"If we get to bat first and put up a good total, we are capable of winning the match" : Asad Shafiq

[MenInG]

"If we get to bat first and put up a good total, we are capable of winning the match" : Asad Shafiq

Shafiq backs Pakistan to shine in MCG Test

http://wwos.nine.com.au/2016/12/24/18/21/shafiq-backs-pakistan-to-shine-in-mcg-test

Batsman Asad Shafiq has backed Pakistan to cope with the pressure of a packed MCG, saying their Gabba heroics have bolstered the team's self-belief.

While the tourists are 1-0 down heading into the Boxing Day Test, they came close to pulling off a miracle win in Brisbane.

Shafiq was outstanding, scoring 137 as Pakistan fell just 39 short in their massive 490-run chase.

"We will feel it a little because we probably haven't played in front of such a big crowd," Shafiq said of the added pressure surrounding the second Test.

"And this ground has a really prestigious history and playing here is a big honour for me, for everyone and especially for those playing here for the first time, there is also a lot of excitement.

"But the way we played that first Test, we're very united and are hopeful that we can get a good result in the next two Tests."

Shafiq and his teammates are also mindful that historically, Pakistan have produced some strong performances at the MCG and SCG.

"Yes, I have heard about this and seen it too that this wicket suits Pakistan a bit more," Shafiq said of the MCG.

"This is in everyone's mind that, if we do get to bat first and put up a good total, we are capable of winning the match."

Shafiq's Gabba century meant he passed the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers for the most Test centuries by a No.6 batsman.

Nine of his 10 Test tons have been scored at that spot in the order.

"I'm really happy to break the record - when I started playing at six, I never thought I would break that record because I never played at six in my career before playing for Pakistan," he said.

"I always batted up in the order."

When pressed, Shafiq admitted he would like to bat up the order again.

"I always say whatever the management ask me to do, I am happy to do that role and bat at any position," he said.

"As a personal thing, I always like up the order."

 

[DRsohail]

but u didnt capitalised there...plz say at 6...

 

[Abdullah719]

So the myth that Asad wanted to hide down the order can be dispelled now, hopefully.

 

[Pete Rose]

Such a huge first session. I hope Pakistan don't start slow again. Australia will not give them a chance again to come back in to the match.

 

[MenInG]

Hope our shoulders dont drop in case we lose the toss!

 

[Pete Rose]

Hope our shoulders dont drop in case we lose the toss!

Some part of Misbah will happy to lose the toss and bowl first. gives him more time to get in to the game.

 

[Haz95]

If he could score beyond 130, perhaps then he may have a chance of batting up the order. There should be a contest between Misbah and Shafiq for who scores more- Misbah after continuing an inning the next day or Shafiq as he passes the 130s.

 

[KB]

He didn't mention it, but catching is important as well. There has not been a tour to Australia since 1990, where the catching has not let Pakistan down. Being 1 down in the series, with 4 bowlers and a pitch that perhaps might be difficult to take wickets after the new ball period, they will simply have to catch well.

 

[darksher]

Yeah bla bla... We know you've a compelling record of following a century or a substantial knock with a string of poor single digit scores, I won't be surprised if he backed up his stellar performance in last test by bagging a pair at MCG. Though I'd love to be proven wrong but doubt it'll happen because of 1) his predicable inconsistency over the years and 2) history has a knack of repeating itself, so you see the odds are firmly stacked against Shafiq at the moment and I just don't see the resilience and tenacity to beat the odds on his part.

 

[darksher]

Such a huge first session. I hope Pakistan don't start slow again. Australia will not give them a chance again to come back in to the match.

Expect them to score at a snail's pace if they do win the toss and elect to bat first. As usual the pressure of the huge occasion will get to them which will significantly impact their batting rhythm (as if they bat any better when their is no pressure to cope with in the first place but still the huge vehemently vocal crowd will further dent any chances they've of scoring at a faster rate).

 

[MenInG]

Expect them to score at a snail's pace if they do win the toss and elect to bat first. As usual the pressure of the huge occasion will get to them which will significantly impact their batting rhythm (as if they bat any better when their is no pressure to cope with in the first place but still the huge vehemently vocal crowd will further dent any chances they've of scoring at a faster rate).

Read what the groundsman has said. They need to score steadily and then build slowly

if we get in, we must stay in for day and half atleast

 

[darksher]

but u didnt capitalised there...plz say at 6...

Batting up the order isn't his cup of tea, he can dupe himself all he want and even persuade the management to promote him in batting order but we know what the result of such a decision will be keeping his recent lackluster performances in mind. So the management should better not tinker with his batting position if they want to utilize his utility in the best possible way. He's a handy batsman when the shine has worn off the ball as he comes in late to pounce on the ragged leather but expecting him to deliver against a new ball is counterproductive.

 

[Pete Rose]

Expect them to score at a snail's pace if they do win the toss and elect to bat first. As usual the pressure of the huge occasion will get to them which will significantly impact their batting rhythm (as if they bat any better when their is no pressure to cope with in the first place but still the huge vehemently vocal crowd will further dent any chances they've of scoring at a faster rate).

No issue with snails pace batting. Groundsman view and this season domestic matches indicate slow and steady is the way to go.

 

[darksher]

Read what the groundsman has said. They need to score steadily and then build slowly

if we get in, we must stay in for day and half atleast

Even if the nature of the pitch was any different thereby encouraging stroke play, still that's simply isn't Pakistan's cup of tea if we have watched and learned anything from how they go about their business in first innings. As usual and as expected, they'll start the proceedings by scoring ultra cautiously at 2-2.50 RPO throughout the first day (if they do win the toss), barring a collapse the scorecard by the end of the day will reflect something like 230/3. They'll only step on the accelerator once they've lost 5-6 wickets and they've no choice but to attack in hope of propelling the score only for the fickle tail to bundle out in 30 runs or so (Miracles don't happen everyday).

 

[MenInG]

Even if the nature of the pitch was any different thereby encouraging stroke play, still that's simply isn't Pakistan's cup of tea if we have watched and learned anything from how they go about their business in first innings. As usual and as expected, they'll start the proceedings by scoring ultra cautiously at 2-2.50 RPO throughout the first day (if they do win the toss), barring a collapse the scorecard by the end of the day will reflect something like 230/3. They'll only step on the accelerator once they've lost 5-6 wickets and they've no choice but to attack in hope of propelling the score only for the fickle tail to bundle out in 30 runs or so (Miracles don't happen everyday).

Don't think you have read the groundsman's view.

 

[Pakprideuk]

Even if the nature of the pitch was any different thereby encouraging stroke play, still that's simply isn't Pakistan's cup of tea if we have watched and learned anything from how they go about their business in first innings. As usual and as expected, they'll start the proceedings by scoring ultra cautiously at 2-2.50 RPO throughout the first day (if they do win the toss), barring a collapse the scorecard by the end of the day will reflect something like 230/3. They'll only step on the accelerator once they've lost 5-6 wickets and they've no choice but to attack in hope of propelling the score only for the fickle tail to bundle out in 30 runs or so (Miracles don't happen everyday).

And what? That is how we play and will continue to do so. Don't like it then stop watching Pakistan play. Attacking cricket also has its disadvantages such as collapsing on flat wickets like Australia have done in the past against England in the Ashes at Melbourne. They folded in the first session and were no where to be seen for the rest of the series.

 

[Pete Rose]

Batting up the order isn't his cup of tea, he can dupe himself all he want and even persuade the management to promote him in batting order but we know what the result of such a decision will be keeping his recent lackluster performances in mind. So the management should better not tinker with his batting position if they want to utilize his utility in the best possible way. He's a handy batsman when the shine has worn off the ball as he comes in late to pounce on the ragged leather but expecting him to deliver against a new ball is counterproductive.

Didnt he bat against the new ball under lights?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Didnt he bat against the new ball under lights?

Amir absorbed most of what Starc had to give with the new ball. Shafiq hardly faced it.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

"If we do this, if we do that" such a timid lot like their captain. C'mon man, speak with some confidence.

 

[Pete Rose]

Amir absorbed most of what Starc had to give with the new ball. Shafiq hardly faced it.

yeah, but i think that sounds like a lot of nitpicking....the kind of effort one has to make to count balls faced by either batsman

 

[Chief Destroyer]

yeah, but i think that sounds like a lot of nitpicking....the kind of effort one has to make to count balls faced by either batsman

Not really, when it was so blatantly obvious he was trying to run to the other end every ball.

 

[Pete Rose]

Not really, when it was so blatantly obvious he was trying to run to the other end every ball.

sure, but that has little to do with new ball or old ball..when you are so far behind in the game, its rather naive to think you are going to shield tail-enders as a viable strategy for a draw or a win

 

[Pakistanian]

Wouldn't they want to bowl first to take advantage of the green turf early on?

 

[Hasan123]

If we bat 1st we need 350 plus can't afford to be bowled our cheaply. A big score will bring Yasir into the game. Also interested to see what type of pitch is produced, hearing conflicting reports from PP experts.

 

[Pete Rose]

If we bat 1st we need 350 plus can't afford to be bowled our cheaply. A big score will bring Yasir into the game. Also interested to see what type of pitch is produced, hearing conflicting reports from PP experts.

Groundsman says pitch will have something for bowlers on first two days, thereafter should ease up

 

[Hasan123]

Groundsman says pitch will have something for bowlers on first two days, thereafter should ease up

So batting 1st may not be easy.

 

[Ellipsism]

Wouldn't they want to bowl first to take advantage of the green turf early on?

What green turf?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

So batting 1st may not be easy.

You always bat first in Melbourne.

 

[Ellipsism]

So batting 1st may not be easy.

With a bit of application and subsistence, the batsman will be fine.

There will be a little nibble and that's about it.

 

[Chrish]

Fair point.. But Aus wickets stay hard and fast for couple of days that work against Pakistani batting side.

 

[Hasan123]

With a bit of application and subsistence, the batsman will be fine.

There will be a little nibble and that's about it.

So need Azhar and Sami to survive the 1st hour than a big innings from someone.

 

[Pete Rose]

So batting 1st may not be easy.

It will be ok. Requires patience upfront like any sporting wicket. India drew here in 2014

 

[Ellipsism]

So need Azhar and Sami to survive the 1st hour than a big innings from someone.

MCG is a big ground, thus 2's and 3's are always on offer.

If Sami and Azhar rotate strike they'll be fine.

 

[Pakistanian]

What green turf?

I've always thought Australia had grassy wickets like England and Nz.

 

[Ellipsism]

I've always thought Australia had grassy wickets like England and Nz.

Nope.

Australia have one of the most unresponsive pitches in the world.

 

[QalandarFan]

Is it going to be full house? Really hope it is.

On topic Pakistan need to bat first and score 400 plus. It will allow Yasir to attack more with the ball and the pitch may support him in the 4th innings.

If we have to bowl first we need to attack and the pacers need to bowl good lines and lengths. Then we need to attack with Yasir not bowl a negative, defensive line.

We need to Win This!

 

[PakLFC]

Much off Cricket depends on who wins the toss. This can be regarded as an unfair advantage.

 

[Pete Rose]

Is it going to be full house? Really hope it is.

On topic Pakistan need to bat first and score 400 plus. It will allow Yasir to attack more with the ball and the pitch may support him in the 4th innings.

If we have to bowl first we need to attack and the pacers need to bowl good lines and lengths. Then we need to attack with Yasir not bowl a negative, defensive line.

We need to Win This!

It will be a crowd around 55 - 60k. Which is what pakistan usually attracts

 

[Hasan123]

MCG is a big ground, thus 2's and 3's are always on offer.

If Sami and Azhar rotate strike they'll be fine.

Rotating strike has been an issue with them.

 

[Hasan123]

It will be ok. Requires patience upfront like any sporting wicket. India drew here in 2014

Our batters have the patience

 

[Buffet]

So if you are not able to bat first then you are not capable to win? That means toss is the first thing has to go for Pakistan.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Not sure about that Asad.

 

[Zeshan547]

It will be epic thrashing one way or the other, there will be no close contest, who ever get in front at the start of match will run away with the show, just hope it's pakistan's turn, because it will mean a mouth watering decider in sydney! And as they say with pakistan "never say never"