How overrated is Pakistan's batting?

[MRSN]

Looking at the game tonight seeing complete different treatment given to this Afghanistan bowling which look associate levels. We almost lost and had to be bailed out by no.11 chasing mere 130. This makes me wonder how bad our batting is. When will Baber take charge as a match winner and own such mediocre bowling in a tight match. and when will our power hitters like F Zaman and Khushdil, Asif bury such attacks in sand. Until we don't become consistent batting side we are never winning any major tournament.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan’s batting is a joke. Minnow level.

Bowling is not much better either. Apart from Shaheen, all our fast bowlers are mediocre who got lucky in this tournament.
The spinners aren’t world class either.

I understand the joy of the Pakistani fans right now but in my opinion, they have been extremely lucky in this tournament and overall it is a nothing team that will get a reality-check in Australia in the upcoming WT20.

 

[Rana]

Very overrated

And our fans are at liberty with reality too

 

[Mamoon]

We have a delusional fan base that gets carried away only to be brought back to earth with a brutal reality-check.

I think the next WT20 would be the 2018 Asia Cup for Pakistani fans in terms of getting a brutal reality-check.

 

[Haseebster]

Pakistan’s batting is a joke. Minnow level.

Bowling is not much better either. Apart from Shaheen, all our fast bowlers are mediocre who got lucky in this tournament.
The spinners aren’t world class either.

I understand the joy of the Pakistani fans right now but in my opinion, they have been extremely lucky in this tournament and overall it is a nothing team that will get a reality-check in Australia in the upcoming WT20.

So what qualifies as a 'reality check' exactly?

If Pakistan do poorly in the World T20, you're saying that it would be a 'reality-check' for the team. What if someone were to say that a poor performance by Pakistan in the cup would be reflective of bad luck or not playing to their potential?

And why isn't Pakistan performing well in last year's World T20 and the Asia Cup this year a 'reality check' for you?

Can you please explain your criteria so that the definition isn't met as soon as the team's performance on a given day is in line with your arguments?

 

[PakEngFan]

Very overrated

And our fans are at liberty with reality too

Agreed remove Babar and Rizwan it’s minnow level.

 

[Marooned]

Lulz

People reading too much into a game vs zombie XI.

I mean if I was an Indian fan I'd be irked by this game. Everyone looking a world beater vs this bruised and beaten Afghan team
Where was this performance when the tournament was on?

 

[Cover Drive Six]

End of the day Pakistan reached to final, that's all the matters.
Who cares about overrated or underrated?? Winning the tournament is matter.

 

[docteurmanish]

Why are you so critical of pak team . I find the whole team playing well and definitely top 4 with England , Australia and india . At par with South Africa .

I find the batsman calm and doing the job . No star but as a unit they bat well . Overall a v good team and good sportsman spirit .

 

[Xoib]

We have a delusional fan base that gets carried away only to be brought back to earth with a brutal reality-check.

I think the next WT20 would be the 2018 Asia Cup for Pakistani fans in terms of getting a brutal reality-check.

Indian is flying home tonight so keep crying

 

[Ashmal]

Lulz

People reading too much into a game vs zombie XI.

I mean if I was an Indian fan I'd be irked by this game. Everyone looking a world beater vs this bruised and beaten Afghan team
Where was this performance when the tournament was on?

Exactly

 

[Savak]

I would love to have seen how India would have done batting in Sharjah. There is a reason why all their games are in Dubai and even then they are flying home early.

Pakistan's batting has clicked in Dubai.

 

[Xoib]

Looking at the game tonight seeing complete different treatment given to this Afghanistan bowling which look associate levels. We almost lost and had to be bailed out by no.11 chasing mere 130. This makes me wonder how bad our batting is. When will Baber take charge as a match winner and own such mediocre bowling in a tight match. and when will our power hitters like F Zaman and Khushdil, Asif bury such attacks in sand. Until we don't become consistent batting side we are never winning any major tournament.

The same Afghani bowling kicked lanka for 90 odd in the first game BD for 127 this is a dead rubber its just for stats padding that's it

 

[Mamoon]

Indian is flying home tonight so keep crying

And if they weren’t, our fans would be crying that this match is fixed so that India can stay in the tournament, just like they cried after the WT20 game between the two sides.

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

Pakistan’s batting is a joke. Minnow level.


Bowling is not much better either. Apart from Shaheen, all our fast bowlers are mediocre who got lucky in this tournament.
The spinners aren’t world class either.

I understand the joy of the Pakistani fans right now but in my opinion, they have been extremely lucky in this tournament and overall it is a nothing team that will get a reality-check in Australia in the upcoming WT20.

How do you guys manage to get so lucky in back to back tournaments? Even in 2019 WC your team won against England, New Zealand and South Africa by getting lucky. CT 2017 was also won by luck. Please share some luck with your neighbors bhai.

 

[SamNJ]

What overrated lol
Except very few deluded posters everyone agrees that Pakistan batting has its limitations.

 

[Amir]

And if they weren’t, our fans would be crying that this match is fixed so that India can stay in the tournament, just like they cried after the WT20 game between the two sides.

But we are not crying because we won when it mattered.

 

[Amir]

How do you guys manage to get so lucky in back to back tournaments? Even in 2019 WC your team won against England, New Zealand and South Africa by getting lucky. CT 2017 was also won by luck. Please share some luck with your neighbors bhai.

You must be new here. Mamoons logic is every Pakistan win is a fluke and every Pakistan loss is because they suck and over-rated (though again, we only win by luck which is a paradox when you think about it).

 

[PakEngFan]

And if they weren’t, our fans would be crying that this match is fixed so that India can stay in the tournament, just like they cried after the WT20 game between the two sides.

If and buts. Let’s stick to facts which is you still crying.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Pakistan’s batting is a joke. Minnow level.

Bowling is not much better either. Apart from Shaheen, all our fast bowlers are mediocre who got lucky in this tournament.
The spinners aren’t world class either.

I understand the joy of the Pakistani fans right now but in my opinion, they have been extremely lucky in this tournament and overall it is a nothing team that will get a reality-check in Australia in the upcoming WT20.

You're a clown mate and you have no stats to support anything you say. Just always on to run your mouth with ridiculous opinions only to crawl back into the hole when you're proven wrong.

 

[MRSN]

I would love to have seen how India would have done batting in Sharjah. There is a reason why all their games are in Dubai and even then they are flying home early.

Pakistan's batting has clicked in Dubai.

That change of venue is good point. Sharjah is a typical slow sluggish wicket more suited for Afghan type bowling and batting. but still our batsmen should have been doing it with more authority. Run a ball with just Rashid as main threat and yet they let them almost sneak through for win was very disappointing. What Naseem did was miracle but you don't win by miracles. Big introspection into our batting is needed.

 

[Amir]

You're a clown mate and you have no stats to support anything you say. Just always on to run your mouth with ridiculous opinions only to crawl back into the hole when you're proven wrong.

You are wrong. He does not crawl back. Just gets louder with generalizations. When Pak batsmen score adn we are happy - that means we are over-rating them. When Riz and Babar are rated #1, that also means they are over-rated.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

We have a delusional fan base that gets carried away only to be brought back to earth with a brutal reality-check.

I think the next WT20 would be the 2018 Asia Cup for Pakistani fans in terms of getting a brutal reality-check.

Why didn't they get the reality check which you're talking about for years in 2021 wt20 or in Asia cup? Why we wait for 2022 world ? If india can fail in back to back multi national tournaments than any team can.

 

[Usman Chadda]

So what qualifies as a 'reality check' exactly?

If Pakistan do poorly in the World T20, you're saying that it would be a 'reality-check' for the team. What if someone were to say that a poor performance by Pakistan in the cup would be reflective of bad luck or not playing to their potential?

And why isn't Pakistan performing well in last year's World T20 and the Asia Cup this year a 'reality check' for you?

Can you please explain your criteria so that the definition isn't met as soon as the team's performance on a given day is in line with your arguments?

Don’t bother. His team got two brutal reality checks in a row, so you will see these unhinged posts. The poster is in tatters at the moment, what with India playing dead rubbers in two consecutive tournaments.

On topic, our batting is being carried by Rizwan and Babar. The middle-order is helpless to say the least, with Asif Ali the one we are banking on the most to make our runs

 

[Mamoon]

Why didn't they get the reality check which you're talking about for years in 2021 wt20 or in Asia cup? Why we wait for 2022 world ? If india can fail in back to back multi national tournaments than any team can.

Everyone knows the only reason Pakistan made the semifinal of the WT20 last year was because Babar kept winning the toss.

The one time Pakistan batted first (semifinal), they got badly exposed. The outcome of the matches in that World Cup was decided at the toss - Dubai is pretty much an impossible place to defend unless you score well above par in the first innings.

 

[Haseebster]

Don’t bother. His team got two brutal reality checks in a row, so you will see these unhinged posts. The poster is in tatters at the moment, what with India playing dead rubbers in two consecutive tournaments.

On topic, our batting is being carried by Rizwan and Babar. The middle-order is helpless to say the least, with Asif Ali the one we are banking on the most to make our runs

I'd say get Haider Ali in for Khushdil Shah and back Shadab Khan. Shadab has lots of potential with the bat, but he needs to be given opportunities regularly. This won't solve our batting problems, but will improve things at least for the time being.

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

Pakistan was merciless against Hongkong while India allowed Hongkong to score 150, which isn't a valid reason to call Pakistan way better than India. So is using today's match to compare India and Pakistan.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Every game is different. This is T20. Any team can beat any team on a given day. You do not judge tomorrows game based on how the team played 3 days ago.

 

[Gayle_Force]

This thread is based on the assumption that people rate Pakistan batting very highly. I have yet to see one analyst/expert rate Pakistan’s batting highly, apart from praises for Babar and Rizwan. Tbh, Pakistans bowling is highly rated and rightly so. The record speaks for itself.

 

[NeVerMind]

I don't think anyone will claim that we have a brilliant batting line-up but you only need a few batsmen to fire to win...

But man, when they win like they did yesterday and against India earlier this week, there is no greater high... So enjoy and stop being such a misery guts

 

[Gayle_Force]

Also, we should not read too much into the last two Afghan games. Afghan players are pretty much checked out in this game and I think the Pak vs Afghan game was played with emotions more than sensibilities. At the end of the day a win is a win whether it’s by 1 wicket against Afghanistan or by 10 wickets against India.

 

[Rana]

There is no way that Pakistan would score 212-2 against Afghanistan be it a competitive game or a dead rubber in Dubai

None whatsoever

 

[OneManShow]

And if they weren’t, our fans would be crying that this match is fixed so that India can stay in the tournament, just like they cried after the WT20 game between the two sides.

Awww look what crawled out from under that cold rock.. poor thing is still shaking that it's beloved India is going home. Now run along child...

 

[Amir]

Everyone knows the only reason Pakistan made the semifinal of the WT20 last year was because Babar kept winning the toss.

The one time Pakistan batted first (semifinal), they got badly exposed. The outcome of the matches in that World Cup was decided at the toss - Dubai is pretty much an impossible place to defend unless you score well above par in the first innings.

Hain. At least make sense, even then we scored 170+ lol. "badly exposed"

 

[Gayle_Force]

There is no way that Pakistan would score 212-2 against Afghanistan be it a competitive game or a dead rubber in Dubai

None whatsoever

Afghanistan will not play like this if they were playing against Pakistan that is the difference. They tend to up their game. I watched a bit of the game today and there is no energy in the Afghan team. They dropped a sitter from Kohli, in fact the fielder barely put any effort in the catch and pushed it for six.

 

[MRSN]

Also, we should not read too much into the last two Afghan games. Afghan players are pretty much checked out in this game and I think the Pak vs Afghan game was played with emotions more than sensibilities. At the end of the day a win is a win whether it’s by 1 wicket against Afghanistan or by 10 wickets against India.

You are wrong with "a win is a win" argument because better teams won't allow no.11 to hit 2 sixes to win the game and they won't be serving full tosses in last over to no.11. We definitely need to improve as a batting side. Our batting should be doing better than what we witnessed last night.

 

[Rana]

You are wrong with "a win is a win" argument because better teams won't allow no.11 to hit 2 sixes to win the game and they won't be serving full tosses in last over to no.11. We definitely need to improve as a batting side. Our batting should be doing better than what we witnessed last night.

We genuinely have no balance to the batting

A decent opening pair of accumulators

A hole in the middle

A promising big hitter in Asif

Hit and Miss tailenders

 

[Rana]

Afghanistan will not play like this if they were playing against Pakistan that is the difference. They tend to up their game. I watched a bit of the game today and there is no energy in the Afghan team. They dropped a sitter from Kohli, in fact the fielder barely put any effort in the catch and pushed it for six.

I think India were 18-0 in 3 overs

They were batting like they would get 160-180 at first. They raised their intensity levels with each over and actually went after Mujeeb and Rashid Khan

Did Pakistan show any intent against these two including Nabi in the last 3 outings against them?

 

[MRSN]

We genuinely have no balance to the batting

A decent opening pair of accumulators

A hole in the middle

A promising big hitter in Asif

Hit and Miss tailenders

The only positive sign is that we have good all rounders Shadab and Nawaz. Otherwise this team would really struggle to win any games.

 

[Gayle_Force]

You are wrong with "a win is a win" argument because better teams won't allow no.11 to hit 2 sixes to win the game and they won't be serving full tosses in last over to no.11. We definitely need to improve as a batting side. Our batting should be doing better than what we witnessed last night.

Yea the game before Pakistan chased down 181 vs India. A win is still a win, Pakistan is the number 2 ranked side in T20Is, it can’t just be a fluke. There is something that they are doing right. Obviously, there are opportunities to make improvements but that’s not exclusive to Pakistan, it applies to every team. The mighty India is a clear example.

 

[Gayle_Force]

I think India were 18-0 in 3 overs

They were batting like they would get 160-180 at first. They raised their intensity levels with each over and actually went after Mujeeb and Rashid Khan

Did Pakistan show any intent against these two including Nabi in the last 3 outings against them?

I am not sure India would be able to do the same in Sharjah where the wicket was slow and low? I don’t know maybe? India has had the benefit of playing all their matches in Dubai where the wicket is much better.

Also, the intensity is much different Mujeeb and Rashid are not really putting in the same level of effort. Also, let’s be honest Indian players are well accustomed to Mujeeb and Rashid through IPL.

Feel free to read too much into the 212 India made in this game but fact is that this is a dead rubber because of Indias own mistakes. They put themselves in a position where they needed to rely on Afghanistan to beat Pakistan no one forced them.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

We got the job done but could have done in a more commanding way. I do not know how long we will persist with Fakhar, he is very inconsistent. Also, would like to have a one more reliable hitter in the middle. Do not know who and do know who should make way.

 

[OneManShow]

Yea the game before Pakistan chased down 181 vs India. A win is still a win, Pakistan is the number 2 ranked side in T20Is, it can’t just be a fluke. There is something that they are doing right. Obviously, there are opportunities to make improvements but that’s not exclusive to Pakistan, it applies to every team. The mighty India is a clear example.

Great Post

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Pakistan batting is decent. Main problem is Pakistan has no world class batter and you need at least one great batter in your squad.

Babar Azam is good, very good, however he is not great. He will never be like Kohli was in his prime. He just does not have it in him.

For now Pakistan need to find another opener to pair with Rizwan. An aggressive opener who can take advantage of the power play overs. Babar needs to come down to #3.

 

[JaDed]

In the words of our coach, “it gets the job done”.

 

[JaDed]

In the words of our coach, “it gets the job done”.

“They get the job done”

 

[Forum363]

So what qualifies as a 'reality check' exactly?

If Pakistan do poorly in the World T20, you're saying that it would be a 'reality-check' for the team. What if someone were to say that a poor performance by Pakistan in the cup would be reflective of bad luck or not playing to their potential?

And why isn't Pakistan performing well in last year's World T20 and the Asia Cup this year a 'reality check' for you?

Can you please explain your criteria so that the definition isn't met as soon as the team's performance on a given day is in line with your arguments?

Last time, winning the whole champions trophy was a fluke but losing in the Asia cup was a reality check.

This time, doing well in the Asia cup means nothing and the true test will be the world t20. Specifically the Australia one because last years one doesn’t count as we fluked a massive win.

/logic

 

[asfandyar]

If you want an atheist to see light, show them how Pakistan is run and how Pakistan cricket team manages to win games with that atrocious batting lineup. There is no other explanation than divine help for both.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan has a strong spinning unit. Both can bat/bowl/field well. They balance the side very well. An adequacies will be covered by them. Pakistan batting is not really explosive batting unit. Has been the case for a long time. This is not a new revelation. it looks exaggerated due to Babar's form.

 

[proud_pakistani]

Batting isn't overrated, i would say it is quite fairly rated. Everyone knows once you get Babar and Rizwan Pakistan is there for the taking and its true our only real world class batsmen are those 2. Fakhar is perhaps the only one who is overrated who is still riding on his Champions Trophy final knock.

All the lower order batsmen are poor and no one rates them. Ofcourse commentators and analysts will cite their PSL performances. But yea its only the top 2 that are our batsmen.

 

[Titan24]

But, who is rating the batting or overrating it? Our middle order is really inexperienced and its a fact if we look at the numbers.

We are heavily reliant on top 3 and even two of those havent had a good year or so.

That being said you cant judge a batting based upon one or two failures in different conditions. Otherwise Aus and NZ should be extremely worried about their ODI future and upcoming WC as the current series has been extremely low scoring.

Surely a lot of improvement in Pak batting is required but, its by no means a poor lineup overall rather decent when top 3 is in form.

 

[Oneking]

There is no way that Pakistan would score 212-2 against Afghanistan be it a competitive game or a dead rubber in Dubai

None whatsoever

AFG bowling against Pakistan was completely different then the way blowed against India, the pitched the length bowl on middle and off against Pakistan vs India they pitched the ball on the leggish side. Check out where India scores more then 50 percent of the runs plus Kohli catch was dropped plus the fielding placement was not their plus the same energy was missing plus Sharjah pitched stayed low where Dubai pitched the ball came on to the bat plus Pak played in Sharjah fir the first time and was surprised by the bounce in the pitch.
Please watch the games before criticizing

 

[Oneking]

There is no batting PAK rely on top 3 after that test of the players are bits and pieces and showed that during first game against India, that’s their strategy they want one or two players to come out and hit 20-30 quick runs while top 3 play around 7/8 runs per over after that every one can contribute with one or two sixes abs that’s good enough, it’s 20/20 there’s no point having 4-5 proper batsmen remember when Rameez Raja said he only want players who can hit sixes

 

[Suleiman]

Something is overrated when it’s receiving unjustified amount of rave and praise.

That’s definitely never been the case with Pakistan’s batting in the last few years.

There’s always been 1-3 key performers with the bat. The rest are hit or miss.

So I don’t see how this particular batting line up is overrated.

Personally, I am a fan purely because of the new age mentality of taking the attack to the bowlers… which we’ve missing since… 2009 or something with the Misbahs, Shehzads, and Maliks

 

[daytrader]

The main criticism of our batting was that it's too dependent on Babar. Now that we are doing it without Babar's contributions, I'm starting to have a lot more faith. Certainly not an overrated side in t20s. We can easily make 180 and even defend 150.

 

[Bilal7]

We have a good batting lineup that needs Babar and Fakhar to get back in form. If that happens before the T20 WC, Pakistan will be one of the favorites to win it.

The power hitting that was missing for so long has finally returned and the fact that Shadab and Nawaz have proven themselves as capable batsmen is huge.

 

[MRSN]

terrible outing once again. Things not looking good for the next world cup with these bunch.

 

[Villager6964]

I don't even rate this pathetic batting.
All batsmen are horrible. Only babar and rizwan are batsmen others are just here to make up the numbers.

Iftikhar khushdil fakhar are so pathetic.

They should be nowhere near the team.

 

[Rana]

Everything

Everything is wrong with this line up!

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan is a nothing team.

Garbage batting unit, overrated bowling unit - no world class spinner, only one world class fast bowler who cannot bowl at the death (Shaheen), and sloppy in the field.

India should be embarrassed of losing a match to this joker team.

 

[Majestic]

I am afraid we only won vs India because of chasing, same happened in WT20 too. Toss is extremely favourable, however, India also beat us after winning the toss only.

 

[Gayle_Force]

Terrible batting today no doubt. Fakhar, Iftikhar and Khushdil are proving to be a worrisome middle order. All of them are not able to rotate strike.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Apart from Babar and rizwan the rest of batting is 3rd X1 village level, shockingly poor.

 

[IAJ]

Apart from Babar and rizwan the rest of batting is 3rd X1 village level, shockingly poor.

Nawaz has played well also.

 

[IAJ]

They don’t know how to set up a total batting first. Completely lost out there.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I’m not sure who is rating this Pakistan batting, the middle-order is worse than associate level. Iftikhar and Khushdil have no business playing international cricket, when they have done NOTHING in this format to suggest they can be trusted to represent our country at this level.

Haider has been shafted, even though he has a brilliant 60 odd against the West Indies in the second last game he played for Pakistan. England series should see Shan and Haider come in for Iftikhar and Khushdil, even flukes won’t work with these two.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan is deluded if they think they can win the WT20 with Babar and Rizwan as openers and a middle-order/lower-order of Iftikhar, Khushdil, Asif and Shadab.

Massive reality-check coming up for Pakistan.

 

[Saj]

It's about time Khushdil Shah, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed stepped up with the bat instead of continually hiding behind Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and brilliant innings from Mohammad Nawaz & Naseem Shah to win matches.

 

[world cup captain]

Let's replace Sharjeel for Rizwan. We'll miss out on 40-50 runs a match but at least our tail enders will get more batting practice.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

System needs a reset!

 

[PakEngFan]

Everything

Everything is wrong with this line up!

Exactly you can’t have clowns like fakhar, ifti, kushdil and Asif Ali playing at all.

 

[PakEngFan]

Pakistan is a nothing team.

Garbage batting unit, overrated bowling unit - no world class spinner, only one world class fast bowler who cannot bowl at the death (Shaheen), and sloppy in the field.

India should be embarrassed of losing a match to this joker team.

Enjoy your flight to India. See you next Asian cup. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[Varun]

Why couldn't you bat like this against us?

Just like Afghanistan raise their game only against you, you raise your game only against us.

 

[Rana]

Exactly you can’t have clowns like fakhar, ifti, kushdil and Asif Ali playing at all.

Yes and Babar+Rizwan opening

That’s where the problem begins

 

[PakEngFan]

Yes and Babar+Rizwan opening

That’s where the problem begins

Their averages are 2 times better and same SR. Try again.

 

[shah_1]

The whole approach towards batting is garbage, very buzdilna batting. They always have a brain freeze from 7 to 10 overs, happened in the semi final as well.


25 runs in the first game against India
24 runs against Hong Kong
17 runs against Afghanistan
17 runs against Sri Lanka

This is MINNOW level batting by our top 4

 

[Marooned]

Why couldn't you bat like this against us?

Just like Afghanistan raise their game only against you, you raise your game only against us.

Because unlike this game, that game actually mattered.

 

[Saj]

Waqar Younis "How long are we going to keep on relying on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Today was the opportunity to test the middle-order. They came in when there were plenty of overs left but were exposed"

 

[Marooned]

Surely we can't look past Haider Ali anymore.

I hope someone questions babar regarding Haider.

 

[IAJ]

Surely we can't look past Haider Ali anymore.

I hope someone questions babar regarding Haider.

Pakistan had an excellent opportunity to play Haider today, in a complete warm-up match. Had he flopped they could go back to one of the other flops in the Final.

We have a complete rubbish middle order. All hit or miss, no technique whatsoever.