West Indies v Pakistan | 3rd Test | Roseau, Dominica | May 10-14, 2017 | Day 2

[Abdullah719]

I cant figure out if youre being sarcastic or not but in case you're not, then that's extremely stupid.

Back at ya!

Azhar is clearly having a purple patch in his career and long may it continue. There were years when Misbah was our highest scorer in ODI's and Tests. This year it's been Azhar and all credit to him. But people need to have the same measuring yardstick. You can't give Misbah torture over a 38 SR while praising Azhar who has a similar SR.

Azhar's 'purple patch' has come in a season where Pakistan has toured England, New Zealand, Australia and West Indies. Put Misbah in a similar situation and there isn't even a 1% chance of him being the highest run-scorer in Tests over a slew of overseas tours like this.

I am not sure if you're trying to compare the two batsmen. There is no comparison whatsoever. Azhar is a limited but fantastic opener while Misbah is a limited but good middle-order batsman. Azhar's proficiency against seam and swing makes him a massive asset for a Pakistan team that has historically struggled in tough conditions. Misbah's proficiency against spin makes him... well, another Pakistani batsman who is good against spin.

Don't want to demean Misbah in his farewell Test but Azhar brings more to the table as a batsman, let's leave it at that.

SR 1.96, legend.

 

[Speedster777]

atrocious batting by the so called best ever captain. does he even have an I.Q. ? he totally loses the plot under pressure and can never think out of the box.

 

[shah_1]

CENTURY of NO BALLs from Gabriel

Pathetic from him

 

[Speedster777]

The noballs are scoring at a faster rate than Misbah )

haha good one

 

[big_gamer007]

Take that Misbah haters..

 

[imshally81]

 

[Sarfarazian92]

why Misbah

 

[Syed1]

Misbah hits a four.. ) ) )

 

[DRsohail]

bhai I am not denying he is the best test batsman now but his innings in this match isnt helping us much either.
WI has to play pathetically otherwise its a draw. I expected us to go for win.

if ur the so called legendry captain is playing with such frame of mind then u cant say much..

 

[big_gamer007]

And a single Misbah on fire now

 

[Syed1]

Take that haters... a boundary and a single in the same over.

What a legend. Am I right? [MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION]



#don't drop the pom poms

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

if ur the so called legendry captain is playing with such frame of mind then u cant say much..

bhai just to let you know I m not a fan of Misbah.

 

[Friend786]

I m sorry but Misbah has to be one of the most cowardly captain to have ever play the game.

 

[Big Mac]

Is this the lowest strike ever for someone who has played at least 50 balls? Possibly if we go back far enough someone may have had a zero in the first 50.

Not even close to the slowest innings. Geoff Allott had a 77 ball duck but we'll ignore that as he was a tailender.

Razzaq faced 77 balls for 4* and Sarwan scored 7 from 83 balls once. Both of those were also in the first innings of a test so it's not as though they were batting to save a test.

Misbah calling for a new bat like Uncle Phil calling for Lucille.

Told you

Now that he has satisfied all of you guys, he can go back to tuk tukking in peace for the next hour.

 

[idrizzy]

When I say this team has never scored 400 that slowly, I mean we have literally never scored 400 that slowly.

I had this argument with Dr Bassim a while back because we was claiming that this team couldn't score 400 in less than two days so I looked it up and here were the results:



The slowest run rate for a 400+ innings under Misbah was 2.80 RPO when we scored 419/9d against Zimbabwe.

So again, relax. The run rate will take care of itself as long as we don't lose wickets.

You make valid points, but we're playing in the Caribbeans where RR is generally slow, but the way we're batting now just adds insult to injury.

The main reason we'll never bat that slow (< 2.51) is because we have Sarfraz who bats at a SR of 70+, and tbh Misbahs innings can't get any worse than this. Azhar is showing signs of trying to find singles and once Misbah does the same, and others in the back end bat, we'll have 400+ at 2.5+

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Misbah getting some runs finally.

 

[darksher]

I have no problems with people lambasting Misbah here because it has truly been a pathetic innings so far. But who's stopping Azhar to score runs? His approach today has been equally pathetic.

Have said time and again, he's equally pathetic and limited batsman if not more with a multitude of technical flaws, and who would blame him, he's a bowler turned batsman afterall, the limitations are bound to exist in his game. Its criminal to bat at such a low SR with no intent whatsoever after having faced so many deliveries with a 100 under your belt.

 

[idrizzy]

Have said time and again, he's equally pathetic and limited batsman if not more with a multitude of technical flaws, and who would blame him, he's a bowler turned batsman afterall, the limitations are bound to exist in his game. Its criminal to bat at such a low SR with no intent whatsoever after having faced so many deliveries with a 100 under your belt.

He knows his limits, and he's playing at 100% of his limitations. Yes he isn't the most attractive player but he'll reserve his wicket and plays every delivery like his last. Our best test bat by a mile.

 

[NauV]

ICC reallyy needs to do something about the over rates . . in 2 and a half hours, WI has bowled 30 overs . . Criminal!

 

[shariqnoor]

Back at ya!



Azhar's 'purple patch' has come in a season where Pakistan has toured England, New Zealand, Australia and West Indies. Put Misbah in a similar situation and there isn't even a 1% chance of him being the highest run-scorer in Tests over a slew of overseas tours like this.

I am not sure if you're trying to compare the two batsmen. There is no comparison whatsoever. Azhar is a limited but fantastic opener while Misbah is a limited but good middle-order batsman. Azhar's proficiency against seam and swing makes him a massive asset for a Pakistan team that has historically struggled in tough conditions. Misbah's proficiency against spin makes him... well, another Pakistani batsman who is good against spin.

Don't want to demean Misbah in his farewell Test but Azhar brings more to the table as a batsman, let's leave it at that.

SR 1.96, legend.

I'm not comparing the two. I like Azhar a lot and I like Misbah a lot. Both have been fantastic servants of Pakistan cricket. My point is very simple. You can't criticize Misbah for having a low SR while Azhar has the same SR. It's as simple as that. Please don't bring up this innings and say one has a SR of 10 and the other 38.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Last over before Lunch.

 

[Abdullah719]

I'm not comparing the two. I like Azhar a lot and I like Misbah a lot. Both have been fantastic servants of Pakistan cricket. My point is very simple. You can't criticize Misbah for having a low SR while Azhar has the same SR. It's as simple as that. Please don't bring up this innings and say one has a SR of 10 and the other 38.

Azhar is excused because of his proficiency against lateral movement.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

227/3 at Lunch.

 

[Friend786]

Average batsman playing for his average

 

[idrizzy]

Would've liked at least 5-7 more overs within the 150 mins played.

 

[shariqnoor]

Azhar is excused because of his proficiency against lateral movement.

Lol. I'm always intrigued by the new ways Misbah critics come up with to demean his batting while acknowledging the batting of others who play the same way or worse. I laughed. Thanks.

 

[shariqnoor]

Horrible bowling over rate by Windies. Only 30 overs in a 2.5 hour session.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

58 runs in this extended session.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Need to score fast after Lunch if we want to win.

 

[shariqnoor]

WI will bring on the seamers once again after lunch and we'll look to see them off. By the time the spinners come on, it'll be tea time and we'll look to survive till tea. Repeat till end of day.

 

[Mamoon]

do u think azhar will better if he has batsaman with a positive intent on the other end...this tuk tuk from misbah and co is not helping the cause..

Naturally. Misbah nonsensical tactics will eventually force him out of his comfort-zone. Fluent batting is a must in every situation. That is why I rate the Indian top 5 as the best in the world at the moment. Apart from Pujara, it is difficult to tie down any Indian batsmen, who keep the scoreboard moving and the opposition bowler and captain are never allowed to lax. Positive running between the wickets and putting away the bad balls is the foundation of good batting. There is a reason why majority of the best batsman in the world bat at SR of 50+ in Tests. Ask the likes of Smith, Kohli, Root, Williamson etc. to block 50 balls for 1 run, and they will fail 8/10 times. You simply cannot bat like this time and time again and expect to produce a big score, that is now how batting works.

The intent of scoring runs has to be there at all times, and this is what the careers of 90% of the great batsmen in 150 years of Test cricket show.

 

[London_Lahori]

Ok guys, you're set and you've ground them into the dust for 100 overs.

It's time to push on against tired limbs.

 

[yasir]

People dont realize that because of these epic tuk tuk habits, we are vulnerable to collapses, we have lost 9 test in last 2 years or so, pretty much all of them because of collapses, last three I remember right now last test, MCG test, NZ second test, Edgbaston to name the few ...

Misbah/YK comes in when bowlers are tired and bored even then there is no intend to score, same sort of style does not work at all when ball is doing something and playing on day 4/5...This culture has taken Pakistan backward in all format...We have seen MisYou bash spinners and dud against pace even in UAE, they are standard of batting in eyes of many in PCB. Likes of Malik, Hafeez, Sarfraz, Shezad are of same breed in LOI, they all can only bash spinners....Pakistan has culturally gone backward, more like BD of early 2000s, they are not even showing any intent against pacers, that is the main reason we are so far behind in playing modern day cricket.

This culture has be discouraged, we are very one dimensional team, only suited to play in Asia and that too in test format, that is very limiting, Cricket will be dead if this continue for another decade

 

[darksher]

Azhar is excused because of his proficiency against lateral movement.

Gimme a break! relentlessly blunting the ball with blocking and eating up deliveries unnecessarily with an odd cut/edge here and there to score off isn't considered proficiency but rather weakness. Proficient batsmen dominate bowlers with great authority not get bogged down and he isn't as great at lateral movement as you make him out to be. He's mediocre at best.

 

[Kianig89]

Important session make our break a solid session means we will be 325/5 or a collapse means 280ish allout

 

[Abdullah719]

Gimme a break! relentlessly blunting the ball with blocking and eating up deliveries unnecessarily with an odd cut/edge here and there to score off isn't considered proficiency but rather weakness. Proficient batsmen dominate bowlers with great authority not get bogged down and he isn't as great at lateral movement as you make him out to be. He's mediocre at best.

That's your opinion.

I've seen him play in tough conditions over the past year and ever since he's stopped falling over (i.e. the third Test against England), he's been excellent against lateral movement.

What do you mean by 'dominating bowlers'? How many openers have you seen going around bashing McGrath or Steyn when they're bowling with the new ball?

 

[On_the_up]

1 run off 50 balls

100 runs off 50 odd balls.

Misbah is the most versatile cricketer in this age.

 

[Abdullah719]

Lol. I'm always intrigued by the new ways Misbah critics come up with to demean his batting while acknowledging the batting of others who play the same way or worse. I laughed. Thanks.

I have been called a Misbah fan-boy, Misbah critic and Misbah hater all in the past week.

 

[idrizzy]

Important session make our break a solid session means we will be 325/5 or a collapse means 280ish allout

You're optimistic if you think we're scoring 100 in a session. We'll score 80 probs.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

I have been called a Misbah fan-boy, Misbah critic and Misbah hater all in the past week.

Bohot dynamic ho

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Misbah's boutta launch chase out of the park

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Reverse will suffice

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Playing a spinner against us is crazy

 

[Zahid87]

You're optimistic if you think we're scoring 100 in a session. We'll score 80 probs.

80 would be dreaming - 58 runs in the morning session!

 

[shariqnoor]

Despite Waqar's English limitations, I find him to be way easier and enjoyable to listen to than Ramiz simply because Waqar shares great insights and does not talk meaningless stuff like Ramiz.

 

[DRsohail]

Naturally. Misbah nonsensical tactics will eventually force him out of his comfort-zone. Fluent batting is a must in every situation. That is why I rate the Indian top 5 as the best in the world at the moment. Apart from Pujara, it is difficult to tie down any Indian batsmen, who keep the scoreboard moving and the opposition bowler and captain are never allowed to lax. Positive running between the wickets and putting away the bad balls is the foundation of good batting. There is a reason why majority of the best batsman in the world bat at SR of 50+ in Tests. Ask the likes of Smith, Kohli, Root, Williamson etc. to block 50 balls for 1 run, and they will fail 8/10 times. You simply cannot bat like this time and time again and expect to produce a big score, that is now how batting works.

The intent of scoring runs has to be there at all times, and this is what the careers of 90% of the great batsmen in 150 years of Test cricket show.

100% agreed..

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Waqar indirectly saying he didn't like Afridi the captain

 

[shariqnoor]

Thank God the intent is to score in this session. Hopefully Misbah stays the entire session as he and Sarfraz are probably the only two who can ramp it up.

 

[darksher]

People dont realize that because of these epic tuk tuk habits, we are vulnerable to collapses, we have lost 9 test in last 2 years or so, pretty much all of them because of collapses, last three I remember right now last test, MCG test, NZ second test, Edgbaston to name the few ...

Misbah/YK comes in when bowlers are tired and bored even then there is no intend to score, same sort of style does not work at all when ball is doing something and playing on day 4/5...This culture has taken Pakistan backward in all format...We have seen MisYou bash spinners and dud against pace even in UAE, they are standard of batting in eyes of many in PCB. Likes of Malik, Hafeez, Sarfraz, Shezad are of same breed in LOI, they all can only bash spinners....Pakistan has culturally gone backward, more like BD of early 2000s, they are not even showing any intent against pacers, that is the main reason we are so far behind in playing modern day cricket.

This culture has be discouraged, we are very one dimensional team, only suited to play in Asia and that too in test format, that is very limiting, Cricket will be dead if this continue for another decade

Wonderfully put, the lack of intent is a worrying sign, you don't mind batsmen deploying such ultra-cautious approach at start of innings to see off the new ball or in a tricky phase but once the foundation has been set and its time to get a move on, you expect some urgency in the middle but its so demoralizing to see that they aren't even trying. I mean who scores 1 off 50 balls coming in at 5 with 177/3 on board in almost perfect batting conditions? I tell you no one, only in Pakistan you'll see such cowardly display of cricket. Misbah is the protagonist responsible for our regression in batting aspect of the game, he has groomed, fostered and instilled a culture of timidity and safety-first approach in dressing room, no wonder the youngsters and senior men alike are exhibiting same style of play as they have been influenced by the epitome himself, as far as Misbah is concerned it'll be a job well done for him. He has successfully transferred his genome to the likes of Shafiq and Azhar, the two established players who're expected to serve as backbone of the team like their predecessors and who shall proudly take Misbah's tuk-tuk legacy forward in time to come. Therefore I see no improvement in batting discipline in the foreseeable future despite a lack of Misbah's negative influence in dressing room to impede the team's progress. We just have to find a way to get used to this boredom.

 

[Ab Fan]

A SR of 38 vs WI when you are batting at 123* isn't that convincing. He needs to score at faster rate as they should go for series victory here.

 

[Hasan123]

No intent being shown

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Bore nhn karo yaar

 

[shah_1]

This is totally inexcusable against 8th ranked team

 

[shah_1]

This is totally inexcusable against 8th ranked team

India would demolish us with this approach

 

[JibranAnsari]

Really poor knock comes to an end.

 

[darksher]

That's your opinion.

I've seen him play in tough conditions over the past year and ever since he's stopped falling over (i.e. the third Test against England), he's been excellent against lateral movement.

What do you mean by 'dominating bowlers'? How many openers have you seen going around bashing McGrath or Steyn when they're bowling with the new ball?

Dominate bowlers as in good defense (not a shaky one), timing the ball well (most of his shots are not middled), rotating strike at will (don't need any explanation in this regard) and scoring boundaries consistently to assert himself on the bowler (again a non existent aspect of AA's game). You don't need to be smashing every delivery out of park to dominate a bowler, its the mindset and technical competency to execute that mindset which matters and AA is poor on both fronts. Therefore overall he's a weak batsman against pace just like his mentor.

 

[Fahdi]

Azhar out it seems.

 

[idrizzy]

Azhar Ali, for 127(334), SR: 38. Out trying to score quicker.

 

[shah_1]

At the end Azhar has been just good. He couldn't move on after facing 300 balls

 

[Abdullah719]

Bohot dynamic ho

That must be a good thing?

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

And the downfall has started..

 

[Syed1]

Papa better have that poultry farm locked up today.

 

[Sherlock]

They've wasted so many chances to score runs here, it's totally unexceptionable.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

We are in trouble. We might not make 350 here

 

[shoaib]

This is the first time I've actually switched off watching a Pakistan match cos of run rate

 

[darksher]

Finally AA put out of his misery, an extremely poor Test match innings comes to an end, any other batsman would've scored a double hundred by now but he went nowhere today and wasted time unnecessarily. Wasn't a good innings by any means, he and Misbah might as well have ensured a draw with their selfish batting.

 

[Abdullah719]

Dominate bowlers as in good defense (not a shaky one), timing the ball well (most of his shots are not middled), rotating strike at will (don't need any explanation in this regard) and scoring boundaries consistently to assert himself on the bowler (again a non existent aspect of AA's game). You don't need to be smashing every delivery out of park to dominate a bowler, its the mindset and technical competency to execute that mindset which matters and AA is poor on both fronts. Therefore overall he's a weak batsman against pace just like his mentor.

You obviously haven't watched him play much recently if you're criticising his defence.

There is no pattern to Azhar's dismissals. He rarely nicks off, or gets out LBW. This is in stark contrast to Misbah.

He is a limited batsman in terms of shot-making, whether that's against pace or spin. He is not specifically weak against pace.

 

[Big Mac]

Misbah played a hook shot, does that mean he's not limited?

 

[Boi]

Finally AA put out of his misery, an extremely poor Test match innings comes to an end, any other batsman would've scored a double hundred by now but he went nowhere today and wasted time unnecessarily. Wasn't a good innings by any means, he and Misbah might as well have ensured a draw with their selfish batting.

On any other ground with a decent outfield it would've been a double hundred.

 

[Boi]

Shafiq will score big today I think.

 

[Abdul]

There goes another one on my ignore list. The list is getting bigger exponentially.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Won't be surprised if Papa scores a ton today

 

[Square Drive]

Need to get 450-475 by stumps tonight, with 7 down at most.

 

[Markhor]

That 1988 team is our best ever.

Batting stacked.

 

[darksher]

A beautiful day of Test cricket being put to waste, contrary to the weather forecast for today, it has turned out to be an almost perfect day with not a drop of rain so far, such a shame AA and Misbah didn't cash on perfect playing conditions to propel the scoreboard before the inevitable happens.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I think first inns will be 384 all out with a 50 to Misbah and Sarfraz.

 

[darksher]

Ramiz has such an evil laugh.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Nightmarish batting

 

[Rayyman]

You know things are boring when you are getting hyped by the ball going past a fielder.

Amid this boring batting, I just ran 3 miles while bowling in my backyard.

 

[fasihulhaq94]

lets hope one of these get out. the only real chance of getting to 400 today is with sarfraz in as soon as possible