Pakistan have only managed to bat twice for more than 60 overs in the series....

[MenInG]

From CSA media release:

Pakistan have only managed to bat once for more than 60 overs in the series to date and the target already facing them suggests they have a very steep mountain to climb.

The result is that none of the Proteas bowlers have had to bowl more than 15 overs in an innings and has made it easier to take the decision to play without a specialist spinner.

When you read above, you will then understand how criminal our inability to bat in this series has been.

And for those worried about run rates, hope you understand what just staying on the pitch for atleast one day means as well.

 

[Barragan]

Batsmen lost the series against NZ and SL in the UAE.

They have been atrocious on this tour, but yet some still have the gall to blame bowlers for the lack of pace or something.

The silliness in Pak cricket is just beyond belief.

 

[rhony]

That's secondary. In this day and age irrespective of pitch, not being able to score 250 is criminal. Only once in 5 innings have Pakistan scored more than 200. Batting has let down the team and there is one last chance to redeem themselves.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The batting has been a disgrace for the past 10 years, even in the past it was carried by the likes of Younus, Yousaf and Inzimam. Yet we still get posters who start up threads that our bowling is just as bad as our batting. Apart from being a load of rubbish, that actually takes away the spotlight from the awful batting we are producing, and it very much needs a spotlight when you have idiotic batsmen who think they are world superstars blessed to have been given talent in all facets of the game.

 

[barah_admi]

It is atrocious. Apart from Babar and at times Shaan, it has been poor all round. I know Sarfraz has two fifties but on both occasions it was his job to stick around and bat with the lower order/tail, which he failed.

This also puts even more pressure on an already strained bowling line up and yet they still perform.

 

[Buffet]

That's secondary. In this day and age irrespective of pitch, not being able to score 250 is criminal. Only once in 5 innings have Pakistan scored more than 200. Batting has let down the team and there is one last chance to redeem themselves.

SA batting has not been that great in this series as well. One good inning in entire series. Yes, they lack experience, but at times irresponsible batting.

 

[rhony]

SA batting has not been that great in this series as well. One good inning in entire series. Yes, they lack experience, but at times irresponsible batting.

SA's batting lineup is weak too but they are making those minimum required runs. As I said, no matter how the pitches are, teams should be able to score par runs. It's 250 on this tour.

 

[TeymurBlake]

South Africa batting has been poor but ours has been even worse. Its absolutely disgraceful.

 

[coy0607]

South Africa batting has been poor but ours has been even worse. Its absolutely disgraceful.

Not a surprise, and hardly any different from what we have been seeing from this batting line up in the last few years

 

[Buffet]

South Africa batting has been poor but ours has been even worse. Its absolutely disgraceful.

I think both batting line ups have been equally inept. SA has a better bowling unit so they were able to win , but SA batting is not much better than Pakistan.

 

[MMHS]

Atrocious batting!!!! This is after unexpected contribution from Shan- PAK's initial plan was to open with Imam & Fakhar, followed by Azhar, Haris, Asad, Babar & Sarfraz. If 523 combination was adopted, then Haris misses out!!!!!

Some people need to be sacked.

 

[Fahdi]

If only the bowlers were faster...

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

People used to call Misbah Younus tuk tuk, but they did manage to bat a lot of overs with their attitude. Test cricket is all about occupying the crease and giving yourself and your spinner a chance. If you manage to get to day 4 then guys like Yasir have a chance as well. Also your pacers are well rested.

These guys since Mickey and Sarfraz took over flash at everything getting runs but also giving the opposition some soft dismissals. Also ignoring guys like Fawad Alam, Usman Salahuddin and Saad Ali.

I know McCullum believed in this strategy but Pak does not have that backup which NZ did have. One wicket and others collapse like a pack of cards.

 

[Kaka4pope]

Unable to handle Olivier, who is dangerous, but some of the batting has been poor - Shafiq today...

Not a surprise when reading about Pak crickets approach to batting as a discipline - lack of intensity in training and adequate equipment...

 

[leg-side-flick]

I think both batting line ups have been equally inept. SA has a better bowling unit so they were able to win , but SA batting is not much better than Pakistan.

Agree on batting....

But SA is playing 4 fast bowlers vs Pak's 3. I think Pak should have played Faheem throughout the tour ahead of Yasir.

 

[OmarKhan99]

The more times we bat this series, the more it becomes clear that there is a significant need of a calm and collected player like Haris Sohail in the team. Very unfortunate timing of injury.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

I don't think that even india did anything better the last time they toured SA.

 

[ikky47]

I don't think that even india did anything better the last time they toured SA.

You guys did a lot better, you won 1 match and would have won the series if it wasn't for the toss and AB's brilliance with the bat.. Pakistan haven't even managed to score over 200 consistently. We have only done it once in 5 innings

 

[Buffet]

Agree on batting....

But SA is playing 4 fast bowlers vs Pak's 3. I think Pak should have played Faheem throughout the tour ahead of Yasir.

Yasir shouldn't play in SENA. May be in dry UK pitches, but that's about it. He can't even keep it tight and if wicket is not offering anything he simply releases any pressure from one end. He single hadidly lost matches in Aus by going over 5 runs over to allow Aus set up a target despite running out of time.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

You guys did a lot better, you won 1 match and would have won the series if it wasn't for the toss and AB's brilliance with the bat.. Pakistan haven't even managed to score over 200 consistently. We have only done it once in 5 innings

I was talking about indias batting performance. It was really bad, may be somewhat better than yours but still not much difference.
But our pacers bowled better than yours.

 

[Markhor]

Yet some fans complain incessantly about strike rates when we cannot even take tests to day 5 anymore.

This batting lineup desperately needs solidity and consistent centurymakers, yet guys with the highest FC averages like Fawad, Salahuddin and Saad are ignored.

Why do we expect better than average results with average players ? Sadly, the next series is 10 months away giving us another opportunity for collective amnesia and to keep the status quo.

 

[Savak]

To be honest, the tail enders keep falling cheaply and show zero ability to add more than 50 runs. Even Faheem and Shadab looked out of depth with the bat, the South Africans are going to be relentless with their bouncer barrage.

Honestly speaking the results show a complete lack of preperation, everyone from no 1 to 11 should have worked their backsides off for the bouncer barrage, everything depends on the top order

 

[Zaz]

but if only the bowlers could bowl faster...

 

[Markhor]

Don't insult Sri Lanka by comparing our batting to theirs - at least Mendis and Mathews could grind out a draw in NZ against Boult and co.

Our batsmen are incapable of such a performance.

 

[Amjid Javed]

5 inns on tour so far and how many decent partnerships have we had per inns? 1 maybe 2 at best. Its pathetic our bstsmen either cant score or 50 and out. The same players failed vs SL and NZ.

Imam, Azhar, shafiq and sarfraz need to go for next SL series. Clean slate with new players.

 

[Fahdi]

Interesting and quite damning stat:

Muhammad Abbas and Muhammad Amir average more with the bat than Azhar Ali this series.

 

[Swashbuckler]

I don't think that even india did anything better the last time they toured SA.

We were poor by our yesteryear standards but better than this.

We played 74, 43, 92, 50, 77, 80 overs respectively.

 

[Napa]

From CSA media release:

[I<b>]Pakistan have only managed to bat once for more than 60 overs in the series to date and the target already facing them suggests they have a very steep mountain to climb.

The result is that none of the Proteas bowlers have had to bowl more than 15 overs in an innings and has made it easier to take the decision to play without a specialist spinner.</b>[/I]

When you read above, you will then understand how criminal our inability to bat in this series has been.

<b>And for those worried about run rates, hope you understand what just staying on the pitch for atleast one day means as well.</b>

The runs and strike rates of the 3 Pakistani batsmen who scored a significant amount of runs are: Imam 43/41%; Babar 49/90%; and Sarfaraz 50/125%.

I would say Imam's innings is most valuable because of his lower strike rate, which implies he was at the crease for a longer time wearing down the SA bowlers and making it easier for the the remaining batsmen.

<b>Most of the time, a lower S/R is good for your team in Test cricket!</b>

If you have a strike rate of over 60% in Tests, it can imply that you really are not confident of surviving and are swinging your bat with the idea of scoring while you are still there.

Many posters fail to understand the importance of a low S/R in Test cricket, and now with many games getting over in 3 or 4 days it is even more important.

This is a point I have made in many threads comparing Gavaskar to Richards. Many posters go gaga over Richards "destructiveness", but the reality is that Gavaskar's lower S/R as an opener was critical for the remaining batsmen.

Pujara's 202 runs from 525 balls (S/R < 40%) utterly demoralized the Australians when the toured India, and turned the series in India's favor.

 

[j_kazmi]

This is the collective fault of all our batsmen including Babar Azam.

 

[bantu]

It looks all the Pakistani batsmen have decided to go into ODI mode rather than grind it out.. All you one or two to play the holding role ... Azhar who could do it is completely out of form

 

[Savak]

The runs and strike rates of the 3 Pakistani batsmen who scored a significant amount of runs are: Imam 43/41%; Babar 49/90%; and Sarfaraz 50/125%.

I would say Imam's innings is most valuable because of his lower strike rate, which implies he was at the crease for a longer time wearing down the SA bowlers and making it easier for the the remaining batsmen.

<b>Most of the time, a lower S/R is good for your team in Test cricket!</b>

If you have a strike rate of over 60% in Tests, it can imply that you really are not confident of surviving and are swinging your bat with the idea of scoring while you are still there.

Many posters fail to understand the importance of a low S/R in Test cricket, and now with many games getting over in 3 or 4 days it is even more important.

This is a point I have made in many threads comparing Gavaskar to Richards. Many posters go gaga over Richards "destructiveness", but the reality is that Gavaskar's lower S/R as an opener was critical for the remaining batsmen.

Pujara's 202 runs from 525 balls (S/R < 40%) utterly demoralized the Australians when the toured India, and turned the series in India's favor.

I disagree, these are tough batting conditions and runs are a premium. Batsmen have to play their shots because one delivery will eventually have their name on it. But they have to be smart and selective as well for eg Faheem Ashrafs shot on his first delivery was unacceptable.

Pujaras approach looked successful because the remaining other batsmen play at a higher strike rate more efficiently therefore reducing the pressure on him.

Not to take away from India's achievements in Australia but South African wickets are much tougher for touring sides. Even Australia has had a torrid time in SA

 

[Napa]

I disagree, these are tough batting conditions and runs are a premium. Batsmen have to play their shots because one delivery will eventually have their name on it. But they have to be smart and selective as well for eg Faheem Ashrafs shot on his first delivery was unacceptable.

Pujaras approach looked successful because the remaining other batsmen play at a higher strike rate more efficiently therefore reducing the pressure on him.

Not to take away from India's achievements in Australia but South African wickets are much tougher for touring sides. Even Australia has had a torrid time in SA

"Batsmen have to play their shots because one delivery will eventually have their name on it." That is the wrong kind of thinking for Tests. Yes, every batsman eventually gets out, but some are able to play the bowling better and survive a ball which would have got another batsman out.

I would say that in Test cricket, scoring 40 runs from a 100 balls is superior to scoring 40 runs from 50 balls. Longer stay at the wicket helps your teammates, both bowlers and batsmen.

 

[Xoib]

I disagree, these are tough batting conditions and runs are a premium. Batsmen have to play their shots because one delivery will eventually have their name on it. But they have to be smart and selective as well for eg Faheem Ashrafs shot on his first delivery was unacceptable.

Pujaras approach looked successful because the remaining other batsmen play at a higher strike rate more efficiently therefore reducing the pressure on him.

Not to take away from India's achievements in Australia but South African wickets are much tougher for touring sides. Even Australia has had a torrid time in SA

A Sr of45-55 is best in test cricket you can at max afford one bat pho goes @ 80 and one who goes <40 most great batsman bat at 45-55 through their career

 

[hadi123]

"Batsmen have to play their shots because one delivery will eventually have their name on it." That is the wrong kind of thinking for Tests. Yes, every batsman eventually gets out, but some are able to play the bowling better and survive a ball which would have got another batsman out.

I would say that in Test cricket, scoring 40 runs from a 100 balls is superior to scoring 40 runs from 50 balls. Longer stay at the wicket helps your teammates, both bowlers and batsmen.

Depends HUGELY on context but I see your point.


What's disappointed me this series is the amount of times our batsmen have got out to just poor batting as opposed to excellent bowling. If you get an absolute scorcher, there isn't much you can do but that hasn't been the case for a lot of dismissal this series, just inept batting

 

[Saj]

I'll say it again, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq saved Pakistan on many occasions and still people wanted rid of them. Both of them have left a huge gap and it also shows how mentally tough they were and carried their team-mates.

 

[The Viper]

Azhar can’t hold a bat at the moment. Sad because he had the temperament to grind it out.

 

[Savak]

I'll say it again, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq saved Pakistan on many occasions and still people wanted rid of them. Both of them have left a huge gap and it also shows how mentally tough they were and carried their team-mates.

Younis Khan, Misbah ul Haq as a batsman nope, just another Azhar Ali

 

[Savak]

It looks all the Pakistani batsmen have decided to go into ODI mode rather than grind it out.. All you one or two to play the holding role ... Azhar who could do it is completely out of form

Our batsmen don't have the technique to grind it out here, we tried that same approach in 2013 under Misbah ul Haq and end result was 3-0

 

[Napa]

Depends HUGELY on context but I see your point.


What's disappointed me this series is the amount of times our batsmen have got out to just poor batting as opposed to excellent bowling. If you get an absolute scorcher, there isn't much you can do but that hasn't been the case for a lot of dismissal this series, just inept batting

True, I should have specified it depends upon context. If a team is dominating the batting with little chance of losing, or is chasing a total then certainly a faster S/R is desirable. But most of the times in Tests a longer stay at the wicket (which will usually also result in a lower S/R) by a batsman helps his team more.

A longer stay at the wicket would certainly benefit Pakistan in SA, in fact would have also benefitted other Asian teams like India, SL and Bang in SA another other non-Asian countries.

 

[Napa]

Our batsmen don't have the technique to grind it out here, we tried that same approach in 2013 under Misbah ul Haq and end result was 3-0

To be a good Test team, you do need a few batsmen who can grind it out. Pujara was the biggest reason India won the Test series in Australia.

 

[TeamPak95]

but if only the bowlers could bowl faster...

This test series summed up in a sentence.

 

[Usman Chadda]

To be a good Test team, you do need a few batsmen who can grind it out. Pujara was the biggest reason India won the Test series in Australia.

South Africa is different from Australia. You have to be positive here on these pitches, as there will always be that one delivery that eventually knocks you over. Specially when you have a 145+ kph bowler, hurling short ball after short ball on an uneven wicket.

SRs in this series have been fine when you consider all of that. Imam was just surviving and had a bad control percentage throughout his innings, and eventually lost his wicket to a ball that reared up from good length to catch the edge.

 

[Haroon786]

I think both batting line ups have been equally inept. SA has a better bowling unit so they were able to win , but SA batting is not much better than Pakistan.

Reason why SA won was cos of Pakistani batting, there is no alternative way to look at it - the bowling performance of either side hasn't been too different, SA are a little bit better in bowling. However, in batting, apart from Shan and Babar, Pakistan have been atrocious, whereas for SA, Markram, Elgar, Amla, Bavuma, Faf and DeKock have all got runs - it's really been a team effort from them unlike the mercurial Pakistanis.

 

[Hasan123]

Isn't this usually how long the innings are in first class cricket? [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

 

[Markhor]

Playing for pride in this 4th innings. Can they last more than 60 overs here ?

 

[MenInG]

65.4 overs.

 

[UN talkz]

Another moral victory

 

[MMHS]

CSAF should pay PAK team at least $500 .......

Clue: Kookaburra Test Grade I ball costs around $125, but I guess, in bulk purchase, they give hefty discounts.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pathetic batting all series. 88 The highest score by one of our batters.

No wonder we lost 3-0.

 

[Hasan123]

You can't win tests when you bat for 60 overs. We need to change domestic pitches. It's killing our cricket.

 

[Snak3eye5]

And people here actually believed that Fakhar and Bavaria was a better batsman than Rohit , Amla and Smith. Lol

Until we bring back proven players from our first class like Rizwan, Saud and Saad 3-0 was allways good to be the result. Sarfaraz , Shafiq and Azhar needs to be sacked.

 

[Chokli]

thats what happens when you focus on strike rate

 

[Bhaijaan]

Pakistan were aggressive with the bat and were able to score the same runs in 60 overs as India did by batting 100 overs.

Looking at it from Pakistan's POV it was the best way to bat because its better to be 240 AO in 60 overs than by 200 AO in 100 overs

Pakistan lost this series because their bowlers did not deliver.

 

[Bubby]

Pakistan were aggressive with the bat and were able to score the same runs in 60 overs as India did by batting 100 overs.

Looking at it from Pakistan's POV it was the best way to bat because its better to be 240 AO in 60 overs than by 200 AO in 100 overs

Pakistan lost this series because their bowlers did not deliver.

but the thing is when India batted last year the conditions were far more conducive for fast bowling than the one here, so they had to be watchful.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

but the thing is when India batted last year the conditions were far more conducive for fast bowling than the one here, so they had to be watchful.

Then how were your bowlers better than ours when they were bowling on more friendly pitches, while Pakistan on flat ones and still bowled good enough.

 

[Plumb]

Said it before the series that it 'll be a achievement if we play second new ball . SA bowlers are still fresh they may be able to play another 3 test series and the results 'll be pretty much same.

Request to PCB: Please stop embarrassing Pakistan. Cricket is very dear to the nation don't kill it.

 

[Plumb]

Pakistan were aggressive with the bat and were able to score the same runs in 60 overs as India did by batting 100 overs.

Looking at it from Pakistan's POV it was the best way to bat because its better to be 240 AO in 60 overs than by 200 AO in 100 overs

Pakistan lost this series because their bowlers did not deliver.

Lost the series because bowlers didn't deliver? I think you must be watching some BBL game or some other sports... definitely not the Pak Vs SA series

 

[Bubby]

Then how were your bowlers better than ours when they were bowling on more friendly pitches, while Pakistan on flat ones and still bowled good enough.

Coz our bowlers were much quicker, and were relentless and this has been the case for the past few years, also we had to content with ab, which pak should consider luck have not had to deal with, you can check the scorecard of that series.

 

[Bubby]

The reason South Africa made those pitches was they wanted to teach India the lesson for the turners that was dissed during the last sa tour of India, but they underestimated Indian bowling big time had one more batsmen applied himself in that series apart from Kohli, Rahane didn't play in first two matches nor did Kumar in one of the two matches, India atleast could have won the first match, and possibly the series, that is what happened when they started supporting him in the odi and t20 leg and we dissed the phainta to South Africa where Kohli and kulcha were all over South Africa with bit of help from other bats

 

[Buffet]

Pakistani bowlers took wickets per 31-32 runs in this SA series against very weak SA batting line up.

It's hard to win tests in SA if you are taking wickets per 31-32 runs.