"Fakhar gives Pakistan another destructive option at no.3 that Shan doesn't": Nasser Hussain

[MenInG]

"Fakhar gives Pakistan another destructive option at no.3 that Shan doesn't": Nasser Hussain

Nasser Hussain speaking on SkySports

"I was surprised when they announced their squad that they had Shan Masood in the squad and Fakhar Zaman as a reserve"

"I would have done the other way like England have done with Jordan, Livingstone and a few others - If you are injured, get them in the squad like Woakes and then let them prove their fitness or the other way around, so I would have gone that way"

"Because Fakhar gives them another destructive option at number three that Shan Masood doesn't"

"Shaheen Shah Afridi, you know upfront, as we saw in the India-Pakistan game in Dubai last year when he blew away India's top-order; He's absolutely box-office - It's not just the wickets but I like the way he plays the game; He plays with a smile on his face, his celebrations... he swings the ball upfront, he's quick and hostile, and is also a very good death bowler"

"If you add him to Pakistan's bowling reserves that we saw in the series against England, then it's clear that their bowling reserves is not going to be their problem"

"With their batting at the moment, they are heavily heavily reliant on 2 batters, and you have to bowl very very well to be reliant on 2 batters"

"Hopefully Fakhar Zaman will be fit and somehow they get him into the playing 11"

 

[Rana]

“Another”

Who was the other destructive option?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

He needs to open if he's playing, he will get maximum return for his style during the powerplay overs. He tends to hit across the line, and those are the overs where he can get away with it. He can definitely do some damage with the field in.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

“Another”

Who was the other destructive option?

'The openers'. What he means is Fakhar gives you another option after the openers. I know you don't like the openers. But what Nasser Hussain is saying is Pakistan has nothing besides the 2 openers.
That shows how useless Pakistan's middle order is. And also that Shan Masood is not a genuine T20 player, however PCB is so hell bent on sidelining Imad, Shoaib Malik & Sharjeel etc that they will include someone like Shan Masood who is more of a run accumulator than big hitter. However Shan is still better than Khusdil, Chacha etc.

 

[Rana]

Openers destructive….

I’ve heard it all!

 

[cricketAXEpert]

He needs to open if he's playing, he will get maximum return for his style during the powerplay overs. He tends to hit across the line, and those are the overs where he can get away with it. He can definitely do some damage with the field in.

He needs to open he will also be under no pressure with Babar or Rizwan coming in next.

 

[Saj]

It seems that Fakhar is the make or break pick now for Pakistan - certainly based on recent performances.

He could be the player who can support the openers if he's fit and firing.

 

[GreenKhan]

It seems that Fakhar is the make or break pick now for Pakistan - certainly based on recent performances.

He could be the player who can support the openers if he's fit and firing.

Fakhar in these conditions is the danger man for Pakistan . I think the opposition recognise that as well . In terms of match impact his wicket is the most prized.

These conditions will help his game. However he needs some time in the middle , in the warm up games. Throwing him straight into the India game maybe to much to soon.

 

[Rana]

It seems that Fakhar is the make or break pick now for Pakistan - certainly based on recent performances.

He could be the player who can support the openers if he's fit and firing.

He should be opening

He is no better than Shan at 3

 

[jnaveen1980]

He has a point. When you compare two players you have to look at the best case scenario of a player assuming one is not in much better form than the other. When the form is more or less than the same, there ceiling should be compared. He can be a game changer.

 

[Baigel]

We are delusional, have the shortest memories and are heavily affected by recency bias. It wasn’t too long ago that we were cursing the living daylights out of Fakhar and the management for playing him. We were praying that they’d play Haider or even bring Shan into the squad to be our savior. And now we’re back where we started - where the guy not playing is the best man for the job.

We’ll always be stuck in this loop, and I hope some people reflect upon how quick they are to change their minds about players

 

[Suleiman]

Shan Masood is like using a knife to have soup. Utterly useless and unfortunately fooled everyone with his performances in various t20 leagues.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I believe somewhere in the tourney, Pakistan will move Fakhar up to open with Babar dropping down to No.3.

 

[MenInG]

It seems that Fakhar is the make or break pick now for Pakistan - certainly based on recent performances.

He could be the player who can support the openers if he's fit and firing.

Not sure if he is fit?

 

[Kianig89]

Fakhar if played should open the batting but RizBar atm have powerful like Zuckerberg & Musk I doubt any of them will vacate spot for Fakhar so where should he play knowing Shan has cemented no.3 spot may be at No.7 behind Asif Ali

 

[indianpanacea]

There is no other destructive player in Pakistan as sharjeel

 

[atomberg]

Zaman over Masood any day.

 

[Bewal Express]

It's like deciding which one out of two 30 stone women you want to marry

 

[shaz619]

“Another”

Who was the other destructive option?

I would guess he is alluding to Shaheen going by his comments

 

[Ami]

It's like deciding which one out of two 30 stone women you want to marry

Both. If you're stuck.

 

[Farabi]

We are delusional, have the shortest memories and are heavily affected by recency bias. It wasn’t too long ago that we were cursing the living daylights out of Fakhar and the management for playing him. We were praying that they’d play Haider or even bring Shan into the squad to be our savior. And now we’re back where we started - where the guy not playing is the best man for the job.

We’ll always be stuck in this loop, and I hope some people reflect upon how quick they are to change their minds about players

Extreme statement. Many fans, like me, were asking that Haider and Shan be tried too but no one was asking Fakhar to be dropped from the squad altogether. He went from being in the 11 to reserves.
Other than that though, point well taken that fans are pretty impatient

 

[Mainul]

We are delusional, have the shortest memories and are heavily affected by recency bias. It wasn’t too long ago that we were cursing the living daylights out of Fakhar and the management for playing him. We were praying that they’d play Haider or even bring Shan into the squad to be our savior. And now we’re back where we started - where the guy not playing is the best man for the job.

We’ll always be stuck in this loop, and I hope some people reflect upon how quick they are to change their minds about players

Practical point. You are right.i remember those comments about Fakhar.

Fakhar is out of form, in bad shape now. I don't think he will do better in opening position until he gets his form back .

People gets back to their failed cards again and again - the cause is there isn't enough talents, internationally capable batsman around in Pakistan domestic circuit.

 

[Grunge101]

Would disagree with Hussain. Not about Fakhar's inclusion but about his batting position. If Fakhar is to be played (and I believe he should), he has to open. I've posted stats before about how his SR has dropped prodigiously since his shift to number 3. He simply does not fit that role.

Our openers usually go around 6-8 RPO at the start. If a wicket falls, we have Fakhar coming in who usually takes around 15 balls to get going. The result is that the RR drops even further and if he gets out after 7 of 18 against his name, it just compounds pressure on the already useless lower middle order.

Open the innings with him, give him the license to go hard from ball one. The field restrictions would mean he would get away with a couple of miscues that he normally wouldn't, coming in at 3. If he gets going, we'll have a flying start. If he doesn't, Babar can come in at 3 and play the same role he'd be playing at the top. Were already shielding our middle order with the lower order, what's the harm in dropping an Iftikhar or Khushdil and giving Fakhar the license to play his game at the top.

 

[shaz619]

Fakhar has to play

 

[atomberg]

Would disagree with Hussain. Not about Fakhar's inclusion but about his batting position. If Fakhar is to be played (and I believe he should), he has to open. I've posted stats before about how his SR has dropped prodigiously since his shift to number 3. He simply does not fit that role.

Our openers usually go around 6-8 RPO at the start. If a wicket falls, we have Fakhar coming in who usually takes around 15 balls to get going. The result is that the RR drops even further and if he gets out after 7 of 18 against his name, it just compounds pressure on the already useless lower middle order.

Open the innings with him, give him the license to go hard from ball one. The field restrictions would mean he would get away with a couple of miscues that he normally wouldn't, coming in at 3. If he gets going, we'll have a flying start. If he doesn't, Babar can come in at 3 and play the same role he'd be playing at the top. Were already shielding our middle order with the lower order, what's the harm in dropping an Iftikhar or Khushdil and giving Fakhar the license to play his game at the top.

So how many balls Shan needs?

 

[PakHammer]

The only problem is that Fakhar was a liability in the Asia cup. Batting was poor and his fielding standards went downhill fast.

If he comes in he has to open with Babar batting at the number 3. But we know this is not going to happen now so pointless bringing in an out of form Fakhar in the squad. Although he certainly merits a place above Kushdil in the squad.

 

[SalimBhai]

Fakhar performs on bouncy pitches when the ball is coming onto to the bay. He should open. Babar 1 down

 

[Savak]

Fakhar is a hack. He will be targetted ruthlessly with short pitched bowling. Even the Sri Lankans were able to bounce him out.

 

[Savak]

Sharjeel is a better option vs Fakhar on Australian Wickets. Fakhar did nothing in the 2019 Australian tour. People need to wake up to the hack he is.

 

[Grunge101]

So how many balls Shan needs?

Error, if you had actually ready my post, you would know I'm not advocating Fakhar to be replaced by Shan at all. I would actually play Fakhar if he becomes match fit but I would open with him and not send him at 3 for reasons already mentioned. Babar can come in at 3 and Shan can be shifted down the order or dropped altogether.

But seeing as things are right now with the management seemingly decided on the opening pair, I can't see how Fakhar would get chance.

 

[adzzy786]

Let’s be honest.. if we had to pick one Batsman to bat for 10 overs for Pakistan in the World Cup it would be Fakhar. As much as I like Rizwan we can’t deny Fakhar would have the biggest impact.

 

[GreenKhan]

Extreme statement. Many fans, like me, were asking that Haider and Shan be tried too but no one was asking Fakhar to be dropped from the squad altogether. He went from being in the 11 to reserves.
Other than that though, point well taken that fans are pretty impatient

Fakhar has no business being in the same bracket as Haider , Shan, and whoever else in the team or out the team.

He is one of our finest white ball players in the last 10-15 years . His t20 form has been hit and amiss for a while but despite that he is a must have in the team and ideally as an opener.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Sharjeel is a better option vs Fakhar on Australian Wickets. Fakhar did nothing in the 2019 Australian tour. People need to wake up to the hack he is.

Beggars cant be choosers

Especially if the alternative is Shan

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

But what about 3rd anchor then? (shan)

 

[atomberg]

Only player like Zaman can dominate bowlers like Nortje and rabada

 

[Zaz]

We are delusional, have the shortest memories and are heavily affected by recency bias. It wasn’t too long ago that we were cursing the living daylights out of Fakhar and the management for playing him. We were praying that they’d play Haider or even bring Shan into the squad to be our savior. And now we’re back where we started - where the guy not playing is the best man for the job.

We’ll always be stuck in this loop, and I hope some people reflect upon how quick they are to change their minds about players

This

We get nostalgic about fakhar because hes played some gun knocks in odis in the past But if we were to look at his t20 intnl career even when opening hes been nothing but a disappointment barely avging 20 at 135 strike rate

He looked a walking wkt is his last few innings before being replaced but yes a player out of the team is always seen through rose rinted glasses and better than the ones playing

 

[Champ_Pal]

If I was Pakistan selector, I would open Pakistan batting with Sharjeel Khan and Fakhar. They can be lottery sometimes, but its worth taking the risk. Even if they fail, Pak can fall back on their trusted duo of Riz and Babar to post at least par score.

Sharjeel and Fakhar are game changers. Even if one of them click , Pak will score above par. With their bowling lineup, they can defend above par totals more often than not.

As an Indian fan, I am happy to not see Sharjeel and Fakhar open the batting for Pak.

 

[hitthestump]

We get nostalgic about fakhar because hes played some gun knocks in odis in the past But if we were to look at his t20 intnl career even when opening hes been nothing but a disappointment barely avging 20 at 135 strike rate

Whoever is out of the team is always the saviour.

We just don't have the batsman. It's Riz-Bab or bust. There is no other combination of any batsman that can improve on the fact we are reliant on two players who must click for us to win anything at all.

 

[PakLFC]

Ideally Fakhar if in form would be opening with Rizwan. I think by "another" Nasser means self destruction!

 

[Suleiman]

Truth is we buried Fakhar at #4 which is drastically different than opening a t20 game.

Absolutely need to open with Fakhar, with Babar at 3. No more Shan, no more Iftikhar.

Shan out for Fakhar, Iftikhar out and add Aamer Jamal back in the squad. We need a pace bowling AR like Pandya, Stoinis etc

 

[Bilal7]

An in-form Fakhar is just what we need. Obviously no guarantees that he'll be any better than Shan but we won't know until we try.

 

[Grunge101]

Fakhar is a hack. He will be targetted ruthlessly with short pitched bowling. Even the Sri Lankans were able to bounce him out.

But would you rather have Iftikhar or Khushdil in the team instead of him opening the batting and Babar at 3 ?.

With Fakhar opening, you atleast have a chance he might click once every 6-7 games and give you a flying start. With chacha/khushdil you're looking at a having a zero chance of them ever coming good.

As for Sharjeel, that chapter is closed. The management seems decided on that. To top it off he seems even more overweight than before and his last outings in the NT20 cup were far from impressive.

 

[Kriketer]

What's the update on his fitness? He needs to play world cup warm up games. Or I say just unleash him on India without saying a word about him

 

[Madplayer]

Fakhar should come in if fit.

But i believe that Pakistan should start looking past him.

He has been found out i think.

 

[Coolcapri]

I thin Pak approach should be if batting 1st, Fakhar & Rizwan to open and be aggressive.

Batting 2nd we can switch to Baba & Rizwan if score it at Par or below.

 

[Jazx]

Yes definetly fakhar more destructive than shaan, but i think both fakhar and shaan should be in lineup and khushdil should be out. Or else if not shaan than he should be replaced with some other decent batsman.

 

[MenInG]

Nasser will be a happy man now.

 

[Jazx]

Glad to hear it