*Official* Pakistan in England and Ireland 2016

[GIMH]

We need to stop playing tests in London

 

[Niall]

They'd have to be favourites to beat NZ now, right?

Particularly if Amir gets a bit more back into his stride (and he should find NZ conditions helpful anyway). Although Yasir theoretically should be less effective.

I don't think NZ have turned terrible overnight! Lost to Australia who despite been toilet in Asia always tough elsewhere.

The previous NZ/PAK series was close enough in the UAE, a lot of what ifs for both sides in that series, but NZ bowling absolute trash to Sarfraz and especially Rahat for nearly a session may have cost them a famous series win.

It's definitely a fascinating looking series.

England need to bin Vince, Hales and Ballance probably deserve another series, not world beaters, but not superstar alternatives.

Borthwick coming in for Vince I think with Asia on the horizon makes sense.

Pakistan have a side that doesn't need much tinkering, possibly consider Yamin, Wasim or a proper bat like Babar or Fawad for Ahmed and they are good to go.

 

[Flem274*]

Nice one Pakistan

For India, who is the closest bowler england have to Jadeja? Ansari? If India roll out the bunsens then pick the guy who can just send it down straight and let the pitch do the rest. England have some good players of spin so they'd be in the contest.

Really looking forward to Pakistan coming down under. I hope they have a good series with NZ then put up more of a challenge to Australia than NZ did. Keeping Amir and Sohail fitter than Southee and Boult were would make a good start for that.

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah Ansari is comparable to Jadeja. Not as good a bowler I wouldn't think but for sure a better bat.

 

[Zinzan]

Nah, England are probably theworld's best side on their day but have far too many holes in the batting lineup to be truly consistent.

Sorry, what does this mean exactly 'on their day' and doesn't this basically apply to all of the top 4 side, making the statement fairly meaningless?

England couldn't beat NZ at home last year and now they failed to put away an Asian side playing in foreign conditions. For Pakistan to draw the series in England's back-yard, puts them ahead of England, surely, even if marginally.

Seems an inopportune time to be making that statement when we should be congratulating Pakistan on a great win and managing to level the series away from home.

 

[Adders]

Sorry, what does this mean exactly 'on their day' and doesn't this basically apply to all of the top 4 side, making the statement fairly meaningless?

England couldn't beat NZ at home last year and now they failed to put away an Asian side playing in foreign conditions. For Pakistan to draw the series in England's back-yard, puts them ahead of England, surely, even if marginally.

Seems an inopportune time to be making that statement when we should be congratulating Pakistan on a great win and managing to level the series away from home.

Don't think that's fair when the post was in response to a few LOL @ Eng.......as if you were the leading team in the world. And there have been plenty of posts congratulating Pakistan.

 

[Pothas]

Borthwick coming in for Vince I think with Asia on the horizon makes sense.

Thought we might get through a Test without the inevitable Borthwick.

I see he in his current match he has got a duck and has taken 0/103.

As Scaly would say, what more does he have to do?

 

[wpdavid]

See, I told you.

Yeah, I was miles out.

Beyond that, belated congratulations to a really likeable Pakistan side and their supporters who, once again, have been great company on CW.

 

[Zinzan]

Don't think that's fair when the post was in response to a few LOL @ Eng.......as if you were the leading team in the world. And there have been plenty of posts congratulating Pakistan.

Yeah fortunately there have been some classy posts such as .......

Congrats to Pakistan. Tied series is a fair result, been the best series on these shores for a little while

Which provides such a good contrast to that poorly timed drivel from Furball. Since when has the defense to a few 'lols' at England's expense after Pakistan's brilliant victory been 'we're still the best side on our day'? Whatever happened to sucking it up when your side loses, taking the lols on the chin & accepting a bit of humble pie?

 

[Adders]

Sounds like you may have an axe to grind there Zinzan, because I really can't see the issue. And tbh, if you thought Furballs comment was ill timed, then why aren't you picking on the posts re Englands No1 credentials that preceded it?? Whether you agree with him or not he was only responding to the chat at the time.

Anyway's, congrats to Pakistan on a great performance and tour. A lot of uncertainty about how they'd perform away from the UAE and I think they've answered the question.

 

[Furball]

Sorry, what does this mean exactly 'on their day' and doesn't this basically apply to all of the top 4 side, making the statement fairly meaningless?

England couldn't beat NZ at home last year and now they failed to put away an Asian side playing in foreign conditions. For Pakistan to draw the series in England's back-yard, puts them ahead of England, surely, even if marginally.

Seems an inopportune time to be making that statement when we should be congratulating Pakistan on a great win and managing to level the series away from home.

"on their day" means that when England are playing at their best. When that happens I don't think there's a team in world cricket that can beat England. England, however, have several deficincies, particularly in their batting and spin bowling reserves, which means that when things go wrong, or they come up against good opposition, they can and do get beaten. Australia took 2 Tests last summer, Pakistan took 2 this series. Hell, they even draw series against teams like the West Indies and New Zealand.

The rest of your post is complete fluff. Drawing with New Zealand has **** all to do with anything but you just had to bring them up, and I've already congratulated Pakistan on their excellent performances this series you colossal bellend. Further to that, I've also said recently on here that Pakistan might actually be the best side in the world at present, so it's not like I, or anyone else actually, is downplaying Pakistan or what they've done.

 

[hendrix]

you're reading way too much into an extremely benign statement, zinzan.

 

[Zinzan]

"on their day" means that when England are playing at their best. When that happens I don't think there's a team in world cricket that can beat England. .

Again, utterly meaningless. This could be applied to any of the top 4 (perhaps even the top 6 at a stretch).

 

[Furball]

Yeah fortunately there have been some classy posts such as .......



Which provides such a good contrast to that poorly timed drivel from Furball. Since when has the defense to a few 'lols' at England's expense after Pakistan's brilliant victory been 'we're still the best side on our day'? Whatever happened to sucking it up when your side loses, taking the lols on the chin & accepting a bit of humble pie?

My post that you seem to take issue with was a reply to flibberty who said that he couldn't understand why England had been overhyped. I said the reason this side gets a bit of hype is because when they're good, they're really good. But you're right, it's a shame I didn't bother congratulating Pakistan...

Played Pakistan. Haven't crumbled like others when England have gotten their noses in front in a series, fully deserved their draw. Hope they're competitive down under.

 

[Furball]

Again, utterly meaningless. This could be applied to any of the top 4 (perhaps even the top 6 at a stretch).

Er, no it couldn't.

 

[Zinzan]

Er, try taking off the eye-patch and have another look.

 

[Furball]

lol

 

[Zinzan]

Massive lol alright, considering fans from any of the top 4 could make that same claim about 'when we're at our best' and it would be equally as meaningless.

 

[MW1304]

It's a good job I was away all weekend, would have been tearing my hair out at that batting effort.

No doubt Pakistan are the best team in the world at the moment. The way they came back from huge setbacks for parts of the third Test and all of this Test is testament to reserves of character that many didn't seem to realise they have. Unfortunately this can only last so long as Younis and Misbah are around, which probably isn't too long. Really look forward to seeing them in Australia regardless.

 

[Burgey]

Terrific series this. Happy to have been proven wrong about Pakistan's resolve. It's no small effort to bounce back the way they did and level a series in England. Much respect.