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First ODI between England and Pakistan abandoned due to persistent rain

Ronaldo7 said:
Another inspection at 6.40pm and a potential restart at 7pm. Assuming no more rain of course
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Pak has already batted 19 overs so it would only bat for one more. Meaning Eng would be chasing a DLS score of 140 something.

Its better for Pakistan to have this washed out.
 
It was heavy for a second but has now passed again. Let's hope it stays this way. British weather for you!
 
Imam S.r is 79.4 with 55 average
Shahzad S.r is 72 with 31 average
Shan S r is 76.6 with average of 25+

Sahibzada farhan is hack
Awais Zia is hack

Imam is here on merit
 
topspin said:
View attachment 91077

I'll let the stats do the talking
Click to expand...

A young guy who has had issues against India, Australia and New Zealand? This is not anything new for Pakistani batsmen. He also just had a really good series in South Africa

Look at his uncles numbers against SA and Australia.

He has done little wrong other than be Inzi's nephew. Maybe Abid Ali would do well consistently as well, but a 50+ average in South Africa for 5 matches is a very big accomplishment for a young guy.

We do not have Kohli's on our team, for Pakistani standards he has done very well.

I agree he needs to improve his SR, but he has more highs than lows and gets way too much flack. Are there others bursting through the scenes? Take the names away and Babar and Imam look very similar.
 
Afhan Ali said:
Imam S.r is 79.4 with 55 average
Shahzad S.r is 72 with 31 average
Shan S r is 76.6 with average of 25+

Sahibzada farhan is hack
Awais Zia is hack

Imam is here on merit
Click to expand...

Kamran Akmal deserved a chance as opener after Sharjeel.

Sami Aslam was always better than Imam - Imam just got pushed up cause of Uncles influence. You can compare under 19 stats for yourself as well as domestic cricket.
 
HGhazanfar said:
Kamran Akmal deserved a chance as opener after Sharjeel.

Sami Aslam was always better than Imam - Imam just got pushed up cause of Uncles influence. You can compare under 19 stats for yourself as well as domestic cricket.
Click to expand...

Really? Kamran, give me 3 chances, of which he failed all three as opener, Akmal?

Sami Aslam is better? The Sami Aslam who has no half centuries in 4 matches and a 66 SR?

Remember Imam scored a century on debut?

Do people just say random things and accept them as fact?
 
HGhazanfar said:
Kamran Akmal deserved a chance as opener after Sharjeel.

Sami Aslam was always better than Imam - Imam just got pushed up cause of Uncles influence. You can compare under 19 stats for yourself as well as domestic cricket.
Click to expand...

Sami Aslam averge is 19 with S rate of mighty 66
 
Sky sports showing some promising pictures of the inspection taking place
 
Ilan Bluestone said:
A young guy who has had issues against India, Australia and New Zealand? This is not anything new for Pakistani batsmen. He also just had a really good series in South Africa

Look at his uncles numbers against SA and Australia.

He has done little wrong other than be Inzi's nephew. Maybe Abid Ali would do well consistently as well, but a 50+ average in South Africa for 5 matches is a very big accomplishment for a young guy.

We do not have Kohli's on our team, for Pakistani standards he has done very well.

I agree he needs to improve his SR, but he has more highs than lows and gets way too much flack. Are there others bursting through the scenes? Take the names away and Babar and Imam look very similar.
Click to expand...

As mentioned before I have nothing against the guy but I have to see a glimpse of something to be convinced he's ready for this WC - or at least accomplish himself as one of the two best openers for the side!

I'm not sold on Imam as of yet because firstly, he lacks shots in armour and as a result it comes to no surprise that his strike rate is suffering. Against the top 5 sides (SENAI), he's only scored well against South Africa but even then that came at a SR of just 81. These runs do not enhance the team's fortunes. I just think at this stage of his career he isn't ready and shouldn't be opening until the WC is over.

There are 2 alternative strategies:

1. I know Abid has only played 2 x ODIs but from what I've seen of him he has the gift of timing, so he deserves a couple of games (at least) in this series, but unfortunately Inzi will use his influence and interfere with the selection process because that's just inevitable.

2. Open with the T20I opening combo: Fakhar and Babar, with Haris at 3 (in his preferred spot).

After the WC I'd take out Haris Sohail because he's already 30 and is simply injury prone, so I don't think he'll make the next tournament in 2023. I would also do the same for Abid Ali if he ends up starting in the WC. I'd bring Babar back to 3 and invest in Imam - give him 18-24 months.
 
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topspin said:
As mentioned before I have nothing against the guy but I have to see a glimpse of something to be convinced he's ready for this WC - or at least accomplish himself as one of the two best openers for the side!

I'm not sold on Imam as of yet because firstly, he lacks shots in armour and as a result it comes to no surprise that his strike rate is suffering. Against the top 5 sides (SENAI), he's only scored well against South Africa but even then that came at a SR of just 81. These runs do not enhance the team's fortunes. I just think at this stage of his career he isn't ready and shouldn't be opening until the WC is over.

There are 2 alternative strategies:

1. I know Abid has only played 2 x ODIs but from what I've seen of him he has the gift of timing, so he deserves chances in this series, unfortunately Inzi will use his influence and interfere with his selection because that's just inevitable.

2. Open with the T20I opening combo: Fakhar and Babar, with Haris at 3 (in his preferred spot).

After the WC I'd take out Haris Sohail because he's already 30 and is simply injury prone, so I don't think he'll make the next tournament in 2023. I would also do the same for Abid Ali if he ends up starting in the WC. I'd bring Babar back to 3 and invest in Imam - give him 18-24 months.
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Babar had a lower SR in SA, and again, SA is SA, you cannot take it away from him.

I don't think there is a world of difference in the 84 SR of Babar and 80 of Imam, and then his SR from year one was 76, year two was 83.

He has had a bit of a spurt in 2019, which again, can happen to young players.

He plays on leg and offside, and I agree, needs to work on that next gear.

Babar getting this kind of protection and Imam not is clearly bias.

They both deserve to be on the team, and yes, I agree that ton by Abid was excellent, but to play with a player who has one international match in the WC is stupid planning. Had he played, I would agree with you, but our management dropped the ball there. Imam will be the long term investment and it will come with bumps and bruises.

As I said, his showing in SA was very impressive, and gives me hope for his future.

Today is not a good showing, and I myself agree that he needs to rotate better and pick apart the bad balls more often, however this is a similar issue that Babar has faced as well, as he tends to start well, and then slows down as the innings progresses. An 81.6 SR, is not too far off from Babar himself, who in the series had a lower SR.

Imam should be the guy, and deserves to be the guy barring Abid, which PCB dropped the ball on, and for the WC it is likely too late to implement in the lineup.
 
153 will be the target apparently if pak don't lose any more wickets.
 
There are some things that can be taught at the crease and there are some things you can learn along the way as you grow.

Strike rate, minor changes in technique, ability to pierce the gaps and finding the right way to pace your innings can all be learned.

For Imam, he is so young, and it is early. He can develop these if given ample chances as he is being given now.


Yet, there are some things that cannot be developed and are part of nature. They are gifted to the person, and they include temperament, the ability to grit it out and putting a prize on your wicket and ability to last under pressure.

Imam checks all the boxes.

I can understand the SR criticism and I can understand why people are peeved that he bypassed a lot of others in the system.

But what I really find amusing is people deliberately want him to fail just to prove that he is a "******" or "does not belong".

Imam will turn out to be the 3rd best batsmen for Pakistan after Yousuf and Inzimam, if he keeps his head down. All other things can be learned.

But a hack like Fakhar will not be able to learn a thing.

You can bookmark this post for future.
 
Pakistan get lucky with a draw. Imam boosts his average with a not out and further solidifying his ‘automatic’ selection
 
Right decision taken.
Bowlers would have been at a huge disadvantage trying to defend a smallish total in twenty overs with an extremely wet ball..
 
Dr_Bassim said:
There are some things that can be taught at the crease and there are some things you can learn along the way as you grow.

Strike rate, minor changes in technique, ability to pierce the gaps and finding the right way to pace your innings can all be learned.

For Imam, he is so young, and it is early. He can develop these if given ample chances as he is being given now.


Yet, there are some things that cannot be developed and are part of nature. They are gifted to the person, and they include temperament, the ability to grit it out and putting a prize on your wicket and ability to last under pressure.

Imam checks all the boxes.

I can understand the SR criticism and I can understand why people are peeved that he bypassed a lot of others in the system.

But what I really find amusing is people deliberately want him to fail just to prove that he is a "******" or "does not belong".

Imam will turn out to be the 3rd best batsmen for Pakistan after Yousuf and Inzimam, if he keeps his head down. All other things can be learned.

But a hack like Fakhar will not be able to learn a thing.

You can bookmark this post for future.
Click to expand...

I will also become an astronaut for NASA bookmark this post.
 
How do you feel about Pakistan after first ODI

So 80-2 after 19 overs. Yes i agree it doesnt sound like a great scoreline considering the "Modern cricket" we want to see, but considering the conditions they were playing in, i actully happen to think pakistan was not in a very bad stage. I see Imam getting alot of heat for his slow strike rate but in these condition especially when archer was in the middle of his great spell, had he tried to force anything he wouldve been in the pavilion as well. I believe Pakistan couldve challenged England by posting a 280-290 target in these conditions.

Also it is important to note that yes England has flat pitches, but given the weather swing can come into play any game. And with that possibility, there is no better bowler in Pakistan to make impact than Muhammad Amir. He must be drafted into worldcup squad.
 
Ilan Bluestone said:
Babar had a lower SR in SA, and again, SA is SA, you cannot take it away from him.

I don't think there is a world of difference in the 84 SR of Babar and 80 of Imam, and then his SR from year one was 76, year two was 83.

He has had a bit of a spurt in 2019, which again, can happen to young players.

He plays on leg and offside, and I agree, needs to work on that next gear.

Babar getting this kind of protection and Imam not is clearly bias.

They both deserve to be on the team, and yes, I agree that ton by Abid was excellent, but to play with a player who has one international match in the WC is stupid planning. Had he played, I would agree with you, but our management dropped the ball there. Imam will be the long term investment and it will come with bumps and bruises.

As I said, his showing in SA was very impressive, and gives me hope for his future.

Today is not a good showing, and I myself agree that he needs to rotate better and pick apart the bad balls more often, however this is a similar issue that Babar has faced as well, as he tends to start well, and then slows down as the innings progresses. An 81.6 SR, is not too far off from Babar himself, who in the series had a lower SR.

Imam should be the guy, and deserves to be the guy barring Abid, which PCB dropped the ball on, and for the WC it is likely too late to implement in the lineup.
Click to expand...

I'm actually one of the few posters who's been critical of Babar due to the regression of his strike rate, since his first series against England (in the UAE - averaging 46 @ SR 93) and the following away tour to NZ (averaging 72 @ SR 94), when he was a dynamic free-flowing batsman when he started his ODI career.

It is definitely an issue but unlike Imam, Babar has a lot more to offer on the front and back foot, whereas the opener is susceptible to the shorter stuff and lacks the array of shots needed at this level.

Now I've compared their stats against the top 5 (SENAI) and this is how they fare:

Babar: Avg - 39.7 @ SR 82
Imam: Avg - 36.7 @ SR 71

If you look at the averages alone, there isn't much to separate them but the SR is what shows who is more competent against better bowling attacks and thus distinguishes their calibre.

You say I'm biased but a SR of 71 clearly shows he's not ready to be playing in this WC as an opener. No 2 ways about it. One good series against a top 5 side is not suffice. Even then, it came at a SR of just 81!

It may well be too late to bring Abid Ali into the side (with the WC just a few weeks away), however why can't we promote Babar instead and bring Haris at 3? He's done it with success in T20Is and clearly has the game to exploit the gaps in the field during the first powerplay.
 
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Mainul said:
He averages 54 against SA in a 5 match series and he was MOS in that series. He is not a minnow basher.
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Against the top 5, you can only use one series to claim he's not a minnow basher. Thank God you're not Imam's agent because you sure as hell can't sell his stock.

But anyway I've compared their stats against the top 5 (SENAI) and this is how they fare:

Babar: Avg - 39.7 @ SR 82
Imam: Avg - 36.7 @ SR 71

May not be a minnow basher but certainly not good enough yet!
 
Cric1234 said:
I will also become an astronaut for NASA bookmark this post.
Click to expand...

Are you implying you are as good in space science and cosmology as Imam is in cricket?

Otherwise pigs can also fly one day.
 
topspin said:
I'm actually one of the few posters who's been critical of Babar due to the regression of his strike rate, since his first series against England (in the UAE - averaging 46 @ SR 93) and the following away tour to NZ (averaging 72 @ SR 94), when he was a dynamic free-flowing batsman when he started his ODI career.

It is definitely an issue but unlike Imam, Babar has a lot more to offer on the front and back foot, whereas the opener is susceptible to the shorter stuff and lacks the array of shots needed at this level.

Now I've compared their stats against the top 5 (SENAI) and this is how they fare:

Babar: Avg - 39.7 @ SR 82
Imam: Avg - 36.7 @ SR 71

If you look at the averages alone, there isn't much to separate them but the SR is what shows who is more competent against better bowling attacks and thus distinguishes their calibre.

You say I'm biased but a SR of 71 clearly shows he's not ready to be playing in this WC as an opener. No 2 ways about it. One good series against a top 5 side is not suffice. Even then, it came at a SR of just 81!

It may well be too late to bring Abid Ali into the side (with the WC just a few weeks away), however why can't we promote Babar instead and bring Haris at 3? He's done it with success in T20Is and clearly has the game to exploit the gaps in the field during the first powerplay.
Click to expand...

Again, I look at progression.

Imam had increased his SR from year one to two. He has had a slow start this year, but again, he shouldn't be thrown into the wolves after progression.

A plethora of players start at X and end up at Y, so their numbers need to be given context.
 
Ilan Bluestone said:
Again, I look at progression.

Imam had increased his SR from year one to two. He has had a slow start this year, but again, he shouldn't be thrown into the wolves after progression.

A plethora of players start at X and end up at Y, so their numbers need to be given context.
Click to expand...

I agree he has progressed well and I'm pleased about it, genuinely! Which is why I want him to be invested for another 2 years, but for now he should not be starting in the WC because we won't score 300 if he continues to pace his innings like he did today and as per his SR against the top 5 sides in his career to date. He should be an automatic starter once this tournament is over.
 
England got lucky. They were in for a trashing. Under over cast seaming conditions, they wouldn't have even got to 100.
 
Not good signs for the coming WC. Hope the main event is not ruined by weather. On to Saturday when hopefully we'll have better weather. We played decently if slowly in difficult conditions.
 
Major issue with playing cricket in England, rain is always around the corner.
 
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