[VIDEOS] Can statpadding and anchor role win you any T20 World Cup?

[The Bald Eagle]

Statpadding and Anchor role are important for survival in Test cricket, just OK in ODIs but criminal in T20s. So can a statpadder like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, KL Rahul and an inadverent statpadder like Mohammad Rizwan win you any T20 World Cup?

So are they of any use to the team or just a disgraceful liability occupying spots of other deserving players?

 

[Statpadder Inc]

No, they absolutely can't.
You can take it from me !

but the blind fanboys will continue to hype up the 50(40)

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Virat has so many gears and at his peak was the most destructive chaser in ODI and is a bonafide ATG of the game.

To lump him with mediocre and average cricketers like Rizwan, Rahul or Babar is downright condescending.

Virat cant be judged at the twilight of his career even though he still has managed to upstage Babar in that part of career as well so far.

 

[IndoorCricket]

Virat has so many gears and at his peak was the most destructive chaser in ODI and is a bonafide ATG of the game.

To lump him with mediocre and average cricketers like Rizwan, Rahul or Babar is downright condescending.

Virat cant be judged at the twilight of his career even though he still has managed to upstage Babar in that part of career as well so far.

I dont mind Kohli in team for chasing. He should not be opening in PP.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Virat has so many gears and at his peak was the most destructive chaser in ODI and is a bonafide ATG of the game.

To lump him with mediocre and average cricketers like Rizwan, Rahul or Babar is downright condescending.

Virat cant be judged at the twilight of his career even though he still has managed to upstage Babar in that part of career as well so far.

Bro he is simply a statpadder but occasional good knocks like Afridi as defined rightly by Statpadder Inc bro.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Bro he is simply a statpadder but occasional good knocks like Afridi as defined rightly by Statpadder Inc bro.

If Virat is a stat padder over the course of his ATG career, that makes Babar a padding tower of mediocrity.

 

[Rana]

Would love to hear @daytrader ’s thoughts here

 

[deltexas]

Statpadding and Anchor role are important for survival in Test cricket, just OK in ODIs but criminal in T20s. So can a statpadder like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, KL Rahul and an inadverent statpadder like Mohammad Rizwan win you any T20 World Cup?

So are they of any use to the team or just a disgraceful liability occupying spots of other deserving players?

Absolutely no. Anchoring is useless in t20s. No place for statpadding. That's why neither ind nor pak will win the t20wc. - too many selfish statpadding seniors on both sides. Whoever wins the ind-pak game will gloat shamelessly not winning the t20wc wc and the senior leeches will be back for the 2025 CT under the "experience " quota..

 

[Rana]

But but but Australia and India construct their teams like this too

 

[jnaveen1980]

They bring down the quality of the game. Kohli used to have much wide range game where he could bank on Nowadays he is stuck against spinners. So he should gracefully call it quits. He can still outperform guys like Babar, Rizwan. But that is not really a high bar.

 

[emranabbas]

Maybe in the middle overs I've done a post on it today in another thread I'll post it here

 

[RidiculousMan]

Statpadding and Anchor role are important for survival in Test cricket, just OK in ODIs but criminal in T20s. So can a statpadder like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, KL Rahul and an inadverent statpadder like Mohammad Rizwan win you any T20 World Cup?

So are they of any use to the team or just a disgraceful liability occupying spots of other deserving players?

You cannot merge the two together. Stat padding is a selfish and negative thing. It's not a role or play style but rather a selfish act in Cricket. Where the player is just going about maintaining or boosting their own stat.

Anchor type players as you have mentioned are specialized players like power hitters. They are more consistent, more reliable, less risk taking and more finely tuned in their technique.

Now depending on what you mean by winning the T20 World Cup this could mean a few things. Because Cricket is a team sport. No single player is enough to win a whole tournament. Lets assume you are talking about winning contributing significantly to winning the WT20 Final. Which is arguably the most important game of the tournament.

The answer is Yes to that and not only to that but in all games. That in T20s you still need one or two anchoring players in your XI. A few examples of Final matches are enough to back this notion.

WT20 2022 Final. Ben Stokes 52 off 49. Strike Rate of 106. Abysmal and stat pad innings if you take it out of context. But is actually the innings that won England that Final. Why? Because England were chasing 139 on a pitch that was doing something and against Pakistani pacers specially. The supposed power hitters who were trying to muscle the ball were getting out. They needed an anchor type of innings.

WT20 2016 Final. Marlon Samuels 85 off 66. Strike Rate of 128. Sure Baithwaite hit those 4 sixes but other than that West Indies were rolled over in that innings. It was Marlon who held one end and ensured they stay alive in the game.

WT20 2010 Final. Craig Kieswetter 63 off 49. Strike Rate of 128. No body remembers this guy. But he played his best innings and a trophy winning one in the Final. It was an anchor innings. Why? Because the team needed it.

Overwhelming number of WT20 Finals have not been particularly high scoring matches and the role of an anchor type innings or an anchor type player who can play an anchor type innings seems to be not only a box tick. But a requirement just even for the Finals. Other then this there have been numerous anchor innings that were matching winning for their teams throughout the many matches of these WT20s.

This is still very much a 20 overs game with bat and ball. Despite the overwhelming favoritism to high scoring matches, road like flat wickets and a demand for entertainment from the broadcasters and fans.

You will still have average total matches. You will still need solid technique anchor players who can wither the storm in tough environments. You will still have to rely on a batter or two in a game where you batting line up collapses and you clutch on straws looking for someone that can carry and maintain one end of the pitch.

 

[emranabbas]

T20 is played in different phases you have the first phase


over 1-6 this is when you are allowed only 2 fielders outside the 30 yard circle and its usually pace bowlers bowling during this phase, so you would need batsmen with skills to hit out at fast rate to make use of the field here someone like Harris Fakhar and saim would be useful who normally take risky shots

middles overs are about spin and the bowling team trying to pull down the run rate with a lot more fielders outside the 30 yard circle this is where you would normally construct the innings and babar rizwan type of batsmen are required who would normally not take any risks, this slot you cant fit in harris or fakhar as they are both bling sloggers and would be walking wickets

last 5-6 overs is when the game begins and when you need power hitters like Iftikhar etc.. for a their short cameos oat the strike rate of 200+

having Babar and Rizwan play the first 6 overs is a disaster likewise having fakhar and harris play any overs after the 6th over, they will just hit straight into the fielders hands with 1 mis calculated shot.

 

[ahmadharis1]

There is definitely a place for an anchor role in a champion T20 team, but the problem comes when your whole team is full of anchors

 

[The Bald Eagle]

You cannot merge the two together. Stat padding is a selfish and negative thing. It's not a role or play style but rather a selfish act in Cricket. Where the player is just going about maintaining or boosting their own stat.

Anchor type players as you have mentioned are specialized players like power hitters. They are more consistent, more reliable, less risk taking and more finely tuned in their technique.

Now depending on what you mean by winning the T20 World Cup this could mean a few things. Because Cricket is a team sport. No single player is enough to win a whole tournament. Lets assume you are talking about winning contributing significantly to winning the WT20 Final. Which is arguably the most important game of the tournament.

The answer is Yes to that and not only to that but in all games. That in T20s you still need one or two anchoring players in your XI. A few examples of Final matches are enough to back this notion.

WT20 2022 Final. Ben Stokes 52 off 49. Strike Rate of 106. Abysmal and stat pad innings if you take it out of context. But is actually the innings that won England that Final. Why? Because England were chasing 139 on a pitch that was doing something and against Pakistani pacers specially. The supposed power hitters who were trying to muscle the ball were getting out. They needed an anchor type of innings.

WT20 2016 Final. Marlon Samuels 85 off 66. Strike Rate of 128. Sure Baithwaite hit those 4 sixes but other than that West Indies were rolled over in that innings. It was Marlon who held one end and ensured they stay alive in the game.

WT20 2010 Final. Craig Kieswetter 63 off 49. Strike Rate of 128. No body remembers this guy. But he played his best innings and a trophy winning one in the Final. It was an anchor innings. Why? Because the team needed it.

Overwhelming number of WT20 Finals have not been particularly high scoring matches and the role of an anchor type innings or an anchor type player who can play an anchor type innings seems to be not only a box tick. But a requirement just even for the Finals. Other then this there have been numerous anchor innings that were matching winning for their teams throughout the many matches of these WT20s.

This is still very much a 20 overs game with bat and ball. Despite the overwhelming favoritism to high scoring matches, road like flat wickets and a demand for entertainment from the broadcasters and fans.

You will still have average total matches. You will still need solid technique anchor players who can wither the storm in tough environments. You will still have to rely on a batter or two in a game where you batting line up collapses and you clutch on straws looking for someone that can carry and maintain one end of the pitch.

Yep bro it's good but Not Necessary a good squad with pitch hitters like West Indies can do the job without an anchor role. Even Australia won their only T20 WC without any contribution from Mr statpadder, Steve Smith.

So yes you do need for bad times. But if 6 proper batters in a team can made quick 25-30 then still the job is done for you. Whatever you said does make sense but I still believe the stars of new generation with explosive batting are a better fit for this format now.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Poll added Guys.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Especially openers playing anchor role is the most bizarre things. They are supposed to set the tone. They tell others how the pitch behaves through their approach. This is why one of the openers should always be a wicket that you can sacrifice.

 

[Ab Fan]

No chance. Stat Padding can't win you any games.

 

[Major]

A valid discussion would had existed if you just said anchoring, but by making an allegation that there is statpadding you have diverted the whole discussion towards something else.

Statpadding is a seperate thing, and anchoring is seperate. Plz dont make them as one.

 

[zarak]

how many anchors did the last two winning teams have. Joe Root would be Pakistani t20i captain had he been playing for us.

 

[Rana]

A valid discussion would had existed if you just said anchoring, but by making an allegation that there is statpadding you have diverted the whole discussion towards something else.

Statpadding is a seperate thing, and anchoring is seperate. Plz dont make them as one.

Of course you have an issue with this

 

[Rana]

The most depressing part of all of this is, Pakistan’s anchors/statspadders/curses are opening the innings in T20s,

Not batting at 3 or 4 where anchors usually play if needed.

 

[Rana]

Pathum Nissanka

Ibrahim Zadran


Two more useless openers of world cricket

 

[JaDed]

Bro he is simply a statpadder but occasional good knocks like Afridi as defined rightly by Statpadder Inc bro.

Even Afridi will laughing being compared to Kohli.

While Pakistani dislike towards Kohli is understandable, but Kohli was actual Mos in two T20 Wcs where he had massive memorable knocks.

Kohli is not good anymore yes but he did really well for India in that format.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Another important factor is where the tournament is played, the local conditions, and the strategy that the team employes. We saw in the 2021 T20WC in Dubai that due to the slow wickets, Pakistan's strategy was to bowl first, limit the opposition to a sub-par score and then chase - something suited to accumulating batsmen, hence the team did well. In this scenario, power hitters were more likely to struggle as they would get bogged down by spin bowling and the slowness of the pitch and get out trying to accelerate.

However on flatter wickets under different circumstances, accumulators may become more of a liability than an asset.

 

[mominsaigol]

Statpadding and Anchor role are important for survival in Test cricket, just OK in ODIs but criminal in T20s. So can a statpadder like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, KL Rahul and an inadverent statpadder like Mohammad Rizwan win you any T20 World Cup?

So are they of any use to the team or just a disgraceful liability occupying spots of other deserving players?

Kohli isn't a stat padder. He literally beat Pakistan from a collapsed position and chases 28 of 8 deliveries.

With the exception of R Ashwin playing the last ball, Kohli got 27 runs for his team in 6 deliveries(Coutning the no ball)

How is that stat padding? He's clearly shown he can chase and strike at over 200?

 

[AMSS]

Babar has a SR of <130.

KL's SR is 139 and he has a higher gear that Babar will never have.

Kohli was 2 leagues above Babar as a T20 batsman at his peak. Kohli is massively diminished batsman today and even then, he's equal or better than Babar, never less.

There's no comparison although I understand a few Pakistani fans deluding themselves to feel better.

 

[AMSS]

Kohli isn't a stat padder. He literally beat Pakistan from a collapsed position and chases 28 of 8 deliveries.

With the exception of R Ashwin playing the last ball, Kohli got 27 runs for his team in 6 deliveries(Coutning the no ball)

How is that stat padding? He's clearly shown he can chase and strike at over 200?

A one-off match/performance does not negate a consistent pattern. Kohli has been a massive statpadder like Babar in the last 4 years.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Stat-padding can win you games but winning a tournament requires much more than just batting. You need bowlers to step up and fielders taking some extra-ordinary catches to win the whole tournament. Batting is never going to win you any tournament.

 

[mominsaigol]

A one-off match/performance does not negate a consistent pattern. Kohli has been a massive statpadder like Babar in the last 4 years.

First off, every game kohli scored a century in this WC India won, to top it off, even in the asia cup his paternship with sheryas put Pakistan in a virtual unwinnable position, despite both openers departing relatively early on.

Stat padders aren't able to win matches as consistently, because they play for themselves and not the team as their deliberately trying to boos stats.

Kohli isn't deliberately trying anything , a few ipl games for RCB isn't going to convince me. Only thing I'm convinced by is that kohli due to age aka the kohli of 2024 is not the kohli of 2016.

Kohli is the most feared chaser in world cricket, that's his reputation to this day which hasn't faded away, people wouldn't be claiming that if he was just a glorified stat padder like babar and rizwan who despite scoring win nothing during crucial stages.

 

[daytrader]

Would love to hear @daytrader ’s thoughts here

Anchors in my opinion are a vital part of the game, including T20Is.

It's unfair to group statpadding and anchor roles in one bracket. Statpadding can work both ways, where a batter can slog 2 sixes and then get out just to increase their strike rate stats. Would that be considered acceptable and responsible behaviour?

Also in most of the T20 WC finals, the scores have been less than 150. In 2021 NZ scored 172 which remains the highest to date.

In the Pakistani context, I don't see the need to go all guns blazing and playing unresponsibly to get to a good total. Our bowling is good enough to defend 170+ We need the right mix of anchors and power hitters to get there. Rotating the strike and holding on to chances are the key for us in the coming WC.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

You need only 1 "anchor" in T20 cricket , if at all. Both Bobby and Rizzy simply cannot play together in a lineup.

Anchors raise the floor of the batting side with their consistency. But it's the high variance batters who will raise the ceiing of the side and that's more important to win T20 World Cups.

 

[AMSS]

You need only 1 "anchor" in T20 cricket , if at all. Both Bobby and Rizzy simply cannot play together in a lineup.

Anchors raise the floor of the batting side with their consistency. But it's the high variance batters who will raise the ceiing of the side and that's more important to win T20 World Cups.

Anchors in T20 have a negative cascading effect on the rest of the line-up in terms of their mental make up.

Would you ever have a high SR and low average batsman in tests or even ODIs?

Then why would a team have a so-called anchor who only exists to wreck the batting momentum of a team.

 

[Rana]

Statpadding can work both ways, where a batter can slog 2 sixes and then get out just to increase their strike rate stats. Would that be considered acceptable and responsible behaviour

Unless you are a lower-order/tailender….

Which Batsman whose sole role is to score runs for his side wants to come in, hit sixes and then get out? They hit sixes with the intention of helping the side, in accordance to the situation.

How is it responsible behaviour to score 40 off 39 balls every time as a T20 opener? I guess once in a series or tournament it might make sense but how can it be acceptable on a regular basis? I’m talking about openers, who get 36 balls in the powerplay. Not Middle order or lower order players who don’t get that luxury.

 

[mominsaigol]

Unless you are a lower-order/tailender….

Which Batsman whose sole role is to score runs for his side wants to come in, hit sixes and then get out? They hit sixes with the intention of helping the side, in accordance to the situation.

How is it responsible behaviour to score 40 off 39 balls every time as a T20 opener? I guess once in a series or tournament it might make sense but how can it be acceptable on a regular basis? I’m talking about openers, who get 36 balls in the powerplay. Not Middle order or lower order players who don’t get that luxury.

But how is Babar a stat padder, have you seen his 4 conversion rate?

36 balls? 36 4's easy.

 

[Rana]

But how is Babar a stat padder, have you seen his 4 conversion rate?

36 balls? 36 4's easy.

Bruv I’ve read some amazing stuff here

“Babar 6x4s in a super over”

“India and Australia are structuring their team like Pakistan’s selection”

 

[Rana]

There is definitely a place for an anchor role in a champion T20 team, but the problem comes when your whole team is full of anchors

What number does the anchor bat?

 

[Rana]

You need only 1 "anchor" in T20 cricket , if at all. Both Bobby and Rizzy simply cannot play together in a lineup.

Anchors raise the floor of the batting side with their consistency. But it's the high variance batters who will raise the ceiing of the side and that's more important to win T20 World Cups.

What number does the 1 anchor bat?

 

[Rana]

We saw in the 2021 T20WC in Dubai that due to the slow wickets, Pakistan's strategy was to bowl first, limit the opposition to a sub-par score and then chase - something suited to accumulating batsmen, hence the team did well

Right

This strategy was exposed brutally against Australia in the semi final. Enough said there

The two games against Scotland and Namibia don’t really count or make any sense, they can’t be used to reinforce a point for whatever reasons.

Pakistan pretty much botched the chases against Afghanistan and New Zealand. There were two fluke/freak cameos by Asif Ali to see Pakistan through. The ‘strategy’ as you say….flopped.

The ‘strategy’ worked once against India, I’m not sure that was even down to a particular strategy that day. India bottled a 100% World Cup record against Pakistan. They really shouldn’t have, but fair play to Pakistan.


So out of 4 crucial games (India, NZ, AFG, AUS), the strategy came off properly once. That’s a 25% success rate. It was already on edge….and then it has been completely failing since then onwards.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

What number does the 1 anchor bat?

Depends. Babar should open since he can hit pace with the field up rather than spin with the field out .

He had the 2nd highest strike rate in PP this PSL.

He can also bat at 3 as he showed in NZ but Pakistan don't really have better openers than Saim and Babar

 

[Rana]

Babar should open since he can hit pace with the field up rather than spin with the field out .

He had the 2nd highest strike rate in PP this PSL

Right. Well done for clarifying your perspective


Which equates to nothing basically even though you have dressed it up in a very articulate way.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Right. Well done for clarifying your perspective


Which equates to nothing basically even though you have dressed it up in a very articulate way.

Right. And what are your alternatives to open? Saud Shakeel ?

 

[mominsaigol]

Bruv I’ve read some amazing stuff here

“Babar 6x4s in a super over”

“India and Australia are structuring their team like Pakistan’s selection”

Same, a certain someone told me not to take everything literally and that we must vase pur selections on merit, however that doesn't apply to usman khan and imad wasim cause they personally don't rate them.

 

[Rana]

Right. And what are your alternatives to open? Saud Shakeel ?

I’ve made my point, and it’s bloody clear.

Anchor’s as T20 openers are what the Australian crowed called Wasim Akram: Bankers.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I’ve made my point, and it’s bloody clear.

Anchor’s as T20 openers are what the Australian crowed called Wasim Akram: Bankers.

So basically you are shooting blanks without any alternative in mind. Or any logic whatsoever.

You don't have a point at all, let alone a clear one.

 

[mominsaigol]

Right. And what are your alternatives to open? Saud Shakeel ?

Their plenty of options, Saud isn't ideal but he is free flowing atleast, regardless,

Haris can open because he can utilise the first 6 overs of the pp, Fakhar and saim can do something similar, You can also opt for usman khan as he was literally the best bat of the psl and proved he's gun at no 3 and can open as well, if groomed he could become similar to rachin ravindra for us IF GROOMED PROPERLY.

People are thinking along the lines of Babar and rizwan anchoring and batting through the 20 overs and while yes that has worked in the past on some occasions such as 2021 India and c string chases, given their slow starts, if they fail they'll 100% cripple the middle order and make the game unwinnable.

We saw how rizwan's inning in the psl final cause MS to be 20 runs short which is what the commentators were saying, Credit to MS for bowling out of their skins though.

We saw a similar repeat in the semi final against Australia and the final against Sri Lanka in asia cup.

This anchor mentality needs to end, it'll work maybe 1 or 2x per 15 games. Pakistan 2023 wc strategy failed everytime excluding Sri Lanka as their mentality was Anchor till over 30th and chase 170 in the final 20 aka a t20 game, except unlike a t20 they don't got thr luxury of PP 1 nor do they have 10 wickets in hand .

 

[Rana]

So basically you are shooting blanks without any alternative in mind. Or any logic whatsoever.

You don't have a point at all, let alone a clear one.

Lol.

I’ve had a clear point since 2020.

If anyone has a clear point, a clear vendetta on this subject. That will be me.

 

[mominsaigol]

I’ve made my point, and it’s bloody clear.

Anchor’s as T20 openers are what the Australian crowed called Wasim Akram: Bankers.

Anytime we give then alternatives they reject it and argue.

This batting through the innings and holding the line mentality needs to end, I've heard this argument way too many times.

It works once or 2x every 15 games.

 

[Rana]

Lol.

I’ve had a clear point since 2020.

If anyone has a clear point, a clear vendetta on this subject. That will be me.

Also, a big shout out to my Indian brothers on the IPL forum who tag me whenever an opener tears the house down in the powerplay.

And those silent, but devoted Sharjeel Fans who tag me when Sharjeel lays the smackdown in domestic tournaments.

 

[Rana]

Anytime we give then alternatives they reject it and argue.

This batting through the innings and holding the line mentality needs to end, I've heard this argument way too many times.

It works once or 2x every 15 games.

Exactly

That’s why I’m done with these give me ‘alternatives’ frauds.

“yeah I’ll give you an alternative! Ian Botham’s grandmother would do better as a T20 opener than Babar Azam!”

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Their plenty of options, Saud isn't ideal but he is free flowing atleast, regardless,

Haris can open because he can utilise the first 6 overs of the pp, Fakhar and saim can do something similar, You can also opt for usman khan as he was literally the best bat of the psl and proved he's gun at no 3 and can open as well, if groomed he could become similar to rachin ravindra for us IF GROOMED PROPERLY.

People are thinking along the lines of Babar and rizwan anchoring and batting through the 20 overs and while yes that has worked in the past on some occasions such as 2021 India and c string chases, given their slow starts, if they fail they'll 100% cripple the middle order and make the game unwinnable.

We saw how rizwan's inning in the psl final cause MS to be 20 runs short which is what the commentators were saying, Credit to MS for bowling out of their skins though.

We saw a similar repeat in the semi final against Australia and the final against Sri Lanka in asia cup.

This anchor mentality needs to end, it'll work maybe 1 or 2x per 15 games. Pakistan 2023 wc strategy failed everytime excluding Sri Lanka as their mentality was Anchor till over 30th and chase 170 in the final 20 aka a t20 game, except unlike a t20 they don't got thr luxury of PP 1 nor do they have 10 wickets in hand .

Mohammad Haris is the only one who might have had a case but that time is past now. He hasn't had a great PSL and he is not selected for this tour either .

Usman Khan is still suspect against short stuff . It would not be the best idea to throw him in now to open in the World T20 against full strength attacks right now.

Babar is clearly superior to Saud. On what basis can Saud be rated above Babar as opener? This guy was rated very highly on here as a great player of spin as well and then looked very susceptible against spin in the World Cup.

In this PSL, he has a strike rate of 141 and an average - both of which were much lower than Bobby's.

This close to a World T20, you can't pick too many unproven guys

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Exactly

That’s why I’m done with these give me ‘alternatives’ frauds.

“yeah I’ll give you an alternative! Ian Botham’s grandmother would do better as a T20 opener than Babar Azam!”

I dunno. Botham's grandmother maybe better at identifying players better than you .Not sure about outbatting Babar

 

[Mamoon]

Yes. There is more than one way to skin a cat but people with a one track mind will not understand.

Sri Lanka won the 2014 T20 WC with the following strike rates of their top 5:

Perera - 155
Dilshan - 105
Jayawardene - 125
Sangakkara - 100
Thirimmane - 110

As per the ignoramuses on PP, a T20 top 5 where only batsman is striking at 150+ and everyone else is striking at 125 or below is a recipe for disaster, but yet Sri Lanka won the World Cup with a batting lineup where 4 out of 5 batsmen in the top 5 where “stat padding” and “playing anchor” as per the PP definitions.

This example clearly exposes the popular narrative. The point is not to downplay the importance of having aggressive players at the top of the order in this format but to explain that it is perfectly possible to win a T20 World Cup with a batting lineup that might be perceived as slow provided that you do other things right which Sri Lanka did in 2014.

Pakistan can win a World Cup with Babar and Rizwan in the top 3. They bat a lot quicker than what the Sri Lankan top order managed in 2014, but Pakistan will not win the World Cup because the bowling attack is very poor and bringing Amir and Imad back from the dead does nothing to address that problem.

Pakistan’s only chance is if Shaheen magically regains his form in time for the World Cup but that also seems unlikely.

 

[Rana]

Yeah 2014 and 2024 are the same year, and how cricket is being played lol

 

[DeadlyVenom]

It depends on the team composition, pitch conditions and the opposition.

It can work but if you had two pound for pound similar sides with the only difference being the types of openers then only an insane person would pick the anchors.

Whether it is necessary for Pakistan is debatable.

But basically if we are to win to a world cup it won't be because we have our anchored the opposition. It will be because we have our bowled them or someone has played cameos.

 

[daytrader]

Unless you are a lower-order/tailender….

Which Batsman whose sole role is to score runs for his side wants to come in, hit sixes and then get out? They hit sixes with the intention of helping the side, in accordance to the situation.

How is it responsible behaviour to score 40 off 39 balls every time as a T20 opener? I guess once in a series or tournament it might make sense but how can it be acceptable on a regular basis? I’m talking about openers, who get 36 balls in the powerplay. Not Middle order or lower order players who don’t get that luxury.

Imo Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Asif Ali and to an extent now Saim Ayub are guilty of this. Their intention is to entertain and they try to hit sixes irrespective of conditions and even of balls they can't. Trying to entertain is not putting the team first. The intention is not right and that too is just as bad as statpadding.

As for your overall strategy for going hard in the power play, I have never doubted that it works well for other teams. But for Pakistan it simply doesn't. The guys you are terming as anchors (Babar and Rizwan) have high strike rates for Pakistani standards. Obviously if you're comparing them to Warner or Fin Allen, they will fall short of that criteria.

However in Pakistan cricket, among active cricketers, the following have a higher strike rate than them in T20Is in respective order:

Shadab Khan
Mohammad Nawaz
Asif Ali
Imad Wasim
Fakhar Zaman
Iftimania - slightly lower than Babar and slightly higher than Rizwan

Not many openers and Fakhar's strike rate is very similar to Babar's.

Saim Ayub might be the solution from one end but so far he hasn't been able to translate his domestic success to internationals. And he's getting a fair number of chances. If he too doesn't live up to expectations then what do we do? Get Shadab and Nawaz to open?

My stance is simple- a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. Let's back our strengths rather than trying to mimic other teams.

 

[Mamoon]

Yeah 2014 and 2024 are the same year, and how cricket is being played lol

The average first innings total in T20 World Cups has remained fairly consistent and the negligible difference can be attributed to the fact that each edition has been played in different conditions.

The average first innings totals have not progressively increased each edition which would signify a shift in how cricket is being played.

That happened in ODIs but not in T20s.

 

[daytrader]

But how is Babar a stat padder, have you seen his 4 conversion rate?

36 balls? 36 4's easy.

Babar will become the record holder for hitting the most 4's in T20Is in the upcoming series. Let's not downplay our strengths

 

[Vikram1989]

What number does the 1 anchor bat?

I think 3 position (floating anchor)may be better for an anchor. If the openers gave u a good opening,push him down the order if he does not have ceiling. If the opener fails in 2,3 overs then depending on the opposition strength we can decide. In ipl, RR don't have any anchors so it's a bit of toss for them with their batting.Highly entertaining or grossly ridiculous.

 

[Rana]

I think 3 position (floating anchor)may be better for an anchor. If the openers gave u a good opening,push him down the order if he does not have ceiling. If the opener fails in 2,3 overs then depending on the opposition strength we can decide. In ipl, RR don't have any anchors so it's a bit of toss for them with their batting.Highly entertaining or grossly ridiculous.

Correct answer

No disputing this.

 

[daytrader]

As per the ignoramuses on PP, a T20 top 5 where only batsman is striking at 150+ and everyone else is striking at 125 or below is a recipe for disaster, but yet Sri Lanka won the World Cup with a batting lineup where 4 out of 5 batsmen in the top 5 where “stat padding” and “playing anchor” as per the PP definitions.

Pakistan have no one striking at 150+ Unless some posters have gathered all the dragon balls to make their wish come true, it's simply not possible.

 

[Rana]

Let’s “play to our strengths” and model a champion 2014 team:

1. Babar
2. Rizwan
3. Shan Masood
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Salman Agha
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Shadab Khan
8. Shaheen Afridi
9. Usama Mir
10. Naseem Shah
11. Harris Rauf


Sri Lanka won it in 2014 like this, we can do it 2024!

 

[BouncerGuy]

Let’s “play to our strengths” and model a champion 2014 team:

1. Babar
2. Rizwan
3. Shan Masood
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Salman Agha
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Shadab Khan
8. Shaheen Afridi
9. Usama Mir
10. Naseem Shah
11. Harris Rauf


Sri Lanka won it in 2014 like this, we can do it 2024!

This team is not going to win against namibia.

 

[daytrader]

Let’s “play to our strengths” and model a champion 2014 team:

1. Babar
2. Rizwan
3. Shan Masood
4. Abdullah Shafique
5. Salman Agha
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Shadab Khan
8. Shaheen Afridi
9. Usama Mir
10. Naseem Shah
11. Harris Rauf


Sri Lanka won it in 2014 like this, we can do it 2024!

Replace Shan and Abdullah with Saim and Usman and maybe Harris with Muhammad Ali. Would be a solid xi

 

[Rana]

This team is not going to win against namibia.

What are you on about? The average score in tournaments is slightly more since 2014’s average score. Sri Lanka won with 5 anchors in the top 6. We have guys in 2024 who strike more than Sangakara and Jayawardane. This is the side we should take, the World Cup is ours!!

 

[Statpadder Inc]

2014 and 2024 mein bahut antar hai bhai (There’s a lot of difference between 2014 and 2024, brother)

 

[BouncerGuy]

What are you on about? The average score in tournaments is slightly more since 2014’s average score. Sri Lanka won with 5 anchors in the top 6. We have guys in 2024 who strike more than Sangakara and Jayawardane. This is the side we should take, the World Cup is ours!!

I understand your sarcasm bro. LOL.

TBH, Bring Babar and saim up top..fakhar and usman to follow. Rest Rizwan

 

[daytrader]

I understand your sarcasm bro. LOL.

TBH, Bring Babar and saim up top..fakhar and usman to follow. Rest Rizwan

Who should be the wicketkeeper then

 

[daytrader]

Yes go on, send an email to GKirsten@gmail.com with this suggestion.

Tbh I think Kirsten is overrated. Everyone knows it was due to Dhoni's captaincy that India won the 2011 WC. I don't think he has any other accomplishments?

I pray that he doesn't make changes just for the sake of it before the WC

 

[mominsaigol]

Tbh I think Kirsten is overrated. Everyone knows it was due to Dhoni's captaincy that India won the 2011 WC. I don't think he has any other accomplishments?

I pray that he doesn't make changes just for the sake of it before the WC

Right so when Kristen is the coach, Dhoni is the sole reason why India won the world cup,

But when Misbah is the coach, Babar and rizwan are the sole reason why Pakistan loses and had a tough series with Zimbabwe.

 

[Rana]

I understand your sarcasm bro. LOL.

TBH, Bring Babar and saim up top..fakhar and usman to follow. Rest Rizwan

The only position when it comes to being serious about Babar Azam is number 3.

Saim is the blue eyed boy who everyone wants to open. I love the kid but I personally don’t feel he is ready.

I would much rather play it safe and keep my pool of openers limited to Fakhar, Usman, Sahibzada. Just 3 mature blokes who seem to know how to approach this game correctly. But yeah, no harm in Saim being given a shot at going for glory like Wayne Rooney in Euro 2004.

 

[daytrader]

Right so when Kristen is the coach, Dhoni is the sole reason why India won the world cup,

But when Misbah is the coach, Babar and rizwan are the sole reason why Pakistan loses and had a tough series with Zimbabwe.

Lol where do you come up with this stuff? I have never said this

 

[mominsaigol]

Lol where do you come up with this stuff? I have never said this

I'm just saying Kristen isn't overrated, he's fairly rated. Both Dhoni and Kristen deserve praise.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Kohli was never a stat padder, just that his ability against spin has drastically declined in recent years. Especially against left arm off spin.

Same Kohli was striking at 150-200 SR in the 2016 WC, in games where second highest SR would be 120. You guys need to watch the Mohali 2016 virtual knockout against Australia on a tired surface. In the 2016 WT20 semifinal Kohli scored 90 in 45. He didn't win 2 man of the tournaments just like that, insult to compare the GOAT with the likes of actual stat padders like Babar, Rizwan and Rahul.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Team can carry maximum one anchor like player in my opinion, by anchor I still mean above 130 SR. Remaining 6 out of top 7 must be dashers. India's strategy is outdated, that is why we underachieve in this format.

 

[daytrader]

I would much rather play it safe and keep my pool of openers limited to Fakhar, Usman, Sahibzada

Fakhar, we've tried as an opener. He needs time in the middle before he can play big shots.

Usman, not tested in internationals yet so let's see how he does.

Sahibzada Farhan though? Really? His strike rate is equal to RizBar in t20s.

 

[Swashbuckler]

To reinforce my previous post, I would play my anchor as a floater that too only in extremely bowler friendly conditions in high stakes games where 150 can be a winning score. Stokes did that job in the previous WC final against Pakistan, MCG was a challenging pitch that edition especially for chasing sides, Pak were maybe 10-15 runs short, 137 was too low even for that pitch and occasion.

 

[Rana]

Fakhar, we've tried as an opener. He needs time in the middle before he can play bog shots.

Yes, I guess Babar and Rizwan need no time in the middle to hit every ball they face to the boundary?

Sahibzada has improved a lot. He was the best T20 opener in the Pakistan cup and he did reasonably well for LQ too. He attacks in the powerplay, consolidates a bit post powerplay, and launches again around the 10th over of an innings. He in comparison to Babar and Rizwan actually has a range to hit sixes against pace and spin. You would rather have a player like him stay at the crease for longer and become more dangerous for the opposition the longer he stays…unlike those two who only become more dangerous to the chances of their own side the longer they stay at the crease

 

[mominsaigol]

Yes, I guess Babar and Rizwan need no time in the middle to hit every ball they face to the boundary?

Sahibzada has improved a lot. He was the best T20 opener in the Pakistan cup and he did reasonably well for LQ too. He attacks in the powerplay, consolidates a bit post powerplay, and launches again around the 10th over of an innings. He in comparison to Babar and Rizwan actually has a range to hit sixes against pace and spin. You would rather have a player like him stay at the crease for longer and become more dangerous for the opposition the longer he stays…unlike those two who only become more dangerous to the chances of their own side the longer they stay at the crease

Mate how do you even figure these things out and deeply analyse to such an extent.

You made me change my mind about sahibzada. I'm actually open to him opening the batting for us now.

 

[Rana]

Mate how do you even figure these things out and deeply analyse to such an extent.

You made me change my mind about sahibzada. I'm actually open to him opening the batting for us now.

Just have to watch cricket, not just in Pakistan but all around the world. Understand how the game is moving.

2 years ago, I would never have been in favour of Sahibzada. He basically used to eat up a lot of dot balls and then hit the odd boundary or six.

But the guy worked extremely hard on his game to change this, and he looks like a proper batsman now. Has the right kind of build and structure for an attacking batsman too. Looks authoritative at the crease.

I’m not saying he is gaurenteed to perform, but he has done a lot of hard work to upgrade himself.

These guys, Babar and Rizwan have done ZILCH to evolve. They are content with the same rubbish they display. They only work hard on what they are comfortable at doing. Watch a net session video of Rizwan, he is only working hard on hitting the ball towards leg side.