*Official* Pakistan v South Africa in Dubai

[brackenNY]

Maybe I'm over-optimistic but that early draw was disappointing from Pakistan. I understand they have a tendency of collapsing and being horrible in the 4th innings chasing, but why not try to break that psychological barrier and go for the win? It's got to happen sometime, right? Why not now? It was a flat pitch and YK and Misbah were set.

It's so negative to just accept that you can collapse at any moment and can't chase a big total. A win would have created history and we'd all remember this match, instead it will be forgotten. This was Pakistan's chance to win a test match, something they seldom do. If South Africa end up walloping them in the second Test, they'll rue not taking the initiative and winning this match.

 

[Faisal1985]

Maybe I'm over-optimistic but that early draw was disappointing from Pakistan. I understand they have a tendency of collapsing and being horrible in the 4th innings chasing, but why not try to break that psychological barrier and go for the win? It's got to happen sometime, right? Why not now? It was a flat pitch and YK and Misbah were set.

It's so negative to just accept that you can collapse at any moment and can't chase a big total. A win would have created history and we'd all remember this match, instead it will be forgotten. This was Pakistan's chance to win a test match, something they seldom do. If South Africa end up walloping them in the second Test, they'll rue not taking the initiative and winning this match.

Too good to be true for my liking. I expected history to be made in Sydney and our batting seemed a lot stronger at that time....i expected history to be made in England....and guess what...it did....

 

[smash84]

Too good to be true for my liking. I expected history to be made in Sydney and our batting seemed a lot stronger at that time....i expected history to be made in England....and guess what...it did....

LOL..........

good one.

 

[Shri]

It made history alright.

 

[Fusion]

those who are criticizing Pak negative tactics should get a reality check the team has had atleast one collapse every inning no way was Younis,Misbah going to leave the game to walking wicket Umer Akmal and debutant Adnan who has a FC avg of 22.Had Aamer and kamran Akmal been there down the order they may have thought about it.

Anyways decent result for us stilll in the series

Completely agree. I feel those criticizing Pakistan for not going for the win are ignoring stark reality. Were people seriously expecting Pakistan to mount a world record chase? This is a bad batting lineup. On most occasions, they are hoping to avoid an innings defeat. I have no doubt in my mind that if one of YK or Misbah had fallen, the rest of the wickets would’ve folded for less than 30 runs. It’s all well and great to strive for a win in every situation, but a team struggling to merely survive can’t afford to shoot for such lofty goals. Avoid defeat first, build some confidence and character, and then go for the unlikely wins.

 

[Checkmate]

Completely agree. I feel those criticizing Pakistan for not going for the win are ignoring stark reality. Were people seriously expecting Pakistan to mount a world record chase? This is a bad batting lineup. On most occasions, they are hoping to avoid an innings defeat. I have no doubt in my mind that if one of YK or Misbah had fallen, the rest of the wickets would’ve folded for less than 30 runs. It’s all well and great to strive for a win in every situation, but a team struggling to merely survive can’t afford to shoot for such lofty goals. Avoid defeat first, build some confidence and character, and then go for the unlikely wins.

I think some people are underestimating how hard it is to win in such a chase. Against one of the better attacks of today, you can't just expect a team to go up a gear without losing a lot of wickets. I think it was only Botha getting hammered, so if there was any danger, Smith could have relied on the other three to bowl tidily and get wickets if the batsmen went for false shots.

 

[Xuhaib]

also you can't give a guy like Steyn any sniff against a long tail maybe if it was any other bowling side one could have tried but it was too big a risk imo after soo much hardwork.

 

[slowfinger]

The fact is that we compiled 200 odd runs for one wicket in 80? overs from what I see. We didn't lose and the order showed some resistance. Great. Job Done! I don't see why you all are whinging about a win... It wasn't on the cards. I think for the next Test Xi, these people should be definate:

Taufeeq
Hafeez
Younus
Misbah
Azhar
Gul
Rehman

 

[Faisal1985]

The fact is that we compiled 200 odd runs for one wicket in 80? overs from what I see. We didn't lose and the order showed some resistance. Great. Job Done! I don't see why you all are whinging about a win... It wasn't on the cards. I think for the next Test Xi, these people should be definate:

Taufeeq
Hafeez
Younus
Misbah
Azhar
Gul
Rehman

Yeah seems like they did enough to retain their spots for sure..

 

[Howe_zat]

The fact is that we compiled 200 odd runs for one wicket in 80? overs from what I see. We didn't lose and the order showed some resistance. Great. Job Done! I don't see why you all are whinging about a win... It wasn't on the cards. I think for the next Test Xi, these people should be definate:

Taufeeq
Hafeez
Younus
Misbah
Azhar
Gul
Rehman

I'd agree but for Rehman. I've never seen anything from his that convinces me as a Test bowler and I think Pakistan would be playing to their strengths to pick a third seamer.

 

[Faisal1985]

I'd agree but for Rehman. I've never seen anything from his that convinces me as a Test bowler and I think Pakistan would be playing to their strengths to pick a third seamer.

Rehman was pretty good this test no?

 

[Howe_zat]

Rehman was pretty good this test no?

He was decent but never really looked like much of a threat, at least from what I've seen. I don't think he's one of the best four bowlers in the country, and the pitch is not benefiting spin so much that it's worth picking two spinners.

 

[smash84]

Completely agree. I feel those criticizing Pakistan for not going for the win are ignoring stark reality. Were people seriously expecting Pakistan to mount a world record chase? This is a bad batting lineup. On most occasions, they are hoping to avoid an innings defeat. I have no doubt in my mind that if one of YK or Misbah had fallen, the rest of the wickets would’ve folded for less than 30 runs. It’s all well and great to strive for a win in every situation, but a team struggling to merely survive can’t afford to shoot for such lofty goals. Avoid defeat first, build some confidence and character, and then go for the unlikely wins.

Well said.

 

[Athlai]

Completely agree. I feel those criticizing Pakistan for not going for the win are ignoring stark reality. Were people seriously expecting Pakistan to mount a world record chase? This is a bad batting lineup. On most occasions, they are hoping to avoid an innings defeat. I have no doubt in my mind that if one of YK or Misbah had fallen, the rest of the wickets would’ve folded for less than 30 runs. It’s all well and great to strive for a win in every situation, but a team struggling to merely survive can’t afford to shoot for such lofty goals. Avoid defeat first, build some confidence and character, and then go for the unlikely wins.

A struggling NZ went for the win against a Pakistani attack that were dominating us throughout the series, how it would have turned out we'll never know because of the rain.

If you get that close to a win when you could comfortably have a draw I don't think anyone would criticize Pakistan for collapsing because they went down close to a monumental win.

 

[Prince EWS]

So happy for Misbah. I used to think him pretty under-rated and even though he's almost certainly passed it these days, I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing he's scored runs - particularly meaningful runs like that. Gutted I wasn't watching it though.

 

[AaronK]

good to see Azhar Ali scoring some runs..

 

[smash84]

I don't think anyone would criticize Pakistan for collapsing because they went down close to a monumental win.

except for the Pakistani public

 

[smash84]

So happy for Misbah. I used to think him pretty under-rated and even though he's almost certainly passed it these days, I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing he's scored runs - particularly meaningful runs like that. Gutted I wasn't watching it though.

Thats the first time i have heard anybody say that. And I don't quite agree. Misbah is quite ordinary really.

 

[Faisal1985]

A struggling NZ went for the win against a Pakistani attack that were dominating us throughout the series, how it would have turned out we'll never know because of the rain.

If you get that close to a win when you could comfortably have a draw I don't think anyone would criticize Pakistan for collapsing because they went down close to a monumental win.

Can't say i would disagree with it..tbh...however, the draw leaves the series open to be won for Pak if they can fight the same way..

 

[vcs]

Younis Khan's fourth innings record is really spectacular.