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*Official* Pakistan v South Africa in Dubai

Faisal1985

International Vice-Captain
Akilana has a point : the absence of Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif does make Pakistan weaker, but I am not sure you could call it a "B side". Kamran Akmal is a liability in tests; the runs he scores are nowhere near enough to make up for his dropped catches. Danish Kaneria has been in and out of the side for ages; Mohammad Yousuf has had a good career, but he is clearly past it now. In my opinion, Pakistan will be much better off investing in youth.
These conditions would have suited Mo Yo, Kaneria and even Akmal's batting.

Along with Asif/Amir. I wouldn't rate this a first choice team for Pak by any means.
 

smash84

The Tiger King
These conditions would have suited Mo Yo, Kaneria and even Akmal's batting.

Along with Asif/Amir. I wouldn't rate this a first choice team for Pak by any means.
Any Pak side without Kamran Akmal is a first rate side :p........

On a more serious note Kamran Akmal's keeping has cost us so many games that its not even funny. His batting brings far less to the side than his dropped catches cost us.

Although Amir and asif aside, We are still missing MoYo for sure and Kaneria has been quite decent on some of the Asian pitches. His record against SA isn't that bad IIRC. So although this isn't our first rate side, Kami Khatmal and his blood sucking antics actually hurt our team . So it is stronger without his presence.
 

Blaze 18

Banned
Yes, the conditions would have suited Mohammad Yousuf; but would he have brought more to the side than one of the younger players ? I think not.
 

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
God South Africa were pretty piss poor. It's not like there was another test to go in the series. If they're happy with 0-0 vs. Pakistan, even in the UAE, then they're kidding themselves.

Will require some huge ****ness from Pakistan on day 5. Which is possible.
 

King Pietersen

International Captain
Graeme Smith's got another finger injury? =/ What is up with that dude's fingers? I mean it's understandable to get the odd finger injury, but he seems to get multiple a year. Should probably start using the bat instead of his gloves to defend the ball. Cricinfo list 6 finger injuries since the Aus/SA series in '08, that's just ridiculous.
 

Blaze 18

Banned
Graeme Smith's got another finger injury? =/ What is up with that dude's fingers? I mean it's understandable to get the odd finger injury, but he seems to get multiple a year. Should probably start using the bat instead of his gloves to defend the ball. Cricinfo list 6 finger injuries since the Aus/SA series in '08, that's just ridiculous.
Maybe he never actually recovered from the Mitchell Johnson delivery that smashed his fingers.
 
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AaronK

State Regular
PCB is freaking stupied led by a ****** Ass (Butt)

I am trying to understand the logic here.. Pakistan's weakness has been their batting for years now... they have lost to many series during the past couple of years because of their batting.. yet all the coaches of the Pakistani team are bowlers.. soo stupied
 

Xuhaib

International Coach
I do believe Pakistan is missing Kaneria sure he is no world beater but he can be pretty good if the keeper holds his chances and batsman gives him runs to play with, Kamran has spilled 34 chances off him in the past 19 matches that is bound to have an impact on any bowler's confidence.

As for the game surely Pakistan is due a collapse its been like 2 innings now.
 

Xuhaib

International Coach
God South Africa were pretty piss poor. It's not like there was another test to go in the series. If they're happy with 0-0 vs. Pakistan, even in the UAE, then they're kidding themselves.

Will require some huge ****ness from Pakistan on day 5. Which is possible.
sometimes opponent also play decent cricket.
 

vcs

Request Your Custom Title Now!
sometimes opponent also play decent cricket.
Yep, Pakistan have certainly deserved the draws (well, if this one does end up in a draw), the way they went about their fourth innings chase in the previous Test was very creditable. Most people would have expected the Pakistan batting lineup to crumble under a huge target on a fifth day pitch.
 

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
sometimes opponent also play decent cricket.
Even if Pakistan were bowling hand grenades, once South Africa were in a position to not be able to lose, they should have tried to win.

They either weren't trying to win, or tried to win in the most ridiculously **** way possible.
 

Briony

International Debutant
Even if Pakistan were bowling hand grenades, once South Africa were in a position to not be able to lose, they should have tried to win.

They either weren't trying to win, or tried to win in the most ridiculously **** way possible.
Agree, they've been proven to be ultra defensive. Maybe they haven't got much faith in their talents but what they did was an indictment on cricket in some ways in an era when we're trying to make it as riveting as possible. Test match cricket can be a war of attrition but they took it to extreme lengths.

Terrible captaincy and / or terribly uninspiring batting.

Bring on the Ashes with two more attractive teams in operation.
 

smash84

The Tiger King
Even if Pakistan were bowling hand grenades, once South Africa were in a position to not be able to lose, they should have tried to win.

They either weren't trying to win, or tried to win in the most ridiculously **** way possible.
You sum up my feelings.

Agree, they've been proven to be ultra defensive. Maybe they haven't got much faith in their talents but what they did was an indictment on cricket in some ways in an era when we're trying to make it as riveting as possible. Test match cricket can be a war of attrition but they took it to extreme lengths.

Terrible captaincy and / or terribly uninspiring batting.
Well said
 

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
I actually had to go to Cricinfo to double check this wasn't a 3 test match series when I saw the way South Africa had approached day 4.

Fair enough early on when they could still lose the game. But in a deciding test match to not push for the win is a joke.

I hope Pakistan don't ****ing collapse now and reward a **** effort from SA. Pak deserve to draw this series.
 
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Briony

International Debutant
It's probably a reality check for SA's attack. They'll have to rejig it before the India series if they're to dominate against the best batting lineup in world cricket. Their opening positions are still problematic with Smith very doubtful for the first test in Centurion.

Boucher is stodgy and they may consider replacing him sooner rather than later, especially given how costly his drop was in the first test.

Pakistan has emerged from this series with more honour to date.
 

Xuhaib

International Coach
so far so good, Steyn spell with the old ball holds they key the ball will reverse on this track and if he gets in to one of those spells he can roll through any side hope we don't give away unnecessary wickets to the spinners.
 

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