Should Iftikhar Ahmed be given another chance?

[Rayyman]

They were showing the list for most 1st-class runs(last two years) in Pakistan during the match. Iftikhar was on it and averaged around 47. Can also bowl off-spin. He only got one match and then was dropped.
Should he be recalled for the next series?

 

[Hasan123]

No

 

[Rayyman]

Even Bazid mentioned how Ifti got a chance at Oval.

 

[Mamoon]

 

[Sherlock]

Unless he improves his bowling/batting, NO!

Fawad deserves a go, as does Usman Salahuddin.

 

[Rayyman]

Unless he improves his bowling/batting, NO!

Fawad deserves a go, as does Usman Salahuddin.

What's wrong? His numbers are good.

 

[idrizzy]

I'd rather have Usman and Haris. Think he's just unlucky that in Tests we had Younus-Misbah partnership that no one was going to dislodge.

 

[Rayyman]

View attachment 73986

He's 27 pretty young for a spin all-rounder.

 

[Mamoon]

He's 27 pretty young for a spin all-rounder.

Are you telling me that I am only a year younger than him?

 

[Abdul]

No thank you.

 

[Rayyman]

No

No thank you.

I'd like to know the reasoning behind your opinions.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

I'd like to know the reasoning behind your opinions.

He's garbage.

 

[Abdul]

I'd like to know the reasoning behind your opinions.

A bloody hack + simply not good enough + probably the biggest age fudger in Pakistan's entire history.

 

[Rayyman]

Just seems like there is an agenda against this guy. His stats are there for everyone to see.

 

[Square Drive]

No.

Usman Salahuddin, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Umar Amin - in that order.

 

[Rayyman]

No.

Usman Salahuddin, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Umar Amin - in that order.

Amin and Haris weren't even in that list I mentioned in OP.

 

[shady]

His First Class stats are alright but he looked out of place in the Oval match. Also, it seems doubtful that he's 26. Imad should get a look before Ifthikar; better FC stats and he has already proven himself in LOI cricket.

 

[Square Drive]

Amin and Haris weren't even in that list I mentioned in OP.

OK so if we're deciding purely on the basis of that list, I guess you'd rather have Aamer Sajjad in the XI than play Haris?

 

[Third_Umpire]

Iftikhar gave me hope that even I could make my debut and play for Pakistan.

So no.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

No

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

He's 27 pretty young for a spin all-rounder.

Even 1985 indicates 2-3 years fudging given the time he started playing professional Cricket under pcb.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] Same thing with Naveed Malik of Rawalpindi Rams. A few seasons ago his DOB used be 1982. Now somehow it is 1986

 

[Speedster777]

No.

 

[MMHS]

Are you telling me that I am only a year younger than him?

May be, I haven't seen you. But, I can tell that he is not couple of years younger than Joe Root or Steve Smith for sure.

 

[msb314]

No way.

He is past it and frankly was never good enough in the first place...

Would rather have Hafeez.

 

[Rayyman]

May be, I haven't seen you. But, I can tell that he is not couple of years younger than Joe Root or Steve Smith for sure.

No way.

He is past it and frankly was never good enough in the first place...

Would rather have Hafeez.

You can't be hundred percent sure about his age and he is not thaat old like people are making him out to be 45-50 years. Ifti also adds dynamism to a one-paced lineup.

 

[MMHS]

You can't be hundred percent sure about his age and he is not thaat old like people are making him out to be 45-50 years. Ifti also adds dynamism to a one-paced lineup.

I actually don't think that he is 45-50 years old, rather me thinks it's in between 35-40; that's 10 years lower than what people are making & 10 years higher than what his certificate is saying.

 

[Hasan123]

I'd like to know the reasoning behind your opinions.

Awful technique and lacks any shot range.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

People having a clear biased agenda against Chachu Ifti.......So what if he's 35+....If we can recall Kami why can't Chachu Ifti be given another go ??

 

[Ellipsism]

What's wrong? His numbers are good.

And numbers ar the only criterion of selection?

 

[JibranAnsari]

too old , he lack reflexes of a batsman , i wonder he would ever be able to connect a shot less than 2 feet behind the batting stumps against a 140 kph plus bowler.

 

[Markhor]

Looked a complete hack at The Oval and his brief stint in ODI cricket.

Somehow keeps scoring runs in domestic but that shows you the quality of our competition.

 

[Pete Rose]

Yes.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Yes.

in the Champions trophy he should have, but that aint happening any more and at his age we are better developing somebody younger

 

[Red Devil]

Yes.

You rate him?

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] Same thing with Naveed Malik of Rawalpindi Rams. A few seasons ago his DOB used be 1982. Now somehow it is 1986

Really ? I did not know that.


Actually PCB had liason with a Cricket Statistics website which was previously free when last year in September I took this Screenshot. They had partnership. Now that website is not free anymore.

 

[Pete Rose]

in the Champions trophy he should have, but that aint happening any more and at his age we are better developing somebody younger

i think he might have a role to play in transition. youth for the sake of it (and I know you are not advocating that) doesnt work for me. For instance, if it were a choice of having imam ul haq or imran butt in the team, I would rather take my chances with Ifti.

 

[Pete Rose]

You rate him?

I think if you got through three successive domestic odi tournaments in a six month period, with a run tally in the top 10, scoring at a runrate recognizable to the modern game, with a century or two in the finals or semi-finals, you deserve a shot.

If we look at the bench, considering that sharjeel and shahzeb might be looking at lengthy time away from the game, the guys who are racking up the runs were awais zia, iftikhar etc.
I am actually heartened that Sahibzada Farhan literally came from nowhere to be the story of the Pakistan cup, but these other guys (Imran Butt, Imam ul Haq) they play very very poor limited over cricket.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

No.

 

[ExpressPacer]

He's as hack-y as they come. He's the biggest hack I've ever seen. Gosh. Rather have Owais Zia in his place. Bring in young talent like Sahibzada Farhan and groom him. Get over these TTF's. If you MUST bring back a TTF, bring back Khurram Manzoor.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

If a person with highest average in First Class for Pakistan can't play, then why him?

 

[DRsohail]

May be, I haven't seen you. But, I can tell that he is not couple of years younger than Joe Root or Steve Smith for sure.

he is 35 ...i know one of his nieghbour in my ward and he said that.....

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

i think he might have a role to play in transition. youth for the sake of it (and I know you are not advocating that) doesnt work for me. For instance, if it were a choice of having imam ul haq or imran butt in the team, I would rather take my chances with Ifti.

if the choice was between those than yeah, but id rather give Farhan a go against Sri Lanka.

 

[todfod 11]

Another garbage player like shehzad and shan masood.
there are better player in waiting then this 34 year old hack.

 

[Rayyman]

Another garbage player like shehzad and shan masood.
there are better player in waiting then this 34 year old hack.

He is not 34.
Official age is 26.

 

[Abdullah719]

I think if you got through three successive domestic odi tournaments in a six month period, with a run tally in the top 10, scoring at a runrate recognizable to the modern game, with a century or two in the finals or semi-finals, you deserve a shot.

If we look at the bench, considering that sharjeel and shahzeb might be looking at lengthy time away from the game, the guys who are racking up the runs were awais zia, iftikhar etc.
I am actually heartened that Sahibzada Farhan literally came from nowhere to be the story of the Pakistan cup, but these other guys (Imran Butt, Imam ul Haq) they play very very poor limited over cricket.

The OP seems to be discussing his first-class record, so it would seem that this thread is about Test cricket.

Are you talking about Tests [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION]?

 

[MMHS]

he is 35 ...i know one of his nieghbour in my ward and he said that.....

He was debuted at 34-35 & it can't be that people selecting/playing him didn't know that. It indicates 3 things -
1. Grouping & nepotism
2. Overage isn't a factor for PAK, when it comes to selection
3. No future vision - players debuted at 30+ age indicates Captain, Selectors, Manager/Coach are serving their own cause, that's living by day.

For PAK, if I were in charge, I'll never debut any fast bowler after official 21, WK after 23, batsman after 24 & spinner after 25 - be it for a rebirth of Wasim, Latif, Anwar or Saqline.

 

[todfod 11]

He is not 34.
Official age is 26.

Lolz at official age...not everyone is blind... he is simply over 32.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Even 1985 indicates 2-3 years fudging given the time he started playing professional Cricket under pcb.

he is 35 ...i know one of his nieghbour in my ward and he said that.....

He is not 34.
Official age is 26.

Gentleman. Now give up on the age thing. If he is good enough he can play for 9 years

 

[Rayyman]

The OP seems to be discussing his first-class record, so it would seem that this thread is about Test cricket.

Are you talking about Tests [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION]?

Yes, I was referring to Tests, but now that you mention it, his List A performances are great and he might deserve a chance in ODIs too.

 

[todfod 11]

Gentleman. Now give up on the age thing. If he is good enough he can play for 9 years

If you just want a hack in the team.. Uner Akmal is a better choice.

 

[volcyz]

he is 35 ...i know one of his nieghbour in my ward and he said that.....

Wouldnt surprise me one bit.

He is definitely not 26 that's for sure!
35ish sounds right

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

If you just want a hack in the team.. Uner Akmal is a better choice.

I was just adressing his wish.


Iftikhar is an inferior Misbah clone. His game against pace is quite poor and he doesn't fancy taking a decent stride against pace plus his short range is very limited. He thrives against spin, has strong forearm and shoulders and hits big against spinners.

 

[todfod 11]

I was just adressing his wish.


Iftikhar is an inferior Misbah clone. His game against pace is quite poor and he doesn't fancy taking a decent stride against pace plus his short range is very limited. He thrives against spin, has strong forearm and shoulders and hits big against spinners.

All in all A gully cricketer..

 

[kingusama92]

Fawad Alam, Usman Salahuddin, and Haris Sohail (if healthy) deserve a proper go first.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

OP, it was not last 2 years. It was last 3 years.

So these are the Top FC rungetters of last 3 FC seasons including Pakistan A FC matches aswell.

 

[Rayyman]

I was just adressing his wish.


Iftikhar is an inferior Misbah clone. His game against pace is quite poor and he doesn't fancy taking a decent stride against pace plus his short range is very limited. He thrives against spin, has strong forearm and shoulders and hits big against spinners.

I thought Iftikhar plays at a fast strike rate so he would be considered a better option than Tuk Turk Usman.

 

[MMHS]

I thought Iftikhar plays at a fast strike rate so he would be considered a better option than Tuk Turk Usman.

He is too poor against pace, regardless of his age.

In ODI, captains are forced to ration their bowlers as there is a quota of 20% max for each bowler. Also, often he bats after the new ball pair just had finished their fastest (opening) spell. In Test, even a bot like Holder will bring Joshep & Gabriel whenever Ifti comes to bat & he'll keep entire field in front of batsman open, asking his bowlers not to bowl anything on Ifti's half to play on front foot - he won't survive more than 30 minutes, & won't trouble scorers much. And, he is not in the right age group to adjust his game now or shift his body balance to play on back foot.

 

[Rayyman]

98* v.s. Islamabad

 

[DRsohail]

he is a hack..

 

[hadi123]

He carries on his good form with 75 off 69 balls today. Didn't bowl too badly either as he took 1-36 from 7 overs. Is he really that bad that he doesn't deserve another chance? I wasn't impressed by him when he played for Pakistan but maybe he has improved.

 

[shah_1]

He carries on his good form with 75 off 69 balls today. Didn't bowl too badly either as he took 1-36 from 7 overs. Is he really that bad that he doesn't deserve another chance? I wasn't impressed by him when he played for Pakistan but maybe he has improved.

No he doesn't deserve his chance, bats like a tail ender

 

[hadi123]

No he doesn't deserve his chance, bats like a tail ender

I don't get to watch the PSL as the channel isn't available on Virgin so I haven't seen him in that before so I have no idea how good or bad his technique etc is. I will have to trust others judgements on this then.

 

[shah_1]

I don't get to watch the PSL as the channel isn't available on sky so I haven't seen him in that before so I have no idea how good or bad his technique etc is. I will have to trust others judgements on this then.

He was awful on his debut,looked clueless against England fast bowling

 

[MenInG]

Iftikhar Ahmed 116 for Sindh in Pakistan Cup!

 

[ShahidDar08]

I think yes, this man has improved a lot.

 

[UN talkz]

He was clueless in PSL; i dont think this man is meant for International cricket

 

[Railu Katta]

Our people will never learn...

 

[Loralai]

I am not entirely sure he is international quality but do feel he wasn't given a proper chance at international level. He deserved to have an extended run before being discarded for good.

I just don't understand the policy of giving players a single test cap to prove themselves. We did the same with Mohammed Ayub Dogar and Bazid Khan, who, unlike Iftikhar Ahmad, actually looked very promising. Players need to be given a chance to establish themselves property being discarded.

 

[hadi123]

And now he's bowling good as well! But he was not good in PSL so probably not international quality

 

[letme alone]

And now he's bowling good as well! But he was not good in PSL so probably not international quality

he played in psl3 only one match

 

[Kroll]

Think we need to move on from the likes of Ifti Chacha.

 

[Saj]

He missed out on a club cricket contract for a club in the North East after saying to them that he will be in the Test squad.

 

[nextover666666]

NO way jose, this guy cant do anything horrible lol

 

[DRsohail]

I am not entirely sure he is international quality but do feel he wasn't given a proper chance at international level. He deserved to have an extended run before being discarded for good.

I just don't understand the policy of giving players a single test cap to prove themselves. We did the same with Mohammed Ayub Dogar and Bazid Khan, who, unlike Iftikhar Ahmad, actually looked very promising. Players need to be given a chance to establish themselves property being discarded.

Extremely limited with at least 7 years old than his date of birth.

 

[Mercurial]

Yes. Can be a decent replacement of Hafeez till the 2019 WC.

 

[Third_Umpire]

Please god no. He's terrible and I'm embarrassed he played for Pakistan

 

[hadi123]

Iftikhar Ahmed batting nicely right now for Sindh against Punjab in their chase.

 

[Salman4.]

Has been consistent recently. Scored 3 fifties v Lahore Whites in his last 3 innings (OD CUP AND FC COMBINED).

 

[Major]

Hes a very clean striker of the ball. Better option than asif ali in future