"The pitch was difficult for batting; for me this pitch was a bowler's paradise" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

[Zeeraq]

"The pitch was difficult for batting; for me this pitch was a bowler's paradise" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

"It is true that we are struggling in the 2nd innings where we do get a good start but lose control of the match when even one wicket falls"

"We have to look at these issues as its been 2 years since the problem started in Hamilton so as a team we need to understand where we are making mistakes"

"This is the responsibility of all and this includes the coaching staff as well as players"

"For me, Azhar Ali took a clear catch and I dont know (why) the 3rd umpire thinks the ball hit the ground first"

"If you talk about other matches and look at the Virat Kohli catch - if the onfield umpire decision is out - for me its a clear catch"

"The umpires said they had more clear videos that's why they gave not out decision"

"Couple of positive points from this match included the way Babar Azam played in the first innings where he showed character and the way Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq played in the 2nd innings"

"One more positive thing is our bowling"

"If we have runs on the board our bowling has the capability to bowl them out and defend any target"

"For me both (Mohammad Abbas and Haris Sohail) are hopefully fit for the 2nd Test match, Inshallah"

"We had an opportunity and we did not capitalize on that and we lost wickets with some lose shots"

"We had an opportunity after Tea but we did not capitalize on that time and we lost too many wickets with couple of lose shots"

"So we have to see why we have a mental problem where we take on a lot of pressure"

"That's why we aren't playing well in 2nd or 4th innings"

"The pitch was difficult for batting; for me this pitch was a bowling paradise"

With the Test ending 2 days earlier, how will you use this extra time, Is rest more important or more training? "I think rest is the best"

 

[Abdullah719]

Not much insight here.

 

[barah_admi]

Says the captain who chose to bat first.................

 

[Abdullah]

Says the captain who chose to bat first.................

It wasn't the wrong decision. We had them exactly where we wanted them yesterday at tea...

 

[Gullycricket]

Saying the same things from last few months.

 

[Markhor]

No this pitch was okay if you applied yourself which you are incapable of doing.

Please announce your resignation at the end of this series.

 

[Monsee]

Bowler's paradise allowed SA to chase down a tricky target with ease, yep, that makes complete sense Mr. Kuuptaan!

Pitch had clearly eased out but when you hang your bat outside the off as if asking for biryani with a plate in your hand, what do you expect to happen?

 

[barah_admi]

It wasn't the wrong decision. We had them exactly where we wanted them yesterday at tea...

I twas when you have less than 200 on the board in your first innings.

 

[Asif321]

I think rest is the best )
Guess Sarfraz indicating towards his stepping down

 

[Ahmed216]

His batting makes every pitch look like a bowlers paradise.

He cannot even come up with something new to say . Sadly he is of no use to PCT

 

[Ahmed216]

I twas when you have less than 200 on the board in your first innings.

Do u think Pak could have chased 150+ total here to win here??

 

[Mueez]

Why did you choose batting first on this pitch then?

 

[barah_admi]

Do u think Pak could have chased 150+ total here to win here??

Could, should, would...who knows? my point is that a clever captain, or one that at least understands his team, goes with their strengths, especially in countries like SA, NZ and Eng when bowling first is often a very good start.

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail and Sarfraz has become an expert in that.

 

[Green Patriot]

Same old stuff.

 

[latecut]

So the kaptaan is happy that he got two days extra rest.

 

[Suleiman]

Karma strikes back for the people insulting bechara Kamran Akmal when Sarfraz was doing well years ago.

Is painfully obvious now Kami was 10x the batsman Sarfraz can ever hope to be. Don’t dare mention their name in the same sentence again. Don’t @ me.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

His technique is poor and confidence low.

Should be his last series as captain if we lose.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Same excuses for last 2 years, please resign sarfraz you are a joke of a player.

 

[Usman Chadda]

It's getting extremely difficult to stay positive about Sarfraz anymore.

 

[Ami]

What did you expect in South Africa with regard to the pitch?

Parathay.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Every pitch becomes difficult when Sarfraz strolls out to bat

 

[ElRaja]

which makes the middle orders shot selection even less defensible.

 

[rhony]

Do u think Pak could have chased 150+ total here to win here??

Pak is probably one of the worst chasing sides. They should always bat first

 

[Muhammad10]

You're a bowler's dream yourself.

 

[Oligochaetes]

We have to look at these issues as its been 2 years since the problem started in Hamilton so as a team we need to understand where we are making mistakes"
"This is the responsibility of all and this includes the staff as well as players"

Interesting. The cook didn't prepare good lunch I guess. This should be looked into seriously by the PCB.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

How is this a bowling's paradise? Batsman who applied themselves got some good runs. There wasn't even much seam or swing available. Basically the wicket got flatter by the day but just some poor batting by both sides meant wickets kept falling.

Totally no excuse for the shots Sarfraz, Asad and Azhar played. Horrible cricket.

Had there been some swing/seam available ala UK or NZ then Steyn, Hasan and Amir would have destroyed the batting line ups. Now it was only guys with height - Olivier and Shaheen

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Do u think Pak could have chased 150+ total here to win here??

Pak would have trembled hearing the word chase. They have some serious mental issues. The reason Sarfraz batted first.

Otherwise it's a decent wicket for guys who apply themselves and 180 could be chased. Anything above required something special.

 

[happydavy]

Interesting. The cook didn't prepare good lunch I guess. This should be looked into seriously by the PCB.

I was also surprised on reading that he's including staff, looks so bad for an international captain to say such lame things. Blame your teammates, why blame staff for it.

 

[ManFan]

He would be given leeway even if he failed if he showcased that he wants to improve.

But it’s the same mistakes in his batting over and over again.

They clearly show a lack of intent rather than application.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Sarfaraz is not digging deep within himself - he is still in denial.

Introspection time - or the selectors will do it for him.

 

[Pete Rose]

I just struggle with the idea that national cricket discourse in Pakistan whether by fans or experts is an airing of greviances about who to drop. I don’t think I have seen anything like it in any sport. There’s just not enough insight available on how/why this happens and what can be done to change it. The answer always seems to be drop people.

 

[gazza619]

I disagree. This was not a bowling paradise. Our batsmen just were too loose. We were 50 runs short in both the 1st and 2 innings

 

[KingKhanWC]

There was no other way to justify his poor low scores.

If you apply yourself with a good technique and be mentally strong runs were possible for him.

Look at Tim Paine he at least fights but Sarfraz has no fight left in his batting. Really sad to see.

 

[Usman Chadda]

There was no other way to justify his poor low scores.

If you apply yourself with a good technique and be mentally strong runs were possible for him.

Look at Tim Paine he at least fights but Sarfraz has no fight left in his batting. Really sad to see.

He is mentally shot. Doesn't look even close to the Sarfraz of 2013-2015.

 

[Nado_]

Whilst it was a bowler friendly wicket, you should not therefore gift your wicket away with stupid shots which happened with a lot of our dismissals, whilst SA managed to get a lead one could argue we gave away too many runs although QDK and Bavuma played well, shouldn’t have let Steyn and Ramada make them runs, we had a good chance to win the game but South Africa showed the difference (mainly mentally) between the better teams.

 

[KingKhanWC]

He is mentally shot. Doesn't look even close to the Sarfraz of 2013-2015.

The pressure of being captain of Pakistan has been too much for all previous skippers barring Imran Khan and Younis Khan(2009 T20). IK had no fear and heart of a lion, while Younis thought T20 is fun cricket which relieved the pressure on him and the whole team with such mentality.

Sarfraz is an emotional guy by nature, you can see this by the way he chirps, motivates and rants behind the stumps. When Pakistan are trouble the emotions under pressure are too much for him when holding the bat. Being captain he feels he can get away with scoring nothing so bottles it and heads back to the dressing room.

I dont see wicketkeeping as doing a job for Pakistan if you cant score runs too in this day and age. Tough calls needs to be made regarding his test future.

 

[Zaz]

this in no way was a really difficlut pitch

as babar masood and imam showed if you play sensibly and bat with a solid intent and application runs can be made on this

sarffraz needs to stop with the excuses, he needs to drop his mates and knuckle down himself before he loses his captaincy and place in the team

 

[hitthestump]

Safaraz has nothing left to give at this point. No insight, no plan, no clue.

 

[Ahsanax]

For all those who are asking Sarfraz to resign, they should also mention who should be the next captain!
I mean clearly the Asad Shafiq(vice captain) is not the one who can replace sarfraz as people want him to be dropped, Azhar on the other hand has already be rejected because of his previous stint. And those who are mentioning Baber Azam, well Test captaincy demands experience which clearly no one in the current squad has. So who??

 

[Mamoon]

He is mentally shot. Doesn't look even close to the Sarfraz of 2013-2015.

Sarfraz got sporadic opportunities from 2008 to 2013 and never cemented his place in the team, even though the WK slot was up for grabs.

Kamran’s place was never secure after Sydney, and Adnan was always a temporary solution. In-between, we had Zulqarnain as well before he ran.

Out of all these options, Sarfraz was the least impressive candidate. He was a complete failure with the bat and did not inspire any confidence.

If we put his whole career into perspective, he he has been an abject failure barring a two year purple patch. This explains everything. People should not be surprised with the fact that he has lost it.

 

[Usman Chadda]

The pressure of being captain of Pakistan has been too much for all previous skippers barring Imran Khan and Younis Khan(2009 T20). IK had no fear and heart of a lion, while Younis thought T20 is fun cricket which relieved the pressure on him and the whole team with such mentality.

Sarfraz is an emotional guy by nature, you can see this by the way he chirps, motivates and rants behind the stumps. When Pakistan are trouble the emotions under pressure are too much for him when holding the bat. Being captain he feels he can get away with scoring nothing so bottles it and heads back to the dressing room.

I dont see wicketkeeping as doing a job for Pakistan if you cant score runs too in this day and age. Tough calls needs to be made regarding his test future.

YK was not that much of a better captain than Sarfraz, waise. We lost the ODI and Test series against Sri Lanka right after the WT20, and also an ODI series against NZ subsequently.

Imran and, Misbah in Tests, are probably the only captains with good standing in our history.

 

[BreadPakoda]

More than anything Sarfaraz needs technical advise. His batting stance has regressed. He looks like a tailender when he bats.
And what’s up with Yasir? He used to be a decent lower order batsman. Now he’s giving competition to Chris Martin.

 

[Ahmed216]

Pak would have trembled hearing the word chase. They have some serious mental issues. The reason Sarfraz batted first.

Otherwise it's a decent wicket for guys who apply themselves and 180 could be chased. Anything above required something special.

Yes the game at this level requires executing your skills under pressure, being able to do the basics well throughout the game, fourth innings or any innings.
Unfortunately , most Pak batters now think about defeat regardless of how good or bad match situation is.
They are selfish, only care about place in the side,have no passion and determination to win games for the country

 

[CricVet]

As i have said before the series, this bowling line is capable of UPSETTING SA if we score at least a combined score of 450 in 2 innings. If we can't, we have no hope.

I did not get the chance to follow this series closely for work but, why Faheem did not play is beyond me. he is an automatic selection inthis Pathetic batting line + adds balance to the bowling line. Yasir is pathetic overseas. I am sure Shadab would do much better and add some needed depth in the batting. Without these 2, we WILL lose the series 3-0 no doubt. This batting line is GUTLESS.

 

[KingKhanWC]

YK was not that much of a better captain than Sarfraz, waise. We lost the ODI and Test series against Sri Lanka right after the WT20, and also an ODI series against NZ subsequently.

Imran and, Misbah in Tests, are probably the only captains with good standing in our history.

Younis only as skipper for the T20 2009 Cup, he was cool as you like. Just this occasion and IK are the only cool headed captains we have ever had who could handle pressure. Misbah was ok but many times played some silly shot or made a daft decision in the field as captain.

The job of Pakistan captain has more pressure than any other team imo.

 

[sjahmed23]

I don't think there is any solution to the mental thing. You cannot be taught to play freely with confidence, it comes naturally when you practice and focus. These guys clearly don't have it in them mentally, hardly any Pak batsmen these days shows the mental strength needed to win matches. I don't know if it is inferior complex or lack of skills, these guys simply don't have what it takes to go from strength to strength.

 

[happydavy]

Pakistan also broke the trend of teams winning toss, batting first and winning/not loosing the match. It's not funny how frequently it's happening these days. Kohli hasn't lost a single match as captain, including away matches, where he has won the toss.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Younis only as skipper for the T20 2009 Cup, he was cool as you like. Just this occasion and IK are the only cool headed captains we have ever had who could handle pressure. Misbah was ok but many times played some silly shot or made a daft decision in the field as captain.

The job of Pakistan captain has more pressure than any other team imo.

Sarfraz and YK found themselves in pretty much the same state of mind in the CT and WT20 respectively. They got thrashed so bad in the earlier stage of the tournament, that they just played without fear in the subsequent matches.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Can't help, but laugh.

Guy should step down before embarrassing himself further, with his captaincy, batting and awful statements.

 

[Boi]

YK was not that much of a better captain than Sarfraz, waise. We lost the ODI and Test series against Sri Lanka right after the WT20, and also an ODI series against NZ subsequently.

Imran and, Misbah in Tests, are probably the only captains with good standing in our history.

Can’t really compare the circumstances YK captained in to now. He had the likes of Afridi conspiring against him for captaincy and also Butt, Akmal getting up to shady business. The team culture around 09/10 was absolutely rotten.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Can’t really compare the circumstances YK captained in to now. He had the likes of Afridi conspiring against him for captaincy and also Butt, Akmal getting up to shady business.

Man-management is the captain's responsibility.

 

[Hasan123]

Rarely does he say anything that isn't from the textbook. Pathetic player and an even worse captain.

 

[Saj]

It was the sort of pitch that needed some guts and determination from batsmen. Sadly both of these were lacking from the likes of Sarfaraz.

 

[shaz619]

It was the sort of pitch that needed some guts and determination from batsmen. Sadly both of these were lacking from the likes of Sarfaraz.

The pitch isn't as bad as he is making it out to be, there is just no excuse for that spectacular collapse. I think we were about 100-1 at one point ? the openers have the toughest job at the top but they set the tone for the rest yet they never capitalised on our momentum. Sarfraz has been shell shocked for a while now, he hasn't woken up from the coma. Desperately needs time away from the game and from Biryani as well in the ideal world.

 

[Bilal7]

He's under massive pressure and I feel sorry for the poor guy. Hopefully, he rests himself for the second game or if that is unfeasible, uses all his skill and mental toughness to play a couple of good innings.

 

[Zaz]

what i dont understand is why cant he knuckle down and put a price on his wicket

any other captain would lead by example Yes he may not be in the best of forms but the least he can do is scrap it out and let the opposition get him out Dont gift your wicket Get the 20-30runs the team needs in a low scoring game however ugly Sarfraz though seems to be lately going down the afridi route of just throwing his bat and exempting himself I mean who plays a shot like he did 2nd or third ball Gifting your wicket when your team is in the middle of a collapse

Either he cant handle the pressure or he doesnt care enough

 

[moghul]

In the days gone by, cricketer captains in Pakistan used to have some dignity, they used to step down after series of personal and teams defeats, not now. Look at this person, he still talking after shameful performance as player and captain, series after series.

 

[Boi]

Man-management is the captain's responsibility.

So you’re saying YK was at fault for the fact that snakes like Afridi got a significant group of players to conspire against the captain, taking oaths and intentionally under-perform?

You could say that Younis was quite the drama queen when it came to matters relating to captaincy but I don’t think it’s fair to judge him as a poor captain based on all that happened during his tenure.

 

[AAli98]

If the pitch was for bowlers why did you bat first?

Sarfraz & co are so bad even if SA gave them a 50 run & 3 wckt head start they will still find a way to lose.. never mind a even start.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Safraz has been a national embarrassment of a test captain and should be dropped immediately but the one thing I won't hold against him is the decision at the toss. That was a good call. A horrifying collapse as per usual and rotten luck in the fourth innings is what led us to defeat, not the decision to bat first.

 

[dani594]

Go mickey go go sarfaraz go go inzi go

"It is true that we are struggling in the 2nd innings where we do get a good start but lose control of the match when even one wicket falls"

"We have to look at these issues as its been 2 years since the problem started in Hamilton so as a team we need to understand where we are making mistakes"

"This is the responsibility of all and this includes the coaching staff as well as players"

"For me, Azhar Ali took a clear catch and I dont know (why) the 3rd umpire thinks the ball hit the ground first"

"If you talk about other matches and look at the Virat Kohli catch - if the onfield umpire decision is out - for me its a clear catch"

"The umpires said they had more clear videos that's why they gave not out decision"

"Couple of positive points from this match included the way Babar Azam played in the first innings where he showed character and the way Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq played in the 2nd innings"

"One more positive thing is our bowling"

"If we have runs on the board our bowling has the capability to bowl them out and defend any target"

"For me both (Mohammad Abbas and Haris Sohail) are hopefully fit for the 2nd Test match, Inshallah"

"We had an opportunity and we did not capitalize on that and we lost wickets with some lose shots"

"We had an opportunity after Tea but we did not capitalize on that time and we lost too many wickets with couple of lose shots"

"So we have to see why we have a mental problem where we take on a lot of pressure"

"That's why we aren't playing well in 2nd or 4th innings"

"The pitch was difficult for batting; for me this pitch was a bowling paradise"

With the Test ending 2 days earlier, how will you use this extra time, Is rest more important or more training? "I think rest is the best"

New management new captain new team

 

[Chrish]

SA wickets overly favor the bowlers.. This isn't good because it often creates lottery element for the result.

England IMO has the most ideal balance between bat and ball.

 

[jnaveen1980]

After scoring 0 & 0 saying this will be viewed as an excuse.

 

[Boi]

Was hoping Shafiq would come out at the PC and tell us again that it isn’t the end of the world

 

[mastersaan10]

How did sarfraz find out the pitch was bad if he was only there for like 7 balls?