'Whilst Imam and I were batting, we felt we had the run-chase under control' : Babar Azam

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan captain Babar Azam: "We let them score too many runs in the first ten overs. We started poorly and then gave away too many runs at the death. While Imam and I were batting, we felt we had the chase under control but then lost wickets in clumps and couldn't recover."

The thing with slow strike rate is, it puts unncessarily more pressure on other batsman at crease and then throughout the batting line up as whoever will come next will have to compensate for the poor strike rate of players batted earlier. This result in loss of wickets.

We wanted to restrict them to under 300. But we didn't start well in the first ten overs, but we restricted them well in the end. I thought we lost the grip when I got out. It wasn't easy for the new batsmen, but unfortunately I got out and they got the momentum. When your main players aren't available, you have to back the young players. They debutants did well though. We will discuss the mistakes we made and look to not repeat it in the next game.

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Seem like a load of excuses and delusion from Babar.

1) 1st 10 overs with the ball yes were rubbish so why persist with Hasan Ali's buffet bowling

2) Death bowling, the spinners were doing well. Yet he brought Hasan Ali back on. Also Rauf under bowled his 10 over quota.

3) chase was under control? req run rate at start of inns was 6 an over. After 20 overs it was req run rate 7.26 and after 30 overs it was req rate 8.30

So what exactly was under control? We were scoring at under 5 runs per over after 30 overs.

So both you and imam were batting like snails and then you expect new batsmen to score at 8 runs per over straight away? what about all dot balls that were eaten up?

pakistan arent missing any main players? so what youngsters are going to be made scape goats for Your and imams directionless batting?

Its not 1st time pakistan have batted like this and wont be last.

Babar is even more clueless then when sarfraz was in charge a few years ago.

 

[PakPremi]

Shaheen Afridiis themain player not playing, as well as Shadab. Even Nawaz is better than no hopers like Iftikhar and Khushdil.

 

[Zaz]

Shaheen Afridiis themain player not playing, as well as Shadab. Even Nawaz is better than no hopers like Iftikhar and Khushdil.

Aus is missing several first teamers This shouldnt be an excuse

Babar needs to stop making excuse and get a grip of the teams performances otherwise i suggest he resigns

His poor and naive tactics arent acceptable

 

[adzzy786]

I love Babar as a batsman, however he isn’t captain material.

We need a true leader like Dhoni or Kohli were. Fearless in the most dire situations, where we have a team full of ***** cats.
When I think of the 90’s and early 00’s our players had different flare about them, loads of X factor players.

Now I look down our team and think would any of these get into our 90’s team?

Truth is we aren’t even playing 90’s cricket, we are playing 80’s ODI cricket.

Even if we win the remaining 2 games. We are not good enough. We got hammered by englands 4th string team.

 

[TheSultan]

Someone needs to put Babar out of his misery and relieve him of captaincy

 

[angrypathan]

Aus is missing several first teamers This shouldnt be an excuse

Babar needs to stop making excuse and get a grip of the teams performances otherwise i suggest he resigns

His poor and naive tactics arent acceptable

Warner, Smith, Maxwell, Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood all missing for Australia

 

[Oneking]

Keep playing you buddies and they will keep taking you down, Hassan Ali shouldn’t even be near Pak team in any format, I am lost as to why they didn’t pick Dahani. Playing Iftikhar and kushdil together is another stupid selection, asking Saud Shakeel to come ahead of Rizwan was another stupid call, having leg spinner who is playing his first game bowl during power play another stupid call, batting at 70-80 strike rate till he reaches 50 was another stupid call

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Can’t believe we need to put up with this for another year. No chance he’ll lose his captaincy before the WC, even if we lose to Zimbabwe

 

[PakHammer]

It was a weird selection for sure. Part timers like Kushdil and Iftikhar as your fifth bowlers. This is not the 1992 World Cup team where Aamir Sohail can bowl a few overs because he had 4 world class bowlers with him? Surely Asif Afridi should have be given the second spinner role?

Saud Shakeel should be in our red ball test team rather than in the ODI team. If Pakistan don't win another match, I really can't see how Babar can stay as the white ball captain especially considering the Aussies are missing much of their first choice players.

 

[PakEngFan]

Can’t believe we need to put up with this for another year. No chance he’ll lose his captaincy before the WC, even if we lose to Zimbabwe

Who shall be the captain?

 

[ChipShot]

Who shall be the captain?

Shaheen. Andhon me kana raja

 

[Varun]

Let's face it. By "missing main players", we know Babar mentally means Hafeez, Malik etc.

 

[Ahmed216]

We are doomed if he really thinks so

 

[Energy]

Babar got out in the 25th over, and the score was 120. Let's assume he batted quicker and Pakistan reached around 150 when he got out.

How many of you think then the Pakistan middle order would have handled the chase from there for the next 25 overs? They would have still bottled it.

We need to understand that there is no established batsman in the team after Babar, and they cannot be tasked to play 25 overs in any situation. They are only good enough for 5-10 overs, after the top three set the tone. This is our limitation.

That is why, for the ones who have at least proven they can do a job at a certain number, the PCB need to think out of the box and utilise them. And not make a fool of themselves each time by sticking to batters that have been repeated failures but are playing because they are 'six' hitters. That is a flawed strategy.

Push Rizwan to open, get Fakhar in the middle order and reduce reliance on Iftikhar, Khushdil and all other characters because they are not going to win any matches for you irrespective of any match situation.

 

[iniqbal223]

Aus is missing several first teamers This shouldnt be an excuse

Babar needs to stop making excuse and get a grip of the teams performances otherwise i suggest he resigns

His poor and naive tactics arent acceptable

Misbah has taught him all his tricks in last 2 years
1) How to play slow?
2) How to keep threatening performer out of team?
3) How to make sure you select XI which is full of Railu Kattes so that even your 50 balls 30 runs will look monumental
4) How to overplay some players so they can get injured?
5) How to fit your mediocre friends in the team?
6) How to find excuses?

 

[iniqbal223]

Babar got out in the 25th over, and the score was 120. Let's assume he batted quicker and Pakistan reached around 150 when he got out.

How many of you think then the Pakistan middle order would have handled the chase from there for the next 25 overs? They would have still bottled it.

We need to understand that there is no established batsman in the team after Babar, and they cannot be tasked to play 25 overs in any situation. They are only good enough for 5-10 overs, after the top three set the tone. This is our limitation.

That is why, for the ones who have at least proven they can do a job at a certain number, the PCB need to think out of the box and utilise them. And not make a fool of themselves each time by sticking to batters that have been repeated failures but are playing because they are 'six' hitters. That is a flawed strategy.

Push Rizwan to open, get Fakhar in the middle order and reduce reliance on Iftikhar, Khushdil and all other characters because they are not going to win any matches for you irrespective of any match situation.

Then why did he play other batters in the team? if he knew that after him n batsman could do any good

 

[iniqbal223]

Babar got out in the 25th over, and the score was 120. Let's assume he batted quicker and Pakistan reached around 150 when he got out.

How many of you think then the Pakistan middle order would have handled the chase from there for the next 25 overs? They would have still bottled it.

We need to understand that there is no established batsman in the team after Babar, and they cannot be tasked to play 25 overs in any situation. They are only good enough for 5-10 overs, after the top three set the tone. This is our limitation.

That is why, for the ones who have at least proven they can do a job at a certain number, the PCB need to think out of the box and utilise them. And not make a fool of themselves each time by sticking to batters that have been repeated failures but are playing because they are 'six' hitters. That is a flawed strategy.

Push Rizwan to open, get Fakhar in the middle order and reduce reliance on Iftikhar, Khushdil and all other characters because they are not going to win any matches for you irrespective of any match situation.

Then why did he play other batters in the team? if he knew that after him n batsman could do any good

 

[Energy]

Then why did he play other batters in the team? if he knew that after him n batsman could do any good

What can you do when you don't have the talent pool? Not Babar's fault the other batters are garbage.

 

[Saj]

It wasn't under control as both were scoring at a rate that was below what was required.

It seemed as if both were hoping some of the others could fluke a 50 off 20 balls and win the match.

 

[Amjid Javed]

It wasn't under control as both were scoring at a rate that was below what was required.

It seemed as if both were hoping some of the others could fluke a 50 off 20 balls and win the match.

Niether batsmen was willing to take a risk for the team. Always add 2 wickets to score your on to give a possible reflection of where you are in a match. it was 1980s Odi batting.

its clearly obvious in Asia or anywhere in ODIs you need to score heavily in PP or against pace.

in asia the spinners will always so inns down. yet where was the late aggression shown earlier in the game?

 

[sweep_shot]

It seemed under control while Fakhar was there. Once he got out, Pakistan became slower (run rate was around 5 till the 25th over).

 

[Amjid Javed]

It seemed under control while Fakhar was there. Once he got out, Pakistan became slower (run rate was around 5 till the 25th over).

pakistans run rate was 5 an over all way through inns which isnt good enough when you need 6 an over at start. it pretty much means req run rate is going up by 1 every ten overs.

PP was time to score heavy. instead imam and babar were blocking everything.

 

[Markhor]

Babar's statements these days are sounding like Sean Spicer or that Iraqi spokesman when Baghdad was falling.

No basis in reality.

 

[James]

Babar at the moment seems to specialise in these post match fluff statements.

Nothing relevant or insightful at all, and not even based in observable fact to begin with.

 

[Zaz]

Babar at the moment seems to specialise in these post match fluff statements.

Nothing relevant or insightful at all, and not even based in observable fact to begin with.

Exactly Therez nothing insightful or discerning about his match analysis

All we ever see is him regurgitating the match summarirs or what he perceives to be fact without ever him failing to appreciate the real core underlying issues

Pakistan cricket has a lot of problems and the last thing it needs is a captain with his head buried in the sand who is fsiling to see the forrest for the trees

 

[James]

Exactly Therez nothing insightful or discerning about his match analysis

All we ever see is him regurgitating the match summarirs or what he perceives to be fact without ever him failing to appreciate the real core underlying issues

Pakistan cricket has a lot of problems and the last thing it needs is a captain with his head buried in the sand who is fsiling to see the forrest for the trees

It’s currently unclear to me whether Babar is truly saying what he thinks as an individual, or whether he is being coached on what to say as it will sound innocuous and neither here nor there in the media.

 

[Amjid Javed]

lets see if babar/imam have run chase in this 2nd odi under control later.

 

[adzzy786]

lets see if babar/imam have run chase in this 2nd odi under control later.

Babar 50 (76)
Imam 72 (98)

Match winning innings *

 

[Kianig89]

De ja vu it will be with 35 runs extra

 

[Amjid Javed]

Time to do better job then they did last game.

 

[Snowflake]

So, let's see if Babar's signature line "we'll learn from our mistakes and will not repeat them" is just a line or if he actually means it.

 

[Wahid1234]

Babar playing test match again looks like heading towards another laboured loss shocking captain and regressed as a player big time no power game at all

 

[MenInG]

Babar playing test match again looks like heading towards another laboured loss shocking captain and regressed as a player big time no power game at all

Watch again.

 

[Amjid Javed]

About time both players realized you cant coast in ODI games.

 

[Saj]

2nd ODI - 111 runs from 15.2 overs

1st ODI - 96 runs from 19.4 overs

 

[Amjid Javed]

2nd ODI - 111 runs from 15.2 overs

1st ODI - 96 runs from 19.4 overs

i can bet number of dot balls and % dot balls was nowhere near as bad.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Learnt very quickly.

I guess being patient helps. The more Pakistan play at home, they will get better.

 

[Zaz]

Congrats to them all, this is all what the fans want that the players be brave n play as per the requirements of the situation for the team

A similar situation to the other day but they went for it today No half measures Fantastic and pls more of this now

 

[shamaan]

Congrats to them all, this is all what the fans want that the players be brave n play as per the requirements of the situation for the team

A similar situation to the other day but they went for it today No half measures Fantastic and pls more of this now

Difference was that they didn't loose a wicket in the first 20 overs.

 

[Saj]

Difference was that they didn't loose a wicket in the first 20 overs.

But in the previous match they had only lost 1 wicket. It wasn't as if they had lost 6 wickets when they were batting together.

 

[shamaan]

But in the previous match they had only lost 1 wicket. It wasn't as if they had lost 6 wickets when they were batting together.

Fakhar scored at run a ball even thou he started slowly that was the difference both attacked at different times.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Difference was that they didn't loose a wicket in the first 20 overs.

Difference was they had a better PP, both batsmen were aggressive, less dot balls and most of all they didnt let the run rate climb out of control.

lmam babar scored 96 runs in around 20 overs 1st game.

same pair scored 111 in 15 overs. Huge difference when players are positive straight away and not being aggressive when game is out of reach

 

[zulfiqar]

Difference was they had a better PP, both batsmen were aggressive, less dot balls and most of all they didnt let the run rate climb out of control.

lmam babar scored 96 runs in around 20 overs 1st game.

same pair scored 111 in 15 overs. Huge difference when players are positive straight away and not being aggressive when game is out of reach

This is what I keep repeating here on PP and in friend circles. It's not that these players can't play aggressively, it's that they never intend to. There's a weird batting culture that you have to be conservative and build an innings in the way it was done in the past. Modern day tactics have left that behind now and most good ODI teams will not care if they lose a wicket or two and the guy coming it at #4 will play positively from the start. That doesn't mean you throw caution to the wind when it comes to tricky pitches and difficult batting conditions, but when it's supposed to be easy to bat, you have to capitalize from earlier in the innings and can't think that you'll make up for it in the end if you have wickets in hand - it's much better to keep a healthy RR from the start and not let the RRR out of your sight - other countries have been playing this way for a while now.

I completely disagree with comments that say we can't play the modern way because we don't have the players (as Misbah has said on TV). It's just not true. You see Babar play like the way he played today and you know it's about strategy/mindset, and not skillset. The onus is on the coaching staff/management to encourage the players to play the way they dreamt of playing when they got the squad call-up, not like a bunch of scared chickens fighting to keep their spot!

 

[shamaan]

Difference was they had a better PP, both batsmen were aggressive, less dot balls and most of all they didnt let the run rate climb out of control.

lmam babar scored 96 runs in around 20 overs 1st game.

same pair scored 111 in 15 overs. Huge difference when players are positive straight away and not being aggressive when game is out of reach

Fakhar is always the key in these chases he didn't go out of gear 2 and stil played a run a ball the difference was that Babar came after 20 overs in this game so he had to only play 1 way.

 

[MenInG]

Imam and Babar the new standard bearers for Pakistan in ODIs?

 

[Amjid Javed]

Imam and Babar the new standard bearers for Pakistan in ODIs?

This series is a start. We have home series against NZ and Eng this year, that will tell us where we really are as an ODI side.

 

[shamaan]

This series is a start. We have home series against NZ and Eng this year, that will tell us where we really are as an ODI side.

We can beat New Zealand but England will be a tough test.