Frequent stumping dismissals - Why Pakistan batters not improving with time like their predecessors?

[tiger_khan]

In the second innings of the first test against SA both Imam & Rizwan were stumped out by a SA spinner

Rizwan came out of the crease at exactly the right time when the bowler released the ball. It was a good delivery. Bad luck for Rizwan. His technique of coming down the wicket was right. One can question the direction he wanted to play the ball but with an off-spinner bowling any professional batter could have made that choice.

Same can't be said about Imam's dismissal. The bowler, arguably had his hand a little below his waist when Imam already made the decision to come down the wicket & literally did it. That gave the bowler an ample time to adjust his length and the rest is history.

The above is school-boy cricket mistake being made at the Test level by a Pak batsmen. Unfair to target only Imam. It's a recurring theme. Pak batsmen of this generation fail to improve their game. At their age their predecessors were proper professional batsmen.

Not only Pakistanis but many foreigners also improves over the years. For example Richardson of WI was a great batter of fast bowling but was horrible with the spinners. He later became one of the best sweepers and batter of spin bowling.

Babar has always been struggling with the spinners. He is yet to develop a sweep shot. The sweep shot requires a lot of fitness. Going down low and reaching to ball, to throw off the spinners from their length plans requires a lot of bodily flexibility and fitness. Younis Khan, Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmad and all the past legends of Pak, worked hard on that shot.


Why are our batters not evolving? Is it a fitness issue? Lack of intent? What is it?


PS: Imam played so well in the 1st innings. I think that poor judgement in the second innings could be just because of fitness issues. He might be tired.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Imams shot in 2nd inns was a retarded as they come. Why effectively come down the pitch if the intention was merely to push the ball into the gap for a single. Espcially 1st ball of inns when uve not even given yourself time to assess the conditions.

Rizwan came down the wicket and didn't read the line of the ball, another brain fade. He was never going to get close to the ball with such a starting position.

Best players of spin is all about footwork coming down the pitch or using angles in crease. Same goes for sweep, its about creating angles.

Most of our batsmen don't work hard enough at work on opening both sides of pitch using angles, they are over reliant on just scoring runs in same areas. That lack of flexibility in end makes them look foolish when runs dry up in those areas

 

[tiger_khan]

Imams shot in 2nd inns was a retarded as they come. Why effectively come down the pitch if the intention was merely to push the ball into the gap for a single. Espcially 1st ball of inns when uve not even given yourself time to assess the conditions.

Rizwan came down the wicket and didn't read the line of the ball, another brain fade. He was never going to get close to the ball with such a starting position.

Best players of spin is all about footwork coming down the pitch or using angles in crease. Same goes for sweep, its about creating angles.

Most of our batsmen don't work hard enough at work on opening both sides of pitch using angles, they are over reliant on just scoring runs in same areas. That lack of flexibility in end makes them look foolish when runs dry up in those areas

in a couple of years, it will be two decades since the 2007 T20 WC.

Other international teams' batters have been scooping, reverse sweeping sixes since at least 2009 T20WC

it's 2025 now. None of our T20 batters have made these T20 shots their release shots. Ironically, YK and Misbah used to play reverse sweep regularly but in Tests.

None of these new players are willing to practice and become experts in these shots.

My advice to PAk team...Yes, Misbah made a mistake in 2007 final. Get over it. Start putting these shots in your arsenal.

 

[Amjid Javed]

in a couple of years, it will be two decades since the 2007 T20 WC.

Other international teams' batters have been scooping, reverse sweeping sixes since at least 2009 T20WC

it's 2025 now. None of our T20 batters have made these T20 shots their release shots. Ironically, YK and Misbah used to play reverse sweep regularly but in Tests.

None of these new players are willing to practice and become experts in these shots.

My advice to PAk team...Yes, Misbah made a mistake in 2007 final. Get over it. Start putting these shots in your arsenal.

If our players want to learn how to play spin they should watch videos of Younis Khan, Saaed Anwar or javed Miandad. All 3 were masterful in playing spin and using their feet and angles effectively.

Your right on our batsmen not working enough on manufacturing different shots, the appetite for working hard to improve in that way isn't their