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Sami Aslam to leave Pakistan and head for USA

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Lahore: Left-handed opener Sami Aslam is moving to the United States of America (USA) to try his luck there, after being ignored for the national team.

According to the sources, Sami will not be available for the fourth round of ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2020-21. The cricketer has informed Balochistan’s team management and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) via email.

Sources further told that Sami informed the cricket board at the very last moment which is a breach of contract due to leaving the domestic season halfway.

Earlier, Sami expressed disappointment after being ignored for the New Zealand tour despite scoring runs in domestic cricket. Sami represented Pakistan in 13 Tests and scored 758 runs at an average of 31.58. He was dropped from the national team without getting any game on England tour in 2018.

Following Sami’s decision to leave the domestic season, Balochistan team will be given an option to pick a replacement.

https://arysports.tv/sami-aslam-move-usa-being-ignored-national-team/
 
Don't let the door hit you on the way out
 
What kind of attitude is this? He needs to keep scoring runs in domestic to have a chance of playing for Pakistan.

How is running off to America going to help? I want him to be selected but I don't agree with this move as well.
 
Hasan123 said:
What kind of attitude is this? He needs to keep scoring runs in domestic to have a chance of playing for Pakistan.

How is running off to America going to help? I want him to be selected but I don't agree with this move as well.
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maybe trying to get attention here
 
Welcome to the US and good luck.

A few more half-decent desis and we can build a decent team.
 
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This guy used make Azhar Ali look like an aggressive batsman, can't believe someone like him made it to top flight of Pakistan cricket. He wasn't a batsman just a stopper. Kisi ko bhi topi pakra dehtay hain. Him giving up cricket is actually a good thing for standard of cricket in Pakistan.
 
No worries he wasn't that good anyways. Why US though? He could go to Ireland and still be a test cricketer.
 
It seems like he is receiving sponsored green card either thru a relative or marriage and is deciding to move to US and try his hand at club cricket and eventually hoping to play for US team that barely plays any cricket.

This is not so much of a cricketing decision but rather a life decision that he seems to be making and I do not think anyone can fault him for that. I would say that he is definitely not going about it the right away by not disclosing his plans to the team and leaving them with not many options in the middle of a tournament.
 
I feel for him. It must be incredibly frustrating for him sit in the sidelines because of an inferior opener like Masood.

You pair Masood and Sami in Test cricket and Sami will outperform him in a series 9/10 times.

PCB dropped the ball with him way to quickly. The way he played in England in 2016 was outstanding for a Pakistani opener.

His discipline, technique, and particularly his awareness of the off-stump were remarkable.

Unfortunately, Josh Hazlewood got hold of him in Australia and it hurt his confidence. PCB dropped him for good while continuing to give other under-performers a long rope.

Ultimately it is Pakistan’s loss. A mid-table team like Pakistan have discarded one of its better opening prospects as if we have a dozen Cooks and Warners waiting in the pipeline.
 
He's not good enough to be a part of the Pakistan national team. Plain and simple. If he wants to better his life by moving to the West, then by all means do it. But, if the reports are true, don't put non-selection to the national team as a reason. You're not even better than Imran Farhat so why this entitlement of selection?
 
Oh no ! Who will score 5 off 40 on Day 1 of a Test for us now ?!
 
Thought he was a quiet lad!! did well in England & was unlucky not to get more chances in Odi’s as he has v good LA record but he reeks of entitlement 🤦🏽*♂️this attitude fits club cricket in US
 
For once you are right. He was discarded too early and Masood was given much more time.

At the moment, Masood has to play though because of his performances on bouncy tracks where Pak batsmen always struggle and his hundred in England showed some improvement from his last outing there. But I think Aslam may be a better player of spin than Shan, though he has improved here a bit as well.

Nonetheless, he was a good prospect and should have been given more ‘A’ tours or other opportunities for development. Dropping him in the cold like that and then ignoring the piles of runs over the years does not look good for the PCB either.
 
To be fair to him, he was discarded way to soon and probably deserved more of a run. But his attitude in the last couple of weeks has been downright disrespectful and very annoying. No form, no runs and no intent this seasons QeA and deserved not to be taken.

Just put your head down and continue to score runs. Knowing that Abid Ali and Shan Masood will be opening against NZ in swing, seam and bounce pitch conditions, he could have had a solid opportunity to replace them for the next series.

Alas its not to be and well good luck to him in his future endeavours.
 
He probably feels low as in junior cricket he mostly outscored Babar 8 times of 10 but Babar has completely left him to dust now or any other batsman in the country but with age and time he will realize that just because you were then your peer in junior does not guarantee both of you will have a same career trajectory
 
Even if he deserved selection based on his performances last season he should never be selected just for having that pathetic, unprofessional attitude. A fit, hardworking and professional Masood over lazy, self-entitled players like Sami any day of the week.
 
Life will be better in the US for him. Cricket is not everything. Plus with the preference for Imam, Abid, Masood, and all there might no room for him.
 
Why US brother? come to UK we could do with a gun overseas :haider
 
158 runs in his last 10 FC innings , He had a last good season but that ended too in string of low scores.

Don't think at the moment he can cry about not getting selected , may be last year he should have cried.

This season he has 141 runs in 6 innings with only 1 50.
 
I thought he was/is a good player - liked him in the series against England and felt he was discarded way too early.

However, if at the age of 24 he feels like he's been done that massive of a disservice - he probably doesn't belong here.
 
Can't blame him, even if he had brilliant performances, might still not get picked. In Pakistan it can be more about who you know than what you can do unfortunately.

He's been treated harshly by Misbah in the past and seems to be getting the same now that he's back on the scene.

All in all, wish him the best in his future endeavours, whatever and wherever that may be.
 
He would be better suited to Canada actually, I’ve heard the amateur leagues there are quite competitive, could easily land a very well paid player/coach job
 
Markhor said:
Oh no ! Who will score 5 off 40 on Day 1 of a Test for us now ?!
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His best innings was at the start of his test career. He then bizarrely decided to totally go into his shell and bat like tailender trying to save tests on the 5th afternoon. There was no development at all in his play and he was rightly kicked out.
 
One of the most rubbish and timid batsman ever played for Pakistan. Should leave as soon as possible. He is wasting a spot.
 
Shafi said:
One of the most rubbish and timid batsman ever played for Pakistan. Should leave as soon as possible. He is wasting a spot.
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The day Pakistan got smashed for 445 by England, I can’t believe he was opening with Sharjeel Khan in response to that total.

We have the most bizarre think tank in the history of think tanks. Experts at the art of making no sense
 
Pakistan domestic cricket set up is like a filthy quicksand where you can only go down as a cricket player.

Sifarish, hate, jealousy, regional bias, nepotism, law of jungle, It is all there.

I really feel for Sami Aslam.

Hopefully I will see him in the North American set up here , which is on a mission to take their cricket to another level.

Don't be surprised to see the USA cricket team playing better cricket than the current associate members in coming years. There is something going on as they are in the process of recruiting players from all over the world and are very serious about improving their domestic set up.
 
Caved12 said:
Pakistan domestic cricket set up is like a filthy quicksand where you can only go down as a cricket player.

Sifarish, hate, jealousy, regional bias, nepotism, law of jungle, It is all there.

I really feel for Sami Aslam.

Hopefully I will see him in the North American set up here , which is on a mission to take their cricket to another level.

Don't be surprised to see the USA cricket team playing better cricket than the current associate members in coming years. There is something going on as they are in the process of recruiting players from all over the world and are very serious about improving their domestic set up.
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Canada will always demolish US cricket team.
 
Apart of me feels he'll pull a Usman Qadir-like U-turn at some point. Anyways, if this is truly what Sami desires then all the best. Although, he was being a bit of a sore loser regarding his non-selection for the NZ tour.
 
Mamoon said:
I feel for him. It must be incredibly frustrating for him sit in the sidelines because of an inferior opener like Masood.

You pair Masood and Sami in Test cricket and Sami will outperform him in a series 9/10 times.

PCB dropped the ball with him way to quickly. The way he played in England in 2016 was outstanding for a Pakistani opener.

His discipline, technique, and particularly his awareness of the off-stump were remarkable.

Unfortunately, Josh Hazlewood got hold of him in Australia and it hurt his confidence. PCB dropped him for good while continuing to give other under-performers a long rope.

Ultimately it is Pakistan’s loss. A mid-table team like Pakistan have discarded one of its better opening prospects as if we have a dozen Cooks and Warners waiting in the pipeline.
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Fantastic discipline and technique that’s led to him making 12 runs an innings this year. Fantastic temperament that’s led to him piling on the runs to make selection inevitable. Of course.
 
Usman Qadir left the country wanted to play for Australia in WC and will now play the WC with Pakistan team. Pakistanis have big heart. Aslam will be welcomed back with place in national team.
 
HappyWarsFan said:
Canada will always demolish US cricket team.
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I hope you are right, but in the last decade, Canada have totally refused to focus on the quality of cricket being played in their local tournaments.

US can play cricket all year long and Canada have only 4 months of cricket due to a killer winter. If US takes their cricket seriously, which they are now, they will improve quickly and should be able to compete with associate members in coming years.
 
Good move by him to try and strengthen cricket in the US and help the up and coming players there
It only takes one player for standards to get better immediately
 
He's only 24.

I could understand this if he was 34, but surely he still has some international cricket left in him.

Seems a bit of a spur of the moment decision.
 
With Abdullah Shafique and Zeeshan Malik waiting in the wings, highly unlikely he'd get another opportunity. All the best to the lad.
 
Wreck_It_Rauf said:
With Abdullah Shafique and Zeeshan Malik waiting in the wings, highly unlikely he'd get another opportunity. All the best to the lad.
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The narrative on Aslam leaving if true is incorrect. Players are leaving the system because the system around selecting players is non-existent. Despite pay increases, you can earn more money in the US playing cricket and delivering pizza. Aslam is better than some being chosen above him, but more importantly you want domestic cricket to be highly competitive. When you lose Sami Aslam or Mohammad Irfan Jr, you lower the standard of your cricket.
 
He could have become a mainstay in the Pakistan side for the next season following Abid's failure in NZ.

With an entitled attitude like his, he will find it very difficult in the US. Nevertheless, good luck to him.
 
Darkrai said:
Welcome to the US and good luck.

A few more half-decent desis and we can build a decent team.
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Agree. There are so many half decent cricketers across India Pakistan that dont get a chance. I wonder why dont they make a decent USA team.
 
It seems like a poor attitude. But really he should be in the squad. He's an U19 legend and great domestic stats and young. Makes his potential far higher than most others. He's in the same boat as Imam, except his domestic,U19 record is even better.

He should be in ODI squad no question. He has a great list A record and great U19 success. Yet given 4 LOI games.

Even people talking about Abdullah and Haider. They are talented and deserve chances. But they didn't outperform Sami at U19, and probably haven't learnt enough from domestic yet. Sami on the other hand is perfect age and experience to start in the team.

I think why he is fustrated as all the guys around the same age group in U19 that were earmarked for success have made the team. Babar, Shadab, Imam, Shaheen have all made it. We heard those names even before they even debuted in domestic/international cricket. Especially Imam who Sami played with and at the time was considered the better batsman out of the two. Sami's the only one who hasn't pushed on.
 
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Hmm seems like a bit of a wierd decision. I would get it if he was moving to another cricket playing country in the hope of qualifying for them. But why USA? Very odd. Maybe he's leaving cricket entirely but then, does he have qualifications?
 
I'm a very mediocre (at best) cricketers but I've played against a decent amount of former Pakistan players here in the USA. Looking forward to playing him next year!
 
Sami Aslam had the chance to win a game in last season's QeA but just chose to draw.

He did well in last season's QeA and deserved selection, however he's done nothing this season.

Good riddance, have fun in the US.
 
Rana said:
He would be better suited to Canada actually, I’ve heard the amateur leagues there are quite competitive, could easily land a very well paid player/coach job
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Its too cold out there in Canada.
 
unemployedgm said:
The narrative on Aslam leaving if true is incorrect. Players are leaving the system because the system around selecting players is non-existent. Despite pay increases, you can earn more money in the US playing cricket and delivering pizza. Aslam is better than some being chosen above him, but more importantly you want domestic cricket to be highly competitive. When you lose Sami Aslam or Mohammad Irfan Jr, you lower the standard of your cricket.
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Who are these players worse than Sami or Irfan?
 
A decent batsman, should be given some chances.

But, as others have said, he should come to the UK instead. Could make a decent living playing county cricket.
 
unemployedgm said:
The narrative on Aslam leaving if true is incorrect. Players are leaving the system because the system around selecting players is non-existent. Despite pay increases, you can earn more money in the US playing cricket and delivering pizza. Aslam is better than some being chosen above him, but more importantly you want domestic cricket to be highly competitive. When you lose Sami Aslam or Mohammad Irfan Jr, you lower the standard of your cricket.
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The cost of living is also higher. Instead of living in a comfortable bungalow like a king in Pakistan, Sami can now live paycheck to paycheck delivering pizza

Don’t mislead with your statements - the PCB salary is much higher value-wise than anything Sami can earn over here.

I do agree that it lowers the standard of our cricket, but it seems there is nothing we can do about it. This situation is equivalent to an Aussie shield cricketer who is on the fringes of the national team, but can’t breakthrough to the top and has declining performances over the last year, leaving for the US to chance his luck.

Aslam is emphatically not better than those selected above him in Shafique and Zeeshan Malik - they had performances this season, while Aslam faked a personal problem to not play the T20 matches. And now that he’s begun playing the first class matches and realized his form is horrible, while his partner at the other end Imran Butt (his direct competitor age-wise, stats-wise, position-wise, the highest run scorer last year) playing for the same team against the same bowling attacks and also as an opener, is performing way better.

He’s realized his time is up and he unlikely to ever play national cricket.

I wish him the best of luck, I am certain his first task is to get sponsored for a green card in the States, not an easy thing to do especially if he wants to make the US national team any time soon.
 
ads101 said:
It seems like a poor attitude. But really he should be in the squad. He's an U19 legend and great domestic stats and young. Makes his potential far higher than most others. He's in the same boat as Imam, except his domestic,U19 record is even better.

He should be in ODI squad no question. He has a great list A record and great U19 success. Yet given 4 LOI games.

Even people talking about Abdullah and Haider. They are talented and deserve chances. But they didn't outperform Sami at U19, and probably haven't learnt enough from domestic yet. Sami on the other hand is perfect age and experience to start in the team.

I think why he is fustrated as all the guys around the same age group in U19 that were earmarked for success have made the team. Babar, Shadab, Imam, Shaheen have all made it. We heard those names even before they even debuted in domestic/international cricket. Especially Imam who Sami played with and at the time was considered the better batsman out of the two. Sami's the only one who hasn't pushed on.
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It’s a myth that he has great domestic stats. He has good domestic stats, but is constantly overshadowed by other batsmen in the same positions and of the same age such as Imran Butt. Just because he was earmarked at the U-19 level, doesn’t imply he gets a free pass if he can’t even dominate domestics.
 
Usman said:
Hmm seems like a bit of a wierd decision. I would get it if he was moving to another cricket playing country in the hope of qualifying for them. But why USA? Very odd. Maybe he's leaving cricket entirely but then, does he have qualifications?
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Which cricket playing country would he go to? Australia? He’ll be sent back like Usman Qadir. That’s why USA - he’ll easily make the national team (assuming he gets a green card/passport) and probably hopes to play the T20 world cup at some point in the future.
 
JattMaula said:
Usman Qadir left the country wanted to play for Australia in WC and will now play the WC with Pakistan team. Pakistanis have big heart. Aslam will be welcomed back with place in national team.
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Usman Qadir is Abdul Qadir's son and a very close friend of Babar. Yes, he bowled well against Zim, but did not deserve to be selected a head of some other bowlers.

Parchi bowler, and Wasim Akram confirmed this by coming out and picking on those who were against Usman's selection.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
It’s a myth that he has great domestic stats. He has good domestic stats, but is constantly overshadowed by other batsmen in the same positions and of the same age such as Imran Butt. Just because he was earmarked at the U-19 level, doesn’t imply he gets a free pass if he can’t even dominate domestics.
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Imran Butt averages 37.28 and SR 75.30. Sami averages 49.05 at SR 87.16. That's a huge difference, Imran's not even close.

These U19 batsmen tend to have ODI/50 over cricket as their best format. After all that's what they played more regularly and was judged on. Imam's best format is ODI too, so is probably Babar's who at least started off best in ODIs before getting better in the other two. They naturally will adapt and get better in the other format as they get used to them.

A lot of cricketers who are hyped have just one good season etc. It is far harder to perform regularly and maintain a high average overall. There aren't many with Sami's stats in list A.

I don't think he necessarily deserves a test spot place. I think it's actually a problem most young cricketers in pakistan don't focus on tests/first class at all, they're just LO players. He didn't keep his performance up in first class/tests. But looking how Imam is doing in ODI cricket (and even Babar), it's hard to deny why Sami can't do the same. He's was their level or above at U19 and in domestic. We haven't given him proper chances at the ODI level though.
 
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Thunderbolt14 said:
It’s a myth that he has great domestic stats. He has good domestic stats, but is constantly overshadowed by other batsmen in the same positions and of the same age such as Imran Butt. Just because he was earmarked at the U-19 level, doesn’t imply he gets a free pass if he can’t even dominate domestics.
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There's also no one i can really think of with similar stats of that level at that age except maybe Saud Shakeel. And people are crying for him to be in the team, despite him still having a lower average and SR in domestic in limited overs.
 
Mamoon said:
I feel for him. It must be incredibly frustrating for him sit in the sidelines because of an inferior opener like Masood.

You pair Masood and Sami in Test cricket and Sami will outperform him in a series 9/10 times.

PCB dropped the ball with him way to quickly. The way he played in England in 2016 was outstanding for a Pakistani opener.

His discipline, technique, and particularly his awareness of the off-stump were remarkable.

Unfortunately, Josh Hazlewood got hold of him in Australia and it hurt his confidence. PCB dropped him for good while continuing to give other under-performers a long rope.

Ultimately it is Pakistan’s loss. A mid-table team like Pakistan have discarded one of its better opening prospects as if we have a dozen Cooks and Warners waiting in the pipeline.
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Both have played together two Tests - Sami has scored 93 at 23.25; Masood 103 at 25.75 .... May be both can go to USA ..:)

I think, he has got some assurance there - either job, or may be playing in league cricket, eventually qualifying for USA. USA will form a decent cricket team this decade with the number of deshi people and interest in cricket is increasing there.
 
Looks like Pakistan cricket has lost a fairly average domestic cricketer and the US has gained an Uber driver or Amazon delivery man! Good luck to him in the US, doubt with his attitude he'll be missed much by Pakistan cricket fans.
 
unemployedgm said:
The narrative on Aslam leaving if true is incorrect. Players are leaving the system because the system around selecting players is non-existent. Despite pay increases, you can earn more money in the US playing cricket and delivering pizza. Aslam is better than some being chosen above him, but more importantly you want domestic cricket to be highly competitive. When you lose Sami Aslam or Mohammad Irfan Jr, you lower the standard of your cricket.
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It's not a fair excuse actually - even if I consider Aslam was hard done by, it was a marginal call. He did score runs in last season but this season nothing much - in past, he did get his chances, didn't cash on it. If this is the attitude then only 23-25 players should stay in PAK and rest should go to play club cricket & sell Pizza in USA. In fact, without playing cricket only by delivering Pizza and driving taxi, many cricketers can earn more than PAK domestics here in Canada as well. I am sure guy is trying to play victim card - he is going for a change of career, which is fine - sportsmen's career isn't long enough, but don't think it was a wise call to leave season mid-way, which suggests that he has cracked some deals in USA and he doesn't have the time to wait.

Domestic cricket has to be competitive within the economic scales of the country - PCB can't pay PAK domestic players like BCCI can do, while BCCI can't pay even their national players what MLB players get in USA, therefore there is a hygiene factor - a taxi driver in Canada legally earns more than a Govt. Secretary in Bangladesh .... that doesn't mean, you know. PCB has done enough for few players - they had resource constrains, so limited the pool to 170 players, so that these 170 gets better pay and focus on their game - if they double the pay further, still Pizza delivering & Uber driving in USA will pay more.

By the way, is that other guy Mo Irfan Jr. is the tall, lanky pacer, PP's heartthrob for few month couple of years back? Has he also gone for Pizza? Have to say, must be a good choice then.
 
ads101 said:
Imran Butt averages 37.28 and SR 75.30. Sami averages 49.05 at SR 87.16. That's a huge difference, Imran's not even close.

These U19 batsmen tend to have ODI/50 over cricket as their best format. After all that's what they played more regularly and was judged on. Imam's best format is ODI too, so is probably Babar's who at least started off best in ODIs before getting better in the other two. They naturally will adapt and get better in the other format as they get used to them.

A lot of cricketers who are hyped have just one good season etc. It is far harder to perform regularly and maintain a high average overall. There aren't many with Sami's stats in list A.

I don't think he necessarily deserves a test spot place. I think it's actually a problem most young cricketers in pakistan don't focus on tests/first class at all, they're just LO players. He didn't keep his performance up in first class/tests. But looking how Imam is doing in ODI cricket (and even Babar), it's hard to deny why Sami can't do the same. He's was their level or above at U19 and in domestic. We haven't given him proper chances at the ODI level though.
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Recent form matters more. Sami Aslam trailed other batsmen including Imran Butt last year, while he is absolutely pathetic and trails pretty much everyone this year. These are the two most important seasons in recent memory when you factor in the revamped domestic circuit, the fact that he struggles against higher quality bowling attacks while folks like Imran Butt and others have stepped up there game against the same bowling attacks (higher in quality compared to the departmental system) it means something.

So if he is incensed about not being selected for the New Zealand tour, it is really just drama and moodiness to gather attention because he realizes he has fallen out of favor and is unlikely to get selected barring a major return to form where he also dominates the circuit. If he had as much faith in his ability to perform better this year and next as I do (which is a decent amount based on the same stats you mentioned) then he would stay and work hard rather than crying wolf. Him giving up tells me that he does not have that faith in himself to top the charts this year or next.
 
ads101 said:
There's also no one i can really think of with similar stats of that level at that age except maybe Saud Shakeel. And people are crying for him to be in the team, despite him still having a lower average and SR in domestic in limited overs.
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Look at the Pakistan Cup stats from last year, Sami was number 10 or 11 as best batsman

If he was number 1, I would agree with you. Sadly the second best person on that list was Iftikhar Ahmed and that tells you all you need to know

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...ost_runs_career.html?id=12939;type=tournament
 
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Thunderbolt14 said:
Which cricket playing country would he go to? Australia? He’ll be sent back like Usman Qadir. That’s why USA - he’ll easily make the national team (assuming he gets a green card/passport) and probably hopes to play the T20 world cup at some point in the future.
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Yes but who wants to make the national team of a country that doesn't play the sport? It's nothing more than a good story to tell the grandkids. It's no real achievement.

All he'll do is play some low level cricket that nobody actually cares about.

If he went somewhere like England or Australia for example, then sure he is unlikely to get near the national teams, but he could have a very respectable and well paid first class career. He could sign a long term contract with a county as many before him have done.

This "US route" is a bit farcical.
 
Think he has realized he cannot break into the team right now, and rightfully proceeded to look for other opportunities. Good luck to him. Was never good enough to play international cricket in the long run. His blockathons in Australia and against West Indies in UAE were a sight for sore eyes.
 
Usman said:
Yes but who wants to make the national team of a country that doesn't play the sport? It's nothing more than a good story to tell the grandkids. It's no real achievement.

All he'll do is play some low level cricket that nobody actually cares about.

If he went somewhere like England or Australia for example, then sure he is unlikely to get near the national teams, but he could have a very respectable and well paid first class career. He could sign a long term contract with a county as many before him have done.

This "US route" is a bit farcical.
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I agree, not sure he’ll make it, but seems it’s a combination of two things.

First, it is clear that he thinks US national team is better than being a domestic cricketer for the rest of his life (which I suspect he thinks as well, does not believe he has the ability) and he also has a horrid mentality (I suspect) which tells him that everyone is the reason for his problems except him. He was fourth highest run scorer last year behind Imran Butt, Kamran Akmal, and Salman Butt. Imran Butt was selected. On recent form, Hussain Talat has much better form than Sami. So Hussain was selected. There is no jury out to get him - he needs to realize he needs to become number 1. If he has already realized this, which he should if he is decently smart enough, his decision to move to the USA indicates a lack of faith in himself to come back harder and knock the door down.

Second, he probably thinks if it doesn’t work out in the US, the commotion he is creating can get him media attention and build up a narrative on talk shows that apply pressure on the management to bring him in. Essentially he is smart and sees how media pressure works in tandem with selection in this country - if this is the case, then I tip my hat to him as it is a genius move.
 
Good luck to him but in my opinion there arent many countries or careers where he can “excel” with such an attitude.
 
A poor mans Azhar Ali. Can only block, no shots. Had he been given more chances he would perform something like Azhar. A few big knocks but mostly a failure who kills his own teams momentum.
 
Mamoon said:
I feel for him. It must be incredibly frustrating for him sit in the sidelines because of an inferior opener like Masood.

You pair Masood and Sami in Test cricket and Sami will outperform him in a series 9/10 times.

PCB dropped the ball with him way to quickly. The way he played in England in 2016 was outstanding for a Pakistani opener.

His discipline, technique, and particularly his awareness of the off-stump were remarkable.

Unfortunately, Josh Hazlewood got hold of him in Australia and it hurt his confidence. PCB dropped him for good while continuing to give other under-performers a long rope.

Ultimately it is Pakistan’s loss. A mid-table team like Pakistan have discarded one of its better opening prospects as if we have a dozen Cooks and Warners waiting in the pipeline.
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And some are saying he is not as good to play
 
This is disappointing: he should at least have completed the season.

I am staggered that he has responded like this. It was outrageous that he wasn’t in Misbah’s 29 man squad to England - he topped the averages there four years ago - but Sami Aslam should have realised that Misbah will be gone within a year, and he would be next in line for an opening slot.

Poor selection by Misbah.

Stupid response by Sami.
 
ads101 said:
Even people talking about Abdullah and Haider. They are talented and deserve chances. But they didn't outperform Sami at U19, and probably haven't learnt enough from domestic yet.
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They were selected for T20Is while Sami chose to sit out the National T20 for “personal problems”.

The only reason Abdullah will play for the Shaheens over Sami is because he is a potential all-formats player who has good recent performances - if Sami had good recent performances by playing rather than crying he would have been selected too.

Even despite that he had another opportunity in the QeA matches, and he failed horrendously during joint opening stands with Imran Butt who did excellently in all the same matches. That’s why Imran Butt has been selected, despite being in the exact same position as Sami Aslam. He chose to play rather than cry.
 
Mamoon said:
I feel for him. It must be incredibly frustrating for him sit in the sidelines because of an inferior opener like Masood.

You pair Masood and Sami in Test cricket and Sami will outperform him in a series 9/10 times.

PCB dropped the ball with him way to quickly. The way he played in England in 2016 was outstanding for a Pakistani opener.

His discipline, technique, and particularly his awareness of the off-stump were remarkable.

Unfortunately, Josh Hazlewood got hold of him in Australia and it hurt his confidence. PCB dropped him for good while continuing to give other under-performers a long rope.

Ultimately it is Pakistan’s loss. A mid-table team like Pakistan have discarded one of its better opening prospects as if we have a dozen Cooks and Warners waiting in the pipeline.
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Exactly Pakistan is known for giving long rope to under performers. I remember his inns in England in 2016, everyone was shocked to see a subcontinent batsman in his first match to play like and experienced batsman knowing well aware of his off-stump line. He was a major reason why Pakistan were able to drew that series.

He was doing well tests , got a promotion to ODIs which is not his forte to score quick runs as an opener , and then discarded forever, for Imam who is ok in ODIs and still finding his feat in tests
 
ask_analyse_act said:
Exactly Pakistan is known for giving long rope to under performers. I remember his inns in England in 2016, everyone was shocked to see a subcontinent batsman in his first match to play like and experienced batsman knowing well aware of his off-stump line. He was a major reason why Pakistan were able to drew that series.

He was doing well tests , got a promotion to ODIs which is not his forte to score quick runs as an opener , and then discarded forever, for Imam who is ok in ODIs and still finding his feat in tests
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Actually he didn’t help draw the series. He played in the third and fourth Tests. He played very well in the third Test which we lost, and he flopped in the fourth Test which we won.

However, he showed enough on that tour to showcase that he was head and shoulders above other Test openers Pakistan tried at the time and he was only 23-24 then.

He basically lost a deserving career on the back of two bad series. On the other hand, Masood is into his 7th year and he cannot even get his average beyond 35.
 
MMHS said:
Both have played together two Tests - Sami has scored 93 at 23.25; Masood 103 at 25.75 .... May be both can go to USA ..:)

I think, he has got some assurance there - either job, or may be playing in league cricket, eventually qualifying for USA. USA will form a decent cricket team this decade with the number of deshi people and interest in cricket is increasing there.
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Was it the 2 Test series against Sri Lanka in UAE 2017? Your own judgement should convince you that if both play together over 2-3 series against different opponents, Sami will do better.

He is quite clearly a better player with a higher ceiling but Masood has been given preferential treatment for obvious reasons. Sami was made the sacrificial lamb between the two and we know why.

I agree he must have had reassurances for moving to USA. It is a great decision for his future generations even if he doesn’t make it as a cricketer there.
 
Sami Aslam is neither a very solid technical batsman nor a fighter. Pakistan cricket suffer a lot due to too many timid and soft players crumble in pressure situation. Good to see new system is getting rid of leeches, softies and opportunist players.
 
Junaids said:
This is disappointing: he should at least have completed the season.

I am staggered that he has responded like this. It was outrageous that he wasn’t in Misbah’s 29 man squad to England - he topped the averages there four years ago - but Sami Aslam should have realised that Misbah will be gone within a year, and he would be next in line for an opening slot.

Poor selection by Misbah.

Stupid response by Sami.
Click to expand...

With 35 of the top players removed from the domestic pool for a decent amount of time this was probably the best opportunity he would ever get at topping the runs chart.
 
Junaids said:
This is disappointing: he should at least have completed the season.

I am staggered that he has responded like this. It was outrageous that he wasn’t in Misbah’s 29 man squad to England - he topped the averages there four years ago - but Sami Aslam should have realised that Misbah will be gone within a year, and he would be next in line for an opening slot.

Poor selection by Misbah.

Stupid response by Sami.
Click to expand...

This guy is too timid, too slow. He can play whole day and score around 80-90. Such an impactless player. Far far worse than Azhar for sure.
 
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