What's new

Mohammad Rizwan versus Sarfaraz Ahmed

S

Saj

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Runs
96,141
I've watched Rizwan around the Pakistan squad on this tour of England, at practice sessions etc and he's a bundle of energy. By far the stand-out fielder amongst the squad. Despite him only playing one match on the tour, he has been so positive around the squad, laughing and joking and yet working hard whilst practising.

Watching Mohammad Rizwan in action against Worcestershire yesterday, he impressed with the bat and gloves. He looks like a cricketer with that desire and hunger to succeed.

I think Sarfraz Ahmed needs to look over his shoulder and at his performances and consistency, otherwise he could be in the slow lane as Mohammad Rizwan speeds past him in all three formats.
 
The only plus that Sarfraz has is that he is a better player oc spin compared to Rizwan.
Rizwan has to improve otherwise he will be another Azhar Mahmood batting wise
 
I seriously hate the look of the under pads rizwan wears I like the traditional look sarfraz wears but that's just me.

Moreover I'm not a fan of rizwan wk but he may play as batsman but surprisingly sarfraz wking has been disappointing too but inshallah he will step up.

Sent from my H30-U10 using Tapatalk
 
The pressure is definitely increasing on sarfraz , with mediocre performances with bad and gloves he should be worried.
 
Rizwan might be a bundle of energy but he is just not good enough to be in our playing 11. You are right that Sarfraz should do better than what he is doing currently. But i would take sarfraz over rizwan any day of the week.
 
Bundle of energy - only if that's what was required to play international cricket!

I have no idea why people use phrases like "full energy" and "gives in 100%" for Wahab Riaz, Shan Masood etc. to justify their selections - even when they're not good enough in cricket.

Rizwan can play as a specialist fielder - but is there any such role in our team?

He's worse than even Azhar Ali and Shehzad when it comes to playing spin. Against pace, specially any sort of movement, Rizwan again struggles.

As for keeping, Umar Akmal was a better keeper than Rizwan. You get the idea.

That leaves his spot as a specialist fielder, where he indeed excels. Can we play him as a fielder in our XI?

For middle order batsmen - we need people like Saud Shakeel, Imam ul Haq, Azam, Haris Sohail. Not players who don't have a decent enough ceiling on potential.
 
He does not look a natural keeper
 
Should replace Sarfraz in Limited Overs right now and eventually in Tests. Really good prospect
 
People are saying stuff like "Oh, but but he doesn't look natural", well it's not like Sarfraz has been excellent has he? In-fact, when Rizwan was playing as the keeper in LOI's he didn't drop catches or miss any opportunities to get the batsmen out via stumpings. I think he should be given a chance in the 4th test.
 
Rizwan cannot compete with Sarfraz in Tests at the moment.

Both are poor keepers, but Sarfraz is a match-winner with the bat in Asia, and Rizwan cannot play the same role because he's not as good vs spin.

Rizwan can score runs in Tests in UAE/Asia in the top-order though, but his game is not organized enough for Tests yet.

In Limited Overs, Rizwan though has the potential to be the hard hitting, dynamic WK batsman we have yearned for years.

Unlike Sarfraz, he has age and time on his side and is a much superior athlete and fielder.

Rizwan should be given the gloves in Limited Overs now and take up the number 6 spot, which is ideal for him.

In 3-4 years, he could be ready to take over as Test keeper as well.

However, that's not going to happen because Sarfraz doesn't give dhoka and has just been handed in the T20I captaincy, while his fans have earmarked him as Azhar's successor in ODIs as well.
 
Saj said:
I've watched Rizwan around the Pakistan squad on this tour of England, at practice sessions etc and he's a bundle of energy. By far the stand-out fielder amongst the squad. Despite him only playing one match on the tour, he has been so positive around the squad, laughing and joking and yet working hard whilst practising.

Watching Mohammad Rizwan in action against Worcestershire yesterday, he impressed with the bat and gloves. He looks like a cricketer with that desire and hunger to succeed.

I think Sarfraz Ahmed needs to look over his shoulder and at his performances and consistency, otherwise he could be in the slow lane as Mohammad Rizwan speeds past him in all three formats.
Click to expand...
I have written on another thread that Pakistan probably needs Steve Rixon to coach Rizwan into being a Test class keeper.

Mickey Arthur requires four quicks, even in Asia - he beat Pakistan in Pakistan with that model. But one of those four quicks is a batsman, to accommodate a spinner too.

It's is blindingly obvious that Aamer Yamin is the only Pakistan quick bowler who is a decent enough bowler to be fourth seamer yet a good enough batsman to score the runs of a specialist batsman.

But I don't think Yamin is a good enough batsman to bat above 7 in Tests.

To accommodate him at 7 your keeper has to bat at 6.

Sarfraz is good enough to bat at 7 and average in the 40s and score regular 50's and occasional 100's.

But a number 6 batsman needs to score as many 100s as 50s. And Sarfaz will never be good enough to do that outside Asia.

So I think you need to groom Rizwan to keep wicket and bat at 6 in this Test line-up.

6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7 Aamer Yamin (4th seamer)
8 Hasan Ali (2nd quick)
9 Amad Butt (3rd quick)
10 Mohammad Amir
11 Yasir Shah

In Asia Mohammad Nawaz could replace the fourth seamer.
 
Rizwan is a good guy to have in LOI where fielding and saving runs really makes a difference. As far as keeping and batting is concerned his batting is at par with Sarfraz while keeping Sarfraz is better.
 
Saj said:
I've watched Rizwan around the Pakistan squad on this tour of England, at practice sessions etc and he's a bundle of energy. By far the stand-out fielder amongst the squad. Despite him only playing one match on the tour, he has been so positive around the squad, laughing and joking and yet working hard whilst practising.

Watching Mohammad Rizwan in action against Worcestershire yesterday, he impressed with the bat and gloves. He looks like a cricketer with that desire and hunger to succeed.

I think Sarfraz Ahmed needs to look over his shoulder and at his performances and consistency, otherwise he could be in the slow lane as Mohammad Rizwan speeds past him in all three formats.
Click to expand...
if Rizwan improve his wicket keeping then this is a no-brainer.
 
Sarfraz is way ahead in Tests.

In LOI, Sarfraz Ahmed is better keeper and batsman than Rizwan. Sarfraz needs to bat in Top 5 till then he's a waste. Sarfraz will stay because he is the better option for captaincy as well in all formats. Rizwan needs to up his game regarding finishing the game and six hitting, otherwise I don't think he's needed in XI.

Haris, Babar, Sarfraz at 3, 4 & 5 respectively and Rizwan can come at #6.
 
Mamoon said:
Rizwan cannot compete with Sarfraz in Tests at the moment.

Both are poor keepers, but Sarfraz is a match-winner with the bat in Asia, and Rizwan cannot play the same role because he's not as good vs spin.

Rizwan can score runs in Tests in UAE/Asia in the top-order though, but his game is not organized enough for Tests yet.

In Limited Overs, Rizwan though has the potential to be the hard hitting, dynamic WK batsman we have yearned for years.

Unlike Sarfraz, he has age and time on his side and is a much superior athlete and fielder.

Rizwan should be given the gloves in Limited Overs now and take up the number 6 spot, which is ideal for him.

In 3-4 years, he could be ready to take over as Test keeper as well.

However, that's not going to happen because Sarfraz doesn't give dhoka and has just been handed in the T20I captaincy, while his fans have earmarked him as Azhar's successor in ODIs as well.
Click to expand...

Summed it up well
 
LowKiiSavage said:
Rizwan might be a bundle of energy but he is just not good enough to be in our playing 11. You are right that Sarfraz should do better than what he is doing currently. But i would take sarfraz over rizwan any day of the week.
Click to expand...
Lol, Rizwan is potentially better than Sarfraz.
 
Mohammad Rizwan is the future, potentially better than Sarfraz, even in the longer format. He will adapt against spin, as he is young.

Sarfraz should be given this series, though.
 
The Last Of The Stars said:
Mohammad Rizwan is the future, potentially better than Sarfraz, even in the longer format. He will adapt against spin, as he is young.

Sarfraz should be given this series, though.
Click to expand...

In an interview a few months ago, he said he is working on his problem vs spin.
 
I like Rizwan a lot due to his hunger to improve but right now he is not ready for test cricket. He might have an odd success here and there if he plays test cricket but he has a lot to improve. His technique against short pitch is very vulnerable and his balance at crease isn't good as well.
 
Sarfaraz is a waste of spot in the odi team specially 7. I will have rizwan over him any day in odi format.
 
Both are poor keepers but Rizwan is more dynamic so should be in LOIs. Sarfraz is way ahead in tests though. It's about time our thick tank realise that there are certain players who are only suited to one particular format and shouldn't play in all 3 just because they do well in one format. Sarfraz is suited for tests and Rizwan for LOIs.
 
Saj said:
I've watched Rizwan around the Pakistan squad on this tour of England, at practice sessions etc and he's a bundle of energy. By far the stand-out fielder amongst the squad. Despite him only playing one match on the tour, he has been so positive around the squad, laughing and joking and yet working hard whilst practising.

Watching Mohammad Rizwan in action against Worcestershire yesterday, he impressed with the bat and gloves. He looks like a cricketer with that desire and hunger to succeed.

I think Sarfraz Ahmed needs to look over his shoulder and at his performances and consistency, otherwise he could be in the slow lane as Mohammad Rizwan speeds past him in all three formats.
Click to expand...

Rizwan is very talented and should get an opportunity against England on this tour.

THe only thing he has against him is that he cannot play spin as well as Sarfraz so Sarfraz becomes the de-facto first choice in the UAE.
 
For T20s i wouldnt pick either safraz(i know hes the captain!) Or rizwan!

I would go for BISMILLAH KHAN!
 
The_KING said:
Both are poor keepers but Rizwan is more dynamic so should be in LOIs. Sarfraz is way ahead in tests though. It's about time our thick tank realise that there are certain players who are only suited to one particular format and shouldn't play in all 3 just because they do well in one format. Sarfraz is suited for tests and Rizwan for LOIs.
Click to expand...
Our think tank does realizes that,thats why azhar Ali isnot in t20s isnot it :D
 
Pakistan needs rizwan the fielder mostly in the outfield

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk
 
Bhai mujhe to pehle bar aisa batsman nazr aya hy world cup'15 se jise strike rotate krna aata hy dosra Harris Sohail magr wo janab aik saal se scene se gayab hy injury ki waja se.

And. I think our pressure best bat should play lower we all know how fast Pakistan batting can collapse so he can provide us some comfort.

Sent from my H30-U10 using Tapatalk
 
Zain Zaidi said:
Bhai mujhe to pehle bar aisa batsman nazr aya hy world cup'15 se jise strike rotate krna aata hy dosra Harris Sohail magr wo janab aik saal se scene se gayab hy injury ki waja se.

And. I think our pressure best bat should play lower we all know how fast Pakistan batting can collapse so he can provide us some comfort.

Sent from my H30-U10 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It's easier to rotate strike when you bat at 6-7, put him in top 4 and then we would know how good he really is.
 
Sarfraz is the best wicket keeper batsman in Asia in all 3 formats combined.

Rizwan is a good prospect but he needs time to replace the number 1.
 
Sarfraz has shown he's good in Asia.

Rizwan won't get a spot over him even if Sarfraz fails in England and Australia.
 
Rizwan has more potential as a WK bat in overseas tests. He looks good against pace, his problems are against spin and in particular leg spin.

But I dont think there should be competition as of now for Test WK spot. Sarfraz has enough performances to hold on to his place.

I see it in a different way. I think Rizwan can replace one of the openers with Azhar moving to open. I firmly believe he has potential to deliver as a pure Bat.
 
silent ischemia said:
The only plus that Sarfraz has is that he is a better player oc spin compared to Rizwan.
Rizwan has to improve otherwise he will be another Azhar Mahmood batting wise
Click to expand...

The other plus Sarfraz have is, he's a better keeper than Rizwan with all his shortcomings.
 
Anfield said:
It's easier to rotate strike when you bat at 6-7, put him in top 4 and then we would know how good he really is.
Click to expand...
I don't understand your logic how it's easy to rotate strike down the order violating to rising strike up the order.

Nevertheless he DID opened in LO and was above average our openers imo. Will be interesting to see what number he gives himself in t20s
 
Zain Zaidi said:
I don't understand your logic how it's easy to rotate strike down the order violating to rising strike up the order.

Nevertheless he DID opened in LO and was above average our openers imo. Will be interesting to see what number he gives himself in t20s
Click to expand...

In first 15 overs there are field restrictions and ball is new so teams attack more or you can say are forced to attack more leading to fewer gaps and thus difficulty in Strike rotation.

In later overs teams are mostly in damage control mode and dont mind singles as long as boundaries dont flow
 
hur rizvi said:
In first 15 overs there are field restrictions and ball is new so teams attack more or you can say are forced to attack more leading to fewer gaps and thus difficulty in Strike rotation.

In later overs teams are mostly in damage control mode and dont mind singles as long as boundaries dont flow
Click to expand...
Ah I see you meant that
 
Rizwan should replace Sarfraz in ODI's

He has a far superior List A career, and has already made as many fifties as Sarfraz in ODI's at a superior strike rate in many fewer games.

Rizwan seems to be a better batsman than Sarfraz in limited overs cricket. If keeper is going to play in the top six, Rizwan should play.
 
Been saying it for ages now. Sarfraz is trash in limited overs. Hope he gets replaced by Rizwan ASAP. Rizwan is way fitter, younger and has more potential. Not to mention he can clear the inner circle without getting down on one knee
 
(on the phone so gona be short)

For all those nit-picking Rizwan, yes he hasn't lit up the world but neither did sarfaraz in his early days (and still hasn't to be frank). He was in and out of squads just like Rizwan. So not much of a difference there, however, Rizwan is a far better athlete. I would like to see Rizwan for the long haul, for the short term it doesnt really matter.
 
Suleiman said:
Hopefully he is.

Rizwan is knocking on the door, and will knock it down.

Kamran is the key to the door.
Click to expand...

The post was about Tests and Sarfraz had done enough to stay in the team for another 3 series for tests even if he fails.

Sorry if Sarfraz crashes your hope every now and then :P
 
TBH the few opportunities that Rizwan did get he struggled to impress. He really needs to grab his next chance otherwise there may not be many more.
 
One of Rizwan's biggest fans here, and I believe Sarfraz deserves a run at #5. Mickey believes so too.

Sarfraz is our next captain, folks.
 
The next time we see Rizwan don a green shirt (in a non-dead-rubber/injury situation), it'll be as a batsman. I'm quite sure of this.
 
sunnykhan said:
The post was about Tests and Sarfraz had done enough to stay in the team for another 3 series for tests even if he fails.

Sorry if Sarfraz crashes your hope every now and then :P
Click to expand...

Yeah, like he did today :)))

In other news, Malik continues his golden run. Honestly will be the key for CT 2017.
 
Sarfraz kept well in England.

The problem is that given that Pakistan has no all-rounder good enough to bat in the Test Top Six, the fifth bowler has to bat at number 7. And you will need a fifth bowler in New Zealand and Australia, at least fast-medium in pace.

So then you have to look at Sarfraz Ahmed's Test batting output in England.

25 + 45
26 + 7
46* + 0
44

Seven innings, in five of which he made at least 25.

But not a single fifty.

I don't see how a modern Test team can carry a wicketkeeper who fails to score a fifty in a four match series. In fact, nowadays in a 4 match series you'd expect at least 2 fifties and 1 century from your keeper at the highest level.
 
I don't see Sarfraz being dropped from the test squad. He's solidified that spot.

ODIs is another topic though.
 
Junaids said:
Sarfraz kept well in England.

The problem is that given that Pakistan has no all-rounder good enough to bat in the Test Top Six, the fifth bowler has to bat at number 7. And you will need a fifth bowler in New Zealand and Australia, at least fast-medium in pace.

So then you have to look at Sarfraz Ahmed's Test batting output in England.

25 + 45
26 + 7
46* + 0
44

Seven innings, in five of which he made at least 25.

But not a single fifty.

I don't see how a modern Test team can carry a wicketkeeper who fails to score a fifty in a four match series. In fact, nowadays in a 4 match series you'd expect at least 2 fifties and 1 century from your keeper at the highest level.
Click to expand...

Rizwan has a lot to do before he takes Sarfraz place in tests. He gets too excited at the crease and it causes for him to make stupid mistakes. His running between the wickets is suspect and he has weakness vs spin.
 
In LOI Rizwan is easily the better choice.

In Test Sarfraz has been invested in so lets stick with him and he's performing.

Rizwan is a superb athlete extremely fit he should be implemented in the LOI Squad ASAP. He also has the power to go big at the end which Sarfraz lacks.

Give Sarfraz this series and if he fails he needs to be booted out of the squad, and Rizwan needs to take over against WI.
 
Hasan123 said:
Rizwan has a lot to do before he takes Sarfraz place in tests. He gets too excited at the crease and it causes for him to make stupid mistakes. His running between the wickets is suspect and he has weakness vs spin.
Click to expand...

Pretty much this.

Rizwan isn't ready for Tests. Our Test 11 is pretty much settle expect, for the all-rounder position. Rizwan doesn't merit a place in tests yet.

Although he should be implemented in the LOI side if Sarfraz fails in this England Series.
 
QalandarFan said:
Pretty much this.

Rizwan isn't ready for Tests. Our Test 11 is pretty much settle expect, for the all-rounder position. Rizwan doesn't merit a place in tests yet.

Although he should be implemented in the LOI side if Sarfraz fails in this England Series.
Click to expand...

If he can improve his batting won't be long before he in the LO team as Arthur will like his fielding
 
What type of shot did Sarfraz play yesterday. Feet going nowhere, head falling and he just poked at the ball with hard hands.

Very amateurish stuff and looks ugly as hell when he tries to work the ball outside the off-stump, unless it's full enough to drive.

Has been dismissed like this many times recently.
 
Mamoon said:
What type of shot did Sarfraz play yesterday. Feet going nowhere, head falling and he just poked at the ball with hard hands.

Very amateurish stuff and looks ugly as hell when he tries to work the ball outside the off-stump, unless it's full enough to drive.

Has been dismissed like this many times recently.
Click to expand...

Exactly!

I don't know what people See in Sarfraz the he keeps getting Selected in LOI!
 
He is failing more frequently with the bat and mode of dismissals are identical being caught in slips or by keeper
 
It's good that we have Rizzu in the squad, and am sure if given a chance, he will put Sarfi spot in danger.
 
I think Rizwan should be in the ODIs and T20 teams right now purely as a batsmen even if hes not got the gloves on, could even come the point where hes good enough to play in tests in a top 6 spot in future without the gloves as well.
 
In reality there is a choice to be made. However if we are going to go with the 3 proper pacers and 3 spinning all rounders model both rizwan and sarf can play when hafeez passes his test.
Bit advice said in reality we should have 3 pacers 2 spin all rounders and Yamin but Yamin is not selected
 
At this point in time, there is no contest, Sarfraz is head shoulders above Rizwan in all formats. I want to see Sarfraz bat at 6/7 in normal circumstances and at 4, when needed. To keep Sarfraz on his toes, give Rizwan the odd game.
 
Rizwan should play only as a batsman...but he needs work. Not a bad option for number 5..
 
Rizwan will play more regularly once Malik leaves. He is a good option to have in the lower order and can accelerate beautifully.
 
What a lot of people are forgetting is that Rizwan's wicket keeping is not even international standard and anyway we need his athleticism and catching ability on the field. So to replace Rizwan with Sarfraz makes no sense whatsoever.

Furthermore, Sarfraz is captaincy material and I feel Azhar Ali is on the edge when it comes to keeping his captain status, so I don't see dropping Sarfraz an option.

Sarfraz hasn't fulfilled his potential in ODIs but he needs a proper run where he can be settled in one position in the batting order because if you look at it, he's opened, batted at 4, 5, 6 and 7. There's just no stability there. Let's not forget Misbah wasn't our best bat in WC 2015 with that abysmal SR in the low 70s, it was actually Sarfraz who was Pakistan's best batsman in the tournament.

Moving forward I think it's best to bat at him at 5 and have Shoaib Malik at 6 like in the recent ODI v Ireland because the latter has a limited range of shots against pace but has the power to bat at 6. Sarfraz is good at rotating the strike and plays spin well, so number 5 would be ideal for him.

I would like to see Rizwan bat in the top order in ODIs but he needs to seriously improve his game against spin first.
 
Flat_Track_Bully said:
When was the last time Sarfraz performed in ODIs?

He should be dropped.
Click to expand...

Last 2 ODI series that Pakistan played before this Ireland series?

NZ
35@90
Only Babar and Hafeez did better.

Eng
38@89
Only Babar and Hafeez did better.

He is Pakistan's 3rd best ODI batsman in the last 2 series that Pakistan has played and note that one was against top England side and the 2nd was against NZ in NZ.
 
Last 12 months:

Sarfraz scored 240 runs in 8 innings at an average of 30.
Rizwan scored 128 runs in 6 innings at an average of 25.6.
Azhar scored 145 runs in 9 innings at an average of 16.11.

Hafeez, Malik, and Babar have done better than Sarfraz in last 12 months.

So, the first one out should be Azhar who has been extremely pathetic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BouncerGuy
Mohammad Rizwan to lead in ODIs as Pakistan announced squads for T20I and ODI series against West Indies
Replies
47
Views
3K
cricketAXEpert
C
BouncerGuy
No Free Passes: If Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah are dropped, why aren't they playing Domestic Cricket?
Replies
17
Views
1K
Savak
Savak
BouncerGuy
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi relegated to category B as Pakistan Men’s Central Contracts announced for 2025-26 season
2 3 4
Replies
246
Views
6K
Obaidd
Obaidd
The Bald Eagle
Mohammad Rizwan signs for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, and set to feature in CPL for the first time
3 4 5
Replies
328
Views
6K
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
Ball Blazer
  • Sticky
[EXCLUSIVE] “On what grounds has Shaheen Shah Afridi been appointed ODI captain, and Mohammad Rizwan removed?”: Atiq-uz-Zaman
Replies
7
Views
442
tiger_khan
T
Back
Top