Is Sarfaraz Ahmed the worst captain Pakistan have had?

[Loralai]

It is sad to think how far we have fallen that a club level cricketer is captaining Pakistan in all three formats. We have produced cricketers like Mushtaq Mohammad and Javed Miandad, who understood the game inside out. Now we have Sarfraz.

Sarfraz batting has always been technically poor. A few good innings on flat pitches in UAE, and along with a few decent ODI innings is not enough to justify his place in any international quality batting line up. Given that he has been badly exposed this past year and his batting looks worse than that of any county number 11, should we be allowing him a free pass in the side? His keeping is not exactly reminiscent of Alan Knott either.

He is clearly unfit and it is difficult to understand why he does not make more of an effort to get into shape. For god sake, he is captain of an international cricket team but his fitness standards are clearly not up to scratch. On top of this is his poor body language and poor decision making. The guy does not inspire any confidence at all and is average in every sense of the word.

The time has come now for Sarfraz to be removed as wicket keeper in all three formats. Unfortunately due to our failure to prepare properly, we should have been grooming 2-3 wicket keepers for the international circuit, the likes of Mohammed Rizwan, Mohammed Hasan and other young contenders should have been getting international experience so they were ready to make the step up and be given an extended run. This hasn't happened (this series would have been ideal for this) and needs to happen sooner rather than later.

 

[hadi123]

No. One loss doesn't mean anything.

 

[omairsiddiqui]

Sometimes I look at posts on this forum and I have to rub my eyes and pinch myself. Like are you for real? Do you watch cricket on a regular basis?

 

[troodon]

Doesn't Pak players have to clear the tougher YoYo Test than Indians to get selected to the team?

Which means Sarfraz is fitter than many Indian cricketers. Looks can be deceiving I guess.

As a player, he does not merit a place in the team. He is a specialist captain.

 

[Hasan123]

He isn't the worst captain in terms of his captaincy but in terms of his ability as a batsmen and keeper he is rubbish. OP point isn't as bad as you guys think.

He might be captain but he doesn't make the team in merit in any format as keeper or batsmen. For me a great captain isn't someone who just is good tactically . It's also a player who leads through performance and someone who will leave a stamp once he has retired. The harsh reality Sarfraz will probably be forgotten once he has retired.

 

[Sadevdesai]

Not only the worst Captain ..... the worst player on the Team also !!!!!!!

 

[coy0607]

yes he is - bring back Azhar pls

 

[Muhammad Saad]

He Cleary looking alot fitter and leaner compare to English tour. Stop ** plz

 

[Loralai]

I stand by my opening post. Sarfraz does not merit a spot in any format, either as a wicket keeper or a batsman.

It is time to accept he is very average and has already hugely overachieved. Just because he has Champions Trophy blip under his belt it does not cover the increasingly obvious fact that he is a below average performer who should be dropped.

We are the only international team in the world right now to have a captain who isn't worth his own place in the side.

 

[Abdullah719]

I stand by my opening post. Sarfraz does not merit a spot in any format, either as a wicket keeper or a batsman.

That may be true but your title says another thing entirely.

 

[JaDed]

Sometimes I look at posts on this forum and I have to rub my eyes and pinch myself. Like are you for real? Do you watch cricket on a regular basis?

Lol so true

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Called it after champions trophy.....

Utter embarrassment to have Sarfraz as captain.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I think you have not seen the captaincy tenures of Mohammad Yousaf, Azhar Ali, Shoaib Malik(2007-09), Waqar Younis, Rashid Latif and Amir Sohail then. And Afridi's second tenure as t20 captain from 2014-2016 was also a very poor one.

 

[Syed1]

Called it after champions trophy.....

Utter embarrassment to have Sarfraz as captain.

Just because you keep repeating the same ghissi pitti line doesn't make it true....


In the meantime Sarfaraz has won Champion's Trophy, demolished SL in T20s and ODIs, drawn a test series against England in England, beaten reigning World T20 champs WI and beaten NZ in NZ in T20s.


While all you have done is cry.



Keep crying, he will remain the captain of Pakistan much to your dismay.

 

[waleed88]

HIs batting form is that of a tailender.. Having supported his form for a while now its clear that Sarf is not getting back to his best after a year of seeing him struggle. And no an 80 odd against Scotland in a t20 doesn't justify your pathetic form with the bat for almost 2 years now.

 

[Syed1]

HIs batting form is that of a tailender.. Having supported his form for a while now its clear that Sarf is not getting back to his best after a year of seeing him struggle. And no an 80 odd against Scotland in a t20 doesn't justify your pathetic form with the bat for almost 2 years now.

In last 2 years Sarfaraz has played 18 T20 matches (batted 11 times) against Aus, Eng, WI, SL and NZ. He has an average of 27 and SR of 125. His average in the last 2 years excluding minnows is just 1 run lower than his career T20 average of 28 while SR is about the same. So your statement that he has been pathetic for 2 years now is false.

 

[Abdul]

Yes, been saying this for a while now.

 

[Forum363]

He isn't the worst captain in terms of his captaincy but in terms of his ability as a batsmen and keeper he is rubbish. OP point isn't as bad as you guys think.

He might be captain but he doesn't make the team in merit in any format as keeper or batsmen. For me a great captain isn't someone who just is good tactically . It's also a player who leads through performance and someone who will leave a stamp once he has retired. The harsh reality Sarfraz will probably be forgotten once he has retired.

Really? Doesn’t make any format af batsman or keeper?

Name a keeper batsman who would replace him? Rizwan is a club level batsman and a brilliant fielder who made himself a decent keeper at best. In the past decade we’ve had the three akmal brothers keeping, each worse than the other as a keeper batsman.

So while it can’t be argued that Sarfaraz is extremely average as a player, he is gold dust for Pakistan who have been struggling to find a keeper batsman for years. Add to that his brilliant captaincy proven by his trophies, I don’t understand how people are calling him to be dropped.

 

[Saj]

He's not the worst, he's not the best.

He's got a good t20 and odi team around him.

I think one learns more about the quality of a captain in Test cricket.

 

[Slim]

Yes, been saying this for a while now.

We should bring back Azhar as Pakistan team's captain, right?

 

[Destroyer88]

Mo hafeez and azhar ali to captain in t20s and odis respectively and then see the accolades they bring back to this team. And then the worst cpt in history of pakistam with ct trophy.and 23 t20 wins (4 losses) under his belt can be put to shame.

 

[Destroyer88]

Yes we'd go from no 6 to no 1 in no time...

 

[waleed88]

In last 2 years Sarfaraz has played 18 T20 matches (batted 11 times) against Aus, Eng, WI, SL and NZ. He has an average of 27 and SR of 125. His average in the last 2 years excluding minnows is just 1 run lower than his career T20 average of 28 while SR is about the same. So your statement that he has been pathetic for 2 years now is false.

Not trying to argue with you since on the topic of Sarfraz I usually agree with you, I am referring to all 3 formats and not just t20.

 

[ads101]

Forget that he's captain. Who replaces him as solely wicketkeeper batsman? He may not be great, but other options are bad. Rizwan's arguably a worse keeper, can't play spin, and overall worse bat. Kamran's a terrible keeper, too old, and if brought back should be as specialist batsman.

Sarfraz stats currently are 38 in tests, 34 in ODIs, 29 in T20s. All at good SRs. Those are good stats for a wicketkeeper. In fact he's arguably the keeper that brings the most value (i.e. keeping, batting, captaincy) combined than any other keeper we've had for Pakistan.

We're expecting him to perform as one of our best bats. Which he did for a while, and has potential to. But really he doesn't need to be one of our best bats to secure his spot.

I'd like to see him batting at 5 in ODIs , put Malik down at 6, and get another batsman at 7. In tests, I'd only want him batting at 7.

 

[ads101]

People also forget we had a specialist bat who averaged 30, often dipping under 30 as captain. And later banned for fixing. Hard for Sarfraz to top that lol.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Lets bring back Azhar Ali as captain. Or he, lets do one better and bring back Kamran Akmal and make him captain

I'm sure we would be in the top three teams in the world in ODIs and Tests in no time

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pakistan has nobody strong or good enough to lead the team in any format. Period.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Not really.We’ve had far worse.

His batting has regressed and he’s an average wicketkeeper.But he’s a pretty good captain.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Worse than Azhar and Yousuf?

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

Can we not have such overreactions after one bad game? The guy is in the team BECAUSE he is a good tactician and a good captain. Saifi ain't in the team just because of his quick-fire 10s, that's for sure.

 

[ManFan]

He's won you your first ICC trophy in eight years.

He's led you to have the best T20 record in the last two years after we were in the process of almost being ranked at the bottom of the pole. (We lost to an ENG team 0-3 in the UAE)

He's provided the team with an invigorated youth and seen drastic overhaul in fielding and bowling. The re-introduction of reverse swing by getting the spinners in early. It's all Sarfraz.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If Sarfraz had silky hair, fair skin, got rid of his lisp, a "nakora" nose, spoke perfect English and was meek and quiet in the field, there would be no discussion.

I mean, come on! If you want to criticize his captaincy credentials, he's led the U-19 to a WC defending 110 odd in the Final, made it to two consecutive PSL Finals with Asad Shafiq, Shehzad, Rahat Ali, and led an inexperienced side to a series draw in May-time England.

 

[Hasan123]

Really? Doesn’t make any format af batsman or keeper?

Name a keeper batsman who would replace him? Rizwan is a club level batsman and a brilliant fielder who made himself a decent keeper at best. In the past decade we’ve had the three akmal brothers keeping, each worse than the other as a keeper batsman.

So while it can’t be argued that Sarfaraz is extremely average as a player, he is gold dust for Pakistan who have been struggling to find a keeper batsman for years. Add to that his brilliant captaincy proven by his trophies, I don’t understand how people are calling him to be dropped.

So we only have 1 keeper who is good enough to play for Pakistan?

My job isn't to find someone better lol. That's the selectors job. I don't see any harm in giving a young keeper game time in dead rubber games so we can prepare for life after Sarfraz.

Everyone who defends Sarfraz instantly brings up the Akmals as a reason to keep Sarfraz . They aren't the only keepers to keep for Pakistan . Moin Khan was a much better keeper than Sarfraz.

According to you Sarfraz should play till he's 40 because there won't be anyone better.

 

[ads101]

So we only have 1 keeper who is good enough to play for Pakistan?

My job isn't to find someone better lol. That's the selectors job. I don't see any harm in giving a young keeper game time in dead rubber games so we can prepare for life after Sarfraz.

Everyone who defends Sarfraz instantly brings up the Akmals as a reason to keep Sarfraz . They aren't the only keepers to keep for Pakistan . Moin Khan was a much better keeper than Sarfraz.

According to you Sarfraz should play till he's 40 because there won't be anyone better.

That's the sad reality.

You can't just say selectors can find someone better. Someone in domestic has to stand up and perform there. Can't just draft in someone averaging 15 and hope he somehow improves in internationals.

The Akmals and Rizwan are sarfraz's best competitions. They have been given chances and failed to perform.

If we look deeper into the numbers he's churning out in recent years:

In 2018 he has an average of 19.75 in ODIs. Which is awful. But it's 5 games, 1 tour in New Zealand where everyone did bad besides Fakhar. The year before in 2017 however he played 13 games 38, SR 85. The year before that in 2016 he averaged 55, SR 92. These are more than acceptable stats for a wicketkeeper. Hence logic would dictate his 2018 will improve, it's only been 5 games on a tough tour.


Now look at tests, where his decline has been more worrying. He averages just 11.80 after just 3 games in 2018. In 2017 and 2016 however he averaged 33 and 35. Not earth shattering, but acceptable.

In t20s the man has a great overall T20 record with an average of 34, SR 147 in 10 games in 2018. Not much more to say here.


In summary his decline is largely exaggerated and part of it is him batting lower down to accommodate other bats. His numbers in recent years he's been putting up in LOI have been more than acceptable on the whole, even good.

His test decline is real, but again not as bad as people think. Even with his lower batting stats, it's still more than the batting output our keepers have put out for decades. Here hopefully he gets back to where he was.

Hence there's no need to panic and replace him atm. He's still an asset to the team.

 

[giri26]

Sarfaraz is a good captain and a safe bat. He isn't a great batsman or a keeper but good enough to hold his spot in the team. I haven't seen any major Wicket Keeping talent emerge from Pakistan in recent time. Anyone Pakistan have tried have been inferior to Sarfaraz.

 

[Suleiman]

No, he's a decent captain, but the worst captain-player in the world right now and probably the worst we've had. Can barely put bat on ball these days, and to think people were comparing him to Dhoni during his "purple patch" lol. Dhoni with his deficiencies is still 100x the player Sarfraz will be.

Needs to realize you need more shots than the sweep, and being aggressive will only take you so far. Just not good enough.

 

[moghul]

Probably not the worst ever yet, but he is on his way to become one.

 

[Khan12]

We need to start investing in Umair maqsood but unfortunately pcb doesn't even seem to know as they have called rohail Nazir for the camp. None of the younger keepers are given chances in domestics and even when they are they are batting below the likes of tanvir, Anwar Ali etc.

Zeeshan Malik, Nasir Nawaz very promising young openers are hardly given any chances as well. Pcb needs to wake up and start helping these young players they are our future not the shameless cheater hafeez.

 

[Square Drive]

Some very good posts by [MENTION=143937]ManFan[/MENTION] and [MENTION=42125]ads101[/MENTION] that need more attention.

Unfortunately, our "fans" never learn.

 

[ads101]

Some very good posts by [MENTION=143937]ManFan[/MENTION] and [MENTION=42125]ads101[/MENTION] that need more attention.

Unfortunately, our "fans" never learn.

Biggest issue I have with Sarfraz is his fitness. When strike rotation is such a big part of your game, to hinder that by being not as physically fit you can be is a little disappointing. But as I said underrated. If anything actually out of the seniors, i.e. Hafeez, Malik, Sarfraz, even beyond stats, he's the best out of them has more impact.

 

[Square Drive]

Biggest issue I have with Sarfraz is his fitness. When strike rotation is such a big part of your game, to hinder that by being not as physically fit you can be is a little disappointing. But as I said underrated. If anything actually out of the seniors, i.e. Hafeez, Malik, Sarfraz, even beyond stats, he's the best out of them has more impact.

Agreed once again. Well put.

 

[Chikkeh]

Threads awfully quiet after today's performance.

As i like to say 'SHUTTING THE HATERS UP!!'

 

[Syed1]

Saifi has habit of dishing out shut up call time and again

 

[DeadBall]

Threads awfully quiet after today's performance.

As i like to say 'SHUTTING THE HATERS UP!!'

He didn't come in a pressure situation today. Got out for 4 in the match when Australia were really tightening the screws. He has almost failed in pressure situations for the past year or so, be it Tests when we lost to SL chasing 136 runs where instead of staying with Harris he played a rash shot and got stumped on 19. Not to mention also against Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy in a do or die situation he gave TWO catching practices to Perrera in the space of three overs who dropped them.

Also to the people bringing up his average and SR. He is a busy player good at rotating strike and scoring pretty 20s and 30s but he hasn't stood up and taken responsibilty as a captain in a long time.

He just knows how to shout at others, mainly juniors as he would never say anything to the senior Bhais (even today he was shouting at Talat for not taking a suicidal run). I wouldn't mind him admonishing others but for that he too has to perform and command the respect of others through his performances, just shouting and verbally abusing players because one can just seems like someone is on an ego trip.

While a good tactician he shouldn't be in the team given his performances and fitness and is just playing as a specialist captain at the moment. The job of a captain is to lead by example and sadly so far he hasn't done anything apart from having hissy fits whenever others made mistakes.

Unfortunately we don't have any capable replacements on the bench at the moment, nor do we have a structure to groom others so I think this status quo will go on for a while, and if that is the case I hope for the sake of the team that he improves his batting and fitness.

 

[Chikkeh]

He didn't come in a pressure situation today. Got out for 4 in the match when Australia were really tightening the screws. He has almost failed in pressure situations for the past year or so, be it Tests when we lost to SL chasing 136 runs where instead of staying with Harris he played a rash shot and got stumped on 19. Not to mention also against Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy in a do or die situation he gave TWO catching practices to Perrera in the space of three overs who dropped them.

Also to the people bringing up his average and SR. He is a busy player good at rotating strike and scoring pretty 20s and 30s but he hasn't stood up and taken responsibilty as a captain in a long time.

He just knows how to shout at others, mainly juniors as he would never say anything to the senior Bhais (even today he was shouting at Talat for not taking a suicidal run). I wouldn't mind him admonishing others but for that he too has to perform and command the respect of others through his performances, just shouting and verbally abusing players because one can just seems like someone is on an ego trip.

While a good tactician he shouldn't be in the team given his performances and fitness and is just playing as a specialist captain at the moment. The job of a captain is to lead by example and sadly so far he hasn't done anything apart from having hissy fits whenever others made mistakes.

Unfortunately we don't have any capable replacements on the bench at the moment, nor do we have a structure to groom others so I think this status quo will go on for a while, and if that is the case I hope for the sake of the team that he improves his batting and fitness.

Seems to me you have some sort of personal agenda against Sarfraz.

Test Average 37.78 / Strike Rate 71.87
Odi Average 33.90 / Strike Rate 86.92
T20 Average 30.40 / Strike Rate 128.80

Captaining in all 3 formats of the game especially captaining Pakistan is one of the most difficult things you can do. Hitting pretty 20's & 30's he would of been castrated for doing by now. This guy is a man of steel for having the guts to captain in all 3 formats. I see you mentioning fitness please mention an occasion where his fitness has been found wanting?

Him shouting at other players shows how badly he wants to win and having that sort of spirit is what we need in the team, it shows his plays with his heart on his sleeve.

 

[DeadBall]

Seems to me you have some sort of personal agenda against Sarfraz.

Test Average 37.78 / Strike Rate 71.87
Odi Average 33.90 / Strike Rate 86.92
T20 Average 30.40 / Strike Rate 128.80

Captaining in all 3 formats of the game especially captaining Pakistan is one of the most difficult things you can do. Hitting pretty 20's & 30's he would of been castrated for doing by now. This guy is a man of steel for having the guts to captain in all 3 formats. I see you mentioning fitness please mention an occasion where his fitness has been found wanting?

Him shouting at other players shows how badly he wants to win and having that sort of spirit is what we need in the team, it shows his plays with his heart on his sleeve.

Lol @ man of steel and having the guts to captain in all formats (we saw what guts he had when the going got tough). You seem to confirm my notion of him being a specialist captain of late.

Games aren't won with averages (nothing that he has to write home about anyway) but with impact and stepping up to take the responsibility (especially if you are the captain). There are many example of players with high averages who have had no impact in many crucial games and many with low averages who have had very high impacts in critical games. However he has mostly shown little match understandng and the value of his wicket and the situation and has thrown his wicket away when the team needed his "steeliness" and guts" the most.


I have no agenda, I am just commenting on his performances and behavior for the past year or so and have also commended him on the odd good performances in between. Typical though of Pakistani fans to either be totally against someone or praise them to high heavens, no matter what they do. Either you're labelled a hater or a fan with an agenda. No middle ground.

 

[Hasan123]

Scoring against Zimbabwe B is shutting up haters LOL. This Sarfraz clan are a hillairious bunch.

 

[Greenstorm]

Sarfaraz Ahmed is Pakistan's best captain in last 10 years.

People who are saying that he does not deserve a place in the team on merit should realize that there is no other option available specially in test cricket. Rizwan/Kami are inferior batsman/Keeper.

I believe that Sarfaraz should retire from T20Is because,

a) He is not a t20 batsman.
b) A new captain and wicketkeeper can be groomed in these two years until 2020 T20WC.
c) It will reduce his workload.

 

[leatherface58]

People forgot MoYo who did not have any control over his own team and lost the Sydney test.

 

[dauntless]

I don't know if he is worst or not but he is really really annoying. I don't know what would have happened if he were captaining me. He needs to give respect to other players. He should be shown the door as soon as possible.

 

[the_outsider]

As a batsman/bowler, Sarfraz is the worst to have captained Pakistan. Every other past Pak captain has been a much better player.

But I think he is an excellent captain. One of the best in international cricket right now.

A Pakistani captain who could lift his team after the heavy defeat to India in the CT17 opener to then go and win against SA Eng and Ind in the next 4 matches means he definitely has great leadership capability.

But yes, I don't think without his captaincy he would make a place in the Pak playing XI.

 

[hadi123]

But yes, I don't think without his captaincy he would make a place in the Pak playing XI.

He would as we have no other keepers.

 

[New Yorker]

Sarfaraz Ahmed is Pakistan's best captain in last 10 years.

People who are saying that he does not deserve a place in the team on merit should realize that there is no other option available specially in test cricket. Rizwan/Kami are inferior batsman/Keeper.

I believe that Sarfaraz should retire from T20Is because,

a) He is not a t20 batsman.
b) A new captain and wicketkeeper can be groomed in these two years until 2020 T20WC.
c) It will reduce his workload.

Dead wrong. T20 is his best format as a player, has a good average, good SR, never wastes balls, and it's the format in which his quick thinking captaincy has the most impact.

 

[Forum363]

As a batsman/bowler, Sarfraz is the worst to have captained Pakistan. Every other past Pak captain has been a much better player.

But I think he is an excellent captain. One of the best in international cricket right now.

A Pakistani captain who could lift his team after the heavy defeat to India in the CT17 opener to then go and win against SA Eng and Ind in the next 4 matches means he definitely has great leadership capability.

But yes, I don't think without his captaincy he would make a place in the Pak playing XI.

And if someone else was captain, who would replace Sarfaraz as the Keeper?

 

[Usman Chadda]

Rizwan has played quite a bit for Pakistan now. And he has proved how useless he is. Not sure what people see in him. Muhammad Hasan needs a glucose infusion whenever I've seen him play

 

[Greenstorm]

Dead wrong. T20 is his best format as a player, has a good average, good SR, never wastes balls, and it's the format in which his quick thinking captaincy has the most impact.

No doubt that he is among the best captains going around in T20s but his batting lacks impact and has no big hitting ability which is necessary in T20s.

 

[Plumb]

To OP, stop creating threads like these. Sarfaraz is the best thing happened to pakistan after a long long time.

If its anyone who can look into the eyes of the opponent its him. He has made the boys realize they play for pakistan and its a privilege. Yes we will lose some games here and there but make no mistake he 'll make sure we come back hard and strong.

 

[the_outsider]

And if someone else was captain, who would replace Sarfaraz as the Keeper?

I think if Sarfraz didn't turn out to be such a good captain, I'm sure the selectors would have tried out others and someone would have put their hand up.

Sarfraz is still a decent batsman. But his main job is keeping and honestly speaking his keeping is just not upto the current international standards. Many teams have backup keepers that are better than him. That is a big drawback.

But as a captain I have a lot of respect for him.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I think if Sarfraz didn't turn out to be such a good captain, I'm sure the selectors would have tried out others and someone would have put their hand up.

Sarfraz is still a decent batsman. But his main job is keeping and honestly speaking his keeping is just not upto the current international standards. Many teams have backup keepers that are better than him. That is a big drawback.

But as a captain I have a lot of respect for him.

His keeping was fantastic through the test series in England. People act like he is Kamran level bad. He is no Latif but he is pretty safe.

 

[Stewie]

He is good enough for us right now.. he may not be the best captain Pakistan ever had or better than Misbah or younis but he is miles ahead the likes of afridi and hafeez and Azhar.

 

[the_outsider]

His keeping was fantastic through the test series in England. People act like he is Kamran level bad. He is no Latif but he is pretty safe.

If you had to pick the top 20 keepers from the last decade would he make it? No. That's kind of of my point. Sarfraz is the first choice keeper for Pak across formats but I don't think he would have made it into the playing XI of any top team as a keeper. The best keeper in a country shouldn't be that average.

But as a whole package he certainly deserves his place, no doubt.

 

[The_Odd_One]

If you had to pick the top 20 keepers from the last decade would he make it? No. That's kind of of my point. Sarfraz is the first choice keeper for Pak across formats but I don't think he would have made it into the playing XI of any top team as a keeper. The best keeper in a country shouldn't be that average.

But as a whole package he certainly deserves his place, no doubt.

You must be kidding me if you do not think he will make the list of top 20 keepers of the last decade.

 

[Forum363]

I think if Sarfraz didn't turn out to be such a good captain, I'm sure the selectors would have tried out others and someone would have put their hand up.

Sarfraz is still a decent batsman. But his main job is keeping and honestly speaking his keeping is just not upto the current international standards. Many teams have backup keepers that are better than him. That is a big drawback.

But as a captain I have a lot of respect for him.

That makes no sense. So if sarfaraz wasn’t a good captain keepers would have just materialised out of thin air? Who exactly would the selectors have tried? The next best options are playing PSL and Pakistan cup etc, theyre not hidden away. And weve seen the likes of rizwan and akmals, theyve had their chances at the international level. Or do you mean that if kamran was given a few more 100 games he would have performed, or Rizwan could have become a decent batsman suddenly?

Or maybe you know of some hidden talent that is waiting for sarfaraz to go.

 

[the_outsider]

You must be kidding me if you do not think he will make the list of top 20 keepers of the last decade.

1. Gilly
2. Dhoni
3. Sanga
4. Haddin
5. Boucher
6. McCullum
7. ABD
8. W Saha
9. Q D Kock
10. Bairstow
11. M Prior
12. Watling
13. Ronchi
14. Tim Paine
15. D Karthik
16. Mushfiqur
17. M Wade
18. Dilshan
19. Chandimal
20. Taibu

Do you think Sarfraz is a better keeper than anyone on that list?

I have seen every single one of those 20 keepers in action and I have seen Sarfraz in action and to me all of them looked like better keepers.

 

[Stewie]

He has gained some weight in recent years and is probably not as acrobatic anymore but at his peak, he would fit somewhere between ABDV and Saha on that list!

 

[giri26]

1. Gilly
2. Dhoni
3. Sanga
4. Haddin
5. Boucher
6. McCullum
7. ABD
8. W Saha
9. Q D Kock
10. Bairstow
11. M Prior
12. Watling
13. Ronchi
14. Tim Paine
15. D Karthik
16. Mushfiqur
17. M Wade
18. Dilshan
19. Chandimal
20. Taibu

Do you think Sarfraz is a better keeper than anyone on that list?

I have seen every single one of those 20 keepers in action and I have seen Sarfraz in action and to me all of them looked like better keepers.

If your talking only about Keeping ability, you are missing some amazing names:

Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Syed Kirmani, Ian Healy & Rodney Marsh, Dave Richardson, Jeff Dujon, Kumar Sangakkara, Romesh Kalu, Adam Parore & Ian Smith, Alan Knott, Alec Stewart, Andy Flower etc.. The list goes on, there are some names on your list who shouldn't even be there ahead of the names above.

 

[the_outsider]

If your talking only about Keeping ability, you are missing some amazing names:

Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Syed Kirmani, Ian Healy & Rodney Marsh, Dave Richardson, Jeff Dujon, Kumar Sangakkara, Romesh Kalu, Adam Parore & Ian Smith, Alan Knott, Alec Stewart, Andy Flower etc.. The list goes on, there are some names on your list who shouldn't even be there ahead of the names above.

This is a list of keepers from only the last 10 years. Check the preceding comments.

But yes obviously these are also some of the best this game has seen.

 

[the_outsider]

He has gained some weight in recent years and is probably not as acrobatic anymore but at his peak, he would fit somewhere between ABDV and Saha on that list!

If Saha (age 33) and ABD (34) is still fitter than Sarfraz (31) then what does that tell you?

And no. I have seen Sarfraz at his peak. He wasn't even close to Saha let alone ABD. Even today Saha is technically the best keeper in the international scene along with de Kock. Frankly in my time, I haven't seen a better keeper of spin bowling than Saha.

At his peak Sarfraz was in the league of Wade and DK. Now he doesn't even merit a place on that list.

31 is still a young age for modern day cricketers. It is often said that 29-32 is the peak years of most players. There is no excuse for anyone from a major cricketing nation to be at his worst fitness level at 31 years of age.

 

[Sadevdesai]

It only proves that he knows right people upstairs !!!!!!!!

 

[Stewie]

If Saha (age 33) and ABD (34) is still fitter than Sarfraz (31) then what does that tell you?

And no. I have seen Sarfraz at his peak. He wasn't even close to Saha let alone ABD. Even today Saha is technically the best keeper in the international scene along with de Kock. Frankly in my time, I haven't seen a better keeper of spin bowling than Saha.

At his peak Sarfraz was in the league of Wade and DK. Now he doesn't even merit a place on that list.

31 is still a young age for modern day cricketers. It is often said that 29-32 is the peak years of most players. There is no excuse for anyone from a major cricketing nation to be at his worst fitness level at 31 years of age.

I disagree. Bring technically correct is one thing and being good or better than others is a personal opinion so you have yours and I have mine. He was as effective if not better than some on that list a few years ago. But I do agree with you that as of now, him being 31 years or age and captain of the national team, does not leave too many excuses to be out of shape. I expect better from him.

That’s where Moin and Rashid were so good. They were both extremely fit throughout their careers. Rashid was just a beast. I think it doesn’t get any better than Rashid Latif. He was the best keeper in cricket in my opinion, better than Gilly, better than Healy, Bari, etc, etc..
Once again a matter of opinion.

 

[Square Drive]

1. Gilly
2. Dhoni
3. Sanga
4. Haddin
5. Boucher
6. McCullum
7. ABD
8. W Saha
9. Q D Kock
10. Bairstow
11. M Prior
12. Watling
13. Ronchi
14. Tim Paine
15. D Karthik
16. Mushfiqur
17. M Wade
18. Dilshan
19. Chandimal
20. Taibu

Do you think Sarfraz is a better keeper than anyone on that list?

I have seen every single one of those 20 keepers in action and I have seen Sarfraz in action and to me all of them looked like better keepers.

Karthik? Taibu? Freaking Dilshan?

You've lost it.

 

[The_Odd_One]

1. Gilly
2. Dhoni
3. Sanga
4. Haddin
5. Boucher
6. McCullum
7. ABD
8. W Saha
9. Q D Kock
10. Bairstow
11. M Prior
12. Watling
13. Ronchi
14. Tim Paine
15. D Karthik
16. Mushfiqur
17. M Wade
18. Dilshan
19. Chandimal
20. Taibu

Do you think Sarfraz is a better keeper than anyone on that list?

I have seen every single one of those 20 keepers in action and I have seen Sarfraz in action and to me all of them looked like better keepers.

This post is so strange that it does not warrant a response. I'm not interested in having a conversation with someone who thinks Dilshan was a better keeper than Sarfraz.

 

[the_outsider]

This post is so strange that it does not warrant a response. I'm not interested in having a conversation with someone who thinks Dilshan was a better keeper than Sarfraz.

My mistake. I'm neither a genius not a nerd so I didn't have 20 names off the top of my head. I went with experiental memory of all the cricket I have seen And I knew I had seen at least 20 keepers whom I have seen do better than Sarfraz, factoring in the overall increase in fitness level cricket has seen globally in recent times.

Anyway coming to the point, I misread the list and interchanged Dilshan with Timesheet Kaluwitharana, whom I admit I haven't seen a lot of since he has over 350 dismissals against Sarfaraz's 175ish (?) so I felt it is only justified to rate the man who has twice as many international dismissals.

 

[the_outsider]

Karthik? Taibu? Freaking Dilshan?

You've lost it.

Taibu and DK? Yes they are/were better than Sarfraz has been. I have seen the 5 foot 3 Taibu grab on to some catches Sarfraz would genuinely struggle to reach too.

Please look around the international circuit and tell me you see any wk from a major nation that he bests. Dickwella? Yeah I would certainly say Sarfraz is much better than him. Windies haven't had a stable keeper in a long time so they aren't even competiting anymore.

Dilshan was an honest mistake on my end. My apologies. Please refer to my other post.

 

[New Yorker]

No doubt that he is among the best captains going around in T20s but his batting lacks impact and has no big hitting ability which is necessary in T20s.

And his replacement would be who? In Pakistan there is no wicketkeeper who bats better than Sarfraz in the T20 format. For this particular, indispensable allrounder role, he actually is the best man for the job. His captaincy is a bonus.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Kill one monster and then create another....

Why bring in any new players.....keep recycling TTF.

That policy would have ensured no Zaman or Faheem.

Captain panic is now hogging a place up the order where others are better suited.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

It is sad to think how far we have fallen that a club level cricketer is captaining Pakistan in all three formats. We have produced cricketers like Mushtaq Mohammad and Javed Miandad, who understood the game inside out. Now we have Sarfraz.

Sarfraz batting has always been technically poor. A few good innings on flat pitches in UAE, and along with a few decent ODI innings is not enough to justify his place in any international quality batting line up. Given that he has been badly exposed this past year and his batting looks worse than that of any county number 11, should we be allowing him a free pass in the side? His keeping is not exactly reminiscent of Alan Knott either.

He is clearly unfit and it is difficult to understand why he does not make more of an effort to get into shape. For god sake, he is captain of an international cricket team but his fitness standards are clearly not up to scratch. On top of this is his poor body language and poor decision making. The guy does not inspire any confidence at all and is average in every sense of the word.

The time has come now for Sarfraz to be removed as wicket keeper in all three formats. Unfortunately due to our failure to prepare properly, we should have been grooming 2-3 wicket keepers for the international circuit, the likes of Mohammed Rizwan, Mohammed Hasan and other young contenders should have been getting international experience so they were ready to make the step up and be given an extended run. This hasn't happened (this series would have been ideal for this) and needs to happen sooner rather than later.

This is such a stupid post that it does not even merit an answer

Which other captain of Pakistan has won 2 ICC trophies?

The likes of Inzi,Misbah and Yousuf were burden for this team.

 

[IMMY69]

Arm chair critics who know very little about the game are out in numbers I see.

 

[Usman Chadda]

My mistake. I'm neither a genius not a nerd so I didn't have 20 names off the top of my head. I went with experiental memory of all the cricket I have seen And I knew I had seen at least 20 keepers whom I have seen do better than Sarfraz, factoring in the overall increase in fitness level cricket has seen globally in recent times.

Anyway coming to the point, I misread the list and interchanged Dilshan with Timesheet Kaluwitharana, whom I admit I haven't seen a lot of since he has over 350 dismissals against Sarfaraz's 175ish (?) so I felt it is only justified to rate the man who has twice as many international dismissals.

Please show me any qualifications that will make us take you seriously. Some of the names you have mentioned in there don't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Sarfraz Ahmed. Wonder why you forgot Nial O'Brien, Wesley Barresi and Liton Das

 

[Greenstorm]

And his replacement would be who? In Pakistan there is no wicketkeeper who bats better than Sarfraz in the T20 format. For this particular, indispensable allrounder role, he actually is the best man for the job. His captaincy is a bonus.

Gohar Ali and Umair Masood are better wicket keeper batsmen than Sarfaraz in T20 format. They should be given chances in T20s so that they can be ready until 2020 T20 WC and can replace Sarfaraz from other formats when he retires. But this kind of long term planning is not what you expect from PCB.

 

[the_outsider]

Please show me any qualifications that will make us take you seriously. Some of the names you have mentioned in there don't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Sarfraz Ahmed. Wonder why you forgot Nial O'Brien, Wesley Barresi and Liton Das

I am assuming you will at least not have any problem in agreeing that the top 10 are easily all better keepers, right? So let's come to the next 10.

It's simple. They were all more athletic and agile and many were safer catchers simply because they were athletic enough to take a catch in front of 1st slip by diving when there's no 1st slip in place. I have seen Matthew Wade throw up on the field twice under the scorching Indian in 2017. I think it was the Ranchi test. The heat was too much even for the Indian batters. And a few overs after he threw up he took the best catch of the series by a keeper of a fast bowler. If you can find it somewhere, check it out. That kind of commitment to the craft of wicket keeping deserves to be rated higher than many, certainly Sarfraz.

Tim Paine is widely considered the best keeper in Australia. And it shows. He's a classical Aussie test keeper. Not a great bat but an agile and very safe keeper. Prior and Watling are tried and tested players and their home countries are 2 of the toughest places for keepers to keep to pace bowling. For a guy so short I have seen Tatenda Taibu grab chances that Sarfraz simply cannot reach.

Similarly I have seen certain things in the players in that list which is simply lacking in Sarfraz.

These lists are always personal opinion because there are just so many variables. But this is what I have felt after watching cricket since I was a kid. Nothing more. Nothing less.

And like I said, he's a great package deal for a wicket keeping batsman who's also a captain across all 3 formats. That's a hell of a tough job.

Many of you here, (including me) agree that while Dhoni is still a great leader and keeper, he's not the batsman he used to be. It's same case for Sarfraz. I think he's a great leader, a decent batsman across formats but his fielding, especially in recent years have simply gone off the rails.

The wicketkeeper of the team shouldn't look like the most unfit player on the field most of the time. That just doesn't work in today's game anymore. And he is at the age where players are usually physically at their prime. Instead this is the most unfit I have ever seen him. That's why I made my judgements. Of course you may disagree.

But I think one thing we can agree on is that he has certainly not been among the top 13-15 keepers during his playing career.