[PICTURES] Is this all-spinners attack strategy sustainable for a longer period?

[FearlessRoar]

From

Ramiz Raja speaking to TMS (BBC):

"I've really not cracked the code regarding a Test match pitch, unfortunately and am absolutely disappointed with this Rawalpindi pitch."

To

Aaqib Javed said during interview with a local media outlet:

"What's your formula for a Test match? Do you have 3 spinners? Play them. Remove all the grass, and make it a dry pitch. Make it rough. Keep brushing it. They will lose, won't they? They will. 100 percent, they will lose. The second thing is the reverse swing. Again, dry out the square -- it will spin and it will reverse. They can't win."

It appears Aaqib's all-spinner attack strategy is paying off, aided by the dry pitch conditions.

Pakistan's spin duo dismantled England's batting line-up, securing a 152-run victory in the second Test at Multan.

Noman Ali [3/101 & 8/46] claimed impressive match bowling figures of 11/147, while Sajid Khan [7/111 & 2/93] secured 9/204. This achievement marks only the seventh instance in Test history, and the first since 1972, where two bowlers have shared all 20 wickets.

I think Pakistan's reliance on spinners, while effective now, may not be sustainable long-term. We need to consider a few things:

- Our attack becomes predictable without pace variety
- Pitch conditions greatly impact spinner effectiveness
- Noman Ali's retirement looms as he is 38 now and we need a replacement.

Pakistan's spin legends, like Abdul Qadir and Saqlain Mushtaq, succeeded with pace support. Let's learn from history and adapt for long-term success.

 

[Kianig89]

Not really that was a fluke win , we have no strategy so far, this attack is not even on one leg

 

[Josh]

Should work against Eng who are rubbish against spin. Might not work against NZ, Australia, SL and BD

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Effective when you get to bat first and ineffective if you don’t.

Basically depends on the side the coin lands.

 

[James]

Should work against Eng who are rubbish against spin. Might not work against NZ, Australia, SL and BD

Australia average less against spin per wicket in Asia than England do.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Effective when you get to bat first and ineffective if you don’t.

Basically depends on the side the coin lands.

Also if opposition bats well in the first innings it can be risky.

 

[batandballbattle]

At home I have no worries with this approach. It's precisely these kinds of pitches that made the UAE a fortress once upon a time and it has taken them far too long to go back to what works.

However they will also need to groom pacers for SENA conditions. In the long run they can try and create the odd seaming pitch though leaving grass on the wicket will be a struggle under the baking hot sun.

In SENA itself they can try and introduce new pace talent in the form of bilaterals, and identify from there if the talent is ready for tests.

 

[DTrump]

Who cares about the long run?
Had not won a home test in 3 years. 11 Tests. Need to do whatever it takes to get over the line.

 

[jnaveen1980]

It is better than watching opposition scoring 800 runs, 500 runs in a single day.

 

[Devadwal]

Im always prefer low scoring matches .

Pakistan pace attacks is All time low so better to prepare spin friendly pitches at home.

 

[shaz619]

Effective when you get to bat first and ineffective if you don’t.

Basically depends on the side the coin lands.

It can be negated if they develop players who are equipped to play spin and deal with a bit of reverse, if they want to bring back players like Babar then the strategy is flawed

 

[Croma]

Yes why not? Its important to win home test matches.

 

[FearlessRoar]

The spin twins

Noman Ali and Sajid Khan star in Pakistan's historic Test series victory!

 

[Xoib]

I think 2-2 pace spinner combo with dry pitch aiding spin and reverse is way to go in future however our pace attacks needs to be improved it’s awful right now

 

[Cricket Warrior]

depends where they will play... now do u think in SA our spinners will be that much effective as they were in Pak?

 

[gazza619]

2 genuine pacers, 1 medium pace allrounder and 2 spinners is the best combo ever.

 

[ghalib kichlu]

If it helps proper batsmen graft to their 100s and leave the slogging for the tailenders
If it maintains a balance between bowl and bat that keeps those two skills in an ever lasting equilibrium
If it means utilising middle age bowlers who have toiled away on the domestic scene for years without recognition
If it means winning ugly and playing to win rather than to entertain.
Pakistan shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth and examine its cavities

 

[Cricket Warrior]

2 genuine pacers, 1 medium pace allrounder and 2 spinners is the best combo ever.

honestly speaking I am ok with 2 genuine pacers and 2 spinners.... keeping a fast bowling all rounder like Aamer Jamal is just a waste of spot who cant even bat or ball so why not pick any extra batter in his place who can atleast consolidate ur batting order.

 

[gazza619]

honestly speaking I am ok with 2 genuine pacers and 2 spinners.... keeping a fast bowling all rounder like Aamer Jamal is just a waste of spot who cant even bat or ball so why not pick any extra batter in his place who can atleast consolidate ur batting order.

Jamal was not needed on the rank turner. But he will defo be needed in SA.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Jamal was not needed on the rank turner. But he will defo be needed in SA.

well yeah he performed in Australia so lets hope that he can better utilize the bounce of South African pitches.

 

[mon858]

At home and against SENA teams absolutely.

Against Asian teams will need to tinker.

 

[mon858]

Zahir Mehmood spot was a waste. We could play another all rounder in that slot to give even more depth to batting. That will taking batting to number 11 since Nauman and Sajid can also bat decently.

 

[BouncerGuy]

It can work mainly at home against SENA countries, which are not very good with spin. But, Noman is 38 and Sajid is 31-32 so we need to find some genuine spinners now. Not some trundlers and mediocre full-toss throwers like Shadab or Zahid Mahmood.

Do we have such spinners who can spin the ball and can vary their pace to trouble the batters??

 

[mominsaigol]

It can work mainly at home against SENA countries, which are not very good with spin. But, Noman is 38 and Sajid is 31-32 so we need to find some genuine spinners now. Not some trundlers and mediocre full-toss throwers like Shadab or Zahid Mahmood.

Do we have such spinners who can spin the ball and can vary their pace to trouble the batters??

Sajid can play for a good 5 years.

Zafar gohar needs to replace Nouma chacha after a year

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sajid can play for a good 5 years.

Zafar gohar needs to replace Nouma chacha after a year

Gohar needs to play domestic cricket in Pakistan first. PLaying in England instead of QEA is not helping his cause to make a comeback.

 

[HARKS]

It can work mainly at home against SENA countries, which are not very good with spin. But, Noman is 38 and Sajid is 31-32 so we need to find some genuine spinners now. Not some trundlers and mediocre full-toss throwers like Shadab or Zahid Mahmood.

Do we have such spinners who can spin the ball and can vary their pace to trouble the batters??

Lottery pitches like this will bring opposition spinners in to action , England made grave mistake of playing useless Bashir in place of Hartley. Hype surrounding Bashir of taking few wickets in India blinded them ,he did took wickets but at cost of more runs given. Also other countries have much better spinners than England and definitely much better fast bowlers than Pakistan. Remember India lost almost all test played on lottery pitches like this.

 

[Farabi]

It will work just as well as it does for other countries that prepare bouncy or seaming wickets at home, and these teams manage to perform abroad by adapting. Pakistan shouldn’t feel any guilt or shame about having spin-friendly tracks. There’s no need for that—embrace your own legacy and strengths with pride.