Poll2: Playing Selector: Opening Bowlers for Subcontinental AT XI

[viriya]

Wasim was exceptional. I don't think anybody can over rate his skill with the ball. He was definitely a better test bowler than Waqar. More consistent throughout his career and maintaining his longevity despite being a diabetic from mid 90s onwards. Was just an exceptional bowler.

Honestly I plainly disagree that Wasim was a clearly better Test bowler. Even if you pick him over Waqar it's a close contest that you could go either way with very easily.

I think if Wasim were a right-hand bowler we wouldn't have this conversation.

 

[cnerd123]

Being left handed does matter. Makes the entire attack more potent.

This is just another case of you debating off things you see on an excel spreadhseet. cbf. Wasim is winning the poll and every decent cricket fan knows he's legit amazing. You can pick Fazal idrc.

 

[OverratedSanity]

I'd pick Wasim even if he had the same career as a right handed bowler. Was a quality bowler for far longer than Waqar was.

 

[smash84]

Being left handed does matter. Makes the entire attack more potent.

This is just another case of you debating off things you see on an excel spreadhseet. cbf. Wasim is winning the poll and every decent cricket fan knows he's legit amazing. You can pick Fazal idrc.

This probably

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

I think Fazal is highly underrated while Wasim is highly overrated (in Tests). Just to give a small idea on how much more effective Fazal was in Tests compared to Wasim - he has almost as many 10-wicket hauls but played a third of the matches.

I do think that Wasim was the best left-arm fast bowler of all time, but that uniqueness aside he is not clearly better than the other 3 big guys from his country.

I would pick Waqar over Wasim for the 3rd option since he is better with the older ball.. No Wasim in AT Subcontinent XI - I know I committed blasphemy.

tbf, he might get in just cos it will be 3 right-arm seamers otherwise. There is really not much to choose between the four of them imo so any combination of two can work.

 

[morgieb]

Imran, Akram, and Murali are mandatory. This means a two way struggle between Waqar and Kapil Dev for the 4th bowling spot. Since Kapil Dev is too iconic to leave out so he should get the nod.

 

[viriya]

Being left handed does matter. Makes the entire attack more potent.

This is just another case of you debating off things you see on an excel spreadhseet. cbf. Wasim is winning the poll and every decent cricket fan knows he's legit amazing. You can pick Fazal idrc.

When I say that Waqar was as effective if not more that Wasim it has nothing to do with excel spreadsheets.. besides, who uses excel for this stuff anymore?
No one's arguing that Wasim isn't amazing. Just that Waqar is too.

I'd pick Wasim even if he had the same career as a right handed bowler. Was a quality bowler for far longer than Waqar was.

Wasim was there for longer, but Waqar had the better peak/impact.

 

[OverratedSanity]

How do you honestly measure 'impact'? It's a word that's meaning changes constantly when used in different topics. Wasim was a quality bowler for longer, has an almost spotless record against every opponent and in virtually all possible conditions (something which he doesn't get enough credit for) and has a far better record against the best teams of the era ( Australia and West Indies of the late 80s and early 90s).

 

[OverratedSanity]

Also how does Imran have only 4 votes? I'd have voted for him to open the bowling for sure if I hadn't ****ed up with my selection.

 

[smash84]

Imran has only 4 votes because people want to vote for him in the all rounder poll. Otherwise he would be first choice to take the new ball

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm hoping for a 6-9 of Sanga-Imran-Kapil-Wasim

I'd be opening with Imran though so I voted for him here anyway.

 

[Migara]

shoaib wouldn't be on the park most of the days

asif on drugs in jail

Shoaib would have been an infinitely good bowler if he bowled with a better attack. He had never performed his antics if he was with a leader like Imran as well.

 

[Migara]

Imran perfected reverse swing after being taught by Sarfraz, and Akram was just as acrobatic with the ball as Waqar - so you don't need more of the same. The fast-medium of Kapil would be a good contrast, plus he can swing a match with the bat in a session. Every team needs a heavy hitter, and Kapil was one of the best. Even against the 80s West Indian quicks.

Asif with ball alone can turn matches than Kapil with his bat and bowl. (pun is not intended)

 

[G.I.Joe]

Asif with ball alone can turn matches than Kapil with his bat and bowl. (pun is not intended)

Where's the pun?

 

[OverratedSanity]

Atleast my bad puns and actual puns.

 

[viriya]

Being left handed does matter. Makes the entire attack more potent.

This is just another case of you debating off things you see on an excel spreadhseet. cbf. Wasim is winning the poll and every decent cricket fan knows he's legit amazing. You can pick Fazal idrc.

How do you honestly measure 'impact'? It's a word that's meaning changes constantly when used in different topics. Wasim was a quality bowler for longer, has an almost spotless record against every opponent and in virtually all possible conditions (something which he doesn't get enough credit for) and has a far better record against the best teams of the era ( Australia and West Indies of the late 80s and early 90s).

He has had as many impact performances as Wasim over 80-85% of the matches. Impact here is either 1000+ rating performances or 5-wkt/innings if you wanna make it more plain.

Wasim was mostly a consistent performer in Tests, he didn't have a great period like the early 1990s that Waqar had.

I'm not saying Waqar >> Wasim in Tests, just that it's not clearly Wasim >> Waqar.

 

[Cruxdude]

Gone for Imran and Wasim here. Maybe have Waqar as the third pacer.

 

[Migara]

Where's the pun?

turning the matches.

 

[G.I.Joe]

turning the matches.

You know what they say about a joke that needs to be explained....

 

[Agent Nationaux]

Asif would be my 4th seamer after Wasim, Waqar and Imran.

Sunny
Sehwag
Dravid
Tendulkar
Younis
Sanga (wk)
Imran (c)
Wasim
Waqar
Murali
Asif