Azhar Ali, the perfect successor for Misbah-ul-Haq?

[BoomBoomCricket]

Back to back Test wins.

Big fan of Azhar Ali as Captain.

Should have got the gig in 2017 as Misbah’s successor, but better late than never.

He can speak proper English. Not "fazool wali English" like Sarfraz.

He is uncontroversial.

He is a responsible, thinking and sensible cricketer.

Loves his Test Cricket.

Developed a batting unit that likes to play Test Cricket his way and the right way - bat time, get big scores and prove difficult to get out, the sort of things he's been known for throughout his career. Playing Test Cricket with the patience and discipline it deserves and requires. He's building a Test batting line up in his sort of image as far as style and approach is concerned which is no bad thing for the longer form of the game.

He had a decent ODI record as Captain, winning half of his series and individually having a respectable average and strike rate while leading the ODI side. His removal was harsh. He had a tough schedule as ODI Captain with two series vs England’s strongest ODI team ever that went on to become world champions, a series in Bangladesh against Bangladesh’s strongest ever team and an away ODI series against the teams that played the 2015 World Cup final. Only those were the series he lost as skipper. His ODI record against everybody else and more realistic teams Pakistan could win against was pretty clinical i.e. series wins against West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

Azhar Ali as Pakistan ODI Captain.
Won 12 | Lost 18 | NR 1.
Won 5 series and Lost 5 series.
Own Performance: 3 100s and 5 50s.

The purpose of making him ODI Captain was to groom him as a successor for the longer form of the game. He deserves a chance to prove his credentials as a Test leader.

He captained in 10 ODI series in a row running into the 2017 Champions Trophy after the 2015 World Cup. His contribution towards Pakistan’s win in that tournament can’t be underestimated. Not only his runs with the bat at the top of the innings, but his captaincy in helping Pakistan qualify for that tournament and build some confidence with series wins against Sri Lanka and West Indies under him and also importantly an ODI win in England at Cardiff where they ended up meeting England in the Champions Trophy semi final. Hasan Ali, Babar Azam and Imad Wasim all started and developed under Azhar.

He is principled with his stance he took on Mohammad’s Amir return to the side. This shows leadership in my view. Prepared to make his views heard. Having strong team beliefs and principles he is prepared to stand by and let other people know about.

He is a deep thinker of the game. We saw him impress as a pundit during the final week of the 2019 HBL PSL as a studio analyst.

He’s had experience of the Western World by spending lots of time in England to make him understand the developed world and appreciate different environments and cultures.

He’s played two seasons of county cricket for Somerset and experienced the grind of four day county championship division 1 cricket with the pressures of being an overseas signing.

He’s played a lot of Test Cricket without missing a single series and experienced Pakistan’s remarkable journey and redemption since the 2010 spot fixing scandal throughout. He’s been a constant presence and contributor too.

I observed him at Radlett this year in a domestic list A game where he was very active in the field as a Somerset player and had lots of advice and suggestions he was willing to share with regards to field placements and tactics.

He is a responsible, thinking and sensible cricketer. Qualities of leadership.

He only plays Test Cricket now and can put all his energies there. Long serving and successful Test Captains tend to be experienced batsmen themselves. He was vice captain of the team that topped the Test rankings in 2016 and always the preferred leadership option for Coach Misbah and now bowling coach Waqar. He is wanted in that set up.

Great to see him leading his side to Test victories on home soil. He had to wait 75 Tests before getting the chance to play a home Test. Something that is taken for granted and something that many cricketers get to experience in their first Test.

 

[the Great Khan]

Back to back Test wins.

Big fan of Azhar Ali as Captain.

Should have got the gig in 2017 as Misbah’s successor, but better late than never.

He can speak proper English. Not "fazool wali English" like Sarfraz.

He is uncontroversial.

He is a responsible, thinking and sensible cricketer.

Loves his Test Cricket.

Developed a batting unit that likes to play Test Cricket his way and the right way - bat time, get big scores and prove difficult to get out, the sort of things he's been known for throughout his career. Playing Test Cricket with the patience and discipline it deserves and requires. He's building a Test batting line up in his sort of image as far as style and approach is concerned which is no bad thing for the longer form of the game.

He had a decent ODI record as Captain, winning half of his series and individually having a respectable average and strike rate while leading the ODI side. His removal was harsh. He had a tough schedule as ODI Captain with two series vs England’s strongest ODI team ever that went on to become world champions, a series in Bangladesh against Bangladesh’s strongest ever team and an away ODI series against the teams that played the 2015 World Cup final. Only those were the series he lost as skipper. His ODI record against everybody else and more realistic teams Pakistan could win against was pretty clinical i.e. series wins against West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

Azhar Ali as Pakistan ODI Captain.
Won 12 | Lost 18 | NR 1.
Won 5 series and Lost 5 series.
Own Performance: 3 100s and 5 50s.

The purpose of making him ODI Captain was to groom him as a successor for the longer form of the game. He deserves a chance to prove his credentials as a Test leader.

He captained in 10 ODI series in a row running into the 2017 Champions Trophy after the 2015 World Cup. His contribution towards Pakistan’s win in that tournament can’t be underestimated. Not only his runs with the bat at the top of the innings, but his captaincy in helping Pakistan qualify for that tournament and build some confidence with series wins against Sri Lanka and West Indies under him and also importantly an ODI win in England at Cardiff where they ended up meeting England in the Champions Trophy semi final. Hasan Ali, Babar Azam and Imad Wasim all started and developed under Azhar.

He is principled with his stance he took on Mohammad’s Amir return to the side. This shows leadership in my view. Prepared to make his views heard. Having strong team beliefs and principles he is prepared to stand by and let other people know about.

He is a deep thinker of the game. We saw him impress as a pundit during the final week of the 2019 HBL PSL as a studio analyst.

He’s had experience of the Western World by spending lots of time in England to make him understand the developed world and appreciate different environments and cultures.

He’s played two seasons of county cricket for Somerset and experienced the grind of four day county championship division 1 cricket with the pressures of being an overseas signing.

He’s played a lot of Test Cricket without missing a single series and experienced Pakistan’s remarkable journey and redemption since the 2010 spot fixing scandal throughout. He’s been a constant presence and contributor too.

I observed him at Radlett this year in a domestic list A game where he was very active in the field as a Somerset player and had lots of advice and suggestions he was willing to share with regards to field placements and tactics.

He is a responsible, thinking and sensible cricketer. Qualities of leadership.

He only plays Test Cricket now and can put all his energies there. Long serving and successful Test Captains tend to be experienced batsmen themselves. He was vice captain of the team that topped the Test rankings in 2016 and always the preferred leadership option for Coach Misbah and now bowling coach Waqar. He is wanted in that set up.

Great to see him leading his side to Test victories on home soil. He had to wait 75 Tests before getting the chance to play a home Test. Something that is taken for granted and something that many cricketers get to experience in their first Test.

Great post and agree with this, I have always supported Azhar since his 92 against England in his first tour of England. A fighter who never gives up even when he is out of form. A good lad.

I hope we give him more time before they jump the gun and give the test cuptaany to Babar. I feel a proper succession plan is in place now with babar eventually taking over from azhar. the big test will be at Lords but we have an excellent record in london and I expect us to put England under pressure. Hopefully Babar and co can put up a big score or two.

 

[Mamoon]

Back to back Test wins.

Big fan of Azhar Ali as Captain.

Should have got the gig in 2017 as Misbah’s successor, but better late than never.

He can speak proper English. Not "fazool wali English" like Sarfraz.

He is uncontroversial.

He is a responsible, thinking and sensible cricketer.

Loves his Test Cricket.

Developed a batting unit that likes to play Test Cricket his way and the right way - bat time, get big scores and prove difficult to get out, the sort of things he's been known for throughout his career. Playing Test Cricket with the patience and discipline it deserves and requires. He's building a Test batting line up in his sort of image as far as style and approach is concerned which is no bad thing for the longer form of the game.

He had a decent ODI record as Captain, winning half of his series and individually having a respectable average and strike rate while leading the ODI side. His removal was harsh. He had a tough schedule as ODI Captain with two series vs England’s strongest ODI team ever that went on to become world champions, a series in Bangladesh against Bangladesh’s strongest ever team and an away ODI series against the teams that played the 2015 World Cup final. Only those were the series he lost as skipper. His ODI record against everybody else and more realistic teams Pakistan could win against was pretty clinical i.e. series wins against West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

Azhar Ali as Pakistan ODI Captain.
Won 12 | Lost 18 | NR 1.
Won 5 series and Lost 5 series.
Own Performance: 3 100s and 5 50s.

The purpose of making him ODI Captain was to groom him as a successor for the longer form of the game. He deserves a chance to prove his credentials as a Test leader.

He captained in 10 ODI series in a row running into the 2017 Champions Trophy after the 2015 World Cup. His contribution towards Pakistan’s win in that tournament can’t be underestimated. Not only his runs with the bat at the top of the innings, but his captaincy in helping Pakistan qualify for that tournament and build some confidence with series wins against Sri Lanka and West Indies under him and also importantly an ODI win in England at Cardiff where they ended up meeting England in the Champions Trophy semi final. Hasan Ali, Babar Azam and Imad Wasim all started and developed under Azhar.

He is principled with his stance he took on Mohammad’s Amir return to the side. This shows leadership in my view. Prepared to make his views heard. Having strong team beliefs and principles he is prepared to stand by and let other people know about.

He is a deep thinker of the game. We saw him impress as a pundit during the final week of the 2019 HBL PSL as a studio analyst.

He’s had experience of the Western World by spending lots of time in England to make him understand the developed world and appreciate different environments and cultures.

He’s played two seasons of county cricket for Somerset and experienced the grind of four day county championship division 1 cricket with the pressures of being an overseas signing.

He’s played a lot of Test Cricket without missing a single series and experienced Pakistan’s remarkable journey and redemption since the 2010 spot fixing scandal throughout. He’s been a constant presence and contributor too.

I observed him at Radlett this year in a domestic list A game where he was very active in the field as a Somerset player and had lots of advice and suggestions he was willing to share with regards to field placements and tactics.

He is a responsible, thinking and sensible cricketer. Qualities of leadership.

He only plays Test Cricket now and can put all his energies there. Long serving and successful Test Captains tend to be experienced batsmen themselves. He was vice captain of the team that topped the Test rankings in 2016 and always the preferred leadership option for Coach Misbah and now bowling coach Waqar. He is wanted in that set up.

Great to see him leading his side to Test victories on home soil. He had to wait 75 Tests before getting the chance to play a home Test. Something that is taken for granted and something that many cricketers get to experience in their first Test.

You would think this tribute is a result of Azhar winning Test series in Australia, England and South Africa and taking Pakistan to number 1 in the world.

But actually, it has come after beating Sri Lanka and an underpowered Bangladesh at home.

 

[Sir-fraz]

You would think this tribute is a result of Azhar winning Test series in Australia, England and South Africa and taking Pakistan to number 1 in the world.

But actually, it has come after beating Sri Lanka and an underpowered Bangladesh at home.

Classix chest thumping by bias fans.

Azhar literally had to do nothing to win this test and the one previous...

This is why i hate die hard fans that blindly support one player or another.

Minimal understanding of the game and come out to post paragraphs when the same couldve been communicated through a couple scentences.

Anyone with a decent understanding of modern odi cricket would never mention azhar and ODI cricket in the same scentence.

 

[Kroll]

He needs to be tolerated for now as the saviour has installed his puppet as captain. Azhar has been a great servant for Pakistan cricket but he's no long term solution.

Pale shadow of the batsman he once was due to age and chronic knee issues. He really shouldn't have been made captain because he's no longer good enough to be in the side. He can scratch around for a score on Asian pitches but will be badly exposed abroad.

 

[sshakir411]

We all saw Azhar’s ability to captain and road when he didn’t have Misbah pulling the strings. Let’s throw him in without his godfathers (Misbah and Waqar) and we all know how that’ll go.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

He needs to be tolerated for now as the saviour has installed his puppet as captain. Azhar has been a great servant for Pakistan cricket but he's no long term solution.

Pale shadow of the batsman he once was due to age and chronic knee issues. He really shouldn't have been made captain because he's no longer good enough to be in the side. He can scratch around for a score on Asian pitches but will be badly exposed abroad.

There was no other choice. Babar is just growing in tests and Sarfraz was so horrible, worse than Azhar.

 

[topspin]

Lol doesn't even make the team on merit but somehow he's the "perfect successor for Misbah".

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Lol doesn't even make the team on merit but somehow he's the "perfect successor for Misbah".

Still better than sarfraz. But not good enough I agree.

 

[Kroll]

There was no other choice. Babar is just growing in tests and Sarfraz was so horrible, worse than Azhar.

Still better than sarfraz. But not good enough I agree.

No one is advocating Sarfraz cos he was booted. However, Sarfraz at the end of the day is an ICC Championship winning captain and U19 World Cup winning captain.

So to say he's worse than Azhar is laughable.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

No one is advocating Sarfraz cos he was booted. However, Sarfraz at the end of the day is an ICC Championship winning captain and U19 World Cup winning captain.

So to say he's worse than Azhar is laughable.

I am talking about for test cricket. Sarfraz hasn't got a clue in tests.

 

[Hawkeye]

I think Azhar is fine for now.

It's mostly Misbah who is running the show, as he's widely known as the best cricketing brain in the country.

His tactics are the reason we've become so dominant again. Things will only improve from here.

Also true that Azhar was the only viable choice (not the best) as Sarfraz is pathetic and needs to stay away from the national team. While Babar Azam cannot be burdened with Test captaincy. He has to focus on his batting and we can't lose him.

Azhar has to start batting well again if he has to remain captain.

Overall, he's not of Misbah caliber as a captain. Misbah was shrewed and one of the greatest Test captains we've produced.

But he can continue for now as the alternative is Sarfraz, who's worse.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

I think it was a disgrace the way Azhar Ali was asked to step down from the Test vice captaincy in favour of Sarfraz just because they wanted one captain across all three formats. Azhar performed phenomenally during his two year stint as Test vice-captain of the team that made it to the top of the world rankings. He didn’t put a foot wrong. The whole rationale behind appointing him ODI Captain was to groom him as a successor in Test Cricket through one day cricket, so he had enough exposure of international captaincy before he eventually took over as Captain in the premier form of the game. That was the primary reason Misbah recommended him as ODI Captain post 2015 World Cup. It was long term planning for the Test side so they could have the same Captain in Tests and ODIs going forward with the better Test option getting priority as opposed to the appointment of a specialist ODI captain who could revolutionize Pakistan’s white ball cricket.

But he was asked to relinquish the Test vice captaincy on the back of some tough ODI series results and the excuse they gave was they were looking for one captain across all three formats and therefore told him he would be overlooked as the successor in Test Cricket.

He had served as the Test deputy for two years and when his chance was about to arrive they (Shahryar and company) attempted to convince him to give it up. Even before that, right since his debut almost he has always been associated as someone with “captaincy material” and a suitable and capable candidate for the role down the line, by close cricket observers and people that matter in cricketing circles. But somehow Sarfraz got the chance to leapfrog him.

And all of this is due to a gross misunderstanding from Shahryar Khan on why Azhar was made ODI Captain in the first place following Misbah’s recommendation. It was extremely unfair to assess and draw conclusions on his suitability for the Test captaincy based on what happened in his tenure as ODI captain because he himself was an inexperienced ODI player.

And even when he was leading the ODI side, it was far from disastrous - he won 5 series and lost 5 series and scored 3 centuries and 5 half centuries in 31 ODI matches. He lost 4-1 in England and Australia, just like Sarfraz lost 5-0 in New Zealand and 4-0 in England in his tenure.

I’m above all pleased that a genuine top quality Test batsman is leading Pakistan in the five day game who is the closest Pakistan have for a like for like replacement for Pakistan’s winningest Test Captain in Misbah.

Azhar scored 14 Test centuries in 52 of the 56 Tests under Misbah that he played. He is a similar type of character and leader to Misbah in that he is calm, uncontroversial, speaks decent enough English and has the defensive technique and temperament to enjoy batting for long periods without worrying about fancy scoring rates. He is a responsible, thinking and sensible cricketer who will not say too much like Sarfraz. He is the type of captain that will lead by example through sheer weight of runs and spending hours in the middle gutsing it out rather than talking too much in the field or trying to be a funky tactician. Every Test country like India in Kohli, Root in England, Williamson in New Zealand, Du Plessis in South Africa and Smith when he returns to captaincy for Australia – have their premier Test batsman leading them. And Azhar is Pakistan’s premier Test batsman in terms of runs, experience and individual Test batting ranking over a sustained period of time.

Give him until the 2023 Test Championship final after which he will pack up.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

Anyone with a decent understanding of modern odi cricket would never mention azhar and ODI cricket in the same scentence.

2017 Champions Trophy in England.
Half centuries in the semi final and final of the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan win the tournament.
Win an ODI world event after 25 years.

2019 Royal London One Day Cup.
5 wickets in the quarter final, half century in the semi final and a good 40 odd in the final.
Somerset win the tournament.
Win a county trophy after a very long time.

Deserves some respect.
Phenomenal record in knockout fifty over games played in England.

Also made a century vs Essex in a televised 50 over game last April. Essex went on to win the County Championship and T20 blast that season - the first team ever to win both the championship and T20 cup in the same season.

Been instrumental in winning 50 over titles in England, whether it is with Pakistan in 2017 or Somerset in 2019, especially in the knockout games.

 

[Hasan123]

He should have been made captain in tests when Misbah retired and kept well away from LO. We have made him captain too late now. He is going to be captain well past his sell by date.

Azhar has given a lot to Pakistan but age and his lack of ability is catching up with him.

Limited players like Azhar decline quicker than people realise. He doesn't have the shot range to get out of most scenarios. He has to use so much mental energy for every ball. To bat the way he does is so mentally tiring.

Honestly he should have been replaced after the SA series. I fear he will be captaning us for another few years. And people may forget the good he did for us.

 

[Saj]

Early days.

Reality check. We have only beaten a poor Sri Lankan team and an awful Bangladesh team.

 

[ManFan]

Azhar is a terrible captain and player nowadays.

 

[Kroll]

I am talking about for test cricket. Sarfraz hasn't got a clue in tests.

Okay, whatever but Sarfraz is history so not much benefit in talking about him now. To say Azhar Ali is the "perfect" successor is laughable when he's already been a massive failure as captain and has declined in his batting.

Should have been retired with honour, but no - another senior that's going to have to be dumped out well past his sell by date.

 

[Sir-fraz]

2017 Champions Trophy in England.
Half centuries in the semi final and final of the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan win the tournament.
Win an ODI world event after 25 years.

2019 Royal London One Day Cup.
5 wickets in the quarter final, half century in the semi final and a good 40 odd in the final.
Somerset win the tournament.
Win a county trophy after a very long time.

Deserves some respect.
Phenomenal record in knockout fifty over games played in England.

Also made a century vs Essex in a televised 50 over game last April. Essex went on to win the County Championship and T20 blast that season - the first team ever to win both the championship and T20 cup in the same season.

Been instrumental in winning 50 over titles in England, whether it is with Pakistan in 2017 or Somerset in 2019, especially in the knockout games.

In which match did he get man of the match award?

He wasnt captain in any of those matches.
How doew this relate to him being a good captain?

You're clearly just an azhar FAN and not a fan of the PCT...

Leave your player bias at home. Azhar is NOT a good LOI player or captain and him winning 2 tests vs sri lanka and Bng doesnt change that FACT.

We will see when we go overseas. His output and captaincy skills will be magnified.

As of now hes a stop gap for babar nothing else.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I would much rather have Azhar as captain right now then practically anyone else in the side

 

[Hawkeye]

In which match did he get man of the match award?

He wasnt captain in any of those matches.
How doew this relate to him being a good captain?

You're clearly just an azhar FAN and not a fan of the PCT...

Leave your player bias at home. Azhar is NOT a good LOI player or captain and him winning 2 tests vs sri lanka and Bng doesnt change that FACT.

We will see when we go overseas. His output and captaincy skills will be magnified.

As of now hes a stop gap for babar nothing else.

Yes, Azhar is a stop-gap.

But, this stop-gap is several times better than having Sarfraz in the team or as the captain. He's bad influence, and a non-performer.

Azhar isn't even close to what Misbah was both in terms of tactics+captaincy and performance consistency.

But, for now, he's the only option.

Can't burden Babar with captaincy.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

As Captain:

Azhar = 3 100s in 31 ODIs.
Sarfraz = 0 100s in 50 ODIs.

Azhar = 1 100 in 6 Tests.
Sarfraz = 0 100s in 13 Tests.

 

[Sir-fraz]

Yes, Azhar is a stop-gap.

But, this stop-gap is several times better than having Sarfraz in the team or as the captain. He's bad influence, and a non-performer.

Azhar isn't even close to what Misbah was both in terms of tactics+captaincy and performance consistency.

But, for now, he's the only option.

Can't burden Babar with captaincy.

No one is talking about sir fraz... im not even a fan of his lmao nor did i evee mention he should be captain.

Ive wanted him out 6 months after the CT win.

Babar is 25 now if we cant buden him then when will he learn?

Ita better to see how mentally strong he is now rather then later.

 

[Sir-fraz]

As Captain:

Azhar = 3 100s in 31 ODIs.
Sarfraz = 0 100s in 50 ODIs.

Azhar = 1 100 in 6 Tests.
Sarfraz = 0 100s in 13 Tests.

We are talking about tests not odis. U forgot azhar SR for odis lmao selective analytics.

Sarfaraz shouldve been booted the first day he started to GAIN weight ahha.

Stop trying push the narative that azhar is a good odi player because hes not. Its been over a decade since his career started. There is a reason he only played 31 odis.

As a stop gap in tests he alright. After this year we will see babar replacing him.

 

[Hawkeye]

No one is talking about sir fraz... im not even a fan of his lmao nor did i evee mention he should be captain.

Ive wanted him out 6 months after the CT win.

Babar is 25 now if we cant buden him then when will he learn?

Ita better to see how mentally strong he is now rather then later.

He's already doing T20 and ODI captaincy. Test isn't needed as we're starting to do very well there.

Let him score some runs in Tests and get that average up because he didn't do too great in Tests at the start of his career. So the average isn't exactly super high. Now scoring good and let that continue.

 

[Sir-fraz]

He's already doing T20 and ODI captaincy. Test isn't needed as we're starting to do very well there.

Let him score some runs in Tests and get that average up because he didn't do too great in Tests at the start of his career. So the average isn't exactly super high. Now scoring good and let that continue.

What does captaincy have to do with his avg?

Hes been avg 60 plus for the past 2 years and by the end of this yese his avg will be over 50.

Now that u want to mention avg, azhars has been on the decline for the past 3 years...

Stop being a fan of just one player... be a fan of PCT lol.

 

[Junaids]

Azhar Ali has played 8 Tests outside Asia since his 33rd birthday 2 years ago.

He averages 12.12 in that time.

He would have been a good choice as skipper 5 years ago, but it’s far too late now.

 

[Kroll]

I don't see when you only play a handful of Tests, you're "burdening" someone with captaincy. With Babar being by far the best player in the side, he's someone that could embrace the role wholeheartedly.

The Test captaincy would be far better for his development than T20 which any hack from the side could do. If anyone shouldn't be burdened with captaincy then its Azhar who should be dropped.

An average of 12 outside Asia for a so called top order batsman in the last two years is disgraceful. However, because some fans, mostly the Misbah brigade have embraced and accepted mediocrity, these little details don't matter and continue to live in delusion.

 

[ManFan]

The matter of “we need someone experienced to guide the inexperienced incumbent” is rubbish

It’s a method to keep handicapped players in the team without them showing anything worthy of it.