You keep diverting the argument by bringing in an insecurity: 'Misbah is this, Misbah is that' -- Shafiq has a long way to go to reach him, calm down because I'm not attacking Shafiq like you attack Misbah to defend some of your beloved ones. This is quite immature, and you shouldn't do it. You're having a field day out of this.
I've explained the reason why I brought Misbah into the discussion - see #80.
In addition, I've seen you divert attention towards Afridi/Umar Akmal/Shehzad every time Misbah is scrutinized, so let's not play that game.
I'm actually a neutral when it comes to Shafiq, like most others in this thread. Most here know your connection with him, and have pointed that out, plus deficiences of Shafiq.
What connection? He is not my phupo ka beta. I think he's a very good Test batsman and a vital member of our team - he gets unwarranted criticism at times.
You're clearly not ready to accept them. I mentioned his inconsistency, as well as losing the plot when there's no support and he has to deliver. Mentioned 4 of his innings where he was absolutely needed, but he didn't show up against the mighty Zimbabwe.
Ah that series nearly 3 years ago. Didn't Azhar fail as well? It was a horror show and both of them were badly out of form in 2013/14, but they have been very good 2014 onwards.
H failed in SL recently after the match where Sarfraz did the damage. Was needed, but didn't show up.
There was a huge debate on this, and majority agreed it was Sarfraz who saved the previous match, giving a breathing space to Shafiq. Expectedly, he failed in the next match, and continued his tradition of "One performance per series". You hated YK for the same thing, for heaven's sake.
What sort of logic is this? Sarfraz saved the match which his attacking innings but when he departed, we were still trailing by 65 runs. Shafiq added 182 runs with the tail which helped us win the match.
If Sarfraz drew the match, Shafiq won it. I don't care what the majority say, because I can see for myself and I like to think independently. I have no qualms in agreeing with the majority but I'll listen to myself first.
You can repeat it as many times as you want but in that Test, Shafiq played the more defining knock. Yes he did not do much after it but it was not a productive series for our batsmen throughout. Misbah, Hafeez, Shehzad all failed, while Younis and Masood played one good knock only. Azhar and Sarfraz were the only ones who delivered twice, so I don't see why Shafiq has to be singled out.
You clearly can't see his timidness, nervousness and we neutrals really can't understand why. Because you're his fan, maybe.
Again, I have never called him the most confident batsman. He has his issues and need to impose himself more, I have said that a thousand times.
None of the neutrals calls him awful, so stop taking this criticism as an attack on him. We want him to man up and take charge, authority. He's going to be replacing YK/Misbah. I really can't imagine relying on him with the timid approach and inconsistency he's showing of late.
Younis is one of our best ever Test batsman so replacing him will be a tall order, but I think Azhar has him covered. As far as Misbah is concerned, no matter how much you stress, he is just a decent Test batsman nothing more - one of the biggest HTB of his generation but is never called out for it.
If Shafiq or someone like Haris etc. do not end up as superior Test batsmen than Misbah by the time they retire, they should be disappointed with their effort.
Misbah owes more than half of his Test career to Abu Dhabi and is a certified failure in overseas conditions. Shafiq has already shown more guts than him in SA and I expect him to do better than Misbah in Australia as well. He has done better in Sri Lanka too where the ball does a bit.
I am confident that in due time, before he is 40 years old, he will learn to fill his boots in the UAE like Misbah does.
Misbah is a tier-3 batsman in Pakistan history.
As far as Younis is concerned, before the Australian series last year, he did have this issue. Besides, you cannot compare the experience of a player like Younis to Asad. For someone who is supposed to be our best and most experienced batsman, he was not productive enough in the 2010-2013 period and never managed to dominate a series.
He couldn't even outscore Shafiq in SA in 2013 and failed both times on lively wickets in the 1st and 2nd Test, and went completely missing vs SA in UAE in 2013. However, he has been brilliant in 2014-2015.