AlphaFighter
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2007
- Runs
- 4,443
- Post of the Week
- 1
Umar Akmal was treated harshly in tests but he didn't help his case by being a reckless idiot of a batsman in other formats. His immaturity and failure to learn is part of the reason why he is not here.
Sohaib Maqsood should have established himself in the LOI format but he did the same thing as Umar Akmal. Became reckless and kept getting out by playing ugly slogs. Besides he had terrible technique, wouldn't have done much better overseas.
Babar Azam and Haris Sohail have been the only players about whom I can say they should go a long way for Pakistan and have the technique and capabilities to perform in tough conditions. Saud Shakeel is another one but I will reserve judgement till a later date.
I am a bit old school but i believe that playing test matches and most importantly continous cricket in all formats of the game just helps you become a better all round batsman in all formats of the game.
In Umar Akmal because he has only been confined to ODI and T-20 Cricket in the last 5 years, when i compare his batting technique to when he first burst on to the scene in 2009 to the time when he got dropped from the test team in 2011 to the time he strictly became an ODI and T-20 specialist, i have observed that his defensive technique has further deteriorated and that he plays more and more cross bat and across the line. Now there can be various reasons to blame, maybe his own work ethic, the role he has to play in the team i.e. to go for it in the last 10 overs, to speed up the scoring rate. But i do think exposure to test matches would not have hurt him.
Sure the other players you mention are good options too. Unfortunately our team managements are only good at one thing i.e. mismanaging players and ruining their confidence in the long run.