Is Umar Amin's talent being wasted?

[Sher Khan]

You and me both know when we watch him play that his a natural batsman who puts the bad balls away with ease and rotates the strike well. He plays proper cricket shots and has a good technique.

I feel like Pakistan wasted him by not giving him enough opportunities. In my view, their is no doubt he would have been one of our premier batsman by now.

 

[SM1989]

I was a big advocate of him opening with Fakhar Zaman.

 

[Sher Khan]

I was a big advocate of him opening with Fakhar Zaman.

He did well in that game vs nz where he hit 3 sixes of 3 balls but he was dropped after. Strange.

 

[Salman4.]

He did well in that game vs nz where he hit 3 sixes of 3 balls but he was dropped after. Strange.

Framed for playing for his team.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

thought he was better than Harris Sohail at one point.. but Harris Sohail is now head n shoulders above him..

Umar Amin is defniatly one to be looked at... he is a sensible and excellent bat....

 

[Salman4.]

Asif Ali runs him out lol.

 

[Kroll]

This guy's rubbish, saw him live at CT13. He'd be dropped like a lead balloon if he was recalled to the international side. Come on guys, if we're going to get a better team, we need to raise our standards.

Also says a lot that since that time, he's not managed to make the side, just making the odd appearance here and there.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

This guy's rubbish, saw him live at CT13. He'd be dropped like a lead balloon if he was recalled to the international side. Come on guys, if we're going to get a better team, we need to raise our standards.

Also says a lot that since that time, he's not managed to make the side, just making the odd appearance here and there.

Where did he bat in ct13 and except jamshed and misbah none of them got a half century in thag series. Also during that time Misbah use to select amin, hammad azam, haris and quickly drop them as a scapegoat for the series loss but kept the seniors as long as they wished for.

Umar amin, hammad azam and haris sohail were once very good players but Misbah to keep his place as captain overlooked them for seniors because of the media pressure.

 

[Titan24]

He has got few natural traits to be a good batsman held back by a big one he is missing as does have a solid technique, hand eye coordination and timing but at the same time he lacks one of the basic trait which have held him back and that is to make the start counts and make big scores as that is something which make teams win matches. He had to work on his temperament which he hasnt done a lot by the looks of it.

He is still good enough to leave an impression on the audience and experts on his day but still hasnt improved much on the aspect which cut short his Test and ODI career.

 

[Kroll]

Where did he bat in ct13 and except jamshed and misbah none of them got a half century in thag series. Also during that time Misbah use to select amin, hammad azam, haris and quickly drop them as a scapegoat for the series loss but kept the seniors as long as they wished for.

Umar amin, hammad azam and haris sohail were once very good players but Misbah to keep his place as captain overlooked them for seniors because of the media pressure.

I remember him for the SA game at Edgbaston, where he scored an astounding 16 from 29 balls in the middle order. I agree that Misbah has blocked out such players not giving them enough time to prove themselves.

Just to add, saw him live at the one off T20 v SL in 2017, Lahore. He never lasted long after that either.

 

[Salman4.]

I remember him for the SA game at Edgbaston, where he scored an astounding 16 from 29 balls in the middle order. I agree that Misbah has blocked out such players not giving them enough time to prove themselves.

Just to add, saw him live at the one off T20 v SL in 2017, Lahore. He never lasted long after that either.

Scored 40+ runs in that game and delivered a match-winning performance just two games later. Never played after that.

 

[Mamoon]

Like Masood, Amin has the personality and profile that would give him leverage over most other players. However, he has to capitalize on the chances and score heavily. We certainly haven’t see the last of him in international cricket.

 

[Kroll]

Scored 40+ runs in that game and delivered a match-winning performance just two games later. Never played after that.

Yeah, scored some runs but remember that was another second string SL side. In T20s, even mediocre players can have a good game. I just don't think he would last.

We're always bemoaning going back to TTF's but we're advocating for another one here.

 

[Salman4.]

Yeah, scored some runs but remember that was another second string SL side. In T20s, even mediocre players can have a good game. I just don't think he would last.

We're always bemoaning going back to TTF's but we're advocating for another one here.

He was making his comeback in a jam-packed Qaddafi. Give him some credit. He doesn't have unlimited lives like Shehzad.

 

[offstump]

His issue has always been mental fortitude. He will never succeed at the international level if he can’t get over his mental block.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Yeah, scored some runs but remember that was another second string SL side. In T20s, even mediocre players can have a good game. I just don't think he would last.

We're always bemoaning going back to TTF's but we're advocating for another one here.

Shouldn’t add Amin , Hammad in the same list as shehzad and UA.

The last Amin made an appearance was that t20 series hitting 3 sixes against nzl in nzl which helped his team to win that match. After that dropped never played again. Same to Hammad azam.. both of these players give one series and dropped in the next series with hardly one or two games in the series they are selected and dropped for no reason. These two are unfortunately not from Lahore or Karachi, so gets the short end of the stick always.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I remember him for the SA game at Edgbaston, where he scored an astounding 16 from 29 balls in the middle order. I agree that Misbah has blocked out such players not giving them enough time to prove themselves.

Just to add, saw him live at the one off T20 v SL in 2017, Lahore. He never lasted long after that either.

He was also given one chance as an opener in an Odi in SA did well for his 35 and never given a chance again

U can see many times he was taken for the away tours to debut or comeback and dropped for the next home series where the return of the seniors was entertained to score those easy runs.

He played 4 tests against eng in eng at the age of 20 and never returned to tests after that. How cruel is that.

 

[JibranAnsari]

the king of soft dismissals , just too lazy to be an alert batsman.

 

[Savak]

Mismanagement of batting talents is what Pakistani team management's specialize in

 

[Salman4.]

He was also given one chance as an opener in an Odi in SA did well for his 35 and never given a chance again

U can see many times he was taken for the away tours to debut or comeback and dropped for the next home series where the return of the seniors was entertained to score those easy runs.

He played 4 tests against eng in eng at the age of 20 and never returned to tests after that. How cruel is that.

I second this. He was never taken seriously by the management. He was never eased into the team (played in difficult matches, not played at his natural position, not given a long rope, dropped for home series etc.).

 

[Finisher]

I second this. He was never taken seriously by the management. He was never eased into the team (played in difficult matches, not played at his natural position, not given a long rope, dropped for home series etc.).

Umar Akmal-Haris Sohail and Umar Amin were messed about by Misbah, they were all scoring runs in the top order for their domestic teams and when they'd be given a chance for Pakistan it would be as finishers.

 

[Extra_Cover]

Like Masood, Amin has the personality and profile that would give him leverage over most other players. However, he has to capitalize on the chances and score heavily. We certainly haven’t see the last of him in international cricket.

In hindsight if we look back now, something tells me that had we invested in these two players we would have had two formidable bats (not world beaters but very good from Pakistani standards). These two players are thorough professionals and with international experience and coaching their would have improved year on year.

The Pakistan management historically was never good at giving rope to players in whom they see long-term benefits rather than short-term pot-fills.

Mickey Arthur was kind of going with this approach whereby he identified Imam and was persistent in giving him the long rope because in Imam he sees a player that will yield long-term benefits (rightly so). I'm afraid having Misbah at helm we might add Imam's name to this list of wasted talents.

On Amin, for me his career has been a big waste not only for him but for Pakistan cricket in general. The frustrating bit in here is that whoever were responsible for wasting his career is still continuing with their careers.

 

[Kroll]

In hindsight if we look back now, something tells me that had we invested in these two players we would have had two formidable bats (not world beaters but very good from Pakistani standards). These two players are thorough professionals and with international experience and coaching their would have improved year on year.

The Pakistan management historically was never good at giving rope to players in whom they see long-term benefits rather than short-term pot-fills.

Mickey Arthur was kind of going with this approach whereby he identified Imam and was persistent in giving him the long rope because in Imam he sees a player that will yield long-term benefits (rightly so). I'm afraid having Misbah at helm we might add Imam's name to this list of wasted talents.

On Amin, for me his career has been a big waste not only for him but for Pakistan cricket in general. The frustrating bit in here is that whoever were responsible for wasting his career is still continuing with their careers.

Maqsood was given a fair run but was lazy which accelerated his injury concerns. Amin is mediocre, yes he sometimes looks good with the flashing blade style of batting.

It wouldn't be too long before everyone would be baying for blood if these lot were still playing for Pakistan.

 

[Bewal Express]

Amin as I said before is a lovely lad, but lacks the talent at the higher level. Just looks late in the ball

 

[Extra_Cover]

Maqsood was given a fair run but was lazy which accelerated his injury concerns. Amin is mediocre, yes he sometimes looks good with the flashing blade style of batting.

It wouldn't be too long before everyone would be baying for blood if these lot were still playing for Pakistan.

Shan Masood not Sohaib Maqsood.

For Amin, its enough to see and realise that he can play all around the ground. He has got both front foot and back foot game. This itself tops him against many batters that has played for Pakistan during this period he has been exiled from the team.

 

[Kroll]

Shan Masood not Sohaib Maqsood.

For Amin, its enough to see and realise that he can play all around the ground. He has got both front foot and back foot game. This itself tops him against many batters that has played for Pakistan during this period he has been exiled from the team.

Apologies, my bad.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

If Umar Amin grew up in a more professional setup he’d be giving Ben Stokes a run for his money. But since he is a Pakistani his aspirations and opportunities were limited from the beginning.

 

[Theo_14]

He’ll make a comeback like others. But like others, very talented.... Very fragile mentally as well.

 

[Kroll]

If Umar Amin grew up in a more professional setup he’d be giving Ben Stokes a run for his money. But since he is a Pakistani his aspirations and opportunities were limited from the beginning.

We've had great players before from the same country (setup). The go-getters go out and forge their own success and aspirations.

 

[coy0607]

mediocre batsmen on the wrong side of 30 - he did absolutely nothing in 30+ intl innings and recent domestic performance has been average at best

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

We've had great players before from the same country (setup). The go-getters go out and forge their own success and aspirations.

Different generation, different era, different aspirations.

 

[gazza619]

In my view he lacks hunger.

Otherwise he would have been scoring tons after tons in domestic cricket.

He had the game but not the mindset.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He does not have the mental make-up of an international player.

I've yet to understand what Pakistanis mean when they use the word "talent."

 

[hussain.r97]

He definitely looks good, but seems to lack the mental capacity to succeed at international level

 

[Hasan123]

Never understood why he got a longer run. He wasn't great but you could see he had something about him.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Umar Akmal-Haris Sohail and Umar Amin were messed about by Misbah, they were all scoring runs in the top order for their domestic teams and when they'd be given a chance for Pakistan it would be as finishers.

Exactly this is the prime reason why Misbah will fail in his dual role. He has brains but doesn’t have the eye to look for talent and whr to place them in.

 

[Kroll]

Exactly this is the prime reason why Misbah will fail in his dual role. He has brains but doesn’t have the eye to look for talent and whr to place them in.

Misbah's first priority is to make sure his friends get in. Baaki sab bhaar mai jai.

 

[thecrusade911]

I am also yet to understand what Pakistanis mean when they say "talent". Talent is Shubman Gill, Prithvi shaw, rishab pant, mayank markande. And look at Pakistani counterparts rizwan hussain, rohail nazir, shadab khan. I am always baffled. I can also play cricket doesn't mean I can go and play international cricket. What real talent in terms of international cricket means player who has capability to consistently perform at the highest level, who is able to play well on both sides of the ground, who can play according to the situation. I have never seen Harris play a pull shot. He doesn't have legside game. He only plays flick short through the legside and that's it.
The real talent in the current Pakistan team is Shaheen, Babar, Aamir and probably imam, and harris(legside came needs to be improved drastically)

 

[PakLFC]

No. He has no talent.

 

[Salman4.]

Should've been selected in T20s ahead of Fakhar/Imam.

 

[Saj]

Just not delivered at the highest level when he has had chances.

Should have cemented his place in at least 2 formats, but failed to do so.

 

[The Viper]

He was not mentally strong at all in international cricket.

Flashy, but no substance.

 

[The Viper]

Second place in top scorer list with 266 runs averaging 38 and striking at 132.

 

[Extra_Cover]

He had a good T20 tournament with man of match performance in the final. If I can recollect correctly here he played a decent innings in the final of PSL too for Zalmi, could prove to be kind of big match player (very unusual for a guy who has been poor mentally in internationals).

Having said the above, I do not want him to be part our t20 squad. I would much rather see him score runs in QEA trophy and stake a claim in our test line-up. That is where Pakistan cricket can benefit from his presence in long-term along with 50 overs matches.

 

[Saj]

He's been steady and not gone to the levels he should have.

By now he should have played 200 times for Pakistan, but it's his own fault that he hasn't.

 

[Extra_Cover]

He's been steady and not gone to the levels he should have.

By now he should have played 200 times for Pakistan, but it's his own fault that he hasn't.

I kind of disagree. If you identify someone with future potential you tend to give them a long rope. I'm entirely sure if the time and matches that were invested in Asad (tests) and Hafeez/Malik (ODIs), Umar Amin would have turned out to be a better player than mid 30s averaging players after decades in international cricket and still struggling to cement their places in the sides.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

I kind of disagree. If you identify someone with future potential you tend to give them a long rope. I'm entirely sure if the time and matches that were invested in Asad (tests) and Hafeez/Malik (ODIs), Umar Amin would have turned out to be a better player than mid 30s averaging players after decades in international cricket and still struggling to cement their places in the sides.

Totally agree with this comment

 

[Hawkeye]

Long time Amin supporter, as old timers here would know.

Should be given a proper, long run in ODIs and Tests. Very good batsman.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Long time Amin supporter, as old timers here would know.

Should be given a proper, long run in ODIs and Tests. Very good batsman.

His batting is very outtable.

The fact that you rate him shows how bad your eye for talent is.

 

[Hawkeye]

His batting is very outtable.

The fact that you rate him shows how bad your eye for talent is.

Okay, if that makes you happy.

Cricket is not played on spreadsheets. I won't write a long post explaining how batting should be and how he's technically good at it - go read old posts in the CLH thread, quite a few of them from knowledgeable posters.

Try to read more and give less uneducated judgments. But, it's a free world.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

definatly deserve longer run than he got in LOI ... heck we gave longer runs to asad shafiq in LOI and T20 than him and hecks like akmals got more innings than him

Umar Amin def deserves the chances...

 

[asfandyar]

His talent was wasted by his own complacency.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Okay, if that makes you happy.

Cricket is not played on spreadsheets. I won't write a long post explaining how batting should be and how he's technically good at it - go read old posts in the CLH thread, quite a few of them from knowledgeable posters.

Try to read more and give less uneducated judgments. But, it's a free world.

I wasn't serious. I know about my techniques and all that and how to judge a weakness of a batsman quickly. Just referring to a specific post you made yesterday about me.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Okay, if that makes you happy.

Cricket is not played on spreadsheets. I won't write a long post explaining how batting should be and how he's technically good at it - go read old posts in the CLH thread, quite a few of them from knowledgeable posters.

Try to read more and give less uneducated judgments. But, it's a free world.

Although there are a few posters here who have absolutely no clue about technique and genuinely think Fawad Alam has good technique.

 

[KyoOne]

He used to miss straight deliveries in international cricket. Has been given decent number of opportunities at international level, but has been proved to be as mediocre as they come.

Has strong connections within the cricket board though. He was even being prepared as the future captain back in 2013, when he was made to captain "A" side for a three-day match against touring South Africa in UAE, despite being picked in the test squad for the test series itself.

He won the toss and chose to bowl first, allowing South African batsmen one extra day of training (each innings was pre-decided to be for max one day per innings). Pakistan bowlers fared very poorly and only Graeme Smith fell in single figures of top 7, who was playing first innings after 5 months away from cricket due to injury. Yet Amin boasted (shokian mar raha tha) to the media that "Our plan against G Smith worked", and when asked what plan, vaguely said he will not share the plan with you but will share with Misbah since he was "I'm a part of the senior team". His chest-thumping did not stop there, saying things like we will "try to shake their confidence" while batting, and that he was "trying to set fields according to their weaknesses" and was "giving my bowlers some plans against them". https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21821812/our-plan-smith-worked-amin

This episode alone showed he was not much superior to U Akmal mentally

 

[KyoOne]

30 LOIs and 4 tests is decent enough sample size to conclude that he's a mediocre batsman at international level.

Neither his average nor his strike rate is anything to take home about. What use is style if it cannot buy runs when it matters?

His domestic performances are not that impressive as well. Hope he's not drafted in again based on his connections.

 

[KyoOne]

He also has a shady side, he was amongst those caught in News of the World videos as well, but survived investigation. He was the witness to Sharjeel Khan case from the PCB side, and I have never found it written anywhere why was he made a witness in a fixing case? Did he know Sharjeel Khan was meeting fixers and where did he get this information from?

 

[Danyaalr01]

30 LOIs and 4 tests is decent enough sample size to conclude that he's a mediocre batsman at international level.

Neither his average nor his strike rate is anything to take home about. What use is style if it cannot buy runs when it matters?

His domestic performances are not that impressive as well. Hope he's not drafted in again based on his connections.

From all that I have seen of him, I can say he goes at the ball with hard hands. He is one of those players that like to look technical by extending his defense for seconds, but in reality he has many flaws which he tries to cover by looking good. His domestic stats are quite average too.

 

[the Great Khan]

definatly deserve longer run than he got in LOI ... heck we gave longer runs to asad shafiq in LOI and T20 than him and hecks like akmals got more innings than him

Umar Amin def deserves the chances...

useless player...cant make more than 10 runs in international cricket.

 

[Extra_Cover]

There are very polar opposite views in this thread. Some people are dismissing him based off his international exploits spread over a decade while some are calling him a talent wasted, I'm more inclined with latter category on this one.

In my view, any player who has been consistently performing in domestics is arguably the best among his peers and therefore deserves a look in ahead of his peers. Exceptional cases are made for exceptional players and he is not one of them.

With new PCB setup the focus on performing in domestic is very high now (rightly so) and so has the quality improved with lesser teams and more competitions. Going forward domestics should dictate international teams selection. Amin as I said previously, need to make this QEA season count if he needs to revive his international career for next international season.

 

[Abdullah719]

There are very polar opposite views in this thread. Some people are dismissing him based off his international exploits spread over a decade while some are calling him a talent wasted, I'm more inclined with latter category on this one.

In my view, any player who has been consistently performing in domestics is arguably the best among his peers and therefore deserves a look in ahead of his peers. Exceptional cases are made for exceptional players and he is not one of them.

With new PCB setup the focus on performing in domestic is very high now (rightly so) and so has the quality improved with lesser teams and more competitions. Going forward domestics should dictate international teams selection. Amin as I said previously, need to make this QEA season count if he needs to revive his international career for next international season.

Hasn't done that so far. 166 runs in 6 innings at an average of 28.

 

[Kroll]

Hasn't done that so far. 166 runs in 6 innings at an average of 28.

Thanks for debunking this fallacy that he's some great domestic beast that's just waiting in the wings to unleash on the unsuspecting opposition.

 

[Saj]

Another problem he has had is injury issues.

Once again messed up by the medics at PCB.

Another who had come to UK to sort out the injury.

 

[Extra_Cover]

Hasn't done that so far. 166 runs in 6 innings at an average of 28.

Yeah, been following this domestic season and he has been outshined considerably in the Northern team by Haider Ali (someone who should be picked for A team asap).

The season is not over with next round of first class matches starting soon (this weekend perhaps) so he needs to make his T20 form count.
[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] regarding injury I always thought that he was fitter than an above average Pakistani player so really surprised to know he carries niggles or injuries.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

You and me both know when we watch him play that his a natural batsman who puts the bad balls away with ease and rotates the strike well. He plays proper cricket shots and has a good technique.

I feel like Pakistan wasted him by not giving him enough opportunities. In my view, their is no doubt he would have been one of our premier batsman by now.

He is better than Asif Ali, Should be given a chance.

 

[coy0607]

He does not have the mental make-up of an international player.

I've yet to understand what Pakistanis mean when they use the word "talent."

its basically a word people used to describe whomever they like; Shehzad, Akmal's, Wahab, Hafeez, Asif Ali, Umar Amin, etc - in fact none of them are talented

 

[Saj]

Yeah, been following this domestic season and he has been outshined considerably in the Northern team by Haider Ali (someone who should be picked for A team asap).

The season is not over with next round of first class matches starting soon (this weekend perhaps) so he needs to make his T20 form count.
[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] regarding injury I always thought that he was fitter than an above average Pakistani player so really surprised to know he carries niggles or injuries.

Knee problems that were not sorted out by PCB medics, nothing to do with his fitness levels.

 

[Savak]

Why can't Pakistan utilize him like Yuvraj Singh in the ODI and T20 formats.

 

[JibranAnsari]

What talent

 

[Saj]

Why can't Pakistan utilize him like Yuvraj Singh in the ODI and T20 formats.

Because he never was and never will be as good as Yuvraj.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Some people here have a pattern rating players more than they are. Calling Shoaib Akhtar a great of Australian conditions or saying Umar Amin is talented.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

We think our average players are much more talented than hey really are. He would have been binned and completely forgotten years ago if he played for Australia or India. In fact he may not have even played international cricket.

He is and always has been a thoroughly mediocre fraud of a player who has somehow convinced people he was some hidden genius who went to waste. He is brilliant at one thing : being a snake oil salesman.

 

[ARK Rafay]

"Hardwork bests talent. When talent doesn't work hard"

 

[Shafi]

We think our average players are much more talented than hey really are. He would have been binned and completely forgotten years ago if he played for Australia or India. In fact he may not have even played international cricket.

He is and always has been a thoroughly mediocre fraud of a player who has somehow convinced people he was some hidden genius who went to waste. He is brilliant at one thing : being a snake oil salesman.

Exactly!!! Apart form Babar there is no half decent batsman not even in our U19, U16, A or domestic setup which is really scary to think.

Why can't Pakistan utilize him like Yuvraj Singh in the ODI and T20 formats.

What an insult to a great player like Yuvraj? He is better than any of our batsman we produced till now.

 

[Saj]

When I first saw him in the 2010 Test series in England I thought he would make a good Test batsman.

However they then tried to make him a ODI player, then a T20I batsman and it all became a bit hazy regarding his strengths.

 

[Savak]

Because he never was and never will be as good as Yuvraj.

I didn't say he was as good as Yuvraj but based on what I have seen off him, he is a very attacking player who looks best when he is attacking and playing his shots. Pakistan should look to give him a consistent run at the top of the order in ODIs and T20's and try to maximize his potential as an ODI and T20 specialist

 

[nextover666666]

I always thought he would be a good ODI and test option plays some good shots also I have always wondered is he by any chance related to the akmals

 

[Abdullah719]

153* today in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

 

[Savak]

153* today in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

In full flow, he comfortably passes the eye test. Pakistan should make full use of his ability in the shorter ODI and T-20 format

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Always got the short end of the stick. Played 4 tests in England at the age of 20 and then never given a chance for 9 years. How ruthless and rude is that. He and Hammad azam have been made easy scapegoat of every series loss or replacement for seniors under Misbah era.