Pakistan pinning all their hopes for the final on a newbie - Fakhar Zaman!

[ExpressPacer]

Fakhar Zaman has been a Messiah for this shaky Pakistan batting line up consisting of TTF's and out of form players. But what if he fails? Do the blockathon legends Azhar and "Blessed in all facets" bhai hold the ability to see Pakistan home? I don't think so. Will Babar Azam finally rise up in a pressure game and play for Pakistan and not his hundred?

I feel as though Fakhar Zaman may get out early in a fashion that our beloved technique loving fans may not like and there will be another case of shooting the messenger, ignoring all the other flaws that lie within the team.

 

[Suleiman]

The pitch at the Oval will be his to cash in on. I've heard he is good vs spin which is an advantage he has over Sharjeel during his early days, time to prove it vs Ashwin and co.

Think Hafeez needs to open and Azhar benched tbh. This is also Hafeez's type of pitch where the only thing stopping him from scoring big is either his nemesis Bhuvi (outswinger), or his pathetic mental strength.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

You have to pin hopes on Someone in such a crunch game and I am more at ease pinning them on Fakhar and the like of Hassan than Professor or Malik who have for the past 20 years bottled such games and will bottle it again if given the chance.....

 

[Macho Mann]

this guy looks solid but just doesnt need to throw his wicket needlessly when looking good for a big score

 

[zyrus]

Everyone is expected to chip in with bat. If Pakistan's going to win, they have to chance that target at 6-7-8 down. Doesnt matter India score it at 2 or 3 down.

 

[Pete Rose]

It would be depressing if it were not so comical. A guy who debuts two weeks ago has carried us (batting wise) to the final

 

[marlonbrowndo]

The pitch at the Oval will be his to cash in on. I've heard he is good vs spin which is an advantage he has over Sharjeel during his early days, time to prove it vs Ashwin and co.

Think Hafeez needs to open and Azhar benched tbh. This is also Hafeez's type of pitch where the only thing stopping him from scoring big is either his nemesis Bhuvi (outswinger), or his pathetic mental strength.

Agreed. Azhar will only be a hindrance on this flat surface. Hafeez should open and Haris should come in at 4. Amir to replace Rumman.

 

[ExpressPacer]

The pitch at the Oval will be his to cash in on. I've heard he is good vs spin which is an advantage he has over Sharjeel during his early days, time to prove it vs Ashwin and co.

Think Hafeez needs to open and Azhar benched tbh. This is also Hafeez's type of pitch where the only thing stopping him from scoring big is either his nemesis Bhuvi (outswinger), or his pathetic mental strength.

I feel as though Zaman is as vulnerable to spin as was Sharjeel. A big risk of him getting stumped. Also, most of his mistimed shots reach the boundary because of the pace on the ball, not entirely sure if that'll be the case when there's less pace on the ball.

As for Hafeez, if he MUST play, I agree, he should open.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

I feel as though Zaman is as vulnerable to spin as was Sharjeel. A big risk of him getting stumped. Also, most of his mistimed shots reach the boundary because of the pace on the ball, not entirely sure if that'll be the case when there's less pace on the ball.

As for Hafeez, if he MUST play, I agree, he should open.

Zaman is an excellent player of spin

 

[srh]

Agreed that Pakistan is too much dependant on a rookie who will be playing only his 4th ODI. Seriously what a bad team batting wise this team is

 

[King Kong]

He is due a failure. I am afraid that is going to be in the all important final.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Agreed. Azhar will only be a hindrance on this flat surface. Hafeez should open and Haris should come in at 4. Amir to replace Rumman.

Rumman Raees was brilliant in the last match and I'm not sure if dropping him would be the best decision. The fact that he is a bit of an unknown quantity will also trouble India who usually do bad versus pacers they haven't played before. Would drop Imad and bring in Amir.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Zaman is an excellent player of spin

Didn't he get out to a spinnrer in the last game?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Didn't he get out to a spinnrer in the last game?

How does that prove anything?

 

[ExpressPacer]

How does that prove anything?

It doesn't prove anything. I'm just asking. I felt as though he was troubled by spinners. Let's hope he does well. I can see him dominating the likes of Pandya and Kumar.

 

[Pakpak]

Fakhar Zaman has been a Messiah for this shaky Pakistan batting line up consisting of TTF's and out of form players. But what if he fails? Do the blockathon legends Azhar and "Blessed in all facets" bhai hold the ability to see Pakistan home? I don't think so. Will Babar Azam finally rise up in a pressure game and play for Pakistan and not his hundred?

I feel as though Fakhar Zaman may get out early in a fashion that our beloved technique loving fans may not like and there will be another case of shooting the messenger, ignoring all the other flaws that lie within the team.

Its pathetic isn't it, our biggest game in ODIs since 1999 and our top order full of ''seniors'' in the batting department yet all our hopes lie with a guy who's playing his fourth game. Shows how some seniors have never stepped up.

 

[kaifmazhar]

Give him some breathing space for now for heavens sake. He is just 3 match old and has performed in all 3 but must still be fighting his own mental demons to convince himself that he belongs. Pakistan can not expect all the pressure to be shouldered by him. Are the seniors being paid for doing nothing?

 

[ExpressPacer]

Its pathetic isn't it, our biggest game in ODIs since 1999 and our top order full of ''seniors'' in the batting department yet all our hopes lie with a guy who's playing his fourth game. Shows how some seniors have never stepped up.

Exactly. Im embarrassed to say this but I feel if Fakhar fails, Pakistan is going to lose. Azhar Ali goes into a shell and Babar Azam doesn't have the confidence to play as smoothly as someone like Zaman. Babar simply cannot bat with another slow player. H doesn't have the big shots to release pressure and to accommodate for the tuk-tuk of his partner and eventually gets out like a rookie.

 

[Rudi hater]

Pakistan needs Haaris in the middle. I am disappointed at Imad's performances with the bat and bowl thus far.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Pakistans batting is pathetic , even for chasing 220 we will need fakhar zaman to score a few quick runs. Azhar will always be a sidekick with no real impact in odis and hafeez azhar partnership early in the innings will kill the innings for pakistan. If we bat first we cant score more than 250 , our only hope is to restrict them to 220 and then hope that fakhar zaman fires.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Zaman is an excellent player of spin

He's as good as he's vulnerable. His defence isn't any good. If he lives by the sword, he will also die by the sword.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

He's as good as he's vulnerable. His defence isn't any good.

In one of the 50 over domestic tournaments, to me he looked like the best player of spin along with Latif and Malik.

 

[Mamoon]

Kohli should open with Ashwin. Fakhar will not see it coming and it will catch him off-guard.

 

[Madplayer]

He's as good as he's vulnerable. His defence isn't any good. If he lives by the sword, he will also die by the sword.

You first line deserves an award. Apt description of Fakhar against spin.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Kohli should open with Ashwin. Fakhar will not see it coming and it will catch him off-guard.

Team India does their homework and for him to do this is very likely. Actually "out-of-the-box" unlike some people who just talk big and open with a Test specialist.

 

[JibranAnsari]

The question is what game plan pakistan batting has if fakhar falls early?

60/2 in first 20?

 

[Faran96]

Kohli should open with Ashwin. Fakhar will not see it coming and it will catch him off-guard.

Would it be wise for India to even play Ashwin in the playing 11? Unlike Bangladesh, our batsmen won't get bogged down especially on a pitch which isn't gonna turn.

 

[thehub]

Would it be wise for India to even play Ashwin in the playing 11? Unlike Bangladesh, our batsmen won't get bogged down especially on a pitch which isn't gonna turn.

Bangladesh have better batting talent than Pakistan to be honest. Pakistan would have scored or done exactly same if they had batted in place of bd yesterday. Only thing is they would have defended that total better.

 

[Faran96]

Bangladesh have better batting talent than Pakistan to be honest. Pakistan would have scored or done exactly same if they had batted in place of bd yesterday. Only thing is they would have defended that total better.

They do have better batting talent but our batsmen are better against spin. The way our batsman usually give their wickets away to spin is when the run rate is high and they end up forcing a big shot. Otherwise I think we can milk their spinners for runs better than Bangladesh.

 

[Pollack]

Zaman is a slogger. He wouldn't survive against world class bowling of Bhuvaneshwar/Bumrah/Shami.

 

[Hamza_]

Zaman is a slogger. He wouldn't survive against world class bowling of Bhuvaneshwar/Bumrah/Shami.

He did survive against ghar ka Mark Wood. Anyways let's see what these Indian hyped up bowlers have got for us, Vessay to inkay liyay Mian Malik hi kaafi hai.

 

[Pollack]

He did survive against ghar ka Mark Wood. Anyways let's see what these Indian hyped up bowlers have got for us, Vessay to inkay liyay Mian Malik hi kaafi hai.

Malik isn't blind slogger. He is very good against spin. Not very bad against pace either. Overall decent batsman. So shouldn't be surprised if he scores a few.

 

[Hamza_]

Malik isn't blind slogger. He is very good against spin. Not very bad against pace either. Overall decent batsman. So shouldn't be surprised if he scores a few.

Waiting for Sunday Bash.

 

[Abdullah]

If zaman falls within the first 10 overs I would send amir in to just go wild. If he survives 10 overs I would send imad in after him to try n cash in on the excellent start

 

[Amjid Javed]

Got a horrible feeling he may fail in the final and then we are in trouble with Dot ball kings likely to be batting like a snail at other end.

 

[JaDed]

If he clicks he LL get a quick 50, hopefully Indian bowlers don't keep changing lines,problem for us is his edges go for six behind the keeper and in power play that is an issue.

 

[Syed1]

If Zaman bats for 15 overs its game over for India.

 

[JaDed]

He did survive against ghar ka Mark Wood. Anyways let's see what these Indian hyped up bowlers have got for us, Vessay to inkay liyay Mian Malik hi kaafi hai.

Mian is a remarkable player against us,India would be wary of him

 

[JaDed]

Zaman is a slogger. He wouldn't survive against world class bowling of Bhuvaneshwar/Bumrah/Shami.

He was a selective slogger in his last game and that worries me ,I don't mind continuous Lala slogs ,selective slogs are an issue.

 

[thehub]

Malik isn't blind slogger. He is very good against spin. Not very bad against pace either. Overall decent batsman. So shouldn't be surprised if he scores a few.

how long you guys talk about Malik's performance? he has not done much in the last 5 yrs or so. he has been with your team for nearly 20 yrs.. he may have success against india in the past.

 

[thehub]

He was a selective slogger in his last game and that worries me ,I don't mind continuous Lala slogs ,selective slogs are an issue.

most of his shots are on the leg side. he can be contained if you have proper plan. moreover he is still a newbie. its not easy against india. we saw how sharjeel struggled in only t20 game he played against india last year.

 

[thehub]

If Zaman bats for 15 overs its game over for India.

lol at the hype. he is not shewag. better you pray for him to stay at the crease for more than 5 overs.

 

[Syed1]

lol at the hype. he is not shewag. better you pray for him to stay at the crease for more than 5 overs.

He is better than Sehwag.

 

[JaDed]

most of his shots are on the leg side. he can be contained if you have proper plan. moreover he is still a newbie. its not easy against india. we saw how sharjeel struggled in only t20 game he played against india last year.

Again not true,he played in off against Lanka,
It's a flat pitch,edges will go for six.

 

[dauntless]

Fakhar is better than each and every batsman in the team apart from Babar maybe.Go boy destroy bumroh and co.
#No mercy

 

[Pollack]

how long you guys talk about Malik's performance? he has not done much in the last 5 yrs or so. he has been with your team for nearly 20 yrs.. he may have success against india in the past.

Agreed.Nothing so special about him.But he tries to outdo his capabilities and succeeds sometimes and that is always good to see. Good enough for Pakistan batting lineup. Plus he is in great form. And most importantly he is always in great touch against my team that is India.

 

[Pollack]

He was a selective slogger in his last game and that worries me ,I don't mind continuous Lala slogs ,selective slogs are an issue.

Not really.Dancing down the track and swinging bat isn't selective slogging. Not bad to have him because since he started giving quick starts Pakistan has been in better position than the usual tuk tuk they do. But he is not even Sharjeel. Plays across the line a lot. Plays pre meditated shots. So chances of survival against good bowling attack would always be less.

 

[silent ischemia]

Agreed. Azhar will only be a hindrance on this flat surface. Hafeez should open and Haris should come in at 4. Amir to replace Rumman.

Aamir to replace Shadab/Imad would be a better option. Raised was amazing

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pandya is much more deadly six hitter than this guy. He hits both pace and spin fo 90 meter sixes consistently. He is not even Indias best a. If pak bowling blows that's it.

 

[New Yorker]

I feel as though Zaman is as vulnerable to spin as was Sharjeel. A big risk of him getting stumped. Also, most of his mistimed shots reach the boundary because of the pace on the ball, not entirely sure if that'll be the case when there's less pace on the ball.

As for Hafeez, if he MUST play, I agree, he should open.

Hafeez has no stomach for real opposition or big game moments. And is as likely to stall the innings as not. I don't believe that any coach or captain can persuade him to play for the team rather than himself. He knows he's invulnerable. Also, I was reminded by his near run-out of Babar in the last game of just what an awful runner between wickets he is. And I don't want him to take out our best bat, Fakhar. So let him come in a 7 if he has to, and smash it around like he did in the last game.

 

[srh]

He has 3 good games so far and has not had a bad game yet. If the law of averages comes into play then it is time for him to fail in next game against India.

 

[Napa]

I've heard he is good vs spin which is an advantage he has over Sharjeel during his early days, time to prove it vs Ashwin and co.

I doubt Ashwin will play. No reason for India to change the team that beat Pakistan on June 4th. Yadav is well rested now having missed the last game and should return in full force. Yadav's figures on June 4th were: 7.4-1-30-3

 

[PakLFC]

It is wrong to say we are pinning all hopes on Fakhar. Though he has been a revelation since breaking in to the team.

 

[srh]

It is wrong to say we are pinning all hopes on Fakhar. Though he has been a revelation since breaking in to the team.

It is right to say that Pakistan will rise and fall with Fakhar.

In 3 innings, Fakhar has scored 138 runs. Look at other culprit batsmen:
#3 Babar: 4 innings, 87 runs
#4 Hafeez: 4 innings, 91 runs
#5 Malik: 3 innings, 42 runs
#7 Imad: 2 innings, 4 runs

Fakhar is the engine which is driving this Pak batting

 

[PakLFC]

It is right to say that Pakistan will rise and fall with Fakhar.

In 3 innings, Fakhar has scored 138 runs. Look at other culprit batsmen:
#3 Babar: 4 innings, 87 runs
#4 Hafeez: 4 innings, 91 runs
#5 Malik: 3 innings, 42 runs
#7 Imad: 2 innings, 4 runs

Fkahar is the engine which is driving this Pak batting

Oh cummon now!. He has done well but you are being a pessimist by saying the whole team will collapse if he gets out early! With every match comes new hope. Babar and Azhar did well against England albeit they bat much slower then Fakhar.

 

[ar2020]

Not really. I have huge hopes for Faheem Ashraf if he plays. He better play!

 

[nads_rocks]

Imaad must go and bring in Ashraf and we must go with a 5 pace attack in bowling plus Ashraf can be our lower order hitter. We must have all of our fast bowlers so shadab has to give way to Amir and Hafeez should open. Azhar should make way for Haris Sohail but it may not happen but Rumman should play so Azhar has to give way.

Hafeez
Fakhar

Babar
Haris
Malik
Safraz
Ashraf

Amir
Junaid
Hassan
Rumman

 

[Markhor]

Its baffling to see how Fakhar was sidelined in favour of Shehzad for the first game, and that decision becomes even more baffling with Fakhar's impressive showings since being given his ODI debut.

He should have been given the whole of the West Indies ODI series ideally.

He's in a rich vein of form after the Pakistan Cup and is one of the few batsmen who can give us fast, run-a-ball innings.

Indian pacers may test him with the short ball as The Oval is one of the faster and bouncier pitches in the country compared to Cardiff which tends to be slow.

 

[FlickedOffHips]

Fakhar is susoect against the bouncer, made worse by his inability to not attack most of them. He has got lucky so far that he hasn't been caught in the deep from it. I wouldnt be surprised if one of the Indian quicks gets him with a bouncer early.

 

[Syed1]

Fakhar is susoect against the bouncer, made worse by his inability to not attack most of them. He has got lucky so far that he hasn't been caught in the deep from it. I wouldnt be surprised if one of the Indian quicks gets him with a bouncer early.

English also had the same idea and tried plenty of bouncers.

 

[thehub]

saw quite a few top edges to boundary. cant be lucky all the time. moreover you were only chasing 211.

 

[thehub]

I doubt Ashwin will play. No reason for India to change the team that beat Pakistan on June 4th. Yadav is well rested now having missed the last game and should return in full force. Yadav's figures on June 4th were: 7.4-1-30-3

I would rather drop Jadeja than ashwin. Jadeja has been horrible this tournament.

 

[thehub]

people are hyping this guy as if he is next jayasuriya. I don't think he will score more than 25. yes he will be lucky to hit a few boundaries. india have a very good chance to get a wicket in first 5 to 6 overs.

 

[Napa]

I would rather drop Jadeja than ashwin. Jadeja has been horrible this tournament.

Jadeja can still hit boundaries in a way Ashwin can't. He has been hit but is still more accurate than Ashwin. And don't even get me started on fielding!

Ashwin over Jadeja in ODIs, never!

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

people are hyping this guy as if he is next jayasuriya. I don't think he will score more than 25. yes he will be lucky to hit a few boundaries. india have a very good chance to get a wicket in first 5 to 6 overs.

125

 

[Usman Chadda]

Fakhar is susoect against the bouncer, made worse by his inability to not attack most of them. He has got lucky so far that he hasn't been caught in the deep from it. I wouldnt be surprised if one of the Indian quicks gets him with a bouncer early.

What the heck? Fakhar has attacked every short ball thrown at him so far. Thats the main criticism levelled at him so far. No Indian pacer can bowl at Mark Wood's speed, so he should be okay with their short balls.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Its baffling to see how Fakhar was sidelined in favour of Shehzad for the first game, and that decision becomes even more baffling with Fakhar's impressive showings since being given his ODI debut.

He should have been given the whole of the West Indies ODI series ideally.

He's in a rich vein of form after the Pakistan Cup and is one of the few batsmen who can give us fast, run-a-ball innings.

Indian pacers may test him with the short ball as The Oval is one of the faster and bouncier pitches in the country compared to Cardiff which tends to be slow.

As they say, fortune favors the brave. I am 100% sure of the fact that Indian bowlers will tempt him with bouncers but he'll get away with because of his attack and brave style of cricket. He pull a short ball for a four in the last game and it was brilliant. Was almost a six. The guy has weaknesses but surely isn't a hack.

 

[thehub]

Jadeja can still hit boundaries in a way Ashwin can't. He has been hit but is still more accurate than Ashwin. And don't even get me started on fielding!

Ashwin over Jadeja in ODIs, never!

why do we need jadeja's batting when we have 7 batsmen including Hardik. ashwin is half batsman as well. 7.5 batsmen is more than enough for batting friendly pitch. we need at least 4 real good front line bowlers. Jadeja and Pandya have been bowling like part timers so far. we really struggled against SL because of thse two.

 

[thehub]

What the heck? Fakhar has attacked every short ball thrown at him so far. Thats the main criticism levelled at him so far. No Indian pacer can bowl at Mark Wood's speed, so he should be okay with their short balls.

keep believing that Eng have better bowling attack than India. I bet bhuvi and bumrah combo is far better than England has. you will see it on sunday If you don't believe me.

who is mark wood.. he has just pace..

 

[ExpressPacer]

As they say, fortune favors the brave. I am 100% sure of the fact that Indian bowlers will tempt him with bouncers but he'll get away with because of his attack and brave style of cricket. He pull a short ball for a four in the last game and it was brilliant. Was almost a six. The guy has weaknesses but surely isn't a hack.

Excuse all the typos. Still haven't been able to get the hang of my new phone...

 

[FlickedOffHips]

English also had the same idea and tried plenty of bouncers.

yes and he was lucky he didn't hit it straight to a fielder like he did against SL.

What the heck? Fakhar has attacked every short ball thrown at him so far. Thats the main criticism levelled at him so far. No Indian pacer can bowl at Mark Wood's speed, so he should be okay with their short balls.

Yes he cant help but attack and he's not often in control. he got out top edging a bouncer against SL and Nuwan Pradeep!

 

[Syed1]

yes and he was lucky he didn't hit it straight to a fielder like he did against SL.

Yeah after scoring a brisk 50

 

[FlickedOffHips]

Yeah after scoring a brisk 50

brisk 50... cute. our openers score unbeaten centuries.

 

[Usman Chadda]

yes and he was lucky he didn't hit it straight to a fielder like he did against SL.


Yes he cant help but attack and he's not often in control. he got out top edging a bouncer against SL and Nuwan Pradeep!

You live by the sword, you die by the sword. Fakhar is playing fine. England's sole gameplan was to unsettle him with short balls, but they overdid it and paid the price for being so stupid. India wants to follow England into that tactic with bowlers not remotely as quick as Wood, they have another thing coming.

 

[FlickedOffHips]

You live by the sword, you die by the sword. Fakhar is playing fine. England's sole gameplan was to unsettle him with short balls, but they overdid it and paid the price for being so stupid. India wants to follow England into that tactic with bowlers not remotely as quick as Wood, they have another thing coming.

It wasn't just against England. Like I said above, he was the same way against SL, to his detriment. I don't think India will keep at it, but they will target him there. The law of averages mean that uncontrolled shots eventually lead to increased dismissals. What he can do to fix this is be more disciplined in knowing which bouncers to attack but I don't think he's learnt that yet.

 

[Usman Chadda]

It wasn't just against England. Like I said above, he was the same way against SL, to his detriment. I don't think India will keep at it, but they will target him there. The law of averages mean that uncontrolled shots eventually lead to increased dismissals. What he can do to fix this is be more disciplined in knowing which bouncers to attack but I don't think he's learnt that yet.

I doubt anyone wants him to. I'm not sure how familiar you are with Fakhar Zaman since you are from the other side of the border, but we here have watched him play well before you have. He is actually a very good batsman, who likes to play long innings'. Its just his role in the Pakistan team right now to give rapid starts so that the likes of Azhar, Babar and Hafeez get to play in their comfort zones without much pressure. He has done that quite remarkably so far and a failure against India won't get rid of the fact that he has been instrumental in Pakistan's rise this CT17. If he comes off good, if he doesn't, well the likes of Babar and Hafeez have to take more responsibility.

Another one to watch out for is Faheem Ashraf if he plays. This lad can hit and hit big.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

This will be a big game for him and a test of Fakhar to see how well he plays under pressure.

 

[FlickedOffHips]

I doubt anyone wants him to. I'm not sure how familiar you are with Fakhar Zaman since you are from the other side of the border, but we here have watched him play well before you have. He is actually a very good batsman, who likes to play long innings'. Its just his role in the Pakistan team right now to give rapid starts so that the likes of Azhar, Babar and Hafeez get to play in their comfort zones without much pressure. He has done that quite remarkably so far and a failure against India won't get rid of the fact that he has been instrumental in Pakistan's rise this CT17. If he comes off good, if he doesn't, well the likes of Babar and Hafeez have to take more responsibility.

Another one to watch out for is Faheem Ashraf if he plays. This lad can hit and hit big.

I think he's talented, but with a glaring weakness. He should be looking to bat 50 overs for PAK too as that would help them more given his high SR. Taking unnecessary risks trying to smash every bouncer will ensure he never does bat long innings. I don't mind that.

 

[TahirFan]

Will Fakhar do a 'Gibbs'

Gibbs has 21 ODI hundreds.

In 8 of his hundreds he was dropped when his score was under 10

Gibbs has hit 14 Test hundreds.

In 5 of those hundreds he was dropped when his score was under 10

The motto is 'Drop Gibbs at your own peril'

I have this feeling that India is going to pay the price for Bumrah's noball.

Fakhar will take advantage of that noball

 

[Speedster1]

InshAllah