***Official*** Pakistan in Australia 2023/24

[Spark]

One can hope.

But this current pace attack is going to be seriously impenetrative at Sydney, assuming they prepare the usual concrete block.

Are they still going to experiment with different grass for the Test pitch or is the lottery reserved for the Shield?

 

[TheJediBrah]

Smith definitely seemed to immediately on the replay.

He always does tbf

 

[Starfighter]

Are they still going to experiment with different grass for the Test pitch or is the lottery reserved for the Shield?

Dunno. They might think a flatter wicket might at least help Pakistan's batting.

 

[Spark]

Also still a concern that Smith is missing balls like that. It might be hand eye deterioration or it might be that he's more side-on now than he was in his absolute pomp.

 

[Spark]

He always does tbf

Well, except for once

 

[ashley bach]

MCG the new WACA

 

[honestbharani]

Crapinfo comms seem to think Hamza has been great, you guys here seem to think he should be dropped next game. Why this split?

 

[Starfighter]

Crapinfo comms seem to think Hamza has been great, you guys here seem to think he should be dropped next game. Why this split?

He's bowled fine, but he's just not fast enough.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Dunno. They might think a flatter wicket might at least help Pakistan's batting.

The more bowler friendly the better for Pakistan. They will make a few more runs on a flatter wicket but will still probably get bowled out twice whereas Aus will rack up 4/600 dec on an Aussie road against this attack. At least a pitch with some seam movement gives them a chance at a masquerade of competitiveness

 

[Starfighter]

Smith squared up again

 

[Spark]

Great ball.

 

[Prince EWS]

Wow this is afuera.

 

[Spark]

Smith squared up again

Which probably means he'll go even more side on and then miss a straight one.

 

[Spark]

Could still see the rest folding for about 250 here. There's more than enough going on.

 

[Starfighter]

Which probably means he'll go even more side on and then miss a straight one.

The squaring combined with the fact he doesn't play his shots and hit gaps when he does anymore is rapidly denting his average.

 

[Spark]

The squaring combined with the fact he doesn't play his shots and hit gaps when he does anymore is rapidly denting his average.

I mean it's still 58. What it is probably denting is his longevity; I can't see him being happy to stick around for a long slow Punter-esque decline.

 

[morgieb]

More pies & jaffas from Jamal. Definitely made that looked tougher than it was though.

It's still moving but can see it dying in the second dig. That said, if Australia were bowling first I think Pakistan might already be bowled out.

I mean it's still 58. What it is probably denting is his longevity; I can't see him being happy to stick around for a long slow Punter-esque decline.

So if he was to retire in 2024/25 or something, how do you rate him? Dominated for 5-6 years but didn't have a super long peak and quit before his average really tanked in contrast to Ponting (or Waugh/Border).

 

[TheJediBrah]

@Burgey dropped catch by Rizwan off Marnus there

 

[Spark]

More pies & jaffas from Jamal. Definitely made that looked tougher than it was though.

It's still moving but can see it dying in the second dig. That said, if Australia were bowling first I think Pakistan might already be bowled out.

So if he was to retire in 2024/25 or something, how do you rate him? Dominated for 5-6 years but didn't have a super long peak and quit before his average really tanked in contrast to Ponting (or Waugh/Border).

2017 India and 2019 Ashes are enough for him to surpass Ponting for me.

 

[Prince EWS]

Travis Shoulder.