Great fightback by Pakistan - More character shown than any previous Pakistani team in Australia?

[Hawkeye]

It's human nature to recall the past with rose-tinted glasses.

Historically, no matter how big 'superstars' we had in the team, we've always played like minnows in Australia.

Always been dominated, especially after the Imran Khan era, post 1999.

This time, things seem to be different.

A team that's touring Aus for the first time in Tests, that too playing their first match at the Gabba under lights, seems to have shown more fight and grit than any team of yesteryears.

Yes, they got out cheaply in the first innings, but have mounted a very gritty comeback.

With this performance, they'll gain a lot of motivation and momentum. They've shown everyone they can play and compete. They have really frustrated their opposition and gain respect of everyone, including the commentators.

All this is pointing to one thing: This team will certainly do a lot better in the next two matches.

 

[Red Devil]

Nice to see YK and Asad getting some runs under their belt. Hopefully we'll be more competitive in in the next two matches.

 

[Hawkeye]

Nice to see YK and Asad getting some runs under their belt. Hopefully we'll be more competitive in in the next two matches.

It certainly will be. Gabba is always hard to manage, and we haven't done too bad, considering most of our team is playing here for the first time, under lights, no preparation.

 

[Boxer]

Actually this is one of the weakest Australian team. Pak made them look like world beaters in the 1st innings.

 

[Hawkeye]

Actually this is one of the weakest Australian team. Pak made them look like world beaters in the 1st innings.

Lol what? Starc, Hazlewood are the 'weakest'?

And who "ATGs" or superstars Pak has?

 

[Major]

Actually this is one of the weakest Australian team. Pak made them look like world beaters in the 1st innings.

Oh khuda ka wasta hai.

Their bowling line up is still one of the greatest compared to others. Dont take credit away

 

[Slog]

Oh khuda ka wasta hai.

Their bowling line up is still one of the greatest compared to others. Dont take credit away

This is a stronger team than 2010 arguably

And our ATG sides didn't beat the weak Aussie teams of 80s

 

[IAJ]

Heartning to see the fight from Asad and Amir here. This is good for the matches to come.

 

[Major]

This is a stronger team than 2010 arguably

And our ATG sides didn't beat the weak Aussie teams of 80s

I remember our 2010 Pakistan team. I remember all those series back then.

Pakistan couldn't survive a full day with that batting team

whenever i see this team perform bad, i always remind myself that this team isn't bad and is better then that 2010 team.

 

[Junaids]

Pardon?

I shook Wasim Bari's hand this morning. He played in two Pakistan teams which drew series in Australia!

1976-77 and 1978-79.

 

[Mamoon]

Where was this character when the match was alive? Let's not attempt to whitewash how inept we have been all match and how we have been exposed in these conditions.

A few streaky runs after the match is over is no display of character. Shafiq and Amir played with freedom because the match was over and they had nothing to lose.

 

[Hawkeye]

Pardon?

I shook Wasim Bari's hand this morning. He played in two Pakistan teams which drew series in Australia!

1976-77 and 1978-79.

So, you proved my point. There was a draw in the 70s. And after that it's our best fight shown here!

Don't forget its our first match, at the Gabba, under lights, folks never played Tests here, against Starc and Hazlewood, with no preparation matches!

Give credit. And we'll only get better from here.

 

[Hawkeye]

Where was this character when the match was alive? Let's not attempt to whitewash how inept we have been all match and how we have been exposed in these conditions.

A few streaky runs after the match is over is no display of character. Shafiq and Amir played with freedom because the match was over and they had nothing to lose.

Well, I recall how you never stop praising England for showing much less fight than this in the UAE in losing situations. Continuously been whitewashing them except 1 draw.

Better to have a single standard and way of looking at things.

Great fight here and we may even win or draw the second one.

 

[StarWolf]

This is the gift of Mickey Arthur era. The team at least has some fighting spirit. Credit where it is due but there is still room for tons of improvement especially when it comes to selection matters.

 

[Hawkeye]

This is the gift of Mickey Arthur era. The team at least has some fighting spirit. Credit where it is due but there is still room for tons of improvement especially when it comes to selection matters.

The team is built and inspired by Misbah. I like Mickey but too many wrong decisioms re. Selections by him, Misbah and Inzi.

 

[StarWolf]

The team is built and inspired by Misbah. I like Mickey but too many wrong decisioms re. Selections by him, Misbah and Inzi.

I dont think Mickey has hand in the selections because he wouldnt have put poor Imran under the bus (about whom i feel he is totally wrong about).

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Yep. A lot of character being shown by Pakistan. Hats off to your team for making Australia work hard for this win.

 

[Mamoon]

Well, I recall how you never stop praising England for showing much less fight than this in the UAE in losing situations. Continuously been whitewashing them except 1 draw.

Better to have a single standard and way of looking at things.

Great fight here and we may even win or draw the second one.

England actually performed when the match was alive. Second Test in 2012, third Test in 2012, first Test in 2015, third Test in 2015 etc.

They didn't perform after the match was over and had Pakistan had won. That's what we have done in this match. We woke up only when Australia had won the match.

It would have been appreciable had we put this fight in the first innings.

No, we are not winning a single Test in this series. 3-0 or 2-0 Australia.

 

[wasimjunior]

Great fightback...serious character.

Watch out melbourne....we're gonna come back hard

 

[Hawkeye]

England actually performed when the match was alive. Second Test in 2012, third Test in 2012, first Test in 2015, third Test in 2015 etc.

They didn't perform after the match was over and had Pakistan had won. That's what we have done in this match. We woke up only when Australia had won the match.

It would have been appreciable had we put this fight in the first innings.

No, we are not winning a single Test in this series. 3-0 or 2-0 Australia.

Again, not a single standard.

You can't stop praising Kohli's knock in Australia in a losing cause. And Shafiq's knock or Pakistan doing well is 'useless'. )

Anyway, you're free to have your views.

[MENTION=134809]sensible-indian-fan[/MENTION] how will Kohli's knock compare to Shafiq's?

 

[Hawkeye]

England actually performed when the match was alive. Second Test in 2012, third Test in 2012, first Test in 2015, third Test in 2015 etc.

They didn't perform after the match was over and had Pakistan had won. That's what we have done in this match. We woke up only when Australia had won the match.

It would have been appreciable had we put this fight in the first innings.

No, we are not winning a single Test in this series. 3-0 or 2-0 Australia.

Oh, and btw forget Kohli's losing cause knock(s)..

How about Sachin's losing centuries? Hope you see the flaw in your argument.

 

[Mamoon]

Again, not a single standard.

You can't stop praising Kohli's knock in Australia in a losing cause. And Shafiq's knock or Pakistan doing well is 'useless'. )

Anyway, you're free to have your views.

[MENTION=134809]sensible-indian-fan[/MENTION] how will Kohli's knock compare to Shafiq's?

Shafiq is playing his best ever knock, but it's not comparable to Kohli's Adelaide effort.

Shafiq's innings came too late in the game to influence the outcome. The match was already lost when he came to the crease. It is no different to his hundreds vs SA and NZ in the UAE, but it's better because it was outside the UAE.

Kohli produced a special innings when India winning was a genuine possibility, the match wasn't over when he arrived at the crease. In addition, the pitch was tougher than this one.

 

[street cricketer]

Fantastic effort from Pakistan.

Expected them to fold honestly, great mettle shown by them.

 

[Slog]

Shafiq is playing his best ever knock, but it's not comparable to Kohli's Adelaide effort.

Shafiq's innings came too late in the game to influence the outcome. The match was already lost when he came to the crease. It is no different to his hundreds vs SA and NZ in the UAE, but it's better because it was outside the UAE.

Kohli produced a special innings when India winning was a genuine possibility, the match wasn't over when he arrived at the crease. In addition, the pitch was tougher than this one.

He choked when they came close though

 

[aukhan]

Undoubtedly. We looked horrible the last time we toured here.

 

[90MPH]

I am totally shocked because I never expected such a fight back.

Just look at the body language and that made a big difference in my opinion because they seemed so determined.

Remember this ground is one of the more quicker surfaces in Australia so hopefully they take a lot of confidence in the next 2 matches which shouldn't trouble them as much.

 

[Madplayer]

England actually performed when the match was alive. Second Test in 2012, third Test in 2012, first Test in 2015, third Test in 2015 etc.

They didn't perform after the match was over and had Pakistan had won. That's what we have done in this match. We woke up only when Australia had won the match.

It would have been appreciable had we put this fight in the first innings.

No, we are not winning a single Test in this series. 3-0 or 2-0 Australia.

So it wont be a good effort worthy of praise if they score 430+ tomorrow?

 

[Markhor]

Wonder what Akhtar and the other ex-pros turned loudmouths on the TV have to say now. Showed more fight in one innings than they did on all of the tours of Australia in their careers.

 

[desirous of desire]

we will see Pakistan under pressure of not losing it after getting so close to target and from there on we will have to show true character.

 

[Executioner]

If only Riaz didnt get out Pakistani would have the chance to have accomplished the greatest chase in the history of test cricket2

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Shafiq is playing his best ever knock, but it's not comparable to Kohli's Adelaide effort.

Shafiq's innings came too late in the game to influence the outcome. The match was already lost when he came to the crease. It is no different to his hundreds vs SA and NZ in the UAE, but it's better because it was outside the UAE.

Kohli produced a special innings when India winning was a genuine possibility, the match wasn't over when he arrived at the crease. In addition, the pitch was tougher than this one.

Here is one gentleman who can't understand probability.

It's still not lost. Ergo it couldn't have been lost when he walked in.

There is a 5-10% chance of winning at the moment. That's mainly due to his innings.

Just because it's unlikely to happen doesn't mean it can't, If Amir could score 48, he could have scored 70, and maybe Wahab wouldn't get out in the last over. Pakistan would be really in it then.

I wouldn't count if there was really no chance. If the game is within 100 runs with two wickets remaining it's absurd to say no chance, two good partnerships will definitely happen around 1/12 times at least.

 

[Mamoon]

Here is one gentleman who can't understand probability.

It's still not lost. Ergo it couldn't have been lost when he walked in.

There is a 5-10% chance of winning at the moment. That's mainly due to his innings.

Just because it's unlikely to happen doesn't mean it can't, If Amir could score 48, he could have scored 70, and maybe Wahab wouldn't get out in the last over. Pakistan would be really in it then.

I wouldn't count if there was really no chance. If the game is within 100 runs with two wickets remaining it's absurd to say no chance, two good partnerships will definitely happen around 1/12 times at least.

Cricket is not mathematics. Probability doesn't apply here.

Mathematically, scoring 360 in 10 is also propable with the probability of >0. However in truth, the probability of it it happening are practically 0.

Pakistan have a mathematical chance, not a practical one. Cricket is a practical sport, it's not mathematics.

 

[Mamoon]

So it wont be a good effort worthy of praise if they score 430+ tomorrow?

It's a 'good effort' already, because we will lose respectably rather than embarrassingly, but 'fightback' is too nice a word in my opinion.

This is nothing but damage limitation. Fightback would have been being 200-1 for example, or knocking Australia for less than 150 in the second innings.

 

[StarWolf]

The best we can hope for is that Pakistani team carries this spirit forward to the second test and win it.

 

[Madplayer]

It's a 'good effort' already, because we will lose respectably rather than embarrassingly, but 'fightback' is too nice a word in my opinion.

This is nothing but damage limitation. Fightback would have been being 200-1 for example, or knocking Australia for less than 150 in the second innings.

I think if they reach anywhere near 430 with 2 wickets in hand, they will have a realistic chance of winning.

 

[Pete Rose]

I think this is a remarkable turnaround. It would be good for them to get i to striking distance tommorow. I want the aussies to be a bit nervous tomorrow.

 

[Usman Chadda]

England actually performed when the match was alive. Second Test in 2012, third Test in 2012, first Test in 2015, third Test in 2015 etc.

They didn't perform after the match was over and had Pakistan had won. That's what we have done in this match. We woke up only when Australia had won the match.

It would have been appreciable had we put this fight in the first innings.

No, we are not winning a single Test in this series. 3-0 or 2-0 Australia.

You can diss Pakistan all you want, but please don't embarrass yourself by comparing this Pakistan team with the current England team consistently. This over-rated English side is THE KING of moral victories right now. Getting smashed left, right and centre everywhere (even in Bangladesh FGS!) and still chest-humping about being competitive. I would like to see England produce a fightback like Pakistan's in this test. Have watched cricket for the past 12-13 years and I can safely say their cricketers will never be good enough to do such a thing.

BTW, didn't England get blanked 5-0 in the last Ashes series they played in Australia? I remember them not performing in any situation, 'even when the match is over'

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Again, not a single standard.

You can't stop praising Kohli's knock in Australia in a losing cause. And Shafiq's knock or Pakistan doing well is 'useless'. )

Anyway, you're free to have your views.

[MENTION=134809]sensible-indian-fan[/MENTION] how will Kohli's knock compare to Shafiq's?

Haven't watched Shafiq's knock but going by comments of others reg Shafiq knock and taking into account conditions, situation and dominance....I would have to say Kohli's was the superior one. It was truly a legend of legend knocks.

Some knocks just shock the hell out of you. That was one knock. Shafiq's knock is defo great but I don't see posters getting shocked by how good it was.

If Shafiq can take his side to victory in Australia's fortress, then Shafiq's will be called better.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Haven't watched Shafiq's knock but going by comments of others reg Shafiq knock and taking into account conditions, situation and dominance....I would have to say Kohli's was the superior one. It was truly a legend of legend knocks.

Some knocks just shock the hell out of you. That was one knock. Shafiq's knock is defo great but I don't see posters getting shocked by how good it was.

If Shafiq can take his side to victory in Australia's fortress, then Shafiq's will be called better.

If Shafiq takes his side to victory tomorrow, Kohli's valiant knock won't be comparable.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

If Shafiq takes his side to victory tomorrow, Kohli's valiant knock won't be comparable.

It will be comparable but won't be better.

To chase down the highest total away from home that too in fortress Gabba would make Shafiq's knock the greatest ever in test history. Or top 3 at the very very least (Lara and Laxman being the other 2).

 

[The_Odd_One]

At least Pakistan did not get demolished like some posters said earlier.

Remarkable turnaround and confidence booster for Pakistan, happy that Asad and Younis finally got some runs.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I expected Pakistan to fold for 200-250.

Amazing to see the fightback.

 

[Usman Chadda]

It will be comparable but won't be better.

To chase down the highest total away from home that too in fortress Gabba would make Shafiq's knock the greatest ever in test history. Or top 3 at the very very least (Lara and Laxman being the other 2).

That just sounds so absurd and surreal. Chasing 490, against one of the toughest opponents in their own den and on a ground where these same opponents havent lost since 28 years. Shameful to see how some think these are easy runs.

I was not a huge Shafiq fan before this, but I'm in awe of the knock this guy played today.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

That just sounds so absurd and surreal. Chasing 490, against one of the toughest opponents in their own den and on a ground where these same opponents havent lost since 28 years. Shameful to see how some think these are easy runs.

I was not a huge Shafiq fan before this, but I'm in awe of the knock this guy played today.

Without taking anything away from Shafiq's knock...the thing is that when your team is at 175-5 staring down the barrel chasing 489...in a weird way, pressure is OFF. Especially if you are coming down at number 6 or so.

No one expects you to win.

No one expects you to score.

Even if you get out, people ain't gonna blame your knock as the reason for failure.

In such a situation, run making becomes easy. But as the target nears, the pressure mounts and each and every run becomes EXTRA hard to get.

There is a reason why teams in the last 100 years would mostly get out in a chase within 150 or 100 or 50 runs short of target. Its cos the pressure gets to you. You can see this trend over & over & over again. Misbah is a pro in exploiting this weakness when teams try to draw or chase down a target in UAE.

But Shafiq despite all that remained not out...and has taken his team 100 runs close to target. That is a HUGE HUGE achievement if you look at the context, opposition and ground. For the next 100 runs...he would have to score 60-70 off them and each run is worth atleast 3 runs otherwise......so in reality he needs 180 runs more otherwise. Of course, it looks silly to say that but that's what it really is.

If he pulls it off, this knock goes from a great one to a truly legendary one.

Why? Cos those extra 60-80 runs is worth THRICE in value under pressure of chasing down a target.

 

[Markhor]

Without taking anything away from Shafiq's knock...the thing is that when your team is at 175-5 staring down the barrel chasing 489...in a weird way, pressure is OFF. Especially if you are coming down at number 6 or so.

No one expects you to win.

No one expects you to score.

Even if you get out, people ain't gonna blame your knock as the reason for failure.

In such a situation, run making becomes easy. But as the target nears, the pressure mounts and each and every run becomes EXTRA hard to get.

There is a reason why teams in the last 100 years would mostly get out in a chase within 150 or 100 or 50 runs short of target. Its cos the pressure gets to you. You can see this trend over & over & over again. Misbah is a pro in exploiting this weakness when teams try to draw or chase down a target in UAE.

But Shafiq despite all that remained not out...and has taken his team 100 runs close to target. That is a HUGE HUGE achievement if you look at the context, opposition and ground. For the next 100 runs...he would have to score 60-70 off them and each run is worth atleast 3 runs otherwise......so in reality he needs 180 runs more otherwise. Of course, it looks silly to say that but that's what it really is.

If he pulls it off, this knock goes from a great one to a truly legendary one.

Why? Cos those extra 60-80 runs is worth THRICE in value under pressure of chasing down a target.

I agree with what you're saying BUT IMO Shafiq's neck was on the line big time in this innings so if there wasn't pressure in terms of the match situation, there was definitely personal pressure on him to perform.

The promotion to 3 didn"t work out so he went back to 6. He scored a pair in Sharjah vs WI having not made much impact in the series, followed by failures in NZ leading to people questioning whether all these years of investment was worth it.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Without taking anything away from Shafiq's knock...the thing is that when your team is at 175-5 staring down the barrel chasing 489...in a weird way, pressure is OFF. Especially if you are coming down at number 6 or so.

No one expects you to win.

No one expects you to score.

Even if you get out, people ain't gonna blame your knock as the reason for failure.

In such a situation, run making becomes easy. But as the target nears, the pressure mounts and each and every run becomes EXTRA hard to get.

There is a reason why teams in the last 100 years would mostly get out in a chase within 150 or 100 or 50 runs short of target. Its cos the pressure gets to you. You can see this trend over & over & over again. Misbah is a pro in exploiting this weakness when teams try to draw or chase down a target in UAE.

But Shafiq despite all that remained not out...and has taken his team 100 runs close to target. That is a HUGE HUGE achievement if you look at the context, opposition and ground. For the next 100 runs...he would have to score 60-70 off them and each run is worth atleast 3 runs otherwise......so in reality he needs 180 runs more otherwise. Of course, it looks silly to say that but that's what it really is.

If he pulls it off, this knock goes from a great one to a truly legendary one.

Why? Cos those extra 60-80 runs is worth THRICE in value under pressure of chasing down a target.

This is exactly what happened to Kohli and India in that Adelaide Test, they were cruising and I looked at the score being 2xx/2 and thought the Aussies were definitely losing. I even asked my friend "By how many wickets did India win?" and I remember him being confused and saying "They lost with Lyon taking 7" which was a pleasant surprise. Kohli panicked a bit after Vijay got out, he did the same thing in an ODI against Aus recently where He got out soon after Dhawan. The pressure after getting close is why even Lara gave a tough chance to Healy near the end of his 153* and Inzy tried to smash Warne with only 4 needed in 1995 when Pak won by1 wicket.

 

[Buffet]

It's good to see Pakistan making Aus earn their victory and not folding cheaply again. Pakistan will feel much better in the next two matches.

 

[Buffet]

This is exactly what happened to Kohli and India in that Adelaide Test, they were cruising and I looked at the score being 2xx/2 and thought the Aussies were definitely losing. I even asked my friend "By how many wickets did India win?" and I remember him being confused and saying "They lost with Lyon taking 7" which was a pleasant surprise. Kohli panicked a bit after Vijay got out, he did the same thing in an ODI against Aus recently where He got out soon after Dhawan. The pressure after getting close is why even Lara gave a tough chance to Healy near the end of his 153* and Inzy tried to smash Warne with only 4 needed in 1995 when Pak won by1 wicket.

It's always difficult to score the last 50-60 runs when victory looks within reach and you can still lose the match. Those match situations can put pressure on anyone. As you gave many examples, it happens all the time.

 

[Boom boom legend]

Excellent fightback by the boys today. No matter what happens tomorrow, you have to give them credit for taking the game this far. After Sarfraz went, it looked like it was just a matter of time.

Hope we can build on this and push on in the next couple of games. There's no reason why we cant win this series even if the inevitable happens tomorrow.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

That's the pakistan(test) I expected to see in Aus. Great effort by all,especially tailenders. I always say that if Pak(test) play to their true potential then they are the best Asian tourist of foreign soil. But many times they show their unpredictable character though they are much better than that.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Personally I feel proud of the fightback Pakistan made. With a extreme slim chance of victory I'm proud that they didn't give in and worked hard to make the game entertaining. Tremendous knock from Asad Shafiq against Australia in Australia as well bravo.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Cricket is not mathematics. Probability doesn't apply here.

Mathematically, scoring 360 in 10 is also propable with the probability of >0. However in truth, the probability of it it happening are practically 0.

Pakistan have a mathematical chance, not a practical one. Cricket is a practical sport, it's not mathematics.

This isn't at all like that though.

In fact, I will say probability of 360 in 10 overs is 0 because it can be rounded down.

However the chance of either 9 or 10th wicket partnership being more than 60 certainly happens more than 1 in 10 times in modern cricket.

Just this year, go over every 9th or 10th wicket partnership and you'll see what I mean. It's certainly possible, not to mention that there's one specialist batsman in and the wicket isn't really helping bowlers either.

If someone will give me 50:1 odds I would certainly bet on Pakistan, and what's more many others would judging by betting market prices where they think there is 5% chance of Pakistan winning at the moment.

Finally mathematics is very practical. As a matter of practicality anyone who has watched will tell you that unlikely things happen in Cricket. In fact, these sorts of things happen more often than people expect.

 

[sam_ahm]

I'm also of the opinion that this is not exactly a fight back but yes respectability restored.

At no point in this run chase have Pakistan looked like winning it or being in control. Optimistic fans like us would have got excited when Aamer and Wahab were batting with Asad, but realistically any sane person would have said the match is still very much in Australia's bag.

 

[Markhor]

If Pakistan were to cross 400 tomorrow, it'd be the first time they've reached 400 in Australia since December 1983.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...ost=2;template=results;type=team;view=innings

 

[Pete Rose]

If Pakistan were to cross 400 tomorrow, it'd be the first time they've reached 400 in Australia since December 1983.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...ost=2;template=results;type=team;view=innings

but there are no such things as moral victories, you know.

 

[Speedster777]

We should aim for victory!

 

[StarWolf]

If Pakistan were to cross 400 tomorrow, it'd be the first time they've reached 400 in Australia since December 1983.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...ost=2;template=results;type=team;view=innings

but there are no such things as moral victories, you know.

Agree. Lets not be like our neighbors, please. We didnt do that in England. We shouldnt do this in Australia.

 

[msb314]

England actually performed when the match was alive. Second Test in 2012, third Test in 2012, first Test in 2015, third Test in 2015 etc.

They didn't perform after the match was over and had Pakistan had won. That's what we have done in this match. We woke up only when Australia had won the match.

It would have been appreciable had we put this fight in the first innings.

No, we are not winning a single Test in this series. 3-0 or 2-0 Australia.

Still only 108 runs to get with Shafiq and Yasir ( who is decent with the bat still at the crease)

Do we have a chance?

 

[msb314]

If Pakistan were to cross 400 tomorrow, it'd be the first time they've reached 400 in Australia since December 1983.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...ost=2;template=results;type=team;view=innings

wow can't believe we once scored 624 vs Australia IN australia once!

 

[Pete Rose]

Still only 108 runs to get with Shafiq and Yasir ( who is decent with the bat still at the crease)

Do we have a chance?

of course realistically you have no chance. but big moments require big thinking. Pakistan has to do what they are doing so far.

 

[msb314]

of course realistically you have no chance. but big moments require big thinking. Pakistan has to do what they are doing so far.

Shafiq has to rotate the strike or find a boundary an over.

If he goes into his shell - we are doomed!

 

[Pete Rose]

Shafiq has to rotate the strike or find a boundary an over.

If he goes into his shell - we are doomed!

They have to play like today. The target is too far out to shield the tailenders. His composure and decnsion making in trusting the tailenders was important today and he needs to do the same tomorrow.

 

[the Great Khan]

Been saying it for ages. Shafiq is a special player. But alas some teeny boppers just never see it..

As for tomorrow well I would be happy with a 420..doubt we can hit a hundred runs with rahat around..

 

[Mamoon]

This isn't at all like that though.

In fact, I will say probability of 360 in 10 overs is 0 because it can be rounded down.

However the chance of either 9 or 10th wicket partnership being more than 60 certainly happens more than 1 in 10 times in modern cricket.

Just this year, go over every 9th or 10th wicket partnership and you'll see what I mean. It's certainly possible, not to mention that there's one specialist batsman in and the wicket isn't really helping bowlers either.

If someone will give me 50:1 odds I would certainly bet on Pakistan, and what's more many others would judging by betting market prices where they think there is 5% chance of Pakistan winning at the moment.

Finally mathematics is very practical. As a matter of practicality anyone who has watched will tell you that unlikely things happen in Cricket. In fact, these sorts of things happen more often than people expect.

Still only 108 runs to get with Shafiq and Yasir ( who is decent with the bat still at the crease)

Do we have a chance?

Odds are massively against Pakistan. Firstly, given how spectacularly inconsistent Shafiq is, he will have to start from scratch tomorrow and it is quite possible that he will fall cheaply.

Secondly, Amir and Wahab played with freedom because they had nothing to lose. If Pakistan gets within striking distance, Yasir and/or Rahat will try to block so that they don't lose their wickets, which will be the wrong strategy.

Wahab was doing fine as long as he was swinging the bat, but as soon as he started to block, he lost his wicket. Yasir and Rahat should continue to bat they way Amir and Wahab did. They do not have the defensive technique to survive against Starc and Hazlewood, but they can with a bit of luck like Amir and Wahab, score some streaky runs which is what Pakistan needs. However, Rahat is a total dud, so it is very likely that Shafiq will try to keep the strike, which means he will have to take too many risks.

Another point to consider is that Australia have had more than 12 hours to regroup. Everything happened at a frantic pace in the last session and their bowlers got tired and didn't know what to do. However, they will come out tomorrow with a plan.

It is going to be extremely difficult for Pakistan to get over the line here, obviously it is not impossible, but in a situation like this, you'd back the bowling side pretty much every time.

If, if Shafiq takes Pakistan over the line, it won't be a stretch to say that this will be the greatest Test win in Pakistan's history for at least 20-30 years.

 

[Mamoon]

You can diss Pakistan all you want, but please don't embarrass yourself by comparing this Pakistan team with the current England team consistently. This over-rated English side is THE KING of moral victories right now. Getting smashed left, right and centre everywhere (even in Bangladesh FGS!) and still chest-humping about being competitive. I would like to see England produce a fightback like Pakistan's in this test. Have watched cricket for the past 12-13 years and I can safely say their cricketers will never be good enough to do such a thing.

BTW, didn't England get blanked 5-0 in the last Ashes series they played in Australia? I remember them not performing in any situation, 'even when the match is over'

The 5-0 in Australia in 2013-14 is not the best example to use. I can't think of any contemporary team that would have survived the scare of Johnson in that series, who for a brief period in 2014, bowled as well as any fast bowler in history of Test cricket.

I personally feel Pakistan is behind England, South Africa and India as a Test team at the moment. It is on par with Australia (but not in Australian conditions of course) and ahead of NZ (green tracks aside), SL and the minnows obviously.

 

[Haz95]

The 5-0 in Australia in 2013-14 is not the best example to use. I can't think of any contemporary team that would have survived the scare of Johnson in that series, who for a brief period in 2014, bowled as well as any fast bowler in history of Test cricket.

I personally feel Pakistan is behind England, South Africa and India as a Test team at the moment. It is on par with Australia (but not in Australian conditions of course) and ahead of NZ (green tracks aside), SL and the minnows obviously.

Quite true. However, AB de Villiers from what I have seen is the only batsman who was capable enough to not only stand a chance, but dominate a peak Mitchell Johnson.

On topic, it's is indeed a very commendable fight back and shows a lot of heart however the chances of Pakistan winning from this position are about 0.1%. I'm pretty sure just in the recently concluded England vs Bangla series Bangladesh needed like 40 with 2 wickets in hand going in to day 5. Anyone wanna guess what happened? Even the best pressure handlers end up choking and it's nothing to be ashamed of and there's a reason why there's such less high score test chases.

 

[Haroon786]

The 5-0 in Australia in 2013-14 is not the best example to use. I can't think of any contemporary team that would have survived the scare of Johnson in that series, who for a brief period in 2014, bowled as well as any fast bowler in history of Test cricket.

I personally feel Pakistan is behind England, South Africa and India as a Test team at the moment. It is on par with Australia (but not in Australian conditions of course) and ahead of NZ (green tracks aside), SL and the minnows obviously.

Pakistan are certainly ahead of England, most neutral fans would say so.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

'Shown me a good loser and il show you a loser'

Very good batting practise for the team going into the next match
We can argue all we want Australia haven't been clinical enough and that they have dropped a lot of catches in the last innings but Pakistan have applied the pressure through their positivity and are reaping their dividends



The Australia team are still scarred from the last series between the two

 

[ExplicitAI]

Odds are massively against Pakistan. Firstly, given how spectacularly inconsistent Shafiq is, he will have to start from scratch tomorrow and it is quite possible that he will fall cheaply.

Secondly, Amir and Wahab played with freedom because they had nothing to lose. If Pakistan gets within striking distance, Yasir and/or Rahat will try to block so that they don't lose their wickets, which will be the wrong strategy.

Wahab was doing fine as long as he was swinging the bat, but as soon as he started to block, he lost his wicket. Yasir and Rahat should continue to bat they way Amir and Wahab did. They do not have the defensive technique to survive against Starc and Hazlewood, but they can with a bit of luck like Amir and Wahab, score some streaky runs which is what Pakistan needs. However, Rahat is a total dud, so it is very likely that Shafiq will try to keep the strike, which means he will have to take too many risks.

Another point to consider is that Australia have had more than 12 hours to regroup. Everything happened at a frantic pace in the last session and their bowlers got tired and didn't know what to do. However, they will come out tomorrow with a plan.

It is going to be extremely difficult for Pakistan to get over the line here, obviously it is not impossible, but in a situation like this, you'd back the bowling side pretty much every time.

If, if Shafiq takes Pakistan over the line, it won't be a stretch to say that this will be the greatest Test win in Pakistan's history for at least 20-30 years.

If we were to win this Test would you consider this as one of your favourite Tests you've ever watched?

 

[the Great Khan]

The best performance since hobart..and the best fighting performance since 87/88..

 

[Ami]

Whilst we being so optimistic, lol, just like to add how about Younus making 256 runs to reach 10k and Misbah, 179 runs that he needs, to clear 5k and go beyond Zaheer Abbas to sit in the top 5 or so...along with a series win over Aus or even a draw...

These two can sign off into the sun set with straw hats trully perched.

Heres to hoping...

 

[The_Odd_One]

The 5-0 in Australia in 2013-14 is not the best example to use. I can't think of any contemporary team that would have survived the scare of Johnson in that series, who for a brief period in 2014, bowled as well as any fast bowler in history of Test cricket.

I personally feel Pakistan is behind England, South Africa and India as a Test team at the moment. It is on par with Australia (but not in Australian conditions of course) and ahead of NZ (green tracks aside), SL and the minnows obviously.

No way is Pakistan behind England. Beat England in the UAE and tied in their own backyard. Even if Pakistan beat England on moon, you will never accept that Pakistan is a better test team.