Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[posi]

I still remember the competition between Sachin Tendulkar and Shoaib Akhtar till to date. In my opinion Shaheen Afridi is a great bowler in modern day cricket for Pakistan and as a batter it will be Babar Azam. They still need another good bowler and couple of good all rounder to balance the team. Abdullah Shafique's performance in the last test match looks quite promising. Now he needs to repeat it in the next test match to make a name for himself.

Yeah.. I remember Pakistani team touring India sometime in late 1990s. It was Shoiab Akhtar's first tour of India and he wrecked havoc. Indian batsmen (including Ganguly, Tendulkar, Sachin and Laxman) were complaining that he was so fast that they can't even see the ball. And India didn't had bowlers with that much pace. Javagal Srinath used to hit 90mph once in a while, but the other bowlers such as Debashish Mohanty, Ajit Agarkar and Ashish Nehra used to bowl in low 70s, or early 80s. LOL.. back then test cricket was entertaining.

I still remember that first time Sachin Tendulkar was bowled by Shoaib Akhtar. I believe it was the first time Sachin Tendulkar was facing Shoaib Akhtar. Honestly, when Sachin Tendulkar walked out in the field it felt like he did not have any respect for the pace of Shoaib Akhtar. But the ball was swinging and Shoaib Akhtar got a really sharp yorker in on the first ball and got the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar.

At that time the lineup of Shoaib Akhtar, Imran Khan, and Wasim Akram was the most effective bowling lineup cricket has ever produced, in my opinion. And Pakistan was heavily dependent on these players. In my memories, Pakistan always liked to bowl second because they could defend almost anything.

[tomos81]

Who played a test match between India and Pakistan? A game in which a Pakistani player participated Sachin Tendulka , Shoaib Akhtar and other players of the 90s played this match. that match It was Saiyab Akhtar's first tour of India.
The Pakistani players had the fastest bowling which the Indian team did not have the pace which made it so Mach famous even today.

[Naficopa]

Fortunately for Pakistan, despite the loss of two quick wickets, their star batsman Babar Azam is still there. Both Azam and Azhar Ali are playing very cautiously, as they should against the Lankan spinners. The run rate as of now stands at just 1.33. Prabath Jayasuriya has already picked up one wicket, and Maheesh Theekshana is also looking very threatening. Actually I am more concerned about the 4th innings. It is going to be a very tough task for the Pakistani batsmen, to come out and face the spinners on the 4th and 5th days of this match.

Babar Azam is a rock star - he always comes up to the expectation.
Babar is in full form these days. Congratulations to team Pakistan. And good luck for the coming up matches.

[jostorres]

I still remember that first time Sachin Tendulkar was bowled by Shoaib Akhtar. I believe it was the first time Sachin Tendulkar was facing Shoaib Akhtar. Honestly, when Sachin Tendulkar walked out in the field it felt like he did not have any respect for the pace of Shoaib Akhtar. But the ball was swinging and Shoaib Akhtar got a really sharp yorker in on the first ball and got the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar.

At that time the lineup of Shoaib Akhtar, Imran Khan, and Wasim Akram was the most effective bowling lineup cricket has ever produced, in my opinion. And Pakistan was heavily dependent on these players. In my memories, Pakistan always liked to bowl second because they could defend almost anything.

There is no doubt Pakistan cricket history if full of few legendary fast bowlers, those still remembered as they were few decades back just because of their bowling patience and accuracy and having great wins for their country. But sadly they are also having many issues on and off the field which bring too many controversies and other aspects as well with the arrival of Shaheen Afridi, Harris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain we are feeling this golden era is coming back.

@posi Can you give me any test match detail where you have Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan because I never have these players in test match with Imran Khan retired from test cricket in 1992 and Shoaib Akhter was having test cap in 1997.

[Sithara007]

There is no doubt Pakistan cricket history if full of few legendary fast bowlers, those still remembered as they were few decades back just because of their bowling patience and accuracy and having great wins for their country. But sadly they are also having many issues on and off the field which bring too many controversies and other aspects as well with the arrival of Shaheen Afridi, Harris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain we are feeling this golden era is coming back.

@posi Can you give me any test match detail where you have Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan because I never have these players in test match with Imran Khan retired from test cricket in 1992 and Shoaib Akhter was having test cap in 1997.

Interesting that you mentioned Mohammad Hasnain. I have doubt about the future of his career, as he was reported for suspect bowling action. He managed to clear his action later and right now is representing Worcestershire in England county cricket. Haris Rauf is a good bowler, but I would rate Hasan Ali ahead of him. Anyway, there is no shortage of fast bowling talent in Pakistan. New players are emerging, such as Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Wasim (North Waziristan), Zaman Khan (Mirpur) and Mohammad Imran (Swat).

[YinShuiSiYuan]

Interesting that you mentioned Mohammad Hasnain. I have doubt about the future of his career, as he was reported for suspect bowling action. He managed to clear his action later and right now is representing Worcestershire in England county cricket. Haris Rauf is a good bowler, but I would rate Hasan Ali ahead of him. Anyway, there is no shortage of fast bowling talent in Pakistan. New players are emerging, such as Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Wasim (North Waziristan), Zaman Khan (Mirpur) and Mohammad Imran (Swat).

You have great insight of Pakistan cricket. There are so many fast bowlers but only one quality fast bowler which is shaheen. Hassan  Ali is what kohli is for India. Hasnain has cleared action, again I would say just give some time to prove himself.

[pakhitheboss]

I still remember the competition between Sachin Tendulkar and Shoaib Akhtar till to date. In my opinion Shaheen Afridi is a great bowler in modern day cricket for Pakistan and as a batter it will be Babar Azam. They still need another good bowler and couple of good all rounder to balance the team. Abdullah Shafique's performance in the last test match looks quite promising. Now he needs to repeat it in the next test match to make a name for himself.

Yeah.. I remember Pakistani team touring India sometime in late 1990s. It was Shoiab Akhtar's first tour of India and he wrecked havoc. Indian batsmen (including Ganguly, Tendulkar, Sachin and Laxman) were complaining that he was so fast that they can't even see the ball. And India didn't had bowlers with that much pace. Javagal Srinath used to hit 90mph once in a while, but the other bowlers such as Debashish Mohanty, Ajit Agarkar and Ashish Nehra used to bowl in low 70s, or early 80s. LOL.. back then test cricket was entertaining.

Yes, Shoaib Akhtar was the fastest and perhaps the one who set this trend but then Brett Lee, Mitchell Starc, and Shaun Tait also were considered the fastest and more consistent fast bowlers as compared to Shoaib Akhtar.

However, among all the bowlers, the Shoaib Akhtar action was the most furious and devastating. No one could be compared to him in this department.

He had brilliant follow through action and great build up for a fast bowler. I still remember watching him half mile to start his run-up. Another bowler who etech havoc was in test cricket was South African bowler Alan Donald. We cannot ignor him when were are discussing about fast bowler. Many bowlers treid to copy his follow through but no one was able to succed.

[UmerIdrees]

Srilanka is looking solid in the 2nd test as they survived the early spell from the pakistani pacers. Hassan Ali and Naseem Shah are unable to put any sort of pressure on the Srilankan batsmen and they are playing freely at a good run rate of 4.5 / over. 
No matter how good the pitch is for the test match, the team chasing the big score will always come under pressure.

[YinShuiSiYuan]

Srilanka is looking solid in the 2nd test as they survived the early spell from the pakistani pacers. Hassan Ali and Naseem Shah are unable to put any sort of pressure on the Srilankan batsmen and they are playing freely at a good run rate of 4.5 / over. 
No matter how good the pitch is for the test match, the team chasing the big score will always come under pressure.

Pakistan is badly missing shaheen Shah. Hassan Ali is not in good form but Pakistan still include him in every squad. Pakistan only edge is that they have won the first match and can't lose the series. Srilanka at the moment are looking too good as they are 181/3.

[pakhitheboss]

Srilanka has already lost 4 wickets and has scored 214 runs. Chandimal is still on the pitch and is again looking strong against Pakistan, he has already scored 49 runs and I think he is aiming for his century in this match. If he continues, then Srilanka can achieve more than 300 runs. Pakistan is missing Shaheen Afridi if he would have played then the wickets would be more.

[eaLiTy]

Srilanka has already lost 4 wickets and has scored 214 runs. Chandimal is still on the pitch and is again looking strong against Pakistan, he has already scored 49 runs and I think he is aiming for his century in this match. If he continues, then Srilanka can achieve more than 300 runs. Pakistan is missing Shaheen Afridi if he would have played then the wickets would be more.

The inform Dinesh Chandimal once again played well for Sri Lanka but he missed his century as he was trying to clear the boundary but mistimed it completely. Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella is in the crease and they need to create a good partnership to get to a decent score.
Pakistan have the advantage here and i expect them to win the match.

[JSRAW]

Srilanka has already lost 4 wickets and has scored 214 runs. Chandimal is still on the pitch and is again looking strong against Pakistan, he has already scored 49 runs and I think he is aiming for his century in this match. If he continues, then Srilanka can achieve more than 300 runs. Pakistan is missing Shaheen Afridi if he would have played then the wickets would be more.

The inform Dinesh Chandimal once again played well for Sri Lanka but he missed his century as he was trying to clear the boundary but mistimed it completely. Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella is in the crease and they need to create a good partnership to get to a decent score.
Pakistan have the advantage here and i expect them to win the match.

This looks like a batting pitch. Every SriLankan batter got a good start but throw away their wicket except one unfortunate run out. 300 up for them but i think Pakistani bowler doing a good job on flat track, considering the condition scoreline could have been 350 or 380 for 4 wicket.

Chandimal is having really nice run these days, 4th back to back 50+ score for him.

[noormcs5]

Pakistan is badly missing shaheen Shah.

Any idea why shaheen Shah afraidi is not playing this test match? Is he injured or what?
This test match was not only important to win the series but also they need to win it in order to keep their dreams alive for the International test championship.

This looks like a batting pitch.

Let's see how the pitch will play when the Pakistan batsmen will bat on it. 400 runs are on the cards for Srilanka if they continue to bat and survive till lunch tomorrow.

[Maady]

Any idea of how many more test matches they (pakistan) have to win in order to be in the top 2 of the international test championship?

If my memory serves me well then they have 6 more tests in this WTC cycle

1 Against SL
3 against Eng
2 against NZ

- Winning all of em would be amazing but it's tough for any team even in home conditions.
- They need at least 68-ish points to secure their seat and have to win 4 tests +1 draw and they can afford only 1 loss. They should also hope that India and SA are not winning their all remaning match (especially India) as they are playing against 2 matches against Bangladesh at away series and 4 against Aus at home (this is very tough nut to crack for India).


Pakistan should try to clean sweep SL, it would be very helpful for them.

It's interesting what about South Africa? Right now they look solid contenders for Test Championship finals.

[CryptoBuds]

Srilanka has already lost 4 wickets and has scored 214 runs. Chandimal is still on the pitch and is again looking strong against Pakistan, he has already scored 49 runs and I think he is aiming for his century in this match. If he continues, then Srilanka can achieve more than 300 runs. Pakistan is missing Shaheen Afridi if he would have played then the wickets would be more.

The inform Dinesh Chandimal once again played well for Sri Lanka but he missed his century as he was trying to clear the boundary but mistimed it completely. Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella is in the crease and they need to create a good partnership to get to a decent score.
Pakistan have the advantage here and i expect them to win the match.

This looks like a batting pitch. Every SriLankan batter got a good start but throw away their wicket except one unfortunate run out. 300 up for them but i think Pakistani bowler doing a good job on flat track, considering the condition scoreline could have been 350 or 380 for 4 wicket.

Chandimal is having really nice run these days, 4th back to back 50+ score for him.

At the end of the first day, Sri Lanka managed to collect 315 runs. And they lost 6 wickets. I think the pitch helps the batsme. Yet Sri Lanka should collect at least 450. But looking at Sri Lanka's batting I don't think they will be able to collect 400. Like the first match, this match too will go in favor of Pakistan. Pakistan players are more experienced than Sri Lanka.

[posi]

The inform Dinesh Chandimal once again played well for Sri Lanka but he missed his century as he was trying to clear the boundary but mistimed it completely. Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella is in the crease and they need to create a good partnership to get to a decent score.
Pakistan have the advantage here and i expect them to win the match.

This looks like a batting pitch. Every SriLankan batter got a good start but throw away their wicket except one unfortunate run out. 300 up for them but i think Pakistani bowler doing a good job on flat track, considering the condition scoreline could have been 350 or 380 for 4 wicket.
Chandimal is having really nice run these days, 4th back to back 50+ score for him.

At the end of the first day, Sri Lanka managed to collect 315 runs. And they lost 6 wickets. I think the pitch helps the batsme. Yet Sri Lanka should collect at least 450. But looking at Sri Lanka's batting I don't think they will be able to collect 400. Like the first match, this match too will go in favor of Pakistan. Pakistan players are more experienced than Sri Lanka.

I am going to say that Sri Lanka is playing quite well. To be honest, a lot of them have missed out on a century. This really does look like a batting pitch. But I am also willing to agree that Sri Lanka was not equipped to take full advantage of that pitch. They should have been able to score a lot more freely on a pitch that is very batting-friendly. While the Pakistani bowlers are doing well, Sri Lanka has also thrown some wickets very cheaply. It is going to be interesting to see if Sri Lanka is able to reach the 400 mark.

[romero121]

Even in today's innings Chandimal did his part and I expected a 100, he was stopped at 80 runs by Mohammad Nawaz with the catch to Alam. On the crease is Dickwella who is to score his fifty and Wellalage, young bowler. Somehow they need to make plans for reaching 450 runs. If that's possible then surely this is going to be a good target.

[Cryptock]

Even in today's innings Chandimal did his part and I expected a 100, he was stopped at 80 runs by Mohammad Nawaz with the catch to Alam. On the crease is Dickwella who is to score his fifty and Wellalage, young bowler. Somehow they need to make plans for reaching 450 runs. If that's possible then surely this is going to be a good target.

...Oh come on 450 is a very big run rate. Which is impossible.
But Muhammad Nawaz did play well - we were expecting that he will make his centry but it dont now turn out to be a good day for NAwza. Hope to see some good cricket.

[BALIK]

The pitch condition looks like it is a batting pitch, and the bowlers are not getting much chance. Still Sri Lanka lost 6 wickets. If you want to win on such a pitch, I think you should collect around 450-500. Karan was able to perform well in the last match against the Pakistani batsmen. Sri Lanka will not be able to win if their collection is not big. But Sri Lanka can now stay at the crease and try to draw the match. Then Sri Lanka will have to survive at least two sessions at the crease today

[pakhitheboss]

The pitch condition looks like it is a batting pitch, and the bowlers are not getting much chance. Still Sri Lanka lost 6 wickets. If you want to win on such a pitch, I think you should collect around 450-500. Karan was able to perform well in the last match against the Pakistani batsmen. Sri Lanka will not be able to win if their collection is not big. But Sri Lanka can now stay at the crease and try to draw the match. Then Sri Lanka will have to survive at least two sessions at the crease today

I do not think Srilanka can set a target of 400+ runs. They have lost 6 wickets and there isn't much batting left after this pair gets out. At the moment the pitch looks suitable for batters but as the days pass by the pitch will break and will become suitable for spinners. Batting would not be that easy for any side. Pakistan bowling attack is not looking that good. Hopefully day 2 they might be able to get a couple of wickets quickly.