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Mushfiqur Rahim vs Sarfaraz Ahmed - The better ODI batsman?

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Hawkeye

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Both wicket-keeper batsmen for their country.

Let's talk about their batting. Even though Mushfiq has a relatively larger sample size, but still both have played enough matches to give some meaning to their performances.


Let's take a look at their overall ODI batting stats.

Sarfraz Ahmed

Innings 73
Average 33
SR 86

Against the Top 5 sides:

Innings 34
Average 33
SR 88


Mushfiqur Rahim

Innings 181
Average 34
SR 77

Against the top 6 sides:

Innings 78
Average ~36
SR ~80



What do you think? Mushfiq has a higher average, particularly against the top sides. A bit lower SR, but he also bats in a very fragile batting team.

Or are they pretty similar bats?


P.S. Top 5/6 sides: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Pakistan, India
 
Mushfiqur is better imo. He hit a quality hundred against SA not long ago. He also has a lot of pressure on himself due to Bangladesh collapsing often. Do you have averages against specific team?
 
I think Mushfiqur is easily the better of the two. He is more consistent ,can bat at any position and can change batting gear any time. He is a big match player with a big fighting attitude.
 
Mushy debuted at a very young age and also a time when wickets were less flatter so it is expected that he is supposed to have a much lower average and SR than what some would expect.

I would like OP to the average of Mushfiqur and Sarfaraz since 2011(when Sarfaraz debuted). If I am not mistaken Mushy has averaged 40+ in the last 7 years and in the same time period.

Also, Mushy belonging to a fragile batting order meant he had to carry the batting as he did against Lanka and Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
 
Mushy has improved a lot recently and i like him but Sarfraz has more important innings under his belt like back to back man of the matches in world cup 2015 which made Pakistan stay in the world cup and an important man of the match against SL in CT 2017. Overall he has done well in global odi tournaments.
 
Mushfiqur, he has played some great knocks even when Bangladesh was a minnow. I remember his match winning 46* against India in Asia Cup 2012, incredible chase under pressure. He also has a lot of gears.
 
Mushifqar is better. He can play as a specialist batsmen as well.


Only Sarfraz fans would pick him ahead of Mushi.
 
Hawkeye said:
Both wicket-keeper batsmen for their country.

Let's talk about their batting. Even though Mushfiq has a relatively larger sample size, but still both have played enough matches to give some meaning to their performances.


Let's take a look at their overall ODI batting stats.

Sarfraz Ahmed

Innings 73
Average 33
SR 86

Against the Top 5 sides:

Innings 34
Average 33
SR 88


Mushfiqur Rahim

Innings 181
Average 34
SR 77

Against the top 6 sides:

Innings 78
Average ~36
SR ~80



What do you think? Mushfiq has a higher average, particularly against the top sides. A bit lower SR, but he also bats in a very fragile batting team.

Or are they pretty similar bats?


P.S. Top 5/6 sides: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Pakistan, India
Click to expand...

Mushi is much better
Their stats are similar because Mushi debuted in 2006 & has been regular since then
At that time run scoring wasn't that easy as compared to now

Sarfaraz became regular part of odi team only since 2014/15


Mushi is also more versatile batsman
He can bat at any position & in any situation

Sarfaraz has only one game,that's rotating strike & can hit few cheeky boundaries
We have seen him promoting the bits & pieces players and even the tailenders ahead of him in slog over
That shows how limited abilities Sarfaraz has as a batsman

Sarfaraz can also not win a match on his own neither can take it close
Mushi has done it,his 140 runs knock against SL was one of the finest knock I have seen in long time
 
It is really difficult to compare the two, often Rahim bats for Bangladesh with lots of overs to build the inning, whereas Sarfraz gets very little batting time in ODIs as often Pak top 5/6 batsmen use up majority of the overs. Even then, despite playing lot less than Rahim, there is not much in averages for the two. One thing that everyone cares a lot about for ODI is the strike rate - well it is obvious who has been doing better.
So again a fail attempt from Sarfraz haters (and I am not talking about the OP).

:sendoff
 
PakPremi said:
It is really difficult to compare the two, often Rahim bats for Bangladesh with lots of overs to build the inning, whereas Sarfraz gets very little batting time in ODIs as often Pak top 5/6 batsmen use up majority of the overs. Even then, despite playing lot less than Rahim, there is not much in averages for the two. One thing that everyone cares a lot about for ODI is the strike rate - well it is obvious who has been doing better.
So again a fail attempt from Sarfraz haters (and I am not talking about the OP).

:sendoff
Click to expand...

Um what? Where did 'haters' come from? I actually defend Sarf being the better bat in Tests.

Anyway, you should read the replies from others too. Are they all haters?
 
TM Riddle said:
Mushi definitely. He is a genuine batsman. Sarfaraj otoh is a hack.
Click to expand...
LOL he is an opposite of a hack. A hack would hit few long ones and go out slogging. Sarfraz is capable of batting all inning but used to give his wicket away for the team cause by trying to hit big sixes to up the run rate. Slogging is not his game !
He can bat any position except 7/8 - where I would bat Hacks like Asif, Fahim, Imad, Hasan.
If Sarfraz played purely as batsman for Pak he would have much better average, he can play pace bowlers adequately and is a master against slow bowlers. He is no Dhoni or Gilchrist but no worse than Rahim, Karthik or Pant.
 
I said not Op. Some here never have anything positive to say about Sarfraz, even if stats do not back up their claims.
 
Mushy is one of the best ODI batsman in the world right now. No comparison.
 
What a joke. Sarfraz can only dream of playing some of the knocks Mushfiqur has played over the years.
 
Can't think of a game-changing Sarfraz Ahmed knock in tests.
 
Sarfaraz is actually a much better batsman than some of the folks here try to portray him. Sure he has regressed as a batsman but still his stats in last 5 years isn't that bad.

Yes, he has been averaging around 30 with the bat for last two years but still his overalls batting average in last 5 years apeears as quite respectable which clearly suggests he was extremely good during 2014/15/16 period.
 
Currently Mushi is certainly better than Sarfraz.

But Mushi also had 9 mediocre years before he became the Mushi we see today so if you look at overall career then it's probably even.

But right now I would pick Mushi over Sarfraz with my eyes closed.
 
As of now its not even a contest.
Mushi is not only a better batsman than sarfaraz but he is better than all Bangladeshi batsman (currently).
This guy plays clutch knocks against strong opponents. He also has an extra gear which sarfi lacks.
 
Mushfiqur for sure.

He's been in the side for quite a while, so it's no surprise eventually with all that experience he turned into a pretty gun player for Bangla.
 
Hawkeye said:
Both wicket-keeper batsmen for their country.

Let's talk about their batting. Even though Mushfiq has a relatively larger sample size, but still both have played enough matches to give some meaning to their performances.


Let's take a look at their overall ODI batting stats.

Sarfraz Ahmed

Innings 73
Average 33
SR 86

Against the Top 5 sides:

Innings 34
Average 33
SR 88


Mushfiqur Rahim

Innings 181
Average 34
SR 77

Against the top 6 sides:

Innings 78
Average ~36
SR ~80



What do you think? Mushfiq has a higher average, particularly against the top sides. A bit lower SR, but he also bats in a very fragile batting team.

Or are they pretty similar bats?


P.S. Top 5/6 sides: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Pakistan, India
Click to expand...

As a batsman both are equal

As captain and sportsman Sarfi>>>>>>>>>This joker
 
Right now, I'd have to say Mushfiqur. If this was 2014-15 then I'd say Sarfraz. I think Mushfiqur not captaining in all three formats also plays a part in this as he's dealing with much less pressure to perform.
 
gazza619 said:
Fair analysis. Mushfiq has massively improved as well. He must have worked extremely hard.
Click to expand...

Mushy might not be talented but he is an extremely hard worker and sensationally fit. One of the fittest cricketers in the world and that is not even debatable.
 
aukhan said:
What a joke. Sarfraz can only dream of playing some of the knocks Mushfiqur has played over the years.
Click to expand...

That's because Sarfraz bats at 6 or 7

Use your brain

His century at lords in 2016 ODI against England when we were 0-3 I think was probably the best innings of 2016 and in another match he helped Pakistan gun down 300+ in ENG for the first time in history

He hasn't batted up the order since he took over as captain
 
Bleedgreen4ever said:
That's because Sarfraz bats at 6 or 7

Use your brain

His century at lords in 2016 ODI against England when we were 0-3 I think was probably the best innings of 2016 and in another match he helped Pakistan gun down 300+ in ENG for the first time in history

He hasn't batted up the order since he took over as captain
Click to expand...


That was in 2016 and that series was his peak since then he has been mediocre. Btw who stops him from batting up the order? Misbah or Waqar? As far as i see he runs away from taking up responsibility.
 
Last edited:
aukhan said:
[/B]

That was in 2016 and that series was his peak since then he has been mediocre. Btw who stops him from batting up the order? Misbah or Waqar? As far as i see he runs away from taking up responsibility.
Click to expand...

or seniors like malik and hafeez want to bat up the order so he has no choice
 
aukhan said:
[/B]

That was in 2016 and that series was his peak since then he has been mediocre. Btw who stops him from batting up the order? Misbah or Waqar? As far as i see he runs away from taking up responsibility.
Click to expand...

CT Semi Final 2017
NZ ODI 2018

he scored whenever he had the opportunity to do so
 
Mushfiq is better than Sirfraz in all facets of the game barring captaincy at the moment .
 
aukhan said:
In Pakistan team there is always opportunity to score runs even for no.7 batsmen.
Click to expand...

Not true our top 6 batsmen always consume most overs, effectively or not.
Hilarious responses by posters jumping the bandwagon when Mushi is hitting a purple patch and Sarfraz had a bad year, but he has been back with bang. Performed well in test series, and even T20/ODI when he got opportunity to bat for reasonable time.
As I said before even stats are better for Sarfraz in terms of strike rate.
 
PakPremi said:
Not true our top 6 batsmen always consume most overs, effectively or not.
Hilarious responses by posters jumping the bandwagon when Mushi is hitting a purple patch and Sarfraz had a bad year, but he has been back with bang. Performed well in test series, and even T20/ODI when he got opportunity to bat for reasonable time.
As I said before even stats are better for Sarfraz in terms of strike rate.
Click to expand...

Good post

First sane post here on this thread
 
Sarfarz has some crunch innings under his builtblioe Asia cup 2012, wc2015 and CT 2017 but musfiq is far better bat in any format . This is no brainer.
 
DRsohail said:
Sarfarz has some crunch innings under his builtblioe Asia cup 2012, wc2015 and CT 2017 but musfiq is far better bat in any format . This is no brainer.
Click to expand...

Disagree even though I am no specific fan of Sarfraz. Forms come and go, sarfraz having to bat under same conditions as Mushafiq does would perform similarly, given same batting time available to him . The only weakness compare to Rahim would be maybe big hitting, but Sarfraz still has maintained better strike rate than Rahim.
This thread should be bumped if Rahim has difference of 10 in average and strike rate, till then there is no basis.
 
Mushfiq (doesn't keep regularly anymore) in bilaterals and Sahara cups, Sarfraz in world cups and Champions trophy ;)
 
SarfiBabarHaris said:
Mushfiq (doesn't keep regularly anymore) in bilaterals and Sahara cups, Sarfraz in world cups and Champions trophy ;)
Click to expand...

So we are comparing a wicketkeeper and captainin 3 formats with irregular keeper. Lol
If Sarfraz has all their responsibility taken off him he would average a lot higher in ODI and Tests.
 
Hawkeye said:
He has played some very good Test knocks. Fast pace.

But in ODIs.. struggling to think of any.
Click to expand...

The high octane 90-odd vs England in England in that chase of 302 back in 2016 was probably one of his best. Also, a hundred earlier in that same series where he carried the team from 12-3 to decent total was quite excellent as well. If that series is anything to go by, for him to prominently feature in the scorecard it is imperative he comes in at five. Although the issue with that is that we have a few players (Haris and Malik) that not only are essential to the team but also have to be slotted in above Sarfraz, thereby pushing him to spot where he won't be as impactful. Fortunately for us, Haris and Malik are quality as well.
 
OP sahib is a known hater of Sarfaraz for non-cricketing reasons.


I wonder why he didn't bring the test stats of both players when he is on record here saying several times that tests are ultimate format (only when he is degrading Pakistan's T20 record breaking win streak).


I know why OP sahib didn't bring test record of both players, its because Sarf has a test average of 39 and SR of 71, while Rahim has an average of 35 and SR of 47.
 
Mushfique is better. Lovely batsman to watch with good strokeplay and timing.
 
DRsohail said:
Sarfarz has some crunch innings under his builtblioe Asia cup 2012, wc2015 and CT 2017 but musfiq is far better bat in any format . This is no brainer.
Click to expand...

Nah, if anything Sarfraz is miles better in tests. He averages 40 compared to Mush's 35.
 
introvert said:
Mushfique is better. Lovely batsman to watch with good strokeplay and timing.
Click to expand...

Test strike rate says otherwise and ODI strike rate is inferior to Sarfraz. Not degrading M R but there really is not much difference between the two in ODI and in tests Sarfraz is much better.
 
PakPremi said:
Test strike rate says otherwise and ODI strike rate is inferior to Sarfraz. Not degrading M R but there really is not much difference between the two in ODI and in tests Sarfraz is much better.
Click to expand...

Mushy has played far more match winning innings than Sarfraz.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Executioner said:
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.
Click to expand...

Hate these kind of selective stats but even in those selective stats to purposely make Mushfiq stats look better Sarfraz is not very far behind.
 
Also the reason why I chose stats from 2012 is because that is when sarfaraz started playing. Mushy's stats between 2005-2011 is a bit misleading because he was very young when he debuted and not to mention pitches were less flatter back then.

I think recent stats will give a better picture. Also not forgetting that both players reached their peak post 2012 so it is a very fair comparison.

BTW, I don't know the T20I stats but Mushy has poor performance in T20Is so pretty sure Sarfi has done better
 
Mushfiqar >>>> Sarfraz.

Sarfraz can never be a match winner. Mushfiq is a match winner and can win the match for you in difficult conditions by scoring bulk of the runs.
 
Pakhs said:
Hate these kind of selective stats but even in those selective stats to purposely make Mushfiq stats look better Sarfraz is not very far behind.
Click to expand...

If you are going to talk about overall career you have to consider that Mushy used to average below 30 in tests but Mushy was pretty young. Do you think Sarfaraz could have done much better?

I am not denying that Sarfaraz could possibly have been a better test player than Mushy. I am just making the comparison much fairer.
 
Executioner said:
If you are going to talk about overall career you have to consider that Mushy used to average below 30 in tests but Mushy was pretty young. Do you think Sarfaraz could have done much better?

I am not denying that Sarfaraz could possibly have been a better test player than Mushy. I am just making the comparison much fairer.
Click to expand...

No it doesnt work like that! if two people have played long enough and in this case both have then we compare their overall careers. Now you can say only this half of Mushfiq is better than sarfraz but overall sarfraz has been more consistent or whatever that would be a different topic.
 
PakPremi said:
So we are comparing a wicketkeeper and captainin 3 formats with irregular keeper. Lol
If Sarfraz has all their responsibility taken off him he would average a lot higher in ODI and Tests.
Click to expand...

if he wasn't the captain he wouldn't be in the team right now..
I guess lot of of posters trolling here otherwise everyone picks Mushi here..
 
Pakhs said:
No it doesnt work like that! if two people have played long enough and in this case both have then we compare their overall careers. Now you can say only this half of Mushfiq is better than sarfraz but overall sarfraz has been more consistent or whatever that would be a different topic.
Click to expand...

Overall mushy still better than sarfaraz in ODIs. But how would sarfaraz fare between 2005-2011?
 
Smbhayi said:
if he wasn't the captain he wouldn't be in the team right now..
I guess lot of of posters trolling here otherwise everyone picks Mushi here..
Click to expand...
Unfair comparison if ever there was one, one keeps wickets in all format and always other does not.
He is still the best batsmen for wicket keeper in Pakistan so he would definitely be in team for Tests and ODI.
 
Last edited:
Sarfraz would have done well in his younger days too. He has an u-19 world cup under his belt and had an average of 43 in domestics during the time he was not a regular. All signs show he would have done well especially in tests.
 
Lot of posters writing how Mushfique has played 'many' match winning knocks in crucial matches.

I won't say Sarfraz has played many but some on top of my head are:

46* in Asia cup final
100* against Ireland world cup (MOM)
61* against SL in CT knockout (MOM)
49 off 49 against SA in World cup (MOM)

All matches won with a lower bottom ranked team.

These are some fine knocks he played in Global odi tournaments and a 4 team tournament final. Everyone here says bilateral odis don't hold much value and WC and CT are premier odi tournaments but here i guess tournament performances doesn't matter as its Sarfraz. right ?
 
Last edited:
Heisenberg111 said:
Nah, if anything Sarfraz is miles better in tests. He averages 40 compared to Mush's 35.
Click to expand...

I have to see sarfarz scoring double hundred and theen keeping for hours.you have to be special to do that.Srafraz is way behind and going down.I will take mushfiq over our specialist bat forget about his keeping.
 
SarfiBabarHaris said:
Lot of posters writing how Mushfique has played 'many' match winning knocks in crucial matches.

I won't say Sarfraz has played many but some on top of my head are:

46* in Asia cup final
100* against Ireland world cup (MOM)
61* against SL in CT knockout (MOM)
49 off 49 against SA in World cup (MOM)

All matches won with a lower bottom ranked team.

These are some fine knocks he played in Global odi tournaments and a 4 team tournament final. Everyone here says bilateral odis don't hold much value and WC and CT are premier odi tournaments but here i guess tournament performances doesn't matter as its Sarfraz. right ?
Click to expand...

Recently Mushfiq played two top class inings in asia cup.i hope you know.
 
DRsohail said:
Recently Mushfiq played two top class inings in asia cup.i hope you know.
Click to expand...

Yeah i like Mushy he is a much improved batsman.

But its just to show the mirror to few you have always said WCs and CT count the most but will be the first ones to dis Sarfaraz.
 
DRsohail said:
I have to see sarfarz scoring double hundred and theen keeping for hours.you have to be special to do that.Srafraz is way behind and going down.I will take mushfiq over our specialist bat forget about his keeping.
Click to expand...

You would take someone who averages 35 over all our specialist bats ? His aversge is even worse than Sarfraz who is a full time wicket keeper in 3 formats and captain in all 3 - now that takes a special player.
 
PakPremi said:
You would take someone who averages 35 over all our specialist bats ? His aversge is even worse than Sarfraz who is a full time wicket keeper in 3 formats and captain in all 3 - now that takes a special player.
Click to expand...

We have seenour specialist bat.What is hafeez average?? forget about how does he throw? what is malik average?
 
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