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Asif Ali as an opener in ODIs/T20Is

Asch Ali

Asch Ali

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Joined
Mar 29, 2018
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Great T20 series, already a solid batsman for Pakistan. How about him being an opening batsman? He can be really useful in the power play overs.
 
Should stick with him T20s for now ... let him show that he can play impactful knocks in this format before he is considered for ODI XI. Wouldn't mind his selection in ODI squad but don't know where he would fit in with playing XI as Malik will still be part of ODI team for now.

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Talat
Sarfaraz
Malik/Asif?
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Junaid

I don't see the think tank dropping Malik from ODIs till WC but Asif can be in the squad.

His best position in T20s is 4 and in ODIs would be 6.
 
Asch Ali said:
Great T20 series, already a solid batsman for Pakistan. How about him being an opening batsman? He can be really useful in the power play overs.
Click to expand...

He is clueless outside off stump on flat wickets. He has good hitting ability when the ball is on the stumps so he can whack it over mid wicket. Better at 6
 
List A average of 18 cant be ignored.

Asif needs an outstanding season in List A to be considered for the ODI team
 
I think we should persist with him in T20Is for now. If he performs in t20s and in the next list A season then we can consider him.
 
He’ll play in Pakistan cup won’t he?

If it’s happening this season...
 
Needs to perform in list A domestically before he's even considered. He's more of a T20 specialist right now, which is fine as we need some of them too. Other team have specialist but we seem obsessed with playing in as many formats as possible even if not suited. Has ended many a career when players end up in the wrong format.
 
Babar should open in ODIs too. Asif should not be in the team.

Let him focus on T20s for now. Given that Haris is supposedly an auto pick currently for ODIs, we need someone to give way for him anyway, and it might as well be Asif atm.
 
Asif Ali would make a good Imran Nasir type opener. I would like an opener with an average of 25 and SR of 150+. If Fakhar and Asif start the innings and score 75 by the end of the power play, it would be a done deal. I don’t think Babar should open for ODIs because he can rotate strike well enough in middle overs, I don’t want him to play risky.
 
he would average 15 as an ODI opener .. I'm not even exaggerating here

how is he a 'solid batsmen for Pakistan' and did he really have a 'great series' ?? he was a total non factor

sometimes people say the first thing that comes to their mind .. Asif Ali is barely in the T20 team, he shouldn't be anywhere near the ODI team, let alone as an opener
 
Lol no,he did not have a great series and his average shows he isn't solid.Can play T20's as a lower order player.If he improves his LA stats he should be considered.
 
Asch Ali said:
Asif Ali would make a good Imran Nasir type opener. I would like an opener with an average of 25 and SR of 150+. If Fakhar and Asif start the innings and score 75 by the end of the power play, it would be a done deal. I don’t think Babar should open for ODIs because he can rotate strike well enough in middle overs, I don’t want him to play risky.
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Review ur own logic where u want the opening pair to make 75 by playing a avg 25 batsman which means u r asking the other opener to avg 50 which is quite tough for any opener in the world and if achieved should be an ATG
 
I know a lot about cricket. Asif Ali can be a great opener in ODIs. Limited overs cricket is all about making quick and good runs, it’s not about tuk tuk century all day. How value is a player with a 35 avg at 80 sr then a player with 25 avg at 150 sr? Asif Ali sweeps the floor with productivity compared to Shehzad, Kamran, Sami, Azhar, Amin,
 
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Bad idea.

Babaar and Fakhar are good enough. Asif has to play against better teams and play well and seal himself in 20 20 format.
 
Asch Ali said:
I know a lot about cricket. Asif Ali can be a great opener in ODIs. Limited overs cricket is all about making quick and good runs, it’s not about tuk tuk century all day. How value is a player with a 35 avg at 80 sr then a player with 25 avg at 150 sr? Asif Ali sweeps the floor with productivity compared to Shehzad, Kamran, Sami, Azhar, Amin,
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25 @150 means that on average he'll get out after facing 17 balls.Most teams would take 35 averaging batsmen any day.Anyway he averages 18 @ 89 in domestics.No guarantee he'll do better in internationals.
 
Bad idea. Should be kept away from ODI team in general tbh. Looks like a T20 player only.
 
Looks like a lower order biffer in T20s than an opener.

Fakhar-Babar combination worked fine so let's stick with it.
 
Could not play against a third string WI side at home and you expect him to do good vs the likes of Aus/Eng/India?!
 
ExpressPacer said:
Could not play against a third string WI side at home and you expect him to do good vs the likes of Aus/Eng/India?!
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It was just one innings. He has great potential and I want to explore the options he can deliver for Pakistan
 
Not sure about ODI's but in T20s I'd prefer him as an opener against Scotland instead of Ahmed Shehzad!
 
Wouldn't be a bad idea to try him as an opener in t20s. For ODIs though I don't see him playing the world cup
 
Not So Fun Fact:

Asif Ali did NOT the opportunity to bat even once in the previous National T20 Cup because of his low batting order. This must stop, Asif Ali should immediately become opener for All Formats.

Here’s a question, now that Babur Azam is injured: Would you prefer Asif Ali as opener over Ahmed Shehzad or Harris Sohail? I defintely would!
 
Asch Ali said:
Not So Fun Fact:

Asif Ali did NOT the opportunity to bat even once in the previous National T20 Cup because of his low batting order. This must stop, Asif Ali should immediately become opener for All Formats.

Here’s a question, now that Babur Azam is injured: Would you prefer Asif Ali as opener over Ahmed Shehzad or Harris Sohail? I defintely would!
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What?He batted in all the innings his team(Faislabad) played,including a rain curtailed match.

http://www.pcb.com.pk/brighto-paints-presents-cool-cool-national-t20-cup-201718/tournament/1115.html
 
Pakistan needs a second opener more than a hitter, so it is worth experimenting. Sometimes you never know until you've tested the waters.

Sahibzada Farhan is nowhere near ready to make the international side. His front foot play and ability to handle pace concerns me.

If Asif Ali experiment fails then perhaps try Faheem and if that also fails then we should open with Haris Sohail because I don't think he will do well at number 3.
 
Excellent ODI debut. Need to find a way to get both Asif and Haris in the line up, so one of them will have to open.

Asif gives the advantage of a l/r combo with Fakhar, and would give Pakistan the flying start they need.
 
Please don't put him as an opener. He's shown he's a good lower order hitter, keep him there.
 
Just add Sharjeel to this batting order and my God it turns into Pak ATG


Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Sarfaraz
Malik/Haris
Asif
Shadab
Fahim


wow wow wow :raja
 
We can't ride the sharjeel train for long...we have to groom batsmen for next year
 
He's doing a solid job at No.6. As for Haris playing, he should easily take Malik's spot.
 
Fakhar..
???
Babar
Sarfraz
???
Asif
Faheem
REST

Im afraid, despite his 100 imam and malik are not needed...too many accumulators
 
Asif Ali as Opener

Considering the current problems with our batting and the strength of our squad, it will not be a bad idea to open with Asif Ali and bring Harris Sohail at no 4 and drop Imam.
Asif seems like a player who likes to hit from the word go. His technique doesn't look great but he can be utilized as a pinch hitter at the top of the order specially in these conditions where the ball doesn't swing much. By doing this, the balance of our batting will get better as Malik and Sarfraz will be pushed to no 5 and 6. Harris is a much needed player in the middle order and Asif Ali can't do worse than Imam. Horses for courses !
 
I agree. Either him or sahibzada should open.
Imam is literally the definition of a minnow basher.
Only test 50 against Ireland
All odi 100s/50s against minnows.
Not a single good performance against a non minnow yet.
 
Said this before aswell. This would allow Haris to slot in at 4 or 5 and provide an extra bowling option
 
Asif Ali’s batting is superb for limited overs slogging at the start. If he scores a few more quick fifties at 6/7 and I think he should deserve a promotion.
 
Glorified tailender he is, if you get bowled by 100kph straight delivery you don't deserve a place in national side
 
Asif Ali to open for Pakistan in T20Is?

What do you think guys? He came in at number 3 today and showed some good potential against pace bowlers. With the 6 over power plays I think this could be a great way to get the most out of him. Not so impressive down the order and Farhan is practically a fail as an opener.

Would love to See a Fakhar and Asif opening combo. Babar, Hafeez and Malik middle order. Sarfaraz could slot himself in there too. A decent lower order/tail in Imad, Faheem, Shadab and Hassan
 
What qualities do you see in him which have convinced you?
 
MenInG said:
What qualities do you see in him which have convinced you?
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Well for a start, he is better than Sahibzada Farhan hands down. Farhan comes with a reputation of an aggressive batsman. So if I were to pick one of the 2 just to play in the same position it would be Asif Ali.

The other quality I saw today was that he didnt look uncomfortable against sharp pace and bounce. This isnt very characteristic of Pakistani top order and even lower order batsmen these days.

The third argument is that he can connect well but he has not had it easy in the middle order against the slower bowlers and the field spread. If the guy can get a few overs of only 2 fielders on the boundary, it could be a great way to maximise his potential at the crease.
 
Asif should play later on and we can get Sohail akhtar also in the squad. We need 2 big hitters otherwise on flat tracks we can't compete
 
Terrible player. I don't get how he's in the team, opening with him is even worse.
 
After “Josh Buttler role”, now “Virendar Sehwag” role (this thread is opened before Josh Buttler role, so I guess readers have to read it in reverse order, like few thriller movies theses days gradually goes backward) .... can’t the guy try to be just good at Asif Ali role?
 
Since the team want to persist with Asif Ali in the first place. Lets give him a full chance (But it should left if he doesn't perform)
 
Asif Ali is fine where he is. He is the only batsman in this poor batting line-up who is capable of brutality. If I'm not mistaken, Munro was average in the initial stages of his career, but he is one of the most effective hacks in world cricket right now.

Asif needs the confidence of the team management.
 
Hafeez kept from taking strike by tuk tuking or hitting the random boundary and then taking a run at the last ball. I think he had only faced 19 balls or so till the 13th over yesterday and then was caught trying to hit out. Should be tried as an opener (given license to go after the bowlers) as seems to better against pace however he was playing spin rather comfortably too yesterday.
 
Usman Chadda said:
Asif Ali is fine where he is. He is the only batsman in this poor batting line-up who is capable of brutality. If I'm not mistaken, Munro was average in the initial stages of his career, but he is one of the most effective hacks in world cricket right now.

Asif needs the confidence of the team management.
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Wrong example - that’s why try to understand cricket first from it’s core rather than the skin. Colin Munro averaged over 55 in FC cricket with a SR close to 100 with at least a dozen 100s (not sure now what’s that average stands after becoming T20 legend), which tells that guy has a good batting base & he can hit proper cricket shots. Not sure why Kiwis didn’t try him in Test (actually tried, but he failed in 1st Test and didn’t get the 2nd chance). His list A stats are like 40/110.

Asif’s career stats are in reverse order - highest in T20, lowest in FC (before last PAK Cup) ..... I guess his average will be highest in T10, if he plays there regularly.

When PAK & PP is going to judge a batsman based on how the ball is sent, not where it’s sent? Not demoralising the batsman & wish him success, but I think his only scope & capability is to play at 5/6 in T20 and be a hitter. He doesn’t have the technique to bat at middle order against spinners, neither can milk singles and he doesn’t possess the technique or temperament to bat as opener, be in T20 (though might be successful - in that format 23 of 12 is a good job). He doesn’t bowl, neither keeps - therefore he had to make it on absolute batting merit.
 
MMHS said:
Wrong example - that’s why try to understand cricket first from it’s core rather than the skin. Colin Munro averaged over 55 in FC cricket with a SR close to 100 with at least a dozen 100s (not sure now what’s that average stands after becoming T20 legend), which tells that guy has a good batting base & he can hit proper cricket shots. Not sure why Kiwis didn’t try him in Test (actually tried, but he failed in 1st Test and didn’t get the 2nd chance). His list A stats are like 40/110.

Asif’s career stats are in reverse order - highest in T20, lowest in FC (before last PAK Cup) ..... I guess his average will be highest in T10, if he plays there regularly.

When PAK & PP is going to judge a batsman based on how the ball is sent, not where it’s sent? Not demoralising the batsman & wish him success, but I think his only scope & capability is to play at 5/6 in T20 and be a hitter. He doesn’t have the technique to bat at middle order against spinners, neither can milk singles and he doesn’t possess the technique or temperament to bat as opener, be in T20 (though might be successful - in that format 23 of 12 is a good job). He doesn’t bowl, neither keeps - therefore he had to make it on absolute batting merit.
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I understand cricket pretty well, thanks. The reason why I used Munro's example was that he is a hard hitting batting, much in the same mould as Asif. His technique consists of low percentage strokes, and he is incredibly successful at what he does. Munro wasn't that great in the initial stages of his career, but NZ gave him the confidence to go out there and express himself, and it's worked wonders. Now I'm not saying Asif is as good as Munro was or is, but the team management can take the example of this hard hitting batter's transformation as a feared world-class butcher and get as much out of Asif Ali as they can, until they find a better fit for the international game.

Munro's example is much better than giving Asif the Jos Buttler role or the Virender Sehwag desperation. Asif just doesn't have the ability to become a poor man's version of these two players.
 
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Usman Chadda said:
I understand cricket pretty well, thanks. The reason why I used Munro's example was that he is a hard hitting batting, much in the same mould as Asif. His technique consists of low percentage strokes, and he is incredibly successful at what he does. Munro wasn't that great in the initial stages of his career, but NZ gave him the confidence to go out there and express himself, and it's worked wonders. Now I'm not saying Asif is as good as Munro was or is, but the team management can take the example of this hard hitting batter's transformation as a feared world-class butcher and get as much out of Asif Ali as they can, until they find a better fit for the international game.

Munro's example is much better than giving Asif the Jos Buttler role or the Virender Sehwag desperation. Asif just doesn't have the ability to become a poor man's version of these two players.
Click to expand...

Munro’s career FC average hardly ever gone down below 50, and he has 13 hundreds in 47 games - Kiwis were actually impatient with him, dropped from Test after one game and I guess now he has self exiled from Test cricket to focus on shorter game - it’s working for NZ as well.

Asif’s FC average is 21, after 30 games & 3 innings over 50, 1 hundred - that tells guy can score some runs but gets too many 20s & 30s; not a good prospect to invest. I would have taken Maqsood & Umar ahead of him any day - having said that, he got his chance for few PSL innings, good luck to him (& PCT).
 
Asch Ali said:
Great T20 series, already a solid batsman for Pakistan. How about him being an opening batsman? He can be really useful in the power play overs.
Click to expand...

Could be a Good opener for Pakistan A . Does not deserve a spot in the international side.
 
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