Azhar Ali in Test cricket over the past 12 months - Highest run-scorer

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most runs in Test cricket in the last 12 months:<br>Azhar Ali 1538<br>Virat Kohli 1503<br>Steve Smith 1399<br>C Pujara 1378<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/862718407661236224">May 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[Sports_Psychologist]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most runs in Test cricket in the last 12 months:<br>Azhar Ali 1538<br>Virat Kohli 1503<br>Steve Smith 1399<br>C Pujara 1378<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/862718407661236224">May 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Nice effort to give Azhar some support after a horrible test innings against mighty west Indian bowling attack.

 

[Abdullah719]

Nice effort to give Azhar some support after a horrible test innings against mighty west Indian bowling attack.

No, this thread is about his efforts in Test cricket over the past year.

As the thread title says.

 

[aloo paratha]

Nice effort to give Azhar some support after a horrible test innings against mighty west Indian bowling attack.

How is it terrible? I can understand you saying that for misbah but azhar? 130

 

[Big Mac]

Yeah but can he play a hook shot?

 

[Syed1]

And this includes foreign tours of England, New Zealand, Australia and West Indies.


Unlike some folks who can only score on the dead pitches of UAE or weak bowling lineup of WI

 

[ads101]

It's funny I remember comments like he's not a batsman, he's a night watchman not too long ago . But yeah seriously impressive. One thing he is especially good at is against the new ball. Don't think any of our other guys are good against it.

 

[enkidu_]

wow Mr. dimples is shining, since 2-3 years he also hows hunger for bigger scores too which is always a good sign in such format, wonder if he'll be the next Pak batsman to go over the 10 000 Test runs mark, but he'll defo end up with 8000-9000, which is also honourable.

 

[shady]

Pakistans lucky to have an opener of his caliber in the side right now. He plays his role perfectly, blunts the new ball and goes on to score big runs. If the rest of the team played their roles half as effectively we'd be in good shape.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Amazing Test opener. Need to find an aggressive partner for him and Babar and Haris at 3 and 4 respectively. Wow

 

[Adil_94]

great year for Azhar. has surpassed my expectations of what he would achieve in his Pakistani career. He has shown that his guts and determination and application has won out insteaz of the more talented youngsta beauties. Goes to show that the old addage is true. Hard work does pay off and talent isnt everything.

 

[Hasan123]

Fantastic test opener. He's taken his game to another level. His grit and patience are admirable qualities.

Pakistan haven't produced a better player of lateral movement in years.

 

[shaz619]

He is the best batsman in the world, only steven smith comes close; those who think otherwise have an inferior complex and know nothing about cricket.

 

[idrizzy]

No, this thread is about his efforts in Test cricket over the past year.

As the thread title says.

Well said, and well played Azhar.

 

[Mamoon]

He is a borderline Pakistan great already.

 

[KhalidRafi]

It's ridiculous how underrated he because he isn't as stylish a player as the Smiths and Kohlis or because he plays too slowly. He's world-class and deserves all the recognition in the world.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

He is the best batsman in the world, only steven smith comes close; those who think otherwise have an inferior complex and know nothing about cricket.

that is stretching it a little too far. but yes, he is definitely in the top ten if not the top 5. the man is quality through and through.

 

[shaz619]

that is stretching it a little too far. but yes, he is definitely in the top ten if not the top 5. the man is quality through and through.

It is definitely stretching it, only if he were English apologies [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[Abdul]

It is definitely stretching it, only if he were English apologies [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

...or Indian

 

[todfod 11]

He will do much better if he retire feom shorter version of the game just concentrate on test cricket and also play county cricket in engla d to make money.

 

[moghul]

A potential Pakistan great.

 

[Speedster777]

He's another tuk tuk player in the mould of Misbah. scoring at the rate of 2.5 rpo is horrible.

 

[khurram39]

A great test player if you are criticizing him over his strike rate then look at others too. If he always scoring runs at that rate then I don't mind, put one good hitter in the team like sarfraz or sharjeel who can up the rate. Let him play his game and put score on board. Almost half of the burden of the team is on his shoulders. Look in the team who is scoring more runs at a better strike rate then please share his name.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

He has upped his game considerably over the last year,best test batsman in Pakistan and best test opener in Asia.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

200 in OZ. Awesome test batter.

 

[Kaka4pope]

Respect to Azhar, regularly scores and scores big, comfortably our most reliable run scorer at the moment.

So what if he doesn't have the aesthetics of some others, he fronts up to the new-ball and once he sees it off, starts punching the ball quite nice back past the bowler.

Well done Azhar

 

[ExpressPacer]

Smith is easily the best batsman in the world but Azhar Ali is not far behind. One bad series for Smithy and Azhar will take it away.

 

[Slog]

Smith is easily the best batsman in the world but Azhar Ali is not far behind. One bad series for Smithy and Azhar will take it away.

nah. Smith, Kohli etc punish you when they score big runs

Azhar Ali doesnt have that domineering batsmanship yet

 

[ExpressPacer]

nah. Smith, Kohli etc punish you when they score big runs

Azhar Ali doesnt have that domineering batsmanship yet

Which is why I maintain that Smith is easily the best batsman. However, Azhar is superior to Kohli. Kohli can't play the moving ball and doesn't have the temperament for Tests. He just had a purple patch and that's it.

 

[Major]

Yeah but can he play a hook shot?

You heard that too?

Now I understand why people hate rameez. He whines about the most stupid thing

 

[NauV]

Azhar Ali is the brand ambassador of the phrase "talent is over rated" . . "Natural ability is over rated"

He is a cricketer with limited ability . . with limited strokes . . He is not flamboyant . .

But you know why he is averaging 47 in test cricket now and almost 70 in the last 2 years . .

He has done it because:
1.) He is sincere to his work/job
2.) He is limited but hard working
3.) Grit and determination
4.) Putting a price on his wicket
5.) Mental strength and temperament to succeed

Just having the talent doesn't get you anywhere . . as proven by a few individuals who have been playing for Pakistan for 10 years but still continue to disappoint!

Great guy and a very good batsman!

Hope he goes on to score many more centuries and runs for Pakistan!

 

[Slog]

I want Azhar Ali's mental strength and work ethic to be somehow combined with Umar Akmal's batting shot range to deliver the perfect product

 

[geraltofrivia]

Which is why I maintain that Smith is easily the best batsman. However, Azhar is superior to Kohli. Kohli can't play the moving ball and doesn't have the temperament for Tests. He just had a purple patch and that's it.

LOL. Kohli has a higher average than Azhar with more 100s. Also he's 4 years younger. Azhar at his peak age of 32 avgs 47. Kohli hasn't even hit his peak yet.

Azhar Ali is someone like Ian Bell/ Trott etc. Good but not great. Even those two had similar numbers during their peak. He will end up with around a 44 average.

 

[ExpressPacer]

LOL. Kohli has a higher average than Azhar with more 100s. Also he's 4 years younger. Azhar at his peak age of 32 avgs 47. Kohli hasn't even hit his peak yet.

Azhar Ali is someone like Ian Bell/ Trott etc. Good but not great. Even those two had similar numbers during their peak. He will end up with around a 44 average.

Okay? Your opinion and my opinion. Wait and watch how Kohli's average drops.
He is the undisputed king of LOI's and will be the GOAT in a few years but there's at least 10 better batsmen in Tests.

 

[geraltofrivia]

Okay? Your opinion and my opinion. Wait and watch how Kohli's average drops.
He is the undisputed king of LOI's and will be the GOAT in a few years but there's at least 10 better batsmen in Tests.

Yeah right. And opinions don't mean anything if there isn't factual or statistical basis like having an opinion that 1+1 = 3 doesn't make it so.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Yeah right. And opinions don't mean anything if there isn't factual or statistical basis like having an opinion that 1+1 = 3 doesn't make it so.

Most runs in the past 12 months. And this was when Kohli was also at peak. What more factual or statistical evidence do you need?

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

It is definitely stretching it, only if he were English apologies [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

i'd consider him the best if his strike rate goes above 50. love the player to bits but he plays the same cricket whether he is on 10 or 100 or 200.

amazing defensive player but needs to dominate a little to be considered as the best.

 

[shaz619]

i'd consider him the best if his strike rate goes above 50. love the player to bits but he plays the same cricket whether he is on 10 or 100 or 200.

amazing defensive player but needs to dominate a little to be considered as the best.

He is the best in the world, openers need to get their eye in a bit; the only thing that would help his cause further would be if he were English or Indian

 

[geraltofrivia]

Most runs in the past 12 months. And this was when Kohli was also at peak. What more factual or statistical evidence do you need?

Kohli hasn't even hit his peak yet. He's just entered it maybe. He's 28. All and i mean all good/great batsmen are at the height of their powers in their early 30s. Azhar Ali at 32 is averaging just 47. When Azhar was Kohli's age he averaged 42 with 4 100s. He's already 32 and is 2-3 years from the inevitable decline. He's like Ian Bell or Trott who at their peaks also averaged late 40s before tapering out to the early 40s.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Kohli hasn't even hit his peak yet. He's just entered it maybe. He's 28. All and i mean all good/great batsmen are at the height of their powers in their early 30s. Azhar Ali at 32 is averaging just 47. When Azhar was Kohli's age he averaged 42 with 4 100s. He's already 32 and is 2-3 years from the inevitable decline. He's like Ian Bell or Trott who at their peaks also averaged late 40s before tapering out to the early 40s.

It's not a written rule that batsmen only hit their peak when they enter the thirties.Who knows,maybe Kohli has passed his peak,or maybe he hasn't entered it at all yet.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Kohli hasn't even hit his peak yet. He's just entered it maybe. He's 28. All and i mean all good/great batsmen are at the height of their powers in their early 30s. Azhar Ali at 32 is averaging just 47. When Azhar was Kohli's age he averaged 42 with 4 100s. He's already 32 and is 2-3 years from the inevitable decline. He's like Ian Bell or Trott who at their peaks also averaged late 40s before tapering out to the early 40s.

You wanted stats, I gave them. The rest is just your opinion so don't bother.

 

[Mamoon]

A comparison between Azhar and the Fab Four cannot be established because of vastly contrasting styles and roles. However, if he can keep this up for the next few years, he can become our (watered down) version of Cook.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

His strike rate is the main reason, why he is not compared with the Fab 4.

 

[Speedster777]

127 in 334 balls

 

[The_Odd_One]

A comparison between Azhar and the Fab Four cannot be established because of vastly contrasting styles and roles. However, if he can keep this up for the next few years, he can become our (watered down) version of Cook.

Watered down? Cook himself has been a terrible batsman against quality pace. He piled on runs after all ATG fast bowlers retired.

 

[Mamoon]

Watered down? Cook himself has been a terrible batsman against quality pace. He piled on runs after all ATG fast bowlers retired.

While it is true that Cook has not faced many ATG pacers, but neither has Azhar. Secondly, Cook has been a better player of spin. In addition, they are of the same age but Cook already has 10,000 runs and 30 hundreds. Basically, he has had twice the career at the same age.

More than just stats, Cook has won his team series in India and Australia by dominating with the bat. Of course it takes more than one player to win, but Azhar's runs haven't had the same impact so far. The only way he matches/overtakes Cook is if the latter retires today and Azhar keeps this up for another 50 odd Tests, which is quite unlikely. Azhar though, has the potential to be the best opener of the 2010 era, if we consider Cook from the 2000 era. He is ahead of Vijay now and Warner is a joke.

 

[MoJoJoJo]

He must increase strike rate after settling down on the crease.. btw great batsman though..

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Yeah but can he play a hook shot?

Azhar "The Dream Shake" Ali.