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South Africa finish Day 1 of first Test at 127/5 in response to Pakistan's total of 181

If after seeing the crazy bounce in the first few overs someone had offered us 181, Pakistan most likely would have taken it!
 
Damn. Just needed one more batsman to stand up today.
 
Not an ideal score, but not the worst either. Was expecting Pakistan to fold for 100. 180 still keeps us in the game.
 
Amir needs to bowl like he was bowling in England in 2010 otherwise 181 is not enough at all. Superb innings from Babar though.
 
Okay, now we need to limit SAF to below 250.

At least we've given our bowlers something to work with.
 
Reckon Abbas would have done really well on this wicket.
Bit of swing, a bit of seam and most importantly wicket to wicket bowling which means maximum use of the variable bounce.
 
Babar haters Foremore first class cricketer Sajid khan and naseem Rajput must be feeling shamed to have been severely criticising Babar Azam
 
that has got to be one of the most pleasing test innings played by a pakistan batter since moyo lost his touch.
 
Babar haters Foremore first class cricketer Sajid khan and naseem Rajput must be feeling shamed to have been severely criticising Babar Azam

Both are biased. If Babar was from my city then these so called journalist would have hyped him to the moon after a couple of centuries. Babar was destined to be a great batsmen for Pakistan.
 
Amir please pitch the ball up and target the stumps more. Enough of this back of a length stuff where I come away wicketless but with economical figures.
 
Shaheen is probably similar height of Olivier, or a little taller - first thing he needs to find the ideal length that can hit the bail, other wise he'll go for plenty.

I can recall one interesting story - in his first tour to AUS (1976), Imran got a flier at MCG and he tried to impress DK Lillee ...... it went for 0-115 in like 23 overs :(, and same Test DK took a 10 for. After 1st innings, Lillee called Khan for a chat and explained him what error he was making (which is very common for most Asian pacers in AUS, may be apart from Kapil & Wasim). Imran listened, every word without ever interrupting ..... next 3 innings in that Series was 5/122, 6/102, 6/63 .....

Oblate, PAK youngsters are more in Shehzad mold than Imran mold - talks more than listening :(
 
Didn't see that time - Asad was bang unlucky here. On this track, against a 6'4"+ pacer, one should feel unlucky to be given LBW on length ball.
 
So I am half predicting how the SA innings will pan out:

* Bowlers will bowl some jaffas but will go for runs in search of wickets.

* Sarfraz will start with 5 people in slip cordon but after seeing Markram drive one through covers, he'll remove 3 of the slippers and put them as boundary riders. Considering the way pitch has played, the edges will be intertwined with boundaries but there won't be slip fielders to catch them. Consequently, SA batsmen will capitalize on the generosity from the visitors and run away with the game.

*Faf will make a special mention of Sarfraz and his big-heartedness at the post match presentation and will reiterate the fact that Pakistanis are indeed second to none when it comes to showing hospitality and generosity.
 
You expect SAF to be rolled out for under 300 ?

Depends on how PAK catches and what length bowlers bowl - PAK will bowl 35-38 overs today, then over night rest and with a semi old ball tomorrow morning another surge .... can be lot less than 300, may be even less than 200!!!

I think, it all depends on how Amir bowls, other 2 are too inexperienced.
 
Didn't see that time - Asad was bang unlucky here. On this track, against a 6'4"+ pacer, one should feel unlucky to be given LBW on length ball.

That was pathetic umpiring. Should have been in favor of Asad. Also decision to give Yasir. Umpiring has been quite ordinary.
 
So I am half predicting how the SA innings will pan out:

* Bowlers will bowl some jaffas but will go for runs in search of wickets.

* Sarfraz will start with 5 people in slip cordon but after seeing Markram drive one through covers, he'll remove 3 of the slippers and put them as boundary riders. Considering the way pitch has played, the edges will be intertwined with boundaries but there won't be slip fielders to catch them. Consequently, SA batsmen will capitalize on the generosity from the visitors and run away with the game.

*Faf will make a special mention of Sarfraz and his big-heartedness at the post match presentation and will reiterate the fact that Pakistanis are indeed second to none when it comes to showing hospitality and generosity.

Yes pretty much the story of recent test matches
 
Shaheen is probably similar height of Olivier, or a little taller - first thing he needs to find the ideal length that can hit the bail, other wise he'll go for plenty.

I can recall one interesting story - in his first tour to AUS (1976), Imran got a flier at MCG and he tried to impress DK Lillee ...... it went for 0-115 in like 23 overs :(, and same Test DK took a 10 for. After 1st innings, Lillee called Khan for a chat and explained him what error he was making (which is very common for most Asian pacers in AUS, may be apart from Kapil & Wasim). Imran listened, every word without ever interrupting ..... next 3 innings in that Series was 5/122, 6/102, 6/63 .....

Oblate, PAK youngsters are more in Shehzad mold than Imran mold - talks more than listening :(

Fast bowlers, of late, have been much better at being receptive than batsmen to be honest. Abbas, even though out injured, was seen chatting with Pollock which was a refreshing sight, showing that the pacers are eager to learn and pick the brains of a local fast-bowling legend.
 
[MENTION=139288]Abdul[/MENTION] where you at? You been bashing Babar Azam constantly and at the same time overlooking the mediocrity of Shafiq's performances. What you got to say now?
 
Shaheen is probably similar height of Olivier, or a little taller - first thing he needs to find the ideal length that can hit the bail, other wise he'll go for plenty.

I can recall one interesting story - in his first tour to AUS (1976), Imran got a flier at MCG and he tried to impress DK Lillee ...... it went for 0-115 in like 23 overs :(, and same Test DK took a 10 for. After 1st innings, Lillee called Khan for a chat and explained him what error he was making (which is very common for most Asian pacers in AUS, may be apart from Kapil & Wasim). Imran listened, every word without ever interrupting ..... next 3 innings in that Series was 5/122, 6/102, 6/63 .....

Oblate, PAK youngsters are more in Shehzad mold than Imran mold - talks more than listening :(

Shaheen is way taller. Olivier is not 6 ft 8 inches. he is barely 6 ft 2 in. I dont think south africa's quota policy will let olivier play many games once ngidi and philander are fit. Shaheen just needs to get his line right.
 
Shaheen is way taller. Olivier is not 6 ft 8 inches. he is barely 6 ft 2 in. I dont think south africa's quota policy will let olivier play many games once ngidi and philander are fit. Shaheen just needs to get his line right.

Ollivier will replace Steyn perhaps .
 
Again back of the length disappointing stuff from Amir - looks pleasing on the eye but no real wicket taking effectiveness.
 
181 runs is decent score considering our batting collapse and batsmen ability.
 
That was pathetic umpiring. Should have been in favor of Asad. Also decision to give Yasir. Umpiring has been quite ordinary.

Yasir was out more for his follow through - lack of basic batting sense. He was stuck on leg stick against a slanting yorker, then shuffled inwards, by the time Umpire had a proper look at it, he was covering bang on 3 sticks - most umpires'll give that out and a slight clipping in DRS will keep on-field call intact. It's like when batsmen stuck on front leg playing shot, instead of stressing the pad out to show the impact line out of off, Yasir pulled front leg inwards to cover middle stick!!!!!! I am not sure, if PAK players are aware of the tricks that can save them from 50-50 LBW calls.
 
Shaheen is way taller. Olivier is not 6 ft 8 inches. he is barely 6 ft 2 in. I dont think south africa's quota policy will let olivier play many games once ngidi and philander are fit. Shaheen just needs to get his line right.

You still believe Shaheen is 6'8"!!!!!!
 
The ball doing nothing. No swing and hardly any seam movement. Lack of skills with Pakistani bowlers or the sun being out making it the best conditions to bat?
 
Amir is bowling cutters, guys. With the new ball , under excellent seam conditions, Amir is bowling cutters. :bow:
 
The pace of test cricket in SA is so fast. Lol and the crowds are great too. Its a spectacle.
 
Fast bowlers, of late, have been much better at being receptive than batsmen to be honest. Abbas, even though out injured, was seen chatting with Pollock which was a refreshing sight, showing that the pacers are eager to learn and pick the brains of a local fast-bowling legend.

One BIG issue is till 1980s, most PAK cricketers used to come from middle or upper middle class families with basic schooling, therefore most of them had the basic communication skills in English for such chit chats, and most of them sharpened their English while playing in League/County as well. These days ... :(
 
The opening pair is one of their best partnership pairs. Have to remove one early to expose vulnerable Amla against new ball.
 
Imperative to have SA at least 4 down by end of play otherwise SA will run away with the match.
 
Decent Score after losing 8 wickets for 111 ..... Babar played a very good innings ...
 
Anything on middle and leg. Markram will hit it foe a boundary. Hasan Ali is either bowling too wide or to in to pads.
 
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