If Fawad Alam had played Tests for Pakistan instead of Asad Shafiq...

[boomboom6]

What?

When was shafiq a "domestic monster"?

The guy had a 38 FC average (at the time of his international selection). LOL

people mix up Shafiq's one anomaly FC season like in 2015 or 2016 as if that's who he was when the reality was quite opposite lol

There is simply no rationale that explains a decade of run for two of the most mediocre batsmen in Shafiq & Azhar to ever play over a run machine like Fawad except nepotism and nasty politics!

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I mean Shafiq contributed a lot to us being no. 1.

Played some underrated innings like the Oval 2016. Yes mentally was weak but overall done ok.

 

[Bewal Express]

I know there were FA fans on here but aesthetics is important and he looked awful. I suppose the moral of the story is that there is more than one way to skin a cat. As far as AS is concerned, he had his moments but his biggest failure was the failure to move upto 4, preferring the comfort of 5 and 6, it showed a guy scared of responsibility

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I mean Shafiq contributed a lot to us being no. 1.

Played some underrated innings like the Oval 2016. Yes mentally was weak but overall done ok.

Yes he played very well that day but as a side kick to Younis who played one of the best innings of his career .


Can you name one game where Asad took the the game by the scruff of the neck and was the reason we won?

Just one game in 70 plus tests? Honest question because I can’t think of it.

My defining memory of Asad was early on his career. Taufeeq Umar was on 200 plus not out against Sl in the baking heating. Misbah had gotten out trying to the up the anti as Pakistan pushed for a declaration (I think he scored around 50 at close to a run a ball).

When Asad came out to bat Pakistan has already crossed 400. What did Asad proceed to do? Score 20 not out off something like 90 balls. In that time he was refusing to run hard for doubles. You would think he would be the guy pushing the score, not the opener who was batting in the desert heat for the entire day. I’m pretty sure Asad also ran Taufeeq out.

I was anti Asad from that day. He new his spot was potentially under pressure and he played most selfish innings imaginable.He probably was a big part in that match being drawn.

The only positive things I can say about Asad is that he is a nice guy and looked in his strokes

 

[mastimasti]

Bit unfair to Asad Shafique as he was, at one time, the best number 6 on the planet, scored more centuries in the position than Sobers and batted well home and away. Ideally, both could and should have been in the side.

If Azhar Ali opened, Khan came in at 3 then the next three positions would have been Misbah/Fawad/Asad.

 

[Pakhs]

Asad did pretty well until Misbah and Younis was playing. Infact both Azhar and Asad were good support act to those two but they have not been able to fill the more senior roles since they retired.

Fawad should have come in around a year earlier as he was always a decent test match player.

 

[Zaz]

Their real mistake was not letting these two fight it out by keeping them both in the squad. It likely would have improved Asad as a batsman while Fawad would have gone on and become a great Test batsman.

Unfortunately, Fawad was kept out without much reason and Asad became complacent batting behind YK, Misbah, and Azhar.

I agree Unless shafiq was smashing 100s for fun and avging 50 plus he shouldve never have had such a pressure free automatic place

One or the other shouldve been in the squad putting pressure on the other as competition usually brings out the best in people

We are getting the same situation with azhar now His performances are on the downhill but hes getting continuous backing without any pressure of competition which isnt driving him to improve This isnt healthy for the team

 

[OMB]

Fawad Alam becomes fastest Asian batsman to score 5 Test tons with unbeaten 124 versus West indies in 2nd Test

Pakistan batsman Fawad Alam broke the record of becoming the quickest Asian cricketer to have scored 5 Test centuries in the fewest 22 innings so far. Alam scored an undefeated 124 against the West Indies.

Fawad Alam becomes fastest Asian batsman to score 5 Test tons with unbeaten 124 versus West indies in 2nd TestFawad Alam has been in brilliant form ever since he made a comeback to Test cricket.
Dubbed as Pakistan's 'crisis man', Fawad Alam notched up an impressive century on day three of the 2nd Test match against West Indies on Sunday (August 22).

In a match severely affected by rainfall at Sabina Park in Kingston, Alam was forced to retire hurt at 76* with what looked like a cramp in his left leg on day one only to come back at the WIndies with a resilient innings scoring an undefeated 124 after having recovered courtesy of the stoppage in play due to rains.

The 35-year-old southpaw's stunning effort put Pakistan completely on top of the game as the Asian giants declared at 302-9 at the end of day three. Alam made up for all the lost hundreds in a rush as he broke into a fist-bump and a sajdah to celebrate his ton against the Windies in Jamaica.

With 4 centuries in the last 8 months since Alam returned to Test cricket, he has made headlines all over the cricketing world by becoming the fastest Asian batsman to get to 5 international Test tons playing only his 13th Test for Pakistan after taking an 11-year hiatus from cricket.

He has notched up all of his five centuries in just eight Tests (including his century on debut) so far after being dropped by the team after just three matches.

Alam has eclipsed the likes of fellow Asian greats:

Vijay Hazare - 26 innings
Sunil Gavaskar - 25 innings
Sourav Ganguly - 25 innings
Cheteshwar Pujara - 24 innings
Fawad Alam - 22 innings

Interestingly, Alam has joined the elite list of batsmen on the back of scoring big runs against 5 different oppositions at 5 different cricket stadiums in the world:

PAK vs SL in Colombo
PAK vs NZ in Mount Maunganui
PAK vs SA in Karachi
PAK vs Zimbabwe in Harare
PAK vs WI in Kingston

Alam has proved his critics wrong time again with his sensational performances with the bat in the twilight of his career which was marred by not getting the chance to play for his country due to unreasonable criticism from the PCB despite his consistent performances in the domestic season every year.

Only England captain Joe Root (5) has scored more centuries than Alam (4) since his comeback to the team after ten years in red-ball cricket.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/fawad-alam-becomes-fastest-asian-batsman-to-score-5-test-tons-with-unbeaten-124-versus-west-indies-in-2nd-test/802486

 

[Junaids]

No no no.

Fawad Alam should have played instead of Misbah-ul-Haq.

It’s Umar Akmal who should have played instead of Asad Shafiq.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

No no no.

Fawad Alam should have played instead of Misbah-ul-Haq.

It’s Umar Akmal who should have played instead of Asad Shafiq.

Ah what's this i see, i hate to tell you i told you so........what am i saying I told you so.

You should really learn to analyse stats more efficiently, stop giving a glass half full statement.

Umar Akmal is the best example of talent is not just neccessary but also having a brain which someone like Umar doesn't have. Umar Akmal should never be near any of our playing XIs for any of our formats.

PS nice to see u giving credit for once rather than do a cut & paste job of poor stats.

 

[Bouncer]

The runs that he is scoring are helping Pakistan no doubt, But overall his name is such a political issue that no matter How subjectively you try to analyze his performance it will be given a political/ethanocentric look no matter what.

One of the things that you pointed out was his inning in New Zealand where he scored a hundred, I remember talking to a friend of mine and pointed out that he got out to a very lazy shot right after scoring the hundred on the wicket which did not have any demons in it, It was clear from the way husnan and Shah batted that if just a bit more resilience by Fawad we could have drawn that test match as the tail ender is battered for five six overs at the end and they were making New Zealand a bit nervous that Pakistan may scrap away with their draw.

I noticed a similar carelessness, selfishness from him in his inning yesterday as well, as soon as he got to 100 he batted for another 10 overs and in the remaining 10 overs they were at least 8 overs where he took single on the first ball of the over or on the second ball of the over exposing number 10 batsman to the West Indian bowlers over and over again.

There was no intent from him to score boundaries after he got to 100 at that point it just seemed like as if he was interested in not getting out himself and getting to the other end as soon as he can at the start of the over, showing that his own average is the one that is on his mind and not the desire to try to score boundaries against a super tired bowling attack, That was so tired that number 9 and 10 batsmen both played out almost 10 overs on their own (# of balls faced by Hasan and Afridi). This when you are already one nil down in the series and the series is still alive, The series is not yet dead a bit of intent and positivity may have helped the team and another 20 runs or so I would have gotten added to the team total.

It was very clear that he was more concerned with making sure that he gets on the other end after the first and second ball of the over and manages to go back to pavilion not out so that his average gets padded more and more.

But there is no way any one of his fans will ever listen to this, they would absolutely go down on regionalism lines and put you on the cross the minute you bring it up.

Overall very happy that he is scoring runs But you also have to look at the big picture and has to look at the things that he is not doing right.

Does he? Failed in the Dunedin Test in 2009 when Pakistan needed him to score.

Failed in the first innings of the first Test in New Zealand this time around as well as in both innings of the second Test.

Got out to a tame delivery in the second innings of the first Test after getting set. He had the chance to save the match for Pakistan but he failed.

Failed badly in England.

Failed today when Pakistan needed him to step up.

He has only played one meaningful knock post comeback, and even that was a baby hundred.

He is a high 30 averaging player like Shafiq. It is now clear that there was no injustice against him. He is not as good as people thought.

The only difference between him and Shafiq is that Shafiq is at least good to watch.

 

[Cricket lover 27]

The runs that he is scoring are helping Pakistan no doubt, But overall his name is such a political issue that no matter How subjectively you try to analyze his performance it will be given a political/ethanocentric look no matter what.

One of the things that you pointed out was his inning in New Zealand where he scored a hundred, I remember talking to a friend of mine and pointed out that he got out to a very lazy shot right after scoring the hundred on the wicket which did not have any demons in it, It was clear from the way husnan and Shah batted that if just a bit more resilience by Fawad we could have drawn that test match as the tail ender is battered for five six overs at the end and they were making New Zealand a bit nervous that Pakistan may scrap away with their draw.

I noticed a similar carelessness, selfishness from him in his inning yesterday as well, as soon as he got to 100 he batted for another 10 overs and in the remaining 10 overs they were at least 8 overs where he took single on the first ball of the over or on the second ball of the over exposing number 10 batsman to the West Indian bowlers over and over again.

There was no intent from him to score boundaries after he got to 100 at that point it just seemed like as if he was interested in not getting out himself and getting to the other end as soon as he can at the start of the over, showing that his own average is the one that is on his mind and not the desire to try to score boundaries against a super tired bowling attack, That was so tired that number 9 and 10 batsmen both played out almost 10 overs on their own (# of balls faced by Hasan and Afridi). This when you are already one nil down in the series and the series is still alive, The series is not yet dead a bit of intent and positivity may have helped the team and another 20 runs or so I would have gotten added to the team total.

It was very clear that he was more concerned with making sure that he gets on the other end after the first and second ball of the over and manages to go back to pavilion not out so that his average gets padded more and more.

But there is no way any one of his fans will ever listen to this, they would absolutely go down on regionalism lines and put you on the cross the minute you bring it up.

Overall very happy that he is scoring runs But you also have to look at the big picture and has to look at the things that he is not doing right.

I have followed enough of your posts to know that you are certainly basing your issues on regionalism, had it been a player from a certain region you would have lauded him.

Anyways, the point is what were the other batsmen doing, it’s not his sole responsibility to score. Before taking him to task. Perhaps we should look at how our openers did.

 

[daytrader]

It was never about Shafiq vs Alam. Both could've played in the team after MisYou but our chief selector then didn't rate Fawad

 

[Shoaibbtt]

It was never about Shafiq vs Alam. Both could've played in the team after MisYou but our chief selector then didn't rate Fawad

Yep, Haroon Rashid was a terrible selector.

 

[Shafi]

Shafiq was one of the worst batsman played for Pakistan. A total impact less player. Shouldn't be played more than 10 tests. Both Misbah and Fawad were wasted in their golden ages. Otherwise Misbah (should play as a batsman because the guy had lack of ability to play as captain) would have scored over 9000 and Fawad over 10000 runs.

 

[daytrader]

Yep, Haroon Rashid was a terrible selector.

Yes and afterwards Inzimam too played a part in keeping Fawad out

 

[cricketAXEpert]

If Fawad Alam has played tests instead of Asad Shafiq then what would have been results? Asad Shafiq first class domestic record was quite inferior to Fawad Alam yet Asad Shafiq played tests and Fawad Alam did not. What if selectors and captain had made the right decision?

It was Misbah who got 'dead stuck' on Asad Shafiq. And never gave a chance to Fawad. Fawad Alam Could have been Pakistan's Chanderpaul (if not better) I can only imagine how many more tests Pakistan could have won with him and # 6 behind Misbah and Younis Khan.

How can you deny your most successful first class Batsman ever, a proper chance?

 

[kingusama92]

What?

When was shafiq a "domestic monster"?

The guy had a 38 FC average (at the time of his international selection). LOL

Shafiq switched teams to the Karachi Blues for the 2009–10 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and scored 1,000 runs in a season for the first time. In eleven Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches he scored 1,104 runs at an average of 64.94, including four centuries and four half-centuries.[15] As a reward for his stellar form, he was selected to play for Pakistan A in a series of one-day matches against England Lions.

Yes, I probably shouldn't have called him a domestic monster cause he struggled in his second season. But the season right before his selection was the reason he got in.

 

[kingusama92]

people mix up Shafiq's one anomaly FC season like in 2015 or 2016 as if that's who he was when the reality was quite opposite lol

There is simply no rationale that explains a decade of run for two of the most mediocre batsmen in Shafiq & Azhar to ever play over a run machine like Fawad except nepotism and nasty politics!

Shafiq averaged 64.94 in the season right before getting picked (4 100s, 4 50s).

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Yes and afterwards Inzimam too played a part in keeping Fawad out

Yep, it was a selection of people that kept Fawad out to be honest.

This is problem when people are smug, lazy and your board is corrupt you'll keep good players out.

Listen to your fans as well, as half the people on here would make competent selectors more so than these "legends"

 

[srh]

Now it is not question of just Asad Shafiq. I would even question Azhar Ali's selection over Fawad Alam all these years.

 

[shaz619]

Fawad Alam is mentally tougher then coward Shafiq

 

[daytrader]

Now it is not question of just Asad Shafiq. I would even question Azhar Ali's selection over Fawad Alam all these years.

Does Fawad open or come one down? Compare apples to apples

 

[Smbhayi]

Does Fawad open or come one down? Compare apples to apples

He debuted as an opener by the way..

 

[Ab Fan]

It was never about Shafiq vs Alam. Both could've played in the team after MisYou but our chief selector then didn't rate Fawad

They picked Harris Sohail after MisYou if I am not wrong and Harris did pretty fine too. Think Pakistan should have been more stricter while accounting for Shafiq's place in the team.

 

[shamaan]

For me that was fawad best Innings to date.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

For me that was fawad best Innings to date.

Certainly was but honestly all the innings he's played so far coming back have been great to watch.

The best thing is he's upped his pace in batting i.e. bumping up that SR.

 

[Barragan]

Shafiq switched teams to the Karachi Blues for the 2009–10 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and scored 1,000 runs in a season for the first time. In eleven Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches he scored 1,104 runs at an average of 64.94, including four centuries and four half-centuries.[15] As a reward for his stellar form, he was selected to play for Pakistan A in a series of one-day matches against England Lions.

Yes, I probably shouldn't have called him a domestic monster cause he struggled in his second season. But the season right before his selection was the reason he got in.

One good season and he wasn't the best that season either.

Naved Yasin hit 6 centuries and averaged 70.33 that season.

His overall FC average was still 38, so nowhere good enough even with one good season to break into the national team.

That decision to include him has turned out to be one of the worst decisions and a far superior batsman like a Fawad missed out.

 

[daytrader]

He debuted as an opener by the way..

He did! Thanks for letting me know

 

[Mamoon]

The runs that he is scoring are helping Pakistan no doubt, But overall his name is such a political issue that no matter How subjectively you try to analyze his performance it will be given a political/ethanocentric look no matter what.

One of the things that you pointed out was his inning in New Zealand where he scored a hundred, I remember talking to a friend of mine and pointed out that he got out to a very lazy shot right after scoring the hundred on the wicket which did not have any demons in it, It was clear from the way husnan and Shah batted that if just a bit more resilience by Fawad we could have drawn that test match as the tail ender is battered for five six overs at the end and they were making New Zealand a bit nervous that Pakistan may scrap away with their draw.

I noticed a similar carelessness, selfishness from him in his inning yesterday as well, as soon as he got to 100 he batted for another 10 overs and in the remaining 10 overs they were at least 8 overs where he took single on the first ball of the over or on the second ball of the over exposing number 10 batsman to the West Indian bowlers over and over again.

There was no intent from him to score boundaries after he got to 100 at that point it just seemed like as if he was interested in not getting out himself and getting to the other end as soon as he can at the start of the over, showing that his own average is the one that is on his mind and not the desire to try to score boundaries against a super tired bowling attack, That was so tired that number 9 and 10 batsmen both played out almost 10 overs on their own (# of balls faced by Hasan and Afridi). This when you are already one nil down in the series and the series is still alive, The series is not yet dead a bit of intent and positivity may have helped the team and another 20 runs or so I would have gotten added to the team total.

It was very clear that he was more concerned with making sure that he gets on the other end after the first and second ball of the over and manages to go back to pavilion not out so that his average gets padded more and more.

But there is no way any one of his fans will ever listen to this, they would absolutely go down on regionalism lines and put you on the cross the minute you bring it up.

Overall very happy that he is scoring runs But you also have to look at the big picture and has to look at the things that he is not doing right.

Excellent, insightful post as usual.

There is certainly an element of selfishness in his game. He is clearly striving for personal milestones to make up for all the matches that he has missed.

 

[Mamoon]

Personally speaking, I do not recognize his century yesterday.

His innings ended when he ran out of juice at 76 and retired hurt.

You cannot suspend your innings just because you are tired and resume later.

This is a mockery of rules and against sportsmanship.

The ability to survive in difficult conditions and cope with heat, humidity and fatigue is part of Test cricket.

Fawad couldn’t cope and chickened out, only to resume his innings the next day after refueling himself.

Fatigue is no valid reason for a batsman to be retired hurt and then resume later. ICC needs to take note and change the rules.

 

[AAli98]

Personally speaking, I do not recognize his century yesterday.

His innings ended when he ran out of juice at 76 and retired hurt.

You cannot suspend your innings just because you are tired and resume later.

This is a mockery of rules and against sportsmanship.

The ability to survive in difficult conditions and cope with heat, humidity and fatigue is part of Test cricket.

Fawad couldn’t cope and chickened out, only to resume his innings the next day after refueling himself.

Fatigue is no valid reason for a batsman to be retired hurt and then resume later. ICC needs to take note and change the rules.

He is 50 years old after all..

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

If we win the match, Fawad's century will go down as one of the great test centuries of the modern era by a Pakistani batsman. The amount of guts, grit and resilience he has is truly remarkable.

He has proven everyone who ever doubted him or underrated him wrong. Both in Pakistan cricket and here on PP. And you can tell certain posters are having trouble swallowing their pride and just admitting they were wrong about him.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

If we win the match, Fawad's century will go down as one of the great test centuries of the modern era by a Pakistani batsman. The amount of guts, grit and resilience he has is truly remarkable.

He has proven everyone who ever doubted him or underrated him wrong. Both in Pakistan cricket and here on PP. And you can tell certain posters are having trouble swallowing their pride and just admitting they were wrong about him.

I think Pakistan should win this, it's been put on a platter by WI. It's the bowlers job to take this now.

I reckon this'll be Fawad's best 100 after the one vs South Africa. If you also notice and take heed he's been more active in upping that SR since the Zimbabwe series.

The PP posters are not selectors and just fake fans, i said and have numerous times given Fawad support despite the failure in the England series.

Idiots on here expect someone to perform in every single innings, this is something people on here should stop doing. Don't judge someone by individual failures but instead collective failures such as what's been shown by our openers.

Oh yes and to stick it to haters

Fawad's stats for 2021

7 matches, 513 runs, ave- 57, SR, 49.42, 100s- 3, 50s- 1

He's currently the top scorer among the Pak batsmen this year

that's 4 hundreds in 4 series as well for him.

 

[Rana]

I actually loved watching Shafique bat in full flow. He was a quality stroke maker who played naturally at a 50+ strike rate in an era where Misbah had completely sucked the life out of our batting pace home and away.

Fawad just puts a very heavy price on his wicket, which is something batsmen such as Azhar, Asad and evening Babar have not learned to do so

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Personally speaking, I do not recognize his century yesterday.

His innings ended when he ran out of juice at 76 and retired hurt.

You cannot suspend your innings just because you are tired and resume later.

This is a mockery of rules and against sportsmanship.

The ability to survive in difficult conditions and cope with heat, humidity and fatigue is part of Test cricket.

Fawad couldn’t cope and chickened out, only to resume his innings the next day after refueling himself.

Fatigue is no valid reason for a batsman to be retired hurt and then resume later. ICC needs to take note and change the rules.

If this is the problem then ICC would need to cancel records of Anwar, Sidhu, Jaysurya etc. I remember them calling runners as soon as they reached 70 runs. I do agree with you though. If you can't play then get out. These type of incidents are the reason cricket is not seen seriously in sport circles outside desi cultures. If you see ESPN in US/Europe, no cricketer ever makes it to Top 10 athletes in sports in last 10 years/present/ etc. Cricketers are never put in same bracket as footballers, boxers, basketball players etc.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

I actually loved watching Shafique bat in full flow. He was a quality stroke maker who played naturally at a 50+ strike rate in an era where Misbah had completely sucked the life out of our batting pace home and away.

Fawad just puts a very heavy price on his wicket, which is something batsmen such as Azhar, Asad and evening Babar have not learned to do so

A batsman putting price on his wicket in test cricket. Why is that a problem? Isin't the job of batsman to survive difficult conditions and then capitalize later? Its not T20, strike rate is redundant.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I hope pakistani fans realise how important this hundred is.

Fawad, despite his disco dancer technique is pakistan's most reliable test bat.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think Pakistan should win this, it's been put on a platter by WI. It's the bowlers job to take this now.

I reckon this'll be Fawad's best 100 after the one vs South Africa. If you also notice and take heed he's been more active in upping that SR since the Zimbabwe series.

The PP posters are not selectors and just fake fans, i said and have numerous times given Fawad support despite the failure in the England series.

Idiots on here expect someone to perform in every single innings, this is something people on here should stop doing. Don't judge someone by individual failures but instead collective failures such as what's been shown by our openers.

Oh yes and to stick it to haters

Fawad's stats for 2021

7 matches, 513 runs, ave- 57, SR, 49.42, 100s- 3, 50s- 1

He's currently the top scorer among the Pak batsmen this year

that's 4 hundreds in 4 series as well for him.

Well I've come to the conclusion that some people are just utterly clueless about cricket. They can't look at things objectively never let go of their biases. Only one player (Joe Root) has scored more centuries than Fawad in 2021 and he has been having a Bradmanesque year.

Anyone who continues to criticize Fawad cannot be taken seriously.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Well I've come to the conclusion that some people are just utterly clueless about cricket. They can't look at things objectively never let go of their biases. Only one player (Joe Root) has scored more centuries than Fawad in 2021 and he has been having a Bradmanesque year.

Anyone who continues to criticize Fawad cannot be taken seriously.

Correction Kurnaratne has 4 centuries this year and Fawad 3.

We’ve all seen the Facebook posts he’s come out in a time of crisis and that is something that needs to be acknowledged. Runs coming under pressure is worth it all.

People who constantly bicker about small things like him retiring hurt, his technique and blah blah blah are just a little sad.

If Fawad had been given his shot a while back
he would’ve passed Younis Khan by a long stretch. Here’s hoping Fawad can still do it till he’s 42.

 

[Super Santi]

Seems incredible that Fawad was not in the XI for so long.
Good to see him succeed.
However, i always liked watching Shafique bat, was there not room for both of them?

 

[OmarKhan99]

Personally speaking, I do not recognize his century yesterday.

His innings ended when he ran out of juice at 76 and retired hurt.

You cannot suspend your innings just because you are tired and resume later.

This is a mockery of rules and against sportsmanship.

The ability to survive in difficult conditions and cope with heat, humidity and fatigue is part of Test cricket.

Fawad couldn’t cope and chickened out, only to resume his innings the next day after refueling himself.

Fatigue is no valid reason for a batsman to be retired hurt and then resume later. ICC needs to take note and change the rules.

I've already explained in another thread why it doesn't make logical sense to declare a batsman 'retired out' due to sudden muscle cramps, since cramps can be caused by several diagnoses, some of them temporary/harmless while some of the underlying ones being genuinely dangerous (pinched nerves). It's not too different to a temporary injury substitution. Do you think that player with a dislocated finger should be allowed to go off for ~20 mins, get their finger sorted, and then be allowed back to the game. Or should they be made to choose between either playing with that dislocated finger or be ejected from that innings. We could miss out on some high-octane action in a WC Final from a player people have paid proper bucks to watch, just because they were in temporary discomfort.

 

[OmarKhan99]

If this is the problem then ICC would need to cancel records of Anwar, Sidhu, Jaysurya etc. I remember them calling runners as soon as they reached 70 runs. I do agree with you though. If you can't play then get out. These type of incidents are the reason cricket is not seen seriously in sport circles outside desi cultures. If you see ESPN in US/Europe, no cricketer ever makes it to Top 10 athletes in sports in last 10 years/present/ etc. Cricketers are never put in same bracket as footballers, boxers, basketball players etc.

Couple of questions. How often have you seen a batsman walking off due to cramps in recent times? Are you implying that no other sport has the concept of mid-game rest/change, essentially a substitution?

Also, couldn't really care about what the US-Euro-centric outlets have to say about athletes. They'd obviously be biased towards sports that they excel in, and would infamously be the last place to check if you're seeking anything remotely resembling a 'Global' perspective on any matter.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

If this is the problem then ICC would need to cancel records of Anwar, Sidhu, Jaysurya etc. I remember them calling runners as soon as they reached 70 runs. I do agree with you though. If you can't play then get out. These type of incidents are the reason cricket is not seen seriously in sport circles outside desi cultures. If you see ESPN in US/Europe, no cricketer ever makes it to Top 10 athletes in sports in last 10 years/present/ etc. Cricketers are never put in same bracket as footballers, boxers, basketball players etc.

Number 1 if a person is not fit to play, and if it's permissible by the ICC a player retire hurt and then return later if they wish then it should be ok by us. After all people can have an opinion but the rules are the rules and it's legal.

Number 2 if a person is feeling issues with extreme heat (in this scenario +30C) then it's no point them being obligated to throw their wicket away needlessly. I would like to ask you, go into a greenhouse in summer or if you have a conservatory and stay in there for a few hours that's how it feels, cricketers and indeed all athletes are humans.

 

[Mainul]

The case of Fawad not being sent for batting in the 2nd innings

Fawad just hit an unbeaten century. He had the highest strike rate of 58 among all the Pakistani batsmen in the first innings. Fawad has better strike rate than Babar, Azhar, Rizwan and Fahim in this whole test series (not taking account of SR of Abid, Butt whose SR was inflated by just 1 innings in this whole series which was full of flashy, edgy tailender like shots). Yet he wasn't even sent into batting in the 2nd innings!! Is it by thinking that he can't make quick runs??!! It seemed to me a ridiculous decision and a big insult to your best batsman.

 

[ElRaja]

fawad is a slow starter and not a hitter. only thing that didnt make sense was sending azhar at three, but im guessing they were hoping he could buy some runs to get into form.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Fawad just hit an unbeaten century. He had the highest strike rate of 58 among all the Pakistani batsmen in the first innings. Fawad has better strike rate than Babar, Azhar, Rizwan and Fahim in this whole test series (not taking account of SR of Abid, Butt whose SR was inflated by just 1 innings in this whole series which was full of flashy, edgy tailender like shots). Yet he wasn't even sent into batting in the 2nd innings!! Is it by thinking that he can't make quick runs??!! It seemed to me a ridiculous decision and a big insult to your best batsman.

It doesn't really matter Fawad has done his job this series, so wouldn't make it an issue. It was more of a alright young guns go out there and get some confidence.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Correction Kurnaratne has 4 centuries this year and Fawad 3.

We’ve all seen the Facebook posts he’s come out in a time of crisis and that is something that needs to be acknowledged. Runs coming under pressure is worth it all.

People who constantly bicker about small things like him retiring hurt, his technique and blah blah blah are just a little sad.

If Fawad had been given his shot a while back
he would’ve passed Younis Khan by a long stretch. Here’s hoping Fawad can still do it till he’s 42.

Check again. He has 4. One each against New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe and West Indies.

Yeah that's all one can hope. That he atleast makes the most of what little opportunity he has. But history will remember the people who wasted the career of a potential Pakistani great.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Check again. He has 4. One each against New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe and West Indies.

Yeah that's all one can hope. That he atleast makes the most of what little opportunity he has. But history will remember the people who wasted the career of a potential Pakistani great.

New Zealand was 2020, if you see the stats on Cricinfo it takes into account 100 vs SA, Zim and WI.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

New Zealand was 2020, if you see the stats on Cricinfo it takes into account 100 vs SA, Zim and WI.

My bad. It was 30 December 2020.

 

[Ayubhbaloch]

time for fawad alam entry into odi formats...... Boyzzzzzz

 

[Shoaibbtt]

My bad. It was 30 December 2020.

Still a brilliant year for him, and now from him rest and prepare for QeA.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Still a brilliant year for him, and now from him rest and prepare for QeA.

Yeah. And it ain't over yet. The Bangladesh tests are scheduled for November-December. Hopefully he continue his form in the QeA and then carry that to Bangladesh.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Yeah. And it ain't over yet. The Bangladesh tests are scheduled for November-December. Hopefully he continue his form in the QeA and then carry that to Bangladesh.

Yep, i think any batsman will be relieved to not be facing the dukes ball now. Plenty of practise with the Kookaburra in QeA and then same ball to be employed for the Bangladesh series.

 

[shamaan]

Thiers no issue if fawad didn't bat in the second Innings he done his Job in the series.

 

[Saj]

The Asad Shafiq experiment went on for too long.

He was clearly done but they kept on picking him for some reason.

Poor strategy.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

The Asad Shafiq experiment went on for too long.

He was clearly done but they kept on picking him for some reason.

Poor strategy.

I have to agree. He was a mediocre batsman who's runs were all soft runs, came at a time we were more or less done and dusted.

I don't know why some of the Pak media fight for this guy. He doesn't merit a spot and we have far more viable options to play in the middle.

 

[sweep_shot]

Fawad Alam is miles better than Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. He should've played more.

 

[TheSultan]

Is there a quota system that we must only have one karachi player in the team?

Why Asad shafiq? Why not someone else? Misbah himself was pretty pathetic towards the end of his career. Azhar has been as mentally weak as Asad too. In fact since 2018, Azhar has been as bad as a tailender. They even picked Iftikhar in 2016!

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Is there a quota system that we must only have one karachi player in the team?

Why Asad shafiq? Why not someone else? Misbah himself was pretty pathetic towards the end of his career. Azhar has been as mentally weak as Asad too. In fact since 2018, Azhar has been as bad as a tailender. They even picked Iftikhar in 2016!

In terms of Azhar i can say yes he's mentally weak, there was a test i remember in UAE where we were facing NZ and the match got really tight with him being the last man standing, I can't remember but it was something really small we needed to win the match and he ended up bottling it to their spinner Ajaz Ahmed or whatever his name was.

I'm sick of this whole giving a mediocre player a long run especially those who don't stand up when the team needs them.

 

[ElRaja]

Is there a quota system that we must only have one karachi player in the team?

Why Asad shafiq? Why not someone else? Misbah himself was pretty pathetic towards the end of his career. Azhar has been as mentally weak as Asad too. In fact since 2018, Azhar has been as bad as a tailender. They even picked Iftikhar in 2016!

stop making it about regionalism. misbah was a in another league compared to asad. misbah averaged 35 for a year, about 10 tests and he was gone. asad averaaged 30 for 30 tests across 4 years before he was dropped.

from what i hear theres dearth of talent in karachi because land mafia took all the open land and apart from a few privileged kids who get into academies hardly anyone gets to play hard ball cricket.

 

[Ami]

No matter how good a player is, stats wise or otherwise...if some posters are not his fans then they're not his fans; even if the player ends up climbing Mount Everest fully padded up.

 

[warcry]

forget Shafiq for a moment.

Misbah should never have had a test career. man scored 10 centuries in 70 tests. most of them in Asia. only 1 of them outside Asia ( at Lords)

Fawad Alam has 5 centuries in 13 tests with 2 outside Asia ( not counting Zimbabwe)

 

[Saj]

Shafiq was a golden boy for years.

Some former players backed him a lot too.

He seemed to be undroppable which was a big error.

 

[cricketfan11]

Shafiq suffered because his talent was suited more to batting at no 3 or no 4. However, he got plenty of chances lower down the order and did not capitalise.

Fawad should not have been in competition with Shafiq. He made an impact in his debut Test and should easily have been in the middle order instead of Misbah and Malik. It is a strange system where Malik got opportunities in Tests despite never being a player for the longer format.

 

[Zaz]

Shafiq was a golden boy for years.

Some former players backed him a lot too.

He seemed to be undroppable which was a big error.

I think it was quite clear around 2018 that asad shafiq didnt deserve a spot in the team anymore but i guess the team managment would lose face if they dropped someone who they had invested in so heavily over the years

Like any bad investment as soon a you realise youve made a mistake its better to cut your losses and move on rather than throwing good after bad

He played on for 2.5 years and 20 tests too many costing many tests and series It was clear he waa backed by many high up in positions of power

It was comical in the end how he was still in the team

 

[daytrader]

They picked Harris Sohail after MisYou if I am not wrong and Harris did pretty fine too. Think Pakistan should have been more stricter while accounting for Shafiq's place in the team.

2 legends retired, they had 1 more spot even after Harris. If it wasn't for the personal dislikes of our then chief selector, Fawad would've been playing along with Shafiq and Harris

 

[Shoaibbtt]

They picked Harris Sohail after MisYou if I am not wrong and Harris did pretty fine too. Think Pakistan should have been more stricter while accounting for Shafiq's place in the team.

Haris was picked straight after coming back from injury and played the test series with no domestic cricket played.

 

[Saj]

I think it was quite clear around 2018 that asad shafiq didnt deserve a spot in the team anymore but i guess the team managment would lose face if they dropped someone who they had invested in so heavily over the years

Like any bad investment as soon a you realise youve made a mistake its better to cut your losses and move on rather than throwing good after bad

He played on for 2.5 years and 20 tests too many costing many tests and series It was clear he waa backed by many high up in positions of power

It was comical in the end how he was still in the team

There was a desperation from some for Shafiq to regain his form. But he was done and dusted and had far too many chances.

 

[MenInG]

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has slammed ex-spinner and member of the selection committee Tauseef Ahmed after he said that Sarfaraz was behind Fawad Alam's exclusion from the Test side.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz was Pakistan's Test captain from 2017-2019 while Tauseef was part of the selection committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq.

Tauseef opined that they had given two options to Sarfaraz and then head coach Mickey Arthur to pick from Saad Ali and Fawad Alam but the duo chose rookie batter Saad over Fawad.

While talking to media in Karachi, Sarfaraz said that Tauseef was also part of the committee and secret talks of the locker room should not come out.

“Conversations take place in the locker room and they should remain within the room, If I start speaking, many people will face difficulties," Sarfaraz said.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz is taking the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season as a hope to get back in the national team.

"My job is to play cricket, PSL is hope for me. Attempts will be made to make a place in the national team by showing good performance," Quetta Gladiators captain added.

Talking about the retirement of Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz opined that the senior player has supported him. "He will be missed in the dressing room and I wish him all the best for his future.”

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...ues-if-i-start-talking-sarfaraz-slams-tauseef

 

[volcyz]

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has slammed ex-spinner and member of the selection committee Tauseef Ahmed after he said that Sarfaraz was behind Fawad Alam's exclusion from the Test side.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz was Pakistan's Test captain from 2017-2019 while Tauseef was part of the selection committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq.

Tauseef opined that they had given two options to Sarfaraz and then head coach Mickey Arthur to pick from Saad Ali and Fawad Alam but the duo chose rookie batter Saad over Fawad.

While talking to media in Karachi, Sarfaraz said that Tauseef was also part of the committee and secret talks of the locker room should not come out.

“Conversations take place in the locker room and they should remain within the room, If I start speaking, many people will face difficulties," Sarfaraz said.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz is taking the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season as a hope to get back in the national team.

"My job is to play cricket, PSL is hope for me. Attempts will be made to make a place in the national team by showing good performance," Quetta Gladiators captain added.

Talking about the retirement of Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz opined that the senior player has supported him. "He will be missed in the dressing room and I wish him all the best for his future.”

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...ues-if-i-start-talking-sarfaraz-slams-tauseef

Sarfraz so shameless

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Sarfraz so shameless

I had an interesting chat with former chief selector Haroon Rashid on this. I slammed his decisions but he said the final call was made by the captain and they really didn’t pick him over his stance and felt he had no future.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

We wouldn't have gone to No. 1.

Alam is pretty overrated. Impossible for him to get a hundred in England, SA or Australia. Physically the weakest cricketer to ever play.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

We wouldn't have gone to No. 1.

Alam is pretty overrated. Impossible for him to get a hundred in England, SA or Australia. Physically the weakest cricketer to ever play.

Stop assuming and let's see what happens when he does, already scored a 100 in NZ. People are not quick to give people chances and besides that "overrated" player pretty much saved the backside of our team during some of the tests in 2021. Go and look how that top order flopped like a fish on land and how he saved our skin.

 

[Concerned]

Alam aged 36 is at the end of his international career, he is bound to fail now.

However, there should be some accountability as to why he was ignored for so long. It’s not like Pakistan had a firing middle order.

 

[Saj]

Sarfraz so shameless

To be fair to Sarfaraz, he wasn't the only one to blame for the non-selection of Fawad.

Many should hang their heads in shame regarding the way Fawad was treated and how his career has gone.

I sincerely hope lessons have been learnt from the Fawad story and it doesn't happen again.

 

[OmarKhan99]

Sarfraz so shameless

How? I quite like Fawad Alam and have always felt he was hard done by, but having seen Saad Ali's performances in the domestic on wet and difficult pitches during that period, and considering the fact that the middle order was already an ageing one and needed to be replaced with younger players, it's quite reasonable for Sarfraz+Mickey (if that's true) to have gone for Saad Ali as the middle order pick over Fawad.

Also, it makes no sense trying to make it sound like Sarfraz+Mickey were at fault when a choice was presented to them by the selection committee themselves (as they claim)

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> in 2009. Fawad Alam made a century on Test debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo. In the following 11 years, Fawad only played 3 Test matches for Pakistan <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/l1oacKDu62">pic.twitter.com/l1oacKDu62</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1547108606155300866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Amjid Javed]

Should have been dropped from test side after Aussie series. He will get exposed when we play at home vs england and NZ, time to move on.