The Senior Cartel Strikes Again in Pakistan Cricket

[hassan918]

With the results of the teams they play in??

I mentioned T20I

 

[Rana]

I mentioned T20I

we don’t even know if Rizwan will ever feature again for Pakistan in T20s

Why are you afraid to go this route? Let’s see how both Rizwan and Harris fair in T20s and what impact both have on their side’s?

Let’s not forget…Rizwan averaged above 40 in both the PSL and the CPL this year. His team finished a rock solid last in both competitions! So Rizwan as usual looks ok, but it’s clear his runs are of no real use to the sides he plays in.

He’s got the BBL coming up and let’s see how the Renagades fair? You on?

 

[hassan918]

we don’t even know if Rizwan will ever feature again for Pakistan in T20s

Why are you afraid to go this route? Let’s see how both Rizwan and Harris fair in T20s and what impact both have on their side’s?

Let’s not forget…Rizwan averaged above 40 in both the PSL and the CPL this year. His team finished a rock solid last in both competitions! So Rizwan as usual looks ok, but it’s clear his runs are of no real use to the sides he plays in.

He’s got the BBL coming up and let’s see how the Renagades fair? You on?

But we are basically comparing them for the national side. Yes, we can see Rizwan's performance in the BBL. Unfortunately, Haris is not good enough to be picked in the BBL so for Haris' performances, we have to wait a bit. BTW, where will be Haris playing next in T20 cricket?

 

[Rana]

But we are basically comparing them for the national side. Yes, we can see Rizwan's performance in the BBL. Unfortunately, Haris is not good enough to be picked in the BBL so for Haris' performances, we have to wait a bit. BTW, where will be Haris playing next in T20 cricket?

I recon Harris will be in the T20i squad for the World Cup InshaAllah. I firmly believe he is Pakistan’s best and most versatile keeper+Batsman who is a game changer on his day.

Rizwan isn’t. Sorry. He has a lot to offer in Tests. He is a great keeper. I acknowledge that. He’s not a T20 player.

 

[hassan918]

I recon Harris will be in the T20i squad for the World Cup InshaAllah. I firmly believe he is Pakistan’s best and most versatile keeper+Batsman who is a game changer on his day.

Rizwan isn’t. Sorry. He has a lot to offer in Tests. He is a great keeper. I acknowledge that. He’s not a T20 player.

Let's see what happens.

 

[TheSultan]

Sorry but you are the one dodging the question. Why do you feel so proud supporting players like Usman, Haris & Azam Khan?

You must understand that cricket is a team support. One or two players can only have so much impact.

I don’t even care for Usman lol - I’ve never supported him. Azam was a good experiment but he needs to get his act together and yes Haris, I definitely think he has something there.

But you’re still dodging and dodging - won’t Saya corps let you speak?

Do you enjoy babar and Rizwan’s cowardly brand of cricket. Just reply yes or no. Im sure saya will forgive you

 

[Rana]

Unfortunately, Haris is not good enough to be picked in the BBL

I would argue, if Rizwan is picked for BBL then it means even Liton Das from Bangladesh can be picked for it.

So can Andres Gous from USA (who is actually a better T20 batsman than everyone in Pakistan).

Every true Aussie fan and world cricket fan knows Rizwan being picked in BBL is just agents work, not actual merit. Rizwan in T20s is a joke. 3 seasons in the hundred draft and 3 snubs. He’s an embarrassment! He was ranked No.1 in T20s for one of those seasons as well.

 

[hassan918]

I would argue, if Rizwan is picked for BBL then it means even Liton Das from Bangladesh can be picked for it.

So can Andres Gous from USA (who is actually a better T20 batsman than everyone in Pakistan).

Every true Aussie fan and world cricket fan knows Rizwan being picked in BBL is just agents work, not actual merit. Rizwan in T20s is a joke. 3 seasons in the hundred draft and 3 snubs. He’s an embarrassment! He was ranked No.1 in T20s for one of those seasons as well.

Let's discuss more on this after the BBL or maybe after some league where Haris plays.

 

[Rana]

Let's discuss more on this after the BBL or maybe after some league where Haris plays.

Yes we can, but I will ensure that the Pandora’s box you opened for Rizwan should be made bare for everyone’s knowledge.

I do not forget

I do not allow things to be forgotten easily either.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Very good post, planning for future is definitely not part of any plan.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Youngsters are meant to be developed alongside seniors... But PCB has a habit of sidelining youngsters for the overhyped players... Like in case of Wasim Jr... What has he done wrong? He is certainly a better bowler atm than Naseem or heck even Shaheen in the period but he was benched and benched and benched for these guys.

In terms of batting, the replacement in t20s were crap.... Khushdil??? Hussain talat?? nobody can cry here for these guys... Can they?

In t20s we do have some youngsters waiting in line, but we have a habit of going back to khushdils and talats which is pathetic...

 

[hafizexpress]

When a team loses, it is the team who lost. Not individuals. The team as a whole failed. But haters put blame on few as part of their agenda.

I guess no-one can ever be dropped from the side bc their performances will never matter just because all that matters is whether the team wins or loses and how the players contribute to that is irrelevant.

 

[adi_62941]

What i dont understand is that when the opposition is strong they want to utilize youngsters and when the opposition is weak then there comes all strong seniors in the team. What a coward team really

 

[ads101]

Think people are reading way too much into this. I believe Saim was rested because they wanted to give Haseebullah a shot at his preferred position, opener. Which he does in u19 and domestic. Fakhar wasn’t rested as he has missed games and needs the practice. Rizwan is middle order and doesn’t play t20s. Saim has played every game and will be back for t20s as well as being in form in Odis. So he was rested. I’d still would have rested Rizwan instead, but I can’t understand why management did it. I don’t think it’s a case of cartel power at all. Rizwan lost his t20 place and ODI captaincy, if he was really that powerful those things wouldn’t have happened.

Having said that, I don’t think playing someone for a last rubber makes much difference. Haseebullah was likely to break into the team as an opener. Going and playing him as a middle order batsman makes little difference. Playing him as opener slightly improves those chances, but even if he scored a century, realistically he isn’t playing instead of fakhar or Saim. Thus there is no proper chance for him really to break into the team. Which is why I think it honestly means nothing whether he plays or not. Felt the same when Farhan was randomly slotted in down the order. Meant nothing until he was actually given a proper chance at his preferred position as opener.

The issue I have the most problem with is hasan nawaz’s exclusion. He should have played in the first team anyway. But with a dead rubber, you could have easily played him middle order, resting Rizwan. I don’t think he’s even played any domestic yet which was the reason he was apparently dropped so that he could play. Easily could have been dropped after the ODI series.

 

[zaidihusain]

As much as I fear a repeat of the trauma, fortunately Farhan and Saim have performed enough to make PCB look embarrassing if they are dropped or demoted. I see them retaining the opening spots with Babar coming in at 3.

But I do fear Rizwan coming in at 4 because of their no wicketkeeper excuse and if he comes in at 4 then we are absolutely done for. I'd rather have Farhan keep than have Riz in a t20 batting lineup. Though I do not mind giving Haris more chances.

Rizwan doesn't deserve T20 comeback at any position considering some of his unforgivable selfish performances, T20 WC 2021 SF vs Aus, Asia Cup Final 2022 vs SL with his buddy Iftikhar, against Ind 2024 T20 WC vs India. These are many more selfish performances in this list

 

[Rana]

Rizwan doesn't deserve T20 comeback at any position considering some of his unforgivable selfish performances, T20 WC 2021 SF vs Aus, Asia Cup Final 2022 vs SL with his buddy Iftikhar, against Ind 2024 T20 WC vs India. These are many more selfish performances in this list

A lot of people are forgetting that Rizwan wasn’t punished for these rubbish major tournament performances…

He was actually handed T20i captaincy and then he showed that he has no intentions of moving away from his pathetic style and approach in the 5 T20is he played against Australia and South Africa.

Aqib played his cards perfectly. Had he forced the PCB to move on with him straight after the T20i World Cup in 2024…then he would have still stuck around and used his PR+journalists to apply unrelenting pressure to have him back by around the Asia cup. Instead, he still gave him a bit more time to solidify the perception that he isn’t T20 material and Rizwan played right into his hands.

Rizwan really could have avoided this all by batting at 5-6 and actually building a top order that is worthy of world standards. Rizwan didn’t even do this in the PSL once. His get out of jail card has always been to have sultans pick World standard overseas batters for positions 3-6 to make his outdated approach look good. You can’t do this when you have no international standard middle order batters in Pakistan unfortunately, and that’s where Rizwan slipped up.

 

[Rana]

What i dont understand is that when the opposition is strong they want to utilize youngsters and when the opposition is weak then there comes all strong seniors in the team. What a coward team really

Even then though

I think Pakistan held their own very well against India in 2 of the 3 T20is.

People here do not realise how strong that Indian T20 side was. It’s definitely their strongest ever team with proper T20 Batsmen all the way and a world class bowling unit of Bumrah, Kuldeep, Varun and Axar.

Pakistan was in a winning position in both games and lost the initiative to them.

There was NO CHANCE to even compete against this Indian side had Babar+Rizwan been in the playing XI

 

[adi_62941]

Even then though

I think Pakistan held their own very well against India in 2 of the 3 T20is.

People here do not realise how strong that Indian T20 side was. It’s definitely their strongest ever team with proper T20 Batsmen all the way and a world class bowling unit of Bumrah, Kuldeep, Varun and Axar.

Pakistan was in a winning position in both games and lost the initiative to them.

There was NO CHANCE to even compete against this Indian side had Babar+Rizwan been in the playing XI

Babar and rizwan together is a big no now. Yes they have won some matches for us but that period is over. Need to give chance to new players.

 

[zaidihusain]

Even then though

I think Pakistan held their own very well against India in 2 of the 3 T20is.

People here do not realise how strong that Indian T20 side was. It’s definitely their strongest ever team with proper T20 Batsmen all the way and a world class bowling unit of Bumrah, Kuldeep, Varun and Axar.

Pakistan was in a winning position in both games and lost the initiative to them.

There was NO CHANCE to even compete against this Indian side had Babar+Rizwan been in the playing XI

In final & super 4 game against India, Agha lost the toss and India fielded first. Chasing is always easy in UAE and that made the difference and it was wrong to bar first in 1st game. No doubt India's T20 side is extremely strong but Pakistan could have won at least 2 out of those 3 games had they played little better.

Under Babar's captaincy Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe, USA, Afghanistan

 

[Rana]

In final & super 4 game against India, Agha lost the toss and India fielded first. Chasing is always easy in UAE and that made the difference and it was wrong to bar first in 1st game. No doubt India's T20 side is extremely strong but Pakistan could have won at least 2 out of those 3 games had they played little better.

Under Babar's captaincy Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe, USA, Afghanistan

And I’m pretty sure Rizwan was going to continue the legacy of Babar with the famous defeats.

I am 100% convinced Pakistan would not have advanced from the group stage of the Asia cup if Babar and Rizwan were in the side.

We were going to lose a match either against Oman or UAE. This was our culture.

 

[pakistani pride]

Think people are reading way too much into this. I believe Saim was rested because they wanted to give Haseebullah a shot at his preferred position, opener. Which he does in u19 and domestic. Fakhar wasn’t rested as he has missed games and needs the practice. Rizwan is middle order and doesn’t play t20s. Saim has played every game and will be back for t20s as well as being in form in Odis. So he was rested. I’d still would have rested Rizwan instead, but I can’t understand why management did it. I don’t think it’s a case of cartel power at all. Rizwan lost his t20 place and ODI captaincy, if he was really that powerful those things wouldn’t have happened.

Having said that, I don’t think playing someone for a last rubber makes much difference. Haseebullah was likely to break into the team as an opener. Going and playing him as a middle order batsman makes little difference. Playing him as opener slightly improves those chances, but even if he scored a century, realistically he isn’t playing instead of fakhar or Saim. Thus there is no proper chance for him really to break into the team. Which is why I think it honestly means nothing whether he plays or not. Felt the same when Farhan was randomly slotted in down the order. Meant nothing until he was actually given a proper chance at his preferred position as opener.

The issue I have the most problem with is hasan nawaz’s exclusion. He should have played in the first team anyway. But with a dead rubber, you could have easily played him middle order, resting Rizwan. I don’t think he’s even played any domestic yet which was the reason he was apparently dropped so that he could play. Easily could have been dropped after the ODI series.

It’s not just about one match or one series, this has been happening for years. With these so called seniors, we have played multiple ICC tournaments, often with poor results and shocking losses. The problem is that they are not grooming players. All they do is play non stop and ensure they play every available game. That is not how player development works. This also reflects their mindset and attitude, they prefer the easy route, playing weaker teams just to secure personal stats.

The way Hasan Nawaz is/was handled is a prime example of how young talent gets discarded and destroyed. I’m not saying Hasan Nawaz was the next Inzi, but in a series like this, he should have played all the games.

Now, we see the emerging team (Shaheens) delivering some good performances. A few players from this group should be gradually included in the main setup and given opportunities to play. That’s how you groom players.

I could go on, but even just looking at players like Babar and Naseem, it’s clear they don’t yet reflect the fitness and professionalism expected of top athletes. Naseem is carrying extra weight and is clearly not fit, and Babar, I’m not sure what his routine is, but he does not look like a professional sportsman either.

 

[ads101]

It’s not just about one match or one series, this has been happening for years. With these so called seniors, we have played multiple ICC tournaments, often with poor results and shocking losses. The problem is that they are not grooming players. All they do is play non stop and ensure they play every available game. That is not how player development works. This also reflects their mindset and attitude, they prefer the easy route, playing weaker teams just to secure personal stats.

The way Hasan Nawaz is/was handled is a prime example of how young talent gets discarded and destroyed. I’m not saying Hasan Nawaz was the next Inzi, but in a series like this, he should have played all the games.

Now, we see the emerging team (Shaheens) delivering some good performances. A few players from this group should be gradually included in the main setup and given opportunities to play. That’s how you groom players.

I could go on, but even just looking at players like Babar and Naseem, it’s clear they don’t yet reflect the fitness and professionalism expected of top athletes. Naseem is carrying extra weight and is clearly not fit, and Babar, I’m not sure what his routine is, but he does not look like a professional sportsman either.

Players have been rested and youngsters tried more than ever. I don’t recall the likes of Hafeez, Malik, yousuf etc getting rested for these teams. I also don’t think we’re better for it. All it is a few youngsters playing a few games knowing seniors will take their place next series unless they perform out of their minds. Proper runs are what these guys need. I think it should be difficult to get a place but once you have it you should get a long settled run to prove yourself. Instead what’s happening is it’s easy to get the odd game here and there, but you don’t get consistent or long chances. Which usually results in the increased chance of overall failure.

The constant chopping and changing is the issue. But that isn’t coming from the senior players. That’s the board and management.

Fitness has always been an issue. And I agree we shouldn’t comprise like this. I don’t even know why Naseem is back when there are guys like Wasim and Abbas who did well and didn’t deserve to be dropped. Babar shouldn’t have been recalled until he’d proven something in domestic.

Hasan nawaz unfortunately has been handled in such a way because of the coach. The coach decided to drop him down the order initially. And to drop him mid Asia cup. He was again selected for the squads. And the coach asked for him to be released. They didn’t even get a replacement, so the coach would rather be one player down in the squad than have Hasan. I think the coach has done some very good things, but the treatment of Hasan has been something that’s really bewildered me.

I think the issue isn’t grooming youngsters or chances. In fact they’ve racked up a lot of games in total. The issue is not giving long interrupted chances to players when they debut at settled positions. It’s not just youngsters, I think even players like Usman and Farhan have been a victim of this. Why Hasan Nawaz’s position was constantly changed before dropping was poor. And of course allowing players into the squad when they are unfit. We should have stricter fitness standards that you have to make upon entry to the squad. However this is the same management ready to give Azam a pass not too long ago.

 

[pakistani pride]

We witnessed another big example of what this thread is all about in the last group game vs SL. It was the perfect example of a dead rubber with absolutely nothing on the line. This was the ideal match to ease Hasan Nawaz back into the team with no pressure. Yet again, we saw Babar in the lineup, most likely thinking he could get another cheap 50 to his name. Him getting out for 0 is a huge slap in the face for him and the team management.

I am also disappointed in the coach. It actually shows that player power is so strong that they can’t even bench a senior player. This is the prime reason Pakistan cricket is failing, and as long as these individuals remain, nothing will change.

 

[zaidihusain]

We witnessed another big example of what this thread is all about in the last group game vs SL. It was the perfect example of a dead rubber with absolutely nothing on the line. This was the ideal match to ease Hasan Nawaz back into the team with no pressure. Yet again, we saw Babar in the lineup, most likely thinking he could get another cheap 50 to his name. Him getting out for 0 is a huge slap in the face for him and the team management.

I am also disappointed in the coach. It actually shows that player power is so strong that they can’t even bench a senior player. This is the prime reason Pakistan cricket is failing, and as long as these individuals remain, nothing will change.

Yes, both Babar & Agha should have rested in this dead rubber game and some others should have been tried. If they can't try bench strength in their home tournaments then where will they try. This culture of things controlled by few senior players is horrible

 

[Rana]

Yes, both Babar & Agha should have rested in this dead rubber game and some others should have been tried. If they can't try bench strength in their home tournaments then where will they try. This culture of things controlled by few senior players is horrible

Bro it’s not just the senior culture,


There are some journalists and YouTubers who need to be banned/gagged. They were creating too much friction and animosity for the young side during the run up to the Asia cup.

At some point you will be worried that some nutcase might even attack and mortally wound Hesson and Aqib given how illiterate the awaam is in general.

 

[zaidihusain]

Bro it’s not just the senior culture,


There are some journalists and YouTubers who need to be banned/gagged. They were creating too much friction and animosity for the young side during the run up to the Asia cup.

At some point you will be worried that some nutcase might even attack and mortally wound Hesson and Aqib given how illiterate the awaam is in general.

Some paid journalists are hand in glove with players & their sponsors to run narrative in favour of some players and agenda against PCB & selectors / coaches

 

[pakistani pride]

Another ICC game, another collapse, and once again the so called senior players failed!

Lets start with Shadab. His return to the XI makes no sense. A few cheap runs against Australia mean 0. Every time the pressure rises, he gets exposed. I am not sure what his role is anymore. He is not a reliable batter, not a consistent wicket taker, and many times leaks lots of runs as his control is bad.

Shaheen is even more worrying. He looks completely one dimensional. Teams have figured him out, even minnows like the Netherlands knew exactly what he was going to do. Conceding close to 25 runs in two overs against a minnow is unacceptable for a “premier” pacer. There is no plan B, no variation, and he doesnt look fully fit either. In these conditions, playing 2 pacers makes no sense. We seen this before. Asia Cup final, today, and other ICC games where spinners do not bowl because the pacers “must” finish their quota. It keeps costing us.

Then there is Babar, the self proclaimed king of Pakistan cricket. When the team is going at 10 an over, he was 6 off 10 balls. These are exactly the games where a senior batter takes control, scores a 40 ball fifty, and finished the chase. Instead, he drains the momentum. Forget averages. Look at his strike rate in T20 World Cups. It’s been poor across multiple editions. He repeatedly sucks the energy out of the innings and puts pressure on everyone else. The reality is he struggles badly against spin, has not worked on that weakness, and hasnt delivered in ICC T20 events for years.

At what point do we stop hoping for a turnaround and judge what is actually happening on the field?
So we have three senior players who have been underperforming in ICC events for multiple years, and yet the team continues to carry them without question.

Same decisions, same mistakes. Its been very frustrating!

 

[pakistani pride]

Shadab did well in the game against the USA. Although the opposition wasn’t the strongest, he took wickets and was the only one down the order to score significant runs. I still feel he may get exposed against stronger teams, but I hope he proves me wrong.

SSA is a lost case. Playing him over Salman tells you everything about the ''senior cartel''. A very poor call also by the captain and coach. What made it even more cringe how they thought bowling him at the death will help his Eco rate, instead he got smashed. against India he will be further exposed and might lose the game for pak within 6 deliveries!

Babar was his usual self, untill that spinner came on and he got a few big hits. We all know how poor Babar is vs India and he will not be getting those freebies. again I hope he proves me wrong, but also Babar will get exposed again vs India.

Its a shame because on merit and if right selection PCT can challenge to win the cup, but the team balance is totally wrong. the main reason is cause they have to fit in the seniors.

 

[PakistanMeriJaan]

Lowest batting strike rate in T20 World Cup history with minimum of 500 runs​

Player	Country	S.R
Babar Azam	Pakistan	110.40
Mohammad Hafeez	Pakistan	111.80
Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	112.20
Kane Williamson	New Zealand	112.50
Muhammad Rizwan	Pakistan	112.90

 

[pakistani pride]

Lowest batting strike rate in T20 World Cup history with minimum of 500 runs​

Player	Country	S.R
Babar Azam	Pakistan	110.40
Mohammad Hafeez	Pakistan	111.80
Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	112.20
Kane Williamson	New Zealand	112.50
Muhammad Rizwan	Pakistan	112.90

Tells you all you need to know.
Wish some one can show these to those zillion experts on Pak TV channels calling Babar a good bat for Pak in T20s.

 

[Major]

Lowest batting strike rate in T20 World Cup history with minimum of 500 runs​

Player	Country	S.R
Babar Azam	Pakistan	110.40
Mohammad Hafeez	Pakistan	111.80
Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	112.20
Kane Williamson	New Zealand	112.50
Muhammad Rizwan	Pakistan	112.90

this is flawed. Sangakara and Hafeez played in an era where their strike rates were good enough in t20.

I think it should be post 2021 onwards.

 

[pakistani pride]

this is flawed. Sangakara and Hafeez played in an era where their strike rates were good enough in t20.

I think it should be post 2021 onwards.

No talks about them. This is about the so called King of Pak cricket. That SR is so so so bad!

 

[pakistani pride]

And once again the Legends SSA, Babar and Shadab strike!

Now that we got the mandatory Indian loss, lets hope at least 2 of them get dropped and Fakhar with a pacer get in.

 

[Shaka81]

And once again the Legends SSA, Babar and Shadab strike!

Now that we got the mandatory Indian loss, lets hope at least 2 of them get dropped and Fakhar with a pacer get in.

Ideally all 3 of them should be dropped and retired from international cricket. Fakhar needs to retire from T20 internationals as well to be fair. Need young blood in there.

 

[Asif321]

Imagine dropping Mirza who was doing well for your senior shaheen

 

[pakistani pride]

Ideally all 3 of them should be dropped and retired from international cricket. Fakhar needs to retire from T20 internationals as well to be fair. Need young blood in there.

You still hope they prove you wrong, but they are so bad. Shadab and SSA hiding while younger/new players are bowling.

Babar is the worst of the lot.

 

[Kianig89]

Team at crossroads in the middle of WC, lets see what the mgmt decides today, will the senior cartel remain intact or finally we will see the bricks falling