Should Babar Azam open the innings in ODIs?

[Savak]

He is already opening the innings for Pakistan in T-20 Cricket, why not do a Tendulkar and open the innings in ODI Cricket as well? The best batsman of the side should open the innings and the way he bats with his shots along the ground, i back him to pierce the gaps in the field easily.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I don’t think it’s a bad idea to be honest. But I also don’t mind playing Imam and Haider as openers with Babar at one down.

 

[shamaan]

I don’t think it’s a bad idea to be honest. But I also don’t mind playing Imam and Haider as openers with Babar at one down.

I would play babar oppening with imaam and haider at 3 but wouldnt mind what u stated

 

[Ab Fan]

Haider should play as opener in both ODI and T20 formats now. Babar should bat at 3. Maybe sooner play Haider in tests as opener also. It will make Pakistan a better team at home.

If Pakistan didn't had a batsmen like Haider, Babar could have opened in ODIs.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Haider should play as opener in both ODI and T20 formats now. Babar should bat at 3. Maybe sooner play Haider in tests as opener also. It will make Pakistan a better team at home.

If Pakistan didn't had a batsmen like Haider, Babar could have opened in ODIs.

One good T20 performance and you want Haider to open in tests? How about making him the captain?

 

[Ab Fan]

One good T20 performance and you want Haider to open in tests? How about making him the captain?

He is extremely talented and has all the skills to dominate bowlers but fans need to be patient enough. He just learns to straight bat and will have a career like Rohit Sharma or Mayank Agarwal in test cricket which will be good result for Pakistan given the resources available.

No point playing with a 34 and 35 years old who is not giving good results.

 

[angrypathan]

Let Haider open in ODIs with Imam, would give good balance to the side. Babar at 3 in ODIs still has plenty of time to construct an innings, whereas in T20s he'd be a liability if he wasn't opening.

 

[Barragan]

It is pretty much the obvious choice and the only thing Pak management should be focusing on.

 

[warcry]

what is wrong with Babar Azam batting at 3?

 

[Mesozoic]

Your best batsman should always bat at no.3 (ODIs).

 

[Barragan]

Your best batsman should always bat at no.3 (ODIs).

Probably the greatest ODI batsman of all time Tendulkar opened the innings, so this is completely untrue.

 

[Indiafan]

He is extremely talented and has all the skills to dominate bowlers but fans need to be patient enough. He just learns to straight bat and will have a career like Rohit Sharma or Mayank Agarwal in test cricket which will be good result for Pakistan given the resources available.

No point playing with a 34 and 35 years old who is not giving good results.

I really really hate this trend of hyping players after one single injings. No one called kohli or Smith as extremely talented after one innings. Over hype can destroy young players

 

[Hasan123]

He would do fine as an opener. There isn't much difference between opening in T20s and ODIs. Depends on who we batting at 3 if we want to move Babar to open.

 

[Ab Fan]

I really really hate this trend of hyping players after one single injings. No one called kohli or Smith as extremely talented after one innings. Over hype can destroy young players

Hyping is when you compare with Tendulkar or Lara or Kallis not when you compare with Rohit Sharma and I said he can be that type of player. I am convinced by the looks that Haider will be a good player for Pakistan, will give them that flying start they need. They anyways have some vacant spots left.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I really really hate this trend of hyping players after one single injings. No one called kohli or Smith as extremely talented after one innings. Over hype can destroy young players

Where were you when fans were hyping Rishabh Pant after one inning? Where were you when fans were calling Hardik Pandya second coming of Kapil Dev after his first series? It's easy to preach others but start following your own advice first.

 

[asadee]

Not a bad idea. Time to drop the never learn from my mistakes Fakhar Zaman

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Babar can open. It can allow one extra spot which can go to Haider.

 

[JibranAnsari]

He should open , he is useful in first 35 overs. He becomes a liability in the overs when ru . rate needs to be increased. He can be an ideal opener for pakistan and pakistans headache of finding a good opener will be solved.

 

[Titan24]

When the ball is new you dont want to risk your best batsman then and lose him at the start of 50 overs. Same is the case with when people suggest for him to bat at no 3 in tests. With one down in ODIs there is a chance that he will come to bat after few overs so the ball wont be doing as much as it does in first 5-6 overs in ODIs.

Also question is why change something which is working? He has tremendous record at no3.

Can he open? Ofcourse but do we really need him to be risked and change his best position? No.

 

[GreenKhan]

Fakhar averages 47 in one day cricket and scored back to back 50s in his last two innings . Let’s not confuse formats with his recent t20 form.

 

[ahmed16]

Fair idea if you can find someone with the credibility to occupy number 3 in odis, I don't see any batsmen yet who has the ability to bat at number 3 in odis bar Babar.

 

[Mesozoic]

Probably the greatest ODI batsman of all time Tendulkar opened the innings, so this is completely untrue.

Times have changed.

Tendulkar used to open in an era when there was only one ball used from both ends. Ball used to lose it's shine and the seam used to get less pronounced in much quicker time. (maybe 6-7 overs max).

Tendulkar also used to open at a time when India had probably the strongest middle order (barring Aus) with the likes of Yuvi, GG, MSD, Kohli etc all waiting in the shed.

Now compare that to the situation Babar finds himself in. He has to now play two hard new balls against bowlers with fresh legs. Can Pakistan risk/afford losing him in the first 5 overs looking their current middle order ? I'm not saying it's the worst, but will they risk a potential 280+ score coming down to 240/50 ?

It's always about risk vs reward....

 

[Bewal Express]

Yes, the more balls he bat's the better for PK

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Nothing wrong and let him bat at 3.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Can definitely experiment 10-20 matches with it. Everyone will get an idea where he belongs in the batting order. Historical Pakistani batsmen have preferred their middle.order cucoon instead of taking on a more proactive openers role.

Openers define your team literally in LOIs. The way open the inning tells a lot about the team's mindset and style of play.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Can definitely experiment 10-20 matches with it. Everyone will get an idea where he belongs in the batting order. Historical Pakistani batsmen have preferred their middle.order cucoon instead of taking on a more proactive openers role.

Openers define your team literally in LOIs. The way open the inning tells a lot about the team's mindset and style of play.

Since Saeed Anwar, in comparison to Australia, India or SA, we have had complete failures as openers. Likes of Hafeez and Shehzad.

Imagine if Babar falls in 1st 5 overs

I think sending Babar as an opener can backfire.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Maybe before, but with Haider available now, let him and Imam form an opening partnership with Babar at 3.

It gives confidence in the top order, the middle order, and we would do quite well for the next 2 years with Rizwan at 4, great finishers at 5 and 6 (say, any 2 of Haris Sohail, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakil), and someone like Shadab at 7.

A squad like this could be fantastic!

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Haider Ali
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Haris Sohail
5. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shadab Khan (vc)
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Shaheen Afridi

Bench: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Saud Shakil, Umer Khan

 

[moghul]

Not a bad idea, worth trying it. Babar being a classic and not a bang bang batsman , needs to spend more time at the wicket . With his solid technique will be even a bigger success as an opener, just like Tendulkar.

 

[shamaan]

Maybe before, but with Haider available now, let him and Imam form an opening partnership with Babar at 3.

It gives confidence in the top order, the middle order, and we would do quite well for the next 2 years with Rizwan at 4, great finishers at 5 and 6 (say, any 2 of Haris Sohail, Khushdil Shah, and Saud Shakil), and someone like Shadab at 7.

A squad like this could be fantastic!

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Haider Ali
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Haris Sohail
5. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shadab Khan (vc)
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Shaheen Afridi

Bench: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Saud Shakil, Umer Khan

I would go

Imaam
Babar
Haider
Harris sohail if fit and can bowl overs
Rizwan
Khushdil
Shadab
Imad
Shaheen
Rauf
Wahab

Fakhar,saud shakeel,umer khan,rohail nazir,naseem

 

[shamaan]

Babar should open has hes the most reliant player in the team haider should come in at 3 when the field is spread out and less pressure to play the big shots.

 

[hitthestump]

One good innings and the Haider Ali bhangra brigade has begun as expected, sigh. He's a good prospect but please remember what you all did to Naseem Shah before the England series.

Babar is too similar to Imam in style so it'd be somewhat counter intuitive for both to open. If we have these two then we need a powerful/aggressive batsman sandwiched in between. Sharjeel or Fakhar fit the bill.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

One good innings and the Haider Ali bhangra brigade has begun as expected, sigh. He's a good prospect but please remember what you all did to Naseem Shah before the England series.

Babar is too similar to Imam in style so it'd be somewhat counter intuitive for both to open. If we have these two then we need a powerful/aggressive batsman sandwiched in between. Sharjeel or Fakhar fit the bill.

No one did anything to Naseem - guy still deserves his spot in the team to be developed and he showed glimpses of something truly special with his deliveries to dismiss Root, Pope, etc. In one year, two years, or five years this investment will repay. Whatever the time span.

Similarly, with Haider, there is no bhangra brigade. It is objective fact that Fakhar’s form has nosedived in the last one year and any sane captain and coach will be looking to bring in someone who can open and bat at a high strike rate according to the requirements of the modern game. Haider fits the bill and should be developed accordingly in first class and list A cricket. That is all the “bhangra brigade” is saying.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Since Saeed Anwar, in comparison to Australia, India or SA, we have had complete failures as openers. Likes of Hafeez and Shehzad.

Imagine if Babar falls in 1st 5 overs

I think sending Babar as an opener can backfire.

World cup is 3 years away so I think experimenting maybe till an year is not a bad idea. I personally too believe, Babar with his test cricket level timing and stroke play can take advantage of field restrictions in first 10-15 overs.

Babar is prolific in the middle order.
But is he clinical? I don't think so. He often looks directionless and out of sync with the required tempo and it's ok, it takes other skills too absolutely nail the middle overs play. His skill set is more suited to flourish as an opener.

Rohit Sharma would have been a hopeless case as a middle order batsman. Look at him now.

 

[Indiafan]

Where were you when fans were hyping Rishabh Pant after one inning? Where were you when fans were calling Hardik Pandya second coming of Kapil Dev after his first series? It's easy to preach others but start following your own advice first.

Who hyped Pant after one innings? He has already done things in Australia and England which even dravid, sehwag and laxman couldn't in their entire career. Yet he is attacked and hated way more than he is hyped

 

[naseem]

The player they should tried at opening is U Akmal......infact both the brothers are capable......but the ship has sailed......Babar would do good....but u want ur best bat at 3 or 4.....so.... Let Fakhar Imam Sharjeel do the job.....

 

[MenInG]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1302507138246467584

 

[Greenstorm]

No Babar should bat through the innings at 3.

Sharjeel and Zeeshan should open.

 

[Mueez]

We all are putting too much pressure on Babar’s strike rate...

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

 

[shamaan]

One good innings and the Haider Ali bhangra brigade has begun as expected, sigh. He's a good prospect but please remember what you all did to Naseem Shah before the England series.

Babar is too similar to Imam in style so it'd be somewhat counter intuitive for both to open. If we have these two then we need a powerful/aggressive batsman sandwiched in between. Sharjeel or Fakhar fit the bill.

Thing is haider has come throw a system eg u19s

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

No keep him at 3.

 

[shaz619]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most ODI centuries for Pakistan in ODIs:<br><br>20 Saeed Anwar (244 innings)<br>15 Mohammad Yousuf (267 innings)<br>11 Babar Azam (72 innings)<br>11 Mohammad Hafeez (216 innings)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1302507138246467584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Just shows the gulf in class between Hafeez and the others, this is another reason which vindicates that even if you give a village cricketer a million games; his stats in some regard are bound to get inflated

But Babar is already not too far away from becoming the second highest century maker in Pakistan's history, it's a shame he has no support.

 

[Markhor]

We need two hitters opening in white ball cricket. What is this Pakistani obsession of one aggressor being paired with one "consolidator" ? No wonder our PowerPlay performance is mediocre just like our white ball mindset. Look at England with Roy and Bairstow.

I'd rather we be 65-2 than 30-1 after 10 overs. Then the likes of Babar and the other middle-order batsmen can accumulate at their natural pace.

 

[coy0607]

Just shows the gulf in class between Hafeez and the others, this is another reason which vindicates that even if you give a village cricketer a million games; his stats in some regard are bound to get inflated

But Babar is already not too far away from becoming the second highest century maker in Pakistan's history, it's a shame he has no support.

Yeah, absolute numbers are meaningless when it comes to comparing players. Hafeez has played in a history weak era for Pakistani batting, as a result an average player got to play 216 ODIs and counting. Most of those as an opener, he's bound to get a few centuries.

Salman Butt (8 centuries in 78 innings) and Imam Ul Haq (7 centuries in 37 innings) are fairer comparisons for Hafeez.

 

[Justcrazy]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Most ODI centuries for Pakistan in ODIs:<br><br>20 Saeed Anwar (244 innings)<br>15 Mohammad Yousuf (267 innings)<br>11 Babar Azam (72 innings)<br>11 Mohammad Hafeez (216 innings)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1302507138246467584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Babar will probably overtake Saeed in another 60 innings.

 

[saabir]

Babar should stick at no. 3 position. imam is another batsman in this current side who is capable of scoring 20 centuries in ODI with excellent average of 40s but with lower strike rate. Haider Ali is another hype player he should open with Imam. My line up
1. Imam
2. Haider
3. Babar
4. Rizwan
5. Harris
6. Hafeez
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Wahab
10..Amir
11. Shaheen

Reserves : Naseem shah, Hassan Ali, Zafar Gowhar, Harris Rouf

 

[Buffet]

Absolutely. Best bastmen should face most deliveries to maximize scores in shorter formats. If openers were somewhat comparable then batting at 3 is fine.

AB made the same mistake and SA paid a huge price. SA would have done far better if AB would have batted higher.

 

[mominsaigol]

With Fakhar being out of form and having failed numerous times in a row, the man can't seem to play anything that angles away from him or into him for his life. Just the pull shots and the leg side strokes.

With that being said should pakistan move babar to open? I think it might give us more options for batting.

1) Babar
2) Imam
3) Rizwan
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Tayyab Tahir/Muhammad haris
6) Chacha
7) Imad Waseem
8) Shadab Khan
9) Naseem
10) Haris
11) Shaheen

Another option could be to introduce saim ayub in odi and groom him as a fakhar replacement.

If a 4th pacer is needed then move shadab up at 7, drop imad waseem and play ihsanullah or Zaman Khan

 

[mominsaigol]

With Fakhar being out of form and having failed numerous times in a row, the man can't seem to play anything that angles away from him or into him for his life. Just the pull shots and the leg side strokes.

With that being said should pakistan move babar to open? I think it might give us more options for batting.

1) Babar
2) Imam
3) Rizwan
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Tayyab Tahir/Muhammad haris
6) Chacha
7) Imad Waseem
8) Shadab Khan
9) Naseem
10) Haris
11) Shaheen

Another option could be to introduce saim ayub in odi and groom him as a fakhar replacement.

If a 4th pacer is needed then move shadab up at 7, drop imad waseem and play ihsanullah or Zaman Khan

You could also have rizwan open, he's been a killer Opener in t20.

 

[Ali T]

If that is the case, why not look at Abdullah Shafiq as an opener ?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Yep. But he should open with Fakhar. Imam should bat at 3.

 

[mominsaigol]

If that is the case, why not look at Abdullah Shafiq as an opener ?

I feel like Pushing rizwan to open will give us more opportunities to strengthen our middle order.

Our problem is that babar, Imam and rizwan are similar players. Yes they are very very good players and excellent accumulators and under them pakistan have achieved more 300+ totals than any other top order in pakistan history but

With the exception of babar, both imam and rizwan lack a 4th gear. Rizwan is limited and tries his best but often it doesn't work like it backfired last Asia cup where rizwan played slow, and Imam is a liability beyond over 40.

Having rizwan, Imam and Babar at top 3 where they can accumulate, and saud, tayyab, haris, chacha, imad, Abdullah aka these types of players in the middle order will do wonders for pakistan. Saud can handle spin in the middle overs, tayyab, chacha, imad can finish the innings well.

 

[mominsaigol]

Yep. But he should open with Fakhar. Imam should bat at 3.

Imam can't bat anywhere besides opening. He's literally a liability once we hit over 40. He gets out cause imam struggles to hit lofted shots.

Yesterday he got out because he was trying to get to his 100, and taking singles wasn't the optimum way to get their with such a low total.

 

[saqib.rai]

With Fakhar and Imam doing a decent enough job, why would you want to change that?

 

[mominsaigol]

With Fakhar and Imam doing a decent enough job, why would you want to change that?

Imam is, Fakhar is not.

I love fakhar, believe me I want him to succeed. But he's a liability in Asia cup and world cup. That's the sad reality. If this was a normal series I would keep saying let's persist with him. But we can't afford to always be down 1 wicket in the first 3 overs which we are consistently achieving with fakhar now. Once in a while sure, no one can perform in every match but atleast succeed in a few games? Has fakhar done that since his iconic 180?

Bringing rizwan to open which let's be honest, rizwan would love will also give us more options in the middle order,

We'll have the ability to introduce both saud at no 4 and tayyab at no 5 which will strengthen the batting. Chacha and imad can function as 6 and 7 while shadab can be at 8. Then our trio at 9,10 and 11.

3 spinners, 3 pacers is perfect in Indian conditions.

If we need a 4th seamer then we can push shadab at no 7, Chacha at 6 and bring in faheem or zaman or ihsanullah. Faheem is ironically maybe the best choice, he's been economical and cam bat as well.

 

[smkk]

Just bring Fakhar down the order, and lets see how he does.

Imam
Rizwan
Babar
Saud (for Agha, you have to strengthen your middle order whether you like or not.)
Fakhar (as floater)
Ifti
Shadab
Abrar/Usama mir/Wasim Jnr (based on form and pitches)
Pace trio

If Fakhar cannot find his form still then, then its time to discard him once and for all.

 

[mominsaigol]

Just bring Fakhar down the order, and lets see how he does.

Imam
Rizwan
Babar
Saud (for Agha, you have to strengthen your middle order whether you like or not.)
Fakhar (as floater)
Ifti
Shadab
Abrar/Usama mir/Wasim Jnr (based on form and pitches)
Pace trio

If Fakhar cannot find his form still then, then its time to discard him once and for all.

Fakhar can't function down the order. He's a failure at no in t20. Fakhar isn't a striker that people think he is.

He's a slow starter and an accumulator but unlike imam he has a 4th and a 5th gear that allows him to accelerate and get big totals.

 

[Ali T]

I feel like Pushing rizwan to open will give us more opportunities to strengthen our middle order.

Our problem is that babar, Imam and rizwan are similar players. Yes they are very very good players and excellent accumulators and under them pakistan have achieved more 300+ totals than any other top order in pakistan history but

With the exception of babar, both imam and rizwan lack a 4th gear. Rizwan is limited and tries his best but often it doesn't work like it backfired last Asia cup where rizwan played slow, and Imam is a liability beyond over 40.

Having rizwan, Imam and Babar at top 3 where they can accumulate, and saud, tayyab, haris, chacha, imad, Abdullah aka these types of players in the middle order will do wonders for pakistan. Saud can handle spin in the middle overs, tayyab, chacha, imad can finish the innings well.

That's fair.

Although, I'm not sure if Saud Shakeel is another accumulator or also has the fourth gear but worth an experiment.
I wouldn't mind experimenting Abdullah Shafiq in the middle order as well.

 

[mominsaigol]

That's fair.

Although, I'm not sure if Saud Shakeel is another accumulator or also has the fourth gear but worth an experiment.
I wouldn't mind experimenting Abdullah Shafiq in the middle order as well.

Saud is not, he's an accumulator but tayyab, Imad and chacha make one hell of a middle to lower order.

Saud is 10x superior to agha and I don't understand what agha is even in the team for? If he isn't bowling then he's not good enough to be in the team for batting alone. His bowling is atrocious, if you have chacha and imad, then agha is not needed imo, even shadab is better.

I'd rather have a proper batsmen at no 4 who can play spin well as India needs spinning pitches and saud proved he's > Babar, Imam and rizwan in test atleast and can play spin better then them.

Fakhar I really really love, match winning player, but do you really want him to open when his current performance is like this? So close to the world cup? This isn't a normal series where we can afford to keep playing him until he gets his rhythm back, we can't always be one wicket down early on.

And rizwan isn't a bad Opener or player like people have claimed. He strikes at 90 and unlike fakhar who takes him time early on, rizwan will get faster starts. Rizwan is limited, I agree but fakhar is more limited lol.

Pak will win games with

1) rizwan
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) saud
5) Tayyab
6) Chacha
7) Imad/Faheem
8) Shadab
9) Naseem
10) Haris
11) Shaheen

4 solid accumulators are the top that can get us to 200, 250 easily, and 3 solid strikers in the middle who can get us to 300+ and also take care of the game incase our top order collapses.

Agha is weakening the middle order at no 5. And fakhar the opening at 1 or 2.

 

[ads101]

You could also have rizwan open, he's been a killer Opener in t20.

Wouldn't have Babar open. For sure if he opened he'd be great. But there's not really anyone good enough to bat at 3. More valuable for us there.

If Fakhar is dropped, I think the strongest solution would be put Rizwan opener, bring in Saud at 4. Both players playing at what their ideal positions would be.

I did wonder how Fakhar would do as a middle order batsman, given he is so vulnerable early on in his innings, yet somehow very difficult to get out later on in his innings. He also completely wastes batting powerplay. Guys like Imam, Babar, Rizwan all use it to settle in. Fakhar doesn't he looks like he can go anytime. Nor does he use it to strike big and get boundaries in. Fakhar is also getting older, he might eventually have to become a middle order batsman and drop down soon enough.

However he's been so bad in T20s at 3 and middle order, I'm not sold that he would succeed there too.

Though I'd probably give Fakhar a longer run even if he fails in Asia cup. His overall record is just too good, and he's the only aggressive opener we have.

I thought about demoting him to middle order, when his record since 2019 has been pretty average and on the decline. Though with those three centuries in a row he picked it up again.

 

[Ali T]

Saud is not, he's an accumulator but tayyab, Imad and chacha make one hell of a middle to lower order.

Saud is 10x superior to agha and I don't understand what agha is even in the team for? If he isn't bowling then he's not good enough to be in the team for batting alone. His bowling is atrocious, if you have chacha and imad, then agha is not needed imo, even shadab is better.

I'd rather have a proper batsmen at no 4 who can play spin well as India needs spinning pitches and saud proved he's > Babar, Imam and rizwan in test atleast and can play spin better then them.

Fakhar I really really love, match winning player, but do you really want him to open when his current performance is like this? So close to the world cup? This isn't a normal series where we can afford to keep playing him until he gets his rhythm back, we can't always be one wicket down early on.

And rizwan isn't a bad Opener or player like people have claimed. He strikes at 90 and unlike fakhar who takes him time early on, rizwan will get faster starts. Rizwan is limited, I agree but fakhar is more limited lol.

Pak will win games with

1) rizwan
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) saud
5) Tayyab
6) Chacha
7) Imad/Faheem
8) Shadab
9) Naseem
10) Haris
11) Shaheen

4 solid accumulators are the top that can get us to 200, 250 easily, and 3 solid strikers in the middle who can get us to 300+ and also take care of the game incase our top order collapses.

Agha is weakening the middle order at no 5. And fakhar the opening at 1 or 2.

It's good out of the box thinking and think I agree with the thought process.
I have a bias towards Abdullah Shafiq so would want him in somewhere, somehow
For no. 7, I think Imad should be there instead of Faheem. More reliable with the bat and bowl. Just depends on the conditions.

I'm also not sure what to think of Agha Salman. I don't find his bowling half as bad as you but I cannot see him as a long term option either. Feel like against the better teams he will get found out.

 

[mominsaigol]

It's good out of the box thinking and think I agree with the thought process.
I have a bias towards Abdullah Shafiq so would want him in somewhere, somehow
For no. 7, I think Imad should be there instead of Faheem. More reliable with the bat and bowl. Just depends on the conditions.

I'm also not sure what to think of Agha Salman. I don't find his bowling half as bad as you but I cannot see him as a long term option either. Feel like against the better teams he will get found out.

Having Abdullah at no 4 isn't a bad option either. Abdullah can be slotted anywhere from no 1 to no 4 and he has An amazing technique. Also in the test series he seems to have ironed out all his issues.

I feel he is more suited to opening, but I think we slot rizwan as an Opener it just frees up the middle order and allows us to strength it.

A no 4 of rizwan and no 5 agha just isn't doing it for me.

 

[shamaan]

Fakhar can't function down the order. He's a failure at no in t20. Fakhar isn't a striker that people think he is.

He's a slow starter and an accumulator but unlike imam he has a 4th and a 5th gear that allows him to accelerate and get big totals.

Did you not see fakhar against Australia and how he treated starc.

 

[hermit]

Saud is not, he's an accumulator but tayyab, Imad and chacha make one hell of a middle to lower order.

Saud is 10x superior to agha and I don't understand what agha is even in the team for? If he isn't bowling then he's not good enough to be in the team for batting alone. His bowling is atrocious, if you have chacha and imad, then agha is not needed imo, even shadab is better.

I'd rather have a proper batsmen at no 4 who can play spin well as India needs spinning pitches and saud proved he's > Babar, Imam and rizwan in test atleast and can play spin better then them.

Fakhar I really really love, match winning player, but do you really want him to open when his current performance is like this? So close to the world cup? This isn't a normal series where we can afford to keep playing him until he gets his rhythm back, we can't always be one wicket down early on.

And rizwan isn't a bad Opener or player like people have claimed. He strikes at 90 and unlike fakhar who takes him time early on, rizwan will get faster starts. Rizwan is limited, I agree but fakhar is more limited lol.

Pak will win games with

1) rizwan
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) saud
5) Tayyab
6) Chacha
7) Imad/Faheem
8) Shadab
9) Naseem
10) Haris
11) Shaheen

4 solid accumulators are the top that can get us to 200, 250 easily, and 3 solid strikers in the middle who can get us to 300+ and also take care of the game incase our top order collapses.

Agha is weakening the middle order at no 5. And fakhar the opening at 1 or 2.

This is almost perfect. I'd give Fakhar more chances though. I think Pakistan are too quick to drop players, which sets in anxiety leading players to play for position rather than team. I think he's earned at least a few games in the WC. If however that doesn't work. I'd go with this lineup but taking Tayyab out and playing both Faheem and Imad. I would also not mind playing Abdullah instead of Saud. If that is the case, I'd open with Abdullah and leave Rizwan at 4. However I think Saud is a better middle order accumulator and a left hand bat, which is preferable.

1) Rizqan
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Saud
5) Chacha
6) Imad
7) Shadab
8) Faheem
9) Shaheen
10) Naseem
11) Rauf

 

[Cricket Warrior]

This is almost perfect. I'd give Fakhar more chances though. I think Pakistan are too quick to drop players, which sets in anxiety leading players to play for position rather than team. I think he's earned at least a few games in the WC. If however that doesn't work. I'd go with this lineup but taking Tayyab out and playing both Faheem and Imad. I would also not mind playing Abdullah instead of Saud. If that is the case, I'd open with Abdullah and leave Rizwan at 4. However I think Saud is a better middle order accumulator and a left hand bat, which is preferable.

1) Rizqan
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Saud
5) Chacha
6) Imad
7) Shadab
8) Faheem
9) Shaheen
10) Naseem
11) Rauf

we cant keep to many all rounders in playing 11.

we have to pick genuine openner like Abdullah and bring rizwan back to his position.

 

[hitthestump]

Mohammad Rizwan is the greatest t20 opener in the history of Pakistan. Fact.

As Fakhar is failing we should give Rizwan the opportunity to start producing in ODI's too.

That will bring Saud or Abdullah Shafique into contention for the number 4 spot. I prefer Shafique.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Imam can't bat anywhere besides opening. He's literally a liability once we hit over 40. He gets out cause imam struggles to hit lofted shots.

Yesterday he got out because he was trying to get to his 100, and taking singles wasn't the optimum way to get their with such a low total.

He is playing spin brilliantly at the moment. Babar and Rizwan combo need to be broken up. Babar gets tied down by spin a bit too easily these days.

Babar will do well with the field up in powerplay. He's a much better player of pace than Imam.

 

[mominsaigol]

This is almost perfect. I'd give Fakhar more chances though. I think Pakistan are too quick to drop players, which sets in anxiety leading players to play for position rather than team. I think he's earned at least a few games in the WC. If however that doesn't work. I'd go with this lineup but taking Tayyab out and playing both Faheem and Imad. I would also not mind playing Abdullah instead of Saud. If that is the case, I'd open with Abdullah and leave Rizwan at 4. However I think Saud is a better middle order accumulator and a left hand bat, which is preferable.

1) Rizqan
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Saud
5) Chacha
6) Imad
7) Shadab
8) Faheem
9) Shaheen
10) Naseem
11) Rauf

Tayyab and saud are genuine middle order batsmen and their best position to bat is no 4 and no 5 so keep them their.

Chacha loves being a finisher so batting at 6 is fine and imad/Faheem/Shadab at no 7 with faheem/Shadab at no 8 makes a perfect pair.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Tayyab and saud are genuine middle order batsmen and their best position to bat is no 4 and no 5 so keep them their.

Chacha loves being a finisher so batting at 6 is fine and imad/Faheem/Shadab at no 7 with faheem/Shadab at no 8 makes a perfect pair.

Tayyab Tahir appears to have some technical deficiencies in his batting, giving the impression that he may not be a suitable choice for a middle-order batsman due to his perceived vulnerability.

 

[mominsaigol]

Wouldn't have Babar open. For sure if he opened he'd be great. But there's not really anyone good enough to bat at 3. More valuable for us there.

If Fakhar is dropped, I think the strongest solution would be put Rizwan opener, bring in Saud at 4. Both players playing at what their ideal positions would be.

I did wonder how Fakhar would do as a middle order batsman, given he is so vulnerable early on in his innings, yet somehow very difficult to get out later on in his innings. He also completely wastes batting powerplay. Guys like Imam, Babar, Rizwan all use it to settle in. Fakhar doesn't he looks like he can go anytime. Nor does he use it to strike big and get boundaries in. Fakhar is also getting older, he might eventually have to become a middle order batsman and drop down soon enough.

However he's been so bad in T20s at 3 and middle order, I'm not sold that he would succeed there too.

Though I'd probably give Fakhar a longer run even if he fails in Asia cup. His overall record is just too good, and he's the only aggressive opener we have.

I thought about demoting him to middle order, when his record since 2019 has been pretty average and on the decline. Though with those three centuries in a row he picked it up again.

Fakhar won't function in the middle order, that's a given. And those 3 centuries are such outliers at this point that people keep relying on.

Its the world cup, we can't consistently keep being 1 down in the first 5 to 7 overs.

 

[hermit]

Alternatively, I've been saying that I think it might be best to bring Babar and Rizwan to open in ODIs as well. I think Imam is good enough that he can bat at 3. He's also someone that benefits from having the singles open up after powerplay, so that's good. But I get that moving one of your best left-handed openers might not be ideal. I just think Rizwan is best utilized as an opener, and Saud would make a really good middle order left handed bat. Having Imam, Saud, Faheem, and Imad also gives Pakistan four left handed batters, which is great. Pakistan desperately need to find a fast bowling allrounder better than Faheem, which is essential in today's ODI.

 

[Shah]

Definitely, if only to have one left and one right handed batsman opening rather than two lefties at the moment, just to throw off the bowlers a bit.

 

[mominsaigol]

Rizwan at opening will be perfect, he's overhated, you don't get to a 50+ Average, chase 200+ totals on 3 seprate occasions and end the moqa moqa nonsense by being a bad player. The whole excuse on him not being able to handle quality bowling, he literally handled bumrah and Peak New Zealand bowling in the t20 cups.

Rizwan and Imam opening will allow us to bring saud and tayyab 2 proper middle order bats in the order.

1) Rizwan
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Saud
5) Tayyab
6) ChaCha
7) Imad
8) Shadab
9) Naseem
10) Haris
11) Shaheen

^^ If 4 pacers are needed, shove shadab at no 7 and put zaman Khan/ Ihsanullah in the team, but that'll weaken the batting a bit.

 

[mominsaigol]

Trust me when I say this, if management gives rizwan the option to open, he will gladly take it.

If you want to put Abdullah in, then saud needs to go but I think saud is more useful atm.

 

[smkk]

Trust me when I say this, if management gives rizwan the option to open, he will gladly take it.

If you want to put Abdullah in, then saud needs to go but I think saud is more useful atm.

Putting Rizwan at opening is not something most and me are against it. In fact most of us is suggesting him to open the innings in todays scenario, where Fakhar has lost his form.

But the thing is, that many of us think that discarding Fakhar once and for all would be a mistake. Fakhar is someone who have been losing his technique against pace for some time now. But his skill to play spin still exists. That's why it would a good idea to play him down the order at 5. Here he would come when spin attack is on, and utilize him as scenario demands.

Secondly, you are putting too much trust on a absolutely raw Tayyib. At least Saud and Abdullah have been tested in the tests, Tayyib is nowhere to be found even 6 months ago. Therefore, giving him an important position like no. 5, where you either have to play attacking game, or defensive game if there is a top order fall, is too much to ask especially during world cup seasons. It is not feasible to bring an absolutely newcomer in the team at this moment.

This position should go to someone who is extremely experienced which Tayyib is not at all. Therefore most ideal person to bat in this position is either Chacha or Fakhar. After the world cup, Rizwan can be brought back to his original position, in order to slot Saud, Abdullah and Tayyib together.

After world cup:

Abdullah
Imam
Babar
Saud
Tayyib / Agha (based on pitches)
Rizwan
Shadab
Abrar / Wasim Jnr/ Arshad Iqbal
Haris Rauf / Ihsanullah / Zaman Khan
Naseem / Ihsanullah / Zaman Khan
Shahin / Ihsanullah / Zaman Khan

All three pace trio should be rotated constantly with Ihsanullah / Zaman Khan to preserve them as much as possible.

 

[mominsaigol]

Putting Rizwan at opening is not something most and me are against it. In fact most of us is suggesting him to open the innings in todays scenario, where Fakhar has lost his form.

But the thing is, that many of us think that discarding Fakhar once and for all would be a mistake. Fakhar is someone who have been losing his technique against pace for some time now. But his skill to play spin still exists. That's why it would a good idea to play him down the order at 5. Here he would come when spin attack is on, and utilize him as scenario demands.

Secondly, you are putting too much trust on a absolutely raw Tayyib. At least Saud and Abdullah have been tested in the tests, Tayyib is nowhere to be found even 6 months ago. Therefore, giving him an important position like no. 5, where you either have to play attacking game, or defensive game if there is a top order fall, is too much to ask especially during world cup seasons. It is not feasible to bring an absolutely newcomer in the team at this moment.

This position should go to someone who is extremely experienced which Tayyib is not at all. Therefore most ideal person to bat in this position is either Chacha or Fakhar. After the world cup, Rizwan can be brought back to his original position, in order to slot Saud, Abdullah and Tayyib together.

After world cup:

Abdullah
Imam
Babar
Saud
Tayyib / Agha (based on pitches)
Rizwan
Shadab
Abrar / Wasim Jnr/ Arshad Iqbal
Haris Rauf / Ihsanullah / Zaman Khan
Naseem / Ihsanullah / Zaman Khan
Shahin / Ihsanullah / Zaman Khan

All three pace trio should be rotated constantly with Ihsanullah / Zaman Khan to preserve them as much as possible.

Just slot Abdullah in at no 5 lol if tayyab is an issue. Abdullah is the type of player you can slot anywhere.

 

[Firebat]

Keep the best batter at 3 no question.

 

[smkk]

Just slot Abdullah in at no 5 lol if tayyab is an issue. Abdullah is the type of player you can slot anywhere.

Still an inexperienced bloc at no 5. Better to slot in an experienced guy to take that slot instead.

Beside Abdullah prefer opening, no need to experiment with him and dampen his confidence at the start of his career in case if he fails at 5.

 

[Rana]

Keep the best batter at 3 no question.

Why doesn’t this happen for us in T20?

 

[mominsaigol]

Why doesn’t this happen for us in T20?

That's what I'm saying, Babar should bat at no 3 In all formats of the game, with Rizwan opening in all formats of the game except for test.

With fakhar's lack of form, we can't afford to keep being one down In the first 4 overs.

Saud and tayyab slotted in at 4 and 5 makes for a perfect middle order and rizwan and Imam make a killer opening pair.

 

[hermit]

I think Tayyab Tahir being slotted in now is a bit unfair. To be asked to bat in a WC in India when you haven't been given exposure is unfair. This is a big reason for why I wouldn't include him.