Pakistan's bowling attack isn't any better than the batting

[Savak]

This was apparently a pitch favoring pacers. Yet the Pak pacers could only get 4 wickets defending a total of 150.

Now a total of 150 isn't a lot on the board but it is enough to create some pressure early on. Heck NZ showed how to defend a total of 175 and knew how to create pressure even when Pak was 130/3, they knew how to dry up the runs and keep the field in. Sarfaraz is just not the man for this job, the guy is an on top captain, he cannot react or think straight, positively under a moment of pressure and easily slouches, gives up when things aren't going his way. Have seen enough in the last year and a half and he is not going to improve.

My expectation was that the bowling unit would atleast make a strong fight of it by getting atleast 6-7 wickets. I am pretty sure the NZ bowlers would have made a real match of it having to defend 150.

What Pakistan needs is a Kane Williamson type captain, someone who doesn't talk much but someone who thinks on his feet and goes about his business quietly.

But overall the Pakistani bowling line up in this series is showing to be over rated. Just watch, they will not bowl as well as they are expected too and the bowling will fail to bail the batting out.

 

[Buffet]

Last SA- Ind series

3 scores of 135 - 177 was defended.

150 was not a such a low total to defend. I don't think Pakistani attack is a poor one, but lacks experience to stick to basics. Heads dropped far quickly. Even with 70/1, you can bowl sides below 150 in SA in 4th inning.

 

[Savak]

Last SA- Ind series

3 scores of 135 - 177 was defended.

150 was not a such a low total to defend. I don't think Pakistani attack is a poor one, but lacks experience to stick to basics. Heads dropped far quickly. Even with 70/1, you can bowl sides below 150 in SA in 4th inning.

The problem is the captain as well. Sarfaraz always shows defeatism and surrender when things aren't going his way. Williamson in contrast maintains calm and the same body language whether his side is on top or not and puts fielders in the right positions.

Pakistan just lacks intelligent cricketers and cricketers who are good astute readers of the game.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

How can you claim that?

As per stats it's the 2nd best after South Africa this year, our bowling was pretty good today as well. South Africa were just lucky that Elgar and Amla were reprieved by Fakhar and Joel Wilson and that there were plenty of play and misses against Amir and when the edge came it went through slip and gully otherwise Pakistan would have won convincingly given the state of their middle order.

Pakistan was also without their best bowler otherwise we wouldn't had let them score 220 in the first innings and would have won it in the end.

 

[topspin]

Savak bro what you have to remember is when you're defending a low total all the pressure is on the bowling side (unless the batsmen are as mentally frail as Pakistan's). So in the process bowlers have to attempt to bowl more wicket taking balls per over. On a good day you can get quick wickets but more often than not, even for a skilled bowling attack you will end up conceding more runs than the wickets required. It's a risk you have to take when defending such poor totals.

Give the team 200+ to defend, the pressure would have been on SA while the Pakistan the bowlers could have maintained a balance between wicket taking balls and bowling economically in good bowling conditions. In this scenario since the pressure is on the batting side, the onus will be on them to transfer the pressure on to the opposition, so that they can build momentum. To achieve this, it requires taking more risk and playing more attacking shots in order to score quick runs.

 

[BlackShadow]

I am actually amazed to see Pakistani fans satisfied with this bowling performance. It was a bowler friendly pitch and the worst South African batting lineup in their history. This is the least they could have done, and the 2nd inning bowling performance was actually quite embarrassing if one doesn't get fooled by a few late wickets.

 

[Bewal Express]

It's a solid attack. It needs a bowler like Afridi but with a little more pace and 3 years more experience

 

[shortbread]

The difference was Pakistani bowlers were up against much more capable batsmen!

Notice that both teams had similar batting milestones.... 3 50s each. The difference is that every SA batsman put up a fight there, 10, 15, 20 odd runs that helped the total. Pakistani batsmen simply folded with ease! 12 single-digit scores in two innings including 6 ducks!

Ask the Pakistani batsmen to face their own bowlers no-one would not be surprised if the innings folded for 70-80 runs!

We have not even discussed the dropped/denied catches which could have turned the game on its head. The only reason there was a semblance of competition in this test match was because of the way Amir and Afridi bowled! Else this would have been an innings defeat!

 

[Green Patriot]

I wouldnt say its as bad as the batting.We do have our problems though.Shaheen is not experienced even though he is good.Amir it seems tires out easily,perhaps due to fitness issues.Hassan gives away too many freebies and he may bowl a couple of very good deliveries which might be wicket taking but then he will bowl 3-4 hit me balls and release all the pressure.Abbas would have been great here.

But they are not equally bad as our batting.they did limit the Saffers to 220 odd in the first innings and even in the second if it was not for the dropped catch and the controversial decision the game might have been different.Perhaps they were demoralized.Another thing to work on,psychological strength and mental grit.But they are better than the batsmen,perhaps not good enough to bail them out every time but quite good in their own right.

 

[Savak]

Savak bro what you have to remember is when you're defending a low total all the pressure is on the bowling side (unless the batsmen are as mentally frail as Pakistan's). So in the process bowlers have to attempt to bowl more wicket taking balls per over. On a good day you can get quick wickets but more often than not, even for a skilled bowling attack you will end up conceding more runs than the wickets required. It's a risk you have to take when defending such poor totals.

Give the team 200+ to defend, the pressure would have been on SA while the Pakistan the bowlers could have maintained a balance between wicket taking balls and bowling economically in good bowling conditions. In this scenario since the pressure is on the batting side, the onus will be on them to transfer the pressure on to the opposition, so that they can build momentum. To achieve this, it requires taking more risk and playing more attacking shots in order to score quick runs.

We shouldn't sugar coat things, 4 wickets on a bowling friendly wicket in the 4th innings is unacceptable. Play and misses, edges falling short are just excuses, good bowlers keep persisting and do whatever they can to create chances. 150 runs is enough to create pressure on the batting side and you do that by taking flurry of wickets and keeping the economy rate under control.

The captain is to blame here as well, does not know how to motivate the team, does not know how to place fielders in the right place for particular batsmen to dry up the runs, to bowl dot balls and eventually creating pressure.

Even 200 would have been chased comfortably.

 

[Barragan]

Really?

Considering there was a dropped catch and a disallowed catch.

SA would have been 20 odd for 3 and that would have energised the bowlers, to be more aggressive and run in with full steam.

Bowlers did really well and other factors affected the amount of wkts taken.

 

[Savak]

Really?

Considering there was a dropped catch and a disallowed catch.

SA would have been 20 odd for 3 and that would have energised the bowlers, to be more aggressive and run in with full steam.

Bowlers did really well and other factors affected the amount of wkts taken.

Pak were 130/3 chasing 175 but NZ never gave up and kept trying to create pressure and get wickets. That is what top sides do, not slump their shoulders with resigned expressions on their face and body language.

When the captain shows defeatism, it permeates to the rest of the squad.

 

[ikky47]

Last SA- Ind series

3 scores of 135 - 177 was defended.

150 was not a such a low total to defend. I don't think Pakistani attack is a poor one, but lacks experience to stick to basics. Heads dropped far quickly. Even with 70/1, you can bowl sides below 150 in SA in 4th inning.

Also I believe it was mainly due to inexperience of the bowling attack both Hasan & Shaheen have played less than 10 test matches. With Amir only really being the experienced pacer. Sometimes you also need luck when defending totals in the 4th innings. But the bowling was sub-par after the first hour of the day.

 

[Abid Z]

The bowlers were ok for about 10 overs but after that lack of experience clearly showed.

 

[Usman Chadda]

And Pakistan fans continue to diss the only aspect that has kept us a competitive team all these years. Sometimes I believe we fans deserve this team.

You expect any team to defend 149 against South Africa in South Africa?

Also to the only Indian with the snarky comment. The lad will do well to remember that the only test South Africa was chasing in, they managed 177 on an absolute nightmare of a cricket pitch.

 

[Barragan]

Pak were 130/3 chasing 175 but NZ never gave up and kept trying to create pressure and get wickets. That is what top sides do, not slump their shoulders with resigned expressions on their face and body language.

When the captain shows defeatism, it permeates to the rest of the squad.

So, they should be picking up wickets twice?

Imam was given a reprieve and cashed in on it, same way Amla and Elgar did.

Nonsense to blame bowlers for that and expect them to take 20 wkts in an innings, instead of 10 wkts like it should be.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Their main gun Yasir was rendered ineffective by SA pitch doctors. PCT relies a lot on him to win matches, others provide support but can't take charge. That was apparent today, no fast bowling leader who can take charge of the situation and lead the way. It was the same with us in the 90s. At home Kumble won us matches in 4th innings, Srinath did it far less. In overseas matches we suffered in defending totals because the others weren't experienced enough to be match winners, they would be content with 1-3 wickets.

 

[Buffet]

Also I believe it was mainly due to inexperience of the bowling attack both Hasan & Shaheen have played less than 10 test matches. With Amir only really being the experienced pacer. Sometimes you also need luck when defending totals in the 4th innings. But the bowling was sub-par after the first hour of the day.

That's a huge factor. Many posters may not realize it, but the same attack after 25 tests will have few more tricks and they may stick to basics longer even if results are not coming.

 

[Usman Chadda]

That's a huge factor. Many posters may not realize it, but the same attack after 25 tests will have few more tricks and they may stick to basics longer even if results are not coming.

Combined total of 53 test matches. Yet they have bowled Pakistan to great positions throughout the year, and won them a few tests too.

Yet, our fans have the gall to diss on them.

 

[ikky47]

That's a huge factor. Many posters may not realize it, but the same attack after 25 tests will have few more tricks and they may stick to basics longer even if results are not coming.

I agree even our main pacer in Abbas has only played around 12 test matches, if you compare this to the Indian or Australian attack which toured SA earlier this year I think they were both more experienced in terms of number of matches played? Not sure off the top of my head what the numbers are?

 

[MMHS]

Had PAK batted well in 1st innings to put 281, still SAF would have taken a lead and would have chased target in 4th innings. Reason not being the bowler only, but the sharp head that operates with them. In Test cricket one has to create wickets, unlike T20s, where batsmen are forced to go after.

I give a clue - on this uneven surface there was no short leg until one popped up from Amir - very next over there was a short leg!!! You can’t operate an attack chasing the ball, one has to be proactive. SAF’s tail was significantly dented in this Test, still their last 5 wickets posted more than first 5 - you don’t win tight games like this, and this happens often when you have a clueless Captain in charge.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I agree even our main pacer in Abbas has only played around 12 test matches, if you compare this to the Indian or Australian attack which toured SA earlier this year I think they were both more experienced in terms of number of matches played? Not sure off the top of my head what the numbers are?

Ishant Sharma alone has played 89 test matches, which is a lot more than the combined total of 53 matches our pacers have.

 

[Ami]

And its bowlers fault the fielders come on to the field with ghee ridden hands?

 

[Buffet]

Combined total of 53 test matches. Yet they have bowled Pakistan to great positions throughout the year, and won them a few tests too.

Yet, our fans have the gall to diss on them.

I think bowling is pretty good. No need to pick on that. Batting was irresponsible after such a good platform. Pakistani blunted the new ball and then others batted poorly.

I actually voted for SA win after 150 runs was set. I didn't expect Pakistan to win, but I would have liked Pakistani bowlers to stick to basics longer to put more pressure after results were not coming despite many misses. In SA, 150 is big enough to not give hope. It's just lack of experience. Playing at top level you do learn few things and it comes with time.

I don't agree with this thread.

 

[Buffet]

Ishant Sharma alone has played 89 test matches, which is a lot more than the combined total of 53 matches our pacers have.

He has improved leaps and bound in recent years and learned to bowl in good channels without giving many easy balls. It's the same bowler, but touring all venues multiple times is going to teach you something. I am not saying that all bowlers will show the same improvement, but it helps a lot.

 

[Buffet]

I agree even our main pacer in Abbas has only played around 12 test matches, if you compare this to the Indian or Australian attack which toured SA earlier this year I think they were both more experienced in terms of number of matches played? Not sure off the top of my head what the numbers are?

Shami and Ishant have played enough. I don't know their numbers.

 

[MMHS]

Ishant Sharma alone has played 89 test matches, which is a lot more than the combined total of 53 matches our pacers have.

No point complaining on this. PAK plays average half number of Test than India, so obviously players will be playing less numbers.

Then, PAK pacers are often born as 5-6 years old and PCB won’t debut them before official 23-25.... means their peak period is very narrow - by the time they reach to 35 Test level, most start to walk like a 35 years old obsolete middle aged cricketer in a 29 years old certificate.

Just wait & see - in couple of years time, you’ll see it in Abbas as well, when he’ll be officially 29-30, should be at his prime in physical condition with skills & experience.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I think bowling is pretty good. No need to pick on that. Batting was irresponsible after such a good platform. Pakistani blunted the new ball and then others batted poorly.

I actually voted for SA win after 150 runs was set. I didn't expect Pakistan to win, but I would have liked Pakistani bowlers to stick to basics longer to put more pressure after results were not coming despite many misses. In SA, 150 is big enough to not give hope. It's just lack of experience. Playing at top level you do learn few things and it comes with time.

I don't agree with this thread.

I think Fakhar's drop and that controversial third umpire call, just defeated them mentally. This team is mentally weak, as is evident by five dramatic batting collapse since Sarfraz took over as captain. It's natural the same creeps into the bowling aswell, once things don't go your way. I didn't believe Pakistan had any chance. Thought they would make it difficult for the Saffers, and they did initially, but we were 25-30 runs short atleast to make a match of it. But you're spot on about the lack of experience, specially with Hasan and Shaheen. Also the lack of an experienced bowling leader.

The batting is hopeless though. Five times they have lost tests within a session or so, to undo all the good work

 

[Buffet]

I think Fakhar's drop and that controversial third umpire call, just defeated them mentally. This team is mentally weak, as is evident by five dramatic batting collapse since Sarfraz took over as captain. It's natural the same creeps into the bowling aswell, once things don't go your way. I didn't believe Pakistan had any chance. Thought they would make it difficult for the Saffers, and they did initially, but we were 25-30 runs short atleast to make a match of it. But you're spot on about the lack of experience, specially with Hasan and Shaheen. Also the lack of an experienced bowling leader.

The batting is hopeless though. Five times they have lost tests within a session or so, to undo all the good work

I gave Pakistan some chance despite 150 runs to chase. Main reason was SA batting not being great in recent times.

 

[Ab Fan]

I disagree. The pace bowling attack was very good. They didn't had enough assistance as spinner Yasir was going for quite a few runs which eased off pressure created by pacers and eventually the pacers didn't got enough breathe.

In 2nd inning, remember, this is SA playing in home, surely they will chase 145, its not really a big deal. I don't think any current pace attack would have been able to defend 145.

200+ adds lots of factor as well as scoreboard pressure which makes things quite tough.

 

[ikky47]

I think Fakhar's drop and that controversial third umpire call, just defeated them mentally. This team is mentally weak, as is evident by five dramatic batting collapse since Sarfraz took over as captain. It's natural the same creeps into the bowling aswell, once things don't go your way. I didn't believe Pakistan had any chance. Thought they would make it difficult for the Saffers, and they did initially, but we were 25-30 runs short atleast to make a match of it. But you're spot on about the lack of experience, specially with Hasan and Shaheen. Also the lack of an experienced bowling leader.

The batting is hopeless though. Five times they have lost tests within a session or so, to undo all the good work

If you've looked back with previous Pakistani teams we've had an experienced pacer for example Wasim and Waqar had Imran to guide them. Then Shoaib had Waqar and Wasim and so on. But this defeat is due to our inept batsmen the 3 so called 'senior guys'. I believe Hasan and Shaheen will come good in test cricket with experience and along with Abbas will be a potent pace attack.

 

[Usman Chadda]

No point complaining on this. PAK plays average half number of Test than India, so obviously players will be playing less numbers.

Then, PAK pacers are often born as 5-6 years old and PCB won’t debut them before official 23-25.... means their peak period is very narrow - by the time they reach to 35 Test level, most start to walk like a 35 years old obsolete middle aged cricketer in a 29 years old certificate.

Just wait & see - in couple of years time, you’ll see it in Abbas as well, when he’ll be officially 29-30, should be at his prime in physical condition with skills & experience.

It's not a complain, it's a valid concern. The more these lads play together, the better they'll become. They have shown enough talent to prove there is something there to work with.

 

[Mueez]

We could have gotten SA 16-3, if luck favoured us and we took our catches.

Elgar and Amla would have been dismissed early and we could expose their middle order against our bowling attack.

 

[CricVet]

I am actually amazed to see Pakistani fans satisfied with this bowling performance. It was a bowler friendly pitch and the worst South African batting lineup in their history. This is the least they could have done, and the 2nd inning bowling performance was actually quite embarrassing if one doesn't get fooled by a few late wickets.

what embarrassing is giving away SA 300+ at the same venue by Indians and also below 200 score by Indian batting at the same venue. Pak bowling is far better even without their top bowler - It is pak batting which is THE WORST and shameful for showing no fight.

 

[ManFan]

No.

The OP is simply wrong because out of three complete innings, only one crossed 220.

The bowlers even in the fourth innings were fantastic and created chances. The catches were not taken and the marginal decisions that alter the fortunes of a match just did not go our way.

Truth be told, Pakistan lost this game on Day 2 after tea when they had a brain fade led by their idiotic captain.

 

[gazza619]

Dearly missed Abbass. Hasan bowls too many loose balls

 

[barah_admi]

How can you claim that?

As per stats it's the 2nd best after South Africa this year, our bowling was pretty good today as well. South Africa were just lucky that Elgar and Amla were reprieved by Fakhar and Joel Wilson and that there were plenty of play and misses against Amir and when the edge came it went through slip and gully otherwise Pakistan would have won convincingly given the state of their middle order.

Pakistan was also without their best bowler otherwise we wouldn't had let them score 220 in the first innings and would have won it in the end.

Great points and pretty much ends the thread.

 

[KingKhanWC]

The bowling has been saving Pakistan for over a decade now! If it was even half as bad as the batting, Pakistan would have been below Windies and Bangladesh in test rankings.

Respect to the bowlers, who work hard when the batters have failed them.

 

[Zaz]

ive got no issues with this attack this game Theres no way there should be expectation on the bowling to bowl and win a game defending 150

most teams are not gonna roll over and fold like the pakistan team do

 

[PakPremi]

Pak made a big mistake with selection of Yasir who was virtually unused. This meant they were one bowler short for the pitch. Even then they bowled out SA playing home on pitches they are well familiar with. Taking 4 wickets in second inning despite two catches not going their way is also commendable with opposition chasing a mediocre score of 150 with three days to get them. If SA were 17-3 Pak would have even won with their spirits on high. Fault only lies with pathetic batting of Azhar Asad and Sarfraz.

 

[Hasan123]

The bowling isn't an issue. Has things to improve on but the batting has even more issues.

 

[topspin]

We shouldn't sugar coat things, 4 wickets on a bowling friendly wicket in the 4th innings is unacceptable. Play and misses, edges falling short are just excuses, good bowlers keep persisting and do whatever they can to create chances. 150 runs is enough to create pressure on the batting side and you do that by taking flurry of wickets and keeping the economy rate under control.

The captain is to blame here as well, does not know how to motivate the team, does not know how to place fielders in the right place for particular batsmen to dry up the runs, to bowl dot balls and eventually creating pressure.

Even 200 would have been chased comfortably.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. But genuinely I don't believe they would have chased 200, certainly not comfortably!

I blame the captain because he has no idea what he's doing and he just seems overwhelmed with the responsibility. You could read this from his body language in the press before the start of the series. He needs to do the honourable thing and stand down.

On a good day with a little luck Pakistan would have picked up a couple or more so wickets but they were 50 short of winning this game. I'm not sure any team would have been capable of defending such total. England with Anderson. Broad, Stokes and Moeen Ali I would say would have had the best chance.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What a pointless thread. Pakistan has been consistently bowling out the opposition for low totals, if they were supported by a half decent batting line up they'd have won this test, and the NZ series 3-0.