Why don't fans understand how mediocre Pakistan team is?

[Sher Khan]

It's clear that Pakistan is and has been for the last 11 years a mediocre team. Their is a shortage of match winners in Pakistan and talent has dried up.

Our stocks have become so low that our fans do bhangra over a random 19 yr old that hits a six or bowls 140 kph.

As fans we are just setting up ourselves for disappointment and heartbreak. We need to understand that Pakistan is a mediocre team whether youngsters play or not.

 

[FreePalestine]

I do understand where you are coming from, but why blame people about getting excited about youngsters?

If some people fail to understand that we are not as good as we used to be, I also think we are not quite as bad as some of us think we are..

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam are world class players. Shadab is a very handy cricketer. Haider Ali looks very good. So that means that we can challenge top teams ‘on our day’. It is just that we will not be as consistent as a team like India, which has a lot of proven match winners like Sharma, Kohli, Bumrah. But we can definitely still compete with the best. So ‘mediocre’ is perhaps the right word, but we can still hope for better, look forward to future talent, and celebrate good players.

On the blanket call for ‘youngsters’, I do understand your frustration. It shows a lack of understanding of cricket if all they do is call for ‘youngsters’ and expect everything to change instantly. Even these youngsters will take a couple of years to get used to intl cricket, so don’t expect an instant fix!

 

[Rana]

Uh oh, time to cancel PCB because we are just mediocre

 

[zain7077]

I do understand where you are coming from, but why blame people about getting excited about youngsters?

If some people fail to understand that we are not as good as we used to be, I also think we are not quite as bad as some of us think we are..

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam are world class players. Shadab is a very handy cricketer. Haider Ali looks very good. So that means that we can challenge top teams ‘on our day’. It is just that we will not be as consistent as a team like India, which has a lot of proven match winners like Sharma, Kohli, Bumrah. But we can definitely still compete with the best. So ‘mediocre’ is perhaps the right word, but we can still hope for better, look forward to future talent, and celebrate good players.

On the blanket call for ‘youngsters’, I do understand your frustration. It shows a lack of understanding of cricket if all they do is call for ‘youngsters’ and expect everything to change instantly. Even these youngsters will take a couple of years to get used to intl cricket, so don’t expect an instant fix!

I agree with the points you have made but don’t know why the days of Kami umar Hafeez Malik Ajmal rehman Gul etc feel like golden days even tho I feel current players have more potential. Very frustrating
.

 

[Hasan123]

OP is right. We are mediocre. We need to accept this. This is how we can change. Just accepting losing to Zimbabwe and saying things will improve is the wrong mentality to have. We need a mentality change from grassroots to the senior team. Also need to improve domestic cricket and better coaching at junior levels.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think most fans accept Pakistan is mediocre, probably as good a reason for trying out youngsters as any. Not sure what the point of the OP is.

 

[Syed1]

Mediocre teams don't go to world cups and defeat BOTH finalists in the group stage as well as almost beat Australia if it wasn't for a batting collapse.

 

[unemployedgm]

Pakistan is not a mediocre team. Pakistan is a bad team that finds ways to lose. I wouldn't consider Pakistan to be average in any department. That said, Cricket because of its archaic nature has tremendous inefficiencies. These inefficiencies are opportunities for underperforming teams like Pakistan. The question you have to ask is, are we optimizing the talent available to us? The answer to that question is a resounding NO!!! There aren't too many world beaters in Pakistan at the moment but there is enough talent to compete at the highest level consistency. Unfortunately we are mired in the same inefficiencies that we need to take advantage of. Without getting into those inefficiencies in great detail I think it starts with our aptitude about the game of cricket. There are very few people in Pakistan who think about the game of cricket thoughtfully or intelligently. If you think about the game with a lack of intelligence, is it possible to be successful? The answer is no.

 

[StreetSmart]

Pakistan is not Mediocre, Pakistan board has no guts to appoint a proper person. Useless coach, the dicey selection panel, useless Dr and physicians. The negative environment created in the dressing room.

 

[StreetSmart]

Mediocre teams don't go to world cups and defeat BOTH finalists in the group stage as well as almost beat Australia if it wasn't for a batting collapse.

Sir ji woh Captaincy ka difference tha, our players were fighting with the opposition team not against each other to save their place in the team. Jab tak aik nasoor chipka rahay ga team kay saath Pakistan will go from bad to worst.

 

[Rana]

What was Imam ul Haq saying to Wahab Riaz after the game yesterday on National TV?

 

[Local.Dada]

Pakistan is actually a decent team, it can still have its moments and can beat big teams on their day. They have some world class cricketers.

However it’s the fan expectation that is the problem.

Babar Azam is Babar Azam a world class player but when the expectation is for him to match Kohli,Williamson,Smith etc there will be disappointment. Similarly Shaheen is a great talent but people already talk as if he has taken 100+ wickets in all formats or won Pakistan many overseas series.

Some adjustments to the expectations are required that’s all. Pakistan team is alright. Not a world beater but still a more than a decent team.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Pakistan is actually a decent team, it can still have its moments and can beat big teams on their day. They have some world class cricketers.

However it’s the fan expectation that is the problem.

Babar Azam is Babar Azam a world class player but when the expectation is for him to match Kohli,Williamson,Smith etc there will be disappointment. Similarly Shaheen is a great talent but people already talk as if he has taken 100+ wickets in all formats or won Pakistan many overseas series.

Some adjustments to the expectations are required that’s all. Pakistan team is alright. Not a world beater but still a more than a decent team.

I think that's a fair assessment, but you will know this yourself that fans will be fans, there will always be an unhealthy proportion who go way over the top either in joy or despair. Believe me it's not limited to SC teams either, I follow an English football team and their fans are if anything even worse.

Of course you can't tell that to suicidal maternal uncles on this site because the self hatred is too strong, but when you have been exposed to a larger world view then you start to see the broader picture.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Honestly, I don't really see us winning a Test or ODI series against SENA in SENA. In England, maybe a test series win in future is possible, but otherwise we would lose in SENA.
We are a good team that gets fierce in patches mostly in tournaments but never consistent enough to be a big threat in SENA. We haven't won a test in Australia for over 20 years, have won 2 ODIs against Australia in Australia in 15 years.
Need major ramifications not just tweaks.
Our guys are too complacent to play every match with full force.
The less said about the board and the management, the better.

 

[Syed1]

Sir ji woh Captaincy ka difference tha, our players were fighting with the opposition team not against each other to save their place in the team. Jab tak aik nasoor chipka rahay ga team kay saath Pakistan will go from bad to worst.

Yeah we saw the performance of this guy when he was captain in 2015, it was the worst WC team ever assembled by Pakistan. So boring and un-Pakistan like.


I'm surprised this guy Misbah still has backers after what he has done to Pakistan cricket.


As for your point regarding captaincy. Totally agree. Sarf wipes the floor with regards to captaincy with Afridi, Misbah, Azhar and Babar. Sadly his own performance didn't secure a spot in the side for him.

 

[silentkiller187]

I've supported pakistan for a long time, let me re assure some of our younger fans this team is definitely not the worst team we have had in spite of all the wrist slitting especially after we have just won a series. People need to take of their nostalgic specs for a second, we had some dark days even as recently with teams that included the two Ws , yousouf , younis khan, inzamam, shoaib, you could argue all of these to be world class players on their day, but i still remember the defeats to ireland, the mauling's in the world cup from 2003 and 2007.

As OP mentioned , we only have one player right now, maybe two that you can say have a chance of going on to be world class, babar and shaheen) and a poor coach. But the setup is moving in the right direction, we finally have cricket coming home, PSL is starting to find its feet, a new generation of player is coming through but this is no something that will be fixed over night. Time will come when we rise again, however for now we need to stop comparing this team to kohli, bumrah, aussies , india, england etc. We need to be realistic support the team and give the youngsters a chance to make a name for themselves, if they fal after 6/7 games fair enough, but calling people leg side hacks and umar akmal 2.0 after one innings will never help anyone.

 

[sharmaji]

I think Pakistan cricket is getting better. It has an exciting bunch of youngsters in the team. I am vey impressed with SSA and Babar Azam, they are future legends. Currently no team in the world is invincible. Every team has chinks and can be beaten. So in that way, Pakistan is not any different.

However I do agree that Pakistan team doesn't have larger-than-life characters like Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzak, Mohd Asif etc who can be match-winners and put fear in the opposition. Current generation Pak cricketers seem to be good boys, professional and hard-working, which is probably a good thing.

 

[FreePalestine]

I think Pakistan cricket is getting better. It has an exciting bunch of youngsters in the team. I am vey impressed with SSA and Babar Azam, they are future legends. Currently no team in the world is invincible. Every team has chinks and can be beaten. So in that way, Pakistan is not any different.

However I do agree that Pakistan team doesn't have larger-than-life characters like Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzak, Mohd Asif etc who can be match-winners and put fear in the opposition. Current generation Pak cricketers seem to be good boys, professional and hard-working, which is probably a good thing.

Yes I agree with you. Kill me for being an optimist!

 

[Sher Khan]

Mediocre teams don't go to world cups and defeat BOTH finalists in the group stage as well as almost beat Australia if it wasn't for a batting collapse.

Surely, your kidding me? In a 5 match ODI series against both England or Nz, the most likely outcome would be 5-0. Pakistan are deeply mediocre.

 

[Mamoon]

Mediocre teams don't go to world cups and defeat BOTH finalists in the group stage as well as almost beat Australia if it wasn't for a batting collapse.

Mediocre teams do finish 5th in a 10 team World Cup with a negative NRR.

 

[Titan24]

Well I don’t think anyone said Pakistan team is something extraordinary so not sure what needs to be understood and by whom.

 

[ritzy_123]

It's clear that Pakistan is and has been for the last 11 years a mediocre team. Their is a shortage of match winners in Pakistan and talent has dried up.

Our stocks have become so low that our fans do bhangra over a random 19 yr old that hits a six or bowls 140 kph.

As fans we are just setting up ourselves for disappointment and heartbreak. We need to understand that Pakistan is a mediocre team whether youngsters play or not.

When you've problems in your system or you want to learn something new so you try and hire those professionals from outside and keep those potential ones who are your local people and that's how you learn the new things.

But we sacked Mickey for Misbah and Misbah was in that particular team which sacked Mickey so that's stupid it cannot happen anywhere else in the world.

Our team is not mediocre or the players. We can say they are not up there with the best but we were going in the right direction but as soon as Misbah was hired we are now playing 90's cricket again.

 

[Mamoon]

It baffles me when people say that we were heading in the right direction under Mickey. It shows how out of touch with reality are our fans really are.

We went into the World Cup with 21 defeats in 25 matches and then finished 5th in a 10 team World Cup with a negative NRR.

We had the best possible preparation among all sides by getting a 5 match series vs England in England right before the tournament, but we learned nothing from getting smashed there, and got shot for a 100 against West Indies in the opening game which nuked our NRR.

Since that disaster, we were hobbling on one leg and our chances of qualifying for the semis were very slim.

Pakistani fans try to sell the dummy that we got terribly unlucky with the Sri Lanka washout because we were certain to win that game, but if Pakistan and Sri Lanka could beat England, Bangladesh could beat South Africa, Afghanistan could nearly beat India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka could have also beaten Pakistan.

Besides, the India vs New Zealand group match was also washed out and that result could have impacted us as well. New Zealand has been a bit of a bogey team in ODIs for India and they could have won the match like they did in the semifinal.

The bottom-line is that we crashed out before the semis not because we didn’t win a match that didn’t happen but because we didn’t play well enough in the matches that we actually played.

Under Mickey, this is our record against Australia, India, England and New Zealand in ODIs:

Australia:

11 matches, 10 defeats

India:

5 matches, 4 defeats

England:

12 matches, 8 defeats and 1 washout

New Zealand:

9 matches, 7 defeats and 1 washout

So out of the 37 matches that we played against the four best ODI teams during the Mickey era, we lost 29 matches.

Is this what people call “right direction”?

Mickey might be a good coach and Misbah might be a terrible coach, but we aren’t a losing machine because of coaching; we are a losing machine because our players are simply not good enough.

How many Pakistani players today would make the world XI in all three formats? The answer to that question sums up where we stand today.

As I keep saying, the problem is not with the coaches and the players. The problem is with the fans and their expectations. We need to lower our expectations instead of having false hopes that the players will raise their level to meet our expectations.

 

[choudhary6964]

So what do you want us to do? Stop supporting the team? Pakistan is a mid table team everybody knows that.Batting has never been Pakistan's forte and it never will.Lots of fast bowling talent is there and they will coming one after another whether they will succeed or not that's a secondary thing but fast bowlers will keep coming.

 

[Sher Khan]

It baffles me when people say that we were heading in the right direction under Mickey. It shows how out of touch with reality are our fans really are.

We went into the World Cup with 21 defeats in 25 matches and then finished 5th in a 10 team World Cup with a negative NRR.

We had the best possible preparation among all sides by getting a 5 match series vs England in England right before the tournament, but we learned nothing from getting smashed there, and got shot for a 100 against West Indies in the opening game which nuked our NRR.

Since that disaster, we were hobbling on one leg and our chances of qualifying for the semis were very slim.

Pakistani fans try to sell the dummy that we got terribly unlucky with the Sri Lanka washout because we were certain to win that game, but if Pakistan and Sri Lanka could beat England, Bangladesh could beat South Africa, Afghanistan could nearly beat India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka could have also beaten Pakistan.

Besides, the India vs New Zealand group match was also washed out and that result could have impacted us as well. New Zealand has been a bit of a bogey team in ODIs for India and they could have won the match like they did in the semifinal.

The bottom-line is that we crashed out before the semis not because we didn’t win a match that didn’t happen but because we didn’t play well enough in the matches that we actually played.

Under Mickey, this is our record against Australia, India, England and New Zealand in ODIs:

Australia:

11 matches, 10 defeats

India:

5 matches, 4 defeats

England:

12 matches, 8 defeats and 1 washout

New Zealand:

9 matches, 7 defeats and 1 washout

So out of the 37 matches that we played against the four best ODI teams during the Mickey era, we lost 29 matches.

Is this what people call “right direction”?

Mickey might be a good coach and Misbah might be a terrible coach, but we aren’t a losing machine because of coaching; we are a losing machine because our players are simply not good enough.

How many Pakistani players today would make the world XI in all three formats? The answer to that question sums up where we stand today.

As I keep saying, the problem is not with the coaches and the players. The problem is with the fans and their expectations. We need to lower our expectations instead of having false hopes that the players will raise their level to meet our expectations.

I agree with you on the fact that our players are simply not world class. But under Mickey, he atleast brought in some foreign refreshing ideas into the dressing room

The concept of fitness was introduced which thankfully kept the lazy lads like Akmal out of the team and the concept of scoring 300 plus minimum was introduced.

We were scoring 300 plus for fun under Mickey. I believe Pakistan scored 1400 runs whilst England scored 1480 in the five match odi series. So we were competetive.

As offensive as it sounds, Pakistan coaches should not be allowed anywhere near the Pakistan team. We don't need anymore of their 'play with a straight bat' coaching methods.

 

[kingusama92]

I don't think Pakistani fans have a problem with short-term mediocrity. I'm almost certain they'll accept it as long as there's a plan.

It's more about mediocrity WITH senior players.

If you're going to cram the squad with aging vets, they better be winning right now. We all know they're going to be walking with a cane by the time 2023 rolls around.

If you're going to lose, it's better to lose with your younger talents (guys performing in domestic cricket) and let them grow by gaining match experience. Give them a healthy run, see which players stand out, and then weed out the underperformers.

PAK already has a head start with Babar, Shaheen, and Shadab. That's 3/11 ready to go. Now, build around these guys.

By the time 2023 comes around, you will have a good squad full of good players to work with. This is a lot more digestible than what they're doing right now.

 

[WahiDost]

Completely agree with the point that players are mediocre. I wonder if Rana will dare to answer you now, hiding somewhere I guess !

 

[zain7077]

I don't think Pakistani fans have a problem with short-term mediocrity. I'm almost certain they'll accept it as long as there's a plan.

It's more about mediocrity WITH senior players.

If you're going to cram the squad with aging vets, they better be winning right now. We all know they're going to be walking with a cane by the time 2023 rolls around.

If you're going to lose, it's better to lose with your younger talents (guys performing in domestic cricket) and let them grow by gaining match experience. Give them a healthy run, see which players stand out, and then weed out the underperformers.

PAK already has a head start with Babar, Shaheen, and Shadab. That's 3/11 ready to go. Now, build around these guys.

By the time 2023 comes around, you will have a good squad full of good players to work with. This is a lot more digestible than what they're doing right now.

Add Saud Abdullah Zafar Haider And there u go that’s 7/11 players.

 

[Thephenom]

If you have a negative opinion towards the Pakistan cricket team fine, but if your one of these people do your self a favour, stop following and support someone else, or at least stop hanging around a cricket forum with the same old record that never changes!

 

[naseem]

If you have a negative opinion towards the Pakistan cricket team fine, but if your one of these people do your self a favour, stop following and support someone else, or at least stop hanging around a cricket forum with the same old record that never changes!

Associate of some Mamoon the gr8

 

[Hasan123]

If you have a negative opinion towards the Pakistan cricket team fine, but if your one of these people do your self a favour, stop following and support someone else, or at least stop hanging around a cricket forum with the same old record that never changes!

How can you be positive about losing to Zimbabwe? Do you want fans to accept losing to a team who had not played competitive cricket in months and is 14th in the world rankings? Why can't a fan want what's best for the team? Saying Pakistan is a mediocre team is the truth and is not negative.

 

[PakPremi]

How can you be positive about losing to Zimbabwe? Do you want fans to accept losing to a team who had not played competitive cricket in months and is 14th in the world rankings? Why can't a fan want what's best for the team? Saying Pakistan is a mediocre team is the truth and is not negative.

But all fans already know that the selected Pak teams are average team and their performances are unacceptable. Hence the demand to play right combinations, include proper spinners, give more chances to talent batsmen. Like Haider, Abdullah, Saud and not to Fahim, Iftikhar, Asif Ali, or Nawaz etc.
How can you win if you not even exploit the weaknesses of visiting team in playing good spin, Not that we do not have capable spinners Zafar, Umar, Usman Q, Zahid M and few others are their to be atleast against weaker nations.

 

[MMHS]

Guys, there is absolutely no excuses for Pakistan here, nothing.

No justification can be given fir losing to ZIM, who has been atrocious in last couple of years and has sinked down to 14th rank in ODI. On top of that they are completely out of cricket since Bangladesh tour in last February. It was their rustiness that cost them the first game ... otherwise they could and should have won this series 2-1. In contrast, PAK has been the busiest team in last few months and each of these players have played in extended National T20 Cup - yes it’s T20, but it gives match fitness enough.

You can talk about who are missing from PAK team & load on Misbah’s shoulders, but ZIM was also missing their best two pacers - Jarvis & Sibanda; and it’s much bigger loss for them to loose those two because of the small player pool they have. People are giving excuses of missing Shadab - his replacement took a 5for to win one game...... And, ZIM didn’t have their Coach Rajput with them either - played first ODI without any match practice on tour.

As I said - they could & should have won the series 2-1; there is no dead rubber now. If this result was against BD, SRL, WIN or even AFGs .... PP server would have crushed by now for the trolling galore. I think, without beating about the bush, accept the hard core truth that, individually PAK players bar few are just not good enough and the alternates are no world beater either; neither kicking Misbah’s back side will justify this show.

 

[Rana]

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Haider Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Harris Sohail
5. Zeeshan Ashraf (Wk)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shahdab Khan
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Harris Rauf

This is a decent World Cup XI for 2023

 

[Rana]

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Haider Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Harris Sohail
5. Zeeshan Ashraf (Wk)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shahdab Khan
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Harris Rauf

This is a decent World Cup XI for 2023

[MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] @GoUagandaCranes [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION]

What do you recon lads?

 

[silentkiller187]

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Haider Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Harris Sohail
5. Zeeshan Ashraf (Wk)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shahdab Khan
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Harris Rauf

This is a decent World Cup XI for 2023

for starters we will never reach the heights of 300+ on a regular basis with someone like imam at the top, we need to be realistic he is not a ODI opener regardless of his average because he bats to slow and wastes a lot of deliveries up front that cannot be made up later. He has a mindset from the 90's.

 

[Rana]

for starters we will never reach the heights of 300+ on a regular basis with someone like imam at the top, we need to be realistic he is not a ODI opener regardless of his average because he bats to slow and wastes a lot of deliveries up front that cannot be made up later. He has a mindset from the 90's.

People underrate his importance to our side, a guy looking to score a hundred in 115 balls is a 100 we could use. We still have 185 balls to make a meaningful total besides criticising him.

I think the lower order up to 9 is as hard hitting it could be.

 

[Syed1]

Mediocre teams do finish 5th in a 10 team World Cup with a negative NRR.

Had they finished 4th they would have been in the semis. Atleast learn cricket first.

 

[Syed1]

Surely, your kidding me? In a 5 match ODI series against both England or Nz, the most likely outcome would be 5-0. Pakistan are deeply mediocre.

So why aren't World Cups decided on the basis of 5-match ODI series between each team?

 

[Hasan123]

But all fans already know that the selected Pak teams are average team and their performances are unacceptable. Hence the demand to play right combinations, include proper spinners, give more chances to talent batsmen. Like Haider, Abdullah, Saud and not to Fahim, Iftikhar, Asif Ali, or Nawaz etc.
How can you win if you not even exploit the weaknesses of visiting team in playing good spin, Not that we do not have capable spinners Zafar, Umar, Usman Q, Zahid M and few others are their to be atleast against weaker nations.

We selection mistakes that is correct but we should not be accepting this defeat at all. Fans who are saying don't say anything negative are irrational. A true fan will point out the weakness of their team rather than act like everything is fine when it clearly isn't .

 

[silentkiller187]

People underrate his importance to our side, a guy looking to score a hundred in 115 balls is a 100 we could use. We still have 185 balls to make a meaningful total besides criticising him.

I think the lower order up to 9 is as hard hitting it could be.

I hear you but he is slightly slower than 100 of 115 balls most of the time, the way our lower order bats most of the time we need players that are going to get us to 100 of 12 overs and ahead of the rate from the start, we unfortunately do not have the power like other teams do to smash it at the end, with Pakistan its all about getting off to a good start. If we had players like ben stokes jos butler down the order fair enough his position could be justified, but he handicaps us most the time before we have even started.

 

[PakPremi]

We selection mistakes that is correct but we should not be accepting this defeat at all. Fans who are saying don't say anything negative are irrational. A true fan will point out the weakness of their team rather than act like everything is fine when it clearly isn't .

Again all fans are criticusing but you do not give up on available potential without giving them proper chances.
There are plenty fishes in the water, lots of talent available,lacki g expdrie ceandmwntal strength maybe which will come with involvement in international games and security of position on the team. Unfortunately our coach and captain are not brave enough to play risk cricket.

 

[Mamoon]

Had they finished 4th they would have been in the semis. Atleast learn cricket first.

If life had taken a different turn your username would have been Syeda1.

The bottom-line is that it did not, and hence you are Syed1.

Similarly, Pakistan did not finish 4th because they had a negative run rate because they got dismissed for 105 against West Indies who chased the total inside 14 overs.

If Pakistan wasn’t a mediocre team it would not have been dismissed for 105 in the World Cup opener in spite of getting the best match practice among all teams.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Haider Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Harris Sohail
5. Zeeshan Ashraf (Wk)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shahdab Khan
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Harris Rauf

This is a decent World Cup XI for 2023

[MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] @GoUagandaCranes [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION]

What do you recon lads?

Haris Sohail will be unfit mark my words My personal XI will make some adjustments as a result.

Otherwise a good lineup.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

If life had taken a different turn your username would have been Syeda1.

The bottom-line is that it did not, and hence you are Syed1.

Similarly, Pakistan did not finish 4th because they had a negative run rate because they got dismissed for 105 against West Indies who chased the total inside 14 overs.

If Pakistan wasn’t a mediocre team it would not have been dismissed for 105 in the World Cup opener in spite of getting the best match practice among all teams.

Hey buddy still waiting on a response about constructive discussions

 

[AAli98]

No tv channel wants to show there games struggling to get Sponsors, after the circus show they done in the super over who can blame them.

 

[Mamoon]

Hey buddy still waiting on a response about constructive discussions

Well then you shouldn’t wait for one. I know for a fact that absolutely nothing is going to happen and we will remain mediocre, so what is the point of scratching my head and coming up with a plan that will never be implemented?

 

[ElRaja]

It's clear that Pakistan is and has been for the last 11 years a mediocre team. Their is a shortage of match winners in Pakistan and talent has dried up.

Our stocks have become so low that our fans do bhangra over a random 19 yr old that hits a six or bowls 140 kph.

As fans we are just setting up ourselves for disappointment and heartbreak. We need to understand that Pakistan is a mediocre team whether youngsters play or not.

which fan doesnt understand this? i havnt come across any pak fan, who properly follows the game to claim pak is a top team.

the richest boards have the strongest teams, its as simple as that. but whats the point of following the team if you have no hope of them improving?

 

[Saj]

Sadly Pakistan cricket has been in decline for quite a few years. Apart from a few bright moments here and there, the performances and the standard of cricket has by and large been very average.

The problem - a lack of quality, world-class players.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Well then you shouldn’t wait for one. I know for a fact that absolutely nothing is going to happen and we will remain mediocre, so what is the point of scratching my head and coming up with a plan that will never be implemented?

And it will never be implemented, because?

 

[ManFan]

What people are missing here is that the players are not of quality because of the accumulation of the failures of past PCB regimes to adequately perform their job.

We have been suffering since but this is a choice in which we have a choice to keep swallowing the poison pill that takes away our time and drains our mental energy. PP’ers and fans will never control the PCB direction because at its core, it is a reflection of the corrupt cesspool of Pakistan bureaucracy.

Take a break or break away. Pakistan cricket is dying a slow death and it is best to avoid the frustration and anxiety associated with its decline. Proof? Besides ONE tournament win in the last ELEVEN years, we have done nothing to even remotely consider ourselves amongst the best teams in the world.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

What people are missing here is that the players are not of quality because of the accumulation of the failures of past PCB regimes to adequately perform their job.

We have been suffering since but this is a choice in which we have a choice to keep swallowing the poison pill that takes away our time and drains our mental energy. PP’ers and fans will never control the PCB direction because at its core, it is a reflection of the corrupt cesspool of Pakistan bureaucracy.

Take a break or break away. Pakistan cricket is dying a slow death and it is best to avoid the frustration and anxiety associated with its decline. Proof? Besides ONE tournament win in the last ELEVEN years, we have done nothing to even remotely consider ourselves amongst the best teams in the world.

Two in the last 12 years, plus the Test mace.

I do agree those were despite, rather than because, of the system. We need to move towards professionalism to develop consistency.

 

[ManFan]

Two in the last 12 years, plus the Test mace.

I do agree those were despite, rather than because, of the system. We need to move towards professionalism to develop consistency.

The Test mace was a genuine fluke since we lost it as soon as India resumed playing.

The T20 Cup was such a different squad that I consider it a different era. Perhaps the last hurrah of those late 90’s stars.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Babar
Shaheen


Just need one good spinner and another good batsman. You don't world class players all round to win an ICC tournament.

To win tests yes you need at least 5 world class players. ATg teams have 7 world class players and 5 good players generally.

 

[kingusama92]

Sadly Pakistan cricket has been in decline for quite a few years. Apart from a few bright moments here and there, the performances and the standard of cricket has by and large been very average.

The problem - a lack of quality, world-class players.

For me, this problem can be solved.

You need to create an XI that is greater than the sum of its parts. Just accept you're not going to create Wasims, Waqars, or Inzis out of thin air.

Build an XI where the players get the job done because of the role they're given.

For example, let's say you need two aggressive batsmen at the top of the order. You don't have to find a couple of Warners to make it work. Just get guys who can put up runs in quick bursts within the first powerplay. If they carry the bat past this point, that's a plus. Otherwise, Babar is waiting to start building from there.

If each part of the XI has these types of players, you can build a good XI with Babar, Shaheen, and the rest being average/good players.

This is exactly why teams like NZ do well. They already understand this.

 

[Rana]

Completely agree with the point that players are mediocre. I wonder if Rana will dare to answer you now, hiding somewhere I guess !

Tag me brother. I will respond, what questions do you want me to answer?

 

[Heisenberg111]

The Test mace was a genuine fluke since we lost it as soon as India resumed playing.

The T20 Cup was such a different squad that I consider it a different era. Perhaps the last hurrah of those late 90’s stars.

We were among the top 3 in test cricket from 2014-2016 and remained unbeaten for 7 consecutive series during that period, so doesn't matter if the mace was a fluke or not.

 

[Shafi]

Make Misbah coach of India/Eng/Aus and none of them will be in top 4. Our team is poor but when you have super defensive coach and soft captain you shouldn’t be expect any better. If this team play against BD they will whitewash us. Get rid of Misbah and Waqar, get honest and aggressive selector, proper bowling coach, fielding coach, get rid of unfit/ TTF players and we will be among top 6 at least.

 

[Rana]

Misbah will be sacked as coach soon...and he will keep coming back and forth just like Waqar Younis. We haven’t been able to get rid of Waqar Younis since 2006. Misbah will return as a director or some other fancy title at some point.

PCB is easy money if you can make a reputation amongst them. Hafeez and Malik will be around for 2-3 more decades as well.

 

[Shafi]

Misbah will be sacked as coach soon...and he will keep coming back and forth just like Waqar Younis. We haven’t been able to get rid of Waqar Younis since 2006. Misbah will return as a director or some other fancy title at some point.

PCB is easy money if you can make a reputation amongst them. Hafeez and Malik will be around for 2-3 more decades as well.

Waqar is even worse than Misbah. The guy knows nothing about teaching but gets credit for our others hard work. Wish we could export these leaches overseas and save our cricket.

 

[Ertugrul_Bey]

Looking at the talent IPL is churning out each season, I agree with the OP. We are such a mediocre team currently compare to what we used to be back in 90s and early 2000. The bureaucracy and regional bias has completely destroyed the organization that once was on top of the world. I had high hopes from Imran Khan but things have gotten worse under him. Smh

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

In the same vein with what many have already said:

We aren't a mediocre team because of the talent, but because of the management, coaching, and the application (or lack thereof) from the players themselves.

 

[Mamoon]

And it will never be implemented, because?

For the same reasons why it hasn’t been done until now. If Pakistan cricket was to be fixed, it would have happened by now. We just don’t have it in us to be a consistent top side.

We need to be content with what we have and accept the fact that teams like India, Australia and England etc. will always be better than us moving forward.

Pakistan cricket has already peaked and has seen its best days.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

For the same reasons why it hasn’t been done until now. If Pakistan cricket was to be fixed, it would have happened by now. We just don’t have it in us to be a consistent top side.

We need to be content with what we have and accept the fact that teams like India, Australia and England etc. will always be better than us moving forward.

Pakistan cricket has already peaked and has seen its best days.

It hasn’t been done until now, because? It would have happened by now, because?

You need to be more specific about why you think a) there was mismanagement previously and why there will always be mismanagement for the rest of history b) why even under such a case of future mismanagement improvements can’t happen and c) specifically why you think Wasim Khan will take the list of feedback and suggestions provided by Saj and PP and discard it without a second thought - improvements never to be implemented, going by your model.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Make Misbah coach of India/Eng/Aus and none of them will be in top 4. Our team is poor but when you have super defensive coach and soft captain you shouldn’t be expect any better. If this team play against BD they will whitewash us. Get rid of Misbah and Waqar, get honest and aggressive selector, proper bowling coach, fielding coach, get rid of unfit/ TTF players and we will be among top 6 at least.

Misbah is way better than Shastri.
Waqar I agree is trash.

 

[naseem]

Misbah is way better than Shastri.
Waqar I agree is trash.

Actually Waqar the bowling coach is good...he would have turned poor trash Siraj to a jewel

 

[tyron_woodley]

In the same vein with what many have already said:

We aren't a mediocre team because of the talent, but because of the management, coaching, and the application (or lack thereof) from the players themselves.

mainly talent.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Actually Waqar the bowling coach is good...he would have turned poor trash Siraj to a jewel

siraj is better than every pakistani bowler in first class system barring shaheen.
waqar himself was average vs top teams. what is he going to teach siraj hahaha

 

[YousafTheBeast]

We’ll always be a mediocre team. We might beat the top teams here and there but I can’t see us winning consistently against the likes of Eng, Aus, Ind and NZ.

The reason for that is, we continue playing against teams that are worse than our A team. We then pick mediocre players who perform against crap teams and then expect them to do well against the top 4 teams.

Whilst associate nations are begging to play against the top teams to improve their game we’re doing the opposite.

It’s like having an arm wrestling competition with a 3 year old and after dislocating the 3 year olds shoulder then expecting to beat a bodybuilder that’s on roids