Poor shots and poor technique - Azhar Ali in Ireland and England

[Saj]

Really disappointed with Azhar's batting on this tour.

Some extremely poor shots, basic flaws, poor technique and a total lack of responsibility from a senior player.

I'm afraid Azhar has over the years been cushioned by the likes of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, now is the time we will see how good he is and I'm afraid it doesn't look too good.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Poor tour of England and Ireland for Azhar Ali:<br>11<br>2<br>4<br>50<br>2<br>4<br>73 runs at an average of 12.17<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvPAK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1003237496665321473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[angrypathan]

Still has glaring issues against inswing, Philander and Steyn will eat him alive come December

 

[Osman]

Poor but not as poor as Haris Sohail. Joke that this guy is a test number 3

 

[Saj]

Poor tour of England and Ireland for Azhar Ali:

11 2 4 50 2 4 73 runs at an average of 12.17

 

[Patwari]

What is so surprising about that? This is not UAE or WI where he would get average and flat pitches

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Horrible tour for him.

 

[saeed5646]

What is so surprising about that? This is not UAE or WI where he would get average and flat pitches

He score a double hundred in aus and also have a century in eng in 2016 so have some research before whining

 

[Mamoon]

A nothing player who had one good year. That is all.

You know you are in the dumps when he is your premiere batsman.

 

[Patwari]

He score a double hundred in aus and also have a century in eng in 2016 so have some research before whining

I don't know why scoring a double century in Australia is a big thing now? Australia have made one of the most flat pitches in recent history where even out of form Cook scored a double century.

 

[Syed1]

Past his sell-by date... Should look to retire

 

[Shafi]

Super timid and mentally weak player.

 

[saeed5646]

I don't know why scoring a double century in Australia is a big thing now? Australia have made one of the most flat pitches in recent history where even out of form Cook scored a double century.

So cook is not a good enough player?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Super timid and mentally weak player.

I don't think he is mentally weak at all, he's generally shown great discipline in leaving the ball outside off stump. Just not a naturally gifted batsman, he was originally a bowler wasn't he? He's done well to make a career as a batsman given his limitations. Pakistan should be producing better.

 

[Patwari]

So cook is not a good enough player?

He is but he has been out of form for last few years and not been at his best and if I remember even hacks like Mitch Marsh have scored 150+ there so I don't think there's much to look at batting performance in Australia now

 

[saeed5646]

He is but he has been out of form for last few years and not been at his best and if I remember even hacks like Mitch Marsh have scored 150+ there so I don't think there's much to look at batting performance in Australia now

How many pak batsmen have done that in aus ?mitchel marsh does score their because it is home grounds he grow up their

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Should be axed unless he performs in the next series.

 

[IMMY69]

Why on Earth he is opening the innings is beyond me.

 

[dauntless]

Not good enough. Should be dropped along with asad shafiq and sarfraz

 

[Justcrazy]

Azhar Ali was a leg spinner to start with. He will always be limited as a batsman. This is the best you can expect him.

 

[Khan12]

Poor but not as poor as Haris Sohail. Joke that this guy is a test number 3

Haris was our top scorer just to remind you.

 

[PakSarZameen]

What's concerning is not that he got dismissed the same way throughout the series. It's very difficult to amend your technique during a series. The concerning part is that he was dismissed like this in the first 3 ODIs against New Zealand, which is why he got dropped from the ODI team.

Now, any player would have worked on this issue during his 5-month break especially considering he doesn't even play in the PSL, but he came back and is still getting dismissed the same way. Absolutely horrible to see.

What do these guys even do in the NCA?

 

[I Tell You]

Agree 100% - I said it even when he got the double century in Australia. He should NOT open. He is our best batsman and should carry on batting at 3, with Misbah and Younis gone I would even play him at 4 save him from the new ball and he will score massive runs. But Mickey is a joke - sending a proven number 3 to open and creating a problem on 2 fronts - with opening and number 3. The other problem is selecting a Test squad full of T20 players - there were no genuine wicket takers in the team - Sohail Khan was the champ last time in England. Pak very lucky to get away with 1-1 thanks to Root (Toss and team selection - cannot believe Woakes didnt play 1st game as he did a lot of damage to Pakistan on Paks last tour to Eng).

 

[Khan12]

Agree 100% - I said it even when he got the double century in Australia. He should NOT open. He is our best batsman and should carry on batting at 3, with Misbah and Younis gone I would even play him at 4 save him from the new ball and he will score massive runs. But Mickey is a joke - sending a proven number 3 to open and creating a problem on 2 fronts - with opening and number 3. The other problem is selecting a Test squad full of T20 players - there were no genuine wicket takers in the team - Sohail Khan was the champ last time in England. Pak very lucky to get away with 1-1 thanks to Root (Toss and team selection - cannot believe Woakes didnt play 1st game as he did a lot of damage to Pakistan on Paks last tour to Eng).

Can you name the full squad of t20 players please. There should be 15 not difficult to work out.

 

[Mamoon]

Batting position is just an excuse. He is rubbish at every number. Simply not good enough, and needs to be shown the door with immediate effect.

 

[Adil_94]

Disagree still think Azhar is a good opener. His 50 in the 1st test at lords was a vital knock helped negate the new ball swing and made it easier for the middle order. Azhar should be retained its Shafiq who should be axed who cant even bully teams in UAE

 

[TQ89]

He wont survive for long in south africa if he doesn't do something about it.

I remember in 2013, he played at 20-30 strike rate blunting the new ball. This time I doubt he will stay at the crease long enough.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

The reality is that he coming to an end of his career.... when you start getting trapped in front and bowled time after time, .... that is a sure sign that the eyes and reactions are not what they were and the end is near.

 

[Savak]

The reality is that he coming to an end of his career.... when you start getting trapped in front and bowled time after time, .... that is a sure sign that the eyes and reactions are not what they were and the end is near.

He is like what 33 now, these are supposed to be his prime years as a batsman

 

[ManFan]

He is like what 33 now, these are supposed to be his prime years as a batsman

Prime bowler years are 29-31 and batsmen are 30-32.

Both follow a RAPID decline after the age sets in.

 

[Savak]

Prime bowler years are 29-31 and batsmen are 30-32.

Both follow a RAPID decline after the age sets in.

Thats not true. A batsman starts declining from 35 onwards. Sangakarra was in his absolute prime in his mid to late 30's. Azhar Ali's problems are that he has always been a limited player, he punched above his weight but good teams can work him out and can easily tie him down. Also it is clear he is no YK or Yousaf or even Inzi, cannot carry the burden of the entire team's batting on his shoulders.

 

[Abdul]

Sickening how everyone who supported you will turn their backs on you at the first given opportunity.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

He didn't had a good srilanka series either back in UAE. None other than his love for ODIs is to blame for.

 

[The intelligent Supporter]

Sickening how everyone who supported you will turn their backs on you at the first given opportunity.

A lot of his support was because he was considered the "acha bacha" in the mould of Misbah . Can speak English, not emotional etc. Was always limited just overated by some especially in ODIs. Was one of the worst player to ever play ODI for Pakistan.

I think the reason could be the rise of new aggressive young players such as Hassan and Shadab, so public demand has changed and the "mediocre gentleman player" image has plummeted.

 

[giri26]

Azhar is your best Test bat. Just one poor series shouldn't change that. He will come good eventually. You need couple of senior players in your team at the Test level and Azhar is one of them for Pakistan.

 

[BreadPakoda]

A nothing player who had one good year. That is all.

You know you are in the dumps when he is your premiere batsman.

Openers would always find it difficult in England.

Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan - everyone is going to have it tough.

Could be a test for KL Rahul as well, if he gets a chance.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Thats not true. A batsman starts declining from 35 onwards. Sangakarra was in his absolute prime in his mid to late 30's. Azhar Ali's problems are that he has always been a limited player, he punched above his weight but good teams can work him out and can easily tie him down. Also it is clear he is no YK or Yousaf or even Inzi, cannot carry the burden of the entire team's batting on his shoulders.

TBH Sangakkara is a massive outlier. Vast majirity of batsmen decline after 35. Ponting, Dravid, Tendulkar all declined horribly.

 

[iniqbal223]

Nothing to whine about. More to do with the scheduling. What you guys expect these guys do? They have not played any competitive cricket in 6/7 months, and we all know how good our domestic standard is

 

[Amjid Javed]

Getting out LBW or bowled again and again says it all, he was just a walking wicket.

A Technic of thrusting your pad down the line of the ball and bringing your bat infront just to block is pretty poor. Its his 3rd tour to the UK as well so no excuses not been use to the conditions.

 

[the Great Khan]

what was the last test match he played an when? Hasnt played in months and then asked to perform in swinging conditions outside his comfort zone. Its very easy for our keyboard kiddies to to get all hyped up here but we need to understand its not easy playing these conditions especially hen you have hardly played any cricket. He is a class player and unlike some 40 runs only players, will come good again.

 

[the Great Khan]

Getting out LBW or bowled again and again says it all, he was just a walking wicket.

A Technic of thrusting your pad down the line of the ball and bringing your bat infront just to block is pretty poor. Its his 3rd tour to the UK as well so no excuses not been use to the conditions.

I would give him the benefit of doubt and say that is more a form and touch thing..he just looked massively undercooked hence the weird thrusting of the bat and pad..

 

[the Great Khan]

Openers would always find it difficult in England.

Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan - everyone is going to have it tough.

Could be a test for KL Rahul as well, if he gets a chance.

Not in August. they should make decent runs..

 

[finalfantasy7]

Bang on average player

 

[Amjid Javed]

I would give him the benefit of doubt and say that is more a form and touch thing..he just looked massively undercooked hence the weird thrusting of the bat and pad..

TGK,

Nowadays players dont get to many warm up games before series and Secondly pakistans scheduling is such that we will alway have massive breaks in between test series. So players have to get use to it. I dont agree with it but thats they way it is.

Also including the Ireland test match, Azhar had 4 warm up games in UK conditions so there should be no excuse for walking around like a walking wicket, He was given plenty of oppurtunities to get things right.

The best players openers that do well in UK are ones that leave the ball well and dont go looking for the ball to block or hit. Azhar looked woeful out of form all tour. Walikng down the wicket, not playing straight etc... as a Senior batsmen it was pretty poor showing.

Right now i would say no pakistan in test squad should be an auto-pick its time players started earning their places and proving themselves senior or otherwise.

 

[Shafi]

We are expecting too much from a very limited player. After playing for more than 8+ years he still not sure about his ability or talent to judge the bowlers or play positively. All he knows tuk tuk for hours, if he was lucky enough to survive to blunt the new ball then he may score good otherwise all his tuktuk does not create pressure on opposition players.So if he out around 10-15 overs he is no better than Amir/ Hasan as batsman.

 

[iniqbal223]

This is good, when even opposition team and his team mates amassed runs! And this is not the case on this tour, where test matches got finished in 3/3.5 days, no 100 from either side, and 80 being the best score of the batsman who was dropped on 4.

Sometimes it is easy to just bring forth the point for the sake of it. but the thing is Asad Shafiq/Azhar have not played any competitive cricket for months.

True, his technique looks little chaotic, but thats been the case with Chanderpaul and Katich as well. Except for few moaners, almost all have known the challenges faced by the pakistan team in general, with less number of tests, and having played a lot of cricket in UAE.

 

[Savak]

Quality bowlers will always work out Azhar Ali easily. He looked like a tail ender in NZ and has looked like a stroke less tail ender in England. He looked clueless in South Africa as well in 2013.

 

[the Great Khan]

TGK,

Nowadays players dont get to many warm up games before series and Secondly pakistans scheduling is such that we will alway have massive breaks in between test series. So players have to get use to it. I dont agree with it but thats they way it is.

Also including the Ireland test match, Azhar had 4 warm up games in UK conditions so there should be no excuse for walking around like a walking wicket, He was given plenty of oppurtunities to get things right.

The best players openers that do well in UK are ones that leave the ball well and dont go looking for the ball to block or hit. Azhar looked woeful out of form all tour. Walikng down the wicket, not playing straight etc... as a Senior batsmen it was pretty poor showing.

Right now i would say no pakistan in test squad should be an auto-pick its time players started earning their places and proving themselves senior or otherwise.

I get your point but I still think he was just out of touch and out of form. His technique is not one of a opener but he has manned up and tried to help the team out. He has to play in the middle order because as he gets older his technique will suffer when facing top class bowling..

 

[Kroll]

Very limited batsman, but he has shown the ability to get runs in the past, sadly didn't come off this time. Getting on now so probably won't add much impact going forward.

 

[Zaz]

He just seemed out of touch Going forward hes one of the cores of the batting order so we need him to get back in form Im confident he ll come good

 

[Kroll]

Should work on combatting those inswingers and get his confidence back up.

 

[Saj]

When Azhar is batting well his head position is good and still.

In Ireland and England his head was too far over on the off side and that meant he was playing around his front pad far too often, which will not work in England.

 

[Bhaijaan]

He’s just good enough for flat pitches of UAE and Australia.

Pakistan never supported true batting talent :-

Imran Farhat
Yasir Hameed
Zulernain Haider
Shoaib Malik
Fawad Alam
Usman Amin _ A classy batsman

 

[Savak]

When Azhar is batting well his head position is good and still.

In Ireland and England his head was too far over on the off side and that meant he was playing around his front pad far too often, which will not work in England.

There is talk that his knee injury hasn't fully healed and it has impacted his batting

 

[Saj]

There is talk that his knee injury hasn't fully healed and it has impacted his batting

He should not have been picked then.

 

[Iddy]

Batting position is just an excuse. He is rubbish at every number. Simply not good enough, and needs to be shown the door with immediate effect.

Agreed. Also Shafiq and Sarfraz (won't happen though).

 

[Mamoon]

what was the last test match he played an when? Hasnt played in months and then asked to perform in swinging conditions outside his comfort zone. Its very easy for our keyboard kiddies to to get all hyped up here but we need to understand its not easy playing these conditions especially hen you have hardly played any cricket. He is a class player and unlike some 40 runs only players, will come good again.

It appears that people are hunting for every excuse under the sun to defend him. Lack of games, batting position etc. are just excuses. Younis and Misbah remained prolific even when they stopped playing Limited Overs cricket.

Azhar simply does not have the pedigree. He is never in control of his innings and does not have the talent to impose himself on the opposition. He cannot punish poor deliveries unless they are in his (very limited) zone, and he rarely survives a good spell of bowling.

Apart from one good season in 2016/2017, he has been mediocre. The fact that he has played 67 Tests sums up the level of batsmen we have produced in this decade. He deserves credit for his hard work and grit, but no matter how much effort you put in, you cannot make up for natural ability.

He is aging now and his lack of talent is catching up with him now.

 

[shaz619]

People who don't understand cricket and love T20s keep criticising this guy but the fact is he has bee our best batsman for the last 2 years and he was very instrumental in our Test victory at Lords, his 50 in the toughest of conditions set the platform for the batsman down the order to play their shots. Azhar doesn't need to have an 8th gear, this isn't T20 cricket where you smash every ball out the park; he's an opener and his role is to see off the new ball and in the modern era no Pak batsman has done a job better then him when it comes to that, never mind his superb knocks vs AUS and WI, doubles and triples don't fall out a tree when you shake it.

Shafiq doesn't get as much criticism because of his technique and it seems more acceptable to jump on Azhar the moment he makes a mistake because he isn't natually gifted / pleasing on the eye but at the end of the day who gives a damn how runs are scored as long as they come ! he never had the best series by his standards and there should be criticism but demanding the sack is just idiotic on so many levels especially given his consistency, Shafiq is the one who must go, I don't care if he has a nice looking drive, Azhar Ali has bigger cricket balls then him and a fighters heart, something his biggest critics will never have.

 

[Abid Z]

I think the first thing that should be done is that he needs to come down the order. He is simply not an opener or even a natural no3. I can make ugly runs from no 5 or 6.

 

[IMMY69]

People who don't understand cricket and love T20s keep criticising this guy but the fact is he has bee our best batsman for the last 2 years and he was very instrumental in our Test victory at Lords, his 50 in the toughest of conditions set the platform for the batsman down the order to play their shots. Azhar doesn't need to have an 8th gear, this isn't T20 cricket where you smash every ball out the park; he's an opener and his role is to see off the new ball and in the modern era no Pak batsman has done a job better then him when it comes to that, never mind his superb knocks vs AUS and WI, doubles and triples don't fall out a tree when you shake it.

Shafiq doesn't get as much criticism because of his technique and it seems more acceptable to jump on Azhar the moment he makes a mistake because he isn't natually gifted / pleasing on the eye but at the end of the day who gives a damn how runs are scored as long as they come ! he never had the best series by his standards and there should be criticism but demanding the sack is just idiotic on so many levels especially given his consistency, Shafiq is the one who must go, I don't care if he has a nice looking drive, Azhar Ali has bigger cricket balls then him and a fighters heart, something his biggest critics will never have.

Given his form and performances leading up to the England series. he shouldn’t have opened the innings.
Should have batted at number 4 or even at number 3...

 

[ads101]

I think the first thing that should be done is that he needs to come down the order. He is simply not an opener or even a natural no3. I can make ugly runs from no 5 or 6.

I used to think that's a waste as what he's best at is seeing off the new ball so the better middle batsmen can score big. The problem is he is still our best batsman, it's hard to drop him. He could do more down the order, even though he lacks the prowess against spin that YK and even Misbah to an extent had.

You could quite readily field a top 7 of:

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Haris
4. Azhar
5. Asad
6. Babar
7. Sarfraz

 

[BreadPakoda]

Not in August. they should make decent runs..

Hopefully.

 

[BreadPakoda]

I used to think that's a waste as what he's best at is seeing off the new ball so the better middle batsmen can score big. The problem is he is still our best batsman, it's hard to drop him. He could do more down the order, even though he lacks the prowess against spin that YK and even Misbah to an extent had.

You could quite readily field a top 7 of:

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Haris
4. Azhar
5. Asad
6. Babar
7. Sarfraz

That's like putting Gambhir in the middle order and expecting things to change. Allow Azhar Ali some time, he has a 200 in Australia, played well in NZ and has done decent in almost all series. Fakhar is not a test level opener. He will have more troubles outside home. How many flashy test openers have done well? I can count on fingers.

 

[ads101]

That's like putting Gambhir in the middle order and expecting things to change. Allow Azhar Ali some time, he has a 200 in Australia, played well in NZ and has done decent in almost all series. Fakhar is not a test level opener. He will have more troubles outside home. How many flashy test openers have done well? I can count on fingers.

Well Gambhir has hardly been given the chance down the order. He has a bit in ODIs and done well. And Azhar's mainly played at 3 so far in tests.

Azhar's been remarkably consistent, really only had one bad year in 2013. And averages over 50 since the start of 2014. So I wouldn't give up on him, I rate him. Continue playing him as opener for a few games, but if it isn't working out, I wouldn't mind dropping him down the order before simply discarding him. Eventually we might need to do that anyway, 33 is still young enough to succeed as an opener in tests, but in a few years or so he might struggle a bit. We might need to push him down a bit like YK from 3 to 4 eventually. But I agree, it's probably best to continue with him as opener for the next few test series and see where we stand. Azhar dropping down might be beneficial to the team, as we need some stability in the middle order and if Azhar can do that, might be worth dropping him down.

Fakhar is just the next in line, and is in the squad. I have my doubts too, but I see very few other domestic openers in contention atm, he seems to outperform the rest even in first class. And the fact he has international success goes in his favour too.

In general I don't see many upcoming test batsmen outside of the team. Fakhar, Saad Ali and Usman are all I see atm. And Fakhar as I said have my doubts. But it's very hard to properly induct talents like Saad and Usman when none of the middle order batsmen have really cemented their place and become dependable. Don't get me wrong, I think some of the talent in that middle order is great, Haris and Babar are potentially world class, even Asad has talent and Sarfraz used to be averaging 40 at one point. But having so many inexperienced batsmen in the line up and hoping they perform together is a bit difficult, especially when the seniors in the middle order aren't performing.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Well Gambhir has hardly been given the chance down the order. He has a bit in ODIs and done well. And Azhar's mainly played at 3 so far in tests.

Azhar's been remarkably consistent, really only had one bad year in 2013. And averages over 50 since the start of 2014. So I wouldn't give up on him, I rate him. Continue playing him as opener for a few games, but if it isn't working out, I wouldn't mind dropping him down the order before simply discarding him. Eventually we might need to do that anyway, 33 is still young enough to succeed as an opener in tests, but in a few years or so he might struggle a bit. We might need to push him down a bit like YK from 3 to 4 eventually. But I agree, it's probably best to continue with him as opener for the next few test series and see where we stand. Azhar dropping down might be beneficial to the team, as we need some stability in the middle order and if Azhar can do that, might be worth dropping him down.

Fakhar is just the next in line, and is in the squad. I have my doubts too, but I see very few other domestic openers in contention atm, he seems to outperform the rest even in first class. And the fact he has international success goes in his favour too.

In general I don't see many upcoming test batsmen outside of the team. Fakhar, Saad Ali and Usman are all I see atm. And Fakhar as I said have my doubts. But it's very hard to properly induct talents like Saad and Usman when none of the middle order batsmen have really cemented their place and become dependable. Don't get me wrong, I think some of the talent in that middle order is great, Haris and Babar are potentially world class, even Asad has talent and Sarfraz used to be averaging 40 at one point. But having so many inexperienced batsmen in the line up and hoping they perform together is a bit difficult, especially when the seniors in the middle order aren't performing.

That's fair and I agree with your views. Hate to say this but the management should have done a better job at grooming YK and Misbah's replacements. Also Asad has the talent but the team needs more from him.

 

[cricketworm]

I am really surprised that there is little improvement of him. Expected much better from him honestly, as he has really good temperament.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

What a horrible shot by Azhar Ali.

When you play with no intent and suddenly sleep due to this.


He was caught sleeping. Short ball woke him up and it was all over.


He is the senior most batsman and team expects better fight from him.

[MENTION=139288]Abdul[/MENTION] you are disappointed ?

 

[Deewana Mastana]

His batting has gone from bad to worse over the last year or so.

Not sure he has been working on his batting weaknesses while he's been off for sometime. He's the most senior batsman in the test team and has been the worst of the lot which should be alarming for the team.

 

[Pakprideuk]

Its unfortunate. He looked im sublime touch in the first innings.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

His batting has gone from bad to worse over the last year or so.

Not sure he has been working on his batting weaknesses while he's been off for sometime. He's the most senior batsman in the test team and has been the worst of the lot which should be alarming for the team.

Knee injury and not having enough FC gametime under his belt could be one reason for the downfall.


Well today it felt that He was sleeping in the middle. Shot ball woke him up and he was confused as if he should hook or leave the ball and played a nothing shot in the end. That was a crucial blow.

 

[Mamoon]

He will always be the “nearly man” for Pakistan. Very hard worker, but his lack of ability always gets the better of him.

 

[CricketDon]

Still has glaring issues against inswing, Philander and Steyn will eat him alive come December

Well well well