[VIDEOS/PICTURES] Muhammad Musa Khan - First impressions in international cricket

[Junaids]

I have written it before and I’ll write it again.

Fast bowling in Tests outside Asia follows a simple formula.

Never less than three slips. Five balls per over aimed at the top of off stump from a full enough length to bring the batsman forward onto the front foot.

The other ball may be a bouncer or a faster ball, but this is the formula.

The problem is this. The shorter the bowler, the smaller the safe area of the pitch to pitch the ball into.

The rule of thumb is that if you are 6’2 or over, you are not hittable for runs if it pitches in an area the size of a 13 inch laptop.

If you are between 5’11 and 6’1 your safe area for pitching the ball and bringing the batsman forward is the size of an iPhone.

But if you are 5’10 or shorter, your safe area for pitching the ball is the size of a box of matches.

Ryan Harris, Dale Steyn and Malcolm Marshall were under 6’0 but astonishingly skilful and accurate.

But nobody, literally nobody, as short as Hasan Ali or Musa has had a successful career as a Test pace bowler.

If Musa was going to be a fast bowler, he needed growth hormone injections in his early teens before his bones stopped growing. And it’s too late now.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

BTW about Musa, only kids his age will judge him based on a friggin t20.

I am judging him on his height not his age. I saw him in the PSL last year and thought he had the same problem back then. You don't have to be 6ft to be a fast bowler, but you can't be 5'7 and still expect to be effective unless you have outlandish talent like Malcolm Marshall.

 

[Danyaalr01]

I have written it before and I’ll write it again.

Fast bowling in Tests outside Asia follows a simple formula.

Never less than three slips. Five balls per over aimed at the top of off stump from a full enough length to bring the batsman forward onto the front foot.

The other ball may be a bouncer or a faster ball, but this is the formula.

The problem is this. The shorter the bowler, the smaller the safe area of the pitch to pitch the ball into.

The rule of thumb is that if you are 6’2 or over, you are not hittable for runs if it pitches in an area the size of a 13 inch laptop.

If you are between 5’11 and 6’1 your safe area for pitching the ball and bringing the batsman forward is the size of an iPhone.

But if you are 5’10 or shorter, your safe area for pitching the ball is the size of a box of matches.

Ryan Harris, Dale Steyn and Malcolm Marshall were under 6’0 but astonishingly skilful and accurate.

But nobody, literally nobody, as short as Hasan Ali or Musa has had a successful career as a Test pace bowler.

If Musa was going to be a fast bowler, he needed growth hormone injections in his early teens before his bones stopped growing. And it’s too late now.

That is one of the worst rule of thumbs I have ever seen.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Picked way too early based on nothing more than gut feeling by Waqar and Misbah. Doesn't yet possess the skills to be able to offset the height disadvantage.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Picked way too early based on nothing more than gut feeling by Waqar and Misbah. Doesn't yet possess the skills to be able to offset the height disadvantage.

Yep, I would have gone with Sameen Gul who is 21 and is a proven performer in domestic this year and last year. He is tall and can ball good pace (I have seen him bowl 145kph in PSL, but keeps it around 138kph). He also swings and seams the ball. He averages 16 in FC cricket with a strike rate of about 36-38.

 

[Junaids]

That is one of the worst rule of thumbs I have ever seen.

Depressing certainly, but it's unfortunately true.

Look how short Musa had to bowl at Perth to get lift. It was very disheartening.

Again, Pakistan needs to understand its strengths and play to them.

You are always going to have more fast bowlers over 6'2 than India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka put together.

You need to find them, groom them and select them.

You may be too young to remember, but I'd like to remind you of the 1992-93 Pakistan tour of the West Indies.

It was the undisputed World Test Championship after 3 consecutive drawn series. And Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were both at their peak.

As always, Pakistan needed it to be a low scoring series for them to prevail. But with an attack of Wasim, Waqar and Mushtaq that seemed feasible.

Pakistan lost 2-0, with the Third Test ruined by rain.

If you look at the averages, Waqar took 21 wickets at 20.21 while Wasim Akram took 9 wickets at 39.77.

But it was the bowling of Waqar which cost Pakistan the series, because of his shortness.

In the First Test, the West Indies scored 127 and Pakistan replied with 140.

But Pakistan lost it when the West Indies on Day 2 raced to 333-3 at the close in their Second Innings basically because Waqar could not find a length to slow the scoring down.

That's what happens to short fast bowlers.

 

[Boiz Played Well]

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Muhammad Musa gets the wicket of Jayden Goodwin in the CA XI v PAK practice match at the WACA.

 

[Abdullah]

I have written it before and I’ll write it again.

Fast bowling in Tests outside Asia follows a simple formula.

Never less than three slips. Five balls per over aimed at the top of off stump from a full enough length to bring the batsman forward onto the front foot.

The other ball may be a bouncer or a faster ball, but this is the formula.

The problem is this. The shorter the bowler, the smaller the safe area of the pitch to pitch the ball into.

The rule of thumb is that if you are 6’2 or over, you are not hittable for runs if it pitches in an area the size of a 13 inch laptop.

If you are between 5’11 and 6’1 your safe area for pitching the ball and bringing the batsman forward is the size of an iPhone.

But if you are 5’10 or shorter, your safe area for pitching the ball is the size of a box of matches.

Ryan Harris, Dale Steyn and Malcolm Marshall were under 6’0 but astonishingly skilful and accurate.

But nobody, literally nobody, as short as Hasan Ali or Musa has had a successful career as a Test pace bowler.

If Musa was going to be a fast bowler, he needed growth hormone injections in his early teens before his bones stopped growing. And it’s too late now.

Yes, but ability is more important.
I would take Abbas all day every day over a rahat

 

[MenInG]

Takes his 2nd wicket - at the moment outbowling Naseem...

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Muhammad Musa receiving his Test cap from the legendary Wasim Akram <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/732PM3kDSh">pic.twitter.com/732PM3kDSh</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1200251032011448320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Brett Lee pointing out that he loses pace due to not having a braced front leg at the point of delivery. Maximum of ~143kph so far.

 

[Mobashir]

I feel he is the kind of bowler who Warner will hit all day without any problem.

 

[hur rizvi]

Absolute rubbish

 

[Rayyman]

Brett Lee pointing out that he loses pace due to not having a braced front leg at the point of delivery. Maximum of ~143kph so far.

Straight knee is also a lot easier to get injured.

 

[Junaids]

Jason Gillespie on ABC Radio “very short man....bowling far too short......bent leg means he delivers the ball from a very low height....he’s lost his run up completely.....I wonder why they thought he was ready for Test cricket”.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Ellipsism]

Surprise, surprise another pathetic Misbah selection.

 

[LegendAli]

Musa getting hammered.

 

[Rayyman]

Seems to be more worried about his hairstyle than the ball he is bowling.

 

[Energy]

Doesn't look in the same league as Naseem. Is slower, and wayward. Not his fault though he needs more experience.

 

[KyoOne]

Jason Gillespie on ABC Radio “very short man....bowling far too short......bent leg means he delivers the ball from a very low height....he’s lost his run up completely.....I wonder why they thought he was ready for Test cricket”.

Selected just for the sake of it.

Many similarities with Bilawal Bhatti, Short height, similar pace, no swing, sprawling around. At least Bilawal could bat a bit, and had a decent domestic record to show for. This kid has none, except being too young!

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

very very ordinary , not even close to Naseem , another pathetic master stroke by Misbah and Waqar DUO

 

[MenInG]

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Muhammad Musa receiving Test cap from former captain and legandary fast bowler Mr. Wasim Akram & short interview

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He's bowled decently but against Warner you have to be uber consistent or you will get put away with ease.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Abysmal thus far, but can't really blame him. It was always a mistake to select him for this tour.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Naseem Shah was better. Far better.

 

[Fahdi]

The kid clearly has no idea about bowling in Test matches especially in foreign conditions. Unfair on him to be picked at this stage of his career.

 

[Abdullah719]

Worst economy-rates in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this season (min 400 balls):

[table=class:grid][tr][td]Name[/td][td]Age[/td][td]Skill[/td][td]Team[/td][td]Wkts[/td][td]BB[/td][td]Ave[/td][td]4wl[/td][td]5wl[/td][td]S. Rate[/td][td]Econ[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Musa Khan[/td][td]19 years[/td][td] RAMF[/td][td]Northern[/td][td]5[/td][td] 3-78[/td][td]68.40[/td][td]0[/td][td]0[/td][td]97.20[/td][td]4.22[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Waleed Ahmed[/td][td]27 years[/td][td] RAOB[/td][td]Sindh[/td][td]2[/td][td] 2-174[/td][td]168.50[/td][td]0[/td][td]0[/td][td]242.00[/td][td]4.18[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Zahid Mahmood[/td][td]32 years[/td][td] RALB[/td][td]Southern Punjab[/td][td]11[/td][td] 2-57[/td][td]84.36[/td][td]0[/td][td]0[/td][td]122.55[/td][td]4.13[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Amad Butt[/td][td]25 years[/td][td] RAFM[/td][td]Balochistan[/td][td]10[/td][td] 4-103[/td][td]45.70[/td][td]1[/td][td]0[/td][td]67.00[/td][td]4.09[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bilawal Bhatti[/td][td]28 years[/td][td] RAFM[/td][td]Southern Punjab[/td][td]12[/td][td] 4-23[/td][td]35.00[/td][td]2[/td][td]0[/td][td]53.42[/td][td]3.93[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Khurram Shehzad[/td][td]26 years[/td][td] RAMF[/td][td]Balochistan[/td][td]10[/td][td] 2-35[/td][td]54.50[/td][td]0[/td][td]0[/td][td]83.40[/td][td]3.92[/td][/tr][/table]

 

[HappyWarsFan]

I knew he was rubbish and never rated him.

 

[MenInG]

David Warner on Musa

"The youngster making his debut, Musa, bowled lightning quick like in the T20I game but you know that when young kids come into the setup and are playing their first Test, you know that if you can get them into their 2/3rd spell then their pace will drop, they will start bowling bit shorter, they will lose bit of their rhythm especially against left-hand right-hand batsmen and that's the goal as a batsman to do that"

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Pakistan doesn't respect Test cricket, plain and simple. No planning, bowling defensive lines, handing debuts to amateurs. These kinds of tactics kill interest in the sport.

 

[ZamanFan]

Seems the Waqar/Misbah mafia picked these youngsters to divert blame from their pathetic batsmen.

Feel sad for this kid. If he was a nephew or another Imam ul Haq who would be making debut against Ireland or Sri Lanka.

His bowling was atrocious he wasted the semi new bowl, I'm sure he was following instructions by Mr. Waqar Younis who is expert in ruining careers, first of Junaid Khan now this lad.

 

[MenInG]

No ball misery for Musa vs Warner!

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[Shoaib88]

Doesn't seem very promising in test cricket so far... 18-1-106-0

 

[AFM]

I don’t see what potential he has. He’s neither lightning quick, nor tall, nor any swing/seam and isn’t accurate as well.

 

[AFM]

I don’t see what potential he has. He’s neither lightning quick, nor tall, nor any swing/seam and isn’t accurate as well.

And it puts serious questions on Misbah’s ability to pick talent.

 

[Boi]

You have to feel sorry for the poor kid. Clearly isn’t ready for International cricket and Misbah’s fed him to the wolves.

 

[Savak]

He was selected for Gia his ability to bowl long spells throughout the day at high speed. He should have been the fourth seamer in the first test

 

[Afhan Ali]

He is quite young, he needs to take admission in ** and he should complete his studies and he is not good enough for cricket.
He is not good enough to be a fast bowler, he is too short and he is most hopeless young player of Pakistan.

 

[Junaids]

I don’t see what potential he has. He’s neither lightning quick, nor tall, nor any swing/seam and isn’t accurate as well.

Plus his age is highly dubious.

 

[MenInG]

Misbah speaking to the press:

"Musa Khan isn't a part of the squad but he is working with Waqar bhai so he will stay with the squad as he is a future prospect"

 

[MenInG]

Hope Musa ok - seems to have been hit on the ankle/shin

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Great comeback after that first over.

 

[shamaan]

What a comeback from musa excellent stuff espically after the injury

 

[Hasan123]

He is better suited to LO than tests.

 

[MenInG]

Should he have been included in emerging category for Central Contracts?

 

[Titan24]

Should he have been included in emerging category for Central Contracts?

I was thinking the same as by the looks of it management rated him pretty highly when without much experience and performances behind they took him to Aus and was given Test and then T20 debut. Later emerging category is introduced in the contracts and 19 year old pacer is not there who debuted in T20s before Haris Rauf and in tests too which Rauf and Hasnain are not much close to debut.

In my opinion he wasnt ready when he was given his debut, and its right to not give him contract at the moment. Line, length and control are basics which are only developed with FC matches. Pak is probably the only team and has been the only team which debuts completely raw pacers which looks mouthwatering when turns out good but not so much when it doesnt. He does have some impressive traits and if he puts in the hard yards he can get that in an year or two.

 

[Xoib]

I was thinking the same as by the looks of it management rated him pretty highly when without much experience and performances behind they took him to Aus and was given Test and then T20 debut. Later emerging category is introduced in the contracts and 19 year old pacer is not there who debuted in T20s before Haris Rauf and in tests too which Rauf and Hasnain are not much close to debut.

In my opinion he wasnt ready when he was given his debut, and its right to not give him contract at the moment. Line, length and control are basics which are only developed with FC matches. Pak is probably the only team and has been the only team which debuts completely raw pacers which looks mouthwatering when turns out good but not so much when it doesnt. He does have some impressive traits and if he puts in the hard yards he can get that in an year or two.

His height is bit too short to ever allow him a proper test career he may still end up as int standard for limited overs if he works hard

 

[Saj]

He should have been given an emerging player category by the PCB.

 

[Junaids]

Should he have been included in emerging category for Central Contracts?

He should have been given an emerging player category by the PCB.

Why?

He is far too short to ever succeed as a fast bowler.

Mudassar Nazar, Marilyn Monroe and Richard Gere’s pet gerbil have precisely the same likelihood as Musa of having a successful Test career as a Pakistan fast bowler.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Why?

He is far too short to ever succeed as a fast bowler.

Mudassar Nazar, Marilyn Monroe and Richard Gere’s pet gerbil have precisely the same likelihood as Musa of having a successful Test career as a Pakistan fast bowler.

Agreed, even the "short" Malcolm Marshall was 5'11" and Musa is 5'9"

 

[Saj]

He is far too short to ever succeed as a fast bowler.

I didn't realise that height was one of the factors for obtaining a contract from a cricket board.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I didn't realise that height was one of the factors for obtaining a contract from a cricket board.

Potential is though? Musa would at least be in contention if he had control over his lines and lengths or had variety. But lack thereof plus a lack of a naturally advantageous physique

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

I didn't realise that height was one of the factors for obtaining a contract from a cricket board.

It's true that Musa needs to find himself in Domestic cricket, including working on his lengths and his specific change ups through repetition.

However, for readers of this forum, it's clear that [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] has a real fixation with the height of a bowler and how that translates to success.

I'm sure Mugsy Bogues at under 6' feet was told that he'd never be an athlete. Yet he remains one of THE legendary players in the history of the Charlotte Hornets franchise in the NBA. And he played in the 90s, when it was the land of the giants.

I'm sure Xavi and Iniesta, at 5 ' 7'' were told that they weren't strong enough to play in Barcelona's first team in the mid 2000s, because the game of football was mostly about hard running athletic types like Kaka and Ronaldo Nazario, at the time. But football evolved and Xavi and Iniesta are today seen as greats.

It's true that Musa may not reach the heights of these gentlemen, but he may well find a very effective niche for himself that may leave the doubters eating their words. Let's not rule him out yet. It's amazing to see players develop and grow from the restrictions 'experts put on them

 

[TeymurBlake]

Mohammad Musa has some work to do if he is to get back into Pakistan colours. The problem for him is that, there are many young upcoming options available.

 

[Kroll]

Agreed, even the "short" Malcolm Marshall was 5'11" and Musa is 5'9"

5'9" wouldn't be too bad, looks much shorter than that though, more like 5'6" to 5'7".

 

[Kroll]

I didn't realise that height was one of the factors for obtaining a contract from a cricket board.

Performance is though, what has he shown apart from getting tonked around and a mediocre stats even in domestics?

 

[Saj]

Performance is though, what has he shown apart from getting tonked around and a mediocre stats even in domestics?

It's an Emerging category. Which should mean a category where PCB thinks a young player with the right coaching and guidance can become a decent international cricketer.

Otherwise what's the point of this category, you may as well just have A, B and C.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

It's an Emerging category. Which should mean a category where PCB thinks a young player with the right coaching and guidance can become a decent international cricketer.

Otherwise what's the point of this category, you may as well just have A, B and C.

They can’t include everyone. They’ve already included Rauf and Hasnain and those two are clearly more deserving

 

[Saj]

They can’t include everyone. They’ve already included Rauf and Hasnain and those two are clearly more deserving

Who said include everyone.

They've only picked 3 players in that category.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Who said include everyone.

They've only picked 3 players in that category.

I meant figuratively. You have to draw the line somewhere. Misbah said in his interview that PCB wanted him to give them only 18 players.

 

[Kroll]

It's an Emerging category. Which should mean a category where PCB thinks a young player with the right coaching and guidance can become a decent international cricketer.

Otherwise what's the point of this category, you may as well just have A, B and C.

They can’t include everyone. They’ve already included Rauf and Hasnain and those two are clearly more deserving

All in all, I think Musa's been treated terribly. He was taken to Australia in a blaze of glory only to be hung out to dry. Must be soul destroying for the young lad.

 

[KhanNn]

I think he should have been given an emerging contract. After all we need to remember he played against Australia, they tonk about even the most experienced of players. For that reason, I think it's very unfair to judge him against that performance. Had he played against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh I'm sure he would have done better then you would be saying he is amazing

 

[angrypathan]

Didn't deserve a contract, probably won't in the future either unless he completely overhauls his bowling.

 

[Saj]

All in all, I think Musa's been treated terribly. He was taken to Australia in a blaze of glory only to be hung out to dry. Must be soul destroying for the young lad.

He should not have been taken to Australia. He was nowhere near ready.

That trip did more damage than good to him.

 

[Bigboii]

Yo bro get this midget out of the team it's soul destroying to see him play as a front line fast bowler in Pakistan of all country and that too tests are you kidding me wth???? Are we serious why is this man anywhere near the team

 

[Junaids]

I didn't realise that height was one of the factors for obtaining a contract from a cricket board.

He’s 5’7.

Would you contract a 5’7 goalkeeper or a 5’7 NBA basketball player?

So for a fast bowler there should be an absolute cutoff at 5’10.

 

[Junaids]

All in all, I think Musa's been treated terribly. He was taken to Australia in a blaze of glory only to be hung out to dry. Must be soul destroying for the young lad.

Blaze of glory?

He was averaging 65.29 in First Class cricket when he was selected!!!!!!

He was rubbish when they picked him and he was rubbish before.

How Misbah selected him in red ball cricket should be investigated formally.

 

[Saj]

He’s 5’7.

Would you contract a 5’7 goalkeeper or a 5’7 NBA basketball player?

So for a fast bowler there should be an absolute cutoff at 5’10.

I don't care if he's 4 foot 6", as long as he can take wickets, improve and become a decent bowler for Pakistan.

 

[Bigboii]

I don't care if he's 4 foot 6", as long as he can take wickets, improve and become a decent bowler for Pakistan.

But why waste pct time, effort, resources when you know the end result is most likely going to be bad cause ain't no 5'7 man becoming a front line fast bowler

 

[Junaids]

I don't care if he's 4 foot 6", as long as he can take wickets, improve and become a decent bowler for Pakistan.

Have you ever seen a pace bowler shorter than 5’10 (Harris, Steyn) or 5’11 (Marshall) who has made it at Test level?

No.

So it is not any more realistic to expect Musa Khan to magically achieve that than it is for your mythical 4 foot 6 dwarf to keep goal for England at Euro’2021.

I stood next to Musa and Naseem in Adelaide. Naseem is only 5’9 but has a magical action so I hold out some hope.

Musa was even shorter than me - and I am slightly above 5’7.

He is just as qualified to be a brain surgeon or an astronaut or a women’s volleyball player as a fast bowler.

He’s like Billy the Fish in Viz. Never going to be a Test fast bowler. Ever.

 

[Saj]

Have you ever seen a pace bowler shorter than 5’10 (Harris, Steyn) or 5’11 (Marshall) who has made it at Test level?

No.

So it is not any more realistic to expect Musa Khan to magically achieve that than it is for your mythical 4 foot 6 dwarf to keep goal for England at Euro’2021.

I stood next to Musa and Naseem in Adelaide. Naseem is only 5’9 but has a magical action so I hold out some hope.

Musa was even shorter than me - and I am slightly above 5’7.

He is just as qualified to be a brain surgeon or an astronaut or a women’s volleyball player as a fast bowler.

He’s like Billy the Fish in Viz. Never going to be a Test fast bowler. Ever.

When a player retires I look at runs, wickets, centuries, fifties, 5fers etc. I don't give a damn if he is 4 foot, 5 foot or 6 foot.

 

[Junaids]

I don't care if he's 4 foot 6", as long as he can take wickets, improve and become a decent bowler for Pakistan.

When a player retires I look at runs, wickets, centuries, fifties, 5fers etc. I don't give a damn if he is 4 foot, 5 foot or 6 foot.

I understand that, but in sport physique does affect what you can do.

If you are 5’4 you are never going to be a heavyweight boxer.

If you are as tall as Curtly Ambrose you are never going to be a wicketkeeper.

If you are as short as Adnan Akmal or Musa Khan you are never going to be a fast bowler.

To be an Emerging Player you need to actually be emerging. Be young and improving.

But Musa Khan was the 39th highest wicket taker in a six team competition when he was called up, averaging a pathetic 65.

And then took 0-114 in 20 overs on Test debut.

That doesn’t merit an “Emerging Player” contract.

It merits a “Rubbish Bowler with Zero Potential who is the Chief Selector’s Favourite” contract.

 

[Bigboii]

I understand that, but in sport physique does affect what you can do.

If you are 5’4 you are never going to be a heavyweight boxer.

If you are as tall as Curtly Ambrose you are never going to be a wicketkeeper.

If you are as short as Adnan Akmal or Musa Khan you are never going to be a fast bowler.

To be an Emerging Player you need to actually be emerging. Be young and improving.

But Musa Khan was the 39th highest wicket taker in a six team competition when he was called up, averaging a pathetic 65.

And then took 0-114 in 20 overs on Test debut.

That doesn’t merit an “Emerging Player” contract.

It merits a “Rubbish Bowler with Zero Potential who is the Chief Selector’s Favourite” contract.

It's so annoying to see some of these guys defend Musa and say that misbah will give Musa talent ke teeke and he'll become Wasim Akram, I mean are we blind can't we see what will happen

You want Mike Tyson to come and fight in sugar ray Leonard's division I mean wth

 

[Saj]

I understand that, but in sport physique does affect what you can do.

If you are 5’4 you are never going to be a heavyweight boxer.

If you are as tall as Curtly Ambrose you are never going to be a wicketkeeper.

If you are as short as Adnan Akmal or Musa Khan you are never going to be a fast bowler.

To be an Emerging Player you need to actually be emerging. Be young and improving.

But Musa Khan was the 39th highest wicket taker in a six team competition when he was called up, averaging a pathetic 65.

And then took 0-114 in 20 overs on Test debut.

That doesn’t merit an “Emerging Player” contract.

It merits a “Rubbish Bowler with Zero Potential who is the Chief Selector’s Favourite” contract.

Let's see how his career develops. He has a lot of work ahead of him.

But to say just because he is a certain height and will therefore not make it is premature.

 

[Kroll]

Blaze of glory?

He was averaging 65.29 in First Class cricket when he was selected!!!!!!

He was rubbish when they picked him and he was rubbish before.

How Misbah selected him in red ball cricket should be investigated formally.

I mean in terms of being hyped up by Misbah and co. Do you remember those "we'll be aiming after the heads" comments with these young phaasst bowlers.

I didn't think he was ready or good enough either but this is the type of clueless decision making we're going to become accustomed to under Misbah.

 

[Zaz]

He should not have been taken to Australia. He was nowhere near ready.

That trip did more damage than good to him.

Everyone would agree with that There was absolutely no justification for him to be taken there and given a test cap None whatsoever He wasnt ready and was undeserving

 

[Junaids]

Everyone would agree with that There was absolutely no justification for him to be taken there and given a test cap None whatsoever He wasnt ready and was undeserving

Pakistan took 13 (out of 40) wickets for 1169 runs in Australia.

In both Tests they fielded an attack of:

2 teenagers
1 medium pacer in his thirties
1 serial-failure in SENA leg-spinner.

Misbah has been using the retirement of Amir and Wahab as an excuse for months.

He chose to tour Australia with only five quick bowlers, none of who were aged 20-30.

He had options with the height to succeed in Australia:

Ehsan Adil was in form
Sameen Gul was in form.
Rahat Ali could at least have done a job.

 

[shamaan]

Musa should have been included in emerging category.
Height shouldn't come into it it's either your going to develop or you ain't.

 

[sweep_shot]

He made his debut against a really tough team (Australia) in their own backyards. I think he deserves more chances before we can really assess him.