Per Ardua Ad Astra (Pakistan Cricket)

[Abid Z]

“Through adversity to the stars”. This should be the motto of Pakistan Cricket. It has been shambolic no less and we are horrified how far we have fallen but we are forgetting the most important lesson which is we can’t possibly get worse than this unless there is an unscheduled series with Nepal. Afghanistan would be a challenge for sure.

Nevertheless I saw something in this abysmal performance that gives hope for squaring the series

I think if Babar gets into form quickly and we drop Saim this is actually a pretty good batting lineup in Asian conditions. Abdullah doesn’t know where is off stump is but you can’t drop a centurion let alone a guy who made a double hundred not long ago. Enough has been said about Shan but he was ok in Australia against the best fast bowling. Babar and Riz are horribly out of form and hopefully they can click soon. But Saud and Salman are true gems. We haven’t had an off spinning all rounder for ages and I think with a bit of confidence Salman is just right. Like an early Hafeez if agha just tweeks his bowling a bit more to be good against left handers he could really fill a gap. Saud could be our Darren Lehman understated yet crucial especially if he develops his spin.

Jamal is our best all rounder since Razaq. Finally we have a fast bowling all rounder.

THE BOWLING IS THE WEAKEST LINK.

Naseem is ok. SSA needs to be dropped. Husnain needs to bowl in bursts of 5 overs. Hamza and Mohammed Ali look like bowlers who can maintain a line and length. Wasim jr is not ready and Khurram is too short but nevertheless if we can get a decent spinner in there and one opener I think Pak will bounce back. They just need to find the mongrel which can happen when you’re baked too long in the sun.

Oh just consider our best test batters misbah/younis couldn’t take us home in Zimbabwe and Inzi had to rescue us against Bangladesh 20 years ago at home. These things happen. There are three days to turn it all around. Go on tigers.

 

[AMSS]

I agree with you OP.

I too saw multiple silver linings (or blessings in disguise, if you will) in this performance but oddly enough no one seems to be talking about them?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

These humiliations will ignite the spirit of resistance in them.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Bro, nice op. But I'm taking a break from Pakistan cricket for my own well being. Unfortunately our players' talent and performance are miles apart from other teams and it's disheartening to see us lagging so far behind.

 

[JaDed]

Blasphemy to be comparing the 1990s team against Zim who were a very good Test unit to Bangladesh at home.
That team definitely had groupism but never doubted their ability or calibre compared to teams then.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Pakistan could lose to North Korea and some fans will still look for positives.

Reminds me of TY from AFTV

 

[Cricket Warrior]

These humiliations will ignite the spirit of resistance in them.

First they should ignite the spirit of "Gheirat" in them.. lol

 

[Abid Z]

Blasphemy to be comparing the 1990s team against Zim who were a very good Test unit to Bangladesh at home.
That team definitely had groupism but never doubted their ability or calibre compared to teams then.

I think you misunderstood. Ten years ago

Blasphemy to be comparing the 1990s team against Zim who were a very good Test unit to Bangladesh at home.
That team definitely had groupism but never doubted their ability or calibre compared to teams then.

ZIM vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 2nd Test at Harare, September 10 - 14, 2013

Get cricket scorecard of 2nd Test, ZIM vs PAK, Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe 2013 at Harare Sports Club dated September 10 - 14, 2013.

www.espncricinfo.com

Not 1990’s Zimbabwe. 2013. A mere ten years ago. We have a habit of getting ourselves out and forever relied on one or two players in important matches to win by the skin of our teeth. But now I see more than one or two decent individuals. If we just get a few combinations right and sort out mental toughness the next few months will be interesting

 

[Abid Z]

Bro, nice op. But I'm taking a break from Pakistan cricket for my own well being. Unfortunately our players' talent and performance are miles apart from other teams and it's disheartening to see us lagging so far behind.

That’s your call. But I will say if they make some changes the next match will be really interesting. Remember this, Pak have not played a test match in ages. This was the first match in months (also Bangladesh series). So it takes time to switch from LO cricket to tests. Actually our mindset is like a 2 day game not 5 day game. You can see these fools hoick at the ball like it’s a t20. They’ll settle soon enough. But some changes are essential. SAIM AND SSA NEED DROPPING

 

[Abid Z]

First they should ignite the spirit of "Gheirat" in them.. lol

That’s unnecessary it’s just a game. If only you knew how bad England were in the 1990’s yet in a few years they turned it around. Australia were awful in the 1980’s but by the 1990’s they were invincible. Even Pak had some good players 15 years ago but never as a full unit. I’m sure the players feel pride but they were just steamrolled. It happens

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Bowling is definitely the issue and SSA definitely needs to be dropped. And a batter too - so probably Saim - to accomodate an extra bowler.

But problem is do PAK have any Test class bowlers ?

I'm not sure. Maybe

Jamal
Naseem
Khurram
Nauman
Zahid

I think this attack can do decently. But no guarantees.

Abrar and Shaheen have been awful

 

[Abid Z]

Bowling is definitely the issue and SSA definitely needs to be dropped. And a batter too - so probably Saim - to accomodate an extra bowler.

But problem is do PAK have any Test class bowlers ?

I'm not sure. Maybe

Jamal
Naseem
Khurram
Nauman
Zahid

I think this attack can do decently. But no guarantees.

Abrar and Shaheen have been awful

You are spot on. Abrar I think was forced to play but he will have to learn. He was good in Sri Lanka and at home previously but looks fragile and doesn’t seem a big turner at any point. I only say this because he needs to learn to exploit the rough.

SSA needs to be dropped.

Jamal and Naseem are ok. Not world class but ok for now for Pakistan.

Khurram , Nauman and zahid fill me with dread. If the selectors go with this option it’s only at best a containing option. They can’t take 20 wickets. Khurram is good but not in Multan and he needs to be really fit. It’s better to use Husnain in short burst and have somebody who can hold up an end and dry runs. That’s the biggest concern we can neither take wickets nor dry up runs and England are on the charge. LONG LIVE TEST CRICKET

 

[Nikhil_cric]

You are spot on. Abrar I think was forced to play but he will have to learn. He was good in Sri Lanka and at home previously but looks fragile and doesn’t seem a big turner at any point. I only say this because he needs to learn to exploit the rough.

SSA needs to be dropped.

Jamal and Naseem are ok. Not world class but ok for now for Pakistan.

Khurram , Nauman and zahid fill me with dread. If the selectors go with this option it’s only at best a containing option. They can’t take 20 wickets. Khurram is good but not in Multan and he needs to be really fit. It’s better to use Husnain in short burst and have somebody who can hold up an end and dry runs. That’s the biggest concern we can neither take wickets nor dry up runs and England are on the charge. LONG LIVE TEST CRICKET

If Hasnain is ready , then he should be backed, no doubt.

He's not a proven commodity in Tests , yet and so I'm not sure he has the endurance for multiple spells.

But if he can, his ceiling is definitely higher than the likes of Khurram.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Bowling is definitely the issue and SSA definitely needs to be dropped. And a batter too - so probably Saim - to accomodate an extra bowler.

But problem is do PAK have any Test class bowlers ?

I'm not sure. Maybe

Jamal
Naseem
Khurram
Nauman
Zahid

I think this attack can do decently. But no guarantees.

Abrar and Shaheen have been awful

Zahid is garbage. He has zero control and cannot be trusted to build pressure or control run-flow. Basically he is not cut out for red-ball cricket. PAK are much better off investing in someone young like Mehran Mumtaz.

 

[Abid Z]

If Hasnain is ready , then he should be backed, no doubt.

He's not a proven commodity in Tests , yet and so I'm not sure he has the endurance for multiple spells.

But if he can, his ceiling is definitely higher than the likes of Khurram.

Yes you are right. I think they might have to really be a bit daring with the bowlers. Make a long tail in order to cover all bases. Chances are any team batting first will easily rack up 500 plus again so they need to cover all bases in terms of pace and quality spin. At the moment we are being out spun which I never imagined and I don’t see enough domestic cricket to know who would be good wild card. Usman Tariq or the usual suspects who gift a pie or two every over.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Zahid is garbage. He has zero control and cannot be trusted to build pressure or control run-flow. Basically he is not cut out for red-ball cricket. PAK are much better off investing in someone young like Mehran Mumtaz.

Not sure about Mehran . Maybe they should call Zafar up. He has a decent county season . @Abid Z

 

[Abid Z]

Zahid is garbage. He has zero control and cannot be trusted to build pressure or control run-flow. Basically he is not cut out for red-ball cricket. PAK are much better off investing in someone young like Mehran Mumtaz.

Agreed about zahid. But I think that’s a problem in Pak cricket generally with most of our spinners. To get into PSL type cricket they’ve never had or lost the ability for flight drift and control. They focus too much on variations and darting the ball.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Bowling is definitely the issue and SSA definitely needs to be dropped. And a batter too - so probably Saim - to accomodate an extra bowler.

But problem is do PAK have any Test class bowlers ?

I'm not sure. Maybe

Jamal
Naseem
Khurram
Nauman
Zahid

I think this attack can do decently. But no guarantees.

Abrar and Shaheen have been awful

I think on a different day even this current team could have done far differently. But right now this team is so low on confidence and self-belief that even a school team could walk all over them.

Shaheen is by far the biggest disappointment. Prior to his knee injury he seemed destined for greatness. With the new-ball he was going to strike always...it was a matter of when, not if. And now, he seems like an average run of the mill trundler. The pace is gone, the bite with the new ball is gone, the consistency is gone. I personally believe that it has alot to do with his knee-injury then we are led to believe. I just hope whatever damage he suffered from that injury (and how he was rushed back for the T20 WC) has not caused irreparable damage to his body. But man, its been two years now and he has been remarkably disappointing. I don't know if he needs rest or just needs to play more FC. But something needs to change with him.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Not sure about Mehran . Maybe they should call Zafar up. He has a decent county season . @Abid Z

His FC record may not show it, but I think he has decent potential. Probably more in llimited overs but I can see him being successful in red-ball too. He bowls quick and can rush batters. Which can make him more effective on flatter pitches. Although I don't think that anyone should be given the punishment of having to bowl on these wickets.

Zafar Gohar is good. He has been treated really badly by PAK from the get-go and has been a bit unlucky too. He was supposed to make his debut over a decade ago in UAE but missed his plane. Finally got his debut in Christchurch in 2021 on a pitch where NZ played four seamers, went wicketless and never played again. Because he isn't playing domestic I can't see selectors giving him a chance. Which is ironic considering he has been playing more red-ball cricket than any of PAK's active spinners. But that's PAK cricket for you.

 

[Energy]

No offence but the stars the OP has seen are those you'd normally envisage after getting punched in the face point blank.

All the morsels of positive performance ie centuries, bowling all rounder, Hafeez 2.0, are an illusion.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Agreed about zahid. But I think that’s a problem in Pak cricket generally with most of our spinners. To get into PSL type cricket they’ve never had or lost the ability for flight drift and control. They focus too much on variations and darting the ball.

FC cricket is simply not a priority. And all you have to do is look at Shadab to see that. He can't even land three balls in the same area. He has completely lost touch with who he is as a bowler. And it has everything to do with the fact that he has not played red-ball cricket in four years.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

His FC record may not show it, but I think he has decent potential. Probably more in llimited overs but I can see him being successful in red-ball too. He bowls quick and can rush batters. Which can make him more effective on flatter pitches. Although I don't think that anyone should be given the punishment of having to bowl on these wickets.

Zafar Gohar is good. He has been treated really badly by PAK from the get-go and has been a bit unlucky too. He was supposed to make his debut over a decade ago in UAE but missed his plane. Finally got his debut in Christchurch in 2021 on a pitch where NZ played four seamers, went wicketless and never played again. Because he isn't playing domestic I can't see selectors giving him a chance. Which is ironic considering he has been playing more red-ball cricket than any of PAK's active spinners. But that's PAK cricket for you.

Mehran bowls a little too quick from what I've seen . But that was only T20 cricket to be fair.

At this point , it doesn't matter. Abrar is not the answer and never was. Called it even during his debut.

He barely gives the ball a sharp rip. Once batters started picking him , his performances fell off a cliff.

 

[shaz619]

Now we are realising what use to go through the minds of Bangladeshi fans for so many years

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Aamer Jamal is one of the best players we have unearthed in a very long time The team performance notwithstanding he has all the tools to be a proper seam all-rounder in the vein of a Ben Stokes and Hardik Pandya. Unfortunately, though I think we will run him into the ground like we do our fast-bowlers. We are the worst country when it comes to managing player workloads, injuries, rehab. Don't think anything more needs after Dr. Sohail Saleem and PCB antics like their unwillingness to pay for Shaheen's treatment in UK.

Just bowling on these highways alone will probably cut his career short by a number of years.

 

[Abid Z]

Now we are realising what use to go through the minds of Bangladeshi fans for so many years

And look how they have risen from adversity. So many false dawns but BD finally arrived as a team. I think Pak will just have to relearn test cricket. It seems they just don’t have the temperament but I’ve seen that again and again in other teams. We will have to focus a little less on PSL but it’s the only money maker.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Now we are realising what use to go through the minds of Bangladeshi fans for so many years

Actually this is worse because unlike Bangladeshi fans some of us know what success feels like. And now its just absolute doldrums. Just when you think this team has hit rock-bottom they find a way to sink even deeper.

 

[Abid Z]

FC cricket is simply not a priority. And all you have to do is look at Shadab to see that. He can't even land three balls in the same area. He has completely lost touch with who he is as a bowler. And it has everything to do with the fact that he has not played red-ball cricket in four years.

In all honesty many of the bowlers have skipped first class cricket and been fast tracked into T20 so in actual fact I just don’t think they’ve learnt test cricket at all. SSA , Harris , Shadab, usama, qadir, zahid they are all the same. But what fills me with hope is Adil Rasid. 15 years or so ago he was so wayward but just with the right level of coaching he looks lethal. He’s not into test cricket I know but we can do the same with our spinners too. Just need focus.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Mehran bowls a little too quick from what I've seen . But that was only T20 cricket to be fair.

At this point , it doesn't matter. Abrar is not the answer and never was. Called it even during his debut.

He barely gives the ball a sharp rip. Once batters started picking him , his performances fell off a cliff.

Mystery spinners are always a big gamble in red-ball cricket. Once the batters learn how to pick them, they become predictable and easy to play. Not everyone is an Ajantha Mendis. And even he got found out eventually. Right now, Nauman Ali is probably Pakistan's best spinner but even he is not a long-term option. Pakistan's spin stocks are in seriously dire straits.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

In all honesty many of the bowlers have skipped first class cricket and been fast tracked into T20 so in actual fact I just don’t think they’ve learnt test cricket at all. SSA , Harris , Shadab, usama, qadir, zahid they are all the same. But what fills me with hope is Adil Rasid. 15 years or so ago he was so wayward but just with the right level of coaching he looks lethal. He’s not into test cricket I know but we can do the same with our spinners too. Just need focus.

This is true to an extent. Playing FC cricket is a necessary pre-requste but with some players the talent is so evident that you do kinda have to fast-track them to the team. I mean how many FC matches did Waqar play before he started playing for Pakistan? I think it was barely one season of QeA. Not comparing Shaheen to Waqar but he too made a big splash when he started playing FC taking a 8-fer in his second match or something. I think what matters more is playing red-ball consistently. Our players simply don't have the fitness to be effective in test matches for long periods of time and certainly not on these graveyards. Some of it has to do with match practice, some of it has to do with rotten fitness standards and PCB's inability to understand bowler workloads or why playing a bloody List A tournament before a 3-match test series serves no benefit whatsoever.

 

[Abid Z]

His FC record may not show it, but I think he has decent potential. Probably more in llimited overs but I can see him being successful in red-ball too. He bowls quick and can rush batters. Which can make him more effective on flatter pitches. Although I don't think that anyone should be given the punishment of having to bowl on these wickets.

Zafar Gohar is good. He has been treated really badly by PAK from the get-go and has been a bit unlucky too. He was supposed to make his debut over a decade ago in UAE but missed his plane. Finally got his debut in Christchurch in 2021 on a pitch where NZ played four seamers, went wicketless and never played again. Because he isn't playing domestic I can't see selectors giving him a chance. Which is ironic considering he has been playing more red-ball cricket than any of PAK's active spinners. But that's PAK cricket for you.

Zafar isnt great at 2nd division Gloucester. Some good performances but sometimes been relegated to 2nd 11 of a 2nd division team. I’m pretty sure somebody saw something bad in him and in all honesty many people rate him because of his under 19 performance. Nothing since either the odd match for Pak or PSL. But you can’t read too much into county either. When Mushy was a Pakistani discard in 2002 he was still a record breaker for county with Sussex. Pak will just have to unearth a spinner in 3 days. I wonder.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Zafar isnt great at 2nd division Gloucester. Some good performances but sometimes been relegated to 2nd 11 of a 2nd division team. I’m pretty sure somebody saw something bad in him and in all honesty many people rate him because of his under 19 performance. Nothing since either the odd match for Pak or PSL. But you can’t read too much into county either. When Mushy was a Pakistani discard in 2002 he was still a record breaker for county with Sussex. Pak will just have to unearth a spinner in 3 days. I wonder.

Honestly right now, he is one of the better options we have. I agree that the quality of cricket has seriously declined in county since the 2000s but he is still playing FC consistently, bowling on English pitches and taking wickets. I think Nauman Ali is honestly the best test spinner we have right now, and he wouldn't even be among the Top 10 spinners in India or Sri Lanka. After him you start looking at the other uncles like Sajid Khan or Kashif Bhatti.

 

[RyanRyan10]

In contrast to the constant barrage of negativity and assertions that there's not enough talent, someone has finally stepped up to show his support for the team. True fans support a team through their toughest times. Admitting weaknesses and actively seeking solutions is what true fans do. Dropping the weakest links would only make things better.

 

[kingusama92]

The only way is up now, which isn't the worst situation when rebuilding.

They need to start by rebooting the team's psychology and backing stronger-willed players like Agha and Jamal. These are players willing to get into a dogfight and battle it out.

If Fakhar were better in FC cricket, he would have fit that vibe too.

They have too many lethargic players who avoid the hard work or tough moments. Saim is a good example of this because when it gets tough he starts playing shots like it's the Hong Kong Sixes, which shows a lack of application and toughness to handle those moments.

I would discard a few of these players and begin reworking the team while focusing on mental toughness. Yes, it's going to be a 2-3 year process with multiple wrong selections along the way but Pakistan has no option now. At least, a team that is strong mentally will play above its abilities.

 

[Abid Z]

This is true to an extent. Playing FC cricket is a necessary pre-requste but with some players the talent is so evident that you do kinda have to fast-track them to the team. I mean how many FC matches did Waqar play before he started playing for Pakistan? I think it was barely one season of QeA. Not comparing Shaheen to Waqar but he too made a big splash when he started playing FC taking a 8-fer in his second match or something. I think what matters more is playing red-ball consistently. Our players simply don't have the fitness to be effective in test matches for long periods of time and certainly not on these graveyards. Some of it has to do with match practice, some of it has to do with rotten fitness standards and PCB's inability to understand bowler workloads or why playing a bloody List A tournament before a 3-match test series serves no benefit whatsoever.

On this I completely disagree with you. Yes in yester years you could be a waqar or tauseef or a Wasim and just turn up and get fast tracked into national team but over the last 20 years this hasn’t been the case. Most of our spectacular debutants have been lacking in with basic nouse, temperament, ability or morals. For each of these values read Sami, Ahmed shezad, nadir jamshed, Abrar, and m. Amir. What it highlights is that we may pluck a youngster or even an older person from obscurity straight into the playing 11 but the cracks and weaknesses will show up. But the coaches and personal who help you develop as a person are not there at international level they are their just T the levels below so we get half baked players trying to strut their stuff until they get found out and discarded so they try to earn a buck elsewhere and lose all interest in playing.

Contrast this with Anderson and Pat Cummins hazel wood etc. They may have promise but they are quickly removed from the national team and worked on until they are absolutely ready for a reintroduction. I think this is the right way. That’s why misbah was so good. I saw him debut in 2000 in New Zealand then he just played domestic till about 2007. He was ready. Some of our other’s debuted in the same series (Sami) just was not ready.

 

[Abid Z]

Honestly right now, he is one of the better options we have. I agree that the quality of cricket has seriously declined in county since the 2000s but he is still playing FC consistently, bowling on English pitches and taking wickets. I think Nauman Ali is honestly the best test spinner we have right now, and he wouldn't even be among the Top 10 spinners in India or Sri Lanka. After him you start looking at the other uncles like Sajid Khan or Kashif Bhatti.

So you think zafar should be flown from England to Pakistan to be there for the 3rd match. He will either miss the flight or be jet lagged but we can’t do worse than Abrar. trying to get him into the 2nd test is just cruel. Has will feel it’s deja vu. I do like the look of Usman Tariq though but he’s obviously too raw and I’d be contradicting myself.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

On this I completely disagree with you. Yes in yester years you could be a waqar or tauseef or a Wasim and just turn up and get fast tracked into national team but over the last 20 years this hasn’t been the case. Most of our spectacular debutants have been lacking in with basic nouse, temperament, ability or morals. For each of these values read Sami, Ahmed shezad, nadir jamshed, Abrar, and m. Amir. What it highlights is that we may pluck a youngster or even an older person from obscurity straight into the playing 11 but the cracks and weaknesses will show up. But the coaches and personal who help you develop as a person are not there at international level they are their just T the levels below so we get half baked players trying to strut their stuff until they get found out and discarded so they try to earn a buck elsewhere and lose all interest in playing.

Contrast this with Anderson and Pat Cummins hazel wood etc. They may have promise but they are quickly removed from the national team and worked on until they are absolutely ready for a reintroduction. I think this is the right way. That’s why misbah was so good. I saw him debut in 2000 in New Zealand then he just played domestic till about 2007. He was ready. Some of our other’s debuted in the same series (Sami) just was not ready.

I don't think you can group all the players together. Some are naturally gifted and should be treated differently. Morals have nothing to do with this are connected more to socio-economic factors than anything else. Amir for instance was an excellent bowler prior to his ban, despite minimal FC experience and could have reached greatness had he not done what he did. Shaheen has clearly been affected by his knee-injury but if you look at his stats before the injury, he was doing relatively well in test cricket as pretty much the sole strike-bowler, and seemed to be on an upward trajectory.

Some players have to go back to domestic to find themselves as cricketers, to others it comes more naturally. There is no one size fits all rule. What matters more is playing red-ball cricket consistently. If Shaheen were to be dropped from the team and go back to domestic and dominate the charts, I don't think its necessary that, he will be a better bowler when he gets selected again. We saw this with Hasan Ali. He had a brilliant season for Central Punjab where he led them to a title victory. And then when he came back into the team he was still mediocre.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

So you think zafar should be flown from England to Pakistan to be there for the 3rd match. He will either miss the flight or be jet lagged but we can’t do worse than Abrar. trying to get him into the 2nd test is just cruel. Has will feel it’s deja vu. I do like the look of Usman Tariq though but he’s obviously too raw and I’d be contradicting myself.

I'm saying that he is someone who can be considered for the future. Pakistan play 6 more test matches between now and February.

Usman Tariq's action is very dodgy and he comes across as another Bilal Asif type. Even if his action is modified and up to scratch for international cricket, I see him getting found out very soon.

 

[Abid Z]

I'm saying that he is someone who can be considered for the future. Pakistan play 6 more test matches between now and February.

Usman Tariq's action is very dodgy and he comes across as another Bilal Asif type. Even if his action is modified and up to scratch for international cricket, I see him getting found out very soon.

I guess there is a lot to ponder on the spinning front. Let’s see the test will be upon us sooner than we realise.

 

[shaz619]

Aamer Jamal is one of the best players we have unearthed in a very long time The team performance notwithstanding he has all the tools to be a proper seam all-rounder in the vein of a Ben Stokes and Hardik Pandya. Unfortunately, though I think we will run him into the ground like we do our fast-bowlers. We are the worst country when it comes to managing player workloads, injuries, rehab. Don't think anything more needs after Dr. Sohail Saleem and PCB antics like their unwillingness to pay for Shaheen's treatment in UK.

Just bowling on these highways alone will probably cut his career short by a number of years.

Jamal has played club cricket in a local mid level league near me and those who have played with & against him, are blown away by what he has done at the Test level because he has been consistently the worst player for whoever he plays in England regardless off the level lol I think he’s a gutsy cricketer who pulls up his socks when under the pump, and even then, for this Pakistan side, that’s not good enough anymore and he is doomed.

 

[Abid Z]

No offence but the stars the OP has seen are those you'd normally envisage after getting punched in the face point blank.

All the morsels of positive performance ie centuries, bowling all rounder, Hafeez 2.0, are an illusion.

Erm illusions?? No. It’s just a fact. We had three centurions against a very good bowling attack in searing heat. That needs to be commended.

Bowling all rounder ?? Jamal was the best pacer on show not just in this match but also in Australia and chipped in with handy runs. He’s a rare bowling all rounder for Pak.

Salman has decent offspin and is more than handy with the bat with a very good temperament . Both Hafeez and Malik started off as lower order batters 6 & 7 before getting promoted up the order. Agha can do the same role eventually. Infact the lack of a decent off spinning all rounder has kept malik and Hafeez in the team longer than they should have because it’s a vitally important role and hard to fill.

I see these as positives we have been waiting for for a long time. Doesn’t matter the result. For the next few month focus on getting the right roles filled. We desperately need Saim out and just pack more bowlers who can take 20 wickets in Asia.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Per ardua Ad astra.

True.

Doceo insanire omnes.

Also true.

 

[Abid Z]

Is it too early to bump this. All that negativity after the first test and I said we have a solid middle order and need a decent spinner. Turns out the best spinner was under our rather large moustache all along. Don’t write off Pakistan too early. We may still lose this but what a performance