Ahmed Shehzad v Sharjeel Khan

[fazleefridi]

Shahzad was an average opener.

Neither good, nor bad.

Alas, his mentors were not good.

He was lost in fame.

Replaced by Sharjeel.

Looks like he has stamped his place.

Sharjeel is million times better than Shahzad.

But still some posters say shahzad is better and sharjeel is a hack.

Let's look at the stats.

Player Mat Avg Str

Shahzad 75 33.91 72.73

Sharjeel 25 32.48 113.40

Me being a neutral, from India, I don't have any biases.

When I look at the numbers, Shahazad scores 1 1/2 runs(not much difference ) more than sharjeel on an average, every match.

But when you look at the strike rate, there is no comparison whatsoever.

Shahzad strikes at 73, Sharjeel at 113.

Huge, huge difference.

But I wonder, why some of my parosis, still say shahzad is better.

 

[Varun]

Sharjeel - at this point - stomps all over Shehzad. Beyond the numbers, it's his mentality against the odds of his teammates' that impresses.

As an Indian, I hope he doesn't fade away like the rest of them. About time Pakistan had a handy batsman.

 

[Statsman]

Who said Ahmed Shahzad is better?

 

[Varun]

Who said Ahmed Shahzad is better?

Have a look around, some Pakistani fans seem to be of the opinion.

 

[fazleefridi]

Who said Ahmed Shahzad is better?

They won't say directly, but diplomatically.

This would be their way

1st post : Sharjeel is a hack, poor fitness
2nd post : Shahzad is being hard done by, as he is easily the best opener.

Shahzad can play all around the ground, and he's not a hack
Shahzad is the leading run scorer in domestic tournament.
Shahzad is the best fielder

 

[Syed1]

Same average and SR greater by about 40. WOW

I knew that Sharjeel was an upgrade over Shehzad, but I didn't know the margin was THIS big.

 

[Slog]

Same average and SR greater by about 40. WOW

I knew that Sharjeel was an upgrade over Shehzad, but I didn't know the margin was THIS big.

dude that till does not tell the story

Since his retrurn his record is:

Avg: 44
SR: 130

The average is dragged down by his earlier performances in 2013

Shehzad in his best period (5-6 mths in 2014) was avg 39 @ SR of 75

 

[ExpressPacer]

Sharjeel is the better player and even if he wasn't - he is the player we need.

However, to be fair to Ahmed Shehzad, he's not that bad of a player and could be much better if he improved his strike rotation and strike rate. He has pretty terrific numbers regardless of the strike rate, if you ask me. A hundred in South Africa vs peak Styen is no joke. A hundred in New Zealand and a 90 something there too. So, I wouldn't say he should be completely forgotten of and put out of contention, he's only 25. Has 7 LOI centuries for crying out loud!

No match to Sharjeel though.

 

[fazleefridi]

Same average and SR greater by about 40. WOW

I knew that Sharjeel was an upgrade over Shehzad, but I didn't know the margin was THIS big.

Same here.

That's the reason I checked it at cricinfo.

I was really shocked, despite the contrasting stats, still some people back shezi over shrajeel

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Joke of a comparison. Shehzad isn't in the same league

 

[Pete Rose]

Shehzad is poor at rotation and poor at the big shots and certainly not as courageous. At this stage well inferior to Sharjeel

 

[blue_champion]

Sharjeel is a good find....but to take his game to the next level...he needs fitness and by that not just his shape but he needs to convert his 70 of 50 kind of innings to 100 of 80 or 85 balls.For that he needs running between the wickets.

He needs to take the momentum forward.....I mean it is ok if he slows down after 60-70,get to a 100 and then unleashes round-2 assault. There is nothing selfish about it...that has been a template followed by pretty much every modern successful LOI opener in recent times, be it Dave Warner,Q De Kock or Rohit Sharma.

Don't have to go too far-just look at Warner's innings yesterday-he did take his time to get from 95-100.

 

[fazleefridi]

Joke of a comparison. Shehzad isn't in the same league

I know it brother. Do read the whole post.

But I want his blind fans to have a look at this

 

[Slog]

Sharjeel is the better player and even if he wasn't - he is the player we need.

However, to be fair to Ahmed Shehzad, he's not that bad of a player and could be much better if he improved his strike rotation and strike rate. He has pretty terrific numbers regardless of the strike rate, if you ask me. A hundred in South Africa vs peak Styen is no joke. A hundred in New Zealand and a 90 something there too. So, I wouldn't say he should be completely forgotten of and put out of contention, he's only 25. Has 7 LOI centuries for crying out loud!

No match to Sharjeel though.

Steyn bowled 7 balls there

his record is an average of 11 against top 10 teams ACROSS 2 WORLD CUPS

22 overall average through UAE and Ireland bashing

 

[Hamza_]

This is a wrong thread. It should be Umar Akmal Vs Sharjeel.

Then watch Sharjeel turn ATG

 

[Pollack]

Shehzad is technically better batsman than sharjeel. But sharjeel is the better odi batsman. Sharjeel is hand eye coordination batsman.Technique is not so important for such players they can still score runs sonehow

 

[Adil_94]

Sharjeel is a million times better than Shezzy.

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

Me being a Shehzad fan saying that Sharjeel is by far the best modern loi batsman we have right now, he has been scoring at a good strike all he needs is to convert them to 100+ scores and we'll have the best opener like Warner..


Shehzad was a modern batsman when he came to the scene earlier in his career but after becoming the all time best batsman in his head he lost his game, its good that he is out of the team right now and he is scoring heavily in domestic but still his st,rate isn't what's required right now so may be few more domestic seasons and he'll improve and become a modern LOI batsman but if he is called back right now then he'll never improve in his lifetime!!!!

Uptill then along with Sharjeel we need to try Fakhar as an opener and not Shahzaib, Shahzaib/Khalid should bat as lower order power hitter because we don't have any other!!

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Sharjeel since his return in 2016 has avg 44 at a SR 130+.

In the recent series in AUS he avg 50 at SR 115+ in the 5 matches he played. Shahzad can only dream of that.

 

[SARJ_BD]

The discussion should be about who is better, Shehzad or Sharjeel?
It should rather be CAN SHEHZAD PARTNER SHARJEEL IN LOIs?
Based on his current form, he can. I dont see any other opener who can serve Pak for long term and play as good as Shehzad. Imam or Fakhar need little more to prove I believe.

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

The discussion should be about who is better, Shehzad or Sharjeel?
It should rather be CAN SHEHZAD PARTNER SHARJEEL IN LOIs?
Based on his current form, he can. I dont see any other opener who can serve Pak for long term and play as good as Shehzad. Imam or Fakhar need little more to prove I believe.

Fakhar will get old he is 25 now, all he needs is one chance tonprove himself!

 

[AhsanAK]

Ahmed Shehzad
ODI 75 75 1 2510 124 33.91 3451 72.73 6 13 262 18 26 0
List A 51 51 5 2494 166 54.2173913 2664 93.61861862 7 15 270 48 26 0

Sharjeel Khan
ODI 25 25 0 812 152 32.48 716 113.4 1 6 104 28 6 0
List A 62 62 1 2595 194 42.54098361 2374 109.3091828 6 14 320 85 29 0

Seeing this record i believe as mush as sharjeel deserves the spot for his ruthless hitting........... Ahmed Shehzad's short domestic career, nevertheless his poor mediocre International record, An average of 54.22 and SR of 94 clearly shows why he deserves a position in the team.

I was surprised when i saw this record because i couldn't tell if it was the same lad or something which affects most of our young debutants e.g. Sami Aslam ........ I strongly recommend his comeback despite not being one of his fan before.........

 

[Slog]

Ahmed Shehzad
ODI 75 75 1 2510 124 33.91 3451 72.73 6 13 262 18 26 0
List A 51 51 5 2494 166 54.2173913 2664 93.61861862 7 15 270 48 26 0

Sharjeel Khan
ODI 25 25 0 812 152 32.48 716 113.4 1 6 104 28 6 0
List A 62 62 1 2595 194 42.54098361 2374 109.3091828 6 14 320 85 29 0

Seeing this record i believe as mush as sharjeel deserves the spot for his ruthless hitting........... Ahmed Shehzad's short domestic career, nevertheless his poor mediocre International record, An average of 54.22 and SR of 94 clearly shows why he deserves a position in the team.

I was surprised when i saw this record because i couldn't tell if it was the same lad or something which affects most of our young debutants e.g. Sami Aslam ........ I strongly recommend his comeback despite not being one of his fan before.........

There's no reason to go on his domestic List A record when we have enough of a sample set on international cricket

Shafiq averages 60 at 90 In domestic list As. Next you'll call him for a place

 

[IMMY69]

Ahmed Shehzad
ODI 75 75 1 2510 124 33.91 3451 72.73 6 13 262 18 26 0
List A 51 51 5 2494 166 54.2173913 2664 93.61861862 7 15 270 48 26 0

Sharjeel Khan
ODI 25 25 0 812 152 32.48 716 113.4 1 6 104 28 6 0
List A 62 62 1 2595 194 42.54098361 2374 109.3091828 6 14 320 85 29 0

Seeing this record i believe as mush as sharjeel deserves the spot for his ruthless hitting........... Ahmed Shehzad's short domestic career, nevertheless his poor mediocre International record, An average of 54.22 and SR of 94 clearly shows why he deserves a position in the team.

I was surprised when i saw this record because i couldn't tell if it was the same lad or something which affects most of our young debutants e.g. Sami Aslam ........ I strongly recommend his comeback despite not being one of his fan before.........

I don't think domestic/first class record is a fair reflection. Our domestic cricket is flawed.

You have to take in to account how he plays at international cricket and other aspects such as attitude and behaviour.

Even if we ignore the second bit, he's been extremely mediocre at the International Level. Everyone can see that he fails at rotating the strike and upping the tempo of his innings.

Now I know there are others in the team that fail at this. But I'm firmly of the view that to progress we must do away with the old and bring in the new.

End favourtism for good and go with youngsters. Retain the successful ones.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Sharjeel is a better opener. The difference of 40 in strike rate is way too much to ignore. However, Shehzad will be an upgrade over Asad as a squad/reserve player.

 

[AhsanAK]

I don't think domestic/first class record is a fair reflection. Our domestic cricket is flawed.

You have to take in to account how he plays at international cricket and other aspects such as attitude and behaviour.

Even if we ignore the second bit, he's been extremely mediocre at the International Level. Everyone can see that he fails at rotating the strike and upping the tempo of his innings.

Now I know there are others in the team that fail at this. But I'm firmly of the view that to progress we must do away with the old and bring in the new.

End favourtism for good and go with youngsters. Retain the successful ones.

I'd better to have a 25-year old rather than our 35/36 year old past-tense captains

PCB looks at the youngsters as they are a bunch of greedy kids fighting for the candies..........
Only faces seen before can replace the old, then comes the replacements with youngsters.
You cants simply drop everyone and play with an U-23 team on an International level
All has to happen step by step, i dont recommend shehzad as a pefect opener but a better one than azhar,professor, and malik.........

 

[AhsanAK]

There's no reason to go on his domestic List A record when we have enough of a sample set on international cricket

Shafiq averages 60 at 90 In domestic list As. Next you'll call him for a place

Hmm just had a look at that, an average of 55.75 and SR of 88.41......

Well if u put it that way then i can totally imagine what our raw talent of bowlers in future will do and why Hasan and any new face will surley have economies of 5.5+

 

[Azlan Khan]

Sharjeel > Shehzad.

But, wouldn't mind having both as our openers.

 

[Boi]

Shehzad is crap. I really don't get how some can say that they wouldn't mind Shehzad replacing Azhar as opener? They're both not suited for LOI cricket as they have the same limitations of SR and rotation of the strike.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Sharjeel Khan is Pakistan's greatest batting talent in many years. He is streets ahead of Babar Azam (and we will see this in next 2 years). I have said this since the first time I saw him bat for Pakistan. He was from the beginning exceedingly quiet and nervous and that hurt him in the beginning, but he has real class as a batsman which people don't realize because it's often not elegant due to his weight issues.

He can score quickly and effortlessly against good bowling, away from home and his been doing so since his comeback. Now that he is assured of his place, he is showing what he is capable of, and unlike some others (please listen Umar Akmal) he is not egotistic and will not get distracted or carried away by success.

 

[Pollack]

Sharjeel Khan is Pakistan's greatest batting talent in many years. He is streets ahead of Babar Azam (and we will see this in next 2 years). I have said this since the first time I saw him bat for Pakistan. He was from the beginning exceedingly quiet and nervous and that hurt him in the beginning, but he has real class as a batsman which people don't realize because it's often not elegant due to his weight issues.

He can score quickly and effortlessly against good bowling, away from home and his been doing so since his comeback. Now that he is assured of his place, he is showing what he is capable of, and unlike some others (please listen Umar Akmal) he is not egotistic and will not get distracted or carried away by success.

Are you serious bro?

 

[AhsanAK]

Shehzad is crap. I really don't get how some can say that they wouldn't mind Shehzad replacing Azhar as opener? They're both not suited for LOI cricket as they have the same limitations of SR and rotation of the strike.

I think this PSL will decide whether he makes a comeback or joins the Fawad, Anwar, Maqsood etc List
Its high time for everyone to perform and this PSL could become the exit of our many struggling seniors

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Are you serious bro?

Serious. Just watch next two years performance and I will keep bumping this. Sharjeel is the real deal.

 

[ocfan]

If Ahmed Shehzad improves his SR and Attitude, then he will be more superior Than Sharjeel.

Sharjeel needs alot of work. He looks like left hand version of Imran Nazir.

 

[Mir jibran]

I think this PSL will decide whether he makes a comeback or joins the Fawad, Anwar, Maqsood etc List
Its high time for everyone to perform and this PSL could become the exit of our many struggling seniors

exactly he has to avg in high 30's with strike rate 120+

 

[JaDed]

Finally a batsman that wasn't hyped by Pakistani fans and he has comr good! No wondaaah

 

[ExpressPacer]

Whats most amusing about Shehzad fans is that they say things like "if he improved this or that, he would be better than Sharjeel, Tom, Dick and Harry", mostly, its his Strike Rate. Let me assure you guys, improving you strike rate isn't a bed of roses. Certainly not as easy as you make it out to be. Everyone would be AB and VK if it were that easy. It took decades of evolution in cricket for the mode to shift but Shezzy is in 1983.

 

[MMHS]

More than anything else, I'll hold Ahmed for his selfishness. Personally, I feel he was much more capable than his stats (which is pathetic if we go beyond direct average & SR) tells; but he was the blessed child for PAK cricket due to the unconditional backing of the icon of PAK cricket.

This actually didn't help Ahmed either - he never tried to develop his game, neither looked beyond today - what'll happen to him when Afridi is not around? Also, I found him to play for own numbers which actually has restricted him - I never found him to play with same attitude that he plays in domestics.

I do understand the gap in standard of domestics & internationals - but that doesn't explain his many innings against Zimboks or us. He was definitely far better players than scoring 17 of 35 in a T20 at Mirpur!!!! Or that ODI hundred chasing 326. His performance in PSL & in the premium domestic List A (Pentangular) indicates his ability, which he himself restricts when he plays for PAK.

I wrote it several times that one day he'll pay it back for his free ride under Afridi & to a certain extent Misbah. I can only hope that he has learned his lesson & comeback as a different player. He is young, in tremendous form now & deserves a call back in WI ODI - if there is a change in approach, he can be a fantastic partner for SK in ODI at least.

 

[troodon]

Sharjeel is the most dangerous player Pak has since Afridi's glory days in late 90's and early 2000's.

Impact wise, Sharjeel is the best player in Pak squad. But Azam Baba has more upside. He is more of a proper batsman than Sharjeel who can fail and have extended periods of bad patches.

Sharjeel is not a player who can guts it out and score a 40 or 50 when out of form. People will ask for his head the moment he hits bad form. He is not a defend and take singles kind of guy. The same fans who are praising him will bad mouth him.

Azam is a better player. But he will not have the same impact as Sharjeel. He will score runs that can easily go unnoticed.

Both look unfit. If they can improve fitness, they can be around for many many years.

Shehzad should not even be mentioned with SHarjeel. Shezad is a limited player. Cannot accelerate and cannot rotate strike. An average batsman with ego issues.

 

[yasir]

What exactly is skill of Shezad?? - He plays 75% dot balls in first 10 overs, cannot hit boundary or rotate strike...Complete chicken against 140K pace, he should not be anywhere near the national team...

Sharjeel has 150 SR in first 10, wacks 145-150 pace with ease, easily the best striker we got ATM moment... I am hoping for one of two more after PSL 2, otherwise we will stay at #8 for a while

 

[MMHS]

What exactly is skill of Shezad?? - He plays 75% dot balls in first 10 overs, cannot hit boundary or rotate strike...Complete chicken against 140K pace, he should not be anywhere near the national team...

Sharjeel has 150 SR in first 10, wacks 145-150 pace with ease, easily the best striker we got ATM moment... I am hoping for one of two more after PSL 2, otherwise we will stay at #8 for a while

I would like to give him a benifit of doubt - may be when he was PAK regular, the "definition" of opening role might have been different for ODI. May be, he was instructed to play in a style that was the philosophy of the then strategy, which later became chronic - safety first, against new ball. Players like Maqsood, Umar & Jamshed couldn't cope up with that philosophy & paid for that - either went down the order or went out of the team.

I am telling this because I have seen Ahmed from U19 level - he was attacking & extremely aggressive player, even in FC level. Sometimes later, I felt him playing within a cage of himself - he wasn't like this. I almost felt in his U19 days that this kid had multiple shots for every ball - but sadly he went into a safety mood, reserved player; almost avoiding his high scoring shots. For example, he was extremely good with his inside out cover drives dancing down the teack - in later stages, I never saw him even stepping out to lift spinners; rather started to slog with planted feet.

I think, Shehzad still has tremendous potential - he can break Moyo's PAK record of international hundreds. What he needs is couple of months dedicated care from Arthur on his batting approach more than any thing else. He must has to overcome his fear of getting out to rash shot - rather enjoy the game & play freely.

 

[Slog]

If Ahmed Shehzad improves his SR and Attitude, then he will be more superior Than Sharjeel.

Sharjeel needs alot of work. He looks like left hand version of Imran Nazir.

Lol Sharjeel is on a different planet to Nazir

Wht are Nazir's stats? 24 average @ 80 SR. Afridi averaged same and at 100+SR.

And more than anything. Sharjeel cares about his game. The improvement over past 12 months is there to see. Nazir was the same in his last few games and his first few in international cricket.

And. A second lol to 'if Shehzad could improve his SR and attitude.' What next? Pigs could fly if they had wings? You could talk about any player and say if he could improve this quality he would be really good

 

[srh]

Shehzad is poor at rotation and poor at the big shots and certainly not as courageous. At this stage well inferior to Sharjeel

Sharjeel is also poor at rotation

 

[Square Drive]

Shehzad is crap. I really don't get how some can say that they wouldn't mind Shehzad replacing Azhar as opener? They're both not suited for LOI cricket as they have the same limitations of SR and rotation of the strike.

Not too long ago, people were saying the opposite.

 

[Boi]

Not too long ago, people were saying the opposite.

Stats wise it still makes more sense that Azhar plays instead of Shehzad, that's how poor Shezzy boy has been in LOIs.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

One is useless, the other is limited but useful.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Have a look around, some Pakistani fans seem to be of the opinion.

"Shehzad is more of a classy player with technique who knows how to defend the ball, whereas Sharjeel is a leg side slogger who gets away with it"

 

[Kamil1979]

No way to compare Ahmed shahzad to Sharjeel, as I mentioned in many post Ahmed shahzad is most selfish player in history of pak cricket

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Stats wise it still makes more sense that Azhar plays instead of Shehzad, that's how poor Shezzy boy has been in LOIs.

Not that I want Shehzad in, but this isn't really true. It's a wash if anything.

Azhar Ali first 9 matches as captain - 65 average, 86.5 SR. Really good. I was impressed, and thought this was the right move, even though I had a lot of doubts given how Azhar was a supremely slow player in LOI's in the past. It was however just a purple patch and since...

Azhar Ali in his last 22 matches - 25.8 average, with a 74 SR

Overall since his return it has been 37.19, with a 79.9 SR, which looks solid, but if you break it down from start of return to now, he keeps on deteriorating. All three centuries in his return have been against Zim, Bang, WI, with two fifties combined against England (both of them in nine matches), Australia, and NZ. I'll give him credit for some pretty solid production in England, but the follow up barring the century against WI has been very poor. His SR for those scores is pretty poor considering he faces a hundred balls + for any big total and never gets a SR worth talking about for that many balls.

Ahmed Shehzad has had similar purple patches here and there such as 2014, but simply found now semblence of consistency and similar to Azhar, would face a lot of balls to get big scores. I don't think Azhar is as selfish as Shehzad, I think he is simply limited in his array of shots and can't keep up with the ODI game, but the point is simply that they are both relatively the same with some purple patches here and there (Shehzad has some pretty impressive tons against pretty good teams, most notably his century against SA), but neither are anything you can rely on going forward.

Mediocre hit and miss ODI openers who cannot keep up with the game. Shehzad due to lack of technique and strike rotation, Ali because of lack of shots and talent.

 

[Pete Rose]

Sharjeel is also poor at rotation

Not as poor and hits enough convincing shots. Shehzad doesn't have heart

 

[Justcrazy]

Talent wise Shehzad is ahead of Sharjeel.

But Shehzad gets bogged down. If he is opening he needs to score @85 strike rate at least , and once settled move it further up .

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Shehzad is just limited.

Sharjeel is limited but has some strokes to make use of his time at the crease.

It is non-comparison really.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

These kind of arguments are the reason I made this......

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ngs-by-innings-breakdown-and-batting-analysis

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

Talent wise Shehzad is ahead of Sharjeel.

But Shehzad gets bogged down. If he is opening he needs to score @85 strike rate at least , and once settled move it further up .

Now prove me HOW he is superior to Sharjeel ? lol you are confused

 

[Obstructing_the_field]

shahzad when he came in, was similar to Sharjeel, a natural stroke maker.. but his downfall is all bcz of the stpidity of his mentors and the unriable haffez at top. Sharjeel is much better than him in terms of ability to score but needs to def work on his fitness and his ground game...

in short , as of now, sharjeel >>>>>>>> shahzad

 

[yasir]

I would like to give him a benifit of doubt - may be when he was PAK regular, the "definition" of opening role might have been different for ODI. May be, he was instructed to play in a style that was the philosophy of the then strategy, which later became chronic - safety first, against new ball. Players like Maqsood, Umar & Jamshed couldn't cope up with that philosophy & paid for that - either went down the order or went out of the team.

I am telling this because I have seen Ahmed from U19 level - he was attacking & extremely aggressive player, even in FC level. Sometimes later, I felt him playing within a cage of himself - he wasn't like this. I almost felt in his U19 days that this kid had multiple shots for every ball - but sadly he went into a safety mood, reserved player; almost avoiding his high scoring shots. For example, he was extremely good with his inside out cover drives dancing down the teack - in later stages, I never saw him even stepping out to lift spinners; rather started to slog with planted feet.

I think, Shehzad still has tremendous potential - he can break Moyo's PAK record of international hundreds. What he needs is couple of months dedicated care from Arthur on his batting approach more than any thing else. He must has to overcome his fear of getting out to rash shot - rather enjoy the game & play freely.

Pull and Cut is Key against quality seamers


You are rating him way too him than his capabilities and work ethics...My fundamental problem with players like Shezad, Hafeez, Malik, Sarfraz, Azhar, Misbah that they really don't have good shots to play against quality seamers, they cannot put away bad balls for get about wacking the good ones...

Their foot work and balance does not allow them to play pull and cut, which should be in your armory to play modern day LOI batting, ball does not seam much everywhere in the world after 5/6 overs (KaKobara is not designed to seam much after few overs and conditions are also made for high scoring)...Without pull and cut, you are going to play too many dot balls and less boundaries against good seamers, which we are seeing for last 10 years, its not a mental issue or pressure situation or something else, its first and far most lack of pull and cut, which never gets develop in domestic or UAE(UAE kills whatever you had in your armory against seamers)...

Even Kamran Akmal was good as an opener because he had really good cut shot, only batsmen I had seen from Pakistan in last 6/7 years who could have developed really well against good seamer were Nasir Jamshed(he had a good pull and cut too) and Umar Akmal, they had better reflexes and range of shots against seamers, Pakistani screwed them up... Babar and Harris were more well rounded players, their reflexes, balance and foot work is such that they had good cut ability, they might still can develop pull shot over period of time... I don't consider Shezad as something special, he chickens out against real quality fast bowling, which is his fundamental job, like Hafeez and others he can wack spinners, but anybody from Pakistan can wack spinners, there is nothing special about it, you can learn it easily too, developing good pull and cut is my litmus test for top order batsman from Pakistan, I don't get excited otherwise

 

[Hamza_]

Pull and Cut is Key against quality seamers


You are rating him way too him than his capabilities and work ethics...My fundamental problem with players like Shezad, Hafeez, Malik, Sarfraz, Azhar, Misbah that they really don't have good shots to play against quality seamers, they cannot put away bad balls for get about wacking the good ones...

Their foot work and balance does not allow them to play pull and cut, which should be in your armory to play modern day LOI batting, ball does not seam much everywhere in the world after 5/6 overs (KaKobara is not designed to seam much after few overs and conditions are also made for high scoring)...Without pull and cut, you are going to play too many dot balls and less boundaries against good seamers, which we are seeing for last 10 years, its not a mental issue or pressure situation or something else, its first and far most lack of pull and cut, which never gets develop in domestic or UAE(UAE kills whatever you had in your armory against seamers)...

Even Kamran Akmal was good as an opener because he had really good cut shot, only batsmen I had seen from Pakistan in last 6/7 years who could have developed really well against good seamer were Nasir Jamshed(he had a good pull and cut too) and Umar Akmal, they had better reflexes and range of shots against seamers, Pakistani screwed them up... Babar and Harris were more well rounded players, their reflexes, balance and foot work is such that they had good cut ability, they might still can develop pull shot over period of time... I don't consider Shezad as something special, he chickens out against real quality fast bowling, which is his fundamental job, like Hafeez and others he can wack spinners, but anybody from Pakistan can wack spinners, there is nothing special about it, you can learn it easily too, developing good pull and cut is my litmus test for top order batsman from Pakistan, I don't get excited otherwise

Hafeez was a beautiful puller of the ball. Sadly he is past it

 

[MMHS]

Pull and Cut is Key against quality seamers


You are rating him way too him than his capabilities and work ethics...My fundamental problem with players like Shezad, Hafeez, Malik, Sarfraz, Azhar, Misbah that they really don't have good shots to play against quality seamers, they cannot put away bad balls for get about wacking the good ones...

Their foot work and balance does not allow them to play pull and cut, which should be in your armory to play modern day LOI batting, ball does not seam much everywhere in the world after 5/6 overs (KaKobara is not designed to seam much after few overs and conditions are also made for high scoring)...Without pull and cut, you are going to play too many dot balls and less boundaries against good seamers, which we are seeing for last 10 years, its not a mental issue or pressure situation or something else, its first and far most lack of pull and cut, which never gets develop in domestic or UAE(UAE kills whatever you had in your armory against seamers)...

Even Kamran Akmal was good as an opener because he had really good cut shot, only batsmen I had seen from Pakistan in last 6/7 years who could have developed really well against good seamer were Nasir Jamshed(he had a good pull and cut too) and Umar Akmal, they had better reflexes and range of shots against seamers, Pakistani screwed them up... Babar and Harris were more well rounded players, their reflexes, balance and foot work is such that they had good cut ability, they might still can develop pull shot over period of time... I don't consider Shezad as something special, he chickens out against real quality fast bowling, which is his fundamental job, like Hafeez and others he can wack spinners, but anybody from Pakistan can wack spinners, there is nothing special about it, you can learn it easily too, developing good pull and cut is my litmus test for top order batsman from Pakistan, I don't get excited otherwise

Inability to play horizontal bat shots on back foot is a self created problem for PAK - that UAE dominance had to cost some thing. How do you expect players to hit on the rise onback foot after playing almost entire career on those UAE dross, which by the way is like WACA, compared to PAK domestic pitches where these players play?

It's not that Ahmed was a poor cutter or puller - check his hundred in SAF. Or take the example of Umar - his 1st two tours were in ANZ & he looked better than any one against Bond or MoJo. I saw him hitting Bond either side of point on either feet for back to back boundaries - that same guy is now basically a bottom hand slogger, hitting everything in vow corner. Probably with 1 out fielder an intelligent captain will get Umar out in few overs - these same kid hit Murali in side out to extra cover crowd.

Batting is a perishable skill - you see the transition of Kohli & Smith and then see the same for Ahmed & Umar, one should realize the root cause. PAK domestic wickets are made for players like Azhar Ali, Fawad, Manzoor .... players with zero flyer & very little shot making ability. Add to that Captains like Misbah & Azhar - without Arthur, even Sharjeel would have gone to Shehzad's route.....

One has to encourage players with shot making ability & then polish their defensive skills by adding game sense, shot selection, tactical adjustments according to situation - PAK dropped every player that had the natural shot making ability - high back lift, fast & free bat swing, strong wrists - Maqsood, Jamshed, Umar, Nazir, Amin, Sharjeel, Shahzaib ...... Ahmed just tried to survive with what is appreciated as "good batting" in PAK.

As I said - 2 months with Arthur, after that, if it's same, I'll change my mind on Shehzad. As of record - in last 8 months since Arthur joined, Azhar's Test figures went to Everest, while ODI figures had a nose dive - this is where personality job fit comes. Most PAK batsmen are picked for faulty KPI & then they are asked to change their game - SK & Babar are lucky that Arthur gave them roles to their strength. Make SK to win larke lenge style from 7 or Babar to bat at 6 - they'll look more ordinary than Ahmed in a year.

 

[yasir]

Inability to play horizontal bat shots on back foot is a self created problem for PAK - that UAE dominance had to cost some thing. How do you expect players to hit on the rise onback foot after playing almost entire career on those UAE dross, which by the way is like WACA, compared to PAK domestic pitches where these players play?

It's not that Ahmed was a poor cutter or puller - check his hundred in SAF. Or take the example of Umar - his 1st two tours were in ANZ & he looked better than any one against Bond or MoJo. I saw him hitting Bond either side of point on either feet for back to back boundaries - that same guy is now basically a bottom hand slogger, hitting everything in vow corner. Probably with 1 out fielder an intelligent captain will get Umar out in few overs - these same kid hit Murali in side out to extra cover crowd.

Batting is a perishable skill - you see the transition of Kohli & Smith and then see the same for Ahmed & Umar, one should realize the root cause. PAK domestic wickets are made for players like Azhar Ali, Fawad, Manzoor .... players with zero flyer & very little shot making ability. Add to that Captains like Misbah & Azhar - without Arthur, even Sharjeel would have gone to Shehzad's route.....

One has to encourage players with shot making ability & then polish their defensive skills by adding game sense, shot selection, tactical adjustments according to situation - PAK dropped every player that had the natural shot making ability - high back lift, fast & free bat swing, strong wrists - Maqsood, Jamshed, Umar, Nazir, Amin, Sharjeel, Shahzaib ...... Ahmed just tried to survive with what is appreciated as "good batting" in PAK.

As I said - 2 months with Arthur, after that, if it's same, I'll change my mind on Shehzad. As of record - in last 8 months since Arthur joined, Azhar's Test figures went to Everest, while ODI figures had a nose dive - this is where personality job fit comes. Most PAK batsmen are picked for faulty KPI & then they are asked to change their game - SK & Babar are lucky that Arthur gave them roles to their strength. Make SK to win larke lenge style from 7 or Babar to bat at 6 - they'll look more ordinary than Ahmed in a year.

Agree with most of your points, its not entirely players fault, much of the blame goes to PCB and then to Misbahism...I have said it many times, UAE is graveyard of Pakistani Cricket, its killing us, we are not producing fast bowler and batsmen who can play them, we are killing our cricket at both end of the spectrum, not to mention domestic pitches have gone from bad to worse, inflated stats of trundlers(bowlers with 125K speed and below 20 avgs), and batsmen like Azhar, Misbah, Fawad Alam...

On top of that PCB is doubling down on 40 years old senior for another two years(who enjoy their paid vacation in desert forever), to make sure Cricket is finished before 2020