If you’re going to play Iftikhar Ahmed, why not select Mohammad Hafeez?

[Junaids]

It’s looking increasingly likely that Misbah will pick Iftikhar Ahmed as an extra “batsman who can bowl”.

In spite of his Test batting average of 9.60 after 3 Tests, combined with a bowling average of 141.00.

I realise that Mohammad Hafeez has the world’s second worst batting average outside Asia in 150 years of Test cricket.

But he’s still better than Iftikhar with both bat and ball in red ball cricket. Pretty much all of us are.

Hafeez is going to be sitting there in the pavilion, watching a supposedly younger off-spinning batsman do even worse than he could do himself.

So if we have to watch Misbah’s cronies get humiliated by Archer and Broad, why not use Hafeez rather than Iftikhar?

 

[Titan24]

I am not a big fan of Iftikhar the test player but arent 3 tests too less to judge any player?

He has FC average of almost 40 with 11 100s and 64 wickets @28. I dont think 3 tests are enough judge Iftikhar and move back to Hafeez. Iftikhar keeps on getting nod for tests because he is the only batting all rounder which can provide the option of off spin as well aside from Hafeez and Malik which we all know arent capable enough for overseas tests backed by a much larger sample size.

I think temperament wise Iftikhar has been good in LOIs since his comeback and if he can apply himself in tests he can be useful as he has enough shots to push on with tail as well. Though he needs to play more balls and survive enough for the situations he can capitalize on.

 

[gazza619]

Ifti will not get to play a test in England as we aint playing a useless part time spinner.

Either we will play 6 proper batsmen and 4 bowlers, or 5 bowlers. Thats the way to go and i am sure our team management have the brains to see this through.

We already have a half decent part time spinner in Azhar Ali. I see Shan Masood can bend his arm too if required!

 

[moghul]

Hafeez has been a useless batsman for 17 years, he should have been dropped or retired long time ago > Don;t know what exactly he doing with Pak squad.

 

[coy0607]

Both Hafeez and Ifthikar are useless test players. Their 20 runs with the bat and 5-10 economical overs doesn't mean anything

I hope team management have the sense not play neither of them. Its depressing to just have either of them be in consideration for a Test match in England in 2020

 

[GreenKhan]

This post does not make sense . Firstly Hafeez has retired from test cricket. Secondly comparing the two is way to premature as Ifti has only played 3 tests, and thirdly there is no certainty he will play and even if he did he won’t be opening, which is the position Hafeez batted at in tests.

 

[aloo paratha]

How about neither lmao.

 

[Nasty Naz]

1. Hafeez sucks
2. Hafeez is retired from Tests
3. Hafeez is like one of the worst players ever outside of Asia
4. Hafeez sucks

 

[Junaids]

Saying “Hafeez has retired” or “Amir has retired” makes no sense.

They will be in the pavilion getting bored.

The whole point of this thread is that if you are going to play a probably 40 year old rubbish batsman who bowls rubbish off-spin, why oh why would you pick Iftikhar over Hafeez?

 

[Cric1234]

Sometimes seeing things is then the art of believing.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

It’s looking increasingly likely that Misbah will pick Iftikhar Ahmed as an extra “batsman who can bowl”.

In spite of his Test batting average of 9.60 after 3 Tests, combined with a bowling average of 141.00.

I realise that Mohammad Hafeez has the world’s second worst batting average outside Asia in 150 years of Test cricket.

But he’s still better than Iftikhar with both bat and ball in red ball cricket. Pretty much all of us are.

Hafeez is going to be sitting there in the pavilion, watching a supposedly younger off-spinning batsman do even worse than he could do himself.

So if we have to watch Misbah’s cronies get humiliated by Archer and Broad, why not use Hafeez rather than Iftikhar?

You can’t draw such dramatic conclusions from 3 test matches!!!

Iftikhar has a solid FC record in relatively rough conditions these past few years. Few batsmen average higher than him. He should be given a few test matches before judgment is passed

 

[Mamoon]

If I have to choose between the two, I would pick Hafeez every single time. Both are 40 years old, but Hafeez is miles better.

 

[Junaids]

If I have to choose between the two, I would pick Hafeez every single time. Both are 40 years old, but Hafeez is miles better.

Exactly!

 

[Saj]

I don't think Hafeez wants to play Test cricket.....so the idea ends there really.

 

[TrentDevil]

Let's get Shoaib Malik in there as well, would be mind boggling to have him & Hafeez in the Test team, England will be doomed

 

[gazza619]

I don't think Hafeez wants to play Test cricket.....so the idea ends there really.

I am pretty sure in the current circumstances he would love to give another shot. T20 WC being cancelled and other global T20 leagues on hold for the time being, one will have to be insane for not wanting to play any form of competitive International cricket.

Between me and you, Hafeez left test cricket as he feared that his constant failures in that format may escalate him being kicked out of the limited overs format as well.

On the thread, Hafeez is miles ahead of Iftikhar as a player and still very fit for his age. It doesnt mean that I would want him to be picked ahead the likes of Imam or Haider.

 

[Junaids]

I don't think Hafeez wants to play Test cricket.....so the idea ends there really.

The point if my thread was to highlight that we all consider Hafeez to be of below Test standard, and to emphasise that Iftikhar is probably not just as old, but also is inferior with both bat and ball.

In other words, anyone considering giving him a further Test cap is a madman. There is a superior alternative sitting 100 yards away in the pavilion.

 

[angrypathan]

I am pretty sure in the current circumstances he would love to give another shot. T20 WC being cancelled and other global T20 leagues on hold for the time being, one will have to be insane for not wanting to play any form of competitive International cricket.

Between me and you, Hafeez left test cricket as he feared that his constant failures in that format may escalate him being kicked out of the limited overs format as well.

On the thread, Hafeez is miles ahead of Iftikhar as a player and still very fit for his age. It doesnt mean that I would want him to be picked ahead the likes of Imam or Haider.

It's in Hafeez's best interests to not get a string of single digit scores against a moving red ball. He won't play.

 

[SARJ_BD]

At #6, it should be either an all-rounder or Fawad Alam.
Hafeez or Iftikhar is out of question

 

[SARJ_BD]

Even Shadab khan a better all-rounder option.
Although I do not endorse anyone for Test cricket who haven't got good number of first class matches.

 

[Abdullah719]

Iftikhar is only 29 years old, the same as Root. Hence, he has a bright future ahead of him.

Hafeez also has a bright future ahead of him, though, so this is a real puzzler.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Would prefer to play... NEITHER.

Bring in Zafar Gohar and utilise his wicket taking spin, tremendous fielding and capable lower order batting.

 

[Mamoon]

Iftikhar is only 29 years old, the same as Root. Hence, he has a bright future ahead of him.

Hafeez also has a bright future ahead of him, though, so this is a real puzzler.

Iftikhar could have been Root’s babysitter.

 

[gazza619]

Iftikhar could have been Root’s babysitter.

I think you exaggerating Iftikhar’s age. He would be 32-33 at most..

 

[Officer Barbrady]

Mamoon has seen Iftikhar s birth certificate (the original one)

 

[Kroll]

Every slot in the lineup has to be utilised to the fullest, they can't waste a precious slot by playing a dud like Iftikhar. Another slot is going to be wasted on Yasir Shah, so the team will already be at a huge disadvantage.

 

[Shazzam]

I’d pick Hafeez over Ifthikar. Hafeez is a proven player of our team. At his best he can give us 3 wickets and a mighty half century. Ifthikar is a nobody in comparison.

 

[GreenKhan]

I’d pick Hafeez over Ifthikar. Hafeez is a proven player of our team. At his best he can give us 3 wickets and a mighty half century. Ifthikar is a nobody in comparison.

How is Hafeez proven . In overseas tests he most definitely is not proven . The last time he toured a England in 2016 he was dropped after 3 tests ! He is not a wicket taker in tests either .

We might like or dislike iftikhar for various reasons . But he has only played 3 tests ! We can’t be writing obituaries on people’s careers after that many games . He had one test in 2016 and two in Australia.

If players were not given chances after failing in a couple of games then this world would have not seen half the players that we have .

Same goes for Fawad Alam who has not been treated fairly whilst the likes of Hafeez have ended up playoff 50 plus tests .

For better or for worse one of Alam or Ifti should be given at least two tests which should equate to 3/4 innings in the next series . Otherwise it’s useless ploughing away in domestics .

Osman salahuddin also comes to mind .

 

[Abdullah719]

Hafeez's Test batting average in Asia: 46
Hafeez's Test batting average outside Asia: 20

If you remove Zimbabwe from the outside Asia filter then his average drops to 16.

 

[Junaids]

Hafeez's Test batting average in Asia: 46
Hafeez's Test batting average outside Asia: 20

If you remove Zimbabwe from the outside Asia filter then his average drops to 16.

Iftikhar has a batting average of 9.60.
And a bowling average of 141.00.

 

[gazza619]

Iftikhar has a batting average of 9.60.
And a bowling average of 141.00.

I actually have a brilliant idea.

Rather than playing guys who average 16 or 9.60, how about we play Imam or Haider or Fawad?

Sounds good?

Azhar Ali can be our part time spinner.

 

[Junaids]

I actually have a brilliant idea.

Rather than playing guys who average 16 or 9.60, how about we play Imam or Haider or Fawad?

Sounds good?

Azhar Ali can be our part time spinner.

Bingo!

And Amir as a fourth proper quick!

 

[moghul]

Iftikhar is only 29 years old, the same as Root. Hence, he has a bright future ahead of him.

Hafeez also has a bright future ahead of him, though, so this is a real puzzler.

He is baby of the team, you're making him older.

 

[gazza619]

Bingo!

And Amir as a fourth proper quick!

To be perfectly honest i would rather feel uncomfortable playing 4 quicks. Since i have been watching Pakistan play, I just cant remember this strategy ever working. I know Yasir and Shadab are in the worst form of their life but i would play both. We are playing against England afterall!

My XI:
1. Imam/Abid
2. Shan
3. Azhar
4. Babar
5. Asad
6. Rizwan
7. Shadab
8. Yasir
9. Shaheen
10. Naseem
11. Abbass

Both Shadab and Yasir are more than capable with the bat at 7/8.

 

[Golden arm]

He is 39 years old bro