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Historic first Test: Pakistan vs West Indies sets record as shortest completed match in Pakistan

hassan918

hassan918

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The First Test between Pakistan and West Indies in Multan has made history as the shortest completed Test match ever played in Pakistan. The match lasted just 1064 balls across four innings, breaking the previous record of 1080 balls set during a Test between the same teams in Faisalabad in 1990.

What do you think was the main reason for such a quick end of this match? Was it due to poor batting technique, a pitch that heavily favored spin bowlers, or the exceptional quality of spin bowling on display? Or perhaps a combination of these factors?

Are such matches a good advertisement for Test cricket? While having a decisive result is often more exciting than a high-scoring draw, Test matches are traditionally designed to unfold over five days, showcasing the battle between bat and ball. Matches ending inside three days may spark concerns about pitch quality and balance. Should the ICC take a more active role in pitch preparation to ensure a fair contest that neither overly favors batters nor bowlers? A well-balanced pitch could help produce entertaining and competitive cricket while preserving the essence of the format.

Share your thoughts and analysis below!
 
Tunn ke rakho.

Send guys who know how to survive against spin. West Indies had top class batters in the past who would take this challenge and fight hard. Not our fault they are not producing those batters anymore, or the ones who probably can take the challenge are busy playing franchise cricket.
 
Not surprised.

Turning track + Windies's weakness against spin + 3 Pakistani spinners.
 
On these kind of rank-turners, this kind of result was always on the cards. Sajid and Noman were too good against a B-team of windies. None of their batters has a test average of 30+ apart from Kraigg... LOL
 
This is good. Test cricket can only survive if restricted to 3/4 days. Implementation of regular day/night test is also necessary
 
gazza619 said:
This is good. Test cricket can only survive if restricted to 3/4 days. Implementation of regular day/night test is also necessary
Click to expand...
Producing a result should be the priority. If restricting test cricket to 3/4 days is the target then the test cricket shouldn't be allowed to be played on batting friendly wickets.
 
gazza619 said:
This is good. Test cricket can only survive if restricted to 3/4 days. Implementation of regular day/night test is also necessary
Click to expand...
What is the harm if test is scheduled for 5 days but ends in 3-4 days? Think of 5th day as extra day for rain/weather.
 
W63L35 said:
What is the harm if test is scheduled for 5 days but ends in 3-4 days? Think of 5th day as extra day for rain/weather.
Click to expand...
By scheduling a 3/4 day test, we can actually revise the calendar and find days for more cricket elsewhere. This will help with overall planning.
 
5 days are OK for Test cricket, it's that Pakistan has adopted minnow mentality therefore its either make or break in 3-4 days
 
Kianig89 said:
5 days are OK for Test cricket, it's that Pakistan has adopted minnow mentality therefore its either make or break in 3-4 days
Click to expand...
How do you adopt minnow mentality by wanting to win instead of losing all the time?
 
Rana said:
How do you adopt minnow mentality by wanting to win instead of losing all the time?
Click to expand...
These guys are salty cause such pitches entail that Babar and rizwan can't score anymore.

No more 70 averages.

Babar will probably fall towards a 42 avg next game.
 
It's a one dimensional approach, though for short term it's not bad as Pakistan need to win games however with this approach they cannot become world class its more like Misbah 's UAE template
 
Kianig89 said:
It's a one dimensional approach, though for short term it's not bad as Pakistan need to win games however with this approach they cannot become world class its more like Misbah 's UAE template
Click to expand...
You become world class by losing 2-0 to Bangladesh at home?
 
Good we are on same page that Aqib Javed is following Misbah model to get Pakistan Test team back on track
 
gazza619 said:
By scheduling a 3/4 day test, we can actually revise the calendar and find days for more cricket elsewhere. This will help with overall planning.
Click to expand...

You need more cricket and more matches? Seriously?

Every analyst, player and fan already thinks that too much cricket is being played ... and players need breaks/rest. If you include the number of matches played in local professional leagues, the number of matches are astronomical. Consequently it has brought down the quality of cricket .... and making international player retire from national teams so they can play in those pro-leagues where there is a lot of money without too much politics and effort.

Here are all international matches for 12 test teams ... first by year and then by decade.
In late 80s and 90s... @100 matches per year and we had top quality cricket and players. Lately ... 300+ matches ... and we all know how today's greats compare with the greats of 1980s and 1990s.

1737650036732.png


By decade:


1737650192089.png
 
W63L35 said:
You need more cricket and more matches? Seriously?

Every analyst, player and fan already thinks that too much cricket is being played ... and players need breaks/rest. If you include the number of matches played in local professional leagues, the number of matches are astronomical. Consequently it has brought down the quality of cricket .... and making international player retire from national teams so they can play in those pro-leagues where there is a lot of money without too much politics and effort.

Here are all international matches for 12 test teams ... first by year and then by decade.
In late 80s and 90s... @100 matches per year and we had top quality cricket and players. Lately ... 300+ matches ... and we all know how today's greats compare with the greats of 1980s and 1990s.

View attachment 150042


By decade:


View attachment 150043
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your research. I still think that to engage the audience to test cricket it needs to be cut down to 4 days at the very least. I hear your point that we dont need more cricket, but there are lesser teams who still don’t get a fair share of the cricket calendar.
 
gazza619 said:
Thanks for sharing your research. I still think that to engage the audience to test cricket it needs to be cut down to 4 days at the very least. I hear your point that we dont need more cricket, but there are lesser teams who still don’t get a fair share of the cricket calendar.
Click to expand...
Thank you!

Question: How reducing the number of days from 5 to 4 of test matches played by 12 test teams is going to help lesser teams that are not members of the exclusive test-team-club? I mean, how will your idea will help teams like UAE, USA, Nepal, Hong Kong, etc?

Let's take an example: Pakistan played 7 test matches last year. Those were all scheduled for 5 days. If those 7 matches were scheduled for 4 days each, Pakistan would have saved 7 days. Right? So are you saying, PCB would have arranged ODIs or T20s with lesser teams such as UAE, USA, Nepal, Hong Kong? If I misunderstood your point, please do correct me.

By the way, a lot (8) of lesser teams played more ODIs than Pakistan last year! :)

All ODIs in 2024.
1737671618841.png


Teams with 20 or more T20Is in 2024.
13 "lesser teams" played more T20Is than full members like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
1737671819157.png



I guess, my question to all posters is:

1. What is harm in having test matches planned for 5 days?
2. What is the benefit is reducing the test to 3 or 4 days?
 
W63L35 said:
Thank you!

Question: How reducing the number of days from 5 to 4 of test matches played by 12 test teams is going to help lesser teams that are not members of the exclusive test-team-club? I mean, how will your idea will help teams like UAE, USA, Nepal, Hong Kong, etc?

Let's take an example: Pakistan played 7 test matches last year. Those were all scheduled for 5 days. If those 7 matches were scheduled for 4 days each, Pakistan would have saved 7 days. Right? So are you saying, PCB would have arranged ODIs or T20s with lesser teams such as UAE, USA, Nepal, Hong Kong? If I misunderstood your point, please do correct me.

By the way, a lot (8) of lesser teams played more ODIs than Pakistan last year! :)

All ODIs in 2024.
View attachment 150056


Teams with 20 or more T20Is in 2024.
13 "lesser teams" played more T20Is than full members like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
View attachment 150057



I guess, my question to all posters is:

1. What is harm in having test matches planned for 5 days?
2. What is the benefit is reducing the test to 3 or 4 days?
Click to expand...

Reducing the test matches to 3 or 4 days would only increase the number of drawn test matches. I don't see a great benefit in reducing the number of days for test matches.
 
No need to reduce the days. Just reduce the teams. Bangladesh, West Indies, Ireland, Afghanistan should be playing between themselves.
 
topspin said:
They wouldn't have been sitting in the sidelines for so long, if only Misbah was still captain.
Click to expand...

100% they debuted under his coaching tenure so makes sense that he would've persisted with them.
 
We might see another new record made soon if the same pitch was used for the 2nd test as well...
 
W63L35 said:
Thank you!

Question: How reducing the number of days from 5 to 4 of test matches played by 12 test teams is going to help lesser teams that are not members of the exclusive test-team-club? I mean, how will your idea will help teams like UAE, USA, Nepal, Hong Kong, etc?

Let's take an example: Pakistan played 7 test matches last year. Those were all scheduled for 5 days. If those 7 matches were scheduled for 4 days each, Pakistan would have saved 7 days. Right? So are you saying, PCB would have arranged ODIs or T20s with lesser teams such as UAE, USA, Nepal, Hong Kong? If I misunderstood your point, please do correct me.

By the way, a lot (8) of lesser teams played more ODIs than Pakistan last year! :)

All ODIs in 2024.
View attachment 150056


Teams with 20 or more T20Is in 2024.
13 "lesser teams" played more T20Is than full members like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
View attachment 150057



I guess, my question to all posters is:

1. What is harm in having test matches planned for 5 days?
2. What is the benefit is reducing the test to 3 or 4 days?
Click to expand...
As an accountant I love data and don’t argue against it :)

By lesser teams I was actually referring to the test playing nations who are outside the big 3.

You researched on Pakistan but if you do the same for the big 3, I am pretty sure you may find enough days for a 2 test match series or even a one test match which a country like Afghanistan would hugely appreciate.
 
gazza619 said:
As an accountant I love data and don’t argue against it :)

By lesser teams I was actually referring to the test playing nations who are outside the big 3.

You researched on Pakistan but if you do the same for the big 3, I am pretty sure you may find enough days for a 2 test match series or even a one test match which a country like Afghanistan would hugely appreciate.
Click to expand...
Looks like I misunderstood your "lesser teams" comment.

Before I do research, two questions:

1. Which big three your are referring to? Aus, Ind and Eng?
2. Are you saying that Aus-Eng or Aus-Ind tests would be reduced to 3 or 4 days so that Aus can play Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Ireland? I mean, you would rather put a Aus-Eng test at the risk of being a draw .... so that Aus can play test matches against Ireland, Bangladesh and Afghanistan with the extra days saved? Right?
 
W63L35 said:
You need more cricket and more matches? Seriously?

Every analyst, player and fan already thinks that too much cricket is being played ... and players need breaks/rest. If you include the number of matches played in local professional leagues, the number of matches are astronomical. Consequently it has brought down the quality of cricket .... and making international player retire from national teams so they can play in those pro-leagues where there is a lot of money without too much politics and effort.

Here are all international matches for 12 test teams ... first by year and then by decade.
In late 80s and 90s... @100 matches per year and we had top quality cricket and players. Lately ... 300+ matches ... and we all know how today's greats compare with the greats of 1980s and 1990s.

View attachment 150042


By decade:


View attachment 150043
Click to expand...
Great stats and well researched but there is a context that you have missed here.
 
W63L35 said:
Looks like I misunderstood your "lesser teams" comment.

Before I do research, two questions:

1. Which big three your are referring to? Aus, Ind and Eng?
2. Are you saying that Aus-Eng or Aus-Ind tests would be reduced to 3 or 4 days so that Aus can play Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Ireland? I mean, you would rather put a Aus-Eng test at the risk of being a draw .... so that Aus can play test matches against Ireland, Bangladesh and Afghanistan with the extra days saved? Right?
Click to expand...
Yes I am indeed referring to Aus, Eng & India as the big 3.

If you look at the way the big 3 are playing test cricket these days, very rarely does a test match go into day 5 (assuming there is no weather interruption). With WTC points on the line, other teams would also be inclined to playing exciting cricket to ensure games are wrapped up in 4 days.
 
gazza619 said:
Yes I am indeed referring to Aus, Eng & India as the big 3.

If you look at the way the big 3 are playing test cricket these days, very rarely does a test match go into day 5 (assuming there is no weather interruption). With WTC points on the line, other teams would also be inclined to playing exciting cricket to ensure games are wrapped up in 4 days.
Click to expand...

Let's do a little math.. :)

Teams are supposed to bowl 90 overs (540 balls) in one day of test match cricket. Right?
So if a test lasts full 4 days .... there would be no more than 540x4 = 2160 balls in 4 days.
This is excluding innings breaks, early stoppage of play due to bad light, slow over rate etc.
Let's take 30 minutes or 6 overs for three innings breaks into consideration.
So 2160-36 = 2124 is the maximum number of balls that a 4 day test match can possibly have.
I will reduce the number of balls by another 24 .... for slow over rate, bad light and weather etc.

Can we agree that any test match over 2100 balls did go into 5th day? Yes?

So, I did some search.. since 1/1/2020 a total number of 200 tests have been played.
Guess how many (what percentage) of those 200 tests lasted more than 2100 balls i.e. went into 5th day?

5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%.....

So percentage of drawn matches (from last 5 years) you are happy to live with .... if the test days are reduced to 4?
 
W63L35 said:
Let's do a little math.. :)

Teams are supposed to bowl 90 overs (540 balls) in one day of test match cricket. Right?
So if a test lasts full 4 days .... there would be no more than 540x4 = 2160 balls in 4 days.
This is excluding innings breaks, early stoppage of play due to bad light, slow over rate etc.
Let's take 30 minutes or 6 overs for three innings breaks into consideration.
So 2160-36 = 2124 is the maximum number of balls that a 4 day test match can possibly have.
I will reduce the number of balls by another 24 .... for slow over rate, bad light and weather etc.

Can we agree that any test match over 2100 balls did go into 5th day? Yes?

So, I did some search.. since 1/1/2020 a total number of 200 tests have been played.
Guess how many (what percentage) of those 200 tests lasted more than 2100 balls i.e. went into 5th day?

5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%.....

So percentage of drawn matches (from last 5 years) you are happy to live with .... if the test days are reduced to 4?
Click to expand...
That is very interesting. What if we look at the only the test matches where one of the big 3 were playing?
 
gazza619 said:
That is very interesting. What if we look at the only the test matches where one of the big 3 were playing?
Click to expand...
You did not answer my question in the previous post...

But here is the data for only big-3.

Since 1/1/2020, 117 tests were played.
In 26 (see the list below) of those tests 2100 or more balls were bowled.... theoretically these tests should have gone into 5th day ....

Of these 26 tests, 8 were still drawn tests. Other 16 produced results (highlighted in green).

So the point is: If the tests were scheduled only for 4 days, these 16 out 117 (14%) tests would have ended in drawn.

Now my question: Why would you want to see these 16 drawn tests by scheduling a test match for only 4 days?

1737754525683.png
 
W63L35 said:
You did not answer my question in the previous post...

But here is the data for only big-3.

Since 1/1/2020, 117 tests were played.
In 26 (see the list below) of those tests 2100 or more balls were bowled.... theoretically these tests should have gone into 5th day ....

Of these 26 tests, 8 were still drawn tests. Other 16 produced results (highlighted in green).

So the point is: If the tests were scheduled only for 4 days, these 16 out 117 (14%) tests would have ended in drawn.

Now my question: Why would you want to see these 16 drawn tests by scheduling a test match for only 4 days?

View attachment 150098
Click to expand...
I hear you. Personally I don’t mind a drawn game. That is just the beauty of test cricket. Cricket has beautifully evolved with time and there is more evolving to come in future . It is worth considering that that when a game starts with both teams knowing that there are 2000 balls available, they would naturally make a game plan and adapt to the situation. Specially the stronger team would take more risk with WTC points on the table and this also opens up the gate slightly for the weaker team. I personally think there is more opportunity for exciting cricket.

i am also a huge fan of day night test match and cant wait to see Pakistan play in one again.
 
get ready for another record... Pak windies 2nd test can finish in 2 days LOL
 
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