Can Sarfaraz Ahmed lead Pakistan again to the heights of glory?

[MujahidT]

Now, Sarfraz ahmad is the only choice we have to lead the side... What are your expectations from him..While keeping in mind that he led pak to victory in u19 cricket world cup and has a good captaincy experience in domestic circuit too..

 

[Syed1]

No, that is too much to expect from any one guy. However, he WILL be successful in arresting our slide and hopefully bring us to number 5-6 in the rankings.

 

[Moiza]

Captain isn't the problem bruh. The team sucks that's it and even Imran khan couldn't even do anything about it.

 

[Syed1]

Captain isn't the problem bruh. The team sucks that's it and even Imran khan couldn't even do anything about it.

Not true, captain's like Imran Khan look and hunt for better players to replace the non-performing passengers we have. Captain's like Azhar and Misbah keep playing their favourites irrespective of whether the team is number eight in the rankings or number nine.

People seem to forget that Imran Khan is directly responsible for all our modern day legends such as Inzi, Wasim, Waqar and Anwar (he identified Saeed Anwar and gave him a run but didn't perform and was dropped)

 

[MujahidT]

Well, i don't think our team is that much bad as it seems. We are well established side.Only few changes are required and we r done. Bowlers are doing good job but if they continue dropping catches, no side can win even with world class bowling line up. just replace azhar wd shahzaib. Our middle looks better wd babar, haris and sarfraz. The main problem is our captain and down order. Umer akmal should be replaced with a power hitter like khalid and we will come up with much better side.

The main problem we r facing is lack of aggression of our captain. He just cant think according to situation and his tactics are like a robot is programmed to do so. As in england series when our team failed miserably in odis under azhar, sarfraz led the same team to the victory in t20i.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Captain isn't the problem bruh. The team sucks that's it and even Imran khan couldn't even do anything about it.

Same was being said about our T20I team before Sarfraz being the captain and look now we have won 4 one sided matches against last years Champions and Runnerups in T20I WC.

 

[Hasan123]

Not true, captain's like Imran Khan look and hunt for better players to replace the non-performing passengers we have. Captain's like Azhar and Misbah keep playing their favourites irrespective of whether the team is number eight in the rankings or number nine.

People seem to forget that Imran Khan is directly responsible for all our modern day legends such as Inzi, Wasim, Waqar and Anwar (he identified Saeed Anwar and gave him a run but didn't perform and was dropped)

Have you seen Sarfraz local selection in the psl? Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Asad Shafiq, Umar Gul. Lol such brilliant talent picked.

Don't act like Sarfraz doesn't pick his buddies.

 

[Moiza]

Same was being said about our T20I team before Sarfraz being the captain and look now we have won 4 one sided matches against last years Champions and Runnerups in T20I WC.

Only one of them was a respectable win and you have to give it to sarfraz for that but the 3 against West indies can only be attributed to the pitch. It was a crap pitch and you have to admit that. I hope sarfraz turns out to be good for us but it's too early to determine whether he is actually good or not.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Nobody can.

 

[MujahidT]

Nobody can.

Woah! Pessimist spotted :/

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Woah! Pessimist spotted :/

Nothing pessimist about it as it is about being practical and for decades I have seen this same circle going round and round, nothing changes.

Until and unless the mentality and the whole system wouldn't change, results won't be great or what people expect them to be at least.

 

[Pete Rose]

No

 

[Syed1]

No

It's ironic you think that, because you back Azhar for captaincy who is MUCH worse than Sarfaraz.

 

[sshakir411]

Have you seen Sarfraz local selection in the psl? Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Asad Shafiq, Umar Gul. Lol such brilliant talent picked.

Don't act like Sarfraz doesn't pick his buddies.

picking buddies for a private team vs a national one is a huge difference. As far as I know, Quetta Gladiator owners have given Sarfaraz and Moin Khan the free hand to pick who they like...what's wrong with that?

Misbah and co. on the other hand have picked their buddies for the national team. Neither Misbah nor his supporters own the national team.

 

[Rayyman]

Lift us up to mid-table and then Babar Azam will lift us to glory.

 

[fasihulhaq94]

which heights of glory are we talking about here?

 

[Hasan123]

picking buddies for a private team vs a national one is a huge difference. As far as I know, Quetta Gladiator owners have given Sarfaraz and Moin Khan the free hand to pick who they like...what's wrong with that?

Misbah and co. on the other hand have picked their buddies for the national team. Neither Misbah nor his supporters own the national team.

Most Pakistan captains pick there friends even in the national team. Sarfraz will be no different lol. He already picked sohail tanvir and khalid Latif in t20 international.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Pakistan's planning in ODIs for the last 4-5 years has been horrendous. Captains never focused on building a team for the future.

As for Sarfraz, I am not sure whether he will even be able to hold his spot in the team for sure.

Babar Azam seems to be the only choice but don't know about his captaincy or he will perform with the bat as captain.

The biggest problem in Pakistan is the lack of visionary leaders.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

If Sarfraz can't slog, he has to come up the order and take control of the innings.

 

[DRsohail]

If Sarfraz can't slog, he has to come up the order and take control of the innings.

he will be best at 4....and u know the standard is not that high here on this side of the border..

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

he will be best at 4....and u know the standard is not that high here on this side of the border..

Yeah.

If you remove all the useless dead weights in your team, maybe Pakistan can build a proper workable ODI side.

Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Hafeez, Malik, Nawaz are all USELESS.

Akmal should be thrown out too but one would give him a wee bit more chances up the order (opening).

Sharjeel, Babar, Imad, Sarfraz can play.

Sharjeel
Opener 2 (maybe Umar)
Babar
Sarfraz
Imad (has to click with the bat or play as a bowler and judged for his performances there)
No 6
No 7
4 bowlers

If Umar flops, replace him with new opener.
If Imad doesn't click with the bat, play him as bowler and if he doesn't make the cut, he needs to be dropped.
If Sarfraz can't score runs, drop him.
Get 2 proper bats at No 6 and 7.

 

[Lynx]

Lol typical Pakistani mentality. Just change the captain after losing a few series and everything will be alright again in La La Land. Captain can't do jack if he does not have the tools and the entire system is rotten from top to bottom. He can't improve the team's fielding, can't turn non performing players into performing ones, can't increase the cricketing IQ of the players so they know how to apply themselves according to the situation, and can't exactly go against the selectors if he's not being given a proper team and composition to play with.

In short, if our team composition is right, he can increase our efficiency by 10 percent. Which in turn might take us to number 6 in rankings at most. But don't expect a massive upturn in our fortunes. No captain at this point can do that. If anyone thinks we'll be able to challenge the top 5 teams on a more consistent basis, either home or away, are deluding themselves. We'll still lose because we just aren't that good, and majority of the people in the setup are uneducated idiots who can't see logic even if it were to hit them on their faces.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Lol typical Pakistani mentality. Just change the captain after losing a few series and everything will be alright again in La La Land. Captain can't do jack if he does not have the tools and the entire system is rotten from top to bottom. He can't improve the team's fielding, can't turn non performing players into performing ones, can't increase the cricketing IQ of the players so they know how to apply themselves according to the situation, and can't exactly go against the selectors if he's not being given a proper team and composition to play with.

In short, if our team composition is right, he can increase our efficiency by 10 percent. Which in turn might take us to number 6 in rankings at most. But don't expect a massive upturn in our fortunes. No captain at this point can do that. If anyone thinks we'll be able to challenge the top 5 teams on a more consistent basis, either home or away, are deluding themselves. We'll still lose because we just aren't that good, and majority of the people in the setup are uneducated idiots who can't see logic even if it were to hit them on their faces.

Captain's job is to build a good team. If players don't have IQ, what would a good captain do? Surprise surprise....he would tell them to GET LOST.

When was the last time Pakistan had a good ODI captain?

More than a decade ago.

I guess Wasim.

 

[DRsohail]

Yeah.

If you remove all the useless dead weights in your team, maybe Pakistan can build a proper workable ODI side.

Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Hafeez, Malik, Nawaz are all USELESS.

Akmal should be thrown out too but one would give him a wee bit more chances up the order (opening).

Sharjeel, Babar, Imad, Sarfraz can play.

Sharjeel
Opener 2 (maybe Umar)
Babar
Sarfraz
Imad (has to click with the bat or play as a bowler and judged for his performances there)
No 6
No 7
4 bowlers

If Umar flops, replace him with new opener.
If Imad doesn't click with the bat, play him as bowler and if he doesn't make the cut, he needs to be dropped.
If Sarfraz can't score runs, drop him.
Get 2 proper bats at No 6 and 7.

for me shahzaib is good choice as a 2nd openr and guy saad ali will be good at 5..dunno about the other options in domestics...number 6 nd 7 are very defficult to be filled with a guy who can do his rule there..may ne hammad azam...

 

[MMHS]

Definitely can pull the team well above 8th/9th. It's not that PAK will become No. 1 or win 80% matches; but team will compete much better in every match, which eventually will result better W/L record. Also, at present PAK will get knocked out at first hurdle in any ICC event (with Azhar, not even that - PAK will play qualifiers under him) - but, Sarfu can lead the side to win a KO match.

But, to reach at the highest level (which is top 2/3 in ranking) lots of things has to improve - first one is the vision at every level. Today, I read lots of discussion on why MoHa, Malik, Wahab is required for PAK to qualify directly, for a WC 29 months later. This is exactly the same of March 2013; when 23 months before the next WC; PAK filled an XI with 9 men over 30 - 10th one 29 & 4 players over 35 ..... and these are all official age.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

for me shahzaib is good choice as a 2nd openr and guy saad ali will be good at 5..dunno about the other options in domestics...number 6 nd 7 are very defficult to be filled with a guy who can do his rule there..may ne hammad azam...

That's why you gotta test.

Can't say anything without testing. Even after testing, if no one clicks, then we can conclude that a captain is helpless.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

It would be great if he can do his job as captain and contribute with the bat.

 

[Lynx]

Captain's job is to build a good team. If players don't have IQ, what would a good captain do? Surprise surprise....he would tell them to GET LOST.

When was the last time Pakistan had a good ODI captain?

More than a decade ago.

I guess Wasim.

A captain can build a team only when we get rid of this fear of losing culture. Unless that happens, we'll keep going back to the same non performing seniors as a short term fix. And he can ONLY build a team if the selectors are smart enough to give him a balanced team by selecting horses for courses and are able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each individual player, which we all know they aren't. They can't even work out the demands of modern day game for crying out loud. So yeah, we might improve a little under Sarfraz, but it's a fool's dream to even think we're going to break into the top 5 anytime soon.

 

[DRsohail]

Definitely can pull the team well above 8th/9th. It's not that PAK will become No. 1 or win 80% matches; but team will compete much better in every match, which eventually will result better W/L record. Also, at present PAK will get knocked out at first hurdle in any ICC event (with Azhar, not even that - PAK will play qualifiers under him) - but, Sarfu can lead the side to win a KO match.

But, to reach at the highest level (which is top 2/3 in ranking) lots of things has to improve - first one is the vision at every level. Today, I read lots of discussion on why MoHa, Malik, Wahab is required for PAK to qualify directly, for a WC 29 months later. This is exactly the same of March 2013; when 23 months before the next WC; PAK filled an XI with 9 men over 30 - 10th one 29 & 4 players over 35 ..... and these are all official age.

tell and name few youngsters which u think has been ruined or at least made less effective by mr stabilty man during his 6 years of captaincy..i think the list will be interesting one..some of them comes to my mind but will love to see ur list.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

A captain can build a team only when we get rid of this fear of losing culture. Unless that happens, we'll keep going back to the same non performing seniors as a short term fix. And he can ONLY build a team if the selectors are smart enough to give him a balanced team by selecting horses for courses and are able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each individual player, which we all know they aren't. They can't even work out the demands of modern day game for crying out loud. So yeah, we might improve a little under Sarfraz, but it's a fool's dream to even think we're going to break into the top 5 anytime soon.

I get your point but I am seeing all that you are asking is a captain's job.

Let him fight for it and if he still doesn't get it, then we can say he was helpless.

 

[Syed1]

Lol typical Pakistani mentality. Just change the captain after losing a few series and everything will be alright again in La La Land. Captain can't do jack if he does not have the tools and the entire system is rotten from top to bottom. He can't improve the team's fielding, can't turn non performing players into performing ones, can't increase the cricketing IQ of the players so they know how to apply themselves according to the situation, and can't exactly go against the selectors if he's not being given a proper team and composition to play with.

In short, if our team composition is right, he can increase our efficiency by 10 percent. Which in turn might take us to number 6 in rankings at most. But don't expect a massive upturn in our fortunes. No captain at this point can do that. If anyone thinks we'll be able to challenge the top 5 teams on a more consistent basis, either home or away, are deluding themselves. We'll still lose because we just aren't that good, and majority of the people in the setup are uneducated idiots who can't see logic even if it were to hit them on their faces.

Sir a cricket captain is more than just a guy who sets the field or implement the bowling changes (changes that have been decided two days ago in Misbah/Azhar world of captaincy).

A captain needs to thoroughly access his side and see what are the areas it is lacking in and which players are not performing. Then the captain sits with the selectors or selects competent players himself (in case of the legendary Imran Khan) and then tries to mould a winning combination. In your spare time read up on how Wasim and Waqar were first selected. Immy saw something special in them when they were mere net bowlers and inducted them in the side. Heck IK was willing to resign if the selectors did not put Inzi in the 92 WC squad. That is how a captain should be.

Not like Misbah where the premier batsman in Pakistan (Haris Sohail) was smashing to all parts in domestic for a good three years and he refused to add him even though the batting line-up was floundering. When he was finally added more due to circumstances than selection he was played at number seven. Misbah even dropped Babar Azam after one or two games in the PSL. Thank you Misbah.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Have you seen Sarfraz local selection in the psl? Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Asad Shafiq, Umar Gul. Lol such brilliant talent picked.

Don't act like Sarfraz doesn't pick his buddies.

Picking up buddies was strongly influenced by the captains MISBAH and AFRIDI... It has become disease now that both Azhar and sarfraz has this... wouldnt be surprised if anwar ali comes in as a pace bowling all-rounder when sarfraz becomes the captain...anwar ali is sarfraz long time buddy since the u19 CWC win..

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Picking up buddies was strongly influenced by the captains MISBAH and AFRIDI... It has become disease now that both Azhar and sarfraz has this... wouldnt be surprised if anwar ali comes in as a pace bowling all-rounder when sarfraz becomes the captain...anwar ali is sarfraz long time buddy since the u19 CWC win..

He has not returned in the T20I Squad uptill now,then why in ODIs?

 

[Hasan123]

Picking up buddies was strongly influenced by the captains MISBAH and AFRIDI... It has become disease now that both Azhar and sarfraz has this... wouldnt be surprised if anwar ali comes in as a pace bowling all-rounder when sarfraz becomes the captain...anwar ali is sarfraz long time buddy since the u19 CWC win..

Exactly not just Anwar Ali, there will be others who may make a return such as Manzoor, Shafiq (LO),Latif (odis).

Also there is no guarantee that Sarfraz will want Wahab, Malik, and Hafeez to be dropped.

Sarfraz should be the next odi captain but people who think he is perfect and doesn't share similarities with Azhar and Misbah are mistaken.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

He has not returned in the T20I Squad uptill now,then why in ODIs?

Hope he never returns in any format...

 

[Rayyman]

Exactly not just Anwar Ali, there will be others who may make a return such as Manzoor, Shafiq (LO),Latif (odis).

Also there is no guarantee that Sarfraz will want Wahab, Malik, and Hafeez to be dropped.

Sarfraz should be the next odi captain but people who think he is perfect and doesn't share similarities with Azhar and Misbah are mistaken.

Well Shahzaib Hasan is from Karachi so Sarfraz might select him instead of Latif or Manzoor. Hopefully.

 

[Lynx]

Sir a cricket captain is more than just a guy who sets the field or implement the bowling changes (changes that have been decided two days ago in Misbah/Azhar world of captaincy).

A captain needs to thoroughly access his side and see what are the areas it is lacking in and which players are not performing. Then the captain sits with the selectors or selects competent players himself (in case of the legendary Imran Khan) and then tries to mould a winning combination. In your spare time read up on how Wasim and Waqar were first selected. Immy saw something special in them when they were mere net bowlers and inducted them in the side. Heck IK was willing to resign if the selectors did not put Inzi in the 92 WC squad. That is how a captain should be.

Not like Misbah where the premier batsman in Pakistan (Haris Sohail) was smashing to all parts in domestic for a good three years and he refused to add him even though the batting line-up was floundering. When he was finally added more due to circumstances than selection he was played at number seven. Misbah even dropped Babar Azam after one or two games in the PSL. Thank you Misbah.

I do get it, man. I'm speaking as one of Sarfraz's biggest supporters. My post wasn't directed at him at all, but the idea that changing captains would mean a reversal in fortune. Which I stand by. It won't. Not unless our entire system sees the light of day and works like a professional organization. I always judge a captain's W/L ratio by first observing the set of players that he had at his disposal. Most of the time, captains don't have that much of a say in the final selection of players, like Misbah said in one of his pressers. It's the selectors job, and of those in charge of our game as a whole, to provide an environment/tools for players to flourish, so they can one day be inducted into the national team. My point is, we keep producing mediocre players, and it's NOT the captain's job to turn them into diamonds. If Sarfraz isn't given the right tools to 'mould a team', as you said, even having him as a captain wouldn't yield the results we all want from him and know he is capable of delivering.

 

[Lynx]

I get your point but I am seeing all that you are asking is a captain's job.

Let him fight for it and if he still doesn't get it, then we can say he was helpless.

If Sarfraz gets complete autonomy in selection matters, then sure. I'm all for it. But we all know that doesn't happen/isn't going to happen. The ones who run the game are the people who should be providing for the captain so he has options to select from. If Sarfraz is given pile of used/broken tools to select from (i.e our domestic players), then he can't do his job and get the results we all want him to get.

 

[MMHS]

tell and name few youngsters which u think has been ruined or at least made less effective by mr stabilty man during his 6 years of captaincy..i think the list will be interesting one..some of them comes to my mind but will love to see ur list.

Shouldn't blame one person only for this, because selection & team combination is just not only on Captain - everyone from PCB Chairman to team's coaching staff has input in this. But, overall the major blame goes to Captain, as in cricket it's the Captain that runs the show, unlike other team sports where Manager is the King.

Over last 6-7 years, I can put few cases where Misbah (& Afridi/Azhar) had their inputs, which has brought the ODI/T20 team to almost at obsolete level & PAK actually is deserving 8th/9th in ranks; which should never be the case. Despite every issues from domestics to international isolation, still for LO cricket at least, there is enough to be among top 6, if not higher. In last 5/6 years PAK's W/L ratio is beyond explainable - if I take out 2012/13 (IND/WI/SAF series wins) - in last 3 years, it's at per with BD between 2007-2012 period.

The areas (I won't go to individual players only), that I think, was categorically damaged or allowed to go down from nepotism & vested interest, I can explain in few broad line scopes.

First, I don't think PAK ever thought of the requirement of a left-hander in middle order. After March 2011, Haris should have been 1st name at 3 or 5 in that PAK ODI team (ideally 4, but Misbah wasn't ready to go at 5/6 or come at 3), which went to Asad, YK, Azhar ... even Malik. I didn't like Umar to be dropped from Test & later from ODI side - PAK players don't learn from domestics - only way they can learn is by being with the team under pro coaching set-up. Umar was dropped at 21, when he had Test average of 36 (probably entirely playing outside Asia) & later from ODI when he had 38/86 sort of stats. Later, he was pushed to No. 7 in ODI, which is unthinkable in these days of ODI cricket, when every team is head heavy in batting order.

I didn't like the treatment for Amin as well - he was played for 2/3 years once in every 6/7 match & never given a settled role - ideally, he should have opened the innings in ODI as a lefti opener is like gold, and could have been tried as a 4th seemer. At one point PAK had 11 right-handers and a barrage of SLAO/leg spinners ran through the side, when couple of left-handers in the mix is the ideal treatment of such strategy. Considering future ICC event, it was elementary that PAK should find a seem bowling equivalent of MoHa/Malik - the batting all-rounders. I'll have to mention Maqsood as well here, because he is the right type of ODI player for these days. He started great in top 4, later was pushed to No. 6/7 which wasn't his game - he wasn't a good rotator, neither good runner, that stressed his confidence - he could have been a good hitter in top 3; there are not many in PAK who can match Sharjeel in hitting power - Maqsood definitely was one. Finally, Babar was delayed at least 1 year in ODI & 2 in Test - he should have gone to WC 2015 & should have debuted in Test in 2015. Similarly, what we are watching from Sharjeel now, could have started in 2013 .... that's cool 4 years delay - just because players like Sharjeel will have days when he'll look fool, but you don't get 73 (44) sort of innings from "stability mood".

In terms of bowling, I think it's even more obvious. First, PAK pace attack is average 35 years old & spin attack was close to 40. There can be lack of option in batting, but I can't agree with bowling, particularly spin bowling - for that there is enough options available in domestics, still.

It was Ajmal's action that opened the gate for Yasir, otherwise, he would have gone the same way of Shahzaib Ahmed (& Ajmal at 43 would have been prime spinner for 3 formats, still). At one point, PAK played 4 spinners in an ODI at J'burg - 3 offies (MoHa, Malik & Ajmal) & a darting leggi Afridi; and the youngest of them was 33 then - this is beyond explanation for a country whose domestics are full with quality spinners (at least statistically successful, if we don't take quality on face value). Biggest damage in PAK attack was done in this period - when every team including BD, AFG & ZIM is trying to bring wicket taking spinners in ODI game; PAK was the only team that opted for darters, who were of no use outside UAE. I can name at least half a dozen quality spinners, who actually turns the ball & can get middle order batsmen out without score board pressure - but never tried. That trip of Zulfi Babar to UK was icing on the cake & Misbah won't ever be able to explain that in straight face, when there was Gohar, Asghar & best of the lot (hope he makes a come back to prove it) Raja Hasan.

Coming to fast bowlers - first, none of PCB's Captains since YK has any understanding of using a fast bowler. And, they are almost allergic to new ball - that has cost the best prospect in last 7 years. In 6 months time, the amount of improvement I see in Sohail's game, he should have been a world class bowling all-rounder by 2012 once Asif/Amir was banned in 2010 - instead those spots went to mid 30s pacers like Cheema, Tanvir & Sami (who, himself was wasted by a series of defensive Captains), without any batting capacity. After 2010, there are at least 3/4 pacers I can name in their early 20s who were making names in domestics (Sadaf, Pasha, Rana & few others I can't recall instantly) - but never got the chance. It's not that the existing pacers were doing well enough to keep them out - rather, it's just the preference of few known face. Also, at one point PAK played with 4 left-arm pacers, when there were right arm pacers doing well in domestics.

Last, but not the least - to keep few named safe, the worst thing that happened in last 5-7 years years is that PAK has absolutely no all-rounder - particularly pace bowling all-rounder in the game, never even tried with any one outside MoHa, Malik & Afridi. Starting after 2011 WC, next 4 ICC events were scheduled in UK, AUS/NZ, UK, UK - in that regard, it was a blunder that the ODI team was roaming around 2/3 pacers (with very little batting capability) & mostly either specialist bat or spin all-rounders - just because Captain (s) were not aware of how to use medium pacers & they were happy to keep their post safe by backing influential seniors. Hammad, Yamin, Fahim & few other names (Rizwan Haider comes to mind) are playing for 6/7 years now & they are excellent prospects to be developed as No. 7 all-rounder - but, that spot was preserved carefully for MoHa/Malik - even when MoHa got caught for his action, I can categorically say that Yamin, Hammad, Fahim were kept aside, so that it doesn't make life complicated for MoHa to make a come back. In any other cricket team - you won't see Mian/MoHa picked in same playing XI - here they'll block Shadab's career, until he is lost to domestics.

I am writing it from office, therefore don't have the time to explain in details or check every facts, but what I can say is that in just 6 months time since Arthur joined - I have seen at least 5 of my wishes happening, which was begging in previous 5 years - 1. a top quality batsman at No. 3 (instead of MoHa), 2. a right arm pacer, 3. an attacking opener - great if he is a left-handed opener, 4. a bowling diversification from 3 offie & 3 left-arm pacers 5. An all-rounder who makes the team on bowling merit, but decent enough to bat at 6/7.

I can categorically say that, had things been allowed to roll as usual - Babar would have batted at 5, Sharjeel would have been in & out for his "reckless" batting, Imad won't have made the team for his "inferior batting ability" & Hasan would have been gone by now for Anwar Ali or Gul.

Keep adding, it's a good topic.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

If Sarfraz gets complete autonomy in selection matters, then sure. I'm all for it. But we all know that doesn't happen/isn't going to happen. The ones who run the game are the people who should be providing for the captain so he has options to select from. If Sarfraz is given pile of used/broken tools to select from (i.e our domestic players), then he can't do his job and get the results we all want him to get.

Then he has to fight to get better tools by making sound arguments and giving diplomatic but assertive press statements.

Its not easy being a Pak captain no doubt.

 

[DRsohail]

Shouldn't blame one person only for this, because selection & team combination is just not only on Captain - everyone from PCB Chairman to team's coaching staff has input in this. But, overall the major blame goes to Captain, as in cricket it's the Captain that runs the show, unlike other team sports where Manager is the King.

Over last 6-7 years, I can put few cases where Misbah (& Afridi/Azhar) had their inputs, which has brought the ODI/T20 team to almost at obsolete level & PAK actually is deserving 8th/9th in ranks; which should never be the case. Despite every issues from domestics to international isolation, still for LO cricket at least, there is enough to be among top 6, if not higher. In last 5/6 years PAK's W/L ratio is beyond explainable - if I take out 2012/13 (IND/WI/SAF series wins) - in last 3 years, it's at per with BD between 2007-2012 period.

The areas (I won't go to individual players only), that I think, was categorically damaged or allowed to go down from nepotism & vested interest, I can explain in few broad line scopes.

First, I don't think PAK ever thought of the requirement of a left-hander in middle order. After March 2011, Haris should have been 1st name at 3 or 5 in that PAK ODI team (ideally 4, but Misbah wasn't ready to go at 5/6 or come at 3), which went to Asad, YK, Azhar ... even Malik. I didn't like Umar to be dropped from Test & later from ODI side - PAK players don't learn from domestics - only way they can learn is by being with the team under pro coaching set-up. Umar was dropped at 21, when he had Test average of 36 (probably entirely playing outside Asia) & later from ODI when he had 38/86 sort of stats. Later, he was pushed to No. 7 in ODI, which is unthinkable in these days of ODI cricket, when every team is head heavy in batting order.

I didn't like the treatment for Amin as well - he was played for 2/3 years once in every 6/7 match & never given a settled role - ideally, he should have opened the innings in ODI as a lefti opener is like gold, and could have been tried as a 4th seemer. At one point PAK had 11 right-handers and a barrage of SLAO/leg spinners ran through the side, when couple of left-handers in the mix is the ideal treatment of such strategy. Considering future ICC event, it was elementary that PAK should find a seem bowling equivalent of MoHa/Malik - the batting all-rounders. I'll have to mention Maqsood as well here, because he is the right type of ODI player for these days. He started great in top 4, later was pushed to No. 6/7 which wasn't his game - he wasn't a good rotator, neither good runner, that stressed his confidence - he could have been a good hitter in top 3; there are not many in PAK who can match Sharjeel in hitting power - Maqsood definitely was one. Finally, Babar was delayed at least 1 year in ODI & 2 in Test - he should have gone to WC 2015 & should have debuted in Test in 2015. Similarly, what we are watching from Sharjeel now, could have started in 2013 .... that's cool 4 years delay - just because players like Sharjeel will have days when he'll look fool, but you don't get 73 (44) sort of innings from "stability mood".

In terms of bowling, I think it's even more obvious. First, PAK pace attack is average 35 years old & spin attack was close to 40. There can be lack of option in batting, but I can't agree with bowling, particularly spin bowling - for that there is enough options available in domestics, still.

It was Ajmal's action that opened the gate for Yasir, otherwise, he would have gone the same way of Shahzaib Ahmed (& Ajmal at 43 would have been prime spinner for 3 formats, still). At one point, PAK played 4 spinners in an ODI at J'burg - 3 offies (MoHa, Malik & Ajmal) & a darting leggi Afridi; and the youngest of them was 33 then - this is beyond explanation for a country whose domestics are full with quality spinners (at least statistically successful, if we don't take quality on face value). Biggest damage in PAK attack was done in this period - when every team including BD, AFG & ZIM is trying to bring wicket taking spinners in ODI game; PAK was the only team that opted for darters, who were of no use outside UAE. I can name at least half a dozen quality spinners, who actually turns the ball & can get middle order batsmen out without score board pressure - but never tried. That trip of Zulfi Babar to UK was icing on the cake & Misbah won't ever be able to explain that in straight face, when there was Gohar, Asghar & best of the lot (hope he makes a come back to prove it) Raja Hasan.

Coming to fast bowlers - first, none of PCB's Captains since YK has any understanding of using a fast bowler. And, they are almost allergic to new ball - that has cost the best prospect in last 7 years. In 6 months time, the amount of improvement I see in Sohail's game, he should have been a world class bowling all-rounder by 2012 once Asif/Amir was banned in 2010 - instead those spots went to mid 30s pacers like Cheema, Tanvir & Sami (who, himself was wasted by a series of defensive Captains), without any batting capacity. After 2010, there are at least 3/4 pacers I can name in their early 20s who were making names in domestics (Sadaf, Pasha, Rana & few others I can't recall instantly) - but never got the chance. It's not that the existing pacers were doing well enough to keep them out - rather, it's just the preference of few known face. Also, at one point PAK played with 4 left-arm pacers, when there were right arm pacers doing well in domestics.

Last, but not the least - to keep few named safe, the worst thing that happened in last 5-7 years years is that PAK has absolutely no all-rounder - particularly pace bowling all-rounder in the game, never even tried with any one outside MoHa, Malik & Afridi. Starting after 2011 WC, next 4 ICC events were scheduled in UK, AUS/NZ, UK, UK - in that regard, it was a blunder that the ODI team was roaming around 2/3 pacers (with very little batting capability) & mostly either specialist bat or spin all-rounders - just because Captain (s) were not aware of how to use medium pacers & they were happy to keep their post safe by backing influential seniors. Hammad, Yamin, Fahim & few other names (Rizwan Haider comes to mind) are playing for 6/7 years now & they are excellent prospects to be developed as No. 7 all-rounder - but, that spot was preserved carefully for MoHa/Malik - even when MoHa got caught for his action, I can categorically say that Yamin, Hammad, Fahim were kept aside, so that it doesn't make life complicated for MoHa to make a come back. In any other cricket team - you won't see Mian/MoHa picked in same playing XI - here they'll block Shadab's career, until he is lost to domestics.

I am writing it from office, therefore don't have the time to explain in details or check every facts, but what I can say is that in just 6 months time since Arthur joined - I have seen at least 5 of my wishes happening, which was begging in previous 5 years - 1. a top quality batsman at No. 3 (instead of MoHa), 2. a right arm pacer, 3. an attacking opener - great if he is a left-handed opener, 4. a bowling diversification from 3 offie & 3 left-arm pacers 5. An all-rounder who makes the team on bowling merit, but decent enough to bat at 6/7.

I can categorically say that, had things been allowed to roll as usual - Babar would have batted at 5, Sharjeel would have been in & out for his "reckless" batting, Imad won't have made the team for his "inferior batting ability" & Hasan would have been gone by now for Anwar Ali or Gul.

Keep adding, it's a good topic.

thanks..and dont forget the delay of sarfaraz when he played a winning knock at asia cup...but was regular in the team post 2015 wc......pathetic...and taking hafiz in the test team when he was utter failure in SA tour,,taking manzoor and masood as test opnrs to UAE and srilanka to make it easy for hafiz while better options were available...and ignoring jamshid in tests for his failure in SA altough he played a good inningsof 46 while hafiz was giving catching practice to slip cordon.

 

[Jabo]

Nope

But he's better than Azhar

Also feel he's not suited to odi/t20 cricket but he's better than rizwan with the bat

 

[MujahidT]

Nope

But he's better than Azhar

Also feel he's not suited to odi/t20 cricket but he's better than rizwan with the bat

Not agree with you. He averages 35 wd the bat in odis wd strk rate of 88 and in t20, his average is 34 wd strike rate of 123. Still thinking he is not suited to limited ovrs cricket?

 

[MujahidT]

I think he is only one in the team who keeps scoreboard ticking and have low dot ball percentage as compared to all other batsman in our team..

 

[the Great Khan]

Look lets be realistic. Sarfraz's immediate goal must be to ensure we don't go through the WC qualification. However if we have to thats fine, he then has to make sure we win all our matches and qualify. If we qualify his next aim to ensure we perform decently in the champions trophy and build a side for the world cup. The champs trophy should be the start for a new team not the end of the old team.

Imran built a team with miandads help. He had some influence with managers and adminsitrators too. Sarfraz should be allowed to pick and build his team from scratch with the coach and managers support.

 

[Shafi]

Now, Sarfraz ahmad is the only choice we have to lead the side... What are your expectations from him..While keeping in mind that he led pak to victory in u19 cricket world cup and has a good captaincy experience in domestic circuit too..

He is not even chosen as captain. Under current PCB unless miracle happen Azhar will not be sacked. On topic Sarfraz can be a good captain

 

[DRsohail]

Shouldn't blame one person only for this, because selection & team combination is just not only on Captain - everyone from PCB Chairman to team's coaching staff has input in this. But, overall the major blame goes to Captain, as in cricket it's the Captain that runs the show, unlike other team sports where Manager is the King.

Over last 6-7 years, I can put few cases where Misbah (& Afridi/Azhar) had their inputs, which has brought the ODI/T20 team to almost at obsolete level & PAK actually is deserving 8th/9th in ranks; which should never be the case. Despite every issues from domestics to international isolation, still for LO cricket at least, there is enough to be among top 6, if not higher. In last 5/6 years PAK's W/L ratio is beyond explainable - if I take out 2012/13 (IND/WI/SAF series wins) - in last 3 years, it's at per with BD between 2007-2012 period.

The areas (I won't go to individual players only), that I think, was categorically damaged or allowed to go down from nepotism & vested interest, I can explain in few broad line scopes.

First, I don't think PAK ever thought of the requirement of a left-hander in middle order. After March 2011, Haris should have been 1st name at 3 or 5 in that PAK ODI team (ideally 4, but Misbah wasn't ready to go at 5/6 or come at 3), which went to Asad, YK, Azhar ... even Malik. I didn't like Umar to be dropped from Test & later from ODI side - PAK players don't learn from domestics - only way they can learn is by being with the team under pro coaching set-up. Umar was dropped at 21, when he had Test average of 36 (probably entirely playing outside Asia) & later from ODI when he had 38/86 sort of stats. Later, he was pushed to No. 7 in ODI, which is unthinkable in these days of ODI cricket, when every team is head heavy in batting order.

I didn't like the treatment for Amin as well - he was played for 2/3 years once in every 6/7 match & never given a settled role - ideally, he should have opened the innings in ODI as a lefti opener is like gold, and could have been tried as a 4th seemer. At one point PAK had 11 right-handers and a barrage of SLAO/leg spinners ran through the side, when couple of left-handers in the mix is the ideal treatment of such strategy. Considering future ICC event, it was elementary that PAK should find a seem bowling equivalent of MoHa/Malik - the batting all-rounders. I'll have to mention Maqsood as well here, because he is the right type of ODI player for these days. He started great in top 4, later was pushed to No. 6/7 which wasn't his game - he wasn't a good rotator, neither good runner, that stressed his confidence - he could have been a good hitter in top 3; there are not many in PAK who can match Sharjeel in hitting power - Maqsood definitely was one. Finally, Babar was delayed at least 1 year in ODI & 2 in Test - he should have gone to WC 2015 & should have debuted in Test in 2015. Similarly, what we are watching from Sharjeel now, could have started in 2013 .... that's cool 4 years delay - just because players like Sharjeel will have days when he'll look fool, but you don't get 73 (44) sort of innings from "stability mood".

In terms of bowling, I think it's even more obvious. First, PAK pace attack is average 35 years old & spin attack was close to 40. There can be lack of option in batting, but I can't agree with bowling, particularly spin bowling - for that there is enough options available in domestics, still.

It was Ajmal's action that opened the gate for Yasir, otherwise, he would have gone the same way of Shahzaib Ahmed (& Ajmal at 43 would have been prime spinner for 3 formats, still). At one point, PAK played 4 spinners in an ODI at J'burg - 3 offies (MoHa, Malik & Ajmal) & a darting leggi Afridi; and the youngest of them was 33 then - this is beyond explanation for a country whose domestics are full with quality spinners (at least statistically successful, if we don't take quality on face value). Biggest damage in PAK attack was done in this period - when every team including BD, AFG & ZIM is trying to bring wicket taking spinners in ODI game; PAK was the only team that opted for darters, who were of no use outside UAE. I can name at least half a dozen quality spinners, who actually turns the ball & can get middle order batsmen out without score board pressure - but never tried. That trip of Zulfi Babar to UK was icing on the cake & Misbah won't ever be able to explain that in straight face, when there was Gohar, Asghar & best of the lot (hope he makes a come back to prove it) Raja Hasan.

Coming to fast bowlers - first, none of PCB's Captains since YK has any understanding of using a fast bowler. And, they are almost allergic to new ball - that has cost the best prospect in last 7 years. In 6 months time, the amount of improvement I see in Sohail's game, he should have been a world class bowling all-rounder by 2012 once Asif/Amir was banned in 2010 - instead those spots went to mid 30s pacers like Cheema, Tanvir & Sami (who, himself was wasted by a series of defensive Captains), without any batting capacity. After 2010, there are at least 3/4 pacers I can name in their early 20s who were making names in domestics (Sadaf, Pasha, Rana & few others I can't recall instantly) - but never got the chance. It's not that the existing pacers were doing well enough to keep them out - rather, it's just the preference of few known face. Also, at one point PAK played with 4 left-arm pacers, when there were right arm pacers doing well in domestics.

Last, but not the least - to keep few named safe, the worst thing that happened in last 5-7 years years is that PAK has absolutely no all-rounder - particularly pace bowling all-rounder in the game, never even tried with any one outside MoHa, Malik & Afridi. Starting after 2011 WC, next 4 ICC events were scheduled in UK, AUS/NZ, UK, UK - in that regard, it was a blunder that the ODI team was roaming around 2/3 pacers (with very little batting capability) & mostly either specialist bat or spin all-rounders - just because Captain (s) were not aware of how to use medium pacers & they were happy to keep their post safe by backing influential seniors. Hammad, Yamin, Fahim & few other names (Rizwan Haider comes to mind) are playing for 6/7 years now & they are excellent prospects to be developed as No. 7 all-rounder - but, that spot was preserved carefully for MoHa/Malik - even when MoHa got caught for his action, I can categorically say that Yamin, Hammad, Fahim were kept aside, so that it doesn't make life complicated for MoHa to make a come back. In any other cricket team - you won't see Mian/MoHa picked in same playing XI - here they'll block Shadab's career, until he is lost to domestics.

I am writing it from office, therefore don't have the time to explain in details or check every facts, but what I can say is that in just 6 months time since Arthur joined - I have seen at least 5 of my wishes happening, which was begging in previous 5 years - 1. a top quality batsman at No. 3 (instead of MoHa), 2. a right arm pacer, 3. an attacking opener - great if he is a left-handed opener, 4. a bowling diversification from 3 offie & 3 left-arm pacers 5. An all-rounder who makes the team on bowling merit, but decent enough to bat at 6/7.

I can categorically say that, had things been allowed to roll as usual - Babar would have batted at 5, Sharjeel would have been in & out for his "reckless" batting, Imad won't have made the team for his "inferior batting ability" & Hasan would have been gone by now for Anwar Ali or Gul.

Keep adding, it's a good topic.

canu say that may be naeemuddin should have been tried in 2013....and bw fakhar and shahzaib which one will be better for azhar replacement as shahzad is going to be ignored though he deserve it on merit as umar is back into the team as well..

 

[moghul]

He will do better job than Misbah and Azhar, not expecting any "heights of glory" though.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Captaincy is an issue but it is one of many issues we have.

Lack of pace all rounder
Lack of decent lower order hitter
Lack of reliable middle order batsmen.
Lack of an opener to partner sharjeel who can at least give strike back to him.
Lack of a good fast bowler.
Lack of a wicket taking spinner.

Sharjeel
Someone
Babar
Someone (preferably Harris)
Sarfraz
Akmal ( preferably someone a lot better)
Imad/ a pace all rounder
Amir
Hasan
Gohar
A fast bowler.

With azhar and hafeez in top 4 you are already conceding the match. Any Pakistani captain will need a set of players who can conform to modern day cricket demands. Its batsmen's game and SR hovering in 60s and 70s won't do it for us anymore.

110 must come on first 20 and 160 in last 20. There is no room any more for slow starts.

 

[Ami]

No.
With our talent we're 6 to 5 ranking potential in all formats...and that is a fact im afraid.

We cant even come up with a decent one day side these days cos of the dearth of talent...itd take time.

Sarfaraz might be a start.

 

[MMHS]

canu say that may be naeemuddin should have been tried in 2013....and bw fakhar and shahzaib which one will be better for azhar replacement as shahzad is going to be ignored though he deserve it on merit as umar is back into the team as well..

I don't think PAK's Test selection was a big issue in last 5/6 years, for few reasons -

First, still Test is played similar to what was 140 years back, in terms of combination & strategy - you score more in 2 innings & take 20 wickets for lesser cost than your 20 wickets. Still today a 6+1+4 formation is perfect if those 4 bowlers are fit enough. PAK's problem is that none of the pacers are fit enough & young enough to carry the work load of a 4 bowlers strategy. In Spin friendly wickets, it's still quite workable with 2+2 bowling combination.

Then, be it in Asia, but PAK's Test team actually performed decent enough to keep the core intact - all 6 batsmen actually kept their spot with performance. Visionary leaders could have phased out couple of players to bring in Babar, Haris or someone new; but problem for PAK was that Captain himself was the oldest & he should have been the first man to leave - that's why major teams don't keep Captains over 35 (so that, they can be dropped at first sight of aging). Naeemuddin could have been an option, but Ahmed was batting well in Test & Shaan also delivered almost every time he was a question mark - PAK played most Test in Asia, where MoHa with his old action was a genuine match winner even in Test (I believe his batting average is at least 10 better than bowling average in Asia). For Test team, I can point finger only in 3 areas - Zulfi Babar should have been replaced by ENG tour of UAE; there should have been a back-up leggi for Yasir & couple of U25 pacers should have been drafted by mid of 2015. Otherwise, it's a solid team for Asian condition.


Biggest damage is done in LO squad - in terms of team strategy, combination & style of play. None of which actually endorse the brand of cricket PAK team should play or ODI/T20 cricket demands. I hear lot about PAK playing 80s cricket, for which I have MASSIVE reservation - I for someone started watching cricket as a kid in 80s can categorically tell that the better teams of late 80s, early 90s never played such one dimensional & boring cricket without any imagination or flair. This team & thought are obsolete even in 70s standard when ODI was played for 60 overs & for first 35 overs, teams played ODI exactly like Test cricket on same wicket. Despite that, still even that time there were ODI specialists, where as PAK now in 2017 has 7/8 players common in Test & T20 side!!!!!!!!!!!

And, this is only because of defensive mindset & playing for safety first cricket that gives an excuse in the name of "competitive defeat" & keeping same bunch of players comfortable. Test cricket is tactical, but it's not instant like ODI game - it's played session by session, hence you make a mistake in 2 hours, can come back with a revised strategy. You lose a day, still can recharge over night & fight back - this luxury is not there in ODI/T20. The decision making has to be instant & dynamic - one can't put every egg in one basket in an ODI & constant change in tactics might give you an advantage of 10-12 runs, which is critical for a game restricted by overs. PAK's rank in ODI is by far worst - one main reason is that ODI is most tactful & strategic game - here team strength is not about individuals, rather combination of 11 on a given match context - this was true even in 1967 when Sunday league started. This is the biggest damage done in 5/6 years - almost stagnant LO team with one dimensional thoughts that has no clue out side plot.

Besides, I believe 1971 was the last time when Tony Lewis was called as specialist Captain (Debuted as Captain - that's mainly because of British hypocrisy - they wanted an Oxbridge graduate to lead MCC team to India - and left as Captain aswell, because he never made his spot on merit), later Brearley played few matches, but eventually was exposed, while Barnet led one Test on return against WI in a summer ENG using 29 players & 4 Captains for 5 Test against WI - compared to that, in 2015 PCB brought back Azhar as ODI Captain, when he wasn't good enough for previous 2 years to make the squad ............. this was bound to happen - keep undeserving player as Captain, he'll try to find poles to hang on - for Azhar; MoHa, Malik, Wahab, Asad are poles to keep him standing. Never in history a shaky Captain ever has promoted youngsters - Misbah/Azhar are not the only one in that regard.

 

[DRsohail]

I don't think PAK's Test selection was a big issue in last 5/6 years, for few reasons -

First, still Test is played similar to what was 140 years back, in terms of combination & strategy - you score more in 2 innings & take 20 wickets for lesser cost than your 20 wickets. Still today a 6+1+4 formation is perfect if those 4 bowlers are fit enough. PAK's problem is that none of the pacers are fit enough & young enough to carry the work load of a 4 bowlers strategy. In Spin friendly wickets, it's still quite workable with 2+2 bowling combination.

Then, be it in Asia, but PAK's Test team actually performed decent enough to keep the core intact - all 6 batsmen actually kept their spot with performance. Visionary leaders could have phased out couple of players to bring in Babar, Haris or someone new; but problem for PAK was that Captain himself was the oldest & he should have been the first man to leave - that's why major teams don't keep Captains over 35 (so that, they can be dropped at first sight of aging). Naeemuddin could have been an option, but Ahmed was batting well in Test & Shaan also delivered almost every time he was a question mark - PAK played most Test in Asia, where MoHa with his old action was a genuine match winner even in Test (I believe his batting average is at least 10 better than bowling average in Asia). For Test team, I can point finger only in 3 areas - Zulfi Babar should have been replaced by ENG tour of UAE; there should have been a back-up leggi for Yasir & couple of U25 pacers should have been drafted by mid of 2015. Otherwise, it's a solid team for Asian condition.


Biggest damage is done in LO squad - in terms of team strategy, combination & style of play. None of which actually endorse the brand of cricket PAK team should play or ODI/T20 cricket demands. I hear lot about PAK playing 80s cricket, for which I have MASSIVE reservation - I for someone started watching cricket as a kid in 80s can categorically tell that the better teams of late 80s, early 90s never played such one dimensional & boring cricket without any imagination or flair. This team & thought are obsolete even in 70s standard when ODI was played for 60 overs & for first 35 overs, teams played ODI exactly like Test cricket on same wicket. Despite that, still even that time there were ODI specialists, where as PAK now in 2017 has 7/8 players common in Test & T20 side!!!!!!!!!!!

And, this is only because of defensive mindset & playing for safety first cricket that gives an excuse in the name of "competitive defeat" & keeping same bunch of players comfortable. Test cricket is tactical, but it's not instant like ODI game - it's played session by session, hence you make a mistake in 2 hours, can come back with a revised strategy. You lose a day, still can recharge over night & fight back - this luxury is not there in ODI/T20. The decision making has to be instant & dynamic - one can't put every egg in one basket in an ODI & constant change in tactics might give you an advantage of 10-12 runs, which is critical for a game restricted by overs. PAK's rank in ODI is by far worst - one main reason is that ODI is most tactful & strategic game - here team strength is not about individuals, rather combination of 11 on a given match context - this was true even in 1967 when Sunday league started. This is the biggest damage done in 5/6 years - almost stagnant LO team with one dimensional thoughts that has no clue out side plot.

Besides, I believe 1971 was the last time when Tony Lewis was called as specialist Captain (Debuted as Captain - that's mainly because of British hypocrisy - they wanted an Oxbridge graduate to lead MCC team to India - and left as Captain aswell, because he never made his spot on merit), later Brearley played few matches, but eventually was exposed, while Barnet led one Test on return against WI in a summer ENG using 29 players & 4 Captains for 5 Test against WI - compared to that, in 2015 PCB brought back Azhar as ODI Captain, when he wasn't good enough for previous 2 years to make the squad ............. this was bound to happen - keep undeserving player as Captain, he'll try to find poles to hang on - for Azhar; MoHa, Malik, Wahab, Asad are poles to keep him standing. Never in history a shaky Captain ever has promoted youngsters - Misbah/Azhar are not the only one in that regard.

salute sir..but sarfaraz was better choice than adnan for odi they played him in UAE against eng..ignored sarfaraz...he was give a tough tour of SA,,we all know..

 

[yasir]

It's ironic you think that, because you back Azhar for captaincy who is MUCH worse than Sarfaraz.

Fundamental Problem with Sarfraz like Azhar is that they are not LOI players, you are starting of a wrong foundation... Pakistan don't have one player right now who can play all formats, Babar and Amir are getting there but they are not there yet...Most of the other guys position in the team is not assured...

Secondly, skill wise he has very little to offer, he is good wicket keeper batsman in test(only) and that's about it...Aggression, really translate when you lead from front, Imran Khan was one of the best allrounder in the history of Cricket not just aggressive Captain, he used to lead from the front pretty much every match on the bowling front, aggression is not only about body language but the dam body has to do something on the field as well...Dhoni is/was good LOI Captain, because he is/was one of the best LOI finisher of all time not just man manager, same can goes for Ponting who was best #3 of his time... In LOI Sarfraz is not a finisher(he cannot attack fast bowlers at all) nor he can anchor or manage the innings at the top(he is not a top order batsman), so what exactly he will be doing other then yelling at guys behind the stumps?? - He may drop few catches and mis stumping while doing so, that we can see more often...

Pakistan don't have any good senior player at the moment, kind of must requirement for Captaincy unfortunately... If we had invested in Babar and Harris 2/3 years ago, by now one of them could have emerged as Captain, right now we are going back to make shift, bits and pieces seniors(Sarfraz, Hafeez, Malik, Afridi types) who have rotten our team for decade or so, torture will be continue for some time... Other thing Pakistan needs to do it to develop bowler as Captain, bowlers are much better Captain then batters in case of Pakistan, our best teams were under bowlers, part of the reason is that those are main product of our Cricket for 70 odd years...

 

[MMHS]

Fundamental Problem with Sarfraz like Azhar is that they are not LOI players, you are starting of a wrong foundation... Pakistan don't have one player right now who can play all formats, Babar and Amir are getting there but they are not there yet...Most of the other guys position in the team is not assured...

Secondly, skill wise he has very little to offer, he is good wicket keeper batsman in test(only) and that's about it...Aggression, really translate when you lead from front, Imran Khan was one of the best allrounder in the history of Cricket not just aggressive Captain, he used to lead from the front pretty much every match on the bowling front, aggression is not only about body language but the dam body has to do something on the field as well...Dhoni is/was good LOI Captain, because he is/was one of the best LOI finisher of all time not just man manager, same can goes for Ponting who was best #3 of his time... In LOI Sarfraz is not a finisher(he cannot attack fast bowlers at all) nor he can anchor or manage the innings at the top(he is not a top order batsman), so what exactly he will be doing other then yelling at guys behind the stumps?? - He may drop few catches and mis stumping while doing so, that we can see more often...

Pakistan don't have any good senior player at the moment, kind of must requirement for Captaincy unfortunately... If we had invested in Babar and Harris 2/3 years ago, by now one of them could have emerged as Captain, right now we are going back to make shift, bits and pieces seniors(Sarfraz, Hafeez, Malik, Afridi types) who have rotten our team for decade or so, torture will be continue for some time... Other thing Pakistan needs to do it to develop bowler as Captain, bowlers are much better Captain then batters in case of Pakistan, our best teams were under bowlers, part of the reason is that those are main product of our Cricket for 70 odd years...

Sarfu's main problem is his fitness, age (for his role), otherwise he actually is an automatic choice for this PAK side. His ODI stat is like 35/88 & T20 stat is 34/123 - both quite acceptable for a WK. Had he been 27/28 now, he was absolutely perfect for unanimous Captain. Ideally, he should have been Captain of ODI side 2 years back, which would have resulted better stats for him as well in ODI (Azhar won't have been there, resulting one step promotion for all & Sarfu to bat at 4/5, which is his ideal spot).

 

[yasir]

Sarfu's main problem is his fitness, age (for his role), otherwise he actually is an automatic choice for this PAK side. His ODI stat is like 35/88 & T20 stat is 34/123 - both quite acceptable for a WK. Had he been 27/28 now, he was absolutely perfect for unanimous Captain. Ideally, he should have been Captain of ODI side 2 years back, which would have resulted better stats for him as well in ODI (Azhar won't have been there, resulting one step promotion for all & Sarfu to bat at 4/5, which is his ideal spot).

Fitness is the reason, he is not a good keeper in the first place...With Captaincy he will get worse at both fitness and keeping...Plus, I don't think he is that good of a batsman, like Malik and Hafeez he can only wack spinners, that's about it, in order to dominate in last 15 overs, you really need good player of pace bowling, which none of them(Malik, Hafeez, Sarfraz, Misbah) are/were...None of them are top order batsman, so you are starting off with a passenger Captain...You cannot hide these guys in a team, all it does is lower down the expectation from batting, we are 250/270 max ODI team for a reason

He has been playing with national team for 2/3 years, his fitness has not improved so is his batting, specially against pace, as well as his keeping. He used to play only one short (sweep) and that is only short he plays today, everybody knows how to control him or Malik or Hafeez...All of them are passenger seniors, average in every aspect of their game...

 

[Hasan123]

He has taken us to even worse depths.

 

[Markhor]

One of the worst captains in Pakistan history.

When will Mr 25 batting average (yes that's his record as Test captain) be held accountable ?

 

[HappyWarsFan]

One of the worst captains in Pakistan history.

When will Mr 25 batting average (yes that's his record as Test captain) be held accountable ?

He's even worse than Mickey. But both need to go.

 

[Sir-fraz]

with all the backing he had, he hasnt justified it with his bad performances with the bat and fitness.

shouldve be removed permanently

 

[Hasan123]

One of the worst captains in Pakistan history.

When will Mr 25 batting average (yes that's his record as Test captain) be held accountable ?

His fans tell us he is hated yet Inzi and Arthur have been sacked yet the guy who doesn’t even make the team on merit.

Makes you wonder who really is hated.