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Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal's batting positions for the ODI series

msb314

msb314

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With Hafeez now returning and hopefully occupying the no. 6 slot. There is still some combinations that need exploring for our middle order - primarily where Malik and Umar Akmal will bat.

This is our top 7 for now.

1) Sharjeel
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4)?
5) Sarfraz
6) Hafeez
7)?
8) Imad

Basically Umar Akmal and Malik have to fill in the no. 4 and no. 7 slot but the big question is who should bat where?

Malik is a good accumulator in the middle order and he struggles to slog so I feel he would be best suited in the no. 4 role.

I am completely for all giving Umar Akmal a chance in the top 4 but with Hafeez back in the team and Babar and Sarfraz also doing well in their respective positions - I feel Umar Akmal would best be utilized at no. 7. Besides - we need firepower in the lower middle order towards the death of our innings so Umar Akmal will get plenty of chances to accelerate and hit big.

If there are any other good combinations for our batting - please discuss!
 
Malik will stay at 4. Hafeez should either replace Rizwan and bat at 6, or replace Nawaz and bat at 7. If Hafeez replaces Nawaz, then Akmal replaces Rizwan and bats at 6.
 
Chief Destroyer said:
Umar has to bat in the top 4. Malik will get exposed there.
Click to expand...

That is the thing.

Malik will be useless anywhere outside no. 3, no. 4 or no. 5. and Babar and Sarfraz have cemented their spots in the no. 3 and 5 position.

Or we can drop Malik altogether and play another bowler or play Rizwan at 7 but I doubt it since Mickey likes Malik's experience and is a senior in the side.
 
Akmal is perfect at 5. He has enough time to get set and then go big, while Malik and Babar can construct the inning at 3 and 4.
 
Why have we never opened with Umar? Field setting, his type of power, mishits getting chances to stay alive.

Not saying it will work, but plenty of careers have been altered by switching to opening.

Again, I would imagine Umar fails still because he is as smart as the paint on my wall, but if you are going to try again, may as well be something different that might have a chance.
 
Best at giving firepower down the order, he's definitely not a number 3-4 batsman; he can't anchor or construct an innings. Although I am in favour of him trying out as an opener.
 
not sure why you think Hafeez is a lock for 6 since he's never played there in his career

I think Hafeez is there as a back up to the top 3, in case Sharjeel doesn't fire, or Babar keeps flopping

no. 6 spot is probably Umar Akmal after his performance in the practice game

you have 3 fast bowlers, and between Imad / Malik / Azhar you have 20+ overs
 
world cup captain said:
Akmal is perfect at 5. He has enough time to get set and then go big, while Malik and Babar can construct the inning at 3 and 4.
Click to expand...

Where will Sarfraz play then?

Anything at or below 6 is too low for him since he cannot slog in the death overs.
 
Ilan Bluestone said:
Why have we never opened with Umar? Field setting, his type of power, mishits getting chances to stay alive.

Not saying it will work, but plenty of careers have been altered by switching to opening.

Again, I would imagine Umar fails still because he is as smart as the paint on my wall, but if you are going to try again, may as well be something different that might have a chance.
Click to expand...

That is a good idea and I would drop Azhar in a hearbeat but sadly we know that is not going to happen.
 
coy0607 said:
not sure why you think Hafeez is a lock for 6 since he's never played there in his career

I think Hafeez is there as a back up to the top 3, in case Sharjeel doesn't fire, or Babar keeps flopping

no. 6 spot is probably Umar Akmal after his performance in the practice game

you have 3 fast bowlers, and between Imad / Malik / Azhar you have 20+ overs
Click to expand...

Having has been recalled due to his offspin bowling option.

99% sure he will play from game 1.

I am sure Hafeez will push to play in the top 3 but if Mickey walks the talk - he will force Hafeez to play at 6 or 7.
 
msb314 said:
Having has been recalled due to his offspin bowling option.

99% sure he will play from game 1.

I am sure Hafeez will push to play in the top 3 but if Mickey walks the talk - he will force Hafeez to play at 6 or 7.
Click to expand...

i think if they wanted to play him in game 1, they would've played him in the practice game

he hasn't played any cricket in Aus on this tour, I doubt they throw him right in
 
Or

3. Babar
4. Sarfraz
5. Malik
6. Akmal

depending on whether you want to go with a genuine keeper, or sacrifice Umar as part time keeper to accommodate seniors
 
Last edited:
msb314 said:
Where will Sarfraz play then?

Anything at or below 6 is too low for him since he cannot slog in the death overs.
Click to expand...

Get Akmal to keep or just play Sarfaraz as a floater. Unfortunately, we are not spoiled for choices as far as dynamic batsmen go, so we have to make the best of what we have.
 
MMHS said:
Don't need a WK? or like Umar to keep & Sarfu to serve drinks .....
Click to expand...

Akmal is way too fat to keep now. That's way Rizwan is in the squad. Otherwise, the former would have been backup WK.
 
Rayyman said:
Akmal is way too fat to keep now. That's way Rizwan is in the squad. Otherwise, the former would have been backup WK.
Click to expand...

Akmal and Sharjeel are the only dynamic batsmen in the team so you have to play them both. Sarfraz, Malik, Babar and Rizwan are semi-dynamic, and Hafeez is static.
 
asfandyar said:
Akmal and Sharjeel are the only dynamic batsmen in the team so you have to play them both. Sarfraz, Malik, Babar and Rizwan are semi-dynamic, and Hafeez is static.
Click to expand...

Umar has to bat in the top 4. Same with Babar.
 
asfandyar said:
Read my post below that one. For me personally, Hafeez should not play, but that is just me.
Click to expand...

One of MoHa or Malik plays at 4 - or Arthur resigns. What PAK will do with 2 identical player? Your order was flawed in any context, because simply as batsman, Sarfy comes ahead of Mian/MoHa in playing XI - but not at 6.
 
Rayyman said:
Akmal is way too fat to keep now. That's way Rizwan is in the squad. Otherwise, the former would have been backup WK.
Click to expand...

Not sure if Rezwan is better choice for point or for WK. While Umar will crack the surface below him, if he tries to keep now - now, do you realize, why KAkmal was a better short term selection ...... until Azhar gets P45.
 
MMHS said:
Not sure if Rezwan is better choice for point or for WK. While Umar will crack the surface below him, if he tries to keep now - now, do you realize, why KAkmal was a better short term selection ...... until Azhar gets P45.
Click to expand...

Akmal is good at long off/square leg. Azam can be at point.
 
asfandyar said:
Or

3. Babar
4. Sarfraz
5. Malik
6. Akmal

depending on whether you want to go with a genuine keeper, or sacrifice Umar as part time keeper to accommodate seniors
Click to expand...

Where will Hafeez play then?

Having been brought into the squad on Azhar/Mickey's request - I am sure he will be drafted straight into the starting XI.
 
world cup captain said:
Get Akmal to keep or just play Sarfaraz as a floater. Unfortunately, we are not spoiled for choices as far as dynamic batsmen go, so we have to make the best of what we have.
Click to expand...

Harsh to drop Sarfraz as he has been one of our best ODI batsman in recent times.

Playing Sarfraz as a floater means he will end up having to come in at 6 or 7 and be forced to slog - which is clearly not his strength and will more often than not fail.
 
MMHS said:
One of MoHa or Malik plays at 4 - or Arthur resigns. What PAK will do with 2 identical player? Your order was flawed in any context, because simply as batsman, Sarfy comes ahead of Mian/MoHa in playing XI - but not at 6.
Click to expand...

Mian will fail anywhere below 5 and plus Mickey/Azhar like him as the "senior" in the squad.

Harsh to drop him considering he has been in good form recently.

For now - Sarfraz, Babar, Azhar and Mian are undroppable. Probably so is Imad and Hafeez (who has brought in specifically on Azhar/Mickey's request).
 
MMHS said:
Not sure if Rezwan is better choice for point or for WK. While Umar will crack the surface below him, if he tries to keep now - now, do you realize, why KAkmal was a better short term selection ...... until Azhar gets P45.
Click to expand...

Rizwan is 2nd choice behind Sarfraz but certainly ahead of Umar.

However, both Sarfraz and Umar are superior batsman to him and are dynamic for ODI's so they will certainly get the nod ahead of them.

Unlikely Rizwan will start any game unless Sarfraz and/or Umar bomb spectacularly.
 
Umar if should play , should play at number 4 but I think we should play Mohammad hafeez. He will be fine at number 4 and is a very good bowler.

Azhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
SarfraZ
Imad
Nawaz
Amir
Wahab
Has an

A lot of bowling options as well in the team.
 
msb314 said:
Harsh to drop Sarfraz as he has been one of our best ODI batsman in recent times.

Playing Sarfraz as a floater means he will end up having to come in at 6 or 7 and be forced to slog - which is clearly not his strength and will more often than not fail.
Click to expand...

It's harsh but the combo just doesn't work with him anymore. He will always come at 7 because we have have Babar, Akmal, Malik and Hafeez who will I guarantee will bat above him. And at 7, like you said, he is useless so he plays as a specialist keeper.
 
They are not going to play Akmal in top 4. Lets just give him last 15 overs then. We were abysmal in finishing off the innings against WI.
 
1. Sharjeel
2.Azhar
3.Hafeez (tough series, tough role)
4. Babar (its a tough series thus play at 4 and stay safe)
5. Malik
6.Umar
7. Rizwan
8. Amir
9. Wahab (sadly Irfan is not there)
10. Hasan Ali
11. Junaid Khan
 
Having Azhar, Hafeez and Malik in the same odi lineup is so 1990s. Can't see it working, the game has moved on.
 
Hafeez should be at number 7

1. Azhar Ali
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Babar Azam
4. Malik
5. Akmal
6. Sarfaraz
7. Hafeez
8. Imad Wasim
9. Amir
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Hassan Ali
 
Umar should bat around 4-5 but the management probably won't let him. In that case, I'd go with the following lineup:

1. Sharjeel
2. Hafeez
3. Azhar
4. Malik
5. Babar
6. Akmal
7. Rizwan (now that Sarfraz is going home)
8. Imad
9. Amir
10. Wahab
11. Hasan

If Nawaz plays instead of Hafeez, then everyone moves up and Nawaz comes in at 8.
 
Akmal should bat at no. 4 and Malik at 5.

Rizwan at no. 6 and Hafeez at no. 7 would add a lot of depth to the batting.
 
Malik should be at 4 and Akmal lower in the order so he can slog. Maybe experiment with Sharjeel Khan opening with Mohammad Hafeez, have Azhar Ali at #3 then Babar Azam at 4. Lots of teams play their best batsman at 4
 
Seamer said:
Hafeez should be at number 7

1. Azhar Ali
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Babar Azam
4. Malik
5. Akmal
6. Sarfaraz
7. Hafeez
8. Imad Wasim
9. Amir
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Hassan Ali
Click to expand...

JibranAnsari said:
Umar if should play , should play at number 4 but I think we should play Mohammad hafeez. He will be fine at number 4 and is a very good bowler.

Azhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
SarfraZ
Imad
Nawaz
Amir
Wahab
Has an

A lot of bowling options as well in the team.
Click to expand...

Square Drive said:
Azhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Malik
Sarfraz
Umar
Hafeez/Nawaz/Junaid
Imad
Amir
Wahab
Hasan
Click to expand...

WIth Sarfraz returning home now - I would play the following team.

1) Azhar
2) Sharjeel
3) Babar
4) Malik
5) Umer Akmal
6) Hafeez
7) Imad
8) Hassan Ali
9) Amir
10) Wahab
11) Junaid

If I were Umar Akmal - I would hold on the wicketkeeping gloves like my life depended on it since if he performs with the bat - may well be preferred over Sarfraz. Over time - he may be able to afford a few failures due to his wicketkeeping prowess.
 
With Sarfraraz gone Pakistan will have to accommodate Rizwan in the eleven, thus expecting a side along the lines of:

Azhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Umar
Malik
Rizwan
Imad
Hassan
Amir
Wahab
Junaid
 
Ellipsism said:
With Sarfraraz gone Pakistan will have to accommodate Rizwan in the eleven, thus expecting a side along the lines of:

Azhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Umar
Malik
Rizwan
Imad
Hassan
Amir
Wahab
Junaid
Click to expand...

Sharjeel, :uakmal and :azhar are not good enough for competitive odi against a Aus at their den.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ashar is misfit in this lineup.
Causing these unnecessary headaches.

Malik clearly wants to play at #4, and we do not want to waste umer at #6.
So Umar should come at #5,
 
Ideally Umar at #4 and Malik at #12. However, we're likely to see Malik at #4 and Akmal at #5 or #6, at least until Malik gets exposed and is finally dropped from the team.
 
What good are umar akmals 20s and 30s at number 4? We need to play a proper batsman at number 4 :hafeez , for time being umar akmal can introduce Australia to his brilliant fashion sense.
 
Junaid has no place in the team when we can play a better combination where number 11 can bat a bit. Junaid and rahat should not play any match.

Azhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad
Nawaz
Amir
Wahab
Has an

In this line up even has an Ali can bat a bit and he isn't a bad bowler either.
 
msb314 said:
WIth Sarfraz returning home now - I would play the following team.

1) Azhar
2) Sharjeel
3) Babar
4) Malik
5) Umer Akmal
6) Hafeez
7) Imad
8) Hassan Ali
9) Amir
10) Wahab
11) Junaid

If I were Umar Akmal - I would hold on the wicketkeeping gloves like my life depended on it since if he performs with the bat - may well be preferred over Sarfraz. Over time - he may be able to afford a few failures due to his wicketkeeping prowess.
Click to expand...

If you're making Umar keep, you might as well make Shafiq keep.

UA is not a keeper and never will be. Having the last name Akmal does not equate to being a WK.

Ellipsism said:
With Sarfraraz gone Pakistan will have to accommodate Rizwan in the eleven, thus expecting a side along the lines of:

Azhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Umar
Malik
Rizwan
Imad
Hassan
Amir
Wahab
Junaid
Click to expand...

That looks a gun line-up on paper, and one well-suited for modern-day cricket (though a Nawaz at #8 would make the batting depth even better. If only Sohail was there instead of Junaid). Let's see how they fare.
 
sharjeel
azhar
babar
malik
umar
kamran
hafeez
imad

seems good, but hafeez is a distraction
 
Hasan123 said:
Want Umar batting as high as possible if he's selected
Click to expand...

Blistering Barnacle said:
Umar should bat around 4-5 but the management probably won't let him. In that case, I'd go with the following lineup:

1. Sharjeel
2. Hafeez
3. Azhar
4. Malik
5. Babar
6. Akmal
7. Rizwan (now that Sarfraz is going home)
8. Imad
9. Amir
10. Wahab
11. Hasan

If Nawaz plays instead of Hafeez, then everyone moves up and Nawaz comes in at 8.
Click to expand...

Stallion__ said:
They are not going to play Akmal in top 4. Lets just give him last 15 overs then. We were abysmal in finishing off the innings against WI.
Click to expand...

GUYS why not make
UMAR open up with sharjeel and drive azhar down the order to 6,7 or 12????
 
I think Pakistan needs to forget about this "building an innings anchor role" cr*p and play some modern Cricket by having UA either at 3 or 4. However his most suited position is number 6 and it may not be a bad idea having the Akmal brothers at 6-7 giving some firepower depth. This order may be what Pakistan should work towards for 2019,,,

1. Sharjeel
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Umar
5. Malik
6. Hafeez
7. Kamran
8. Imad
9. Amir
10. Nawaz
11. Hassan Ali
 
world cup captain said:
Akmal is perfect at 5. He has enough time to get set and then go big, while Malik and Babar can construct the inning at 3 and 4.
Click to expand...

Construct the innings for what? A score of 280?? That's not enough these days. New Zealand and England have batsmen like Corey Anderson and Eoin Morgan at 3 and 4. Your number 4 technically is a big hitter these days if you want to average a score of 340+
 
super hitter said:
GUYS why not make
UMAR open up with sharjeel and drive azhar down the order to 6,7 or 12????
Click to expand...

Ideally I would give Akmal two to three series at the top. If he doesn't perform, he should be discarded forever. But that's never going to happen till Azhar is there.
 
Stallion__ said:
Ideally I would give Akmal two to three series at the top. If he doesn't perform, he should be discarded forever. But that's never going to happen till Azhar is there.
Click to expand...

If you put it to him like this he will probably retire as soon as he hears that. Your basically asking the guy to score big at gun point. I would actually give him a run of whole series to find his feet, I would tell him that if he doesn't perform, it's ok we will slot you in at 6-7. Why put a guy under so much immense pressure??
 
Malik if scores , scores at a very good sr. I don't think that a scoring shoaib malik is an issue. He can bowl a few handy overs as well. Though I am against having umar akmal in the team , but to even out the effect of slow batting from azhar we will probably need akmal at 4/5. Umar akmal is someone who can score a quick 30/40 and give some impetus to the innings when we are 100/2 or 3 after 25 overs. On the bright side if sharjeel fires a quick 50 in say 40 balls and both azhar and Babar score some runs then likes of imad and akmal can be promoted to score some quick runs.
 
Rana said:
If you put it to him like this he will probably retire as soon as he hears that. Your basically asking the guy to score big at gun point. I would actually give him a run of whole series to find his feet, I would tell him that if he doesn't perform, it's ok we will slot you in at 6-7. Why put a guy under so much immense pressure??
Click to expand...

I am talking from a fan point of view. As a selector, captain or coach, of course you have to encourage him to play his best at whatever number you are playing him.
 
Rana said:
Construct the innings for what? A score of 280?? That's not enough these days. New Zealand and England have batsmen like Corey Anderson and Eoin Morgan at 3 and 4. Your number 4 technically is a big hitter these days if you want to average a score of 340+
Click to expand...

We don't have batsman like Corey Anderson and Eoin Morgan. They can rotate the strike if necessary. Akmal can't do that, he'll go out there and look to go big.

If Malik and Babar can get set, they will go big and not ask much of Akmal.
 
Square Drive said:
If you're making Umar keep, you might as well make Shafiq keep.

UA is not a keeper and never will be. Having the last name Akmal does not equate to being a WK.



That looks a gun line-up on paper, and one well-suited for modern-day cricket (though a Nawaz at #8 would make the batting depth even better. If only Sohail was there instead of Junaid). Let's see how they fare.
Click to expand...

In australian conditions and flat wickets - I would rather have Umar Akmal the batsman the Rizwan the batsman.

Umar Akmal's keeping may not be top notch but the upgrade in his batting ability makes up for it IMO.
 
now that sarfraz have gone back home, it ll get easier for management as for batting order goes.
Sharjeel
Azhar
Babar
Malik (we need someone to rotate strike and good running in middle overs and Malik can do that and has ability to bat longer, if he ll succeed in Aus or not, its another topic)
Umar Akmal (many ppl would want him bat at number 4, but his fitness ll b main point in this series, from pics, he looks horrible, lets see how he does)
Hafeez/Rizwan (team may ask Umar to keep? highly unlikely but is Pak cricket)
Imad
Hassan
Amir
Wahab
Junaid/Rahat

at this point, its difficult for Hafeez to get place in team . But team management have ask for Hafeez so they may have plan for him and he may play whole series so lets see which of youngster sits out
 
Rizwan played the WI series ahead of Akmal and now that Sarfraz is out, I am sure Rizwan will be in the eleven to give him an extended run.

Hafeez & Akmal may be fighting for one spot unless Hafeez can challenge Nawaz for his spot which may not be possible since Hafeez may be barely 50% the bowler that Nawaz is after the remodel.
 
super hitter said:
GUYS why not make
UMAR open up with sharjeel and drive azhar down the order to 6,7 or 12????
Click to expand...

In an ideal world but Mickey/Sheharyar do not have the guts to drop Azhar or move him down the order.

Maybe Mickey got a bright idea after watching the warmup game but I doubt it.
 
Asim2Good said:
now that sarfraz have gone back home, it ll get easier for management as for batting order goes.
Sharjeel
Azhar
Babar
Malik (we need someone to rotate strike and good running in middle overs and Malik can do that and has ability to bat longer, if he ll succeed in Aus or not, its another topic)
Umar Akmal (many ppl would want him bat at number 4, but his fitness ll b main point in this series, from pics, he looks horrible, lets see how he does)
Hafeez/Rizwan (team may ask Umar to keep? highly unlikely but is Pak cricket)
Imad
Hassan
Amir
Wahab
Junaid/Rahat

at this point, its difficult for Hafeez to get place in team . But team management have ask for Hafeez so they may have plan for him and he may play whole series so lets see which of youngster sits out
Click to expand...

Realistically - this is the best team and batting order we can field at this point.
 
JibranAnsari said:
Sharjeel just scored a 40 against Australia in the 2nd innings , we do not keep high expectations from our openers. He will do fine.
Click to expand...

Yes he can score 30-40 runs occasionally on these pitches by being positive but is bound to get 0 also while doing the same. Even if expectations are not high still the matches have to be competitive like the good old days or I'll loose interest in what was once a very spirited, unpredictable and "winning from the jaws of defeat" kinda performance once Pakistan team was known for.
 
msb314 said:
In australian conditions and flat wickets - I would rather have Umar Akmal the batsman the Rizwan the batsman.

Umar Akmal's keeping may not be top notch but the upgrade in his batting ability makes up for it IMO.
Click to expand...

Point is, why are you trying to make someone who is not a WK keep wickets, that too in the presence of a more genuine WK?
 
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