Pakistan bowled out for 273 in the first innings on Day 3 as England opt to enforce follow-on

[Titan24]

6000 runs for Azhar.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Rizwan performances in this series have been the most positive thing about this series.

Absolute pathetic batting display. Pakistan batting is really beyond a joke in the past years.

Its been like this for most of the decade.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Azhar averaging 42 these days. Wasn't it 50+ a couple of years ago?

 

[GreenKhan]

It is meaningless inning... Just meant for to secure his position in team.. Bro we all know result of the match

So with that logic the whole team should just give up now and not show any fight .

It’s a case of damned if you are damned if you don’t .

 

[hb787]

so to prove your point you want Pak to be bowled for 50 runs. They will lose the match but atleast the likes of Rizwan getting good experience to bat overseas.

Loose the match? We already are losing it. Rizwan and Babar are good investments. The likes of Azhar are just insignificiant for the future run. We can’t save this match, better save the future.

 

[Kroll]

Not done enough...
Still one of the most Enemy of Pakistan cricket... i.e the Legendary king Azhar Ali is there... So we need him to get his wicket..before he could add some meaningless runs

hes captain and misbah puppet, not going anywhere fail or not fail

 

[Titan24]

Azhar averaging 42 these days. Wasn't it 50+ a couple of years ago?

No he never crossed 50+ but during his purple patch he was averaging around 47.

 

[sweep_shot]

Azhar has done it. He joins the 6,000 club.

 

[gibsyhesperis]

It is meaningless inning... Just meant for to secure his position in team.. Bro we all know result of the match

Quite ridiculous post. No true fan should ever want any of our players to fail.
If you have a problem with his selection, blame the selectors. All players should receive support by true fans.

 

[Thephenom]

I would like a break down if runs at home v runs away

 

[Hasan123]

Can't disagree dogged batsman with lots of good contributions, however could have been a lot better overseas.

All batters have holes in their career.

 

[Hasan123]

gritty player throughout, despite his recent troubles, his contribution shouldn't be forgotten

Exactly!

 

[gibsyhesperis]

So with that logic the whole team should just give up now and not show any fight .

It’s a case of damned if you are damned if you don’t .

Exactly. I truly despair of some of our so-called “fans”.

 

[Hasan123]

Yes a fair assessment — gone on for two or three years too long but 6000 runs at an average above 40 is a solid career

Very solid . Remember he started his career being involved with the spot fixing scandal.

 

[Hasan123]

Yes he had a pretty decent career.

However he should’ve retired a year or two ago...

Yes he should have. Would have been remembered more fondly had he retired earlier.

 

[Yk313]

lol, hes probably already done enough

A 40 is absolutely enough for our standards. May as well just say we feel like we have won a moral victory here lol

 

[Ab Fan]

Azhar has been a good batsmen for Pakistan. At one point, he was averaging 47.

He should have played the game as an opener but selfless Azhar prioritised his country first.

 

[Yk313]

Yes he should have. Would have been remembered more fondly had he retired earlier.

Most in PAK do not know that it is better to retire before people start asking for their head..

 

[Mueez]

Yes he should have. Would have been remembered more fondly had he retired earlier.

Indeed. Will remember him for his triple century against Windies, double century against Aus and the knock he played in the CT final.

A decent player for us.

 

[Billa86]

Its been like this for most of the decade.

We Pakistan fans certainly forget very easily such hammering and all of sudden when we beat minnows we are supposedly the best team in the world . I guess the issues lies with the high level of expectations from the Pakistan fans. We certainly not good enough to compete with the likes of Australia, India, NZ and England. So many radical changes within the PCB but the root cause issues never gets addressed

 

[gibsyhesperis]

A 40 is absolutely enough for our standards. May as well just say we feel like we have won a moral victory here lol

The way you are posting we would have a legion of players who would have done better here. The much lauded Babr hasn’t exactly set the world alight, has he ?

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Its been like this for most of the decade.

How so? The batting line up was decent from 2011 till 2017.

 

[Titan24]

Azhar Ali approaching 6000 runs. He has been retained past his best . But I think he has a decent test career overall.

Can't disagree dogged batsman with lots of good contributions, however could have been a lot better overseas.

gritty player throughout, despite his recent troubles, his contribution shouldn't be forgotten

Exactly. He was probably our best batsman alongside Younis from 2014-2016 and averaged 51, 57 and 63 during those years and was one of the key players to take Pakistan to no 1 rank.

 

[ammar_merry]

He would have done better than Misbah in UAE and Asian conditions. I agree he would have struggled outside Asia but he still would have been a superior replacement to him if we was given the opportunity that he deserved in the early 2010s.

Did you watch 2015 series vs bangladesh ODi series where he could not put bat to ball vs arafat sunny and nasir hussain

 

[Hasan123]

Most in PAK do not know that it is better to retire before people start asking for their head..

Misbah has made everyone believe they can play till 40.

 

[topspin]

Did you watch 2015 series vs bangladesh ODi series where he could not put bat to ball vs arafat sunny and nasir hussain

I'm talking about test cricket. Fawad Alam has averaged 50+ consistently in FC having faced bowlers who are levels above the likes of Arafat Sunny and Nasir Husaain.

 

[Mir jibran]

And with that 50 azhar has secured his place for next 5 series'

 

[topspin]

Did you watch 2015 series vs bangladesh ODi series where he could not put bat to ball vs arafat sunny and nasir hussain

I'm talking about test cricket. Fawad Alam has averaged 50+ consistently in FC having faced bowlers who are levels above the likes of Arafat Sunny and Nasir Husaain.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Azhar Ali revives his career.

Misbah will be saying: "how can I drop my captain who just scored a fifty?"

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

And with that 50 azhar has secured his place for next 5 series'

The curse continues.

The change might occur in 2021 though.

 

[topspin]

This half century will prove to be a curse in disguise for Pakistan cricket.

 

[GreenKhan]

Exactly. I truly despair of some of our so-called “fans”.

They are not fans . They just have their favourites that’s all. It’s a problem that runs deep.

 

[Titan24]

50 for Azhar, well played. Irrespective of his position in the team I think he should relinquish test captaincy at this stage.

Asad on the other hand surely needs to go, he never contributed anything extraordinary during his peak and its high time to bring in a young batsman or two in the test lineup. Cant carry on with 5 players over 30 in first 7.

 

[Hasan123]

Azhar onto 56.

 

[Afhan Ali]

The leader is back.
What a cricketer he is.
Caption Azhar Bhai is back with a bang.

 

[castortroy]

England have actually bowled very well today so fair play to Azhar for this innings

 

[Afhan Ali]

Azhar will play for 2 more years.

 

[hafeezrocks]

Massive respect for Azhar Ali as he proves his class once again. Standing like a rock between Draw and an English Victory. This can be the knock which can revive his career , easily has 4-5 more years to lead Pakistan.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

The technical adjustment working for Azhar as Nasser mentioned.

Credit to YK.

 

[ammar_merry]

I'm talking about test cricket. Fawad Alam has averaged 50+ consistently in FC having faced bowlers who are levels above the likes of Arafat Sunny and Nasir Husaain.

teams quickly work out such poor technique.Main problem with him that he reaches for the ball instead of playing late.
Similar player is sami aslam.I expect him average high in FC cricket but even after 10 years if he comes to test cricket he is going to struggle vs any offspinner like he struggled vs lyon in australia.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Azhar has been a good batsmen for Pakistan. At one point, he was averaging 47.

He should have played the game as an opener but selfless Azhar prioritised his country first.

After 62 tests, he averaged 46.6
2014-2016/17 was the best phase of his career . At that time he was getting runs even in overseas.

He us the second best batsman of Pakistan in last 10 years.

 

[Billa86]

Azhar Ali has to be credited for this hard fought 50. He battled where others failed miserably. But I would be surprised if Azhar Ali is still retained as Captain for the Zimbabwe series. Surely with endless criticisms about his captaincy, this must be taking a mental toll on him.

 

[PakPremi]

Did you watch 2015 series vs bangladesh ODi series where he could not put bat to ball vs arafat sunny and nasir hussain

Talking about Test matches

 

[HasanA]

I’m waiting for castortroy post saying look archer hit the batsman helmet while naseem didn’t so what an overhyped mess naseem is

 

[ammar_merry]

The technical adjustment working for Azhar as Nasser mentioned.

Credit to YK.

Anderson broad getting azhar out LBW since start of 2016 series.Early on in 2016 he struggled similarly but as series progressed he scored 100 in the series by making adjustment. Its just that he forgets whenever he starts the series and again works in nets not to get his frontfoot across.

 

[Mueez]

Shot oye.

First shot which I enjoyed in this match.

 

[ammar_merry]

Talking about Test matches

I am talking about his technical deficiencies which he never work on and reaches out for the ball

 

[JibranAnsari]

Absolute phatta this pitch

 

[King_Kohli]

Azar is back.
He shut all his haters

 

[PakPremi]

I’m waiting for castortroy post saying look archer hit the batsman helmet while naseem didn’t so what an overhyped mess naseem is

 

[Mir jibran]

The curse continues.

The change might occur in 2021 though.

He is looking all set for a 100
Since he is not going anywhere he should just relinquish captaincy and concentrate on his batting and enjoy these last years

 

[Billa86]

If this is a flat pitch indeed, should we not have looked after the ball more and tried our famous reverse swing yorkers to England in the 1st innings.

 

[Mueez]

He is looking all set for a 100
Since he is not going anywhere he should just relinquish captaincy and concentrate on his batting and enjoy these last years

We should give captaincy to Babar.

He will flourish under pressure. Will become a lot more responsible.

 

[JibranAnsari]

So this series is an absolute disaster for pakistan

2-0

And azhar scoring in losing cause.

 

[HasanA]

If this is a flat pitch indeed, should we not have looked after the ball more and tried our famous reverse swing yorkers to England in the 1st innings.

According to wasim and Waqar the saliva shine is essential to getting proper reverse swing.

 

[PakPremi]

I am talking about his technical deficiencies which he never work on and reaches out for the ball

it works for him hence 56 average over a long career. There are some good bowlers in Pak as well. He startedto cope well in this inning as well done by extra bounce.

 

[Mir jibran]

We should give captaincy to Babar.

He will flourish under pressure. Will become a lot more responsible.

That would too early and too much responsibility on babar but the problem is we dont have any settled replacement to succeed azhar

 

[Energy]

So does that mean Azhar takes Asad with him along? Buy 1 Get 1 scheme?

 

[Zeshan547]

Azhar pulling Archer 90 mph thunderbolts, Now I have seen it all, too good to believe. Amazing

 

[Billa86]

According to wasim and Waqar the saliva shine is essential to getting proper reverse swing.

That's interesting know. Why was Waseem Akram berating about Pakistan not looking after the ball when Pakistan lost the 1st Test Match if saliva shine is a critical factor.

 

[Mueez]

That would too early and too much responsibility on babar but the problem is we dont have any settled replacement to succeed azhar

Eventually he will get it so why not now...

 

[HasanA]

If this Azhar improvement is the result of younis khan then he should be permanent batting coach

 

[PakPremi]

So this series is an absolute disaster for pakistan

2-0

And azhar scoring in losing cause.

Each test is important due to championship, so if we save this match due to few dooged innings then well done is in order.

 

[Rohan]

So this series is an absolute disaster for pakistan

2-0

And azhar scoring in losing cause.

So, woh kya job chhod de?

 

[Abdullah]

I would like a break down if runs at home v runs away

Lol I can do that for you. About 200 runs at home , the rest away

 

[Mir jibran]

Eventually he will get it so why not now...

We cant risk it
He has just started setting his foot
I dont want to lose a potentially great player in the making

 

[Markhor]

Azhar was always the better investment to Asad Matchwinner Shafiq.

However I fear this knock, which I will give credit where its due to Azhar, will haunt Pakistan for another 2 years.

 

[ammar_merry]

it works for him hence 56 average over a long career. There are some good bowlers in Pak as well. He startedto cope well in this inning as well done by extra bounce.

intl teams quickly work out such poor technique. Main problem with him that he reaches for the ball instead of playing late .
Similar player is sami aslam . I expect him average high in FC cricket but even after 10 years if he comes to test cricket he is going to struggle vs any offspinner like he struggled vs lyon in australia .

 

[topspin]

teams quickly work out such poor technique.Main problem with him that he reaches for the ball instead of playing late.
Similar player is sami aslam.I expect him average high in FC cricket but even after 10 years if he comes to test cricket he is going to struggle vs any offspinner like he struggled vs lyon in australia.

I agree Sami Aslam has a poor technique but you are wrong to think he will average anywhere near Fawad's numbers. He averages under 40 in FC after just over 70 FC matches. Fawad averages between 55 and 60. Sami Aslam is levels below Fawad Alam.

 

[Zeshan547]

Azhar batting on steroids, 40 plus strike rate after 100 plus balls, ladies and gentlemen u can see that Strike only once a blue moon, so enjoy this amazing feat.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Lol at Azhar to Woakes :

 

[Mueez]

We cant risk it
He has just started setting his foot
I dont want to lose a potentially great player in the making

Who else should be captain bhai? We don’t have any replacement...

 

[Mesozoic]

Vital 27 points gone for England.

Don't think they'll play that Lord's final.

 

[Abdullah]

If this Azhar improvement is the result of younis khan then he should be permanent batting coach

No it's a good batting wicket as ball goes soft after 25 overs. Thankfully he got through his first 20 balls last evening this morning.
See my post above.

 

[Titan24]

We cant risk it
He has just started setting his foot
I dont want to lose a potentially great player in the making

Team doing well and forming a legacy is more important. If Babar can take that much responsibility and can come up on top is something only time and actually putting responsibility can tell. He has 3 T20s against Eng coming up along with the limited overs series against Zim so lets see how it goes.

Most of the other captains we are seeing around currently became captains at similar age.

 

[PakPremi]

Flat wicket or not England have a superior attack to Pak atleadt in England with lots of experience.

 

[gibsyhesperis]

Each test is important due to championship, so if we save this match due to few dooged innings then well done is in order.

A key point that some of the more emotional posters seem to ignore (or frankly, don’t understand).
Getting out of this with a draw (which means batting today and perhaps only a small part of tomorrow given weather over the next two days) would be a good result.

 

[PakPremi]

Flat wicket or not England have a superior attack to Pak atleast in England with lots of experience. So Azhar and Rizwan doing a good job but need to go on dor long time as Pak have very bad tail end.

 

[ammar_merry]

I agree Sami Aslam has a poor technique but you are wrong to think he will average anywhere near Fawad's numbers. He averages under 40 in FC after just over 70 FC matches. Fawad averages between 55 and 60. Sami Aslam is levels below Fawad Alam.

Fawad's technique is exposed multiple time in International cricket.TESTS in newzealand 2011. Odi vs australia in UAE vs johnson. Against Spinners vs bangla ODI.
Now he is same again in 2020 vs england TEST. His bat was a yard infront of his body in first dismissal.Almoat every ball he plays like that.
Anyway he is wonderful person who deserves respect for his continuous effort and is domestic great.One good inning in test and Had good time in Asia cup 2014.

 

[Billa86]

I guess winning or losing is part of sport. As long as they lose with a battling fight and not just give up.