"I felt my performances in Australia were better as an all-rounder" : Mohammad Hafeez

[Abdullah719]

Mohammad Hafeez at a press conference:

"During England tour I was injured and the recovery didn't go well. I didn't feel I was performing well so I myself told the management that I am not fully fit and that I think I shouldn't play. They honoured my request with respect and sent me back to Pakistan."

"On my comeback to Australia, I was under pressure to justify my selection. I had to adjust and perform. I rate match-winning performances a lot and at MCG, Allah gave me respect. First in Azhar's absence, I was made captain and the team performed well collectively and I got the Man of the Match award which made me very happy."

"Overall, my performances in Australia weren't outstanding but in terms of my comeback, I felt it went well. There was my comeback to the team and another comeback as a bowler."

"So I felt my performances in Australia were better as an all-rounder. Though I didn't take any wickets but according to the situation, my bowling was useful for the team. My economy was very good."

"In the PSL, my role wasn't defined for the team and I was shuffled around in the batting order too. This isn't an excuse as my performances weren't very strong. I made 3 runs in first 3 innings with 2 ducks and I was myself worried about my performances."

"My bowling was better in the PSL and then I played one innings in the play-off which gave me confidence."

"In terms of selection, the selectors keep a lot of things in perspective. Depending on the situation and conditions, all players in the squad are given responsibilities. I believe I will justify the trust shown in my by the selectors with my performances on the tour of WI."

 

[msb314]

Other than his 72 in the 2nd ODI where he was dropped on 0 - his performances as a player in Australia were poor.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

How were they better?
0 wickets in 5 One Day matches and poor batting display with a lucky 72.

 

[zyrus]

Sometimes I feel like they all live in a parallel universe.

 

[Rayyman]

I have no idea why he doesn't want to bat in lower-middle order.

 

[Citizen4]

blatant lie. He can't play in the top order it's clear as daylight, and even Imad is a better bowler than him right now. Hafeez can't pick up wickets anymore, only way he can be useful is if he's used as a 5th bowler to contain run, but even then he can be thrashed by decent batsmen.Useless guy right now who is hogging the spot of youngsters.

 

[Rayyman]

blatant lie. He can't play in the top order it's clear as daylight, and even Imad is a better bowler than him right now. Hafeez can't pick up wickets anymore, only way he can be useful is if he's used as a 5th bowler to contain run, but even then he can be thrashed by decent batsmen.Useless guy right now who is hogging the spot of youngsters.

Agreed. Imad is as economical and takes more wickets. Heck, even Shoaib Malik takes more wickets than MoHa.

 

[Speedster777]

Shameless liar

 

[Citizen4]

Agreed. Imad is as economical and takes more wickets. Heck, even Shoaib Malik takes more wickets than MoHa.

Imad is indeed our most economical bowler in LOIs right now, who can pick up crucial wickets as well.
Hafeez fails more often than not with the bat and bowling is bang average, not threatening.

 

[MMHS]

He knows how to use stats - it's fact that he was MoM in the only match that PAK won.

 

[Citizen4]

He knows how to use stats - it's fact that he was MoM in the only match that PAK won.

I'm sure most Pak fans will agree that they'd rather lose that 1 match in Australia just to show Hafeez the exit door. He will perform once in a blue moon and be useless in most matches.

 

[Pete Rose]

I think in Pakistan, all rounders think that as long as they randomly perform in one facet of their game, they've justified the allrounder spot. It's a disease that started with akram, carried on with afridi and much the same for Azhar Mahmood and Abdul razzaq and Malik

 

[MMHS]

I think in Pakistan, all rounders think that as long as they randomly perform in one facet of their game, they've justified the allrounder spot. It's a disease that started with akram, carried on with afridi and much the same for Azhar Mahmood and Abdul razzaq and Malik

It actually started with Woolmer - bringing the English County thought process of picking sacrificed bowling options for batting depth, particularly for spinners, as often endorsed by Junaids. During Akram's time, he actually didn't sacrifice bowling; rather added more options with all-rounders. Often, his teams had 4 bowlers - himself, his opening partner - Waquar/Sohaib .... someone picked as specialist pacer & 2 of Mushtaq/Saqlin/Arshad; then he would pick couple of all-rounders, who actually were quite decent with ball. One reason being that as a bowling captain, his entire focus was to get batsmen out rather than containment, hence he went for more wicket taking options. His teams were almost unbeatable batting first, because of that wicket taking ability. All that after having Sohail in playing XI, who was making the team only on batting.

Other reason being fitness - I don't think between 1995 to 2003, a single match, PAK played with 4, 100% fit bowlers - Waquar, Akram, Sohaib, Jahid, Mushi, Saqlin, Aaquib, Razzak ... everyone played hiding some sort of minor injuries, which often led to bowlers breaking down in middle of a match. These are incidents that never came out in public (everyone in glass house, so no one would throw stones or blow whistle), but I could realize that PAK Captains bowling choices in a match was often compromised choices.

Woolmar started to pick Malik, MoHa, Afridi ... over specialist spinners & that's continues for 12 years, until Inzi picked 2 specialist spinners for WI tour.

 

[Jabo]

Disgrace

 

[Hawkeye]

Malik and Hafeez are masters at navigating around the corrupt PCB system.

 

[Hasan123]

He is very clever with his words.

 

[moghul]

Never knew he plays fantasy cricket, or dreams about performing in Australia.

 

[Citizen4]

Hafeez is a master of words and friendships. A better salesman than a cricketer, that's why he's successful with PCB and Mickey

 

[Syed1]

The selectors and management are bigger culprits for continuing to persist with such mediocrity.

 

[kingusama92]

It's like he thinks people don't watch the matches.

He failed in every facet of the game.

 

[Hamza_]

I don't know what is more ridiculous.

Hafeez feeling good about his performance in Australia.

Or Umar Akmal feeling like getting fat by drinking water.

 

[Junaids]

In my opinion Mohammad Hafeez is a highly dangerous manipulator of the PCB.

He realizes that he cannot survive as an international batsman, so he claims that he succeeded as an all-rounder in the ODI series in Australia.

But he actually took precisely ZERO wickets in five matches. This is what he did:

4 and 7-0-23-0
72 and 10-0-45-0
4 and 6-1-30-0
40 and 9-0-54-0
3 and 7-0-43-0

Batting: 123 runs @ 24.60
Bowling: 0 wickets for 195 - not qualifying for an average.

It's a truly atrocious record!

 

[Rayyman]

In my opinion Mohammad Hafeez is a highly dangerous manipulator of the PCB.

He realizes that he cannot survive as an international batsman, so he claims that he succeeded as an all-rounder in the ODI series in Australia.

But he actually took precisely ZERO wickets in five matches. This is what he did:

4 and 7-0-23-0
72 and 10-0-45-0
4 and 6-1-30-0
40 and 9-0-54-0
3 and 7-0-43-0

Batting: 123 runs @ 24.60
Bowling: 0 wickets for 195 - not qualifying for an average.

It's a truly atrocious record!

Definition of bits and pieces.

 

[Junaids]

It actually started with Woolmer - bringing the English County thought process of picking sacrificed bowling options for batting depth, particularly for spinners, as often endorsed by Junaids.

My friend, that's a bit harsh!

I don't think that EITHER Bob Woolmer or my much less illustrious self suggest that a team should have a weak bowling attack.

My views - especially for Tests - are as follows:

1) A fifth decent bowler is mandatory to keep the workload of the quick bowlers manageable so that they don't lose pace and menace (like Cummins and Hazlewood's 40'ish overs at Ranchi just did).

2) The main four bowlers cannot be picked purely on bowling ability, or you risk the Pakistan Achilles Heel of fielding four Number 11 batsmen. Which means that 280-6 becomes 295 all out instead of 420 all out.

3) You can pick one, at most two, bowlers who cannot bat.

4) A number 7 batsman must average 40 with the bat. A number 8 must average at least 30 with the bat. A number 9 must average at least 22 with the bat.

Consider the following two tails for Pakistan for the Test at Centurion in South Africa in December 2018 - just 20 months from now.

Option 1: The best 4 bowlers
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/c)
8. Yasir Shah
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Ghulam Mudassar
11. Mohammad Asif

The quick bowlers are going to run out of gas. And if one gets injured..........

Option 2: A team with all-rounders
6. Hammad Azam
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/c)
8. Mohammad Nawaz
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Ghulam Mudassar
11. Mohammad Asif

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Malik and Hafeez are masters at navigating around the corrupt PCB system.

Malik has been fine in his latest comeback

 

[silent ischemia]

Definition of bits and pieces.

Railu katta as they say

 

[yasir]

Khatavar shamja Ghee Dyunia tujay
Aab Inti bhiee zayada safai na daay

 

[MMHS]

My friend, that's a bit harsh!

I don't think that EITHER Bob Woolmer or my much less illustrious self suggest that a team should have a weak bowling attack.

My views - especially for Tests - are as follows:

1) A fifth decent bowler is mandatory to keep the workload of the quick bowlers manageable so that they don't lose pace and menace (like Cummins and Hazlewood's 40'ish overs at Ranchi just did).

2) The main four bowlers cannot be picked purely on bowling ability, or you risk the Pakistan Achilles Heel of fielding four Number 11 batsmen. Which means that 280-6 becomes 295 all out instead of 420 all out.

3) You can pick one, at most two, bowlers who cannot bat.

4) A number 7 batsman must average 40 with the bat. A number 8 must average at least 30 with the bat. A number 9 must average at least 22 with the bat.

Consider the following two tails for Pakistan for the Test at Centurion in South Africa in December 2018 - just 20 months from now.

Option 1: The best 4 bowlers
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/c)
8. Yasir Shah
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Ghulam Mudassar
11. Mohammad Asif

The quick bowlers are going to run out of gas. And if one gets injured..........

Option 2: A team with all-rounders
6. Hammad Azam
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/c)
8. Mohammad Nawaz
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Ghulam Mudassar
11. Mohammad Asif

No question about 5th bowler - I think everyone was unanimous that 4 bowlers can't work for PAK with the fitness & age of their bowling options.

Of the 2 options - I went for 4 bowlers + 2 batsmen who can bowl a it, because there isn't much to form a 3+2 bowling combination - 3 specialist bowlers & 2 bowling all-rounders. Going forward, if Shada can fulfil his potential, may be PAK can go with Shadab & one pace bowling all-rounder like Fahim, Yamin, Hammad or Amad at 8 & then 3 specialist bowlers, 2 pacers & one spinner.

Your 2nd team is better option with one change - Yasir or Shadab instead of Nawaz, provided that Hammad is capable of out performing Sarfu with bat.

Unless Asad starts to bowl, I don't see much hope for PAK to find a No. 7 who averages 40 with bat; or may be Sarfu can give a try to bowl & average 30 from 8.

Not sure what Woolmar suggested, but I didn't find it revolutionary to drop Saqlin & Kaneria for Malik, MoHa or Afridi, or Sami for Mahmood from ODI team.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

My friend, that's a bit harsh!

I don't think that EITHER Bob Woolmer or my much less illustrious self suggest that a team should have a weak bowling attack.

My views - especially for Tests - are as follows:

1) A fifth decent bowler is mandatory to keep the workload of the quick bowlers manageable so that they don't lose pace and menace (like Cummins and Hazlewood's 40'ish overs at Ranchi just did).

2) The main four bowlers cannot be picked purely on bowling ability, or you risk the Pakistan Achilles Heel of fielding four Number 11 batsmen. Which means that 280-6 becomes 295 all out instead of 420 all out.

3) You can pick one, at most two, bowlers who cannot bat.

4) A number 7 batsman must average 40 with the bat. A number 8 must average at least 30 with the bat. A number 9 must average at least 22 with the bat.

Consider the following two tails for Pakistan for the Test at Centurion in South Africa in December 2018 - just 20 months from now.

Option 1: The best 4 bowlers
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/c)
8. Yasir Shah
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Ghulam Mudassar
11. Mohammad Asif

The quick bowlers are going to run out of gas. And if one gets injured..........

Option 2: A team with all-rounders
6. Hammad Azam
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/c)
8. Mohammad Nawaz
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Ghulam Mudassar
11. Mohammad Asif

By the way,what was Rizwan doing in the above team?
Not international material at all as a batsman.

 

[Slog]

Sometimes I feel like they all live in a parallel universe.

I must have said this time atleast 50 times in my time of PP

Some PPers too co-inhabit this alternate reality

 

[Amjid Javed]

Hafeez the world class "talker" and mediocre bits and pieces player. He needs to learn to shut up and start performing on the field. Hes a world class failure and is the symbol of mediocrity of pakistani cricket for the last decade

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I have no idea why he doesn't want to bat in lower-middle order.

He was slowly moved to no.4 now but he should bat below that and that should have made when steyn exposed his weakness blatantly, even laughed at it.. But as for now he will hold on to that no.4, if he scored few fifties he will be undroppable forever

 

[Pete Rose]

It actually started with Woolmer - bringing the English County thought process of picking sacrificed bowling options for batting depth, particularly for spinners, as often endorsed by Junaids. During Akram's time, he actually didn't sacrifice bowling; rather added more options with all-rounders. Often, his teams had 4 bowlers - himself, his opening partner - Waquar/Sohaib .... someone picked as specialist pacer & 2 of Mushtaq/Saqlin/Arshad; then he would pick couple of all-rounders, who actually were quite decent with ball. One reason being that as a bowling captain, his entire focus was to get batsmen out rather than containment, hence he went for more wicket taking options. His teams were almost unbeatable batting first, because of that wicket taking ability. All that after having Sohail in playing XI, who was making the team only on batting.

Other reason being fitness - I don't think between 1995 to 2003, a single match, PAK played with 4, 100% fit bowlers - Waquar, Akram, Sohaib, Jahid, Mushi, Saqlin, Aaquib, Razzak ... everyone played hiding some sort of minor injuries, which often led to bowlers breaking down in middle of a match. These are incidents that never came out in public (everyone in glass house, so no one would throw stones or blow whistle), but I could realize that PAK Captains bowling choices in a match was often compromised choices.

Woolmar started to pick Malik, MoHa, Afridi ... over specialist spinners & that's continues for 12 years, until Inzi picked 2 specialist spinners for WI tour.

I think that's true about Woolmer, he was carrying on for what worked for him in South Africa, who are also blessed with quite a few allrounders at that time (starting from from world cup 92: mcmillian, meyrick pringle etc and over to pollock, kallis, kluesner etc etc). The only difference was that these all-rounders were genuinely good in both formats of the game (barring the mental frailty that all Saffers are blessed with when playing a big game). Whereas our all-rounders were poor man's all-rounders....their job was to be steady enough with ball to allow rest to Akram, Akhtar, Waqar etc. To be clear, as you suggest, mediocre all-rounders can work when you have a core team of match-winning specialist batsmen and bowlers. They cannot work when the rest of your team is mediocre (i.e. Pakistan odi cricket right now)

 

[JibranAnsari]

0 wickets and one fifty.

How do these players get satisfied by poor performances?

 

[Hawkeye]

Malik has been fine in his latest comeback

Lol, now you know how the selectors think when picking up Malik/Hafeez. It's this type of mentality that's ruining our cricket.

Stats won't show how poor he was and how we lost matches because of him at the end. Hafeez at least won us one match with his batting/captaincy.

Hafeez won us the only match we won. Malik lost us match after match.

You people need a reality check on how modern LOIs are played, and how not to chicken out against half decent bowlers.

 

[MMHS]

Lol, now you know how the selectors think when picking up Malik/Hafeez. It's this type of mentality that's ruining our cricket.

Stats won't show how poor he was and how we lost matches because of him at the end. Hafeez at least won us one match with his batting/captaincy.

Hafeez won us the only match we won. Malik lost us match after match.

You people need a reality check on how modern LOIs are played, and how not to chicken out against half decent bowlers.

Your personal bias against Malik is clearly evident here - since his return, Malik is exactly opposite of what you have written here. Normally, I myself explain if I don't agree with some thing - since you have level Mian/MoHa (Actuly, tried to defame Malik by indulging his name with Hafeez) - can you please establish your claim regarding Malik with stats & logic - STRICTLY FROM his return after WC 2015? There is no point bringing 2010-15, because that's just will derail the discussion - posters will bring 2002-2010 then. In short, we can conclude that, he got dropped for 2010-14 period & did make a comeback because his replacements were not good enough. Now, comes 2015-17 period & we need a reality check.

I am interested more to learn about how modern LOI is played - through the scope of the bold part of your post. Hope, you won't avoid responding.

 

[ayemgilani86]

Your personal bias against Malik is clearly evident here - since his return, Malik is exactly opposite of what you have written here. Normally, I myself explain if I don't agree with some thing - since you have level Mian/MoHa (Actuly, tried to defame Malik by indulging his name with Hafeez) - can you please establish your claim regarding Malik with stats & logic - STRICTLY FROM his return after WC 2015? There is no point bringing 2010-15, because that's just will derail the discussion - posters will bring 2002-2010 then. In short, we can conclude that, he got dropped for 2010-14 period & did make a comeback because his replacements were not good enough. Now, comes 2015-17 period & we need a reality check.

I am interested more to learn about how modern LOI is played - through the scope of the bold part of your post. Hope, you won't avoid responding.

you are the one thats biased FOR malik

 

[MMHS]

you are the one thats biased FOR malik

Explain please - you have scores & every match details since his come back.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Sometimes I feel like they all live in a parallel universe.

I don't think he's deluded. He just thinks that if he tells a lie with enough confidence perhaps people will be stupid enough to buy it. A bit like Trump.

 

[Hawkeye]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] I'm not sure whose bias is it.

You're against Hafeez but he's the guy who won us our only match! You're a Malik supporter where he has one of the worst records against half decent pacers. Whereas Hafeez doesn't suffer as much as him.

In Australia too Malik came down in the middle / end and did his usual cut to the deep point or 3rd man to take singles doubles and survive against pace. In AN LOI series.

Players like him are losing us ODIs . We need to get rid of such accumulators.

Hafeez on most days can at least bat and accelerate better than Malik. And also doesn't struggle as much against pace.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Where is he going to bat since Kamran and Shehzad are specialist openers and Babar, being the best batsman in the team, bats at 3. 4 & 5 are fixed for Malik and Sarfraz. The only open batting spot is 6 but is he willing to leave the top order?

 

[the_best]

we are living in the world of alternative fact. It is an alternative fact. people get used to it.

 

[Hitman]

The only time he scored some runs was because he was dropped when he on ZERO by Steve Smith.

 

[Princejain191]

Has there ever been a modest Pakistani player? Ever?

 

[phoenix363]

Where is he going to bat since Kamran and Shehzad are specialist openers and Babar, being the best batsman in the team, bats at 3. 4 & 5 are fixed for Malik and Sarfraz. The only open batting spot is 6 but is he willing to leave the top order?

4 and 5 are not in fact fixed for Malik and Sarfaraz. Hafeez will slot in at 4 with each of the aforementioned moving down a slot to accommodate the so called Professor.

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] I'm not sure whose bias is it.

You're against Hafeez but he's the guy who won us our only match! You're a Malik supporter where he has one of the worst records against half decent pacers. Whereas Hafeez doesn't suffer as much as him.

In Australia too Malik came down in the middle / end and did his usual cut to the deep point or 3rd man to take singles doubles and survive against pace. In AN LOI series.

Players like him are losing us ODIs . We need to get rid of such accumulators.

Hafeez on most days can at least bat and accelerate better than Malik. And also doesn't struggle as much against pace.

When I have some time, I'll explain you why you are doing injustice to Malik, analyzing match by match. Obviously, he is not Andrew Symonds or Mark Waugh; but this PAK side is Australia - since return, Malik had been part of No. 8 & 9 team, in an universe of 7/8 serious countries & half of them are below average.

My point was, indulging Malik's name with MoHa now, doesn't do justice to him. Malik comes from Sialkot - it'll be naive to believe that he can outsmart players coming from Lahore or Karachi with bigger lobbies in terms of politics. Read any of his interviews & compare it with MoHa or Umar or Shehzad; you should notice the difference.

 

[Hamza_]

When I have some time, I'll explain you why you are doing injustice to Malik, analyzing match by match. Obviously, he is not Andrew Symonds or Mark Waugh; but this PAK side is Australia - since return, Malik had been part of No. 8 & 9 team, in an universe of 7/8 serious countries & half of them are below average.

My point was, indulging Malik's name with MoHa now, doesn't do justice to him. Malik comes from Sialkot - it'll be naive to believe that he can outsmart players coming from Lahore or Karachi with bigger lobbies in terms of politics. Read any of his interviews & compare it with MoHa or Umar or Shehzad; you should notice the difference.

MoHa is biggest passenger in our team. Malik is a reasonable performer.

 

[Speedster777]

We're down to the bottom competing against bangla because of these TTFs and still there's zero accountability. None of these flop players have been kicked out. pathetic

 

[Mamoon]

Lol, now you know how the selectors think when picking up Malik/Hafeez. It's this type of mentality that's ruining our cricket.

Stats won't show how poor he was and how we lost matches because of him at the end. Hafeez at least won us one match with his batting/captaincy.

Hafeez won us the only match we won. Malik lost us match after match.

You people need a reality check on how modern LOIs are played, and how not to chicken out against half decent bowlers.

Actually, it was Malik's cameo in the second ODI that took Pakistan home. The middle-order had stuttered and his 42* prevented a collapse. In addition, it was him and Sarfraz who prevented a whitewash in England.

Malik since his comeback two years ago has been one of our best and most impactful players, and he is one of the first names on the team sheet at the moment on merit. On the other hand, Hafeez has been poor for a while now and doesn't deserve selection. He was arguably Pakistan's MVP in ODIs from 2011-2014, but serves no purpose now.

 

[Mamoon]

[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

Nonetheless, it's pointless presenting you with facts. Malik can score 10 consecutive hundreds and you will still find ways to criticize him. You are also doing the same with Sarfraz now, which is funny because you used to defend him in the past when he was poor in ODIs.

 

[Adil_94]

The self delusion is something real. Hafeez is finished now and will be embarrassed in the CT if he plays.

 

[Hasan123]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] I'm not sure whose bias is it.

You're against Hafeez but he's the guy who won us our only match! You're a Malik supporter where he has one of the worst records against half decent pacers. Whereas Hafeez doesn't suffer as much as him.

In Australia too Malik came down in the middle / end and did his usual cut to the deep point or 3rd man to take singles doubles and survive against pace. In AN LOI series.

Players like him are losing us ODIs . We need to get rid of such accumulators.

Hafeez on most days can at least bat and accelerate better than Malik. And also doesn't struggle as much against pace.

Malik has out performed Hafeez and Umar Akmal in the last 2 years. As Mamoon said he merits a place in our odi team LOL.

 

[Hasan123]

[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

Nonetheless, it's pointless presenting you with facts. Malik can score 10 consecutive hundreds and you will still find ways to criticize him. You are also doing the same with Sarfraz now, which is funny because you used to defend him in the past when he was poor in ODIs.

He's out performed his favourite player Umar Akmal as well. ) )

 

[shaz619]

Wenger Out!

Misbah ul Haq Out!

Hafeez Out!

 

[Hawkeye]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] , the Malik brigade has arrived in full force to defend the legend.

It's no use discussing him, as just adds to the long line of accumulators who falter against half decent opposition or in tournaments.

The don clan needs to have a single standard. They can't bash Hafeez and at the same time sing praises for Malik.

The clan forgets that it's Hafeez who was the vital part of our ODI wins not only in New Zealand, but also the only match we won in Australia. Just before Aus, don't forget we also played in NZ--where Hafeez rocked.

Let go of the double standards. Hafeez has 4x more potential with the bat and performances too to back. One bad tour, with a great game sandwiched.

Overall, both are poor quality, and don't deserve a place in a modern LOI team.

 

[Kianig89]

Malik and Hafeez both are extra baggage should be unloaded ASAP

 

[Mamoon]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] , the Malik brigade has arrived in full force to defend the legend.

It's no use discussing him, as just adds to the long line of accumulators who falter against half decent opposition or in tournaments.

The don clan needs to have a single standard. They can't bash Hafeez and at the same time sing praises for Malik.

The clan forgets that it's Hafeez who was the vital part of our ODI wins not only in New Zealand, but also the only match we won in Australia. Just before Aus, don't forget we also played in NZ--where Hafeez rocked.

Let go of the double standards. Hafeez has 4x more potential with the bat and performances too to back. One bad tour, with a great game sandwiched.

Overall, both are poor quality, and don't deserve a place in a modern LOI team.

Barring 2011-2014 when he lost motivation for international cricket, Malik has always been a superior batsman to Hafeez. He was a vital cog in the ODI team from 2002-2009, and Hafeez was a nobody in this period.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Honestly it's good for Pakistan if professor fails. I like him but he is obsolete, plus his ego will probably stop him from batting at 6. We may well have to displace our overall well performing middle order for professors sake

 

[Naim]

jhut itna bolo ke such lagne lagne lag jaye

 

[The_Odd_One]

Barring 2011-2014 when he lost motivation for international cricket, Malik has always been a superior batsman to Hafeez. He was a vital cog in the ODI team from 2002-2009, and Hafeez was a nobody in this period.

Malik embarrassed himself when he tried to open in PSL. Had he played as many matches as Hafeez in the top order, his average would have been half of what it is today.

This said, it is good that Malik knows his weakness against fast bowling and does not want to occupy top order unnecessarily.

 

[cricketInsight]

My concern is that the Carribean will offer conditions that are suitable to Hafeez and he may be able to get a couple of performances in.

If his performances were "better" in AUS, I wonder what he would say after a couple of decent outings in the Carribean? He will end up sealing his spot for the CT.

It really falls on Arthur to actually try out the youngsters on this tour. I would really only blame him(dont think Sarfraz is good at selection) if we didnt give enough opportunities to the new faces and kept persisting with Hafeez.

 

[Obstructing_the_field]

a truely shameless person is this haffez... i seriously fail to understand how any self respecting person will be able to defend this performance

 

[MMHS]

My concern is that the Carribean will offer conditions that are suitable to Hafeez and he may be able to get a couple of performances in.

If his performances were "better" in AUS, I wonder what he would say after a couple of decent outings in the Carribean? He will end up sealing his spot for the CT.

It really falls on Arthur to actually try out the youngsters on this tour. I would really only blame him(dont think Sarfraz is good at selection) if we didnt give enough opportunities to the new faces and kept persisting with Hafeez.

This is where MoHa-Inzi master stroke. They have tied Arthur's hand by not selecting Talat, Haris or Saad - all 3 are lefti & perfect to play at 4. If any of them were selected, Arthur would have played him at 4 & MoHa won't have got the chance to bash a pathetic WI side which might slog around one day even against Aussies, but will lose a series even to the Afghans.

Inzi picked a 35 years old nobody, just to make sure that Arthur doesn't get his hand on MoHa. For the sake of saying - say somehow Asif Zakia gets a match & scored decently; still he'll be dropped for CT for lack of experience in English condition & not bowling. Both Talat & Haris actually bowls & they are fit enough to go to BD for emerging cup - ideally both should have been in WI instead of MoHa & his cover.

 

[world cup captain]

I don't mind having Hafeez play in the Champions Trophy this year. It's not like we are winning it either way so let him fail once again like last time and throw this junk out of the team.

Aside from Hafeez being delusional to think he did well, it's appalling to see some posters here actually defend him. These posters attack some players for not performing yet defend this guy who himself doesn't perform in big matches. At the age of 36, they continue to look at the "potential" he has rather than look at his performance. Why the double standards?

 

[MMHS]

Malik embarrassed himself when he tried to open in PSL. Had he played as many matches as Hafeez in the top order, his average would have been half of what it is today.

This said, it is good that Malik knows his weakness against fast bowling and does not want to occupy top order unnecessarily.

Not true at all.

Malik has batted at No. 3 between 2002 to 2015 for 37 innings. His stats stands at

37-1-1501 runs @41.69/80.96 stats with 3 100s & 10 50s - thats, 1 innings of 50+ in less than 3 try.

If I take a cut for top 7 teams (excluding BD), he has batted at 3 only between 200-2009, and the stats stand at
29-1-1110 runs @ 39.64/76.02 stats for 10 innings of 50+ (still better than 1:3). This is in an era, when a stats of 40/75 from No. 3 is equivalent to at least 45/85 in last 3-4 years.

His overall career stats against same 7 teams stands at 34.29/78.53 for 194 matches; remarkably similar to overall stats of 35.01/81.31 (which should counter the minnow bashing logic).

Against top 7 teams,
His stats at win stands at 49.39/92.07 (88 wins)
His stats at batting 2nd (chasing) stands at 34.51/77.14 (95 matches)
His stats at batting 2nd & wins stands at 47.57/87.54 (46 wins, 13 not outs in 39 innings - which means, he anchored through the chase 1:3 innings & finished not out)
His stats at 4 position (2, 3, 4 & 5) are
2 : 57.25/73.39 (5 ODI)
3 : 39.64/76.02 (29 ODI)
4 : 41.31/80.87 (25 ODI)
5 : 35.72/86.05 (41 ODI)

At other opening spot (No. 1), his stats stands at 33.42/73.35 (7 matches - remarkably similar SR). So, as an opener his stats stands at
1/2 : 42.09/73.37 (12 matches, with 2 100s in 12 innings)

These are stats only against top 7 sides - home & away. If I add ZIM in this mix, it'll shoot up. More than 75% of these stats are made before 2010, which should get at least 10% increment compared to stats in next 6 years because of change in context - I won't go there, because it's still fantastic for a PAK batsman.

At one point, his first 5K runs came at 35+/79+ stats - on September, 2009; which is better than anyone for PAK, bowling 6+ overs/match.

His stats at tournament Finals stands at 36.37/64.09 - 10 Finals, last one played in 2008, hence the SR is relatively lower.

.
.
.
.

All these from a player, outstanding in all-round fielding; one of the fittest player around, easily the best runner between the wickets in team (which accounts for both his & his partners' runs, hence double impact), one of the most intelligent cricketers around AND, someone still holds a bowling stats of

153 wickets @ 38.24/4.66/49.2 stats (average/economy/strike rate)

If I go for All-rounder stats, after 192 ODI (last ODI of 2010), his stats stands at
5188 runs at 34.35/80+ and 134 wickets at 36.29/~4.5 with 68 catches.


I wrote it several times that Malik comes from Sialkot, became Captain at 25 on his merit - which was too much for most coming from larger Cities; and then, he is married to a high profile Indian celebrity - no wonder that he is hated by most.

If I go by his stats since return after WC 2015, some of the posters here will stop visiting PP for few days ...... one gentleman doesn't write anymore about Malik's 353 at WACA or 256 at Bridgetown - after his intellectualization at the Malik thread, which should be an interesting read for those who are not aware at around pages 130 to 150.
[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION], [MENTION=47709]ayemgilani86[/MENTION], [MENTION=132335]Kianig89[/MENTION], [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION], [MENTION=113742]Hamzakhalid[/MENTION] : Hope it explains a bit.

This is just raw stats, I have pulled from using StatGuru - Malik's true value can't be explained here with stats only, because he is only player in this PAK side with a proper understanding of acceleration & fitting the SR into match condition. People try to defame his weakness against raw pace, but that has a hind side as well - without Sarfu & him in middle-order, Afghans 'll beat PAK left, right & centre because of those 20 overs by Rashid & Nabi ..............

 

[Hasan123]

Not true at all.

Malik has batted at No. 3 between 2002 to 2015 for 37 innings. His stats stands at

37-1-1501 runs @41.69/80.96 stats with 3 100s & 10 50s - thats, 1 innings of 50+ in less than 3 try.

If I take a cut for top 7 teams (excluding BD), he has batted at 3 only between 200-2009, and the stats stand at
29-1-1110 runs @ 39.64/76.02 stats for 10 innings of 50+ (still better than 1:3). This is in an era, when a stats of 40/75 from No. 3 is equivalent to at least 45/85 in last 3-4 years.

His overall career stats against same 7 teams stands at 34.29/78.53 for 194 matches; remarkably similar to overall stats of 35.01/81.31 (which should counter the minnow bashing logic).

Against top 7 teams,
His stats at win stands at 49.39/92.07 (88 wins)
His stats at batting 2nd (chasing) stands at 34.51/77.14 (95 matches)
His stats at batting 2nd & wins stands at 47.57/87.54 (46 wins, 13 not outs in 39 innings - which means, he anchored through the chase 1:3 innings & finished not out)
His stats at 4 position (2, 3, 4 & 5) are
2 : 57.25/73.39 (5 ODI)
3 : 39.64/76.02 (29 ODI)
4 : 41.31/80.87 (25 ODI)
5 : 35.72/86.05 (41 ODI)

At other opening spot (No. 1), his stats stands at 33.42/73.35 (7 matches - remarkably similar SR). So, as an opener his stats stands at
1/2 : 42.09/73.37 (12 matches, with 2 100s in 12 innings)

These are stats only against top 7 sides - home & away. If I add ZIM in this mix, it'll shoot up. More than 75% of these stats are made before 2010, which should get at least 10% increment compared to stats in next 6 years because of change in context - I won't go there, because it's still fantastic for a PAK batsman.

At one point, his first 5K runs came at 35+/79+ stats - on September, 2009; which is better than anyone for PAK, bowling 6+ overs/match.

His stats at tournament Finals stands at 36.37/64.09 - 10 Finals, last one played in 2008, hence the SR is relatively lower.

.
.
.
.

All these from a player, outstanding in all-round fielding; one of the fittest player around, easily the best runner between the wickets in team (which accounts for both his & his partners' runs, hence double impact), one of the most intelligent cricketers around AND, someone still holds a bowling stats of

153 wickets @ 38.24/4.66/49.2 stats (average/economy/strike rate)

If I go for All-rounder stats, after 192 ODI (last ODI of 2010), his stats stands at
5188 runs at 34.35/80+ and 134 wickets at 36.29/~4.5 with 68 catches.


I wrote it several times that Malik comes from Sialkot, became Captain at 25 on his merit - which was too much for most coming from larger Cities; and then, he is married to a high profile Indian celebrity - no wonder that he is hated by most.

If I go by his stats since return after WC 2015, some of the posters here will stop visiting PP for few days ...... one gentleman doesn't write anymore about Malik's 353 at WACA or 256 at Bridgetown - after his intellectualization at the Malik thread, which should be an interesting read for those who are not aware at around pages 130 to 150.
[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION], [MENTION=47709]ayemgilani86[/MENTION], [MENTION=132335]Kianig89[/MENTION], [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION], [MENTION=113742]Hamzakhalid[/MENTION] : Hope it explains a bit.

This is just raw stats, I have pulled from using StatGuru - Malik's true value can't be explained here with stats only, because he is only player in this PAK side with a proper understanding of acceleration & fitting the SR into match condition. People try to defame his weakness against raw pace, but that has a hind side as well - without Sarfu & him in middle-order, Afghans 'll beat PAK left, right & centre because of those 20 overs by Rashid & Nabi ..............

Excellent stats. Shows what a valuable player Malik is. He earns his place on merit . He should have got a longer run as LO captain as well.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Hafeez was never a good enough player in international cricket when Inzi was a player 14 years ago and hes not good enough now yet Inzi still suffers from same brain freeze wanting him in the side

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Not true at all.

Malik has batted at No. 3 between 2002 to 2015 for 37 innings. His stats stands at

37-1-1501 runs @41.69/80.96 stats with 3 100s & 10 50s - thats, 1 innings of 50+ in less than 3 try.

If I take a cut for top 7 teams (excluding BD), he has batted at 3 only between 200-2009, and the stats stand at
29-1-1110 runs @ 39.64/76.02 stats for 10 innings of 50+ (still better than 1:3). This is in an era, when a stats of 40/75 from No. 3 is equivalent to at least 45/85 in last 3-4 years.

His overall career stats against same 7 teams stands at 34.29/78.53 for 194 matches; remarkably similar to overall stats of 35.01/81.31 (which should counter the minnow bashing logic).

Against top 7 teams,
His stats at win stands at 49.39/92.07 (88 wins)
His stats at batting 2nd (chasing) stands at 34.51/77.14 (95 matches)
His stats at batting 2nd & wins stands at 47.57/87.54 (46 wins, 13 not outs in 39 innings - which means, he anchored through the chase 1:3 innings & finished not out)
His stats at 4 position (2, 3, 4 & 5) are
2 : 57.25/73.39 (5 ODI)
3 : 39.64/76.02 (29 ODI)
4 : 41.31/80.87 (25 ODI)
5 : 35.72/86.05 (41 ODI)

At other opening spot (No. 1), his stats stands at 33.42/73.35 (7 matches - remarkably similar SR). So, as an opener his stats stands at
1/2 : 42.09/73.37 (12 matches, with 2 100s in 12 innings)

These are stats only against top 7 sides - home & away. If I add ZIM in this mix, it'll shoot up. More than 75% of these stats are made before 2010, which should get at least 10% increment compared to stats in next 6 years because of change in context - I won't go there, because it's still fantastic for a PAK batsman.

At one point, his first 5K runs came at 35+/79+ stats - on September, 2009; which is better than anyone for PAK, bowling 6+ overs/match.

His stats at tournament Finals stands at 36.37/64.09 - 10 Finals, last one played in 2008, hence the SR is relatively lower.

.
.
.
.

All these from a player, outstanding in all-round fielding; one of the fittest player around, easily the best runner between the wickets in team (which accounts for both his & his partners' runs, hence double impact), one of the most intelligent cricketers around AND, someone still holds a bowling stats of

153 wickets @ 38.24/4.66/49.2 stats (average/economy/strike rate)

If I go for All-rounder stats, after 192 ODI (last ODI of 2010), his stats stands at
5188 runs at 34.35/80+ and 134 wickets at 36.29/~4.5 with 68 catches.


I wrote it several times that Malik comes from Sialkot, became Captain at 25 on his merit - which was too much for most coming from larger Cities; and then, he is married to a high profile Indian celebrity - no wonder that he is hated by most.

If I go by his stats since return after WC 2015, some of the posters here will stop visiting PP for few days ...... one gentleman doesn't write anymore about Malik's 353 at WACA or 256 at Bridgetown - after his intellectualization at the Malik thread, which should be an interesting read for those who are not aware at around pages 130 to 150.
[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION], [MENTION=47709]ayemgilani86[/MENTION], [MENTION=132335]Kianig89[/MENTION], [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION], [MENTION=113742]Hamzakhalid[/MENTION] : Hope it explains a bit.

This is just raw stats, I have pulled from using StatGuru - Malik's true value can't be explained here with stats only, because he is only player in this PAK side with a proper understanding of acceleration & fitting the SR into match condition. People try to defame his weakness against raw pace, but that has a hind side as well - without Sarfu & him in middle-order, Afghans 'll beat PAK left, right & centre because of those 20 overs by Rashid & Nabi ..............

Good post,I agree with you that he is a valuable player for Pak in LOIs and that he is surely better then likes of M Hafeez,also you are right about the part that S Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed are very important for us,otherwise subcontinent teams would have rolled us over with quality spinners.

 

[Mamoon]

Malik embarrassed himself when he tried to open in PSL. Had he played as many matches as Hafeez in the top order, his average would have been half of what it is today.

This said, it is good that Malik knows his weakness against fast bowling and does not want to occupy top order unnecessarily.

Malik has had success as an opener in the past and he was a very good number three in ODIs. It is not a case of him being better than Hafeez purely because he doesn't bat in the top-order. Check his record and performances at number 3, before he was shoved down the order for the perennial failure Younis. Talking about ODIs here.

 

[Mamoon]

Not true at all.

Malik has batted at No. 3 between 2002 to 2015 for 37 innings. His stats stands at

37-1-1501 runs @41.69/80.96 stats with 3 100s & 10 50s - thats, 1 innings of 50+ in less than 3 try.

If I take a cut for top 7 teams (excluding BD), he has batted at 3 only between 200-2009, and the stats stand at
29-1-1110 runs @ 39.64/76.02 stats for 10 innings of 50+ (still better than 1:3). This is in an era, when a stats of 40/75 from No. 3 is equivalent to at least 45/85 in last 3-4 years.

His overall career stats against same 7 teams stands at 34.29/78.53 for 194 matches; remarkably similar to overall stats of 35.01/81.31 (which should counter the minnow bashing logic).

Against top 7 teams,
His stats at win stands at 49.39/92.07 (88 wins)
His stats at batting 2nd (chasing) stands at 34.51/77.14 (95 matches)
His stats at batting 2nd & wins stands at 47.57/87.54 (46 wins, 13 not outs in 39 innings - which means, he anchored through the chase 1:3 innings & finished not out)
His stats at 4 position (2, 3, 4 & 5) are
2 : 57.25/73.39 (5 ODI)
3 : 39.64/76.02 (29 ODI)
4 : 41.31/80.87 (25 ODI)
5 : 35.72/86.05 (41 ODI)

At other opening spot (No. 1), his stats stands at 33.42/73.35 (7 matches - remarkably similar SR). So, as an opener his stats stands at
1/2 : 42.09/73.37 (12 matches, with 2 100s in 12 innings)

These are stats only against top 7 sides - home & away. If I add ZIM in this mix, it'll shoot up. More than 75% of these stats are made before 2010, which should get at least 10% increment compared to stats in next 6 years because of change in context - I won't go there, because it's still fantastic for a PAK batsman.

At one point, his first 5K runs came at 35+/79+ stats - on September, 2009; which is better than anyone for PAK, bowling 6+ overs/match.

His stats at tournament Finals stands at 36.37/64.09 - 10 Finals, last one played in 2008, hence the SR is relatively lower.

.
.
.
.

All these from a player, outstanding in all-round fielding; one of the fittest player around, easily the best runner between the wickets in team (which accounts for both his & his partners' runs, hence double impact), one of the most intelligent cricketers around AND, someone still holds a bowling stats of

153 wickets @ 38.24/4.66/49.2 stats (average/economy/strike rate)

If I go for All-rounder stats, after 192 ODI (last ODI of 2010), his stats stands at
5188 runs at 34.35/80+ and 134 wickets at 36.29/~4.5 with 68 catches.


I wrote it several times that Malik comes from Sialkot, became Captain at 25 on his merit - which was too much for most coming from larger Cities; and then, he is married to a high profile Indian celebrity - no wonder that he is hated by most.

If I go by his stats since return after WC 2015, some of the posters here will stop visiting PP for few days ...... one gentleman doesn't write anymore about Malik's 353 at WACA or 256 at Bridgetown - after his intellectualization at the Malik thread, which should be an interesting read for those who are not aware at around pages 130 to 150.
[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION], [MENTION=47709]ayemgilani86[/MENTION], [MENTION=132335]Kianig89[/MENTION], [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION], [MENTION=113742]Hamzakhalid[/MENTION] : Hope it explains a bit.

This is just raw stats, I have pulled from using StatGuru - Malik's true value can't be explained here with stats only, because he is only player in this PAK side with a proper understanding of acceleration & fitting the SR into match condition. People try to defame his weakness against raw pace, but that has a hind side as well - without Sarfu & him in middle-order, Afghans 'll beat PAK left, right & centre because of those 20 overs by Rashid & Nabi ..............

Very well explained. Sorry, missed your post before posting my very brief summary.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Ofcourse by his standards.

 

[Saj]

These days the majority of Pakistani cricketers have low targets due to their lack of skill.

Here is an example of that.

 

[MMHS]

These days the majority of Pakistani cricketers have low targets due to their lack of skill.

Here is an example of that.

I think, it's the oldi bunch try to justify their inclusion with such performance. Among the younger ones, Babar did reach his 1000 landmark touching record rime, in short period Sharjeel did make his mark, Imad, Amir, Hasan are trying - at least they don't try to sell dummy.

 

[MMHS]

Very well explained. Sorry, missed your post before posting my very brief summary.

I didn't tag you for obvious reason.

One more point is Malik's career before 2010 has a fantastic trend, which most people miss - those were the days when you have to pace up the innings methodically, so that team can reach around 275, rather than current mad rush of targeting 350; therefore the role of a top order was a bit different. His SR against top 7 sides, from 1/2, 3, 4 & 5 are 73, 76, 81 & 86 - that's a perfect example of pacing the innings according to batting position. I am sure, had he been in 20s, he could have adjusted his game to play at 1, 2 & 3 now as well.

 

[Hasan123]

I didn't tag you for obvious reason.

One more point is Malik's career before 2010 has a fantastic trend, which most people miss - those were the days when you have to pace up the innings methodically, so that team can reach around 275, rather than current mad rush of targeting 350; therefore the role of a top order was a bit different. His SR against top 7 sides, from 1/2, 3, 4 & 5 are 73, 76, 81 & 86 - that's a perfect example of pacing the innings according to batting position. I am sure, had he been in 20s, he could have adjusted his game to play at 1, 2 & 3 now as well.

Should he bat at 4 in the current team? Or do you think he should bat in another position?

 

[MMHS]

Should he bat at 4 in the current team? Or do you think he should bat in another position?

May be 5 - it's a question of what is more effective Malik/Sarfu at 4/5 or Sarfu/Malik at 4/5. I think, Sarfraz at 4 can do better than 5, while Malik is similar at both spots. If Maik comes at 30/2 against 2 balls, he might not last long, at the same time, coming at 233/3, I think Malik can accelerate better.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Not true at all.

Malik has batted at No. 3 between 2002 to 2015 for 37 innings. His stats stands at

37-1-1501 runs @41.69/80.96 stats with 3 100s & 10 50s - thats, 1 innings of 50+ in less than 3 try.

If I take a cut for top 7 teams (excluding BD), he has batted at 3 only between 200-2009, and the stats stand at
29-1-1110 runs @ 39.64/76.02 stats for 10 innings of 50+ (still better than 1:3). This is in an era, when a stats of 40/75 from No. 3 is equivalent to at least 45/85 in last 3-4 years.

His overall career stats against same 7 teams stands at 34.29/78.53 for 194 matches; remarkably similar to overall stats of 35.01/81.31 (which should counter the minnow bashing logic).

Against top 7 teams,
His stats at win stands at 49.39/92.07 (88 wins)
His stats at batting 2nd (chasing) stands at 34.51/77.14 (95 matches)
His stats at batting 2nd & wins stands at 47.57/87.54 (46 wins, 13 not outs in 39 innings - which means, he anchored through the chase 1:3 innings & finished not out)
His stats at 4 position (2, 3, 4 & 5) are
2 : 57.25/73.39 (5 ODI)
3 : 39.64/76.02 (29 ODI)
4 : 41.31/80.87 (25 ODI)
5 : 35.72/86.05 (41 ODI)

At other opening spot (No. 1), his stats stands at 33.42/73.35 (7 matches - remarkably similar SR). So, as an opener his stats stands at
1/2 : 42.09/73.37 (12 matches, with 2 100s in 12 innings)

These are stats only against top 7 sides - home & away. If I add ZIM in this mix, it'll shoot up. More than 75% of these stats are made before 2010, which should get at least 10% increment compared to stats in next 6 years because of change in context - I won't go there, because it's still fantastic for a PAK batsman.

At one point, his first 5K runs came at 35+/79+ stats - on September, 2009; which is better than anyone for PAK, bowling 6+ overs/match.

His stats at tournament Finals stands at 36.37/64.09 - 10 Finals, last one played in 2008, hence the SR is relatively lower.

.
.
.
.

All these from a player, outstanding in all-round fielding; one of the fittest player around, easily the best runner between the wickets in team (which accounts for both his & his partners' runs, hence double impact), one of the most intelligent cricketers around AND, someone still holds a bowling stats of

153 wickets @ 38.24/4.66/49.2 stats (average/economy/strike rate)

If I go for All-rounder stats, after 192 ODI (last ODI of 2010), his stats stands at
5188 runs at 34.35/80+ and 134 wickets at 36.29/~4.5 with 68 catches.


I wrote it several times that Malik comes from Sialkot, became Captain at 25 on his merit - which was too much for most coming from larger Cities; and then, he is married to a high profile Indian celebrity - no wonder that he is hated by most.

If I go by his stats since return after WC 2015, some of the posters here will stop visiting PP for few days ...... one gentleman doesn't write anymore about Malik's 353 at WACA or 256 at Bridgetown - after his intellectualization at the Malik thread, which should be an interesting read for those who are not aware at around pages 130 to 150.
[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION], [MENTION=47709]ayemgilani86[/MENTION], [MENTION=132335]Kianig89[/MENTION], [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION], [MENTION=113742]Hamzakhalid[/MENTION] : Hope it explains a bit.

This is just raw stats, I have pulled from using StatGuru - Malik's true value can't be explained here with stats only, because he is only player in this PAK side with a proper understanding of acceleration & fitting the SR into match condition. People try to defame his weakness against raw pace, but that has a hind side as well - without Sarfu & him in middle-order, Afghans 'll beat PAK left, right & centre because of those 20 overs by Rashid & Nabi ..............

I have watched Malik's entire career, beginning from the match when he played as a specialist spinner in Sharjah as Saqlain's replacement.

His average of 40 as a top order batsman is one of the most misleading stats in the game.

Averages:
21 vs Australia at 42 SR
5 vs England at 46 SR
12 vs SA at 30 SR
26 vs WI at 49 SR

He played a lot of matches against India and SL (27 of 52) as a top order batsman and no wonder he did well against those pathetic fast bowling attacks. Then, there are another 11 matches, he played again minnows. So, his average of of 40 includes 38 of 52 matches against minnows or minnow level fast bowling attacks.

Against NZ, he just played 2 matches as a top order batsman and scored a century in Lahore against the bowling attack of Tuffey, Adams, and Styris, again a pathetic bowling attack.

I am neutral about Malik. He makes it to team on merit right now as a middle order batsman and definitely adds more value than Hafeez as he is better in all three aspects of game at the moment. However, he never was a top-order batsman and people would be hating him equally had he played as many matches as Hafeez in the top order. His game against fast bowlers has deteriorated even further since his come back and looks scared facing short balls.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION], any counter argument?

 

[The_Odd_One]

Malik has had success as an opener in the past and he was a very good number three in ODIs. It is not a case of him being better than Hafeez purely because he doesn't bat in the top-order. Check his record and performances at number 3, before he was shoved down the order for the perennial failure Younis. Talking about ODIs here.

Read my response to MMHS. Malik only bullied India, SL, and minnows as a #3.

 

[MMHS]

I have watched Malik's entire career, beginning from the match when he played as a specialist spinner in Sharjah as Saqlain's replacement.

His average of 40 as a top order batsman is one of the most misleading stats in the game.

Averages:
21 vs Australia at 42 SR
5 vs England at 46 SR
12 vs SA at 30 SR
26 vs WI at 49 SR

He played a lot of matches against India and SL (27 of 52) as a top order batsman and no wonder he did well against those pathetic fast bowling attacks. Then, there are another 11 matches, he played again minnows. So, his average of of 40 includes 38 of 52 matches against minnows or minnow level fast bowling attacks.

Against NZ, he just played 2 matches as a top order batsman and scored a century in Lahore against the bowling attack of Tuffey, Adams, and Styris, again a pathetic bowling attack.

I am neutral about Malik. He makes it to team on merit right now as a middle order batsman and definitely adds more value than Hafeez as he is better in all three aspects of game at the moment. However, he never was a top-order batsman and people would be hating him equally had he played as many matches as Hafeez in the top order. His game against fast bowlers has deteriorated even further since his come back and looks scared facing short balls.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION], any counter argument?

For the first part of your post, you are presenting data to back you argument - let me do a little adjustment

AUS : 20.50/42.05 (4 ODI - last one 2005)
ENG : 5.33/45.71 (3 ODI - all 3 in ENG, 2006)
SAF : 12.00/30.00 (1 ODI - 2002)

I hope, it explains enough.

The period that Malik played against IND & SRL (In top 3), their pace attack was one of their historical best. Since, this is a comparison with MoHa - compared to what MoHa faced in his hay days in UAE. But, the whole argument of this post started with putting Malik & MoHa at same line, which I don't agree - so do you, so fair enough.

There is no point discussing how good Malik is against pace or swing, because in that filter many others would look not so cool & I have mentioned that he is not Mark Waugh. Besides, every player has core strength & weakness - a player should be judged on his overall capability, not small negative samples only; otherwise we can prove Rickey Ponting & Moin Khan are same (If I pick data from IND tours). Besides, Malik was forced to open or bat at 3 - rather than him, people who sent a batsman of his capability to open in England should be shamed. These are tactics to force a player to fail.

 

[Mamoon]

Read my response to MMHS. Malik only bullied India, SL, and minnows as a #3.

Oh yes I forgot, Hafeez has scored hundreds at number 3 in England, Australia and South Africa. His good stats at number 3 has absolutely nothing to do with 3 successive hundreds vs SL in the UAE. The fact that Malik was doing well at number 3 at a time when Hafeez was not good enough to get into the team says a lot. Since the 2015 World Cup, Malik has found his zone again (which is something I predicted in 2014) and he has been much better than Hafeez.

Don't you find it interesting that during the period when Malik is performing, he is always better than Hafeez? As far as I am concerned, it is conclusive evidence that he is better. Hafeez can only beat him when he is not in the team or seriously out of touch.