"Babar Azam knows he needs to increase his SR, as do some of the other batsmen" : Mickey Arthur

[Abdullah719]

"Babar Azam knows he needs to increase his SR, as do some of the other batsmen" : Mickey Arthur

Mickey Arthur at a presser ahead of Pakistan's departure for England:

"It's a very exciting time for Pakistan cricket and for this team"

"We've worked hard for this journey and we leave very well-prepared, as well as we could have"

"The series against England will give us an opportunity to test ourselves and to test our combinations"

"There's 10 very good teams and that's what makes this World Cup special"

"We know if we play to the best of our ability, we have the potential to go all the way but there's a lot of good teams out there and we're going to have to play well"

"We have belief in Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez, in terms of our squad balance and strategy they both play a role"

"Our strategy will be to attack, we're going to look to take wickets and bowl sides out. We've got it covered in all departments, we've got all the bases covered"

"Babar has a specific role in the team, we have some serious batsmen in our team but Babar Azam has the ability to be as good as anyone in the world. If he's getting us a hundred, we are comfortable that we have the batsmen around him to get 300-320"

"Babar plays a key role for us. Over the last 2 years, his SR is around 80 and he knows he needs to increase that, as do some of the other batsmen and we've spoken about that"

"Shadab's a wonderful cricketer, he's three-dimensional. He fields cover point, he bats top 7 or 8 and he plays a key role outside the powerplay in terms of taking wickets"

"We'll miss a guy like Shadab but we've tried to cover that hole with a like for like wrist spinner"

"The team's not about one man, there's a squad of 15 going to the World Cup and all 15 have the ability to win games"

"Shadab is not out of the World Cup, there's certainly hope on him playing"

"We've looked at our SRs and we've spoken about that as a batting unit"

"Looking at scores in England, it does appear there are big scores being scored. However during the CT 2 years ago, the average score was around 283 and we're comfortable that if the conditions are the same and they're dry, we can reverse the ball and if they're overcast, we have the ability to swing/seam the ball and we're comfortable that the batting unit can play the required roles"

"The belief we have in these players is massive"

"We looked at a wrist-spinner when looking for a replacement for Shadab. All teams have good leg-spinners. Yasir was the fastest to 200 wickets, albeit in Test cricket, that shows he can bowl. The last two ODIs against Australia, he bowled the best he did in that series. He bowled his googly with decent effect. The wickets in UAE were flat and didn't turn, if we get a wicket that grips a bit then we feel Yasir can be a weapon for us"

"Shinwari has done well and he's unlucky to miss out"

"Faheem has got better and better over the last couple of years, he's working on becoming a really good all-rounder"

"As a selection panel, we looked at the opposition and the conditions and in Hasnain, we've got an x-factor player. We understand he's inexperienced but sometimes in inexperience and youth comes a lot of attitude, we're hoping he gives us that. Against at least 4 of the 9 teams, he comes into the the equation, against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies"

"Imad's attitude to fitness has changed completely, he's working hard but he has an issue with his knee. We're not compromising with our fitness standards and he knows that, he's worked hard to get himself into the best physical shape"

"All our players are at a level (fitness) where they need to be. Now we focus on skills and execution"

"Rizwan is an incredible player, he was fantastic in UAE for us. He doubles up as a wk batsman as does the captain, we're hoping he'll be one of the players we'll have in England, ready to step up at anytime if we need a replacement"

"Amir's running well, his attitude has been outstanding and he'll have opportunities in England to show us that he deserves a spot in the World Cup squad"

"Mohammad Abbas has just run his personal best, Mohammad Hafeez is always incredibly fit. Yasir Shah has work to do, he just gets to the required level. Abid Ali was perfect and passed his test. Abid and Hasnain have been in the setup only for the past 3 weeks and our standards are incredibly high, they haven't been subjected to these standards before. Their performances have only gotten better every time they have trained"

"Hasnain hadn't run a fitness test in his life. He hadn't run a yoyo test when he ran the first one. Poor Hasnain when he's supposed to go slowly, sprinted the first couple and he didn't realise the concept. I can honestly say the attitude to their fitness has been exceptional and we're happy and proud about the way they have gone about it"

 

[Titan24]

Mickey first says that Shadab is a 3 dimensional cricketer and then says we have replaced him with like for like wrist spinner Yasir Shah. Yasir looks unfit, poor in the field and cant do much with the bat either. Never understood the point of like for like replacements and variety in the bowling attack for the sake of it.

In tests they selected Bilal Asif just because he was an off spinner, without any record or performance behind him (Was avgeraging around 33-35 with ball before playing Aus and NZ series) and now selecting Yasir Shah just because he is a wrist spinner (averages around 34 with ball even in list A).

I know they want an attacking optiob in middle overs but surely there would have been spinners with better white ball record than Yasir, preferring him just because he is a wrist spinner is not the best decision making process.

 

[MMHS]

Mickey first says that Shadab is a 3 dimensional cricketer and then says we have replaced him with like for like wrist spinner Yasir Shah. Yasir looks unfit, poor in the field and cant do much with the bat either. Never understood the point of like for like replacements and variety in the bowling attack for the sake of it.

In tests they selected Bilal Asif just because he was an off spinner, without any record or performance behind him (Was avgeraging around 33-35 with ball before playing Aus and NZ series) and now selecting Yasir Shah just because he is a wrist spinner (averages around 34 with ball even in list A).

I know they want an attacking optiob in middle overs but surely there would have been spinners with better white ball record than Yasir, preferring him just because he is a wrist spinner is not the best decision making process.

They are forced to select Yasir because think tank does feel the need of a leggi, but in last 3 years they haven’t tried a single one outside Shadab (not sure if Yasir had played anything between WC 2015 & AUS series either). Ideally, one of Usama, Ibtesham or Irfan should have been part of few series and should have played few games as well. They are caught red handed here - invested 5 ODI for Yasir a months back, now Shadab has got injured; they need a leggi but can’t pick anyone else than Yasir (then won’t be able to explain that either). I am sure other 2 will also have same difficulty to explain Yasir’s inclusion.

 

[Hasan123]

The top ODI batters are able to maintain a decent strike throughout their innings and accelerate at the end of their innings by playing proper cricketing shots. Babar needs to do this against the top teams. He is a consistent run scorer, he has so far not looked great when it comes to this when we have had to chase big scores in LO cricket. Now is his time to stand up.

Yasir Shah is just a waste of time selection. Deep down Mickey and Sarfraz know it, but they can’t do much now.

 

[Titan24]

They are forced to select Yasir because think tank does feel the need of a leggi, but in last 3 years they haven’t tried a single one outside Shadab (not sure if Yasir had played anything between WC 2015 & AUS series either). Ideally, one of Usama, Ibtesham or Irfan should have been part of few series and should have played few games as well. They are caught red handed here - invested 5 ODI for Yasir a months back, now Shadab has got injured; they need a leggi but can’t pick anyone else than Yasir (then won’t be able to explain that either). I am sure other 2 will also have same difficulty to explain Yasir’s inclusion.

Spin department being so poor is the peak of Mickey and Inzi’s lack of planning. They have tried different sort of pacers, batsmen (most which were not suited for LOIs) but they havent even tried a single spinner outside Shadab, Imad (Not specialist), Nawaz (Not specialist) and Yasir in LOIs throughout their tenure and there were many occasions they could have. As you have mentioned, Usama Mir was rated really highly by Mickey couple of years ago and he didnt try him even for a single match.

India has in the mean time played Ashwin, Jadeja, Sundar, Chahal, Yadav, Makhande, Patel and I might still be missing some.

Even NZ which is not known for their spin bowling has more bench strength for their spin department which has been tested across all formats then Pak has at the moment.

 

[Mamoon]

Shadab is mediocre in two dimensions (bowling and batting) so you don’t need a so-called multi-dimensional player to fill his boots.

He is extremely overrated and quality spinner will be an upgrade on him even if he is a slouch in the field and a bunny with the bat.

Unfortunately the problem is that Pakistan does not have many realistic options outside Yasir.

Yes there are a few leg-spinners in domestic cricket such as Usama Mir etc., but they are not on the radar because they barely get chances in PSL, and Inzamam barely considers players for Limited Overs outside PSL. Abid etc. are exceptions.

Off-spin has become almost obsolete in ODIs after the crackdown on chucking, and playing another left-arm orthodox alongside Imad (Nawaz, Gohar, Umer, Asghar) is not an idea that the management will entertain.

Imad is a must at the moment because he is our best all-rounder and not a fake one like Shadab and Faheem, so the other left-arm spinners simply don’t fit the equation unless there is a chinaman in there, which none of them are.

 

[khan_aa]

Yasir may end up doing well this world cup, you never know. He did bowl better lines the last two ODIs vs australia and was less poor than the first three ODIs.

 

[Shafi]

Whole management are clueless and needed to shown door at least a year ago. Yasir has been selected whether on political ground or behind door arrangement.

Inzi is more corrupt than BOG members in PCB and needs to be sacked. Micky is a clueless coach will need to be shown the door.

 

[Mueez]

Why does my gut feeling say that Yasir is a good selection.

Summer in UK is expected to very hot, so the pitches should turn...

And when the pitch is offering a little bit of spin Yasir becomes a world-beater.

 

[Shafi]

Why does my gut feeling say that Yasir is a good selection.

Summer in UK is expected to very hot, so the pitches should turn...

And when the pitch is offering a little bit of spin Yasir becomes a world-beater.

In test but not in ODI. All top 5 teams will score 100+ against Yasir's 10 overs. Anything less than that it will be shame for their batsmen.

 

[Green Patriot]

Who are those batsmen who are getting the 300-320 around Babar.
Also when is the last time Babar got a 100 btw.

 

[Major]

I dont understand why you guys cant use logic when arguing.

What other option do they have in spin department with no Shadab?

Yasir is a proper spinner, Nawaz is not. Yasir can spin the ball, Nawaz cant spin. Nawaz is same as IMad and we cant have two part time spinners in the team.

For a full time spinner our options were Yasir, Zafar Gohar, Usama and Asghar.

But as Mamoon said, Inzi only watches TV matches.

Umer Khan would had been a ridiclous selection as he isnt good enough for ODIs.

Yasir was the best available pick and he isnt a confirmed for the world cup. He has to perform in England.

 

[Major]

Also, Waleed Ahmad was an option, as he is performing. ANd Inzamam should be critisized for overloooking him

 

[The_Odd_One]

The only reason Shadab will be missed is that his replacement Yasir may probably be the worst spinner in the ODI history who also happens to be a poor fielder and batsman. So, his contribution in the games he plays will be zero.

If Shadab is unfit then I will be happy if he's replaced by a proper batsman rather than a liability like Yasir. Imad, Haris, Hafeez, and Malik should be able to bowl 20 overs among them. The remaining 30 can be bowled by 3 fast bowlers.

 

[Hasan123]

The only reason Shadab will be missed is that his replacement Yasir may probably be the worst spinner in the ODI history who also happens to be a poor fielder and batsman. So, his contribution in the games he plays will be zero.

If Shadab is unfit then I will be happy if he's replaced by a proper batsman rather than a liability like Yasir. Imad, Haris, Hafeez, and Malik should be able to bowl 20 overs among them. The remaining 30 can be bowled by 3 fast bowlers.

Most teams are picking 2 specialist spinners and you think 4 part timers will be enough LOL.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Most teams are picking 2 specialist spinners and you think 4 part timers will be enough LOL.

I would have loved to see a proper spinner selected but the team management did not groom any specialist spinner in the last 4 years. Imad is a sure starter so there is no point in playing another left arm spinner like Asghar, Nawaz, Gohar, etc.

Yasir is so bad that even a part-time spinner like Haris, Malik, Hafeez, Iftikhar, etc. will not do worse than him.

 

[Hasan123]

I would have loved to see a proper spinner selected but the team management did not groom any specialist spinner in the last 4 years. Imad is a sure starter so there is no point in playing another left arm spinner like Asghar, Nawaz, Gohar, etc.

Yasir is so bad that even a part-time spinner like Haris, Malik, Hafeez, Iftikhar, etc. will not do worse than him.

Our spin department for the WC is doomed.

 

[Markhor]

The wickets in UAE were flat and didn't turn, if we get a wicket that grips a bit then we feel Yasir can be a weapon for us"

The wickets are England are flat and won't turn either. Maybe Taunton will provide some assistance to the spinners but Yasir isn't good enough as an LOI spinner to exploit it.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Our spin department for the WC is doomed.

The blame completely lies on Inzi, Mickey, and Sarfraz. Ajmal was shown the door ages ago and the squad still does not have a single proper spinner despite its rich resources in spin department. Even in tests if Yasir retires or fails to keep his performance up to acceptable level, there is no backup spinner.

 

[topspin]

I dont understand why you guys cant use logic when arguing.

What other option do they have in spin department with no Shadab?

Yasir is a proper spinner, Nawaz is not. Yasir can spin the ball, Nawaz cant spin. Nawaz is same as IMad and we cant have two part time spinners in the team.

For a full time spinner our options were Yasir, Zafar Gohar, Usama and Asghar.

But as Mamoon said, Inzi only watches TV matches.

Umer Khan would had been a ridiclous selection as he isnt good enough for ODIs.

Yasir was the best available pick and he isnt a confirmed for the world cup. He has to perform in England.

Speaking of “logic”, do you happen to remember when you mentioned a test innings of 300 from 800 balls is better than one with 400 runs from 500 balls

 

[W63L35]

So 3 out of 4 batsmen with best S/R are left out of the team but batsmen with S/R in 70s are asked to improve their S/R! :clap

The 4th one (Abid Ali) is selected based on one innings of 100 and one duck but batsmen (ha ha) like Soaib Malik can't be dropped based on failure after failure! The same old story of Pakistani ODI team/cricket/batsmen since 2010!

 

[W63L35]

Including "not out" innings:

 

[Major]

Speaking of “logic”, do you happen to remember when you mentioned a test innings of 300 from 800 balls is better than one with 400 runs from 500 balls

you do know test match and odi match is different.

A test match where 800 balls is being consumed has a much more major effect on the pitch than a 400 on 500 ball.

Results are determined based upon pitch condition in UAE

 

[Abdullah719]

I dont understand why you guys cant use logic when arguing.

What other option do they have in spin department with no Shadab?

Yasir is a proper spinner, Nawaz is not. Yasir can spin the ball, Nawaz cant spin. Nawaz is same as IMad and we cant have two part time spinners in the team.

For a full time spinner our options were Yasir, Zafar Gohar, Usama and Asghar.

But as Mamoon said, Inzi only watches TV matches.

Umer Khan would had been a ridiclous selection as he isnt good enough for ODIs.

Yasir was the best available pick and he isnt a confirmed for the world cup. He has to perform in England.

Yasir is the worst available pick. He has 12 wickets at an average of 72 in ODIs against teams that aren't named Zimbabwe.

I would take literally anyone else. Bring Afridi out of retirement and he'll do better.

 

[Major]

Yasir is the worst available pick. He has 12 wickets at an average of 72 in ODIs against teams that aren't named Zimbabwe.

I would take literally anyone else. Bring Afridi out of retirement and he'll do better.

what other option you have got? tell me that.

the other spinners got smacked in the recent List A.

Only good option that i saw on stats were Waleed ahmed

 

[Abdullah719]

what other option you have got? tell me that.

the other spinners got smacked in the recent List A.

Only good option that i saw on stats were Waleed ahmed

That's because Inzi cleverly left out the likes of Zafar Gohar from the tournament.

Anyway, four matches (in the Pakistan Cup) shouldn't be the basis for selection. We're in this predicament because we never tried anyone else sooner when we should have, it was always unlikely they'll throw in a random spinner for the World Cup.

Yasir Shah with his poor List A record should never have played an ODI for Pakistan.

 

[Smudger]

Waa Waa what logic, I'm done lol

This is what you expect from a Mosbah fan. He even says there is no one better than yasir in the country

 

[saeedhk]

“Faheem has gotten better and better”. As a bowler, maybe. But he’s an allrounder. And he probably is the only all rounder who cant middle a ball. Mickey loves Faheem and a few others.

 

[Sadozai]

“Faheem has gotten better and better”. As a bowler, maybe. But he’s an allrounder. And he probably is the only all rounder who cant middle a ball. Mickey loves Faheem and a few others.

straight to the fielder

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Including "not out" innings:

View attachment 90666

Context bro.

Asif Ali and Umar Akmal don't last enough balls to have any impact on the game.

Only Rizwan was a highly surprising omission, but I believe they wanted to give Sarfraz the freedom of mind that he won't be replaced till World Cup no matter how terrible he gets.

So yes S/R matters a lot but usually it doesn't matter if innings don't last enough.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

So Mickey says and I quote:
"Babar plays a key role for us. Over the last 2 years, his SR is around 80 and he knows he needs to increase that, as do some of the other batsmen and we've spoken about that"

Babar Azam says and I quote:
"If I can be No.1 in the world [on the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Rankings for batting] without power hitting, then I don't need power hitting," he said. "But when I need to, I utilise it well. I don't just play along the ground. I practice hitting the ball big and when needed, I use it. My role is to play out the full overs. My individual role is to take the innings as deep as I can and perform in a way that benefits the team most of all."

What is in Mickey's head isn't necessarily in his team's heads.

 

[Shaka81]

Yasir Shah will be a disastrous pick for the world cup. He will single handedly lose every game he plays. They should've invested in other spinners or if they are that poor at identifying spin talent, then just pick another batsman who can bowl a bit.

 

[W63L35]

Context bro.

Asif Ali and Umar Akmal don't last enough balls to have any impact on the game.

Only Rizwan was a highly surprising omission, but I believe they wanted to give Sarfraz the freedom of mind that he won't be replaced till World Cup no matter how terrible he gets.

So yes S/R matters a lot but usually it doesn't matter if innings don't last enough.

Speaking of not lasting enough balls...... following stats are since 1/1/2018;

Most of these batsmen lasted less balls than Umar Akmal and yet they will be playing the Wold Cup in England.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Speaking of not lasting enough balls...... following stats are since 1/1/2018;

Most of these batsmen lasted less balls than Umar Akmal and yet they will be playing the Wold Cup in England.

View attachment 90692

Again context.

Asif Ali and Sarfraz don't last enough balls hence proven and your stats just proved it.

The only surprising result is Umar Akmal which shows he lasts enough balls. If he does and still is struggling, there must be other issues at play here.

I can appreciate your fondness for Umar Akmal, but even if I accept Umar Akmal lasting enough balls, lets be honest.

Without throwing roundabout excuses about pressure, timing and situation, what do you make of the 5 chances he had to cement his place in the team against Australia?

 

[W63L35]

Again context.

Asif Ali and Sarfraz don't last enough balls hence proven and your stats just proved it.

The only surprising result is Umar Akmal which shows he lasts enough balls. If he does and still is struggling, there must be other issues at play here.

I can appreciate your fondness for Umar Akmal, but even if I accept Umar Akmal lasting enough balls, lets be honest.

Without throwing roundabout excuses about pressure, timing and situation, what do you make of the 5 chances he had to cement his place in the team against Australia?

Umar is not related to me at all. So without bringing the personal stuff like fondness or hate, if you can debate with a resaonable cricketing argument, we can continue otherwise .....please stop reading after this.

I only feel that he ALWAYS belonged in the ODI team miles ahead of Malik, based on how he started his career and what he has done to the very limited chances he was given in last 2-3 years.

Even with his limited chances (only 10 ODIs) in last 2.5 years against top teams, he has performed much better than ever under performing Malik;

 

[badsha001]

Umar is not related to me at all. So without bringing the personal stuff like fondness or hate, if you can debate with a resaonable cricketing argument, we can continue otherwise .....please stop reading after this.

I only feel that he ALWAYS belonged in the ODI team miles ahead of Malik, based on how he started his career and what he has done to the very limited chances he was given in last 2-3 years.

Even with his limited chances (only 10 ODIs) in last 2.5 years against top teams, he has performed much better than ever under performing Malik;

View attachment 90714

Numbers and Stats don't lie. Only People lie.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Umar is not related to me at all. So without bringing the personal stuff like fondness or hate, if you can debate with a resaonable cricketing argument, we can continue otherwise .....please stop reading after this.

I only feel that he ALWAYS belonged in the ODI team miles ahead of Malik, based on how he started his career and what he has done to the very limited chances he was given in last 2-3 years.

Even with his limited chances (only 10 ODIs) in last 2.5 years against top teams, he has performed much better than ever under performing Malik;

View attachment 90714

Not sure how you are making your point.

I am not saying Malik should be in the team.

I am saying of the 5 chances that he got against Australia, why could less mere mortals like Rizwan and Haris make it, while the talented batsmen lasting more balls than anyone failed to score anything remotely close to a "cementing total".

I see you have a habit of comparing Umar with other players to prove he is better than them. I don't entirely disagree. Infact, I can make a case for ditching everyone in the team bar Babar, Haris and keeping Umar.

But statistically being there is different to mentally being there.

So let's have the averages of the 5 match ODI series against Australia and lets see where Umar stands?

 

[Deewana Mastana]

The question to ask should be is that what has Mickey done in all this time since he has been coach about the batting and their SR's? This issue with batting and SR's has been going for years and years but there has not been any improvement even under his tenure so far.

Players are then holding PC's and saying we do not need a power game as I am No.1 in a format - Like wth is going on??

 

[W63L35]

Not sure how you are making your point.

Most of the times, Stats/data are subject to the interpretation of the reader.

I am not saying Malik should be in the team.

So we agree.

I am saying of the 5 chances that he got against Australia, why could less mere mortals like Rizwan and Haris make it, while the talented batsmen lasting more balls than anyone failed to score anything remotely close to a "cementing total".

Even mortal players never succeed in every match.
No team (except us) drops key/experienced/proven players based on 5 matches.

Haris is selected. Rizwan is not selected because our wonderful selector thinks, Malik (the proven and consistent failure) will fair better than Rizwan.

On a separate note, how many match those cementing totals won us in that series?

I see you have a habit of comparing Umar with other players to prove he is better than them. I don't entirely disagree. Infact, I can make a case for ditching everyone in the team bar Babar, Haris and keeping Umar.

I am gad you agree.

But statistically being there is different to mentally being there.

Sorry, I am not able to read player's minds.

So let's have the averages of the 5 match ODI series against Australia and lets see where Umar stands?

Again, No team (except us) drops key/experienced/proven players based on 5 matches. Historically, our selectors (PCB) have killed toooooo many great careers just of because of this stupid habit. Asim Kamal and Fawad Alam are the two of the many examples!

 

[panipaneer]

 

[Abdullah719]

Don't think he played at an acceptable rate today, but he's back amongst the runs at least.

 

[Farhan93]

Don't think he played at an acceptable rate today, but he's back amongst the runs at least.

we need him to fail so that we can atleast play with a decent strike rate on flattest pitches

 

[Abdullah719]

we need him to fail so that we can atleast play with a decent strike rate on flattest pitches

Ok.

 

[OmaIR1]

"If he's getting us a hundred, we are comfortable that we have the batsmen around him to get 300-320"

"Babar plays a key role for us. Over the last 2 years, his SR is around 80 and he knows he needs to increase that, as do some of the other batsmen and we've spoken about that"

I literally just posted this comment moments ago. This is why he will never be a great player, he can't take the game away on his own.

But he is still one of the better players in the team. I think all Babar needs to do is rotate the strike, minimize his dots and his strike rate will automatically improve.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The question to ask should be is that what has Mickey done in all this time since he has been coach about the batting and their SR's? This issue with batting and SR's has been going for years and years but there has not been any improvement even under his tenure so far.

Players are then holding PC's and saying we do not need a power game as I am No.1 in a format - Like wth is going on??

He's still our best batsman so he knows his place isn't under threat. Until we bring in someone who will win matches he knows he's undroppable. It's true he is selfish, but other batsmen are just plain crap.

 

[Khwaja78]

Mr Mickey Arthur you failed big time. You could've easily discarded this selfish joke Azam and give chance to so many deserving players but you did'nt.

Azam will be the black spot for Arthur once his contract finishes. He already has failed.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Mr Mickey Arthur you failed big time. You could've easily discarded this selfish joke Azam and give chance to so many deserving players but you did'nt.

Azam will be the black spot for Arthur once his contract finishes. He already has failed.

Azam will still be in the team long after Arthur's replacement comes in for the reasons I already gave above.

 

[Saj]

It was a patchy innings today.

Phases where he batted well and quickly and then slowed right down.

10 overs without a four when he was approaching his 100 is nothing other than selfish.

 

[Farhan93]

He's still our best batsman so he knows his place isn't under threat. Until we bring in someone who will win matches he knows he's undroppable. It's true he is selfish, but other batsmen are just plain crap.

Saud,Abid,Haris are not crap you haven't even tried them (or given a fair run at 3 in Haris' case) yet you are calling them crap just to defend this overrated overhyped babar? WOW. This is the reason why we are lying 6th in ODIs ranking because our selectors/management think the same way. While the reality is babar's FC record is worse than all of them yet they are crap and babar is a champion. Fine logic

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Saud,Abid,Haris are not crap you haven't even tried them (or given a fair run at 3 in Haris' case) yet you are calling them crap just to defend this overrated overhyped babar? WOW. This is the reason why we are lying 6th in ODIs ranking because our selectors/management think the same way. While the reality is babar's FC record is worse than all of them yet they are crap and babar is a champion. Fine logic

Haris is a similar accumulator type, never seen him hit big to win a game either. The other two we have barely seen in a Pakistan shirt so can't really comment on those. When I talk about crap I am talking about those who are playing currently or have played a decent amount of games previously to make a judgement.

 

[Zaz]

What is missing from his game and similarly with hafeez and harris is urgency, fitness and unselfishness

They play lazy cricket, there isnt an intent on every balls to get a single at the bare min The running is shoddy and yes they play for milestones
U see that manytimes our batsmen getting out once they get to a 50 or 100

Mickey needs to get hold of these players and give them a good shake If they are happy with mediocrity then carry on getting soft runs and losing as we are now

 

[Farhan93]

Haris is a similar accumulator type, never seen him hit big to win a game either. The other two we have barely seen in a Pakistan shirt so can't really comment on those. When I talk about crap I am talking about those who are playing currently or have played a decent amount of games previously to make a judgement.

so other should be given a chance rather than we keep clinging on to our favourites who have been failing us...that will and should have been the way forward long time but we resisted and now we can see the results, still many fans are happy with that. It's really embarassing..Pakistan used to be one of the top 2-3 sides in ODIs but now we have become so pathetic and fans are equally responsible for this decline as they are the ones who believes whatever our dishonest selectors and management utters to them. They say this is our best available lot and stupid fans start believing it and many more things. Makes me sick

 

[QalandarFan]

He's done well this series, averaging 55 @ 100 is a job well done, only failures could of stepped up from a tough position and won us the game today too had he not got run out.

 

[cricketfan11]

Modern cricket is fast paced and you need to adapt.
No point scoring 100 at SR of 100 and losing when the opposition's batsmen are scoring at a SR of 120 +.

 

[MRSN]

Modern cricket is fast paced and you need to adapt.
No point scoring 100 at SR of 100 and losing when the opposition's batsmen are scoring at a SR of 120 +.

If it wasn't for Baber Pak batting would have collapsed within 200. Baber has been playing some superb cricket and yet there are people like you who are never happy.

 

[Mujtaba2900]

After babar Failed In New Zealand In His First tour . People Called Him Minnow Basher .Doesnt play Run A Ball .Slow Starter.
He Imroved His Game .He Averages 50 against new Zealand At SR of 92 in UAE pitches .
People Said He Will Fail In SouthAfrica .
He Averages 50 and Apart Form One Game Where we were Chasing 170 He Played At 100 SR .
Now When He Is Playing At 100 With An Average. Of 60 people are Still Not Satisfied.
I m Pretty sure Even if He Averages 50-70 at 105 people will Still be Angry at him.
Out fans have Become delusional After watching England Playing .They R Favorites and literally the batting powerhouse with All 11 Playing.

 

[Bewal Express]

Babar has made giant strides and is a top class player. He needs more power but that isnt going to happen, and i for one is happy with Babar as we have our 1st WC batsman since the days of MoYo and Inzi.

 

[MRSN]

After babar Failed In New Zealand In His First tour . People Called Him Minnow Basher .Doesnt play Run A Ball .Slow Starter.
He Imroved His Game .He Averages 50 against new Zealand At SR of 92 in UAE pitches .
People Said He Will Fail In SouthAfrica .
He Averages 50 and Apart Form One Game Where we were Chasing 170 He Played At 100 SR .
Now When He Is Playing At 100 With An Average. Of 60 people are Still Not Satisfied.
I m Pretty sure Even if He Averages 50-70 at 105 people will Still be Angry at him.
Out fans have Become delusional After watching England Playing .They R Favorites and literally the batting powerhouse with All 11 Playing.

These people deserve the likes of Azhar, Malik

 

[MenInG]

In PCB Podcast - Babar Azam:

“I want to mention Mickey as he played an integral role in my transformation. As a cricketer, there’s a feeling that if you are not up to the mark, you might get dropped from the side, but he gave me the confidence. He asked me to give my best to the side and not worry about getting axed from the side and that helped me a great deal. He did not only do it with me but with every player in the side and that is why we have eight to nine players in the side currently from that lot.”