A tale of two hundreds : Babar Azam vs Jason Roy

[MenInG]

Same pitch, same conditions - same amount of pressure riding on both.

Babar Azam's hundred were characterized by a slowdown as he came close to his milestone probably meant to ensure he got to that milestone.

Jason Roy's hundred were characterised by a single-minded determination to put the game out of his opponents reach.

Therein lies the difference.

 

[MenInG]

Babar needs to be shown Jason Roy batting footage to understand what it means to play at this level.

 

[Mamoon]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Babar cannot strike the ball like Roy.

 

[big_gamer007]

Both are different types of players.. Babar lacks the striking ability of Roy I wouldn't blame him too much his role is different in team than of Roy.. However Babar needs to pace his innings better, should accelerate faster

 

[Zaz]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Babar cannot strike the ball like Roy.

Striking ability or not One has intent and desire to score quickly and off every ball The other plays in his comfort zone

 

[MenInG]

Striking ability or not One has intent and desire to score quickly and off every ball The other plays in his comfort zone

Babar picked up his rate once he hit his hundred.

 

[Farhan93]

Babar's century oozed class and quality while Roy's 100 was mediocre ...JS should learn a thing or 2 from world's best batsman..

 

[waleed88]

Same pitch, same conditions - same amount of pressure riding on both.

Babar Azam's hundred were characterized by a slowdown as he came close to his milestone probably meant to ensure he got to that milestone.

Jason Roy's hundred were characterised by a single-minded determination to put the game out of his opponents reach.

Therein lies the difference.

Seriously Babar and Roy's knock was the difference. Pathetic in circumstances By Azam while Jason Roy's knock managed to take them over the line despite a wobble in the middle.

 

[waleed88]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Babar cannot strike the ball like Roy.

Or an inferior batsman, but who cares... hes the greatest in pak's history lets celebrate that

 

[Cric1234]

The last 8 hundreds from the Australia series to this series have ended up in losses surely the batsmen batting the most balls aren't scoring enough.

 

[W63L35]

May be Babar was holding on end.
May be Babar was anchoring the innings.
May be Baber was stabilizing the innings.

May be....
May be......
May be........we are being too harsh on Babar... because not too long ago, above arguments would have worked perfectly well for our ODI best players who could only 50s with a glorious S/R of 70-75....and could not score a 100 if their life depended on it! But now we are unhappy about a brilliant 100 with a S/R 100+????

Any guesses, if he had gotten out cheaply?

 

[Khan12]

Seriously Babar and Roy's knock was the difference. Pathetic in circumstances By Azam while Jason Roy's knock managed to take them over the line despite a wobble in the middle.

Had farkhar caught him it could have been different.

 

[Oxfordchamp]

Babar is like Joe root..you can't expect him to be butler bairstow or roy..

 

[Cric1234]

May be Babar was holding on end.
May be Babar was anchoring the innings.
May be Baber was stabilizing the innings.

May be....
May be......
May be........we are being too harsh on Babar... because not too long ago, above arguments would have worked perfectly well for our ODI best players who could only 50s with a glorious S/R of 70-75....and could not score a 100 if their life depended on it! But now we are unhappy about a brilliant 100 with a S/R 100+????

Any guesses, if he had gotten out cheaply?

A brilliant hundred? Barely striking above 100 on a wicket where 350 plus is only a par score pitch and match conditions have to be taken into context these aren't 250 pitches.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Let's see how Roy performs in the UAE.

 

[Chokli]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Babar cannot strike the ball like Roy.

But Babar said he doesn't need power hitting.

 

[castortroy]

What a pathetic article

Babar is like Root. Far more orthodox than Roy who is similar to Fakhar

The bowling and fielding is killing the team

 

[Bonafide Hustler]

Jason Roy is a naturally big stroke maker that has severe technical deficiencies. He goes hard after the ball and you can't compare him to a player like Babar. Babar is more comparable to Root.

 

[ElRaja]

fakhar is the only batsmen in the team who doesn't play for milestones ever. babar and haris are arguably the worst in this regard.

the only time pakistan batted at the appropriate pace was during the second odi when fakhar kept the pace right.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Babar definitely batted selfishly, but we know he isn't a big hitter and never has been. If we are relying on him to get us scores of 400 it isn't going to happen. You wouldn't expect Joe Root to blast the bowlers to all parts of the ground either.

 

[topspin]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Babar cannot strike the ball like Roy.

Look earlier this week Imam scored his ton at a SR of 115 despite an early flurry of wickets and he's meant to be the inferior batsman out of him and Babar.

So if Imam can score significantly over run a ball, why can't our most technically sound batsman do the same? This shows it's not ability, he's just a selfish batsman and a meek individual. But I guess you also still want him to be the captain after the WC?

 

[Dr_Bassim]

May be Babar was holding on end.
May be Babar was anchoring the innings.
May be Baber was stabilizing the innings.

May be....
May be......
May be........we are being too harsh on Babar... because not too long ago, above arguments would have worked perfectly well for our ODI best players who could only 50s with a glorious S/R of 70-75....and could not score a 100 if their life depended on it! But now we are unhappy about a brilliant 100 with a S/R 100+????

Any guesses, if he had gotten out cheaply?

Did u make the same excuses when Imam played 140 odd runs the other day? That had Imam not scored 140 Pakistan would be not making 358 runs?

No.

Which means you are as biased as they come.

Using selective stats to increase the value or decrease the value of a player is just being dishonest to your own conscience.

I commend you sir, though, for your continuous effort in maintaining such dishonest statistical inferences to boost your favorites.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Look earlier this week Imam scored his ton at a SR of 115 despite an early flurry of wickets and he's meant to be the inferior batsman out of him and Babar.

So if Imam can score significantly over run a ball, why can't our most technically sound batsman do the same? This shows it's not ability, he's just a selfish batsman and a meek individual. But I guess you also still want him to be the captain after the WC?

Imam isn't going to win many games with big hitting either. He's been flattened twice by bouncers in the space of six months. His only trick is to charge down the crease to generate some power, good teams aren't going to let him do that once they've had a look at him.

 

[topspin]

Has yet to score a 50+ knock in a match won against the top 5 (SENAI). For a player who has been playing for Pakistan for 4 years, says it all really. Not to forget when he said in a recent interview, something along the lines of "I am number 1 ranked batsman in T20Is without power hitting". This statement tells you two things, firstly he's milestones minded and secondly he has little to no ambition to take his game to the next level.

Yet some posters want him to be captain?! He crumbles under the slightest pressure with the bat, how do you expect him to cope with a step up responsibility to lead the side?

If he doesn't change his attitude in the WC, he needs to be dropped for the best part of a year, so he will learn his lesson and know his place.

He knows he's the best batsman in the side and is deliberately slowing down after 75-80 runs, so he can secure his tons.

No joke, his dismissal in the CT final (while he was batting in the 40s), was a blessing in disguise that day.

Forget Virat Kohli, he will never be as good as Joe Root and Williamson in ODIs. He should stick to tests, where he can be as selfish as he wants.

Sarfraz has made me angry in the last two years but I understand how incompetent he is and I blame the PCB and selectors for not enforcing the change in captaincy, whereas with Babar he just doesn't have the pride and passion to win matches for Pakistan.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Speaks volumes of the understanding of some fans here when they expect Babar Azam to take Pakistan to 400+ scores. It's never going to happen.

Let's have an answer to a question: can Joe Root play like Jason Roy?

 

[topspin]

Imam isn't going to win many games with big hitting either. He's been flattened twice by bouncers in the space of six months. His only trick is to charge down the crease to generate some power, good teams aren't going to let him do that once they've had a look at him.

It's too early to say but I have high hopes with him and I see a future captain in front of my eyes when I look at Imam. He's a fearless and courageous individual.

He's progressing really well and who knows with his work ethic, he may go on to become an elite ODI opening batsman and a genuine match winner.

With Babar refer to post 27.

 

[Chokli]

Speaks volumes of the understanding of some fans here when they expect Babar Azam to take Pakistan to 400+ scores. It's never going to happen.

Let's have an answer to a question: can Joe Root play like Jason Roy?

Has Joe Root come out and said he doesn't need power hitting?

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I think the question is simple.

Did Babar slow down when reaching is 100?

Did Roy Slow down when reaching is 100?

The difference will decide which batsmen will win you games and which batsmen will cost you games.

I dont care if Babar is reincarnation of Tendulkar and Viv.

The question remains..

Did he slow down?

Yes.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Azam 7th ranked batsman
Roy 24th ranked batsman

I rest my case - Babar

 

[Suleiman]

Pakistanis always want to complain when something good finally happens for them.

Be grateful, we don’t have the resources and the competence not to mention domestic structure to be producing dynamic batsmen one after the other like the big 3.

A lot of positives we can take from this series that at least 1 guy has gone on to make a 100 by hook or by crook.

But don’t be unrealistic in expecting the country to produce state of the art world class batsmen like it’s nothing. We have the Fakhars, Imams and that’s just how it is.

Total was defendable and we’ve done well this series to try keep up with the best batting line up in the world.

It’s the bowling which needs to be reorganized.

 

[Abu_Hamza]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Babar cannot strike the ball like Roy.

No Sir, It has all to do with the above mentioned fact by you. BABAR is like Younus Khan. He can be consistent , he will play long innings but he doesnt have that power hitting game and u have mentioned it several times. He is also an accumulator. He must have thought that everybody is getting a 100 so why should he miss on it so he played a bit too slow to get that 100.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think the question is simple.

Did Babar slow down when reaching is 100?

Did Roy Slow down when reaching is 100?

The difference will decide which batsmen will win you games and which batsmen will cost you games.

I dont care if Babar is reincarnation of Tendulkar and Viv.

The question remains..

Did he slow down?

Yes.

As I said, he is a selfish player, I have said this before three years ago. It's an issue for team management to be honest. This is a team game, you have to ask why they are prepared to let players chase milestones rather than results for the team? Has Mickey Arthur or Sarfraz ever come out and said they were disappointed with this approach by a player?

 

[troodon]

Roy has more power and he is purely an attacking batsman. Roy also knows that even if he gets out, there are many other options to come who can take them over the line.

Babar is a finesse player like Dravid. He is a timer and does not have brute power. Babar also knows that without him scoring a big hundred, Pak has no chance to post a competent score.

Blame should go on the rest of pak batsmen who could not take the team to a score in excess of 360.

 

[Mamoon]

Look earlier this week Imam scored his ton at a SR of 115 despite an early flurry of wickets and he's meant to be the inferior batsman out of him and Babar.

So if Imam can score significantly over run a ball, why can't our most technically sound batsman do the same? This shows it's not ability, he's just a selfish batsman and a meek individual. But I guess you also still want him to be the captain after the WC?

Babar ticks a lot of boxes for captaincy, but Imam is emerging as a serious contender as well.

As far as the strikes rates are concerned, my major gripe with Babar was his tendency to bat very slowly in the first half of his innings. However, he paced his innings well throughout this series. Imam needs work on this front as well, and the 150 was sublime.

As long as Babar is consistently batting at a run a ball while maintaining his high average, I am not sure if we can have any complaints. That is exactly how other world class number 3s like Root, Williamson, Smith operate.

Kohli is of course in a different league and no one can compete with him, so if you are using him to judge Babar he will always look mediocre.

 

[topspin]

No Sir, It has all to do with the above mentioned fact by you. BABAR is like Younus Khan. He can be consistent , he will play long innings but he doesnt have that power hitting game and u have mentioned it several times. He is also an accumulator. He must have thought that everybody is getting a 100 so why should he miss on it so he played a bit too slow to get that 100.

YK was a mediocre ODI batsman but during his peak years (prior to 2010), he won Pakistan matches against Australia, SA, England, India and Sri Lanka - barring England these were the top ODI sides in world cricket.

Compare this with Babar, none of his 50+ knocks in winning matches have come against the top 5 (SENAI).

 

[Usman Chadda]

Has Joe Root come out and said he doesn't need power hitting?

That was a daft comment, yes

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Babar ticks a lot of boxes for captaincy, but Imam is emerging as a serious contender as well.

As far as the strikes rates are concerned, my major gripe with Babar was his tendency to bat very slowly in the first half of his innings. However, he paced his innings well throughout this series. Imam needs work on this front as well, and the 150 was sublime.

As long as Babar is consistently batting at a run a ball while maintaining his high average, I am not sure if we can have any complaints. That is exactly how other world class number 3s like Root, Williamson, Smith operate.

Kohli is of course in a different league and no one can compete with him, so if you are using him to judge Babar he will always look mediocre.

The complaint is his "slowing down" before reaching century.

 

[Mamoon]

No Sir, It has all to do with the above mentioned fact by you. BABAR is like Younus Khan. He can be consistent , he will play long innings but he doesnt have that power hitting game and u have mentioned it several times. He is also an accumulator. He must have thought that everybody is getting a 100 so why should he miss on it so he played a bit too slow to get that 100.

He is much better than Younis against pace. Yes he is an accumulator, but as long as he is accumulating at a SR of 90 throughout his innings, we cannot expect anything more from him.

 

[Chokli]

That was a daft comment, yes

This just goes to show Imam is much better than Babar despite not being as talented.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Babar picked up his rate once he hit his hundred.

For 15 runs. A Herculean effort I must say.

 

[Mamoon]

The complaint is his "slowing down" before reaching century.

He was struggling to time the ball against Moeen. It could have happened at other stages of his innings as well. Our fans are too keen to label players “selfish”. It is the most abused word in Pakistan cricket.

 

[Ronaldo7]

He was struggling to time the ball against Moeen. It could have happened at other stages of his innings as well. Our fans are too keen to label players “selfish”. It is the most abused word in Pakistan cricket.

He wasn't even trying to hit the ball which is our main complaint.

 

[jnaveen1980]

In his defense, fans should realize he has a cealing beyond which he cannot go. Dravid couldn't bat like Sachin. Sachin couldn't bat like Sehwag. They have to reach their peak within their limitations

 

[Usman Chadda]

This just goes to show Imam is much better than Babar despite not being as talented.

Imam has better temperament

 

[Technics 1210]

The main difference was that Baba's century was while setting a target, and Roy's century was while chasing a target.

Different approach in both scenarios.

 

[topspin]

Babar ticks a lot of boxes for captaincy, but Imam is emerging as a serious contender as well.

As far as the strikes rates are concerned, my major gripe with Babar was his tendency to bat very slowly in the first half of his innings. However, he paced his innings well throughout this series. Imam needs work on this front as well, and the 150 was sublime.

As long as Babar is consistently batting at a run a ball while maintaining his high average, I am not sure if we can have any complaints. That is exactly how other world class number 3s like Root, Williamson, Smith operate.

Kohli is of course in a different league and no one can compete with him, so if you are using him to judge Babar he will always look mediocre.

I have no doubt in my mind, this Pakistan team will be an even bigger shambles under Babar's captaincy. You can't give the role to someone so timid. Imam is definitely captaincy material because he leads by example and is one of the more courageous players in the side.

No I'm not using Kohli as a benchmark here, the fact is he has deliberately slowed down in order to secure personal milestones. This has been going on since the last away ODI series in Australia. I've watched cricket for 20 years now and he is by far one of the most selfish Pakistan ODI batsman I have ever witnessed play for the national side (if not the most).

 

[Chokli]

Imam has better temperament

He does, and is mentally strong.

 

[castortroy]

Roy is a care free power hit designed for white ball cricket

Babar knock was class but you want him dropped to teach him a lesson lol

I will take 115 off 112 from our number 3 all day long.

He is our anchor. It is the role of the others to be ultra aggressive around him

He is not a wild hack like Roy. He is a very stylish player and we should be grateful that we finally have a top quality batsman since the days of inzi, yk and Mohmmaed yousuf

 

[Dr_Bassim]

He was struggling to time the ball against Moeen. It could have happened at other stages of his innings as well. Our fans are too keen to label players “selfish”. It is the most abused word in Pakistan cricket.

Well thats just an opportune excuse.

Wait for his next century then.

And get ready for your next excuse.

 

[aloo paratha]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Babar cannot strike the ball like Roy.

But apparently he doesn't need power hitting!

 

[NauV]

Although the criticism on Babar's century particularly his slowing down from 80 to 100 is justified, it is frivolous comparing Jason Roy to Babar Azam any day of the week . . . It's like comparing Adam Gilchrist to a Jacques Kallis or Kumar Sanggakara or something . . you get the point

 

[topspin]

He does, and is mentally strong.

and far more eager to suceed and develop his game. That's what impresses me the most about him. I think he should captain the ODI side after the WC.

 

[Babloo]

Frigging pathetic from Babar! Probably the worst hundred I've seen..given the match situation and knowing that a total of around 350 won't simply be enough.. he continued playing selfishly instead of at least trying to be a little aggressive. God knows when these Pakistani batsmen will come out these selfish mindset and actually play for the team!

 

[Chokli]

and far more eager to suceed and develop his game. That's what impresses me the most about him. I think he should captain the ODI side after the WC.

Indeed, he hasn't even played enough games against the big boys to determine whether he's got it or not.

But he's done well against the oppositions he's faced so far.

Only good things can come as his time with Pakistan progresses... Babar on the other hand has been with the team for almost 4 years now and says he doesn't need power hitting.

 

[gazza619]

Babar has role and he plays it well.

The other dumb batsmen in the team need to contribute.

 

[Abu_Hamza]

The thing is that every batsmen in PAK team know that if he somehow gets to a 50 or 100 then his place is secure irrespective of his strike rate and the outcome of the match. And majority of the batsmen cant do that so those who are able to do that keep on occupying the spot as they get a 50 or 100 to show that they merit a place in the team as many others couldn't do it.

 

[Mp812]

But apparently he doesn't need power hitting!

He doesn't need it. He gets 100s without power hitting. Its different that team needs it

 

[Kroll]

Babar won't be bothered the team lost yet again as he got his century.

 

[Babloo]

Babar needs to play more aggressively and selflessly.. scoring at a strike rate of just run a ball and then justifying that by saying his playing role isn't good enough. I'm sure it's clearly evident to him a total of 350 won't be enough and yet he continued to just take 1 and 2s to achieve his personal milestone and then give his wicket away.

 

[Mobashir]

It’ was a very good innings by Babar and he did his job well today. There was surely the poor part between 80 ans 98 but still he did very well.

Comparing it with Roy’s innings is lack of understanding of the game. Both don’t have the same role.

If some guys want Babar to bat like Roy did today, you can stop watching cricket right now, he will NEVER.

 

[Abdullah]

Good day for Babar. Important that he is at the top of his game come the world cup and comfortable in himself.
This hundred ( yes he slowed down) but hopefully it will give him the confidence for what is to come.
Couple of games ago it was Babar can not strike at more than 85 and hasn't scored a 50 in England etc etc

 

[aloo paratha]

Those saying "Root can't play like Roy so why do we expect Babar to bat like Roy" are completely missing the point. Firstly, it's all about intent, Babar never wanted to score fast before his 100 whether he had the ability or not. Secondly, Babar says he doesn't need power hitting because he can be #1 without it. That attitude is pathetic, you wouldn't ever hear Root say that.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Those saying "Root can't play like Roy so why do we expect Babar to bat like Roy" are completely missing the point. Firstly, it's all about intent, Babar never wanted to score fast before his 100 whether he had the ability or not. Secondly, Babar says he doesn't need power hitting because he can be #1 without it. That attitude is pathetic, you wouldn't ever hear Root say that.

Or maybe babar thought the pace he was going at was acceptable. There are different ways of looking at this. Hopefully grant flower makes babar realise.

 

[jnaveen1980]

340 is still a good total. But for wimpy finish Pakistan could have ended up with 360. You score 360 and lose you don't blame batsmen. It is the bowlers.

 

[Abdullah]

Babar needs to play more aggressively and selflessly.. scoring at a strike rate of just run a ball and then justifying that by saying his playing role isn't good enough. I'm sure it's clearly evident to him a total of 350 won't be enough and yet he continued to just take 1 and 2s to achieve his personal milestone and then give his wicket away.

He did slow down a tad to get to hundred but otherwise he played his role well.
When denly came on it should have been fakhar to take him apart, not Babar but fakhar also played cautious there

 

[Abdullah]

At least people who feared Pakistan can not consistently post 300 can calm down a bit.
We score 335 and we are in the game with our first choice bowling ( mr economy, our number 1 spinner +hafeez as 6th option) even on these wickets
I'm looking at this positvely

 

[Mean&Green]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Babar cannot strike the ball like Roy.

Honestly I don’t know how these posters post this stuff like they are completely different batsmen Babar doesn’t have that ability same when they compare to kohli like Kohli is on another level totally different game they think just because a Batsman is scoring the same amount of runs he has to bat like opposite number lmao cricket doesn’t work like that.

 

[aloo paratha]

Or maybe babar thought the pace he was going at was acceptable. There are different ways of looking at this. Hopefully grant flower makes babar realise.

Then he lacks game sense more than the average person on the street does.

 

[shaz72]

Babar's century oozed class and quality while Roy's 100 was mediocre ...JS should learn a thing or 2 from world's best batsman..

Stop being biased

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

Azam 7th ranked batsman
Roy 24th ranked batsman

I rest my case - Babar

I think the evaluation parameters for ranking are personal achievements.

 

[UP]

People are angry at Babar for slowing down and costing Pak 30-50 runs. It took him 6-8 overs to reach his 100. That's was the thread is about. Even commies raised this point.

 

[Ronaldo7]

I think the evaluation parameters for ranking are personal achievements.

Not necessarily. Roy has an average of only 38. The rankings take into account the result of the match as well.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Selfish innings for sure. Obviously he is on the team by merit no doubt, but his hundreds like this need to be criticized. He has the ability and just looks for the personal milestone. Not a fan of this kind of play.

 

[Zaz]

18 off 16
30 off 28
45 off 45
66 off 67
88 off 93
102 off 105
115 off 112

Looks like he kept the same place throughout bar post his 100

Surely he shouldve scored quicker in the 2nd part of his innings once set

 

[Khwaja78]

Jason Roy was dropped twice but the way he plays for his team, Babar Azam like losers can't even think or be 10% mindset of such sportspersons.

Selfish Azam compromised team total for his personal score. Afvter he got his 100 he hit couple of boundaries and got out. He and the deadwood senior Shoaib Malik played over 100+ dot balls on this wicket and ground where short jabs were going over the fence.

Its the selectors fault the kind of selfish and poor investment they have done for Pakistan team. Babar Azam like player would not even come close to the 90s Pakistani side. Such people were abhorred class or no class. What good that player would be when he is playing for his own place without giving a damn his team wins or loses.

 

[Farhan93]

Stop being biased

How I am biased? I just stated a fact

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

Not necessarily. Roy has an average of only 38. The rankings take into account the result of the match as well.

May be but I haven't heard this. IMO player ranking based on individual performances other wise Babar wouldn't have been in top 10.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

Babar & hafeez both were playing selfishly.

 

[Ronaldo7]

May be but I haven't heard this. IMO player ranking based on individual performances other wise Babar wouldn't have been in top 10.

You can go on the icc website and check it yourself how they calculate the ratings.

 

[Mueez]

When after a long time we have a world-class batsman who is very good and has the potential to be Pakistan’s best ODI bat and we are criticizing him.