Azhar Ali - The slip fielder

[ataullah]

I remember he dropped kohli in champions trophy final and today he dropped another catch off amir. Is he a regular slip fielder or he is feeling the pressure? We can't afford a poor slip fielder especially in world cup 2019

 

[umarf76]

He needs to be removed. Babar Zama and Asad should be in slips. We need another one one other than these two.

 

[Markhor]

33 years old...your reflexes slow with age.

Unless you're Younis Khan whose catching seemed to get better with age.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Azhar is always tripe at catching

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Azhar has a patchy record fielding at slip, for the time being we need to seriously move him somewhere else.......

 

[Mamoon]

At times, the selectors and captain have to make a brave call. I have had this epiphany for a while that perhaps it is time to move on from Azhar in all formats.

I know that he is our so-called most reliable Test batsman and this isn't a popular opinion, but I think Azhar is done at the top level. He has played his part admirably, but it is over now.

 

[hadi123]

Not the best slip fielder, he has dropped many catches before. Think he's better at short leg.

 

[msb314]

At times, the selectors and captain have to make a brave call. I have had this epiphany for a while that perhaps it is time to move on from Azhar in all formats.

I know that he is our so-called most reliable Test batsman and this isn't a popular opinion, but I think Azhar is done at the top level. He has played his part admirably, but it is over now.

Easy to say that but who will replace him in the Test team in terms of batting and experience?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

At times, the selectors and captain have to make a brave call. I have had this epiphany for a while that perhaps it is time to move on from Azhar in all formats.

I know that he is our so-called most reliable Test batsman and this isn't a popular opinion, but I think Azhar is done at the top level. He has played his part admirably, but it is over now.

And what is your basis for that?A couple of low scores?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Azhar should be moved to the outfield

 

[Mamoon]

Easy to say that but who will replace him in the Test team in terms of batting and experience?

Experience means little when you are not good enough. Azhar suffocates the team - he has no capability to impose himself on the opposition in spite of spending hours at the crease, and his runs have minimal impact. Also, as senior batsmen, his negativity leaves a bad impression on the other batsmen.

Someone inexperienced like Haris is already looking more assured than him, and that is because he is a better batsman. He can definitely have the same output as Azhar (average of ~45) but at a much better strike rate.

If Babar and someone like Saad can average around 35-40 at a healthy strike rate, Azhar will be surplus to requirements.

I would also explore the possibility of accommodating someone like Fakhar at number 6, expecting him to produce 35 @65 type stats, which is nothing special but certainly more important within the context of our batting lineup than Azhar's 45 @35 type performances.

I am happy to stick with Imam as a Test opener for now, but the only problem is the second opener slot. However, persisting with a 33 year old substandard batsman is not the answer either.

In any case, it is time for slowly but surely to start preparing for life after Azhar. I hope Mickey reads PP.

 

[Mamoon]

And what is your basis for that?A couple of low scores?

What I meant was that he doesn't add much to the team now. He will still score runs, and probably score more than others, but his runs do not help the team.

For example, he top-scored in the first Test against Sri Lanka in the UAE, but he was actually one of the chief architects of that defeat. That is why I have compared him to Misbah the ODI batsman in the past, who also scored more than others but was an equal culprit in terms of defeats.

He is 33, his tedious batting strangles the team, and he is not a role-model senior batsmen that the young batsmen can look up to and learn from. He played his part when he was in the shadow of Younis, but now after his retirement, he is getting exposed for his frailties. He is a disastrous number 3, but his runs as an opener don't add much to the team either, for example his four hour 35 runs in Christchurch.

Younis was not perfect, but when he scored his runs meant something. It put opposition on the back-foot and helped Pakistan take control of games. Azhar unfortunately is not capable of doing that.

Now before people go to the other extreme and attempt to give me a lesson in Test cricket and how we don't need aggressive hacks in this format, the point is that I am not asking for a madman; there is a big middle-ground between a stroke-less wonder like Azhar and a hack, and that is where majority of the quality batsmen operate.

In other words, we need 3-4 batsmen who can maintain a SR of 50+ at an average of 35-40. Haris is capable, Babar might do that eventually and hopefully someone like Saad can achieve that as well. Shafiq also needs to improve on that front, but I would keep him in the middle-order for now because I think he can make things happen.

I would be okay with Azhar boring my pants off if he was as prolific as Dravid, Kallis or Cook etc. (pre 2016 version), but he is not and at 33, he is not going to get better from here on.

It is not going to happen obviously, but if it were up to me, I would drop Azhar after the England Test series and see how the team progresses without him choking it to death.

 

[coy0607]

Experience means little when you are not good enough. Azhar suffocates the team - he has no capability to impose himself on the opposition in spite of spending hours at the crease, and his runs have minimal impact. Also, as senior batsmen, his negativity leaves a bad impression on the other batsmen.

Someone inexperienced like Haris is already looking more assured than him, and that is because he is a better batsman. He can definitely have the same output as Azhar (average of ~45) but at a much better strike rate.

If Babar and someone like Saad can average around 35-40 at a healthy strike rate, Azhar will be surplus to requirements.

I would also explore the possibility of accommodating someone like Fakhar at number 6, expecting him to produce 35 @65 type stats, which is nothing special but certainly more important within the context of our batting lineup than Azhar's 45 @35 type performances.

I am happy to stick with Imam as a Test opener for now, but the only problem is the second opener slot. However, persisting with a 33 year old substandard batsman is not the answer either.

In any case, it is time for slowly but surely to start preparing for life after Azhar. I hope Mickey reads PP.

I think selecting 4 openers (including Fakhar) is a clear indication that they are thinking about life after Azhar.

With al the recent talk by Sarfraz and Mickey of playing modern Test cricket, I think Azhar's days are numbered. His poor form just makes his case worse

 

[Mamoon]

I think selecting 4 openers (including Fakhar) is a clear indication that they are thinking about life after Azhar.

With al the recent talk by Sarfraz and Mickey of playing modern Test cricket, I think Azhar's days are numbered. His poor form just makes his case worse

That maybe so, but I think the four openers suggest the lack of faith in the likes of Imam and Sami Aslam, and Mickey has hinted that Fakhar might be tried at number 6. I do not think they are thinking of moving on from Azhar at this point, especially when Pakistan are yet to recover from the retirement of Younis and Misbah.

 

[msb314]

Experience means little when you are not good enough. Azhar suffocates the team - he has no capability to impose himself on the opposition in spite of spending hours at the crease, and his runs have minimal impact. Also, as senior batsmen, his negativity leaves a bad impression on the other batsmen.

Someone inexperienced like Haris is already looking more assured than him, and that is because he is a better batsman. He can definitely have the same output as Azhar (average of ~45) but at a much better strike rate.

If Babar and someone like Saad can average around 35-40 at a healthy strike rate, Azhar will be surplus to requirements.

I would also explore the possibility of accommodating someone like Fakhar at number 6, expecting him to produce 35 @65 type stats, which is nothing special but certainly more important within the context of our batting lineup than Azhar's 45 @35 type performances.

I am happy to stick with Imam as a Test opener for now, but the only problem is the second opener slot. However, persisting with a 33 year old substandard batsman is not the answer either.

In any case, it is time for slowly but surely to start preparing for life after Azhar. I hope Mickey reads PP.

What Azhar has the other don't right now is the ability to make big scores - esp in Asian conditions.

Whilst Babar and Haris are very talented batsman - they are yet to score Test centuries whilst Shafiq will remain hit and miss. Do not expect much from Sami and Imam as they also seem to be in survival mode all the time. Usman has yet to make his Test debut so no idea how he will return out.

The point is we cannot take such a risk right now - despite Test's being a dying format - since our batting is very inexperienced. Maybe should consider it after 1-2 years when Babar, Haris, Usman etc. hit their stride but it is a pointless discussion right now.

 

[Saj]

I have serious concerns about Pakistan's slip fielders without YK there.

Regarding Azhar he snatches at the ball which is a basic flaw and very surprising considering he has been around for so long.

The catch he dropped today was schoolboy level, really poor stuff from him.

 

[Boi]

He dropped a few last time in England too. Nothing to do with his reflexes. Should just stick to being short leg fielder or in the outfield.

 

[Abdul]

His usual attention seeking haters can keep on crying.

I do agree that he shouldn't be in the slips though.

 

[FreePalestine]

His usual attention seeking haters can keep on crying.

I do agree that he shouldn't be in the slips though.

Exactly. God knows what these A.Ali 'aggressive cricket' lovers are on about.

 

[Kaka4pope]

His form hasn’t been great, in the Misbah era was a rock with the bat - he’s got plenty of credit in the bank IMO.

In the slips however, far too many catches downed. Problem is our best outfielders, like Shadab, are probably our best bet in the slips too...

 

[Abdul]

Exactly. God knows what these A.Ali 'aggressive cricket' lovers are on about.

Are you agreeing or disagreeing with me? It's hard to make out.

 

[Rayyman]

He is our worst fielder (aside from bowlers) and they need to hide him out there.

1st slip: Haris, 2nd slip: Asad, 3rd slip: Babar
With Shadab at point. Imam and Faheem are good fielders too.

 

[blackanhyellow]

What I meant was that he doesn't add much to the team now. He will still score runs, and probably score more than others, but his runs do not help the team.

For example, he top-scored in the first Test against Sri Lanka in the UAE, but he was actually one of the chief architects of that defeat. That is why I have compared him to Misbah the ODI batsman in the past, who also scored more than others but was an equal culprit in terms of defeats.

He is 33, his tedious batting strangles the team, and he is not a role-model senior batsmen that the young batsmen can look up to and learn from. He played his part when he was in the shadow of Younis, but now after his retirement, he is getting exposed for his frailties. He is a disastrous number 3, but his runs as an opener don't add much to the team either, for example his four hour 35 runs in Christchurch.

Younis was not perfect, but when he scored his runs meant something. It put opposition on the back-foot and helped Pakistan take control of games. Azhar unfortunately is not capable of doing that.

Now before people go to the other extreme and attempt to give me a lesson in Test cricket and how we don't need aggressive hacks in this format, the point is that I am not asking for a madman; there is a big middle-ground between a stroke-less wonder like Azhar and a hack, and that is where majority of the quality batsmen operate.

In other words, we need 3-4 batsmen who can maintain a SR of 50+ at an average of 35-40. Haris is capable, Babar might do that eventually and hopefully someone like Saad can achieve that as well. Shafiq also needs to improve on that front, but I would keep him in the middle-order for now because I think he can make things happen.

I would be okay with Azhar boring my pants off if he was as prolific as Dravid, Kallis or Cook etc. (pre 2016 version), but he is not and at 33, he is not going to get better from here on.

It is not going to happen obviously, but if it were up to me, I would drop Azhar after the England Test series and see how the team progresses without him choking it to death.

Azhar has been involved in some of our most memorable wins within the last few years.

He has averaged 53 in the last two years.

When he is in form he makes sure Pakistan dont lose a flurry of wickets. He takes the shine off the ball. In SC conditions he grinds bowlers down. Best of all when he gets going he has the ability to make it a daddy.

He isnt as impactful as Warner, but to say he isnt impactful at all would be harsh.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Haris, Babar, Asad should be in the slips.

 

[coy0607]

all I can say about Azhar's fielding is; he should be thanking Amir everytime he is selected for Pakistan

because if Amir hadn't gotten Kohli out that next ball, Azhar would've had hell to pay for the drop

 

[Syed1]

Absolute garbage

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Absolute garbage

Jani Isko Nikal Nahe Saktay, Se..lip say hata dein kafi hay.

Yeah chala gaya toh Run karanay ka rola par sakta hay - Tendulkar aur Kohli per rely karen gay toh bas Allah hi hafiz hay.....

Uper say Ainak Wala Jin and that Human Pinata are fairly new to this level....

 

[Hasan123]

For the most part he has been a solid fielder. But maybe isn't suited to being in the slips.

 

[mak36]

Absolutely pathetic dropped catch in the slips in the Punjab derby. Setting a very poor example.