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[PICTURES] Sarfaraz Ahmed's wicket-keeping skills in decline?

MenInG

MenInG

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Should have been an easy stumping.

WhatsApp Image 2018-10-09 at 09.39.45 (1).jpgWhatsApp Image 2018-10-09 at 09.39.45.jpgWhatsApp Image 2018-10-09 at 09.39.45 (2).jpgWhatsApp Image 2018-10-09 at 09.39.45 (3).jpg
 
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Bad bad miss. He's clearly under a lot of pressure. Failures with bat not helping his case.
 
That's very poor, keepers like dhoni and Sanga would have still removed the bails ..even if at first they failed to collect the ball properly and it fell down on ground.
 
Things like these can happen when the confidience is low. Need to forget this quickly, there will be plenty more chances like this In this match IA.
 
Part of the wicket keepers job is to suggest reviews. He failed that today as well.
 
Specialist captain, doesn’t have to perform with bat and gloves. All the team need is his brains and captaincy skills.
 
Not sure if a technical issue or simply being lazy! But this was as simple as it gets
 
Shouting and screaming at everyone and making basic errors himself.
 
Another missed stumping off the bowling of Bilal Asif.
 
Saved by Bilal Asif but this could have been a crucial miss on some other day!
 
Stewie said:
We may have no other option.. who could replace him?
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If PAK can't replace a bang average WK who is averaging 15ish for last 15ish months with bat from a pool of over 25 registered FC & List A WKs - then I have to say PAK cricket truly has gone to minnow level. Do you realize that among top 12 teams, including IRL & ZIM - he is the worst WK with gloves, then batting like this? Even motu Shahzad is a better WK - doesn't miss regulation stamping.

Replacement can't be found because PCB has made a blunder - appointed a player holding one unique spot (WK) as Captain. Now, dropping him means, PCB will need to appoint a new Captain as well. And, he is batting as such that you can't play him as specialist bat & pick another WK. You can make a specialist batsman as Captain and still hide him among 5 others, you can appoint a bowler as Captain and he can keep him safe by under bowling - but you can't hide WK, which is a solo spot and an essential spot. AB, Sanga, MS, Butler, Mushi, BMac were made Captain as WK, because each one of them were good enough batsman to make the XI purely on batting merit (and not the worst batsman among top 5) - if they struggled with gloves or manage overall work load, it's the misfortune of the 6th batsman, he'll miss out to a specialist WK.

If he wasn't Captain, he would have been dropped by the NZ ODI series - then you could have said there is no back-up, provided that his replacement should also average 15 since then & misses 1-2 regulations often.
 
Clearly feeling the pressure, more of a confidence crisis than technical/fitness reasons. One good score can turn the tide in his favour.
 
MMHS said:
If PAK can't replace a bang average WK who is averaging 15ish for last 15ish months with bat from a pool of over 25 registered FC & List A WKs - then I have to say PAK cricket truly has gone to minnow level. Do you realize that among top 12 teams, including IRL & ZIM - he is the worst WK with gloves, then batting like this? Even motu Shahzad is a better WK - doesn't miss regulation stamping.

Replacement can't be found because PCB has made a blunder - appointed a player holding one unique spot (WK) as Captain. Now, dropping him means, PCB will need to appoint a new Captain as well. And, he is batting as such that you can't play him as specialist bat & pick another WK. You can make a specialist batsman as Captain and still hide him among 5 others, you can appoint a bowler as Captain and he can keep him safe by under bowling - but you can't hide WK, which is a solo spot and an essential spot. AB, Sanga, MS, Butler, Mushi, BMac were made Captain as WK, because each one of them were good enough batsman to make the XI purely on batting merit (and not the worst batsman among top 5) - if they struggled with gloves or manage overall work load, it's the misfortune of the 6th batsman, he'll miss out to a specialist WK.

If he wasn't Captain, he would have been dropped by the NZ ODI series - then you could have said there is no back-up, provided that his replacement should also average 15 since then & misses 1-2 regulations often.
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Very well said, a good post.

It's most likely a case of not "WANTING" to find and give a chance to another keeper.
 
Let me rephrase my statement. If you change him you need a keeper, a batsman (albeit a mediocre one) and a captain. Its a convenient excuse to continue with him but yes in a perfect workd, you need to replace him with someone who is a good wicket keeper batsman because thats what the world of cricket requires now.. a keepr who can also bat. Then we can think of appointing a new captain.

Goingg back to the akmals is not a progressive step.

So my question is, who can replace him as a keeper batsman? Are there any potential replacements in domestic cricket?
 
The more important question is who can captain the side if Sarfraz isn't there ? Will it be Hafeez, Azhar, Asad, Haris, or Babar ? I am afraid none of those look suitable options. This really is a conundrum for the board. Sarfraz really is undroppable based on the pitiful lack of alternative leaders.
 
Captaining and playing in all 3 formats has taken a heavy toll on him. He should've been removed from the test squad a long time ago and removing him from LOis is risky move now considering he's the captain and the WC is less than a year away.
 
Another option is to play him as captain and a dasher at the top opening with fakhar for the world cup. But i do have serious reservations about him continuing to keep wickets.
 
what a take off Abbas standing up to the fast bowler.
 
He was never of international class. PCB, you still have time, although not much before the WC, take the tough decision before its too late.
 
The "who do we replace him with" excuse is really sad, considering same was said when Kami was failing and lo and behold Sarfraz replaced him.

I'm sure we'll be fine with whoever slots in over him. You really don't need much to outperform Sarfraz with bat and gloves at the moment.

It's not like he has some revolutionary captaincy skills either. Guys like Misbah could go into snooze mode mentally and still win tests in UAE, we'll be fine.
 
Last Monetarist said:
The more important question is who can captain the side if Sarfraz isn't there ? Will it be Hafeez, Azhar, Asad, Haris, or Babar ? I am afraid none of those look suitable options. This really is a conundrum for the board. Sarfraz really is undroppable based on the pitiful lack of alternative leaders.
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Sarfraz is a leader? Good joke.
 
This garbage cricketer needs to be dropped immediately.

I said it a year ago that pakistan was winning inspite of Sarfraz not because of him.
 
Did he study at the same school of keeping as that kami???
 
How can he inspire any confidence in his team mates? That was as easy as they come. Who is going to lecture him?
 
Shandarchowka said:
I believe Starc and Sarfraz have had the biggest downfall. They were on top of the world in 2017 after winning Ashes and CT respectively.
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What was Sarfraz contribution in CT? At least Starc has some case regarding downfall. Sarfraz never had any high point. He was always mediocre player and his captaincy was overhyped due to brilliance of Pak team collectively. Even Hafeez smashed a match winning 50 in the final. Things like these don't happen regularly.
 
MRSN said:
What was Sarfraz contribution in CT? At least Starc has some case regarding downfall. Sarfraz never had any high point. He was always mediocre player and his captaincy was overhyped due to brilliance of Pak team collectively. Even Hafeez smashed a match winning 50 in the final. Things like these don't happen regularly.
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EXACTLY - real leaders stand up and take charge with a cool head in a crisis rather than bark brainlessly
 
MRSN said:
What was Sarfraz contribution in CT? At least Starc has some case regarding downfall. Sarfraz never had any high point. He was always mediocre player and his captaincy was overhyped due to brilliance of Pak team collectively. Even Hafeez smashed a match winning 50 in the final. Things like these don't happen regularly.
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Sarfraz was the binding force of the CT team. He exuded energy and was chiefly responsible for team's morale. The win against Sri Lanka where Sarfraz won for us reminded me of our old gritty days...
 
3 format captaincy, as a keeper, with the runs coming - is simply too much to ask IMO.

I don't know how his brain isn't fried. If he is to stay in the side (if there isn't a better keeper/bat) then give the reigns to Babar? who in relative terms, is a dead cert in all 3 formats. Zaman is a secondary option, at least for LOIs...

A batsman captain can at least separate his specialisms, given that bulk of captaincy is done while fielding.

2015-16: Sarfy was a decent keeper to pace, good one to spin, chirpy, and a handy bat that could take the score forward from 7
 
Tbh, Sarfaraz's keeping hasnt been that bad in recent times and by the time Faf's catch came over, lot had happened anyways.
 
His first major mistake in a while. Can't really remember the last time he dropped a dolly.

Wicket-keeping is the least of his worries right now tbh.
 
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MenInG said:
Seems issues persist

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His keeping isn't going to improve at his age
 
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MenInG said:
Seems issues persist

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Basic and simple stumping which should have been easy for him.

Any decent keeper should be taking that comfortably.
 
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It's typical Pakistan. If a player is out of form and needs taking out of the firing line (Rizwan) instead of promoting the next young promising keeper they recycle old has been players who are past it.

You can bet Hasan Ali will be back along with Yasir Shah soon.
 
ssuhaide said:
It's typical Pakistan. If a player is out of form and needs taking out of the firing line (Rizwan) instead of promoting the next young promising keeper they recycle old has been players who are past it.

You can bet Hasan Ali will be back along with Yasir Shah soon.
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I think Kamran Akmal might replace Sarfraz in next test , just to keep everyone happy , that's the goal of new selection committee . Imran Khan Sr might replace Waseem on KP's quota .
 
A straight forward chance but expected from him. Can we get rizwan back please. This easy chance will cost us the game.
 
Whose stumping was it that was missed? I’m hoping it wasn’t a costly mistake, but from the reaction here it sounds like it might have been.

Selecting Sarfraz over Rizwan is shortsighted and will end in tears. Yes Sarfraz batted extremely well in the first innings, but we concluded long ago that Rizwan is a significantly better keeper and batter to Sarfraz. That has not changed, regardless of whether Rizwan has made any runs recently or not. The decision to go back to Sarfraz is a poor one.

I almost feel like the management have purposely selected Mir Hamza and Sarfraz in this game, to prove a point that you may criticise the main team, but the grass is not greener on the other side.
 
Watched the match in glimpses. Did Sarfraz dropped a catch too? Someone mentioned on twitter. Just wanted to confirm.
 
Usman said:
Whose stumping was it that was missed? I’m hoping it wasn’t a costly mistake, but from the reaction here it sounds like it might have been.

Selecting Sarfraz over Rizwan is shortsighted and will end in tears. Yes Sarfraz batted extremely well in the first innings, but we concluded long ago that Rizwan is a significantly better keeper and batter to Sarfraz. That has not changed, regardless of whether Rizwan has made any runs recently or not. The decision to go back to Sarfraz is a poor one.

I almost feel like the management have purposely selected Mir Hamza and Sarfraz in this game, to prove a point that you may criticise the main team, but the grass is not greener on the other side.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't give Afridi this much credit. It is better to select youngsters and loose then to revert back to TTF. Atleast youngsters can learn and improve.

The whole selection has been a farce. Why not try Mohammed Asghar or Kamran Ghulam? We are just wasting the little talent that we have. There is no will to improve the team. This is the real issue. There is no will because the top is not selected adequately themselves.
 
Usman said:
Whose stumping was it that was missed? I’m hoping it wasn’t a costly mistake, but from the reaction here it sounds like it might have been.

Selecting Sarfraz over Rizwan is shortsighted and will end in tears. Yes Sarfraz batted extremely well in the first innings, but we concluded long ago that Rizwan is a significantly better keeper and batter to Sarfraz. That has not changed, regardless of whether Rizwan has made any runs recently or not. The decision to go back to Sarfraz is a poor one.

I almost feel like the management have purposely selected Mir Hamza and Sarfraz in this game, to prove a point that you may criticise the main team, but the grass is not greener on the other side.
Click to expand...

Kane Williamson an easy stumping too which you would except a club 4th 11 keeper to make.
 
Let’s be honest, I don’t think anyone (including the management) were under any illusions that sarfraz will bring better glovework than rizwan.

He brings a fresher batting approach than Rizwan and he might be able to help out babar with tactics because - boy he needs it
 
Rizwan needed a break and so it is ok to give Sarfraz couple of test series. Rizwan will be back after sorting his batting again. As for mis stumping, everyone misses a chance or two.
 
Missed two stumpings, let the match get out of our hands. May be a good player against spin, but his keeping is in decline.
 
Better to play Sarfraz as a specialist batsman and play a young WK to prepare him for future. Dont bring Rizwan back; his red ball career should end; he has sucked enough blood out of Pakistan test team.
 
srh said:
Better to play Sarfraz as a specialist batsman and play a young WK to prepare him for future. Dont bring Rizwan back; his red ball career should end; he has sucked enough blood out of Pakistan test team.
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It depends what Sarfraz is being brought back for. Is it captaincy help for babar, captaincy itself or is it his batting against spin. It certainly can’t be his keeping.

If it is anything to do with the captaincy options above then he would probably have to play as the keeper because that is where he can direct traffic best.
 
Cricket-lion said:
I wouldn't give Afridi this much credit. It is better to select youngsters and loose then to revert back to TTF. Atleast youngsters can learn and improve.

The whole selection has been a farce. Why not try Mohammed Asghar or Kamran Ghulam? We are just wasting the little talent that we have. There is no will to improve the team. This is the real issue. There is no will because the top is not selected adequately themselves.
Click to expand...

I was not suggesting that Afridi should be given any credit. My point was that Afridi and Sethi have walked in and tried to make changes, as if short term plasters are going to heal gaping wounds in the test team. Babar and Saqlain probably thought, you know what, let’s select these other players who people keep talking about as if they are Don Bradman or Courtney Walsh, i.e. let’s select Sarfraz and Mir Hamza, and let’s demonstrate to Afridi, Sethi and the whole world that these guys are no saviours. Let’s prove a point that results don’t change simply if you select the guys on the bench instead.

That is the only reason why anyone would select Sarfraz, who is on his way to retirement, above Rizwan. Even if Rizwan is not performing, there’s just no way you take ten steps back and go back to Sarfraz. Similarly, you don’t select Mir Hamza, who wasn’t in the squad until 2 days before the match, unless you are trying to make a very clear point to the new administration and the World that these guys aren’t better. Had Babar not selected Hamza, and Pakistan had done badly, the world would have said, oh but the messiah Afridi’s selections were not picked for the team. Now Babar will say, I picked your guys and the results are in front of you mate.

PakEngFan said:
Kane Williamson an easy stumping too which you would except a club 4th 11 keeper to make.
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My God that is terrible! Sarfraz needs to go and retire for goodness sake!
 
muqarrab said:
Missed two stumpings, let the match get out of our hands. May be a good player against spin, but his keeping is in decline.
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He was never a particularly good keeper at international level though. Good keepers miss so few chances you actually remember the ones they missed. Sarf missed one or two in most matches.

His batting has just about kept Pakistan in this match, but we can see it was a very easy pitch to bat on (if you don't charge a spinner after a 2 ball sighter).
 
srh said:
Better to play Sarfraz as a specialist batsman and play a young WK to prepare him for future. Dont bring Rizwan back; his red ball career should end; he has sucked enough blood out of Pakistan test team.
Click to expand...

I don’t know about Test but white ball is unbearable
 
The Sarfraz fans deserve this humiliation and also for preferring him over Rohail Nazir in this situation where Pakistan were drugged into dropping Ris
 
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5 penalty runs

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Sarfraz should retire after next test game, he is done. He isn't even appealing for inside edges now lol
 
Has anyone ever seen Sarfaraz field?

Can he not just play as a batsman/captain/fielder?
 
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