Haris Sohail's 147 off 421 balls. What purpose has this knock served for Pakistan?

[Rana]

So, Im pretty sure that I have never seen a guy bat for this long in any format be it Test or Domestic cricket and end up with a strike rate of 34.91. One of the most boring knocks in the history of Pakistan cricket if not Test cricket as a whole and that too on a track that has enabled others to bat at a strike rate of 50+. What exactly was the purpose of this knock? Pakistan are yet to score 400 runs in the 6th session of this test match!! They are playing at home as well

Harris Sohail has some die hard death eater followers on this forum, but how can anyone justify this timid approach? Is this the way forward for him to ensure he scores enough to continue being selected?? At what point do these players forget they are playing for Pakistan and not for themselves??

 

[DRsohail]

lets analyse when this test is over.

 

[BreadPakoda]

How flat is the wicket? Flat enough to ignore the golden rule of test cricket - wait for the other team to bat before making any conclusions?

 

[Zaz]

The purpose is to get pakistan to a respectable first innings total where they can boss the game from Boring doesnt come into it

Lets wait and see the test conclude before we criticise his score

 

[Rana]

How flat is the wicket? Flat enough to ignore the golden rule of test cricket - wait for the other team to bat before making any conclusions?

I dont care if this thread is a fail, Babar scored at a decent pace he only slowed down for his hundred. I am well within my rights to criticise this approach! Azhar did fairly well but this guy seems untouchable! He is clearly playing for his own spot in the side!

 

[Major]

Oh god.

Kids watching test cricket again.


How many times i have seen guys complain about a test game being slow.

In UAE i would rather take 300 off 800 balls than a 350 scored in 400 balls.

Reason being, the score doesnt matter here. Its the amount of time you spend on the wicket. Pitch detriorates and you have the opposition in trouble by tge 4th innings.

If you bat fast here and end up saving time you create more problems for yourself.

In UAE you always bat keeping in mind the 4th innings.

 

[asifp]

I dont care if this thread is a fail, Babar scored at a decent pace he only slowed down for his hundred. I am well within my rights to criticise this approach! Azhar did fairly well but this guy seems untouchable! He is clearly playing for his own spot in the side!

Given how fickle and illogical our selectors are, do you blame him?

I agree with what he did initially, but at some point, he did need to accelerate a bit. No way our bowlers can be out there for 3 days, so we will need to get to 470-75 soon and declare.

 

[Rana]

Oh god.

Kids watching test cricket again.


How many times i have seen guys complain about a test game being slow.

In UAE i would rather take 300 off 800 balls than a 350 scored in 400 balls.

Reason being, the score doesnt matter here. Its the amount of time you spend on the wicket. Pitch detriorates and you have the opposition in trouble by tge 4th innings.

If you bat fast here and end up saving time you create more problems for yourself.

In UAE you always bat keeping in mind the 4th innings.

What a load of.....

nothing can justify this knock whatsoever!

 

[Amjid Javed]

Rain expected and also need time to take 20 wickets, entire team inns going slow was a joke.

 

[moghul]

To improve his personal stats and place in the team, at the cost of the match, which will be a draw now. Following the footsteps of a "legend".

 

[Major]

What a load of.....

nothing can justify this knock whatsoever!

Clearly you have never watched a whole test match in uae.

Seen so many threads like these only for pakistan to win at the end or make the match interesting by the 4th innings

 

[Rahul1]

Oh god.

Kids watching test cricket again.


How many times i have seen guys complain about a test game being slow.

In UAE i would rather take 300 off 800 balls than a 350 scored in 400 balls.

Reason being, the score doesnt matter here. Its the amount of time you spend on the wicket. Pitch detriorates and you have the opposition in trouble by tge 4th innings.

If you bat fast here and end up saving time you create more problems for yourself.

In UAE you always bat keeping in mind the 4th innings.

If you pick 300 off 800 over 350 off 400 anywhere in the world you deserve to lose every match you ever play.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

400 is not a big score after playing for almost 2 days. Pakistan will have to bat again in this test match and that will allow NZ to play for a draw which means NZ won't lose this series.

 

[ILcricket]

poor knock in my opinion .

 

[Major]

If you pick 300 off 800 over 350 off 400 anywhere in the world you deserve to lose every match you ever play.

You guys really have problem in understanding.

Read the whole post.

Its not about at what pace the score is made, its about how bad of a pitcg you are setting up for NZ who will bat at 4th innings

Dont you guys know that by day 4 and 5, uae pitches become difficult to bat on, especially with spinners

 

[Extra_Cover]

As someone mentioned above lets analyse this knock after the game. You can only judge someone when both sets of players has batted on the same wicket.

If Pakistan fails to win this test aka 1st Australia test then you are well within your rights to criticise this knock. If not, he deserves the applauds that come his way.

 

[Rana]

Clearly you have never watched a whole test match in uae.

Seen so many threads like these only for pakistan to win at the end or make the match interesting by the 4th innings

Who are you to say what I have watched and What I have not seen?? How does your argument make any sense when Babar scored 117 off 250 so far (35 balls spent in the 90s) and Sarfaraz currently is brisking through his innings? Azhar went well also. Dont talk to me about the history of UAE, talk to me about this match!

 

[ads101]

Was mega slow, but was a very good knock. We weren't in a good position this time with both openers dismissed early in the 1st test against Australia and Haris batted slowly. Though even then wasn't exactly a bad knock against Australia either.

I do think however is Haris is to bat like this, bat him at 3. Open with Azhar and Imam, drop Hafeez. Babar's shown himself to be adaptable, so don't think he'll struggle in terms of SR at 4.

 

[Zaz]

Harris didnt come in at 360-5 like sarfraz that he could play briskly and carefree

He came in early at 25-2 with pakistan in a bit of trouble and scored a 100 to leave pakistan in a good position

We have 3days to go so lets wait and see what happens

 

[coy0607]

You play within your limitations. Pakistan can either bat fast and get all out for 300, or bat slowly and get 450.

Given how weak they are on days 4 & 5, team management correctly decided to not worry about RPO and just bat.

Overall decent innings given the limitation.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Harris didnt come in at 360-5 like sarfraz that he could play briskly and carefree

He came in early at 25-2 with pakistan in a bit of trouble and scored a 100 to leave pakistan in a good position

We have 3days to go so lets wait and see what happens

That's true, but he should have picked up the strike rate long before he got out. He should have brought it up to the 40s at least. But he continued at the same slow pace as if the score was still 35/2.

 

[AAli98]

Nothing wrong with r/r nz are even poorer than pak theyl capitulate.

In the last 2 days there was not 1 WOW shot by pak batsman which would remind u of past or present greats!! Truely a no7/8 ranked side.

 

[Major]

Who are you to say what I have watched and What I have not seen?? How does your argument make any sense when Babar scored 117 off 250 so far (35 balls spent in the 90s) and Sarfaraz currently is brisking through his innings? Azhar went well also. Dont talk to me about the history of UAE, talk to me about this match!

read the whole post and understand it and you will get then sense that it makes.

Any match played in UAE is relevent to its history. History has shown us how the pitch plays out and anyone who has watched whole matches being played in UAE would know.

History matters here, our team selection was done on the history of UAE.

ANd anyone who has watched whole test matches being played in UAE would understand better

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan batting 1st in UAE (1st inns of match)

Inns - 140 overs plus

454 (145 overs) - run rate 3.13 - vs Australia

570/6 (164 overs) - run rate 3.47 vs Australia

566/3 (170.5) - run rate 3.45 vs New zealand

523/8 (151.8) - run rate 3.45 vs england

579/3 (155.3 ) - run rate 3.72 vs W.I

482 (162.2) - run rate 2.93 vs Australia


Current game - 418/5 (167) - run rate 2.5 vs New zealand

Pathetic go slow batting

 

[Rana]

read the whole post and understand it and you will get then sense that it makes.

Any match played in UAE is relevent to its history. History has shown us how the pitch plays out and anyone who has watched whole matches being played in UAE would know.

History matters here, our team selection was done on the history of UAE.

ANd anyone who has watched whole test matches being played in UAE would understand better

Every match is a new match. Based on your theory Babar Azam should have scored his runs at 400 balls just based on history

 

[Zaz]

That's true, but he should have picked up the strike rate long before he got out. He should have brought it up to the 40s at least. But he continued at the same slow pace as if the score was still 35/2.

Yes maybe but we dont know what the pitch is like Before we say babar is striking better that could be due to coming in when the team was in a better position and less pressure on him

Lets wait till the other team have batted on it before we comment on its merits or otherwise

 

[Rana]

Pakistan batting 1st in UAE (1st inns of match)

Inns - 140 overs plus

454 (145 overs) - run rate 3.13 - vs Australia

570/6 (164 overs) - run rate 3.47 vs Australia

566/3 (170.5) - run rate 3.45 vs New zealand

523/8 (151.8) - run rate 3.45 vs england

579/3 (155.3 ) - run rate 3.72 vs W.I

482 (162.2) - run rate 2.93 vs Australia


Current game - 418/5 (167) - run rate 2.5 vs New zealand

Pathetic go slow batting

Mate its epitomised by this Guy Sohail's batting in this case! There is no excuse about history this history that! The guy was playing for himself and is clearly under pressure of losing his spot even though he shouldnt have to feel so insecure, hes a decent bat!

 

[Sirris]

Guess we will find out.

Though it did percent us from being 180ish all out. A lot better than 9 off 24, 9 off 27 and 12 off 36.

 

[fitCricFan]

Test cricket is all about patience - read the pitch, analyze the bowler and play accordingly. Yes, with the slam-bang variety of cricket being played since the past decade, the tempo of scoring runs in tests has significantly picked up but it is encouraging to see that some players still have the self-control to hit themselves out of the game.

I would reserve judgement until the test is over, until then give HS a break and hope we prevail in this test as well.

 

[Ab Fan]

It all comes down to how NZ bat now. Pakistan should look to score as much possible now and let NZ do most of batting in the last 2.5 days.

NZ would look to bat big in first inning as well and try to draw this match. It should be harder in 2nd innings for both teams, particularly in 4th inning.

 

[Titan24]

Purpose of the knock was that it added 147 runs to the total of Pakistan.

 

[Rana]

Here comes Jeet Raval to make Harris Sohail fans feel as if his innings was justified on this track!

 

[hussain.r97]

People don't seem to understand yet that in the UAE, you play a game of attrition. It literally does not matter how much you score, you need to occupy the crease, tire out the fielding side, and wait for the pitch to crumble.

It is admittedly boring to watch, but there is no better strategy in these conditions.

 

[cricketindiafan]

A few things
Got Pakistan to a total from where they cannot lose
Showed to others runs can be scored if you spend time
Bowlers can bowl with more freedom now
Finally individually to him, this 100 could be the boost he was look for. Too good a player not to score consistently in Tests

 

[Amjid Javed]

People don't seem to understand yet that in the UAE, you play a game of attrition. It literally does not matter how much you score, you need to occupy the crease, tire out the fielding side, and wait for the pitch to crumble.

It is admittedly boring to watch, but there is no better strategy in these conditions.

In a game of attrition you need time to tske 20 wickets, also add to fact me might get rain in this test aswell.

 

[humzy]

You guys are missing something.

That this is more then likely a team ploy.

Don't you think that every time they went back to the pavilion at lunch that the coach would tell them to speed up the R.R?

 

[Savak]

Oh god.

Kids watching test cricket again.


How many times i have seen guys complain about a test game being slow.

In UAE i would rather take 300 off 800 balls than a 350 scored in 400 balls.

Reason being, the score doesnt matter here. Its the amount of time you spend on the wicket. Pitch detriorates and you have the opposition in trouble by tge 4th innings.

If you bat fast here and end up saving time you create more problems for yourself.

In UAE you always bat keeping in mind the 4th innings.

300 of 800 balls means the bowlers have less time and deliveries to bowl out the opposition on Day 5

300 of 400 balls means the bowlers will have 2.5 days to bowl out the opposition.

Pretty significant difference and have 2.5 days is crucial for the bowling side given how slow, low bounce UAE wickets become in the final 2 days which means bowlers will have to work harder and bowl more overs to bowl the batting side out

 

[ShahidDar08]

Played too slow, 50 runs short.

 

[Ahson8]

Will be match winning

 

[Hasan123]

The problem I have is there no intent to score at times. We will know the end of the game if this innings cost us or not.

 

[Rana]

You guys are missing something.

That this is more then likely a team ploy.

Don't you think that every time they went back to the pavilion at lunch that the coach would tell them to speed up the R.R?

Well the management has lots of questions to answer in that case....Test cricket is dying in general but I would not want it to die in this slow and painful way in the UAE!

 

[Rana]

The problem I have is there no intent to score at times. We will know the end of the game if this innings cost us or not.

Pakistan has 3 days remaining to get 20 wickets on a track where NZ only picked up one 'Pakistani' wicket on day 2.

 

[ads101]

A few things
Got Pakistan to a total from where they cannot lose
Showed to others runs can be scored if you spend time
Bowlers can bowl with more freedom now
Finally individually to him, this 100 could be the boost he was look for. Too good a player not to score consistently in Tests

He hasn't, that's the issue, Pakistan have declared on 410 or so which is a little low. And they only declared on something smaller like that because they were worried about the draw.

Having said that arguably the slow run rate isn't even Haris's fault. Haris got out at 360. Babar was just near his hundred. Why wasn't the plan to absolutely go for it after Babar got the hundred (i.e. first over Sarfraz got in).

Instead if almost feels like there was no plan to accelerate, somebody realised damn it's near the end of the day and we still haven't got NZ to bat so let's declare. Like a split second decision.

 

[Hasan123]

Pakistan has 3 days remaining to get 20 wickets on a track where NZ only picked up one 'Pakistani' wicket on day 2.

We shall see what happens.

 

[reversehook]

first off, analyze after game ends
secondly, we lost the first game
third, we collapsed in first game
fourth, had we collapsed here again?
fifth, kuptaan criticised about 100's before this match
sixth, tests are over 5 day games for a reason

 

[Rana]

Make no mistake, Pakistan are leap years behind top 5-6 teams especially when it’s key players have no real grip on the game

 

[shaz619]

So, Im pretty sure that I have never seen a guy bat for this long in any format be it Test or Domestic cricket and end up with a strike rate of 34.91. One of the most boring knocks in the history of Pakistan cricket if not Test cricket as a whole and that too on a track that has enabled others to bat at a strike rate of 50+. What exactly was the purpose of this knock? Pakistan are yet to score 400 runs in the 6th session of this test match!! They are playing at home as well

Harris Sohail has some die hard death eater followers on this forum, but how can anyone justify this timid approach? Is this the way forward for him to ensure he scores enough to continue being selected?? At what point do these players forget they are playing for Pakistan and not for themselves??

While many posters wrist slitting has been very entertaining and enjoyable in the match thread, this knock was incredibly gutsy and extremely necessary, our S/R in the UAE was never exactly our forte but this is the approach which kept us undefeated, we don't have a team of dynamic avengers unfortunately but putting a price on your wicket is valued in these conditions especially upfront.

 

[Rana]

While many posters wrist slitting has been very entertaining and enjoyable in the match thread, this knock was incredibly gutsy and extremely necessary, our S/R in the UAE was never exactly our forte but this is the approach which kept us undefeated, we don't have a team of dynamic avengers unfortunately but putting a price on your wicket is valued in these conditions especially upfront.

147 off 350 balls is slow but it puts a price on ones wicket. 147 off 421 is night watchmanesque! It’s something Trent Boult would achieve if he survives that many deliveries at the crease. No real skill involved on a track doing absolutely nothing

 

[Major]

Every match is a new match. Based on your theory Babar Azam should have scored his runs at 400 balls just based on history

oh bhai, youa re again failing to understand my point.

In UAE pitch changes, the conditions changes. The pitch prepared on day 1 beomes a spinners paradise on day 5.

 

[Major]

guys please do bother to watch some test matches especially in uae before coming in and making such judgements.

8 years, and it has been the same story. There is a reason to bat slow here, and you could udnersatnd those reasons if you have bothered to watch past test games in UAE

 

[Kroll]

He probably should have increased his run rate with over 400 balls faced, but at this stage I'd happily take his 147.

 

[shaz619]

147 off 350 balls is slow but it puts a price on ones wicket. 147 off 421 is night watchmanesque! It’s something Trent Boult would achieve if he survives that many deliveries at the crease. No real skill involved on a track doing absolutely nothing

How often to night watch men score 147 runs though ? I agree he should have moved on a bit but we should cut the kid some slack man.

 

[BreadPakoda]

I dont care if this thread is a fail, Babar scored at a decent pace he only slowed down for his hundred. I am well within my rights to criticise this approach! Azhar did fairly well but this guy seems untouchable! He is clearly playing for his own spot in the side!

Indeed, you are. And I agree that HS played slower than the rest. I couldn't catch a lot of action, how is the pitch behaving? Any demons?

 

[shaz619]

I do get [MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION] point the S/R is not great tbh especially when you've gone past 50-70 runs or so but the runs are still valuable and hopefully we can win the game from here, while the S/R can improve a bit; remember that the approach in itself has been successful in the UAE. Harris will get better with more experience to but credit where due in the grand scheme.

 

[Ab Fan]

I didn't understand the team approach here. A poster was mentioning the game of attrition and how useful it is in UAE but if that is the case, then why didnt Pakistan batted for a session more and declare after scoring 550-600?

Why they didn't took the attack earlier, i.e. after tea if the plan was to give some overs to NZ in the evening.?

 

[zarak]

Good players make ugly runs..today he was not at his best but still notched up a big score

 

[troodon]

NZ just have to score 300 runs to make Pak bat again.

I am pretty sure Pak will bat gain and have to score briskly to have a chance in this Test.

Overall, Pak should have scored in excess of 500 runs in 2 days. 418 is not a big score. Pak had the opportunity to bat only once. They blew it.

The only way Pak can win from here is if NZ collapses to less than 250.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Always frustrates me to see threads like this. If you have trouble staying awake then just go ahead and watch T10.

Haris played an great knock. A marathon innings full of patience, concentration and application. The purpose of the innings is that it added 147 runs to the total and instead of being bundled out for 200 on the first day Pakistan could score 400.

 

[AMSS]

He's still finding his feet in test cricket so I'd give him benefit of doubt. Otherwise there's no excuse for a subcontinental batsman not to tear apart an attack after playing as many balls as Sohail did.

 

[adzzy786]

People don't seem to understand yet that in the UAE, you play a game of attrition. It literally does not matter how much you score, you need to occupy the crease, tire out the fielding side, and wait for the pitch to crumble.

It is admittedly boring to watch, but there is no better strategy in these conditions.

Literally doesn’t matter how much you score? We are playing cricket and the outcome of the game is based on how much you score.

Going of your analysis Imam and Hafeez played amazing innings with scores of 9.


In all seriousness, we have wasted too much time. Yes he scored 147 runs but he’s taken 2 days to do it. Pakistan haven’t scored 600+ it’s not like we have batted New Zealand out of the game, New Zealand now just need a good first innings total and a Pakistani collapse in the third innings. Yes the mentality we need score big in the first innings is correct but we haven scored big enough considering how long it takes. We just have to hope we have bowl them out twice in 3 days and they don’t score much.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

NZ just have to score 300 runs to make Pak bat again.

I am pretty sure Pak will bat gain and have to score briskly to have a chance in this Test.

Overall, Pak should have scored in excess of 500 runs in 2 days. 418 is not a big score. Pak had the opportunity to bat only once. They blew it.

The only way Pak can win from here is if NZ collapses to less than 250.

For that you need your openers to lay a foundation which the middle-order can build on. Haris was badly out of form, he needed time at the crease and he justified that by scoring 147.

418 is a big score and once teams score this much in the first innings it usually negates the chances of losing.

 

[Ab Fan]

For that you need your openers to lay a foundation which the middle-order can build on. Haris was badly out of form, he needed time at the crease and he justified that by scoring 147.

418 is a big score and once teams score this much in the first innings it usually negates the chances of losing.

Should have batted aggressively today. Pakistan scoring 210 runs with just 1 wicket loss in 80 overs today is disappointing as they had got runs and Haris was set as well.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

He's still finding his feet in test cricket so I'd give him benefit of doubt. Otherwise there's no excuse for a subcontinental batsman not to tear apart an attack after playing as many balls as Sohail did.

Pujara scored 202 off 525 balls last year. What would you say his excuse was?

 

[austerlitz]

This is an 'ok' knock for first test match,but not when you are 1-0 down and must win.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Should have batted aggressively today. Pakistan scoring 210 runs with just 1 wicket loss in 80 overs today is disappointing as they had got runs and Haris was set as well.

Pakistan didn't have the entire batting line-up waiting to bat, it was just Sarfraz. Haris or Babar falling in either of the first two sessions could have easily triggered another collapse. By playing risk-free cricket they ensured Pakistan had 400+ on the board which is always a challenging first innings total regardless of conditions or pitch.

 

[austerlitz]

Pujara scored 202 off 525 balls last year. What would you say his excuse was?

And that match was drawn.

 

[Fahdi]

He was struggling a lot at first but why he couldn't ( or didn't?) accelerate after playing 300 deliveries is baffling.

This isn't the norm for Haris otherwise he would have a SR of 30 in tests.

Hard to call an innings of 147 bad but you can't call it great as well. Any batsman who plays 300 deliveries should be able to bring his SR to 40 at least, he should bring it to 50 but below 40 is quite criminal.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Oh god.

Kids watching test cricket again.


How many times i have seen guys complain about a test game being slow.

In UAE i would rather take 300 off 800 balls than a 350 scored in 400 balls.

Reason being, the score doesnt matter here. Its the amount of time you spend on the wicket. Pitch detriorates and you have the opposition in trouble by tge 4th innings.

If you bat fast here and end up saving time you create more problems for yourself.

In UAE you always bat keeping in mind the 4th innings.

What a weird logic lol Australia bossed the world by scoring 350 to 400 runs in a day.You give yourself as many overs as possible to bowl teams out. Now Pakistan has 3 days to take 20 wickets. THey might take. But there is also a chance they could take the lead and put pressure on Pakistan in the 2nd innings. Imagine Pak getting bowled out for 120 odd in the 2nd innings.

 

[Fahdi]

For the number of overs we have played the score is a 50-60 runs below par and Haris is the culprit. I like Haris and I am glad he got a big score but he should have scored a 200 here

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

And that match was drawn.

Match was drawn because of a superb stone-walling effort by Handscomb and Marsh. Most teams would have lost that game.

 

[Amjid Javed]

For the number of overs we have played the score is a 50-60 runs below par and Haris is the culprit. I like Haris and I am glad he got a big score but he should have scored a 200 here

Average scoring rate batting 1st in UAE is around 3+ for 90 overs faced.. which means batting near enough 170 overs we should have got 500+.. 100 runs below par.. not 50/60.. it was pathetic none directional batting effort. If this was final test and we were 1-0 up maybe, but we aint.

 

[austerlitz]

Match was drawn because of a superb stone-walling effort by Handscomb and Marsh. Most teams would have lost that game.

You dont have ashwin and jadeja.

 

[topspin]

Haris Sohail is better than this but this is up there with one of the worst tons I've seen.

 

[ILcricket]

I rate this as a very poor knock on a pitch which was slow but had no demons . He cannot even place the ball on such a dead surface & such innings are not going to help his team . This i say fully knowing hosts will win this match . Bookmark it .

 

[Madplayer]

You dont have ashwin and jadeja.

Thank God?

 

[AMSS]

Pujara scored 202 off 525 balls last year. What would you say his excuse was?

Clearly your goal is point scoring and defending the borderline indefensible instead of seeing and evaluating an innings in its own context. Good luck, and enjoy your 7th rank in a sport played by 10 nations.

 

[austerlitz]

Thank God?

If you had him you would.No spinner more lethal than ashwin in asia.But going offtopic.Imeant without those bowlers will be difficult to bowl out nz if they bat sensibly.Even they couldnt win it.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

What a load of.....

nothing can justify this knock whatsoever!

Good thing your not part of the squad then

 

[Rana]

Good thing your not part of the squad then

Oh yeah I narrowly missed Pakistan team selection!

What exactly is your point?

 

[Ab Fan]

Pujara scored 202 off 525 balls last year. What would you say his excuse was?

This is because Australia batted first and set up 450 on board. In process, India had a middle order collapse and they were 328/6, and with them batting last, obviously Pujara had to go to his stone-wall performance and the best India could think from there is to draw, which is what Pujara did there.

First inning runs are easier than scoring runs in second innings with scoreboard pressure and also the fact that you have in mind that you will have to bat last as well.