Mohammad Hafeez - Over-Rated?

   Do you think that Mohammad Hafeez is an over-rated batsman or not, and do you think he should be in the Pakistan national team or not, and why do you think that?

Now, Hafeez is a decent batsman, in my opinion, he is capable of batting well but there is one thing which I was stunned about when I found about it, and even more so, I was stunned that Pakistan are keeping him in the team at the moment, the amazing thing about this that Hafeez, after 42 one-day internationals, averages 19.46 with the bat!

That in my opinion for an opening batsman is a horrendous average, you would expect that kind of average from a Kenya or Scotland batsman, not an opening batsman from a country who have very strong and realistic hopes of winning the World Cup. Some bowlers average higher than that in one-day international cricket.

So, why has the Pakistan team not reacted to this at all? If you look at the other contenders for the openers spots in the side, I will show you their averages at one-day international level:

Regular Openers
Mohammad Hafeez - 19.46 (42 ODI's)
Salman Butt - 30.06 (33 ODI's)
Imran Farhat - 30.43 (33 ODI's)
Taufeeq Umar - 24.83 (19 ODI's)
Imran Nazir - 23.59 (61 ODI's)

Possible Openers
Shahid Afridi - 22.91 (234 ODI's)
Kamran Akmal - 26.90 (57 ODI's)
Shaoib Malik - 32.77 (129 ODI's)

So, right, we can immediately cross Nazir off that list as he hasn't played for Pakistan for 2 years. So, why don't Pakistan stick with Farhat and use Butt or Umar as their other opener, they have decent averages, but if you're going to want a batsman who consistently scores 30's or 40's and higher at the top of the order, Hafeez is the wrong player for the job. Pakistan should've dropped him games ago from the ODI side, so why haven't they?

And if they wanted someone else to open, they could use Afridi (who opened with the greast Saeed Anwar on many occasions), Kamram Akmal (who is a good keeper-batsman and can open) or Shoaib Malik (who has the highest average of the lot but hasn't opened particularly well). Why keep in Hafeez?

What are your opinions? Do you think Hafeez gets the right amount of credit or is he extremely over-rated?

Your thoughts...

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Freddie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Wicket-Keeper That's the wrong ball you're hitting Joined: 17 September 2006 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 1054	Post Options Post Reply Quote Freddie Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Mohammad Hafeez - Over-Rated? Posted: 04 January 2007 at 6:58pm
	Do you think that Mohammad Hafeez is an over-rated batsman or not, and do you think he should be in the Pakistan national team or not, and why do you think that? Now, Hafeez is a decent batsman, in my opinion, he is capable of batting well but there is one thing which I was stunned about when I found about it, and even more so, I was stunned that Pakistan are keeping him in the team at the moment, the amazing thing about this that Hafeez, after 42 one-day internationals, averages 19.46 with the bat! That in my opinion for an opening batsman is a horrendous average, you would expect that kind of average from a Kenya or Scotland batsman, not an opening batsman from a country who have very strong and realistic hopes of winning the World Cup. Some bowlers average higher than that in one-day international cricket. So, why has the Pakistan team not reacted to this at all? If you look at the other contenders for the openers spots in the side, I will show you their averages at one-day international level: Regular Openers Mohammad Hafeez - 19.46 (42 ODI's) Salman Butt - 30.06 (33 ODI's) Imran Farhat - 30.43 (33 ODI's) Taufeeq Umar - 24.83 (19 ODI's) Imran Nazir - 23.59 (61 ODI's) Possible Openers Shahid Afridi - 22.91 (234 ODI's) Kamran Akmal - 26.90 (57 ODI's) Shaoib Malik - 32.77 (129 ODI's) So, right, we can immediately cross Nazir off that list as he hasn't played for Pakistan for 2 years. So, why don't Pakistan stick with Farhat and use Butt or Umar as their other opener, they have decent averages, but if you're going to want a batsman who consistently scores 30's or 40's and higher at the top of the order, Hafeez is the wrong player for the job. Pakistan should've dropped him games ago from the ODI side, so why haven't they? And if they wanted someone else to open, they could use Afridi (who opened with the greast Saeed Anwar on many occasions), Kamram Akmal (who is a good keeper-batsman and can open) or Shoaib Malik (who has the highest average of the lot but hasn't opened particularly well). Why keep in Hafeez? What are your opinions? Do you think Hafeez gets the right amount of credit or is he extremely over-rated? Your thoughts...
	On extended leave...

TCA123 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Wicket-Keeper Joined: 24 June 2006 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1637	Post Options Post Reply Quote TCA123 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 January 2007 at 8:09pm
	I think Hafeez is seen as somebody who will eventually come good. Almost how England view Chris Read. Underachieving now but can grow into the role. Hafeez is also a handy bowler.
	Offspinner, Right Arm Bat

inzamam329 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Banned Joined: 07 January 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1204	Post Options Post Reply Quote inzamam329 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 January 2007 at 8:26pm
	A good thread, I disagree with both of you, Hafeez has ability but Imran nazir has so much more talent, not many people on here may have seen him bat, but he has awesome power and plays proper cricket shots. Salman Butt is another i would pick over hafeez as Butt has incredibale talent and is young. What Hafeez offers is excellent fielding and handy bowling, but Imran nazir is the best fielder in pak cricket right now. Hafeez's true credentials should be looked after his tour of Safrica. Why afridi isn't playing ODI is beyond me, he is an explosive player. Edited by inzamam329 - 04 January 2007 at 8:27pm

TCA123 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Wicket-Keeper Joined: 24 June 2006 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1637	Post Options Post Reply Quote TCA123 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 January 2007 at 8:29pm
	Afridi's absence is a crime. Edited by TCA123 - 04 January 2007 at 8:30pm
	Offspinner, Right Arm Bat

ANIL KUMBLE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Opening Bowler 7000 test wickets Joined: 16 December 2005 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 8043	Post Options Post Reply Quote ANIL KUMBLE Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 January 2007 at 3:32am
	Imran Nazir scored that blistering 14 ball 50 in the 20/20 competition over there in Pakistan. Mohammad Hafeez has showed some great form ever since the England tour don't look at his average his past ODI innings have been very good ones.

shan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Wicket-Keeper Joined: 30 December 2005 Location: Pakistan Online Status: Offline Posts: 1324	Post Options Post Reply Quote shan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 January 2007 at 12:39pm
	Muhammad Hafeez is a good batsman and a handy bowler with superb fielding abilities and has also performed well recently. Salman Butt's figures look better but his tendency of playing the outgoing deliveries away from the body makes him vulnerable and so many times he has got out early playing the delieveries leaving the off stump. He hasn't been able to improve his grey area despite several chances given to him. Additionally Imran Farhat and Butt both are lefties and it's better to have a left right combination so Hafeez is a better choice in these circumstance.
	"Excellence is something we can reach for; perfection is God's business."

inzamam329 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Banned Joined: 07 January 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1204	Post Options Post Reply Quote inzamam329 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 January 2007 at 5:38pm
	Shan i would pick Imran nazir over haffeez any day, Nazir is a far better fielder than hafeez and can hitn the ball miles.