Pakistan's first Test loss at Abu Dhabi

[Major]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The defeat to Sri Lanka was Pakistan's first ever loss in a Test match at Abu Dhabi:<br>Played 10<br>Won 5<br>Drawn 4<br>Lost 1<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSL</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/914931751474012160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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They hadnt lost a test here, now that record is gone

 

[Syed1]

Thank you Mickey.

 

[Abdullah719]

Thank you Mickey.

Yes Mickey was out there batting

 

[DRsohail]

thank u micky....

 

[Syed1]

Yes Mickey was out there batting

Who selected fitness guru? Who moved Azhar to number three? Who played three pacers on dead spinning track?

 

[Abdullah719]

Who selected fitness guru? Who moved Azhar to number three? Who played three pacers on dead spinning track?

All good points but at the end of the day, the batsmen failed to chase 136. We should have won.

 

[Syed1]

All good points but at the end of the day, the batsmen failed to chase 136. We should have won.

The first two of my points would have gone a long way in us chasing 136.

 

[Abdul]

Thank you, Sarfraz.

 

[Major]

Interesring. So now ab blame coach per hua karay ga captain per nahi )

 

[Abdul]

Interesring. So now ab blame coach per hua karay ga captain per nahi )

Yeah, the captain has no input now.

 

[Major]

Thank you, Sarfraz.

But but but sarfraz is a dashing player.....

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] We should have chased 136 regardless against these jobbers

 

[Abdul]

But but but sarfraz is a dashing player.....

Very aggressive.

 

[hisham_ashraf]

Kick Shan out of the team.Make Azhar open and bring Salahuddin in the team and hope for the next match.We better win the next game.....

 

[cricketerB94]

I am happy that they lost. Actually, they deserved to lose because of their coward approach and time wasting antics. Coward losers!

 

[Aman]

Don't want to be that guy, but there's a good chance YK and Misbah would have seen Pakistan home.

 

[Abdullah719]

Don't want to be that guy, but there's a good chance YK and Misbah would have seen Pakistan home.

Except that this literally happened two Tests ago with them in the side: http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...2nd-Test-pakistan-in-west-indies-test-series/

 

[Major]

Kick Shan out of the team.Make Azhar open and bring Salahuddin in the team and hope for the next match.We better win the next game.....

How does shuffling batting make a difference.

These guys playing are the best selected guys.

Problem was obviously captaincy point of view.

You dont play rash shots, you play with responsibility.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Not being able to chase 136 against this team is not acceptable and the batsmen have to take responsibilities for this defeat.

Sarfraz & Miki also had their issues - however - there is no excuse what so ever for our batting line up not being able to chase 130 odd runs.

 

[Abdullah719]

How does shuffling batting make a difference.

These guys playing are the best selected guys.

Problem was obviously captaincy point of view.

You dont play rash shots, you play with responsibility.

How was the problem captaincy? Though Sarfaraz is to blame for the stupid shot he played - but he isn't responsible for the other batters.

They weren't going out there slogging. 6 of the top 7 batsmen didn't even hit a single boundary.

The problem was they simply wilted under pressure.

 

[arehaan]

It was good for some of these players to come back to planet earth especially after the five star appreciation they got in Pak. Having said that we have lot of work to do but happy to see that Harris Sohail was easily the best batsman on display from Pak. Asad S. no longer has the huge frame of MIS YOU to cover his flaws and Sarfraz needs to work on his fitness as he was huffing and puffing after few min. Babar A. is clearly not ready for the graduation to test cricket and can be easily replaced with Fawad A.

1. Azhar A
2. Imam Ul Haq / Sami A.
3. Harris S. ( Seems perfect for this role)
4. Asad S. ( Has to show his worth now)
5. Fawad A. ( Time to let him takeover Misbahs role)
6. Usman S.
7. Sarfraz A.

 

[Syed1]

Another feather in Mickey's hat

 

[Markhor]

What a dopey decision it was to play 3 seamers on the slowest and flattest pitch in the world. 2 spinners in UAE is a must. With not one, not two but THREE spinners in the squad - it wasn't as if we didn't have any options.

The grass on the pitch wasn't live grass but dead grass to hold the pitch together. You're not going to get much seam movement, infact the surface was bone dry underneath and in the blazing sunshine the pitch was always going to break up and turn come Day 4 and 5.

Sarfraz should've known better as he's been part of the Test team since 2014, as should've Mickey. However one has to account for the fact it is his first Test as skipper and I'm sure he'll learn from this chastening experience.

 

[Buffet]

Mickey did make huge blunder by playing only one spinner. I can understand if Pace attack was good, but with current Pakistani pacers it's ridiculous to not play 2 spinners in UAE. Having said that you got to chase 130 runs and batsmen are culprit here. Similar thing happened earlier with Misbah and Younis playing as well against WI.

 

[lehen]

If Sri Lanka win at least 1 test I'm quitting forums and packing my bags

Thats how unrealistic their chances are.

Usman, Harris, Babar's chances to boost that average, and get settled in their roles, will never find a more confidence boosting series.

bye bye

 

[hisham_ashraf]

Pitches in UAE come to life only after 3 and a half days.Yasir is a class act and no one can deny that.Just like Ash is important for Ind in Tests Yasir is important for Pak.

 

[hisham_ashraf]

Hope they realise their mistake and play Asghar in the next game

 

[Thomaskutty]

What an embarrassing performance. Even Afghanistan wouldn't collapse if set a puny target of 130.

 

[QalandarFan]

There is no way we are going to lose the next test! We can not lose our first Series in UAE to Sri Lanka. I see an epic phaintay coming up for SL!

 

[Railu Katta]

Who selected fitness guru? Who moved Azhar to number three? Who played three pacers on dead spinning track?

so the captain sarfi had no say in any of these decisions? Is Mickey a dictator? Stop trying to put all the management blame on him. Sarfi also needs to take responsibility for these decisions and for irresponsible batting.

 

[j_kazmi]

I don't like it when supposed 'fans' are rejoicing over a loss because they think they were right or because there favourite player isn't in the team any more.

You support the team above all else not misbah, not sarfraz, not mickey.

 

[Slog]

so the captain sarfi had no say in any of these decisions? Is Mickey a dictator? Stop trying to put all the management blame on him. Sarfi also needs to take responsibility for these decisions and for irresponsible batting.

It was Sarfaraz's FIRST EVER TEST MATCH as captain

Yes it totally makes sense that he had as much power as Mickey

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Azhar Ali was arguably the best test opener for nearly a year and he gets replaced by Shan masood of all people. I'm sorry but you deserve to lose for such stupidity/nepotism whichever it is.

 

[mak36]

How was the problem captaincy? Though Sarfaraz is to blame for the stupid shot he played - but he isn't responsible for the other batters.

They weren't going out there slogging. 6 of the top 7 batsmen didn't even hit a single boundary.

The problem was they simply wilted under pressure.

I have always been a supporter of Sarfaraz, but he made a mistake to push the field back when SL were 8 wickets down. Sent out the wrong message.

But yes, the biggest problem was the batting. I think there was a bit of complacency too.

 

[in_cutter]

Who selected fitness guru? Who moved Azhar to number three? Who played three pacers on dead spinning track?

So you are saying Sarfaraz is innocent in all this?

 

[Abdullah719]

I have always been a supporter of Sarfaraz, but he made a mistake to push the field back when SL were 8 wickets down. Sent out the wrong message.

But yes, the biggest problem was the batting. I think there was a bit of complacency too.

I agree with that but it seemed as though Major was blaming Sarfaraz for the batting.

 

[Syed1]

So you are saying Sarfaraz is innocent in all this?

Mickey came out in a press conference long before the test saying in his ideal team Azhar will bat at three. This was also Sarfaraz's first test as captain, don't think he would be making such sweeping changes in his first test. But good attempt at diverting from the real culprit.

 

[mak36]

I agree with that but it seemed as though Major was blaming Sarfaraz for the batting.

In that case, OP is wrong to say that.
[MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION], you are a big supporter of Misbah, but he is retired and the team should move on. Everyone should get behind Sarfaraz as captain- shouldn't blame him for things that are out of his control.

 

[in_cutter]

Mickey came out in a press conference long before the test saying in his ideal team Azhar will bat at three. This was also Sarfaraz's first test as captain, don't think he would be making such sweeping changes in his first test. But good attempt at diverting from the real culprit.

No. I am pointing out your’s & others hypocrisy & bias.

 

[Railu Katta]

It was Sarfaraz's FIRST EVER TEST MATCH as captain

Yes it totally makes sense that he had as much power as Mickey

So according to you, Sarfraz had no say in any decision? Ma Sha Allah aap ki logic

 

[Slog]

So according to you, Sarfraz had no say in any decision? Ma Sha Allah aap ki logic

Improve your deduction abilities

I said that a coach of almost 1.5 years obviously has more say and responsibility than a captain in his first series.

 

[Big Mac]

Don't want to be that guy, but there's a good chance YK and Misbah would have seen Pakistan home.

Except that this literally happened two Tests ago with them in the side: http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...2nd-Test-pakistan-in-west-indies-test-series/

4th innings in the UAE:

 

[Big Mac]

Improve your deduction abilities

I said that a coach of almost 1.5 years obviously has more say and responsibility than a captain in his first series.

We don't know who has power and it's stupid to speculate.

What we do know is that it wasn't captain's orders to blame for batsmen not converting fifties into hundreds.

 

[waleed88]

What hurts more is it was our fragile batting that has yet again failed in the 4th innings. This didn't just happen in this era, but was a charactersitic finding in Misbah's era too. Numerous 4th innings losses I can point them out on my fingertips. We as a team bat poorly in the 4th innings.
Our only loss to West Indies in the UAE came about in a similar manner. That should've had the warning signs ringing for us.

 

[Big Mac]

What hurts more is it was our fragile batting that has yet again failed in the 4th innings. This didn't just happen in this era, but was a charactersitic finding in Misbah's era too. Numerous 4th innings losses I can point them out on my fingertips. We as a team bat poorly in the 4th innings.
Our only loss to West Indies in the UAE came about in a similar manner. That should've had the warning signs ringing for us.

*Sigh*

I wish people would fact check before making bold statements like this.

In 4th innings over the last seven years:

• Nobody has has more successful 4th Innings chases
• Only Australia has a better win % (40.74% to 36.67%)
• Only India were less likely to be bowled out in the 4th innings (34.62% to 40%)
• Nobody has scored more runs per wicket

But we can't bat in the 4th innings

 

[waleed88]

*Sigh*

I wish people would fact check before making bold statements like this.

In 4th innings over the last seven years:

• Nobody has has more successful 4th Innings chases
• Only Australia has a better win % (40.74% to 36.67%)
• Only India were less likely to be bowled out in the 4th innings (34.62% to 40%)
• Nobody has scored more runs per wicket

But we can't bat in the 4th innings

Meri jaan look at the stats from 2014....

 

[Abdullah719]

4th innings in the UAE:

How many of those are in wins?

Anyway, my point is that it doesn't make sense to say "This wouldn't happen" with Younis/Misbah around when clearly second innings collapses were happening very often in recent times with those two present in the side.

 

[Big Mac]

Meri jaan look at the stats from 2014....

So first it was "Misbah's Era", now it's from 2014 only?

OK, let's take a look at 4th innings from 2014 until today:

• Only NZ have a better W/L ratio
• Only NZ and India were less likely to be bowled out than Pakistan
• Pakistan still had the best runs per wicket in the 4th innings (29.14)
• Only New Zealand (3.36 RPO) have a better run rate than defensive, cowardly, tuk tuk of Pakistan's 3.23

Absolutely useless in the 4th innings though and I look forward to seeing where the goalposts end up this time.

 

[Big Mac]

How many of those are in wins?

Anyway, my point is that it doesn't make sense to say "This wouldn't happen" with Younis/Misbah around when clearly second innings collapses were happening very often in recent times with those two present in the side.

No Pakistani has been unbeaten in a 4th innings win than Younis Khan and no Pakistani batsman has hit the winning runs in a 4th innings chase than Misbah.

While it's not a guarantee that we would have won, it's safe to say that they probably would have seen us home.

It's funny how some people who used to abuse you-know-who suddenly miss the old geezers after just one test. People need to stop overreacting, we've still got good players and I back us to level the series after the next game.

 

[AFM]

This is the brand of cricket we play

 

[waleed88]

So first it was "Misbah's Era", now it's from 2014 only?

OK, let's take a look at 4th innings from 2014 until today:

• Only NZ have a better W/L ratio
• Only NZ and India were less likely to be bowled out than Pakistan
• Pakistan still had the best runs per wicket in the 4th innings (29.14)
• Only New Zealand (3.36 RPO) have a better run rate than defensive, cowardly, tuk tuk of Pakistan's 3.23

Absolutely useless in the 4th innings though and I look forward to seeing where the goalposts end up this time.

Pakistan won the toss and fielded first (2014 -17) Won 3, Lost 2 :

SL won 10 wickets won 2nd n 1st Test in SL 2015 at Galle [2167]
SL won 7 wickets won 2nd n 3rd Test in SL 2015 at Pallekele [2169]
Eng lost 141 runs won 2nd n 3rd Test in Eng 2016 at Birmingham [2212]
NZ lost 138 runs won 2nd n 2nd Test in NZ 2016/17 at Hamilton [2237]
WI won 7 wickets won 2nd n 1st Test in WI 2017 at Kingston [2259]


Pakistan lost the toss and fielded first (2014-2017) Won 2, Lost 6 :

SL won 5 wickets lost 2nd n 3rd Test in UAE 2013/14 at Sharjah [2115]
SL lost 105 runs lost 2nd n 2nd Test in SL 2014 at Colombo (SSC) [2136]
NZ draw - lost 2nd n 2nd Test in UAE 2014/15 at Dubai (DSC) [2146]
BD draw - lost 2nd n 1st Test in BD 2015 at Khulna [2159]
Eng lost 330 runs lost 2nd n 2nd Test in Eng 2016 at Manchester [2208]
Eng won 10 wickets lost 2nd n 4th Test in Eng 2016 at The Oval [2216]
Aus lost 39 runs lost 2nd n 1st Test in Aus 2016/17 at Brisbane (d/n) [2240]
Aus lost 220 runs lost 2nd n 3rd Test in Aus 2016/17 at Sydney [2245]
WI lost 106 runs lost 2nd n 2nd Test in WI 2017 at Bridgetown [2260]
SL lost 21 runs lost 2nd n 1st Test in UAE 2017/18 at Abu Dhabi [2275]

Do you have my answer now?

Its a shoddy record whichever way you look at it.

 

[waleed88]

No Pakistani has been unbeaten in a 4th innings win than Younis Khan and no Pakistani batsman has hit the winning runs in a 4th innings chase than Misbah.

While it's not a guarantee that we would have won, it's safe to say that they probably would have seen us home.

It's funny how some people who used to abuse you-know-who suddenly miss the old geezers after just one test. People need to stop overreacting, we've still got good players and I back us to level the series after the next game.

YEs but in the last 3 years it all went down for the 4th innings specialists. Well their average is great in the 4th innings, we have been sitting ducks in the past 3 years most of the time as the stats show

 

[ipl_fan]

With a 40% draw rate, it is hardly a fortress. Just that Pakistan never lost there. They have a high rate of stalemates.