Was Babar Azam's decision to bowl first influenced by media hype?

[Mamoon]

Since the first game, the delusional Pakistani media have consistently peddled the narrative that Indian batsmen cannot play Shaheen, best bowling this and that.

Shaheen is a class bowler and India has a class batting lineup. Sometimes, Shaheen will dominate and sometimes, he will be dominated.

Indian batsmen have dominated Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Boult etc. and they have also been dominated by them. Same will be the story with Shaheen. He has not been sent from the heavens or possesses special skills that Indian batsmen cannot handle.

Pakistan has closed the gap over the last couple of years. India knows it and the whole world knows it. There is no need to go overboard. Unfortunately, Pakistan has suffered so much because of India over the last decade and the inferiority complex has been so strong that they cannot digest their success - or their revival - with dignity and class.

By telling everyone that India cannot play Shaheen or that they have no answer to our so-called best bowling in the world, you are putting Shaheen and the rest of the bowlers under unnecessary burden and pressure.

When Babar won the toss yesterday and shot himself in the foot by bowling first, I can't help but think that this decision was influenced by all the hype created by the media and also it was fueled by fear of what the reaction would be if Pakistan were to struggle with the bat.

Had Pakistan opted to bat first and struggled, Babar would have been ripped to shreds by the media who would have claimed that he should have trusted the guy who India cannot apparently play and the best bowling attack and how India would have been reduced to 50-4 again.

I feel for Shaheen - he will get trolled left, right and center by the Indian fans and media after this game for no fault of his. He never claimed India cannot play him. Surely, he doesn't believe that. He never did. He knows how good their batting is but it is very disappointing when your own media and fans put you in a position from where you will inevitably fall hard.

This treatment of Shaheen and Pakistani bowlers was necessary for the media and the fans to pipe it down. Best bowling this and that means nothing. Learn to digest victory and defeat with dignity and hope and pray that your team proves to be on the better team on the day.

Anyone can play anyone. It all depends on who turns up on the day. Pakistani media and fans deserve this humiliation and I hope that the players can brush this aside and forget about it tomorrow.

 

[MenInG]

Welcome back

There was too much talk of the Pakistan bowling attack but I really hope this did not influence his decision!

 

[aukhan]

I think Babar thought Shaheen could replicate the same performance today. This is just typical of Babar. His lack of brain cells is visible when he talks to the media.

 

[The_KING]

Shaheen is overrated. Yes, he is a quality bowler but people make it seem like he is Wasim Akram 2.0. Expecting Shaheen to constantly get the better of Sharma, Kohli is delusional.

 

[Marooned]

Don't know about the hype influencing babar part, but the decision to bowl 1st was certainly braindead. He is a very poor captain and makes you pull out your hair sometimes.

 

[pillionrider]

I feel for Shaheen - he will get trolled left, right and center by the Indian fans and media after this game for no fault of his. He never claimed India cannot play him. Surely, he doesn't believe that. He never did. He knows how good their batting is but it is very disappointing when your own media and fans put you in a position from where you will inevitably fall hard.

That's not entirely true.

Indian fans remember him mimicking how he got our batsmen out while fielding on the boundary in the game following the one where Pakistan broke India's WC hold on them.

Now every time he gets a thrashing, he will be trolled till the end of his career and even after he retires. He is respected by most of us, no doubt, but these things won't be forgotten.

 

[Marooned]

That's not entirely true.

Indian fans remember him mimicking how he got our batsmen out while fielding on the boundary in the game following the one where Pakistan broke India's WC hold on them.

Now every time he gets a thrashing, he will be trolled till the end of his career and even after he retires. He is respected by most of us, no doubt, but these things won't be forgotten.

His ball will talk more. He will give you back plenty, don't you worry

 

[ExpressPacer]

Shaheen is overrated. Yes, he is a quality bowler but people make it seem like he is Wasim Akram 2.0. Expecting Shaheen to constantly get the better of Sharma, Kohli is delusional.

Even Wasim wouldn’t be able to do that. To get the better of great batsman every time is not possible.

 

[Extra_Cover]

I agree with OP. To add to that there are 2 further factors taken into considerations when Babar opted to field first.

1. Recent history of chasing vs India - Pakistan has had some success recently against India and that has come when Pakistan has chased against them. Also in the first game Pakistan had India on the ropes early on which again suggests chasing is more comfortable against India.

2. Virat the chaser factor - We all know Virat is an ATG who goes into super beast mode when chasing against Pakistan recent example is that freak innings in T20WC. To eliminate that factor its best to have India bat first.

 

[Devadwal]

Shaheen is overrated. Yes, he is a quality bowler but people make it seem like he is Wasim Akram 2.0. Expecting Shaheen to constantly get the better of Sharma, Kohli is delusional.

He is a class bowler but Pakistan fan's / media overrated him .he is not going to take wickets in every game like Pakistan fan's think .so it's not Shaheen fault rather than fan's

 

[ExpressPacer]

Shaheen is absolutely class.

 

[Jazx]

No doubt, Shaheen is a world class bowler but overhyping him to such an extent that he is unplayable is laughable. No bowler or batsman is good up to that level. Everyone has his good and bad day.

 

[F16]

I do not know what made Babar Azam to bolw first after winning the toss but my feeling is that PAK was highly over confident ( not juatthe Pak team but the Pak Media Pak fans etc ) and felt that their pace bolwers will rattle the Indian batsmen and reduce them to single digit scores etc etc and this match proved it horribly wrong and they must be in shock . Having said that I feel every team is a good team and if they take their opponents seriously and give their very best will end up winning that match .Even if India wins this match I feel there is nothing big for Indians to feel too elated and they must just treat it as just another win and be prepared for a totally different outcome in their next match with Pak .SO Bottomline - EVERY MATCH IS DIFFERENT and do not get too ealted if you win or too dejected if you loose a match and give the very best in your next match .

 

[MenInG]

Some comments from Wahab Riaz:

"Shadab has been inconsistent. Yes, there are talks about giving confidence to the players but you give confidence to those who are new to the team. Shadab has been around for a while now and needs to understand what's expected from a player of his calibre"

"I feel this is India's strategy to bat their 50 overs and let rain come and washout the game (laughs). Jokes apart, I think even if the game had got shortened, Pakistan would have had an advantage as it would have gone in T20 mode. So any captain who would have won the toss in these conditions could have chosen to bowl first"

 

[Mamoon]

What our media fails to realize that by making such statements, you’re pressurizing no one but Shaheen.

 

[AAli98]

Should have been sacked when the likes of Eng aus nz were mauling Pak at home.. still can’t get over his idiotic decision to declare v nz

& to top it off his cowardly decision to bowl first yesterday..

 

[Mamoon]

Should have been sacked when the likes of Eng aus nz were mauling Pak at home.. still can’t get over his idiotic decision to declare v nz

& to top it off his cowardly decision to bowl first yesterday..

I can’t blame him.

Had he opted to bat and Pakistan would have faltered, the media and fans who would have called him brainless because apparently our pacers would have reduced India to 50/4.

Babar’s decision would have been criticized either way because of the hype and trash-talking done by the Pakistani media.

 

[kingusama92]

It's usually smart to bowl first in rainy conditions.

But obviously, you don't expect your bowling attack to give up 350+ with multiple guys getting injured. I think the execution deserves criticism (especially Shaheen early on) rather than the decision itself.

His on-field captaincy was weak though. Lots of mistakes.

 

[Mamoon]

It's usually smart to bowl first in rainy conditions.

But obviously, you don't expect your bowling attack to give up 350+ with multiple guys getting injured. I think the execution deserves criticism (especially Shaheen early on) rather than the decision itself.

His on-field captaincy was weak though. Lots of mistakes.

Rain-affected games are more challenging for the chasing team because the interruptions disrupt the concentration of the batsmen and the regular target revisions can make things complicated.

Pakistan got lucky in the first game. They are not going to chase the total down. Hopefully they don’t get lucky this time and suffer the royal thrashing that they richly deserve.

 

[SportsWarrior]

more than the hype, i think it was done due to Pakistan's defensive mindset. It was going to be overcast conditions and clearly they didn't want to end up with 40/3 and struggled due to DLS. I can see why they did it. it is actually easier to chase if rain is expected as it will be difficult o bowl in the second innings and you will have a clear target to focus on. Even today 187 in 20 overs would have been easier than 357 in 50 overs

 

[Farabi]

Analysis paralysis.
Decision to bat first had pros/cons. 65 out of 140ish games won by the team batting second on this ground, and Team India loves chasing.
India outplayed Pakistan on the ground. Just better plans, skills and execution from their top4 and our bowling’s soft underbelly was exposed. Lots of thinking to do.

Babar is the KING! The best batter and one of the BEST captain Pakistan has produced. 1 bad game means nothing to me. Still a great team this, and will bounce back

 

[Major]

Rain-affected games are more challenging for the chasing team because the interruptions disrupt the concentration of the batsmen and the regular target revisions can make things complicated.

Pakistan got lucky in the first game. They are not going to chase the total down. Hopefully they don’t get lucky this time and suffer the royal thrashing that they richly deserve.

india got lucky in the first game, as pakistan would had chased that score.

 

[Mamoon]

india got lucky in the first game, as pakistan would had chased that score.

india got lucky in the first game, as pakistan would had chased that score.

india got lucky in the first game, as pakistan would had chased that score.

 

[Mamoon]

india got lucky in the first game, as pakistan would had chased that score.

Keep telling yourself that if you truly believe it.

Had we batted first in this game and collapsed, a lot of Pakistani fans would have claimed that had we bowled first, we would have ran through India again.

 

[Major]

Keep telling yourself that if you truly believe it.

Had we batted first in this game and collapsed, a lot of Pakistani fans would have claimed that had we bowled first, we would have ran through India again.

the only one convincing themselves is you.

Pakistan would had chased the total that day, the game was in Pakistans advantage.

 

[Mamoon]

the only one convincing themselves is you.

Pakistan would had chased the total that day, the game was in Pakistans advantage.

I don't need to convince myself that Pakistan will not have chased the target in those conditions. I know Pakistan got away with on that day. You can celebrate Pakistan's hypothetical victory though if it makes you feel better about today's result. I cannot stop you.

 

[Major]

I don't need to convince myself that Pakistan will not have chased the target in those conditions. I know Pakistan got away with on that day. You can celebrate Pakistan's hypothetical victory though if it makes you feel better about today's result. I cannot stop you.

no one is celebrating, but if you are gonna write that Pakistan got away with a loss with no logical reasoning, than dont expect no one to counter that.

India media itself admitted India would had lost that game and it was in Pakistans favor.

I cannot stop you from being biased against Pakistan all the time bro.

 

[Saj]

I don't think it was influenced by the media, rather it was influenced by how much success the Pakistani pacers had last time around against India.

The think-tank were probably thinking that the same would happen and the trio pf pacers would blast out India. I don't think he had countered for the different approach by India this time around and as so often happens with Babar and co. there was no Plan B.

 

[hassan918]

I was also one of those people who was in favor of batting first. Overcast conditions were likely to stay throughout the match and since our bowling department is stronger than our bowling so for me, it was a bit of strange decision from Babar Azam to bat first.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

I am sure there is some degree of truth to this along with poor captaincy from Babar.

We are a great team but ego and pride need to be set aside and you have to do what is best to win.

This was a batting track from the get go, and not only that, we haven't had a go in a few days with the bat. Now India put up a huge total for our batsmen to completely be overwhelmed by the total.

The pitch was definitely a batting one.

 

[Major]

I don't think it was influenced by the media, rather it was influenced by how much success the Pakistani pacers had last time around against India.

The think-tank were probably thinking that the same would happen and the trio pf pacers would blast out India. I don't think he had countered for the different approach by India this time around and as so often happens with Babar and co. there was no Plan B.

Agree with this. Like how in the past, India use to lose wicekts to pacers, and thus pakistan would play pacers against india no matter what. Never played a spinner.
Same mistake Babar has made

 

[Marooned]

I can’t blame him.

Had he opted to bat and Pakistan would have faltered, the media and fans who would have called him brainless because apparently our pacers would have reduced India to 50/4.

Babar’s decision would have been criticized either way because of the hype and trash-talking done by the Pakistani media.

The sun was out and almost everyone thought Babar will bat 1st. Bowling 1st was a rather shocking decision. Even if he wanted to be a coward and avoid media criticism, batting 1st was a prudent choice here as was evident by pre match expectations of fans too.

 

[Bewal Express]

I felt with the dodgy weather it was the right decision. Just imagine the same people claiming that are claiming it was wrong decision, would be going ballistic if we batted 1st and the game was reduced. The wicket had enough in it yesterday but both Naseem and SSA were scared to bowl full. Naseem bowled OK but he should have attacked the stumps and although it look good, he only got an edge a couple of times. Contrast that to the Inds with slightly better conditions bowling fuller and attacking the stumps and looking a different level

 

[pillionrider]

His ball will talk more. He will give you back plenty, don't you worry

Well, his ball made a lot of noise yesterday every time it came up against Gill's bat.

Hope it screams more like that in the future

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Is it fair to solely attribute the decision to bowl first to Babar? This decision is a collective responsibility of the entire management, and it's not right to place all the criticism on Babar alone.

 

[Suleiman]

And yet this guy will continue as captain…. How sad.

Not taking anything from India. Outclassed Pakistan completely. Solid comeback with the bat.

 

[Mamoon]

no one is celebrating, but if you are gonna write that Pakistan got away with a loss with no logical reasoning, than dont expect no one to counter that.

India media itself admitted India would had lost that game and it was in Pakistans favor.

I cannot stop you from being biased against Pakistan all the time bro.

Let me give you my logical reasoning:

In spite of all the best bowling this and that drama by Pakistani fans and media, India has a more well-rounded attack.

They have new ball bowlers who swing the ball & they have very formidable options in the middle-overs in Yadav, Jadeja and Pandya.

Pakistan has a completely out of sorts opener in Fakhar and the middle-order is far from reliable.

Furthermore, the constant rain interruptions and D/L revisions doesn’t help the batting side.

If it was a full 50 over game, I would have expected Pakistan to lose by 40-50 runs and if it was a shortened game, I don’t think Pakistani batsmen would have adjusted.

Pakistan’s best bet of beating India in ODIs is to bat first, score 280+. Pakistan will flounder against India while chasing more often than not.

You and others can believe what you want to believe. If Pakistan would have batted first and collapsed, not a soul would have believed that India would have demolished Pakistani bowlers in this manner had Babar opted to bowl first.

 

[IMMY69]

Well I said yesterday that I hope the team management doesn't listen to Waqar's pitch report.
You should always look to do the opposite to what he says.

Why so? 99.9pct of everyone involved in Pakistan cricket are lacking in intelligence.

In the end though, we bowled extremely poorly and you just can't account for that.

 

[Hitman]

And yet this guy will continue as captain…. How sad.

Not taking anything from India. Outclassed Pakistan completely. Solid comeback with the bat.

You want him sacked as captain based on losing 1 match? That’s hilarious

 

[YousafTheBeast]

You want him sacked as captain based on losing 1 match? That’s hilarious

No, based on mistakes he’s made throughout his captaincy. Costly mistakes. So many mistakes even stevie wonder can see them.

 

[pakistani pride]

Bat or bowl first does not matter. We all know Imam, Babar and Rizwan cant chase such big totals. Its too hard for them. The oace trio cant fire every match. Bowling wise Shadab has been a huge worry. His bowling is club level.

 

[IMMY69]

Let me give you my logical reasoning:

In spite of all the best bowling this and that drama by Pakistani fans and media, India has a more well-rounded attack.

They have new ball bowlers who swing the ball & they have very formidable options in the middle-overs in Yadav, Jadeja and Pandya.

Pakistan has a completely out of sorts opener in Fakhar and the middle-order is far from reliable.

Furthermore, the constant rain interruptions and D/L revisions doesn’t help the batting side.

If it was a full 50 over game, I would have expected Pakistan to lose by 40-50 runs and if it was a shortened game, I don’t think Pakistani batsmen would have adjusted.

Pakistan’s best bet of beating India in ODIs is to bat first, score 280+. Pakistan will flounder against India while chasing more often than not.

You and others can believe what you want to believe. If Pakistan would have batted first and collapsed, not a soul would have believed that India would have demolished Pakistani bowlers in this manner had Babar opted to bowl first.

Again, the bowling second and defending a total comes down to intelligence or the lack of it.

when the bowlers know what they're defending, they don't really need to think too much.

When the game is laid out in front of you, the bowlers have clarity and can adjust the plans accordingly. When they bowl first they often implode mentally, unsure of what is a reasonable target to chase, go for wickets and get spanked around.

It would be easier if the captain had a few brain cells and can make adjustments on the field.

 

[imran1976]

I personally didn't see any problems with bowling first -- The ball was talking, look at Naseem Shah's spell , but Shaheen wasn't up to the mark this time.

The real problem is number 4 & 5 bowlers - they all are bits and pieces players , I don't consider Shadab as a specialist bowler.

We need four specialist bowlers 3 fast (we have the) + 1 spinner.

 

[Rana]

“I feel for Shaheen - he will get trolled left, right and center by the Indian fans and media after this game for no fault of his. He never claimed India cannot play him. Surely, he doesn't believe that. He never did. He knows how good their batting is but it is very disappointing when your own media and fans put you in a position from where you will inevitably fall hard.”

@Mamoon Shaheen is no Doodh ka dhula. He mocked Indian batsmen in the 2021 World Cup when he took those 3 wickets against them. There is videos of him mimicking their dismissals towards the crowd. Plus Shaheen has been an extremely arrogant bloke since that 3fer, and the telling signs were his #sochnaBhiManaHai tweet when there were rumours of Babar being sacked as captain.

His pathetic attitude towards Amir was also there for everyone to see in the PSL, and for him to disrespect a genuine superstar of Pakistan (Shoaib Akhtar) for saying ‘brand ache banata hai”.

My guy hasn’t even achieved 200 Test wickets (which will take another 3-4 years if he stays fit) yet the attitude he possesses suggests that he is on par with Akram and Waqar’s accomplishments

 

[imran1976]

Bat or bowl first does not matter. We all know Imam, Babar and Rizwan cant chase such big totals. Its too hard for them. The oace trio cant fire every match. Bowling wise Shadab has been a huge worry. His bowling is club level.

That's true , Shadab is a mediocre bowler -- we need a specialist spinner.

 

[pakistani pride]

That's true , Shadab is a mediocre bowler -- we need a specialist spinner.

Also the acting and smiling 24/7. They really need to change their attitude.

 

[PakPremi]

Bowling first was poor decision and Pakistan lack no 4 and 5 bowlers to support three very good pacers. India play spin very well and have always dominated Pakistani spinners Batting is too brittle with fake batsman Iftikhar and Faheem as an all rounder. Need a proper batsman like Saud, Ifti bowling is not required.

 

[imran1976]

Also the acting and smiling 24/7. They really need to change their attitude.

Yeah I noticed that too during his poor fielding -- I have watched the game after a long time ( don't have time for cricket anymore) -- we are missing a genuine spinner -- Shadab, Salman, Iftikhar, nawaz; they ain't genuine spinners.

Batting combination doesn't seem good as well, number 4 belongs to a solid batsman , Saud Shakeel is the man who fits into this.

 

[imran1976]

Bowling first was poor decision and Pakistan lack no 4 and 5 bowlers to support three very good pacers. India play spin very well and have always dominated Pakistani spinners Batting is too brittle with fake batsman Iftikhar and Faheem as an all rounder. Need a proper batsman like Saud, Ifti bowling is not required.

That's my point as well -- we need a genuine spinner as fourth bowler , no 5 can be bits and pieces spinner or fast bowler depending on the pitch.

Number 4 batting position needs a solid batsman, Saud Shakeel fits into this.

 

[castortroy]

Afridi is only overhyped by the pak media.

You think wade will be scooping someone like bumrah and getting 18 of the over

 

[Technics 1210]

Look, the Pakistan media bigging up the likes of Babar and Shaheen can be construed as bias sensationalism, but when you have the likes of the English, Australia, and yes Indian media praising said players then the merit and talent is there.

The real issue is not Pakistan media, it is social media. Social media can cause absolute havoc to the human mental state be it insecurity, false perceptions, to a false state of mind. You got to see some of the memes that go viral, and not from Pakistan media, but from fans from all countries.

Back in the day, dealing with the Pak media was easy as it involved a hand few of media outlets, but today, the onslaught of everything from praise to criticism runs in the 10s of Millions, if not more.

If I was chairman of PCB, I would ban every Pak Player from having social media accounts, and then see the difference!

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why this wrist slitting?

What was the expectation? Pakistani bowlers will run through Kohli and co. day in and day out?

Even the other day India wasn't bowled out for 150. India scored 266.

Pakistani fans need to realise that the other side has no halwa batters and that they too will plan and retaliate.

Pakistan has a good pace attack and the fans should be happy with their overall performance.

 

[Suleiman]

You want him sacked as captain based on losing 1 match? That’s hilarious

You probably haven’t watched a single Pakistan match aside from Pakistan Vs India clashes for the last few years it seems.

 

[Bewal Express]

I personally didn't see any problems with bowling first -- The ball was talking, look at Naseem Shah's spell , but Shaheen wasn't up to the mark this time.

The real problem is number 4 & 5 bowlers - they all are bits and pieces players , I don't consider Shadab as a specialist bowler.

We need four specialist bowlers 3 fast (we have the) + 1 spinner.

I felt Naseem was a little defensive. He had to attack the batsman with a fuller length on off stump. Nothing bad but didn't judge what the conditions offered

 

[msb314]

Why this wrist slitting?

What was the expectation? Pakistani bowlers will run through Kohli and co. day in and day out?

Even the other day India wasn't bowled out for 150. India scored 266.

Pakistani fans need to realise that the other side has no halwa batters and that they too will plan and retaliate.

Pakistan has a good pace attack and the fans should be happy with their overall performance.

I don’t disagree but we should have made a better effort in chasing.

Winning and losing of course is part of every game but the intent and winning mindset wa severely lacking..

 

[TheSultan]

Bowling first is one thing. Having a decent front line attack is one thing.

But your slip fielding is terrible. Captaincy is defensive. This morning Naseem was still moving the ball - no slips. And genius skipper was more interested in how to squeeze chacha’s overs in than make early in roads.

If you have this foolish approach to the game you should never bowl first.

Babar is not the captain you need when you’re bowling first.

 

[Savak]

Just a few boundaries and sixes by Rohit, Gill and all the bowlers went defensive with their tactics. I didn't really see anyone demanding slips from Babar

 

[RexRex]

What's with the 135 kph deliveries from Afridi and Rauf when we know they can bowl quicker? Bizarre.

 

[King_Babar]

That's not entirely true.

Indian fans remember him mimicking how he got our batsmen out while fielding on the boundary in the game following the one where Pakistan broke India's WC hold on them.

Now every time he gets a thrashing, he will be trolled till the end of his career and even after he retires. He is respected by most of us, no doubt, but these things won't be forgotten.

Doesn't matter as long as he is performing consistently. He has been outstanding since his debut but still got too many things to learn. But you just can't rule him out in any of the games.

 

[pillionrider]

He has been outstanding since his debut but still got too many things to learn. But you just can't rule him out in any of the games.

Of course. As I said, we respect him. But that doesn't mean we won't troll him when he fails. He started it.

Personally speaking, I never felt like laughing at Rauf when Kohli took him down in the WC. In fact, several of us at home including my sister who were watching the game felt bad for him when we saw replays of his dejected reaction to the second six.

 

[Shafi]

He is a class bowler but Pakistan fan's / media overrated him .he is not going to take wickets in every game like Pakistan fan's think .so it's not Shaheen fault rather than fan's

Mcgrath was the only bowler who performed on consistent basis

 

[Shafi]

Afridi is only overhyped by the pak media.

You think wade will be scooping someone like bumrah and getting 18 of the over

Exactly!!! He is a improve version of Hasan Ali.

 

[Shafi]

Since the first game, the delusional Pakistani media have consistently peddled the narrative that Indian batsmen cannot play Shaheen, best bowling this and that.

Shaheen is a class bowler and India has a class batting lineup. Sometimes, Shaheen will dominate and sometimes, he will be dominated.

Indian batsmen have dominated Starc, Cummins, Rabada, Boult etc. and they have also been dominated by them. Same will be the story with Shaheen. He has not been sent from the heavens or possesses special skills that Indian batsmen cannot handle.

Pakistan has closed the gap over the last couple of years. India knows it and the whole world knows it. There is no need to go overboard. Unfortunately, Pakistan has suffered so much because of India over the last decade and the inferiority complex has been so strong that they cannot digest their success - or their revival - with dignity and class.

By telling everyone that India cannot play Shaheen or that they have no answer to our so-called best bowling in the world, you are putting Shaheen and the rest of the bowlers under unnecessary burden and pressure.

When Babar won the toss yesterday and shot himself in the foot by bowling first, I can't help but think that this decision was influenced by all the hype created by the media and also it was fueled by fear of what the reaction would be if Pakistan were to struggle with the bat.

Had Pakistan opted to bat first and struggled, Babar would have been ripped to shreds by the media who would have claimed that he should have trusted the guy who India cannot apparently play and the best bowling attack and how India would have been reduced to 50-4 again.

I feel for Shaheen - he will get trolled left, right and center by the Indian fans and media after this game for no fault of his. He never claimed India cannot play him. Surely, he doesn't believe that. He never did. He knows how good their batting is but it is very disappointing when your own media and fans put you in a position from where you will inevitably fall hard.

This treatment of Shaheen and Pakistani bowlers was necessary for the media and the fans to pipe it down. Best bowling this and that means nothing. Learn to digest victory and defeat with dignity and hope and pray that your team proves to be on the better team on the day.

Anyone can play anyone. It all depends on who turns up on the day. Pakistani media and fans deserve this humiliation and I hope that the players can brush this aside and forget about it tomorrow.

The quality gap between Kohli and Babar is similar to Bumrah and Shaheen. Unfit Kohli and Bumrah are miles away than these two. Both Babar and Shaheen are serial choker in big matches or big teams. Can Wade hit 2 6s in 10 overs of Bumrah? But he hit 3 6s in 1 over of Shaheen.
Babar and Shaheen are ok but labeling them great is insane because they fail 9/10 matches against big teams

 

[Amjid Javed]

2nd game in a row vs India, that Pakistan bowlers have let India get way to many runs on a tough surface. Both occasions Babars rotation of bowlers, defensive captaincy is to blame. The continual selection of mediocre 4th / 5th / 6th bowling options has been exposed here in 2 games and will during world cup.

The less said about the selfish cowardice batting the better

 

[Usman Chadda]

The quality gap between Kohli and Babar is similar to Bumrah and Shaheen. Unfit Kohli and Bumrah are miles away than these two. Both Babar and Shaheen are serial choker in big matches or big teams. Can Wade hit 2 6s in 10 overs of Bumrah? But he hit 3 6s in 1 over of Shaheen.
Babar and Shaheen are ok but labeling them great is insane because they fail 9/10 matches against big teams

Our players are mentally weak. They had no business plodding along at 3 RPO when faced with a 357 run chase, despite difficult conditions.

No one even tried to hit out and counter attack, which clearly means they were playing only for themselves and not for the team.

We will be knocked out of the Asia Cup soon and the alarm bells might ring.

 

[Shafi]

Our players are mentally weak. They had no business plodding along at 3 RPO when faced with a 357 run chase, despite difficult conditions.

No one even tried to hit out and counter attack, which clearly means they were playing only for themselves and not for the team.

We will be knocked out of the Asia Cup soon and the alarm bells might ring.

Most likely lack of ability

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I felt Naseem was a little defensive. He had to attack the batsman with a fuller length on off stump. Nothing bad but didn't judge what the conditions offered

He is too floaty when he bowls full. Doesn't swing the ball enough and gets smashed. He is more of a good length/back of a length seam bowler at this point

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Also the acting and smiling 24/7. They really need to change their attitude.

They will never change. We need a tough guy as captain who can control these boys. Imad would have been a great captain and we'd have 2 T20 world cups in a row.

 

[Ab Fan]

I am hearing news that millions of TV sets got broken today. Relax guys, it's just another match

 

[Usman Chadda]

I am hearing news that millions of TV sets got broken today. Relax guys, it's just another match

Did Indians do the same last year?

It’s an inconsequential Asia Cup group game, these incompetent simps can still play the final if they pull up their socks.

Unfortunately, they will get smashed by Sri Lanka who look the strongest team in this Asia Cup by far.

 

[Ab Fan]

Did Indians do the same last year?

It’s an inconsequential Asia Cup group game, these incompetent simps can still play the final if they pull up their socks.

Unfortunately, they will get smashed by Sri Lanka who look the strongest team in this Asia Cup by far.

Last year India beat Pakistan in World T20 and Asia Cup as well.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I don’t disagree but we should have made a better effort in chasing.

Winning and losing of course is part of every game but the intent and winning mindset wa severely lacking..

Agree that Batting collapsed. You guys gave wickets to Pandya and Thakur.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why is Faheem Ashraf playing? No chance to Zaman Khan or Ihsanullah?

Shadab is playing because he can bat? Like our Thakur saheb?

 

[MenInG]

Why is Faheem Ashraf playing? No chance to Zaman Khan or Ihsanullah?

Shadab is playing because he can bat? Like our Thakur saheb?

Ihsanullah is injured as per our understanding.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Last year India beat Pakistan in World T20 and Asia Cup as well.

India got beat in the Super Four stage and got knocked out of the Asia Cup.

That's exactly what I meant, people will forget this game if Pakistan players make a come back from this mauling. However, knowing the weak mental state of these jokers, I expect Sri Lanka to absolutely thrash them like minnows.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Right now, with what happened in the last Odi , the decision to bowl first and bat under lights later looks so silly by Babar.

 

[Bewal Express]

He is too floaty when he bowls full. Doesn't swing the ball enough and gets smashed. He is more of a good length/back of a length seam bowler at this point

Partially agree but he has to make the step up and learn the art to become the complete bowler.

 

[Rafay586]

I think media always create hype and enforce decision makers. Many of Crickets were only selected due to media campaigns. But this time I think we misread thề conditions. Even Today India Won the Toss and Batting first whereas Sri lanka also wanted to bat first.

 

[Savak]

Babars ability to think and intelligently critique, analyze, talk about the the game is very limited. You could offer him a million dollars to do it and he will still fail miserably.

 

[smarmazhar]

With rain on the cards & pace being #Pak's biggest strength, what was Babar smoking when he decided to field first instead of batting 1st?

Surely, wet outfield would have helped Pak seamers while DRS & rain confuses calculations while batting 2nd