[VIDEOS] "Azhar Ali isn't good enough"

[MenInG]

Seasoned batter Azhar Ali’s wait for a Test appearance at his home ground is set to an end as the 37-year-old will feature in the third and final match of the ongoing Benaud-Qadir Trophy, ICC World Test Championship at the headquarters of Pakistan cricket Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore from tomorrow (Monday).

Azhar is perhaps the only cricketer to have had to endure a nearly 12-year wait to make a Test appearance at his home ground. Since making his Test debut against Australia at Lord’s in July 2010, Azhar has featured in 93 Tests amassing 6926 runs at 43.01 (19 centuries) and none of these appearances have come at his home city, Lahore.

The start of Azhar’s career coincided with the unfortunate suspension of international cricket in Pakistan due to security concerns. The top-order batter who has also captained the side in nine Tests, played the first 75 Tests of his career in the UAE or abroad before he got a chance to represent his country in an actual home Test when Sri Lanka took the field for the first of the two Tests against Pakistan in December 2019.

Azhar, has the desire to make the moment a memorable one with a quality performance and more importantly with a win for his team.

“It is a surreal feeling to represent Pakistan in a Test match at my home ground, this is a very emotional moment for me most of my Test career was spent without playing in my own country. First there was a 75 match wait to play in Pakistan and then it took another two years for Lahore to stage a Test so I am incredibly excited and motivated to do really well in front of my family, friends and people of my city who are passionate supporters of cricket.

“When we played Sri Lanka in 2019, we for the first time realised the incredible feeling of receiving the support, love and encouragement of Pakistan fans. We were well received and applauded for our efforts in Rawalpindi and Karachi. Similarly, this series has been a wonderful one for us in terms of the support we have received in the first two Tests.

“I remember well that when I scored a triple century in Dubai, barely 100 people were in the stands and I had no one to raise the bat to. Contrary to that when I scored the century against Australia in the first Test of this series in Rawalpindi, I raised my bat to the entire stadium which was packed by Pakistan supporters and I got the opportunity to soak-in the warm applause and appreciation of the crowd.”

Meanwhile besides Azhar, the in-form Test captain Babar Azam will also be making his first appearance at Lahore which like Azhar is Babar’s home ground.

Azhar hopes both him and Babar can make the Test a truly memorable one with a big partnership.

“It is always a delight to bat with Babar as he is such a wonderful and stylish batter. Both Babar and I would want to make a big contribution and hopefully one that will earn us a win in the match as that is the ultimate goal for all of us.”

https://www.pcb.com.pk/blog-detail/...ait-for-a-test-at-home-ground-set-to-end.html

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The sacrifices many Pakistani cricketers have had to make during their careers should never be overlooked. <br><br>Azhar Ali has played 93 Tests since 2010 and scored nearly 7000 runs, yet the 3rd Test against Australia will be the first time he is playing a Test in Lahore <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvAUS</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1505539778967703553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[James]

Could be his swansong?

If so- may he make it a good one.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The only people who seem to think his career is ending are the old faithful here at PP. Haven't really heard this from anyone else in the media or the team management.

 

[moghul]

Azhar Ali is very dangerous batter, I'm worried he might score another 50 on this dead wicket at Lahore and we will stuck with him for another 2 years only to see him failing again for long time . By the time he will be kicked off , it might be too late for current inform younger batters like Saud and Ghulam .

I hope Pakistan does well in 3rd test and Azhar Ali fails badly.

 

[moghul]

According to a report if he doesn't do well in the final test, he might take a call on his career, he doesn't want to hang around for 100 tests if he feels he is being a burden on the team.

This kind of plan are made by people who leave to field with dignity, not players like Misbah and Azhar. Azhar should have retired 3 years ago. If he fails at Lahore test, which I hope so, he will wait for Zimabwe or BD to visit or some other opportunity to score some cheap runs to put his test career "back on track ".

 

[Amjid Javed]

According to a report if he doesn't do well in the final test, he might take a call on his career, he doesn't want to hang around for 100 tests if he feels he is being a burden on the team.

If thats case he should have retired in 2017.

 

[Zaz]

Its been a long wait Hopefully it goes well for him and pakistan and they finish the series with a solid win

 

[ChTab]

This kind of plan are made by people who leave to field with dignity, not players like Misbah and Azhar. Azhar should have retired 3 years ago. If he fails at Lahore test, which I hope so, he will wait for Zimabwe or BD to visit or some other opportunity to score some cheap runs to put his test career "back on track ".

I hope this is true because he's blocking pathway of a young & promising test cricketer(Saud/Kamran).
Azhar is a nice guy & I liked him but now he's not good enough, people might not give him enough credit but till 2017 he was a world class batter for Pakistani standards, you can't score 19 test centuries if you're average.

 

[MenInG]

I really dont think he will retire - especially after another 50 in this series.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

7000 test runs for one of the most underrated battters in Pakistan's history.

People keep reading eulogies for his career and he just keeps scoring runs.

 

[mazkhan]

Playing at a strike rate in the 30s on a flat pitch in the subcontinent is criminal same goes for Abdullah shafique who is being hyped to the moon.
Then what is worse both get out

 

[MenInG]

 

[gazza619]

Probably the least talented batter ever to score 7000 test runs but thats a compliment to him to maintain a very decent standard throughout his career despite being a bit low on skill.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Probably the least talented batter ever to score 7000 test runs but thats a compliment to him to maintain a very decent standard throughout his career despite being a bit low on skill.

We have had hafeez and malik play for pakistan for over 15 years, Azhar here playing nearly 100 tests, this is the levels of mediocrity for pakistan over last 2 decades.

 

[Kroll]

Has served Pakistan well but should take the opportunity to retire after the series.

You don’t have to wait until you can hardly hold a bat to do this.

 

[ibnmehboob]

Not a Azhar fan but He just scored 78 against aus on an low bouncy track and people want him to retire? For whatt to get in likes of Umar akmals (Haider ali is same till he change )

 

[Fahdi]

Azhar is undoubtedly a Pakistan great, he has been a good servant of Pakistan cricket.

But today's innings highlights a continuous problem throughout his career and why he has so many detractors despite such service. Azhar scored at a mid 30s strike rate when it was the best time to bat out there. Yes Abdullah Shafiq did the same but he is a rookie and the guy with 94 matches has to take the lead. The result is that Pakistan has massive deficit despite having batted for so long and Babar is stranded trying to save things while batting alongside tail enders.

In the end it will be pointed out by his fans that he scored 78 and "what about the rest?" and it's been the same back and forth for at least 10 years.

It's not unfair to expect your experienced pros to do better, to take charge of the situation and to at least try to produce wins from situations where it seems unlikely. The only time I can really remember Azhar doing that is during the Maghreb chase which was a terrific innings from him.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Just a mediocre batsman who can survive in testing conditions until he gets out.

Not a bad batsman but nothing special.

Both him and Asad Shafiq highlight Pakistan's batting troubles in past 15 years.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Just a mediocre batsman who can survive in testing conditions until he gets out.

Not a bad batsman but nothing special.

Both him and Asad Shafiq highlight Pakistan's batting troubles in past 15 years.

Because Misbah didnt wanna these two to go.. Pakistan had batsmen like Haris Sohail , Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Fawad Alam during this period..

Misbah hold Azhar at no.3 is because , he knows that his friend hafeez gone be out inside ten balls and only Azhar can tuk tuk away the new ball, or else his own test career would come into trouble when he is pushed to face the new ball earlier than he planned to..

Asad Shafiq supports his slow batting and meek character who will not say NO to Misbah at any situation...

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most Test runs for Pakistan:<br><br>Younis Khan 10099<br>Javed Miandad 8832<br>Inzamam-ul-Haq 8829<br>Mohammad Yousuf 7530<br>Azhar Ali 7004<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvAUS</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1506634464390230019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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[The_KING]

Great achievement for him to get to 7,000 runs but now is the time for retirement.

 

[Kroll]

Azhar is undoubtedly a Pakistan great, he has been a good servant of Pakistan cricket.

But today's innings highlights a continuous problem throughout his career and why he has so many detractors despite such service. Azhar scored at a mid 30s strike rate when it was the best time to bat out there. Yes Abdullah Shafiq did the same but he is a rookie and the guy with 94 matches has to take the lead. The result is that Pakistan has massive deficit despite having batted for so long and Babar is stranded trying to save things while batting alongside tail enders.

In the end it will be pointed out by his fans that he scored 78 and "what about the rest?" and it's been the same back and forth for at least 10 years.

It's not unfair to expect your experienced pros to do better, to take charge of the situation and to at least try to produce wins from situations where it seems unlikely. The only time I can really remember Azhar doing that is during the Maghreb chase which was a terrific innings from him.

Well put, his fans will no doubt come back with ‘but he scored a 78’.

 

[Kroll]

Because Misbah didnt wanna these two to go.. Pakistan had batsmen like Haris Sohail , Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Fawad Alam during this period..

Misbah hold Azhar at no.3 is because , he knows that his friend hafeez gone be out inside ten balls and only Azhar can tuk tuk away the new ball, or else his own test career would come into trouble when he is pushed to face the new ball earlier than he planned to..

Asad Shafiq supports his slow batting and meek character who will not say NO to Misbah at any situation...

Yes, this legacy of meekness and subversion is still there.

I don’t blame Azhar entirely but he’s not a batsman that can score runs to the situation, he’s a static 30 sr player.

 

[daytrader]

Because Misbah didnt wanna these two to go.. Pakistan had batsmen like Haris Sohail , Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Fawad Alam during this period..

Misbah hold Azhar at no.3 is because , he knows that his friend hafeez gone be out inside ten balls and only Azhar can tuk tuk away the new ball, or else his own test career would come into trouble when he is pushed to face the new ball earlier than he planned to..

Asad Shafiq supports his slow batting and meek character who will not say NO to Misbah at any situation...

Lol misbah still haunting these haters in their dreams. How logical to blame the 7 year ago captain for the test today.

 

[TheSultan]

Well put, his fans will no doubt come back with ‘but he scored a 78’.

Exactly as I said somewhere else, these are “scorecard” players.

They probably know they bore everyone to death so no one will bother watching and just look up the scorecard. And in the scorecard it says azhar Ali was second top scorer. “Don’t blame me”

 

[shamaan]

Good knock.

 

[swaziboy]

Azhar Ali is the reason for teams slow and useless batting that Misbah has left in the team. He is and had always been the epitome of mediocrity and in fact even that is being too kind.

Azhar Ali wouldnt even get in to any of the top 5 test playing teams 2nd 11. Probably the most useless batter to get to 7000 runs at that strike rate. At best he's a blocker who cant even do that. Has no sense of how to rotate the strike. Hasnt done anything to work on his game in the years past ( Look at Shan Masood example of going to Cape Town and actually worked on his game)

Azhar has been responsible for so many defeats largely due to him having just blocking out balls with no intent only for the opposition to come and bowl him out with the new ball. What good has his batting done even if he makes a 50 off 200 balls. Just like today he allowed the opposition to tighten the screws and bowl the team out

Negative mindset has always done the team in. If you want an example just look at the 2nd test day 5 batting (thank God he got out sooner)

He really needs to be dropped. There's no such place for mediocre players in the team really.... in this day and age with so much of talent.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

The title of this thread says it all, Azhar Ali isn't good enough, bats way too slow.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Azhar Ali is the reason for teams slow and useless batting that Misbah has left in the team. He is and had always been the epitome of mediocrity and in fact even that is being too kind.

Azhar Ali wouldnt even get in to any of the top 5 test playing teams 2nd 11. Probably the most useless batter to get to 7000 runs at that strike rate. At best he's a blocker who cant even do that. Has no sense of how to rotate the strike. Hasnt done anything to work on his game in the years past ( Look at Shan Masood example of going to Cape Town and actually worked on his game)

Azhar has been responsible for so many defeats largely due to him having just blocking out balls with no intent only for the opposition to come and bowl him out with the new ball. What good has his batting done even if he makes a 50 off 200 balls. Just like today he allowed the opposition to tighten the screws and bowl the team out

Negative mindset has always done the team in. If you want an example just look at the 2nd test day 5 batting (thank God he got out sooner)

He really needs to be dropped. There's no such place for mediocre players in the team really.... in this day and age with so much of talent.

QOTW here. perfectly summed up.

 

[Zaz]

Its a great achievement To play nearly 100 tests and score 7000 test runs is fabulous for someone like him He isnt a great player but has outperformed dozens of more talented players over the years

Yed he has his limitations in terms of strike rate and match winning innings but overall hes done well for himself and served pakistan cricket admirably

 

[Shazzam]

7000 test runs for one of the most underrated battters in Pakistan's history.

People keep reading eulogies for his career and he just keeps scoring runs.

When those 7000 test runs matter more than winning games for Pakistan.

 

[moghul]

Its a great achievement To play nearly 100 tests and score 7000 test runs is fabulous for someone like him He isnt a great player but has outperformed dozens of more talented players over the years

Yed he has his limitations in terms of strike rate and match winning innings but overall hes done well for himself and served pakistan cricket admirably

Most useless runs made in the history of Pakistan cricket , hardly remember if he ever saved or won a match for Pakistan . Nothing personal, I will give him credit if he saved Lahore test with his batting in 2nd inning .

 

[moghul]

Lol misbah still haunting these haters in their dreams. How logical to blame the 7 year ago captain for the test today.

Misbah is Gen Zia of Pakistan cricket, the damage he caused to Pakistan cricket will take decades to recover.

 

[Kianig89]

Doe he bring fear in bowlers mind? NO

is he a headache for captains in terms of field placing? NO

Is he strong against Pace or Spin? NO

he should thank his stars that with such limited abilities (No Pull, No Hook, No game in V) he played 90+ tests

Even Asad Shafiq & Sarfraz has more range of strokes are booted out, no wonder PCB works on lobby

 

[TheSultan]

Azhar Ali, like Misbah before him is one of those batsmen that the opposition don’t want to take a review against. They like these type of batsmen staying at the crease. They do half their job of creating pressure

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

When those 7000 test runs matter more than winning games for Pakistan.

Keep being ungrateful. Doesn't make a lick of difference to what he has already achieved.

Oh and a game is won by 11 players, not 1 incase you forgot.

 

[Mamoon]

Everyone who has the best interests of Pakistan cricket want Azhar gone, but when you look at someone like Shafique, you have to wonder if things will get better.

The Azhar torture is not over yet but we have been blessed with a younger version already. It is painful to watch such a timid and selfish young batsman who has no interest in dominating the position and will just look to survive for as long as he can to achieve personal milestones.

Azhar has mastered the art of pretending that he is always batting in a crisis and Shafique is doing the same.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan is down and out and is on the brink of losing a home series and yet, the management had the audacity to celebrate Azhar’s 7,000 milestone by cutting a cake last night.

Meanwhile, the PCB social media team also had the audacity to upload a video on the official Instagram page.

This sums up the culture and mentality of this team - they don’t care about winning and they are not hurt by losing. They have no pride and no realization of what it means to lose a home Test series.

The obsession with personal milestones is hysterical.

This reminds me of the team “celebrating” Asad Shafiq’s 137 in Australia with a cake even though they lost the match.

We are a laughing stock.

 

[TheSultan]

Pakistan is down and out and is on the brink of losing a home series and yet, the management had the audacity to celebrate Azhar’s 7,000 milestone by cutting a cake last night.

Meanwhile, the PCB social media team also had the audacity to upload a video on the official Instagram page.

This sums up the culture and mentality of this team - they don’t care about winning and they are not hurt by losing. They have no pride and no realization of what it means to lose a home Test series.

The obsession with personal milestones is hysterical.

This reminds me of the team “celebrating” Asad Shafiq’s 137 in Australia with a cake even though they lost the match.

We are a laughing stock.

I agree with this. This is the mentality of the team. The only urgency you see in the Pakistan team is them racing to the balcony when they have to applaud someone for a useless milestone

 

[Savak]

The most useless 7000 test runs, doubt any of the knocks resulted in a match winning performance.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Lets see how the inns killer does tomorrow in a run chase. Im sure usual tuk tuk looking for personal milestones will be his only worry.

Hes had his celebration cake already this game.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Pretty big brainfade from the umpire to give Azhar Ali out in the first innings. Because he was not out.

Rules of the game clearly state that you cannot throw the ball while you are falling to the ground. Cummins took a great catch, but threw the ball before he fell forward.

These are the kind of things that a senior pro like Aleem Dar should be aware of. Had Azhar not gotten out at that point, the story of Pakistan's innings could have been very different.

ICC should offer a clarification on this thing too because I have noticed slip fielders doing this numerous times too. And the worst part about it all is the inaction of the umpire.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pretty big brainfade from the umpire to give Azhar Ali out in the first innings. Because he was not out.

Rules of the game clearly state that you cannot throw the ball while you are falling to the ground. Cummins took a great catch, but threw the ball before he fell forward.

These are the kind of things that a senior pro like Aleem Dar should be aware of. Had Azhar not gotten out at that point, the story of Pakistan's innings could have been very different.

ICC should offer a clarification on this thing too because I have noticed slip fielders doing this numerous times too. And the worst part about it all is the inaction of the umpire.

If Azhar wasnt happy with catch and release he should have stood his ground but instead he walked off.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

If Azhar wasnt happy with catch and release he should have stood his ground but instead he walked off.

Pretty sure he wasn't aware of the rule. But then again that's why the umpires are there. To enforce the rules.

 

[DRsohail]

Everyone who has the best interests of Pakistan cricket want Azhar gone, but when you look at someone like Shafique, you have to wonder if things will get better.

The Azhar torture is not over yet but we have been blessed with a younger version already. It is painful to watch such a timid and selfish young batsman who has no interest in dominating the position and will just look to survive for as long as he can to achieve personal milestones.

Azhar has mastered the art of pretending that he is always batting in a crisis and Shafique is doing the same.

Mamoon I think Shafique has strokes but he is timid, but this Azhar Ali's is strokeless wonder, his ,78 did not help out cause at all, shows how rubbish it is.

 

[Kianig89]

Of these 7000 most of them came on the phattas of UAE his best inning till now is vs Eng at Trent Bridge when tried absolutely hard score something for his brief 32 ball stint against Broad and Anderson at their peak even Nasser praised him when he got out

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pretty sure he wasn't aware of the rule. But then again that's why the umpires are there. To enforce the rules.

His stupidity for not knowing the rules, unless a batsmen objects to a catch more often then not umpires have no need to step in.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

His stupidity for not knowing the rules, unless a batsmen objects to a catch more often then not umpires have no need to step in.

Your cartoonish and obsessive hate of Azhar both sad and stupid to behold. Just admit the umpires didn't do their job and move on, instead of crutching at straws like a toddler.

 

[Zaz]

Most useless runs made in the history of Pakistan cricket , hardly remember if he ever saved or won a match for Pakistan . Nothing personal, I will give him credit if he saved Lahore test with his batting in 2nd inning .

7000 test runs cannot be useless

Yes he isnt a great stroke maker He is dour stodgy and gritty He will bat time Score ugly runs But runs are runs

Hes done it without strops or scandals Hes a great role model and although not a great player but hes had a great career Theres a lot to admire about how azhar has gone about his career

Im hopeful he ll retire on a high rather than be dragged out pakistani like kicking and screaming

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Also, re: Azhar Ali's dismissal in the first innings. How it is any different from the infamous Gibbs drop in the 1999 WC SF?

Gibbs did the exact same thing. Yet Waugh was not out, while Azhar was not.

Umpires shouldn't be making these kind of brainfades and blunders. Especially with all the technology that is available out there.

 

[James]

Many high quality cricketers have not got close to 7000. This many Test runs is still a modestly rare achievement. 19 hundreds too. Well done to Azhar.

Yes he is a struggle to watch at times and doesn’t bring much excitement to the game, but he is mentally gritty and bluntly effective in the guise of a Paul Collingwood or a Mark Richardson, who played fewer Tests than Azhar but averaged similar.

On the whole — a good, solid, useful top order batsman.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Your cartoonish and obsessive hate of Azhar both sad and stupid to behold. Just admit the umpires didn't do their job and move on, instead of crutching at straws like a toddler.

Umpires saw no issues with catch and gave it out, its down to the batsmen to raise to umpires if he has an issue. only one clutching at straws is you )

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Umpires saw no issues with catch and gave it out, its down to the batsmen to raise to umpires if he has an issue. only one clutching at straws is you )

Really? Then why do umpires check no-balls or catches when the soft-signals are out? Batters don't always have a problem with those either.

Take a second to think the next time your eyes go red after reading Azhar Ali's name.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Really? Then why do umpires check no-balls or catches when the soft-signals are out? Batters don't always have a problem with those either.

Take a second to think the next time your eyes go red after reading Azhar Ali's name.

Again the umpires saw no issue with the catch. if they did they would have given a soft signal? add to that in real time the umpire is behind cummins, quit crying because your mediocre hero got out.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Again the umpires saw no issue with the catch. if they did they would have given a soft signal? add to that in real time the umpire is behind cummins, quit crying because your mediocre hero got out.

- The umpires were sleeping and made a blunder.
- He wasn't out.
- Your obsession with Azhar Ali is as pathetic as it is sad.

 

[Shazzam]

Keep being ungrateful. Doesn't make a lick of difference to what he has already achieved.

He is just a cricketer who plays my favorite sport, not some army guy or a doctor that needs so much respect. So I'll treat him like any other entertainer.

Oh and a game is won by 11 players, not 1 incase you forgot.

Is it? I never knew that. I thought it was played by one man considering your celebrating his 7000 runs. Instead of caring for the impact of those innings in the teams cause.

 

[TheSultan]

Pretty sure he wasn't aware of the rule. But then again that's why the umpires are there. To enforce the rules.

One thing to consider. We are always sold the story that Pakistan cricket will not survive without Azhar Ali’s much publicised “experience”.

This “experienced” player did not object to this dismissal because he didn’t know the rule

This “experienced” player did not realise the ball smashed his glove (how is that even possible) when he was given out in Karachi. And then his “experience” didn’t tell him to hurry through the pre-review conference with the non striker and he ended up getting timed out.

Reminds of the time this “experienced” player was involved in the most comedic run out with another “experienced” player (Asad) when he thought the ball went to the boundary and stopped running only to be run out like a schoolkid.

What is the point of all this “experience”?

 

[Kroll]

One thing to consider. We are always sold the story that Pakistan cricket will not survive without Azhar Ali’s much publicised “experience”.

This “experienced” player did not object to this dismissal because he didn’t know the rule

This “experienced” player did not realise the ball smashed his glove (how is that even possible) when he was given out in Karachi. And then his “experience” didn’t tell him to hurry through the pre-review conference with the non striker and he ended up getting timed out.

Reminds of the time this “experienced” player was involved in the most comedic run out with another “experienced” player (Asad) when he thought the ball went to the boundary and stopped running only to be run out like a schoolkid.

What is the point of all this “experience”?

I think it's way beyond experience now, more like expired.

 

[moghul]

Stage is set for Azhar Ali to make a useful contribution to Pak team after useless 93 tests long career where he did not do anything worth talking about. If he plays a positive inning tomorrow , will give him credit as this the pressure situation where he had almost never did anything of note.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

He is just a cricketer who plays my favorite sport, not some army guy or a doctor that needs so much respect. So I'll treat him like any other entertainer.



Is it? I never knew that. I thought it was played by one man considering your celebrating his 7000 runs. Instead of caring for the impact of those innings in the teams cause.

Oh okay. A cricketer isn't worthy of respect, but a soldier who is misled into fighting wars and killing innocents by power-hungry generals somehow is?...a doctor who thinks about getting rich and establishing a comfortable life for themself long before even considering the thought of saving lives somehow does?

It's just a matter of perspective. I don't care if you respect Azhar Ali or not. Won't affect what he has achieved for Pakistan. But don't go acting like your perspective is the only perspective.

Azhar Ali has won numerous matches for Pakistan. From the sunset chase in Sharjah to the mammoth triple ton against West Indies. Just because you didn't watch any of those matches doesn't mean they didn't happen.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

One thing to consider. We are always sold the story that Pakistan cricket will not survive without Azhar Ali’s much publicised “experience”.

This “experienced” player did not object to this dismissal because he didn’t know the rule

This “experienced” player did not realise the ball smashed his glove (how is that even possible) when he was given out in Karachi. And then his “experience” didn’t tell him to hurry through the pre-review conference with the non striker and he ended up getting timed out.

Reminds of the time this “experienced” player was involved in the most comedic run out with another “experienced” player (Asad) when he thought the ball went to the boundary and stopped running only to be run out like a schoolkid.

What is the point of all this “experience”?

One thing to consider. How about the umpire just does his job?

What is the point of all this "experience" and standing in hundreds of test matches when you can't even tell if someone took an unfair catch?

 

[Amjid Javed]

- The umpires were sleeping and made a blunder.
- He wasn't out.
- Your obsession with Azhar Ali is as pathetic as it is sad.

i have no obsession at all, hes a useless crickter. Your the one obsessed with him.

If Azhar had issue with catch he should have stood his ground.

if Azhar wasnt so stupid he would have also reviewed his lbw in last test.

Both cases he walked off with out questioning it. Again quit crying over spilled milk.

 

[Amjid Javed]

One thing to consider. We are always sold the story that Pakistan cricket will not survive without Azhar Ali’s much publicised “experience”.

This “experienced” player did not object to this dismissal because he didn’t know the rule

This “experienced” player did not realise the ball smashed his glove (how is that even possible) when he was given out in Karachi. And then his “experience” didn’t tell him to hurry through the pre-review conference with the non striker and he ended up getting timed out.

Reminds of the time this “experienced” player was involved in the most comedic run out with another “experienced” player (Asad) when he thought the ball went to the boundary and stopped running only to be run out like a schoolkid.

What is the point of all this “experience”?

Master piece of a response.

 

[TheSultan]

I do not believe my eyes. Just watching the highlights and THAT drop off Smith by Mr “experienced”. I missed that live. WHAT. WAS. THAT?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

i have no obsession at all, hes a useless crickter. Your the one obsessed with him.

If Azhar had issue with catch he should have stood his ground.

if Azhar wasnt so stupid he would have also reviewed his lbw in last test.

Both cases he walked off with out questioning it. Again quit crying over spilled milk.

Yeah that's probably why you have to reply to every single comment regarding him since this thread was made and why you keep calling him 'stupid'. Because you have zero biases and are a totally balanced individual.

Like I said, your obsession with Azhar Ali is as pathetic as it is sad.

 

[Shazzam]

Oh okay. A cricketer isn't worthy of respect, but a soldier who is misled into fighting wars and killing innocents by power-hungry generals somehow is?...a doctor who thinks about getting rich and establishing a comfortable life for themself long before even considering the thought of saving lives somehow does?

I like how you used poor examples to justify respecting a cricketer. But yes a doctor and solider are more worthy of respect than a sports men who is playing his favorite game. They are the real hero's as they are the villain's.

It's just a matter of perspective. I don't care if you respect Azhar Ali or not. Won't affect what he has achieved for Pakistan. But don't go acting like your perspective is the only perspective.

Trust me I don't need your approval of who should I respect or not. I am just pointing out a milestone to you matters more than the teams win, As its evident in your very thread.

Azhar Ali has won numerous matches for Pakistan. From the sunset chase in Sharjah to the mammoth triple ton against West Indies. Just because you didn't watch any of those matches doesn't mean they didn't happen.

Yes I did not watch those matches, you know me very well. You got me. What did Azhar Ali win recently though?

 

[Cric1234]

Thank you Azhar another great innings in motion negating any chance of a Pakistan win may we witness more such innings in years to come.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Yet another master class of taking chances of victory into a draw or defeat.

sucking life out off inns for no reason as usual.

 

[TheSultan]

I’m rooting for him today - just prove us wrong for once and play a blinder

 

[MenInG]

Yet another master class of taking chances of victory into a draw or defeat.

sucking life out off inns for no reason as usual.

What would you like him to do?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I like how you used poor examples to justify respecting a cricketer. But yes a doctor and solider are more worthy of respect than a sports men who is playing his favorite game. They are the real hero's as they are the villain's.



Trust me I don't need your approval of who should I respect or not. I am just pointing out a milestone to you matters more than the teams win, As its evident in your very thread.




Yes I did not watch those matches, you know me very well. You got me. What did Azhar Ali win recently though?

To you they may be, to me they are not. I respect people based on who they are, not based on their profession.

Yet you keep replying which points to the contrary. You're not going to get my approval you might as well stop trying.

Well has has averaged 46 since 2020 and been Pakistan's second-highest run-scorer in tests since, so you tell me.

 

[Amjid Javed]

What would you like him to do?

rotate strike and try and score at 3 runs per over instead of blocking maidens. Are you happy with this pathetic batting display?

 

[Cric1234]

What would you like him to do?

Make an attacking 50 and give Pakistan a chance of a win not just block and give Australian bowlers confidence and an inevitable collapse then happens.

 

[TheSultan]

What would you like him to do?

I think some of us would just like Azhar to prove some worth for his “experience”. Show some ability to pace an innings, try and outfox the opposition and get them thinking differently. Doesn’t mean you have to play crazy shots, keep things ticking along, show Australia that we are looking to make runs.

The best innings I saw Azhar play was the 93 he made in New Zealand, so he can change things up. On a personal level, I do respect him to an extent, he seems like a decent person, it would be good for him to sign off with a truly great innings, not just something that looks good on the scorecard.

 

[Amjid Javed]

To you they may be, to me they are not. I respect people based on who they are, not based on their profession.

Yet you keep replying which points to the contrary. You're not going to get my approval you might as well stop trying.

Well has has averaged 46 since 2020 and been Pakistan's second-highest run-scorer in tests since, so you tell me.

oh hear we go again hes averaged 46 since a certain date. you ran off and failed to address any questions how up until this series he was scoring one 50+ score per series. everyone can hide behind a misleading average.

 

[TheSultan]

Oh well. Azhar just do the decent thing now. You’ve had an ok career. Sign off

 

[Amjid Javed]

Match winning 17 off 47 - definitely deserves another cake and video after that world class inns.

 

[Afhan Ali]

They should retire him forcefully.

 

[TheSultan]

Match winning 17 off 47 - definitely deserves another cake and video after that world class inns.

There will definitely be a cake for the 7000. Let’s have another one for retirement