Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[ene1980]

Pakistan defeated South Africa by 7 wickets. I never imagined that Pakistan would be able to beat a team like South Africa in a Test match. Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam played very well. If they can maintain such a great performance, Pakistan will be able to get good results in the upcoming matches as well.

South Africa is touring Pakistan and hence it is not a big surprise, Fawad Alam played an important innings and the tail end players helped put runs on the board in the first innings and that helped them to win the match. South Africa is not known to play spinners that well in sub continent wickets.
I am not sure about how the rest of the series are played but i am expecting some fightback from South Africa.

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[JSRAW]

~snip~
Pakistan defeated South Africa by 7 wickets. I never imagined that Pakistan would be able to beat a team like South Africa in a Test match. Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam played very well. If they can maintain such a great performance, Pakistan will be able to get good results in the upcoming matches as well.

Well its not like proteas were riding the winning horse, they have been acting like an shitty team for a quite some time, recently lost against the England at their own hometurf. But yeah one should expect them to fight against Pakistan but Pakistan is not that bad team when they play well, they already outplayed SA at every department in this match except one small top order collapse during the first inning.

[Indymoney]

-snip-
Yes, it seems like Pakistan will win but it's cricket, you can't predict until you have fixed something.

Pakistan need another 66 more runs to win and until now go forward without losing any single wickets, I guess there will be no drama. Easily go 1-0 up in the series, however disappointed with De cock performance.

Pakistan defeated South Africa by 7 wickets. I never imagined that Pakistan would be able to beat a team like South Africa in a Test match. Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam played very well. If they can maintain such a great performance, Pakistan will be able to get good results in the upcoming matches as well.

What an amazing day of cricket we had today and Pakistan picked up today 6 wickets for SA for just 58 runs. SA never got chance today to settle down as Pakistan came today with thought of winning the match itself and that showed on the pitch. Nauman and Yasir bowled magnificently and picked 5 and 4 wickets respectively. With just 88 runs to win Pakistan dint start well and had 2 wickets down for 23. But later on Azhar and Babar innings helped them to make this finally an easy win with 7 wickets remaining.

Pakistan won first test but still many questions to be answered because they have too many issues in batting every time tail enders cannot help you to fix this all selectors need to do some better selections as some good players avilabel after Quaid-e-Azam trophy now time to bring some players on merit no every time your own players and personal likes working after this win I am feeling its very difficult for South Africa to handle in next match as we are going for another spinners friendly pitch.

[Iranus]

After a terribly poor performance against New Zealand, it looks like Pakistan will win against South Africa. South Africa is leading by 76 runs, but they have lost 6 wickets. They don't seem to be able to give more than 150 targets. Pakistan should win this match easily

New Zealand is a really difficult team to beat in their home turf and the issue is that Pakistan never showed any signs of fight back while India with a depleted team was able to defeat Australia. Pakistan is playing in their turf and they should win the match as Pakistan just need 88 runs to win the match. The spinners bowled really well in this match and hopefully Pakistan will cross the finishing line without loosing much wickets.

Pakistan reached the target without losing 7 wickets. They played great throughout the match. Such a comeback was great after losing 2 Test match by an innings against New Zealand. But I think South Africa will be able to win the next Test match.

[Clement Kaliyar]

Pakistan played well to win the match and after some tough tours where they were defeated and humiliated they were able to win finally at home and hopefully they will continue the performance throughout the series.
I am waiting for the England tour of India and it will be interesting as India will be looking to revenge for the loss they had in the last series against England.

[Sithara007]

I am waiting for the England tour of India and it will be interesting as India will be looking to revenge for the loss they had in the last series against England.

Normally I would expect India to whitewash England, since they have the home advantage. But this time England is also in a very good position. Their batsmen, such as Joe Root are in excellent form and they have the most experienced pace bowling duo in the world currently (Stuart Broad - James Anderson). Even their spinners have performed really well during the series against Sri Lanka. This time, there will be no whitewash and according to me it is going to be a close contest between the two teams.

[JSRAW]

I am waiting for the England tour of India and it will be interesting as India will be looking to revenge for the loss they had in the last series against England.

Normally I would expect India to whitewash England, since they have the home advantage. But this time England is also in a very good position. Their batsmen, such as Joe Root are in excellent form and they have the most experienced pace bowling duo in the world currently (Stuart Broad - James Anderson). Even their spinners have performed really well during the series against Sri Lanka. This time, there will be no whitewash and according to me it is going to be a close contest between the two teams.

Last time England won the series in India, they had attacking spin bowler like Graeme Swann and their spinners out bowled the Indian spinners but this time English spin department doesn't look that threatening despite their recent success against SL.

Whitewash is not on the card either. They are playing 2 games at completely new stadium (Motera stadium, Gujrat) so no one knows how its going to play out.

[UmerIdrees]

Pakistan won first test but still many questions to be answered because they have too many issues in batting every time tail enders cannot help you to fix this all selectors need to do some better selections as some good players avilabel after Quaid-e-Azam trophy now time to bring some players on merit no every time your own players and personal likes working after this win I am feeling its very difficult for South Africa to handle in next match as we are going for another spinners friendly pitch.

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

It is a refreshing win for Pakistan after a long time. I think South Africa team looks quite weak and therefore Pakistan played very well in the first match. I hope they will continue this good form in the next matches. It will be interesting to see how south africa learn from their mistakes and come out with a different strategy in the next match.

[pakhitheboss]

Pakistan won first test but still many questions to be answered because they have too many issues in batting every time tail enders cannot help you to fix this all selectors need to do some better selections as some good players avilabel after Quaid-e-Azam trophy now time to bring some players on merit no every time your own players and personal likes working after this win I am feeling its very difficult for South Africa to handle in next match as we are going for another spinners friendly pitch.

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

It is a refreshing win for Pakistan after a long time. I think South Africa team looks quite weak and therefore Pakistan played very well in the first match. I hope they will continue this good form in the next matches. It will be interesting to see how south africa learn from their mistakes and come out with a different strategy in the next match.

South African cricket is already in crisis which was displayed on the fields in this match. Well! Yes, it is a good win for Pakistan and they deserve it too. Next match would be crucial for Pakistan if the want to win the series. I am not expecting any thing good from the south african team.

[UmerIdrees]

Pakistan won first test but still many questions to be answered because they have too many issues in batting every time tail enders cannot help you to fix this all selectors need to do some better selections as some good players avilabel after Quaid-e-Azam trophy now time to bring some players on merit no every time your own players and personal likes working after this win I am feeling its very difficult for South Africa to handle in next match as we are going for another spinners friendly pitch.

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

It is a refreshing win for Pakistan after a long time. I think South Africa team looks quite weak and therefore Pakistan played very well in the first match. I hope they will continue this good form in the next matches. It will be interesting to see how south africa learn from their mistakes and come out with a different strategy in the next match.

South African cricket is already in crisis which was displayed on the fields in this match. Well! Yes, it is a good win for Pakistan and they deserve it too. Next match would be crucial for Pakistan if the want to win the series. I am not expecting any thing good from the south african team.

Since Pakistan team is unpredictable we never know how will they perform in the next matches. I am looking that Pakistan may win the series as its been long time since pakistan have won any major series at home or aboard.

[ene1980]

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

Pakistan might be making pitches that will help their spinners and if that is the case it will be difficult for South Africa until they have a batsman that could counter spin, in the past they had players who played well against spinners but in the current team we are yet to see any players who perform well against spin.

[onrise]

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

Pakistan might be making pitches that will help their spinners and if that is the case it will be difficult for South Africa until they have a batsman that could counter spin, in the past they had players who played well against spinners but in the current team we are yet to see any players who perform well against spin.

Home advantage will always be with Pakistan and the first test win is always a good way to boost up your spirits. On other hand for SA it’s a big challenge as they have to forget the loss and move on and ensure they do well in all the departments of the game so that they can either draw or win rather than losing the series as a whitewash.

[JSRAW]

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

Pakistan might be making pitches that will help their spinners and if that is the case it will be difficult for South Africa until they have a batsman that could counter spin, in the past they had players who played well against spinners but in the current team we are yet to see any players who perform well against spin.

And there is nothing wrong with this practice. SENA countries does the same thing with pace, swing, bounce. If they can exploit the weakness of sub-continent team then every sub continent team should also exploit their weakness. Test cricket is not only about raw pace but spin also.

If i am a pitch curator then i wouldn't hesitate to create a pitch where likes of Anderson-Rabada-Cummins getting smashed by 19 year old kids when playing in the sub-continent. 

[Indymoney]

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

Pakistan might be making pitches that will help their spinners and if that is the case it will be difficult for South Africa until they have a batsman that could counter spin, in the past they had players who played well against spinners but in the current team we are yet to see any players who perform well against spin.

And there is nothing wrong with this practice. SENA countries does the same thing with pace, swing, bounce. If they can exploit the weakness of sub-continent team then every sub continent team should also exploit their weakness. Test cricket is not only about raw pace but spin also.

If i am a pitch curator then i wouldn't hesitate to create a pitch where likes of Anderson-Rabada-Cummins getting smashed by 19 year old kids when playing in the sub-continent. 

[eaLiTy]

Since Pakistan team is unpredictable we never know how will they perform in the next matches. I am looking that Pakistan may win the series as its been long time since pakistan have won any major series at home or aboard.

This is the biggest hurdle when you are placing a bet on Pakistan as you never know what kind of performance they will showcase, one day they will perform like they could defeat any team in the world but on certain days they perform like minnows. Since they are playing in Pakistan they should have the advantage, they need to find quality fast bowlers which they had in the past but now a days it is disappointing.

[ene1980]

On other hand for SA it’s a big challenge as they have to forget the loss and move on and ensure they do well in all the departments of the game so that they can either draw or win rather than losing the series as a whitewash.

The batting order needs to step up their performance if they want to be competitive, they will be praying to win the toss and elect to bat first knowing it will be hard for them to bat in the fourth innings in spinning wickets.

And there is nothing wrong with this practice. SENA countries does the same thing with pace, swing, bounce. If they can exploit the weakness of sub-continent team then every sub continent team should also exploit their weakness. Test cricket is not only about raw pace but spin also.

Nothing wrong in that but South Africa needed to include some quality spinners as well, they never had world class spinners but they need to find spinners to counter these sub continent wickets. The recent India series win against Australia, Australia is afraid to prepare green turf that could help the fast bowlers completely because India had a potent attack and that is how you counter the threat.

If i am a pitch curator then i wouldn't hesitate to create a pitch where likes of Anderson-Rabada-Cummins getting smashed by 19 year old kids when playing in the sub-continent. 

Anderson bowls well in sub continent wickets as he can reverse the ball. Looking forward how India will be preparing the wickets for the England series.

[Sithara007]

Anderson bowls well in sub continent wickets as he can reverse the ball. Looking forward how India will be preparing the wickets for the England series.

Anderson is a bowler who depends more on swing in the air than the seam movement. That is the reason why he is so deadly on sub-continental tracks. Also he has a lot of variety in his bowling, including a well disguised slower ball. And the last thing about him is that he always maintains a good fitness level. You don't see him getting injured very often in between the tours.

[FIFA worldcup]

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

Pakistan might be making pitches that will help their spinners and if that is the case it will be difficult for South Africa until they have a batsman that could counter spin, in the past they had players who played well against spinners but in the current team we are yet to see any players who perform well against spin.

And there is nothing wrong with this practice. SENA countries does the same thing with pace, swing, bounce. If they can exploit the weakness of sub-continent team then every sub continent team should also exploit their weakness. Test cricket is not only about raw pace but spin also.

If i am a pitch curator then i wouldn't hesitate to create a pitch where likes of Anderson-Rabada-Cummins getting smashed by 19 year old kids when playing in the sub-continent. 

Although every country do this and make pitches which help them but isn't against the sports man spirit ?
If a team is good, they should win on any pitch and should not take these short cuts which make results in their favor.

[JSRAW]

And there is nothing wrong with this practice. SENA countries does the same thing with pace, swing, bounce. If they can exploit the weakness of sub-continent team then every sub continent team should also exploit their weakness. Test cricket is not only about raw pace but spin also.

If i am a pitch curator then i wouldn't hesitate to create a pitch where likes of Anderson-Rabada-Cummins getting smashed by 19 year old kids when playing in the sub-continent. 

Although every country do this and make pitches which help them but isn't against the sports man spirit ?
If a team is good, they should win on any pitch and should not take these short cuts which make results in their favor.

Against spirit of the cricket when subcontinent does this. How dare brown people exploiting the home conditions, exploiting everything is copyright to colonizer only and only they can decide what's good and what's bad.  

[bryant.coleman]

Although every country do this and make pitches which help them but isn't against the sports man spirit ?
If a team is good, they should win on any pitch and should not take these short cuts which make results in their favor.

Well.. they are not doing anything that is against the law. Even teams such as England and Australia make use of the home conditions, when Asian teams are touring. If the ICC is so concerned about that, then it should appoint neutral curators. Previously, there was a proposal to remove the toss and give the visiting team the advantage of selecting to bat or field first. But that proposal was shelved as a result of opposition from the majority of the countries.