What position should Sarfaraz Ahmed bat at in T20 Internationals?

[cricketerB94]

What's going to be interesting is how they're going to fit all of Babar,Talat and Malik all in the same team in ODIs when Babar comes back. There isn't enough space. The only way I can imagine is promoting Babar to opening which they might do, but then you're moving a player who has scored so many runs at the important no.3 position.

Fakhar
Haris
Babar
Talat
Sarfraz
Malik

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Batted at 4 again today for what ended up to be a poor innings.

14(13)

 

[Hedz]

In the top 4 ideally
He was a good opener, don’t know why he moved to 6
But as Babar occupied the number 3 position, either opening or number 4 for me

 

[Mamoon]

Order has been restored. A nothing batsman in any format.

 

[Square Drive]

Been batting four since NZ. I think he came up the order probably because the Coach thought he was as his run of T20 score before that was poor. Since he's been promoted to four, he's done better.

In all formats think Sarfraz rather prefers to bat down the order. Allows him to focus on captaincy (as well as keeping more). Think he sees himself as a captain first and player second.

As a pure player he's gone on record saying he actually prefers to bat up the order, even opening. As it gives more opportunity to perform/build. But obviously as captain he's not really fighting for his place anymore.

Hard for him to bat at four in ODIs as there are better batsmen who by logic dictates deserve to bat ahead. In T20s it's easier as innings are usually short anyway, so people care less about batting position, at any position you're expected to tonk it (except maybe opening where you build a bit of a base). Also in T20s, there's few collapses so no need for the rescue captain role (which again I think Sarfraz sees himself doing more, I think he aspires to be Dhoni in many ways).

Lastly T20s are more fun, ODIs are usually where a player cements his place in the side. Hence Sarfraz batting up the order hides other specialist batsmen and doesn't give them the opportunity to stake a claim.

In ODIs Sarfraz's performance at 6 isn't as bad as it used to be, but I don't really see it possible for him to be batting above 5 given Babar and Haris take 3rd and 4th positions respectively. I think no.5 is probably his best position in ODIs though, and if both him and Malik are in the team, I'd bat him one spot ahead of Malik.

What's going to be interesting is how they're going to fit all of Babar,Talat and Malik all in the same team in ODIs when Babar comes back. There isn't enough space. The only way I can imagine is promoting Babar to opening which they might do, but then you're moving a player who has scored so many runs at the important no.3 position.

I'd have Babar open in ODIs, because he's done the same successfully at U19 level.

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Malik
Talat

 

[babajee]

I'd have Babar open in ODIs, because he's done the same successfully at U19 level.

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Malik
Talat

I’d go for this, although I’d swap Talat and Malik.

 

[Square Drive]

I’d go for this, although I’d swap Talat and Malik.

Long-term I'd have Talat at 5, and initially I had them swapped too. However, I say let us make use of Mian Malik's rich form for another year at 5.

 

[babajee]

Long-term I'd have Talat at 5, and initially I had them swapped too. However, I say let us make use of Mian Malik's rich form for another year at 5.

No doubt he is a beast against average/poor bowlers but there are still some question marks over his performances against top teams.

 

[Square Drive]

No doubt he is a beast against average/poor bowlers but there are still some question marks over his performances against top teams.

True, but he should be given some extra responsibility while Talat still finds his feet at the international level.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Out for just 16 runs today.Didn’t look too bad but threw his wicket away.

 

[Hasan123]

Should he really be batting ahead of Asif Ali?

 

[Azmi]

Sarfraz should Open in T20s

It seems to me that Sarfraz has become a little better hitter against the fast bowlers recently.

And he played a good knock against England in the final, while coming in the first over.

Nevertheless, he still lacks power, therefore first 6 overs are perfect for his type of hard hitting.

 

[Darkrai]

I still think it should be:

Fakhar (spot locked)
Babar (spot locked)
Sarfraz (Captain so has to play this is the best position for him to play cuz Babar opens)
Talat (if he continues to fail then time to look for someone else who is a good hitter)
Malik (spot locked)
Asif (spot locked)

Sarfraz probably has more power than Babar, so it's best we open with Babar. We should also start looking for Malik's replacement. And hopefully we move on Hafeez. I wonder if Sharjeel will be selected once his ban ends, that could be interesting.

 

[InziRules]

I think Sarfaraz at #4 is working very well, and I think Farhan will be an excellent opener in future series.

 

[ShahidDar08]

Should Open the batting, he's toothless down the order.

 

[Rayyman]

Heard he’s coming back in place of Rizwan

 

[Mueez]

Sarfraz should bat at number four during the WT20.

He is good against spin and the best batsman to get easy ones and two’s.

 

[khan_aa]

Sarfraz should bat at number four during the WT20.

He is good against spin and the best batsman to get easy ones and two’s.

they should have never gotten rid of him in t20s and ODIs.

maybe take away his captaincy, but why remove him from t20s? he did well except one series and by then psychologically, he wasnt there.

rizwan is good for ODIs and test, but t20 is a joke. he makes no impact in t20s.

 

[aukhan]

His best batting position is number 4.

 

[Minnowbasher]

Kamran akmal is probably a better option atm as a keeper batsman.
Sad how sarfraz's best self seems to be coming out after being dropped not while being the captain of Pakistan in all 3 formats.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

It all comes down to team combinations. With Babar opening, you really should have only one more player in the top six who's an accumulator. Sarfi can be that guy at 4 depending on numbers 3, 5 and 6 being hitters and fast starters (Ifti cha cha at 6 plus whoever else). However you also can't play Sarfi and Kami in the same team Kami can't field and Sarfi hasn't not kept in a long time. Decisions decisions

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Kamran akmal is probably a better option atm as a keeper batsman.
Sad how sarfraz's best self seems to be coming out after being dropped not while being the captain of Pakistan in all 3 formats.

Maybe the captaincy was having an adverse effect on him rather than him choosing to bring out his best form during PSL.

 

[Mueez]

they should have never gotten rid of him in t20s and ODIs.

maybe take away his captaincy, but why remove him from t20s? he did well except one series and by then psychologically, he wasnt there.

rizwan is good for ODIs and test, but t20 is a joke. he makes no impact in t20s.

I think excluding him for a while was a good thing to do.

He got a reality check and now has worked hard on his fitness and batting.

And that’s why he is middling the ball well.

 

[reversehook]

in the nca or moin khan acadamy nets,

 

[Pakhs]

I would not play Rizwan in T20s and he will also be found out in test in SA and England where bowl swings - The technique is really dodgy for those conditions. He can survive in other countries as WK batsman with good hand eye coordination.

T20 I think Kamran Akmal deserves a chance and for ODIs and tests its still Rizwan V Sarfraz.

 

[Shafi]

In ideal world neither of Sarfraz, kami or Rizwan should play T20. Umar Akmal with humble and brain was the best choice, then Mohammad Haris or even Azam Khan. We need power hitter not accumulator.

 

[gazza619]

Sarfraz should bat at number four during the WT20.

He is good against spin and the best batsman to get easy ones and two’s.

Certainly cant do any worse than the 28 ball 30 which Malik scores at no.4 and keeps his place for eternity.

Think we should take a risk with Kamran Akmal this time.

 

[minamino]

Number 16, out of squad

 

[Khan12]

Sitting at home and eating Biryani.

 

[Mueez]

Certainly cant do any worse than the 28 ball 30 which Malik scores at no.4 and keeps his place for eternity.

Think we should take a risk with Kamran Akmal this time.

Yeah I believe Kamran should get another chance, he should try batting at three.

However I’m more worried about Fakhar Zaman.

Feel he might not get selected for the tournament, having seen him bat since last couple of months.

Ideally my team would be:

Babar Azam (C)
Fakhar Zaman/Sharjeel Khan
Kamran Akmal/Haris Sohail
Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
Muhammad Hafeez
Azam Khan
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Muhammad Hasnain
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Naseem Shah

 

[shamaan]

Yeah I believe Kamran should get another chance, he should try batting at three.

However I’m more worried about Fakhar Zaman.

Feel he might not get selected for the tournament, having seen him bat since last couple of months.

Ideally my team would be:

Babar Azam (C)
Fakhar Zaman/Sharjeel Khan
Kamran Akmal/Haris Sohail
Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
Muhammad Hafeez
Azam Khan
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Muhammad Hasnain
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Naseem Shah

Agreed but no chance for harris sohail to be in the squad

 

[ZamanFan]

[MENTION=145503]Mueez[/MENTION]

Don't see Sarfaraz returning in the team this year courtesy Misbah and Waqar. Sarfaraz will comeback but as a captain only.

PCB mafia will try to lobby hard for Kamran Akmal as they've pushed for Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal. Lot of people do not trust Kamran Akmal or his domestic performances. He'll drop catches whether as keeper or in the field and will fail against international teams in WT20. Can't trust his performances in psl. They bowled at his strengths and Quetta's controversial decision to employ a spinner first over knowing Akmal is still being debated.

 

[Hasan123]

All it takes is a few performances in T20 and PP is asking for an average player to be back in the team.

 

[Mueez]

[MENTION=145503]Mueez[/MENTION]

Don't see Sarfaraz returning in the team this year courtesy Misbah and Waqar. Sarfaraz will comeback but as a captain only.

PCB mafia will try to lobby hard for Kamran Akmal as they've pushed for Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal. Lot of people do not trust Kamran Akmal or his domestic performances. He'll drop catches whether as keeper or in the field and will fail against international teams in WT20. Can't trust his performances in psl. They bowled at his strengths and Quetta's controversial decision to employ a spinner first over knowing Akmal is still being debated.

Hmm yes, I think the wicket keeper slot is the most debatable position in the Pakistan team.

If only Rizwan was that good enough in T20’s...

 

[Barragan]

5, 6 or 7 (depending on the situation) and nothing higher.

Decent T20 bat, but there are far superior T20 batsmen available for Pak.

However, he is a fantastic T20 captain and easily the best in Pak.

 

[BakuGM]

5, 6 or 7 (depending on the situation) and nothing higher.

Decent T20 bat, but there are far superior T20 batsmen available for Pak.

However, he is a fantastic T20 captain and easily the best in Pak.

This, he should go in as the T20 Captain which relieves pressure from our best bat i.e. Babar and also he is the best person to lead the team.

 

[ahmadharis1]

He should be opening with Babar

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

He should be opening with Babar

Took the words right out of my mouth. This or nothing for Sarfraz.