How England have treated their opener vs Pakistan's treatment of Sami Aslam

[Major]

When i used to follow the u19 cricket, Babar Azam and Sami Aslam were the two names I would see often that were performing in almost every match.

Babar Azam is now making his career as an international cricket while Sami has been ignored after a few bad games.

Sami played 19 matches and avg 31. Not the best, but knowing his talent he would had improved.

Now compare that with Rory Burns and Dom Sibley. THese two have been regulars in the England side, and they barely show up a good performance. Both Batsmen have played 20+ matches and while Burns avg 33, Sibley avgs 30.

Yet England persists with them.

I believe Pakistan discarded Sami Aslam to early, and I also believe Sami Aslam over reacted abit aswell and should had talked with Babar or Misbah before taking the USA route.
Yes, he will have a good life in USA, but cricketing wise he wont really have a career in cricket there

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

There are alot of politics involved in subcontinent teams, i wish Sami Aslam all the best.

 

[Rana]

Don’t let the OP fool you

England are actively looking for new openers in Test. Especially a replacement for Dom Sibley

 

[Kaddy]

Sami played 19 matches and avg 31. Not the best, but knowing his talent he would had improved.

Actually he played only 13 test matches.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

I don't blame Sami. He did what was best for him like most of us do.

 

[Major]

Actually he played only 13 test matches.

sorry, yes you are right, he played 13 test games.

While, England keeps giving their openers more chances

 

[Major]

Don’t let the OP fool you

England are actively looking for new openers in Test. Especially a replacement for Dom Sibley

it seems you dont bother to understand the point.

England looking for a replacement is justified, however they gave double the chacnes at a consisstent rate to their openers. There openers played double the matches compared to Sami who was in and out

 

[Rana]

it seems you dont bother to understand the point.

England looking for a replacement is justified, however they gave double the chacnes at a consisstent rate to their openers. There openers played double the matches compared to Sami who was in and out

I understood the point, yet I don’t think you picked the right examples. Haseeb Hameed will be replacing one of these openers very soon and the other one will be on borrowed time until another option emerges. It isn’t a case of England backing them knowing that they will both end up as 40+ average openers by the end of their careers

 

[Titan24]

Biggest issue was Sami Aslam’s test career wasn’t just the average rather than conversion rate which is extremely important when it comes to test cricket especially openers.

Sami Aslam was a skillful player but unfortunately couldn’t score a 100 in 13 tests he played which was the biggest issue in my opinion. If you compare it to Burns he has 3 in 25 tests with 9 50s while Sibley has 2 in 20 tests with 5 50s. Sami actually had 7 50s in just 13 tests but, lack of conversion along with a few low scores made him lose him spot.

Sibley had his first 100 in his 4th test while Burns had his first in 7-8th test. If they wouldn’t have scored 100s and followed it with a string of low scores they would have been out of the team sometime ago I think.

Yes if Sami Aslam was ranked as one of the best Pak batsman then he possibly could have been persisted with however I think he didnt grow as a batsman as it was first expected at U19 level. His FC average is similar to almost every other decent opener around in Pak domestic cricket without much distinguishing him. However, over the years he struggled to increase his areas and shots as his test SR of 39, ODIs SR of 66 (Yes in just 4 matches) depict along with his career T20 domestic SR of 114.

His range of stroke and authority started to decrease with each increasing level since his junior days. Yes in ODIs he possibly could have been given more opportunities but, we have quite a few players with inflated averages in List A cricket which are yet to be given a decent run.

Its a shame how he couldn’t become a player he was expected to but, you have to take ever opportunity that comes your way to create an impact. Impact doesn’t necessarily mean only big runs rather that you are good enough to belong at the top level in the way you handle top bowlers. Other than a knock or two in tests in Eng (Those were good knocks) he struggled to do that convincingly in any opportunity he got. Having issues with team management even at domestic level be it SP’s coach Abdur Rehman or Balochistan’s coach Faisal Iqbal/management doesn’t paint a very good picture as well.

 

[Titan24]

Considering the lack of options we have he possibly still would have been near the test squad even now and would have been a decent option if he wouldn’t have opted to leave Pak cricket. Missed the whole last QAE season and went away.

In the new domestic structure with 6 teams you are going to be prominent if you score for a good or two season, he missed the opportunity to potentially have another shot at test cricket in next year or two.

 

[princeuk]

Cricket in Asia is a very complex area, All the 4 asian teams would be occupying the top 4 positions if it werent for politics within their respective region/selection/boards. We are our own worst enemy at times and thats a facty.

 

[Jazx]

Biggest issue was Sami Aslam’s test career wasn’t just the average rather than conversion rate which is extremely important when it comes to test cricket especially openers.

Sami Aslam was a skillful player but unfortunately couldn’t score a 100 in 13 tests he played which was the biggest issue in my opinion. If you compare it to Burns he has 3 in 25 tests with 9 50s while Sibley has 2 in 20 tests with 5 50s. Sami actually had 7 50s in just 13 tests but, lack of conversion along with a few low scores made him lose him spot.

Sibley had his first 100 in his 4th test while Burns had his first in 7-8th test. If they wouldn’t have scored 100s and followed it with a string of low scores they would have been out of the team sometime ago I think.

Yes if Sami Aslam was ranked as one of the best Pak batsman then he possibly could have been persisted with however I think he didnt grow as a batsman as it was first expected at U19 level. His FC average is similar to almost every other decent opener around in Pak domestic cricket without much distinguishing him. However, over the years he struggled to increase his areas and shots as his test SR of 39, ODIs SR of 66 (Yes in just 4 matches) depict along with his career T20 domestic SR of 114.

His range of stroke and authority started to decrease with each increasing level since his junior days. Yes in ODIs he possibly could have been given more opportunities but, we have quite a few players with inflated averages in List A cricket which are yet to be given a decent run.

Its a shame how he couldn’t become a player he was expected to but, you have to take ever opportunity that comes your way to create an impact. Impact doesn’t necessarily mean only big runs rather that you are good enough to belong at the top level in the way you handle top bowlers. Other than a knock or two in tests in Eng (Those were good knocks) he struggled to do that convincingly in any opportunity he got. Having issues with team management even at domestic level be it SP’s coach Abdur Rehman or Balochistan’s coach Faisal Iqbal/management doesn’t paint a very good picture as well.

Sami Aslam had a very good technique, but i had a feeling that he was extra cautious during his 13 tests he played. He looks to completly go into his shell and was too cautious to keep his wicket intact rather than focus on making runs. In that way a batsman can never make a big score even in a test match. I remember a test in england where pakistan was chasing a low total and 15-20 runs were more needed with 9 wickets in hands. Sami was on the pitch and he was batting as if its a perth wicket and dennis lilly is in front of him. It does not matter if you are playing your first series or a match, you are representing an international side and if you are selected then their must be some sort of confidence in you.

 

[Shafi]

Sami is a impact less timid player. All he does tuk tuk for half of the day and score 25-30 with no improvement of scoring rate later in the innings.We already have Azhar for blunt the new ball. We don’t need 2 players play hold day and score faster 175-200 by the end of the day.

 

[Usman]

When i used to follow the u19 cricket, Babar Azam and Sami Aslam were the two names I would see often that were performing in almost every match.

Babar Azam is now making his career as an international cricket while Sami has been ignored after a few bad games.

Sami played 19 matches and avg 31. Not the best, but knowing his talent he would had improved.

Now compare that with Rory Burns and Dom Sibley. THese two have been regulars in the England side, and they barely show up a good performance. Both Batsmen have played 20+ matches and while Burns avg 33, Sibley avgs 30.

Yet England persists with them.

I believe Pakistan discarded Sami Aslam to early, and I also believe Sami Aslam over reacted abit aswell and should had talked with Babar or Misbah before taking the USA route.
Yes, he will have a good life in USA, but cricketing wise he wont really have a career in cricket there

This is some strange logic. England have two openers who are giving some poor returns, which means that Pakistan should also accept openers who give poor returns. It makes no sense. In fact, England are so dissatisfied with these openers that Sibley is likely to be dropped very shortly and unless Burns becomes more consistent, he too will eventually face the sack.

If anything, England's example shows that if you keep backing the wrong horse - i.e. you keep selecting a mediocre player, your investment won't magically pay off. The chances are it won't and so, on that logic, Pakistan did a much wiser thing than England by dropping a failing Sami sooner.

I agree that Sami had a possible future in Pakistani cricket, but only a possible one - i.e. he would have needed to improve dramatically to retain his place in the side after any comeback. He simply didn't do enough first time round to justify continued selection.

It is of course a different matter that this is the story of Pakistani cricket, where no opener ever does enough to justify their selection!

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Sami Aslam had a very good technique, but i had a feeling that he was extra cautious during his 13 tests he played. He looks to completly go into his shell and was too cautious to keep his wicket intact rather than focus on making runs. In that way a batsman can never make a big score even in a test match. I remember a test in england where pakistan was chasing a low total and 15-20 runs were more needed with 9 wickets in hands. Sami was on the pitch and he was batting as if its a perth wicket and dennis lilly is in front of him. It does not matter if you are playing your first series or a match, you are representing an international side and if you are selected then their must be some sort of confidence in you.

I think that is a fair assessment. Sami's technique against the new ball was very good, much like Taufeeq Umar one of his opening partners, but once the shine has worn off, you do need to do more than just leave every ball outside off stump. He might have got considered again for test match cricket if he'd shown enough form, but ultimately he decided playing minor leagues in the USA was a better option. Good luck to him. We may soon see Mohammed Amir making a similar choice in moving to England.

 

[hitthestump]

England players actually improve with time though. There was a period where Broad and Anderson were persisted with too.

When you have a strong coaching set up and good mental strength then you can justify persistence.

Pakistan aren't on the same planet as England when it comes to that.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Sami Aslam had a very good technique, but i had a feeling that he was extra cautious during his 13 tests he played. He looks to completly go into his shell and was too cautious to keep his wicket intact rather than focus on making runs. In that way a batsman can never make a big score even in a test match. I remember a test in england where pakistan was chasing a low total and 15-20 runs were more needed with 9 wickets in hands. Sami was on the pitch and he was batting as if its a perth wicket and dennis lilly is in front of him. It does not matter if you are playing your first series or a match, you are representing an international side and if you are selected then their must be some sort of confidence in you.

Maybe he was over cautious because he knew team management doesn’t believe in him. He wasn’t sure of his place in the team. I don’t blame him. He was not a white ball player. In test cricket, he saw Shan Massod in the dressing room. We know Shan has elite connections. Sami had no options but to take USA offer. He had no future in Pakistan. Atleast he will play T20s and earn some ��

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Maybe he was over cautious because he knew team management doesn’t believe in him. He wasn’t sure of his place in the team. I don’t blame him. He was not a white ball player. In test cricket, he saw Shan Massod in the dressing room. We know Shan has elite connections. Sami had no options but to take USA offer. He had no future in Pakistan. Atleast he will play T20s and earn some ��

Shan Masood might have connections but ultimately his performances - or lack of them - would decide his future in the Pakistan side. This is similar for Azam Khan. Sami should have had enough confidence in his own ability to bide his time if he really wanted to play for Pakistan.

 

[topspin]

This thread demonstrates that Misbah's fans have a lower threshold for "talent".

Nothing else to take from this.

 

[offstump]

With all due respect, who cares about Sami Aslam now? He’s done and dusted and is never coming back. Let’s see how Pak management treats someone like Imran Butt and to some extent Abid Ali who has been given ample opportunities and is into borrowed time territory now.

 

[ManFan]

Dropping Sami Aslam was a HUGE mistake.

He played slow and couldn’t convert. But when you have a 22 year old who averages 32 while playing majority of his Tests in SENA, he should have been given more than 13 Tests to prove himself.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I have no sympathy for someone who turned his back on Pakistan cricket because he couldn't handle being snubbed once. Guys like Fawad who are 50 times more talented than Sami can spend their entire lives fighting just to play for Pakistan, while this entitled and frankly, limited batsman who has done poorly for Pakistan thinks he is Tendulkar.

I think people should be free to do anything they want. And if he wanted to go to the US and make money than that's great, but he should be honest about it. Instead of playing this injustice card and painting himself as a victim.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Sami Aslam is being given too much attention since he left Pakistan. Some of us here remember his timid performances, with even worse shots range than Ahmed Shehzad. Good riddance. Shan Masood is better than Aslam, and deserved his spot in the team over that mental midget.

 

[Jazx]

I think that is a fair assessment. Sami's technique against the new ball was very good, much like Taufeeq Umar one of his opening partners, but once the shine has worn off, you do need to do more than just leave every ball outside off stump. He might have got considered again for test match cricket if he'd shown enough form, but ultimately he decided playing minor leagues in the USA was a better option. Good luck to him. We may soon see Mohammed Amir making a similar choice in moving to England.

Very true, there should be some gears to change in batting once you are set on the crease. Playing the sameway throughout won't help any team. No matter if you played 150 deliveries if enough runs are not made the team will be in same position when he started the innings.

 

[ElRaja]

some england openers since 2015 excluding cook

J Roy - 4 tests
Ducket - 2 tests
Hameed - 3 tests
Denly - 3 tests
Lyth - 7
Carberry - 5
Robson - 7
Compton - 10
Stoneman - 11
Hales - 11
Jennings - 17

how many of these players do u hear crying about unfair treatment? england persist with burns and sibley because theyve pretty much tried everyone else.

sami aslam was nothing special. if anything OP highlights what a predicament england are in that they have two very non-exceptional openers and have no one to replace them.

 

[mastimasti]

Don’t let the OP fool you

England are actively looking for new openers in Test. Especially a replacement for Dom Sibley

They are and they should...however the ECB overhauled a lot of their selection policies in the years of Fletcher/Hussain/Vaughan and now are willing to persist with players for extended periods, as has been the case with the top order which has continuously under performed.

Sami Aslam had a very good start to his career but the PCB lacks professionalism and discarded him completely.

 

[Major]

Sami Aslam is being given too much attention since he left Pakistan. Some of us here remember his timid performances, with even worse shots range than Ahmed Shehzad. Good riddance. Shan Masood is better than Aslam, and deserved his spot in the team over that mental midget.

Sami aslam actually was decent at the england tour.

His departure was premature as i believe he could had worked and persissted. After abid ali fails he would had gotten a call back.

Shan masood has failed. He has done nothing in test, even in england, he had drop catches that let him score those runs.

I give attention to sami aslam because he was a product of pakistan in which we invested on alot. Babar azam and him were dominating the u19s.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I have no sympathy for someone who turned his back on Pakistan cricket because he couldn't handle being snubbed once. Guys like Fawad who are 50 times more talented than Sami can spend their entire lives fighting just to play for Pakistan, while this entitled and frankly, limited batsman who has done poorly for Pakistan thinks he is Tendulkar.

I think people should be free to do anything they want. And if he wanted to go to the US and make money than that's great, but he should be honest about it. Instead of playing this injustice card and painting himself as a victim.

Straight up fire bro

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I think Sami Aslam has let himself down, he's only 25 and was so close to being re-selected with the kind of tournament he had in 2019.

I remember in one of the games his team had to chase a score of 80 something in 12 overs and he decided to draw which got him a lot of scrutiny and correct me if i'm wrong he withdrew mid way in the tournament.

He really didn't think it through, had he used his smarts he would've been playing in December for Pak.

Any of the players that have left to America, haven't really been anything special sure Sami was a loss but who needs a player that doesn't use his brain.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Sami aslam actually was decent at the england tour.

His departure was premature as i believe he could had worked and persissted. After abid ali fails he would had gotten a call back.

Shan masood has failed. He has done nothing in test, even in england, he had drop catches that let him score those runs.

I give attention to sami aslam because he was a product of pakistan in which we invested on alot. Babar azam and him were dominating the u19s.

Yep, but he's got nobody to blame but himself. He's only 25, he could've easily been selected in the upcoming tour for Bangladesh. This show impatience on his part, he could've said to himself "nah those openers ain't gonna last long, let me hold out a little while longer and i'll get picked".

It just goes to show as well as talent you must have a brain as well as patience something very little of our cricketers possess.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Sami aslam actually was decent at the england tour.

His departure was premature as i believe he could had worked and persissted. After abid ali fails he would had gotten a call back.

Shan masood has failed. He has done nothing in test, even in england, he had drop catches that let him score those runs.

I give attention to sami aslam because he was a product of pakistan in which we invested on alot. Babar azam and him were dominating the u19s.

Besides that England tour and one innings in New Zealand, he has nothing much to show for his career. He was exposed brutally by Australia, failed against West Indies at home and then couldn’t do much against Sri Lanka at home either.

The worst part about his batting was his lack of intent. Just a blockathon, with absolutely no intention to score runs. Rubbish mentality and good riddance.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Besides that England tour and one innings in New Zealand, he has nothing much to show for his career. He was exposed brutally by Australia, failed against West Indies at home and then couldn’t do much against Sri Lanka at home either.

The worst part about his batting was his lack of intent. Just a blockathon, with absolutely no intention to score runs. Rubbish mentality and good riddance.

Very true but a player can improve and to be honest there aren't many test openers we possess and he's about the best we have right now (which is kinda sad).

However, he's shown a "rush rush" attitude in leaving when he's only 25.

 

[Sir-fraz]

Biggest issue was Sami Aslam’s test career wasn’t just the average rather than conversion rate which is extremely important when it comes to test cricket especially openers.

Sami Aslam was a skillful player but unfortunately couldn’t score a 100 in 13 tests he played which was the biggest issue in my opinion. If you compare it to Burns he has 3 in 25 tests with 9 50s while Sibley has 2 in 20 tests with 5 50s. Sami actually had 7 50s in just 13 tests but, lack of conversion along with a few low scores made him lose him spot.

Sibley had his first 100 in his 4th test while Burns had his first in 7-8th test. If they wouldn’t have scored 100s and followed it with a string of low scores they would have been out of the team sometime ago I think.

Yes if Sami Aslam was ranked as one of the best Pak batsman then he possibly could have been persisted with however I think he didnt grow as a batsman as it was first expected at U19 level. His FC average is similar to almost every other decent opener around in Pak domestic cricket without much distinguishing him. However, over the years he struggled to increase his areas and shots as his test SR of 39, ODIs SR of 66 (Yes in just 4 matches) depict along with his career T20 domestic SR of 114.

His range of stroke and authority started to decrease with each increasing level since his junior days. Yes in ODIs he possibly could have been given more opportunities but, we have quite a few players with inflated averages in List A cricket which are yet to be given a decent run.

Its a shame how he couldn’t become a player he was expected to but, you have to take ever opportunity that comes your way to create an impact. Impact doesn’t necessarily mean only big runs rather that you are good enough to belong at the top level in the way you handle top bowlers. Other than a knock or two in tests in Eng (Those were good knocks) he struggled to do that convincingly in any opportunity he got. Having issues with team management even at domestic level be it SP’s coach Abdur Rehman or Balochistan’s coach Faisal Iqbal/management doesn’t paint a very good picture as well.

Seems like he reached his level early. Happens.