Glad to be Back in Runs and Wickets: Shoaib Malik

[Noreen]

Glad to be Back in Runs and Wickets
Oct 18, 2006 | Shoaib Malik

Our win over Sri Lanka was a big victory given what the team had been through but it was also a big game for me after a few poor matches in England.

I don’t want to dwell on the events leading up to our match because enough has been said of that already but obviously it was hard for the team to lose their opening bowlers a day before a crunch match in the Champions Trophy.

We are a positive bunch of players and we have a great deal of faith in one another and not once did we feel we could never win that match in Jaipur.

Everyone made a contribution and it was a very enjoyable win against a team who many people have said could win the tournament. For me it was also a big game.

A lot of people had asked me about my poor form in England and whether I was going to carry on opening and whether I should have even played those four one-day games in England at all as I was coming back from injury. Personally I was never worried about anything.

The truth is, at the start of the England tour I was hitting the ball beautifully and scored a hundred at Leicestershire and then my injury came along. So as soon as that was healed I was keen to get back into my cricket.

The fact I didn’t score many runs there was nothing to do with the fact I can’t play the swinging ball as some have suggested as I’ve scored runs in swinging conditions before. Looking back, it was probably my lack of match practice that prevented me from reaching my best form.

But it was also that fact that allowed me to stay confident coming in to the ICC Champions Trophy. I knew I wasn’t out of form. I just needed more time to allow my elbow to get used to playing international cricket again.

It was a very satisfying innings (46 not out), particularly my six against Murali, and I was pleased to see Abdul Razzaq come in and hit the ball so well at the end. He really took all the pressure off me.

Another aspect to the match that I was happy about was my two wickets. The injury affected my bowling for a while and I know a few people started to wonder whether I was becoming just a batsman instead of someone who bowls off-spin and bats. So to get back amongst the wickets was nice.

It was the perfect start for us as a team so hopefully we can continue against New Zealand and South Africa as we have started.

I scored some runs in India last year when we were here – three fifties in four games – so I enjoy the pitches and the country and hope my game can keep improving.

http://malik.bigstarcricket.com/bs/p...cle_1169.shtml

[Easa]

He seems like a very simple and likeable guy.

All the best to him.

[cavin420]

The truth is, at the start of the England tour I was hitting the ball beautifully and scored a hundred at Leicestershire and then my injury came along. So as soon as that was healed I was keen to get back into my cricket.


i back that statement, 110%!

[khanpuria]

seems like a good man.. vc to younis?

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by khanpuria seems like a good man.. vc to younis?

The future PAkistan Captain, with out a doubt, inshAllah.

[waqar_ahmad]

Originally Posted by khanpuria seems like a good man.. vc to younis?

absolutely. the thing that makes him such a good candidate for vc and captaincy is his ability to take pressure and modify his role according to the team requirements.

[Uzzy]

Edit

[m_sohail]

Originally Posted by cavin420 The future PAkistan Captain, with out a doubt, inshAllah.

[The Godfather]

very good player

[Gunner786]

have you guys forgot the forfeit?

imagine if that was the world cup final!!

captaincy is a biiiiiig no no

[DotCom]

Originally Posted by gambino have you guys forgot the forfeit? imagine if that was the world cup final!! captaincy is a biiiiiig no no

do you know why he forfeited?

its along the same principles that Inzy didnt take the field, and Younis quit and then reaccepted ...

[infamous9383]

Good to see hes not worried about the swinging ball

[the true passionist]

Originally Posted by gambino have you guys forgot the forfeit? imagine if that was the world cup final!! captaincy is a biiiiiig no no

that is no big deal..it was domestic cricket...and lot of bigger things happen in domestic cricket. And he did not forfeit the game, he just didn't score enough runs to win (intentionally though).

As far as captaincy go, i have always liked to see him in that position. Infact before Younis appeared on the scence with his captaincy skills, i always considered him to be the first option after the WC.

On a different point, Inzi needs to trust him as a bowler, he under-bowled at times.

[Inswinging Yorker]

good confident player ,augers well for pak team....shows that there is high team spirit in

the height of controversy

[OZGOD]

This guy was one of the most promising players in international cricket a few years ago. Fantastic allrounder. He could be anything if he reaches his potential.

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by OZGOD This guy was one of the most promising players in international cricket a few years ago. Fantastic allrounder. He could be anything if he reaches his potential.

back then he was allowed to bowl the doosra but that road accident screwed up his bowling arm.

[inzidabest]

Depends how he goes from here. It will be a mistake if Inzy moves him to the opening slot. He is a perfect no 6 for both forms of the game. If Pakistan persist with him at 6, will be wonderful for Pakistan and Malik both

[OZGOD]

Yep, don't do a Watson with him - keep him in the lower middle order.

[hasbeen]

he is one of the most underated players of pak cricket.when people talk about pakistan cricket they normally mention the big names like shoaib,afridi,inzi and moyo. But for me malik is one of the most important players of pak team as i think the next 7-10 years of pak cricket, he will play an integral part of pak sucess maybe as a captain.
he has been screwed around IMO as he never seems to hav a fixed position. once he settles down to a position, they seem to change it again. he doesnt seem to complain but puts the team first unlike some so called heros like boom boom. malik is a class player and seems to perform in every position. once he is given a fixed postion in international cricket he will turn in to one of the leading all rounders.

WHERE DO U THINK HE SHOULD BAT IN ONE DAYS AND TESTS AT THE PRESENT TIME AND ALSO IN THE FUTURE?
i think he should bat at number 6 at the present time and once inzi and even moyo retire he should take either te 4th or 5th batting position.

[badxhah]

he shud have said GLAD TO BE BACK IN SUB-CONT.

[zaf1986]

Still think No. 3 is the position for him - he averages 45 there.

[Sheikh_Ji]

Originally Posted by the true passionist that is no big deal..it was domestic cricket...and lot of bigger things happen in domestic cricket. And he did not forfeit the game, he just didn't score enough runs to win (intentionally though). As far as captaincy go, i have always liked to see him in that position. Infact before Younis appeared on the scence with his captaincy skills, i always considered him to be the first option after the WC. On a different point, Inzi needs to trust him as a bowler, he under-bowled at times.

Agreeeed...especiallly since Hafeez has made his way back into the team. I was really glad to see YK bringing Malik on to bowl as soon as the powerplays ended.

[OZGOD]

Middle order definitely. I wouldn't put him at 3, Younis Khan can fill that quite well.

[zaf1986]

Younis Khan at 3 in Tests yes, in ODIs I'm still not convinced.

Ever since Malik was moved from 3, he hasn't been the same again...

[UJ]

Originally Posted by cavin420 The future PAkistan Captain, with out a doubt, inshAllah.

And a superstar in the making. If he applies himself, theres no limit to what he can achieve!

[Muzy]

that was a good read, always had faith in Malik and in time he's back!!!

yup its true he is an underated player for pakistan, credit should be given where it's due and without malik's performance against sri lanka i doubt it that we would have won like we did, he's got stability and talent inshallah yes he will be our future captain!!!!

NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK SIALKOTI STALLION!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Noreen The fact I didn’t score many runs there was nothing to do with the fact I can’t play the swinging ball as some have suggested as I’ve scored runs in swinging conditions before. Looking back, it was probably my lack of match practice that prevented me from reaching my best form.

and when were these runs scored in swing conditions?

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed and when were these runs scored in swing conditions?

your obsession with malik is getting to horrific levels.....

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by cavin420 your obsession with malik is getting to horrific levels.....

And Naved.

[Amjid Javed]

Well maliks comments are hilarious to say the least.

Malik has been a walking gift wrapped wicket when ever hes played in seaming conditions, i guess hes forgotten he owns a duck farm in new zealand!

when malik scores runs in such conditions il take notice, hes just another over-rated FTB like so many others!

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed Well maliks comments are hilarious to say the least. Malik has been a walking gift wrapped wicket when ever hes played in seaming conditions, i guess hes forgotten he owns a duck farm in new zealand! when malik scores runs in such conditions il take notice, hes just another over-rated FTB like so many others!

Yaar AJ you need to remember that we are talking about a guy who used to bat at #10. So FTB or not, the mere fact that he was the most successful #3 batsman in year 2005 is really admirable.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan Yaar AJ you need to remember that we are talking about a guy who used to bat at #10. So FTB or not, the mere fact that he was the most successful #3 batsman in year 2005 is really admirable.

Yes i admire that fact he use to bat 11 and now hes a decent batsmen at international level, i dont thou go for the over hyping stages of future captain, world class batsmen etc...

some fans are getting ahead of themselves.

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed Yes i admire that fact he use to bat 11 and now hes a decent batsmen at international level, i dont thou go for the over hyping stages of future captain, world class batsmen etc... some fans are getting ahead of themselves.

Thats prolly, because some fans know He has Got , what it takes to be not only a future Great, but also Captaincy material , malik is Definitely one of them, inshAllah .

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed Yes i admire that fact he use to bat 11 and now hes a decent batsmen at international level, i dont thou go for the over hyping stages of future captain, world class batsmen etc... some fans are getting ahead of themselves.

yea i agree with you there and that's why i was shocked to see him opening the batting in test cricket.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by cavin420 Thats prolly, because some fans know He has Got , what it takes to be not only a future Great, but also Captaincy material , malik is Definitely one of them, inshAllah .

to become captain you have to establish urself in the team and be able to comand a place in the sides as a regular.

In odis hes might be regular player but in tests he hasnt yet.

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed to become captain you have to establish urself in the team and be able to comand a place in the sides as a regular. In odis hes might be regular player but in tests he hasnt yet.

He can not Command a place in TESTs, if he keeps on playing as an opener .

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by cavin420 He can not Command a place in TESTs, if he keeps on playing as an opener .

Ive always believed if hes to play in the sides he a number 6/7 batsmen at best. Come the test series v W.I he might find himself batting number 6 instead of afridi.

Malik got a ton in sri lanka, hafeez/farhat did well @ Oval, so its a tricky selection dilema.

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed Ive always believed if hes to play in the sides he a number 6/7 batsmen at best. Come the test series v W.I he might find himself batting number 6 instead of afridi. Malik got a ton in sri lanka, hafeez/farhat did well @ Oval, so its a tricky selection dilema.

i would stick with Hafeez/Farhat, and play malik at no .6!

we have a healthy competition for places for that no.6 spot, with malik, afridi, RazzaQ, faisal iqbal(oh dear) e.t.c .

[Easa]

I would drop Farhat, and open with Malik and Hafeez once Inzamam comes back.

Hafeez, Malik, Younis, Yousaf, Inzi*, Afridi, Akmal+, Razzaq, Rana, Gul, Kaneria

[z10]

So farhat, who scored a half century in each of his last ODIs and tests, gets dropped?

[Sultan Yusuf]

Originally Posted by Lassiwala The fact I didn’t score many runs there was nothing to do with the fact I can’t play the swinging ball as some have suggested as I’ve scored runs in swinging conditions before. Looking back, it was probably my lack of match practice that prevented me from reaching my best form.

Oh really?? And when and where was that? How about some substance? Why didn't he back it up with an example?

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Easa I would drop Farhat, and open with Malik and Hafeez once Inzamam comes back. Hafeez, Malik, Younis, Yousaf, Inzi*, Afridi, Akmal+, Razzaq, Rana, Gul, Kaneria

No surprise in your team selection.

[Amjid Javed]

I hope we dont go back to using numerous useless bits and pieces players in test team again. I just hope even if asif/akthar are banned we can still pick some genuine frontline bowlers. The likes of Rana, Razzaq etc are not test material bowlers.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by z10 So farhat, who scored a half century in each of his last ODIs and tests, gets dropped?

Yes. Farhat played well for his 91 but it was his first good score for 6 innings or so. Hafeez looked assured for his 95, while Malik made a superb 100.

Afridi has to play - he has averaged around 44 with the bat lately and is one of our best spinners.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed No surprise in your team selection.

That's good.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Easa Yes. Farhat played well for his 91 but it was his first good score for 6 innings or so. Hafeez looked assured for his 95, while Malik made a superb 100. Afridi has to play - he has averaged around 44 with the bat lately and is one of our best spinners.

wasnt afridi dropped half-way thru the england test series?

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Easa Yes. Farhat played well for his 91 but it was his first good score for 6 innings or so. Hafeez looked assured for his 95, while Malik made a superb 100. Afridi has to play - he has averaged around 44 with the bat lately and is one of our best spinners.

if you are nullifying Farhat, on the basis of last 6 innings played, then i suggest you do the same with afridi .

and afridi in Test matches, has not been played as our premier spinner, that award goes to Danish kaneria , and its no hidden secret how Inzi uses Afridi in test matches, might as well play an Extra-Batsman rather Afridi , if he is going to continue playing him like the way he Has been!

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by cavin420 if you are nullifying Farhat, on the basis of last 6 innings played, then i suggest you do the same with afridi . and afridi in Test matches, has not been played as our premier spinner, that award goes to Danish kaneria , and its no hidden secret how Inzi uses Afridi in test matches, might as well play an Extra-Batsman rather Afridi , if he is going to continue playing him like the way he Has been!

Run cavin, run whilst you can!

[Easa]

Originally Posted by cavin420 if you are nullifying Farhat, on the basis of last 6 innings played, then i suggest you do the same with afridi . and afridi in Test matches, has not been played as our premier spinner, that award goes to Danish kaneria , and its no hidden secret how Inzi uses Afridi in test matches, might as well play an Extra-Batsman rather Afridi , if he is going to continue playing him like the way he Has been!

Ok. Why not compare Afridi and Farhat over the basis of 10 Test matches?

Afridi has scored 757 runs @ 44.52, and taken 23 wickets at 32.

Farhat has scored 645 runs @ 33.94 and taken 0 wickets and dropped a fair few catches, too I might add.

I would definetly play Afridi.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed wasnt afridi dropped half-way thru the england test series?

That was a pathetic decision by the selectors, I am merely posting MY team.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed Run cavin, run whilst you can!

Too late!

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Easa Ok. Why not compare Afridi and Farhat over the basis of 10 Test matches? Afridi has scored 757 runs @ 44.52, and taken 23 wickets at 32. Farhat has scored 645 runs @ 33.94 and taken 0 wickets and dropped a fair few catches, too I might add. I would definetly play Afridi.

what next, last 10 years ?

remain with the context, dont change it, according to your liking, im a freedi a/c myself but one whose more realistic than optimistic !

[cavin420]

unlike many here, i refuse to live in past Glories of freedi, as far as test match cricket is concerned, when we have a healthy competition for places for that no.6 spot, too better options if you ask me, then i'll definitely consider them options, even if that means leaving Freedi out of the Test Team!

[Easa]

Originally Posted by cavin420 what next, last 10 years ? remain with the context, dont change it, according to your liking, im a freedi a/c myself but one whose more realistic than optimistic !

Typical Cavin post. A smiley and a bunch of junk backed up with no proof whatsover. Lagey raho, yaar.

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Easa Typical Cavin post. A smiley and a bunch of junk backed up with no proof whatsover. Lagey raho, yaar.

what proof you speak of ? like the one you were on about Farhat and his last 6 innings , and then a counter post asking for Afridi's last 6 innings ? but wait you couldn't have dug up the stats for the last 6 innings, because afridi hardly performed

yet, you would gladly give the Sack to Farhat, who in all honesty deserves to be in the Team for as long as he wants!

[cavin420]

Fact of the matter is that the amount of hypocrisy that runs on this board is horrific, The same fans rubbish Sachin Tendulkar on his past couple of years , performances in Test match cricket or last 10 Test matches, & take away most part of his very Successful career & brilliance, but yet refuse to accept the very same when a player of their own liking is Questioned, this is what you call Hypocrisy at its Best, if i may say so!

[Easa]

Ok, I didn't want to take it this far but you forced me to.

Let's look at their performances over the course of their ENTIRE careers.

Shahid Afridi: 26 matches, 1683 runs, @ 37.40, with 5 100's and 8 50's. Imran Farhat: 21 matches, 1287 runs, @ 33, with 2 100's and 8 50's. Afridi has also taken 47 wickets @ 34, while Farhat has taken 3 wickets @ 64.

There really is no justification whatsover to include Farhat in the team ahead of Afridi.

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Easa Ok, I didn't want to take it this far but you forced me to. Let's look at their performances over the course of their ENTIRE careers. There really is no justification whatsover to include Farhat in the team ahead of Afridi.

i dont know which part of 6 innings you do not understand & what part of all my posts posted , you fail to grasp, either my English is really poor or you are trying to avoid the inevitable ?

[Easa]

Originally Posted by cavin420 i dont know which part of 6 innings you do not understand & what part of all my posts posted , you fail to grasp, either my English is really poor or you are trying to avoid the inevitable ?

EDIT.

[cavin420]

by the way, funny how it comes down to Stats when Afridi is involved, and when another player such as Sachin ramesh Tendulkar's stat are on display against another player, every one is so quick in saying " why dont you post , his most recent Stats ?

anyway dont want to hijack Malik cheetah's Thread, with out a shadow of a Doubt , with the likes of malik , the future is in safe hands !

ps : Eid mabrook to all of you !

[Sultan Yusuf]

cavin and easa, I havent followed the thread. However, whichever one is in favour of dropping malik, u've got my vote!

[Easa]

Last 6 innings, eh? Well, I do not know how to do that on statsguru, but here you go: Here are the last 3 Test matches.

Farhat: 3 matches, 176 runs, @ 35.00.

Afridi: 3 matches, 63 runs, @ 15.

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Easa EDIT.

i strongly suggest, you re-visit from post #47 up till now!

[Easa]

Farhat has played better than Afridi over the last 3 Test matches yet Afridi has played better over the last 10 matches, last 15, last 20, hell his whole career.

Quite bemusing, this argument really.

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Naved cavin and easa, I havent followed the thread. However, whichever one is in favour of dropping malik, u've got my vote!

Neither!

[Easa]

Originally Posted by Naved cavin and easa, I havent followed the thread. However, whichever one is in favour of dropping malik, u've got my vote!

Neither. Malik is a class act and his place is not in doubt. We are debating about whether or not Afridi should make way for Farhat, and vice versa.

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Easa Last 6 innings, eh? Well, I do not know how to do that on statsguru, but here you go: Here are the last 3 Test matches. Farhat: 3 matches, 176 runs, @ 35.00. Afridi: 3 matches, 63 runs, @ 15.

Correct me if im wrong, but some one was dropping Farhat based on the last 6 innings played by him, yet when Questioned on them 6 innings against the likes of another player, simply goes in circles and finally after a decade posts something of substance, i thank you from the cores of my heart!

[Sultan Yusuf]

Originally Posted by cavin420 Neither!

Useless debate then!

Let me solve it for you.

Why don't we include both Farhat and Afridi - you know who sits out

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Easa Farhat has played better than Afridi over the last 3 Test matches yet Afridi has played better over the last 10 matches, last 15, last 20, hell his whole career. Quite bemusing, this argument really.

you dont say, especially when its one sided as it is!

[cavin420]

Originally Posted by Naved Useless debate then! Let me solve it for you. Why don't we include both Farhat and Afridi - you know who sits out

in that case, we will have to say Good-bye to our trump card A.k.A Danish kaneria.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by cavin420 Correct me if im wrong, but some one was dropping Farhat based on the last 6 innings played by him, yet when Questioned on them 6 innings against the likes of another player, simply goes in circles and finally after a decade posts something of substance, i thank you from the cores of my heart!

Ok, so Farhat does not deserve to be dropped for Afridi on the basis of the last 6 innings played. Are you happy now?

Now consider this point. Afridi has a better overall record, has played better over the last 10 matches, last 15, last 20. Additionally, Afridi can bowl his useful and underrated legspin. He is also a much better fielder than Farhat who dropped a number of dollies in the recent past.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by cavin420 you dont say, especially when its one sided as it is!

Pfft.. keep dreaming.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by cavin420 in that case, we will have to say Good-bye to our trump card A.k.A Danish kaneria.

No. He wants Malik dropped.

[Raz]

If there is going to be a Farhat in the team, we all know who it should be

A Farhat who is the only batsman ever to have slog swept (that I remember) Afridi for 6.

[Amjid Javed]

Id laugh if farhat/hafeez still open and iqbals picked again ahead of afridi @ 6!

[Easa]

Iqbal.

If he is picked again, I might boycott the match and take up tiddlywinks.

[Hash]

Originally Posted by Easa Iqbal. If he is picked again, I might boycott the match and take up tiddlywinks.

I think Mike Marqusee should right a new edition of his Anyone But England book.

It can be called 'Anyone But Iqbal' and it just about highlights EXACTLY how I feel! Even a recall for Asif Mujtaba is more appealing.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Easa Iqbal. If he is picked again, I might boycott the match and take up tiddlywinks.

well i hope you become a tiddlywinks champion!

[Hash]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed well i hope you become a tiddlywinks champion!

At least he'd be a champion! More than you can say for Faisal Iqbal

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by cavin420 unlike many here, i refuse to live in past Glories of freedi, as far as test match cricket is concerned, when we have a healthy competition for places for that no.6 spot, too better options if you ask me, then i'll definitely consider them options, even if that means leaving Freedi out of the Test Team!

The arguements always the same for fav players, they have done this for last 10 tests blah blah etc...

i wonder how many want this guy in ODI teams as hes been crap for last 25 Odis with bat in hand.

youre right different rules for different players.