Pakistan have BOSSED this ODI series against South Africa

[barah_admi]

This is not a knee jerk reaction but a simple reflection of what has happened on this ODI leg of the tour. Apart from losing one of the ODIs in legitimate fashion, Pakistan have been the superior side in almost every aspect. They have bowled better, batted better and at times fielded in a superior manner.

Even in the rain affected match, SA were going at almost 3 runs an over below the required rate, imagine no rain and the tightening of screws in the middle overs. Let us not forget that Pakistan have the superior individual performances as well, Sinwaris pace and reverse, Imam's century and everything in between.

The 2-2 scoreline is nowhere near accurate enough.

Long may it continue.

 

[Boi]

We have been the better team but I won’t be surprised if we bottle it in the decider. Our record in deciders is awfully poor.

 

[Chokli]

honestly the 2nd and 3rd ODIs could have gone either way.

2nd ODI we probably would have won if we had Malik captaining

i hope we win the 5th ODI, this team looks like pretty good under malik.

they deserve the series victory

 

[xricket]

Please, no. Not before the final ODI. Dont jinx it

 

[Stewie]

ODI wickets are homogeneous around the world and more suited to Pakistan’s style of play.. so its not a surprise.. however, the ODI performance is definitely on the rise.. dont recall the last time we were dominant in an ODI series against a top team like this away from home..

 

[Hasan123]

I hope Malik is this attacking in the last game as well. We have a poor record in deciders . That has to change.

 

[Markhor]

2-2 is fair. We batted brainlessly in Durban on a two paced wicket, and failed to press home the advantage after reducing SAF to 80-5. We also bowled poorly in Centurion albeit it was difficult with a wet ball.

 

[rhony]

Could have been 4-0 easily. Pak's wins were comprehensive beatings. People should really get off Imam's back now. He sealed the spot for the WC and deserves it.

 

[barah_admi]

Could have been 4-0 easily. Pak's wins were comprehensive beatings. People should really get off Imam's back now. He sealed the spot for the WC and deserves it.

I think 3-1 is more reflective of what the situation should be.

Completely agree with Imam, his average and sr is world class. Couple that with Babar, Fakhar (at times), Malik when on song and hopefully Asif Ali one day, it is a serious line up. We just need more consistency.

 

[Chokli]

I think 3-1 is more reflective of what the situation should be.

Completely agree with Imam, his average and sr is world class. Couple that with Babar, Fakhar (at times), Malik when on song and hopefully Asif Ali one day, it is a serious line up. We just need more consistency.

i'd have to disagree with the asif ali part

 

[hurricanes]

ODI wickets are homogeneous around the world and more suited to Pakistan’s style of play.. so its not a surprise.. however, the ODI performance is definitely on the rise.. dont recall the last time we were dominant in an ODI series against a top team like this away from home..

SA is the weakest it has ever been and even then it has been a struggle.

 

[Hawkeye]

This post reflects our minnow mentality.

Long gone are the days when we wouldn't celebrate prematurely, and certainly not when we have such a poor record against the top 5 sides.

This series isn't even won yet, is even, and we have BOSSED?

What is this, 4-0?

BOSS is what IND did to AUS and NZ. Learn from the top teams. Do not chest thump, series isn't even decided.

Embarrassing stuff. No wonder [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is fed up.

 

[Chokli]

This post reflects our minnow mentality.

Long gone are the days when we wouldn't celebrate prematurely, and certainly not when we have such a poor record against the top 5 sides.

This series isn't even won yet, is even, and we have BOSSED?

What is this, 4-0?

BOSS is what IND did to AUS and NZ. Learn from the top teams. Do not chest thump, series isn't even decided.

Embarrassing stuff. No wonder [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is fed up.

we were hovering just above the minnows.

considering we were 32-8 against new zealand, barely won against afghanistan, tortured by india twice, embarrassed by bangladesh

yes, apart from the 2nd game (which could have gone either way) we've done well.

rain screwed us in the 3rd.

 

[Haseeb 22]

Eh? Malik saving Pakistan again would have been a more appropriate thread title. What a captain.

 

[Chokli]

SA is the weakest it has ever been and even then it has been a struggle.

you need to remember where your team stands first.

acting like you were world beaters that are facing a minnow SA team.

they defeated us in tests convincingly.

 

[ARK Rafay]

South Africa didn't won comprehensively so far in this ODI series. Where as Pakistan won both of their games convincingly.

 

[Hyperion66]

2-2 ain't bossing, but taking nothing away, Pak looking like a completely different team after the horror test series. I honestly didn't expect Pak to be this competitive.

 

[Stalin]

It's not 4-0 brothers. It's still 2-2 . Bossed is not the right term yet.

 

[cr7great]

its 4-0 to pakistan
but rain spoiled it

 

[Barragan]

Except for that one game, where Pak lost comprehensively - Pak truly has dominated.

During the rained game, the spinners were putting on a squeeze and especially Imad, but after the rain the spinners were ineffective and the game was changed.

Take the rain out and the result could read 3-1.

 

[Ab Fan]

With inclusion of Shaheen and Babar establishing himself in each format of cricket, Pakistan have transformed themselves into a relatively stronger LO team.

In tests though, Shaheen looks raw and overall it is a weaker test side with NZ and SL defeating them at home and also them being getting thrashed away,particularly, in SNA.

 

[barah_admi]

2-2 ain't bossing, but taking nothing away, Pak looking like a completely different team after the horror test series. I honestly didn't expect Pak to be this competitive.

Except for that one game, where Pak lost comprehensively - Pak truly has dominated.

During the rained game, the spinners were putting on a squeeze and especially Imad, but after the rain the spinners were ineffective and the game was changed.

Take the rain out and the result could read 3-1.

Exactly the point I am making. If we boil a series down to the number innings played, Pakistan have had the upper hand in most of them.

Now, it could all come crashing down next match, but for now Pakistan have been the better side.

With inclusion of Shaheen and Babar establishing himself in each format of cricket, Pakistan have transformed themselves into a relatively stronger LO team.

In tests though, Shaheen looks raw and overall it is a weaker test side with NZ and SL defeating them at home and also them being getting thrashed away,particularly, in SNA.

This is not a discussion on the test series.

 

[Ahmed216]

I think 3-1 is more reflective of what the situation should be.

Completely agree with Imam, his average and sr is world class. Couple that with Babar, Fakhar (at times), Malik when on song and hopefully Asif Ali one day, it is a serious line up. We just need more consistency.

Asif Ali is pretty average for a player of his age and domestic experience. Its a myth that that you need hitters to post big totals in ODIs. You need consistent middle order players who can adapt well to match situations . Those who can rotate the strike well and accelerate decently in final overs and who can play both spin and pace well

 

[AMSS]

I foresee the golden age of Pakistan cricket dawning soon.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Really impressed with PCT performance.
Hope you don't messed decider.

 

[Rahul1]

Lol. This is what you call bossing? Wanna know an example of 'bossing'. Check out what we did to to SA last year.

 

[Mueez]

Lol. This is what you call bossing? Wanna know an example of 'bossing'. Check out what we did to to SA last year.

Don’t be toxic bro!

India too performed very well and bossed the SA team with AB playing.

You have to give credits where it’s due.

 

[Zerotohero]

On odd day we are a minnow team and on even day we are World beaters. hmm ok very good. Lose the next match again back to just minnows and win again world beaters. Love PP though

 

[Rahul1]

I foresee the golden age of Pakistan cricket dawning soon.

Which will last approximately 1 match.

 

[Ab Fan]

Which will last approximately 1 match.

Pakistan are the only team that have won a pink ODI vs South Africa. India have won none.

 

[Zerotohero]

Pakistan are the only team that have won a pink ODI vs South Africa. India have won none.

Hmm so a new filter

 

[yuvi]

Well 2-2 is not exactly bossing. If Pakistan can put up a similar dominant performance in the decider, then may be.

 

[Rahul1]

Pakistan are the only team that have won a pink ODI vs South Africa. India have won none.

Pakistan have won more matches than India against South Africa in 2019. Clearly Pakistan are much better.

 

[a_tahir]

Pakistan have won more matches than India against South Africa in 2019. Clearly Pakistan are much better.

Pakistan have won more matches vs SA in SA than India so clearly they are better historically in SA than India

 

[ILcricket]

They have certainly performed better than expected .

 

[barah_admi]

They have certainly performed better than expected .

Better than I expected even. I thought it would be 4-1 sa.

Pakistan have won more matches vs SA in SA than India so clearly they are better historically in SA than India

Let's ignore the Indian posters and Indian path this discussion can take. This is about this series and this team.

 

[Banter]

Indian fans after beating Australia 2-1 in ODI series, leading NZ 2-0 - Dhoni sucks, our middle order sucks, our batting is too slow, we can't score 350, this is unacceptable.

Pakistan fans on a 2-2 ODI series in SA - We are BOSSING it.


I guess some stereotypes do have a grain of truth embedded in them.

 

[ManFan]

Not even close.

2-2 is a fair assessment of where the series has stood and today's SA collapse (8-45) showed why them winning on Friday was not a foregone conclusion.

 

[pakistani pride]

SA is the weakest it has ever been and even then it has been a struggle.

Uhmmm no.
A team with Amla, Faf, Miller, De Kock, Steyn, Tahir, Rabadda is WC and they are playing at home. So

 

[JibranAnsari]

Sa is a weak odi team but pakistan is weaker. Its an achievement that we have brought the series to decider.

 

[Abdullah]

Except for that one game, where Pak lost comprehensively - Pak truly has dominated.

During the rained game, the spinners were putting on a squeeze and especially Imad, but after the rain the spinners were ineffective and the game was changed.

Take the rain out and the result could read 3-1.

The other game u refer too, we had them 80-5 chasing 200.
That guy was so so so lucky to bat through that day and rabada was the next man in.
That was not comprehensive at all

 

[KingKhanWC]

This post reflects our minnow mentality.

Long gone are the days when we wouldn't celebrate prematurely, and certainly not when we have such a poor record against the top 5 sides.

This series isn't even won yet, is even, and we have BOSSED?

What is this, 4-0?

BOSS is what IND did to AUS and NZ. Learn from the top teams. Do not chest thump, series isn't even decided.

Embarrassing stuff. No wonder [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is fed up.

Dont understand why you even bother watching.

This attitude is stuck in the 90's and one of a depressing mindset. The OP is correct as most of the so called expert fans were expecting Pakistan to be thrased but Pakistan have dominated most of the play in the series so far against a very good bowling attack too.

Pakistan have some top class players and if they click on a given day in the ODI format they can demolish any team. This has been the Pakistan way since day 1 and will remain the same for the future.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

We definitely played better than 2-2 result, lets hope we finish it in style.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Pakistan really should've been 3-1. South Africa has been terrible in most matches really.

 

[happydavy]

The difference for Pakistan has been Imam ul Haq, who is giving them fantastic starts. Have always said, Imam is a very good batsman with sound technique and his performances will be crucial for Pakistan in the WC.

 

[Loralai]

This post reflects our minnow mentality.

Long gone are the days when we wouldn't celebrate prematurely, and certainly not when we have such a poor record against the top 5 sides.

This series isn't even won yet, is even, and we have BOSSED?

What is this, 4-0?

BOSS is what IND did to AUS and NZ. Learn from the top teams. Do not chest thump, series isn't even decided.

Embarrassing stuff. No wonder [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is fed up.

So true. 2-2 is hardly bossing it. Our bowling let us down in the 3rd ODI and batting was awful in the 2nd.

If it was 4-0 even then this thread would be premature.

Also don't forgotten our club level captain has internationally humiliated us.

 

[barah_admi]

Pakistan really should've been 3-1. South Africa has been terrible in most matches really.

At times South Africa have shown bits of brilliance but mainly in the bowling department. Their batting looks up and down, with an order that has yet to be decided for the world cup.

The difference for Pakistan has been Imam ul Haq, who is giving them fantastic starts. Have always said, Imam is a very good batsman with sound technique and his performances will be crucial for Pakistan in the WC.

Yep, for all his criticism, Imam consistently getting runs at the top of the order has allowed other batsmen to play with a platform already built. Today, with Fakhar getting some runs it helped even more.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Getting some serious Champions Trophy vibes from this team

 

[Virat_Kohli_fan]

Notify the editors of the Oxford Dictionary, the word BOSSED has been redefined to mean dead even.

I will take nothing away from Pakistan's performance - one could certainly claim with a degree of truth that Pakistan has been the better team in this series, they however are also the team which couldn't defend 120 runs required when the opposition had the last recognized batting pair on the crease and couldn't win the game after having scored 317. I'd say they have played very well - but the word BOSS implies a sustained level of domination which they have been far from as the scoreline would show.

P.S. - I find it stupid when Poster's try to discredit Pak's performance by saying SA is a weak team / not playing their best players etc. A team's job is to go and win against whoever lies in front of it - and if Pakistan manage it in the last ODI they would have done that very very well, they wouldn't have BOSSED anything though.

 

[Green Patriot]

Lol we have not BOSSED this series at all.
We played well but that is all.

 

[iHammad]

From the title you'd imagine the series scoreline is 4-0

 

[Mueez]

Getting some serious Champions Trophy vibes from this team

Yeah bro.
Definitely one to watch for in the WC!
InshaAllah we will win it

 

[Usman Chadda]

No we haven't.

We let slip a wonderful opportunity in the 2nd ODI, when we had South Africa on the ropes at 80/5.

We let slip an advantage in the 3rd ODI, where our spinners just couldn't control their lengths.

The sad part is in both matches we lost the advantage to average players. Phehlukwayo and Hendricks are mediocre players, who shouldn't have been given such opportunities.

 

[Oxfordchamp]

Lol..In which Universe is 2-2 score considered bossing?.

 

[Acricfan]

No we haven't 'BOSSED' this series, we've just exceeded expectations.

Most people, including myself, were expecting 5-0, or 4-1 to South Africa.

Standing at 2-2 is a mere reflection of the fact that we have been competitive and that most members of the team are contributing to the teams efforts.

This however is doesn't mask the fact that our batting was poor in the second ODI, and our bowling was toothless in the 3rd. Its been a series between two teams with glaring flaws, and are evenly matched in terms of talent.

 

[topspin]

Notify the editors of the Oxford Dictionary, the word BOSSED has been redefined to mean dead even.

I will take nothing away from Pakistan's performance - one could certainly claim with a degree of truth that Pakistan has been the better team in this series, they however are also the team which couldn't defend 120 runs required when the opposition had the last recognized batting pair on the crease and couldn't win the game after having scored 317. I'd say they have played very well - but the word BOSS implies a sustained level of domination which they have been far from as the scoreline would show.

P.S. - I find it stupid when Poster's try to discredit Pak's performance by saying SA is a weak team / not playing their best players etc. A team's job is to go and win against whoever lies in front of it - and if Pakistan manage it in the last ODI they would have done that very very well, they wouldn't have BOSSED anything though.

Good balanced post here.

I think the OP is wrong to claim Pakistan have bossed this series, even if they actually do go on to win it. At the same time it is wrong to belittle the side's achievement just because AB has now retired.

 

[austerlitz]

The team SA will play in world cup -

Markram
De kock
Amla
Du plessis
Miller/Hendricks
Duminy
Morris
Rabada
Steyn
Tahir
Ngidi

They are missing 4 of those guys.SA will be stronger once they are full strength.But kudos to pak ,they have played really well.

 

[QalandarFan]

Yeah 3-1 Pakistan would have been a more accurate display of the series.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

We have bossed this ODI series, yet the series is on the line.

If this is an example of bossing, the standards have dipped considerably.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

We have bossed this ODI series, yet the series is on the line.

If this is an example of bossing, the standards have dipped considerably.

Two victories and two moral victories. Come on Doctor Sahab, keep up, please.

 

[Mamoon]

Bossing is what India did to South Africa last year. 2-2 or a 3-2 series win is not bossing.

 

[Bewal Express]

We have done well and we have the makings a truely WC batsman in Babar- i would get him in the gym and get him to work on his power because the other basis are covered. Afridi has been excellent and Imam has played his part.

 

[Hasan123]

We haven't bossed the series lol. It's been a fair series. Hopefully we can perform in the last game and win the series.

 

[PakPremi]

Notify the editors of the Oxford .

I will take nothing away from Pakistan's performance - one could certainly claim with a degree of truth that Pakistan has been the better team in this series, they however are also the team which couldn't defend 120 runs required when the opposition had the last recognized batting pair on the crease and couldn't win the game after having scored 317. I'd say they have played very well - but the word BOSS implies a sustained level of domination which they have been far from as the scoreline would show.

Your post is the true view of the series except for the bold part, Pak would have most definitely defended the 317 score SA were always behind the required run rate but rain robbed Pakistan. So no blame attached to Pak performance there. Rain also makes it harder for bowlers to grip the bowl, and despite that advantage SA were still behind.

 

[Virat_Kohli_fan]

Your post is the true view of the series except for the bold part, Pak would have most definitely defended the 317 score SA were always behind the required run rate but rain robbed Pakistan. So no blame attached to Pak performance there. Rain also makes it harder for bowlers to grip the bowl, and despite that advantage SA were still behind.

For me there are no ifs and buts in cricket (as you can see from my comment about the SA team strength), you win or you lose - sometimes you win by a huge margin, sometimes you just sneak though - ditto when you lose. They all are counted the same in the end.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan owes a lot to AMla Bhai's selfish batting lol

 

[PakPremi]

For me there are no ifs and buts in cricket (as you can see from my comment about the SA team strength), you win or you lose - sometimes you win by a huge margin, sometimes you just sneak though - ditto when you lose. They all are counted the same in the end.

Same here no ifs and buts it rained and SA took full advantage, no blame to Pak bowlers for not defending 317 as they did not get the opportunity to defend 317.

 

[PakPremi]

Pakistan owes a lot to AMla Bhai's selfish batting lol

Without Amla they would be all out 180 each time. One batsman does not hold the batsman on the other end to play at higher strike rate if they are better at it.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Without Amla they would be all out 180 each time. One batsman does not hold the batsman on the other end to play at higher strike rate if they are better at it.

That was a pretty selfish innings. Not showing any intent whatsoever right till 46th over to accelerate. Even the debutant showed some intent.

 

[Snowflake]

Wouldn't go as far as saying 'bossed' but we've definitely been the better team till now. However, that wouldn't matter if we lose the next game. So, need to make sure we end the series on the right note!

 

[Snowflake]

Without Amla they would be all out 180 each time. One batsman does not hold the batsman on the other end to play at higher strike rate if they are better at it.

Haha! Remember how the same defense was used for Misbah's countless 'savior' innings?

"If Misbah hadn't batted like that, we'd be all out for 150 instead of 230"

Amla cost them that match. Period.

 

[zulfiqar]

Title is totally wrong - we haven't BOSSED South Africa at all, but we are certainly standing on a level playing field. Though our batting is a league behind other top teams, our bowling is till competitive even versus top-flight opposition and can give us a chance. Great to see our bowlers taking out SA <200 runs. Hope to see this more often!

 

[Mamoon]

A 3-2 series defeat in South Africa is hardly something to gloat over. In fact, over the last 15 years or so, apart from the 2013-14 series in the UAE, every 5 match ODI series between the two teams has ended up 3-2 in South Africa's favour.

Even our much maligned 2013 team, the one that was humiliated in the Champions Trophy, lost 3-2 in South Africa a couple of months before losing all three games in the Champions Trophy. The South African side that they faced was much better than this one.

Winning 2 games against this South African team is not a big deal. Granted that they are still better than Pakistan, they are still quite vulnerable. The retirement of de Villiers has weakened their batting, and the decline of Tahir has weakened their bowling.

This South African side will get smashed by India and England home and away, and will most likely lose in New Zealand as well. A 3-2 series defeat would be a par performance for Pakistan and will hardly show a step in the right direction, and neither will it make up for the Asia Cup humiliation.

However, a 3-2 series win would be a very good result. Not a miraculous result but still a good achievement - on par with losing to a team like India or England 3-2 at this point.

 

[Something]

A 3-2 series defeat in South Africa is hardly something to gloat over. In fact, over the last 15 years or so, apart from the 2013-14 series in the UAE, every 5 match ODI series between the two teams has ended up 3-2 in South Africa's favour.

Even our much maligned 2013 team, the one that was humiliated in the Champions Trophy, lost 3-2 in South Africa a couple of months before losing all three games in the Champions Trophy. The South African side that they faced was much better than this one.

Winning 2 games against this South African team is not a big deal. Granted that they are still better than Pakistan, they are still quite vulnerable. The retirement of de Villiers has weakened their batting, and the decline of Tahir has weakened their bowling.

This South African side will get smashed by India and England home and away, and will most likely lose in New Zealand as well. A 3-2 series defeat would be a par performance for Pakistan and will hardly show a step in the right direction, and neither will it make up for the Asia Cup humiliation.

However, a 3-2 series win would be a very good result. Not a miraculous result but still a good achievement - on par with losing to a team like India or England 3-2 at this point.

I think there are times when you need to look deeper than the stats. Fact of the matter is rain ruined the 3rd game for us. Before it started raining, SA were struggling. Had it not rained the game would've gone in an entirely different direction. Also, the 2nd ODI that we lost as a result of our batting collapse, I think we fought very well to defend that low total and made a game out of it.

A 3-2 series win in this case would be a good achievement and a step in the right direction. We've shown grit and determination and a result like this before the World Cup will only boost the morale of the team.

 

[Mamoon]

I think there are times when you need to look deeper than the stats. Fact of the matter is rain ruined the 3rd game for us. Before it started raining, SA were struggling. Had it not rained the game would've gone in an entirely different direction. Also, the 2nd ODI that we lost as a result of our batting collapse, I think we fought very well to defend that low total and made a game out of it.

A 3-2 series win in this case would be a good achievement and a step in the right direction. We've shown grit and determination and a result like this before the World Cup will only boost the morale of the team.

It is a little too optimistic to assume that we would have won the 3rd ODI if it wasn't for rain. South Africa were well placed at 80/2 in 16 overs before the initial rain interruption. The pitch was a road with very fast outfield.

The team can undoubtedly gain confidence from this series win, but we have 10 ODIs against Australia and England coming up. By the end of England series, the team's morale is likely to be crushed because that 5 match series in England is going to be a massacre.

 

[Usman Chadda]

It is a little too optimistic to assume that we would have won the 3rd ODI if it wasn't for rain. South Africa were well placed at 80/2 in 16 overs before the initial rain interruption. The pitch was a road with very fast outfield.

The team can undoubtedly gain confidence from this series win, but we have 10 ODIs against Australia and England coming up. By the end of England series, the team's morale is likely to be crushed because that 5 match series in England is going to be a massacre.

Just like this series was supposed to be a massacre?

It's clear this team can punch above its weigh, thus making such predictions or any kind of prediction is useless.

 

[Mamoon]

Just like this series was supposed to be a massacre?

It's clear this team can punch above its weigh, thus making such predictions or any kind of prediction is useless.

There is a considerable difference between an okayish South Africa and England. Yes we saw this team "punching above its weight" in New Zealand 12 months ago and in the Asia Cup.

This South African side has no chance of beating India or England in a series. They would probably get thumped in New Zealand as well. On the other hand, only India is capable of beating England in ODIs at the moment, and vice versa.

A 4-1 thrashing in England would actually be an achievement for Pakistan. A 3-2 loss would be a miracle, and let's not even talk about the possibility of winning that series.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

We are just short of one consistent power hitter and one beast of a fast bowler to beat any team.

 

[Pakhs]

We are just short of one consistent power hitter and one beast of a fast bowler to beat any team.

No you are short of one GUN spinner.

 

[Etherealistic]

2-2 is not BOSSING and neither is a 3-2 win. BOSSING means to win it 5-0.