Re: Misbah?
You are right about strike rotation, we are one of the worst teams when it comes to milking ones and twos. What I am saying is Misbah just doesn't have the freedom to play big shots (we know he can) given the lack of quality and depth in the batting line-up. We do not even have a genuine all-rounder in the team. Pak definitely need to work on keeping the score board ticking over. Big shots esp. aerial ones are not needed all the time
Re: Misbah?
I agree with that.
Re: Misbah?
interesting thought kaka....you may be right. like i said, i have hardly seen any indian bad mouthing misbah and wasim akram whereas they will be using every bad name for afridi, shoaib akhtar and will be making fun of other pakistani players....
Pakistanis on the other hand simply dont like misbah PERIOD. maybe and as you said, we like mercurial type last ball sixer type heros and hard worker honest guy like misbah do not fit in
by the way, indians simply adore wasim akram. so much respect for him. i have never ever seen any indian even hinting at wasim's involvement in match fixing. not sure why but we Pakistanis are even divided on wasim as well. i guess wasim always says good things about india and pakistanis get upset and call him "paisay ka bhooka".
in pakistan, yes dhoni is very popular. Dhoni is actually way more popular than our own skipper misbah! We love dhoni's calm demeanor and all the titles he has won and his ability to hit big in last few overs and close matches for India. I always thought he is very popular in india as well but from your post looks like that may not be the case.
tendulkar and dravid also have masive respect in pak but they have respect everywhere. they are true role models for every player.
Imran also has a lot of respect in india and i thought indians were in complete awe of imran...oxford educated, so handsome, genuine fast bowler like Lillie and thomson, talented, so polished. indians simply didnot have answer of imran khan.
Indians dont bad mouth Wasim for a reason. Too much respect for best bowler world has ever seen, and now he is like india' adopted child. Imagine Sehwag or Sachin spending half their time in Pakistan and coaching local teams, you would love them too. Had Waseem not involved in India post retirement i am sure we would have brought up match fixing saga a lot.
Dhoni lost a lot favors after the entire IPL/CSK/Srini/Guruappa drama. He may not make it beyond this year in cricket if he doesnt win the world cup. We forgive everything for a cup but to be very least he wont be a captain. Media will kill him and i am sure regardless he is playing his last world cup. I myself have lost a lot of respect for him, when he first came he was like our Afridi and rags to riches success story.
Regarding IK, i dont think the perception you have is entirely true, despite all his shortcomings we always regarded Kapil as better guy. He won world cup when Indian team was no better than Bangla today, when still there was racism in Eng, when they looked down upon desis and when everyone thought WI were invincible. Plus he led a very successful personal and family life. IK was respected and there was lot of jealousy too but it all withered away rapidly in 96ish era when he married a girl half his age and got in to politics. Indians are very judgemental you know and look for a god like character in their heros.
People like me remember Wasim, Waqar, Akthar more then IK. I may be wrong but IK has more of a politician image now with youngsters than a cricketer.
Now when i think about it, its funny that back in the days i was more afraid of Ajaz Ahmad then Mianadad.
Re: Misbah?
You must be sitting in wrong circle of friends 
Are you a born-pessimist? 
They decide for a strategy before game… to build an inning one will be anchor while the other will hit freely, unfortunately we as fans think both sides should hit when they “see” an opportunity. Lots of our failed batsmen “saw” an opportunity when they failed.
Re: Misbah?
The game is changing. And has changed. This strategy of one man holding the fort while the others attack usually backfires. Because the man holding the fort holds on too tight. And the ones told to attack hit too freely.
Cricket is a simple game. Play the ball on its merit. The low percentage reverse sweep for example, Misbah played one with a player in position! That made no sense.m to me as soon as he played it. Commentators also said for a single that risk was not worth it.
See ball. Gauge ball. Hit ball. Unless it merits a tuk. Not the other way around.
Waise, I hear you are a powerful member of the administrative team in a forum that is not open to the general public. So I have to weigh my words carefully.
Re: Misbah?
The game is changing. And has changed. This strategy of one man holding the fort while the others attack usually backfires. Because the man holding the fort holds on too tight. And the ones told to attack hit too freely.
Our batsmen aren't capable enough, if Misbah starts to hit around when seeing an "opportunity" we probably wouldn't have scored 150 on most occasions. Just like, Misbah also doesn't trust the batsmen who come after him to be able to stick around for boosting the score.
Waise, I hear you are a powerful member of the administrative team in a forum that is not open to the general public. So I have to weigh my words carefully.
Feel free to hit the loose ball you see, this is GS, not Pakistan cricket team and you are not Misbah :D
Re: Misbah?
Missed the entire Akram Waqar era of bowling. Watched highlights in the KK forum. And their performance was just mind boggling.
Akram got shirt changed a few LBWS. Else would have been even more fantastic. The Waqar yorkers were unplayable.
During our time, the Pakistani batsmen were more glamorous. Zaheer, Majid, Asif, Sadeeq M, Wasim Raja had huge following. I remember Wasim taking apart Windies attack once. Asif and Raja played well with taileneders. Asif with Iqbal Qasim destroyed Lillee and Thomsen in Australia in an inning
Miandad was hated. I felt he taunted too much. Maybe that is what got him going. Plus his scratchy style was an eyesore.- more so because he won more than he lost.
Abdul Qadir wasn't too shabby a spinner.
Re: Misbah?
do you guys think misbah shd retire after the WC? i think he shd give up captaincy and someone else shd take over but he shd continue as batsman for sometime...he is the pillar of our batting
any thoughts?
Brother, thinking about your question I start thinking the difference in nation's attitude. So, I would not answer the question, I would tell you what I think of the situation. :)
Dilshan: Born Oct 1976
Couple of days ago (26 Feb 2015), Dilshan hit in mega event (World cup) his career best 161 not out in 146 balls (SR = 110.3) and also took 2 wickets for 35 runs at ER of 4.37. This was his 21st ODI century.
Yesterday (1st March), Dilshan hit brisk 44 (in 55 balls) and also took 1 wickets for 35 (ER of 4.2). Dilshan also took 3 catches (all catches were finely taken and showed his fitness).
This was Dilshan 2 century in last 7 ODIs, and 21st century overall. He also hit one century in World cup warm-up OD match.
Sangakara: Born October 27, 1977
Couple of days ago (26 Feb 2015), Sangakara hit in mega event (World cup) 105 not out in 76 balls (SR = 138.1) and also took 3 wickets (2 catches and one stumping) as wicket keeper.
Yesterday (1st March), Sangakara hit brisk 117 runs in 86 balls at SR of 136. This was Sangakara back to back century.
It was Sangakara 3rd century in last 5 ODIs and 23rd century overall.
Mahela Jayawardene: Born may 27, 1977
In his last ODI (22 Feb 2015) he batted, SL was facing small total of 232 still was on verge of defeat. When Mahela came to crease, SL was 3 wickets down for 18 runs in 5.3 overs. Their top batsmen, Sangakara as well as Dilshan lost their wickets cheaply. Facing such situation, Mahela hit a century in 120 balls. It was Mahela's 19th ODI century.
Compare them with Pakistani Cricket's Babays (Younus and Misbah) and think.
Misbah: Born May 28, 1974
He is 2 to 3 years older than Dilshan, Sangakara as well as Mahela. In 145 ODIs he batted, he never made a century (even though he as captain can bat at any batting order and can build his inning to make century). His inning starts as snail pace and when he try to accelerate his inning, he loses his wickets.
Younis: Born 29 Nov 1977 (though it is claimed that he was born much earlier than that).
Using officially date of birth, Younis is a year younger than Dilshan and is of similar age to Sangakara or Mahela.
In last 6 years (since 2008), Younis hit one ODI century on flat wicket of Abu Dhabi (that was last year). Since his last century, Great Younis khan made overall 39 runs in 5 matches he played, at an average of 7.8 runs per match. Younis average in those 6 years is pathetically low (his career average is 31, that is mostly due to runs Younis made till 2008).
It is surprising that Mahela Jayawardene, Sangakara and Dilshan ... when they are playing their best, all decided to retire from ODIs (if they wanted to, they could play on and on). Surprising thing is that Mahela was Captain of the team and he gave it to Sangakara and later Sangakara decided to give it to younger team mate (Mathew). All did this willingly, making their own decision to do that. None of these players have groups, played or are playing politics in team. All of these players have best interest of their country in front.
But in Pakistan, players keep playing until they are booted out forcefully and most of the time they leave disgracefully ... I mean, dhaka day kal nikala jata hay aur yea baisharam rotay rahtay hain. In Younis case, when he got booted out, he threatened PCB and nation that he would shoot himself if he get the boot. Yea chimgadar kee tarah chipak jatay hain and since PCB management is incompetent as well as corrupt to core, they get blackmailed easily. Same is with Pakistan team captaincy. These pathetic players fight to become captain (just think of great Imran, who even staged revolt in team so that he gets captaincy).
Pakistani situation is sad but funny too. I won't be surprised if in next 'world cup', Sindh Chief Minister ‘Qyem Ali Shah’ would forward his name as team captain. Best part is that, he would get selected, I mean appointed, as captain of team too. Most surprising would be that, if he would make line of Zero runs in every inning he would play, would drop umpteen number of catches and would do 100s of misfielding giving 1000s of extra runs to opponents, many Jiyalas would come on forums, media and on every talk shows, defending Qyem Ali Shah place in Pakistan cricket not just as player but as captain too, and he would succeed in keeping his place. Most likely, when he would decide to leave cricket as player, he would be made chairman PCB and many Pakistanis would appreciate that too.
Re: Misbah?
Misbah should resign as Captain.
Re: Misbah?
Why would anyone want Misbah to re sign?
Re: Misbah?
Excellent thread. I would love Misbah to continue playing in the team. But I have so much respect for the guy and I would hate to see him get dropped from the team and eventually be forced out as a player. Kind of what is happening to Younus Khan, although Younus Khan has only himself to blame for the shame he brought upon himself.
I think Misbah should retire for ODI's completely and give up captaincy in test cricket as well but should be in the test team to help a younger captain take over the reigns. Even at his age he is the fittest cricketer in the team tells you a lot about his dedication, sincerity, and love for the game.
Re: Misbah?
Without Misbah we would have lost todays match and out of the tournament. When you have legendary batsmen like Jamshed and Shehzad than medicores like Misbah are required.
do you think his tuk tuk approach would benefit us going foward? do you think Aus/nz/sf/ind would of went this slow just because you lost two wickets? please...
If you are bowler and know that batsmen won't attrack you, you are not under any pressure. at one time he was at 7 of 37 balls. that's just too negative. worked against zim, sure as hell won't work against any other good team.
Re: Misbah?
https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/571917659991764992
Harsha Bhogle on Twitter:
I find this criticism of Misbah very strange. It is like a family of ten complaining that the sole breadwinner isn’t doing enough.
Re: Misbah?
you are right, Pakistan should’ve rather folded for 151 than score 235 :k:
Re: Misbah?
do you think his tuk tuk approach would benefit us going foward? do you think Aus/nz/sf/ind would of went this slow just because you lost two wickets? please...
If you are bowler and know that batsmen won't attrack you, you are not under any pressure. at one time he was at 7 of 37 balls. that's just too negative. worked against zim, sure as hell won't work against any other good team.
When you have one batsmen (Misbah) and 10 school boys you have to be careful how you play. Tell me something if he had not scored the runs he did today we would have been out of the tournament. It is a shame that our nation has got so used to "Afridi two sixes in three balls and out" culture that everything else seems rubbish to us.
Re: Misbah?
^ exactly! Well said.
Re: Misbah?
When you have one batsmen (Misbah) and 10 school boys you have to be careful how you play. Tell me something if he had not scored the runs he did today we would have been out of the tournament. It is a shame that our nation has got so used to "Afridi two sixes in three balls and out" culture that everything else seems rubbish to us.
*hindsight is 20/20. he could of got out when he was 7 for 37. No one is talking about Afridi but please pay attention to the Australia..side that has dominated the cricket world. Aggression> defensive. If I'm a bowler, i would much rather bowl to tuk tuk than Brendon McCullum, ab de villiers, david warner you get the point? tuk tuk won't get you anywhere or else we would of won more than 30% the games. we are at the bottom for a reason. Tuk Tuk played a huge part in it. If we are going to just assume the other players wont do anything and you go into survival mode to start off the game, you already lost half the game. period. 14 runs off 10 overs. give me a break. will see how that works out vs south africa or any of the other test playing nations. *
Re: Misbah?
to assume we would of folded is the reason why we are the bottom. Reason why even zimbabwe is hard to beat. 14 runs over 10 overs haha
Re: Misbah?
*hindsight is 20/20. he could of got out when he was 7 for 37. No one is talking about Afridi but please pay attention to the Australia..side that has dominated the cricket world. Aggression> defensive. If I'm a bowler, i would much rather bowl to tuk tuk than Brendon McCullum, ab de villiers, david warner you get the point? tuk tuk won't get you anywhere or else we would of won more than 30% the games. we are at the bottom for a reason. Tuk Tuk played a huge part in it. If we are going to just assume the other players wont do anything and you go into survival mode to start off the game, you already lost half the game. period. 14 runs off 10 overs. give me a break. will see how that works out vs south africa or any of the other test playing nations. *
He does not do tuk tuk because he wants to but when you walk in and the situation is 1 run and 4 wickets down than you dont play like Brendan Mccullum, more so if you know that you are the only batsmen who could salvage the scoreboard. Misbah is one guy what about the other 10 Why are they not batting like the ones you have mentioned. We need to get out of this Afridi syndrome. When we get some world class batsmen than we can start thinking about playing like AB, till than tuk tuk it is.
Re: Misbah?
Please compare the quality of our batting to that of the other top teams.
Aus bat right down to no.8. #9](http://www.paklinks.com/gs/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=9) if you include Johnson
India have Dhawan, Rahane, Kohli, Raina and Dhoni
Lanka have Thirimane, Sanga, Dilshan, Jayawardene and Matthews
SA have Amla, AB, du plessis, Miller etc.
NZ have McCullum, Williamson, Guptil, Ross Taylor, Corey etc.
Windies have Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Simmons, Sammy etc.
Does our batting even remotely match those strong teams
Because of next to nil contribution from the top order and because Misbah is quite aware of what’s to come after him in batting (plus no genuine all-rounder in the team; Afridi is neither good with bat nor ball in this WC), it does not really give him the freedom to play his natural game (we know he can play the big shots when required). The only valid criticism could be the dot balls. ODI is not only about playing big shots. You can score just as quickly / keep the score board ticking over with smart placement and deft touches. We most definitely need to improve our strike rotation but it is not just Misbah but the whole batting line-up that sucks in this department. We are routinely wasting half of our overs which is not really smart cricket. The importance of doing the basics right, running ones and twos, seems to be lost on our players