Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik are known quantities - Why not promote Asif Ali up the order?

[Rana]

Well played to both Sarfaraz and Malk, but its quite annoying to see these guys playing above someone like Asif Ali in a T20 against a minnow nation. Im not saying he should have batted at number 4 but Arthur and Sarfaraz could have had him playing at number 5 before either Malik or Sarfaraz so Asif could get more exposure and a chance to develop as a middle order hitter. Im not sure why the Pakistanis dont take chances like this to build up the confidence of these youngsters?? Fahim Ashraf is constantly being kept so late whereas Shahzad gets all the chances to bat at a sr of 115.


We all know when Pakistan play a stronger opponent, it is the same Malik, Sarfaraz and Shahzad who score at a military rate of 110-125. Its the Asif Ali's that need to take over now and propel Pakistan into a batting power house. Missed out on a big chance to develop the lad!

 

[Arham_PakFan]

He should have been the opener,ideally,but since Shehzad was picked he should have batted at 5.

 

[Khan12]

Because these are only teams which Malik and sarfraz can score against.

 

[hafeezrocks]

Minnow bashing by Sarfaraz to get some cheap runs after a dry spell.

 

[Rana]

Minnow bashing by Sarfaraz to get some cheap runs after a dry spell.

And he will score a 30 ball 40 or at most a 38 ball 50 against Sri Lanka or west Indies and maybe even against England, whereas the Munros or the Millers are smashing 30 ball tons for fun around the world.

Pathetic planning from Pakistan

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Asif was promoted to 4 in just the last match.
Today is the first match of series and it was understandable also what they did to England in last match.

 

[Hawkeye]

Malik and Sarfraz are one of the worst batsmen you can play in LOI cricket - ODIs/T20s.

These flukes against MINNOW bowling, WILL make Pakistan lose in a proper tournament with proper teams.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Clearly, the team management did not want to take a risk after Scotland beat England. They are already playing Talat at #3 who is still unproven. Babar is not playing. That's enough risk they could take. It is not like Asif has been dropped. This is the only management which has truly persisted with players. None of the players have been dropped without getting a fair chance.

 

[PakSarZameen]

Asif Ali is not a player worth investing time in.

The player that is worth investing in is rightfully playing at 3, ahead of Sarfraz and Malik

 

[Suleiman]

Leeches like Shehzad have their obligatory fixture at the top so how do we get actual talent in?

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Not impressed with the Hussain talat with saifi Babar and Malik in same team he has no place . Asif should play at no.3

 

[ads101]

Asif isn't in the plans of the ODI world cup. And the next T20 world cup is after the ODI one. Hence makes sense to give the ODI regulars as much practice as possible as the ODI world cup is just round the corner in 2019.

There really isn't much of an issue. Plus Asif Ali's job is more of a hitter down the order anyway, and if he were to join the ODI team it'd only be at 7, so it's important to see what he can do down the order.

I'd rather Sarfraz and Malik get some runs under their belt and start getting some form for the World Cup if they're actually playing in it rather than a guy who is only going to play the odd T20 for now.

There is plenty of time for Asif Ali, who's focus should be performing in T20s, and trying to rack up big scores in list A cricket to eventually push for a ODI spot.

 

[ads101]

Asif Ali is not a player worth investing time in.

The player that is worth investing in is rightfully playing at 3, ahead of Sarfraz and Malik

It makes sense Management did that as Talat unlike Asif is being considered for an ODI spot.

 

[ads101]

He should have been the opener,ideally,but since Shehzad was picked he should have batted at 5.

Even Shehzad may possibly play the world cup. We have no cemented opener to partner Fakhar yet. And promoting Babar and Haris is a risk as both (more so Babar) have been doing well in the middle order. And Haris has virtually no experience of opening, as well as forming a left-left partnership at the top which isn't ideal.

Even if we do go ahead and promote Babar or Haris which may be the best idea, still good to have a back up opener that specialises in opening on hand in case we need it. And Shehzad for all the hate is someone who scores a lot and quickly in all formats in domestic, with previous international experience. It's more that he struggles to replicate in internationals.

The other options we have is either recall Kamran which I don't think fans or management want atm. Get Sahibdaza who is too raw and unlikely to be ready by the world cup. Or get someone like Khurram in, who didn't too well in the past in LOI and isn't really ever been a force in PSL/domestic T20s. All rather risky options.

Not much you can do when so many of our opening talent e.g. Latif, Sharjeel, Jamshed, Shahzaib, Butt etc. have been involved in spot fixing or not reporting fixing, and Jamshed's even lost form. We're going on perhaps our sixth choice.

 

[hitthestump]

We won't keep the no1 ranking by being complacent, our best players have to lead the line even in this series.

It's arguably more beneficial to have Sarfaraz + Malik in form given that they are guaranteed starters in the WC19, whether we like it or not.

 

[coy0607]

Asif isn't really a proper batsmen, more of a professional hitter
He's certainly not good enough to come in with 10+ overs after a couple of early wickets have give down. Not unless you're trying to lose to an in form Scotland team

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Asif out for a duck on his second ball.

Poor shot first up.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Asif out for a duck on his second ball.

Poor shot first up.

Nope. It was a good shot. Can't fault a batsman for showing intent when we have Hasan coming in at 10.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Nope. It was a good shot. Can't fault a batsman for showing intent when we have Hasan coming in at 10.

It was a poor shot considering the match situation.Didn’t need to go bazooka from ball 1.Should have waited out for 5-6 deliveries,like Malik.He’s a good hitter and could have made up for any dot balls.However he was slightly unlucky with the wind.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

This is the right spot for now. He needs to play longer innings in domestic consistently before he can be promoted.

 

[Hasan123]

Malik has just extended his T20 career. Honestly we should have picked some younger batsmen.

We learnt nothing from Malik scoring runs.

 

[Square Drive]

This is the right spot for now. He needs to play longer innings in domestic consistently before he can be promoted.

Your ideal Pakistan side for the next T20 WC?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Your ideal Pakistan side for the next T20 WC?

Koi ideal side nahi hoti.

 

[Baigel]

A good shot, unlucky to be out...The same shot would have been 6 yesterday but due to the usage of the new pitch the midwicket boundaries were 10m longer

 

[coy0607]

Malik has just extended his T20 career. Honestly we should have picked some younger batsmen.

We learnt nothing from Malik scoring runs.

Like it or not, Malik is the cleanest and most consistent hitter in Pakistan. Asif hasn't proved anything on the international stage yet

 

[Hasan123]

Like it or not, Malik is the cleanest and most consistent hitter in Pakistan. Asif hasn't proved anything on the international stage yet

How will Asif prove anything by coming in in the last 2 or 3 overs ?

 

[Square Drive]

Koi ideal side nahi hoti.

Maza nahi aaya iss jawab se