"It's an achievement for us that we played the semi-final of the U19 Cricket World Cup" : Ijaz Ahmed

[MenInG]

"It's an achievement for us that we played the semi-final of the U19 Cricket World Cup" : Ijaz Ahmed

Pakistan U19 Coach, Ijaz Ahmed, quotes:

Yes, our practice is continuing in the same way how we have been doing for the past month or so here.

The next match for the number 3 position is important for us and its crucial for us to win this game.

We lost a one-sided match against India; It was one of those days when you don’t play well and it’s not your day.

The boys seem to have a bit of pressure on them as it was a game against India, and it was a semi-final as well.

I had prepared them mentally and told them that it was just another game, it was the same type of game that they had been playing before and that they should not worry about the title of the game (semi-final and match against India).

Yet they took on that pressure, but they are kids, and this is just part of their development also; This is how they will learn and learn to come out of pressure situations.

When we win the next game, it will good for us as coming in at number 3 in a World Cup competition is a good position for the side.

Some good teams like Sri Lanka, England and South Africa didn’t go past the QF stage so its an achievement for us that we played the semi-final of this World Cup.

This development work with the side will continue in the future and I am happy that all these players have a lot of potential to become better players to become Pakistan players or will go into PSL or will do well in domestic cricket too - This is a matter of pride for the Coach.

Tahir Hussain has an issue with his back and he will not play in tomorrow’s game; we will bring in his replacement and make a different combination and do well in the next match.

 

[shah_1]

These trophies or positions don't matter much unless these players aren't developed properly to play for international cricket. We have been really poor in that aspect. Most of U19 cricketers are lost somewhere.

 

[aukhan]

Indeed it was. We defeated Afghanistan, Timbuktu and Scotland to reach the semi final. It deserves celebration.

 

[Revolution]

Suppose if Pakistan had to face Australia in QF, what might be the result. They got easy team Afghanistan in QF.

I feel it is pure luck to reach semis for Pakistan.

 

[Hitman]

There's no achievement unless you won't win the tournament. We reached the finals of the CT 2017. Is that an achievement?

 

[Ronaldo7]

Suppose if Pakistan had to face Australia in QF, what might be the result. They got easy team Afghanistan in QF.

I feel it is pure luck to reach semis for Pakistan.

Don’t get started.

Afghanistan just beat SA twice and very nearly beat Aus.

Who did BD face?
Nz and SA

They were a lot luckier to make it to the semis than us.

You really need to up your trolling game coz it’s really pretty sh*te

 

[Waleed93]

It's funny how our ex-cricketers get happily satisfied with mediocrity, and yet, people like Shoaib Akhtar think that we need "superstars" to coach our junior teams.

 

[Titan24]

Semis was my prediction and I think Pak played good cricket to reach that, though may be could have gone further if BD match was completed. As NZ might have been an easier match than India.

Still boys should be encouraged as they played decent cricket however management needs to answer questions regarding fitness of bowlers they played in Semis. Amir Khan looked un easy and now Tahir is said to have back issues. Why didnt replacements were call in if they weren’t fit?

 

[Sidilicious]

Don’t get started.

Afghanistan just beat SA twice and very nearly beat Aus.

Who did BD face?
Nz and SA

They were a lot luckier to make it to the semis than us.

You really need to up your trolling game coz it’s really pretty sh*te

You are Pakistan, not Bhutan. You guys have higher standards, or at least should have from your team.

However, the U19 WC is not about winning, it’s about giving exposure to the kids. So I would not blame the kids.

But you guys need to start having higher expectations from your team.

 

[BaankeJi]

You are Pakistan, not Bhutan. You guys have higher standards, or at least should have from your team.

However, the U19 WC is not about winning, it’s about giving exposure to the kids. So I would not blame the kids.

But you guys need to start having higher expectations from your team.

I think Ijaz may be trying to satisfy or answer PCB here.

 

[Shafi]

I knew he will that. No Pakistan coach, selectors or even PCB will never admit their failure and will keep continue like this. Next World Cup could be even more disaster.

 

[Shafi]

^^say

I think Ijaz may be trying to satisfy or answer PCB here.

May be his contract will be renew for next U19 World Cup. Most like PCB is happy with the performance.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

There's no achievement unless you won't win the tournament. We reached the finals of the CT 2017. Is that an achievement?

No. It is not an achievement and India failed miserably by getting beaten black and blue like no tomorrow in CT 2017. It is a major trophy of senior men's cricket and a great milestone in the careers of many professional players.

This discussion is about u19 world cup where not a lot of players won't even consider careers in cricket. However, we identified 2-3 players from the current squad who would potentially play for Pakistan very soon and I think that's a great takeaway from this tournament.

I hope you got the difference between the two events.

 

[IAJ]

Lol, this is not a achievement at all. Pakistan have been in semi finals some 9 times before...

 

[Markhor]

We lost a one-sided match against India; It was one of those days when you don’t play well and it’s not your day.

It seems like it's "one of those days" every time we step out onto the field against a top side either at senior or junior level.

 

[Ronaldo7]

There's no achievement unless you won't win the tournament. We reached the finals of the CT 2017. Is that an achievement?

The ultimate goal is always to win the trophy but making it to the final is still a mighty achievement

 

[Frontrunner]

Earlier he was harping how his team is well balanced as compared to india.. nd how pak team has passion nd jazba.. which indian team lacks.. now wht happened.. left with egg on the face...

Same usual things in pak management .. boast big before the game with loud mouth.. then end with foot in mouth..

 

[Revolution]

Don’t get started.

Afghanistan just beat SA twice and very nearly beat Aus.

Who did BD face?
Nz and SA

They were a lot luckier to make it to the semis than us.

You really need to up your trolling game coz it’s really pretty sh*te

I just told my view based on your coach comments. Looks like you also feeling great for wining against afghanistan, scotland and Zimbabwe.

Match against Bangladesh was wash out.

 

[Ronaldo7]

I just told my view based on your coach comments. Looks like you also feeling great for wining against afghanistan, scotland and Zimbabwe.

Match against Bangladesh was wash out.

Your view is that BD were better than Pak which is not true.
It was a washout but before that BD were 106/9.
That score is not the par on ANY pitch. It’s well below par even on the roughest and toughest of pitches

If we had played Aus, NZ, Wi etc. I’m sure we’d be in the final.
Alas.

We’ll wait for the next one.

 

[BoredFromLifeXi]

What about jazba and passion now ijaz? Maybe dileri was not in adequate amount. Next time give it in right dose.

 

[Bodamma90]

Lol! This feels like the certification of participation they dish out at elementary school where ever kid is a ‘winner’ !! Call it what it is - Soft bigotry of low expectations.

 

[shah_1]

Ijaz Ahmed is all talks but no substance

 

[nam]

the bar was set high by the coach

 

[Savak]

People wholeheartedly supported the PCB in appointing Ijaz Ahmed as the U-19 coach over the apparent drama queen Younis Khan and the money hungry Saqlain Mushtaq. There should be zero complaints against Ijaz now.

 

[LordJames]

People are overreacting due to demolition job done by Indian U19 side. However, all things considered it was a decent Pakistan U19 side. Indian Cricket has professionally improved to such an extent that chronically incompetent and mismanaged Pakistani Domestic setup had no chance.

A few selections were dodgy but overall I saw some of the games and Ijaz and his team have done a decent enough job. Pakistan needs professional coaches and professional setup at Junior level (and at NCA) but Ijaz did not overally disappoint in this setup. Ijaz was average to slightly better and no reason for a knee-jerk reaction due to hiding by India

Drama queens like Younis Khan and Shoaib Actor will come to the Media and make grandiose statements but do little to actually do anything constructive. Shoaib's professional credentials laid bare when he was part of LQ setup, he will do anything to get viewers for his YouTube channel.

Ijaz comes across as a straight shooter and should be kept, no harm done but in the long run should be replaced with a professional Foreign Coach to work with U16 and U19.

Lets not give credence to Younis and Shoaib's dramatic comments.

 

[Hasan123]

Sums up the minnow mentality in Pakistan. Getting to the semis is an achievement.

 

[ZamanFan]

Ijaz Ahmed's hilarious reaction will only satisfy Wasim Akram not the rest of the world. This team was not picked fromt he streets or clubs. These players are playing in U16 and U19 circuits for a while now so they gothrough a lot more game pressure than this one.

Firstly Ijaz Ahmed must take responsibility of his biased selections. He took a young kid Shehzad (officially 14 yrs old) directly from U 16 while ignored the whole National One Day Cup winner Sindh U19 team and many other able batsmen. Aarish Ali Khan was the only player selected from Sindh U19 and got a side match where he a spinner never got to bowl.

He did injustice to many deserving players. He needs to answer a lot of questions including how the team lost 6 wickets for just 26 runs

 

[jnaveen1980]

Your view is that BD were better than Pak which is not true.
It was a washout but before that BD were 106/9.
That score is not the par on ANY pitch. It’s well below par even on the roughest and toughest of pitches

If we had played Aus, NZ, Wi etc. I’m sure we’d be in the final.
Alas.

We’ll wait for the next one.

Yes agreed. Odds of Pakistan winning that BD match was very high. There is no way in hell any team can defend such a total. Also Pakistan probably would have beaten NZ as well. WI i have not seen. But beating Australia will require a lot of discipline. Couple of mistakes they will pounce on you.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Yes agreed. Odds of Pakistan winning that BD match was very high. There is no way in hell any team can defend such a total. Also Pakistan probably would have beaten NZ as well. WI i have not seen. But beating Australia will require a lot of discipline. Couple of mistakes they will pounce on you.

As i’ve said previously, our team was probably on par with Aus. So that would have been a pretty even match if it had happened

Wi was unpredictable so that would have been a pretty unpredictable match

 

[Down2Earth]

Not sure how much longer the PCB can stick with Ijaz Ahmed. I think it's time the PCB looked elsewhere

 

[MenInG]

"It's unfortunate that the game ended as a washout. We were confident of doing well and securing the third spot on the field,” said Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir. “The weather is not in our control as it wasn't when we had dominated Bangladesh in the group game.

“We had a very good tournament other than the semi-final loss. That defeat has given us some real lessons that will greatly help us in our careers ahead. I'm proud of the way the boys fought and I want to thank the entire management led by the head coach Ijaz Ahmed for their support and guidance throughout.

“The future is bright for this bunch of boys and I wish them the very best in the days ahead. I also would like to thank the ICC for a very well organised event, the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is the pinnacle age-group event, and may it continue to grow from strength to strength.”

 

[Shafi]

In sha Allah we will have some professional coach for our U19 and players get selected with merit.

 

[Markhor]

Only in Pakistan will a guy who was billed as "The Axeman" for his, less than perfect technique, shall we say - and appoint him as U19 coach tasked with the responsibility of honing the batting techniques of these youngsters.

 

[sweep_shot]

Yes agreed. Odds of Pakistan winning that BD match was very high. There is no way in hell any team can defend such a total. Also Pakistan probably would have beaten NZ as well. WI i have not seen. But beating Australia will require a lot of discipline. Couple of mistakes they will pounce on you.

West Indies are pretty good at U-19 level. They crushed Australia in the group game. They also won title 4 years ago.

The fact NZ beat them was an upset.

 

[sweep_shot]

Your view is that BD were better than Pak which is not true.
It was a washout but before that BD were 106/9.
That score is not the par on ANY pitch. It’s well below par even on the roughest and toughest of pitches

If we had played Aus, NZ, Wi etc. I’m sure we’d be in the final.
Alas.

We’ll wait for the next one.

Rain is part and parcel of cricket game. Pakistan in 1992 got saved by rain in one game. Had rain not come, Pakistan would've been out in group stage. Here's the game I am talking about: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/27/1992-rain-pakistan-world-cup.

Pakistan shouldn't have relied on rain. They should've crushed Scotland and Zimbabwe more badly for a better NRR.

 

[Bigboii]

Suppose if Pakistan had to face Australia in QF, what might be the result. They got easy team Afghanistan in QF.

I feel it is pure luck to reach semis for Pakistan.

We are terrible against spin we had more chances against Australia than Afghanistan tbh

 

[Ronaldo7]

Rain is part and parcel of cricket game. Pakistan in 1992 got saved by rain in one game. Had rain not come, Pakistan would've been out in group stage. Here's the game I am talking about: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/27/1992-rain-pakistan-world-cup.

Pakistan shouldn't have relied on rain. They should've crushed Scotland and Zimbabwe more badly for a better NRR.

That wasn’t the point of my post.

My point is that Pakistan was BETTER than BD.

 

[sweep_shot]

All the "what if" talks are useless now. Whatever happened has happened. Stats will say Pakistan finished 3rd.

Croatia in 2018 World Cup went to final by beating small teams while Brazil got knocked out in quarter final. This type of thing can happen in big tournaments.

 

[sweep_shot]

That wasn’t the point of my post.

My point is that Pakistan was BETTER than BD.

At U-19 level, I say Bangladesh and Pakistan are on par. Gap isn't too big. Either side can win.

At the end of the day, Bangladesh went to final and Pakistan didn't. All other "what if" talks are irrelevant.

It is not like Bangladesh chose their opponents or they dictated rain.

 

[Ronaldo7]

At U-19 level, I say Bangladesh and Pakistan are on par. Gap isn't too big. Either side can win.

At the end of the day, Bangladesh went to final and Pakistan didn't. All other "what if" talks are irrelevant.

It is not like Bangladesh chose their opponents or they dictated rain.

Neither did NZ in 2019 but they definitely weren’t better than Eng were they?

As i’ve said before, Aus and Pak are on par imo and Bd are a close third

 

[sweep_shot]

Neither did NZ in 2019 but they definitely weren’t better than Eng were they?

As i’ve said before, Aus and Pak are on par imo and Bd are a close third

Fair enough.

NZ beat West Indies (possibly the strongest team after India). They deserved to be in last four.

England are very bad at U-19 level. I don't think they are better than NZ. England actually lost against Bangladesh in a recently concluded tri-series in their own backyard.

 

[sweep_shot]

Neither did NZ in 2019 but they definitely weren’t better than Eng were they?

As i’ve said before, Aus and Pak are on par imo and Bd are a close third

Never mind. You were referring to senior's World Cup. My bad.

I thought you were talking about U-19.

 

[BDfanforever]

Yes agreed. Odds of Pakistan winning that BD match was very high. There is no way in hell any team can defend such a total. Also Pakistan probably would have beaten NZ as well. WI i have not seen. But beating Australia will require a lot of discipline. Couple of mistakes they will pounce on you.

You like [MENTION=149383]Ronaldo7[/MENTION] is forgetting some few important parts. The BD game was a washout. The game that did matter Pak almost* lost against Zim 19. That's where the biggest difference was.

Second part you are forgetting BD 19 made it to the final without their prime strike bowler, which is like India without Tyagi.