he is to come in couple of hours time, it'll be difficult for a player of his age & fitness level. That's why most teams actually slot WK at 7 or sometimes at 6 - though many of them were actually better batsman than the man coming just ahead. Gilly, Les Ames, Doujon mostly played at 7. Doujon actually played 2/3 Tests as specialist bat, when he came at 5/6 - with an average over 40, he was better player than Harper or Kings, but Lloyd kept him at 7.

Here I am suggesting Sarfu at 5, because there are no better options - otherwise he should always bat at 7 in 4 bowlers' strategy at at 6 when couple of all-rounders may play.

 

[MRSN]

While People enjoy PSL and might have forgotten these embarrassing losses overseas, Misbah sneaks into the test squad as a captain. good delaying tactics by Misbah.