Pakistan [274/7] defeat South Africa [273/6] by 3 wickets in 1st ODI last-ball thriller

[MHN1293]

You rarely see this even in test matches nowadays in SA.

 

[Mankaded]

Whatever happened to playing aGgReSsivE cricket?

 

[Hasan123]

At least when India play this way you can say Pant and Pandya will catch up at the end. I mean you can't really expect Asif Ali and Shadab to catch up.

 

[Stumper]

some one has to grab a drink in hand and go to field to tell these guys that we are playing an ODI they must have thought they are playing test match first. 14-1 in 7 overs is

 

[shah_1]

There is a reason we are low ranked team

 

[msb314]

What happened to “aggressive” cricket?

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Need to rotate strike a lot more!

 

[MenInG]

There is a clear fear of getting out

Need to stabilize the situation first.

 

[Hasan123]

Seems like a Misbah strategy to play this way. It's simply not acceptable. Don't see any intent to score.

 

[redmaverik84]

Once the new ball bowlers are tackled, there is a tricky Nortje to come. If it hadn't been for someone as quick as Nortje, this approach would make perfect sense. Play the new ball bowlers, once the spinners and slower medium pacers come, milk them and end with a blast. I hope these 2 continue for a longer time after eating up all these balls.

 

[Stumper]

imagine one of these now gets out trying to score some runs

 

[Markhor]

This is an issue with Imam, failing to pierce the infield in the PP.

 

[Hasan123]

Don't wanna see Babar or anyone in the team management talk about aggressive or fearless cricket , do your talking on the pitch.

 

[Ahmed216]

What a poor shot by babar. All this talk about aggression but heart of a chicken

 

[RyanRyan10]

Imam is doing the right thing of seeing off the new ball.

T20 era fans won't understand the importance of his knock

 

[AAli98]

Even in the 1st innings the pitch got better as the innings progressed...

Groundhog Day overrated Baba will play a few cover drives Imam will chew up half of overs rest will collapse, lose by 70 odd runs

 

[Saj]

A lack of singles that could hurt Pakistan.

If you aren't hitting boundaries look for singles. Basics of batting.

 

[topspin]

Babar (before the series): we will play fearless cricket.

In the first game of the series, he’s currently scored 4 runs off 17 balls.

 

[Hasan123]

Some good captaincy by Bavuma there. Would have been a great catch.

 

[Saj]

This is an issue with Imam, failing to pierce the infield in the PP.

1 boundary only so far.

 

[shamaan]

Should have caught it

 

[Zeshan547]

Too fast too furious, Fearless cricket at its best, we all knew this coming from thousand miles away after that PR statement.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Babar needs to cash in on that life.

 

[shamaan]

Test match batting

 

[WengerOut]

Rizwan shouldve opened. Is he the best Pak batsman on current form?

 

[Hitman]

National duty should always be the top priority no matter what.

Yea, and you are going to put food on their table, right?

 

[Buffet]

Need to keep it tight for another 5-7 overs to build pressure.

 

[ChTab]

Seems like a Misbah strategy to play this way. It's simply not acceptable. Don't see any intent to score.

Misbah isn't batting out there in the middle, probably the best limited over player to come from Pakistan is batting at the moment he should take responsibility even if Misbah is forcing them to play this way.

 

[Hasan123]

I don't mind a cautious start like India do. But at least Rohit and Dhwaan will put bad balls away or turn good balls into bouandires. But these 2 aren't doing anything.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Beautiful shot

 

[Hasan123]

Misbah isn't batting out there in the middle, probably the best limited over player to come from Pakistan is batting at the moment he should take responsibility even if Misbah is forcing them to play this way.

He should take responsibility. You are right.

 

[dildilpak]

These guys are scared of the bounce! Hope they get things moving

 

[shah_1]

I don't mind a cautious start like India do. But at least Rohit and Dhwaan will put bad balls away or turn good balls into bouandires. But these 2 aren't doing anything.

They have insane ability to accelerate

 

[topspin]

Seems like a Misbah strategy to play this way. It's simply not acceptable. Don't see any intent to score.

Without a doubt and this is yet another sign who the puppet is and who is calling the shots.

All this talk of “I don’t want to be a dummy captain” and “we will play fearless cricket” is just to appease Pakistan fans and divert all the criticism away from Misbah.

 

[Nasty Naz]

The pitch doesn't have much other than bounce but I guess that's all you need to beat Pakistan. Just ask Australia who make them look like minnows on flat pitches due to bounce.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

This is called fearless approach by Pakistan

 

[dildilpak]

Misbah isn't batting out there in the middle, probably the best limited over player to come from Pakistan is batting at the moment he should take responsibility even if Misbah is forcing them to play this way.

Comeon, these guys arent kids - coaches at national level dont tell someone how to play a game. The captain is out there, he should surely know how to move his feet

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Nortje in to spice things up

 

[Hasan123]

Norje on.

 

[ChTab]

Yea, and you are going to put food on their table, right?

They are getting paid quite decent money for playing international cricket. And it was just one game they could've played the 3rd ODI & then they could've gone to India.

By your logic, no player from Pakistan would be able to put food on their table because they aren't playing in the IPL.

 

[imshally81]

Imam is awful player

 

[Hasan123]

Without a doubt and this is yet another sign who the puppet is and who is calling the shots.

All this talk of “I don’t want to be a dummy captain” and “we will play fearless cricket” is just to appease Pakistan fans and divert all the criticism away from Misbah.

I think Babar is just happy to be captain and doesn't want to get involved in making decisions that will upset people.

 

[imshally81]

What a shot.... Babar

 

[jusarrived]

Good shot that

 

[Hasan123]

Great shot from Babar. SA have 5 bowlers. So putting 1 under pressure means they would have to use a 6th bowler .

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Imam is awful player

Wasted too many balls in the powerplay, nobody playing shots. Let's see what happens in the later part of the game.

 

[Ahmed216]

What a shot.... Babar

Glorious. Artistic.

 

[topspin]

Given the issues our batsmen have with scoring runs against bounce, it’s another reason why the inclusions of a fit and in form Sharjeel is for the greater good of Pakistan cricket.

 

[imshally81]

Back to back boundaries

 

[Rana]

Babar creaming Nortje

 

[Gullycricket]

This is Master class fearless approach mixed with caution

 

[Amjid Javed]

Babar finding his touch now finally.

 

[ChTab]

Wasted too many balls in the powerplay, nobody playing shots. Let's see what happens in the later part of the game.

Babar has done exactly the same thing.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Oh Babar

 

[IAJ]

Rubbish bowling, but well punished by captain

 

[Saj]

Different class Babar.

Those 4s off Nortje were just delicious.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

I just hate it when top order wastes power plays . You can easily score at 6 rpo on any kind of pitch in powerplays .
I don't like the way Indian openers bat,but this an another level

Rohit Sharma and Dhawan form the greatest modern day opening pair. Don't even compare with a hack like Fakhar and snail like Imam.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Beautiful shots in that over by Babar

 

[Hasan123]

Wonder when SA will bring on Shamsi.

 

[topspin]

Imam is awful player

A strokeless wonder and a parchi.

 

[Mesozoic]

Should be easy sailing for Pak from now on.

 

[Sunzi]

Stunning strokes in the over there. Make it count Babar oy!

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pakistan 100 to come in 26 overs.

Meanwhile other teams getting them in 16.

 

[Titan24]

Babar makes cricket look like an art. Hopefully his class will soon start translating into a lot more match winning performances going forward when he is close to entering his peak stage as a cricketer.

 

[IMMY69]

Sometimes brave batting is seeing of bowlers who have been bowling superbly and then cashing in once set.

 

[ChTab]

In his last tour of SA, Babar had plenty of starts but he couldn't convert any of those into the century, he should not throw his wicket today.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Imam has shown his capability of surviving a tough spell. Should be included in the test line up.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Babar boy o boy shot!

 

[IAJ]

Imam yaar, qadmon ka istemaal kar kay chakka lagao

 

[Hasan123]

Babar looks settled now. Imam needs to at least rotate strike

 

[ethan hunt]

Imam scores runs but he bats like someone who would average 27 in the 90''s at a strike rate of 64.

This era calls for aSaeed Anwar clone.

 

[Titan24]

Should be easy sailing for Pak from now on.

Are we really talking about Pak batting here? I dont remember many easy sailings.

 

[shamaan]

Atleast imaam is rotating the strike

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Pakistan 100 to come in 26 overs.

Meanwhile other teams getting them in 16.

Doesn't matter if you succefully chase down the target

 

[Sunzi]

Like this from Babar has the start to try and seize control (something I've held against him for not doing enough) - batting on a different plane to Imam ATM.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Our batsmen are following Misbah theory. Tuk tuk and preserve wickets till 40 overs, which doesn't work that way.

What else can you expect from Misbah who knows only one way of playing which is the 80s way....

Will he ask them to play like BMac or Sehwag... NO

 

[Major]

WHen you watch too much T20, and you start critisizing the run chase.

THey are batting fine

 

[IAJ]

Nokia off range so far

 

[imshally81]

Atleast imaam is rotating the strike

17 off 31 balls

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Amazing how Babar made up for a slow start in a matter of 6-7 balls. Champion