Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Patrol69]

A decade or two ago, it was extremely rare to have international cricketers playing beyond 37-38 years of age. But now even players who are above 40 years of age are participating in international matches without any issues. I am not just talking about James Anderson, but also about other players such as Imran Tahir and Misbah-ul-Haq. Now players are able to maintain their fitness level for extended durations, despite very heavy workload. T20 has become more prominent at the expense of 4-day and 5-day cricket, and that maybe one of the reasons. 

Decade ago we don't have t20 format nor present t20 leagues. With few exceptions still mostly players retire by 37 to 38 years of age bracket. A change which I saw in South Asia is that till 90s maximum age of debut is 22 to 24 years. Players who crosses that age bracket can rarely made it to international cricket but now players even in 30s are making international debut.

The way people used to think a decade ago, people have changed their thinking in this era. Where earlier a cricketer decided to retire between the ages of 30 and 35, some players are making their debuts between the ages of 30 and 32. I don't think age is a big factor in cricket, cricket is totally a game of your skill and talent. Age will never hold you back if you have enough cricketing talent and cricketing skills. All of them are above 30 years of age and are performing well in the current cricket world. It takes 30 to 32 years for many to find their consistency and bring out their best performance. I will never underestimate age. Age is a big factor for fast bowlers but age is not a factor for batsmen and spin bowlers.

[Sithara007]

The way people used to think a decade ago, people have changed their thinking in this era. Where earlier a cricketer decided to retire between the ages of 30 and 35, some players are making their debuts between the ages of 30 and 32. I don't think age is a big factor in cricket, cricket is totally a game of your skill and talent. Age will never hold you back if you have enough cricketing talent and cricketing skills. All of them are above 30 years of age and are performing well in the current cricket world. It takes 30 to 32 years for many to find their consistency and bring out their best performance. I will never underestimate age. Age is a big factor for fast bowlers but age is not a factor for batsmen and spin bowlers.

Sachin Tendulkar made his test debut for India, when he was just 16 years old. Nowadays we don't find any teenagers getting inducted into the national teams directly. They usually play 5-6 years of first class cricket, before they are considered for the national team selection. Sometimes a player makes his debut while he is in his 20s. But usually, nowadays when a player is considered for national team selection, he will be most probably in his early 30s. And that means that he has only 7-8 years left in his career.

[Patrol69]

The way people used to think a decade ago, people have changed their thinking in this era. Where earlier a cricketer decided to retire between the ages of 30 and 35, some players are making their debuts between the ages of 30 and 32. I don't think age is a big factor in cricket, cricket is totally a game of your skill and talent. Age will never hold you back if you have enough cricketing talent and cricketing skills. All of them are above 30 years of age and are performing well in the current cricket world. It takes 30 to 32 years for many to find their consistency and bring out their best performance. I will never underestimate age. Age is a big factor for fast bowlers but age is not a factor for batsmen and spin bowlers.

Sachin Tendulkar made his test debut for India, when he was just 16 years old. Nowadays we don't find any teenagers getting inducted into the national teams directly. They usually play 5-6 years of first class cricket, before they are considered for the national team selection. Sometimes a player makes his debut while he is in his 20s. But usually, nowadays when a player is considered for national team selection, he will be most probably in his early 30s. And that means that he has only 7-8 years left in his career.

A cricketer now has to go through several channels to secure a chance in the national team before being given a trial in the national team.  Earlier many cricketers made their debut and played for the national team at the age of 16 and 17 because there were not so many rules and media then. If you have a dream to play in the national team, first you have to play age wise, you have to do well in the age wise game and get the attention of the selectors then the selectors will give you trials in their own different academies, after giving the trials if you like the style of play then you will be given a place in the U-19 team, and  U-19 Teams are one of the most important means of coming to the mainstream. Those cricketers who do well in the U-19 team get a place in the main team, that is, now at the age of 17-18, there is no chance to play for the national team.

[BitcoinsGreat]

Today is the 3rd day of this test match, which is played in Perth and the teams who play this match are Tasminia and Western Australia. I think that this match cannot end with a result because three days were passed and the second innings was on play. I hope that the match ends with a result because I want to see the result of this test match, but the biggest chance is that the match will end without a result.  If we look at the score so Western Australia trails by 120 scores. At this time, Tasminia can win the match because they play very well.

[Sithara007]

Today is the 3rd day of this test match, which is played in Perth and the teams who play this match are Tasminia and Western Australia. I think that this match cannot end with a result because three days were passed and the second innings was on play. I hope that the match ends with a result because I want to see the result of this test match, but the biggest chance is that the match will end without a result.  If we look at the score so Western Australia trails by 120 scores. At this time, Tasminia can win the match because they play very well.

LOL.. this first-class match is taking place at the Western Australia Cricket Association Ground (WACA) at Perth. WACA, along with Kingsmead in Durban used to be nightmares for the batsmen. These two grounds offered so much support for the pace bowlers that even an innings total of 200 was considered as above average. But times have changed. Batting first, Tassies made 439, with Jordan Silk hitting 181. And it was the West Australian spinner Corey Rocchiccioli who picked up most wickets. And in return, West Australia has made 437/6.

[MusaPk]

Pakistan Domestic Cricket - Quaid E Azam Trophy.

Sarfraz Ahmed is likely to make come back atleast in red ball format as under his captaincy Karachi Whites have won the biggest domestic tournament i.e. Quaid e Azam Trophy. In final Karachi whites beat faislabad Region by a huge margin of 457 runs.
PCB also has moved Sarfraz from Central Contact D category to B. Seeing the performance of Pakistan team in ODI its very much likely that after world cup there will be changes in team. Players like Saim Ayub and Abrar are also likely to be part of playing 11 in coming series.

[Sithara007]

Pakistan Domestic Cricket - Quaid E Azam Trophy.

Sarfraz Ahmed is likely to make come back atleast in red ball format as under his captaincy Karachi Whites have won the biggest domestic tournament i.e. Quaid e Azam Trophy. In final Karachi whites beat faislabad Region by a huge margin of 457 runs.
PCB also has moved Sarfraz from Central Contact D category to B. Seeing the performance of Pakistan team in ODI its very much likely that after world cup there will be changes in team. Players like Saim Ayub and Abrar are also likely to be part of playing 11 in coming series.

The PCB has been changing the format of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy so often that it has become really confusing now. Now there are 7 city-based teams (with 2 from Lahore), and one regional team (FATA) participating in the 2023 edition. Last year's tournament was contested by regional teams (Balochistan, Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern, Sindh and Southern Punjab). IMO, moving from a regional system to a city-based system was quiet regressive. It will cause death of cricket in rural areas and give more preference to the urban areas.

[MusaPk]

The PCB has been changing the format of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy so often that it has become really confusing now. Now there are 7 city-based teams (with 2 from Lahore), and one regional team (FATA) participating in the 2023 edition. Last year's tournament was contested by regional teams (Balochistan, Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern, Sindh and Southern Punjab). IMO, moving from a regional system to a city-based system was quiet regressive. It will cause death of cricket in rural areas and give more preference to the urban areas.

Also there is no team from Balochistan region in 2023 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The decline of test and ODI cricket in Pakistan is because not much preference is given to red ball in domestic setup. Sarfraz Ahmed along with Saim Ayub have performed well in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Players that are consistent in domestic cricket must be given preference rather then selecting team from PSL.
Cricket is already confined to few cities like Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar only. We rarely see player from rural areas in Pakistan team.

[Ayers]

The PCB has been changing the format of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy so often that it has become really confusing now. Now there are 7 city-based teams (with 2 from Lahore), and one regional team (FATA) participating in the 2023 edition. Last year's tournament was contested by regional teams (Balochistan, Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern, Sindh and Southern Punjab). IMO, moving from a regional system to a city-based system was quiet regressive. It will cause death of cricket in rural areas and give more preference to the urban areas.

Also there is no team from Balochistan region in 2023 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The decline of test and ODI cricket in Pakistan is because not much preference is given to red ball in domestic setup. Sarfraz Ahmed along with Saim Ayub have performed well in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Players that are consistent in domestic cricket must be given preference rather then selecting team from PSL.
Cricket is already confined to few cities like Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar only. We rarely see player from rural areas in Pakistan team.

Cricket in Pakistan is not in a good spot right now. Well, even Pakistan as a country is not in the best situation, to be honest. Especially considering the fact that a lot of problems, with the politics, and also the inflation going on right now in Pakistan. Actually, the whole world got hit with inflation. However, the situation in Pakistan is worse because of the political instability. Pakistan has already moved away from regional-based cricket and I don't think they are going to go back to that. At least not any time soon. Players from rural areas also needs to be scouted properly.

[SATWAT]

The PCB has been changing the format of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy so often that it has become really confusing now. Now there are 7 city-based teams (with 2 from Lahore), and one regional team (FATA) participating in the 2023 edition. Last year's tournament was contested by regional teams (Balochistan, Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern, Sindh and Southern Punjab). IMO, moving from a regional system to a city-based system was quiet regressive. It will cause death of cricket in rural areas and give more preference to the urban areas.

Also there is no team from Balochistan region in 2023 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The decline of test and ODI cricket in Pakistan is because not much preference is given to red ball in domestic setup. Sarfraz Ahmed along with Saim Ayub have performed well in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Players that are consistent in domestic cricket must be given preference rather then selecting team from PSL.
Cricket is already confined to few cities like Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar only. We rarely see player from rural areas in Pakistan team.

Cricket in Pakistan is not in a good spot right now. Well, even Pakistan as a country is not in the best situation, to be honest. Especially considering the fact that a lot of problems, with the politics, and also the inflation going on right now in Pakistan. Actually, the whole world got hit with inflation. However, the situation in Pakistan is worse because of the political instability. Pakistan has already moved away from regional-based cricket and I don't think they are going to go back to that. At least not any time soon. Players from rural areas also needs to be scouted properly.

I am not agreed about this all with even few things are correct but again and again calling about situation and other non-issue topics are not right, but one thing is sure due to bad management we lost many things in last two decades because we have no fair policies and authority which bring things on good level mostly elections are rigged, and then we have been peopling those are not having any information or link related to sport which hurt their cause like Pakistan was ruling in Field Hockey and Squash with Cricket was also in good shape but in last few years all gone and non-state issues are creating mess up with many youngers are migrating to other countries for their future which is the biggest problem recently we have few good numbers of youngsters in European hockey clubs as well.
Currently, Cricket was also doing good under Ramiz Raja, and he was doing good work for the domestic setup as well, but suddenly new government and again new system which is now surely will bring this games, future under trouble as well.

[Sithara007]

Also there is no team from Balochistan region in 2023 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The decline of test and ODI cricket in Pakistan is because not much preference is given to red ball in domestic setup. Sarfraz Ahmed along with Saim Ayub have performed well in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Players that are consistent in domestic cricket must be given preference rather then selecting team from PSL.
Cricket is already confined to few cities like Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar only. We rarely see player from rural areas in Pakistan team.

I don't agree with this setup. City-based structure will work for T20 leagues. But for 4-day domestic competition, you need teams representing different regions. Actually the city-based structure is what killed cricket in countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. On the other hand, you will notice the strongest first-class competitions in countries such as Australia and England (and to some extent in New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies and India), where they have first-class teams representing different provinces.

[JSRAW]

^^ Maybe these guys should first focus on PCB's leadership and stop playing dandiya every 6 months.

Also, I won't read much into domestic performances atm. Pitches are becoming a joke there and every random batter is just feasting on these pitches. There are reports of PCB didn't even pay salary to the national team so it's no surprise to anyone that they are not giving priority to domestic setup

[SATWAT]

^^ Maybe these guys should first focus on PCB's leadership and stop playing dandiya every 6 months.

Also, I won't read much into domestic performances atm. Pitches are becoming a joke there and every random batter is just feasting on these pitches. There are reports of PCB didn't even pay salary to the national team so it's no surprise to anyone that they are not giving priority to domestic setup

Currently, no one can stop this all because Pakistan right now having tag of Banana republic where things are not control by peoples it's all under just one man show, and he is doing as he wants to do for the last one-year even courts are not able to give any relief which is happening due to few big conflicts which are happening in region so expecting anything positive is not ideal.
Maybe we will have the worst things ahead specially after this world cup as news are coming internal politics and other players personal ego's with current President Zaka Ashraf post is also no secure, but things will be clear if we have elections in early months of the 2024.

[Sithara007]

^^ Maybe these guys should first focus on PCB's leadership and stop playing dandiya every 6 months.

Also, I won't read much into domestic performances atm. Pitches are becoming a joke there and every random batter is just feasting on these pitches. There are reports of PCB didn't even pay salary to the national team so it's no surprise to anyone that they are not giving priority to domestic setup

Well... this is surprising. PCB is one of those teams who benefitted from the ICC's new fund distribution structure. Their allocation went up by almost 3x. So what is the excuse for not paying the national and domestic players? Rameez Raja was doing a pretty good job as the head of PCB, before he was kicked out by the new government. They got him replaced with the incompetent Najam Sethi. Then he was also replaced a few months ago by Zaka Ashraf. I really don't know for how long Ashraf is going to stay as the chairman.

[JSRAW]

^^ Maybe these guys should first focus on PCB's leadership and stop playing dandiya every 6 months.

Also, I won't read much into domestic performances atm. Pitches are becoming a joke there and every random batter is just feasting on these pitches. There are reports of PCB didn't even pay salary to the national team so it's no surprise to anyone that they are not giving priority to domestic setup

Currently, no one can stop this all because Pakistan right now having tag of Banana republic where things are not control by peoples it's all under just one man show, and he is doing as he wants to do for the last one-year even courts are not able to give any relief which is happening due to few big conflicts which are happening in region so expecting anything positive is not ideal.
Maybe we will have the worst things ahead specially after this world cup as news are coming internal politics and other players personal ego's with current President Zaka Ashraf post is also no secure, but things will be clear if we have elections in early months of the 2024.

Zaka Ashraf is a downgrade for sure but to be fair to the current chief, his predecessors were not sharp either. Maybe Sethi and Khan were okayish. 

~snip

Well... this is surprising. PCB is one of those teams who benefitted from the ICC's new fund distribution structure. Their allocation went up by almost 3x. So what is the excuse for not paying the national and domestic players? Rameez Raja was doing a pretty good job as the head of PCB, before he was kicked out by the new government. They got him replaced with the incompetent Najam Sethi. Then he was also replaced a few months ago by Zaka Ashraf. I really don't know for how long Ashraf is going to stay as the chairman.

After their allocation amount went 3x, they did raise the pay amount for all the contract players and i guess for domestic players too, it's just they forgot to credit the salary into player's account

[Sithara007]

After their allocation amount went 3x, they did raise the pay amount for all the contract players and i guess for domestic players too, it's just they forgot to credit the salary into player's account

LOL.. this is epic. So I guess the funds just vanished in the midst of the ongoing economic crisis. Another issue is with the constant devaluation of the local currency. The Pakistani Rupee has lost almost 30% of it's value against the US Dollar during the last 12 months. Contract amount is specified in PKR and therefore the players lose out when PCB delays their payments. There is a similar situation for the Afghanistan players as well, since the ICC has put fund allocation on hold. But at least in their case, they received some amount from the ACC and it was distributed to the players.

[pakhitheboss]

^^ Maybe these guys should first focus on PCB's leadership and stop playing dandiya every 6 months.

Also, I won't read much into domestic performances atm. Pitches are becoming a joke there and every random batter is just feasting on these pitches. There are reports of PCB didn't even pay salary to the national team so it's no surprise to anyone that they are not giving priority to domestic setup

Currently, no one can stop this all because Pakistan right now having tag of Banana republic where things are not control by peoples it's all under just one man show, and he is doing as he wants to do for the last one-year even courts are not able to give any relief which is happening due to few big conflicts which are happening in region so expecting anything positive is not ideal.
Maybe we will have the worst things ahead specially after this world cup as news are coming internal politics and other players personal ego's with current President Zaka Ashraf post is also no secure, but things will be clear if we have elections in early months of the 2024.

What kind of team is Pakistan? Are they in India to play and win the World Cup or eat Biryani? Did they forget that the Indian media is after them wherever they go? This is embarrassing for PCB, already they have been questioned about player's salaries and now the Pakistani team has new drama that they cannot eat their dinner without Biryani. This happened in Kolkatta on the day when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh.

ICC World Cup 2023: Babar Azam-led Pakistani team couldn't find biryani in Kolkata but gets it from Zomato

[JSRAW]

~snip~

Most of their problems would be resolved if people on top posts could use their brains and put up a team's interest in front, instead of self interest goals.

Self interest does prevail sometimes and you can hardly blame anyone completely because it's human nature but FFS at least do something for the domestic system too or at least try to pretend.

[MusaPk]

ODI World Cup is over and we have some test cricket coming up. PCB announced 18 member squad for 3 test matches to be played in Australia starting from 14th of December. Shan Masood will lead the squad and there will be two debutants in the squad i.e.  Saim Ayub and fast bowler Khurram Shahzad. It will be a big test for Shan Masood to lead a test side in Australia. Naseem Shah and Harir Rauf are not part of the squad while wicket keeper will likely be Sarfraz.

[synchronym]

ODI World Cup is over and we have some test cricket coming up. PCB announced 18 member squad for 3 test matches to be played in Australia starting from 14th of December. Shan Masood will lead the squad and there will be two debutants in the squad i.e.  Saim Ayub and fast bowler Khurram Shahzad. It will be a big test for Shan Masood to lead a test side in Australia. Naseem Shah and Harir Rauf are not part of the squad while wicket keeper will likely be Sarfraz.

Pakistan Cricket Team has ended the 2023 World Cup with the gloom of failure. Pakistan team could not perform well in 2023 World Cup. Babar Azam has been dropped from the captaincy. The Pakistan team announced the Test series with Australia on December 14. The Pakistan team has changed several players. How well can the Pakistan team play under the leadership of captain San Masood. Let's see how the Pakistan team can play the Test series with Australia. The reigning champions Australia are in great form. It will not be easy for Pakistan to win the Test series with them.