hadi123
Test Debutant
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2010
- Runs
- 15,247
- Post of the Week
- 1
PakPassion.net: What was your first experience of cricket?
MRSN: The moment that really made me follow cricket was Shahid Afridi's 12 ball 25 runs cameo against India way back in 2004. I was quite young back then and didn't have much interest in cricket but the emotions I witnessed during that game especially during Afridi's cameo was the beginning of my interest in cricket. After that I became a huge fan of Boom Boom and I would watch Pakistan's games only to watch his batting and he played some of his best knocks after that period especially the knock he played against India registering the second-fastest ODI hundred.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite food?
MRSN: Not in any particular order but I like Chicken Saji, Biryani and Kashmiri chai.
PakPassion.net: What is Umar Akmal's biggest flaw and what can he do to make it at the international level?
MRSN: Lack of patience. We can't deny Umar Akmal was kind of mismanaged during Misbah-ul-Haq's days and there is no doubt Umar Akmal had a different role batting at #6 but on numerous times he forced himself to play those aerial shots that the situation did not demand which was difficult to defend for his fans and also good excuse to keep him out of the team for selectors and team management.
I think Umar Akmal's problem is more of a mental than technical or lack of skills. He really needs a good mentor at this stage. No one denies his talent and ability but talent is of no use if you cannot apply it to achieve consistent success. Also I believe he should really follow batting of Rohit Sharma who also had similar problems but he has moulded his batting style. He has developed this desire to play longer innings and not just pretty 30s and 40s.
PakPassion.net: What is your ultimate goal in life?
MRSN: My ultimate goal is to become a top programmer especially in Java and Web.
PakPassion.net: What do you think of the prospect of four-day Test cricket?
MRSN: It will be exciting for sure but it should be able to produce results as well. With pitches getting flatter these days it will be very tough to see this idea work unless we see couple of more changes like mandatory declaration or ICC having some sort of pitch monitoring system which makes sure pitches have something for bowlers as well.
PakPassion.net: Do you feel that Misbah-ul-Haq should have retired earlier?
MRSN: Yes. I feel this is the speciality of subcontinent players. They don't know when they are past their best and need to call it a day. Misbah should have retired from the ODIs after his hopeless innings in the Mohali semi-final. He always looked like we are carrying a burden in the ODI team. We were not able to construct a strong team around him because the foundation itself was weak.
In Tests, I don't think there is any complaints. Though I wanted him to retire after the Australia tour but he sensed a chance to beat weaker WI side and record history and add another feat to his legacy which was quite expected that he continued.
I can't deny Misbah's success as a Test captain and I don't think anyone would have done better than him.
PakPassion.net: Do you believe Sarfaraz is the right choice for captaincy in all 3 formats?
MRSN: I'm not sure about that. Sarfaraz looks like a great upgrade over Misbah and Azhar but I still doubt he is the best candidate. He does seem smart when making bowling changes and field placements but he doesn't look like someone who can lead from the front with his own performance. Ever since he has become captain his own performances has gone down the hill. He has hardly put up a decent performance with the bat. His knock against Sri Lanka has been only his best knock which involved quite a few missed chances from Sri Lankan fielders. His lack of patience and players management doesn't look good either. Which is why I feel Pakistan should already start preparing his replacement. Babar Azam seems like a good candidate but he needs to be more consistent in Tests. But I do see him being Pakistan's captain in few years across all formats.
PakPassion.net: With Mohammad Amir allowed back, should Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt also be allowed back?
MRSN: Personally I believe anyone who sells his country deserves a life ban. It's not a drug test it's selling your country. Fixing is a serious crime and it should have a life ban as a punishment. Amir's case is quite unique which is why opinion is always divided on him but Asif and Butt were kind of main perpetrators in this scandal and being most senior players they deserve no sympathy at least from my side. Even though Amir got away with the benefit of the doubt but I don't think PCB should repeat such examples in the future. Whether you are young or senior rules should be same for everyone in the future and I hope Amir's episode is never repeated.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite match involving Pakistan?
MRSN: Pakistan-India Champions Trophy 2017. It was really getting frustrating as a Pakistani fan to see our team not crossing the winning line against India in the recent past. We were not even putting up a decent fight against India which was really demoralising as a Pakistan fan. It was also getting annoying to see some Indian fans and pundits giving absolutely zero respect to our team so this is why this victory will remain special for me.
PakPassion.net: What is your ideal Pakistan XI for 2019 World Cup if you had to pick it now?
MRSN: I believe the 2019 World Cup will be a tournament for batsmen and we will see a high scoring tournament. Pakistan's batting looked limited in the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka which is a clear sign that we need to make quick changes.
I'm not in favor of Imam playing in the ODI team even though he scored a good hundred in his opening game but I've followed him in the domestic cricket and he looks really a Test specialist so imagine him and Babar batting together in PP overs; this will be a disaster.
Pakistan needs to pair Fakhar with someone who can play good shots down the ground so if Fakhar (our trump card) fails at the top we don't have to worry about two batsmen getting stuck at the crease as we know Babar Azam takes his time initially and plays a lot of dots so I think Umar Amin who is in great form these days will make a good opening choice to partner Fakhar.
Hafeez doesn't make my ODI XI as he is not good enough to play as a specialist batsman. He is very unlikely to clear his bowling action and even if he does he will get reported again so PCB don't need to waste time on him. It's the right time to look for his replacement. We don't need his batting services especially when we have the likes of Haris Sohail.
Pakistan's tail has become stronger with the emergence of Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf. Amir can bat a bit too. This is why I think we can afford a power hitter at #6. It could be Umar Akmal or Sohaib Maqsood depending on who is in good form.
So here is my XI for the World Cup:
Fakhar Zaman
Umar Amin
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Umar Akmal OR Sohaib Maqsood (Whoever is in better form)
Faheem Ashraf (or Mohammad Nawaz depending on opposition)
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Junaid Khan
Additionally I would also have Haris on the bench to replace Umar/Maqsood given the conditions (if the game is going to be high scoring or not).
PakPassion.net: As you have been critical of his leadership, in Misbah-ul-Haq's years of captaincy who would you have had in his place?
MRSN: In Tests, I don't think there was anyone left to lead Pakistan. Mohammad Yousuf was banned. Afridi resigned. There was also the spot fixing scandal. And YK didn't want to lead. So Misbah seemed like the best available choice at that time. Also Tests was his best format and suited his style of play so it is no surprised he ended up as a successful Test captain. I have not been very critical of Misbah in the Test format other than the way he handled Umar Akmal.
But in ODIs I think it was a blunder to make him captain as he was too old and lost his reflexes and his attacking game which we saw in 2011 semi final game when he looked hopeless despite staying at the crease till end. Post captaincy, if you check his average column per year it looks quite decent but if you see his strike rate column it looks terrible. That in short explains Misbah's problems. He was always trying to prove his place in the ODI XI rather than leading from the front and thinking about ODI team structure or team planning.
We did have better alternatives that we should have tried in ODIs especially Hafeez who was at his peak in 2010 and 2011. Malik is another option we could have tried.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite movie and TV show?
MRSN: Favourite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite Movie: The Prestige
PakPassion.net: What do you like about PakPassion?
MRSN: The quality of discussion on PakPassion is really the best as far as cricket is concerned. PakPassion is blessed with some wonderful posters whether it's Time Pass or Cricket section. I've been to other sites too but I never had the same experience as I had with PakPassion. It's safe to say it's the best cricket forum out there.
Also PakPassion admins makes sure that it doesn't remain a Pakistan forum but instead it becomes a global forum for all the fans from all countries to express their opinion with the same freedom as Pakistani posters. That separates PakPassion from other sites.
PakPassion.net: What is Misbah-ul-Haq's greatest cricketing accomplishment?
MRSN: It's tough to choose between drawing test series in England or beating star studded Indian team in India. They are both significant in their own way.
MRSN: The moment that really made me follow cricket was Shahid Afridi's 12 ball 25 runs cameo against India way back in 2004. I was quite young back then and didn't have much interest in cricket but the emotions I witnessed during that game especially during Afridi's cameo was the beginning of my interest in cricket. After that I became a huge fan of Boom Boom and I would watch Pakistan's games only to watch his batting and he played some of his best knocks after that period especially the knock he played against India registering the second-fastest ODI hundred.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite food?
MRSN: Not in any particular order but I like Chicken Saji, Biryani and Kashmiri chai.
PakPassion.net: What is Umar Akmal's biggest flaw and what can he do to make it at the international level?
MRSN: Lack of patience. We can't deny Umar Akmal was kind of mismanaged during Misbah-ul-Haq's days and there is no doubt Umar Akmal had a different role batting at #6 but on numerous times he forced himself to play those aerial shots that the situation did not demand which was difficult to defend for his fans and also good excuse to keep him out of the team for selectors and team management.
I think Umar Akmal's problem is more of a mental than technical or lack of skills. He really needs a good mentor at this stage. No one denies his talent and ability but talent is of no use if you cannot apply it to achieve consistent success. Also I believe he should really follow batting of Rohit Sharma who also had similar problems but he has moulded his batting style. He has developed this desire to play longer innings and not just pretty 30s and 40s.
PakPassion.net: What is your ultimate goal in life?
MRSN: My ultimate goal is to become a top programmer especially in Java and Web.
PakPassion.net: What do you think of the prospect of four-day Test cricket?
MRSN: It will be exciting for sure but it should be able to produce results as well. With pitches getting flatter these days it will be very tough to see this idea work unless we see couple of more changes like mandatory declaration or ICC having some sort of pitch monitoring system which makes sure pitches have something for bowlers as well.
PakPassion.net: Do you feel that Misbah-ul-Haq should have retired earlier?
MRSN: Yes. I feel this is the speciality of subcontinent players. They don't know when they are past their best and need to call it a day. Misbah should have retired from the ODIs after his hopeless innings in the Mohali semi-final. He always looked like we are carrying a burden in the ODI team. We were not able to construct a strong team around him because the foundation itself was weak.
In Tests, I don't think there is any complaints. Though I wanted him to retire after the Australia tour but he sensed a chance to beat weaker WI side and record history and add another feat to his legacy which was quite expected that he continued.
I can't deny Misbah's success as a Test captain and I don't think anyone would have done better than him.
PakPassion.net: Do you believe Sarfaraz is the right choice for captaincy in all 3 formats?
MRSN: I'm not sure about that. Sarfaraz looks like a great upgrade over Misbah and Azhar but I still doubt he is the best candidate. He does seem smart when making bowling changes and field placements but he doesn't look like someone who can lead from the front with his own performance. Ever since he has become captain his own performances has gone down the hill. He has hardly put up a decent performance with the bat. His knock against Sri Lanka has been only his best knock which involved quite a few missed chances from Sri Lankan fielders. His lack of patience and players management doesn't look good either. Which is why I feel Pakistan should already start preparing his replacement. Babar Azam seems like a good candidate but he needs to be more consistent in Tests. But I do see him being Pakistan's captain in few years across all formats.
PakPassion.net: With Mohammad Amir allowed back, should Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt also be allowed back?
MRSN: Personally I believe anyone who sells his country deserves a life ban. It's not a drug test it's selling your country. Fixing is a serious crime and it should have a life ban as a punishment. Amir's case is quite unique which is why opinion is always divided on him but Asif and Butt were kind of main perpetrators in this scandal and being most senior players they deserve no sympathy at least from my side. Even though Amir got away with the benefit of the doubt but I don't think PCB should repeat such examples in the future. Whether you are young or senior rules should be same for everyone in the future and I hope Amir's episode is never repeated.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite match involving Pakistan?
MRSN: Pakistan-India Champions Trophy 2017. It was really getting frustrating as a Pakistani fan to see our team not crossing the winning line against India in the recent past. We were not even putting up a decent fight against India which was really demoralising as a Pakistan fan. It was also getting annoying to see some Indian fans and pundits giving absolutely zero respect to our team so this is why this victory will remain special for me.
PakPassion.net: What is your ideal Pakistan XI for 2019 World Cup if you had to pick it now?
MRSN: I believe the 2019 World Cup will be a tournament for batsmen and we will see a high scoring tournament. Pakistan's batting looked limited in the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka which is a clear sign that we need to make quick changes.
I'm not in favor of Imam playing in the ODI team even though he scored a good hundred in his opening game but I've followed him in the domestic cricket and he looks really a Test specialist so imagine him and Babar batting together in PP overs; this will be a disaster.
Pakistan needs to pair Fakhar with someone who can play good shots down the ground so if Fakhar (our trump card) fails at the top we don't have to worry about two batsmen getting stuck at the crease as we know Babar Azam takes his time initially and plays a lot of dots so I think Umar Amin who is in great form these days will make a good opening choice to partner Fakhar.
Hafeez doesn't make my ODI XI as he is not good enough to play as a specialist batsman. He is very unlikely to clear his bowling action and even if he does he will get reported again so PCB don't need to waste time on him. It's the right time to look for his replacement. We don't need his batting services especially when we have the likes of Haris Sohail.
Pakistan's tail has become stronger with the emergence of Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf. Amir can bat a bit too. This is why I think we can afford a power hitter at #6. It could be Umar Akmal or Sohaib Maqsood depending on who is in good form.
So here is my XI for the World Cup:
Fakhar Zaman
Umar Amin
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Umar Akmal OR Sohaib Maqsood (Whoever is in better form)
Faheem Ashraf (or Mohammad Nawaz depending on opposition)
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Junaid Khan
Additionally I would also have Haris on the bench to replace Umar/Maqsood given the conditions (if the game is going to be high scoring or not).
PakPassion.net: As you have been critical of his leadership, in Misbah-ul-Haq's years of captaincy who would you have had in his place?
MRSN: In Tests, I don't think there was anyone left to lead Pakistan. Mohammad Yousuf was banned. Afridi resigned. There was also the spot fixing scandal. And YK didn't want to lead. So Misbah seemed like the best available choice at that time. Also Tests was his best format and suited his style of play so it is no surprised he ended up as a successful Test captain. I have not been very critical of Misbah in the Test format other than the way he handled Umar Akmal.
But in ODIs I think it was a blunder to make him captain as he was too old and lost his reflexes and his attacking game which we saw in 2011 semi final game when he looked hopeless despite staying at the crease till end. Post captaincy, if you check his average column per year it looks quite decent but if you see his strike rate column it looks terrible. That in short explains Misbah's problems. He was always trying to prove his place in the ODI XI rather than leading from the front and thinking about ODI team structure or team planning.
We did have better alternatives that we should have tried in ODIs especially Hafeez who was at his peak in 2010 and 2011. Malik is another option we could have tried.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite movie and TV show?
MRSN: Favourite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite Movie: The Prestige
PakPassion.net: What do you like about PakPassion?
MRSN: The quality of discussion on PakPassion is really the best as far as cricket is concerned. PakPassion is blessed with some wonderful posters whether it's Time Pass or Cricket section. I've been to other sites too but I never had the same experience as I had with PakPassion. It's safe to say it's the best cricket forum out there.
Also PakPassion admins makes sure that it doesn't remain a Pakistan forum but instead it becomes a global forum for all the fans from all countries to express their opinion with the same freedom as Pakistani posters. That separates PakPassion from other sites.
PakPassion.net: What is Misbah-ul-Haq's greatest cricketing accomplishment?
MRSN: It's tough to choose between drawing test series in England or beating star studded Indian team in India. They are both significant in their own way.
Last edited by a moderator:
, heroism to lead from the front. Babar Azam is not someone who can do that. He is more or less the acha-bacha calibre of 
and 
. Ideally, the next captain should be Hasan and than Shadab.
