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[VIDEO] Is Iftikhar Ahmed the finisher Pakistan needs?

Majid Khan said:
He’s clearly going through a bad patch but hoping the selectors and team management fully back Iftikhar given his impressive record and the numerous match winning performances he has given for Pakistan over the years. I’m sure once he gets his confidence back he will be the same player who scored that 165 v Australia and 144 chasing 350 against South Africa some years back ... or was that in my dreams?
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Iftikhar has specially be selected by misbah as the world class talent to take over from the world class talent muhammed hafeez who retired from ODIs a while bacK.
 
Majid Khan said:
He’s clearly going through a bad patch but hoping the selectors and team management fully back Iftikhar given his impressive record and the numerous match winning performances he has given for Pakistan over the years. I’m sure once he gets his confidence back he will be the same player who scored that 165 v Australia and 144 chasing 350 against South Africa some years back ... or was that in my dreams?
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That 254* vs Australia against Lee and McGrath at the WACA wearing just his slippers and a Stone Cold vest was stuff of legends.

How can you not remember that ?
 
He reminds Misbah of himself which is why he keeps on promoting him.

Just not international stamdard.
 
Majid Khan said:
He’s clearly going through a bad patch but hoping the selectors and team management fully back Iftikhar given his impressive record and the numerous match winning performances he has given for Pakistan over the years. I’m sure once he gets his confidence back he will be the same player who scored that 165 v Australia and 144 chasing 350 against South Africa some years back ... or was that in my dreams?
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He finished the chase Hafeez was the main contributor with those scores.

:hafeez
 
if only our management and players are held accountable, things like these would not happen.
 
it's confusing though, he has such good domestic stats but looks terrible at the international level.
 
Not only awful but hes brainless too What was that first ball shot?

Misbah only selects him cos theres a hint of misbah in his batting
 
Majid Khan said:
He’s clearly going through a bad patch but hoping the selectors and team management fully back Iftikhar given his impressive record and the numerous match winning performances he has given for Pakistan over the years. I’m sure once he gets his confidence back he will be the same player who scored that 165 v Australia and 144 chasing 350 against South Africa some years back ... or was that in my dreams?
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Back him until hes 50 he may perform at that age
 
Markhor said:
That 254* vs Australia against Lee and McGrath at the WACA wearing just his slippers and a Stone Cold vest was stuff of legends.

How can you not remember that ?
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Of course , how could I forget to mention that memorable knock - you see there’s too many great moments to think of in Ifti’s illustrious career , but that was the game if I recall correctly where Hafeez smashed his bat on the way back to the pavilion in disgust for getting out caught behind for a mere 125 at the WACA and being overshadowed in their 300+ run partnership by his young apprentice Iftikhar, hooking and pulling McGrath and Lee all over the park.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Iftikhar to call his mentor Hafeez and get some tips, especially on how to succeed against Zimbabwe as Hafeez’s outstanding achievements against Zimbabwe are widely known in the cricketing world.
 
Played as the main spinner today.

Just what were they thinking.
 
Saj said:
Played as the main spinner today.

Just what were they thinking.
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I dont think there was much thinking goin on saj

It was one awful decision after another throughout
 
As I been saying Iftikhar and Fahim A bring nothing to Pak team. These two along with Asif A, considering amount of chances been given to them, are the worst trio to play for Pakistan in recent time.
 
Saj said:
Played as the main spinner today.

Just what were they thinking.
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Imagine what rewards a proper spinner would have gained against Zimbabwe if Iftikhar managed to get a fifer with his straight bowling.
 
PakPremi said:
As I been saying Iftikhar and Fahim A bring nothing to Pak team. These two along with Asif A, considering amount of chances been given to them, are the worst trio to play for Pakistan in recent time.
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The pessimist in me agrees , enough chances given and mediocre performances delivered usually means these players are not good enough.

The optimist in me has hope that like Hafeez 3.0 , we might see upgraded versions of Iftikhar and Faheem also if you give them another 150 games and 10 years of backing with the assurance that your place is guaranteed , they could also become assets to Pakistan cricket team and be counted among the legends like Hafeez :)
 
For me Ifti chacha isn't good enough for Intl. cricket. He seems like a Key Stage 2 version of Mohammad Hafeez.
 
Joke aside Hafeez was a decent all rounder and we used to malign him as he did not win us many matches. However, if alternatives are Fahim A and Iftikhar then I will even take Hafeez version 4 let alone the one in its current third phase.
 
Iftikhar looks hopeless so far with the bat

Im happy to give him another couple of odi series but its not looking good for him so far
 
Majid Khan said:
He’s clearly going through a bad patch but hoping the selectors and team management fully back Iftikhar given his impressive record and the numerous match winning performances he has given for Pakistan over the years. I’m sure once he gets his confidence back he will be the same player who scored that 165 v Australia and 144 chasing 350 against South Africa some years back ... or was that in my dreams?
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Are you talking about Mohammad Jafeez? : hafeez
 
TeymurBlake said:
For me Ifti chacha isn't good enough for Intl. cricket. He seems like a Key Stage 2 version of Mohammad Hafeez.
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He seems to me just a poor hack who can't even handle Zimbabwe bowlers on flat Pak pitches.
 
I don’t know why people are saying he’s another Hafeez... peak Hafeez was ranked in the top 5 allrounders across all formats. And top 3 bowlers in t20 and odi and top 5 batsman in Odis. Hafeez would do better than ifthikar even today who’s done nothing so far. He’s only in the side cause Misbah put him there. And how can he pull of calling himself 30.. he looks atleast 36/37 maybe even older. I consider Wahab Riaz to be more of an all rounder than ifthikar/Faheem etc atleast he can hold the bat at score quick runs. Ifthikar needs to be replaced ASAP but Misbah is still continuing the seniors approach which is taking us backwards
 
There are currently no genuine finishers in Pakistan (although Azam Khan has potential) so there's no point trying to force trash like Iftikhar and Khusdhil into that role just because they can slog the ball onto the leg side against 130 kph trundlers like Kane Richardson and random domestic bowlers.
 
Age has caught up with him. 2016-2019 period was his last peak.
 
Pakistan’s best finisher is Hafeez. In fact he is our best batsman after Babar.

But he will never be good enough for some delusional Pakistani fans even if he scores a thousand runs.

The notion that Hafeez doesn’t make the Pakistan team purely on batting merit is one of the biggest myths of the previous decade.

At no point from 2010 onwards was he not good enough to hold his place in the team as a batsman.

That of course says more about how bad we are than his quality, because he is clearly not a top batsman by any means.
 
Saj said:
And he flops again when it really matters.

Seems there is some mental block with this guy for the big matches and occasions.

He's fine in the less important matches, but cometh the hour, he's nowhere to be seen.
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3 PSL titles. Most by any player.
 
Was looking decent not too long ago however, he really has struggled for sometime.
 
Mamoon said:
Pakistan’s best finisher is Hafeez. In fact he is our best batsman after Babar.

But he will never be good enough for some delusional Pakistani fans even if he scores a thousand runs.

The notion that Hafeez doesn’t make the Pakistan team purely on batting merit is one of the biggest myths of the previous decade.

At no point from 2010 onwards was he not good enough to hold his place in the team as a batsman.

That of course says more about how bad we are than his quality, because he is clearly not a top batsman by any means.
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The best finisher flopped like no tomorrow in two knockout games MashaAllah.
 
Chacha doesn’t get a fair chance from fans. Most only tune in after the bad performances and go missing when he plays important cameos (which are crucially important in T20 cricket, even if you don’t end up man of the match)

Don’t really think he’s an exceptional cricketer but unfortunately the best we’ve got for that number 5/6 position alongside Khushi.
 
102 off 48 balls in practice game - he's booked a spot in the side!
 
gazza619 said:
He is a legend when facing Pakistani bowlers.
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l don't want him playing but with Babar injured and youngsters like Abdullah and Haidar playing already, Iffti experience(as limited as it might be) will be needed. Rizwan is opening so God save us there.
 
KoyoAli said:
l don't want him playing but with Babar injured and youngsters like Abdullah and Haidar playing already, Iffti experience(as limited as it might be) will be needed. Rizwan is opening so God save us there.
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To be honest Ifti may suit NZ grounds. His miss hits could go for 6.
He is mentally weak though and that is the main issue here.
 
KoyoAli said:
l don't want him playing but with Babar injured and youngsters like Abdullah and Haidar playing already, Iffti experience(as limited as it might be) will be needed. Rizwan is opening so God save us there.
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Iftikhar mishit will go for six hes proberly garranteed to start now.
 
He is best of the poor lot of late order hitters.

This is why we need aggressive batsmen in top and middle order so that we do not rely on lower order hacks.
 
Do people agree with me now that he might not be Buttler but he is twice the player Khushdil is? I’ve been trying to make this case using stats for a year but people keep pointing to his age.

It’s time people grow up and realized not everything comes down to a youngsta beauty - Khushdil’s 14 off 20 was the single worst knock today, worse than any duck.

We are NOT spoilt for choices.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Do people agree with me now that he might not be Buttler but he is twice the player Khushdil is? I’ve been trying to make this case using stats for a year but people keep pointing to his age.

It’s time people grow up and realized not everything comes down to a youngsta beauty - Khushdil’s 14 off 20 was the single worst knock today, worse than any duck.

We are NOT spoilt for choices.
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It surprises me that he hasn't even played a single game when he was Pakistan's best batsman in the T20I series in Australia. And he is someone who can atleast strike above 100.
 
Another dreadful player, who should not be anywhere near an international side. I haven't much of Khusdil but as he is in the team he needs time
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Do people agree with me now that he might not be Buttler but he is twice the player Khushdil is? I’ve been trying to make this case using stats for a year but people keep pointing to his age.

It’s time people grow up and realized not everything comes down to a youngsta beauty - Khushdil’s 14 off 20 was the single worst knock today, worse than any duck.

We are NOT spoilt for choices.
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I doubt he will do any better.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
I doubt he will do *much better. But he will definitely do better than 14(20). Especially if you consider his runs in Australia last year.
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I feel Khusdil should be given a proper chance before he is thrown out the team for Ifthikar. He is much youngster, has more time to grow.
 
Shazzam said:
I feel Khusdil should be given a proper chance before he is thrown out the team for Ifthikar. He is much youngster, has more time to grow.
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Usually you see this kind of language for 18-24 year olds with a complete game. Not for one with a 100% leg-side dominant game, let alone one who is on paper 26 years old.

Even if there is faith that he will develop his offside game, that needs to be done with the NHPC, not during international matches.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Usually you see this kind of language for 18-24 year olds with a complete game. Not for one with a 100% leg-side dominant game, let alone one who is on paper 26 years old.

Even if there is faith that he will develop his offside game, that needs to be done with the NHPC, not during international matches.
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If your going to give a player a chance he must be given a resonable anount of games before being written off they have identified him so they must give him chances same with naseem abdullah
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Do people agree with me now that he might not be Buttler but he is twice the player Khushdil is? I’ve been trying to make this case using stats for a year but people keep pointing to his age.

It’s time people grow up and realized not everything comes down to a youngsta beauty - Khushdil’s 14 off 20 was the single worst knock today, worse than any duck.

We are NOT spoilt for choices.
Click to expand...

Not convinced by Khushdil. He will not succeed without rectifying his offside game.

Iftikhar probably deserves to play the last game, but tbh he is not really impressive either.

Really concerning that we really lack any finishers.
 
The Viper said:
Not convinced by Khushdil. He will not succeed without rectifying his offside game.

Iftikhar probably deserves to play the last game, but tbh he is not really impressive either.

Really concerning that we really lack any finishers.
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I’m in half a mind to play Hussain Talat or Rohail Nazir, and develop them into power hitters if leg side slogging is really all Khushdil brings to the table (and we are insistent on not playing Iftikhar because he’s older).

Like you said, we have a huge lack of finishers — the best finisher in the team right now is Mohammad Hafeez, and maybe Imad Wasim too.

It’s essential that new inductees like Haider Ali learn to finish games, but for that he’ll learn how to get set first.

I suggest we not put too much stock into the upcoming 2021 T20 WC as we are looking at a likely group stage exit, barring the unit all clicking as it sometimes tends to do in big tournaments. We should look to fill the gaps in our white ball team on a long term basis, with an eye on a good show in the 2023 tournament. If we start plugging the gaps with that as the primary goal, it still won’t in any way reduce our chances of clicking in 2021 or 2022.

The problem is, since we’re playing so few ODIs, we’re going to be forced to develop the one-day team via a lot of T20 performances.

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar (c)
4. Abdullah
5. Haider
6. Rohail (wk)

This is the only batting lineup that makes sense to me to develop for 2023, give or take a player. But only Fakhar, Babar, and Haider will regularly play T20Is!
 
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Rohail is rubbish.

We really are doomed as a cricketing nation if this hack is being touted as the future mainstay Pakistani WK.
 
Ellipsism said:
Rohail is rubbish.

We really are doomed as a cricketing nation if this hack is being touted as the future mainstay Pakistani WK.
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Lol where did that come from. Have you seen Rohail play. Did you see his stats and what he did vs New Zealand A? Do you know what even a hack is or do you call anyone you don't like a hack?
 
Iftikhar Ahmed is probably the best option we have as a middle-order batsman. I don't like saying this, and I don't think he's a long-term solution, but he can hit the ball well and rotate strike as well.

He's much better than the likes of Khushdil Shah and Abdullah at rotating strike. That's what we need as a team.

If it were up to me, I'd send him out as the opener, and see what he can produce. It's a risk, but it can be equally as rewarding if he gets set.
 
The Viper said:
Not convinced by Khushdil. He will not succeed without rectifying his offside game.

Iftikhar probably deserves to play the last game, but tbh he is not really impressive either.

Really concerning that we really lack any finishers.
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At the moment we are not only lacking a finisher, we are lacking in every aspect of the game. Finisher will probably play the last 5-6 overs in a T20, who is there to bat in the first 15 overs if Hafeez fails?
 
Make this your 1st rule:

Whoever gets the most hate here, is the one who actually has potential/ability, and can bat at the international level.

Whoever "youngster" is being hyped, is actually yet-another domestic mid-wicket hack, that can only score vs. harmless domestic bowlers, and only in his zone of mid-wicket slogs.

Iftikhar, one of the most disliked, is actually significantly better than the likes of Khushdil, Rohail Nazir etc. 3rd rate batters.

Sure, he's not the next Warner, but we don't have any other choice. All the "youngsters" coming up are domestic-level at best, never meant for international cricket.

Before Iftikhar, the most hated one was Hafeez.

He's actually our best T20 batsman. Has a gear which even Babar doesn't have. Can hit at will with sheer timing.
 
Hawkeye said:
Make this your 1st rule:

Whoever gets the most hate here, is the one who actually has potential/ability, and can bat at the international level.

Whoever "youngster" is being hyped, is actually yet-another domestic mid-wicket hack, that can only score vs. harmless domestic bowlers, and only in his zone of mid-wicket slogs.

Iftikhar, one of the most disliked, is actually significantly better than the likes of Khushdil, Rohail Nazir etc. 3rd rate batters.

Sure, he's not the next Warner, but we don't have any other choice. All the "youngsters" coming up are domestic-level at best, never meant for international cricket.

Before Iftikhar, the most hated one was Hafeez.

He's actually our best T20 batsman. Has a gear which even Babar doesn't have. Can hit at will with sheer timing.
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I joined PP in January (after the Australia tour). Were people here not talking about his performances after the rest of the batting collapsed?
 
Hawkeye said:
Make this your 1st rule:

Whoever gets the most hate here, is the one who actually has potential/ability, and can bat at the international level.

Whoever "youngster" is being hyped, is actually yet-another domestic mid-wicket hack, that can only score vs. harmless domestic bowlers, and only in his zone of mid-wicket slogs.

Iftikhar, one of the most disliked, is actually significantly better than the likes of Khushdil, Rohail Nazir etc. 3rd rate batters.

Sure, he's not the next Warner, but we don't have any other choice. All the "youngsters" coming up are domestic-level at best, never meant for international cricket.

Before Iftikhar, the most hated one was Hafeez.

He's actually our best T20 batsman. Has a gear which even Babar doesn't have. Can hit at will with sheer timing.
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Ifti is a far superior batsman to Khushdil and I have said this before too.

He is better than Shadab and Imad as a batsman and cannot do a worse job than Shadab as a bowler since the latter has forgotten how to bowl.

He gets too much needless hate for someone that has made almost 10K domestic runs in his 10 odd years or cricket. They picked him too late in my opinion but he's proven against Australia that he has it in him to score big. It's not easy for anyone to perform after being dropped that consistently.
 
Ellipsism said:
Rohail is rubbish.

We really are doomed as a cricketing nation if this hack is being touted as the future mainstay Pakistani WK.
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Terrible batsman and awful wicket keeper. Who will now no doubt be hyped after his score Vs New Zealand A
 
Ifti might as well be the worst player on the planet but his performances against Aus in Aus on his comeback should have earned him a longer run. Too bad that Misbah is hated a lot by the media and a performer has to suffer the consequences.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
I joined PP in January (after the Australia tour). Were people here not talking about his performances after the rest of the batting collapsed?
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That was very short-lived.

He gets consistent hate because he's not 18-24. His one failure is criticized by the lot that hypes up Khushdil, Rohail Nazir and the likes.

Basically, witch hunt is always around the corner by the youngsta beauty brigade.


GudduBadmash said:
Ifti is a far superior batsman to Khushdil and I have said this before too.

He is better than Shadab and Imad as a batsman and cannot do a worse job than Shadab as a bowler since the latter has forgotten how to bowl.

He gets too much needless hate for someone that has made almost 10K domestic runs in his 10 odd years or cricket. They picked him too late in my opinion but he's proven against Australia that he has it in him to score big. It's not easy for anyone to perform after being dropped that consistently.
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Yeah, certainly.

The likes of Khushdil and Rohail are much inferior products.
 
Hawkeye said:
That was very short-lived.

He gets consistent hate because he's not 18-24. His one failure is criticized by the lot that hypes up Khushdil, Rohail Nazir and the likes.

Basically, witch hunt is always around the corner by the youngsta beauty brigade.




Yeah, certainly.

The likes of Khushdil and Rohail are much inferior products.
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In terms of T20s, absolutely, though I do believe Rohail has a very good temperament for a boy his age and will come good with time. He has batted well in various pressure situations at the age group and emerging level, by which I believe he knows how to build an innings. However, that doesn’t mean he’s ready since his technique is lacking against the moving ball (despite doing well against NZA) and doesn’t have an immediate power game.

At best, given Rizwan’s inability to bat in limited overs, we don’t really have any options other than a) going back to Sarfaraz or b) taking a punt on Zeeshan Ashraf, Azam Khan, Rohail Nazir, Khushdil the part time keeper, or Imam the part time keeper.

Who do you suggest?
 
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Thunderbolt14 said:
In terms of T20s, absolutely, though I do believe Rohail has a very good temperament for a boy his age and will come good with time. He has batted well in various pressure situations at the age group and emerging level, by which I believe he knows how to build an innings. However, that doesn’t mean he’s ready since his technique is lacking against the moving ball (despite doing well against NZA) and doesn’t have an immediate power game.

At best, given Rizwan’s inability to bat in limited overs, we don’t really have any options other than a) going back to Sarfaraz or b) taking a punt on Zeeshan Ashraf, Azam Khan, Rohail Nazir, Khushdil the part time keeper, or Imam the part time keeper.

Who do you suggest?
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The problem with Ifti is that he has the potential for a Khushdil style run-a-ball innings every few innings. Plus given his advance years, his form/ability/reflexes could plummet at any moment and never recover, I.e. like just before the t20 world cup in India. Thus, whilst Khushdil has failed in the last two innings, it doesn't change the fact that replacing Ifti (I.e. finding a finisher) remains one of our three main strategic batting priorities, with finding an aggressive opener not called Fakhar; and finding a hard hitting wicket keeper batsmen a third option.

I'm half expecting Malik to be recalled for the world cup.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
In terms of T20s, absolutely, though I do believe Rohail has a very good temperament for a boy his age and will come good with time. He has batted well in various pressure situations at the age group and emerging level, by which I believe he knows how to build an innings. However, that doesn’t mean he’s ready since his technique is lacking against the moving ball (despite doing well against NZA) and doesn’t have an immediate power game.

At best, given Rizwan’s inability to bat in limited overs, we don’t really have any options other than a) going back to Sarfaraz or b) taking a punt on Zeeshan Ashraf, Azam Khan, Rohail Nazir, Khushdil the part time keeper, or Imam the part time keeper.

Who do you suggest?
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Rohail might be ok for tests, not too sure.

As for Rizwan, he indeed is a dud in LOIs as a batter. Safraz as a batsman is a slight upgrade. Zeeshan Ashraf can be handy but he'll remain inconsistent.

In short there's no viable wk/bat option right now that inspires confidence.
 
Part of the Pakistan XI today in final T20I - lets see if he can show us some talent!
 
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.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Do people agree with me now that he might not be Buttler but he is twice the player Khushdil is? I’ve been trying to make this case using stats for a year but people keep pointing to his age.

It’s time people grow up and realized not everything comes down to a youngsta beauty - Khushdil’s 14 off 20 was the single worst knock today, worse than any duck.

We are NOT spoilt for choices.
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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!)
 
Was set up for a failure tonight. The management sent Khushdil, Faheem and Shadab over him and he walked out on a hat-trick ball!
 
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