Is Azhar Ali heading towards Test ATG status?

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Over 4000 runs with an average of 46. Scoring 300, it has been a long time since a Pak batter got a triple century.



Strong chance he will get another 4000 runs at least. Is he becoming a candidate?

 

[Hasan123]

Keeps scoring in uae and can average 40 plus in Australia and South Africa why not? But in my honest opnion I don't think he will end up as atg.

Certainly will finish as one of Pakistans great test match batsmen.

 

[GoloriousPotato]

No way. Azhar is nowhere near the ATG status and I dont think he will end anywhere close.

 

[shaz619]

Keeps scoring in uae and can average 40 plus in Australia and South Africa why not? But in my honest opnion I don't think he will end up as atg.

Certainly will finish as one of Pakistans great test match batsmen.

That's for sure

 

[Rayyman]

That's for sure

Maybe even Pakistan's best opener of all time.

 

[Hasan123]

That's for sure

It would be a travesty if he doesn't play 100 tests and score 20 plus centuries.

 

[Square Drive]

Needs 350+ across the upcoming 5 Tests to make himself work towards that status, though there's a long long way to go.

Will need close to 10k runs by the end of his career.

 

[shaz619]

Maybe even Pakistan's best opener of all time.

What?

 

[shaz619]

It would be a travesty if he doesn't play 100 tests and score 20 plus centuries.

I have faith he will, at the very least I expect him to be averaging around 43-45 by then. But there's a high probability it could be 50

 

[Hasan123]

I have faith he will, at the very least I expect him to be averaging around 43-45 by then. But there's a high probability it could be 50

43-45 is very good for an opening batsmen in tests to average 50 plus will be difficult.

 

[Hasan123]

Needs 350+ across the upcoming 5 Tests to make himself work towards that status, though there's a long long way to go.

Will need close to 10k runs by the end of his career.

He's on 11 centuries now,

1 century in Australia
1 in NZ
1/2 in West Indies next year
1/2 vs Bangladesh away next year

So should be on 16 centuries by the age of 32. Needs to average 40 plus in Australia and South Africa for atg status.

 

[Barragan]

Nope, nowhere near.

He may go down as a Pak great and that is pretty much the limit.

 

[Rayyman]

What?

He has a chance to surpass them.

 

[Buffet]

No, he doesn't look like a batsman which will end as a Pakistani great. Well, I have been wrong before so who knows , but that's what I think based on what I have seen so far.

 

[Square Drive]

He's on 11 centuries now,

1 century in Australia
1 in NZ
1/2 in West Indies next year
1/2 vs Bangladesh away next year

So should be on 16 centuries by the age of 32. Needs to average 40 plus in Australia and South Africa for atg status.

IMO he will get 1 in the 5 Tests in Oceania, and then 2-3 combined in Bangladesh and WI.

 

[moghul]

At at the moment he is all time average cricketer.

 

[Suleiman]

He can surpass Saeed Anwar, it'll take some consistency, but he can do it.

In terms of stats at least. On ability Anwar would remain superior unless Azhar continues to improve.

 

[Rayyman]

He can surpass Saeed Anwar, it'll take some consistency, but he can do it.

In terms of stats at least. On ability Anwar would remain superior unless Azhar continues to improve.

Has already passed Anwar in stats.

 

[msb314]

He is already a borderline Pakistani great - still a while to go to become an ATG.

Not even YK is there yet according to some arguments.

 

[Justcrazy]

He is likely to get around 8500 runs , and around 24 hundreds.

 

[The_Odd_One]

He will definitely be a Pakistani ATG but no way is he going to be an international ATG.

 

[aloo paratha]

Can be remembered as a great for Pakistan but I think he's too late of a bloomer for ATG status which is basically legend status.

 

[jeetu]

He needs Sanga like performances for next 10 year to be real ATG.

 

[leatherface58]

Lacks the aura that belongs to legends.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Pakistan's ATG,YES. Let's see whether he can be ATG or not. Time will say.

 

[Ahson8]

Pakistan great, yes. ATG, no.

 

[Ab Fan]

His record outside Asia isn't impressive.

He is at same level as Pujara, actually, even behind him.

Pujara plays in tough spinning conditions of India and still averages 50 while Azhar avgs 46 only.

Both are mediocre outside Asia and has to improve their record there.

Hence, Azhar IMO, is a good batsmen and that is all.He need to do well overseas to prove his worth.

 

[Suleiman]

Azhar is a role model to guys like Pujara, and other similar batsmen. They could take a leaf out of his back as to how to succeed in places like England.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pujara has centuries in seamer friendly conditions in SA and the one he had in SL..

Against spin, he is a beast averaging 60+.

He averages 50 in tests playing his home games in tough conditions while Azhar bats on UAE pattas with assistance to spin as the game progresses.

It makes no sense to claim Azhar is a role model to Pujara.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Pujara has centuries in seamer friendly conditions in SA and the one he had in SL..

Against spin, he is a beast averaging 60+.

He averages 50 in tests playing his home games in tough conditions while Azhar bats on UAE pattas with assistance to spin as the game progresses.

It makes no sense to claim Azhar is a role model to Pujara.

He is talking about succeeding in places like England.

Pujara has his limitations and needs to figure out a way to score in Eng, Aus with those limitations.

In Asia, he is one of the best ever.

 

[Ab Fan]

He is talking about succeeding in places like England.

Azhar himself had a below par series in England. He did well in Edgabaston but went missing in other games.

He was behind Misbah, Shafiq and Younis in terms of performance in that series.

He is a good batsmen and has patience and temperament to play long innings but still isn't up there as someone whom you could call as role model.

 

[OS_89]

He is talking about succeeding in places like England.

Pujara has his limitations and needs to figure out a way to score in Eng, Aus with those limitations.

In Asia, he is one of the best ever.

Not like Azhar has been exceedingly successful in England tbh.

On topic, I think he's very good, but not quite ATG level. I think he has the potential to end up at the Saeed Anwar-Damien Martyn-VVS Laxman level. World class but not ATG. He still has a way to go before he reaches even that level.

 

[JibranAnsari]

needs to average around 60 for the next 10 years.

 

[DW44]

Azhar Ali even getting close to ATG status is absolutely out of the question.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Not like Azhar has been exceedingly successful in England tbh.

On topic, I think he's very good, but not quite ATG level. I think he has the potential to end up at the Saeed Anwar-Damien Martyn-VVS Laxman level. World class but not ATG. He still has a way to go before he reaches even that level.

He no ATG.

 

[OS_89]

He no ATG.

That's what I said

 

[Mamoon]

The neutral audience will never consider him an ATG; the only ATG talents from the current generation are Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson and de Kock. Not even Rahane in my opinion, he lacks that factor to lead the charge. Seems like a support cast no matter how many runs he scores.

However, if Azhar continues like this, it is possible that Pakistani fans will forcefully call him an ATG just like they call Younis an ATG, who isn't according to the neutral audience and most observers outside Pakistan.

As someone rightly pointed out, if you have to debate if a certain player is an ATG or not, he most probably isn't.

Azhar though is well on his way to becoming a Pakistani great/legend.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Personally I don't think he will be a ATG due to the fact he ain't got much runs to show for it. You see as Pakistan's No.3 he needs to be scoring a lot of runs and needs to be consistent. The next two tours are going to be massive for him as he has never played in those respective countries and I feel he will be under a lot of pressure. Hopefully he will do well and prove to people why he is Pakistan's next ATG. (Him and Asad Shafiq personally)

 

[Abdullah719]

Personally I don't think he will be a ATG due to the fact he ain't got much runs to show for it. You see as Pakistan's No.3 he needs to be scoring a lot of runs and needs to be consistent. The next two tours are going to be massive for him as he has never played in those respective countries and I feel he will be under a lot of pressure. Hopefully he will do well and prove to people why he is Pakistan's next ATG. (Him and Asad Shafiq personally)

His volume of runs isn't the problem, he just needs to score more on overseas tours - big scores, preferably.

Very tough for him to reach ATG status.

 

[Markhor]

Azhar needs to step up his performances outside Asia for him to be in the reckoning.

I do however think he gets a raw deal from Pakistan fans.

Yes he isn't a flashy, exhilarating batsman who will put you on the edge of your seat - he is a grafter. He's not the most natural of strokeplayers, partly as he grew up as a bowler then converted himself into a batsman.

But he works hard on his game which has allowed him to maximise his potential better than overhyped talunts like Akmal and Shehzad.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

As one of Azhar's biggest fans,I doubt he will ever be an ATG.

However he can easily be a Pakistan great.

 

[Jan Sher]

After the tours of New Zealand and Australia, his average will come down to 40 or below.

 

[Abdullah719]

After the tours of New Zealand and Australia, his average will come down to 40 or below.

He will have to score less than zero runs in 10 innings for that to happen.

 

[Jan Sher]

He will have to score less than zero runs in 10 innings for that to happen.

Lol, but I think his average will come down rather than going up. Let's see though.

 

[Adil_94]

on his way to becoming a Pakistani great. ATG will be a level too far for him IMO

 

[Amjid Javed]

Needs to score heavily in next 3 away series in new zealand, Australia and W.I to be considered a world class batsmen. He wont be an ATG but he could become a pakistani legend one day.

 

[Haroon786]

I don't think Pakistan play too often enough in places like Australia, England and South Africa for Azhar to become an ATG in Tests. For example, Pakistan last played in SA in January 2013, Azhar did poorly there, however he has clearly got better since then but yet because Pakistan don't play often enough in these places he will still be chided for his poor return in places where Pakistan play 6 Tests in a decade which is unfair. However to earn the mantle of ATG, as one of the best batsmen of in your era you have to perform in almost all countries and until Azhar conclusively does that with suitable longevity he won't ever be classified as a top bracket batsman.

 

[Sachin136]

I don't think Pakistan play too often enough in places like Australia, England and South Africa for Azhar to become an ATG in Tests. For example, Pakistan last played in SA in January 2013, Azhar did poorly there, however he has clearly got better since then but yet because Pakistan don't play often enough in these places he will still be chided for his poor return in places where Pakistan play 6 Tests in a decade which is unfair. However to earn the mantle of ATG, as one of the best batsmen of in your era you have to perform in almost all countries and until Azhar conclusively does that with suitable longevity he won't ever be classified as a top bracket batsman.

India have played 8 tests in SA in the last 10 years as well. That isn't a valid excuse.

 

[Haroon786]

India have played 8 tests in SA in the last 10 years as well. That isn't a valid excuse.

If you read the entirety of my post, you should have comprehended that I wasn't excusing Azhar for his lack of performance there :

However to earn the mantle of ATG, as one of the best batsmen of in your era you have to perform in almost all countries and until Azhar conclusively does that with suitable longevity he won't ever be classified as a top bracket batsman.

 

[Justcrazy]

I don't think Pakistan play too often enough in places like Australia, England and South Africa for Azhar to become an ATG in Tests. For example, Pakistan last played in SA in January 2013, Azhar did poorly there, however he has clearly got better since then but yet because Pakistan don't play often enough in these places he will still be chided for his poor return in places where Pakistan play 6 Tests in a decade which is unfair. However to earn the mantle of ATG, as one of the best batsmen of in your era you have to perform in almost all countries and until Azhar conclusively does that with suitable longevity he won't ever be classified as a top bracket batsman.

He is hard working guy , but I do not think he has the game to be ATG. He is still very limited player. Its not his fault , he was basically a bowler long time.

 

[taxzu]

Asad shafiq is better batsman than him and has centuries in South Africa, new Zealand and England. He is low on averages and centuries because he played at number 6 all his career. He is the only one who has potential of being all time great. Azhar will be all time average batsman.

 

[Aman]

Just played one of the worst innings I've ever seen... seems appropriate

No chance in hell, he'd do well to finish a Pakistani great.

Simply isn't talented enough to finish an ATG.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I believe he will end up way below the likes of Miandad, Younis, Inzimam, Anwar, and Hanif.

He will be more in the ranks of Ijazz Ahmed.

 

[Mamoon]

I believe he will end up way below the likes of Miandad, Younis, Inzimam, Anwar, and Hanif.

He will be more in the ranks of Ijazz Ahmed.

He is much more reliable than the Ijaz, who was great on fast pitches but struggled a lot in the SC where he played most of our cricket.

 

[The_Odd_One]

He is much more reliable than the Ijaz, who was great on fast pitches but struggled a lot in the SC where he played most of our cricket.

Ijazz performed better against the top team of his time so he gets bonus points.

Also, in mid-90s, he was a reliable middle order batsman for Pakistan, had several match winning/saving partnerships with Inzimam.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

So Azhar delivering in OZ. Consistent performance for last 3 years. At very least he has established himself as a genuine world class top order test batter.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Easily our best Test batsman

 

[sa]

Just played one of the worst innings I've ever seen... seems appropriate

No chance in hell, he'd do well to finish a Pakistani great.

Simply isn't talented enough to finish an ATG.

Would love to know where Aman is now ? Haha

 

[Rayyman]

IMO he is Pak's best opener of all time. Best I have seen in a Pak helmet.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

IMO he is Pak's best opener of all time. Best I have seen in a Pak helmet.

Relax. Anwar leagues above.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

IMO he is Pak's best opener of all time. Best I have seen in a Pak helmet.

Third best

 

[Rayyman]

Relax. Anwar leagues above.

He has better stats than Anwar. And I haven't seen Anwar bat. Grew up on the likes of Farhat, Butt and Taufeeq.
I seem to have forgotten that Azhar has played mostly at 3.

 

[yasir]

I believe he will end up way below the likes of Miandad, Younis, Inzimam, Anwar, and Hanif.

He will be more in the ranks of Ijazz Ahmed.

Azhar is under appreciated in Pakistan a whole lot more. My respect for Azhar multiplied many folds this year. He is not as versatile as Tendular, Lara, Viv type of players but definitely has talent to be Gavaskar, Dravid like players. His defense, patients and standing up to tough bowling is right up there.

Ex so called Pakistani greats never had courage to go up the order to face new ball. When Pakistan was in trouble in England, Azhar put his hand up and open, never seen that kind of courage from any ex great at any phase of their career. He has been playing in toughest conditions (NZ really wet and green wickets, day and night in GABBA Australia, facing Anderson, Broad, Woaks in England), and he grind it out and not slog it through. He has been superb this year, when we had very tough calendar.

When people compare Pakistani batsmen with Indians, one fundamental thing they left out is opportunity, Pakistanis don't get enough tour to develop or stamp their authority in west. Imagine Pakistan was playing 5/4 test series in Australia rather then 3, guys like Azhar and Shafiq would milk more runs, can score couple of more centuries. Batting gets better when you play more not less. Also it's not fair when they get next opportunity to play in Australia after 5 years. Dravid, Tendulkar, Kohli used to get series in Australia, England after every 2/3 years, we get 5/6, how we can possibly compare stats?? - same is true for Pakistan bowlers, we play way less test to compete in these meangless discussions of who is great and who is not.

Even in this year in NZ, second test we almost draw, if we had one more test, we would have gone for draw and would have definitely perform better in third. Pakistan team is much better than to be handed over half series, here and there, same was true for batting greats from SL(Sanga, MJ), it's just politics and money side that screw our players and team growth. Something Indian, Australian and English fans can never understand... problem of poor kids infrint of rich kids. I just don't like all these non sense our players are better than your threads, these comparisons does not make sense, give them same opportunity then talk

 

[ali ray]

Azhar is under appreciated in Pakistan ���� a whole lot more. My respect for Azhar multiplied many folds this year. He is not as versatile as Tendular, Lara, Viv type of players but definitely has talent to be Gavaskar, Dravid like players. His defense, patients and standing up to tough bowling is right up there.

Ex so called Pakistani greats never had courage to go up the order to face new ball. When Pakistan was in trouble in England, Azhar put his hand up and open, never seen that kind of courage from any ex great at any phase of their career. He has been playing in toughest conditions (NZ really wet and green wickets, day and night in GABBA Australia, facing Anderson, Broad, Woaks in England), and he grind it out and not slog it through. He has been superb this year, when we had very tough calendar.

When people compare Pakistani batsmen with Indians, one fundamental thing they left out is opportunity, Pakistanis don't get enough tour to develop or stamp their authority in west. Imagine Pakistan was playing 5/4 test series in Australia rather then 3, guys like Azhar and Shafiq would milk more runs, can score couple of more centuries. Batting gets better when you play more not less. Also it's not fair when they get next opportunity to play in Australia after 5 years. Dravid, Tendulkar, Kohli used to get series in Australia, England after every 2/3 years, we get 5/6, how we can possibly compare stats?? - same is true for Pakistan bowlers, we play way less test to compete in these meangless discussions of who is great and who is not. ������

Even in this year in NZ, second test we almost draw, if we had one more test, we would have gone for draw and would have definitely perform better in third. Pakistan team is much better than to be handed over half series, here and there, same was true for batting greats from SL(Sanga, MJ), it's just politics and money side that screw our players and team growth. Something Indian, Australian and English fans can never understand... problem of poor kids infrint of rich kids. I just don't like all these non sense our players are better than your threads, these comparisons does not make sense, give them same opportunity then talk ������

We get our away tour after 4 years same as India but only quantity is different

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He has better stats than Anwar. And I haven't seen Anwar bat. Grew up on the likes of Farhat, Butt and Taufeeq.
I seem to have forgotten that Azhar has played mostly at 3.

Anwar has a great test record against quality bowling. Only thing lacking is longevity.

 

[LordJames]

Azhar as a Test Player is under appreciated by Pakistani fans.

Gun Top Order Batsmen.


Azhar as a LOI player still has to establish himself.

 

[hur rizvi]

I hope he plays 100 tests and for the rest of his career he keeps opening the batting.

Specially in UAE he will score lots of tons and big ones if he keeps opening the batting

 

[hur rizvi]

12 hundreds. Really hope he scores atleast 8 more before hanging up.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Easily the best batter since the 90s generation.

 

[Zak_Fan]

A world class batsman without a doubt, just what Pakistan needed.

 

[Protea Fan]

Azhar as a Test Player is under appreciated by Pakistani fans.

Gun Top Order Batsmen.


Azhar as a LOI player still has to establish himself.

Can be a great test batsman looked impeccable while driving the ball

but i doubt if can be a successful in LOI's considering his cold nature with the bat

 

[Adil_94]

he is becoming a Pakistani great for sure. ATG might be pushing it.

 

[TestMatch]

When Misbah and Khan go, opposition might start focusing on Ali harder and his average might drop.

 

[USofA]

I think he has a good 6-7 years ahead of him to accomplish what he wants. Any longer than that, he will become the current YK, Misbah. So he should get things done and get out on a high.

 

[New Yorker]

When Misbah and Khan go, opposition might start focusing on Ali harder and his average might drop.

Don't blink.

Right now neither Misbah or Khan are hanging around long enough for anyone to 'focus' on them.

 

[New Yorker]

He is much more reliable than the Ijaz, who was great on fast pitches but struggled a lot in the SC where he played most of our cricket.

But less impactful, so far.

 

[Pete Rose]

When Misbah and Khan go, opposition might start focusing on Ali harder and his average might drop.

That's an interesting insight. Opposition are not focusing on the opener as much as the middle order.

 

[Haz95]

Hasn't got the ceiling to reach the Gavaskar, Hobbs territory. Can however manage to punch his way into the Cook or Langer territory, thereby at best making him a Pakistani great on the level of Moyo or Inzi which is no mean feat.

 

[Pete Rose]

I dont know if he is headed towards ATG. There are a few other things required to do that: need to play a more attractive style of cricket, need to play well across multiple formats. But I do think there is really no other batsman who has eked out so much output from what is arguably not a natural talent.

 

[Haz95]

The idea of dominance and impact don't necessarily have to coincide. Cook is a highly impacting player as show in the Ashes he won in Aus or the series in India he won but he hardly dominates games like Lara/Sehwag or currently Warner/Kohli. Azhar can follow the same path of having key match/series defining performances which, although aren't as dominating, are still very impactful.