*Official* Pakistan in New Zealand 2020/21

[Flem274*]

I'm probably going against the grain and will say this will be a really competitive series. Pakistan are a dangerous side with the ball and can also bat long periods. I'm not sure they'll take the series but can definitely see this ending 1-1

no i agree, their bowling kept them in both tests last time despite the best efforts of their batsmen and their bowling now is a lot better. if we try the green deck meme abbas will average 7.

it remains to be seen where the runs are coming from tho, because their batting back then was a lot better (and the newly crowned #1 test side) than it is now.

 

[Moss]

Also, no CdG this time and somehow don’t see Mitchell ambushing them with 6-41. Interestingly Raval is the only member of the top 6/7 from that series not around now, and he was pretty much the glue which held the batting together then.

With Azam out Pakistan seem half the batting side for sure, but that bowling lineup will ask some good questions of NZ.

 

[Pup Clarke]

I really rate Shan, that guy is quality. No Babar is a big blow but Shan is a gem. If Azhar Ali can get back some form I predict they'll be competitive with the bat

 

[nightprowler10]

I genuinely think we will struggle to make 250 with this lineup.

 

[SteveNZ]

Nah I think most of us feel Pakistan will be a real threat. Their seam attack looked dangerous and given the right conditions will pose a lot of problems. If they can score runs they’ll be right in both Tests

 

[Chewie]

Santner's in the test squad

 

[Immenso]

Good. Hope he's picked in the 11. Madness to play a 5th medium pacer IMO. Not worth the extra 5 runs I reckon Mitchell will average with the bat at 7 over Santner if each were given a long run.

Even with zero red ball cricket for Santner, I still hold this opinion.

 

[thundaboult]

"We decided to include Mitchell Santner in the upcoming test squad because of the pure lulz it would generate"

- David White & Gary Stead

 

[Athlai]

Ajaz is injured right? If so then you pick Santa.

 

[Chewie]

Ajaz is injured right? If so then you pick Santa.

"It's really unfortunate for Ajaz, who has overcome his calf-injury, but the all-round ability of Mitchell Santner is our preferred option for this series. The fact Ajaz hasn't been able to have any game-time in the lead-up was also a concern for the selectors."

 

[Athlai]

If only there was some kind of A game that he could've warmed up in

 

[Daemon]

If they can score runs

This is by far the biggest issue, especially with Babar out.

 

[SteveNZ]

Santner's in the test squad

They believe there’s a Test cricketer in Santner, they truly do. That’s why I picked him in a ‘Test team in 3 years’ thread

 

[Athlai]

Also it goes without saying that Mark Reason's latest article is absolute gobshite. What a ****ing idiot.

 

[Bahnz]

Haha, even by Reason standards that is 10/10 nonsense.

 

[Kippax]

They believe there’s a Test cricketer in Santner, they truly do. That’s why I picked him in a ‘Test team in 3 years’ thread

Well tbh they wouldn't be putting Ravindra at 6 in A Tests and trying as hard to get his bowling out from under that annoying Macewell shell, if they didn't share everyone else's concern with Santner.

Santner can just wheel down 40 overs for 53 against a top Test nation in a way Ravindra can't do at NZ's domestic level yet.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Is Mark Reason on drugs ... definitely looks like it from his profile pic. ??‍

 

[Moss]

Don’t think it’s as much about trying to make a test cricketer out of Santner as the decision to play the pace quartet at any cost. When it comes to combinations they obviously feel 4 quicks > any 3 quicks+Ajaz, at home. Hence the need for a spinner who can wheel away while they get a rest, as Kippax pointed out. CdG being ruled out is the thing that worked against Ajaz here, he would have been able to take on the 4th seamer role as well as no.7 to a respectable degree (truly a case of a player’s worth being apparent in their absence).

Problem I have with the selection is a) Despite that 3 for 53 off 40 last year Santa isn’t accurate enough for the role he’s been picked for and b) just don’t like the idea of a batting lineup with Santner at 7, gives the opposition a real chance if it’s one if those days the top 6 collectively go missing.

 

[Immenso]

Only seen the headline. Mark Reason doesn't even believe a single thing he writes.

One week super woke, next week they've all gone soft. Following week whatever will upset the most suckers on a particular topic.

Bit of a crap way to make a living.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Hahaha that Reason article is straight up trolling.