Haris Sohail vs Fawad Alam - Who is more deserving of a middle-order spot in Tests?

[Abdullah719]

Both are left-handers who can bowl a bit of part-time spin.

Haris is 28, Fawad is 31.

Haris averages 52 in FC cricket after 57 matches with 11 hundreds. Fawad averages 56 in FC cricket after 135 matches with 25 hundreds.

But here's the biggest difference. Since Haris last played FC cricket (in the 2013/14 season), Fawad has scored 2070 runs in FC cricket.

 

[mak36]

Both are left-handers who can bowl a bit of part-time spin.

Haris is 28, Fawad is 31.

Haris averages 52 in FC cricket after 57 matches with 11 hundreds. Fawad averages 56 in FC cricket after 135 matches with 25 hundreds.

But here's the biggest difference. Since Haris last played FC cricket (in the 2013/14 season), Fawad has scored 2070 runs in FC cricket.

Two things:

1. Fawad scored one century in the most recent QEA. That's very poor. The average you have quoted is inflated by his form from 2-3 years ago.

2. Haris has been playing grade 2 cricket this year and has been doing very well so far, so I don't think it is accurate to say Haris last played FC in 2013/2014.

 

[Abdullah719]

Two things:

1. Fawad scored one century in the most recent QEA. That's very poor. The average you have quoted is inflated by his form from 2-3 years ago.

2. Haris has been playing grade 2 cricket this year and has been doing very well so far, so I don't think it is accurate to say Haris last played FC in 2013/2014.

Fawad hasn't scored many hundreds in recent times, he has four hundreds in the last three years (where he's scored 2070 runs). But he generally contributes runs regardless, which is why he has a high average.

Grade II cricket is a level below first-class cricket, technically speaking. Runs scored in Grade II don't add to a player's FC stats.

 

[MenInG]

Pure experience says Fawad Alam.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

We should have both

 

[Hasan123]

Fawad deserves it more for the hard yards he's put in over the years. But I think on potential to score away from Asia I'll back Harris.

 

[mak36]

Fawad hasn't scored many hundreds in recent times, he has four hundreds in the last three years (where he's scored 2070 runs). But he generally contributes runs regardless, which is why he has a high average.

Grade II cricket is a level below first-class cricket, technically speaking. Runs scored in Grade II don't add to a player's FC stats.

What's a technicality between friends?

My reason for writing about Grade II is that I have seen so many posters/tweets perpetuating the myth Haris hasn't played any red ball cricket in three years. I wanted to balance out the picture, as otherwise people will just continue with this lie. I should add I know it's not what youwrote- as ever your post was written with great accuracy.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Both should have been selected.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Haris is not more deserving.But picking him was a good call.

 

[mak36]

Option 3 comes across as a contradiction in terms. If Fawad is more deserving, then how can selecting Haris be the right decision?
Perhaps you could clear up what you are referring to when you mean "more deserving".

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

These days media is crying a lot on why Fawad ia not selected and Haris is selected but not saying a word on continuous selection of Asad who averages less than 40 in test cricket..

If stats are the only criteria then Fawad should have been selected over Misbah , Younis, Azhar and Asad long time ago but never heard them crying then naming these players. Haris is an easy scapegoat because he is from a small city and doesn't have media backing.. Panga with Younis, Misbah and others was not changa isi liye shareef aadmi ko raghar rahy hain.

Also Haris was in the team when he became injured and now he is fit so back in the side after proving fitness and i don't find whats wrong in that...

Back to topic Haris Sohail but Fawad could have been selected over Asad as we need a good player against spin in Asia who can score daddy hundreds...

 

[Abdullah719]

Option 3 comes across as a contradiction in terms. If Fawad is more deserving, then how can selecting Haris be the right decision?
Perhaps you could clear up what you are referring to when you mean "more deserving".

As in, picking Haris is the right decision because has a better chance of being successful in Test cricket due to his more conventional method of batting which is a very popular viewpoint.

 

[MMHS]

Now, it's fine - Haris deserves more. May be in 2010-15 period Fawad missed out; but if every such case is to be balanced out, then PAK team's average age will reach 35.

There are many top quality players in AUS who missed out between 1990 to 2010, because of that wonderful generation - Fawad is also like that, but not for the same reason. I think, now his ship has sailed past - if not Haris then the best ones from the next batch should get the chance.

Though, murmurs around Salman Butt puts this theory in basket though.

 

[mak36]

As in, picking Haris is the right decision because has a better chance of being successful in Test cricket due to his more conventional method of batting which is a very popular viewpoint.

But if, by your own admission, people think Haris has a better chance of being successful in Test cricket then how can they also believe Fawad deserve it more?

The perceived wrongs Fawad has suffered previously doesn't come into it.

 

[Abdullah719]

But if, by your own admission, people think Haris has a better chance of being successful in Test cricket then how can they also believe Fawad deserve it more?

The perceived wrongs Fawad has suffered previously doesn't come into it.

Fawad can deserve selection more than Haris, based on his consistent domestic performances while you can also hold the view at the same time that Haris is still the better option for Test cricket. It depends on how much you value performances at the domestic level I guess. Small margins.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Harris because he's a very good bowler who can actually turn the ball.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Fawad should replace Asad if he continues with his one good inning per series trend in the next 2 series.

 

[khurram39]

Fawad shows his performance in domestic while we even didn't test Haris Sohail in ODI's, His stamina, fitness everything is on stake.

Fawad Must be given preference at least in test matches. He is a fighter.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Fawad is almost 32. Perhaps he deserved it once upon a time but PAK cricket is better off investing in someone younger who can play for at least 10 years.

 

[New Yorker]

Fawad is almost 32. Perhaps he deserved it once upon a time but PAK cricket is better off investing in someone younger who can play for at least 10 years.

We "invested" 7 years in Shafiq and the verdict on him is still out. Was he a success or a failure? He will likely play 8 or 9 years and will then finally be shelved in favour of some other dubious 40-something FC averaging youngsta beauty with proper technique. It wont matter if his FC record is mediocre, he will at first be labelled "promising," and a "talent," and "one for the future." After a few years, once doubt has emerged about his selection, it will be said that he should get his "fair chance," and there should be "consistency in selection." At around the five year mark there will be people clamoring for his removal but it will by now be said that he has been "invested in," also, that he has "experience." Because we need senior mediocrity to guide the next generation of junior mediocrity.

The only criterion for selection should be performance. Has the player in question performed consistently in FC cricket? Has he performed in international cricket? In the case of Fawad, what makes it so extraordinarily strange that he is not next in line for selection, is that the answer is yes on both counts. He is not a domestic bully because he has performed internationally. In the case of Haris, it is yes only on the first count. In the case of Asad, the answer to both, by now, is no. Haris is no more qualified on the basis of recent performance than Fawad. There is nothing wrong with having both in the middle order. Asad remains the problematic selection.

 

[asfandyar]

Both should have been selected. The trio of Fawad, Haris and Usman will form a formidable middle order in tests. Umar Akmal may also be included if he sorts out his extra-curricular activities. Babar Azam needs to go back to FC and have a monumental season before being selected again (in Tests).

 

[asfandyar]

Both should have been selected. The trio of Fawad, Haris and Usman will form a formidable middle order in tests. Umar Akmal may also be included if he sorts out his extra-curricular activities. Babar Azam needs to go back to FC and have a monumental season before being selected again (in Tests).

Also Asad Shafiq should be given an ultimatum to reach a 40+ career average in the next series or risk losing his spot.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

We "invested" 7 years in Shafiq and the verdict on him is still out. Was he a success or a failure? He will likely play 8 or 9 years and will then finally be shelved in favour of some other dubious 40-something FC averaging youngsta beauty with proper technique. It wont matter if his FC record is mediocre, he will at first be labelled "promising," and a "talent," and "one for the future." After a few years, once doubt has emerged about his selection, it will be said that he should get his "fair chance," and there should be "consistency in selection." At around the five year mark there will be people clamoring for his removal but it will by now be said that he has been "invested in," also, that he has "experience." Because we need senior mediocrity to guide the next generation of junior mediocrity.

The only criterion for selection should be performance. Has the player in question performed consistently in FC cricket? Has he performed in international cricket? In the case of Fawad, what makes it so extraordinarily strange that he is not next in line for selection, is that the answer is yes on both counts. He is not a domestic bully because he has performed internationally. In the case of Haris, it is yes only on the first count. In the case of Asad, the answer to both, by now, is no. Haris is no more qualified on the basis of recent performance than Fawad. There is nothing wrong with having both in the middle order. Asad remains the problematic selection.

Asad still has a Test average of 40 with 10 tons. Thats not too shabby. There have been weaker links in the side most notably probably various openers who have been played. Same could be said of Babar if he still has a sub 35 average 2 years from now (after 25 Tests).

 

[New Yorker]

Asad still has a Test average of 40 with 10 tons. Thats not too shabby. There have been weaker links in the side most notably probably various openers who have been played. Same could be said of Babar if he still has a sub 35 average 2 years from now (after 25 Tests).

Yeah there have been weaker links, so why add another one? Fawad Alam also averages 40 in international cricket, but 56 in FC cricket. Not too shabby is not a standard.

 

[Cric1234]

For some reason players with FC averages in the 30s get picked but someone with an average of 56 doesn't get a fair chance there is definitely injustice there regardless if a players technique is not conventional.

 

[coy0607]

Fawad has done significantly better over a much longer period of time
Fawad is also the fitter of the two

I'll take Fawad over Haris in any test series

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Yeah there have been weaker links, so why add another one? Fawad Alam also averages 40 in international cricket, but 56 in FC cricket. Not too shabby is not a standard.

Is Fawad the guy with the butt ugly technique? I'm always partial to classical techniques...and Asad's is far more so.

 

[New Yorker]

Is Fawad the guy with the butt ugly technique? I'm always partial to classical techniques...and Asad's is far more so.

To each his own. I'm always partial to runs and more runs. In which case Asad is less so.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

At the end of this series or the next series against WI, we can see whose head is going to roll back to FC. Or maybe nobody.

 

[IMMY69]

Why do players will 30 odd averages get selected?
See the thread about the young crickers who poured petrol over himself.

 

[Abdullah719]

Fawad has done significantly better over a much longer period of time
Fawad is also the fitter of the two

I'll take Fawad over Haris in any test series

Haris is a better batsman though.

 

[asfandyar]

More Deserving - Fawad (by a huge margin).

Better - Haris (by a huge margin)

Asad/Babar - Neither better nor deserving

 

[shah_1]

Fawad and Usman should replace Asad and Babar

 

[Saj]

If it was a choice between the 2 at the moment then Haris is ahead of Fawad in all formats.

I believe having watched him in club cricket recently, Fawad is past his best now and Haris has some good years ahead of him.

 

[Slog]

Haris is the chosen one. No way can we discard him without giving it a fair shot

 

[Cosmic]

Fawad is best,

Haris is lazy and not a hard worker