Was it right to drop Kamran Akmal from the Champions Trophy squad?

[sadida97]

Kamran had a good Psl and was thus selected for the West Indies Series.

But his performances in the 3 ODIs weren't outstanding: average of 23 at a strike rate of 89.

Kamran is one of the few openers in pakistan who can bat at a 90+ strike rate. Was it the right decision to drop him for a player like Azhar Ali, who averages 27 at a strike rate of 72 since 2016 ?

 

[Citizen4]

if it's between him and Azhar right now, I'd definitely go with Kamran, at least he will not start a tuk tuk marathon, and might give us a decent start by scoring quickfire 30. Azhar on the other hand will score with the strike rate of 70 even if he gets a decent score for himself, if he survives the first spell.

 

[fasihulhaq94]

dropping kamran akmal earns you blessings. keeping him out of the team brings even bigger reward

 

[moghul]

Can someone remind Inzi that CT is not a test championship, its an ODI tournament, why Azhar then ???

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

if it's between him and Azhar right now, I'd definitely go with Kamran, at least he will not start a tuk tuk marathon, and might give us a decent start by scoring quickfire 30. Azhar on the other hand will score with the strike rate of 70 even if he gets a decent score for himself, if he survives the first spell.

pretty much this

this CT was write off regardless, so there no harm in hoping Kamran had a blue moon performance

 

[Hamza_]

Can't really see Inzi's selection criteria.

Okay if you drop Kami but then who do you bring back? Azhar Ali?

 

[waleed88]

Kamran had a good Psl and was thus selected for the West Indies Series.

But his performances in the 3 ODIs weren't outstanding: average of 23 at a strike rate of 89.

Kamran is one of the few openers in pakistan who can bat at a 90+ strike rate. Was it the right decision to drop him for a player like Azhar Ali, who averages 27 at a strike rate of 72 since 2016 ?

I think it was his fielding that was the issue more than his batting, it was clear he never did this before

 

[Citizen4]

dropping kamran akmal earns you blessings. keeping him out of the team brings even bigger reward

he is replaced by Umer, who is even bigger Panoti, look at our national team where he let us down coutless times, look at Lahore qalander, look at the Punjab team in the ongoing Pakistan cup.

His presence is Panoti for the team.

 

[supersix]

yes, his poor fielding doesn't help too.

 

[kingusama92]

Kamran was a major liability in the field.

I think that put off Inzi and his group of selectors.

 

[Pete Rose]

In the narrow conetext of was it right to drop kamran and retain Shehzad the answer is no.

 

[Hawkeye]

Kamran >>> Shehzad.

Kamran > Azhar.

So, Kamran was needed for CT, where he could've whacked some pacers upfront. At least better than our current openers.

 

[shaz619]

In the narrow conetext of was it right to drop kamran and retain Shehzad the answer is no.

Kamran >>> Shehzad.

Kamran > Azhar.

So, Kamran was needed for CT, where he could've whacked some pacers upfront. At least better than our current openers.

You certainly make a valid point the both of you, but would you be willing to risk another moment like this:

 

[sadida97]

You certainly make a valid point the both of you, but would you be willing to risk another moment like this:

That's a good point

 

[Big Mac]

I don't mind having Azhar in the team but my view is this:

Kamran, once he was recalled, shouldn't have been dropped so quickly.

Azhar, once he was dropped, shouldn't have been recalled so quickly.

If a guy is good enough to be recalled, then he deserves a fair chance. If a guy wasn't good enough to avoid being dropped, then he needs to go back and score a bucketload of runs at domestic level before he gets back into the team.

You certainly make a valid point the both of you, but would you be willing to risk another moment like this:

I would risk a hundred moments like that if it means Rahat plays for Pakistan again

 

[shaz619]

I don't mind having Azhar in the team but my view is this:

Kamran, once he was recalled, shouldn't have been dropped so quickly.

Azhar, once he was dropped, shouldn't have been recalled so quickly.

If a guy is good enough to be recalled, then he deserves a fair chance. If a guy wasn't good enough to avoid being dropped, then he needs to go back and score a bucketload of runs at domestic level before he gets back into the team.



I would risk a hundred moments like that if it means Rahat plays for Pakistan again

I agree with you as well but Kami and his fielding were his doom in the end, what would you prefer if it came to it; Ahmed Shehzad/Azhar-Ali's fielding or Kami's batting? assuming these men were to partner Fakhar Zaman in the opening slot.

 

[Big Mac]

I agree with you as well but Kami and his fielding were his doom in the end, what would you prefer if it came to it; Ahmed Shehzad/Azhar-Ali's fielding or Kami's batting? assuming these men were to partner Fakhar Zaman in the opening slot.

I'd take Azhar out of those three. He'll score more runs than Shezhad at a similar strike rate.

 

[Pete Rose]

You certainly make a valid point the both of you, but would you be willing to risk another moment like this:

yeah, i think we are gonna have bigger problems than a cliff-hanger catch.

 

[captain crook]

TTF or not, we need a strong opener who can score quickly at the start of the innings. With Sharjeel gone, I don't see any other option who can provide that acceleration. It is a risk that has it's reward. It will also ease the likes of Babar and Malik coming down the order. Imagine a slow start against teams like Australia, India, or England. They will strangle you in the middle and we'll have no cover to run for. Kamran's exclusion is not a move I support!

 

[Hawkeye]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] - scoring and scoring fast is required in almost every match.

The odd dropped catch probability doesn't compare with the priority and importance of scoring fast runs upfront. Besides half of our team can't catch anyway.

 

[Hawkeye]

TTF or not, we need a strong opener who can score quickly at the start of the innings. With Sharjeel gone, I don't see any other option who can provide that acceleration. It is a risk that has it's reward. It will also ease the likes of Babar and Malik coming down the order. Imagine a slow start against teams like Australia, India, or England. They will strangle you in the middle and we'll have no cover to run for. Kamran's exclusion is not a move I support!

So why on earth would you think MALIK out of all can not only play, but also score against pace?

He can't do it in the middle or late overs, forget opening.

 

[captain crook]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] - scoring and scoring fast is required in almost every match.

The odd dropped catch probability doesn't compare with the priority and importance of scoring fast runs upfront. Besides half of our team can't catch anyway.

Exactly. Imagine a line up like England posting 330 and Shezzy boy and Hafeez starting off with a strike rate of 60 upfront!

 

[captain crook]

So why on earth would you think MALIK out of all can not only play, but also score against pace?

He can't do it in the middle or late overs, forget opening.

Like it or not, he is one of the better players in the side, Babar aside. Sad truth.

 

[shaz619]

I'd take Azhar out of those three. He'll score more runs than Shezhad at a similar strike rate.

yeah, i think we are gonna have bigger problems than a cliff-hanger catch.

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] - scoring and scoring fast is required in almost every match.

The odd dropped catch probability doesn't compare with the priority and importance of scoring fast runs upfront. Besides half of our team can't catch anyway.

I value Kamran's ability to accelerate and his intent at the top, but were he to drop a catch in a KO game and it proved to be a game changing moment would it be worth it?

 

[captain crook]

I value Kamran's ability to accelerate and his intent at the top, but were he to drop a catch in a KO game and it proved to be a game changing moment would it be worth it?

First up, he'll not be keeping. He will play as a fielder. For an unknown hypothetical drop catch, are you willing to sacrifice some sure start fiery starts?

 

[shaz619]

First up, he'll not be keeping. He will play as a fielder. For an unknown hypothetical drop catch, are you willing to sacrifice some sure start fiery starts?

Keeping is irrelevant, his fielding skills are being questioned; the captain can't hide him in the field and as we saw during the WI's series he found it to be very challenging, he wasn't a great keeper to begin with and when the gloves are taken off you naturally he's going to find the transition to fielding very difficult being someone who rarely finds himself in such a position. These drop catches are not hypothetical at all, in fact the bookies should offer odds on them; that is the level of their likely occurrence.

Are you willing to sacrifice Kami dropping a catch during a key moment for 20 runs at an S/R of 90? The captain and management asked themselves that question and have decided to not take a gamble on him, instead they prefer Shehzad/Azhar's superior fielding at the expense of their poor S/R when it comes to the batting.

 

[shaz619]

I like Kamran more then most but ask yourself guys, this is what the selectors and management were faced with:

Select Azhar/Shehzad, in a scenario they start off slow and end up with say a 40-50 off an S/R of 75/80 but in the field they save 25 runs

Select Kami, in a scenario he smashes 40-50 at an S/R off 90 but in the field he ends up costing the team 50-100 runs

Either way, it's like do you want to get stabbed or burned?

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

the only time i love the word drop next to kamran akmal is when he gets dropped from the team.

that said, i have no idea why our management has fallen head over heals in love with shehzad. the guy has not done anything to deserve that kind of loyalty.

 

[shaz619]

the only time i love the word drop next to kamran akmal is when he gets dropped from the team.

that said, i have no idea why our management has fallen head over heals in love with shehzad. the guy has not done anything to deserve that kind of loyalty.

There are people who are associating "hypothetical" drop with Kami what has the world come to ai

 

[phoenix363]

Kamran >>> Shehzad.

Kamran > Azhar.

So, Kamran was needed for CT, where he could've whacked some pacers upfront. At least better than our current openers.

In what way is Kamran better than Azhar Ali?

Azhar might be be slow but he is fairly consistent and last summer was our second highest scorer. The only positive you state about Kamran is his positive strike rate....but he bats in the 80's. Hardly a blistering rate and certainly not enough to overcome his terrible average. Chances are, he will give you innings of 20 of 23.... I would happily rather take 40 of 55 from one end.

Or better yet, try someone who deserves a shot like Umar Amin, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada, Sami Aslam, even Haris Sohail.

However once again, the loser mentality is making you all clamour for the return of Kamran Akmal.

 

[Monsee]

Talk about delusional fans, it's not as if he has an average in excess of 35+, his career average stands at: 26.09 in ODI's, that is against all opposition.

Filter it down against teams like Australia, England, India, NZ, SA, and SL, it comes farther down to: 23.47

At home of these countries, even further down to: 22.50, in those 90 some matches only scored above 50 a total of 8 times.

Now filter it even further for position 1 or 2, it goes all the way down to 20.53 with an earth shattering SR of 74.72.

Add the fielding heroics (which were on full display in these last ODI and T20 matches), him being 35 officially (so could be further 2-3 years older), and the deflating energy he channels in to the team whenever he plays...we might as well not play in Champions Trophy if he is in the team!

 

[waleed88]

Whatever Kamran scores as extra runs at a higher strike rate, he compensates for that in the field..

 

[waleed88]

And I didn't say this, Ian Bishop did

 

[phoenix363]

TTF or not, we need a strong opener who can score quickly at the start of the innings. With Sharjeel gone, I don't see any other option who can provide that acceleration. It is a risk that has it's reward. It will also ease the likes of Babar and Malik coming down the order. Imagine a slow start against teams like Australia, India, or England. They will strangle you in the middle and we'll have no cover to run for. Kamran's exclusion is not a move I support!

Yes we need an opener who can SCORE quickly... Kamran doesn't score. He never has. Plus he will cost you runs in the field ~15 runs a match.. not including the dropped catches which can be match loosing.

Are his 20 'dynamic' runs worth this?

 

[phoenix363]

Talk about delusional fans, it's not as if he has an average in excess of 35+, his career average stands at: 26.09 in ODI's, that is against all opposition.

Filter it down against teams like Australia, England, India, NZ, SA, and SL, it comes farther down to: 23.47

At home of these countries, even further down to: 22.50, in those 90 some matches only scored above 50 a total of 8 times.

Now filter it even further for position 1 or 2, it goes all the way down to 20.53 with an earth shattering SR of 74.72.

Add the fielding heroics (which were on full display in these last ODI and T20 matches), him being 35 officially (so could be further 2-3 years older), and the deflating energy he channels in to the team whenever he plays...we might as well not play in Champions Trophy if he is in the team!

There we go. The issue is, his fans don't like being presented facts. I would love to see one logical argument/debate about this. That doesn't just include 'but he is dynamic' or 'he is better than Shehzad'.

 

[waleed88]

I don't mind having Azhar in the team but my view is this:

Kamran, once he was recalled, shouldn't have been dropped so quickly.

Azhar, once he was dropped, shouldn't have been recalled so quickly.

If a guy is good enough to be recalled, then he deserves a fair chance. If a guy wasn't good enough to avoid being dropped, then he needs to go back and score a bucketload of runs at domestic level before he gets back into the team.



I would risk a hundred moments like that if it means Rahat plays for Pakistan again

Man look at Misbah ul Haq, he was crying his eyes out on 0.25 seconds

This breaks my heart whenever I watch it

 

[CricketingMinds]

Kamran had a good Psl and was thus selected for the West Indies Series.

But his performances in the 3 ODIs weren't outstanding: average of 23 at a strike rate of 89.

Kamran is one of the few openers in pakistan who can bat at a 90+ strike rate. Was it the right decision to drop him for a player like Azhar Ali, who averages 27 at a strike rate of 72 since 2016 ?

Kamran had a SR of 89 but had the highest DOT BALL % amongst all batsmen in the ODIs vs WI recently (2017). --- 62% approximately - which is criminal.

Here are some stats

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...kistani-Batsmen-vs-WI-(ODI-Series-2017-April)

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

There are people who are associating "hypothetical" drop with Kami what has the world come to ai

indeed.

but ill miss his panther like quick fielding, that was stuff that dreams are made of

 

[Bilal7]

)

You guys have got to be kidding me. A 35 year old who has an average of 23 in ODI cricket, had a terrible series after his comeback and was awful in the field is dropped but that displeases you? Kamran adds zero value to the squad, Azhar at least has some leadership skills and might be useful in offering guidance to the younger players.

 

[Mir jibran]

why o why
why are we still stuck with the likes of kamran akmal

 

[Monsee]

why o why
why are we still stuck with the likes of kamran akmal

Because as a nation, we never ever learn from our past mistakes i.e. selecting faruds, failures, chorrs, etc. in every walk of life, why not cricket as well?

 

[Mir jibran]

Because as a nation, we never ever learn from our past mistakes i.e. selecting faruds, failures, chorrs, etc. in every walk of life, why not cricket as well?

and then to add to this frustration we have these threads
gosh!!!

 

[srh]

Kamran had a good Psl and was thus selected for the West Indies Series.

But his performances in the 3 ODIs weren't outstanding: average of 23 at a strike rate of 89.

Kamran is one of the few openers in pakistan who can bat at a 90+ strike rate. Was it the right decision to drop him for a player like Azhar Ali, who averages 27 at a strike rate of 72 since 2016 ?

The question should be: Was it right to select Kamran in the WI tour squad? And the answer is NO

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Illogical stuff from the PCB (as usual).

The UK and its flat wickets these days are heaven for stroke makers for like Kamran. The reason Sharjeel suddenly rose to the occasion last year. People like Azhar and Shehzad will kill every chance of us reaching or chasing 330+ scores.

You select him for one series and then drop him for the one where he has done well in the past. If that would have been the case then you should not have selected him in the first place as this is terrible for a player's confidence.

When will we learn and take logical decisions in the best interest of Pakistan? I really feel for Azhar especially the way they are toying with him.

 

[Monsee]

^^^And the catches he will drop, even as a fielder (not keeper thank God) and the 10-20 runs he will give away with his ultra lethargic fielding...that will make the difference between winning and losing, right there!

 

[basitmian]

At an average of 23 runs and horrendous fielding, kamran akmal is rightfully dropped.

 

[phoenix363]

Illogical stuff from the PCB (as usual).

The UK and its flat wickets these days are heaven for stroke makers for like Kamran. The reason Sharjeel suddenly rose to the occasion last year. People like Azhar and Shehzad will kill every chance of us reaching or chasing 330+ scores.

You select him for one series and then drop him for the one where he has done well in the past. If that would have been the case then you should not have selected him in the first place as this is terrible for a player's confidence.

When will we learn and take logical decisions in the best interest of Pakistan? I really feel for Azhar especially the way they are toying with him.

Sorry when did Kamran do well in England?

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Sorry when did Kamran do well in England?

I think [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] once showed those figures.

 

[Hasan123]

I'll take Kami over Azhar anyday but dropping tbis TTF was a good decision. Hopefully he is kept away for good.

Don't mind him in t20s but keep him away from odis.

 

[Barragan]

No, they should have kept him around the squad because he will score at a good strike rate.

Could have done some extensive training with him on fielding and get him to a manageable level..

His age doesn't help either, but use him as a filler and wait for someone to burst through.

 

[shaz619]

I think @<a href="http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/member.php?u=131701" target="_blank">Mamoon</a> once showed those figures.

The legend averaged 40 @ S/R of 87 the last time he toured England

Kami at his flamboyant best, what ay knock yar! [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[phoenix363]

The legend averaged 40 @ S/R of 87 the last time he toured England

Kami at his flamboyant best, what ay knock yar! [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

I suggest you enjoy those videos. Thankfully it's the last time we will ever have to see Kami bat in England.

I am actually thankful he is such a terrible fielder. He certainly would not have been dropped had it not been for his comical errors in the field considering his friendship with Inzamam.

Looking forward to going to Pakistan's opening match at Egbaston. Going to cheer extra loud for Azhar Ali if he's playing since as terrible a selection as he is, he saved us from having to watch our biggest ever hack come out.

 

[PakLFC]

Absolutely right. He may have been international class once but is not so anymore. Many people like me have lost complete trust in his strange behaviour and body language. Additionally, he is a terrible out fielder and wicket keeper as well. Even if Sarfaraz is unavailable we surely must have a better keeper. He can never be in the team solely for his his batting.

 

[Hawkeye]

The legend averaged 40 @ S/R of 87 the last time he toured England

Kami at his flamboyant best, what ay knock yar! [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

On good batting surfaces like the current ones in England, he would have done even better. Not great but certainly a lot better than Shehzad, maybe Azhar but counting on Azhar to do decent.

There are people like [MENTION=46070]phoenix363[/MENTION] who in their sick blind hatred cannot see what's good for the team.

 

[msb314]

I would rather have Kammy over the rubbish Azhar all day every day in the CT.

 

[Hawkeye]

I would rather have Kammy over the rubbish Azhar all day every day in the CT.

Lol. Azhar is a faaar better bat than Shehzad, who you failed to mention.

Azhar will do good, Shehzad the tailender won't.

 

[Square Drive]

No we already gave Kamran 3 chances, and as per his instructions, dropped him right after that. Why is that so hard to digest for some of his fans?

Don't wanna be fielding with 10 men, do we?

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Yes, he is a domestic bully who fails every time when he plays international cricket.

 

[Square Drive]

Exactly. Imagine a line up like England posting 330 and Shezzy boy and Hafeez starting off with a strike rate of 60 upfront!

Or imagine defending 280 and Kami boy dropping catches of Amla/Rohit/ABD/Kohli/Mathews along the way! Of course, he won't do that before fumbling the ball like there's no tomorrow and allowing them to get easy singles and doubles.

 

[Square Drive]

However, I do agree with [MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION]. Zero logic in selecting Kami for just one series and dropping Azhar for the same time period.

Azhar is a pretty dire replacement but he is a good lad and I'm sure he's benchable. Even LQ benched him for the entire PSL.

Also, if Azhar's told to slog or get out, I believe he'll actually adhere to that now that he's not captain anymore. Not to mention Azhar (as well as Shehzad) is a younger option than Kamran and can field as well, without reminding viewers of his sketchy past.

 

[shaz619]

On good batting surfaces like the current ones in England, he would have done even better. Not great but certainly a lot better than Shehzad, maybe Azhar but counting on Azhar to do decent.

There are people like [MENTION=46070]phoenix363[/MENTION] who in their sick blind hatred cannot see what's good for the team.

Bro I really like Kami and want him in the team, I value his intent and knack for playing a blinder and also acknowledge the nature of the wickets in England and especially Edgbaston being a local but what concerns me is the fielding and his showing in that regard during the WI's series; otherwise purely as a batsman and forgeting the fielding at the present moment in time I'd take him over shehzad and Azhar if I had a choice despite the lack of consistency because at the very least he will get you some quick runs and at his best play a game changing knock

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I think everyone agrees on the fielding part. But if he was to be selected then it should have been for this place.

The problem remains that our selectors do not understand the needs of modern day cricket especially on these batting paradises. Either you do not pick Kami or you stick with him for a couple of series till you find a better basher because the Akmals do well once in 3/4 games. Azhar/Shehzad will only give us a false start.

 

[Bilal7]

I think everyone agrees on the fielding part. But if he was to be selected then it should have been for this place.

The problem remains that our selectors do not understand the needs of modern day cricket especially on these batting paradises. Either you do not pick Kami or you stick with him for a couple of series till you find a better basher because the Akmals do well once in 3/4 games. Azhar/Shehzad will only give us a false start.

Is modern cricket being played with openers who average 23 with the bat and don't even have a SR of 90?

This was funny at first but now I'm concerned for some of our fans. Kamran was given a chance on merit, he failed to grasp it and since he was extremely hopeless and will not improve beyond this point, was rightfully dropped. Shehzad is far younger than Kamran and Azhar is far more capable of handling English conditions than Kamran who will hit a four and then get caught at gully.

In an ideal world, Haris Sohail would have been 100% fit and picked over Azhar but he isn't so the Champions Trophy squad is pretty close to the best one Pakistan can put together at this point.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Is modern cricket being played with openers who average 23 with the bat and don't even have a SR of 90?

This was funny at first but now I'm concerned for some of our fans. Kamran was given a chance on merit, he failed to grasp it and since he was extremely hopeless and will not improve beyond this point, was rightfully dropped. Shehzad is far younger than Kamran and Azhar is far more capable of handling English conditions than Kamran who will hit a four and then get caught at gully.

In an ideal world, Haris Sohail would have been 100% fit and picked over Azhar but he isn't so the Champions Trophy squad is pretty close to the best one Pakistan can put together at this point.

Then ask yourself: who could at the least hit one cameo in the group phase? Obviously Kami. I have never been a fan of Kamran Akmal, but if Inzamam already selected him then he shouldn't have been dropped that easily.

I am sure Shezzy and Azhar can handle a lot of stuff, but Kami was our best opener the last time he toured the UK. Why? Not because I like him or I support him, but because England flat wickets suit stroke makers.

Not an ideal situation but we need to field our best possible team in this tourney.

 

[Boi]

Wouldve been a better option than the joker Shehzad who always bottles it against major teams in world tournaments.

 

[msb314]

Lol. Azhar is a faaar better bat than Shehzad, who you failed to mention.

Azhar will do good, Shehzad the tailender won't.

I guarantee if it comes down to Shehzad and Azhar - Shehzad will outperform him 75% of the time...

 

[The_Odd_One]

If it's a choice between Azhar and Kamran, I will go for Kamran in ODIs.

I'm not a Kamran fan but if someone is selected on the basis of good domestic performance, at least give them 2 full series.

Also, there is absolutely no place for both Shehzad and Azhar in the same team. Both are identical batsmen not suited for LOs.

 

[Syed1]

You certainly make a valid point the both of you, but would you be willing to risk another moment like this:

I literally ripped my hair out at this moment. I absolutely hate Ali for this reason alone.

 

[Justcrazy]

Kamran inclusion in first place was wrong. He has got enough chances and not improved . 15 - 20 quick runs is not enough.

Need to look forward and blood in newer players.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

shouldnt have been selected for the ODIs in the first place.... Kamran and gul has made several comebacks ever since 2011 CWC and failed every time, if they cant learn from this that they are finished at int'l level, then dont know what will... Why they are finished and youngsters are not finished is because of the age where they mentally put a stop to themselves while youngsters want to establish themselves, eager to perform and free towards learning and improving... Unfortunately UA and AS are young but doesnt have an intention to learn..

 

[umerz]

Kamran inclusion in first place was wrong. He has got enough chances and not improved . 15 - 20 quick runs is not enough.

Need to look forward and blood in newer players.

i came to say this