“Babar Azam and I often get criticized for our strike-rate in the T20 format" : Mohammad Rizwan

[RidiculousMan]

Mohammad Rizwan, while addressing the press conference ahead of the first match of the Tri-Nation ODI series against New Zealand:

"We play according to the match situation, and our priority is to win games, not just focus on individual stats."

Which they have failed since at least WT20 2022. The pair should've broken up never to be formed after that WT20.

 

[Rana]

Mohammad Rizwan:

"If we [Me and Babar] don’t compete, Pakistan team’s performance will go down because we play in the top-order. It also makes things easier for players coming after us. This is a healthy competition for the Pakistan team"

@mominsaigol @topspin @emranabbas

 

[Rana]

Why this Babar-Rizwan Strike rate issue is nonsense

I struggle to understand the logic behind taking a dig at Babar and Rizwan for maintaining a slow strike rate. So I had a look at some stats today.

Both Babar and Rizwan have a career strike rate of 129 in T20is. We have some former cricketers sitting on TV and criticising these two. The likes of Umar Akmal, Hafeez and Shoaib Malik were considered "aggressive batsmen". Now both Akmal and Hafeez have a strike rate of 122, whereas Malik's is 126. All in, comparatively lower than Babar and Rizwan.

The less said about the strike rates of our modern day middle order finishers the better.

Then why the criticism?

Sher Khan yaar

 

[emranabbas]

Why this Babar-Rizwan Strike rate issue is nonsense

I struggle to understand the logic behind taking a dig at Babar and Rizwan for maintaining a slow strike rate. So I had a look at some stats today.

Both Babar and Rizwan have a career strike rate of 129 in T20is. We have some former cricketers sitting on TV and criticising these two. The likes of Umar Akmal, Hafeez and Shoaib Malik were considered "aggressive batsmen". Now both Akmal and Hafeez have a strike rate of 122, whereas Malik's is 126. All in, comparatively lower than Babar and Rizwan.

The less said about the strike rates of our modern day middle order finishers the better.

Then why the criticism?

Oh bhai, Akmal, Hafeez, and Malik played in a different era when those strike rates were considered normal. Cricket has evolved over the years, and the game now demands higher strike rates. Times have changed, and so should the approach.

 

[Hellion]

Approach is dictated by the talent/skill available. Pakistani batters are incapable.

 

[Rana]

Approach is dictated by the talent/skill available. Pakistani batters are incapable.

Why is the approach the same in franchise cricket too????

Typical b.s to protect this rubbish

 

[Hellion]

Why is the approach the same in franchise cricket too????

Typical b.s to protect this rubbish

Because they don't have the skill . There are no franchise batters even in PSL who can match the best hitters of England , Australia or India.

Rizwan is exceptionally poor but the others are only marginally better.

 

[Rana]

Because they don't have the skill . There are no franchise batters even in PSL who can match the best hitters of England , Australia or India.

Rizwan is exceptionally poor but the others are only marginally better.

So what are you arguing?

The approach in Internationals is because Pakistan is poor

The approach in franchise is because they are poor??


Like, what do you want?!? They carry on playing?

 

[Hellion]

So what are you arguing?

The approach in Internationals is because Pakistan is poor

The approach in franchise is because they are poor??


Like, what do you want?!? They carry on playing?

Replace Babar with who? He had 57/142 stats as opener in the PSL. Theres no one who's better.

Rizwan can be replaced for sure.

 

[Extra_Cover]

16 off 26 lucky

If you are going to quote me then at the very least quote the entire statement. The backdrop in which I made that statement mentioned "winning". I don't care if Rizwan's SR is 80 or 180, I'm only concerned with Pakistan winning. You can bring the statistics out to show wins for the team with Rizwan captaining or opening and then you'll understand the statement I made which you just quoted.

 

[Rana]

. I don't care if Rizwan's SR is 80

Yeah I know you don’t care.

 

[IMMY69]

Which they have failed since at least WT20 2022. The pair should've broken up never to be formed after that WT20.

I was searching for Rizwan's statement/interview on strike rate and realised this thread was in 2021...
There has to be some context here, unless you think he really doesn't care about increasing his strike rate
since 2021?

Personally, I wouldn't have him n the T20 side and all bi lateral games should be filled with youngsters this is irrespective of the fact that Pakistan currently has a dearth of talent an opinion I have formed from watching/following players that are fortunate enough to have the funds, resources, family backing, and the right contacts to make it to junior level and thereafter to first class cricket.

 

[Kianig89]

Different batsman have different roles, you don't want Fakhar Zaman to hold up an end, he will go blazing. Rizwan is incapable of playing at 160SR either get on with him or drop him.

Babar is req as a one to let others play around him ,though its a travesty others are more.fragile or unreliable than Babar.

 

[Rana]

I was searching for Rizwan's statement/interview on strike rate and realised this thread was in 2021...
There has to be some context here, unless you think he really doesn't care about increasing his strike rate
since 2021

Yeah it’s 2021 AD

Not 2021 BC

What kind of context do you need to understand Strike rates in the year 2021?

 

[IMMY69]

Yeah it’s 2021 AD

Not 2021 BC

What kind of context do you need to understand Strike rates in the year 2021?

I don't understand what you're trying to say.
Are you trying to make a joke?

Never mind...

 

[Rana]

I don't understand what you're trying to say.
Are you trying to make a joke?

Never mind...

Yeah I know you don’t understand because you are clueless.

 

[IMMY69]

Yeah I know you don’t understand because you are clueless.

right on cue..

 

[Buffet]

Different batsman have different roles, you don't want Fakhar Zaman to hold up an end, he will go blazing.

Is holding one end role is even needed in T20 ? There are 120 balls in entire inning and if you have some one holding one end all the time, you will always get sub par totals. You can't expect some one playing 60(60) and then others playing 120(60) to get to 180 runs. I am exagerating it while keeping it simple to make my point.

I feel anyone trying to play anchor or holding role without capacity to hit big does not belong in the T20 format. It's just a poor fit.

 

[IMMY69]

Is holding one end role is even needed in T20 ? There are 120 balls in entire inning and if you have some one holding one end all the time, you will always get sub par totals. You can't expect some one playing 60(60) and then others playing 120(60) to get to 180 runs. I am exagerating it while keeping it simple to make my point.

I feel anyone trying to play anchor or holding role without capacity to hit big does not belong in the T20 format. It's just a poor fit.

You're right about it being only 120 balls and if you have 6 or 7 decent batters with excellent strike rates a team should be able to bat out 20 overs more often then not.

However, and as we know, sometimes even in T20's you require batsmen with a sensible head on their shoulders that can guide a team home especially on a tricky wicket... For example the 2022 final against England... if memory services me correctly, had we kept our heads and scored 20/25 runs more then we may have been looking at a different winner. Likewise, the hitters for England (barring a cameo from Butler) pretty much all failed and it took a calm innings from Stokes (and injury to Shaheen) to see them through.

We've seen it time and again, with various teams that possess good hitters, who get themselves out due to the batting conditions... so I do believe there is a place for a batter that can change his play due to the situation. Again, I'm not advocating for Rizwan here.

 

[Rana]

For example the 2022 final against England... if memory services me correctly, had we kept our heads and scored 20/25 runs more then we may have been looking at a different winner.

Where do you expect those extra 20-25 runs to come from? An approach of 40-0 in the powerplay?

 

[topspin]

@mominsaigol @topspin @emranabbas

Babar and Rizwan acting like they’re Kohli and Rohit Sharma of Pakistan cricket, when really and truly their calibre is closer to the one and only, the mighty Misbah-ul-Haq.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Babar and Rizwan acting like they’re Kohli and Rohit Sharma of Pakistan cricket, when really and truly their calibre is closer to the one and only, the mighty Misbah-ul-Haq.

but tbh their caliber is better than today's Kohli and Rohit

 

[shaz619]

The current group of fans and team have a unique set of expectations like Babar competing with Shan Masood and Rizwan doing tidy glove work; it’s ok to get embarrased in tournaments repeatedly as long as we get to celebrate milestones which Bangladesh fans don’t care about anymore.

 

[shaz619]

You're right about it being only 120 balls and if you have 6 or 7 decent batters with excellent strike rates a team should be able to bat out 20 overs more often then not.

However, and as we know, sometimes even in T20's you require batsmen with a sensible head on their shoulders that can guide a team home especially on a tricky wicket... For example the 2022 final against England... if memory services me correctly, had we kept our heads and scored 20/25 runs more then we may have been looking at a different winner. Likewise, the hitters for England (barring a cameo from Butler) pretty much all failed and it took a calm innings from Stokes (and injury to Shaheen) to see them through.

We've seen it time and again, with various teams that possess good hitters, who get themselves out due to the batting conditions... so I do believe there is a place for a batter that can change his play due to the situation. Again, I'm not advocating for Rizwan here.

I think you’re forgetting how Mo smashed Pakistan to bits and pieces at the end as well to turn the game on its head, England from no.1 - no.8 are clear of mind, they want to attack fundamentally and don’t need a plan B for the most part. And don’t do Stokes dirty like that, Babar & Rizwan can not dream of playing like him in a final, heck, they couldn’t even play like Mr. Masood!! If Stokes/England thought they need players to hold an end, there would be no bazzball or WT20 victory, if Morgan did, there would be no 2019 WC win. Stokes is excellent at judging the situation in these crunch situations and in high pressure scenario’s I agree you tend to have low scoring games, but as your base, you need to be able to go to town when you need to and get your team over the line and that’s only possible when you’re inherently an attacking player who is there for the team and not himself, if Stokes was batting like that in every single game it would be an issue and he doesn’t bat at such a low S/R in each game. Being sensible is not just about spending time at the wicket, in fact I’d say that being sensible in T20 cricket is more about always keeping the score within reach.

 

[Kianig89]

Good thing is everyone is agreeing you need some sort of composure even if it's T20, specially in a team which has 3-4 Asif Ali's

 

[IMMY69]

I think you’re forgetting how Mo smashed Pakistan to bits and pieces at the end as well to turn the game on its head, England from no.1 - no.8 are clear of mind, they want to attack fundamentally and don’t need a plan B for the most part. And don’t do Stokes dirty like that, Babar & Rizwan can not dream of playing like him in a final, heck, they couldn’t even play like Mr. Masood!! If Stokes/England thought they need players to hold an end, there would be no bazzball or WT20 victory, if Morgan did, there would be no 2019 WC win. Stokes is excellent at judging the situation in these crunch situations and in high pressure scenario’s I agree you tend to have low scoring games, but as your base, you need to be able to go to town when you need to and get your team over the line and that’s only possible when you’re inherently an attacking player who is there for the team and not himself, if Stokes was batting like that in every single game it would be an issue and he doesn’t bat at such a low S/R in each game. Being sensible is not just about spending time at the wicket, in fact I’d say that being sensible in T20 cricket is more about always keeping the score within reach.

But I was addressing the 120 balls point and that you need batsmen to be able play in different ways, according to the situation. E.g we lost to India in New York but they themselves only managed a meagre score due to the conditions.

I am not here to defend Rizwan in T20's... I actually don't rate any of them and it's not even due to lack of ability but more so a severe lack of IQ

 

[Rana]

Good thing is everyone is agreeing

What? Where is everyone agreeing with your b.s?

 

[Kianig89]

What? Where is everyone agreeing with your b.s?

Try to read it again even your friend Shaz agreed Stokes played a calm measured innings

 

[Buffet]

However, and as we know, sometimes even in T20's you require batsmen with a sensible head on their shoulders that can guide a team home especially on a tricky wicket...

Those times happen 1-2 matches every 10.

If you have batsmen, who don't know how to score fast any time, then they are going to cost their team 8-9 times and contribute in positive way 1-2 times out of 10 times.

 

[IMMY69]

Those times happen 1-2 matches every 10.

If you have batsmen, who don't know how to score fast any time, then they are going to cost their team 8-9 times and contribute in positive way 1-2 times out of 10 times.

Of course but they do happen, in in important tournaments too.
As Shaz619 said, you need hitters but also players that can adapt to the situation.

I don't think we have even one single player who can do this

 

[Rana]

Try to read it again even your friend Shaz agreed Stokes played a calm measured innings

Did Shaz say anything about T20 openers?!!!! That’s the position these two frauds play who you defend shamelessly!

Besharam

 

[mominsaigol]

Babar and Rizwan acting like they’re Kohli and Rohit Sharma of Pakistan cricket, when really and truly their calibre is closer to the one and only, the mighty Misbah-ul-Haq.

In test cricket

YK > Yousaf > Miandad > Inzi > Anwar > Hanif Mohammad > Zaheer

Then Big big Gap

Saleem Malik > Azhar Ali > Saud Shakeel > Shohaib Mohammad

Then Big Big Gap

Misbah > Ijaz Ahmed > Babar > Asif Iqbal > Mudassar Nazir > Asad Shafiq > Hafeez > Ahmed Shezad > Rizwan

Babar and rizwan are so far below the hierarchy it's comical. And it's very likely they might fall below Asad Shafiq as well since both of them are barely averaging 40, in rizzu's case he has zero centuries abroad or any neutral venues and babar only has one, same as shafiq.

Will be hilarious if rizwan drops below sarfi in avg .

 

[Buffet]

Of course but they do happen, in in important tournaments too.
As Shaz619 said, you need hitters but also players that can adapt to the situation.

I don't think we have even one single player who can do this

Yes, if you can get players who can play according to situation all the time then they are the best choice.

We can divide players in mainly 3 sets.

1 - Play according to situation. Slow or fast whatver is needed. They will be fine in 10 games.
2 - Play at a good strike rate even if defensive game is lacking in tricky pitches. They will be found out in 1-2 games out of 10 games.
3 - Always play defensive and with poor SR. They will be found out in 8-9 out of 10 games.

In absence of players in set 1, you have to chose from 2 & 3. I would say you pick from set 3 rarely and the worst position for set 3 players will be to open and consume 50 balls.

 

[shaz619]

But I was addressing the 120 balls point and that you need batsmen to be able play in different ways, according to the situation. E.g we lost to India in New York but they themselves only managed a meagre score due to the conditions.

I am not here to defend Rizwan in T20's... I actually don't rate any of them and it's not even due to lack of ability but more so a severe lack of IQ

On that pitch, India having batted first, Pakistan had a distinct advantage to chase that total and on paper, they ought to have won comfortably when they are praised for being extra cautious and steadying the ship and what not, but in addition ability imo, it was mainly cowardice and small hearted selfish players who cost Pakistan the match. Under the pump they’ve shown they don’t have any balls to fight for their team and worse, fans will defend the defeats. I recall being a Pak fan in complete despair due to a collapse or something else gone wrong, that was because I knew on the day we had a shot and the players cared about winning. Nowadays we lose and it’s like well, it’s not so and so’a fault, or that oh well he scored a nice little 30 or 50. There is zero accountability.

 

[IMMY69]

On that pitch, India having batted first, Pakistan had a distinct advantage to chase that total and on paper, they ought to have won comfortably when they are praised for being extra cautious and steadying the ship and what not, but in addition ability imo, it was mainly cowardice and small hearted selfish players who cost Pakistan the match. Under the pump they’ve shown they don’t have any balls to fight for their team and worse, fans will defend the defeats. I recall being a Pak fan in complete despair due to a collapse or something else gone wrong, that was because I knew on the day we had a shot and the players cared about winning. Nowadays we lose and it’s like well, it’s not so and so’a fault, or that oh well he scored a nice little 30 or 50. There is zero accountability.

We're no longer inconsistent, just consistently bad..