Is Asif Ali the clean striker we need in the middle overs?

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This batch of PSL graduates have been shambolically disappointing. Farhan, Asif and Faheem (with the bat),
haven't seen much of Talat but even he doesn't look like someone that sets the world alight..

Farhan and Faheem aren't PSL graduates, Faheem did a bit with the ball not really much with the bat. His rise to fame was hitting in first class cricket a bit (which is a strange rise to fame, but he was pretty unknown) And Farhan hardly looked impressive with the bat in the PSL which is why I was pretty wary of even wanting him in the team (as I haven't seen him in domestic otherwise). His list A record is what got him into the team.

Asif Ali did well and was the best Pakistani bat after Kamran in the recent PSL. Talat did alright too, and I think Maqsood had one good innings. The performance of the Pakistani bats in the recent PSL was horrific on the whole, were completely outshined by the foreign bats which is worrying considering they were conditions that Pakistani batsmen should be more comfortable in.

 

[waleed88]

Farhan and Faheem aren't PSL graduates, Faheem did a bit with the ball not really much with the bat. His rise to fame was hitting in first class cricket a bit (which is a strange rise to fame, but he was pretty unknown) And Farhan hardly looked impressive with the bat in the PSL which is why I was pretty wary of even wanting him in the team (as I haven't seen him in domestic otherwise). His list A record is what got him into the team.

Asif Ali did well and was the best Pakistani bat after Kamran in the recent PSL. Talat did alright too, and I think Maqsood had one good innings. The performance of the Pakistani bats in the recent PSL was horrific on the whole, were completely outshined by the foreign bats which is worrying considering they were conditions that Pakistani batsmen should be more comfortable in.

Well Farhan caught the eye of the selectors and Mickey after that one knock he played for Qalandars, same was the case of Talat and Asif in the PSL. Not saying it's how they were discovered, but these days players somewhat need a PSL stamp of authority before getting into the squad... its an unspoken thing but usually the results are better than this.

Fahim rose to prominence after topping the wickets column in the third season of PSL. He played the second season too, but his 3rd was the best one wickets wise

Shadab and Fakhar are examples.

 

[Savak]

These UAE wickets arent conducive to hitting from ball one. Even someone like Razzaq needed to get his eye before he was able to hit out in all his innings in the UAE

 

[Saj]

Scores of 2, 9 and 4 in this T20I series against Australia.

He has 6 single-figure scores in his 12 T20I innings.

 

[MenInG]

A few excuses for him about where he bats - so lets see how he does today

 

[Saj]

I thought his innings was very poor today.

His running between the wickets was all over the place, his strokeplay lacked thought and he struggled to middle the ball.

There are issues with his batting, in that it's big shot or nothing with him.

 

[Plumb]

I thought his innings was very poor today.

His running between the wickets was all over the place, his strokeplay lacked thought and he struggled to middle the ball.

There are issues with his batting, in that it's big shot or nothing with him.

I am keep telling everyone this 'guy will cost us big games especially in WC-19 if he gets selected, which he 'll. Mickey loves him for what?? I am yet to find out

 

[Mamoon]

Simply a terrible batsman. Nowhere near international class.

 

[Khan mangal1983]

Just give a bit of time, he has that big power game and i think he'll be useful in English conditions come the world cup. He is the only big hitter in the pakistani batting lineup.

 

[Savak]

I thought his innings was very poor today.

His running between the wickets was all over the place, his strokeplay lacked thought and he struggled to middle the ball.

There are issues with his batting, in that it's big shot or nothing with him.

On these UAE wickets, for the vast majority of our batsmen it is either a big shot or nothing or nothing at all. Not sure why he should be singled out. He will show what he is made off as we give the free pass to the likes of Finch, Lynn, Maxwell, Darcy and co that the reason they looked unimpressive on these wickets is because of the slow nature of the UAE wickets.

 

[cricket_cfa]

Overall he does not look good....at few instances in between he seems to have extra time

 

[Saj]

On these UAE wickets, for the vast majority of our batsmen it is either a big shot or nothing or nothing at all. Not sure why he should be singled out. He will show what he is made off as we give the free pass to the likes of Finch, Lynn, Maxwell, Darcy and co that the reason they looked unimpressive on these wickets is because of the slow nature of the UAE wickets.

People aren't singling him out. There is criticism today of Babar too and it's justified. Strike rates of 100 or less are not acceptable.

In terms of batting, Pakistan only won today because of Hafeez's late innings, because it looked like Babar and Asif had messed it up totally.

 

[Savak]

People aren't singling him out. There is criticism today of Babar too and it's justified. Strike rates of 100 or less are not acceptable.

In terms of batting, Pakistan only won today because of Hafeez's late innings, because it looked like Babar and Asif had messed it up totally.

I think they did well to get Pakistan close with wickets in hand. The problem Asif Ali is facing is that his main hitting area i.e. midwicket is actually the longest part of the UAE ground as well so he will really need to middle it to clear it. I think he should just be made to open and be given the full license to take full advantage of the first 6 overs with only 2 fielders allowed outside. This is for UAE only.

 

[Saj]

I think they did well to get Pakistan close with wickets in hand. The problem Asif Ali is facing is that his main hitting area i.e. midwicket is actually the longest part of the UAE ground as well so he will really need to middle it to clear it. I think he should just be made to open and be given the full license to take full advantage of the first 6 overs with only 2 fielders allowed outside. This is for UAE only.

They nearly lost Pakistan the game - the run rate required reached over 10 with Asif and Babar at the crease. Both getting out was a blessing for Pakistan.

 

[blackanhyellow]

Simply a terrible batsman. Nowhere near international class.

Agreed. Tbh he doesnt look much better than Hussain Talat, who himself isnt world class, but atleast Talat can bowl a couple of overs if needed.

 

[gazza619]

Not sure why Asif is getting so much stick. I thought he did pretty well today. He took a lot of singles and hit the odd boundary. Obviously we were only chasing 150 so there was no real need to go balistic. We must also remember that he was playing as per captain/coach instructions.

 

[Sirris]

Asif has been unimpressive so far despite a decent amount of chances given to him. He needs to play a hell of a knock very soon to justify a long term stay in the team. Otherwise we need to look for better alternatives.

 

[Savak]

If Asif Ali could have chipped in with a few overs as a bowler, the scrutiny on him would be less

 

[Mamoon]

Agreed. Tbh he doesnt look much better than Hussain Talat, who himself isnt world class, but atleast Talat can bowl a couple of overs if needed.

Rizwan deserves a chance at number 6. He has done really well against a good New Zealand A attack and is clearly superior to Asif.

He wasn’t too bad in international cricket either, but a bad patch over his last 10 odd games cost him a place in the squad. Brilliant fielder as well, I think it is worthwhile to give him another chance, especially when other options are hardly utilizing the opprtunities.

 

[zain7077]

Rizwan deserves a chance at number 6. He has done really well against a good New Zealand A attack and is clearly superior to Asif.

He wasn’t too bad in international cricket either, but a bad patch over his last 10 odd games cost him a place in the squad. Brilliant fielder as well, I think it is worthwhile to give him another chance, especially when other options are hardly utilizing the opprtunities.

What do you think of Amir Yamin at number 6?

 

[shariqnoor]

I would give Asif a long rope here. There's not one domestic batsman who can hit sixes of pace bowling as cleanly and effortlessly as Asif. The pitches in the UAE are not conducive for Asif. He should be given chances in SA, Australia where the pitches are true.

 

[Usman Chadda]

I thought Asif did okay. The management has clearly told him to work on his temperament, and he has been decent in that aspect. Just not able to hit out as effectively on these wickets, so his final output looks lacklusture.

Needs to improve a lot to be an ODI level batsman though. Game awareness is still lacking.

 

[Mamoon]

What do you think of Amir Yamin at number 6?

In Shadab and Fahim, we already have two gloried tail-enders masquerading as all-rounders. They along with Asif have middle our middle/lower-order extremely weak - probably weakest in the world at the moment.

This problem is compounded in ODIs when you have either of these three walking to the crease with nearly half of the innings to go. Total shambles.

I haven’t seen much of Yamin, and he might be more competent with the bat than the other fake all-rounders and Asif, but I would be skeptical to select another non-specialist batsman.

Rizwan though is a specialist batsman and is in great form. I don’t think he can do any worse than Asif or contribute any less than Fahim and Shadab.

If he can average around 35 at a high strike rate, he will add depth to this brittle lineup.

 

[Savak]

In Shadab and Fahim, we already have two gloried tail-enders masquerading as all-rounders. They along with Asif have middle our middle/lower-order extremely weak - probably weakest in the world at the moment.

This problem is compounded in ODIs when you have either of these three walking to the crease with nearly half of the innings to go. Total shambles.

I haven’t seen much of Yamin, and he might be more competent with the bat than the other fake all-rounders and Asif, but I would be skeptical to select another non-specialist batsman.

Rizwan though is a specialist batsman and is in great form. I don’t think he can do any worse than Asif or contribute any less than Fahim and Shadab.

If he can average around 35 at a high strike rate, he will add depth to this brittle lineup.

Rizwan was blocking Fauklners slower deliveries in the final over back to the bowler at the death in the odis in Australia and I remember your exact words "Intehahee ghatya tareen batsman". Surely, you can't be advocating for such a player again

 

[Mamoon]

Rizwan was blocking Fauklners slower deliveries in the final over back to the bowler at the death in the odis in Australia and I remember your exact words "Intehahee ghatya tareen batsman". Surely, you can't be advocating for such a player again

And he was deservingly dropped from the team and now he has been scoring runs against a pretty decent attack, while his reolacements are not delivering at all.

There is no harm in giving him another chance. Especially when the players who are playing in his stead seem to be worse.

We do not have world class talents waiting in the wings. We have to make do with what we have. We need power-hitters but there is a difference between being a power-hitter and a hack.

Rizwan won’t transform the team but I fail to see what Asif brings over him apart from one slog over mid-wicket.

 

[ARK Rafay]

I would give Asif a long rope here. There's not one domestic batsman who can hit sixes of pace bowling as cleanly and effortlessly as Asif. The pitches in the UAE are not conducive for Asif. He should be given chances in SA, Australia where the pitches are true.

How much longer you want that rope to extend? He has played 25 International games so far.

 

[Savak]

In Shadab and Fahim, we already have two gloried tail-enders masquerading as all-rounders. They along with Asif have middle our middle/lower-order extremely weak - probably weakest in the world at the moment.

This problem is compounded in ODIs when you have either of these three walking to the crease with nearly half of the innings to go. Total shambles.

I haven’t seen much of Yamin, and he might be more competent with the bat than the other fake all-rounders and Asif, but I would be skeptical to select another non-specialist batsman.

Rizwan though is a specialist batsman and is in great form. I don’t think he can do any worse than Asif or contribute any less than Fahim and Shadab.

If he can average around 35 at a high strike rate, he will add depth to this brittle lineup.

And he was deservingly dropped from the team and now he has been scoring runs against a pretty decent attack, while his reolacements are not delivering at all.

There is no harm in giving him another chance. Especially when the players who are playing in his stead seem to be worse.

We do not have world class talents waiting in the wings. We have to make do with what we have. We need power-hitters but there is a difference between being a power-hitter and a hack.

Rizwan won’t transform the team but I fail to see what Asif brings over him apart from one slog over mid-wicket.

Rizwan is no power hitter.

Hacks have to be backed to become reliable power hitters. Mickey worked his magic on Sharjeel

 

[Bullet Drive]

And he was deservingly dropped from the team and now he has been scoring runs against a pretty decent attack, while his reolacements are not delivering at all.

There is no harm in giving him another chance. Especially when the players who are playing in his stead seem to be worse.

We do not have world class talents waiting in the wings. We have to make do with what we have. We need power-hitters but there is a difference between being a power-hitter and a hack.

Rizwan won’t transform the team but I fail to see what Asif brings over him apart from one slog over mid-wicket.

Rizwan doesn't have the power game, can't play spin either.

He should only play as a reserve keeper, should never get in as a batsman.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Trying to figure out Asif, he's a tough case.

Last game he moved the ball around for singles which is progress. If he can up start delivering 40 from 25/35 balls on a regular basis and more on a good power hitting day then he is a good pick.

He has umar akmal syndrome however and will give away his wicket with a bad shot. Give him 10 more games.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

And he was deservingly dropped from the team and now he has been scoring runs against a pretty decent attack, while his reolacements are not delivering at all.

There is no harm in giving him another chance. Especially when the players who are playing in his stead seem to be worse.

We do not have world class talents waiting in the wings. We have to make do with what we have. We need power-hitters but there is a difference between being a power-hitter and a hack.

Rizwan won’t transform the team but I fail to see what Asif brings over him apart from one slog over mid-wicket.

Rizwan is not a international grade batter.

 

[MMHS]

Don’t think deserving an ODI spot, even in squad. His ODI stats are a bit misleading from that ZIM series and there is no role for him in ODI to be honest. Rizwan definitely deserved a call as back up keeper & probably a starting spot as well, he is in red hot form. Not sure about power hitting, but 45/90 stats in List A are more than enough for 50 overs game. And, he fields exceptionally as well. Also, keeping him in XI should allow Sarfraz some rest from non stop keeping. (play as specialist Captain). I don’t think Asif will start in ODI, therefore that squad spot is completely wasted.

 

[blackanhyellow]

Rizwan deserves a chance at number 6. He has done really well against a good New Zealand A attack and is clearly superior to Asif.

He wasn’t too bad in international cricket either, but a bad patch over his last 10 odd games cost him a place in the squad. Brilliant fielder as well, I think it is worthwhile to give him another chance, especially when other options are hardly utilizing the opprtunities.

Rizwan is certainly better than Asif as a batsman and it would be ideal to have a back up keeper in the team.

However, Rizwan at 6 I feel is a bad idea. Rizwan did well against NZ A at number 4 where he could rotate the strike and build an innings. His game is not suited for number 6.

Pak managements strategy is the following:

- One agressive opener to get off to a flyer
- Consistent number 3 in Babar to come in to bat through the game
- Good players of spin and good strike rotators in the middle overs in hafeez, malik, sarfraz
- Hitters at the end to make up for the run rate in the last few overs due to all of the accumulators in the team.

It is still an old school strategy, basically to keep wickets in hand and hit out near the end in hopes of a good score. Whereas other world class batting sides keep a strong run rate from start to finish, and then still have hitters at the end to take them from a 300 score to a 330-350.

But Pakistan doesnt have those types of batsmen.

So I definitely see what they are trying to do with Asif Ali, as well as the "all-rounders" in Imad, Faheem, and Shadab. Since management has picked this strategy, we will have to see it out to its conclusion to see if these players can develop the power hitting part of their game.

 

[shariqnoor]

How much longer you want that rope to extend? He has played 25 International games so far.

25 games is nothing when about 17-18 of them have been played on the dead tracks of the UAE.

I wouldn't have backed Asif Ali had Pakistan got reliable hitters in the domestic, who not only could hit big but also could play 25 overs milking the bowling around. The sorry fact is that we do not have that kind of a player in the domestic.

Pakistan desperately needs a hitter down the order who can hit 50 off 25 balls at the death in ODIs. Fakhar will almost never last the full 50 overs against decent opposition so his hitting exploits can't be used after 40 overs. Babar doesn't have the ability to amp the scoring rate. Neither does Imam. The only two players who can hit big relatively at the death are Malik and Hafeez. However with Fakhar, Imam, Babar, Sarfraz and Malik as our top 5, I don't see how Hafeez fits into the team long term. What can be done is use Hafeez at 6 and ask him to play the finisher role.

However, I don't think the team is keen on that role so that leaves the number 6 spot vacant. Ideally you don't want a Fawad Alam to occupy the number 6 spot. You need a genuine hitter and that is where Asif comes in. I agree that he is not fit to be a complete batsman right now but he's the only one I believe who can genuinely hit 50 off 25 balls. We haven't seen his capability over a longer period outside of the UAE. In his 25 international games, whatever time he has got outside of Asia, he has done reasonably well. Against Australia in Harare he did hit out spectacularly.

Also, such is the unfortunate state of our domestic, that we have to create players at the international level. If you send Asif back to the domestic, he will not come back a better player believe me. The coaching staff needs to improve his batting ability at the international level and for that he would be needed to be given a long rope. Asif is relatively more comfortable when he hoicking over mid-wicket and pulling. Two things that you need to have in your arsenal when playing in Australia. For me he should be a must for the World Cup T20 in Australia. He will find the pitches and the pace to his liking.

 

[shariqnoor]

Don’t think deserving an ODI spot, even in squad. His ODI stats are a bit misleading from that ZIM series and there is no role for him in ODI to be honest. Rizwan definitely deserved a call as back up keeper & probably a starting spot as well, he is in red hot form. Not sure about power hitting, but 45/90 stats in List A are more than enough for 50 overs game. And, he fields exceptionally as well. Also, keeping him in XI should allow Sarfraz some rest from non stop keeping. (play as specialist Captain). I don’t think Asif will start in ODI, therefore that squad spot is completely wasted.

A 45/90 stat of Rizwan is useful if Pakistan plans to play Rizwan in the Top 4. But Rizwan is going to play at number 6 if at all he is selected. So for a person playing at 6, a 90 SR is actually pathetic. Rizwan has no place in the team unfortunately, unless he can strike at 150.

 

[Chokli]

I think he's useless when ever we're playing in UAE.

He'll show his true worth on pitches that aren't in UAE

 

[Syed1]

I think he's useless when ever we're playing in UAE.

He'll show his true worth on pitches that aren't in UAE

A fulltoss is fulltoss if bowled in UAE, India, England, SA, Australia etc. If you miss a tame fulltoss while going for a full blooded swipe across the line suggests that you are nothing more than a tullaybaaz and a hack.

 

[Chokli]

A fulltoss is fulltoss if bowled in UAE, India, England, SA, Australia etc. If you miss a tame fulltoss while going for a full blooded swipe across the line suggests that you are nothing more than a tullaybaaz and a hack.

Pressure gets the best of everyone.

If you had seen this UAE Fakhar Zaman before Champions Trophy 2017, would you have wanted him in the side? I wouldn't have, he's been made to look like a joke.

Thankfully Fakhar debuted in England where we saw what he can do.

Even Finch failed in 3 consecutive T20s and he's one of the biggest hitters of the ball.

We saw what Asif could do when he was batting versus Australia in Zimbabwe.

 

[MMHS]

A 45/90 stat of Rizwan is useful if Pakistan plans to play Rizwan in the Top 4. But Rizwan is going to play at number 6 if at all he is selected. So for a person playing at 6, a 90 SR is actually pathetic. Rizwan has no place in the team unfortunately, unless he can strike at 150.

I am sure, his SR between over No. 45-50 is close to 150; over over 100 between 40-50. If you think that whoever bats #6, should have an over all SR of 150 in ODI, I think you are a bit over ambitious. He is a brilliant runner which allows him converting singles into doubles when fielders are on line, extremely fit and he can hit (Josh Butler is exceptional, you can only except role play like him, not match play....), what else?

Hitting SIX is not the only way to accelerate in last overs (other wise Afridi would have won many more games along with the Mirpur one). Key is shot productivity & good running between wickets - score of 90% balls in last 15 overs (or 10% dots), even just 8 boundaries and 2 SIX can add 140+ in last 15 overs, with 5 men on line for 10 overs.

90 balls (90% ~= 81 balls)

0 X 9 = 0
1 X 50 = 50
2 X 20 = 40
3 X 1 = 3
4 X 8 = 32
6 X 2 = 12
Extras = 6
-----------------
= 143


This game is much more complex than it looks - even if I take 80% shot productivity, still that score should reach 125+, if batsmen can play all-round shots & rotate strike.

PAK's problem is Misbah mood of operation, not inability to hit boundary (or lack of match playing Josh Buttler) - last T20, PAK went to 166/3 from like 16 is first 4 overs; that's 150 in 16 overs in UAE (easily equivalent to 170+ in most places), because a set Babar made sure that almost every ball is scored off. This is in T20 - ODI is not even a power hitting game, rather productivity game - the earlier team realizes that, Asif Alis won't be trusted much for Josh Butler role.

 

[Abdullah719]

80 off 33 in the Mzansi Super League. Has almost chased down 158 single-handedly.

 

[shah_1]

Last series for him?

 

[Badsha]

Been saying it for so long anyone with a an IQ more than 10 could tell he is complete garbage. Fluke hitter.

 

[Sirris]

This should be tue last series for him.

 

[Zaz]

A glorified slogger And predictably gets out the same way again

This is an experiment that needs to stop

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Like I said, there’s no strength in our team.

West Indies have big solid guys in their T20’s, Pakistan has softies like Malik, Babar, Talat, Asif, Faheem And others who can’t clear the boundaries at full pitched balls!

I’ve seen Afridi flick a full pitched ball 92 metres, that’s all power.

Pakistan needs to find Pathans built like Afridi, who don’t struggle to clear 70 metre boundaries.

 

[Ahmed216]

He literally looks like getting out on every ball he plays

 

[cririri]

Like faheem he is weak against spin and he doesn't take time to get set(even though the situation demands it).

 

[cririri]

Both should be backed ,they will come good in LOI,lower order of shadab,faheem,asif/imad is the way to go

 

[Mirpur express]

A clean hitter who actually has something working between his ears , this dude is a no no.. big hitter lol more like a big choaker

 

[Mirpur express]

Like I said, there’s no strength in our team.

West Indies have big solid guys in their T20’s, Pakistan has softies like Malik, Babar, Talat, Asif, Faheem And others who can’t clear the boundaries at full pitched balls!

I’ve seen Afridi flick a full pitched ball 92 metres, that’s all power.

Pakistan needs to find Pathans built like Afridi, who don’t struggle to clear 70 metre boundaries.

Afridi is the single biggest reason Pakistan is full of hacks now *

 

[Abdullah719]

1, 6, dot, 6, out.

 

[Chokli]

every single big hitter around the world has the ability to bowl

 

[Rana]

When he hits, it stays hit!

Staking a claim for the national side again and again, he will come off at some point for sure at International cricket also

 

[Sirris]

A PSL specialist.

 

[aloo paratha]

Doesn't know how to build an innings, so he can't be good in ODIs.

 

[Titan24]

every single big hitter around the world has the ability to bowl

He used to ball decent off spinners on occasions. Not sure why he stopped bowling those. If worked hard with can go upto Jhadav's level I guess.

 

[Rana]

Him, Sohail Akhtar and Umar Akmal have really impressed me this year at the PSL.

Trevor Baylis would use these boys to make the Naya Pakistan ODI team.

 

[Titan24]

Him, Sohail Akhtar and Umar Akmal have really impressed me this year at the PSL.

Trevor Baylis would use these boys to make the Naya Pakistan ODI team.

Exactly, there are number of players in Pakistan who could have been utilized more efficiently by coach who is better strategist and tactician than Arther. A better coach could have extracted a lot out of these and even some of our bowlers at international level.

 

[Chokli]

He used to ball decent off spinners on occasions. Not sure why he stopped bowling those. If worked hard with can go upto Jhadav's level I guess.

he'd be perfect for number 7 if he could bowl to be honest, first name on the list.

 

[Seamer]

He deserves to bat at 4 I remember he did well in this position against England in the series before the world cup. This would be my lineup for the next series:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Abid Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Asif Ali
5. Rizwan
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Zafar Gohar
8. Hasnain
9. Amir
10. Haris Rauf
11. Umar Khan

12. Aamer Yamin
13. Saud Shakeel
14. Muhammad Musa
15. Hussain Talat

 

[Energy]

He deserves to bat at 4 I remember he did well in this position against England in the series before the world cup. This would be my lineup for the next series:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Abid Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Asif Ali
5. Rizwan
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Zafar Gohar
8. Hasnain
9. Amir
10. Haris Rauf
11. Umar Khan

12. Aamer Yamin
13. Saud Shakeel
14. Muhammad Musa
15. Hussain Talat

So a batsman with sub 30 average in List A will bat for Pakistan at No.4. OK then.

 

[Savak]

Play Asif Ali in every match given that we need to up our net run rate as well

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Play Asif Ali in every match given that we need to up our net run rate as well

To up our run rate he would need to make a decent score, something he hasn't looked like doing under pressure. But as we are virtually out anyway, might as well give him a chance, although from what I have seen he has no grit or application whatsoever. It's easy to swing your bat blindly by numbers, it's another to stay in and construct an innings which can win a game.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

To up our run rate he would need to make a decent score, something he hasn't looked like doing under pressure. But as we are virtually out anyway, might as well give him a chance, although from what I have seen he has no grit or application whatsoever. It's easy to swing your bat blindly by numbers, it's another to stay in and construct an innings which can win a game.

nothing you say is wrong, but the other options are Malik and professor (assuming Haris takes on of the spots)

 

[Pete Rose]

nothing you say is wrong, but the other options are Malik and professor (assuming Haris takes on of the spots)

it all goes back to the sin of the selection of the original squad. by putting in malik and hafeez, we are limited by who goes in next.
how it's likely to go:
they'll drop malik in the next game for haris
then drop hafeez for asif ali in the game after that
and then wahab in the game after that.

Because we must select seniors no matter how awful their pedigree,

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

nothing you say is wrong, but the other options are Malik and professor (assuming Haris takes on of the spots)

Honestly think Professor is a better bat, plus he is better in the field even as a senior. You could argue we've got nothing to lose now, but the management will be desperate to win a couple of games to save some face. They might leave the experiments for after the world cup.

 

[Chokli]

Asif Ali is worse than a hack, he's good for T20s but no way for ODIs.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Keep him away from the national side he is awful very awful.

 

[shah_1]

The problem with Asif Ali if he bats at 6, 25 to 15 overs on average are most likely avaliable for him to bat. You can't have him creating impact playing 12 to 15 balls only, he needs to learn on how to bat longer.

He is just not ready for ODIs

 

[Sunny_majoka]

no we were deluded

 

[Bilal7]

Pakistan Need Asif Ali against Bangladesh if England beat New Zealand

If, and it is a big if, England end up beating the Kiwis and effectively sealing their semi-final spot, Pakistan will have to ensure that they utterly crush Bangladesh in their last group-stage match. Who better to score a hundred at a SR of 200 than the uber-aggressive Asif Ali himself?

What do you guys think, Asif Ali in for Mohammad Hafeez or Imam ul Haq?

 

[Rayyman]

Asif opening for Imam might not be a bad idea in this particular scenario.

Also depends on the pitch though.

 

[Hasan]

Agreed, not sure which team to select but Pak have to play a super aggressive game to ensure a massive victory margin.

 

[Boi]

Yeah will have to take a chance.

 

[zee-za-man]

Asif Ali is originally an opener. He can do something when 5-6 players are required to be in the circle

Pakistan Top order is stinking and damaging Pakistan's chances for sometime now.

Our top order average for this World Cup

Imam ul Haq - 28
Fakhar Zaman - 24

These 2 are bleeding the team Asif or Hafeez should be put in #1 or #2, they need to take a chance they're doing pathetically anyways.

 

[Markhor]

The problem is whatever Asif Ali scores, he'll concede at least a dozen runs in the field. I haven't seen such a sloppy fielder in the long time.

I have little patience for cricketers who don't bother doing the basics right.

 

[zee-za-man]

The problem is whatever Asif Ali scores, he'll concede at least a dozen runs in the field. I haven't seen such a sloppy fielder in the long time.

I have little patience for cricketers who don't bother doing the basics right.

Not sloppy as Imam his drop catches had put the whole team down . His drop off Rohit Sharma in Asia Cup brought us a humliating defeat.

 

[The Viper]

Asif played a poor knock.

He missed out on a few juicy full tosses that you would expect him to put away.

 

[Plumb]

Very clean striker... his bat is also very clean no marks of ball being on the bat ... full marks

 

[Energy]

Asif Ali is a classic example of what appeals to the Pakistani management. He will play out a 10 years mediocre career and we will be glorifying his ability to strike a ball but will never get to watch it.

 

[Sir-fraz]

93 off 35 balls today in the national t20 cup