What's new

[VIDEO] Is Iftikhar Ahmed the finisher Pakistan needs?

Thunderbolt14 said:
Bump....... Khushdil fails again. Ifti hits a six to finish the match. All of this I could have told you from a statistical standpoint two months ago (and I did!)
Click to expand...

You do come up with good posts most of the times - understand the game well!
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
The top 10 of National T20 cup is filled with batsmen batting at positions 1-4. If you remove this and resample, Iftikhar Ahmed is the highest scoring middle order batsman in the tournament, doing so at the highest Strike Rate and the highest average.

He deserves to play in our T20 team despite his age, at least until the 2021 T20 world cup.
Click to expand...

Thunderbolt14 said:
Keep in mind the batting tracks - yet Iftikhar still manages to break into the top 10 as the only middle order bat.
Click to expand...

Fyi, from the National T20 Cup.
 
In bouncing tracks like Australia or NewZealand, Ifti should be a preferred option.

Khushdil need more matches for become a match winner. Should not be criticized.
 
Don't forget boyses.

Iftikhar avgs 58 in T20s!

King.

Hated a lot because he got hand-picked by Misbah, and isn't too young for their taste.
 
What an epic reaction after his winning hit. Calmly walked away and removed his gloves like a mafia hit was completed.

All he needed was a cigar, tuxedo and a black limo to step into.
 
Hawkeye said:
YESSSSSS.


Won us another match when Rizwan almost lost it for us!

WHERE WAS HE All the series?

Thank you Misbah for finding this guy among all the 3rd quality youngsta beauties we keep getting.
Click to expand...

Misbah in his whole Career never played a knock like Rizwan so calm down.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Markhor said:
What an epic reaction after his winning hit. Calmly walked away and removed his gloves like a mafia hit was completed.

All he needed was a cigar, tuxedo and a black limo to step into.
Click to expand...

King :ifti

Good to see you realizing Ifti is so much better than the rest. Specially the youngsta beauties.

Khan12 said:
Misbah is his whole Carter never played a knock like Rizwan so calm down.
Click to expand...

Khan bhai, when are you going to give up the hate?
 
Loved the calmness with which he came in and sealed the match. Seems to handle pressure really well and always glad to see him succeed for all the random criticism he receives
 
Khusdil doesn’t have it.Cor the time being I would rather take 45 years Iftikhar than this young back.
 
Pakistan fans and management are going to completely destroy this guy and the sad thing is he is a very good middle order bat. One of the best Pakistan has to offer in domestic cricket. Quick tracks suit his style of play and that's clearly very evident going by his clean strikes in Australasia.

Better option than Shadab and Khushdil and even though I don't rate Shadab as a bowler his batting definitely has something about it so should get 10 games up the order to prove his worth too like Ifti
 
Markhor said:
What an epic reaction after his winning hit. Calmly walked away and removed his gloves like a mafia hit was completed.

All he needed was a cigar, tuxedo and a black limo to step into.
Click to expand...

Reminds me of the epic dialogue:

“Maut ko waise log badnaam karte hain

Takleef tou zindagi deti hai”
 
Imagine Khushdil hitting a knock like this:


He wouldn’t be dropped for the next 10 years!
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Iftikhar’s from Peshawar though?
Click to expand...

He has been one of the biggest haters of Ifti on this forum.

Hates Junaid, Rizwan, Khushdil, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan. It's a trend I noticed with this guy for a very long time now but nobody bats an eyelid since he claims he is from Peshawar.
 
SARJ_BD said:
In bouncing tracks like Australia or NewZealand, Ifti should be a preferred option.

Khushdil need more matches for become a match winner. Should not be criticized.
Click to expand...

Does anybody disagree with this?
 
To those who need to be told this: if Iftikhar fails even in the next 1-2 games, heck even in a series, please for the love of sanity don't flip flop back into the hate brigade. Iftikhar is no Butler but he's the best we've got right now so he should be given a long rope in LOIs.
 
Brilliant 123 (110) from Iftikhar for KP in their successful chase of 324 vs Northern
 
Firebat said:
Brilliant 123 (110) from Iftikhar for KP in their successful chase of 324 vs Northern
Click to expand...

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/5fxrzn" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
Iftikhar is next level when it comes to facing brown bowlers. Seems to get into a pickle when it comes to facing international bowlers.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
I suppose Australian bowlers are brown too? What about NZ bowlers?
Click to expand...

Good answer. This guy is probably the most hated Pakistani cricketer by Pakistan cricket fans (unfairly). They will always point out his rare failures, lol, but overlook his performance against Australia in Australia.
 
I don't care what the fans think, Misbah is sane enough to stick with him and should till the 2023 World Cup.
 
Mercurial said:
Good answer. This guy is probably the most hated Pakistani cricketer by Pakistan cricket fans (unfairly). They will always point out his rare failures, lol, but overlook his performance against Australia in Australia.
Click to expand...

I’m all for promoting youngsters (and I do) but we have a severe shortage of batsmen for that number 5/6 spot in limited overs cricket. Some fans have even begun calling for Shoaib Malik to be recalled to the T20I side.

Unfortunately our cupboard is incredibly bare and we have to realize that this guy is the only “finisher” available. I used to think Khushdil might be a second option too but even he’s been brutally exposed on his off stump by the likes of Zimbabwean bowlers followed by inability to play in NZ.

Who else is there? Azam Khan is genuinely the only other option that comes to mind. We need to respect Iftikhar and realize that this guy has been a top, top domestic performer for several years, then converted that multiple times at the international level.

Still gets made fun of.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
I’m all for promoting youngsters (and I do) but we have a severe shortage of batsmen for that number 5/6 spot in limited overs cricket. Some fans have even begun calling for Shoaib Malik to be recalled to the T20I side.

Unfortunately our cupboard is incredibly bare and we have to realize that this guy is the only “finisher” available. I used to think Khushdil might be a second option too but even he’s been brutally exposed on his off stump by the likes of Zimbabwean bowlers followed by inability to play in NZ.

Who else is there? Azam Khan is genuinely the only other option that comes to mind. We need to respect Iftikhar and realize that this guy has been a top, top domestic performer for several years, then converted that multiple times at the international level.

Still gets made fun of.
Click to expand...

Always thought of khuahdil as a hack and not internatinal material but he deserves his chances due to performance in domwstics not a fan of ifti but he deserves his chances too though he is comfortably better then khushdill. While Azam is finally getting a run it will tske a year or so for him.

You are right our middle order lacks options and majoirty of the youngsters coming through are manilt top order bats and cant hit big bar Haider Ali.
 
Iftikhar falls trying to advance the scoreboard, he goes for 4 from 8 balls:

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 45.283%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/m0b6gj" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
When will the torcher end?

If boundaries were 55 metre Ifti would be the next Bradman. Hits some very handsome strokes at 55 metre range (hence he fools the selectors in the nets).

He is currently standing on very thin ice as there are at least a dozen batsmen knocking on the door.
 
gazza619 said:
When will the torcher end?

If boundaries were 55 metre Ifti would be the next Bradman. Hits some very handsome strokes at 55 metre range (hence he fools the selectors in the nets).

He is currently standing on very thin ice as there are at least a dozen batsmen knocking on the door.
Click to expand...

Who are these middle order batsmen? And are they competing with Iftikhar or with Khushdil? And are boundaries in Australia 55 meters? Because Iftikhar did extremely well there last year.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Who are these middle order batsmen? And are they competing with Iftikhar or with Khushdil? And are boundaries in Australia 55 meters? Because Iftikhar did extremely well there last year.
Click to expand...
Ifti cant live on that one off performance against Australia. He has been mostly below average in his career.

Check the Pakistan Cup stats on the cricinfo website. You will find the dozen batsmen that are better than Iftikhar.
 
gazza619 said:
Ifti cant live on that one off performance against Australia. He has been mostly below average in his career.

Check the Pakistan Cup stats on the cricinfo website. You will find the dozen batsmen that are better than Iftikhar.
Click to expand...

What about the way he finished the game against NZ? And indeed check the Pakistan Cup stats, you’ll find that the majority of batsmen better than Iftikhar aren’t middle order finishers.

Azam Khan is the only comparable person to play, and since we must pick two of Iftikhar, Khushdil, and Azam, I’d pick Iftikhar and Azam.

1. Babar Azam (c)
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Azam Khan
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
 
Iftikhar Ahmed the finisher? More like Iftikhar Ahmed the finished.

We will take him to the WT20, he will flop hard and it will be the end of his international career.
 
Ifti ain't going anywhere as long as Misbah's in charge. He's like his go-to-man, his enforcer, his reflection of his own image, his avatar, his charge d'affaires.

Talking about his selection is moot point here.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
What about the way he finished the game against NZ? And indeed check the Pakistan Cup stats, you’ll find that the majority of batsmen better than Iftikhar aren’t middle order finishers.

Azam Khan is the only comparable person to play, and since we must pick two of Iftikhar, Khushdil, and Azam, I’d pick Iftikhar and Azam.

1. Babar Azam (c)
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Azam Khan
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
Click to expand...

Id defonitely pick Iftikhar
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
What about the way he finished the game against NZ? And indeed check the Pakistan Cup stats, you’ll find that the majority of batsmen better than Iftikhar aren’t middle order finishers.

Azam Khan is the only comparable person to play, and since we must pick two of Iftikhar, Khushdil, and Azam, I’d pick Iftikhar and Azam.

1. Babar Azam (c)
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Azam Khan
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
Click to expand...
If Iftikhar can get so many chances despite failures, then Sohaib Maqsood, Hammad Azam and Umar Amin also need to get a look at again. These guys can also hit 6s and can bat anywhere between 3 and number 6. They also had a good Pakistan Cup.
 
ONE OF the worst cricketer's I've seen represent Paksitan.

Him and Imran Butt.

Guess the man in charge of both selections?

Misbah ul Haq.
 
gazza619 said:
If Iftikhar can get so many chances despite failures, then Sohaib Maqsood, Hammad Azam and Umar Amin also need to get a look at again. These guys can also hit 6s and can bat anywhere between 3 and number 6. They also had a good Pakistan Cup.
Click to expand...

I know, I’m not the biggest fan of Iftikhar but he has stepped up more than the others. Australia, NZ, PSL, NT20, Pakistan Cup. The only other option really is Imad Wasim (the batsman) taking that number 6 spot instead.
 
Bullet Drive said:
ONE OF the worst cricketer's I've seen represent Paksitan.

Him and Imran Butt.

Guess the man in charge of both selections?

Misbah ul Haq.
Click to expand...
Shouldnt M Wasim be blamed?

I would stick with Imran butt for one more series as he is a rare great Pakistani slip fielder.
 
Guy is a domestic beast in white ball cricket for some years now and his domestic version is the kind of player Pak white ball team needs desperately but, he is unable to adapt to international cricket as of now. So I think criticism of his selection is bit unfair if we take domestic cricket as the benchmark. When he debuted in 2015-16, it was pretty obvious that he was nervous at international level and thus struggled. Then came PSL and he did well in a season or two giving indication that he has after all gotten hold of his nerves at the big stage, gets a rightful call back but other than one knock in Aus he has been struggling big time again to create an impact.

Just one of those cases where a player is really struggling to handle the pressure and adapt to international cricket. I hope he turns it around as Pak needs a player who can do at international level what he does in domestics but, at the moment its not happening.
 
Mamoon said:
Iftikhar Ahmed the finisher? More like Iftikhar Ahmed the finished.

We will take him to the WT20, he will flop hard and it will be the end of his international career.
Click to expand...

Hopefully we don't take him to the WC. He should be nowhere near it. Hoping against hope, Pakistan becomes innovative and starts using Rizwan as a floater, he should be utilized according to who is already in the middle. In the long term a Babar-Rizwan opening partnership is suicidal against a half-decent opposition. We will effectively kill our power-plays and be in constant state of chasing the game. Hopefully the PSL will give us a consistent opener to partner Babar.
 
Titan24 said:
Guy is a domestic beast in white ball cricket for some years now and his domestic version is the kind of player Pak white ball team needs desperately but, he is unable to adapt to international cricket as of now. So I think criticism of his selection is bit unfair if we take domestic cricket as the benchmark. When he debuted in 2015-16, it was pretty obvious that he was nervous at international level and thus struggled. Then came PSL and he did well in a season or two giving indication that he has after all gotten hold of his nerves at the big stage, gets a rightful call back but other than one knock in Aus he has been struggling big time again to create an impact.

Just one of those cases where a player is really struggling to handle the pressure and adapt to international cricket. I hope he turns it around as Pak needs a player who can do at international level what he does in domestics but, at the moment its not happening.
Click to expand...

If he hasnt turned around thus far, then the chances are that he wont in future either. Has been given far too many chances just because he bowls his dibbly dobbly offspiners. He is also at least 35-36 years old in real. I rather invest in a young gun.
 
gazza619 said:
If he hasnt turned around thus far, then the chances are that he wont in future either. Has been given far too many chances just because he bowls his dibbly dobbly offspiners. He is also at least 35-36 years old in real. I rather invest in a young gun.
Click to expand...

Rather pick Adil Amin
 
Chacha is good against the spinners but has no hitting ability against the decent pacers. He isnt terrible but he isnt an international player.
 
gazza619 said:
If Iftikhar can get so many chances despite failures, then Sohaib Maqsood, Hammad Azam and Umar Amin also need to get a look at again. These guys can also hit 6s and can bat anywhere between 3 and number 6. They also had a good Pakistan Cup.
Click to expand...

Agree, although I have given up on Sohail Maqsood. Hammad and Amin look better players, even Asif Ali who I think is mentally weak seems to have more range of shots.
 
Need something special from Iftikhar today - and maybe just simply turn the strike over to Rizwan!
 
Why this guy is in the team is one of the great mysteries!!
 
Iftekhar 14(14) . . telling Rizwan . . bro! Why dont you go after the bowling . . let me score some runs . . May get kicked out otherwise
 
Failed again.
Danish Aziz should have been tried today but Misbah is a dheet admi.
 
Big hitting 20 (21) from Ifti comes to an end:

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 45.283%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/clxep3" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
If chacha goes then we will have Grandad Malik back. Lots of awful choices between poor players. Our Middle order is awful
 
Every now and then Ifti does turn it on! Doing well for Islamabad at the moment
 
Gem of an innings being played by Ifti here in Islamabad's chase.
 
What happens to this guy when he puts a green shirt on!

He looks a different player in domestic action.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
I know, I’m not the biggest fan of Iftikhar but he has stepped up more than the others. Australia, NZ, PSL, NT20, Pakistan Cup. The only other option really is Imad Wasim (the batsman) taking that number 6 spot instead.
Click to expand...

And now PSL 6 too.
 
Starts off a bit too slowly, which we really can't afford with both Babar & Rizwan already in the line-up.

On the other hand, Asif hits out from ball 1 but is the other extreme, in that he doesn't last long at all.

We need a hybrid of Ifti and Asif lol.
 
Swung everything to leg, connected with some nicely, but the top bowlers just won't allow him to score that many runs on one side of the wicket.
 
Square Drive said:
Starts off a bit too slowly, which we really can't afford with both Babar & Rizwan already in the line-up.

On the other hand, Asif hits out from ball 1 but is the other extreme, in that he doesn't last long at all.

We need a hybrid of Ifti and Asif lol.
Click to expand...

? DId you watch the match?

Iftikhar wasn;t needed to attack as teh runrate had been well covered by Alex Hales. He maintain the match expecially when imade and Nabi were spinning. They played calculative cricket and attacked after the pacers came back.
 
Major said:
? DId you watch the match?

Iftikhar wasn;t needed to attack as teh runrate had been well covered by Alex Hales. He maintain the match expecially when imade and Nabi were spinning. They played calculative cricket and attacked after the pacers came back.
Click to expand...

Yes, I watched the match.

No, I don't base my opinions on one match.
 
PakistanMeriJaan said:
This guy is not international match material. End of.
Click to expand...

Come on man. Let's not be too jalbaazi. If you watched him in domestics he looked a cut above everyone else and he's still doing it in PSL.

There's something missing from his international game but if he finds it over the next couple of series he could easily find a place in the world t20 squad. At least two spots in the batting order are vacant to be grabbed by anyone.
 
 
Most underrated guy in Pakistan. He’s not MS Dhoni but he steps up whenever he gets a chance, in about 8/10 innings and plays exactly according to the situation.

Can rebuild, can coast, and can smash depending on what’s needed. No one else in Pakistan can do all three of these things and has showed they can do this at the international level.

Unfortunately his detractors wait for those remaining 2/10 innings to jump into this thread and make claims about him disappearing for the national team.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Savak
The long ropes Saim Ayub, Asif Ali, Khusdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed were given vs other youngsters?
Replies
5
Views
643
Hellion
H
mominsaigol
What now for Iftikhar Ahmed?
Replies
57
Views
2K
Savak
Savak
A
Azam Khan vs Iftikhar Ahmed: Who is a better finisher?
2
Replies
99
Views
4K
Professionalismandflair
P
H
Only one of Hussain Talat or Faheem Ashraf should play as an all-rounder — make room for Salman Mirza in the playing XI
Replies
42
Views
832
Barragan
Barragan
Rana
Muhammad Irfan Khan vs Donovan Ferreira: a case study of two emerging lower order power-hitters
Replies
28
Views
1K
Rana
Rana
Back
Top