Pakistan's tour of England - August/September - 3 Tests/3 T20Is

[LiveLoveABD]

I think Pakistan are always chasing the dog's tail in general. The lack of professionalism is just bananas. Their bowling coach recently gave the most audacious remark in recent cricket history. I am amazed at the drama around Sarfaraz carrying water. It's just so sad. Shoaib Akhtar sitting on the media and passing judgements (not giving his views which is his job) and trying to boss hosts and colleagues is just trash. He is worse than our local Arnab Goswami and that is saying something practically insane.

 

[CerealKiller]

I think Pakistan are always chasing the dog's tail in general. The lack of professionalism is just bananas. Their bowling coach recently gave the most audacious remark in recent cricket history. I am amazed at the drama around Sarfaraz carrying water. It's just so sad. Shoaib Akhtar sitting on the media and passing judgements (not giving his views which is his job) and trying to boss hosts and colleagues is just trash. He is worse than our local Arnab Goswami and that is saying something practically insane.

Local media is horsesh*t 90% of the time.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Local media is horsesh*t 90% of the time.

There is a big difference mate between local clowns and someone who has close to 500 odd international wickets. Shoaib would be very well respected if he spoke well and we are all egoistic in some way as humans but if his brain was 10cm the size of his ego, he would take 500 + test wickets. It's very pathetic to see someone who at his peak was as good as fast bowling gets to troll so actively on tv. Very poor.

Pakistan played very well in the first test match. Yes, they should have won, but it's a sport and things can happen. It's much better than getting rolled over which a lot of sub continent teams do get rolled over in UK.

I am also very happy to see SS Afridi's progress. I think I might finally get over my crush on Amir.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Just saw Shoaib Akhtar's video on YouTube channel. The guy was speaking some rubbish and don't know what was he on about. He was asking Babar Azam to perform like match winners but you should know that he can't start winning matches this early in his career, atleast first let him settle in the side and give him time to adjust himself with the format. And then he was complaining about Naseem Shah not picking up wickets when it was needed. Come on!!! The guy was only playing his 3rd Test and wouldn't win you matches single handedly, he needs to develop himself first. The stupidest thing I heard from him was he was asking Pakistan to hit Woakes with a bouncer when he came in, we all know Woakes is well capable of playing those. The only thing would've got him out was full length deliveries.

Now talking about what went wrong was Azhar's Captaincy since Woakes and Buttler joined the crease. He just opened up the field and didn't even let Shadab bowl much when he had to. I do believe yes Pakistan did lack that bite, the aggression they have always possessed and there is definitely some work to be done but I still believe they played well.

I can understand that people are unhappy considering that Pakistan at present have a better batting line-up than that of England and their bowlers are more aggressive than England with the fact that Pakistan have always done well in this country in last few series and yet they are losing. So yes, they do start as favourites but then even if they run that close its a good sign for them. I am sure they would do well in the 2nd Test at Rose Bowl.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Just saw Shoaib Akhtar's video on YouTube channel. The guy was speaking some rubbish and don't know what was he on about. He was asking Babar Azam to perform like match winners but you should know that he can't start winning matches this early in his career, atleast first let him settle in the side and give him time to adjust himself with the format. And then he was complaining about Naseem Shah not picking up wickets when it was needed. Come on!!! The guy was only playing his 3rd Test and wouldn't win you matches single handedly, he needs to develop himself first. The stupidest thing I heard from him was he was asking Pakistan to hit Woakes with a bouncer when he came in, we all know Woakes is well capable of playing those. The only thing would've got him out was full length deliveries.

Now talking about what went wrong was Azhar's Captaincy since Woakes and Buttler joined the crease. He just opened up the field and didn't even let Shadab bowl much when he had to. I do believe yes Pakistan did lack that bite, the aggression they have always possessed and there is definitely some work to be done but I still believe they played well.

I can understand that people are unhappy considering that Pakistan at present have a better batting line-up than that of England and their bowlers are more aggressive than England with the fact that Pakistan have always done well in this country in last few series and yet they are losing. So yes, they do start as favourites but then even if they run that close its a good sign for them. I am sure they would do well in the 2nd Test at Rose Bowl.

Azam has played 27 matches. How much time does he need to start winning matches and settle?
Woakes was out several times to short balls last summer. Every commentator during the match, and subsequent report I read, was asking why they didn't try the short ball until he was in the 40s. If I remember, the first short ball he received he fended off, it looped up and was narrowly missed by the man at mid-wicket.

 

[Ed Smith]

Azam has played 27 matches. How much time does he need to start winning matches and settle?
Woakes was out several times to short balls last summer. Every commentator during the match, and subsequent report I read, was asking why they didn't try the short ball until he was in the 40s. If I remember, the first short ball he received he fended off, it looped up and was narrowly missed by the man at mid-wicket.

There's definitely a middle ground they could have used for the short ball between being obvious with it as soon as he came to the crease, and waiting till he was totally settled. Big mistake on the part of the Pakistan attack/captain. And you're right, after 27 matches Azam has surely reached the stepping up phase of his career

 

[wasteyouryouth]

There's definitely a middle ground they could have used for the short ball between being obvious with it as soon as he came to the crease, and waiting till he was totally settled. Big mistake on the part of the Pakistan attack/captain. And you're right, after 27 matches Azam has surely reached the stepping up phase of his career

In fairness Buttler has had 45 matches and Ed Smith would probably defend him the same way. Although he has contributed to winning some matches.

 

[Ed Smith]

In fairness Buttler has had 45 matches and Ed Smith would probably defend him the same way. Although he has contributed to winning some matches.

So we're saying the Pakistani selectors have Babar Azam pyjamas?

 

[wasteyouryouth]

So we're saying the Pakistani selectors have Babar Azam pyjamas?

Yes.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

There's definitely a middle ground they could have used for the short ball between being obvious with it as soon as he came to the crease, and waiting till he was totally settled. Big mistake on the part of the Pakistan attack/captain. And you're right, after 27 matches Azam has surely reached the stepping up phase of his career

Very much the same matches that Kohli had played before touring England in 2014. How many runs did he score? 139 in 10 innings. Now is that good? That's very poor! But you can see after playing close to 70 matches where he stands.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Very much the same matches that Kohli had played before touring England in 2014. How many runs did he score ? 139 in 10 innings. Now is that good ? That's very poor! But you can see after playing close to 70 matches where he stands.

So you can't criticise Babar Azam until he's played 70 test matches?

Don't tell Ed Smith.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

So you can't criticise Babar Azam until he's played 70 test matches?

Don't tell Ed Smith.

Didn't mean that but he did score well in the first innings, didn't he? But even after that if he gets attacked then I don't see any sense in that. He is very much contributing to the side. Probably much better than Buttler.

 

[Na Maloom Afraad]

TBF, Babar's record is really good but he hasn't been a 'match-winner' (whatever that means). He averages 50+ in all three formats, has the highest Test average since 2018 as well as the highest average in WTC. But still, Babar's performances have been disappointing. Not because he hasn't been performing, but because he hasn't been performing to the level that's expected of him for some reason I can't wrap my head around.

It's only been one game in England so can't judge him here yet, but he wasn't all that impressive in Australia apart from those two innings in separate Tests where he scored a ton and 90-odd something. I hope he can step up his game in the next two Tests and contribute with more than just a hundred, actually be a 'match-winner' for Pakistan.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Didn't mean that but he did score well in the first innings, didn't he ? But even after that if he gets attacked then I don't see any sense in that. He is very much contributing to the side. Probably much better than Buttler.

I thought he looked very good in the first innings. Second innings for the whole team is best forgotten. So, I do think it's unfair to lay the blame at his feet. But to say he needs time to settle is not in my opinion right.

I would, without hesitation, take him over Buttler.

 

[CerealKiller]

TBF, Babar's record is really good but he hasn't been a 'match-winner' (whatever that means). He averages 50+ in all three formats, has the highest Test average since 2018 as well as the highest average in WTC. But still, Babar's performances have been disappointing. Not because he hasn't been performing, but because he hasn't been performing to the level that's expected of him for some reason I can't wrap my head around.

It's only been one game in England so can't judge him here yet, but he wasn't all that impressive in Australia apart from those two innings in separate Tests where he scored a ton and 90-odd something. I hope he can step up his game in the next two Tests and contribute with more than just a hundred, actually be a 'match-winner' for Pakistan.

You can’t expect him to win matches on his own. He is doing very well, is among the very best, but the other batsmen need to step up.