Making the best of what we have? (ODIs)

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We're constantly talking about who we can bring in new, but I feel a lot of the time we don't try and maximise the output from the existing players. It's always important to do this, even more so when right now there doesn't seem to be a wealth of options in domestic. And in a lot of ways it's too soon till the world cup, we can't make overhauls now.

1. Right-left opening batting combo: This has shown to be effective in cricket of late especially. It's harder for the opening bowlers to rip through a team. The best opening pair in India is right-left for example. Options are to promote Babar or demote Fakhar. I think partly why we have more success with our T20 opening partnerships is due to being right-left.

2. Shuffling of the middle order: We probably should replace Malik with Haris or Masood (or Hafeez for that matter, both have slowed reflexes). But if we can't, make the best of him. Malik can't hit against pace, let him forge an innings with mainly singles at 4. Let Hafeez focus on hitting at 6. Sarfraz can't slog at the end, let him play at 5. Incidentally last time Malik-Sarfraz partnership was a threat was England tour where they played at 4,5 respectively. These three are probably our weak link in the team, and we need to get the best out of them if they're playing.

3. Right-left opening bowlers: Similar concept to the first, right-left opening bowlers harder for the batsmen to settle. Maybe get Hasan to open with Shaheen, or bring another right-hander in. Better to do this and do experiments like part timers opening which hardly ever work. I think it's great in turn Imad's in the team, gives Shadab a spin partner to work with, adding variety.

4.Demoting players down the order Similar to point 2, but perhaps we should demote players who are struggling. Fakhar for example, his technical deficiencies would be hid better down the order. Basically demote players low enough, that when they come in, they look comfortable. Babar, Masood from what I see look comfortable early on against the new ball, no need to demote down. Fakhar when he sticks around often makes it count, but he looks extremely shaky early on. Minor point as I do see why Fakhar has to open in this team due to his aggressive batting.

 

[nextover666666]

Very well put indeed agree.

Personally point 2 and 3 are crucial for pak if they look to win the World Cup this year

 

[Abdullah]

Been crying out for this for ages.
What have shadab and sarfaraz batting at 7 and 6??!!!

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

If we limit the nr of allrounder in the team to two that will make a huge difference. Imad is a given and the fight should be between Shadab/Faheem.

Still too many accumulators, but reducing the number of bits and pieces will get us better bowling results and a few extra runs.

 

[Mueez]

Agree with point two and three.

Hopefully Musa will have a good PSL and gets picked for the WC-squad.

 

[xricket]

Masood needs to be in our playing 11 for the world cup. He should bat inside top 3, to negate the new ball. I have heard that duke ball will be used in the world cup. Will share proof of that. Our batting needs to be meticulous if thats the case.

Only players with sound technique, should be welcomed in the squad. The likes of Hafeez & Malik would need to come out after 30th over, for them to score good for us. I would personally replace all rounders with genuine batsmen. Haris Sohail would be a great choice to replace Malik, and bat after Babar.

 

[xricket]

Curious Case of Shadab Khan

If we limit the nr of allrounder in the team to two that will make a huge difference. Imad is a given and the fight should be between Shadab/Faheem.

Still too many accumulators, but reducing the number of bits and pieces will get us better bowling results and a few extra runs.

Shadab is a must for our team. If you were to look carefully, Shadab was took to the cleaners in 3rd ODI after rain. He couldn't grip the ball properly, and Sarfraz with the kind of IQ he has, continued to use spinners in those conditions. Now, any spinner would tell you how important is to grip the ball. If you can't grip it, you are just asking batsmen to hit you at any corner of the stadium. So, he started bowling quicker & flatter to negate the batsmen the time to come under the ball.

The problem with bowling quicker and flatter, is you aren't giving much air to the bowl to drift and spin and bowl much shorter than fuller. And Shadab continued to bowl more like that, after that ODI. He should have bowled like he used to, as when you flight the ball and bowl full, you then can deceive the batsman and give yourself a chance. He did bowl few full deliveries, but they were too full, almost like full toss.

And to add to the misery, DeKock played exceptionally well against him. The reverse sweeps were meticulous. Shadab, before that, hadn't experience such counter attack, as PSL doesn't have quality players who do that often, against him. Shadab could have bowled more googlies, or bowled flipper to counter that, but there is no one to guide him.

Thats why we need a leg spinner bowling coach, who is aware of current bowling requirements, and can send a message to shadab on field how to change his bowling accordingly. Right now, Shadab is mentally scarred. It would take some time to get the confidence back