Is it possible to still play 100 Tests for Pakistan?

[Rana]

I ask this question now because of Azhar Ali’s approaching 100 Tests (he has played 93 I believe). I remember his debut series against England in 2010. He made a notable 90* against them at the Oval which subsequently set up the win. I cannot remember him ever being dropped from Pakistan since due to poor performance. He had regularly been selected since that 2010 series.

Fast forward to March 2022 (nearly 12 years later), Azhar still has at least a year to go of regular Test cricket in order to achieve that monumental milestone of 100 Tests. This should be the dream of every cricketer, to represent his country in 100 Tests.

However, Azhar is barely hanging on now and depends solely on one off scores to keep him in the side, especially with two very good batsmen waiting in the wings (Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel). It is very hard to say if Azhar will play his 100 Tests but the time it took to get there 13-14 years is too much! Asad Shafique consistently played 70+ Tests only to get dropped indefinitely.

There is all this talk about drop in pitches, coaches and funding etc. why isn’t the PCB addressing the question of so few Tests per year? Will Shaheen, Babar and Abdullah Shafique play 100 Tests in their career? I have a feeling they will be on their last legs to actually reach up to this achievement. PCB needs to address this issue before it gets out of hand!

 

[CricketingMinds]

He did get dropped in 2012-2013 if I remember correctly and then came back with THAT 100 vs SL to win a game that was supposed to end in a draw.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...n-vs-sri-lanka-3rd-test-657651/full-scorecard

DOn't think he got dropped after that.

 

[sweep_shot]

Not impossible.

Shaheen has a shot at it. He is 21 years old (official age) and has already played 22 Tests.

 

[moghul]

100 test club is already contaminated by Ishant Sharma and I hope it won;t be contaminated further by Azhar joining it . 100 test club belongs to many ATGs and Azar's entry will devalue it.

And, to play 100 test, one has to start his test career at an early age, age at which Abdullah started it. But if we kept on playing players like Azhar even after 2 years of failure and till they cross 40, no young player will dream playing 100 tests.

 

[daytrader]

100 test club is already contaminated by Ishant Sharma and I hope it won;t be contaminated further by Azhar joining it . 100 test club belongs to many ATGs and Azar's entry will devalue it.

And, to play 100 test, one has to start his test career at an early age, age at which Abdullah started it. But if we kept on playing players like Azhar even after 2 years of failure and till they cross 40, no young player will dream playing 100 tests.

Azhar is 37 and performing. Insha'Allah he'll get to 100 tests before 40 and then should retire

 

[Major]

inshallah azhar will get more than 100. Only the fans want him to be dropped, but the cricket management wont make such foolish decision

 

[Shafi]

Highly unlikely. It will be between 60-80. To play 100 tests it will take 12-14 years which is too much for this generation.

 

[shamaan]

Azhar will play 100 tests.

 

[ElRaja]

babar will play 100 tests, will pbly be 35 or 36 by the time he reaches the milestone, but hes most likely to be next.

 

[U$ofA]

babar will play 100 tests, will pbly be 35 or 36 by the time he reaches the milestone, but hes most likely to be next.

I doubt this will happen. I don't think Babar will get to 100. Even at the current rate PCB plays/schedules tests it is not going to happen. PCB have now gone to 1 and 2 test "series" for the most part. I only see Pak. playing less number of tests in 5-10 years time.

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

100 test club is already contaminated by Ishant Sharma and I hope it won;t be contaminated further by Azhar joining it . 100 test club belongs to many ATGs and Azar's entry will devalue it.

And, to play 100 test, one has to start his test career at an early age, age at which Abdullah started it. But if we kept on playing players like Azhar even after 2 years of failure and till they cross 40, no young player will dream playing 100 tests.

Ishant Sharma has contributed significantly for Indian cricket , setting us many famous overseas wins.
Till now 71 men have played 100 test matches. Can you tell, how many of these are ATGs?

 

[ChTab]

100 test club is already contaminated by Ishant Sharma and I hope it won;t be contaminated further by Azhar joining it . 100 test club belongs to many ATGs and Azar's entry will devalue it.

And, to play 100 test, one has to start his test career at an early age, age at which Abdullah started it. But if we kept on playing players like Azhar even after 2 years of failure and till they cross 40, no young player will dream playing 100 tests.

Azhar will most definitely play 100 matches for Pakistan barring any serious injury. He's only in the side because he wants to play 100 matches.

Apart from Azhar there's a very high probability that both of Babar & Shaheen will play 100 matches.
Babar already played 38 matches at the age of 27, he has atleast 7 to 8 years left so he will play his 100 test even if Pakistan plays 10 matches a year.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

LOL Azhar is not barely hanging on. Just because some people on PP don't like him doesn't mean he isn't the 12th ranked test batter in the world who averages 48 in the last two years.

And how can someone, who has been his team's leading-run scorer over the past two years be 'barely hanging on'? You're insulting everyone's intelligence by making such an unfounded and factually incorrect statement.

At any rate, Shaheen will play 100 tests if he manages to stay fit. Babar will definitely play 100 tests. Don't see it happening

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

inshallah azhar will get more than 100. Only the fans want him to be dropped, but the cricket management wont make such foolish decision

Not just fans though. Highly biased fans who harbor a personal dislike for him because he isn't what they want a test batter to be.

 

[Rana]

LOL Azhar is not barely hanging on. Just because some people on PP don't like him doesn't mean he isn't the 12th ranked test batter in the world who averages 48 in the last two years.

And how can someone, who has been his team's leading-run scorer over the past two years be 'barely hanging on'? You're insulting everyone's intelligence by making such an unfounded and factually incorrect statement.

At any rate, Shaheen will play 100 tests if he manages to stay fit. Babar will definitely play 100 tests. Don't see it happening

That’s not true at all. Azhar is good but there are better technical players on the sideline who deserve their shot now. Azhar needs to score a big one every series for the selectors to lay off him and take him into the next series.

I’ll put it to you like this. Pakistan still has not been able to successfully replace Inzimam, YK, MoYo, Misbah in Tests

But Pakistan will not miss Azhar Ali or Asad Shafique even if they are totally gone. Saud Shaqeel or Kamran Ghulam will take over and will make you forget Azhar in no time.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

That’s not true at all. Azhar is good but there are better technical players on the sideline who deserve their shot now. Azhar needs to score a big one every series for the selectors to lay off him and take him into the next series.

I’ll put it to you like this. Pakistan still has not been able to successfully replace Inzimam, YK, MoYo, Misbah in Tests

But Pakistan will not miss Azhar Ali or Asad Shafique even if they are totally gone. Saud Shaqeel or Kamran Ghulam will take over and will make you forget Azhar in no time.

What's not true? That he is Pakistan's leading run-scorer in Tests since 2020? Or that he averages 48 during the same time-period?

The difference between my argument and your argument is that mine in based on actual, concrete facts, whereas yours is just an opinion.

You think Pakistan has not been able to replace those players or that they won't miss Azhar Ali. I don't. And I'm sure alot of others don't think so either.

 

[Rana]

What's not true? That he is Pakistan's leading run-scorer in Tests since 2020? Or that he averages 48 during the same time-period?

The difference between my argument and your argument is that mine in based on actual, concrete facts, whereas yours is just an opinion.

You think Pakistan has not been able to replace those players or that they won't miss Azhar Ali. I don't. And I'm sure alot of others don't think so either.

Concrete facts such as stats are meaningless, they do not provide the full context at all. This is why I have always been against people who use Rizwan or Babar’s stats to justify why they are the best T20 opener choices over players like Fakhar and Sharjeel. Without a doubt Azhar knows how to score enough runs at the right time in order to keep himself in the side, he didn’t play 92 Tests without knowing how to maintain a spot.

Then again, this thread isn’t a question about Azhar’s ability or whether he deserves to play 100 Tests. It’s more a question of will we ever see another 100 Test centurion in Pakistan cricket especially considering it took the latest one around 13-14 years of not being dropped to get there.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Concrete facts such as stats are meaningless, they do not provide the full context at all. This is why I have always been against people who use Rizwan or Babar’s stats to justify why they are the best T20 opener choices over players like Fakhar and Sharjeel. Without a doubt Azhar knows how to score enough runs at the right time in order to keep himself in the side, he didn’t play 92 Tests without knowing how to maintain a spot.

Then again, this thread isn’t a question about Azhar’s ability or whether he deserves to play 100 Tests. It’s more a question of will we ever see another 100 Test centurion in Pakistan cricket especially considering it took the latest one around 13-14 years of not being dropped to get there.

Concrete facts are meaningless as opposed to your opinions that are what, full of meaning? Facts don't care about your feelings bro. And they have more meaning than any unfounded opinion you might have.

Also, one of the biggest reasons he played 92 tests is because unlike so many other Pakistani players he is not a toxic individual who backstabs others, has fights/disagreements with the board or incites controversy. He's also not a cheat and a dishonest individual.

So maybe you should be considering all these factors when you think about another player having the potential to play 100 tests for Pakistan.

 

[Rana]

Concrete facts are meaningless as opposed to your opinions that are what, full of meaning? Facts don't care about your feelings bro. And they have more meaning than any unfounded opinion you might have.

Also, one of the biggest reasons he played 92 tests is because unlike so many other Pakistani players he is not a toxic individual who backstabs others, has fights/disagreements with the board or incites controversy. He's also not a cheat and a dishonest individual.

So maybe you should be considering all these factors when you think about another player having the potential to play 100 tests for Pakistan.

That’s like saying YK, Wasim Akram, Mohammad Yousuf, Waqar Younis all played 100 Tests because they were not backstabbers, toxic individuals and dishonest people. The statement is problematic.

Azhar would not have played 30 Tests if he was any one of them as he isn’t naturally gifted as those individuals were. He played 90+ Tests because of his hard work and decent scores at regular intervals.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

That’s like saying YK, Wasim Akram, Mohammad Yousuf, Waqar Younis all played 100 Tests because they were not backstabbers, toxic individuals and dishonest people. The statement is problematic.

Azhar would not have played 30 Tests if he was any one of them as he isn’t naturally gifted as those individuals were. He played 90+ Tests because of his hard work and decent scores at regular intervals.

I think you need to get your facts straight. Waqar Younis and Mohammad Yousuf did not play 100 Tests.

Wasim Akram had 19 year long career. Younis had a 17 year long career. Meanwhile Azhar Ali has managed to play 92 tests in what is a 12 year long career thus far.

Hardwork and discipline is definitely a major part of why he has gotten this far but so are those other factors. If anything, one of the biggest reasons why Yousuf---a guy who you think played 100 tests---didn't play 100 tests was because of his constant problems with the PCB. Which also ultimately led to his retirement.

 

[Zaz]

You never know whats round the corner but youd think azhar will get his 100 tests and babar should be the next one to follow if all continues well for him over the next 7-8 yrs

 

[Rana]

I think you need to get your facts straight. Waqar Younis and Mohammad Yousuf did not play 100 Tests.

Wasim Akram had 19 year long career. Younis had a 17 year long career. Meanwhile Azhar Ali has managed to play 92 tests in what is a 12 year long career thus far.

Hardwork and discipline is definitely a major part of why he has gotten this far but so are those other factors. If anything, one of the biggest reasons why Yousuf---a guy who you think played 100 tests---didn't play 100 tests was because of his constant problems with the PCB. Which also ultimately led to his retirement.

We are taking about the longevity of representing Pakistan. All the names I have mentioned played a considerable amount of Test cricket for Pakistan because they were too good to be dropped, and the management were not brave enough to drop/discipline them because they were always held hostage to them.

Even guys with an attitude like Hafeez have managed to hold the PCB to ransom in the past. Correct attitude, discipline and a clean record are overrated in the sub-continent and cricket politics. Azhar yes man would struggle to play 30+ Tests with a poor attitude, he doesn’t have the world class talent to do its intercession on his behalf!

 

[Rana]

You never know whats round the corner but youd think azhar will get his 100 tests and babar should be the next one to follow if all continues well for him over the next 7-8 yrs

But will Pakistan play 60-70 Tests in the next 7-8 years?

 

[U$ofA]

But will Pakistan play 60-70 Tests in the next 7-8 years?

I would say that Pak. will play 50-55 tests in the next 8 years. Even 55 is probably high.

 

[Kianig89]

Playing 92 Tests is no joke almost 13 years which is a long time Azhar deserves to complete 100

 

[Ab Fan]

Azhar Ali is like Ishant Sharma, mediocre for so long but still persisted.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

In Modern day cricket, playing 100 tests is huge achievement for the players who are consistently playing all formats and Franchise Cricket.

I think only Virat Kohli achieved this. Kane and Steve Smith also will join.


Playing 100 Tests is not a big achievement for players who playing only Test format.

 

[Zaz]

In Modern day cricket, playing 100 tests is huge achievement for the players who are consistently playing all formats and Franchise Cricket.

I think only Virat Kohli achieved this. Kane and Steve Smith also will join.


Playing 100 Tests is not a big achievement for players who playing only Test format.

It is for a team like pakistan who on avge only play 8 tests a year

Its england and likes of india who it isnt an issue for because they play so many per year

 

[Zaz]

Azhar Ali is like Ishant Sharma, mediocre for so long but still persisted.

Azhar ali has a very respectable record Its not great but its still pretty good

7000 runs at 43 with 19 tons is not mediocre

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

We are taking about the longevity of representing Pakistan. All the names I have mentioned played a considerable amount of Test cricket for Pakistan because they were too good to be dropped, and the management were not brave enough to drop/discipline them because they were always held hostage to them.

Even guys with an attitude like Hafeez have managed to hold the PCB to ransom in the past. Correct attitude, discipline and a clean record are overrated in the sub-continent and cricket politics. Azhar yes man would struggle to play 30+ Tests with a poor attitude, he doesn’t have the world class talent to do its intercession on his behalf!

None of what you say makes any sense. First off, you said Waqar, Yousuf and all those others played 100 tests. You were wrong about Waqar and Yousuf so just admit it instead of acting like you said something else.

Second off, how is playing fewer tests in a long time better than playing more tests in a shorter time? Azhar has played 92 tests in a shorter period of time than most Pakistani cricketers you mentioned.

Almost everything you are basing your argument on is simply incorrect because Younis, Yousuf, Wasim all had their careers stalled because of controversies or clashes with the board. Azhar never had any such issues and that to a great degree explains why he has missed very few tests for Pakistan during his 12 year playing career.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Hafeez plays for pakistan for near 18 years,
Shoaib Malik plays for pakistan for over 15 years
Azhar Ali has played 90+ tests

This is how mediocre are batting has been that all 3 of these average cricketers have had such long careers.

 

[shamaan]

Azhar Ali is like Ishant Sharma, mediocre for so long but still persisted.

How do you think rahane and Pujara have done ?

 

[Amjid Javed]

How do you think rahane and Pujara have done ?

Rahane and Pujara won their team numerous test matches lets not forget that. Big difference to being a passenger in the side.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Azhar Ali is like Ishant Sharma, mediocre for so long but still persisted.

How do you rate VVS?
134 Tests with 46 Avg

 

[Titan24]

Pakistan's average historically has been around 8 per year with exceptions in between. Taking that as an average one will have to play for around 12.5 - 13 years. So very much possible for quite a few young players if they perform for such a long period and remain fit for major part of it. With cricket revival in Pakistan we might see the average per year maybe improve a bit.

 

[shamaan]

Rahane and Pujara won their team numerous test matches lets not forget that. Big difference to being a passenger in the side.

And Azhar hasn't ?