Is Pakistan cricket really benefiting from playing against lower ranked teams?

[Savak]

I personally feel it is of zero value, this is not the first time the team has been on a winning streak against very sub par opposition only to be shown up against the big boys.

For my perspective, our ODI and T-20 team is still considerably behind the likes of England, Australia, NZ, South Africa and India. Just watching the batting alone with your own eyes tells you about the lack of quality and our bowling is not like what it was in 2009 when we had 5-6 quality wicket taking bowlers.

India chased down 270 vs England in an ODI in 40 overs and here we have Pakistan struggling to get to 300 in 50 overs against Zimbabwe of all teams.

Our batting strike rates are just not there at all, most teams now have batsmen who consistently bat at 90-100 and then accelerate at the end up to 130-140 whereas our batsmen on the other hand operate at 60-70 for the most part before accelerating to 90-100 max by the end of the innings.

And seeing the manner in which Sarfaraz's fitness issues are being ignored where he comes in with a big belly as a captain really gets to me and on the other hand you see the Indian team really taking their fitness levels to a whole new level.

 

[hadi123]

When the games are this one sided, you don't benefit much.

 

[hitthestump]

Yes we are. This is still a relatively raw and unproven side but they are at least showing hunger to not just beat but instead demolish Zimbabwe. Granted the bowling is pretty settled but this tour has been a perfect spot to try players like Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail and Yasir Shah to see how they might fit into the side without receiving a demoralising phainty in the process. Looking forward to seeing some squad rotation in the next few games.

 

[Savak]

Yes we are. This is still a relatively raw and unproven side but they are at least showing hunger to not just beat but instead demolish Zimbabwe. Granted the bowling is pretty settled but this tour has been a perfect spot to try players like Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail and Yasir Shah to see how they might fit into the side without receiving a demoralising phainty in the process. Looking forward to seeing some squad rotation in the next few games.

Nah, don't think so. This is not the first time I have seen this with the Pakistan team. The PCB seriously needs to work hard at scheduling tours with the big boys better. Look at India, consistently playing against the likes of England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and they look to rest players, play a second eleven against the likes of Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh e.t.c.

Our team was exposed big time vs NZ in NZ and it is much weaker than it appears playing against the likes of Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe. Heck even Bangladesh gives us a big stretch these days.

I don't recall the last time we won a bilateral series against England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa which speaks volumes about how far we have fallen behind vis a vis other countries.

 

[Plumb]

It actually gives wrong perception that we are way too strong and gets difficult when we play top teams.

If a batsmen wants to perfect his game he practice with 90-95 mph bowls so that when he plays 80mph bowlers in a game he play with ease.

Same thing with playing better teams. If we play tough teams we will perfect our game and players feel challenged and that bring best out of them.

Playing these kind of opponents will make them lose interest in a way.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I personally feel it is of zero value, this is not the first time the team has been on a winning streak against very sub par opposition only to be shown up against the big boys.

For my perspective, our ODI and T-20 team is still considerably behind the likes of England, Australia, NZ, South Africa and India. Just watching the batting alone with your own eyes tells you about the lack of quality and our bowling is not like what it was in 2009 when we had 5-6 quality wicket taking bowlers.

India chased down 270 vs England in an ODI in 40 overs and here we have Pakistan struggling to get to 300 in 50 overs against Zimbabwe of all teams.

Our batting strike rates are just not there at all, most teams now have batsmen who consistently bat at 90-100 and then accelerate at the end up to 130-140 whereas our batsmen on the other hand operate at 60-70 for the most part before accelerating to 90-100 max by the end of the innings.

And seeing the manner in which Sarfaraz's fitness issues are being ignored where he comes in with a big belly as a captain really gets to me and on the other hand you see the Indian team really taking their fitness levels to a whole new level.

Yeah Rohit Sharma looks real ripped next to Sarfraz Ahmed

 

[The_Odd_One]

What is this obsession with India? Pakistani fans need to have some self-esteem. India is a far stronger team with very experienced players.

Given the strength of Pakistani team, it has been doing a fine job since Mickey took over.

 

[Savak]

Yeah Rohit Sharma looks real ripped next to Sarfraz Ahmed

Well he compensates for it by scoring 150's whereas Sarfaraz batting output is non-existent

 

[Savak]

What is this obsession with India? Pakistani fans need to have some self-esteem. India is a far stronger team with very experienced players.

Given the strength of Pakistani team, it has been doing a fine job since Mickey took over.

Even inexperienced Indian batsmen look miles ahead of their Pakistani counterparts and experienced Pakistani batsmen.

India played a debutant against England who scored a triple century against England. That guy has not been heard of again because he was filling in Rahane in one test match. That shows the gulf in class as far as the bench strength is concerned between the two teams.

 

[cricketworm]

yes. what's that saying of 'keeping the sword sharp before it become rusty'. Any kind of cricket helps when there is no one is to play to.

 

[Brodipet_baadshah]

India would had sent their B team to this kind of tour to Zimbabwe...speaks volumes about the quality and bench strength

 

[FreePalestine]

We do seem to have played a disproportionate amount of matches against minnows recently. I want to see Pak playing more high quality cricket against major cricketing nations. Unlike the host, I do not think we are a weak limited overs side, but if we do not play against quality opposition, our young side will not grow and develop quickly.

 

[Snak3eye5]

On the flip side, heck a win is a win right ? I'd take the win which boosts morale gain confidence. i'd take that with a heart beat rather than loose consistently with top teams which then causes selectors to remove players who are trying to build confidence like fakhar or Babar and replace them back with a Umar or Hafeez...

 

[The_Odd_One]

Even inexperienced Indian batsmen look miles ahead of their Pakistani counterparts and experienced Pakistani batsmen.

India played a debutant against England who scored a triple century against England. That guy has not been heard of again because he was filling in Rahane in one test match. That shows the gulf in class as far as the bench strength is concerned between the two teams.

Stop obsessing with India. They have a far better cricketing structure. Their batting culture is unmatched in this era. These comparisons are absurd. Do not pretend that India has been doing all the right things. Rohit still plays tests for them. Karthik and Raina have been brought back. Dhoni is still batting as a finisher.

 

[Pete Rose]

Not at all.
Because we are betting on the wrong set of experienced and new players.
We have seen this before: when Malik was banned by the disgraceful destroyer of the Pakistan cricket at home Ijaz Butt, we had a year of non-stop games in tests and odis against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The players who cemented their spot during this time were Hafeez and Khurrum Manzoor. Thankfully we let go of Khurumm, but Hafeez continued to embarrass himself and Pakistan against quality teams thereafter.

 

[Savak]

Stop obsessing with India. They have a far better cricketing structure. Their batting culture is unmatched in this era. These comparisons are absurd. Do not pretend that India has been doing all the right things. Rohit still plays tests for them. Karthik and Raina have been brought back. Dhoni is still batting as a finisher.

And what is stopping the PCB, the Pakistani players from establishing a better cricketing structure or should I say a better batting culture in this era?

 

[prisha]

A win is a win no matter what. May be Pakistan can play its bench rather than stars

 

[Mr.Q]

Match practice is always good but the quality of the opposition is very important in LOIs. Pakistan is a far better team than these minnow sides and shouldn’t be playing such long series’ against them. The only format where match practice would really be useful irrespective of the opposition is Test cricket, which Pakistan isn’t playing.

Playing against lower ranked sides like WI and BAN is ok but a long series against a minnow side might not bring much more than just fatigue.

 

[The_Odd_One]

And what is stopping the PCB, the Pakistani players from establishing a better cricketing structure or should I say a better batting culture in this era?

It is similar to asking what is stopping Pakistan to become the USA.

 

[GrandMaster]

Yeah Rohit Sharma looks real ripped next to Sarfraz Ahmed

I have never seen Rohit tired or avoiding difficult singles when running between the wickets. We can see the same energy and enthusiasm even on the 48th over. Infact he turns into a Superman after 40 overs.

 

[Savak]

It is similar to asking what is stopping Pakistan to become the USA.

Not exactly, at one point in time Pakistan was a much better side than India and had a stronger cricketing culture than India and the Cricketing economy and structure of both the countries were at par in the 90's and early 2000's.

Why has a nation with a very similar if not the same culture as ours gone so far ahead while we are still stagnant?

 

[Savak]

I have never seen Rohit tired or avoiding difficult singles when running between the wickets. We can see the same energy and enthusiasm even on the 48th over. Infact he turns into a Superman after 40 overs.

Sarfaraz at one point in time used to be an excellent runner between the wickets, his fitness has really regressed.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I have never seen Rohit tired or avoiding difficult singles when running between the wickets. We can see the same energy and enthusiasm even on the 48th over. Infact he turns into a Superman after 40 overs.

How much Pakistan cricket do you watch?

 

[The_Odd_One]

Not exactly, at one point in time Pakistan was a much better side than India and had a stronger cricketing culture than India and the Cricketing economy and structure of both the countries were at par in the 90's and early 2000's.

Why has a nation with a very similar if not the same culture as ours gone so far ahead while we are still stagnant?

Everyone knows the reasons and that's not a cricket related discussion. The thing is that Indian cricket has gone far ahead in this millennium so it is pointless to keep comparing every thing related to Pakistan cricket with India's.

 

[GrandMaster]

How much Pakistan cricket do you watch?

Not ball to ball but watch the highlights. Not sure what that has to do with my comment on Rohit.

 

[GrandMaster]

Sarfaraz at one point in time used to be an excellent runner between the wickets, his fitness has really regressed.

He is the weak link in the current Pakistan squad. He share a good bond with Mickey Arthur and other support staffs so somehow manages to escape.

Apart from Sarfaraz (and Imam to some extent) I don’t see any other Pakistani players being unfit.

 

[Syed1]

India also fill their down time by playing against minnows BD and SL. Just check the number of matches India has played against both in the last two years. It's not unusal to fill gaps in your calender by playing lesser opposition.


The superiority of the present Pak side over Zim is making this series hella boring, but in previous years we have dropped a test and an ODI against the same side.

 

[Shaka81]

You can only play what's in front of you and whoever is willing to play against you. It's not PCBs fault that most of the bigger teams are already busy with matches or unwilling to play Pakistan.

 

[Ab Fan]

Everyone knows the reasons and that's not a cricket related discussion. The thing is that Indian cricket has gone far ahead in this millennium so it is pointless to keep comparing every thing related to Pakistan cricket with India's.

I just dont understand how all of a sudden Pakistan bowling resources have depleted to such an extent. You have produced some high quality batsmen but the forte has always been bowling.

A country that was producing Imran, Waqar, Wasim,Shoaib, Asif has gone down way below their level in a department where they have produced such immensely talented players.

 

[Syed1]

I just dont understand how all of a sudden Pakistan bowling resources have depleted to such an extent. You have produced some high quality batsmen but the forte has always been bowling.

A country that was producing Imran, Waqar, Wasim,Shoaib, Asif has gone down way below their level in a department where they have produced such immensely talented players.

Are you kidding me?


We have the best bowling resources in world cricket today. Which other nation can produce of bowlers of this quality in this many number?


Amir
Hasan
Shinwari
Abbas
Junaid
Shaheen
Raees


Every single one of those could walk into any other side in the world and be their best or one of their best bowlers.

 

[Dingolfy]

What has folks other than Amir and Hassan done against non-minnows yet? Kiwis whacked all of your bowlers in 5-0 drubbing.Getting hapless Lankans out doesnt mean they would do that against quality teams.

 

[B_Positive]

I dont think we need the batting to be very strong. Our bowling is much stronger and if our batting supports only this much then I think it is enough. Of course they should try to keep improving but I guess currently the combination is perfect.

 

[Sin Nombre]

A lot of people here underestimate how important winning is for confidence.

And Pakistan has always been a confidence team, as was shown in both their 2 greatest moments in 92 and 2017 where the team went into a run from the doldrums.

 

[Lefthanded]

Yeah Rohit Sharma looks real ripped next to Sarfraz Ahmed

Do you think 'Fraz can pass the yo-yo test? You can't get into the Indian team without it.

And frankly, Rohit looks like he enjoys biryani a bit too much, while 'Fraz looks like he eats daigh of biryani for breakfast.

Ultimately though, 'Fraz averages 11 runs less even though he bats 5 to 6 places lower than Rohit.

 

[Lefthanded]

You can only play what's in front of you and whoever is willing to play against you. It's not PCBs fault that most of the bigger teams are already busy with matches or unwilling to play Pakistan.

Actually it is PCB's fault that it's run a corrupt ship, and run it poorly. Picked fights with other boards over the years, accused some of fixing without any evidence whatsoever, while being notorious for harboring fixers.

However, it isn't the fault of the lads with the green caps they're working for a joke organization. You're right to say that they can only play whoever is in front of them.

 

[Lefthanded]

Are you kidding me?


We have the best bowling resources in world cricket today. Which other nation can produce of bowlers of this quality in this many number?


Amir
Hasan
Shinwari
Abbas
Junaid
Shaheen
Raees


Every single one of those could walk into any other side in the world and be their best or one of their best bowlers.

Raees has played 9 games and has taken 14 wickets at an average 33. Econ of 6. Shinwari has played 3 matches. Afridi Jr has barely played any domestic cricket in any format, much less a single ODI.

Which bowlers in what sides could these guys displace to "walk into any other side in the world and be their best or one of their best bowlers[?]"

 

[Bubby]

Are you kidding me?


We have the best bowling resources in world cricket today. Which other nation can produce of bowlers of this quality in this many number?


Amir
Hasan
Shinwari
Abbas
Junaid
Shaheen
Raees


Every single one of those could walk into any other side in the world and be their best or one of their best bowlers.

brother Amur, Hassan ,junaid or may be shaheen upto it's right but what has shinwari raees and Abbas done in world cricket, nobody knows them, and Abbas seriously that guy was trundling at 76-79 mph he will be eaten alive on pattas, shaheen is still raw yes the signs are good but it's too early too call, even junaid is bust or boom depends on his form and fitness.

 

[Balthazar]

I agree with the OP. Playing a 5 match ODI series against a minnow is not going to help anything. Even India and England are only playing 3 match series.

 

[iniqbal223]

We are anyway not playing ODIs regularly.
This should be used as a chance to try new players and new combinations, but seems we are not taking that risk.
One thing I want to highlight, people may talk about Amir's rest, but one individual who deserve rest is Sarfaraz, he has played every game ever since he became captain, and keeping too..

 

[Usman Chadda]

Do you think 'Fraz can pass the yo-yo test? You can't get into the Indian team without it.

And frankly, Rohit looks like he enjoys biryani a bit too much, while 'Fraz looks like he eats daigh of biryani for breakfast.

Ultimately though, 'Fraz averages 11 runs less even though he bats 5 to 6 places lower than Rohit.

Sarfraz does pass yo-yo tests. Pakistan has a higher benchmark than India. Rohit looks out of shape as muchbas Sarfraz. Yes, Rohit is a good batsman which is why fitness doesn't matter for him, while its good enough to drop the captain of an international team who just won you an ICC tournament

 

[Lefthanded]

Sarfraz does pass yo-yo tests. Pakistan has a higher benchmark than India. Rohit looks out of shape as muchbas Sarfraz. Yes, Rohit is a good batsman which is why fitness doesn't matter for him, while its good enough to drop the captain of an international team who just won you an ICC tournament

That's probably because he's a rubbish batsman who couldn't play for A-sides of top nations.