Is Sarfaraz Ahmed the worst captain Pakistan have had?

[Mamoon]

Sarfaraz’s achievements 2018 onwards were getting blanked 5-0 in New Zealand, getting smashed by India twice (without prime Kohli) and Bangladesh once in the 2018 Asia Cup.

In addition, he lost 4-0 to England in the 5 match ODI series before the World Cup. Would have been 5-0 if it wasn’t for rain. In 2018 overall, he led Pakistan to 8 consecutive ODI defeats the top 6 ranked teams.

In the 2019 World Cup opening game, Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of West Indies. Pakistan were 103 all out and West Indies chased the total down in 13.4 overs. Pakistan were practically out of the door after the first game because the NRR was nuked.

Pakistan not making the semifinals in the World Cup was all down to their own fault and as captain, Sarfraz was responsible and accountable

In Tests, everyone knows how many series he lost that too at home. Beating Australia was a good result but he should have never lost the home series to New Zealand.

The T20I record was great but much like Babar’s Pakistan in ODIs, it was built on the back of beating B and C sides. It was the ODI World Cup season and teams were focused on ODIs. Pakistan was the only team that was consistently playing its best XI in every random T20I.

The T20I drama also ended in tears as England and South Africa, with their first choice players, beat Pakistan comfortably in 2019.

Sarfaraz was lucky there was in T20 World Cup in the 2018-19 period otherwise the bubble would have burst just like it has for Babar in this World Cup. Number one this and that - all nonsense.

By 2018/19, Rizwan was the better WK batsman and Safaraz didn’t deserve to play ahead of him. It became obvious in March 2019 when Rizwan replaced Sarfaraz in the ODI series vs Australia in UAE and scored 2 centuries in 5 matches.

However, Sarfaraz was so insecure and afraid of Rizwan that he didn’t even select him in the 15 man World Cup squad. Rizwan, at the very least, deserved to be in the World Cup squad.

Nevertheless, life comes at you fast and Pakistan flopped at the World Cup and lost to Sri Lanka at home shortly after, signaling the demise of Sarfaraz.

 

[mominsaigol]

4 years too late.

Look, world has moved on. There is no point bringing Sarfraz in now because Babar is bad.

Sarfraz was a good limited overs captain, won us an ICC tournament. But he was a terrible batter and was unfit. He got dropped due to his form. Its his own fault. Afridi said it to his face that why focus on fitness after being dropped when you should had focussed before.

Sarfraz after winning the trophy, went abit laid back, his performance went down and he got the boot for it.

Winning icc tournament does not mean you can just sit back and relax and expect to get selected cause you are a senior.

Sarfraz had alot of struggles in his cricketing career and i respect the way he carved out his international career, but sarfraz fans make him look bad as if he was made a victim when he was dropped in 2019.

Also, he was a bad test captain and end our winning streak of UAE.

I 100% agree with you, and thanks for being the only mature poster when replying .

My point is, he did deserve a sack, I didn't mention in my post that he needs to come back, I've already said I want haris to be the next captain nor sarfi to come back.

Thing is you don't replace a captain who won a trophy with someone who has zero records of one, Babar is the most toothless captain their is and a single track record shpuld have been enough to just have him as a batter only.

Misbah also deserved an odi sack for 2013 ct but continued for 2 more years.

In Pakistan their is no such merit narrative that people try to craft. It's who's liked and who isn't that's the truth of it.

Sarfi wasn't sacked cause of bad performance. In bcci that would be the case. In pcb its always the hidden agenda of sacked cause I do not like him, which misbah didn't like sarfi

 

[Mamoon]

Brother Theirs no false narrative, conspiracy or anything else you keep springing forth.

2018 was a bad year, I already said so, so stop grabbing at one straw for propaganda.

Problem is you don't replace a former winner who had a bad hear with an even more toothless captain who has zero justification or track record to be one.

Misbah had multiple bad years. 2013 ct should have been enough to boot him out, why did he continue for 2 more years?

Reality is Theirs nepotism and corruption which determines who's liked and disliked. Theirs no merit drama that you're pulling on me.

I've seen you quote We deserve this humiliation 24/7

only to then vanish into thin air when something goes pakistan's way case in point nz game lol when people quoted you non stop with clown emojis the same emojis you often quote others with lol.

Come up something insightful to the overall analysis given rather then coming up with another hate propaganda as if this is a wwe ring

As I have said many times, individual performances is a captain’s shield. Misbah was an awful captain in ODIs but he was performing with the bat and so he survived.

If Babar survives as captain he will only do so because he is Pakistan’s best batsman.

Sarfaraz would also have survived if his individual performances were up to the mark but they were not.

The team was losing left, right and center and he no longer merited a place ahead of Rizwan so he had nowhere to hide.

Sarfraz would still be all-format captain if he was performing the way Rizwan has performed since 2020 and I say this as someone who dislikes Rizwan.

 

[mominsaigol]

Sarfaraz’s achievements 2018 onwards were getting blanked 5-0 in New Zealand, getting smashed by India twice (without prime Kohli) and Bangladesh once in the 2018 Asia Cup.

In addition, he lost 4-0 to England in the 5 match ODI series before the World Cup. Would have been 5-0 if it wasn’t for rain. In 2018 overall, he led Pakistan to 8 consecutive ODI defeats the top 6 ranked teams.

In the 2019 World Cup opening game, Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of West Indies. Pakistan were 103 all out and West Indies chased the total down in 13.4 overs. Pakistan were practically out of the door after the first game because the NRR was nuked.

Pakistan not making the semifinals in the World Cup was all down to their own fault and as captain, Sarfraz was responsible and accountable

In Tests, everyone knows how many series he lost that too at home. Beating Australia was a good result but he should have never lost the home series to New Zealand.

The T20I record was great but much like Babar’s Pakistan in ODIs, it was built on the back of beating B and C sides. It was the ODI World Cup season and teams were focused on ODIs. Pakistan was the only team that was consistently playing its best XI in every random T20I.

The T20I drama also ended in tears as England and South Africa, with their first choice players, beat Pakistan comfortably in 2019.

Sarfaraz was lucky there was in T20 World Cup in the 2018-19 period otherwise the bubble would have burst just like it has for Babar in this World Cup. Number one this and that - all nonsense.

By 2018/19, Rizwan was the better WK batsman and Safaraz didn’t deserve to play ahead of him. It became obvious in March 2019 when Rizwan replaced Sarfaraz in the ODI series vs Australia in UAE and scored 2 centuries in 5 matches.

However, Sarfaraz was so insecure and afraid of Rizwan that he didn’t even select him in the 15 man World Cup squad. Rizwan, at the very least, deserved to be in the World Cup squad.

Nevertheless, life comes at you fast and Pakistan flopped at the World Cup and lost to Sri Lanka at home shortly after, signaling the demise of Sarfaraz.

Again another copy paste paragraph? When will you dissappear next? Saying in England game we deserve this humiliation and will vamish 10 seconds later?

I already said the sack was deserved. Problem is the criteria you're applying does not apply to pcb and you know that very well.

Dot grasp at a single straw. I already told you the proper agenda and reason for the sack which doesn't pertain to this.

 

[Mamoon]

Again another copy paste paragraph? When will you dissappear next? Saying in England game we deserve this humiliation and will vamish 10 seconds later?

I already said the sack was deserved. Problem is the criteria you're applying does not apply to pcb and you know that very well.

Dot grasp at a single straw. I already told you the proper agenda and reason for the sack which doesn't pertain to this.

I have already explained the “criteria” and clarified why you cannot compare Misbah not getting sacked in 2013 to Sarfaraz getting sacked in 2019.

If you can’t understand the difference I cannot help you further.

 

[mominsaigol]

As I have said many times, individual performances is a captain’s shield. Misbah was an awful captain in ODIs but he was performing with the bat and so he survived.

If Babar survives as captain he will only do so because he is Pakistan’s best batsman.

Sarfaraz would also have survived if his individual performances were up to the mark but they were not.

The team was losing left, right and center and he no longer merited a place ahead of Rizwan so he had nowhere to hide.

Sarfraz would still be all-format captain if he was performing the way Rizwan has performed since 2020 and I say this as someone who dislikes Rizwan.

Thank you for calming down. Now I'll address you properly.

The individual performance aspect I agree with. Again sarfi should have been sacked and I don't want him back.

My issue is meptosim and corruption. Je wasn't sacked for the underlying reason, he was sacked cause of misbah hate towards him.

Our team makes babar captain based of being the best player, same way it did for sarfraz at the time. Its a wrong approach, and was exposed with kohli as soon as Dhoni retired to no longer hold his hand in 2021. Kohli realised and stepped down

As for my other points, the other points were unaddressed so no point counter arguing those

 

[mominsaigol]

I have already explained the “criteria” and clarified why you cannot compare Misbah not getting sacked in 2013 to Sarfaraz getting sacked in 2019.

If you can’t understand the difference I cannot help you further.

You're comment after my response.

Misbah had every right to be sacked wdym? What performance?

Misbah needed to be sacked for 2013 selection and calling all.shots alone.

He doesn't keep his captaincy for batting, their 2 seprate criteria that you're trying to link to justify another narrative.

Their seprate topics, they don't interlink. Good batting =/= good captaincy especially if 2013 was entirely misbah's calling left, right and center.

As for help, Bhai you're not a helper, . Learn to understand people won't see your view and you're not 100% in said right.

No need to continue though, if you don't wish, end the conversation here them if you get that sentimental over discussions. Good god

 

[Major]

I 100% agree with you, and thanks for being the only mature poster when replying .

My point is, he did deserve a sack, I didn't mention in my post that he needs to come back, I've already said I want haris to be the next captain nor sarfi to come back.

Thing is you don't replace a captain who won a trophy with someone who has zero records of one, Babar is the most toothless captain their is and a single track record shpuld have been enough to just have him as a batter only.

Misbah also deserved an odi sack for 2013 ct but continued for 2 more years.

In Pakistan their is no such merit narrative that people try to craft. It's who's liked and who isn't that's the truth of it.

Sarfi wasn't sacked cause of bad performance. In bcci that would be the case. In pcb its always the hidden agenda of sacked cause I do not like him, which misbah didn't like sarfi

Sarfraz was not replaced by Babar. He was replaced by Azhar. Azhar wasnt a bad captain. Yes, Azhar probably lack leadership skills, but Azhar was aware of what strategies to adopt.

media and fans had a perception about Azhar.


Babar became captain because of Imran Khan.

So, Misbah, Azhar and Hafeez wanted to have a meeting with Imran Khan. As the first class cricket structure was a joke ever since the departements were erased. THey had the meeting and Imran decided to remove Azhar as captain in that same meeting. He than suggest babar to be captain.

As for Misbah being captain. Bro, captaincy wise, Misbah was amongst the best. His strategies and tactics were good, he wasnt a bad captain. He just had a bad team and he still got some results through that team. Misbah also had his own performance that kept him in the team.

You are making wrong comparisons.

Sarfaz drops from the team due to his poor batting form. Babar drops as captain due to his poor captaincy.

Sarfraz being dropped had nothing to do with Misbah's liking or disliking. The fact is, Sarfraz had a stomach popping out and Misbah came in with a fitness regime. Second thing is as @Mamoon said that Sarfraz was out of form for 1.5 years. You cannot let that slide by especially when a young keeper at that time was fit and performing with the bat.

Rizwan came in ready and took over.

Plz stop blaming Sarfraz's removal on other people when it was Sarfraz himself fault

 

[Kianig89]

Sarfraz is almost 37 years old what would we achieved by making him captain again not to mention his pathetic batting and dip in keeping which was evident post 2017 CT

 

[mominsaigol]

Sarfraz was not replaced by Babar. He was replaced by Azhar. Azhar wasnt a bad captain. Yes, Azhar probably lack leadership skills, but Azhar was aware of what strategies to adopt.

media and fans had a perception about Azhar.


Babar became captain because of Imran Khan.

So, Misbah, Azhar and Hafeez wanted to have a meeting with Imran Khan. As the first class cricket structure was a joke ever since the departements were erased. THey had the meeting and Imran decided to remove Azhar as captain in that same meeting. He than suggest babar to be captain.

As for Misbah being captain. Bro, captaincy wise, Misbah was amongst the best. His strategies and tactics were good, he wasnt a bad captain. He just had a bad team and he still got some results through that team. Misbah also had his own performance that kept him in the team.

You are making wrong comparisons.

Sarfaz drops from the team due to his poor batting form. Babar drops as captain due to his poor captaincy.

Sarfraz being dropped had nothing to do with Misbah's liking or disliking. The fact is, Sarfraz had a stomach popping out and Misbah came in with a fitness regime. Second thing is as @Mamoon said that Sarfraz was out of form for 1.5 years. You cannot let that slide by especially when a young keeper at that time was fit and performing with the bat.

Rizwan came in ready and took over.

Plz stop blaming Sarfraz's removal on other people when it was Sarfraz himself fault

When did azhar come back? I wasn't aware of this lol.

But the rest of your points, are valid and fair. Good discussion. .

Also one thing I still disagree with, I wasn't blaming anyone, in my original comment
Their wasnt any blame, the blame sprang forth cause Mamoon keeps sticking to a sacking point , and I'm trying to get all points addressed only.

Regardless the rest of what you said I agree with.

 

[mominsaigol]

Sarfraz is almost 37 years old what would we achieved by making him captain again not to mention his pathetic batting and dip in keeping which was evident post 2017 CT

Does everyone except @Major have a reading or eyesight problem? When does the og comment address bringing him back? I've said 100+ times I want muhammad haris as captain not sarfi.

 

[Major]

As I have said many times, individual performances is a captain’s shield. Misbah was an awful captain in ODIs but he was performing with the bat and so he survived.

If Babar survives as captain he will only do so because he is Pakistan’s best batsman.

Sarfaraz would also have survived if his individual performances were up to the mark but they were not.

The team was losing left, right and center and he no longer merited a place ahead of Rizwan so he had nowhere to hide.

Sarfraz would still be all-format captain if he was performing the way Rizwan has performed since 2020 and I say this as someone who dislikes Rizwan.

i disagree.

When it comes to Misbah and Babar, there captaincy is looked at from a qualitative point of view and quantitative.

Statistically, Babar probably has won more odi games than Misbah, but from qualitative pov we all know its not because Babar is a good captain, its because Babar has a good batting team with him who have done well in odi series.

Misbah on the other hand, statistically, his team was losing many limited over games, but from qualitative pov we all remember that his captaincy decisions on field were never an issue as he as captain knew how to use bowlers and fielders, how to reduce the run and ball margin. He lost games due to bad teams he had.

Alot of posters dont realize that post 2017 teams of Pakistan were made from our PSL. All the players like Hassan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab etc were recognized through PSL and were given chance in Pakistan team due to PSL. And PSL took place first in 2016.

 

[Major]

When did azhar come back? I wasn't aware of this lol.

But the rest of your points, are valid and fair. Good discussion. .

Also one thing I still disagree with, I wasn't blaming anyone, in my original comment
Their wasnt any blame, the blame sprang forth cause Mamoon keeps sticking to a sacking point , and I'm trying to get all points addressed only.

Regardless the rest of what you said I agree with.

Azhar was captain of odi team till 2017 when he resigned from the captaincy

 

[mominsaigol]

Azhar was captain of odi team till 2017 when he resigned from the captaincy

No ik that, but wasn't babar's the next after sarfi? Isn't babar the replacement?

Other then that the rest of your points I agree with.

 

[Major]

No ik that, but wasn't babar's the next after sarfi? Isn't babar the replacement?

Other then that the rest of your points I agree with.

oh yes, my bad. It was Azhar, Sarfraz and than Babar in ODIs.
In test it was Sarfraz, Azhar and than Babar

 

[Nikhil_cric]

He was a better LOI captain than the likes of Misbah for certain.

His bowling attack fell apart CT. Aamir could barely pick wickets upfront. Hasan started trundling and Shadab was exposed against better sides.

That's not really his fault though.

 

[CerebralPatriot]

Sarfraz is easily the best captain of Pakistan this century and I'd go so far to say the best captain Pakistan has ever produced. People need to look at Sarfraz's captaincy not through overall results but through what he achieved considering the team he inherited

Sarfraz was appointed T20 captain right after the disastrous 2016 campaign which saw us knocked out in the group stages and only managing to win one game. Straight away Sarfraz was able to lead us to a 3-0 win vs West Indies - the winner's of the world cup mind you and that was only the beginning

Under his leadership we won a tri series vs Australia as well as 13 consecutive games (a world record). Again it is important to look at the team he had. Babar was only new to the scene as well as Shadab, Shaheen, Faheem etc. With such an inexperienced team Sarfarz was able to turn them into a bunch of world beaters. Now Babar has an identical line up with only a few changes in the middler order, yet he has been unable to replicate 10% of what Sarfarz was able to do

In ODIs the exact same took place.

After an embarrassing 4-1 loss to England where we conceded the highest ODI score at the time, Sarfraz was once again able to bring out the best of a barely experienced squad and did something no Pakistan captain - Wasim, Waqar, Younis, Afridi or Misbah- was able to do, win a Champions Trophy. This achievement alone is enough for him to be recognised as one of our great captains.

Now the counter argument to that is his middling bilateral record however people need to realise that in the same way big teams like Australia and New Zealand do not take bilateral's seriously, same was the case for the Pakistan team under Sarfraz. In such series he was experimenting and trying different combinations, giving youngsters chances and as such it was inevitable that we would not have the best record.

However when it came to the big stage that is where we can really see his leadership blossom. The 2019 world cup was where he led a still inexperienced team to 5th place, beating both finalists. We would have also made the semi's if it was not for rain and if we had made the semi's, I am 90% sure we would have won that tournament.

So looking objectively, calling Sarfraz the worst captain Pakistan has ever had is the furthest thing from the truth. Fact is he was a brilliant leader of men and will continue to be that for as long as he is existing in international cricket. For Pakistan to move forward as a cricketing nation he must be brought back as captain and be given the chance to revive an almost dead team.

Does it seem impossible? Sure but if anyone can do it, it is kaptaan Sarfarz

 

[DeadlyVenom]

He was a good captain but let himself down at the end with substandard performances, lack of personal discipline and conduct towards team mates.

Pakistan showed him a lot of respect by taking him along as travelling imam/naat khwan for a few years on away tours.

Historical revisionism doesn't work when there are still people around who were witness to what was going on at the time.

 

[mominsaigol]

oh yes, my bad. It was Azhar, Sarfraz and than Babar in ODIs.
In test it was Sarfraz, Azhar and than Babar

Haha no worries

 

[mominsaigol]

Sarfraz is easily the best captain of Pakistan this century and I'd go so far to say the best captain Pakistan has ever produced. People need to look at Sarfraz's captaincy not through overall results but through what he achieved considering the team he inherited

Sarfraz was appointed T20 captain right after the disastrous 2016 campaign which saw us knocked out in the group stages and only managing to win one game. Straight away Sarfraz was able to lead us to a 3-0 win vs West Indies - the winner's of the world cup mind you and that was only the beginning

Under his leadership we won a tri series vs Australia as well as 13 consecutive games (a world record). Again it is important to look at the team he had. Babar was only new to the scene as well as Shadab, Shaheen, Faheem etc. With such an inexperienced team Sarfarz was able to turn them into a bunch of world beaters. Now Babar has an identical line up with only a few changes in the middler order, yet he has been unable to replicate 10% of what Sarfarz was able to do

In ODIs the exact same took place.

After an embarrassing 4-1 loss to England where we conceded the highest ODI score at the time, Sarfraz was once again able to bring out the best of a barely experienced squad and did something no Pakistan captain - Wasim, Waqar, Younis, Afridi or Misbah- was able to do, win a Champions Trophy. This achievement alone is enough for him to be recognised as one of our great captains.

Now the counter argument to that is his middling bilateral record however people need to realise that in the same way big teams like Australia and New Zealand do not take bilateral's seriously, same was the case for the Pakistan team under Sarfraz. In such series he was experimenting and trying different combinations, giving youngsters chances and as such it was inevitable that we would not have the best record.

However when it came to the big stage that is where we can really see his leadership blossom. The 2019 world cup was where he led a still inexperienced team to 5th place, beating both finalists. We would have also made the semi's if it was not for rain and if we had made the semi's, I am 90% sure we would have won that tournament.

So looking objectively, calling Sarfraz the worst captain Pakistan has ever had is the furthest thing from the truth. Fact is he was a brilliant leader of men and will continue to be that for as long as he is existing in international cricket. For Pakistan to move forward as a cricketing nation he must be brought back as captain and be given the chance to revive an almost dead team.

Does it seem impossible? Sure but if anyone can do it, it is kaptaan Sarfarz

Sarfraz is the best captain ever produced by Pakistan?

Bruh! Itna bhi nhi mujhe sarfi ka shok

 

[mominsaigol]

He was a good captain but let himself down at the end with substandard performances, lack of personal discipline and conduct towards team mates.

Pakistan showed him a lot of respect by taking him along as travelling imam/naat khwan for a few years on away tours.

Historical revisionism doesn't work when there are still people around who were witness to what was going on at the time.

What were his conducts towards team mates? I only recall racist comments made towards AP.

 

[CerebralPatriot]

Sarfraz is the best captain ever produced by Pakistan?

Bruh! Itna bhi nhi mujhe sarfi ka shok

Only Imran Khan can be considered better than him. Why I put him over Imran is the fact that Sarfraz was able to bring us 2 ICC trophies whereas Imran only brought 1

 

[mominsaigol]

The racist comment to Andile Phehlukwayo should have ended his captaincy there and then

However, the World Cup was close so had to stick with him

I was watching a podcast he came on, and the guy is a complete unpar jahil sarakchaap. Doesn't know how to carry himself unlike Babar who does that really well.
Was saying Indian cricketers eat beef. Imagine a former Indian captain saying Pakistani cricketers eat pork. You can't imagine because it will never happen. A former captain should know how to carry himself atleast

Anyways, was a very very limited cricketer. There was no way you could have ignored Rizwan any longer and so Sarfraz was rightly removed and dropped in 2019

After that, Rizwan has not given him the slightest of opportunity for a comeback into the white ball side

K, I don't see what the comment about beef has anything to do with his captaincy tenure though.

The Player part is valid though. The beef part made me laugh .

 

[mominsaigol]

Only Imran Khan can be considered better than him. Why I put him over Imran is the fact that Sarfraz was able to bring us 2 ICC trophies whereas Imran only brought 1

I don't think under 19 existed in imran's time though and their weren't any other icc events besides wc

 

[Major]

He was a good captain but let himself down at the end with substandard performances, lack of personal discipline and conduct towards team mates.

Pakistan showed him a lot of respect by taking him along as travelling imam/naat khwan for a few years on away tours.

Historical revisionism doesn't work when there are still people around who were witness to what was going on at the time.

Correct. Even though sarfraz was mistreated earlier in his career but post 2019 he got free tours.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

What were his conducts towards team mates? I only recall racist comments made towards AP.

Kept shouting and barking at them and they were visibly annoyed.

He also gained weight and kept yawning behind the stumps.

Fans were not happy with him at all at the time.

 

[ahmadharis1]

The fact that Sarfraz has an ICC trophy immediately places him top 3

 

[mominsaigol]

The fact that Sarfraz has an ICC trophy immediately places him top 3

Top 1 and 2 being Imran Khan and YK?

 

[sweep_shot]

Definitely not the worst.

He won an ICC trophy.

 

[ahmadharis1]

Top 1 and 2 being Imran Khan and YK?

Yeah those make the top 3 in my opinion. Imran Khan probably 1, Sarfraz 2 and Younis 3.

If you're able to bring home an ICC trophy, you've shown that you were able to take your team to the top of the world.

 

[Technics 1210]

Only Imran Khan can be considered better than him. Why I put him over Imran is the fact that Sarfraz was able to bring us 2 ICC trophies whereas Imran only brought 1

Which 2 ICC trophies?

 

[160KPH]

I’m glad this thread got bumped so everyone can be reminded of how absolutely horrendous we had become near the end of Sarfraz’s run. Nothing against Sarfraz, he’s forever a hero for leading us to the 2017 Champion’s Trophy, but his time had long gone and our team was in a horrible position when he was removed. Rizwan is also a better batsmen in every aspect than Sarfraz aside from against spin, particularly in the subcontinent.

 

[mominsaigol]

I’m glad this thread got bumped so everyone can be reminded of how absolutely horrendous we had become near the end of Sarfraz’s run. Nothing against Sarfraz, he’s forever a hero for leading us to the 2017 Champion’s Trophy, but his time had long gone and our team was in a horrible position when he was removed. Rizwan is also a better batsmen in every aspect than Sarfraz aside from against spin, particularly in the subcontinent.

Rizwan is > Sarfi as an odi and t20 bat. Not as a test bat.

 

[160KPH]

Rizwan is > Sarfi as an odi and t20 bat. Not as a test bat.

Sarfraz is horrible outside of the subcontinent in Test cricket.

His SENA averages:
South Africa: 16
England: 24
New Zealand: 17
Australia: 38

Also, only 28 in the West Indies.

Rizwan hasn’t played in South Africa yet, but his averages in the other SENA countries:
England: 40
New Zealand: 43
Australia: 44

And, 31 in the West Indies.

So Sarfraz is great if you wanna stack up runs against spin in the subcontinent, but Rizwan is 10x better in overseas conditions.

 

[160KPH]

But, I like Sarfraz. I wouldn’t mind him continuing to play at home and in Sri Lanka until he loses form for good. He’s still solid against spin, but one issue against him is his WC skills have gotten worse and now Rizwan is also clearly the better WC. So unless Sarfraz can be a decent fielder, he’s not gonna be able to find a spot on the team compared to a new young batsmen who can also field well.

 

[Mamoon]

However when it came to the big stage that is where we can really see his leadership blossom. The 2019 world cup was where he led a still inexperienced team to 5th place, beating both finalists. We would have also made the semi's if it was not for rain and if we had made the semi's, I am 90% sure we would have won that tournament.

That is pure delusion.

The 2019 World Cup was a bang average exhibition by Sarfaraz and his team and you can sugarcoat it with revisionism and romanticism but those who watched the World Cup ball by ball can easily tell that it wasn’t how you are portraying it to be.

Firstly, it was not an inexperienced Pakistan team by any measure. With the exception of Imam (who replaced Azhar) and the addition of Shaheen (who wasn’t a guaranteed starter) it was the same Pakistan side that won the CT and they had been playing regularly between 2017-19.

Malik, Hafeez, Sarfaraz himself, Amir, Wahab, Imad, Hassan, Fakhar. How is this an inexperienced team in 2019? It wasn’t.

Secondly, finishing 5th was no achievement and nothing to talk about especially when Pakistan had the third worst NRR in the tournament.

There is no guarantee that Pakistan would have qualified for the semifinals if the match against Sri Lanka was not washed out. Would have Pakistan have started the match as slight favorites?

Sure, but if Pakistan and Sri Lanka could beat England, if Bangladesh could beat South Africa, if Afghanistan could stretch both Pakistan and India to the last over and if West Indies could crush Pakistan, then Sri Lanka could also have beaten Pakistan.

Besides, the India vs New Zealand match was also washed out and New Zealand vs India is a 50-50 affair in English conditions. Let’s not forget that they beat India in both the warmup and the semifinal.

They could also have beaten them in the group stage if it wasn’t a washout and that would have eliminated Pakistan regardless of the outcome of the Sri Lanka match.

If Pakistan’s match was West Indies was washed out, fans like you would have never believed in a million years that Pakistan would have lost the match that too by getting out for 103 with West Indies chasing the target in 13.4 overs.

There is no prize for beating both the World Cup finalists. If you want a prize for that, what do you want for getting out for 103 to a team that only won 1 other match in the World Cup? A wooden spoon?

There is no point in talking about hypothetical scenarios (Pakistan vs Sri Lanka) because both Pakistan and New Zealand played 8 matches each and based on those 8 completed matches, Pakistan did not do enough to go through.

No one asked Pakistan to be dismissed for 103 against the West Indies and allow their batsmen to chase the total in 13.4 overs and no one asked them to lose to both India and Australia.

Also, no one asked them to not look after their NRR against Afghanistan and New Zealand when they had the opportunity to boost their NRR by chasing the totals with more overs to spare.

Sarfaraz himself cut a very uninspiring figure in that World Cup. He was poor with the bat (average of 28) and became a laughing stock when he was found yawning with his belly sticking out as Rohit was tonking his bowlers all over Manchester.

Pakistan had the best possible preparation among all sides. They had the luxury of playing 5 ODIs with England in England immediately before the World Cup.

Every team would have loved that opportunity of not only acclimatizing to the conditions but also getting match practice against the strongest team and overwhelming favorites.

What did Pakistan do with preparation? They got dismissed for 103 in the first match which destroyed their NRR and they had to play catch up ever since.

Even if Pakistan had stumbled into the semifinals, they wouldn’t have won the World Cup. Lightning doesn’t strike twice. The stars aligned for them in 2017 but they were not good enough in 2019.

 

[shah_1]

Sarfraz was and still today is an average player. He is such a joke of batsman against fast bowling, can't even clear the inner circle.


Apart from India and SA WKs, Rizwan is still better than all other ODI WK in the world.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Wonder what @Mamoon thinks of Babar’s captaincy…we were never this bad under Sarfaraz.

 

[Mamoon]

Wonder what @Mamoon thinks of Babar’s captaincy…we were never this bad under Sarfaraz.

I would have shared my thoughts if I had watched the match, but as I said, I am not going to watch any Pakistan match as long as Amir and Imad are in the team. You can add Azam Khan to the list too.

I’m only following scores on Cricinfo and logging on PakPassion to laugh at Amir and Azam Khan supporters.

 

[cricketmania22]

Babar might be the worst captain ever but we didn’t lose this match because of his captaincy. We were atrocious throughout the 40 overs. Everyone was bad. Bremen played poorly, bowlers bowled full tosses, fielders were slow. There was nothing which showed that Pakistan could win.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I would have shared my thoughts if I had watched the match, but as I said, I am not going to watch any Pakistan match as long as Amir and Imad are in the team. You can add Azam Khan to the list too.

I’m only following scores on Cricinfo and logging on PakPassion to laugh at Amir and Azam Khan supporters.

If it wasn’t for Amir we wouldn’t have made it to the super overs

 

[mominsaigol]

Babar might be the worst captain ever but we didn’t lose this match because of his captaincy. We were atrocious throughout the 40 overs. Everyone was bad. Bremen played poorly, bowlers bowled full tosses, fielders were slow. There was nothing which showed that Pakistan could win.

How so?

First of why did he bring fielder in the inner ring to prevent singles? USA were going to go lofted, why on earth would they run 4?

Why did he place chacha on slips for the millionth time? After how bad he was at slips in nz 2023 series that should have been it, he's always been a poor slip fielder.

Lastly he needs to learn to actually talk and support bowlers like sarfi use to do and not just say shabash shabash 24/7 and clap like a moron.

Heck why did he waste one drs review? Shaheen the bowler himself is saying its pitching outside leg, bit rizwan is saying go for the review? Why? Shaheen is a bowler who has a better angle and as a bowler he'd be hungry for a wicket? So of he's not interested its a dead giveaway? On what basis does rizzu hold authority?

 

[mominsaigol]

If it wasn’t for Amir we wouldn’t have made it to the super overs

Amir? You mean shaheen? He dropped the catch of jones

 

[cricketmania22]

How so?

First of why did he bring fielder in the inner ring to prevent singles? USA were going to go lofted, why on earth would they run 4?

Why did he place chacha on slips for the millionth time? After how bad he was at slips in nz 2023 series that should have been it, he's always been a poor slip fielder.

Lastly he needs to learn to actually talk and support bowlers like sarfi use to do and not just say shabash shabash 24/7 and clap like a moron.

Heck why did he waste one drs review? Shaheen the bowler himself is saying its pitching outside leg, bit rizwan is saying go for the review? Why? Shaheen is a bowler who has a better angle and as a bowler he'd be hungry for a wicket? So of he's not interested its a dead giveaway? On what basis does rizzu hold authority?

Where did I say that his captaincy was fine? I said, the whole team played so poorly that that it seemed like Pakistan was hellbent to lose!
Pakistani bowlers bowled full tosses throughout the 20 overs and gave them freebies. Even in the last over Rauf bowled 2 full tosses, one of them went for four and one of them went for six.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Amir? You mean shaheen? He dropped the catch of jones

Shaheen cost us with his bowling.

Amir saved us from embarrassment, his 4 over spell could’ve won us the game from a losing position.

 

[Mamoon]

If it wasn’t for Amir we wouldn’t have made it to the super overs

If it wasn’t for Babar, Shadab’s or Shaheen’s runs, Pakistan wouldn’t have had enough runs in the first place to force a Super Over.

Amir bowled a tidy over, but destiny was in his hands when Babar trusted him with the Super Over.

He completely bottled it. Bowling wides when you are bowling cowardly cutters because you’re too old to bowl quick and trust your pace is shameful.

19 runs in a Super Over vs USA is hilarious. This will never be forgotten and will be part of his tainted legacy.

Amir fans like @Rana and @moghul and @Dr_Bassim always talk about Amir’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy Final performances and how he is a winner, but the embarrassment vs USA in the T20 World Cup will always be remembered as well and get mentioned in the same breath.

The funniest part is that this was not supposed to happen. He had no business playing this World Cup. He had no business playing international cricket again.

He basically scored an own goal by launching an unneeded, unwanted comeback driven by personal glory that is backfiring in spectacular fashion.

He has been rubbish since his comeback and will remain rubbish until he retires again and everyone realizes that it was a waste of time. He came back for nothing.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I would have shared my thoughts if I had watched the match, but as I said, I am not going to watch any Pakistan match as long as Amir and Imad are in the team. You can add Azam Khan to the list too.

I’m only following scores on Cricinfo and logging on PakPassion to laugh at Amir and Azam Khan supporters.

You should add Babar to that list.

Most overrated batsmen to come out of Pakistan in the last decade.

 

[Rana]

If it wasn’t for Babar, Shadab’s or Shaheen’s runs, Pakistan wouldn’t have had enough runs in the first place to force a Super Over.

Amir bowled a tidy over, but destiny was in his hands when Babar trusted him with the Super Over.

He completely bottled it. Bowling wides when you are bowling cowardly cutters because you’re too old to bowl quick and trust your pace is shameful.

19 runs in a Super Over vs USA is hilarious. This will never be forgotten and will be part of his tainted legacy.

Amir fans like @Rana and @moghul and @Dr_Bassim always talk about Amir’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy Final performances and how he is a winner, but the embarrassment vs USA in the T20 World Cup will always be remembered as well and get mentioned in the same breath.

The funniest part is that this was not supposed to happen. He had no business playing this World Cup. He had no business playing international cricket again.

He basically scored an own goal by launching an unneeded, unwanted comeback driven by personal glory that is backfiring in spectacular fashion.

He has been rubbish since his comeback and will remain rubbish until he retires again and everyone realizes that it was a waste of time. He came back for nothing.

Amir had no business returning to International cricket but Babar had every business returning as captain?

 

[YousafTheBeast]

If it wasn’t for Babar, Shadab’s or Shaheen’s runs, Pakistan wouldn’t have had enough runs in the first place to force a Super Over.

Amir bowled a tidy over, but destiny was in his hands when Babar trusted him with the Super Over.

He completely bottled it. Bowling wides when you are bowling cowardly cutters because you’re too old to bowl quick and trust your pace is shameful.

19 runs in a Super Over vs USA is hilarious. This will never be forgotten and will be part of his tainted legacy.

Amir fans like @Rana and @moghul and @Dr_Bassim always talk about Amir’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy Final performances and how he is a winner, but the embarrassment vs USA in the T20 World Cup will always be remembered as well and get mentioned in the same breath.

The funniest part is that this was not supposed to happen. He had no business playing this World Cup. He had no business playing international cricket again.

He basically scored an own goal by launching an unneeded, unwanted comeback driven by personal glory that is backfiring in spectacular fashion.

He has been rubbish since his comeback and will remain rubbish until he retires again and everyone realizes that it was a waste of time. He came back for nothing.

Babar’s run a ball of 40 vs USA?

Shaheen getting smashed and going wicketless vs USA????

You’re not being honest with yourself.

Shaheen, Rauf and Naseem n not bowling the super over, I wonder why?

 

[Mamoon]

Babar’s run a ball of 40 vs USA?

Shaheen getting smashed and going wicketless vs USA????

You’re not being honest with yourself.

Shaheen, Rauf and Naseem n not bowling the super over, I wonder why?

Babar and Shadab’s partnership and Shaheen’s cameo took Pakistan to a respectable total otherwise USA would have finished it off around the 15th over. That is how much Pakistan were limping.

Babar made a grave mistake by trusting Amir with the Super Over. He mistakenly thought that Amir was experienced, mentally tough and capable of handling pressure.

All that myths got exposed.

 

[mominsaigol]

Where did I say that his captaincy was fine? I said, the whole team played so poorly that that it seemed like Pakistan was hellbent to lose!
Pakistani bowlers bowled full tosses throughout the 20 overs and gave them freebies. Even in the last over Rauf bowled 2 full tosses, one of them went for four and one of them went for six.

Bro you said we didn't lose the match because of his captaincy correct?

I'd argue they did this time around. Yes fielders were poor, the whole team sucked but it ultimately went to a super over and he made 3 decisions.

A) Having Amir bowl when naseem was the best bowler this game.

B) sending chacha and shadab at no 3. Last time fakhar and chacha were sent was against Zimbabwe so they lost. As a captain he should have sent himself and fakhar, and falhar had to be given strike

 

[cricketmania22]

Bro you said we didn't lose the match because of his captaincy correct?

I'd argue they did this time around. Yes fielders were poor, the whole team sucked but it ultimately went to a super over and he made 3 decisions.

A) Having Amir bowl when naseem was the best bowler this game.

B) sending chacha and shadab at no 3. Last time fakhar and chacha were sent was against Zimbabwe so they lost. As a captain he should have sent himself and fakhar, and falhar had to be given strike

You are picking specific events but I’m talking about overall performance. Of course his captaincy was bad, but throughout we performed so bad that we deserved to lose as team not because who marshaled the troops. Said that,

1) I think his decision to bowl Amir under the current circumstances was fine. Amir was bowling good Yorkers and cutter until the super over. Additionally, Naseem is still not in rhythm and it would have been a gamble to give him the ball.

2) Babar wasn’t capable of scoring 20 runs. In any case, match was lost when Amir gave away 19 runs. I’m

 

[emranabbas]

sarfaraz for sure wouldn't have lost to USA with the same team. minus rizwan and babar

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Babar and Shadab’s partnership and Shaheen’s cameo took Pakistan to a respectable total otherwise USA would have finished it off around the 15th over. That is how much Pakistan were limping.

Babar made a grave mistake by trusting Amir with the Super Over. He mistakenly thought that Amir was experienced, mentally tough and capable of handling pressure.

All that myths got exposed.

160 is never a respectable target vs a team like USA. We should’ve scored 180+.

It’s clear that you’re upset about Amir returning and will put the blame on him regardless of whether he performs or not. He was our best bowler today, there’s a reason why you’re not mentioning his match figures like you always do, there’s a reason why you’re mentioning Shaheen’s batting performance and not his bowling performance.

Your views on player performances are based purely on emotions and lack critical thinking.

Babar’s 40 put more pressure on the team.

Shadab was the only stand out batsman.

Shaheen got smashed vs USA.

Rauf couldn’t defend 15 runs.

The list goes on.

 

[Rana]

sarfaraz for sure wouldn't have lost to USA with the same team. minus rizwan and babar

These people still can’t see the problem. It all began when you wanted to make Rizwan work at all costs.

Here is the result

 

[Rana]

160 is never a respectable target vs a team like USA. We should’ve scored 180+.

It’s clear that you’re upset about Amir returning and will put the blame on him regardless of whether he performs or not. He was our best bowler today, there’s a reason why you’re not mentioning his match figures like you always do, there’s a reason why you’re mentioning Shaheen’s batting performance and not his bowling performance.

Your views on player performances are based purely on emotions and lack critical thinking.

Babar’s 40 put more pressure on the team.

Shadab was the only stand out batsman.

Shaheen got smashed vs USA.

Rauf couldn’t defend 15 runs.

The list goes on.

Khich ke rakh bro

 

[mominsaigol]

You are picking specific events but I’m talking about overall performance. Of course his captaincy was bad, but throughout we performed so bad that we deserved to lose as team not because who marshaled the troops. Said that,

1) I think his decision to bowl Amir under the current circumstances was fine. Amir was bowling good Yorkers and cutter until the super over. Additionally, Naseem is still not in rhythm and it would have been a gamble to give him the ball.

2) Babar wasn’t capable of scoring 20 runs. In any case, match was lost when Amir gave away 19 runs. I’m

Well I guess you have a point

 

[Technics 1210]

Doesn't matter.

Bottom line, Pakistan got a second chance and Amir blew it.

Cold. Hard. Facts.

 

[Kianig89]

Unlike Babar , Sarfraz had the ability to bully opposition also had better game awareness

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

If it wasn’t for Babar, Shadab’s or Shaheen’s runs, Pakistan wouldn’t have had enough runs in the first place to force a Super Over.

Amir bowled a tidy over, but destiny was in his hands when Babar trusted him with the Super Over.

He completely bottled it. Bowling wides when you are bowling cowardly cutters because you’re too old to bowl quick and trust your pace is shameful.

19 runs in a Super Over vs USA is hilarious. This will never be forgotten and will be part of his tainted legacy.

Amir fans like @Rana and @moghul and @Dr_Bassim always talk about Amir’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy Final performances and how he is a winner, but the embarrassment vs USA in the T20 World Cup will always be remembered as well and get mentioned in the same breath.

The funniest part is that this was not supposed to happen. He had no business playing this World Cup. He had no business playing international cricket again.

He basically scored an own goal by launching an unneeded, unwanted comeback driven by personal glory that is backfiring in spectacular fashion.

He has been rubbish since his comeback and will remain rubbish until he retires again and everyone realizes that it was a waste of time. He came back for nothing.

If it wasn’t for Babar, Shadab’s or Shaheen’s runs, Pakistan wouldn’t have had enough runs in the first place to force a Super Over.

Amir bowled a tidy over, but destiny was in his hands when Babar trusted him with the Super Over.

He completely bottled it. Bowling wides when you are bowling cowardly cutters because you’re too old to bowl quick and trust your pace is shameful.

19 runs in a Super Over vs USA is hilarious. This will never be forgotten and will be part of his tainted legacy.

Amir fans like @Rana and @moghul and @Dr_Bassim always talk about Amir’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy Final performances and how he is a winner, but the embarrassment vs USA in the T20 World Cup will always be remembered as well and get mentioned in the same breath.

The funniest part is that this was not supposed to happen. He had no business playing this World Cup. He had no business playing international cricket again.

He basically scored an own goal by launching an unneeded, unwanted comeback driven by personal glory that is backfiring in spectacular fashion.

He has been rubbish since his comeback and will remain rubbish until he retires again and everyone realizes that it was a waste of time. He came back for nothing.

Scoring 7 of 23 balls will also never be forgotten and will be a part of Babars legacy as a t20 batsman.

It is a bigger blunder then giving 18 runs in super over.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

Scoring 7 of 23 balls will also never be forgotten and will be a part of Babars legacy as a t20 batsman.

It is a bigger blunder then giving 18 runs in super over.

Is Sarfaraz Ahmed the worst captain Pakistan have had?​

No. Babar has that honour.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Atleast he won us ICC Champions Trophy 2017