No batsman showed responsibility like Babar: Shoaib Akhtar
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ISLAMABAD: Disappointed by Pakistan team’s loss in the second Twenty20 International to Australia in Canberra on Tuesday, former speedster Shoaib Akhtar said there is no batsmen in the team who could take responsibility like skipper Babar Azam.
“I feel disappointed for Pakistan and especially for Babar who played superbly in both the T20s. There is no batsman who can take command like Babar,” Shoaib said on his YouTube channel.
Opening the innings, right-handed Babar hit a 38-ball 50 on Tuesday. The Lahore-born youngster had smashed 59 not out on Sunday in the first T20 in Sydney which was washed out.
“I am saddened that Babar’s [batting] efforts went in vain,” Shoaib lamented.
Shoaib, known as Rawalpindi Express, said the wicket was hard and had even bounce but the Pakistan batsmen could not take advantage of it. “The ball was coming nicely on the bat but Pakistani openers failed to capitalise on that,” he said and added that the touring batsmen did not show any sense of maturity in building the innings.
“Pakistan could have easily scored 200 or around that on this particular wicket,” reckoned Shoaib. “But our batsmen Haris Sohail, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan lacked the maturity shown by [Australian batsman] Steve Smith later,” he observed.
Shoaib said pacer Mohammad Amir bowled well but Mohammad Irfan was struggling because of his leg problems. “The management should have thought twice before before picking Irfan in the team,” he said.
Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2019
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Comments (36) Closed
Nov 06, 2019 10:32am
I don't agree with Shoaib Akthar regarding Amir bowling well, an experienced bowler like Amir should be performing at a much higher level. Irfan bowled much better than the first T-20. I don't understand why Haris Sohail is not playing his natural game? Haris is not a power hitter and if he just plays his natural game he will get runs and do well. Steve smith proved that by playing his game and scoring runs and not power hitting. Additionally, maybe Iftikhar needs to bat before Rizwan and Asif Ali.
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Nov 06, 2019 10:37am
Granted that Baber Azam played well for his half century but I am surprised that Shoaib Akhter did not even mention Iftikhar Ahmed for his outstanding and fighting 62 not out. What a flawed analysis.
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Nov 06, 2019 10:56am
Mr. Shoaib before it was Sarfraz to be blamed solely. Now who should be blamed?
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Nov 06, 2019 10:59am
He makes complete sense.
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Nov 06, 2019 11:32am
One cannot fault the analysis of the Rawlpindi Express. To extend the railways analogy (and In no way intending offence or to detract from the recent real human catastrophe), he could well have alluded to the batting style of the top order as akin to the Tezgam Express. Fast and furious, and ultimately disasterous.
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Nov 06, 2019 12:11pm
Misbah told the team mates to play fearless cricket but he did not tell them to play sensible cricket. it has been noticed that they tried to play fearless but without sense. Disgusting selection by the management
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Nov 06, 2019 01:26pm
Why cannot Pakistanis just accept the fact that their team is not as good as it once used to be and the standards are falling day by day while the standards of other teams are rising? This is just not in Cricket but almost all sports or rather in all areas of the nation whether economy, education, living standards, health etc. Why is everyone so surprised?
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Nov 06, 2019 01:53pm
Shoaib Akhtar will now realize that removing Sarfaraz as captain was a big mistake. Mohd Irfan is 37 years, Wahab Riaz is 33 years, Mohd Amir is not a bowler now what he used to be before, why wasn't youngsters like Hasnain given a chance? He has the speed to bowl well on the bouncy Australian pitches. It would make sense loosing matches if youngsters were given a chance instead of loosing matches with tried and tested players over and again which makes no sense. In all bad selection, poor coaching & planning.
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Nov 06, 2019 02:09pm
There is no batsman in the side apart from him and Haris who played stupid shots in both innings.
1- Sharjeel
2- Shahazad/abid Ali
3- Babar
4- Haris
5- Malik
6- Umar Akmal
7- Iftikhar
8- Imad
9- Amir
10- shaheen
11- Naseem/ musa / Hassan
Rizwan isn’t a t20 player. Try guys like Umar Siddque for keeping from domestic.
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Nov 06, 2019 02:15pm
@jaredlee007, How could he ignore Iftikhar, the highest scorer?
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Nov 06, 2019 02:27pm
@JackJones, completely agree. From which angle did amir bowl well? On what basis is he finding a place in teams?
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Nov 06, 2019 03:00pm
@jaredlee007,
I don't think so! Shoaib is just telling the obvious and missing out on Iftikhar's brilliant performance. Would appreciate his analysis with more depth and analytical, which is productive.
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Nov 06, 2019 03:21pm
He is 100 percent right.
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Nov 06, 2019 03:32pm
Sarfaraz was alien to you since being from Karachi, now what about your beloved punjabis cricketers.
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Nov 06, 2019 03:51pm
we need Imam ul Haq at the top to give some stability to the top order.
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Nov 06, 2019 04:07pm
I do not think Fakhar is suitable for the T2o why he is stuck close to the wicket 99.9% of the time. Australian ballers have workout his batting habits stuck close to the wicket. He is not going to make runs for sure. Please select someone else for the opening pair. let Babar bat on number 3 spot. Pakistan will do well. Pitches are very bouncy here in Australia.
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Nov 06, 2019 04:16pm
Sarfaraz had the highest batting average in the recent 3-0 loss to Sri Lanka. His batting average was 22. Babar was at 14.
As per Mr. Akhtar's past analysis, this exhibits a lack of bravery and reflects badly on Babar's captaincy.
If Sarfaraz had the highest batting average and was removed due to the losses the team faced, it can't possibly be any different for Babar. Can it?
Unless Mr. Akhtar has double standards?
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Nov 06, 2019 04:30pm
@Syed, "Mr. Shoaib before it was Sarfraz to be blamed solely. Now who should be blamed?" No one. Because no one is from Karachi. As everyone can see, no one is asking Rizwan to show responsibility as vice captain and open. He replaced Sarfraz with promise that he is better, so he should be asked to prove himself or be replaced by some who bats better than Sarfraz.
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Nov 06, 2019 05:01pm
Nothing has changed for pakistan. They lost in their home grounds now losing in Australian conditions. Batting approach needs to be different in T 20s, even indians have not perfected the technique. English and Australian players are doing better.
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Nov 06, 2019 05:01pm
I don't fully agree with the analysis, however, I am equally disappointed by the team performance. The team has pretty much become a one pony show, barring Iftikhar's performance in the 2nd T20. Our batting is more exposed today due to below par bowling attack. Overall, I am concerned about the PCB's direction and team's position in the world ranking.
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Nov 06, 2019 05:43pm
@Vikas, "Why cannot Pakistanis just accept the fact that their team is not as good as it once used to be and the standards are falling day by day while the standards of other teams are rising?" We accept the fact. We are discussing about the reasons. Here we can see clearly: one standard for some people, another for others. Now no one asking to sack anyone.
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Nov 06, 2019 06:10pm
@Vikas, well said.
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Nov 06, 2019 06:18pm
simply he is trying to be as much critical to Pakistan players to get more likes on his channel.
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Nov 06, 2019 09:24pm
Why Babar Azam failed three times against-Lanka B team in all t-20 matches -played at Lahore Pakistan. Babar Azam has been is such great form.
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Nov 06, 2019 09:33pm
All of you can disagree with Shoaib's analysis but .... with grace and dignity. He is and will always be our shining star.
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Nov 06, 2019 09:40pm
Mr. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi,
What about the selectors, coach and the members of Pakistan Cricket Board?
Will they get fat salaries and privileges from the taxpayers wealth?
Kick them out.
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Nov 06, 2019 10:28pm
theproblemm atarts with teh selction. teh team delected has no batsman with the talnts, approach and temperament.
then comes the batting order. Whatever be the talents of Haris Sohail, in no way is he a no 3 batsman . he just doesn't have what is required. At best he should be # 5 or 6
Then we never learn. the dismissal of both Fakhar and Haris was an exact replica of how they got out in the 2nd ODI> and what in heavens was Haris trying to do. What a shot selection and execution. he just couldn't read the delivery. Maybe even a schoolboy could have done better
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Nov 06, 2019 10:29pm
and both ODIs reval the folly of selecting Irfan, A 37 year old unfit and out of form bowler. This is the vision and cricketing sense of the super maestro Misbah
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Nov 07, 2019 01:31am
@Vikas, worry about your tea bearing fascists standards please
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Nov 07, 2019 01:47am
How did Babar Azam fail in all three matches against Sri Lanka.
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Nov 07, 2019 01:51am
Sarfraz is Sind Express and no one can beat him.
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Nov 07, 2019 02:34am
But don't forget the Captain is the one responsible for who ball and which over. Our captain might be a best batsman but it doesn't make him an experienced captain. This game could have different results.
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Nov 07, 2019 02:54am
I dont pay attention to anything that comes out of this persons mouth.
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Nov 07, 2019 04:27am
Irfan and wahab should be removed
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Nov 07, 2019 09:03am
every loss is acceptable as long as Punjabis are leading the team.
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Nov 07, 2019 07:09pm
@asad, poor show....Sarfaz did not perform full stop! Furthermore he could,not lead from the front always hid away and excused himself from batting....so don’t bring poltics please. I am from Karachi, Sarfaz was total led down totally Indisciplined with his fitness
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