Time to finally bring back Hammad Azam?

[ads101]

I'm not a fan of picking guys who don't perform in domestic first. Hammad was prodigious at U19 level but generally did poor at domestic and has been largely ignored for international selection.

However his domestic performances have improved being top ten ranked in domestic in first class for both batting and bowling (as high as no.2 I believe in batting).

We have a lack of middle order options/talent at the moment especially with umar akmal out of favour atm, and relying on Malik and Hafeez is hardly a long term strategy. I'm unconvinced at Imad's ability to bat at 7, especially watching him at CT final, I feel like he's more suited at 8, while guys like Shadab and Fahim probably need to focus on their bowling more (and feel hammad would outperform with the bat). More so important, Hammad has a talent to hit big which we lack. And a pace allrounder at 7 would probably suit our bowling more given other spin bowling options in Haris, Malik, Hafeez potentially if they play.

I'd see him easily fitting on a team like

1. Fakhar
2. Babar
3. Haris Sohail
4. Middle order bat (maybe Umar Amin?)
5. Malik/Hafeez (I'd opt for Malik I think)
6. Sarfraz
7. Hammad
8. Imad
9. Amir
10. Hasan
11. Junaid

Thoughts?

 

[Slog]

Bus aisay hi?

Based on what?

Literally what has he done to deserve even a look-in

 

[hadi123]

He's done nothing in domestic to justify a call up to Pakistan team

 

[htariq25]

No thx prefer fahim and yamin

 

[Slog]

If a guy who is averaging 28 at a Strike rate of 83 in our Godforsaken domestic List A cricket and people want him in the team then Allah hi khair karay team kee

 

[Markhor]

Haris Sohail is a part-timer at best. Not someone who should be bowling in any match unless absolutely necessary. Malik is a 6th or 7th bowler these days. Hafeez hasn't been that threatening since his bowling ban.

Shadab should play all of our LOIs in the UAE. There is no need for four pacers in the desert.

 

[ads101]

Hammad has been consistently performing in domestic of late, hasn't had the standout performance but he's been consistent. They are lower overall due to his bad start in domestic. I'm sure they'd be impressive if someone isolated the last few years. And as I said, I don't think getting top ten in first class rankings in both batting and bowling is a fluke, it's pretty hard to do that and first class is often a better representation of your ability in pak domestic I find strangely enough. As I also said he's as high as no.2 in the batting rankings, that's pretty impressive for an allrounder.

He's competing for the allrounder spot at 7, many of the guys he's competing have worse stats than him.

With both Shadab and Fahim I see bowlers who have potential with the bat. They're both pretty young and can't really be depended on with the bat yet, they need to develop. Hammad's different to that.

I'd like to see what he's like now in international cricket. His bowling especially seems to have improved which was his main downfall last time, he looked like he had ability with the bat in international cricket, but his bowling was club level/so poor that he didn't get more chances. Think that's changed now, his bowling's improved.

 

[ads101]

Haris Sohail is a part-timer at best. Not someone who should be bowling in any match unless absolutely necessary. Malik is a 6th or 7th bowler these days. Hafeez hasn't been that threatening since his bowling ban.

Shadab should play all of our LOIs in the UAE. There is no need for four pacers in the desert.

That's why I said Haris, Malik/Hafeez, Hammad between them can make up 10. I mean ideally I would have thought hammad would be able to bowl all 10. Not suggesting that Hammad should take up a slot from 8-11, he'd be extra. And if it makes sense to bowl two spinners like in spin friendly conditions, happy to drop him and play both imad and Shadab.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

FGS, stop asking for this trundler to come back. I can bowl faster than this guy and I only play cricket during the summer.

He's a nothing batsman either. Technique wise, a walking wicket.

 

[moghul]

Bring back Hammad on what basis ? He is not of international class, has not proved himself in 7-8 years. Hasn't he enjoyed lots of free rides on the basis of being "talented" and for one inning he played against India in under 19 WC long time ago. Lets move on, try new players.

 

[The Googly]

He has had a very average season for Ashcombe Park in the Staff League.If he is struggling agianst club players, what assumption is the most obvious?

 

[Ahson8]

What has he done to warrant selection ahead of Yamin or Fahim ?

 

[Boi]

Think the boat has sailed for him. Was never given a fair chance when should've been and now I think he's behind in the pecking order with the likes of Talat and Fahim emerging.

 

[Justcrazy]

hammad can play as specialist batsman , his bowling is not good.

 

[PakLFC]

"Bring back?". We never gave the poor boy a proper chance in the first place most likely as he doesn't come from a well to do and affluent family. If he is performing well at domestic level should be given a chance for sure. A good and genuine all rounder adds great balance to the side. His bowling can improve with time as hes still relatively young.

 

[The Googly]

Reminder. He is struggling at Ashcombe Park.

 

[Slog]

"Bring back?". We never gave the poor boy a proper chance in the first place most likely as he doesn't come from a well to do and affluent family. If he is performing well at domestic level should be given a chance for sure. A good and genuine all rounder adds great balance to the side. His bowling can improve with time as hes still relatively young.

He never deserved a chance

His only claim to fame is a few hoicks against India in a rain shortened match in the under 19 word cup

 

[Suleiman]

He deserved a longer run around 2011-2012 period where he did his part in the Asia Cup, but that ship has sailed.

 

[msb314]

He never deserved a chance

His only claim to fame is a few hoicks against India in a rain shortened match in the under 19 word cup

He deserved a longer run around 2011-2012 period where he did his part in the Asia Cup, but that ship has sailed.

Never had a proper chance in the side barring a few random games here and there.

It is between him and Fahim Ashraf - not sure who is better but Ashraf has made the most of his opportunities so far.