Shaheen Shah Afridi 10-fer leads Pakistan to 109-run win over West Indies in 2nd Test - Series Drawn

[Shoaibbtt]

A ruthless and crushing win. Despite the weather and the umpires **, we stuck through and played attacking cricket. Well done.

Lots of positives and negatives to review for Pak though.

 

[batandballbattle]

A good win, the continued growth of shaheen is very encouraging to watch. Should have been 2-0 but I will take this

 

[Shoaibbtt]

which chief selector selected nauman ali and fawad alam?

misbah or wasim

Both selected Fawad but Wasim selected Numan.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Uncharacteristically bold and attacking cricket by Pakistan in this test match. Has to be applauded.

I think funnily enough, this series has shown us the best and worst sides of Pakistan really well.

The sad thing is that it has yet again reinforced the idea of Pakistan as a mercurial side. Which tells you that the cricket team is right where it was before the series.

For me i'm still sticking with Imran but Abid goes after this along with Yasir and possibly even Abbas.

 

[Titan24]

After losing 1 day and a session Pak did extremely well to win the match.

 

[NauV]

For me i'm still sticking with Imran but Abid goes after this along with Yasir and possibly even Abbas.

There's a place for Yasir still . .
We just need to horses for courses now . . Even India plays Jadeja abroad where they need more control . . .
On pitches where there's nothing for the spinner, Yasir wil never give you control . . he has never been a control bowler . . so judging him on the basis of that role is not right . .
Nauman provides the captain control on pitches like this so the fast bowlers can do their job and he can come into his own at the end of the test match . .

On slow and low/spinner wickets, Yasir will still be a match winner because run scoring is difficult and he comes into his own . .

So the think tank needs to think more in the Indian way rather than just ear marking Yasir as our number 1 spinner . .

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Might be an unpopular opinion but I think the MoM should have gone to Fawad. He saved Pakistan twice: at 2-3 and at 231-7. Without his knock Pakistan would never have posted such an imposing first innings total. And the bowlers would not have been able to bowl with the same freedom.

Truly outstanding innings though. Can't praise it enough.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

For me i'm still sticking with Imran but Abid goes after this along with Yasir and possibly even Abbas.

If Pakistan is to progress, both have to go. They are a burden on the team and though it might not seem like much, their failures end up costing Pakistan big in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Thephenom]

At least Imran can catch the ball which is a bonus!

 

[imshally81]

Nauman Ali should play ODIs & T20Is as well... He is a wicket-taker

 

[Shoaibbtt]

If Pakistan is to progress, both have to go. They are a burden on the team and though it might not seem like much, their failures end up costing Pakistan big in the grand scheme of things.

They certainly are the weak links in the team but honestly not being funny those catches he took would've been dropped by most, Imran is to slips catching is what Virat is to batting and we gotta acknowledge that yaar. Our team already consists of pathetic fielders as evidenced by Abid, Babar at times and then Yasir who was in slips once and dropped dollies. However, yes you are right can't keep relying on our middle order to bail you out every time during a crisis.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

They certainly are the weak links in the team but honestly not being funny those catches he took would've been dropped by most, Imran is to slips catching is what Virat is to batting and we gotta acknowledge that yaar. Our team already consists of pathetic fielders as evidenced by Abid, Babar at times and then Yasir who was in slips once and dropped dollies. However, yes you are right can't keep relying on our middle order to bail you out every time during a crisis.

Who's to say that a performing opener wouldn't be more useful to Pakistan than someone who is in the team exclusively for his fielding? You can't predict the alternatives. But you can make educated guesses if you take logical decisions.

At the end of the day, a batsman should be in the team for his batting. Fielding is something everyone is supposed to be good at. Its not something that should get you selected in the final eleven. Furthermore, the aim should be to improve the fielding of all the players, rather selecting someone whose only surefire chance of delivering in the match is neither with bat or ball, but in the field. Where he is supposed to deliver anyway.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

In terms of lineup, get rid of the TTF openers. Usman Salahuddin for Butt, and get Saud in and move Azhar up.

Bowling wise, get rid of Abbas.and get Was Maqsood in.

As for Butts fielding, just make him the 12th man and sub him on. Don't need to actually play him.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Who's to say that a performing opener wouldn't be more useful to Pakistan than someone who is in the team exclusively for his fielding? You can't predict the alternatives. But you can make educated guesses if you take logical decisions.

At the end of the day, a batsman should be in the team for his batting. Fielding is something everyone is supposed to be good at. Its not something that should get you selected in the final eleven. Furthermore, the aim should be to improve the fielding of all the players, rather selecting someone whose only surefire chance of delivering in the match is neither with bat or ball, but in the field. Where he is supposed to deliver anyway.

Exactly. If openers scored we could post 400+ comfortably and never be in these sort of pressure situations where good catching is needed. We would have much more leeway for errors.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Who's to say that a performing opener wouldn't be more useful to Pakistan than someone who is in the team exclusively for his fielding? You can't predict the alternatives. But you can make educated guesses if you take logical decisions.

At the end of the day, a batsman should be in the team for his batting. Fielding is something everyone is supposed to be good at. Its not something that should get you selected in the final eleven. Furthermore, the aim should be to improve the fielding of all the players, rather selecting someone whose only surefire chance of delivering in the match is neither with bat or ball, but in the field. Where he is supposed to deliver anyway.

Very much agreed, the openers have failed and think will do when the Aussies & NZ come to visit us so that's my fear.

However, the openers for Pak are really poor. The only hope right now is can someone like Saud open along with Usman Salhuddin, if they do and do well then our team will become stronger.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Exactly. If openers scored we could post 400+ comfortably and never be in these sort of pressure situations where good catching is needed. We would have much more leeway for errors.

However, if Butt saab can catch why drop him lol.

 

[shamaan]

That was the his best captaincy performance til today in all formats.
Shaheen was magnificent he got wickets with the short ball which I have not seen him until this series.

 

[Mainul]

Might be an unpopular opinion but I think the MoM should have gone to Fawad. He saved Pakistan twice: at 2-3 and at 231-7. Without his knock Pakistan would never have posted such an imposing first innings total. And the bowlers would not have been able to bowl with the same freedom.

Truly outstanding innings though. Can't praise it enough.

I was thinking the same

 

[OMB]

Congratulations. Great win and a good show of attacking cricket. Pakistan are definitely better team of the two

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan have levelled the two-match series and claimed 12 World Test Championship points after dismissing the West Indies for 219 on day five at Sabina Park.

Claiming career-best match figures of 10/94, Shaheen Afridi claimed four wickets on the final day, leaving the hosts 109 runs short. Nauman Ali (3/52) and Hasan Ali (2/37) were miserly at the other end, as a number of West Indian players failed to capitalise on their innings starts.

Beginning the day at 1/49, Alzarri Joseph (17) was the first player dismissed in Shaheen's charge, caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as the left-armer found the top-edge of the nightwatchman's bat. Nkrumah Bonner fell less than four overs later to Hasan Ali, adjudged lbw after a successful review by the fielding team.

The West Indies' chances of salvaging anything from the match took another blow thanks to a fine piece of Imran Butt slip-fielding, taking a low catch to dismiss Roston Chase for a duck, Hasan's second scalp.

In trouble at 73/4, Jermaine Blackwood joined opener and captain Kraigg Brathwaite, and provided some respite, ticking the score to three figures. Looking in control, the left-arm orthodox of Nauman was the partnership's undoing, as a turning and bouncing delivery forced a Blackwood edge. Rizwan claimed his second catch behind the stumps, and Pakistan were five wickets away from levelling the series.

Brathwaite continued to grind, though it was perhaps a lapse in concentration in his four-hour stay at the crease that cost him his wicket, cutting a Nauman delivery to Fawad Alam at point for 39.

Afridi again struck to dismiss Kyle Mayers for 32, though Pakistan faced a new threat to deny them victory in the form of rain. A light shower forced an early call for tea with three wickets still to take, and it spurred a West Indian side who still had Jason Holder and Joshua da Silva at the crease. Momentum looked to have swung back in the hosts' favour as Pakistan looked desperate for a scalp, though the spin of Nauman broke the match open, beating Holder in the flight for the all-rounder to spoon a catch to short cover for 47.

Afridi returned, and after trapping Kemar Roach in front for 7, dismissed da Silva for 15 to finish the job for the tourists.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam after the 2nd Test victory against the West Indies:


Today's victory is the result of the joint efforts of the entire team and I am pleased to say that all the players played brilliantly in this game.

Obviously, whenever you win, you gain a lot of confidence as a captain

When the wicket was not providing us any help, I decided to change the fielding positions and increase the pressure on the rival team

I am happy that despite losing wickets early in the first innings, the partnership with Fawad Alam brought us back to the match.

Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled brilliantly - he kept the hosts on the back foot with his excellent bowling. He is a bowler who has a lot of self-confidence and whenever I asked him to bowl, he bowled with aggression, and I am glad that I have a bowler like him on my side.

I always say that Fawad Alam is a very experienced batsman and he batted brilliantly in difficult conditions - a batsman with over 10k runs in domestic cricket played an important role in pulling us out of a difficult situation

 

[MenInG]

Courtesy of the PCB

 

[MenInG]

Highlights of Day 5

[utube]nCueZsBvRdE[/utube]

 

[sam_ahm]

Congratulations to Pakistan on a very good and well deserved victory.

Shaheen and Fawad the heros. Shaheen is developing into a world class bowler, one of the best.

 

[MenInG]

Misbah-ul-Haq tests positive, to complete 10-day quarantine in Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica, 25 August 2021:

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has tested positive and, as such, will not depart for Lahore with his side later today (Wednesday). Misbah, who is asymptomatic, will now undergo a 10-day quarantine, following which he will depart for Pakistan.

Misbah was the only Pakistan squad member who failed two pre-departure PCR tests. All other members will leave Jamaica as per schedule later today (Wednesday).

The PCB is constantly in touch with Cricket West Indies who have confirmed that Misbah will be shifted to another hotel for the 10-day quarantine with a medical specialist assigned to look after his health and wellbeing.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Very much agreed, the openers have failed and think will do when the Aussies & NZ come to visit us so that's my fear.

However, the openers for Pak are really poor. The only hope right now is can someone like Saud open along with Usman Salhuddin, if they do and do well then our team will become stronger.

Usman is another batsman who has never gotten a consistent run despite his years of toil in domestic. He's nowhere close to Fawad interms of being highly consistent for a number of years, but he is definitely a distant second. What what people don't even know is that most of his career he played for LCA or other regional Lahore teams like Shalimar or Eagles, which were almost always the among the weakest teams in the QeA because of their depleted squads which were regularly raided by departments.

Shan Masood and Usman. Azhar and Shan. Or even Usman and Azhar, are all opening partnerships worth trying in my opinion. At the very least they won't be as bad as this current one.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Usman is another batsman who has never gotten a consistent run despite his years of toil in domestic. He's nowhere close to Fawad interms of being highly consistent for a number of years, but he is definitely a distant second. What what people don't even know is that most of his career he played for LCA or other regional Lahore teams like Shalimar or Eagles, which were almost always the among the weakest teams in the QeA because of their depleted squads which were regularly raided by departments.

Shan Masood and Usman. Azhar and Shan. Or even Usman and Azhar, are all opening partnerships worth trying in my opinion. At the very least they won't be as bad as this current one.

Usman Salhuddin is a great prospect but the SR is too low for me, in his last 2 seasons of QeA he's been going at a SR of 41 which on home conditions i feel is not good enough. If you struggle with a SR on home conditions then my question is how will you cope on more complex pitches such as the one in WI for the 1st test.

I don't like people giving their wickets away easy but also hate if you are at a standstill, but having said that experience and change comes with time/adequate no. of chances. He along with Saad Ali were only given 1 chance which was a robbery. QeA season is coming so best chance for him to prove that he is a genuine opener and Allah willing he gets selected come November/December time.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Misbah-ul-Haq tests positive, to complete 10-day quarantine in Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica, 25 August 2021:

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has tested positive and, as such, will not depart for Lahore with his side later today (Wednesday). Misbah, who is asymptomatic, will now undergo a 10-day quarantine, following which he will depart for Pakistan.

Misbah was the only Pakistan squad member who failed two pre-departure PCR tests. All other members will leave Jamaica as per schedule later today (Wednesday).

The PCB is constantly in touch with Cricket West Indies who have confirmed that Misbah will be shifted to another hotel for the 10-day quarantine with a medical specialist assigned to look after his health and wellbeing.

Hope he gets better soon and be free of Covid.
I have lots and lots of difference in ideology with him but nothing personal against him.

 

[shamaan]

I think abid Ali deserves to be dropped.imran butt should stil be in the squad.Usman salahuddin should open.

 

[MenInG]

On way home....

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/3x35ak" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Rizwan and his pillow head home from Jamaica <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/ovT2QjRoDG">pic.twitter.com/ovT2QjRoDG</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1430642559513157636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Man of the Match for the 2nd Test between the West Indies and Pakistan

Although i think both Shaheen and Fawad played well. Do we feel that man of the match went to the right person? Any views i'd love to hear it. Personally being non-bias i think Fawad's innings deserved man of the match but without a shadow of doubt Shaheen was man of the series.

Thoughts and opinions are welcome.

 

[gazza619]

We were 3 wickets down for 2 runs on day 1, from that point scoring a 100 against this decent WI bowling attack certainly deserved a MOM.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

We were 3 wickets down for 2 runs on day 1, from that point scoring a 100 against this decent WI bowling attack certainly deserved a MOM.

Thanks for ur view bhai.

I hardly post threads and it's nice to get replies.

Absolute, although getting wickets is something else but had Pakistan got pinged out for a low score in the 1st innings, we would've been praying for rain.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan squad arrives back in Lahore (Pictures courtesy of the PCB)

 

[shamaan]

Although i think both Shaheen and Fawad played well. Do we feel that man of the match went to the right person? Any views i'd love to hear it. Personally being non-bias i think Fawad's innings deserved man of the match but without a shadow of doubt Shaheen was man of the series.

Thoughts and opinions are welcome.

I would have given it to fawad to.