Proud of the team. Let's encourage and support them at such moments

[Badsha]

Fine margins. Sometimes you lose and that's how cricket is. My biggest problem is when our players play in their shell to avoid criticism or not give it a go at all.

The players played brave, we had the right plan but fell just short.

Well done and hope our batting kicks on from this.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Yeah, well faught.

Ideally only change i will do in batting is to replace Imam by Abid.

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

No more Yasir again.

 

[theariezman]

When they crossed 350 its a win for me for now in ages.

 

[Abdullah719]

But but everyone is a parchee

We need to sack Sarfaraz, Mickey and everyone and build a new team quickly before the World Cup squad deadline

 

[Markhor]

The plus side of today is that the batsmen actually gave the chase a go instead of settling for respectable defeat. If you can match England's batting lineup blow for blow, and we were ahead of England's total for the majority of the chase, that is a huge positive.

The downside is the bowling is regressing at an alarming rate. Now we can fix this if we're willing to be brave in our selections (call up a proper spinner from domestic), and admit we're making a bad investment with Faheem Ashraf. The good thing about this England series is it'll expose the weak links before the World Cup.

However I fear our management will persist with Faheem and his 307 bowling average, and think Shadab will resolve our spin issues when actually his record against top teams is mediocre.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

The plus side of today is that the batsmen actually gave the chase a go instead of settling for respectable defeat. If you can match England's batting lineup blow for blow, and we were ahead of England's total for the majority of the chase, that is a huge positive.

The downside is the bowling is regressing at an alarming rate. Now we can fix this if we're willing to be brave in our selections (call up a proper spinner from domestic), and admit we're making a bad investment with Faheem Ashraf. The good thing about this England series is it'll expose the weak links before the World Cup.

However I fear our management will persist with Faheem and his 307 bowling average, and think Shadab will resolve our spin issues when actually his record against top teams is mediocre.

Was talking with my brother today and we also agreed that this is one of the weakest bowling attack in recent times. Our batting is actually not bad.

Its too late to send someone new in place of Faheem. But i must say Faheem has been dissapointing with the bat. He has so much natural ability but just hasnt got the runs.

 

[MMHS]

True - no shame in such loss. Can’t blame any batsman today - may be Babar & partially Imam but team deserves all the praise. If they play with same attitude, may be very next game it’ll happen. Also, one thing is proved - PAK’s stronger link is batting, team must plan to chase in WC, unless condition favours batting first more than usual odds.

 

[Cric1234]

Without Fakhar the top order is one dimensional and will continue to lose matches on such pitches having aggressive batsmen in the top 6 is a must.

 

[Zaz]

Well chased today It was good to see

Hope we can learn from the mistakes made and make the bold decisons needed

Please mickey and co drop the players who clearly arent capable and take this team forward

 

[Cric1234]

It was a flat wicket the bowlers did well until the 35th over when too many hit me balls were bowled ultimately costing the team.

 

[Mueez]

Only one thing replace Imam with Abid or Babar.

If Imam is replaced by Babar add Hafeez in this lineup and it becomes a very solid lineup.

 

[Plumb]

Wow.. glad to see a positive thread... phew!!! now please kick faheem/Yasir out of team and play positive cricket.

 

[Syed1]

I cannot for the life of me understand why Faheem and Yasir keep getting picked.


My team for the next match would be

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Asif
Sarfaraz
Imad
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

 

[NauV]

Thank you for seeing the big picture!!

Indeed, well played!!

I will put my hand up and say that when the chase started, I was like . . if we get to 300, it'd be an achievement . . so well played overall!

I will actually not be harsh on any batsman . . to chase 370 is incredibly difficult . . and with our power hitting problem, to get to 360 was a massive achievement . . Faheem isn't a batsman! Hafeez will come back in which will strengthen our batting anyway . . but honestly, it goes on to show how important Fakhar Zaman is in this batting line up . .

Things to work on:
Bowling:
I thought Hassan bowled well today to be hoenst barring his last 2 overs . . and honestly . . when Buttler is going like that, you gotta tip your hat to him . . He was just too good . .

Shaheen . . Honestly it was a bit of an eye opener for me . . his worst game by a long shot in Pakistani colors . . but honestly giving 80 runs isn't even what bothered me . . Hassan gave 80 too . . it was just . . BAD BAD bowling! No pace when we know he can touch close to 90 . . bowling leg side garbage . . line and length completely off . . just looked completely off color . . I sincerely hope this was an aberration . .

Faheem . . as I have said on other threads . . it is an insult to cricket in Pakistan that he is playing for the national side . . as simple as that!

You have to play 3 proper fast bowlers . .

 

[Suleiman]

Agreed. We always say when they play poorly, “ I wish they had shown some guts instead of surrendering meekly”, the time has come.

Credit to the boys

 

[saeed5646]

Thank you for seeing the big picture!!

Indeed, well played!!

I will put my hand up and say that when the chase started, I was like . . if we get to 300, it'd be an achievement . . so well played overall!

I will actually not be harsh on any batsman . . to chase 370 is incredibly difficult . . and with our power hitting problem, to get to 360 was a massive achievement . . Faheem isn't a batsman! Hafeez will come back in which will strengthen our batting anyway . . but honestly, it goes on to show how important Fakhar Zaman is in this batting line up . .

Things to work on:
Bowling:
I thought Hassan bowled well today to be hoenst barring his last 2 overs . . and honestly . . when Buttler is going like that, you gotta tip your hat to him . . He was just too good . .

Shaheen . . Honestly it was a bit of an eye opener for me . . his worst game by a long shot in Pakistani colors . . but honestly giving 80 runs isn't even what bothered me . . Hassan gave 80 too . . it was just . . BAD BAD bowling! No pace when we know he can touch close to 90 . . bowling leg side garbage . . line and length completely off . . just looked completely off color . . I sincerely hope this was an aberration . .

Faheem . . as I have said on other threads . . it is an insult to cricket in Pakistan that he is playing for the national side . . as simple as that!

You have to play 3 proper fast bowlers . .

Excellent summary. Pretty much that

 

[nam]

Great thread.
I see a lot of positives in this loss. Only if we can take those lessons and do some fine tuning before World Cup. If we can give England a scare with 377 on the board I think we are on target for a semi spot in the world cup.
I would replace Faheem with Hafeez and Yasir with Shahab in this playing 11.
Another bold change would be to drop Imam and promote Babar to open. Play another bowler like Amir/Junaid or Malik depending on conditions.

 

[Ronaldo7]

I cannot for the life of me understand why Faheem and Yasir keep getting picked.


My team for the next match would be

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Asif
Sarfaraz
Imad
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

I think swapping Hafeez and Sarfaraz would be ideal.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Welp boys showing we can chase 360!! lot of improvements but a good fight overall

 

[wasimjunior]

I cannot for the life of me understand why Faheem and Yasir keep getting picked.


My team for the next match would be

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Asif
Sarfaraz
Imad
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

Hafeez is barely a sixth bowler now let alone a fifth.

Q

 

[babajee]

Encouraging signs with the bat but disappointing that we couldn't finish it off.

We desperately need Amir to find some wicket taking form with the ball as Junaid is trash and will be a liability.

 

[Hasan123]

Yes we played some good cricket. We have to keep this up for the next few games. Sometimes we get happy after 1 good performance. We need to add some consistency before calling this a batting line up better than our bowling line up. These same set of batters humiliated us against Bangladesh.

Happy with the performance, but need to see this performance more often.

 

[Syed1]

Hafeez is barely a sixth bowler now let alone a fifth.

Q

Can't do worse than Shah and/or Faheem.

 

[QalandarFan]

Yeah very proud of the boys for getting close, they were in the game till the 48th over so nice work. Hopefully we can cross the line in the next game.

 

[Technics 1210]

Proud of Pakistan team today, the fought well till the end. Sure there were some bowling errors, but to lose by 12 runs, chasing a high target, is a fight well fought. No batting collapses, good partnerships, great experience. Bowling wise I think Junaid, Amir, and Khan were missed.

Pakistan proved many people wrong today. I am sure there was a large percentage of viewers, including me, who felt Pakistan would not even get past 300, let alone 350!

Also something tells me, Pakistan decided to bowl first, to gain experience in chasing before the WC.

Well done Pakistan!

 

[chacha kashmiri]

If this was an Australian forum there wouldn’t be these threads
Show me a good loser and il show you a loser

Pakistan need to get rid of the weakest links

 

[Sytariq]

Exactly. .. this playing 11 we need.

 

[BDfanforever]

True - no shame in such loss. Can’t blame any batsman today - may be Babar & partially Imam but team deserves all the praise. If they play with same attitude, may be very next game it’ll happen. Also, one thing is proved - PAK’s stronger link is batting, team must plan to chase in WC, unless condition favours batting first more than usual odds.

At the end of the day, an L is an L, especially when its their umpteenth loss in the last umpteenth games. I don't think even BD fans cares about "praise-worthy losses" these days. Pakistan is supposed to be a top tier team, but have minnow level mentality these days.

 

[Ronaldo7]

At the end of the day, an L is an L, especially when its their umpteenth loss in the last umpteenth games. I don't think even BD fans cares about "praise-worthy losses" these days. Pakistan is supposed to be a top tier team, but have minnow level mentality these days.

If BD had come this close they would have been over the moon. Sometimes we just have to be realistic. Who would have honestly thought pak would score 350+?
This series really doesn't mean much coz the WC is around the corner but this match gives people the idea that pakistan have a realistic chance in the WC. After this match people are starting to hope.

 

[Shaddy86]

A loss is a loss but this was a dignified loss, everyone's forgetting that this would have been the 2nd highest chase in the history of the game! This isn't some minnow level moral victory, this was a great great effort messed up by the great captain and his so called all rounders nevertheless, I'd rather that we lose this way than the way we have been for so many years. No shame in this loss, well played.

 

[MRSN]

No doubt a great effort but a very poor finish. We could not finish game when we needed 30 off 3 overs with our captain and all rounders to bat. That shows that we still lack finishing touch. You won't win wc by coming close.

On a lighter side, this was indeed a moral win for us.

 

[MRSN]

A loss is a loss but this was a dignified loss, everyone's forgetting that this would have been the 2nd highest chase in the history of the game! This isn't some minnow level moral victory, this was a great great effort messed up by the great captain and his so called all rounders nevertheless, I'd rather that we lose this way than the way we have been for so many years. No shame in this loss, well played.

Minnow mentality at display bro. These people are satisfied with a finish like this just shows most of our fans have accepted their minnow status. This game was Pakistan's to lose in final 5 overs and should have won.

 

[last_knight]

Fakhar should not play in remaining matches in this series. That will be a better preparation for all others and may be it will instill them with some responsibility also.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Can't support mental midgets in good conscience.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This actually is good for Pakistan. It shows that on these flat wickets where the ball does absolutely nothing , Pakistan can match even an explosive team like England. Just need some fine tuning. You need a better spin bowler than Yasir in middle overs , better bowling plans in the death overs - your current bowlers should not bowl short considering the pace they bowl at, just stick to wide full length balls and slow it down like Willey did. Also , ideally, you need hitters for the death overs but I don't think you have any do just stick to the first two.

Also this world cup is going to be exciting of the difference between top teams is so negligible . Expecting mouth -watering contests in matches involving all top 8 teams. Only AFG and SL will get blown away.

 

[msb314]

When they crossed 350 its a win for me for now in ages.

Conpletelt Agree here!

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I was shocked to see Pakistan reached 360 odd.

Well played.

Pakistan is the most unpredictable team in the world.

 

[Dagestani_Eagle]

1: Fakhar
2: Harris
3: Babar
4: Sirfaraz
5:Hafeez
6: Asif
7: Imad
8: Amir
9: Hassan
10: Shaheen
11: Hussnain /Shadab in world cup

 

[barah_admi]

Great post and echoes what I have been saying since yesterday: Pakistan just missing out against the best batting line up ever constructed is great progress for this side. A little bit of fine tuning and Pakistan's prep for the WC is going in the right direction. If Shadab is fit and ready, I can see the team shaping up pretty well. Maybe something like this:

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez/Haris
Sarfraz
Ali
Imad
Shadab
Hasan
Junaid
Shaheen/Hasnain

If conditions allow it, Faheem might have space to play but at this moment, he is a half decent bowler with nothing to offer with the bat. I'd rather he not be in the side. Malik is in a similar position, if Hafeez bowls, he can replace Haris but Malik doesn't do his all round bit and batting is dropping off. We need Asif and Shadab both in the side.

 

[Slim]

Encouraging signs with the bat but disappointing that we couldn't finish it off.

We desperately need Amir to find some wicket taking form with the ball as Junaid is trash and will be a liability.

Junaid is not trash. Look at his average. The only trash is the guy in your avatar.

 

[Hitman]

If BD had come this close they would have been over the moon. Sometimes we just have to be realistic. Who would have honestly thought pak would score 350+?
This series really doesn't mean much coz the WC is around the corner but this match gives people the idea that pakistan have a realistic chance in the WC. After this match people are starting to hope.

So neither this series nor the series before this against the Aussies mattered?

 

[Slim]

So neither this series nor the series before this against the Aussies mattered?

We played our B team against Australia, and even this one is to test waters. In the larger scheme of things, yes.

 

[Hitman]

We played our B team against Australia, and even this one is to test waters. In the larger scheme of things, yes.

And Australia played their A team?

 

[Slim]

And Australia played their A team?

It was their full squad iirc.

 

[Shafi]

Well fought????? Only Fakhar and Asif tried their best. Others are same as usual. Babar is always selfish so as Imam and Sarfraz is too limited

 

[Ronaldo7]

So neither this series nor the series before this against the Aussies mattered?

No. UAE conditions are completely different to English conditions. Also only 3 out of the players that played against aus, were playing today. So that series is pretty irrelevant.

And Australia played their A team?

They played the same team that beat you 3-2. Their "a" team lost to nz c team like 5 days ago or something.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Minnow mentality at display bro. These people are satisfied with a finish like this just shows most of our fans have accepted their minnow status. This game was Pakistan's to lose in final 5 overs and should have won.

When have we ever scored 350+ in the second innings?
We haven't.
We're here breaking our own records and you're talking about Minnow mentality.

 

[SARJ_BD]

I cannot for the life of me understand why Faheem and Yasir keep getting picked.


My team for the next match would be

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Asif
Sarfaraz
Imad
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

4 regular bowlers? Recipe of disaster.

 

[MMHS]

If BD had come this close they would have been over the moon. Sometimes we just have to be realistic. Who would have honestly thought pak would score 350+?
This series really doesn't mean much coz the WC is around the corner but this match gives people the idea that pakistan have a realistic chance in the WC. After this match people are starting to hope.

No, BD won't have been over the moon to be close - no team should be. Few weeks back WIN lost to same ENG team chasing 400+ and losing it from 370-5 or so with 4 overs to go. BD wasn't over the moon after winning against PAK in Asia Cup (actually they were too normal), neither in Final after losing on last ball. What he said is perfectly acceptable and what PAK players and fans did after winning the 3rd T20 against Junior Dala's SAF, should be an eye opener.

I don't think PAK has a realistic chance of winning WC, in fact don't think it'll make even SF, but hope is something that we live on, no shame in that.

 

[Pete Rose]

Bittersweet. I think we had the game in our hands before we gave it away in the end. From a coaching point of view few things worked, a lot didnt.
Good
Fakhar and Asif repaid the faith and basically almost negated the impact of buttler and morgan's innings.
While I think Sarfaraz shouldn't play odi's but dealing with the reality that he is captain: i think he stepped well beyond his batting pedigree
We pretty much demolished adil rashid - one of england's key middle to late overs weapon

Bad
Bowlers forgot yorkers: the last over shaheen afridi showed that it was possible to contain them. I don't worry about this because we have the bowlers to execute better plans.
Yasir is not the answer
imad, faheem ahsraf continue to disappoint in the big moments.

question marks:
what will pakistan do if fakhar is dismissed early next game (highly like) and with jofra archer proll coming back?
do imam/babar/haris have the pedigree to motor along at 6 to 7 an over without fakhar?

 

[Cheetah99]

Can we back the Pakistan team for once?

All I see here is choosing their lineups and trying to figure out the trick to success, the truth is all we can do is support and back the team that takes the field. At the end of the day they're representing PAKISTAN
Please stop all your negativity and lets back our team and IN SHAA ALLAH we will win the World Cup!!!
No negativity please

 

[Ronaldo7]

PPers are soft. They may appear to be hard on the top and they may criticise the team and say that pak'll never win anything but deep down they really trust their team to win games. They want their team to win

 

[Cheetah99]

PPers are soft. They may appear to be hard on the top and they may criticise the team and say that pak'll never win anything but deep down they really trust their team to win games. They want their team to win

Thats not being hard on the top its just passing silly schoolboy comments, support your team like a MAN and be with them through their toughest times coz thats what true supporters do

 

[Hasan123]

Lol watching this games is supporting the team. If you don't agree with someone you should say it as a fan. If everyone was positive this forum would be boring.

 

[Badsha]

All I see here is choosing their lineups and trying to figure out the trick to success, the truth is all we can do is support and back the team that takes the field. At the end of the day they're representing PAKISTAN
Please stop all your negativity and lets back our team and IN SHAA ALLAH we will win the World Cup!!!
No negativity please

People can cry all they want. We have some incredible talent in fakhar babar imam Shaheen and Hassan. Expect fireworks!

 

[moghul]

At least we have fixed our problem with best available resources just before the world cup. Well done Inzi, you were sleeping for years with no planning but recall of Amir and Wahab are master strokes.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Its one thing to support them, and all the posters who are Pakistanis here will do in the World Cup, but what is there to be proud of? They have been a disgrace in ODI for the last 2 years. If anything they should be proud that they are still supported. Half of this team needs to be dropped after the World Cup.

 

[aukhan]

Proud at what? losing all games? What a loser mentality.

 

[last_knight]

Proud at what? losing all games? What a loser mentality.

If all losses are same, then why Net Run Rate is a tie-breaker for 2 or more teams on equal points ?

Not all losses are same.

Comparing PCT of 5 months ago and PCT of this England series, Batting has improved so that's not a loss. Acknowledging improvements in batting is not a losers mentality.

Bowling has been below par and everyone agrees that's a concern.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Yes, let's support the official minnows.

 

[hur rizvi]

Yes, let's support the official minnows.

Everyone loves minnows. Everything to lose for other teams playing them

 

[Savak]

To be honest this team does well when it is abused, mocked and humiliated.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Atleast we finally got to see reverse swing from Wahab Riaz, he is back

 

[Sheraz]

Let's get behind our team. Look at positives!

Guys Ive noticed theres been alot of negativity around the team and at times it has been warranted. Ive also been reading articles in build up to world cup and no one is giving us a chance! Perfect time for pakistan to do a pakistan.

I genuinely believe that we have a good chance to do well in this world cup. We have all the basics required of a team that could go on and win the trophy.

Firstly we have a very good top three. They have proved that over the last two years. I feel babar is class above and will soon be in williamson, kohli, smith bracket!!

We have an experienced middle order with haris as a good back up ( sarfaraz should definitely come up to number four on occasions (spinners on)

We have decent hitters in malik, imad and asif ( last one is abit of a slogger but will do well against teams that dont have decent spinners)

I still feel this is a top bowling line up. They just have no confidence at the moment. They are the same bowlers from twp years ago!One decent match can change that negative mindset. I am not keen on wahab due to past performances but can see why they picked him. Amir has had a shocking two years but he came back from a 5 year ban so I dont think it is asking too much to regain his form on these pitches. I really like shaheen as he has the potential to get wickets. I was at the england game where he got 3-4 and he was a real menace. We have shadab who I think is a fantastic cricketer full stop. Imad can hit and keep it tight. We obviously need somw luck but I think we can do it. I have tickets to both west indies and england games and I wont be surprised if pakistan win both. Lets see but as fans it is time to get behind the boys and stop slating them.

 

[BouncerGuy]

PCB urges cricket fraternity to support Pakistan Team

The PCB acknowledges the emotions and sentiments of cricket fans following the three consecutive defeats faced by the national team in the ICC World Cup 2023. In this challenging environment, the board administration hopes that the cricketing fraternity and fans will continue to support captain Babar Azam and the entire Pakistan cricket team.

The national team still has four crucial matches remaining in the round-robin stage, and the PCB is optimistic that the team will regroup, overcome the setbacks and perform positively and effectively in the upcoming fixtures.

Addressing the media scrutiny directed at captain Babar Azam and the team management, the board's stance, echoing that of former cricketers, is that successes and defeats are part of the game. Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023.

Looking ahead, the board will make decisions in the best interest of Pakistan cricket based on the team's performances in the World Cup. At present, the PCB encourages fans, former players and stakeholders to rally behind the team as they strive to make a triumphant comeback in the mega-event.

PCB​

 

[Asad T]

PCB urges cricket fraternity to support Pakistan Team

The PCB acknowledges the emotions and sentiments of cricket fans following the three consecutive defeats faced by the national team in the ICC World Cup 2023. In this challenging environment, the board administration hopes that the cricketing fraternity and fans will continue to support captain Babar Azam and the entire Pakistan cricket team.

The national team still has four crucial matches remaining in the round-robin stage, and the PCB is optimistic that the team will regroup, overcome the setbacks and perform positively and effectively in the upcoming fixtures.

Addressing the media scrutiny directed at captain Babar Azam and the team management, the board's stance, echoing that of former cricketers, is that successes and defeats are part of the game. Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023.

Looking ahead, the board will make decisions in the best interest of Pakistan cricket based on the team's performances in the World Cup. At present, the PCB encourages fans, former players and stakeholders to rally behind the team as they strive to make a triumphant comeback in the mega-event.

PCB​

So in other words,