u/Pengu786

Not going to speak much about the game but good effort by Sajid and Rizwan. Rizwan missed out on a much deserved 100 but don’t think it would’ve mattered unless we won. Yet again showing he has been our longer format MVP.

Onto the aftermath, Shan has apparently resigned and that’s good that he saw himself that he wasn’t cutting it. Saw some people say just keep it with him, to that I say a rebuild should start now and not after England. If Sauds form didn’t drop off a cliff he would’ve been captain, The journalist wanted him not to long ago and Saifu would’ve made it happen. Now I feel Babar is the favourite again and I don’t know what to say about that. Ik people will say Agha but he regrets T20 captaincy so it’s safe to say he won’t take it in Tests and Rizzy would be nice if he didn’t lose his confidence in the field, Bro is mute when normally he would be shouting and talking every ball. He also is the worst at taking reviews.

Now onto the exclusions. You could make the point that half the team need to go and no one would even bat an eye. Let’s start from the batsman and go down. Openers should still stay but Imam shouldn’t ever return back. Fazal is undercooked imo but he showed something in the first test. U could maybe even put him back at 3 if he prefers that but I know that opening is his original position. Azan i’m not worried about he should get the England series. Ik we will be inexperienced but Shamyl it’s your chance of Imam. Take out one Parchi for another. Jokes aside the boy has talent and he has shown that in domestic the last two years with an average of 45.89 in 48 innings. Need ABD to become the star he looked like at the start of his career and be that Gel up top. Shan has the second batsman as of late but he still hasn’t showed much, Not captain anymore so he could be dropped, would’ve liked to see him in England but he has did this to himself.

In the Middle order. Babar has been awful for a while, Decent starts in this test but should’ve converted twice. Soft dismissal in the first and stranded down leg in the second innings which is a common dismissal for him so I wouldn’t say it’s unlucky anymore. Stays in the squad for now but if he shows nothing by the conclusion of the Eng series then he should be gone. Saud started wonderfully in his career thanks to the pitches made by Ramiz, Even scored runs away in Sri Lanka but then lost form when we changed pitches at home. Bad against pace and not that special against spin at the moment. Looks very bad and next series is in the Windies which is a death trap for him. I reckon he should be around the squad but he should be competing with someone. Agha like the rest ain’t been great as of late but he is clutch at times so he should stay. Problem is do you keep him low where he succeeds or do you move him to Sauds position whilst someone new gets an easier number. Dont want to break Agha whilst trying to blood someone new in but Agha is way too low for my liking.

If Kamran Ghulam’s red ball form didn’t fall off a cliff then he could be tried but he averaged 14 in 8 innings whilst making 108 in the most recent domestic season whilst even Saud got to 32 which is also very bad for someone of his quality. I saw tail enders with more runs than that KG. You also can’t blame that on Aqib dropping him due to fielding. As dumb as that is it doesn’t make a guy average 14. Middle order wise I don’t see much talent whereas we have a load of opener’s. We have Awais Zafar averaging 46 in the last two years we have Mohsin Riaz averaging 40.98 and both have played roughly 50 innings in the last two innings. We could also play a wicket keeper like Saad Baig in the middle. Had a great last year by scoring 1000 runs.

We probs end up playing Ghazi Ghori though. That man has somehow got into all Shaheen and emerging sides and is now in the test squad even though Saad had a much better year. Wonder why he is so pushed but he has a Aberage of 41 in 46 innings which is good.

Onto the pace bowlers. Hasan Ali is like Imam, He comes back but it never works out and enough is enough. Thanks for the memories but you should just play domestic, county and leagues. Shaheen it ain’t over and you will most likely retire a Pakistani legend but you need a break from tests to regain pace and build up fitness to bowl longer spells. At the moment he is a 4 over bowler and that is an issue. He also shouldn’t play every white ball game. Khurram Shehzad and Abbas should stay for now they ain’t the fastest but they take wickets and they need an enforcer or two around them.

I’ve seen people mention Saqib Shah who ain’t the fastest either but he does take wickets but i’d say we have that in Abbas and Khurram, Ali Raza is getting pushed but I don’t want to break him. If they treated him right and got him to bowl 3-4 over spells 3-4 times in a day then that’s fine but we won’t. He ain’t built his body and he has only played 6 FC games. If Naseem got fit and regained pace he could play as he seems a longer format bowler, I really want Dahani to play red ball but we don’t really have a consistent 140 bowler who has wreaked havoc in domestic. Such a sad decline.

In the spin department we have Sajid and Nomi. Nomi thanks for everything but it’s time to go. We need to replace him for someone younger. Ali Usman is the same as Sajid and he is a left arm spin bowler who has 100 wickets in the last two years at the average of 24. He has someone who has deserved a call up for a while. If that’s too old and you want to get rid of both spinners then there is Mubasir who has a decent record but he is more a bat than a bowler. Basically like Agha. Averages 39 with the bat but 34 with the ball. Wouldn’t be enough to get in imo. The better spinners tend to be older. There are 3 younger left arm spinners who most definitely can get in. Mehran is my N1 option but he doesn’t have the best bowling average. It’s 30 but imo he has the most talent and his batting skill is still developing. Ahmed Safi is another who averages 28 with the ball and last is Asghar who everyone rated once upon a time who averages 31.

It’s time to go young and not look back. We are losing every series anyways so it’s time for a rebuild it may take time it might be quick but it will be better than the crap we watch now.

Took them long enough but the batsman showed some fight today. Still gonna end up with a whitewash so i’m not going to act like this changes anything but it was nice to see for once. The day started off good for Bangladesh as Nahid got Fazal. Shortly after Azan was on the wrong side of an umpires call. Both are young and should deffo get the next series in the Windies. In came Shan and Babar again, In the first innings they provided much needed impetuous and the second innings was even better. Babar started off with a boundary then Shan took the attack to Taskin. He had a few close calls but fortune favours the brave. Spin then came on and both batsman hit a boundary. Then it came to the post lunch session and Babar smoked the first ball for 6.

The men looked like they were on a mission, Babar was 30 off 26 and Shan was going strong on 41 off 55. Babar carried on his way by hitting a few more boundaries until he met his demise. Nothing delivery, no demons in pitch and he got strangled down leg. Wouldn’t say this was a soft dismissal where he gave it away. 9 times out of 10 that’s gone for a 4 and he has made 51 ball 51. Luck didn’t go his way and that reduced our chances heavily. As i said last innings, This ain’t him being back. A 60 and a 40 is a good start but he really should’ve made 2 100s here and that’s when I would’ve said he is back. When Babar is back 100s will come his way. This is a good start to a comeback though. InshAllah it continues because we really need some positivity around our cricket.

Saud then came in and left, not much more to add for him but I see them dropping him from the squad. After this series he should play the grade 2 tournament going on and he should go to the Windies but not without a guy ready to take his place. Agha then came in, with Shan continuing on his way until he once again gave away his wicket. Was a good innings but it could’ve been great if he made a big 100. Story of his career, Looks good, attacks and gives his wicket away. Babar is the same aswell. At least Babar doesn’t average 30 though.

Game looked dead and buried but then came the clutch duo, usually they do this in the first innings of a test but this time it was in the second. They both counter attacked as survival wasn’t really an option. They took to pace but soon was where they both really succeed. Would’ve been nice if they helped Babar in the first innings to help us build a lead and put them under the pressure but better late than never.

The partnership grew past 100 and both made 50. Tensions were rising out in the middle and Bangladesh were deffo starting to feel it. Nothing was happening for them as it was a decent pitch for the boys to bat on. Nahid was the only worry as he had pace but he couldn’t bowl longer spells. Bangladesh tried to chirp the batsman but it didn’t work either. Then came the new ball. Taijul had bowled Agha with a beauty and the belief was slowly being drained from us the fans, the players and the coaches. Hasan then came in and went back out. Sajid and Rizwan then survived till stumps.

I just want to say something, What has Rizwan done for everyone to blame him for anything. He has been the MVP of our longer order batting since Babar lost his form. Ik he ain’t great in T20s but that doesn’t mean you format mix and hate him when he shines. He will end his career as Pakistans Best Wicket Batsman and there is stats to back that claim. Guy doesn’t get the credit he deserves. We will miss him when he is gone and proof to that is the Asia cup final when people wanted him back as soon as Haris messed that Run out 😭 One bad keeping game in the last game made people think he is the worst keeper of all time. If it weren’t for him we would’ve lost by now and the only reason we stand a chance is because he has stood tall.

The test will be over by lunch but at least some of the boys fought. Still a whitewash and changes should still be made. Also redirect your anger at Aqib. All the people who glazed him just know you’re reaping the rewards of it now. We have never been worse in all formats and he is the dictator who won’t let us grow.

What a disgrace of a team we have and what a disgrace of a performance they have given. I just want to say regardless of what happens from here a rebuild should start now. We can’t win the WTC. Ik the next series is Windies but the seniors ain’t gonna manage any better.

The day started off with a Wicket. Khurram was yet again going at the Bengalis but that was the only happiness we were going to get for a while as Liton and Mushi built a 100 run partnership. Liton batted as quick as our batsman do in Odis and Mushi just batted on and on. Hasan Ended the partnership and acted like we had won the game. Shows the mentality of these players. After that everyone just stayed in alongside Mushi and just kept putting on runs to kill Pakistan out this game. I did say though that they could’ve declared yesterday and won the game.

Firstly as i said after we batted, the pitch weren’t that bad we just gave our wickets away and so did the Bengalis in the first innings. This innings showed that both teams should’ve been around the 400 mark in the first innings but they failed. The problem is we might make 300 or so in this last innings but we ain’t facing our attack who bowls at 110-130. That’s another issue. After this series we have to either save Shaheen till the windies series or we have to drop him from tests. We can’t have 3 pacers who bowl at that speed. Abbas and Khurram should be top 2 and we need other guys who can bowl over 140 consistently. We need pace in Windies and England this isn’t going to work anymore when all of our pacers are capped at mid 130.

Batsman idk what to say, Shan should go, Rizzy has the best average in the past few years so he could move to become a proper batsman and give up the gloves. Babar ain’t been performing either and if he fails in the next innings then we will have mad fans. Agha hasn’t been great and Saud has been awful. We really need to pick some backup middle order batsman who could come in. Spinners wise we need to thank Noman and move on from him. Sajid could stay for now.

it’s time for a rebuild and enough is enough. Our cricket is at rock bottom in all formats and we have a load of people to blame. Starts from the top and goes down to the players. The only stability we have is our chairman and he is crap. We have coaches like Saifu and we have dictators like Aqib. Hope they enjoy this downfall because it ain’t getting better anytime soon.

Sorry for people who wanted to see a proper review of the day but enough is enough. I tried to be optimistic but this time never helps. Should all be disgusted in themselves.

Another day another banger. Yet again we lose the day, been the story of this series so far for us. Bangladesh have throughly been the better team. Everyone was right before the series whilst I tried to be optimistic. As i noted the day started off with early wickets. Not going to go at the youngsters too much as the Bengalis bowlers were breathing fire but Azan was a soft dismissal. It weren’t the first and it won’t be the last. Before people come at Shan for changing Abdullah’s position all I have to say is this is Abdullah’s actual position so don’t worry about that.

Then in came Shan and Babar, Who took the attack to Bangladesh, Babar was batting as quick as he does in T20s 😭 Not quick enough for T20s but deffo fast enough for Tests. We need this pace in Odis Babar. Also i saw people talking about strike rate in tests 😭 It does not matter at all unless you’re in a scenario where you have to score quick. Some of you guys need to realise tests are the complete opposite. It’s also very bad if our Batsman can’t survive trying to get through a time period in the day. Attack can’t be the only plan they have.

Both attacked the pace and were starting to put us in an alright position until Shan once again gave his wicket away. Story of his career. Saud then came in and took his time which was fine, Babar also stopped attacking as they tried to get us out a sticky position but nothing came out of it as Saud gave his wicket away whilst top edging his sweep. It’s a big worry if he can’t regain some of his form because we don’t really have someone to come in atm but it looks like we could try a WK and let Rizzy bat or we could bring KG back but he was poor in red ball domestic as was Saud. Sauds red ball form has been poor for a while now.

Agha then got promoted again. Whilst Babar got back to attacking again. Babar was lucky a few times as he went over the cordon and through the cordon. Made the most of his luck and looked like our only batsman. He ain’t back and i’m not going to say he is inform but if this shows what’s going to come in the future then I can’t wait. Not going to glaze him because when he fails in the second innings everyone will be reactionary and start cussing him.

Babar then gave away his wicket softly as Nahid came back. He was very annoyed with himself because he looked set for a big one. Need that test ton before England but it ain’t looking likely because those Windies test will end in 2 days 😭 After him Agha gave away his wicket whilst trying to sweep and it was yet another wicket given away by our great seniors. Rizzy got done by a good ball and we were left at 174-7.

Then it comes to the fun bit. Everyone was talking about our tail not being like other peoples tail. I was thinking it ain’t their fault that they don’t get to face our attack and today they showed fight. Hasan got 18, Sajid smoked taijul for 3 sixes and got to 38, and Khurram made 10. If it weren’t for them we probably would’ve trailed by 70-100. Luckily they got it down to 46.

Bangladesh then in reply lost an early wicket, Joy then attacked and showed that is the best way to play on this pitch at the moment. Abbas then removed him before Khurram got a wicket on the last ball of the day. The Bengalis showed that there weren’t much demons in the pitch and if you apply your skills then you could make runs like Liton, Babar and Joy. Tmrw is going to be tough for the boys as they need to get quick wickets before the score gets away from them. Then it depends if our batsman show up and if the past is anything to go by then we know that they all fail in the 4th inning’s. As Babar said we just give our wickets away softly. Can’t expect much when only 1/2 batsman turn up.

A lot better from the boys first up today. Shan put them in again but this time his bowlers backed him up. We made the most of the overcast conditions and didn’t let them get away. To be fair to the Bengalis they came out attacking, This resulted in a couple of their boys in giving away their wickets. As I wanted 3 changes were made and it was the three that I mentioned in the preview. The first of those changes Khurram made the most of the conditions and showed why he alongside Abbas should be up top in our test team.

The day started off with Abbas getting a wicket 2nd ball. Bangladesh then attacked until Tanzid played a stupid shot but he was a lot better than what Bangladesh usually have to offer when it comes to openers. Had a random thought, Imagine the older generation Bangladesh batsman with the new bowlers. Would be a very good team. Khurram then came into action to bowl Mominul with a beauty, If he had a trademark delivery it would be the ball that angles in and bowls the batsman. Another beauty by Abbas meant Shanto was back in the hut. Shortly after Mushi and Mehidy had been dismissed by Khurram who had 3 to his name. Bangladesh were left reeling at 116-6 and Pakistan were looking like they would be batting very soon.

Then the usual happened, Pakistan let Bangladesh’s tail wag whilst Liton was guiding them. Liton attacked and the tail just let him do his job. He should’ve been out on 52 but we like to review ones that aren’t out and leave the ones that are out. That falls on a couple people. The bowler, captain, keeper and surrounding fielders. We need to do the Aussie way by only letting Point, Keeper and bowler talk alongside the captain and leave others out. Then again regardless of who is captain we have bad reviews. The other problem alongside our reviews is our bowling to tail. For that we need someone with express pace or someone who consistently can hit 140 plus. That we don’t have in this squad but rumours of Ali Raza getting fast tracked is happening.

Taijul fell to Sajid who tried everything and finally got his reward then Taskin stayed in whilst Liton carried on his merry way before Khurram got Taskin and one more big partnership with Shoriful meant Liton got his 100 and Bangladesh got to 270. Hasan came back to get Liton and Rana and Bangladesh were finally dismissed.

The bowling performance in all was a lot better. Khurram might’ve been expensive but he got wickets and that’s what we need. Either get wickets or don’t go for anything. Or be Mo Abbas and do both. They should’ve been dismissed much earlier but this is a long lasting issue in our cricket and it won’t go away until our pacers improve or we find a fast one. I saw people wanting Shaheen. Icl id rather Khurram and Abbas take the new ball in current form whilst Hasan can be first change. If Shaheen plays we all know he has to bowl new ball and that means one of the other more dangerous bowlers gets demoted. Hasan can be a workhorse whilst Shaheen can’t.

Then came our openers. It might’ve been 6 overs only and knowing my luck they probs get out in the first over together but look how assured they looked in the 6 overs. Didn’t lose their wicket and weren’t spooked. They attacked and that’s what I liked. If they can play like that tmrw whilst respecting good balls and bowling I will be happy.

We need to make 400 and we need the top 4 to go big. Don’t rely on Agha and Rizwan to save you. Shan and Babar need to show they deserve to make the team on performances and not on name. We also can’t rely on the youngsters to save us again. If we make anything under 350 then we will lose and there is no 2 ways about it.

PS the pitch isn’t that bad for batting, Bangladesh gave some wickets whilst attacking and that’s why they were 116-6 if it wasn’t good for batting then their tail wouldn’t have survived. It ain’t as flat as last game but it ain’t that far off. Overcast conditions also helped us as it was meant to rain.

Time for the second test. It will be affected by rain and that could make it result in a draw if the first test is anything to go by. I reckon the conditions will be the same. Green top as we have seen from pics before the test but it will only matter in the first 30 minutes to an hour before it’s flat for 2-3 days. If a team bowls well or bats a team out the test by making 500 then we could see a result otherwise rain might have its say.

I reckon Bangladesh will stay the same but they could easily bring in an opener as they have 2 guys who ain’t that great and they should bring in Shoriful for Ebadot. Pakistan will surely bring in Khurram and Babar. Sajid should also play due to the lefties but I don’t know if they would make 3 whole changes. If they were decent coaches it would be Babar for Imam, Khurram for Shaheen and Sajid for Noman. Open with Azam and Abdullah or if you want to keep Abdullah at 3 then send Shan to open and attack.

If it’s the same conditions then bat first and make sure you don’t have to bat last. Then again we will still collapse in the third but at least the match will be over quicker as we probs give them 20 to chase 😭

Imma pretend it won’t rain much as expected and I’m going to predict that we win to tie up the series whilst Abbas, Khurram and Sajid rip through them and our top 4 have a good game for once. Before the series I predicted Bobzy would make runs so let’s see how he gets on. Probs get out for 8-28 in the first innings whilst chasing a loose one and then not getting another go.

We need a better showing or there will be a load of questions asked. If we lose this then the rebuild starts now.

Reports of Babar becoming captain have been filtering through recently, First it was In T20s and Now it’s in Tests. Icl I don’t want him to take it but if it’s true I know he will. I also think whoever is captain under the leadership of Naqvi, Aqib and Saifu will fail. You’re also not going to get the power you need and deserve. If Babar had power that he probably would be one of the better captains we could choose. As of Late he was our best captain and the others don’t come close. I can sense people asking but why him he don’t have performances and to that my answer would be that no one does in the format. Since the start of 2025 we have played 6 test matches if i’m not wrong and these are the averages of all batsman in those 6 matches in order.

Rizzy: 36

Shan: 34

Babar: 31.5

Agha: 30

Saud: 23.7

Icl those stats surprised me cuz it feels like Rizzy and Agha do everything. The problem is couple of them guys are glazed as clutch and some are failed players but to me they all seem the same. Before some say it’s Pengu he is biased towards Babar and so on, I say yes he is my favourite player but I think Rizwan was the best captain out these boys but this ain’t the same confident and loud Rizzy unfortunately. I also think he shouldn’t be replaced in tests yet till there is a consistent performer and no I ain’t allowing Ghazi glaze because he played an “attractive 20” We should only pick guys if they have played enough in red ball or the same issues continue.

Obviously Babar captain has a load of issues aswell but some of the issues were overdone imo people said he gave too many chances but isn’t that what we want now. We want youngsters to get longer ropes and seniors to get dropped. He got rid of Shoaib Malik and Saifu and others and our team was young and performing. People forget that when he gave the likes of Rizwan,Nawaz, Shadab, Shaheen and all extended chances they were the youngsters back then. He did the right thing at the time and it worked at times but towards the end he died on his sword.

Now i’m not here to say he should take it, I don’t think he should and as I said whoever gets it will fail. I reckon Babar should focus on himself and make big runs. Him being leader brings on pressure he can’t handle. He probably is the best captain though if they do make a change. People said Agha but I haven’t seen anything in him to show that he would work as a captain. Weren’t great for Pakistan and Karachi Kings didn’t trust him over Moeen Ali. He also regrets taking captaincy and I rate that he said that and was honest. Wish others were the same.

What do you guys think? Any opinions even if you think Noman Ali should be captain. I don’t know who I want icl and we need a captaincy change in all formats but no one stands out. At the same time Imran Khan couldn’t properly lead the boys under Naqvi, Aqib and Saifu. Little bit on Saifu he is seen as an innocent guy. Just remember he was also having dinners with journalists and then the same journalist after would push for his selection. He also has got coach out of nowhere and he takes all the credit when good happens but watch when bad happens we will see players taking the whole brunt. He will also have his parchi players.

I hate this team. Every format we need a rebuild and in every format we lose. Agha said they wouldn’t be confident enough to give us 260-270 and that they did. They also smacked us and it wasn’t ever close. Agha jee you won’t always be dropped or out be on a no ball and just remember we barely get to 150 in the 3-4th innings of a test match.

You know what our bowlers acc did a decent job to put us in a position where we could go for the win but as I said before i don’t trust us to chase over 150 in a test match we always have a collapse and our batsman always choke when the pitch shows any sign of deterioration.

Quick little notes on our bowlers, If next test is acc played because warning guys, It’s meant to rain throughout every day but BCB are looking at changing venues to Dhaka which would be good but they are worried about preparing it in little to no time. Idk about u lot but I rather have a minefield than a rained out test. (Sorry King 😭) Back to the bowlers though, Khurram has to play next test, Noman and Sajid have to be put on the back burner soon as the test rebuild starts. Go young, we ain’t gonna win a WTC and I don’t want to ruin the 27 cycle if we start the rebuild then. Start it asap and don’t look back. It’s fine if we learn and guys are growing. It’s not fine when they are all 30-40. Sorry Hasan you have been economical but that doesn’t change the result. I’m saying all this but it won’t change and these same guys will still be here losing in the Windies and England.

Onto my brilliant batsman, When it’s flat they show some batsmanship but when it ain’t they forget how to hold the bat, Azan and Abdullah well done both of you should open next match but they will keep Imam who was worse than both. Imam is great domestically but ain’t it internationally, Shan you’re a nice guy but it’s not working in tests. We all wanted Babar gone and that’s fair but Saud is averaging the same 24 that he was. We cooked Babar but Saud they apparently don’t care about. I’m not saying drop him but the guy atm can’t bat when it’s flat, pace conditions or spin conditions and I was told he is a master at playing spin.

Our best two batsmen are at 6 and 7, Please no jokes 😭 Ik it’s much easier to make runs down here but they save us a fair few times but they always have to come out when we are in a collapse. It ain’t fair for them. You can’t change their position because it might not work as it didn’t for Asad Shafiq. You could always swap Agha and Saud whilst Sauds form is horrible but I don’t see it happening. I’m not going to talk about the tailenders batting because it ain’t their job plus they barely do their main job properly.

Back when we were a decent test side under Misbah and Younis we had batsman who could make big 100s and get us innings victories, They could score big away and at home. These current batsman don’t have it in them to score big 100s and that is a big problem in test cricket. Hopefully next test is played without rain and hopefully we win but our cricket keeps declining and it is sad, Can’t just blame the players but we need better performances.

Sorry I didn’t talk much about the day but I don’t think anyone wants to hear about how we got smoked by Bangladesh once again. If you do than here it goes. Imam fell early and then Fazal and Azan batted for a bit, Azan got bowled by Mehidy than Shan failed again, Shan had heard me and promoted Agha and it looked like we were in for the chase until Fazal and Agha were dismissed than in come Nahid to smoke away the rest with his fire. Showed us what we are missing a young quick bowler who can blow away batsman at any given time.

I’ll see you lot for the preview of the next test match later.

Well that was anticlimactic. Rain played spoilsport and the chances of a draw came out of nowhere. I thought Day 4 would be the last day but the rain said no.

The day started off with Pakistan getting two quick wickets once again. Shadman and Joy were sent back to the dugout whilst Mominal and Shanto were out to hurt Pakistan again. Hurt they did but that wasn’t before Rizzy and Abdullah put Mominal down. Both batsman frustrated Pakistan with another 100 run partnership as they got Bangladesh out of trouble. Rain then came and took 3 hours out of the day. Play then resumed with both batsman getting to a 50. Shaheen then dismissed Haque who had been dropped twice. Mushi then came in and got to stumps with Shanto as bad light stopped play.

Tmrw is now definitely the last day and a draw looks most likely. Bangladesh can always bat quick and try to attack us but will they do that. I don’t trust us in the last innings so if they left us 60 plus overs to bat out they would have a chance. The pitch also doesn’t seem that deteriorated so that helps us. If we have a chance to chase then we should take it as Agha said but I believe they will try get to a lead of 300 minimum, which we wouldn’t be able to chase imo. Not the best result but i’ll take a draw rn because i’m so worried about Mehidy vs our lefties.

What do you lot think about the test so far and what are your predictions?

Just finished watching Mehidy’s presser and something struck me as he said they are aiming for a lead of 300. Obviously i’m not a player and these are new conditions in Bangladesh so i’m not sure what to expect. Before these new conditions day 4 and 5 will have seen the pitch deteriorate massively and chasing 150 would be hard enough and surely Mehidy knows that. If he said target of 200 I wouldn’t have batted an eye lid but he said 300 and that makes me think the pitch won’t be as bad as we expect.

If that’s the case then obviously I want them out quicker but I won’t panic if we were chasing 150 or above. I would also say I want pitches like that made in Pakistan as it offers something for pacers, spinners and batsman. It’s like the Bangladesh series at home but we changed it because Nahid Rana gave us belt to back side 😭 A cricket pitch made to assist everything is better than a minefield to play 2-3 day test matches.

I’m still worried about a last innings capitulation from us but i’m a bit more calmer if the pitch hasn’t deteriorated as much as we expected.

Predictions wise it was a very good day for me;

Azan Awais 100 ✅

Mehidy Fifer ✅

Pakistan Collapse ✅

For Pakistan and the fans though it wasn’t such a good day, It started off well as my boy Azan started on where he left off and got to his much deserved debut 100, After that he was dismissed as he played a poor shot. If i was being a bit harsh i’d say I wanted him to kick on and make a big 100 because we always collapse somewhere but he was on his debut and I don’t want to be to harsh. Abdullah got to his 50 shortly after Azan’s dismisall but then it went downhill and harsh I can be when it comes to seniors and our fanbase. Seen people blame our tailenders, It ain’t their fault that our captain and one of our better batsman can’t make the most of this track. We should’ve been making 500 and putting this game out of Bangladesh’s reach in the second innings but nah we might have lost it for ourselves. Why is there a batting collapse in every innings. Even on those flat Pakistani tracks we used to collapse whilst others made 800. Love Shan and Saud both but they need to do a lot better. Shan tbf to him has been better than Saud as of late but the tests are only going to get harder as we go to Windies and England. Fazal then got out attacking Mehidy and we were in big trouble at 230-5 after being 200-1. We and Agha were also lucky that he got out but it was a No ball. I’d love to have that man’s luck but boy did we need it or the test would’ve been finished there. You know what’s crazy Ik if that was out the fans would be like the T20 form and captaincy has gotten to him and he is broken 😭 How one ball can change the narrative. Instead we have people calling him the goat and all that. I much rather that than us cook the poor man. Before i go onto the counter attack so people just credit Agha with everything and id like to say he has been important in longer formats but we are looking past one man and that is Rizzy. That man has been almost or equally as important as Agha for me in the longer formats. Ik his slower batting in Odis recently has annoyed people and rightfully so but that man was our best batsman in the 23 WC and he played one less test in Australia but still top scored. Love him as a player and person and commands more respect than he does, saying that before he inevitably fails in the second innings 😭

Anyways onto the partnership, Rizwan counter attacked like he usually does in tests, remember him doing so in the Aus series so well and is even funnier that he is so slow in the other formats. Agha rode his luck and batted nicely along Rizzy to get us closer to their score. Both have done this many a time for Pakistan and it definitely won’t be the last time they do it to. Rizzy attacked Nahid for 3 boundaries to get to his 50 and then perished whilst trying to attack Taijul. Rana then took Agha’s edge and we were 7 down. Our tail put on 33 but it wasn’t enough to take the lead. As i was saying earlier it weren’t their fault but the difference between the two sides was that Taskin Innings and at the time I did say those 28 runs were going to be very important to the end result.

Onto tmrw with a little preview as I think it will be the last day unless the pitch isn’t as bad. Pakistan need wickets quick and need to make sure that Bangladesh don’t get a lead of 150 or above. If they do we aren’t going to chase it with all those left handers. My plan would be to mix it up, send Rizzy and Agha above all the lefties and make sure it ain’t easy for the Bangladeshi spinners. They do have taijul but I trust Rizzy and Agha more against him than I do all the lefties against Mehidy. Shan needs to play his counter attacking way and Saud needs to show that he is a master against spin.

The bowlers need to make sure they are tidy, Noman needs to come out and take a grip of the situation. We can’t have no balls and second chances. Abbas what do you have for me because boy do I not trust the other two to do anything till the tail comes in (Prove me wrong Hasan and Shaheen). Fielders can’t drop any catches either. If we can get them out for 100 then we are back ahead otherwise they are.

Time for some predictions because i’ve been quite right when it comes to this test, makes me think if i would’ve been right about my boy Bobzy who is already cleared for the next test. I think we will give them a lead of 150 which will be tough to chase but I reckon we do it. Noman and Abbas will choke them out and then one of the debutants will help us chase alongside some other contributors such as Agha and a quick knock by Shan. InshAllah we win and take a lead in this series otherwise I feel like people will go mad.

Firstly we need to pay test cricketers more so players are more inclined to play it, Ik they do but it needs to be a lot more imo. Ik players think financially and for playing a test you should be rewarded. Watch the test team get better instantly 😭

Secondly as i said get them out quick and let the youngsters do the batting. All you haters who defended Shaheen and Hasan by saying Abbas bowls 120, I wanna hear what u have to say today. Bro was bouncing out the batsman at 120 whilst the ones with more pace weren’t doing much of anything. Abbas got 3 wickets in the first session and bought us back into it. He was lucky at times aswell but fortune favours the brave and brave he was. In the second session Shaheen came out to play and got Mushfiqur with a nicely bowled delivery. Abbas got Ebadot with another short one and Bangladesh were left at 384-9 after being 330-4. The problem was we then let them get another small partnership probably cuz of the lack of pace that we have to offer and Bangladesh got to 413 which could in handy for them when we are chasing in the 4th. Just want to say something about Abbas. Had a load of people who said he can’t play in Pakistan, And the answer to that is today but also someone once said if he can take wickets in England at trent bridge in those conditions with that ball than he can do it anywhere including Pakistan, Minefields and flat tracks.

Then it was turn to bat on this flat deck and boy did the youngsters make full use of the chance they have got so far. Imam started nicely whilst Azan was hit on the head by Nahid. He then got dizzy but boy did he make them pay after tea. Took on Nahids short ball, looked calm and assured. It showed that he had played more than a handful of domestic games. 10 FC 100s at 21 is very good. Technique also looked solid but it will be better judged after more games in tougher conditions. I’m also happy because I predicted he would get himself runs and i told personal friends and family after Babar was dropped that look out for this boy and Fazal. InshAllah they both kick on and make big scores because they might not get a better chance. Have to survive the morning then make the Bengalis toil. Babar finna get someone concussed so he can come bat on this track 😭 Watch him comeback to a minefield or a acc track for pacers. Tbf green tops in Asia are a myth. Might have to change the ball or something. Sorry went off track but Imam was dismissed to Mehidy who will most likely take about 5 but hey ho he made some runs.

Icl it’s time for us to move away from non performing seniors. Imam should be replaced by Shamyl soon as he looks like the next best opener in domestic there is also Abdullah Fazal, ABD and Saim. Let them fail at least they are young and can grow. If Babar fails us in his next 6 tests then we start looking for his replacements, Hasan needs to go and Shaheen deffo needs to be looked at. I’d go for younger spinners aswell. Start building for the future not like these seniors are winning much either.

Onto Abdullah who wasn’t meant to play but he did look good out there. Wanted him to get a fair go in the PSL but he didn’t and now he is in for Babar. Might only be for a test but hopefully he makes a big knock. Was lucky with a drop but now he needs to go on. Azan and Fazal got us to 179-1 at stumps but job is nowhere near finished, I know a collapse is coming somewhere so we need to get to 500 and get a lead so we can put them under pressure. We need one of or both of these guys to make a 100 and allow the middle order to play their natural way.

Guys Ik i said im positive about this series and all but i didn’t say I wanted to see this. First things first green tops are a scam in Pakistan and Bangladesh 😭 Most of the time the pitch is flat. I did say in my preview that i see it being flat for a day or 2 but i didn’t expect to see such lethargic bowling from us. Shaheen I don’t want to say much but at this point i’d take a couple Bengali bowlers over you. Hasan I didn’t expect much but hey ho your like Imam and you always find your way back to the team because we have no one else. Abbas I ain’t going to glaze because it’s not like he took 5 wickets but well done for the control, If only the “faster” bowlers had your control or even the spinner, Noman wtf was that, you are our overseas spinner but that was disgusting, we could’ve always went with Sajid but he was awful in his last series 😭 It might’ve not made a big difference but Khurram Shehzad is the second best test pacer in this squad so he should’ve played alongside Abbas.

The start was good as we got them 31-2, Shaheen and Hasan took wicket each and the decision to bowl looked like a good one. Mominal and Shanto then got together and forged a wonderful partnership. Shanto attacked whilst Mominal just dug in. Abbas finally ended the partnership but it wasn’t before Shanto made a wonderful 100.

Then it was Mushfiqur’s turn to build a partnership with Mominal and that they did before Noman finally ended Mominals vigil. Bangladesh ended the day on 301/4 with Liton and Mushi in the middle.

If we can get quick wickets tmrw and get them out before 450 or 400 then it would be nice but i see a couple of these batsman having big knocks and getting to 550. Hopefully Fazal performs but it looks like we lack bowlers to take 20 wickets. We could’ve always went with Amad Butt but it’s easier to say in hindsight.

Unless the pitch drastically changes the batsman should be licking their lips Ik they have to face a much better attack and they are all lefties so Mehidy will attack them but the pitch is flat. Runs are there to be made. Azan and Abdullah. might not get an easier opportunity to make some runs so they should go out there and enjoy yourselves. Need big innings from the seniors aswell. Can’t let this test get away from themselves tomorrow.

PS Bangladesh you’re lucky we don’t have my Babar. My predictions are null and void now. Get better my glorious King.

Time for real cricket, time for us to be unified and support all the guys (here before we get 56 posts on Babar’s first innings dismissal and blaming him for dropping KG and Shaheen disappointing in tests) Icl i have positive thoughts for this series whilst others think Bangladesh will get the best of us. Obviously everyone has an opinion and here is mine.

First the coaching is new once again and icl I don’t like the idea behind Saifu as coach but I’ll back him. Hopefully he gets the boys flourishing again because our test team is lacking, Our cricket as a whole is lacking tbf. Instead of judging them on a match or two let’s give them the next 7 tests they have this year and go from there. Problem with Saifu is that he has huge backing and gets credited with all the good that happens when he is involved but never gets the blame. Example A is when the U19s beat India recently. Our mentor Saifu was getting all the credit but when we didn’t go for the chase to qualify, No one blamed him.

On the team there are a few new players, it ain’t bad but not the greatest either. A lack of red ball players is the issue because we don’t have many resources in domestic. Feels like every squad we have is randomly generated 😭 I feel like the conditions will be similar to the series that they dominated us in Pakistan. Good for pace and bounce and at times it might get a bit flat. It’s so sad in a sense that they are the ones making attacks for pace when we are known to be the land of pacers. Shows how far we have fell. You would understand if it’s a Sena country but it’s Bangladesh.

The squad id have based on the conditions is:

Azan (Needs to make it count)

Imam (Bro will never stay in domestic)

Shan (Good form coming)

Babar (Form back?)

Saud (Been bad)

Rizzy (Needs Form or we are cooked keeper wise in longer formats)

Agha (Longer Format MVP)

Noman (Sajid could cook as they have lefties but Noman usually plays away and he is in better form)

Shaheen (Bro will rest in one and play every other meaningless bilateral)

Khurram

Abbas (Finally the Goat is back)

Shaheen will play one whilst Hassan plays the other imo, hopefully Khurrams body holds up for both and Abbas is Abbas. We need the top order to cook, and icl i’m predicting a Babar resurgence. A 100 is coming and Shan will play some good innings. If they fail we are cooked because Rizzy is quiet and out of form and idk what will happen with Agha. If pitch doesn’t seem like it will help spin much then they could always play Amad butt which would be nice to see but it’s Bangladesh so the last 2 days might support spin. That’s if the test lasts that long. Could be risky but u always have Saud and Agha to roll their arms whilst we attack with Amad. I wouldn’t put it past Saifu as when he was captain we did attack bowling wise. He didn’t stack the team with batsman like Hesson unless im mistaken.

We lack an enforcer. Bangladesh have Ebadot and Nahid whilst we have bowlers who will barely bowl 130. Need a bowler to hit the deck hard at a good pace but unfortunately we don’t. Saw the Prosports boys say Dahani could in the future and I acc like the idea of that he is a tall bowler who likes to hit the deck and he ain’t the slowest so it could work but all of our bowlers just target T20 cricket unfortunately. InshAllah the likes of Ali Raza and Ubaid aint the same. Will need the boys to cook with the new ball and we will need Shan to stop letting teams comeback out of nowhere in every other test match. It’s been a huge issue under his captaincy and he is the person the blame falls on. 20 wickets is a must and that is all that matters.

My predictions will surprise people but I see Babar being top scorer and him making a 100. If he doesn’t then there will be 2-3 50s. Babar this is where we care. No one cares about the PSL, Do it for your country and make us proud again whilst winning games. Shan is also another one that will compete with him and I see Azan having a decent debut.

Top wicket taker will be between Rana, Taijul and Abbas

And the series will be 2-0 to Pakistan. I see a great performance incoming whilst Saifu gets all the glaze. If we lose and Babar fails plz don’t get onto me. This is my opinion and it’s not the be all and end all.

Idk why I just have a good feeling about this series and I feel like i’m the only one. When less people expect us to do good that’s when we usually perform. Also even if we lose this Bangladesh team ain’t good, not saying we are great but we are better than them in all facets bar pace bowling. We just need the players to click. On paper our batting is acc decent but unfortunately the game ain’t played on a piece of paper.

PSL is done. The best and most dominant team in the history of the PSL got it done. 10 wins and one loss ain’t ez in a 8 team league. Anyways enough about that it’s time to talk about the future of our t20 team. Yes we ain’t got any in a while but the next squad that’s picked in a t20 series will be picked on this PSL. I hope Shaheens play all formats here and there because some of the players I want don’t have much cricket to play now because Pakistans domestic season is finished.

I think it’s time for another direction in this format and that means new captain. I like Hesson so I want him to stay but he needs to be more flexible. I wouldn’t mind all the all rounders if we had good ones but we don’t. We don’t even have a good pace all rounder as Faheem did nothing this season but maybe Rana wants to perform when it acc matters 😭

U see there is a chance they go Babar and he was the best captain imo but if we go him are we looking at the future or staying in the past? If he somehow became a consistent 140SR batsman in T20is i’d take him but he won’t. Realistically PCB pick him but they won’t.

Ik this ain’t looking for the future but Shan deserves to be in the team currently and maybe he could be captain, Shadab in for would be my choice but he is like Babar. Shaheen is still the best pacer in Pakistan but bro is he not the same. Good with the new ball but the words i’d use to describe him in the death would get me banned. He also doesn’t use his brain and we can’t have a captain like that. Before people use his PSL captaincy with all the tried and tested players i’m not gonna use their PSL stats completely because it’s always the same story with them.

That being said I don’t know who i’d pick rn because one moment I feel like just give it to Shaddy then the next I think that would be the end of us. Now there will be people who say keep Agha if you’re unsure. I’ll put it this way, it’s any guy i just mentioned over Agha and it ain’t close. He is a senior, I get he ain’t played as much as the others but he has been as bad in the two he played. At least the others gave performances in their first few tournaments.

That being said imma go with a selection of guys I want to have around the team depending on situation and conditions.

Openers:

Farhan

Fakhar (I don’t trust him but he didn’t retire so i guess they pick him)

Maaz (Replaces Saim for now and needs to be given games here and there, Can also bowl and goes hard up top unlike all the others who take time)

Babar (Ik guys calm down, I don’t want him cuz he has hurt us all enough but we know after a record breaking PSL he gets a few more chances and like Fakhar he ain’t retiring)

3-5

Shan Masood (Played all 11 matches, batted at 4-5 and struck at 158) We have no one better for that role rn.

Usman Khan (Yes he was crap until that crazy luck he got but he performed when it mattered and he finally deserves a proper run where he wants) If it’s 3 then put him there whilst Shan is at 4-5 and if it’s at 4 then swap him and Shan. My wicketkeeper and his backup is always Haris and he only bats up top.

Hassan Nawaz (Wants N4 but i’d see depending on the two guys i mentioned above him. We know he can hit big but he is starting to anchor now. I don’t want that every innings but it’s nice to see he can do it if we need)

Farhan Yousaf (It’s early but we lack batsman in this role so he gets fast tracked and tried in the easier series. Get him against weaker opposition and in Pakistan when others bring their D team) Get him in spin conditions and get him in the nca for pace work.

6-8

Samad (Was gonna pick him regardless of today even though he has barely batted but we have no one else like him) Today he showed in that pressure situation that he can properly bat if need be but Pakistan just need a last 5 overs hitter. Needs a long run and not a game or two here and there. I don’t want openers or all rounders in his role.

Little mention Niazi u ruined your chances u need work. He could’ve been competing with Samad but he turning out to be like Haider Ali.

Shadab (all rounder of the tournament) Also his economy was somehow 3rd best whole tournament 😭 Idc what u say that’s impressive for him cuz he normally gets wickets but he still gets hit but not this time.

Faheem ( We have no one else plus for Pak he weren’t the worst)

Ahmed Daniyal (Idc in fast tracking him to compete)

Arafat Minhas (It’s your turn starboy. I don’t want to see no Nawaz. Give him a consistent run he can bat and bowl very well. 3D cricketer)

Unfortunately we don’t have any other all rounders i wanna try or finishers. Abbas Afridi stays letting me down.

Bowlers:

Shaheen (Just bowl all 4 before the 15th)

Hunain (middle and death overs specialist)

Muqeem (Long run plz)

Abrar

Tariq (these 3 should be the only proper spinners getting a chance)

Ali (Wouldn’t work internationally but honestly no other pacer is deserving 😭)

Listen we don’t have a strong team but these boys given a long run could do damage and there ain’t many better cricketers than them in our circuit. Also this is before our wonderful selectors pick Ghazi Ghori and Haris Rauf.

We need our players to lose their ego and we need Hesson to use his brain and pick his team according to what we have not what he wants because we don’t have many good all rounders. Don’t make Shaheen bowl at the death and it might bring him more wickets and help us as we have someone attacking in the middle. He can hunt with Muqeem. Look at Zalmi. Express pace of Nahid and Spin of Muqeem is hard to deal with. Don’t bat anchor like Babar at 4 if picked and don’t play 6 openers and stuff them as finishers.