Battle of the Subcontinent

[TT Boy]

Miandad...

 

[Goughy]

Close but Gavaskar

 

[cameeel]

Gavaskar

 

[silentstriker]

I was suprised Kapil Dev got any votes against Waqar. I am equally suprised people saying its close, or even voting for Miandad.

So I'm totally confused. For example, Gavaskar got into the top 10 batsman fairly easily in the other thread and he is chosen as the opener of many all time sides (including CW XI, Benaud's XI, etc) whereas I don't know if Miandad makes any.

Aside from the average, why is it really close?

 

[Perm]

National pride is the reason it's close.

Sunil Gavaskar

 

[nightprowler10]

National pride is the reason it's close.

Sunil Gavaskar

No offense, but a pretty idiotic comment considering no Pakistani has voted for Miandad.

 

[silentstriker]

I don't mean it in an offensive way - I really am curious.

 

[nightprowler10]

The comment wasn't meant for you, but to answer your question I think many people just dislike Sunny and think he was very much over rated.

 

[gunner]

miandad

stats dont say everything

 

[Turbinator]

Sunil Gavaskar

 

[nightprowler10]

Also take in to account the excitement Miandad brought to the game. Had the whole 'streets of Karachi' attitude with him as well. I still consider him to be the best Pakistani batsman, and the fact that he was averaging well over 57 after his century of tests might clinch of many people. Another Pakistani who possibly retired too late.

 

[Dasa]

Gavaskar.

 

[silentstriker]

Also take in to account the excitement Miandad brought to the game. Had the whole 'streets of Karachi' attitude with him as well. I still consider him to be the best Pakistani batsman, and the fact that he was averaging well over 57 after his century of tests might clinch of many people. Another Pakistani who possibly retired too late.

Actually, after Gavaskar's first decade in test cricket, he was averaging 57 too. Also, though his average of 70+ against WI is actually only about 44 when you factor in the 'good' attacks in their prime, 44 is still outstanding against them - and I don't know who averaged more than that. In addition, he was opening the batting, meaning he had to face the new ball in an era where fast bowling was its most lethal (with Lillee, Thompson for Aussies, the WI pace attack, etc).

Just my two cents. I am too young to have watched either of these players live, but from what I have read, Gavaskar was very highly regarded even then, and usually makes a lot of all time XIs from knowledgeable people (Benaud, Myself , etc). Not that I am arguing Miandad was a bad player, or anything other than excellent one.

 

[Fusion]

Gavaskar was very highly rated by the great Imran Khan. If he was good enough to be rated by him, then I'll do the same.

 

[oz_fan]

Gavaskar

 

[Fusion]

Also take in to account the excitement Miandad brought to the game. Had the whole 'streets of Karachi' attitude with him as well. I still consider him to be the best Pakistani batsman, and the fact that he was averaging well over 57 after his century of tests might clinch of many people. Another Pakistani who possibly retired too late.

Agreed. He was one of the greatest competitors I've ever seen play the game.

 

[nightprowler10]

Gavaskar was very highly rated by the great Imran Khan. If he was good enough to be rated by him, then I'll do the same.

And Miandad was rated very highly by King Viv. He once said that if he ever had to choose anybody to bat for his life it would be Javed. There can be no higher compliment as far as I am concerned.

 

[Fusion]

And Miandad was rated very highly by King Viv. He once said that if he ever had to choose anybody to bat for his life it would be Javed. There can be no higher compliment as far as I am concerned.

I was not taking anything away from Javed at all. I was just merely responding to the observation that Gavaskar is overrated. I think both Gavaskar and Miandad deserve whatever accolades they receive. Both legendary players and fighters.

 

[nightprowler10]

Actually, after Gavaskar's first decade in test cricket, he was averaging 57 too. Also, though his average of 70+ against WI is actually only about 44 when you factor in the 'good' attacks in their prime, 44 is still outstanding against them - and I don't know who averaged more than that. In addition, he was opening the batting, meaning he had to face the new ball in an era where fast bowling was its most lethal (with Lillee, Thompson for Aussies, the WI pace attack, etc).

I'm not arguing against Sunny, he was a great player, and that average of 44 against THAT WI attack is a testament to his greatness. What bothers me is how under rated Miandad is among cricket fans, whereas Gavaskar is a god of some sort, when statistically Miandad was a better batsman throughout his career.

*gets off his soap box*

 

[nightprowler10]

I was not taking anything away from Javed at all. I was just merely responding to the observation that Gavaskar is overrated. I think both Gavaskar and Miandad deserve whatever accolades they receive. Both legendary players and fighters.

I wasn't having a go at you or anything, just that Imran's opinion doesn't hold as much merit to me as it used to. I mean, come on, Sami?