Former PM Imran Khan in awe of Pakistan fast bowling performance in T20 World Cup final defeat

[James]

<b>Legendary cricketer and former prime minister Imran Khan was in awe of Pakistan’s fast bowling attack, which he believed gave it all during the T20 World Cup final loss against England on Sunday.</b>

Babar Azam’s men pushed England all the way at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but fell to a heartbreaking loss with six balls to spare after posting a below-par 138-run target against a star-studded batting line-up.

The team suffered a blow when pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi was injured after landing awkwardly on his knee while taking a catch to dismiss England batter Harry Brook, an impact that eventually forced him to abort his spell in the 15th over.

Talking about the team’s performance today, former skipper Imran — who led Pakistan to their maiden World Cup victory in 1992 — said that winning and losing was a part of the game.

“I used to tell my team to fight till the last bowl. Try your best. But when the result comes and you have given your best, then it is God’s will.”

Pakistan, Imran said, gave it their all and kept trying till the last bowl. “But what is not in your hands […] the way Shaheen Afridi was injured, no one can do anything about that.

“And unfortunately it happened at a time when the match was at a very important stage and Shaheen could have made a difference. I am not saying that we could have won but it was at a time when the game could have been changed,” he added.

The former all-rounder urged the nation to congratulate the team for reaching the final.

“I especially want to say that our fast-bowling attack […] from what I saw today […] is the best fast-bowling attack in the world,” Imran remarked and then prayed for the speedy recovery of Shaheen.

He also said that Pakistan had Babar Azam who was a “world-class batsman” and would leave all the other batters behind.

“Our team right now is among the best teams in the world,” Imran added.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1720716/i...ers-fighting-show-in-t20-world-cup-final-loss

 

[BreadPakoda]

Best bowling attack? One of the best teams in the world? He’s forgetting that there are two other formats in cricket, both perhaps more important.

 

[Cric1234]

There was nothing amazing about it on a helpful wicket you expect the fast bowlers to take wickets the performance against New Zealand was better restricting them to an under par score despite only taking 4 wickets.

 

[Savak]

Imran has always been a big fan of express fast bowling. When he met Shaheen and Rauf at the PM house, he admonished them for constantly bowling cutters and told them to focus bowling at 90-95 mph plus, to target getting wickets without worrying about wides and no-balls

 

[Bewal Express]

These guys have real potential but wickets over a period of time will create legends. Only time will tell whether these guys become something better than a shooting star.

 

[Mamoon]

Best bowling attack bottled like no tomorrow against India and were out-bowled by Zimbabwean bowlers.

 

[AAli98]

'I don't see that being fair': Anrich Nortje demands more Test Matches to be played involving South Africa

Nortje knows to be considered a great you have to perform in tests let Haris & co perform there no one remembers these petty T20s

 

[Fenrir]

Best bowling attack bottled like no tomorrow against India and were out-bowled by Zimbabwean bowlers.

Shaheen was not at his best.He made his come back from injury.Pakistan should have played 4 pacers against India.Using a spinner in the last over was poor captaincy.India is the most populated country(1.4 billion) yet it can’t find fast bowlers.New Zealand a country of 5 million has produced more fast bowlers than India.

 

[moghul]

<b>Legendary cricketer and former prime minister Imran Khan was in awe of Pakistan’s fast bowling attack, which he believed gave it all during the T20 World Cup final loss against England on Sunday.</b>

Babar Azam’s men pushed England all the way at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but fell to a heartbreaking loss with six balls to spare after posting a below-par 138-run target against a star-studded batting line-up.

The team suffered a blow when pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi was injured after landing awkwardly on his knee while taking a catch to dismiss England batter Harry Brook, an impact that eventually forced him to abort his spell in the 15th over.

Talking about the team’s performance today, former skipper Imran — who led Pakistan to their maiden World Cup victory in 1992 — said that winning and losing was a part of the game.

“I used to tell my team to fight till the last bowl. Try your best. But when the result comes and you have given your best, then it is God’s will.”

Pakistan, Imran said, gave it their all and kept trying till the last bowl. “But what is not in your hands […] the way Shaheen Afridi was injured, no one can do anything about that.

“And unfortunately it happened at a time when the match was at a very important stage and Shaheen could have made a difference. I am not saying that we could have won but it was at a time when the game could have been changed,” he added.

The former all-rounder urged the nation to congratulate the team for reaching the final.

“I especially want to say that our fast-bowling attack […] from what I saw today […] is the best fast-bowling attack in the world,” Imran remarked and then prayed for the speedy recovery of Shaheen.

He also said that Pakistan had Babar Azam who was a “world-class batsman” and would leave all the other batters behind.

“Our team right now is among the best teams in the world,” Imran added.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1720716/i...ers-fighting-show-in-t20-world-cup-final-loss

Agree , bowlers did a wonderful job true to their potential . Batsmen and Babar as captain did a poor job but that was their capacity . Babar is not IK and Iftikhar, Khushdil, Asif and Haider are club level batter . Nawaz is a useful bowling allrounder at FC level, not beyond that.

 

[adzzy786]

Best bowling attack bottled like no tomorrow against India and were out-bowled by Zimbabwean bowlers.

Doesn’t mean they not the best attack though does it? When india got hammered for 170/0 whilst Pakistan had them struggling chasing 137.

The bowling isn’t the issue, it’s the batting.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Anyone who has appreciation for genuine fast bowling knows this is a very very special bowling unit and will definitely tear through big lineups in the future.

 

[PakLFC]

We all knew this anyway. Don't need Imran Khan to tell us the obvious. I hate it when he does that! If he had said we're not the best fast bowling attack in the world we still would be. This man is so full of himself it's incredible.

 

[Ashmal]

'I don't see that being fair': Anrich Nortje demands more Test Matches to be played involving South Africa

Nortje knows to be considered a great you have to perform in tests let Haris & co perform there no one remembers these petty T20s

You talking about the same Nortje who skipped playing for SA to feature in IPL

 

[Energy]

Another fantasy seems to be developing now. Fairy tale love affair that only gets you moral victories.

 

[Ashmal]

This bowling unit has been brilliant in T20s.

The challenge would be to replicate it in other formats.

 

[PakLFC]

Our T20 batting is as poor as the bowling is good. It all evens out.

 

[the Great Khan]

How dare he praise this team..how dare he..rubbish bowlers cuptaan batters..only player worth anything is umar akmal and sharjeel. Anybody else is useless..

Rubbish team..(just jeep repeating this while following the usual suspects and the present wrist for slitting ceremony)

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Shaheen was not at his best.He made his come back from injury.Pakistan should have played 4 pacers against India.Using a spinner in the last over was poor captaincy.India is the most populated country(1.4 billion) yet it can’t find fast bowlers.New Zealand a country of 5 million has produced more fast bowlers than India.

By the same logic, should'nt your guys have the 7th most medals in every olympics, world championships and every bronze medal in every sport in the Asian games?

 

[TheSultan]

He’s impressed and rightly so.

And I think he might know a bit more about fast bowling than some of the resident keyboard warriors!

 

[shaz619]

It was magical performance, one of the all time great collective performances I’ve witnessed live. Delighted for England but couldn’t help but feel for Pakistan / Shaheen injury. I would like to see Pakistan prioritise LOI’s to ensure the longevity of this marvellous attack, especially until a good B attack comes along, it’s concerning how poorly they have managed Shaheen’s load and injury

 

[shaz619]

This is why I feel England is up there with the all time great teams, only they could have neutralised this attack and while they had some luck, you have to admire their championship mentality in the face of intense pressure

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

Don't have a genuine off spinner in SC conditions for LOIs. In tests, not even a top attack.

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

Pakistan had a terrific pace attack in this world cup. It is not like other teams are not capable of playing a lightening quick pace attack. Why would southee still play. NZ could have an attack of Boult, Jamieson, Henry, Milne. SA could have had an attack of Rabada, Jansen, Nortje, Ngidi.
India could play Bumrah, Prasidh, Arshdeep, Shami. Teams prioritize control over pace. India is wasting Umran by not giving him chances. Guys like Rauf, Naseem underwent on the job training and excelled.

 

[greatest]

Nowadays all statements by Imran have a political angle. Some years ago he was lamenting the T20 format and PSL. In a program he said he prefers Tests and Test performances over T20. Most of you might have seen his Pataudi Lecture on YouTube as well. But now as the most popular leader/politician he goes with what the masses like and want to hear.

I miss Imran the cricketer/captain and his expert views on the game.

 

[greatest]

He’s impressed and rightly so.

And I think he might know a bit more about fast bowling than some of the resident keyboard warriors!

Since retirement Imran has always backed our fast-bowlers, unfortunately some of them didn't fulfill their potential. I remember in the early 90s he used to praise and back Ata-ur-Rehman a lot, but the bowler was never like a Wasim or Waqar. Then later Imran was a big fan of Mohammed Sami. He was very impressed with his pace and bowling action. Sami too didn't reached greater heights.

These current Pakistani bowlers too have the potential to be great but then it's up to them on how hungry they are for success.

 

[Ashmal]

Nowadays all statements by Imran have a political angle. Some years ago he was lamenting the T20 format and PSL. In a program he said he prefers Tests and Test performances over T20. Most of you might have seen his Pataudi Lecture on YouTube as well. But now as the most popular leader/politician he goes with what the masses like and want to hear.

I miss Imran the cricketer/captain and his expert views on the game.

He never said that T20 is the best format.

He's just praising the bowlers for their performance in the finals.

 

[greatest]

He never said that T20 is the best format.

He's just praising the bowlers for their performance in the finals.

Thanks for correcting me!

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan had a terrific pace attack in this world cup. It is not like other teams are not capable of playing a lightening quick pace attack. Why would southee still play. NZ could have an attack of Boult, Jamieson, Henry, Milne. SA could have had an attack of Rabada, Jansen, Nortje, Ngidi.
India could play Bumrah, Prasidh, Arshdeep, Shami. Teams prioritize control over pace. India is wasting Umran by not giving him chances. Guys like Rauf, Naseem underwent on the job training and excelled.

Gotta be a mixture of both. Of all the guys Naseem shah looked the most threatening due to his movement. Buttler has very clue against movement. Be it is 130k ph or 145kph. That is why he repeatedly got out to Bhuvi

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan fast-bowling attack is in good hands - very happy with it.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Pakistan fast-bowling attack is in good hands - very happy with it.

It’s in very good hands - for now. However it’ll mean nothing if it’s not managed well in terms of workloads.

Haris, despite his short international career, will be 30 soon. The PCB have to be incredibly careful about ensuring that he doesn’t get over bowled. Which is why, when I hear rumours of him playing the England Test series, I’m confounded.

With Shaheen, the mismanagement is for all to see, hope they don’t do similar with Haris.

They need to start blooding in more new ball bowlers, especially in tests. That’s why I’d much rather Dahani given a go Vs Haris.

Hasnain and Wasim need a full domestic season each. I really hope both can win division 1 county deals.

They also need to start arranging a pathway for both Zeeshan Zameer and Mohammed Zeeshan, so that they’re regulars in the national set up by 2024.

That’s not including Ihsanullah, Mohammad Umar who both have the actions and attitude to be very useful Test seamers.

Akif Javed could also yet resurrect his career.

Thus, Pakistan has many resources Alhamdullillah, but it needs to be managed very well. We just need to see India, and how the absolute churn has affected their pace attack, and take heed.