Babar Azam - Your time has come

[Varun]

If he can shepherd the chase and end up with 75*, it could be the trampoline he needs to fire up his test career.

Better late than never too.

 

[hur rizvi]

Either him or imam need to be there at the end to win. Ireland ahead in my opinion

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Yes his time has come, " to be dropped from the test side".

 

[Rahul1]

If he can shepherd the chase and end up with 75*, it could be the trampoline he needs to fire up his test career.

Better late than never too.

....to get out.

 

[Syed1]

He is hell bent on blocking everything.... if he continues in this mode sooner or later there will be a ball delivered that has his name on it. It's not Babar's fault he has acha bacha Azhar as a mentor. Heck even nepotistic bhanja is outbatting him.

 

[hur rizvi]

Yes his time has come, " to be dropped from the test side".

Surely a failure here and he should make way for someone on bench

 

[world cup captain]

He is hell bent on blocking everything.... if he continues in this mode sooner or later there will be a ball delivered that has his name on it. It's not Babar's fault he has acha bacha Azhar as a mentor. Heck even nepotistic bhanja is outbatting him.

You won't stop spewing hatred for a ballsy call from Inzy regarding someone who can actually be a good player for Pakistan for years to come. All Imam has done is perform and defy expectations whether it be the Srilanka ODI or the Kent match or the Northamptonshire or the current match. Rather than type junk, how about you name someone who can actually perform better than Imam has.

 

[Syed1]

You won't stop spewing hatred for a ballsy call from Inzy regarding someone who can actually be a good player for Pakistan for years to come. All Imam has done is perform and defy expectations whether it be the Srilanka ODI or the Kent match or the Northamptonshire or the current match. Rather than type junk, how about you name someone who can actually perform better than Imam has.

Imam could hit hundred hundreds it won't change the fact that he used his mamoos connection to get a spot in the side.

 

[world cup captain]

Imam could hit hundred hundreds it won't change the fact that he used his mamoos connection to get a spot in the side.

If he can perform and win Pakistan matches then what's the problem? And how can you say he got in the side due to his mamu? He may not have the stats to have gotten in the side on merit but who has? No one in the team except Abbas and Haris had the stats to play in the test team when they debuted. Azhar and Safiq both has averages in 30s when they were initially picked and Sarfraz had a sub par of high 20s.

Inzy/Mickey have enough experience to realize who can perform at the next level hence their picks are paying off (Shadab, Imam, Fakhar, Faheem, Haris and Usman).

 

[Mamoon]

A nepotistic selection who performs is better than a meritocratic selection who fails.

I don't like Inzamam, but I have no issues with him favoring Imam as long as the latter justifies the faith with his performances.

The same argument is used against Najam Sethi, and how he got the job due to his political connections. Yes that may be true, but it doesn't matter because he has proved that his competence.

 

[big_gamer007]

Agreed this is Babar’s day.. He looks solid as a rock in the middle and will take pakistan to victory.

 

[ManFan]

A nepotistic selection who performs is better than a meritocratic selection who fails.

I don't like Inzamam, but I have no issues with him favoring Imam as long as the latter justifies the faith with his performances.

The same argument is used against Najam Sethi, and how he got the job due to his political connections. Yes that may be true, but it doesn't matter because he has proved that his competence.

A lot of Pakistan’s cricketing heroes had been established for reasons beyond cricket.

Imran Khan and Saeed Anwar off the top of my head.

 

[ManFan]

I have always maintained that I am fine with nepotism if it yields results.

But than that raises a question, “what is the standard for selection”?

 

[angrypathan]

Now or never

 

[Syed1]

I have always maintained that I am fine with nepotism if it yields results.

But than that raises a question, “what is the standard for selection”?

That is the most facepalm-worthy statement I've heard.


For every "good" nepotistic selection there are literally hundreds of "bad" nepotistic selections such as Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Junaid Zia etc etc.

 

[Mamoon]

I have always maintained that I am fine with nepotism if it yields results.

But than that raises a question, “what is the standard for selection”?

It is not possible to have one standard. You can't pick 100% of the players on merit or due to connections, you will always have a mix. At times, merit will give you poor players and nepotism will give you good players.

Historically, nepotism has worked for Pakistan more often than not. You have cases like Faisal Iqbal, Farhat and Masood, but as noted already, a lot of successful players were also selected due to their connections.

 

[fluke]

we have to applaud imam here as well who is playing a very sensible knock here

 

[j_kazmi]

Imam could hit hundred hundreds it won't change the fact that he used his mamoos connection to get a spot in the side.

Nepotism isn’t the worst thing in the world, provided that the person in question is fit for the job at hand.

Nepotism happens all around the world, but it’s only bad when some one is unfit for a particular job but is still hired because of their connections.

For example if I had a business, I could hire my friend for a position knowing full well that he has the skills needed for that position and that wouldn’t be a bad thing as he would get the job done.

 

[ManFan]

That is the most facepalm-worthy statement I've heard.


For every "good" nepotistic selection there are literally hundreds of "bad" nepotistic selections such as Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Junaid Zia etc etc.

Yes, which is why I said IF.

Unfortunately, right now, Imam is outperforming the “acha bachas” who have been selected on merit for eight years.

 

[hadi123]

He was given a chance when a catch was dropped but other than that, he's batted beautifully, has timed the ball brilliantly today.

 

[Syed1]

Was deadbatting everything before the dropped catch, but the catch drop probably flipped a switch within him and he started playing his shots. Raised his SR from 20 to over 50. That is what is needed of him, not play tests as tests but instead play his natural attacking game.


Ramiz asked Sarfaraz the same question in an interview a week ago and the captain said the same thing that we feel Babar is playing tests as tests instead he needs to clear his head and play his natural game.

 

[ManFan]

He needs an innings like this to give him confidence.

It’s a mental barrier.

Steve Waugh overcame it after scoring his first century in the 89’ Ashes after 4 years in Test cricket.

 

[troodon]

Babar has arrived in Test arena finally?

 

[asifp]

Babar has arrived in Test arena finally?

Please. Ireland is no better than division 2 county team.

 

[waleed88]

It is not possible to have one standard. You can't pick 100% of the players on merit or due to connections, you will always have a mix. At times, merit will give you poor players and nepotism will give you good players.

Historically, nepotism has worked for Pakistan more often than not. You have cases like Faisal Iqbal, Farhat and Masood, but as noted already, a lot of successful players were also selected due to their connections.

Imran Khan

 

[Chief Destroyer]

[MENTION=135196]waleed88[/MENTION] and [MENTION=139288]Abdul[/MENTION] won't be happy.

 

[babajee]

Hopefully this gives him confidence going into Lords. He’s too good to not succeed in tests.

 

[waleed88]

[MENTION=135196]waleed88[/MENTION] and [MENTION=139288]Abdul[/MENTION] won't be happy.

Great knock today, although everyone here was convinced, even Mickey Arthur that Babar was our premier no.3 batsman for his entire career. Looks like that turned out to be a mistake, one even Mickey has admitted by playing him at no.5 Since he is too inept to play the new ball.

 

[waleed88]

Remember shafiq was unsettled and shuffled around to make Babar a no.3 bat... look how that turned out... single digits for 12 innings

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Great knock today, although everyone here was convinced, even Mickey Arthur that Babar was our premier no.3 batsman for his entire career. Looks like that turned out to be a mistake, one even Mickey has admitted by playing him at no.5 Since he is too inept to play the new ball.

He will go back up the order as soon as he racks up the runs. Mickey only dropped him because they can't afford an inexperienced #3 in what is already an inexperienced lineup.

 

[New Yorker]

Nepotism isn’t the worst thing in the world, provided that the person in question is fit for the job at hand.

Nepotism happens all around the world, but it’s only bad when some one is unfit for a particular job but is still hired because of their connections.

For example if I had a business, I could hire my friend for a position knowing full well that he has the skills needed for that position and that wouldn’t be a bad thing as he would get the job done.

Right, but in selecting players for a team you never just want someone who will get the job done. That has no meaning in performance terms. You want the best player possible. Eleven times over.

Great for Imam that he seized his opportunity, and great for the team too, but it is not a validation of nepotism. Only time will tell if his mediocre FC average does him injustice.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Babar's style of batting actually suits test cricket more. He cannot hit big but he can play strokes and consistently find gaps.

 

[Rahul1]

Babar has arrived in Test arena finally?

Funniest thing I have read today.

 

[ManFan]

Remember shafiq was unsettled and shuffled around to make Babar a no.3 bat... look how that turned out... single digits for 12 innings

R.I.P logic.

 

[waleed88]

He will go back up the order as soon as he racks up the runs. Mickey only dropped him because they can't afford an inexperienced #3 in what is already an inexperienced lineup.

Experience excuses are really old for a guy who started his career almost 2 years ago in International test matches, he deserved to be dropped from the squad altogehter, but was persisted with because of his reputation in LOIs, so what do you do to make up for a decision that has cost you numerous test matches? You make him continue by shielding him from the new ball and play him at no.5 so it looks like your decision was the right one. When in fact Mickey moved Shafiq downwards from No. 3 to make way for Azam since he was a 'superior batsman'. Lets just admit they are saving face now by playing him at no.5 because Babar has to play no matter what

 

[waleed88]

R.I.P logic.

Yes, shielding your batsman from the new ball because he isn't good enough to face it... we have another Hafeez playing for us... the man has to play no matter what. Even then he failed in the first innings

 

[waleed88]

Not to mention Babar went on A tours of 2016 as Pakistan team captain... a really poor return for an investment on a career that has paid no dividends at all until against Ireland

 

[ManFan]

Yes, shielding your batsman from the new ball because he isn't good enough to face it... we have another Hafeez playing for us... the man has to play no matter what. Even then he failed in the first innings

Okay.

So Babar has failed.

How does shuffling him up to #3 and than playing him at #5 for a grand total of one match justify Shafiq’s failures in the last 2 years as a whole?

 

[waleed88]

Okay.

So Babar has failed.

How does shuffling him up to #3 and than playing him at #5 for a grand total of one match justify Shafiq’s failures in the last 2 years as a whole?

Well Shafiq as a failure has manage to rake up the runs as a batsman, its not his fault the team hardly plays during the year except 3-4 times, when regular teams atleast play 15 test matches a year... secondly after his demotion to no.6 for our local Kohli... it really affected his performances, since he wanted to play up the order...

 

[ManFan]

Well Shafiq as a failure has manage to rake up the runs as a batsman, its not his fault the team hardly plays during the year except 3-4 times, when regular teams atleast play 15 test matches a year... secondly after his demotion to no.6 for our local Kohli... it really affected his performances, since he wanted to play up the order...

He was placed at his favorite position at #6 where he has more centuries than Sir Garfield Sobers.

Shafiq scored in the 2nd Test of the 2nd innings in SL.

That was his 5th Test match and after 1 year of being shuffled.

Let’s look at his recent performance.

A coward; scared of the slightest sign of pressure.

The only difference between him and Babar is the former has less shots, is older and underwent the “esteemed” tutelage of MisYou.

 

[Hasan123]

Did well today. Hope he gets a big score vs England and kicks on.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Experience excuses are really old for a guy who started his career almost 2 years ago in International test matches, he deserved to be dropped from the squad altogehter, but was persisted with because of his reputation in LOIs, so what do you do to make up for a decision that has cost you numerous test matches? You make him continue by shielding him from the new ball and play him at no.5 so it looks like your decision was the right one. When in fact Mickey moved Shafiq downwards from No. 3 to make way for Azam since he was a 'superior batsman'. Lets just admit they are saving face now by playing him at no.5 because Babar has to play no matter what

They don't need to save face because Babar is the best batting prospect in the country, so yes he will play through the failures and they will make sure he succeeds.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Your time is up Bobby's time is now.
You can't see him, His time is now.

Well done Babar. A future legend of Pakistan cricket. The great Babar Khan Azam.

 

[waleed88]

He was placed at his favorite position at #6 where he has more centuries than Sir Garfield Sobers.

Shafiq scored in the 2nd Test of the 2nd innings in SL.

That was his 5th Test match and after 1 year of being shuffled.

Let’s look at his recent performance.

A coward; scared of the slightest sign of pressure.

The only difference between him and Babar is the former has less shots, is older and underwent the “esteemed” tutelage of MisYou.

Since when was Shafiq placed at 6 his preferred position when he clearly said in all of his interivews he wants to bat up the order at no.3 no.4. It was very selfish of Arthur to just shuffle around Shafiq to make room for a failure like Babar at no.3. This position suits Babar more clearly he doesn't have the technique or the ability to adjust to the new ball, and he gets scared very easily. Meanwhile Shafiq has scored a century and 3 fifties during his time at the no.3 position, while he was substituted for Babar who then failed to perform anything post the NZ tour...

 

[waleed88]

They don't need to save face because Babar is the best batting prospect in the country, so yes he will play through the failures and they will make sure he succeeds.

Who deserved to be on the bench, and is playing on reputation rather than merit. If this is his way of saying 'ok I was wrong, Babar can bat at no.5 to score a few soft runs against Ireland' - I can understand Mickey's decision.

Otherwise his brash ouster of Shafiq from 3 to make way for Babar cost us plenty of matches, and made us lose some vital series's against Srilanka, and a Test Match against the WI in the UAE. He was pretty bullish that Babar is the only future for us at no.3, when he clearly a batsman who can't play spin in the UAE, or pace in Australia, WI, England has no right to play Test Matches for Pakistan for such a long period of time.

But oh well.. we carry on with a player who plays because of fancy cover drives and is scared to face any sort of pressure put on him when the good teams play.

 

[ManFan]

Since when was Shafiq placed at 6 his preferred position when he clearly said in all of his interivews he wants to bat up the order at no.3 no.4. It was very selfish of Arthur to just shuffle around Shafiq to make room for a failure like Babar at no.3. This position suits Babar more clearly he doesn't have the technique or the ability to adjust to the new ball, and he gets scared very easily. Meanwhile Shafiq has scored a century and 3 fifties during his time at the no.3 position, while he was substituted for Babar who then failed to perform anything post the NZ tour...

Shafiq scored 109, 67, 5, 68, 58, 0, 0, at POSITION 3.

(2 Tests in ENG, 3 against WI in UAE)

(2 Ducks)

Average: 43.86


15, 17, 23, 0, 2, 137, 50, 16, 4, 30, 22, DNB, 15, 0, 17, 13 at POSITION 6.

(2 Tests in NZ, 3 Tests in AUS, 3 in WI)
Average: 24.07

(2 Ducks)

39, 20, 12, 112, 62, 1 at POSITION 4.

(2 Tests against SL in UAE, 1 against IRE)

(0 Ducks)

Average: 41

Babar’s record while Asad was at #3:

69, 21 at POSITION 5.

(1 Test against WI in UAE)

(0 Ducks)

Average: 45

However, let’s compare their tour to NZ where the disposition was made adamant.

Babar has an average of 35.5 after the tour and Shafiq an average of 13.75.

Their staggering 22.25 difference in bowler-friendly conditions suggested to MA that moving Shafiq down was the right step.

Let’s look further to their tour to AUS.

Babar has an average of 11.33 while Shafiq has an average of 39.84.

Healthy difference of 28.51 in favor of Shafiq largely due to a century in the 1st Test.

Tour to WI:

Babar averaged 22.68 while Shafiq averaged 13.4.

A difference of 8.74 in favor of Babar.

Against SL in UAE:

Babar averaged 9.75 while Shafiq averaged 45.75 thanks to a century in the 2nd Test.

Difference goes to Shafiq.

Against IRE:

Babar averaged 36.5 while Shafiq averaged 31.5.

A difference in favor of Babar.

In a total of 5 tours they have played in since Babar made his debut in late 2016, Shafiq has been outclassed in 3.

Babar also had a higher average against the WI in the UAE and Shafiq due to scoring a pair in the 3rd match against them, lost his position.

Even today, at 14-3, it was Babar and not Shafiq, who took PAK to a hard-fought win.

Shafiq’s average has fallen down in the last 2 years not due to being de-promoted down the order but due to his inability to sustain pressure.

 

[waleed88]

Shafiq scored 109, 67, 5, 68, 58, 0, 0, at POSITION 3.

(2 Tests in ENG, 3 against WI in UAE)

(2 Ducks)

Average: 43.86


15, 17, 23, 0, 2, 137, 50, 16, 4, 30, 22, DNB, 15, 0, 17, 13 at POSITION 6.

(2 Tests in NZ, 3 Tests in AUS, 3 in WI)
Average: 24.07

(2 Ducks)

39, 20, 12, 112, 62, 1 at POSITION 4.

(2 Tests against SL in UAE, 1 against IRE)

(0 Ducks)

Average: 41

BabarÂ’s record while Asad was at #3:

69, 21 at POSITION 5.

(1 Test against WI in UAE)

(0 Ducks)

Average: 45

However, letÂ’s compare their tour to NZ where the disposition was made adamant.

Babar has an average of 35.5 after the tour and Shafiq an average of 13.75.

Their staggering 22.25 difference in bowler-friendly conditions suggested to MA that moving Shafiq down was the right step.

LetÂ’s look further to their tour to AUS.

Babar has an average of 11.33 while Shafiq has an average of 39.84.

Healthy difference of 28.51 in favor of Shafiq largely due to a century in the 1st Test.

Tour to WI:

Babar averaged 22.68 while Shafiq averaged 13.4.

A difference of 8.74 in favor of Babar.

Against SL in UAE:

Babar averaged 9.75 while Shafiq averaged 45.75 thanks to a century in the 2nd Test.

Difference goes to Shafiq.

Against IRE:

Babar averaged 36.5 while Shafiq averaged 31.5.

A difference in favor of Babar.

In a total of 5 tours they have played in since Babar made his debut in late 2016, Shafiq has been outclassed in 3.

Babar also had a higher average against the WI in the UAE and Shafiq due to scoring a pair in the 3rd match against them, lost his position.

Even today, at 14-3, it was Babar and not Shafiq, who took PAK to a hard-fought win.

ShafiqÂ’s average has fallen down in the last 2 years not due to being de-promoted down the order but due to his inability to sustain pressure.

Hahahahahahahah what a joke, adding invidual stats from series and ignoring the cumulative stats of Babar, with an average of 25 in 11 Test Matches, what a joke, please try to make someone else a fool.

There is a gulf of class between Shafiq and Babar, and Asad is a much better prospect for the country. Only a batsman like Babar can get 11 Test Matches as a batsman, and fail in all innnings except 5-6 and still be persisted with. I call that political influence and failure to admit by the cricketing management that he was a failure at no.3

We are back to saving Babar's and the management's face by playing him at no.5

 

[waleed88]

Azam 12 548 90* 24.90 runs 5 Fifties

Shafiq 14 806 137 31.00 runs 2 Centuries

Clear daylight between the two, where Shafiq played more games.

Not to mention him being demoted in favor of Babar after getting 3 50s vs WI and a 100 vs England at the no.3 position caused him to unsettle.

He managed a 140 odd vs Australia that was an exceptional knock, and a 130 odd vs SL in the UAE, in between a very mediocre year.

Probably his worst, however he is not to blame for the lack of test matches his side is playing throughout the year. When your test match schedule has only two test matches post the WI tour of April 2018, then you don't have much opportunity to play International cricket regularly.

If Babar was setting the world alight how about showing us something more besides a 90 odd vs NZ.

Even Jason Holder was managing to bounce him out in Test Matches later on.. a medium pacer

Azam, a consistent player in the side still manages to flop in Test Matches despite playing LOIs against the same side.. His gap in International cricket isn't that much as Shafiq's is in his next International project after a 6-8 month gap, before that he was a 3-4 month gap after playing the WI. All these gaps don't help eithe

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Azam 12 548 90* 24.90 runs 5 Fifties

Shafiq 14 806 137 31.00 runs 2 Centuries

Clear daylight between the two, where Shafiq played more games.

Not to mention him being demoted in favor of Babar after getting 3 50s vs WI and a 100 vs England at the no.3 position caused him to unsettle.

He managed a 140 odd vs Australia that was an exceptional knock, and a 130 odd vs SL in the UAE, in between a very mediocre year.

Probably his worst, however he is not to blame for the lack of test matches his side is playing throughout the year. When your test match schedule has only two test matches post the WI tour of April 2018, then you don't have much opportunity to play International cricket regularly.

If Babar was setting the world alight how about showing us something more besides a 90 odd vs NZ.

Even Jason Holder was managing to bounce him out in Test Matches later on.. a medium pacer

Azam, a consistent player in the side still manages to flop in Test Matches despite playing LOIs against the same side.. His gap in International cricket isn't that much as Shafiq's is in his next International project after a 6-8 month gap, before that he was a 3-4 month gap after playing the WI. All these gaps don't help eithe

If Azam stops tuk tuking I can see him scoring 10.000 (test) runs for Pakistan.

His game is fluent. He should never go in Azhar-esque defensive mode.

 

[ManFan]

Hahahahahahahah what a joke, adding invidual stats from series and ignoring the cumulative stats of Babar, with an average of 25 in 11 Test Matches, what a joke, please try to make someone else a fool.

There is a gulf of class between Shafiq and Babar, and Asad is a much better prospect for the country. Only a batsman like Babar can get 11 Test Matches as a batsman, and fail in all innnings except 5-6 and still be persisted with. I call that political influence and failure to admit by the cricketing management that he was a failure at no.3

We are back to saving Babar's and the management's face by playing him at no.5

Yeah, let’s ignore all the numbers and all the stats.

Let’s ignore Shafiq has been playing Test cricket for the better part of the last decade.

Let’s ignore his obvious timid and self-destructive behavior at the crease.

Let’s ignore that Babar Azam along with Imam-up-Haq (playing his debut match) saved Pakistan from a humiliating defeat against a team playing its first match yesterday.

Let’s ignore that Babar Azam has been the brightest U-25 prospect currently and the best ODI batsman the country has had since Inzimam-ul-Haq.

Let’s ignore the fact that legends such as Kallis, Sangakarra, Steve Waugh, took more than 11 Test matches to get going.

Than, maybe than, Shafiq is a better player.

 

[ArsenalFC]

Yeah, let’s ignore all the numbers and all the stats.

Let’s ignore Shafiq has been playing Test cricket for the better part of the last decade.

Let’s ignore his obvious timid and self-destructive behavior at the crease.

Let’s ignore that Babar Azam along with Imam-up-Haq (playing his debut match) saved Pakistan from a humiliating defeat against a team playing its first match yesterday.

Let’s ignore that Babar Azam has been the brightest U-25 prospect currently and the best ODI batsman the country has had since Inzimam-ul-Haq.

Let’s ignore the fact that legends such as Kallis, Sangakarra, Steve Waugh, took more than 11 Test matches to get going.

Than, maybe than, Shafiq is a better player.

With Shafiq he hasn't done well after the 60 tests he's played - still averages below 40 which isn't international test standard. Acceptable in the 80s, 90s and perhaps 2000s but in this era especially when you play your home games in UAE 43-45 should really be the bare minimum.

The only reason why he's in the first XI because the talent pool competing for his spot is very mediocre and he's one of few players who can score a hundred in every country/all conditions however one century per series (not really match defining or significant) isn't good enough with his technical ability. If his SR was around 60 then I could say his runs are conducive to his team's cause. Lets also remember he's been hiding beneath Azhar, YK and Misbah down the batting order.

Babar Azam still has a long way to go in accomplishing himself as a competent batsman however he is only 23 and has a bright future ahead if he can overcome his nerves and work hard on his game.

 

[Rahul1]

Yeah, let’s ignore all the numbers and all the stats.

Let’s ignore Shafiq has been playing Test cricket for the better part of the last decade.

Let’s ignore his obvious timid and self-destructive behavior at the crease.

Let’s ignore that Babar Azam along with Imam-up-Haq (playing his debut match) saved Pakistan from a humiliating defeat against a team playing its first match yesterday.

Let’s ignore that Babar Azam has been the brightest U-25 prospect currently and the best ODI batsman the country has had since Inzimam-ul-Haq.

Let’s ignore the fact that legends such as Kallis, Sangakarra, Steve Waugh, took more than 11 Test matches to get going.

Than, maybe than, Shafiq is a better player.

Let's ignore that Ashwin and Jadeja average more than babar in tests.

Let's ignore the fact that Rohit sharma is a better test batsman than babar which is saying something since no Indian wants rohit anywhere near the test team.

Let's ignore that babar averages in the 30s after removing Sri Lanka and West Indies, two teams which are basically minnows right now.

 

[ManFan]

Let's ignore that Ashwin and Jadeja average more than babar in tests.

Let's ignore the fact that Rohit sharma is a better test batsman than babar which is saying something since no Indian wants rohit anywhere near the test team.

Let's ignore that babar averages in the 30s after removing Sri Lanka and West Indies, two teams which are basically minnows right now.

Did I mention any of those players in the discussion?

Do you realize Rohit Sharma made his debut in 2013 while Babar made his in Oct. 2016?

And the former has still not played a knock reminiscent of Babar’s 90* in his 3rd Test match?

If you want to make a separate thread comparing Jadeja (who’s out of the team), Ashwin (who hasn’t done jack in some time), and Rohit Sharma (who has struggled to establish himself in Tests and fires every once in a while in ODI’s, not to mention having the dubious distinction of being Amir’s bunny), than do so.

 

[Darkrai]

Hatred is strong from certain people, not sure why they are always trying degrade Babar-clearly they fear his potential and want him to fail. Everyone can see he hasn't done well in tests, if you can't stand the fact he is getting so many chances it's time you deal with it because he isn't your average cricketer who will be dropped without getting ample amount of chances.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

Great knock from Babar. I actually feel that even though this knock was "just" a 50, it's far more valuable than a 100 he could have hit on a featherbed. This will tell him he belongs... so long as he applies himself. You can't keep fishing outside off stump in test cricket where the ball (shock..horror) actually moves around! Rohit Sharma found that out pretty soon in Test cricket.

 

[waleed88]

Yeah, let’s ignore all the numbers and all the stats.

Let’s ignore Shafiq has been playing Test cricket for the better part of the last decade.

Let’s ignore his obvious timid and self-destructive behavior at the crease.

Let’s ignore that Babar Azam along with Imam-up-Haq (playing his debut match) saved Pakistan from a humiliating defeat against a team playing its first match yesterday.

Let’s ignore that Babar Azam has been the brightest U-25 prospect currently and the best ODI batsman the country has had since Inzimam-ul-Haq.

Let’s ignore the fact that legends such as Kallis, Sangakarra, Steve Waugh, took more than 11 Test matches to get going.

Than, maybe than, Shafiq is a better player.

Lets just ignore Babar has been playing for 2 years now... and he is not the kid everyone makes him out to be. Lets also ignore that he has been travelling with the A tours for a long time.

Granted Shafiq has not been in the best of forms, he still managed to almost win you a historic test match in Australia, and also almost managed to take you home vs Srilanka in an impossible run chase.

Both impossible, but to manage to score centuries against the top test side in the world in their home ground is an achievement itself. Something Kohli was also praised for despite his team losing the test match.

Only a fool will fail to see one of the best knocks by a Pakistani in the 4th innings, vs a consistent failure in every innings.

Not only was Imam the reason we won, he took pressure off Azam from batting. We have to be thankful for Imam rather than Babar. Since Babar can't take pressure at all, and the upcoming series vs England will prove he is a failure in pressure situations. While Shafiq thrives in them. Big difference.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Lets just ignore Babar has been playing for 2 years now... and he is not the kid everyone makes him out to be. Lets also ignore that he has been travelling with the A tours for a long time.

Granted Shafiq has not been in the best of forms, he still managed to almost win you a historic test match in Australia, and also almost managed to take you home vs Srilanka in an impossible run chase.

Both impossible, but to manage to score centuries against the top test side in the world in their home ground is an achievement itself. Something Kohli was also praised for despite his team losing the test match.

Only a fool will fail to see one of the best knocks by a Pakistani in the 4th innings, vs a consistent failure in every innings.

Not only was Imam the reason we won, he took pressure off Azam from batting. We have to be thankful for Imam rather than Babar. Since Babar can't take pressure at all, and the upcoming series vs England will prove he is a failure in pressure situations. While Shafiq thrives in them. Big difference.

Sorry, but this argument of Shafiq suffering due to being shafted for Babar is lame. Shafiq is a senior player in this team and he still plays like someone who made his debut a series ago. Pakistan is in deep trouble right now because Azhar and Shafiq have bombed bad since MisYou retired. Also, there is a growing realization that these two might never go onto replace either Misbah or Younis and that's where all this panic mode shuffling will come from. Shafiq has been awful for quite some time now. Azhar has recently started to play as an absolute newb against seam and swing for some odd reason. They both need to step up and show the way for the likes of Babar, Haris etc since they have played for close to a decade now. If you end up having to compare a 10-year established player like Shafiq with someone who has yet to play a match-defining knock in Tests for Pakistan, you know you are going nowhere as a team.