Fortress UAE: Welcome to Pakistan's home!

[Anfield]

We should be looking to win the series instead of drawing the series! Lack of sporting pitches and lack of aggression have been the main culprits. Today's performance should should be enough to let our management know that we need to play positive and aggressive cricket.

 

[Torpedo]

The attack on the fortress by Australia has been thwarted.

 

[j_kazmi]

I know its a bit superstitious but why bump this thread so early

 

[90MPH]

The fortress has been protected again....well at until NZ arrive

 

[Romali_rotti]

Great win guys, now go secure the series..... Good to see Pakistan finally dominating in test cricket again...

 

[Hawkeye]

I know its a bit superstitious but why bump this thread so early

What early? The fortress has been secured, even if we lose the 2nd Test

 

[j_kazmi]

What early? The fortress has been secured, even if we lose the 2nd Test

I know but i want us to win the series not draw it.

 

[Silly Point]

Great win guys, now go secure the series..... Good to see Pakistan finally dominating in test cricket again...

I don't know why everyone says that like we've been losing test series nonstop. We only lost to SL in SL last month. Before that we chased a historic 300 in two sessions to draw the series with SL in UAE, and before that we gave SA a phainta and ended up drawing the series with them too. Sure we got whitewashed in SA, but who doesn't get whitewashed in foreign conditions?

Our only real low point in tests was the test loss vs Zimbabwe. But we are always expected to dominate Aus/Eng/WI/NZ and compete with SA in UAE. Anyone who thought these teams can roll over Pakistan in UAE is delusional and gives no respect to a mighty Pakistan side in the UAE. Those people like [MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] are now eating humble pies.

 

[Zeshan547]

Yes if any team thinking to win a test series in U.A.E they should think twice, best bet for all these teams is to get a drawn series forget about winnig, and if NZ off all teams win in a test series in U.A.E than i think that would the biggest upset series loss in all the history of Pak cricket. [MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] This victory against Aussies is a reality check for you, come out of your dream land my dear and face the reality.

 

[Haz95]

Yes if any team thinking to win a test series in U.A.E they should think twice, best bet for all these teams is to get a drawn series forget about winnig, and if NZ off all teams win in a test series in U.A.E than i think that would the biggest upset series loss in all the history of Pak cricket. [MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] This victory against Aussies is a reality check for you, come out of your dream land my dear and face the reality.

stop underrating New Zealand. They may not be as ruthless as the Aussies but they're not as bad as we make them. Only if our batting clicks will we beat them like we beat Aus in the 1st test...everyone knows what the chances are of our batting clicking. A lot will depend on Southee and Boult both of whom I think will be a pain in the asss here and more dangerous than the Aussie bowlers since they both can take the pitch out of the equation. Give credit where its due. Plus if Vettori is playing that is also a worrying sign considering our rich history vs decent SLAs.

 

[Kianig89]

who knows we might blank these Antipodeans 5-0 :rondu

 

[Zeshan547]

stop underrating New Zealand. They may not be as ruthless as the Aussies but they're not as bad as we make them. Only if our batting clicks will we beat them like we beat Aus in the 1st test...everyone knows what the chances are of our batting clicking. A lot will depend on Southee and Boult both of whom I think will be a pain in the asss here and more dangerous than the Aussie bowlers since they both can take the pitch out of the equation. Give credit where its due. Plus if Vettori is playing that is also a worrying sign considering our rich history vs decent SLAs.

you are basing these comments on what? Nz have historically been our punching bag, and conditions are also ideal for Pakistan in U.A.E, so they stand no chance in hell mate to even win one test here, even if they don't get white washed and draw one test will be a big achievement for them, i will only take you posts like this seriously when Nz actually win test series in U.A.E next month. Come back than, good luck to you, but it ain't gonna happen.

 

[Haz95]

you are basing these comments on what? Nz have historically been our punching bag, and conditions are also ideal for Pakistan in U.A.E, so they stand no chance in hell mate to even win one test here, even if they don't get white washed and draw one test will be a big achievement for them, i will only take you posts like this seriously when Nz actually win test series in U.A.E next month. Come back than, good luck to you, but it ain't gonna happen.

I am basing this comments on how NZ have been playing these past few months...Whether its domestic games or international games. Their bowlers are no mugs and like I said, its our batting thats gonna be the deciding factor. I am not saying that they're gonna beat us(which tbh is quite unlikely) but am also not saying that we're gonna pwn them like we always do. A few days before this test series started, am pretty sure everyone was downplaying pakistan and saying we were finished as a team and more nonsense and now the same people think we're the greatest team in the world. We haven't won a series for more than 2 years yet we firmly believe we're gonna whitewash a team in form...its quite possible that we will but I'm simply saying that its not gonna be as easy as some think.

 

[Mamoon]

NZ will test our batting more than Australia. Yes MJ is class, but his bowling style isn't exactly what we struggle most against.

Southee and Boult are excellent swing bowlers who move the new ball both ways and that is where most of our top order batsman struggle. The likes of Hafeez and Shehzad are pretty clueless against swing with glued feet and Younis after all these years is still not convincing against pace and fishes outside the off-stump a lot.

We should still be too strong for them, but I think they might draw or even a win a game. Almost impossible for the Pakistani batting unit not to collapse over the course of 5 Test matches against AUS/NZ and I think the most likely collapse will come against NZ because they have the right kind of bowling.

 

[Zeshan547]

I am basing this comments on how NZ have been playing these past few months...Whether its domestic games or international games. Their bowlers are no mugs and like I said, its our batting thats gonna be the deciding factor. I am not saying that they're gonna beat us(which tbh is quite unlikely) but am also not saying that we're gonna pwn them like we always do. A few days before this test series started, am pretty sure everyone was downplaying pakistan and saying we were finished as a team and more nonsense and now the same people think we're the greatest team in the world. We haven't won a series for more than 2 years yet we firmly believe we're gonna whitewash a team in form...its quite possible that we will but I'm simply saying that its not gonna be as easy as some think.

now you talking some sense, tell me where i said we will roll over Kiwis in 3 or 4 days or win by an innings, but we will win the series for sure Inshallah, but i expect Kiwis to give one hell of a fight but in the end they will come short due their inability to play on spinnig pitches against decent spin attack. And they don't have much experience in such conditions. They have really improved but i doubt they will put serious challenge to Pak in UAE conditions, i accept if this series was to be played in Nz than Nz would have been favourites. But here no way mate.

 

[Haz95]

now you talking some sense, tell me where i said we will roll over Kiwis in 3 or 4 days or win by an innings, but we will win the series for sure Inshallah, but i expect Kiwis to give one hell of a fight but in the end they will come short due their inability to play on spinnig pitches against decent spin attack. And they don't have much experience in such conditions. They have really improved but i doubt they will put serious challenge to Pak in UAE conditions, i accept if this series was to be played in Nz than Nz would have been favourites. But here no way mate.

The tone and attitude in your previous comments with phrases like 'NZ have been our punching bag' suggests that you reckon we're gonna roll em up in 3/4 days. I reckon we can and probably will roll them for that much if our batting display in todays test is repeated. It seems you are now talking with sense since you're now appreciating the fact that NZ will show up a fight for sure(if they don't I will be quite surprised).
Their inability to play spin is gonna be their downfall and our batting will be ours(if it flops).

 

[Arsal_AK]

stop underrating New Zealand. They may not be as ruthless as the Aussies but they're not as bad as we make them. Only if our batting clicks will we beat them like we beat Aus in the 1st test...everyone knows what the chances are of our batting clicking. A lot will depend on Southee and Boult both of whom I think will be a pain in the asss here and more dangerous than the Aussie bowlers since they both can take the pitch out of the equation. Give credit where its due. Plus if Vettori is playing that is also a worrying sign considering our rich history vs decent SLAs.

How can Boult and Southee take the pitch out of equation?? Sure they will swing it for 5 overs but then what??

Even Steyn and MJ couldn't do it. And they both have extra pace too which is the only thing that works here apart from top quality reverse.

 

[MenInG]

Better someone else bump this than me

 

[Alchemy]

Better someone else bump this than me

with all due respect not again MIG. Please close this thread.

 

[Big Boss]

I hope India tours UAE next year for a full series. It will very interesting to see how Babar, Yasir and other spinners go against the likes of Kohli, Pujara and Rahane.

 

[Big Boss]

The fortress has been protected again....well at until NZ arrive

We will smash Kiwis.

 

[MenInG]

with all due respect not again MIG. Please close this thread.

Nah - this is our big moment

 

[dhump]

We will smash Kiwis.

Good to see Indian bros joining hands with us.

 

[Saeed]

Our fort is about to be destroyed.Hopefully misbah won't pull out a white flag or this will be end of his career.

 

[90MPH]

*wrist slitters alert*

Watch them flock here now.

 

[Hawkeye]

What on earth? Wrist slitters are out already?!?!?!?

Do you even know PAK hasn't lost a single test series to any nation in these years here? Not even SA could breach it?

How come we can lose one against NZ? We're already 1-0 up, this will most probably be a draw and they're never going to win a series against us here.

Slitting wrists is just a hobby for some it seems.

 

[dhump]

Our fort is about to be destroyed.Hopefully misbah won't pull out a white flag or this will be end of his career.

 

[khalil1986]

Haha such feeble supporters.

 

[Kianig89]

we can still win this game yes you read it first here

 

[Bilal7]

we can still win this game yes you read it first here

We're the favourites. InshAllah we'll win this.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan exposed today. Did not respond well to the challenge of bowling first.

 

[pakistani pride]

We will fight back. 4 days to go.
lets hope for a couple quick ones tomorrow amd its game on.

This thread should be locked at least till the end of this test !

 

[90MPH]

Pakistan exposed today. Did not respond well to the challenge of bowling first.

Stick to T20 kido, Tests are not for you.

 

[pakistani pride]

Pakistan exposed today. Did not respond well to the challenge of bowling first.

Uhhh?

Just wait parosee. NZ still need to make much more to have a good 1st innings score.

But you are known for poor and stupid comments.

 

[WalkingWiggett]

I just caught up with the score. Yes, NZ is doing well and give a lot of credit to the solid Tom Latham for another ton. Somehow it doesn't surprise me a lot: he seems to be in good form.

Looking at the remaining batting for NZ, only BJ Watling would inspire me with much confidence, so Pak is still in this game. Remember, to beat Pak, NZ not only has to amass more runs, they have to take 20 wickets too: not impossible, but still quite a tough task.

 

[Mamoon]

Okay let me rephrase,

Pakistan bowled superbly but were unlucky. Happy now?

Calling it as a I see it. Not a coincidence that we have looked flat as soon as we lost the toss.

 

[90MPH]

Like I said stick to the Mickey Mouse stuff, when it comes to the longer format you have little idea.

 

[Mamoon]

Indeed, its the same that got spanked in Zimbabwe so I must educate myself on Test cricket before I criticize today's bowling effort.

 

[Bilal7]

All their top bats except one are back in the pavilion and the rest, barring Latham won't be comfortable against spin tomorrow. I don't see how they were exposed. No one was expecting Pakistan to bowl the Kiwis out for under 250 on this pitch, in the first innings.

 

[AZ]

Latham played exceptionally well to blunt Babar, having a left-hander at the crease is always more difficult for a left arm orthodox and a legspinner.

few very close LBW shouts didn't go our way, not to mention the dropped catches.

'exposed' is rubbish.

 

[ethan hunt]

Lol i am pretty sure Pakistan haven't lost a single test in the UAE after losing the toss ,one decent day for the opposition after about a month and a half and people with serious life issues are back to channel their frustrations .

 

[the Great Khan]

exposed lol. Two quick wickets tomorrow and they could fold within a hundred runs. Anyones game still! morning session crucial for both runs and wickets!

 

[Arsal_AK]

Pakistan exposed today. Did not respond well to the challenge of bowling first.

So what were you expecting, 250 all out??

 

[Arsal_AK]

The most pathetic thing today has been the fielding. They would have easily been 5 down right now had they held on to the dollies.

 

[the Great Khan]

So what were you expecting, 250 all out??

he was expecting 80-ao and he would then probably moan about a sub standard pitch or start saying things like "don't get on your high horses or don't get ahead of yourselves." ignore him , he sucks the joy out of everything.

 

[pakistani pride]

Lol i am pretty sure Pakistan haven't lost a single test in the UAE after losing the toss ,one decent day for the opposition after about a month and a half and people with serious life issues are back to channel their frustrations .

Hahahahah serious life issues.. very well said.

 

[MenInG]

exposed lol. Two quick wickets tomorrow and they could fold within a hundred runs. Anyones game still! morning session crucial for both runs and wickets!

Surely you havent watched any cricket in your life and cannot be saying sense as supporting this team is some kind of gunnah.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

it was just the first day [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] - You do understand that a test match goes on for 450 overs before deciding the outcome

 

[dhump]

Only poor thing was dropped catches should not have happened but kids here would go for Dharna outside stadium in protest. Honestly speaking if NZ was 5 down on this wicket 243 is poor effort in a day RR of 2.79.

 

[Fastandfurious]

How many catches did we drop?

 

[the Great Khan]

Surely you havent watched any cricket in your life and cannot be saying sense as supporting this team is some kind of gunnah.

lol, in some peoples eyes its just haram to enjoy anything this team does and its halal to bash them for any off sessions or days. I think some people have some serious issues to deal with as stated above. Perhaps a break from the pressures of PP and cricket in general would help??

 

[Mamoon]

A score of 400 looms. We would need to bat out of our skins to save this one.

I wasn't expecting 100 all out, but it does leave a sour taste in the mouth to see NZ pile up the runs as soon as they got the opportunity to bat first and sort of makes our batting performances not so wonderful but at the end of the day, if Pakistan is going to score a truckload of runs, the pitch has to be a belter otherwise the possibility is very low.

Yes the fielding was poor, but both the spinners didn't bowl well especially Babar who was extremely poor. Yasir was kind of acceptable.

 

[Fahdi]

So poor fielding let Pakistan down once again. That said Pakistan should be worried, a first innings lead of 400+ will give the New Zealand bowlers confidence and they will come at us hard. To top it off we have an unsettled opening pair at the top who will be under some pressure.

Another thing which does not bode well for Pakistan is that they have dropped catches. That means nervousness; which has caused a collapse many times.

All these factors considered Pakistan will be truly tested for the first time in a while.

 

[pakistani pride]

A score of 400 looms. We would need to bat out of our skins to save this one.

I wasn't expecting 100 all out, but it does leave a sour taste in the mouth to see NZ pile up the runs as soon as they got the opportunity to bat first and sort of makes our batting performances not so wonderful but at the end of the day, if Pakistan is going to score a truckload of runs, the pitch has to be a belter otherwise the possibility is very low.

Yes the fielding was poor, but both the spinners didn't bowl well especially Babar who was extremely poor. Yasir was kind of acceptable.

You do know we lead 1 - 0?
You do know they have to take 20 wickets?

This dude is so stupid.

 

[Mamoon]

You do know we lead 1 - 0?
You do know they have to take 20 wickets?

This dude is so stupid.

It can get ugly for us if we don't wrap them up tomorrow early. I don't have much faith in Pakistan batting to respond well to a massive first innings total by the Kiwis.

3 good Tests and suddenly it has become 'stupid' to think that Pakistan's batting might crumble under pressure here. A few good games cannot make up for the years of pathetic performances.

Not saying it will happen, most likely not but that does not change the fact that we played poor cricket today and should have done much better.

 

[yadunoe]

Infact, I have noticed that UAE produces better pitches for tests that suit Pakistan more.

At home in Pakistan our pitches tend to be a lot more flatter.

Plus we can hardly bowl 90 overs a day because of extremely small days during winter.

ya this is true UAE produces more sporting wickets

 

[trogger]

Even if the kiwis make 450+ it's hard to see them taking 20 wickets cheap enough to win, the pakistan batting just looks unstoppable right now and i don't think facing a big opposition total in these conditions will cause them the same issues it has for aus/nz.

 

[Fahdi]

As I suspected. This will be Pakistan's toughest test since the tour to SL.

 

[Mamoon]

What I feared....

 

[MenInG]

What I feared....

Just 2 wickets fell and those of players who are fill in openers. You need to lighten up a bit. Let's talk tomorrow and see where this game is.

 

[Mamoon]

Can't expect Azhar, Younis and Misbah to fire all the time. Asad and Sarfraz will have to come to the party tomorrow.

Pakistan win is out of question unless we score 600 and NZ collapse heavily.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Can't expect Azhar, Younis and Misbah to fire all the time. Asad and Sarfraz will have to come to the party tomorrow.

Pakistan win is out of question unless we score 600 and NZ collapse heavily.

This is why I raised the thread about whether two substitute openers would disrupt Pakistan's in form batting line up. It is impossible to draw the conclusion that it is chasing 400 that is causing wickets to go down when the two wickets to fall have predictably been the replacement openers. The real pressure isn't NZ's score, but having to bat with effectively only 4 batsmen.

 

[Bilal7]

Such fickle fans. The Kiwis took almost 2 full days to score 400, not an awfully bad bowling performance from us.

We need to do the same, bat for two days but score 600 runs and then watch the Black Caps collapse on the fifth day. Younis and Azhar are going to be key.

 

[Fahdi]

Things going the way I feared. Its upto Sarfraz now to save us otherwise we could be in trouble.

 

[Mamoon]

Losing a Test to NZ in the UAE would be a terrible blow. It will really expose this team and take away the newly found credibility.

We were quite fortunate to bat first thrice in a row.

 

[Varun]

I hope there's little doubt now that New Zealand are WAY better than Australia in Asian conditions - they actually compete over a period of time instead of withering away.

 

[Mamoon]

^ Australia batting first and it'd have been a different story.

 

[Varun]

^ Australia batting first and it'd have been a different story.

Did that four times out of four in India only to lose four times out of four, to top up their whitewash two times out of two the previous time they were here - when they were batting second.

Even the law of averages isn't helping them out.

 

[90MPH]

Losing a Test to NZ in the UAE would be a terrible blow. It will really expose this team and take away the newly found credibility.

We were quite fortunate to bat first thrice in a row.

Bro we are always fortunate. Please tell them the day when they will be unlucky or unfortunate.

 

[90MPH]

You known Mamoon is a confused soul when an Indian is saying hes wrong

 

[Mamoon]

Did that four times out of four in India only to lose four times out of four, to top up their whitewash two times out of two the previous time they were here - when they were batting second.

Even the law of averages isn't helping them out.

We are an inferior team to India.

 

[Mamoon]

You known Mamoon is a confused soul when an Indian is saying hes wrong

The grass looks greener to him from the other side.

 

[Mamoon]

If this is how we are going to respond to losing the toss then clearly there is no hope for the future.

 

[90MPH]

The grass looks greener to him from the other side.

Exactly bro, we are rubbish and very lucky. India is millions time better.

 

[90MPH]

If this is how we are going to respond to losing the toss then clearly there is no hope for the future.

There is no future. Lets unite with India and call it Mughalistan.

 

[pakistani pride]

Losing a Test to NZ in the UAE would be a terrible blow. It will really expose this team and take away the newly found credibility.

We were quite fortunate to bat first thrice in a row.

Okay here we go again.

I know you have a shortage of braincells.
You do know nz had 3 days to take 18 wickets. Today they only took 4 wickets. So they have 14 wickets left to take in 2 days and also have to bat.

Thats some task. Now me as a pak fan hope we bat long enough tomorrow which means nz might even have to bat a bit on day 5.

Most prob this will be a draw leaving us infront.

We batted second but were never under scoreboard pressure even while playing 2 new openers.

Pak after scoring tons of runs Batting first already had bowled out both teams.

We will win this series !

 

[90MPH]

Okay here we go again.

I know you have a shortage of braincells.
You do know nz had 3 days to take 18 wickets. Today they only took 4 wickets. So they have 14 wickets left to take in 2 days and also have to bat.

Thats some task. Now me as a pak fan hope we bat long enough tomorrow which means nz might even have to bat a bit on day 5.

Most prob this will be a draw leaving us infront.

We batted second but were never under scoreboard pressure even while playing 2 new openers.

Pak after scoring tons of runs Batting first already had bowled out both teams.

We will win this series !

These are the days he waits for. Let him have his fun with his Indian bros.

 

[Mamoon]

Okay here we go again.

I know you have a shortage of braincells.
You do know nz had 3 days to take 18 wickets. Today they only took 4 wickets. So they have 14 wickets left to take in 2 days and also have to bat.

Thats some task. Now me as a pak fan hope we bat long enough tomorrow which means nz might even have to bat a bit on day 5.

Most prob this will be a draw leaving us infront.

We batted second but were never under scoreboard pressure even while playing 2 new openers.

Pak after scoring tons of runs Batting first already had bowled out both teams.

We will win this series !

Whatever brain cells that I have, they predicted well in post 215.

- We failed to wrap up NZ quickly.

- We didn't respond well with the bat under pressure.

As things stand, this game is clearly heading for a draw with NZ having a sniff and Pakistan win out of question. I'd say:

75% Draw

24% NZ

1% PAK

We will not go for any sort of target on day 5 unless NZ collapse miserably in the second innings and give us 100 to chase. If that doesn't happen, we will play for a draw to protect the lead and we don't bat well under pressure and it can get ugly for us.

As soon as NZ crossed 350, we started playing for a draw and that has been evident by our batting approach (with the hope that NZ might collapse in the 2nd innings and we can be in with a chance) however, we lost too many wickets today and unless Sarfraz plays a blinder tomorrow and our tails wags for once, we are clearly on the backfoot here.

 

[Mamoon]

We lost the plot today - plain and simple.

Misbah and Shafiq must be held accountable for this, they blew away all the great work done by Azhar and Younis.

Looks like Misbah will come good only if we have 1,000 runs on the board already and Shafiq was trying too hard to make case for the ODI team, feeling the heat from Younis already.

 

[Hawkeye]

Wrist slitting must stop.