Hussain Talat as an ODI opener?

[ManFan]

It seems the cliche trend to make an uncontested Pakistani cricketer as an opener to adjust him in the ODI squad. However, with the settled yet aging middle order right now in the current ODI setup, it would be impossible for the young lad to make a permanent impression at #6.

The only solution is to make him open the innings to compensate for a lack of batting slots. With Fahim and Shadab at #7 and #8 respectively, we have a stabilized lower hitting order. It is the top order which is lacking in bite and as the ongoing PSL has shown, there is a lack of aggressive openers in the current circuit of players.

The only down side to making Talat an opener in ODI's is that we would get two left-handers opening the batting. Ideally, you always want a right-left batting combination but I personally feel that is an overrated "unofficial" standard of modern ODI cricket.

Talat can rotate strike efficiently, hit big against spinners and pacers, while bowling some medium-pacers as well. In my opinion, an opener slot is the best way to slot in Talat Hussain to the current line-up. This way, we can ensure that we get to a solid start in England next year.

 

[Greenstorm]

No we need him at 5 or 6. He is weak against moving ball but good against spin. Haris Sohail is the only option we have right now to open with Fakhar.

 

[Fahdi]

From what little I have seen he did not look at all adept when it comes to playing the new ball. He will become the new Hafeez if he opens. I think he is perfectly suited for the 5-6 position.

 

[ManFan]

From what little I have seen he did not look at all adept when it comes to playing the new ball. He will become the new Hafeez if he opens. I think he is perfectly suited for the 5-6 position.

Fair enough.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

nah as others have said 5 or 6

isnt great against the new ball plus his strengths ( big hitting and having a brain) are more suited to be our finisher

 

[ShahidDar08]

Oh nooo don't waste him, he is best suited at number 4 position.

 

[Justcrazy]

fakhar and Babaar are ideal opening combination right now.

 

[backfootpunch]

He's the perfect replacement for Malik as like him he's excellent at hitting spin but also way better at attacking pace. The batting order should ideally line up like this:

Fakhar
Babar/Haris
Haris/Babar
Sarfraz (wk) - needs to get fit again to run those 1s and 2s
Hussain Talat
Shadab
Faheem
Nawaz (or Imad)
Hasan Ali
Amir
Shaheen (or Shinwari/Junaid/Rumman)

 

[ManFan]

He's the perfect replacement for Malik as like him he's excellent at hitting spin but also way better at attacking pace. The batting order should ideally line up like this:

Fakhar
Babar/Haris
Haris/Babar
Sarfraz (wk) - needs to get fit again to run those 1s and 2s
Hussain Talat
Shadab
Faheem
Nawaz (or Imad)
Hasan Ali
Amir
Shaheen (or Shinwari/Junaid/Rumman)

Disagree.
Fakhar
Haris
Bobs
Talat
Sarfraz
Malik
Fahim
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
JK/Shinwari/SSA

 

[backfootpunch]

Disagree.
Fakhar
Haris
Bobs
Talat
Sarfraz
Malik
Fahim
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
JK/Shinwari/SSA

Well slightly. Top 5 are virtually the same.

As for Malik - his record in England and outside SC speaks for itself as he's very limited against pace. For the same reasons he's not the man to score runs at the back end of the innings either. Also with his inclusion your team lacks a second spinner, someone like Nawaz (or Imad) can keep it tight while Shadab can be utilised as an attacking option.

Also would push Hasan above Amir for certain because he is more a capable hitter of a cricket ball.

 

[coy0607]

anythings better than Azhar and Shehzad

 

[Syed1]

Here is a radical idea, why don't we play Talat at the position he is most comfortable at


*shock and horror* :

 

[babajee]

Look guys you’re overcomplicating it:

Ideal Pakistan top 5:

Fakhar
Haris
Babar
Sarfaraz
Talat

The Fakhar-Haris combination is the solution to our opening woes. I know Haris has never opened (i think so) but he’s 100% capable of doing an excellent job. Much better than Azhar, Imam, Amin, Shehzad etc.

Also it enables us to get the best out of Saifi who is useless lower down.

 

[Abdullah719]

Here is a radical idea, why don't we play Talat at the position he is most comfortable at


*shock and horror* :

He says he's a top-order batting all-rounder in the mould of Kallis and Watto

 

[babajee]

He says he's a top-order batting all-rounder in the mould of Kallis and Watto

He needs to forget his bowling. His bowling reminds me of Pandya’s pies

 

[Pak Crescent]

PCB needs to put some sort of a cap on the number of spinners in domestic teams - I can only think of two players in the last few years (Shareel and Fakhar) that can play and somewhat dominate a new ball/fast baller.

 

[Hasan123]

Not a bad idea but I would bat him at 4 or 5.

 

[hur rizvi]

He bowls 130-135kph too, could be a handy choice for ODI world cup in England

 

[hur rizvi]

Opening could risk his career. We dont have any decent 2nd opener so Sarfraz should open in ODIs

 

[babajee]

Opening could risk his career. We dont have any decent 2nd opener so Sarfraz should open in ODIs

Haris should open

 

[Ellipsism]

He needs to forget his bowling. His bowling reminds me of Pandya’s pies

It’s good enough for 4-5 overs, a couple more on a good day. There’s no harm being done if he works on his bowling.