[VIDEOS] "To be honest, I became overconfident" : Fakhar Zaman

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has admitted that his overconfidence led to his own downfall, as he vows to make strong comeback on England tour.

Talking to reporters via teleconference, the opener was optimistic to represent Pakistan again, as tough England tour is just over a month away.

"To be honest, I became overconfident,” the 30-year-old told reporters. “Even when I played domestic cricket, I always took my time. I'll give credit to Mickey Arthur that he gave me the freedom. Because of that, I started played aggressively."

The left-hander added: “You cannot start hitting the new ball from the start. My role will remain the same - to be an aggressive player at the top. But, if you see, I tried playing a scoop in the first over against Sri Lanka. What I am saying is, I won't make those mistakes. I'll try that our run rate is about 8 or 9. My aim will be to ensure I bat long so that it helps the team."

Fakhar also revealed that he has made slight adjustments in his batting technique which he hopes to benefit in prolonging his career.

"I have come up with this technique only, so I don't need to make a lot of changes. It is just some adjustments, like in the grip or a small change in the stance, I have made these small adjustments," he said. "At this level, if I change my technique, I won't have a lot of time. I am very happy with it, and you will see very soon when you see me playing how the adjustments I have made are making a huge difference."

The 30-year-old is aiming for a strong comeback on the England tour and wants to cement his place back in the national side.

"My goal now is to gain my permanent spot back with my performance. Irrespective of whether I score 15-20 or a fifty or a century, I hope it helps Pakistan in that match. In a T20 you don't plan much, but I hope to show the selectors that I belong to this level and that I can play for long for Pakistan," he said.

Pakistan is scheduled to take on the home side in three Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), which will be played in August-September.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/1004762/fakhar-admits-his-overconfidence-let-him-down

 

[Hawkeye]

Nope.

Your hacking and closed eyes slogging was just found out. As it was expected.

It doesn't matter if you try to play "slow" in the start. You'll still get out. Any half decent bowler should be able to exploit your shockingly apparent weaknesses.

We wasted millions on Grant Flower and he gave us YOU!

 

[Mueez]

Well at least Fakhar admits it!

Good luck champ, hope you perform well.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

It will be a miracle if his new technique will allow him to play barrage of short balls aimed at his body by elite bowlers when the old one just couldn't.

I don't see that happening.

 

[Khan12]

Nope.

Your hacking and closed eyes slogging was just found out. As it was expected.

It doesn't matter if you try to play "slow" in the start. You'll still get out. Any half decent bowler should be able to exploit your shockingly apparent weaknesses.

We wasted millions on Grant Flower and he gave us YOU!

And Grant Flower gave us Babar too.

 

[Mamoon]

No, you are just a glorified Awais Zia whose luck finally ran out. Technically one of the worst batsmen to every play international cricket.

A fluke hack.

 

[FreePalestine]

Hmm... well, I will still back him. Inshallah he will come good. He has a very good eye, has found clever ways of scoring runs. He has to improve his game against spin and, as he says, take fewer unnecessary risks. I am happy he realizes he has to work harder.

 

[Bewal Express]

FZ will always be legend for that innings and I for one will always be grateful. And aside note He ended the odi career of Ravi Ashwin and temporarily of Jadeja.

 

[Forum363]

Nope.

Your hacking and closed eyes slogging was just found out. As it was expected.

It doesn't matter if you try to play "slow" in the start. You'll still get out. Any half decent bowler should be able to exploit your shockingly apparent weaknesses.

We wasted millions on Grant Flower and he gave us YOU!

Laughable that you support Kami yet Fakhar who has done better in such a short career is being called a hack etc by you.

Pakistan fans in general will probably say Kami was a better batsman than Fakhar which is ridiculous.

 

[Forum363]

No, you are just a glorified Awais Zia whose luck finally ran out. Technically one of the worst batsmen to every play international cricket.

A fluke hack.

A fluke hack who won us a CT final (and solid contribution in the semi- final), who helped us recover from a dicey situation during a Test against Australia - helping us to win the series, and also played a brilliant innings in the final of a tri-series tournament against Australia chasing a big score after the loss of an early wicket.

That’s 3 brilliant innings in 3 formats in what is a fairly young career.

How exactly is he a hack? Just because of his technique?

 

[Khan12]

Laughable that you support Kami yet Fakhar who has done better in such a short career is being called a hack etc by you.

Pakistan fans in general will probably say Kami was a better batsman than Fakhar which is ridiculous.

Fakhar averages 46 and Kamran averages 26. But, it's difficult at times for some people.

 

[Hawkeye]

And Grant Flower gave us Babar too.

HAHAHA what!?!?! ) ) )

Babar was a prodigy since his U13 days, and hand-picked, cared for by the PCB. What rock you've been living under?

Anyway, had a good laugh, so thank you for that.

 

[Hawkeye]

Laughable that you support Kami yet Fakhar who has done better in such a short career is being called a hack etc by you.

Pakistan fans in general will probably say Kami was a better batsman than Fakhar which is ridiculous.

We're talking about batting and hitting technique. Even if I give the bat to you in an international match, you'll fluke some runs.

What matters is - can you repeat it? Will you be found out?

Kami is no great, he's a little less mediocre among the list of accumulators, but a prime Kami's technique isn't as bad as Fakhar's.

 

[Hawkeye]

No, you are just a glorified Awais Zia whose luck finally ran out. Technically one of the worst batsmen to every play international cricket.

A fluke hack.

Well said.

 

[Khan12]

HAHAHA what!?!?! ) ) )

Babar was a prodigy since his U13 days, and hand-picked, cared for by the PCB. What rock you've been living under?

Anyway, had a good laugh, so thank you for that.

You are a laughing stock here. So Fakhar is due to Grant and babar is not because of Mickey and Grant. Babar hand-picked etc everyone knows that, the fact is that babar would have been dropped after his initial start and mickey and grant stuck with him. Whether you like it or not it's a fact.

We will see what misbah does with haider ali, similar story to babar and i hope he helps him to go on the right tracks like mickey and grant done with babar. By the looks of it the start is not promising as it looks like they have identified him as a middle order batsmen.

 

[GreenKhan]

Fakhar does have an odd technique, or lack of in some people’s eyes . However when people say he technically one of the worse batsman to play international cricket then i just find it embarrassing.

He has delivered for Pakistan on a number of occasions and that to in high pressure games and not just any meaningless dead rubber .

He has also disappointed, and with some bizarre dismissals as well but to completely disregard him and diminish him is ridiculous.

He still has a solid one day record averages 46. He has had a slump in T20 cricket , and his last 10 games in that format have yielded very little , but even that format he helped us chase 190 plus in a final against Australia.

In a short career he has some very key achievements, including two MOM performances in final victories for Pakistan.

He was disappointing in the World Cup , but still gave us good starts against England and South Africa , which aided our victories .

I will persist with him for the 3 T20s in the England tour , and see if he has regained form . A firing Fakhar can lead to good things for Pakistan .

 

[Saj]

Sport has a habit of taking down some egos or catching out those that become over-confident.

Glad that Fakhar has finally realised what's going on, despite many of us seeing this a long time ago.

This England tour could be last chance saloon for him.

 

[TeamPak95]

The Fakhar hate is a bit over-exaggerated but at the same time you can't ignore his batting deficiencies. This upcoming t20 series is probably his last chance at permanently reclaiming a spot in the XI.

 

[shamaan]

Laughable that you support Kami yet Fakhar who has done better in such a short career is being called a hack etc by you.

Pakistan fans in general will probably say Kami was a better batsman than Fakhar which is ridiculous.

Hahha lol kami is shocking atleast fakhar won us the champtions trophy single handily

 

[sweep_shot]

Fame got to his head probably. He needs to learn how to handle compliments.

 

[shamaan]

We're talking about batting and hitting technique. Even if I give the bat to you in an international match, you'll fluke some runs.

What matters is - can you repeat it? Will you be found out?

Kami is no great, he's a little less mediocre among the list of accumulators, but a prime Kami's technique isn't as bad as Fakhar's.

No I doubt you will get runs in international.

Technique or no technique he stil won the champions trophy for pakistan

 

[shamaan]

You are a laughing stock here. So Fakhar is due to Grant and babar is not because of Mickey and Grant. Babar hand-picked etc everyone knows that, the fact is that babar would have been dropped after his initial start and mickey and grant stuck with him. Whether you like it or not it's a fact.

We will see what misbah does with haider ali, similar story to babar and i hope he helps him to go on the right tracks like mickey and grant done with babar. By the looks of it the start is not promising as it looks like they have identified him as a middle order batsmen.

Haider can play in the middle he did it in psl

 

[Khan12]

Haider can play in the middle he did it in psl

Haider has opened all his life. He's an opener and needs to be played in that position.

 

[ahmadharis1]

A "fluke hack" who averages 46.61 in ODIs with a 95 SR. He has some obvious technical deficiencies, not denying that, but I'll take those numbers any day.

 

[Mamoon]

A fluke hack who won us a CT final (and solid contribution in the semi- final), who helped us recover from a dicey situation during a Test against Australia - helping us to win the series, and also played a brilliant innings in the final of a tri-series tournament against Australia chasing a big score after the loss of an early wicket.

That’s 3 brilliant innings in 3 formats in what is a fairly young career.

How exactly is he a hack? Just because of his technique?

That is what a hack is. It is purely technical.

Hacks can be good too. For example, Finch is also a hack who will never cut it at Test level, but he is a damn good hack as we have seen in his white ball career.

And the issue with Fakhar is that his career is in free fall. He had a good 2017-2018 and proved to be a bit of a maverick who would take on the opposition in an unorthodox fashion and put bowlers off his lengths, but his record in the last year or so has been quite dire with the exception of 1-2 innings. He has been worked out and his technique is so poor that if the bowlers do not bowl in his comfort-zone, he is not capable of countering them.

His batting was flukey because he took far too many risks and his mode of success was not sustainable. Even during his heydays including the Champions Trophy, he would play and miss regularly, get away with plenty of edges and would get hit on the head multiple times because his technique against the short-ball is atrocious.

Fakhar type player is a luxury that a dreadful team like Pakistan cannot afford. If you have 3-4 world class batsmen, you can carry someone like Fakhar who would fail frequently but would blast the opposition on a good day, but a team like Pakistan that has only one elite batsman cannot carry flash in the pan type players like Fakhar.

 

[Mamoon]

A "fluke hack" who averages 46.61 in ODIs with a 95 SR. He has some obvious technical deficiencies, not denying that, but I'll take those numbers any day.

That average is only heading one way.

 

[ahmadharis1]

That average is only heading one way.

Fair point, his average has been declining. But for me, there aren't that many openers knocking on the door who can play aggressively like he does, so I don't mind Fakhar's all or nothing approach.

The second a viable alternative is available, Fakhar has got to go.

 

[Hawkeye]

You are a laughing stock here. So Fakhar is due to Grant and babar is not because of Mickey and Grant. Babar hand-picked etc everyone knows that, the fact is that babar would have been dropped after his initial start and mickey and grant stuck with him. Whether you like it or not it's a fact.

We will see what misbah does with haider ali, similar story to babar and i hope he helps him to go on the right tracks like mickey and grant done with babar. By the looks of it the start is not promising as it looks like they have identified him as a middle order batsmen.

Don't get me started on Grant Flower and Mickey Arthur.

Ruined: Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Sarfraz... you name it. They could fix NONE of them. They all regressed, massively.

So, where are all those millions paid to them? Who improved? None. Weakness not only there, but amplified.

No I doubt you will get runs in international.

Technique or no technique he stil won the champions trophy for pakistan

Yes, he fluked it that day, and it was very helpful for us. You too know it, how he scores -- flukes, struggles most of the times specially vs the short ball or balls directed at his body.

 

[shamaan]

Don't get me started on Grant Flower and Mickey Arthur.

Ruined: Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Sarfraz... you name it. They could fix NONE of them. They all regressed, massively.

So, where are all those millions paid to them? Who improved? None. Weakness not only there, but amplified.




Yes, he fluked it that day, and it was very helpful for us. You too know it, how he scores -- flukes, struggles most of the times specially vs the short ball or balls directed at his body.

What about the 88 he scored against New Zealand in odis what about the 76 against sri Lanka
100 against england

Short ball tell me baring babar who actually plays the shower bowl properly

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

No matter what anyone says, the man won us Champions Trophy and scored the only double hundred by a Pakistani in ODI cricket. I hope he comes back strongly and starts scoring runs again.

 

[shamaan]

No matter what anyone says, the man won us Champions Trophy and scored the only double hundred by a Pakistani in ODI cricket. I hope he comes back strongly and starts scoring runs again.

I agree

 

[Cric1234]

Initially teams were unaware of his weakness he cashed in the Champions Trophy came at the right time but over time he has regressed needs to overcome technical issues if he’s to make in in International cricket.

 

[Cric1234]

A "fluke hack" who averages 46.61 in ODIs with a 95 SR. He has some obvious technical deficiencies, not denying that, but I'll take those numbers any day.

It’s not a real fluke but he averaged 67 in 2018 greatly helped by the Zimbabwe series where he averaged 257 last year it was 34 he’s not progressing steadily declining in t20s he hasn’t scored for some time before he was dropped.

 

[Forum363]

We're talking about batting and hitting technique. Even if I give the bat to you in an international match, you'll fluke some runs.

What matters is - can you repeat it? Will you be found out?

Kami is no great, he's a little less mediocre among the list of accumulators, but a prime Kami's technique isn't as bad as Fakhar's.

If you gave most domestic batters around the world a chance in international cricket, I doubt many if any could smash a century against India in a final, smash Australia in a t20 and test to win their team the game, or even smash a double century against Zimbabwe. Everyone shouts about the weak opposition but Fakhar has played what 10 games against minnows? And yet has hit the only double century in our history and one of only a handful in the history of cricket. If it was that easy why haven't more players done it? They play minnows all the time.

 

[Forum363]

It’s not a real fluke but he averaged 67 in 2018 greatly helped by the Zimbabwe series where he averaged 257 last year it was 34 he’s not progressing steadily declining in t20s he hasn’t scored for some time before he was dropped.

The very fact that averaging 34 is a lean patch shows how decent he has been. In the past we would have given anything for an opener averaging 34 with a 90+ strike rate. I know times have changed but Pakistan lack aggressive openers and he is a luxury we seem to not appreciate.

 

[Forum363]

[/B]

That is what a hack is. It is purely technical.

Hacks can be good too. For example, Finch is also a hack who will never cut it at Test level, but he is a damn good hack as we have seen in his white ball career.

And the issue with Fakhar is that his career is in free fall. He had a good 2017-2018 and proved to be a bit of a maverick who would take on the opposition in an unorthodox fashion and put bowlers off his lengths, but his record in the last year or so has been quite dire with the exception of 1-2 innings. He has been worked out and his technique is so poor that if the bowlers do not bowl in his comfort-zone, he is not capable of countering them.

His batting was flukey because he took far too many risks and his mode of success was not sustainable. Even during his heydays including the Champions Trophy, he would play and miss regularly, get away with plenty of edges and would get hit on the head multiple times because his technique against the short-ball is atrocious.

Fakhar type player is a luxury that a dreadful team like Pakistan cannot afford. If you have 3-4 world class batsmen, you can carry someone like Fakhar who would fail frequently but would blast the opposition on a good day, but a team like Pakistan that has only one elite batsman cannot carry flash in the pan type players like Fakhar.

Okay I agree that his technique is pretty atrocious. My definition of a hack has always been someone who has a terrible technique and is not suited to professional cricket.

In terms of his career being in free-fall, I completely agree that his performances have dipped and he needs a wakeup call. However unlike all the other rubbish flashy players we have had over the last two decades (Akmals, Maliks, Farhats, Awais Zias, Khalid Latif, etc etc) he has stood up for us in crucial situations on multiple occasions. In fact too many times to consider it a fluke. Despite how he has 'looked' doing it, whether it be through edges or headbutts, he's won us games that we were almost certainly accustomed to losing without him.

He is exactly the kind of luxury that Pakistan need. As he has shown when he succeeds he wins us games. How many times did the likes of Umar and Kami and Misbah and Hafeez play innings that cemented their places but took us to a respectable loss. The management should work with him to improve his shortcomings. He has been lazy in the past and appears to have woken up to the fact.

A team like Pakistan 'with only one elite player' absolutely needs him. If instead you put in some other consistent but mediocre players - what is the point. We will get the Misbah era in ODIs where batsman played decent innings in losing causes. At least when Fakhar succeeds he wins us games.

 

[Cric1234]

The very fact that averaging 34 is a lean patch shows how decent he has been. In the past we would have given anything for an opener averaging 34 with a 90+ strike rate. I know times have changed but Pakistan lack aggressive openers and he is a luxury we seem to not appreciate.

Of course the aggressive approach is good but he’s not on a lean patch he’s declining it’s not looking likely he can average 45 plus again in the future but he should continue to be selected as he’s done enough in ODIs to retain his place.

 

[AAli98]

FZ will always be legend for that innings and I for one will always be grateful. And aside note He ended the odi career of Ravi Ashwin and temporarily of Jadeja.

Here here greats like imran akram Miandad etc couldn’t get the game by the scruff of the neck (in icc tourneys) & have the game of there lives to giv pak at least 1 victory in a wrld cup game. This guy single handedly swept India aside & gave pak much lost pride back.

 

[Abdullah719]

Opening in the practice games in England now. Made 17 today, falling to Shinwari who surprised him with a bit of extra bounce.

 

[Syed1]

Wow that is a big statement. If only some of our other supa ishtars had this attitude of self reflection.



Yes he is a bit hacky and not the best technically, but he still has an enviable record and I would have him in my team over so called 'technically correct' batsmen like Imam.

 

[Manunited18]

Certainly a big no no for tests here in England, broad will have him on toast.

 

[shamaan]

Certainly a big no no for tests here in England, broad will have him on toast.

Agreed all the bowlers will love to bowl to him

 

[shamaan]

Wow that is a big statement. If only some of our other supa ishtars had this attitude of self reflection.



Yes he is a bit hacky and not the best technically, but he still has an enviable record and I would have him in my team over so called 'technically correct' batsmen like Imam.

You obvs havent seen imaams odi record

 

[Syed1]

You obvs havent seen imaams odi record

I'm very much aware of his inflated average. I'm also aware to how it has been built by smashing minnows.


Average of 58 vs Afg, 92 vs BD, 59 vs SL and 79 vs Zim.


Other than Eng he has quite a pathetic average against all non-minnows.


(These are ODI stats)

 

[Kroll]

Delivered us a world ICC trophy in what was an otherwise terrible decade. Obviously, he's got a very high ceiling because you can't perform like that if you don't.

Good to see him self reflecting and admitting his mistakes so he can come out stronger on the other side.

 

[Rayyman]

I'm very much aware of his inflated average. I'm also aware to how it has been built by smashing minnows.


Average of 58 vs Afg, 92 vs BD, 59 vs SL and 79 vs Zim.


Other than Eng he has quite a pathetic average against all non-minnows.


(These are ODI stats)

Imam was Pak’s best batsman when they played ODIs in SA.

Fakhar is better right now but bhaanja has the brighter future

 

[shamaan]

I'm very much aware of his inflated average. I'm also aware to how it has been built by smashing minnows.


Average of 58 vs Afg, 92 vs BD, 59 vs SL and 79 vs Zim.


Other than Eng he has quite a pathetic average against all non-minnows.


(These are ODI stats)

Are you calling south Africa minnows and also sri lanka and india

If you want to talk about minnows you should look further than Zimbabwe am sure fakhar would love to play them every week eith average over 200

 

[MenInG]

Fakhar Zaman speaking to the media:

"I have a certain style of playing and I try to give our innings a quick start; I have other players around me who can play longer innings so I do take risks and if you do that, then there are ups and downs; First Mickey Arthur and now Misbah Bhai - both have had a lot of confidence in me so I will try to reduce the failures that I have had in the past and to become consistent"

"I am always working to improve myself with the help of Misbah and Younis Bhai but I have also been working hard on 4-day game as preparing oneself for red-ball cricket really improves your technique - so during the time we had off during the Covid-19 break, I spent a lot of time on practicing for red-ball cricket; Even in England, we played a lot of red-ball cricket at start of the tour; Against Zimbabwe I will try and score as much as possible - I cannot say that I will make a world record but one can try and if its your day, then Inshallah anything is possible"

 

[The Viper]

He was gone cheaply for just 2 today. He hasn't been good enough for a while now.

 

[shamaan]

He shouldn't have come in when the super over happened he isnt in form !

 

[Titan24]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/lahoreqalandars?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lahoreqalandars</a> for the last 4 memorable seasons. You’ve played a huge role in my career by providing me an opportunity to showcase my skills.<br>Looking forward to a new challenge in the upcoming season. <a href="https://t.co/sDC7CnanHD">pic.twitter.com/sDC7CnanHD</a></p>— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) <a href="https://twitter.com/FakharZamanLive/status/1344334093358653442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Titan24]

LQ could have done the same thing which KK did with Imad. They could have demoted Fakhar to diamond without letting him go into draft as it was supposedly allowed because KK did it last season.

 

[UzmanBeast]

He was a serious talent a few years ago but sadly he never worked on his batting awareness and mindset. He threw away starts trying to be an ultra aggressive opener, and went out of form from which he never recovered

 

[MenInG]

From PCB Report:

Fakhar scored 70 off 69 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes while Israrullah contributed 40 runs. Captain Khalid Usman scored an unbeaten 35 off 25 balls laced with three fours and one six in an 88-run partnership for the sixth-wicket with Musadiq that took Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to victory.

 

[MenInG]

From PCB Report:

Fakhar scored 70 off 69 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes while Israrullah contributed 40 runs. Captain Khalid Usman scored an unbeaten 35 off 25 balls laced with three fours and one six in an 88-run partnership for the sixth-wicket with Musadiq that took Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to victory.

PCB Video

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/byigf6" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

We need Fakhar purple patch for the T20 WC.

 

[observer1]

I know it was Zimbabwe but the dude has a double century.

He has shown he can make runs.

Form is temporary. Hopefully he gets his confidence back.

 

[MenInG]

Not selected for the T20 squad for the series against South Africa

 

[Ahmed216]

Not selected for the T20 squad for the series against South Africa

View attachment 106618

Completely justified his omission based on stats as well. Struggles with singles as he plays with hard hands with no use of wrists and relies on high risk big shots to score his runs

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Completely justified his omission based on stats as well. Struggles with singles as he plays with hard hands with no use of wrists and relies on high risk big shots to score his runs

Then can score a century against a world class team in a final. Its all in his head and PCB should be helping him getting his mind right for the WC.

 

[shamaan]

Not selected for the T20 squad for the series against South Africa

View attachment 106618

justified omission from the squad simple from wasim if you dont perform you will be dropped

 

[shamaan]

Then can score a century against a world class team in a final. Its all in his head and PCB should be helping him getting his mind right for the WC.

what can they do to improve his mental aspect

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

His problem was never over confidence, it was a simple technical issue of not playing through the line. Because he was too eager to hit anything short, he would end up pulling balls from way outside off stump and end up top edging easy catches.

It's a shame because he has tremendous ability, but sadly no batting smarts. He has the batting intelligence of a 10 year old.

 

[Firebat]

Fakhar really looking on it today for Lahore vs Quetta. 23 from 15 already, he'll have to keep this up to help them chase 178

 

[MenInG]

 

[Forum363]

Particularly impressed with his shot selection and batting against spin today.

He hasn't allowed the pressure to build up and then go for the risky release shot. Brilliant batting today and he is a player who has performed when it mattered for Pakistan on multiple occasions.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think he's just taking advantage of some predictable bowling. Picked up Hasnain for short arm pulls two balls in succession, can't help thinking at international level a smarter bowler would have mixed it up a bit better. Slower balls, bouncers a bit wider to get him pulling from too wide, that sort of thing.

Let's see if he can take it home, still a long way to go in this game. He is showing some patience so far, but let's see how he copes when the chase hots up.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

He is looking in form again, bring on the WC. Tournament player.

 

[Firebat]

He's going to have to keep this up for a bit longer to be considered at international level. This innings doesn't wipe out his terrible performances last year

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

He's going to have to keep this up for a bit longer to be considered at international level. This innings doesn't wipe out his terrible performances last year

What terrible performances? The fact that he was the leading run-scorer in NT20 Cup or the second leading-run-scorer in last year's PSL?

If a player who has done this well in domestic and PSL is not performing in internationals you drop him from the side, so he can analyze his game. You don't drop him from the squad altogether.

But when you have a guy as chief-selector who has convinced himself he's some kind of genius statsguru by barely scratching the surface of stats, then this will happen

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

A team like Pakistan should be grateful to have a batsman like Fakhar instead of dropping him from the international side. There are very few gun batsmen that Pakistan has. Babar, Hafeez and Rizwan are three; Fakhar is another. Shoaib Malik can be that gun player if he is actually selected.

Instead we have mental midgets like Talat and Khushdil getting chance after chance. I'm all for chances to youngsters but doing that after the T20 WC would be more sensible. If only mr. genius stats guru selector sb understood this.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

When Fakhar Zaman scores 50+ in T20s:

Matches: 24

Won: 20

Lost: 3

Tied: 1

That's an impact player for you.

 

[shaz619]

I think he's just taking advantage of some predictable bowling. Picked up Hasnain for short arm pulls two balls in succession, can't help thinking at international level a smarter bowler would have mixed it up a bit better. Slower balls, bouncers a bit wider to get him pulling from too wide, that sort of thing.

Let's see if he can take it home, still a long way to go in this game. He is showing some patience so far, but let's see how he copes when the chase hots up.

Perhaps but at the highest level he has some decent performances and shown he can handle pressure, he and the likes of Sharjeel I would think Pakistan may need at the top order, otherwise what are the alternatives?

 

[Line and Length]

If Fakhar keeps performing, they’ll have to bring him back into the NT. I feel like they may end up opening Fakhar with Rizwan, put Babar at #3, and drop Haider altogether.

 

[Zaz]

He looked much better when he plays orthodox cricket like most of the time today

Too many times in the last yr or two hes gone for the ugly heave n slog and got out

He just needs to take his time and play the ball on its merit and the runs will come

Looks a much better player and scores better when hes not slogging across the line

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Perhaps but at the highest level he has some decent performances and shown he can handle pressure, he and the likes of Sharjeel I would think Pakistan may need at the top order, otherwise what are the alternatives?

I actually think Sharjeel is the better player, but his issues are off the field. I haven't seen any alternative openers yet, they are all failing so I think we will end up going with Fakhar again. I just don't expect at international level he'll get the dolly bowling he was getting from Quetta today.

Yes I know Fakhar has some decent scores under his belt against good opposition, but that was mostly early in his career when he was unknown and he was getting fed plenty of balls in his arc. His later career doesn't look so good because the better sides stopped feeding him those.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Biggest question for him will be: can be play spin at all?

WC is in India and spin will be a huge factor.

 

[shaz619]

I actually think Sharjeel is the better player, but his issues are off the field. I haven't seen any alternative openers yet, they are all failing so I think we will end up going with Fakhar again. I just don't expect at international level he'll get the dolly bowling he was getting from Quetta today.

Yes I know Fakhar has some decent scores under his belt against good opposition, but that was mostly early in his career when he was unknown and he was getting fed plenty of balls in his arc. His later career doesn't look so good because the better sides stopped feeding him those.

Since around late 2018 his form has been poor in general, even the Zimbabweans have managed to get him out. It's his style of play to which leads to the lack of consistency, that's why there are days where everything comes off really well but others not so much and in the recent case, a number of low scores. But I feel on the days which are good, the impact of his innings may benefit Pakistan compared to any alternatives, hopefully he can regain some confidence though as that also seemed to have dented a bit

 

[Saj]

Mohammad Hafeez today "Overall our execution as a batting unit in the first 5 or 6 overs wasn’t good. Yes there was something in the pitch for the bowlers but as a T20 player you need to have better execution."

 

[Titan24]

His team has only lost 3 times when he has scored a 50 in T20s. Despite all his shortcomings he is a game changer on his day.