What positives, if any, can Pakistan take away from their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign?

[ElRaja]

I now wonder how would our team had fared if we had the following players available

1) Sharjeel Khan
2) Mohd Amir
3) Imad Wasim
4) Azam Khan
5) Abrar Ahmed

no better, sharjeel and azam would allow another 20 or 30 runs in the field, wouldnt have outperformed Abdullah and fakhar

amir was present in 2019 and in favourable conditions did nothing besides a 5fer in a losing cause

imad would go for even more runs than nawaz who despite being rubbish went for less than 6/over

abrar might have added something, but he is unproved at 50 over level, but hed pbly have been better than shadab.

 

[Rana]

no better, sharjeel and azam would allow another 20 or 30 runs in the field, wouldnt have outperformed Abdullah and fakhar

amir was present in 2019 and in favourable conditions did nothing besides a 5fer in a losing cause

imad would go for even more runs than nawaz who despite being rubbish went for less than 6/over

abrar might have added something, but he is unproved at 50 over level, but hed pbly have been better than shadab.

Yeah I don’t think so.

Sharjeel would have blasted Netherlands out of the match in the first 10 overs.

He would have given you proper starts against Australia and South Africa too. Pretty sure he would have murdered the SL attack too in Ahmedabad

 

[ElRaja]

Yeah I don’t think so.

Sharjeel would have blasted Netherlands out of the match in the first 10 overs.

He would have given you proper starts against Australia and South Africa too. Pretty sure he would have murdered the SL attack too in Ahmedabad

lol, if that delusion makes u feel better fair enough, the fact that he couldn't buy a run in the psl must be irrelevant. even peak sharjeel never played a match winning odi knock against any decent opposition.

 

[Rana]

lol, if that delusion makes u feel better fair enough, the fact that he couldn't buy a run in the psl must be irrelevant. even peak sharjeel never played a match winning odi knock against any decent opposition.

Peak Sharjeel was Pakistan’s best modern batter in the Misbah tuk tuk era. What are you on about?

 

[Markhor]

Pakistan's impending group stage exit is the biggest positive. Our planning, selections, tactics, performances and general buffoonery from the Chairman down has received a fitting result - an early trip across the Wagah.

Babar's received a lifetime's worth of luck in the ICC tournaments he's skippered. Last year he benefited from a South African meltdown for the ages in the T20 World Cup. This year, the Bangalore rain prevented PAK from needing to chase 400 vs NZ. Even qudrat ka nizam has a limit.

Now there can be no pulling the wool over the public's eye. Now nothing but a thorough appraisal of our cricket will suffice.

That involves Babar taking responsibility for 4 years of awful leadership. How does a captain become dumber as their tenure progresses ?

That means clearly outlining the remit of the coaching staff. I like Mickey but this is a mess. A team director is an administrative role IMO a la Rob Key and shouldn't be part of the day-to-day management. Otherwise are players accountable to Grant Bradburn or Mickey Arthur ?

That means, above all, ending this farce of politicians appointing PCB's Chairman. Your cricket team is a product of the administration. No surprise then Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh pack their bags while West Indies and Zimbabwe never even made it through Indian Customs. I wonder if any other team launched an inquiry into their Chief Selector mid-World Cup before ?

The lack of quality spinners, lax fitness standards, mismanaged fast bowlers, failure to develop our bench strength and scattergun selections all stem from a board who make it difficult to distinguish between comic parody and reality. Four PCB Chairs in Four Years should be the title of a satiric sketch, not a fact of PAK's WC cycle. Will this thorough appraisal happen ? Don't hold your breath. These people are immune from shame, remorse and introspection.

 

[ElRaja]

Peak Sharjeel was Pakistan’s best modern batter in the Misbah tuk tuk era. What are you on about?

nearly 50 international and one fifty against England as his only match winning knock against a decent team, that's ur standard for best modern batter? i know frustrations are high after this world cup, but please have some sense of normality.

 

[Rana]

nearly 50 international and one fifty against England as his only match winning knock against a decent team, that's ur standard for best modern batter? i know frustrations are high after this world cup, but please have some sense of normality.

So who was Pakistan’s best modern batter under the Misbah era?

I bet you believe it was Misbah ul Haq himself

 

[ElRaja]

Pakistan's impending group stage exit is the biggest positive. Our planning, selections, tactics, performances and general buffoonery from the Chairman down has received a fitting result - an early trip across the Wagah.

Babar's received a lifetime's worth of luck in the ICC tournaments he's skippered. Last year he benefited from a South African meltdown for the ages in the T20 World Cup. This year, the Bangalore rain prevented PAK from needing to chase 400 vs NZ. Even qudrat ka nizam has a limit.

Now there can be no pulling the wool over the public's eye. Now nothing but a thorough appraisal of our cricket will suffice.

That involves Babar taking responsibility for 4 years of awful leadership. How does a captain become dumber as their tenure progresses ?

That means clearly outlining the remit of the coaching staff. I like Mickey but this is a mess. A team director is an administrative role IMO a la Rob Key and shouldn't be part of the day-to-day management. Otherwise are players accountable to Grant Bradburn or Mickey Arthur ?

That means, above all, ending this farce of politicians appointing PCB's Chairman. Your cricket team is a product of the administration. No surprise then Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh pack their bags while West Indies and Zimbabwe never even made it through Indian Customs. I wonder if any other team launched an inquiry into their Chief Selector mid-World Cup before ?

The lack of quality spinners, lax fitness standards, mismanaged fast bowlers, failure to develop our bench strength and scattergun selections all stem from a board who make it difficult to distinguish between comic parody and reality. Four PCB Chairs in Four Years should be the title of a satiric sketch, not a fact of PAK's WC cycle. Will this thorough appraisal happen ? Don't hold your breath. These people are immune from shame, remorse and introspection.

bro i respect u as one of the best posters on this website but we've been around this merry go round non stop since 2003, that an early exit will change things. nothing changes.

pakistan is a semi-pro outfit in a professionalized world, much like the country the team is being left behind on every facet, technical, physical and mental.

there isnt the money, the technical skill, the merit based organisation or stand out talent to even give Pakistan a chance. semi decent players will be ground into dust mentally and physically in this environment.

the final nail in the coffin is the general apathy, an early exit wont really perturb anyone, this is what was expected, and will be expected of a team that is being out competed on every front.

 

[shamaan]

Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel are the only two positives.

Fakhar is proven match winner already.

 

[ElRaja]

So who was Pakistan’s best modern batter under the Misbah era?

I bet you believe it was Misbah ul Haq himself

how have you gone from being unable to justify how sharjeel would have been able to outperform Abdullah and fakhar when his career was mostly short 20s and 30s to asking me who is the best "modern" batsman in misbahs era.

fwiw sharjeel had a s/r of 80 under misbah, umar akmal and shahid afirdi were both more effective power hitters than him under misbah. so i dont know by what standards sharjeel was modern in misbahs era.

 

[Rana]

how have you gone from being unable to justify how sharjeel would have been able to outperform Abdullah and fakhar when his career was mostly short 20s and 30s to asking me who is the best "modern" batsman in misbahs era.

fwiw sharjeel had a s/r of 80 under misbah, umar akmal and shahid afirdi were both more effective power hitters than him under misbah. so i dont know by what standards sharjeel was modern in misbahs era.

You based your thesis (of your strange argument) on Sharjeel having a poor PSL

Babar and Rizwan had a good PSL, what did they do in the 2022 T20 World Cup besides embarrass the nation?

I study this game religiously . I know the caliber of the players and what they are capable of. Sharjeel on these pitches, in this World Cup against these oppositions is 1000% capable of winning you games, or at least giving you the starts you need to make those challenging totals batting first.

Pakistan’s scores batting first (when confused at how to approach the game)

280 v NL
191 v IND
280 v AFG
270 v SA

What’s the problem? Why are your players so confused about how to set a proper score? Why are the oppositions who bat against your world number 1 bowlers scoring in excess of 350 every time?

Study the game. Understand the right kind of players you need!

 

[Rana]

SA will not win the WC cos they lost to Netherlands.

Cricket is a mind game, not a stats games. This isn't Top Trumps.

And Pakistan will win the World Cup because they beat Netherlands?

 

[ElRaja]

You based your thesis (of your strange argument) on Sharjeel having a poor PSL

Babar and Rizwan had a good PSL, what did they do in the 2022 T20 World Cup besides embarrass the nation?

I study this game religiously . I know the caliber of the players and what they are capable of. Sharjeel on these pitches, in this World Cup against these oppositions is 1000% capable of winning you games, or at least giving you the starts you need to make those challenging totals batting first.

Pakistan’s scores batting first (when confused at how to approach the game)

280 v NL
191 v IND
280 v AFG
270 v SA

What’s the problem? Why are your players so confused about how to set a proper score? Why are the oppositions who bat against your world number 1 bowlers scoring in excess of 350 every time?

Study the game. Understand the right kind of players you need!

bro if you study this game religiously maybe you are communicating with visions from a parallel dimension.

your babar rizwan comparison is logically incorrect, just cos someone does well at a lower level does not mean they will do well at a higher level, but if u cant hack the lower level, how can u assume someone will hack a higher level?

hes a 1000% capable of winning you games, but only did twice in 50 games, once against Ireland on a ground the size of a postage stamp.

if studying the game leads to this analysis, please leave me to wallow in my ignorance, lol.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Our test cricket died when Misbah and Younis retired. We just didn't realise it.

Out ODI cricket may go down the same route.

Pakistan is on an accelerated downward spiral. The PCB is barely functioning.

There is no chance of competing, beyond hopes, duas and surprises.

Thats the reality.

I mean the alternatives are overweight guys, fixers or other non darting spinners.

Thats the 'grass is greener' alternative.

We are very soon going to enter an era of just becoming a talent factory for overseas 2nd tier leagues.

One way to decelerate this decline is to focus and concentrate our forces on what can be salvaged. T20 cricket and potentially ODIs. I've said many times before it's time to abandon Test cricket.

 

[Rana]

bro if you study this game religiously maybe you are communicating with visions from a parallel dimension.

your babar rizwan comparison is logically incorrect, just cos someone does well at a lower level does not mean they will do well at a higher level, but if u cant hack the lower level, how can u assume someone will hack a higher level?

hes a 1000% capable of winning you games, but only did twice in 50 games, once against Ireland on a ground the size of a postage stamp.

if studying the game leads to this analysis, please leave me to wallow in my ignorance, lol.

Yeah just deflect the argument with comical responses.

So tell me, how has Pakistan not managed to cross 300 once in this tournament on these roads batting first?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

bro if you study this game religiously maybe you are communicating with visions from a parallel dimension.

your babar rizwan comparison is logically incorrect, just cos someone does well at a lower level does not mean they will do well at a higher level, but if u cant hack the lower level, how can u assume someone will hack a higher level?

hes a 1000% capable of winning you games, but only did twice in 50 games, once against Ireland on a ground the size of a postage stamp.

if studying the game leads to this analysis, please leave me to wallow in my ignorance, lol.

Something I've always wondered but never got an answer for, is that perhaps Sharjeel was given a bad deal by the lack of vision and thinking in Pak cricket.

But we live in a world where there are enough B leagues around that select players. There are plenty of data driven visionary coaches and talent spotters in franchise cricket. Almost all of them have overlooked Sharjeel. I wonder why?

He's worked under very decorated coaches at KK who could have recommended him to sides around the world.

Instead he played 3 games in BPL before getting dropped and thats about it.

Even Hussain Talat gets picked up by B leagues overseas.

Surely a batting powerhouse like Sharjeel who over 8 years ago hit a six off Mitchell Starc would attract some attention???

 

[Rana]

Something I've always wondered but never got an answer for, is that perhaps Sharjeel was given a bad deal by the lack of vision and thinking in Pak cricket.

But we live in a world where there are enough B leagues around that select players. There are plenty of data driven visionary coaches and talent spotters in franchise cricket. Almost all of them have overlooked Sharjeel. I wonder why?

He's worked under very decorated coaches at KK who could have recommended him to sides around the world.

Instead he played 3 games in BPL before getting dropped and thats about it.

Even Hussain Talat gets picked up by B leagues overseas.

Surely a batting powerhouse like Sharjeel who over 8 years ago hit a six off Mitchell Starc would attract some attention???

Why didn’t Rizwan and Babar get picked in the hundred? They are ranked 1 and 3 at the time. Surely they would get picked up by English franchise coaches?

 

[ElRaja]

Yeah just deflect the argument with comical responses.

So tell me, how has Pakistan not managed to cross 300 once in this tournament on these roads batting first?

im just waiting on some solid argument that sharjeel could have outperformed Abdullah and fakhar but im pretty much like sharjeels 1000% match winning ability, it might just be incapable of seeing it.

Our test cricket died when Misbah and Younis retired. We just didn't realise it.

Out ODI cricket may go down the same route.

Pakistan is on an accelerated downward spiral. The PCB is barely functioning.

There is no chance of competing, beyond hopes, duas and surprises.

Thats the reality.

I mean the alternatives are overweight guys, fixers or other non darting spinners.

Thats the 'grass is greener' alternative.

We are very soon going to enter an era of just becoming a talent factory for overseas 2nd tier leagues.

One way to decelerate this decline is to focus and concentrate our forces on what can be salvaged. T20 cricket and potentially ODIs. I've said many times before it's time to abandon Test cricket.

was gonna agree with you till the last point. you do not lose ODIs because you play 6 or 7 tests a year, and you are mistaken if you believe that any savings from reducing investment in test cricket will go towards odi or t20 cricket. its like robbing peter to pay paul, but peter is already a pauper so what u gonna give paul.

test cricket is the one format where technical ability can outweigh physically prowess, and given the state of some Pakistani players you want to give up that natural advantage. yes sir lanka are rubbish but we did play well against them, and guys like Abdullah, saud and naseem show there is hope, altho spin bowling is stuffed.

to me its obvious that ODIs have to go, they put too much of a pointless strain on your fast bowling resources, no one cares about them outside of world cups, and they arent as profitable as t20is.

 

[mrtaim3]

Well stop playing damn winning combination against Nepal and give more chance to bench strength...

How can you become number 1 in ranking then?

 

[ElRaja]

Something I've always wondered but never got an answer for, is that perhaps Sharjeel was given a bad deal by the lack of vision and thinking in Pak cricket.

But we live in a world where there are enough B leagues around that select players. There are plenty of data driven visionary coaches and talent spotters in franchise cricket. Almost all of them have overlooked Sharjeel. I wonder why?

He's worked under very decorated coaches at KK who could have recommended him to sides around the world.

Instead he played 3 games in BPL before getting dropped and thats about it.

Even Hussain Talat gets picked up by B leagues overseas.

Surely a batting powerhouse like Sharjeel who over 8 years ago hit a six off Mitchell Starc would attract some attention???

sharjeel did get a bit of a bum deal, he had a great eye, but he lacked professionalism, indulged in fixing and spent his ban eating biryanis. he was like a bargain jesse ryder, but even less professional, which is saying something. why would any franchise want that?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Why didn’t Rizwan and Babar get picked in the hundred? They are ranked 1 and 3 at the time. Surely they would get picked up by English franchise coaches?

Why did Sharjeel not get picked by anyone despite not playing International cricket?

I mean even Anwar Ali got picked for a List A campaign by Glouctershire.

 

[Rana]

im just waiting on some solid argument that sharjeel could have outperformed Abdullah and fakhar but im pretty much like sharjeels 1000% match winning ability, it might just be incapable of seeing it.

In 2022-23 Pakistan cup, Sharjeel scored 394 runs in 10 matches averaging 39 with a sr of 122.

He has currently scored 235 runs in 5 matches averaging 58, at a strike rate of 128 in this year’s competition.

What is he supposed to do to prove to you that he can perform better than Abdullah, Imam and Fakhar? Although I’ll take Fakhar out of this debate because he opens with Fakhar for me. Fakhar is a certified white ball baller for me.

 

[Rana]

Why did Sharjeel not get picked by anyone despite not playing International cricket?

I mean even Anwar Ali got picked for a List A campaign by Glouctershire.

First you explain the Hundred snub. Explain that and I’ll explain the Sharjeel in other leagues issue

 

[Bewal Express]

After failing in three ICC tournaments, Babar will finally be removed as captain. A decision that should had been taken after World T20 2021, but everyone was blinded by the India win and semi final position.

But that would have not made difference to this WC. Babar is too negative and his selections are Conservative but no other captain would have got results any better than this. Our batsman are civil servants, brought up not to take risks and when they do they fail, because they lack talent.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

im just waiting on some solid argument that sharjeel could have outperformed Abdullah and fakhar but im pretty much like sharjeels 1000% match winning ability, it might just be incapable of seeing it.


was gonna agree with you till the last point. you do not lose ODIs because you play 6 or 7 tests a year, and you are mistaken if you believe that any savings from reducing investment in test cricket will go towards odi or t20 cricket. its like robbing peter to pay paul, but peter is already a pauper so what u gonna give paul.

test cricket is the one format where technical ability can outweigh physically prowess, and given the state of some Pakistani players you want to give up that natural advantage. yes sir lanka are rubbish but we did play well against them, and guys like Abdullah, saud and naseem show there is hope, altho spin bowling is stuffed.

to me its obvious that ODIs have to go, they put too much of a pointless strain on your fast bowling resources, no one cares about them outside of world cups, and they arent as profitable as t20is.

We may have some technical ability for an old style of test cricket but don't have the intelligence nor do we produce intelligent players to a level to sustain success.

I'm not sure about the finances but ODIs must surely be more financially lucrative and there is significantly reduced costs for security etc.

I remember the Sri Lankan series but what lives in my head more is the thrashing by England where we put forward club level bowlers on flat roads. It was just a complete waste of time.

I disagree that nobody cares about ODI outside world cup. If you take a poll across Pakistan you'd be surprised by how many people keep an interest in ODIs with no regard for tests.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

The batting, by far. There are no serious issues there despite the moaning by some fans . One of the best PAK batting lineups that has ever been taken to a World Cup.

The problem is the bowling. For the first 30 overs, PAK bowling is non existent .

If you take out BD and NED, PAK bowling in the first 30 overs has absolutely struggled .

Shaheen - 4 wickets , average - 47.25, economy - 5.91

Hasan - 4 wickets, average - 46.25, economy - 6.61

Shadab - 1 wicket , average - 85, economy - 6.85

Usama - 1 wicket, average - 106, 7.07

Rauf - 0 wickets , economy - 8.26 )


The bowling is clearly the issue .


Toothless new ball bowling and spin bowling has cost PAK against half decent sides

 

[VForVendetta]

But that would have not made difference to this WC. Babar is too negative and his selections are Conservative but no other captain would have got results any better than this. Our batsman are civil servants, brought up not to take risks and when they do they fail, because they lack talent.

But why are they civil servants? When,how & why did they become so timid & selfish? 30/40 years ago the same system used to produce proper aggressive odi batters like Abbas, Malik, Izaz & Anwar, so what happened? There lies the biggest problem. Nobody wants to find that solution, solve this puzzle. As long as Pak cricket remains in denial & refuses to address the single biggest issue to succeed in modern white ball cricket their suffering will continue. Since the debacle in 03 the entire culture went into shell & leadership of Misbah & Babar simply deteriorated the issue. Somehow this rotten culture found a gem in Fakhar who saved Pak from multiple embarrassments. I can't even imagine how far they would have stopped low in last 6 years if Fakhar wasn't persisted.

 

[VForVendetta]

The batting, by far. There are no serious issues there despite the moaning by some fans . One of the best PAK batting lineups that has ever been taken to a World Cup.

I wouldn't exactly claim them one of the best batting lineups of their history. This is basically a one man show. If he fails the entire circus gets exposed. Most of these guys are atleast 30 years behind the curve,none bigger than the much hyped skipper himself.

The problem is the bowling. For the first 30 overs, PAK bowling is non existent .

If you take out BD and NED, PAK bowling in the first 30 overs has absolutely struggled .

Shaheen - 4 wickets , average - 47.25, economy - 5.91

Hasan - 4 wickets, average - 46.25, economy - 6.61

Shadab - 1 wicket , average - 85, economy - 6.85

Usama - 1 wicket, average - 106, 7.07

Rauf - 0 wickets , economy - 8.26 )


The bowling is clearly the issue .


Toothless new ball bowling and spin bowling has cost PAK against half decent sides

 

[CerebralPatriot]

Positives:
1. Saud Shakeel has proven himself to be a world class bat
2. Babar Azam's captaincy has finally been exposed without any fluke semi place to cover it up
3. Rizwan has been exposed as a rubbish keeper and stat padder
4. Babar's batting has shown to be ineffective when it comes to pressure moments
5. Shaheen has been exposed as a one over wonder who without swing becomes a poor mans Rahat Ali

Their are a few more positives to note however the key thing is that the gang of four (Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen and Shadab) have all been revealed to the public to be mediocre cricketers who play for themselves rather than the team. Hopefully by being exposed, actual systemic changes will take place

 

[VForVendetta]

Positives:
1. Saud Shakeel has proven himself to be a world class bat
2. Babar Azam's captaincy has finally been exposed without any fluke semi place to cover it up
3. Rizwan has been exposed as a rubbish keeper and stat padder
4. Babar's batting has shown to be ineffective when it comes to pressure moments
5. Shaheen has been exposed as a one over wonder who without swing becomes a poor mans Rahat Ali

Their are a few more positives to note however the key thing is that the gang of four (Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen and Shadab) have all been revealed to the public to be mediocre cricketers who play for themselves rather than the team. Hopefully by being exposed, actual systemic changes will take place

You missed out the loudmouth fat nephew/childhood mate. He has been exposed as arguably the biggest fraud in Pak cricket history. Many people may not realize it now but for the betterment of Pak cricket he needed to be embarrassed. Him being part of the clique or the gang as you dubbed is just pure blessing.

 

[pratiktc]

Everyone is saying Rizwan is a positive

The guy literally abandoned the ship in every crunch game/moment the side needed its number 4…

-succumbed to pressure against India, team all out for 191

-Swiping to the right every ball against Australia and got out when the chase reached its critical stage

-Didn’t have a clue on how to bat in the important number 4 position against Afghanistan and South Africa.

He hasn’t been a shining light as you lot are making him out to be.

Get off your hobby horse man.

Rizwan is no world beater but he's had a good world cup. He bailed Pak out against Ned and SL and did reasonably well against Ind and Aus.

You keep whining that Rizwan bats for his average. Atleast this tournament it was clear he was looking to force pace in SA, Afg and Aus matches and he timed his charge well in SL game.

In this WC, as a middle order bat Rizwan has been impact wise

; much more impactful than Buttler, Bairstow, Root have been for Eng (although that's not saying much)

; marginally better what Shreyas and KLR have been for India

; clearly better than Tom Latham for NZ

; behind the SA middle order bats (who also have had their failures against Ind and Ned)

; Better than Smith, Labuschagne, Inglis, for Aus

; easily better than all of the Sri Lankan and Bangladesh batters

; Behind Gurbaz and on par with Zadran but far better than rest of Afg bats


He's had a damned fine world cup compared to his peers and it's silly of you to look to denigrate it. Whatever issues you have with Rizwan the person and Rizwan the T20 batter, raise them in other threads.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The only positives that come to my mind and "will be the only ones really" are:

Record-breaking chase against Sri Lanka and Strong individual performances from Fakhar and somewhat I would also say, Rizwan. Nothing else was worth mentioning here. Bowling was poor, over all batting was nowhere to be found.

 

[battler]

I guess the NZ game, Fakhar absolutely destroyed the Kiwis with a sensational assualt and the 340+ chase against Lanka.
Apart from that the only positive is probably Pakistan team tasted all sorts of Biryani's and Nihari's here.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

I don’t think there are any positives worth the term.

Positives will emerge only if PCB understand the lessons from this WC and implements a solution.

That’s it.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Biggest positive, no more Babar captain.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

After failing in three ICC tournaments, Babar will finally be removed as captain. A decision that should had been taken after World T20 2021, but everyone was blinded by the India win and semi final position.

That was the only tournament he did everything right as a captain. It was his dream tournament, Win vs Ind in WC, getting into semi's unbeaten, no other Pak captain has ever done this. Only if Hassan had taken that catch, things would have been very different.

He should have been removed after 2022 Asia cup and WC final. He couldn't deliver with the bat and was awful captain throughout these tournaments. He never recovered from these to losses in final.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Yeah I don’t think so.

Sharjeel would have blasted Netherlands out of the match in the first 10 overs.

He would have given you proper starts against Australia and South Africa too. Pretty sure he would have murdered the SL attack too in Ahmedabad

No team blasted NED in this tournament in the 1st 10 overs, all of them kind of struggled. Stop living in a delusion of Sharjeel being equivalent of VVR.

 

[asfandyar]

Adopt Afghani and West Indian model of minimal domestic cricket and Indian model of trial and error. Decide if you want to play for public or for the trophy. If former then scrap selection committee and use SMS OTP based selection (PKR 5 per entry). Will also ameliorate the disenfranchisement people see in politics as the control will now be in their hands. Divert excess funds to football.

 

[Marooned]

That it's over I guess. Puts us out of our misery.

 

[vprasanna83]

Impressed with Abdullah Shafique. This guy clearly needs to be persisted with in the long run and will make perfect foil for Fakhar Zaman

 

[vprasanna83]

Here are the players who need to GO immediately:
Imam Ul Haq
Shadab Khan
Mohamed Nawaz
Usama Mir ( No he doesn’t belong )

The hard part is to groom some spinners to take these places

 

[vprasanna83]

Here are the players who need to GO immediately:
Imam Ul Haq
Shadab Khan
Mohamed Nawaz
Usama Mir ( No he doesn’t belong )

The hard part is to groom some spinners to take these places

Add Hassan Ali too

 

[emranabbas]

lol, if that delusion makes u feel better fair enough, the fact that he couldn't buy a run in the psl must be irrelevant. even peak sharjeel never played a match winning odi knock against any decent opposition.

I don't agree with your comparison psl is a 20 over format not a 50 over format

Sharjeel is averaging 60 with a strike rate of 130 in the current pakistan cup
5 games 1x50 1x100

But if you want to use PSL as benchmark then imad should have been the pick as he out performed babar rizwan and everyone else in the current current pakistan team

12 games average of 134 and strike rate of 170

Either way these 2 players or at least one of them should have been in the squad

 

[CerebralPatriot]

Here are the players who need to GO immediately:
Imam Ul Haq
Shadab Khan
Mohamed Nawaz
Usama Mir ( No he doesn’t belong )

The hard part is to groom some spinners to take these places

Rizwan and Iftikhar as well

 

[pakistani pride]

Nothing just drop Babar and Dosti for a good period.

 

[Ali Active]

These were a few positives in my opinion about which Pakistan camp should be happy :-

1. Fakhar Zaman - Has now established himself as an ODI great and an ICC tournament legend

2. Babar Azam - Salvaged his pride against New Zealand. He’s finally back in form and looks set to reclaim the #1 rank

3. Abdullah Shafique - Find of the tournament (batting)

4. Mohammad Wasim - Find of the tournament (bowling)

5. Mohammad Rizwan - Has to be the next captain and proved himself as the fighter

6. Shaheen Afridi - Coming back to form after injury

7. Haris Rauf - Eventually came back in form after a slow start to the World Cup

8. Saud Shakeel - One for the future , a great find

9. Mickey Arthur - Was an outstanding leader when the going got tough. Established himself as the GOAT coach for Pakistan

10. PCB - Their professional approach during the tournament as praise worthy

11. Pavilion - Established itself as the best cricket show

U are literally bhaijaan always finding positives. its for people like u i want india to win the Wc but on the other side looking at sehwag and ex cricketer comments i want india to choke in knockouts

 

[Cricket lover 27]

No positives and nothings going to change it would be the same old story 4 years from now in the next cup.

We hardly learn from our mistakes.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Only positive, Fakhar's innings against New Zealand

 

[Farabi]

The batting, by far. There are no serious issues there despite the moaning by some fans . One of the best PAK batting lineups that has ever been taken to a World Cup.

The problem is the bowling. For the first 30 overs, PAK bowling is non existent .

If you take out BD and NED, PAK bowling in the first 30 overs has absolutely struggled .

Shaheen - 4 wickets , average - 47.25, economy - 5.91

Hasan - 4 wickets, average - 46.25, economy - 6.61

Shadab - 1 wicket , average - 85, economy - 6.85

Usama - 1 wicket, average - 106, 7.07

Rauf - 0 wickets , economy - 8.26 )


The bowling is clearly the issue .


Toothless new ball bowling and spin bowling has cost PAK against half decent sides

Thank you for the data driven analysis here

 

[Farabi]

In 2022-23 Pakistan cup, Sharjeel scored 394 runs in 10 matches averaging 39 with a sr of 122.

He has currently scored 235 runs in 5 matches averaging 58, at a strike rate of 128 in this year’s competition.

What is he supposed to do to prove to you that he can perform better than Abdullah, Imam and Fakhar? Although I’ll take Fakhar out of this debate because he opens with Fakhar for me. Fakhar is a certified white ball baller for me.

I fully support @Rana here. Sharjeel Khan is an X factor player. He should be opening with Fakhar. Sharjeel has been slamming down the domestic doors for selection and he and Saim are heads and shoulders above others when it comes to playing modern brand of cricket.

Rana - quick question. I would actually play Saim and Fakhar. Sharjeel is backup. Thoughts

 

[Technics 1210]

And Pakistan will win the World Cup because they beat Netherlands?

My comment was in response to your question in this thread : which player from Pakistan gets into South Africa’s side?

Why SA and not Australia or NZ?

 

[mon858]

1. Babar captaincy and dosti/yaari culture proven wrong to all
2. Fakhar back in form, and nice to see we can actually chase for a 400 run target
3. Imam out, hopefully stays out forever from T20/ODI.
4. No major injury to Shaheen, Rauf, Hasan, big Aus tour coming up
5. Saud has transformed game but needs to continue to focus on bigger scores, has the potential
6. Shadab/Nawaz are of no use and need long time back in domestic to get back into side.
7. PCB management continues to be making a mockery of themselves
8. We qualified for Champions Trophy

 

[Rana]

I fully support @Rana here. Sharjeel Khan is an X factor player. He should be opening with Fakhar. Sharjeel has been slamming down the domestic doors for selection and he and Saim are heads and shoulders above others when it comes to playing modern brand of cricket.

Rana - quick question. I would actually play Saim and Fakhar. Sharjeel is backup. Thoughts

I personally would prefer all 3 in the team, but the openers for me would be Sharjeel and Fakhar.

Saim and Harris are the future, but I would go with the seasoned Tanks for now. 2-3 years

 

[Saj]

Also a small note: Pakistan cricket can never improve if we keep on playing full strenght squads against the likes of Nepal, Netherland, and C/D teams.

But that's how these guys build up their averages and rankings.

 

[Farabi]

I personally would prefer all 3 in the team, but the openers for me would be Sharjeel and Fakhar.

Saim and Harris are the future, but I would go with the seasoned Tanks for now. 2-3 years

Makes sense.

What are your thoughts on Abdullah and Saud Shakeel?

 

[Rana]

Makes sense.

What are your thoughts on Abdullah and Saud Shakeel?

Saud is class. Management needs some vision to see that he can become our Conway/Malan

He’s a perfect number 3 for me.

Abdullah is good but needs to decide now if he wants to play for his average/stats or wants to play dominating cricket.

The aim should always be to bat according to the track. If you know it’s a road, your strike rate can’t hover around 90-100. That’s what he needs to decide before he goes the Imam, Shahzad, Azhar Ali path

 

[Farabi]

Saud is class. Management needs some vision to see that he can become our Conway/Malan

He’s a perfect number 3 for me.

Abdullah is good but needs to decide now if he wants to play for his average/stats or wants to play dominating cricket.

The aim should always be to bat according to the track. If you know it’s a road, your strike rate can’t hover around 90-100. That’s what he needs to decide before he goes the Imam, Shahzad, Azhar Ali path

So if Sharjeel, Fakhar and Saud are the top 3, then are you suggesting Babar be dropped? or move down where his lack of powerhitting will get exposed even more

 

[ads101]

We went in on paper as probably the 6th strongest side. We will likely end up 5th. This is more a true reflection of our ability. Yes we always want our teams to overperform and win. But calling it a disaster when we finished about par, is probably an overexaggeration.

Our best batsmen are flawed. Other teams have complete batsmen. Babar is the closest, but lacks a power game. Fakhar has a power game, but lacks technique, footwork and rotation of strike. The rest even more limited.

In this world cup, based on talent wise, we should have had Jamshed, Umar and Sharjeel in this team in their prime. They are amongst the most talented players with good power games. You could even argue perhaps Maqsood, though that's borderline (though I don't blame him like the other three). Especially on these pitches where they would have excelled. Instead we had none of these players. And they were quite rightly not included. These players have either got fat, fixed, not improved their game etc. The actual talented guys have not been the standard we needed of them through their own fault. Why I find it frustrating people blaming guys like Rizwan etc. for lack of talent. What else can you do when the actual talented player fail and don't work hard. The non-talented players who work hard take their place because they deliver a higher performance. Yet people blame the non-talented players for the fault of the talented ones.

We need to make fitness standards, fielding and footwork a priority. We can not keep affording to under develop and lose the talent we actually have.

 

[Rana]

So if Sharjeel, Fakhar and Saud are the top 3, then are you suggesting Babar be dropped? or move down where his lack of powerhitting will get exposed even more

That’s a good question

I think Babar is a good number 3 or number 4 even. However, I do also think that Babar being in this job/batting position for the past 5 years hasn’t really advanced to the next level when it comes to intent, power game and innovation. His strike rate of 60-70 against spin this tournament has been extremely disappointing.

Ideally, I would like Babar to stop chasing records now and just bat with total freedom. Great players like Ponting and Lara made sure that they stayed with the times throughout their careers with cricket advancing or gradually becoming easier for the batsmen. So imo Babar needs a bit of time to re-invent himself in order to take himself to the level of the top 4-5 batsmen of most top nations. He is fortunate because he is blessed with a naturally good technique, eye-sight, balance and reflexes. He needs to make best use of these qualities.

Yeah if it means that his team benefits with a free-flowing player like Saud at 3, then Babar should understand that it’s not wrong for him to bat at 4. Work on your spin game, look to play important match winning knocks and not chase stats

 

[captain.hansolo]

I would say for a bowling attack with as much bite as a defanged kitten, Afridi still holds promise.

One the best wicketkeeper batsmen in the world wears green.

 

[Farabi]

That’s a good question

I think Babar is a good number 3 or number 4 even. However, I do also think that Babar being in this job/batting position for the past 5 years hasn’t really advanced to the next level when it comes to intent, power game and innovation. His strike rate of 60-70 against spin this tournament has been extremely disappointing.

Ideally, I would like Babar to stop chasing records now and just bat with total freedom. Great players like Ponting and Lara made sure that they stayed with the times throughout their careers with cricket advancing or gradually becoming easier for the batsmen. So imo Babar needs a bit of time to re-invent himself in order to take himself to the level of the top 4-5 batsmen of most top nations. He is fortunate because he is blessed with a naturally good technique, eye-sight, balance and reflexes. He needs to make best use of these qualities.

Yeah if it means that his team benefits with a free-flowing player like Saud at 3, then Babar should understand that it’s not wrong for him to bat at 4. Work on your spin game, look to play important match winning knocks and not chase stats

I get the argument for Sharjeel but what gives you confidence that Saud will be a more free flowing player than Babar.
I agree Saud is a class batter, but his domestic strike rate is mid-80s in List A, which is even lower than Babar's.

 

[Rana]

I get the argument for Sharjeel but what gives you confidence that Saud will be a more free flowing player than Babar.
I agree Saud is a class batter, but his domestic strike rate is mid-80s in List A, which is even lower than Babar's.

Saud has shown what he is capable of during this World Cup. He’s also not batting in the right position because Rizwan thinks he’s a number 4.

 

[muqarrab]

The exit is all but confirmed, so we can start facing the music and start asking some questions.

For me, the one that I am trying to think very hard about is of positives that Pakistan can take away from this campaign.

Are there any?

In my view

1. Saud Shakeel - great find for our middle order
2. Fakhar Zaman - seems that his form has returned
3. Mohammad Wasim Jr. - Just when people had given up on him, he has shown he has what it takes to be persisted with.

How is Saud shakeel a positive? We are already full of accumulators who can anchor. What is Saud bringing to the team?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

How is Saud shakeel a positive? We are already full of accumulators who can anchor. What is Saud bringing to the team?

He is the one who plays with a higher strike rate in middle overs for the Pakistan, for a debutant of a WC, what else should we expect from him?

 

[rickroll]

I would say for a bowling attack with as much bite as a defanged kitten, Afridi still holds promise.

One the best wicketkeeper batsmen in the world wears green.

Quinton De Kock?

 

[Rana]

I would say for a bowling attack with as much bite as a defanged kitten, Afridi still holds promise.

One the best wicketkeeper batsmen in the world wears green.

Who’s that you are talking about?

 

[Vikram1989]

I personally would prefer all 3 in the team, but the openers for me would be Sharjeel and Fakhar.

Saim and Harris are the future, but I would go with the seasoned Tanks for now. 2-3 years

Sharjeel is 34.y should pak invest in a guy who will retire in couple of years if he remains fit .as we know he may be couple of years older too .Better to invest in the future. I think this is 2000 ganguly moment for pak.build everything afresh with solid players

 

[zaidihusain]

Positives: Abdullah Shafiq, Saud Shakeel, Wasim Junior have performed well on big occasion and under pressure even though they got least amount of opportunities in last 2-3 years

Negatives: Babar, Imam, Iftikhar, Shaheen, Rizwan, Shadab, Nawaz. Despite getting maximum opportunities in last 3-4 years these guys have repeatedly failed to perform in all big tournaments. Poor form, fitness issues, inconsistency, choking in pressure situation is their forte. They all have failed to develop as a player, a professional gets better with experience but these guys still played with negetive mindset occupying same spot without adding any value

Other issues: Fakhar is still unreliable & inconsistent even though he played great knock against NZ

Salman Agha should have played more matches may be opening but he was not unutilised properly

 

[zaidihusain]

Positives: Abdullah Shafiq, Saud Shakeel, Wasim Junior have performed well on big occasion and under pressure even though they got least amount of opportunities in last 2-3 years

Negatives: Babar, Imam, Iftikhar, Shaheen, Rizwan, Shadab, Nawaz. Despite getting maximum opportunities in last 3-4 years these guys have repeatedly failed to perform in all big tournaments. Poor form, fitness issues, inconsistency, choking in pressure situation is their forte. They all have failed to develop as a player, a professional gets better with experience but these guys still played with negetive mindset occupying same spot without adding any value

Other issues: Fakhar is still unreliable & inconsistent even though he played great knock against NZ

Salman Agha should have played more matches may be opening but he was not unutilised properly

Forgot to add below:

Disaster: Haris Rauf

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Only Positive is Abdullah Shafique. He is a solid player to have as an ODI opener. Others can rally around him to get 300+ consistenly.
Spinners, fully rubbish. Complete overhaul.
Pacers, semi decent by hugely overrated.

 

[JAV12341]

I’m sorry there are no positives will have to recycle the same snail paced and trundlers next World Cup to only get humiliated in the groups again.

Combination of corruption and just not good enough

 

[JAV12341]

I now wonder how would our team had fared if we had the following players available

1) Sharjeel Khan
2) Mohd Amir
3) Imad Wasim
4) Azam Khan
5) Abrar Ahmed

Now that’s some serious talented players you’ve just mentioned. Would have definitely reached the semifinals with these players hands down.

 

[captain.hansolo]

Who’s that you are talking about?

Rizwan? Or do I have him confused.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan have once again won the speed gun contest.

Pakistani bowlers bowled a higher % of deliveries above 140 kph than anyone else.

Pace is pace yaar!

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan will receive a substantial financial boost. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had earlier announced a payout of $40,000 for each group stage win and $100,000 for teams exiting at the league stage.

In total, Pakistan will receive $260,000 (approximately PKR 73,341,580) – $160,000 for their four wins and an additional $100,000 for the first-round exit. This substantial financial gain comes despite the team’s forgettable run in the global event.

CRICTODAY​

 

[Hitman]

Sorry for being blunt, I don't see any substantial positives for Pakistan after the way they played in this tournament. The only Pakistani player I'd rate in this WC is Shaheen.

 

[Rana]

Rizwan? Or do I have him confused.

You truly believe he is the best keeper/batsman in the world?

Are you currently roaming around in Nabu captain Hans solo?

 

[Energy]

Sorry for being blunt, I don't see any substantial positives for Pakistan after the way they played in this tournament. The only Pakistani player I'd rate in this WC is Shaheen.

I agree. Wasim and Saud aren't positives. You could say they were OK, but definitely not positive. Getting one fifty or getting one 3-fer is not a positive.

Need to look at Rachin to understand what positive really looks like.

Dire situation for Pakistan that their planning/execution was badly exposed and bar 1-2 players, none of the XI was able to apply themselves. Our premiere batter couldn't play any substantial innings, our premier bowler couldn't get any early wickets, our spinners bowled at over 100 averages.

That is rotten, utterly rotten state of affairs.

 

[Suleiman]

That India is beatable.

We had them on the ropes for a couple overs in each innings but the hostile crowd hurt our focus and concentration.

Same with Australia, SA. Had both on the ropes and lined up for the KO punch, however we have some chronic chokers who need to be shown the door.

Enjoy the title win Indian friends. But remember nothing lasts forever.

Next time.

 

[Hitman]

That India is beatable.

We had them on the ropes for a couple overs in each innings but the hostile crowd hurt our focus and concentration.

Same with Australia, SA. Had both on the ropes and lined up for the KO punch, however we have some chronic chokers who need to be shown the door.

Enjoy the title win Indian friends. But remember nothing lasts forever.

Next time.

World Cups are not won by topping the league stage. You have to win the KO's.