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Pakistan's second Test opener along with Azhar Ali?

Pakistan's second Test opener along with Azhar Ali?

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QalandarFan

QalandarFan

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Well with the recently concluded Test Series of the WI I think it is fair to say Shan Masood and Ahmed Shehzad should be no where near the team.

So heading forward we need a reliable opener along with Azhar to confirm a good platform is set. Now for me looking at this we have to options.

1. Select an attritional opener who will grind through the tough phase and see through the new ball. With this we can expect to be about ~ 65/0 at the end of the first session. (Considering a full 30 overs have been bowled in the session and no wickets are lost)

The best play for this option would be Sami Aslam who has proven in tough condition's, barring Australia (It was his first tour to Aus and he is just a young kid) he knows how to fight things out. Him and Azhar start off quite similar but once they get set Azhar has just gone and feasted on teams, while Sami has given his wicket away, but with experience he will learn how to score bigger.

2. Select and explosive opener who can compliment Ahzar as he will go out to score and make the opposition worry. With this kind of opener we can expect 100/0 by lunch on a good day. (Considering full 30 overs have been bowled in the session and no wickets are lost)

Now this type of a strategy may be risky business but it's benefits are far greater than an attritional cricketer. Just take a look at what Warner does for Australia. Now this idea could back fire as well as we could have the opener back in the hut after the first over. So the best option imo for this type of opener is Fakhar Zaman. He has done well in FC and has a 40+ average at a SR of 65. Fakhar could be a great opener for Pakistan.

So taking this into account I feel both Sami and Fakhar should be selected but Fakhar should start off as he is a much more dynamic and versatile cricketer therefore we must take the risk and hope it pays off. If it does then we could have one of the best opening partnerships in test cricket right now.

Thoughts?
 
What's wrong with A.Shehzad in tests?
Btw, Sami's also fine but he's bit too slow.
 
zyrus said:
What's wrong with A.Shehzad in tests?
Btw, Sami's also fine but he's bit too slow.
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Weak against lateral movement, weak against bounce and weak outside the off stump; there's no reason to settle for mediocrity when there are better viable options available.

Fakhar is no test batsman and up until Sami installs some intent in his batting he shouldn't be anywhere near the test team.
 
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If you want to destroy Fakhar then make him open in tests. Sami Aslam seems like the best option, however, he has no second gear. Seems like a nightwatchman who is just hell-bent on surviving rather than a proper batsman. Despite all of that he still wipes the floor with Shehzad.
 
Ahmed Shehzad and Shan Masood should be nowhere near the team. I'd prefer them to quit playing cricket overall because of their mediocrity and the superior options we possess. Sami Aslam is the perfect candidate for the opener spot, followed by Imam Ul Haq.

Bringing Fakhar Zaman into the the Test side would be one of the worst things to do because I'm a firm believer of the fact that we need different players for different formats. I was against Sharjeel Khan being brought into the Test side too but to play with Zaman's career when he is our only batsman who's looked convincing post-Sharjeel will be a mistake.
 
PakSarZameen said:
Shahzad needs a proper go in tests. At least another series.
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No. They only reason he has a somewhat good record in Tests is because he played most of his cricket on placid tracks that offered no spin or movement - absolute batting paradises.

Shehzad has no technique versus the moving ball and is a mental midget therefore succumbs to pressure so won't be of any aid, especially when there's a Test to save. We have better options and we're better off without a narcissist.
 
This myth that shehzad is a good test batsman needs to be busted. He's mediocre as it gets
 
Sharjeel should open with azhar in tests if he is cleared. Sami should be in the test squad but he needs to show some intent
 
Sami should open with Azhar for now. But he must show intent. I have said many times before test cricket isn't about blocking every ball. It's fine to see of the new ball but he must improve his strike rate after that and put the bad balls away.
 
Hasan123 said:
Sami should open with Azhar for now. But he must show intent. I have said many times before test cricket isn't about blocking every ball. It's fine to see of the new ball but he must improve his strike rate after that and put the bad balls away.
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Exactly. I completely agree with you but I dont understand why there is the notion that Sami Aslam blocks every ball in Test cricket. he made his debut at only 19 and hasn't really been given the confidence a potential world class talent needs. The entire world was singing his praises after his marathon efforts in England when he was only making his debut.

Sami is a real talent and we need to invest in him further. He's shown in the recent Pakistan cup that he had the potential to bat quicker and has the other gears. He is a future candidate for the ODI spot. We really need to give him as much confidence as he needs because trust me, he's one of the best guys we have. Best opener in Pakistan after Azhar but more talented.
 
Should be a leftie ..almost every team has left/right combination , sami aslam in my opinion is the right choice.
 
Sami Aslam,who should show a bit more intent

Imam-ul-Haq should be the second choice and third choice should be Sharjeel,if he is cleared.
 
aliasad1998 said:
This myth that shehzad is a good test batsman needs to be busted. He's mediocre as it gets
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It's a strange world where Shezhad goes from being considered a specialist LOI player to being a test batsmen.

He didn't do much in the series against Windies and for me I think there are better options in tests (Sami Aslam for starters). That said, Shehzad has just been recalled and I don't think it is healthy for the general team culture to keep chopping and changing after one series. With that in mind, I imagine he will be part of the next test squad.
 
ExpressPacer said:
but I dont understand why there is the notion that Sami Aslam blocks every ball in Test cricket.
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I agree with most of what you have said in your post regarding Sami Aslam. The only thing I would pick up on is that Sami did have a tendency to get bogged down when batting in tests which is why he has a strike-rate of 38.82. Towards the later series, he seemed to adopt a bunker mentality, and looked to survive rather than score. I agree he is a real talent and PCT need to invest in him, but he does need to work on his strike rate in tests. He is 21 and has already shown a lot of promise- here's hoping he is given the support he needs.
 
Ellipsism said:
Weak against lateral movement, weak against bounce and weak outside the off stump; there's no reason to settle for mediocrity when there are better viable options available.

Fakhar is no test batsman and up until Sami installs some intent in his batting he shouldn't be anywhere near the test team.
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Shehzad even with so many " wesknesses " has scored 3 tons and 4, 50s in only 13 tests, not bad for a 25 year old.
 
Time for Sami to be brought back. We'll have the most defensive opening combo in the world but at least we'll all be surprised if we ever lose a wicket before 40-50 runs are on the board.
 
I forget, did Shehzad get to bat in the Caribbean tests? He's a far better test batsman than ODI batsman so I'd have him as the back-up opener in the squad. Only 25 years old and has plenty of room to improve.
 
Ahmed Shehzad was exposed against lateral movement in Sri Lanka two summers ago against Dhammika Prasad. His footwork is static and lacks discipline against balls outside-off so how does anyone think he can open in Tests given we tour England next May and South Africa next winter ?

Shehzad's one innings of note in the Caribbean was full of lucky breaks. Enough is enough.

Sami Aslam is the best option, I don't know why he's been so defensive in Tests given he's much more fluent in domestic but he is still very young and had a tough set of tours last year.
 
Bilal7 said:
I forget, did Shehzad get to bat in the Caribbean tests? He's a far better test batsman than ODI batsman so I'd have him as the back-up opener in the squad. Only 25 years old and has plenty of room to improve.
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He played in the first two tests, scored one fifty is his four innings. Went back home before the third test because his mum was ill and his wife had a baby.
 
Bilal7 said:
I forget, did Shehzad get to bat in the Caribbean tests? He's a far better test batsman than ODI batsman so I'd have him as the back-up opener in the squad. Only 25 years old and has plenty of room to improve.
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mak36 said:
He played in the first two tests, scored one fifty is his four innings. Went back home before the third test because his mum was ill and his wife had a baby.
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To follow up: he scored 121 runs in his 4 innings- 70 of those in one innings- averaging 30.25 at a strike rate of 39.03. Draw your own conclusions.
 
Ellipsism said:
Weak against lateral movement, weak against bounce and weak outside the off stump; there's no reason to settle for mediocrity when there are better viable options available.

Fakhar is no test batsman and up until Sami installs some intent in his batting he shouldn't be anywhere near the test team.
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Apart from Azhar, none of our batsman is capable enough to resist lateral movement.
What other better options do you think we got apart from Sami and Shahzad?
 
Sami does not have what it takes to be a modern day opening batsmen. The second opener should be Fakhar Zaman. He can attack and score quickly.
 
ExpressPacer said:
No. They only reason he has a somewhat good record in Tests is because he played most of his cricket on placid tracks that offered no spin or movement - absolute batting paradises.

Shehzad has no technique versus the moving ball and is a mental midget therefore succumbs to pressure so won't be of any aid, especially when there's a Test to save. We have better options and we're better off without a narcissist.
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yep his centuries against AUS and NZ came in innings where we put up 600 run totals. Lol there was this innings against Aus where 5 of the 6 batsmen who came in scored centuries.
 
Slog said:
yep his centuries against AUS and NZ came in innings where we put up 600 run totals. Lol there was this innings against Aus where 5 of the 6 batsmen who came in scored centuries.
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Exactly. He doesn't have the ability to succeed in international cricket.
 
Sami Aslam, Sharjeel, Fakhar are all far better options that Shehzad

I'd like to give Aslam another chance. He's got a prolific domestic record and it's generally a fairly aggressive opener- unlike what he's shown so far
 
ExpressPacer said:
Exactly. I completely agree with you but I dont understand why there is the notion that Sami Aslam blocks every ball in Test cricket. he made his debut at only 19 and hasn't really been given the confidence a potential world class talent needs. The entire world was singing his praises after his marathon efforts in England when he was only making his debut.

Sami is a real talent and we need to invest in him further. He's shown in the recent Pakistan cup that he had the potential to bat quicker and has the other gears. He is a future candidate for the ODI spot. We really need to give him as much confidence as he needs because trust me, he's one of the best guys we have. Best opener in Pakistan after Azhar but more talented.
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That was because he showed enormous solidity and grit in tough away conditions against Anderson, Broad, Wood and Woakes with the new ball.

But playing with same caution and conservatism against Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins and Alzarri Joseph on the dead flat UAE pitches is not the correct approach
 
mak36 said:
He played in the first two tests, scored one fifty is his four innings. Went back home before the third test because his mum was ill and his wife had a baby.
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That fifty had 4 (or 5) dropped chances.

Out of the four innings he looked poorest and most out of sort in the innings he scored 50 in, ironically enough.
 
Azhar Ali should not open. He should be at number 3

Sami Aslam and Imam-ul-Haq are the best two choices as openers, if one of them fails Azhar can open but we need at least 2 other openers along with AA in a 15 man squad.

Sami Aslam is good, he wasn't great in Australia but that's a hard place to go and he's just a kid. Anyone who can score 82 and 70 in England against the likes of Anderson/Broad/Woakes must have some serious talent and Sami Aslam definitely should never have been dropped.

Imam-ul-Haq has been in good form in domestic cricket and if he is related to Inzamam he must have some good genetics for cricket as well
 
mak36 said:
To follow up: he scored 121 runs in his 4 innings- 70 of those in one innings- averaging 30.25 at a strike rate of 39.03. Draw your own conclusions.
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30 average flatters him. It should have been around 15-20 if not for 4 dropped chances
 
Slog said:
That was because he showed enormous solidity and grit in tough away conditions against Anderson, Broad, Wood and Woakes with the new ball.

But playing with same caution and conservatism against Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins and Alzarri Joseph on the dead flat UAE pitches is not the correct approach
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I agree, he should have been quicker in UAE but if he can do what he did against England he is no bad player. He definitely should be recalled and I think he will be in our next squad. Pakistan Cup showed he does have the ability to accelerate and even against England in the 2nd innings once he was set he was tonking Moeen Ali everywhere
 
Slog said:
30 average flatters him. It should have been around 15-20 if not for 4 dropped chances
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True. Will be interesting to see Mickey's approach with Shehzad- doesn't seem his biggest fan.
 
hadi123 said:
Azhar Ali should not open. He should be at number 3

Sami Aslam and Imam-ul-Haq are the best two choices as openers, if one of them fails Azhar can open but we need at least 2 other openers along with AA in a 15 man squad.

Sami Aslam is good, he wasn't great in Australia but that's a hard place to go and he's just a kid. Anyone who can score 82 and 70 in England against the likes of Anderson/Broad/Woakes must have some serious talent and Sami Aslam definitely should never have been dropped.

Imam-ul-Haq has been in good form in domestic cricket and if he is related to Inzamam he must have some good genetics for cricket as well
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You raise an interesting point. The question of who replaces MisYou depends an awful lot on where Azhar decides to bat. Azhar should be given the choice of either opening or batting in the middle order, and once he makes his decision the management can then make their plans accordingly.
 
We have the ideal test opener in Sami Aslam. Young, good defence, good technique, good temperament. What else do you want for tests? Fakkhar is not a test opener. Groom Sami.......he is ideal for tests.
 
It has to be Fakhar, he has good First Class record and with Azhar Ali at one end we need an opener who can keep scorecard moving.

Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali have same approach and at the moment Azhar Ali should be preferred.

Capture.jpg
 
Why this is even a question?? Sami is far better than anybody else, they could be best opening pair in test within next 2 years, we just have to persist with them, nobody in the world can blunt new ball better than these two.
 
One opening slot is reserved in all formats for Sharjeel. He needs to come back. Period. Azhar should continue to open and Sami should be on the bench.
 
Syed1 said:
If you want to destroy Fakhar then make him open in tests. Sami Aslam seems like the best option, however, he has no second gear. Seems like a nightwatchman who is just hell-bent on surviving rather than a proper batsman. Despite all of that he still wipes the floor with Shehzad.
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That's a big insult on one of the best new ball batsman I have ever seen in green color and I am watching test cricket since 80s. Problem is not only with selectors but avid fans don't understand what is needed at test level. He leaves the ball better than anybody. He has excellent temperament, I would say better than Misbah of playing pace bowling, which is not an easy thing for a Pakistani player, who are brought up on low and slow wickets.

He only struggled in AUS, where nobody has ever succeed from Pakistan. Its harsh to judge him on only that, he was better than every batsmen in England, he literally showed entire lineup how to play in England, late and under the nose, after his first innings at Edgbaston, Pakistan seniors tweak their technique to cope with new ball. On Green wickets of NZ, playing for the first time, he was really good in second test, his 5th day innings for a master class, he only got out when management give him a task of impossible, that was not a fault of 20 years old opener...Rather than giving him confidence he shunt him, which is a big missed opportunity, players like him are the way forward. He will develop more shots in 2 years, but what he had was no less than gold at this age. Keep in mind Cook still does not have all the shots, he never will, openers are not as versatile as #3/#4, because they are first line of defense, their role is different then middle order.
 
Sami Aslam.

To Pak selectors: Please don't remain deaf and dumb as always you are.Select this guy again,give him a continuous run,he will deliver for you inshaAllah.

But as history suggests and according to the low IQ level,Pakistani selectors supposed to select Fakhar Jaman. I hope Injamam proves me wrong.
 
moghul said:
Shehzad even with so many " wesknesses " has scored 3 tons and 4, 50s in only 13 tests, not bad for a 25 year old.
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Sorry my bad, I forgot it takes quality batsmanship to score runs on the pancakes of the UAE.

He has an overseas record of 20 odd and he hasn't stepped foot out of Asia and the Caribbean, that must allude to something, i.e. he is an incapable test opener.
 
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zyrus said:
Apart from Azhar, none of our batsman is capable enough to resist lateral movement.
What other better options do you think we got apart from Sami and Shahzad?
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Imam Ul Haq and Imran Butt, both of whom have represented Pakistan at the A and U-23 level.
 
Pakistan's Test 11. 1) Fakhar Zaman 2) Sami Aslam 3) Azhar Ali 4) Babar Azam 5) Asad Shaqiue 6) Hafeez 7) Sarfraz 8) Aamir 9) Yasir Shah 10) Mohammad Abbas 11) Hasan Ali. Donot dismiss Fakhar just yet, Sehwag, Gilchrist and Gayle have decent Test record.
 
Sarwar89 said:
Pakistan's Test 11. 1) Fakhar Zaman 2) Sami Aslam 3) Azhar Ali 4) Babar Azam 5) Asad Shaqiue 6) Hafeez 7) Sarfraz 8) Aamir 9) Yasir Shah 10) Mohammad Abbas 11) Hasan Ali. Donot dismiss Fakhar just yet, Sehwag, Gilchrist and Gayle have decent Test record.
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WHY in the world would Azhar move back to number 3, when he is probably the best opener in the world right now and averages 55+ at that spot. He has absolutely flourished at that position in the past couple months and is taking into consideration he has not played a single match in Asia since then.

If we look at his stats 2016 - Current as an opener these are his stats.

Matches - 12
Innings - 24
Runs - 1325
Average - 63.09
50's - 5
100's - 4
200+ - 2

Just looking at those numbers it's staggering and if you have seen him open in Australia it is beyond me why you would want to drop him to #3.

As for Hafeez what can I say, we just got rid of two senior players and now you want to bring in an old guy who averages 20 outside of Asia including Zimbabwe where he got his solitary 100 outside Asia. He gets out to anything moving away even slightly away from him even a bit of shape away Professor sahib will find a way to edge. Sorry but I say we start investing in some younger players who are destined to have brighter futures.
 
I personall would have Sami Aslam, due to the fact he knows where his off stump his. Sure people might call him slow, I would call sensible. To get the difficult runs he has made in the past couple of months has been excellent. He really is the opener to open in Test for Pakistan. The only issue I have is Azhar to me is too good to open, I would have him at No.3 with Babar Azam at No.4. Sami for me would likely open with Imam or any other opener who his tailer made of the format.
 
Sami Aslam.

This boy has a bright future specially in longer format.
 
Sami Aslam. Sure he struggled against the Kiwis and the Aussies but so did the rest. I saw him live at Lords and the Oval last year and he batted superbly and according to the match situation. He was one of the main reason why we drew that series...
 
I hereby nominate Azhar's son to be his fellow opener.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Straight bat of Azan <a href="https://t.co/MfOjt9HzO3">pic.twitter.com/MfOjt9HzO3</a></p>— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) <a href="https://twitter.com/AzharAli_/status/883323046978891776">July 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
NeVerMind said:
Sami Aslam. Sure he struggled against the Kiwis and the Aussies but so did the rest. I saw him live at Lords and the Oval last year and he batted superbly and according to the match situation. He was one of the main reason why we drew that series...
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he scored 91 against New Zealand too
 
Abdullah719 said:
I hereby nominate Azhar's son to be his fellow opener.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Straight bat of Azan <a href="https://t.co/MfOjt9HzO3">pic.twitter.com/MfOjt9HzO3</a></p>— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) <a href="https://twitter.com/AzharAli_/status/883323046978891776">July 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Wow,He looks good,Hopefully he will better his father
 
Sami Alam,Is a very good prospect overseas he didn't get completely exposed in Australia just The class of Hazlewood.

I thought Ahmed was a decent batsman,but he had a temperamental problem,now I'm a bit agitated because his technique isn't great and he simply cannot play an Inswinger,Shan Masood a guy that is learning a cut shot in international cricket when my brother that is 11 can play with freedom,The less said about him the better,Mohammed Hafeez isn't an ideal prospect and TBH he will get exposed big time outside Asia,Salman butt is a good option but he is too old.

So for me it's either Sami Aslam or Imam ul Haq
 
Sami Aslam or Fakhar Zaman.

I voted for the latter since I feel we should counter-attack from the go with FZ, and he could be our 'Warner' so to speak.

Of course I would be happy with Sami Aslam, great talent and at a very young age too.

Either one with Azhar would be great. Still - explosive Zaman gets my vote
 
Who should open with Azhar Ali in Tests?

Our test team is very much in a rebuilding period and although people wonder who'll replace Misbah and Younis, another question is who should open with Azhar?

There are a host of options:

- Shan Masood: should we carry on playing him, hoping he'd turn good? Or was that innings of 125 vs Sri Lanka a one-off?
- Ahmed Shehzad: he'll never be in the team nor out of it. He seems more suited to Tests in my opinion, but does he have the temperament to score big? Or will his failure in ODIs/T20s translate into failure in Tests too?
- Fakhar Zaman: he's shown he can do it on the big stage, and has the ability to get us off to a quick start. A Warner-esque opener.
- Babar Azam: an outside option that could work. He's been an opener in domestics before, and could do it again in Tests. This also opens up the middle order for another option while keeping Babar in the team. Although I'd prefer if he was in the middle order.
- Sami Aslam: started his international career pretty well and is still very young. Unfairly exiled you could say, and would be my choice to partner Azhar.

What are your thoughts?
 
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idrizzy said:
Our test team is very much in a rebuilding period and although people wonder who'll replace Misbah and Younis, another question is who should open with Azhar?

There are a host of options:

- Shan Masood: should we carry on playing him, hoping he'd turn good? Or was that innings of 125 vs Sri Lanka a one-off?
- Ahmed Shehzad: he'll never be in the team nor out of it. He seems more suited to Tests in my opinion, but does he have the temperament to score big? Or will his failure in ODIs/T20s translate into failure in Tests too?
- Fakhar Zaman: he's shown he can do it on the big stage, and has the ability to get us off to a quick start. A Warner-esque opener.
- Babar Azam: an outside option that could work. He's been an opener in domestics before, and could do it again in Tests. This also opens up the middle order for another option while keeping Babar in the team. Although I'd prefer if he was in the middle order.
- Sami Aslam: started his international career pretty well and is still very young. Unfairly exiled you could say, and would be my choice to partner Azhar.

What are your thoughts?
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And no Salman Butt option? - Given the fact he's the second best opener in Pak after Azhar.

We all hate him but as mentioned in another thread we need to put the best interests of Pakistan cricket at heart and accept he's served his time...
 
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I don't want Azhar Ali opening.

Finally Pakistan has got rid of the past-their-best has-beens in the middle order, who failed so consistently outside Asia. And this fawning over "seniority" needs to stop before it does any more damage.

There needs to be a clear understanding that Azhar Ali, like Alastair Cook and AB De Villiers - who are the same age - is now into the final one to two years of his international career.

I am not kidding - he might be the best batsman now, but the end is near.

I'd drop Azhar Ali down to number 3 again, with Babar at 4 and Shafiq at 5.

And I want an all-rounder at 6.

The only way Azhar opens for me is if Umar Akmal joins Babar and Shafiq in the middle-order.
 
In my view Azhar ali should move one down. And sami should open with a slightly more free flowing opener.
 
Sami is the most solid opener out of them. Fakhar id keep as LOI specialist for now. let him play his natural game in those formats n then u can transition him into tests if his FC stats are still good. sami just needs to show a lil more intent
 
shehzad is severely overrated in Tests. has done ok on some uae phattas but he is a bunny against a hint of swing seam turn or bounce.
 
1. Sami Aslam
2. Azhar Ali
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Asad Shafiq
5. Haris Sohail
6. Babar Azam
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Amir
9. Hasan Ali
10. Junaid
11. Yasir

Think is probably the best we can go with atm. Bit unsure whether we should include Fakhar or maybe let him focus on LOI but his domestic record and international success deserve it. Clearly looks like an opener who could bat middle order too.

I don't hear many names from domestic, either seem to be too young (and not even domestic to back it up yet) or just not proven. Fawad realistically isn't coming back into the team, not given a D contract even and his domestic numbers aren't as great as they used to be (still aren't exactly bad). Usman Salluhuddin is probably the only other name who again is rather unproven in internationals yet, though I wouldn't mind giving a go. Think PCB will go with the one with international experience, and I'd rather Sami and Fakhar both play than just Fakhar. Think Haris will fail, PCB's reluctance to play him in the CT when we had plenty of straggling players at that point I feel is a bit of an eyeopener, I don't think he's back to full form/fitness according to them. Otherwise I feel they would have taken a shot on him.
 
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Has to be Sami Aslam, the guy came out with head held high after away tours of australia and England.
 
Junaids said:
I don't want Azhar Ali opening.

Finally Pakistan has got rid of the past-their-best has-beens in the middle order, who failed so consistently outside Asia. And this fawning over "seniority" needs to stop before it does any more damage.

There needs to be a clear understanding that Azhar Ali, like Alastair Cook and AB De Villiers - who are the same age - is now into the final one to two years of his international career.

I am not kidding - he might be the best batsman now, but the end is near.

I'd drop Azhar Ali down to number 3 again, with Babar at 4 and Shafiq at 5.

And I want an all-rounder at 6.

The only way Azhar opens for me is if Umar Akmal joins Babar and Shafiq in the middle-order.
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I dont know about others but azhar will play for another 5 years easy.
 
Junaids said:
I don't want Azhar Ali opening.

Finally Pakistan has got rid of the past-their-best has-beens in the middle order, who failed so consistently outside Asia. And this fawning over "seniority" needs to stop before it does any more damage.

There needs to be a clear understanding that Azhar Ali, like Alastair Cook and AB De Villiers - who are the same age - is now into the final one to two years of his international career.

I am not kidding - he might be the best batsman now, but the end is near.

I'd drop Azhar Ali down to number 3 again, with Babar at 4 and Shafiq at 5.

And I want an all-rounder at 6.

The only way Azhar opens for me is if Umar Akmal joins Babar and Shafiq in the middle-order.
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Last 2 years of his career ? Lolwut
 
Junaids said:
I don't want Azhar Ali opening.

Finally Pakistan has got rid of the past-their-best has-beens in the middle order, who failed so consistently outside Asia. And this fawning over "seniority" needs to stop before it does any more damage.

There needs to be a clear understanding that Azhar Ali, like Alastair Cook and AB De Villiers - who are the same age - is now into the final one to two years of his international career.

I am not kidding - he might be the best batsman now, but the end is near.

I'd drop Azhar Ali down to number 3 again, with Babar at 4 and Shafiq at 5.

And I want an all-rounder at 6.

The only way Azhar opens for me is if Umar Akmal joins Babar and Shafiq in the middle-order.
Click to expand...

You said once in between that you are not kidding when you actually are :) or else you don't understand the game.
He looks fitter than ever before and at 32 he has decent amount of time ahead of him.
 
Junaids said:
I don't want Azhar Ali opening.

Finally Pakistan has got rid of the past-their-best has-beens in the middle order, who failed so consistently outside Asia. And this fawning over "seniority" needs to stop before it does any more damage.

There needs to be a clear understanding that Azhar Ali, like Alastair Cook and AB De Villiers - who are the same age - is now into the final one to two years of his international career.

I am not kidding - he might be the best batsman now, but the end is near.

I'd drop Azhar Ali down to number 3 again, with Babar at 4 and Shafiq at 5.

And I want an all-rounder at 6.

The only way Azhar opens for me is if Umar Akmal joins Babar and Shafiq in the middle-order.
Click to expand...

If Cook retires in a couple of years, it will be because he has played 160 or so Tests. That's more than most cricketers.

If de Villiers retires which he probably will, it will be because he can still be a major commodity in T20 leagues. And he has also played 100 Tests and over 400 international games overall.

Azhar has played 60 Tests. And 50 ODIs. And is never going to be a wanted man in T20 leagues. I don't think the comparison works.
 
Abdullah719 said:
If Cook retires in a couple of years, it will be because he has played 160 or so Tests. That's more than most cricketers.

If de Villiers retires which he probably will, it will be because he can still be a major commodity in T20 leagues. And he has also played 100 Tests and over 400 international games overall.

Azhar has played 60 Tests. And 50 ODIs. And is never going to be a wanted man in T20 leagues. I don't think the comparison works.
Click to expand...

Yeah fair enough. That is a good way to explain that if he continues to perform the way he is doing at the moment then there is no reason why he can't play as many test in future as he has uptill now.
 
Ellipsism said:
Why make Sami the scapegoat?
Click to expand...

Sami did well in England & NZ. Failed in Australia but most players did. I think he has the ability to see out the new ball in swinging conditions from what I have seen so far. However he bats way too slowly to be opening in the UAE especially considering that Azhar is the second opener. On the other hand Hafeez is a dominant batsman in the UAE & also provides a good 5th bowling option, but is a sitting duck overseas (and his bowling isn't effective outside of Asia either)
 
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