Shehzad needs to be persevered with at the top. He has had a rollercoaster last 5 months or so and has earned his place in this line up for the mega event with some remarkable progress, development, emergences and performances. He was going to be an integral part of our plans and we simply cannot dump him on the bench just like that. We must maintain confidence and positivity in his credentials and promote our successful legacy of youthful exuberance. It was also not so long ago where he struck his maiden ODI century and also he got a ton in the warm ups. He is relatively unproven against better attacks and looks extremely vulnerable to outswingers where he has been found wanting. Nevertheless, he has a good game plan, knows his strengths well, uses controlled and calculated aggression to good effect and once he gets his eye in can really begin to dominate and play a gem. Also, is an excellent fielder and really provides that energy, freshness and buzz with his presence. He also compliments Hafeez really well with their contrasting styles who is more or less a certainty in this line up because of his utility, regularity and improvements ever since his comeback in green colours. He needs to be given a few more opportunities at least before we can think about alternative routes. Let the exceptionally gifted flamboyant free scoring attacking teenage opening superstar do what he does best for now. He is bound to click very soon and is due one too. I'm all for selecting an extra bowler, but not at the expense of Shehzad. There are other ways around it. This young man means business and has the whole world waiting.
but then he needs to perform as well.... words such as teenage opening superstar have made him overrated..... let him do something for now and thn u can call him a sensation.... PEOPLE in cricistan are asking for outing of the player who has been the best performer (shahid khan afridi) in the whole team for past two years and here you asking them to wait for Shehzaad and give him chance and all tat crap.......
Agree. He is in his prime. Enjoying his game. And fielding phenomonally. He seems like guy who ups the mood and fire of the team. Need team players like him.
Razzaq can't square cuts....cant play drives.... cant flick on leg....only can hit the ball straight....wot u talking man, he should open....do u even understand wot opening means.... he hit few sixes straight down the ground doesn't make him an opener.....
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L615QVPeEY]YouTube - Ahmad Shahzad Madein 1st Century in ODI vs New Zealand On 3 Feb 2011[/ame] Shehzad is expected to play tomorrow and the selection committee are persevering with him which is good to see as he has a lot to give and has earned his place in this line up with some exceptional performances. The memories of his maiden ODI century just over a month ago and his familiarisation with the Kiwi attack could help him deliver on the big stage. I reckon if he gets his eye, he stands a very good shout of coming off and regaining his confidence and backing.
I'm a big fan of the kid but perhaps it's time to give someone else a chance. We could persist with him like Imran did with Inzi in '92 and maybe Shahzad will play a wonder innings in the Semis and Final but he's no Inzi.
Bump! 2nd ODI: West Indies v Pakistan at Gros Islet, Apr 25, 2011 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
2 ODI centuries in his last 9 ODIs all within his first 20 ODIs as an international cricketer. Brilliance from the 19 year old. Both his centuries have come in winning causes. Yet to score a 50 though. Has never passed 25 in between the period of his century in New Zealand & his century against West Indies yesterday. Would like to see him be more consistent. He applied himself at the wicket superbly yesterday when his place was under pressure. He responded & justified the faith the selectors and captain put in him. A young gem!
Hmm Kudos to him! played like a mature cricketer. Credit should also go to the team management for persisting with the youngster. I really like the way Afridi is backing his players. I always knew guys like hafeez and Ahmed were good players, they just needed some sort of backing. Ahmed displayed fantastic character for a 19 year old. He realized that if he cut down on some of his high risk shots, he would get more runs and we all know he can be really devastating when he wants to be. Of all the openers we have tried, I think this current pair has the best technique for this slot. Best of luck for them in the future.
Good player when he gets going. Lets hope he scores more centuries for Pak in the future and brings consistency to his game by scoring decent scores in between as well... If he develops well then he could have a wonderful future for Pakistan
Hes not consistent enough. but id give him the rest of the series and if he doesnt perform then he must be dropped .
Imran Nazir was better... simple reason being he is better hooker n puller n miles better batsman, plus miles better fielder n above all he made test match 100 vs Ambrose n Walsh n that 2 in West indies one thing making runs but against whom is the most important thing!
A 100 against a poor West Indies side does not change a thing. Shehzad is still too raw.A 100 followed by a duck seems to typify his career so far.He needs to develop consistency and patience if he's to stand a chance at international level.His arrogant demeanour is extremely frustrating when you know he has the talent. He doesn't listen to his seniors.He doesn't listen to Waqar Younis.He didn't listen to the National Academy coaches. He seems to lack temperament and discipline in almost EVERY aspect. The Pakistan A coach Haroon Rashid even said once that Ahmed Shehzad was breaking curfews during the A team tour to Kenya a few years ago. Then he picks a fight with a journalist who criticised his poor performance at the World Cup like as if he is the next Tendulkar. And then has the audacity to turn up hours late to a training session at the World Cup itself ! We have given him a run,and every time he hasn't learned. Its all well and good giving a 'rough diamond' a run in the side,gradually the player can improve. Ahmed Shehzad has repeated the same error over and over again.He is much more than a flat-footed slogger,he can play some good innings but he lacks basic temperament,discipline and is devoid of brains. Time to haul him back to domestic cricket for a few seasons,toil there,work on his technique and shot selection (which is shambolic,but no surprise,he seems to come from the Afridi/Imran Nazir/Shahzaib Hasan school of thought) and come back an improved player.
Group A: Lahore Lions v Sialkot Stallions at Faisalabad, Jun 25, 2011 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo BUMP. What an opening stand between 2 young explosives. Left right combination too. Encouraging material on day 2 of the Faysal Bank super eights. The defending champions commence their campaign with a big bang at the Iqbal stadium. The same match could potentially be the final on the 1st of July. The Stallion bowlers seemed to suffer without Rana & Asif who were a key part of their 5/5 success previously.
Ahmed Shehzad: 2 centuries at the age of 19 and a T20 international half century against New Zealand which came in Pakistan’s highest ever run margin victory last December. Has brilliant hand eye coordination, reasonably good foot work & makes full use of a strong bottom hand to generate power in his strokes. He is stylish & naturally aggressive. An excellent outfielder too. A confident and slightly cocky character. There is no shortage of ability for sure. He has recently been dropped from the tour of Zimbabwe on disciplinary grounds. United By The Colour Of Sport: Future of Pakistan’s Batting
The unfortunate thing is that like many Pakistani players Shehzad has no idea of the basics. The lad can't rotate the strike to save his life. A lot of Pakistani batsman nowadays are just painful to watch. The same is the case with Shehzad. Batsmen like him are what I call two mode batters: They'll either stop the ball all day everday or they'll hoik the ball all day everyday. Their is no middle ground. Shehzad's other problem is his attitude. Bottom line is its poor. He needs to work on his cricket skills more than open his mouth at every given opportunity. Until that happens success at the highest level will elude him.
However good he is....I don't think he was dropped for cricketing reasons. If he is a disruptive force off the pitch and if he has the attitude problems he has been reported to have....we can do without him until he learns his lesson.
mashaALLAH looked very fluent today but no patience again from him.... needs to learn negotiating bowlers under pressure.... but his shots were worth watching
Impressed with the way Shehzad has reigned himself in at the top since his comeback. Realising 50 overs is a long time in a brittle line up.
