Can Umar Akmal replace Sarfaraz Ahmed as wicket-keeper in T20Is?

[srh]

Sarfraz Ahmed looks the most out of place Pakistani cricketer in T20I team. But his replacement Mohammad Rizwan is even worst than him.

How about selecting Umar Akmal to be a WK only in T20Is? Umar Akmal's wicket keeping is not as bad to not survive only 20 overs. Plus Pakistan get a huge upgrade on a T20 batsman without needing to sacrifice other good T20 batsmen in the squad. Always remember T20 is a pyjama cricket so you can experiment easily.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I'd rather have him batting at 4 behind Babar. He has always been an exceptional T20 player but the added work of keeping didn't help him. If his mind is in good shape, he can still do a lot for Pak cricket in LOI.

 

[Hasan123]

He doesn't need to replace Sarfaraz as WK. He can play as a batter in our T20 team.

 

[Hawkeye]

Sarfraz and Malik need to go from LOIs.

Umar should be the first name on the team sheet apart from Babar.

 

[Chokli]

he was always a great t20 batsman, he just had other linger issues that had him dropped from t20s as well.

with malik retiring i'll gladly take umar in odis and t20s.

i think the ship has sailed for umar to keep though.

 

[Mirpur express]

No

 

[Mirpur express]

If he plays like this throughout the tournament then he’ll be in contention , he looks lean but not very fit

 

[Plumb]

Sarfraz Ahmed looks the most out of place Pakistani cricketer in T20I team. But his replacement Mohammad Rizwan is even worst than him.

How about selecting Umar Akmal to be a WK only in T20Is? Umar Akmal's wicket keeping is not as bad to not survive only 20 overs. Plus Pakistan get a huge upgrade on a T20 batsman without needing to sacrifice other good T20 batsmen in the squad. Always remember T20 is a pyjama cricket so you can experiment easily.

You will do anything to get rid of Sarfi...Everytime you do that Sarfi comes out and performs, but you never learn.

 

[Greenstorm]

No, Umar's wicket keeping is very poor. We will either have to stick with Sarfaraz until T20 WC or develop a young hard hitting WK batsman.

 

[Savak]

In hindsight it was a pretty dumb decision for Umar to give up the gloves, the extra responsibility would have forced him to work harder on his fitness and playing as a wicket keeper batsman always made him a guaranteed selection in the playing eleven.

 

[Chokli]

In hindsight it was a pretty dumb decision for Umar to give up the gloves, the extra responsibility would have forced him to work harder on his fitness and playing as a wicket keeper batsman always made him a guaranteed selection in the playing eleven.

exactly plus his brother would have been happy as well, not that it matters lol.

the first time he picked up the gloves was in 2010 england series... 9 years ago... he had so much time to work on his keeping and potentially solidify his spot

 

[Saj]

He's never been keen on wicket-keeping and was pushed into it.

It was almost like, keep wicket or you will lose your place.

 

[MMHS]

Not only in LO, Jr. Akmal is the best Test batsman in current Pakistan after Babar. These UAE model has perverted PAK cricket and we are stuck with 2 extremes - hack like Asif, Fakhar or dead bat like Azhar Ali.

He was dropped from Test side forever at <21 with an average of 38 from 14 Tests and playing almost entire career of n SENA(W). Apart YK & MoYo not sure who has better stats than him out side UAE. And PCB invested an entire decade behind Azhar, MoHa, Asad

 

[proud_pakistani]

He can be back in the T20 team if he has a good run in the PSL. But for now there are other guys performing. Yesterday both Asif Ali and Fahim Ashraf did well, so did Sohail Akhtar. So Umar Akmal has tough competition. I do tho want to see Sohail Akhtar coming into Pak T20 squad.

 

[Savak]

He's never been keen on wicket-keeping and was pushed into it.

It was almost like, keep wicket or you will lose your place.

Lol, apparently that's what Waqar told him as coach during his tenures. You want to play for Pakistan, play on my terms.

 

[rhony]

Not only in LO, Jr. Akmal is the best Test batsman in current Pakistan after Babar. These UAE model has perverted PAK cricket and we are stuck with 2 extremes - hack like Asif, Fakhar or dead bat like Azhar Ali.

He was dropped from Test side forever at <21 with an average of 38 from 14 Tests and playing almost entire career of n SENA(W). Apart YK & MoYo not sure who has better stats than him out side UAE. And PCB invested an entire decade behind Azhar, MoHa, Asad&#55357;&#56861;

It's not about his ability to play. It's his temperment. He realized that he had a golden opportunity today and played well but you could still see a few stupid moves around the crease trying to force the issue when there was no need. Hope he realizes its his last chance

 

[MMHS]

It's not about his ability to play. It's his temperment. He realized that he had a golden opportunity today and played well but you could still see a few stupid moves around the crease trying to force the issue when there was no need. Hope he realizes its his last chance

Almost certainly, they'll not take him to WC. Arthur said it's about 15 out of 20 - so basically these are his 20

Opener: Imam, FZ, Shan
MO: Babar, Haris, MoHa, Malik, Asif
WK: Sarfraz, Rizwan
AR/Spinner: Shadab, Imad, Fahim, Nawaz
FB: Amir, Shaheen, Hasan, UKS.

That's 18, for other 2 preliminary spots, most likely Wahab, JK, Abbas and may be Umer (or the best performer in PSL outside my list, could be Talat as well).

From that 20, I don't see the bold ones missing out without injury - that's 14 locked. There is a slim chance that Umer might get the nod as 2nd WK (but he is not keeping in PSL), or they might go for one more pace back-up. I don't think, unless something sensational happens, this PSL will have much impact on PAK's WC squad, which is already fixed (they might do some eye washing, but Arthur, Sarfraz, IuH all have their favorites) - already I can see MoHa has dropped down to make sure that he doesn't get exposed and can cash on his performance of the year at Port Elizabeth.

Umer Akmal will play for 2023 WC and may be even 2027, but don't might not 2019.

 

[RickyG]

He's never been keen on wicket-keeping and was pushed into it.

It was almost like, keep wicket or you will lose your place.

TBF that was because he wanted to make sure his big brother could also make it into the Pakistan team.

Umar Akmal will always be a reluctant keeper as long as his brother is an active cricketer.

 

[rhony]

Almost certainly, they'll not take him to WC. Arthur said it's about 15 out of 20 - so basically these are his 20

Opener: Imam, FZ, Shan
MO: Babar, Haris, MoHa, Malik, Asif
WK: Sarfraz, Rizwan
AR/Spinner: Shadab, Imad, Fahim, Nawaz
FB: Amir, Shaheen, Hasan, UKS.

That's 18, for other 2 preliminary spots, most likely Wahab, JK, Abbas and may be Umer (or the best performer in PSL outside my list, could be Talat as well).

From that 20, I don't see the bold ones missing out without injury - that's 14 locked. There is a slim chance that Umer might get the nod as 2nd WK (but he is not keeping in PSL), or they might go for one more pace back-up. I don't think, unless something sensational happens, this PSL will have much impact on PAK's WC squad, which is already fixed (they might do some eye washing, but Arthur, Sarfraz, IuH all have their favorites) - already I can see MoHa has dropped down to make sure that he doesn't get exposed and can cash on his performance of the year at Port Elizabeth.

Umer Akmal will play for 2023 WC and may be even 2027, but don't might not 2019.

Yeah. Asif or Rizwan..His chance is only against those two

 

[yasir]

Almost certainly, they'll not take him to WC. Arthur said it's about 15 out of 20 - so basically these are his 20

Opener: Imam, FZ, Shan
MO: Babar, Haris, MoHa, Malik, Asif
WK: Sarfraz, Rizwan
AR/Spinner: Shadab, Imad, Fahim, Nawaz
FB: Amir, Shaheen, Hasan, UKS.

That's 18, for other 2 preliminary spots, most likely Wahab, JK, Abbas and may be Umer (or the best performer in PSL outside my list, could be Talat as well).

From that 20, I don't see the bold ones missing out without injury - that's 14 locked. There is a slim chance that Umer might get the nod as 2nd WK (but he is not keeping in PSL), or they might go for one more pace back-up. I don't think, unless something sensational happens, this PSL will have much impact on PAK's WC squad, which is already fixed (they might do some eye washing, but Arthur, Sarfraz, IuH all have their favorites) - already I can see MoHa has dropped down to make sure that he doesn't get exposed and can cash on his performance of the year at Port Elizabeth.

Umer Akmal will play for 2023 WC and may be even 2027, but don't might not 2019.

Problem is Pakistan has a big hole in late order acceleration. Asif and Umer(depending upon his PSL 4 Performance) are fighting for that spot. Malik, Hafeez and Sarfraz has no power in their game outside of UAE and or against 140 clicks pace, in WC they will be useless in slog overs, you need better players of pace. These three are all one dimensional spin basher. Top teams are not going to give us 2 spinners to milk on, India made a mistake in CT final but not again...

Between Umer and Asif, Umer has greater range of shots. Temperament is a problem, but this is not position of temperament only, hitting ability is key aspect of this role. We are not like ENG, where everybody can hit sixes, Pakistan has lowest six hitting ability despite been no 1 T20 team, that T20 ranking FAD is hiding lot of seniors

 

[Theo_14]

His becoming a wicketkeeper will be a unnecessary distraction when it comes to him batting.

If he comes back, it should be solely as a batsman. Considering the lack of talent and Pakistan on a decline, I’d definitely give UA a chance.

 

[Chokli]

Problem is Pakistan has a big hole in late order acceleration. Asif and Umer(depending upon his PSL 4 Performance) are fighting for that spot. Malik, Hafeez and Sarfraz has no power in their game outside of UAE and or against 140 clicks pace, in WC they will be useless in slog overs, you need better players of pace. These three are all one dimensional spin basher. Top teams are not going to give us 2 spinners to milk on, India made a mistake in CT final but not again...

i agree except you are wrong about hafeez, he definitely has all the shots in the book to be successful as a finisher.

Between Umer and Asif, Umer has greater range of shots. Temperament is a problem, but this is not position of temperament only, hitting ability is key aspect of this role. We are not like ENG, where everybody can hit sixes, Pakistan has lowest six hitting ability despite been no 1 T20 team, that T20 ranking FAD is hiding lot of seniors

you can't play asif solely as a batsman, because he isn't a proper batsman as of yet.

he's good enough for t20s but won't be successful in odis... at least not all of a sudden.

if asif was bowling some off spin, he'd be my first name on the list at number 7.

asif ali isn't even as good as yusuf pathan.

he definitely has the power game but he has a lot of work to do.

 

[topspin]

He's never been keen on wicket-keeping and was pushed into it.

It was almost like, keep wicket or you will lose your place.

This was certainly the case and is one of the reasons why I'm convinced he was mistreated by Waqar who has never grasped man management skills evident by his captaincy and two stints as head coach.

Umar actually once mentioned Waqar's hostile tone towards him where he was told if he didn't follow his instructions he would ensure he never plays for Pakistan again. It's worth reading/listening to Michael Vaughan's interview (in his response to the Kevin Pietersen saga) where he cited the need to manage players and difficult characters in the side - citing Flintoff and KP as prime examples. The fact that he understood the need to solve these issues is one of the many reasons why he was an excellent captain and leader for England.

Whether it be as a captain or coach one has to find ways to work with players, but because Waqar was far too fixated with his single minded defensive approach to the game, his ego was a destructive influence to Umar's development as a batsman and player.

Umar Akmal has had many faults of his own but it was indeed Waqar who made this personal. He should never have been dropped from tests, when the 19 year old at the time had a decent away leg of matches (in Aus, NZ and Eng) but given just one test in the bowling graveyards you find in UAE, hence why his average in the high 30s is more impressive than what it looks on face value.

Waqar and Misbah have played their part with his regression in ODIs when you consider the fact he was made to bat at no.6 when his preferred spot was no.4.

 

[srh]

You will do anything to get rid of Sarfi...Everytime you do that Sarfi comes out and performs, but you never learn.

Sarfi is the weakest link of T20I team. Fact. My suggestion is to remove your weakest link and replace it with someone who is lot better than Sarfi in T20Is. Its a win win situation of Pakistan.

The people who are suggesting to keep Sarfi and also include Umar Akmal in T20I team are missing the point. Pakistan would still have a passenger in the team (Sarfi) and a deserving player (who would be lot better than Sarfi but not as good as Umar Akmal in T20Is) would have to sit out. Its not the ideal situation because Sarfi is still there. He is the one who has to go.

 

[Savak]

This was certainly the case and is one of the reasons why I'm convinced he was mistreated by Waqar who has never grasped man management skills evident by his captaincy and two stints as head coach.

Umar actually once mentioned Waqar's hostile tone towards him where he was told if he didn't follow his instructions he would ensure he never plays for Pakistan again. It's worth reading/listening to Michael Vaughan's interview (in his response to the Kevin Pietersen saga) where he cited the need to manage players and difficult characters in the side - citing Flintoff and KP as prime examples. The fact that he understood the need to solve these issues is one of the many reasons why he was an excellent captain and leader for England.

Whether it be as a captain or coach one has to find ways to work with players, but because Waqar was far too fixated with his single minded defensive approach to the game, his ego was a destructive influence to Umar's development as a batsman and player.

Umar Akmal has had many faults of his own but it was indeed Waqar who made this personal. He should never have been dropped from tests, when the 19 year old at the time had a decent away leg of matches (in Aus, NZ and Eng) but given just one test in the bowling graveyards you find in UAE, hence why his average in the high 30s is more impressive than what it looks on face value.

Waqar and Misbah have played their part with his regression in ODIs when you consider the fact he was made to bat at no.6 when his preferred spot was no.4.

You should watch Mohd Wasim's video on his experience with all Pakistan Captain's one by one during his career and he was least complimentary of Waqar Younis. He was like Waqar as a team mate was an absolute joy, amazing sense of humour, extremely helpful and fun to be around with, however once he became captain he just could not recognize him anymore, he became extremely stubborn, rude and difficult to communicate and deal with and he even mentioned that a lot of Waqar's behavior as captain and later as coach were strictly motivated as part of a desire to settle previous beef's and grudges. This is not the first time anyone has been extremely critical of Waqar's behavior in positions of authority i.e. Captain and Coach i.e. Afridi, Akhtar, Yousaf, Tanvir Ahmed, Mohd Wasim, Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad. There is clearly a pattern and that is Waqar is a complete misfit in a leadership position and that is not a bad thing, some people just do not have that ability and capacity

On the other hand, in complete contract Mohd Wasim mentioned Wasim Akram as the best Pakistani Captain he ever played under and the closest thing to Imran Khan at the time. In his view the youngsters of the time truly looked up to him and Wasim knew how to deal with people, players and everyone loved his mantra off "Party hard off the field but Fight hard and give it everything in the field". Everyone from Afridi, Akhtar, Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain, Yousaf and now Wasim have said the same thing about Wasim's captaincy. Not sure why the PCB got rid of Wasim Akram as captain from 2000 onwards, Pakistan Cricket could have benefited immensely with him as captain.

 

[Hasan123]

Almost certainly, they'll not take him to WC. Arthur said it's about 15 out of 20 - so basically these are his 20

Opener: Imam, FZ, Shan
MO: Babar, Haris, MoHa, Malik, Asif
WK: Sarfraz, Rizwan
AR/Spinner: Shadab, Imad, Fahim, Nawaz
FB: Amir, Shaheen, Hasan, UKS.

That's 18, for other 2 preliminary spots, most likely Wahab, JK, Abbas and may be Umer (or the best performer in PSL outside my list, could be Talat as well).

From that 20, I don't see the bold ones missing out without injury - that's 14 locked. There is a slim chance that Umer might get the nod as 2nd WK (but he is not keeping in PSL), or they might go for one more pace back-up. I don't think, unless something sensational happens, this PSL will have much impact on PAK's WC squad, which is already fixed (they might do some eye washing, but Arthur, Sarfraz, IuH all have their favorites) - already I can see MoHa has dropped down to make sure that he doesn't get exposed and can cash on his performance of the year at Port Elizabeth.

Umer Akmal will play for 2023 WC and may be even 2027, but don't might not 2019.

If Haris isn't fit, then he could replace him but I think after the WC he will be in the Pakistan squad.

 

[badsha001]

we need Sarfaraz, Umar and Asif in the team. Sarfaraz has a thing or two about him where he is able to somehow control and guide certain types of people who are not as mentally strong. I'm sure both Umar and Asif can benefit from it.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Sarfi is the weakest link of T20I team. Fact. My suggestion is to remove your weakest link and replace it with someone who is lot better than Sarfi in T20Is. Its a win win situation of Pakistan.

The people who are suggesting to keep Sarfi and also include Umar Akmal in T20I team are missing the point. Pakistan would still have a passenger in the team (Sarfi) and a deserving player (who would be lot better than Sarfi but not as good as Umar Akmal in T20Is) would have to sit out. Its not the ideal situation because Sarfi is still there. He is the one who has to go.

Umar Akmal should not have to keep to play in the team. If he's good enough to be selected, he should play the same kind of role he did in order to get selected.

There are other people he could replace. If Sarfraz is a passenger, then he should be replaced by another specialist wicket-keeper batsman.

 

[Ahmed216]

If Umar can improve his focus and bring consistency to his game he can still be very useful for national side.
Handling of pressure has never been an issue with him

 

[Plumb]

Sarfi is the weakest link of T20I team. Fact. My suggestion is to remove your weakest link and replace it with someone who is lot better than Sarfi in T20Is. Its a win win situation of Pakistan.

The people who are suggesting to keep Sarfi and also include Umar Akmal in T20I team are missing the point. Pakistan would still have a passenger in the team (Sarfi) and a deserving player (who would be lot better than Sarfi but not as good as Umar Akmal in T20Is) would have to sit out. Its not the ideal situation because Sarfi is still there. He is the one who has to go.

Yes we saw in SA when weakest link wasn't there...

 

[Chokli]

nope but umar siddiq definitely should

although sarfraz is a really good t20 captain

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Getting rid of Sarfraz brings in the added question of captain. I think for now Sarfraz is our best bat as T20I captain. Maybe grooming Fakhar or Babar into a captain later on might be a thing but for now we need Sarfraz to stay as our T20I captain at least till next year WT20.

Why can't Sarfraz try to emulate the performances he had 4-5 years back opening the batting in ODI and T20I and try to replicate those. Rather than trying to turn himself into the team's middle order spine, he should play the opening role with Fakhar. Babar at 1 down and harris at 2 down even in a T20 should be tried. Then maybe you can have asif at 3 down, then faheem, then shadab. I know after first four it can become a bit delicate but if we can find another anchor batsman then an experimental batting lineup in T20I should be:

1) Fakhar
2) Sarfraz
3) Babar
4) Harris
5) (Batsman similar to Harris/anchor role)
6) Asif
7) Faheem
8) Shadab
9) Imad (honestly can't remember the last time he had an innings of substance-main reason he would be in side is because of his opening the bowling).

Then, depending on the situation, if we are at say 110-2 after 13 overs then we can hold back harris and send out asif or someone attacking whereas if we are struggling then we can send out either an attacking/defensive batsman combo or send out harris and babar if the openers fail. Also, the unknown batsman at #5 being a PSL produce??

 

[Abdul Moiz]

No way, we all knew what happened in CWC 15 initial matches when he was used as a keeper and also it also puts an additional pressure which could affect his batting as well.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

That would be a blunder against his little hope to make comeback. At the moment Sarfraz is fine with the Wicket keeping, barring his limited shot selection in batting. Umar Siddiqui Looked a great prospect and clean hitter of the ball, not sure about his Wicket keeping skills though.

 

[letme alone]

oh, bhi keeping is not kid computer game. when we learn....