The Art of Choking - or how to lose matches [Merged]

[MIG]

Need I say more ?

How can this be done? what is the magical formula to take a winning situation and turn it into a world class disaster?

[siddharth]

Afridi the King the ''man'' himself wasn't there?

[PlanetPakistan]

Inzi bhai where are you?

[Toony™®]

clueless slogging.

misbah, afridi - main culprits. There was no need. % cricket would of been enough.

Although the You's also lost their minds at nothing balls

[zaf1986]

Misbah and Afridi take a bow.

[the SHA]

Total bottlers.

Goes to show, Inzi's departure has left a huge void of backbone and fight in the batting line up. Say what you want about Inzi, the fact remains though whilst he was captain Pakistan had never chased better in the past 15 years. Shoaib Malik has much to learn.

[Islamabadi]

**** afridi...**** misbah... he is the [EDIT by Mods: DO NOT SWEAR] ultimate choker

[yahyak]

What a pathetic display of cricket all round! Pakistan will be pakistan! Useless . Test and one day series loss to SA at home Im sorry theres no hope for this crap team. Ive been following PAkistan cricket for 15 years now and nothimg has changed.
Afridi needs to be slaughtered Akmal hanged and Pakistan need to be transferred to the Icc non test playing nations tournaments so atleast there will be some competition for them.

I dont see them winning in India or beating Australia.
They suck! and thats it!

[Amoeba]

We choked to the Chokers!!!!!
Yes we missed Inzy......but remember without Shoaib we can't win........

[Uzzy]

Pakistan have been making a habit of choking recently. Those 2 games against India come to mind aswell.

They can't handle pressure and as someone mentioned in the commentary thread, i think Pakistan team need a psychologist.

Looks like Pakistan have snatched the chokers tag from SA.

[P4K1 #1]

omfg how the heck could this happen.. 6 wickets for 20 runs.. omfg

[Blistering Barnacle]

Back to the drawing board. It's been a while since Pakistan lost like this. Always leaves a bitter taste.

[Majestic_Inzi]

what the effing hell happened. Did you see Lawlers face. he was fuming..

How did pakistan lose this match...

Afridi has to take the majority of the blame at the end. He's the senior player and there was no need to slog when you had so many bowls..

Gutted... Annoyed.. winning game lost..

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by MIG Need I say more ? How can this be done? what is the magical formula to take a winning situation and turn it into a world class disaster?

South Africa has choked more times and bigger matches than this one!!

Part of the game - we lose, move on and look to India series!

If there are mistake need to be fixed, coach, captain, players need to fix them and make sure don't happen again!

Thats all!

[Rudi hater]

LOL, I have been saying that for sometimes, Inzi should not have been asked to retire from test cricket. We are going to lose to India big. In a similar situation Inzi would have won us the game (I know he has retired). Inzi Bahi come back to save our backside in tests please.

[aussie-pak]

@ afridi. how did pakistan lose srsly?

[Lightning]

Excellent batting from Afridi under pressure! What a team man!

[the SHA]

Lawson bemoans their lack of physical fitness, I worry about their mental fitness more!

[Usman Chadda]

I sense Lawson destroying the players inside the dressing room tonight

[kayanni]

i wouldnt go that far

but Akmal has to go, Afridi's batting has been awful even by his low standards.......Shoaib can bat so why go for a big shot with 21 balls remaining!!!!!!!!!!!

i want to scream!!!!!!!!!

[nikred]

did afridi get out while attacking? wow what a shocker from pakistan.

[nikred]

did afridi get out while going for his big shots? wow what a shocker from pakistan.

[in_cutter]

we are not good enough to beat the top dogs, fact.

we choked against the ultimate chokers

[Hooker]

Terrible lower order batting , however tone set by opening with Akmal and his bad keeping / batting. Misbah abroad aint gonna score much except in the slog overs foot work non existant. Poor Imran Nazir needs a partner to rotate strike and guide him. The reason he scored that century against WI aged 18 was due to Saeed Anwars guidance no guidance from the other end. Afridi was just irresponsible full stop. Selectors need to show faith in Butt and Nazir for 10 games and then judge them. Hameed should not play for PAK again what was the point of not playing latif should have let him have a bash. R

[Majestic_Inzi]

i dont believe it!!!!

Afridi is capable of hitting the ball cleanly on the ground, why didnt he?

Even when misbah and tanvir were out, pak still should have won. Singles would have easily done it...

Welcome to the world of pakistan....

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan has taken over from S.A on how to choke in series.

Pakistan always choke in lahore as well...

2004 v india 5th odi, PakTel cup final!

Simply pakistan cant handle the pressure!

[aussie-pak]

match remided me of the aus vs SA semi final in the 99 WC.

bow ur head in shame afridi -

[Oxy]

Seen a few shockers in my time when it comes to Pakistan.

That's probably up there with the worst.

[b0wld]

Originally Posted by W63L35 South Africa has choked more times and bigger matches than this one!! Part of the game - we lose, move on and look to India series! If there are mistake need to be fixed, coach, captain, players need to fix them and make sure don't happen again! Thats all!

South Africa never chocked like this... SA chokes up when playing Australia and Pakistan does the same when playing against India in Cup competition... and nobody of the class like pakistan looses like this... How do Pak expect to Win in India when India gives everyone a tough time in their backyard

[Majestic_Inzi]

i just hope they learn, rotating the strike thats all that was needed. wasnt tooooo dificult...

[Oxy]

Inzi must be having a little chuckle to himself....

[Caved12]

Originally Posted by W63L35 South Africa has choked more times and bigger matches than this one!! Part of the game - we lose, move on and look to India series! If there are mistake need to be fixed, coach, captain, players need to fix them and make sure don't happen again! Thats all!

Sorry Friend, it is not as easy as you said this, how you gonna change the mentality of our players

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan just seem to have a mentle block when it comes to play S.A

time and time again they beat us when it comes to the crunch.

[Caved12]

Originally Posted by Oxy Seen a few shockers in my time when it comes to Pakistan. That's probably up there with the worst.

yes brother, the biggest choke in the history of cricket.

[filosofee]

Originally Posted by Uzzy Pakistan have been making a habit of choking recently. Those 2 games against India come to mind aswell. They can't handle pressure and as someone mentioned in the commentary thread, i think Pakistan team need a psychologist. Looks like Pakistan have snatched the chokers tag from SA.

I disagree, re the pressure comment, they're just brainless. It's not pyschology that's needed but total neurological replacement!

Someone please contact the Institute of Neurology in Queen Square, there are some 'good' live Pak cricketer brains scientists can examine for the stupidity gene!

[WasimG]

Originally Posted by aussie-pak @ afridi. how did pakistan lose srsly?

STFU. Stop rubbing it in. Why're you always on a Pak forum anyway you loser. Get a hike. And a life.

[Crucifier]

My jaw has dropped to an all time low. I've seen some ridiculous events taking place in Pakistan cricket. But this takes the cake. Reminds me of the last ODI when England toured Pakistan in 2005. Only needed 50 wins and everyone including Afridi tried to be heroes.

How can you lose a game , when you only need 15 singles to win, with the RR below 4?

[TaZ]

One word has summed up our team for a while now

Donkeys

[in_cutter]

well choked

[Crucifier]

India now face a minnow team next monday. Good lord, we have now turned out to be a 'free win' team.

[filosofee]

Originally Posted by Crucifier My jaw has dropped to an all time low. I've seen some ridiculous events taking place in Pakistan cricket. But this takes the cake. Reminds me of the last ODI when England toured Pakistan in 2005. Only needed 50 wins and everyone including Afridi tried to be heroes. How can you lose a game , when you only need 15 singles to win, with the RR below 4?

Big time Pakistan chokes:

1999 Cricket world cup final comes to mind.

2001 in the, three-way series, final against Australia in England

For me, those two are the worst - today's Pakster play is probably in the top five of Pakistan's cricket-stupidity display.

What wonderful role-models! Bet everyone in Pakistan turns to hockey or football to support!!!! - joke.

[filosofee]

***** (is that allowed on this forum?)

Obviously not!

Began with an 'a' - sure you can all guess which word!

[cricistan]

kallis dropped on 4???

afridi choked when only 24 runs were needed...

[SUPERSAMI]

Misbah bhi zada josh may ah gaya tha

[Desi]

he dropped kallis when he was under 10. easy catch too, good job. how about making younis khan keeper? =/

[MIG]

Lets also acknowledge the value of YK and MoYo to this team - for all the ridicule of playing slow etc - these 2 chaps have shown what it takes to win matches.

As for the rest.

Chilloo bhar panneee

[Usman Chadda]

Originally Posted by MIG Lets also acknowledge the value of YK and MoYo to this team - for all the ridicule of playing slow etc - these 2 chaps have shown what it takes to win matches. As for the rest. Chilloo bhar panneee

This is the perfect occasion for a good chitrol from the coach and every single fan

[filosofee]

Originally Posted by MIG Chilloo bhar panneee

Chilloo baghair pannee, they don't even deserve water!

[xbox]

Its true they played very well but I think Younis threw his wicket away. He has to learn to bat through. Can't blame on yousuf..

[filosofee]

Honestly, I don't feel bad / upset - South Africa were the better team, not just in Tests.

However, do feel that the Pak players need to be shown a video of how the last six wickets went down in this 5th ODI as a punishment. Let them agonise over it.

[Prince]

The match turned when Younus Khan just threw his wicket away going for a needless big shot when all that was needed was singles. I've always maintained that Pakistan always have this urge, when chasing, to win in style. They just can't take singles and win that way, they have to go for the big shots. Pathetic.

[Amir]

I am in shock is all I can say. First Twenty20 WC and now this? We are becoming the new chokers.

[filosofee]

Originally Posted by Prince The match turned when Younus Khan just threw his wicket away going for a needless big shot when all that was needed was singles. I've always maintained that Pakistan always have this urge, when chasing, to win in style. They just can't take singles and win that way, they have to go for the big shots. Pathetic.

Love your avatar. Completey agree with your, emboldened, comments.

[Majestic_Inzi]

we were 149-2 and ended up 215 all out..

Forget yunis wicket, forget Misbah wicket. That idiot afridi, why why did he slog. He was the senior player and had to stay till the end. Rehman at least he tried to rotate the strike.

15 off 25 balls is not difficult.

Lawler welcome to the world of Pakistan Cricket!

[Muzy]

they only have themselves to blame, loosing to a winning match - so sad

Lawson n co need to be very very strict with them - the thing ive noticed is, in the past when pak have lost chasing, or lost a match that they were about to win - they have gotten away with it like as if its ok move on to next match/series - thats where they have gone wrong, you cant simply forget these mistakes that brings out the embarassment and shameful acts of some players who never learn ahem

so from here on, this is a big step for Lawson - strictness is required, mistakes and poor performances need to be spoken about - to a certain level where the player/s should acknowledge where they go wrong and why and how to improve

if the players aren't reminded of these things and they get away with it after everyone forgets it they will continue to hide their bad performances until the next one reappears

[TaZ]

has there been a worse Pak collapse in recent memory?

[Lightning]

Reminds me of SL collapsing against Razzaq and Wasim.

[TaZ]

Originally Posted by LightSpeedGT Reminds me of SL collapsing against Razzaq and Wasim.

that was down to an awesome spell of bowling from razzaq, this was brainless

[kayanni]

yes OT test

91/2 to 115/10

that was brainless cricket

[Toony™®]

Problem is pakistani players like creating their own pressure.

[TaZ]

Originally Posted by kayanni yes OT test 91/2 to 115/10 that was brainless cricket

its all coming back to me now

[the SHA]

Why cant the senior batsman, M Yousuf, Younis and now Shoaib Malik step up to the plate and stay till the finish line? Why dont they feel any pressure to take responsibility for the team and be there to hit the winning runs (instead of just playing a big innings when their own places are under scrutiny)?

It is this question that distinguishes player players from team players. Lets hope that with Lawson now at the helm, he will be able to share some of that Aussie team spirit on this bunch.

[deviously~fading~away]

Originally Posted by Majestic_Inzi we were 149-2 and ended up 215 all out.. Forget yunis wicket, forget Misbah wicket. That idiot afridi, why why did he slog. He was the senior player and had to stay till the end. Rehman at least he tried to rotate the strike. 15 off 25 balls is not difficult. Lawler welcome to the world of Pakistan Cricket!

yes forget misbah's shot, younis's shot, akmal's drop and the rest of the batting line up (bar yousuf). Lets forget all that & blame the whole loss on afridi! Who cares that cricket is a team game? It was all a one man show & that man was no other than afridi! Drop him i say!

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by deviously~fading~away yes forget misbah's shot, younis's shot, akmal's drop and the rest of the batting line up (bar yousuf). Lets forget all that & blame the whole loss on afridi! Who cares that cricket is a team game? It was all a one man show & that man was no other than afridi! Drop him i say!

When the player's you mentioned played their shots, Pakistan was in a commanding position and could afford them!. they were only 3/4 down. Wehn Afridi played HIS shot, 15 runs was required of 24 balls with Rehman playing good but no more batsmen left to come. Of course Afridi has to take the bulk of the blame! When misbah got out Pak were still comfortably placed. When Afridi did, Pak had lost the game!

[Hash]

Originally Posted by indiafan When the player's you mentioned played their shots, Pakistan was in a commanding position and could afford them!. they were only 3/4 down. Wehn Afridi played HIS shot, 15 runs was required of 24 balls with Rehman playing good but no more batsmen left to come. Of course Afridi has to take the bulk of the blame! When misbah got out Pak were still comfortably placed. When Afridi did, Pak had lost the game!

perfectly put.

I am still at a loss as to why this point is so difficult for people to comprehend!

But anyway.....Afridi has taken the blame. I'd like to say he has learnt from his mistake and he wont do this again from a smiliar position but we all know that's bakwaas. He will do it again (so not much point in his admission of guilt/apology whatever it was).

Having said that, if his performances win us the series against India this game will be in my distant distant memory.

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by Hash Having said that, if his performances win us the series against India this game will be in my distant distant memory.

...and after winning us the series vs India, if he plays his brainless shots vs Aus to make us lose the series, we'll forget the series he won vs India.....and start asking for his head again!

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by W63L35 ...and after winning us the series vs India, if he plays his brainless shots vs Aus to make us lose the series, we'll forget the series he won vs India.....and start asking for his head again!

Of course, thats how it should be. If you are ready to take praise be ready to take blame when you deserve it. If Afridi does something brainless and costs Pak the series VS Aus, he would deservingly be blamed.

[daddy]

MISBAH ul haq lost the game. why are you folks blaming afridi? he himself said many a times that's his natural style, he's NOT a good batsman (technically sound or such qualities are lacking), nor does he have temperament for long innings
he's a slightly better than ordinary bowler in odi's (irhgt now) and the best or second best pakistani fielder (younus is good 2).
MISBAH however has YET to come good in any odi or tests, after t20's experts were suggesting he should play both. but now it seems pak needs to have at least 4 preferrably 5 top batsmen who play with straight bat in its lineup.

younus/yousuf/sometimes shoaib malik can fill that slot (although younus doesn't play with straight bat, a problem with most pakistani batsmen)

[Rudi hater]

Originally Posted by daddy MISBAH ul haq lost the game. why are you folks blaming afridi? he himself said many a times that's his natural style, he's NOT a good batsman (technically sound or such qualities are lacking), nor does he have temperament for long innings he's a slightly better than ordinary bowler in odi's (irhgt now) and the best or second best pakistani fielder (younus is good 2). MISBAH however has YET to come good in any odi or tests, after t20's experts were suggesting he should play both. but now it seems pak needs to have at least 4 preferrably 5 top batsmen who play with straight bat in its lineup. younus/yousuf/sometimes shoaib malik can fill that slot (although younus doesn't play with straight bat, a problem with most pakistani batsmen)

I think we should go for someone like Bazid or Faisal. Having said that Misbah is same as them so I would give him more time, one thing is certain he chokes big time.

[deviously~fading~away]

Originally Posted by indiafan When the player's you mentioned played their shots, Pakistan was in a commanding position and could afford them!. they were only 3/4 down. Wehn Afridi played HIS shot, 15 runs was required of 24 balls with Rehman playing good but no more batsmen left to come. Of course Afridi has to take the bulk of the blame! When misbah got out Pak were still comfortably placed. When Afridi did, Pak had lost the game!

We could afford them? We got into the whole mess b/c of their shots!

[MIG]

Have to admit that I had visions of the SA match in my mind as we saw the final few overs but great to see Pakistan shed the choker hoodoo...

[daddy]

well mig, you're spot on!