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Who is the most under-appreciated cricketer in the world today?

MenInG

MenInG

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We know the players who get a lot of kudos.

The likes of Kohli, Starc, Stokes etc

But then there is this whole segment of cricketers who go about their business and whilst they may not have the persona or even the big scores/10Fers, they make huge contributions to their side's wins. Their value is only known when they depart from the scene.

I was about to suggest Mohammad Rizwan...
 
I think Jadeja is under appreciated for the value he brings, particularly to the Indian test side.
 
I would say Shadab. His energy in the field, his positivity in the dressing room, his important batting contributions and his key bowling efforts probably make him the 2nd most vital Pakistan white ball player after Shaheen.
 
Aiden Markram.

Excellent T20 player and solid Test batsman.

I'm sure he will improve his record in ODI's as well.
 
MenInG said:
We know the players who get a lot of kudos.

The likes of Kohli, Starc, Stokes etc

But then there is this whole segment of cricketers who go about their business and whilst they may not have the persona or even the big scores/10Fers, they make huge contributions to their side's wins. Their value is only known when they depart from the scene.

I was about to suggest Mohammad Rizwan...
Click to expand...

Rizwan is a good suggestion. Away from the curios polarising opinions that he draws, it’s not controversial to say that Rizzy is probably one of the best keepers in the world, if not the outright best.

When a team is as bowling dependent as Pak, that ability of his is ever more pivotal.
 
Mohammad Rizwan and it's not even close.

It's like Pakistan have a conveyor belt of 50 averaging batsman just being brutally treated while Rizwan selfishly treats himself to winning MoTM awards again and again.

Notwithstanding how he never makes any significant blunders with the gloves, and brings universal respect to the nation in a era when terrorist attacks and the fixer trio left Pakistani reputations in the mud.

That being said, the strike rate brigade have probably done us all a huge favour because all Rizwan has done over the past few years is raise his game continuously. He has cemented his position at the top of the order so we probably shouldn't complain.
 
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Rizwan is the second worst thing to happen to Pakistan’s white ball set up. He most definitely isn’t the most under appreciated

Anyone suggesting him should stop with the enforced narrative of shoving him down our throats
 
Riz has been recognised by the ICC and the English speaking foreign media rate him very highly. I wouldn't say he is under appreciated by most people, just a few bitter folk.

For me its South African players like Nortje and Rassie Van Der Dussen.

These guys don't get the plaudits they deserve.
 
Imam Ul Haq

He is amongst the best openers we have ever had, and yet he has never been given any respect. If some other opener like Fakhar or Sharjeel had the avgs that he has, people would had gone crazy.

Second is offcourse Rizwan. He is the best wicket keeper batsmen ever produced by Pakistan and currently the world best aswell. His keeping skills are top notch.

I remember from 2007 till 2015 how Pakistan didnt have a keeper that could bat. Than Sarfraz came along, who was not that good, just mediocre. Rizwan coming was a breath of fresh air, and we finally have a keeper that can also bat.

From the bowlers, Faheem Ashraf and Shahnawaz Dhani.

Dhani wasn't that much of a bad bowler, but he wasnt used by the team properly.

Faheem Ashraf is under valued because of his pace. He is a good enough pace bowling allrounder, but will never be respected or selected in pakistan as we go gaga over pace. The guy could have had a good career with some other country.
 
From Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

This guy is Shaheen level during his opening spell.
 
KingOfPakBreakfast said:
I would say Shadab. His energy in the field, his positivity in the dressing room, his important batting contributions and his key bowling efforts probably make him the 2nd most vital Pakistan white ball player after Shaheen.
Click to expand...

naa, shadab is abit over rated....

His line and length is an issue which is why he hasnt been able to become our no.1 spinner.
Pakistans spin attack is still open for anyone to come and be part of the team.
 
Major said:
Imam Ul Haq

He is amongst the best openers we have ever had, and yet he has never been given any respect. If some other opener like Fakhar or Sharjeel had the avgs that he has, people would had gone crazy.
.
Click to expand...

Imam is indeed a very good shout. He has been a run machine in ODI's but doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves.
 
hitthestump said:
Imam is indeed a very good shout. He has been a run machine in ODI's but doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves.
Click to expand...

Imam is a bit soft, feasts on weak teams. I'd love to see him step it up, I feel he has it in him.
 
Haris Sohail is pretty underrated. Played better Knocks than Babar in the world cup 2019, yet does not get talked about.
 
Some more names come to mind:

Ajaz Patel
Henry Nicholls
Imad Wasim
Matthew Wade.
 
Major said:
From Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

This guy is Shaheen level during his opening spell.
Click to expand...

At present, I agree with this. For me he deserved man of the series against Pakistan in Sharjah last month.
 
topspin said:
At present, I agree with this. For me he deserved man of the series against Pakistan in Sharjah last month.
Click to expand...

He’s got a bad rep for getting kicked out from the big bash. Good bowler, weird person
 
Rana said:
He’s got a bad rep for getting kicked out from the big bash. Good bowler, weird person
Click to expand...

Oh was it that Afghan player. Damn. Needs to be banned from Tinder!
 
Daryl Mitchell
Sean Williams
Adil Rashid

to name a few

A few years ago, it was Rangana Herath.
 
from pakistan i'd say fakhar zaman is pretty underrated, usually media and fans talk about shaheen,babar,rizwan.
Overall, Nathan Lyon is the most underrated cricketer in the World, for someone 400+ test wickets he deserve much recognition.
 
This is going to be the most unpopular opinion and understandably so because I get if some people are bitter about recognizing him, but Amir imo is definitely underappreciated for his skills and talent. Yes sure make the argument that he ruined himself, is toxic, blah blah etc., but his abilities are underappreciated due to reasons that are not cricket.

He majorly contributed and opened the bowling in the only two ICC trophies that Pakistan won since 1992. The second of those was after his banishment from cricket for 5 whole years. Bowled the most deliveries in cricket in the 3-4 years right after his comeback and gave it his all in all 3 formats which no Pakistani bowler today is capable of doing. Was also Pakistan's best bowler in the 2019 world cup. Those reasons alone speak of his value and are enough to make an assessment on the type of talent he was.

Again, looking at it from a pure cricket perspective, he deserves more respect from the fans. And before anyone brings it up, yes, he got involved in match fixing. Okay.. That was nearly 13 years ago. People change. He served his punishment and you can't ask more from him if more wasn't asked from him.
 
lol amir is under appreciated? Amir???? Seriously Amir????

Amir even after being a pathetic bowler has been over appreciated. His career only exists due to his England spell thats it. He still gets NCA privledges and still gets talked about even though he insulted the country twice.

Pakistan destroyed the career of Junaid Khan just to keep this guy. Its funny how only deliveries are being remembered. You need matches to be remembered. Junaid Khan has also bowled those deliveries, that too in test cricket.

I understood that the above poster is an amir fan because only his fans justify his corruption and try to brush it off as he did his time as it was an ehsaan on us.

Amir is a corrupt player, sold his country once for a few bucks. Lol and people do not change, only their situation change. And Amir did not change, he used Pakistan to get himself cleared to enter UK so that he can live his lawyer he ended up marrying. Once he got settled in England, he wanted to make easy money by opting for only series in England and Australia, while asking PCB to look for some other bowlers for other grounds...
Yeh, doesnt work that way. Privileges are not given to tainted corrupt players.

To say Aamir is under appreciated is an insult to cricket and every other player out there.

Amir, even after selling out on hi country and backstabbing his country twice is still appreciated by the people. He still gets media gigs to bad mouth other players. He still gets to use NCA. If this guy ends up playing and performing in one domestic season, he would be rushed back into the team by the team media. No other player would get the same privilege. Abbas is just 2-3 years older than Aamir, yet he cant make it to the team.

Atleast, dont insult other players by calling a person under appreciated who spot fix and still was allowed to return
 
Major said:
lol amir is under appreciated? Amir???? Seriously Amir????

Amir even after being a pathetic bowler has been over appreciated. His career only exists due to his England spell thats it. He still gets NCA privledges and still gets talked about even though he insulted the country twice.

Pakistan destroyed the career of Junaid Khan just to keep this guy. Its funny how only deliveries are being remembered. You need matches to be remembered. Junaid Khan has also bowled those deliveries, that too in test cricket.

I understood that the above poster is an amir fan because only his fans justify his corruption and try to brush it off as he did his time as it was an ehsaan on us.

Amir is a corrupt player, sold his country once for a few bucks. Lol and people do not change, only their situation change. And Amir did not change, he used Pakistan to get himself cleared to enter UK so that he can live his lawyer he ended up marrying. Once he got settled in England, he wanted to make easy money by opting for only series in England and Australia, while asking PCB to look for some other bowlers for other grounds...
Yeh, doesnt work that way. Privileges are not given to tainted corrupt players.

To say Aamir is under appreciated is an insult to cricket and every other player out there.

Amir, even after selling out on hi country and backstabbing his country twice is still appreciated by the people. He still gets media gigs to bad mouth other players. He still gets to use NCA. If this guy ends up playing and performing in one domestic season, he would be rushed back into the team by the team media. No other player would get the same privilege. Abbas is just 2-3 years older than Aamir, yet he cant make it to the team.

Atleast, dont insult other players by calling a person under appreciated who spot fix and still was allowed to return
Click to expand...

If the question is about being underappreciated overall as a character and player, then I agree with a lot of what you said. Speaking from just a pure cricketing standpoint, Amir was better and more skillful than what people make him out to be. You just went on a whole rant to express your dislike for Amir and talked a lot about his behaviour outside of cricket and not much about his cricket. Again, if that was the point of this thread then sure go off. I'm with you on a lot of it.

Also, Amir does get remembered for matches and not only deliveries. Secondly, to say that his career only exists due to his England spell shows a lack of knowledge or just ignorance. Thirdly, Junaid Khan's fall did not have much to do with Amir. Before Amir even returned, Junaid heavily regressed in 2014 bc of injury and became a shadow of what he used to be. Pre-2014 Junaid would have always been ahead of Amir but after that he was too injury prone and was not good enough to be in the side. His competition to be in the 2019 wc squad was 19 year old raw Mo. Hasnain, who edged him in the England series prior to the world cup and got into the squad.

I am a huge Junaid Khan fan and he was my favourite bowler. I still watch his highlights from time to time. But let's not pretend that it wasn't injuries and non-performances that got him out of the squad.
 
Mark Wood.

The fastest bowler since Akhtar / Lee retired and has bowled some incredible spells.

Far ahead of the likes of Archer who is talked about so highly but is either bowling rubbish or getting injured after one spell or complaining on twitter.

Wood is a class act and should be highlighted as the xfactor for England.
 
Oh dear - is this another violin thread for Rizwan again?

Most under appreciated is definitely Fakhar Zaman. He’s infuriating yes, is the only one who can play those daddy innings (at a good clip)
 
Forum363 said:
Mark Wood.

The fastest bowler since Akhtar / Lee retired and has bowled some incredible spells.

Far ahead of the likes of Archer who is talked about so highly but is either bowling rubbish or getting injured after one spell or complaining on twitter.

Wood is a class act and should be highlighted as the xfactor for England.
Click to expand...

Great shout - certainly one of my favourite bowlers in the last decade
 
Angelo Mathews. He has been a great player for 14 years.
 
Mamoon said:
Angelo Mathews. He has been a great player for 14 years.
Click to expand...

How would you compare Azhar Ali to Angelo Mathews?

I'm curious because a certain poster rates Azhar Ali as a Pakistani great.
 
I like Danush Shanaka and don't think he gets the credit he deserves
 
Among Pakistan players, I feel it's Mohammad Abbas.

H

He had his limitations but managed to put up some excellent performances for Pak in tests. Pakistan has fared badly after he has been dropped. Got scrutinized a lot, there's a thread on him where he is being called the worst bowler ever.

Among Indian players, it's Shardul Thakur. Has won us some important overseas tests but doesn't get the credit.

Among other teams- Kyle Jamieson, Ollie Robinson, Josh Hazlewood, Mushifqur Rahim, Josh Little.
 
RyanRyan10 said:
Among Pakistan players, I feel it's Mohammad Abbas.

H

He had his limitations but managed to put up some excellent performances for Pak in tests. Pakistan has fared badly after he has been dropped. Got scrutinized a lot, there's a thread on him where he is being called the worst bowler ever.

Among Indian players, it's Shardul Thakur. Has won us some important overseas tests but doesn't get the credit.

Among other teams- Kyle Jamieson, Ollie Robinson, Josh Hazlewood, Mushifqur Rahim, Josh Little.
Click to expand...

NEIL WAGNER highly underrated
 
topspin said:
How would you compare Azhar Ali to Angelo Mathews?

I'm curious because a certain poster rates Azhar Ali as a Pakistani great.
Click to expand...

Mathews is a far better batsman. More versatile with the ability to play attacking cricket.
 
Dinesh Chandimal, he was rated as very talented in his early days but then it took him a while before he could establish himself. Now he is underrated inspite of a test average of 43.
 
MenInG said:
We know the players who get a lot of kudos.

The likes of Kohli, Starc, Stokes etc

But then there is this whole segment of cricketers who go about their business and whilst they may not have the persona or even the big scores/10Fers, they make huge contributions to their side's wins. Their value is only known when they depart from the scene.

I was about to suggest Mohammad Rizwan...
Click to expand...

Josh Hazlewood


IMO, Rizwan is an attention seeking topi drama.
 
Azhar Ali as an ODI batsman.

In the champions Trophy this guy playedd a crucial role scoring runs in the semi finals and finals, yet his performance as an opener is always ignored.

I believe had he played in the middle order, he could had become a great limited over batsman. He would had atleast have a better ODI career than Younis Khan
 
Major said:
Azhar Ali as an ODI batsman.

In the champions Trophy this guy playedd a crucial role scoring runs in the semi finals and finals, yet his performance as an opener is always ignored.

I believe had he played in the middle order, he could had become a great limited over batsman. He would had atleast have a better ODI career than Younis Khan
Click to expand...

Azhar played a good knock in Champions Trophy, but Azhar Ali could have been a great ODI batter, seriously?

On the contrary, I think Azhar overachieved and was given far too much importance. Even post retirement he is lucky to have a County contract. The guy has the best luck in the circuit.
 
Present team I think Fakhar zaman. He get on with his job, and remains under the radar . He barely gets a mention despite having world class one day stats .
He is frustrating in t20s but more often than not has delivered in Big games .
 
gazza619 said:
Azhar played a good knock in Champions Trophy, but Azhar Ali could have been a great ODI batter, seriously?

On the contrary, I think Azhar overachieved and was given far too much importance. Even post retirement he is lucky to have a County contract. The guy has the best luck in the circuit.
Click to expand...

bro, this country allowe Younis Khan to play 200+ odi games.

Azhar ALi had an avg of 50+ and it went down to 46. The guy was a god list A middle order batter
 
Major said:
bro, this country allowe Younis Khan to play 200+ odi games.

Azhar ALi had an avg of 50+ and it went down to 46. The guy was a god list A middle order batter
Click to expand...

Rizwan has an list A average of 45

Yeah, he’s not a 45 average batsman in International cricket

Hussain Talat also has a List A average of 40.

Pakistani List A averages mean Jack all!
 
Rana said:
Rizwan has an list A average of 45

Yeah, he’s not a 45 average batsman in International cricket

Hussain Talat also has a List A average of 40.

Pakistani List A averages mean Jack all!
Click to expand...

dont worry, i am not having a discussion with you as you lack the intellect
 
Major said:
dont worry, i am not having a discussion with you as you lack the intellect
Click to expand...

I’m sorry but what exactly have I said wrong? You are arguing Azhar would average 45+ in ODI based on List A stats. I’ve just told you that those list A stats are misleading based on two players

What have I said wrong?
 
Rana said:
I’m sorry but what exactly have I said wrong? You are arguing Azhar would average 45+ in ODI based on List A stats. I’ve just told you that those list A stats are misleading based on two players

What have I said wrong?
Click to expand...

Azhar Ali's strike rate was also on the lower side wrt to era he played in
 
I would say Mohammad Amir is very under appreciated by Pakistan fans. He is still our best T20 fast bowler at least
 
Jadeja is under-appreciated by fans. He doesn’t get his due even though he is miles ahead of Stokes in Tests.
 
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