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[VIDEO] Is Iftikhar Ahmed the finisher Pakistan needs?

Hawkeye said:
Misbah brought this guy from nowhere to backing him in the PSL and then finally the national team.

Our typical awaam kept making fun of Iftikhar and Misbah. But, Misbah knew his potential.

In 2 years time we'll be a solid team. Current focus is building the team and finding our flaws.
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Misbah also brought Asif Ali. One innings can not define him, let him perform.
 
Ifti Success shows the importance of putting the hard yards in FC cricket rather than those
picked on instant fame based on Mickey mouse Tournaments.

At international level you will need batsmen with Sound technique and right mix of power
he does seems to be a very solid batsmen playing proper cricket shots and has that explosive
power plus temperament.

He has been biggest positive in recent years. Well done
 
Definitely a solid find and looks like an actual batsmen that can accelerate the innings. I don't think he can come in right away and start slogging after a couple of balls but he seems to do pretty well after 10-15 balls to get his timing right.

In T20's, he should probably be playing at 5 at the very least. And credit where credit is due, Misbah made a good selection on this one. He has the domestic track record and has shown good SR in domestic and now that is translating Internationally.

Now, Misbah just needs to throw Irfan/Wahab/Shehzad/Akmal etc into the sun.
 
He played a very good knock.

Good to see him translate domestic performances in Internationals so far.
 
Nasty Naz said:
Definitely a solid find and looks like an actual batsmen that can accelerate the innings. I don't think he can come in right away and start slogging after a couple of balls but he seems to do pretty well after 10-15 balls to get his timing right.

In T20's, he should probably be playing at 5 at the very least. And credit where credit is due, Misbah made a good selection on this one. He has the domestic track record and has shown good SR in domestic and now that is translating Internationally.

Now, Misbah just needs to throw Irfan/Wahab/Shehzad/Akmal etc into the sun.
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J don't think it's fair to group Umar Akmal with Shehzad.

He's a rare breed who can handle and hit pacers with ease. We don't have such players, not a lot of them.
 
fight_club said:
Ifti Success shows the importance of putting the hard yards in FC cricket rather than those
picked on instant fame based on Mickey mouse Tournaments.

At international level you will need batsmen with Sound technique and right mix of power
he does seems to be a very solid batsmen playing proper cricket shots and has that explosive
power plus temperament.

He has been biggest positive in recent years. Well done
Click to expand...

Ifti has a good solid base and has a range of shots(as opposed to asif ali who has just one go to shot, hit big to mid wicket) and he can hit/ hook pace bowlers.
I am very excited and pray ifti keeps this form for at least a couple of years and not just a flash in the pan. Ifti could be vital in the next two world t20s!
 
A t2oi specialist who is 30 pakistani years old should never be hailed as a new messiah,i am sure this guy will last for just one year,you need young batsman to build a team ,this guy is just a temporary player.
 
Iftikhar has a good start so far. Age is not a factor . He is 29 most likely unofficially so in his prime years . Why do ppl on this forum think just because one is 30 they can’t pursue their aspirations of playing for their country . If your good enough your old enough .

Australia are a good example of this .
 
MenInG said:
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/371549104" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/371549104">Pak practice in Perth</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user98619008">Green Man</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

.
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Ifti doing it at nets too. Check the hitting.
 
Theo_14 said:
He's still on the young side - certainly hasn't been given as many chances as Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Asif Ali/Fakhar Zaman.

He's gone back to domestic and has been consistently performing well.
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That's because he showed no potential whatsoever.

A batsman with a pathetic average of 30 odd in List A cricket will never survive International Cricket.
 
Absolutely amazing Iftikhar - a must for Pakistan T20 squad for the World Cup
 
We should utilize his bowling as well..that way we can also fit in a fast bowling A/R like Ammad Butt instead of 2 spin A/R's..if Shadab is still an A/R..seems like hes forgotten how to hold a bat
 
Mickey Arthur speaking on TV

"Iftikhar and Babar are the only 2 batsmen who leave the series with their heads held high. Iftikhar will be used in a powerhitting role. He may be found out a little bit with the short ball but he's played very well and justified his position. He came out and he was positive, he wasn't scared to get on the front foot, he showed guts and courage. I was impressed by his commitment off the front and back foot. Australia rewards players who commit in that manner. He's showed he's good enough to survive at this level in white-ball cricket, now he needs to work on red-ball cricket where the short ball will be a challenge"
 
Credit to Misbah for always believing in Iftikhar. Now he is the selector he could get him in.

He is a new stronghold in our white ball set up. Iftikhar and Imad could provide Pak with the needed boos in the last 20 overs of ODI's.
 
Looks like he's cemented his place for the Test series too.
 
Prince of Pakistan said:
Credit to Misbah for always believing in Iftikhar. Now he is the selector he could get him in.

He is a new stronghold in our white ball set up. Iftikhar and Imad could provide Pak with the needed boos in the last 20 overs of ODI's.
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True. Our ODI lineup is pretty settled now just need to sort out the top 4 of T20s.
 
MenInG said:
Mickey Arthur speaking on TV

"Iftikhar and Babar are the only 2 batsmen who leave the series with their heads held high. Iftikhar will be used in a powerhitting role. He may be found out a little bit with the short ball but he's played very well and justified his position. He came out and he was positive, he wasn't scared to get on the front foot, he showed guts and courage. I was impressed by his commitment off the front and back foot. Australia rewards players who commit in that manner. He's showed he's good enough to survive at this level in white-ball cricket, now he needs to work on red-ball cricket where the short ball will be a challenge"
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Where was Mickey Arthur when Ifti was rotting away in domestic cricket? Really shows MA lack of eye for talent. Ofcourse, Ifti also proved PPasioners wrong who would poke fun of him.
 
He definitely needed a proper run, he has great domestic numbers and was good in this years PSL as well.

I think he should play tests over Shafiq, his batting is probably better and his bowling will actually be very useful especially on away tours.
 
aloo paratha said:
Based on what? Looks? Certain people look a lot younger than their age, some look older. Don't claim such things without any proof.
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This is what I have been saying for a while. Some people just look older than they are, sometimes they look 5-6 years older. Iftikhar also looks quite fit and his reflexes must be pretty good to be able to play the short ball in Australia, especially at Perth. Those aren't the reflexes of a 35 year old.
 
Xoib said:
Based on what just your fut feel? Because technically he looks quite good with a decent all round game
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Flawed technically. Doesn't have the reflexes either. He's good enough to face mediocre bowlers like Richardson.
 
Not a fan at all but considering his recent performance I’ll give him the benefit of doubt , ideally younger players like Khusdil & Yamin should get a chance as chacha Ifti is at least 34yrs old but then again since he is playing all formats & if he performs in tests & Odi’s in Australia then he should be in the T20 W/C squad
 
Why is he selected for T20I series v Bangladesh
 
MenInG said:
Why is he selected for T20I series v Bangladesh
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Because he was one of our best players in the Sri Lanka and the Australia series. Not too many positives from those but he was good, especially in Australia
 
Misbah replying to a question in presser today


"If you don't know about Iftikhar Ahmed's recent performances, then I can't help you"
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Iftikhar Ahmed is dismissed but Pakistan look to have the match under control here. 25 required off 21 balls <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvBAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvBAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/amqkCZJFVh">pic.twitter.com/amqkCZJFVh</a></p>— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPassion/status/1220681446576271360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
His honeymoon is over and seems quite shocked with return of hafeez and malik .Mental midget cannot take pressure
 
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So much power. Scored 16 of last 3 balls for KK.

We saw he can hit big in Australia.
 
Ifti is what we wanted Asif Ali to be.
The main thing is that Ifti has a mind and can actually build an innings unlike Asif who is a mind-less slogger.
 
Salman4. said:
Ifti is what we wanted Asif Ali to be.
The main thing is that Ifti has a mind and can actually build an innings unlike Asif who is a mind-less slogger.
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Completely agree. Asif ali is not international level player. Ifti is better.
 
You can’t expose what has been in the open for so long.

We all know why he was selected in the first place.
 
Good player who has a decent (if short) career ahead of him. He is Pakistan's ODI number 6 moving forward and should make the cut for the World T20 in Australia.

Reading too much into PSL performances is pointless because that would insinuate Hussain Talat, Asif Ali adn Kamran Akmal are good players.
 
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RedwoodOriginal said:
Good player who has a decent (if short) career ahead of him. He is Pakistan's ODI number 6 moving forward and should make the cut for the World T20 in Australia.
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Hell no. He has been pathetic in PSL and is already 35+. If he has career ahead of him, then that will ruin the balance of the Pakistan team.

Talat and Akmal are much better
 
He is securing a good future for his grand kids.... why are you lot against chacha earning a halal pension?
 
He is still better than Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah in my opinion and did well in ODIs vs Srl and in T20s as well vs Aus.

I personally cant think of many other players for the finisher’s role.
 
Not really any better options than him, and he did well in the T20s against Aus so I guess he would probably be picked.
 
Rayyman said:
Talat and Akmal are much better
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Akmal doesnt have the finisher’s temperament as he has shown in 100s of ODIs and I think he was wasted by trying to make him into something he wasnt. He isnt someone who is calculative and with game sense to finish matches.

Talat hasnt shown much power game in crucial moments, there is something to work with but he hasn’t progressed as we all hoped. Still can be a decent middle order player but at the moment definitely hasn’t developed his power game and stroke play enough to be a finisher though I hope he works hard.
 
Not interested in debating with people who blindly support every decision the national selectors make.
 
CadPakFan said:
Not really any better options than him, and he did well in the T20s against Aus so I guess he would probably be picked.
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Those T20s were 5 months ago. His performances vs BD and in PSL speak for themselves. Seems like age has caught up to cha cha.
 
Rayyman said:
Not interested in debating with people who blindly support every decision the national selectors make.
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Blind opposition or support is when you cant back anything with the facts. If you are referring to me then answer with facts and prove statistically how Talat and Akmal are great finishers as I have given points that why I think they arent.

Running from debate with such excuses cant change the reality and if reality is different than show that reality with facts and numbers.
 
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Titan24 said:
Blind opposition or support is when you cant back them with the facts. If you are referring to me then answer with facts and prove statistically how Talat and Akmal are great finishers as I have given points that why I think they arent.

Running from debate with such excuses cant change the reality and if reality is different than show that reality with facts and numbers.
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Never said Talat and Akmal are finishers.
The post I quoted said the they are not good players. I responded with saying they are both better than Iftikhar. Obviously Akmal is better and Talat (joint top-scorer in the match) looked 37 times the batsman Iftikhar is today.
 
Rayyman said:
Never said Talat and Akmal are finishers.
The post I quoted said the they are not good players. I responded with saying they are both better than Iftikhar. Obviously Akmal is better and Talat (joint top-scorer in the match) looked 37 times the batsman Iftikhar is today.
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I agree that both are good players. Cant compare many with Umer Akmal's natural skill level but he isnt a finisher and Pak managements of previous decade didnt realize that, Talat has some really good traits but his struggles are in power game and overall stroke play which technically isn't too convincing at the moment though he still can be in middle if he works hard.

Finisher's role more than the technique and aesthetics requires temperament, pressure handling ability and big strokes. Iftikhar has his limitations but he is the closest we have to the requirements, he can provide decent off spin option too. Other options are Asif Ali who is pretty much a one trick pony as has been improved, Khushdil Shah is decent and probably the second best option as of now but I thing Iftikhar has better overall range.

I have high hopes from Mohammad Harris of U19 team and hopefully he gets opportunities at domestic level to prove himself as he is young and thus has time on his hands along with the basic skillset required for the role.
 
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Rayyman said:
Hell no. He has been pathetic in PSL and is already 35+. If he has career ahead of him, then that will ruin the balance of the Pakistan team.

Talat and Akmal are much better
Click to expand...

PSL is a good league for identifying talent but it is by no means a yardstick of judging the true quality of a player. Neither is the IPL for that matter. One bad season can't overshadow the outstanding form Iftikhar has been showing in the Pakistan Cup and other domestic cricket competitions over the years. He has earned his place in the side, make no mistake about it...even if you yourself are not fully aware of his exploits.

Akmal was finished a decade ago and his state remains the same. Talat has done absolutely nothing other than having one good season in PSL. As a player he has gaping flaws in hitting ability, strike-rotation. Mentally he is not strong enough and we saw a glimpse of in that T20I in South Africa where he failed to see Pakistan home, and for which he was ostensibly dropped from the side.
 
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RedwoodOriginal said:
PSL is a good league for identifying talent but it is by no means a yardstick of judging the true quality of a player. Neither is the IPL for that matter. One bad season can't overshadow the outstanding form Iftikhar has been showing in the Pakistan Cup and other domestic cricket competitions over the years. He has earned his place in the side, make no mistake about it...even if you yourself are not fully aware of his exploits.

Akmal was finished a decade ago and his state remains the same. Talat has done absolutely nothing other than having one good season in PSL. As a player he has gaping flaws in hitting ability, strike-rotation. Mentally he is not strong enough and we saw a glimpse of in that T20I in South Africa where he failed to see Pakistan home, and for which he was ostensibly dropped from the side.
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Don’t care about past performances. Cha cha has been garbage over the last 3-4 months or so.
 
Rayyman said:
Don’t care about past performances. Cha cha has been garbage over the last 3-4 months or so.
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So if Babar's performances for the next 3-4 months becomes garbage, would you call for his head as well?
 
Titan24 said:
He is still better than Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah in my opinion and did well in ODIs vs Srl and in T20s as well vs Aus.

I personally cant think of many other players for the finisher’s role.
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I admit I haven't seen that much of this guy, but there is something about his shot making that makes me think he could actually be a finisher. He just looks aggressive and naturally inventive. Not a classical batsman by any means, but as a no 6 that is not always what you need. I am in favour.
 
Rayyman said:
So your argument is to compare Iftikhar to Babar?

LOL :)))
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Umm no. I'm pointing out the fact that you're dismissing Iftikhar for his performances in the past 3-4 months. Guy scored a fifty in the second t20 vs Aus to make something out of Pakistan's first innings total and 45 in the 3rd t20 (which kinda speaks volumes considering Pakistan got shot out for 106). Also made decent contributions vs SL, BANG in the respective LOI series.

I'm pointing out your logic here. You said you don't care about past performances since "Cha cha has been garbage over the last 3-4 months or so", which he hasn't. Then by your analysis, if Babar puts up bad performances through the next 3-4 months then by that time it'd be "Babar has been garbage over the last 3-4 months or so".
 
TeamPak95 said:
Umm no. I'm pointing out the fact that you're dismissing Iftikhar for his performances in the past 3-4 months. Guy scored a fifty in the second t20 vs Aus to make something out of Pakistan's first innings total and 45 in the 3rd t20 (which kinda speaks volumes considering Pakistan got shot out for 106). Also made decent contributions vs SL, BANG in the respective LOI series.

I'm pointing out your logic here. You said you don't care about past performances since "Cha cha has been garbage over the last 3-4 months or so", which he hasn't. Then by your analysis, if Babar puts up bad performances through the next 3-4 months then by that time it'd be "Babar has been garbage over the last 3-4 months or so".
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Ok.

Iftikhar Ahmed is the finisher that Pakistan needs.

/thread
 
Rayyman said:
Ok.

Iftikhar Ahmed is the finisher that Pakistan needs.

/thread
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Lol guess there's no middle ground with you :))

Iftikhar ain't Jos Buttler and he wasn't bad in the past 3-4 months. He's the closest thing to a power hitter that Pakistan needs, and internationally he's been decent. Not amazing, just decent.

/thread
 
TeamPak95 said:
Lol guess there's no middle ground with you :))

Iftikhar ain't Jos Buttler and he wasn't bad in the past 3-4 months. He's the closest thing to a power hitter that Pakistan needs, and internationally he's been decent. Not amazing, just decent.

/thread
Click to expand...

He's the closest thing to a power hitter that Pakistan needs

Lol...
 
He was always going to expose one day,. However going forward he can be our short term solution
 
Rayyman said:
Don’t care about past performances. Cha cha has been garbage over the last 3-4 months or so.
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You can choose to have tunnel-vision but as someone who has seen the kind of unforgettable damage Kamran Akmal has done to this team in the last decade and the countless games he has single-handedly lost us; I, like MANY others don't even want to even comprehend the thought of him playing in the Pakistan side again, let alone in the T20 World Cup.

Misbah having gotten to see first-hand the kind of ineptitude Akmal has exemplified for most of his career should have the common sense, hopefully, to keep him out of the team.
 
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