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It would be criminal if Mickey Arthur doesn't drop Azhar Ali for the final

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Hawkeye

Senior T20I Player
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Azhar is already trying his best to lose us the semifinal.

Don't understand WHY on earth Mickey isn't dropping him??
 
The thing I don't get about Azhar Ali is what he's trying to accomplish?

This is NOT a test match in which we are trying to save the day on day 5.

If he can't rotate the strike and can only occupy the crease then he is USELESS to the ODI team. All he does is create pressure for the batsman at the other end and the other batters to come. I rather see Malik waste that many delieveries and play himself in rather than Azhar. At least, Malik can carry the innings and accelerate later on if needed.
 
Can tolerate him for the final if we win this.

Its hafeez who needs to be booted immediately.
 
Agreed. He can't even rotate the strike. Hopefully we win the CT then Azhar retires from LO cricket and goes to be one of Pakistans greats in test and potentially finish at an ATG in tests.
 
RRR isnt a problem.If he can stay at an end his job is done

Batted quick vs India chasing big score
 
Saurav said:
RRR isnt a problem.If he can stay at an end his job is done

Batted quick vs India chasing big score
Click to expand...


See this is the problem.

You are looking at in only in context to this game. However, the problem us fans have with Azhar Ali is that he bats like this even when chasing 300+ (see the game vs. India for example).

His one dimensional approach is cancer for Pakistan's batting.
 
Saurav said:
RRR isnt a problem.If he can stay at an end his job is done

Batted quick vs India chasing big score
Click to expand...

Like [MENTION=130369]OmaIR1[/MENTION] said, his game is THE SAME even if the target is 400!
 
He's playing his role perfectly today. I don't know what match you're watching but it's definitely not the one where Azhar is acting as the perfect foil for Fakhar and Pakistan are cruising.

He does need to be dropped for the match against India though. Should bring Haris in and open with Hafeez and Fakhar.
 
required run rate 4;17
current run rate 4.92

hope you understand this [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

i've seen you support certain players playing slower than azhar ali when playing at way less than required run rate
 
OmaIR1 said:
See this is the problem.

You are looking at in only in context to this game. However, the problem us fans have with Azhar Ali is that he bats like this even when chasing 300+ (see the game vs. India for example).

His one dimensional approach is cancer for Pakistan's batting.
Click to expand...

vs India he got quick 50 and then stuck vs Jadeja IIRC

Everyone else apart from Malik was slow then.Not fair to pinpoint Azhar
 
Saurav said:
vs India he got quick 50 and then stuck vs Jadeja IIRC

Everyone else apart from Malik was slow then.Not fair to pinpoint Azhar
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On second thought, the India game is probably not the best example.

But more times than not he will play this snail type innings.

Right now it's alright because we are chasing 200 and Fakhar is making runs but the issue is when the totals are 250+. What's worse is if he gets out while his SR is 40% and has consumed 30-40 deliveries. That puts so much pressure on the batsmen to come.
 
Team for the final:

1) Hafeez
2) Fakhar
3) Babar
4) Haris
5) Malik
6) Sarfaraz
7) Fahim
8) Shadab
9) Amir
10) Hassan
11) Junaid

Fahim provides the power-hitting, Haris; Hafeez; Malik; and Fahim will fill out 10 overs or more between them. Three super pacers and two quality middle-order batsmen in Babar and Haris along with two players who handle pressure well in Malik and Sarfaraz.

If Pakistan get over their mental block against India (or if we face Bangladesh instead), we will win, InshAllah.
 
OmaIR1 said:
On second thought, the India game is probably not the best example.

But more times than not he will play this snail type innings.

Right now it's alright because we are chasing 200 and Fakhar is making runs but the issue is when the totals are 250+. What's worse is if he gets out while his SR is 40% and has consumed 30-40 deliveries. That puts so much pressure on the batsmen to come.
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you are describing Shehzad more than Ali lol:kp

Azhar has ability to bat long if RRR is taken care of at other end
 
Stop complaining about Azhar being slow this isn't a t20!! We're only chasing 211!!!! Again this is not a t20!! He's a pretty solid bat and is fullfilling his role which is to keep wicket and bat long period!!! Remember that he was our BEST batsman against india. And he has been batting pretty well throughout this CT!!
 
I thank Mickey Arthur for showing foresight and keeping Azhar on the squad.
 
Saurav said:
you are describing Shehzad more than Ali lol:kp

Azhar has ability to bat long if RRR is taken care of at other end
Click to expand...

I'd rather have Azhar than Shehzad by a mile. Shehzad will give you a decent innings once every 5 matches, azhar isn't quick at scoring but gets you off to a decent start
 
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Azhar/Fakhar get 100 partnership!!! Almost half of chase!!! See PP arm chair experts??? Thank you Mickey!!!
 
Typical of Pakistani fans... just because it's working here you overlook all deficiencies.

Azhar Ali won't shouldn't be part part of the ODI side, period.
 
He's a proper bats, we need such batsman in our XI esp in England. My question remains. Is he effective as an opener? I cant see him scoring at 100SR in 300+ games. Hafeez and Imad are the ones who should be under the axe.
 
OmaIR1 said:
Typical of Pakistani fans... just because it's working here you overlook all deficiencies.

Azhar Ali won't shouldn't be part part of the ODI side, period.
Click to expand...

Correct.

Let's not get fooled by the cameo today, he'll be a BIG liability in the high scoring final.
 
He's played well today.

But yes he's more than capable with a low total as he can take his time. The same can't said when he has to bat first or chase a score over 250.

He panics, swings recklessly, or starts playing too many dot balls.
 
Hawkeye said:
Correct.

Let's not get fooled by the cameo today, he'll be a BIG liability in the high scoring final.
Click to expand...

Haris isn't going to replace him, and we have worse batsmen in the side other than Azhar: Hafeez. He hasn't managed a fifty despite playing selfishly.
 
Hawkeye said:
Correct.

Let's not get fooled by the cameo today, he'll be a BIG liability in the high scoring final.
Click to expand...


That's the problem, people don't think long term. If it works don't worry about it? Umm, no. You need to correct and address deficiencies moving forward.

This is not how you build a team (on luck and hope). Azhar Ali is looking like a star right now because we are chasing 200 but again goes back to what we have said before, if the target is higher he bats the same way in hopes of making up for his poor SR more times than not he will not succeed and get out with a 30-40% SR and only add pressure to his team mates.
 
kingusama92 said:
He's played well today.

But yes he's more than capable with a low total as he can take his time. The same can't said when he has to bat first or chase a score over 250.

He panics, swings recklessly, or starts playing too many dot balls.
Click to expand...


I just hope people know that going forward Azhar has no place in this team. I worry people will be blinded by today's performance
The key other key detail is he has a player on the other end going from ball one. That helps take off the pressure of Azhar
 
OP Egg pelted here :))) like it or hate it Azhar is the most reliable player in this side #thewall
 
pakistanigoneaussie said:
I just hope people know that going forward Azhar has no place in this team. I worry people will be blinded by today's performance
The key other key detail is he has a player on the other end going from ball one. That helps take off the pressure of Azhar
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Same.

He's not built for the modern game. This is a chase out of the 80s and of course he's doing well (full credit to him). It's tailor-made for his style.

Make him chase 260-280 on the same pitch and he'd have been out swinging aimlessly after a stream of dot balls.
 
pakistanigoneaussie said:
I just hope people know that going forward Azhar has no place in this team. I worry people will be blinded by today's performance
The key other key detail is he has a player on the other end going from ball one. That helps take off the pressure of Azhar
Click to expand...

OmaIR1 said:
That's the problem, people don't think long term. If it works don't worry about it? Umm, no. You need to correct and address deficiencies moving forward.

This is not how you build a team (on luck and hope). Azhar Ali is looking like a star right now because we are chasing 200 but again goes back to what we have said before, if the target is higher he bats the same way in hopes of making up for his poor SR more times than not he will not succeed and get out with a 30-40% SR and only add pressure to his team mates.
Click to expand...

Yes, in future he shouldn't be selected for ODIs.

But for CT17 and for the Final which now most probably we will play we shouldn't drop him.

1. Other specialist opener we have is Shehzad and he would not add anything

2. Hafeez doesn't look even trying when he is batting

Azhar needs to go but after CT17, so it will be good if we don't criminalise his selection for Final as yet.
 
This was a perfect total to chase for Azhar, and he is doing that job very well. Just don't give it away and get a red inker.

Has played the gentle pull very well while Eng bowlers have been too short.
 
mhraja said:
Yes, in future he shouldn't be selected for ODIs.

But for CT17 and for the Final which now most probably we will play we shouldn't drop him.

1. Other specialist opener we have is Shehzad and he would not add anything

2. Hafeez doesn't look even trying when he is batting

Azhar needs to go but after CT17, so it will be good if we don't criminalise his selection for Final as yet.
Click to expand...

Ohh I agree in regards to the final. I don't have the same anger towards Azhar as I do to Shezhad and professor. Azhar doesn't have the ability but you can tell he tries. Shezhad and professor are both cowardly and selfish there is no other way to say it
 
I agree for low total he is the best choice but exactly how will he play in high scoring game...although during India-Pakistan game he managed his strike rate very well but our team couldn't take the scoreboard pressure and lest fall.
 
He is playing his role perfectly today. Even in high scoring games like that the had against India he did well. If no wahab then high scoring game is out of the equation. Pak pace bowlers are in good rhythm and they can restrict India too but the problem is their nervous fielding. If they field normally I don't see India scoring anything above 240 tbh.
 
Don't agree with Azhar being dropped for the final. He should be dropped after CT but not now. Firstly, barring the game against SA and the bad shot against SL he has played his role in the team perfectly well. Secondly, it will be difficult to expect a newcomer to come and perform in the final in a high pressure game like the final. Thirdly, dropping Azhar means you promote Hafeez to the top which means you will be virtually one down at the start of your innings and that will also limit Fakhar's ability to score quickly.

As for the 300+ score argument, i don't think changing Azhar will make any difference. We have won all our matches through our bowling and I don't think we will be able to chase 300+ whoever we play (and not that Haris is a quick scorer like Zaman). Also please remember you can still score 300 with one bat going at less than a SR of 100 and for a team like Pakistan which is prone to collapses the top order stability that Azhar provides is vital.

I know I will be accused of being biased and not having cricketing sense etc. but I think dropping Azhar in the final will be a pretty stupid move. Beyond CT, we should definitely look at our options but right now the team needs Azhar. If anyone has to go it should be Hafeez.
 
Azhar isn't perfect, but he's clearly our most technically correct batsman. We'll never get to 350 with him but as long as the bowling clicks he can still win us games by putting a price on his wicket.
 
Some people seem to be forgetting this is 50 overs, not a T20. While Fakhar's batting is very exciting and gives us some much needed aggression at the top of the order, he's very much hit and miss. Azhar is the one who has played the quality knock today, almost flawless and at a decent enough strike rate for an anchor batsman.

Guys give it a rest now, he's won - you lost.
 
Azhar hats off to him, a great innings to win this match. even his critics have to agree.
 
This was one of his better innings. There is no need to bat at 100+ SR when you are chasing 210.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
Some people seem to be forgetting this is 50 overs, not a T20. While Fakhar's batting is very exciting and gives us some much needed aggression at the top of the order, he's very much hit and miss. Azhar is the one who has played the quality knock today, almost flawless and at a decent enough strike rate for an anchor batsman.

Guys give it a rest now, he's won - you lost.
Click to expand...

What are you on about? Hit and miss? When did he miss? Fakhar has been more consistent than Azhar in the CT. Our standout batsman of the series and one for the future one hopes. Azhar played a quality Test knock today and was lucky that this is what was required, but has looked like a cornered rabbit in earlier games. Not an ODI batsman and never will be.
 
hitthestump said:
Azhar isn't perfect, but he's clearly our most technically correct batsman. We'll never get to 350 with him but as long as the bowling clicks he can still win us games by putting a price on his wicket.
Click to expand...

One of the worst ODI techniques you will see. He doesnt have the strokes and cant rotate strike. Perhaps if he really was a proverbial limpet, averaging 60 and scoring consistently, one could overlook the miserable SR, but he's also prone to fold cheaply quite often. A liability as an opener.
 
This is the squad we have unfortunately. If we can defend 220 or dismiss teams for 220 he, hafeez, and malik can stay.
if not then no.
 
Not a fan of ODI Azhar but some runs are better than no runs. HAFEEZ needs to be shown the door.
 
Lol hawkeye you are the one who kept saying junaid will do worse than wahab. tells a lot about your cricketing sense
 
Azhar is a solid bat and won't give his wicket away fast like Hafeez or Shehzad... He's a proper opener and proper cricketer. He has performed for us in the match of india, he performed here as well.. Yes, his limit of batting is 4 runs per over. But Fakhar perfectly complements him as seen here 118/0 and 65/0 in last match.. Remember Azhar is a long Innings bat!! Not 10 balls like Shehzad, Sami Aslam, Shafiq,
 
MenInG said:
I thank Mickey Arthur for showing foresight and keeping Azhar on the squad.
Click to expand...

I thank fans are not in charge of Pakistan cricket

Warna aap aur mein open kar rahe hote
 
I'm thankful that 'fans' like the writer of the OP and other short sighted, prone to knee jerk people are not responsible for team selection, if they were there would be at least 3-4 changes every match.
Azhar Ali is a decent bat and he's the perfect foil for Fakhar Zaman, unless Azhar is hilariously bad (which he isn't) I don't see a reason to drop him while Fakhar is his partner.
 
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I rather play Azhar than Hafeez. You can easily replace him with Harris Sohail. Azhar is at least consistent just make sure you don't play him anywhere down the order. Hafeez turning into Afridi when it comes to once in a blue moon performances and he's way too awful against pace.
 
It would be murder to leave him out at this point. It's a little too late in the day to rest him. One has to acquiesce he played very well- right from the get-go.

1) Azhar Ali
2) Fakhar Zaman
3) Babar Azam
4) Mohammad Hafeez
5) Sarfraz Ahmed
6) Shoaib Malik
7) Shahdab Khan
8) Mohammad Amir
9) Rumaan Raees
10) Hasan Ali
11) Junaid Khan

Note: Amir/Junaid opening spell
Hasan/Raees second change combination.

I would make one change, Amir for Imad, as his entire spell was successfully negotiated by India just a week or so ago.
 
LightxHope said:
I rather play Azhar than Hafeez. You can easily replace him with Harris Sohail. Azhar is at least consistent just make sure you don't play him anywhere down the order. Hafeez turning into Afridi when it comes to once in a blue moon performances and he's way too awful against pace.
Click to expand...

People are not appreciating how awesome hafeez bowled in the middle of the innings today
 
Mag101 said:
It would be murder to leave him out at this point. It's a little too late in the day to rest him. One has to acquiesce he played very well- right from the get-go.

1) Azhar Ali
2) Fakhar Zaman
3) Babar Azam
4) Mohammad Hafeez
5) Sarfraz Ahmed
6) Shoaib Malik
7) Shahdab Khan
8) Mohammad Amir
9) Rumaan Raees
10) Hasan Ali
11) Junaid Khan

Note: Amir/Junaid opening spell
Hasan/Raees second change combination.

I would make one change, Amir for Imad, as his entire spell was successfully negotiated by India just a week or so ago.
Click to expand...

I would bring in Haaris for Imad and Ruman Raees to be replaced by Amir. Pakistan does not need 6 bowlers they need to boost the batting, that is a major concern.
 
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He won't be dropped for the final. After the tournament we must look at his place.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
Some people seem to be forgetting this is 50 overs, not a T20. While Fakhar's batting is very exciting and gives us some much needed aggression at the top of the order, he's very much hit and miss. Azhar is the one who has played the quality knock today, almost flawless and at a decent enough strike rate for an anchor batsman.

Guys give it a rest now, he's won - you lost.
Click to expand...

You are wasting your time on Afridi/Imran nazir loving short temper nation :)
 
I disagree, his knock was mature and situational. Shouldnt be experimenting in the final.
 
Yes, he should be dropped after the CT but absolutely NOT for the final. Fakhar and Azhar complement each other nicely. It's working for now and we need him to hold the other end, while Fakhar is going ballistic at the other. Not to mention, he was the only batsman that showed some guts against India. We should not be unfair to him as he's done reasonably well. His runs in a batting lineup like ours are vital.
 
As long as he scores big at a SR of 75-80, I'd take it any day over having Shehzad and Hafeez open.
 
I wonder what the number of Dot balls played per inns is for all the ODI openers in world cricket in last 2 years, I recon Azhar will be the king when it comes to eating Dot balls!
 
Amjid Javed said:
I wonder what the number of Dot balls played per inns is for all the ODI openers in world cricket in last 2 years, I recon Azhar will be the king when it comes to eating Dot balls!
Click to expand...

Hafeez may give him some competition
 
Lynx said:
As long as he scores big at a SR of 75-80, I'd take it any day over having Shehzad and Hafeez open.
Click to expand...

the problem is he only gets to SR of 75+ if he faces 50+ balls

if he gets out early, he leaves the team in an ever bigger hole because since hes eaten up 20-30 balls and given you almost nothing
 
Azhar Ali, Hafeez and Malik all three will play. They have been assured a guaranteed place in the playing XI and in return are asked to play fearlessly and naturally. At least that's what I think.

It's best to get behind them for the moment and cheer them on putting our differences aside.

The leader, the captain, the boss behind the wickets, Sarfraz has said he is happy with all his players so let's get behind the captain at least.

Who needs to be dropped forever and who shall be retained can be decided after the tournament is over.
 
Hope everyone will shut up about Azhar now. Not only looked far better technically than Fakhar so far, but also outscoring him for RR.
 
Hawkeye said:
I'm very glad it did.

maybe Azhar read it and he fired up after reading it? :najam

Very good to see Azhar scoring and nobody would've guessed it.
Click to expand...

Or just admit that you were wrong? You felt strongly enough to make a thread but he has been very good so far and in the Semi.
 
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