Babar Azam's fast improving strike rotation

[Abdullah719]

This has gotta be one of the most pleasing things about Babar Azam's innings today, besides the way he has concentrated in both ODIs and played almost faultless knocks.

In earlier knocks, at times he seemed to get bogged down when he was unable to get boundaries. Not so in this series.

In the first ODI, he made 120 off 131 balls.

Break up that innings and he had 50 singles, 10 doubles, 8 fours and 3 sixes. That makes for a total of 71 scoring shots. That makes for 60 dot balls, which is around 45%.

Not bad, but today he took it to another level.

Today's innings: 123 off 126 balls.

That is further broken up into 67 singles, 7 doubles, 9 fours and 1 six. That's 84 scoring shots, leaving 42 dot balls. That's 33% dot balls only. Exceptional.

These are not the easiest pitches to hit boundaries on which is why strike rotation becomes all the more important.

Babar's overall dynamism is why he has the ability to be a truly World Class ODI batsman (if he continues in this manner and puts in further hard work). These innings should give him a world of confidence.

 

[blackanhyellow]

We finally have a middle order who are all good at strike rotation.

Babar, Malik, Rizwan, Sarfraz are all good at taking singles/doubles.

Sharjeel gives us quick starts, although still not very consistent.

If Imad and Nawaz can develop into good consistent hitters, and Azhar Ali sorts out his problems (or get replaced) we will have a world class ODI team.

 

[The Last Of The Stars]

His strike rotation was never a problem to begin with.

 

[Abdul]

His strike rotation was never a problem to begin with.

It was. Not in the terms of strike rate but he would get bogged down after a few dot balls and would get out looking to clear the fence. He played a beautiful and a chanceless innings today.

 

[boomboom6]

Babar continuing to grow as a batsman, good to see. Mickey should have him studying ABD rigorously.

 

[Hawkeye]

He should continue to work and get better.

Worrisome is our late order. Imad, Nawaz and Rizwan are duds who can't hit.

This team will struggle to put up dominant totals DESPITE players like Azam scoring centuries at 90 to 100 strike rate.

Other half decent teams, specially on decent wickets will easily chase 300 to 320.

 

[Itachi]

People are making too much conclusion from performance against WI (minnow)

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

People are making too much conclusion from performance against WI (minnow)

However, had he done poorly, people would have had his head on a stick.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

People are making too much conclusion from performance against WI (minnow)

Nothing wrong with looking at indicators.

Pakistan start from ground zero so every improvement matters.

Its better than staying in the past and acting like we have a great team and its an insult that performances against WI don't matter.

It all starts one step at a time. Dunno how good/bad Pakistan really is now but they do seem to be on the right track.

 

[Anfield]

People are making too much conclusion from performance against WI (minnow)

They are ranked above us.

 

[Hawkeye]

People are making too much conclusion from performance against WI (minnow)

You're right.

However, he has done very well against top sides too, that too overseas. E.g. NZ tour.

You're right about judging the typical TTFs like Malik on WI bashing, a demoralized weak attack on unsuitable pitches.

 

[The Googly]

People are making too much conclusion from performance against WI (minnow)

Minnows do not win T20 World Cups. Yes - Windies are a poor side. They are very poor at the most vital format - test cricket. However, they are one of the best in the world at T20 and are competitive at ODI level.

The fact is that Azam may or may not become a great player. But give him a break! He can only score against what he faces. If he had made two low scores, you would have been on his back! He LOOKS to have the POTENTIAL to be a truly great player. Let's hope he makes it.

 

[90MPH]

Minnows do not win T20 World Cups. Yes - Windies are a poor side. They are very poor at the most vital format - test cricket. However, they are one of the best in the world at T20 and are competitive at ODI level.

The fact is that Azam may or may not become a great player. But give him a break! He can only score against what he faces. If he had made two low scores, you would have been on his back! He LOOKS to have the POTENTIAL to be a truly great player. Let's hope he makes it.

Well said,'couldn't agree more.

He looks the real deal for limited over internationals.

I said this 6 months ago just hope he keeps working hard at his game to keep improving further.

 

[HitWicket]

Minnows do not win T20 World Cups

Neither did a majority of this WI team either to be fair.

 

[Itachi]

They are ranked above us.

Come on.... You and I both know that pak is better than WI by 100 times. These ranking sometimes do give unrealistic ranks.

 

[Itachi]

Nothing wrong with looking at indicators.

Pakistan start from ground zero so every improvement matters.

Its better than staying in the past and acting like we have a great team and its an insult that performances against WI don't matter.

It all starts one step at a time. Dunno how good/bad Pakistan really is now but they do seem to be on the right track.

I agree with you SIF.

Only downside I see in this Pakistan team is.... Unfortunately the captain himself.

 

[Itachi]

Minnows do not win T20 World Cups. Yes - Windies are a poor side. They are very poor at the most vital format - test cricket. However, they are one of the best in the world at T20 and are competitive at ODI level.

The fact is that Azam may or may not become a great player. But give him a break! He can only score against what he faces. If he had made two low scores, you would have been on his back! He LOOKS to have the POTENTIAL to be a truly great player. Let's hope he makes it.

Even as an Indian, I had high hopes from umar (though I take a dig at him from time to time just for banter). He disappointed A LOT.

So now I am having low expectations from pak batsman just as I keep low expectations from Indian bowlers.

 

[street cricketer]

You're right.

However, he has done very well against top sides too, that too overseas. E.g. NZ tour.

You're right about judging the typical TTFs like Malik on WI bashing, a demoralized weak attack on unsuitable pitches.

Malik performed in the last ODI against England IN England.

 

[Anfield]

Come on.... You and I both know that pak is better than WI by 100 times. These ranking sometimes do give unrealistic ranks.

Then you and me both know that it takes time for younger players to settle in and performances against a weaker team like West Indies shouldn't be discounted.

 

[Hawkeye]

Malik performed in the last ODI against England IN England.

One off dead rubber doesn't mean anything. Plus also has a historic poor record. You also look at how a batsman plays. Was even afraid of putting bat on ball vs pace .

 

[Anfield]

Even as an Indian, I had high hopes from umar (though I take a dig at him from time to time just for banter). He disappointed A LOT.

So now I am having low expectations from pak batsman just as I keep low expectations from Indian bowlers.

There is a day/night difference between Umar and Babar. I'm not saying Babar would definitely become a great bat ( I don't posses any special powers to see future) but I just want to point out the differences

A) umar' technique has been very faulty from the beginning. He can't play any shot without clearing his left. He doesn't go towards the ball but away from the ball and that effects his balance. Babar goes towards the ball and looks vey well balanced while playing shots on both sides of the wicket.
B) umar premeditates a lot. He plays very few shots on merit. Babar doesn't premeditate unless he's going for big hits towards the end of the innings. He plays proper shots.
C) Akmal always had temperamental issues. On this from Babar seems very compact.

You if course have the right to reserve your judgement but it's unfair to discount his back to back good performances.

 

[MenInG]

Goes from strength to strength

 

[aloo paratha]

It's not only Azam but Malik and Sarfraz as well. Pakistan seems to be catching up with the rest of the world in ODIs in terms of batting strategy.

Very good innings from Babar though!!

 

[aloo paratha]

One off dead rubber doesn't mean anything. Plus also has a historic poor record. You also look at how a batsman plays. Was even afraid of putting bat on ball vs pace .

Dead rubber is still a ODI and England were definitely looking for the whitewash.

Historically poor record, yes. But average of 57 since his comeback. Call him minnow basher but he can only perform against who we play.

Also if you will call his innings today minnow bashing then Babar' innings should be given the same label.

 

[Abdullah719]

It's not only Azam but Malik and Sarfraz as well. Pakistan seems to be catching up with the rest of the world in ODIs in terms of batting strategy.

Very good innings from Babar though!!

Malik and Sarfraz have always been very good with strike rotation though. Babar earlier on was struggling with it at times, playing a fair few dots and I noticed that it was the complete opposite here. He will face much tougher opponents and will have to deal with adversities but the initial signs are good.

 

[sivaji]

He is better thanRoot

 

[aloo paratha]

He is better thanRoot

Lets not get ahead of ourselves

 

[Pakpak]

Even as an Indian, I had high hopes from umar (though I take a dig at him from time to time just for banter). He disappointed A LOT.

So now I am having low expectations from pak batsman just as I keep low expectations from Indian bowlers.

I think I read this somewhere and its apt:

A Pakistani batsman does well and is hyped to the rafters and same with Indian bowlers. No wonder our batsmen and Indian bowlers have struggled.

 

[Bade496]

Played well today but again accumulated dots alongwith Shoaib Malik, playing around 100+ dot balls is backward game in today's standard when teams make 200 in 20 overs. Thats why Pakistan could'nt aim for higher than 350+ like top 4 teams. Gets out when trying to accelerate and again his strike rate was low.

The opposition also is'nt that professional and limited, so this performance is equal to what another appointed player like Malik did against Zimbabwe in a dead pitch.

 

[Zaz]

Looks like someone who should have a big future in the game, hope he continues progressing and working hard on his game rather than going his cousins way

 

[Syed1]

People are making too much conclusion from performance against WI (minnow)

Sir we ourselves are minnows and currently ranked at 9. Any victory and good performance is an excellent sign for us.

 

[Rayyman]

We finally have a middle order who are all good at strike rotation.

Babar, Malik, Rizwan, Sarfraz are all good at taking singles/doubles.

Sharjeel gives us quick starts, although still not very consistent.

If Imad and Nawaz can develop into good consistent hitters, and Azhar Ali sorts out his problems (or get replaced) we will have a world class ODI team.

Spot on bro.

 

[Abdullah719]

117 off 106 balls today.

51 singles, 14 doubles, 8 fours and 1 six today. 74 scoring shots out of 106 balls. So 32 dot-balls, i.e. 30%.

 

[zn426]

What if we just straight up opened with Azhar and Babar, then sent in Sharjeel Khan down the order?

 

[Abdullah719]

Babar struggled quite a bit today, finding it tough to hit boundaries and playing a lot of dots early on but has improved a lot as the innings has gone on, into the 80s with just five boundaries. Sadly, his cousin is piling all the pressure on him as he nears a hundred.

 

[mak36]

First game back post-injury. Has rotated the strike beautifully so far.