Do Pakistani cricketers have greater longevity?

[zayn]

Just watching Pune vs Bangalore, Imran Tahir specifically, and it struck me how he has such brilliant control of his line and length despite being almost 39. I've observed that similarly Younis Khan, Misbah, Afridi and others have been on top of their game late into their 30s too, and that's before we even consider their real age.

Looking at the likes of Dhoni, Watson, Gayle and so on their powers seem to be on the wane and they're a shadow of their former self, while barely even in their mid 30s. Is there something to this? Perhaps we just don't push ourselves as far as the average Indian or Australian throughout our career? Or may be I'm looking at too small a sample size.

 

[Specialisttailender]

Even though Desi players lack the same fitness level as the Australians, English, South African and New Zealanders we last a little longer than them )

 

[zayn]

Even though Desi players lack the same fitness level as the Australians, English, South African and New Zealanders we last a little longer than them )

I was hoping for some constructive feedback/comments. This is a discussion, and would love for anyone to provide some insight

 

[JaDed]

Dhoni was someone that depended on bat and eye co-ordination and that's why he is on the wane which was unlike Sachin who played well till 39.

Another reason could be Pakistan offlate has been playing less cricket comparatively not to forget many of Indian cricketers have been playing IPL since 2007 the crowd pressure takes a toll because for an Indian the league is still long and big having to play entirely.

Tahir didn't play much INTL cricket in 20's not sure how he can be used as an example,YK,Misbah have maintained very good fitness but YK wasn't great in LOIs for long and Misbah has at best at his best now when non-Asian players aren't at their best usually they retire themselves or get pushed out by their board.

 

[zayn]

Dhoni was someone that depended on bat and eye co-ordination and that's why he is on the wane which was unlike Sachin who played well till 39.

Another reason could be Pakistan offlate has been playing less cricket comparatively not to forget many of Indian cricketers have been playing IPL since 2007 the crowd pressure takes a toll because for an Indian the league is still long and big having to play entirely.

Tahir didn't play much INTL cricket in 20's not sure how he can be used as an example,YK,Misbah have maintained very good fitness but YK wasn't great in LOIs for long and Misbah has at best at his best now when non-Asian players aren't at their best usually they retire themselves or get pushed out by their board.

Good points, and in relation to your point about Tahir, I get that he started playing international cricket late but does the body not have s point at which co-ordination, reflexes, strength and so on start to weaken, regardless of whether you start your career early or late?

 

[bleaf27]

Good points, and in relation to your point about Tahir, I get that he started playing international cricket late but does the body not have s point at which co-ordination, reflexes, strength and so on start to weaken, regardless of whether you start your career early or late?

Athletes tend to have an accumulated toll on their body hence a lot of athletes who start off in their late teens tend to retire by mid to early 30s. Tahir starting late does work in his favor because his body hasn't been exposed to decades of micro trauma and previous injuries.
Reflexes and co-ordination tend to decline post 30s regardless but then again Tahir being a spinner is putting quite less stress on himself compared to someone like Nehra or Watson.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Misbah and YK are exceptions to the rule and I can't see many other 42+ year olds still playing test cricket in the future whether they're from Pakistan or elsewhere.

As for Tahir, I think leggies and spinners in general do tend to last a bit longer than their fast bowling, or batting counterparts.

 

[moghul]

Just because Misbah and YK are in the team , although they should have not been as they have way past their prime, doesn't mean they have more "longevity" . Just look at their performance over last 2-3 years and not the color of their hair.

 

[Pete Rose]

Afridi - top of his game. Ok sure

 

[msb314]

Just watching Pune vs Bangalore, Imran Tahir specifically, and it struck me how he has such brilliant control of his line and length despite being almost 39. I've observed that similarly Younis Khan, Misbah, Afridi and others have been on top of their game late into their 30s too, and that's before we even consider their real age.

Looking at the likes of Dhoni, Watson, Gayle and so on their powers seem to be on the wane and they're a shadow of their former self, while barely even in their mid 30s. Is there something to this? Perhaps we just don't push ourselves as far as the average Indian or Australian throughout our career? Or may be I'm looking at too small a sample size.

Not at all - Misbah, Afridi and even YK have been on the decline for several years and are now only occasionally capable of performing well.

The same is true for Watson, Dhoni, Sanga etc. except they knew the right time to call it quits on their career before their decline become more evident.

Our players just drag their careers on for far too long.

 

[moghul]

Sanga, Watson , Dhoni , Kallis , Jayawardne, Ponting and others had planned their retirement better and more Degnified than our our oldies with gifted "longevity " .

 

[TahirFan]

Omar Henry who became the first black and first muslim cricketer to play for the Proteas made his international debut for South Africa at the age 41 . Even at that age he fielded like Jonty Rhodes.

Castle Lager , the sponsors of the Proteas did not take it well when Omar publicly remarked that his longevity can be attributed to the fact that he never consumed alcohol in life

 

[Zak_Fan]

Boring players tend to last longer.

 

[Hawkeye]

A claasical example of subjective opinion.

Don't think guys like Dhoni are any worse than YK or Misbah or Hafeez.

 

[Bilal7]

Misbah and Younis are extremely fit while Tahir and Ajmal were spinners who did not play international cricket in their 20s. Don't think the average Pakistani players lasts any longer than the average Australian, South African or Indian player. English players do not last as long as others however. Not sure why.

Boring players tend to last longer.

No wonder Sachin lasted so long.

 

[Hawkeye]

Boring players tend to last longer.

Hmm:

No wonder Sachin lasted so long.

That's a fair reply.

Although Sachin was good in Tests, but a pain to watch in LOIs. Compared with Kohli - - you can watch Kohli bat all day.

Such LOI perfection.

 

[shaz619]

Hmm:



That's a fair reply.

Although Sachin was good in Tests, but a pain to watch in LOIs. Compared with Kohli - - you can watch Kohli bat all day.

Such LOI perfection.

Nothing is more beautiful then watching Virat on a batting paradise haaai mai marjahhh uufff daaaaaayum

 

[shaz619]

@ The OP

They are immortal.

 

[JaDed]

Good points, and in relation to your point about Tahir, I get that he started playing international cricket late but does the body not have s point at which co-ordination, reflexes, strength and so on start to weaken, regardless of whether you start your career early or late?

Imo playing INTL takes a toll on the body because of pressure,long matches ,variety of pitches in different countries and what not which in no way can be compared to that of domestics.

Traveling and being away from families also causes jadedness.Reflexes wise keepers from most countries would actually be better than Pakistanis even at older ages.

 

[Madplayer]

@ The OP

They are immortal.

When was afridi on top of his game ever, let alone in his late 30s?

On topic I think the reason is that other teams have ready replacements for their seniors and hence their seniors dont play as many matches as Pakistani seniors. When you play so many matches you are bound to score well in few ones.

I am not sure about this but if u take out the list of scores of younis, misbah, afridi etc over a period of time you will see one good score followed by many bad ones. Seniors in other teams alos face the same, except that their standards are higher and replacements are ready. Hence their poor performances are highlighted more and not taken lightly and eventually they are dropped much earlier as compared to Pakistani players.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

No wonder Sachin lasted so long.

Tendulkar played well until he was 36/37. However the last 2-3 years of his test career he was pretty average.

 

[Speedster777]

Not at all. They're just shameless and lack the integrity to retire when their time is up.

 

[moghul]

Misbah and Younis are extremely fit while Tahir and Ajmal were spinners who did not play international cricket in their 20s. Don't think the average Pakistani players lasts any longer than the average Australian, South African or Indian player. English players do not last as long as others however. Not sure why.



No wonder Sachin lasted so long.

Don;t care what is your definition of "extremely fit" but I know yes they have blacked hair and don;t have big belly but just look the way they are playing for last two year or so, their reflexes can;t hide their age. Even yesterday both were batting at SR of 20 and got out in single digits while facing some young west indian bowlers.

 

[Bilal7]

Don;t care what is your definition of "extremely fit" but I know yes they have blacked hair and don;t have big belly but just look the way they are playing for last two year or so, their reflexes can;t hide their age. Even yesterday both were batting at SR of 20 and got out in single digits while facing some young west indian bowlers.

They can run circles around you and Younis Khan averaged 50+ in both England and Australia. Your post contains absolutely zero truths in it.

Tendulkar played well until he was 36/37. However the last 2-3 years of his test career he was pretty average.

That was a fitting reply to a troll post. Sachin was a good batsman to watch.