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"There was pressure on me to perform as a senior batsman" : Asad Shafiq

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Abdullah719

T20I Captain
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Runs
44,825
Asad Shafiq at a presser:

"There is pressure in every match, every innings"

"There was pressure on me to perform as a senior batsman. It went well, the positive sign is that everyone batted well and are in good nick so in the next match, this will come in handy"

"My plan was to play pull shots as there were no fielders at square leg"

"I think the wickets here are such that if you get in, you get good value for your shots due to the good outfield. My plan was to see off the first 20 balls then if the ball is in my zone, I will play my shots"

"Today was a bit easier than Day 1, the ball was not rearing up off the cracks as much. The positive mindset helped me to play my shots. The pitch was a bit easier today"

"When we came here in 2013, I got a century here and that was in the back of my mind, that I have a score here. I was playing well, I was confident, the ball was coming nicely onto my bat, it was just a matter of time before I convert it into a big innings"

"They have a quality bowling attack and they put the ball in the right areas so you have to be patient while attacking as well, it's not easy to bat against SA attack, they are world class bowlers"

"I don't know about Fakhar batting down the order, it's the management's plan. Maybe they were thinking that the ball will get older and he can play his shots"

"As compared to Asia, the main difference is the bounce here. That was the main concern when we were batting here. But if you get in, you can play your shots well as the grounds have quick outfields"

"We had home series in UAE so we didn't have time for more than 1 practice game, before UK tours we had more tour matches as we had time"

"You can take positives from this innings as the batting lineup wasn't doing well but now everyone has some runs, it's a good sign for the team as you get confidence back when you score runs"

"You have to take risks as without risks, you can't play your shots. Steyn was bowling well specially in his 3rd spell, the ball was swinging"

"You have to be attacking, if you get ball outside off stump then you can cut"

"If you see through 20-25 balls and you get some shots away then you can see the ball better and adjust better according to the length"

"I am disappointed to get out on 88, because I was playing well and my team needed a big century here. As an individual, I also wanted to score a hundred but it's a part of the game and it happens"
 
No sorry, scoring a useless 88 is not "performing".

"Performing" is when your innings wins your team the match otherwise its useless.
 
Asad Shafiq the useless innings specialist. Congrats to Pakistan on losing another series.
 
I think Pakistan need to rethink Asad Shafiq’s role if he is to continue to play in this team. He doesn’t have the defensive game for test cricket. Azhar (I still can’t rule him out) is probably a little more in the mound of misbah and a defensive grinder.
Shafiq has wasted a lot of goodwill and investment. He needs to play like this in every game from now, coming in two down.
I won’t hold me breath here because we have had too many false dawns
 
Pete Rose said:
I think Pakistan need to rethink Asad Shafiq’s role if he is to continue to play in this team. He doesn’t have the defensive game for test cricket. Azhar (I still can’t rule him out) is probably a little more in the mound of misbah and a defensive grinder.
Shafiq has wasted a lot of goodwill and investment. He needs to play like this in every game from now, coming in two down.
I won’t hold me breath here because we have had too many false dawns
Click to expand...

His time is up.
 
We have produced some really Mentally weak batsmen in the past decade who can't handle pressure and come through with a big 150-200 innings when the team needs it most.

I Remember Laxman, Dravid, Sangakara, producing such legacy defining innings that make you stand and take notice

Pretty sure Azhar, Asad and Sarfaraz don't have it in them to get to that level. Such a waste of a 10-year investment
 
88 is a huge score considering standards of Pak batting regradless of when and how he scored them, so be patient guys hes not going anywhere
 
So Asad thinks our batsmen have got runs? We have practically been thrashed in 1st test and here. 1 good score in 4 when game is dead not helpful at all.
 
Amjid Javed said:
So Asad thinks our batsmen have got runs? We have practically been thrashed in 1st test and here. 1 good score in 4 when game is dead not helpful at all.
Click to expand...

At least they are (or some are) in form for the dead rubber! How exciting.
 
I honestly don’t care about this little 50s anymore when they don’t do anything to win the match.

If these runs atleast get us close to a win then that would be a different story. But our batsmen barely score any runs but when they do it’s either 50s that they fail to convert into big scores or hundreds that come way after the match is gone(Shafiq seems to specialise in this).

I don’t like these soft runs that decrease the margin of defeat, we need big hundreds which turn the match in our favour.
 
Really Asad you had pressure as a senior batsmen my ohhh my too much pressure on this baby..awwww

You the reason we been losing maTches after matches einstien you are supposed to take place of younis genius.... enough of this match after match. You didn’t perform well u get that hero.

If u r that senior you should have stayed this much experience and making yourself look like hero for a filthy 80 runs... get out a here
 
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The cheek of this guy after failing for most of his 111 test matches in a row, after his average dropping from 44 to 38 despite playing in UAE and after scoring only 6 odd 50+ scores in 36 innings and being a coward this **** calls scoring 88 ''performing'' in the day and age where people are clocking 150's for fun on dead tracks. Even Babar Azam who has been a mental midget has stepped up this series and so has Shan Masood. Imam, Azhar, Shafiq, Sarfaraz have been a disgrace.

Cook, ABD all big players are retiring at 32-33 we have moronss who are in their 30s and still dreaming of being captain in this format (azhar and shafiq) never mind being dropped or certainly never mind retiring.
 
Pete Rose said:
You know he is playing the next game. Might as well make peace with it and vent post series
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This is true.

I want Asad to succeed, I want everyone to succeed. I have no regional biases.

For me he has had a plethora of chances and despite what is thought of his technique, at the end of the day he is lacking in the most important facet and that being run scoring, which is obviously an issue between the ears. He must do extremely well when they are at the nets and looks in sublime form, but once the match starts and any pressure is on, he just folds like a stack of cards. I don't know why that is, but mental fortitude lacking for Pakistani players is not surprising to say the least.

Given his age, his time is up. He may keep playing, sure, but to expect some renaissance of his career in his thirties is a shot in the dark, something that Asad seems to look like at the crease too much of the time.
 
Ilan Bluestone said:
This is true.

I want Asad to succeed, I want everyone to succeed. I have no regional biases.

For me he has had a plethora of chances and despite what is thought of his technique, at the end of the day he is lacking in the most important facet and that being run scoring, which is obviously an issue between the ears. He must do extremely well when they are at the nets and looks in sublime form, but once the match starts and any pressure is on, he just folds like a stack of cards. I don't know why that is, but mental fortitude lacking for Pakistani players is not surprising to say the least.

Given his age, his time is up. He may keep playing, sure, but to expect some renaissance of his career in his thirties is a shot in the dark, something that Asad seems to look like at the crease too much of the time.
Click to expand...

Yeah, fair call. I think a Renaissance is not possible. But I also think you can’t playing him for this kind of output. It pains all of us no end as to how many games we have lost over the last 8 weeks - 3 games - because he was part of a collapse when he of all people should have been playing without pressure given his uninterrupted run.
He is a nervous starter and now has a body of work that most people can see shows clearly he messes up under pressure.
For his own good and his teams - he and Mickey need to have an honest chat about this - and embrace his frailties and work to address them with better intent.
I am not sure if it will work but that’s where we are: like I said to another poster the contrast between his innings and shans was chalk and cheese.
 
Uff.

What a disgrace! He's actually feeling proud at this knock!
 
Asad reminds me of the ODI version of Misbah. His runs are soft and he scores when the match is lost.
 
A useless one but a nice 88 coming against quality pace bowling. However, his continuous streak of scoring useless runs when about to be dropped continues.

It's not like just because Pakistan are losing this match, it becomes an useless inning. It is the time when he gets those runs. When you are some 250 runs behind and then you come to bat and score a 90, how much does it really makes a difference?? Or when you need 500 runs to chase in 4th inning, you score a 120 and get out, how useful is that?? For me, I will value the first inning runs a lot more. At that time, your runs count and can make a difference. But I don't recall him getting a 80 or 100 that often in first inning of the test match.

That's the problem with him. He fails again and again and when it is highly unlikely that there is a comeback chance, he scores a 100 which doesn't make any major difference to the result.
 
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Had he score a big hundred, taking Pakistan to some lead of > 200 for SA to chase, that would have been some performance to talk about, after so many tests. Scoring 80 and leaving team at brink of the defeat is no performance, he needs to be dropped, still.
 
it was a good knock under the circumstances but the problem of consistentcy remains as we have seen this series

4-5 failures and 1 half decent knock in a loseing cause is not acceptable from a senior batsman

whatever happens in the next couple of innings he should be dropped and told in no uncertain terms this isnt good enough

a kick up the backside is well overdue and it may give him the impetus to actually work hard again and focus rather than carry on in the same comfort zone hes been in of the last 3 years
 
So chirpy and positive after a score of just 88, after multiple failures, and the series lost. Just goes on to show where his priorities lie and what he perceives as 'success'. This guy exemplifies the frog in a well mentality.
 
The Viper said:
Asad reminds me of the ODI version of Misbah. His runs are soft and he scores when the match is lost.
Click to expand...

Misbah was more consistent and also the best batsman of the odi team

Shafiq has struggled throughout his career but somehow managed to hold on to his place by playing odd good knocks here & there
 
No, no, no. Do not let this innings fool anybody.

Asad you failed in Abu Dhabi vs SL, failed in Abu Dhabi TWICE vs NZ in the 4th innings, and failed in Centurion when we desperately needed a senior to stand up and be counted.

I hope Mickey won't be fooled by this.
 
RyanRyan10 said:
Misbah was more consistent and also the best batsman of the odi team

Shafiq has struggled throughout his career but somehow managed to hold on to his place by playing odd good knocks here & there
Click to expand...

Misbah scored at a strike rate of 70. But you are right Misbah was consistent. What i mean is that both of them are not match winners but soften the amount of runs lost by.
 
Get rid of asad shafiq whose meaningless contributions only come when the game is lost. Add azhar ali to the pile and bring in some fresh faces.
 
Not only that but he dropped a catch at the centurion that cost Pakistan the match. Awful slip fielder.
 
I'm speechless! who the hell do these jokers think they are fooling??!!!
 
Indian batsman are showing their guts

Pak batsmen are spilling their guts
 
Yeh phir 10 match ke liye tik gaya. Pakistan cricket ka bad luck.chal raha hai.
 
The Viper said:
Asad reminds me of the ODI version of Misbah. His runs are soft and he scores when the match is lost.
Click to expand...

Very well said. Neither of their runs oozed impact in their respective formats.
 
Jeez, he's acting like he scored 188... You scored 88 runs dude.

88 runs are nothing, if you want to make your mark and shut down doubters you need to score big.
 
Bro if you had gone big, got us in a match winning position then you could have talked like this, these 88 runs have not added value on the outcome of the match, just an innings defeat has been avoided.

But nevertheless thank you for your selfish runs!
 
Those 88 runs were needed in 1st inns of match but he failed as usually. Hes king of soft runs, something mohammed yousaf was like early in his career.
 
Amjid Javed said:
Those 88 runs were needed in 1st inns of match but he failed as usually. Hes king of soft runs, something mohammed yousaf was like early in his career.
Click to expand...

Hah', kind of figures why Yousuf is the biggest supporter of Shafiq.
 
Chokli said:
Jeez, he's acting like he scored 188... You scored 88 runs dude.

88 runs are nothing, if you want to make your mark and shut down doubters you need to score big.
Click to expand...

88 runs in different circumstances can be very valuable, so it's not just about runs.

SA put 430 runs and Pakistan was so far behind that it's crazy to see hum waiving his bat after he got out at 88 runs. It's not as if he took Pakistan closer to safety or a win.
 
Buffet said:
88 runs in different circumstances can be very valuable, so it's not just about runs.

SA put 430 runs and Pakistan was so far behind that it's crazy to see hum waiving his bat after he got out at 88 runs. It's not as if he took Pakistan closer to safety or a win.
Click to expand...

Yes ofcourse they would have been valuable.

But in the context of this game, the 88 runs were useless.
 
The Viper said:
Misbah scored at a strike rate of 70. But you are right Misbah was consistent. What i mean is that both of them are not match winners but soften the amount of runs lost by.
Click to expand...

Well tbf he still had a higher SR than some others like Shezhad and Maqsood.
 
Markhor said:
No, no, no. Do not let this innings fool anybody.

Asad you failed in Abu Dhabi vs SL, failed in Abu Dhabi TWICE vs NZ in the 4th innings, and failed in Centurion when we desperately needed a senior to stand up and be counted.

I hope Mickey won't be fooled by this.
Click to expand...

This!
Such low standards. Scoring 80 odd runs when the oppo team is all out attacking.

Whats the use of this innings? We still gonna get trashed by 10 wickets and lose the series.

I lost count how many times he scored useless runs in the 2nd innings!
 
Lol at the posters! The guy scored 88, which is no good. If he got out for a duck, he would still have been crucified. So near 100 or not, he's toast!
 
Boi said:
Did he cut cake today?
Click to expand...

Hasan123 said:
Lol someone in the match thread said he held his bat up when he got out. As if he scored a 100. Absolutely embarssing mentality if true.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OUT! A lapse in concentration as Asad Shafiq edges one behind and Pakistan in trouble once again. They still trail by 60 runs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/5if9b7mkON">pic.twitter.com/5if9b7mkON</a></p>— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPassion/status/1081550334340857856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
In a losing cause (inns or heavy loss) he always gets big runs, when we need him to fire in acheiveable run chases he falls apart.
 
Abdullah719 said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OUT! A lapse in concentration as Asad Shafiq edges one behind and Pakistan in trouble once again. They still trail by 60 runs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/5if9b7mkON">pic.twitter.com/5if9b7mkON</a></p>— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPassion/status/1081550334340857856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

Truly embarssing stuff. The game is dead. 88 isn't a score to celebrate. Poor stuff from a player I have supported in this past.
 
Asad Shafiq is finished. Move on.
The Asad Shafiq story
Scores a 50
Fans start hailing him as a great batsman. Mickey Arthur and co refer to him as tendulkar.
Fails in next 5-6 tests
Scores a selfish 50 to keep him in the team
Repeat
 
This is the level of these players. The likes of Kohli, Williamson, Pujara once in make sure they score big and our players throw it away after getting to 50
 
Abdullah719 said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OUT! A lapse in concentration as Asad Shafiq edges one behind and Pakistan in trouble once again. They still trail by 60 runs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/5if9b7mkON">pic.twitter.com/5if9b7mkON</a></p>— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPassion/status/1081550334340857856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

Salute to the champion mentality of this 32+-year-old veteran of 60+ consecutive Tests. :salute
 
The problem with us is that we never try to back anyone up even players like YK were threatned for their place in the team whenever he used to underperform. And he is not even considered as a great batsman by a lot of people here. Well whatever, its always good to see Azhar & Asad perform.
 
Ahsanax said:
The problem with us is that we never try to back anyone up even players like YK were threatned for their place in the team whenever he used to underperform. And he is not even considered as a great batsman by a lot of people here. Well whatever, its always good to see Azhar & Asad perform.
Click to expand...

After 68 Tests, Younis was averaging 51. Asad is averaging 39.
 
The Viper said:
Misbah scored at a strike rate of 70. But you are right Misbah was consistent. What i mean is that both of them are not match winners but soften the amount of runs lost by.
Click to expand...

Not only was Misbah consistent,he won us quite a handful of matches too.Since the ongoing series is against South Africa,I would like to shed light on the fact that we won two ODI's out of the 5 match series against South Africa in 2013 owing to Misbah's half centuries which includes an 80 odd and our world class bowling.While I can't even recall a single test match which Asad has won us on his own or even with the assistance of others.There is no comparison between the two!Misbah the ODI batsman wasn't as bad as people claim specially by Pakistani standards!
 
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What a loser! He got out when Pakistan were still trailing South Africa and really needed him to keep going. He failed to help his team in anyway at all.
 
Fineline said:
Not only was Misbah consistent,he won us quite a handful of matches too.Since the ongoing series is against South Africa,I would like to shed light on the fact that we won two ODI's out of the 5 match series against South Africa in 2013 owing to Misbah's half centuries which includes an 80 odd and our world class bowling.While I can't even recall a single test match which Asad has won us on his own or even with the assistance of others.There is no comparison between the two!Misbah the ODI batsman wasn't as bad as people claim specially by Pakistani standards!
Click to expand...

He was definitely one of the poor ones that have played so many games.
 
There was pressure on all 3 seniors to score or to be dropped so there focus was on saving places in the side.
 
Abdullah719 said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OUT! A lapse in concentration as Asad Shafiq edges one behind and Pakistan in trouble once again. They still trail by 60 runs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/5if9b7mkON">pic.twitter.com/5if9b7mkON</a></p>— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPassion/status/1081550334340857856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

Oh wow! That really boils my blood!!! What in the world are you raising your bat for? For making a century (even then this is uncalled for) or for winning/saving the game for your team?

This is absolutely pathetic! This gesture truly defines this guys mentality.
 
I think we are potentially seeing the last of Shafiq this series. Unless he scores a 100 in the next test (which i am hoping he doesnt).
 
Will be the most depressing day ever if he is made captain next.
 
Give the guy some credit. I know he should be dropped after this series. The arrival of Shan and Harris not to mention the gumption shown by babar proves that In the right environment with the correct backing younger players can show courage and play out of their skins to make a mark in the game not just in South Africa but even in UAE. So finding a replacement for him shouldn’t be too long a process

However, he doesn’t play LOI and we don’t play in South Africa or Australia that often. It takes time get used to conditions and it’s not his fault the pcb didn’t organise warm up matches. Plus he just seemed afraid of playing the short ball in previous innings yet here he adapted and took it on and for most part played with fluency and great timing. Ok so it wasn’t a century and yes another 50 runs by him and babar each would have made this match interesting but it’s not the end of the world. He can take this form into the next match and make a fist of it. I do see this team finally clicking for the next match and possibly winning. It’s a Shame it’s a 3 match series as often in England in the 4 matches you do see real progression between earlier and later innings as we get more used to conditions.
 
In a weird way, reminds me of Rahane. Both are incredibly talented batsman, arguably the most technically equipped for non-subcontinent conditions in their sides. They've both seen their form absolutely collapse over the past 1-2 years. Rahane should be averaging 50+ with his talent, and Shafiq atleast 45. There's got to be some mental issue.
 
Rishta Aunty said:
In a weird way, reminds me of Rahane. Both are incredibly talented batsman, arguably the most technically equipped for non-subcontinent conditions in their sides. They've both seen their form absolutely collapse over the past 1-2 years. Rahane should be averaging 50+ with his talent, and Shafiq atleast 45. There's got to be some mental issue.
Click to expand...

Rahane has been equally inconsistent but unlike shafiq atleast his sporadic scores come in important situations.

In this year alone, Rahane scored a valuable 48 in Joburg on a minefield, then a vital 81 at Trentbridge and a 70 at Adelaide. All these 3 innings came at crucial times and were key to india winning the match.

Asad plays his "good" innings once in 4-5 matches and they invariably come in a situation like yesterday when we are 250 behind with only pride to play for. Shafiq is the useless innings specialist. If he had any spine, he would produce these same knocks when the game was alive. Imagine how much more valuable those 88 runs would be if he had got them in the first innings instead.
 
Cuts_and_cuts_hard said:
Rahane has been equally inconsistent but unlike shafiq atleast his sporadic scores come in important situations.

In this year alone, Rahane scored a valuable 48 in Joburg on a minefield, then a vital 81 at Trentbridge and a 70 at Adelaide. All these 3 innings came at crucial times and were key to india winning the match.

Asad plays his "good" innings once in 4-5 matches and they invariably come in a situation like yesterday when we are 250 behind with only pride to play for. Shafiq is the useless innings specialist. If he had any spine, he would produce these same knocks when the game was alive. Imagine how much more valuable those 88 runs would be if he had got them in the first innings instead.
Click to expand...

That's totally fair with the exception that Rahane has Kohli/Pujara (till recently Vijay) as well in that line-up. If we had more people stand-up and make more runs this innings, we could have had 180 to defend which I would have backed us to.

My argument was more around the technical side of things. I rate Rahane very highly, arguably the most talented test batsman in the Indian team.
 
Embarrassing statement.

To say things like " it went well..." after your team has been manhandled is incredibly selfish. The innings did nothing for Pakistan.
 
Hafeez-like statements made by Technique. Well, congratulations on your 88 hope it was worth it :shafiq2
 
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