*Official* Pakistan in Australia 2019

[honestbharani]

Despite his poor dismissal I'd definitely give Shan Masood a pass for this match.

Batted through the opening session which should've set up Pakistan for a big score. Also batted through a tough session last night and lasted a while today.

As an opening bat tourist at the Gabba, he's done well.

Was extremely impressive in South Africa too. If anything, they can bench Harris Sohail for Imam and slot Masood in at 3.

 

[Burgey]

Haris l has looked ****ing village this tour so far. Just doesn’t look like scoring at all

 

[Prince EWS]

Haris l has looked ****ing village this tour so far. Just doesn’t look like scoring at all

Yeah he's a decent bat but extremely unsuited to the conditions, especially at #3 where I don't think he'd ever batted internationally before they decided to do it here. He might have more chance at #6 than Iftikhar (who is clearly inferior but seems less unsettled by the bounce - so a coin flip) but they definitely need to get someone else in at three, even if it means playing three openers.

 

[honestbharani]

Harris at 6 will work. Also, I will bat Babar at 4 ahead of Shafiq. Just to give him the mental freedom knowing there is another gun player after him.

 

[Daemon]

What a great move dropping Sarfraz was. Rizwan looks very handy.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Imam's not considered Test match stuff? He looks solid and committed enough in ODIs.

 

[morgieb]

Imam's not considered Test match stuff? He looks solid and committed enough in ODIs.

Averages under 30 at Test level and 35 at FC level. Even though he's not a big hitter it's clear he's an ODI specialist at this point. Maybe he'll improve ala Azam?

 

[morgieb]

Will be interesting to see how long this partnership can last. Look really solid and unthreatened, and still lots of time before the new ball.

 

[trundler]

Shan and Babar did relatively well in SA and seem to be the only 2 Pakistani batsmen who can deal with bounce

 

[honestbharani]

Its a bit of batting porn here with Rizwan and Babar. Do Pak finally have a batting line up that will yield consistent runs everywhere?

 

[Gnske]

Its a bit of batting porn here with Rizwan and Babar. Do Pak finally have a batting line up that will yield consistent runs everywhere?

It's been one innings

 

[honestbharani]

Yes, hence a question and not a statement.

 

[nightprowler10]

Yas. My boy.

 

[honestbharani]

Babar has batted excellently and been an absolute pleasure to watch. But Rizwan has been the most impressive innings so far. Thing with Babar is, he is awesome today but it also looks like he s doing well in a "nothing to lose" situation. I hope he can get a score when the game is there to be set up. I am sure it is a question of that one innings and then the floodgates will open for him. Whether he still has some mental growth to achieve to get there, only time will tell.

 

[GotSpin]

These are runs when they don’t really matter situation basically

 

[Chrish]

I am surprised he only averages 35 in Tests.

 

[trundler]

Good knock but this situation illustrates why first innings runs matter most.

 

[morgieb]

Its a bit of batting porn here with Rizwan and Babar. Do Pak finally have a batting line up that will yield consistent runs everywhere?

Still need to work out the other 5 positions

Although Azhar is good, Sohail's at least a good subcontinental option, Masood's improved and Shafiq's still decent in fairness, but I think even if Babar really kicks on it's still not a great, consistent batting lineup.

 

[trundler]

Babar has that forward and back trigger movement like Pointing and KP. Helps ride the bounce. Am I the only one who sees it?

 

[OverratedSanity]

Good knock but this situation illustrates why first innings runs matter most.

A lot of his runs in his career so far have come in these kind of situations. No doubt that he's classy as **** and is going to be quality for a long time though.