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[VIDEOS] Imran Butt - Test Performance Watch

He looked quite composed at the crease.
First innings got a snorter on a variable deck and played a silly shot in the second innings.
But I would certainly give him a couple of more matches to see if what he's got...
 
He needs to play this next Test at least- they picked the guy for a reason, let's take a proper look at him. You need a decent sample so if he fails also vs Zimbabwe in April (is that going ahead), then maybe reconsider & check his domestic form vs other openers but a player needs 3-6 Tests at least to really have a look.
 
I dunno, i'd be pretty happy to call time on this guys international career if the next test doesn't go so well.

With a FC average of 36 i feel you'd have to see something exceptional with his technique to keep him around. Nothing like that has been evident across 2 innings so it's going to be a waste of time unless he shows something in the next game.
 
There are no Gavaskars and Greenidge waiting in the wings in Pakistan's domestic cricket. All you have players with lousy techniques . Lets hope some of them possesses talent to improve at international level, with some experience.

No point discarding Imran Butt after two test , makes no sense, give him couple of tests more, at least. I saw SOME talent in him.

Time to discard Abid Ali, enough of him.

This. If we’re going to discard someone, it should be Abid who has gotten a fair run. I liked him initially and even thought he might do well these last few days, but he seems mentally shot and extremely loose with the technique.

Imran Butt averages 35.7 in FC cricket which is not world beating but he did this as opener against the Dukes ball on some really low scoring wickets where even 120kph pacers were getting prodigious amounts of swing.

When the Kookaburra came in, he cashed in. He’s also young, fit, and hungry, plus is a valuable fielder.

I will play this at Pindi:
1. Azhar Ali
2. Imran Butt
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Nauman Ali
11. Shaheen Afridi

If either Hassan or Shaheen is feeling tired, I’ll sub them for Tabish Khan.
 
I dunno, i'd be pretty happy to call time on this guys international career if the next test doesn't go so well.

With a FC average of 36 i feel you'd have to see something exceptional with his technique to keep him around. Nothing like that has been evident across 2 innings so it's going to be a waste of time unless he shows something in the next game.

I've been watching cricket for a very long time and if there is one thing I've learnt, it's that players with poor domestic records have even poorer international records in the long run.

This selection will end in tears for Pakistan.

If Pakistan wants to compete against the best in the world then they cannot have complete passengers as their openers. You might be able to get away with it against a low ranked South African team that is deeply flawed. You won't get away with it against a top class team who will just turn the screws and never let you recover from a poor start.

Anyone expecting a 36 FC average opener to overage 45 in international cricket over any significant period of time is, I'm afraid, a total buffoon.
 
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I've been watching cricket for a very long time and if there is one thing I've learnt, it's that players with poor domestic records have even poorer international records in the long run.

This selection will end in tears for Pakistan.

If Pakistan wants to compete against the best in the world then they cannot have complete passengers as their openers. You might be able to get away with it against a low ranked South African team that is deeply flawed. You won't get away with it against a top class team who will just turn the screws and never let you recover from a poor start.

Anyone expecting a 36 FC average opener to overage 45 in international cricket over any significant period of time is, I'm afraid, a total buffoon.

There are some players who perform well at international level even with no so great FC record. Mohammad Yusuf did not score tons of run in domestic cricket but tasted great success in tests .
 
He deserves at least 8 to 10 matches but he looks extremely poor
 
Imran Butt's second innings dismissal

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It's this wicket that's worrying for someone who's an opener. Ball far outside off stump, in a way no need to even look at it far less play it, his feet don't move and he takes a hoick at it like some tailender.

A shot like this by an opener early in the game speaks of skill and mental/ concentration issues.
 
This. If we’re going to discard someone, it should be Abid who has gotten a fair run. I liked him initially and even thought he might do well these last few days, but he seems mentally shot and extremely loose with the technique.

Imran Butt averages 35.7 in FC cricket which is not world beating but he did this as opener against the Dukes ball on some really low scoring wickets where even 120kph pacers were getting prodigious amounts of swing.

When the Kookaburra came in, he cashed in. He’s also young, fit, and hungry, plus is a valuable fielder.

I believe this is a misinterpretation given that there's an outlier season.

As [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] posted separately a few days ago, here are Imran Butt's FC averages since 2015:

15/16: 32.38
16/17: 21.30
17/18: 25.64
18/19: 26.27
19/20: 62.26!
20/21: 31.83

That one outlier season is a huge cause for concern given that it came when the bowlers were not used to bowling with the kookaburra.

There was no justification to pick him in Karachi and there is less even now. People just love doubling down on mistakes. It's the old Martingale strategy, which rarely works in sport.

Mohammad Wasim needs to sit down with Mohammad Yousuf and Faisal Iqbal (assuming Butt is still associated with Balochistan) and carve out a detailed roadmap for allowing Butt to improve his technique and give him practical advice on how he can return to international cricket once he scores consistently in first-class cricket and showcases that his flaws against the short ball have been rectified.

There is no benefit in tarring him now with more failures.

If we are to play a sacrificial lamb in Pindi, they should play someone with nothing to lose in Abid Ali. That might even prove liberating for him.
 
He had very poor debut as far as batting is concerned but I think he will be a good player for Pakistan, he's very confident player a trait which isn't normally found in Pakistani batsmen. We should give him a fair shot at least 7 - 10 matches.
 
I've been watching cricket for a very long time and if there is one thing I've learnt, it's that players with poor domestic records have even poorer international records in the long run.

This selection will end in tears for Pakistan.

If Pakistan wants to compete against the best in the world then they cannot have complete passengers as their openers. You might be able to get away with it against a low ranked South African team that is deeply flawed. You won't get away with it against a top class team who will just turn the screws and never let you recover from a poor start.

Anyone expecting a 36 FC average opener to overage 45 in international cricket over any significant period of time is, I'm afraid, a total buffoon.

In that case I'm a buffoon :)

Look I don't disagree with you, domestic stats do count for a lot. However, there are always exceptions to the rule... for example. Michael Vaughn averaged 37 in first class cricket but went to on to play around 80 tests, averaged 41 but was a very good captain finally recapturing the Ashes..
So the selectors must have seen something in him.

Conversely you have Ramps and Hick, both first class greats, that's by and large failed at international level.

So coming to Imran Butt, I think a selector should be given leeway to pick at least one or two players on what they have seen and go with their gut instincts.. in this case Imran Butt seems to be Wasim's pick and I think we should go with it for at least this series and see how it works out.
 
There are some players who perform well at international level even with no so great FC record. Mohammad Yusuf did not score tons of run in domestic cricket but tasted great success in tests .

This is a ridiculous comparison. Mohammed Yousuf had a fantastic First Class record and an even better international one. World Class players are capable of that because for them, no level of bowling skill is too much for them to handle and, when they get to international cricket, they try even harder leading to spectacular results. There are several World Class players today who are in a similar position as Mohammed Yousuf.

Imran Butt however is on the other end of the scale. The Shan Masood scale. Anyone averaging in the 30s in First Class cricket is, I am afraid to say, lacking in ability. Like Shan Masood has shown, these players are incapable of succeeding in the long run. It's not their fault. They just can't play. It is the selector's fault however for picking someone on the back of a handful of domestic performances, ignoring the long term record.

Abid Ali's steep decline is another example of what happens in the long term with average ability players. And remember he averages more than both Imran and Shan in First Class cricket.
 
In that case I'm a buffoon :)

Look I don't disagree with you, domestic stats do count for a lot. However, there are always exceptions to the rule... for example. Michael Vaughn averaged 37 in first class cricket but went to on to play around 80 tests, averaged 41 but was a very good captain finally recapturing the Ashes..
So the selectors must have seen something in him.

Conversely you have Ramps and Hick, both first class greats, that's by and large failed at international level.

So coming to Imran Butt, I think a selector should be given leeway to pick at least one or two players on what they have seen and go with their gut instincts.. in this case Imran Butt seems to be Wasim's pick and I think we should go with it for at least this series and see how it works out.

Michael Vaughan the batsman was barely good enough to make the team. It was his outstanding captaincy ability that allowed him to keep his spot in the team.

I just worry that we are once again backing the wrong guys and in 10 years time when these selections have proved to be long term failures and we finally select the right guys, every one will say, if only we has selected these guys 10 years ago.

Take the example of Fawad Alam. Take the example of Misbah-ul-Haq. Both players were ignored until the end of their playing life. It's what happens when you back perceived potential vs actual performance.

I just don't want to find in 10 years time rhat we regret never giving Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Usman Sallihudin a proper chance, because the chosen ones like Imran and Abid were given a hundred games.

If I was in charge, Azhar would be opening with Kamran and Shaukeel at 3. I really don't care that Kamran isn't an opener. It's either that position or he doesn't play for years, potentially ever. There's no reason why a real quality batsman cannot convert his game to open.
 
Michael Vaughan the batsman was barely good enough to make the team. It was his outstanding captaincy ability that allowed him to keep his spot in the team.

I just worry that we are once again backing the wrong guys and in 10 years time when these selections have proved to be long term failures and we finally select the right guys, every one will say, if only we has selected these guys 10 years ago.

Take the example of Fawad Alam. Take the example of Misbah-ul-Haq. Both players were ignored until the end of their playing life. It's what happens when you back perceived potential vs actual performance.

I just don't want to find in 10 years time rhat we regret never giving Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Usman Sallihudin a proper chance, because the chosen ones like Imran and Abid were given a hundred games.

If I was in charge, Azhar would be opening with Kamran and Shaukeel at 3. I really don't care that Kamran isn't an opener. It's either that position or he doesn't play for years, potentially ever. There's no reason why a real quality batsman cannot convert his game to open.

I'm willing to give the benefit of doubt to the Wasim for this selection.
At least for this series. He/they may have seen something in him that puts him apart form the others..

Sometimes you have to go with with you see and what your guts tell you otherwise not much point in having selectors, just go with stats and pick them that way..

Having said all of that, I too would like to see the guys you mentioned get selected and see how they perform..
 
I'm willing to give the benefit of doubt to the Wasim for this selection.
At least for this series. He/they may have seen something in him that puts him apart form the others..

Sometimes you have to go with with you see and what your guts tell you otherwise not much point in having selectors, just go with stats and pick them that way..

Having said all of that, I too would like to see the guys you mentioned get selected and see how they perform..

You say that you are willing to give Imran a go for this series at least. Unfortunatley however I think that all he needs to secure his spot is a 40 run innings somewhere in the next test. That will ensure that we are stuck with him for a while to come and all those guys who deserve selection will be left out.

There's a lot to be said about picking on stats. The "gut feeling" selections are usually based on nothing more than stupidity. Oh let's play Asad Shafiq instead of Fawad because he's such a pretty batsman. Selector after selector tells us "I've seen many better players than Fawad' and "Fawad doesn't have what it takes to succeed".

People with great stats have them for a reason and it's usually because they are the best of the lot. Selections based on emotion alone is a sure way to fail.
 
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Looked to have a decent technique, facing arguably the most skilful test bowler across surfaces in Rabada, while on his debut.
 
Looked to have a decent technique, facing arguably the most skilful test bowler across surfaces in Rabada, while on his debut.

During my club cricket days in Lahore, when I was lucky enough to watch many front line Lahore based Pakistani batsmen , I had notice any batsman who could play good pull shot and also back to the bowler straight drive to a test level fast bowler ( along the ground ) , could score runs at every level.

Imran Butt has passed that litmus test for me. He also has potential to become Pakistan's best ever slip fielder. I agree his performance so far ,has not been very impressive , but deserves a longer run.
 
Is it me or does his batting stance remind you of Misbah? The way he stands and plays the ball to the third man reminds a lot of Misbah.

I wonder how much Misbah has helped him during his playing time at SNGPL.
 
such a poor dismissal for an opener in the context of the game. really wanted him to do well despite his FC record simply for his catching but that was unforgivable.

he will get another test simply cos i dont see abdullah shafique playing. but unless he scores 75+ in at least one innings i dont think he'll hold his spot.

He should be played in the next test series to 4 tests is enough but 2 tests is not enough to judge anyone
 
Drop him, it won't be the end of his career by any means. Telling a young (well, youngish) player that he needs to go back to domestic cricket isn't a bad message provided there's constructive advice and a clear pathway to improve. Too many failures at the start of his career could prove counterproductive in the long-run.

Abid on the other hand is hanging on by a thread, and if he is dropped there is realistically no way back for him. Bizarrely, I'd be more inclined to give him another go out of sheer sympathy as I'd rather give someone one additional test to save a career.

Both aren't good enough for international cricket, mind.

makes no sense to drop him after 2 tests give him 4 tests that is enough opportunities
 
This should be it for him. His FC average doesn't lend any suggestion that it gets any better from here so i don't see the point in wasting time.
 
Can't believe Imran Butt was picked ahead of Sami Aslam for the NZ tour. Shame on you Misbah
 
Can't believe Imran Butt was picked ahead of Sami Aslam for the NZ tour. Shame on you Misbah

Sami destroyed his own career, with his tail-end blocks after the 1st few tests. It remains to be seen if Butt is the answer, the sample is small and the evidence so far isn't promising
 
This should be it for him. His FC average doesn't lend any suggestion that it gets any better from here so i don't see the point in wasting time.

You don't have any consistant openers in domestic either.
 
This should be it for him. His FC average doesn't lend any suggestion that it gets any better from here so i don't see the point in wasting time.

You don't have many openers in domestic either if you drop Abid then Imran Butt has to continue you don't have an alternative but one thing is good he is best slip fielder in Pakistan that is area where Pakistan losses most games abroad.
 
Why cant we just open with Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam? Surely those two might still do better than Imran and Abid? They cant be any worse
 
Didn't watch him bat today...
Did he look really bad?

For me he has one more innings and then that's it.

On the other hand Abid Ali should not have been playing in this game..
 
Why cant we just open with Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam? Surely those two might still do better than Imran and Abid? They cant be any worse

Thrust two debutants into opening in international cricket when they don't even do that in domestics. What could go wrong?
 
He had very poor debut as far as batting is concerned but I think he will be a good player for Pakistan, he's very confident player a trait which isn't normally found in Pakistani batsmen. We should give him a fair shot at least 7 - 10 matches.

No need

Need performance in domestics to earn the chance not playing along side Misbah Hafeez etc.

After 8 years of FC cricket he manages to avg only 36
 
Why cant we just open with Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam? Surely those two might still do better than Imran and Abid? They cant be any worse

100% agree but it would take billion years to convince Misbah or play without convincing him
 
Thrust two debutants into opening in international cricket when they don't even do that in domestics. What could go wrong?

They will both get out cheaply. It’s not like that isn’t happening as it is. One of the two may just camp in and bat long
 
Risk parameters are important in selection. If you can’t average a min of 40 in Domestic Cricket you shouldn’t even be under consideration.

Imran has ability but he hasn’t demonstrated the ability to step up and make the jump. I’ve always felt the same about Abid, Shan, and Imam.

Harder Ali should be opening for PK in all formats.
 
Risk parameters are important in selection. If you can’t average a min of 40 in Domestic Cricket you shouldn’t even be under consideration.

Imran has ability but he hasn’t demonstrated the ability to step up and make the jump. I’ve always felt the same about Abid, Shan, and Imam.

Harder Ali should be opening for PK in all formats.

Avg of 40 after a min of 3 seasons or 25 matches.
 
You don't have many openers in domestic either if you drop Abid then Imran Butt has to continue you don't have an alternative but one thing is good he is best slip fielder in Pakistan that is area where Pakistan losses most games abroad.

This is a good point. I think that's really the key picking openers for us, if they have another additional role, it is easier for an opener to provide worth and keep his slot. As none of them really are amazing. Reason why Hafeez lasted so long as test opener was at least he could also provide bowling, when the others averaged the same/lower without bowling. No one is really that great at actually being an opening batsman so it's good if they provide someone else.

Imran Butt's domestic average is terrible, as you rightly pointed out they're all like that, they all average mid/high 30s pretty much.

I don't see special in him, but I think his main focuses should be blunting the ball making it easier for the middle order batsmen/give them a start, and a slip fielder. The actual big runs, let the middle order focus on that.
 
Try some middle order batsmen then.

They will fail. Opening is tougher. Middle order bats don't know how to open. I'm sure some of these opening batsmen would average mid 40s in domestic cricket middle order. Look at some of the list A averages of openers like masood, manzoor, fakhar etc. because of the easier batting conditions in list A they dominate there, even more so than the middle order bats. We just have to choose the best openers in domestic whatever they average. As I said their job is just to make things easier for the middle order, we can forget about producing great openers right now, first let's at least achieve serviceable ones which will allow us to properly develop a decent middle order first.
 
Avg of 40 after a min of 3 seasons or 25 matches.

Decent risk parameter. I do think Haider is a special case. Unlike these other players he's actually loaded with natural ability. He will only get better by Playing More cricket. Reducing him to a t20 player will limit his growth. The more tests and ODIs he plays the better all around batsman he will become.

When you reduce a batsman to one or two formats you slow down his growth. We need to stop doing that.
 
They will fail. Opening is tougher. Middle order bats don't know how to open. I'm sure some of these opening batsmen would average mid 40s in domestic cricket middle order. Look at some of the list A averages of openers like masood, manzoor, fakhar etc. because of the easier batting conditions in list A they dominate there, even more so than the middle order bats. We just have to choose the best openers in domestic whatever they average. As I said their job is just to make things easier for the middle order, we can forget about producing great openers right now, first let's at least achieve serviceable ones which will allow us to properly develop a decent middle order first.

The job of an opener is not to make it easier for the middle order. It's low on the list.

People really need to stop saying things because it sounds good.
 
I have said it in number of threads since the NZL tour where ppl calling to change the opening pair , replace with Imran butt, that he has avg only 36 after playing 8 years of FC , one season shouldn’t be the yardstick. Now he is proving his worth of avg 36. Quickly Pak should move on from these two.
 
I’ve criticized him a lot but he looked way better than Abid Ali today. Very confident at the crease, played some good shots, and then got out to a pretty good ball. Needs to improve against spin but he’s looked pretty decent against pace which is his main job as an opener.

He’s a good slip too.

I’ll keep him moving forward:

1. Azhar Ali
2. Imran Butt
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Nauman Ali
11. Shaheen Afridi
 
He needs a couple of series more As long as you see gradual improvements he should be continued with

At the moment he doesnt look good but you cant judge a bat after 3 innings

If weve given him a chance patience is needed Chopping and chsnging every series is not the answer
 
Decent risk parameter. I do think Haider is a special case. Unlike these other players he's actually loaded with natural ability. He will only get better by Playing More cricket. Reducing him to a t20 player will limit his growth. The more tests and ODIs he plays the better all around batsman he will become.

When you reduce a batsman to one or two formats you slow down his growth. We need to stop doing that.

He isn't a test opener Haider Ali is same guy who plays ball on Legside and ball goes to slips or offside.
 
This is a good point. I think that's really the key picking openers for us, if they have another additional role, it is easier for an opener to provide worth and keep his slot. As none of them really are amazing. Reason why Hafeez lasted so long as test opener was at least he could also provide bowling, when the others averaged the same/lower without bowling. No one is really that great at actually being an opening batsman so it's good if they provide someone else.

Imran Butt's domestic average is terrible, as you rightly pointed out they're all like that, they all average mid/high 30s pretty much.

I don't see special in him, but I think his main focuses should be blunting the ball making it easier for the middle order batsmen/give them a start, and a slip fielder. The actual big runs, let the middle order focus on that.

This opening problem is all because of Inzamam he slotted his nephew and axed Sami Aslam who was by far the best test opener in Pakistan and scored in England in every match and also Azhar Ali had to play at 4 if you remember due to Imam. Inzi thought he made Imam career he played him t20 also he was on rampage he was thinking even if they kick me out I'm going to play Imam every match and format so that becomes automatic selection when he leaves but this only destroyed Imam career.


Speaking of Openers Imran Butt and Azhar need to open because you have to slot Saud Shakeel in middle order because he is the best Batsman after Babar Azam in long term plans.


Only 3 openers scored this season (600+) Sharjeel khan, Zain Abbas and Israrullah. Yes Sharjeel can come into test side but you have to see if you get a fixer into the side and he wasn't even under age like Aamir. Zain Abbas i think can be tried because he not only scored this season i remember he scored 750 odd runs in the season where there were uncovered pitches and dukes ball he was by far best opener. Israrullah is technically bit weak so he should improve in NHPC.


Speaking of Middle order Batsman becoming opener then Saad Ali is the best choice as he scored 950 odd runs in the dukes ball season where teams were getting out for 125-170 and i believe he used to bat 3 for UBL not sure. Saud shakeel can also be tried as he has technique but Kamran Ghulam can't survive the new ball for me he is lower middle order player.
 
Imran's wicket:

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Imran Butt does not look like an international class batsman so far and also average of 36 at domestic level after 8 seasons does not promise much. I would be surprised if he can even average 30 in test cricket.
 
I don't know..he looks ok nothing special. Is he way better than Shan Masood? thats the question.
I dont envy the selectors on this particular choice. Perhaps we look at batsmen who bat at 3 in domestic too. Cant see Butt lasting long in England or abroad..just doesnt look good.
 
another poor dismissal, there is no need to play that shot with an angled blade. butt got one really good ball in his first innings, his two dismissals after that are really poor.
 
Imran's wicket:

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Angled bat, pushing hard at the ball, unaware of where his off stump is.

Really poor shot.
 
Dude, either get properly forward and smother the spin, or stay back.

He was doing neither, and should've been out earlier had the slip not made a meal of a regulation catch.
 
I recorded the morning session and I just watched it and he looks very limited. Looks quite Robotic with his stance and look late on the ball on a slow flat wickets. This could be a short career.
The options are limited but surely they can't be any worse than these 2. If HA develops rather slogs his way to runs, then he could be an option and I have never seen Abdullah Shafiq but how much worse can he be? And from what people are saying he is talented. One thing for sure we need 2 new openers
 
He isn't a test opener Haider Ali is same guy who plays ball on Legside and ball goes to slips or offside.

It's a different format. Like everyone else, you are applying T20 observations on 50 Over and Test Cricket.

Unfortunately, we are not very good at Understanding Batting Talent.
 
I recorded the morning session and I just watched it and he looks very limited. Looks quite Robotic with his stance and look late on the ball on a slow flat wickets. This could be a short career.
The options are limited but surely they can't be any worse than these 2. If HA develops rather slogs his way to runs, then he could be an option and I have never seen Abdullah Shafiq but how much worse can he be? And from what people are saying he is talented. One thing for sure we need 2 new openers

HA doesn't slog. It would be really helpful if you actually sat down and watched an entire innings of HA or really any player. Because of our short attention spans, we sit down and watch highlights which includes 4s, 6s, and wickets. To understand the strengths and abilities of a player you have to watch everything in between. That requires a little bit of effort.
 
HA doesn't slog. It would be really helpful if you actually sat down and watched an entire innings of HA or really any player. Because of our short attention spans, we sit down and watch highlights which includes 4s, 6s, and wickets. To understand the strengths and abilities of a player you have to watch everything in between. That requires a little bit of effort.

I watched him and his instinct is to slog if he faces 3 or 4 balls where he doesn't score.
 
How has Imam’s form in domestic been? We need him to really work on his weaknesses and make a comeback. I think he has it in him to do it. What’s your thoughts ?
 
How has Imam’s form in domestic been? We need him to really work on his weaknesses and make a comeback. I think he has it in him to do it. What’s your thoughts ?

He hasn’t played first class cricket in a long, long time. Was third opener around the team which stunted his development for 3 years.
 
He barely gets his head in line with the ball, falls over playing straight balls or those on leg stump, pushes at the ball instead of waiting for it. We should cut our losses and move on ASAP. Nothing to see here.
 
Imran Butt and Abid Ali should be dropped.Haider Ali and Rohail Nazir might have done a better job.They might have shown a bit of fight and not scared .
 
I recorded the morning session and I just watched it and he looks very limited. Looks quite Robotic with his stance and look late on the ball on a slow flat wickets. This could be a short career.
The options are limited but surely they can't be any worse than these 2. If HA develops rather slogs his way to runs, then he could be an option and I have never seen Abdullah Shafiq but how much worse can he be? And from what people are saying he is talented. One thing for sure we need 2 new openers

in t20 yes he may slog majority of the players in t20 do.if you watched his innings in first class you will know he plays proper cricketing shots however i dont see him as a opener
 
in t20 yes he may slog majority of the players in t20 do.if you watched his innings in first class you will know he plays proper cricketing shots however i dont see him as a opener

Well time will tell. I hope he bats properly because to me he isnt developing in T20, he is regressing.
 
Domestic average of 35 should have been a warning sign to start with simply not test match material as a batsmen.
 
got a decent ball today, kept low and nipped in, which makes his previous dismissals all the more criminal. selected a year too late, dont think he should be taken to zim.
 
Not sure how come Wasim didn't see this guy is worse than Abbas as a batsman unless he was pressured to select him
 
Imran Butt looking worse in each outing....

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Hes looked a walking wicket just like his partner abid

At least get forward and inline Doesnt look test quality at all
 
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