Pakistan cruise to comfortable eight-wicket win over Hong Kong in Asia Cup 2018

[MenInG]

Hong Kong bowled out for 116.

Its as easy as it gets for Pakistan but is there a twist in this tale?

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pakistan will chase this in 25 with the loss of 2. You heard it here first.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Imam lol.

 

[mak36]

How did Ramiz forget to ask Mickey about UKS going off the field?

 

[shariqnoor]

shouldn't there be two players in catching positions for the first powerplay? Or has this rule been changed? HK is operating with only 1.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Ramiz doesn't remember to even ask himself half of the things so how can you expect him to ask so much from others.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Extremely poor quality coverage, Asia Cup being played in empty grounds of the UAE.

 

[DRsohail]

What happened to Shinwari?

 

[Markhor]

Fakhar Zaman averages 30 in the UAE whereas in England and NZ he averages 63 and 50 respectively. Clearly he likes pace on the ball rather than these slow sluggish surfaces in the desert.

 

[babajee]

Fakhar Zaman averages 30 in the UAE whereas in England and NZ he averages 63 and 50 respectively. Clearly he likes pace on the ball rather than these slow sluggish surfaces in the desert.

You can tell from the way he bats.

 

[mak36]

Imam's problem with the ball that comes in continues.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistsn should look to win this inside 20 overd

 

[Madplayer]

Time to bump Imam ul haq thread.

 

[DRsohail]

Imam lolzzzzz

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Imam's problem with the ball that comes in continues.

left handed Azhar Ali

Im prepared to give him time, but i cant help but feel we havent moved forward at all with him in the odi team

 

[DRsohail]

Inzi you are such a dishonest person.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan could have used Asif or Faheem as opener here.

 

[nextover666666]

Imam strike rate a cause of concern

 

[Justcrazy]

left handed Azhar Ali

Im prepared to give him time, but i cant help but feel we havent moved forward at all with him in the odi team

He is slightly better but still not good enough for shorter formats.

 

[mak36]

left handed Azhar Ali

Im prepared to give him time, but i cant help but feel we havent moved forward at all with him in the odi team

He needs to learn how to rotate the strike at the start of his innings, and fast.

 

[Madplayer]

Imam 4 from 13. If he starts like this against better teams,they will eat him alive. Good teams dont allow you to make up for early dots.

 

[Pete Rose]

Pakistan has quite a few instances of the right sort of scheduling of helping som truly mediocre players. Hafeez made a conabeack in a year in which we played against Sri Lanka a lot and mostly at home. Khrurum Manzoor benefited for a littite while when he was selected by moin khan to be part of the team when we toured Zimbabwe a few years ago.
I think I have seen enough of imam to know that he doesn’t have the game against better attacks or to play in a dynamic manner. I am happy that we have anz touring us so that when get to South Africa we will have the right batsmen.
Having said that, it is possible that fakhar might be dismissed early in a few games in this tournament and imam will scratch his way to a 75 ball 50

 

[DRsohail]

Inzi have done very bad with some of our promising youngsters. I will advise Micky to play Haris Sohail as an opener instead of this left handed Azhar Ali.

 

[Titan24]

Pakistan will chase this in 25 with the loss of 2. You heard it here first.

Inside 25 overs with loss of 1 is my guess

 

[Justcrazy]

Imam strike rate a cause of concern

Its more than a concern

 

[Pete Rose]

Imam 4 from 13. If he starts like this against better teams,they will eat him alive. Good teams dont allow you to make up for early dots.

In his brief career, against better teams he doesn’t last these 13 balls

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Pakistan has quite a few instances of the right sort of scheduling of helping som truly mediocre players. Hafeez made a conabeack in a year in which we played against Sri Lanka a lot and mostly at home. Khrurum Manzoor benefited for a littite while when he was selected by moin khan to be part of the team when we toured Zimbabwe a few years ago.
I think I have seen enough of imam to know that he doesn’t have the game against better attacks or to play in a dynamic manner. I am happy that we have anz touring us so that when get to South Africa we will have the right batsmen.
Having said that, it is possible that fakhar might be dismissed early in a few games in this tournament and imam will scratch his way to a 75 ball 50

very true

the Zimbabwae series was a missed opportunity to give Farhan a go. He has plenty of flaws, but we know he has the dynamic play that so many of our other players lack.

 

[Titan24]

Pakistan has quite a few instances of the right sort of scheduling of helping som truly mediocre players. Hafeez made a conabeack in a year in which we played against Sri Lanka a lot and mostly at home. Khrurum Manzoor benefited for a littite while when he was selected by moin khan to be part of the team when we toured Zimbabwe a few years ago.
I think I have seen enough of imam to know that he doesn’t have the game against better attacks or to play in a dynamic manner. I am happy that we have anz touring us so that when get to South Africa we will have the right batsmen.
Having said that, it is possible that fakhar might be dismissed early in a few games in this tournament and imam will scratch his way to a 75 ball 50

How many openers have scored 4 centuries in within their first 10 games in ODIs against any oppositions? If there are any how many of them were just 22?

Am I fan of Imam's style of play at the start of his innings? No

But, cant deny he is a young player who has performed against whatever opposition given to him

 

[Madplayer]

A rather uninspiring start thus far. Hope things quicken up a bit.

 

[nextover666666]

Smart move by Hong Kong to have the keeper so close to the stumps on a medium pacer Fakhar couldn't do anything in that over

 

[Madplayer]

In his brief career, against better teams he doesn’t last these 13 balls

True. And there arent many tops teams in this tourney either.

 

[Raja Danish]

he is slightly better but still not good enough for shorter formats.

when will sharjeel khan return?

 

[Titan24]

Imam 4 from 13. If he starts like this against better teams,they will eat him alive. Good teams dont allow you to make up for early dots.

I have seen such stats many times for Rohit Sharma and many other openers at the start of the innings, yes they have the power game to cover it up but Imam is still learning.

 

[Pete Rose]

How many openers have scored 4 centuries in within their first 10 games in ODIs against any oppositions? If there are any how many of them were just 22?

Am I fan of Imam's style of play at the start of his innings? No

But, cant deny he is a young player who has performed against whatever opposition given to him

Yes he has scored against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. And he will fail against better teams. Happy to be wrong

 

[Madplayer]

when will sharjeel khan return?

Not sure he will

 

[Titan24]

when will sharjeel khan return?

Next year after world cup his ban will be over but his return is not confirmed

 

[Madplayer]

I have seen such stats many times for Rohit Sharma and many other openers at the start of the innings, yes they have the power game to cover it up but Imam is still learning.

He looks limited in ability to be brutally honest. Rohit sharma was never limited.

 

[Raja Danish]

Eagerly waiting for sharjeel's return then we will be the team to beat in wc 2019

 

[Titan24]

Yes he has scored against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. And he will fail against better teams. Happy to be wrong

He has a lot of short comings and there is no denying that but his technique, his temperament, hunger for runs and him being young is something that can be worked upon.

He will have to work really hard...

 

[DRsohail]

I have seen such stats many times for Rohit Sharma and many other openers at the start of the innings, yes they have the power game to cover it up but Imam is still learning.

But you should have seen their stats after few overs. Here comes the difference and most importantly when opposition is Hong kong in UAE.

 

[Raja Danish]

next year after world cup his ban will be over but his return is not confirmed

bro we need to get him in the side alongside fakhar then we will be the team to beat in wc 2019

 

[Pete Rose]

I have a feeling that Mickey has learnt a lot about relationship management since his stint against Australia. He chooses his battles wisely. He had to endure a couple of 40 year olds touring Australia for personal glory. And he acted against Hafeez when he had the Champions Tropy done. And also against shehzad and junior Akmal.
I am sure he knows imam is not the right answer, but is willing to give it time to play itself out

 

[Titan24]

He looks limited in ability to be brutally honest. Rohit sharma was never limited.

I know what you are saying but we all have witnessed many players develop into something nobody expected them to be. Not saying he will be one of those but he has got some of the ingredients.

 

[IMMY69]

People here getting on the back of Imam.
Give the kid a break. He’s done absolutely nothing wrong so far in his short ODI career.

Thank god none of you are selectors or part of the management.

 

[Pete Rose]

He has a lot of short comings and there is no denying that but his technique, his temperament, hunger for runs and him being young is something that can be worked upon.

He will have to work really hard...

I hope you are right but we have heard this ‘he is young’ line for a long line of talented cricketers from Pakistan: afridi, Nasir, Akmal, shehzad.
In each case ppl would make colorful chart showing how so and so player was like some great explayer at the same stage etc.

 

[Titan24]

But you should have seen their stats after few overs. Here comes the difference and most importantly when opposition is Hong kong in UAE.

Before becoming a dynamic opener Rohit played around 100 matches with avg of 29. Experience is an important aspect of game. We will get to know how good or bad Imam is in 6-8 months

 

[Titan24]

I hope you are right but we have heard this ‘he is young’ line for a long line of talented cricketers from Pakistan: afridi, Nasir, Akmal, shehzad.
In each case ppl would make colorful chart showing how so and so player was like some great explayer at the same stage etc.

Yes but they all lacked one thing which Imam isnt lacking and that is temperament, discipline and hunger for runs.

Imam has now got more centuries than all of you mentioned except Shehzad and he is yet to play 15 matches,

 

[Pete Rose]

Before becoming a dynamic opener Rohit played around 100 matches with avg of 29. Experience is an important aspect of game. We will get to know how good or bad Imam is in 6-8 months

Yes. I would prefer we know in 3 months (= after anz have toured UAE) vs 6 months ( = after we have lost the series against South Africa)

 

[Titan24]

People here getting on the back of Imam.
Give the kid a break. He’s done absolutely nothing wrong so far in his short ODI career.

Thank god none of you are selectors or part of the management.

Exactly, I know people want to see dynamic batting from both sides but atleast give guy a chance.

 

[TeamPak95]

Everyone here bashing the living daylights out of Imam, and meanwhile folks like VVS and Sanga are praising him

 

[Titan24]

I guess we have got ODIs against NZ only in 3 months.

But, you never know maybe he will prove his worth in this tournament itself.

 

[IMMY69]

But you should have seen their stats after few overs. Here comes the difference and most importantly when opposition is Hong kong in UAE.

Mate I have seen Indian stars play for Indian Gymkhana here is in London and watched them struggle against club first and second eleven players....

Lesson Number: don’t judge a player on one innings especially when they have scored consistently against whatever opposition they’ve faced so far.

 

[Titan24]

Everyone here bashing the living daylights out of Imam, and meanwhile folks like VVS and Sanga are praising him

They know how important are runs and conversions when you are in the top 3. 20 balls 30 at the top never wins you matches.

They know he needs to pace his innings better but they also know he is just 22 and will learn with time.

 

[DRsohail]

Mate I have seen Indian stars play for Indian Gymkhana here is in London and watched them struggle against club first and second eleven players....

Lesson Number: don’t judge a player on one innings especially when they have scored consistently against whatever opposition they’ve faced so far.

I am pretty surprised that you have such good experience and you still support imam selection.But we will discuss it after 6 months.

 

[IMMY69]

Yes. I would prefer we know in 3 months (= after anz have toured UAE) vs 6 months ( = after we have lost the series against South Africa)

You don’t sound like the Pete i’ve come to know on PP over the years!!
Someone must have high jacked his account ��

 

[Titan24]

I am pretty surprised that you have such good experience and you still support imam selection.But we will discuss it after 6 months.

I still remember how people used to bash Fakhar Zaman when he debuted

 

[IMMY69]

I am pretty surprised that you have such good experience and you still support imam selection.But we will discuss it after 6 months.

There’ll be no argument from me in 6 months.
By then we’ll have a good idea of whether he’s the right person to be partnering Fakhar.

 

[Goooby]

Why does Imam need to bat faster ? Pakistan is Chasing only a 117. His strike rate would be okay even for a 20 over game, good chance to get himself in for the tournament. This is why his average is 70, because he's more sensible than you lot

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Eagerly waiting for sharjeel's return then we will be the team to beat in wc 2019

He's history's plus he's taken up kabaddi anyway.

 

[Pete Rose]

You don’t sound like the Pete i’ve come to know on PP over the years!!
Someone must have high jacked his account ��

Hehe. Just sounding the alarm. Happy to be wrong

 

[Titan24]

Why does Imam need to bat faster ? Pakistan is Chasing only a 117. His strike rate would be okay even for a 20 over game, good chance to get himself in for the tournament. This is why his average is 70, because he's more sensible than you lot

Some of the Posters here prefer 20 balls 30 than 115 balls 100. So not surprised.

 

[Nelson on]

People here getting on the back of Imam.
Give the kid a break. He’s done absolutely nothing wrong so far in his short ODI career.

Thank god none of you are selectors or part of the management.

+1.his criticism doesn’t make any sense if given consistent run in the team he’ll definitely be a solid opener by WC19 anyway both of the openers compliment each other

 

[Titan24]

Hehe. Just sounding the alarm. Happy to be wrong

It wasnt the centuries though they showed his hunger for runs what impressed me and I think was his best innings made me respect his temperament was against Ireland in Test while chasing. Team was under pressure but, Imam and Babar palyed so fluently in such difficult conditions to guide us home. That test innings doesnt tell anything about his LOIs ability but shows one thing that he can overcome pressure and can play well in crucial moments. Thats what you need to win big matches.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan require another 82 runs with 10 wickets and 43.0 overs remaining

 

[Goooby]

Pakistan require another 82 runs with 10 wickets and 43.0 overs remaining

From the comments in this post it seems like there's 43 balls remaining.

 

[Darkrai]

3rd consecutive wicket-less match for Amir. He has been our worst bowler by far averaging something like 79 this year.

 

[Titan24]

3rd consecutive wicket-less match for Amir. He has been our worst bowler by far averaging something like 79 this year.

The only positive thing is that atleast he isnt going for a lot of runs.

 

[Darkrai]

The only positive thing is that atleast he isnt going for a lot of runs.

I think if he continues to fail for the next couple of matches he should be dropped, that might wake him up.

 

[Syed1]

Heard that UKS walked off the pitch injured? Is it true? What happened?

 

[Syed1]

I think if he continues to fail for the next couple of matches he should be dropped, they might wake him up.

He will play next match and doesn't perform then one of Shaheen or Junaid will come in, however, something tells me he will nab a couple of India's big scalps.

 

[Pete Rose]

It wasnt the centuries though they showed his hunger for runs what impressed me and I think was his best innings made me respect his temperament was against Ireland in Test while chasing. Team was under pressure but, Imam and Babar palyed so fluently in such difficult conditions to guide us home. That test innings doesnt tell anything about his LOIs ability but shows one thing that he can overcome pressure and can play well in crucial moments. Thats what you need to win big matches.

the sample size is small, we all look at the bits which give us hope. I think I got truer sense of his pedigree in his subsequent innings against England. He might even be better suited to test cricket, who knows. Having said that, I dont how mickey feels about azhar and imam opening the test batting on a long term basis.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Fakhar is just a gem. Imagine a partner like him on the other end. Opposition will give up

 

[Justcrazy]

Fakhar is just a gem. Imagine a partner like him on the other end. Opposition will give up

If Sharjeel was there , Pakistan would have been much stronger .

 

[mak36]

Heard that UKS walked off the pitch injured? Is it true? What happened?

I think it's just a precaution. Something to do with his toe.

A certain someone forgot to ask Mickey about it in the between-innings interview so we haven't had an update.

 

[Justcrazy]

Fakhar currently averaging 77 !!!

 

[shaaik]

Heard that UKS walked off the pitch injured? Is it true? What happened?

Just a precautionary measure I think.

 

[Justcrazy]

Fakhar gone

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Bad shot.

Imam has no ability to rotate the strike at all even against this bowling attack. He will be figured out this tournament I think.

 

[New Yorker]

The only positive thing is that atleast he isnt going for a lot of runs.

No its not a positive, it is besides the point. He's neither taking wickets nor very economical. All the other pacers had better econ rates. If we just want to contain with pace Faheem can do the job excellently. Should swap him for Shaheen or Junaid in the coming games.

 

[New Yorker]

So, Amir is continuing to do poorly, Imam continues to score at a snail's pace, Malik is looking like a very poor 5th bowling option, and Shinwari keeps taking wickets. What else could we have predicted?