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The 1st Test between Pakistan (438 & 311/8d) and New Zealand (612/9d & 61/1) ends in a draw

Some punter, somewhere in the world would be delighted about what happened in the past 30 mins.
 
Wouldn't have felt right winning like that.

For Pakistan's sake Babar should go.

Clueless.
 
This is the risk of appointing an uneducated captain in a country in which religious faith is prioritised over evaluation of potential risks and benefits.

Uneducated skippers like Ben Stokes and Michael Clarke can at least judge a declaration because they can identify whether the risk of losing is too high, or the risk of winning is too low.

Babar Azam declared when the chance of victory was less than 1% and the risk of defeat was around 45%.

That is clear evidence of a man who is not smart or educated enough for the captaincy.
 
well planned fake aggression from PAK management. they knew light would be bad, so declared and sold people the wrong impression of going for the win. and people shall forget how they wanted draw in first place by rolling out roads.
 
Can someone explain what is the point of this declaration? The only team which can win is NZ. Pak doesn't have bowlers who can bowl out NZ in 15 overs. I think Babar got carried away by criticism of being defensive so he had a brain ****.
 
its a draw....Good fightback by Pak lower order, good spirit and jazba
that decl was one from the left side-absolute unexpected.
well done to both teams, interesting test.
 
Only 28 wickets taken despite nearly 5 full days of play. Absolutely pathetic pitch . Much worse than Rawalpindi
 
Babar can say he had a bit of fun. They knew match was going to be a draw because of light. It was a chance, that’s it.

Congratulations on a draw nevertheless. The prime minister and Shahid Afridi should tweet congratulations.
 
Can someone explain what is the point of this declaration? The only team which can win is NZ. Pak doesn't have bowlers who can bowl out NZ in 15 overs. I think Babar got carried away by criticism of being defensive so he had a brain ****.

Well, if that was the aim then it looks even worse now.
 
I've watched Pakistan cricket for decades.
This is the most idiotic piece of cricket ever.
Looking forward to hearing what Babar says his "thinking" was behind that decision
 
Babar is a horrible captain. He should be immediately sacked for this decision to declare.
 
Every day test had roughly 5-6 wickets. What a pathetic pitch.
 
Further proof of Babars incompetence. He realized he blundered badly and hence he chickened out by bringing pacers from both ends to get the umpires to call off the game.
 
Just take off the fast bowlers Babar and bowl with just the spinners to complete 15 overs and show how Brave you are.
 
Babar's captaincy reminds me of Sachin's short reign as captain. Thankfully, Sachin realized that captaincy isin't his cup of tea and Ganguly took over. I hope Babar realizes this and focus on becoming a batting great. It would be best for Pak cricket and Babar too.
 
Babars bravery only lasted 7 overs. Lol started off with the Spinners and then called in the fast bowlers to make issue of the light and run away.
 
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Mir Hamza is a good bowler too. He will be very good in better bowling conditions

Agree - seems to be a proper Test bowler and a good batter too. Needs more chances
 
Further proof of Babars incompetence. He realized he blundered badly and hence he chickened out by bringing pacers from both ends to get the umpires to call off the game.

That is the definition of smart.

Much of what he did before was not smart.
 
It was good for the game or cricket the declaration, completely unexpected, created an exciting ending. But was a really stupid decision from Babar, there was no way Pak was winning with only 137 to defend. With Pak batting it could only have been a draw, with the declaration NZ actually had a chance. Why tilt the odds from your favour (in this case draw) to the other team’s voluntarily.

Pak were lucky to get a draw in this match. NZ were the far superior team, and with a bit more time would have beaten Pak comfortably.
 
Umpires should have let it continued wasim jnr and mir hamza weren't bowling 90mph and are hardly ambrose or Walsh
So how were new Zealand batsmen in danger.

I remeber England won in karachi when the moon had even come out.
 
Rizwan is far better keeper at this stage than Sarfaraz, but struggling mightily with the bat.

Yeah we can all see that

But Pakistan cricket ceases to amaze these days

I suspect the team and line up will be:

1. Abdullah
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Saud
5. Sarfaraz
6. Salman
7. Rizwan
8. Nauman
9. Wasim JR
10. Hamza
11. Abrar
 
Pakistan escape with a draw, they deserved to lose for picking Sir Fraz who cost them an easy W
 
I think if the light is not very good then the option to bat/continue should be with the Batsmen..if the batters are fine with facing the deliveries , Umpires shall continue.

Here , the Batsmen wanted to continue While Babar was happy for the match to finish.
 
Well played Pakistan to secure the draw and stop the rot.
 
Further proof of Babars incompetence. He realized he blundered badly and hence he chickened out by bringing pacers from both ends to get the umpires to call off the game.

It's absolutely the right thing to do. the only chance of a win was a bunch of wickets in the first few overs. Once that didnt happen. the only other options were a draw and pak loss. So he forced the draw. there is no incompetence here, its just strategy.
 
Babar Azam: Definitely a brave declaration. We wanted to see a result, light wasn't good enough. Our fifth bowler was Salman, but after first innings he wasn't well, he was sick for two days. I don't think we were a bowler short. The way Saud and Wasim Jr played, credit to them for playing positive cricket and getting up that partnership.

Tim Southee: I wouldn't say the win slipped away. Credit to the guys, we had to play in the field for a long time to create ten chances. They played nicely, it has taken a long 4-5 days and there was a bit of assistance today. Tremendous for Ish, hasn't played Test cricket for a long time, he can be extremely proud. Not only with the ball, but with the bat as well with that partnership with Kane. It wasn't too different from usual, we are a tight group with Kane and Tom out there. Nice to get out there and do things!

Kane Williamson | Player of the Match: Fantastic opening partnership set the tone, it was really important. Then it was about trying to get a feel for the surface and build some partnerships. They were varied in momentum, but got us to a strong position. They know these conditions well, but for us it was about sticking to the plans. A good batting surface, but it was nice to see the rough come in as well. Nice to see someone like Imam bat in the second innings. I thought he did an outstanding job. A great game of cricket, a bit old school in the Test arena now but fairly balanced. Quick turnaround now for the second one. Nice to spend some time out there and make a contribution, you always try to improve. You have to do things a bit differently here than back home
 
Further proof of Babars incompetence. He realized he blundered badly and hence he chickened out by bringing pacers from both ends to get the umpires to call off the game.

This.
Exactly he did the same, he is clueless and laughing at the end.
 
Difference between NZ and England. England would have won this certainly by scoring faster and given themselves more time.
 
At work so haven't caught this live - but that's one of the most staggering declarations I've seen.

There's no way Pakistan could've won from that position, and could've easily lost.

It's something you'd see from a captain in the pocket of bookmakers, i.e Hansie Cronje. I really hope that's incompetence than anything sinister.
 
Babar's captaincy today had some shades of Afridi's mentality. I'm sure we will see more of this circus.
 
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Babar's captaincy today had some shades of Afridi's mentality. I'm sure we will see more of this circus.

He has never been the sharpest Pakistan captain so am not sure you can blame Afridi for more dumb captaincy moves?
 
That Drama declaration would have become an unforgivable decision by any captain in Pakistan cricket history if the light had not intervened. In order to take decision like Ben Stokes his whole team has to play like Ben Stokes team.
 
Interesting declaration.

Babar trying to do a Stokes ?
 
so stokes was brave for his declaration regardless of result

but babar is a stupid

lmao you people are something else

win or lose this is a good declaration

Each declaration is different due to the unique circumstances of every Test match.

I loved the Stokes declaration.

I think that I quite like this Babar declaration too.
 
This is the risk of appointing an uneducated captain in a country in which religious faith is prioritised over evaluation of potential risks and benefits.

Uneducated skippers like Ben Stokes and Michael Clarke can at least judge a declaration because they can identify whether the risk of losing is too high, or the risk of winning is too low.

Babar Azam declared when the chance of victory was less than 1% and the risk of defeat was around 45%.

That is clear evidence of a man who is not smart or educated enough for the captaincy.

Define educated.
 
Woke up to learn about this drama… *** was Babar thinking? He couldn’t possibly have taken 10 wickets in an hour of play, so why declare?
 
Each declaration is different due to the unique circumstances of every Test match.

I loved the Stokes declaration.

I think that I quite like this Babar declaration too.

On the spiciest pitch in recent era SA batting survived 34 overs in 2nd innings. Odds of rolling NZ over in 15 overs on this flat road is next to impossible. If they weather had not intervened NZ was going to win it for sure.
 
Woke up to learn about this drama… *** was Babar thinking? He couldn’t possibly have taken 10 wickets in an hour of play, so why declare?
He said he was going for the win. He further highlighted the seriousness of this statement by saying the team was obviously looking for the win but bad light prevented it.

Babar thinks he sold everyone on thinking he's a champion. Chimpanzee suits better.
 
It was a stupid declaration because:
- The pitch was still good for batting and there were no signs that was ball was turning viciously or uneven bounce.
- Babar didn't have quality bowlers like Stokes had to unsettle the Kiwi batters and as usual no bowling plan.

And what is mind-blowing is that at the presentation he said that he was confident if only the umpires had not called of the light. (Condifent to take 9 remaining Kiwi wickets in less than 10 overs with not one world-class bowler in your attack)

That's why I repeat this has reminded of Afridi. I'm sure Lala (who was at the stadium) had an input in this declaration as he had in the selection of Sarfaraz and Hamza.
 
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He said he was going for the win. He further highlighted the seriousness of this statement by saying the team was obviously looking for the win but bad light prevented it.

Babar thinks he sold everyone on thinking he's a champion. Chimpanzee suits better.

Nonsensical this. Bad light only prevented his defeat. Somebody said it right - the Akmal genes are increasingly asserting themselves - nobody except an Akmal could have thought this to be a good idea!
 
Babar Azam: Definitely a brave declaration. We wanted to see a result, light wasn't good enough. Our fifth bowler was Salman, but after first innings he wasn't well, he was sick for two days. I don't think we were a bowler short. The way Saud and Wasim Jr played, credit to them for playing positive cricket and getting up that partnership.

Tim Southee: I wouldn't say the win slipped away. Credit to the guys, we had to play in the field for a long time to create ten chances. They played nicely, it has taken a long 4-5 days and there was a bit of assistance today. Tremendous for Ish, hasn't played Test cricket for a long time, he can be extremely proud. Not only with the ball, but with the bat as well with that partnership with Kane. It wasn't too different from usual, we are a tight group with Kane and Tom out there. Nice to get out there and do things!

Kane Williamson | Player of the Match: Fantastic opening partnership set the tone, it was really important. Then it was about trying to get a feel for the surface and build some partnerships. They were varied in momentum, but got us to a strong position. They know these conditions well, but for us it was about sticking to the plans. A good batting surface, but it was nice to see the rough come in as well. Nice to see someone like Imam bat in the second innings. I thought he did an outstanding job. A great game of cricket, a bit old school in the Test arena now but fairly balanced. Quick turnaround now for the second one. Nice to spend some time out there and make a contribution, you always try to improve. You have to do things a bit differently here than back home

Wanted to see a result? Was he exepecting to bowl NZ out in 15 overs? Agha is the 5th bowler when they guy isnt being used much. the more this guy speaks the more utter Garbage he talks, seriously resign or hopefully get sacked after this series.
 
Trying to take 10 wickets in 15 overs which he can't plan to take even in T20 cricket.
 
Before he takes more positive desicions like this it's better we get rid of him now.
 
If it was a brave decision and Babar was going for the win like he says

Why was the head coach bamboozled and bricking it .

Pull the other one babar
 
It was a stupid declaration because:
- The pitch was still good for batting and there were no signs that was ball was turning viciously or uneven bounce.
- Babar didn't have quality bowlers like Stokes had to unsettle the Kiwi batters and as usual no bowling plan.

And what is mind-blowing is that at the presentation he said that he was confident if only the umpires had not called of the light. (Condifent to take 9 remaining Kiwi wickets in less than 10 overs with not one world-class bowler in your attack)

That's why I repeat this has reminded of Afridi. I'm sure Lala (who was at the stadium) had an input in this declaration as he had in the selection of Sarfaraz and Hamza.

Did he really say that? Guy lacks some brain cell then...
 
Pakistan staved off a fifth consecutive defeat at home with a hard-fought draw in the first Test in Karachi Friday despite career-best bowling figures from New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

Sodhi grabbed 6-86 and threatened to give New Zealand victory in the first two sessions on the fifth and final day, but Pakistan fought on before declaring their second innings on 311-8.

That gave New Zealand a tough target of 138 to win in 15 overs, and the chase ended in fading light on 61-1, with Tom Latham unbeaten on 35 and Devon Conway 18.

Michael Bracewell was the only wicket to fall for three.

Sodhi was the star as he improved on his previous best of 4-60 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo four years ago.

The 30-year-old, playing his first Test in four years, turned the match in New Zealand's favour with three wickets in the second session to leave Pakistan on 249-7 at tea with 35 overs left in the match.

But Saud Shakeel, who ended with 55 not out, and Mohammad Wasim (43) defied for 75 minutes and 111 balls during their 71-run eighth wicket stand to deprive New Zealand of a win.

Soon after tea, Sodhi trapped Wasim leg-before, but Mir Hamza (three not out) assisted Shakeel in a ninth-wicket unbroken stand of 34 runs in 50 minutes to further frustrate the visitors.

Shakeel, who hit seven boundaries and a six, built on after fighting knocks from Imam-ul-Haq (96) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (53) in the first two sessions.

In the post-lunch session, Sodhi dismissed Sarfaraz, Agha Salman (six) and Haq in the space of 27 balls for the addition of just 21 runs.

Haq and Sarfaraz had added a defiant 85 runs for the fifth wicket and raised hopes of salvaging a draw for the home team before Sodhi struck.

He had Sarfaraz caught behind, bowled Salman, then got Haq stumped to leave Pakistan on 206-7.

Haq, who survived lbw referrals off the bowler on 58 and 74, cracked 10 boundaries and a six in his sixth half-century, while Sarfaraz had seven hits to the rope.

So incensed was he by his dismissal, Haq smashed a chair with his bat on the way to the dressing room.

Resuming on 77-2, Pakistan lost nightwatchman Nauman Ali early, trapped leg-before by spinner Bracewell.

Then skipper Babar Azam -- who scored 161 in Pakistan's first innings of 438 -- was out the same way to Sodhi for 14.

The second Test starts at the same venue on Monday.

AFP
 
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I would not be surprised if Afridi nudged Babar for the declaration to show new positive management.

Afridi was busy with his daughter's nikkah today. He has much better things to do than micromanage Babar.
 
Highlights of the day's play

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Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Wasim Jr speaking about their partnership

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I think a draw was a fair result. NZ were the better side on the whole but they weren’t quite good enough to take 20 wickets.
 
Just take off the fast bowlers Babar and bowl with just the spinners to complete 15 overs and show how Brave you are.

It was such a stupid declaration. In the end to make it look a bit better he should have bowled the spinners until there was 10 runs left and then put on a quick bowler to make sure they go off.
That would have been hilarious
 
the moral victory goes to NZ. One more day and they would have won the test rather easily. As a Pak fan i see nothing to gloat about just because we tried to do an England by declaring.
 
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