To think Pakistan has established itself as a foreign team to be reckoned with on overseas tours would be nothing short of incongruous.
If anybody thought India would be a top overseas team after the Natwest series win against England in 2007, they were wrong.
For the Aussie fans, a prospective three-match series is coming up against Pakistan at home. Though it was the series in England that got them to number one, yet the key factor behind it was the big series wins in UAE.
They beat Australia in 2014, drew against New Zealand, won against Sri Lanka and England in 2016. To add to that they even won sub-continental tours in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
By no stretch of the imagination have they got to number one, on the back of foreign soil victories.
Their failure to whitewash the West Indies was the first indication of their stutter. They lost the third Test match.
Now at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, they have been walloped by the Kiwis.
Though they bowled better in the first innings, consistency was missing; It was obviously amplified in their second-innings bowling performance.
Their batsmen, not even the experienced duo of Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan could stand up against the Kiwi pace attack.
To add to their worries, Misbah ul Haq has flown home to be with his father, who is critically ill.
Pakistan is, by no way, as consistent and potent as South Africa, even though many call them the dark horses.
Ever since 1994-95, Pakistan has come Down Under on five separate occasions and has only managed a draw with four losses.
In the last two series, they have been whitewashed on Australian soil.
While their batting revolves mainly around Azhar Ali, Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan, the rest are yet to prove their Test match credentials on Australian soil.
Asad Shafique has done well in England, but what he can do here remains to be seen.
In their bowling, besides Mohammad Amir, nobody seems to have the cutting edge of someone like Junaid Khan.
Rahat Ali and Sohail Khan are the T-20 varieties. They rely solely on their change of pace and the slower variations.
So, it makes all sense that Pakistan, by no way, would offer as much of threat as the South Africans.
Australia must be ready to inflict a similar pain, which the South Africans have given them so far in the series.
Liam
Guest
Um, pretty clear I didn't, seeing as I commented the way I did.
Liam
Guest
Who exactly are you to tell me and others what we are feeling? Most of us cricket fans enjoy a contest. We watched for years as Australia beat all comers after beating the world, and it was soporific. Then along came 2005, with its Ashes series, and test cricket at its finest. We weren't just tested, we were found wanting in a series of close matches, where a group that matched us, if only briefly, in skill and self belief. I didn't want Steyn to go down, and I was thrilled to see Rabada absolutely go through us. What irritated me to no end was the fact that Australia's batsmen simply couldn't seem to help themselves, playing at balls they simply had no need to play. And we made Maharaj look like a world beater, when he's average at best. No, Amritangshu, I am not a sore loser, and you shouldn't accuse me and others of being so.
Amrit
Roar Guru
They are still poor. A team that plays Farhaan Behardien as a number six-all-rounder and fails to pick a solid middle order is bound to fail. South Africa fails in 50 over cricket b/c their middle-order is lackluster. Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell should be used as number 7 and number 8 all-rounders after six proper batsmen, that would be the recipe for success.
South Africa was unbeaten overseas for migh on a decade, it culminated in them being number one for a couple of years, I would agree they were worthy of being number 1 at the time. That said, they are simply terrible at limited over tournaments.
Amrit
Roar Guru
South African team was as good as Ponting's from 2012-2014. Neither Pakistan nor India really deserved their number 1 ranking
doogs
Guest
No I did not. I don't think Alex did. It was like watching Dale Steyn get injured. I did not want to see that. I wanted to watch him bowl at us Aussies because he is a class act
Amrit
Roar Guru
They only did it in England. An opening game loss would surely peg them back. In NZ, they won't be playing for more than 10 days in 3 matches.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I agree entirely, Liam. Plus a win over a full strength Pakistan would mean more than one over a weakened side, and I think that's what the Aussies would prefer.
phuddu
Guest
Pakistan is an ordinary side, they will get blanked 3-0 in Oz.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
Don't underestimate them. Pakistan has never been known for their consistency, even when they had the all time greats playing for them. This team is work in progress, but on their day they can be absolutely devastating. Having said that, the last time the No. 1 position in Tests had any meaning was probably when Ricky Ponting's team was at its peak. Not one of the current test teams even comes close to deserving that monicker, but unfortunately some one has to have it, hence the merry go round in the recent past.
spruce moose
Guest
Australia take note: Pakistan are notoriously slow starters but will get used to the conditions quickly. They did it in England. The 2-2 drawn series was excellent. I think Pakistan are lucky to have the opportunity to have a full NZ tour before moving over to Australia. They will be more than familiar with the conditions by the time they get here.
Liam
Guest
"To add to their worries, Misbah ul Haq has flown home to be with his father, who is critically ill. Hearing all these news is surely going to cheer the Aussies up." Come on, show a little class. Mods: Thanks removed