Batta Fast
"What do they know of cricket, who only cricket know?" Ahmer Naqvi and Osman Samiuddin look at cricket from beyond the runs and wickets to the larger sociocultural context of the sport.
Episodes
A discussion about #PAKvIRE became a long debate on what tactics should one look at in T20s, how Pakistan batting first and batting second are different teams, and what a bowler like Amir and a format like tapeball teaches us about the future of T20 cricket. Trust us, you will find this boring af.
0:00 Intro
02:00 The challenges of setting a target in T20s
07:30 Why T20Is are not the apex of the format
13:00 Un...
We are back to worship the algo, and so fittingly we have found a way to force the Kendrick Drake beef into this episode. We also take a look at what Babar can learn from Akshay Kumar and Aditya Pancholi, why Andre Russell is the GOAT, and our take on the World T20 squads.
Kendrick, Drake and the 2023 World Cup
Babar Azam, Akshay Kumar and Aditya Pancholi
Bobby's career at an inflection point
The role of b...
*puke* A terrible series that taught us nothing and made us despair a lot. We dive deep mostly into Babar, but also the larger malaise afflicting Pakistan cricket.
0:00 - 5:00 Intro and whining
5:00 Lack of ambition and intent
11:14 Toxic national team atmosphere
24:23 Babar's lack of evolution
30:37 Did we learn anything at all?
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To celebrate the star turn by Naseem Shah in his new ***** ad, we decide to take a look back at some of the iconic cola adverts starring Pakistani players. Thirty years of pure pop culture.
Original compilation of ads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhwhTaU14zM
Osman podcast discussing War Minus the Shooting: https://www.81allout.com/2021/02/22/an-unquiet-history-an-interview-with-writer-osman-samiuddin/
Ahmer art...
This week, we respond to many fan queries and do a detailed discussion of our criticism's of Ramiz Raja's stint as PCB Chairman. We also debate just how gold was Shaheen's 'don't anger me' Insta story, and discuss how a return of the franchise-based Champion's League tournament is both exciting and ridiculous.
00:00 Intro and Shaheen's insta story
9:53 The Chairman Rambo era
...
We had planned to do a data deep dive on the recent PSL, but instead we have to content with all the elite level clownery going on at the PCB.
Turns out, the board changed captains and released a #wholesome press release which had never been shared with the players instead.
So now, we've got one recently sacked captain back, one highly fucked over player sacked without being told why, two of the most recent...
APOLOGIES FOR THE LATE UPLOAD ON AUDIO!
Part 2 of our episode with the 3-time PSL winning General Manager of Islamabad United Rehan ul Haq. We go match by match throughout the whole magical season, charting all the ups and downs and how Islamabad's side found their way back to the top.
0:00 Match 5 - Trouncing the Kings
4:54 Match 6 - Rematch with Zalmi, Shadab's best PSL knock
10:06 Match 7 - Lo...
In our favourite episode ever, great friend of the podcast and 3-time PSL winning General Manager of Islamabad United Rehan ul Haq joins us. We go match by match throughout the whole magical season, charting all the ups and downs and how Islamabad's side found their way back to the top.
0:00 Intro and banter
4:28 Why this PSL was his proudest professional achievement
7:51 The importance of team culture and how...
Guess who's back? We take a look at each of the PSL sides and how their seasons have gone 8 games in. From realising that Karachi Kings, not Lahore, are the worst PSL side ever to getting excited about everyone from Saim Ayub and Khwaja Nafay to Hunain Shah and Arif Yaqoob, we cover all the highs and lows of the season so far.
0:00 Intro
1:39 Lahore Qalandars - the funnest team in the PSL
10:51 Karachi Kings ...
A match that was over in the first powerplay, or a slow-burning thriller? Ahmer and Osman can't agree on how to frame Multan's win over a lacklustre Islamabad.
You can also watch the show on https://begin.watch, an upcoming, premium OTT platform called #Begin.
0:00 Why Ahmer hated this match
1:45 Why Osman enjoyed it
4:52 Multan's efficiency
6:42 Where was Shadab?
10:36 Multan's...
The two-time winners are now two-time losers. Lahore slump to another defeat as Quetta looks rejuvenated.
You can also watch the show on https://begin.watch, an upcoming, premium OTT platform called #Begin.
00:00 Intro and Khwaja Nafay mania
2:46 That PSL time of the year
4:28 Jahandad and the joy of PSL
6:15 Enjoying these moments for what they are
7:21 Nafay's viral ride
9:38 Cricket&apo...
So we get that boring, one-sided blowout match early. Multan looked to have scored below par before proving that was enough for two Karachi chases.
You can also watch the show on https://begin.watch, an upcoming, premium OTT platform called #Begin.
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Once the marquee matchup of the league, both teams now seem to be in the midst of new chapters.
You can watch the show on https://begin.watch, an upcoming, premium OTT platform called #Begin.
0:00 - 1:21 Intro
1:22 - 2:21 Regeneration of Quetta
2:22 - 3:33 Peshawar's struggles
3:34 - 5:11 Saffy bhai and giving the kids a chance
5:12 - 12:31 Karachi's evolving school of batting, and Hanif...
Welcome to Batta Fast's coverage of PSL9. We will be doing a post-match show for every game of this year's PSL, with the episodes being hosted on our Youtube page, as well as on an upcoming, premium OTT platform called #Begin. You can also watch this show on https://begin.watch
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Friend of the podcast, founder of the Five Rupees blog, and itinerant cricket columnist for Dawn, Ahsan Butt joins the show to discuss the year that was in Pakistan cricket.
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Two great cricket writers, Rameen (@rameenwhile) and Raiyan (@CricCritic2) join the show to discuss the two games from the New Zealand series, their thoughts on the T20 World Cup, and their take on how older cricket fans view the game.
Read this beautiful take by Rameen on Sundays and cricket: https://medium.com/@rameensalman/on-sundays-and-cricket-410620ed02d5
Here's a fascinating article by Raiyan on Pakist...
As closely fought as a whitewash can get, Shan Masood's team continues to put in some of the best performances by Pakistan in Australia, admittedly a low-bar. We discuss Jamal's heroics, Saim's sexiness, and the joys of test cricket.
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On an eventful first day of the final Test of the tour, Pakistan put up a fighting total despite an early morning collapse. But as discussed here, its the bowling that has led to more heartbreaks than the batting.
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In a solo episode, Ahmer discusses how cricket creates stories of hope and glory in our minds; the pleasure of watching in the dark with friends on Whatsapp; and knowing when the good old days end and the loss begins.
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As Pakistan prepares to play the second test of its Australian tour, we preview what looks like a very bleak test match.
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