People don't like him for the aforementioned terrible international performances, his questionable keeping at times and batting at international level, but he's earned his chance.
This is probably the first time we’ve fielded our strongest side since…I don’t know when tbh as even the side that won the WC wasn’t that.
His tires have tires. That level of visceral fat is not good, whatever his stats may say. Boards around the world turning a blind eye to obese cricketers under their wardship should be ashamed.
Oh, he may have a reasonable record in domestic t20 for sure, but after 13 games in internationals, he is not averaging double figures, and that's before you get to his wicket-keeping,. That was embarrassing last night from him.
At the end of the day his job is too make runs in the middle order at a fast SR. He's done that better than pretty much anyone else in pakistan over a large sample for going on three years now. He's not a great fielder, and maybe his weight plays a part in that, but as an Australian fan Adam Zampa and Tim David are just as bad in the field and there way slimmer than he is. Not every cricketer needs to be sub 15% BF to do there job FFS. The strongest lifter's in the world look like this:
The strongest lifters on the planet are on ridiculous amounts of PEDs though and moreover are not under the aegis of organizations that purport to caring for the wellbeing of its athletes (besides you'd be surprised at how low a bodyfat % Bolton and Thor are carrying there despite their mass). Not to mention their size is directly related to moving the huge numbers they do. No one can say Azam, Sarfaraz, or Cornwall wouldn't be better cricketers than they already are if they lost some weight.
Where's the actual research that indicates this? There's plenty of fielders and keepers worse than Azam on the international circuit who are way thinner. To quote Azam Khan's trainer, who I think understands this stuff: "I know an athlete should look like an athlete but Azam falls in a heavyweight category. Unfortunately, there are no divisions in cricket like other sports such as boxing and UFC. His weight helps him generate power"
Bro the bloke can't run a double to save his life. That's because of his weight. He could hit sixes while still being able run 2s in under 5 business days if weighed less. You can't expect him to look like Kohli and he shouldn't but there's a huge middle ground between that Walmart American which would allow him to be better at cricket than he is right now.
No such thing. I am quite neutral when it comes to cricket and analysis. The facts are this: England have an incredible white ball side - one of the great ones and have for a few years. They may not win this particular cup as an off day can always happen, but they are always going to be serious contenders in 20 or 50 over cricket going forward. Pakistan look like a bad club side: batting is so bad lads from the local sunday pub league are technically superior.
Well we are the world champs and we have good T20 players so y’know
I think we're looking reasonable, but I also think we're looking at a big drop in quality after the top 5, so I'm not sure what happens if we lose a few wickets cheaply at the start of the innings. It strikes me that we have three number 8s coming in after Brook. And not all of the top 5 are fully established at this level in this format of the game, talented though they are. Perhaps I'm guilty of ignoring (as in not having a clue about) what Salt, Jacks and Brook have been dloing in the IPL and other franchises around the world tbf.
Obviously I’m a fan, but Salt is the real deal in T20 for me. The ability for him and Jos to get us off to flyers will take us far. Jacks still has a bit to prove but the ability seems to be there. YJB is back in form and his short form credentials speak for themselves. I guess there’s still a bit for Brook to prove in white ball but his recent outings in the three lions show him to be an adept finisher. It’s a very exciting batting line up for me. Feel you’re a tad harsh calling Livingstone an 8, though with both he and Moeen I suppose you’re as likely to get a 0 as you are something explosive.
I suppose I'm just basing that on what I've seen from Livingstone at this level.
Did his back to back tons in the Caribbean not persuade you?
