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[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Abdul Razzaq - Can anyone match his brilliance?

Sometimes you see players who work very very hard but are not naturally talented (Shiv, Gooch) and sometimes you see players who have an abundance of talent yet don't work hard. (U Akmal, Gower was like that too even though he achieved way more than UA has)

Razzaq was the latter. A guy of his abilities should've retired with stats like Botham, 300 test wickets and 4000+ test runs yet he got lazy felt entitled to be in the team so let fitness go (sound familiar?), began throwing tantrums, and before you know it it was all over. Story of so many of our players.

Was a gun loi finisher with bat and ball. This game with the bat, and the game vs Sri Lanka he tied with the ball singlehandedly when they were cruising to chase an average 230 I think it was.

That's why truly ATG players are ATG, you need a certain mindset to blend talent with hard work and dedication. A growth based mindset.
 
Razzaq was capable of producing a flash of brilliance but nothing more.

Lacked consistency and had poor technique to become a regular Test batsman. His slogging was useful in ODI's but his bowling rapidly declined during the mid-2000's to the extent he was a 6th bowler at best. His hard hitting was just about keeping him in the team but his poor performance in the 2011 WC was the final straw.

As a batsman - he was marginally better than Afridi but as a bowler Afridi was miles better and hence got the preferential treatment from 2009 onwards.
 
Suleiman said:
Sometimes you see players who work very very hard but are not naturally talented (Shiv, Gooch) and sometimes you see players who have an abundance of talent yet don't work hard. (U Akmal, Gower was like that too even though he achieved way more than UA has)

Razzaq was the latter. A guy of his abilities should've retired with stats like Botham, 300 test wickets and 4000+ test runs yet he got lazy felt entitled to be in the team so let fitness go (sound familiar?), began throwing tantrums, and before you know it it was all over. Story of so many of our players.

Was a gun loi finisher with bat and ball. This game with the bat, and the game vs Sri Lanka he tied with the ball singlehandedly when they were cruising to chase an average 230 I think it was.

That's why truly ATG players are ATG, you need a certain mindset to blend talent with hard work and dedication. A growth based mindset.
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No way buddy - his bowling declined to the point where he was a 110-115 kph trundler at best with no swing or seam movement (gun-barrel straight). His hard hitting was the only thing keeping him in the team. Was not a natural fielder either...
 
msb314 said:
No way buddy - his bowling declined to the point where he was a 110-115 kph trundler at best with no swing or seam movement (gun-barrel straight). His hard hitting was the only thing keeping him in the team. Was not a natural fielder either...
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His bowling declined because he stopped working on it. He debuted at 20 and was hitting 140 k and swinging it both ways. Watch how he owned Sachin twice in 2 games in the tri series in Australia.

His poor work ethic played a huge part. You don't just decline like that for no reason.
 
Suleiman said:
His bowling declined because he stopped working on it. He debuted at 20 and was hitting 140 k and swinging it both ways. Watch how he owned Sachin twice in 2 games in the tri series in Australia.

His poor work ethic played a huge part. You don't just decline like that for no reason.
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Hmm but his batting did not decline as dramatically - he was capable of hitting big towards the end of his career (poor work ethic would have impacted his batting too).

I think it was more of a case he was not a natural bowler and hence became a medium pace trundler despite having pace and some swing early on in his career. Maybe he just didn't have the mechanics or the right action for it - not really sure...
 
msb314 said:
Hmm but his batting did not decline as dramatically - he was capable of hitting big towards the end of his career (poor work ethic would have impacted his batting too).

I think it was more of a case he was not a natural bowler and hence became a medium pace trundler despite having pace and some swing early on in his career. Maybe he just didn't have the mechanics or the right action for it - not really sure...
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and it all ended by another Pakistani origin player [Tahir] in the SA ODI. If not for that bowled, his career would have extended by a few more years
 
msb314 said:
Hmm but his batting did not decline as dramatically - he was capable of hitting big towards the end of his career (poor work ethic would have impacted his batting too).

I think it was more of a case he was not a natural bowler and hence became a medium pace trundler despite having pace and some swing early on in his career. Maybe he just didn't have the mechanics or the right action for it - not really sure...
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You have overlooked the possibility that he could have prioritised his batting at the expense of his bowling.
 
simpleton said:
and it all ended by another Pakistani origin player [Tahir] in the SA ODI. If not for that bowled, his career would have extended by a few more years
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Which game are you referring to?
 
mak36 said:
You have overlooked the possibility that he could have prioritised his batting at the expense of his bowling.
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I am not so sure.

I think he was just more of a natural hitter than he was a bowler.
 
msb314 said:
Hmm but his batting did not decline as dramatically - he was capable of hitting big towards the end of his career (poor work ethic would have impacted his batting too).

I think it was more of a case he was not a natural bowler and hence became a medium pace trundler despite having pace and some swing early on in his career. Maybe he just didn't have the mechanics or the right action for it - not really sure...
Click to expand...

Nah he was definitely a natural in bowling, broke through into the team for that purpose, but I think our management didn't use him properly. Never gave him a proper and definitive role until much later.

He was capable of batting higher up the order at 4 or 5 as well, he was more than just a big hitter, was more mature than Afridi. But I guess at the end he didn't care and became a full blown lower order hitter.
 
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Suleiman said:
Nah he was definitely a natural in bowling, broke through into the team for that purpose, but I think our management didn't use him properly. Never gave him a proper and definitive role until much later.

He was capable of batting higher up the order at 4 or 5 as well, he was more than just a big hitter, was more mature than Afridi. But I guess at the end he didn't care and became a full blown lower order hitter.
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its always the management's fault! lol jk

Kidding aside he was used up the order on several occasions as a pinch hitter when we were chasing big totals.

E.g. http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/14934/scorecard/64939/India-vs-Pakistan-2nd-ODI

However, he never got a run of games in that position to determine if he could have been a long term option as a no. 3 or 4 in ODI's. Of course having Inzy, MoYo and an in-form Malik did not help him!
 
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He was a fantastic limited overs A/R, I'd give an arm and leg for an average of 30 with the bat and 32 with the ball in the limited forms any day of the week given how we've not been able to replace a player of his calibre. Razzaq wasn't perfect and he is guilty of a poor work ethic but we took him for granted, he's quiet underrated; he was a lot more consistent then Afridi as well, wouldn't group the two together and their numbers reflect that. It's unfortunate that he didn't excel at the Test level, think he'd do even better in the current era under the current set up in both forms.
 
Suleiman said:
Nah he was definitely a natural in bowling, broke through into the team for that purpose, but I think our management didn't use him properly. Never gave him a proper and definitive role until much later.

He was capable of batting higher up the order at 4 or 5 as well, he was more than just a big hitter, was more mature than Afridi. But I guess at the end he didn't care and became a full blown lower order hitter.
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Razzaq didn't have the technique to play higher up the order against quality pace. In the 1999 WC he was a massive tuk tuk averaging 21 at a SR of 43.

He relied on good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes, with a great ability to clear his front leg and make room to smash the ball. But as he aged and with a poor work ethic - his performances were once in a blue moon.

He was a decent finisher though and we haven't replaced what he did in that role. He added vital balance to the side giving us an extra seamer - we all saw his impact in the 2009 WT20. After 2002, his bowling lacked the pace and zip he had before.

He underachieved after showing great potential early in his career. His poor fitness and attitude meant he played his final ODI at a relatively young age of 31 when he could've had another World Cup in him.
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> 2000. Abdul Razzaq at his best with 70 not out off 52 balls and 5-48 as Pakistan beat India by 32 runs in Hobart <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/tHZcurGMeq">pic.twitter.com/tHZcurGMeq</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1219691257133441025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Abdul Razzaq at his best - move that left leg out of the way and smash it <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/fJUv31BPSr">pic.twitter.com/fJUv31BPSr</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1252627785673330689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
From the time I watched him (in 2010 to 2011) - the only good innings I remember is the 109* vs SA. I remember him being useless in WC 2011 .

But he seems like a brilliant player but unfortunately before my time watching cricket began.
 
Razzaq got lazier and lazier when Azhar Mahmood was no longer in the reckoning for continuous selection in the side. There was no competition for his spot in the team
 
Lovely striker of the ball.

The biggest problem was that he got complacent and a bit lazy especially when his friend(s) were captain and he knew he would get picked.
 
Razaaq's issue was that he because very inconsistent with the ball and that was due to fitness issues. Had he managed to excel with the ball he would've gone a long long way to provide balance to the Pakistan team.
 
Amazing cricketer. We were never out of the game as long as Razzaq was there. Should have focused on his T20 batting and he would have been big money the way Shane Watson is today.

Razzaq, Afridi and Akhtar were the main reason why I would do anything to just watch a Pakistan match!
 
Pakistan’s most explosive XI ever:

Nazir
Sharjeel
Kamran
Afridi
Razzaq
Umar
Wasim Akram (c)
Malik
Hassan Ali
Wahab Riaz
Shoaib Akhtar
 
This is the greatest odi innings of all time. I do not make that statement lightly nor do I say it because the batsman is Pakistani.

Razzaq came into bat when all hope was lost. We were sliding to an inevitable loss and it was just a matter of when not if. South Africa had been winning everything under the sun and it seemed clear that they were simply too good for us. Razzaq made the impossible possible that day. He walked in with the tail behind him and did what no one thought could be done.

I have followed cricket for a long time and have seen some great comebacks. Never have I seen a comeback as good as this.

Anyone who has not seen the full highlights of the match in the opening post, I would highly recommend that you watch it. Great memories!
 
Razzaq is an epitome of the Pakistani players who debuted after 1992 World Cup. Lot of flashes in the pan but sadly none of these players turned out to be ATG. When he started he can bat in top three and could bowl first change. Could bat a session and could slog it out of the park. Had a poor work ethic and fitness though.

Had a poor 2003 World Cup and could not reach the same heights again. And does not matter how many such innings he plays in JAMODI's, he got bowled by Munaf Patel of all people in 2011 SF. Even the series that is being talked about here, Pakistan lost the series. So except for first two three years of his career, he is an underachiever. And just like every Pakistani player, has an IQ of an elephant. Remember how he claimed that he can solve all the problems of Hardik Pandya.
 
Razzaq was probably the greatest all round talent of his generation when he burst onto the scene in his late teens

Over the next 2-3 years he became a 85mph first change bowler who could finish odi innings with superb lower order hitting -he added superb depth and match winning ability to the pakistan team

By 2002 he was avging early 20s with the ball after 60 odd games and bowled with pace and reverse swing

With the bat at this time he was one dimensional - but a game changer who could easily give you a quickfire 50 with superb hitting to end the innings on a high His fielding remained very avge throughout his career and he was one of a number of players wherever possible youd look to assign as far away from the action as possible

He had all this output by his early 20s The future looked very bright around 2002

Sadly after his early promise he didnt continue to work hard and his bowling in particular regressed alarmingly

His pace started to fall away year on year and he ended up becoming a medium pacer bowling 75-80mph bowling a handful of overs towards the end of his career His bolwing avged ballooned from here on in

His batting though continued to be effective he played some superb knocks over the years helping win many games and became known as a excellent odi finisher He was a great addition to the 2009 t20 world cup and was instumental in helpin win the trophy

However his batting never quite kicked on to the next level - he was great in coming in and applying the finishing touches to an innings with his hitting but never became the polished mid order batsmen who could play according to the situation It didnt help that he was always very avge against spin and the opposition knew that and tried to exploit it whenever they could

He played more tests than he shouldve in the mid 2000s with very average returns The format also seemed to confuse his batting where on many occasions he inexplicably blocked away at single digit strike rates to the oppositions delight Although one innings against india does stand out together with kamran akmal he was part of a great rearguard effort that helped save a lost test on the last day

In summary Razzaq was a quintesential pakistan player of the 90s - early 2000s A superb talent and mstch winner he could pull the bunny out of a hat Full of flair and natural ability He was a vital cog of the odi team for many years

Post 2002 youd have expected him to work hard and kick on to become a great all rounder in all formats but sadly that didnt happen

His poor lethargic nature coupled with a poor work effort meant he became complacent and his career ended in his early 30s

Razzaq has left some superb memories of dashing stroke player and match winning innings coupled with effective medium pace bowling but you cant help but think hes another of that generation who shouldve been a lot more
 
simpleton said:
Sadly his last 4 years of playing life got wasted due him not being picked up in squad
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And rightly so:

No fielding.
No fitness.
Poor attitude.
Lost his pace.
Delivers once in every 20 games.

Got a duck in his last game in 2013. Rightly left out after that. Shouldn't even have been picked for the 2013 T20 series vs SA.
 
Afridi was one guy that could not only match but surpass also.
 
He's not a role model AR and wasn't a great one either. During his time, it was Flintoff all the way and now everyone raves about Ben Stokes.

Razzaq never was at the level of either of them.

He was a capable of lower order slogger and someone who could fill up the shoes of a 5th pacer in an average team with no trophy / test dominance ambitions.

As a player Razzaq could not have made any major team in his era.

It's ok people are emotional about some players. Razzaq for all his flaws was one of the exciting players to watch in a dull and ordinary Pakistan team of late 2000s/early 2010s
 
Great ODI all rounder, better than Afridi.

Bits and pieces in tests.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> in 2000. Abdul Razzaq scored 70 off 52 balls & took 5 for 48 as Pakistan beat India by 32 runs in the Carlton & United Series one-day match in Hobart <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hf5crnEego">pic.twitter.com/Hf5crnEego</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1616764791602950144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
We've not had a player like him for a while.

Fake pace-bowling all rounders in Pakistan in recent times not fit to clean Razzaq's boots.
 
He had played some outstanding innings but he was way too much overrated , very inconsistent and his bowling lacked any bite after he turned "25".
 
If Razzaq was not declined as a bowler then he could have been the best allrounder ever for pakistan after Imran Khan. Excellent bowler during the peak of his career and undoubtedly the most explosive batter in death overs pakistan has ever produced.
 
Like many Pakistani players he had all the talent (at his peak would open the bowling and destroy the best down the order) but lacked the work ethic, still, one of our very best ODI allrounders (perhaps the best just after Khan/Afridi), averaging around 30 with both bat and bowling isn't that bad, probably says a lot about our standards.

Goes without saying that he remains superior to all the fast-bowling "allrounders" (who either can't bowl or bat or both) who came after him.
 
Over all Azhar Mehmood was a better all rounder over all three format, particularly in tests , and in Razzaq's later years Yaser Arfat was better than him but Razzaq was kept in the team and Yaser suffered due to the repuation Razzaq carried , he was overrated .
 
very good player, but unfortunately one in a long line of players who entered international cricket with a bang and then just never improved.

his massive age fudging didnt help when it became obvious his bowling lost its sting. whilst a great hitter against medium pacers, he was very suspect against good spin.

but to have both him and afridi in the limited overs team was a huge boost, its a travesty the odi teams of late 90s and early 00s didnt win anything.
 
moghul said:
Over all Azhar Mehmood was a better all rounder over all three format, particularly in tests , and in Razzaq's later years Yaser Arfat was better than him but Razzaq was kept in the team and Yaser suffered due to the repuation Razzaq carried , he was overrated .
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Well i feel azhar mehmood is a bit overrated by some of the fans. As a batsman in test except againt south africa he don't have any significant performance againt other teams and as a bowler he was just okay even during his peak. Sometimes he was also given opportunities to bat up the order and every time he failed miserably. Whereas razzaq whenever got chance to bat higher he cashed it well. And yasir was nothing more than a mideocore cricketer in every aspect of the game.
 
Razzak was one of the most naturally talented bowlers to come out of Pakistan.

1998-2000 he was sharp 87-90mph, could swing it both ways conventional and the reverse inswinger. What more do you want?

But after 2000 he went in to his comfort zone and typically in his lazy and petulant way said “well if you’re going to play me as a support bowler, I’m gonna bowl like one.”

Most disappointing was his 2003 World Cup effort, he was bowling very lazily at about 82mph when he could very easily ramp it up a lot more.

However, whenever Azhar was selected in the squad he would ramp up his speed like in 2004/5 ODI series Vs Australia where he started hitting 90mph again out of nowhere.

As for his batting, a lot of hitting ability that only came to the fore later in his career.

He could have been much more, but chose to be mediocre because of his petulance.

Still, was great to watch in full flow.
 
He could've achieved so much more. Just compare him to Watson who was a nothing player in the beginning. Hardwork and discipline propelled Watson way further than the talented Razzaq.

That's the difference between a professional and non professional board. A board like ACB can turn dust to gold whereas PCB specializes in turning gold to dust.
 
Abdul Razzaq is a baby all rounder in front of Hardik Pandya.
 
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