Asad Shafiq vs Ajinkya Rahane

[Gunner85]

Just another Indo-Pakistani Young batsmen Comparison thread.Whom you people think will be a better batsman 5 years from now and the reasons

[Cricfan4eva]

So far its Rahane, also he has a aggressive side to him. Yet to see Shafiq counterattack vs a good bowling attack. He's good though much better than over hyped Shehzad and U akmal. But he's not flashy so obviously not preferred much by Pak fans.

[Pete Rose]

He could be our version of Rahane, but right now its Rahane above Shafiq.

[Sandeep]

Equally good. Right now both are in the right direction as far as test are concerned

[Pete Rose]

I should add that man for man the Indian batsmen will have an advantage over Pakistani counterparts because the FTP does not favor us. We simply wont travel as much to the big three as india will.

[desi_launda]

Let Rahane play some home tests.Rahane has hardly played at home,averages 47 overseas,for all we know he could be a green track bully

[Gunner85]

I should add that man for man the Indian batsmen will have an advantage over Pakistani counterparts because the FTP does not favor us. We simply wont travel as much to the big three as india will.

Yes it can be a factor as playing in foreign conditions actually helps you in identifying your strengths and weakness and progress from there on.

[nish_mate]

Let Rahane play some home tests.Rahane has hardly played at home,averages 47 overseas,for all we know he could be a green track bully

true that flopped at home against the Aussies.....

[Electron]

Rahane's record would look so much better if he stops being given out unfairly by the umpires. This may sound like whining, but poor guy gets 2 or 3 bad calls every series.

[Gunner85]

true that flopped at home against the Aussies.....

Yep the shot he attempted against Lyon was just
Seems to get out a lot to off spinners.

[Sandeep]

But purely from a viewer's perspective, Rahane is easy on the eye and very elegant to watch

[desi_launda]

But purely from a viewer's perspective, Rahane is easy on the eye and very elegant to watch

easily best timer of the ball in the world

[Anchorman]

Rahane.

[desi_launda]

both are pretty much crap at the one day level,Rahane has potential but very inconsistent

[Amir]

Not even a debate. Rahane. Every day. Has much more mental strength. I would love if Pakistan had a Rahane.

[Sandeep]

easily best timer of the ball in the world

In the world? Can't comment.. But one of the better timers in India for sure

[Sandeep]

Ashwin is as good a timer, if not better

[Bullet Drive]

Shafiq is very elegant too. Sachin-esque.

[Varun]

true that flopped at home against the Aussies.....

You mean in one test match.

[nish_mate]

You mean in one test match.

yupp pressure got to him= but has bounced back quite nicely!

[cricketjoshila]

Rahane is a bouncy/pace track bully.Thats why he has away avg of 47 and home avg of 12-13.

[Mobashir]

both are pretty much crap at the one day level,Rahane has potential but very inconsistent

In the world? Can't comment.. But one of the better timers in India for sure

Ashwin is as good a timer, if not better

That was an over the top comment.
They are plenty of better timers of the ball than Rahane still he is very good.

Just to name à few: hales, Ronchi, Hafeez, Afridi, Ashwin and many many others.

[aukhan]

Rahane is a bouncy/pace track bully.Thats why he has away avg of 47 and home avg of 12-13.

i would take a bouncy/pace track bully over someone who can't even bully even a minnow team. Rahane will turn good with time.

[Varun]

Rahane's record would look so much better if he stops being given out unfairly by the umpires. This may sound like whining, but poor guy gets 2 or 3 bad calls every series.

This, and always in the crucial third/fourth innings.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Just to name ¨¤ few: hales, Ronchi, Hafeez, Afridi, Ashwin and many many others.

Is this a list of timers of the ball or mistimers of the ball?

[Cricfan4eva]

Is this a list of timers of the ball or mistimers of the ball?

Had the same question in my mind.

[BeautifulGame]

Rahane is a bouncy/pace track bully.Thats why he has away avg of 47 and home avg of 12-13.

He has played one test at home his debut match .So pretty stupid logic that

[Mobashir]

Is this a list of timers of the ball or mistimers of the ball?

Mistimers...

[OmaIR1]

shafiq has failed to live up to expectation

he is one of the few young players who have been backed and given a long run but it's a fact that he has failed to deliver the goods

he should be dropped ASAP before it's too late

[Bilal7]

I'll take Shafiq in tests. Take nothingaway from Rahane though, both are quality batsmen and great to watch when settled.

[Jabo]

So far Shafiq has shown he is a pathetic batsman who for some reason slides his way into the team even though he cant bat

[FreeBird]

Just another Indo-Pakistani Young batsmen Comparison thread.Whom you people think will be a better batsman 5 years from now and the reasons

very ordinary OP in my opinion.

The Indian batsman makes it to the national squad after 1 competes against 1.1 BILLION people
Pakistan batsman makes it to the national squad after 1 completes against 180 million.

A simple basic logic suggests that, most likely, the Indian batsman will always be of better quality for two reasons.

(a) - Coming through a much tougher and 10 times more competitive grind
(b) - In India, the batting part of cricket dominates their cricket culture. A good batsman is treated like a mahraja so everyone wants to become a batsman.

[steelo green]

Look at where Rahane has played and where Shafiq has played.

[Noobosauras]

very ordinary OP in my opinion.

The Indian batsman makes it to the national squad after 1 competes against 1.1 BILLION people
Pakistan batsman makes it to the national squad after 1 completes against 180 million.

A simple basic logic suggests that, most likely, the Indian batsman will always be of better quality for two reasons.

(a) - Coming through a much tougher and 10 times more competitive grind
(b) - In India, the batting part of cricket dominates their cricket culture. A good batsman is treated like a mahraja so everyone wants to become a batsman.

No its not that simple ... playing pool of serious cricketers in India and Pakistan would be closer than that ... maybe India has twice the number but wont be more than that. Also, all this only since last 10 year .. earlier batsmen were coming from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Banglore only

[steelo green]

No its not that simple ... playing pool of serious cricketers in India and Pakistan would be closer than that ... maybe India has twice the number but wont be more than that. Also, all this only since last 10 year .. earlier batsmen were coming from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Banglore only

The same argument can be made in Pakistan, not only that, in terms of numbers it's still not even close.

Not that I think it's a good reason by any means but if you will talk of a numbers game the discrepancy is massive.

[Executioner]

Imagine rahane and mominul batting together.

I would love to have Rahane in our test team. Any team barring SA would grab him.

[MeanAndGreen]

Shafiq is a poor man's Rahane.

[MeanAndGreen]

You have to be ridiculously patriotic to prefer Shafiq over Rahane.

[GreenKnightRises]

There isn't a question of doubt that Rahane is better player in all aspects than ******* Shafiq who can't bat nor field

[samplepiece]

No its not that simple ... playing pool of serious cricketers in India and Pakistan would be closer than that ... maybe India has twice the number but wont be more than that. Also, all this only since last 10 year .. earlier batsmen were coming from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Banglore only

Dhawan, Kohli - Delhi
Vijay - Chennai
Rahane, Rohit - Mumbai

Only Pujara in the top 6 is not from the metros.

Even during the time of fab 4, we had
Sehwag, Gambhir - Delhi
Dravid - Bangalore
Sachin - Mumbai
Ganguly - Kolkatta
VVS - Hyderabad

I guess test batting was and is still dominated by batsmen from the metros.

[JaDed]

Test batting as said by the above person is still more from metro because its an Academy kinda game and i don't see that improving anytime.The problem also is the way people from other town and cities play at junior level is restricted to concentration and smash the bowl i don't think anyone would learn to defend it.

[AZ]

am an extremely big fan of Rahane, he is the one Indian player who I would sit & watch and genuinely hope does well every time.

All silken touch and timing, such an effortless batsman.

[JaDed]

am an extremely big fan of Rahane, he is the one Indian player who I would sit & watch and genuinely hope does well every time.

All silken touch and timing, such an effortless batsman.

Struggles massively against off-spin unless playing domestic.

[Mainul]

Another thread overhyping Asad.

There is differance of day and light between Asad and Rahane.Rahane is a complete package.Asad is just a hack, very inconsistent with a poor stat.He just recently increased his test average a bit on flat roads of UAE

I dont think Asad will be given a go in any top 6 sides, whereas Rahane can make into any

[jusarrived]

Struggles massively against off-spin unless playing domestic.

Hes one of the best players of spin we have . I have seen Rahane play for years now . Just cos he got out a couple of times dosent make him weak .

As for OP , I like Asad . Hes one of the few pak bats who play proper cricket . I have been saying he will do well a good 2 years before ppers started rating him , but .....Rahane is in a different league . He was averaging 70 in domestic till recently . Potentially a 55 avg batsmen in Test cricket . The guy plays such effortless cricket , its not even a contest

[JibranAnsari]

Rahane is a far superior batsman and over the years it will be evident.

Asad is good but is a limited batsman. They are not in the same league talentwise.

[saadsahabjee]

Who do you think is the better test player and why ?

Asad Test Avg 43 8 100s

Rahane Test Avg 44 6 100s

To me rahane looks more compact but asad has natural batting style which rahane doesn't have.

[Mamoon]

Rahane is easily the better batsman, but Shafiq can become Pakistan's Rahane overseas.

[Hasan123]

Rahane is better. I think both will do well overseas tbh. Also both should be batting higher in test matches.

[Statsman]

Now what is a natural batting style?

And how is Rahane's batting style unnatural / artificial?

[Slog]

Lazy comparison

[blue_champion]

As I said in the match thread....impressed.....Shafiq is going to be part of the Magnificent 7 group of batsmen that will take cricket into the future

Virat,Warner,Smith,Root,Williamson,ABDV and Shafiq

2nd Tier-Super 8'S
Rahane,Rohit Sharma,Amla,Cook,Ahmed Shezad,Azhar Ali,Darren Bravo and Usman Khwaja

[sensible-indian-fan]

As I said in the match thread....impressed.....Shafiq is going to be part of the Magnificent 7 group of batsmen that will take cricket into the future

Virat,Warner,Smith,Root,Williamson,ABDV and Shafiq

2nd Tier-Super 8'S
Rahane,Rohit Sharma,Amla,Cook,Ahmed Shezad,Azhar Ali,Darren Bravo and Usman Khwaja

Your love for Rohit Sharma knows no bounds.

Rahane is tier 1 in terms of quality (maybe not in terms of star material but that's due to his LOI batting).

Vijay is tier 1 in terms of quality too (but doesn't get enough recognition but time will change it).

[Statsman]

Now what is a natural batting style?

And how is Rahane's batting style unnatural / artificial?

Answer to this, anyone?

[blue_champion]

Your love for Rohit Sharma knows no bounds.

Rahane is tier 1 in terms of quality (maybe not in terms of star material but that's due to his LOI batting).

Vijay is tier 1 in terms of quality too (but doesn't get enough recognition but time will change it).

This is about Shafiq's tier.....Doesn't matter who is in which tier it is personal perspective.....Shafiq is tier 1

[saadsahabjee]

Answer to this, anyone?

Dravid vs yousuf

[street cricketer]

Shafiq can become a more consistent batsman than Rahane.

[JaDed]

Shafiq doesn't look like a puppy when the ball hits on pads compared to Rahane but needs to play longer,Interesting times.

[Syed1]

Shafiq is a marginally better bat than Rahane.. But the difference between the two is a millimeter thin..

[cricketjoshila]

Now what is a natural batting style?

And how is Rahane's batting style unnatural / artificial?

Just like Imran Nazir is more talented and has better shots than Sehwag.

[The_Odd_One]

Rahane is better because he can score centuries. Shafiq seems to throw his wicket away in 70s and 80s.

I think if he starts batting at #4, he will score more runs.

[Belawal2014]

Rahane is better. Also a better LOI player than Shafiqster.

[mp812rediff]

Both are good batters for their respective team.
Both have their weakness and both have their strength.
Both try to give best for the team. Both probably work hard to be where they are
Is it really required to compare?

[Sandeep]

Both are good batters for their respective team.
Both have their weakness and both have their strength.
Both try to give best for the team. Both probably work hard to be where they are
Is it really required to compare?

Cracked me up, captain obvious

[big_gamer007]

This is the first time I have seen Shafiq bat, looked pretty well settled out there... I would prefer rahane in my team though..

[srh]

Who do you think is the better test player and why ?

Asad Test Avg 43 8 100s

Rahane Test Avg 44 6 100s

To me rahane looks more compact but asad has natural batting style which rahane doesn't have.

Cant believe Rahane only averages 44 in tests; he should be averaging 50+

[Buffet]

Cant believe Rahane only averages 44 in tests; he should be averaging 50+

I think Indians were touring a lot and it was first tour for many venues for him. And now, they prepared turners at home against SA where no one was able to score much from the both sides. All tours and SA series must be around 80-90% of his career so far.

[Chief Destroyer]

Rahane's a much superior batsman.

[blue_champion]

ODI+Test+T20 it is not even close.....Rahane all the way.

[blue_champion]

^ I mean at this point...but I think Shafiq is going to rock the cricketing world soon

[WhenSultansBowled]

Asad Shafiq must learn to score daddy hundreds. That's what separates boys from men He has a tendency to get out after doing all the hard work. Must learn to cash on starts for our batting's sake

At the end of Australia tour we'll know who is truly better, Asad or Ajinkya.

[hussain.r97]

Rahane is way ahead for now but Asad is catching up. He can be our Rahane.

[Smbhayi]

As I said in the match thread....impressed.....Shafiq is going to be part of the Magnificent 7 group of batsmen that will take cricket into the future

Virat,Warner,Smith,Root,Williamson,ABDV and Shafiq

2nd Tier-Super 8'S
Rahane,Rohit Sharma,Amla,Cook,Ahmed Shezad,Azhar Ali,Darren Bravo and Usman Khwaja

Amla @ tier 2? are you kidding? He's clearly ahead of all batsman in the tier 1.

[hur rizvi]

Shafiq has been remarkable for us at no. 6. Rahane is a top order batsman. Both are good but cant compare them statistically because both bat at different positions

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Only difference I see is once Rahane crosses a 50 makes sure he gets to a 100 and can bat well even with tail. Asad is very good, almost getting there. IMO he should bat higher.

[Thivagar]

Rehane as of now.

[Varun]

Tch tch Shafiq...can't even score a ton at Lord's.

[Adijazz1706]

As I said in the match thread....impressed.....Shafiq is going to be part of the Magnificent 7 group of batsmen that will take cricket into the future

Virat,Warner,Smith,Root,Williamson,ABDV and Shafiq

2nd Tier-Super 8'S
Rahane,Rohit Sharma,Amla,Cook,Ahmed Shezad,Azhar Ali,Darren Bravo and Usman Khwaja

Amla is better than all the other guys you've mentioned, LOL at Shafiq, Virat and Warner in tier 1 and Rohit and Shezzy in tier 2

[Statsman]

On what basis is Rahane better than Shafiq?

[Slog]

i think both are better than what they give themselves credit for

Shafiq looks more in control at times whereas Rahane looks a scaredy cat even when he' sset for some odd reason