Umar and Alam showing some metal again

[moz]

These two, although only 30 no and 20 no as i type, have shown backbone, and backbone together...

keep them together, and let them be a lesson for our top order....

[Amjid Javed]

Well Both batsmen seem to compliment each other, one is a nudler and the other a stroker making dasher... lets hope they form the backbone of the team for many years to come...

[pakistani pride]

Agree, some are having a go at Fawad. . . but can you blame him that he is taking his time ?
The poor lad gets a chance to play once a year.

Atleast these 2 have put on a partnership for what it is worth.

Umar ar 3 and fawad at 4 thats what we should do but of couse that will not happen !

[onlycricket]

These two, although only 30 no and 20 no as i type, have shown backbone, and backbone together...

keep them together, and let them be a lesson for our top order....


great temperament shown by the both...I think, these 2 will be potential batting greats for Pakistan in the future...good luck to both the talent...

[Lethal]

Fawad just got run out for 21.

[Amjid Javed]

Agree, some are having a go at Fawad. . . but can you blame him that he is taking his time ?The poor lad gets a chance to play once a year.

Atleast these 2 have put on a partnership for what it is worth.

Umar ar 3 and fawad at 4 thats what we should do but of couse that will not happen !

PPer need to realize at 39/4 you cant just go out and play big shots and take risks.. most moaners are probably teenagers or just purely impatient and have a lack of understanding of the game.

[saeed-sohail]

Fawad alam will be a future captain. His out cricket is awesome for a pakistani cricketer.

[Sheikh]

PPer need to realize at 39/4 you cant just go out and play big shots and take risks.. most moaners are probably teenagers or just purely impatient and have a lack of understanding of the game.
Exactly.

[onlycricket]

Fawad alam will be a future captain. His out cricket is awesome for a pakistani cricketer.

sad to see another collapse....I think Pakistan team is very unlucky since past few years despite having talent in their side..also, they need top 3 to take the responsibility in ODIs/ Tests....

[moz]

Good reaction guys, Alam's run out wasnt a debacle, very good throw, and Alam called it and was almost run out. At least there was no confusion.

Had he have waited though and stayed, i think alam would have stuck around longer too....

they are our future though hopefully along with Butt and some new blood.

[onlycricket]

I think Afridi is going to break some record today...

[AZ]

good stickability to the crease but they need to work on picking the gaps in the field

[moz]

good stickability to the crease but they need to work on picking the gaps in the field

absolutely, I think we have our own Peterson and Collingwood in those two.

[Inswinger]

Young players can only do so much. These two have done well but there is immense pressure when you come in at 40/4. These 'senior' players gotta go from the OD team.

[Sparhawk]

I didn't know they were cyborgs

[Garuda]

I thought in Pakistan you will be considered a great batsman if you play a 10 ball 30 runs innings.

If these guys play like this, they will never shampoo or drink pepsi on TV. Swing the bat both of you. Send the ball to mars.

[90MPH]

Fawad struggles with finding the gaps at times - he needs to play with softer hands and deflect the ball like Chanderpaul.

But both showed good temperament under pressure and were quite unlucky how they got out.

[Zain]

Fully agree with this thread, fawad and umar are showing real back bone and teaching the seniors a thing or two, both compliment one another when at the crease together, there running between the wickets is good, moyo and salamn butt can take lesson from them, even though we have been loosing, the only plus point of our batting has been these two, ive actually enjoyed watching both of them bat together, today both were unlucky, maybe a little bit of inexperience from fawad to take on that run. Also a good combination fawad will just work the ball around as can umar, but he can also stay there and let umar step up a few gears when needed to, i think both can be good for pak cricket.

[pun500]

alam is a nohoper his innings was full of inside edges... yes application is there but sadly he just doesnt seem to be cut out for this level with his limited strokeplay

umar -- top notch again but his runs are starting to come down which i believe is more due to pressure of him being the no 2 bat in the side

[Zain]

Alam is not a nohoper, lol what rubbish. He played a fighting innings, he has got fight in him which is exactly what the team needs, and also he has just come into the team he cant start performing straight away you need to give the guy a chance to play and maybe get into form, dont just right him off straight away.
The one time he gained soem kind of form when he opened and made a 100, he wasnt given a proper run after that in the team.

[Zain]

He may not have as much natural talent as others, but he has the right attitude and is a hard worker, a bit like collingwood.

[Garuda]

Alam is not a nohoper, lol what rubbish. He played a fighting innings, he has got fight in him which is exactly what the team needs, and also he has just come into the team he cant start performing straight away you need to give the guy a chance to play and maybe get into form, dont just right him off straight away.
The one time he gained soem kind of form when he opened and made a 100, he wasnt given a proper run after that in the team.


I will agree with you. If you see a potential youngster then he should get a not-stop runway to show his caliber.

Remember Suresh Raina ? He was a 30 odd run player in the starting. But he got a long run and now he can win an ODI for you.

[Ryankhan]

i havent seen last 2 odis of pak so completely missed these 2 batting. but i would like to see these 2 play at no.3 and 4 position and either play younis or yousuf. just one and bat them at no.5. inshallah when afridi becomes captain i hope he kicks out the unperforming seniors and bring in deserving youngsters. our top 4 is really struggling and bring young players with good temprament and plz ur 20-20 team should be different/ ur odi team should be different and test team aswell. put all the seniors in test matches cuz thats where exp comes in handy and in odis play good batsmen with good temprament who could stay on the crease for longer and bats through 50 overs. in 20-20 keep batsmen like imran nazir-shahzaib hassan. basically all sloggers should be in 20-20....keep some seniors in odi aswell like afridi-razzak-rana- n bowlers remains the same cuz they are doing a good job but still try out our young fast bowlers like talha. wahab riaz and sohail khan and anwer ali and m.irfan

[pun500]

I will agree with you. If you see a potential youngster then he should get a not-stop runway to show his caliber.

Remember Suresh Raina ? He was a 30 odd run player in the starting. But he got a long run and now he can win an ODI for you.
see alam bat and see raina bat even in his earlier times ...

raina was impetuous but still showed he could cut it... lam has serious weakness in his technique..he was inside edging everything

[Zaz]

They need to be promoted above the so called 'seniors' but doubt it ll happen


The loser mentality of the top 4 will continue

[pak4life]

The job of these two is not to rebuild they are more suited to finishing the job off A number 4 and 5 shoould not be coming in before the first 15 overs. Moyo and yousaf do your job!!! In the last two matches they were not sure when to up the tempo hopefully they will learn and get better with experience.

[fawad_wellwisher]

Both should be persisted with and especially Fawad and then we can see whether he can overcome his technical defeciencies.

[Zain]

Technical issues with a player can always be rectified, it does not mean that he cannot cut it at that level.
Dont know how you think he cannot cut it, he is not an opener and opened and made 100, in conditions where pak batsmen are known to struggle, if that does not show you that he cannot cut it then i dont know what he has to do to prove himself.

[moz]

According to some Alam doesnt have the ability but he has still musterd two decent starts in precarious situations outside of powerplays...a good good number 6, dont be fooled into thinking he cannot score big because he isnt silky...

[PapaBear]

absolutely, I think we have our own Peterson and Collingwood in those two.
Absolutely agree, they should be made permanent no 5 and 6 in Tests, ODI and T20

[Garuda]

see alam bat and see raina bat even in his earlier times ...

raina was impetuous but still showed he could cut it... lam has serious weakness in his technique..he was inside edging everything


See there is no point comparing two players. My point was

1. Fawad is one of the best they have in their bench and domestic circuit.
2. So he deserves a long run to prove whatever he can serve.
3. giving him one game once in a while will just kill his confidence.
4. He would be more worried about his score than winning the match.

[Xohaib]

See there is no point comparing two players. My point was

1. Fawad is one of the best they have in their bench and domestic circuit.
2. So he deserves a long run to prove whatever he can serve.
3. giving him one game once in a while will just kill his confidence.
4. He would be more worried about his score than winning the match.
Plus he is one of the best pakistan fielder,Can catch,run and throw brilliantly.

[Sohaib-789]

these guys have great futures ahead

[IAJ]

I will agree with you. If you see a potential youngster then he should get a not-stop runway to show his caliber.

Remember Suresh Raina ? He was a 30 odd run player in the starting. But he got a long run and now he can win an ODI for you.

good point :)

[akafen]

unfortunately both Alam and Akmal come in to late. playing at 5 and 6 is okay when its 200/4 rather than 30/4.


I think both players will be the foundation of our batting lineup once the board decides to kick out the rest.

[Garuda]

Plus he is one of the best pakistan fielder,Can catch,run and throw brilliantly.


Yes, did you see the run out of Clarke today? Won't you like 3-4 more guys in the 30 yeard circle like him? :)

[Oxy]

Do you mean metal or 'mettle'

[flawed_genius]

Based on yesterday's innings, he should be batting at no.3 or no.4, so he can be the 'anchor'.

[moz]

Do you mean metal or 'mettle'

you are right, i meant mettle, although metal i supposed implies they were more steely than their fellow batsmen.

[Amjid Javed]

I think its time Fawad was given a run in test side again as well.

[Easa]

Was I the only one that wasn't impressed by Fawad Alam? Again?

Yes, he has temperament, yes he has the desire to do well. But he just doesn't have the strokeplaying ability to play limited overs cricket. I've seen him bat quite a few times now and he will get bogged down like he was yesterday. Its not about technique with him; I couldn't care less how big his shuffle is. Its just the fact that he has about three shots.

[cricket_fever]

i agree with those that are saying let "u akmal and fawad bat together and even higher up in the order"

[tahaqureshi]

I don't bash Fawad because I'm an impatient teenager or don't have an understanding of the game.

He just doesn't seem to possess the talent that an int'l quality no.5 or 6 should.

He has limited stroke play, he doesn't seem to have command on the bowling and is always fidgety.

In plain english he just looks ugly and to be honest, temperament is a good thing, but not at the expense of actual talent and batting stroke play.

Compare Fawad with Hussey. In the last ODI, Hussey also came in at a time when the Aussies were in a spot of bother. Granted they weren't 39/4 but they were still in a spot of bother in which the average Pakistani batsman would have gone into a shell.

Instead, Hussey made sure to rotate the strike and keep the runs flowing all the while not taking any risks by playing flamboyant shots.

Similarly, what I expect from Fawad be it 39/4 or 0/4 is at least the ability to stamp your authority on the bowling by not getting intimidated or bogged down by them.

He at one point had made 11 runs in 35 deliveries. That for me is unacceptable. If he can't find the gaps, or doesn't have the confidence to play strokes then he is simply not good enough.

[Amjid Javed]

Was I the only one that wasn't impressed by Fawad Alam? Again?

Yes, he has temperament, yes he has the desire to do well. But he just doesn't have the strokeplaying ability to play limited overs cricket. I've seen him bat quite a few times now and he will get bogged down like he was yesterday. Its not about technique with him; I couldn't care less how big his shuffle is. Its just the fact that he has about three shots.

Easa,

The team was 39/4 what do you expect him to do? come and slog from ball one? Not everyone is an Akmal or afridi you know. Yes hes a limited player and one whose under imense pressure because he fails once or twice and he will get dropped. How can some one perform and be worry free under such conditions. Hes a nurdler and person who will accumulate runs and ideally should be batting maybe 4 in the team so he can build an inns. Give lad some time to maybe blossom 1st.

[zimran72]

Was I the only one that wasn't impressed by Fawad Alam? Again?

Yes, he has temperament, yes he has the desire to do well. But he just doesn't have the strokeplaying ability to play limited overs cricket. I've seen him bat quite a few times now and he will get bogged down like he was yesterday. Its not about technique with him; I couldn't care less how big his shuffle is. Its just the fact that he has about three shots.

Maybe it is because your hero was dropped from the team to accomodate Fawad?

[zimran72]

I don't bash Fawad because I'm an impatient teenager or don't have an understanding of the game.

He just doesn't seem to possess the talent that an int'l quality no.5 or 6 should.

He has limited stroke play, he doesn't seem to have command on the bowling and is always fidgety.

In plain english he just looks ugly and to be honest, temperament is a good thing, but not at the expense of actual talent and batting stroke play.

Compare Fawad with Hussey. In the last ODI, Hussey also came in at a time when the Aussies were in a spot of bother. Granted they weren't 39/4 but they were still in a spot of bother in which the average Pakistani batsman would have gone into a shell.

Instead, Hussey made sure to rotate the strike and keep the runs flowing all the while not taking any risks by playing flamboyant shots.

Similarly, what I expect from Fawad be it 39/4 or 0/4 is at least the ability to stamp your authority on the bowling by not getting intimidated or bogged down by them.

He at one point had made 11 runs in 35 deliveries. That for me is unacceptable. If he can't find the gaps, or doesn't have the confidence to play strokes then he is simply not good enough.

Well then we might as well drop Younis and Yousuf as well as neither of scores fast enough. We aren't left with much then are we

[Easa]

I don't know why everyone acts like I'm spitting on the Pakistani flag when I criticize Fawad. He's not above criticism at all.

I think we can do much better than him, but he could make a decent fringe player. Out of the young players at our disposal, I'd like to see Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad get a run. Both look very gifted.

[pun500]

See there is no point comparing two players. My point was

1. Fawad is one of the best they have in their bench and domestic circuit.
2. So he deserves a long run to prove whatever he can serve.
3. giving him one game once in a while will just kill his confidence.
4. He would be more worried about his score than winning the match.
agreed give him next 5 odis and i can assure you he wouldnt still cut it...

easa is right fawad lain and simple is a domestic bully and out of his class in odis

[coy0607]

I don't know why everyone acts like I'm spitting on the Pakistani flag when I criticize Fawad. He's not above criticism at all.

I think we can do much better than him, but he could make a decent fringe player. Out of the young players at our disposal, I'd like to see Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad get a run. Both look very gifted.

i really cant understand why people are so infatuated with ahmed shehzad.....he has a poor domestic record and failed miserably in the u19 world cup........nasir jamshed looked decent against Zimbabwe/Bangladesh but we dont need another hard hitting opener, we need a middle order batsmen who puts a price on his wicket, and can steady the middle order

[IM NOT YOU]

Easa,

The team was 39/4 what do you expect him to do? come and slog from ball one? Not everyone is an Akmal or afridi you know. Yes hes a limited player and one whose under imense pressure because he fails once or twice and he will get dropped. How can some one perform and be worry free under such conditions. Hes a nurdler and person who will accumulate runs and ideally should be batting maybe 4 in the team so he can build an inns. Give lad some time to maybe blossom 1st.




very nice post.

[Sledger]

That'll always be the critisism of Fawad, he's not a big hitter. IMO, he's a gritty little player and he should try and bat through. Maybe he'd be a better option at 3 than Younis.. should be given a run in TEST cricket so he can develop his game.

[mindless slogging]

Most people hate Fawad Alam because he has proper temperament, as most people hated YK before he started making massive scores (and against India).

People need to realise you need gritty players that stay at the wicket. Someone like Collingwood perhaps, who stops collapses all over the place and is almost a silent match-winner.

But as pointed out previously, Fawad's technique against the faster bowlers is lacking. But he definitely deserves a chance. Because I see him as a person, who once dropped based on inadequate technique, will actively try and rectify it and get back in the side. So far, he has been dropped due to incompetence by the PCB.

[Alam_dar]

We have to live with it that there is no other Domestic Middle Order player, who is better than Fawad Alam at moment.

And why People forget the Importance of Fawad Alam in ODIs comes not only through his batting, but also through his fielding. Do you remember the RUN Out in last Match?

Ideally, Fawad Alam should be No. 4 batsman. And it will happen when we get rid of big Senior Old guns like Yousuf and Younus. This would allow Umar Akmal to be No. 3 and Fawad Alam to be No 4.

Fawad Alam is just a player like Clarke of Australia (may be with less talent as Clarke, but his role as No. 4 batsmen will be the same as of Clarke)

[Easa]

i really cant understand why people are so infatuated with ahmed shehzad.....he has a poor domestic record and failed miserably in the u19 world cup.......
Because he has looked the part in his brief outings for Pakistan thus far.

I understand that Alam has been a little unlucky in his short career but he just hasn't looked like the kind that can cut it out at this level. Both Shehzad and Jamshed have dominated bowling attacks and shown that they have the ability to be mainstays in the future.

[Xohaib]

alam all the way,his brilliant fielding is enough.
And his temperament as well.

[Amjid Javed]

Easa,

Your thoughts on Fawads knock today?

[Zaid23]

2nd 80 plus partnership and 1 60 plus partnership in 1 odi...and was just check fawad alam record in every odi he played.....cudnt find a inning in which he failed except for 2 or 3....and in tht inning also he came in the end......so great record...always not out....just see

http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/40250.html?class=2;template=results;type=allround; view=match

[zarak]

last game fawad made 30 runs. he probably saved 10 in the field and 25 odd by getting clarke out. that gives him an average of 65

[moz]

any good player that defies pakistani conventions i love, Fawad for his well grafted innings, and Asif for his consistant pitch on the seam...

[90MPH]

Well great temperament shown by these 2 again. Fawad should now have at least cemented his ODI spot.

[Dr. Khan]

It is amazing really, the comments coming out of the captain and coaches mouth - "we are an inexperienced / young side". Hate to break it to these folks but the youngsters having been performing. The Seniors trying to save their spots by using such baseless statements are a different matter all together

[Sohaib-789]

Some great players coming through for pakistan.

[khalil1986]

Easa would like to hear what you say now, the guy is a very good player and i don't give it toss about "so called" talent. Just love the way this guy fights it out

[Amir]

Easa,

Your thoughts on Fawads knock today?

It wasn't good as Shoaib Malik's he would say.

[The Chaudrey]

We should be using these two together at 3 and 4.

[kkmix]

Malik at 3
Umar Akmal at 4
Fawad Alam at 5

its a much better middle order than yousuf and younis.

[AZ]

very happy for the 2, there is absolutely no justification for both not being our middle order mainstay for the forseeable future.

[Tapori]

^ been saying this since SL - Compliment each other perfectly.

[tahaqureshi]

Well played Fawad. Surprised me with the high strike rate.

Keep it up and you will go far for Pakistan!

Still have issues with his lack of shots though.

[Imr4n_Khan]

These guys are fast becoming backbone of Pakistan middle order. In couple years, I can see Umer Akmal at #3 and Fawad Alam at #4. At the moment they need to continue batting at where they are batting at with Younis #3 and Yousuf at #4. I know both Younis and Yousuf are out of touch, but they will be back in touch soon Inshallah.

[Easa]

I'm here guys, I watched the game as usual, and I'm not gonna run away from this thread.

Excellent, excellent knock from Fawad today. Have absolutely no problem with him playing like this. What was a noticeable change about the way he went about business today was his intent, he looked like a man who wanted to score off every delivery and that made a difference as he improvised very well. Impressive stuff.

[Amjid Javed]

I'm here guys, I watched the game as usual, and I'm not gonna run away from this thread.

Excellent, excellent knock from Fawad today. Have absolutely no problem with him playing like this. What was a noticeable change about the way he went about business today was his intent, he looked like a man who wanted to score off every delivery and that made a difference as he improvised very well. Impressive stuff.

:14: excellent reply.

[pakcricketfan]

The 2 of them have showed that they have the nerves. They bat well together, bring positive energy to the crease and the field. They show intent. In the last 3 matches, they have stabilised the innings when more experienced and more proven players have failed to make a mark.
They are the present and future of Pak cricket.

[mindless slogging]

He could be our Paul Collingwood. Yes he has a lot to improve in his game - especially when facing the faster bowlers, but I feel he has the grit and determination to do similar to what Collingwood does for the England test side - prevent collapses.

[Atif]

i haave never doubted Umar Akmal's cricketing ability, however was not too sure about Alam's, but after watching his batting in last couple of days, i now know the boy has got talent

[fawad_wellwisher]

He just needs a bit of confidence. Someone has to tell him he will be given a proper run in the team and inshallah he will perform for you.

[Sheikh]

Good knock and hopefully a chance now to get an extended run in the team. The Umar/Fawad duo looks a complimentary one and should be persisted with.