Haris Sohail MUST open alongside Fakhar Zaman

[MeanAndGreen]

going through this thread it bothers me that people are saying Azhar is adapating when his strike rate in the CT was the same as his career strike rate : 74

A good team improves even on a high, our bowling will not always be there to save us

I see where you are coming from. The only problem I have with Haris is his poor fitness. A key part of the CT win was the energy levels in the field. Sharjeel and Haris - although quality batters - are lazy in the field and will be a headache for the captain in terms of field placing s.

Haris is a class act, but needs to improve his fitness considerably.

 

[iniqbal223]

I want to see the below team groom well and win us 2019 world cup also:
Prerequisite --> Modern day cricket demands either a complete batsman or bowler or a player with All rounder capabilities, who can remain in a game for most part:

Fakhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Imad
Sarfaraz
Haris Sohail
Shadab
Fahim Ashraf/ Amir Yamin
Md. Amir
Junaid
Hasan Ali

Extras :
Azhar Ali
Amir Yamin/ Fahim
Md. Rizwan (Good fielder; if needed can come as 12th man)
Usman Shinwari/ Mir Hamza
Rumman Raees



Sharjeel & Fakhar --> good explosive openers
Babar --> Need to play anchor role
Imad --> He takes time to settle ; so should be given more responsible role; and is a more than a handy bowler against non asian teams ( I still reckon ; his wicket of ABDV was turning point in CT fortunes for pakistan; had Abdv stayed there score would have been easily 300+)
Sarfaraz-->
Harris --> can be a good AR, yet to see what he has to offer after his return
Shadab --> Good fielder too, may be need to showcase his batting prowess
Fahim-->
Amir/Junaid --> I think both these bowlers have complemented each other very well, and should be new bowl partner for years to come
Hasan-->

 

[JilaWatan]

why disturb the balance of the team. azher showed in games v eng and india that he can be a soild opener, and a great compliment to zaman. i think we need to stick to a lineup (that is winning btw).

 

[aloo paratha]

Batting selfishly ? Are you going to back that up? I don't think I can ever remember Azam batting selfishly. He's a number 3 batsman who's role is to bat through the innings. When he needs to accelerate he does, or gets out.

Take the last game against India. A selfish batsman would have easily knocked it around for a 50 but he chose to hit big, ultimately sacrificing his wicket.

Smh some fans deserve players like Afridi.

Take that India game, did you see how sow he started?? Look at some of his innings in Australia.

Obviously a blind fannboy like you would never see it.

 

[MeanAndGreen]

Take that India game, did you see how sow he started?? Look at some of his innings in Australia.

Obviously a blind fannboy like you would never see it.

Solid argument - just call me a blind ******.

There's a difference between being bogged down as a batsman and being selfish. That's all I'm trying to say. It isn't as though he is purposely looking to play dot balls.

When you question a player's integrity at least have an argument to back it up.

 

[aloo paratha]

Solid argument - just call me a blind ******.

There's a difference between being bogged down as a batsman and being selfish. That's all I'm trying to say. It isn't as though he is purposely looking to play dot balls.

When you question a player's integrity at least have an argument to back it up.

Well clearly you missed half of the post.

I guess Babar just seems to get bogged down very often lol.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I see where you are coming from. The only problem I have with Haris is his poor fitness. A key part of the CT win was the energy levels in the field. Sharjeel and Haris - although quality batters - are lazy in the field and will be a headache for the captain in terms of field placing s.

Haris is a class act, but needs to improve his fitness considerably.

I agree with what you are saying but how often have we heard excuses form below par players to keep them in the side

Just to name a few

1. Riaz - natural athlete, big heart
2. YK - team man, fit, great slipper, experienced
3. Prof - experienced, can bowl
4. Azhar - calm, good fielder , for, work ethic

It's the primary skill that matters and both Haris and sharjeel are superior in that department to their competitors. Plus it's not like their fielding is Tanvir level

 

[Sami92]

His best place is at 3. He will get his chance sooner or later.

Right now, Azhar is going well as opener.

 

[Markhor]

I'd prefer Haris at 3.

PCB needs to get its act together and organise a series in this 4 month window we have. A low profile series away to Zimbabwe or Ireland would a great opportunity to give fringe players a chance, test our bench strength and build Haris's fitness back up again.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

He is playing today in place of Hafeez and will likely open.

 

[hadi123]

Opened today and didn't play too well

 

[Khan12]

Opened today and didn't play too well

He was playing perfectly fine till he played a rash shot.

 

[Markhor]

Haris can be a stop gap until Babar returns. Not a long term T20 batsman but at least he's keeping Hafeez on the bench.

 

[bilawal666]

Haris Sohail is not an opener.

 

[in_cutter]

Overrated

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Haris can be a stop gap until Babar returns. Not a long term T20 batsman but at least he's keeping Hafeez on the bench.

Haris is not a T20 player has also shown that at domestic level with his stats in T20 there.

It is too late for him to develop the hitting ability if he has not been able to do that all these years.

 

[ads101]

I'd rather him bat at 3.

Fakhar and Babar look so confident opening with each other. Plus right-left combo. Wouldn't mind trying it in ODIS.

 

[Ahson8]

T20 might not be his best format, but he NEEDS to open in ODIs, with Babar at 3

 

[ask_analyse_act]

T20 might not be his best format, but he NEEDS to open in ODIs, with Babar at 3

Fakhar
Babar
Haris

is better

 

[Ahson8]

Fakhar
Babar
Haris

is better

Babar has done well at 3, no need to fix what ain’t broken. Don’t mind him opening in T20s, but ODIs he’s fine at 3

 

[Syed1]

Not dynamic enough for T20 cricket IMO

 

[Ahsanax]

it was a defensive move to play Harris instead of Farhan. Haris has a solid technique but then I dont think he suited for T20 format and then playing him as an opener?
this is why Pakistan has the worst average in Powerplays among top teams

 

[Kroll]

Not dynamic enough for T20 cricket IMO

Sadly, hardly any players in that middle ground, it's either brainless hacks or limited / not dynamic enough.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Tests and ODI should be No.4

 

[Square Drive]

I think the reason Mickey played him over Farhan was to ensure that Babar can easily slide back into the opening position once he comes back, allowing the dropping of both Hafeez and Haris to be much easier, and having Farhan on the bench as 3rd opener.

Had we tried Farhan and he succeeded, we would'e been in a bit of a dilemma, as then Babar would probably be coming in at 3, which puts Talat's position in jeopardy/messes up the entire order, which Mickey is not in favour of. On the other hand, had Farhan failed, Hafeez/Haris would've gotten another go in the next squad as 3rd opener.

At this point, Haris is pretty much out of the next T20 squad unless he scores a 50 in the remaining two innings which is unlikely. Hopefully, Hafeez is on the brink of getting dropped too, though he will continue to linger on in ODIs where his bowling is deemed to be more valuable.

I really hope this is the case, at least.

 

[Square Drive]

I'd rather him bat at 3.

Fakhar and Babar look so confident opening with each other. Plus right-left combo. Wouldn't mind trying it in ODIS.

Babar has done well at 3, no need to fix what ain’t broken. Don’t mind him opening in T20s, but ODIs he’s fine at 3

Agree with [MENTION=42125]ads101[/MENTION] here. Babar has also opened throughout his U19 career. Besides, our 2nd opener is usually so trash that Babar pretty much ends up opening anyway.

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Malik
Talat

Would not mind trying Amin as opener first though, moving everyone down a position, meaning Talat starts on the bench for now. Asif Ali as opener would be another move that I would not complain too much about.

In any case, Talat/Asif will get their chance soon enough once Malik retires, which is within a year. I just hope Mickey can somehow bench Hafeez again.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Out for a golden duck today.

 

[deems]

He's not a t20 player..
I don't understand why these batsmen don't retire from formats which they're not good at. Baffling

 

[Boi]

In ODIs, yes.

 

[ads101]

Haris worries me a bit. He isn't a T20 player, but not sure that's all his problems. He's got great technique, plays pace well and often gets a start. However he isn't particularly fit and doesn't go on to score big innings. He doesn't play aggressively nor really run hard between the wickets to get scores.

Usually you have two types a players, someone who can put on an aggressive fifty or so. Or someone who can get that big innings albeit a bit slower. Haris however you don't really expect any of these things.

My worry is that fitness/physical wise I'm not sure he's the same after such a long layoff. Is always a risk when you have such a long time out for injury. It's a pain as he is one of the most talented Pak bats I've seen.

It's also rather risky playing a guy in ODIs who can't hack in T20s. Those sort of players usually end up not being able to keep it up in ODIs too. Case in point, Azhar Ali. Just shows they're arguably not dynamic enough. But unlike Azhar he hasn't shown any aptitude for long innings which azhar's done to an extent in ODIs and tests.

Part of me is tempted to continue playing Haris in T20s for the sole purpose of letting him practice his aggressive game. As it seems like he's so vital to our future prospects, given his ability to play pace (and spin) is arguably the best in the team with Babar.

 

[in_cutter]

Mind boggling selection of Haris. This is a guy who is barely a ODI batsman, lazy & has fitness issues....yet is selected to open in T20 cricket. Bravo Sarf!!!

 

[Mainul]

Give this guy another 3 chances at least to prove himself.Haris has all the ingredients in him to succeed at the highest level.If rubbish Hafeez can get numerous chances,why not a few to a real talented bat?

 

[in_cutter]

Haris has all the ingredients in him to succeed at the highest level

Has he though? He looks lazy..has fitness issues. Has not done anything special in his int’l career so far. I agree T20 is not his format but looked out of depth in Eng too. He was supposed to be the next big thing. Overrated.

 

[Mainul]

Has he though? He looks lazy..has fitness issues. Has not done anything special in his int’l career so far. I agree T20 is not his format but looked out of depth in Eng too. He was supposed to be the next big thing. Overrated.

This guy has just come off from a long injury lay off.Give him some time before you decide.

 

[Markhor]

I think the reason Mickey played him over Farhan was to ensure that Babar can easily slide back into the opening position once he comes back, allowing the dropping of both Hafeez and Haris to be much easier, and having Farhan on the bench as 3rd opener.

Had we tried Farhan and he succeeded, we would'e been in a bit of a dilemma, as then Babar would probably be coming in at 3, which puts Talat's position in jeopardy/messes up the entire order, which Mickey is not in favour of. On the other hand, had Farhan failed, Hafeez/Haris would've gotten another go in the next squad as 3rd opener.

At this point, Haris is pretty much out of the next T20 squad unless he scores a 50 in the remaining two innings which is unlikely. Hopefully, Hafeez is on the brink of getting dropped too, though he will continue to linger on in ODIs where his bowling is deemed to be more valuable.

I really hope this is the case, at least.

Well said, no point people kicking off about Haris opening in these matches. He's just a stop gap until Babar returns.

 

[hadi123]

He's not a t20 player..
I don't understand why these batsmen don't retire from formats which they're not good at. Baffling

Come on. Players aren't just gonna retire at this age if they don't have a great record in a certain format. If anyone got a chance to play for their country, they would all take it!

 

[The_Odd_One]

He is easily the most overrated Pakistani cricketer. I can't recall one single match winning performance from this guy.

 

[Plumb]

This is what happens when experts here name every player in the squad to be tried as opener.

Opening is a very specialist position which everyone cannot do. Harris doesn't feel comfortable opening the

batting and I am afraid it 'll dent his confidence and we 'll lose a valuable player in this whole process. They need to play Farhan in the final along with Fakhar.

 

[Sher Khan]

He is easily the most overrated Pakistani cricketer. I can't recall one single match winning performance from this guy.

That odi vs NZ in UAE? He is a class batsman bro.