New and improved Shoaib Malik needs to bat higher up the order!

[ExpressPacer]

It is no secret that Malik has Bradman-esque numbers since his comeback and is easily Pakistan's best batsman. Babar Azam is Pakistan's most talented batsman and I have a lot of hope from him but Malik is without a doubt Pakistan's best batsman. I don't want him to replace Azam at No.1 but he needs to start batting at No.4 if he can't open. Hafeez is a terrible batsman and sucks the life out of the innings.

Malik used to struggle against pacers and was easily one of the most inept batsman versus fast bowling however, the revamped Shoaib Malik plays all sorts of bowling easily. Hitting the fast and furious number 1 bowler Rabada for consecutive boundaries and giving the giant Morkel the same treatment. And to add to that, he is easily one of the best players of spin to be playing the game right now, if not THE BEST.

However, what I like most about him is his fitness and running between the wickets. This is an attribute most of our batsmen lack and therefore I think on the basis of all these reasons, the need for Malik to bat higher up the order is seriously warranted.

 

[Hamza_]

Malik should be batting up, He is our best batsman.

 

[Arsal_AK]

No, he is fine at five. Its his best position.

Haris Sohail should come in at 4.

 

[Mamoon]

He has looked a class above his teammates in both games.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Malik should be batting up, He is our best batsman.

Yep. Ideally, I would want him to bat as an opener - he's done that before. But I'm not entirely convinced by his ability to play the new ball. Nonetheless, his hard work, passion and fitness has assured me he is Pakistan's best batsman.

 

[MilkyWay]

As long as we have a decent no4 , dnt mind. Haffez just kills the momentum of the game. So does azhar. Pathatic 2 left. Need to get rid of these asap. Harris sohail and faheem ashraf shld play next game

 

[ExpressPacer]

No, he is fine at five. Its his best position.

Haris Sohail should come in at 4.

I'm one of Haris Sohail's biggest fans but I can assure you one thing, making a come back after so long is never easy, especially after an injury. He still has the ability, the talent and the game but he will be under pressure and with Azam out of form and generally a slow-ish player at his young age, I don't think having two players of the same class batting together would be ideal. It would lead to a lot of pressure building up.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

He is fine at 5 and doing a good job there. Haris must bat at 4.

 

[ahmed16]

Leave Malik at 5. He's doing well there for Pak, why fix what isn't broken.

Instead move Hafeez to six if you really need to accommodate him or drop him and draft in Haris Sohail at 4.

 

[Confucius]

To add to that look at how Babar's body language has improved since Malik has come to the crease. Partnering with Malik would be more of an education then that with the "professor" for the youngster.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I think he should come at 4 with Haris at 5. He has that acceleration in that is needed in our middle order

 

[ExpressPacer]

He has looked a class above his teammates in both games.

Absolutely. There's the myth that he usually does well against his in-laws however I'm convinced he's transformed himself into a good, reliable player against all oppositions. What I like about him is that he's not stuck in the 90's and is ready to change his game and work hard for it.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

nope he is fine where he is

Sarfraz is the one who needs to be at 4

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I've always had a soft spot for Malik, good to see him playing well for the last year or two. He might not be technically perfect as I'm sure some of his biggest critics will be happy to remind us, but he's a leader and a winner. Always has been and I've followed his career from the start.

 

[ahmed16]

Absolutely. There's the myth that he usually does well against his in-laws however I'm convinced he's transformed himself into a good, reliable player against all oppositions. What I like about him is that he's not stuck in the 90's and is ready to change his game and work hard for it.

This, Malik bats like a modern ODI batsmen and is probably the only batsmen that does it in the current Pak team. I reckon alot of it is to do with the fact that he plays in all the major t20 leagues bar IPL.

 

[Black Zero]

Malik should bat at #4 or at #3 as when he comes at #5, most of the times match is already lost.
and basically you are not using your best resource where it could have the most impact.

 

[ExpressPacer]

nope he is fine where he is

Sarfraz is the one who needs to be at 4

While I do agree that Sarfraz bats too low for his style of play, I don't think there's a better guy than Malik for the No. 4 spot.

 

[ExpressPacer]

This, Malik bats like a modern ODI batsmen and is probably the only batsmen that does it in the current Pak team. I reckon alot of it is to do with the fact that he plays in all the major t20 leagues bar IPL.

IIRC, he was in the IPL as well in its early days. But yes, he does and that's what makes him the best player. A few months ago, I wanted him out of the team but now I'm genuinely convinced that there isn't a better bat than him in the team. He's the only experienced player that makes the team on merit, unlike the others who want to steal a spot.

 

[Hamad_H]

He is fine in top 5 whether that is 4 or 5 but I think Sarfraz needs to bat at 4 with a hard hitter at 6

 

[Arsal_AK]

I'm one of Haris Sohail's biggest fans but I can assure you one thing, making a come back after so long is never easy, especially after an injury. He still has the ability, the talent and the game but he will be under pressure and with Azam out of form and generally a slow-ish player at his young age, I don't think having two players of the same class batting together would be ideal. It would lead to a lot of pressure building up.

Babar is fine, he has a SR of 90, so this is the exception rather than the norm. He has big problems with his power game but his strike rotation is not that bad. It can't be if you are averaging 50 with a SR of 90 with below par hitting ability.

There is no point in playing Haris at 5 or 6. If anything those position will put even more pressure on him. He is good enough to be batting at 4.
Also why move Malik from 5 when he is playing so well there? At five he is in control of the middle overs and then can finish the game as well, I don't see anyone playing that role better.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Malik should bat at #4 or at #3 as when he comes at #5, most of the times match is already lost.
and basically you are not using your best resource where it could have the most impact.

I want to persist with Azam for the #3 spot. #4 is perfect for Malik. He can add a lot of variety and take off pressure with his running and strike rotation.

 

[Pak Crescent]

Sarfaraz needs to bat higher up, so you can build momentum and keep it going. Sarfaraz is not much useful down in the slog anyways.

 

[boomboom6]

Malik is the only 'senior' that we should persist with till WC 2019. He plays for the team and has improved his game in the time he was out from the team. Always liked him when he was at his best in mid 2000s as a batsman (2003-2009) and it's good to see he has taken his game against genuine pace to the next level as that was his biggest short coming as a batsman. So he deserves to stick around the team post CT.

As for Azhar, Shehzad, Hafeez & Wahab (latter two especially), they need to be shown the door from LOIs for good after CT. And in case of Hafeez, he should be replaced by Haris next match against SL. His innings was terrible once again.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Babar is fine, he has a SR of 90, so this is the exception rather than the norm. He has big problems with his power game but his strike rotation is not that bad. It can't be if you are averaging 50 with a SR of 90 with below par hitting ability.

His strike rotation is perfectly fine. He's just going through a lean patch of form. He is the best batsmen to have come out of Pakistan since the days of Anwar. At least for ODI's. So, I agree with you. His power game will develop with age and as he gains in experience. He's already shown signs of it in the PSL.

There is no point in playing Haris at 5 or 6. If anything those position will put even more pressure on him. He is good enough to be batting at 4.
Also why move Malik from 5 when he is playing so well there? At five he is in control of the middle overs and then can finish the game as well, I don't see anyone playing that role better.

I'm ready to try Harris at 4. That's initially where he'll come in to bat when he breaks into the XI however, I seriously doubt he will be successful, at least for some time now.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I've always had a soft spot for Malik, good to see him playing well for the last year or two. He might not be technically perfect as I'm sure some of his biggest critics will be happy to remind us, but he's a leader and a winner. Always has been and I've followed his career from the start.

Exactly. What I love about his character is that ever since his comeback, he's stayed away from politics and that's what really upped his game. Retired at peak from Test cricket like a gentleman. A very likable guy in general.

 

[Pak Crescent]

I feel better with Hafeez improvising and hitting boundaries. He literally can't rotate strike. Have to keep him atleast for the next match due to all the drift he got today.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

This thread could be in tears soon.

I won't say why and I don't mean today.

 

[KhalidRafi]

Hafeez out Haris at 4. But probably won't happen because Hafeez has solidified his place in the side as a bowler

 

[ExpressPacer]

I feel better with Hafeez improvising and hitting boundaries. He literally can't rotate strike. Have to keep him atleast for the next match due to all the drift he got today.

It's only a matter of time till he gets called for an inappropriate action. May as well be today, for all we know. He's blatantly chucking, more obvious than it was for Ajmal. Rather lose than play cheats and win. He know's he's cheating, the team know's he's cheating and we know he's cheating.

 

[mikeypbadana]

@guys I am an indian poster here. Malik took pak to t20 world cup final in 2007.He is a replica of dhoni with bad luck.I still remember imran nazirs run out in t20 world cup that changed the fortunes for pak in the chase.As per ajay jadeja,he is street smart.To cut it short,more of dhoni with out power hitting.He is a great asset to pak.Had he played in 2011 world cup,he would have taken pak home.I find him unpakistani in his batting.He is positive and has a work ethic like an indian batter.Great prospect if he can contine till 2019 world cup

 

[ahmed16]

This thread could be in tears soon.

I won't say why and I don't mean today.

Haha, I hear you. It just needs one failure from Malik and pakpassion peeps will be down his throat, such is Maliks ability to polarise opinions.

 

[cricketfanfirst]

Malik thus far has played really well and all the strokes were proper ones with several powerful cuts.

Even against India, in his short stay looked good.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Haha, I hear you. It just needs one failure from Malik and pakpassion peeps will be down his throat, such is Maliks ability to polarise opinions.

Its a pity, honestly. His numbers speak for himself. While I do want the "seniors" out of the team, Malik certainly merits his spot.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

While I do agree that Sarfraz bats too low for his style of play, I don't think there's a better guy than Malik for the No. 4 spot.

It has to be by situation, if pakistan are 2 down early like today I would much rather have sarfraz coming in than malik

 

[PAKNeedThinker]

here we go now again from last few days we were saying get rid of milik hafeez and azhar now again after few days we saying malik is our best batsman

and soem saying do we found another sharjeel is hsape of fakhar amaizng amazing

 

[Square Drive]

nope he is fine where he is

Sarfraz is the one who needs to be at 4

My thoughts exactly.

 

[zyrus]

He's fine at 4. New ball may not suit him well.

 

[yasir]

Malik has exceeded my expectation, he got out at wrong time against India but looked good. There seems to be an injection of testosterone in him these days, I am liking it. But he must bat above Hafeez, number 4 is good spot for him. He is best player of spin, no reason to bat lower than out of all people Hafeez :

If we get rid of Azhar and Hafeez, for God sack get rid of atleast one of them for now, bring Harris (believe me he can play new ball better than Azhar, will hit boundaries and not loose wickets)...It would be vast improvement from June 4, a nightmare I still cannot get over with!!

 

[Justcrazy]

He is okay for number 4 and 5 , no need to move him up.

 

[CricFan2012]

nope he is fine where he is

Sarfraz is the one who needs to be at 4

This.

I've noticed that Sarfy can't hit boundaries at will like Malik. Number 4 is the perfect position for the captain, he's the only one capable of rotating the strike off every delivery.

Malik's power game has drastically improved after his marriage with Sania, maybe his strength in bed is boosting his cricketing ability.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Said it before the tournament he's in the form of his life but no he should not bat higher than 5. He's at his best against the older ball. Just replace Hafeez with Haris and everything will fall in place.

 

[Musakhel]

Malik is genuine 35, hafeez is easily 38-39 and wahabis is 35 easily, the others are at most 1-2 years off.

 

[Mamoon]

He is playing the number 5 role much better than Misbah did between 2011-2015.

 

[MMHS]

He is fine at his spot. Don't think he is technically sound enough to bat at 4. Also, don't fix something not broken.

Ideally, PAK should drop both MoHa & Azhar; open with Fakhar & Babar/Sarfu & play both Haris & Fahim. This ugly situation (to open with Sarfu or move Babar from his No. 3) has arrived because of Ul Haq's love affair with MoHa & Azhar.

Till a decent opener is picked or Sharjeel is cleared, Babar should open.

Fakhar, Babar
Haris, Sarfu, Malik
Imad, Shadab, Fahim
Amir, Hasan, JK.

Had they picked Yamin, he would have been a perfect No. 6 & 4th seemer. Even Amin is a better pick.

 

[shravan]

Malik is genuine 35, hafeez is easily 38-39 and wahabis is 35 easily, the others are at most 1-2 years off.

Malik himself admitted he is older.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Said it before the tournament he's in the form of his life but no he should not bat higher than 5. He's at his best against the older ball. Just replace Hafeez with Haris and everything will fall in place.

this will be a controversial point, but as Haris fan i say there isnt room for both him and malik in this team. They arent slow players but they arent ball strikers either, plus sarfraz is also best suited in the top 5

Haris should always be in the squad, but i think we need a player who is a more natural hitter at 6 with sarfraz at 4.

Problem is there arent many in Pak especially as Umar has gone mental. I know he isnt a lower order batsman but Talat seems to have the skills to suceed there. I have heard plenty about Saif Badar but know little about it plus it seems to early

 

[Im Suds]

Salaam again bros

Great response from our boys today~ particularly in the field.
Malik s looked very good but we are still playing too many bowlers.
One bowler needs to miss out and Haris needs to be inserted to shore up the batting.
If we make the semi s we need to do this ~ 300 is normally the par score on these pitches

 

[ExpressPacer]

Malik is genuine 35, hafeez is easily 38-39 and wahabis is 35 easily, the others are at most 1-2 years off.

He isn't genuine 35, that's for sure but whatever his age, his exceptional fitness standards have kept him leagues ahead of his teammates.

 

[Savak]

Ramiz made a good point that Malik has problems against pace and the newer ball early in his innings and therefore he is better of coming in at 4 or 5.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

this will be a controversial point, but as Haris fan i say there isnt room for both him and malik in this team. They arent slow players but they arent ball strikers either, plus sarfraz is also best suited in the top 5

Haris should always be in the squad, but i think we need a player who is a more natural hitter at 6 with sarfraz at 4.

Problem is there arent many in Pak especially as Umar has gone mental. I know he isnt a lower order batsman but Talat seems to have the skills to suceed there. I have heard plenty about Saif Badar but know little about it plus it seems to early

The freedom Malik is currently playing with he won't hold the team back. We can't slot Sarfaraz in just because it's his best position. Babar are Haris are simply superior batsmen, capable of building long innings and riding out quality spells when needed. The right-left combination will also serve them well. You play your best batsmen at 3-4, it's as simple as that.

 

[ShahKhan007]

Malik spot is fine. Sarfraz needs to swap places with Mr. Immovable. Sarfraz could bring in much needed strike rotation to this sorry middle order.

 

[smarmazhar]

Yes Malik seems to be in great nick.. must bat up the order..maybe at 4.

Possible change/s for next game: Drop Hafeez get Fahim Ashraf in..and maybe drop Azhar & get Haris Sohail in

Fakhar
Safraz
Babar
Malik
Haris
Fahim
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Junaid
Hassan

 

[ChachaPakistani]

The confidence and comfort you feel when Hafeez goes out to make way for Malik at the crease is next level.

Malik is our best veteran on this team, hands down. Its such a no brainer. No one should pool him in the same group as Azhar, Shehzad, Hafeez, Akmals, Wahab, and other tried and tested failures. After his comeback he's been amazing.

If he's best at 5 you need to replace Hafeez or move him down the order. Replace Sarfaraz with Hafeez or Imad/Shadab, maybe take Hafeez out entirely for Harris. That wont happen because Hafeez bowled a few economic overs today.

If there is a time for Harris to be called up for him to gain confidence and ease into international cricket, its this next match against Sri Lanka. I really hope they pick him for that. The same goes for Faheem, our concerns have been that we don't want to throw them into the deep end against elite teams. Sri Lanka isnt and we still need power hitting. If South Africa got a total over 280 we would have been wetting the bed.

 

[Ameer]

Gotta agree with this
Has anyone noticed that he was playing with a high back lift to counter bounce which makes it easy for him to play those shots, which is a good sign as he always troubled against pace

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

The freedom Malik is currently playing with he won't hold the team back. We can't slot Sarfaraz in just because it's his best position. Babar are Haris are simply superior batsmen, capable of building long innings and riding out quality spells when needed. The right-left combination will also serve them well. You play your best batsmen at 3-4, it's as simple as that.

in that case would you rather malik or sarfraz at 6?

When Malik goes you can have 3.babar. 4 haris. 5 sarfraz

either way number 6 remains an issue

 

[Square Drive]

#6 should be Imad Wasim.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

in that case would you rather malik or sarfraz at 6?

When Malik goes you can have 3.babar. 4 haris. 5 sarfraz

either way number 6 remains an issue

You bring in Talat, Yamin and slot them in. They fit anywhere and will always play for the team.

 

[Square Drive]

You bring in Talat, Yamin and slot them in. They fit anywhere and will always play for the team.

Rate this:

Fakhar Zaman
Mohammad Hafeez (to be phased out if he fails to perform as opener for an entire series)
Babar Azam
Sarfraz Ahmed* (WK)
Shoaib Malik
Imad Wasim
Aamer Yamin
Shadab Khan
Sohail Khan
Hasan Ali
Mohammad Amir

Bench: Umar Amin, Haris Sohail, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Asghar, Junaid Khan

 

[Kingofswing]

I wouldn't mind haris sohail replacing hafeez but hafeez played a very effective role with the ball today, him and imad, wicket to wicket. My question is can haris sohail play a role like this with the ball becuase I think it certainly slows the opposition a down and you have a chance of picking up a wicket.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Rate this:

Fakhar Zaman
Mohammad Hafeez (to be phased out if he fails to perform as opener for an entire series)
Babar Azam
Sarfraz Ahmed* (WK)
Shoaib Malik
Imad Wasim
Aamer Yamin
Shadab Khan
Sohail Khan
Hasan Ali
Mohammad Amir

Bench: Umar Amin, Haris Sohail, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Asghar, Junaid Khan

Wonderful.

 

[Brilliance]

He is fine at 5 . Sarfaraz should bat at no. 4 with immediate effect if Pakistan wants to qualify to the next stage.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

#6 should be Imad Wasim.

Imad also has the tendency to play a lot of dot balls when he has more overs to play with.

 

[Ahson8]

You bring in Talat, Yamin and slot them in. They fit anywhere and will always play for the team.

Talat or Sahibzada. Pick one.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Talat or Sahibzada. Pick one.

Sahibzada opens. Talat is not an opener and his game is not that of an opener. He doesn't play on top of the bounce.

 

[sadida97]

Sahibzada opens. Talat is not an opener and his game is not that of an opener. He doesn't play on top of the bounce.

Ahsan Ali ?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Ahsan Ali ?

What about him? He's not anywhere near selection. I don't think The Revolutionary knows he exists.

 

[Square Drive]

Imad also has the tendency to play a lot of dot balls when he has more overs to play with.

Yup he can play sensibly when required, and can also hit the long ball when required. Sarfraz can't do the latter.

 

[Shaheerthe2nd]

sad thing is that none of these changes will go into affect next match unless they are forced to

 

[Pete Rose]

Right now Hafeez needs to bat below Imad. With Azhar and him in the top 5 we are really killing outselves

 

[ads101]

Sarfraz should open instead of Azhar. Malik should be playing at 4 or 5. As it's a big tournament, perhaps better haris bats at five, and Malik at four, so he's in the middle. Play your weakest batsmen/unreliable down the order, more as a fail safe if things go wrong or hit quick runs at the end. Atm Imad and 6 and Fahim at 7 is what I'd go with. Not great, but best we can do atm i think.

 

[Hamza_]

Sarfraz should open instead of Azhar. Malik should be playing at 4 or 5. As it's a big tournament, perhaps better haris bats at five, and Malik at four, so he's in the middle. Play your weakest batsmen/unreliable down the order, more as a fail safe if things go wrong or hit quick runs at the end. Atm Imad and 6 and Fahim at 7 is what I'd go with. Not great, but best we can do atm i think.

I posted other day that Hafeez should play as specialist chucker at #11 against saffers. Guess they utilized the advice for bowling (rather over bowled him) but sticked to him at #4.

 

[PakSarZameen]

Shoaib should either play at 4 or 5. No higher no lower.

 

[Ahson8]

Sahibzada opens. Talat is not an opener and his game is not that of an opener. He doesn't play on top of the bounce.

In that case you'd have to play one of Yamin or Talat for the near future atleast.

Fakhar
Sahibzada
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz / Malik
Malik / Sarfraz
Talat / Yamin
Imad
Hasan
Amir
Junaid (or any other pacer)

 

[babajee]

Hoping that the new and improved Shoaib Malik can win us a game against the Kiwis...

 

[CadPakFan]

Hoping that the new and improved Shoaib Malik can win us a game against the Kiwis...

Btw taking out all the Not outs from the new and improved record since 2015 leaves him with an average of 36. Average with Not outs leave him with 53.

 

[babajee]

Btw taking out all the Not outs from the new and improved record since 2015 leaves him with an average of 36. Average with Not outs leave him with 53.

He’s a complete minnow basher.

 

[CadPakFan]

He’s a complete minnow basher.

Exactly, and the only reasons he has a high average against non-minnow nations is because of Not Outs.

 

[TeymurBlake]

He has been a minnow basher for a while but somehow he has a pretty impressive average against South Africa which is surprising. Will he fire tomorrow, god knows

 

[Pete Rose]

He has been a minnow basher for a while but somehow he has a pretty impressive average against South Africa which is surprising. Will he fire tomorrow, god knows

8 not outs in there,
team lost most matches 18 out of the 26 matches he featured in vs SA.
ppl will complain this its not fair to go in to so much detail and other players also have Not outs.
This is why the value of deeper analysis matters far more. Malik and Hafeez have good numbers against SA and NZ respectively, but if you dig deeper on home and away and how many wins they lead their teams to, it all falls apart.
Now malik might score tomorrow, but that wont change the reality that success rate against top teams is once every 3 to 4 games.
It is not surprising that when we lost 4 - 1 to australia hafeez and malik performed in only one match where they had to change a sub par 250 type total. We should focus on the 4 opportunities they wasted rather than the one time they performed.

 

[Lynx]

Malik shouldn't be coming in ahead of Sarfraz that's for sure. 5/6 is the perfect position for him and he's developed into a very good finisher for us. Even when Malik is scoring 15/20 runs he's connecting well with the ball and looking comfortable so I'm still backing him to score runs in the series but GOD I HATE HAFEEZ SO MUCH for single handedly ruining the batting order of our team.