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"The advantage of playing M Hafeez is that he can replace Ahmed Shehzad as opener" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

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"The advantage of playing M Hafeez is that he can replace Ahmed Shehzad as opener" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

Sarfraz Ahmed’s quotes from a press conference before the Zimbabwe tour :

‘Our preparations are going well.We have gotten 2 days to practice here and then 3 days to practice at the venue,so our aim is to do as much practice as we can before the series. We have the T20I triangular series with Australia and Zimbabwe first,and you can't take any team lightly in T20s.Hence, we will try to play good cricket and win this series’

‘In T20s, no team is a pushover.Australia is a strong team in T20s.They have several young players but they know how to play tough T20 cricket.I believe the triangular series will be tough and we all will get to see good quality of cricket’

‘I’ve toured Zimbabwe twice and both times I've played on different type of pitches.In 2013,there was a bit of grass and the ball was bouncing a lot. In 2015, pitches were very slow and there was a lot of moisture in them.I've heard that the weather there is cold and the matches will start early,so I feel the toss will be vital and we will have to read the pitch quite carefully.Thankfully,we've been doing both these things quite well recently and we will try to act according to the game situation and do what's best’

‘As a captain,I believe that the way the boys back each other and the way they put in an effort for each other is commendable.This isn't just me talking as it is quite evident out on the ground where you can see players put a lot of effort in bowling,batting and fielding. Even when players stop the ball at the boundary,they all go celebrate with him and celebrate together. The team has gelled well over time and they all pray that each of them does well in the matches which Allah is rewarding us with good results’

‘When you become captain,there is definitely pressure on you but I am trying to win the team matches whenever presented with the opportunity.These is definitely pressure as you have to keep an eye on a lot of things.Alhamdullilah everything is going fine even though I haven't performed with the bat in a couple of series but I am working hard on my batting and keeping so that I win matches for the team with my performances’

‘I’ve been consistently batting at number 4 in T20s in the past couple series so my aim is to continue that’

‘Kamran Akmal is performing very well in domestic cricket and it's not that he can't find a place in the team.It's just that we looked at the combination of the team,and the advantages with playing Mohammad Hafeez is that he can replace Ahmed Shehzad as an opener and he can also be helpful with his bowling. These are the reasons why the team management and selection committee thought that Mohammad Hafeez is a good choice.The pitches in Zimbabwe are quite slow,and out of the 6 batsmen in Australia's top order,4 are left handers.This is why Mohammad Hafeez has been recalled into the T20 side’

‘In Pakistan, you can't make predictions about a players future. Anyone playing cricket can return at any time’

‘There is definitely a bit of pressure on us when it comes to the Triangular series as we are the number one ranked side but I don't think that we should worry too much about this.Even when we weren't number one, we didn't consider that we would reach the number one ranking.We will only focus on performing well in all 3 departments since if we worry too much about other things,we won't be able to perform well as a unit.We've instructed the players to focus on their own performances and give their best’

‘Yasir Shah making a comeback is a good thing since we have included one more leg-spinner in the team. We have planned a bit for the upcoming series in UAE against Australia and New Zealand and decided that if we include him now then he will get more chances to improve in ODIs and perform well in the UAE’

‘MS Dhoni has lead his side well as a captain in all 3 formats of the game, so I definitely do get inspired by him. I have only met him once,which was at the 4th June 2017 during the India-Pakistan game. When I look at him as a player and as a captain,I definitely get inspired by him’

‘I've only started my career right now and I'm only focusing on my cricket.I haven't given retirement much thought yet’

‘The selection committee and team management is trying to bring in young players and we are trying to build a nucleus with them.If you look at the past year and a half,there haven't been too many changes to the ODI squad except maybe 1 or 2 players. Fakhar Zaman,Hasan Ali,Shadab Khan, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have been in the team for a while now and we are focusing on giving this team as many chances as possible and we are aiming to take this same team to the World Cup’

‘Mohammed Amir hasn't spoken to me directly regarding him wanting rest. We are aware of resting our players and we also only played Amir in the first T20 match and not the second one in the last series. We will try to continue with the same strategy since we have bowlers available on the bench. You must've seen that when Usman Shinwari played the match against Scotland,he was the Man of the Match,which is testament to the fact that we have several bowlers available and we will continue to try and rotate our bowlers’

‘He(Sahibzada Farhan) is a young player, and he had a good performance in last two Pakistan Cups and the selectors were keeping an eye on him. He also played a couple of good innings in the PSL. He is coming into the team as a 3rd opener and we will give him a chance to play when we think it's right.In the opening slots, we had Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad at first,then we tried Babar Azam before Ahmed Shehzad came back at the top. At the moment, we have brought in Mohammad Hafeez to try a new combination.We can make quick changes in a T20 side because we get chances to do so. We have a lot of talented players in the team, and will play them all if we get the opportunity’
 
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Average as opener: 22.6
Strike-rate as opener: 111.8

:14: :bow: We don't deserve this level of greatness.
 
U need a right arm darty offspring option in the lineup
And we can not afford somebody who can't bat.
So hafeez is the only real choice here
 
Is Hafeez the only offspinner in the country ? He'll be 40 years old at the next T20 World Cup.

The other comments are fine, good to see there's some planning being put in place.
 
Great words by Captain.

Also he rightly praised the selectors for bringing back MoHa and at the same time promoting youngsters - after remodeling his action & moving into a possible opening role, it’s like a born again MoHa, so indeed he qualifies as a “youngsta beuti”.
 
Great words by Captain.

Also he rightly praised the selectors for bringing back MoHa and at the same time promoting youngsters - after remodeling his action & moving into a possible opening role, it’s like a born again MoHa, so indeed he qualifies as a “youngsta beuti”.

I hope stanlake ends his career. Shameless cheater.
 
Players like Hafeez and Sarfraz is why our cricket does not move forward. We need to do away with these guys in limited overs cricket. Look at the England team and how superbly they shed the dead wood, including players of the calibre of Cook, Trott, Ian Bell (all world class players) and bought in players suited to playing the format (Roy, Hales, Buttler etc).

Obviously I am not saying we have the likes of Buttler waiting in the wings but it would be no bad thing to give opportunities to players who are younger, fitter and better equipped for modern cricket.
 
Hafeez only makes sense lower down the order
We all know how well he does as an opener
Was looking forward to Sahibzada Farhan play, him and Fakhar open together domestically so would be an ideal partnership internationally too
 
Good call... We all know Hafeez will fail spectacularly as opener and even oldie-lover Inzi will not be able to keep selecting him due to zero performance.
 
Good call... We all know Hafeez will fail spectacularly as opener and even oldie-lover Inzi will not be able to keep selecting him due to zero performance.

Yeah and inzi has told them to play then in playing 11 as well it's your buddy sarfraz who's playing him in the 11.
 
I didn't want Hafeez in the T20I squad as his record in the shortest format recently has been very average. However, if I had to choose between him and Ahmed Shehzad, it would definitely be Hafeez as he is probably a better batsman and is also capable of bowling a few overs as well.
 
Really Sarfi? that's a comment which tells me it came out of respect for a "Senior gifted Player" :misbah3
 
In ODIs, I dont mind to be honest considering that we dont have many dynamic openers available and he had a better series than many other batsmen against NZ, his bowling gives 6th option as well.

However in T20s Sahibzada Farhan should be groomed and then take the responsibility in ODIs eventually.
 
Why not make Shadab an opener? He can't do worse than Shehzad and Hafeez.

That would be too much responsibility on youngster. I think I should focus on his bowling and lower order batting (6,7,8) for couple of years atleast.
 
In ODIs, I dont mind to be honest considering that we dont have many dynamic openers available and he had a better series than many other batsmen against NZ, his bowling gives 6th option as well.

However in T20s Sahibzada Farhan should be groomed and then take the responsibility in ODIs eventually.

Farhan needs to be introduced immediately and tested. Sick of hearing about Hafeez bowling, He is not

the same bowler anymore.
 
I do believe Asif Ali could have done that hard hitting opener job, he started his career as an opener but we also lack power hitting at the end as other than Faheem or may malik we dont have big hitters who are there for the last few overs.

Overall I think it would be a good call having Asif down the order and Hafeez opening.
 
Farhan needs to be introduced immediately and tested. Sick of hearing about Hafeez bowling, He is not

the same bowler anymore.

Even with his altered action he was pretty handy in CT17 economically. Yes Farhan can immediately be introduced, there is a chance if he gets a T20 game and creates an impact.

However, if they go with Hafeez especially in ODIs I will understand. Hafeez paces the innings much better than Shehzad so its a definite upgrade over him.
 
Even with his altered action he was pretty handy in CT17 economically. Yes Farhan can immediately be introduced, there is a chance if he gets a T20 game and creates an impact.

However, if they go with Hafeez especially in ODIs I will understand. Hafeez paces the innings much better than Shehzad so its a definite upgrade over him.

Actually I for one am a fan of what Hafeez provides as a bowler... he fits perfectly in Sarfaraz's plan of drying up the runs and attacking during the middle overs with Shadab and Hasan, and alternating Junaid/Amir.



It's Hafeez the batsman that is a HUGE issue.
 
Actually I for one am a fan of what Hafeez provides as a bowler... he fits perfectly in Sarfaraz's plan of drying up the runs and attacking during the middle overs with Shadab and Hasan, and alternating Junaid/Amir.



It's Hafeez the batsman that is a HUGE issue.

Yes but honestly its not like we have some match winning LOIs opener in the waiting, the closest one to that dynamic opener which we want is Sahibzada Farhan who if given a chance should try create an impact in T20 other than that Hafeez is the best option overall.
 
Hafeez is much better option than Ahmed Shehzad in T20I. The problem is that your choosing the lesser of two evils from the two. The only "advantage" Hafeez has is that he can bowl.
 
People really overrating Hafeez's bowling.

Since his return during the CT, the guy has taken a grand total of 7 wickets, at an ER of 4.24 with 6 of them coming against SL in the UAE (where upon he was called for chucking).

In T20's, he has taken 3 wickets at an ER of 5.83 (SL in UAE, where he was found to be chucking).
 
Good call... We all know Hafeez will fail spectacularly as opener and even oldie-lover Inzi will not be able to keep selecting him due to zero performance.

[MENTION=217]in_cutter[/MENTION] Exactly what you were saying. :))
 
People really overrating Hafeez's bowling.

Since his return during the CT, the guy has taken a grand total of 7 wickets, at an ER of 4.24 with 6 of them coming against SL in the UAE (where upon he was called for chucking).

In T20's, he has taken 3 wickets at an ER of 5.83 (SL in UAE, where he was found to be chucking).


His bowling is so ovverated on this forum. All it does it allow teams to rotate strike and reduce pressure on them.
 
We were told Sarfraz loves youngsters yet he wants Hafeez to open. We were told he will stand up to seniors and he is willing to give Hafeez a chance as an opener even though he has a rubbish record in T20s as an opener.

Also at the age of 31 Sarfraz career is starting . Some hillairious comments and some sensible ones.
 
Pakistan is still in the same rut in limited overs cricket

Where the likes of England are picking dynamic players at the top of the order capable of scoring at 150+ strike rates We are picking the likes of shezad and hafeez who avge 20 and a run a ball

When will they get u dont need experience or a traditional opener these days When will Pakistan blood the young guns and use t20s like a breeding ground for future talent instead of feeding the same old has beens

Times have moved on but Pakistan hasn’t
 
People can't bash Sarfraz for this. Not his fault Hafeez is picked. He obviously has to say something tactical, and really these are smart words from Sarfraz, the captain has to be positive in backing all his players in the squad.

Blame the coach and the selectors who actually had a say in the squad.

Gone are the days when a captain had such an impact on squad selection. Even when Misbah wanted Malik back, selectors made it damn sure that everyone knew it was Misbah who insisted for his inclusion.

Kamran or Khurram should have been chosen really.
 
I hope stanlake ends his career. Shameless cheater.

Styen could do that, you think Billy is that good!!!!!!!!

Very good chance that he'll play 2 more WCs for PAK - Misbah has set a bad precedence; in this 21st century, in a physical game like cricket, life continues well into 40!!!!!!!

Inzi is on his side, Mickey definitely and Sarfraz as well, and as you have mentioned he lacks "something" that brings sense of self dignity in human - who is going to stop him? Besides, if PAK does well in 2019 WC, he'll have a share of the success, like the CT (where people credits him to take the score to 339, instead of 369 from that platform) - next WC is in IND, where his bowling & batting was effective in 2011, when he was 30; in 2023 he'll have 12 more years of experience ......
 
Styen could do that, you think Billy is that good!!!!!!!!

Very good chance that he'll play 2 more WCs for PAK - Misbah has set a bad precedence; in this 21st century, in a physical game like cricket, life continues well into 40!!!!!!!

Inzi is on his side, Mickey definitely and Sarfraz as well, and as you have mentioned he lacks "something" that brings sense of self dignity in human - who is going to stop him? Besides, if PAK does well in 2019 WC, he'll have a share of the success, like the CT (where people credits him to take the score to 339, instead of 369 from that platform) - next WC is in IND, where his bowling & batting was effective in 2011, when he was 30; in 2023 he'll have 12 more years of experience ......

You misread a googly there. I honestly don't know why icc didn't ban him after he failed 3 times. This guy is a repeat offender and as soon as he's about to lose his place he starts chucking. His t20 record is as medicore as it gets I don't know why he finds a pace in the team. Then you have paid journalist going on why imam,Farhan Asif etc are selected but don't say a word about him infact they say it's an excellent selection due to experience. The only word I think they know including our former cricketers.

You are saying he will play till 2023 I doubt that this shameless cheater will even play the 2031 world cup if he's given a chance. Thanks to misbah now everyone wants to play till they have grand childrens. Misbah is one of the main reasons why this cheater has played so many matches for us. Misbah is still playing PSL even though this shameless person was most definitely the worst players in their squad due to misbah wanting to play till 60s now you have Abdul razzaq who wants to play PSL we might start seeing intikhab Alam back playing.

I hope he gets ducks every game and gets tonked everywhere so we can get rid of him.
 
We were told Sarfraz loves youngsters yet he wants Hafeez to open. We were told he will stand up to seniors and he is willing to give Hafeez a chance as an opener even though he has a rubbish record in T20s as an opener.

Also at the age of 31 Sarfraz career is starting . Some hillairious comments and some sensible ones.

Why not the same hatred for Inzy who selected him and Mickey, the powerful coach?
 
You misread a googly there. I honestly don't know why icc didn't ban him after he failed 3 times. This guy is a repeat offender and as soon as he's about to lose his place he starts chucking. His t20 record is as medicore as it gets I don't know why he finds a pace in the team. Then you have paid journalist going on why imam,Farhan Asif etc are selected but don't say a word about him infact they say it's an excellent selection due to experience. The only word I think they know including our former cricketers.

You are saying he will play till 2023 I doubt that this shameless cheater will even play the 2031 world cup if he's given a chance. Thanks to misbah now everyone wants to play till they have grand childrens. Misbah is one of the main reasons why this cheater has played so many matches for us. Misbah is still playing PSL even though this shameless person was most definitely the worst players in their squad due to misbah wanting to play till 60s now you have Abdul razzaq who wants to play PSL we might start seeing intikhab Alam back playing.

I hope he gets ducks every game and gets tonked everywhere so we can get rid of him.

I understood bro, but my point is who is going to judge him against Stanlake? He is quadruple facet talent - if he hits couple of Unda as opener, Sarfraz will give him full quota and this AUS/ZIM line-up is good enough to make him like Ajmal - then he'll go back to No. 6 as all-rounder.

Styen came here because of past experience - Jamshed hit 2 match winning hundreds in IND (& a 97 against AUS), then he struggled in SAF Test, so did MoHa. By 3rd or 4th game, Jamshed got dropped for his Test failure ..... MoHa had a break when Styen came back for return series, then the smashed SRL in UAE ..... Jamsed went out for good. If you are thick skinned, and most bases covered (read, friends at most corners), it's risky to comment on your future - he is been trolling me for good 3/4 years now, and enjoyed last laugh every time.

ICC can't ban him, because he chucks deliberately - it's not part of his action (Like Ajmal), rather he intentionally chucks when his spot is in danger. I called it 3/4 years back, when he was caught first time - you can find those posts. He can bowl pies with perfectly clear action effortlessly and every time he'll clear the test.

He is called by Umpires, when he chucks bluntly (You can check my posts during 1st 2 ODIs against SRL), then he takes few weeks time - apparently to fix his action and during test basically bowls with an action that's perfectly clean and natural to him. Now, had there been a batsmen at other end when the bio-mechanics tests are taken, he might have gone for 12/over - but that's PAK's problem, not ICC's. Why should they bother, if PAK's Coach, Captain, CS ... even PCB Chairman isn't?
 
The advantage of electing Trump is that he can replace Obama as president.

This guy is horrible at team selection blunders from time to time. I expect everybody who shunned Misbah for poor selection to also get on Sarfraz's case.

Thanks. :afridi
 
Why not the same hatred for Inzy who selected him and Mickey, the powerful coach?


Critizced Inzi selections loads of time. And Arthur can't get rid of this guy it's been proven . Due to the love Hafeez gets from the media and ex players.
 
going a step backwards

bravo

hafeez shouldn't even be playing for the side and especially not as an opener
 
An in form Hafeez who can bowl, is automatically a better all rounder than Nawaz and Imad.

The problem is he will bowl for now, get his place back in the ODI team, and get called right before the world cup for chucking!

Then what will Pak do? Replace him with an inexperienced young player (who could have developed instead of playing Hafeez) or a TTF that will surely fail in the high profile tournament?
 
Very good move IMO. We have tried many players to partner Fakhar, such as Azhar, Imam, Shahzad, Fahim etc.

Hafeez back as opener allows us to play a solid middle order in Babar, Haris, Sarfraz and Malik.
 
So the logic is to replace one mediocre player with another.
 
Both Sarfraz and Micky are yes man and Inzi is just another corrupt selector. No wonder Hafeez will get chances. Sarfraz does not have guts to say no to Hafeez selection otherwise he may loose his place in the team.
 
Both Sarfraz and Micky are yes man and Inzi is just another corrupt selector. No wonder Hafeez will get chances. Sarfraz does not have guts to say no to Hafeez selection otherwise he may loose his place in the team.

It is mind boggling to think that such fine Pakistani batsmen like Majid Khan and Saeed Anwar were dropped at a younger age than Hafeez when they were well past their best but still even then about 10 grades superior to Hafeez at his best

And here we are in 2018, about 12 years after I stopped taking Pakistan cricket seriously unable to digest how mediocre players like Hafeez were so irreplaceable and guaranteed of their places in the team in all formats... And no things have still not changed all these years later.

I know there is still a chance Hafeez might go and become an all time great batsman in his 40s, ending up with a test average next to Sobers, but let me tell you it won't happen unless ICC grant test status to Argentina, Mexico, Ghana and Nigeria before the end of the decade.
 
It is mind boggling to think that such fine Pakistani batsmen like Majid Khan and Saeed Anwar were dropped at a younger age than Hafeez when they were well past their best but still even then about 10 grades superior to Hafeez at his best

And here we are in 2018, about 12 years after I stopped taking Pakistan cricket seriously unable to digest how mediocre players like Hafeez were so irreplaceable and guaranteed of their places in the team in all formats... And no things have still not changed all these years later.

I know there is still a chance Hafeez might go and become an all time great batsman in his 40s, ending up with a test average next to Sobers, but let me tell you it won't happen unless ICC grant test status to Argentina, Mexico, Ghana and Nigeria before the end of the decade.

Big difference of selectors back than. At least those selectors give a shot to get the best players from domestic where Inzi revolutionist (Best according to some blind fans) keep choosing players regardless formats and players' abilities.
Sad thing is Haeez will not retire even after 2019 ODI and 2020 T20 world Cup and go for next terms.
 
Suppose Hafeez has been the perfect replacement for Shehzad.... one talentless, incompetent opener who uses his connections to get a game replaced with another one....
 
Never understand the pathetic fascination of pakistan cricket where they want hafeez in the side no matter what. been tried in every role possible and is a failure!
 
When a crook is our chief selector, captain is just a yes man and coach is force to put up with the selection than what more people can expect.
 
I thought he could make way as a squad player but his performance shows that he is not even worthy of that so far.
 
Certainly he "REPLACED" Shahzad. It's a different thing that he didn't perform even to Shahzad's level.

But again, captain just said, "HE CAN REPLACE." Never did the captain say, "HE WILL PERFORM."
 
It is probably a blessing in disguise that Hafeez gets in the team and fails now and gets dropped rather than going to WC
 
Sarfaraz backing his buddy Hafeez. Thanks Sarfaraz.
 
It is probably a blessing in disguise that Hafeez gets in the team and fails now and gets dropped rather than going to WC

Keep dreaming!!! Crook Inzi will never drop this guy. This guy has people in high places and in media. Just hope he retire gracefully after 2020 World Cup, otherwise he will play 2024 World Cup as an experience all rounder.
 
Sarfaraz backing his buddy Hafeez. Thanks Sarfaraz.

Sarfraz turned out to be another yesman like Azhar. No guts. Shouldn't be captain in the first place if he does not have authority in team selection.
 
One bad game and people are calling for his head. Granted that he is a bit inconsistent but did this guy not play a big hand in the CT final last year (34 ball 50 against India)
 
To drop Hafeez for ever for the sake of Pakistan cricket , we hope Inzi will be shown the door soon. Inzi is to be blamed for all ridiculous selections lately , without any plan for future or WC 2019 .
 
I accept that he is inconsistent and not the best player against pace hence not the ideal choice to open the innings but do u have any better replacements in mind? Who should we bring back, Azhar! (but takes time to settle down, hence better suited to ODIs imo) What about the captain himself. Sarfraz has done nothing of note with the bat in recent games. I still think that he's the right choice as skipper but he needs to show greater application and responsibility with the bat now that he is the captain of the side. He is too flashy and often throws his wicket away.
 
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I accept that he is inconsistent and not the best player against pace hence not the ideal choice to open the innings but do u have any better replacements in mind? Who should we bring back, Azhar! (but takes time to settle down, hence better suited to ODIs imo) What about the captain himself. Sarfraz has done nothing of note with the bat in recent games. I still think that he's the right choice as skipper but he needs to show greater application and responsibility with the bat now that he is the captain of the side. He is too flashy and often throws his wicket away.

There are way better options then him and I am sure even the awful ones given as many matches as him will do much better then him. Its a fact.
 
Sharjeel Khan and Fakhar Zaman would have formed an explosive T20 Opener Pair but the former self destructed his career (by getting involved in spot-fixing scandal)
 
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