Pakistan's lack of intent while batting in Test cricket

[HappyWarsFan]

While there was some dropped catches and a bit of questionable captaincy, I would mostly blame the defeat on the batting. Other the obvious problem of the openers, the lack of intent was a problem.. Pakistan goes into defense mode too often. At the end of the third day and beginning of the fourth day, Pakistan blocked out too much balls and created pressure on themselves. Babar, Faheem and Yasir should have gone out a lot more attacking. Only Hasan Ali showed the right attitude.

This is a trend I've noticed with Pakistan in tests of recent times. They often play far too slow, even for tests - need to up the ante at times.

 

[Babbar]

Blocking balls is a legitimate strategy in winning (or saving) a test match. Many a historic match have been won by a tooth-grinding blockathon when needed. But it needs extraordinary skills and patience; and not every player can or should do it. Others should make runs around them. Pakistan needs to show appreciation for this fine art of cricket that’s almost lost in their country.

Not every match needs to be played as a T20.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Blocking balls is a legitimate strategy in winning (or saving) a test match. Many a historic match have been won by a tooth-grinding blockathon when needed. But it needs extraordinary skills and patience; and not every player can or should do it. Others should make runs around them. Pakistan needs to show appreciation for this fine art of cricket that’s almost lost in their country.

Not every match needs to be played as a T20.

Yes, that is what I'm getting at. Blocking is fine and is a good strategy to wear the bowlers down. However, things like 43 runs in a session like on the third days evening is a bit too much - a run rate of 1.7 I believe it was. There should be some positivity, at least a 2.5 run rate would do.

 

[Energy]

Apart from Babar there is not a single batsman in the Pakistan team to get excited about. Washed up over 30 uncles, who are proudly playing test cricket of the 80s is what we're doing.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Apart from Babar there is not a single batsman in the Pakistan team to get excited about. Washed up over 30 uncles, who are proudly playing test cricket of the 80s is what we're doing.

And what did Babar do in the last 2 series exactly? The “uncles” have better batting averages and figures than him this year.

 

[Ahmed216]

Lack of stroke makers is the problem not the intent. If the batsmen have confidence in their stroke making ability they'll always show the intent.
Worst in this regard are imran butt and azzu 'bhai'

 

[MK7Z]

I agree

The intent was not there. Its always safety 1st. In the end the only attacking runs that were made were by Hassan and that almost got us over the line. It's Misbah strategy to just tuk tuk your way through tests.

I get the Concept of tiring the bowlers out however if you don't cash in on facing 50-60 balls then the scoreboard stays where it is. These Pakistan batsmen don't have the mental strength to stay at the crease anyway.
Pakistan need a counter puncher - Rizzy is sorta that but one in our specialist batsmen. I don't mean t20 mode, just someone who can put the pressure back on the bowlers.
20 More runs and we win this game.....

 

[gazza619]

Babar’s chilled attitude will be his downfall.

I see him and imagine him telling the boys “Ghabrana nahin hai”

 

[Titan24]

I agree and think Pak needed a counter attacking (Blackwood) kind of knock on this surface especially when they were on the back foot after two wickets in the same Seales over. There was more chance to have one guy score a quick 40-50 (As Hassan showed) than playing 100 odd balls on that surface. It was unfortunate when Rizwan got out as he and Faheem had natural tendency for such knocks as they showed in last few series. Faheem while defended well but, post rain last session of day 3 made him play against his nature (20-30 more runs in that session could have been handy) and that was to keep surviving and the next day he went early.

I wont blame bowling in the 2nd WI innings but, 3rd session of day 2 was poor and allowed WI to score too many runs, giving them the lead which in the end proved decisive.

 

[Rana]

Pakistan camped down too early at the end of day 3 with Babar and Faheem blocking everything for about 10 overs.

They just couldn’t take any momentum forward the next day. A total of 40 runs was added overnight, out of which 28 were by Hassan Ali

 

[Rana]

Babar’s chilled attitude will be his downfall.

I see him and imagine him telling the boys “Ghabrana nahin hai”

His attitude is too chilled for the mediocre side that he leads

Those mediocre players will continue to be comfortable with their average efforts

 

[Saj]

203 all out in 83.4 overs.

Only Abid, Rizwan and Hassan Ali with a strike-rate of over 40.

 

[zarak]

203 all out in 83.4 overs.

Only Abid, Rizwan and Hassan Ali with a strike-rate of over 40.

Those 5 overs at the end of the day from Brathwaite and Chase cost us. Rather than look to see out the day we should have gone hard. Come down the track and tonk and six and see how the whole outlook changes. We could have gotten 20-25 more runs. Need to take control of the game and not fail failure

 

[IMMY69]

This is a difficult one.
The wicket wasn't easy and had they lost wickets trying to up the tempo then we would now have a thread saying how they should have batted sensibly.

Yes we have two absolute duds opening the batting but I honestly feel that 160 odd was enough to win on that track and with the fragile Windies batting order. I didn't think Windies would make 140 on that track let alone get the win.

 

[Rana]

203 all out in 83.4 overs.

Only Abid, Rizwan and Hassan Ali with a strike-rate of over 40.

It’s the Misbah way to go

We used to be content at a rr of 2.5 in the UAE under Misbah’s captaincy also. Only Younis Khan used to bat free flow at a strike rate of 50+ anywhere.

I fear Babar Azam will now go down this route as he may have learnt/understood that he cannot bat at a 50+ strike rate without the threat of losing his wicket every other ball

 

[shah_1]

I agree with OP and also

Yasir conceding almost 4 an over in 16 overs cost us as well. Nauman would have been a lot more disciplined compared to garbage bowled by Yasir.

 

[Abdurmirr]

We were extremely poor in all three facets of the game this whole test. Our top 3 is pathetic and needs to be replaced ASAP. Besides that we should look to play an extra batsmen and let Faheem bat at 8.

Nauman should also be brought back, especially considering that unless a wrist spinner is at the top of their game (which Yasir is obviously not) than they are much more of a liability than asset, plus Nauman can strengthen our tail.

Abbas also needs to go but problem is the only two options we have is Naseem "spray gun" Shah or Dhanai who I don't think is ready for test cricket.

 

[Babbar]

Pakistan lost match due to sheer bad luck and also for other genuine reasons like -poor batsmanship by most, plebeian fielding, not having a pair of gun bowlers or a good spinner and defensive captaincy but lack of batting intent was not a big reason. It was a difficult pitch to bat on. Pakistan does not have strong batting lineup so the main batsmen had to play defensively.

Why cast aspersions on those who actually spent their time on a difficult pitch and made more runs than others..

 

[reversehook]

At this point of time I dont know whether I should be dissapointed in these poor chaps they put in the team and mask them as athletes or these poor fans who have any hopes from them.

 

[Concerned]

Having batsmen batting with a lack of intent is fine provided they are a class batsmen.

Issue is Pakistan is they hardly have any batsmen who can make it count. They are never settled.

Whatever the condition they are better off trying to score, this survival strategy does not work.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Captaincy was also poor in the last session. Roach, Da Silva were given easy singles with the field spread out. Abbas' bowling was toothless in the second innings. We don't even have a third pacer who we can count on.

 

[Inswinging Yorker]

Nope they literally let the game slipped through their hands. Simple catches they cannot take.

 

[Savak]

The Lack of counter attackers in Pakistan's test batting line up

This test match exposed the one dimensional nature of all the batsmen where as a bowler you bowl six out of six balls on a disciplined line length with the correct field placings and you will get guaranteed 6 dot balls. Not a single batsman who can be relied upon to just go after the bowling in T20 and ODI mode to put some pressure on the bowlers and captain

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

It’s good they are being shown up

This ain’t some raging turner but they have spent the entire day letting the bowlers ball to them

Babar, Rizwan and Abid all share blame on this regard

 

[boomboomcheema]

Pakistan batted more overs than Bangladesh, yet scored 44 runs less

The Pakistani openers played too cautiously, even Babar played too slow . Result : Pakistan end up playing more number of overs but scored much less runs. Had the openers been more proactive, the margin of lead could have been negligible.

 

[Rana]

Pakistan have been playing slower than everyone since Misbah took over in 2010

2.5 runs per over is the norm for Pakistan.

 

[Captain]

They are keeping up with the current inflation rate... Spending far more balls for same or lesser runs then the other teams... Zindabad !

 

[ARK Rafay]

Anything less than 3 runs an over is a thing of the old era. Unless it is Day 5 pitch spinning like meters then there is no excuse for this slow run rate.

 

[Savak]

To be honest, the wicket got difficult today and Taijul is a very difficult bowler on these wickets. The team management perhaps didn't expect the wicket to start spinning at pace and the ball keeping low.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Excuses all around. Why can't we just admit that it was a sad and pathetic batting display? Totally timid and cowardly batting from the entire middle order. The way they were batting, you felt they were playing Warne or Murali.

Babar played the worst innings of all. Sad to see a player of his caliber go into a shell and bat the way he did. Rizwan was terrible. And while Faheem got the runs, he didn't seem to have any intent of shielding the tailenders.

Expected much more from this batting line-up, that has been settled for a year now. But the cowardly batting on display today was simply sad to see.

 

[cricketerB94]

This thread is from August. Shows that Pakistan players never learn. They will still not learn after getting beaten in this test.

 

[Sycamore]

Rizwan had been aggressive even in tests last year, but this yr whether T20s, ODIs, Tests he has been playing the same style as other batsmen, all top 6 order players just playing the same brand of cricket doesn't work especially on hard wickets , you need a counter attack.

 

[Savak]

Pakistans tactics against Taijul in the second innings?

What tactics should the Pakistani batsmen use to negate a relentless, excellent looping, decent pace, stump to stump left arm spin bowling of Taijul where he can bowl 40 overs on the trott.

I would say avoid going on the back foot and look to employ the sweeps, reverse sweeps against him

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Agree. Pakistan just can't grind their way out of this. Their spinners in their conditions, particularly in the 2nd innings, are lighter versions of Axar, Ashwin and Jadeja.

Pakistan have to be positive, look for runs, play on the front foot, come down the wicket from time to time and also employ sweeps, nurdles. There is a ball with their name on it, they have to make sure there are runs in the bank before that ball arrives.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

They do the same in all formats. Were going at 3 versus Namibia lol.

 

[Cric1234]

Clearly lacking a punch with a better batting line up Bangladesh would be in control of the match we are well behind now as a test team compared to the top teams batsmen who are too old not good enough minnow bashers etc are the ones being selected.

 

[shah_1]

Younis and Misbah would have murdered these spinners. Our batting against spin has gone to minnow level

 

[Cric1234]

Younis and Misbah would have murdered these spinners. Our batting against spin has gone to minnow level

The selectors have a defensive mentality in all formats that’s why progress never happens in tests you need strokemakers aswell we have a few like Umar and Haider unfortunately they are thought of as T20 type sloggers while slow 40 strike rate batsmen are selected who bore everyone just to grind out a 40 plus average.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Younis and Misbah would have murdered these spinners. Our batting against spin has gone to minnow level

Younis Khan is the greatest test batsman Pak has produced arguably, not point mentioning him here.

 

[Savak]

Younis and Misbah would have murdered these spinners. Our batting against spin has gone to minnow level

Misbah has a very poor record against Herath.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Anything less than 3 runs an over is a thing of the old era. Unless it is Day 5 pitch spinning like meters then there is no excuse for this slow run rate.

On the contrary I believe that having a higher rpo on day 5 raging turner is a safer option. You don't know which ball has your name on it, so better to make the most out of your limited stay at the crease, by being aggressive and going for shots. That way the spinners may temporarily lose their radar.

Have always seen someone like Sehwag do much better on raging turners than Dravid. Same with Rohit, Pant, Ashwin in this year's Eng series (at home, Feb-Mar) compared to the more sedate Pujara.

 

[Saj]

286 from 115 overs versus Bangladesh was a very ordinary and lacklustre effort and the tactics backfired.

Looking at the current top order, you aren't going to get too many quick runs very often.

Can't even blame Misbah now for this.

 

[ARK Rafay]

On the contrary I believe that having a higher rpo on day 5 raging turner is a safer option. You don't know which ball has your name on it, so better to make the most out of your limited stay at the crease, by being aggressive and going for shots. That way the spinners may temporarily lose their radar.

Have always seen someone like Sehwag do much better on raging turners than Dravid. Same with Rohit, Pant, Ashwin in this year's Eng series (at home, Feb-Mar) compared to the more sedate Pujara.

The players name you have mentioned would not bat under 3 runs an over under any circumstance. You can give some leeway to other players is very difficult condition/s specially on a Day 5 wicket. But other than that there shouldn't be any excuse. That is my point.

 

[IAJ]

One rubbish batsman replaces another rubbish batsman. They just play to survive. Watched an over from a spinner to Shafique and he was just defending som poor deliveries. Yes, you need to play carefully but you have to put away poor balls. At least Abid Ali, althouh a flat track bully, tries to put away the poor balls.

 

[shamaan]

One rubbish batsman replaces another rubbish batsman. They just play to survive. Watched an over from a spinner to Shafique and he was just defending som poor deliveries. Yes, you need to play carefully but you have to put away poor balls. At least Abid Ali, althouh a flat track bully, tries to put away the poor balls.

Was this based upon 1 innings which was the first or also the second innings.

 

[Saj]

I think Pakistan's Test batters can be their own worst enemy at times.

They get into a negative mindset and then it's difficult to get out of that approach and it becomes difficult to put away even the bad balls.

When they get into this mindset, more often they will lose.

 

[Sycamore]

Yesterday Abid hit Taijul for 3 consecutive fours at the beginning of the day and the whole Bangladesh team was immediately down thereafter.

That is the effect of being positive and attacking in such a scenario.

 

[Savak]

Yesterday Abid hit Taijul for 3 consecutive fours at the beginning of the day and the whole Bangladesh team was immediately down thereafter.

That is the effect of being positive and attacking in such a scenario.

The sweep shots wrecked him.

 

[ElRaja]

say what u want about abid, but he doesnt waste time, either gets out quick or keeps score board ticking.

the biggest culprit is azhar ali, when ur number 3 bats at a s/r of 40 it really helps the bowling team settle into a groove if they get an early wickets. azhar made sense as an opener, but number 3 should always be a counter attacker in my opinion.

matters are made worse by babar not really moving up a level in tests, he struggles against good spin. ideally youd want max 2 defensive players in a top 6, but pak have 4 against spin. need to boot azhar, move babar up to three and stuff saud in at 4.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Babar, Fahim and Rizwan can play counter punching innings. Babar and Fahim are actually more comfortable while attacking than when they are blocking. Babar's knocks in WI series although were good, but even on those tough wickets he could have scored a lot more runs had he been more positive.

Abid is okayish. He can punch the balls and can put some force on the ball.

All of them need a better tactician who can instill confidence in them to play that way.

Too early to say anything about Abdullah Shafique, but signs have been promising.

Don't care how slow Fawad plays, as he is the one who does bat long when he gets in.

The only problem is Azhar. He's been way too defensive even by his own standards. Every delivery he faces, he looks like getting out. Has just been grinding out ugly runs for 2 years now. Sucks the momentum out of the innings singlehandedly and in addition doesn't ensure that he would go and score a fifty atleast something he was very good at from 2010-2017.

But Azhar is one guy who will retire when he feels like he doesn't have it in him anymore.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

say what u want about abid, but he doesnt waste time, either gets out quick or keeps score board ticking.

the biggest culprit is azhar ali, when ur number 3 bats at a s/r of 40 it really helps the bowling team settle into a groove if they get an early wickets. azhar made sense as an opener, but number 3 should always be a counter attacker in my opinion.

matters are made worse by babar not really moving up a level in tests, he struggles against good spin. ideally youd want max 2 defensive players in a top 6, but pak have 4 against spin. need to boot azhar, move babar up to three and stuff saud in at 4.

Credit goes to Abid for batting well, however let’s not forget how much they’ve failed against stronger bowling attacks.

 

[The Googly]

Was this based upon 1 innings which was the first or also the second innings.

He based it in on one over!

 

[MenInG]

Bit better after Lunch by Babar Azam - although the openers also did a good job - so all encouraging signs.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

Babar is a class act. Azhar is just a pain to watch.

 

[sweep_shot]

Babar is a class act. Azhar is just a pain to watch.

Azhar used to be good too. But, age is probably catching up. He now looks finished.

 

[shamaan]

Azhar used to be good too. But, age is probably catching up. He now looks finished.

He will stil play another series or two.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan looking much better as a batting unit in this Test - hope this is how it will be in the future.

 

[criclover2311]

When Fawad took 3 overs complete 50, why Rizwan slowed down at other end? Point of saving his wicket

These little things may cost us the matches and eventually the final spot for WTC, stability after lunch is understandable given the nature of pitch you cannot expect tailenders to score 30 runs, but while waiting for Fawad 50 Rizwan couldve swing, then Faheem and Hasan. THESE 20-30 runs might be margin of avoiding follow on.

 

[shah_1]

Stat padding to mantain his average. Pakistan has no believe at all that they can make the test championship final.

300 runs in 99 is not accepatable, we needed 350 runs in 99 overs.