What exactly are Pakistan's batting tactics for this Australian Test series?

[Savak]

Is Misbah seriously going to impose his UAE batting philosophy on these Australian wickets where he thinks the strategy of playing defensively wearing down the bowlers is going to work?

Only Pujara for India played that role but every other batsman played their natural game for India.

 

[Rayyman]

Not really. Indian batsmen besides Agarwal and Pant played really slowly in that series.

 

[jiduguravindra]

Azhar Ali is the one who is playing pujara type innings and other batters should play their natural game..Nevertheless harris and babar got out playing their natural game, so playing natural game didn't work always, u have to play according to the match situation..

 

[BreadPakoda]

If Faheem, Shadab, and Hasan were playing in the lower-middle order, this wouldn't have been a bad score. With a contribution of 60, 60, and 40 respectively, they would have helped Pakistan reach 300+. #lozic

 

[Savak]

Azhar Ali is the one who is playing pujara type innings and other batters should play their natural game..Nevertheless harris and babar got out playing their natural game, so playing natural game didn't work always, u have to play according to the match situation..

Well you can say they played those shots because someone has to take the initiative to get the scoreboard moving

 

[Rayyman]

50 overs gone and have not seen one pull or cut shot in a Test match in Australia.

Ridiculous.

 

[hussain.r97]

Looks like they're going in with a Misbah era attritional cricket strategy. Works well in the UAE, but quite questionable in these conditions.

 

[Aman]

I was told this was Test cricket and it was enthralling.

All it accomplished was digging Pakistan into a hole.

This strategy is great when it works, but when it doesn't you can find yourselves 5 down for nothing.

 

[Savak]

The problem is our batsmen are not good enough to implement this for long. In the warmup games they adopted the same approach for the first 20-30 overs before the bowlers started tiring and the batsmen cut loose.

The Australian international bowlers are much more cut throat, professional and relentless and they will keep coming at you and not give you anything on a platter. You have to put them under pressure. Every team needs to do what they do best

 

[Junaids]

What about Adelaide?

You need to bowl with a new ball straight after Dinner.

So Pakistan has to declare after 56 overs whatever the score!

 

[BaankeJi]

Why is Misbah being blamed. Could just be batsmen themselves.

 

[Savak]

Why is Misbah being blamed. Could just be batsmen themselves.

They are carrying on his legacy and he is the head coach this time

 

[hussain.r97]

Why is Misbah being blamed. Could just be batsmen themselves.

Because it's quite clear that the tactics being used are the same as those used during the Misbah era.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Hasn't Azhar Ali made a double hundred in Australia?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Tactics were fine. Not an easy pitch to bat on and Pakistan don't have a ponting/ab level batsman to score fast on such a pitch. Had the top order survived to face the older kookaburra , Pakistan would have been in a dominant position in this match.

 

[Savak]

Tactics were fine. Not an easy pitch to bat on and Pakistan don't have a ponting/ab level batsman to score fast on such a pitch. Had the top order survived to face the older kookaburra , Pakistan would have been in a dominant position in this match.

This is the problem, the Pakistani batsmen do not have the ability to survive for long.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This is the problem, the Pakistani batsmen do not have the ability to survive for long.

If it weren't for pujara standing up we wouldn't have survived either in our first test last year. If Pakistan can make 280, you have a chance . A lot of it is luck as well. Just hope that this pitch gets continuously harder to bat on so that OZ have to bat last.

 

[WengerOut]

If it weren't for pujara standing up we wouldn't have survived either in our first test last year. If Pakistan can make 280, you have a chance . A lot of it is luck as well. Just hope that this pitch gets continuously harder to bat on so that OZ have to bat last.

Pakistan has to content with Smith and Warner this time. So, 280 might be dicey

 

[Danyaalr01]

The first session was fine as they were playing out the new ball, but they needed to get more runs after that without playing poor shots. Shan and Azhar got good balls, but Babar and Haris's dismissals were terrible. You don't need to flash at balls outside off stump to score runs. You wait for the loose ball or you rotate strike if you can. This is test cricket, not t20 or ODI cricket.

 

[aukhan]

They started negatively. Batting collapse was around the corner there was no momentum with Pakistan even after not losing any wicket in the first session. Australia did get frustrated though but their bowlers were never under pressure due to snail pace batting by the two limited batsmen. Loser fans will celebrate it and make it sound like we have won that session.

 

[Danyaalr01]

First of all Babar's ball wasn't exactly full enough to drive that hard, if he wanted to hit it for 4, then he should have moved his front foot to the ball and leant into the drive and watched it onto the bat, instead he moves his foot down the ground and flashes at it.
Haris's ball didn't have to be played at either, if he was going to hit it, then he should have moved back and across and played it under his eyes, instead he doesn't move his feet and plays at it with an angled bat.

I love watching these 2 bat, but this is just pathetic. Haris needs to fix his attitude, he is lazy and doesn't move his feet. He doesn't care about his fitness or diet.

Babar is a hard worker and he needs to work on his concentration. He needs to be patient, you don't need to score boundary an over in tests.

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

They started negatively. Batting collapse was around the corner there was no momentum with Pakistan even after not losing any wicket in the first session. Australia did get frustrated though but their bowlers were never under pressure due to snail pace batting by the two limited batsmen. Loser fans will celebrate it and make it sound like we have won that session.

imam ul haq shouldve opened with maqsood with azhar one down..
theres no place for that lazytard

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan has to content with Smith and Warner this time. So, 280 might be dicey

Depends. If it's a nice, easy batting surface then Warner will destroy the likes of Imran and yasir. If there's any movement around, Smith is the only threat.

 

[aukhan]

imam ul haq shouldve opened with maqsood with azhar one down..
theres no place for that lazytard

For some reason Imam is not getting featured regularly after his chacha's sacking. I was one of his critics but i realized it soon that he is the lambi race ka ghora.

 

[WengerOut]

Depends. If it's a nice, easy batting surface then Warner will destroy the likes of Imran and yasir. If there's any movement around, Smith is the only threat.

India had to contend with neither.

 

[Savak]

They started negatively. Batting collapse was around the corner there was no momentum with Pakistan even after not losing any wicket in the first session. Australia did get frustrated though but their bowlers were never under pressure due to snail pace batting by the two limited batsmen. Loser fans will celebrate it and make it sound like we have won that session.

The circumspect approach is fine for the first 15-20 overs but then you really have to encash it big time with the older ball till the second new ball. Pakistan's problem is that there is only the circumspect approach and nothing else throughout the innings

 

[Amjid Javed]

1st session tactics were fine and am sure scoring would have picked up after lunch in regards to a game plan. But as is case with pakistan we always lose 3/4 wickets in bunches which is poor mental weakness in the team.

God knows why we persisted with an out of form haris sohail.

 

[KingKhan12]

England the so called attacking modern team which most Pak fans want to implement scored 241 in 90 overs against NZ with only losing 4 wickets and Pakistan 240 in 86 overs in Australia and Pakistan getting criticised by their fans lol

 

[WengerOut]

England the so called attacking modern team which most Pak fans want to implement scored 241 in 90 overs against NZ with only losing 4 wickets and Pakistan 240 in 86 overs in Australia and Pakistan getting criticised by their fans lol

TBF, England are trying to change their gung ho approach in tests after the debacle in WI

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan used same game plans in SA that they have tried on day 1 here in Australia, this its just our poor mindset, not just because a new coach has come in.

 

[Cric1234]

Tuk tuk then a big six over cow corner against the spinners.

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

seems like misbah virus has taken over pk top order

 

[Nikhil_cric]

India had to contend with neither.

Not saying that Pakistan would have won it but 280 against the fastest pace attack at their Gabbatoir fortress would have been a commendable performance .

 

[IAJ]

seems like misbah virus has taken over pk top order

The real problem is when you consume so many deliveries it is criminal to get out. You need to stay out there and fight it out.

Just look at England against Kiwis. They also made around 240 on First day but the difference is they only lost 4 wickets whereas Pak are all out.

And looking at how Yasir Shah and Asad batted this looks like a good batting wicket so we might have messed up big time. But let’s hope Naseem can produce some unbelievable spell.

 

[Plumb]

Same Rubbish UAE tactics from Misbah... grind it out, . . . . . no need to go for runs just grind out the opposition.

Will not work with these bowlers they comeback strong in their 2nd 3rd spell. They have plan A, B, C, D and we got one plan tired the opposition bowler by playing dots. After lunch they came back strong with plan and it paid off. We are still thinking that our plan worked and Aussies bowled whole day, watch Australia 300-4 end of 2nd day

 

[Titan24]

They are carrying on his legacy and he is the head coach this time

Because it's quite clear that the tactics being used are the same as those used during the Misbah era.

I still remember memorable test series win in Aus under Mickey Arther where we played fearless cricket because we were a great team who hated loosing.

Oh! Wait, that never happened and result was 3-0.

Irrespective how good or bad Misbah is coach or was as captain, criticism sometimes touches new highs with the assumption just because he played with certain style, he asks everybody to play the same way and copy his style.

 

[Plumb]

I still remember memorable test series win in Aus under Mickey Arther where we played fearless cricket because we were a great team who hated loosing.

Oh! Wait, that never happened and result was 3-0.

Irrespective how good or bad Misbah is coach or was as captain, criticism sometimes touches new highs with the assumption just because he played with certain style, he asks everybody to play the same way and copy his style.

No assumptions... there is a reason if someone is called a brave captain or attacking captain or a coward captain. Same goes with the coach management etc.. If a person has an attacking mindset he will preach that but if a person has a defensive mindset he will teach that. Let that sink in first

 

[Titan24]

The real problem is when you consume so many deliveries it is criminal to get out. You need to stay out there and fight it out.

Just look at England against Kiwis. They also made around 240 on First day but the difference is they only lost 4 wickets whereas Pak are all out.

And looking at how Yasir Shah and Asad batted this looks like a good batting wicket so we might have messed up big time. But let’s hope Naseem can produce some unbelievable spell.

It became easier as when kookubura's shine goes away it does nothing and doesnt have the same bounce or a bit of movement. Also there is not much reverse in Australia unless sandpaper is used.

Plan of opening pair wasnt wrong but when the time came to accelerate in the 2nd session onwards everybody including Haris and Babar struggled as I think it was bit early. Acceleration should have started post 45-50 overs till 80th over before the new ball.

 

[Titan24]

No assumptions... there is a reason if someone is called a brave captain or attacking captain or a coward captain. Same goes with the coach management etc.. If a person has an attacking mindset he will preach that but if a person has a defensive mindset he will teach that. Let that sink in first

So who was the attacking coach and captain we have got in the last decade? Because we have always lost in Aus and SA and dont remember any memorable performance.

 

[Plumb]

So who was the attacking coach and captain we have got in the last decade? Because we have always lost in Aus and SA and dont remember any memorable performance.

Its a same long discussion which I am and I am sure most pak fans are tired of having. What makes me mad is same like the politics fans are promised new approach, fresh 21st century mindset, more professionalism and the list goes on and what is dumped upon us is a coach/captain management who still in the 90s mentality. Rest of the cricketing world is going south and we are looking at north. I mean come on now....

 

[troodon]

Pak played too defensively. It was only a matter of time before Aus bowlers found their lengths and wickets would tumble.

Not one batsman in the top 5 went for their shots even on half volleys. Most of them for checked drives or a mere defensive pushes which either went to fielders or just took 2 or 3 runs.

After battling the first session, Pak should have put the pedal on the accelerator a bit. But they got into a hole and never came out of it.

 

[Titan24]

Its a same long discussion which I am and I am sure most pak fans are tired of having. What makes me mad is same like the politics fans are promised new approach, fresh 21st century mindset, more professionalism and the list goes on and what is dumped upon us is a coach/captain management who still in the 90s mentality. Rest of the cricketing world is going south and we are looking at north. I mean come on now....

Irony is Babar got out playing an attacking shot. Test matches are played at their own pace barring a few exceptions as we saw with Nz vs Eng match as well. Warner, Sehwag, Ghilcrist are few exceptions of players with comparative high SR in tests otherwise around 50 is considered decent in the innings.

Babar is still learning while Haris although he is 30 but he is also pretty inexperienced along with Shan, Iftikhar and Rizwan. Its one of the most inexperienced lineups around if you compare them with other teams and on top of that they were playing in Gabba.

 

[Titan24]

Pak played too defensively. It was only a matter of time before Aus bowlers found their lengths and wickets would tumble.

Not one batsman in the top 5 went for their shots even on half volleys. Most of them for checked drives or a mere defensive pushes which either went to fielders or just took 2 or 3 runs.

After battling the first session, Pak should have put the pedal on the accelerator a bit. But they got into a hole and never came out of it.

True. I also think Haris and Babar tried to accelerate a bit too early without even settling in. Ideally if a team can go to 45-50 overs in Aus once kookubura ball is almost dead, thats the ideal time to accelerate.

 

[fluke]

still Pakistan put a decent score on the board, the situation they had after azhar and shan gone I was thinking that this team will get out cheaply around 160 175 - with a great effort of asad and Yasir we have reached here lets hope and pray that they will do some magic with the ball tomorrow

 

[unemployedgm]

Irrespective of the format, Pakistan's batting tactics revolve around a combination of survival and reaction. This is the chosen method for bad teams across sports. The best teams attack the opposition and survival is a last resort. In football terms, we park the bus with our batting.

 

[Mirpur express]

instead of tuktuking towards 70-0 at lunch & 240 all out ! Play positive cricket get to lunch 110-2 Finnish the day 370 all out

 

[Mirpur express]

That way our bowlers will have something to bowl for even though Smith will probably make half the runs himself on day2

 

[Rayyman]

True. I also think Haris and Babar tried to accelerate a bit too early without even settling in. Ideally if a team can go to 45-50 overs in Aus once kookubura ball is almost dead, thats the ideal time to accelerate.

Batting tactics should have been to play cautiously until drinks and then increasing the RR to 2.5+.

Shan and Azhar scored 42 runs in 20 overs after drinks and that completely ruined the momentum of the innings.

The goal should be to get set defensively and then slowly start increasing the RR by rotating strike and then the odd boundary.

Shan and Azhar got set but never accelerated.

Haris and Babar tried to accelerate without getting set.

 

[coy0607]

Pak played too defensively. It was only a matter of time before Aus bowlers found their lengths and wickets would tumble.

Not one batsman in the top 5 went for their shots even on half volleys. Most of them for checked drives or a mere defensive pushes which either went to fielders or just took 2 or 3 runs.

After battling the first session, Pak should have put the pedal on the accelerator a bit. But they got into a hole and never came out of it.

If you just just keep blocking, at some point the bowlers will find their rhythm and you’ll get out. After the first session that should’ve played more freely.

Threw away the early advantage. Typical Pakistan

 

[octavian]

Classic misbah philosophy of tuk tuk and cowardice was on display on day 1.

Misbahism is based on staying in passive survival mode all the time. This might have worked for a few tests in UAE but this is asking for huge trouble in Australia.

The same Shaan Masood played very differently in SA under Mickey Arthur.

 

[Titan24]

Batting tactics should have been to play cautiously until drinks and then increasing the RR to 2.5+.

Shan and Azhar scored 42 runs in 20 overs after drinks and that completely ruined the momentum of the innings.

The goal should be to get set defensively and then slowly start increasing the RR by rotating strike and then the odd boundary.

Shan and Azhar got set but never accelerated.

Haris and Babar tried to accelerate without getting set.

Exactly.

 

[Kroll]

Hit and hope and see what sticks I guess.

 

[ahmadharis1]

I dont mind being like 15-0 after 10 overs but it was the batting afterwards that dug us into a hole

 

[pratiktc]

The problem is not the pace of Pakistan's scoring. It is the panicky mindset when a wkt falls that infects the entire order.
2 of the top 4 got suckered into playing needless strokes before getting their eye in.

That is where Pak lost control.

Rizwan's unlucky decision further stung any chance of a competitive score

Aus will also have a mini collapse but it will be something like 10/2 instead of 20/5

It is inevitable that teams will lose mini sessions/periods where opposition bowlers are bowling in rhythm. But true batting class is weathering out those periods with minimum losses

 

[castortroy]

Look, pak have won what 3 or 4 test matches ever in Australia in their history. They have an absolutely shocking record in Australia and its not going to change in our lifetime.

The can't play bounce, never been able to

Australia will have a lead of at least 80 by close of play tomorrow

 

[Titan24]

The problem is not the pace of Pakistan's scoring. It is the panicky mindset when a wkt falls that infects the entire order.
2 of the top 4 got suckered into playing needless strokes before getting their eye in.

That is where Pak lost control.

Rizwan's unlucky decision further stung any chance of a competitive score

Aus will also have a mini collapse but it will be something like 10/2 instead of 20/5

It is inevitable that teams will lose mini sessions/periods where opposition bowlers are bowling in rhythm. But true batting class is weathering out those periods with minimum losses

Exactly, pace of the innings aside this has been the major problem for Pakistani batting for a long time. Batting struggles to handle pressure.

2,3 teams have won in Aus in the last decade and that wasnt by hitting the ball hard in all parts of the ground. Yes intent should be better in terms of strike rotation and putting loose balls away but the main issue is lack of pressure handling skills which allows number of wickets to fall one after another.

 

[Bhaijaan]

I have just two words for ya

Cheteshwar Pujara!

 

[Kroll]

I have just two words for ya

Cheteshwar Pujara!

Sadly, we don't have a player of that mindset. We do have mental midgets though.

 

[sweep_shot]

I got this feeling that Pakistan wanted to bat for long hours. It was working fine in the first session.

They need to find a balance between patience and aggression.

 

[Relic]

Look, pak have won what 3 or 4 test matches ever in Australia in their history. They have an absolutely shocking record in Australia and its not going to change in our lifetime.

The can't play bounce, never been able to

Australia will have a lead of at least 80 by close of play tomorrow

"Not going to change in our lifetime" seems to be a mighty exaggeration unless well you're near your end

 

[Savak]

Nothing has changed for Pakistan under Misbah ul Haq as a player, captain and now as head coach, chief selector.

Most teams around the world are circumspect, careful in the first 15-20 overs of the innings and they take full toll of the older ball from overs 20-80 before the second new ball is taken after overs 80 onwards.

But as usual as predicted Pakistan batted at the same slow non threatening run rate through out the innings and did not take advantage of an older ball that was doing nothing

Pakistani Cricket needs liberation from Misbah ul Haq at all costs