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“They keep going on about the fab four, it’s the fab five and Babar Azam is in that”: Nasser Hussain

Thomaskutty said:
Let's see how he fares in this series. Babar has done nothing of note on the world stage to be compared to Fab4. Nasser can be have this cringy fawning side to him, which is why Atherton will always be a better commentator/analyst than him.
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Babar literally dominated the last World Cup.

His ODI stats everywhere are very good

In tests he’s been amazing for last 2 years and has done well in Australia and also took steyn to the cleaners in South Africa. And dominated in his only home series.

I def don’t think he is at the level of fab 4 yet but you are either bitter or don’t follow cricket much if you’re claiming that Babar has done nothing of note at world stage.
 
Slog said:
I def don’t think he is at the level of fab 4 yet but you are either bitter or don’t follow cricket much if you’re claiming that Babar has done nothing of note at world stage.
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Not bitter at all, I think he's a very good player. It was more of a dig at Nass than Babar. Anyway, let us see how he does this Eng tour.
 
Gullycricket said:
Any lulu player of India starts to be called legend after performing in IPL. I am talking about Lokish Rahul and similar breed of players. Even players who haven't debuted for India become automatically better than everyone. Tells you about the fake hype. Here is a guy who has been performing in all conditions, has been averaging above 50 for a year but no recognition. Bobby has been performing even in pressure and carrying our team single handedly.
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Bro, its all about $$$$. Why blame Indian media?. Its simple marketing. Even your Pakistani ex players keep praising Indian players on their youtube channels. Sanjay Manjrekar was critical of few players and he was kicked out of commentary. LK Rahul etc are cash cows for brand IPL. They hype them, create buzz and generate revenue.
 
I have changed my stance on this topic. Babar definitely belongs in this Fab 4/5. He is a bonafide rockstar.
 
I don't understand this Fab Four rubbish.

I was in South Africa 2 years and 4 months ago, and Steve Smith was simply not in the same class as AB De Villiers, even though AB was batting against superior bowlers.

Rankings always show a lag - that's why the World Test Championship table has captured South Africa's steep decline but the World Test Ratings have not.

To me, over the last 18 months the top two Test batsmen are Kohli and Babar, with Smith having been up there until New Zealand exposed his vulnerability to the short ball, and with Root on a lower level too, alongside Williamson.

If you think of the batting ratings which usually place top batsmen in the 800s or 900s, on RECENT performances I would have:

905 Babar Azam
890 Virat Kohli
840 Steve Smith
790 Kane Williamson and Joe Root
 
Junaids said:
I don't understand this Fab Four rubbish.

I was in South Africa 2 years and 4 months ago, and Steve Smith was simply not in the same class as AB De Villiers, even though AB was batting against superior bowlers.

Rankings always show a lag - that's why the World Test Championship table has captured South Africa's steep decline but the World Test Ratings have not.

To me, over the last 18 months the top two Test batsmen are Kohli and Babar, with Smith having been up there until New Zealand exposed his vulnerability to the short ball, and with Root on a lower level too, alongside Williamson.

If you think of the batting ratings which usually place top batsmen in the 800s or 900s, on RECENT performances I would have:

905 Babar Azam
890 Virat Kohli
840 Steve Smith
790 Kane Williamson and Joe Root
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Lol how are you coming your with those ratings

You do know the ratings are based on performances so there is no need to make them up
 
Slog said:
Lol how are you coming your with those ratings

You do know the ratings are based on performances so there is no need to make them up
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I'm trying to apply some sort of numerical scale that people understand to:

1. The fact that for 2 years, Babar has succeeded everywhere.
2. The fact that Kohli failed in New Zealand.
3. The fact that Smith was humiliated by New Zealand.
4. The fact that Williamson and Root get out too cheaply too often, playing shots that have no place in the red ball game.
 
Junaids said:
I'm trying to apply some sort of numerical scale that people understand to:

1. The fact that for 2 years, Babar has succeeded everywhere.
2. The fact that Kohli failed in New Zealand.
3. The fact that Smith was humiliated by New Zealand.
4. The fact that Williamson and Root get out too cheaply too often, playing shots that have no place in the red ball game.
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Babar azam had an ok series in South Africa. He didn’t succeed everywhere by that metric. He had only one bumper series (Sri Lanka st home)

Kohli failed in NZ but as of now that is nothing more than a one off
 
Slog said:
Babar azam had an ok series in South Africa. He didn’t succeed everywhere by that metric. He had only one bumper series (Sri Lanka st home)

Kohli failed in NZ but as of now that is nothing more than a one off
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he basicallt got 2 hundreds in 4 innings in AUS. one being a pink ball game. what more do u want
 
I 've just had a look at cricinfo. Babar has a poor overseas record. He averages only 36 -



M1fripJt_o.png
 
It's a pleasure watching this lad bat. And most of all, a down to earth person who respects the game and is willing to work hard to achieve further success. A role model to every aspiring Pakistani batsman.
 
Rana said:
A cricket expert who is paid a six figure UK salary has been saying what knowledgeable cricket fans have been arguing for quite some time now. We are in India’s shadow because our batsmen can’t play their natural game at home, where they can also rack up runs the way India does.

Enjoy reading posts that clearly show how much you are burning with rage
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Also, Nassers thinking will be based on what he has seen of the teams that tour and when England go on tour. ( Naturally)
So in the last 10 years he has seen India bomb in England and win 1 series at home, whereas Pak have been undefeated in the whole decade. ;)
 
Abdullah said:
Also, Nassers thinking will be based on what he has seen of the teams that tour and when England go on tour. ( Naturally)
So in the last 10 years he has seen India bomb in England and win 1 series at home, whereas Pak have been undefeated in the whole decade. ;)
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How many series has Pakistan won in England in those 10 years? In fact, when was the last time Pakistan won a Test series there? Don't worry, you don't have to remind me of how poor we have been.
 
Hitman said:
How many series has Pakistan won in England in those 10 years? In fact, when was the last time Pakistan won a Test series there? Don't worry, you don't have to remind me of how poor we have been.
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theyve played short series like two test one and been very competitive

The truth is they may not have won series but theyve certainly traded well with england belying their posiition in the rankings
 
Zaz said:
theyve played short series like two test one and been very competitive

The truth is they may not have won series but theyve certainly traded well with england belying their posiition in the rankings
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Really? They last won a Test series in England back in 1996.

Ever since, they have played a 2 Test series 2001 (drawn), a 4 Test series in 2006 (England won), a 4 Test series in 2010 (England won), a 4 Test series in 2016 (drawn), a 2 Test series in 2018 (drawn).

Short series, right?
 
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Hitman said:
How many series has Pakistan won in England in those 10 years? In fact, when was the last time Pakistan won a Test series there? Don't worry, you don't have to remind me of how poor we have been.
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They havent won a series in england during those 10 years but havent lost 1 as well if I remember correctly.
India on the other hand have lost all 3 since 2011
 
Hitman said:
Really? They last won a Test series in England back in 1996.

Ever since, they have played a 2 Test series 2001 (drawn), a 4 Test series in 2006 (England won), a 4 Test series in 2010 (England won), a 4 Test series in 2016 (drawn), a 2 Test series in 2018 (drawn).

Short series, right?
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Pak's head to head record in England is far better than mighty Indian test side
 
Enough of Babar cheer leading

Yes I love Babar and I believe he is a real deal but stop overhyping him unless he has a marquee away tour when he scores 400-500 against the big 3.All fab 4 including Root has done it so Babar has to do that before we put him in the elite catograry

AND STOP THE JINX ***.
 
No such thing as fab 4 there’s a special 2 Smith & Kohli.

Warner Labu Baba Williamson root De Kock couple of levels below..
 
AAli98 said:
No such thing as fab 4 there’s a special 2 Smith & Kohli.

Warner Labu Baba Williamson root De Kock couple of levels below..
Click to expand...

TBH even kholi average is nothing special in Test cricket - there was a time when almost every team in the world had 2/3 players averaging about 52 in test cricket. In test cricket there is only FAB 1. When it comes to ODI kohli has amazing number and undisputed No.1 but likes of Rohit, Babar and some others have amazing numbers.
 
Thomaskutty said:
Let's see how he fares in this series. Babar has done nothing of note on the world stage to be compared to Fab4. Nasser can be have this cringy fawning side to him, which is why Atherton will always be a better commentator/analyst than him.
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Bud Babar’s last world cup (also his first world cup) was better than any of the 3 world cups Virat Kohli has ever had.

side note: I’m not saying Babar is better than Virat he’s the best in the world right now, but your remarks are ridiculous “has done nothing of note in world stage.”
 
QalandarFan said:
side note: I’m not saying Babar is better than Virat he’s the best in the world right now, but your remarks are ridiculous “has done nothing of note in world stage.”
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Yeah, I could have phrased that better. He's had some good knocks.
 
Nasser must be told, this is not Fab five. It's still Fab four with an exception that Root is replaced by Bobby Azam.
 
Babbar played a very good innings yesterday. But he threw it away. Didn't Play the long innings. The run scored stil shows 69 only.

When he piles on the runs, he will not need any expert to talk for him. His runs will talk. He is only 25. Let him be.

Holding called Bumrah to be dropped from the test team. Bumrah's wicket did the talking.

Kohli failed one series in England and english commies were saying many things, next series he scored nearly 600 runs. Shut them up.

So what commies say will not make or break a player.
 
Overhyping going on here. Babar doesn't even have 2000 test runs. Avgs 36 overseas.

Smith Kohli Kane Root have all scored more runs than him and for a longer time. Babar has a long way to go.

Amir was similarly hyped based upon comments of sky commies. We know the result.
 
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Ab Fan said:
Nasser must be told, this is not Fab five. It's still Fab four with an exception that Root is replaced by Bobby Azam.
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Root avgs 48 in tests with 7700 runs and 51 in Odis with 5900 runs. Azam has some way to go before he replaces Root.
 
Pakhs said:
TBH even kholi average is nothing special in Test cricket - there was a time when almost every team in the world had 2/3 players averaging about 52 in test cricket. In test cricket there is only FAB 1. When it comes to ODI kohli has amazing number and undisputed No.1 but likes of Rohit, Babar and some others have amazing numbers.
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How many pakistanis avg more than Kohli in tests?

Kohli avgs 53.69. Since its nothing special i am sure there will be plenty of names in the list.
 
cricketjoshila said:
Overhyping going on here. Babar doesn't even have 2000 test runs. Avgs 36 overseas.

Smith Kohli Kane Root have all scored more runs than him and for a longer time. Babar has a long way to go.

Amir was similarly hyped based upon comments of sky commies. We know the result.
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Babar is 25 and is ranked no 1 in T20s, no 3 in ODIs and no 6 in tests. We can probably compare him to the Fab 4 when they were 25. Hint: results will be surprising for some.

Also forget age if not Babar who else is good enough to be in Fab 4 or 5 whatever? He obviously hasn’t achieved anything close to the Fab 4 in tests but, outside that he is a better player across the formats then anyone around.
 
Titan24 said:
Babar is 25 and is ranked no 1 in T20s, no 3 in ODIs and no 6 in tests. We can probably compare him to the Fab 4 when they were 25. Hint: results will be surprising for some.

Also forget age if not Babar who else is good enough to be in Fab 4 or 5 whatever? He obviously hasn’t achieved anything close to the Fab 4 in tests but, outside that he is a better player across the formats then anyone around.
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At 25 no one called Kohli as good as Tendulkar or Smith as good as Ponting.

Right now Babbar is being called as good Kohli Smith Kane who all avg higher than him in tests and have more runs.

Azam is said to be better than Root currently. Root avgs 48 in tests with 7700 runs. 51 in Odis with 5000 runs. Where is Azam?
 
Titan24 said:
Babar is 25 and is ranked no 1 in T20s, no 3 in ODIs and no 6 in tests. We can probably compare him to the Fab 4 when they were 25. Hint: results will be surprising for some.

Also forget age if not Babar who else is good enough to be in Fab 4 or 5 whatever? He obviously hasn’t achieved anything close to the Fab 4 in tests but, outside that he is a better player across the formats then anyone around.
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His ODI record is very good. But test record isnt anything much. Avgs 36 overseas. Thats nothing great. So lets not talk about all format.

His Odi record though is outstanding.
 
cricketjoshila said:
How many pakistanis avg more than Kohli in tests?

Kohli avgs 53.69. Since its nothing special i am sure there will be plenty of names in the list.
Click to expand...

Pakistan has never been famous for producing great batsmen. And I know Indians believe cricket begin and finishes with Pakistan but there are atleast 7 other nations who play cricket. Just fyi Australian currently have atleast 2 who averages more than kohli. India themselves had atleast 4 at one point averaging over 50 and even WI had 2 as a minimum.

Kallis as an allrounder finished with an average higher kohli as pout an out batter the average is nothing great. Smith stand as one when it comes to Test cricket. There is no such thing as Fab 4 its Fab 1 and the rest few.
 
Some more Pakistan praise from Nasser Hussain:

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/2sp19p" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
I think first of all people need to understand that the fab four doesn't refer to the top 4 best batsmen in the world at any time. It's a term specifically coined by Martin Crowe to refer to four specific batsmen from four countries who who are of a similar age and whose careers are expected to follow largely similar trajectories of success.
 
Firebat said:
Some more Pakistan praise from Nasser Hussain:

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/2sp19p" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
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Hes just telling truth but people will say hes biased towards pakistan
 
Smith and Kohli probably would have got 100s after the start Babar got. That's the difference in tests. That's why he isn't compared to these guys because he hasn't gotten those big scores regularly.
 
Babar out for just 5 (20) in the second innings here, a disappointing batting performance in this match by his standards.
 
Babar needs to develop killer instinct, the mental part of his game.
 
His technique is better than all of the so called fab 4.

Stats wise he wont overtake them as those teams play more test cricket but his strokeplay is the most pleasant to watch in the world.
 
Hasan123 said:
Smith and Kohli probably would have got 100s after the start Babar got. That's the difference in tests. That's why he isn't compared to these guys because he hasn't gotten those big scores regularly.
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Kohli avgs 36 odd in England, he's no gun player when he comes to sunny England.
 
KingKhanWC said:
His technique is better than all of the so called fab 4.

Stats wise he wont overtake them as those teams play more test cricket but his strokeplay is the most pleasant to watch in the world.
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who cares about technique.
Steve smith is a beast of a batsmen
 
Don't know if its nazar, but Babar looked very off today the way he kept pushing and poking.

Hopefully he will bounce back in the next game. We need him.
 
A lot of people are talking about Babar Azam and he is getting plenty of praise. Don't get what Nasser is on about. And I really don't get why he needed to mention the IPL!
 
cricketjoshila said:
Lol. Babar is nowhere near perfect. Root probably has the best technique among the Fab 4. Babar isnt near them yet.
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Root has been going downhill for years now, his technique has been all over the corner shop.

Please read the MCC coaching manual and watch again.
 
KingKhanWC said:
His technique is better than all of the so called fab 4.

Stats wise he wont overtake them as those teams play more test cricket but his strokeplay is the most pleasant to watch in the world.
Click to expand...

It’s a shame technique is probably the least important part of the game
 
Prince of Pakistan said:
Don't know if its nazar, but Babar looked very off today the way he kept pushing and poking.

Hopefully he will bounce back in the next game. We need him.
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I agree, he looked oddly uncertain on the crease today compared to his usual quietly confident approach.

No question he'll bounce back though.
 
therealAB said:
It’s a shame technique is probably the least important part of the game
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Not sure how it is in Aus but here in England we are first taught technique when batting. The batsmen with the best technique is usually the best batsmen in the team. Smith is a rare breed but imo once his eyes start to deterirate he will struggle in the latter end of his career. A solid technique will help you towards the end too. Babar is only 25, he will end up with an avg of over 50 in tests and prob higher than the so called fab 4. Lets judge him in 5 years alongside those 4.
 
KingKhanWC said:
Kohli avgs 36 odd in England, he's no gun player when he comes to sunny England.
Click to expand...

That’s primarily due to his terrible 2014 series

He has proved he can play and succeed in England after the bumper 2014 series.

Nothing to prove in England anymore
 
Slog said:
That’s primarily due to his terrible 2014 series

He has proved he can play and succeed in England after the bumper 2014 series.

Nothing to prove in England anymore
Click to expand...

He has played 10 matches in England. Only scored 2 tons and this was when he aged around 30. Babar has already played better than him at the same age and will end up with a far superiour avg in England when both retire. This type of analysis can be said for many batsmen but to finish your career less than 40 in England(which will happen) is poor whichever way you put it.
 
KingKhanWC said:
He has played 10 matches in England. Only scored 2 tons and this was when he aged around 30. Babar has already played better than him at the same age and will end up with a far superiour avg in England when both retire. This type of analysis can be said for many batsmen but to finish your career less than 40 in England(which will happen) is poor whichever way you put it.
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Why do you day he will retire with less than 40 in England.

He’s got one more tour in England to go and going by his 2018 series he is going to smash the 40 average mark if he has a series anywhere close to the last one.

Also you can make same argument about Babar and average record in Australia. He had a good last tour (not dominating like Kohli in England in 2018 tho) but that hs not yet recruited babars record in Australia
 
Babar has yet to play a truly match-winning innings in the longer format. Fantastic batsman who seems to be improving in Test cricket every year but he's not quite at his peak yet
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Message for Pakistan fans.. yes it’s always great when <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@babarazam258</a> scores runs.. but he will tell you.. winning is priority!!</p>— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProfDeano/status/1292389456305983492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
angrypathan said:
Babar has yet to play a truly match-winning innings in the longer format. Fantastic batsman who seems to be improving in Test cricket every year but he's not quite at his peak yet
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Agreed he stil need a performance against the top boys to be in that elite cat
 
KingKhanWC said:
Kohli avgs 36 odd in England, he's no gun player when he comes to sunny England.
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Kohli scored more runs in the first innings of the 2018 tour than the entire 2014 tour (5 tests, 10 innings) combined.

That 2014 series pulls his average down massively.
 
Needs to pull his socks up this morning and get Pakistan back on track - crucial for him and Pakistan coming session.
 
Babar has his chance today - five wickets still left, get PAK to 250, game on.

He failed measurably at OT for his 5 (20), when net was like 150/2 on a crumbling wicket.
 
MMHS said:
Babar has his chance today - five wickets still left, get PAK to 250, game on.

He failed measurably at OT for his 5 (20), when net was like 150/2 on a crumbling wicket.
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He can only be part of this fab 5 if he scores 2 ton's on this tour. So far he has scored 0.

Let's see.
 
He's got a start. It would do him wonders if he can score a 100 here.
 
After Rob Key analysis on Babar working balls just outside off into the leg side:

Athers: "Something Virat Kohli did so well a couple of years ago when India came, exactly that"

Wasim: "No wonder he is one of the top players in world cricket, Babar Azam, his defence is solid, his body is behind the ball, his head is very still just before playing the ball, every time he watches it very closely"
 
He needs to play an ATG innings in test cricket

A 150+ score which is match winning to be in the fab 5.

A 70 is not good enough
 
Aek hi batsman hai humaray pass aur osko tum log din raat nazar lagatay ho
 
ROB KEY on Sky Sports has been impressed by Babar's patience and technique...

"You could see yesterday Babar was having a little go outside off stump so he had to work out how to go about it. He has decided to leave and he plays so late under his eyes. He goes across his stumps which I think you have to do in England when there is a little bit of bounce out of the channel and it is doing plenty. He has been outstanding technically."
 
Bullet Drive said:
He needs to play an ATG innings in test cricket

A 150+ score which is match winning to be in the fab 5.

A 70 is not good enough
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He ain't gonna get many opportunities with this batting line up. I want him to start playing a bit more riskier after lunch to get us to 220. Don't worry about 150 today.
 
these are tuf tuf conditions, there will be one ball with your name on it. So far very very impressed with Babar how he has handeled so far
 
He's already had a better tour than Kohli in 2014
 
The issue is that Nasser cannot stop talking nonsense whenever he is commentating on Pakistan cricket.

This whole premise was unnecessary and pointless.

As I said earlier, no one underrates Babar. Everyone recognizes the fact that he is a wonderful young batsman, but in order to be placed at the same level as the Fab 4, he needs to do more in Test cricket.

Score more hundreds, really big hundreds and get that average above 50. Once he does that, people will start putting him in the same league.
 
Got out again on a good start.

He's missed two centuries so far this series
 
He's been poor so far, I am not impressed with what I've seen. Playing a couple of fancy drives is different from staying out there and toughing it out.
 
Thomaskutty said:
He's been poor so far, I am not impressed with what I've seen. Playing a couple of fancy drives is different from staying out there and toughing it out.
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Basically the reason why Steve smith is better than virat in tests

We severely underrate the toughing out aspect of the game
 
Bigboii said:
Basically the reason why Steve smith is better than virat in tests

We severely underrate the toughing out aspect of the game
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Steve Smith is special and in a league of his own. But I like the players who are both elegant to watch and can hang in there. Stokes and Kohli fit that bill.
 
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