Why has Sarfaraz Ahmed been removed from the Test team but Azhar Ali hasn't?

[JibranAnsari]

Their test batting stats in the last two year.

 

[Pete Rose]

It’s all three: Asad, Azhar and Sarfaraz have done for our test cricket what Malik Hafeez and Sarfaraz have done for our odi cricket. The same sickness everywhere: unwilling to bench long time under performers

 

[MRSN]

I think Baber should have been given captaincy of all three formats. Remove liabilities like must play captain specialist.

 

[jnaveen1980]

You can't buy experience lol Although he seemed like he was talking about bowlers, he was actually talking about himself

 

[MMHS]

So true, and Sarfraz did improve keeping despite poor fitness - he was at his best with gloves in SAF.

The first reason is that, Sarfraz holds an unique spot in playing XI and if he fails, always will be exposed, while there are six batsmen and Azhar can easily hide among them for his past heroics. Second reason is, since WK is a specialist position, Sarfraz failing means there are no comparable failure (by other players), so he will always be in firing line, on top of that Rizwan is fitter & performing; in that regard, Azhar always had the excuse of other failures - apart from Babar, Asad no other batsman showed consistency; he always had the alibi of being the most experienced player with the best record.

But, ultimately Sarfraz is paying back for leading a struggling unit with unreal expectations. This is something cost Umar Akmal as well. Six years back, at the level where Umar was dropped and still being slaughtered here in PP - a batsman of that level would have been almost MVP of current PAK team - the bitter truth.

Sarfraz failed to meet the expectations of most PAK fans (including me), and had to pay the price - Azhar will also pay, eventually; he did that for ODI, will do for Test as well.

 

[Pete Rose]

So true, and Sarfraz did improve keeping despite poor fitness - he was at his best with gloves in SAF.

The first reason is that, Sarfraz holds an unique spot in playing XI and if he fails, always will be exposed, while there are six batsmen and Azhar can easily hide among them for his past heroics. Second reason is, since WK is a specialist position, Sarfraz failing means there are no comparable failure (by other players), so he will always be in firing line, on top of that Rizwan is fitter & performing; in that regard, Azhar always had the excuse of other failures - apart from Babar, Asad no other batsman showed consistency; he always had the alibi of being the most experienced player with the best record.

But, ultimately Sarfraz is paying back for leading a struggling unit with unreal expectations. This is something cost Umar Akmal as well. Six years back, at the level where Umar was dropped and still being slaughtered here in PP - a batsman of that level would have been almost MVP of current PAK team - the bitter truth.

Sarfraz failed to meet the expectations of most PAK fans (including me), and had to pay the price - Azhar will also pay, eventually; he did that for ODI, will do for Test as well.

Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez’s and Shoaib Malik collectively ended Mickey Arthur’s career by their performances and tests and odi

 

[Saj]

The signs for Azhar don't look good at the moment. He struggled at Somerset this season and he's been poor for Pakistan too.

It seems that his best years are behind him.

 

[JibranAnsari]

The signs for Azhar don't look good at the moment. He struggled at Somerset this season and he's been poor for Pakistan too.

It seems that his best years are behind him.

Two tests in pakistan will be his lifeline , from what we have seen this domestic season the pitches are flat and if kookaburra is used then there is a strong chance that he scores.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Two tests in pakistan will be his lifeline , from what we have seen this domestic season the pitches are flat and if kookaburra is used then there is a strong chance that he scores.

If? Don't Pakistan always use kookaburra for home test matches?

 

[Rayyman]

Maybe Azhar Ali should be moved down to the #5 batting position.

 

[sweep_shot]

Both Sarfaraz and Azhar should be gone. Pakistan surely have better options than these two.

 

[Sir-fraz]

Well we also have to consider that azhar is probably close to the age of 37-38, i wouldnt trust the age written on cricinfo.

Hes past gus sell date.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Sarfraz used to lose his cool.He used to lose concentration.I think it is difficult to be a wicket keeper and a captain in test matches .He batting went downhill a long time ago.PCB should identify future captains for tests through the new six team format.There are 12 players to choose a captain ( 6 captains and 6 vice captains )

 

[Nasty Naz]

His time is coming soon as well. If Pakistan lose Test match in Pakistan vs SL, I'm not sure how he survives the captaincy if poor form continues as well.

 

[MMHS]

Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez’s and Shoaib Malik collectively ended Mickey Arthur’s career by their performances and tests and odi

Mickey himself is to be blamed most for premature end of his PAK career. He started to compromise, talk sweet and keep people happy - had the WC been in 2018, his career with PAK would have been short by a year.

Guy shouldn’t take any National team job, rather he should look for a job of Academy/High Performance Centre Director - he’ll do well, guy is a brilliant technical coach - someone who extracted a Babar Azam from that system, respect.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Just playing on his reputation. But time is near for him too

 

[coy0607]

the curse of Pakistan cricket is that they always carry passengers in the team, ALWAYS

Azhar is a total passenger now, giving him the captaincy at this point was absurd.

 

[Hyperion66]

Well probably because Azhar is about 200 times the player Sarfraz is, ever was or will be. Imagine Sarfraz facing the new ball against Starc and Cummins!! He would squat-jump past the Tasman sea before the first ball is bowled.

How can after Rizwan's heroics people still making a case for Sarfraz!!

 

[Abdullah719]

Well probably because Azhar is about 200 times the player Sarfraz is, ever was or will be. Imagine Sarfraz facing the new ball against Starc and Cummins!! He would squat-jump past the Tasman sea before the first ball is bowled.

How can after Rizwan's heroics people still making a case for Sarfraz!!

I think the case here is probably anti-Azhar rather than pro-Sarfaraz.

On performances, neither should be in the team. An average of 25 over 2 years for an experienced mainstay of the batting order is extremely poor.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Azhar Ali as a test player is good. Only few are left anyway in Pak who can play proper red ball cricket.

Anyway, he is gonna retire in 2 years max. Had a decent career for Pak. Unfortunate never played against IND.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Both should have been given the boot, but i cant see Azhar lasting in test side much longer.

 

[Faiz1978]

Question should be asked to Misbah on what basis he appointed Azhar Ali , but as we all know Misbah is clueless,On merit Asad Shafiq should have been appointed captain.

 

[Ab Fan]

Azhar had been Pakistan's premier batsmen post Younis Khan era while Sarfaraz never really delivered with the bat. Hence,Azhar is given a longer rope when both lost their form and were performing poorly.

Shafiq should have been dropped years back because he never scores runs consistently and when he does, it's completely useless runs but he was also given a rope which IMO was a mistake from PCB.

 

[big_gamer007]

Sarfaraz deserved to be dropped. He was really poor for a while, same case as Ganguly when he was dropped by Chappel. Upto sarfaraz to make a comeback like ganguly did.