New Zealand (178/7) defeat Pakistan (174/8) by 4 runs to go 2-1 up in the 5-match T20I series

The one who is supposed to be our saviour.

no wickets to show as well.
But his economy was good. My personal opinion economy is as important as wickets in T20’s.
Some what about the complete top order apart from Fakhar.
That’s the problem with Pakistan cricket, too much of personal likes and dislikes. There is no balanced criticism.
Imad may be a mediocre cricketer but today he fought really hard.
 
What are Fakhars numbers like? Feels like he averages 100 against us and sub 20 against every other top team.
 
Babar giving long speeches in his post match interview

Can’t understand a word he is saying even though he is speaking Urdu
 
Pakistan need to keep trying different batting combinations despite this result. No it didn't work tonight but that shouldn't mean we retreat back into comfort zone of Rizwan and Babar opening the innings or dominating the top 3 positions yet again. We know their ceiling.

Ifti should've finished it after consuming so many balls but we lost too many wickets in PP. Saim and Usman didn't capitalise on NZ's drops. Saim tries to be too cute sometimes and frankly 15 T20Is is more backing than most would receive.

Zaman and Mir are liabilities. Neither should be in the WC squad.

Abbas Afridi's performance was a positive, god knows why Babar gave Mir a full quota but not Abbas. It's these small things where Babar fails as captain and it keeps costing us games time and again.
Babar is a rubbish captain and there is no chance he will ever improve. As I said if Babar had any shame he wouldn't have accepted the captaincy again.

When will the management learn that both Usama mir and zaman will never succeed at this level because they are rubbish. Haseebullah being called is also another brainless decision. Why not Mohammad harris?

Habeebullah has many technical issues and doesn't have any potential at all or performance in t20s to called.
 
No their not, Their bad 100%, but the score at the end of the day was not unchasable.

Chacha played nearly 4 overs, imagine if you sent imad to play those 4 overs.

Chacha, shadab, Babar, Rizwan (Biggest frauds of thos generation)

Saim and usman are not frauds but enough is enough.

Brother , your squad is almost settled.

Saim
Ifti
Bobby
Rizzy
Fakhar
Imad
Shadab
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem
Aamir
Abrar

These guys are most likely locked in.

It's just about 3 more batters maybe . Not sure if they'll go with Niazi, Usman and Azam or they'll make changes to that .
 
Babar giving long speeches in his post match interview

Can’t understand a word he is saying even though he is speaking Urdu

Absolute tosh he said

Should be ashamed.
 
Yup his runs against us and innings against India in the CT Final fool people into thinking he's a class batsmen when he's a below average hack.
Doesn't have a stable base.. either he needs to step out or needs it in slot to hit it.. or just have him bat through power play.
 
Really disappointed with the youngsters.

Back to old timers to do what they can but this team is incapable of winning anything past quarter final
 
Scripted response

But not sure what he was saying?

Think his brain gave up!

He spoke about Fakhar then mumbled about Imad - seemed to say that the youngsters did not keep up but did their best
 
Really disappointed with the youngsters.

Back to old timers to do what they can but this team is incapable of winning anything past quarter final
But you have to give time till.they gel as a team. Basically you shouldn't take these losses seriously if the idea is to build benc strength. That is what NZ has been doing for a while.
 
Really disappointed with the youngsters.

Back to old timers to do what they can but this team is incapable of winning anything past quarter final
Lol you are talking about quarter finals.. i have doubts they can qualify to super 8 😂 Ireland will definitely fancy their chances to qualify.. and we are not winning against India.. its gonna be minnow vs minnow contest
 
Brother , your squad is almost settled.

Saim
Ifti
Bobby
Rizzy
Fakhar
Imad
Shadab
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem
Aamir
Abrar

These guys are most likely locked in.

It's just about 3 more batters maybe . Not sure if they'll go with Niazi, Usman and Azam or they'll make changes to that .
This isn't a settled squad irrespective of whether we are locked in or not.

1) Saim has proven to be a failure and can't last more then 4 overs.

2) Chacha: HAHAHAHAHAHA

3) Bobby has been poor since 2022, I've been saying it multiple times, the babar from 2016-2021 is finished. He regressed to Nepal e azam post 2022.

4) rizzy: He's okay ig, but he's just a slightly more consistent version of babar.

5) Fakhar: He's good but he has no actual no.

6) Imad: Good and level headed but bowling is on the weaker side, should be our no 5 though.

7) Shadab: Hahahahahah

8) Abass: Again He's AlrightE, seems good post PP.

9) Shaheen: Same as babar, not the shaheen of 2019

10) Naseem: Same as shaheen

11) Amir: Same as naseem so basically 2 has been bowlers

12) Abrar; Only spinner worth a damn
 
The only good thing is that the so called Pakistan think tank will hopefully realize that Babar is a horrible captain that can't beat a New Zealand C team at home.

What a crazy decision to bring him back as skipper when he has been a poor captain for the last 3 years & is now totally out of form. As one poster says we deserve this humiliation.
 
Think his brain gave up!

He spoke about Fakhar then mumbled about Imad - seemed to say that the youngsters did not keep up but did their best
Easy to criticise youngers but what did the dummy skipper do
 
This isn't a settled squad irrespective of whether we are locked in or not.

1) Saim has proven to be a failure and can't last more then 4 overs.

2) Chacha: HAHAHAHAHAHA

3) Bobby has been poor since 2022, I've been saying it multiple times, the babar from 2016-2021 is finished. He regressed to Nepal e azam post 2022.

4) rizzy: He's okay ig, but he's just a slightly more consistent version of babar.

5) Fakhar: He's good but he has no actual no.

6) Imad: Good and level headed but bowling is on the weaker side, should be our no 5 though.

7) Shadab: Hahahahahah

8) Abass: Again He's AlrightE, seems good post PP.

9) Shaheen: Same as babar, not the shaheen of 2019

10) Naseem: Same as shaheen

11) Amir: Same as naseem so basically 2 has been bowlers

12) Abrar; Only spinner worth a damn

There's no time to settle a new squad . The provisional squad has to be announced before May 1 .
 
There's no time to settle a new squad . The provisional squad has to be announced before May 1 .
Bro ik that, Pakistan is my 2nd team i forward with first being Australia, but I still forward it and get emotional for both teams.

I'm so livid rn.

This game was a choke, amd a choke by a person who I absolutely hate and despise as a cricketer.
 
Bro ik that, Pakistan is my 2nd team i forward with first being Australia, but I still forward it and get emotional for both teams.

I'm so livid rn.

This game was a choke, amd a choke by a person who I absolutely hate and despise as a cricketer.

Azhar Mahmood pretty much confirmed to Bazid that your Top 5 will be

Babar
Saim
Rizwan
Fakhar
Ifti

Said it was between Usama and Abrar and Zaman vs Abbas.

Also said they are very impressed with Usman's intent.

So , Usman Khan can be your 13th member I guess.

Just 2 more spots remaining.
 
Congratulations fellow PPer's on another great performance and momentous series.
 
Really disappointed with the youngsters.

Back to old timers to do what they can but this team is incapable of winning anything past quarter final

Why back to old timers?

Were we winning with them?
 
New Zealand overcame a spirited challenge from Pakistan before romping to a four-run victory in the fourth T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium to take a 2-1 lead on Thursday evening.

Fast bowler William O’Rourke, who was later adjudged player of the match, returned with figures of three wickets for 27 runs in his 4 overs, while fellow seamer Ben Sears contributed two wickets for 27 runs in his quota of 4 overs as New Zealand successfully defended their total of 178 for seven by restricting Pakistan to 174 for eight.

Fakhar Zaman dominated Pakistan’s run-chase with a 45-ball 61. After his dismissal at 146 for six, Imad Wasim scored a quickfire 22 not out off 11 balls. However, New Zealand's bowlers bowled intelligently and prevented Wasim from taking Pakistan home.

Pakistan required 18 runs off the last over, followed by 14 runs off the last four balls, and ultimately, six runs off the final delivery.

Fakhar’s innings was studded with four fours and three sixes. Together with Iftikhar Ahmed (23), he put on 59 runs for the fifth wicket in 41 balls. Fakhar also added 33 runs from 25 balls for the fourth wicket with Shadab Khan after Saim Ayub and Usman Khan had stitched a 27-run second wicket partnership.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 178 for seven with Tim Robinson scoring his maiden half-century in his fourth appearance. He scored 51 off 36 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Robinson was involved in two quick partnerships that set the platform for a big total before young Pakistani bowler Mohammad Abbas Afridi showcased his talent and capability to restrict the visitors to 178 for seven. For the first wicket with Tom Blundell (28), Robinson put on 56 runs in 31 balls, while he added 38 runs from 32 balls for the second wicket with Dean Foxcroft (34).

After New Zealand had raced to 93 for one in 10 overs, they moved to 135 for four after 15 overs before adding 43 runs off the final five overs. The visitors will be thankful to the fifth-wicket 37-run partnership off 26 balls between captain Michael Bracewell (27) and Jimmy Neesham for lifting them to a competitive score.

Mohammad Abbas Afridi showcased his pace and skill with figures of three for 20, entertaining the packed Gaddafi Stadium. Abbas accounted for Robinson, Bracewell, and Josh Clarkson.

The series-decider will be played on Saturday with the match starting at 7.30 pm.

Scores in brief:

New Zealand beat Pakistan by four runs, 4th T20I

New Zealand 178-7, 20 overs (Tim Robinson 51, Dean Foxcroft 38, Tom Blundell 28, Michael Bracewell 27; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 3-20)

Pakistan 174-8, 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 61, Iftikhar Ahmed 23, Imad Wasim 22 not out, Saim Ayub 20; William O’Rourke 3-27, Ben Sears 2-27)

Player of the match – William O’Rourke (New Zealand)
 
As in it's an easy way out.

Success is a journey.

Yes, we played awful but we need to back this squad for a few games.

Don't need to rush to Babar and Rizwan every time we lose.

It's not like they were world class and we were winning games with them in the team.
 
New Zealand C is too good for Pakistan

NO Rachin, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips or Kane Williamson and

NO main bowlers apart from Bracewell

Many of the above players not available due to IPL

A reality check...
 
Success is a journey.

Yes, we played awful but we need to back this squad for a few games.

Don't need to rush to Babar and Rizwan every time we lose.

It's not like they were world class and we were winning games with them in the team.
Bro, no we don't.

Let's analyse this squad properly, yes we need to back a few members but not 90% of them.

1) Babar: Babar is not the same batter from 2016-2021: Since 2022 and onwards he's consistently memed for Nepal E Azam. He's been poor in 2 tournaments and numerous series either both odi or t20. As well as poor captaincy.

2) Saim ayub: Saim needs a sack because he's proven he's nothing more then a 4 over wonder show. Unless he improves as a batter, we can't keep hiding behind the, He's an aggressive player so we must back him clause.

3) UK is the same: Their were other option in psl in the form of Abdullah, tayyab, Saud who are all format batters and shabzada farhan. UK can be backed further but his time is limited overall, Also the worst thing is his keeping. His keeping is awful, it's worse then azam khan's keeping.

4) Fakhar: He needs to be backed and put back at opening where he belongs.

5) SHADAB: Can't be backed, he's not a newbie, and mow that he's not bowling a 24 avg 118 sr player is pointless. His 140 sr is an inflated no and it's clear as day.

6) Chacha: Hahahahahahahahahahaha

7) Imad: Again must be backed higher up the order.

8) Abass afridi: Should be backed

9) Amir: Idk tbh

10) Abaass afridi: Must be backed

11) Usama mir: Hahahahahahaa

12) Abrar: Needs to be pur frontline spinner

13) shaheen: Needs to up his pace, this isn't on

14) Naseem: Needs to improve line and length.

This squad is a mess. It needs to go back to the drawing board.
 
New Zealand secured a narrow four-run victory over Pakistan in the fourth T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, taking a 2-1 series lead on Thursday evening.

William O’Rourke, named player of the match, took three wickets for 27 runs in his 4 overs, and Ben Sears captured two for 27 in his spell, as New Zealand defended their score of 178 for seven, restricting Pakistan to 174 for eight.

Fakhar Zaman led Pakistan's chase with a 45-ball 61. Following his dismissal at 146 for six, Imad Wasim hit an unbeaten 22 off 11 balls. Nevertheless, New Zealand's bowlers executed their plans well, thwarting Wasim's efforts to clinch the game for Pakistan.

Pakistan needed 18 runs from the final over, 14 from the last four balls, and six from the last delivery to win.

Fakhar's knock included four fours and three sixes. He and Iftikhar Ahmed (23) added 59 runs for the fifth wicket in 41 balls. Fakhar also shared a 33-run partnership with Shadab Khan for the fourth wicket after Saim Ayub and Usman Khan's 27-run stand for the second wicket.

Earlier, Tim Robinson's maiden half-century in his fourth game helped New Zealand post 178 for seven. He scored 51 off 36 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.

Robinson's partnerships were crucial for setting a challenging total. He added 56 runs with Tom Blundell (28) for the first wicket and 38 with Dean Foxcroft (34) for the second.

After reaching 93 for one in 10 overs, New Zealand was 135 for four at 15 overs, before adding 43 in the final five. The visitors' total was curtailed by Mohammad Abbas Afridi's impressive bowling, limiting them to 178 for seven.
 
Really Fakhar should open with Rizwan with Babar coming at number 3. Salman Ali Agha should be given the chance at number 4 to see if he can do a job there in the Ireland and England tour.

I don't think Usman Khan will be given much rope as he has not played international cricket before and it shows.

Chacha Ifti needs to hang up his boots for international cricket. He is a 1 in 10 T20I batsman.
 
2 defeats and the knives are out. No wonder we keep chopping and changing and everyone in the squad just plays for themselves to book their spot in the playing 11 ahead of the team. Once the selectors identify the top 20 players in the country, they stick with them for a period of 10-15 matches before benching someone for bad form and when they have had enough chances.

Teams like NZ enjoy playing the game for the game and even if they lose, they will still stick with the same squad of 15-20 and back then to learn, grow and become better players with time and experience. Sadly the Pakistani cricket culture offers no such luxury, it is perform or perish and Usman Khan's situation is a classic example and the pressure on him is ten times more because he gave up the UAE option.
 
2 defeats and the knives are out. No wonder we keep chopping and changing and everyone in the squad just plays for themselves to book their spot in the playing 11 ahead of the team. Once the selectors identify the top 20 players in the country, they stick with them for a period of 10-15 matches before benching someone for bad form and when they have had enough chances.

Teams like NZ enjoy playing the game for the game and even if they lose, they will still stick with the same squad of 15-20 and back then to learn, grow and become better players with time and experience. Sadly the Pakistani cricket culture offers no such luxury, it is perform or perish and Usman Khan's situation is a classic example and the pressure on him is ten times more because he gave up the UAE option.
Big difference.

Knives are out because this is a depleted side that is playing with 2 international players only, Chapman and bracwell.

Sodhi and neesham are done and dusted and everyone else won't make it into the squad besides Robinson and Robinson still has like 5 years before he ever becomes mainstay. Tbh rachin kinds shuts the door on him.

No one whined during the Australian Test series cause everyone knew we'd lose 3-0 lol, it's a full aussie team in their home conditions and we're playing with a new captain.

This is a series where everyone thought it would be a walk in the park.

Keep in mind we are playing full strength, Rizwan being injured doesn't invalidate us at b string lol. He played the last gane as well and the last game was an even bigger humiliation then this game. In fact last game we played our front liners in shaheen and naseem as well.
 
Bro, no we don't.

Let's analyse this squad properly, yes we need to back a few members but not 90% of them.

1) Babar: Babar is not the same batter from 2016-2021: Since 2022 and onwards he's consistently memed for Nepal E Azam. He's been poor in 2 tournaments and numerous series either both odi or t20. As well as poor captaincy.

2) Saim ayub: Saim needs a sack because he's proven he's nothing more then a 4 over wonder show. Unless he improves as a batter, we can't keep hiding behind the, He's an aggressive player so we must back him clause.

3) UK is the same: Their were other option in psl in the form of Abdullah, tayyab, Saud who are all format batters and shabzada farhan. UK can be backed further but his time is limited overall, Also the worst thing is his keeping. His keeping is awful, it's worse then azam khan's keeping.

4) Fakhar: He needs to be backed and put back at opening where he belongs.

5) SHADAB: Can't be backed, he's not a newbie, and mow that he's not bowling a 24 avg 118 sr player is pointless. His 140 sr is an inflated no and it's clear as day.

6) Chacha: Hahahahahahahahahahaha

7) Imad: Again must be backed higher up the order.

8) Abass afridi: Should be backed

9) Amir: Idk tbh

10) Abaass afridi: Must be backed

11) Usama mir: Hahahahahahaa

12) Abrar: Needs to be pur frontline spinner

13) shaheen: Needs to up his pace, this isn't on

14) Naseem: Needs to improve line and length.

This squad is a mess. It needs to go back to the drawing board.

Agree with Iftikhar.

Too old.

Amir isnt the worst bowler so he keeps his spot and Imad also has good economy.

Dont care about Shadab either way. Seems more of a good fielder than a bowler or batter.

The squad wasnt bad today.

No Rizwan is a plus.

Fakhar shoud have opened with Saim with Usman Khan at 3. Babar should have kept himself at 4 or demoted himself further if top 3
had fired in favor of Imad, Shadab or anyone who can hit.

Babar can probabaly even rest in next game as he messes up the squad dynamics by coming at 3 and playing his blockathons.

The problem is we have identified that Babar and Rizwan are mismatches in T20.

The replacements should be given at least the series vs England to prove that they arent good enough.

You cant chop and change every game because you didnt get the result you wanted.
 
Agree with Iftikhar.

Too old.

Amir isnt the worst bowler so he keeps his spot and Imad also has good economy.

Dont care about Shadab either way. Seems more of a good fielder than a bowler or batter.

The squad wasnt bad today.

No Rizwan is a plus.

Fakhar shoud have opened with Saim with Usman Khan at 3. Babar should have kept himself at 4 or demoted himself further if top 3
had fired in favor of Imad, Shadab or anyone who can hit.

Babar can probabaly even rest in next game as he messes up the squad dynamics by coming at 3 and playing his blockathons.

The problem is we have identified that Babar and Rizwan are mismatches in T20.

The replacements should be given at least the series vs England to prove that they arent good enough.

You cant chop and change every game because you didnt get the result you wanted.
It wasn't about the result per say. Just letting you know.

Each of the players have issues. They need coaching, time, grooming.

^^ That won't happen with a bad selfish captain, who doesn't really adhere to the coaching standards and if theirs internal conflict in the team.

No youngster will perform with a gun to their head in fear of being dropped the next game.
 
Yes our A team beat this NZ team so convincingly in the last t20 match.
Mark Chapman is their A listed player. He singlehandedly defeated Pakistan. These things happen. No need to make an over-the-top reaction.
 
Mark Chapman is their A listed player. He singlehandedly defeated Pakistan. These things happen. No need to make an over-the-top reaction.
And what happened in this game? Where Chapman didn't do much? Neesham was the worst player?

This whole game was won on the back of their d strings while we're stoll at full strength.

Fakhar coming in strengthens us ad he'd our A string. Usama was in our wc squad last cup and is considered A String. Imad is an improvement over niazi. Abass afridi and amir habe been bowling better then shaheen and naseem.

On what angle is this our b team? When these are members of our A string squad that was selected for this tour?
 
Babar Azam robotic captaincy is the reason, our bowling is not bad at all , but Babar is not utilizing it at all.
 
*WARNING - RANT INCOMING*

Ifti gets a lot of hate. Most of the time its justified.

Is he one of the best T20 bats in the world? No.
Is he one of the best T20 bats we've got? No
Is he one of the best utility cricketers we've got in our T20 squad? Maybe.

And that right there is the issue. How long has he been an Int player and yet we are all still no clearer on his role in the team. And I include the T20 Team management in that as well. He has got a golden arm and more often than not his bowling is half decent. He fields well, not brilliant, but well. But what is his role? By now the management should have figured that out yet keeping him as a floater isn't in the best interest of the team. But if not then where does he bat in our team? I think its a given he will be in the WC squad but they need to figure out a role for him. Moving around the order so much on some level be scrambling his thought processes. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a huge fan.... I've got nothing against him - he seems like a nice guy but objectively I do feel for him.

And this is typical of our management today.

When Babar got out early I was surprised to see Usman come in. For me with the wicket of Babar in the power play falling the ideal bat to send in at that time would have been Fakhar. To both counter attack and guide Saim. As it was Fakhar played a good innings but for me he was sent in at the wrong position. In my opinion Fakhar would always be my opener but failing that he should be in if a wicket falls in the PP 100%

Speaking of Saim....is he REALLY that good? No doubt he's a really decent bat, bowls well, great fielder...but should he be pushing Fakhar down the order? Fakhar should in my always be opening with either Saim or Babar/Rizwan.

Lastly....what the hell did I watch today. Was that a TV broadcast....was it a Internet stream...was it an Internet stream being broadcast through a TV channel? I think its disgusting and typical of the low worth PCB give to our cricket.

No investment = No CONSISTENT world beating squad = No interest from major broadcasters = a stream being passed off on ARY as a TV broadcast. I had to squint to see the score at times.

Now we can pass this off as a B Team with which we are testing our bench strength but if that's the case I should be seeing at least 7 new faces in our line up including some from the U19 team. It's not a B team at all...its a team which is sadly a product of its environment.

RANT OVER 🤦‍♂️
 
Way too much negativity in the media and social media, youtube channels.

This is T20 Cricket and T-20 cricket is where you should be testing your bench and looking to play your impact players, playing aggressive brand of cricket. That will involve plenty of failures but the goal is to give these players confidence.

You can't develop that fearless cricket culture when you keep chopping, changing after every defeat and pressurize players into playing for their spots.
 
I have a genuine question: I'm not a hater of Imad; in fact, I admire his cricketing intelligence and how he adapts his batting to the situation. But can he really hit big sixes? I can't recall many instances. The way he played the last ball clearly showed that he is not comfortable hitting aerial shot. Can someone who's into stats look this up?

I'm willing to bet Azam Khan's stock has risen considerably despite not playing. We need a real power hitter. Maybe him and/or recall Haider Ali down the order. The problem with Ifti is his limited zones for big hits, making him easily manageable for top teams. He's not much of a threat.
 
I have a genuine question: I'm not a hater of Imad; in fact, I admire his cricketing intelligence and how he adapts his batting to the situation. But can he really hit big sixes? I can't recall many instances. The way he played the last ball clearly showed that he is not comfortable hitting aerial shot. Can someone who's into stats look this up?

I'm willing to bet Azam Khan's stock has risen considerably despite not playing. We need a real power hitter. Maybe him and/or recall Haider Ali down the order. The problem with Ifti is his limited zones for big hits, making him easily manageable for top teams. He's not much of a threat.
Imad’s batting no in psl was 5, not 7, that's where he shpuld bat and his left foot is 100x > chacha and shadab as a batsmen and that is true forever and forever.

Babar is a fraud who deliberately sent him here to fail because he wants to get rid of him.
 
Imad did fine but the only issue was that top order failed. Saim proved to be hack, he really needs to get out of that No-look shot zone. Babar needs to wake up asap else he is done and dusted. He is not doing anything new from his last stint as captain. Usman also proved to be a hack. Usama mir was bad as usual. It is surprising that he is still in the team.
Shdab did not bowl WHy?
 
2 defeats and the knives are out. No wonder we keep chopping and changing and everyone in the squad just plays for themselves to book their spot in the playing 11 ahead of the team. Once the selectors identify the top 20 players in the country, they stick with them for a period of 10-15 matches before benching someone for bad form and when they have had enough chances.

Teams like NZ enjoy playing the game for the game and even if they lose, they will still stick with the same squad of 15-20 and back then to learn, grow and become better players with time and experience. Sadly the Pakistani cricket culture offers no such luxury, it is perform or perish and Usman Khan's situation is a classic example and the pressure on him is ten times more because he gave up the UAE option.
Lol that's completely false
Saim Ayub Has played 15 t20is and yet to score a 50. Pakistan broke their best opening pair in t20s and backed this guy

Iftikhar has been with the team for ages now. He fails 8 out 10 times as a batter. We do not need him as bowler. We played 5 Odis in NZ , can you remind me of any significant batting performance ? Or any Significant batting performance in wc 2023 apart from one against Afghanistan? He complains about not getting enough balls , but when he does , results are no different

Shadab is playing since 2017 , has forgotten how to bowl

Your argument that this team is not backed enough is wrong
 
Orphaned children witnessed fourth T20I match

Orphaned children had the opportunity to witness the fourth T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand on Thursday night at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi extended an invitation to these children to watch the match. On this occasion, 140 children were in attendance.

The children were delighted to experience the live action at the stadium and expressed their gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also met the children at the end of the match, shaking hands with each of them. He thanked the children for accepting his invitation to witness the T20I match.

Speaking with the Chairman of PCB, the children shared that it was their first time watching a match in the stadium and that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience, noting the care they received.

Provincial Minister of Social Welfare, Sohail Shaukat Butt, IG Police Dr. Usman Anwar, and other officials were also present on the occasion.
 
This is not our best lineup though. We're clearly experimenting and trying to get everyone reps before the WC. I agree we may not be better than a top 6 team in the T20 WC, but this is not our best lineup. The game 2 lineup was probably the closest.

Likely - Babar, Saim, Rizwan, Fakhar, Ifti, Shadab, Imad, Amir, Shaheen, Naseem + 1 specialistic spinner is our best lineup. May sub in Usama Khan and Saim at some point if Saim doesn't perform. We have not seen this lineup. We should eventually try to get our best lineup some reps. Obvious need Rizwan to be healthy.
 
Lol that's completely false
Saim Ayub Has played 15 t20is and yet to score a 50. Pakistan broke their best opening pair in t20s and backed this guy

Iftikhar has been with the team for ages now. He fails 8 out 10 times as a batter. We do not need him as bowler. We played 5 Odis in NZ , can you remind me of any significant batting performance ? Or any Significant batting performance in wc 2023 apart from one against Afghanistan? He complains about not getting enough balls , but when he does , results are no different

Shadab is playing since 2017 , has forgotten how to bowl

Your argument that this team is not backed enough is wrong
The best lineup had a miserable outing in 2022 and that was the last WC, any normal team would have sacked those 2.

Babar's Sr in his career from overs 1-6 is 129
Then it drops to 110 from overs 7-15 meaning he gets slower.
From overs 16-20 it's 212 but how many times has babar gotten to 16-20? He's an opener and openers in t20 don't go that far or bat through the innings 24/7.

It wasn't the best opening pair
 
The best lineup had a miserable outing in 2022 and that was the last WC, any normal team would have sacked those 2.

Babar's Sr in his career from overs 1-6 is 129
Then it drops to 110 from overs 7-15 meaning he gets slower.
From overs 16-20 it's 212 but how many times has babar gotten to 16-20? He's an opener and openers in t20 don't go that far or bat through the innings 24/7.

It wasn't the best opening pair
I meant best opening pair for Pakistan.. not the entire cricketing world. Thats the difference. SR is definitely an issue with babar and Rizwan.. but they did score runs for Pakistan..how is saim any better in terms of SR? We need to have an evidence to support this SR debate.. saim has 128 SR and average of 15 runs per game.. how does that trump babar and rizwan's numbers? People talk about impactful players.. you cant have an impact by scoring at average of 15.. even if those 15 came at 200 sr.. thats not the definition of impact.. dnt let me start on Iftikhar
 
I meant best opening pair for Pakistan.. not the entire cricketing world. Thats the difference. SR is definitely an issue with babar and Rizwan.. but they did score runs for Pakistan..how is saim any better in terms of SR? We need to have an evidence to support this SR debate.. saim has 128 SR and average of 15 runs per game.. how does that trump babar and rizwan's numbers? People talk about impactful players.. you cant have an impact by scoring at average of 15.. even if those 15 came at 200 sr.. thats not the definition of impact.. dnt let me start on Iftikhar
That's regardless of the point. People are stuck in 2021 when they were the pair but are beyond ignorant of what happened after.

Babar's peak performance was in 2016-2021. Ever since then he's regressed.

They had great years In 2021 I agree, no argument but

From 2022 to 2024


1) Babar and rizwan consistently failed in 2 tournaments, Babar especially had he not made that 50 in the semi final, had he not been dropped on 0, his avg would have dropped from 17 to 10, 10 avg means he'd hold the record of worst performance in a world cup by a top order batter in world cup history.

2) since 2022 Babar has managed to reach overs 16-20 only once where he can strike at 212, otherwise from overs 7-15, he's actually slower then pp striking at 110.

On top of which since 2022, Babar avg has dropped from 48 to 40 and this was when he was batting with rizwam aka when the batting pair was intact. Next game if he falls under 40, avg will now fall to 39.

3) In rizwan's case he had a miserable outing in 2024 in the last series, so much so that he himself claimed that he had lost form and the opening partnership had dented him a bit.

Afterwards in psl he has the lowest sr as a top order bat which is 110, which is even lower then his career avg of 122.

To put into perspective rizwan had a sr of 110 and avg 33 in psl, while saud shakeel while isn't even a t20 batsmen had an avg of 35 with a sr of 141 deapite being one of the slower bats in the psl.

Further more now in this nz tour he's had another miserable outing and injury same with babar whose having a bad series.

Why isn't anyone bringing up their severe lack of form and regression from 2022? It's been 2 whole years since then, 2 years of these 2 failing miserably?

Any other team on the planet would have sacked these 2 or gotten rid of the partnership from 2022 wc outing alone or heck even asai cup outing.

As I said it's been 2 years, no need to fetch 2016-2021 again. It's clear as day from THEIR OWN ADMISSIONS, that their out of form and aren't the players they were back then.

So no atm, they are not out best opening pair. Not even close. Saud, Abdullah, Fakhar, shabzada farhan and even saim ayub are superior on current form, granted these guys aren't super inpactful either.
 
That's regardless of the point. People are stuck in 2021 when they were the pair but are beyond ignorant of what happened after.

Babar's peak performance was in 2016-2021. Ever since then he's regressed.

They had great years In 2021 I agree, no argument but

From 2022 to 2024

1) Babar and rizwan consistently failed in 2 tournaments, Babar especially had he not made that 50 in the semi final, had he not been dropped on 0, his avg would have dropped from 17 to 10, 10 avg means he'd hold the record of worst performance in a world cup by a top order batter in world cup history.

2) since 2022 Babar has managed to reach overs 16-20 only once where he can strike at 212, otherwise from overs 7-15, he's actually slower then pp striking at 110.

On top of which since 2022, Babar avg has dropped from 48 to 40 and this was when he was batting with rizwam aka when the batting pair was intact. Next game if he falls under 40, avg will now fall to 39.

3) In rizwan's case he had a miserable outing in 2024 in the last series, so much so that he himself claimed that he had lost form and the opening partnership had dented him a bit.

Afterwards in psl he has the lowest sr as a top order bat which is 110, which is even lower then his career avg of 122.

To put into perspective rizwan had a sr of 110 and avg 33 in psl, while saud shakeel while isn't even a t20 batsmen had an avg of 35 with a sr of 141 deapite being one of the slower bats in the psl.

Further more now in this nz tour he's had another miserable outing and injury same with babar whose having a bad series.

Why isn't anyone bringing up their severe lack of form and regression from 2022? It's been 2 whole years since then, 2 years of these 2 failing miserably?

Any other team on the planet would have sacked these 2 or gotten rid of the partnership from 2022 wc outing alone or heck even asai cup outing.

As I said it's been 2 years, no need to fetch 2016-2021 again. It's clear as day from THEIR OWN ADMISSIONS, that their out of form and aren't the players they were back then.

So no atm, they are not out best opening pair. Not even close. Saud, Abdullah, Fakhar, shabzada farhan and even saim ayub are superior on current form, granted these guys aren't super inpactful either.

Year 2022 Pakistan Reached finals and it doesn't matter if he was dropped on 0 , we won the semi final because of Babar and Rizwan.

Pakistan did nt play much of t20 cricket in 2023. A series against NZ at home and thats about it. If they had 2 bad series that doesn't mean we should take out our guns. There are plenty of other players that fail series after series.. years after years... Rizwan had a bad series in NZ in 2024 and he can argue that his settled position was changed .., their form and regression is not the point.. neither their strike rate.. point is that whatever babar and rizwan did as opening pair.. are we getting any better in shape of new players like saim? And answer is resounding NO so far
 
Year 2022 Pakistan Reached finals and it doesn't matter if he was dropped on 0 , we won the semi final because of Babar and Rizwan.

Pakistan did nt play much of t20 cricket in 2023. A series against NZ at home and thats about it. If they had 2 bad series that doesn't mean we should take out our guns. There are plenty of other players that fail series after series.. years after years... Rizwan had a bad series in NZ in 2024 and he can argue that his settled position was changed .., their form and regression is not the point.. neither their strike rate.. point is that whatever babar and rizwan did as opening pair.. are we getting any better in shape of new players like saim? And answer is resounding NO so far
Year 2022 reached final but not because of Babar or rizwan. They were hard carried by Muhammad haris to even get to the semi's a key fact you ignored.

With the exception of one game, if they buddies to save them from ebrassment and get them to the semi finals then it automatically debunks your narrative of their being no one better then them. Don't answer a resounding no for me.

As for better opening pair, wdym by better opening pair? One of these 2 still opens? Theirs just been one new add on? Who else besides saim have they tried? They haven't changed the opening pair, they changed one member to saim, they haven't tried any option.

And wdym by 2 bad series? It's been 2 years? What are you on about?
 
Year 2022 reached final but not because of Babar or rizwan. They were hard carried by Muhammad haris to even get to the semi's a key fact you ignored.

With the exception of one game, if they buddies to save them from ebrassment and get them to the semi finals then it automatically debunks your narrative of their being no one better then them. Don't answer a resounding no for me.

As for better opening pair, wdym by better opening pair? One of these 2 still opens? Theirs just been one new add on? Who else besides saim have they tried? They haven't changed the opening pair, they changed one member to saim, they haven't tried any option.

And wdym by 2 bad series? It's been 2 years? What are you on about?

What do you mean 2 years? We have to see how much we played

2022 we had one game against Australia in Lahore , after that we played tri series in NZ which we won and both babar and Rizwan had good series. Babar's innings won us the group game against NZ and then Rizwan came through to chase against Bangladesh.. after that Babar did nt have good asia cup but Rizwan did and his innings was responsible for win against India in super 4. I do not know what do you mean when you say carried by haris to semi final? You cant expect these two to perform every game.. they won it for us in semi when it mattered.. babar got out to a nasty ball in final .. otherwise we were well on course to post 150 plus in final ( winning total in Melbourne on that pitch) until clowns in middle order and lower order started slogging mindlessly..

2023 we played home series against NZ. Babar was centurion in one of them and Rizwan fell short by 1 run in final t20.. if we consider your argument that 2022 and 2023 was worst years of Babar and Rizwan., they still did better than saim who already has 15 games
 
Mark Chapman is their A listed player. He singlehandedly defeated Pakistan. These things happen. No need to make an over-the-top reaction.
I expected better from you and thought that you are someone who understands this game better than many fans online. Have you ever played any competitive cricket?
 
I expected better from you and thought that you are someone who understands this game better than many fans online. Have you ever played any competitive cricket?
Are the defeats embarrassing? Of course they are.

I believe that maybe a couple of years back I wrote a post here saying that we as fans put an unbearable amount of pressure on our cricketers to win every match. This pressure, while not tangibly visible, eats the player. Should Pakistan win against NZ's second string bench strength at home. Yes. Will there be occasions where they will not win, also yes. This pressure of delivering every match is ridiculous. Iftikhar Ahmed would have smashed these NZ bowlers day in day out had this been a PSL match and he was playing for Multan. Because he would have had the confidence and the backing of the system from Multan that failure will not cost his place in the team. Suddenly when he plays for Pakistan, he looks so scared that he can't hit anything. If you see all of Iftikhar's good innings in a Pakistani T-shirt, it's been at that those times where the match is almost out of hand and there's nothing to lose which gives him the freedom to go out there and express himself.

As fans we should be able to put things in context and look at results in that light rather than emotionally. Mark Chapman played a blinder in the 3rd T20. Singlehandedly won them the game. These things happen. It's not the end of the world. Fans should temper their emotions. Could anyone have imagined that a full strength SA team laced with greats of the game in ABD, Steyn, Kallis, Smith, Amla would shell an ODI series at home to Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali? Like I have said, these things happen. It's just that with Pakistan, it happens more than it should. But that's because Pakistan has a corrupt system and the economy is in tatters. Those factors will eventually reflect on the pitch as well.
 
Are the defeats embarrassing? Of course they are.

I believe that maybe a couple of years back I wrote a post here saying that we as fans put an unbearable amount of pressure on our cricketers to win every match. This pressure, while not tangibly visible, eats the player. Should Pakistan win against NZ's second string bench strength at home. Yes. Will there be occasions where they will not win, also yes. This pressure of delivering every match is ridiculous. Iftikhar Ahmed would have smashed these NZ bowlers day in day out had this been a PSL match and he was playing for Multan. Because he would have had the confidence and the backing of the system from Multan that failure will not cost his place in the team. Suddenly when he plays for Pakistan, he looks so scared that he can't hit anything. If you see all of Iftikhar's good innings in a Pakistani T-shirt, it's been at that those times where the match is almost out of hand and there's nothing to lose which gives him the freedom to go out there and express himself.

As fans we should be able to put things in context and look at results in that light rather than emotionally. Mark Chapman played a blinder in the 3rd T20. Singlehandedly won them the game. These things happen. It's not the end of the world. Fans should temper their emotions. Could anyone have imagined that a full strength SA team laced with greats of the game in ABD, Steyn, Kallis, Smith, Amla would shell an ODI series at home to Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali? Like I have said, these things happen. It's just that with Pakistan, it happens more than it should. But that's because Pakistan has a corrupt system and the economy is in tatters. Those factors will eventually reflect on the pitch as well.
Some really good points as always, but don't agree with your last paragraph.

1- Mark Champan was dropped many times and no team, captain or coach would ever sit down in a post match meeting and say that Chapman single handedly won the game for his team. They would always discuss how poor they were as a team in the field and how many times they dropped Chapman. The most easiest thing to control in cricket is fielding, but PCT refuses to work on this or they hardly try get better as a fielding unit. Why? because of player power and corruption in our set ups where players are more powerful than their coaches and captain and are only interested in batting or bowling. Pakistani cricket players, at any level, only attend practice sessions to work on their batting or bowling and have become experts at dodging any assignments that require them to work on their fielding and when they finally do some, they do it half heartedly. We can discuss this in detail if you want. What is hilarious is that we went with a back up keeper who had a shaky technique and got exposed badly. Usman is not a keeper. I could do better selection than our joke of selectors and have back up players ready in case of injuries.

2- I don't care much about this T20 series or losing a game against a NZ B or C team, but what I am upset at is the player politics and corruption within the PCB set up. Since the Asia cup time, there has been nothing but corruption in our set up where players are refusing to get along. Pcb chairman, coaches and captain are changing every few months. Seriously, what the hell is going on? Our test team captain is a nothing player and have an average of 28 as a player. In Cricket, you can never have a captain who can't make the team on merit. Why? because the players will never respect him or listen to him and would always think that he should not be part of their team. Cricket is all mental and all these things have a negative effect on the mental aspect of the game. Don't give players a reason to discuss things in the parking lot, dinner tables or bars which have nothing to do with the game of cricket.

3- The Kakul camp was a huge mistake! Decided by a guy who never played any competitive cricket. All Naqvi saw that our players could not hit sixes and camp up with an idea of having an army training camp just before the start of T20 world cup and in the month of Ramadan. This is mind boggling stuff and not backed by science. Our players lifted rocks, climbed mountains and did activities which have nothing to do with cricket. No matter how fit you are, and do every exercise possible in your gym, you would still get sore differently if you start a physical activity which you have never done before. It would have been still ok if players had enough time to rest and if it was done at a time when players were not fasting. Irfan, Rizwan and Azam have already got injured and I am 100% sure that the rest of the players are extremely sore and have already picked up some minor injuries which we don't know about. Naseem is injury prone and have not looked himself in this series so far and his bowling was all over the place. Shaheen should have been rested after PSL, but they made him go through this training camp and now playing him in this T20 series against a NZ B team. How do we know if Usman, Irfan and other young players are good enough for our cricket team when they are playing cricket with bodies which are not 100% after the kakul. It is very difficult for players to perform when they are not 100%. If I were the coach of this team, I would have organized a camp after Psl where they were only required to do fielding drills and nothing else.

4- Babar's captaincy drama and his reluctance to bat at any other number than opening proves that he is going through an ego trip where he is refusing to do what is right for the team. Rizbar must play for the team and improve their strike rate, otherwise there is no point having them in our T20 set up if they are not listening to their coach. They all need to be on the same page.

5- I never wanted Amir back, but now that he is back and Imad as well, Babar must make them feel that they are a big part of this team and can help Pakistan win the upcoming T20 world cup. I don't think Babar is doing anything to make this situation better.

If you fix all of the above, Pakistan team will do much better and will start to get back on track, and may be become as good as we were in 90s.

You talked about over the top reaction and here I am thinking how our team still have fans after all that has happened in the last couple of years. I feel for our fans and salute them for still supporting this team.
 
Some really good points as always, but don't agree with your last paragraph.

1- Mark Champan was dropped many times and no team, captain or coach would ever sit down in a post match meeting and say that Chapman single handedly won the game for his team. They would always discuss how poor they were as a team in the field and how many times they dropped Chapman. The most easiest thing to control in cricket is fielding, but PCT refuses to work on this or they hardly try get better as a fielding unit. Why? because of player power and corruption in our set ups where players are more powerful than their coaches and captain and are only interested in batting or bowling. Pakistani cricket players, at any level, only attend practice sessions to work on their batting or bowling and have become experts at dodging any assignments that require them to work on their fielding and when they finally do some, they do it half heartedly. We can discuss this in detail if you want. What is hilarious is that we went with a back up keeper who had a shaky technique and got exposed badly. Usman is not a keeper. I could do better selection than our joke of selectors and have back up players ready in case of injuries.

2- I don't care much about this T20 series or losing a game against a NZ B or C team, but what I am upset at is the player politics and corruption within the PCB set up. Since the Asia cup time, there has been nothing but corruption in our set up where players are refusing to get along. Pcb chairman, coaches and captain are changing every few months. Seriously, what the hell is going on? Our test team captain is a nothing player and have an average of 28 as a player. In Cricket, you can never have a captain who can't make the team on merit. Why? because the players will never respect him or listen to him and would always think that he should not be part of their team. Cricket is all mental and all these things have a negative effect on the mental aspect of the game. Don't give players a reason to discuss things in the parking lot, dinner tables or bars which have nothing to do with the game of cricket.

3- The Kakul camp was a huge mistake! Decided by a guy who never played any competitive cricket. All Naqvi saw that our players could not hit sixes and camp up with an idea of having an army training camp just before the start of T20 world cup and in the month of Ramadan. This is mind boggling stuff and not backed by science. Our players lifted rocks, climbed mountains and did activities which have nothing to do with cricket. No matter how fit you are, and do every exercise possible in your gym, you would still get sore differently if you start a physical activity which you have never done before. It would have been still ok if players had enough time to rest and if it was done at a time when players were not fasting. Irfan, Rizwan and Azam have already got injured and I am 100% sure that the rest of the players are extremely sore and have already picked up some minor injuries which we don't know about. Naseem is injury prone and have not looked himself in this series so far and his bowling was all over the place. Shaheen should have been rested after PSL, but they made him go through this training camp and now playing him in this T20 series against a NZ B team. How do we know if Usman, Irfan and other young players are good enough for our cricket team when they are playing cricket with bodies which are not 100% after the kakul. It is very difficult for players to perform when they are not 100%. If I were the coach of this team, I would have organized a camp after Psl where they were only required to do fielding drills and nothing else.

4- Babar's captaincy drama and his reluctance to bat at any other number than opening proves that he is going through an ego trip where he is refusing to do what is right for the team. Rizbar must play for the team and improve their strike rate, otherwise there is no point having them in our T20 set up if they are not listening to their coach. They all need to be on the same page.

5- I never wanted Amir back, but now that he is back and Imad as well, Babar must make them feel that they are a big part of this team and can help Pakistan win the upcoming T20 world cup. I don't think Babar is doing anything to make this situation better.

If you fix all of the above, Pakistan team will do much better and will start to get back on track, and may be become as good as we were in 90s.

You talked about over the top reaction and here I am thinking how our team still have fans after all that has happened in the last couple of years. I feel for our fans and salute them for still supporting this team.
First of all, thanks for engaging in a debate in a very civilized way unlike some of the posters here.

I don't disagree with any of your points except for point 5. Amir and Imad are not kids anymore and don't need to be mollycoddled. They are senior enough to understand what is at stake. Nobody needs to be necessarily friends with each other to achieve a common goal. Shane Warne hated Steve Waugh. Even in the 90s Pakistan team, everyone hated each other yet were professional enough not to let their ego come in the way of deliverance on the field of play. So I don't buy this argument that Babar needs to go and make them feel better. Imran and Miandad just kept a professional relationship between themselves.

Regarding the performance of Pakistan players, you have to understand that this hasn't come about suddenly. It's been a gradual decline due to the systematic application of corruption in every facet of society. When the PCB chairman is going to be decided based on who the ruling party is in the federal government, how can you expect professionalism? This time it's even worse because a political person has been appointed as chairman who is also donning multiple hats and has his priorities divided.

Army fitness camps are a joke anyway. If they are so good at getting cricketers fit, then why are other teams not doing it? It's pretty simple why this was done. It was a PR exercise. Cricket is one thing that unites the people across the political spectrum and any favorable result on the pitch would have been cashed in as somehow due to the army. Needless to say, this has spectacularly boomeranged.

Coming to Babar and Rizwan, I have stated multiple times that if Babar and Rizwan are not opening, both of them do not deserve to be in the T20 team. None of them are good enough to play from 3 onwards as both of them cannot score 25 off 10 in the middle overs. Also, looking at the IPL 2024 if these ridiculous 250 scores are the new norm, it's time to say goodbye to Babar and Rizwan. This isn't 2020 anymore where 180 was considered great.

Lastly, to your point of why Pakistan players love dodging assignments. This doesn't apply to cricketers only. This whole concept of "jugaad" is richly celebrated in the society. To society it connotes intelligence which it is not. Proper countries do not rely on shortcuts. They put in the hard yards and go through the process. But because jugaad is ingrained as part of the culture and fabric of society, it is also seen in cricket as cricketers are also coming from within the same society. This will never go away unless there is a cultural reset.

Pakistan cricket has a very bleak future. That's why I have been saying that fans need to temper their emotions. Fans act like their team has a divine right of winning every match whereas the truth is that the current team is at the standard of SL and West Indies. If Zimbabwe fans start bashing their team for not beating England/Australia, then it's not the cricketers' fault. It's a fan problem.
 
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