vic_orthdox
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Prince?
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*Official* Pakistan v Australia in UAE 2014
- Thread starter morgieb
- Start date
The Battlers Prince
International Vice-Captain
Why hasn't O'Keefe bowled yet?
Last edited:
Spikey
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cricket.com.au @CricketAus 19s19 seconds ago
Meanwhile in Sharjah, @Gmaxi_32 is rolling his arm over for Australia. Follow HERE: Marsh returns to the crease in Sharjah #PAKvAUS
nothing good can come of this
Meanwhile in Sharjah, @Gmaxi_32 is rolling his arm over for Australia. Follow HERE: Marsh returns to the crease in Sharjah #PAKvAUS
nothing good can come of this
Burgey
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Not everyone gets a bowl in fair dinkum under 13s, ****.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Took a catch off Lyon; already #betterthanwade.
I don't know if anybody is interested but I wrote this earlier:
Is 'unpredictability' no longer a synonym for Pakistan cricket?
Throughout Pakistan's cricketing history, it has been considered as the eponymous upholder of unpredictability, flair and controversy. Administrative problems, batting collapses, dressing-room troubles and dropped catches have been eternal issues that solely define Pakistan cricket, but these have never stopped Pakistan from imposing itself on the world cricket stage through its reams of natural talent and consequently mercurial performances and players.
From Pakistan's first Test win against India in only their second Test (that too an innings win) to their first win on English soil at The Oval in 1954 with England 'Fazaled', Pakistan has managed to rival the dominant teams of each era without ever genuinely obtaining the #1 tag in either Tests or ODIs. At a time when the West Indies were mercilessly crushing all opposition who dared to stand before them, Imran Khan's men were able to contest valiantly due to the inherent genius and ability.
Collapses and inconsistency have always been the modus operandi of Pakistan cricket and dare I say it too, I wouldn't have it any other way. In my heart of hearts, I adamantly believe I wouldn't be the fervent supporter of Pakistan cricket that I am without all of the controversies and idiocies. It is also the reason why I could never bring myself to support a cricket team such as England with the dullness of the side and its idiosyncrasies.
However, it has suddenly dawned on me that these losses have almost become the protocol for Pakistan cricket. No longer does the Cornered Tigers tag nor ebullience apply to any of our units, either in bowling, batting or simply the personalities of players. The passion for Pakistan cricket is still there (hopefully it will always run through my blood) but I have to state the inevitable: each loss is having a numbing factor to the point where these losses are accepted as normal rather than something to feel angry of or are outcomes which are the result of a volatile, exhilarating batting unit.
Moreover, I was made to shed a few tears after Pakistan's abysmal "batting" performance at Abu Dhabi on Sunday night. Not because we had lost the series, not because we had suffered a demoralising whitewash nor even because of the embarrassing manner in which we lost. It was due to the eventual realisation which arrived at the forefront of my mind: that Pakistan is no longer the epitome of mercuriality that it had been just a few years earlier.
Above is a screenshot I took during the second ODI that took place at the DSC (Dubai Sports City) and I believe it completely emphasises how far Pakistan has declined. No longer are stadiums brimmed to the full of excitable Pakistan fans and neither does that eternal hope exist in many Pakistan fans' hearts anymore. These very same grounds in the desert country would have been overflowing with hopeful Pakistan fans in the late '90s - no matter the situation. Heck, even merely three years ago when Afridi was turning the screws over Sri Lanka with a late spell of 5/35 or Ajmal's heroics against Australia in late 2012 these very same grounds were absolutely packed with passionate fans.
This is therefore a very telling image of how these losses have become the norm and have led to many people's loss of interest in Pakistan cricket. Is it any wonder when only the first part of the proverb 'Lose games you expect them to win and win games you expect them to lose' applies to Pakistan nowadays and they have reduced to mental midgets who only have full capability to show cowardice?
Additionally, although I don't think Misbah-Ul-Haq is totally responsible for Pakistan's decline, I do genuinely believe his continued selection as the captain has been a stultifying factor in our progress (albeit indirectly). With such a serene attitude on the art of batting and his generally stoic - almost lethargic - captaincy style, he has been valuable as a stop-gap solution but we are now reaping the effects of him being the prolonged captain. The flair has disappeared from our side and it now appears that we have actually forgotten to win/dominate matches.
IMO, the solution should be to continue with Misbah-Ul-Haq as captain of the Test leg of the ongoing tour and only if he is victorious, to continue with him as captain. Otherwise with his recent batting form, his apathetic and defensive captaincy and his lack of results as captains means he is not deserving of a place in any side. The solution therein would be to boot him out (along with the non-performing Afridi) and for the side to be completely revamped with an injection of youth and actual talent rather than TTFs selected due to the parchi system which exists.
P.S. Apologies for the rant-like nature of my post, I just needed someplace to vent my frustrations.
Is 'unpredictability' no longer a synonym for Pakistan cricket?
Throughout Pakistan's cricketing history, it has been considered as the eponymous upholder of unpredictability, flair and controversy. Administrative problems, batting collapses, dressing-room troubles and dropped catches have been eternal issues that solely define Pakistan cricket, but these have never stopped Pakistan from imposing itself on the world cricket stage through its reams of natural talent and consequently mercurial performances and players.
From Pakistan's first Test win against India in only their second Test (that too an innings win) to their first win on English soil at The Oval in 1954 with England 'Fazaled', Pakistan has managed to rival the dominant teams of each era without ever genuinely obtaining the #1 tag in either Tests or ODIs. At a time when the West Indies were mercilessly crushing all opposition who dared to stand before them, Imran Khan's men were able to contest valiantly due to the inherent genius and ability.
Collapses and inconsistency have always been the modus operandi of Pakistan cricket and dare I say it too, I wouldn't have it any other way. In my heart of hearts, I adamantly believe I wouldn't be the fervent supporter of Pakistan cricket that I am without all of the controversies and idiocies. It is also the reason why I could never bring myself to support a cricket team such as England with the dullness of the side and its idiosyncrasies.
However, it has suddenly dawned on me that these losses have almost become the protocol for Pakistan cricket. No longer does the Cornered Tigers tag nor ebullience apply to any of our units, either in bowling, batting or simply the personalities of players. The passion for Pakistan cricket is still there (hopefully it will always run through my blood) but I have to state the inevitable: each loss is having a numbing factor to the point where these losses are accepted as normal rather than something to feel angry of or are outcomes which are the result of a volatile, exhilarating batting unit.
Moreover, I was made to shed a few tears after Pakistan's abysmal "batting" performance at Abu Dhabi on Sunday night. Not because we had lost the series, not because we had suffered a demoralising whitewash nor even because of the embarrassing manner in which we lost. It was due to the eventual realisation which arrived at the forefront of my mind: that Pakistan is no longer the epitome of mercuriality that it had been just a few years earlier.
Above is a screenshot I took during the second ODI that took place at the DSC (Dubai Sports City) and I believe it completely emphasises how far Pakistan has declined. No longer are stadiums brimmed to the full of excitable Pakistan fans and neither does that eternal hope exist in many Pakistan fans' hearts anymore. These very same grounds in the desert country would have been overflowing with hopeful Pakistan fans in the late '90s - no matter the situation. Heck, even merely three years ago when Afridi was turning the screws over Sri Lanka with a late spell of 5/35 or Ajmal's heroics against Australia in late 2012 these very same grounds were absolutely packed with passionate fans.
This is therefore a very telling image of how these losses have become the norm and have led to many people's loss of interest in Pakistan cricket. Is it any wonder when only the first part of the proverb 'Lose games you expect them to win and win games you expect them to lose' applies to Pakistan nowadays and they have reduced to mental midgets who only have full capability to show cowardice?
Additionally, although I don't think Misbah-Ul-Haq is totally responsible for Pakistan's decline, I do genuinely believe his continued selection as the captain has been a stultifying factor in our progress (albeit indirectly). With such a serene attitude on the art of batting and his generally stoic - almost lethargic - captaincy style, he has been valuable as a stop-gap solution but we are now reaping the effects of him being the prolonged captain. The flair has disappeared from our side and it now appears that we have actually forgotten to win/dominate matches.
IMO, the solution should be to continue with Misbah-Ul-Haq as captain of the Test leg of the ongoing tour and only if he is victorious, to continue with him as captain. Otherwise with his recent batting form, his apathetic and defensive captaincy and his lack of results as captains means he is not deserving of a place in any side. The solution therein would be to boot him out (along with the non-performing Afridi) and for the side to be completely revamped with an injection of youth and actual talent rather than TTFs selected due to the parchi system which exists.
P.S. Apologies for the rant-like nature of my post, I just needed someplace to vent my frustrations.
Last edited:
Adders
Cricketer Of The Year
I don't understand this.......in the late 90's Pakistan would not have been playing in the UAE? I don't profess to know how many Pakistan nationals/supporters would reside in the UAE but surely this sad situation means these home series are still very much away fixtures as far as Pakistani fans are concerned? It's never going to be like playing in Lahore for bums on seats.
What I do know is that nearly 3 years ago Ajmal destroyed England in empty grounds. I'd estimate approx 300 England fans were present at each day of the 3 tests and they were in the majority
Gnske
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
There were more people in the crowds for the IPL in the UAE then there have been at international matches over the last 2-3 years. Absolutely revolting.
Pakistan have been playing in the UAE for decades, ever since '84 (think of the Austral-Asia Cup in 1986 and Miandad's last-ball six against India). Sharjah was a focal location of ODI tri-series during the late 90's but didn't host any Test matches. Even England (who I assume you support given the Barmy Army avatar) were participants in a few of these tri-series too. For example look at this fiery spell from the controversial Akhtar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNW_YgBxEyE
Regarding your assumption about supporters, Test match grounds tend to be empty for Pakistan matches in the UAE which is understandable considering Pakistan has become a naturalised citizen in a country where cricket isn't the main sport. However, due to the large expat population from the Indian sub-continent these very same grounds are filled to the brim of hopeful Pakistan fans whenever Pakistan features in a Limited Overs affair in the desert country.
And this is exactly my point. Even when Australia last toured the UAE (in 2012) the stadiums were overfilled with fans who had invested full faith in the Men In Green, the largest indication that Pakistan has seemingly forgotten how to win and excite fans with neutral performances.
ohnoitsyou
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