“You (Babar Azam) were a fraud from the beginning”: Shoaib Akhtar

[Bewal Express]

You don’t want players to slog, you need players who are looking to score even if they are only scoring those 1s or 2s.

We need to give chances to other players now in our domestic cricket, we will lose most likely but atleast we can set a template for the generation coming up who will know they cannot star-pad to stay relevant for Pakistan.

Justifying the likes of Babar, Rizwan, Saud etc scoring meaningless runs will set an extremely dangerous precedent and we will be screwed even more so in the long run.

This batting line-up was rubbish from the time it was announced. All our hopes were pinned on Fakhar scoring quickly, that tells you all you need to know about the rest of the batting line-up.

I was exactly in the same spot as you before the T20WC recently, but that USA game where Babar was chugging along at a SR of 60 in a T20 game just hit me really hard man.

Then he serves up this masterclass against New Zealand. These players are not learning nor are they improving.

We have to change the mindset or we will be left too far behind.

I am with you. So let's name some players and give them a chance. We know what these didn't do. Let's see what the new guys do. I will root for anyone that shows promise.

 

[kingusama92]

He is an unique case study. He quickly amassed runs at good average which took him to the top of the ranking table. But there was this IT factor missing in his batting always. Whether it is lack of six hitting or whether lack of cocky and disdainful batting or whether lack of aggressive running betweent the wickets or combination of all i don't know. He never took his game to next level. Travis head did. Most recently Shai Hope who used to be such a tuk tuker has become a beastly hitter. He never evolved. He managed to mask these inadequacies with carefully accumulated runs. His bad run of form is exposing all his shortcomings. How he will wriggle himself out of it something we have to wait and see.

Definitely a major flaw.

I think one of the main reasons for this happening has to do lack of pressure behind him. He walked into the team, scored runs, and became a settled part of the team without too much stress of losing his spot. The only time any pressure was applied to him was at the beginning of his Test career and once he scored a few runs that went away too.

He likely noticed early on his way of batting was good enough for the coaches/selectors. Just score some runs as an accumulator and your team and fans are happy. It can definitely work but you better be the perfect accumulator that can go run a ball with ease against any team.

Otherwise, when you don't improve your game, teams will figure you out and then it's all downhill. It's the reason he can still go to domestic cricket and score runs with his old methods but continues to struggle on the big stage.

 

[Bewal Express]

We will never know, until we change our mindset and allow players to come through based on that mindset only.

The current crop might stink up the place and we might lose way more than we win, but atleast we will be watchable.

No neutral is going to watch anyone other than Saim or Fakhar bat, why are we happy with this mediocrity?

Let's change our mindset. But if your domestic cricket is as poor as ours, the chances of succeeding is much smaller. There is a reason why havent produced anyone this century better than Babar and ultimately, he too failed when it mattered

 

[Usman Chadda]

I am with you. So let's name some players and give them a chance. We know what these didn't do. Let's see what the new guys do. I will root for anyone that shows promise.

I cannot understand how someone like Hussain Talat doesn’t make this squad, as he has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket as a middle-order batsman.

Yasir Ali is an opener who likes going over the top and he could get a look-in.

We have absolute rubbish at the moment I agree with you, but I would rather lose with our players playing for Pakistan compared to the dross we are putting out right now.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Let's change our mindset. But if your domestic cricket is as poor as ours, the chances of succeeding is much smaller. There is a reason why havent produced anyone this century better than Babar and ultimately, he too failed when it mattered

Our domestic cricket is pants and it’s not producing good batsmen, but this dot ball marathon mindset needs to be filtered out.

That’s all I am saying.

I would rather watch Haider Ali hoik away looking as ugly as he usually does, than watch our team limp to 22/2 in 10 overs chasing 321.

Neutrals do not want to watch us bat, the situation is dire at the moment.

If we can’t win, atleast try to entertain. Fans spend a lot of time and money to watch these guys turn out for their country, they don’t want to watch meek and pathetic players tuk tuk someone like Hardik Pandya like he is a Malcolm Marshall.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Why do you and others blame Rizwan & Babar?

I really don't understand this logic...

Because the entire team is built on their vibes.

 

[Savak]

Only kids who started following cricket after 2010 dont know these things.

Akhtar's off the field antics are well known with everyone, which is why anything he says is never taken seriously.

Best one was the genital warts saga.

Yes he is never taken seriously, which is why the market and commercial sponsors are ready to pay him the highest paycheque possible.

 

[Bewal Express]

Our domestic cricket is pants and it’s not producing good batsmen, but this dot ball marathon mindset needs to be filtered out.

That’s all I am saying.

I would rather watch Haider Ali hoik away looking as ugly as he usually does, than watch our team limp to 22/2 in 10 overs chasing 321.

Neutrals do not want to watch us bat, the situation is dire at the moment.

If we can’t win, atleast try to entertain. Fans spend a lot of time and money to watch these guys turn out for their country, they don’t want to watch meek and pathetic players tuk tuk someone like Hardik Pandya like he is a Malcolm Marshall.

Most players are products of their environment. They can't play spin because the ball doesn't spin, they can't play bounce because the ball doesn't bounce. If some guys make it, it will be sheer luck and nothing to do with any planning

 

[Usman Chadda]

I cannot understand how someone like Hussain Talat doesn’t make this squad, as he has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket as a middle-order batsman.

Yasir Ali is an opener who likes going over the top and he could get a look-in.

We have absolute rubbish at the moment I agree with you, but I would rather lose with our players playing for Pakistan compared to the dross we are putting out right now.

Yasir Khan, not Yasir Ali

 

[Usman Chadda]

Most players are products of their environment. They can't play spin because the ball doesn't spin, they can't play bounce because the ball doesn't bounce. If some guys make it, it will be sheer luck and nothing to do with any planning

This is the PCB, they will never be great with planning. The way we play musical chairs with our coaches at the highest level is embarrassing.

I am talking about a short term fix to atleast make our team watchable. I am certain the results will more or less be the same, maybe even slightly worse.

As fans we deserve better than watching paint dry every single match.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

This is also an act by Babar and Rizwan.

We are made to believe they are the best players available in Pakistan and should be persisted with.

They play against all B and C teams of Aus, SA, England and dont even sit out vs USA, Nepal and Hong Kong amassing scores.

How are the other players going to get a chance if these two shamelessly play against easier attacks to stat pad their averages.

This deception and con act would even leave the makers of Da Vinci code proud.

 

[Bewal Express]

I cannot understand how someone like Hussain Talat doesn’t make this squad, as he has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket as a middle-order batsman.

Yasir Ali is an opener who likes going over the top and he could get a look-in.

We have absolute rubbish at the moment I agree with you, but I would rather lose with our players playing for Pakistan compared to the dross we are putting out right now.

Do you think he would have made even the slightest difference. None of the guys outside the squad are close to the guys in the squad and the guys in the squad aren't very good. I hope this team is just exiled and we try all these players soon

 

[Major]

Yes he is never taken seriously, which is why the market and commercial sponsors are ready to pay him the highest paycheque possible.

Who is paying him the highest paycheque?

So a guy slaps a coach hits another player, and you are happy because he makes money which is not even yours?

 

[Savak]

Definitely a major flaw.

I think one of the main reasons for this happening has to do lack of pressure behind him. He walked into the team, scored runs, and became a settled part of the team without too much stress of losing his spot. The only time any pressure was applied to him was at the beginning of his Test career and once he scored a few runs that went away too.

He likely noticed early on his way of batting was good enough for the coaches/selectors. Just score some runs as an accumulator and your team and fans are happy. It can definitely work but you better be the perfect accumulator that can go run a ball with ease against any team.

Otherwise, when you don't improve your game, teams will figure you out and then it's all downhill. It's the reason he can still go to domestic cricket and score runs with his old methods but continues to struggle on the big stage.

A lot changed in the last 2-3 years. Babar became very lazy, his fitness declined and his footwork declined as well, he became more crease bound and started playing away from the body with very little footwork. He started to focus more on stad padding and cut down on the aerial shots. His lack of fitness affected his concentration levels and ability to play long innings. In contrast if you watch Babar at the start of his career till 2020-21, you see him play the ball very late, play close to the body and someone who was not shy of playing the aerial shots.

Teams have also started to plan properly against him and take him seriously. Bowlers know that he doesn't really take chances like Rohit Sharma by dancing down the track, giving himself room to swipe and hit over the infield therefore they have tightened their line, length to him and blocked his orthodox shots backed by some excellent infielding.

Against spinners, Babar used to rely very heavily by playing the spinners of the back foot and using the back foot punch, pull shot but teams have caught on to that by having that fielder at mid wicket which has now limited his options. His failure to develop a sweep shot in the last 10 years is very damning.

Many coaches who have worked with him i.e. Herscheulle Gibbs, Adam Hollioake, Wasim Akram, Mohd Yousaf have complained that he doesn't get out of his comfort zone. He is very set in his methods and not open to trying new things. We shouldn't be surprised to see Babar's drastic downfall.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Who is paying him the highest paycheque?

So a guy slaps a coach hits another player, and you are happy because he makes money which is not even yours?

You are shooting the messenger for no reason.

I agree Akhtar is no saint and had his issues.

But you make it sound like Babar is a Hajji.

 

[Savak]

Who is paying him the highest paycheque?

So a guy slaps a coach hits another player, and you are happy because he makes money which is not even yours?

I was just proving you wrong, you said no one takes him seriously. If that is the case why is PTV Sports paying him the highest salary possible and listening to his demands to fire their long standing employees Dr Nauman Niaz and Rashid Latif. Why are Youtube Subscribers subscribing to his channel in record numbers making him the top Youtuber if no one takes him seriously? Why are foreign commercial partners in Canada, America, UAE, Other Arab States, Australia continously inviting him to support charitable endeavours if he is not taken seriously?

 

[Major]

You are shooting the messenger for no reason.

I agree Akhtar is no saint and had his issues.

But you make it sound like Babar is a Hajji.

Hajji?
You can critisize Babar all you want for performance, but to call him a Fraud is low

 

[Major]

I was just proving you wrong, you said no one takes him seriously. If that is the case why is PTV Sports paying him the highest salary possible and listening to his demands to fire their long standing employees Dr Nauman Niaz and Rashid Latif. Why are Youtube Subscribers subscribing to his channel in record numbers making him the top Youtuber if no one takes him seriously? Why are foreign commercial partners in Canada, America, UAE, Other Arab States, Australia continously inviting him to support charitable endeavours if he is not taken seriously?

When did PTV became a standard? You do know the standard is ESPN, Sky Sports, TMS. Lol PTV is not some standard.

Even ARY and Ten Sports have a better show.

Social Media Subscribers? You do know that in Pakistan people subscribe to vloggers that post stupid content. Heard of Ducky Bhai, Rajab Butt? Their **** content is followed in Pakistan, so that is again no standard. That is like celebrating a stripper getting more attention than someone who goes to the library.

 

[daytrader]

What a load of baloney!!! This guy will say anything to get attention and stay relevant. Did he forget his own cowardly move of refusing to bowl to Sehwag after the smashing he received in the 2003 WC. Irony dies a thousand deaths from the tongue of Shoaib Akhtar. He will say anything as long as he's paid. Just a few years ago he was calling Babar the best find.

And his digs on Misbah go as far back as 2015 when he called him a coward only to take a uturn and eat his own words. Won't be long before he has another relapse.

For a guy suffering from mental health issues (his own admission) he should know better and sympathize with the pressure Babar is facing rather than criticizing personally for the sake of his own PR.

 

[daytrader]

I was just proving you wrong, you said no one takes him seriously. If that is the case why is PTV Sports paying him the highest salary possible and listening to his demands to fire their long standing employees Dr Nauman Niaz and Rashid Latif. Why are Youtube Subscribers subscribing to his channel in record numbers making him the top Youtuber if no one takes him seriously? Why are foreign commercial partners in Canada, America, UAE, Other Arab States, Australia continously inviting him to support charitable endeavours if he is not taken seriously?

In the age of Social media, it's the cringe and over the top content that sells. He's getting paid to talk, doesn't mean his views should be taken seriously.

Just shows how much our nation has devolved when we take such people seriously only because they're saying the words that we want to hear.

He admitted on this very TV show that he has nothing to do with cricket and is only here because he's getting paid.

 

[mominsaigol]

What a load of baloney!!! This guy will say anything to get attention and stay relevant. Did he forget his own cowardly move of refusing to bowl to Sehwag after the smashing he received in the 2003 WC. Irony dies a thousand deaths from the tongue of Shoaib Akhtar. He will say anything as long as he's paid. Just a few years ago he was calling Babar the best find.

And his digs on Misbah go as far back as 2015 when he called him a coward only to take a uturn and eat his own words. Won't be long before he has another relapse.

For a guy suffering from mental health issues (his own admission) he should know better and sympathize with the pressure Babar is facing rather than criticizing personally for the sake of his own PR.

Sympathise? Babar scolded fakhar on live tv for not running doubles and not attacking despite fakhar being in visible pain and at the time they were at the crease, fakhar had a higher sr.

What a hypocrite. Why didn't he see anything wrong with the way he was playing? Who told him to make 10 of 26 before fakhar even arrived at the crease? He was chasing 356.

10 years ago, the same situation faced Dhoni and kohli, Dhoni was injured and couldn't run, Kohli told his captain to hit out and send jadeja in as a runner so he could finish the game. India still needed 120 more runs to chase and guess what, Kohli chased it down and Dhoni applauded him for it.

Why is this chawal not sharing the same sentiment?

 

[daytrader]

Sympathise? Babar scolded fakhar on live tv for not running doubles and not attacking despite fakhar being in visible pain and at the time they were at the crease, fakhar had a higher sr.

What a hypocrite. Why didn't he see anything wrong with the way he was playing? Who told him to make 10 of 26 before fakhar even arrived at the crease? He was chasing 356.

10 years ago, the same situation faced Dhoni and kohli, Dhoni was injured and couldn't run, Kohli told his captain to hit out and send jadeja in as a runner so he could finish the game. India still needed 120 more runs to chase and guess what, Kohli chased it down and Dhoni applauded him for it.

Why is this chawal not sharing the same sentiment?

That's an in match scenario vs an ex player criticizing on TV. Two entirely different things and not comparable.

It was a dumb move to send in Fakhar at that position knowing he can't run. Obviously Babar was at the crease at the time so he didn't have input into that decision.

Maybe he was scolding him as to why he came out knowing he's injured and can worsen his condition rather than the running. Fakhar likely volunteered to come out and if Babar scolded him for that there's nothing wrong with it. It's easier to be a martyr then trying to do the right thing. You're again trying to portray a Fakhar vs Babar angle which is simply an enmity that only exists in your head.

 

[mominsaigol]

That's an in match scenario vs an ex player criticizing on TV. Two entirely different things and not comparable.

It was a dumb move to send in Fakhar at that position knowing he can't run. Obviously Babar was at the crease at the time so he didn't have input into that decision.

Maybe he was scolding him as to why he came out knowing he's injured and can worsen his condition rather than the running. Fakhar likely volunteered to come out and if Babar scolded him for that there's nothing wrong with it. It's easier to be a martyr then trying to do the right thing. You're again trying to portray a Fakhar vs Babar angle which is simply an enmity that only exists in your head.

Maybe he was scolding him as to why he came out knowing he's injured and can worsen his condition rather than the running.

Yes yes, he was scolding him for coming out by telling him to run doubles, and telling him to attack and play faster deapite babar sahib striking at less then 40 at the time.

That's an in match scenario vs an ex player criticizing on TV. Two entirely different things and not comparable.

Which is even worse. A player calling a fraud and a chawal player like babar azam a fraud and a chawal isnt the same as Babar telling fakhar to play and run faster.

Total hypocrite alert.

 

[emranabbas]

I don't get Babar hate tbh.

Why he is supposed to take the brunt of whole team's collective batting failure. Why he is made the scapegoat, there are supposed to be 5 other specialist batters in the line-up.

The other 5 are batsmen while babar is "world class batsmen" "best batsmen in the world" "number 1 ranked batsmen " "batsmen of the year"

 

[daytrader]

Maybe he was scolding him as to why he came out knowing he's injured and can worsen his condition rather than the running.

Yes yes, he was scolding him for coming out by telling him to run doubles, and telling him to attack and play faster deapite babar sahib striking at less then 40 at the time.

That's an in match scenario vs an ex player criticizing on TV. Two entirely different things and not comparable.

Which is even worse. A player calling a fraud and a chawal player like babar azam a fraud and a chawal isnt the same as Babar telling fakhar to play and run faster.

Total hypocrite alert.

Bro the only hypocrite here was Shoaib Akhtar who himself used to hide behind Waqar when he was getting smashed. It's easy to spurt nonsense on TV when getting paid. Babar had more on the line in the heat of the moment and if he said something to Fakhar then, there's no need to take it to heart. It's a conversation between batting partners and teammates not an ex player pundit.

Even one of the biggest critics of Babar had the same sentiment that Fakhar hampered the innings at that time.

"With Fakhar not being able to find boundaries on a regular basis, he took everything away from Babar Azam to be able to push ones, push twos, run hard between the wickets. I think if he wasn't able to run properly, there was just no point in sending him out." - Simon Doull

So is Doull a fraud and chawl hypocrite too?

 

[G0rmintAunty]

Kohli achieves this successfully because he understands that excelling in cricket is the key to gaining commercial deals, sponsorships, and respect from all areas of the entertainment industry.

Or moreso its because Kohli is educated and driven (like Dhoni, Tebdulkar etc) and used the life skills he learned through education and building of character which helped him understand his mistakes at the start amd rectofy them.

Meanwhile almost all our players are paindus who disintegrate at the slightest bit of pressure because they did not go through normal development that you get from schools, educated family background etc.

 

[Asif321]

Again, tell me the numbers that Akhtar won.

This thread isnt about Shazaib hasan, Amir, Azhar Ali, Ahmad Shahzad.

so you did accept shahzad is better than Misbah . Good

 

[Asif321]

The poster you’re replying to thinks Jogindar Sharma was a better bowler than Akhtar. Do you really wanna reason with this guy?

Not surprising from tuk tuk and fake king fans . They find ways to support garbage .

 

[mominsaigol]

Bro the only hypocrite here was Shoaib Akhtar who himself used to hide behind Waqar when he was getting smashed. It's easy to spurt nonsense on TV when getting paid. Babar had more on the line in the heat of the moment and if he said something to Fakhar then, there's no need to take it to heart. It's a conversation between batting partners and teammates not an ex player pundit.

Even one of the biggest critics of Babar had the same sentiment that Fakhar hampered the innings at that time.

"With Fakhar not being able to find boundaries on a regular basis, he took everything away from Babar Azam to be able to push ones, push twos, run hard between the wickets. I think if he wasn't able to run properly, there was just no point in sending him out." - Simon Doull

So is Doull a fraud and chawl hypocrite too?

Is doull said it then yes he is.

Babar was striking at 40 before fakhar walked in. Fakhar didn't slow.down babar one bit..you're acting as if Babar didn't have 2 batting partners and didn't play 10 entire overs before fakhar walked in.

Sohaib can say what he wants. In the same way imad and Amir can say what they want and in the same way I can say what I want, the only difference is, I don't have a platform to say these things, tsk if only my parents allowed me to be famous and not keep me and my wealth hidden.

 

[topspin]

Nice khiyaali pilao.

A bit too salty though.

Just like your kebab rolls

 

[topspin]

so when Babar was doing good in 2021 under Misbah you dint want to give him credit. But as soon as Babar is out of form, blame Misbah?

Babar peaked in 2019 under Mickey Arthur. He had a stellar World Cup and well on his way to becoming a world class batsman before Misbah, Ramiz Raja and Rizwan collectively destroyed him.

 

[topspin]

Strong words from Shoaib Akhtar but let me list some of his accolades for the younger folks on PP

- Moderate Drinker during his playing days
- Refused to bowl in the 2003 WC Game against India after getting hammered by Sachin
- Missed 2007 WC due to genital warts
- Compared himself to Imran Khan and then hit Mo. Asif with a bat when he laughed at him for that ridiculous comparison..
- Slapped Bob Woolmer during an altercation about music to be played in the team bus
- Issued a life ban by the PCB due to multiple disciplinary issues (later rescinded by PCB..)

@Rana
@Savak
@mominsaigol
@Markhor
@topspin

It is very clear to me who the real fraud was lol

Babar is a fraud. He’s been selfish. The guy literally plays for his stats and milestones.

He went behind Shaheen’s back when he got reinstated as captain.

I mean how much more obvious can it get? If he’s not a fraud then what is he?

It was about time someone had the guts to say as it is.

Shoaib had his flaws but he was a world class bowler, so I have no issues with him not mincing his words.

He’s not the only one who’s exposed Babar. Wasim Akram, Simon Doull and Imad Wasim have also called him out for being selfish.

 

[topspin]

Oh not this again, at least Asif Ali isn’t Israiiiili as you thought Rizwan was

This guy has no cricketing acumen. In his own words, he promised us Faheem Ashraf would come good and exceed Pandya as an all-rounder.

 

[HalBass9]

Or moreso its because Kohli is educated and driven (like Dhoni, Tebdulkar etc) and used the life skills he learned through education and building of character which helped him understand his mistakes at the start amd rectofy them.

Meanwhile almost all our players are paindus who disintegrate at the slightest bit of pressure because they did not go through normal development that you get from schools, educated family background etc.

There are paindu’s who are millionaires, it has nothing to do with education.

 

[psyoptica]

Babar Azam is like an employee who continues to fail at his job and can't do what his role demands but keeps getting awarded the "corporate employee of the year" award despite the business suffering heavy losses due his incompetence. Would you blame the manager or the employee who's not cut out for the job?

 

[BouncerGuy]

These types of reactions were always on cards. Babar was under a lot of scrutiny for his performances but TBH he should have never played as an opener, that was not his position. But anyway, Babar has failed badly and some harsh step need to be taken now

 

[Farabi]

A lot changed in the last 2-3 years. Babar became very lazy, his fitness declined and his footwork declined as well, he became more crease bound and started playing away from the body with very little footwork. He started to focus more on stad padding and cut down on the aerial shots. His lack of fitness affected his concentration levels and ability to play long innings. In contrast if you watch Babar at the start of his career till 2020-21, you see him play the ball very late, play close to the body and someone who was not shy of playing the aerial shots.

Teams have also started to plan properly against him and take him seriously. Bowlers know that he doesn't really take chances like Rohit Sharma by dancing down the track, giving himself room to swipe and hit over the infield therefore they have tightened their line, length to him and blocked his orthodox shots backed by some excellent infielding.

Against spinners, Babar used to rely very heavily by playing the spinners of the back foot and using the back foot punch, pull shot but teams have caught on to that by having that fielder at mid wicket which has now limited his options. His failure to develop a sweep shot in the last 10 years is very damning.

Many coaches who have worked with him i.e. Herscheulle Gibbs, Adam Hollioake, Wasim Akram, Mohd Yousaf have complained that he doesn't get out of his comfort zone. He is very set in his methods and not open to trying new things. We shouldn't be surprised to see Babar's drastic downfall.

Fitness is important, but this point is overstated. Did it ever hinder Inzamam or Rohit's footwork?

In the PSL, he plays a bolder brand of cricket and has all the aerial shots.

Sweeps aren’t essential for success against spin—Kohli dominated your spinners all day without using them.

Ultimately, it comes down to heart and bravery—something he lacks on the big stage.

 

[Savak]

Fitness is important, but this point is overstated. Did it ever hinder Inzamam or Rohit's footwork?

In the PSL, he plays a bolder brand of cricket and has all the aerial shots.

Sweeps aren’t essential for success against spin—Kohli dominated your spinners all day without using them.

Ultimately, it comes down to heart and bravery—something he lacks on the big stage.

Let's be honest, the bowling and fielding quality in the PSL is not that great. I will not put much value in his PSL performances. Vast majority of PSL performers have been found wanting in international cricket.

Kohli was mostly playing against very inferior Pakistani spinners. Sarfaraz plays spin much better than Babar because he uses the sweep shots to put the spinners off guard and that pressurizes them into changing their lengths.

 

[Savak]

Loved Shoaibs brutal statement on the myth of Pakistan being blessed with Talent "Talent is displayed ultimately on the field, you have to score runs, you have to get wickets, by just talking and hyping you don't have the right to be called talented"

 

[Savak]

These types of reactions were always on cards. Babar was under a lot of scrutiny for his performances but TBH he should have never played as an opener, that was not his position. But anyway, Babar has failed badly and some harsh step need to be taken now

He opens in T20 Cricket, he should not have had any issues opening in ODI Cricket. Being the best batsman in the team, he should be facing the full 50 overs.

 

[shah9425]

Shoaib was no saint his career was full of controversies.

But he is right here can't defend this selfish clown Babar anymore he has repeatedly failed in big matches he should be removed from team

 

[Savak]

Apt pic

 

[jnaveen1980]

Sohaib AKhtar mannerisms are like you see in movies lol . He should consider acting.

Definitely a major flaw.

I think one of the main reasons for this happening has to do lack of pressure behind him. He walked into the team, scored runs, and became a settled part of the team without too much stress of losing his spot. The only time any pressure was applied to him was at the beginning of his Test career and once he scored a few runs that went away too.

He likely noticed early on his way of batting was good enough for the coaches/selectors. Just score some runs as an accumulator and your team and fans are happy. It can definitely work but you better be the perfect accumulator that can go run a ball with ease against any team.

Otherwise, when you don't improve your game, teams will figure you out and then it's all downhill. It's the reason he can still go to domestic cricket and score runs with his old methods but continues to struggle on the big stage.

That is pretty much what happened. If i recall Ollie Robinson's dismissal in the Test series started a trend. Since that dismissal he got out similarly in all the formats. Pandya nailed him once. Siraj once. He is forced to wait eternally to get a wide half volley outside the off stump to show off his cover drive. One other shot that has been causing his dismissal flick through midwicket. He has to reinvent himself. He has to hit the gym. Work on his backlift, downswing, wrist. Many batsmen have worked on their technique recently. Steve smith literally change his technique every match.

 

[Hitman]

I'm sure Babar Azam would have been the MOS if every team sent their B or C team for the tournament.

 

[TheSultan]

But who? You can get any idiot to slog. If that is the criteria then why not put Naseem and Rauf at the top. Babar isn't playing well but does anyone seriously think that we have some other guys that would do better. Imam smashed domestic attacks and got his chance and what happened. Do u think that Asif Ali, a guy that can't play anyone over 80mph would have done better. He is the best talent we have produced this century but it wasn't good enough. Let's see the mafia domestic setup give us the talent.

The level of cope here is amazing!

The age old “we don’t have anyone better, so stick with my favourite”. This simplistic overused argument doesn’t work anymore. Babar without a shadow of a doubt over the last 2 years has been probably the worst top 6 batsman in the team. He has buckled under pressure, he has got slower and slower. He literally doesn’t have a notable innings at all (apart from maybe Nepal).

Find anyone better? Stick anyone in, they’ll be better than him. Even Rizwan is better than him and it pains me to say that.

And your tongue in cheek remark about Naseem and Rauf being up the order is not the gotcha that you think. Naseem has shown more guts and even skill than our top order batsmen.

Just admit - I’m a Babar fan and if he’s not in the team I will not support anyone else. Be honest at least. Have some integrity

 

[ExpressPacer]

Indian batters are light years ahead of pak batters.
Pak best batter Saim is just a Nehal Wadhera,Naman Dhir,Anuj Rawat level player.

Saim is better than every young Indian batter except Jaiswal. Indian batters might be galaxies and universes ahead of other batters but not of Saim.

Saim is such a good find and even Indians on here will admit this.

@Nikhil_cric I know you rate Saim highly, maybe not as much as me - but I’m curious to hear your opinion.

To clarify, I have been with Saim since day 1. His skill was too obvious to be ignored even when he was failing.

 

[TheSultan]

I'm sure Babar Azam would have been the MOS if every team sent their B or C team for the tournament.

You are giving him too much credit. He may have scored 3 fifties

 

[Rana]

This guy has no cricketing acumen. In his own words, he promised us Faheem Ashraf would come good and exceed Pandya as an all-rounder.

He was screaming here that the PCB is reluctant to make Rizwan captain as if he is Israeli

 

[Mercurial]

This is a ridiculous statement from this emotionally unstable ex-cricketer. Babar Azam still is our best ODI batsman. There is no one in domestic cricket that can replace him. Making him an opener was a blunder, though. He can easily play 2 more ODI World Cups alongside Rizwan, who is still the best WK we have got and should be stuck with in every format. However, Babar Azam was never great in the longer format to begin with. This is where fans expected too much from him without looking at his FC stats.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Saim is better than every young Indian batter except Jaiswal. Indian batters might be galaxies and universes ahead of other batters but not of Saim.

Saim is such a good find and even Indians on here will admit this.

@Nikhil_cric I know you rate Saim highly, maybe not as much as me - but I’m curious to hear your opinion.

To clarify, I have been with Saim since day 1. His skill was too obvious to be ignored even when he was failing.

I can't speak for other Indians but I rate him as the best young batting talent in world cricket today.

There are specific things that other young batters are better at - powerhitting/innings construction etc.

But overall ability , I don't think anyone matches up , not even Rachin and Jaiswal.

His ceiling is incredibly high.

 

[Rana]

He can easily play 2 more ODI World Cups alongside Rizwan

Oh yar Khuda ka khauf kar

Pakistan to remain stuck in the 80s whilst teams will be playing 2031 year cricket?

 

[Mercurial]

Oh yar Khuda ka khauf kar

Pakistan to remain stuck in the 80s whilst teams will be playing 2031 year cricket?

You don't have any replacements. Current domestic cricket players are on the level of Iceland cricket team players.

 

[Rana]

You don't have any replacements. Current domestic cricket players are on the level of Iceland cricket team players.

You do your thing and support Pakistan cricket

Don’t worry too much about replacements or if they are up to the task.

 

[Mercurial]

You do your thing and support Pakistan cricket

Don’t worry too much about replacements or if they are up to the task.

I don't care. It’s just a sport.

 

[saimayubera]

Saim is better than every young Indian batter except Jaiswal. Indian batters might be galaxies and universes ahead of other batters but not of Saim.

Saim is such a good find and even Indians on here will admit this.

@Nikhil_cric I know you rate Saim highly, maybe not as much as me - but I’m curious to hear your opinion.

To clarify, I have been with Saim since day 1. His skill was too obvious to be ignored even when he was failing.

Naah. Jaiswal, Gill, Abhishek, Tilak better.

Saim's career achievment is a bunch of bilateral 100s which even Abhishek, Tilak have. He might very well be the next Haider Ali, Mohamed Haris, Sharjeel Khan who came with similar hype.

Plus obviously Indians develop way better while Pak batters regress.

Even Babar who seemed to be an exception to the trend has succumbed to it. Just that his purple patch was longer than Nasir Jamshed, Umar Akmal etc.

Anyways Saim has an injury. Let's see how he comes back. Is the "Saim Ayub era" over?

 

[Rana]

I don't care. It’s just a sport.

Well then stop overthinking of what will happen without those two.

Trust in God, He will come through.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I can't speak for other Indians but I rate him as the best young batting talent in world cricket today.

There are specific things that other young batters are better at - powerhitting/innings construction etc.

But overall ability , I don't think anyone matches up , not even Rachin and Jaiswal.

His ceiling is incredibly high.

Thanks for the affirmation. As you will already know, like most other Pakistanis, I rate Kohli very highly and have a lot of love for him - probably more than Indian fans. You will have seen recent social media posts that show the general love and admiration Pakistan has for Kohli. I also rate other Indian batsmen like Gill, Jaiswal and even Tilak Verma and Abhishek very very highly.

But Saim is prodigious. My rating is:

1. Jaiswal
2. Saim

A bit of distance…

3. Rachin.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Naah. Jaiswal, Gill, Abhishek, Tilak better.

Saim's career achievment is a bunch of bilateral 100s which even Abhishek, Tilak have. He might very well be the next Haider Ali, Mohamed Haris, Sharjeel Khan who came with similar hype.

Plus obviously Indians develop way better while Pak batters regress.

Even Babar who seemed to be an exception to the trend has succumbed to it. Just that his purple patch was longer than Nasir Jamshed, Umar Akmal etc.

Anyways Saim has an injury. Let's see how he comes back. Is the "Saim Ayub era" over?

Babar never nearly showed the ability of Saim. How many series has Babar won us in Australia / RSA?

Saim has already achieved more meaningful results than Babar has in his entire career.

 

[saimayubera]

Babar never nearly showed the ability of Saim. How many series has Babar won us in Australia / RSA?

Saim has already achieved more meaningful results than Babar has in his entire career.

Lol still kanging on bilaterals.

Sanju Samson has won India a bilateral series in SA.

Bilaterals me the main 11 never plays. There are at least 2-3 out. And that affects the balance.

 

[Mainul]

Did Saud attack Bangladesh? Why you always attacking him??

I didn't attack Saud personally as like shoib did to babar. I just want to see him dropped from odis for the betterment of Pakistani batting line up.

 

[Rana]

I didn't attack Saud personally as like shoib did to babar. I just want to see him dropped from odis for the betterment of Pakistani batting line up.

How could you want that for Pakistan when you continue to advocate for Rizwan as a batter?

It’s very suspicious. It makes no sense?

 

[FearlessRoar]

Yograj Singh, father of Yuvraj Singh, while speaking to a local channel:

"Such big players like Wasim Akram-saying such disgusting things? And people around him are laughing. They should be ashamed. Shoaib Akhtar, such a big player-you are comparing Pakistan's players with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli? Wasim ji, you are sitting there and making money, no? Go back to your country and conduct a camp. I want to see which of you greats can help Pakistan win a World Cup. If not, resign."

"If I go there (to Pakistan), I will make the team better within a year. You will all remember me. It's all about passion."

"Talking big while sitting in the commentary box doesn't make a difference."

"So many Pakistan players are there, sitting outside and talking about the team -- it doesn't paint a good picture. Have you ever seen ex-Indian players using such harsh words for their own team? It has a big effect. At a time when your players are low on confidence and the team's morale is going down, if they hear what you all are saying, they will be under even more pressure. You are all legends-they will listen to you."

"I am saying this to everyone. All these players came because of Imran Khan. Today, is there anyone like him to mentor youngsters? Tell Wasim Akram ji, Waqar Younis ji, and Shoaib Akhtar ji-you keep talking about talent. Pakistan is full of talent. You were also identified once. Someone helped you become good cricketers."

"I don't like anyone from any country using such words for their own players."

 

[Rana]

Yograj Singh, father of Yuvraj Singh, while speaking to a local channel:

"Such big players like Wasim Akram-saying such disgusting things? And people around him are laughing. They should be ashamed. Shoaib Akhtar, such a big player-you are comparing Pakistan's players with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli? Wasim ji, you are sitting there and making money, no? Go back to your country and conduct a camp. I want to see which of you greats can help Pakistan win a World Cup. If not, resign."

"If I go there (to Pakistan), I will make the team better within a year. You will all remember me. It's all about passion."

"Talking big while sitting in the commentary box doesn't make a difference."

"So many Pakistan players are there, sitting outside and talking about the team -- it doesn't paint a good picture. Have you ever seen ex-Indian players using such harsh words for their own team? It has a big effect. At a time when your players are low on confidence and the team's morale is going down, if they hear what you all are saying, they will be under even more pressure. You are all legends-they will listen to you."

"I am saying this to everyone. All these players came because of Imran Khan. Today, is there anyone like him to mentor youngsters? Tell Wasim Akram ji, Waqar Younis ji, and Shoaib Akhtar ji-you keep talking about talent. Pakistan is full of talent. You were also identified once. Someone helped you become good cricketers."

"I don't like anyone from any country using such words for their own players."

Wonder what Yograj paaji will have to say about Rizwan’s momentum and process theories

 

[RyanRyan10]

Wonder what Yograj paaji will have to say about Rizwan’s momentum and process theories

Media should stop going to him to get his opinions.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Media should stop going to him to get his opinions.

He isn't too wrong here. Despite his mental issues he is still a respected coach

Our guys rant on TV but when push comes to shove they disappear or make things worse.

I respect Yogi uncles view here.

 

[daytrader]

Media should stop going to him to get his opinions.

Same thing with Shoaib Akhtar though

 

[Pakpak]

That's different. Firstly inzi's 1992 innings is an iconic knock. He came in chasing 100 of 60 in the final overs which in that one ball era was bloody difficult to do. That knock alone was > every knock that any Pakistani batsmen had ever played in any icc event before fakhar zaman played a better one against NZ in 2023.

Secondly bi laterals in that era were taken very seriously. Unlike today where

A) Nz sends c teams cause their players are busy with IPL

B) Aus retires 5 of their key players + 2 more Travis and Marsh who don't even participate in an all important decider just to focus on BGT

C) root doesn't play odi for 4 years just for giggles etc etc

Bi laterals back then were extremely serious affairs. Every side took it seriously with ajs vs eng and pak vs India being the 2 main bi lateral series to look out for.

Inzi and yousaf performed extremely well in bi laterals while Babar can't even do that against a full strength side.

From his 19 centuries only 5 times has Babar actually scored against full strength.

A) 2017 aus where we lost

B) 2x against full strength England which once again we lost both encounters

C) 1x against sa where he disnt finish the game and pakistan fluked the win thanks to faheem tulle bazi.

D) 1x against nz in wc( his best innings which relied on haris sohail having to play an atg knock to cover up for babar's slow start)

All these 5x wi bashing, 1x Nepal bashing, 1x NZ c string century bashing, 2x aus c string bashing and a majority of these done on pindi roads is irrelevant.

Not sure why youre mentioning Babar to me when I agree he's poor.

As for Inzi, tell me his bilaterals against top teams. In his era aside from Australia and SA every team was garbage. Can you tell me how many tests he won us against Australia and SA? The top 2 teams in the late 90s and early 2000s. His 92 innings was great but we also had others who won us things, what about 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007? And the CTs between them? His average of 20 is good enough?

The truth is our "legends" choked at every occasion. Lost to India in all world cups. Our famous jokes about batting collapses started from these clowns. They were saved so many times as our bowling was superb.

Again if it was upto me I'd boot Babar out right now so I'm unsure as to why you wrote an essay about Babar.


Id take Inzi over Babar anyday. But I know if it came to crunch time we'd still be disappointed. As the proof is from every big game where our batting depended on Inzi in world cups.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Same thing with Shoaib Akhtar though

How can you say that?

 

[daytrader]

How can you say that?

He's admitted his mental health struggles publicly

 

[jamie smith]

Saim is better than every young Indian batter except Jaiswal. Indian batters might be galaxies and universes ahead of other batters but not of Saim.

Saim is such a good find and even Indians on here will admit this.

@Nikhil_cric I know you rate Saim highly, maybe not as much as me - but I’m curious to hear your opinion.

To clarify, I have been with Saim since day 1. His skill was too obvious to be ignored even when he was failing.

I am not disrespecting or criticizing saim.
Infact I have been his suppoter from day 1 and he is my favourite batter.
But Indian batters are definitely better than pak bats not in terms of talent but because of better system and professionalism.

 

[mominsaigol]

Not sure why youre mentioning Babar to me when I agree he's poor.

As for Inzi, tell me his bilaterals against top teams. In his era aside from Australia and SA every team was garbage. Can you tell me how many tests he won us against Australia and SA? The top 2 teams in the late 90s and early 2000s. His 92 innings was great but we also had others who won us things, what about 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007? And the CTs between them? His average of 20 is good enough?

The truth is our "legends" choked at every occasion. Lost to India in all world cups. Our famous jokes about batting collapses started from these clowns. They were saved so many times as our bowling was superb.

Again if it was upto me I'd boot Babar out right now so I'm unsure as to why you wrote an essay about Babar.


Id take Inzi over Babar anyday. But I know if it came to crunch time we'd still be disappointed. As the proof is from every big game where our batting depended on Inzi in world cups.

With the exception of NZ, every team from that era is > current era.

Current india might be able to beat classic India but only if bumrah has a field day. Current india is not as good as people think they are. They got battered at home by NZ, got butchered by probably the weakest Australian test team excluding 2018. It's just that every team besides this sucks now as well which makes India look better then they truly are.

England fizzled out post 2016-2022 golden run as well. These Current teams are weak as hell. As for aus, they dominated everyone. Unfair to just pin point it on Inzi.

The teams from that era were all relative to one another excluding sa and aus. Pak, NZ, India, Eng, Wi, Sri Lanka etc etc, their all comparative to one another from that era.

Lastly choking is different from getting spanked and being outmatched in general.

For inzi and yousaf's case people acknowledge that they flunked icc events however they shouldn't have. They had no reason to, it didn't make any sense how they were so poor in icc events yet so good in full series bi laterals minus aus and Sa.

The difference between that and Current is that excluding some delusional fans, everyone on the planet knows that Pakistan is rubbish. Pakistan is not losing and getting booted out of events because their choking like they did in the past. Their getting booted out because just like Bangladesh they are outmatched. Plain and simple.

In that era most teams would want to have someone like inzi and yousaf in their teams be it as main strings or backups. However with the exception of Bangladesh, wi and afg and sri lanka 2 of which aren't even in ct, no team wants to have babar even in a c string 11.

Australia and India have already proven that even their Big bash league and Ipl 3rd string are better players then the king.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I am not disrespecting or criticizing saim.
Infact I have been his suppoter from day 1 and he is my favourite batter.
But Indian batters are definitely better than pak bats not in terms of talent but because of better system and professionalism.

Man even well-respected and longstanding Indian posters in this forum acknowledge his incredibly high ceiling.

I am not saying this with a green tinted pair of glasses. He has the talent and performances to show for it. Whether he continues to do this over his career is a separate question but he has already stepped into his own.

 

[Asif321]

Zadran putting king to shame today

 

[TheSultan]

Why do you and others blame Rizwan & Babar?

I really don't understand this logic...

Because maybe they are rubbish and they have had total control of the team for so long.

Anyone who wields power and fails gets the blame. That’s life, get used to it

 

[IMMY69]

Because the entire team is built on their vibes.

Then surely the blame lies with the PCB?

I have been harping on about this since time began and it's an extremely important issue.
You won't see proper results until the people at the very top are appointed on merit.

 

[IMMY69]

Because maybe they are rubbish and they have had total control of the team for so long.

Anyone who wields power and fails gets the blame. That’s life, get used to it

See my post above (no. 315).
No body in the team should be able to wield any power, the blame always lies at the very top.
We continue to go round and round in circles until we start appointing the people on merit, and this starts at the very top.

 

[SportsWarrior]

We haven't produced any decent batsman this century. He was the best out of the guys that came through this century but hasn't produced the goods when it mattered. I am not sure who you wanted the fans to root for? We like him, and wanted him to do well. You got some loser calling for the recall of match fixers, another calling for a WK that once scored 42. Who should we have rooted for?

Honestly I don’t fault the casual fans going overboard. They are just passionate followers of the game. It is the incessant fanboying by critics and the players own PR team that puts me off. It is same among Indian players and followers too.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Yograj Singh, father of Yuvraj Singh, while speaking to a local channel:

"Such big players like Wasim Akram-saying such disgusting things? And people around him are laughing. They should be ashamed. Shoaib Akhtar, such a big player-you are comparing Pakistan's players with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli? Wasim ji, you are sitting there and making money, no? Go back to your country and conduct a camp. I want to see which of you greats can help Pakistan win a World Cup. If not, resign."

"If I go there (to Pakistan), I will make the team better within a year. You will all remember me. It's all about passion."

"Talking big while sitting in the commentary box doesn't make a difference."

"So many Pakistan players are there, sitting outside and talking about the team -- it doesn't paint a good picture. Have you ever seen ex-Indian players using such harsh words for their own team? It has a big effect. At a time when your players are low on confidence and the team's morale is going down, if they hear what you all are saying, they will be under even more pressure. You are all legends-they will listen to you."

"I am saying this to everyone. All these players came because of Imran Khan. Today, is there anyone like him to mentor youngsters? Tell Wasim Akram ji, Waqar Younis ji, and Shoaib Akhtar ji-you keep talking about talent. Pakistan is full of talent. You were also identified once. Someone helped you become good cricketers."

"I don't like anyone from any country using such words for their own players."

Please undelete my thread on making Yograj Singh Head Coach of Pakistan.
He seems to want that job.

 

[JaDed]

Yograj Singh, father of Yuvraj Singh, while speaking to a local channel:

"Such big players like Wasim Akram-saying such disgusting things? And people around him are laughing. They should be ashamed. Shoaib Akhtar, such a big player-you are comparing Pakistan's players with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli? Wasim ji, you are sitting there and making money, no? Go back to your country and conduct a camp. I want to see which of you greats can help Pakistan win a World Cup. If not, resign."

"If I go there (to Pakistan), I will make the team better within a year. You will all remember me. It's all about passion."

"Talking big while sitting in the commentary box doesn't make a difference."

"So many Pakistan players are there, sitting outside and talking about the team -- it doesn't paint a good picture. Have you ever seen ex-Indian players using such harsh words for their own team? It has a big effect. At a time when your players are low on confidence and the team's morale is going down, if they hear what you all are saying, they will be under even more pressure. You are all legends-they will listen to you."

"I am saying this to everyone. All these players came because of Imran Khan. Today, is there anyone like him to mentor youngsters? Tell Wasim Akram ji, Waqar Younis ji, and Shoaib Akhtar ji-you keep talking about talent. Pakistan is full of talent. You were also identified once. Someone helped you become good cricketers."

"I don't like anyone from any country using such words for their own players."

Spoken like the same ethnicity causing issues across the border as well , I’ll fix everything.

 

[Bewal Express]

The level of cope here is amazing!

The age old “we don’t have anyone better, so stick with my favourite”. This simplistic overused argument doesn’t work anymore. Babar without a shadow of a doubt over the last 2 years has been probably the worst top 6 batsman in the team. He has buckled under pressure, he has got slower and slower. He literally doesn’t have a notable innings at all (apart from maybe Nepal).

Find anyone better? Stick anyone in, they’ll be better than him. Even Rizwan is better than him and it pains me to say that.

And your tongue in cheek remark about Naseem and Rauf being up the order is not the gotcha that you think. Naseem has shown more guts and even skill than our top order batsmen.

Just admit - I’m a Babar fan and if he’s not in the team I will not support anyone else. Be honest at least. Have some integrity

Well show us who was the better alternative, the opportunity is yours. I want to have egg on my face because PK will have found a new kid to take us forward. Otherwise, you guys had nothing to offer. I await with anticipation his replacement. But here is a word of advice, the new guys aren't going to be any better and what's more Babar will still play the next WC. If I am wrong, I will apologise to you.