The only chance Pakistan has in the ODIs against Australia is if we bowl first

[marlonbrowndo]

We have a poor record when it comes to chasing however I don't see us winning anything if we bat first. We will crawl our way to 275 thinking it is a defendable score and Aussies will chase it down with ease on those wickets with the depth they have in their lineup. Only chance is if we bowl first and restrict them to under 330. That way our batsmen will know what to get and might just play with intent from the start. This will increase the likelihood of us winning a match from nil to slim.

 

[Slog]

Well get smashed for 350+ every innings

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Well get smashed for 350+ every innings

We have to hope what happens in the last England ODI, happens again. Good new ball and death bowling. They are chasing whatever we score so there's not a chance we can win batting first

 

[Syed1]

I expect 500 to be scored against us if they bat first.

If we bat first atleast the highest score record will be safe.

 

[Markhor]

Agreed. When you chase the maths has already been done for you and it focuses the minds of the batsmen.

When we try to set a target we're often miscalculating what a challenging total is.

 

[cricketerB94]

That 444 record is under threat.

 

[Pantani]

No way, bat first, get runs on the board and put Australia under scoreboard pressure. Azhar is in wonderful form, Sharjeel looked good too. If Pakistan can put up 320, 330 they are in with a shout of defending it.

Send Australia in however and they will score big.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

People can make an argument for both case and be convinced their stance is the right one.

Either ways, it doesn't matter.

As harsh as it may sound, 5-0 is 90% guaranteed for Aus.

Pakistan have to play out of their skins in this series to compete.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

No way, bat first, get runs on the board and put Australia under scoreboard pressure. Azhar is in wonderful form, Sharjeel looked good too. If Pakistan can put up 320, 330 they are in with a shout of defending it.

Send Australia in however and they will score big.

Best option imho.

330 runs on board may be easily chased but it does create pressure if you get a few wickets upfront.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

To be honest, Azhar being in wonderful form in BAD for Pakistan in ODIs.

 

[MMHS]

Even against SAF's fielding, AUS almost chased 370 ..... for me that's equivalent to 420 against PAK fielding.

May be, AUS will crash PAK by 150 runs, but I think, only chance is to bowl first, get 2/3 early wickets & try to get Aussies off guard - they might get all-out in 48 overs. Then Azhar/Babar has to bat out 50 overs from one end while others keeping up the pace to chase anything around <300. Batting first, even if somehow PAK puts 330, I don't think they are going to defend that against this AUS line up; which has firepower like ENG/SAF, depth like ENG but they don't choke; because unlike Poms or SAF, in Smith & Warner, they have 2 Kohli like master chaser, who can bat under pressure & play their shots. On AUS wickets, their batting is 35-40% better than any other contemporary team - next year Poms will prove me wrong, I wish.

Besides, PAK has taken few darters who doesn't turn, neither flight the ball - these spinners will come on to bat in AUS track like slower version of Imran Khan (the Jr. one). I understand the score board pressure - but for that you need genuine spinners with flight & turn - something like Shodhi showed yesterday. AUS will walk past 350, if Azhar uses 20 overs of MoHa & Imad. To everyone's surprise, I actually back Azhar to out do any PAK spinner in this series - PAK spin attack is built for UAE dross, sluggish wickets with no pace & bounce; it's worst in world on good, true, firm tracks including Afghans, who has Rashid & Nabi.

 

[Hasan123]

Knowing what we have to chase maybe be better for us. I think if we bat 1st we may just be happy with getting 270-300 which more than likely won't be enough vs this Australian batting line up.

 

[msb314]

We have a poor record when it comes to chasing however I don't see us winning anything if we bat first. We will crawl our way to 275 thinking it is a defendable score and Aussies will chase it down with ease on those wickets with the depth they have in their lineup. Only chance is if we bowl first and restrict them to under 330. That way our batsmen will know what to get and might just play with intent from the start. This will increase the likelihood of us winning a match from nil to slim.

100% agree.

If Sharjeel gets off to a fast start and Azhar is able to keep pace - we will have a good chance of chasing down anything less than 330.

Of course a lot depends on Babar and Sarfraz's form but we will be competitive. Not to mention the added firepower of Umer Akmal in the middle order.

Best ploy is to bowl first - set defensive field and aim to restrict Aus for less than 330.

 

[msb314]

Best option imho.

330 runs on board may be easily chased but it does create pressure if you get a few wickets upfront.

330 will be chased within 40 overs with our bowling attack.

All the pressure will be relieved once Wahab begins his spray gun and Rahat bowls his usual rubbish. With Australia's depth in batting and flat wickets - wickets will not bring about any pressure whatsoever.

Our best option is to bowl first and bowl defensively whilst hoping to restrict Aus for less than 330.

 

[Pakpak]

I can foresee them making 330+ if they bat first and us making 270 max, which they'll chase down within 40 overs.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Upon reflection, maybe you guys are right.

Chasing may be the lesser of the two evils provided Pakistan doesn't concede upwards of 320.

But problem is that chasing against Hazlewood, Starc & co is way more tough than some random bowlers.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Agree with the OP.

Contrary to popular opinion, I think most of the time, Pakistan has no clue about what a good total is on a wicket.

In the previous 5 years approx, there are two ways we have failed when batting first. The first one is that we lose wickets up front and can't recover well enough by the end of 50 overs to set a good enough total. The second one, that most people ignore, is when we actually have a good start and get to a score of 125/0 after 25 overs and then collapse in an attempt to increase the RR and end up with a total of 220-250.

 

[R0H1T]

Aus have never lost an ODI when Starc/Josh bowled together, was pointed out by Taylor or someone.
Try chasing against them, sometimes under light, & you'll be undone more often than not.

 

[Ellipsism]

I can foresee them making 330+ if they bat first and us making 270 max, which they'll chase down within 40 overs.

Australia will be scoring 370+ if given the opportunity to bat first.

 

[ExplicitAI]

A lot of people here are over exaggerating. We are definitely doing to lose 5-0 but that 444 record is still going to be intact. I just hope that Azhar is sacked as captain, we haven't achieved anything with him being captain.

 

[Mamoon]

We have no chance either way.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Always bat first in Australia and bowl under lights.

 

[shariqnoor]

444 is definitely under threat, especially at Perth.

Irrespective of whether we bat first or bowl first, we are losing this 5-0 barring some Australian collapse. We have shoddy bowlers who can't swing the ball and spinners who can't spin the ball. I really hope Hafeez plays all 5 matches and if he bowls, probably he'll be the only one who could contain the onslaught we are about to experience. On the batting front, there is not ONE batsmen in the team who can hit sixes consistently. We have absolutely zero death hitting prowess. ZERO!!! There's not even a single guy who could come in at the death and give you 45 off 20 balls ala Razzaq. Better for the series to be rained off.

 

[SL_Fan]

On these slabs you need out and out wicket takers, gun fielders and big hitters. Can't rely on just containing with the ball, can't afford to mess up on the field and can't get bogged down with the bat at any stage. So simple ain't it hahaha. Aus' kryptonite tho are "mystery" bowlers. Other than that pretty much nothing phases them on these tracks.

 

[Zak_Fan]

People are being a little too pessimistic. Yes Pakistani attack is crap, but no way are you conceding 400+.

 

[Hamza_]

With Azhar as captain no total seems safe. Lol

 

[AZulfi]

Our ODI team is a joke (test players playing limited overs cricket). Expect another thrashing down under

 

[Asim2Good]

As some poet said

Agar woh pooch lein hum se, tumain kis baat ka gham hai
To phir kis baat ka gham hai, agar woh pooch lein hum se

Ppl are hoping 320-330 from Pak team as its gonna b smooth ride. Have we forgotten our batting style for ODIs?
We crossed 300 once in England and that too because we had abt 150 runs partnership between Malik n Sarfraz.

Its gonna b usual 70-80/4 in first 20 overs, and total in range of 240-275 if we last full overs.

 

[street cricketer]

Would be funny if Pakistan win 1 or 2 ODIs against the odds when pretty much everyone is expecting a bloodbath.

You have to outbat Australia to win ODIs in Australia. Bowl first. It's probably the only chance.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Called it. This is the only way

 

[Hasan123]

Good call.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Called it. This is the only way

Well said mate.

It's also the reason I always want to chase against India on flat wickets. You can never defend scores lower than 300 on batting paradises against batting giants like Australia and India.

I know that we are a poor batting side but strategically it's the only way to beat these batting giants at their home.

Unfortunately Pakistanis get these things pretty late. I am sure Pak would have batted first had they won the toss.

 

[Pete Rose]

I think smith might put us in at Perth, if he wins the toss

 

[Barragan]

Good stuff from the OP.

Twice Pak have bowled first and had Aus in trouble.

 

[joly]

Would be funny if Pakistan win 1 or 2 ODIs against the odds when pretty much everyone is expecting a bloodbath.

You have to outbat Australia to win ODIs in Australia. Bowl first. It's probably the only chance.

that's what happened, first MCG win after 32 years, as good as 92 WC eh?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Good call.

 

[JaDed]

Good one,although i would back Pak to defend anything above 240 against everyside except Aus in Aus.

 

[cricwiz]

Called it. This is the only way

Batting first Pakistan does have a chance as well with lots of IFs involved:

1. If Sharjeel gets a smashing big hundred,
2. If someone else from top order also gets a big 80-90 (likes of Hafeez / Babar Azam)
3. If either of Warner or Maxwell don't make a big daddy hundred in responce

So with lots of IFs involved, Pakistan can win batting first. But mos importantly, Pakistan needs Sharjeel to make a substantial contribution now..

 

[Rayyman]

Well this toss isn't in our control so we need to know how to bat first. If we get 280+, it should be tough for Aus.

 

[MMHS]

Having said that, 3rd ODI is at WACA under lights. For this one, I would suggest batting first. The way PAK opening pair is swinging the new ball; if frenental doctor blows, AUS top order will be blown away chasing anything over 250.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

all this happened with a change in mindset, change of captaincy... even today india chased 350, but not so easily, were 63-4 and england thought the game is done, released the hook for india to pounce back.. they bowled well to kohli and loose to kedhar thinking he wont chase it like kohli... until u take the last wicket the match is not over and u need to put ur head down till the last wicket or last ball is being bowled... many a times when pak let the opposition to chase but the captain then was not as proactive as hafeez was today.... that is why it is not easy to chase against good captains like dhoni and ricky ponting, u give a sniff they will suck it to the end...it is all about being proactive and attacking without fear of losing..

 

[Rana]

I think Pakistan can restrict well if they score 260 as well

 

[Hamza_]

Having said that, 3rd ODI is at WACA under lights. For this one, I would suggest batting first. The way PAK opening pair is swinging the new ball; if frenental doctor blows, AUS top order will be blown away chasing anything over 250.

This is good suggestion. Should look to bat in the day time and score as many runs, Ideally 300 or more. And then really test them under lights

 

[MMHS]

This is good suggestion. Should look to bat in the day time and score as many runs, Ideally 300 or more. And then really test them under lights

Batting first, PAK should target to reach 180/3 in around 40th over - depending on several factors, it can be between 70 to 110 in last 10-11 overs. Coming to bat with a predetermined high target often back fires against better teams. Also, Asad is in horrible touch - Inzi to his discredit didn't select any pace bowling all rounder; hence I would say to pick Wahab for WACA over Asad.

Ideally, Yamin or Fahim would have been Perfect pick for # 7 at Waca. Last match won in AUS was at waca, where Razzak at 7 was the key. Even Sohail is a better person ck than Asad who is just one more batsman in a series of similar player from 2 to 6 - not much diversification in batting order.

 

[Hamza_]

Batting first, PAK should target to reach 180/3 in around 40th over - depending on several factors, it can be between 70 to 110 in last 10-11 overs. Coming to bat with a predetermined high target often back fires against better teams. Also, Asad is in horrible touch - Inzi to his discredit didn't select any pace bowling all rounder; hence I would say to pick Wahab for WACA over Asad.

Ideally, Yamin or Fahim would have been Perfect pick for # 7 at Waca. Last match won in AUS was at waca, where Razzak at 7 was the key. Even Sohail is a better person ck than Asad who is just one more batsman in a series of similar player from 2 to 6 - not much diversification in batting order.

Wahab is a big no. Maybe Nawaz could come in for Shafiq.

 

[Hamza_]

It's simple Asad Shafiq is not cut for ODIs.

 

[Abdullah]

Called it. This is the only way

good call but even u were not comprehending sub 270 scores. u were thinking 300 range which forces pak to attack from then get go but they havent really needed to.
in fact the bowling has been so good it probably would havd defended 280

a lot of how the game proceeds depends on warner

 

[Chief Destroyer]

I think smith might put us in at Perth, if he wins the toss

To our advantage if we can scrape to 250.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Just don't know how to set a good target. 30 short

 

[adil_909]

We should never bat first in ODIs

It's obvious we don't have the skill to hit in the last 10 overs. We should never bat first, because we will never win doing so. While chasing,we have a 50/50 shot if the bowlers do well up front. But this formula of batting first and limping to 250, 260 is just a slow painful death for everyone involved.

 

[cricketInsight]

We shouldnt bat second either because we can't chase anything over 220.

 

[Ankit007]

Two opposite threads currently open. One says Pakistan should not bat 2nd and one says Pakistan should not bat 1st. Now to whom shall Pakistani team listen... Lol

 

[Mamoon]

We can't chase anything above 250 consistently either. Toss is irrelevant, we are just not good enough to compete with the best teams consistently.

 

[adil_909]

We have to use the resources we have available, and right now, we don't have any players that can help us accelerate in the last 10 overs. It just isn't going to happen. When chasing, these same players can plan out the innings and set it up without having to go beserk, and it will work out now and then. So the choice is, bat first and lose every time or field first and win once in a while. I know which one I'd take.

 

[Syed1]

Ho sakay tou batting hi na karien.. Buhat na-umeedi hai is batting line up se.

 

[Cricketfan no 1]

WE should stop playing limited over cricket
simply not good enough to compete with Top teams, can only compete with Bangla , srilanka , Wi and lower teams

 

[Syed1]

WE should stop playing limited over cricket
simply not good enough to compete with Top teams, can only compete with Bangla , srilanka , Wi and lower teams

This has come about due to years of not inducting new batting talent. If a middle order bat is dropped a new youngster isn't given a chance instead you select TTFs like Asad and Umar. If a opener is replaced he is replaced with Shehzad (or there are calls for Salman Butt )

When was the last time some new youngster debuted for us. The last that I can think off is Babar Azam.

How will you find fresh talent if you keep bringing back discarded players?