Is it the right move to use Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as openers in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024?

[TheSultan]

What I don’t understand is - what will these “fans” get out of babar and rizwan opening that they won’t entertain any discourse of the alternative? Do you guys get some halwa or leftover cake slices (assuming this team leaves any)

You are an international team - and your main reasoning is that this international team cannot bat 20 overs? 10 wickets - 20 overs. I mean seriously!

What do they want? a bonus point for losing 5 wickets instead of 8?

The whole point of a powerplay is that your openers are dispensable in the pursuit of the reward of getting some quick runs

 

[Jatlahoria]

What I don’t understand is - what will these “fans” get out of babar and rizwan opening that they won’t entertain any discourse of the alternative? Do you guys get some halwa or leftover cake slices (assuming this team leaves any)

You are an international team - and your main reasoning is that this international team cannot bat 20 overs? 10 wickets - 20 overs. I mean seriously!

What do they want? a bonus point for losing 5 wickets instead of 8?

The whole point of a powerplay is that your openers are dispensable in the pursuit of the reward of getting some quick runs

Agree, is the point of power play to be at 50/0 or 70/2? Would Babar at 3 be more dangerous?

 

[emranabbas]

In a normal situation, you keep trying different solutions to fix something until it works.

In Babar and his fans' situation:

You try to fix something; it doesn’t work. You try something else; it still doesn’t work. Oh damn, put it back how it was before.

 

[emranabbas]

Agree, is the point of power play to be at 50/0 or 70/2? Would Babar at 3 be more dangerous?

70/2 is better than 50/0 in t20
However it's bad for odi and tests

Rizbar fans are still in odi mode they try to keep wickets till the 40th over then 15th over they realise oh damn this is a 20 over game and start going all out and lose 8 wickets in the last 5 overs

 

[RidiculousMan]

In a normal situation, you keep trying different solutions to fix something until it works.

In Babar and his fans' situation:

You try to fix something; it doesn’t work. You try something else; it still doesn’t work. Oh damn, put it back how it was before.

Before World Cup preparations. Pakistan brought in options of Saim, Farhan, Usman, Haseebullah and Haris (axed later on) as openers. Pakistan needed 1 option.

Now what happens is Saim continuously gets chances regularly while the rest of the players gets sided without a chance or minimal chance. Now just before the World Cup. You think that Saim is not performing so you drop him as well.

Then you say to the world. Oh look. What a shame. But we have no one better than Babar and Rizwan as openers. Guess we'll have to back Babar and Rizwan now. We have no choice.

 

[Mamoon]

What I don’t understand is - what will these “fans” get out of babar and rizwan opening that they won’t entertain any discourse of the alternative? Do you guys get some halwa or leftover cake slices (assuming this team leaves any)

You are an international team - and your main reasoning is that this international team cannot bat 20 overs? 10 wickets - 20 overs. I mean seriously!

What do they want? a bonus point for losing 5 wickets instead of 8?

The whole point of a powerplay is that your openers are dispensable in the pursuit of the reward of getting some quick runs

I understand if people have a problem with this pair, but what I don’t understand is the spectacular failure to name an alternative pair.

 

[emranabbas]

Before World Cup preparations. Pakistan brought in options of Saim, Farhan, Usman, Haseebullah and Haris (axed later on) as openers. Pakistan needed 1 option.

Now what happens is Saim continuously gets chances regularly while the rest of the players gets sided without a chance or minimal chance. Now just before the World Cup. You think that Saim is not performing so you drop him as well.

Then you say to the world. Oh look. What a shame. But we have no one better than Babar and Rizwan as openers. Guess we'll have to back Babar and Rizwan now. We have no choice.

Saim keeps failing, yet Babar sticks with him for 16 innings.

Haris has only had 1 game as an opener.

Haseebullah has also only had 1 game as an opener.

Rizwan and Babar have been opening together in over 30 games in the past 2 years.

Yet they tried different combinations and failed
Where have they tried different combinations

 

[Mamoon]

In a normal situation, you keep trying different solutions to fix something until it works.

In Babar and his fans' situation:

You try to fix something; it doesn’t work. You try something else; it still doesn’t work. Oh damn, put it back how it was before.

You can’t take shots in the dark and try random names who have done nothing to justify selection. You have to pick players with logic and performances.

Saim selected himself based on his PSL exploits but no one asked him to fail so badly in international cricket.

Thankfully he opened otherwise people would have argued that he failed because he didn’t open.

 

[Mamoon]

You can do what you want, but I know the opposition will be licking their lips at the prospect of babar and rizwan opening. What better time to improve your economy rate and pick up the odd wicket.

Don’t be fooled by opposition statements on how weary they are about babar and rizwan. They have to say something nice. Inside they are probably laughing their heads off

The opposition bowlers would be licking a lot more than their lips when they see Saim, Asif Ali, Sharjeel, Haris etc. open instead.

They would also be laughing a lot more than their heads off.

These players can’t buy a run. Opposition loves batsmen who can’t score.

 

[Mamoon]

The RizBar squad now targeting Azam Khan and Saim Ayub

Ahmed Shahzad was right about this lot, they go after everyone in order to protect them

Azam Khan deserves to be mocked for being a unfit.

Saim Ayub got all the chances and support in the world but he failed. One track mind fans should direct their anger towards him not Babar and Rizwan.

The Babar and Rizwan pair would have been history had Saim performed. What do you expect Pakistan management to do when Saim failed badly.

 

[Mamoon]

bro they are rubbish, these 2 are not competing with sarfraz, hafeez, malik etc.. they aare competing with butler, rohit sharma, warner, salt etc.. they need to be half decent as them to be called not rubbish.

They are not competing with them for a place in the the team. You pick players based on who is available to you not based on what other teams are doing, because players don’t grow on trees.

I wouldn’t open with these two if I had players like Buttler, Warner, Rohit, Head etc. in Pakistan but when you look at the available options for Pakistan, Babar and Rizwan pick themselves.

 

[Mamoon]

Yeah let’s ignore Gary Kirsten

Gary Kirsten is not a Pakistan fan. He is here for two years and he will not pick up fights with the PCB over one player.

Azam Khan is rubbish on both sides of the wicket and he has brought nothing but shame to Pakistan cricket with his attitude towards fitness.

He has become a joke who is laughed at. You would feel sorry for him but all of this is his own undoing.

Supporting the likes of Azam Khan, Sharjeel, Amir over the likes of Babar and Rizwan says a lot about the intelligence and character of people.

 

[Rana]

Gary Kirsten is not a Pakistan fan. He is here for two years and he will not pick up fights with the PCB over one player.

Azam Khan is rubbish on both sides of the wicket and he has brought nothing but shame to Pakistan cricket with his attitude towards fitness.

He has become a joke who is laughed at. You would feel sorry for him but all of this is his own undoing.

Supporting the likes of Azam Khan, Sharjeel, Amir over the likes of Babar and Rizwan says a lot about the intelligence and character of people.

How so? This is professional cricket, it’s essentially an entertainment industry. How does it make anyone morally corrupt to support players that are eligible to play and have been cleared by the ICC? I can support who I want, I can hate who I want. Who are you to judge?

Babar and Rizwan are despicable T20 openers. They are not openers actually, they are frauds taking up T20 opening spots. Sharjeel is a better T20 opener than both of them. Azam is a better T20 power hitter for the middle overs than both of them. Amir is still Pakistan’s best white ball pacer.

 

[Rana]

Azam Khan deserves to be mocked for being a unfit

Ok

And Rizwan deserves to be hounded by the Ahmedabad crowed.

Now what?

 

[Rana]

LOL. Replacing Rizwan with Fakhar as T20 opener.

What’s LOL about that?

This is the sorry state of Pakistan fans who found a voice during lockdown

 

[Technics 1210]

The state of haters, let's replace one of our best performing openers with a tried and test T20i opening hack Fakhar Zaman.

Forget consistency, forget performance, forget statistics, forget fitness, forget everything - just replace Rizwan and Babar cos we don't like the colour of their tin foil hat.

No alternatives to Babar and Rizwan prove that the pair are the current best in Pakistan despite numerous chances given to existing and upcoming players to prove their opening spot - all failed.

Lastly, teenagers/millennials/alpha cry about Babar picking his own team, but that's exactly what a captain does - he picks his crew. Ponting, Clarke, Strauss, Morgan, Dhoni all captains pick their own crew, but when Babar does it, the share price of Kleenex goes through the roof.

Babar and Rizwan are here to stay. Deal with it.

 

[TheSultan]

I understand if people have a problem with this pair, but what I don’t understand is the spectacular failure to name an alternative pair.

I don’t have a problem with Fakhar and Saim. Let them open, give them a long rope.

Our super dooper superheroes can then come and anchor/stabilise (or whatever other excuse is put out for their selfish batting) to their hearts content down the order.

 

[TheSultan]

The opposition bowlers would be licking a lot more than their lips when they see Saim, Asif Ali, Sharjeel, Haris etc. open instead.

They would also be laughing a lot more than their heads off.

These players can’t buy a run. Opposition loves batsmen who can’t score.

that would make sense if babar and rizwan could actually score at a fast rate too.

No one has nightmares about 110-120 strike rates. They’re probably thinking, we can put our feet up this match. Let’s just give them 120-150.

 

[TheSultan]

The state of haters, let's replace one of our best performing openers with a tried and test T20i opening hack Fakhar Zaman.

Forget consistency, forget performance, forget statistics, forget fitness, forget everything - just replace Rizwan and Babar cos we don't like the colour of their tin foil hat.

No alternatives to Babar and Rizwan prove that the pair are the current best in Pakistan despite numerous chances given to existing and upcoming players to prove their opening spot - all failed.

Lastly, teenagers/millennials/alpha cry about Babar picking his own team, but that's exactly what a captain does - he picks his crew. Ponting, Clarke, Strauss, Morgan, Dhoni all captains pick their own crew, but when Babar does it, the share price of Kleenex goes through the roof.

Babar and Rizwan are here to stay. Deal with it.

The problem is you’re stats are based on meaningless bilaterals.

Cricket ain’t played on paper. Fakhar has at times been in bad form but when he is in form, why would you not stick him up at the top? He’s no stranger to opening.

 

[cricketcricket79]

Rizwan is one of the most impact less opener I have seen from Pakistan. His style of play and the number of runs he scores becomes even more impact less when you consider the modern style of play in T20. Havibg said that. I think ICC has done him a huge favor. The pitches in this World Cup are a joke and not gonna be even average scoring games looks like in NY and some in WI. His style of play could be exactly what is needed in this World Cup. Of course, then post WC, he is going to be even more of a problem for Pakistan Cricket since he will always say, I did well at the WC.

 

[Technics 1210]

The problem is you’re stats are based on meaningless bilaterals.

Cricket ain’t played on paper. Fakhar has at times been in bad form but when he is in form, why would you not stick him up at the top? He’s no stranger to opening.

The problem is your disdain for Babar/Rizwan as openers is also based on stats. Strike rates for example.

If you are going to choose a T20i opener, pray tell how to select a player without looking at T20i stats? PSL performances? Yes we all know how that has panned out.

I looked at the career T20i stats for Fakhar and Rizwan, and while stats do not reveal the entire picture, they do give us a good idea, and that is Rizwan is a better performer as opener than Fakhar in T20is.

And you are right, cricket is not played on paper, so stop this obsession with SR, when there's much more to take into consideration.

 

[Technics 1210]

When Babar and Rizwan do perform as expected when opening, the haters either disappear or choke on their own nonsense.

Eng vs Pak T20 (2024 Oval)

Rizwan 23(16) - 143.75 SR
Babar 36 (22) - 163.63 SR

PERFECT start in T20i if you ask me, and the perfect platform for the middle order to launch from.

But no, the failures of others are never taken into account. Iftikar, Fakhar, Shadab, and the legendary Azam Khan. ALL have failed.

Meaning, even when Rizwan and Babar perform at the top, the rest fail.

Conclusion : Babar and Rizwan are the problem - not the likes of Azam Khan.

 

[Rana]

I think ICC has done him a huge favor.

One venue? NY? So he will play the same way as he does in NY whilst everyone else in world cricket would struggle on that venue?

 

[Kroll]

I just hope they put India to the sword and not play for cake. Last thing we need will be relying upon Shadab, Iftimania and Azam Khan to get us a decent total or towards the target.

 

[Technics 1210]

And finally.

In T20is:

Fakhar 23.57 @ 133.45
Rizwan 49.27 @ 128.17

Somewhere out in the universe there is a school of thought that Fakhar is the better option for opener, even though Rizwan offers more than double the runs at nearly the same SR. The extra 5 runs that Fakhar offers in terms of SR, can be added to his average, and Rizwan still scores nearly double the runs at the same SR.

Yet Fakhar Zaman is the better opener - when he is in form.

Ha. Ha. Ha. No wonder we're used to tried and tested failures, when all the while we're just waiting for players to be in form. Well it has been years, what's a few more years now.

 

[cricketcricket79]

One venue? NY? So he will play the same way as he does in NY whilst everyone else in world cricket would struggle on that venue?

No. I meant the NY venue will suit Rizwan’s style of play. Players from other countries who play like Rizwan would also do well there. There is no need to play aggressively at this venue considering the pitch is not conducive to it (so far).

 

[Rana]

No. I meant the NY venue will suit Rizwan’s style of play. Players from other countries who play like Rizwan would also do well there. There is no need to play aggressively at this venue considering the pitch is not conducive to it (so far).

How do you know Rizwan will do well there? Based on what?

 

[mominsaigol]

No. I meant the NY venue will suit Rizwan’s style of play. Players from other countries who play like Rizwan would also do well there. There is no need to play aggressively at this venue considering the pitch is not conducive to it (so far).

Bro who plays like rizwan? Wdym by play like rizwan?

If you mean playstyle, no player in the world takes 2 steps to the right to slog sweep a ball away from them because they lack non legside based shots.

If you mean slow accumulative nature then who exactly? This world cup all sides got rid of their slow starters.

Australia got rid of Steve Smith, sa got rid of bavuma. Only NZ is hell bent on keeping Williamson for some reason. Even Afghanistan and Scotland bats play at > 130 sr.

 

[Rana]

And finally.

In T20is:

Fakhar 23.57 @ 133.45
Rizwan 49.27 @ 128.17

Somewhere out in the universe there is a school of thought that Fakhar is the better option for opener, even though Rizwan offers more than double the runs at nearly the same SR. The extra 5 runs that Fakhar offers in terms of SR, can be added to his average, and Rizwan still scores nearly double the runs at the same SR.

Yet Fakhar Zaman is the better opener - when he is in form.

Ha. Ha. Ha. No wonder we're used to tried and tested failures, when all the while we're just waiting for players to be in form. Well it has been years, what's a few more years now.

Rizwan 49.27 @128.17

Finn Allen 25.67 @163


Rizwan is twice the player Allen is?

 

[cricketcricket79]

How do you know Rizwan will do well there? Based on what?

Good question. I guess time will tell. I have a feeling Rizwan will do well in NY venue especially. Rizwan is good at playing 100-120 SR, doesn’t throw away his wicket and has shown in the past can be match winner when there is no SR pressure. Let’s see.

 

[Rana]

Good question. I guess time will tell. I have a feeling Rizwan will do well in NY venue especially. Rizwan is good at playing 100-120 SR, doesn’t throw away his wicket and has shown in the past can be match winner when there is no SR pressure. Let’s see.

Why because Sri Lanka struggled there?

 

[cricketcricket79]

Bro who plays like rizwan? Wdym by play like rizwan?

If you mean playstyle, no player in the world takes 2 steps to the right to slog sweep a ball away from them because they lack non legside based shots.

If you mean slow accumulative nature then who exactly? This world cup all sides got rid of their slow starters.

Australia got rid of Steve Smith, sa got rid of bavuma. Only NZ is hell bent on keeping Williamson for some reason. Even Afghanistan and Scotland bats play at > 130 sr.

Good question. I meant the style of play based on slow accumulative nature. If the venues are as slow and bad as what I have seen in NY especially, Australia might come to regret leaving out Smith. All depends on the pitch and whether it is conducive to stoke making or not.

 

[cricketcricket79]

Why because Sri Lanka struggled there?

Yup, and even SA were struggling too. Klassen, Mariam all were prodding and plodding, struggling to put the ball away.

 

[Rana]

The problem is your disdain for Babar/Rizwan as openers is also based on stats. Strike rates for example.

Erm no!

It’s based on cricket ability. Who in the world has RizBar type openers instead of Sri Lanka (Nissanka) and Afghanistan (zadran)? Who plays this kind of manure cricket in T20 powerplays as openers???????

 

[mominsaigol]

Good question. I meant the style of play based on slow accumulative nature. If the venues are as slow and bad as what I have seen in NY especially, Australia might come to regret leaving out Smith. All depends on the pitch and whether it is conducive to stoke making or not.

They won't regret leaving out Smith, you're falsely equating accumulators and slow pitches.

Slow pitches hold no bearing on the overall quality of a player. The final India vs Australia, it was a difficult pitch considering how badly labu and Kl Rahul were struggling, however Travis head was the only player who breezed through the entire innings without any trouble, It was almost as if he was playing on a batting paradise pitch. It was mainly because Travis is quality, its why even video game level pitches like ipl have other players scoring a rapid 50 of 30 while Travis is scoring 36 ball 100's.

 

[Technics 1210]

If cricket ability means anointing Azam Khan for sainthood, then I rather stay ignorant, cos its bliss.

 

[Rana]

So I can’t actually quote Barney directly because he doesn’t want to engage in a civil way. The guy provides stats such as 49 average with 127 sr (hahahaha) and comparing it to bring down Pakistan’s GOAT modern day white ball striker in Fakhar Zaman.

To provide context and expose the stupidity of such a line of argumentation..I used the example of an international HITMAN Finn Allen who has an average half the number of Rizwan’s, with a sr of 163! Besides the stats, the level of both players (Rizwan and Allen) is before you all. The ability to strike pace and spin and the difference in quality is there for you all to see.

I ask you all, who would you pick as your T20 opener, Rizwan or Finn Allen?

 

[Technics 1210]

Yes folks, pick between Rizwan and Finn, for Babar's opening partner.

The stats are against any Pakistan T20i opening pair. Cold hard facts.

Haters can wriggle out of this like snakes by diverting attention to other topics.

Their picks are either TTFs, convicted criminals, or downright obese embarrassments for Pakistan Cricket.

Side note - Rizwan offer 50% more runs than Finn at even 168 SR. Even the maths prove RIZBAR's haters wrong.

Oh well, I am sure on the 9th the haters will be rooting for India.

 

[Rana]

Side note - Rizwan offer 50% more runs than Finn at even 168 SR. Even the maths prove RIZBAR's haters wrong.

What do you have to say about that boys?

 

[mominsaigol]

So I can’t actually quote Barney directly because he doesn’t want to engage in a civil way. The guy provides stats such as 49 average with 127 sr (hahahaha) and comparing it to bring down Pakistan’s GOAT modern day white ball striker in Fakhar Zaman.

To provide context and expose the stupidity of such a line of argumentation..I used the example of an international HITMAN Finn Allen who has an average half the number of Rizwan’s, with a sr of 163! Besides the stats, the level of both players (Rizwan and Allen) is before you all. The ability to strike pace and spin and the difference in quality is there for you all to see.

I ask you all, who would you pick as your T20 opener, Rizwan or Finn Allen?

Ik this isn't related but NZ are messing up by having Williamson at 3, he'll ruin te start provided by Allen, Finn Allen has 2 100's in t20 he's but he's mostly a pp utiliser. Mitchell at 3 would have been better.

 

[mominsaigol]

Yes folks, pick between Rizwan and Finn, for Babar's opening partner.

The stats are against any Pakistan T20i opening pair. Cold hard facts.

Haters can wriggle out of this like snakes by diverting attention to other topics.

Their picks are either TTFs, convicted criminals, or downright obese embarrassments for Pakistan Cricket.

Side note - Rizwan offer 50% more runs than Finn at even 168 SR. Even the maths prove RIZBAR's haters wrong.

Oh well, I am sure on the 9th the haters will be rooting for India.

Him offering 50% more runs aka 50 of 40 is the problem, both Bobby and rizzu help Pakistan muster 70 of the first 10, then when they depart it causes an issue. Its extrenly hard to score 110 to reach 180 in just 10 overs lol

 

[Rana]

Ik this isn't related but NZ are messing up by having Williamson at 3, he'll ruin te start provided by Allen, Finn Allen has 2 100's in t20 he's but he's mostly a pp utiliser. Mitchell at 3 would have been better.

Tbh bro I think the Kiwis have got it right with KW at 3 in the hope that he bats through with Mitchell, Phillips, Chapman etc bat with high intensity. Otherwise I would prefer Rachin or Conway to bat at 3 if Williamson is out. Mitchell is fine for number 4.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Why because Sri Lanka struggled there?

Because they were trying to hit everyball

 

[Rana]

Rizwan offers 50% more runs than Allen


Why didn’t the hundred franchise owners see this major factor when snubbing Rizwan 3 times in a row?

 

[Rana]

Because they were trying to hit everyball

They were facing South Africa…who have hitters all the way through

They needed to score enough runs having opted to bat first. It would have been nice had they not given easy catches to square leg on Nortje’s bowling

 

[mominsaigol]

Rizwan offers 50% more runs than Allen


Why didn’t the hundred franchise owners see this major factor when snubbing Rizwan 3 times in a row?

This would have made me chuckle when I first came here.

But it doesn't faze me anymore since I've already heard the argument, Warner and Travis would happily step down and let babar and rizwan open as the 2 aren't reliable enough and would rather come in and attack after platform is set

 

[Rana]

Warner and Travis would happily step down and let babar and rizwan open as the 2 aren't reliable enough and would rather come in and attack after platform is set

I wouldn’t be surprised if Technicks or Immy came up with this gem?

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I am okay with Rizbar opening if they are held to the "same standards" principle as the remaining batsmen of the team. The truth is, they get more leeway simply because they are Babar and Rizwan.

It shouldn't work that way. They are two burning questions that remain unanswered.

One, for instance, if we are chasing 200, Babar and Rizwan still get to bat slowly under the pretense of "stability" and "building" and won't be questioned if they hit 40-0 in 6 overs. But the remaining team will be expected to hit 140 in 14 overs because that's their job. They need to perform or be thrown out, but Rizwan and Babar have earned the right to play the way they please simply because they don't take risks. That's a bunch of codswallop right there, in my opinion.

Secondly, if indeed the rest of the team is inept, and Rizwan and Babar are the true world class players we have in the team, then how do we expect the inept players to play at 10-12 an over to win the games, when Rizwan and Babar being world class struggle to hit more than 8 an over themselves in every game.

Unfortunately, this is the main "same standards" issue I have. If anything, your best batsmen should be held to higher standards than your weakest bats. However, it is unfortunate that our weakest bats are expected to win games and our potential strongest bats are told to go out there and play at their own pace.

This is so glaringly obvious to anyone who is even remotely a cricket fan. Yet the trumpets for Babar and Rizwan continue to beat, despite these inconsistencies. No one has been able to give any satisfactory answer except, that these two should be treated as national icons based on their achievement's vs B and C teams and should be given the opportunity to play as they prefer.

 

[Rana]

I am okay with Rizbar opening if they are held to the "same standards" principle as the remaining batsmen of the team. The truth is, they get more leeway simply because they are Babar and Rizwan.

It shouldn't work that way. They are two burning questions that remain unanswered.

One, for instance, if we are chasing 200, Babar and Rizwan still get to bat slowly under the pretense of "stability" and "building" and won't be questioned if they hit 40-0 in 6 overs. But the remaining team will be expected to hit 140 in 14 overs because that's their job. They need to perform or be thrown out, but Rizwan and Babar have earned the right to play the way they please simply because they don't take risks. That's a bunch of codswallop right there, in my opinion.

Secondly, if indeed the rest of the team is inept, and Rizwan and Babar are the true world class players we have in the team, then how do we expect the inept players to play at 10-12 an over to win the games, when Rizwan and Babar being world class struggle to hit more than 8 an over themselves in every game.

Unfortunately, this is the main "same standards" issue I have. If anything, your best batsmen should be held to higher standards than your weakest bats. However, it is unfortunate that our weakest bats are expected to win games and our potential strongest bats are told to go out there and play at their own pace.

This is so glaringly obvious to anyone who is even remotely a cricket fan. Yet the trumpets for Babar and Rizwan continue to beat, despite these inconsistencies. No one has been able to give any satisfactory answer except, that these two should be treated as national icons based on their achievement's vs B and C teams and should be given the opportunity to play as they prefer.

Too much truth Doc

Too much sense. They don’t want to hear it mate.

 

[topspin]

What do you have to say about that boys?

I think someone need to stick to nights out “Dj-ing”.

 

[Rana]

I think someone need to stick to nights out “Dj-ing”.

Maybe he should ask to DJ in PSL which is in accordance to his taste of rubbish white ball cricket

 

[topspin]

Maybe he should ask to DJ in PSL which is in accordance to his taste of rubbish white ball cricket

Indeed, he would fit in very well with the cringe music, adverts and cricket.

But where will he get his charlie and mandy?

 

[emranabbas]

Pigeon holing stats to 2024. Tsk tsk. Of course this goes without saying that Fakhar has performed BETTER in 2024 playing at #4 and not opener (LOL!), doesn't change the fact that FZ is a TTF T20 opener.

This is what happens when so called fans believe PSL is the barometer of International standards.

I don't care what fakhar did in 2018 19 20 or even 21 or 22 what matters is his current form currently he is way ahead of rizwan

 

[Rana]

Indeed, he would fit in very well with the cringe music, adverts and cricket.

But where will he get his charlie and mandy?

Doesn’t really need it with views like “Fakhar instead of Rizwan opening LOL” and “Rizwan offers twice the amount of runs than Allen”.

 

[mominsaigol]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Technicks or Immy came up with this gem?

Immy said it

 

[Rana]

Immy said it

Oh balle

 

[Technics 1210]

I don't care what fakhar did in 2018 19 20 or even 21 or 22 what matters is his current form currently he is way ahead of rizwan

LOL! His current form is at #4 and not opener.

Of course you don't care about the past few years because Fakhar was an abomination as a T20i opener and you rather forget about it.

Go petition for Azam Khan as opener.

 

[Technics 1210]

So to summarise.

Every alternative to Rizwan and Babar as T20i openers has been shot, decimated, and falsified to pieces - thus far.

Fakhar Zaman. The numeral uno tried and tested T20i opening failure. Thought he could repeat his CT17 final heroics in T20is, but has flopped for 7 years. Offers roughly an extra 3% SR in T20is but offers 50% LESS runs when compared with Rizwan. What a return! An extra 3% for a 50% loss. Certified Opener FAILURE in T20i.

Saim Ayub. This guy has replaced his warranty 20 times, and each time has flopped. 15 run average at a SR of 127. In other words, Rizwan offers 300+% more runs AND at higher SR - but no, our resident Doctors performed a diagnosis and firmly believe Saim is a better T20i batsman than Rizwan.

Who else? Shall we promote Imad Wasim? The alleged match winner with a blistering average of 16, but it is ok since he has the right intention and mindset with such an average, I mean, with this level of thinking you might as well claim Azam Khan is a supernatural batsman with time dilation powers due to his mass.

 

[TheSultan]

So to summarise.

Every alternative to Rizwan and Babar as T20i openers has been shot, decimated, and falsified to pieces - thus far.

Fakhar Zaman. The numeral uno tried and tested T20i opening failure. Thought he could repeat his CT17 final heroics in T20is, but has flopped for 7 years. Offers roughly an extra 3% SR in T20is but offers 50% LESS runs when compared with Rizwan. What a return! An extra 3% for a 50% loss. Certified Opener FAILURE in T20i.

Saim Ayub. This guy has replaced his warranty 20 times, and each time has flopped. 15 run average at a SR of 127. In other words, Rizwan offers 300+% more runs AND at higher SR - but no, our resident Doctors performed a diagnosis and firmly believe Saim is a better T20i batsman than Rizwan.

Who else? Shall we promote Imad Wasim? The alleged match winner with a blistering average of 16, but it is ok since he has the right intention and mindset with such an average, I mean, with this level of thinking you might as well claim Azam Khan is a supernatural batsman with time dilation powers due to his mass.

Man - how many times do I have to tell you. Cricket is not played on paper.

We can dig holes in to all the criteria about any stats we want.

I don’t really look at bilaterals because mostly it is against undercooked, underprepared and a lot of the times B, C teams. All your stats are heavily based on what has been achieved against those type of teams.

I tend to look at tournament stats where every team is full strength and at the top of their game. But you can in some ways fairly say - it’s too small a sample size.

I can then take a lot of Fakhar’s stats and say that well he was not in form. And I have on record even said when Fakhar was performing badly, he should not even be in the team. I don’t do this favourites and support at all costs nonsense.

Right now Fakhar is in red hot form. You’ll point to his record and say all his scoring has been done at no4. My counter to that is how do you know he wouldn’t have done that opening if given the chance.

So what you need to go on is what is required for the right moment in the match. Powerplays require hitting - simple. Stick in two openers, give them licence. Your two darlings can come in at 3 and 4 if both openers get out early - these heroes can then buckle down and do what they tuk err I mean do best. I mean what is wrong with that? You are scared of losing those two wickets in a 20 over game. If that’s what you fear, then I’m sorry, give up T20 cricket - it’s not for the faint of heart.

I will add that if the two openers do actually come off, Babar and Rizwan should then be demoted to line no7 and 8, let the other hitters take advantage.

 

[shaz619]

Babar’s fundamentals are at least sound, he is not suited to opening imo but he is competent enough to protect himself.

On the NYC pitch, I fear for Rizwan deeply against the bowling he will be facing.

 

[AAli98]

Rizwan’s paks best batsman across all formats, it’s Usman & Tatoo khans life I fear for 1 short pitch delivery from Indians the ambulance better be on stand by..

 

[Technics 1210]

Man - how many times do I have to tell you. Cricket is not played on paper.

Why are you repeating yourself?

I already said cricket is not played on paper but you cannot ignore stats as these reflect consistency and average out anomalies in the long run too, hence this obsession with SR in T20is must stop, and the desire for short term fixes (promotion based on form) has to end too. And please stop pretending Fakhar has not been given a chance as T20i opener, he has, about 40 innings - made no impact what so ever.

Fakhar is on form at position #4, he had a good chance at #1, but flopped in T20is as opener. So you want to give him another go despite his long line of opening failures as a T20i opener just because he is doing well at #4? OK, then what when he fails again? Blame it on RIZBAR middle order for failing to maintain a high SR?

Someone like Azam Khan (9.77@135.38) will last on average 7.2 deliveries for 9.77 runs, or Fakhar Zaman (23.57@133.45) will last on average 17.2 deliveries for 23.57 runs.

Do you see the problem? These players with higher SRs are actually not even lasting long enough to make an impact, and it is this point that many are failing to realise - a high SR is one thing, but sustaining that SR within an innings is quite another, which leads to higher batting averages. You can have 10 Azam Khans with that SR and the team will not last 13 overs. No point in having a batsman hitting a 6, then getting out, only for fans to cheer his 300% SR. Total HS.

As already pointed out, Fakhar has a +5 SR on Rizwan in T20i, 6 run advantage is hardly going to make a difference, and neither is his recent #4 form despite his 40 time failure as T20i opener failure.

 

[Rana]

Rizwan’s paks best batsman across all formats,

Yes, when playing T20 the opposition bowlers fear the fact that the opposition batter also plays ODI and Test cricket…..







Hahahhaaahhahaahahahahahahahahahaahahh

 

[mominsaigol]

Rizwan’s paks best batsman across all formats, it’s Usman & Tatoo khans life I fear for 1 short pitch delivery from Indians the ambulance better be on stand by..

I mean, he's the only one who plays all 3 besides babar?

Who else plays all 3? Fakhar plays 2, saim has played 2 I believe, he hasn't appeared in odi yet, Usman has played 1.

So it's just babar vs rizwan, nice try on trying to trap people though lol

 

[Rana]

I mean, he's the only one who plays all 3 besides babar?

Who else plays all 3? Fakhar plays 2, saim has played 2 I believe, he hasn't appeared in odi yet, Usman has played 1.

So it's just babar vs rizwan, nice try on trying to trap people though lol

Bro the “all format” thing has become the new term for deception for this lot.

From 2020-22, these guys could have openly said
:

“Rizwan is the best T20 batsman in the world”

(Well no, that’s a lie exposed multiple times)

Or

“Rizwan is the best Keeper Batsman in the world”

(yeah OK, that’s another lie)

Or

“Rizwan is the best T20 opener in the world”

(Hain? With a 120sr??)

Or

“Rizwan is Pakistan’s greatest T20 opener”

(What?? The guy plays ODI cricket in T20!)

So now, with all of these lies exposed, the last straw they will clutch on is “Rizwan is Pakistan’s best all format batsman” (because he gets to play all 3 formats for Pakistan).

Can you imagine teams making T20 strategies against two players let’s say…a comparison between Klaasen and Rizwan for instance:

“Guys, we have to beware when executing this plan against Rizwan because he plays Test and ODI too for Pakistan! He is their best all format batsman! This won’t work!”

“Yes, this plan should work against Heinrich. He doesn’t play Test for South Africa and that’s where we will catch him slipping!”


What an absolute joke!

 

[mumtaz]

Why are we still discussing this given the pitches in this World Cup? It's not just the NY pitch. In case you missed it, Warner scored 56(51) and Marsh 14(21) against Oman yesterday. This is how the top order will need to play to put up a competitive total this tournament on most grounds. This increasingly seems like a tournament where if Pakistan has to do well, it would have to be on the back of Babar and Rizwan putting up 50(40) type scores.

 

[PakistanMeriJaan]

not opening with Fakhar is a massive stinker

 

[TheSultan]

Why are you repeating yourself?

I already said cricket is not played on paper but you cannot ignore stats as these reflect consistency and average out anomalies in the long run too, hence this obsession with SR in T20is must stop, and the desire for short term fixes (promotion based on form) has to end too. And please stop pretending Fakhar has not been given a chance as T20i opener, he has, about 40 innings - made no impact what so ever.

Fakhar is on form at position #4, he had a good chance at #1, but flopped in T20is as opener. So you want to give him another go despite his long line of opening failures as a T20i opener just because he is doing well at #4? OK, then what when he fails again? Blame it on RIZBAR middle order for failing to maintain a high SR?

Someone like Azam Khan (9.77@135.38) will last on average 7.2 deliveries for 9.77 runs, or Fakhar Zaman (23.57@133.45) will last on average 17.2 deliveries for 23.57 runs.

Do you see the problem? These players with higher SRs are actually not even lasting long enough to make an impact, and it is this point that many are failing to realise - a high SR is one thing, but sustaining that SR within an innings is quite another, which leads to higher batting averages. You can have 10 Azam Khans with that SR and the team will not last 13 overs. No point in having a batsman hitting a 6, then getting out, only for fans to cheer his 300% SR. Total HS.

As already pointed out, Fakhar has a +5 SR on Rizwan in T20i, 6 run advantage is hardly going to make a difference, and neither is his recent #4 form despite his 40 time failure as T20i opener failure.

Ironic you talk about short term fixes. The short term “fix” is actually “Bariz opening bacause we have no one better”

Long term you would never want two “anchors” (give me strength) at the top. The long term thinking is to say look, we want to Take advantage of the powerplay, we are not putting pressure on any openers. You go out and do your best, no one will blame you, no one will drop you. This is how we want to play.

I actually thought they were going ok with Saim. Then they went back to dreary boring land with babar and Rizwan again (yawn). If they persist with Saim it will send a strong message to everyone - no one will blame you, go out and play.

We’re not winning this World Cup with babar and Rizwan at the top, so better we play for the future. We warned you last time, and the time before, we warned you in the 50 over World Cup about babar and Rizwan too. You guys just do not like good advice.

 

[TheSultan]

Why are we still discussing this given the pitches in this World Cup? It's not just the NY pitch. In case you missed it, Warner scored 56(51) and Marsh 14(21) against Oman yesterday. This is how the top order will need to play to put up a competitive total this tournament on most grounds. This increasingly seems like a tournament where if Pakistan has to do well, it would have to be on the back of Babar and Rizwan putting up 50(40) type scores.

You do realise babar and rizwan bat at 50(40) on excellent pitches. On these pitches they’ll probably play out maidens

 

[Technics 1210]

Ironic you talk about short term fixes. The short term “fix” is actually “Bariz opening bacause we have no one better”

Long term you would never want two “anchors” (give me strength) at the top. The long term thinking is to say look, we want to Take advantage of the powerplay, we are not putting pressure on any openers. You go out and do your best, no one will blame you, no one will drop you. This is how we want to play.

I actually thought they were going ok with Saim. Then they went back to dreary boring land with babar and Rizwan again (yawn). If they persist with Saim it will send a strong message to everyone - no one will blame you, go out and play.

We’re not winning this World Cup with babar and Rizwan at the top. We warned you last time, and the time before, we warned you in the 50 over World Cup about babar and Rizwan too. You guys just do not like good advice.

The 2 anchors are the best we have at the moment.

Fakhar has been a proven flop at #1, as have the others.

If there are better openers in Pakistan who can open consistently, at 150+ SR with a healthy average, then I am all up for replacing RIZBAR from the top.

You never warned me, and keep you advice to yourself.

Again, you don't like what you see with the team, then change the channel.

 

[TheSultan]

The 2 anchors are the best we have at the moment.

Fakhar has been a proven flop at #1, as have the others.

If there are better openers in Pakistan who can open consistently, at 150+ SR with a healthy average, then I am all up for replacing RIZBAR from the top.

You never warned me, and keep you advice to yourself.

Again, you don't like what you see with the team, then change the channel.

You’re responding with the same thing. “Best we have”

Why do you want a short term fix? Short term fixes are fine in a tournament if you believe by making that short term fix you will WIN the tournament. I’m sorry bro - we ain’t winning anything with dumbo as captain and diva as sidekick

 

[Technics 1210]

You’re responding with the same thing. “Best we have”

Why do you want a short term fix? Short term fixes are fine in a tournament if you believe by making that short term fix you will WIN the tournament. I’m sorry bro - we ain’t winning anything with dumbo as captain and diva as sidekick

It is not a short term fix, it is an interim fix until your lot come out with credible alternatives.

Until you do, RIZBAR are the best we have - opening, middle order, or cameo.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Rizwan and Babar are back as openers.

 

[TheSultan]

Well well well…

 

[Mamoon]

that would make sense if babar and rizwan could actually score at a fast rate too.

No one has nightmares about 110-120 strike rates. They’re probably thinking, we can put our feet up this match. Let’s just give them 120-150.

But Saim doesn’t score quickly either. His SR was lower than Babar and Rizwan. Similarly, Fakhar doesn’t score quickly when he opens in T20Is. He is all over the place. He looks much more at home at 4 even if he doesn’t want to bat there.

Perception and reality is not the same. Babar and Rizwan score more runs and they score as quickly, if not quicker, than other potential options in Pakistan right now.

Whether people like it or not, they are the best available pair right now. However, that doesn’t mean that there is no room for improvement and that they cannot be criticized within reason.

 

[emranabbas]

Everyone who wants rizbar to open slap your self hard and wake up

 

[Cricket Warrior]

This team cant really compete at international level

https://twitter.com/x/status/1798760541344944591

 

[Mamoon]

How so? This is professional cricket, it’s essentially an entertainment industry. How does it make anyone morally corrupt to support players that are eligible to play and have been cleared by the ICC? I can support who I want, I can hate who I want. Who are you to judge?

Babar and Rizwan are despicable T20 openers. They are not openers actually, they are frauds taking up T20 opening spots. Sharjeel is a better T20 opener than both of them. Azam is a better T20 power hitter for the middle overs than both of them. Amir is still Pakistan’s best white ball pacer.

Cricket, or sports in general, is not entertainment per se movies or WWE. It is an entertainment for sure, but it is your representation. Whether you support a national team or a football club, you have a bunch of people who are representing the fans that includes you. It is a relationship of trust & support.

How would you feel if you find out that Arsenal lost the Premier League by 2 points because a player deliberately missed chances or a defender deliberately allowed the opposition attackers to score goals because they got bribed.

How would you feel about supporting Arsenal and how will you love the team and the club as a fan?

As far as Sharjeel is concerned, he is easily one of the most unlikable players to play for Pakistan. Corrupt, lazy and unfit. He has a deeply mediocre international record in all formats, he had terrible fitness levels and even when he was out of the game and trying to make a comeback, he paid no heed to his fitness levels.

Post comeback, he got 2-3 full PSL seasons and he got outperformed by Babar and Rizwan and when he got a chance to play for Pakistan again, he failed. No one stopped him from performing better than Babar and Rizwan in PSL and he would have performed better than them if he was better. These days, I have heard that he is failing in some local Sindh Premier League.

You are delusional beyond belief if you think that Sharjeel in 2024 can come back to international cricket and perform.

Azam Khan is garbage. The most embarrassing cricketer to ever wear the Pakistan jersey. Lazy, unfit, 0% skill, 0% talent and 100% attitude. Again, supporting Azam Khan and advocating for his inclusion in the team says a lot about the person.

Amir is a washed up bowler whose best days are behind him. He was finished years and PCB thinks he can deliver for Pakistan in a World Cup in 2024. All he does is bowl cutters like a loser because he knows he is too old to bowl quick and beat batsmen with pace and swing. He has become a completely defensive bowler who is always trying to contain the opposition and he fails to do that more often than not as the Super Over showed us today where he lost Pakistan the game after bowling a tidy 19th over.

He is far from Pakistan's best bowler and he has no business playing international cricket in 2024.

 

[Rana]

Cricket, or sports in general, is not entertainment per se movies or WWE. It is an entertainment for sure, but it is your representation. Whether you support a national team or a football club, you have a bunch of people who are representing the fans that includes you. It is a relationship of trust & support.

How would you feel if you find out that Arsenal lost the Premier League by 2 points because a player deliberately missed chances or a defender deliberately allowed the opposition attackers to score goals because they got bribed.

How would you feel about supporting Arsenal and how will you love the team and the club as a fan?

As far as Sharjeel is concerned, he is easily one of the most unlikable players to play for Pakistan. Corrupt, lazy and unfit. He has a deeply mediocre international record in all formats, he had terrible fitness levels and even when he was out of the game and trying to make a comeback, he paid no heed to his fitness levels.

Post comeback, he got 2-3 full PSL seasons and he got outperformed by Babar and Rizwan and when he got a chance to play for Pakistan again, he failed. No one stopped him from performing better than Babar and Rizwan in PSL and he would have performed better than them if he was better. These days, I have heard that he is failing in some local Sindh Premier League.

You are delusional beyond belief if you think that Sharjeel in 2024 can come back to international cricket and perform.

Azam Khan is garbage. The most embarrassing cricketer to ever wear the Pakistan jersey. Lazy, unfit, 0% skill, 0% talent and 100% attitude. Again, supporting Azam Khan and advocating for his inclusion in the team says a lot about the person.

Amir is a washed up bowler whose best days are behind him. He was finished years and PCB thinks he can deliver for Pakistan in a World Cup in 2024. All he does is bowl cutters like a loser because he knows he is too old to bowl quick and beat batsmen with pace and swing. He has become a completely defensive bowler who is always trying to contain the opposition and he fails to do that more often than not as the Super Over showed us today where he lost Pakistan the game after bowling a tidy 19th over.

He is far from Pakistan's best bowler and he has no business playing international cricket in 2024.

Give yourself 24 hours. We will try to make sense of this tomorrow or on Saturday

 

[Rana]

Rizwan and Babar are back as openers.

Tassali ho gayi? Ya abhi humne mazeed Zaleel hona hai?