India must learn from Pakistani batsmen's temperament

[freelance_cricketer]

Going at just 2.92 on what seems like a lifeless batting track with little to nothing for the bowlers. Indians would have been looking to doninate here and might well have lost 4-5 wickets but Pakistan playing test cricket the eat it is meant to be played and meeping wickets intact.

223/2

Great batting

[Saurav]

Going at just 2.92 on what seems like a lifeless batting track with little to nothing for the bowlers. Indians would have been looking to doninate here and might well have lost 4-5 wickets but Pakistan playing test cricket the eat it is meant to be played and meeping wickets intact.

223/2

Great batting

How did you make that assumption?

[freelance_cricketer]

Last 10 overs. Just 4 runs.

Classic test match batting. These two right now securing the fortress with their tight defence.

[freelance_cricketer]

How did you make that assumption?

History.

This is why India's been unable to win or draw test matches away from home.

The art of playing through the overs is missing in Indian batsmen

[gazza619]

Lool. I never saw this thread coming.

No offense to our batsmen but they mostly dont have the Indian flair and playing dots suit them.

If you look at Pakistani batsmen from previous era (Anwar, Sohail, Inzi, Basit, Ijaz, Yousuf etc), these guys used to have more flair. Not that Pakistan used to score 400 in a day but those batsmen used to playing more attacking cricket suited to that era.

[Josh]

Exception high class test batting this. Other teams should learn a thing or two from this. Much needed stability provided by these two batsmen. Partnership: 6 of 63 balls.

[Saurav]

History.

This is why India's been unable to win or draw test matches away from home.

The art of playing through the overs is missing in Indian batsmen

Pakistan is playing at home.How did you compare two scenarios?

[Fahdi]

Just need to keep this up for 10 more sessions and we'll have a good total of 450.....

[freelance_cricketer]

Just 5 overs to go. If they dont lose a wicket then these 2 have done a wonderful wonderful job for Pakistan in this test.

Could have so easily been 220/5 or 6

[Hitman]

Temperament to score at 2.81 with just 2 wickets down on Day 1 on a dead UAE track?

[battler]

Agree! It was classic test match batting!

[Swashbuckler]

I admire Pakistani batsmen because even though they lack talent, they are willing to grind it out. Indian batsmen except Kohli/Pujara lack this ability to put a price on their wickets. Earlier Indian teams had this grinding ability, current team has concentration issues.

[Saurav]

Azhar Ali rewarded for his blockathon

[Bewal Express]

In these same road blocks Ind would 350+ in a day.

[Ab Fan]

A classic display of test batting indeed. Ofcourse, gully danda format fans who have grown up watching Suresh Raina hack it over fine leg for a six won't understand such beautiful display of test cricket with really tight defence from the two batters. Almost a Boycott-esque defense against the fast and ferocious Lillee.

The modern era players, in general, clearly lack a tight defence in their game which we got to watch from older era players and that is what we are getting to see from these two Pakistan batters as well.

Truly, test cricket was so beautiful back in old eras and it is refreshing to watch these two reminiscing the older memories for our older era fans.

[freelance_cricketer]

In India only Cheteshwar Pujara is capable of doing this. Rest of the batsmen are all flashy. They look to play their shots way too often for what is needed in test cricket. Test cricket is not always about run rate. It’s about score as much as you can.

[topspin]

Nah they were too slow in that last session. Went at 2 rpo. Yes Australia bowled well, but I feel the lack of intent on a dead track has cost us the last session.

[freelance_cricketer]

In these same road blocks Ind would 350+ in a day.

350 all out?

No thanks. I would prefer Pakistan hitting 500 here at 3 RPO.

[the_outsider]

I think Bhaijaan is just that the mickey out of people but if we are being serious

Why would IND want to score 500 runs at 2.8 RPO when they can and have scored 600 runs at 4.5 RPO?

[Wonderwoman]

Going at just 2.92 on what seems like a lifeless batting track with little to nothing for the bowlers. Indians would have been looking to doninate here and might well have lost 4-5 wickets but Pakistan playing test cricket the eat it is meant to be played and meeping wickets intact.

223/2

Great batting

What's the point , Pakistan will end up 400 all out. I would want a 500+ total and a chance of win rather than draw or a chance to lose.

[Buffet]

Due to not batting with intent has also ensured Pakistan not able to avoid losing tests in Aus. Some of the tests could have been saved if you don't bat simply for time.

This test is in bag for Pakistan though. Batting first and putting 400-450 will take the game away from Aus.

[gazza619]

Due to not batting with intent has also ensured Pakistan not able to avoid losing tests in Aus. Some of the tests could have been saved if you don't bat simply for time.

This test is in bag for Pakistan though. Batting first and putting 400-450 will take the game away from Aus.

Dont think it is in the bag yet. It will be tight if we only score 350. Our bowling is too thin. Riaz has been a failure in the past and the debutant Bilal Asif has to prove himself.

[sugumarrising]

Every top team from (currently) australia, england, south africa & india are good in tests in their home and everyone struggles abroad, but this thread is a little too much i think, if pakistan batsman has better temperament than india how did they loose a test series (presently) against a very average srilankan team.

[freelance_cricketer]

To the few Indians who are unecessarily feeling insecure about the his comment, please count me how many tests would have been saved or won had Indian batsmen showed the skill and will to play out 100 odd overs?

Pakistan clearly has been better at that than India since last many years and it is a quality flashy Indian batsmen can learn from them. No shame in it.

[freelance_cricketer]

Every top team from (currently) australia, england, south africa & india are good in tests in their home and everyone struggles abroad, but this thread is a little too much i think, if pakistan batsman has better temperament than india how did they loose a test series (presently) against a very average srilankan team.

Freak spell from Bishoo.

India barely escaped test series defeat to aussies last year.

They were also fighting neck to neck with the South Africans. Could have easily lost couple of tests that could have gone either way.

Indians need to tone down their arrogance.

#Bhaijaan

[Buffet]

Dont think it is in the bag yet. It will be tight if we only score 350. Our bowling is too thin. Riaz has been a failure in the past and the debutant Bilal Asif has to prove himself.

You should get close to 450 from this stage. 350 means poor batting from this stage.

[Itachi]

Great batting display.

[sugumarrising]

Where did arrogance came here i don't understand, playing attacking cricket or defensive cricket is according to the particular teams wish, coming to the australia scenario the steve waugh led australia in 2003/04 series if not for the draw in the final test we would have won the series, coming to the south africa series they were hammered in india the last time they toured india, get your facts right, ifs and buts don't matter for any team not only india, win is a win loss is a loss.

[sugumarrising]

I can accept if their is a fact, i am asking again why they lost to one of the weakest srilankan teams in their history, and that too in their home (uae) recently, what happened to your teams temperament, comparing pakistan batting with indian batting in any format is a joke.

[the_outsider]

To the few Indians who are unecessarily feeling insecure about the his comment, please count me how many tests would have been saved or won had Indian batsmen showed the skill and will to play out 100 odd overs?

Pakistan clearly has been better at that than India since last many years and it is a quality flashy Indian batsmen can learn from them. No shame in it.

Nope.

Pakistan bats out 100 overs in UAE, not overseas. Overseas they have been bowled out under 54 overs 4 times in their last 10 innings in SENA.

India plays out 100+ overs at home all the time. Even in SA, Indian batsmen played more overs than SA batsmen in 5 out of 6 innings.

[KP From India]

Will not be easy if Aus able to bat out 4 sessions or more in 1st innings.

[Syed1]

Azhar Ali will never be mentioned in the same sentence as the best (or even better) batsmen of this era because he just doesn't have that second gear. Sure he can grit it out and has bucketloads of temperament but all the best batsmen in the world look to cash in and increasing their scoring rate when they are set. Nobody is asking him to go hell to leather but atleast maintain a SR of 40


This has happened quite often that Pakistan are in a great position but the timid batting by their batsmen left the door ajar for the opposition to get back into the game. Other sides after being at 205/1 would have targeted atleast a rpo of 3.5-4 in the last session with tired bowlers, but no not Pakistan. We chose to dead bat everything. Mashallah.

[Virat_Kohli_fan]

There is no learning to be gained here for India's batsman - It's a fairly flat pitch with a bit of help for the spinners. India would have been 330/4 after today here - which is about as good if not better than the position Pakistan are in.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Very easy batting conditions. Had KL Rahul played here he would have scored a century before lunch.

[BlackShadow]

First I thought FC was mocking Pakistani batsmen, but then I realized how right he is. These days, all our millionaire rockstars tend to lose their temperament even against some lallu panju spinners.

[RedwoodOriginal]

Azhar Ali will never be mentioned in the same sentence as the best (or even better) batsmen of this era because he just doesn't have that second gear. Sure he can grit it out and has bucketloads of temperament but all the best batsmen in the world look to cash in and increasing their scoring rate when they are set. Nobody is asking him to go hell to leather but atleast maintain a SR of 40


This has happened quite often that Pakistan are in a great position but the timid batting by their batsmen left the door ajar for the opposition to get back into the game. Other sides after being at 205/1 would have targeted atleast a rpo of 3.5-4 in the last session with tired bowlers, but no not Pakistan. We chose to dead bat everything. Mashallah.

These kind of comments should be classified under treason. The nerve of some posters to criticize Azhar Ali when he is clearly the best batsman this developing team has. Just because he is out of form doesn't mean he isn't one of the greatest test batsmen of this generation.

[rudra]

This kind of batting is useful overseas not at home especially when you are on top and pitch is benign.

This will kill the game even more coupled with empty stands and UAE pitches.

Only excitement about recent ind vs wi test was shaw, pant, jadeja batting.

[rhony]

Watched the game a bit and Hafeez looked solid. He is very good in these conditions and should have been part of Asia cup. Not sure how he's bowling these days. Would have helped Sarfraz with the captaincy as well

[jeeteshssaxena]

Hehe we made 600+ in india. On the same pitch where windies batsman can't score a run.

[Syed1]

These kind of comments should be classified under treason. The nerve of some posters to criticize Azhar Ali when he is clearly the best batsman this developing team has. Just because he is out of form doesn't mean he isn't one of the greatest test batsmen of this generation.

He is 33 year old... People enter the twilight of their careers at this age. And just because Azhar is the best batsman doesn't mean he cannot be criticized when he is not doing what the team requires. Batting at 20 SR when Pakistan was in a spectacular position and then getting out to an atrocious shot, but no Saint Azhar cannot be criticized because some loser over the internet will declare it as treason. Learn to accept a difference of opinion.

[JattMaula]

FC dada has spoken the truth. The positive approach works in home conditions only. Indian batters try same thing(positive batting) outside India and get in trouble.

Indian batsmen should learn a thing or two about test batting tempo from Pakistani batters.

[Ozeirk]

indian fans on this forum are underestimating the quality of Australian attack and comparing them to the west indies attack against which they have performed recently. They have forgotten very quickly the hammering and battering they were given in England.

Pakistan has the right approach so far in the match, Azhar Ali played slower than he should which is surprising considering his excellent form in England county recently however nothing is lost and Pakistan are still in a very good position. A score of 420+ will be a good score on this pitch as Australia will have a real challenge facing a spin attack from Pakistan on these conditions.

[RedwoodOriginal]

He is 33 year old... People enter the twilight of their careers at this age. And just because Azhar is the best batsman doesn't mean he cannot be criticized when he is not doing what the team requires. Batting at 20 SR when Pakistan was in a spectacular position and then getting out to an atrocious shot, but no Saint Azhar cannot be criticized because some loser over the internet will declare it as treason. Learn to accept a difference of opinion.

I'll accept difference of opinion when it actually means something or holds any weight. This is test match cricket. If you have problems staying awake or watching players bat at a SR of 20 go watch T10 or whatever hundred ball malarkey the ECB have going on.

I'm tired of hearing knee-jerk reactions. Had Azhar played the day out and scored a century tomorrow his innings would be receiving praises. His approach was completely right, he made an error in judgement but that in no way takes away from his ability and proven track-record as a test batsman. In the final session the ball was reverse-swinging and spinning profusely. The need of the hour was caution and not losing wickets which is exactly what Azhar and Haris were doing.

Only reason I added treason in my comment was because you have a tendency of talking in hyperboles on this board and it was about time someone responded to you in your own language

[Dingolfy]

indian fans on this forum are underestimating the quality of Australian attack and comparing them to the west indies attack against which they have performed recently. They have forgotten very quickly the hammering and battering they were given in England.

Pakistan has the right approach so far in the match, Azhar Ali played slower than he should which is surprising considering his excellent form in England county recently however nothing is lost and Pakistan are still in a very good position. A score of 420+ will be a good score on this pitch as Australia will have a real challenge facing a spin attack from Pakistan on these conditions.

Pakistan is playing in UAE not in Australia.Check how bad Johnson was thrashed in India when he was at his peak.

[BaankeJi]

India have a lot to learn from Pakistan in batting.

[Nikhil_cric]

A great thread . It's like some of our batsmen just have no idea how to bag in tests. Look at these Pakistani batsmen blunting Australia in this heat. Yesterday it was Azhar and now shafiq. I hope the likes of kl Rahul are watching this masterclass.

[Sidilicious]

Only some batsmen. Most are fine the way they play. Had India been here, we would have scored another 70-80 runs, losing an extra wicket. Which is fine, as that moves the game along and makes it interesting.

Only ppl like KL, Pant and Pandya need to learn to do this.

In fact, when KL first came on the scene in 2014, he was quite adept at this. But with his new found hitting abilities, he seems to have forgotten how to defend out of difficult situations. Hopefully, he will do that in the next couple of tests.

[docteurmanish]

modern test cricket is producing more results cos of calculated higher strike rate and assault on tired bowlers and new ball bowlers

indian batters have been doing just fine. pujara rahane kohli and m vijay did lay emphasis on wicket but not being bogged down( pujara does abroad)

the recent test match agaiinst wi was a good example - india won with record runs

Indian batsmen problems come at top - openers are not doing well recently snd hence shaw rahul are being tried ... once this team gets a set of decent in form
openers , they are bound to do well

sorry but pak test rankings do not justify your comment
let me know when u reach no 1 - i will eat humble pie
pak test cricket is playing 70s cricket - for a draw

[MenInG]

A great thread . It's like some of our batsmen just have no idea how to bag in tests. Look at these Pakistani batsmen blunting Australia in this heat. Yesterday it was Azhar and now shafiq. I hope the likes of kl Rahul are watching this masterclass.

Easy for armchair critics to talk about nature of pitch

This is attritional cricket and end result will matter

[sugumarrising]

Very much surprised by comparing pakistan batting with india, how many pakistan batsman are in the top 10 test ranking, how many indians are there, going back to mohammed hafeez who is aged 38yrs shows lack of batting talent in pakistan cricket, we have plenty of batting talent.

[WengerOut]

Indian batsmen are arrogant in nature battingwise, barring Pujara. But only Kohli can make it work to own advantage. I feel Pak batsmen stays within their limits and maximise it.

[freelance_cricketer]

Some facts insecure and immature Indian fans need to digest:-

At strike rotation, strokeplay suited to LOI Cricket, Indian batsmen are right up there and upcoming young Indian batsmen even seem a step ahead and they will dominate LOI cricket with their fluid stroke play.

However in test cricket there is no evidence of India benefitting from its attacking play. Rather India has ended up losing so many tests because their batsmen seem to have lost the ability bat out 90-100 overs.

This is something India can learn from Pakistan team. Yes, many times Pakistani batting seems cringeworthy when they dead bat everything but in test cricket this has been their strength in last 4-5 years and the reason behind their success in test cricket.

India cannot even bat out someone like Moeen Ali. It is a disgrace.

There is no shame in learning something someone seems better at.

[WengerOut]

Some facts insecure and immature Indian fans need to digest:-

At strike rotation, strokeplay suited to LOI Cricket, Indian batsmen are right up there and upcoming young Indian batsmen even seem a step ahead and they will dominate LOU cricket with their fluid stroke play.

However in test cricket there is no evidence of India benefitting from its attacking play. Rather India has ended up losing so many tests because their batsmen seem to have lost the ability bat out 90-100 overs.

This is something India can learn from Pakistan team. Yes, many times Pakistani batting seems cringeworthy when they dead bat everything but in test cricket this has been their strength in last 4-5 years and the reason behind their success in test cricket.

India cannot even bat out someone like Moeen Ali. It is a disgrace.

Agree. Attacking cricket stops at the dressing room as far as India is concerned while abroad.

[IAJ]

Sunny Gavaskar must be loving this.

[freelance_cricketer]

Sunny Gavaskar must be loving this.

All lovers of classic form of cricket are loving this.

Gritty display on Day 2 as well. First session was perfect for Pakistan. Great job boys.

[freelance_cricketer]

Just goes to show in test cricket Pakistan are still leagues above Bangladesh, Afghanistan and West Indies.

You cannot judge growth of a cricket nation by LOI cricket alone.

Test cricket is what separates the big boys from kids.

[Usman Chadda]

Just goes to show in test cricket Pakistan are still leagues above Bangladesh, Afghanistan and West Indies.

You cannot judge growth of a cricket nation by LOI cricket alone.

Test cricket is what separates the big boys from kids.

West Indies are a much better test team than either Bangladesh or Afghanistan. I don’t see the latter two winning a test match in England for the next 20-30 years.

[LegGully]

Geoffrey boycott would be extremely proud.

[Hitman]

I have personally found the strategy of the Pak batsmen really strange in this Test so far. None of us know what will happen when the Aussies bat, so let's not being what might happen. But so far, it's been strange.

[freelance_cricketer]

West Indies are a much better test team than either Bangladesh or Afghanistan. I don’t see the latter two winning a test match in England for the next 20-30 years.

I agree with you.

Pakistan >>> West Indies >> Bangladesh>>Afghanistan

Also Pakistan in tests isn’t only behind top 3-4 nation’s max.

[as-95]

I’m pretty sure this guy is trolling. Pakistans poor strike rate is nothing to compliment. The attacking Indian team would destroy the Aussies on this flat pitch.

The only minuscule positive from Pakistan’s approach in this match is ensuring that we are tiring out the Aussies in the heat that they aren’t used to and potentially getting them out for a low total... otherwise, I cannot understand why we are playing so slowly on a pitch that offers nothing to the bowlers.

[the_outsider]

All lovers of classic form of cricket are loving this.

Gritty display on Day 2 as well. First session was perfect for Pakistan. Great job boys.

There is nothing great about dead batting every ball in UAE.

Even McGrath's grandmother would be able to do that.

This kind of batting is only useful in the first season in England, Australia, etc.

Pakistan fails to replicate this kind of batting in those conditions. So there is nothing to learn from them as a test batting group.


(But there is a lot to learn by studying Azhar bat.)

[PerfectionPersonified]

Serious question. Is this a serious thread

[ego-gambit]

Mohammad abbas batting like Zaheer abbas 😂😂 on this wicket . Pakistan is thinking Australians will fall like pack of cards against Yasir Shah so if they counter that threat this will be a drawn test.

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

I wouldn't go as far as saying India should learn from Pakistani batsmen, but this innings is really great. The Asad Haris partnership is also excellent. They steadied the ship and got settled and once they were ready, they opened up and are finding the boundaries more frequently. Great Stuff!

[Dr_Bassim]

I think the real question is

"Are they batting this slow because they want to play attritional cricket, or are they batting this slow because that's the only way they will not get out.

The former statement gives credit to Pakistan, while the latter is a cause of concern going down the line.

Pakistan will win this test not because of dead batting every ball but because Australia are clueless against any sort of spin (including the slow ball that doesn't spin).

[PerfectionPersonified]

I think the real question is

"Are they batting this slow because they want to play attritional cricket, or are they batting this slow because that's the only way they will not get out.

The former statement gives credit to Pakistan, while the latter is a cause of concern going down the line.

Pakistan will win this test not because of dead batting every ball but because Australia are clueless against any sort of spin (including the slow ball that doesn't spin).

DR SB tell me one thing, you said once in one of the threads that Haris gone for good due to his injury ...what happened to that ?

[Dr_Bassim]

DR SB tell me one thing, you said once in one of the threads that Haris gone for good due to his injury ...what happened to that ?

Are you measuring the impact of Haris in UAE in Test Cricket?

Interesting.

He isn't suited to ODI format, and let's not call him as being back on a belter of a pitch in UAE.

[Nikhil_cric]

Easy for armchair critics to talk about nature of pitch

This is attritional cricket and end result will matter

Given the nature of UAE pitches, attritional cricket is the only way to play here.

[freelance_cricketer]

Given the nature of UAE pitches, attritional cricket is the only way to play here.

Glad to see a smart comment by a fellow Indian on this post. A lot of clueless people about how test cricket is played in UAE.

[jusarrived]

I actually agree that Indian batsmen these days lack the ability to grind it out .

[Bangalorean]

Glad to see a smart comment by a fellow Indian on this post. A lot of clueless people about how test cricket is played in UAE.

Bhaijaan let OZ complete their first innings, will see how good or bad the pitch is !

[PerfectionPersonified]

Are you measuring the impact of Haris in UAE in Test Cricket?

Interesting.

He isn't suited to ODI format, and let's not call him as being back on a belter of a pitch in UAE.

physical injury i m referring to

[Chrish]

Temperament to score at 2.81 with just 2 wickets down on Day 1 on a dead UAE track?

For once I agree with op. Pakistan has mastered the art of soul sucking the opposition by grinding out their bowlers. They are not only winning the game but the closing on the series by mentally defeating the opposition.

India will produce lot better results if they play like this overseas instead of “intent” garbage. Although I disagree with one thing: Pakistan is not playing away. They are pretty much at their home when playing in uae.

[IndianHero]

Complacent, Complacent & Complacent ! ! !

Poor batting by pak IMO.. irrespective of the venue by seriously guyzz on dead wickets a team is expected to score at least 300/day when they bat fully..

Here pak should have scored closer to 600 for 2 days.. guess wat pak doesn't seem to have enough fire power in their bowling to bowl out australia under 400 .. so if AUS scores anything closer to 430 then I guess pak would feel 'well v r at least 100 short'

[Ozeirk]

Indianhero are you in the ground to judge the difficulty level of the pitch?
Australia did not take the new ball when it was due and it made it difficult to score runs freely. Despite that Pakistan has done well to stamp their dominance on the Australian attack, this will set the tone for the rest of the series.

[MenInG]

Given the nature of UAE pitches, attritional cricket is the only way to play here.

and that is another type of cricket to test the teams.

[gani999]

Real champion test cricket temperament is what Australia is showing in the 4th innings and not what Pakistan did in the 1st.

[BlackShadow]

Pakistan's Day 1 tuk tuk is the reason Australia won't be able to chase this. People were critical then, but that batting approach has saved Pakistan the game.

[Kroll]

and that is another type of cricket to test the teams.

Yes, Test cricket is all about adapting to different environments and conditions, it's just that the UAE is a relatively new entry to the Test match arena.