Play abandoned on Day 3 of the 2nd Test between England and Pakistan without a ball being bowled

[MenInG]

Mohammad Rizwan's battling half-century dragged Pakistan past the 200-mark before bad light ended day two of second #raisethebat Test against England with just 40.2 overs bowled.

The weather for today:

 

[Junaids]

This is a funny old match.

I grew up watching county cricket at Old Trafford, which often has similar overcast weather. But the key difference was that floodlights were never used - so play was not attempted in the conditions which prevailed after about the 20th over of the Pakistan innings.

The humidity has meant that the green tinge in the pitch has not really faded yet. And the ball keeps swinging. What looked like a 450 pitch has been turned into a 250-par pitch/atmosphere combination.

Usually at Southampton a match goes something like:

280
350
350
250

Batting first can still be a good way to win - so long as the third innings at least equals the second innings.

The danger in this match is that a team is going to get bowled out at some point for 100-150. And if they do, they will lose the game.

Pakistan need to try to restrict England to under 300, and then score at least 300 themselves.

 

[MMHS]

The way this game is hit by weather, I think only team that could win it is batting second side - and PAK opted to field. I think, Poms are quite safe here - if some how PAK gets them all-out under or around 200, they'll simply slow down the game and play out for a draw. But, if they get a lead of around 100, they'll push hard for a result - almost impossible for PAK to win this game in remaining probably 170-180 overs, but ENG can. Officially, 294 overs left though, enough for either side to win it and Rizwan has given PAK something to bowl with here.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

They should start the game in the next 30 mins. It's dry and light is fine. 1 hour early start shouldn't be too hard.

 

[bones]

The way this game is hit by weather, I think only team that could win it is batting second side - and PAK opted to field. I think, Poms are quite safe here - if some how PAK gets them all-out under or around 200, they'll simply slow down the game and play out for a draw. But, if they get a lead of around 100, they'll push hard for a result - almost impossible for PAK to win this game in remaining probably 170-180 overs, but ENG can. Officially, 294 overs left though, enough for either side to win it and Rizwan has given PAK something to bowl with here.

No teams can play for draws anymore. If it's a draw it'll be because of the rain and not the batsmen.

 

[Abdullah]

This is a funny old match.

I grew up watching county cricket at Old Trafford, which often has similar overcast weather. But the key difference was that floodlights were never used - so play was not attempted in the conditions which prevailed after about the 20th over of the Pakistan innings.

The humidity has meant that the green tinge in the pitch has not really faded yet. And the ball keeps swinging. What looked like a 450 pitch has been turned into a 250-par pitch/atmosphere combination.

Usually at Southampton a match goes something like:

280
350
350
250

Batting first can still be a good way to win - so long as the third innings at least equals the second innings.

The danger in this match is that a team is going to get bowled out at some point for 100-150. And if they do, they will lose the game.

Pakistan need to try to restrict England to under 300, and then score at least 300 themselves.

We need 75 overs of cricket today. Get to 240 and get England for 140 And be 60-3 at the close.
Hopefully that leaves enough time to force a result.
Today has to be moving day and our quicks need to put in a big effort

 

[Abdullah]

The way this game is hit by weather, I think only team that could win it is batting second side - and PAK opted to field. I think, Poms are quite safe here - if some how PAK gets them all-out under or around 200, they'll simply slow down the game and play out for a draw. But, if they get a lead of around 100, they'll push hard for a result - almost impossible for PAK to win this game in remaining probably 170-180 overs, but ENG can. Officially, 294 overs left though, enough for either side to win it and Rizwan has given PAK something to bowl with here.

Not if they get rolled for 140

 

[MMHS]

Not if they get rolled for 140

They won't - even if they do, they still has one more innings to avoid defeat. But, think about ENG rolled over for 140, then PAK for 100 - they'll definitely chase 250 here on last day, on a better surface.

 

[Mueez]

England 88 a.o. anyone?

 

[PakPremi]

I doubt there will be much cricket today.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

They should start the game in the next 30 mins. It's dry and light is fine. 1 hour early start shouldn't be too hard.

Don’t expect any innovative thinking from these incompetent people

 

[Mamoon]

Only rain can save Pakistan. It will be quite a shame if we escape a 3-0 whitewash because of weather.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

The only way I see us winning is post 250 somehow and get ENG under 200. It is very doable with this attack if they can maintain the relentless pressure and get the top 4 quickly. These are the very conditions you can do it in.

Rain and conditions would be mean it'd be slightly easier to bat in the 3rd innings and hopefully we can set something close to 300 to chase. Babar will be crucial for that to happen though.

 

[Madplayer]

If the playing conditions are fine, why haven't they started the play yet? Why this mechanical approach? Unneccessary loss of valuable playing time.

 

[Ab Fan]

It's unlikely that there will be result in this test.

 

[Abdullah]

They won't - even if they do, they still has one more innings to avoid defeat. But, think about ENG rolled over for 140, then PAK for 100 - they'll definitely chase 250 here on last day, on a better surface.

I'd take them trying to do that in these conditions right now

 

[mmkextreme_1]

I think the management screwed up by not playing Sohail Khan. He would have been ideal in these conditions.

 

[MenInG]

MICHAEL ATHERTON (On Sky Sports) gives his thoughts on England's performance during that truncated second day:

"They had a mixed day. I thought Stuart Broad was accurate in his assessment last night – he said England were in a pretty good position, which they are.

"But they could and should have bowled Pakistan out for about 170, 180, if you think of the missed opportunities and also they weren’t quite ruthless enough with the ball and in the field.

"Some strange tactics either side of the second new ball allowed Pakistan to scramble to a bigger total than England would have liked."

 

[Thephenom]

If we’d won the first test like we should of this situation would of been different, fact is, the weather forecast for the 3rd test doesn’t look any better either!

 

[fight_club]

We will have delayed start covers still on, slight Drizzle. Just criminal that we lost
a good 2 hours yesterday

 

[MenInG]

BBC Weather's Tomasz Schafernaker: "It's not changing for the next few days. On the radar further drizzle is upstream heading straight for Southampton. The weather is stagnant and not moving - I've got no good news!

 

[PakPremi]

Only rain can save Pakistan. It will be quite a shame if we escape a 3-0 whitewash because of weather.

Pakistan bowled out England for 178 in the first test match and this pitch and weather conditions are far more difficult to bat,especiallywithconstant disruptions too to unsettle the batsmen. So anything is possible but I doubt there will be much cricket played.

 

[Executioner]

Why do England host so many matches in the middle of the rainy season?

 

[Rajdeep]

This is such a poor advertisement of test cricket. No rain but still cant play due to poor visibility even on a stadium where there is flood lights. And when they get some play, they need to break for lunch break immidiately.

The forecast is gloomy for remaining 2 days, so they might as well cancel this game rather than expecting a miracle of sun shine out of no where.

Another reason why popularity of white ball/T20 cricket has left test matches far behind. T20s represent how modern sports should run but test matches still following 1920 MCCs colonial protocol.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

England have gone back to the hotel

 

[MenInG]

England have gone back to the hotel

Matthew Henry

BBC Sport at the Ageas Bowl

All of the England players are walking back to the hotel now. Zak Crawley has his hands in his pockets. Rory Burns has flip flops on with a cap on backwards. Jos Buttler, hood of his England hoodie over his head, slumps off alongside them.

It's miserable.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Should have played the first 2 of tests in Manchester where it's been dry and sunny.

 

[ammar_merry]

Only rain can save Pakistan. It will be quite a shame if we escape a 3-0 whitewash because of weather.

England fluked a win in first test.They may now able to win a series home and away vs pakistan in a decade.

 

[asadee]

England fluked a win in first test.They may now able to win a series home and away vs pakistan in a decade.

Well said it was definitely a fluke win thanks to an incompetent captain Azhar Ali

 

[Xoib]

England fluked a win in first test.They may now able to win a series home and away vs pakistan in a decade.

You do know the only purpose of that post was to get this type is response.
Stop feeding the troll.

 

[Mamoon]

England fluked a win in first test.They may now able to win a series home and away vs pakistan in a decade.

The only fluke was Pakistan scoring 326 thanks to a fluke innings by Masood who cashed on several missed chances.

 

[Firebat]

 

[Junaids]

The way this game is hit by weather, I think only team that could win it is batting second side - and PAK opted to field. I think, Poms are quite safe here - if some how PAK gets them all-out under or around 200, they'll simply slow down the game and play out for a draw. But, if they get a lead of around 100, they'll push hard for a result - almost impossible for PAK to win this game in remaining probably 170-180 overs, but ENG can. Officially, 294 overs left though, enough for either side to win it and Rizwan has given PAK something to bowl with here.

I can see another route to victory for Pakistan, although I doubt they are good enough to achieve it.

There are in theory 3 x 98 over days left. I think in reality there might be 3 x 50 over days.

Day 3
Pakistan 235 all out
England 105-6 (43 overs)

Day 4
England 120 all out (50 overs)
Pakistan 120-6 (40 overs)

Day 5
Pakistan 150 all out (50 overs)
England require 265, supposedly in 80 overs but rain reduces it to 40 overs.

It’s a bit like the 3rd and 4th innings at Edgbaston in 1987.

Pakistan were 205 all out in the third innings, just after Tea, setting England 124 to win in 18 overs. They reached 109-7 in 17.4 overs.

Pakistan aren’t going to have enough runs for a normal victory charge. Their main hope is setting a modest target but with the clock offering a draw as a possible result.

 

[PakPremi]

The only fluke was Pakistan scoring 326 thanks to a fluke innings by Masood who cashed on several missed chances.

That is what happens in a Test Match, there are often many drop catches and close calls. Just like was the case when England were batting in both innings. It is how you cash in that counts at the end. We let thematch slip due to poor captaincy at the vital moment, and poor planning.

 

[Fahdi]

England should really consider playing with the pink ball for day tests. Without changing the lacquer or anything else, just the dye color. It should allow for games to be played in this sort of light don't you think?

 

[shamaan]

Is it stil raining ?

 

[Rajdeep]

Is it stil raining ?

It didnt rain at all...just bad light. From BBC sports:

I'd say it has got a bit brighter here but there's no sign of any officials.

 

[MenInG]

Speaking on TMS

England batsman Ollie Pope on what might be a good total: "It's hard to tell until both teams have batted. It's definitely not a minefield and if we get can players in hopefully we can get 300-plus. If we're going to win this Test we're probably going to have to do it batting once."

 

[MenInG]

As and when play resumes, England are likely to find themselves batting sooner rather than later - and MICHAEL ATHERTON (Sky Sports) reckons Pakistan's seam attack, especially Mohammad Abbas, will be licking their lips at that prospect:

“They’ve got an attack to make life very difficult for England’s batsmen – Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are all excellent bowlers. Two of them are a bit younger and inexperienced but I think Mohammad Abbas would revel in these conditions.”

 

[Matty]

Only rain can save Pakistan. It will be quite a shame if we escape a 3-0 whitewash because of weather.

It's not just that mate

Because of the weather, our lads cannot get sufficient match practice

Rather we inflicted a whitewash on Pakistan by playing the full series

This would have helped us prepare for the clash against Australia which is the be all and end all of international cricket. Nothing else matters in this gentleman's game.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Barely much rain but just because the light is a little bit less than usual they won't start.

It isn't even like heavy rains

 

[ARK Rafay]

Not even the 1st innings is done and we are half through the test match. Rain isn't saving Pakistan, it is ruining the match for Cricket Fans.

 

[IMMY69]

It's not just that mate

Because of the weather, our lads cannot get sufficient match practice

Rather we inflicted a whitewash on Pakistan by playing the full series

This would have helped us prepare for the clash against Australia which is the be all and end all of international cricket. Nothing else matters in this gentleman's game.

Aren’t there three t20’s to come before the Aussie series...

Don’t mix up test matches with Odi/T20’s

Also when is your India playing next?

 

[Deewana Mastana]

From 3pm onwards there are more chances of heavier rains

So doubt there will be any play whatsoever today or tomorrow

 

[Mueez]

England’s the best and worst place to host cricket...

 

[Deewana Mastana]

It isn't raining for the past 30 mins it has been all about the light.

 

[MenInG]

Lunch has officially been taken at Southampton on Day 3 of the 2nd Test between England and Pakistan, due to rain and bad light - Pakistan remain on 223/9

 

[Titan24]

England’s the best and worst place to host cricket...

Couldn’t have said it better. I love watching cricket in England but weather have been a big spoilsport on many occasions.

 

[Fahdi]

Couldn’t have said it better. I love watching cricket in England but weather have been a big spoilsport on many occasions.

What really irks me is that bad light is still an issue in this day and age. I refuse to believe there isn't a feasible solution for bad light. Use a pink ball, more powerful lighting technology, using a different color of light. Surely something can be devised for this.

 

[Mueez]

Couldn’t have said it better. I love watching cricket in England but weather have been a big spoilsport on many occasions.

Absolutely. When the weather is fine, it is the best place to host cricket.

Shame it rains too much in the UK.

If I’m not wrong last year during the WC Pakistan had many rain-affected matches too.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Lunch has officially been taken at Southampton on Day 3 of the 2nd Test between England and Pakistan, due to rain and bad light - Pakistan remain on 223/9

Should have been taken an hour ago as Pakistani players were in the hotel at 11 having halwa poori

 

[ammar_merry]

That is what happens in a Test Match, there are often many drop catches and close calls. Just like was the case when England were batting in both innings. It is how you cash in that counts at the end. We let thematch slip due to poor captaincy at the vital moment, and poor planning.

The fluke post was for the one who calls every Pakistan win fluke.
if Pakistan would won from that that stage someone would have made threads on how Pakistan fluke the match.Pakistan has even fluked 3 ICC tournaments and test mace.

 

[asadee]

England has had multiple fluke moments in the last year or so. Fluke world cup final win which NZ should have won fluke Headingley chase and fluke victory in OT against us

 

[Titan24]

What really irks me is that bad light is still an issue in this day and age. I refuse to believe there isn't a feasible solution for bad light. Use a pink ball, more powerful lighting technology, using a different color of light. Surely something can be devised for this.

Agreed. Cricket needs to grow out of some of its odd rules and outdated technology to be more appealing as a sport. Previous rule was asking the batsmen if they want to keep on playing (If it was considered dark), I think yesterday nobody wanted to leave including the umpires but they left due to the light meter rule where you need to leave whenever it falls below the level on which umpires last decided to leave the field.

 

[gibsyhesperis]

Agreed. Cricket needs to grow out of some of its odd rules and outdated technology to be more appealing as a sport. Previous rule was asking the batsmen if they want to keep on playing (If it was considered dark), I think yesterday nobody wanted to leave including the umpires but they left due to the light meter rule where you need to leave whenever it falls below the level on which umpires last decided to leave the field.

The bad light rule was in place to prevent serious injury. With the advent of both helmets and floodlights something needs to change.
Imagine if there had been a crowd — people make the effort to go, it’s not raining but there is no play.....time for cricket to enter the 21st century

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Match over

 

[IAJ]

With so much rain in the country, how do they manage to get through all the county matches, club cricket everything, and how can they keep the game so popular?

 

[PakPremi]

The fluke post was for the one who calls every Pakistan win fluke.
if Pakistan would won from that that stage someone would have made threads on how Pakistan fluke the match.Pakistan has even fluked 3 ICC tournaments and test mace.

I know him well as a poster as I have been on this forum long enough, he does this to get his thrills after irritating Pakistani fans, but I and some others respond so that his posts do not wrongly inluence some not well informed posters.

 

[Ab Fan]

Any chances of match today?

 

[MenInG]

Any chances of match today?

Not raining heavy but cloud cover there too.

 

[MMHS]

For countries like England with such climate and so many international quality stadiums within close proximity and a top class transportation network, they could have prepared at least two venues during this CV-19 period (when there is no spectators at ground) and swap ground before the toss in case of such weather forecast. It’s complex but if anyone can do this, it’s England. After six months isolation what cricket last needed was such advertisement of Test cricket.

 

[Slog]

With so much rain in the country, how do they manage to get through all the county matches, club cricket everything, and how can they keep the game so popular?

The game isn’t popular. Literally one out of five English people I’ve met do not have the slightest clue about cricket beyond the berg basic info. No wonder.

 

[MenInG]

Update : Umpires inspection to take place at 3:30pm BST - Lets hope there is some positive news soon for play to start on Day 3 of the 2nd Test

 

[ammar_merry]

I know him well as a poster as I have been on this forum long enough, he does this to get his thrills after irritating Pakistani fans, but I and some others respond so that his posts do not wrongly inluence some not well informed posters.

Cheap thrills...

 

[MMHS]

I can see another route to victory for Pakistan, although I doubt they are good enough to achieve it.

There are in theory 3 x 98 over days left. I think in reality there might be 3 x 50 over days.

Day 3
Pakistan 235 all out
England 105-6 (43 overs)

Day 4
England 120 all out (50 overs)
Pakistan 120-6 (40 overs)

Day 5
Pakistan 150 all out (50 overs)
England require 265, supposedly in 80 overs but rain reduces it to 40 overs.

It’s a bit like the 3rd and 4th innings at Edgbaston in 1987.

Pakistan were 205 all out in the third innings, just after Tea, setting England 124 to win in 18 overs. They reached 109-7 in 17.4 overs.

Pakistan aren’t going to have enough runs for a normal victory charge. Their main hope is setting a modest target but with the clock offering a draw as a possible result.

Tough to happen - I don’t have that much confidence on PAK’s bowling talent. I hope they prove me wrong, but my hunch is PAK’s supa-talented pace pair will spree the new ball on this track (& condition) to beat the speed gun (that’s what the biggest talking point around PAK cricket these days) and waste new ball; then English bottom half will smack them around once the Dukes loses it’s shine. May be this old guy Abbas will measure the off stick of English top three, but his breather won’t last for more than 10-12 overs. After that, it’s 1-2 Jaffa in every over followed by couple of dross - result, England racing at 3.5+ rate, batting selectively, remember it’s not the royal version of the game where batsmen are forced to swing bat blindly; here bowlers will need to choke them by discipline first. Yasir won’t come here as a saviour - in-fact he won’t be able to grip the ball properly - result, no one to do the donkey job from one end and the talented pair will have to bowl long, long spells. 35+ years old Imran Khan bowled 35 overs in a day in that 1987 series, relentless till the last ball of the day, which I don’t think possible for combined 35 years old (officially, almost) talents together - that class was different, delivered on field, not on cricket blogs.

I don’t think being nostalgic helps here - that 1987 team had a captain, and couple of fast bowlers who at this ripe age of almost 68 & 55, might make a bid for challenging current talented bunch. As fans, we have to measure our expectations as well - I’ll be happy if PAK don’t blow their second innings if there is about 170 overs play possible and keep this series alive till third game. On a drier surface, Azhar again winning toss and Babar putting some runs first, it might happen that Yasir will stress the Poms to their limit. That’s the only, only and I repeat only realistic chance for PAK to win a Test here - on a dry surface bat first and then Yasir takes a 10for ..... even 8 for wasn’t enough. And that’s my sum for this PAK team - 1.5 players + nine passengers, that 1 is also based on potential and 0.5 is on selected conditions.

Let’s enjoy the rain on weekend - at least there is Ronnie .......

 

[fight_club]

Will it really affect Queen's health If England have Eden Garden type full Covers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmk2bMGrP8


If there will be play at around 4 pm then Pakistan should declare the innings and
just go and bowl

 

[ammar_merry]

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at the Ageas Bowl

It hasn’t been raining for a good hour now and there are some very slow efforts to mop up under way.
We’re told the light is still an issue but I find that hard to understand. It seems perfectly playable.
Granted, I can’t tell how wet the outfield is but it feels like with a bit more urgency we could be a lot closer to playing.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Tough to happen - I don’t have that much confidence on PAK’s bowling talent. I hope they prove me wrong, but my hunch is PAK’s supa-talented pace pair will spree the new ball on this track (& condition) to beat the speed gun (that’s what the biggest talking point around PAK cricket these days) and waste new ball; then English bottom half will smack them around once the Dukes loses it’s shine. May be this old guy Abbas will measure the off stick of English top three, but his breather won’t last for more than 10-12 overs. After that, it’s 1-2 Jaffa in every over followed by couple of dross - result, England racing at 3.5+ rate, batting selectively, remember it’s not the royal version of the game where batsmen are forced to swing bat blindly; here bowlers will need to choke them by discipline first. Yasir won’t come here as a saviour - in-fact he won’t be able to grip the ball properly - result, no one to do the donkey job from one end and the talented pair will have to bowl long, long spells. 35+ years old Imran Khan bowled 35 overs in a day in that 1987 series, relentless till the last ball of the day, which I don’t think possible for combined 35 years old (officially, almost) talents together - that class was different, delivered on field, not on cricket blogs.

I don’t think being nostalgic helps here - that 1987 team had a captain, and couple of fast bowlers who at this ripe age of almost 68 & 55, might make a bid for challenging current talented bunch. As fans, we have to measure our expectations as well - I’ll be happy if PAK don’t blow their second innings if there is about 170 overs play possible and keep this series alive till third game. On a drier surface, Azhar again winning toss and Babar putting some runs first, it might happen that Yasir will stress the Poms to their limit. That’s the only, only and I repeat only realistic chance for PAK to win a Test here - on a dry surface bat first and then Yasir takes a 10for ..... even 8 for wasn’t enough. And that’s my sum for this PAK team - 1.5 players + nine passengers, that 1 is also based on potential and 0.5 is on selected conditions.

Let’s enjoy the rain on weekend - at least there is Ronnie .......

Damn, that's a brutal analysis. I assume your talking about Babar and Yasir in that 1.5 players? I'd say Rizwan is also a good player, excellent keeper and decent bat. Certainly wouldn't call him a passenger. If he had a top team with great bowlers creating chances he could pouch onto everything.

 

[fight_club]

As per BBC there was no rain past 1 hour but then outfield is wet, lights, rain, wet outfield
what are we missing ? maybe a "Valcano"

 

[Thephenom]

Why do the grounds people need to come out when the umpires do, why haven’t they been preparing the pitch for the past 4 hours with no rain, this is a big joke!

 

[Grunge101]

Nasser absolutely furious at the umpires and the ground staff. Almost hurled an abuse or two, lol see them trundle down the stairs in no haste.

 

[Firebat]

Nasser Hussain on air lambasting the umpires and groundsmen, criticising their lack of urgency and seeming lack of desire to play; "Today there has been a lack of effort to get the game on"

 

[Firebat]

Confident of play, MICHAEL ATHERTON?

"The floodlights, which haven’t been on for hours, will come on and then the umpires will take the reading. If it’s better than yesterday we will play, if it’s not we won’t."

 

[Firebat]

Nasser Hussain on air lambasting the umpires and groundsmen, criticising their lack of urgency and seeming lack of desire to play; "Today there has been a lack of effort to get the game on"

"I had sympathy for the umpires with the regulations yesterday but today there has been a lack off effort to get the game on. I see two people working on the ground. Imagine if this was Sri Lanka – how many people would be rushing around to get the covers off? For the amount of rain we have had in this game to only have had 86 overs of cricket is disgraceful. The amount of effort that’s gone in to get this series on, to not have any effort to get out there and play the game [is not right]. It's not good enough. Get those covers off!"

 

[Xoib]

Damn, that's a brutal analysis. I assume your talking about Babar and Yasir in that 1.5 players? I'd say Rizwan is also a good player, excellent keeper and decent bat. Certainly wouldn't call him a passenger. If he had a top team with great bowlers creating chances he could pouch onto everything.

Do not worry the 1.5 plus 9 passengers would still smash his boys blindfolded with one arm tied behind their back.

 

[MMHS]

Damn, that's a brutal analysis. I assume your talking about Babar and Yasir in that 1.5 players? I'd say Rizwan is also a good player, excellent keeper and decent bat. Certainly wouldn't call him a passenger. If he had a top team with great bowlers creating chances he could pouch onto everything.

He is just a good player for this PAK team. I believe you are 19-20 now, so it’s probably not fair to ask you, but you can ask this to your dad - whom he’ll pick - Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Kamran of 2005-6 or Rizwan.... you’ll get your reality check.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Do not worry the 1.5 plus 9 passengers would still smash his boys blindfolded with one arm tied behind their back.

I don't think we should go there. I am not fond of Bangladesh team either, but it's not right to insult then like that, and besides we shouldn't be trying compare ourselves with Bangladesh. Our goal should be to be a top 3/4 team and try to compete on that level - and we are no where near being a top 3/4 team. No point in bugging ourselves by comparing and ridiculing Bangladesh. That creates a false sense of arrogance and security. We need to aim higher. And currently, we are in depths of mediocrity.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Even the rain gods won't let Pakistan lose the series in England. Can't think of another side that has been as lucky as Pakistan has been in England. You could literally play 11 paindoos against England in England and still England won't be able to beat them. Kudos!

 

[Taaya]

He is just a good player for this PAK team. I believe you are 19-20 now, so it’s probably not fair to ask you, but you can ask this to your dad - whom he’ll pick - Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Kamran of 2005-6 or Rizwan.... you’ll get your reality check.

Rizwan is a better batsman in first class cricket then all 3. You can simply check the stats. Of course, he has to prove it in test cricket. But he is off to a decent start.

 

[Xoib]

I don't think we should go there. I am not fond of Bangladesh team either, but it's not right to insult then like that, and besides we shouldn't be trying compare ourselves with Bangladesh. Our goal should be to be a top 3/4 team and try to compete on that level - and we are no where near being a top 3/4 team. No point in bugging ourselves by comparing and ridiculing Bangladesh. That creates a false sense of arrogance and security. We need to aim higher. And currently, we are in depths of mediocrity.

I agree but the way he criticises Pakistan its like he is a big 3 team fan when I reality his own team is hardly better then Afghanistan who started much later then BD