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Sarfaraz Ahmed as opener?

Out of all the topics I see being created on PP I don't come across this ever. I honestly don't understand how could he be worse than any 2 Kings we have opening atm, plus playing him opens up room for shadab in the squad. IMO he's the best opener in the squad atm.
 
Sarfraz fans need to stop championing Sarfraz to open. He isn't an opener. He will be targeted with the short ball and if the ball is moving around he could be vulnerable. Plus these same fans will critizce Azhar and Shehzad for not being able to hit boundaries consistently in PP overs like Australian and English openers, Sarfaraz isn't exactly a boundary hitter.

Sarfarz is perfect for the middle order, where rotating the strike is essential. We struggle to rotate strike in the middle order, he can solve this problem.
 
Could work in Pakistan's favour as a surprise move but depends on the pitch.
 
Never could understand how people like [MENTION=141885]Moiza[/MENTION] end up digging these 6 year old threads.
 
Hasan123 said:
Sarfraz fans need to stop championing Sarfraz to open. He isn't an opener. He will be targeted with the short ball and if the ball is moving around he could be vulnerable. Plus these same fans will critizce Azhar and Shehzad for not being able to hit boundaries consistently in PP overs like Australian and English openers, Sarfaraz isn't exactly a boundary hitter.

Sarfarz is perfect for the middle order, where rotating the strike is essential. We struggle to rotate strike in the middle order, he can solve this problem.
Click to expand...

Yet he played Gabriel very well in the tests, while Babar made it look like hard work.

Whereas other batsmen will freeze like deer in headlights when the ball swings, see under Hafeez,
Sarfraz will at least try to do something about it, stepping out to negate the swing, putting the
batsman off his length.

The only players who might be better than Sarfraz against the moving ball are
Haris, Babar and Azhar, out of which Azhar is too slow and limited in his strokes and Babar already
playing at 3. I'd be up for Haris opening though.
 
Moiza said:
Out of all the topics I see being created on PP I don't come across this ever. I honestly don't understand how could he be worse than any 2 Kings we have opening atm, plus playing him opens up room for shadab in the squad. IMO he's the best opener in the squad atm.
Click to expand...

If Pitch is flat or relativelu flat than surely Yes. It would be a good move.


But if there is moisture in the wicket than it will be gamble which may pay or backfire because all indian pacers are in good form.


Timely bump.
 
LegendAli said:
Never could understand how people like [MENTION=141885]Moiza[/MENTION] end up digging these 6 year old threads.
Click to expand...

Didn't want to create a new thread for a topic that already exists. In my 1 year at pp I've seen one topic being resurrected in 5+ threads. So I googled "sarfraz opener pak passion" and bumped this thread.
 
TalentSpotterPk said:
If Pitch is flat or relativelu flat than surely Yes. It would be a good move.


But if there is moisture in the wicket than it will be gamble which may pay or backfire because all indian pacers are in good form.


Timely bump.
Click to expand...

I don't see how AS would be any better than sarfraz against the moving ball. It also gives us the option to squeeze Shadab into the team since amir is back now and he'll be the one who's left out.
 
He's getting too chubby to adjust his batting as an opener, he's good at 3-5
 
the concern is he has very limited experience as an opener and hasn't played the position at any level is quite a while. But no question he's better than the alternates (Shehzad, Azhar) so I would do it

I dont think theres any actual chance of this happening thou. for whatever reason the team management see him as a lower order batsmen
 
Hasan123 said:
Sarfraz fans need to stop championing Sarfraz to open. He isn't an opener. He will be targeted with the short ball and if the ball is moving around he could be vulnerable. Plus these same fans will critizce Azhar and Shehzad for not being able to hit boundaries consistently in PP overs like Australian and English openers, Sarfaraz isn't exactly a boundary hitter.

Sarfarz is perfect for the middle order, where rotating the strike is essential. We struggle to rotate strike in the middle order, he can solve this problem.
Click to expand...

He will be do just fine if the pitch is flat. He has survived Starc and Hazlewood in Australia.
 
Hasan123 said:
And he was exposed when opening vs them in the World Cup. Sarfaraz is perfect for the middle order.
Click to expand...

Wasn't exposed any more than Shehzad. He got out to Mitch Starc. Has happened to the best of them. And Watson took a blinder of a catch.
 
Even 30 odd runs from Sarfraz with strike rate of 100 at the top will do the job for Pakistan, if Fakhar plays his natural game and both provide us the opening stand of something like 70/1 after 10 overs. That will ensure our race to 300.
 
Guys Sarfraz can not bat in the top 3. Just because our current openers are garbage doesn't mean Sarfraz should open. He is fine at 6
 
The_Odd_One said:
A sample size of 1 match, really?

And that too to Starc who was unplayable in that WC?
Click to expand...


Your using a test series as an example for him to open in LO, he was facing Starc and Hazelwood when they weren't fresh . He was facing them after 60 plus over.

He's not an opener for me.
 
New Yorker said:
Wasn't exposed any more than Shehzad. He got out to Mitch Starc. Has happened to the best of them. And Watson took a blinder of a catch.
Click to expand...


Yes he got out to a good delivery but I don't see him coping vs Starc, Rabada, Hazelwood, etc with the new ball.
 
No 4 is perfect for Sarfaraz. Can milk the spinners and medium pacers in the middle overs. Shouldn't be exposed totally to the brand new ball and will give him enough time to get his eye in.
 
Pakistan has 4 guys who can open ahead of Sarfraz - Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Mohd Hafeez and Babar Azam. If Sarfraz opens it will show a real discord between selection committee and team management. No way is that going to happen.
 
I think he needs to open, garbage players like Shehzad and Azhar are going to try and see out the new ball for 20 overs and Hafeez is too inconsistent and can be selfish at times.
 
WC-Passion said:
I think he needs to open, garbage players like Shehzad and Azhar are going to try and see out the new ball for 20 overs and Hafeez is too inconsistent and can be selfish at times.
Click to expand...

its very true but its also whats needed. You let the guys who can hit down the order a little bit up the order and watch the whole team collapse for less than 175 guaranteed

Our guys have a fear of playing the new ball and in English conditions you can forget about it.

I say, it is ok if we score 100 in the first twenty overs, for 2 down as long as the rest of the guys cash it in in the last thirty and give us another 240 runs. (thats 8 an over and quite doable)

Which, in turn, of course, means one of top 5 has to score a daddy hundred, and I thnk it is not an unreasonable ask since most successful teams regularly score over 330 runs and at least one of their top 5 scores a big hundred.
 
Stewie said:
its very true but its also whats needed. You let the guys who can hit down the order a little bit up the order and watch the whole team collapse for less than 175 guaranteed

Our guys have a fear of playing the new ball and in English conditions you can forget about it.

I say, it is ok if we score 100 in the first twenty overs, for 2 down as long as the rest of the guys cash it in in the last thirty and give us another 240 runs. (thats 8 an over and quite doable)

Which, in turn, of course, means one of top 5 has to score a daddy hundred, and I thnk it is not an unreasonable ask since most successful teams regularly score over 330 runs and at least one of their top 5 scores a big hundred.
Click to expand...

Yeah I agree with what your saying. Personally I think it has to be Babar or Malik who have to step up and score a century.

But what I don't understand is do you agree with moving Sarfraz up the order or not?
 
No I don't. Because my point is he is one of those who provide more value in lower order when it's time to cash in. If you demote hafeez or Azhar or Shehzad, they won't give you the same value sarfaraz and babar, malik etc will. So it's better to leave them to play the new ball at the top for a sub par run rate, as long as they don't get out within the twenty. Sarfaraz won't give you the same quick fire fifty sixty at top that he can provide at the bottom. Not in England, in my opinion.
 
Hasan123 said:
Your using a test series as an example for him to open in LO, he was facing Starc and Hazelwood when they weren't fresh . He was facing them after 60 plus over.

He's not an opener for me.
Click to expand...

Starc bowled plenty of short balls in that series. Tests are a tougher format. If he can survive in it, he can survive in ODIs. Anyway, I am not in favor of him opening permanently but he can be a make shift opener if the need arises.
 
Anyone with an iota of knowledge about cricket can see how Sarfraz is completely wasted at number 6. Not only this, but playing him that low down the order messes up the balance of the team. He's a perfect middle order player, coming in at number 4. One of our best batsmen, and his stats batting at 4 back him up as well. Too bad everyone's blind when it comes to this.
 
Stewie said:
No I don't. Because my point is he is one of those who provide more value in lower order when it's time to cash in. If you demote hafeez or Azhar or Shehzad, they won't give you the same value sarfaraz and babar, malik etc will. So it's better to leave them to play the new ball at the top for a sub par run rate, as long as they don't get out within the twenty. Sarfaraz won't give you the same quick fire fifty sixty at top that he can provide at the bottom. Not in England, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

When has Sarfraz ever scored a quick fire 50/60 like you claim, batting at number 6 in ODIs? That position is a waste for him. His 30 (30) type of innings at the top would provide more value to the team as opposed to him coming at 6 and not doing much. It's harming both him and the team. If he can't be played at 4, which I believe to be his ideal position, playing him as an opener is the next best bet.
 
Hasan123 said:
Yes he got out to a good delivery but I don't see him coping vs Starc, Rabada, Hazelwood, etc with the new ball.
Click to expand...

Again, who do we have who is more likely to cope than him? Shehzad is not technically any better and plenty likely to get bogged down. Azhar should not even be in the team. Babar will stay at 3. The only other option is Haris. I would open with Haris and Sarfraz.
 
New Yorker said:
Again, who do we have who is more likely to cope than him? Shehzad is not technically any better and plenty likely to get bogged down. Azhar should not even be in the team. Babar will stay at 3. The only other option is Haris. I would open with Haris and Sarfraz.
Click to expand...


I never said Azhar was the answer as well. Neither Azhar or Sarfraz should open in LO. I would give Shehzad a chance in this tournament and than take it from there.
 
The one thing with Sirfraz opening is atleast we would see some intent at the crease and also a player who will look to rotate the strike and take singles, unlike Azhar and Shezi the dot ball kings!
 
Hasan123 said:
I never said Azhar was the answer as well. Neither Azhar or Sarfraz should open in LO. I would give Shehzad a chance in this tournament and than take it from there.
Click to expand...

Ok, how is Shehzad better than Sarfraz? Bats faster? Better technique against swing?
Maybe I am missing something.
 
Sarfraz opening up the batsman along with Fakhar would have brought much more balance to the team.
This line up would have given me much more confidence than the one our think tank has finalized.

Sarfraz
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Malik
Hafeez
Imad/Shadab
Fahim
Amir
Hasan
Junaid
 
lets see how many runs the 'specialist opener' scores this game on a good batting track

shahzad the specialist opener is riding on his luck after sharjeel departure and some terrible selections from inzemam ul haq, najam sethi and mickey arthur
 
Shehzad shows off his specialist opener technique, playing across the line to opposition's swingiest bowler


8.6

Kumar to Ahmed Shehzad, OUT, Bhuvneshwar provides India with the breakthrough. Shehzad has been given out leg-before. Shehzad chats with his partner and Pakistan decide against a review. Bhuvneshwar ventures wide of the crease, full and angled in, Shehzad plays across the line and is rapped on the front pad in front of middle

Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Kumar 12 (22b 1x4 0x6) SR: 54.54
 
Not worked really for him in the PSL 2021 tournament opener
 
Early days but it's an interesting move.

I've never really thought of him as an opening batsman in any format.
 
I wonder if Sarfraz opening has been triggered by Rizwan's move up the order.
 
Even foreigners understand the politics these Pakistani cricketers play. Sarfraz definitely opened to show selectors he's a better option as opener than Rizwan. And miserably failed.
 
He’s very desperate now. Forced a kid who is a natural opener to bat in the middle order so that he can open. Typical
 
Doesnt have the powergame and no point in developing himself into this role at 33 years of age. Would be better if he gives someone younger this opportunity
 
Simon Doull not coming easy in the post match analysis, said “I tell you why he opened its because Rizwan has opened for Pak and has been successful” and Amir Sohail says “Desperate” and Doul agrees. :srt
 
Not the biggest Sarfaraz fan, but would much rather see him coming up the order rather than hiding low down the order. Glad that he's trying to take more responsibility. Didn't work out today, but let's see what happens in the next few matches
 
Sarafraz was never talented anyways. Now he is acting desperate and making a bigger fool of himself.
 
Ahmed_99 said:
Not the biggest Sarfaraz fan, but would much rather see him coming up the order rather than hiding low down the order. Glad that he's trying to take more responsibility. Didn't work out today, but let's see what happens in the next few matches
Click to expand...

There is nothing in his batting.
He primarily has one and only one shot, and that's a cross bat sweep towards deep midwicket. And he is actually not bad at it when playing against spinners.

Against pace bowlers, he is a sitting duck. If there is a short and wide outside the off stump, he manages to play a cut shot and that's the end of his batting spectrum.

If he wants to stay relative then he must develop and expand his stroke selection, keep his head down and work hard to improve.

He must also need to have a bit mature demeanor on the field. Calling every other as player as "beyta" and "beyta" isn't really professional and decent approach. And then, in general, he just talks way too much behind the wickets. You simply lose your leadership bearing on the field if you continuously blabber.
 
I feel very sorry for the guy. He just looks very lost and directionless, perhaps depression over the fact that he has seen Rizwan grab his opportunities with both hands, to be so far ahead of him with the bat, gloves, fitness, even the pro Sarfaraz cricketing lobby of Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Nadeem Umar, Khi media cannot make a case for him anymore.

His depression is now affecting his captaincy. I wonder how long before Quetta Gladiators lose patience with him.
 
After the match when asked about him opening, he seemed very hesitant about whether he will continue in the role.

This raises the following points:

Why do it in the first place, when you are not an opening batsman?
Why just do it for one game?
Why do it at a high profile tournament like the PSL?
 
I get that Sarfraz is past his best and his career is on the hinges, however i don’t get some of the disrespect on this thread as if he was a nothing player. Sarfraz had been a key player for us for years, in his prime was one of the best players of spin around, gave solid test performances and lead us to icc trophy which gave joy to millions of us Pakistanis. I get the criticism for his recent performances and he was rightly dropped but making out he’s always been ordinary is just wrong.
 
Well that experiment didn't last long. Tried it for the opening game of PSL 6, but now Sarfaraz has pushed himself back down the order.
 
Disbanded after 1 match.

QG's tactics are already in panic mode and seem to be of a team that has not prepared very well ahead of PSL6.
 
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