Azhar Ali dropped from ODI squad, doesn't play any List A games after that - Is selected in CT squad

[Abdullah719]

I would like to know the reasoning behind his selection.

He was dropped after playing the ODIs against Australia.

Didn't play in PSL, didn't play any List A cricket since then.

If the reason is that he's a 'solid' opener, then it shows that we are still decades behind the competition.

 

[Syed1]

Thank you Inzi. What would we ever do without you.

 

[Rafay Shafiq]

Lobbying

 

[Major]

Azhar Ali is a very good odi player.

TO drop him was just ridiculous.

A very good opener

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Awful ODI batsman. Our best Test bat but doesn't belong in any other format

 

[Mo Dipsy]

I need help figuring this out:

- Azhar is dropped from the ODI squad.
- He doesn't feature in the PSL, the Pakistan Cup and the ODI series vs WI

On what basis has he been recalled? Help!! Anybody?

 

[Rafay Shafiq]

Azhar Ali is a very good odi player.

TO drop him was just ridiculous.

A very good opener

He is not what we need.

 

[yasir]

Azhar is selected for his performance last year in England and Australia in test, that's pretty clear...Well they know how good Hafeez can be against quality bowling. Kami did not work, Sharjeel is out, Fakir is hack(no offside game)...What else is left to try?? - Sharjeel ouster has messed up top order both in test and LOI, he was the only modern batsmen we have, which opposition was starting to fear...Now they will have easy breakfast, no worries

 

[idrizzy]

I need help figuring this out:

- Azhar is dropped from the ODI squad.
- He doesn't feature in the PSL, the Pakistan Cup and the ODI series vs WI

On what basis has he been recalled? Help!! Anybody?

When one tuk tuk retires, you need another to take his mantle no matter what format

 

[Rayyman]

Azhar Ali is a very good odi player.

TO drop him was just ridiculous.

A very good opener

Him and Shehzad opening is not a good idea

 

[Pete Rose]

I know the line thinking from pcb here. Regardless of the selector and regardless of how we were pulverized in odi series in England , I expect the answer to:
1 - it will be early summer in England for CT
2 - ball swings more so we opted for stability at the top
3 - Azhar had experience of playing in England (even if logical to quote, who can forget how utter rubbish Hafeez was and Malik has been in England.

It's difficult to be a supporter of Pakistan cricket.
We joke about how Pakistan is still playing cricket of the century. This squad is literally that: a combination of career losers from the last century and more recent guys who still play cricket like the last century

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Azhar Ali is a very good odi player.

TO drop him was just ridiculous.

A very good opener

You are CLUELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Syed1]

You are CLUELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No posters like him aren't clueless, they just have their own agendas. They would much rather see Pakistan lose match after match but be happy with it just because their favourites are playing.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

You are CLUELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CD is also in Ghussa today unlike our residual CD.


BUT justified anger.

 

[Rana]

Hats off to Azhar for one thing.

Its not his natural game to play aggressive, yet he is probably the only player in the team that realises the need to play aggressive and does his best to attack as an opener even though he isnt a natural like the way most openers are in the world.

 

[Mamoon]

Averaged 42 in England in the ODIs last summer, is what Inzi will tell you.

 

[pakistan cricket fan]

Azhar Ali is a very good odi player.

TO drop him was just ridiculous.

A very good opener

I agree my friend if it was 1980 and 1990.

 

[phoenix363]

You are CLUELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Azhar Ali is not the worst selection. He is considerably better than most our openers and should be in the squad considerig his experience and consistency. However, this is on the condition that the other selections include new, young and dynamic players. To ignore Amin and Haris for the mediocre Shehzad is crimincal. I really feel both of these are match winners and at least one, should have been in the playing 11.

Amin opening with Hafeez (he is going to play after his performance in the Windies) was the best option for us, and in that scenario Azhar as backup is not the worst. However seeing Azhar and Shehzad walk out against India will not be encouraging.

 

[MenInG]

I now await Azhar Ali to answer his critics with some fantastic performances in England.

Fact is that we need GOOD batsmen for England and not the flash-bang brigade - I wish Azhar the best of luck.

 

[Syed1]

Averaged 42 in England in the ODIs last summer, is what Inzi will tell you.

At 76 SR. Mashallah... beautiful masterstroke from Inzi.

 

[Syed1]

82, 0, 13, 80, 33

208/5 = 41.6

Yeah you are correct, I mistakenly looked at the Windies series where he averaged 36. That is why I edited out my post

 

[Mamoon]

At 76 SR. Mashallah... beautiful masterstroke from Inzi.

Who cares, we need stability and someone to 'see off the new ball', when the par score is going to be 330-350.

 

[Mamoon]

Yeah you are correct, I mistakenly looked at the Windies series where he averaged 36. That is why I edited out my post

I edited my post after you corrected your mistake, but I guess I was too late.

 

[Pete Rose]

I think the only howler here is that you can only have on slow opener, not two.
Whether its Azhar or Ahmed Shehzad I couldnt be bothered.

 

[Boi]

I expect Azhar to score some runs and do decently because he always has done whenever he's been under the pump. More worried about the known tournament bottlers like Shehzad and Hafeez.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Same is true for umar akmal..he was dropped from odis.. failed in every domestic format he played and still found his way back in the team

 

[coy0607]

Azhar Ali is a very good odi player.

TO drop him was just ridiculous.

A very good opener

David Warner, Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Amla, de Kock are very good ODI openers...

Azhar Ali is average at best

if we are categorizing Azhar Ali as a "very good ODI opener" that we have lowered our standards greatly

 

[Abdullah719]

Hats off to Azhar for one thing.

Its not his natural game to play aggressive, yet he is probably the only player in the team that realises the need to play aggressive and does his best to attack as an opener even though he isnt a natural like the way most openers are in the world.

I like Azhar the cricketer and the batsman a lot. I admire his improvement over the years.

But I don't see him as someone worth investing in, in the shorter formats.

 

[Pete Rose]

Same is true for umar akmal..he was dropped from odis.. failed in every domestic format he played and still found his way back in the team

I think this is the point: there is pretty much no one who justifies his place in the slot. So its difficult to criticize on player without looking at the the the clowns.

 

[coy0607]

I now await Azhar Ali to answer his critics with some fantastic performances in England.

Fact is that we need GOOD batsmen for England and not the flash-bang brigade - I wish Azhar the best of luck.

what has Azhar Ali done to prove he is a GOOD ODI batsmen?

absolutely nothing. He's an excellent test match batsmen, but he doesn't compare well at all with ODI openers

 

[JibranAnsari]

I think this is the point: there is pretty much no one who justifies his place in the slot. So its difficult to criticize on player without looking at the the the clowns.

Yah but azhars inclusion is even worse though.. he will eat up deliveries at the start score nothing and pair him up with shehzad we will most like be 40 after 15 overs. Really two atrocious selections by inzimam.

 

[JibranAnsari]

I now await Azhar Ali to answer his critics with some fantastic performances in England.

Fact is that we need GOOD batsmen for England and not the flash-bang brigade - I wish Azhar the best of luck.

Yah and champions trophy is test format this year.

 

[ahmadharis1]

Honestly I wouldn't mind Azhar opening if he were paired with an aggresive opener so that one could play anchor and the other the scorer (Sharjeel what have you done!?!?). But Azhar opening with another defensive player like Shehzad is a definite no-no

 

[Major]

Averaged 42 in England in the ODIs last summer, is what Inzi will tell you.

these guys are just foolish.

THey want warner type players which dont exist in Pakistan

Azhar Ali is the best we have. Much better then hafeez and Ahmed Shezad.

An opener avging above 38 for Pakistan is the best thing ever

 

[marlonbrowndo]

these guys are just foolish.

THey want warner type players which dont exist in Pakistan

Azhar Ali is the best we have. Much better then hafeez and Ahmed Shezad.

An opener avging above 38 for Pakistan is the best thing ever

Lol mamoon himself doesn't support azhars inclusion which is why he said that is what inzi will say. Azhar is an awful ODI player and because we have people with a mindset like yours, it's no surprise we are such a mediocre ODI team

 

[idrizzy]

these guys are just foolish.

THey want warner type players which dont exist in Pakistan

Azhar Ali is the best we have. Much better then hafeez and Ahmed Shezad.

An opener avging above 38 for Pakistan is the best thing ever

I understand your arguments in that we can't force square pegs in circular holes. But at least choose someone who is fresh, doing well in ODIs and is looking to play 'positive, modern cricket'. Azhar has had ZERO games in ODIs for a while, not included in the Pak Cup and despite being 'average' in ODIs so far (good average but abysmal SR), I can't see him magically hitting a 90+ SR despite knowing he has to. It isn't his natural game. I'd rather try force an octagonal peg that is a new face, aggressive opener into a circular hole than a square peg that is Azhar Ali.

 

[Hamza_]

these guys are just foolish.

THey want warner type players which dont exist in Pakistan

Azhar Ali is the best we have. Much better then hafeez and Ahmed Shezad.

An opener avging above 38 for Pakistan is the best thing ever

Umar Amin, Haris Sohail, Ahsan, Even a hack like Awais Zia would be acceptable but not Azhar Ali.

Having Azhar in top order with Shizzy is a recipe for DISASTER.

 

[Citizen4]

Sheryar Khan loves him it's common knowledge, he didn't play any ODI for 2 years and was handed captaincy just because he was a good boy and a Yes Man, who doesnt question the authority and board members.
When he proved to be one of the worst captains in Pak history and didn't impress with the bat, he was dropped rightfully. Now Azhar has asked Sheryar Khan one last favor to come back based on zero performance, zero match practice, simply a brainless inclusion for an ICC event.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Is there any other team in the world that plays openers with a strike rate of 70?

And we have Azhar and Shehzad.. WOW!

 

[Syed1]

Btw Azhar Ali won't be available for selection for the first match. He got banned for a match for slow over-rate in the Aus series. He didn't participate in the Windies series and the CT will be his first match back. Am I understanding it correctly?

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

Inclusion of Azhar Ali means that we can now lose with dignity.

 

[srh]

I think the only howler here is that you can only have on slow opener, not two.
Whether its Azhar or Ahmed Shehzad I couldnt be bothered.

but you should be clear if the choice is 1 of the 2. Ahmed Shehzad is one of the most selfish batsman and Azhar Ali is one of the most selfless batsman I have seen from Pakistan. That should count no?

 

[Pete Rose]

but you should be clear if the choice is 1 of the 2. Ahmed Shehzad is one of the most selfish batsman and Azhar Ali is one of the most selfless batsman I have seen from Pakistan. That should count no?

No. I don't think it should. I like Azhar for his work ethic. But we can't be selecting guys on basis of who is less worse. He had a bad series in Australia and his game just does not show fluency against top sides in odis

 

[Markhor]

Would anyone have taken Mukhtar Ahmed and/or Awais Zia ?

I know they're hacks but its not as if we're spoilt for choice for powerhitters with the suspensions of Sharjeel, Latif and Shahzaib.

 

[Major]

Umar Amin, Haris Sohail, Ahsan, Even a hack like Awais Zia would be acceptable but not Azhar Ali.

Having Azhar in top order with Shizzy is a recipe for DISASTER.

again, no performance to back those guys.

Azhar Ali has performance on his back


Problem is that all you guys are Tonty Tonty fans who want sixes and fours, nothing else

It because of thinking of you guys that hasn't allowed Fawad Alam in the ODI team

 

[Ummii]

I am not supporting this...but He is way way better than Shehzad

 

[Bilal7]

Kamran was his replacement and he failed so Azhar was brought back. His record isn't exactly awful, compared to current Pakistani standards.

Sarfaraz doesn't have to select him in the XI, if he doesn't want to. There are three other openers in the XI.

 

[Hamza_]

again, no performance to back those guys.

Azhar Ali has performance on his back


Problem is that all you guys are Tonty Tonty fans who want sixes and fours, nothing else

It because of thinking of you guys that hasn't allowed Fawad Alam in the ODI team

What is the performance of Azhar Ali? His pathetic record from 2016? Or his miserable Australia Series.

 

[Major]

What is the performance of Azhar Ali? His pathetic record from 2016? Or his miserable Australia Series.

you do know every player has a bad one year?

Misbah had a bad 2016 with a test avg of 30.

Just last match he scored a 99, and is going great in 2017.

 

[Pete Rose]

you do know every player has a bad one year?

Misbah had a bad 2016 with a test avg of 30.

Just last match he scored a 99, and is going great in 2017.

if bad year coincides with quality of opposition then its not really a bad year: its limited talent.
Anyhow, to me the howler is him and shehzad - i can only bear one. I dont know what Azhar will bring to the odi team. I really hope he has found some fluency that has been missing against top sides so far.

 

[Hamza_]

you do know every player has a bad one year?

Misbah had a bad 2016 with a test avg of 30.

Just last match he scored a 99, and is going great in 2017.

And what do you have to say about his Strike Rate? Also he doesn't have luxury of Sharjeel on the other side who can make his SR of 70 look alright.

Umar Amin and Haris Sohail have performed in Pakistan Cup, Haris Sohail also performed for Pakistan Under23.

I don't know how you can defend Azhar's selection.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I now await Azhar Ali to answer his critics with some fantastic performances in England.

Fact is that we need GOOD batsmen for England and not the flash-bang brigade - I wish Azhar the best of luck.

We have good batsmen in Babar and sarfraz who had an amazing series in England last time

What logic is behind azhar's selection ?

Even his performances in England last time around were reminiscent of what professor rightly got bashed for This series = nudging along at a strike rate of 60 before slogging a bit after you make a 50. Even Nasser Hussain implied he was being selfish

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Would anyone have taken Mukhtar Ahmed and/or Awais Zia ?

I know they're hacks but its not as if we're spoilt for choice for powerhitters with the suspensions of Sharjeel, Latif and Shahzaib.

Yep, for the exact reasons you said, beggars can't be choosers . Naved Malik is another slogger who needs to be considered

 

[New Yorker]

again, no performance to back those guys.

Azhar Ali has performance on his back


Problem is that all you guys are Tonty Tonty fans who want sixes and fours, nothing else

It because of thinking of you guys that hasn't allowed Fawad Alam in the ODI team

I feel you, but please don't drag Fawad into this.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Would anyone have taken Mukhtar Ahmed and/or Awais Zia ?

I know they're hacks but its not as if we're spoilt for choice for powerhitters with the suspensions of Sharjeel, Latif and Shahzaib.

If you want hacks then Manzoor and Zakir are better options.

 

[Hamza_]

If you want hacks then Manzoor and Zakir are better options.

Sabse pehlay to Sharjeel Khan ko 7 salaam.

Socha tha padosi ki thukai hogi iss baar CT main aur yeh issnay kia kardia.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Sabse pehlay to Sharjeel Khan ko 7 salaam.

Socha tha padosi ki thukai hogi iss baar CT main aur yeh issnay kia kardia.

We can still assemble a very competitive team if our selectors knew what they were doing.

 

[Hamza_]

We can still assemble a very competitive team if our selectors knew what they were doing.

Selection has been always our problem, Be it 2007 or 2017.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

No posters like him aren't clueless, they just have their own agendas. They would much rather see Pakistan lose match after match but be happy with it just because their favourites are playing.

he knows AA is not cut for ODIs but he prefers him because the choice was from MISBAH...

looks like MISBAH's and WAQAR's choices in every single aspect has been a failure so far, which shows how good their quality to think, understand and the ability to judge a player/person's potential...

to name a few examples, Hafeez played as test opener despite failures, sarfraz not played in the CWC and rejected outright to use him as an opener then proved wrong by him, scored a century fist ever by pakistani batsmen in the CWC after Saeed anwar or Imran nazir forgot who last made one..AA as odi CAPTAIN, inzi as chief selector now... Babar azam continued to play at no.4 under Waqar, then Maqsood played at no.7 or 8 under Misbah

 

[ask_analyse_act]

again, no performance to back those guys.

Azhar Ali has performance on his back


Problem is that all you guys are Tonty Tonty fans who want sixes and fours, nothing else

It because of thinking of you guys that hasn't allowed Fawad Alam in the ODI team

how many matches did they win with tuk tuks of MISBAH and AA contributing to any chase especially chasing a 250+ score...

 

[Fahdi]

again, no performance to back those guys.

Azhar Ali has performance on his back


Problem is that all you guys are Tonty Tonty fans who want sixes and fours, nothing else

It because of thinking of you guys that hasn't allowed Fawad Alam in the ODI team

No the problem is with the rules of the game. For some ridiculous reason they state that the team which scores the greater number of runs wins the match. To add they have come up with this ridiculous rule that a team can only bat 50 overs.

Thanks to these rules all the teams have started playing tonty tonty style with 4s and 6s and are scoring 320+ in 50 overs. They are even scoring 350+. An utter disgrace I say. I am glad at least Pakistan is holding true to its principles and sticking to the old fashioned game. Good on you Inzi you old chap!

 

[Big Mac]

I like Azhar Ali but this is nuts.

Just another example of the age old truism that the most talented players in Pakistan are those who aren't in the squad at the time.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I fully expect Pakistan to score 30 runs in the first 10 overs with Shehzad and Azhar opening as compared to 60+ runs scored by other teams' openers.

 

[Dubawi]

Who's your money on in Pak vs Sri Lanka match? I feel getting defeated by Sri Lanka could possibly result in few heads to roll.

I feel this year Pakistan cricket might see its biggest change in culture since 2010. With the retirement of Younis and Misbah, the test team is definitely going to look a lot new. Also the debacle coming up in champions trophy could result in retirements of Hafeez and Malik as PCB will say that planning of next world cup is in mind. I hope this is the case and a positive culture in infused into the new team by Sarfaraz.

 

[Major]

he knows AA is not cut for ODIs but he prefers him because the choice was from MISBAH...

looks like MISBAH's and WAQAR's choices in every single aspect has been a failure so far, which shows how good their quality to think, understand and the ability to judge a player/person's potential...

to name a few examples, Hafeez played as test opener despite failures, sarfraz not played in the CWC and rejected outright to use him as an opener then proved wrong by him, scored a century fist ever by pakistani batsmen in the CWC after Saeed anwar or Imran nazir forgot who last made one..AA as odi CAPTAIN, inzi as chief selector now... Babar azam continued to play at no.4 under Waqar, then Maqsood played at no.7 or 8 under Misbah

Shadab was also Misbahs choice.

name me two openers in Pakistan cricket currently who have the best batting avg as opener and i swear i will shut my mouth.

Point is, Pakistan never had an opener avging above 40, Azhar Ali avgs 38, and could go 40+. Pakistan always needed an opener with good avg, but then again i'm arguing with Tonty Tonty fans.

 

[moghul]

I now await Azhar Ali to answer his critics with some fantastic performances in England.

Fact is that we need GOOD batsmen for England and not the flash-bang brigade - I wish Azhar the best of luck.

Gavaskar like good batsmen,

 

[Abdullah719]

Shadab was also Misbahs choice.

name me two openers in Pakistan cricket currently who have the best batting avg as opener and i swear i will shut my mouth.

Point is, Pakistan never had an opener avging above 40, Azhar Ali avgs 38, and could go 40+. Pakistan always needed an opener with good avg, but then again i'm arguing with Tonty Tonty fans.

It's limited overs cricket. Why are you completely ignoring strike-rate?

And please stop with the patronising comments.

Let's stick to facts.

 

[Square Drive]

If you want hacks then Manzoor and Zakir are better options.

Even Manzoor sometimes decides to just see off all the deliveries.

 

[PakLFC]

Probably selected to give some balance and solidarity in the batting line up. He is generally just to slow to be a one day player.

 

[Square Drive]

Btw Azhar Ali won't be available for selection for the first match. He got banned for a match for slow over-rate in the Aus series. He didn't participate in the Windies series and the CT will be his first match back. Am I understanding it correctly?

Very good point!

That means one of Hafeez/Fakhar will open against India for sure, and if they do decently, they'll stay there.

That's half the problem solved...

 

[Square Drive]

these guys are just foolish.

THey want warner type players which dont exist in Pakistan

Azhar Ali is the best we have. Much better then hafeez and Ahmed Shezad.

An opener avging above 38 for Pakistan is the best thing ever

Dude there's something called SR fgs.

I can average 38 too, if you allow me to bat at whatever pace I want.

 

[PakHammer]

You guys do realise that the tournament is being played in England in June and not India? The weather will not be great and seaming pitches most likely.

Therefore Azhar is a sensible pick as long he does not open with Shehzad.

 

[Friend786]

Experience player for difficult conditions. Same old crap excuse

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

It's limited overs cricket. Why are you completely ignoring strike-rate?

And please stop with the patronising comments.

Let's stick to facts.

Because Azhar was Misbah's choice of successor, therefore azhar can do no wrong unless he contradicts Misbah

 

[Madplayer]

I am quite certain that azhar and shehzad would have the worst strike rates in a list of openers from all countries.

Shehzad is simply selfish.

Azhar is at times selfish but mostly its because he is a limited player when it comes to LOIs.

Infuriating decision to select them and hafeez too while ignoring haris and yamin.

It is infuriating because you know they are all going to be in the starting XI and not sit on the bench.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Will you take that happily from Azhar in CT ?

Azhar Ali averaged 41.60 in 5 Odi's vs England in England in year 2016. SR of 77.60. We lost the Series 4-1.


Will you take those numbers from him in CT ? Remember in CT there will be much more pressure than it is in bilateral series plus he is making a comeback. Furthermore Australian & South African attack will be better than English pace attack if they perform as per their ability.


Still will you happily accept these numbers ?


Question is from all of you especially from [MENTION=139288]Abdul[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] & [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION]

 

[Hasan123]

Azhar Ali averaged 41.60 in 5 Odi's vs England in England in year 2016. SR of 77.60. We lost the Series 4-1.


Will you take those numbers from him in CT ? Remember in CT there will be much more pressure than it is in bilateral series plus he is making a comeback. Furthermore Australian & South African attack will be better than English pace attack if they perform as per their ability.


Still will you happily accept these numbers ?


Question is from all of you especially from [MENTION=139288]Abdul[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] & [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION]

That strike rate is rubbish . I wouldn't take those numbers because it means the longer Azhar bats it reduces our chances of scoring big or chasing big.

In low scoring games he could be of use but chasing 330 plus he won't be of use.

I have said before Azhar core strengths as a batsmen are patience and occupying the crease. These skills don't suit modern day LO cricket. Pitches in England should be flat, so that will means 300 plus is likely to be scored.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

That strike rate is rubbish . I wouldn't take those numbers because it means the longer Azhar bats it reduces our chances of scoring big or chasing big.

In low scoring games he could be of use but chasing 330 plus he won't be of use.

I have said before Azhar core strengths as a batsmen are patience and occupying the crease. These skills don't suit modern day LO cricket. Pitches in England should be flat, so that will means 300 plus is likely to be scored.

Some of the wickets will assist pacers as wickets will be fresh.

 

[Hasan123]

Some of the wickets will assist pacers as wickets will be fresh.

Teams will still be capable of getting big scores if they see of the new ball.

Azhar can ensure we get to or chase 260-270.

 

[cricketInsight]

I would like to know the reasoning behind his selection.

He was dropped after playing the ODIs against Australia.

Didn't play in PSL, didn't play any List A cricket since then.

If the reason is that he's a 'solid' opener, then it shows that we are still decades behind the competition.

Inzi didnt say that he was dropped.

He was just trying out youngster Kamran and Shehzad.