Asad Shafiq, a failure in pressure situations?

[Slog]

Bumpity bump bump

Lol. Good one.

See him score a sub 30 score next and he will be a failure in tough situations again

 

[Mamoon]

Another 'soft' innings. Unfortunately if he gets a hundred here, it will be brushed aside because 'Misbah scored and absorbed the pressure', even though it was his first pressure hundred for nearly two years.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Another 'soft' innings. Unfortunately if he gets a hundred here, it will be brushed aside because 'Misbah scored and absorbed the pressure', even though it was his first pressure hundred for nearly two years.

I think if he gets a hundred here, all doubters must have been answered. There was plenty of pressure on when he came to the wicket, another one at that point and the wicketkeeper comes in with the score still below 200. England would have been scenting victory. Even now, he's still only on 46. He has to go on and make close to a hundred to show he's more than just a temporary annoyance for the England team. He's done half a job, now he needs to finish it.

 

[Markhor]

Vital partnership with Misbah at the end of the day. Showed a solid defence, shut up shop and didn't allow any further loss of wickets but still got his runs at a decent rate.

 

[Slog]

I think if he gets a hundred here, all doubters must have been answered. There was plenty of pressure on when he came to the wicket, another one at that point and the wicketkeeper comes in with the score still below 200. England would have been scenting victory. Even now, he's still only on 46. He has to go on and make close to a hundred to show he's more than just a temporary annoyance for the England team. He's done half a job, now he needs to finish it.

He's scored runs in such a situation on many occasions though so the initial claim in itself is unfounded for the most part.

Btw I'll just type it out here. If he scores a century people will claim it was off Misbahs back. If he gets out soon then he failed to play under pressure

 

[#GreenRoars]

Haters talk naaah !!!

 

[Abdullah]

Good innings- needs to go on!!
Good knock under pressure so far- match was (and still is as we could come and lose 2 wickets first thing) in a melting pot as England could have got us for 300 and then we would be playing catchup.

Hope these 2 can keep there wickets till lunch and then we can unleash a bit of carnage.

Would be excellent.

I would also understand those who say England have been lucky with the wickets they have taken today so there is no reason for Shafiq not to score- but what had happened had happened so he came in at a crunch moment.

I want 600 please

 

[Anfield]

Asad Shafiq has scored so many runs under pressure in Tests that it's criminal to say he doesn't perform under-pressure.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Another 'soft' innings. Unfortunately if he gets a hundred here, it will be brushed aside because 'Misbah scored and absorbed the pressure', even though it was his first pressure hundred for nearly two years.

I think he gets hate due to his failures in ODI's. People cannot seem to separate the two and believe he is relatively poor in ODIs, meaning he must be just as bad as that in tests.

If he scores in tests, it becomes "well I mean with so many chances eventually he will come good", which is ridiculous because right now he has a century, a to be 50, and potentially another century in 3 innings.

No respect when he performs, and red button finger pointing when he fails.

I honestly have no idea what else he could do for people to respect him has a test batsmen.

 

[Critical Analyst]

46 is hardly a score to gloat and boast about, if he can't even score a 50 on this super flat baked road on which btw a technical hack like Masood scored a 50 at a decent rate, he should call it a day. Lets see how he resumes tomorrow, because it might be a tricky session tomorrow for Pakistan and both players will need to show urgency and score quickly so that they can hope to extend the total to around 450-500 by midway through last session and put England into bat. We all know which Shafiq turns out when he changes his gears and starts attacking, wait is there any version of Shafiq that is aggressive, I don't think so!

 

[Critical Analyst]

I think he gets hate due to his failures in ODI's. People cannot seem to separate the two and believe he is relatively poor in ODIs, meaning he must be just as bad as that in tests.

If he scores in tests, it becomes "well I mean with so many chances eventually he will come good", which is ridiculous because right now he has a century, a to be 50, and potentially another century in 3 innings.

No respect when he performs, and red button finger pointing when he fails.

I honestly have no idea what else he could do for people to respect him has a test batsmen.

People will only respect him when he shows some consistency and not just 1 valuable innings throughout the series which he seems to be doing of late. He needs to impose himself on the bowlers more because atm he exhibits a very unassertive and timid character. Plus he needs to show some urgency and increase his SR once set because to me he is always in the same gear irrespective of his score and wastes alot of time thereby boring us to death.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

46 is hardly a score to gloat and boast about, if he can't even score a 50 on this super flat baked road on which btw a technical hack like Masood scored a 50 at a decent rate, he should call it a day. Lets see how he resumes tomorrow, because it might be a tricky session tomorrow for Pakistan and both players will need to show urgency and score quickly so that they can hope to extend the total to around 450-500 by midway through last session and put England into bat. We all know which Shafiq turns out when he changes his gears and starts attacking, wait is there any version of Shafiq that is aggressive, I don't think so!

Few things.

Masood has consistently not scored where Shafiq has, but you don't seem to be discussing the discrepency there.

Secondly you ignore the other two players who have been consistently good who scored nothing where Shafiq did score.

The latter point regarding aggression is another poor one. How often has Shafiq come in where he had the opportunity to be aggressive? He is either there to save innings, after a collapse, doesn't bat, or just comes in when the innings is almost done and said, okay Shafiq, just go and slog, a big score from you is irrelevant from you right now, the top scored enough.

It is a very tough spot to be #6, because you don't set the tone of your batting. The tone is set by those who have batted above you.

No one is claiming him a superstar, but he is a very good player, at least by our standards and people need to see all the factors that affect his batting before claiming incorrect things.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

People will only respect him when he shows some consistency and not just 1 valuable innings throughout the series which he seems to be doing of late. He needs to impose himself on the bowlers more because atm he exhibits a very unassertive and timid character. Plus he needs to show some urgency and increase his SR once set because to me he is always in the same gear irrespective of his score and wastes alot of time thereby boring us to death.

Okay one good innings?

He had the century, a bad innings, and now another good one. So 2/3.

SL not the best series other than the century, but again it was a tough spot he was put in.

Bangladesh he thrashed, NZ he had a great consistent series in 4 innings, Australia 1 good, 1 bad.

What do you expect from him?

There are ebbs and flows to cricket, he will have a string of 1-2 poor matches and a string of 1-2 really good ones.

No one is claiming his perfection but he is doing what you should expect of a #6.

 

[world cup captain]

46 is hardly a score to gloat and boast about, if he can't even score a 50 on this super flat baked road on which btw a technical hack like Masood scored a 50 at a decent rate, he should call it a day. Lets see how he resumes tomorrow, because it might be a tricky session tomorrow for Pakistan and both players will need to show urgency and score quickly so that they can hope to extend the total to around 450-500 by midway through last session and put England into bat. We all know which Shafiq turns out when he changes his gears and starts attacking, wait is there any version of Shafiq that is aggressive, I don't think so!

How come YK didn't score a double hundred if it is a baked flat road? Is he also a hack?

 

[Critical Analyst]

How come YK didn't score a double hundred if it is a baked flat road? Is he also a hack?

He was unlucky to get out, wasn't a sort of delivery that merited a wicket tbh.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Number 6 is harder than some others imo because.. .

Today is a good illustration of how batting at 6 is easier than 5. Coming in at 85/3 vs coming in at 178/4 - very similar to the scenarios I brought up in my post.

A good knock by Shafiq nonetheless.

 

[shaz619]

Great Stuff from Shafiq; would have been in big trouble if he got out. Although I must admit, was uncompatible watching him bat given the fear he'd get out but its innings like these which will inspire confidence in the future. Long way to go though, needs to get a big hundred.

 

[Amir]

Today is a good illustration of how batting at 6 is easier than 5. Coming in at 85/3 vs coming in at 178/4 - very similar to the scenarios I brought up in my post.

A good knock by Shafiq nonetheless.

Doesn't matter. A batsmen needs to score regardless of any position. The pitch is going to break up, so we need everyone to contribute towards 400. and he is doign that.

 

[shaz619]

Bumpity bump bump

Check this Jobber out [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION]; I've turned on him ever since he became a part-timer....JOKE Tees:

I still Believe in the Teesra! hope you're good big billy, go on the ritter.

 

[Slog]

Today is a good illustration of how batting at 6 is easier than 5. Coming in at 85/3 vs coming in at 178/4 - very similar to the scenarios I brought up in my post.

A good knock by Shafiq nonetheless.

Debatable. Shafiq gets out innings is pretty much done. And he knows there is little to follow after him so more pressure in that sense.

If an all rounder is batting at number 6 I guess that is less pressure on him but a pure bat is a different story

 

[nam]

excellent batting today by shafiq.. was a treat to watch!

 

[Slog]

excellent batting today by shafiq.. was a treat to watch!

Was scratchy at the start but was batting like a dream near the end of the day. Hopefully he continues like this rather than muck around for another half hour

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Debatable. Shafiq gets out innings is pretty much done. And he knows there is little to follow after him so more pressure in that sense.

If an all rounder is batting at number 6 I guess that is less pressure on him but a pure bat is a different story

I guess Sarfraz doesn't count as a batsmen?

 

[Hawkeye]

46* so far, going good and if he goes on to make a ton, I'd call it a true pressure knock.

Seems like the thread has been bumped too early, anything can happen tomorrow. And no if he indeed scores big, it won't be brushed aside because Misbah was there alongside him.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Debatable. Shafiq gets out innings is pretty much done. And he knows there is little to follow after him so more pressure in that sense.

If an all rounder is batting at number 6 I guess that is less pressure on him but a pure bat is a different story

Debatable in your mind only. And in neither reply did you address my point about the scores when the no. 6 comes in.

Next in is Sarfraz, arguably a better batsman than Shafiq, so no, innings is not done if Shafiq is out. You should know that better than anyone given Sarfraz's performance in SL with Shafiq at the other end.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

46* so far, going good and if he goes on to make a ton, I'd call it a true pressure knock.

Seems like the thread has been bumped too early, anything can happen tomorrow. And no if he indeed scores big, it won't be brushed aside because Misbah was there alongside him.

Walking in at 178/4 is not a "true pressure knock".

A true pressure knock would be say YK's century against Aus, walking in at 7/2.

178/4 is actually a pretty common position to be in, and not a bad one.

I'm not saying he hasn't played well, but sheesh, you guys build a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

ODIs are the primary reason why asad gets the hate he does. His constant chances come across almost as corruption and that hate creeps into critiquing his test performances.

I have managed to seperate the two because Asad comes across as a good person who at least is honest about his failings( unlike yk).

More broadly speaking i do think Asad has been the benficary of a lot of goodwill from the people that matters. I do think AT THE TIME he was preffered wrongly prefered over others who didnt deserve to be dropped, but he took his chances, cant blame him for that.

 

[Hawkeye]

Walking in at 178/4 is not a "true pressure knock".

A true pressure knock would be say YK's century against Aus, walking in at 7/2.

178/4 is actually a pretty common position to be in, and not a bad one.

I'm not saying he hasn't played well, but sheesh, you guys build a mountain out of a molehill.

Did he come at 178/4? I thought it was something like 130/4.

The thread bump can go badly wrong.

Not really an against the wall innings, yeah, but not bad either. Provided he scores big - 46 doesn't prove anything.

 

[MMHS]

If he doesn't get out in 1st 35-40 minutes, I think, he is going to get another hundred. Batted really well - these are defining moments of a Test, had he gone to make it like 233/5, I think PAK would have conceded a 1st innings lead, as ENG would have cleaned the tail with 2nd new ball for around 320 & started batting one hour into Day 2. It's not about the run only, PAK needs to occupy as many overs as possible before tea - reducing ENG's share of the best batting period on this track. Last year, PAK lost 7 wicket in 2nd morning & NZ raced towards 400, before the spinners came into play.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Few things.

Masood has consistently not scored where Shafiq has, but you don't seem to be discussing the discrepency there.

Secondly you ignore the other two players who have been consistently good who scored nothing where Shafiq did score.

The latter point regarding aggression is another poor one. How often has Shafiq come in where he had the opportunity to be aggressive? He is either there to save innings, after a collapse, doesn't bat, or just comes in when the innings is almost done and said, okay Shafiq, just go and slog, a big score from you is irrelevant from you right now, the top scored enough.

It is a very tough spot to be #6, because you don't set the tone of your batting. The tone is set by those who have batted above you.

No one is claiming him a superstar, but he is a very good player, at least by our standards and people need to see all the factors that affect his batting before claiming incorrect things.

Masood is not a regular in the side, he hardly gets picked up for a test or two while Shafiq has been a permanent No. 6 in our side for the last 5 years but still he's incapable of delivering the goods on consistent basis.

Misbah and YK have been consistently scoring, mostly coming in at difficult situations when the top order batsmen have got out cheaply, avoiding an imminent collapse, stabilizing and taking the innings forward. Shafiq has only filled his boots when Top/Middle order scored runs, he usually comes in at a relatively comfortable position but still is unable to score briskly and is usually 14 (48) before he gets out to a cheap shot or edges it behind.

Another poor assessment, he comes in a much easier situation with the ball significantly old and the pitch flattened out in baking hot sun. There is no excuse for him to score at a leisurely and sluggish rate building pressure on himself and the team when there is a more competent batsman in the form of Sarfraz to follow. Besides a few innings where I've seen him coming at a difficult situation, he usually comes to the crease when the tone of the innings has already been set up by those who came before him and therefore he's required step up to the occasion, accelerate and give it a final touch in order to set a target but instead he either chickens out or spends ample amount of time for his odd 50 disintegrating the entire complexion of innings because of his selfish and defensive approach.

Good batsmen adjust themselves to the situation and fulfill the roles thats expected from them. By your logic Sarfraz shouldn't be able to able to score hundreds and be more cautious than Shafiq because he comes at an even more difficult position and bats mostly with our pathetic tail, but that is not the case. We have seen Shafiq often plays second fiddle to Sarfraz when he's on crease taking the attack to opposition, giving him some breathing space while the former continues with his tentative approach block after block after block which doesn't get him anywhere until he loses his wicket in pathetic fashion.

Yes, he is not a superstar and never will be, at best he can be a decent bat but nothing more than that if he continues with his mental approach. No one is claiming incorrect things about him, we have nothing personal against him. Criticism he receives is legit and warranted, only way he can escape our harsh judgment is by changing his style and mental approach that can contribute to our success.

 

[Hawkeye]

Real test for Shafiq starts, 5 down now.

 

[Critical Analyst]

46* so far, going good and if he goes on to make a ton, I'd call it a true pressure knock.

Seems like the thread has been bumped too early, anything can happen tomorrow. And no if he indeed scores big, it won't be brushed aside because Misbah was there alongside him.

Pressure knock? You kidding me right? Walking in and scoring a ton at a relatively comfortable position of 178/4 doesn't qualify to be called a pressure knock when you have a more reliable and consistent batsman to follow. It's not like he came in at 78/4 with Pakistan in all sorts of trouble and he had to stabilize and build an innings. But I still doubt he'll score a ton provided his timid nature, he won't press on the accelerator and get a move on unless he runs out of partners and there is no one left to provide him a cushion. He'll continue with his ultra defensive approach as long as he sees it fit and someone else like Sarfraz/Riaz/Yasir give him a breathing space to remain in his bubble.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Real test for Shafiq starts, 5 down now.

Yes, now that his mentor is gone, we'll see what's he made of, but I still can't see him imposing himself and taking the initiative when he has the company of Sarfraz, as usual he'll look up to him to score quickly giving him breathing space while continuing with his timid approach. The only way we'll see him more assertive is when he is running out of partners with 7-8 down and he has no choice left but to attack and perishing in the pursuit of his 100.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Yes, now that his mentor is gone, we'll see what's he made of, but I still can't see him imposing himself and taking the initiative when he has the company of Sarfraz, as usual he'll look up to him to score quickly giving him breathing space while continuing with his timid approach. The only way we'll see him more assertive is when he is running out of partners with 7-8 down and he has no choice left but to attack and perishing in the pursuit of his 100.

Well, you called it.

Still, he scored 83 valuable runs.

In this situation, he did miss out on a century by running out of partners.

 

[Theo_14]

PSL should help him - his offence shots are weak.

 

[Fallen King]

Despite of his inability to hit harder, he played composed inning well in under pressure. Gotta give credit to where it is due.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pathetic effort by Shafiq batting with tail, he over exposed the tail but also show a lack of ability to work ball around the park!

 

[Mamoon]

Today was another example of how he has missed out on runs because of his batting position. He has run out of time/partners in nearly 3-4 of his hundreds as well as the 80 today.

A very valuable innings when everyone else around him lost his head.

 

[JibranAnsari]

A very good innings despite his inability to take charge into his hands when he was running out of partners. Only one boundary by him in the last 20 overs by him. He should be promoted to number 3 in the next match and malik should be demoted to number 6. Malik can play better with the tailenders.

 

[Hawkeye]

Today was another example of how he has missed out on runs because of his batting position. He has run out of time/partners in nearly 3-4 of his hundreds as well as the 80 today.

A very valuable innings when everyone else around him lost his head.

Giving a bit too much credit. Added 40 odd runs today, didn't try to take charge even once and kept exposing tailenders after Sarfraz got out.

80 runs are valuable in match context, very valuable, but again he folded as soon as Sarfraz went. 4 wickets. He couldn't score during those.

 

[AlphaFighter]

A very good innings despite his inability to take charge into his hands when he was running out of partners. Only one boundary by him in the last 20 overs by him. He should be promoted to number 3 in the next match and malik should be demoted to number 6. Malik can play better with the tailenders.

Good point but will the team management take note.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Mamoon]

Giving a bit too much credit. Added 40 odd runs today, didn't try to take charge even once and kept exposing tailenders after Sarfraz got out.

80 runs are valuable in match context, very valuable, but again he folded as soon as Sarfraz went. 4 wickets. He couldn't score during those.

And why did Sarfraz fail?

He did very well under the circumstances - Sarfraz threw his wicket away, Wahab played a retarded stroke and the partnership with Yasir was useful. Wahab and Yasir are capable of scoring a few runs so giving them the strike is not exposing the tail.

Babar and Imran are bunnies anyway and we did lose maybe a few runs due to him getting hit in the knee but I think a hundred was beyond him any way because a partnership couldn't have been formed.

Of course you are free to nitpick to save your thread.

 

[#GreenRoars]

Very good innings by him, again.

 

[Hawkeye]

And why did Sarfraz fail?

He did very well under the circumstances - Sarfraz threw his wicket away, Wahab played a retarded stroke and the partnership with Yasir was useful. Wahab and Yasir are capable of scoring a few runs so giving them the strike is not exposing the tail.

Babar and Imran are bunnies anyway and we did lose maybe a few runs due to him getting hit in the knee but I think a hundred was beyond him any way because a partnership couldn't have been formed.

Of course you are free to nitpick to save your thread.

I'm just surprised you liked his finishing when you always rip apart a legend like AB.

80 runs are valuable, no doubt.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Well, you called it.

Still, he scored 83 valuable runs.

In this situation, he did miss out on a century by running out of partners.

Enough with this justification, he has only himself to blame for missing his hundred. He had ample time to get to his 100 with Mibah and Sarfraz but couldn't do so because that would've meant getting out of his defensive bubble and stepping on the accelerator which he isn't used to. Moreover, he didn't even try to show urgency after Sarfraz got out but instead happily handed most of the strike to talenders which could only last a while. At the end, it was just too much to be expected of him and perished as usual well short of his 100, a truly sad end to his prolonged innings.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Absolute terrible knock.

Not a single run was scored under pressure. He gave it away when it really mattered.

#ThinkLikeHawkEye

 

[Mamoon]

I'm just surprised you liked his finishing when you always rip apart a legend like AB.

80 runs are valuable, no doubt.

Not sure why certain PPers get upset so much if someone doesn't worship SA players and what de Villiers have to do here. SA players are loved more on PakPassion than perhaps on a South African forum.

But now that you are on it, the fact that he is not a good finisher is a valid criticism. Similarly, to say that Shafiq struggles with strike rotation is also valid, but you are nitpicking here by refusing to put an ounce of blame on Misbah for falling in the first over and once again showing that he cannot score big and your refusal to criticize Sarfraz for throwing his wicket away.

 

[Critical Analyst]

And why did Sarfraz fail?

He did very well under the circumstances - Sarfraz threw his wicket away, Wahab played a retarded stroke and the partnership with Yasir was useful. Wahab and Yasir are capable of scoring a few runs so giving them the strike is not exposing the tail.

Babar and Imran are bunnies anyway and we did lose maybe a few runs due to him getting hit in the knee but I think a hundred was beyond him any way because a partnership couldn't have been formed.

Of course you are free to nitpick to save your thread.

Sarfraz is an aggressive and busy player, he lives on the edge and won't take you out of jail everytime he comes to bat. I think under the circumstances he was decent nothing more. Regarding Shafiq, he had a great opportunity to step up and race towards his 100 when he had Sarfraz on the other end, because we knew the field setting would make it more tough for him to score runs once England got to our tail. But instead of showing urgency, he remained in his bubble and let Yasir Shah farm the strike and play aggressively while he watched from the other end until he ran out of partners and perished in pursuit of his 100. He has only himself to blame, no one else, enough with the justifications please.

 

[Mamoon]

Sarfraz is an aggressive and busy player, he lives on the edge and won't take you out of jail everytime he comes to bat. I think under the circumstances he was decent nothing more. Regarding Shafiq, he had a great opportunity to step up and race towards his 100 when he had Sarfraz on the other end, because we knew the field setting would make it more tough for him to score runs once England got to our tail. But instead of showing urgency, he remained in his bubble and let Yasir Shah farm the strike and play aggressively while he watched from the other end until he ran out of partners and perished in pursuit of his 100. He has only himself to blame, no one else, enough with the justifications please.

Had he tried to slog after Sarfraz, he would have been criticized for throwing his wicket away and not looking to add valuable runs with the tail.

Yasir is no bunny and he did well, so I am not sure what your point is. After his departure, he could have hit out but everyone acknowledges the fact that he is not very good when it comes to aggressive batting, but he once again showed by the notion that he scores soft runs and cannot absorb pressure is a myth.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Not sure why certain PPers get upset so much if someone doesn't worship SA players and what de Villiers have to do here. SA players are loved more on PakPassion than perhaps on a South African forum.

But now that you are on it, the fact that he is not a good finisher is a valid criticism. Similarly, to say that Shafiq struggles with strike rotation is also valid, but you are nitpicking here by refusing to put an ounce of blame on Misbah for falling in the first over and once again showing that he cannot score big and your refusal to criticize Sarfraz for throwing his wicket away.

Finally something you can agree on, it must have been hard, doesn't it?

 

[Bullet Drive]

If only he got that number 9 test ton today. Thanks to crazy Wahab & that fat useless Babar not possible.

 

[Mamoon]

Finally something you can agree on, it must have been hard, doesn't it?

For someone who likes to call himself an analyst, your ability to analyze and comprehend plain English is pretty poor.

Check post #62, #65 and especially #101 where I've commented on his weaknesses.

If you still don't understand, maybe we can converse in another language? I can't use simpler English than this.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Had he tried to slog after Sarfraz, he would have been criticized for throwing his wicket away and not looking to add valuable runs with the tail.

Yasir is no bunny and he did well, so I am not sure what your point is. After his departure, he could have hit out but everyone acknowledges the fact that he is not very good when it comes to aggressive batting, but he once again showed by the notion that he scores soft runs and cannot absorb pressure is a myth.

Its his overly defensive approach that's the problem, he came out to bat yesterday and despite batting for two full sessions, he couldn't reach his 100. Atleast Misbah made up for his tuk-tuking by slogging a few at the end but Asad doesn't have any gear besides blocking. What's the point of your stay at the crease underpressure when you can't score runs but instead build more pressure by being ultra defensive?

 

[Mamoon]

Its his overly defensive approach that's the problem, he came out to bat yesterday and despite batting for two full sessions, he couldn't reach his 100. Atleast Misbah made up for his tuk-tuking by slogging a few at the end but Asad doesn't have any gear besides blocking. What's the point of your stay at the crease underpressure when you can't score runs but instead build more pressure by being ultra defensive?

He batted at a SR of 50 for most of the innings which is good for Test cricket; he had to slow down because Misbah, Sarfraz and Wahab threw their wickets today.

Yes he could have added 10-15 more runs today even without getting injured but that's about it.

 

[m.shah]

He is good under pressure

 

[Critical Analyst]

For someone who likes to call himself an analyst, your ability to analyze and comprehend plain English is pretty poor.

Check post #62, #65 and especially #101 where I've commented on his weaknesses.

If you still don't understand, maybe we can converse in another language? I can't use simpler English than this.

Yes I read your posts, my comprehension ability is working pretty fine thanks, but its just a rare sight you acknowledging his shortcomings, because mostly you're busy in bashing others like Misbah in every thread because of his defensive approach while disregarding your favorite's very same incompetency.

 

[Mamoon]

Yes I read your posts, my comprehension ability is working pretty fine thanks, but its just a rare sight you acknowledging his shortcomings, because mostly you're busy in bashing others like Misbah in every thread because of his defensive approach while disregarding your favorite's very same incompetency.

Don't change the channel now. You criticized me for not accepting his shortcomings and said it must be hard for me as if post #207 was the first time I pinpointed his weakness.

If you think I am a Misbah basher than I don't blame you because you are new. You haven't seen the real Misbah bashers; I don't criticize Misbah for his tuk tuk in Tests but his inability to score big.

He is a fine Test batsman but not a great one because of that factor.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Don't change the channel now. You criticized me for not accepting his shortcomings and said it must be hard for me as if post #207 was the first time I pinpointed his weakness.

If you think I am a Misbah basher than I don't blame you because you are new. You haven't seen the real Misbah bashers; I don't criticize Misbah for his tuk tuk in Tests but his inability to score big.

He is a fine Test batsman but not a great one because of that factor.

Sorry but its pretty obvious from your posts in this thread, the hate and abhorrence you've shown whenever your favorite's performance has been questioned makes one certain that you're bitter towards Misbah. Maybe your insecurity is getting the better of you, you're a smart and reasonable poster, don't let the bias and prejudice cloud your judgement.

 

[Mamoon]

Sorry but its pretty obvious from your posts in this thread, the hate and abhorrence you've shown whenever your favorite's performance has been questioned makes one certain that you're bitter towards Misbah. Maybe your insecurity is getting the better of you, you're a smart and reasonable poster, don't let the bias and prejudice cloud your judgement.

You don't know the background behind those posts and the context so I do not blame you. As it happens, OP is the biggest fan of an individual player on this forum. His support for Misbah is irrational yet he criticizes others for supporting xyz players irrationally, which is a clearcut case of double-standards, so I had to call him out on that.

I don't like bringing Misbah into every thread when it's relevant.

 

[Slog]

Lol predictable pattern in the thread and called it.

It was supposed to be a pressure situation if shafiq had gotten out after a few overs and suddenly since he made a good 80 odd history is being revised.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Lol predictable pattern in the thread and called it.

It was supposed to be a pressure situation if shafiq had gotten out after a few overs and suddenly since he made a good 80 odd history is being revised.

Since when is 178/4 a pressure situation?

 

[Slog]

Since when is 178/4 a pressure situation?

It's not? it's a test match. 178/4 is pretty poor considering your tail starts from no.8 and fails to hang around much either

One more wicket and your keeper comes into bat and prolly you will be all out by 220-230 considering our tail.

 

[hussain.r97]

Since when is 178/4 a pressure situation?

178/4 is a pressure situation when a good score here is 400+
Maybe not as much pressure as 80/4, but there is still pressure.

And if that is not enough, the pressure when batting with the tail is also quite high considering you have to make major adjustments to your approach.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Masood is not a regular in the side, he hardly gets picked up for a test or two while Shafiq has been a permanent No. 6 in our side for the last 5 years but still he's incapable of delivering the goods on consistent basis.

Misbah and YK have been consistently scoring, mostly coming in at difficult situations when the top order batsmen have got out cheaply, avoiding an imminent collapse, stabilizing and taking the innings forward. Shafiq has only filled his boots when Top/Middle order scored runs, he usually comes in at a relatively comfortable position but still is unable to score briskly and is usually 14 (48) before he gets out to a cheap shot or edges it behind.

Another poor assessment, he comes in a much easier situation with the ball significantly old and the pitch flattened out in baking hot sun. There is no excuse for him to score at a leisurely and sluggish rate building pressure on himself and the team when there is a more competent batsman in the form of Sarfraz to follow. Besides a few innings where I've seen him coming at a difficult situation, he usually comes to the crease when the tone of the innings has already been set up by those who came before him and therefore he's required step up to the occasion, accelerate and give it a final touch in order to set a target but instead he either chickens out or spends ample amount of time for his odd 50 disintegrating the entire complexion of innings because of his selfish and defensive approach.

Good batsmen adjust themselves to the situation and fulfill the roles thats expected from them. By your logic Sarfraz shouldn't be able to able to score hundreds and be more cautious than Shafiq because he comes at an even more difficult position and bats mostly with our pathetic tail, but that is not the case. We have seen Shafiq often plays second fiddle to Sarfraz when he's on crease taking the attack to opposition, giving him some breathing space while the former continues with his tentative approach block after block after block which doesn't get him anywhere until he loses his wicket in pathetic fashion.

Yes, he is not a superstar and never will be, at best he can be a decent bat but nothing more than that if he continues with his mental approach. No one is claiming incorrect things about him, we have nothing personal against him. Criticism he receives is legit and warranted, only way he can escape our harsh judgment is by changing his style and mental approach that can contribute to our success.

Oh this is fun.

Usually I find this is the tendency around here: Hyperbole, hyperbole, misinterpretation, grasping at straws, creating unsaid narratives, hyperbole, hyperbole.

Thank you for staying true to form.

Masood is not a regular in the side, he hardly gets picked up for a test or two while Shafiq has been a permanent No. 6 in our side for the last 5 years but still he's incapable of delivering the goods on consistent basis.

You were the one who brought up Masood, I was simply responding to you, and you completely ignored the context of the point and turned it into something completely different, or did you not notice the conversation about Hafeez and Malik?

Furthermore, what is consistency for a test batsmen? He has a 43 CAREER average, which is very solid, a 58 average this year in 7 matches and a 45.66 average in 9 matches last year, he is now pretty much finding consistency and becoming a 50 batsmen consistently. For a solid, very good batsmen, that is what you expect, I honestly don't know what else you want exactly? He isn't a saviour, no one is claiming him to be one, but he is a good batsmen, and has his weaknesses that have been well documented, but he gets a lot of flack for being the 3rd most consistent batsmen on this team (look at the numbers for numbers guys, he is better than Azhar Ali as well and Sarfraz doesn't have large enough sample size to compare to), and has been given a very tough position.

Misbah and YK have been consistently scoring, mostly coming in at difficult situations when the top order batsmen have got out cheaply, avoiding an imminent collapse, stabilizing and taking the innings forward. Shafiq has only filled his boots when Top/Middle order scored runs, he usually comes in at a relatively comfortable position but still is unable to score briskly and is usually 14 (48) before he gets out to a cheap shot or edges it behind.
- See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ressure-situations/page3#sthash.nHh7zmJ9.dpuf

That is simply not true. There is literally no factual basis to this. 251-4 in the last match isn't an easy situation and he scored a century, the century against SL saved the innings and the match. Briskly is a bit irrelevant, the main point is saying he comes in comfortably, which I have discussed a plethora of times, and when he comes in, including his position et cetera, et cetera....

Another poor assessment, he comes in a much easier situation with the ball significantly old and the pitch flattened out in baking hot sun. There is no excuse for him to score at a leisurely and sluggish rate building pressure on himself and the team when there is a more competent batsman in the form of Sarfraz to follow. Besides a few innings where I've seen him coming at a difficult situation, he usually comes to the crease when the tone of the innings has already been set up by those who came before him and therefore he's required step up to the occasion, accelerate and give it a final touch in order to set a target but instead he either chickens out or spends ample amount of time for his odd 50 disintegrating the entire complexion of innings because of his selfish and defensive approach.
- See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ressure-situations/page3#sthash.nHh7zmJ9.dpuf

Literally just the last two matches he came into tough positions (okay don't consider England tough, how about SL?). Yes he can't "accelerate" but again, this topic has been discussed numerous times, and his position accounts for a lot of what he has been able to show and [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] and I have both gone into great depths to show that there are plenty fallacies regarding what Shafiq is simply due to personal bias'.

Good batsmen adjust themselves to the situation and fulfill the roles thats expected from them. By your logic Sarfraz shouldn't be able to able to score hundreds and be more cautious than Shafiq because he comes at an even more difficult position and bats mostly with our pathetic tail, but that is not the case. We have seen Shafiq often plays second fiddle to Sarfraz when he's on crease taking the attack to opposition, giving him some breathing space while the former continues with his tentative approach block after block after block which doesn't get him anywhere until he loses his wicket in pathetic fashion.
- See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ressure-situations/page3#sthash.nHh7zmJ9.dpuf

And Sarfraz now seems to have run into a little hiccup. Not saying he won't be able to adjust, but bowlers can adjust to Sarfraz and the way he bats can be beat.

Furthermore, how has Asad not adjusted? 35 matches at #6 and averages 46 with 8 centuries and 11 fifties in 54 innings, AND he is now consistently getting fifty almost every other inning and only getting better.

What do you expect from him? Really? The bigger question is, who else could replace him and do better? Is there a better option? No. Is there flaws? Of course. But you are literally having unreal expectations. If Shafiq did what you expect, which is saying "hey do this Shafiq, it's not hard" then he would be a world class test batsmen, which he isn't. We only have (almost finished now) one of those, and oddly enough, that batsmen at the age of about 30 had numbers very similar to the same Shafiq.

It is this lack of perspective and simply saying blanket statements that is bothering me right now.

Yes, he is not a superstar and never will be, at best he can be a decent bat but nothing more than that if he continues with his mental approach. No one is claiming incorrect things about him, we have nothing personal against him. Criticism he receives is legit and warranted, only way he can escape our harsh judgment is by changing his style and mental approach that can contribute to our success.
- See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ressure-situations/page3#sthash.nHh7zmJ9.dpuf

Decent bat? He is already past decent, and again, look at history, and examples of other players like Shafiq and many became stars.

You have said plenty incorrect things as said previously.

I myself have criticized Shafiq plenty of times, especially in ODIs where I think he will never do well, and still think he has plenty of issues in tests, but despite all those things he is on the whole doing fine.

You keep discussing how I am saying he doesn't warrant criticism, and yet some of the criticisms are just flat out wrong. How am I to take you seriously then?

 

[Slog]

Sarfaraz cannot be compared to Shafiq.

Roles are different . Sarfaraz has more of a license to attack and play whatever game he wants. More importantly he comes in the category of all rounder and isn't playing as a specialist batsman so the expectation is not for him to perform with the same regularity as it is places on Asad. Which is fine because apart from batting and maybe some short leg catching, Shafiq doesn't have much else to contribute whereas Sarfaraz is primarily a keeper.

 

[zabalestmsm]

His contribution at 6 has been valuable for the team. Was an almost last man standing today. But he has weak power hitting skills, which let him down today. Ideally i want a batting all rounder at 6 who has good power hitting skills.

Good innings though.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Oh this is fun.

Usually I find this is the tendency around here: Hyperbole, hyperbole, misinterpretation, grasping at straws, creating unsaid narratives, hyperbole, hyperbole.

Thank you for staying true to form.



You were the one who brought up Masood, I was simply responding to you, and you completely ignored the context of the point and turned it into something completely different, or did you not notice the conversation about Hafeez and Malik?

Furthermore, what is consistency for a test batsmen? He has a 43 CAREER average, which is very solid, a 58 average this year in 7 matches and a 45.66 average in 9 matches last year, he is now pretty much finding consistency and becoming a 50 batsmen consistently. For a solid, very good batsmen, that is what you expect, I honestly don't know what else you want exactly? He isn't a saviour, no one is claiming him to be one, but he is a good batsmen, and has his weaknesses that have been well documented, but he gets a lot of flack for being the 3rd most consistent batsmen on this team (look at the numbers for numbers guys, he is better than Azhar Ali as well and Sarfraz doesn't have large enough sample size to compare to), and has been given a very tough position.



That is simply not true. There is literally no factual basis to this. 251-4 in the last match isn't an easy situation and he scored a century, the century against SL saved the innings and the match. Briskly is a bit irrelevant, the main point is saying he comes in comfortably, which I have discussed a plethora of times, and when he comes in, including his position et cetera, et cetera....



Literally just the last two matches he came into tough positions (okay don't consider England tough, how about SL?). Yes he can't "accelerate" but again, this topic has been discussed numerous times, and his position accounts for a lot of what he has been able to show and [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] and I have both gone into great depths to show that there are plenty fallacies regarding what Shafiq is simply due to personal bias'.



And Sarfraz now seems to have run into a little hiccup. Not saying he won't be able to adjust, but bowlers can adjust to Sarfraz and the way he bats can be beat.

Furthermore, how has Asad not adjusted? 35 matches at #6 and averages 46 with 8 centuries and 11 fifties in 54 innings, AND he is now consistently getting fifty almost every other inning and only getting better.

What do you expect from him? Really? The bigger question is, who else could replace him and do better? Is there a better option? No. Is there flaws? Of course. But you are literally having unreal expectations. If Shafiq did what you expect, which is saying "hey do this Shafiq, it's not hard" then he would be a world class test batsmen, which he isn't. We only have (almost finished now) one of those, and oddly enough, that batsmen at the age of about 30 had numbers very similar to the same Shafiq.

It is this lack of perspective and simply saying blanket statements that is bothering me right now.



Decent bat? He is already past decent, and again, look at history, and examples of other players like Shafiq and many became stars.

You have said plenty incorrect things as said previously.

I myself have criticized Shafiq plenty of times, especially in ODIs where I think he will never do well, and still think he has plenty of issues in tests, but despite all those things he is on the whole doing fine.

You keep discussing how I am saying he doesn't warrant criticism, and yet some of the criticisms are just flat out wrong. How am I to take you seriously then?

Long strings of textual diarrhea with hardly any substance.

If I were to summarize your strenuous attempt to defend Shafiq in a few words, it'll be "Excuses, Justifications, Embroidery, Extenuation... to defend an overrated timorous Batsman"

He showed once again today why he can never rise to stardom like his peers because he doesn't have it in him to excel in a situation where the rest of the team is counting on him, he once again as I predicted perished in pursuit of his century when he ran out of partners instead of forcing the initiative when Sarfraz was accompanying him at the crease. After Sarfraz got dismissed, he was still hesitant to step up and tried to mask his incompetency by giving the strike to tailenders instead of farming it and score as quickly as he can before he ran out of partners. The only time he seemed to be in assertive mode was when 9 wickets were down and it was too late, England realized this and spread the field around when he was on strike which proved to be his downfall. Only if he could've realized that moment when wickets were falling around him, he would've been able to score his hundred and extend the total to around 400 but it wasn't meant to be.

Stop justifying and blindly defending him like a fanboy!

 

[Mamoon]

Oh this is fun.

Usually I find this is the tendency around here: Hyperbole, hyperbole, misinterpretation, grasping at straws, creating unsaid narratives, hyperbole, hyperbole.

Thank you for staying true to form.



You were the one who brought up Masood, I was simply responding to you, and you completely ignored the context of the point and turned it into something completely different, or did you not notice the conversation about Hafeez and Malik?

Furthermore, what is consistency for a test batsmen? He has a 43 CAREER average, which is very solid, a 58 average this year in 7 matches and a 45.66 average in 9 matches last year, he is now pretty much finding consistency and becoming a 50 batsmen consistently. For a solid, very good batsmen, that is what you expect, I honestly don't know what else you want exactly? He isn't a saviour, no one is claiming him to be one, but he is a good batsmen, and has his weaknesses that have been well documented, but he gets a lot of flack for being the 3rd most consistent batsmen on this team (look at the numbers for numbers guys, he is better than Azhar Ali as well and Sarfraz doesn't have large enough sample size to compare to), and has been given a very tough position.



That is simply not true. There is literally no factual basis to this. 251-4 in the last match isn't an easy situation and he scored a century, the century against SL saved the innings and the match. Briskly is a bit irrelevant, the main point is saying he comes in comfortably, which I have discussed a plethora of times, and when he comes in, including his position et cetera, et cetera....



Literally just the last two matches he came into tough positions (okay don't consider England tough, how about SL?). Yes he can't "accelerate" but again, this topic has been discussed numerous times, and his position accounts for a lot of what he has been able to show and [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] and I have both gone into great depths to show that there are plenty fallacies regarding what Shafiq is simply due to personal bias'.



And Sarfraz now seems to have run into a little hiccup. Not saying he won't be able to adjust, but bowlers can adjust to Sarfraz and the way he bats can be beat.

Furthermore, how has Asad not adjusted? 35 matches at #6 and averages 46 with 8 centuries and 11 fifties in 54 innings, AND he is now consistently getting fifty almost every other inning and only getting better.

What do you expect from him? Really? The bigger question is, who else could replace him and do better? Is there a better option? No. Is there flaws? Of course. But you are literally having unreal expectations. If Shafiq did what you expect, which is saying "hey do this Shafiq, it's not hard" then he would be a world class test batsmen, which he isn't. We only have (almost finished now) one of those, and oddly enough, that batsmen at the age of about 30 had numbers very similar to the same Shafiq.

It is this lack of perspective and simply saying blanket statements that is bothering me right now.



Decent bat? He is already past decent, and again, look at history, and examples of other players like Shafiq and many became stars.

You have said plenty incorrect things as said previously.

I myself have criticized Shafiq plenty of times, especially in ODIs where I think he will never do well, and still think he has plenty of issues in tests, but despite all those things he is on the whole doing fine.

You keep discussing how I am saying he doesn't warrant criticism, and yet some of the criticisms are just flat out wrong. How am I to take you seriously then?

I would suggest you to stop wasting your time. People have made their minds up that he is rubbish so they will clutch at every straw in sight to prove that he is, rather than accept that they were wrong.

 

[Critical Analyst]

His contribution at 6 has been valuable for the team. Was an almost last man standing today. But he has weak power hitting skills, which let him down today. Ideally i want a batting all rounder at 6 who has good power hitting skills.

Good innings though.

Exactly, Haris Sohail must be drafted in at number 6 while Shafiq should be moved up the order if they want to persist with him in the side.

 

[Slog]

Bottom line is that Shafiq has a record comparable to some ATG batsmen at the #6 position. There is a reason why so many centuries have not been scored at #6 despite many great batsmen like Sobers, Ponting, Chanderpaul, Border having played more or similar amount of innings at that position.

Ofcourse I am not suggesting that Shafiq is a greater batsman than these big names but his record is comparable or better so it is ridiculous to claim that Shafiq has not done well. People seem to have some ridiculous expectations and funnily enough maybe think that guys who will replace Shafiq are potential ATGs. I remember a poster claiming that if Haris had played a similar amount of innings at #6 he would have scored twice the amount of centuries and I can only laugh at this.

If we have a batsman who can put significantly better numbers at the #6 position then we have atleast a Pakistani great on our hands and you would have expected him to have broken in and be a regular in the side by now anyway

 

[Slog]

Exactly, Haris Sohail must be drafted in at number 6 while Shafiq should be moved up the order if they want to persist with him in the side.

Haris' injury has set him back anyway but even when he was playing he had many temperament issues and got bogged down and under pressure too easily for him to be considered ready for Test cricket.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Haris' injury has set him back anyway but even when he was playing he had many temperament issues and got bogged down and under pressure too easily for him to be considered ready for Test cricket.

But atleast he'll score runs at a brisk rate at his position and can rotate strike at will which means he can be more productive with the tail. Shafiq is more suitable to #3 or #4 position where he can take the time to settle and build an innings but instead he comes in at #6 and disrupts the whole momentum of the innings plus isn't efficient with the tail either because he has to step out of his comfort zone and change his gear while farming the strike, something he's not equipped to do. You need someone agile and busy at #6 to accompany Sarfraz and the rest of tail to up the ante, Shafiq has done enough at his position to warrant a promotion in the batting order, the sooner management realizes this, the better for Pakistan.

 

[Slog]

But atleast he'll score runs at a brisk rate at his position and can rotate strike at will which means he can be more productive with the tail. Shafiq is more suitable to #3 or #4 position where he can take the time to settle and build an innings but instead he comes in at #6 and disrupts the whole momentum of the innings plus isn't efficient with the tail either because he has to step out of his comfort zone and change his gear while farming the strike, something he's not equipped to do. You need someone agile and busy at #6 to accompany Sarfraz and the rest of tail to up the ante, Shafiq has done enough at his position to warrant a promotion in the batting order, the sooner management realizes this, the better for Pakistan.

Shafiq will naturally move up when the Big Two retire unless Azhar opens and YK moves up to number 3. However seems YK is not open to that

 

[zabalestmsm]

Exactly, Haris Sohail must be drafted in at number 6 while Shafiq should be moved up the order if they want to persist with him in the side.

Not Haris Sohail. At 6 we need a batting all rounder. Malik now, Hammad or Yamin or Immad in the future.

 

[AlphaFighter]

Shafiq needs to be more imposing. I agree with some posters, he needs to be given more responsibility and should be given a promotion up the order. Malik can bat better lower down the order with the tail.

But he does not have the body language for a 5-6 year old veteran who should have had the confidence and personality to impose himself on the opposition. He still does not inspire fear at the opposition and he doesn't seem to have another gear. For e.g. today when he was batting with the tail, he needed to shield them and ofcourse at the same time play shots to up the Ante but he lacked the ability to do that.

 

[Mamoon]

His timidness and demeanor is not going to change, because that is how he is and I can understand why it is not everyone's cup of tea, but it does not matter really when you are a very good Test batsman and he is one.

Some players remain timid throughout their careers. Ian Bell is still timid after 116 matches and 23 hundreds.

 

[AlphaFighter]

His timidness and demeanor is not going to change, because that is how he is and I can understand why it is not everyone's cup of tea, but it does not matter really when you are a very good Test batsman and he is one.

Some players remain timid throughout their careers. Ian Bell is still timid after 116 matches and 23 hundreds.

Bell at times has played match winning and series saving innings for his side and has played knocks where he has got the world's attention. Shafiq is yet to achieve that, there was a time when there was talk of dropping him at the end of 2013, start of 2014 i.e. January 2014 because of his inconsistency and his habit of scoring one century followed by 6-7 failures.

But he got away with it because Pakistan's next test assignment was in August 2014 after a gap of almost 6 months and all was forgotten.

 

[Critical Analyst]

Not Haris Sohail. At 6 we need a batting all rounder. Malik now, Hammad or Yamin or Immad in the future.

Yes, Imad seems like a more reliable option considering he is a hard hitting batsman and a decent bowler who can keep it tight, plus his inclusion will definitely strengthen our mediocre tail which needs to be injected with some life and right now Imad seems like the best option to fill that role.

 

[Critical Analyst]

His timidness and demeanor is not going to change, because that is how he is and I can understand why it is not everyone's cup of tea, but it does not matter really when you are a very good Test batsman and he is one.

Some players remain timid throughout their careers. Ian Bell is still timid after 116 matches and 23 hundreds.

His timidity and self-effacing mental attitude is the reason of his failure to establish himself as a prominent ODI Batsman over the years. He doesn't have that mental switch to turn on and impose himself and lead the way but rather he is too dependent on his partner to take the initiative and guide him the way. Thats why when Misbah/Sarfraz were both gone, he was caught off guard just like a rabbit caught in headlights with no idea what to do and how to approach the innings just waiting for his imminent demise.

 

[Mamoon]

Bell at times has played match winning and series saving innings for his side and has played knocks where he has got the world's attention. Shafiq is yet to achieve that, there was a time when there was talk of dropping him at the end of 2013, start of 2014 i.e. January 2014 because of his inconsistency and his habit of scoring one century followed by 6-7 failures.

But he got away with it because Pakistan's next test assignment was in August 2014 after a gap of almost 6 months and all was forgotten.

Yes but I am talking about their attitude/personality, not just performance. I don't see how Shafiq's behavior is going to change because this timidness is part of his character - his personality trait.