Slog
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2015
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Both these players made their debuts around the same time and have some memorable innings. Having said that Azhar leaves him in the shade in terms of number of these innings and more importantly, the size of these centuries.
I was just curious to see how their careers have progressed. Azhar's average is almost 8 runs more than Shafiq's so I wanted to see how it has progressed because as I remembered they were at a similar juncture not too long ago
So here is how their career averages fare in terms of number innings:
It is important to note that on their first round of away tours Shafiq outperformed Azhar in SL, South Africa, NZ and England. (However England is not as fair a comparison because Azhar's first England tour was his debut series on tough pitches). In fact many experts and former players were convinced that Shafiq was more equipped to do well on tough away tours compared to Azhar.
However on their second round of away tours last year Azhar totally left Asad Shafiq in the shade and managed to put on big runs everywhere (somewhat equal in England but miles ahead everywhere else)
Though the problem doesnt end here
Even in UAE and Asia, Azhar has really scored big runs in comparison to Shafiq. Azhar averages 58 in UAE and Asia whereas Shafiq averages 46 in UAE and ~50 in Asia. At one stage in their careers, their relevant Asia averages were almost the same as well. Ofcourse there is the argument that batting at #6 is harder due to several reasons but the logic doesnt fly with me in this particular case because Azhar has batted mostly at #3 or as an opener which for Pakistan are perhaps equally harder positions to bat in.
Basically the conclusion is that Azhar Ali has really kicked on after gaining the experience and exposure over 4-5 years whereas forget maintaining his earlier performances, Shafiq's output has actually regressed alarmingly after the same period.
I was just curious to see how their careers have progressed. Azhar's average is almost 8 runs more than Shafiq's so I wanted to see how it has progressed because as I remembered they were at a similar juncture not too long ago
So here is how their career averages fare in terms of number innings:
It is important to note that on their first round of away tours Shafiq outperformed Azhar in SL, South Africa, NZ and England. (However England is not as fair a comparison because Azhar's first England tour was his debut series on tough pitches). In fact many experts and former players were convinced that Shafiq was more equipped to do well on tough away tours compared to Azhar.
However on their second round of away tours last year Azhar totally left Asad Shafiq in the shade and managed to put on big runs everywhere (somewhat equal in England but miles ahead everywhere else)
Though the problem doesnt end here
Even in UAE and Asia, Azhar has really scored big runs in comparison to Shafiq. Azhar averages 58 in UAE and Asia whereas Shafiq averages 46 in UAE and ~50 in Asia. At one stage in their careers, their relevant Asia averages were almost the same as well. Ofcourse there is the argument that batting at #6 is harder due to several reasons but the logic doesnt fly with me in this particular case because Azhar has batted mostly at #3 or as an opener which for Pakistan are perhaps equally harder positions to bat in.
Basically the conclusion is that Azhar Ali has really kicked on after gaining the experience and exposure over 4-5 years whereas forget maintaining his earlier performances, Shafiq's output has actually regressed alarmingly after the same period.
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