Pakistan Tour Of Ireland, England and Scotland 2018

[hammadahmed88]

You would agree that they've just lost the plot after 10 matches. And they have bad haven't been able to recover from it. Pakistan bowled way better than England. England created plenty of chances that if they were to be taken, Pak would've been restricted to about 260. I felt they were a bit unlucky but at the same time played poorly, such as an the first innings where they went chasing for no reason and edged behind.

Again, I don't understand the hype around Moeen. England lack a bowler who has some good variations. Moeen, just like in the Ashes literally bowls the same stuff by the same angle, refusing to change anything to befuddle the batsman. What I mean he's an ordinary bowler at best. Wouldn't mind giving Bess another game after that fifty he scored. I feel if England back themselves with this team after Leach comes back, they will become strong again.

Your point is well taken about Moeen. I think he's the best of their worst options as far as an all-rounder spinner is concerned. It does help to have those on the team. But I think you're right about Leach strengthening them.

But, I can't say England were unlucky. I think even if they had taken all their chances, Pakistan just simply outplayed them. It was not a close match. Those chances rarely turn an entire test match, and even when they do, those are much closer than what we have just witnessed.

 

[Jalen]

Respectfully, I'm not sure I fully agree here. I think "garbage" might be a bit too harsh. No one can argue that they're in a huge slump, and have played pathetic cricket lately. But, they do have some quality players. You can't count out Cook, ever. Root is Root. Bairstow is solid. Stokes is a nice wild factor. I like Butler down low for them (although this could potentially be a mistake). And then obviously Anderson and Broad have nothing to prove to anyone.

I think they may have missed a trick not playing Woakes. Also, I know he was struggling but I really like Moeen Ali. Even so, I think it's a fairly good team with obvious shortcomings and holes, that is severely low on confidence. Pakistan just outplayed them, and were much more disciplined. For me, to say this is a garbage team takes away from how clinically Pakistan went about their business.

I may have overrated by saying they were garbage but they definitely need to make some changes. Pakistan did outplay them in every department. Mark wood was probably picked due to his extra pace. I like Moeen too but they can't rely on him to be a main spinner, he could be in the team but they need a specialist spinner. Bairstow is probably the best wk batsman in the world right now. Stoneman is too inconsistent, I also think it's time for them to look past Cook. Had a good 70 but he is also becoming too inconsistent. Guarantee he won't get a decent score in the next match. Also Buttler is too far down, maybe he could bat 5 stokes 6

 

[Salman.]

Same thought. Don't know why people support him so much as an opener in test.

Now you know.

 

[Perfect Square]

Now you know.

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I just started to support him more as 1 down before the series...

 

[hammadahmed88]

I may have overrated by saying they were garbage but they definitely need to make some changes. Pakistan did outplay them in every department. Mark wood was probably picked due to his extra pace. I like Moeen too but they can't rely on him to be a main spinner, he could be in the team but they need a specialist spinner. Bairstow is probably the best wk batsman in the world right now. Stoneman is too inconsistent, I also think it's time for them to look past Cook. Had a good 70 but he is also becoming too inconsistent. Guarantee he won't get a decent score in the next match. Also Buttler is too far down, maybe he could bat 5 stokes 6

I hear your point on Cook, but I still wouldn't bet against his experience and talent. I think he's earned the right to call his own retirement. God knows they don't have anyone knocking down the door anyways. Also, Bairstow is a great player, no doubt, but I think I would pick de Kock if I had one wicket keeper pick. Everything else is on the money, especially what you said about Moeen. I think it was unfair to ask him to be a front line spinner, when he's clearly a batting all-rounder who bowls a bit. If only Pakistan had the resources of the ECB. One can only imagine how good they would be then, minus the obvious political implications.

 

[Velocity]

Your point is well taken about Moeen. I think he's the best of their worst options as far as an all-rounder spinner is concerned. It does help to have those on the team. But I think you're right about Leach strengthening them.

But, I can't say England were unlucky. I think even if they had taken all their chances, Pakistan just simply outplayed them. It was not a close match. Those chances rarely turn an entire test match, and even when they do, those are much closer than what we have just witnessed.

It was clear Pak was going to bulldoze them from Day 1 when they wrapped them up for 180. If they took those chances, it would prolong Pakistan's victory and England may have had couple of more runs to defend.

I wouldn't mind playing Moeen if England choose to have two spinners, but only in England. Moeen has proven he's incompetent overseas the way he's played in the subcontinent and recently Australia. In England, he could replace Buttler and chip in with a quickfire score and work alongside Leach.

 

[Velocity]

I may have overrated by saying they were garbage but they definitely need to make some changes. Pakistan did outplay them in every department. Mark wood was probably picked due to his extra pace. I like Moeen too but they can't rely on him to be a main spinner, he could be in the team but they need a specialist spinner. Bairstow is probably the best wk batsman in the world right now. Stoneman is too inconsistent, I also think it's time for them to look past Cook. Had a good 70 but he is also becoming too inconsistent. Guarantee he won't get a decent score in the next match. Also Buttler is too far down, maybe he could bat 5 stokes 6

Agree with your view on Cook. As he's got older, he's become more and more inconsistent. Everyone took his 244 at the MCG as an indication that he's coming back to form. I think he brings experience to the side and he shouldn't be dropped.

I don't think Buttler should be moved up. I think #7 is a fine spot for him as he can play his natural game. Batting up at 5 is going to require a lot more responsibility and it's too risky batting up there considering he barely has red ball experience. At 7, he can freely express himself. I think getting a good opener and a spinner in the English team would revive their winning ways. Doesn't look like an awful team at all, everyone needs to be consistent and come together as a team. It's usually the case of one person scoring runs where as the others flop.

 

[Jalen]

Agree with your view on Cook. As he's got older, he's become more and more inconsistent. Everyone took his 244 at the MCG as an indication that he's coming back to form. I think he brings experience to the side and he shouldn't be dropped.

I don't think Buttler should be moved up. I think #7 is a fine spot for him as he can play his natural game. Batting up at 5 is going to require a lot more responsibility and it's too risky batting up there considering he barely has red ball experience. At 7, he can freely express himself. I think getting a good opener and a spinner in the English team would revive their winning ways. Doesn't look like an awful team at all, everyone needs to be consistent and come together as a team. It's usually the case of one person scoring runs where as the others flop.

What happened to Roland Jones? He looked like a great option for a 3rd seamer. Woakes or wood could be back up for him, he looked a great talent last year. Actually was worried to see if he was going to be part of the Ashes squad

 

[CerealKiller]

Apparently Fakhar will bat at 5 in place of Babar.

 

[Salman.]

Apparently Fakhar will bat at 5 in place of Babar.

And Salahuddin will go back without playing a single game yet again.

 

[Velocity]

What happened to Roland Jones? He looked like a great option for a 3rd seamer. Woakes or wood could be back up for him, he looked a great talent last year. Actually was worried to see if he was going to be part of the Ashes squad

Injured this season as well. Wood needs to play more matches. England is missing that pace in their attack. With Broad and Anderson clicking at 130 kmph, England need some extra place. Roland-Jones is just another swing bowler. Anderson and Broad cover that swing element in a attack nicely.

 

[Salman.]

Apparently Fakhar will bat at 5 in place of Babar.

Nope. You're wrong.
Sarfaraz said:
"Usman Salahuddin is playing in place of Babar Azam - he was chosen because he has been with us for the last 3 tours and he has worked very hard"

"He played the 2 day game and did well and that is why he will make his debut tomorrow, Inshallah"

"We tried Fakhar on all positions from 1-6 but we felt Usman was better"

"Usman played a very good and long inning at Leicester"

 

[Excommunicado]

Big day tomorrow. Will be interesting to see how Salahuddin does - sounds very promising. Big chance for us to clinch our first series win in England in over 20 years. In shaa Allah.

 

[CerealKiller]

This is an extremely important innings for Sarfraz. He's got a debutant at the other end, and we need a big partnership.

 

[Master Bates]

I've been really impressed with Asad Shafiq. Looks like a good prospect for overseas tours.