The way forward in Test Cricket at home?

[Rana]

The way forward in Test Cricket at home? (Post Babar Azam)

So here is the question. It may have been one session and one spell of madness or brilliance, but after a very long time…Pakistan cricket has looked threatening at home and able to compete with a top side. This was largely down to the fact as you all saw how one or two spinners clawed their way into the game and caused all sorts of problems for the opposition.

This is Pakistan playing it’s best cricket, that too after a long, long time! This is how we should and want to go forward? Dust bowls, rough and dry pitches bringing our spinners into the game and hopefully Seamers with a chance to reverse?

What does this mean though? We will have to invest in the best players of spin bowling in Pakistan in order to counter the threat posed by the opponents who can also floor us on the same decks. Who are those batsmen? Kamran Ghulam was a good addition, Salman Agha and Saud Shaqeel are two good batters of spin, we have seen that in the past.

Tayyab Tahir is another name that comes to mind, the man is a far better player of spin than he is at pace. Who else do you suggest? Are you convinced Babar Azam would fit into this plan of spinning decks?

You want to create a fortress at home, you must be brave to play the way you have so far in this Test match!

 

[emranabbas]

1) players selected based on domestic perfomance FC only not PSL

2) pitches made to exploit oppositions weakness and that play pakistans strength

3) no player is bigger than the team

 

[Kianig89]

Do not jump the gun.

Pakistan 366
Eng 239/6

By no means Eng are under the pump, infact Pakistan 2nd innings will decide the fate of this game.

So.for any way forward Pakistan need to win this game to set a template, otherwise its try try until you fail

 

[Rana]

Do not jump the gun.

Pakistan 366
Eng 239/6

By no means Eng are under the pump, infact Pakistan 2nd innings will decide the fate of this game.

So.for any way forward Pakistan need to win this game to set a template, otherwise its try try until you fail

I’m not jumping the gun, I’m talking about playing the best cricket you can at home. Anyone who has followed Pakistan cricket closely would agree that Pakistan played its best cricket today at home after years!

 

[mominsaigol]

So here is the question. It may have been one session and one spell of madness or brilliance, but after a very long time…Pakistan cricket has looked threatening at home and able to compete with a top side. This was largely down to the fact as you all saw how one or two spinners clawed their way into the game and caused all sorts of problems for the opposition.

This is Pakistan playing it’s best cricket, that too after a long, long time! This is how we should and want to go forward? Dust bowls, rough and dry pitches bringing our spinners into the game and hopefully Seamers with a chance to reverse?

What does this mean though? We will have to invest in the best players of spin bowling in Pakistan in order to counter the threat posed by the opponents who can also floor us on the same decks. Who are those batsmen? Kamran Ghulam was a good addition, Salman Agha and Saud Shaqeel are two good batters of spin, we have seen that in the past.

Tayyab Tahir is another name that comes to mind, the man is a far better player of spin than he is at pace. Who else do you suggest? Are you convinced Babar Azam would fit into this plan of spinning decks?

You want to create a fortress at home, you must be brave to play the way you have so far in this Test match!

It's been a KG and Sajid Don show.

That's it, Just these 2. Plain and simple.

Add jamal to the list, pcb isn't utilising him properly as he's expected to bat + bowl which is unfair, but he's also been fit and attentive in the field and has come through when utilised properly like he was against australia.

It's a hard hard reminder and a huge slap into the Misbah fandom's face.

This is why you take hard working people who are passionate about representing their country over lazy nepo babies.

So far

1) Sajid
2) Agha
3) Kamran
4) Jamal

^^ These 4 are playing for the pride of their country and it shows, hence why I have not said a single word about them. Idc about quality, I care about the pride of the nation which sadly only 4 out of 15 have been doing so far.

You can add nouman chavha as well, he's old but gotta give credit to his attitude towards his country

 

[Kianig89]

I’m not jumping the gun, I’m talking about playing the best cricket you can at home. Anyone who has followed Pakistan cricket closely would agree that Pakistan played its best cricket today at home after years!

Yes huge numbers are following Pakistan cricket no need to worry about that, cannot see anything extravagant today infact Pakistan had Bangladesh at 26/6, Pakistan scored 556 in their 1st innings recently

 

[Rana]

Yes huge numbers are following Pakistan cricket no need to worry about that, cannot see anything extravagant today infact Pakistan had Bangladesh at 26/6, Pakistan scored 556 in their 1st innings recently

So what is the way forward? You need a solution. You can’t keep going like this, you will lose your Test status

 

[RidiculousMan]

So here is the question. It may have been one session and one spell of madness or brilliance, but after a very long time…Pakistan cricket has looked threatening at home and able to compete with a top side. This was largely down to the fact as you all saw how one or two spinners clawed their way into the game and caused all sorts of problems for the opposition.

This is Pakistan playing it’s best cricket, that too after a long, long time! This is how we should and want to go forward? Dust bowls, rough and dry pitches bringing our spinners into the game and hopefully Seamers with a chance to reverse?

What does this mean though? We will have to invest in the best players of spin bowling in Pakistan in order to counter the threat posed by the opponents who can also floor us on the same decks. Who are those batsmen? Kamran Ghulam was a good addition, Salman Agha and Saud Shaqeel are two good batters of spin, we have seen that in the past.

Tayyab Tahir is another name that comes to mind, the man is a far better player of spin than he is at pace. Who else do you suggest? Are you convinced Babar Azam would fit into this plan of spinning decks?

You want to create a fortress at home, you must be brave to play the way you have so far in this Test match!

Pakistan also have to keep in mind going forward that for overseas tour they need players who do well on bouncy and seaming wickets. To not just now become too conditioned to spin wickets.

Like there should be players in the pool for both home and overseas tours.

 

[Buffet]

Have entire series on one pitch.

 

[Kianig89]

So what is the way forward? You need a solution. You can’t keep going like this, you will lose your Test status

We need to wait for this game to finish , only then one can make a judgement. Plan should should be to bowl Eng under 300 and bat positively, the catch is Eng scored at a high rate so Pakistan will need alot of runs in their second innings to have a good chance

 

[Rana]

Pakistan also have to keep in mind going forward that for overseas tour they need players who do well on bouncy and seaming wickets. To not just now become too conditioned to spin wickets.

Like there should be players in the pool for both home and overseas tours.

Well, this thread is about what is in our control (our home pitches and our strategy at home).

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

So here is the question. It may have been one session and one spell of madness or brilliance, but after a very long time…Pakistan cricket has looked threatening at home and able to compete with a top side. This was largely down to the fact as you all saw how one or two spinners clawed their way into the game and caused all sorts of problems for the opposition.

This is Pakistan playing it’s best cricket, that too after a long, long time! This is how we should and want to go forward? Dust bowls, rough and dry pitches bringing our spinners into the game and hopefully Seamers with a chance to reverse?

What does this mean though? We will have to invest in the best players of spin bowling in Pakistan in order to counter the threat posed by the opponents who can also floor us on the same decks. Who are those batsmen? Kamran Ghulam was a good addition, Salman Agha and Saud Shaqeel are two good batters of spin, we have seen that in the past.

Tayyab Tahir is another name that comes to mind, the man is a far better player of spin than he is at pace. Who else do you suggest? Are you convinced Babar Azam would fit into this plan of spinning decks?

You want to create a fortress at home, you must be brave to play the way you have so far in this Test match!

Rana you made a excellent point pak actually played their best cricket at home so they should get the template that always prepare spin pitches like this one in multan toss is a lottery here atleast with this pak has their best chance of winning a test match and not to forget with kamran ghulam addition pak actually got good players of spin likes of agha and saud.

 

[Rana]

Rana you made a excellent point pak actually played their best cricket at home so they should get the template that always prepare spin pitches like this one in multan toss is a lottery here atleast with this pak has their best chance of winning a test match and not to forget with kamran ghulam addition pak actually got good players of spin likes of agha and saud.

You build on what you know is best for you.

This is Pakistan’s chance to realise their best potential

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

You build on what you know is best for you.

This is Pakistan’s chance to realise their best potential

So true bro i am really happy that pak at last realised to beat england you need pitch that turn and i want to ask you one thing can pak get similar spin pitch in pindi is it possible?

 

[Rana]

So true bro i am really happy that pak at last realised to beat england you need pitch that turn and i want to ask you one thing can pak get similar spin pitch in pindi is it possible?

Well, they have to be on it now.

Pindi curators will roll out what you want them to roll out, but it can’t be last minute planning. If it means that you have to prepare a wicket now and let it deteriorate to the point where it offers spin, so be it.

If they leave it last minute, they will probably end up with another one that doesn’t break till day 4

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Well, they have to be on it now.

Pindi curators will roll out what you want them to roll out, but it can’t be last minute planning. If it means that you have to prepare a wicket now and let it deteriorate to the point where it offers spin, so be it.

If they leave it last minute, they will probably end up with another one that doesn’t break till day 4

Ya great reading of the game rana so now pak should tell that pindi curator prepare a pitch that take spin from day 1.

 

[emranabbas]

So true bro i am really happy that pak at last realised to beat england you need pitch that turn and i want to ask you one thing can pak get similar spin pitch in pindi is it possible?

Pak always knew they need such pitches to beat teams like England and Australia at home

Thats how we were doing it in UAE

Then along came rameez raja and started laying pitches so babar azam could average higher than what he's worth

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Pak always knew they need such pitches to beat teams like England and Australia at home

Thats how we were doing it in UAE

Then along came rameez raja and started laying pitches so babar azam could average higher than what he's worth

Ya true pak always knew with misbah always imploying spinners in uae and winning games but why ramiz went that way did he not wanted pak to win series vs sena teams can you tell me on that?

 

[Markhor]

The question is how to prepare similar pitches at other venues ? We'll be back to square one on a fresh strip in Pindi.

If used pitches are the way to go, then perhaps one option is to schedule the FC season alongside our home Tests. In other words ensure a FC game is played on the same surface you'll use for the Test.

 

[Buffet]

The question is how to prepare similar pitches at other venues ? We'll be back to square one on a fresh strip in Pindi.

If used pitches are the way to go, then perhaps one option is to schedule the FC season alongside our home Tests. In other words ensure a FC game is played on the same surface you'll use for the Test.

That may work.

I am not sure curators know how to prepare non flat tracks if track is fresh.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

The question is how to prepare similar pitches at other venues ? We'll be back to square one on a fresh strip in Pindi.

If used pitches are the way to go, then perhaps one option is to schedule the FC season alongside our home Tests. In other words ensure a FC game is played on the same surface you'll use for the Test.

So you are saying pak cant get spin pitch in pindi?

 

[Rana]

The question is how to prepare similar pitches at other venues ? We'll be back to square one on a fresh strip in Pindi.

If used pitches are the way to go, then perhaps one option is to schedule the FC season alongside our home Tests. In other words ensure a FC game is played on the same surface you'll use for the Test.

This is what I was thinking as well. It might actually be a good ploy to have two A and B sides play an FC match on the strip a couple of weeks before the game. You can also develop players this way and maybe even find someone who you may think is suited for that strip.

Sounds a bit farcical but it looks like the only solution if you don’t know how else to prepare worn out pitches

 

[Buffet]

This is what I was thinking as well. It might actually be a good ploy to have two A and B sides play an FC match on the strip a couple of weeks before the game. You can also develop players this way and maybe even find someone who you may think is suited for that strip.

Sounds a bit farcical but it looks like the only solution if you don’t know how else to prepare worn out pitches

Have barbed wires and rollers 8-10 times. Can't be that hard.

 

[Rana]

Have barbed wires and rollers 8-10 times. Can't be that hard.

Yeah you can’t be sure that the pitch becomes too dangerous for players. Have to follow conventional methods of curating.

 

[Buffet]

Yeah you can’t be sure that the pitch becomes too dangerous for players. Have to follow conventional methods of curating.

It was just tongue in cheek comment.

 

[zarak]

The question is how to prepare similar pitches at other venues ? We'll be back to square one on a fresh strip in Pindi.

If used pitches are the way to go, then perhaps one option is to schedule the FC season alongside our home Tests. In other words ensure a FC game is played on the same surface you'll use for the Test.

just prep them in advance and allow them to bake

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I've only really seen us winning in three conditions.

Pitches that are conducive to spin but not rank turners - i.e UAE style.

Pitches that are phattas but the ball can be roughed up and reverse swing comes into play.

Pitches like England.

We don't have the bowlers for option 2. We don't have the batting to compete in option 3. So we need to try and replicate UAE conditions as much as possible imo

 

[MHN1293]

I've only really seen us winning in three conditions.

Pitches that are conducive to spin but not rank turners - i.e UAE style.

Pitches that are phattas but the ball can be roughed up and reverse swing comes into play.

Pitches like England.

We don't have the bowlers for option 2. We don't have the batting to compete in option 3. So we need to try and replicate UAE conditions as much as possible imo

This pitch has played very much like those UAE pitches. However this is a day 7 pitches. They need to make these pitches from day 1

 

[Cricket Warrior]

start using a 10 days used wicket so ur spinners can get some turn

 

[JattMaula]

Play 2 proper pacers and 2 proper spinners. Make result wickets, Spin or Pace.

And most importantly

Unleash the Sajid!

 

[Kianig89]

This might end up egg faced hold your horses, Shafiq Saim Shan Shakeel Rizwan doesn't inspire much confidence given the degrees ball is turning

 

[Mockingbird]

This might end up egg faced hold your horses, Shafiq Saim Shan Shakeel Rizwan doesn't inspire much confidence given the degrees ball is turning

Whatever it is, you can’t shield your batsmen forever. If they fail, it’s on them but atleast you are backing your bowlers to take 20 wickets. Besides it’s not like your batsmen have ever won you matches on docile, highway tracks, is it?

 

[Kianig89]

Whatever it is, you can’t shield your batsmen forever. If they fail, it’s on them but atleast you are backing your bowlers to take 20 wickets. Besides it’s not like your batsmen have ever won you matches on docile, highway tracks, is it?

Not undermining the effort of bowlers but cricket is a team game , what benefit is this way forward if we end up losing again.

 

[Mockingbird]

Not undermining the effort of bowlers but cricket is a team game , what benefit is this way forward if we end up losing again.

What have you got to lose anyway? Atleast you are boosting confidence in your bowlers, who have now been sidelined for so long for the sake of Babar Azam’s personal records.

 

[Buffet]

Not undermining the effort of bowlers but cricket is a team game , what benefit is this way forward if we end up losing again.

If side can pick up 20 wickets then it can win. Without that at best it could be a draw.

 

[Kianig89]

What have you got to lose anyway? Atleast you are boosting confidence in your bowlers, who have now been sidelined for so long for the sake of Babar Azam’s personal records.

Good earlier we boosted the confidence of our batters now its bowlers turn. Thank you

 

[Mockingbird]

Good earlier we boosted the confidence of our batters now its bowlers turn. Thank you

Boosting confidence of your batsmen got you nowhere. Test matches are won by taking 20 wickets, not by runs you make on a placid wicket.

 

[Kianig89]

Boosting confidence of your batsmen got you nowhere. Test matches are won by taking 20 wickets, not by runs you make on a placid wicket.

Let's see if our batters can make 250 in second innings.

 

[shaz619]

You need players who are good against spin and in decent knick, more importantly have the spirit to play for Pakistan.

That means you can’t have Babar Azam or Rizwan, sorry.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

start using a 10 days used wicket so ur spinners can get some turn

Lol... I guess we got the recipe for CT 2025 also.

 

[topspin]

Pakistan needs to follow India's approach and prepare a traditional subcontinent wicket. Good days to bat on days 1 and 2, where there's slow turn (sufficient for quality spinners). Days 4 to 5 should be a nightmare to bat on. Day 3 can be an even-ish contest between bat and ball.

 

[TheSultan]

I don’t like this one bit really.

I don’t watch cricket to watch non stop spin bowlers. Yes one or two spinners fine to form a balanced attack.

As bad as our pacers have been and they have been bad, can we at least give them something to work with. In this match they would have got some reverse but they didn’t pick any apart from the bowling allrounder.

 

[kron]

Pak always knew they need such pitches to beat teams like England and Australia at home

Thats how we were doing it in UAE

Then along came rameez raja and started laying pitches so babar azam could average higher than what he's worth

I think ramiz is not pakistani. If he was then he would have had made pitches that suit pakistan. He should be deported to Dubai or some other crap hole in gulf.

 

[moghul]

You need players who are good against spin and in decent knick, more importantly have the spirit to play for Pakistan.

That means you can’t have Babar Azam or Rizwan, sorry.

Those players don't exist in Pakistan .

 

[moghul]

Play a 4 day FC match and then use the same pitch for test, lol.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Play a 4 day FC match and then use the same pitch for test, lol.

Agreed. The only formula that has worked so far in last 3-4 years in Pakistan.