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[VIDEOS] The Babar Azam declaration on Day 5 - Courageous or Misguided?

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Babar's version:

From post-game presentation: "It was definitely a brave declaration as we wanted to see a result, but the light wasn't good enough"

From his presser:

"I had said before that we wil try and get a result and we took a chance"

"Anything can happen when you do that and this is cricket where anything can happen"

"Saud and Wasim Jr put up a good partnership and after that it came into my mind that we can declare the innings"

"I am sure you must have enjoyed it, and everyone was surprised by this decision but in the back of our minds, the idea was to take a chance because when you do that, anything can happen"

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Tim Southee's view

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==

My view:

I don't have a problem with that but a declaration has to be done with a view to win the game. If that was the case then what was the point of bowling the first few overs with defensive fields? Shouldn't a better way been to surround the batters with catchers and pressure them?

As we saw, one or 2 overs of +10 runs and the smiles disappeared from Babar's face and there was panic. Thank God for the light meter.
 
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I would say courageous, too many times we seen him, to be too timid or too defensive, however I do agree with what is mentioned above as well, if the intent was to declare and try to win the game, the first few overs, or even all the remaining overs should have had more of an attacking field.

Even if we lost, i would have not minded, but the intent should be their, you took the courage, to declare, now have the courage to play with an attacking field, and look to strike with each ball. In the end bad light has saved Pakistan.
 
I sympathise with him today. It was the wrong decision completely but you can tell it was made from desperation and a complete lack of guidance.

Pakistan always seem to think they can copy paste solutions from other countries. This was our attempt at Bazball but it was made with no thought or purpose. Just aggression purely for the sake of it. The strategy was just blindly hoping that it would somehow replicate England's success over the years despite it being impossible in this game.

Our cricket is devoid of ideas and intelligence from top to bottom.

Babar needs to either be put out of his misery immediately or have an arm put around him and given help.

Leaving him to it while the new regime beds in and flexes its muscles is just a recipe for disaster.

Else the confusion of the regime will result in a lack of clarity for the team and an already clueless captain trying to think outside the box to save his own skin.
 
Complete stupid bravado scam... unless he thought he was ben stokes captaining eng against Pakistan (even then, it would have been a dorky call)... it was sheer stupid... this call would have been only good if NZ (from their pov) had won... which they prob would have if not for the bad light, otherwise we all saw the faces of babar and qudrat ka nizam.... this team is hopeless... and wait till the nutty selector goes from interim to full on...
 
Their was no chance of a result, when Babar declared. He tried to fool people into thinking he was making an aggressive declaration.

Their was barely half an hour left (considering the light problems). How could NZ chase 140 in 30 minutes of play. If Babar was serious about trying his luck at winning the game. He should have declared after Wasim JR got out.
 
Idiotic and shameful, Almost looked like he was trying to throw the game away.

He wanted a result? Lets be real were pakistan going to take 10 wickets in 15 overs? Or did he think if NZ didnt chase the total in 15 overs then pakistan would have been declared the winners.

Hansie Cronje type declaration if i have ever seen one.
 
Pseudo-aggressive move which almost came back to bite the rear end. In the end, had to save by the light meter. Classic Egg on Face situation.
 
ICC needs to investigate this. It was a blatant attempt at throwing the game away.

Sethi needs to sack Babar for this.
 
But but he got a pretty 160 then went missing in the 2nd innings please he's so amazing......
 
More than Babar this reflects poorly on the management, iare they not able to knock any sense into Babar? What is Saqlain's job role?
 
Mamoon said:
ICC needs to investigate this. It was a blatant attempt at throwing the game away.

Sethi needs to sack Babar for this.
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Lol babar is not a fool. He already knew only 8-10 overs were gonna be bowled. He declared there to give some entertainment to the crowd. Don't always take everything negatively.
 
It was a fairly safe declaration with a small chance of a result. I dont think it was reckless. Good on Babar to give it a shot but I'm sure he knew he could always use light to bring the chase to an end
 
"It was definitely a brave declaration as we wanted to see a result, but the light wasn't good enough"

Wanted to see a result, so he was happy to see a NZ victory? Lunacy of the highest order.
 
It was a great publicity stunt because there is no way you can bowl out opposition when only 15 overs maximum were remaining in the day.

Atleast 30 overs is needed to give yourself a shot.
 
The guy is a dumb captain with absolutely no clue
 
I think too many people are getting excited about very little. There was literally no risk of Pakistan losing. Babar would've known that if New Zealand started scoring against the spinners, then bringing on the pace bowlers and slowing everything down would result in the game ending early due to light.
It was always going to be a draw after Saud and Wasim JR's innings, so they decided to inject a little fun with no risk.
 
It sounds like he was saying that the only thing he was interested in was a result, regardless of which team won. If NZ had won (which was certain had it not been for bad light) then this declaration is the only thing Babaar would ever be remembered for.
 
So he wanted to see a result in 15 overs.. he wanted NZ to win or what?!! I thought this guy was a genius but he's definitely Umar Akmal's cousin. Dumb as hell.. hope PCB can just put him out of his misery and strip off captaincy!
 
Like I said

1. Purpose of declaration is to win
2. What chances did we have of winning?
3. Why did we not go for an all-out attack if we were so sure of a win?
 
Shaka81 said:
I think too many people are getting excited about very little. There was literally no risk of Pakistan losing. Babar would've known that if New Zealand started scoring against the spinners, then bringing on the pace bowlers and slowing everything down would result in the game ending early due to light.
It was always going to be a draw after Saud and Wasim JR's innings, so they decided to inject a little fun with no risk.
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He's either posturing by displaying fake bravado or he really believes the nonsense he uttered. For our cricket sake, i hope it's the former.
 
It was a stupid and dumb declaration.

Only NZ would have won from that point.
 
It sounds like he wanted to make a brave decision and see if some sort of miracle could happen but Pakistan were never going to bowl out NZ on this pitch with these bowlers

My only question would be is if the decision was to be declare then, was Saud made aware of this? Because he did not play the last few overs like the goal was to declare. Otherwise just go all out to attack and get runs quick before putting them in to bat.

Nonetheless, it seems clear the advise Babar gets from the coaching staff is absolutely abysmal and surely a coaching change is definitely coming. Saqlain simply does not know what he is doing.
 
138 from what 15 overs? 10 at the most due to light?

Draw was the only result possible.
 
Forward Defensive Push said:
He's either posturing by displaying fake bravado or he really believes the nonsense he uttered. For our cricket sake, i hope it's the former.
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I'm willing to give him benefit of the doubt and assume he's playing up this narrative that they were going for the win for the cameras. There was never a realistic chance that either team could win. Either team could have slowed things down and used the light as a reason to end the game. It was too late for either team to push for a result but it did create some false drama as shown by the comments on this thread.
 
Worrying if this is the thinking prevailing in team management. Either this was a declaration to garner some gallery brownie points (which spectacularly failed) or captain, vc and coaching staff actually thought there was merit in this decision
 
MenInG said:
Like I said

1. Purpose of declaration is to win
2. What chances did we have of winning?
3. Why did we not go for an all-out attack if we were so sure of a win?
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Saqi and Moyo said their prayers and send Babar out saying go and hope for the best we may win this.

Lets be real everyone is thinking same thing but are choosing their words carefully to describe it.
 
The Australians have a viewpoint about Pakistan.

When they are on, they are happy and laughing and joking. But when things start to go against them, they fall apart.

Seeing the dressing room smiling and congratulating themselves reminds me of the time Misbah and Afridi used to laugh in the stands, slap each other's backs and fist pump - before promptly losing the game.

These premature celebrations are almost toddler level - very much like Neymar lifted on shoulders at half time of extra time or BDs premature fist pumps.

The dressing room declaration photo is just a veneer, for show. There is a complete lack of respect to the game, not acknowledging they have been the worse team for the entire game. It quickly falls off the moment tide turns against them - as we saw after 5 overs.

Pakistan needs a new captain and team management. This one has lost the plot.

Exhibit A: I think this game Pakistan lost.

images.jpeg
 
Lol, the guy is thoroughly incompetent. He has no basic idea what he is doing. I totally agree with Tim Southee, if winning the game was your priority then why did you have men on the boundary from ball one.

I seriously hope Najam Sethi takes this guy to task and replaces him with a more competent captain.
 
Pakistan tries to brainlessly copy other cricket countries.
Australia - 6 domestic teams, drop in pitches
England- Brave declarations
 
pratiktc said:
Worrying if this is the thinking prevailing in team management. Either this was a declaration to garner some gallery brownie points (which spectacularly failed) or captain, vc and coaching staff actually thought there was merit in this decision
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Either way, its problematic and shwos that the whole gang is incompetant.
 
cricketjoshila said:
138 from what 15 overs? 10 at the most due to light?

Draw was the only result possible.
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Devon conway is a T20 batsman. Mitchell we all saw what he could in 2021 semi final against England. He and Neesham added like 57 runs in 3 overs. He also bazballed against England in England in the test series. you could see from the batting approach of NZ.
 
Totally misguided.

Babar's 2022 Pak test team has been a disgrace.

He should be sacked from test captaincy and should play only as a test batter.

Make anyone test skipper.

Heck, pull a South Africa, and make a debutant skipper. No one can do a worse job than Babar!
 
Savak said:
Lol, the guy is thoroughly incompetent. He has no basic idea what he is doing. I totally agree with Tim Southee, if winning the game was your priority then why did you have men on the boundary from ball one.

I seriously hope Najam Sethi takes this guy to task and replaces him with a more competent captain.
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Those comments by Southee were a dagger to Babar's cricketing heart. Smiles were off when NZ hit a few big overs and panic set in. Real dumb decision and will motivate NZ more to win the series.
 
You have lost 4 tests in a row at home
You have won 1 out of the last 8 test (Losing 7)
You decided to gain a result which in reality was a chance for NZ

Ladies and gentlemen thats how dumb Babar Azam is.
 
Amjid Javed said:
You have lost 4 tests in a row at home
You have won 1 out of the last 8 test (Losing 7)
You decided to gain a result which in reality was a chance for NZ

Ladies and gentlemen thats how dumb Babar Azam is.
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It was a selfish decision to prolong his atrocious captaincy. Nothing more. Sums up Pak cricket!
 
Only playing to the gallery due to the criticism he’s gotten recently. Wanted to show he can also take decisions like Ben Stokes. But then goes on to put fielders on the boundary to confirm he has no idea what he’s doing :)))
 
This was absurd childish lunatic, and kudos to team management for supporting him
 
It was neither brave nor misguided. It was an attempt at “looking brave” knowing full well he can use the light card or time wasting tactics to get out of it.
 
The only other thing I can think this could have been motivated by is another one of his “protest tantrums”. It seems fairly obvious someone has had a quiet word that you are losing your captaincy soon - this was some kind of childish response to that.

Winners like Stokes try and win from Ball one, not some half hearted effort at the end
 
Hope there was nothing fishy about it and won't open up any investigation by ICC. There was zero chance of Pakistan's win , with some luck , NZL could have won it but bad light saved Pakistan .

Just a mindless . bizarre act. Someone could have made huge money on bet .
 
There are absolutely no parallels between the declaration of Ben stokes and BA. Stokes gave ample time for Pakistan to chase 340 in 4 sessions. Both teams had a chance to win. But in this test BA declared with NZ needing 135 odd in 15 overs knowing pretty well the full quota will not be bowled. There was no way Pak could win this match by bowling out NZ within 15 overs on a pitch that was relatively easy to bat on. The decision looked pretty poor as it almost blew back in his face when NZ started attacking for a few overs.
 
Not sure what he meant by below the belt decision here. Can someone explain?

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ex-q-zit said:
Not sure what he meant by below the belt decision here. Can someone explain?

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Everyone one knows he is not good in English. I am sure he meant "Out of the Box" here.
 
Lets assume he is being positive but there is fine line between being positive and reckless and this was just reckless broidering on stupid.
 
"Anything can happen when you do that and this is cricket where anything can happen"

Sums up his captaincy. Clueless
 
ex-q-zit said:
Not sure what he meant by below the belt decision here. Can someone explain?

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I think he means "out of the box" . Below the belt has an entirely different meaning
 
If there was any doubt it should be washed away after this declaration. We have all the evidence in front of us that shows Babar has low IQ. It’s not an insult, he’s just dim and there isn’t anything anyone can do about it. He very easily could have thrown this match away, completely ill guided and idiotic. Apart from Babar, one has to question the Pakistani think tank, were they behind the declaration or did he act alone? Regardless, I feel this was an attempt by Babar to slap the PCB and call their bluff; how low can he go before he gets sacked?
 
One of the worst decisions I have ever seen in a cricket match.

There was absolutely no justification for it whatsoever
 
TheSultan said:
It was neither brave nor misguided. It was an attempt at “looking brave” knowing full well he can use the light card or time wasting tactics to get out of it.
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Exactly this, that was what I was thinkibg at the time. You can tell by the sheepish smile on his face when he was calling the batsmen back.
 
A very risky gambit I think was to play with NZ minds. Then again the sun set quite quickly. Kiwis declared 9 down and toyed with scoreboard pressure.

I think this is the start in a change of tact. Trust the process. Perhaps.

There's a chance Australia and England are top two in World on merit on what are effectively neutral surfaces where runs matter.
 
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Was at work today so didn't see it live, but immediately thought of Hansie Cronje when I read about the declaration.

There was no chance of bowling NZ out. You'd only declare in that position if a) you are incredibly dimwitted and devoid of any cricketing sense or b) looking to throw the game.

I suspect the former, but still ICC should investigate. His cousin Umar Akmal was suspended for failing to report an approach, and these bookmakers are known for blackmailing families.

Regardless PCB should sack Babar and have an interim captain for 2nd Test.
 
Shouldn't really have to list why it was an absurd decision but let's educate some of our less knowledgeable posters here on PP.

You're not going to take ten wickets in 19 overs on a wicket where the Kiwis were struggling to get out Mo Wasim and Mir Hamza out.

The opposition were going to be the only winners in this scenario.
If Mo Wasim can score 40 odd in relatively quick time then what were the kiwis going to do?

You keep the opposition in the field for as long as you possibly can.
You don't declare and let them put their feet up early, especially after you've conceded 600 hundred runs and spent two days in the field.

Declaring when they did was literally one of the most stupid decisions ever taken
 
It was a risky and unnecessary declaration. Did Babar think they would bowl NZ out in 20 overs on a flat Karachi pitch?

NZ could've chased this down if not for bad light.
 
Ish Sodhi in his presser:

"Pakistan's declaration did not surprise me. It was a good decision. It is good that teams are getting aggressive in Test cricket."
 
This is Babar - very relieved at the end

y0wtfGR.png
 
The decision itself was disgraceful and to top it off ,Babar's post match comments about it being a brave decision was so idiotic. There was only 1 winner had the 15 overs been completed and that was NZ.
Even my 8 year would do a better presser than him. Very immature and childish.
 
Dumbest declaration I have seen for a while. The only team that could have possibly won the match after that declaration would have been New Zealand. It made zero sense. Unless he thought he could fool the public into thinking he was going for a win but really believed he could still draw anyways and get praises for being brave? Well that certainly did not work on the majority. Stupidity at its finest.
 
Courageous or misguided? Neither!

It was desperation in a bid to answer his critics!

The pressure and heat is on!
 
I think new Zealand will have a change of approach now , knowing the wicket will be dead and they can bat down to southee.
You might see a bazball approach where they go after the pakistan bowlers if the same lot are picked .
 
The intent may have been noble, but the execution was silly. It's like he wanted to prove a point.
Perhaps countries like England and New Zealand are courageous because their players don't receive the kind of scrutiny or media trial that ours do.
Dissent and activism is only beneficial when it causes a positive change within the prescribed time. Our cricketing and political elite as well as the masses need to realize this.
 
Markhor said:
Was at work today so didn't see it live, but immediately thought of Hansie Cronje when I read about the declaration.

There was no chance of bowling NZ out. You'd only declare in that position if a) you are incredibly dimwitted and devoid of any cricketing sense or b) looking to throw the game.

I suspect the former, but still ICC should investigate. His cousin Umar Akmal was suspended for failing to report an approach, and these bookmakers are known for blackmailing families.

Regardless PCB should sack Babar and have an interim captain for 2nd Test.
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Suggesting an ICC investigation is as dumb as the declaration itself.
 
oatmeal said:
I think he means "out of the box" . Below the belt has an entirely different meaning
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:)))

Pakistani players are so embarrassing. Zero communication skills, zero personality. These are the so-called ambassadors of the country. What a shame.
 
I'd like to know whose decision it was.

Surely the skipper isn't that naive to think that there was a chance of a Pakistan win.

It could have ended very very badly this.
 
MenInG said:
Ish Sodhi in his presser:

"Pakistan's declaration did not surprise me. It was a good decision. It is good that teams are getting aggressive in Test cricket."
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I agree with him. I liked this declaration.

No harm done. Was a draw anyway.

One of the most interesting talking points from this whole Test match, which let’s face it, was not exactly a classic.
 
Saj said:
I'd like to know whose decision it was.

Surely the skipper isn't that naive to think that there was a chance of a Pakistan win.

It could have ended very very badly this.
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All coaches probably had input, Moyo probably said lets go one better then Sydney 2010 and lose a game shambolically.

if pakistan had a chance of getting WTC final and this was a must win game then id maybe understand, but these are dead rubber games for pakistan.

Its clear Babar is doing what he wants till hes sacked.

Watch Rizwan come in for Shan next game, as its all a nice little Buddies act in the team at moment. No interest in team building etc..
 
Stupidest declaration ever. Then saying that he wanted to see a result was even dumber. This is not T20 and even in that format teams getting bowled out on a flat pitch is absolutely rare. Babar knew that 15 overs were not possible so he took that call. It just did not make any sense. It is a poor attempt to garner some goodwill with fans after a horrendous display through the year at home.

I wish the light was fine and NZ had won the game. That would have been a deserved result for Pakistan after a shambolic game to end the year with another loss at home. Also with Babar as captain and with this coaching staff, don't think 2023 is going to be any better.
 
MenInG said:
Ish Sodhi in his presser:

"Pakistan's declaration did not surprise me. It was a good decision. It is good that teams are getting aggressive in Test cricket."
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Obviously he said that. He couldn't have been honest about his thoughts. Even NZ would have found it absurd. No one except for Babar and the team management thinks this declaration was anything but a tactic to fool the public.
 
You cannot expect your team to take 10 wickets in 15 overs after failing to do so in ~200 overs in the previous innings.

Very strange decision - you’d hope it was a silly stunt to show the “brand of cricket” Pakistan plays and not an actual strategy the team management thought would work.
 
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