Mickey Arthur rates Babar Azam very highly

[MenInG]

PakPassion.net : Have you any concerns about Babar Azam’s ability to cope with the pressure of Test matches and in specific his weakness against the short-ball?

Mickey Arthur : Let me start by saying that Babar Azam is a very good player. I can understand the trials and tribulations of any young guy coming into the game. He will get a few short-balls and if he plays one or two poorly then suddenly everyone claims that he can’t play the short-ball. Babar is good enough to deal with that and we will be continually working with him to resolve that problem. In fact, we are all over that as coaching staff. That’s not an issue and he will find his way around that and he is good enough to do that. Technically speaking, I am not worried about that at all. Every young player coming into the game gets an examination by the short-ball at some stage or another and he must go through it and he will either sink or swim. Let me say again that Babar is good enough to come through that and I have no concerns about him at all.


- See more at: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ones-quot-Mickey-Arthur&p=8935918#post8935918

 

[Chief Destroyer]

How can a backfoot player be weak against the shortball? Like all Akmals, Babar thrives on these shots.

Our fickle fans simply don't understand what's happening on the field and start criticizing after one damn failure.

 

[Hasan123]

If Mickey bhai isn't worried I don't see a need for us fans to worry. He's said they are working on the problem as well, good for Babar Azam that he a coach like Arthur to aid him in his development.

 

[Rinnegan Sasuke]

How can a backfoot player be weak against the shortball? Like all Akmals, Babar thrives on these shots.

Our fickle fans simply don't understand what's happening on the field and start criticizing after one damn failure.

Let's hope he doesn't carry a brain like an Akmal. He's improving every game and has played short balls really well, in fact, to me at least, spin seems like a tougher terrain for him (still good at playing spin though).

 

[JibranAnsari]

So far he has shown weakness against short stuff , lets hope he works on weaknesses.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

How can a backfoot player be weak against the shortball? Like all Akmals, Babar thrives on these shots.

Our fickle fans simply don't understand what's happening on the field and start criticizing after one damn failure.

Not just our fans. Even Ramiz kept harping on about his supposed weaknesses against the short ball. Probably had nothing else to say

 

[marlonbrowndo]

I made a thread on this when Babar came down the pitch in the England T20 and missed but Buttler missed the stumping. Arthur was in the commentary box and he wasn't mad or anything. In stead he said that Babar has a great future for Pakistan

 

[MMHS]

So far he has shown weakness against short stuff , lets hope he works on weaknesses.

His entire FC career is in PAK, playing mostly on wickets which'll make Dubai like Durban, therefore he hasn't developed that technical part of his game of "leaving on length". These days, PAK youngsters don't get the County route to polish their game - something that made Zaheer & Javed top class players (otherwise, both could have been older version of Mian Malik - anything over waste height ......), therefore their back-foot game is inferior to any other team.

In fact, our top 3 has better back-foot game that the PAK players. I think, Arthur is working on this & the tour of ANZ will help him big time. It's easier for a transition between fast-bounce from dead slow wickets than fast wickets to rank turners, therefore I expect his to cope up with short ball within few months. Must be given confidence & protection - if he is played at 3, that's because Asad had a pair on Sharjah road against Gabriel & Holder; therefore Babar's benchmark should not be that high.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

He is most exciting player to emerge since Root.

 

[Hasan123]

He is most exciting player to emerge since Root.

De kock?

 

[aloo paratha]

Who wouldn't rate him highly? 3 consecutive centuries is no joke whether it be against WI or SA.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

So far he has shown weakness against short stuff , lets hope he works on weaknesses.

He has shown no weakness. Apart from one game on a two paced pitch, he's played the short ball comfortably.

 

[MenInG]

Let's see how he does here against the short ball

 

[syed abbas]

People ignoring the fact that Babar is playing 2nd test match and that too against a good pace attack on a green pitch.Give the guy some time.

 

[Abdullah]

Horror shot

 

[deems]

The one thing you do not do in test match in NZ is drive early on in your innings. The quicker he realises that the better.

 

[waleed88]

He's done nothing besides his debut 50+ vs Windies

 

[Mamoon]

He has to ensure that the Azam genes subdue the Akmal genes.

 

[Abdullah719]

He's done nothing besides his debut 50+ vs Windies

Yes... he has played a total of two innings since that.

 

[waleed88]

Yes... he has played a total of two innings since that.

He got out twice in this innings, no respect to the opposition at all..

You can't be giving that many chances as an International bat

 

[Buffet]

He got out twice in this innings, no respect to the opposition at all..

You can't be giving that many chances as an International bat

You should give any good batsman at least 8-10 tests before discarding. If you feel, potential is there then give an extended run.

 

[Abdullah719]

Babar now showing exactly why Arthur rates him so much.

 

[Boi]

Having Mickey as coach has been great for Babars development!

 

[Rayyman]

Not sure if 3 is right for him though.

 

[Abdullah719]

Not sure if 3 is right for him though.

Where else? He's playing the innings of his life right now at #3.

 

[Hasan123]

Not sure if 3 is right for him though.

Lol its perfect for him.

 

[coy0607]

Undoubtedly the most talented batsmen on the Pakistani international scene- different league than Shafiq and Azhar

Can't wait to see him in Auz

 

[Rayyman]

Where else? He's playing the innings of his life right now at #3.

Yea I guess if he has the technique to play at 3 in these conditions, then he can play at 3 in any conditions. The only thing is that I can't remember any legends that started their careers at 3, 4 or 5. Most of them started at 6 or 7.

 

[Speedster777]

See this is why it's so important to give confidence to youngsters. Mickey has an eye for talent his belief in Azam paid off.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Babar is the next superstar in the making, looks like a permanent #3 in all formats.

 

[FreakCricket]

Babar is the backbone of our batting!

 

[Major]

He showed his class last night. Good batsmen.

 

[MenInG]

Amazing how Mickey's decision to persist with Babar is not being appreciated.

 

[MenInG]

Cmon Babar - time to stand up and be counted.

 

[waleed88]

He flattered to deceive with his one knock against the NZ, the rest of his innings he has gone down flashing... just like his cousin.. needs to curb the Akmal genes if he wants to stay in this format

 

[Hawkeye]

He's good, but don't have temperament and can't defend well enough.

Misbah needs to do some 'chitrol' and get some aqal in his head.

 

[asfandyar]

Indispensible in ODIs, too raw in tests. Was a poor decision to select him over the likes of Fawad Alam, Usman Salahuddin, Umar Akmal, Umar Siddiq and Haris Sohail.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Needs to improve his concentration a bit but still our best batsman. Lol at the knee jerk reactions from the crybabies. Guy is the best batting prospect in Pakistan and you don't want him to play Tests? He looked excellent today as well against some hostile bowling while mr ATG got a golden duck

 

[On_the_up]

Should be given a good run but the concern is whether he is another in the long line of talanted but no temperament types that have repeatedly failed for Pakistan in recent times.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Remember Kohli struggled too at the start of his Test career , I think we should follow the same strategy for Babar , let him play ODis and T20s for couple more years and in between give him a Test series against weaker nations in UAE. Will do a alot favor to his confidence.

 

[JaDed]

He looked more assured at crease than other Pakistani batsmen,easily the best of the lot available.

 

[asfandyar]

Needs to improve his concentration a bit but still our best batsman. Lol at the knee jerk reactions from the crybabies. Guy is the best batting prospect in Pakistan and you don't want him to play Tests? He looked excellent today as well against some hostile bowling while mr ATG got a golden duck

The keyword is prospect. In future vs present, present always wins. The only thing that I agree with in your post is "Lol".

 

[Slog]

Kaali Zabaan Mickey arthur strikes again

 

[asfandyar]

Remember Kohli struggled too at the start of his Test career , I think we should follow the same strategy for Babar , let him play ODis and T20s for couple more years and in between give him a Test series against weaker nations in UAE. Will do a alot favor to his confidence.

Basically this. But this sort of planning is often lacking in our management, and for Babar's own good he needs to be weaned into playing test cricket. He has the potential to be an ATG, just not ready yet. As for Kohli, he averaged 45+ in domestic FC even when he was not performing in internationals. Babar needs to concentrate more on improving his domestic stats before throwing him out in the open and damaging his confidence in ODI cricket as well where he is absolutely required.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Not suited to play test cricket , I think he will go the raina way.

 

[Slog]

Remember Kohli struggled too at the start of his Test career , I think we should follow the same strategy for Babar , let him play ODis and T20s for couple more years and in between give him a Test series against weaker nations in UAE. Will do a alot favor to his confidence.

what struggle lol

he struggled big in england but was pretty fine otherwise

the reason he didnt play every match and was eased in was because of better batsmen playing ahead of him (laxman, dravid, sachin)

 

[JaDed]

what struggle lol

he struggled big in england but was pretty fine otherwise

the reason he didnt play every match and was eased in was because of better batsmen playing ahead of him (laxman, dravid, sachin)

He was actually dropped after the West Indies tour,true we had better talent but he wasn't that great in his first Windies tour scored around 70's in 5 innings,Edwards got him twice in an innings.

 

[Jan Sher]

Overrated talent. Fawad Alam should have been our number 3, for the Australia series.

 

[Ellipsism]

Overrated talent. Fawad Alam should have been our number 3, for the Australia series.

Because anybody can feature in list of top 10 run scorers in ODI cricket in 2016 for fun.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Keep faith in Babar he will come good.

 

[Jan Sher]

Because anybody can feature in list of top 10 run scorers in ODI cricket in 2016 for fun.

We are playing Test cricket, right now, in Australia.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Overrated talent. Fawad Alam should have been our number 3, for the Australia series.

Lol. Everyone in the team isn't good enough, however, everyone not in the team (e.g. Fawad Alam, Harris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan etc.) are the ones who possess the talent.

It's aiming how a players stock rises when he isn't in the tea,

 

[New Yorker]

Because anybody can feature in list of top 10 run scorers in ODI cricket in 2016 for fun.

Babar looks very promising.

But haven't we seen time and time again how fraught it is to extrapolate performance in limited overs to Tests?

Pakistan will (continue to) fail in both forms unless it takes seriously this difference.

 

[Jan Sher]

Babar looks very promising.

But haven't we seen time and time again how fraught it is to extrapolate performance in limited overs to Tests?

Pakistan will (continue to) fail in both forms unless it takes seriously this difference.

Your last line is a well written message for the selectors.

 

[cric_fanatic]

This boy might be the only one to last in the team for the next 5-6 years at least. He looks better than the others for his age.

 

[Major]

Lol. Everyone in the team isn't good enough, however, everyone not in the team (e.g. Fawad Alam, Harris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan etc.) are the ones who possess the talent.

It's aiming how a players stock rises when he isn't in the tea,

Exactly, when babar or sami are performing, they are called tendulkars and kohli, when they dont perform, they are asked to be dropped.

Thing is, pakistan will win and pakistan will also lose if we persisst with the current players. Same players got this team to no.1 .

The fantast of believing that the players sitting outside of the squad will win us games needs to stop.

Remember when babar and aslam werent in the team

 

[MenInG]

Babar is excellent - just needs time to settle in and this is not an easy tour.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He looked more assured at crease than other Pakistani batsmen,easily the best of the lot available.

Need not comment. These guys are a clueless bunch who change their opinion every game.

 

[Buffet]

Overrated talent. Fawad Alam should have been our number 3, for the Australia series.

He looked the most comfortable batsman out there from Pakistan. Other don't even try to score.

 

[Syed1]

Thrilled to see Babar out-bat seniors and ATGs like Misbah and Younis.


Also thoroughly wiping the floor with other 'youngsters' like Azhar and Asad

 

[leg-side-flick]

Babar is excellent - just needs time to settle in and this is not an easy tour.

Babar has no one to guide him...

Babar was dropped in UAE against WI

Babar was the only successful batsman in NZ

Babar failed like every other pak batsman today....so get out you temparment less batsman

 

[Vivek_86]

If anything Sami Aslam is the "lambi race ka ghoda"

 

[silent ischemia]

Sorry mate; he was no different. He did not learn from the mistake he made in the first innings of first test in nz

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Easily the best batsman in the country. Some people just talk rubbish. Do you remember how he played in his last game and how effortlessly he was rotating strike against starc? These idiots deserve limited players who can't play pace bowling.

 

[Abdullah719]

Sorry mate; he was no different. He did not learn from the mistake he made in the first innings of first test in nz

Two failures, must be dropped.

In the meantime, Shafiq is averaging 8 in his last 7 innings while Younis is averaging 2.6 in his last 6 innings.

 

[Syed1]

Easily the best batsman in the country. Some people just talk rubbish. Do you remember how he played in his last game and how effortlessly he was rotating strike against starc? These idiots deserve limited players who can't play pace bowling.

They would much rather prefer nightwatchmen like Azhar and Sami

 

[Buffet]

Two failures, must be dropped.

In the meantime, Shafiq is averaging 8 in his last 7 innings while Younis is averaging 2.6 in his last 6 innings.

2-3 batsmen performing at that level will pretty much lose the test. Fans often remember few gun performances, but you end up losing a lot if gun performances come mixed with performances you quoted above. Even scoring 30 runs helps. Getting out on single digit too many times in one series puts a huge pressure on team.

 

[Abdullah719]

2-3 batsmen performing at that level will pretty much lose the test. Fans often remember few gun performances, but you end up losing a lot if gun performances come mixed with performances you quoted above. Even scoring 30 runs helps. Getting out on single digit too many times in one series puts a huge pressure on team.

Even one batsman badly out of nick who isn't contributing anything is bad enough.

Two is just terrible.

They're playing as specialist slip fielders right now.

 

[Buffet]

Babar looked a good prospect to me, who rotate strikes as well. If you just get stuck on one end and allow bowlers to bowl 6 balls at you then you are allowing bowlers to bowl where they want without any pressure. They don't have to adjust anything.

He should play for an extended period for Pakistan.

 

[Buffet]

Even one batsman badly out of nick who isn't contributing anything is bad enough.

Two is just terrible.

They're playing as specialist slip fielders right now.

Yah, two at same time kills it and makes it very hard for others as well. Cricket is not about individual runs, but partnerships. If you stay and score 30-40 runs then runs will come from other end as well.If senior batsmen are not spending any time in middle then it makes the job very hard for newbies. PPers are expecting too much from new batsmen like Babar here. He is a good prospect and that's about it at this moment. He shouldn't be expected to lead batting unit.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Leave him alone. Both Brigades.

 

[Ellipsism]

We are playing Test cricket, right now, in Australia.

Your missing the point. Evidently he is in form.

 

[New Yorker]

Easily the best batsman in the country. Some people just talk rubbish. Do you remember how he played in his last game and how effortlessly he was rotating strike against starc? These idiots deserve limited players who can't play pace bowling.

Looks good, but with the Akmals having all the strokes and all that is not the end of the story. Does he have the temperament and discipline? Of course he should be persisted with but forgive some of us for waiting on crowning him the best in the country until he has actually scored a few big centuries in tight spots.

 

[New Yorker]

Your missing the point. Evidently he is in form.

I think that point is well taken, but there is another, entirely separate point which also merits consideration.
Which is that ODIs and Tests are different beasts. Younis has in the past been in terrific Test form without for
that matter converting into ODI form. I am sure we can think of quite a few players who don't manage the step-up or step-down that well.

 

[Ellipsism]

I think that point is well taken, but there is another, entirely separate point which also merits consideration.
Which is that ODIs and Tests are different beasts. Younis has in the past been in terrific Test form without for
that matter converting into ODI form. I am sure we can think of quite a few players who don't manage the step-up or step-down that well.

Correct, but Babar has shown the ability to survive and thrive at test level.

 

[Haroon786]

I think that point is well taken, but there is another, entirely separate point which also merits consideration.
Which is that ODIs and Tests are different beasts. Younis has in the past been in terrific Test form without for
that matter converting into ODI form. I am sure we can think of quite a few players who don't manage the step-up or step-down that well.

That is in fact incorrect, Babar scored an unbeaten 90 odd in NZ just a few weeks back - that can hardly be called as not stepping up to the format. If anything, Babar is currently the best batsman in the Test team.

 

[asfandyar]

Two failures, must be dropped.

In the meantime, Shafiq is averaging 8 in his last 7 innings while Younis is averaging 2.6 in his last 6 innings.

No shouldn't be dropped. That would do his confidence no good. Should be kept in the squad with someone like Fawad to take his place in the playing eleven.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

No shouldn't be dropped. That would do his confidence no good. Should be kept in the squad with someone like Fawad to take his place in the playing eleven.

Fawad should replace Babar? How can you say that with a straight face

 

[Hasan123]

Should be stuck with. Once he gets his 1st century plenty will continue come. Good decision by Mickey to bat him at 3 in tests. So far Babar has looked more comfertable than supposed ATG younis, azhar, and asad.

 

[Khan12]

He always looks solid and way more assured then the other batsmen in our team. He needs to stop chasing them deliveries which I am sure he will with experience. An excellent player for us at 3 him and sami can play for us the next 12 to 15 years. We need to invest on both of them rather then ttfs.