Babar Azam's slow starts make things worse, he needs to swap with Shoaib Malik at #4

[Rana]

A lot of emphasis being put on Fakhar Zaman not firing or Imam not being good enough, or the bowlers not taking wickets up front etc. Ive watched both games very closely and tried to work out the key problem that could be addressed considering this is the bunch of players we have to work with. My honest assessment is that I dont think this team is poor or doesn't have it in them to win against India, they are simply making key technical mistakes and are basically playing right into India's hands instead of playing up to their own strengths.

Now, lets say that we have not got the start we wanted with the bat considering Buvaneshwar Kumar and Bumrah are hitting their lengths really well and cramping our openers for space, the worst thing that can possibly top it all off is your number 3 (Supposedly your best batsman) comes in and builds up more pressure. By no means am I saying Babar needs to be replaced completely, but he should not be at number 3 playing so many dots and letting overs go for 1-2 runs per over. You practically lose the game in the first 15 overs because you give your team zero chance to build a decent score and leave too much to do too late. On the other hand, our number 4 is in superb form and is batting with great confidence. Malik at number 3 is going to look to score as soon as he can and is much more intent in rotating the strike, probably deserves as much time as he can get at the crease to cash in his good form. I like Babar and I celebrate his success, but its the biggest issue I see right now in this line up. The best number 3s in the world come to the crease and dictate the game as if its their property, not getting this inspiration from Babar at the moment. He should play but not at number 3.

 

[szundercover]

I think it would be better to try him as an opener in odis.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Should open where he can find the gaps and won't play that cutiously because of the first wicket.

When Sharjeel is back, he should open.

 

[Shandarchowka]

If he's slow, he should be promoted up than down. He will stall the innings at 4. At 1/2 he can at least make use of PP and hit some boundaries and settle down.

 

[Itachi]

Been saying this for ages, Babar isn't made for modern Odis. He will score but the rate at he scores will put pressure in the opposite batsman. The same reason why dravid was never regarded as a good odi batsman (though even dravid in odi was much better than Babar).

Opening, 1 down, lower middle order.... He'll struggle everywhere when it's time to up the tempo because he doesn't have another gear. He can give you a 60(85) regularly but that's about it.

 

[rhony]

The reason why Babar is at 3 is because he can play pace well. Malik can't. Malik relies on strike rotation and is good against spinners. He can also unleash big strikes against spinners which Babar lacks. The batting order is fine

 

[TeamPak95]

The reason why Babar is at 3 is because he can play pace well. Malik can't. Malik relies on strike rotation and is good against spinners. He can also unleash big strikes against spinners which Babar lacks. The batting order is fine

Yeah, this pretty much. Innovation in strike rotation, especially for the openers, is needed + a jump start in confidence.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Most players that bat early on in an ODI in top 3 of an inns and bat through while inns tend to get huge 140/150+ scores at high strike rates, babars only interest in a personal 100 at snails pace.

 

[kingusama92]

4 or 5 will worsen the situation.

I feel Babar should be opening and making the most of those PP overs alongside Zaman. He has a good amount of experience as an opener in domestic cricket.

Zaman
Babar
Malik
Imam's Replacement (find someone suitable for the position).

This is how to get the most out of Pakistan's batting resources.

 

[Abdullah]

U know what ,this is probably unpopular opinion. Two win the game we need to score 260. That is a winning score.
I don't think Babar scoring rate matters in terms of getting there, we need him to get a score of 70+ and we will end up in the right region if we finish well.
If it is a chase then it is different. On these wickets it may be worth Babar opening and putting Asif at 3 just to go beserk

 

[Abdullah]

People here have to remember Malik struggles against pace as soon as we walk outside Asia. Funny how people forget things so quick

 

[kingusama92]

People here have to remember Malik struggles against pace as soon as we walk outside Asia. Funny how people forget things so quick

Indeed.

He has a combined average of 27 in AUS/ENG/SA/NZ.

But it's the only way to maximize Pakistan's batting resources in its current state. The idea should be to take advantage of Babar's skill set rather than Malik's (he will perform the same in any spot) and the only way to do this is by removing Imam.

They've been trying to force average players into that opening spot for a while (Azhar Ali, Hafeez, and now Imam).

 

[Rana]

People here have to remember Malik struggles against pace as soon as we walk outside Asia. Funny how people forget things so quick

Yes but this isn’t Asia. The point is that Pakistan need to make the most of what they can right now.

When Fakhar and Imam score 30 off 7-8overs and one gets out, and then Babar pushes the score to 40-1 off 12 overs...GAME OVER

 

[Rana]

Yes but this isn’t Asia. The point is that Pakistan need to make the most of what they can right now.

When Fakhar and Imam score 30 off 7-8overs and one gets out, and then Babar pushes the score to 40-1 off 12 overs...GAME OVER

This is Asia I mean*

 

[Hasan123]

Malik can never be 3. Isn't good enough against pace. Babar is good enough against pace and can survive a decent spell of bowling . Also he is able to go big.

Malik stays at 4 in Asian conditions. I would be worried if Malik was to come in at 4 outside of Asia.

 

[Savak]

I don't know why, i understand Babar Azam has decent stats for a Pakistani youngster but he just doesn't inspire me with his feeble body language on the field, i don't believe most oppositions lose sleep over him occupying the crease.

 

[Mahee]

Babar is a terrific batsman....because he is young he is not up to the mark at present....but he will surely win worldcup for pakistan next year as he ages one year older by then and will have plenty of experience

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Playing Babar at 4 will mean that he may find himself in a situation where he needs to slog, and may not be able to, slowing us down. On the other hand, Malik seems to be doing well against the spinners on these pitches so we should keep the batting order as it is.

The problems lie in the tactics our batsmen are using.

 

[blackanhyellow]

His slowish approach isnt the issue when you average what he does.

A batsman at number 3 who can average 50 in the long term even with a career strike rate of 80 will do wonders for the team.

Players just have to play around him.

Once he gets rid of the knack of getting out in silly ways.

He can play pace bowling, and has shown the ability to play quality spin.

Great future this kid has.

You can see his class as he looks like he is batting on a different pitch than our other batsmen a lot of times.

 

[srh]

opener? he played maiden over as an opener in even a T20 game not once but twice. the guy is slow as hell. need to surround him with aggressive players to compensate.

 

[giri26]

Babar Azam either needs to open or bat at number 3. Those are the only two positions which will suit, slow starters. In the middle and lower order you need players who have multiple gears and Babar isn't the one for those roles.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

No bro, he is fine where he is. Not every time he starts slow. He was very good against india in first game

 

[Syed1]

The whole balance of the team is effected by parchee ul haq. Had he not cashed in big time against minnows he wouldn't be opening the batting for us and we start the game effectively one-down. Eats up 20 balls for next to no score and then gets out, and thats on a good day. On a bad day he gets out for a duck in the first over.


Best team that Pak can play at the moment is

Fakhar
Babar
Haris (not a massive fan but chachu jee didn't give many batting options in the squad)
Sarfaraz
Malik
Asif
Shadab
Fahim
Nawaz
Hasan
Shaheen

 

[Hasan123]

As Shoaib Malik complains about not being selected, let's remember a time where he was in some decent form, so much so that OP thought he should bat ahead of our best player and 1 of the premier batters in world cricket.

Malik fan club is untouched.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

As Shoaib Malik complains about not being selected, let's remember a time where he was in some decent form, so much so that OP thought he should bat ahead of our best player and 1 of the premier batters in world cricket.

Malik fan club is untouched.

Lol nice bump.