Pakistan should play two dashers at the top - And other general ODI batting strategies!

[Slog]

Under Arthur and before that under Waqar as well the strategy for openers seems to be that we will play one aggressive opener (Sharjeel,, Shehzad (lol), Kamran, Latif, Jamshed) and one solid, stabilising opener (Azhar, Hafeez, for a few matches Babar) to act as a foil. The thinking was that one could go crazy in search of quick runs while the other would hold fort. And if the aggressive batsman got out Atleast the second opener and the relatively sedate middle order could rebuild.

In my opinion the idea was to have one opener who could average 30-35 at a strike rate of 90+ and the other who could average around 45 at a strike rate of around 80. Sharjeel was doing his job but the other opener isn't (Azhar and under Arthur - Shehzad)

While the idea made sense to me I feel now that probably we should go for two dashers at the top. The major reason is that forget a reliable attacking opener - we just don't seem to have a solid opener who could stabilise the innings either. Ofcourse for this opener it is fine if he is not striking at 90. Prolly an average of 42-43 at strike rate of 80 would work as well. However currently we are getting a 30 average at the snails pace of 76 SR. So clearly this strategy isn't working.

I genuinely feel that we would be better served by playing 2 tullay baaz at the top and hope they come off and then stacking our #5 and #4with traditional batsmen to rebuild from collapses. The problem is when even once comes off the others starts end up getting wasted. Was happening with Sharjeel in Australia and Zaman here.

Currently the batting combination seems to be:

Aggressive opener - Zaman/Sharjeel
Stabilising solid opener - Azhar
Babar - Anchor batsman who can strike at good rate
Hafeez - Accumulator
Malik - Attacking stroke player
Sarfaraz - Accumulator (can play his shots)
Imad - aggressive batsman - all rounder
Ashraf - Bowling all rounder who can smack a few

Somehow we need to have two aggressive batsmen at the top so that in case they come off the starts actually count for something

 

[Alam_dar]

Key to perfect ODI team goes through more and more 20 20 matches

The biggest reason of failure of Pakistani ODI team is this that deserving players have not been selected (Hafeez, Azhar, Shehzad, Imad).

Normally old failed players are making the ODI team again and again. But recently 20 20 matches are making it difficult for them to get a spot in the team (at least it has become more difficult for them).

Fahim Ashraf, Zaman, Shahdab, all of them are the products of 20 20 matches (perhaps Sharjeel too who made a way to ODI through 20 20s). Sahibzada will also be the fruit of psl.

Therefore, I believe more 20 20 matches we play, better ODI team will be selected.

For example, I want to see Yamin and Fahim both in the team. It will not be possible in ODI set up, but it is very much possible in 20 20 matches.

So, I am looking forward for the next T20 world cup and psl. They will provide us (approximately) the perfect ODI line up too (hopefully).

 

[Nothing matters]

The problem is not the strategy the problem is the players.Need to get rid of selfie,Blessed one,Azhar, and bring in Hussain Talat,Haris,Saif badar,Umar amin

 

[Nothing matters]

Forgot Imad.

 

[Markhor]

The two openers who played for Balochistan in the Pakistan Cup in Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman deserve a run.

They batted excellently together and whilst Fakhar may get targeted with the short ball and Farhan needs to develop his front foot game, they are two of the better dashers we have with the suspensions of Sharjeel, Latif and Shahzaib.

Ahsan Ali should also be considered. Then I'd entrust Babar, Haris and Sarfraz at 3, 4 and 5 to play the role of middle order accumulators.

#6 position is a problem. You could consider Imad but I'd want to upgrade on him. Imad's non-turning darts is only useful against sides who haven't worked him out yet and his batting has declined after the England tour last summer. However he's the undroppable golden boy. I'd consider Hussain Talat or Amir Yamin.

7 and 8 positions should be reserved for big hitters. Shadab has ability with the bat and Fahim can hit the ball a long way so they'd be my picks.

 

[Azzurri]

Imagine if we have this team in the future.

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Malik
Faheem
Shadab
Imad/Junaid
Hasan
Amir

 

[The Yorker]

One hitter up top is more appropriate as losing two quick wickets could lead to a batting collapse. Unless we have exceptional openers which we don't have. However its high time we start to play some of the most upcoming batsmen in ODIs. We will never move on unless we start to play some of the young guns coming through.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It's an ideal situation, a good opening standing can set up victory early on.

There are two issues with this.

1. There is nobody in the squad atm.

2. The rest of the batting is weak so this could result in even a lower score than usual.

 

[Slog]

It's an ideal situation, a good opening standing can set up victory early on.

There are two issues with this.

1. There is nobody in the squad atm.

2. The rest of the batting is weak so this could result in even a lower score than usual.

That's the thing. Would you prefer a possible 320 knowing that you could also be bundled for 160

Or do you prefer a mediocre but stable 230

 

[KingKhanWC]

That's the thing. Would you prefer a possible 320 knowing that you could also be bundled for 160

Or do you prefer a mediocre but stable 230

I think it's depends on your bowling attack. Currently we have a good varied attack with match winners. I can't remember the exact percentage but in T20 when Pakistan post 150+ we have a great win ratio.

With the current team..

Batting first look for 280 if the pitch is good for batting. An extra 20-30 will help and can come with this approach.

Bowling first look to bowl out any team Pakistan faces as this will keep the score below par or par at best. When chasing a similar approach to batting first as par scores can be achieved with any half sensible batting.

England only play one way now, to bat out the opposition. It backfired against SA in the 3rd ODI. Hopefully it will again tomorrow. It's ok in a series but a very dangerous ploy in a tournament because there will be one match where you hit out and get all out for not much. The only successful team I saw playing with this approach and were successful in a tournament was Sri Lanka in 1996 but they had Arvinda De Silva who is one of the all time greats imo

 

[CricFan2012]

Imagine if we have this team in the future.

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Malik
Faheem
Shadab
Imad/Junaid
Hasan
Amir

This team can EASILY be in top 4-5 odi rankings. Maybe even higher.

Junaid is going to go for lots of runs at some point, I just have that feeling.

Give Imad 2-3 more series and work on Hussain talat along Farhan as backup

 

[Billy1999]

I don't think that would work

1:Azhar Ali
2:Fakhar Zaman
3:Babar Azam
4:Sarfraz Ahmed
5:Shoaib Malik
6:Shadab Khan
7:Faheem Ashraf
8:Amir Yamin
9:Mohammed Amir
10:Hassan Ali
11:Junaid Khan

 

[MMHS]

I don't think that would work

1:Azhar Ali
2:Fakhar Zaman
3:Babar Azam
4:Sarfraz Ahmed
5:Shoaib Malik
6:Shadab Khan
7:Faheem Ashraf
8:Amir Yamin
9:Mohammed Amir
10:Hassan Ali
11:Junaid Khan

This team will need bowlers to bail out PAK against Afghans, if Fakhar goes for single digit.

Only one of Azhar, Babar, Sarfu & even Malik (out side Asia) should be part of the XI. Sarfu is serving duel (triple, if I take Captaincy) purpose, so he covers one spot, rest 2 has to leave.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

That's the thing. Would you prefer a possible 320 knowing that you could also be bundled for 160

Or do you prefer a mediocre but stable 230

If you have a middle order of Babar, Haris and Sarfraz to go with a decent tail, you will get 230 more often than not

People act is if Azhar is the only thing holding the line up together

 

[Kroll]

Absolutely, get another attacking player to open along with Fakhar, keep the pressure on the opposition. This is what the other top teams usually employ: India with Dhawan-Rohit, Eng with Hales-Roy, Aus with Warner-Finch etc. Deploying a holding player with a SR - 75 is negative thinking.

 

[Abdur Rouf]

I this is may be good,
1.Azhar Ali
2.Fakhar Zaman
3.Babar Azam
4.Sarfraz Ahmed
5.Shoaib Malik
6.Imad Wasim
7.Shadab Khan
8.Faheem Ashraf
9.Mohammed Amir
10.Hassan Ali
11.Junaid Khan

 

[ads101]

I would play one dasher at the top, Fakhar will do. Accompany with one solid player who scores consistently and highly. E.g. Babar. I'm also a big fan of the left, right combination especially for opening, it makes it harder for the opposition in LOIs especially as the bowler has to adjust each time. That's why even if Sharjeel came back, I would open with him, play babar opener and Fakhar down to three.

Think most teams are using a right left opening combination now, it was really evident in CT.

 

[Syed1]

Absolutely, get another attacking player to open along with Fakhar, keep the pressure on the opposition. This is what the other top teams usually employ: India with Dhawan-Rohit, Eng with Hales-Roy, Aus with Warner-Finch etc. Deploying a holding player with a SR - 75 is negative thinking.

Dhawan and Sharma have caused India to have the lowest runrate amongst all test playing nations since the 2015 WC.

 

[zyrus]

Fakhar Zaman
Sharjeel
Azhar Ali
Babar
Malik
Sarfraz
Hafeez/Fahim/Yamin (Depending on the opposition, track and form)
Amir
Shahdab/Ruman (Depending on the opposition and track)
Hasan Ali
Junaid Khan / Usman Shirwani (if Junaid's injured)

 

[New Yorker]

Under Arthur and before that under Waqar as well the strategy for openers seems to be that we will play one aggressive opener (Sharjeel,, Shehzad (lol), Kamran, Latif, Jamshed) and one solid, stabilising opener (Azhar, Hafeez, for a few matches Babar) to act as a foil. The thinking was that one could go crazy in search of quick runs while the other would hold fort. And if the aggressive batsman got out Atleast the second opener and the relatively sedate middle order could rebuild.

In my opinion the idea was to have one opener who could average 30-35 at a strike rate of 90+ and the other who could average around 45 at a strike rate of around 80. Sharjeel was doing his job but the other opener isn't (Azhar and under Arthur - Shehzad)

While the idea made sense to me I feel now that probably we should go for two dashers at the top. The major reason is that forget a reliable attacking opener - we just don't seem to have a solid opener who could stabilise the innings either. Ofcourse for this opener it is fine if he is not striking at 90. Prolly an average of 42-43 at strike rate of 80 would work as well. However currently we are getting a 30 average at the snails pace of 76 SR. So clearly this strategy isn't working.

I genuinely feel that we would be better served by playing 2 tullay baaz at the top and hope they come off and then stacking our #5 and #4with traditional batsmen to rebuild from collapses. The problem is when even once comes off the others starts end up getting wasted. Was happening with Sharjeel in Australia and Zaman here.

Currently the batting combination seems to be:

Aggressive opener - Zaman/Sharjeel
Stabilising solid opener - Azhar
Babar - Anchor batsman who can strike at good rate
Hafeez - Accumulator
Malik - Attacking stroke player
Sarfaraz - Accumulator (can play his shots)
Imad - aggressive batsman - all rounder
Ashraf - Bowling all rounder who can smack a few

Somehow we need to have two aggressive batsmen at the top so that in case they come off the starts actually count for something

We should play our best players.. Zaman is not a good opener merely because he's aggressive; he's also consistent, more so in fact than "stabilising opener Azhar" The fact that someone bats slow does not make them reliable. And an opener scoring at SR 70ish is rarely stabilising; usually it ends up putting pressure on the other end. Azhar really cant be a long term option. I'd simply pick someone to partner Zaman who is scoring big and reasonably fast. One key criterion should be appetite for hundreds. There are a few exciting talents coming up, and some like Aslam who are putting down their marker again. We should make sure to try out two or three in the coming year, using dead rubbers and series against weak teams.

 

[Kroll]

Dhawan and Sharma have caused India to have the lowest runrate amongst all test playing nations since the 2015 WC.

Yeah, I remember seeing that stat during the CT, for the first power play I recall. Even so, Sharma has 5 gears with an additional turbo boost whilst the likes of Azhar tops out at 3rd gear. Appreciate his efforts and hard work though.

 

[Justcrazy]

Babar and Sharjeel should open , followed by Fakhar , haris sarfaraz .

 

[Hasan123]

Babar should play the anchor role, the rest of the batting line up should look to take chances and be more aggressive.

Most of the other top odi sides follow a similar route, look at England. Root plays anchor whilst the rest of the line up to hell for leather. Australia have Smith to anchor.

 

[Kroll]

Babar should play the anchor role, the rest of the batting line up should look to take chances and be more aggressive.

Most of the other top odi sides follow a similar route, look at England. Root plays anchor whilst the rest of the line up to hell for leather. Australia have Smith to anchor.

Exactly - tuk tuk mentality needs to be finally put to rest.

 

[Hasan123]

Exactly - tuk tuk mentality needs to be finally put to rest.

Correct. This mentality will never get Pakistan anyway. Even in tests other than Azhar, rest of Pakistan batsmen should aim to have 50 plus strike rate. Test cricket isn't about blocking every ball and grinding. Most pitches now are flat and encourage stroke making. Watching batsmen score at 40 and below strike rate for 2 days can be painful.

Obviously in difficult conditions batsmen must adapt but need to get rid of this cautious and negative mindset. Sarfaraz and Arthur having full control should shift the mentallity to a more aggressive and positive one. Potentially exciting times.

 

[gazza619]

Under Arthur and before that under Waqar as well the strategy for openers seems to be that we will play one aggressive opener (Sharjeel,, Shehzad (lol), Kamran, Latif, Jamshed) and one solid, stabilising opener (Azhar, Hafeez, for a few matches Babar) to act as a foil. The thinking was that one could go crazy in search of quick runs while the other would hold fort. And if the aggressive batsman got out Atleast the second opener and the relatively sedate middle order could rebuild.

In my opinion the idea was to have one opener who could average 30-35 at a strike rate of 90+ and the other who could average around 45 at a strike rate of around 80. Sharjeel was doing his job but the other opener isn't (Azhar and under Arthur - Shehzad)

While the idea made sense to me I feel now that probably we should go for two dashers at the top. The major reason is that forget a reliable attacking opener - we just don't seem to have a solid opener who could stabilise the innings either. Ofcourse for this opener it is fine if he is not striking at 90. Prolly an average of 42-43 at strike rate of 80 would work as well. However currently we are getting a 30 average at the snails pace of 76 SR. So clearly this strategy isn't working.

I genuinely feel that we would be better served by playing 2 tullay baaz at the top and hope they come off and then stacking our #5 and #4with traditional batsmen to rebuild from collapses. The problem is when even once comes off the others starts end up getting wasted. Was happening with Sharjeel in Australia and Zaman here.

Currently the batting combination seems to be:

Aggressive opener - Zaman/Sharjeel
Stabilising solid opener - Azhar
Babar - Anchor batsman who can strike at good rate
Hafeez - Accumulator
Malik - Attacking stroke player
Sarfaraz - Accumulator (can play his shots)
Imad - aggressive batsman - all rounder
Ashraf - Bowling all rounder who can smack a few

Somehow we need to have two aggressive batsmen at the top so that in case they come off the starts actually count for something

as much as I liked Sharjeel's batting, why is he an automatic selection for everyone...didn't he recently got involved into spot fixing..?

(now please don't tell me that this was all a conspiracy by PCB against Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, the high court may well discharge the charges, but in my book he is guilty, sorry)

 

[ExplicitAI]

I left hand- right hand combination of Fakhar and Sahibzada Farhan can be ideal but if Sharjeel is cleared then he should make a swift comeback to the team with Farhan on the bench.

 

[shaz619]

These disgraceful fans are still blinded by the egg on their face courtesy of Azhar Ali in the final against India, once you guys have cleaned your face maybe you will see that he was involved in two 100+ opening partnerships in the semi-final and final which mind you is not just rare by Pakistani standards but by ICC Champions Trophy tournament history standards as well ! Mickey Arther clearly knows better then the so called PP expert which is why we have a trophy in the cabinet and which is why the gamble on Azhar by Inzi actually payed off. I admit, when his name appeared in the squad for CT I was sceptical but I think it is beyond moronic to criticise players who perform and preach for them to be dropped.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Watching Azhar open with Fakhar reminded me of watching Wajahatullah Wasti open with Saeed Anwar in the 1999 world cup. You have an aggresive opener with a so called "anchor" at the other end.

Wasti was a limited strokeless wonder in reality and had a couple of good opening stands with Anwar but was always going to be exposed at some point. Azhar is exactly no different.

Shaz,

seen as though your crying so much over Azhar, why dont u get me the dot ball per inns stats and strike rates off all the ODI openers around the world over last 2 years and am pretty sure Azhar will be right near the top of the dot ball kings list and near the bottom of the S.R list.

 

[Commander]

Babar and Sharjeel should open , followed by Fakhar , haris sarfaraz .

So the guy who has had an extra ordinary start as an opener with 2 50s and a 100 in an ICC final should not open anymore?

So many laughable suggestions in this thread. Azhar and Fakhar should open for a long time. Stop the personal disliking of players. We have finally found consistent openers who are the recipe for success. The only change I would make is to our 'hitters' section. Maybe Sharjeel down at 6 or 7 in place of Imad?

 

[zn426]

as much as I liked Sharjeel's batting, why is he an automatic selection for everyone...didn't he recently got involved into spot fixing..?

(now please don't tell me that this was all a conspiracy by PCB against Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, the high court may well discharge the charges, but in my book he is guilty, sorry)

Whether you look at it Islamically or in a secular manner, where are the witnesses against him? He's guilty to you without witnesses?
Even if he did it the facts and circumstances up until this point appear to show that he did not spot-fix. I am awaiting these witnesses we have been promised by the PCB. Until he has been proven otherwise, Sharjeel is innocent. I would advise you not to pre-judge.