The curious case of Sarfaraz Ahmed's batting position

[farrukh shad]

As a build up to the World Cup, this is a fiercely debated topic since last 2 years in ODI’s. Every time Pakistan loses a ODI (which we have done in abundance lately), Sarfaraz’s batting position is critically looked at. He himself contributed to this debate with the following comment recently- “My aim is in England to bat four or five, throughout the World Cup,” Sarfaraz said in the press conference ahead of Pakistan’s first ODI against England at the Oval.

Now, lets look at some stats for our analysis:

> As an opener, Sarfaraz has played 9 innings with an average of 43.

> At no 4, he has played 9 innings as well with an average of nearly 36.

> At no 5, he has played 12 innings with an average of 55.

> Apart from these 30 innings, Sarfaraz has been a floater & batted at no 6,7,8 and even no 9 in around 50 innings in total with an average of nearly 27 runs.

Overall Sarfaraz has scored 2 centuries in his ODI career – as a opener (during WC 2015 against Ireland) and when playing at no.5 . Also its worth noting that in the last 20 ODi’s since Champions Thophy 2017, his batting average is around 24 and he has largely been a floater.

Now, having looked at these statistics, what are the options available for Sarfaraz during the World Cup looking at the batting line up. I would like him to open ideally but if thats not an option because of imam/fakhar combination and babar at no 3, then I would say no 4 or no 5 is the best option for him. We need Sarafarz to be an aggresive captain as well as perform with bat coming up the order. I see this as critical to our campaign in the World Cup and any wrong decision here can lead to the end of his ODI career as well as Pakistan’s World Cup hopes!

 

[Abdullah]

As a build up to the World Cup, this is a fiercely debated topic since last 2 years in ODI’s. Every time Pakistan loses a ODI (which we have done in abundance lately), Sarfaraz’s batting position is critically looked at. He himself contributed to this debate with the following comment recently- “My aim is in England to bat four or five, throughout the World Cup,” Sarfaraz said in the press conference ahead of Pakistan’s first ODI against England at the Oval.

Now, lets look at some stats for our analysis:

> As an opener, Sarfaraz has played 9 innings with an average of 43.

> At no 4, he has played 9 innings as well with an average of nearly 36.

> At no 5, he has played 12 innings with an average of 55.

> Apart from these 30 innings, Sarfaraz has been a floater & batted at no 6,7,8 and even no 9 in around 50 innings in total with an average of nearly 27 runs.

Overall Sarfaraz has scored 2 centuries in his ODI career – as a opener (during WC 2015 against Ireland) and when playing at no.5 . Also its worth noting that in the last 20 ODi’s since Champions Thophy 2017, his batting average is around 24 and he has largely been a floater.

Now, having looked at these statistics, what are the options available for Sarfaraz during the World Cup looking at the batting line up. I would like him to open ideally but if thats not an option because of imam/fakhar combination and babar at no 3, then I would say no 4 or no 5 is the best option for him. We need Sarafarz to be an aggresive captain as well as perform with bat coming up the order. I see this as critical to our campaign in the World Cup and any wrong decision here can lead to the end of his ODI career as well as Pakistan’s World Cup hopes!

Agree should bat 5 and if we don't lose early wickets, up to number 4

 

[hitthestump]

We need to be realistic about our specialist captain and accept that Safaraz's only strengths are rotating strike and playing the spinners. His position in the order shouldn't be fixed as he should only come in when he can play this role i.e. between overs 20-35. He's no use at 5 if we're in the 40th over and even Wahab and Hasan should be promoted before him.

 

[Pete Rose]

He should bat at 4 and haris should sit out if he cant play at 5. Captain in form is more important than huffing fatso who plays a few pretty shots and runs out of steam.

 

[Chokli]

He should come in after over 20 and bat till 35th like the poster above me has mentioned.

You cannot have a set batting line up with our squad.

 

[Pete Rose]

We need to be realistic about our specialist captain and accept that Safaraz's only strengths are rotating strike and playing the spinners. His position in the order shouldn't be fixed as he should only come in when he can play this role i.e. between overs 20-35. He's no use at 5 if we're in the 40th over and even Wahab and Hasan should be promoted before him.

He case in to bat when Pakistan were 6 for 3 in the third over. He can and should bat at 4 till 35-40 overs.

 

[SecularPakistanii]

He should be batting in the top order. But the problem is you cannot have Babar, Imam, Sarfraz and Haris in your top 5.

Unless you want the Pakistani team to be stuck in the 90's style of cricket (which it still sort of is with Imam being there).

 

[iPakistani]

We need Sarfraz at 4 or 5 100%. If he plays a long innings he will most likely play at a SR of 105 and above. If he gets out early his SR will still be 95 and above he won't waste balls.

Keeping him down the order does not do anything for the team, he can't power hit and will only be able to take singles (which he should be doing up the order where it is needed the most).

I would love to see:

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Asif/Malik

Haris is a great batsman but I would only play him if Hafeez/Asif/Malik are out of nick.

 

[sshakir411]

Should bat at 4. He plays better when he has overs in hand. He should have batted at 5 regularly after that tour of England in 16/17 or whenever but there’s no one to blame for it but him. As captain he should have taken that responsibility.

 

[giri26]

Ideally he should come at number 4. He cannot bat at top 3 and he is not good enough as a finisher. Number 4 is the best slot for him.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

No 5 or 4 saying this for ages

 

[Mehndi155]

No 5
Haris sarfraz at 4 and 5 will work better than hafeez malik or hafeez sarfraz at 4 and 5
Both are very good players and in england we will soon realize pitches will have something for bowlers for first 10 overs if hafeez plays we will often lose quick wickets. So haris is must at 4 people will realise it soon. Sarfraz at 5 can play better than run a ball. So
Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Hafeez if he agrees to play at 6 otherwise kick him out from team bring asif ali and invest in him.
Imad (now that he tries to flight and turn the ball.
Shadab
Wahab/shaheen/hasnain
Amir
Hassan

 

[arehaan]

Sarfraz has said he will bat 5 so I dont think it will change.

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Sarfraz
6. Malik /Asif
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Hassan
10. Wahab
11. Amir

I guess we will see Imad / Hafeez revert back to open the bowling along with Amir come big time as both Hassan and Wahab do not like the new ball.

 

[AZ]

#5 is fine for what he does best, doesn't really need to be the main anchor of the inns or bat too aggressively.

 

[Khan12]

5. Haris should bat at 4. People saying he's huffing needs to know he got 2 centries against Austrlia which something the likes of Hafeez and Shoaib Malik can only dream off.

 

[farrukh shad]

Agree with you

 

[kamz]

Sarfraz has said he will bat 5 so I dont think it will change.

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Sarfraz
6. Malik /Asif
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Hassan
10. Wahab
11. Amir

I guess we will see Imad / Hafeez revert back to open the bowling along with Amir come big time as both Hassan and Wahab do not like the new ball.

this is the side that will play against WI and asif would sit out

 

[The Viper]

Batting at 5 is his best position because he is not good enough against the new ball or a power hitter towards the end.