The Iftikhar Ahmed Dilemma Solved: Bat him at 8 and use him as a full time bowler

[Suleiman]

It’s simple. He’s in the bowling form of his life. We’ve seen our other legends in Afridi and Malik transition in various phases of their career from being more batting focused to bowling focused and back again.

That’s the beauty of being an all rounder, you can specialize in whichever discipline you’re in form for, like Afridi and Malik have done.

So bat him in the lower order and he has an ATG spinner as a coach in Saqlain anyway who can add a new dimension to his bowling if he so chooses.

Can Iftikhar be a team man and follow through with this epic decision, will the management have the foresight to back this? Find out next time on Pakpassion.

 

[nextover666666]

I think having him bowl adds value, and i think he can do well in Australian conditions as well, as a part timer, or if he needs to bowl 4 overs he can as well, but need him to fire with the bat more than anything.

 

[GreenKhan]

He’s the equivalent of a Hafeez or a Malik .
But we are just less patient with him where as those two had a grace period of about 50 games .

 

[Bilal7]

He’s the equivalent of a Hafeez or a Malik .
But we are just less patient with him where as those two had a grace period of about 50 games .

Hafeez was a far better player but yes, he's a younger version of Malik.

He needs to be in the team after his bowling in the last couple of games.

 

[Rana]

Believe in Chacha supremacy

 

[Marooned]

He needs to throw caution to the wind while batting.

Whenever he comes to bat, he is extra cautious and then an occasional 6 or 4 gives a glimpse of his shots and power, then he goes back to his shell before getting out for a run a ball score.

Just play your shots because atleast you have them. No need to think about building your innings like a master architect.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Why wasn't he bowling in the first few games? Without his bowling, he doesn't deserve a place in the team. Strange thinking from Babar in the first few matches.

 

[boomboom6]

He can be the replacement for Hafeez but has to bat better ...

 

[gazza619]

Iftikhar is actually a better batter than Shan, Khushdil, Asif & Haider. This shows what a poor batting side we are.

No point in wasting him at no.8.

 

[IAJ]

Why wasn't he bowling in the first few games? Without his bowling, he doesn't deserve a place in the team. Strange thinking from Babar in the first few matches.

I didn't understand this during the Asia cup either. We had him in the side, but kept using only 5 bowlers in most games.

 

[Suleiman]

He needs to throw caution to the wind while batting.

Whenever he comes to bat, he is extra cautious and then an occasional 6 or 4 gives a glimpse of his shots and power, then he goes back to his shell before getting out for a run a ball score.

Just play your shots because atleast you have them. No need to think about building your innings like a master architect.

This is what I’m saying. Demote him in the batting order because right now he’s occupying a crucial position batting wise that he is clearly not cut out for.

Bat him lower where he can throw caution to the wind and allow him to bowl a full quota of overs.

 

[daytrader]

Problem is we don't have a middle order batter that can replace him. Iftikhar at 4/5 is ideal in a rigid batting order.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

If he bowls a minimum of 2 overs per game then he is a must in the team.