*Official* Pakistan in England and Ireland 2016

[OverratedSanity]

It's never a debate with Furball because the moment you challenge or disagree with him, he resorts to name calling and abuses.

He usually does do that but don't see it in this case. You and Zinzan have been weird in this thread.

 

[Black_Warrior]

He usually does do that but don't see it in this case. You and Zinzan have been weird in this thread.

Yeah I'll wait for the India-England series come December.

 

[OverratedSanity]

I think it's very fair to say Pakistan are the best in the world. They never lose at their adopted home, beat SL in SL, and have now drawn a series where every other team which has traveled to in the last 3 years has gotten murdered. Plus, they just look a settled lineup. Disregarding the openers, their top 6 has been consistent for ages now. I've spent years saying they can't be called the very best until they're tested overseas... Now that they have and they've come through so well, it just seems unfair to me atleast to not give them the title of the best in the world.

All this is pointless anyway, since the true number 1 are about to be crowned in a week's time in the Caribbean.

 

[Zinzan]

He usually does do that but don't see it in this case. You and Zinzan have been weird in this thread.

Probably more to do with his history of being so precious & one-eyed that causes folks to read more into what he says than may be there I think you'll find.

 

[Zinzan]

It's never a debate with Furball because the moment you challenge or disagree with him, he resorts to name calling and abuses.

I had noticed.... on several occasions.

 

[Zinzan]

This is a conversation that is going to repeat itself countless times with no 'undisputed' best team.
We are always going to say 'but they didn't win in A, B or C'

This is probably a fair enough point. I think SA were probably the last really 'undisputed' no.1 a couple of years back.

 

[Black_Warrior]

And India before that, having won in West Indies (a relatively stronger side than now) England, New Zealand and drawn in South Africa in the space of 4 years.

.

 

[smash84]

Pakistan deserve No.1 ranking after thriving in exile - Misbah | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

Misbah really wants that number 1 spot.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Who doesn't

 

[honestbharani]

'Lower order should apply icing, not bake cake' - Cook | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

Alastair Cook - reads CW?

More like steals CW euphemisms and concepts... Does he work for crapinfo too?

 

[honestbharani]

I think it's very fair to say Pakistan are the best in the world. They never lose at their adopted home, beat SL in SL, and have now drawn a series where every other team which has traveled to in the last 3 years has gotten murdered. Plus, they just look a settled lineup. Disregarding the openers, their top 6 has been consistent for ages now. I've spent years saying they can't be called the very best until they're tested overseas... Now that they have and they've come through so well, it just seems unfair to me atleast to not give them the title of the best in the world.

All this is pointless anyway, since the true number 1 are about to be crowned in a week's time in the Caribbean.

This. So much This. People need to understand that the whole point of why being good at home is easily regarded as normal is that the cricketers are brought up playing in those conditions. Now as much as the ignorants both in the overall cricketing universe and here in CW want to think all of SC and Asia are the same, they are not. The conditions in UAE are quite a lot different from the conditions in Pakistan and these guys have NOT been brought up playing in those conditions. So forget the Australia, NZ, SA crap. They deserve credit for fortifying an "away" country as their home as well as they have done. And throw in the fact that not only did they draw this series in England, they actually won more sessions than England did and only drew the series because of a brainfade at Edgbaston, it is clear why they are #1, irrespective of how they are going to do in these away series.

As has been pointed out by many in this thread, we are not getting a truly dominant undisputed #1 but that doesn't mean a #1 among the existing sides should not exist. And right now, it is Pakistan and I dont see myself changing that view even if India take over the official #1 position. Go Misbah

 

[Burgey]

How long has Pakistan played in UAE now?

 

[OverratedSanity]

Over 6 years now

 

[Daemon]

How are the conditions in UAE that much different from Pakistan?

 

[OverratedSanity]

Well they aren't. The real reason they deserve credit for their record in uae is because they're away from their friends and family for months on end.

 

[Black_Warrior]

How are the conditions in UAE that much different from Pakistan?

And also playing in empty stadiums. These are intangibles which we fans when analysing and debating on CW often ignore because we cannot quantify them. But the lap of honour after a win yesterday...that would have been impossible in the UAE in front of empty stands. It means a lot to cricketers to have support. YK getting a standing ovation yesterday would not happen no matter how well he plays in the UAE. These things mean a lot to cricketers even if we might not be able to understand or relate to them.

 

[Xuhaib]

Well they aren't. The real reason they deserve credit for their record in uae is because they're away from their friends and family for months on end.[/QUOTE]

Yes that is an understated aspect of our record in UAE even if pitches do seem to be suiting us.

In terms of # 1 I really don't think there is a number 1 India, Pakistan, Aus, Eng and South Africa can all make their claims even NZL is not that far off its just a case of where the series is being played and the current form of the major players

 

[TheJediBrah]

Really impressive from Pakistan playing away, which we've seen has been pretty difficult recently for most sides. England would be very disappointed to not dominate a home series against a subcontinent side.

 

[vcs]

The thing is, it's entirely possible for them to lose in all those places and still be the best team in the world. Which teams would you not expect to lose away series against three opposition?

Based on nothing but gut-feeling, I would pick England. But yeah, they'd have to draw or better against India in the winter, which I hope they don't.

In case of Pakistan, I think it's also fair to point out that they haven't beaten NZ, SL or SA at home, and lost a game in Zimbabwe (lol).

I think I tend to underrate Pakistan a bit because they are abysmal in the limited-overs formats.

 

[Zinzan]

Not to take anything away from Pakistan because it was obviously a wonderful effort, but will be interesting just how much hyperbole is floating around the PP forum atm.