"Fakhar doesn't know how to handle pressure, Hafeez and U Akmal should be in the side": Saleem Malik

[superfan]

"Fakhar doesn't know how to handle pressure, Hafeez and U Akmal should be in the side": Saleem Malik

Former middle-order batsman Saleem Malik has come up with a solution to Pakistan’s batting woes in the ongoing Asia Cup 2018.

The Men in Green have suffered two humiliating defeat against arch-rivals India, and on both occasions, team’s batting display was poor to say the least.

Malik, who has represented the Men in Green in 103 Tests and 283 ODIs, has not only criticised the team for their poor show, but also gave a solution by recommending players like veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal to solve the batting problems.

“Except Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam, there is not a single batman in the side who can carry Pakistan team forward,” said Malik. “Fakhar Zaman doesn’t know how to handle pressure. He keeps on guessing whether to hit or defend. Therefore, in such a fragile batting line-up, I think both Hafeez and Umar Akmal should be in the side.”

Commenting on Sarfraz’s decision to promote himself up in the batting order, Malik said: “Sarfraz coming up in the batting order was not a wise decision. Here in UAE, batting is the key to victory, not bowling. Sarfraz doesn’t know what he has to do or where to play. I think the coach (Mickey Arthur) should advise players to play their natural game.”

While giving his views on the virtual semi-final against Bangladesh, Malik said Pakistan will go in the match as favourites but the contest will be a stiff one.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...hich-players-can-solve-pakistans-batting-woes

 

[TeamPak95]

Is he not related to FZ and related to UA and MoHa in any way? If that's the case, then his statement makes perfect sense.

 

[gazza619]

A shocking statement. I always thought he had a good cricketing brain.

 

[Abdullah719]

Astute analysis

 

[topspin]

"Fakhar Zaman doesn’t know how to handle pressure"

Was probably living under a rock during the CT and perhaps still is given Fakhar fairly recently had an excellent debut in the second test against Australia.

I don't disagree with him entirely on Umar Akmal - if he can prove fitness and form during the PSL he deserves a return to the LOI side given how awful the batting line up is in the shorter version of the game.

Having said that this guy has lost all credibility with his "expert analysis" of Hafeez and FZ.

 

[The Viper]

Another clueless former player.

 

[Hasan123]

Talks about dealing with pressure than mentions 1 of the biggest chokers in our history in Hafeez ) ).

 

[j_kazmi]

Beautiful analysis from another intelligent former player.

We seem to have an endless supply of these ultra insightful former players.

 

[Ahson8]

Not sure if srs

 

[CricketDon]

Oh no another ex player backing Umar Akmal.

Time to call him clueless and say he has no cricketing brain. Even though majority of people here are still hanging onto a four they hit of the last ball In a pre school game.

 

[Nasty Naz]

This is why I have a hard time taking most player's opinions seriously.

 

[Shaka81]

Is he going senile? Umar Akmal and Hafeez are two of the biggest bottlers in world cricket.... and he wants to drop our only modern limited overs batsman!

 

[QalandarFan]

Lmao ) Is this guy serious?

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

IF he only just had not mentioned U. Akmal I actually would have tried to understand his theory.

U. Akmal is even worse than Afridi under pressure. A guy without cricket intelligence, a living sample of the fact that you cannot make it alone on the basis of supertalent.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Just a Lahori backing other Lahoris. Pay no attention.

I thought he's from Sialkot originally

 

[Eagle_Eye]

No former player should be allowed to go anywhere near pcb set up. Absolutely clueless and totally agenda driven.

 

[coy0607]

ah yes.. I've been waiting for Saleem Malik to chime in on the state of Pakistan cricket for years.

Wonder where this genius has been hiding for so long

 

[Titan24]

Just a Lahori backing other Lahoris. Pay no attention.

Hafeez isnt from Lahore originally, yes he lives in Lahore now.

 

[Titan24]

Pressure handling and Umar Akmal?

When was the last time he did anything in a any pressure situation. Although other than Fakhar's innings none of our batsmen have done that in a long time.

And at the same time Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad have already played couple of 50 overs world cup and havent won us a single game.

 

[Syed1]

Yeah team also needs Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat and Wahab Riaz. Lahore Lahore aay.

 

[EliteCynical]

Just a Lahori backing other Lahoris. Pay no attention.

Basically Pakistani Manjerekar. Nothing new here!

 

[Speedster1]

This is from Asia cup old news?

 

[Hitman]

) This made my morning. Thank you, Salim Malik.

 

[Gullycricket]

Where from do these guys come from?
Ridiculous to suggest names of permanent chokers.Hafeez lobby at work.

 

[Hawkeye]

There's a reason all our ex cricketers are clueless.

Not a single level headed person.

Misbah perhaps the rare exception, and maybe some other educated guy that I don't know of from decades ago.

Umar Akmal is world class but his brain isn't working, failing in pressure situations too.

 

[Fahdi]

Therefore, in such a fragile batting line-up, I think both Hafeez and Umar Akmal should be in the side.

To do what exactly? Speed up the collapse and get it over with?

 

[Bewal Express]

There's a reason all our ex cricketers are clueless.

Not a single level headed person.

Misbah perhaps the rare exception, and maybe some other educated guy that I don't know of from decades ago.

Umar Akmal is world class but his brain isn't working, failing in pressure situations too.

He is not World class, he is barely FC

 

[Madplayer]

How is it possible that Pakistan fans understand cricket better than ex players?

 

[Greenstorm]

Another ex-player added to Hafeez lobbying group. Don don hota hai .

 

[MMHS]

How is it possible that Pakistan fans understand cricket better than ex players?

It’s possible, but here not the case. Malik is right regarding Umar here (at least in his early few years Umar was a clutch pressure player), but he added MoHa in the mix to keep him (Hafeez) relevant. Otherwise, Salim Malik has played enough cricket, and he had enough quality to identify a serial choker & to know what he is saying here.

MoHa’s biggest asset is his contacts & good relation with senior players & he knows how to nurture that relationship. I can give a classic example - despite being quite capable & senior, he never chased PAK captaincy, rather have Misbah utmost support & confidence, which in return turned into gold for him - confirmed starter in 3 formats everywhere, desired batting/fielding spot, a category A central contract for almost a decade now .... and I am sure he’ll manage/coach PAK team one day as well.

 

[MenInG]

It’s possible, but here not the case. Malik is right regarding Umar here (at least in his early few years Umar was a clutch pressure player), but he added MoHa in the mix to keep him (Hafeez) relevant. Otherwise, Salim Malik has played enough cricket, and he had enough quality to identify a serial choker & to know what he is saying here.

MoHa’s biggest asset is his contacts & good relation with senior players & he knows how to nurture that relationship. I can give a classic example - despite being quite capable & senior, he never chased PAK captaincy, rather have Misbah utmost support & confidence, which in return turned into gold for him - confirmed starter in 3 formats everywhere, desired batting/fielding spot, a category A central contract for almost a decade now .... and I am sure he’ll manage/coach PAK team one day as well.

This support for Hafeez is amazing from ex players - think its really fans v Ex-players when it comes to Hafeez - strange phenomena

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Ex player mindset. Bizarre.