Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan A by 33 runs in 1st unofficial Test

[Abdullah719]

Sri Lanka A team
MDUS Jayasundera, MS Warnapura, ML Udawatte, ARS Silva, SMA Priyanjan*, M Bhanuka†, SS Pathirana, NGRP Jayasuriya , PLS Gamage, MVT Fernando, AM Fernando

Pakistan A team
Sharjeel Khan, Jaahid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam*, Umar Siddiq, Mohammad Nawaz (3), Mohammad Hasan†, Bilawal Bhatti, Hasan Ali, Azizullah, Mir Hamza

Pakistan A won the toss and elected to field.

Starting time: 10:00 GMT (15:00 PST)
___________________________________

Pakistan A will begin the day in trouble at 38/5; another 116 runs are required to win. Jaahid Ali is unbeaten on 16.

In their first innings, Sri Lanka A made 299. Hasan Ali impressed with figures of 4-63 while Mir Hamza and Mohammad Nawaz picked up a couple of wickets each.

In response, Pakistan A looked likely to fall well short, but a good knock by Mohammad Nawaz (68) meant the deficit was only 22 runs. Captain Babar Azam contributed 61 runs.

Sri Lanka A never got going in their second innings, batting at a painstaking rate; they were bundled out for 131 with Azizullah and Mohammad Nawaz picking up 4 wickets apiece.

 

[Belawal2014]

Uphill task for the Pakistan A. Think SL will win. Hopefully not.

 

[Suleiman]

And people say SL cricket is dead...

They will rise. THey are in transition, have the system and the talent.

We have tailunt

 

[Shafi]

Basit Ali is only suit for bias commentary or boastful talking in front of media. How on earth Bhatti is playing and Saud Shakil and Amad Butt is warming bench?

 

[Shafi]

And people say SL cricket is dead...

They will rise. THey are in transition, have the system and the talent.

We have tailunt

To be honest Sri Lanka has better future than us. Let the ODI start and we will be comfortably white wash by England. At least Sri Lanka has better batsmen than us.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Nawaz and Hasan can both bat so the "A" team could still pull of a surprise win here.

 

[Slog]

LOL.
WHAT THE HECK

So our next generation is as bad in a chase as this one.

For sure they have Pakistani genes.

If I had a dollar for every time a Pakistani team has collapsed in chase of an easy sub 200 target

 

[Shafi]

Our next generation is even worse than this generation. In previous generation we Miandad, Inzi. This generation we have Misbah, Younis, Azhar and Shafiq and future generation we will have Babar Azam who is even less talented than Umar Akmal

 

[Slog]

Our next generation is even worse than this generation. In previous generation we Miandad, Inzi. This generation we have Misbah, Younis, Azhar and Shafiq and future generation we will have Babar Azam who is even less talented than Umar Akmal

The problem is simple.

Wasim, Waqar, Anwar and Inzi grew up watching Zaheer Abbas, Miandad, Imran Khan.

Yousuf, Akhtar, Younis grew up watching the 90s generation

Then we had Akmal, Shehzad, Jamshed etc growing up watching Afridi, Imran Nazir (as these were the ones glorified)

And now the next generation have grown up watching the current clowns

 

[JibranAnsari]

Good work. Never expected us to score 100

 

[street cricketer]

Wow what a close game this is turning out to be!

What is with the Pakistani batsmen against left arm spin, they seem to have massively struggled against them here as well.

Asitha Fernando is a short but pretty good bowler. Was one of the impressive ones in the recently concluded U19 world cup.

 

[Shafi]

The problem is simple.

Wasim, Waqar, Anwar and Inzi grew up watching Zaheer Abbas, Miandad, Imran Khan.

Yousuf, Akhtar, Younis grew up watching the 90s generation

Then we had Akmal, Shehzad, Jamshed etc growing up watching Afridi, Imran Nazir (as these were the ones glorified)

And now the next generation have grown up watching the current clowns

It does not help when we have chicken hearten and Bias coach like Basit Ali who hardly survive final over of the days play in test.

 

[MMHS]

Wow what a close game this is turning out to be!

What is with the Pakistani batsmen against left arm spin, they seem to have massively struggled against them here as well.

Asitha Fernando is a short but pretty good bowler. Was one of the impressive ones in the recently concluded U19 world cup.

Eid Mubarrak.

In PAK, there is very few proper left-arm spinner, most of them are darters, taking advantage of poor wickets. Babar, Rehman, Zohaib, Imad, Kashif & I can name few are actually top bowlers in Domestics - bowlers with hardly any flight & very little turn. Adverse impact of that is counter batting technique of batsmen.

2nd factor you can notice is SRL A pace attack - it's probably inferior to a decent Ranji side, but at least they know how to use the new ball. Exactly the opposite in PAK domestics - bowlers have lost every bit of skill with new ball, not a single one of them (may be apart from Aamir) actually is able to bowl 6 balls "in channel" with new ball. Hence, more often you'll see PAK 3 down against new bowling pair. Statistically, in PAK domestic, best performers are openers or batsmen batting in top 3 - Manzoor, Ahmed, Farhat, Asad, Azhar, MoHa ..... these players are almost sitting duck against a proper new ball pair - even someone like Bhubi Kumar or the Lankan guy taking 9 wickets to win a Test (forgot his name).

And, above all, if you have Basit Ali as Dronacharya, it's difficult to expect much. In a 4 day match, his top 5 has Sharjeel, Fakher & Siddiq - these players 'll struggle against minor County reserve teams bowling with red ball & 2 slips.

 

[Syed1]

Congratulations

 

[Shafi]

Fully deserved this defeat!!!! How on earth Inzi select hack like Sharjeel in longer format who is even inferior in T20 format baring some lucky good knock against poor bowlers, Siddiq is another home FTB and should be discarded forever, Bhatti is a political based selection and only suitable to play against 2nd or 3rd division leagues and above all Basit Ali as coach the less I say better it is. This guy can not even last 6 quality balls and became coach of A team.

 

[street cricketer]

Eid Mubarrak.

In PAK, there is very few proper left-arm spinner, most of them are darters, taking advantage of poor wickets. Babar, Rehman, Zohaib, Imad, Kashif & I can name few are actually top bowlers in Domestics - bowlers with hardly any flight & very little turn. Adverse impact of that is counter batting technique of batsmen.

2nd factor you can notice is SRL A pace attack - it's probably inferior to a decent Ranji side, but at least they know how to use the new ball. Exactly the opposite in PAK domestics - bowlers have lost every bit of skill with new ball, not a single one of them (may be apart from Aamir) actually is able to bowl 6 balls "in channel" with new ball. Hence, more often you'll see PAK 3 down against new bowling pair. Statistically, in PAK domestic, best performers are openers or batsmen batting in top 3 - Manzoor, Ahmed, Farhat, Asad, Azhar, MoHa ..... these players are almost sitting duck against a proper new ball pair - even someone like Bhubi Kumar or the Lankan guy taking 9 wickets to win a Test (forgot his name).

And, above all, if you have Basit Ali as Dronacharya, it's difficult to expect much. In a 4 day match, his top 5 has Sharjeel, Fakher & Siddiq - these players 'll struggle against minor County reserve teams bowling with red ball & 2 slips.

Eid wishes to you and your family.

I don't know if it's just me or not but it's a trend I have noticed. Pak batsmen seem to be a bit susceptible to the ball turning away. Whether it's been against Herath and Tahir in Tests or Jadeja in the Asia cup and even in the WT20, they found it hard to score runs against Santner, Sodhi and Zampa. Same thing in this match as well.

And the new ball thing is one of the lost glories of Pakistan cricket. It was a damn fine sight to see Wasim steaming in with the new ball swinging it both ways at high pace. Now only Amir seems to be doing that (and is outstanding at that). Even before him, I don't remember Junaid that good with the new ball. He was mostly effective with the old ball. The other crop barring Amir don't seem to be that great at using the new ball. Ironically, Indian bowlers like Nehra and BK use the new ball better than Pak bowlers nowadays (except Amir of course).

 

[Shafi]

The way we are playing GOD forbid Big3 will put us in 2nd tier along with Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and WI

 

[street cricketer]

The way we are playing GOD forbid Big3 will put us in 2nd tier along with Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and WI

Stop wrist slitting, you have a very good test team.

 

[Shafi]

Stop wrist slitting, you have a very good test team.

In UAE against England, Australia, South Africa, WI yes but not in seam or bouncy pitch against any quality bowling

 

[LowKiiSavage]

This is disgraceful. Would serve as a huge jolt to those who already started dreaming about Babar azam being Pakistan's next super star.

 

[Suleiman]

This is disgraceful. Would serve as a huge jolt to those who already started dreaming about Babar azam being Pakistan's next super star.

Agreed. If you call it out you are labelled a hater as well...

Can't even make the "but this wasn't even the best XI!!" excuse because this was pretty close save for Bhatti.

 

[Hasan123]

Disappointed with that result

 

[Shafi]

People should stop hyping Babar Azam as next captain. Umar Akam & Shehzad started their career more promising than him and look where they are now

 

[Square Drive]

Disappointed.

 

[Suleiman]

To be honest Sri Lanka has better future than us. Let the ODI start and we will be comfortably white wash by England. At least Sri Lanka has better batsmen than us.

Exactly. But look at the threads where is SL is losing to England in match commentary and whatever, and see how people bash them, when their future is brighter than ours most probably.

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Agreed. If you call it out you are labelled a hater as well...

Can't even make the "but this wasn't even the best XI!!" excuse because this was pretty close save for Bhatti.

I for one try to lay low most often than not because there are some aggressive posters that call you names if you post something that is opposite to their views.

 

[IAJ]

The problem is simple.

Wasim, Waqar, Anwar and Inzi grew up watching Zaheer Abbas, Miandad, Imran Khan.

Yousuf, Akhtar, Younis grew up watching the 90s generation

Then we had Akmal, Shehzad, Jamshed etc growing up watching Afridi, Imran Nazir (as these were the ones glorified)

And now the next generation have grown up watching the current clowns

I have heard these argumenta so many times that I am starting to see them as overrated. Cricket is probably the only teamsports Pakistan er good at and you don't even need to know about past greats to become a better player.
If you are batsman you just have to work hard to become the best, no matter what has happend in past and you need to to finish the work at your hand like chasing down a small target.

Look at India, they have not many bowling greats from past bit they still win the matches for the country as a unit.

Of course it helps to draw inspiration from past greats but that is not the only option going forward finishing the job.

 

[gazza619]

Exactly. But look at the threads where is SL is losing to England in match commentary and whatever, and see how people bash them, when their future is brighter than ours most probably.

I dont agree. Pakistan has 10 times more talent than SL. Our bench strength (though not world class) is far better than SL. The problem is that the A team in England is not really our A team. It is more like our B team. If it was the A team, it should have included players like A Shehzad, H Sohail (injured), U Amin, K Manzoor, Anwar Ali, U Akmal, Junaid Khan, Fawad Alam etc.

The A team includes players who get called upon if the main team needs a replacement. In this A team there are only 3/4 players who can get selected for Pakistan at the moment. Otherwise it is a waste of space.


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[LowKiiSavage]

I dont agree. Pakistan has 10 times more talent than SL. Our bench strength (though not world class) is far better than SL. The problem is that the A team in England is not really our A team. It is more like our B team. If it was the A team, it should have included players like A Shehzad, H Sohail (injured), U Amin, K Manzoor, Anwar Ali, U Akmal, Junaid Khan, Fawad Alam etc.

The A team includes players who get called upon if the main team needs a replacement. In this A team there are only 3/4 players who can get selected for Pakistan at the moment. Otherwise it is a waste of space.


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You make good points. So selectors are to be blamed?

 

[b.lesner]

Thats what happen when you dont select domestic perfprmers , zain abbas was 2nd highest run getter this year playing in swinging condition s where teams were getting all out for 120-150 , how on earth you select sharjeel over zain abbas

 

[Abdullah719]

It's a bad result but I don't think there is too much cause for concern. This Sri Lanka A team is more experienced at first-class level and hopefully our guys will use this as a learning curve. There are perhaps concerns regarding some of the selections, but overall, the experience they will gain from this will serve them well in the future.

 

[MMHS]

Eid wishes to you and your family.

I don't know if it's just me or not but it's a trend I have noticed. Pak batsmen seem to be a bit susceptible to the ball turning away. Whether it's been against Herath and Tahir in Tests or Jadeja in the Asia cup and even in the WT20, they found it hard to score runs against Santner, Sodhi and Zampa. Same thing in this match as well.

And the new ball thing is one of the lost glories of Pakistan cricket. It was a damn fine sight to see Wasim steaming in with the new ball swinging it both ways at high pace. Now only Amir seems to be doing that (and is outstanding at that). Even before him, I don't remember Junaid that good with the new ball. He was mostly effective with the old ball. The other crop barring Amir don't seem to be that great at using the new ball. Ironically, Indian bowlers like Nehra and BK use the new ball better than Pak bowlers nowadays (except Amir of course).

There are few more issues along with domestic cricket for the decline of new usages, notably county cricket (lack of it), poor mentors, Test matches in UAE etc. BUT the drastic fall of spin playing capacity is entirely self inflicted by PCB. PAK batsmen had issues against moving ball throughout history, but from Hanif to YK, Misbah; PAK has produced some of the all time best spin players. Now we have come to a level that after these 2, Sarfu is their best spin player for his sweep.

Spin playing is an art, you can't master that on a simulated turning wicket in net session. You have to learn that on match condition. In last 10 years, PAK domestic cricket is played on sluggish wickets - wickets that don't break, neither bite (jumps or skids) & most importantly spinners don't need to flight to entice batsmen. Besides, one issue I mention always is match duration - 250 over FC match is like 3rd day pree tea session of a standard FC match of 400 overs. These wickets doesn't break, neither turns with the course of time AND on top of that PCB arranges the QA tournament in Oct-Dec period; every day morning heavy dew actually kills any spin of the wicket.

PAK cricket was managed by County, but only skill that was home made was spinners & spin play - because till 2000s, flawed & low standard, but at least matches were played on flat belters for 350+ overs in spring or autumn - that actually forced the Qafirs, Mushi, Saqi, Ajmal, Intekhab, Tauseef, Qasim, Kaneria or Parvez Sazzad to flight it & develop unique skills like Doosra, Googlee, drifters, sliders, straighter ones; while Zaheer, Javed, Malik, Saeed (both), Mushi, Asif or Mazid were serial killers of spinners (& the biggest sufferer were Indian famous quartret, couple of whom would have played few more years, unless man handled by Zaheer & Javed in '78).

Now, Babar is the best finger spinner in PAK & Sarfu the best spin player - and this has absolutely nothing to do with Talunt or county cricket - kick out the *** of those bafoons arranging QA tournament in winter on those pitches - it's a matter of just about 3 years.

 

[The_Odd_One]

And some people think Misbah and Younis are holding back development of youngsters by not retiring.

 

[MMHS]

It's a bad result but I don't think there is too much cause for concern. This Sri Lanka A team is more experienced at first-class level and hopefully our guys will use this as a learning curve. There are perhaps concerns regarding some of the selections, but overall, the experience they will gain from this will serve them well in the future.

Trying to find excuse bro? This PAK A side with Sharjeel, Fakher, Babar, Newaz, Siddiqi & Bhatti were blown for 120 by a 18 years old kid, who probably debuted in FC cricket few weeks back.

PAK cricket management in absolute mess - what you are watching in this match is tip on the iceberg - just glimpses of the things to come; wait till Misbah & YK retires. And then Azhar 'll go for Toss, once Misbah retires - it can't be more spicy than this.

 

[gazza619]

You make good points. So selectors are to be blamed?

Yes, selection was clueless.


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[Abdullah719]

Trying to find excuse bro? This PAK A side with Sharjeel, Fakher, Babar, Newaz, Siddiqi & Bhatti were blown for 120 by a 18 years old kid, who probably debuted in FC cricket few weeks back.

PAK cricket management in absolute mess - what you are watching in this match is tip on the iceberg - just glimpses of the things to come; wait till Misbah & YK retires. And then Azhar 'll go for Toss, once Misbah retires - it can't be more spicy than this.

OK, I didn't see that it was the 18-year-old who blew us away.... that isn't good.

However, I don't have much expectations from this top order. Babar, Nawaz, etc are also just fledglings as far as their careers are concerned. I agree with most of the observations in your earlier post in regard to domestic cricket, but I don't think all of the players in this team are as bad as some are thinking them to be.

 

[MMHS]

OK, I didn't see that it was the 18-year-old who blew us away.... that isn't good.

However, I don't have much expectations from this top order. Babar, Nawaz, etc are also just fledglings as far as their careers are concerned. I agree with most of the observations in your earlier post in regard to domestic cricket, but I don't think all of the players in this team are as bad as some are thinking them to be.

Players are not bad on individual events - Hasan Ali can bowl an absolute pitch of out swinger, Babar can drive through covers majestically. These are skills - individual event; proper cricket is played for 5 days with lots of mental pressure & competition with another human mind who is also thinking & competing. What should happen when players with shallow mental toughness - today's chase of 120 is just a glimpse. You might not have read my yesterday's post -

"SRL A posted 131 in 63 overs of struggle, to add to their slender lead; Sharjeel can alone score 311 in 63 overs" - think in that line. You have to survive first to bat for 63 overs, because it takes only 1 ball to get a batsman out; still Hanif could save a match batting almost 17 hours, Sharjeel (& many others) won't survive 17 balls when chips are down.

You can recall the Harare Test - YK failed chasing 230, PAK lost to a club side despite Misbah holding one end for 80*. Next Test, YK made a double, otherwise 2-0 was written. And this has nothing to do with incidental skills.

 

[Shafi]

Trying to find excuse bro? This PAK A side with Sharjeel, Fakher, Babar, Newaz, Siddiqi & Bhatti were blown for 120 by a 18 years old kid, who probably debuted in FC cricket few weeks back.

PAK cricket management in absolute mess - what you are watching in this match is tip on the iceberg - just glimpses of the things to come; wait till Misbah & YK retires. And then Azhar 'll go for Toss, once Misbah retires - it can't be more spicy than this.

Regardless we loose Misbah and Younis we will not go below 7 so we may survive tier 1 for the time being. Misbah is nothing special in test. Its Younis Khan we will miss more. Babar Azam is not good for test as he is too limited batsman. I recon even Umar Akmal is better than him. We need Haris Sohail for the test to replace Misbah. Hopefully Younis survive at least an year after Misbah so we can find someone close to him.
But you are right if we do not fix the mess in domestic cricket we will be even worse than Afghanistan in test in near future and end up permanently in tier 2.

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Trying to find excuse bro? This PAK A side with Sharjeel, Fakher, Babar, Newaz, Siddiqi & Bhatti were blown for 120 by a 18 years old kid, who probably debuted in FC cricket few weeks back.

PAK cricket management in absolute mess - what you are watching in this match is tip on the iceberg - just glimpses of the things to come; wait till Misbah & YK retires. And then Azhar 'll go for Toss, once Misbah retires - it can't be more spicy than this.

Pakistan cricket is in no mess. We are a force in cricket. Those waiting to celebrate our downfall need a wait a lot more before they pop the bottles.

 

[Shafi]

Players are not bad on individual events - Hasan Ali can bowl an absolute pitch of out swinger, Babar can drive through covers majestically. These are skills - individual event; proper cricket is played for 5 days with lots of mental pressure & competition with another human mind who is also thinking & competing. What should happen when players with shallow mental toughness - today's chase of 120 is just a glimpse. You might not have read my yesterday's post -

"SRL A posted 131 in 63 overs of struggle, to add to their slender lead; Sharjeel can alone score 311 in 63 overs" - think in that line. You have to survive first to bat for 63 overs, because it takes only 1 ball to get a batsman out; still Hanif could save a match batting almost 17 hours, Sharjeel (& many others) won't survive 17 balls when chips are down.

You can recall the Harare Test - YK failed chasing 230, PAK lost to a club side despite Misbah holding one end for 80*. Next Test, YK made a double, otherwise 2-0 was written. And this has nothing to do with incidental skills.

Sharjeel (As bad as Afridi)is not suitable for longer format even in ODI. I remember how Malinga used to get his wicket even in his off form. He is only suitable for T20 where he can blindly slog on the legside and hit the ball harder blindly. If he is lucky he can score 50-70 otherwise in any circumstance I can not see see play according to situation and last 10 balls. Siddiq is next Fawad who can only perform in domestic, Fakkhar is average batsman with nothing special, Babar is another hype. Hasan Ali is good and he reminds me inferior version of Taskin. Bhatti is such a bowler who can give away 30+ runs in over whom I recon is worse than Anwar Ali who is better fielder and batsman than him

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Lol what do you expect when you play the likes of Bhatti and Nawaz as all rounders? Basit Ali is just rubbish.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Fakhar Zaman is overrated by people who just look at stats. Hes mediocre just like Shehzad was. Nawaz and Bhatti are rubbish "all rounders" The only 2 class players who will represent Pakistan for years in this game were Babar Azam and Hassan Ali

 

[Shafi]

Hope Inzi will learn from mistake and select better players. Basit need to be replaced.

 

[Shafi]

Fakhar Zaman is overrated by people who just look at stats. Hes mediocre just like Shehzad was. Nawaz and Bhatti are rubbish "all rounders" The only 2 class players who will represent Pakistan for years in this game were Babar Azam and Hassan Ali

Exactly!! At the end we need 2-3 players in our main team. The performances of are not that significance.

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Lol what do you expect when you play the likes of Bhatti and Nawaz as all rounders? Basit Ali is just rubbish.

Nawaz took 4 wickets in second innings. LOL.

 

[Square Drive]

Those bashing Nawaz are absolute idiots.

At least look at the scorecard before posting.

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Those bashing Nawaz are absolute idiots.

At least look at the scorecard before posting.

Prejudicial is the word you are looking for.

 

[Thivagar]

Trying to find excuse bro? This PAK A side with Sharjeel, Fakher, Babar, Newaz, Siddiqi & Bhatti were blown for 120 by a 18 years old kid, who probably debuted in FC cricket few weeks back.

PAK cricket management in absolute mess - what you are watching in this match is tip on the iceberg - just glimpses of the things to come; wait till Misbah & YK retires. And then Azhar 'll go for Toss, once Misbah retires - it can't be more spicy than this.

Its his first FC match and he has never played any sort of List A or T20s. Just U-19 tournaments. There is also a developmental team I think. The likes of Angello Perera, Vithanage are part of that, they usually play for the SL A squad. These are newer guys. I think PAk and SL are on a crash course.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Nawaz took 4 wickets in second innings. LOL.

Of course I have seen the scorecard but Im not just talking about this game. Granted his bowling is probably better than his batting but he is a bits and pieces cricketer. Not an all rounder. Just mediocre as hell.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

How can people rate Nawaz so much as an all rounder? Are they blind or are they just looking at domestic stats? Bats like a real tailender against spin and not dynamic at all. His bowling is nothing too unless there is some assistance.

 

[Abdullah719]

How can people rate Nawaz so much as an all rounder? Are they blind or are they just looking at domestic stats? Bats like a real tailender against spin and not dynamic at all. His bowling is nothing too unless there is some assistance.

So does Rizwan. There is always room for improvement. The basics are there. He is not an Anwar Ali type all-rounder, he usually bats in the top 6 and is a reliable option for bowling a good number of overs.

 

[MMHS]

Its his first FC match and he has never played any sort of List A or T20s. Just U-19 tournaments. There is also a developmental team I think. The likes of Angello Perera, Vithanage are part of that, they usually play for the SL A squad. These are newer guys. I think PAk and SL are on a crash course.

I know mate - I have studied every profile of SRL team (& PAK as well). Of the south Asian countries, SRL maintains the most genuine age (may be apart from good intention, it's easier to manage for 17 mn people - that's actually half of greater Dhaka Metro); otherwise most of these players would have been in their teens or early 20s.

Batting will never be any issue in SRL - the culture is there & SRL actually plays 4/5 day proper FC matches, may be the standard is not of the highest level. In my post on SRL cricket future I mentioned this - losing 2 of the ATG (& Dilshan) still SRL hardly was out classed in batting in UK & Ireland. There are several Srilankan batting coaches working at regional youth academies in Bangladesh & I am sure SRL 'll produce great batsmen in future as well.

Hari, Mahela & Sanga are purely Srilankan domestic product - in fact Mendis, Dias or Dilshan also never played in County; therefore I don't see batting wise any issue. In couple of years time SRL should comfortably be better batting side than Pakistan. What SRL needs is couple of quick bowlers & the transition from Murali/Herath. If so, I am sure, next Test series at home, SRL 'll beat PAK comfortably.

 

[saad32170]

Babar in the test team anyone? Let him play A Games for now.

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[marlonbrowndo]

Shehzad shouldve been captain instead of Babar. Hes more aggressive and the best batsman in Pakistan.

 

[MMHS]

How can people rate Nawaz so much as an all rounder? Are they blind or are they just looking at domestic stats? Bats like a real tailender against spin and not dynamic at all. His bowling is nothing too unless there is some assistance.

Why not? Take out 20% discount of Nawaz, Bhatti, Zoaib, Kashif, Tanvir or Sadaf's FC stats - they should be modern greats of international cricket.

I see lots of bashing for selectors in PP - probably the most hapless people in PAK cricket admits ration; but they are limited to what is available. It's a bit embrassing to boast that after being part or fringe of national team for best part of a decade almost The Fawads & JKs & Shehzads & Umars & Manzoors won't have lost chasing 153 to this Lankan side.

This is called managing expectation - now the expectation has come to a level that PAK A side needs around 50 Tests experience to beat a SRL side with very few ODI/t20 & handful of FC match experience.

I always say that current PAK side is better managing my expectation than 2/3 decades back when I started watching PAK cricket. I was bitterly disspointed for that PAK side not winning 87 or 96 WC - I am extremely satisfied that Azhar's team has made the CT2017 & will qualify for 2019 WC over the Nepslese & Kenyans.

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Of course I have seen the scorecard but Im not just talking about this game. Granted his bowling is probably better than his batting but he is a bits and pieces cricketer. Not an all rounder. Just mediocre as hell.

Yes, he needs to improve his batting. That i agree with.

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Shehzad shouldve been captain instead of Babar. Hes more aggressive and the best batsman in Pakistan.

I am not sure if you are being sarcastic but he should have been selected for the A squad as he has been kicked out of the national squad.

 

[big_gamer007]

So from hailing Babar Azam as the next big thing people have started saying Umar Akmal is better and should be brought back after 1 match?? Gotta love Pakistani fans their opinions are so extreme..

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Like Gazza pointed out, this wasnt even Pakistan's A squad evident by the fact that the likes of umar akmal and shehzad and many other bench players were kept out. It was more of a B team and they lost a closely fought match albeit one they should have won. We all need to probably relax including me as there is a whole series ahead before certain elements start blowing the trumpet of Pakistan cricket being near collapse or what not.

 

[MMHS]

So from hailing Babar Azam as the next big thing people have started saying Umar Akmal is better and should be brought back after 1 match?? Gotta love Pakistani fans their opinions are so extreme..

It's not about opinion - it's about a false expectation. Most of these poster actually do realize the reality - but they are desperate to believe that there are Saeeds & inzis in PAK streets not picked for poor selection.

I can give a clue - in last 3 years, PAK has used highest number of player. May Ind or AUS has done numerically, because they give exposure to their bench lot. PAK is a team that plays available best XI facing ZIM & 2-0 up; Misbah & Afridi selected best 16 for a series in Bangladesh 4 years back - STILL check how many LO players PAK has used in last few years. This is not only cluelessness, but a massive limitation of available options - if Umar doesn't work, bring Maqsood, if not Ahmed then Manzoor .... And if they start to mass clean with new faces, this match is indicative enough about the out come.

It has to be a complete revamp, otherwise PAK fans would be limited to boasting for top 7 & division 1 rank in a game seriously played by 5/6 countries.

 

[#GreenRoars]

Good for SL A cricket, they have some good cricketers coming up. It will take 2-3 years for SL to make a better team.

 

[Square Drive]

Prejudicial is the word you are looking for.

I thought I was on that ignore list?

 

[Square Drive]

How can people rate Nawaz so much as an all rounder? Are they blind or are they just looking at domestic stats? Bats like a real tailender against spin and not dynamic at all. His bowling is nothing too unless there is some assistance.

Scored 180 in a domestic OD recently.

And you pick on him in a game where he took 4 in an innings and scored 68? Not the brightest of ideas...

 

[Pete Rose]

Pretty shoddy work from the a team. Why are we producing such mentally weak cricketers. Do they look up to hafeez?

 

[LowKiiSavage]

I thought I was on that ignore list?

I couldnt bring myself to do that. Thank my laziness.

 

[sunnykhan]

Shehzad shouldve been captain instead of Babar. Hes more aggressive and the best batsman in Pakistan.

Aggressive in captaincy? Batting or by mouth? Pls elaborate.

Baber is rightly trained for captaincy. Inzi clearly mentioned that established players will not be part of A-tours. Shehzad had done several tours with U-19 team, A-team and National team and still the results are underwhelming. So your personal opinion should have some weight behind selecting him in the A-team first of all and making him the captain as well.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Aggressive in captaincy? Batting or by mouth? Pls elaborate.

Baber is rightly trained for captaincy. Inzi clearly mentioned that established players will not be part of A-tours. Shehzad had done several tours with U-19 team, A-team and National team and still the results are underwhelming. So your personal opinion should have some weight behind selecting him in the A-team first of all and making him the captain as well.

You're a hater

 

[sunnykhan]

You're a hater

LOL! Expected a better reply but again your personal opinion defies logic in both posts .

 

[Square Drive]

I couldnt bring myself to do that. Thank my laziness.

Nah, you know I'm quality.

 

[sunnykhan]

Personally, I'm disappointed with Umar Siddiq. He's rated highly and I like him too but failed despite playing in middle order.

 

[Muhammad10]

LOL! Expected a better reply but again your personal opinion defies logic in both posts .

Someone has left their sarcasm detector behind?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

LOL! Expected a better reply but again your personal opinion defies logic in both posts .

I bet you don't even have as many Twitter followers as him

 

[sunnykhan]

Someone has left their sarcasm detector behind?

Kind of

I bet you don't even have as many Twitter followers as him

I don't even use twitter. Try again

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Pretty shoddy work from the a team. Why are we producing such mentally weak cricketers. Do they look up to hafeez?

No, Asad Shafiq :asad

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Nah, you know I'm quality.

Ok.

 

[Shafi]

I am extremely satisfied that Azhar's team has made the CT2017 & will qualify for 2019 WC over the Nepslese & Kenyans.

What a complement!!!!! I am really grateful. But which World cup you are talking about. ICC world cup qualifier or ICC trophy from where Kenya, UAE and Bangladesh got opportunity to play in World Cup main event.

If you are talking about World Cup 2019 than by beating Kenya or Nepal we will not qualify for the main event. We have to beat team like Afghanistan, Scotland, Netherlands, Ireland and Zimbabwe who are much superior team than seasoned team like Nepal or Kenya.

Also, we Pakistani fans may be very disappointed with our recent performances but its very highly unlikely we will be as bad as Nepal or Kenya who do not have any proper cricketing structure. Even though some of the steps are taking by eye-wash but some actions are appreciable such as discipline, invest in school cricket, increase of pay in domestic matches, reduce the number of teams etc. But it can never possible to have 100% corruption free institute in sub-continent.

Also,there are 3 types of criticism 1. constructive, 2. disappointment 3. make joke of poor performances. And your leveling Pakistan team as Kenya or Nepal is follow in 3ed category which is disappointing.

 

[Shafi]

People bashing Sadaf and Fawad should know that one of them has been mishandled by management (in 5th or 6th wicket instead of 2nd or 3rd) another one never given any chance regardless he is is hack or not. So which players should PCB select top performers, middle performers and trash performers. If we can give chances players like Shehzad and Akmal why not give chances Sadaf for 2-3 series at least.
Disappoint we do not use the best of Fawad who is already 30s so we should rather look someone younger with hard working attitude and serve for longer run.

 

[Slog]

LOL! Expected a better reply but again your personal opinion defies logic in both posts .

Are you jealous of Shehzads Twitter followers or something?

Why You hating man?

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Day by day I am getting convinced that Babar will go Akmal Bros route and add to that he ain't got the flair of Akmal Bros either so possibly even poorer results.

 

[New Yorker]

It's not about opinion - it's about a false expectation. Most of these poster actually do realize the reality - but they are desperate to believe that there are Saeeds & inzis in PAK streets not picked for poor selection.

I can give a clue - in last 3 years, PAK has used highest number of player. May Ind or AUS has done numerically, because they give exposure to their bench lot. PAK is a team that plays available best XI facing ZIM & 2-0 up; Misbah & Afridi selected best 16 for a series in Bangladesh 4 years back - STILL check how many LO players PAK has used in last few years. This is not only cluelessness, but a massive limitation of available options - if Umar doesn't work, bring Maqsood, if not Ahmed then Manzoor .... And if they start to mass clean with new faces, this match is indicative enough about the out come.

It has to be a complete revamp, otherwise PAK fans would be limited to boasting for top 7 & division 1 rank in a game seriously played by 5/6 countries.

Couldn't agree more.

In a culture of insecurity, you always play your best XI, because what matters is that the team wins under YOUR watch.