Mushfiqur Rahim vs Sarfaraz Ahmed - The better ODI batsman?

[Heisenberg111]

Sarfraz has played several crunch knocks in Tests against top sides. Three of top of my mind are
1 his fifty in that famous chase against SL at Sharjah
2 His hundred in Dubai test against Aus
3 His recent 94 in Abu Dhabi against Aus when Pak were 57-5

People here clamoring about Mushfiq's 200, remember it was scored against Zimbabwe in home conditions. Sarfraz also scored some useful 30's and 40's in Eng tour in 2016.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

So we are comparing a wicketkeeper and captainin 3 formats with irregular keeper. Lol

Emergence of Liton has greatly helped Mushfiq as now the keeping load can be divided if needed, before that Anamul Haque also kept in some matches. But hey lets ignore all that.

Mushfiq also was given captaincy but failed there so his load was reduced there too.

 

[Syed1]

Emergence of Liton has greatly helped Mushfiq as now the keeping load can be divided if needed, before that Anamul Haque also kept in some matches. But hey lets ignore all that.

Mushfiq also was given captaincy but failed there so his load was reduced there too.

Sarf averages 43@72 in tests in the last 5 years, but there has been a sharp decline in his batting output right around the time he was made captain. In the last year or so he averages 32odd @ 69. I think he is unable to handle the workload of captaincy in three formats with keeping as well as contributing with the bat.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Sarf averages 43@72 in tests in the last 5 years, but there has been a sharp decline in his batting output right around the time he was made captain. In the last year or so he averages 32odd @ 69. I think he is unable to handle the workload of captaincy in three formats with keeping as well as contributing with the bat.

Han yar, I think he took too much pressure on himself. Banta bhi hai but relax rahna chaheye larkay ko..

But i hope as our team especially test team is settling now it will help Sarfraz too to settle down. He got a very young and a lower ranked team in all formats so settle honay mai time lagna justified hai.

 

[Hasan123]

Mushy had 6-7 mediocre years before he became an irregular wicket keeper and from there he kicked on as a batsman. I dont think its an equal comparison. Mushy might have played more important knocks than Sarfraz but thats because he played 100 more odis and in world cups and champions trophy Sarfraz is better even though he played less.

In tests its a no brainier, Sarfraz even after his decline averages ~40 with a mighty 71 SR. For me the best test wicket keeper batsman in world and has overtaken Bairstow after the recent series.

Sarfraz is not better than Bairstow. Bairstow has carried English batting line up at times. Scoring runs when England have been 4/5 down for not very much.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Mushfiqur is Gilchrist when compared to Sarfaraz.

nice joke

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Sarfraz is not better than Bairstow. Bairstow has carried English batting line up at times. Scoring runs when England have been 4/5 down for not very much.

Bairstow has been in poor form and had a v poor ashes

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Sarfraz is not better than Bairstow. Bairstow has carried English batting line up at times. Scoring runs when England have been 4/5 down for not very much.

True i rate Bairstow highly and higher than Sarfraz as a batsman. Against fast bowling he is right up there.

But Bairstow has been poor recently. His average has gone down to low 37 and more importantly he had a really poor home summer against India and Pakistan. Those were 7 test matches and despite being at home he flopped big time. While Sarfraz was poor in England he did score a match winning 94 + 81 just recently and played a part in winnings us the series.

Next series vs NZ will decide whether Sarfraz can continue this form or not.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Sarfraz has played several crunch knocks in Tests against top sides. Three of top of my mind are
1 his fifty in that famous chase against SL at Sharjah
2 His hundred in Dubai test against Aus
3 His recent 94 in Abu Dhabi against Aus when Pak were 57-5

People here clamoring about Mushfiq's 200, remember it was scored against Zimbabwe in home conditions. Sarfraz also scored some useful 30's and 40's in Eng tour in 2016.

You're mixing up tests and ODIs dude.

 

[Hawkeye]

ODIS

Mushfiq's stats between 2012 to 2018:

Avg: 43.6
SR: 87.5
100s - 6

In the same time period this is Sarfaraz:

Avg: 36.1
SR: 88
100s - 2

So while Sarfaraz has better SR marginally, Mushfiq has much higher average and also is a prolific run scorer as shown by the number of centuries.

Tests

Mushfiq since 2012:

Average: 41.5
100s : 5(2 of them are doubles)

Sarfaraz

Average: 40.18
100s: 3 (no doubles)



By virtue of stats, Mushfiq is much better than Sarfaraz in ODIs and marginally better than Sarfaraz in Tests. Now before someone talk about Sarfaraz's 71 SR opposed to mushy's 47 in tests. You win more matches and develop partnerships by batting at a slower rate. It means you have survived more overs and made the opposition grind while letting the other batsmen settle. One day when Shakib scored a 50 at 100SR Rahul Dravid told him he could have saved the match for his side if he scored the 50 off 150 balls.

Those stats are amazing.

I wasn't aware of them. Thanks.

That does show in the past several years, Mushfiq has become a rockstar. Sarfraz on the other hand is only declining. Does not even bat in ODIs now, or at tailenders position.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

ODIS


By virtue of stats, Mushfiq is much better than Sarfaraz in ODIs and marginally better than Sarfaraz in Tests. Now before someone talk about Sarfaraz's 71 SR opposed to mushy's 47 in tests. You win more matches and develop partnerships by batting at a slower rate. It means you have survived more overs and made the opposition grind while letting the other batsmen settle. One day when Shakib scored a 50 at 100SR Rahul Dravid told him he could have saved the match for his side if he scored the 50 off 150 balls.

I agree, Mushfiqur SR in test shouldn't be compared, he is the anchor for the team. Unlike ODIs, SR in tests depends on the batsman role, not ability.

 

[PakPremi]

I agree, Mushfiqur SR in test shouldn't be compared, he is the anchor for the team. Unlike ODIs, SR in tests depends on the batsman role, not ability.

So compare average in tests (overall not just selective period to make Rahim good and Sarfraz bad) and strike rates in ODI.

Would be good to see stats broken down by oppositions.

 

[RainMan_]

So compare average in tests (overall not just selective period to make Rahim good and Sarfraz bad) and strike rates in ODI.

Would be good to see stats broken down by oppositions.

U need to understand where those posters r coming from. Mushy was quite mediocre as a batsman in the initial years of his career and struggled a lot.

But he has transformed himself into a world class batsman and he's easily one of the best middle order batsman in the world right now.

Sarfaraz on the other hand has regressed a lot as a batsman and he's only in the Pak team because he's the captain of the team. Otherwise he would've been thrown out of the team long ago.

I m not saying that Sarfaraz has always been like this. But there shouldn't be any doubt avout the fact that current Sarfaraz is no match for a batsman of mushy's caliber.

Just look at the last two years batting average of these two batsmen. Mushy has been averaging almost 50 with the bat across all major formats while Sarfaraz has struggled to maintain even an average of 30 during this period.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

So compare average in tests (overall not just selective period to make Rahim good and Sarfraz bad) and strike rates in ODI.

Would be good to see stats broken down by oppositions.

Sarfraz has better stats overall, but Rahim did debut in 2005 so it can't be directly compared. Ever since Sarfraz debuted in ODIs, Rahim has been the better batsman.

 

[Hasan123]

Bairstow has been in poor form and had a v poor ashes

And Sarfraz has been amazing form until that innings against Australia?

 

[Hasan123]

True i rate Bairstow highly and higher than Sarfraz as a batsman. Against fast bowling he is right up there.

But Bairstow has been poor recently. His average has gone down to low 37 and more importantly he had a really poor home summer against India and Pakistan. Those were 7 test matches and despite being at home he flopped big time. While Sarfraz was poor in England he did score a match winning 94 + 81 just recently and played a part in winnings us the series.

Next series vs NZ will decide whether Sarfraz can continue this form or not.

Sarfraz poor form has been much longer than Bairstow. So after 1 innings you rate Sarfraz higher? )

Furthermore Bairstow is a much better player of pace and also a very good player of spin. Bairstow can take attacks apart.

Any netrual will take Bairstow over Sarfraz.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Sarfraz poor form has been much longer than Bairstow. So after 1 innings you rate Sarfraz higher? )

Furthermore Bairstow is a much better player of pace and also a very good player of spin. Bairstow can take attacks apart.

Any netrual will take Bairstow over Sarfraz.

Lol do you know how to respond in a decent way?

I replied decently despite knowing your history but guess i was wrong.

Wont bother answering you from now on. Please continue.

 

[Hasan123]

Lol do you know how to respond in a decent way?

I replied decently despite knowing your history but guess i was wrong.

Wont bother answering you from now on. Please continue.

What have I said to upset you?

Bairstow is a better player of pace and spin. And you said you rate Sarfraz higher because of Bairstow poor form and Sarfraz scoring in his last series.

So you have changed your mind after 1 game .

Don't see an issue with this response. If someone doesn't agree with your opinion on Sarfraz you have such a vicitcm mentality. Obviously you won't respond to facts.

 

[Pakhs]

Overall mushy still better than sarfaraz in ODIs. But how would sarfaraz fare between 2005-2011?

Sarfraz is not some ATG player that we should even think about comparing him in the era he didnt play. I would also agree just as a player Mushy seems to be a better player but Sarfraz has played knocks which has resulted in Pakistan wining some important matches so I dont know if i would swap him.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

What have I said to upset you?

Bairstow is a better player of pace and spin. And you said you rate Sarfraz higher because of Bairstow poor form and Sarfraz scoring in his last series.

So you have changed your mind after 1 game .

Don't see an issue with this response. If someone doesn't agree with your opinion on Sarfraz you have such a vicitcm mentality. Obviously you won't respond to facts.

Lol you again failed to comprehend what i said.

Where did i say i changed my mind after 1 game.

Bairstow has been below par for 7 consecutive tests now. At the start of this year Bairstow was better but now Sarfraz is better. And i doubt Bairstow will remain the wicket keeper batsman now and might play as a specialist batsman so when that happens the discussion should end as one is keeper batsman and other is a batsman alone.

Why do you like to make every discussion a way to personally attack or laughing at others when others are talking politely ?

And no i dont think Bairstow is a better player of spin. Sarfraz easily triumphs him here, has a higher average with a much higher SR and done well against top class bowlers like Herath on spin friendly wickets.

 

[Hasan123]

Lol you again failed to comprehend what i said.

Where did i say i changed my mind after 1 game.

Bairstow has been below par for 7 consecutive tests now. At the start of this year Bairstow was better but now Sarfraz is better. And i doubt Bairstow will remain the wicket keeper batsman now and might play as a specialist batsman so when that happens the discussion should end as one is keeper batsman and other is a batsman alone.

Why do you like to make every discussion a way to personally attack or laughing at others when others are talking politely ?

And no i dont think Bairstow is a better player of spin. Sarfraz easily triumphs him here, has a higher average with a much higher SR and done well against top class bowlers like Herath on spin friendly wickets.

So Bairstow should be ranked lower because of 2 bad series. But someone who has been poor for a few series than scores in 1 game should be ranked higher?

Bairstow has scored against Ashwin and Jadjea. Also scored against top pacers as well. Bairstow has a gear which Sarfraz doesn't and cam be counted on in pressure situations more than Sarfraz.

Sarfraz can only sweep spinners. Bairtow can hit them through midwicket and down the ground.

 

[Executioner]

So compare average in tests (overall not just selective period to make Rahim good and Sarfraz bad) and strike rates in ODI.

Would be good to see stats broken down by oppositions.

The thread was regarding Mushfiq vs Sarfaraz and who is the better ODI batsman and not who has better stats overall. The reality is that Mushfiq started playing for the national side at the age of 16, yes you heard it. He was not even that good at that age. Only after reaching 22/23 did he finally start to perform really well for his side. So for the first 7 years he was an undercooked player but he played for BD because we had no better options.

If Sarfaraz played since 2004 you would have seen how inferior his stats would have been.

Also, when judging two players you focus on recent performance. And as for that matter i have talked about stats for the last 6 years. 6 years is a lot of time right!

A lot of Indians rate current Mushfiqur more than current Dhoni and the latter has way better overall stats but off late Mushy has been the better performer than Dhoni, all this despite Dhoni going down as an ODI ATG and Mushy won't ever achieve that.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Sarfaraz is better than any player of Bangladesh of any time. End of thread.

 

[MMHS]

Roth jatra, lokarronno, moha dhum dham
Bakhto ra lutay pori, koriche pronam
Poth bhabe ami dev, roth bhabe ami
Murti bhabe ami dev, hasen antorzami.


[MENTION=147270]the_outsider[/MENTION]

Can you please translate it in chost hindi .............?

 

[Executioner]

Sarfraz is not some ATG player that we should even think about comparing him in the era he didnt play. I would also agree just as a player Mushy seems to be a better player but Sarfraz has played knocks which has resulted in Pakistan wining some important matches so I dont know if i would swap him.

It's not about eras. The question is would Sarfaraz perform as well had he debuted at 16?

 

[Hawkeye]

Tbh, I used to think Sarf is probably ahead in Tests.

Even that's not the case anymore.

Very poor in both ODIs and Tests.

 

[Executioner]

Tbh, I used to think Sarf is probably ahead in Tests.

Even that's not the case anymore.

Very poor in both ODIs and Tests.

I believe players like Azhar Babar are better test players than Mushy.

But honestly Sarfaraz is a very limited player with respect to Mushy. Mushy can play almost all kinds of strokes against spinners and top player of pace too.

 

[Dios]

Mushfiqur and Tamim are far better than any Pakistani batsman right now.

 

[Executioner]

Mushfiqur and Tamim are far better than any Pakistani batsman right now.

I think Azhar is better

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Mushfiqur and Tamim are far better than any Pakistani batsman right now.

Azhar is far better in tests. Tamim is better than the rest, not sure about Mushfiqur.

 

[Hasan123]

@@topspin [MENTION=57422]sarfi[/MENTION]BabarHarris

1 of the best players of spin in the world according to Sarfraz fan club and he was dismissed twice by a debutant.

Sarfraz fan club

 

[Hasan123]

Mushfiqar is leagues above Sarfaraz. Can’t believe some in this thread didn’t think so. )

 

[chacha kashmiri]

I think Azhar is better

We gave azhar up in 2015
Tamim would walk into this Pakistan team quite easily

 

[aloo paratha]

Mushfiq by a mile.

 

[Ronaldo7]

We gave azhar up in 2015
Tamim would walk into this Pakistan team quite easily

At what position??
He definitely won't open.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

At what position??
He definitely won't open.

Pinch hitter?
Lower order specialist
Would pierce the gaps with sarfraz

 

[MMHS]

Sarfraz could be a better Test batsman though .... it takes lots of application & temperament to score 12 of 30 when asking in 8+.

 

[Hawkeye]

So, this settles the debate.

Sarfraz regressed massively. Mushfiq keeps on shining.

 

[Hasan123]

Mushfiqar is leagues above Sarfraz. Embarrassing whoever compared them.

 

[Titan24]

Musfiq has more match winning knocks in last 2-3 years than Sarfaraz in his entire career and that pretty much sums up the comparison.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

It's not even a comparison. Sarfraz isn't half as skilled as Mushfiqur. Mushfiqur can adapt to all formats and has been clutch in dozens of games.