DandyFellow
Tape Ball Regular
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2017
- Runs
- 412
T20 has evolved over the years and now has mostly become a high-scoring heist. All around the world, the pitches for T20s are made flat to promote high-scoring matches. The concluded series between Pakistan and England was no different.
Firstly in the batting, Pakistan had the opportunity to bat twice in the series. In the 2nd T20, Hafeez played a splendid knock after a good start provided by Babar and Fakhar. Fakhar should be disappointed that he could played a Hafeez type knock by playing more deliveries whereas Babar would know that he played an okayish innings due to the under-par strike rate. It was under-par due to the pitch which required 150+ strike rate from set batsmen. Neverthless, the area of real concern in batting were the end overs where Malik and Iftikhar could not provide the impetus that could have lead to a score of 200+.
In the 3rd T20, the exciting young prospect, Haider Ali debuted in place of Iftikhar. After Fakhar faulted in the second over, Haider Ali was sent to the crease which was an appreciable move by Babar and team management. It has to be remembered that Hafeez scored well at No. 3 in the previous match. Neverthless, Haider showed his class by hitting a six of just the 2nd ball in his T20 career. Soon after, Babar lost his wicket which brought Hafeez to the crease. Hafeez took his time while Haider was in the mood to blast the bowlers. But once Adil Rashid came into the attack, Hafeez thrashed him for fours and sixes and brought Pakistan into the game.
Haider became the first Pakistani to score a T20 fifty on debut. The best thing about his batting was his natural game on display. The aggressive intent, high bat swing speed and good understanding of the game brought success to Haider. After the dismissal of Haider, Hafeez took the responsibility and lead Pakistan to 190. Shadab scored an okayish 15 of 11. However, the important thing to see was that Shadab and Imad played above Malik and Sarfraz.
In the current era of T20 cricket, every batsman should have the ability to play with 150+ strike rate and be effective. The promotion of Shadab and Imad clearly sent the signal that Malik and Sarfraz both do not have the capability to do so. In the previous match, Rizwan was also in a similar situation. Therefore, one has to question the requirement of the said players in T20 cricket if majority of the pitches will be flat all over the world. Does Pakistan really need a wicket-keeper batsman who can play at a high strike rate? If Khushdil was in the team, had Shadab and Imad been promoted above him?
In the batting, I personally feel neither Sarfraz nor Rizwan should be in the team. In the same way, Malik also has no place in the team. Khushdil can easily replace Malik. If we really do not believe that there is a keeper who bats at 150+ strike rate then do we really need a batsman or we need a good wicket keeper. In the current form, Sarfraz is a better T20 batsman with a potential of 120sh strike rate which is not good enough down the order. In the same way, Rizwan will also not be good enough down the order. However, Rizwan is an excellent keeper. Therefore, the ideal scenario would have a better batsman wicket keeper than Sarfraz or Rizwan. However, if it is really between Rizwan or Sarfraz, Rizwan would be better due to his wicket keeping. Both won't be really handy in high scoring games in the batting.
Therefore my ideal batting lineup looking at the World cup will be.
Babar
Fakhar
Haider
Hafeez
Khushdil
Wicket keeper (Bats at 150+ strike rate)
Shadab
Imad
T20 is the only format in which Fakhar should play. We should have an eye on Sharjeel as his replacement if he keeps on underperforming. However, the crux is that every batsman should have the ability to hit big and at a high strike rate for T20 cricket.
Firstly in the batting, Pakistan had the opportunity to bat twice in the series. In the 2nd T20, Hafeez played a splendid knock after a good start provided by Babar and Fakhar. Fakhar should be disappointed that he could played a Hafeez type knock by playing more deliveries whereas Babar would know that he played an okayish innings due to the under-par strike rate. It was under-par due to the pitch which required 150+ strike rate from set batsmen. Neverthless, the area of real concern in batting were the end overs where Malik and Iftikhar could not provide the impetus that could have lead to a score of 200+.
In the 3rd T20, the exciting young prospect, Haider Ali debuted in place of Iftikhar. After Fakhar faulted in the second over, Haider Ali was sent to the crease which was an appreciable move by Babar and team management. It has to be remembered that Hafeez scored well at No. 3 in the previous match. Neverthless, Haider showed his class by hitting a six of just the 2nd ball in his T20 career. Soon after, Babar lost his wicket which brought Hafeez to the crease. Hafeez took his time while Haider was in the mood to blast the bowlers. But once Adil Rashid came into the attack, Hafeez thrashed him for fours and sixes and brought Pakistan into the game.
Haider became the first Pakistani to score a T20 fifty on debut. The best thing about his batting was his natural game on display. The aggressive intent, high bat swing speed and good understanding of the game brought success to Haider. After the dismissal of Haider, Hafeez took the responsibility and lead Pakistan to 190. Shadab scored an okayish 15 of 11. However, the important thing to see was that Shadab and Imad played above Malik and Sarfraz.
In the current era of T20 cricket, every batsman should have the ability to play with 150+ strike rate and be effective. The promotion of Shadab and Imad clearly sent the signal that Malik and Sarfraz both do not have the capability to do so. In the previous match, Rizwan was also in a similar situation. Therefore, one has to question the requirement of the said players in T20 cricket if majority of the pitches will be flat all over the world. Does Pakistan really need a wicket-keeper batsman who can play at a high strike rate? If Khushdil was in the team, had Shadab and Imad been promoted above him?
In the batting, I personally feel neither Sarfraz nor Rizwan should be in the team. In the same way, Malik also has no place in the team. Khushdil can easily replace Malik. If we really do not believe that there is a keeper who bats at 150+ strike rate then do we really need a batsman or we need a good wicket keeper. In the current form, Sarfraz is a better T20 batsman with a potential of 120sh strike rate which is not good enough down the order. In the same way, Rizwan will also not be good enough down the order. However, Rizwan is an excellent keeper. Therefore, the ideal scenario would have a better batsman wicket keeper than Sarfraz or Rizwan. However, if it is really between Rizwan or Sarfraz, Rizwan would be better due to his wicket keeping. Both won't be really handy in high scoring games in the batting.
Therefore my ideal batting lineup looking at the World cup will be.
Babar
Fakhar
Haider
Hafeez
Khushdil
Wicket keeper (Bats at 150+ strike rate)
Shadab
Imad
T20 is the only format in which Fakhar should play. We should have an eye on Sharjeel as his replacement if he keeps on underperforming. However, the crux is that every batsman should have the ability to hit big and at a high strike rate for T20 cricket.
Last edited by a moderator:
