Fakhar Zaman "Needed an innings like this and I had been trying to play like this for a while"

[MenInG]

Fakhar Zaman "Needed an innings like this and I had been trying to play like this for a while"

Fakhar Zaman speaking at end of the game:

"Absolutely true - I needed an innings like this as I had been trying to play one like this for a while; Luckily I had some time off in which I worked on my batting and all that work paid off today which is very pleasing"

"My plan was to play like I normally do and based on my preparations for the PSL, the idea was not to hit the ball too hard but play it based on merit"

"Playing alongside Hafeez meant that I had no pressure on me and I was giving strike to him; He was saying to me that look I am getting some good hits so don't take extra risk; I took his advice and made sure that Hafeez played most of the balls, and to punish bad balls if they came"

"It will be my effort to try and get a good start to my innings in each match I play, so lets see how it goes"

 

[MenInG]

Question really is if he can play more like this innings in the upcoming games?

 

[gazza619]

It would be a mouth watering opening combo for Pakistan if we have an in form Fakhar Zaman & Sharjeel Khan.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Consistency is the key for Fakhar.

If he can perform consistently, he will contend for the opening slot too.

 

[gazza619]

We can already see that Haider & Azam are at least 3 years away from being international material.

Fakhar has had some success in the past and could hold the key.

 

[Suleiman]

It would be a mouth watering opening combo for Pakistan if we have an in form Fakhar Zaman & Sharjeel Khan.

That idiot was too busy trying to make cheap bucks at PSL.

Fakhar was coming into his own and Sharjeel was having the time of his life- it was gonna be epic. Still can be though.

Despite that- Azhar did a good job in ODIs. Played the innings of his life in CT. Somehow, everything came together that day (no it was not a fluke, but every one pulled up for whatever reason. Wallahu Alam)

 

[nextover666666]

Good to see hey played well ...i hope he can perform during the rest of the psl as well

 

[Bilal7]

Can he bat in the middle-order?

 

[gazza619]

Can he bat in the middle-order?

Dont think he is intelligent enough.

 

[Bilal7]

Dont think he is intelligent enough.

Just need him to play a 30 (18) innings, which is he more than capable of. Might not have it in him to open the innings at this point, seeing how he's been out of form.

 

[PakHammer]

Hope he gets back in form and regains his confidence. Pakistan need an in form Fakhar opening for T20's as he is genuine boundary hitter with a good strike rate. A top of 4 of Fakhar, Rizwan, Barbar and Hafeez will do some damage.

 

[gazza619]

Just need him to play a 30 (18) innings, which is he more than capable of. Might not have it in him to open the innings at this point, seeing how he's been out of form.

His game is suited to pacers in the power play.

Playing spin in the middle order and taking singles would be a struggle for him. I rather play Iftikhar in the middle order.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

It would be a mouth watering opening combo for Pakistan if we have an in form Fakhar Zaman & Sharjeel Khan.

Where would you play Babar? Where would you play the keeper? Where would you play Hafeez?

The truth is, the way the current combination is stacking up, it would be a big deal for even one out of Fakhar or Sharjeel to make the final 11.

 

[Jabo]

isn't this his first inning in a while that he played good

 

[Nasty Naz]

It was nice to see him play shots along the ground early into his innings before playing lofty shots later on. Too often, his timing isn't great and he plays risky lofty shots and sees himself get out early.

If he keeps focusing on strike rotation and playing more shots along the ground before being really set, he could regain his old form. And I hope he does to be honest. Pakistan require more quick batsmen, particularly one that is left-handed, fit and a good fielder.

 

[gazza619]

Where would you play Babar? Where would you play the keeper? Where would you play Hafeez?

The truth is, the way the current combination is stacking up, it would be a big deal for even one out of Fakhar or Sharjeel to make the final 11.

Considering the fact that our middle order is so useless these days I would get Babar at 3, Rizwan at 4 and Hafeez at 5.

I know Rizwan is having the time of his life as an opener but in reality he is a number 4 batsman in all forms of the game in my opinion.

Picture this:

Fakhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Rizwan
Hafeez
Shadab
Imad
Faheem
Hasan
Shaheen
Usman

The opening combo can potentially get us 60 in the first 6 overs.

 

[nextover666666]

Can he bat in the middle-order?

I always thought its something that can be tried or looked into....if it doesnt work and leave him as opener

 

[Artaxerxes]

Fakhar played like a proper batsman today.Previously he used to lunge at the ball or use brute force to score boundaries.Today His was time the ball nicely.He should learn from Hafeez who was hitting sixes with minimum effort.

 

[Savak]

He can never play a fluent innings to save his life. He will always offer a chance to the opposition with his hacking. Against the international class Big 5, his hacking will not work consistently. He has to improve his game

 

[ads101]

I think we should try him middle order. We aren't spoilt for choice, and there's few players who play at a high SR yet have had consistent success including against top teams for a decent period of time. We don't really have many power hitters, Sharjeel, Asif Ali, Fakhar, umar akmal are the only ones I can think of available who are actually batsmen who can hit reliably. Asif Ali averages are poor, Sharjeel is unfit and has fixed, Umar akmal is unfit, poor latest international form and banned currently. Fakhar seems the only one left from this group. The rest are allrounders who can tonk a few like Faheem and Imad who aren't really main batsmen that set the tone of an innings. Fakhar's literally all that's left, we badly need him back in form.

 

[Zaz]

He needs to continue playing more orthodox take his time early and cut out the cross batted slogs

He looks and scores so much better when hes not blindly hacking

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Hope he stays consistent. Loving Hafeez form, maybe too late?

 

[globalcitizen]

That’s a lot for MOM prize money close to 5k usd . Has PSL prize money increased from last year?

 

[Greenstorm]

He still merits a spot as an ODI opener. (Better than imam)

Needs more innings like these for T20I selection.

 

[mon858]

Let's not get fooled by performances in psl. Plz recall even Kamran Ajmal scored so many big knocks in PSL. I am not convinced about Fakhar at all. He had ample chances in intl and was failing before dropped. He also didn't produce much in Pakistan cup and seems to be having same technique and weaknesses as before. Unless he has done good work on weaknesses and can really have a extraordinary psl I would not consider him.

 

[Bilal7]

Considering the fact that our middle order is so useless these days I would get Babar at 3, Rizwan at 4 and Hafeez at 5.

I know Rizwan is having the time of his life as an opener but in reality he is a number 4 batsman in all forms of the game in my opinion.

Picture this:

Fakhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Rizwan
Hafeez
Shadab
Imad
Faheem
Hasan
Shaheen
Usman

The opening combo can potentially get us 60 in the first 6 overs.

More than likely, two out of form openers will not survive for a couple of overs against the likes of Boult, Southee, Rabada, Archer and Starc.
By batting Rizwan and Hafeez out of position, you're shooting yourself in the foot. They are out best batsmen on form and should be batting in their preferred positions. Neither of these bats can start playing their shots from ball one, unlike Fakhar and Sharjeel. Also, seven bowlers is overkill. You should have an extra batsman instead.


This is a better lineup:

Rizwan
Babar
Hafeez
Fakhar
Sharjeel
(Insert slogger/finisher)
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Usman
Shaheen

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

That’s a lot for MOM prize money close to 5k usd . Has PSL prize money increased from last year?

last year prize for MOM was 4,500

 

[Hawkeye]

Fakhar still isn't really international class.

All the major teams have worked him out.

There's no evidence he has developed enough and improvised enough to counter that. And overcome his weaknesses.

Keep hopes low.

 

[Coolcapri]

Fakhar is very lucky to have Hafeez with him, He should learn from him, I have just read the Hafeez interview on cricket monthly and how he has also helped Rizwan on hitting. Fascinating stuff, Must read for all.

 

[MenInG]

Well that didnt last long! out for 9 (11) - Dont think big changes expected from Fakhar

 

[Sir-fraz]

He hasnt improved at all since 2017 WC. His double hundred against zimbabwe was clearly the case of club level bowlers.

He has been found out, cramp him for room and you will get his wicket, sadly havent found a replacement for him in international cricket.

He will continue to torture us.

 

[LeedsGreen]

Well that didnt last long! out for 9 (11) - Dont think big changes expected from Fakhar

tbf to him it was a good ball

 

[Firebat]

Cramped for room and nicks the edge:

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[topspin]

Can he bat in the middle-order?

This is a good suggestion because Fakhar's weakness is against the hard new ball when it's bowled short at him.

 

[Bilal7]

He hasnt improved at all since 2017 WC. His double hundred against zimbabwe was clearly the case of club level bowlers.

He has been found out, cramp him for room and you will get his wicket, sadly havent found a replacement for him in international cricket.

He will continue to torture us.

Which is why he should bat in the middle-order. He's good against spin and can take out the opposition's weaker bowlers on his day. On average, he should be able to get us a quick-fire 20 which is good enough from a #4.

Babar and Rizwan will be a good opening pair and Hafeez is our ace at #3.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Last Monetarist]

Off to a start today, will need to bat through the innings if Lahore are to get close to the target.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Off to a start today, will need to bat through the innings if Lahore are to get close to the target.

Let's see if he can play a match winning knock here. That's the mark of an international class batsman.

 

[Firebat]

Gets to his 50 after 36 balls. He's got a crucial role to play to get Lahore over the line

 

[Last Monetarist]

 

[Last Monetarist]

 

[Firebat]

Loses his wicket at the crucial part of the innings, the very last thing Lahore needed. Great innings nonetheless, 83 from 54

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Gets to his 50 after 36 balls. He's got a crucial role to play to get Lahore over the line

He didn't really do that to be honest, they were looking like they were going to lose by the end of his innings, it was David Weiss with some fantastic hitting who got them over the line. He started hitting some raggedy cross bat shots and struggling at the end.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On his day Fakhar Zaman is a match-winner. If only he could add consistency to his batting. In this PSL he has already scored 82* off 52 balls and 83 off 54 balls <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL6?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LQvKK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LQvKK</a> <a href="https://t.co/YN6kJwUHRN">pic.twitter.com/YN6kJwUHRN</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1366092275697283077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Fakhar Zaman speaking after scoring 109 (82) in practice game ahead of tour of South Africa

“It felt great [scoring a century]. I was playing a one-day match after a long time against some really good bowlers. I was trying to play for as long as possible. After getting set, I tried to increase the scoring rate"

“It was a good match in terms of our preparations. This camp is benefitting us a great deal and hopefully I can use the confidence I gain here during South Africa series"

“I’m excited about playing ODIs after a long gap. I have been performing well since the PSL and hopefully I can lead Pakistan to victory [against South Africa]"

 

[MenInG]

Needed one more like that in international also but not to be - out for 8.

 

[Shafi]

One of the worst opener Pakistan has ever produced. Even I will take Afridi over this blind slogger.

 

[Majid Khan]

There should be some research done into how this happens in cricket - batsmen who get out 99 times out of 100 playing shots that would embarrass even the world’s worst tailender, are still capable of scoring a match winning 100 or even 200 on their day looking like a world beater.

There has to be some scientific explanation to this , how Fakhar Zaman managed to get past school level and club cricket cricket despite not knowing the basics , and end up breaking Saeed Anwar’s 194 record for Pakistan.

 

[shamaan]

He should play both the remaining odi games but he has to score 1 100 to make the next odi squad

 

[King-Misbah]

One of the worst opener Pakistan has ever produced. Even I will take Afridi over this blind slogger.

Fakhar is a legend, his performance in the Champions Trophy alone makes him better then any other opener in Pakistan history.

 

[hitthestump]

There should be some research done into how this happens in cricket - batsmen who get out 99 times out of 100 playing shots that would embarrass even the world’s worst tailender, are still capable of scoring a match winning 100 or even 200 on their day looking like a world beater.

There has to be some scientific explanation to this , how Fakhar Zaman managed to get past school level and club cricket cricket despite not knowing the basics , and end up breaking Saeed Anwar’s 194 record for Pakistan.

He's been figured out. Bowlers can set plans to him easily and he doesn't have the capability to counter them. Same will happen to Sharjeel when/if he returns to international cricket.

 

[shah_1]

Cramp him for room as he bats with angle bat

Easy peasy for bowlers

 

[MenInG]

Fakhar Zaman needs to stand up here and do something special - has been at the crease for a while now

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

Fakhar Zaman needs to stand up here and do something special - has been at the crease for a while now

he saved his career, job done

 

[Concerned]

Fakhar not chasing this down alone, rather try and bat 50 overs.

 

[Firebat]

 

[Concerned]

Well played Fakhar. Not many times you score whilst all the other batsmen fail. It is normally the opposite.

 

[Greenstorm]

He is the only clutch player we have got.

Another one who gets unnecessary hate from 'fans'.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

We’ve not seen the best of Fakhar Zaman yet. Batting with Sharjeel Khan, I feel it’ll allow him to play more freely. Fakhar and Sharjeel combo > Roy Bairstow + Sharma Dhawan + Finch Warner.

 

[Markhor]

If he had some support from the others, it'd have been an interesting chase.

 

[Varun]

What an innings by Fakhar! 127*

Has given Pakistan an outside chance.

 

[Zaz]

One man show today Hes making a game of it single handedly

Unfortunetly hes batting with the ilford 2nd x1

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

If he had some support from the others, it'd have been an interesting chase.

Just posted this in the other thread about middle order batsmen: when Fakhar scores a century you usually win the game. Just nothing at the other end.

 

[Firebat]

One man show at the moment, this truly is a brilliant fighting innings from Fakhar.

 

[Adil_94]

If only he had some support a great knock.

Management picked a 4 man batting order. Tail started from number 5 embarrassing

 

[Zaz]

If only he had some support a great knock.

Management picked a 4 man batting order. Tail started from number 5 embarrassing

Harris Sohail at 5
Haider at 6
Imad Wasim at 7

All deemed not good enough

 

[Bewal Express]

Was a big fan, then he was awful and hopefully this is the start of something again. Still not totally convinced

 

[Majid Khan]

There should be some research done into how this happens in cricket - batsmen who get out 99 times out of 100 playing shots that would embarrass even the world’s worst tailender, are still capable of scoring a match winning 100 or even 200 on their day looking like a world beater.

There has to be some scientific explanation to this , how Fakhar Zaman managed to get past school level and club cricket cricket despite not knowing the basics , and end up breaking Saeed Anwar’s 194 record for Pakistan.

I think Fakhar read my post from the other day and is now trying to break Saeed Anwar’s 194 score again for 2nd time to prove that it was no fluke.

 

[Suleiman]

Enjoy this knock Pakistanis. It’s not everyday or year a Pak batsmen scores a daddy hundred in ODIs vs a decent team.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Absolutely incredible knock from Fakhar. But a loss was always on the cards once Rizwan went because Pakistan's batting (for all intents and purposes ended at No.4).

Still I am glad he was able to play this knock and shut up the neigh sayers yet again. Fakhar's ability to play innings like these is why I've always said he deserves to be in our limited-overs teams. And I'm fairly certain people here will continue calling him a hack eventhough a side like Pakistan should be grateful to have a player like Fakhar.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Harris Sohail at 5
Haider at 6
Imad Wasim at 7

All deemed not good enough

I'm certain Pakistan would have chased this down with these three in our line-up.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The most astonishing thing about today's knock was the fact that there was barely any miss hit. All clean strikes. And he brought Pakistan from the prospect of a heavy defeat to having a slim chance.

To play with such confidence and commitment even when wickets are falling at the other end requires mental toughness. And that is the biggest selling point of Fakhar Zaman as a batsman

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Was a big fan, then he was awful and hopefully this is the start of something again. Still not totally convinced

Same here. He's limited in his range of strokes, and that's why he's struggled to keep the shots going against the fast bowlers, because they won't put it in his slot. Still can't deny he makes the most of those shots when he gets in.

 

[gazza619]

The most astonishing thing about today's knock was the fact that there was barely any miss hit. All clean strikes. And he brought Pakistan from the prospect of a heavy defeat to having a slim chance.

To play with such confidence and commitment even when wickets are falling at the other end requires mental toughness. And that is the biggest selling point of Fakhar Zaman as a batsman

For me Fakhar fitness was more astonishing.

Anwar / Inzi would have been playing with a runner after a 100!

 

[KingKhanWC]

The most astonishing thing about today's knock was the fact that there was barely any miss hit. All clean strikes. And he brought Pakistan from the prospect of a heavy defeat to having a slim chance.

To play with such confidence and commitment even when wickets are falling at the other end requires mental toughness. And that is the biggest selling point of Fakhar Zaman as a batsman

If he took the team home, would have been the greatest ODI innings of all time.

Fakhar's technique has was poor, no foot movement but recently he is improving. Mental toughness was always there but combined with a good technique and confidence, he can be take any bowling attack apart.

 

[Bilal7]

Two 190+ scores for Fakhar Zaman, as well as the highest score in an ODI chase. Fantastic. Hopefully, he carries on from here and becomes one of the best in the world.

 

[KingKhanWC]

The most astonishing thing about today's knock was the fact that there was barely any miss hit. All clean strikes. And he brought Pakistan from the prospect of a heavy defeat to having a slim chance.

To play with such confidence and commitment even when wickets are falling at the other end requires mental toughness. And that is the biggest selling point of Fakhar Zaman as a batsman

If he took the team home, would have been the greatest ODI innings of all time.

Fakhar's technique has was poor, no foot movement but recently he is improving. Mental toughness was always there but combined with a good technique and confidence, he can be take any bowling attack apart.

 

[Bewal Express]

I was so desperate for him to score a double. Lets FZ doesn't rely on this for the next year but actually scores consistently.

 

[Bilal7]

Two 190+ scores for Fakhar Zaman, as well as the highest score in an ODI chase. Fantastic. Hopefully, he carries on from here and becomes one of the best in the world.

 

[bala977]

Well played FZ. High pressure chase and Bobby went missing as usual!