The many myths debunked so far in this ICC T20 World Cup

[Rana]

I’ve been following this forum for the past 16 years. I’ve enjoyed posting here with a positive intent to promote Pakistan cricket. However, the last few years have been frustrating considering the negativity regarding our cricket that was being normalised by certain individuals who I do not need to name. However, I believe this T20 World Cup has put some of those so called theories which were considered or spread as ‘fact’ to bed. Let us list them all one by one:

1. “Pakistani cricketers are not good enough to compete in the IPL (except a Babar and Shaheen).”

We were told that our cricketers lack the skill and talent to participate in the world’s best league. However, the match on the 24th should serve as an eye opener for those who doubted Pakistan’s ability to participate, that too against the best in India. Players like Rauf, Shadab, Rizwan, Imad all stood up and showed their ability to perform at the highest level. The following matches showed the brute ability of players like Asif Ali, whilst Fakhar Zaman has also enjoyed the title of being one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world on his day.

2. “There is no talent in Pakistan”

I am not sure how you can comprehensively beat India and New Zealand on the world stage if there is absolutely no talent in Pakistan. Similarly, match winning performances by Rauf and Asif Ali prove that Pakistani bench strength should not be underestimated. I wouldn’t be surprised if Khushdil Shah ends up playing a blinder at some point if he is given the chance as well. We seem to want too much from our players because others look better. The rise of Mohammad Rizwan is also testimony to the fact that mediocre performers in Pakistan are capable of improving enough into world class cricketers if the right work ethic and coaching is there.

3. Harris Rauf is a Rock Thrower/Asif Ali isnt good enough for international standards

Two players who were heavily targeted, yet these two have given you everything as Pakistani players and and have produced match winning performances. Rauf was always one of the best T20 bowlers going into this tournament, but for some reason ‘experts’ could not accept him as a proper option because they have an obsession for the likes of Hassan Ali or bowlers that have vast fc experience. Maybe these people need to adapt and reassess their stubborn and limited view on the importance of fc experience in comparison to modern one day cricket requirements.

4. “A Bangladesh team with a fully fit Mushfiq and Shakib are the second best Asian side in white ball cricket in Asian conditions.”

If this is the case, how are Bangladesh comprehensively looking like the worst out of all the Asian sides in this T20 World Cup? Shakib and Mushfiq are fully fit. They have pace bowlers, they have spinners, all of their batsmen are available. They also have a very useful coaching staff. Yet Bangladesh have been absolutely atrocious, their fans would agree to this. Why was this lie normalised on this forum?? Why were we told to believe Mushfiq is comfortably better than all batsmen in Pakistan besides Babar? We respect Bangladesh’s efforts, but what is the point of such insulting claims to put down Pakistan fans?

5. “Hardik Pandya is the best all rounder in the world after Ben Stokes”

So Hardik is bowling regularly and also scoring runs regularly these days? Is he playing as an all rounder, or a batsman in this world T20. Was this claim made because he is Indian and that gives him preferential elevation into this status?

6. Pakistan’s poor batting in the UAE was exposed by the high scoring games in IPL 2020


I remember how certain posters took it upon themselves to devalue the efforts of Pakistan’s attritional batting style in Dubai/Abu Dhabi and Sharjah just because BCCI ensured that there should be exceptionally flat tracks for high scoring encounters. However, does this claim hold any weightage now considering all the low scoring affairs we have seen in IPL 2021 and also the low scores we have seen in this world T20. Moreover, batting juggernauts India could only manage 150 on these tracks against the same Pakistan that was being devalued for their efforts in exile.

7. India v Pakistan is no longer a rivalry. Indians do not view Pakistan as their rival anymore

We were being told this is just another match for India, and matches against Zimbabwe would draw as much anticipation for Indian fans. ICC doubled the ticket prices for this match, would love to see them double the ticket prices for a match against Namibia if that’s the case. A legend like Mathew Hayden may have provided the ultimate reality check to delusional Indian fans and anti Pakistan agents that Australia considers England as their Arch rivals, and the India v Pakistan match is the ‘holy grail’ of cricketing fans in the sub continent.

These are 7 myths that I can think of for the time being. Maybe there are some glaring ones that I have missed out on and posters can remind me. But God it feels great for these myths to be debunked and hopefully a new era of Sanity will prevail from now on.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Myth : The IPL is more competitive than International cricket.

Really? The guys bossing the IPL have been poor so far. For instance there is a point of view that England send their players to the IPL using the myth that it will prepare them for T20 cricket.

Yet their three best players (so far) ignored the IPL this time round and are flourishing.

Not bashing the IPL here at all as it is the best franchise league in cricket....but some of the hype beasts need to tone it down a bit.

 

[tahir_dj]

Best thing to have happened to Pakistan is getting banned from IPL.
Because Pakistani players not playing in that league keeps Pakistan a mystry product.

 

[Rana]

Myth : The IPL is more competitive than International cricket.

Really? The guys bossing the IPL have been poor so far. For instance there is a point of view that England send their players to the IPL using the myth that it will prepare them for T20 cricket.

Yet their three best players (so far) ignored the IPL this time round and are flourishing.

Not bashing the IPL here at all as it is the best franchise league in cricket....but some of the hype beasts need to tone it down a bit.

Yes

Should have included this too. Good spot

 

[Cric1234]

Different analogies made by Mamoon for India and against Pakistan have been debunked.

 

[Rana]

Requesting my brother @bhaag_viru_bhaag to take the floor and absolutely run rampant here! He has been one of the best Indian posters to provide a logical and realistic perspective whilst others were having a field day spreading misinformation during times of turbulence

 

[Rajdeep]

Myth : The IPL is more competitive than International cricket.

Really? The guys bossing the IPL have been poor so far. For instance there is a point of view that England send their players to the IPL using the myth that it will prepare them for T20 cricket.

Yet their three best players (so far) ignored the IPL this time round and are flourishing.

Not bashing the IPL here at all as it is the best franchise league in cricket....but some of the hype beasts need to tone it down a bit.

But it is though. Not sure if you regularly follow IPL but IPL matches are much more entertaining that what we are witnessing in this world cup.

All IPL teams are closely matched in terms of quality and so the matches becomes very competitive. In international, there is a huge dearth of talent between a top team and a minnow which renders half of the matches being boring.

Ind vs Pak is not the only match in T20 world cup, isnt it? Most of the matches so far this world cup has been simply boring and the viewership is also not all that great. IPL produces great matches day in and out.

International cricket has more passion no doubt bcoz players are representing their country but quality of actual cricket is poor compared to IPL.

 

[IMMY69]

Myth : The IPL is more competitive than International cricket.

Really? The guys bossing the IPL have been poor so far. For instance there is a point of view that England send their players to the IPL using the myth that it will prepare them for T20 cricket.

Yet their three best players (so far) ignored the IPL this time round and are flourishing.

Not bashing the IPL here at all as it is the best franchise league in cricket....but some of the hype beasts need to tone it down a bit.

I've said this before that I would prefer to watch Pakistan play Zimbabwe in a meaningless T20 game then any franchise/league game...

You can't compare the feeling of watching your country play with a silly overhyped snd expensive franchise team

 

[IMMY69]

But it is though. Not sure if you regularly follow IPL but IPL matches are much more entertaining that what we are witnessing in this world cup.

All IPL teams are closely matched in terms of quality and so the matches becomes very competitive. In international, there is a huge dearth of talent between a top team and a minnow which renders half of the matches being boring.

Ind vs Pak is not the only match in T20 world cup, isnt it? Most of the matches so far this world cup has been simply boring and the viewership is also not all that great. IPL produces great matches day in and out.

International cricket has more passion no doubt bcoz players are representing their country but quality of actual cricket is poor compared to IPL.

Stop trolling.
It's getting pretty boring now

 

[Cric1234]

But it is though. Not sure if you regularly follow IPL but IPL matches are much more entertaining that what we are witnessing in this world cup.

All IPL teams are closely matched in terms of quality and so the matches becomes very competitive. In international, there is a huge dearth of talent between a top team and a minnow which renders half of the matches being boring.

Ind vs Pak is not the only match in T20 world cup, isnt it? Most of the matches so far this world cup has been simply boring and the viewership is also not all that great. IPL produces great matches day in and out.

International cricket has more passion no doubt bcoz players are representing their country but quality of actual cricket is poor compared to IPL.

Better pitches would produce better quality of cricket free flowing nature of batsmen is being curtailed due to slow low pitches with the only entertainment being Asif Ali slogging sixes near the end so far.

 

[Rajdeep]

Best thing to have happened to Pakistan is getting banned from IPL.
Because Pakistani players not playing in that league keeps Pakistan a mystry product.

Pak players being banned from IPL since 2010.

India played 6 T20 matches against Pakistan since and won 4 off them. There is no mystery product mate...just a lucky toss win for Pak and getting an opportunity to bat under dew. You saw what England did to Australia yesterday under Dew right? Or what India did to Pakistan in Asia Cup 2018 when we batted under dew on this same ground?

 

[Rana]

8. “Pakistan are borderline minnow level”

Well I guess Namibia, Afghanistan and Scotland should all be able to comprehensively beat India and New Zealand? I mean we have been no.1 T20i side for years, we won a ICC tournament not so long ago, we beat England and New Zealand (finalists) in the ICC World Cup 2019. However this myth was consistently shoved down our throat because we lost to Bangladesh in the Asia cup and we lost 3-0 to Sri Lanka c at home, also the tied match against Zimbabwe. Maybe the minnows who beat us or gave us a tough time will also wipe the floor with juggernauts in their groups?

(Mods, please add this to OP)

 

[Devadwal]

Ek win kya ki india se log hawa m udne lag gye h .just wait for tournament to finish.

 

[Rana]

Ek win kya ki india se log hawa m udne lag gye h .just wait for tournament to finish.

So everything mentioned in OP is correct? They are not myths?

 

[Rajdeep]

Stop trolling.
It's getting pretty boring now

What trolling? Are you finding Scotland playing against Namibia very entertaining? LOL.

Even a club team from Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament in India will beat these subpar cricketers.

All best cricketers from around the world are equally spread among all teams in IPL. So there is more competition in each and every game. Not sure why it is so difficult to accept and become salty about it?

There is more pride playing for your country though which I agree.

 

[IMMY69]

Ek win kya ki india se log hawa m udne lag gye h .just wait for tournament to finish.

But that's not really the point is it?

 

[Rana]

9. “There is no mental block for Pakistan against India. India is superbly talented and have left Pakistan in its dust”

Pakistan have mauled India in 2 of their last 3 ICC encounters. You cannot beat a side so hard if in reality, they are leaps and bounds ahead of you man to man. They are a better side IMO, but the mental block for Pakistan to perform against them was most certainly there

 

[IMMY69]

What trolling? Are you finding Scotland playing against Namibia very entertaining? LOL.

Even a club team from Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament in India will beat these subpar cricketers.

All best cricketers from around the world are equally spread among all teams in IPL. So there is more competition in each and every game. Not sure why it is so difficult to accept and become salty about it?

There is more pride playing for your country though which I agree.

Yes I am

I'm watching Afghanistan vs Namibia too.

It's intriguing to watch another country vs country when there is something to play for.
In these games it's not all about the skill but the passion too.
Not like watching a team of overpaid cricketers playing for some franchise.

I'm sure you're following it too. Won't be long before India plays Afghanistan

 

[Rajdeep]

Yes I am

I'm watching Afghanistan vs Namibia too.

It's intriguing to watch another country vs country when there is something to play for.
In these games it's not all about the skill but the passion too.
Not like watching a team of overpaid cricketers playing for some franchise.

I'm sure you're following it too. Won't be long before India plays Afghanistan

It is for sure and the reason we find it intriguing bcoz we are focussing on the end result where nationalistic pride is at stake. But we are discussing about the quality of cricket which for most matches is inferior to what we see in IPL. Its not rocket science but simply bcoz better players are pitted against each other in every game...so better quality. It is simply not the case in T20 world cup where we have to wait for good games.

 

[IMMY69]

It is for sure and the reason we find it intriguing bcoz we are focussing on the end result where nationalistic pride is at stake. But we are discussing about the quality of cricket which for most matches is inferior to what we see in IPL. Its not rocket science but simply bcoz better players are pitted against each other in every game...so better quality. It is simply not the case in T20 world cup where we have to wait for good games.

Of course the quality will be better in franchise cricket then say a Namibia or Scotland.
But the quality of a top international team is on a different level to any franchise team, whether it's IPL, PSL, BBL or any other league.

It's incomparable

For watchability, you would watch any game in the World Cup over franchise, for quality, any of the top teams are better then any of the franchise teams.

 

[Cric1234]

Pitches have played into the hands of Pakistan but flatter ones would produce better quality of cricket however we would struggle more in high scoring games.

 

[Charmander]

8. Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world

I havent' seen any mention of a World Cup being mentioned on any American sports shows. Even Rugby world cups get highlights on sports center. Despite England's red hot form, it is getting lukewarm interest in the UK.

 

[Charmander]

What trolling? Are you finding Scotland playing against Namibia very entertaining? LOL.

Even a club team from Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament in India will beat these subpar cricketers.

All best cricketers from around the world are equally spread among all teams in IPL. So there is more competition in each and every game. Not sure why it is so difficult to accept and become salty about it?

There is more pride playing for your country though which I agree.

How can all the best players be spread evenly when teams have a 4 foreigner rule. Are you saying some of the indian IPL players are good enough to find a spot in Australia or New Zealand or England's squad?

 

[Cric1234]

8. Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world

I havent' seen any mention of a World Cup being mentioned on any American sports shows. Even Rugby world cups get highlights on sports center. Despite England's red hot form, it is getting lukewarm interest in the UK.

USA is nonexistent in cricket terms maybe that’s why football is the main sport in England if England keep up their recent success it will become more popular.

The World Cup being in India would’ve generated more interest in UAE there is less interest with low scoring matches entertainment value is low aswell at the moment.

 

[Kaddy]

8. Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world

I havent' seen any mention of a World Cup being mentioned on any American sports shows. Even Rugby world cups get highlights on sports center. Despite England's red hot form, it is getting lukewarm interest in the UK.

Lol, So true.

few days ago, when Scotland qualified to the main round, I checked their news websites' sports section. There was hardly any mention of cricket.

In fact, soccer clubs had more coverage.

 

[Ab Fan]

Actually, the quality of this tournament has been so poor this time around that it is actually pretty crystal clear now that IPL is not just on par but better than any T20 cricket tournament that is happening in the cricket world today.

The last two days itself displayed absolutely shambolic display of cricket as Afghanistan didn't even had a single international seamer let alone a pacer or the Bangladesh vs Windies which looked even worse than lower quality IPL matches, like SRH vs RR for an example.

Fair to say that Pakistan are only capable of beating India in a low quality tournament like Champions Trophy and World T20. The quality of this tournament this season is the worst that I have ever seen.

If Pakistan have to prove that they are strong rivals to Indian team, then they should try to beat India in ODI World Cup or beat them in a Test series. Now that they don't play Test Cricket vs India, maybe if they show improvement in their Test Cricket performance by being consistently a top ranked team then the mentioned points can be taken seriously. Performance based on a couple of WT20 matches in the lowest quality of cricket in any WT20 season should be taken with just a pinch of salt.

 

[Bewal Express]

Its too early to say what myths will stay broken. I know Ind were poor and got hammered in the 1st game but i still expect them to win the tournament although they are far vulnerable than i thought. The pressure of era defining performances is getting to some players, whereas with franchise cricket another game is around the corner and most games are forgotten within 2 days.

 

[drubwrubnat]

From my own PoV 1 thing I concede that -
1.
Pakistan played phenomenal against India in this world cup , made history, won the match fair & square.
They were mentally a better team.
Nothing can take away from this.

2.
Also I admire the unwavering support / grace / depth of the Pakistani fans esp on this forum. This sort of maturity is lacking in Indian fans.

Yeah but Id rather prefer the current Indian hegemony ( a little bit ) to a Pakistani one. Dont usurp that now.

 

[Advaith]

One match and so many conclusions !! Isn't it too much to conclude on the basis of one match ?

 

[Kroll]

We were told that changing the coaches/management won't make any difference because at the end of the day Pakistan is a mediocre side with players that have zero talent.

We can already see the that removing Misbah & Waqar and bringing in some decent personnel has already uplifted performance and brought a far more positive vibe to the team environment.

 

[Rana]

We were told that changing the coaches/management won't make any difference because at the end of the day Pakistan is a mediocre side with players that have zero talent.

We can already see the that removing Misbah & Waqar and bringing in some decent personnel has already uplifted performance and brought a far more positive vibe to the team environment.

Excellent point

This should have been added in the op too

 

[Charmander]

Lol, So true.

few days ago, when Scotland qualified to the main round, I checked their news websites' sports section. There was hardly any mention of cricket.

In fact, soccer clubs had more coverage.

if it wasn't for India/Pakistan, this sport would be relegated to an activity

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Actually, the quality of this tournament has been so poor this time around that it is actually pretty crystal clear now that IPL is not just on par but better than any T20 cricket tournament that is happening in the cricket world today.

The last two days itself displayed absolutely shambolic display of cricket as Afghanistan didn't even had a single international seamer let alone a pacer or the Bangladesh vs Windies which looked even worse than lower quality IPL matches, like SRH vs RR for an example.

Fair to say that Pakistan are only capable of beating India in a low quality tournament like Champions Trophy and World T20. The quality of this tournament this season is the worst that I have ever seen.

If Pakistan have to prove that they are strong rivals to Indian team, then they should try to beat India in ODI World Cup or beat them in a Test series. Now that they don't play Test Cricket vs India, maybe if they show improvement in their Test Cricket performance by being consistently a top ranked team then the mentioned points can be taken seriously. Performance based on a couple of WT20 matches in the lowest quality of cricket in any WT20 season should be taken with just a pinch of salt.

What made the india pakistan low quality and why were you guys then grouping low quality and high quality together when calculating the streak?

 

[Bilal7]

Myth: Virat Kohli is NOT a choker.

Now I am a fan of Kohli's and was actually hoping India loses today but Kohli gets a good score (so his average is not disturbed), but it was painful to watch the great batsman out in the middle. This is a KO game even if it says 'group game' on the cover so Kohli failing yet again just confirms that he is the biggest choker of all time.

Out of the three ATGs who ruled LO cricket for the majority of the 2010s, Kohli is the biggest choker, ahead of the great Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.

 

[Bilal7]

Myth: That loss to Pakistan was just another loss and will have no bearing on Indian cricket.

This is completely false and anyone watching the game can see as much. India look shot of all confidence and they have played far worse than what the scoreboard says. Being utterly outplayed by Pakistan in that manner has killed off all their bravado. Recovering from such a mauling will take a long, long time.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

I don't think any serious / rational PPers have ever given much importance to IPL.

International cricket brings out the best players and their top performances.

 

[Cric1234]

The great players from the IPL have produced the two worst performances so far in the tournament.

 

[OneManShow]

Actually, the quality of this tournament has been so poor this time around that it is actually pretty crystal clear now that IPL is not just on par but better than any T20 cricket tournament that is happening in the cricket world today.

The last two days itself displayed absolutely shambolic display of cricket as Afghanistan didn't even had a single international seamer let alone a pacer or the Bangladesh vs Windies which looked even worse than lower quality IPL matches, like SRH vs RR for an example.

Fair to say that Pakistan are only capable of beating India in a low quality tournament like Champions Trophy and World T20. The quality of this tournament this season is the worst that I have ever seen.

If Pakistan have to prove that they are strong rivals to Indian team, then they should try to beat India in ODI World Cup or beat them in a Test series. Now that they don't play Test Cricket vs India, maybe if they show improvement in their Test Cricket performance by being consistently a top ranked team then the mentioned points can be taken seriously. Performance based on a couple of WT20 matches in the lowest quality of cricket in any WT20 season should be taken with just a pinch of salt.

Take the L with dignity lol - bunch of overrated celebs playing cricket. Pathetic tournament team that's won nothing since 2013

 

[cerebralrattlesnake]

myth the ipl is the pinnacle of franchise cricket

 

[Bilal7]

Actually, the quality of this tournament has been so poor this time around that it is actually pretty crystal clear now that IPL is not just on par but better than any T20 cricket tournament that is happening in the cricket world today.

The last two days itself displayed absolutely shambolic display of cricket as Afghanistan didn't even had a single international seamer let alone a pacer or the Bangladesh vs Windies which looked even worse than lower quality IPL matches, like SRH vs RR for an example.

Fair to say that Pakistan are only capable of beating India in a low quality tournament like Champions Trophy and World T20. The quality of this tournament this season is the worst that I have ever seen.

If Pakistan have to prove that they are strong rivals to Indian team, then they should try to beat India in ODI World Cup or beat them in a Test series. Now that they don't play Test Cricket vs India, maybe if they show improvement in their Test Cricket performance by being consistently a top ranked team then the mentioned points can be taken seriously. Performance based on a couple of WT20 matches in the lowest quality of cricket in any WT20 season should be taken with just a pinch of salt.

Lmao, what a bitter loser. Keep trying to cope, dude. The reverse streak has started and India is losing handily to Pakistan in every world cup for the next ten years.

The quality of cricket at this world cup has been fantastic. FTBs, trundlers and other garbage players have all failed but world-class batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders have all succeeded.

 

[Ahmed216]

IPL in UAE has exposed PSL in UAE

 

[gazza619]

Actually, the quality of this tournament has been so poor this time around that it is actually pretty crystal clear now that IPL is not just on par but better than any T20 cricket tournament that is happening in the cricket world today.

The last two days itself displayed absolutely shambolic display of cricket as Afghanistan didn't even had a single international seamer let alone a pacer or the Bangladesh vs Windies which looked even worse than lower quality IPL matches, like SRH vs RR for an example.

Fair to say that Pakistan are only capable of beating India in a low quality tournament like Champions Trophy and World T20. The quality of this tournament this season is the worst that I have ever seen.

If Pakistan have to prove that they are strong rivals to Indian team, then they should try to beat India in ODI World Cup or beat them in a Test series. Now that they don't play Test Cricket vs India, maybe if they show improvement in their Test Cricket performance by being consistently a top ranked team then the mentioned points can be taken seriously. Performance based on a couple of WT20 matches in the lowest quality of cricket in any WT20 season should be taken with just a pinch of salt.

Poor post. Not a single word makes sense.

The tournament is looking poor to you because Indian players have shown their inabilities to handle red hot Pakistani & Kiwi bowlers. Their batters will also be bashed by England, SA & Australian bowlers, but luckily they will not have to face them.

You will always have some minnows in a World Cup competition which will mean some games will be not of the same standard.

Bangladesh vs WI game has mostly been dull, just look back at history.

Lets just not talk about ODI & Test cricket. We have a T20 WC going on mate.

 

[world cup captain]

My favorite so far was posted on 4/16/2021.

 

[burger_uno]

As any serious cricket fan knows, T20 is tulla baazee; so loss of couple of games is not a true indication of India's cricketing prowess. Having said that, India is fully deserving of the scorn being heaped upon it. It is India that is destroying the fabric of international cricket by emphasizing T20 over other formats which provide a better indication of true cricketing strengths.

Given the size of India's market, IPL is fully deserving of a unique window. Question is to how to use this window in a manner that adds flavor to international cricket. Instead by overloading IPL, India is putting money ahead of interest of cricket and in the process destroying the sport that we all love. A four to six week window should be long enough for a tamashaa cricket tournament. Anything longer and you start damaging international cricket. I also think a never ending T20 tournament will have a mental and physical toll on Indian cricketers. One reason India did well during last tour of England was that Indian players got well deserved rest due to cancellation of IPL. Alarming drop-off in the form of once in a generation talent that is VK should be a concern for all cricket fans. International cricket will be well served if likes of VK and Bumrah ply their trade for long as possible. By driving their players to the ground India is only serving the interest of finance vultures.

We can only hope that failure in high profile international tournaments will lead to some to some introspection. It would also be nice to see some Indian ex-players step up and put pressure on Indian board to do the right thing. My fear is the opposite however and Indian cricket board will turn cricket into noora_kushti and try to create conditions where odds are heavily in favor of India. That will be very shortsighted but not unexpected.

 

[Rana]

Myth: That loss to Pakistan was just another loss and will have no bearing on Indian cricket.

This is completely false and anyone watching the game can see as much. India look shot of all confidence and they have played far worse than what the scoreboard says. Being utterly outplayed by Pakistan in that manner has killed off all their bravado. Recovering from such a mauling will take a long, long time.

The loss to Pakistan is still ringing in the minds of BCCI and Indian cricketers just like a cold hard slap would.

They are absolutely shell shocked. Indian commentators just couldn’t resist bringing it up time and time again.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Almost all of these myths came from Mamoon.

I think most of us (who had seen the way Pakistan had been playing in the last few years) knew we were always one of the top teams going into this tournament.

But still, I think we did debunk perceptions about us, that a lot of people had. And by being professional, calculated and finding the guts and the will to succeed in tough situations we did that.

Let's hope we keep debunking myths and perceptions and lift the trophy!

 

[Mobashir]

But it is though. Not sure if you regularly follow IPL but IPL matches are much more entertaining that what we are witnessing in this world cup.

All IPL teams are closely matched in terms of quality and so the matches becomes very competitive. In international, there is a huge dearth of talent between a top team and a minnow which renders half of the matches being boring.

Ind vs Pak is not the only match in T20 world cup, isnt it? Most of the matches so far this world cup has been simply boring and the viewership is also not all that great. IPL produces great matches day in and out.

International cricket has more passion no doubt bcoz players are representing their country but quality of actual cricket is poor compared to IPL.

It's surely more entertaining for you and I can understand it.

What will you find entertaining in 152-0 and today's lost?

 

[The Googly]

I think the BCCI and the Indian Government would love to have a different team to be considered their greatest rival them Pakistan (on topic of one of the myths).
Unfortunately for them:
- England and Aussies will always consider India very much secondary to the Ashes
- One billion Indians will confirm that nothing but nothing in cricketing terms is worse then losing to Pakistan.

 

[Mobashir]

Actually, the quality of this tournament has been so poor this time around that it is actually pretty crystal clear now that IPL is not just on par but better than any T20 cricket tournament that is happening in the cricket world today.

The last two days itself displayed absolutely shambolic display of cricket as Afghanistan didn't even had a single international seamer let alone a pacer or the Bangladesh vs Windies which looked even worse than lower quality IPL matches, like SRH vs RR for an example.

Fair to say that Pakistan are only capable of beating India in a low quality tournament like Champions Trophy and World T20. The quality of this tournament this season is the worst that I have ever seen.

If Pakistan have to prove that they are strong rivals to Indian team, then they should try to beat India in ODI World Cup or beat them in a Test series. Now that they don't play Test Cricket vs India, maybe if they show improvement in their Test Cricket performance by being consistently a top ranked team then the mentioned points can be taken seriously. Performance based on a couple of WT20 matches in the lowest quality of cricket in any WT20 season should be taken with just a pinch of salt.

The lowest quality of cricket so far has been shown by the Indian IPL stars in this world cup so far.

 

[Rana]

The lowest quality of cricket so far has been shown by the Indian IPL stars in this world cup so far.

No one is to blame for that, not the pitches, not the schedule.

The way Mitchell was lining up Shami, Thakur and Jadeja reminded me of the pre 2009 days when India had the most toothless bowling line up.

 

[Chip32]

Agree with most of them but what has Asif done to show that he's all of a sudden international standard? He always had the ability to hit big, the issue he had was the nonexistent game along the ground. TBF, hasn't had an opportunity this tournament to show that he does have shots that aren't aerial, but I highly doubt he's improved in that regard.

 

[DRsohail]

We are still. Decent T20 and test side but we are struggling in Odi, we are lower ranked than NZ, India, Australia, England and may be South Africa for a reason.
We are not a team who can win on flat pitches against any of the above teams, I mena ODi and in tests we recently lost to WI so o think we are rightly been called a lower gieee team
This world cup is what we are getting the right conditions according to our strengths.

 

[topspin]

No one is to blame for that, not the pitches, not the schedule.

The way Mitchell was lining up Shami, Thakur and Jadeja reminded me of the pre 2009 days when India had the most toothless bowling line up.

I once remember walking in Southall and a group of lads bursting in laughter after one of them had mentioned "India ki bowling.."

 

[IMMY69]

We are still. Decent T20 and test side but we are struggling in Odi, we are lower ranked than NZ, India, Australia, England and may be South Africa for a reason.
We are not a team who can win on flat pitches against any of the above teams, I mena ODi and in tests we recently lost to WI so o think we are rightly been called a lower gieee team
This world cup is what we are getting the right conditions according to our strengths.

Sorry mate but you are off the mark here.

Anyone who follows Pakistan Cricket can see there is something different in this lineup.
It's as if a light bulb has switched on.
They've never been so focused, fielded so well and looked thoroughly professional from the very outset of a tournament.

There is no shouting at players, only calmness. This is something extremely unusually but heartening to see.

Regarding ODI's, we went out of the 2019 World Cup by a few decimal points on the Run Rate...
Had we scored 70 or 80 runs more against Windies and the game against Sri Lanka not been rained off who knows where we could have finished. At the end of round robin stages we were the inform team.
Plus if that team had the same mindset team as this one does then expectations would have been even higher.

I hope our professionalism continues throughout this World Cup and after.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

We are playing at home so the likes of Malik definitely have an advantage
But the likes of rauf and shaheen have only really bowled their in the PSL

This just shows we should have new zealand and Australia in the UAE where we have this advantage

 

[Dingolfy]

The loss to Pakistan is still ringing in the minds of BCCI and Indian cricketers just like a cold hard slap would.

They are absolutely shell shocked. Indian commentators just couldn’t resist bringing it up time and time again.

Didn't India beat Pakistan 3 times by big margins after 2017 CT humiliation? Both Indian and Pakistani players are professionals and they don’t treat win and loss as your average cricket fan.

 

[MesonK]

Myth no. X

PSL is a weaker league that produces weaker players compared to grand money leagues like IPL

lol PSL products are wrecking havocs on all these IPL products (not just indian players). Shaheen Rauf Rizwan Shadab Asif came from PSL system. Watson, Steyn told us that PSL is a hard to survive in league and Indians started foaming from their mouths, now its confirmed.

 

[RexRex]

Too much overanalysing for what is a couple of T20 games. Settle down y'all.

This format is fickle in nature and even the best of teams go through ups and downs.

 

[PakistanFan1991]

Too much overanalysing for what is a couple of T20 games. Settle down y'all.

This format is fickle in nature and even the best of teams go through ups and downs.

But it's not just a couple of games is it though... India lost to Pakistan by TEN wickets! NZ by 8 wickets! Never in with a chance in either of the games. So one sided matches.

Also lost to NZ and got eliminated in 2019 WC. Lost the test championship to NZ. So many high profile losses in international cricket in recent times.

Lets forget all that. This thread is about myths. I agree with OP, many myths debunked

 

[Lahorijat]

Dhoni’s magic touch as a mentor has been overhyped by the media. He probably did match/spot fixing in ipl and that has been swept under the rug. He is good at hiding his emotions and was a good wicket keeper batsman.

 

[RexRex]

One myth that can definitely be deunked is that population matters if you want to have sporting prowess.

Everytime India won a game this year, the opposition, mostly the aussies and poms, would complain that they had billion strong population which gave them unfair advantage - that was the lamest of excuses, as we saw today.

 

[Mobashir]

No one is to blame for that, not the pitches, not the schedule.

The way Mitchell was lining up Shami, Thakur and Jadeja reminded me of the pre 2009 days when India had the most toothless bowling line up.

Apart from Bumrah who seems to be a brilliant T20 bowler, the rest of the attack was toothless.
Shami/Thakur/Pandya
Think of the bowling of these three and their skills.

 

[Mamoon]

Absolute nonsense.

No myths have been debunked. India is still a far better team than Pakistan while Pakistan remains a mediocre team.

2-3 games don’t change anything. India have made tactical mistakes. Nothing more, nothing less.

The problem with our fans is that they get carried away and lose perception of reality. Their heads are in the clouds again but there is nothing to worry - they will get a reality check soon.

 

[Smbhayi]

Really? The guys bossing the IPL have been poor so far.

Most of the guys who's successful in uae leg ipl also successful in this WC.. If you referring Indian players then most of them are out of form in uae leg ipl too..

 

[Chip32]

Absolute nonsense.

No myths have been debunked. India is still a far better team than Pakistan while Pakistan remains a mediocre team.

2-3 games don’t change anything. India have made tactical mistakes. Nothing more, nothing less.

The problem with our fans is that they get carried away and lose perception of reality. Their heads are in the clouds again but there is nothing to worry - they will get a reality check soon.

You've posted the same thing in like 5 threads already. We get it. I don't see anyone claiming we are the best team in the world, or that we're a better side than India.

 

[Rana]

Absolute nonsense.

No myths have been debunked. India is still a far better team than Pakistan while Pakistan remains a mediocre team.

2-3 games don’t change anything. India have made tactical mistakes. Nothing more, nothing less.

The problem with our fans is that they get carried away and lose perception of reality. Their heads are in the clouds again but there is nothing to worry - they will get a reality check soon.

Well at least you admit they are ‘myths’

 

[OneManShow]

Absolute nonsense.

No myths have been debunked. India is still a far better team than Pakistan while Pakistan remains a mediocre team.

2-3 games don’t change anything. India have made tactical mistakes. Nothing more, nothing less.

The problem with our fans is that they get carried away and lose perception of reality. Their heads are in the clouds again but there is nothing to worry - they will get a reality check soon.

I feel the hate and exasperation in every written (typed) word. Wipe away them salty tears mate India will get another chance. I'm sure using better tactics will allow them to post above 110 next time out LOL

 

[shaz619]

Actually, the quality of this tournament has been so poor this time around that it is actually pretty crystal clear now that IPL is not just on par but better than any T20 cricket tournament that is happening in the cricket world today.

The last two days itself displayed absolutely shambolic display of cricket as Afghanistan didn't even had a single international seamer let alone a pacer or the Bangladesh vs Windies which looked even worse than lower quality IPL matches, like SRH vs RR for an example.

Fair to say that Pakistan are only capable of beating India in a low quality tournament like Champions Trophy and World T20. The quality of this tournament this season is the worst that I have ever seen.

If Pakistan have to prove that they are strong rivals to Indian team, then they should try to beat India in ODI World Cup or beat them in a Test series. Now that they don't play Test Cricket vs India, maybe if they show improvement in their Test Cricket performance by being consistently a top ranked team then the mentioned points can be taken seriously. Performance based on a couple of WT20 matches in the lowest quality of cricket in any WT20 season should be taken with just a pinch of salt.

Why is a ‘poor quality tournament’ justification for your rockstar’s performing like minnows as of late ?

As for other forms, you’ve not been as dominant across forms in the recent encounters and from most can see, you’ve been ducking them in the ultimate format to.

Assuming your rockstar’s and prima-donna’s can be forgiven for their performances due to a narrow minded reason such as tournament quality, then let there be no doubt that they are simply failing to not being able to show pride, courage and heart in an international tournament which brings a unique pressure, they’ve not been able to handle that and have played like cowards.

 

[IMMY69]

Absolute nonsense.

No myths have been debunked. India is still a far better team than Pakistan while Pakistan remains a mediocre team.

2-3 games don’t change anything. India have made tactical mistakes. Nothing more, nothing less.

The problem with our fans is that they get carried away and lose perception of reality. Their heads are in the clouds again but there is nothing to worry - they will get a reality check soon.

Just be glad you live in a country where you can openly support India and not get thrown in jail

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Just be glad you live in a country where you can openly support India and not get thrown in jail

Made me laugh. Seriously England v Pakistan final will be awesome

 

[hafizexpress]

Absolute nonsense.

No myths have been debunked. India is still a far better team than Pakistan while Pakistan remains a mediocre team.

2-3 games don’t change anything. India have made tactical mistakes. Nothing more, nothing less.

The problem with our fans is that they get carried away and lose perception of reality. Their heads are in the clouds again but there is nothing to worry - they will get a reality check soon.

Bruh it seems like you get paid to never appreciate Pakistan lol. If Pakistan was in India's position you'd be out for their heads.

 

[Rajdeep]

Another myth just being debunked by Butler today that if you bat first...you cant score runs and put enough on the board. Eng was in the same situation as India was yesterday but then Butler shown Indian players how to bat once settled. A proper master class
[MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION]

 

[Stewie]

But it is though. Not sure if you regularly follow IPL but IPL matches are much more entertaining that what we are witnessing in this world cup.

All IPL teams are closely matched in terms of quality and so the matches becomes very competitive. In international, there is a huge dearth of talent between a top team and a minnow which renders half of the matches being boring.

Ind vs Pak is not the only match in T20 world cup, isnt it? Most of the matches so far this world cup has been simply boring and the viewership is also not all that great. IPL produces great matches day in and out.

International cricket has more passion no doubt bcoz players are representing their country but quality of actual cricket is poor compared to IPL.

When teams are evenly matched, thst will be the case. But is it high quality though?

It’s like saying a game between Scotland and Namibia will be highly entertaining 9/10 but that doesn’t mean it’s of the highest quality.

IPL at the end of the day is a domestic tournament like all these franchise leagues around the world. You have 3/4 foreigners who might be too quality but the rest are just domestic players.

International cricket is always going to be of higher quality. I think Wasim Akram put it best in the Pavilion show episode: he said in franchise cricket you can have one or two really good bowlers per team but if you look at national team, they have the full five top bowlers of their country.

It’s a matter of perspective, watch entertaining evenly matched sides playing or watched highest quality international cricket, which can sometimes be lopsided but it’s a feast when top international teams have an even contest.

 

[mastimasti]

I’ve been following this forum for the past 16 years. I’ve enjoyed posting here with a positive intent to promote Pakistan cricket. However, the last few years have been frustrating considering the negativity regarding our cricket that was being normalised by certain individuals who I do not need to name. However, I believe this T20 World Cup has put some of those so called theories which were considered or spread as ‘fact’ to bed. Let us list them all one by one:

1. “Pakistani cricketers are not good enough to compete in the IPL (except a Babar and Shaheen).”

We were told that our cricketers lack the skill and talent to participate in the world’s best league. However, the match on the 24th should serve as an eye opener for those who doubted Pakistan’s ability to participate, that too against the best in India. Players like Rauf, Shadab, Rizwan, Imad all stood up and showed their ability to perform at the highest level. The following matches showed the brute ability of players like Asif Ali, whilst Fakhar Zaman has also enjoyed the title of being one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world on his day.

2. “There is no talent in Pakistan”

I am not sure how you can comprehensively beat India and New Zealand on the world stage if there is absolutely no talent in Pakistan. Similarly, match winning performances by Rauf and Asif Ali prove that Pakistani bench strength should not be underestimated. I wouldn’t be surprised if Khushdil Shah ends up playing a blinder at some point if he is given the chance as well. We seem to want too much from our players because others look better. The rise of Mohammad Rizwan is also testimony to the fact that mediocre performers in Pakistan are capable of improving enough into world class cricketers if the right work ethic and coaching is there.

3. Harris Rauf is a Rock Thrower/Asif Ali isnt good enough for international standards

Two players who were heavily targeted, yet these two have given you everything as Pakistani players and and have produced match winning performances. Rauf was always one of the best T20 bowlers going into this tournament, but for some reason ‘experts’ could not accept him as a proper option because they have an obsession for the likes of Hassan Ali or bowlers that have vast fc experience. Maybe these people need to adapt and reassess their stubborn and limited view on the importance of fc experience in comparison to modern one day cricket requirements.

4. “A Bangladesh team with a fully fit Mushfiq and Shakib are the second best Asian side in white ball cricket in Asian conditions.”

If this is the case, how are Bangladesh comprehensively looking like the worst out of all the Asian sides in this T20 World Cup? Shakib and Mushfiq are fully fit. They have pace bowlers, they have spinners, all of their batsmen are available. They also have a very useful coaching staff. Yet Bangladesh have been absolutely atrocious, their fans would agree to this. Why was this lie normalised on this forum?? Why were we told to believe Mushfiq is comfortably better than all batsmen in Pakistan besides Babar? We respect Bangladesh’s efforts, but what is the point of such insulting claims to put down Pakistan fans?

5. “Hardik Pandya is the best all rounder in the world after Ben Stokes”

So Hardik is bowling regularly and also scoring runs regularly these days? Is he playing as an all rounder, or a batsman in this world T20. Was this claim made because he is Indian and that gives him preferential elevation into this status?

6. Pakistan’s poor batting in the UAE was exposed by the high scoring games in IPL 2020


I remember how certain posters took it upon themselves to devalue the efforts of Pakistan’s attritional batting style in Dubai/Abu Dhabi and Sharjah just because BCCI ensured that there should be exceptionally flat tracks for high scoring encounters. However, does this claim hold any weightage now considering all the low scoring affairs we have seen in IPL 2021 and also the low scores we have seen in this world T20. Moreover, batting juggernauts India could only manage 150 on these tracks against the same Pakistan that was being devalued for their efforts in exile.

7. India v Pakistan is no longer a rivalry. Indians do not view Pakistan as their rival anymore

We were being told this is just another match for India, and matches against Zimbabwe would draw as much anticipation for Indian fans. ICC doubled the ticket prices for this match, would love to see them double the ticket prices for a match against Namibia if that’s the case. A legend like Mathew Hayden may have provided the ultimate reality check to delusional Indian fans and anti Pakistan agents that Australia considers England as their Arch rivals, and the India v Pakistan match is the ‘holy grail’ of cricketing fans in the sub continent.

These are 7 myths that I can think of for the time being. Maybe there are some glaring ones that I have missed out on and posters can remind me. But God it feels great for these myths to be debunked and hopefully a new era of Sanity will prevail from now on.

Are these all quotes from [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]?

 

[reversehook]

My favorite so far was posted on 4/16/2021.

View attachment 112779

He was spot on!!! look at his team, India have been attrocious...

 

[MenInG]

He was spot on!!! look at his team, India have been attrocious...

Think a few have been left with little to say!

 

[Rana]

Another myth just being debunked by Butler today that if you bat first...you cant score runs and put enough on the board. Eng was in the same situation as India was yesterday but then Butler shown Indian players how to bat once settled. A proper master class
[MENTION=2016]Rana[/MENTION]

Indeed

160 should be the target when batting first, it is the equivalent of 180+ on a flat deck

 

[Rana]

Are these all quotes from [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]?

Points 2 and 7 are not necessarily

Shahid Afridi has also said there is no talent in Pakistan. Point 7 is usually made by smug, arrogant Indian fans who think BCCI has advanced and modernised to the point where they do not consider themselves a south Asian side anymore, and their arch rival is Australia, not Pakistan.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Absolute nonsense.

No myths have been debunked. India is still a far better team than Pakistan while Pakistan remains a mediocre team.

2-3 games don’t change anything. India have made tactical mistakes. Nothing more, nothing less.

The problem with our fans is that they get carried away and lose perception of reality. Their heads are in the clouds again but there is nothing to worry - they will get a reality check soon.

Tactical mistakes, and a thorough lack of planning. With the number of options they have, they have failed horribly. No all-rounders, unfit players, and generally a poor mindset and approach has derailed India from what seemed like certain qualification.

Other teams that don't have the luxury of options have outclassed and outperformed India in this world cup, including Pakistan because this is one of the first times in the last decade that I've seen the team get together and actually use their brains to keep their senses about on the field. The match awareness used to be very poor, it has actually become quite commendable this T20 World Cup.

Whilst I don't disagree with the statement that India is still a better team, I do think that the measure of a team's success goes by what they play like when the game really matters, in a World event. Sure you can go around scoring hundreds and winning bilateral series, but that is meaningless if they are unable to perform similarly in an event that demands the most attention.

I do find their mindset has regressed, especially this blame to bubble fatigue. I personally find it laughable that they think of it as an excuse; everyone had the choice whether or not to take a break before the T20WC. It's quite stupid to talk about fatigue during the T20WC, showing that they did not even prioritize this event.

 

[mastimasti]

Points 2 and 7 are not necessarily

Shahid Afridi has also said there is no talent in Pakistan. Point 7 is usually made by smug, arrogant Indian fans who think BCCI has advanced and modernised to the point where they do not consider themselves a south Asian side anymore, and their arch rival is Australia, not Pakistan.

Haha I was teasing, but I'm pretty sure genius Mamoon has often used these same excuses/myths.

Tactical mistakes, and a thorough lack of planning. With the number of options they have, they have failed horribly. No all-rounders, unfit players, and generally a poor mindset and approach has derailed India from what seemed like certain qualification.

Other teams that don't have the luxury of options have outclassed and outperformed India in this world cup, including Pakistan because this is one of the first times in the last decade that I've seen the team get together and actually use their brains to keep their senses about on the field. The match awareness used to be very poor, it has actually become quite commendable this T20 World Cup.

Whilst I don't disagree with the statement that India is still a better team, I do think that the measure of a team's success goes by what they play like when the game really matters, in a World event. Sure you can go around scoring hundreds and winning bilateral series, but that is meaningless if they are unable to perform similarly in an event that demands the most attention.

I do find their mindset has regressed, especially this blame to bubble fatigue. I personally find it laughable that they think of it as an excuse; everyone had the choice whether or not to take a break before the T20WC. It's quite stupid to talk about fatigue during the T20WC, showing that they did not even prioritize this event.

Tbf to the side, I do not think Kohli and co have used the IPL and bubble as an exhaustion, only our fans have and it is a ridiculous excuse. What about all the kiwis, brits and aussies playing in the IPL? I guess they are immune to the bubbles? Utter nonsense!