Fakhar Zaman as a middle-order batsman

[alized]

This is off Mohammed Hafeez’s century as opener against Australia in his return after 2 years to the team. He played a marvelous innings, and if he continues, he can be a real contender as a ODI opener as well. He is already going to join after Pakistan’s horrible performance in Asia Cup, as Pakistan really needs him. But the question is should he be opening?

Fakhar Zaman has failed multiple times at the spot. He’s really vurnerable to fast bowling with the new ball. Why not try him at #3 so he’s not a free wicket for the opposition. Hafeez and Imam can be a strong opening pair in ODIs. Fakhar coming in at #3 can pick up the run rate freely and reach decent score before the 40th over instead of the other slow middle order bats spoiling it.

So what does everyone think?

1. Mohammed Hafeez
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Babar Azam

 

[shaaik]

Mohammed Hafeez probably has booked his place in the team till aleast south African series. Does this mean Fakhar Zaman would have to wait now for his chance or is there a way he could be slotted in to the team??

 

[gazza619]

Gosh one good knock for Hafeez and one bad series for Fakhar and Hafeez is the next saviour of our cricket and we are struggling to find Fakhar's spot in the team. Two weeks ago it was the other way around.

In my book Fakhar Zaman needs to open for Pakistan in all formats. Hafeez can drop in the middle order.

 

[alized]

Gosh one good knock for Hafeez and one bad series for Fakhar and Hafeez is the next saviour of our cricket and we are struggling to find Fakhar's spot in the team. Two weeks ago it was the other way around.

In my book Fakhar Zaman needs to open for Pakistan in all formats. Hafeez can drop in the middle order.

Both are very different batsmen with very different roles. Fakhar can score more freely against pace, but shivers against new ball bowing. Hafeez has already 2 hundreds as opener against Australia, one in ODI and one in Tests, in his limited outings. Remember that this guy has been in-and-out of the team several times, for long periods too.

Let’s look out two classic scenarios:

With Hafeez Opening:

70/1 (16 overs)

With Fakhar Opening:

10/1 (3 overs)

 

[gazza619]

Both are very different batsmen with very different roles. Fakhar can score more freely against pace, but shivers against new ball bowing. Hafeez has already 2 hundreds as opener against Australia, one in ODI and one in Tests, in his limited outings. Remember that this guy has been in-and-out of the team several times, for long periods too.

Let’s look out two classic scenarios:

With Hafeez Opening:

70/1 (16 overs)

With Fakhar Opening:

10/1 (3 overs)

Fakhar is out of form, his game play against new ball is brilliant otherwise. Secondly Fakhar is not the best player of spin and Hafeez is, hence Fakhar is ideal at no. 1 and Hafeez may be at no.4