Pakistan cricket needs superstars

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

There are none.

Someone who can change the course of a game on his own.

As we have seen in the last few years, if the game is going one way for Pakistan, it just continues that way. This team doesn't have game changers. One can make a case for Yasir, charitably, but only in helpful conditions.

An out and out pacer, a batsman the quality of Miandad/Inzamam, an allrounder who can smash a 100 and take 8 wickets in the game.

Someone who can take match situation, conditions, opposition out of the game.

Someone whom the opposition fear.

The last one I can think of was probably Shoaib at his peak. Or charitably, Inzi in non-Australian conditions. That is more than 10 years ago.

This team may have cohesion, team spirit, rigor, fitness - but star factor? now that's another thing.

Until that happens, forget about winning series overseas, or even those moments of madness that only Pakistan team can produce.

Anyone on the horizon?

 

[Savak]

Afridi was the last super star.

The lack of super stars is Misbah ul Haq's legacy for Pakistan Cricket.

 

[Josh]

Afridi was the last super star.

The lack of super stars is Misbah ul Haq's legacy for Pakistan Cricket.

I am not sure if anyone feared Afridi or made plan against him. He might be a super star off the field but inside the field he was just ordinary.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Hasan Ali has the best shot right now.

 

[Markhor]

We had these superstars and we crashed out of two World Cups at the group stage.

This team without these superstars reached #1 in Test rankings and won Champions Trophy beating India in a final.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

You got rid of the superstar era just recently. And now you want to go back to that system again? Pakistan is doing fine without superstar/senior culture. They are playing well as a team. Also there are no controversies because there is no superstar.

 

[babajee]

We had these superstars and we crashed out of two World Cups at the group stage.

This team without these superstars reached #1 in Test rankings and won Champions Trophy beating India in a final.

And they thrashed England in a test in early season conditions

 

[JaDed]

Amir is a star, the only reason he doesn't get that status is coz his past.

Hasan and Shadab budding stars.

 

[Kroll]

Amir is a star, the only reason he doesn't get that status is coz his past.

Hasan and Shadab budding stars.

It's a fading star as he's been pretty run of the mill. Not been a game changer as the OP requests.

 

[Buffet]

Amir is a star, the only reason he doesn't get that status is coz his past.

I doubt it's the only reason. May be, just may be him being ranked outside of 30 in both formats has something to do with it?

Tell me an another player ranked outside of 30 in both formats and seen as a star in international cricket?

 

[big_gamer007]

Performance wise Saeed Ajmal was a match winner and definition of a superstar based on performances..

 

[Rahul1]

Afridi was the last super star.

The lack of super stars is Misbah ul Haq's legacy for Pakistan Cricket.

Yeah right. Blame Misbah for everything.

 

[babajee]

We’re forgetting someone

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

You got rid of the superstar era just recently. And now you want to go back to that system again? Pakistan is doing fine without superstar/senior culture. They are playing well as a team. Also there are no controversies because there is no superstar.

Cohesion, no controversy. I don't put too much stock by it.

We need to beat teams in their own backyard.

We are not winning tests. We are losing mostly - home and away - except for England.

And when going gets tough, there is no one who can put his hand up and score a hundred or take a fifer.

It's a problem.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Hasan Ali has the best shot right now.

Usually you know if someone is a special talent - a super star. Hasan Ali is good but definitely not going to be a Hadlee. I am looking for those.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

We had these superstars and we crashed out of two World Cups at the group stage.

This team without these superstars reached #1 in Test rankings and won Champions Trophy beating India in a final.

I will take nothing away from those achievements.

But really, those do not make a feared team make. Champions Trophy is one event. No 1 was very short lived and we are at No 7 in no time.

Either we want to make a team that wins consistently home and away or we are happy with crumbs of comfort.

I have more hopes with T20 team. Hope it lasts long but lets see.

 

[Kroll]

Pakistan's already got two superstars - Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal, well they do fancy themselves as one.

 

[Savage]

Usually you know if someone is a special talent - a super star. Hasan Ali is good but definitely not going to be a Hadlee. I am looking for those.

What about Shadab Khan?Can he become genuine world class bowling Allrounder?

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

What about Shadab Khan?Can he become genuine world class bowling Allrounder?

Definitely hope he does. So much promise.

Needs a few match winning performances to stake his case. Especially 4th innings with the ball.

 

[Hawkeye]

Oh yes.

Definitely.

We already have a few super stars: Sarfraz Ahemd, Asad Shafiq.

WHO NEEDS MOAR?!

 

[Xoib]

I get what op is saying.We do need a talisman around whom the team can rally around Asif was probably our last one.Currently there is no one maybe Shadab will in time become one I will take a dark shot and reckon Shaheen Afridi will be one to do it.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Pakistan's already got two superstars - Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal, well they do fancy themselves as one.

Lolz

One is better than Kohli and other one is better than SRT. Superstars, indeed.

On a serious note, looking forward to Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen's test debut.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I doubt it's the only reason. May be, just may be him being ranked outside of 30 in both formats has something to do with it?

Tell me an another player ranked outside of 30 in both formats and seen as a star in international cricket?

Hardik Pandya

 

[shaz619]

Afridi was the last super star.

The lack of super stars is Misbah ul Haq's legacy for Pakistan Cricket.

The logic in itself is beyond moronic, lack of sooperstar is his legacy as if that's a bad thing, give me a bunch of fighting champions then the bunch of cowards who so easily sell themselves and dishonour playing for team green

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I get what op is saying.We do need a talisman around whom the team can rally around Asif was probably our last one.Currently there is no one maybe Shadab will in time become one I will take a dark shot and reckon Shaheen Afridi will be one to do it.

You put it better than I could.

Sort of like a Messi or Ronaldo.

We have had those - wonder why the factory has stopped. We have always managed despite lack of infrastructure.

 

[Lefthanded]

Who cares? As long as we can produce cricketers who can win matches, we don't need a cult of personalities. We had tonnes of them, and they wasted their talent or underachieved or were involved spot/match fixing.

Yes, high performers can be superstars, but Younis or MoYo weren't superstars but they were best batsmen we've produced since Inzi.

 

[moghul]

Afridi was the last super star.

The lack of super stars is Misbah ul Haq's legacy for Pakistan Cricket.

Don;t remind me such a depressing era, plz

 

[moghul]

Hasan Ali has the best shot right now.

Had he been 5 inch taller.

 

[moghul]

Shaheen AFridi is the only hope in next 2-3 years.

 

[Saj]

It doesn't need superstars, it needs winners, mentally tough, technically good cricketers.

 

[Fahdi]

I think Fakhar might be the guy. The guy bats quickly and provides good entertainment so that should please the public and he has a good head on his shoulders. If he keeps going the way he has he will be a star no doubt.

 

[Buffet]

Hardik Pandya

Is he seen as star in international cricket? I don't think so. He is simply a player with potential for now.

 

[Savak]

I am not sure if anyone feared Afridi or made plan against him. He might be a super star off the field but inside the field he was just ordinary.

He wasnt consistent enough to be feared but on his day he would bring the fear of god against the opposition. But he was a superstar in terms of getting eye balls and media interest, tv rights to the team. That cannot be denied

 

[Savak]

Super star dom is not just match winning performances alone, you have to be attractive to sponsors and you have to have a certain Alpha male personality about you off the field as well, something that would make the next generation just look at you and be like I want to be a cricketer

 

[Artaxerxes]

Pakistan needs a good domestic cricket structure ie good coaches and pitches.PCB needs to identify talent at u-17 and u-19 level groom the talented players.We need a few fast bowlers who can consistently bowl over 145kph.PCB should send scouts to KPK,FATA and Pothowar region.

 

[ArsenalFC]

I agree this team needs superstars but all I see with the vast majority of them are timid kittens.

 

[Mr.Q]

In a way, it’s not the team that needs superstars; it’s the fans who need them. There are people who watch cricket just to see Kohli bat. A team might survive and do well without any superstars but it won’t be as popular as a team with star players. The hype just won’t be there.

 

[PakLFC]

I am looking at Babar Azam and even Faheem Ashraf has lots of potential to be superstars

 

[Ab Fan]

Afridi was your last superstar. But I understand you mean superstars like AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli or even Mitchell Starc.

Ofcourse there are players who keep you addicted to the sport because of the sheer entertainment they bring to the game as well as win games consistently for their teams. Pakistan has none as of now. You won't pay to watch anyone bowl. Amir could have come close but you won't glue to TV sets to watch him anymore because of his average performance in last two years.

The one in 2010 could have become a superstar.

 

[Xoib]

Don't underestimate the importance of a superstar. A superstar can inspire others to perform above their abilities Imran regularly got performances of run of the mill cricketers like Saleem Yousuf or Rameez Raja just through mere inspiration however one has to be careful a superstar with a bad attitude can be toxic to the team environment also the superstar culture can breed shooperstars aka Shehzad and Akmal

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Hardik Pandya

The answer to that was shahid afridi.
Hardik isn't considered a star.

 

[todfod 11]

Sharjeel khan would have been one but again as the destiny decided for him. He was the one rivals teams were really getting scared off.
Now a days May be hassan ali and babar azam

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Sharjeel khan would have been one but again as the destiny decided for him. He was the one rivals teams were really getting scared off.
Now a days May be hassan ali and babar azam

Hassan - yes
Babar-never ever.

 

[todfod 11]

any reports on sharjeel khan??

 

[Ami]

Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf...soon

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

There are none.

Someone who can change the course of a game on his own.

As we have seen in the last few years, if the game is going one way for Pakistan, it just continues that way. This team doesn't have game changers. One can make a case for Yasir, charitably, but only in helpful conditions.

An out and out pacer, a batsman the quality of Miandad/Inzamam, an allrounder who can smash a 100 and take 8 wickets in the game.

Someone who can take match situation, conditions, opposition out of the game.

Someone whom the opposition fear.

The last one I can think of was probably Shoaib at his peak. Or charitably, Inzi in non-Australian conditions. That is more than 10 years ago.

This team may have cohesion, team spirit, rigor, fitness - but star factor? now that's another thing.

Until that happens, forget about winning series overseas, or even those moments of madness that only Pakistan team can produce.

Anyone on the horizon?

Hasan Ali
Shadab Khan
Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam

All have high potential

We had so called super stars in the 90s but that team gave nothing in overseas test tours of AUS ENG IND and SA as compared to the team of the 80s because of stable leadership.

Leadership>>>>>Superstars

 

[Arham_PakFan]

any reports on sharjeel khan??

His ban ends after the WC next year.

 

[Markhor]

Most of you are just describing good cricketers, which by definition every team in the world wants more of.

These cliches like "aggression", "alpha male" and "instilling fear in the opposition" are meaningless buzzwords without the skills and ability to back it up. See Wahab Riaz's career.

I'm also sick of this nonsense about the players being too "timid" - what does that even mean ? Do you want us to sledge more ? Is timidity really the reason why we can't play the moving ball in the North of England ?

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Hasan Ali
Shadab Khan
Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam

All have high potential

We had so called super stars in the 90s but that team gave nothing in overseas test tours of AUS ENG IND and SA as compared to the team of the 80s because of stable leadership.

Leadership>>>>>Superstars

You say as if we must choose between leadership and having superstars. Barcelona and Real Madrid have both.

Just because 90s team underachieved is not an argument against having great superstars - iys an argument against poor culture. They will beat the pants off this team 9 out of 10 times with today's culture.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Sharjeel khan would have been one but again as the destiny decided for him. He was the one rivals teams were really getting scared off.
Now a days May be hassan ali and babar azam

Sharjeel could have been, I agree. Scared the opposition no end. What a talent.

 

[ManFan]

Have to agree with the OP.

There has been a lack of players that can get Non-Pakistanis hooked on Pakistan cricket.

But fear none as the last two years has seen a terrific batch of cricketers that have performed beyond expectations.

It’s been the seniors who have been letting the team down time and time again.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Have to agree with the OP.

There has been a lack of players that can get Non-Pakistanis hooked on Pakistan cricket.

But fear none as the last two years has seen a terrific batch of cricketers that have performed beyond expectations.

It’s been the seniors who have been letting the team down time and time again.

Pakistan has to more decisive against non performers - seniors or not.

 

[ManFan]

Pakistan has to more decisive against non performers - seniors or not.

The problem is one batch has one or two bad games in between the good performances while the other have one or two good games in between the bad performances.

One group have ample time to improve and the other have ample time to decline.

No prizes guessing which is which.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

You say as if we must choose between leadership and having superstars. Barcelona and Real Madrid have both.

Just because 90s team underachieved is not an argument against having great superstars - iys an argument against poor culture. They will beat the pants off this team 9 out of 10 times with today's culture.

That team lost to Zimbabwe in Pakistan and Bangladesh in WC so i would not say they would beat this team 9 out of 10 considering their inconsistency

 

[Usman Chadda]

The 90s cricketers did not become stars overnight. Afridi, the last superstar, was seen and even treated by the team as a joke eight years into his career. Most people here are too young to remember the period before Woolmer, where no one took him even remotely seriously. Saqlain, Anwar and Mahmood were superstars without the 'in-your-face' attitudes. Same goes Rashid Latif to a certain extent. It took them time to establish themselves in world cricket and to invoke that flair. Give this young bunch time, they do have the X factor about them.

Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Amir, Usman Shenwari, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf and even Hussain Talat have a certain swagger about them.

 

[Saj]

Superstars fight with each other.

Non superstars fight for the team.

I prefer the latter.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Superstars fight with each other.

Non superstars fight for the team.

I prefer the latter.

It's not a rule Super Stars must fight. Look at Aussie cricket team of the late 90s or Windies of the 70's.

And even if they do, take Miandad and Imran in the same team - how did that hurt the team?

I think 90s Pakistan team has left too many scars!

 

[Hawkeye]

I'm also sick of this nonsense about the players being too "timid" - what does that even mean ? Do you want us to sledge more ? Is timidity really the reason why we can't play the moving ball in the North of England ?

A timid person is what Asad Shafiq is. You don't want such cricketers. Even though he has some technical ability, but will never be able to perform properly due to that timidness.

 

[Savak]

Superstars fight with each other.

Non superstars fight for the team.

I prefer the latter.

Didn't see any fight for Pakistan from Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq in England

 

[Savak]

The 90s cricketers did not become stars overnight. Afridi, the last superstar, was seen and even treated by the team as a joke eight years into his career. Most people here are too young to remember the period before Woolmer, where no one took him even remotely seriously. Saqlain, Anwar and Mahmood were superstars without the 'in-your-face' attitudes. Same goes Rashid Latif to a certain extent. It took them time to establish themselves in world cricket and to invoke that flair. Give this young bunch time, they do have the X factor about them.

Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Amir, Usman Shenwari, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf and even Hussain Talat have a certain swagger about them.

Wasim took Shoaib under his wings in 1999 and made him a super star and he never looked back since then

 

[Usman Chadda]

Wasim took Shoaib under his wings in 1999 and made him a super star and he never looked back since then

If I remember correctly, wasn't Wasim against an Akhtar debut vs Australia in 1998? The 90s was a weird bunch of personalities to be honest. Ticking time bombs in that dressing room.

Akhtar always had the aggressive 'superstar' attitude. His in-your-face dismissal of Kallis in the 2nd Test (I think) in 1998 is a small example.

 

[Hasan123]

You people do know you can produce superstars who don't cause issues in the dressing room ) ? Most top players in sports are humble.

Nothing wrong with OP wanting a higher quality of player.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Need a playboy captain.

Imran Khans footprint created an entire generation of superstars.

 

[Majid Khan]

Agree, need to bring back Hafeez as he is a crowd puller and main attraction for even neutrals, such is his presence at the crease.. especially if the wicket is Jo'burg and the bowler is Steyn, cricket just does not get any better. Like Lara v Wasim, Tendulkar V Warne, Hafeez v Steyn was one of the memorable duels of the modern era.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Agree, need to bring back Hafeez as he is a crowd puller and main attraction for even neutrals, such is his presence at the crease.. especially if the wicket is Jo'burg and the bowler is Steyn, cricket just does not get any better. Like Lara v Wasim, Tendulkar V Warne, Hafeez v Steyn was one of the memorable duels of the modern era.

No it wasn't. It was a one sided affair between a hack and ATG.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

You people do know you can produce superstars who don't cause issues in the dressing room ) ? Most top players in sports are humble.

Nothing wrong with OP wanting a higher quality of player.

My problem with this Pakistan team is all the hype about their promise. Enough about promise - when will we ever start winning series away from home consistently?

Unless Pakistan unearths couple of super stars, we will be happy with one off win like the one against England - after catching them on the wrong side of conditions.

At the top level, tean environment, board, facilities, coaches and suppoting cast of good players is all there - time for the lead actor to emerge and drag this team to the top.

 

[Hasan123]

My problem with this Pakistan team is all the hype about their promise. Enough about promise - when will we ever start winning series away from home consistently?

Unless Pakistan unearths couple of super stars, we will be happy with one off win like the one against England - after catching them on the wrong side of conditions.

At the top level, tean environment, board, facilities, coaches and suppoting cast of good players is all there - time for the lead actor to emerge and drag this team to the top.

We need some superstar batsmen. Sick of these tuk tuk players we are producing.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Amir is still a super star.

 

[Saj]

Didn't see any fight for Pakistan from Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq in England

Players have good and bad series, just like the 'superstars' of the past did. In fact some of those superstars were found wanting when the team really needed them the most.

 

[Rana786]

Hassan ali is a superstar as well as shadab, fakhar and rana jee

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan needs a captain who is young, a top player in his position, has good communication skills, looks good and has charisma. A crowd-puller not only because of his performance but also because of his persona.

The fact that someone like Sarfraz is our leader today sums up how much Pakistan cricket has fallen behind. He is an average player with no global standing, no personality and no communication skills.

Pakistan cricket is in dire need of an Imran or Kohli type character.

 

[za1ntc]

Pakistan needs a captain who is young, a top player in his position, has good communication skills, looks good and has charisma. A crowd-puller not only because of his performance but also because of his persona.

The fact that someone like Sarfraz is our leader today sums up how much Pakistan cricket has fallen behind. He is an average player with no global standing, no personality and no communication skills.

Pakistan cricket is in dire need of an Imran or Kohli type character.

I believe Shadab Khan has what it takes to become this type of character. No one else comes close, other than maybe Hasan Ali but he is probably a little too immature.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Hassan ali is a superstar as well as shadab, fakhar and rana jee

He is a very good bowler at the moment.

Not sure he is making batsmen quake in their boots when he comes on - the way a Rashid Khan or a (not long ago) Steyn would do?

He changed the course of 1st innings at Lord's. Has done amazingly well in LOIs. Hope he pulls of a few more such acts.

 

[Saj]

Hassan ali is a superstar as well as shadab, fakhar and rana jee

Nowhere near being superstars.

They might be one day, but at the moment they are young lads making their way in international cricket.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Pakistan needs a captain who is young, a top player in his position, has good communication skills, looks good and has charisma. A crowd-puller not only because of his performance but also because of his persona.

The fact that someone like Sarfraz is our leader today sums up how much Pakistan cricket has fallen behind. He is an average player with no global standing, no personality and no communication skills.

Pakistan cricket is in dire need of an Imran or Kohli type character.

I agree with that. Sarfaraz cannot change the course of a game with the sheer force of his personality the way Imran or Kohli could.

Question is: Why is our domestic cricket producing either Sarfaraz-type characters who are good only in certain situations or nice, fun loving characters?

This is not to be disrespectful to Sarfaraz and his achievements at all - which are considerable.

But where are the mavericks?

 

[Usman Chadda]

Lol Indian fans bash Kohli for his poor captaincy and here we have insecure Pakistan fans elevating him to Imran's level

Tum logon ka Allah hi haafiz hai

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Lol Indian fans bash Kohli for his poor captaincy and here we have insecure Pakistan fans elevating him to Imran's level

Tum logon ka Allah hi haafiz hai

Kohli is a very good captain. Look at the number of series consecutively he has won. Look at where his team stands in all rankings.

Even in SA, his team went toe to toe with opposition in alien conditions.

I do understand he makes some mistakes but to call him poor captain belies basic understanding of cricket.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Kohli is a very good captain. Look at the number of series consecutively he has won. Look at where his team stands in all rankings.

Even in SA, his team went toe to toe with opposition in alien conditions.

I do understand he makes some mistakes but to call him poor captain belies basic understanding of cricket.

Thats a different point of view, if ever there was one. Kohli was ripped to shreds by the Indian contingent on this forum for his captaincy in South Africa. I didn't really watch it up close, but surely he wouldn't have alienated most of his fans here based on a mistake here and there?

 

[Mamoon]

Lol Indian fans bash Kohli for his poor captaincy and here we have insecure Pakistan fans elevating him to Imran's level

Tum logon ka Allah hi haafiz hai

No one is talking about Kohli's tactics here. For all we know, Sarfraz might be a better tactician than him, but having a figure like Kohli would be massive for Pakistan cricket.

 

[Usman Chadda]

No one is talking about Kohli's tactics here. For all we know, Sarfraz might be a better tactician than him, but having a figure like Kohli would be massive for Pakistan cricket.

What good did a figure like Wasim Akram do for Pakistan cricket?