Ahmed Shehzad vs Imam-ul-Haq - The World Cup spot

[gazza619]

Decisions decisions. There are currently a million threads on both Shezzy and Imam. The opinions are as divided as ever. There is one WC spot up for grabs to partner with Fakhar Zaman.

Lets do a poll and hope Inzi would visit the forum and view the result before making an informed decision.

Please vote.

PS: please don’t be fooled by Imam’s inflated average.

 

[a_tahir]

Who in their right mind would be Shahzad?

Shahzad has been tested and is a failure. Imam was the highest run scorer in Sa.
Just look at Shahzad's strike rate. ROFL

 

[gazza619]

Who in their right mind would be Shahzad?

Shahzad has been tested and is a failure. Imam was the highest run scorer in Sa.
Just look at Shahzad's strike rate. ROFL

Need to vote in the poll for your opinion to be counted.

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

Farcical. Not a contest. Imam all the way. Shehzad has no temperament.

 

[Usman]

Imam for me. Despite all of the criticism he gets, he has had a brilliant start to his career and has the game to compete at the World Cup.

The old Shehzad was an absolute asset and it's true he seems to have rediscovered his old touch in the last couple of weeks. But replacing Imam? No way. Not yet at least.

I am hoping that Inzi adds Shehzad as a last minute selection to the Aus squad.

 

[srh]

On pure talent level this is no contest. Ahmed Shehzad is so much better batsman than Imam-ul-Haq. But Ahmed Shehzad become nervous quickly and thats a big concern.

 

[The Viper]

Imam was impressive vs SA and they are not minnows. I think Imam is still one of our best players even if his average is inflated a bit by bashing minnows. But he is prolific because Shezhad won’t be able to even dominate minnows. Whilst Imam has an appetite for runs and can end up with an 85-90 strike rate, Shezhad will consume a lot of dot balls. Imam does not have a dot ball problem. Also Shezhads running is pathetic- he just taps the ball and runs. There is no match awareness. His run out of Watson luckily didn’t hurt his team. At best he can be a backup opener but definitely not in the starting lineup. Hopefully Shan cements the back up spot.

 

[babajee]

Imam is here to stay in ODIs and Tests.

 

[Bilal7]

Need to vote in the poll for your opinion to be counted.

This has to be a joke, right? Imam is a far superior player and there is no evidence to dispute that. Shehzad had his chance but failed to impress.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Why is Fakhar being considered an automatic pick? He's been awful for a while. Imam vs Shan vs Fakhar vs Shehzad for the 3 opener slots with Imam having the strongest claim imo

 

[coy0607]

how is this even a question?

If anything, it should be Fakhar v Shehzad - even that is ridiculous... maybe Hafeez v Shehzad

 

[Ahson8]

Lmao. Imam is going nowhere, and Shan is back-up opener and even he might not make the squad, Shehzad kahan se agaya

 

[Zhasan]

Is this even a question, as long as Chacha is chief selector, even Bradman couldn't replace the bhateeja.

 

[moghul]

Imam and Shezad both should in the squad, they are definitely among the seven best batsmen Pakistan has.

Imam, Fakhar, Shezad, Babar, Shaan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib and they should make the WC team.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Ahmed Shehzad is a changed man, he should ideally be the first name on the teamsheet for the upcoming CWC.

 

[saeed5646]

Shehzad like seriously?looks like people have goldfish memory.

As if 2015 worldcup,2016 t20 worldcup,2017 champions trophy failure are not enough ..This guy is cancer for opening the batting.

 

[light]

You guys need someone like Imam on top of the order to hold down the fortress, regardless of his 80 ish SR. Shezad, on form might look magnificent, more often than not is crap. Plus this guy has a man-child attitude. Everything is everyone's fault except his.

 

[Hawkeye]

What?

How is there even a comparison? I'm sorry it's giving too much attention and importance to Shehzad which he doesn't deserve at all.

Imam is much better.

 

[Usman Chadda]

This has to be a joke, right?

Imam is light years ahead of Shehzad at the moment. Imam makes the team before Fakhar right now.

 

[Sadozai]

Decisions decisions. There are currently a million threads on both Shezzy and Imam. The opinions are as divided as ever. There is one WC spot up for grabs to partner with Fakhar Zaman.

Lets do a poll and hope Inzi would visit the forum and view the result before making an informed decision.

Please vote.

PS: please don’t be fooled by Imam’s inflated average.

Fakhar, Imam and Babar are fixed for top order. Shehzad's competition is with Shan Masood for backup opener's spot.

As for the last part of your post, i will suggest that please don't be fooled by the Shehzad's performance in 4 innings of a domestic T20 League. Imam at least is doing well at the international level. If performing in PSL is the sole criteria to make it to the world cup squad, then Kamran Akmal has a better case (i know he is a pathetic WK, just referring his name as an argument)

 

[Ahmed216]

Ahmed Shahzad and Umar akmal debuted 10 years back and as they havent done well so far be rest assured they'll never do it

 

[Greenstorm]

Neither of them. Shan should open with Fakhar.

 

[Abdullah]

Imam was impressive vs SA and they are not minnows. I think Imam is still one of our best players even if his average is inflated a bit by bashing minnows. But he is prolific because Shezhad won’t be able to even dominate minnows. Whilst Imam has an appetite for runs and can end up with an 85-90 strike rate, Shezhad will consume a lot of dot balls. Imam does not have a dot ball problem. Also Shezhads running is pathetic- he just taps the ball and runs. There is no match awareness. His run out of Watson luckily didn’t hurt his team. At best he can be a backup opener but definitely not in the starting lineup. Hopefully Shan cements the back up spot.

This , if we dominate the minnows, we will be there or thereabouts

 

[SensiblePakFan]

This is ridiculous, who in their right mind would choose selfie

 

[Mamoon]

Imam, along with Babar, is probably our most important ODI player at the moment.

However, I won’t mind Shehzad replacing the hack that is Fakhar. He is in the zone right now and fully focused on his cricket.

It was a blunder not to select him for the Australia series over someone like Abid Ali who has no future.

The squad was announced during the early stages of PSL, and I am sure the selectors regret ignoring Shehzad, but it is simply too late to make amends now unless someone gets injured or “injured”.

 

[Slim]

Imam for me. Despite all of the criticism he gets, he has had a brilliant start to his career and has the game to compete at the World Cup.

The old Shehzad was an absolute asset and it's true he seems to have rediscovered his old touch in the last couple of weeks. But replacing Imam? No way. Not yet at least.

I am hoping that Inzi adds Shehzad as a last minute selection to the Aus squad.

This.

Well said. Shehzad right now doesnt merits a place in the ODI team. Should be added as a backup option.

 

[pakistani pride]

LOL what? AS with a 30 average and 70 odd SR?

Hope he never plays for PAK again.

 

[pakistani pride]

Imam for me. Despite all of the criticism he gets, he has had a brilliant start to his career and has the game to compete at the World Cup.

The old Shehzad was an absolute asset and it's true he seems to have rediscovered his old touch in the last couple of weeks. But replacing Imam? No way. Not yet at least.

I am hoping that Inzi adds Shehzad as a last minute selection to the Aus squad.

Can you please give some more detail when the so called old Shezad was an asset?

 

[Ahson8]

Imam, along with Babar, is probably our most important ODI player at the moment.

However, I won’t mind Shehzad replacing the hack that is Fakhar. He is in the zone right now and fully focused on his cricket.

It was a blunder not to select him for the Australia series over someone like Abid Ali who has no future.

The squad was announced during the early stages of PSL, and I am sure the selectors regret ignoring Shehzad, but it is simply too late to make amends now unless someone gets injured or “injured”.

If announcing the squad early cost Umer Khan or some youngsters a place but also Shehzad,I’m glad the squad was announced early. Don’t need Shehzad getting lucky here and then torturing us in yet another world tournament. Hopefully Shan performs in this series and completely shuts the door on him.

And hack or not, Fakhar has produced far more impactful innings than Shehzad.

 

[Saj]

Actually it could be Imam versus Ahmed versus Shan.

All fighting for one spot.

 

[Chokli]

Shehzad has failed in 2011 World Cup, 2015 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy.


What makes anyone think he'll be successful now?

 

[Titan24]

Its a shame that a guy who has won man of the series in his last ODI series and that too in SA needs to fight for his spot. He was also Pak's highest scorer in disastrous Asia cup.

Guy has 5 100s and 5 50s in his 21 matches.

Decisions and thinking like this never let a batsman develop in our system and one of the reasons our team hasnt been able to achieve its full potential in the last decade. Too much useless chopping and changing.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Actually it could be Imam versus Ahmed versus Shan.

All fighting for one spot.

Shehzad not even in the contestants list. Only if Imam and Shan get injured then he has a chance.

 

[badsha001]

even umar akmal has got better stats than selfie boy...

Batting and fielding averages
Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 16 30 2 1003 129 35.82 1520 65.98 1 6 117 17 12 0
ODIs 116 105 17 3044 102* 34.59 3542 85.94 2 20 260 50 77 13
T20Is 82 77 14 1690 94 26.82 1375 122.90 0 8 122 55 49 2
First-class 95 165 11 6716 248 43.61 9084 73.93 15 37 865 94 85 0
List A 197 182 23 5493 124 34.54 5935 92.55 5 35 492 124 125 13
T20s 254 236 50 5430 115* 29.19 4152 130.78 1 32 453 208 153 12

 

[Amjid Javed]

Both bat like snails in ODIs so how would either be a benefit to the team?

 

[TeymurBlake]

Imam had a tremendous ODI tour of South Africa and unlike Shehzad, we have seen improvements from him. Shehzad on the other hand has faltered a lot, specially when the team need him.

 

[topspin]

Actually it could be Imam versus Ahmed versus Shan.

All fighting for one spot.

Imam is in no danger of losing his spot because his performances have been good but more importantly his uncle won't let that happen.

 

[moghul]

When you lose your spot in the team, all you can do is work hard on your fitness and performance, better in what ever chance you get and Shehzad has done just that. Only disappointing thing is no new exciting batting talent has emerged and Shehzad is rightly claiming his spot.

Imam's spot should not be in question, he is new emerging batting star from Pakistan, someone else should make way for Shehzad, even a middle order batsman, injury prone Haris Sohail.

 

[ChTab]

Imam is a very hard working player & he had an amazing tour of South Africa plus his performance in PSL also very good on the other we have Shezad who is pretty average player & will struggle to score runs in pressure games. So we should stick with Imam.

 

[srh]

Neither of them. Shan should open with Fakhar.

This. Shan overall is a better batsman than both Imam and Ahmed Shehzad. He should partner with Fakhar.

 

[javid]

Ahmed shehzad a tested failure

 

[OmaIR1]

Where is the neither option?

If the king of "tuk tuk" is actually being considered then god help us. His rotation of strike is atrocious and will be the end all in the WC in England.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Shehzad has failed in 2011 World Cup, 2015 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy.


What makes anyone think he'll be successful now?

He probably won't, but not sure Imam will either. He's looked great against the lesser bowlers but he seemed to struggle against the real quality pacers pitching it short. Shehzad can actually handle pace a bit better in my opinion, problem is his temperament.

Actually it could be Imam versus Ahmed versus Shan.

All fighting for one spot.

Yes Shan should be in with a shout as well. Agree with Mamoon about Fakhar though, he has been sussed, looking like a hack the longer he is exposed to decent bowlers.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

3 fifties and a century in SA.

5 fifties, 5 centuries in 21 matches.

Not even a discussion.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Imam, along with Babar, is probably our most important ODI player at the moment.

However, I won’t mind Shehzad replacing the hack that is Fakhar. He is in the zone right now and fully focused on his cricket.

It was a blunder not to select him for the Australia series over someone like Abid Ali who has no future.

The squad was announced during the early stages of PSL, and I am sure the selectors regret ignoring Shehzad, but it is simply too late to make amends now unless someone gets injured or “injured”.

Yeah it would have been a great series to bring back AS to see if his domestic form has shown some improvement in the in between game internationally, his weakness, singles and doubles.

If Shehzad has fixed that weakness, he has power, he has the stamina, and is a great athlete, and would be a huge addition to the squad.

Zaman, hasn't been so bad though. Not the best but okay showing in SA and really good against NZ.

If he's resting, would have been an ideal opportunity to see, but PCB gonna PCB.

I do find it funny how people attack you for supporting Shehzad now when you were one of his biggest detractors in the past. Always gonna get flack eh hahaha

 

[Hasan123]

Imam place isn’t in danger. It’s PPs darling Fakhar who is more in danger. If the squad was announced now, Shehzad would be in it. Still not 100 percent convinced by him.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Imam was Pakistan's best batsman in both Asia cup and SA ODIs. Pakistani fans should have some shame before calling him "******".

Imam, Babar, and Hassan are Pakistan's most important players in ODIs. Imam is a future captain who is not going anywhere.

Fakhar has been horrendous since that Zimbabwe D bashing. Any of Masood and Shehzad can easily replace him.

 

[Chokli]

He probably won't, but not sure Imam will either. He's looked great against the lesser bowlers but he seemed to struggle against the real quality pacers pitching it short. Shehzad can actually handle pace a bit better in my opinion, problem is his temperament.



Yes Shan should be in with a shout as well. Agree with Mamoon about Fakhar though, he has been sussed, looking like a hack the longer he is exposed to decent bowlers.

if Imam can handle South African conditions and can do well enough to get a Man of the Series award over Hashim Amla and other players then I'm sure he'll be able to handle England conditions.

Shehzad has had over 10 years to solidify his spot and has failed to do so.

I am open to the idea of Shehzad being a back-up opener.

This my pecking order.

Imam
Fakhar
Shan
Shehzad

If Fakhar continues to disappoint then Shan deserves a go.

 

[Majid Khan]

Imam up Haqs start to his career is exceptional by any standard when you look at those stats -BUT these stats only tell half the story, if you consider the immense pressure and criticism that Imam has had to face, for him to succeed despite all that shows he has a very good temperament and mental toughness that many young Pakistani batsmen have been lacking in recent times.

 

[Usman]

Can you please give some more detail when the so called old Shezad was an asset?

2014 was the time where Shehzad was a true asset.

Take the 2014/15 New Zealand series where Shehzad only played one test and scored a daddy hundred. He then missed several matches in that series I believe through injury but nonetheless managed another hundred and fifty in the odi series that followed.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-new-zealand-2014/engine/series/742601.html

2014 is also the year he scored a t20 century. The previous year he got close with a 98.

In addition to the hundred mentioned above, he scored 147 against Sri Lanka and 131 against Australia in 2014.

Things started tailing off in 2015 and it's been a steep decline ever since.

 

[hadi123]

Imam-ul-haq, don't even need to think about this one

 

[superman]

Neither of them. Shan should open with Fakhar.

On what basis dies shan merit a selection?

 

[aloo paratha]

Why is Fakhar being considered an automatic pick? He's been awful for a while. Imam vs Shan vs Fakhar vs Shehzad for the 3 opener slots with Imam having the strongest claim imo

70 (73) in his last ODI...

 

[Adijazz1706]

70 (73) in his last ODI...

What about the 10 matches before that?

 

[Slim]

On what basis dies shan merit a selection?

Good english. Rich father. And Daddy's dream.

 

[Sadozai]

What about the 10 matches before that?

<table>
<tr>
<th>Ser</th>
<th>Opponent</th>
<th>Runs</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>India</td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Bangladesh</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>New Zealand</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>New Zealand</td>
<td>88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>New Zealand</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>South Africa</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>South Africa</td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>South Africa</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>South Africa</td>
<td>44</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>South Africa</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
</table>

Fakhar has scored 353 runs in his last 10 innings including three 50+ scores averaging 35.3, which is still better than ODIs career average of Ahmed Shehzad.

 

[superman]

Good english. Rich father. And Daddy's dream.

Cant argue with that

 

[Anchorman]

On what basis dies shan merit a selection?

On the basis that he's comfortably been the best domestic List A performer in the country for the past few years while also scoring heavily on pretty much every Pakistan A tour he's been on.

Good english. Rich father. And Daddy's dream.

Form. Best batsmen in List A. Star Pakistan A performer. But cool, don't let get facts in the way of your argument.

 

[Pak Warrior]

Imam all day

 

[Bilal7]

Good to see that almost everyone has gotten onto the Imam bandwagon. I remember how initially, some wanted Sahibzada Farhan to be picked ahead of him and how rabid some of the criticism around him was.

Think Masood might similarly prove a lot of people wrong but then again, not everyone is an Imam.

 

[Mirpur express]

Chachu has already decided

 

[Afhan Ali]

Shahzad can be a backup opener if Shan failed vs Australia

 

[Rana]

Ahmad Shahzad v Shan Masood as the third opener would have been a better poll

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

if Imam can handle South African conditions and can do well enough to get a Man of the Series award over Hashim Amla and other players then I'm sure he'll be able to handle England conditions.

Shehzad has had over 10 years to solidify his spot and has failed to do so.

I am open to the idea of Shehzad being a back-up opener.

This my pecking order.

Imam
Fakhar
Shan
Shehzad

If Fakhar continues to disappoint then Shan deserves a go.

My main concern about Imam isn't his runs scored agregate, he might well have scored heavily against some attacks, from what I remember he was punishing the spin and medium pace bowlers really heavily when they came on in the SA series, but looked less sure against the short pitched stuff from the genuine quicks.

That is just my impression, could be wrong. What do you remember of his performances against pace? How did he handle bouncers aimed at rib or head height?

 

[Afhan Ali]

Shahzad looks hungry for runs in PSL but let's see how he performs in upcoming domestic 50 overs competition.
There is no competition for a spot between Imam and Shahzad because Imam is 2nd best batsman of the country and improving with every international assignment.

 

[Slim]

On the basis that he's comfortably been the best domestic List A performer in the country for the past few years while also scoring heavily on pretty much every Pakistan A tour he's been on.



Form. Best batsmen in List A. Star Pakistan A performer. But cool, don't let get facts in the way of your argument.

You do know Rizwan was also star Pakistan A performer.

and hes a dud in international cricket.

Let that sink in.

Shan can only play test cricket and for all we know that SA series might turn out to be a big fluke.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

If Imam was brought in because of his name, he has stayed because of his performance.
If Imam was brought in because of his name, he has stayed because of his performance.
If Imam was brought in because of his name, he has stayed because of his performance.
If Imam was brought in because of his name, he has stayed because of his performance.
If Imam was brought in because of his name, he has stayed because of his performance.
If Imam was brought in because of his name, he has stayed because of his performance.
If Imam was brought in because of his name, he has stayed because of his performance.

When will people understand this.

 

[Muhammad10]

You do know Rizwan was also star Pakistan A performer.

and hes a dud in international cricket.

Let that sink in.

Shan can only play test cricket and for all we know that SA series might turn out to be a big fluke.

Hello, he is yet to even make his ODI debut. What a ridiculous assertion.

Meanwhile, you retain faith in tried and tested failures like Shehzad...

 

[Barragan]

I hope Shan gets his chance against the Aussies because he could potentially be the opener needed.

He has improved in the longer format drastically, but the 50 over format is where he has dominated and has been on a different level.

Also, Imam over shehzad.

 

[Abdullah719]

Good english. Rich father. And Daddy's dream.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

I actually didn't know he had improved so much in LA. I am pretty excited then to see him get a chance. Hope it goes well.

 

[The Yorker]

Imam ul Haq deserves his place as opener with Fakhar and Babar one down is where our strength lies. Pakistan are extremely weak and very limited choices for the 4th and 5th slots. It seems Haris Sohail and Shoaib Malik fill those places.Umar Akmal will be fighting for a place there and I really Ahmed Shezad might be an outside bet (very) for the fourth and fifth batsman. He has been a TTF and been given enough chances. Maybe he should emigrate to The Netherlands . I hear they are looking for an international quality batter

 

[Zhasan]

South African series was a fluke, Imam will struggle in England. Nobody will be pitching the ball up to him for his go-to step out shot to work. Playing at the crease he will struggle with seam and swing. Don't see him having any impact.

 

[Zhasan]

Imam ul Haq deserves his place as opener with Fakhar and Babar one down is where our strength lies. Pakistan are extremely weak and very limited choices for the 4th and 5th slots. It seems Haris Sohail and Shoaib Malik fill those places.Umar Akmal will be fighting for a place there and I really Ahmed Shezad might be an outside bet (very) for the fourth and fifth batsman. He has been a TTF and been given enough chances. Maybe he should emigrate to The Netherlands &#55358;&#56611;&#55357;&#56397;&#55356;&#57341;. I hear they are looking for an international quality batter &#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56397;&#55356;&#57341;

They don't come as big as Malik and Haris when it comes to TTF.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

They don't come as big as Malik and Haris when it comes to TTF.

Harris is a TTF how exactly? He's had injury issues, which are just something of luck.

 

[goran]

Shehzad is an absolute TTF and should be nowhere near the national team. Imam on the other hand has improved a lot and should definitely be going to WC. No question about that.

 

[Ahson8]

You do know Rizwan was also star Pakistan A performer.

and hes a dud in international cricket.

Let that sink in.

Shan can only play test cricket and for all we know that SA series might turn out to be a big fluke.

So all PAK A performers are going to be duds at international cricket ?

How did you arrive to that conclusion ? Some sort of magic or alchemy ?

 

[Anchorman]

You do know Rizwan was also star Pakistan A performer.

and hes a dud in international cricket.

Let that sink in.

Shan can only play test cricket and for all we know that SA series might turn out to be a big fluke.

Rizwan was one of the star performers, Shan was THE star performer, not just on A tours but in domestic one-days as well.

Rizwan failed in international cricket but he got selected on merit. Yes, some players aren't built for the big leagues and they're exposed once they get there but you have to at least give them the chance to fail because if you don't, you might as well pack it all in and don't play domestic cricket anymore. Just have a few net sessions and see who looks the part.

Shan has the third highest average in List A cricket history but Slim from Pakpassion with his magic crystal ball says that he's not capable of playing ODI cricket and the SA series where all the commentators and management were going gaga over his technique and composure may actually be a fluke. Okay.

 

[Muhammad10]

So all PAK A performers are going to be duds at international cricket ?

How did you arrive to that conclusion ? Some sort of magic or alchemy ?

Definitely something shady about this logic from Slim.

 

[CricFan2012]

Good thing no one can see who the 10 people are that voted for Shehzad, an absolutely dumbfounded stance considering Imam has already settled in the team and was our best batsman against South Africa's decent pace attack, meanwhile Shehzad has just showed up...

Actually I'd like to see who voted for Shehzad now just to not take their opinions seriously