What's new

Saud Shakeel vs Babar Azam at the number 3 batting position in ODIs?

mominsaigol

mominsaigol

T20I Star
Joined
Apr 14, 2021
Runs
31,039
Post of the Week
2
I honestly think saud is superior to Babar if both play at no 3. Thoughts?
 
BTW this isn't about removing babar, personally maybe saud shpuld be given a go at the top.
 
Who is better doesn't usually matter here, Saud is better equiped to play any kind of bowling.

Babar has glaring weakness against spinners, usually the No.4 batsmen should be able to play spin well.

Saud Shakeel is miles better than Babar in that department, that is why Babar Azam is essential for No.3 and Saud for No.4.
 
In my fantasy XI for the world cup I have Saud pencilled at 3 over Babar and agree with @mominsaigol here.

Saud is technically superior to Babar, has a much better game against spin and can up the ante when needed unlike Babar. If Saud had receive the support and investment Babar had and debuted at the same time it is without doubt that Saud would be seen by all as the superior batsmen however even with his late start I am confident that my claim will be validated
 
Babar is fine at 3.

If an early wicket falls, he plays pace very well and at a good strike rate

Saud is good but if he wants that no.3 spot then he should play at that position for Sindh in the next One Day cup and show what he offers
 
Rana said:
Babar is fine at 3.

If an early wicket falls, he plays pace very well and at a good strike rate

Saud is good but if he wants that no.3 spot then he should play at that position for Sindh in the next One Day cup and show what he offers
Click to expand...
Until some sides pick up on this and bring spinners on as soon as babar comes in. With the World Cup in India, I’d imagine most teams playing at least 2 spinners each game to afford that luxury.

It still doesn’t mean babar moves from no3 but there’s no getting away from the fact that this could potentially be a tough World Cup for him as a batsman
 
TheSultan said:
Until some sides pick up on this and bring spinners on as soon as babar comes in. With the World Cup in India, I’d imagine most teams playing at least 2 spinners each game to afford that luxury.

It still doesn’t mean babar moves from no3 but there’s no getting away from the fact that this could potentially be a tough World Cup for him as a batsman
Click to expand...
Don’t worry we have Rizwan at 4 to cover for him…
 
I'm actually surprised most of the posters here actually agree with saud being superior to Babar lol, I thought I'd face backlash XD.
 
I would have Babar at 4. Not that he's technically inferior instead my reasoning is that since he's our best batter and at 4 his input can be maximized. Babar at 4 gives us flexibility to try someone else at 3. I wouldn't mind Rizwan opening with Fakhar and Imam or Abdullah coming at 3.
 
What a bizarre post, you need your best player of the country at no.3 in ODIs like Root, Virat, Williamson and Smith. But we want a guy with average of 44.4 in list A to replace a guy with an average of 58 in international cricket. How do you guys come across such baffling ideas ?
 
mominsaigol said:
I'm actually surprised most of the posters here actually agree with saud being superior to Babar lol, I thought I'd face backlash XD.
Click to expand...
Yes because only Pakistani's have understanding of the game, rest of the world has no idea about cricket.
 
King_Babar said:
What a bizarre post, you need your best player of the country at no.3 in ODIs like Root, Virat, Williamson and Smith. But we want a guy with average of 44.4 in list A to replace a guy with an average of 58 in international cricket. How do you guys come across such baffling ideas ?
Click to expand...
Saud has improved considerably, his average is no longer a reflection of that.

Also babar is a bit weak against spin, compared to saud.
 
King_Babar said:
What a bizarre post, you need your best player of the country at no.3 in ODIs like Root, Virat, Williamson and Smith. But we want a guy with average of 44.4 in list A to replace a guy with an average of 58 in international cricket. How do you guys come across such baffling ideas ?
Click to expand...
Also bro, Smith, Williamson, Virat are all superior to Babar lol. Root vs Babar is a fairer analogy.
 
mominsaigol said:
Also bro, Smith, Williamson, Virat are all superior to Babar lol. Root vs Babar is a fairer analogy.
[/QUOTE
Click to expand...
It's not about if babar is superior than them or not it's about if you have any player of such caliber, skill and temperament in a population of 241million.

Earlier when during Misbah's era, people used to blame him that he is not coming up the order and allowing team to go 10-3 in powerplay 😂
 
King_Babar said:
It's not about if babar is superior than them or not it's about if you have any player of such caliber, skill and temperament in a population of 241million.

Earlier when during Misbah's era, people used to blame him that he is not coming up the order and allowing team to go 10-3 in powerplay 😂
Click to expand...

I don't want babar per say removed if he's truly the best lol. Problem is, from a glance I can tell that saud is superior in all 3 things then babar is atm.

Regardless saud should be at no 4 max. Rizwam hogging that no 4 slot has created problems.
 
Saud has played 6 ODI matches with an average of 19 and SR of 71 but he should replace Babar at 3. People on this forum need to grow up. He is probably a good player but let him prove himself and find a different position in the team
 
If Saud can do better than babar against India I'd rate him as a better batsman.
I feel babar has not responded well to the pressure of big games
 
salman24 said:
Saud has played 6 ODI matches with an average of 19 and SR of 71 but he should replace Babar at 3. People on this forum need to grow up. He is probably a good player but let him prove himself and find a different position in the team
Click to expand...
Pakistan have selected him and Abdullah for a World Cup. They have 7 ODIs under their belt

If the PCB can’t grow up why do you expect the amateur fans to?
 
salman24 said:
Saud has played 6 ODI matches with an average of 19 and SR of 71 but he should replace Babar at 3. People on this forum need to grow up. He is probably a good player but let him prove himself and find a different position in the team
Click to expand...
It was just a suggestion, not an actual recommendation. Also I never said for the world cup. I said he should be given a go at no 3 but obviously not in the world cup.

I'm thinking along the lines of he should be our no 3 when we choose 2nd string sides and if he ends up surpassing babar, this is where he plays.
 
Ridiculous 💀 replace an untested inexperienced bat who we don't even know how good he will be in the format, with the proven best bat in the country at 3? Talk about premature hyping. Saud Shakeel doesn't need this from fans. And talk about complete bogus. Babar does not deserve to be dropped from the 3 spot
 
mominsaigol said:
I'm still curious, I kinda want rizwan to open, to see how his odi game improves.
Click to expand...
It works out in t20s with not many overs to play. He'll be severely exposed by pacers in the longer format. He's proven himself enough at 5. And there's no room at the top order. No need to tinker especially with the World Cup here now
 
Put your best bat at 3, no point in putting in someone with limited experience in white ball in that position
 
Babar is doing gr8 at 3rd position so i think there is no need to bring him out from his comfort zone, Saud Shakeel is perfect candidate for the 4th position becasue at that phase mostly spinners come on to bowl and u need someone who can play the spin efficiently.
 
At first, I thought this was some sarcastic post put put up by a hardcore Babar supporter to make a point. But after reading the comments I'm totally perplexed at the opinions that some of fellow members from PP hold.

You can hate literally everything about Babar and his captaincy but to think that Saud is somehow a better choice at No 3 than Babar is beyond ridiculous to say the least. Anybody who has watched PCT for more than 3 years cant be serious when they say that they would prefer Saud over Babar.

I have an actual question to the members who are posting on this thread. Has anyone of you ever seen Saud bat in the shorter format? I am genuinely confused as to what is the thought process that goes behind such posts. Maybe I dont have proper understanding of cricket that other people in the forum have or are there some secret PCT matches that guys here watch to come up with such opinions.
 
Where would you like Babar to play ? Open or 4 ?
Think he's doing just fine at three. One of the best in the world. No need to move him around.
On what basis is Saud superior to Babar in ODI's at no 3 position considering Saud's hardly played any ODI's ?
 
Arsalan Pro said:
Who is better doesn't usually matter here, Saud is better equiped to play any kind of bowling.

Babar has glaring weakness against spinners, usually the No.4 batsmen should be able to play spin well.

Saud Shakeel is miles better than Babar in that department, that is why Babar Azam is essential for No.3 and Saud for No.4.
Click to expand...
Any statistical evidence to support the claim that Babar has "glaring weakness" against spin?

Because from what I can see, the guy has an average of 77 at a SR of 88 against spin in ODIs. The only spinners he has really struggled against are Rashid and Kuldeep but despite that struggle the overall average is still 77.
 
Moiza said:
Any statistical evidence to support the claim that Babar has "glaring weakness" against spin?

Because from what I can see, the guy has an average of 77 at a SR of 88 against spin in ODIs. The only spinners he has really struggled against are Rashid and Kuldeep but despite that struggle the overall average is still 77.
Click to expand...
Baseless assumption created because Babar gets out to spinners after scoring good amount of runs.
 
I think an ideal setup would be:

3. Babar
4. Saud
5. Rizwan

I wouldn't move Babar from the one-down spot. He's the team's main batsman and should play in his set position. They need to develop Saud in that #4 slot and hope he continues to work on his game.
 
Absolutely laughable than people on here are even considering moving Babar down for Shakeel. Embarassing, actually.

Saud is a middle-order batsman and his best position is #4 but I would give Rizwan the first three matches at that position to see how he goes. Shakeel may be more useful coming down at #5 and primarily facing the opposition's spinners.
 
kingusama92 said:
I think an ideal setup would be:

3. Babar
4. Saud
5. Rizwan

I wouldn't move Babar from the one-down spot. He's the team's main batsman and should play in his set position. They need to develop Saud in that #4 slot and hope he continues to work on his game.
Click to expand...
Completely agree with this post. Babar became the #1 batsmen in the work batting at #3. Other countries and their players recognize his greatness. The Australian team’s documentary has an entire section where they discuss is hard it was to get him out.
 
Imam, Fakhar, Babar, Saud, Rizwan should be Pakistan's top 5 in that order. It might not always provide the high RR but it certainly brings solidity, that's for sure. Though 9.99999999/10 Rizwan is gonna bat at 4 and Saud at 5.
 
There is no way, we see a change at number 3. Babar is going to play at number 3 all the way and not sure if we see Rizwan giving up number 4 spot so if Saud plays, he has to play at number 5.
 
Saud with some work to do - has looked edgy
 
Saud goes from being a liability in ODIs because of his 'slow batting' to now displacing Babar as the #3.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Bilal7 said:
Saud goes from being a liability in ODIs because of his 'slow batting' to now displacing Babar as the #3.
Click to expand...
Weren't you the one clowning me for suggesting saud shpuld be more 3 and Babar should open? Because babar is clearly a dud on spinning pitches. He's class against pace though.
 
mominsaigol said:
Weren't you the one clowning me for suggesting saud shpuld be more 3 and Babar should open? Because babar is clearly a dud on spinning pitches. He's class against pace though.
Click to expand...
Maybe go out and touch grass? You made a post arguing that Saud may not be the best option because he is too slow and now in this thread you are arguing for another brainless take.
 
4-5 are unique batting positions in the regard where the skillset required is quite similar.


So it's not a huge matter if Riz bats at 4 or Saud.
 
Bilal7 said:
Maybe go out and touch grass? You made a post arguing that Saud may not be the best option because he is too slow and now in this thread you are arguing for another brainless take.
Click to expand...
When did I say saud is not the best option lol, no one has advocated him more then me lol. But continue being toxic lol and lying.
 
Logic dictates that the middle order should be able to play spin effectively, Saud can do that and is probably best equipped to do so in this WC squad, so stuck with him in the middle order.

Babar 3, Rizwan 4 and Saud 5 covers all possible scenarios imo in the tourney.

The only change I would do is to make them float, 1 wicket down in the first five overs? Babar comes in. 1 wicket down after twenty overs? Saud comes in to combat spin. It appears Babar can't start against spin, he gets bogged down and then gifts his wicket away so imho he's not ideal to come in when spinners are operating from both ends.
 
He is probably the best Number 5 batsman which Pakistan have. I dont know why we didn't utilize him in the Asia Cup, knowing the fact that he plays spin so well.

Babar should try him giving few overs to bowl as he is a very handy part time bowler too.
 
Last edited:
No. Babar is the best batter in our team, he's #3. Saud at #4, Rizwan at #5. That's a good lineup.
 
I feel much comfortable knowing that Saud is at 5 after Babar and Rizwan, but don't disagree with Saud at 4 as it would be great to have a lefty righty combination in our middle order. That is a nice problem to have
 
Firebat said:
No. Babar is the best batter in our team, he's #3. Saud at #4, Rizwan at #5. That's a good lineup.
Click to expand...
Babar is the best batter of pace, Saud of spin.

Their equals in that aspect but saud is superior with SR, something he use to lack a year ago but developed. Something which babar has yet to develop, aka going after the bowling CONSISTENTLY
 
Caved12 said:
I feel much comfortable knowing that Saud is at 5 after Babar and Rizwan, but don't disagree with Saud at 4 as it would be great to have a lefty righty combination in our middle order. That is a nice problem to have
Click to expand...
Yes, the current batting order looks pretty good. I don't think there is any need to make any changes at the moment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Ball Blazer
[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Pakistan's white-ball camp kicks off with Babar Azam in the opening group
Replies
52
Views
3K
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
  • Poll Poll
Who should Pakistan appoint as the new Test captain?
Replies
37
Views
1K
BunnyRabbit
B
FearlessRoar
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan's middle order – A Potential Pitfall
Replies
6
Views
297
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
JibranAnsari
Will be see any more cricketers scoring 10k runs in ODIs?
Replies
13
Views
472
shaz619
shaz619
BouncerGuy
“We requested Babar Azam to come in at number three however, he was keen to play an opener”: Salman Iqbal (Owner of Karachi Kings)
Replies
74
Views
3K
shariqnoor
shariqnoor
Back
Top