***Official*** Pakistan in South Africa

[shortpitched713]

Test series victory over Aus > WC > All other test series > All other ODI series.

Thats about the same way I'd have it, although I'd put the World Cup at the same level as a Test series against Australia. Although winning the Test series against Australia might be harder, the World Cup is an event on which the whole world's eyes are focused. Once you beat Australia in Test cricket, there might be someone else who could challenge you and beat you, like when England beat Australia and lost against Pak. However, winning the World Cup means undisputed superiority in one form of the game, and thats not something I'd take lightly either.

 

[silentstriker]

TAlthough winning the Test series against Australia might be harder

There is no "might". In 100+ years, only three countries have gone to Australia and won a series: England, West Indies, New Zealand (and that only once).

It is so ridiculously hard that nothing else really compares.

 

[silentstriker]

Anyway, I guess I am in the minority these days. If die hard and knowledgeable fans think this way, then I guess my way of thinking is quickly going extinct.

In fifty years, will we still play Tests?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

You have to understand how important the World Cup is to South Africa. Often the bridesmaid, never the bride. South Africa have performed creditably at World Cup tournaments in the past and have faltered at moments when they stood as one of the favourites for the cup. In 1999 they were the best team and lost in tragic circumstances. In 2003 they suffered the utter embarrassment of failing to advance from the preliminary stage of their own tournament. And the circumstances surrounding that failure are well known too.

Winning the World Cup for South Africa would be vindication unmatched other than with victory in a Test series against Australia.

 

[Jono]

Considering that Inzy has described this test victory as his greatest win as captain (ahead of any victory against India under his reign) its pretty obvious to me how much test cricket means to the players, particularly away series.

 

[Prince EWS]

Anyway, I guess I am in the minority these days. If die hard and knowledgeable fans think this way, then I guess my way of thinking is quickly going extinct.

In fifty years, will we still play Tests?

You are not alone though. I completely agree with you.

You had a reputation as a being a bit of a troll but I really don't know why - you talk more sense than most other members on most issues.

 

[social]

Younis Khan has once again proven himself to be Pakistan's most reliable batsman in all conditions - good technique, plays the bouncing ball well and is mentally tough

Yousuf was a big disappointment but should've expected a soft dismissal based on his previous performances on surfaces such as this.

One of the most enjoyable series of late between 2 evenly matched teams - both have some top players but are carrying a number of ordinary ones.

 

[Jono]

Yousuf was a big disappointment but should've expected a soft dismissal based on his previous performances on surfaces such as this.

He didn't have a good test but surely he gets a bit of benefit because of the fact he just jumped off a plane without any practice matches on completely foreign conditions?

 

[FRAZ]

Well on the one pitch in that series with some life, he took 3 for 107 from 24 overs. Razzaq outbowled him in that game.

Then there was the series in India on lifeless pitches a couple of years back. Pathan and Balaji outbowled him then.

For the sake of argument that is just a greart statement . But SS will also agree with me if I ll say that Shoaib is a little better than the above mentioned bowlers .
This is what the motive of anti christs is ,They find one inch against Shoaib and on paper they make a yard ...
Gentleman is a legend and he is just a little different ......

 

[FRAZ]

One of the most enjoyable series of late between 2 evenly matched teams - both have some top players but are carrying a number of ordinary ones.

For example ?

 

[Prince EWS]

For example ?

Mohammad Sami, Kamran Akmal, Hashim Amla, Paul Harris, Imran Farhat....

 

[Fusion]

Anyway, I guess I am in the minority these days. If die hard and knowledgeable fans think this way, then I guess my way of thinking is quickly going extinct.

In fifty years, will we still play Tests?

Oh come off it! Just because some of us think that winning the WC is as big an achievement as winning a Test series hardly means that Test cricket is going to die. Overreacting much? And most posters I've read here are only placing the WC above a Test win, not any other ODI series. Hardly an indication that they don't value Tests!

 

[Fusion]

both have some top players but are carrying a number of ordinary ones.

Excluding Australia, this statement could be applied to any Test nation in the world.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Excluding Australia, this statement could be applied to any Test nation in the world.

Hmm, but often at times you'll have the "ordinary" players contributing in patches towards the team's success. As opposed to this game where, admittedly I didn't watch, but looking at the scoreboard both teams pretty much relied on their top 4 or so players to do all the work.

 

[FRAZ]

Mohammad Sami, Kamran Akmal, Hashim Amla, Paul Harris, Imran Farhat....

Kamran Akmal is not that bigga mess as compared to many other players and Apart from M Sami all the other players are fair players and not as bad as they look like tbh ....
Inzi said during one interview that it should not be taken under consideration that we are missing 4-5 players ,but whatever is left is what is the best we could get outta our country ,so we gotta fight on !!

 

[FRAZ]

Hmm, but often at times you'll have the "ordinary" players contributing in patches towards the team's success..

Well constructed sentence and I might not be fully agreed with it but a debatable and a superb issue discussed by the gentleman !!!!
Appreciated !!!

 

[FRAZ]

What is happening to our beautiful game?

Yeah I will also miss Shoaib Akhtar!

 

[Perm]

Good win for Pakistan, Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal both batted well. Interesting to note that Mohammad Yousuf has failed so far.

 

[adharcric]

What is happening to our beautiful game?

Yeah I will also miss Shoaib Akhtar!

 

[Jono]

Absolute genuine @ Fraz there, that's hilarious.