Series loss to New Zealand : A straightforward blessing?

[Nikhil_cric]

Mohammad Aamir has been in very good form in domestic cricket and Abbas and Hasan Ali are very skilled with the new ball. Together they are a better seam attack than any pakistani attack that has visited SA since 1998. Add Yasir to that and you have a very good attack all-round with Shaheen , a 6'6" prodigy as back up.

Brother [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] has already called this the worst Saffer batting lineup in 60 years and I agree with his assessment. This time around there is no Smith, no ab, faf and Amla well past their respective peaks. Elgar is the only proven batsman and the rest are untested newbies.

SA will be expecting a weak Pakistani side after being beaten by NZ but honestly this looks more of an even contest than it was in 2013. Batting of both teams will struggle and the series will be won based on bowling strength and here I think Pakistan will match and even outmatch SA since Ngidi is injured, Rabada hasn't performed since his stress fracture, Steyn and philander are on their last legs etc.

So, was the series loss a good thing since SA will be taken by surprise? What do ppers think?

 

[Xoib]

Pakistan can’t bat it’s simple as that and the batting cracks even worse at slight hint of pressure S.A. is there for the taking I believe but this is not the side that will pounce on the opportunity

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan can’t bat it’s simple as that and the batting cracks even worse at slight hint of pressure S.A. is there for the taking I believe but this is not the side that will pounce on the opportunity

SA batting is nothing to write about as well. Last two series their batting was carried by Elgar and AB. AB is now retired. Get Elgar and their batting is very weak and got exposed in Lanka as well. This series depends on who bowls better I think.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Not a straightforward blessing. More of a quasi-indirect blessing.

 

[Savak]

The umpteenth blessing in disguise

 

[Junaids]

Two awful batting line-ups and two decent attacks.

The winners will get the most runs out of positions 6-9 in the batting order.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Two awful batting line-ups and two decent attacks.

The winners will get the most runs out of positions 6-9 in the batting order.

Agreed. Do you think Pakistan can win 2-1 here with the right team selection? What would be your team?

 

[Junaids]

Agreed. Do you think Pakistan can win 2-1 here with the right team selection? What would be your team?

Yes, I do, but I think they need to understand that the Top Order will consistently fail, so they need to ensure that apart from Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Shah Afridi the other bowlers need to be picked for their batting.

My team would be:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Azhar Ali
3. Asad Shafiq
4. Haris Sohail
5. Babar Azam
6. Shadab Khan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

The only Test where a spinner will bowl much is at Cape Town, and I'd consider Yasir Shah for Shadab Khan there.

 

[Hitman]

There is no blessing in disguise in any defeat is cricket. We fans use that phrase merely to console ourselves.

 

[the Great Khan]

There is no blessing in disguise in any defeat is cricket. We fans use that phrase merely to console ourselves.

This.There is no blessing in losing. Winning breeds confidence and a certain attitude. Losing doesnt. We will be lucky to win a match on this tour. Our bowling looks good but our batting bar perhaps Azhar looks shot. If Azhar gets out cheaply which will happen here, expect the rest to just give up the ghost. The saffers batting may be rubbish but its better than ours..

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Yes, I do, but I think they need to understand that the Top Order will consistently fail, so they need to ensure that apart from Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Shah Afridi the other bowlers need to be picked for their batting.

My team would be:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Azhar Ali
3. Asad Shafiq
4. Haris Sohail
5. Babar Azam
6. Shadab Khan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

The only Test where a spinner will bowl much is at Cape Town, and I'd consider Yasir Shah for Shadab Khan there.

Hmm. This is a good lineup too. They should be able to beat SA 2-1 and win the series.

 

[Abdullah719]

Nikhil bhai always has a blessing in disguise thread ready when we lose.

Thanks for the encouragement

 

[Joseph Gomes]

If losing was blessed, then minnows are the most blessed.

 

[Ami]

No chance...we just dont have the batters...

 

[Rahul1]

Two awful batting line-ups and two decent attacks.

The winners will get the most runs out of positions 6-9 in the batting order.

An attack of Steyn, Rabada, Philander and Maharaj is "decent". Hilarious.

 

[Savak]

Azhar does not have the game to succeed in SA conditions, we does not cut, pull or hook well. The South African's will dry up his scoring areas just like the Kiwi's did and will be fine with him playing the nightwatchman role.

On these wickets you need good cutters, pullers and hookers of the ball but have Pakistan selected the right batsmen for these conditions.

 

[aloo paratha]

A lot depends on selecting the right team. Preferably imam shouldn't play but that's never gonna happen. My lineup would be:

Fakhar
Imam
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Yasir/Amir
Hasan
Shaheen
Abbas

We need to go with 4 bowlers, bowling is our strength, we cannot weaken it. It would be okay to play all rounders if they were good enough. Faheem is nowhere near good enough. It is possible if imam fails in the firat 2 tests, and gets dropped, then shadab comes in at 7,and everybody above him moves up.

 

[Stalin]

If Pakistan manages to get a minimum of 220-250 every inning, then they have a realistic chance of winning this. SAF batting is in turmoil. If Faf is tamed , then SAF have work to do to get even 200. But again the tail is there to frustrate the *****. Philander , Steyn , Maharaj, Rabada are capable bats

 

[Savak]

If Pakistan manages to get a minimum of 220-250 every inning, then they have a realistic chance of winning this. SAF batting is in turmoil. If Faf is tamed , then SAF have work to do to get even 200. But again the tail is there to frustrate the *****. Philander , Steyn , Maharaj, Rabada are capable bats

This is being naïve. Pakistan's bowling attack is over rated, this is not the 90's anymore. We will need to post 400-450 minimum atleast to have some semblance of chance. Pakistan posted 400 a few times in Australia but the bowlers failed them badly.

Our bowling attack is extremely over rated and not good enough based on evidence in South Africa.

 

[shaaik]

If Pakistan manages to get a minimum of 220-250 every inning, then they have a realistic chance of winning this. SAF batting is in turmoil. If Faf is tamed , then SAF have work to do to get even 200. But again the tail is there to frustrate the *****. Philander , Steyn , Maharaj, Rabada are capable bats

It would most likely come down to late order contribution and South Africa certainly have an edge there. Last time we toured them, in 2nd test at cape town we had them 109/5 & 210/7 and they ended up scoring 326 and guess what who was the top scorer " Robin Peterson" who came to bat at 7 and scored 84 invaluable runs.With out his contribution we would taken a lead of at least 150 runs and it would have been game over but it was not to be. This time around we have to make sure that we dont let their tail wag otherwise the 3-0 is inevitable.

 

[Chrish]

Pakistan has a young side and these little niggles are to be expected.

I wouldn’t loose sleep over it.

 

[JattMaula]

Blessings have stopped using disguises!

 

[Savak]

Pakistan has a young side and these little niggles are to be expected.

I wouldn’t loose sleep over it.

Enough with the excuses on young side, barring Inam ul Haq and Harris Sohail, none of the other players are inexperienced. These players have also played enough ODI cricket and domestic cricket to have not thrown away the match winning position of 130/3 in the first test and for not throwing away the opportunity to score a big first innings lead.

Am shocked that the players we have been producing are so inadequate against spin. This only reinforces how pathetic the wickets in our domestic cricket are for spinners and the level of grinding and grafting that is mostly required on Pakistani wickets which explains why the vast majority of batsmen we have been producing in the last 10 plus years have had extremely low Strike rates and inability to rotate the strike.

 

[Shandarchowka]

It would be epic if Pakistan manages to pull it off against Saffers. I strongly believe that our team is suited to English and South African conditions rather than UAE. Fakhar, Harris, and Babar will like the ball coming onto the bat. Azhar is a champion and Asad interestingly has scored a century last time.

Our bowling is actually on par with South Africa. Amir should be firing after the rest he got and we all know what Abbas and Hasan are capable of. I would be tempted to field Shaheen as well and actually use Shadab and Haris as spinners.

Here’s my team -

Fakhar
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Asad
Sarfi (c) (wk)
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Abbas
Shaheen

Let’s go for the kill for some nuclear bombs!!

 

[BreadPakoda]

Pakistan has a young side and these little niggles are to be expected.

I wouldn’t loose sleep over it.

Pakistan has anything but a young side.

 

[Usman Chadda]

We have the worst batting side in Test cricket right now. This series is essentially Pakistan bowlers vs South Africa. Basically 4 vs 11 players. I see no chance of a single win.

 

[shaaik]

Pakistan has anything but a young side.

by young he must have meant in terms of experience.

 

[ManFan]

It will be a blessing if we don’t have three innings defeat.

But wait!

That humiliation might just ensure a few seniors to give up their spots, right?

Oh, no.

So, yeah. There are NO blessings in Pakistan cricket.

 

[CricketDon]

This is 100% a troll thread and to bait the delusional posters.

This is like the million and one thread about a blessing in disguise in a losing cause.

+1 POTW

 

[Usman Chadda]

This is 100% a troll thread and to bait the delusional posters.

This is like the million and one thread about a blessing in disguise in a losing cause.

+1 POTW

Even the optimistic posters are going into this series expecting a massacre

 

[BreadPakoda]

by young he must have meant young in terms of experience.

Even then he’s wrong. Azhar, Shafiq, Amir made their debut in 2010. Sarfaraz in 2013 if I’m not wrong. Yasir has 200 wickets. Babar has been playing all formats for a couple or years. Haris also made his debut in 2013 types.
Only big issue is openers. Almost all teams are going through the same problem - young inexperienced openers. India has Shaw, England keeps changing opener, NZ has Rawal, SA has Markram, Sri Lanka keeps changing.

Pakistan’s core team is still very experienced and mature. Most players had good mentorship period of almost a decade under Misbah and YK.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

We have the worst batting side in Test cricket right now. This series is essentially Pakistan bowlers vs South Africa. Basically 4 vs 11 players. I see no chance of a single win.

The difference (if at all) that exists between SA and your batting will be minimised in those conditions. Anyway , apart from Elgar they don't have any convincing batsman now. Markram has only smashed weak teams and Amla is well and truly finished. This will be a much closer series than 2013 when they had peak Smith,Amla,AB,Faf,Steyn,Philander,Morne etc. And your bowling was Junaid khan, tanvir aunty , Umar Gul etc. Bowling is stronger now with Abbas, Hassan,Aamir ,Shaheen etc. Even all your greats have failed here with the bat generally speaking so I doubt this lineup will be much weaker anyway.

 

[The Viper]

The difference (if at all) that exists between SA and your batting will be minimised in those conditions. Anyway , apart from Elgar they don't have any convincing batsman now. Markram has only smashed weak teams and Amla is well and truly finished. This will be a much closer series than 2013 when they had peak Smith,Amla,AB,Faf,Steyn,Philander,Morne etc. And your bowling was Junaid khan, tanvir aunty , Umar Gul etc. Bowling is stronger now with Abbas, Hassan,Aamir ,Shaheen etc. Even all your greats have failed here with the bat generally speaking so I doubt this lineup will be much weaker anyway.

Makram is prolific at home. Aus and India are not weak teams. Though I agree that no Smith and AB is huge. The real problem is that I still back guys like Faf to score whilst there is no one in our team who will score runs. Maybe Babar.

 

[Amjid Javed]

If Pakistan manages to get a minimum of 220-250 every inning, then they have a realistic chance of winning this. SAF batting is in turmoil. If Faf is tamed , then SAF have work to do to get even 200. But again the tail is there to frustrate the *****. Philander , Steyn , Maharaj, Rabada are capable bats

Pakistan might about manage 200-250 runs in whole series, never mind per inns. Wont be shocked if we get bowled out under a 100 a few times.

 

[CricketDon]

Even the optimistic posters are going into this series expecting a massacre

Can’t evem disagree with you. In general I am a very optimistic person even when it is a bit illogical to do so.

However going into this series I’m expecting Pakistan to be slaughtered like baby lambs.

Should be fun.

 

[Hasan123]

Pakistan has a young side and these little niggles are to be expected.

I wouldn’t loose sleep over it.

It wasn't a young team. Azhar,Asad,Sarfraz,Hafeez,Bilal,and Yasir all over 30. Abbas and Haris are nearly 30 .

The team who played NZ series wasn't young. Biggest myth on this forum that it was young.

 

[Hasan123]

Losing a home series isn't a blessing in disguise. It's an embarrassment.

 

[topspin]

It wasn't a young team. Azhar,Asad,Sarfraz,Hafeez,Bilal,and Yasir all over 30. Abbas and Haris are nearly 30 .

The team who played NZ series wasn't young. Biggest myth on this forum that it was young.

More of a veteran team than a young side for sure.

 

[Buffet]

Another blessing in disguise thread with slight change

 

[rhony]

[MENTION=113824]Nikhil_cric[/MENTION] with another blessing in disguise post as expected. Did you start writing the one for SA tour yet?

 

[Hasan123]

More of a veteran team than a young side for sure.

And the replacement will either be one of Inzis favourites or another oldie.

 

[Minnowbasher]

Blessing in disguise number 9575857476858303279547

 

[Minnowbasher]

Losing the world cup will also be a blessing in disguise I guess

 

[Abdullah719]

Losing the world cup will also be a blessing in disguise I guess

Yes, for the T20 World Cup in 2020.

If we lose that, it'll be a blessing in disguise for the T20 World Cup in 2021.

We are truly blessed in all facets of blessings in disguises.

 

[Mp812]

Hmm. This is a good lineup too. They should be able to beat SA 2-1 and win the series.

Just like were supposed to blank out nz in UAE 3 to 0

 

[Minnowbasher]

Yes, for the T20 World Cup in 2020.

If we lose that, it'll be a blessing in disguise for the T20 World Cup in 2021.

We are truly blessed in all facets of blessings in disguises.

:MoHa

 

[Abdullah]

Just like were supposed to blank out nz in UAE 3 to 0

We were not too far off if we be honest

 

[Abdullah]

I'm expecting a good showing in SA. I think we need to play shadab and fahim if it is a bowl first wicket.
The 3 quicks will have to bowl 25 overs each with 10 from shadab and faheem. If it is a bowling wicket our 3 quicks should be able to do the job in 60 overs anyway, then the above combo gives us a deeper batting.
The lord's test has to be the template for the series

 

[gazza619]

Ah i was waiting for someone to create a blessing in disguise thread after the New Zealand loss.

We are so blessed. When we win (doesnt happen often), we are blessed. When we loose we are blessed.

On a serious note I agree Pakistan should not be written off for the SA series.

 

[charlie007]

If the wickets are a bit decent to bat on, Pakistan will give a decent fight. But if they are similar to what India got, then they aren't crossing 150 in any innings.

As far as blessings are concerned, every team is ready to bless the other :-D

 

[Arham_PakFan]

There is no blessing in disguise in any defeat is cricket. We fans use that phrase merely to console ourselves.

Agreed.

Nothing wrong with being optimistic however but we have to be a bit realistic too.

Hopefully Pakistan can manage to defeat South Africa but it would be nothing short of a miracle if we do more than win a Test.

 

[rhony]

Just like were supposed to blank out nz in UAE 3 to 0

Pakistan was 4 runs away from winning the series 3-0. SA is a different ball game though. It's not the true bounce you get in SA these days. The ball swings and it sticks in the pitch. Need a lot of skill to face the SA pacers. Pakistan needs to dismiss SA for less than 200 scores to make a series out of it.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

[MENTION=113824]Nikhil_cric[/MENTION] with another blessing in disguise post as expected. Did you start writing the one for SA tour yet?

There won't be any blessings after that tour. Many posters believe that conditions in SA suit PCT more than the UAE and believe that making SA their 'Home' would lead to better results. I see their point. This should be like a true 'home' series for PCT.

 

[Ab Fan]

What a blessing in disguise!

SA bowling attack is decent lol. It is as deadly in SA as it gets. You think Philander is on last legs, well in SA conditions, he is arguably the most destructive bowler and I have lost count of how many 5-fers he has taken in SA. Rabada doesn't need explanation and while Steyn is past, he can still remain dangerous in SA conditions.

So, I back SA to whitewash Pakistan 3-0 if there is no interruption.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Another blessing in terms of Philander not playing boxing day test. This SA team is now without a proper bowling attack or batting lineup. Weakest SA team probably since readmission.