Why can't Azhar Ali open?

[Pakprideuk]

I disagree. Lets imagine Azhar Ali opens. Who are you chucking in at no.3? Azhar, as good a batsmen as he is will get good balls, so will Sami Aslam. There will be games where the new no.3 will have to bat in the first few overs. Let's say the new no.3 doesn't score runs and thus starts to expose Younus and Misbah against the new ball? Then what? Or lets say Azhar and Sami open and have a big partnership. And one of them gets out and because now we don't have a stable no.3 we start collapsing?

I would never move Azhar from no.3 just to fulfill the wish of some of ours fans to see their favourite domestic beasts and supposedly future ATG find a pleasant number in the test middle order. Don't change whats not broken. I would simply bring Jaahid in to open with Sami with Azhar at no.3 and get younus to retire and have Babar play at 6 with Shafiq at 4.

 

[Canistani Hero]

Sami
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Misbah
Shafiq
Rizwan
Yasir
Hasan Ali
Amir
Imran Khan/Rahat Ali

Ideally, this XI would be useful in Australia. Hafeez and Younis shouldn't go beyond the West Indies series. This combination will allow us to get some handy overs between Haris, Babar and Azhar to rest the front four.

Rizwan's ceiling with the bat is much higher than Sarfraz and Pakistan need to realize this sooner rather than later.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Azhar used to be a middle order batsmen in domestics but had a mediocre record where he averaged low 30s and high 20s.

However in the fateful season of 2006 he was promoted up the order to open the innings and that changed his career.

For the next four seasons he averaged 40+ each season. Eventually he was called up for Pakistan A and toured Australia where he made runs against an attack featuring Doug Bollinger, Clint McKay and Jason Krejza.

That finally led to a Test call up.

He has been amazing in UAE (which I dont have any idea why some people discredit that because its not like our heroes of the past used to absolutely beast it at home and win every match)

But his performance in this England tour has been good. Even when he failed first 2 matches, he did look in control and his dismissals were technical errors rather than being all at sea.

With Pakistan struggling to find an opening combination I think the time is right for Azhar to be given the chance to be a permanent opener. He has a history of opening so it won't really be something totally new. Additionally, due to our poor opening combination, he generally is in the middle within the first 7-8 overs anyway.

Babar Azam, Haris Sohail (if he ever gets fit and in form) can be our long term middle order options.

Juicy Wickets say Hi to Slog & Azhar

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[TalentSpotterPk]

Even Umar Akmal (Poor Batting IQ & EQ, Poor Temperament, Poor Concentration, Terrible Game Awareness) averages 37.00 in Tests Outside Asia in 15 Tests Outside Asia. Azhar in 18 averages 29 Shaabashay

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[TalentSpotterPk]

# Azhar Ali ko Azhar Ali rehne dou.

# Azhar ki qalaabein na Dravid, Kallis se milao na he Azhar ko Agla TM Dilshan banao.

# Sabar Kero

# Hosla Rakho

 

[Abdullah719]

# Azhar Ali ko Azhar Ali rehne dou.

# Azhar ki qalaabein na Dravid, Kallis se milao na he Azhar ko Agla TM Dilshan banao.

# Sabar Kero

# Hosla Rakho

I am yet to see anyone compare Azhar to Dravid, Kallis or Dilshan.

The only point is that he basically opens the innings, so why not open anyway?

I feel that he has changed a lot over the recent past as a batsman, so rather than focusing on his performances on random grounds ages ago, perhaps it's better if you make your argument in terms of his weaknesses against the swing/seam/bounce etc.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

I am yet to see anyone compare Azhar to Dravid, Kallis or Dilshan.

The only point is that he basically opens the innings, so why not open anyway?

I feel that he has changed a lot over the recent past as a batsman, so rather than focusing on his performances on random grounds ages ago, perhaps it's better if you make your argument in terms of his weaknesses against the swing/seam/bounce etc.

It took him 6 years to Score a Test hundred outside Asia. 18 test matches to be precised. That too with tests in West Indies and Zimbawe etc.


He is not a natural batman just like Shoaib Malik. Malik was a Offspinner until the age of 19-20 and Azhar was a legspinner until the Age of 23 (actual). Whenever he has beem fed with Seamers friendly wicket be it be Srilanka, New Zealand, Zimbawe, England or South Africa He has averaged under 20 if you take all those matches into consideration.


He can never ever be a reliable Test Opener except for Flat Tracks. Even in Odi's he has failed against top 4 bowling line ups.


For 2-3 matches as makeshift opener he will be ok but


If you send him infront of Hazlewood & Starc on any type of Aussie wicket in Tests in Australia (i say any type) He will look like a
" Gawaachee Gaan " {A Lost Cow}

(No Offense)



We must look at Jaahid, Imam, Naeemuddin etc for Australian tour. For final test Yes Asad or Hafeez can be dropped but not longterm solution especially outside Asia.

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[Abdullah719]

It took him 6 years to Score a Test hundred outside Asia. 18 test matches to be precised. That too with tests in West Indies and Zimbawe etc.


He is not a natural batman just like Shoaib Malik. Malik was a Offspinner until the age of 19-20 and Azhar was a legspinner until the Age of 23 (actual). Whenever he has beem fed with Seamers friendly wicket be it be Srilanka, New Zealand, Zimbawe, England or South Africa He has averaged under 20 if you take all those matches into consideration.


He can never ever be a reliable Test Opener except for Flat Tracks. Even in Odi's he has failed against top 4 bowling line ups.


For 2-3 matches as makeshift opener he will be ok but


If you send him infront of Hazlewood & Starc on any type of Aussie wicket in Tests in Australia (i say any type) He will look like a
" Gawaachee Gaan " {A Lost Cow}

(No Offense)



We must look at Jaahid, Imam, Naeemuddin etc for Australian tour. For final test Yes Asad or Hafeez can be dropped but not longterm solution especially outside Asia.

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I have no problem with trying new players.

But if that doesn't happen, I would rather try Azhar as opener rather than the usual suspects, i.e. Hafeez, Shan, Manzoor and all the others we have tried in the recent past.

Anyway, we will know by the end of the year what Azhar's standing as a Test batsman is.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

He would have been in anyway today as well. So it's good that he is opening instead of wasting that place by giving Hafeez or Shaan another go.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He's a natural test opener. Boy, is he flourishing in this role.

 

[Hamza_]

It took him 6 years to Score a Test hundred outside Asia. 18 test matches to be precised. That too with tests in West Indies and Zimbawe etc.


He is not a natural batman just like Shoaib Malik. Malik was a Offspinner until the age of 19-20 and Azhar was a legspinner until the Age of 23 (actual). Whenever he has beem fed with Seamers friendly wicket be it be Srilanka, New Zealand, Zimbawe, England or South Africa He has averaged under 20 if you take all those matches into consideration.


He can never ever be a reliable Test Opener except for Flat Tracks. Even in Odi's he has failed against top 4 bowling line ups.


For 2-3 matches as makeshift opener he will be ok but


If you send him infront of Hazlewood & Starc on any type of Aussie wicket in Tests in Australia (i say any type) He will look like a
" Gawaachee Gaan " {A Lost Cow}

(No Offense)



We must look at Jaahid, Imam, Naeemuddin etc for Australian tour. For final test Yes Asad or Hafeez can be dropped but not longterm solution especially outside Asia.

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He scored tons of runs against them in Australia.

Poor assessment.

 

[Abdullah719]

I have no problem with trying new players.

But if that doesn't happen, I would rather try Azhar as opener rather than the usual suspects, i.e. Hafeez, Shan, Manzoor and all the others we have tried in the recent past.

Anyway, we will know by the end of the year what Azhar's standing as a Test batsman is.

I think we know now.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

probably the best thing Micky has implemented

 

[Hamza_]

I think we know now.

I think he is also in Top 10 test bats.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Will easily end up as the 2nd greatest or perhaps the greatest test opener for Pakistan.

 

[Syed1]

probably the best thing Micky has implemented

His hand was forced to make the move. The three openers sent to England were Hafeez, Shan and untested Sami. Hafeez and Shan failed as usual and the obvious next choice was to push Azhar up to open since he was already coming out super early and was doing a good job as it is. The decision was pretty much taken for Mickey rather than him taking it.

 

[Syed1]

Will easily end up as the 2nd greatest or perhaps the greatest test opener for Pakistan.

Who is Pakistan's greatest test opener?

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

His hand was forced to make the move. The three openers sent to England were Hafeez, Shan and untested Sami. Hafeez and Shan failed as usual and the obvious next choice was to push Azhar up to open since he was already coming out super early and was doing a good job as it is. The decision was pretty much taken for Mickey rather than him taking it.

still did it, waqar had ample opportunity to do this , as did whatmore

As soon as Taufeeq lost form , we are practially playing with one opener, outside of Asia we were playing 2 openers

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Will easily end up as the 2nd greatest or perhaps the greatest test opener for Pakistan.

nah no chance he will match anwar

azhar is already 32

 

[Syed1]

still did it, waqar had ample opportunity to do this , as did whatmore

As soon as Taufeeq lost form , we are practially playing with one opener, outside of Asia we were playing 2 openers

I get that we are all on the Mickey bandwagon at the moment, but Azhar has opened quite a few times before during Vicky's tenure.

All in UAE albeit

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I get that we are all on the Mickey bandwagon at the moment, but Azhar has opened quite a few times before during Vicky's tenure.

All in UAE albeit

View attachment 73914

yeah and the issue was each time we caved into putting him back there

 

[Ab Fan]

He should surpass both Hanif Mohammad and Saed Anwar in tests and go down as the greatest opener to have come from Pakistan.

Could also become their fourth best test bat of all time behind Miandad,Younis and Inzamam although would be hard to even surpass Mohammad Yousuf too .So, he might still be their fifth best.

However, he isn't fit enough to tie shoelace of Anwar in shorter format of the game.

 

[Abdul]

He should surpass both Hanif Mohammad and Saed Anwar in tests and go down as the greatest opener to have come from Pakistan.

Could also become their fourth best test bat of all time behind Miandad,Younis and Inzamam although would be hard to even surpass Mohammad Yousuf too .So, he might still be their fifth best.

However, he isn't fit enough to tie shoelace of Anwar in shorter format of the game.

Yousuf was a mental midget.

 

[Ab Fan]

Yousuf was a mental midget.

Yeah..Dont rate him highly either. But Azhar needs more solid performances to surpass him and I think he should do that if he does well for 2-3 years more.

 

[Syed1]

Yeah..Dont rate him highly either. But Azhar needs more solid performances to surpass him and I think he should do that if he does well for 2-3 years more.

Yousuf wipes the floor with Azhar in ODIs

 

[Abdul]

Yousuf wipes the floor with Azhar in ODIs

Thought we were talking about Tests?

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Thought we were talking about Tests?

sorry but unless Azhar reinvents himself at the age of 32, there is zero chance he will surpass Yusuf

I think that Yousuf has become so awful and conceited as a commentator/analyst has made people forgot what a class player he was

 

[Syed1]

Thought we were talking about Tests?

You are talking as if Azhar has surpassed Yousuf in tests.

 

[Ab Fan]

Yousuf wipes the floor with Azhar in ODIs

Yousuf is a superior odi bat and Azhar hasn't yet surpassed Yousuf in tests but he can unless he retires soon.

That is basically the point.

 

[Ab Fan]

You are talking as if Azhar has surpassed Yousuf in tests.

Btw, who do you guys regard as a better opener in tests - Hanif or Saed Anwar? Dont know much about the former, hence asking?

 

[yasir]

You are talking as if Azhar has surpassed Yousuf in tests.

The way Azhar played last year in England, NZ and specially AUS and that too as an opener, I don't recall Seeing MoYo, Inzi, Miandad ever play that good in one season against these three sides in away tour. They all had score runs in England but failed in AUS. Plus in western conditions opening is way more harder than playing at 4, bowlers are already tired, reverse is not a threat, spinners are not in the game for most part, no 4 is party time in many ways.

Azhar is very underrated in test, he is one of the best opener we ever had, ATM he is one of the best opener in the world, not very often we can make such acclaim. Azhar also showed lot of courage to accept the challenge of opening that too in out of all places England(which is one of the hardest place to open)... Senior payers generally go the other way, move from one too two and third down with time.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

People seem to be forgetting that Azhar is currently playing in the best ever time to be batsmen ie flat pitches, lack of quality of bowlers overall

Consider that before judging him again already against Anwar/yousuf/hanif and so on

 

[New Yorker]

The way Azhar played last year in England, NZ and specially AUS and that too as an opener, I don't recall Seeing MoYo, Inzi, Miandad ever play that good in one season against these three sides in away tour. They all had score runs in England but failed in AUS. Plus in western conditions opening is way more harder than playing at 4, bowlers are already tired, reverse is not a threat, spinners are not in the game for most part, no 4 is party time in many ways.

Azhar is very underrated in test, he is one of the best opener we ever had, ATM he is one of the best opener in the world, not very often we can make such acclaim. Azhar also showed lot of courage to accept the challenge of opening that too in out of all places England(which is one of the hardest place to open)... Senior payers generally go the other way, move from one too two and third down with time.

Are we remembering the same series? He had a nightmare tour of England until he came good with a century in the penultimate Test, then averaged 26 in NZ with a high score of 58. He's been good, but has been far from all conquering. In both England and NZ Aslam was the better opener.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

It took him 6 years to Score a Test hundred outside Asia. 18 test matches to be precised. That too with tests in West Indies and Zimbawe etc.


He is not a natural batman just like Shoaib Malik. Malik was a Offspinner until the age of 19-20 and Azhar was a legspinner until the Age of 23 (actual). Whenever he has beem fed with Seamers friendly wicket be it be Srilanka, New Zealand, Zimbawe, England or South Africa He has averaged under 20 if you take all those matches into consideration.


He can never ever be a reliable Test Opener except for Flat Tracks. Even in Odi's he has failed against top 4 bowling line ups.


For 2-3 matches as makeshift opener he will be ok but


If you send him infront of Hazlewood & Starc on any type of Aussie wicket in Tests in Australia (i say any type) He will look like a
" Gawaachee Gaan " {A Lost Cow}

(No Offense)



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How wrong you were....

 

[JibranAnsari]

Good stuff by azhar , he will easily cross 8000 runs mark.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

hope he cross 5000 run mark in this series...

 

[ask_analyse_act]

It took him 6 years to Score a Test hundred outside Asia. 18 test matches to be precised. That too with tests in West Indies and Zimbawe etc.


He is not a natural batman just like Shoaib Malik. Malik was a Offspinner until the age of 19-20 and Azhar was a legspinner until the Age of 23 (actual). Whenever he has beem fed with Seamers friendly wicket be it be Srilanka, New Zealand, Zimbawe, England or South Africa He has averaged under 20 if you take all those matches into consideration.


He can never ever be a reliable Test Opener except for Flat Tracks. Even in Odi's he has failed against top 4 bowling line ups.


For 2-3 matches as makeshift opener he will be ok but


If you send him infront of Hazlewood & Starc on any type of Aussie wicket in Tests in Australia (i say any type) He will look like a
" Gawaachee Gaan " {A Lost Cow}

(No Offense)



We must look at Jaahid, Imam, Naeemuddin etc for Australian tour. For final test Yes Asad or Hafeez can be dropped but not longterm solution especially outside Asia.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

totally wrong lol... hope u now accept umar amin or haris sohail can be tried as an opener in ODIs

 

[Arham_PakFan]

hope he cross 5000 run mark in this series...

He has this innings and 3 more to do so.probably going to do it.

 

[Hasan123]

Azhar will certainly finish as one of Pakistans greats in tests.

Test for him is now to see if he can finish as an atg, with a 40 plus average in most countries and that as an opener, surely no one can deny him atg status in tests.

Let's see if he can achieve it.

 

[MMHS]

Azhar will certainly finish as one of Pakistans greats in tests.

Test for him is now to see if he can finish as an atg, with a 40 plus average in most countries and that as an opener, surely no one can deny him atg status in tests.

Let's see if he can achieve it.

He'll finish career with almost 10k Test runs, 23~29 Hundreds & ~ 48 average, provided that he retires from ODI after CT. Those who can appoint him ODI captain on Test performance, can easily drop him from Test side for ODI performance - same happend to Taufique Umar & partially to Asim Kamal. It's risky doing business in a kingdom where water & milk is exchangeable ......

His entire game, mindset, comfort zone & temperament is perfect for a Test opener - it's only PCB & its batting intelligence that took 7 years to see that - that too after the trouble (Arthur) came to spoil some beans. Icing was to play such one dimensional player at 3, which is the most dynamic spot. Obviously, free ride for MoHa was another reason - this guy Azhar opened in ODI against 2 white Kukkabura in U.K./NZ, but wasn't comfortable to open in Test in UAE, which kept MoHa's spot safe as opener.

I believe, opening with Azhar actually benifitted Babar most - PCB would have kept opening with MoHa & Babar won't have debuted till now.

 

[Hasan123]

He'll finish career with almost 10k Test runs, 23~29 Hundreds & ~ 48 average, provided that he retires from ODI after CT. Those who can appoint him ODI captain on Test performance, can easily drop him from Test side for ODI performance - same happend to Taufique Umar & partially to Asim Kamal. It's risky doing business in a kingdom where water & milk is exchangeable ......

His entire game, mindset, comfort zone & temperament is perfect for a Test opener - it's only PCB & its batting intelligence that took 7 years to see that - that too after the trouble (Arthur) came to spoil some beans. Icing was to play such one dimensional player at 3, which is the most dynamic spot. Obviously, free ride for MoHa was another reason - this guy Azhar opened in ODI against 2 white Kukkabura in U.K./NZ, but wasn't comfortable to open in Test in UAE, which kept MoHa's spot safe as opener.

I believe, opening with Azhar actually benifitted Babar most - PCB would have kept opening with MoHa & Babar won't have debuted till now.

He will be dropped from odis if he fails in the CT . Pcb isn't going to drop someone who is averaging nearly 50.

Yes he should have been moved upto open long ago.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

He scored tons of runs against them in Australia.

Poor assessment.

How wrong you were....

totally wrong lol... hope u now accept umar amin or haris sohail can be tried as an opener in ODIs

Ecstatic to be proven wrong.

 

[Hasan123]

It took him 6 years to Score a Test hundred outside Asia. 18 test matches to be precised. That too with tests in West Indies and Zimbawe etc.


He is not a natural batman just like Shoaib Malik. Malik was a Offspinner until the age of 19-20 and Azhar was a legspinner until the Age of 23 (actual). Whenever he has beem fed with Seamers friendly wicket be it be Srilanka, New Zealand, Zimbawe, England or South Africa He has averaged under 20 if you take all those matches into consideration.


He can never ever be a reliable Test Opener except for Flat Tracks. Even in Odi's he has failed against top 4 bowling line ups.


For 2-3 matches as makeshift opener he will be ok but


If you send him infront of Hazlewood & Starc on any type of Aussie wicket in Tests in Australia (i say any type) He will look like a
" Gawaachee Gaan " {A Lost Cow}

(No Offense)



We must look at Jaahid, Imam, Naeemuddin etc for Australian tour. For final test Yes Asad or Hafeez can be dropped but not longterm solution especially outside Asia.

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You was proven wrong unfortunately.

Told you keep the faith.

 

[ethan hunt]

Took the management a little too long ro realise that as is always the case.
His game was always suited to opening the innings .
Should enjoy lots of success . Class test bat.

 

[Hamza_]

Ecstatic to be proven wrong.

You should also start backing Umar Amin as opener in ODIs.

 

[sadida97]

You should also start backing Umar Amin as opener in ODIs.

yep, I tried to convince him

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

You was proven wrong unfortunately.

Told you keep the faith.

Not unfortunately.

Indeed fortunately.

 

[asfandyar]

"The experiment of trying Azhar Ali as an opener succeeded, so we should try Umar Amin and Haris Sohail as openers too." The thought process that goes behind such a suggestion is quite astonishing. No wonder our country is such a mess.

Azhar Ali has opened quite regularly in domestics. When was the last time Umar Amin, Haris Sohail or Umar Akmal opened in a domestic game? Whether such an experiment will fail or succeed is debatable, but the same haphazard, disorganized mentality has led to the demise of cricket in Pakistan.

Experimentation is good, but first please exhaust the resources you already have in the proper capacity before trying to fit the wrong pieces just to satisfy your inner desire.

 

[Finisher]

 

[Finisher]

Excellent average

 

[Markhor]

Mickey Arthur's best decision was to promote Azhar to open full-time.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

"The experiment of trying Azhar Ali as an opener succeeded, so we should try Umar Amin and Haris Sohail as openers too." The thought process that goes behind such a suggestion is quite astonishing. No wonder our country is such a mess.

Azhar Ali has opened quite regularly in domestics. When was the last time Umar Amin, Haris Sohail or Umar Akmal opened in a domestic game? Whether such an experiment will fail or succeed is debatable, but the same haphazard, disorganized mentality has led to the demise of cricket in Pakistan.

Experimentation is good, but first please

exhaust the resources you already have in the proper capacity before trying to fit the wrong pieces just to satisfy your inner desire.

Resources were Shehzad, Kamran akmal, Hafeez, Azhar ali were all of them fail.. In which three of them fail in the same category as SR and dot balls...

What more resources are available before getting exhausted... Do u want to bring back Khurram manzoor, Yasir hameed and Imran farhat...

Sami aslam and fakhar zaman are only option left..

And fyi Umar amin played as an opener once under dave/misbah in SA against SA...did well against the new ball against philander and tsotsobe where the regular opener shehzad scored a duck and shafiq gone for 1... I still remember his pull shot for six against philander with pure timing and zero power..why wasnt he given another chance as an opener when hafeez was labelled and stamped as steyn's bunny...

ODI: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/685735.html

Umar Amin cricinfo profile:
Playing role Top-order batsman
"Since 2007, the left-handed Umar Amin has been among the most-talked about batting prospects for a future middle order without Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, even if he prefers opening himself".

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/288211.html

As said above he prefers to open which he openly admitted in an interview..
Four tests in ENGLAND at the age of 20 and then never return lol while his seniors are feasting runs in UAE...

 

[asfandyar]

Resources were Shehzad, Kamran akmal, Hafeez, Azhar ali were all of them fail.. In which three of them fail in the same category as SR and dot balls...

What more resources are available before getting exhausted... Do u want to bring back Khurram manzoor, Yasir hameed and Imran farhat...

Sami aslam and fakhar zaman are only option left..

And fyi Umar amin played as an opener once under dave/misbah in SA against SA...did well against the new ball against philander and tsotsobe where the regular opener shehzad scored a duck and shafiq gone for 1... I still remember his pull shot for six against philander with pure timing and zero power..why wasnt he given another chance as an opener when hafeez was labelled and stamped as steyn's bunny...

ODI: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/685735.html



As said above he prefers to open which he openly admitted in an interview..
Four tests in ENGLAND at the age of 20 and then never return lol while his seniors are feasting runs in UAE...

Sami and Fakhar deserve a chance ahead of Amin, and Sahibzada Farhan will be ready if he performs in one more season. Umar first needs to play a complete season as an opener before he can even think about.

Even Fawad Alam has opened once in tests, doesn't mean that is his preferred position, or he should be played there for a sustained period of time.

Here is Umar Amin's U19 record. You can clearly see that Amin failed whenever he was asked to open so he was pushed to one-down.

http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Players/83/83500/Under-19_ODI_Matches.html

Here is his List-A record. He has failed miserably in the few innings that he has opened.

http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Players/83/83500/List_A_Matches.html

Whether he prefers opening or not is irrelevant. It's whether he can perform at that position that is relevant. Selecting Amin to open for Pakistan because he scored bucket loads in the middle order is like selecting a cardiothoracic surgeon to perform neurosurgery.

 

[The_Odd_One]

nah no chance he will match anwar

azhar is already 32

If Azhar retires with 8K+ runs at 45+ average, he will be the best test opener Pakistan has ever produced.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Who is Pakistan's greatest test opener?

Saeed Anwar

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

If Azhar retires with 8K+ runs at 45+ average, he will be the best test opener Pakistan has ever produced.

statistically yeah

But anyone who has watched Anwar would know he is a class above, plus Azhar is playing at the best possible time to be a batsmen. Pitches have flattened out world drastically in the past 3 years let alone past 10

 

[Mamoon]

Azhar can become Pakistan's best opener of all time statistically, but those who have watched Saeed play will testify that he belonged to a different class. It's the same situation as Younis and his status as Pakistan's best ever batsman.

 

[The_Odd_One]

statistically yeah

But anyone who has watched Anwar would know he is a class above, plus Azhar is playing at the best possible time to be a batsmen. Pitches have flattened out world drastically in the past 3 years let alone past 10

Anwar scored just 4K runs in his test career. If Azhar can double that runs tally at an equal or better average, he should be considered a better test batsman. A 8k runs batsman should be always regarded higher than a 4K runs batsman.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Anwar scored just 4K runs in his test career. If Azhar can double that runs tally at an equal or better average, he should be considered a better test batsman. A 8k runs batsman should be always regarded higher than a 4K runs batsman.

you have to factor in the eara that player played in for these debates. For example, azhar has more runs at a better average than Hanif, however ask any who knows cricket and they will hanif was the better player

 

[The_Odd_One]

you have to factor in the eara that player played in for these debates. For example, azhar has more runs at a better average than Hanif, however ask any who knows cricket and they will hanif was the better player

It is not Azhar's fault that he plays in this era.

Both Anwar and Hanif might be better batsmen, specially Anwar, who was such a pleasure to watch but if Azhar scores twice the amount of runs at similar or better average, the longevity factor should make him a better batsman.

 

[Slog]

probably the best thing Micky has implemented

Azhar opened in the England UAE series in 2015

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Azhar opened in the England UAE series in 2015

yeah but he didn't stick to it, and back them there were grumblings that he preferred batting at 3 and the management caved.

 

[Markhor]

Azhar opened in the England UAE series in 2015

For one Test as a temporary measure because Shan Masood was heading Anderson's 78mph thunderbolts in the UAE onto his stumps.

Mickey did in 3 Tests what Waqar failed to do in 3.5 years. If Azhar was promoted years ago as Test opener then we'd have saved ourselves a lot of headaches.

 

[idrizzy]

View attachment 73924

This is the most telling stat. Never gives his wicket away and GRINDS. If he does carry on the way he is, he can seriously be called a test great, not just a Pakistani great. Look at the names on this list lol wow

 

[Square Drive]

It is not Azhar's fault that he plays in this era.

Both Anwar and Hanif might be better batsmen, specially Anwar, who was such a pleasure to watch but if Azhar scores twice the amount of runs at similar or better average, the longevity factor should make him a better batsman.

Agree with this.

If he gets double the runs at a better average, Azhar > Anwar.

 

[Slog]

For one Test as a temporary measure because Shan Masood was heading Anderson's 78mph thunderbolts in the UAE onto his stumps.

Mickey did in 3 Tests what Waqar failed to do in 3.5 years. If Azhar was promoted years ago as Test opener then we'd have saved ourselves a lot of headaches.

not really

we needed someone at number 3 to do well

and for a while hafeez and shehzad were doing great in uae tests as openers so no need to hcange

waqar was the first to try him as opener and thta is fact

 

[Hasan123]

not really

we needed someone at number 3 to do well

and for a while hafeez and shehzad were doing great in uae tests as openers so no need to hcange

waqar was the first to try him as opener and thta is fact

He tried because of Shan Masood being awful.

Why did it take Waqar 5 years to realise Azhar is an opener then?

 

[Slog]

He tried because of Shan Masood being awful.

Why did it take Waqar 5 years to realise Azhar is an opener then?

because before that hafeez, shehzad etc were doing well in UAE actually


and its not like are #3 problem was fixed without azhar and we had a wealth of options

babar still hasnt fully made himself comfortable there and back then he hadnt even emerged (its clear he still has some time to develop so dont give me that he could have played back then as 18-19 yr old)

 

[Markhor]

not really

we needed someone at number 3 to do well

and for a while hafeez and shehzad were doing great in uae tests as openers so no need to hcange

waqar was the first to try him as opener and thta is fact

There was a simple solution to that which clearly seemed beyond our former coach.

And that is to have promoted Azhar to open, and Hafeez with his deficiencies against the new ball, to bat at 3.

 

[Slog]

There was a simple solution to that which clearly seemed beyond our former coach.

And that is to have promoted Azhar to open, and Hafeez with his deficiencies against the new ball, to bat at 3.

lol at Hafeez at 3

 

[Markhor]

lol at Hafeez at 3

Why lol at Hafeez at 3 ? If he was having this great form in UAE, then there shouldn't have been any issue.

Hafeez gets protected from the new ball and Azhar is promoted to the opening spot most suited to him thus ending the opener merrygoround afflicting Pak cricket for 15+ years.

But all that would've required a coach with vision, foresight and planning, which our beloved predecessor completely lacked hence why he had to leave the coaching job for a SECOND time.

 

[Slog]

Why lol at Hafeez at 3 ? If he was having this great form in UAE, then there shouldn't have been any issue.

Hafeez gets protected from the new ball and Azhar is promoted to the opening spot most suited to him thus ending the opener merrygoround afflicting Pak cricket for 15+ years.

But all that would've required a coach with vision, foresight and planning, which our beloved predecessor completely lacked hence why he had to leave the coaching job for a SECOND time.

haha you are losing it bro

i hope you know why Hafeez at 3 is a ridiculous suggestion

but yes you can keep making your own reality to make the coach, with the worst losing streak in Pakistan history, look good in your mind

 

[Slog]

For one Test as a temporary measure because Shan Masood was heading Anderson's 78mph thunderbolts in the UAE onto his stumps.

Mickey did in 3 Tests what Waqar failed to do in 3.5 years. If Azhar was promoted years ago as Test opener then we'd have saved ourselves a lot of headaches.

also you were caught lying here again

i took your word when you claimed the above as you are a good poster so hadnt cross checked

however waqar had promoted azhar to open before mickey came and reversed the decision. Before going back to it again

in any case for me this wasnt an issue as far as mickey or waqar is concerned. #3 is arguably a tougher position with greater responsibility so having someone who was solid there is a nice luxury. Esp at the time Babar hadnt emerged and Haris was developing. Ofcourse a different story that Babar has still not made the position his own.

in fact i personally think that it might not be the worst idea to put azhar at #4 after this series as that is the position where batsmen maximize their runs. Esp if we are unable to find a settled #4 and #5

 

[Markhor]

also you were caught lying here again

i took your word when you claimed the above as you are a good poster so hadnt cross checked

however waqar had promoted azhar to open before mickey came and reversed the decision. Before going back to it again

in any case for me this wasnt an issue as far as mickey or waqar is concerned. #3 is arguably a tougher position with greater responsibility so having someone who was solid there is a nice luxury. Esp at the time Babar hadnt emerged and Haris was developing. Ofcourse a different story that Babar has still not made the position his own.

in fact i personally think that it might not be the worst idea to put azhar at #4 after this series as that is the position where batsmen maximize their runs. Esp if we are unable to find a settled #4 and #5

What lying ? That's what I meant - Arthur after 3 Tests v England where Hafeez and Masood shown themselves completely incapable outside Asia took the decision to promote Azhar to open permanently, starting at The Oval.

Surely a new foreign coach is allowed a few matches to acquaint himself to the squad.

 

[Slog]

What lying ? That's what I meant - Arthur after 3 Tests v England where Hafeez and Masood shown themselves completely incapable outside Asia took the decision to promote Azhar to open permanently, starting at The Oval.

Surely a new foreign coach is allowed a few matches to acquaint himself to the squad.

so he reversed a decision, found out he was wrong and then did same thing as Waqar

also Waqar was there for 1.5-2 years mind you. The way you talk is as if he was there for a decade.

He came in and Shehzad and Hafeez were beastly in UAE and Azhar was settled at #3 (which is a tricky position). Why the heck would he change?

Shehzad then started to struggle and he played a reserve opener who went on to score a matchwinning 4th innings knock away in SL. Then Masood struggled against England and Azhar was promoted as opener

Surely the process seems very streamlined to me.