Should Rizwan also get the same rope that Sarfraz received during the time he was sitting out?

[Major]

When Sarfraz Ahmed was removed from the team due to poor performance, he was still kept in the team only because he was from a particular region and so that his fans from that region don't get upset. There was media pressure.

Alot of hue and cry was made when Sarfraz Ahmad was the water boy, and the media did not like this at all.

For the first time ever, we saw that while Rizwan would get all the initial games of a series, Sarfraz Ahmed would than replace him or someone else in the team in the last game of every series. Even though Rizwan was performing with both bat and gloves. Sarfraz Ahmed, who was not performing, was being given the gloves while Rizwan was made to field.

Now that Rizwan was dropped due to poor performance from the test 11, and Sarfraz Ahmed has performed in a game for now, should Rizwan get the same treatment?

Shouldn't Rizwan now play the last test game based on the standards that were made for Sarfraz?

I understand its wrong, but when we created these standards for one player, than why not the other?

 

[DRsohail]

yes should be.

 

[daytrader]

He's definitely going to be around. If they drop him he'll make a comeback. It's inevitable

 

[reversehook]

both are not the solution for test cricket... esp unless rizwan comes back to earth and stops being a overtly drama queen... in efforts to put "4 chaand" to his image he forgot to perform... we desparately need to work on a youngster for future...

 

[Major]

both are not the solution for test cricket... esp unless rizwan comes back to earth and stops being a overtly drama queen... in efforts to put "4 chaand" to his image he forgot to perform... we desparately need to work on a youngster for future...

but do we have a youngster performing with the bat in the domestic?

 

[Rana]

Rizwan isn’t going to improve his off side game sitting on the bench, clinging on to Babar in the dressing room and working on his strengths (leg side) with the pakistan set up.

Go to the domestics. Learn how to bat! The guy doesn’t know how to bat! I am not mocking him, I am genuinely telling you what I can clearly see. Anyone can score runs, anyone can score them in their own way but Batsmanship is a skill. Rizwan I’m afraid doesn’t look like one

 

[Ashmal]

Nah....Rizwan needs some time off to tighten his game.

I would've liked him to be rested even from the upcoming ODIs and work on his game.

No point sitting on the bench.

 

[MenInG]

You mean should Rizwan be sat out for as long as Sarfaraz?

Is that some kind of revenge thing? Or do you want to base it on some metrics?

 

[Major]

You mean should Rizwan be sat out for as long as Sarfaraz?

Is that some kind of revenge thing? Or do you want to base it on some metrics?

nope, i meant that just like how Sarfraz got a free ride and got to play the last game of every series, Rizwan should also be given a free ride in the squad and be given the last match of every test series.

Applying same standards, because Sarfraz Ahmed was given every opportunity to play and he failed. Knowing PCB and the fact that Rizwan has no backing, no one is gonna give an extended chance or run to Rizwan in test if Sarfraz performs.

 

[daytrader]

Rizwan isn’t going to improve his off side game sitting on the bench, clinging on to Babar in the dressing room and working on his strengths (leg side) with the pakistan set up.

Go to the domestics. Learn how to bat! The guy doesn’t know how to bat! I am not mocking him, I am genuinely telling you what I can clearly see. Anyone can score runs, anyone can score them in their own way but Batsmanship is a skill. Rizwan I’m afraid doesn’t look like one

These are the current test wicketkeeper batters of the top 8.

Kyle Verreynne
Ollie Pope
Tom Blundell
Alex Carey
Niroshan Dickwella
Joshua Da Silva
Rishabh Pant

Rizwan is doing better than all except Pant. Yet he can't bat according to what you see

 

[Rana]

These are the current test wicketkeeper batters of the top 8.

Kyle Verreynne
Ollie Pope
Tom Blundell
Alex Carey
Niroshan Dickwella
Joshua Da Silva
Rishabh Pant

Rizwan is doing better than all except Pant. Yet he can't bat according to what you see

He’s not doing better than any of them, he has been dropped by a poorly ranked side….those players have not

Rizwan can’t bat.

 

[MenInG]

Seems Riz tried his hand as vice-captain but stopped by umpires:

Skipper Babar Azam did not come to the field due to a viral infection, and Rizwan came to the field as a substitute player and took over the captaincy.

As per ICC rules, a substitute player cannot lead.

After the intervention of the match referee and umpires, the team management of Pakistan stopped Mohammad Rizwan from captaincy and now Sarfraz Ahmed is performing the captaincy duties.

 

[Rana]

Seems Riz tried his hand as vice-captain but stopped by umpires:

Skipper Babar Azam did not come to the field due to a viral infection, and Rizwan came to the field as a substitute player and took over the captaincy.

As per ICC rules, a substitute player cannot lead.

After the intervention of the match referee and umpires, the team management of Pakistan stopped Mohammad Rizwan from captaincy and now Sarfraz Ahmed is performing the captaincy duties.

Brilliant

Pairo se zameen kheench li gayi

 

[Rana]

Another massive blunder on Saqlain management! Sending out your substitute fielder to captain lol!

This is why Sethi had to send Afridi to go and force their hand!

 

[Rana]

So the vice captain of Pakistan currently isn’t good enough to be in the side…

Clearly, he needs to be sacked as VC too

 

[MachoKhan]

Its all about lobby and rizwan doesnt pay certain people or do return favours hence nobody is gona lobby for him. Sarfaraz is street smart.

 

[Mamoon]

Sarfraz was in the squad as the backup keeper. He barely got any game time in the last two years.

Rizwan will not sit out for that long anyway & for the time being he will continue to be part of the squad for obvious reasons.

Not sure what the issue is.

 

[reversehook]

abhi aik poora game howa nhin rizwan ko bahir baithay howau, already in as acting kuptaan while being a substitute [what a disgrace a) for the act in itself, b) pct not knowing the rules)] he will be back in next series. There are players in domestic and have to be given a chance to see what they are made of... but issue is we arent good in test arena overall, play too little of it, and are too friendly in selections to accomodate and nurture talent.

 

[MenInG]

abhi aik poora game howa nhin rizwan ko bahir baithay howau, already in as acting kuptaan while being a substitute [what a disgrace a) for the act in itself, b) pct not knowing the rules)] he will be back in next series. There are players in domestic and have to be given a chance to see what they are made of... but issue is we arent good in test arena overall, play too little of it, and are too friendly in selections to accomodate and nurture talent.

Reminder why Rizwan was really in the side

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 46.719%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/vh49bz" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[mazkhan]

Rizwan was a super keeper

Sarfraz keeping and fitness got to a stage where he needed to retire .

His batting in limited overs was so bad they were sending bowlers ahead of him

There was no injustice to this guy he simply like azhar ali and fawad alam needs to be put to pasture .

If afridi wants to try another wicketkeeper then try harris , haseebullah

 

[shah_1]

Sarfraz has always been a rubbish keeper

 

[PakEngFan]

Rizwan isn’t going to improve his off side game sitting on the bench, clinging on to Babar in the dressing room and working on his strengths (leg side) with the pakistan set up.

Go to the domestics. Learn how to bat! The guy doesn’t know how to bat! I am not mocking him, I am genuinely telling you what I can clearly see. Anyone can score runs, anyone can score them in their own way but Batsmanship is a skill. Rizwan I’m afraid doesn’t look like one

He’s still averages more than anyone in Pakistan’s history. So if he doesn’t know how to bat then I feel sorry for the others.

 

[Kroll]

Lots of accusations being thrown around in OP, perhaps some merited.

Think we're looking at the situation in the wrong manner. If someone is not performing for a period of time, then he should be replaced by the next best available option, that's it.

Politics and whatever other nonsense shouldn't be a part of it. I hope we are moving away from this friends culture, it really hurt us in the past when the best options weren't getting selected or failures were retained.

Rizwan will get his chance again, no need to worry.

 

[daytrader]

He’s still averages more than anyone in Pakistan’s history. So if he doesn’t know how to bat then I feel sorry for the others.

Also averages more than most of the other current international wicket keepers baring Pant

 

[PakEngFan]

Also averages more than most of the other current international wicket keepers baring Pant

The poster doesn’t know anything about cricket dickwella doesn’t have a century in any format of cricket I believe but according to this poster he’s better. Too much hate.

 

[topspin]

I would rather have Rizwan occupying the gloves as he's the superior wicket keeper by some distance however he needs to be rested because he needs to be brought down to Earth.

In recent months he's lost focus because of his extracurricular activities when he should be focusing on improving his offside game because he's been found out. If you take away his scoring zones on the legside, he'll struggle to make runs and therefore for him to have any impact on the game.

The reason why he's lost focus is because he's another case of a Pakistani cricketer who thinks he's made it after a good 12-18 month patch. This is becoming a familiar story. We've been here before with other players such as Hasan Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Kamran Akmal, Nasir Jamshed and so on.

His post match presentation after the semi final win against New Zealand reeked of arrogance and he needs this time in the sidelines so he can humble himself and just focus on his weaknesses.

I hope he'll come back to the Pakistan team as our gloveman and also as a much better batsman.

 

[Markhor]

Rizwan is not a saint either who's above playing politics.

I don't know if anyone recalls Pakistan A had several matches in late 2018. Mohammad Rizwan was appointed captain, and Saud Shakeel was also in the squad.

There were several games where Rizwan batted AHEAD of Saud, the specialist batsman, who was demoted as low as #7 ! Seems contrary to this wholesome image.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-a-1st-unofficial-odi-1157387/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-a-2nd-unofficial-odi-1157388/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-a-1st-unofficial-test-1157390/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-a-2nd-unofficial-test-1157391/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...a-only-unofficial-test-1165040/full-scorecard

 

[jnaveen1980]

Reminder why Rizwan was really in the side

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 46.719%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/vh49bz" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

What is he donig? Searching for treasure lol. This is Kamran level.

 

[Rana]

Rizwan is not a saint either who's above playing politics.

I don't know if anyone recalls Pakistan A had several matches in late 2018. Mohammad Rizwan was appointed captain, and Saud Shakeel was also in the squad.

There were several games where Rizwan batted AHEAD of Saud, the specialist batsman, who was demoted as low as #7 ! Seems contrary to this wholesome image.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-a-1st-unofficial-odi-1157387/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-a-2nd-unofficial-odi-1157388/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-a-1st-unofficial-test-1157390/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-a-2nd-unofficial-test-1157391/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...a-only-unofficial-test-1165040/full-scorecard

I am speechless!

Look at the pattern. Shan Masood opening every game and Iftikhar batting one before Rizwan in the games he played!

-Shan Masood and Rizwan chums at Multan Sultans and now T20i

-Iftikhar a regular feature in Imran Khan appointed PCB alongside influential Rizwan

My God! We have been played all this time

 

[Rana]

Rizwan is not a saint either who's above playing politics.

I don't know if anyone recalls Pakistan A had several matches in late 2018. Mohammad Rizwan was appointed captain, and Saud Shakeel was also in the squad.

There were several games where Rizwan batted AHEAD of Saud, the specialist batsman, who was demoted as low as #7 ! Seems contrary to this wholesome image.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-a-1st-unofficial-odi-1157387/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-a-2nd-unofficial-odi-1157388/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-a-1st-unofficial-test-1157390/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-a-2nd-unofficial-test-1157391/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...a-only-unofficial-test-1165040/full-scorecard

Great find btw

I remember he made a public statement about ‘wo Zaleel hoga’

God is always watching. Always listening

 

[shah_1]

Sarfraz is a useless keeper, two missed stumping and dropped catch. Keeping in test cricket is a very specialised job. He is 36 year old, doesn't have the fitness to keep anymore.

Useless 86 runs

 

[Hitman]

Sarfraz is a useless keeper, two missed stumping and dropped catch. Keeping in test cricket is a very specialised job. He is 36 year old, doesn't have the fitness to keep anymore.

Useless 86 runs

In this Test? Sorry for asking because it isn't being broadcast on TV here in India.

 

[shah_1]

In this Test? Sorry for asking because it isn't being broadcast on TV here in India.

He has been rubbish as a keeper

 

[Hitman]

He has been rubbish as a keeper

I mean those missed stumping and that drop catch you mentioned. Did it happen in this Test?

 

[Ashmal]

I mean those missed stumping and that drop catch you mentioned. Did it happen in this Test?

Yes

 

[MenInG]

Rizwan needs to be brought back asap in next game

Sarfaraz experiment is over.

 

[happydavy]

One has to be very thick skinned as for an ex-captain to be not part of playing XI while still being in the squad is very humiliating. TBH, I don't think any country baring Pakistan would do that, and I don't think any ex-captain baring Sarfaraz would agree to such kind of situation.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

He comes straight back in for Masood. It's quite simple

 

[Rana]

For Shan to go, you must bring in a proper top order batsman with a correct technique

Not Rizwan to keep his fans happy

 

[Hawkeye]

For Shan to go, you must bring in a proper top order batsman with a correct technique

Not Rizwan to keep his fans happy

Correct.

It’s absolutely shameful to consider Rizwan a batter by any stretch of imagination.

He’s just so poor.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Correct.

It’s absolutely shameful to consider Rizwan a batter by any stretch of imagination.

He’s just so poor.

He comes back as the 'keeper?

 

[daytrader]

Rizwan is not a saint either who's above playing politics.

I don't know if anyone recalls Pakistan A had several matches in late 2018. Mohammad Rizwan was appointed captain, and Saud Shakeel was also in the squad.

There were several games where Rizwan batted AHEAD of Saud, the specialist batsman, who was demoted as low as #7 ! Seems contrary to this wholesome image.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-a-1st-unofficial-odi-1157387/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-a-2nd-unofficial-odi-1157388/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-a-1st-unofficial-test-1157390/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...-a-2nd-unofficial-test-1157391/full-scorecard
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...a-only-unofficial-test-1165040/full-scorecard

I don't know if you can call it politics and this was 4 years ago. Saud was upcoming whereas Rizwan was a performing captain. I believe he did well in that A series.

On the point of Saud being demoted, well it's 4 years later and he's coming out at #8. Sarfraz and Agha both batting ahead of him, in an actual Test we need to save.

 

[Kroll]

Rizwan needs to be brought back asap in next game

Sarfaraz experiment is over.

Rizwan hasn't contributed with the bat which Sarfaraz has and this is a must from the wk. Taking all things into consideration, there's still more upside continuing with Sarf despite his poor performance behind the stumps.

I think there's more chance of Sarfaraz improving his keeping than Rizwan with his batting. Rizwan needs time away to regroup and refresh and come back fighting for the battles ahead.

 

[MenInG]

Rizwan hasn't contributed with the bat which Sarfaraz has and this is a must from the wk. Taking all things into consideration, there's still more upside continuing with Sarf despite his poor performance behind the stumps.

I think there's more chance of Sarfaraz improving his keeping than Rizwan with his batting. Rizwan needs time away to regroup and refresh and come back fighting for the battles ahead.

Sarf is limping whilst batting - you need to be super fit for a Test keeper

Sarf to replace a batter - maybe Shan and play Riz as keeper.

 

[Rana]

Sarf is limping whilst batting - you need to be super fit for a Test keeper

Sarf to replace a batter - maybe Shan and play Riz as keeper.

But that once again is injustice to Sarfaraz and he will be taking a deserving batsman’s (Kamran Ghulam) spot

Rizwan and his fans need to realise that it isn’t easy to accommodate him in the side, we are totally unbalancing the squad in every format because of him

 

[MenInG]

But that once again is injustice to Sarfaraz and he will be taking a deserving batsman’s (Kamran Ghulam) spot

Rizwan and his fans need to realise that it isn’t easy to accommodate him in the side, we are totally unbalancing the squad in every format because of him

Sarfaraz cannot drop catches and then try and make up with some good looking innings - we cannot go back in time

Either he plays as a specialist or he doesnt - keeping is not area we can trust him now.

 

[Snowflake]

Rizwan hasn't contributed with the bat which Sarfaraz has and this is a must from the wk. Taking all things into consideration, there's still more upside continuing with Sarf despite his poor performance behind the stumps.

I think there's more chance of Sarfaraz improving his keeping than Rizwan with his batting. Rizwan needs time away to regroup and refresh and come back fighting for the battles ahead.

Must for a wicket keeper is wicket keeping. Lol

 

[Rana]

Sarfaraz cannot drop catches and then try and make up with some good looking innings - we cannot go back in time

Either he plays as a specialist or he doesnt - keeping is not area we can trust him now.

This is why I think Sarfaraz just needs to be himself and we need to accept him for what he was. A real pain in the neck behind the stumps with his attitude

Some players just cannot do their best if they can’t be who they really are

 

[Kroll]

Must for a wicket keeper is wicket keeping. Lol

That goes without saying, didn't stop Riz from getting dropped. Sarf is obviously rusty coming back after so long. I think his inns have been vital more so than good looking.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Rizwan will replace Shan next match and Sarfaraz will be retain - 100 Guarantee this will be the stupid decision next test.

Ghulam wont get a look in, Rizwan will be picked as just as batsmen, as this is dumb mentality of this team.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Sarf is limping whilst batting - you need to be super fit for a Test keeper

Sarf to replace a batter - maybe Shan and play Riz as keeper.

This will be the dumb decision made, Kamran Ghulam should replace Shan. But it wont happen with dumb selections in this team.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Though i think that sarfraz keeping isnt a good idea but he has made it back in the team and for sure we can give him a 3 4 matches before we can say that sarfraz as the keeper isnt good enough.

Rizwan isn't a bad batsman and in my opinion he needs some time away from international cricket get his mond sorted. He seems too animated on the pitch and not as calm as he should be. Playing all the formats can take toll on a keeper, he needs get his head sorted. He sits out for the current series and hopefully kamran ghulam gets his much deserving debut.

 

[Savak]

Should Pakistan consider playing Rizwan and Sarfaraz together in the team?

Sarfaraz is miles ahead as a batsman as far as playing spin bowling is considered. He has a SR of 80 plus against spin in his career and his batting average is 37.

Rizwan is definitely a better wicket keeper and his batting avg is 38 in test cricket.

Should Pakistan consider playing Sarfaraz as a batsman and Rizwan as the keeper in their test team?

 

[Rana]

No.

Rizwan or Sarfaraz take the spot of a deserving batsman if both play.

Kamran Ghulam the Batsman>> Sarfaraz or Rizwan

Only one should play and Kamran Ghulam is the Batsman who must play.

 

[MenInG]

Stick to cricket.

 

[Kroll]

You play a wk who contributes to the batting. If Rizwan has been dropped for poor batting performance, why try to shoehorn him back in the side only days later?

Allow him time away from the spotlight to regain his focus and work on his game. Then we can reassess if he's ready to come back or not.

 

[Markhor]

I don't know if you can call it politics and this was 4 years ago. Saud was upcoming whereas Rizwan was a performing captain. I believe he did well in that A series.

On the point of Saud being demoted, well it's 4 years later and he's coming out at #8. Sarfraz and Agha both batting ahead of him, in an actual Test we need to save.

Although you sometimes see it in white ball cricket, you very rarely see wicketkeepers bat ahead of a specialist batsman in red-ball cricket.

Saud had already established himself as a FC batsman by 2018 - there was no justification to demote him to #6 and #7 unless you're trying to sabotage a rival player's selection chances for Pakistan.

Doesn't quite fit Rizwan's carefully manufactured wholesome image.

 

[daytrader]

Although you sometimes see it in white ball cricket, you very rarely see wicketkeepers bat ahead of a specialist batsman in red-ball cricket.

Saud had already established himself as a FC batsman by 2018 - there was no justification to demote him to #6 and #7 unless you're trying to sabotage a rival player's selection chances for Pakistan.

Doesn't quite fit Rizwan's carefully manufactured wholesome image.

Not necessarily as it could've been a team tactic. You're over estimating the limited authority of an A tour captain and Rizwan the individual at that time. Also the List As took place earlier and Rizwan hit a century so he was seen as the inform batter.

As to whether Saud had established himself, 4 years later and the likes of Sarfraz and Agha are batting ahead of him in actual tests. I don't know what to make of that but certainly Rizwan is not the culprit

 

[CerebralPatriot]

Rizwan’s been given a much longer rope than Sarfraz ever was.

From 2019 onward in all 3 formats our team combination was shuffled over and over just to ensure Rizwan got to bat in the position he wanted to. He pulled this same stunt in the 2023 World Cup and helped destroy the careers of many up and coming youngsters.

This so called rope has been extended for way to long and needs to be cut if we want PCT to move forward