Predict the outcome of the 2nd Test between Australia and Pakistan

Predict the outcome of the 2nd Test match between Australia and Pakistan


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BouncerGuy

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Pakistan and Australia will resume their second Test series after Pakistan loses the first match in Perth. The touring team will be looking to bounce back from a below-par performance and looking to make a comeback in the three-match series. The hosts will be hoping to continue their dominance over Pakistan and extend their unbeaten run in Tests.

The pitch at MCG is expected to be a good one for batting, with some assistance for the spinners as well. The average first innings score at this venue is 282, and the highest score is 624 by Australia against India in 2018. The last time Pakistan played here was in 2019, when they lost by an innings and 76 runs.

Will Pakistan bounce back in the 2nd test or will the story remains the same.​
 
You mess with the system of merit

You end up with a target on your back. Bring it on!
 
Shaheen is washed at the age of 24

Khurram is a 5’7 trundler who won’t have the luxury of a spicy wicket in Melbourne

Faheem is built like my tech support uncle, and bowls the same pace as well

Jamal fluked 6 wickets in the first innings and looks like he’s booked his ticket in the side for the next 5 years based off that one performance

The batting anchor, the guy that’s expected to do the bulk of the scoring has been mediocre for the last 18 months

But fear not, when all hope seems lost, we can rest east knowing that the players have an inspirational, hard-working leader to look up to. A 33-year-old perennial failure and talentless fraud who’s snagged one of the most esteemed jobs in the country by stringing a couple sentences of coherent English. It truly is an incredible story.

Wallahi this team is finished. Just spare the fans the embarrassment and pull out from the tour.
 
The question is does this group have the bit between their heads and the stones to bounce back?. Don't bat like cowards!
 
No chance of bounce back , MCG is a big ground our fitness will expose us again not to mention the insipid batting and bowling we have for formality do some changes

Imam
Shafiq
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Jamal
SSA
Nauman
Khurram
WasimJr
-----
No point in having Agha Salman he is another bits and pieces rather go with 5 bowlers to attack Australia
 
Just don't have the talent to win against decent sides. This team hasn't won a single Test at home in the last 2 years against the likes of OZ, ENG and NZ and in fact only just about managed NOT to lose 3 consecutive Test series at home.

You can prep for 6 months in Australia and still youd end up losing with your best available talent. Gap is huge.
 
Rizwan + Nauman in.

Faheem + Sarfraz out.

The team will still get pummeled on a massive ground like the MCG but it's the least they can do. The wild card selection might be Saim, but I would avoid putting him in this situation.
 
Rizwan + Nauman in.

Faheem + Sarfraz out.

The team will still get pummeled on a massive ground like the MCG but it's the least they can do. The wild card selection might be Saim, but I would avoid putting him in this situation.
But we Need bowlers man. We need bowlers.
 
But we Need bowlers man. We need bowlers.

100% agree.

Just too many weaknesses to cover up.

If they drop Agha for Wasim Jr then Jamal is coming at #7. Jamal himself is shaky with the bat and the same goes for everyone after him.

I truly can't think of an XI that could win against Australia in Melbourne. Even if we ignore the squad and open up the entire domestic pool to choose from there.
 
Is abrar available for selection for MCG test ? If yes then dropped Agha and play him .
 
Rizwan + Nauman in.

Faheem + Sarfraz out.

The team will still get pummeled on a massive ground like the MCG but it's the least they can do. The wild card selection might be Saim, but I would avoid putting him in this situation.

Why? He's a superior player to Imam. Would be a great learning curve for Pakistan's most talented young batter.
 
We all knew we weren't going to get much joy here and the way the first test was wrapped up confirmed that emphatically.

As a team I'm not expecting much, just hoping that the newbies Shazad and Jamal continue their good work so we at least have something to hold on to looking forward
 
Imam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Rizwan
Agha
Sarfraz
Jamaal
Shaheen
Abrar
Khurram
 
Wasim Jr for Faheem
That's the only obvious change we should go for but honestly the result will be same.
 
But you said you wanted AA as captain. Let's not go to through cricketing judgement. With this sort of knowledge you will soon get a job at the PCB
I have a better chance of serving PCB than Imran Khan will ever have to serve Pakistan
 
There’s simply no chance of Pakistan winning but the least they can do is competitive and play all 5-days.

It’s disgusting to see disgusting death of Pakistan cricket.
 
Iman
Abduallah
Shan
Babar
Shakeel
Rizwan
Nouman
Jamal
Hassan Ali
Khuraam
Mir Hamza

I would drop Shaheen as he not fit and contributing as a senior player. Weak tail but if a batting strong 11 can be all out for less than 90, then we have nothing to lose. Need 5 bowlers to try to make the match interesting.
 
MCG has become a tough batting venue the last few years, tougher than Gabba and Perth.
 
No chance of bounce back , MCG is a big ground our fitness will expose us again not to mention the insipid batting and bowling we have for formality do some changes

Imam
Shafiq
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Jamal
SSA
Nauman
Khurram
WasimJr
-----
No point in having Agha Salman he is another bits and pieces rather go with 5 bowlers to attack Australia
yes that is XI. Though there is a case to include Hasan Ali instead of Wasim Jnr, but I dont mind either.
 
Anyone for Siam Ayub for 2nd Test?
You know my views on the overrated Saud Shakeel.

I rather have Saim coming in and the attack to the opposition. But i know nobody has guts to make this brave call.
 
You know my views on the overrated Saud Shakeel.

I rather have Saim coming in and the attack to the opposition. But i know nobody has guts to make this brave call.
It might be too early to include Saim Ayub directly into the playing eleven, specially in the challenging conditions of Australia.

His Test career would be at stake if he fails to perform.
 
It might be too early to include Saim Ayub directly into the playing eleven, specially in the challenging conditions of Australia.

His Test career would be at stake if he fails to perform.
Why? If management knows that it may be early he can be given more slack. Others are doing nothing. He can be a poor man's warner perhaps and maybe get 30 to 60 runs vs single digits most of our batting is getting.
 
1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imam ul-Haq
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Agha Salman
7. Mohammad Rizwan
8. Amir Jamal
9. Sajid Khan
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Khurram Shehzad
 
1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imam ul-Haq
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Agha Salman
7. Mohammad Rizwan
8. Amir Jamal
9. Sajid Khan
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Khurram Shehzad
good pick but i will go for nauman ali instead of sajid.

Nauman can be very handy with the bat.
 
good pick but i will go for nauman ali instead of sajid.

Nauman can be very handy with the bat.
I feel like finger spin is the way to go in Australia like Nathan Lyon, you need one spinner to tie one end down. Australia also has a ton of lefties and a very high average against slow left arm bowling which is why I went with Sajid
 
I feel like finger spin is the way to go in Australia like Nathan Lyon, you need one spinner to tie one end down. Australia also has a ton of lefties and a very high average against slow left arm bowling which is why I went with Sajid
Sajid is also a very good pick in fact on slow tracks like Sydney he could be very handy.

The only issue is that most of the left handed players from Australia are in the top order where spinners don't come into play, they mostly have right-handed batsmen in the middle and lower order where away spin can be effective that is the reason why i picked Nauman.

But 1 thing is for sure they have to go with a proper spinner in the next game.
 
Pakistan's fourth-innings capitulation in Perth and an eight-day break has Australia on track to play an unchanged XI in Melbourne

Speedster Lance Morris will return to the Perth Scorchers after being omitted from Australia's squad for this summer's Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Melbourne.

Morris's omission is the only change with selectors trimming the 14-player squad they had in Perth to 13 for Melbourne.

Australia's front-line attack has pulled up well from the 360-run win over Pakistan in the opening NRMA Insurance match in Perth, increasing the chances Australia fields an unchanged XI.

Australia squad for Boxing Day Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

Chasing 450 for victory, Pakistan were skittled for 89 in just 30.2 overs on Sunday, handing Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The light workload means workhorses Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will be fresh and raring to go for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

That could spell bad news for cult hero Scott Boland's hopes of making another fairytale Boxing Day appearance after his memorable haul of 6-7 against England in 2021.

But barring any mishaps to Starc, Cummins or Hazlewood over the next eight days, Boland's services won't be needed at the MCG this year.

"I don't think injuries are going to be an issue, so I dare say it will be a pretty similar line-up at this stage," Cummins said of the XI who will play in the Boxing Day Test.

"I think all the bowlers are pretty fresh after (the win in Perth). It's basically the ideal start to the summer."

The way Pakistan capitulated on a cracking Perth Stadium deck could have a lingering psychological effect for the tourists.

"We know from travelling overseas, if you go to foreign conditions and if you're a batter and you don't score runs, you start questioning things," Cummins said.

"As a bowler if you haven't had a huge impact, you start looking at your own game perhaps a bit more than you do at home.

"We love these conditions. We know these conditions really well. I think that's what makes playing and winning away from home so difficult.

"I know we will have a pretty stress-free week going into Boxing Day. I think everyone's in a really good place."

Pakistan will have the chance to iron out their kinks during a two-day tour match against Victoria at the Junction Oval, starting Friday.

The match will give Marcus Harris another chance to push his case to replace the retiring David Warner later this summer, while Peter Handscomb and Will Pucovski are also set to play.

The only injury worry for the Aussies was eased on Sunday when an x-ray of Marnus Labuschagne's finger cleared him of any fracture after being struck on the third afternoon. But he was able to bat unhindered in the Perth nets before play on day four and played a full part in the field.

For Morris, National Selector George Bailey said he "will stay prepared for Test cricket as he remains firmly in our plans for the summer, should an opportunity arise."

His return to action will likely come in Wednesday's KFC BBL match against the Hobart Hurricanes with the Scorchers to play their next three games in Perth. They also hold the Renegades on Boxing Day and Strikers on January 3 before they hit the road again.

 
Why? He's a superior player to Imam. Would be a great learning curve for Pakistan's most talented young batter.

100% better player than Imam. I don't rate Imam at all.

My problem is more with Pakistan's approach with good prospects. If Saim struggles, they will make him the scapegoat and bring Imam back for even longer.

Saim deserves a better chance rather than getting thrown to the wolves in a Boxing Day test. He's already not as developed in FC cricket and probably should play another season or at least an easier opponent.
 
Good news - Weather forecast Melbourne

For Australia that is

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Ramiz Raja speaking on his YouTube Channel

"Shan Masood needs hard work as a captain, as a leader, because this is going to be tough series for him. Until he gives a statement with his bat, he won't be able to establish himself in the dressing room or on the opposition,"

"Similarly, Babar Azam needs to be seated and encouraged because when captaincy is taken away from you, you tend to go low [on motivation],"

"Shaheen Afridi needs to come out as a lethal bowler. It's not that he plays as a filler. Conditions in Australia are much better. If you can't create magic, especially in Perth, then your established impression in this circuit gets hurt. He needs to become the leader of the pack,"

" We need to reaccess Sarfaraz's role again. I think, facing top pace bowling in Australia will be challenging with the bat for him. Pakistan needs to quickly assess whether to play Sarfaraz because we need his all-round ability, not only as a keeper behind the stumps but also as a batsman, or do we play Rizwan because he plays pace bowling well,"
 
If Pakistan want to compete or win in this series. They need 4-5 bowlers who can get Australia out for around 300 regularly. This is what India did.

No more Test matches in Perth so the batting will be easier. Having a more positive approach and adding perhaps Rizwan in place of Sarfraz should allow this batting XI to score 300 as well.

It's the bowling that has to step up.
 
Pakistan have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the first Test in Perth.

Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Pakistan were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two World Test Championship points have been deducted from Pakistan’s points total.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Richard Illingworth, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Donovan Koch leveled the charge.

Source: ICC
 
Can't have rizwan back in the playi g x, he gets cramps in t20's and odi's how is he meant to last for 5 days?
 
1. Saim Ayub
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Safaraz Ahmed
8. Shaheen Shah Afridi
9. Aamer Jamal
10. Khurram Shahzad
11. Abrar Ahmed
 
Pakistan needs to reduce an extra batsman and find a way to get 5 bowlers in. An extra batter will not make as much of a difference as an extra bowler will.
 
Azhar speaking in an interview:

“There were matches, where batters had scored good runs but our bowlers were unable to bowl Australia out in those matches, it has been so long that Pakistani bowlers had bowled Australia out twice in a match, and this is where the problem is,”

“People would say that Pakistan was bowled out for 89 in Perth but I think by the time Pakistan’s inning started, the wicket had become very difficult with an uneven bounce, and knowing Australia’s attack, I think that collapse was not unexpected,”

“I have confidence that Pakistani batters can post scores around 450, 475 but it is important for Pakistan that the bowlers are able to bowl out Australia for not a bigger total,”

“If you want to take wickets, then you must go with specialist bowlers,”
 
Sajid is also a very good pick in fact on slow tracks like Sydney he could be very handy.

The only issue is that most of the left handed players from Australia are in the top order where spinners don't come into play, they mostly have right-handed batsmen in the middle and lower order where away spin can be effective that is the reason why i picked Nauman.

But 1 thing is for sure they have to go with a proper spinner in the next game.
True, but I have very little doubt in my mind that it's very likely the top order is still batting when we approach the 80 over new ball :(
 
Imaam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Saud
Sarfraz(won't be dropped in this test)
Agha
Jamal
Shaheen
Abrar
Khurram
 
Scott Boland at MCG

25 all out loading

Hazlewood will not be dropped. But Boland is unlucky to miss out. He is a beast in Australian conditions as he is the most robotic bowler going around in the world. He can hit the same line and length over and over
 
Hazlewood will not be dropped. But Boland is unlucky to miss out. He is a beast in Australian conditions as he is the most robotic bowler going around in the world. He can hit the same line and length over and over
Our technician babar azam will fix this robot :D
 
Scott Boland at MCG

25 all out loading

Boland just had an excellent performance at the MCG too and is truly a monster performer in those conditions.

But I don't see a spot for him unless they rest Hazlewood.
 
2 changes are a must. Faheem should be going and also Imam should be going. I would have taken shan's name as well but he is now that captain so he is going nowhere now.
 
Not sure why Imam would be dropped. Only guy to face 200 plus balls, only guy to bat for 6 plus hours total, only guy to be involved in all 3 big partnerships for Pakistan. Only guy to score a 50. Others are way behind him in every metric. He is an utter joke in ODI. But at Perth he surprised me by staying that long given his short ball weakness. Everyone else has to play around him.
 
The only thing which can save them from humiliation is the rain or a good batting pitch.
 
Shan Masood
Abdl Shafique
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam
Saim Ayoub
Mohd Rizwan
Aamr Jamal
M Waseem jnr
Abrar Ahmed
Shaheen Afridi
Khuram Shehzad
 
Shan Masood
Abdl Shafique
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam
Saim Ayoub
Mohd Rizwan
Aamr Jamal
M Waseem jnr
Abrar Ahmed
Shaheen Afridi
Khuram Shehzad
Pakistan's batting line is already not doing well and you left Salman Agha out as well and Rizwan and Saim included. this batting line will not score more than 150.
 
Sarfraz should get one more test to prove his form. Faheem should be replaced by Wasim J or Mir Hamza. Faheem batting has always been non existent bar few matches in all formats.
 
Wasim is the best bet here. He is deceptively quick and can swing the bat as well.
 
If any miracle Pakistan win or Australia thrash Pakistan as usual
 
If reverse swing is not in play. Is he really better than an experienced Hasan Ali or Mir Hamza?
He can reverse the bowl and Melbourne offers some extra bounce as well which can help him.
Hassan Ali? I am not sure if he can do any good.
 
Need one aggressive batsman at the top. Many are saying to avoid Saim but I think he can be included.
Rizwan needs to be brought in for sure. But I think Sarfaraz will still hold on to his place.
Wasim Jr could be a better option with some reverse swing ability.
 
Pakistan will lose the second test by a huge margin. They do not have the quality to play in Australian conditions against a quality Australian Attack.
 
What changes should Pakistan make in the 2nd Test?

I think we need to get rid of Faheem and pick Nauman Ali as a specialist spinner.
 
Abrar needs to come in, rizwan as well.

Major issue with batting is that non of batsmen look like they want to stock it out and fight, because of the Pakistan won't score enough to compete
 
This could be the reason for KS bowling fewer overs in the 1st Test

==

Update on Khurram Shahzad by PCB

Melbourne, 20 December 2023:

Fast Bowler Khurram Shahzad complained of discomfort in his left side during the First Test.

Following his complaint, after the Test Match Khurram was sent for an MRI scan.

Further details will be shared in due course, after medical panel assess the MRI reports.
 
This is the problem with Pakistan players. They get injured way too easily. The fitness issue has always cut short the player's career when he started nicely in the international cricket.
 
PCB update on Abrar Ahmed:

He is going through a Rehab. He is better but we will assess him again. We will go tomorrow or day after tomorrow whenever the physio is available then we will give the update.
 
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This was a nightmare start for Pakistan. Abrar injured , Khurram possibly injured. PAK tried to slow the over rate but got thrashed by 360 runs inside 4 days, regardless.

Faheem and Jamal not really adding much batting depth and in Faheem's case, he's been a total passenger

MCG, along with Gabba and Perth, is among the bounciest surfaces although there's not as much pace in the pitch as Perth.

Surprising to see that Pakistan Twitter spaces actually thought the first Test was decent for Pakistan. Still suffering from PTSD after previous tours.
 
Faheem should be swapped with Wasim or hassan. Faheem has been the worst in the last test match.
 
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