Agreed as well. India really need to improve their inconsistency before they can be classed the second best in the world.Slats4ever said:Test Matches: England
One Dayers: New Zealand
How so? Pakistan one one world class bowler in Shoaib, and one very promising bowler in Kaneria. Sami is rubbish and the rest are unproven. England have a solid, proven 5 man bowling attack and India have a pair of spinners of very high quality and a pair of seamers that are pretty poor but not as bad as Sami. Pakistan are 5th or 6th in the world with Sri Lanka, but clearly behind Australia, England, India and South Africa.Unattainableguy said:You may argue England and India have a better batting than Pakistan, but I'd expect a evenly balanced contest between them. But Pakistan clearly have the superior bowling attack( considering their bowlers come back) than any other team. And when you put bowling and batting performace together of each team, Pakistan do come on top.
Pakistan have done nothing to suggest they should be considered anywhere near second in the world in tests...go have a look at the results over the last couple of yearsUnattainableguy said:You may argue England and India have a better batting than Pakistan, but I'd expect a evenly balanced contest between them. But Pakistan clearly have the superior bowling attack( considering their bowlers come back) than any other team. And when you put bowling and batting performace together of each team, Pakistan do come on top.
well could the same not be said regarding Pakistan playing ODI's in New ZealandBeleg said:There is no way in the world that the current Pakistani outfit (at full avalable strength) is 2nd in the test cricket.
In the ODI's however, I think it is a close call between NZ and Pakistan for the second place. On their day Pakistan look like beating everyone, including Australia, though these days are far and few inbetween. The fact that they have probably the best lower middle-order in the world and handy ODI allrounders covers for their fast-bowling woes and puts them a notch above teams like Sri-Lanka and South Africa. Now only if they can find a settled and consistent opening pair... (which by the way was the main difference between AUS and Pakistan in the recent VB finals)
NZ cannot perform in Pakistan/Sharjah/SL if their life depended on it. Specially in the ODI's.
Then let me explain. If India's batting in recent months is evidence of a permanent decline, then what you're saying is fair enough. However, if it's only a temporary dip in form then it's untenable to argue that England are "clearly" a better side. Despite the win in SA, it's obvious that we still have significant flaws. India's batting is probably stronger than ours, and their spin bowing definitely is. OTOH, our quicks are better than theirs. Apart from the 2 most recent series between the sides, there's the little matter of India's won and drawn series with Aus, which is something we haven't looked like managing for almost 20 years.Scaly piscine said:How anyone can put a team that loses as many series as it wins ahead or level with England in Test cricket is beyond me. England are clearly the 2nd best Test side.
there is no almost 3-2 about it...you win and you lose, nothing more nothing less...a 100 run loss to me is as bad as a 1 run loss...the two teams go out there to win games...4-1 is 4-1..ie a drubbingBeleg said:Swervy,
No.
Pakistan lost the last two series 4-1 and 3-2 in NZ. The 4-1 was almost turned into 3-2 by a jawdropping performance by Razzaq. This performance isn't good by any standard but it still doesn't compare with NZ's woeful failure's against Pakistan in both Pakistan and Sharjah.
[unfortunately, due to a completely suckass modem I can't open cricinfo to verify my claims, so pardon me if I am wrong and talking completely out of my ass]
IMO NZ is a team which thrives on team effort and helpful pitch/ground/weather/external conditions. And their relative success in ODI's goes to show how important these factors are.
shabbir is not a world class bowler...and i will b hard pressed to belive that...pakistan at ful strength would b the best...in 1998 but right now give them time:P ODI pakistan is probably 2nd best...but not test.Unattainableguy said:Pakistan at full strength with their bowlers Shabbir, Shoaib, and Gul back.
because pakistan have shahid afridi...haha...nah mate, we might have lost 4-1 in NZ but NZ lost 5-0 in pak so there goes NZ being consitant...its a game of luck and chance. pakistan rnt the side they used to b but they gave aus a beating in one match and a run for their money in the last final ODI.Swervy said:why do people consider Pakistan to be second???
NZ have been more consistantly good in this form of cricket..whatabout Sri Lanka
as I say..nearly winning means a lossmofo123 said:because pakistan have shahid afridi...haha...nah mate, we might have lost 4-1 in NZ but NZ lost 5-0 in pak so there goes NZ being consitant...its a game of luck and chance. pakistan rnt the side they used to b but they gave aus a beating in one match and a run for their money in the last final ODI.