"Sharjeel Khan can totally change the game when he plays well" : Babar Azam

[MenInG]

Babar Azam speaking to the media today:


Initial Statement

"We will try and keep the winning momentum going on this tour"

"We haven't played ODIs for a while , last one was vs Zimbabwe, so we will play 2 OD training games"

"These games are important for qualifying for the World Cup and we looking to gain valuable points for the World Cup Qualifiers"

"I have been captaining for 18 months now and have learnt a lot, and am still learning"

"Regarding rumours circulating about my differences (with Chief Selector) on selection of the squads I would like to say that it would be better that matters discussed in a meeting room are best kept within that room, because its doesn't seem right when that happens"

"There is always debate on such issues and its a good thing, to agree or disagree on such matters is good for all of us and for our cricket; Even the media have disagreements amongst themselves when they discuss certain players"

"So it's best that such matters are kept private as this isn't my team but its's our team"

"I understand the protocols associated with team selection and it will be my job to select the playing XI from the squad given to me"


On the personal matter effecting his game

"I cannot say anything about the personal matter that you spoke about, the matter is in the court and my lawyer is handling it, but my focus is always on cricket; There will always be hurdles so that doesn't mean that I move my focus away from cricket; I always keep my focus on cricket which is good for the side and myself"


On why Sharjeel selected despite fitness issues:

"I have played alongside Sharjeel Khan the fact is that he cannot become Shadab Khan (in terms of fitness) instantaneously, can he?"

"I agree his fitness is not what we expect it to be but we will help him improve that; The fact is that he is in good form now and that can help us; He is one of our best players and I have seen that myself as I have played alongside him with Karachi Kings and I know that he can totally change the game when he plays well"

"We are working on his fitness and he will show improvements soon"

"I have asked him only for T20s and not for ODIs as T20 is a short format where we can adjust for this (fitness) but I will repeat that he has to work on his fitness"

"I believe you are all worried about Sharjeel's fitness, but he has played 4-days and ODs in domestic cricket"

"In my view there isn't that much of an issue of fitness for Sharjeel - yes, he is a little 'healthy' and we are working on his fitness but I will repeat again that he is a match-winner; We will work on his fitness and there is no issue with his fielding as he is very good in that; He is now part of the squad and the more we back him, the better it will be for us"


On how can he put a stamp of his authority as captain

"I have been on this job for close to 18 months and I have said this before that I do act and take steps when needed for my players and for my side; We work together as a group and take decisions which are best for the team - its not nice to keep on saying the same thing"


On his side's preparation for tour of South Africa

"Our batsmen are ready for the challenge ahead as whilst the bowlers are the ones who win matches for sides, it's the batsmen's job to provide the scores that bowlers can defend"

"We have 110% confidence on our selected side but we do know that we struggle on overseas tours but going by how we responded to the challenge on our last visit of South Africa, I am confident that we will perform well"


Steps being taken to ensure that what happened on NZ tour due to COVID-19 positive players doesn't happen again

"All our players are following protocols, and are all intelligent enough to be aware of what is permitted and what is not; We have been living through the threat of COVID-19 for almost a year now and all players know how to keep themselves safe; We are doing the same in our bio-secure bubble also and each player knows that they have to wear masks and how to conduct themselves in such an environment"


On reasons for Azam Khan and Sohaib Maqsood being invited to NHCP

"We are bringing in good players, red and white balls one, to work on their skills and fitness keeping in mind our future series"

 

[Sir-fraz]

Or he can totally lose us the game whilst running around dropping catches.

Some real double standards here on babars part... young players who are match fit are not good enough. But sharjeel who has been out of cricket for like 3years and is obese and out of shape can change the game...

"I have played alongside Sharjeel Khan the fact is that he cannot become Shadab Khan (in terms of fitness) instantaneously, can he?"

What good excuse babar, hes literally coming off as a goof. He had 2.5 years to get fit.

 

[Rana]

But but Misbah wants 11x Cristiano Ronaldo level athletes on the field???

 

[Rana]

Imagine the stubbornness and stupidity of Misbah. He will keep out your potential match winners and select Imam Ul Haq to represent Pakistan as a T20 opener because he probably scored well on the YoYo Test.

A con artist of the highest order!

 

[topspin]

Imagine the stubbornness and stupidity of Misbah. He will keep out your potential match winners and select Imam Ul Haq to represent Pakistan as a T20 opener because he probably scored well on the YoYo Test.

A con artist of the highest order!

Yep Misbah deffo the kinda guy to pick Imam over Sharjeel in T20s.

 

[Slim]

Yep Misbah deffo the kinda guy to pick Imam over Sharjeel in T20s.

But Misbah isnt wrong, is he in this regard? Why does Sharjeel gets to get away for being unfit, obese and for being a match fixer.

 

[Titan24]

Balanced comments from Babar.

 

[Rajdeep]

Imagine the stubbornness and stupidity of Misbah. He will keep out your potential match winners and select Imam Ul Haq to represent Pakistan as a T20 opener because he probably scored well on the YoYo Test.

A con artist of the highest order!

Dude, Misbah is not wrong. I am not an athlete, consider myself fat and due to the coronavirus lockdown hardly doing any exercise either. Yet I dont allow my weight to go over 80 kgs. There is absolutely no reason why a professional cricketer would weigh 115 kilos. As a coach Misbah is correct in demanding basic fitness. No one is asking Sarjeel to become an athlete like Ronaldo or Nadal but keeping the weight in check is minimum for any sportsperson.

 

[OMB]

There should be some consistency in fitness as a selection criteria. Not denying that Sharjeel can be a handful as a batsman but selecting him this smacks of double standards and favourtism.
More importantly what was Sharjeel doing to earn his place? For the love of playing for the country, couldn't he become fitter? He had adequate time. Actors do it all the time in preparation for their character, why Sharjeel couldnt?

 

[Kroll]

Babar is right about Sharjeel getting back in form and how he can be a game changer. There is the issue of fielding and dropped catches but he isn't the only culprit and liability.

There's more of an upside for his inclusion as let's face it, there isn't a better hitter in the side when he's in full flow.

 

[topspin]

But Misbah isnt wrong, is he in this regard? Why does Sharjeel gets to get away for being unfit, obese and for being a match fixer.

By no means is Sharjeel is an automatic starter and the main reason for this is because he's out of shape and unfit.

However, as we lack firepower at the top of the order, I don't agree with Misbah's stance where he doesn't want him anywhere near the team.

Fakhar Zaman keeps himself fit but look at his technique. Sharjeel is a much better opener than him.

 

[shariqnoor]

Only in Pakistan do you call fat people "healthy". It's just ridiculous.

Pakistan cricket has such few options right now that I'm sort of ok with compromising on fitness a little bit if it means you get a better skilled player. However, Sharjeel is a hack but more than that, he's a spot fixer. PCB didn't learn anything from the 90's spot/match fixing saga and then didn't learn from the Asif/Amir/Butt saga. All three should've been ostracized yet Amir was brought back into the team while Butt is now on PCB's payroll as a commentator. Terrible all round.

 

[srh]

Babar Azam speaking to the media today:


Initial Statement

"We will try and keep the winning momentum going on this tour"

"We haven't played ODIs for a while , last one was vs Zimbabwe, so we will play 2 OD training games"

"These games are important for qualifying for the World Cup and we looking to gain valuable points for the World Cup Qualifiers"

"I have been captaining for 18 months now and have learnt a lot, and am still learning"

"Regarding rumours circulating about my differences (with Chief Selector) on selection of the squads I would like to say that it would be better that matters discussed in a meeting room are best kept within that room, because its doesn't seem right when that happens"

"There is always debate on such issues and its a good thing, to agree or disagree on such matters is good for all of us and for our cricket; Even the media have disagreements amongst themselves when they discuss certain players"

"So it's best that such matters are kept private as this isn't my team but its's our team"

"I understand the protocols associated with team selection and it will be my job to select the playing XI from the squad given to me"


On the personal matter effecting his game

"I cannot say anything about the personal matter that you spoke about, the matter is in the court and my lawyer is handling it, but my focus is always on cricket; There will always be hurdles so that doesn't mean that I move my focus away from cricket; I always keep my focus on cricket which is good for the side and myself"


On why Sharjeel selected despite fitness issues:

"I have played alongside Sharjeel Khan the fact is that he cannot become Shadab Khan (in terms of fitness) instantaneously, can he?"

"I agree his fitness is not what we expect it to be but we will help him improve that; The fact is that he is in good form now and that can help us; He is one of our best players and I have seen that myself as I have played alongside him with Karachi Kings and I know that he can totally change the game when he plays well"

"We are working on his fitness and he will show improvements soon"

"I have asked him only for T20s and not for ODIs as T20 is a short format where we can adjust for this (fitness) but I will repeat that he has to work on his fitness"

"I believe you are all worried about Sharjeel's fitness, but he has played 4-days and ODs in domestic cricket"

"In my view there isn't that much of an issue of fitness for Sharjeel - yes, he is a little 'healthy' and we are working on his fitness but I will repeat again that he is a match-winner; We will work on his fitness and there is no issue with his fielding as he is very good in that; He is now part of the squad and the more we back him, the better it will be for us"


On how can he put a stamp of his authority as captain

"I have been on this job for close to 18 months and I have said this before that I do act and take steps when needed for my players and for my side; We work together as a group and take decisions which are best for the team - its not nice to keep on saying the same thing"


On his side's preparation for tour of South Africa

"Our batsmen are ready for the challenge ahead as whilst the bowlers are the ones who win matches for sides, it's the batsmen's job to provide the scores that bowlers can defend"

"We have 110% confidence on our selected side but we do know that we struggle on overseas tours but going by how we responded to the challenge on our last visit of South Africa, I am confident that we will perform well"


Steps being taken to ensure that what happened on NZ tour due to COVID-19 positive players doesn't happen again

"All our players are following protocols, and are all intelligent enough to be aware of what is permitted and what is not; We have been living through the threat of COVID-19 for almost a year now and all players know how to keep themselves safe; We are doing the same in our bio-secure bubble also and each player knows that they have to wear masks and how to conduct themselves in such an environment"


On reasons for Azam Khan and Sohaib Maqsood being invited to NHCP

"We are bringing in good players, red and white balls one, to work on their skills and fitness keeping in mind our future series"


View attachment 108015

I thought Babar was against Sharjeel's selection? Can someone name players whose selection Babar was against?

 

[Energy]

Imagine the stubbornness and stupidity of Misbah. He will keep out your potential match winners and select Imam Ul Haq to represent Pakistan as a T20 opener because he probably scored well on the YoYo Test.

A con artist of the highest order!

Potential match winner has an average of 24 in T20I, last played a competitive game in 2016 and since then has piled on 20+ kilos.

 

[Firebat]

The fact that a professional athlete can't even get his weight and fitness to the bare minimum standard in order to represent his country potentially at a World Cup is the reddest of all flags (aside from the spot-fixing obviously).

 

[Zeshan547]

By every passing day babar is proving he isn't the messaiah we fans were looking after, just another typical pak captain with hidden biases and favorites and not the sharpest bloke on the field.

 

[Sir-fraz]

Babar is pushing the same old culture. Dont get your hopes up people pakistan cricket has been in a downward spiral and babar will just keep going down the same path.

 

[Rana]

Potential match winner has an average of 24 in T20I, last played a competitive game in 2016 and since then has piled on 20+ kilos.

Yeah well let’s pick Imam ul Haq for the Australia World Cup just like Misbah did for the Australia tour last time?

 

[Kroll]

I think its just a case of keeping your options open, barring a few players, no ones a certainty. With T20s, you can shoehorn in a few more hacks than you can with other formats.

 

[Greenstorm]

Thats right Babar. Now ignore Misbah the loser and include Sharjeel in playing XI.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Honestly for t20 cricket fitness doesn't matter too much. Just pick the best players.

Also good attitude from Babar. Hopefully all that nonsense spread by the media can be brushed aside and the team can perform well.

 

[Hawkeye]

Sharjeel is the BOSS.

We need him.

 

[Nasty Naz]

The fact that a professional athlete can't even get his weight and fitness to the bare minimum standard in order to represent his country potentially at a World Cup is the reddest of all flags (aside from the spot-fixing obviously).

You mean like Inzimam?

This might sound wild but maybe, just maybe fitness isn't all that important in T20's. They're not Test matches. Wild, I know.

 

[Rana]

I can see how insecure Rizwan fans have an issue with Sharjeel’s fitness and so called ‘lazy attitude’ towards it.

Not scared to say what is on my mind!

 

[topspin]

I can see how insecure Rizwan fans have an issue with Sharjeel’s fitness and so called ‘lazy attitude’ towards it.

Not scared to say what is on my mind!

The ideal combo is for both of them to open together.

Now I know it would be nice to have Babar opening but it appears to me that he would rather hide at number 3.

 

[Indiafan]

You mean like Inzimam?

This might sound wild but maybe, just maybe fitness isn't all that important in T20's. They're not Test matches. Wild, I know.

There is a reason inzamam failed in every single worldbcup after his debut. A person of his skill and talent could have easily dominated every format instead of being bang just above average

Also it might surprise you, but its been nearly 15 years after inzamam retired and the world and cricket has changed

 

[the Great Khan]

Look if they pick him for the T20's ok fair enough i'll have to put up with seeing this moata embaress the nation. but nothing more than that. they have now invited that other Moata Azam Khan to the high performance centre. What are they doing running pie eating contests? how is it that these totally unfit "youngsters" get anywhere near national selection..Its a disgrace!!

I would rather a fit player who can field in t20's and than a fat Moata who will make 13 and then drop twenty catches while giving away 50 runs in the field!!

Can you imagine a team with both sharjeel and azam khan in the team?? theyll be running out of biryani in the kitchen because of these two moatay!!

 

[the Great Khan]

There is a reason inzamam failed in every single worldbcup after his debut. A person of his skill and talent could have easily dominated every format instead of being bang just above average

Also it might surprise you, but its been nearly 15 years after inzamam retired and the world and cricket has changed

Inzis saving grace was his immense talent, and stature. he was tall..and he wasnt always fat! He put on wait in his 30's but at teh same time made big runs in hard places like India and the Uk. He made 180 odd against India in hot conditions against Kumble and co. Can you honestly say Sharjeel could do that? Inzi also made a triple hundred..Sharjeel is way bigger than Inzi..He is shorter and fatter!!

and Inzi wasnt bang on average..Sharjeel is average and so is that moata pie eater Azam Khan

 

[Greenstorm]

There is a reason inzamam failed in every single worldbcup after his debut. A person of his skill and talent could have easily dominated every format instead of being bang just above average

Also it might surprise you, but its been nearly 15 years after inzamam retired and the world and cricket has changed

Even today, Pakistan will give away ten super fit Shans and Imams just to get one unfit Inzi.

 

[Greenstorm]

Look if they pick him for the T20's ok fair enough i'll have to put up with seeing this moata embaress the nation. but nothing more than that. they have now invited that other Moata Azam Khan to the high performance centre. What are they doing running pie eating contests? how is it that these totally unfit "youngsters" get anywhere near national selection..Its a disgrace!!

I would rather a fit player who can field in t20's and than a fat Moata who will make 13 and then drop twenty catches while giving away 50 runs in the field!!

Can you imagine a team with both sharjeel and azam khan in the team?? theyll be running out of biryani in the kitchen because of these two moatay!!

Both of them are good enough for T20Is. Can win the game on their own which not many can in Pakistan.

 

[Saj]

Babar was told by PCB exactly what to say about the Mohammad Wasim disagreement issue, Sharjeel Khan and the legal matter.

 

[Varun]

Babar was told by PCB exactly what to say about the Mohammad Wasim disagreement issue, Sharjeel Khan and the legal matter.

I'm starting to feel sorry for him.

Poor guy just wants to bat and score runs for his team, not get dragged into all these on and off field issues.

 

[dildilpak]

Babar was told by PCB exactly what to say about the Mohammad Wasim disagreement issue, Sharjeel Khan and the legal matter.

Babar was better off without the captaincy. Way too much politics is involved in Pakistan cricket - i fear it might end up pressurizing our best bat.

 

[Suleiman]

Only in Pakistan do you call fat people "healthy". It's just ridiculous.

Pakistan cricket has such few options right now that I'm sort of ok with compromising on fitness a little bit if it means you get a better skilled player. However, Sharjeel is a hack but more than that, he's a spot fixer. PCB didn't learn anything from the 90's spot/match fixing saga and then didn't learn from the Asif/Amir/Butt saga. All three should've been ostracized yet Amir was brought back into the team while Butt is now on PCB's payroll as a commentator. Terrible all round.

Literally. If you are lean and not even thin you’re called skinny or “smart”

If you’re fat you’re sayhatmand lmao

Desi fitness culture in a nutshell.

 

[Shazzam]

Babar was told by PCB exactly what to say about the Mohammad Wasim disagreement issue, Sharjeel Khan and the legal matter.

Following the book as usual. I'm sorry to say as great of a batsmen he is. His personality off the field seems non existent. It maybe a basic nitpick from me though.

 

[Coolcapri]

Dude, Misbah is not wrong. I am not an athlete, consider myself fat and due to the coronavirus lockdown hardly doing any exercise either. Yet I dont allow my weight to go over 80 kgs. There is absolutely no reason why a professional cricketer would weigh 115 kilos. As a coach Misbah is correct in demanding basic fitness. No one is asking Sarjeel to become an athlete like Ronaldo or Nadal but keeping the weight in check is minimum for any sportsperson.

True, I think its about commitment, 1 year ago the message was given to Sharjeel in PSL to improve his fitness, But he didn't seems to bother and gain weight.
He is lucky to be selected, Now he has to repay by batting well and keep working on his fitness.

 

[MenInG]

Literally. If you are lean and not even thin you’re called skinny or “smart”

If you’re fat you’re sayhatmand lmao

Desi fitness culture in a nutshell.

Healthy implies that you are well fed = no shortage of resources = Doing well in life!

 

[Indiafan]

Even today, Pakistan will give away ten super fit Shans and Imams just to get one unfit Inzi.

The point is maximizing once potential. Compare it to the lazy but brilliant student. He can come in top 5 of class without studying. So he can continue being lazy and happy with that, then in college and later he will still be lazy, so will be in middle tier. Finally he will settle as middle class with a decent salary

Now someone with same brains but more work ethic will study hard, ace college, move up in job and might earn 10 times more

There is no bigger waste in life than wasting talent. There is a parable Jesus tells in the New Testament (Matthew 25:14–30)

A rich man goes on a trip and gives his 3 servant, different number of talents (coins with great value) to keep. The first servant spends it all away. The second invests it and doubles it. The third buried it. When the master returned, the first servant has nothing to give, second gave back double and the third dug up the talents and gave it back

The master was most angry with the servant who had buried his talent. Jesus point was, you are given talents to use it and multiply it, not waste it or keep it hidden

Talent and skills are God given, therefore a responsibility too. If you have more talent, you should have more responsibility, not less. People remember Mozart and Michaelangelo who worked their backside offs to create masterpieces, not the talented guy who only uses his talent lazily or to impress his friends

There is no bigger waste in this world than wasting God given talent because of laziness or lack of work ethics. Imagine you having the skills to serve your country at the highest level, yet laziness holding you back. Skill, talent and temperament are God given. Maximizing them through fitness and ethics is in one's hand. God has done his part, can the man not be expected to do the bare minimum of his part?

 

[Energy]

Change the match 'on the day'. This outdated, meaningless, trash slogan is still highly used today in Pakistan cricket.

 

[PakPremi]

Even today, Pakistan will give away ten super fit Shans and Imams just to get one unfit Inzi.

Great comment

 

[Rana]

Change the match 'on the day'. This outdated, meaningless, trash slogan is still highly used today in Pakistan cricket.

Is that why RCB forked out 14m rupees for a flop like Glen Maxwell????

 

[Energy]

Is that why RCB forked out 14m rupees for a flop like Glen Maxwell????

Again, apples and oranges. Maxwell can bowl handy off spin, is a gun fielder and can float in the top or middle order. Maxwell has been poor in the IPL but you can understand why at franchise level, he will be a big buy.

Sharjeel doesn't come close.

 

[Rana]

Again, apples and oranges. Maxwell can bowl handy off spin, is a gun fielder and can float in the top or middle order. Maxwell has been poor in the IPL but you can understand why at franchise level, he will be a big buy.

Sharjeel doesn't come close.

So if someone else does it there are excuses, but if Pakistan do it then it is a 'typical Pakistani thing'? There can also be similar excuses in favour of Sharjeel Khan if you want to be fair and impartial...

 

[Suleiman]

Healthy implies that you are well fed = no shortage of resources = Doing well in life!

Yeah I get that, but this is how people thought in the early 1900s. A fat man was considered healthy and high status for the reasons you say, and a lean man was considered working class / lower class.

Unfortunately it seems like some people in South Asia are still living in the 1900s given their mindset on fitness and other things.

 

[OMB]

Why do public perception matter for simple fitness checks? There is no such thing as people decision here. This is to be decided by the board and the TM. and they cant use different yardsticks for fitness.
Give the player a timeframe and stick to it. Never bend the rules for a player just to win an odd series or two.
You might win the battle but lose the war.

 

[Coolcapri]

I understand fitness is important but talent and skill also, I feel they couldn't find better opening batsman than him in pak, so decided to take him in the team and simultaneous work on his fitness.

 

[MenInG]

So will Sharjeel play tomorrow?

 

[shamaan]

Sharjeel should play tomorrow

 

[gazza619]

It is rather unfair to bring him in the series decider and hope for him to fire straight away. In my opinion he should have featured in all 7 T20s in SA and Zim so that we could have seen what he was really made of.

Babar needs to realise that he needs to drop down the order for team combination’s sake. My XI:

Rizwan
Sharjeel
Babar
Fakhar
Hafeez
Faheem
Nawaz
Hassan
Shaheen
Qadir
Rauf

 

[srh]

It is rather unfair to bring him in the series decider and hope for him to fire straight away. In my opinion he should have featured in all 7 T20s in SA and Zim so that we could have seen what he was really made of.

Babar needs to realise that he needs to drop down the order for team combination’s sake. My XI:

Rizwan
Sharjeel
Babar
Fakhar
Hafeez
Faheem
Nawaz
Hassan
Shaheen
Qadir
Rauf

Misbah screwed up Pakistan big time by playing Sharjeel only in 1 game Seriously what he was thinking? How can Sharjeel get back to his international form if Misbah does not give him any confidence?