The Drought of Finishing Batsmen in Pakistan

[UzmanBeast]

From cricketing headlines across the world, we see stories of how players like Maxwell fought all odds and won the game for their country. We watch highlights of masterful finishers like Dhoni who have won countless games for their countries. We see explosive batsmen who dominate bowling lineups and chase down huge targets at high strike rates. Among all of those stories, no player sticks out from Pakistan.

Australia has Glenn Maxwell, India has Hardik Pandya, Afghanistan has Nabi, England has Buttler, and the list goes on.

Pakistan has no finisher who can compete with the likes of Hardik Pandya, Maxwell, Pollard, etc.

Why is that? Is our domestic system not kind to such players, who hit from the word go?

We have had probably the best and only example in Pakistan of a power-hitting all-rounder, Shahid Afridi. Yet, nobody is there to pursue such a type of playstyle as Afridi.

The real question is why? What have other teams done to find such amazing talents? Is it the domestic system, or is it even further down in the grass-root system? Is it the player development, or are these just natural talents?

Curious to hear your thoughts, because until Pakistan finds a player of this caliber, we won't be able to compete with the best of the best.

Also, use this thread to talk about potential finishers in the current domestic system.

 

[Bhaijaan]

When you have Hafeez Vol. 3.0 , you are already starting with a huge advantage. You don't need a finisher. All you need is players who can hold on with Hafeez Vol. 3.0 so that Hafeez Vol. 3.0 can do Hafeez Vol. 3.0 things.

 

[Titan24]

Khushdil Shah is the closest to that we have and should be given a long rope. Possibly the most powerful hitter of the cricket ball in Pakistan. He atleast have a good white ball domestic record, has a good power game, mental strength and also finished some matches (unlike many so called finishers we tried) based upon his recent performances. Khushdil Shah gives bit of a bowling option as well. Some might not be sold but you have to make it work with what you have.

Imad Wasim has been decent too while setting up a target but other than one off T20 against Srl and WC match against Afghanistan he hasnt done much while chasing.

Some others are Iftikhar Ahmed, Adil Amin, Danish Aziz. Danish Aziz is young and has showed a lot of positive attributes in this domestic season so definitely can be one that can be developed further.

Finisher is a tough role, first you need to find the right player and then stick with him. Previous ones we have tried like Umer Akmal, Asif Ali never really finished much matches even at domestic level.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

The domestic system previously never encouraged finishers. The best batsmen would bat in the top 4, and because of mixed quality in bowling attacks there was never really a need to pace your innings. The strategy used to be to target the weaker bowlers, and there were always clear targets. This worked pretty well throughout.

On an international level, you have less clear targets for one, and secondly you can’t just block out the strike bowlers. In this day and age you still need to know how to rotate strike to be a finisher - I would argue it’s one of the most important components since finishers must shift the pressure of fallen wickets onto the bowling team by taking singles and doubles. After building it and taking it close to the end, it’s only at that point that your six hitting skills come into play.

Combine this with our general lack of ability to develop batsmen because of bad coaching infrastructure, as well as a mental block on the big stage due to a lack of exposure to televised matches early on.

With PSL, as well as the revamped domestic system, we’re already seeing some possibly good middle order bats emerge. The limited pool means not all good batsmen get to bat in the top 4, but actually some end up at 5-6, and also face higher quality bowling attacks that they need to be more intelligent about when pacing the innings.

These televised matches further enhance the confidence of these players and boost their morale to keep working on finishing as a skillset. Half the game of finishing is the mental battle, and you need stiff opposition for mentally strong heroes to emerge.

 

[Titan24]

With PSL, as well as the revamped domestic system, we’re already seeing some possibly good middle order bats emerge. The limited pool means not all good batsmen get to bat in the top 4, but actually some end up at 5-6, and also face higher quality bowling attacks that they need to be more intelligent about when pacing the innings.

These televised matches further enhance the confidence of these players and boost their morale to keep working on finishing as a skillset. Half the game of finishing is the mental battle, and you need stiff opposition for mentally strong heroes to emerge.

Agreed.

 

[shamaan]

Khushdil Shah is the closest to that we have and should be given a long rope. Possibly the most powerful hitter of the cricket ball in Pakistan. He atleast have a good white ball domestic record, has a good power game, mental strength and also finished some matches (unlike many so called finishers we tried) based upon his recent performances. Khushdil Shah gives bit of a bowling option as well. Some might not be sold but you have to make it work with what you have.

Imad Wasim has been decent too while setting up a target but other than one off T20 against Srl and WC match against Afghanistan he hasnt done much while chasing.

Some others are Iftikhar Ahmed, Adil Amin, Danish Aziz. Danish Aziz is young and has showed a lot of positive attributes in this domestic season so definitely can be one that can be developed further.

Finisher is a tough role, first you need to find the right player and then stick with him. Previous ones we have tried like Umer Akmal, Asif Ali never really finished much matches even at domestic level.

Yes definitely agree that khushdil needs to be given games i hope he doesnt flop then get dropped also danish aziz is a good under preesure and is a clean striker.another 1 could be azam khan in terms of hitting ability i think hes right up thier with khushdil haider ali but obviously needs to improve his fitness thou