The case for a Pakistani pinch hitter

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Pakistan continue to persist with 'proper' batsmen atop their batting order because their cricket is paralyzed by 'fear of failure.'

The question they ask of themselves - "What if we get 3 down for 30 in 5 overs?"
As opposed to: "Let's aim for 100 in the first 15 for 2 down."

Enter: Pinch Hitter.

The idea is old fashioned at best but it can be the key to releasing Pakistan's mental shackles.

If it succeeds, you get a fast start. If it fails, you still have your test batsmen to follow who can bat 50 overs @4.5.

Sunil Naraine somewhat showed the way at the IPL.

Who can play the role? Unfortunately, we are not gifted in this kind of ability and maybe scrapping the bottom but I'd pitch for one of Amir or Fakhar for this role. I do understand Fakhar is a proper batsman but he has to play like a pinch hitter - just go for it.

I don't want to see Pakistan opting for a sub par 260 and relying on their bowlers to take them home.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

For Pakistan Hasan Ali can be tried but I'm personally not in favour of this idea.It may work in T20's but don't think it will work in ODI's.

 

[Rafa]

Can Amir be employed for the role? I think he has got the talent to hit meaty blows if coach can work a bit on his batting.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

For Pakistan Hasan Ali can be tried but I'm personally not in favour of this idea.It may work in T20's but don't think it will work in ODI's.

Better this than the usual 100/3 in 26 overs

 

[KhalidRafi]

Shadab can be tried if he plays. Amir would be the best choice though. His blazing half-century against England last summer was the only highlight of that thrashing at Trent Bridge.

 

[Mp812]

In modern ODI cricket, every batter from opener to atleast 9 is pinch hitter in other teams

 

[Markhor]

We tried promoting Imad as a pinch hitter in one of the T20s in the Caribbean.

I liked that from the team management as since we lack powerhitters its worth thinking outside the box and giving someone like him or Shadab license to get quick runs on the board.

 

[Zaz]

A lower order batsman isnt the answer because 20s and 30s dont win u games hundreds do

We know pakistan doesnt have openers so why dont we convert one of our many mid order batsmen into one

I dont see any reason why we cant convert a harris sohail or fakhar etc into openers like south africa have done with amla, india did with tendulkar, ganguly n sehwag etc etc

The modern game has changed now with flat pitches and batting conditions Its high time pakistan moved with the times rather than continue being unflexible and rigid

 

[Justcrazy]

A lower order batsman isnt the answer because 20s and 30s dont win u games hundreds do

We know pakistan doesnt have openers so why dont we convert one of our many mid order batsmen into one

I dont see any reason why we cant convert a harris sohail or fakhar etc into openers like south africa have done with amla, india did with tendulkar, ganguly n sehwag etc etc

The modern game has changed now with flat pitches and batting conditions Its high time pakistan moved with the times rather than continue being unflexible and rigid

I agree , even jayasuria and Dilshan were not openers.

There is no harm in trying a few different things.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Only one we had is gone for now.

 

[Hiraeth]

All these calls for a pinch hitter are baseless to put it simply.

Teams that are considered to play a modern brand of cricket, i.e. Australia, England etc. don't have any of these 'pinch hitters'. What they do have are genuine batsman who are not one dimensional.

Take the example of South Africa who have a power hitter in the mould of Miller. What exactly has he achieved?

Now take the example of England's batting lineup who exactly are there pinch hitters? They have genuine batsman- Ali, Buttler, Root etc. all have the ability to play the accumalator role and accelerate.

 

[idrizzy]

Not in ODIs. Pinch hitter loses his wicket = Pak go into a hole. I understand your argument in we need an explosive opener but that's Sharjeel, not a promoted Amir.

 

[hitthestump]

Hey, I know the perfect guy!!

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

The only guy in the squad who can hit the fast bowlers from the word go is Fahim Ashraf. He has done it in the Pakistan Cup to Sohail Khan, Rumman Raees.

Guys like Amir, Shadab aren't good pinch hitters as they need time to settle down. Shadab is a genuine bat and we would waste him in such a particular role. He is a genuine nr. 6 a finisher.

 

[New Yorker]

Pakistan continue to persist with 'proper' batsmen atop their batting order because their cricket is paralyzed by 'fear of failure.'

The question they ask of themselves - "What if we get 3 down for 30 in 5 overs?"
As opposed to: "Let's aim for 100 in the first 15 for 2 down."

Enter: Pinch Hitter.

The idea is old fashioned at best but it can be the key to releasing Pakistan's mental shackles.

If it succeeds, you get a fast start. If it fails, you still have your test batsmen to follow who can bat 50 overs @4.5.

Sunil Naraine somewhat showed the way at the IPL.

Who can play the role? Unfortunately, we are not gifted in this kind of ability and maybe scrapping the bottom but I'd pitch for one of Amir or Fakhar for this role. I do understand Fakhar is a proper batsman but he has to play like a pinch hitter - just go for it.

I don't want to see Pakistan opting for a sub par 260 and relying on their bowlers to take them home.

Shadab

 

[todfod 11]

Can Amir be employed for the role? I think he has got the talent to hit meaty blows if coach can work a bit on his batting.

i dont want him to go irfan pathan way for god sake.. let him do what he does best..

 

[PakLFC]

I don't know why Sohail Khan is not in the side. Trying him up the order would have been worth a risk. Now Sarfaraz seems to be the best option.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

All these calls for a pinch hitter are baseless to put it simply.

Teams that are considered to play a modern brand of cricket, i.e. Australia, England etc. don't have any of these 'pinch hitters'. What they do have are genuine batsman who are not one dimensional.

Take the example of South Africa who have a power hitter in the mould of Miller. What exactly has he achieved?

Now take the example of England's batting lineup who exactly are there pinch hitters? They have genuine batsman- Ali, Buttler, Root etc. all have the ability to play the accumalator role and accelerate.

Pakistan do not have that high SR talent like England. Therefore the call for a pinch hitter.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

For Pakistan Hasan Ali can be tried but I'm personally not in favour of this idea.It may work in T20's but don't think it will work in ODI's.

The whole point of a pinch hitter is there's no big loss if if doesn't work vs huge reward if it does.

20 (10) balls is great here. And if it doesn't work out, the harm is negligible given how often he doesn't even get to bat anyway.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Not in ODIs. Pinch hitter loses his wicket = Pak go into a hole. I understand your argument in we need an explosive opener but that's Sharjeel, not a promoted Amir.

That is exactly the mindset I am trying to fight. Definition of going into a hole isn't losing a wicket early. The definition of a hole is 40 in 10 overs with one down.

Shadab

Thought about him too. A bit more of a gamble but why not!

In modern ODI cricket, every batter from opener to atleast 9 is pinch hitter in other teams

True. But Pakistan do not have a modern squad in England and Wales at the moment.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

A lower order batsman isnt the answer because 20s and 30s dont win u games hundreds do

We know pakistan doesnt have openers so why dont we convert one of our many mid order batsmen into one

I dont see any reason why we cant convert a harris sohail or fakhar etc into openers like south africa have done with amla, india did with tendulkar, ganguly n sehwag etc etc

The modern game has changed now with flat pitches and batting conditions Its high time pakistan moved with the times rather than continue being unflexible and rigid

20 or 30 off off 7 or 12 balls can definitely win a game.

And nowadays 100 (120) won't win you anything as Babar Azam would tell you if he had the brains to realize it.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I'm completely in favour of this, especially if we're chasing a mammoth total. - This was how a Shahid Afridi was born, and you know why? Because our past captains weren't afraid to experiment.

Surprisingly, at the moment, Pakistan have quite a few bowlers who have shown heroics with the bat that even our premier batsmen have failed to depict. Be it Amir's quickfire 50 of 20 odd deliveries or the often carnage that Riaz causes. Hasan Ali is no mug with the bat either, do you any of you remember that cover drive he played in the PSL? Perfection. As for Shadab, we all know he is no mug with the bat, heck, he's the best of the lot and possibly even a future, regular top order player and to go with that, he has the best hitting ability compared to most guys in the team.

Sending a pinch-hitter is the best option Pakistan has if they intend to get a big score.

 

[khurram39]

This idea is old now. Now a days every batsman can turn out and play any kind of given role.

 

[Pete Rose]

It's worth trying, as long as Mickey is not too hung up on 'let's give the selected guys a fair chance (and lose a few matches) before doing something dramatic'

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

20 or 30 off off 7 or 12 balls can definitely win a game.

And nowadays 100 (120) won't win you anything as Babar Azam would tell you if he had the brains to realize it.

Babar Azam is the perfect example of why teams don't fear Pakistan. Easy on the eye...and easy on the opposition.

 

[ExpressPacer]

This idea is old now. Now a days every batsman can turn out and play any kind of given role.

Pakistan is a team stuck in the 90's so these type of ideas need to be applied.

 

[Poison]

This is a stupid idea.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Babar Azam is the perfect example of why teams don't fear Pakistan. Easy on the eye...and easy on the opposition.

I agree that we don't need selfish players even if they look flashy and get a hundred every now and then, but Babar Azam is genuinely a talent that Pakistan has nourished, matured and invested in. And I can guarantee you that he will prove his worth. He's getting better with every single innings that he plays.

If I'm not wrong, his most recent hundred was quicker than the ones he's played before. If he can play 70 (50) or even 100 (90) that would be amazing.

 

[Square Drive]

Mohammad Amir.

Shadab Khan is too good of a batsman to be a pinch-hitter.

 

[Pollack]

Pakistan is the only team which kept the tradition of pinch hitters alive for years. :

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I agree that we don't need selfish players even if they look flashy and get a hundred every now and then, but Babar Azam is genuinely a talent that Pakistan has nourished, matured and invested in. And I can guarantee you that he will prove his worth. He's getting better with every single innings that he plays.

If I'm not wrong, his most recent hundred was quicker than the ones he's played before. If he can play 70 (50) or even 100 (90) that would be amazing.

let's hope so. No one apart from Shoaib Malik has really shown the tendency to break the slow scoring mould - so far. And Shoaib can only do so much.

 

[zyrus]

The only ones you had, Khalid, Shahzaib and Sharjeel, all are gone. But nevermind. Carry on apni kameez uthana. Like baki sab are doodh ke dhulay.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pinch hitting will only be successful when you have solid middle order batting , like lanka had in 1996 with mahanama coming at number 7 .

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Pinch hitting will only be successful when you have solid middle order batting , like lanka had in 1996 with mahanama coming at number 7 .

Sure. What are your ideas then for Pakistan to be competitive at CT with the current squad?

 

[idrizzy]

That is exactly the mindset I am trying to fight. Definition of going into a hole isn't losing a wicket early. The definition of a hole is 40 in 10 overs with one down.

I'd agree with you if you were talking about any other team other than Pakistan. In recent times though as we have Babar at #3 so the 'going into a hole' is mitigated by him. The need of an explosive 10 overs is crucial, not necessarily an opening start. If a pinch hitter is capable of staying in for a good 5-7 overs then it's worth a try, but like I said, a real opener like Sharjeel is the solution.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

The only guy in the squad who can hit the fast bowlers from the word go is Fahim Ashraf. He has done it in the Pakistan Cup to Sohail Khan, Rumman Raees.

Guys like Amir, Shadab aren't good pinch hitters as they need time to settle down. Shadab is a genuine bat and we would waste him in such a particular role. He is a genuine nr. 6 a finisher.

Didn't I tell you guys? Yet no one saw this point here.

 

[anakwalajinn]

Didn't I tell you guys? Yet no one saw this point here.

Well played, PoP... well played

Don't forget our date on the 16th of July!

 

[Syed1]

I think we just found one..

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Didn't I tell you guys? Yet no one saw this point here.

Didn't see that one coming. Well done [MENTION=7701]Prince of Pakistan[/MENTION].

However, given he has had this innings lower down the order vs Bangladesh, I don't see anyone promoting him top of the order

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Didn't I tell you guys? Yet no one saw this point here.

yes,,, today he has hit sixers at will against pace/seam bowlers

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Didn't see that one coming. Well done [MENTION=7701]Prince of Pakistan[/MENTION].

However, given he has had this innings lower down the order vs Bangladesh, I don't see anyone promoting him top of the order

keep him where he performed , stop shuffling and let them grow into their role of the given position

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Didn't see that one coming. Well done [MENTION=7701]Prince of Pakistan[/MENTION].

However, given he has had this innings lower down the order vs Bangladesh, I don't see anyone promoting him top of the order

Thanks.

You guys should see how he plastered Sohail Khan, Rumman Raees last month. That innings was enough for me to know that this guy can hit the ball a long long way.

I remember he hit one yorker for six runs straight down the ground. Do not know if someone still has that video.

 

[asma_cricfan]

Great find that is fahim.

Only if pcb didn't stick with the biggest failure (umar akmal), pakistan would've won so many matches.

 

[Speedster777]

Most of the youngsters that we have tried recently have turned out to be better than the so called seniors and hacks who 've been playing in the team for years. Azhar, Hafeez, Wahab, Shehzad should be discarded from LOI.

 

[Ultimate]

There is no need for a specific pinch hitter. Each and every batsmen should be told to smash it right from ball one, and play at a run rate of above 6.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

There is no need for a specific pinch hitter. Each and every batsmen should be told to smash it right from ball one, and play at a run rate of above 6.

Even if these players are physically capable of playing briskly, they are probably mentally incapable. How many 300+ chases have begun with an SR of 7 when situation has demanded for it?

Hence Pinchhitter. Release the mental shackles.

 

[Mainul]

i dont want him to go irfan pathan way for god sake.. let him do what he does best..

Very good point.

 

[Syed1]

Even if these players are physically capable of playing briskly, they are probably mentally incapable. How many 300+ chases have begun with an SR of 7 when situation has demanded for it?

Hence Pinchhitter. Release the mental shackles.

No no we don't need to reinvent the wheel. Look at how teams like England, India, South Africa and Australia go about chasing a mammoth total. All of those teams have openers who aim to go hell to leather in the first 10 and bring the required run rate down to more manageable levels. Then they play at a RR of 6-6.5 from overs 10-40 and in the final 10 they can accelerate even more to achieve the target.

Pakistani mentality is to get to 40/1 of the first 10 and then continue batting at 4.5-5 rpo from overs 10-40 and aim to get 100-120 in the last 10. As we have seen time and time again that never works.

Pinch hitting is a 90s concept, now days the pinch has been replaced by sustained pain.

 

[saeedhk]

All these calls for a pinch hitter are baseless to put it simply.

Teams that are considered to play a modern brand of cricket, i.e. Australia, England etc. don't have any of these 'pinch hitters'. What they do have are genuine batsman who are not one dimensional.

Take the example of South Africa who have a power hitter in the mould of Miller. What exactly has he achieved?

Now take the example of England's batting lineup who exactly are there pinch hitters? They have genuine batsman- Ali, Buttler, Root etc. all have the ability to play the accumalator role and accelerate.

Exactly. The problem is, our ODI batsmen are one-dimensional. They lack the skills to find the gaps, manufacture deft touches to rotate the strike. Our team's batting style is a manifestation of Misbah's mode of operation in ODIs; block 8 balls and then hit a four and, if you have hit a four, you should block the rest of the over even if half-trackers are served up.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Hope they try a new approach this Australia Warm up game...if the rain stops.

 

[TahirFan]

Pinch hitters only come off on flat wickets against mediocre bowling

 

[ahmed16]

Bad idea for an already fragile batting line up.
If you look at most teams today the batsmen who 'pinch hit' are genuine batsmen who are multi dimensional. We lack batsmen in the mold of Kohli, Williamson, de Kock, Warner and others. These guys are genuine batsmen who can hit at will when they need to and are more than capable of upping the ante from the word go when they walk in.
A pinch hitter won't solve this issue, he'll just fall to a good delivery as his defence will probably be average, the batsmen I mentioned are very good and keep out the good deliveries while attacking as they are specialist bats. This is a grass roots issue, the need for being multi dimensional as a specialist batsmen needs to be the main objective in these trainig camps, you cant spend 30 deliveries compiling a nice 20, it just doesn't cut it anymore.
I would say from out current batsmen, only Malik could play this sort of role as a 'multi dimensional specialist bat' but he simply isnt good enough and technically hes not even a specialist bat.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Still think a pinch hitter is worth trying