If it came down to Azhar Ali or Ahmed Shehzad, who would you choose in the playing XI?

[ahmedwaqas92]

The thread title, is pretty self explanatory and I'd like mention that for me I'd go with Shehzad. Yes, even though I love the Azhar (The Test Batsman + Human Being) I just firmly believe he is not fit to play ODIs.

What do you guys think ??

Discuss

P.S. Mods is it possible to have a poll on this one ??

 

[Cricket World]

Azhar Ali he can atleast play like proper batsman

 

[Xoib]

Azhar if you need an anchor it has to be him contrary to others I believe Azhar can do a job for our ODI side provided we can find some dynamic bats to play around him and Babar.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Shehzad is a *****

He can bat at higher pace but he is too chicken and selfish to do that

Which is exactly why I would say he might be the one making through if it came down between shezzy and Azhar.....

You need a danda to make Shehzad work and play to what he's capable off while with Azhar he works his *** off without anybody telling him anything however he just doesn't have it in him to up the ante as needed in modern cricket....

 

[Xoib]

Which is exactly why I would say he might be the one making through if it came down between shezzy and Azhar.....

You need a danda to make Shehzad work and play to what he's capable off while with Azhar he works his *** off without anybody telling him anything however he just doesn't have it in him to up the ante as needed in modern cricket....

Shehzad does not have it in him to up the ante against quality international attacks while his defense is also poor Azhar may not be dynamic but he will 8 times off 10 hold his own vs world class attacks.

 

[Slog]

Shehzad is the kind of guy who'd take a 75(100) and a certain Pakistani loss rather than a 30(25) and a potential Pakistan win.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Shehzad is a *****

He can bat at higher pace but he is too chicken and selfish to do that

Against pie chuckers.

 

[Slog]

Against pie chuckers.

yes. he is limited by his talent but thats a seperate issue

Even if you put a lollypop attack against him his first 40-50 runs will be at 75 SR.

 

[cr7great]

both will eat all poweplay overs

 

[Ultimate]

Azhar, as he can bowl some reliable leg spin as well.

 

[Ahson8]

Azhar.

 

[phoenix363]

Azhar without a doubt

 

[pakistani pride]

Azhar of course. Shezad should have never been picked.

Lucky guy he is !

 

[Hasan123]

Shehzad. But ultimately one of these two should be in the line up. The pain of them opening together will be a disaster.

 

[Pete Rose]

Azhar

 

[dauntless]

It has to be azhar.shehzad is just a limited strokeless wonder.

 

[abughio]

Azhar

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Azhar.

 

[proud_pakistani]

Both are same in my opinion. In the current set-up its probably best to play Shehzad. I think on really flat decks he can up the ante on his day.

 

[WC-Passion]

Azhar he'll actually out runs on the board and can bat at a 80SR which is better than Shehzad.

 

[Hamza_]

Azhar​, Shehzad is just too slow.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Shehzad anyday. Azhar even on his best days is a poor man's Rahul Dravid in the ODI format.

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[Hawkeye]

Azhar is far ahead and polished as a batsman. He can score consistently and FASTER than Shehzad.

Any day Azhar >>>> Shehzad.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Despite Azhar being leagues ahead of Shehzad as a batsman, I would prefer Shehzad if it came down to the two. At least for now. Shehzad definitely has the ability to bat at a higher pace and he's shown glimpses of it in the past.

In fact, when Ahmed Shehzad first burst into the team, he played with a very high strike-rate and often hit sixes at the very start of the innings. The over vs Mitchell Johnson in a Test match (where he was dismissed on the last delivery of the over) is an example. He completely took apart a Mitchell Johnson in the very first over, however Johnson had the last laugh. But regardless of that, it shows you that he most definitely does have the ability and the capability to play quick - he's just too selfish and wants to get big scores and cement his place in the team.

If the management could give him confidence about his spot in the team, I would not think a second time before selecting Shehzad over Azhar because frankly, despite being a great batsman, Azhar Ali doesn't have the next gear - he can't even take apart mediocre sides with his strike rate and monstrous batting. He's more of an anchor and we already have too many of those in the team.

 

[Ami]

Neither ....ill play with 10.

 

[IMMY69]

I think realistically you can only play one of them.

The way the English tracks are looking, we need to be setting or chasing 300+ scores. Which means we can't risk two slow batters at the top.

 

[captain crook]

Azhar!

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

From the current squad neither.. use Fakhar and Hafeez to open

 

[GullyCricketFlop]

Azhar Ali.

 

[IM NOT YOU]

any other country would never allow a discussion like this to occur. they are both completely out to sea in international cricket.

its a total joke that they are still in our selection system. ridiculous.

 

[Syed1]

Azhar is a limited batsman but atleast he is not selfish. He will try his best for the team's cause. However, he just doesn't have the skills to be successful in modern day ODIs. Still Azhar is miles ahead of selfish and useless Shehzad who I believe also gets picked because of a quota just like the Akmals.

 

[GreenShirts]

any other country would never allow a discussion like this to occur. they are both completely out to sea in international cricket.

its a total joke that they are still in our selection system. ridiculous.

Azhar in LOI's you mean...Shehzad has potential but he ruined himself.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Azhar is a limited batsman but atleast he is not selfish. He will try his best for the team's cause. However, he just doesn't have the skills to be successful in modern day ODIs. Still Azhar is miles ahead of selfish and useless Shehzad

This! Azhar atleast tries and is not selfish. Cant say this about Shehzad. Even his running is all of himself. I clearly remember how he denied runs to Haris and others just to play next easy over.

 

[badsha001]

Azhar will at least go down trying for the team. Shezzie boy will eat up all the balls and play a selfish knock.

 

[Rayyman]

Depends on the pitch. Azhar on a green mamba. Shehzad on a flat pancake.

 

[yasir]

Kiya choices haan, Shezad, Azhar, Hafeez to open in a tournament... Reminds me when Mom used to Ask, Kon See Sabzai Pakyoon: Tinda, Kadoo, Karalaa? My response was, its better not to cook anything, if these are the choices, nothing to look upto

 

[Hamza_]

Kiya choices haan, Shezad, Azhar, Hafeez to open in a tournament... Reminds me when Mom used to Ask, Kon See Sabzai Pakyoon: Tinda, Kadoo, Karalaa? My response was, its better not to cook anything, if these are the choices, nothing to look upto

Really.

 

[yasir]

Really.

Are you surprised at Sabzais or Opener??

 

[cricketAXEpert]

I think these two (Shahzad & Azhar) will be opening in the CT2017 with Babar Azam Shoaib Malik & Hafeez to follow. Haris Sohail could be # 6. if we don't play both Imad and Shahdab.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Shehzad

Both are slow starters but Shehzad can at least accelerate. Shehzad is also a better fielder.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

For now let's just hope that only one of these guys gets to play. Imagine the prospect of both of them opening together

 

[Hamza_]

Are you surprised at Sabzais or Opener??

I'm surprised at sabzis. And I would respond in the same way ke kuch bhi naa banain.

Openers to yaar bas kia boloon likh likh kar thak gaya hoon revolutionary ki selections par

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Azhar any day. He plays at a better SR and avg more than shehzad and can b trusted to see off the new ball under overcast conditions if needed. Shehzad has to work on his game to improve first he has age on his side. AS and UA regressed because didn't take the game seriously but took the fame instead. When they start doing the opposite which they haven't started yet will taste success.

 

[Poutine]

Azhar Ali definitely

 

[MMHS]

I thought, it'll be 60-40, in favor of Azhar - looks like 90-10. I'll cast my vote for Ahmed.

The reason, I'll try to explain with a synonymous logic -

"An iron smith can make a sword from cast iron, even the worst of their kind (both iron block & the iron smith) - but the best craftsman on earth can't make a pencil cutter knife out of wood, be is sandal or Burma teak".

Bottom line is - Azhar isn't an ODI player & he shouldn't be forced into one. Those who thinks his game isn't suited for modern game, actually can't visualize that Sunny's 36* (60 overs) would have been under threat, had Azhar played 40 years back - what he is doing now seems like ODI of 70s & 80s - put him in 70s & 80s context, his batting would look like 50s & 60s. PCB tried that with Taqfique Umar & wasted the best Test opener for PAK since Anwar & Taufique was far, far better stroke maker than Azhar, with hitting ability through off-side.

Ahmed isn't the best tool, and his intention has a BIG question mark in it - but, at least he is a batsman who can hit it on either side, either feet & he can actually hit good balls. In my lifetime, the worst ODI innings from a No. 3 I have seen is Azhar's batting at Eden in 2012, coming at 140/1 @ better than run a ball - that should have been his last career innings in List A. It actually was his last ODI innings for 2+ years, until he was brought back as Captain - a decision, now looks like no one wishes to own.

As a person & team player, Azhar should dominate the voting 100-0, but I simply can't take him in ODI side - PAK should bat to win matches, not to save face with respectable total. In an ideal world, none of the two should have been in squad, at least none should belong to playing XI.

 

[Ramez]

Azhar because he can bat well in english conditions where ball tends to do a fair bit . Shezad would just eat up 10-12 overs and finally lose his wicket when needed to up the scoring rate.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

rather play with 10 men

 

[ocfan]

Shehzad anyday. Azhar even on his best days is a poor man's Rahul Dravid in the ODI format.

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ODI strike rates

Misbah > Shehzad

Azhar > Shehzad

 

[ocfan]

Despite Azhar being leagues ahead of Shehzad as a batsman, I would prefer Shehzad if it came down to the two. At least for now. Shehzad definitely has the ability to bat at a higher pace and he's shown glimpses of it in the past.

In fact, when Ahmed Shehzad first burst into the team, he played with a very high strike-rate and often hit sixes at the very start of the innings. The over vs Mitchell Johnson in a Test match (where he was dismissed on the last delivery of the over) is an example. He completely took apart a Mitchell Johnson in the very first over, however Johnson had the last laugh. But regardless of that, it shows you that he most definitely does have the ability and the capability to play quick - he's just too selfish and wants to get big scores and cement his place in the team.

If the management could give him confidence about his spot in the team, I would not think a second time before selecting Shehzad over Azhar because frankly, despite being a great batsman, Azhar Ali doesn't have the next gear - he can't even take apart mediocre sides with his strike rate and monstrous batting. He's more of an anchor and we already have too many of those in the team.

infact he has very low Strike rate in his early matches, And now after playing a handful his strike rate is even lower than Misbah ul haq.

 

[hur rizvi]

None of them

 

[Lynx]

Azhar. Hands down. Shehzad shows absolutely NO intent to score runs and is content with blocking. While Azhar steps out of his crease very often and tries to create space for playing his shots. Huge difference in approach. Also I feel like people have been TOO harsh on Azhar the ODI batsman. He's not suited for the shorter format, but has still done relatively well and played at an acceptable SR.

 

[todfod 11]

i l pick out of form azhar over in form shehzad. just because shehzad play for his place when Azhar plays to score big runs. Azhar is a slow starter but once set he can accelerate while shehzad as soon he sets in will throw away his wicket.
By strike rate as well as average Azhar is superior to shehzad. even though azhar is not a limited over batsmen but he is still a batsmen wherease Shehzad is nothing but a leg side hoick with nice cut shot or a cover drive once in a blue moon.

 

[saeedhk]

Neither one of them. But i would take Azhar over Shehzad if i had to. Forget about ODIs, Shehzad is too slow even for tests plus he can only score against minnows. We have openers from the 1980s. Look at other teams' openers like Warner, Jason Roy, etc. And we are stuck with these two.

 

[kingusama92]

I'd choose to forfeit.



Probably Shahzad because he's an exceptional fielder. At least you get that.

 

[Indiafan]

Sophie's choice

 

[Daniyal 13]

Both operate at around similar strike rates and in this case you can afford such a strike rate in middle order but not at the top order, specially when Shehzad cant convert more often than not (so accelerating is out of question here) Azhar can atleast stabilize things in the middle order and on the other hand Shehzad has all the potential in the world to mess up things in top order.

So Azhar Ali for me.

 

[hamaadqureshi819]

both play at similar strike rates, but azhar can at least score big

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Hahaha Told you guys !!!!

 

[Hawkeye]

People need to keep their hormones under control and don't get excited over a single warm up match.

Watch and let the tournament finish.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Lol at everyone who voted for Azhar.

Azhar is a terrible ODI batsman. Not that Shehzad is great but he's still better than Azhar in some aspects.

 

[Hasan123]

Lol I was one of the few who went with Shehzad even though I'm an Azhar fan.

 

[sjahmed23]

Azhar hands down. Hate seeing shehzad play, no skill at all just hoicks and tuk tuks. I wanna see Azhar Ali open with Sarfraz.

 

[FreakCricket]

Azhar has a zero limited over game, who ever included him in the squad should be immediately sacked. He doesn't belong here should only stick to test cricket. I'll choose Shehzad even though it's a terrible choice and a selfish cricketer but can play ODI's

 

[Speedster777]

Shehzad anyday

 

[sadida97]

Shehzad

 

[Hawkeye]

Hahaha Told you guys !!!!

Yeah, and I told you this after that warm up:

People need to keep their hormones under control and don't get excited over a single warm up match.

Watch and let the tournament finish.

Now you know the reality of Ahmed "not a batsman" Shehzad?

People shouldn't get their hormones charged up so fast over Shehzad. Played at a strike rate of 50 and still got out.

 

[Mamoon]

Still prefer Shehzad, but he has to play for the team.

 

[coy0607]

Still prefer Shehzad, but he has to play for the team.

he literally hasn't played a good innings 2 years.. but yes lets stick with him, maybe in another 2 years he can deliver

 

[explayer]

Azhar showed intent despite the limitation we all know he has.shazad didnt even show intent to score. he has to go if pcb wants pakistanis to watch cricket

 

[sarmad1983]

id drop both of them if i could. LOok, azhar scored a very slow 50 but even when he got out he wasnt middling anything. he goes way too hard at the ball and plays it way too early. shehzad is a no no unless he is in t20 mode.

 

[UmarMalik]

We have to stick with both for now, unfortunately. I really hope Ahmed finds his form, and figures out a way to rotate strikes in the middle.

However, people of Pakistan are very impulsive so I wouldn't be surprised if he's dropped again for 2-3 months, only to realize that we need him back.

 

[amvbfm]

Ideally neither. But if there was no option then Azhar over not only Shahzad but also Hafeez (unless he is willing to go down to 6 or 7 and bowl without being called). People talking about Shehzad's hitting ability should refer to the 4 and 6/inns columns while those who mentioned his fielding should go and watch the highlights of the Ind vs Pak match. Not to mention the fact that Shahzad and Hafeez are easily the most selfish players to have played for Pak.

[table="width: 500"]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]Avg[/td]
[td]S/R[/td]
[td]4/inns[/td]
[td]6/inns[/td]
[td]Vs top 4[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Azhar[/td]
[td]38[/td]
[td]75[/td]
[td]3.3[/td]
[td]0.24[/td]
[td]32@70[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Shahzad[/td]
[td]33[/td]
[td]72[/td]
[td]3.4[/td]
[td]0.23[/td]
[td]32@67[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Hafeez[/td]
[td]33[/td]
[td]75[/td]
[td]3.2[/td]
[td]0.47[/td]
[td]26@69[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

 

[mhraja]

Azhar Ali over Shahzad

Azhar that day was alteast showing some intent and was trying to play shots; that's another thing that he is a limited batsman with not much to offer. He had 36 off 33 balls before Jadeja came in and choked him back to SR of 80s.

Shahzad was totally off color, looked lost and didn't try to play any shots although he is more capable than Azhar Ali.

 

[todfod 11]

Shehzad anyday. Azhar even on his best days is a poor man's Rahul Dravid in the ODI format.

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no wonder you were trying to blame it on azhar for loss to india tge other day.. man please retire from watching cricket and take shehzad with u as well. khuda kay liye baksh do pakistan cricket ko

 

[todfod 11]

We have to stick with both for now, unfortunately. I really hope Ahmed finds his form, and figures out a way to rotate strikes in the middle.

However, people of Pakistan are very impulsive so I wouldn't be surprised if he's dropped again for 2-3 months, only to realize that we need him back.

if pakistan team had to pick him again seriously pak cricket should be banned for ever. plaease play gilli danda

 

[todfod 11]

Still prefer Shehzad, but he has to play for the team.

not surprised at all.. you have no clue about cricket just a key board warrior

 

[Mamoon]

not surprised at all.. you have no clue about cricket just a key board warrior

That may or may not be true, but I think it is quite telling that I was not aware of your existence on this forum before this hormonal outburst, and you have 890 posts.

 

[TeymurBlake]

On current form yeah Azhar. Atleast he would try and get a good amount of runs in the match. He just needs an aggressive opener with him. It will be interesting if Fakhar Zaman can become this aggressive opener we been wanting for a long time.

 

[gishy]

I'd select neither...instead I'd play Ali Ahmed my local shopkeeper.

 

[todfod 11]

That may or may not be true, but I think it is quite telling that I was not aware of your existence on this forum before this hormonal outburst, and you have 890 posts.

yes as i a better listener or reader in this case. but u r one of the most outspoken ones. After so much detail knowledge you provide on this forum you have come up with shehzad as a choice is a shame.
As since Psl you wanted him to be selected and then "muh ki khaani padi".
As per people including me who has little knowledge about cricket shehzad failed and failed and failed. And he will keep on failing in future unless he retires but ppl like you will keep asking for his selection as you are ego driven.