Asad Shafiq - Masterclass in how NOT to bat with the tail

[Amjid Javed]

Asad Shafiq once again shows a master class in failing to bat with the tail (barring the rare occasion). Trusting the tail maybe one thing but continually exposing them to 5 balls an over was always asking for trouble.

One of worst players ive seen with the tail in 30 years of watching cricket. Its a shame he cant learn of cheif selector Inzi who was one of best with tail.

Shafiq could write a book at end of his career on pointless hundreds and how not to bat with the tail in a test match!

 

[Savak]

Asad shafiq once again shows a master class in failing to bat with the tail (barring the rare occasion). Trusting the tail maybe one thing but continually exposing them to 5 balls an over was always asking for trouble. One of worst players ive seen with the tail in 30 years of watching cricket. Its a shame he cant learn of cheif selector inzi who was one of best with tail.

Shafiq could write a book at end of his career on pointless hundreds and how not to bat with the tail in a test match!

Proof of Shafiq's uselessness and lack of confidence in himself, he is the sort of guy who is most grateful for any runs he can score of the bat, will never decline runs to expose the tail.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Proof of Shafiq's uselessness and lack of confidence in himself, he is the sort of guy who is most grateful for any runs he can score of the bat, will never decline runs to expose the tail.

As per usual seemed like shafiq had no plan once sarfraz got out and he was just looking to hide and not take responsability to try and win game himself.

 

[omidahomie8]

Should have guarded the tail better but good knock. He wasn't going to make 200 himself.

 

[waleed88]

He doesn't have the power shots to bat with the tail he can never do a Misbah.

Ideally it was Shafiq that should've gotten out with Sarf who should've batted with the tail.

Sarf dismissal meant curtains

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Asad will never lead a team to a win.

We saw how he went back into his shell as soon as Sarfraz was gone

In the Oval he had younis with him


This innings gave us nothing new

I know it feels wrong to critise a good who scored a fluent ton, but its the onus on Asad now to prove that he will kick on, not go missing for the next 5 games since his spot is secure

 

[Syed1]

Yes the guy scoring 112 at 64 SR is the culprit....


While MVP Azhar sahab scored 17 at 31 SR, no problem....


Golden boy Babar scored a mouth watering two ball duck, no problem.....


Dad's dream Shan Masood scored 21 at 20 SR, no problem.....


Nightwatchman Sami Aslam scored a valuable one run, no problem....



Pakistani fans logic ko salaam

 

[Mamoon]

There is one thing he is a master at, i.e. scoring useless hundreds.

NZ 2014, Australia 2016 and Sri Lanka 2017 - all three innings belong in the garbage.

 

[Lefthanded]

Aside from Shafiq, the top 6 scored 49 runs between them. In what universe can someone expect 8-11 to score almost twice as much with Shafiq? Or any batsman.

We don't have Moeen coming in at 8, Woakes at 9 and Toby Roland-Jones at 10. This was never our match to win and we didn't deserve to win it at all. The bowlers could realistically have had a chance if Sarfraz had stayed on for at least another 50-60 runs.

Some people just can't look past their personal dislikes.

 

[Lefthanded]

There is one thing he is a master at, i.e. scoring useless hundreds.

NZ 2014, Australia 2016 and Sri Lanka 2017 - all three innings belong in the garbage.

Could you please name a few current batsmen from top the 5 Test sides who could've done what you expected Shafiq to do in Australia and now this match? Batting with our 8-11?

 

[Syed1]

Aside from Shafiq, the top 6 scored 49 runs between them. In what universe can someone expect 8-11 to score almost twice as much with Shafiq? Or any batsman.

We don't have Moeen coming in at 8, Woakes at 9 and Toby Roland-Jones at 10. This was never our match to win and we didn't deserve to win it at all. The bowlers could realistically have had a chance if Sarfraz had stayed on for at least another 50-60 runs.

Some people just can't look past their personal dislikes.

Beautiful post. So the guy who scored more than twice of the other 6 guys combined is to blame because he couldn't make the tail chase down the huge total.


I'm sure if Shafiq had gotten out for a sub-par score these same fans would have found another way to deride him.

 

[imshally81]

There is one thing he is a master at, i.e. scoring useless hundreds.

NZ 2014, Australia 2016 and Sri Lanka 2017 - all three innings belong in the garbage.

wow... three garbage hundreds....
more to come ......

 

[Lefthanded]

Beautiful post. So the guy who scored more than twice of the other 6 guys combined is to blame because he couldn't make the tail chase down the huge total.


I'm sure if Shafiq had gotten out for a sub-par score these same fans would have found another way to deride him.

Ah thank you. Nice of you to say. Whether I agree or not, I've enjoyed your posts as well.

And you're right. I'm just surprised how anti-reality some people here are.

Maybe my memory is poor and that I haven't watched everything, but I don't remember any batsman since 1990 managing to get as close as Shafiq did in AUS or having done what was expected to Shafiq here with a very weak last four. Or even stronger ones.

Except Lara.

Do you know any innings of that sort by any contemporary batsman? Or anyone post-1990 besides Lara? And even Lara must have failed, if there were chase-able targets.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aside from Shafiq, the top 6 scored 49 runs between them. In what universe can someone expect 8-11 to score almost twice as much with Shafiq? Or any batsman.

We don't have Moeen coming in at 8, Woakes at 9 and Toby Roland-Jones at 10. This was never our match to win and we didn't deserve to win it at all. The bowlers could realistically have had a chance if Sarfraz had stayed on for at least another 50-60 runs.

Some people just can't look past their personal dislikes.

Yes we dont have a moeen, roland jones etc.. so on that basis why take a single off the 1st ball of each over and expose the tail? What was that going to achieve? What exactly was his game plan? We lost the game due to being 50/5 and batting like snails. But lets not hide fact once again when it cane to getting runs and farming the tail asad was useless. He needs to watch videos of yk, misbah or inzi with the tail and they showed how to do it. Its no coincidence asads odi game is so rubbish as well as his inability to manipulate the ball around park when field is spread shows what a limited plsyer he is when situations are really tough. Asad isnt reason we lost but hus effort with tail was pathetic. Almost as soon as he got to 100 he looked like he had lost concentration like his job had been done.

 

[King-Misbah]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] Your just supporting Shafiq because he is from Karachi. Asad Shafiq is a useless player and his intellect is really portrayed when he fails to understand that he needs to protect the tail and take responsibility. Such a selfish player should be dropped! He always scores a hundred when a game is over, your right in saying that other players are not great either but your analysis of Azhar Ali is wrong. Lately, he has done so well so we need to support him.

I can't believe that Shafiq can be such a timid character after playing cricket after so many years.

 

[pasha404]

Another selfish and useless ton .just to save his spot and now will have a free ride

 

[Syed1]

[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] Your just supporting Shafiq because he is from Karachi. Asad Shafiq is a useless player and his intellect is really portrayed when he fails to understand that he needs to protect the tail and take responsibility. Such a selfish player should be dropped! He always scores a hundred when a game is over, your right in saying that other players are not great either but your analysis of Azhar Ali is wrong. Lately, he has done so well so we need to support him.

I can't believe that Shafiq can be such a timid character after playing cricket after so many years.

I do not support players because of where they hail from. Heck I have criticized Shafiq plenty of times, but I do know that some of this criticism against Shafiq is because of where he hails from. I find it over the top that we are focusing on a guy who scored about half of the team's runs at 65 strike rate.


Most of Azhar Ali's big tons have been inconsequential as well.

 

[King-Misbah]

I do not support players because of where they hail from. Heck I have criticized Shafiq plenty of times. I just find it over the top that we are focusing on a guy who scored about half of the team's runs at 65 strike rate.


Most of Azhar Ali's big tons have been inconsequential as well.

What about the difference in averages of Azhar and Shafiq in the past 12 months? Shafiqs contribution has been pathetic after Pakistan invested so many years into him. It's not only about this match.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Ah thank you. Nice of you to say. Whether I agree or not, I've enjoyed your posts as well.

And you're right. I'm just surprised how anti-reality some people here are.

Maybe my memory is poor and that I haven't watched everything, but I don't remember any batsman since 1990 managing to get as close as Shafiq did in AUS or having done what was expected to Shafiq here with a very weak last four. Or even stronger ones.

Except Lara.

Do you know any innings of that sort by any contemporary batsman? Or anyone post-1990 besides Lara? And even Lara must have failed, if there were chase-able targets.

Lara, inzi, steve waugh were 3 players excellent with the tail in 90s, laxman for india another.. in what world do u keep giving tail enders 5 balls an over to face like shafiq did n hope to chase and win a game.

 

[Syed1]

What about the difference in averages of Azhar and Shafiq in the past 12 months? Shafiqs contribution has been pathetic after Pakistan invested so many years into him. It's not only about this match.

Yes Shafiq has consistency issues, but I would take him over someone like a Babar Azam every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Find better players to replace Shafiq and then we will talk.

 

[sachin100]

Yes Shafiq has consistency issues, but I would take him over someone like a Babar Azam every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Find better players to replace Shafiq and then we will talk.

they r highlighting about his batting with the tail.i agree that he needs to take every run but taking it from the first ball exposes the tail even more and their survival chances reduce significantly

 

[StreetSmart]

There is one thing he is a master at, i.e. scoring useless hundreds.

NZ 2014, Australia 2016 and Sri Lanka 2017 - all three innings belong in the garbage.

i don`t agree with you on this at least he tried and took the match near yes he lacks in concentration and not a finisher but 100 is a 100 which shows atleast he tried

 

[StreetSmart]

Pakistani Fans Logic jo acha score keray usi ki rair maro achi tarhan

 

[Amjid Javed]

Some PP seem to be missing point here. This isnt about shafiq vs azhar or babar etc.. its soley about asad and his rubbish ability to bat with the tail and its not 1st time hes over exposed the tail. He did this sorted of thing in other series as well.

 

[Rana]

There is one thing he is a master at, i.e. scoring useless hundreds.

NZ 2014, Australia 2016 and Sri Lanka 2017 - all three innings belong in the garbage.

The way he celebrated that 100 was like he won the game. The next few deliveries he was dropped once and was lucky to survive a leg slip trap. As soon as Sarfaraz gets out, the run flow comes to an end. You then look back at that celebration and think about how this guy although played beautifully was actually more concerned about securing his spot instead of taking the initiative to win the game

 

[Mamoon]

Could you please name a few current batsmen from top the 5 Test sides who could've done what you expected Shafiq to do in Australia and now this match? Batting with our 8-11?

None of the batsmen from the top 5 sides will go missing for 10 Tests like Shafiq does. He has been by far the most inconsistent and unreliable batsmen among all players who have been playing regular Test cricket in this decade.

There is no point in Shafiq playing a special knock in a match-losing cause twice a year when he fails 80% of the time. He has been one of the chief architects of our pathetic run in Tests in the last 12 months.

 

[Mamoon]

The way he celebrated that 100 was like he won the game. The next few deliveries he was dropped once and was lucky to survive a leg slip trap. As soon as Sarfaraz gets out, the run flow comes to an end. You then look back at that celebration and think about how this guy although played beautifully was actually more concerned about securing his spot instead of taking the initiative to win the game

He celebrated because he knew that he has booked his place for another 10 Tests, so that he can fail in 7-8 of those matches as usual.

 

[Mamoon]

i don`t agree with you on this at least he tried and took the match near yes he lacks in concentration and not a finisher but 100 is a 100 which shows atleast he tried

It is convenient how he always "tries" when the situation is already hopeless, but is nowhere among the runs when Pakistan has a good chance of winning a match. The sign of a mentally weak player who only comes good when there are no expectations and pressure.

 

[sshakir411]

The knives have been out for Shafiq for a while and will now be in full swing. I think the failure of Shan, Sami, and Babar is what lost us this match. Shafiq scored and saved his place in the team but I'm not sure how he was expected to win it after Sarfraz got out? Anyone who thinks he could have batted with our tail (who can't play spin) and won the gamet, needs to get a reality check up.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

None of the batsmen from the top 5 sides will go missing for 10 Tests like Shafiq does. He has been by far the most inconsistent and unreliable batsmen among all players who have been playing regular Test cricket in this decade.

There is no point in Shafiq playing a special knock in a match-losing cause twice a year when he fails 80% of the time. He has been one of the chief architects of our pathetic run in Tests in the last 12 months.

Lol this I agree with. Shafiq really needs to kick on and make those big daddy hundreds and make an impact. Seems to be the king of soft runs and even then doesn't make many .

 

[Black Zero]

If you cannot bat with tail, then you should bat higher.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Lol this I agree with. Shafiq really needs to kick on and make those big daddy hundreds and make an impact. Seems to be the king of soft runs and even then doesn't make many .

Highest test score 137.. never seems to kick on. Always seems to get to 100 and then get out.

 

[Kroll]

The way he celebrated that 100 was like he won the game. The next few deliveries he was dropped once and was lucky to survive a leg slip trap. As soon as Sarfaraz gets out, the run flow comes to an end. You then look back at that celebration and think about how this guy although played beautifully was actually more concerned about securing his spot instead of taking the initiative to win the game

Unfortunately, this issue has become endemic within the whole team.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Highest test score 137.. never seems to kick on. Always seems to get to 100 and then get out.

Average also below 40 if I'm not wrong. For a guy who has been around so long, he seems not to have improved much.

 

[Lefthanded]

Lara, inzi, steve waugh were 3 players excellent with the tail in 90s, laxman for india another.. in what world do u keep giving tail enders 5 balls an over to face like shafiq did n hope to chase and win a game.

I appreciate you reminding me of those players but you didn't tell me which innings you can specifically point to which can be compared to today's situation.

Which should be similar to today. Let's recap the criteria:

1) 5 of top 6 bundled for under 50 in the 4th innings.
2) 250 still to get, and then almost a 100 to get with a tail that can't be expected to put together that many runs even if the situation was much easier.

Again, you're expecting Shafiq to shield a fairly inadequate tail to put together run partnerships twice of what the first five couldn't manage. And comparing him to one of our greatest batsmen, two of the best from the last couple of decades, and Lara.

Forgetting the others for a minute, I wouldn't put money on Lara to win from 52/5 and he's the greatest player I've seen and am likely to see in my lifetime.

No cricketing professional, on or off the field would actually expect Lara to win from there.

And finally, we weren't playing against a bowling machine in an indoor training room. You don't really think SL would've lost after how our specialist batsmen played, do you?

Shafiq's celebration was a bit OTT, but let's remember that he's under more pressure because this could've been his last chance to play for Pakistan. Other batsmen could've been dropped in May, but none of them were in last chance saloon.

Shafiq may have just been over the moon that he will play for Pakistan again.

Even if it was embarrassing or annoying, would you not reflexively celebrate if you just saved the only job you're qualified for as a 31 year old?

Other teams don't just show up on the ground so you can strut around if your personal likes or dislikes are vindicated.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The expectation wasnt that of shafiq leading us to victory, as soon as sarfraz got out i knew the usual rubbish batting with tail would occur ive seen it to many times. Shafiq doesnt have the power game to reach boundary nor the skill to play premeditated shots to manoever the field. Everyone knows are tail isnt great but sumtimes it can hang around. But which top batsmen in world would keep taking singles on 1st ball of the over when in reality you have to do bulk of scoring? When ur tails not great why would u allow bowlers with a new ball which is moving around, spinning n bouncing have 5 deliveries at a tail ender? What was shafiw expecting to take 70 singles over 70 overs while tail played most of bowling?

Ive never seen such stupid batting in my life . End of day shafiq got his 100 which "silenced critics" who cares if we won or lost.

Shafiq is an average batsmen n will remain that until he improves batting with tail which is a must when batting at 5/6/7 position in team

 

[Amjid Javed]

"Also with 100 to get you are in with the tail" -- you are a batsmen who is in good form and have just got to a 100 in comes the tail.. logic say

1) as the form player id want most of strike as am scoring freely and want to make most of that situation

2) tail is poor and need to limit how many balls they face each over

Yet shafiq decides hes going to take an easy single and let tail do all the work! How does thst even remotely look like an intelligent plan?

 

[Hawkeye]

He can't bat up the order either.

Thing is, ANY batsman will put up such kind of half decent batting after failures in 8 out of 10 innings.

But, we still have fans of this guy, defending his 8/10 failures. [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION]

 

[ManFan]

He can't bat up the order either.

Thing is, ANY batsman will put up such kind of half decent batting after failures in 8 out of 10 innings.

But, we still have fans of this guy, defending his 8/10 failures. [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION]

I don't know what set of eyes the management sees him with. The first time I saw him, he looked like a nervous wreck. Weak, timid, pathetic. At least others who don't perform at least genuinely try. Shafiq has the ability but he is such a weakling he doesn't know what to do. Pathetic and even more so for the sake of Pakistani cricket. He is 32, that's the peak of a human being. How can somebody acquire no confidence whatsoever at that age is just surreal to me. When you acquire youngsters into the team, they play with passion. When you cushion fragile guys like Shafiq for 7 years, this is what u get. But at least he won't talk back to the management and is an acha bacha like someone else.

 

[wasimjunior]

It is convenient how he always "tries" when the situation is already hopeless, but is nowhere among the runs when Pakistan has a good chance of winning a match. The sign of a mentally weak player who only comes good when there are no expectations and pressure.

Hate to agree with Mamoon but I have to.

Shafiq is a mental midget which is why he can't succeed at number 4 or in Odis. Guy has zero confidence in himself. Waste of talent .

 

[Cric1234]

Maybe also how not to bat?
Only score when the games almost lost then get out before there's a chance of a win which makes a one big score in the series in vain.

 

[kingusama92]

I have to agree with AJ.

Shafiq either fails to understand how to bat with tailenders or panics as the wickets tumble.

 

[Justcrazy]

Shafiq is very limited player , he was over hyped.

But he should be in the team , because Pakistan does not have to many options.

 

[The_Odd_One]

He will only score when the match is either already lost or there's another batsman who is there to shield him.

 

[HateKiller]

He comes from Steve Waugh school of thought. Waugh always maintained all players need to know how to bat. He himself would never try to protect a #10 or #11.

 

[hafizexpress]

The management should also be blamed for not advising Shafiq on what to do with the tail. Did they leave it all up to him to do whatever he wants?? Good thing he's not captain.

 

[giri26]

He comes from Steve Waugh school of thought. Waugh always maintained all players need to know how to bat. He himself would never try to protect a #10 or #11.

I think the Australian team bowlers worked really hard on their batting. Jason Gillespie, Shane Warne et all were more than capable bats. Glenn McGrath also worked really hard on his batting. Steve Waugh also mentioned that each bowler will have a batting mentor who will work with them and help them improve.

Asad is wrongly targeted here as Pakistan lower order is really weak. Aamir used to be a decent bat when he started off, not sure what happened to him.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Tail enders can work on their batting and improve as players, it should be standard process now for any tail ender to work hard on batting! however what senior established batsmen in a run chase would feel need to continually expose a tail end to 5 balls an over in a game?

 

[squarecut]

Lara, inzi, steve waugh were 3 players excellent with the tail in 90s, laxman for india another.. in what world do u keep giving tail enders 5 balls an over to face like shafiq did n hope to chase and win a game.

Laxman was criticized a lot for exposing the tail (Ishant Sharma) during that epic chase against Australia. But because that chase was successful so now Laxman is hailed for his batting with tail. In reality his batting was quite Asad Shafiq like in that knock.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

He was very lucky to come into bat when the ball became soft and it was much easier to bat during this period. He was able to score his 100 before the new ball was due and then gave away his wicket to slip catching practice when the going got tough. It was extremely annoying to see him take a single every first ball of the over and expose the tail to SL bowlers.

If he had come at number 4 again he would have easily failed to score and gotten out just like Haris.

 

[DRsohail]

There is one thing he is a master at, i.e. scoring useless hundreds.

NZ 2014, Australia 2016 and Sri Lanka 2017 - all three innings belong in the garbage.

one was against SA??? add that onw too.in 2013

 

[Mamoon]

one was against SA??? add that onw too.in 2013

It is a little harsh to put the SA UAE hundred in that list.

 

[DRsohail]

It is a little harsh to put the SA UAE hundred in that list.

should be put..he should have scored in first innings..do u remmebr he played horrible shot against imran tahir...

 

[Mamoon]

should be put..he should have scored in first innings..do u remmebr he played horrible shot against imran tahir...

Yes, but that hundred was still better than the ones I mentioned.

 

[DRsohail]

Yes, but that hundred was still better than the ones I mentioned.

but if u say in term of impact he and AZhar has been useless,,,,their runs do not help most of the time,,, younus was master in that..mibah and sarafraz has been excellent,,,when team needs them to score they will surrender against mediocre attacks despite that much experience,,AZHAR has just two or three impactful innings which i remmebr..92 in first eng tour,157 against eng but he should thank yonus for that,,and 103 against srilanka in shsrjah famous chase,,,what else??shafiq i dont remmebr.

 

[Mamoon]

but if u say in term of impact he and AZhar has been useless,,,,their runs do not help most of the time,,, younus was master in that..mibah and sarafraz has been excellent,,,when team needs them to score they will surrender against mediocre attacks despite that much experience,,AZHAR has just two or three impactful innings which i remmebr..92 in first eng tour,157 against eng but he should thank yonus for that,,and 103 against srilanka in shsrjah famous chase,,,what else??shafiq i dont remmebr.

Younis was weak against swing and seam, but he was a match winner and his caliber was much greater than Azhar. When he in form he could dominate bowlers, Azhar can't even get on top of a part-timer after batting for 200 balls. He is a good batsman but extremely overrated by Pakistani fans because he is the only one who is scoring consistently.

He is not in the world class bracket. However, he has been much better than Shafiq.

Sarfraz was brilliant in 2014-15 but his performances have dipped in the last two years. He has become irresponsible and keeps throwing his wicket away after getting set.

 

[DRsohail]

Younis was weak against swing and seam, but he was a match winner and his caliber was much greater than Azhar. When he in form he could dominate bowlers, Azhar can't even get on top of a part-timer after batting for 200 balls. He is a good batsman but extremely overrated by Pakistani fans because he is the only one who is scoring consistently.

He is not in the world class bracket. However, he has been much better than Shafiq.

Sarfraz was brilliant in 2014-15 but his performances have dipped in the last two years. He has become irresponsible and keeps throwing his wicket away after getting set.

more than agree...

 

[Mamoon]

more than agree...

Younis was all over the place in England and his poor performances was one of the reason why we were 2-1 down heading into the Oval Test, but the knock that he played to help Pakistan level the series is well beyond the capabilities of Azhar who is now supposedly leading the batting.

 

[DRsohail]

Younis was all over the place in England and his poor performances was one of the reason why we were 2-1 down heading into the Oval Test, but the knock that he played to help Pakistan level the series is well beyond the capabilities of Azhar who is now supposedly leading the batting.

at that age azhar will not even make it into FC..

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Timely useless knock from Asad. His specialty.

 

[backfootpunch]

Another selfish and useless ton .just to save his spot and now will have a free ride

Precisely

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Spot under threat?

Failed in the last 10 innings?

Match virtually lost?

Time for a Shafiq special!

 

[MenInG]

He knew the new ball had been taken or was due - should have protected Yasir Shah - only few overs were left.

 

[Amjid Javed]

He knew the new ball had been taken or was due - should have protected Yasir Shah - only few overs were left.

Nothing new here. Never learns always looks after himself.

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

He knew the new ball had been taken or was due - should have protected Yasir Shah - only few overs were left.

seriously !
what was he thinking?
needed a change of plan after 80th over
to protect yasir at other end..
clueless Really..

 

[JibranAnsari]

Never saw him show any match awareness whatsoever , same was done by sarfraz in a world cup match.

 

[Saj]

Strange tactics from Asad. It's almost as if preserving his own wicket is more important.

 

[Junaids]

Nobody here in Australia has complained about Asad Shafiq's actions with the tail.

The whole point is that it is Culpable Negligence by Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq to have this long a tail when in four consecutive Tests outside Asia in which Mickey Arthur selected both Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf, at least one of them scored a fifty.

Shafiq did try to shield Naseem Shah.

But it is outrageous selectorial misconduct to bat Yasir Shah at 8 and Shaheen Shah at 9. And if I was running the PCB I would have sacked Misbah and Azhar on the spot for doing that.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Nobody here in Australia has complained about Asad Shafiq's actions with the tail.

The whole point is that it is Culpable Negligence by Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq to have this long a tail when in four consecutive Tests outside Asia in which Mickey Arthur selected both Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf, at least one of them scored a fifty.

Shafiq did try to shield Naseem Shah.

But it is outrageous selectorial misconduct to bat Yasir Shah at 8 and Shaheen Shah at 9. And if I was running the PCB I would have sacked Misbah and Azhar on the spot for doing that.

I agree. I don’t understand people who are actually blaming Asad here.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Give him a break. he did well.

 

[MenInG]

Wil Shafiq have learnt any lessons?

 

[Amjid Javed]

Wil Shafiq have learnt any lessons?

He will play for a not out here as usual

 

[Pete Rose]

He will play for a not out here as usual

He’s done his job, from his own point of view: will be happy with 65 not out nevermind the team

 

[aukhan]

There is no such thing as tail in modern Test cricket. Look at other teams you don't see them hiding their tails like we do. Not everyone is Inzimam or Dhoni.

 

[Amjid Javed]

He’s done his job, from his own point of view: will be happy with 65 not out nevermind the team

Agreed he will play his one good knock for series as per usual.