"Rizwan cemented his position in the top order unlike Sarfaraz who realized after 3 yrs" : S Akhtar

[MenInG]

"Rizwan cemented his position in the top order unlike Sarfaraz who realized after 3 yrs" : S Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar speaking on TV

“Mohammad Rizwan is a very smart cricketer, as we can see he performed well in international cricket and followed that up with some excellent performances in the PSL as well"

“Rizwan made the most of every opportunity he got to bat in the top order. He performed in international cricket, then in franchise cricket to prove his mettle and cement his position unlike Sarfaraz who realized the importance of batting in top order after three years"

“Rizwan made a point that he is ready as an opener and now the team management has to drop one of the other openers"

“Mohammad Wasim will carefully manage the decisions however, it will not be easy to pick some players and drop some for T20s. He wants to inject three to four new players but then who will he drop as there is Hafeez and Shoaib Malik as well"

 

[MenInG]

Agree with Akhtar - Rizwan took the chance given to him with both hands and made the most of it.

 

[Babeikh]

Rizwan has been very impressive since the England tour. Looking like a very good find.

I think Sarfraz probably will play for Pakistan again at some point but for the long term, the answer is Rizwan.

 

[Bewal Express]

If there was a test to play in the SC then i would play both as they are 2 of the best players of spin in PK. Anywhere else not a good idea

 

[Saj]

I'm not sure Sarfraz opening the batting would have worked at any time in his career, so I don't agree about the 3 years too late comment.

Sarfraz's batting has always been more suited to the middle order.

 

[RehanG]

I'm not sure Sarfraz opening the batting would have worked at any time in his career, so I don't agree about the 3 years too late comment.

Sarfraz's batting has always been more suited to the middle order.

Not a Sarfraz fan but he opend in WC15 and even scored a 100.

 

[hitthestump]

Sometimes if a player comes up the order they face ridicule, ala Shadab and Wahab in PSL, so it isn't as simple as equation as Shoaib is making out.

Rizwan is a clutch player which is why he is able to survive up the order. Rizwan might be the 2nd best test batsman in Pak right now. Sarfaraz's game is much more gritty and ultimately limited. His style is suited to the lower middle order behind more capable batsmen.

 

[Sher Khan]

I'm not sure Sarfraz opening the batting would have worked at any time in his career, so I don't agree about the 3 years too late comment.

Sarfraz's batting has always been more suited to the middle order.

What do you mean? Sarfraz was excellent in the top order during the 2015 WC.

 

[naseem]

Akhtar was ri8 Sarfi did well in top too...who can forget his sweep of pacers for 6......should have stay3d there......I also have the same opinion for Afridi too....Lala should have stayed at top......

 

[Minnowbasher]

Sarfraz used to open in odis and t20s, its his own fault his batting deteriorated as he batted himself at 6 under his own captaincy. Should've batted in the top 4.

 

[Suleiman]

Say it like it is Shobby Jr. Hafeez might be subtle but this guy won’t. Let’s see how Sarfraz responds to these facts (on Twitter)

 

[sshakir411]

Pointless comments. Let’s not forget Sarfraz cemented his place in the team as well and then became complacent. Can’t compare performances of someone who has played for a few years to someone who is just getting a go in the national team.

 

[Saj]

What do you mean? Sarfraz was excellent in the top order during the 2015 WC.

I think what Akhtar is getting at is that Sarfraz only opened in ODIs 9 times out of 90 innings and only did it in 2014 and 2015.