For the love of God, please don’t play Mohammad Rizwan in the New Zealand T20I series

[haiderva]

We are hearing news that not only is Rizwan playing in the T20 series, but he is also opening and leading the side.

Misbah and co, what are you thinking? Rizwan is a fine test keeper/batsmen, but he is NOT the man for the job for the shorter formats.

You can't make a rickshaw race with a Ferrari. Just like you can't make Rizwan play T20s (especially against a tough team like NZ).

Has there ever been a more inept selector/head coach in Pakistan cricket's history? Wait.. don't answer that.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

They’re going to make him open! Insane!

 

[Rana]

I don’t like him as a limited overs player

But he will do the bare minimum required from him in order to get the long rope which the management is so desperate to give him. That too as an opener.

 

[Markhor]

If they actually proceed with this idea, we deserve to be whitewashed 3-0.

Rizwan over the last 5.5 years of international cricket has shown little in terms of powerhitting ability. His SR was in the 120s on dead flat pitches in the National T20.

So how we could trust him to clear the infield in the PowerPlay is beyond me.

 

[Titan24]

If Shadab is fit, I think he will captain as he is the nominated vice captain. In terms of WK, if not Rizwan than who is currently available in NZ that can provide power game?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

He played well in the National T20 Cup and deserves a chance at the top of the order, especially now that Babar is injured.

Besides, as long as he is keeping Sarfraz out, I'm completely fine with his selection.

 

[FreakCricket]

I can already picture what's going to happen

Tim Southee takes the ball away and Rizwan with Gully Muhallay Wali Technique won't be able to play.

 

[Aami]

He played well in the National T20 Cup and deserves a chance at the top of the order, especially now that Babar is injured.

Besides, as long as he is keeping Sarfraz out, I'm completely fine with his selection.

Agreed 100%.

He did well in NT20 as an opener with Fakhar Zaman...

Lets be realistic here, everytime he plays a T20 we're a batter short because he hardly comes to bat and/or gets pushed down the order.

If we 'have' to play him until Azam Khan sorts his belly out, we can only ask him to open...may be this could give Fakhar a bit of 'kick' in the backside or if it works, no reason why Babar Azam can't be tried one down.

So, in the meantime with 2 x T20 World Cups on their way, bit of experimenting did no one any harm.

 

[SARJ_BD]

He played well in the National T20 Cup and deserves a chance at the top of the order, especially now that Babar is injured.

Besides, as long as he is keeping Sarfraz out, I'm completely fine with his selection.

You're referring National t20? Who was the top scorer there? Fakhar Zaman! The man who scored 45 runs in 3 t20s against team like Zimbabwe just few days after the National t20 Cup.

Have I made my point on the standard of National t20 bowlers?

 

[Markhor]

If Shadab is fit, I think he will captain as he is the nominated vice captain. In terms of WK, if not Rizwan than who is currently available in NZ that can provide power game?

But that's not the question, the issue is who should open in absence of Babar. The answer cannot be someone whose SR was in the 120s on dead pitches in National T20 despite opening in the PowerPlay.

Knowing how conservative Misbah is, he'd never open with two youngsters but you can make a combination from Zeeshan Malik, Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafiq.

Heck, if we're desperate and really want some experience then Mohammad Hafeez can fill in. I'd sooner back him to exploit the PowerPlay over someone who's demonstrated little boundary hitting ability in 5.5 years of internationals.

 

[Titan24]

But that's not the question, the issue is who should open in absence of Babar. The answer cannot be someone whose SR was in the 120s on dead pitches in National T20 despite opening in the PowerPlay.

Knowing how conservative Misbah is, he'd never open with two youngsters but you can make a combination from Zeeshan Malik, Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafiq.

Heck, if we're desperate and really want some experience then Mohammad Hafeez can fill in. I'd sooner back him to exploit the PowerPlay over someone who's demonstrated little boundary hitting ability in 5.5 years of internationals.

Agreed if that is whats going to happen especially considering that he is most likely going to open with Abdullah Shafique who is a decent young talent but, not really someone who can really bash it around in first 6 overs.

Having two accumulators as openers in T20 is not at all a convincing strategy.

Misbah did it previously as well on few occasions with top order of, Babar, Rizwan and Haris. Even brought in Imam to the mix in the third T20 vs Aus.

 

[sharmaji]

Can Imam ul Haq keep wickets and open the innings instead?

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I think there is a perfect slot for Rizwan - Floating No 10.

I am not joking either. Here is my logic.

Overall, we accept Rizwan is a poor choice for T20's. He can't power hit and he can't find gaps. So let's remove ambiguity and put him where he belongs - in the tail ender area where hopefully he won't be needed. Someone like Shaheen Shah Afridi should be above him - simply because Shaheen could connect a few.

However, let's say if Pakistan are 10/3, Rizwan can walk in and steady the ship. He has the ability to absorb pressure, eat up balls but keep one end safe.

Who is with me?

 

[shamaan]

I think this series could define rizwan its a crucial series he must perform or should be shown the door in t20s

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Can Imam ul Haq keep wickets and open the innings instead?

Doesn’t Shafique keep at all???

 

[Rana]

I think there is a perfect slot for Rizwan - Floating No 10.

I am not joking either. Here is my logic.

Overall, we accept Rizwan is a poor choice for T20's. He can't power hit and he can't find gaps. So let's remove ambiguity and put him where he belongs - in the tail ender area where hopefully he won't be needed. Someone like Shaheen Shah Afridi should be above him - simply because Shaheen could connect a few.

However, let's say if Pakistan are 10/3, Rizwan can walk in and steady the ship. He has the ability to absorb pressure, eat up balls but keep one end safe.

Who is with me?

This post just reaffirms why I term him a wasteman

 

[shamaan]

This post just reaffirms why I term him a wasteman

Even if he is a waste man let see how he does in the t20s we all know hes going to start

 

[Maher96]

Allows us to play him somewhere I guess.

May be it might be good to play safraz as the balance is better. But Iftikhar and Rizwan are bound to be starters in all three games.

I would have gone with

Haider
Rizwan if it’s must be
Abdullah
Hafeez
Iftikhar
Kushdil
Shadab
Imad
Wahab
Haris
Shaheen

 

[Zaz]

Why are people getting so upset Its only t20s

Let him play Its fun cricket

 

[MMHS]

I think there is a perfect slot for Rizwan - Floating No 10.

I am not joking either. Here is my logic.

Overall, we accept Rizwan is a poor choice for T20's. He can't power hit and he can't find gaps. So let's remove ambiguity and put him where he belongs - in the tail ender area where hopefully he won't be needed. Someone like Shaheen Shah Afridi should be above him - simply because Shaheen could connect a few.

However, let's say if Pakistan are 10/3, Rizwan can walk in and steady the ship. He has the ability to absorb pressure, eat up balls but keep one end safe.

Who is with me?

Quite logical actually.

PAK didn't pick a T20 WK apart from Sarfraz and there is no one to do even a part-time job (Abid is there, but I'll take Rizwan... in that case), therefore one of Rizwan or Sarf has to be picked - if it's Rizwan, his position should be at one of the ends - No. 2 or 10.

The mistake he is doing in T20 is, he is trying to play proper T20 innings where his range is 110-115 SR. He should be given a free license as opener - go after and don't bother for the failure. He is already a WK, doing a specialist's job - whatever comes with bat is bonus, but it must be at a brisk pace. He has decent technique, in good form as well - if he goes after, more often than not, he'll connect some and that might do wonders on those small grounds.

 

[Hasan123]

Rizwan is going to get a long rope in LO due to his success so far in international cricket and also due to the fact he should have been in the team long before best captain since IK was exposed and disposed of.

 

[El Generico]

He played well in the National T20 Cup and deserves a chance at the top of the order, especially now that Babar is injured.

Besides, as long as he is keeping Sarfraz out, I'm completely fine with his selection.

That's a weird mindset especially considering Sarfaraz is a much superior T20 bat than Rizwan. But I guess personal likes/dislikes matter more than the team for some fans .

Sarfaraz T20I Stats: Ave 28, SR 126
Rizwan T20I stats: Ave 16, SR 96

I like Rizwan in Test cricket but if a guy strikes at under 100 after playing 20+ T20I matches then its clear he is not suited for the shortest format.

 

[gazza619]

Why are people getting so upset Its only t20s

Let him play Its fun cricket

Exactly!

He aint that bad by the way. Cant do any worse than our Kamran Akmal.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Rizwan can open. That would be the best spot to put him in. Though this outrage over T20s funny. Doesn't matter.

 

[nextover666666]

Would be funny if he scores runs this series or does well or even help win a game

Although I don't agree with this at all the only think I can think of is maybe management don't want him down the order when you need hitters to hit big but I think if they wanted him to play he should have batted at 4 maybe

Who knows time will tell how this will work out not optimistic but we never know he might be able to get some runs under his belt

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

You're referring National t20? Who was the top scorer there? Fakhar Zaman! The man who scored 45 runs in 3 t20s against team like Zimbabwe just few days after the National t20 Cup.

Have I made my point on the standard of National t20 bowlers?

So if a player has a bad series or goes through a bad patch they should quit cricket and sit home?

Fakhar not only played well in the National T20 Cup but he also had a very good PSL. He earns a place based on merit. That's how it is supposed to work . Fakhar also doesn't have a decades long international career of failures like Kamran Akmal to be shunned and forgotten.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

That's a weird mindset especially considering Sarfaraz is a much superior T20 bat than Rizwan. But I guess personal likes/dislikes matter more than the team for some fans .

Sarfaraz T20I Stats: Ave 28, SR 126
Rizwan T20I stats: Ave 16, SR 96

I like Rizwan in Test cricket but if a guy strikes at under 100 after playing 20+ T20I matches then its clear he is not suited for the shortest format.

Well yes, there are likes and dislikes as there are for any fan. But keeping Sarfraz out of the side has less to do with my dislike for him and more with his terrible performances in the PSL and National T20 Cup.

Even on the international level, he was dropped from the side because he was consistently failing as a batsman in all formats. And he has done absolutely nothing to earn his place back.

Rizwan may not have much of a record to speak of but he deserves an opportunity to prove himself. The benefits of having a keeper who can perform with the bat and the gloves, in all 3 formats are immense for a team like Pakistan.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Agreed 100%.

He did well in NT20 as an opener with Fakhar Zaman...

Lets be realistic here, everytime he plays a T20 we're a batter short because he hardly comes to bat and/or gets pushed down the order.

If we 'have' to play him until Azam Khan sorts his belly out, we can only ask him to open...may be this could give Fakhar a bit of 'kick' in the backside or if it works, no reason why Babar Azam can't be tried one down.

So, in the meantime with 2 x T20 World Cups on their way, bit of experimenting did no one any harm.

For a guy who didn't get a single PSL game he did pretty well to make a case for national selection. And judging by the alternatives, who are not exactly lighting the world on fire with their batting or keeping, there is nothing wrong with experimenting with Rizwan.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

He did well in NT20 as an opener with Fakhar Zaman...

He played well in the National T20 Cup

NT20 was the highest scoring tournament in the world

Multan and Rawalpindi are two of the highest scoring venues in the world.

Still Rizwan’s strike-rate was 127.

Look beyond runs and averages.

Worst Boundary/Balls Ratio in NT20 Cup 2020 (Min 200 runs)

6.04 S Malik
5.98 Abdullah Shafiq*
5.82 S Masood
5.71 H Sohail
5.63 Rizwan*

Pakistan planning to open with two of them in first T20I in Auckland, the best batting venue in the world where par is close to 200.

 

[moghul]

Is Imad not fit, why he can;t lead the side Babar's absence ?

 

[Snowflake]

Would be nothing short of a disaster.

 

[Rayyman]

Is Imad not fit, why he can;t lead the side Babar's absence ?

Because Misbah likes his meek acha bachas who bow down to him.

Any strong personality who can stand up to authority (Malik, Imad, Amir, etc.) will not be in his good books.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

He played well in the National T20 Cup and deserves a chance at the top of the order, especially now that Babar is injured.

Besides, as long as he is keeping Sarfraz out, I'm completely fine with his selection.

He did NOT play well in the National T20 Cup. I cannot emphasize this enough.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

NT20 was the highest scoring tournament in the world

Multan and Rawalpindi are two of the highest scoring venues in the world.

Still Rizwan’s strike-rate was 127.

Look beyond runs and averages.

Worst Boundary/Balls Ratio in NT20 Cup 2020 (Min 200 runs)

6.04 S Malik
5.98 Abdullah Shafiq*
5.82 S Masood
5.71 H Sohail
5.63 Rizwan*

Pakistan planning to open with two of them in first T20I in Auckland, the best batting venue in the world where par is close to 200.

This!

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Quite logical actually.

PAK didn't pick a T20 WK apart from Sarfraz and there is no one to do even a part-time job (Abid is there, but I'll take Rizwan... in that case), therefore one of Rizwan or Sarf has to be picked - if it's Rizwan, his position should be at one of the ends - No. 2 or 10.

The mistake he is doing in T20 is, he is trying to play proper T20 innings where his range is 110-115 SR. He should be given a free license as opener - go after and don't bother for the failure. He is already a WK, doing a specialist's job - whatever comes with bat is bonus, but it must be at a brisk pace. He has decent technique, in good form as well - if he goes after, more often than not, he'll connect some and that might do wonders on those small grounds.

Trouble is, higher up the order, he tries too hard to slog, without the requisite tools, and ends up frustrating himself. Nothing worse for a non-striker at the other end who has a frustrated partner - upsets everyone's rhythm. Why put him and his team through the pain at all?

However, I do understand they will dot he No 2 experiment anyway. So let's see where that goes.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

NT20 was the highest scoring tournament in the world

Multan and Rawalpindi are two of the highest scoring venues in the world.

Still Rizwan’s strike-rate was 127.

Look beyond runs and averages.

Worst Boundary/Balls Ratio in NT20 Cup 2020 (Min 200 runs)

6.04 S Malik
5.98 Abdullah Shafiq*
5.82 S Masood
5.71 H Sohail
5.63 Rizwan*

Pakistan planning to open with two of them in first T20I in Auckland, the best batting venue in the world where par is close to 200.

He did NOT play well in the National T20 Cup. I cannot emphasize this enough.

Since we're throwing stats around let's look at the performances of the other wicket-keepers:

Zeeshan Ashraf: 26.1, SR. 147
Kamran Akmal: avg. 24.5, SR. 135
Sarfraz Ahmed: avg. 21.57, SR. 131
Bismillah Khan: avg. 23.66, SR. 133
Rohail Nazir: avg. 18, SR. 147

Rizwan averaged 38.9 with only a slightly worse strike-rate (127.96) than most of the keepers and 4 fifties to boot. Average-wise he stands shoulders above the others which matters because he opened the innings quite a few times. And when it comes to glovework we all know that none of the other keepers even come close to him. The strike-rate needs improvement but it is nowhere near as bad as you guys are making it out to be. On top of that, he played a number of match-winning innings which cannot be said about the other keepers.

Boundary/ball ratio is a misleading stat because it assumes that T20 cricket is Hong Kong Super Sixes. I wouldn't want a batsman with a supposedly great boundary count and an average of 20 in my side. It just means he's getting out early and creating pressure on the batsmen to come.

Also for you guys to assume that just because he played a certain way in NT20 therefore, he will play the exact same way in New Zealand is hilarious. And reminds me about the time posters here were complaining about Imam's very slow century against Zimbabwe. "If he can't score quick against Zimababwe, he can't score quick against anyone". And lo and behold, when he smashed 151 of 131 against England, those posters were nowhere to be found.

Point is to stop putting players into boxes. Rizwan has not been successful at T20I cricket but that doesn't mean he is doomed to fail in the format for eternity. You cannot predict how a players will perform on any given day. He earned his place by being the best wicket-keeper batsman in the NT20 Cup and he deserves an extended run to prove himself.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

[MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION], 127 is not slightly worse than 135-145, it’s a lot worse. Average means nothing in T20 cricket, in fact if that’s Rizwan’s strike rate despite a high average, it means even after getting set he doesn’t compensate for a slow start. Check the first ten balls strike rate for the same names versus after 10 balls.

Secondly, Rizwan will never ever play in the opener position in T20Is again in his life, so long as Babar is fit. Why develop him out of position even if you argue he is superior to other keepers?

 

[GudduBadmash]

Since we're throwing stats around let's look at the performances of the other wicket-keepers:

Zeeshan Ashraf: 26.1, SR. 147
Kamran Akmal: avg. 24.5, SR. 135
Sarfraz Ahmed: avg. 21.57, SR. 131
Bismillah Khan: avg. 23.66, SR. 133
Rohail Nazir: avg. 18, SR. 147

Rizwan averaged 38.9 with only a slightly worse strike-rate (127.96) than most of the keepers and 4 fifties to boot. Average-wise he stands shoulders above the others which matters because he opened the innings quite a few times. And when it comes to glovework we all know that none of the other keepers even come close to him. The strike-rate needs improvement but it is nowhere near as bad as you guys are making it out to be. On top of that, he played a number of match-winning innings which cannot be said about the other keepers.

Boundary/ball ratio is a misleading stat because it assumes that T20 cricket is Hong Kong Super Sixes. I wouldn't want a batsman with a supposedly great boundary count and an average of 20 in my side. It just means he's getting out early and creating pressure on the batsmen to come.

Also for you guys to assume that just because he played a certain way in NT20 therefore, he will play the exact same way in New Zealand is hilarious. And reminds me about the time posters here were complaining about Imam's very slow century against Zimbabwe. "If he can't score quick against Zimababwe, he can't score quick against anyone". And lo and behold, when he smashed 151 of 131 against England, those posters were nowhere to be found.

Point is to stop putting players into boxes. Rizwan has not been successful at T20I cricket but that doesn't mean he is doomed to fail in the format for eternity. You cannot predict how a players will perform on any given day. He earned his place by being the best wicket-keeper batsman in the NT20 Cup and he deserves an extended run to prove himself.

This

I would rather take the 389 runs by Rizwan at 127 S/R and his captaincy which ultimately was the deciding factor in the NT20 win ahead of Zeeshan Ashraf hacking his way to 200 odd runs or Sarafarz scoring 170 odd runs at a slightly higher strike rate. These guys are acting as if his keeper competition set the tournament on fire. Most of them flopped badly.

Babar has a international S/R of 130 and we all know how heavily he is rated in T20 so essentially it's double standards by people who want their beloved Sarfaraz or useless keeper bats like Rohail and Zeeshan in the team instead

 

[Thunderbolt14]

SR among openers:
Balls 1-10 vs after 10+

Haider Ali 162/179
A Shafique 140/130
Z Malik 130/145
M Rizwan 116/137

 

[Thunderbolt14]

F Zaman 125/167

 

[watson367]

Ill take sarfraz over him in t20s any day.

 

[Suleiman]

He’s got the X factor, deal with it.

 

[shah_1]

We need to get Azam Khan fit

I'm not saying he is the answer to Butler but he is 1000000 times better than Rizwan. Rizwzn just doesn't have the game to hit big, very limited batsman for T20 cricket

 

[shah_1]

Since we're throwing stats around let's look at the performances of the other wicket-keepers:

Zeeshan Ashraf: 26.1, SR. 147
Kamran Akmal: avg. 24.5, SR. 135
Sarfraz Ahmed: avg. 21.57, SR. 131
Bismillah Khan: avg. 23.66, SR. 133
Rohail Nazir: avg. 18, SR. 147

Rizwan averaged 38.9 with only a slightly worse strike-rate (127.96) than most of the keepers and 4 fifties to boot. Average-wise he stands shoulders above the others which matters because he opened the innings quite a few times. And when it comes to glovework we all know that none of the other keepers even come close to him. The strike-rate needs improvement but it is nowhere near as bad as you guys are making it out to be. On top of that, he played a number of match-winning innings which cannot be said about the other keepers.

Boundary/ball ratio is a misleading stat because it assumes that T20 cricket is Hong Kong Super Sixes. I wouldn't want a batsman with a supposedly great boundary count and an average of 20 in my side. It just means he's getting out early and creating pressure on the batsmen to come.

Also for you guys to assume that just because he played a certain way in NT20 therefore, he will play the exact same way in New Zealand is hilarious. And reminds me about the time posters here were complaining about Imam's very slow century against Zimbabwe. "If he can't score quick against Zimababwe, he can't score quick against anyone". And lo and behold, when he smashed 151 of 131 against England, those posters were nowhere to be found.

Point is to stop putting players into boxes. Rizwan has not been successful at T20I cricket but that doesn't mean he is doomed to fail in the format for eternity. You cannot predict how a players will perform on any given day. He earned his place by being the best wicket-keeper batsman in the NT20 Cup and he deserves an extended run to prove himself.

Honestly according to these stats, Zeeshan Ashraf is a better option

147 SR, avg 26>>>>>127 SR, 38 avg

20 points SR difference is huge, I would take a batsman averging 26 over a batsman averaging 38 in T20 cricket.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Honestly according to these stats, Zeeshan Ashraf is a better option

147 SR, avg 26>>>>>127 SR, 38 avg

20 points SR difference is huge, I would take a batsman averging 26 over a batsman averaging 38 in T20 cricket.

Exactly - a higher average just means more time spent playing slowly. Modern T20 cricket is different - it requires everyone to be attacking, average is fine as long as it’s 20/25+.

Generally speaking, this is our lineup for India:

1.
2. Babar Azam (c)
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5.
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shadab Khan
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Haris Rauf / Mohammad Hasnain / M Amir

There are really only two positions up for grabs. The opener spot, and the middle order spot. And one of them has to be a keeper.

Why waste time on Rizwan opening in New Zealand when he will never partner Babar in the WC lineup? Babar being out of the picture is an opportunity for Misbah to try out two new attacking openers instead, and see who performs better. That person will then replace Fakhar Zaman.

Luckily, Misbah has two of the best options available to him in Zeeshan Malik and Abdullah Shafique. Put both in to open, and see who performs better. Worst case scenario, you develop your bench strength. Best case, you replace Fakhar.

Opening with Rizwan accomplishes absolutely... nothing.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Honestly according to these stats, Zeeshan Ashraf is a better option

147 SR, avg 26>>>>>127 SR, 38 avg

20 points SR difference is huge, I would take a batsman averging 26 over a batsman averaging 38 in T20 cricket.

Zeeshan Ashraf is absolutely terrible with the gloves and highly unreliable with the bat. He has a long way to go before being considered for national selection.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This

I would rather take the 389 runs by Rizwan at 127 S/R and his captaincy which ultimately was the deciding factor in the NT20 win ahead of Zeeshan Ashraf hacking his way to 200 odd runs or Sarafarz scoring 170 odd runs at a slightly higher strike rate. These guys are acting as if his keeper competition set the tournament on fire. Most of them flopped badly.

Babar has a international S/R of 130 and we all know how heavily he is rated in T20 so essentially it's double standards by people who want their beloved Sarfaraz or useless keeper bats like Rohail and Zeeshan in the team instead

On top of that you have the prospect of Zeeshan behind the stumps, which is not a prospect worth considering. Sarfraz on the other hand, was terrible in both PSL and NT20 Cup. Only reason he is there squad is because the management has washed its hands of Kamran Akmal for good. And soon enough they will wash their hands of Sarfraz too.

 

[shah_1]

Zeeshan Ashraf is absolutely terrible with the gloves and highly unreliable with the bat. He has a long way to go before being considered for national selection.

He hasn't dropped a single catch in PSL or national T20, show me if he has. Rashid Latif has said that he has got decent collection skills for T20 cricket. One accumalator like Babar is enough, after that we can't afford a batsman with a SR of 125 approx.

Rizwan shouldn't play at all

 

[sharmaji]

I know he is not popular on PP, but I have always liked Sarfaraz, after what he accomplished in CT 2017. It is sad that his form dipped and he found himself out of the team, but do you think he would ever get another chance to redeem himself and get back into the XI ? And if yes, would this series against Nz be too soon for that?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

[MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION], 127 is not slightly worse than 135-145, it’s a lot worse. Average means nothing in T20 cricket, in fact if that’s Rizwan’s strike rate despite a high average, it means even after getting set he doesn’t compensate for a slow start. Check the first ten balls strike rate for the same names versus after 10 balls.

Secondly, Rizwan will never ever play in the opener position in T20Is again in his life, so long as Babar is fit. Why develop him out of position even if you argue he is superior to other keepers?

Lol what is 135-145? 130s are slightly better. 140+ is obviously not. I said his SR is only slightly worse than most keepers which is true since most are striking in the 130s.

Averages are not irrelevant in T20. They are irrelevant if you are batting at 6, 7 or 8. But they are not irrelevant if you are batting at the top of the order. If anything, good averages in T20s are a positive because of how hard it is to maintain a good average in this format. Only a select few (Babar, Kohli, Rahul) average over 40 and a small number of batsmen average in the 30s. Is it a coincidence that the batsmen that average 30 and above also happen to be some of the best T20 batsmen in the world? You tell me.

And 127 is by no means a bad SR. For context, Dhawan has a T20I SR of 128. But I can't say I ever heard any murmurs about Dhawan's SR. If anything he is regarded as a hard-hitting batsman.

Why are you so concerned about his position? This is T20 cricket and embracing flexibility is the name of the game. If he can perform as an opener then he can perform at No. 3 aswell.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

[MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION] bro there’s a big difference between 135 and 125.

That’s especially if you consider that it’s actually a SR of 116 during the powerplay. Abdullah Shafique has a SR of 140 and Zeeshan Malik has a SR of 130 during the same phase of the game.

That’s a huge difference. You can’t just look at overall strike rates but you have to go one level deeper to strike rate by phase of the game. It’s actually much better to play Rizwan as a specialist keeper than it is to make him open. That’s what I’m trying to say. Please refer to the stats I’ve quoted earlier in the thread about first ten balls versus next ten balls. Rizwan is the slowest starter in the tournament - he essentially tuk tuks his way as opener with SR 116, then when set he compensates with a SR of 137, which is much slower than most set batsmen these days. Combined, he then brings that overall up to 127.

So the real question is, do you want a specialist keeper, or someone who keeps 70% as good as Rizwan but has the batting ability 150% of Rizwan?

And secondly, before even answering that question, we have to consider Rizwan’s own position that he will be forced to bat at in the World T20. Like I analyzed earlier, there is an opening spot available replacing Fakhar and there is one 5-7 slot available.

I don’t know why you brought up number 3, because Rizwan will never get the opportunity to play at that position. And even if he does, in answer to my first question, it would be a mistake.

I would much rather play Rizwan as specialist keeper if we prioritize his keeping so much, rather than mess with a functional batting order that scored 190 in two games in England. The only weak link in that batting order was Fakhar - I have already explained why Rizwan is not the opener you want him to be.

In the best interests of the team, I pray that if you do indeed get your wish for Rizwan to open, then he has worked long and hard on his power game and/or ability to pick the gaps during the powerplay. To a level where he has a strike rate 20 points better than in the National T20 Cup (which would still bring it up to only 135 during his first 10 balls)

 

[Greenstorm]

Misbah is clueless.

Zeeshan Ashraf should have been there.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Since we're throwing stats around let's look at the performances of the other wicket-keepers:

Zeeshan Ashraf: 26.1, SR. 147
Kamran Akmal: avg. 24.5, SR. 135
Sarfraz Ahmed: avg. 21.57, SR. 131
Bismillah Khan: avg. 23.66, SR. 133
Rohail Nazir: avg. 18, SR. 147

Rizwan averaged 38.9 with only a slightly worse strike-rate (127.96) than most of the keepers and 4 fifties to boot. Average-wise he stands shoulders above the others which matters because he opened the innings quite a few times. And when it comes to glovework we all know that none of the other keepers even come close to him. The strike-rate needs improvement but it is nowhere near as bad as you guys are making it out to be. On top of that, he played a number of match-winning innings which cannot be said about the other keepers.

Boundary/ball ratio is a misleading stat because it assumes that T20 cricket is Hong Kong Super Sixes. I wouldn't want a batsman with a supposedly great boundary count and an average of 20 in my side. It just means he's getting out early and creating pressure on the batsmen to come.

Also for you guys to assume that just because he played a certain way in NT20 therefore, he will play the exact same way in New Zealand is hilarious. And reminds me about the time posters here were complaining about Imam's very slow century against Zimbabwe. "If he can't score quick against Zimababwe, he can't score quick against anyone". And lo and behold, when he smashed 151 of 131 against England, those posters were nowhere to be found.

Point is to stop putting players into boxes. Rizwan has not been successful at T20I cricket but that doesn't mean he is doomed to fail in the format for eternity. You cannot predict how a players will perform on any given day. He earned his place by being the best wicket-keeper batsman in the NT20 Cup and he deserves an extended run to prove himself.

Where did I say play another keeper? I'm referring to him opening in the Power Play. Open with Haider.

 

[Titan24]

Since Zeeshan Ashraf came into discussion. Misbah mentioned in his press conference for squad announcement that Sharjeel, Zeeshan and Azam Khan will be given a special fitness program.

So Zeeshan Ashraf was definitely under consideration and is in the radar but, he has been asked to improve his fitness.

 

[azzammasood]

Wicketkeepers have to play, and Rizwan's better than any debutant who's domestically better

 

[azzammasood]

Can't risk debutants in series against better-than-average teams at their home

 

[azzammasood]

Lol what is 135-145? 130s are slightly better. 140+ is obviously not. I said his SR is only slightly worse than most keepers which is true since most are striking in the 130s.

Averages are not irrelevant in T20. They are irrelevant if you are batting at 6, 7 or 8. But they are not irrelevant if you are batting at the top of the order. If anything, good averages in T20s are a positive because of how hard it is to maintain a good average in this format. Only a select few (Babar, Kohli, Rahul) average over 40 and a small number of batsmen average in the 30s. Is it a coincidence that the batsmen that average 30 and above also happen to be some of the best T20 batsmen in the world? You tell me.

And 127 is by no means a bad SR. For context, Dhawan has a T20I SR of 128. But I can't say I ever heard any murmurs about Dhawan's SR. If anything he is regarded as a hard-hitting batsman.

Why are you so concerned about his position? This is T20 cricket and embracing flexibility is the name of the game. If he can perform as an opener then he can perform at No. 3 aswell.

Strike rates and averages are both irrelevant in T20s, your impact on the flow of the game matters

 

[Sunny_majoka]

The amount of hate this guy gets is unstoppable

 

[Rana]

Since Zeeshan Ashraf came into discussion. Misbah mentioned in his press conference for squad announcement that Sharjeel, Zeeshan and Azam Khan will be given a special fitness program.

So Zeeshan Ashraf was definitely under consideration and is in the radar but, he has been asked to improve his fitness.

Special fitness program?

What about a special compatibility program for batsmen who are incompetent at T20 level?

 

[Titan24]

Special fitness program?

What about a special compatibility program for batsmen who are incompetent at T20 level?

A question which Misbah can be asked in the next press conference.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

A question which Misbah can be asked in the next press conference.

Would be better than the questions usually asked! Actually, Misbah did an interview with Rambo where he also says they’re still trying to sort out the 5,6,7 in the team combination. So it’s an area he actually agrees with me on - not only Khushdil and Iftikhar, but the question of what to do with Rizwan hangs in the air. It seems Misbah realizes Rizwan is ineffective in the middle order and wants to see how Rizwan can do as opener - the intent is good but the problem is, there’s just no statistical backing to that gut feeling.

It’s a waste of a perfectly good series, where not only can you try out aggressive openers to fulfill the Babar role, but you can also a) continue developing Rizwan at 5-7 in the hope that something clicks or b) replace Rizwan at 5-7 with Sarfaraz or Rohail.

 

[Titan24]

Would be better than the questions usually asked! Actually, Misbah did an interview with Rambo where he also says they’re still trying to sort out the 5,6,7 in the team combination. So it’s an area he actually agrees with me on - not only Khushdil and Iftikhar, but the question of what to do with Rizwan hangs in the air. It seems Misbah realizes Rizwan is ineffective in the middle order and wants to see how Rizwan can do as opener - the intent is good but the problem is, there’s just no statistical backing to that gut feeling.

It’s a waste of a perfectly good series, where not only can you try out aggressive openers to fulfill the Babar role, but you can also a) continue developing Rizwan at 5-7 in the hope that something clicks or b) replace Rizwan at 5-7 with Sarfaraz or Rohail.

Agreed. Thing is with century in the warm up match Iftikhar has possibly secured a spot in the playing XI. Now there is no possible batsman which could have been dropped to maybe give Zeeshan Malik a debut and there is no other aggressive opener available currently unless they want to move Haider up at this stage.

Fakhar couldnt go with the team and wasnt exactly doing great in international T20s and Sharjeel has been asked to improve fitness along with Zeeshan Ashraf. Yes arguably someone like Sohaib Maqsood could have been given a final go in the format as an opener to utilize the first 6 overs if they didnt want to induct Zeeshan Malik as of now. Other than these few names, I cant think of anybody else for that aggressive opener slot.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I have mentioned this time and time again. Rizwan is the worst candidate for the wicket-keeper position in T20I.

In 23 games, he has managed to score 168 measly runs at an average of 16.8 and a strike rate of 96. He deserves to be dropped from the T20I team immediately.

As good a player he is in test matches, I don't see him being useful in white-ball cricket.

Sarfaraz averaged 28 with a strike rate of 126, and I'd take that any day over Rizwan. However, I think that Rohail can also be tried, though his domestic stats are not too entertaining.

In my eyes, Khushdil should take up the gloves and become a decent keeper, like what India have made out of KL Rahul. It could be exactly what we need.

Alternatively, we could have picked Zeeshan Ashraf, but our management is clearly very incompetent.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Where did I say play another keeper? I'm referring to him opening in the Power Play. Open with Haider.

Playing him as opener is not the worst idea. Everything is not down to stats. If he can hit out in the first six overs then that would be great for his confidence. And realistically, with his hitting limitations the first six overs present the best opportunity for him to get quick runs.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Agreed. Thing is with century in the warm up match Iftikhar has possibly secured a spot in the playing XI. Now there is no possible batsman which could have been dropped to maybe give Zeeshan Malik a debut and there is no other aggressive opener available currently unless they want to move Haider up at this stage.

Fakhar couldnt go with the team and wasnt exactly doing great in international T20s and Sharjeel has been asked to improve fitness along with Zeeshan Ashraf. Yes arguably someone like Sohaib Maqsood could have been given a final go in the format as an opener to utilize the first 6 overs if they didnt want to induct Zeeshan Malik as of now. Other than these few names, I cant think of anybody else for that aggressive opener slot.

1. Zeeshan Malik
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
8. Shadab Khan (c)
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Haris Rauf

It’s entirely possible to try out all your opening options, all your middle order options, and also give your keeper some more time to develop. Or replace him. Up to you.

By the way, Abdullah Shafique has a SR of 140 during the powerplay - his natural strokeplay and timing make him an elite batsman in terms of finding the gaps (compared to the other options available who operate at a SR of 130 during this same phase of the game). Rizwan operates at 116.

He’s actually more aggressive than Zeeshan Malik in terms of actual strike rate as opener during the powerplay, but plays with half the risk.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

[MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION] bro there’s a big difference between 135 and 125.

That’s especially if you consider that it’s actually a SR of 116 during the powerplay. Abdullah Shafique has a SR of 140 and Zeeshan Malik has a SR of 130 during the same phase of the game.

That’s a huge difference. You can’t just look at overall strike rates but you have to go one level deeper to strike rate by phase of the game. It’s actually much better to play Rizwan as a specialist keeper than it is to make him open. That’s what I’m trying to say. Please refer to the stats I’ve quoted earlier in the thread about first ten balls versus next ten balls. Rizwan is the slowest starter in the tournament - he essentially tuk tuks his way as opener with SR 116, then when set he compensates with a SR of 137, which is much slower than most set batsmen these days. Combined, he then brings that overall up to 127.

So the real question is, do you want a specialist keeper, or someone who keeps 70% as good as Rizwan but has the batting ability 150% of Rizwan?

And secondly, before even answering that question, we have to consider Rizwan’s own position that he will be forced to bat at in the World T20. Like I analyzed earlier, there is an opening spot available replacing Fakhar and there is one 5-7 slot available.

I don’t know why you brought up number 3, because Rizwan will never get the opportunity to play at that position. And even if he does, in answer to my first question, it would be a mistake.

I would much rather play Rizwan as specialist keeper if we prioritize his keeping so much, rather than mess with a functional batting order that scored 190 in two games in England. The only weak link in that batting order was Fakhar - I have already explained why Rizwan is not the opener you want him to be.

In the best interests of the team, I pray that if you do indeed get your wish for Rizwan to open, then he has worked long and hard on his power game and/or ability to pick the gaps during the powerplay. To a level where he has a strike rate 20 points better than in the National T20 Cup (which would still bring it up to only 135 during his first 10 balls)

You cannot map out every single detail down to stats. That's just not how the game works. And especially not in T20 cricket where even the most talentless players can play blinders. New Zealand has seen 200 chased regularly in T20s, but it has also seen 150-160 defended a number of times. Just because Pakistan scored 190 twice in England doesn't mean they'll put up similar scores even if they retain the same batting line-up.

This is another frankly meaningless bilateral T20 series. There is nothing wrong with experimenting and even losing 3-0 provided that meaningful lessons are learned regarding the composition of the side for the World Cup. To that end, giving Rizwan a go as opener is not a bad idea. If it doesn't work out then fine. Push him down the order and keep trying at 4 or 5. But I assure you he will be much worse off at 6 or 7 because at the end of the innings you need a finisher. If you're chasing it becomes even more imperative that you have someone who has the ability to chase the total down. And playing him as a specialist keeper is simply not an option because as was evident with Sarfraz, you can't hide yourself by coming lower down the order. Especially in such a high-profile event like the T20 World Cup. Sooner or later he will be in the limelight where he will be expected to deliver. This is why Pakistan should do everything they can to find a productive role for him within the batting order.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Strike rates and averages are both irrelevant in T20s, your impact on the flow of the game matters

Yes everything is meaningless. We should all collectively suspend disbelief and start focusing on the "flow of the game"...whatever that means

 

[Markhor]

This debate is happening because of a false premise from Pakistan team management and that is we need an accumulator (Rizwan) to replace another accumulator (Babar).

Let me make this clear - Babar is a joy to watch and will be one of the great Pakistani bats. Since the 2016 WT20, comparing openers who've played more than 10 T20Is and excluding minnows, Babar has the best average confirming he's a wonderful accumulator. However, he's also in the bottom 30% in terms of Strike Rate.

View attachment 105354

Secondly, since the start of 2019 Babar has passed 40 eight times and Pakistan have won on three occasions. All three are against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. So before we all hide behind the excuse in the event we lose to New Zealand that Babar Azam was missing - bear in mind we're not exactly winning with him performing either.

Now it's unfair to pin these defeats solely on Babar. He's still outstanding for our lamentable white ball batting standards and Fakhar Zaman's failures at the other end isn't helping. The problem is our outdated mindset towards white ball cricket ! It's typified by statements such as: We need X to play "anchor role" and "see off the new ball". There's only 120 balls in an innings and the white Kookaburra hardly swings an inch ! When are we ditching this 1980s mentality ?! Do you think England are bothering about anchors ?

Babar's injury now gives us an opportunity to reinvent a T20 side that's been mediocre for 18 months. We can continue that with Mohammad Rizwan as an opener, or realise most teams are now opening with two aggressive openers.

Play both Zeeshan Malik/Abdullah Shafiq and Haider Ali and give them license to attack the Powerplay. I cannot believe the drivel Haider was speaking the other day about conserving his wicket and whatnot. Obviously give yourself a couple of balls to get set, but WHY are we curtailing this lad's natural game already ?!

 

[shamaan]

Since Zeeshan Ashraf came into discussion. Misbah mentioned in his press conference for squad announcement that Sharjeel, Zeeshan and Azam Khan will be given a special fitness program.

So Zeeshan Ashraf was definitely under consideration and is in the radar but, he has been asked to improve his fitness.

Fitness programme whilst playing in sri lanka league ?

 

[shamaan]

Playing him as opener is not the worst idea. Everything is not down to stats. If he can hit out in the first six overs then that would be great for his confidence. And realistically, with his hitting limitations the first six overs present the best opportunity for him to get quick runs.

Haider should open he can play proper shots and hit long

 

[shamaan]

I do not want rizwin in the team but i think he will open with a Abdullah and rizwan.i would go with abdullah and haider

 

[Titan24]

This debate is happening because of a false premise from Pakistan team management and that is we need an accumulator (Rizwan) to replace another accumulator (Babar).

Let me make this clear - Babar is a joy to watch and will be one of the great Pakistani bats. Since the 2016 WT20, comparing openers who've played more than 10 T20Is and excluding minnows, Babar has the best average confirming he's a wonderful accumulator. However, he's also in the bottom 30% in terms of Strike Rate.

View attachment 105354

Secondly, since the start of 2019 Babar has passed 40 eight times and Pakistan have won on three occasions. All three are against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. So before we all hide behind the excuse in the event we lose to New Zealand that Babar Azam was missing - bear in mind we're not exactly winning with him performing either.

Now it's unfair to pin these defeats solely on Babar. He's still outstanding for our lamentable white ball batting standards and Fakhar Zaman's failures at the other end isn't helping. The problem is our outdated mindset towards white ball cricket ! It's typified by statements such as: We need X to play "anchor role" and "see off the new ball". There's only 120 balls in an innings and the white Kookaburra hardly swings an inch ! When are we ditching this 1980s mentality ?! Do you think England are bothering about anchors ?

Babar's injury now gives us an opportunity to reinvent a T20 side that's been mediocre for 18 months. We can continue that with Mohammad Rizwan as an opener, or realise most teams are now opening with two aggressive openers.

Play both Zeeshan Malik/Abdullah Shafiq and Haider Ali and give them license to attack the Powerplay. I cannot believe the drivel Haider was speaking the other day about conserving his wicket and whatnot. Obviously give yourself a couple of balls to get set, but WHY are we curtailing this lad's natural game already ?!

Overall I agree with what you are saying regards to team mindset and we have seen Babar working and improving on this aspect in last few months. However, England did have Joe Root in T20s for that similar role not too long ago while NZ has Williamson and Aus has Smith. Anchoring doesn’t necessarily mean to go at a low strike rate, its just to play less risk strokes while others bat around. Babar’s SR in T20s is higher than Smith, Williamson and Root.

Regarding Haider, I think he just needs to focus on better shot selection. I didnt listen to his interview but, he is young and our players are mostly not able to convey what they want to say so I hope he meant better selection of shots rather than playing conservative cricket in T20 format.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Horrendous T20 batsman

 

[El Generico]

He played well in the National T20 Cup and deserves a chance at the top of the order, especially now that Babar is injured.

Besides, as long as he is keeping Sarfraz out, I'm completely fine with his selection.

Still fine with his selection? Even an out of form Sarfaraz is a better T20 bat than Rizwan. It is painfully clear that Rizwan is not a T20 player.

If the team management has a problem with Sarfaraz then just have Khushdil keep for his series, I think he is a part time WK.

 

[Rana]

I don’t like him as a limited overs player

But he will do the bare minimum required from him in order to get the long rope which the management is so desperate to give him. That too as an opener.

He’s the top scorer in this match so far. Enough to keep him for the rest of the series

 

[Thunderbolt14]

You cannot map out every single detail down to stats. That's just not how the game works. And especially not in T20 cricket where even the most talentless players can play blinders. New Zealand has seen 200 chased regularly in T20s, but it has also seen 150-160 defended a number of times. Just because Pakistan scored 190 twice in England doesn't mean they'll put up similar scores even if they retain the same batting line-up.

This is another frankly meaningless bilateral T20 series. There is nothing wrong with experimenting and even losing 3-0 provided that meaningful lessons are learned regarding the composition of the side for the World Cup. To that end, giving Rizwan a go as opener is not a bad idea. If it doesn't work out then fine. Push him down the order and keep trying at 4 or 5. But I assure you he will be much worse off at 6 or 7 because at the end of the innings you need a finisher. If you're chasing it becomes even more imperative that you have someone who has the ability to chase the total down. And playing him as a specialist keeper is simply not an option because as was evident with Sarfraz, you can't hide yourself by coming lower down the order. Especially in such a high-profile event like the T20 World Cup. Sooner or later he will be in the limelight where he will be expected to deliver. This is why Pakistan should do everything they can to find a productive role for him within the batting order.

Hi bro, so do you somewhat agree now? Not trying to rub it in or anything, I genuinely just want to convince you that stats are more often accurate predictors rather than the other way around

 

[GudduBadmash]

Hafeez 0
Shafique 0
Haider 3

But let's all talk about Rizwans 17 runs lol

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Still fine with his selection? Even an out of form Sarfaraz is a better T20 bat than Rizwan. It is painfully clear that Rizwan is not a T20 player.

If the team management has a problem with Sarfaraz then just have Khushdil keep for his series, I think he is a part time WK.

Lol he still outperformed the entire top-order. And one game doesn't prove anything. He should be given continued chances because frankly, playing with 10 players is better than playing Sarfraz.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Hi bro, so do you somewhat agree now? Not trying to rub it in or anything, I genuinely just want to convince you that stats are more often accurate predictors rather than the other way around

Rizwan was disappointing with the bat today but he still outperformed the top order. That said, he did not look comfortable opening the batting. Could be tried at 4 or 5 instead.

 

[Markhor]

How much more evidence do we need that Mohammad Rizwan is not a white ball batsman ?

He is incapable of clearing the infield.