[VIDEOS] Haider Ali's debut county season for Derbyshire in 2023

[Markhor]

Good news. This could be a make or break season for Haider Ali who hasn't quite realised his potential yet for Pakistan. Hopefully Mickey Arthur can iron out his technical issues against the short ball.

https://cricket.derbyshireccc.com/20...r-2023-season/

Derbyshire have signed Pakistan international batter, Haider Ali, for the entire 2023 season.

Ali, one of the world’s most exciting young prospects at just 22-years-old, has played 35 matches for his country, including two appearances at the recent ICC Twenty20 World Cup, where Pakistan finished as runners-up.

In 33 International T20 appearances, Ali has scored 499 runs, including three half centuries, one of which came against England at Emirates Old Trafford in 2020.

While it’s his white-ball exploits that have earned Ali international recognition so far, he has already shown considerable ability in the red ball arena, averaging 54.33 in 11 appearances, with three centuries and four half-centuries to his name.

Ali will be available for Derbyshire in all formats during the 2023 season, subject to international commitments, with the powerful right-hander joining Sri Lankan fast bowler, Suranga Lakmal, as an overseas player.

Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, said: “Haider is an immensely talented young player who already has a wealth of international experience, which will be key for us in all formats.

“I spoke with him at the T20 World Cup, and again during the Lanka Premier League, and he’s so hungry to come to England prove himself in all formats, that’s exactly the attitude we want in our dressing room.

“Of course, he still has a lot of developing to do, but I’ve outlined what I expect from him and I have no doubt Haider will succeed in county cricket.”

Ali added: “I’ve seen over the last few years how many Pakistan players have improved their game by playing at a high standard in county cricket, and that’s something I think could really help my development.

“Mickey Arthur is such a respected figure in world cricket and he’s still so highly-regarded within the Pakistan setup, so the opportunity to learn from him is one I’m so excited about.

“I want to help Derbyshire win games in all formats, there’s a lot of good players here and Mickey wants to achieve something big with this Club. Hopefully I can contribute a lot of runs in 2023 and entertain the Derbyshire crowd.”

[gazza619]

Happy for him but sorry to see the state of county cricket where nobodies are getting a full contract.

[TheSultan]

Excellent move for him. Will learn a lot and hopefully come back a much better player.

It’s good to see a Pakistani Batsman playing county cricket at a stage of their career when they are still learning unlike wastes like Azhar at the end of their career when nothing can really change.

[MenInG]

Mickey's choice! His love affair with Pakistan cricket continues.

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Good news. This could be a make or break season for Haider Ali who hasn't quite realised his potential yet for Pakistan. Hopefully Mickey Arthur can iron out his technical issues against the short ball.

https://cricket.derbyshireccc.com/20...r-2023-season/

I absolutely love love love this!! People will talk about county cricket division 2, the standard and all that glass half emptiness, but this is amazing for Haider!

He can now go to a less pressured, technical environment, that is different to Pakistan and actually build himself back up both mentally and technically.

Haider’s quick hands and hand eye coordination have never been in doubt. However, he’s been played in a million positions and asked to change his batting approach multiple times. For a young player that’s still developing, it can and has left him a confused mess.

With Mickey at Derby, possibly for the first time in his career, he’s going to get 5 months to dedicatedly sort these issues out.

And we’ve seen how Mickey can be with young players. I’m very hopeful about this arrangement.

[Xoib]

Hopefully a full season of 4 day cricket and no random call for a t 20 zeries to warm the benches

I know there is a lot of doom and gloom about Pakistan test cricket but i belive we a just need 15-20 regular 4 day games of decent standard for the likes of naseem, Hasnain, haider, Abdullah and abrar to make a decent team.

All these blokes are talented and have played so little red ball cricket that they are undercooked

[Sher Khan]

I think this is the best thing that could happen to him. Some real experienced coaches that will hopefully work on his batting.

[Sunny_majoka]

Good luck to him, may be this will help him, micky has been great admirer of haider ali

[ElRaja]

a full first class season would do him the world of good, his natural style was suited to the long format game until PCB made him into a slogger. div 2 is right standard for him to develop. hope he gets the whole season uninterupted.

[angrypathan]

This is a great opportunity for him.

[Saj]

Fantastic opportunity.

Delighted that it's an all format contract too.

This could make his career.

[Suleiman]

Haider Ali 2.0 under construction.

[Omer2002]

I hope so. His career was going no where. Absolutely flopped so I hope he takes this oppertunity

[TeymurBlake]

Excellent news for Haider. This move will do him a lot good. Tweaks to his technique and judgement, as well as innings building will rejuvenate his career.

[topspin]

Just what he needs, a professional set-up so he can iron out his rough edges.

[Bewal Express]

Brilliant move for the lad. Let him play properly and become a player that his ability merits

[Saj]

Also probably a sign that Mickey Arthur will be there next season.

So it's either the split coaching role at PCB for him or nothing.

[Nasty Naz]

Fantastic move and something all Pakistani players should look to do if they get the opportunity. It is generally not much cricket going on for Pakistan during county cricket season and he will adapt to more swinging conditions playing in England. Might get some better technical coaching there too to iron out some of his technical issues too.

[Colorblind Genius]

I hope he plays along some technically good batsmen who are strong and articulate in the off side play towards point, covers, and mid-off - which should encourage him to revive his own off-side play.

He used to play extremely good and very classy strokes on the off side. His timing, footwork, and batting stance was supreme. But then slowly he went into a shell and resorted to only one main shot - and that was, to go on the back-foot and heave it over midwicket.
And that was it.
He totally forgot all other strokes and looked at the opportunity to play only and only this one shot on every ball.

The beauty of English batting is their classical game on the off-side. They truly make the game look lovely and pleasing to the eye.

I hope the English cricket atmosphere and environment has good effects on him.

Otherwise, in Pak batting culture, it’s almost always only the tulla shot towards the cow corner and hardly anything else.

[BunnyRabbit]

Don't think Haider has a responsive enough brain to learn. Seems like a poor man's Imran Nazir.

[Firebat]

At 22 years old I'm sure there's a player in there. Hope he can turn it around.

[Bewal Express]

At 22 years old I'm sure there's a player in there. Hope he can turn it around.

I have feeling that he us much older.

[DeadlyVenom]

I hope he isnt selected for random international series during this time.

He should be given the time away to improve his game and hopefully be free from the limelight.

[moghul]

Surprise , I doubt Haider Ali will make any progress. He is an uneducated cricketer and not very intelligent either .

[ask_analyse_act]

Surprise , I doubt Haider Ali will make any progress. He is an uneducated cricketer and not very intelligent either .

That is where the natural talent mostly comes from.. he is very young... If he is humble, he will improve as a cricketer..

[ask_analyse_act]

Big step from Mickey... one of the best things to happen for Haider Ali...

Golden opportunity for him to make a cricketing career out of this..

Had Mickey stayed on as Pak coach , Haider would hav been a live wire in Pak cricket team by now... would have been the next coming of another Babar.

The great Misbah sucked the oxygen out of his batting ( the destroyer of young cricketers))....

Having 2-3 world class batsman and bowler in the lineup makes a formidable unit across formats..

Pak missing that with just Babar and Shaheen to be the face of batting and bowling..

[Colorblind Genius]

Surprise , I doubt Haider Ali will make any progress. He is an uneducated cricketer and not very intelligent either .

Who else is in the Pak team?

[Savak]

Nepotism by Mickey. Haider Ali hasn't really scored the volume of runs to deserve this opportunity. He has got it purely on the basis of being liked by Mickey

[Saj]

I hope it doesn't happen but there is also the possibility that this could go horribly wrong for him too.

We'll just have to wait and see,

[Colorblind Genius]

I hope it doesn't happen but there is also the possibility that this could go horribly wrong for him too.

We'll just have to wait and see,

How come?

[angrypathan]

Nepotism by Mickey. Haider Ali hasn't really scored the volume of runs to deserve this opportunity. He has got it purely on the basis of being liked by Mickey

That’s not nepotism. It’s a coach taking a risk on someone who he feels has the potential to be a good player. Based on his first class record he can justify the pick as well

[Savak]

That’s not nepotism. It’s a coach taking a risk on someone who he feels has the potential to be a good player. Based on his first class record he can justify the pick as well

Haider Ali's recent form has been poor as well. Why not someone like Abdullah Shafiq?

[Amjid Javed]

Whilst County cricket is poor, it's better then Pakistan domestic cricket so playing loads of red ball stuff should help Haider Ali.

[gazza619]

Don't think Haider has a responsive enough brain to learn. Seems like a poor man's Imran Nazir.

An insult to Nazir who has actually played some white ball gems plus a test hundred against WI in WI against Walsh and Ambrose.

[gazza619]

Nepotism by Mickey. Haider Ali hasn't really scored the volume of runs to deserve this opportunity. He has got it purely on the basis of being liked by Mickey

Dont think nepotism is the right word here.

Mickey knows what is a good investment. He is taking a risk but its all for a good cause.

[Officer Barbrady]

Hope he can work out his short ball issues in this stint with a full season of county cricket

[gazza619]

Hope he can work out his short ball issues in this stint with a full season of county cricket

Short ball issues, length ball issues, full ball issues. He does not come across as an intelligent cricketer either I am afraid. This could turn out to be really really ugly for Haider.

I would love if he proves me wrong though.

[moghul]

Who else is in the Pak team?

Naseem Shah is the prime example of a young and intelligent player, he has learnt a lot from his mistakes in recent times and has been improving all the time.

[moghul]

Who else is in the Pak team?

Naseem Shah is the prime example of a young and intelligent player, he has learnt a lot from his mistakes in recent times and has been improving all the time.

[angrypathan]

Haider Ali's recent form has been poor as well. Why not someone like Abdullah Shafiq?

Availability. Abdullah Shafique is in the starting eleven for Pakistan’s test team so may not be available for the whole season.

[SalimBhai]

Great move

[Junaids]

It’s fascinating, because Pakistan already has in place most of a Mickey Arthur Test batting order.

1. Abdullah Shafique
3. Mohammad Rizwan
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Shadab Khan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Faheem Ashraf

Haider Ali may not realise this, but he’s auditioning for a place as Pakistan’s second opener!

[Saj]

How come?

What I'm saying is that I hope he doesn't struggle and flops badly, which could further dent his already low confidence.

[Marooned]

It’s fascinating, because Pakistan already has in place most of a Mickey Arthur Test batting order.

1. Abdullah Shafique
3. Mohammad Rizwan
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Shadab Khan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Faheem Ashraf

Haider Ali may not realise this, but he’s auditioning for a place as Pakistan’s second opener!

Do you think he can be a good test opener?

I personally think that will be his best role and firmat ultimately.

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

What I'm saying is that I hope he doesn't struggle and flops badly, which could further dent his already low confidence.

I think he’s in a place where he’s a complete non factor in the national teams plans. From a performance/development perspective, he’s already close to touching the bottom of the barrel.

If anything, this is an opportunity to go away for 5 months, have clarity interms of rebuilding his technique and approach, and working with a coach who’ll be patient enough to build Haider back up. It also helps that it’s division 2 cricket, so inshAllah he should have enough to perform against division 2 attacks and rebuild his confidence.

A note on some of the other points made in this forum

He’s uneducated and stupid - Whilst that’s some imaginative nonsense, we should also remember that this lad is a young man whose main coaching exposure has been Misbah, Younis and Yousuf. He’s been shuffled every where in the order and been asked to play multiple different ways. And then we’re surprised he’s confused and failing. Let’s not judge a young man already.

He’s a favoured pick by Mickey - We’ve all been very disappointed by Haider’s performances. But in terms of actual raw potential, he’s potentially the 2nd best all format batsman in the country, after Babar. I accept that there is an ocean between his potential and actual performances. But inshAllah if Mickey can rebuild and unlock Haider, we’ll have a formidable player on our hands.

[Bewal Express]

Needs to develop a proper game rather just slogging and hoping for the best.

[Saj]

I think he’s in a place where he’s a complete non factor in the national teams plans. From a performance/development perspective, he’s already close to touching the bottom of the barrel.

If anything, this is an opportunity to go away for 5 months, have clarity interms of rebuilding his technique and approach, and working with a coach who’ll be patient enough to build Haider back up. It also helps that it’s division 2 cricket, so inshAllah he should have enough to perform against division 2 attacks and rebuild his confidence.

A note on some of the other points made in this forum

He’s uneducated and stupid - Whilst that’s some imaginative nonsense, we should also remember that this lad is a young man whose main coaching exposure has been Misbah, Younis and Yousuf. He’s been shuffled every where in the order and been asked to play multiple different ways. And then we’re surprised he’s confused and failing. Let’s not judge a young man already.

He’s a favoured pick by Mickey - We’ve all been very disappointed by Haider’s performances. But in terms of actual raw potential, he’s potentially the 2nd best all format batsman in the country, after Babar. I accept that there is an ocean between his potential and actual performances. But inshAllah if Mickey can rebuild and unlock Haider, we’ll have a formidable player on our hands.

Agree with all of this.

Of all the formats, I'd really like to see him do well in the County Championship though as that could really help him develop as a batter.

[Xoib]

Can hasnain and wasim jr get a county championship contract also these are two guys I think can have a international red ball career if they play it regularly

[MenInG]

Hello there, @iamhaideraly ��

Our young King has arrived at The Incora County Ground ������#WeAreDerbyshire #WelcomeHaider pic.twitter.com/9ZzF4HlgFy

— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 3, 2023

[JAV12341]

Totally agree with you I think both can be good assets in red ball cricket 🏏

[JAV12341]

Regarding Haider Ali he’s finished don’t think he will ever re-discover his form from his teen days. Just another talent lost to laziness and not enough hard work. He gone the Nauman Anwar route very talented but regressed quickly and never got it back

[topspin]

I think he’s in a place where he’s a complete non factor in the national teams plans. From a performance/development perspective, he’s already close to touching the bottom of the barrel.

If anything, this is an opportunity to go away for 5 months, have clarity interms of rebuilding his technique and approach, and working with a coach who’ll be patient enough to build Haider back up. It also helps that it’s division 2 cricket, so inshAllah he should have enough to perform against division 2 attacks and rebuild his confidence.

A note on some of the other points made in this forum

He’s uneducated and stupid - Whilst that’s some imaginative nonsense, we should also remember that this lad is a young man whose main coaching exposure has been Misbah, Younis and Yousuf. He’s been shuffled every where in the order and been asked to play multiple different ways. And then we’re surprised he’s confused and failing. Let’s not judge a young man already.

He’s a favoured pick by Mickey - We’ve all been very disappointed by Haider’s performances. But in terms of actual raw potential, he’s potentially the 2nd best all format batsman in the country, after Babar. I accept that there is an ocean between his potential and actual performances. But inshAllah if Mickey can rebuild and unlock Haider, we’ll have a formidable player on our hands.

This is exactly why I feared the worst when Misbah was appointed as Head Coach. He's the worst person to be in charge of a gifted (but raw) batsman.

[Saj]

Hello there, @iamhaideraly ��

Our young King has arrived at The Incora County Ground ������#WeAreDerbyshire #WelcomeHaider pic.twitter.com/9ZzF4HlgFy

— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 3, 2023

Young King

hmm. Hasn't been batting like a king has he.

This will be test of Mickey Arthur's coaching credentials.

If Haider fails, it's going to look really bad on Mickey.

[Rana]

Feel really sorry for Derbyshire county

They’ve been sold a sack of potatoes

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Feel really sorry for Derbyshire county

They’ve been sold a sack of potatoes

He’s young and get build back up. InshAllah, if all goes well this season, his redemption will be sweet for himself and Pakistan fans.

I hope at that moment, that the apology will be as loud as the disrespect.

[JAV12341]

Feel really sorry for Derbyshire county

They’ve been sold a sack of potatoes

Totally agree with you this guys a sack of potato useless and a rabbit caught in headlights

[JAV12341]

He’s young and get build back up. InshAllah, if all goes well this season, his redemption will be sweet for himself and Pakistan fans.

I hope at that moment, that the apology will be as loud as the disrespect.

I’ve watch cricket for 3 decades and can safely say this guy is mentally and physically finished will never make it. Will average a mere 25 at best in any format

[Suleiman]

Training in the mountains etc comeback arc lined up here.

[Concerned]

Surely they did not pick him based on performance?

[MenInG]

Haider Ali says he’s looking forward to working under Mickey Arthur and playing his natural aggressive game, after arriving in England ahead of the 2023 season.

The Pakistan opener has signed for the entire 2023 season, which begins against Worcestershire in the LV= County Championship on Thursday, and has joined up with the squad for training at The Incora County Ground.

The big-hitting batter was part of the Pakistan side which finished as runners up in the 2022 ICC Twenty20 World Cup and has played more than 30 times at international level.

Having seen the impact that Arthur had during his time coaching Pakistan between 2016-2019, Ali is excited to player under the Head of Cricket for Derbyshire and says he hopes to entertain the Members and supporters this season.

“I’m very excited, it’s my first time playing county cricket and I love the coaching of Mickey Arthur,” he said.

“I think it’s difficult for anyone to play all formats, but I’m lucky to have the opportunity and I’m so excited to get started. It has been a dream of mine to play under Mickey, as soon as he called I said ‘I’m ready to play county cricket for Derbyshire’.

“In Pakistan, our red ball cricket has completely different situations because it’s always hot weather, the pitches are not so good for seamers. In England, the pitches will be good for seam and swing.

“I’ve spoken to the coaches and they can help me, but I can still play my natural game. I like to attack the bowler, but every bowler is a good bowler in county cricket, so you need to choose bowlers to play your natural game against.

“In white ball cricket, I can play to the team requirements. If I need to be aggressive, I can do that, but if I need to bat 15-20 overs, I can do that too. I’m really excited to experience the Derbyshire crowd.”

https://cricket.derbyshireccc.com/20...up-with-squad/

[gazza619]

Feel really sorry for Derbyshire county

They’ve been sold a sack of potatoes

Totally agree with you this guys a sack of potato useless and a rabbit caught in headlights

I am curious to see how this season unfolds.

[Bewal Express]

Great chance to go back to basics and play properly. He has lost his way really badly and it will be a chance to work on his game.

[Saj]

In England, the pitches will be good for seam and swing.

And that's the worrying thing. Will his technique and temperament hold up.

Great opportunity for him.

[reversehook]

Derbyshire prob gonna end up firing their manager and recruiter at the end of the season unless Haider Ali makes them do it midway... 😆

[DeadlyVenom]

Hes only 22 and people have the knives out for him.

Back to back county games and training all week under a decent coaching set up with the likes of Mickey, Ajmal Shazad and Ian Bell will do him the world of good.

Best of luck young man!

[reversehook]

Hes only 22 and people have the knives out for him.

Back to back county games and training all week under a decent coaching set up with the likes of Mickey, Ajmal Shazad and Ian Bell will do him the world of good.

Best of luck young man!

Does he need people to have knives out for him? Especially with those crap performances and IQ less than that of a rock... he should count his blessings that he has got a contract in a county setup... even hussain talat is same mould as him... utter useless when given chances... had high hopes from these guys, but they have proved time and time again that they are hyped up failiures...

[BunnyRabbit]

It seems like a conflict of interest for Mickey favoring Pakistani players getting signed to Derbyshire although it's good for Pak Cricket. Don't know what Derbyshire higher ups think of it.

I would have liked Derbs to have signed a pacer to develop for Tests. Someone like Ihsan, Sameen or any other promising guy.

Our domestic pitches certainly aren't going to produce any decent pacer or spinner. Plus none of our seamers have played good amount of FC cricket since 2019. Hasnain, Haris, Dhani, Wasim etc all have played less than 20 FC matches since 2019.

[MenInG]

Haider Ali out for 22 in his debut innings for Derbyshire vs Worcs

Looked to be in good touch

Haider Ali's first runs in English cricket ��

Watch LIVE ⤵️

— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 6, 2023

and then this

View post on imgur.com

[Firebat]

Mickey's got a lot of work to do

[Rana]

Haider Ali out for 22 in his debut innings for Derbyshire vs Worcs

Looked to be in good touch

Haider Ali's first runs in English cricket ��

Watch LIVE ⤵️

— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 6, 2023

and then this

View post on imgur.com

Sack of potatoes

What a terrible way to get out being the bit overseas pro!

[Saj]

What on earth was that shot?

Something you would see on village greens from club cricketers.

How on earth did he manage to drag that back onto his stumps.

Woeful technique.

[Bewal Express]

I have a small inkling that this could be the making of him. The elephant in the room is whether he has the intelligence to understand what he needs to do. Let's hope he does and bats properly

[JibranAnsari]

Poor defence and technique.

Can play a few shots and thats it.

[bilawal666]

That dismissal is hardly surprising going by Ali's recent form. What I find more surprising is that he was signed by a county! Unbelievable.

[Fenrir]

Batting is not easy at the start of the season.The weather is cold and pitches have plenty of juice.The ball nips around.Haider is lucky to get this opportunity to improve his game.Let us see how fares.

[MenInG]

Batting is not easy at the start of the season.The weather is cold and pitches have plenty of juice.The ball nips around.Haider is lucky to get this opportunity to improve his game.Let us see how fares.

Problem is he doesn't know where to stop! He could have consolidated a bit and then went back to attack.

[JAV12341]

This guy was an awesome talent in the u19 ranks had confidence oozing through his body. Sad to see look like a shadow of the player he was and looks mentally shot. Don’t think he will ever recover to be fair. Just wonder why no big upcoming talented pakistan batsmen can ever kick on and go to the next level. Like the poster RANA said he’s turned into a sack of potatoes

[Zaz]

What kind of shot was that? Absolutely shocking and one of the reasons why hes so so poor.

His shot selection is terrible It would be a terrible shot in t20s never mind a fc game in april in england

[MenInG]

What will it take for Haider Ali to return to his U19 days' form? Looked a totally different (amazing) player then. What happened after those days is anyone's guess.

18 year-old Attock-born Haider Ali. This video is from last month's Under 19 tour of Sri Lanka. His scores so far on the Pakistan Under 19 tour of South Africa:

59
116
18
60
160#cricket pic.twitter.com/kXn7LG4pGt

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) June 30, 2019

[Saj]

What will it take for Haider Ali to return to his U19 days' form? Looked a totally different (amazing) player then. What happened after those days is anyone's guess.

18 year-old Attock-born Haider Ali. This video is from last month's Under 19 tour of Sri Lanka. His scores so far on the Pakistan Under 19 tour of South Africa:

59
116
18
60
160#cricket pic.twitter.com/kXn7LG4pGt

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) June 30, 2019

I was watching some videos of Haider Ali from his Under 19 days compared to now and one thing was very noticeable. That was how still his head was when he was doing well and how well-balanced he was at the crease. These days the head is all over the place and he seems off balance when playing so many of his shots.