Kraigg Braithwaite vs Asad Shafiq: Who is a better Test batsman?

[The_Odd_One]

Let's compare their stats outside of their comfort zone:

Asad Shafiq
Outside Asia
13 matches, 28 average, 2 100s, 3 50s

Kraig Briathwaite
Outside Americas
17 matches, 39 average, 2 100s, 7 50s

Braithwaite has seemed to do better in alien conditions despite playing for a much weaker team. He also won his team an away test match against a top test team almost single-handedly.

Do you also think Braithwaite is a better test batsman than Asad Shafiq?

 

[Sachin136]

Batsmen play about half of their matches at home, so home performances shouldn't be discounted.

 

[Pakprideuk]

This new trend of discounting home performances is getting ridiculous. You still play opposition at home and you still get challenging conditions at home so it makes no sense to remove them. It does however improve someones record if they're away record is very good too.

 

[Barragan]

I'd pick Braithwaite.

The guy faces the new cherry and bowlers when they are at their peak energy levels.

 

[Hawkeye]

Shafiq would find it quite hard to score 190. That too in such a pressure situation with backs against the wall.

However I haven't seen Kraig play that much, so can't say if he's overall better.

 

[Rayyman]

I'd pick Braithwaite.

The guy faces the new cherry and bowlers when they are at their peak energy levels.

All that means is that he is better versus the new ball. Not a better batsman overall. Shafiq is better overall.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Shafiq. Though mentally Braithwaite is leagues above. He will likely overtake Shafiq by the time he's 30.

 

[Barragan]

All that means is that he is better versus the new ball. Not a better batsman overall. Shafiq is better overall.

Not entirely because he has hit 5 hundreds already in his career, meaning he can play a long innings and goes through other phases in the match.

 

[TestMatch]

Kraigg is what, 23 years old? His stats are skewered because he debuted at 19, did horribly and was dropped. Since his return, he's been averaging 50 over the last 12 months and 44 over the last 4 years. Cook, a similar opener, average 45 during his first 4 years.

Asad Shafiq is an old man compared to Kraigg.

 

[Suleiman]

Think people have gotten carried away with Shafiq's trip to old McDonald's duck farm.

It's not the first time someone has gotten a pair in tests and wont be the last.

So many great players of the past have had this happen to them.

Sharjah historically has been a poor ground for us batting wise. Azhar and Younis both averaged in the mid 30s coming into this game.

Having said that, his main weakness remains in not being able to carry a start through for a big hundred.

It's not like he is out of form as he had 3 back to back 50s coming into this last test.

As for the comparison, it's obviously one in jest and a bit of an overreaction to Shafiq's king pair given that Brathwaite is only just making a name for himself whereas Shafiq is one of the more established Asian batsmen in the test world.

An unsung hero of the Oval.

But that is all in the past. Asad definitely has his weaknesses. Best player of the cut shot in the team but not so comfortable vs short balls that cramp him up, will be thoroughly tested in Aus.

 

[Hawkeye]

Kraigg is what, 23 years old? His stats are skewered because he debuted at 19, did horribly and was dropped. Since his return, he's been averaging 50 over the last 12 months and 44 over the last 4 years. Cook, a similar opener, average 45 during his first 4 years.

Asad Shafiq is an old man compared to Kraigg.

Those are some amazing numbers.

That too batting at the top order, if I'm not mistaken. He has done what Shafiq couldn't all these 6 years, getting a nonstop ride in the premier Pak Test team.

 

[Rayyman]

Not entirely because he has hit 5 hundreds already in his career, meaning he can play a long innings and goes through other phases in the match.

Okay, but you're post said that he is better b/c he plays the new ball.

 

[Barragan]

Okay, but you're post said that he is better b/c he plays the new ball.

I also mentioned one of the other key aspects is well "bowlers at their peak energy levels".

Also, after reading the stat above about his average before and after return, it just strengths the reason why Kraigg would be better.

 

[Adil_94]

Shafiq atm but if Braithwaite carries on developing he will overtake Asad eventually. Hes only young Asad is 30 he should be in his peak now as a batsman yet still bats like a newbie after a solid 6 year run in the Test team. 2 pairs in his last 5 Tests isnt good enough. He will have to stand up in NZ and AUS because he is a senior now.

 

[The_Odd_One]

134 and 95 settles the debate.

 

[Justcrazy]

Shafiq has been given a long run , yet he has failed to his batting to next level , at his age I doubt he will.