Apparently they want to destroy another young promising cricketer’s career by calling him up so early. At least he is in NZ so would not cost PCB alot of make his travel arrangements.
AUCKLAND: Hammad Azam, who emerged as the match winning hero of Pakistan in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup semifinal against the West Indies on Monday, has been included in the national team for playing Twenty20 International against Australia.
Pakistan Under-19 team coach Ijaz Ahmed told while talking with Geo News that Hammad batted brilliantly throughout the tournament and remained unbeaten in every innings of the event.
His magnificent batting form has placed him in the Pakistan Twenty20 squad.
Born on March 16, 1991 in Attock, Hammad was only one-year-old when Pakistan under the captaincy of Imran Khan had won the Cricket World Cup in 1992. Then, nobody knew that one day he would represent Pakistan in international cricket.
Hammad Azam has so far played all the five matches in the Under-19 World Cup and scored 173 runs. He remained not out throughout as no bowler could get him out in any match.
Smashing an unbeaten 21 off 13 balls against India in the quarter-final, Hammad hammered 92 not out from 93 balls against the West Indies in the semi-final and was adjudged the man-of-the-match.
Re: U19 Star Hammad Azam to join Pakistan T20 squad in Australia
they should have at least waited for the team to win (hopefully) the U-19 final - and if anything, they prolly need someone like him in the ODIs. As it is, the current team's forte is T20.
I think if anything, he should be given a go in the ODIs first and not T20. From having seen him play, he is more of a innings grafter.
He played both the roles of smasher and grafter. Before yesterday's game most of his innings were with strike rate of 150 or around .... quick fire sort of innings but yesterday he showed that he can also stay at the wicket and still keep the board ticking ... but I think its too early. Let the boy enjoy what he is doing ..... throw him into some side game in up coming england tour ...
Re: U19 Star Hammad Azam to join Pakistan T20 squad in Australia
I think this is a wrong move. He's not ready for international cricket just yet. Let him focus on winning the WC first. This might divert his attention. Man, can't PCB get anything right?
Re: U19 Star Hammad Azam to join Pakistan T20 squad in Australia
Too early for him and where are you going to fit him in T20?...the only place I can see him is inplace of naveed or asif...but that will be a big step!
Re: U19 Star Hammad Azam to join Pakistan T20 squad in Australia
Agreed. Too early to push him into the senior league. PCB is making a mistake. He should be groomed, be allowed to develop, and then eased into the senior team. This will undermine his confidence and his career if he fails.
I'd say it is a good move. Get rid of all these "super stars" clergy and bring in some fresh talent into the team. Atleast these new kids have some heart to build innings when situation demands, not something that our so-called seniors have done.
Agreed.....and it is not like Hammad is a complete bacha. He is almost 19 years of age - 18 years and 315 days to be precise! Most of our greats (incl. Imran Khan, Miandad, the two W's) had made their international debuts by then. If Hammad has real talent and is hard-working I am sure he will make an impression in his first few games. He seems mentally strong and it will be a breath of fresh air to have someone with a match-winning attitude in the team as opposed to the defeatist mindset of our current crappy crop
I am all for scrapping all the seniors out of the team and building a team with fresh blood and new talent. I think they won't do any worse than what our current team's performance is in Australia. This way, we will resolve our captaincy issue as well.
Agreed.....and it is not like Hammad is a complete bacha. He is almost 19 years of age - 18 years and 315 days to be precise! Most of our greats (incl. Imran Khan, Miandad, the two W's) had made their international debuts by then. If Hammad has real talent and is hard-working I am sure he will make an impression in his first few games. He seems mentally strong and it will be a breath of fresh air to have someone with a match-winning attitude in the team as opposed to the defeatist mindset of our current crappy crop
Batsmen typically need more time to mature. Plus the timing of the announcement is unfortunate. PCB could at least have waited until after the final. Now all the poor guy must be thinking of is his promotion, which could affect his performance.
Batsmen typically need more time to mature. Plus the timing of the announcement is unfortunate. PCB could at least have waited until after the final. Now all the poor guy must be thinking of is his promotion, which could affect his performance.
... that's the whole problem. We don't know how to take pressure. If this kid can't take this much pressure, he is of no use then.
The whole problem with our team is, we can't perform under pressure.
Re: U19 Star Hammad Azam to join Pakistan T20 squad in Australia
the most impressive thing about Hammad was how well he read the game. he understood exactly how to play. he came in and immediately introduced a sense of urgency into the proceedings, ran hard and took sharp singles. and then he opened up. it seemed like he was the only batsman who played with a real plan and knew how to pace his innings. apart from Ahsan Ali and Hammad, the rest were all disappointing... they all seem to have only 2 gears - block like it was a 20 day test match or play like it was a T20 game. and nothing in between...
but Hammad reminded me of how Yousuf would play in his ODI heydays... pick up lots of singles without playing big shots... get settled, then accelerate and open the arms. the ideal ODI innings... lets hope that Hammad learns lots more from Yousuf...
Re: U19 Star Hammad Azam to join Pakistan T20 squad in Australia
He is a decent bowler - thus the reason why he was picked. His batting is a bonus and not the primary reason. Pakistan team is missing someone like razzaq in shorter format.
Right move by PCB for a change. I would rather introduce new talent in T20s (still less prestigious than ODIs) and give them exposure. You guys have become whiney little girls who complain about everything.