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Pakistan should play Sharjeel Khan as an opener in Tests

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srh

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The current Test openers have repeatedly failed but Pakistan keep given them chances. Its high time Pakistan play Sharjeel as an opener in Tests. He will be better than these openers and will open up Pakistan's game to be more aggressive
 
I’ve been saying this for a while but posters will respond with “hack” or “unfit” etc. But, if you look at his stats in the FC domestic season then he definitely warrants a selection for the test team. Also, you can’t be a hack or unfit if you can play over 150 balls in FC which Sharjeel has done on numerous occasions.
 
Considering the lack of options can be given a go (Was the best opener in QAE 2020 in terms of stats). He actually became part of test team under Mickey before getting banned.

However, a role of conventional test opener of seeing of a new ball shouldn’t be expected of him. Someone like Azhar or another opener will then be a must for that no 3 spot otherwise you will be exposing your middle order against new ball quite often as we we are seeing now a days as well

So I dont think he can resolve the opening issues as seeing off the new ball regularly is also part of it but on his good days can give a start with momentum and disrupt bowers a bit.
 
It would work on flat wickets but would be very bad in these types of conditions.

Basically the issue with all our openers.
 
His first class average is 38.29 which is pretty good, so it's not the worst idea. However he just looks short of confidence as we saw at the PSL.

Maybe he needs a bit more time in domestic cricket yet.
 
Him, Zaman or Shehzad.

No point of having openers with 36 FC average, when you have those guys above with better averages.

Doesn't matter about their style of play, 40 or 38 average will always be better than 36.
 
the irony is that if his strike rate in domestics was 40, he would be selected. the only reason he isn't is because there is hypocrisy where defensive hacks are preferred to attacking hacks.

no one in pakistan has the technique to open in tests, might as well let players like fakhar, haider and sharjeel have a crack, especially on flat tracks.
 
I'd go with Zaman who won't be under pressure to score runs off every ball. Is in form and better shape than Sharjeel.

Plus we know, he likes to go big when he gets going.
 
I mean we had Fakhar Zaman in and out of the test team so wouldn't mind him but i reckon due to intl duties he won't able to take part in this years QeA tournament.
 
Sharjeel doesn't look the part, he is over hyped. Fakhar Zaman.... maybe hit a ball merchant but still better than him.
 
Pick who you want, our ceiling is still what it is. Sharjeel is not going to help us break into the top 4.

Looking at the bigger picture maybe it's better to keep an unfit fixer out of the side to ensure that cancer doesn't filter through to other players.
 
We should open with Hassan Ali and Yasir Shah and select 2 extra middle order batsmen not the worst idea currently.
 
I think Pakistan now need a make shift opener. Someone with solid technique and test temperament , even a top order batsman like Usman Salahuddin should be tried as opener in test.
 
He can be tried , no harm in trying.

But you need to be patient, he is not going to be consistent, but now and then he would play hit a quick fifty and give a good start . But on the other end you need to have someone who can blunt the new ball.
 
Atleast guys like him and Fakhar can give some momentum on a good day and might put off the lines and lengths of bowlers. I dont think there is any opener in Pakistan who can average 40 plus or maybe even 35 plus relying upon technique atleast outside of subcontinent so may as well go with some stroke makers. In terms of scores Pakistan wont be missing out on much, yes might miss out on playing the new ball but you can always have a no 3 or one of the openers to dead bat the hell out of the ball.

Haider was the best young opener in his debut season but unfortunately never played a QAE match after that as he was travelling with the national team. If he reaches his potential he can be an option in future.

However, I would be pleasantly surprised if that is attempted. There is more chance of bringing back Shan Masood and rotating the same set of openers.
 
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Titan24 said:
Atleast guys like him and Fakhar can give some momentum on a good day and might put off the lines and lengths of bowlers. I dont think there is any opener in Pakistan who can average 40 plus or maybe even 35 plus relying upon technique atleast outside of subcontinent so may as well go with some stroke makers. In terms of scores Pakistan wont be missing out on much, yes might miss out on playing the new ball but you can always have a no 3 or one of the openers to dead bat the hell out of the ball.

Haider was the best young opener in his debut season but unfortunately never played a QAE match after that as he was travelling with the national team. If he reaches his potential he can be an option in future.

However, I would be pleasantly surprised if that is attempted. There is more chance of bringing back Shan Masood and rotating the same set of openers.
Click to expand...

Sharjeel, Shan or Fakhar are not the answer.

I rather we took a gamble with someone like Abdullah Shafique or bring in domestic performers.
 
gazza619 said:
Sharjeel, Shan or Fakhar are not the answer.

I rather we took a gamble with someone like Abdullah Shafique or bring in domestic performers.
Click to expand...

I agree they are not the answer and I mentioned that in my previous post in this thread. Thing is unfortunately we dont have the answer at the moment so need to invest in players who atleast can add something on their good day rather than a scratchy 20-30 even in a good day without forming any momentum.

Inducting in youngsters when they havent played enough domestic cricket to prove themselves isnt the answer as well. Abdullah hasnt player enough domestic cricket, so this season of QAE would be important for young openers like him, Haider, Omair Yousuf, Ali Zaryab and even Imam ul Haq(Was really hard done) to come in the reckoning. At the moment I am not sure if Abdullah is polished enough for test cricket so the probability of the success will be comparatively lower.
 
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Well Abdullah Shafique is very highly rated, so throw him in.

Give him a go.
 
Saj said:
Well Abdullah Shafique is very highly rated, so throw him in.

Give him a go.
Click to expand...

How a player with just 1 FC match under belt can be highly rated? How he can be selected in a national test side? I shall never understand Pakistani team selection criteria.
 
Pakistan lost Sami Aslam. And that was a huge loss. He is better than all the current openers who has played in last 2 years for Pakistan. I won't get chance to prove my words as Sami has moved to USA.
 
Sharjeel Khan as a Test opener?

I don't see Imran Butt lasting much longer as he is ordinary with the bat , doesn't deserve to be in the squad at all. Looking at the domestic setup we don't have much replacements with better FC average. Going back to Shan Masood will be like replacing Imran Butt with Imran Butt. Looking at the domestic stats of the openers in domestic cricket the only worthy replacements are Fakhar Zaman (avg: 36) and Sharjeel Khan (avg: 38). Sharjeel Khan's average is better and decent for an opener, while Fakhar's average is on the lower side, 36 isn' that good. The thing going in favour of Shajreel is that he had a good FC season in 2020, better than Fakhar. He is also only 32 and Test cricket also doesn't require much running in the outfield so fitness wise he will be on the safe side. He can provide us with quick starts too as it matters a lot these days and aggressive batsmen tend to do well in the longer format. His technique is also better than Fakhar so he will cope in trying conditions better than him both with the new and old balls.

I would opt for Sharjeel Khan in place of Imran Butt in the upcoming Test series.

Have your say?
 
You've got to be kidding me.

How can you say test cricket does not require fitness?

This is the issue with T20 cricket, it makes people think that hacks can survive in test cricket.

Never, Sharjeel should never open in test cricket. He does not have the technique to survive.

This aggression in test cricket comes from playing proper cricketing strokes on good deliveries, not by hacking the ball around with no foot movement.

Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali are the only viable opening options we have.

I'd rather let Abdullah and Haider open than have Sharjeel.

Fakhar wouldn't have been a bad shout if he got consistent chances, because I find his technique to be better than Sharjeel's.
 
Sharjeel in full flow reminds me of a left handed Inzy.

Raw power and fire in the belly from the big lad.

But I would prefer we bring Shan Masood back or give Haider Ali/Abdullah Shafique a go to open the batting.
 
UzmanBeast said:
You've got to be kidding me.

How can you say test cricket does not require fitness?

This is the issue with T20 cricket, it makes people think that hacks can survive in test cricket.

Never, Sharjeel should never open in test cricket. He does not have the technique to survive.

This aggression in test cricket comes from playing proper cricketing strokes on good deliveries, not by hacking the ball around with no foot movement.

Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali are the only viable opening options we have.

I'd rather let Abdullah and Haider open than have Sharjeel.

Fakhar wouldn't have been a bad shout if he got consistent chances, because I find his technique to be better than Sharjeel's.
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What if I told you Sharjeel was one of the best openers in the FC season?

You’re saying he doesn’t have the technique to survive in test cricket yet you’d prefer Abdullah Shafique over him.

Can you share his FC stats? 😬

What has Abdullah Shafique done to warrant a selection in the team?

What has Abdullah Shafique done that Sharjeel hasn’t?
 
Well for whatever its worth he was statistically the best opener in last QAE. His fielding was always going to be a liability.

However, possibly its a bit late now as there is a lot that can happen between now and the next test series of Pak which is in November in BD. Another season of QAE will be taking place as well during these times and he will have to perform once again and some young openers will be willing to leave their mark as well.
 
The player not picked is always deemed to be the saviour.

I have to say one thing though, if Sharjeel & Fakhar were opening the test innings I would be much more interested to watch the game.

It will most likely end up a flop show, but is already is a flop show with Abid & Imran.
 
YousafTheBeast said:
What if I told you Sharjeel was one of the best openers in the FC season?

You’re saying he doesn’t have the technique to survive in test cricket yet you’d prefer Abdullah Shafique over him.

Can you share his FC stats? ��

What has Abdullah Shafique done to warrant a selection in the team?

What has Abdullah Shafique done that Sharjeel hasn’t?
Click to expand...

I don't agree with Abdullah's selection either way, he is in the test squad so I think he should be tested.

Sharjeel is not good enough for test cricket, because apart from batting, he offers no utility. He hides behind the wicket keeper on the pitch when fielding.
 
UzmanBeast said:
I don't agree with Abdullah's selection either way, he is in the test squad so I think he should be tested.

Sharjeel is not good enough for test cricket, because apart from batting, he offers no utility. He hides behind the wicket keeper on the pitch when fielding.
Click to expand...

So, if Sharjeel Khan was in the test squad would you say he should be tested too?

It’s test cricket, he’s not going to be running around the field like he would in odi’s or t20’s.
 
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