Should Azhar Ali be used as a middle order batsman in ODIs?

[Abdulm123]

Pakistan need a backup opener to replace Shehzad for odis and Pakistan may use Sahibzada Farhan as a opener for a game likely replacing Azhar Ali so if this happens, where should Azhar ali bat?

 

[badsha001]

Azhar Ali is a test batsman period.

 

[ExplicitAI]

We can't have Azhar in the middle, he'll take too much time to get going and we don't want that. Malik and Sarfraz are excellent at playing at 90+ SR by hitting boundaries comfortably. Azhar has to play as an opener or not play ODI's at all. He did a good job in the CT but I'm not sure if he can replicate those performances. Even in List A domestic games he's been opening so batting in the middle order is a big no.

 

[Abdulm123]

He massively improved after the sri lanka match in the champions trophy so we cant say anything bad about him yet

 

[Lefthanded]

Azhar is really a stop-gap option as opener and isn't ODI material. Plays too slow to even play at 3. I'm not sure he can succeed often on flat tracks where the other team has big hitters. He looks like a liability but hopefully a young batsman can replace him.

 

[ahmadharis1]

I know that Sahibzada Farhan had a solid domestic season but he has still only played 9 List A matches. Surely we must give him some more time before throwing him in the deep end?

 

[The_Odd_One]

Please no. We don't need Misbah v2.0.

 

[sadida97]

khuda ka khof karo

 

[hadi123]

I didn't want Azhar Ali in ODI's but with his strong performance in CT and Sharjeel Khan's ban I think we have no other choice. He should be used as opener or number 3 at max. If he bats in the middle overs it will be very slow going as we already have accumulators like Malik there. If he opens it will suit his game more with Zaman playing his aggressive, natural game at the other end. This will suit Azhar Ali more as Zaman will take the run scoring pressure off of him and allow him to settle.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Never, he should only be used as an opener if they want to play him as we can't afford his slow batting during the middle overs, also as our middle order is is pretty much fixed.

 

[coy0607]

He massively improved after the sri lanka match in the champions trophy so we cant say anything bad about him yet

how can you say someone has "massively improved" after 2 games

we have 6+ years of Azhar Ali playing extremely slow cricket in both ODI and Test matches. He was a surprise in the CT, but he isn't an ODI player and we should be looking for more suitable replacements

 

[Leo23]

terrible idea

he is a poor odi player

 

[Syed1]

Khuda ko maan bhai... Azhar do chaar series ka mehmaan hai bus. His innings in the final washed over his mediocrity in the rest of the matches. Soon it will be back to normal.

 

[backfootpunch]

Please no. We don't need Misbah v2.0.

Lol hit the nail on the head.

I don't know what the OP has been smoking

 

[Abdulm123]

Lets see, Lets pray that Azhar Ali could stay in his Ct form or he gets a good replacement like farhan

 

[Hasan123]

Should stick to tests where he is world class.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Azhar should play as an opener in both ODIs and tests..

 

[FreakCricket]

Would be a big liability if we chase!