Did Babar Azam do the right thing by taking the spotlight away from Imam-ul-Haq?

[arif_2021]

In my opinion, man of the series should have gone to Imam ul Haq...

I feel that he was the superior batsman in this series. Yes, I understand Babar Azam scored a great century in the second match, but he also played very slowly and got out at the wrong time in the first match.

I feel that Babar Azam discouraged Imam from scoring the century in the last match.

I am not sure what was Babar's motivation, but I feel that Imam ul Haq did the harder job of giving a solid opening and facing the new ball plus laying the platform for Babar.

I also do not think it's a good idea to have cars, or material things as man of the series awards - because this was a case where you could split the man of the series award between these two deserving players. Cash prizes would be better. If I was Inverex CEO, I would have given both of them cars. It would have made INVEREX immensely popular.

If you look at Imam's body language when Babar started taking more strike and really started going for a 100, he seemed a little disappointed. Even during the presentation, he did not seem as happy and excited compared to the second match. During the photo, he stood in the corner with Haider and Saud.

Maybe Babar wanted to more and he was hungrier. In that case, good for Babar.
Imam should have pushed himself I feel but because of confidence issues and history of being called parchi/selfish etc etc by the media and fans, I feel it played on his mind.

In any case, it just confirms that Imam-ul-Haq is a good player and a big person who once again had to put up with mistreatment.

I have always felt that he was a solid opener - he has corrected his short ball issues as well as getting across and getting LBW. He played a lot of shots from middle stump balls in midwicket region instead of straight/mid-on and mid-off which shows that he's covering the balls on pads well and playing it in the right direction.

I am not sure if anyone gets the same impression as I do, but lets hope at least the fans recognize this.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Totally agree!
As a good leader, one must be generous and big hearted to give empowerment AND encouragement and appreciation to your team members. This sets the right precedence and it trickles down.

What Baber did was not only absolutely wrong but has drilled a wrong example for the rest to follow.

Tomorrow if Imam is the captain in the same position, he will do to his Jr. exactly as Baber did to him today.

 

[Usman]

I don’t think the accusation, that Barbar told Imam to go slow so that Barbar can score a century, holds any merit whatsoever. Barbar is a naturally gifted batsman and the fact that he scored runs faster than Imam is not a surprise - he’s got talent few batsmen in the world possess.

As far as Man of the Series is concerned, it’s true that it was a close call between Barbar and Imam. The fact that Barbar managed to get to that hundred in the third ODI probably sealed it for him but, again, that was something that happened naturally rather than something Barbar forced Imam to do.

At the end of the day, regardless of who got what title, all Pakistani fans across the world are extremely proud of how Imam and Barbar both performed mashallah and so both guys have the recognition they deserve. This counts a lot more than any prize.

 

[arif_2021]

I don’t think the accusation, that Barbar told Imam to go slow so that Barbar can score a century, holds any merit whatsoever. Barbar is a naturally gifted batsman and the fact that he scored runs faster than Imam is not a surprise - he’s got talent few batsmen in the world possess.

As far as Man of the Series is concerned, it’s true that it was a close call between Barbar and Imam. The fact that Barbar managed to get to that hundred in the third ODI probably sealed it for him but, again, that was something that happened naturally rather than something Barbar forced Imam to do.

At the end of the day, regardless of who got what title, all Pakistani fans across the world are extremely proud of how Imam and Barbar both performed mashallah and so both guys have the recognition they deserve. This counts a lot more than any prize.

But Babar hogged the strike...he played more balls than Imam

I am not sure if you watched the match live...there was a period when they were close to each other in runs, and then at 55-65 runs, Babar kept taking singles off last ball and kept facing more balls and the run difference between them increased a lot.

It eliminated any chance of Imam getting a century.

When there were 50 runs left and when Babar was at 90 and Imam was at 70, I was hoping for Babar to get out as a lesson for being selfish...

I dont know...I just think that Babar should have allowed Imam to score that deserving century...

I also think that keeping a large red color SUV brought a LOT of attention to the prize and played on everyone's mind.

I just think that these are cheap gimmicks, and they should just use cash and should have given a JOINT Man of the series...and I re-iterate about giving a second SUV to Imam...

it would have been a decent thing to do to recognize his contribution also.

 

[Darkrai]

Feel free to provide proof of Babar discouraging Imam or telling him to slow down.

If you can't, this is nothing but bitterness.

If Imam was desperate for a 100 he should have batted quicker.

Babar won 2 MOTM awards and so MOTS was always going to be him, especially after scoring a 100 at a SR of 137 while chasing 350.

Babar did nothing wrong. This is a professional team. Their aim is to win, not to purposely play poorly in a decider so their teammates can score 100s. And besides Imam was well behind Babar. It's not like both were in 90s together

 

[arif_2021]

Feel free to provide proof of Babar discouraging Imam or telling him to slow down.

If you can't, this is nothing but bitterness.

If Imam was desperate for a 100 he should have batted quicker.

Babar won 2 MOTM awards and so MOTS was always going to be him, especially after scoring a 100 at a SR of 137 while chasing 350.

Babar did nothing wrong. This is a professional team. Their aim is to win, not to purposely play poorly in a decider so their teammates can score 100s. And besides Imam was well behind Babar. It's not like both were in 90s together

that is a very silly point to ask for proof?

can you provide proof that HE DID NOT? Go ahead then.

Look at the match situation, body language, and moods after the win.

Please read previous posts, watch the match ball by ball, look at the post match presentations as well as pics and videos released by PCB and you'll get your answer.

 

[Darkrai]

that is a very silly point to ask for proof?

can you provide proof that HE DID NOT? Go ahead then.

Look at the match situation, body language, and moods after the win.

Please read previous posts, watch the match ball by ball, look at the post match presentations as well as pics and videos released by PCB and you'll get your answer.

You are the one accusing the captain of discouraging his player. If your whole point is that he hogged the strike to get to his 100, then that's not enough.

Again, unless proven otherwise, no one was stopping Imam from scoring quickly. If both were in 90s together then fine one can purposely allow their partner to score the 100 instead, but not when your partner is 20 runs behinds you.

 

[arif_2021]

You are the one accusing the captain of discouraging his player. If your whole point is that he hogged the strike to get to his 100, then that's not enough.

Again, unless proven otherwise, no one was stopping Imam from scoring quickly. If both were in 90s together then fine one can purposely allow their partner to score the 100 instead, but not when your partner is 20 runs behinds you.

LOL.
You answered your own question.

Why was Babar 20 runs ahead when the strike rates are within 2 runs? (89 vs. 91)? Its because Babar played more balls despite coming in at one down.

He hogged the strike. Watch the match again...watch second innings about halfway.

 

[Darkrai]

And why should Babar purposely play slow/poorly (low key fix) and give up his 100, prize money, SUV, and whatever else he got, for another player? To look good as a Captain? Lol . The guy will be sacked soon anyways if loses a couple of series, now that Rizwan and Shadab have emerged as potential options.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Come on guys! Its a non issue , babar would have won the man of the series even he got out on 70 because of his superb knock in the 2nd match. Without his quick batting (100 in 70 balls) pakistan would have never won the 2nd match and the series.

They created a great partnership and we should be happy about it.

 

[sweep_shot]

Both Babar and Imam were amazing.

I think Imam should've gotten it. I agree.

 

[shamaan]

In my opinion, man of the series should have gone to Imam ul Haq...

I feel that he was the superior batsman in this series. Yes, I understand Babar Azam scored a great century in the second match, but he also played very slowly and got out at the wrong time in the first match.

I feel that Babar Azam discouraged Imam from scoring the century in the last match.

I am not sure what was Babar's motivation, but I feel that Imam ul Haq did the harder job of giving a solid opening and facing the new ball plus laying the platform for Babar.

I also do not think it's a good idea to have cars, or material things as man of the series awards - because this was a case where you could split the man of the series award between these two deserving players. Cash prizes would be better. If I was Inverex CEO, I would have given both of them cars. It would have made INVEREX immensely popular.

If you look at Imam's body language when Babar started taking more strike and really started going for a 100, he seemed a little disappointed. Even during the presentation, he did not seem as happy and excited compared to the second match. During the photo, he stood in the corner with Haider and Saud.

Maybe Babar wanted to more and he was hungrier. In that case, good for Babar.
Imam should have pushed himself I feel but because of confidence issues and history of being called parchi/selfish etc etc by the media and fans, I feel it played on his mind.

In any case, it just confirms that Imam-ul-Haq is a good player and a big person who once again had to put up with mistreatment.

I have always felt that he was a solid opener - he has corrected his short ball issues as well as getting across and getting LBW. He played a lot of shots from middle stump balls in midwicket region instead of straight/mid-on and mid-off which shows that he's covering the balls on pads well and playing it in the right direction.

I am not sure if anyone gets the same impression as I do, but lets hope at least the fans recognize this.

He has played the short ball well in this series but I will waite until he plays in SENA.

Also wanted imaam to win the prize but I think Babar deserved based upon his second odi.

 

[arif_2021]

And why should Babar purposely play slow/poorly (low key fix) and give up his 100, prize money, SUV, and whatever else he got, for another player? To look good as a Captain? Lol . The guy will be sacked soon anyways if loses a couple of series, now that Rizwan and Shadab have emerged as potential options.

Great, you think letting your deserving team mate have the strike so he can score a century is fixing "low key"?

Wow.

This is about Babar not recognizing the opportunity that if Imam was man of the series, how great of an impact it would have had in his career and dismissing his criticism of being "parchi".

A true LEADER would have done that.

We already know Babar's accomplishments. Now its time for him to make a team and push his players to better and give them confidence.

That is the only way you build a team and create loyalty.

 

[TheSultan]

This seems to be a lot of fuss over nothing!

In the long term this will be another JAMODI, and people are arguing over who should have played, not played for the car??!

I think the Pak team have bigger problems.

 

[shamaan]

Great, you think letting your deserving team mate have the strike so he can score a century is fixing "low key"?

Wow.

This is about Babar not recognizing the opportunity that if Imam was man of the series, how great of an impact it would have had in his career and dismissing his criticism of being "parchi".

A true LEADER would have done that.

We already know Babar's accomplishments. Now its time for him to make a team and push his players to better and give them confidence.

That is the only way you build a team and create loyalty.

I don't think it will have much impact on his career becouse he had good stats even before this series.He wasn't a parchi before this series and is certainly not now azwell.