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Fakhar Zaman needs to bat at No.4 in LOIs going forward

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The writing is on the wall. Pakistan does not have any reliable batsman to bat in the middle order in limited overs cricket. Absolutely zero resources. We've tried Iftikhar, Khushdil, Asif, and Rizwan is not capable of playing down the order too. In a run-chase situation these guys are even worse. Therefore you have to adapt and take advantage of your in-form top order batters rather than shove your face in the mud by relying on shallow hitters for the sake of it.

For the next few years ahead, the PCB need to seriously think about Fakhar batting at No.4. He is an accomplished hard hitting batter and will hopefully adapt in this new role. He is our only hope.

Rizwan needs to open because that's the only position he is capable of producing runs at his maximum efficiency. And Babar should not force himself to open in T20Is because we need someone there less worried about staying until the end and more about making use of the powerplay. Babar is ideal as a one-down batter.

Rizwan, Imam, Babar, Fakhar for ODIs
Rizwan, Shan/any other in-form batter, Babar, Fakhar for T20Is
 
No if rizwan isn’t performing kick him out. This should be rizwan last series if he doesn’t perform should be shown the door in odis.
 
Until Babar is captain, nothing is going to change. Watch out for his post match talks, he'll say Pakistan dominated in most of this match and Hasan Ali will never be dropped as he is a champion bowler.
 
Rizwan needs to open because that's the only position he is capable of producing runs at his maximum efficiency.

Agree with this. Rizwan is a clutch player in his element but struggles elsewhere, particularly in ODI's. He'll produce runs in the opening spot though.

Fakhar at 3 seems better to me. Imam and Rizwan can set the platform and then Fakhar can blast through it. Babar at 4 is a perfectly reasonable position and will encourage him to play faster than he is currently.
 
Our best team from the current lot
Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Talat
Nawaz
Shadab
Faheem
Imad
Naseem
Shaheen
 
Rizwan and Imam need to open and Fakhar at 3. But selfish Babar will not allow this to happen.
 
The issue was the batting composition was wrong. Once Fakhar got out, the game was made much harder for Pakistan.

Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel are all similar batters and Iftikhar Ahmed was batting too low.

The solution is simple unfortunately, drop Saud Shakeel. He is definitely more of a No.3 batter due to his playing style, he's not a hitter. more of a anchor. Rizwan will probably be given more of a long rope in the team.

I think Imam opening with Rizwan could work with Fakhar Zaman maybe moving to No.3/4.

1. Imam-ul-Haq
2. Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
3. Babar Azam (C)
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Asif Ali
7. Khushdil Shah

With Nawaz still out, I think giving Khushdil 2 more games isn't a bad idea. Asif Ali should be given the same situation with Khush.
 
Our best team from the current lot
Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Talat
Nawaz
Shadab
Faheem
Imad
Naseem
Shaheen

Hussain talat can’t play pace to save his life. Is late on evey ball which is over 120kph. As dreadful against leg spinners. Imad should be history. A truly mediocre cricketer. Faheem has had million chances in odis. The rest I agree with. Replace Hussain talat with Haider Ali and Faheem with Abdullah it’s a decent team.
 
The issue was the batting composition was wrong. Once Fakhar got out, the game was made much harder for Pakistan.

Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel are all similar batters and Iftikhar Ahmed was batting too low.

The solution is simple unfortunately, drop Saud Shakeel. He is definitely more of a No.3 batter due to his playing style, he's not a hitter. more of a anchor. Rizwan will probably be given more of a long rope in the team.

I think Imam opening with Rizwan could work with Fakhar Zaman maybe moving to No.3/4.

1. Imam-ul-Haq
2. Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
3. Babar Azam (C)
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Asif Ali
7. Khushdil Shah

With Nawaz still out, I think giving Khushdil 2 more games isn't a bad idea. Asif Ali should be given the same situation with Khush.

Asif Ali. May god help us. I will rather play with 10 players.
 
Maybe in T20's, but definitely not in ODI's.

Rizwan and him need to open.

Need more dynamic batsmen from no. 4 onwards.

Imam just has to give way.
 
In ODI cricket, he's not good enough, but maybe playing Mohammad Haris wouldn't be a bad idea.

Mohammed Haris has far more potential this Asif the hack. He shouldn’t be anywhere near the team. One of the worst players to play international cricket.
 
For ODI'S
Shaan Masood
Rizwan
Babar
Kamran Ghulam
Talat Hussain
Agha Salman
M.Nawaz
Hassan Ali
Usman qadir
Afridi
Sameen Gul
For T20
Haider Ali
Rizwan
Fakhar
Babar
Iftikhar
Khushdil
Imad Wasim
 
If a Player like Babar is playing like this , it shows the situation is beyond repair , pathetic playing against a weak Australian side in home pitch.
 
NO Starc , hazelwood , Cummins , Maxwell , Warner , Smith , Mitchel Marsh , yet Pakistan lose , it cannot get worse.
 
No. Fakhar is an opener so lets not change him into a middle order bat.

I rather try guys like M Haris and Haider Ali in the middle order.

The team selection in todays game was beyond poor.
 
You need to pick some players who can play shots, back them even if they fail. Enough of this slow coach nonsense. I’d even pick Sharjeel if I could.
 
You need to pick some players who can play shots, back them even if they fail. Enough of this slow coach nonsense. I’d even pick Sharjeel if I could.

And Haider Ali. He’s got shortcomings, but they all have and he’s not a tuk tuk maniac. Get him in, back him
 
Yep

Continue to look for ways of destroying Pakistan cricket so everyone’s favourite Rizwan can be slotted in as an opener, the only position HE can bat.
 
Disappointing - looked good

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The agenda to push Rizwan up as an opener is in full swing
 
No....Fakhar-Imam are doing well as openers, no need to disturb them.

Rizwan needs to adapt.
 
lol Fakhar has been one of the best openers in Pakistani openers and he needs to move down for Rizwan? It's not like Rizwan is incapable of producing because he is not opening, it just hasn't clicked for him in ODI's but I do think it will eventually.

Nonetheless, Fakhar is a match winner and his aggressive style as an opener is very much needed. It's up to Rizwan to adapt at his position or get replaced by Mohammad Haris if he keeps struggling. I do think Haris is coming for his job. It may not happen for another 2 years or so but he has incredible potential and plays like a true modern player.
 
Nothing shot today.

Not quite sure what he was trying to do.
 
The calls to bat him at 4 are so absurd .

A 47 averaging opener with a SR of 95 and a 200 and 190 to his name should now move to 4, for exactly what reason ?

He’s our only modern opener proven at the highest level .
 
The calls to bat him at 4 are so absurd .

A 47 averaging opener with a SR of 95 and a 200 and 190 to his name should now move to 4, for exactly what reason ?

He’s our only modern opener proven at the highest level .

It’s because Rizwan fans are doing there best to get Rizwan to open because he is useless in the middle or anywhere else
 
I ike Rizwan opening in T20 but in odi i dont think he offers anything different to what Imam is currently doing even when he is on song, in an ideal scenario with a better middle order Riz would probably bat 6 or 7 in ODI , Fakhar and Imam seems like a good combo for now, regardless of the stat pad jibes, need to persist with it
 
It’s because Rizwan fans are doing there best to get Rizwan to open because he is useless in the middle or anywhere else

Fakhar being the team man he is would probably even do that . But it makes absolutely no sense .
 
He's an aggressive batsman and these sort of players will never be as consistent as accumulators like Imam and Babar, but the role he plays is absolutely necessary and he is averaging 45+ on top of that.
 
The calls to bat him at 4 are so absurd .

A 47 averaging opener with a SR of 95 and a 200 and 190 to his name should now move to 4, for exactly what reason ?

He’s our only modern opener proven at the highest level .

Just to make room for Rizwan in the opening slot, because he is terrible in the ODIs..

In the last 12 ODIs, he has scored only 120 runs + 1 score of 75 against England in a dead rubber and that too they lost it in the end...
 
He's an aggressive batsman and these sort of players will never be as consistent as accumulators like Imam and Babar, but the role he plays is absolutely necessary and he is averaging 45+ on top of that.

Most definitely. He has a role to play for the team , and he goes about his business in exactly that way

He can be frustrating at times , but he is a selfless player who has a superb record .
 
Not a bad idea though especially in a big run chase scenario, it's better if Rizwan opens with Imam and grind together at 85 to 90 S/R and with Babar and Fakher to pump up the run rate in the middle orders but we definitely need to find reliable number 5 and 6 who can hit aggressively and consistently as well.
 
Very good idea.

Fakhar struggles against the harder, new ball.

I would prefer to see an opening combo of Shan Masood and Rizwan than Fakhar and Imam.
 
The problem with fakhar is he does too often play unnecessary risky shots too early in his innings

Hes at his best when he plays orthodox shots until has taken 20-30 balls before he launches

He just needs to show some.patience esrly in his innings and once hes set hes a big match winner for pakiztan and a must at the top
 
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He needs to play in power play. He is the only player who can take advantage of the PP. We probably need Shan Masood in PP with him and bring Imam, Babar, Rizwan following them. Modern cricket game is to score with new ball in PP....not wait for last 10 overs and keep wkts in hand.
 
I love Fakhar and he is a genuine match winner but needs to be more consistent to be considered among world class LOI batsman.
 
The top 3 are not the issue for Pakistan's ODI team. They all play important roles and disrupting that would be madness.
The problem is the middle order so they need to find options there and let the top 3 continue working well together.
 
On his day Fakhar is a devastating batter. Can single handedly win games. I think he deserves to be in top 3, but we also have to consider left hand right hand combo for openers. I would like to see Rizwan and Imam open then depending on who gets out, send in Babar or Fakhar.
 
Dont try to fix what isn’t broken. Really dumb suggestion to put Fakhar down and Rizwan up.
Rizwan has to perform at 4 as simple as that. His list A stats and his 2 centuries in intl at nr 4 and 5 suggests he is a good player there, but it is time for him te perform in Odis.
 
Top order scores runs and at good pace, it is well settled , these disruptions kind of madness usually happened during Misbah Waqar days, to accommodate someone who is not doing well they try to apply things which is not needed.

If Rizwan not doing well at 4 then move him down the order to 6 and play proper batsman at 4 & 5
 
Fakhar should continue opening he has excellent stats and is a genuine match winner.Rizwan needs to make sure that he performs at 4 otherwise he can get dropped like everyone else.
 
Sharjeel
Imam
Babar
Fakhar
Haider
Rizwan

This should be the batting line up , Fakhar and Baar need to start bowling 3 - 4 overs a game
 
If it means Sharjeel bats at the top, May be we can afford it otherwise no use for Fakhar low down.

You have to rely on Kushdil, Asif and Shadab more often then not to finish the game. Imam, Babr and Rizwan steady the ship.

Team is forming well just needs to be supported and groomed.
 
I love Fakhar and he is a genuine match winner but needs to be more consistent to be considered among world class LOI batsman.

Fakhar has similar stats to Warner and Warner is considered a world class batesman
 
Sharjeel
Imam
Babar
Fakhar
Haider
Rizwan

This should be the batting line up , Fakhar and Baar need to start bowling 3 - 4 overs a game

This is absolutely pathetic . Replace fakhar who averages 47 at the top with Sharjeel who as an average of 30, and then just undo fakhars good work for the last 5 years .

Bravo !
 
I think Fakhar is fine as an opener. He has played many good innings as an opener (including 210 and 193).
 
A player like Fakhar Zaman is wasted if he is not an opener.
 
I would like to see this combination in ODIs:

1. Fakhar
2. Rizwan
3. Imam
4. Babar

This way we maximize the potential of both Fakhar and Rizwan, who are both match winners. With Rizwan at the top, there would be constant strike rotation. We would see those quick singles and doubles that would prevent us from getting bogged down if boundaries don't come. We would also have a right and left hand opening combo, so no bowler can get settled. Babar at 4 would steady our weak middle order.
 
We possibly have the most consistent top 3 in our history and they have all been performing as their stats show. Why change that? Add to it the fact that Fakhar has been one of our most impactful ODI opener ever and when he gets going he gives Pakistan a huge advantage in the match.

Regarding reliability of middle order, I think the guys played in the last series are yet to play 60-70 matches combined meaning its an inexperienced one. The solution is not to make your opener bat in the middle order rather give these guys more time. If we need someone who can change gears as well as provide solidity then we have Kamran Ghulam in the scheme of the things and even Abdullah Shafique can be solid in the middle order if required however both will need time and matches to develop in the role at international level.
 
We possibly have the most consistent top 3 in our history and they have all been performing as their stats show. Why change that? Add to it the fact that Fakhar has been one of our most impactful ODI opener ever and when he gets going he gives Pakistan a huge advantage in the match.

Regarding reliability of middle order, I think the guys played in the last series are yet to play 60-70 matches combined meaning its an inexperienced one. The solution is not to make your opener bat in the middle order rather give these guys more time. If we need someone who can change gears as well as provide solidity then we have Kamran Ghulam in the scheme of the things and even Abdullah Shafique can be solid in the middle order if required however both will need time and matches to develop in the role at international level.

I’ll tell you why change that,

So that Rizwan can also have a piece of the cake in this era of over inflated stats, and so he can run away from the responsibility of controlling the innings at number 4-5 like the legends of Pakistan (Inzimam, Yousuf etc) did so. He is inept anywhere else

I am praying especially in this Ramadhan for the ICC to remove the two new ball rule in ODI very soon so that when the time actually comes when the Rizwan lobby has won in its political strategy of removing either Fakhar or Imam as the opener, by that time Rizwan has to deal with a proper cricketing strategy of one ball as an opener where the ball will get softer a lot quicker and the bowlers will settle into their opening spells much sooner.

The fraud will be exposed as an opener too
 
I think our top 6 should be, not in tht order

Imam, Shaan, Babar, Abd Shafiq, Fakhar, Rizwan

Imam and Babar are fixed at 2 & 3 and should not move..

Left Right combo means we shld get Abd Shafiq up there

i know Shaan and Fakhar arent middle order players but can they move in that role? needs to b seen

1) Abd Shafiq
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Fkhar
5) Rizwan
6) Shaan

Shaan can play spinners and fast bowlers equally well.. can hit big, can maneuver singles at will
Fakhar can be the enforcer

with Shadab at 7, nawaz at 8 and 3 genuine seamers... tht could be perfect team
 
This should be the team. World beaters if the selectors follow:

1. Imam
2. Sharjeel
3. Fakhar
4. Babar
5. Haidar Ali
6. Abdullah Shafique
7. Shadab
8. Rizwan
9. Rauf
10. Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

Reserves

1. Dahani
2. Wasim Junior
3. Asif Ali
4. Khushdil
5 Usman Qadir

Top 6 can be changed around a bit. But that’s our ODI team. Don’t mess with it too much. I’d like a bit of rotation for the bowlers
 
That’s a very strange team . Your moving a 47 average opener and our most destructive batsman to number 3, in place of a batsman who is half the batsman and fielder he is .

To make it worse your moving babar to 4, when he is beast mode at number 3, averages 58.

To make it even more worse your playing a solid but not spectacular batsman In Abdullah Shafique at 6, so asking him to become a finisher and hitter (which he is not ), therefore potentially Harming his career especially when he has had a lot of success in the top order .

If that was not enough you are moving Rizwan to 8!

Your discarding khushdil , who deserves a run in the team .

It’s a big mess!
 
I’ll tell you why change that,

So that Rizwan can also have a piece of the cake in this era of over inflated stats, and so he can run away from the responsibility of controlling the innings at number 4-5 like the legends of Pakistan (Inzimam, Yousuf etc) did so. He is inept anywhere else

I am praying especially in this Ramadhan for the ICC to remove the two new ball rule in ODI very soon so that when the time actually comes when the Rizwan lobby has won in its political strategy of removing either Fakhar or Imam as the opener, by that time Rizwan has to deal with a proper cricketing strategy of one ball as an opener where the ball will get softer a lot quicker and the bowlers will settle into their opening spells much sooner.

The fraud will be exposed as an opener too

Your obsession with Rizwan is quite unhealthy. Perhaps some time away from PP for the rest of Ramadan will help you.
 
No matter which position he plays - this wont work

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No matter which position he plays - this wont work

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Brainless from him today What was the need first ball?
 
Pakistan have destroyed his T20 career

Now OP wants to destroy his ODI career as well
 
Fakhar, playing at 4 will be a game changing move by the PCB in preparation for both the T20 World Cup this year and the ODI World Cup next. It will shift the balance from being top order dependant and puts less pressure on Babar to carry, and also finish games.
 
Fakhar, playing at 4 will be a game changing move by the PCB in preparation for both the T20 World Cup this year and the ODI World Cup next. It will shift the balance from being top order dependant and puts less pressure on Babar to carry, and also finish games.

If Fakhar gets out in his first 6-10 balls

Pakistan will lose 95% of their matches. Not sure which cricket you are watching, it’s Fakhar Zaman, not Steven Smith!
 
Pakistan have destroyed his T20 career

Now OP wants to destroy his ODI career as well

Another lie. Fakhar was given 40 off games as an opener where he failed. Rizwan was give around 5 and you are still crying how it was too many. At least be consistent. Fakhar for majority part of his career been an awful t20 batsmen and today the shot he played you expect from a brainless hack.
 
Another lie. Fakhar was given 40 off games as an opener where he failed. Rizwan was give around 5 and you are still crying how it was too many. At least be consistent. Fakhar for majority part of his career been an awful t20 batsmen and today the shot he played you expect from a brainless hack.

Exactly he got so many chances as opener. But Some posters are deluded and have hate and will say everything without any arguments or facts.
 
Fakhar is a impact player he will look poor on some days and look world class on other days.
 
Happy Birthday Fakhar

Born: April 10, 1990 (age 32 years), Katlang, Pakistan
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55356;&#57295; 3872 runs in 124 internationals<br>&#55357;&#56633; 29 fifty-plus scores<br>✨ Pakistan’s third-highest scorer in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League<br><br>Happy birthday to Fakhar Zaman &#55356;&#57218; <a href="https://t.co/sh2DqXvdRX">pic.twitter.com/sh2DqXvdRX</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1513049163721760775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
The mayor of slog sweep city!

The most valuable player in PCB

The biggest draw right now!

Happy birthday Fakhar Zaman
 
Fakhar practicing today

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Question: Your top score is 210 in ODIs and currently the US Dollar is at 204 rupees. Are you thinking that the Dollar will come level with your score?<br><br>Fakhar Zaman: I just hope that the US Dollar doesn't break my record.</p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1527653416255864832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Finally, its here. <br><br>Thank you for this ICC. Honored to be the part of the ODI team of the year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlessedAndGrateful?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlessedAndGrateful</a> <a href="https://t.co/QHaF3LS9OF">pic.twitter.com/QHaF3LS9OF</a></p>— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) <a href="https://twitter.com/FakharZamanLive/status/1532695256537280512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
opening the batting versus West Indies in ODIs
 
Awful shot to get out today. In 2 minds whether to pull the ball or not, then played a nothing shot straight to the fielder.
 
Don't change what's not broken . . Fakhar is fine opening! Plus that impetus is very important for Pak as Imam can take a while to get going . .

What I am more bothered about is the general make up of this batting line up . . It's almost as though we're done after Babar . . I don't like Rizwan at 4 in ODIs . . Number 4 is a crucial position . . and then after that we just have all rounders who have shown no evidence that they can rebuild an innings/can pace an innings if Pak is 80/3 at the 18th over mark (which is absolutely a regular scenario) . .

We need another proper batter at number 4 . . role that Harris Sohail played for a while . . If Abdullah Shafiq is that batsman, then get him in now . . World Cup is only 1 year away and our planning as always looks completely off!!
 
I don't know who comes up with these ridiculous threads. But clearly they haven't been watching Pakistan cricket in the last 5 years.
 
Same debate again - best position for him?

FZjvni9WAAAm9G2
 
Best modern day opener in Pakistan and one of the best in the world
 
Same debate again - best position for him?

FZjvni9WAAAm9G2

Why is this a debate ? Fakhars stats 45@95 are simply unheard of for a Pakistani opener and he is one of the best in the world .

He is the least of our worries. He does have his quiet phases , but that is simply because he carried the role of the enforcer . He can play big, so maybe just needs to reign himself in on occasions .

The alternatives are Shan and Shafique , they will never reach Fakhars level .
 
Pakistan’s ODI all time XI

1. Saeed Anwar
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam
4. Javed Miandad (vc)
5. Inzimam ul Haq
6. Imran Khan (c)
7. Moin Khan (wk)
8. Shahid Afridi
9. Waseem Akram
10. Waqar Younis
11. Saqlain Mushtaq

Fakhar is in my Pakistan all time XI. Dream combination to see him and Anwar open the batting
 
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