Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Cointikka]

Pakistani bowlers did a good job to restrict England to 291 runs but due to poor batting in first innings Pakistan is surly lose this test and the series. Babar Azam along with his best buddy Rizwan were not able to do anything for the team. The only batsmen who scored runs for Pakistan in first inning was Awais Azan with 46 runs. PCB was not happy with Sky Sports act of doing interview with Imran Khan sons but had zero worries about losing one series after another.

See, I will be blunt here, Pakistan lacks the bowling attack that it had earlier. The batting was never their USP, yet I expected Babar to contribute, which did not happen. The worst is Rizwan; he is not only a bad WK but a worst out-of-form batter. I think the 21-year-old Azan was playing more sensible cricket than the rest of the team. I am assuming that he got selected because of his skills and not because of a godfather. The decline of Pakistan cricket that everyone was speaking about a few years back is now evident, and it will go down further unless PCB core team is revamped.

[WatChe]

See, I will be blunt here, Pakistan lacks the bowling attack that it had earlier. The batting was never their USP, yet I expected Babar to contribute, which did not happen. The worst is Rizwan; he is not only a bad WK but a worst out-of-form batter. I think the 21-year-old Azan was playing more sensible cricket than the rest of the team. I am assuming that he got selected because of his skills and not because of a godfather. The decline of Pakistan cricket that everyone was speaking about a few years back is now evident, and it will go down further unless PCB core team is revamped.

The core team of PCB has zero interest in how team is performing right now. With every passing day, Pakistan team is only going down and don't know how far is the bottom before we can see some improvement in the team. As long as Babar is captain of team we will continue to see Imam and Rizwan in the team as well no matter whether they perform or not. PCB is eyeing only few players and only they are getting chances to play in the team because of their links in PCB. This is prime reason why Pakistan cricket is at its worst now, with no hope of improvement.

[HelliumZ]

The core team of PCB has zero interest in how team is performing right now. With every passing day, Pakistan team is only going down and don't know how far is the bottom before we can see some improvement in the team. As long as Babar is captain of team we will continue to see Imam and Rizwan in the team as well no matter whether they perform or not. PCB is eyeing only few players and only they are getting chances to play in the team because of their links in PCB. This is prime reason why Pakistan cricket is at its worst now, with no hope of improvement.

The effect of nepotism in the Pakistan team is most visible in the past and is also visible in the present and will be in the future, which can be understood by looking at the current performance. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board must seriously think about this issue where despite the Pakistani players playing badly day by day, there is no sign of any change in them. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Imamul Haq are performing quite badly, but their constant inclusion in the squad is not being taken well by the Pakistani supporters at all. For this, the Pakistan cricket squad should be made up of young players and those who perform relatively well should be given a place in the team and those who perform poorly should be demoted from the squad. If there is no nepotism in the Pakistan team, then maybe Pakistan can improve in the future.

[Bityar]

What do you guys think about Pakistan's consecutive losses? When any substitute happens, everyone thinks that they will perform differently, but they perform the way they always do. In the second match, Pakistan chased 110 runs in the first innings against a target of 290 runs. Now, in the second innings, England is stuck on 81 runs with the loss of 3 wickets, and the total is 371 runs. If they stand for at least 100 more runs, they will cross 400. Pakistan will have to score over 380 runs in a single match to tie the series at 1:1 and then compete for the final. However, given their performance, Pakistan will likely lose this series too.

Pakistan test cricket team consecutive losses have very disappointed me and also the fans of test cricket because i was thinking that if babar become the captain the team performance will change but unfortunately the team is more weak like in pakistan batting lineup noone is performing as we expect from them. At now england team is on 177/7 and D lawrence is also not out on 50 with robinson present on crese with him england is lead by 357 runs and i think they will easily cross the 400 so hope pakistan batting lineup should make a comeback and change the game to victory.

[Cointikka]

The core team of PCB has zero interest in how team is performing right now. With every passing day, Pakistan team is only going down and don't know how far is the bottom before we can see some improvement in the team. As long as Babar is captain of team we will continue to see Imam and Rizwan in the team as well no matter whether they perform or not. PCB is eyeing only few players and only they are getting chances to play in the team because of their links in PCB. This is prime reason why Pakistan cricket is at its worst now, with no hope of improvement.

PCB head Zaka Ashraf and now Mohsin Naqvi are the ones responsible for the downfall of Pakistan cricket. The current chief should resign after the debacle that is going to happen with another loss. A new chief should take the position and bring in good selectors and talent spotters. If not, then nothing can be done. There is still scope for improvement, but the PCB needs to change the way it works.

[Haunebu]

If a match is competitive, it will be interesting. Most of the time, every team has a home advantage in Test cricket. Whenever there is fierce competition, the game becomes exciting, even in the Test format. Like India's win against Australia in Gabba, England win against Australia in the Ashes and many more matches.

For reference:
1) India's win against Australia
2) England win against Australia

These were great tests for sure and memorable in so many ways, but the big problem here is that they are few and far in between. 1/10 tests are probably truly entertaining while the rest will make you sleep unless you are a hardcore fan or bettor.

On the other hand, 5/10 T20s are truly entertaining in comparison. Wonder how the T20 format will shake the whole structure of this sport in the years to come.

[JSRAW]

^^ isn't t-20 already doing that?

It literally financing test cricket now, otherwise how can countries afford to play 2-3 days test match, which is already loss making affairs when it goes for 5 days and include players safeguarding their finance by early retirement etc in it.

[MusaPk]

Pakistan test cricket team consecutive losses have very disappointed me and also the fans of test cricket because i was thinking that if babar become the captain the team performance will change but unfortunately the team is more weak like in pakistan batting lineup noone is performing as we expect from them. At now england team is on 177/7 and D lawrence is also not out on 50 with robinson present on crese with him england is lead by 357 runs and i think they will easily cross the 400 so hope pakistan batting lineup should make a comeback and change the game to victory.

English team got out in second innings after scoring 208 runs but now Pakistan require 389 runs to win the match. Babar Azam was able to make 8 runs in first innings and in second innings he was able to score only 6 runs. Two days still left in this test and Pakistan won't be able to save this match because they have already lost 3 wickets. If we look at bowling of Pakistan in this test then it was fine but poor batting of Pakistan in first innings has knocked them out of this test.

[Bityar]

In the 2nd innings England team have given a target of 389. A good bowling by M abbas who took 5 wickets. Pakistan is now chasing the score but unfortunately the top order is again fail and Pakistan is now 91/3. Shan masood on 20 with saud shakeel present on 50 runs have made a partnership and i hope they will give team the best. From England side robinson have took 2 while jofra archer have took 1 wicket.

[JSRAW]

All Pakistan doing is giving all the fake confidence to England's bowlers that somehow they turned into world beater at home.

Only to score an another 2-2 scoreline in home ashes and more or less similar scoreline against india.

[Nanga Parbat]

English team got out in second innings after scoring 208 runs but now Pakistan require 389 runs to win the match. Babar Azam was able to make 8 runs in first innings and in second innings he was able to score only 6 runs. Two days still left in this test and Pakistan won't be able to save this match because they have already lost 3 wickets. If we look at bowling of Pakistan in this test then it was fine but poor batting of Pakistan in first innings has knocked them out of this test.

England had beaten Pakistan badly in the first match with hard work and efforts, they did not play like that this time, but still they have played well in both the innings because they have also worked hard in bowling, the main reason for this is that Pakistan scored only 110 runs in the first innings. Here, every Pakistan should have achieved the target of this innings. Yes, Pakistan now has only 5 wickets from which they have to score 263 runs and it is going to be enough tough. I think tomorrow is the end of the day because Pakistan will soon lose this match. Pakistan's bowling has tried for an easy target but their poor batting has made it a defeat for them.

[WatChe]

PCB head Zaka Ashraf and now Mohsin Naqvi are the ones responsible for the downfall of Pakistan cricket. The current chief should resign after the debacle that is going to happen with another loss. A new chief should take the position and bring in good selectors and talent spotters. If not, then nothing can be done. There is still scope for improvement, but the PCB needs to change the way it works.

Nobody can remove Mohsin Naqvi unless he himself resign from the post of PCB chief. He is also holding office of interior minister and his prime focus is in that ministry. Today another match loss and another series gone but it will have no impact on Mohsin Naqvi and his team, he will shamelessly continue to hold office of PCB chief. Imam ul Haq the nephew of Inzamam ul Haq was lucky or smart to not bat in this test otherwise his figures will be same as rest of the team. The irony is that Pakistan still has a test to play.

[Mahdirakib]

Pakistan might have lost this match by an innings if England had scored a little bit more in the first innings. Judging from the performance of Pakistan batsmen, they will surely lose the 3rd test match pathetically like these first two matches. I'm not going to blame any specific batsmen, but they are suffering for the failure of the top orders in every match. Pakistan is ensuring their position at the bottom of the WTC point table with these defeats .