Shoaib Akhtar: Babar Azam should have scored 160 runs off 108 balls, not 112 runs

[Mean&Green]

"Since the first day I said to include Wahab Riaz, utilise his pace. People criticised a lot, saying he wasn't a part of the squad and that he's been getting hit around but he proved himself and proved we need him"

"There was no need to bring Shadab in the 49th over, Sarfaraz made a critical mistake. He can't do this in the World Cup, towards the end matches now before the World Cup we have to try to do limited mistakes in limited overs"

"Babar Azam made 112 in 108 balls, in this day and age in 108 balls you should score 160 runs. Wickets are easy to bat on"

"Sarfaraz will have to be sharp in his captaincy"

"Pakistan can trap teams with 3 spinners"

"Pakistan need to dictate to Mohammad Amir and get performances out of him. He isn't getting the ball to move into the right handers, until he doesn't do that he won't get wickets. He'll have to make effort to bring it in"

"Hasan Ali will have to chip in. On these wickets, he can bowl with the new ball and with him and Amir, you want wickets with the new ball"

"With Imad, Shadab, Hafeez and Shoaib Malik you can trap teams. There's no need to be disappointed or disheartened, slowly and gradually we need to reduce mistakes and build partnerships"

"We need to build long partnerships like 50 in 21 balls, 45 off 25 balls, 60 off 30 balls. Or even run-a-ball in the middle, where you run-rate or strike-rate isn't low"

Honestly what do you guys make of this seriously shoaib is possibly the worst cricket analyst out there imo. He believes babar should have scored 160 off 108 balls instead of 112 off of 108 balls. According to him the pitch was flat and easy to bat on so babar should have played way faster. I don’t think he’s been watching the same matches as us cause even the biggest strikers of the ball don’t score at that rate all the time so expecting babar to score over a strike rate of 150 is beyond ridiculous from Shoaib Akhtar.

 

[shaz619]

The hundred vs Afg in hindsight was a good one given how the spinners bowled so well

 

[Yezir]

why does he looks like he ran 20 kms before recording this

 

[gazza619]

Excellent analysis.

Always find his views very interesting. Wonder why we dont get him in the coaching set up.

 

[superman]

Did this genius look at the scorecard to see what the others had made?

 

[MMHS]

“.... limited overs cricket may, limited mistakes hona chahiye....”

What a line, worthy of the analysis.

 

[hur rizvi]

It was a very fluent innings and he coped with Rashid really well

He is not even 1 bit responsible for defeat against Afghanistan

 

[topspin]

Well 160 off 108 balls is ideally what you need on 400+ wickets. The wicket at the Rose Bowl on Friday wasn't that good to bat on though.

I have been critical of Babar but he doesn't deserve any stick for the way he played in the last game, in fact he was superb. His strike rate was in excess of 100 while the rest of the team were batting at an average SR of around 80.

 

[Abdullah719]

Shoaib didn't get Nick Knight out with the 100mph ball.

It should have been 160mph

 

[hur rizvi]

Well 160 off 108 balls is ideally what you need on 400+ wickets. The wicket at the Rose Bowl on Friday wasn't that good to bat on though.

I have been critical of Babar but he doesn't deserve any stick for the way he played in the last game, in fact he was superb. His strike rate was in excess of 100 while the rest of the team were batting at an average SR of around 80.

Not every player can score 160 off 108 balls anyway, Babar doesnt have power game to do that even on a 400 pitch. If he tries to slog his way to 160 off 108 he is more likely to get out cheaply. Whilst I agree that at no point his S/R should drop below 90 and should end up with 100+ S/R but It's not reasonable to expect or demand such S/R from him

 

[Mean&Green]

why does he looks like he ran 20 kms before recording this

He’s back on the grind yeah he just had an intense workout that’s why it looks like that he’s also getting ripped this season cause he says he’s gearing up for a match against Shane warns and Matthew Hayden . He’s also going to show the world he can still bowl 150+ can’t wait for that

 

[Mean&Green]

It was a very fluent innings and he coped with Rashid really well

He is not even 1 bit responsible for defeat against Afghanistan

Exactly the ease he played rashid with was amazing he didn’t look troubled by him at all in fact he it wouldn’t be wrong if we say that he dominated rashid. That made me really happy because if he played rashid with such ease he’ll take kuldeep and chahal apart in sha allah.

 

[Abdullah719]

"We need to build long partnerships like 50 in 21 balls, 45 off 25 balls, 60 off 30 balls. Or even run-a-ball in the middle, where your run-rate or strike-rate isn't low"

Fascinating.

 

[Abdullah]

Exactly the ease he played rashid with was amazing he didn’t look troubled by him at all in fact he it wouldn’t be wrong if we say that he dominated rashid. That made me really happy because if he played rashid with such ease he’ll take kuldeep and chahal apart in sha allah.

I would say he took him apart when the guy only conceded 3 an over, but he wasn't troubled which was good

 

[Mean&Green]

"We need to build long partnerships like 50 in 21 balls, 45 off 25 balls, 60 off 30 balls. Or even run-a-ball in the middle, where your run-rate or strike-rate isn't low"

Fascinating.

Lol he doesn’t realize teams like England only have that type of ability hence they are number 1 and we are number 7. It’s strange he doesn’t realize the difference between number 1 and 7 like he thinks Pakistan should be playing like the number one team when we don’t even have that type of ability. We don’t have a butler or Bairstow to rack up those type of scores. He’s seriously just delusional or extremely patriotic.

 

[Captain caveman]

I agree with most of what shoaib is saying. But the 160 from 108 balls is abit excessive. Perhaps 120 or 125 runs would be a fairer expectation. However, i thought it was one of babars best odi innings, so i wouldnt be too critical of him. Shoaib is a true patriot and you can feel his love for pak cricket. Shoaib is genuine and passionate about pak cricket, sometimes he can get carried away, but i can forgive him for that because just like all us pak fans, shoaib wants pak cricket to be a success.

 

[jnaveen1980]

He is no Tendulkar yet. Tendulkar as a 22 year old i still remember against Srilanka in 1996 world cup was 95 runs in 120 balls. In the next 17 balls he smashed SL bowlers for 42 runs in the end overs. Babar lacks that aggressive finish.

 

[Zaz]

So the rest of the team makes 140 odd off 180 deliveries at a strike rate of about 80 but babar is the one at fault for not making 160 off his 110 balls

Great logic

 

[Captain caveman]

He is no Tendulkar yet. Tendulkar as a 22 year old i still remember against Srilanka in 1996 world cup was 95 runs in 120 balls. In the next 17 balls he smashed SL bowlers for 42 runs in the end overs. Babar lacks that aggressive finish.

For a small guy, sachin could hit big. Dont know if it was because of the heavy bat he used( fun fact afridi hit the fastest century-37 balls, at the time, using one of sachin bats) or just his pure skill.

 

[hitthestump]

So the rest of the team makes 140 odd off 180 deliveries at a strike rate of about 80 but babar is the one at fault for not making 160 off his 110 balls

Great logic

Honestly this. Cannot believe our best and only performing batsman is getting criticised while the rest flounder harmlessly around him. When failure is expected from everyone except Babar it's no wonder we've lost 18 out of our last 22 meaningful ODI's - heads need to roll after this WC.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Look like all Pakistan cricket revolves around babar . other are just here to makeup numbers

 

[Mean&Green]

For a small guy, sachin could hit big. Dont know if it was because of the heavy bat he used( fun fact afridi hit the fastest century-37 balls, at the time, using one of sachin bats) or just his pure skill.

Trust I remember in 2009/10 Australia toured India and it was my first time really watching him and he scored a 150 something while India was chasing like 360 odd India lost the match but what an innings that was. That day I came to know why he is regarded as the best batsman in the world. Exactly his power hitting was amazing he would hit sixes with ease pure class and he was also a lone warrior in that match

 

[Stewie]

Picking on Imam and Babar is like the fad these days. Not too long ago we would have killed for a couple of batsmen who gave us this stability and co Austen you at the top regardless of SR. Now we are complaining they are not maintaining the strike rates similar to Kohlis and Butlers of the world.

 

[Snowflake]

Now watch him, in his next "analysis", hail the same innings as the best that Babar has ever played.

Shoaib is a joke of an analyst and I can't believe people take him seriously.

 

[Savak]

If tendulkar had a bhumra in his team at his peak, a lot of losing centuries would have been winning centuries

 

[Mean&Green]

Picking on Imam and Babar is like the fad these days. Not too long ago we would have killed for a couple of batsmen who gave us this stability and co Austen you at the top regardless of SR. Now we are complaining they are not maintaining the strike rates similar to Kohlis and Butlers of the world.

lol kohlis strike rate is only like 10 above babar but butler is a different story

 

[Mean&Green]

Excellent analysis.

Always find his views very interesting. Wonder why we dont get him in the coaching set up.

Ur joking right

 

[last_knight]

More than abilities it comes down to luxury of a dependable middle order.

Give Babar a middle order of
4= Morgan/Du Plesis
5=Stokes/Miller
6=Buttler/Duminy

And he may well score hundreds at 130ish SR.

That's a luxury BA doesn't have.With Hafeez, Sarfaraz and Malik at 4-6, even Sir Viv will have to think twice before playing aggressively.

 

[andy0204]

More than abilities it comes down to luxury of a dependable middle order.

Give Babar a middle order of
4= Morgan/Du Plesis
5=Stokes/Miller
6=Buttler/Duminy

And he may well score hundreds at 130ish SR.

That's a luxury BA doesn't have.With Hafeez, Sarfaraz and Malik at 4-6, even Sir Viv will have to think twice before playing aggressively.

I think you didn't watch Viv Richards 189

 

[Green Patriot]

So the rest of the team makes 140 odd off 180 deliveries at a strike rate of about 80 but babar is the one at fault for not making 160 off his 110 balls

Great logic

This.
Came here to say this.

It's like criticizing Babar on slow centuries is a fad now so lets all jump on the bandwagon and get our fair share of it.

 

[Saj]

Shoaib is over-simplifying it.

A century depends on the number of wickets falling around you, the pitch, quality of opposition bowling, size of the boundaries etc.

I was critical of Babar's century versus England in the ODI as it was a flat deck, no wickets were falling and he slowed-down. However he doesn't deserve criticism for his hundred versus Afghanistan.

 

[last_knight]

I think you didn't watch Viv Richards 189

189 is Irrelevant in routine matches where team isn't 6/60 or 7/80. These are not normal circumstances.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

I think it was [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] who said that when Shoaib speaks, you don’t listen

 

[Grunge101]

So the rest of the team makes 140 odd off 180 deliveries at a strike rate of about 80 but babar is the one at fault for not making 160 off his 110 balls

Great logic

This. Dont even know how these experts conjure up this analysis. Its like ''lets blame the one guy thats actually doing something instead of all the other deplorable fools batting around him."

 

[Zaz]

Shoaib akhter as was his nature whilst playing can be difficult to predict what is going through his head

Hes is like most pakistani pp members , he has the propensity to make some good valid points as well as some over the top knee jerk comments and reactions too -this comment on babars strike rate is one of them

Overall hes not a level headed analyst and not someone whos comments you can take too seriously

 

[Grunge101]

Shoaib akhter as was his nature whilst playing can be difficult to predict what is going through his head

Hes is like most pakistani pp members , he has the propensity to make some good valid points as well as some over the top knee jerk comments and reactions too -this comment on babars strike rate is one of them

Overall hes not a level headed analyst and not someone whos comments you can take too seriously

Hes the quintessential example of someone who has a finalistic opinion on everything. And when that is the case, you are going to make a fool of yourself quite often whilst every once in a while you will get it right. A week or so before the WC squad was announced, he was saying Wahab will be a part of it on some TV show. Rashid latif and someone else were like that's not possible, he hasn't been part of our plans for 2 years now.

His narcissistic confidence tho, when hes making those statement fools many people.

 

[Mamoon]

I think it was [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] who said that when Shoaib speaks, you don’t listen

Along with Afridi, the biggest liar Pakistan cricket has ever produced. Nothing that he says is supposed to be taken seriously.

 

[emranabbas]

Right at this moment England are striking at 170+ Vs the same Afghanistan

Babar is definitely the best Pakistani batsmen but it's ridiculous with fans here say he's the best in the world and would fit in any team in the world

 

[Sin Nombre]

Right at this moment England are striking at 170+ Vs the same Afghanistan

Babar is definitely the best Pakistani batsmen but it's ridiculous with fans here say he's the best in the world and would fit in any team in the world

Even Rashid is going at 6 rpo.

I think it is very evident that Babar could have played faster in the last match.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Even Rashid is going at 6 rpo.

I think it is very evident that Babar could have played faster in the last match.

Compare babar to root not Roy/bairstow. Root had a lower strike rate than babar in the recently concluded pak eng series.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Compare babar to root not Roy/bairstow. Root had a lower strike rate than babar in the recently concluded pak eng series.

You can tolerate a Root when he is playing with a Roy or Bairstow. 2 accumulators playing together doesn't work in ODI cricket.

 

[Green Patriot]

You can tolerate a Root when he is playing with a Roy or Bairstow. 2 accumulators playing together doesn't work in ODI cricket.

So you dont take your accumulator and tear him apart unnecessarily.
You bring to account the supposed power hitters in your team and the seasoned veterans in the middle order who are supposed to be doing this job.
Our no 3 is,in terms of his batting style,like England's no 3 who btw made 29(37) today.Oh and btw their bowlers also bowled Afghanistan out for 160 but no lets all blame Babar for playing slowly because he is selfish and loses us matches we can win otherwise.

There is no case for Babar having played slowly in the match vs Afghanistan and people blaming him have to be delusional.

 

[Mean&Green]

Along with Afridi, the biggest liar Pakistan cricket has ever produced. Nothing that he says is supposed to be taken seriously.

Exactly both will change or say anything for money according to the situation

 

[Mean&Green]

Even Rashid is going at 6 rpo.

I think it is very evident that Babar could have played faster in the last match.

Did you see that pitch how could you even have the audacity when the rest of the team was in tatters if he played like that we would be all out under 150 also Roy plays high risk cricket he was dropped on like 8 today as well you seriously need more game awareness for saying stuff like that

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

I'm pretty critical of Babar, but in this case, he had an excellent century. Run a ball century with players falling all around is very good. His teammates failed him, he did not fail his teammates.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Yes, Babar should aspire to be Chris Gayle and Rahul Dravid all rolled into one, and it would still not be enough if the other ten players are doing whatever they want.

Shoaib is quite possibly the worst analyst in Pakistan cricket.

 

[Chokli]

Yes, Babar should aspire to be Chris Gayle and Rahul Dravid all rolled into one, and it would still not be enough if the other ten players are doing whatever they want.

Shoaib is quite possibly the worst analyst in Pakistan cricket.

Not really, I mean he's right. In this day and age where batting is supposed to be easier, a player like Babar (after playing so many balls) should be able to up the ante.

 

[Zaz]

Not really, I mean he's right. In this day and age where batting is supposed to be easier, a player like Babar (after playing so many balls) should be able to up the ante.

Yes when the stage is right ie flat track and wickets in hand he should be accelerating But not the game against afghans when everyone is falling like nine pins around him and the team is struggling to make 250

A run a ball century in these circumstances is a excellent effort

 

[Usman Chadda]

Not really, I mean he's right. In this day and age where batting is supposed to be easier, a player like Babar (after playing so many balls) should be able to up the ante.

Babar is not the type of player who can score 160 off a 100 balls. Just like Root, Williamson or Smith cannot do this either. These guys have specific roles, and they execute it according to their potential. Babar will do even better if he's part of a team which has proper power-hitters in their eleven.

 

[Chokli]

Babar is not the type of player who can score 160 off a 100 balls. Just like Root, Williamson or Smith cannot do this either. These guys have specific roles, and they execute it according to their potential. Babar will do even better if he's part of a team which has proper power-hitters in their eleven.

Yeah but we're facing a minnow and Babar is a top class player.

If not 160 at least 140.

Plus it's a warm up match, should play pressure free cricket.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Yeah but we're facing a minnow and Babar is a top class player.

If not 160 at least 140.

Plus it's a warm up match, should play pressure free cricket.

This minnow has a decent bowling attack. Also the way the rest of our guys were throwing their wickets away, it was difficult for him to power himself to a 120+ SR.

He is not that kind of player anyway, so expecting something like this from him speaks more about the 'analyst' than Babar himself.

 

[jnaveen1980]

For a small guy, sachin could hit big. Dont know if it was because of the heavy bat he used( fun fact afridi hit the fastest century-37 balls, at the time, using one of sachin bats) or just his pure skill.

yes He used a 3 lb bat. One of his shot was that unique whip over midwicket. To do that your wrists have to be firm and strong.

 

[QalandarFan]

"India yaha par ludo nahi kehlnay aya" Thanks for enlightening us Einstein.

 

[coy0607]

For a small guy, sachin could hit big. Dont know if it was because of the heavy bat he used( fun fact afridi hit the fastest century-37 balls, at the time, using one of sachin bats) or just his pure skill.

Sachin could hit, which Babar clearly can't do. And I don't think that's a criticism of Babar - if hitting isn't his game then he shouldn't be doing that. But he should also not be slowing to a crawl when approaching a century. The least he could do is continue to bat a 90+ SR

 

[Mean&Green]

"India yaha par ludo nahi kehlnay aya" Thanks for enlightening us Einstein.

He keeps praising India in the middle of everything cause he wants to host those cricket shows in the future and extra commentary stints for that bag