Mamoon
ATG
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Runs
- 107,410
- Post of the Week
- 12
Very good statistics and a consistent run scorer but doesn't seem to have any impact whatsoever, and doesn't seem to be capable of influencing the outcome of the match.
Also, just like how Misbah struggled with chasing totals, Azhar seems to be incapable of handling the pressure (or the conditions) of the fourth innings.
While it is understandable that he is in the untouchable category these days and criticizing him is inviting trouble, but in my view, he has also played a considerable role in our inability to win matches over the last year or so.
He was one of the chief architects of the Hamilton defeat and while everyone is pointing at the other batsmen for the defeat in Abu Dhabi, Azhar himself was one of the main culprits.
In the first innings, he came at 114-1 and ended up scoring 85 at a strike rate of 37. Any world class batsman in that situation would have scored 30-40 runs more, which would have probably changed the outcome of the match.
Some people then wonder why he is not rated as an elite batsman like Kohli, Root, Smith and Williamson, but it is very easy to see why.
A lot of people are quick to point out that the problem lies with his batting position and how it won't be an issue if he opens, but I beg to differ; if your most prolific run scorer will bat at a snail's pace regardless of whether he is on 30 or 130, he is not going to put the team in match-winning positions. He is probably the only established batsman in the game who does not grow into confidence as the game progresses.
As we learned during the Misbah era in ODIs, just because he is the only consistent run scorer in the team does not mean that he is beyond criticism.
If Azhar is Pakistan's answer to a world class batsman, then no wonder we are languishing at number 7. He is a solid player but it is laughable to put him in the world class bracket. He seems to be cut from the same cloth as Sami or Masood or Shafiq, but since he is much better than them, he lasts much longer.
Frankly, it is becoming tiresome to see him score runs but not have any say in the outcome of the match. People need to tone down with all the lavish praise for him. He is a deaf king among a sorry lot that is both blind and suffers from dementia, but let's not overrate him. He is nothing more than a good player who would be a good sidekick for an elite batsman which we don't have.
Also, just like how Misbah struggled with chasing totals, Azhar seems to be incapable of handling the pressure (or the conditions) of the fourth innings.
While it is understandable that he is in the untouchable category these days and criticizing him is inviting trouble, but in my view, he has also played a considerable role in our inability to win matches over the last year or so.
He was one of the chief architects of the Hamilton defeat and while everyone is pointing at the other batsmen for the defeat in Abu Dhabi, Azhar himself was one of the main culprits.
In the first innings, he came at 114-1 and ended up scoring 85 at a strike rate of 37. Any world class batsman in that situation would have scored 30-40 runs more, which would have probably changed the outcome of the match.
Some people then wonder why he is not rated as an elite batsman like Kohli, Root, Smith and Williamson, but it is very easy to see why.
A lot of people are quick to point out that the problem lies with his batting position and how it won't be an issue if he opens, but I beg to differ; if your most prolific run scorer will bat at a snail's pace regardless of whether he is on 30 or 130, he is not going to put the team in match-winning positions. He is probably the only established batsman in the game who does not grow into confidence as the game progresses.
As we learned during the Misbah era in ODIs, just because he is the only consistent run scorer in the team does not mean that he is beyond criticism.
If Azhar is Pakistan's answer to a world class batsman, then no wonder we are languishing at number 7. He is a solid player but it is laughable to put him in the world class bracket. He seems to be cut from the same cloth as Sami or Masood or Shafiq, but since he is much better than them, he lasts much longer.
Frankly, it is becoming tiresome to see him score runs but not have any say in the outcome of the match. People need to tone down with all the lavish praise for him. He is a deaf king among a sorry lot that is both blind and suffers from dementia, but let's not overrate him. He is nothing more than a good player who would be a good sidekick for an elite batsman which we don't have.
your depleted logic must also advocate Irfan Pathan being a better bat then Kapil Dev 
Haris Sohail can give us good partnerships too, both of them good stroke players.
he'll always do what's best for the team, and others are potentially taking advantage of this. Mickey probably told him that he needs to open the batting for team's sake and he blindly accepted.
but as the more recent one is you will preach it as the gospel truth 
)
