Why has Iftikhar Ahmed's performance been deteriorating?

[emranabbas]

What's been the issue with Iftikhar Ahmed over the past year? Is he merely experiencing a dip in form, or has he declined beyond his prime? He may not be the best fit for the World Cup squad unless he shows significant improvement, with the upcoming tours in Ireland and England.

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	0	4s	6s
Iftikhar Ahmed	10	8	1	75	24	10.71	82	91.46	0	0	0	2	3

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Age is finally catching up with Chacha.

 

[pakistani pride]

Done at international level for some time now, he had the chance during the WT20 in AUS, but failed to deliver/could not handle pressure.

Only a team like Pak will carry players like Ifti and Azam Khan, any other decent team would not even allow them to be part of the dressing room!

 

[Rana]

Pakistan players lose hunger to perform once they know they have made their spot in the side

 

[mominsaigol]

What's been the issue with Iftikhar Ahmed over the past year? Is he merely experiencing a dip in form, or has he declined beyond his prime? He may not be the best fit for the World Cup squad unless he shows significant improvement, with the upcoming tours in Ireland and England.

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	0	4s	6s
Iftikhar Ahmed	10	8	1	75	24	10.71	82	91.46	0	0	0	2	3

Please show @Major these stats, dude is still adamant on which batting allrounder must warm the benches.

 

[mominsaigol]

Pakistan players lose hunger to perform once they know they have made their spot in the side

When has chacha ever performed though? He's been a regular since 2020, and has only 2 performances.

That 100 and that that blistering lower order knock in odi 4 and 5 against B side NZ last year?

Just 2 notable innings in 4 years.

 

[Barragan]

He shouldn't go to the WC.

Bring in Agha for him.

Neither should Irfan be going.

Both Agha and Haider Ali should be ahead of them.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Chacha is saving his best for the WT20

 

[jnaveen1980]

When you attain 50 your reflexes tend to slow down.

 

[emranabbas]

When you attain 50 your reflexes tend to slow down.

bro he's only 33 few year younger than imad

 

[topspin]

bro

bro he's only 33 few year younger than imad

Yeah somehow he's younger than Imad.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

He's going through a lean patch.

Let's give him until the T20 WC final and take it from there.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He's going through a lean patch.

Let's give him until the T20 WC final and take it from there.

agreed!


He is the only one who can play with a better strike rate at this point in time. If we replace him now so no new player would be able to adjust to the position where he plays, its difficult one. So itss better to stick with him atleast till the WC.

 

[mominsaigol]

agreed!


He is the only one who can play with a better strike rate at this point in time. If we replace him now so no new player would be able to adjust to the position where he plays, its difficult one. So itss better to stick with him atleast till the WC.

No he can't. It's a myth

 

[mominsaigol]

He's going through a lean patch.

Let's give him until the T20 WC final and take it from there.

What happened to giving him 4 more years?

 

[Slim]

I want to give Chacha till this Wt20, if he fails then its curtains for the geezer. Also, i personally think they should persist with him at number 5 since Fakhar takes 4. Altho ideally i would wish if we gave Fakhar and Saim a run at the top 2 in the Ireland series.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

What happened to giving him 4 more years?

I'd like it but who knows what his motivations are after we win the world cup.

Maybe he will want to cash in and take iftimania international in franchise leagues.

 

[emranabbas]

agreed!


He is the only one who can play with a better strike rate at this point in time. If we replace him now so no new player would be able to adjust to the position where he plays, its difficult one. So itss better to stick with him atleast till the WC.

Maybe imad? With rizwan coming back there will no room for all 3 shadab iftikhar and imad

 

[Mamoon]

Yeah somehow he's younger than Imad.

He is probably fitter than Imad though. He didn’t run away from the military camp like a chicken, clutching his knee.

 

[Savak]

He is still our best ball striker in his prime. We saw he still has it in the PSL.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He is still our best ball striker in his prime. We saw he still has it in the PSL.

At the position he plays we cant really expect him to score in every match. To be fair he hardly gets 2 to 3 overs where he has to start hitting the ball from the very first delivery and in that situation you cant really do wonders everytime.

 

[Rana]

Iftikhar v Klaasen

The battle of the two grizzly bears at the World Cup!!

 

[Savak]

At the position he plays we cant really expect him to score in every match. To be fair he hardly gets 2 to 3 overs where he has to start hitting the ball from the very first delivery and in that situation you cant really do wonders everytime.

Iftikhar ideally needs to come in by the tenth over or even 12. He needs atleast 5-6 balls before he can start hitting big. He isn't someone who can hit big from ball one.

 

[pakistani pride]

agreed!


He is the only one who can play with a better strike rate at this point in time. If we replace him now so no new player would be able to adjust to the position where he plays, its difficult one. So itss better to stick with him atleast till the WC.

Great logic, lets keep playing him, does not matter if he fails all the time. Because a deserving player will find it hard to replace a player who never scores.

 

[pakistani pride]

Iftikhar ideally needs to come in by the tenth over or even 12. He needs atleast 5-6 balls before he can start hitting big. He isn't someone who can hit big from ball one.

No, he can only hit below average bowlers in PSL.

 

[Savak]

No, he can only hit below average bowlers in PSL.

Yes the below average bowlers were Naseem, Shaheen, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan Tymal Mills. Some of these our Pakistan's premier bowlers. Either Iftikhar is over rated or these Pakistani bowlers.

 

[pakistani pride]

Yes the below average bowlers were Naseem, Shaheen, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan Tymal Mills. Some of these our Pakistan's premier bowlers. Either Iftikhar is over rated or these Pakistani bowlers.

There plenty of below average bowlers in PSL. Also the pressure in International cricket is way different.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Great logic, lets keep playing him, does not matter if he fails all the time. Because a deserving player will find it hard to replace a player who never scores.

I m not saying that let him play if he keeps failing. I just want to give him this World Cup as we have already carried him for quite a while. So there's no point in dropping him just one month before the World Cup when u dont have any replacement too.

 

[topspin]

Iftikhar ideally needs to come in by the tenth over or even 12. He needs atleast 5-6 balls before he can start hitting big. He isn't someone who can hit big from ball one.

Sorry no we don't need a Misbah clone. The guy is a choking specialist.

 

[gazza619]

Well when you send a tailender like Shadab ahead of Ifti, you are giving him the impression that we dont need you.

Management playing games with Ifti. Ifti is also smart and is also trying to score just about enough runs to not get dropped.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Iftikhar ideally needs to come in by the tenth over or even 12. He needs atleast 5-6 balls before he can start hitting big. He isn't someone who can hit big from ball one.

10-12 overs are when the spinners are usually on, why would you want him in then when he can’t play spin?

He’s probably the best hitter of pace so the only option is to have him come on around 16 overs.

 

[Shaka81]

I think his grandchildren have been disturbing his sleep recently but they're so proud that their grandad is still playing cricket at his age

 

[emranabbas]

I m not saying that let him play if he keeps failing. I just want to give him this World Cup as we have already carried him for quite a while. So there's no point in dropping him just one month before the World Cup when u dont have any replacement too.

There's a lot of competition for that position, with players like Imad, Usama Mir, Salman Agha, Shadab, and possibly others. Chacha, on average, has been scoring 10 runs off 8 or 9 balls for the past year or so.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

There's a lot of competition for that position, with players like Imad, Usama Mir, Salman Agha, Shadab, and possibly others. Chacha, on average, has been scoring 10 runs off 8 or 9 balls for the past year or so.

Usama Mir in place of Iftikhar? that guys doesnt even know how to hold a bat properly, salman agha is good enough but i dont think he can finish the game with better SR in the death overs so i will keep him for ODIs, shadab himself playing above Iftikhar and Imad after Iftikhar so technically nobody from ur list can replce his position.

 

[emranabbas]

Usama Mir in place of Iftikhar? that guys doesnt even know how to hold a bat properly, salman agha is good enough but i dont think he can finish the game with better SR in the death overs so i will keep him for ODIs, shadab himself playing above Iftikhar and Imad after Iftikhar so technically nobody from ur list can replce his position.

Rizwan isn't dropped he will be coming back
So will irfan niazi

Saim
Babar
Rizwan
Fakhar
Usman
Irfan niazi
Shadab
Iftikhar
Imad

Your not going in with 2 bowlers?

 

[jnaveen1980]

By the way "deteriorated" means he was very good at some time in his career? Checking cumulative stat his strike rate is mostly in the 120s throughout his career. On an average he faces 15 balls every match scoring 19 runs. Hits a six every other match. 8 year career he has taken 8 wickets. Strictly an average journeyman right through his career. Probably had some decent outing here and there.

 

[moghul]

What's been the issue with Iftikhar Ahmed over the past year? Is he merely experiencing a dip in form, or has he declined beyond his prime? He may not be the best fit for the World Cup squad unless he shows significant improvement, with the upcoming tours in Ireland and England.

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	0	4s	6s
Iftikhar Ahmed	10	8	1	75	24	10.71	82	91.46	0	0	0	2	3

Guy is just too old, should have retired from International cricket some 5 years ago.

 

[BouncerGuy]

What's been the issue with Iftikhar Ahmed over the past year? Is he merely experiencing a dip in form, or has he declined beyond his prime? He may not be the best fit for the World Cup squad unless he shows significant improvement, with the upcoming tours in Ireland and England.

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	0	4s	6s
Iftikhar Ahmed	10	8	1	75	24	10.71	82	91.46	0	0	0	2	3

Only Azam Khan has the power down the order to hit sixes which he failed to do at the international level apart from the leagues. If we have a replacement I will be more than happy to keep Iffi out of this team but unfortunately, his replacements are even bad as well. Salman is the one who has ability but he is not a finisher at all.

 

[Mohraheem]

I m not saying that let him play if he keeps failing. I just want to give him this World Cup as we have already carried him for quite a while. So there's no point in dropping him just one month before the World Cup when u dont have any replacement too.

How many more World Cup should we give him. No it’s enough. Bring Salman Agha or Saud Shakeel

 

[Mohraheem]

Chacha is saving his best for the WT20

When u can’t perform at home against a junior team, why even go for World Cup.

 

[Mohraheem]

He's going through a lean patch.

Let's give him until the T20 WC final and take it from there.

He will perform against a weak team and his delusional fans will get over hyped. This Chacha is over hyped by media who can’t perform in international matches. Should be kicked out of the team!

 

[Mohraheem]

What's been the issue with Iftikhar Ahmed over the past year? Is he merely experiencing a dip in form, or has he declined beyond his prime? He may not be the best fit for the World Cup squad unless he shows significant improvement, with the upcoming tours in Ireland and England.

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	0	4s	6s
Iftikhar Ahmed	10	8	1	75	24	10.71	82	91.46	0	0	0	2	3

He is done, he takes 3-5 overs to settle in t20. He should become a test player and take his sweet time to settle. We don’t want him in Odi nor T20.

 

[Mohraheem]

pathetic new Zealand tour where he failed to perform and now at home he lost to a NZ junior team. Come on how delusional can you guys be to give him a chance again at World cup. Replace him with Saud Shakeel Haider ali or Asif ali or Salman Agha! Ifthikhar is worst Thn Khusdil. I feel bad that a lot of u guys bashed Khushdil for performing. Now that’s Ifthikhar is performing the same way u want to give him a chance ???? Come on guys

 

[BouncerGuy]

How many more World Cup should we give him. No it’s enough. Bring Salman Agha or Saud Shakeel

They are not his replacement. His replacement should be a power hitter and finisher not a middle order batter who also takes time to settle.

 

[Mohraheem]

They are not his replacement. His replacement should be a power hitter and finisher not a middle order batter who also takes time to settle.

Has he shown power hitting Thn why are we so concern about power hitting when he can’t even hit lol mind as well take me. I’m a power hitter too! He hasn’t proven anything. He is just waiting for his chance against a bottom ranking team to perform.

Please tell me this in PSL he was hitting big sixes how come he couldn’t do that in New Zealand series ? He is not even a power hitter. Why are we giving him benefit of doubt that he is a power hitter. He hasn’t done any power hitting. He has lost matches instead.

 

[Mohraheem]

I’m tired of this guy! I have told since day 1 he is a test player! He should retire and stay away from Pakistan cricket team.

 

[shehz]

Ifti can be very dangerous if teams don't do their homework on him. In most cases, every team has a blueprint on how to contain him because he has limited zones to hit. Therefore, it is imperative that he has another genuine hitter around him in the death overs. Too much is expected of him and more often he fails to deliver.

When I say "genuine hitter," I don't mean Shadab, Nawaz, or even Imad (he should bat up the order). I'm referring to, yes, you may hate me for saying it, players like Azam Khan or Haider Ali, or any genuine in-form hitter. This will alleviate pressure on Ifti and can unsettle bowlers when they are tasked with containing two hard-hitting batsmen.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Ifti can be very dangerous if teams don't do their homework on him. In most cases, every team has a blueprint on how to contain him because he has limited zones to hit. Therefore, it is imperative that he has another genuine hitter around him in the death overs. Too much is expected of him and more often he fails to deliver.

When I say "genuine hitter," I don't mean Shadab, Nawaz, or even Imad (he should bat up the order). I'm referring to, yes, you may hate me for saying it, players like Azam Khan or Haider Ali, or any genuine in-form hitter. This will alleviate pressure on Ifti and can unsettle bowlers when they are tasked with containing two hard-hitting batsmen.

Yes, Azam Khan is te one who has the ability but his fitness is the worst of the lot. He cannot run tight singles and turn singles into doubles with such fitness. He has failed till now on international stage so I am not sure if he can be the one we can trust in the absence of IFFI,

 

[DeadlyVenom]

He will perform against a weak team and his delusional fans will get over hyped. This Chacha is over hyped by media who can’t perform in international matches. Should be kicked out of the team!

If he bashes a weak team like India it will set our tournament up.

Look at his stats v India and you will see why he is well respected across the border.

We just need to call a time out if we play England and Adil Rashid bowls.

 

[mominsaigol]

Probably the worst player in our current 15 and that's saying alot.

He's the worst of the medicore bunch.

 

[Usman Chadda]

He is not consistent but he is the best we have at the position he plays at. We need to select players based on what we have, rather than some fantastical selection most go on here.

He was decent in the last World Cup, deserves another chance here.

 

[Mohraheem]

He is not consistent but he is the best we have at the position he plays at. We need to select players based on what we have, rather than some fantastical selection most go on here.

He was decent in the last World Cup, deserves another chance here.

Thn mind as well pick up Khushdil as well. What’s the difference. People are so over hyped with Ifthikhar it’s so pathetic. Ya let’s pick a player who can’t play against a junior international team. Hoping he will perform in World Cup. When a player is not Ben performing why are we investing time. Bring a youngster or any one else. We can waste any more time on this fraud Chacha

 

[Mohraheem]

Ifthikhar is the worst batsmen of all time to play for Pakistan!

 

[TeymurBlake]

Agha Ali Salman is probably the only other alternative to Chacha, however he is a top order batter.

 

[Master Blaster]

Ifti mania is undead...

 

[Kroll]

Been deteriorated for a long time. Should only be brought to carry the drinks and tea towels.

 

[Saj]

I'm not convinced by him really.

Once in a while he'll perform, mostly he flops.

Most teams discard such players.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Whenever he comes in to bat he hardly gets 2 or 3 overs in which he doesn't even get the time to settle in before he has to start hitting. So in this case it's a hit or miss chance for any player.

 

[Asad T]

He has been a great bowler, actaully. His econ in 2024 T20I's has been 7.20. He should just be considered as a bowler who can use the long handle

 

[jnaveen1980]

I'm not convinced by him really.

Once in a while he'll perform, mostly he flops.

Most teams discard such players.

Since i saw him live in limited matches i didn't realize how bad he is. Given his career stat he hass played way too many matches than he deserved.

 

[Mohraheem]

He has been a great bowler, actaully. His econ in 2024 T20I's has been 7.20. He should just be considered as a bowler who can use the long handle

Again, he is not in Pakistan team to bowl. We have better spinners Thn him! We can’t back him up with his bowling when his Batting is worst Thn khusdil

 

[Mohraheem]

Khushdil deserves more matches now because of this Chacha. He should be forced to go to test match

 

[Mohraheem]

I'm not convinced by him really.

Once in a while he'll perform, mostly he flops.

Most teams discard such players.

Thank you Saj! Genius! Finally someone agrees from the team! Most members here over hyping this useless Chacha for no reason!

 

[Mohraheem]

Whenever he comes in to bat he hardly gets 2 or 3 overs in which he doesn't even get the time to settle in before he has to start hitting. So in this case it's a hit or miss chance for any player.

Thn take someone reliable to do that! Who hasn’t gotten that many chances! Ifti had way too many chances! He keeps failing in International. He performs in PSL! Every fan of his fantasizes him. When it comes to international they barely watch any matches. Hence they keep backing this Pathetic player

 

[Mohraheem]

Whenever he comes in to bat he hardly gets 2 or 3 overs in which he doesn't even get the time to settle in before he has to start hitting. So in this case it's a hit or miss chance for any player.

He had many chances like that! He failed move on! For god sake

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He had many chances like that! He failed move on! For god sake

ok bro dont get ur BP high, i will request Major General Whab Riaz Sahab not to select Iftikhar anymore

 

[Mohraheem]

ok bro dont get ur BP high, i will request Major General Whab Riaz Sahab not to select Iftikhar anymore

How do u know I have a high BP problem

 

[PakEngFan]

How do u know I have a high BP problem

You might not but when you hear iftikhar's name it does crazy things to you.

 

[Mohraheem]

You might not but when you hear iftikhar's name it does crazy things to you.

I just want people to treat him the same way they treated Asif ali Khusdil and Haider Ali. He had enough chances lol

 

[cricketcricket79]

What's been the issue with Iftikhar Ahmed over the past year? Is he merely experiencing a dip in form, or has he declined beyond his prime? He may not be the best fit for the World Cup squad unless he shows significant improvement, with the upcoming tours in Ireland and England.

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	0	4s	6s
Iftikhar Ahmed	10	8	1	75	24	10.71	82	91.46	0	0	0	2	3

Father Time waits for no one and spares no one.

 

[UP]

The guy never performs when it’s needed or has he ever contributed?

 

[Major]

Look you have to pick a side.

Either you can have a player with high averages but a strike rate in the region of 80-90s or you can have a player with an avg above 35 and below 40 with a high strike rate.

You cant have a player with a high batting and a high strike rate.

He has the ability to play his shots which many of our players dont have. If you want to drop him, fine, name a replacement

 

[Major]

just so you know, his limited over stats are similar or better than Rishab pant. Both have played almost the same number of games aswell

 

[Mohraheem]

The guy never performs when it’s needed or has he ever contributed?

Never performed. Local tape ball batsmen. Only does well in domestic tournaments. When it comes to international he is . Just look at the 2 series home /Away against NZ. He is waiting for teams like Zimbabwe Nepal so media and his fans can over hype his name

 

[mominsaigol]

Look you have to pick a side.

Either you can have a player with high averages but a strike rate in the region of 80-90s or you can have a player with an avg above 35 and below 40 with a high strike rate.

You cant have a player with a high batting and a high strike rate.

He has the ability to play his shots which many of our players dont have. If you want to drop him, fine, name a replacement

The replacement is Imad wasim at 5 who's

A) Done better then chacha in psl

B) Done better then Chacha as a batsmen in this series although bowling wise imad is behind.

C) Chacha has been terrible, also as for chacha, don't know where you're getting this high avg and high sr.

In this series imad's career avg Increased from a 14 avg to a 16 avg and his sr increased from 126 to 133 sr mainly due to being not out and striking at 200+, in otherwords he's clearly improving and his career is going at an upwards trajectory in t20.

In odi imad has a higher avg and sr then chacha anyway.

Meanwhile chacha's avg dropped to 24 and his sr dropped from 129 to 127 and it'll continue to drop further.

Infact shadab who you dislike has the same avg but a much much higher sr then chacha.

Don't know where your getting this either/or from, when 2 players you hate have done far better then him, salman Ali Agha is good enough to replace chacha, This delusion of chacha being a lower order player needs to end.

 

[mominsaigol]

just so you know, his limited over stats are similar or better than Rishab pant. Both have played almost the same number of games aswell

Just so you know imad's odi stats are > Chacha's

Imad: 55 games: 42 avg 110 SR

Chacha: 28 games: 38 avg 106 SR.

Infact in terms of bowling imad in odi is superior in eco and wickets in the exact same 28 no games.

 

[zaidihusain]

Iftikhar has literally zilch contribution in international cricket. Debuted in test cricket in 2016, played 4 tests, achieved nothing with the bat or ball. In 6 test innings he scored total 61 runs with a score of 4, 7, 0, 10, 27 & 13* and got only 1 wicket

In 28 ODIs, he has scored only one 100 and that was against Nepal and one 50 against NZ. Not sure if he has won any ODI with any extra ordinary performance.

In 59 T20 matches he played 3-4 good innings and has 2-3 match winning performance specially one against SA in 2022 T20 WC.

He will keep getting selected without accountability only in a system like Pakistan cricket and players like Agha Salman and other youngsters won't get these many chances.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I think Iftikhar is taking things for granted. He is thinking that he will smash some mediocre bowlers in leagues and will keep his pace in the national team without any problem. Time to give him a wake up call as well. Might as well drop him and play azam khan in few games to see.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Look you have to pick a side.

Either you can have a player with high averages but a strike rate in the region of 80-90s or you can have a player with an avg above 35 and below 40 with a high strike rate.

You cant have a player with a high batting and a high strike rate.

He has the ability to play his shots which many of our players dont have. If you want to drop him, fine, name a replacement

There's no one better or more consistent in that hitting role for Pakistan. We saw that in the PSL. No one came close to him

 

[mominsaigol]

There's no one better or more consistent in that hitting role for Pakistan. We saw that in the PSL. No one came close to him

By this logic no one came close to Usman khan at the top order in PSL?

Since when has PSL become an excuse for you guys?

I remember you all advocating for UK to be booted, Imad wasim to warm the benches etc etc irrespective of PSL but want chacha to be Pakistan's finisher? Despite me quoting his international stats 24/7?

Double standards honestly. A dude with 24 avg and sr of 127 at the lower order lol.