***Official*** Sri Lanka and Pakistan in UAE 2017

[OverratedSanity]

What a turnaround by Sri Lanka.

-> Worst stuffing for any side at home in recent history
-> Batting lineup that depends on a bloke who doesn't want to be captain and a bloke who doesn't want to be keeper
-> Bowling lineup that completely depends on a almost entirely spherical 39-year old
-> No selectors

Go and sweep a side away from home in a country they've not beat beaten in literally ever

Fixed. But yes, incredible turnaround.

This year has produced some pretty ridiculous series. Australia almost beating India in India when everyone expected a whitewash, Bangladesh actually winning test matches, WI winning in Eng after no one gave them a prayer, and now this. It's bonkers and I love it.

 

[Niall]

When you consider the quality of the opposition, that is Pakistan's worst test series in close to a decade. Truly shameful stuff. Mickey is lucky he has the champions trophy,, because the test side is an absolute mess and he and Inzy can take a lot of the blame.

A tried and tested failure in Shan opening due to his father, no second spinner in the UAE and last but not least Alam nowhere the side while Azam stinks it out is just ugh.

No test cricket until maybe Ireland next summer, they need the break to try and get there **** together.

EDIT....at least ***** on Pakpassion who have been dreaming of the day Misbah and Younis retire can cop themselves on somewhat so small mercies.

 

[TestMatch]

So best test match of the year? Does it go to Sri Lanka, WI or the Aussies?

 

[Daemon]

Windies was a rollercoaster. Truly epic game, even if the quality of cricket on display (fielding in particular) was awful.

 

[vcs]

India vs. Australia Bangalore

Not just the cricket but the other shenanigans as well.

 

[weldone]

WI vs Eng 2nd test is the test of the year, followed by SL vs Pak first test imo.

 

[Himannv]

This is the first test series I've watched in years and it seems a good one to start off with. I don't know if it was the best in the year but it must have been a stellar year if there were many better games than these ones.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Ind-Aus Bangalore definitely for me. Epic game.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Well done Sri Lanka.

Apologies if it has been posted, but this is a great stat:

Teams that won after scoring under 100 in the 3rd innings:

60 - Aus v England, Lords, 1888
84 - Eng v Aus, Oval, 1896
86 - Aus v Eng, Manchester, 1902
96 - SL v Pak, Dubai, 2017

 

[YorksLanka]

Brilliant effort by the boys..well done SL..

 

[Daemon]

It's really all or nothing for this Lankan side these days.

3-0 Australia
0-3 SA
Nearly lose to Zimbabwe
0-3 India
2-0 Pakistan

 

[YorksLanka]

It's really all or nothing for this Lankan side these days.

3-0 Australia
0-3 SA
Nearly lose to Zimbabwe
0-3 India
2-0 Pakistan

this is down to a few things that have changed recently:
The previous selectors all resigned and now we have a decent bunch in now
The lack of fitness was addressed quite recently in terms of a decree that players would not be picked until they passed fitness tests
Hashan Tillakaratne coming in as batting coach has definitely been a positive
The players are now realising that the fan's patience only goes so far..

Glad to see the turnaround but conscious its only one series..we need to keep moving forward..

 

[vcs]

And the biscuits. Don't forget the biscuits.

 

[weldone]

Don't think SL can carry on their test form to the ODIs...completely different format, completely different teams...Even without Amir Pakistan bowling is good enough to take 10 SL wickets cheaply
And there is no Herath of Dilruwan to bether Pak batsmen

 

[vcs]

Hoping Akila Dananjaya can bamboozle a few more batsmen with his googly.

 

[weldone]

Hoping Akila Dananjaya can bamboozle a few more batsmen with his googly.

He's the only hope SL has.

 

[Himannv]

Not really worried about ODIs; we always find a way to do alright in them. Of course, if the pitch heavily favours bowlers then Pakistan are clear favourites, but is that really the case?

 

[weldone]

Not really worried about ODIs; we always find a way to do alright in them. Of course, if the pitch heavily favours bowlers then Pakistan are clear favourites, but is that really the case?

Should I assume that you're not following SL ODI cricket lately?

You were beaten by Zimbabwe, before being white-washed by India. The only ODI success of note you had in the last 1 year was a successful 300+ chase against India in Champions Trophy.

 

[Himannv]

Should I assume that you're not following SL ODI cricket lately?

You were beaten by Zimbabwe, before being white-washed by India. The only ODI success of note you had in the last 1 year was a successful 300+ chase against India in Champions Trophy.

Huh. Well, seems we are rubbish at ODIs as well then.

 

[YorksLanka]

what a ball from Akila.... that look on Fahker's face