I think uptil now you would know that I am against Razzaq’s inclusion in Test team. I am not starting this thread in the result of recent performance or Pakistan’s fragile position in the second test in Multan. But this has been my stance for last four years, that we need to play a specialist bowler/batsman in his place.
If you look back the test matches he has played in last 4 years, you will find that he has performed in only couple of matches upto par.
When we look at Pakistan’s scorecard in test matches, its like everyone in the team has a plan (whether they are successful or fail in it) except for Razzaq. He plays in his own direction, kinda lost of what test cricket is all about. No strategy in his bowling, just dumping the ball on the pitch, completing over and going back to his fielding position with head down. I mean come on, we don’t need this kind of trash on International level. You bring no life to our bowling or batting, what are you there for? Match fee and staring grass?
On the contrary, he is hard working ODI player that is a team player, who does exactly what should be done at a certain point in an ODI game. That makes one wonder, is he just passing time in Test, making easy money and getting away with his high-voltage ODI persona?
I mean there must be a shame and diginity in a person. Can’t you just tell team management, that you don’t feel like delivering anything in Tests.
Modz, please create a poll if you can for Razzaq’s sacking from test.
He has never deserved a place in the test side. My stance has been firm for a long time now. In fact, even Afridi would be more useful in test matches because I do think his wicket-taking ability is far superior to that of Razzaq's.
Razzaq is a good test player. Infact very reliable than Shoaib Malik, Imran Farhat and Afridi. He has experience and has seen many test series where he performed really well, namely when he took 9 wickets and hit 205 runs in the two Tests he played against India in 2005/06.
Come on yaar, even Sami takes a few wickets every now and then. That does not mean he is an international quality bowler. Razzaq’s test record is pathetic, and we all know it. Look at how he has bowled in this and the previous test match; no zip, no effort. He has just come in like a trundler, bowled a few overs, and then left. He is not making an effort and has never done so in test matches, and that’s where the problem lies. He has ability to do well, but instead chooses to rest on his one day performances and is just wasting a test team spot for a more deserving player.
Main Thing is that they are playing him in the place of a specialist bowler in test cricket(that too on a absolutely flat track),now is he good enough for that?,The answer is a big NO.
*Now If they *were playing him at no.6 plus 4 specialist bowlers then atleast that had some selectoriol sense but playing him as a specialist bowler is a total none sense,even AUS can,nt afford to play only 3 specialist bowlers in test cricket, let alone PAK. Where at the moment even out of other 3 bowlers they have One of them is struggling big time these days and other 2 have a combined experience of just 25 tests between them.
Who are you comparing Razzaq’s Test record with? He comes at 6th down; at that place you really can not expect him to make big runs. He is not expected, he is a supporting player not a specialist bowler or batsmen. With bowling, we have seen him taking the lead role, which is not his place but due to injuries he does and give his best. This is what he can do so why are we asking for his sacking?
If we want some specialist batsmen and bowlers, take out Farhat and Malik. It is a fact that these players will not be playing like this in overseas wickets.
Razzaq as a bowler is not the strike bowler; if we look at 3rd Test in Karachi we know how well he plays the supporting role both with bat and ball. Right now we do not have strike bowlers and that is why he is not that great. If you think there is a deserving player who play the supporting role better than him in Test than let me know and we know it is not Afridi.
Exactly. I do not want a dibbly-dably medium pace bowler on this flat-as-hell track who isn’t even putting in an effort! I want a genuine bowler, a specialist. Test cricket is no place for players like Razzaq and Afridi (and yes, Afridi would be the lesser of the two evils in this case).
One innings cannot change a fading allrounder's fortune in test. He is failed to deliver when it matters the most.
He is not a good enough bowler for test, and we need a specialist. So he needs to sit out for Karachi test for good. His half centuries every 25th test is of no use. And don't tell anyone that he comes at No. 6 that is why he doesn't get enough time. In test it is different than ODI, think again on your comment. And please read your post #8 again you will find all the questions and answers.
Problem is you judge him on half centuries in every 25th test and I do not. In Test, when you are 6th down it is an entire different ball game. You are not expected to make big score rather play match saving or winning inngs and that is how I judge him. From Mohali, Karachi to this…
He is not a good enough bowler for test, and we need a specialist. So he needs to sit out for Karachi test for good. His half centuries every 25th test is of no use. And don't tell anyone that he comes at No. 6 that is why he doesn't get enough time. In test it is different than ODI, think again on your comment. And please read your post #8 again you will find all the questions and answers.
Smooth as always once again I will totally agree with you. I am Razzaq fan in ODI but when it comes to test matches, a team can afford only one alrounder in the team, and Razzaq and Malik should fight it out. At present, Malik should be prefered over Razzaq.
As far as his 82 runs innings is concern, we should not forget that it is lack of his contribution with bat ( in first innings) and ball (through out the series so far), that put Pakistan in a situation, where they have to play for saving the game, rather allowing Kaneria to have a go on WI on fifth day.
No doubt it was a good innings in supporting Yousaf to get closer to a milestone, but as far as match saving is concern, I will say he cleaned his mess (first innings batting and bowling) to some extent.
If he was playing such knocks more consistently, and was contributing 50+ in first innings on such a flat track, PAK could have posted a score of 450+ and could have played more positive by setting a target of 250+ for the WI on fifth day. Anyway, I will go with Sami for Karachi test, and will give Razzaq some rest before ODI, to allow him to eat some much needed spinach.
ehsan bhai, it mattered more in the first innings, had he not played that great knock of 16 runs off 92 balls, Pakistan would have been in different position. Everyone from Malik to Gul was making sure to get the most runs out among the tailenders, and this man was standing there making fool of himself. Sometimes he plays clueless innings.
Once we crossed 100 runs lead with 5 down, were were already safe. With Akmal and tailenders, we could churn out 70 more runs. Which was not achievable in one session regardless of how hard WI hit. Yes, it was a good way to finish with 3 wickets left. But I firmly think that if we had a third seamer in his place, Windies could not pass 100 run lead. So as a total package, he miserablly failed as test allrounder. Therefore, he should step down volunteerly or some please show him the door.
We wouldn't have to play defensive as we played in last 5 sessions, if we had another specialist bowler. When we have Gul and Nazir as our first men, we need another like them to back them up. Not Razzaq who is not competent on Test level.
i think test matches are great opertunities to really test young talents. Specially in the absence of shoaib and asif now,, PCB should give chance to tleast one young bowler along with a senior member. Instead of bringing ppl back from Long absences from test cricket i think more exposure should be given to a young guy.
HawaiFire, I totally agree with your posts where you are calling for inclusion of Faisal and S. Niazi. Especially when fear of loosing a series is no more there. PAK should try some new blood.
Since, team management might be looking for a good substitute in the absence of Shoaib Akhtar, that may allow M. Sami to get another chance. Even if Sami get another chance, I wouldn't hesitate to test Samiullah Niazi for Shahid Nazir. It doesn't mean Nazir didn't do a good job, rather it is allowing an opportunity to another youngster.
I would still advocate 3-changes in Yasir for Hafeez, M. Sami for Razzaq and Samiullah Niazi for S. Nazir for final test.
I knew you would respond with that . His innings made no difference to my opinion. This was one of his typical “Let’s just put an effort before they kick me out of the test team” (and even after this, I don’t think he will be playing the next test) performances. His dibbly-dabbly bowling efforts is my point of concern, because we need to take 20 wickets to win matches. Yousuf is doing the scoring job on his own!
. His innings made no difference to my opinion. This was one of his typical “Let’s just put an effort before they kick me out of the test team” (and even after this, I don’t think he will be playing the next test) performances. His dibbly-dabbly bowling efforts is my point of concern, because we need to take 20 wickets to win matches. Yousuf is doing the scoring job on his own!