How many more Abid Alis are toiling away in domestic cricket, waiting to be 'discovered'?

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Incredible start to his international career for Abid Ali at the age of 32 and after 12 years of hard toil in domestic cricket. No doubt there are other players in domestic cricket in the same situation, just waiting for a chance and opportunity <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1208425567894278144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[Usman Chadda]

For every Abid Ali, there is a Khurram Manzoor to balance things out. Abid has been unfairly treated in the past year or so, due to preference given to Imam. But credit to him for grabbing this chance with both hands. Looking forward to seeing him play in SENA.

 

[fasihulhaq94]

lets not get carried away. Has had a fantastic start but these are hardly challenging conditions.

Tougher tests lie ahead.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

These are easy batting wickets against a weak bowling lineup. Good on him for scoring but he hasn’t really proven anything yet. He needs to do well for an extended period of time against all opposition, and not fade away. Also should only play Tests despite the runs he scored against Australia B in the ODIs

 

[Artaxerxes]

There were too many teams in our domestic system which obfuscated the selection process.Secondly PCB didn't send its scouts to watch matches.I have no idea how PCB was selecting players for the national team.The new system should make it easier to identify talented players.

 

[Kroll]

Sadly, with the corrupt system in place, deserving players either never get the chance or when its far too late as is the case with Abid.

We also have the overlord Misbah in charge now who has a penchant to play his friends ahead of said deserving players.

 

[Shazzam]

We got our Laxmen. Our Chaunderpaul is sitting in the dressing room in Fawad Alam. Our Kohli is batting in this Test match. We need a Sachin I am sure we will find him in under 16s.

 

[Saj]

The scouting network isn't great.

Selectors over the years have not gone to enough matches. Even when they have I've heard they show up, have a chat, lunch and then leave.

This is an area that has to improve.

 

[Green Patriot]

Incredible fairy tale start for him and good on him.
But i still have this fear that he might fade away or fail in overseas tours and be dropped or lose confidence.

I just hope he maintains this performance and we can reserve our final judgement till then.But credit to him for making full use of the limited oppurtunities he has received despite toiling in the domestics for years.

 

[barah_admi]

lets not get carried away. Has had a fantastic start but these are hardly challenging conditions.

Tougher tests lie ahead.

I agree with this and Imam should not be attacked as a result of this. In reality both Imam and Abid should be part of the team and Azhar should be dropped, who looks shamefully bad right now.

 

[Kroll]

The scouting network isn't great.

Selectors over the years have not gone to enough matches. Even when they have I've heard they show up, have a chat, lunch and then leave.

This is an area that has to improve.

That's shocking, but not too surprising I guess. Added to this, personal grudges, favouritism, nepotism and downright incompetence; is it any wonder, quite a few of the players in the side at any given time aren't fit for purpose.

 

[LordJames]

Fawad Alam, anyone?

 

[jnaveen1980]

To score centuries you need temperament regardless of the opposition or quality. I don't think Srilankan attack is that bad. Pitch got flatter. Second of all they have only 3 specialist bowlers. Otherwise these bowlers are decent bowlers. Nothing inferior about these runs. Saw SA vs india and BD vs india. In an amusing way BD bowling looked more potent.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Fawad Alam, anyone?

He is the poster boy for that.

 

[Abdullah]

Guys calm down please. An unbelievable start, but we have had unbelievable starts before 2
Remember Yasir hameed anybody?

Nobody is expecting him to continue like this off course, and hopefully experience will help him, but bigger tests await.

 

[da_don]

fawad alam !!

 

[moghul]

That's the job of a paid selector, go and see the matches in person and unearth the talent and don't just select the players by looking at their scoreboard. Hope players like Usman Salahuddin and Imara Butt will not have to wait too long to replace Harris Sohail and Azhar Ali.

 

[Fahdi]

One thing people are forgetting about is A-team matches. For every Abid Ali there are 2-3 domestic champs who will prove to be duds in international cricket. What set Abid apart was performances in A-team games which were a clear indication that Abid is a cut above the rest.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Only one guy.

dynamic, versatile, has skillset aswell as numbers to back in both FC & List A.


Has impressed the most in 3,4 televised matches aswell.



His name is Saud Shakeel.





For other's there are some with decent domestic numbers but lack skillset while there are others who have the skillset but lack numbers.




For Saud I hope we don't make him another Abid Ali or Ayub Dogar. Already 3-4 years have been wasted.

 

[aloo paratha]

These are easy batting wickets against a weak bowling lineup. Good on him for scoring but he hasn’t really proven anything yet. He needs to do well for an extended period of time against all opposition, and not fade away. Also should only play Tests despite the runs he scored against Australia B in the ODIs

How is this a weak attack? This attack beat South Africa in their backyard, and kept the #2 team, New Zealand to a draw.

 

[Hasan123]

We need to see how he does outside of his comfort zone before making such threads like this. I prefer to judge players in adversity and out of their comfort zone.

Also 1 thing to keep in mind is he is 32 . He isn't a long term player . If his form ends up like Azhars he should be dropped because older players won't recover from that.

 

[Saj]

I recall hearing about a former selector who would turn up at GSL only to fight and argue with players and officials.

 

[Finisher]

Only one guy.

dynamic, versatile, has skillset aswell as numbers to back in both FC & List A.


Has impressed the most in 3,4 televised matches aswell.



His name is Saud Shakeel.





For other's there are some with decent domestic numbers but lack skillset while there are others who have the skillset but lack numbers.




For Saud I hope we don't make him another Abid Ali or Ayub Dogar. Already 3-4 years have been wasted.

Zulfiqar Babar was selected past his prime

Ali Imran Pasha was ready after the under 19 World Cup


From the active players Mohammed Ali Bhutta Fast bowler who played for Southern Punjab is being kept out from the 1st Team.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The scouting network isn't great.

Selectors over the years have not gone to enough matches. Even when they have I've heard they show up, have a chat, lunch and then leave.

This is an area that has to improve.

Usually probably spoken to a few friends while having a chat and picked undeserving players as usual. No proffesionalism at all.

 

[Slog]

I’ve always said more often than not domestic performance does matter and translates to international success.

For example Mohammad Abbas was performing for years but never given chance due to pace but when he was finally given late in his career he had done well. Same with Aizaz cheema who came in his 30s and had a few good years. Imagine if he had come in his mid 20s

 

[JibranAnsari]

I remember that dogar guy who got to play only one test match after toiling in domestics hard for years , he should have gotten more chances. Saud shakeel too needs some attention , may bein odis.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Usman Salahuddin

Played over 100 FC games.

Got a chance in tough English conditions at Headingley against Anderson and co!

Played over 100+ balls in his debut test, had a solid technique.

Dropped since. Will never play again probs.

 

[Greenstorm]

Usman Salahuddin

Played over 100 FC games.

Got a chance in tough English conditions at Headingley against Anderson and co!

Played over 100+ balls in his debut test, had a solid technique.

Dropped since. Will never play again probs.

Yes he should be in our squad against England next year. Has solid technique.

 

[shane]

Abid Ali's domestic record is quite ordinary. He does not really stand out. More important is the question of why batsmen who are extraordinary in domestic cricket continue to be ignored.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Zeeshan Malik.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

The scouting network isn't great.

Selectors over the years have not gone to enough matches. Even when they have I've heard they show up, have a chat, lunch and then leave.

This is an area that has to improve.

Pakistan's test selections last few years have been made on the basis of PSL. It helped selectors not to have to waste time toiling through domestics.

 

[Third_Umpire]

I'm glad we found Abid Ali and that he is scoring runs in UAE and Pakistan (against SL). I'm hopeful he will perform overseas against Eng, Aus, SA and NZ but won't be betting my house on it....

 

[Majid Khan]

While he’s been toiling away in domestic cricket we’ve had Hafeez opening the batting for Pakistan and scoring countless centuries and double centuries against the worlds top bowlers.. so it’s not easy to replace a player of that calibre, but Abid hasn’t done too badly so far.

 

[Abid Z]

There’s nobody like abid Ali. I can’t remember ever seeing a more complete batsman to debut for Pakistan especially as an opener. Has a perfectly formed technique and temperament yet is humble and non assuming.

You can mention, yasir hameed, Sami aslam Ahmed shehzad, Umar akmal Usman salahuddin all day long and they all had good performances in matches but abid really is the real deal.

I think Usman and aslam May come back to the international team but right now it’s hard to imagine a more solid batsman than abid.

 

[Saj]

Pakistan's test selections last few years have been made on the basis of PSL. It helped selectors not to have to waste time toiling through domestics.

Haha.

Indeed. PSL and Test cricket are very similar aren't they.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Maybe the reason Abid Ali has flourished is de to all the toiling away in domestic cricket? Not everyone has the privilege of Babar (he has the talent and temperament to his credit unlike Shehzad or Umar) who started early.

 

[Third_Umpire]

There’s nobody like abid Ali. I can’t remember ever seeing a more complete batsman to debut for Pakistan especially as an opener. Has a perfectly formed technique and temperament yet is humble and non assuming.

You can mention, yasir hameed, Sami aslam Ahmed shehzad, Umar akmal Usman salahuddin all day long and they all had good performances in matches but abid really is the real deal.

I think Usman and aslam May come back to the international team but right now it’s hard to imagine a more solid batsman than abid.

Oh bhai kya dekh rahe ho?

 

[Abid Z]

Oh bhai kya dekh rahe ho?

Pardon??

 

[The_Real_Deal]

Pardon??

Hahaha! Meaning what are you seeing in him that others aren’t??

 

[The_Real_Deal]

There’s nobody like abid Ali. I can’t remember ever seeing a more complete batsman to debut for Pakistan especially as an opener. Has a perfectly formed technique and temperament yet is humble and non assuming.

You can mention, yasir hameed, Sami aslam Ahmed shehzad, Umar akmal Usman salahuddin all day long and they all had good performances in matches but abid really is the real deal.

I think Usman and aslam May come back to the international team but right now it’s hard to imagine a more solid batsman than abid.

It’s a flat, unchallenging pitch and batting was on the third day, was getting easier.

Will show how good and his true mettle on a green, bouncy pitch.

But good signs for a good batsman and sound temperament so far...

 

[Markhor]

Don't get this Abid Ali is unproven in bowler friendly conditions talk. Yes that's true in Test cricket, but in domestic 4 day cricket he averages 45 since the beginning of the 2015 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

And most of that was played on green, damp pitches against the Dukes ball.

 

[Shazzam]

Don't get this Abid Ali is unproven in bowler friendly conditions talk. Yes that's true in Test cricket, but in domestic 4 day cricket he averages 45 since the beginning of the 2015 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

And most of that was played on green, damp pitches against the Dukes ball.

There is a huge different between International cricket and domestic cricket. In domestic he may have proven it but in international cricket as far as we are concerned he just started his journey.

 

[Abid Z]

It’s a flat, unchallenging pitch and batting was on the third day, was getting easier.

Will show how good and his true mettle on a green, bouncy pitch.

But good signs for a good batsman and sound temperament so far...

I’m not just basing this on this one test innings. In pindi and in Karachi in first innings there was seam and swing. But apart from that just watching his front and back foot play, his playing straight, leaving the ball waiting for loose ones and playing at a good tempo everything about him is pure class. I’ve not been this impressed with a Pakistani opener since Saeed Anwar.

Often you see hyped up guys like nasir Jamshed or Ahmed shehzad 7/8 years ago and you can just identify vulnerabilities and you know their purple patch is only gonna be until more video analysis telegraphs weaknesses to the opposition but in this case I don’t see anything about abid.

 

[Abid Z]

Hahaha! Meaning what are you seeing in him that others aren’t??

I think everyone is seeing something special about him.

 

[Shazzam]

I’m not just basing this on this one test innings. In pindi and in Karachi in first innings there was seam and swing. But apart from that just watching his front and back foot play, his playing straight, leaving the ball waiting for loose ones and playing at a good tempo everything about him is pure class. I’ve not been this impressed with a Pakistani opener since Saeed Anwar.

Often you see hyped up guys like nasir Jamshed or Ahmed shehzad 7/8 years ago and you can just identify vulnerabilities and you know their purple patch is only gonna be until more video analysis telegraphs weaknesses to the opposition but in this case I don’t see anything about abid.

You’ll see everything when he goes outside.

 

[Abid Z]

You’ll see everything when he goes outside.

Yes that’s true. But for now I’ll maintain that he’s the best opener I’ve seen since saeed anwar. Even saeed was guilty flashing to slip so nobody is perfect but abid Ali is the best opener in the last 15 years or so

 

[Saj]

Lovely conditions for Abid to make his Test debut - nice batting tracks, home venues, home fans. Luxuries a number of our openers in the last 10 years have not had.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Remember a guy named Naemuddin. Was a classy left hand batsmen and was performer in domestic cricket.

 

[Abid Z]

Lovely conditions for Abid to make his Test debut - nice batting tracks, home venues, home fans. Luxuries a number of our openers in the last 10 years have not had.

Not home ground certainly but Ahmed shehzad khurram manzoor nasir Jamshed made their debuts either In uae or in Sri Lanka so they were also not difficult conditions. Umar amin probably had a hard time in England in 2010 but otherwise most were offered easy entry into international cricket. The fact is pindi was an odd knock in that the match was never gonna end in a result but there was some life in the pitch. Karachi on the first day with the Lanka seamers bowling at 90mph and swinging the ball considerably was not easy yet he dug in. His 30 odd was actually quite good.

I started watching cricket in the mid 80’s. I might have missed saeed anwars first few matches but certainly saw all of 1992 series and then by 1996 saeed was well and truly a fixture. By far saeed was the best opener we’ve had in the modern age and he was a similar age then as abid is now.

In that time we’ve had a number of openers..yasir hameed, taufeeq Umar Salman butt in particular looked good. But nobody looks as accomplished since saeed as abid does. He has the perfect technique and the perfect mental tenacity to play long innings. Wish him well.

 

[azimiqbal]

The scouting network isn't great.


Selectors over the years have not gone to enough matches. Even when they have I've heard they show up, have a chat, lunch and then leave.

This is an area that has to improve.

Surely must be different know that the first class team coaches are selectors now?