What's new

Where does Iftikhar Ahmed fit in this team?

Rana

Rana

Hall of Famer
Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Runs
82,416
I pointed this out before on a few occasions

The guy seems to have no proper role in this side. How is he being asked to bat after Shadab in a warm up? And then not even getting an over to bowl?

3 occasions now in recent history that he has batted at 7 or 8. He is either picked to bat or he isn’t picked at all IMO
 
There is an agenda to fail him.

Been saying for a while, he needs to bat at no.4
 
They should open with Iftikhar and Shadab they probably could play at a better strike rate than our amazing power hitters Abdullah and Imam.

:inzi
 
Of all the people from WC T20 onwards, he is the only one who has justified his selection, he is not elegant and there is nothing glamorous about him but he gets the job done. He should come after Rizwan, aka 3 down at the most.
 
Your argument would have some weight if you shared data to back your claims.
Ifti has played 16 games at no6 and just 3 at no7 in ODIs in last 1-2 years. He’s never played a game at no8.

It’s common to promote hitters in last 2-3 overs, so I wasn’t surprised about Shadab coming ahead of Ifti.
 
Farabi said:
Your argument would have some weight if you shared data to back your claims.
Ifti has played 16 games at no6 and just 3 at no7 in ODIs in last 1-2 years. He’s never played a game at no8.

It’s common to promote hitters in last 2-3 overs, so I wasn’t surprised about Shadab coming ahead of Ifti.
Click to expand...
So you have data to suggest Shadab is a better hitter than Iftikhar?
 
Rana said:
So you have data to suggest Shadab is a better hitter than Iftikhar?
Click to expand...
That’s a valid question. Based on PSL performances, Shadab does bat at a healthier SR than Ifti, which does indicate that Shadab is a better lower-order hitter than Ifti. However, we should get the data on this.
 
gazza619 said:
There is an agenda to fail him.

Been saying for a while, he needs to bat at no.4
Click to expand...
I feel there is an agenda to just disrespect him, make him look like some joke.

Babar and Shadab don’t really take him seriously
 
If there is some slight hope that someone in our team can build an innings and then go full beserk in the closing part of the innings, it is Ifti. He brings some unpredictability and X factor to the team. In current team, his slot is No.6 instead of Salman Agha who should be backup. Whatever Salman can do I believe Ifti can do it better.
If pitches are flat in this world cup my best XI would be
1) Fakhar ( license to attack)
2) Imam ( we know how he plays)
3) Babar
4-5) Saud and Rizwan ( float them 4 and 5 according to needs of left hand right hand combinations. Instead of wasting time in believing who is better focus on team needs in current match.
6) Ifti Mania ( take few balls to settle and then get offensive with license to attack)
7) Shadab ( sadly no better choice)
8) Nawaz ( start with Nawaz for better combination but keep close eye on his performance.
9) Hasan Ali ( better than Wasim Jnr and overall weak link slot with no 3rd seamer choice) if pitches are spinning then play only 2 fast bowlers and play Usama as well.
10) Shaheen Shah
11) Haris Rauf
 
Rana said:
I pointed this out before on a few occasions

The guy seems to have no proper role in this side. How is he being asked to bat after Shadab in a warm up? And then not even getting an over to bowl?

3 occasions now in recent history that he has batted at 7 or 8. He is either picked to bat or he isn’t picked at all IMO
Click to expand...
Hes your power hitter for the last 10 overs. Much needed in the team
 
DandyFellow said:
If there is some slight hope that someone in our team can build an innings and then go full beserk in the closing part of the innings, it is Ifti. He brings some unpredictability and X factor to the team. In current team, his slot is No.6 instead of Salman Agha who should be backup. Whatever Salman can do I believe Ifti can do it better.
If pitches are flat in this world cup my best XI would be
1) Fakhar ( license to attack)
2) Imam ( we know how he plays)
3) Babar
4-5) Saud and Rizwan ( float them 4 and 5 according to needs of left hand right hand combinations. Instead of wasting time in believing who is better focus on team needs in current match.
6) Ifti Mania ( take few balls to settle and then get offensive with license to attack)
7) Shadab ( sadly no better choice)
8) Nawaz ( start with Nawaz for better combination but keep close eye on his performance.
9) Hasan Ali ( better than Wasim Jnr and overall weak link slot with no 3rd seamer choice) if pitches are spinning then play only 2 fast bowlers and play Usama as well.
10) Shaheen Shah
11) Haris Rauf
Click to expand...
Ifti does not fits anywhere at international level.
 
Only player with a power game in the last 10 overs, and chips in with useful overs in the middle.

Not sure about this thread?

Quite clear Babar wanted to give Agha Salman enough time to prove how average he really is.
 
Jazx said:
Ifti does not fits anywhere at international level.
Click to expand...
I strongly disagree. On every position, there are different requirements and in current Pakistan setup he can easily bat as No 6 batter with ability to go big. Only player with natural six hitting ability in Pakistan team.
 
He is Pakistan's trump card if they use rightly. He is the only one that reminds me of the 2000s power hitters like Afridi, Razzaq. But it appears that his bowling is not rated highly. also they don't want him to play too many balls it seems.
 
Iftikhar needs to get batting practice next match over the bits and pieces Agha. He has a very important role in the team and if he can up his hitting game, is ideal for 5/6 position.

But his fielding is a big worry.
 
He's capable of excelling as a specialist batsman, not to mention his all-rounder skills. Take a look at his List-A statistics before offering criticism. Furthermore, he recently scored a century. You're a few screws loose
 
DandyFellow said:
I strongly disagree. On every position, there are different requirements and in current Pakistan setup he can easily bat as No 6 batter with ability to go big. Only player with natural six hitting ability in Pakistan team.
Click to expand...
I agree with current pakistan setup as the options are not there. But as per international standards both ifti and agha are nothing players.
 
Iftikhar's number is perfectly fine. There is a draw in between Saud and Salman. IMO, Iftikhar has adopted to the role he is playing in this current team, and seems to suit him as well.
 
  1. Imam
  2. Abdullah
  3. Babar
  4. Rizwan
  5. Saud
  6. Iftikhar

This should be our top 6 to start the World Cup campaign.
 
Iftikhar is a must in this line up the only batter after fakhar who can explode.
 
Realistically he can only be at 5 at 6 with Rizwan at 4 and not a bad position to be honest.
 
he is playing on perfect position 6 because he is the only one in the team right now who can come and start hitting the ball swiftly.
 
he is good at no.6 on these flat spinning pitches




Try to get batsman till 10.. and use more spinners

1. Shafique
2. Babar
3. Rizwan
4. Saud Shakeel
5. Salman
6. Iftikhar
7. Shadab
8. Nawaz
9. Usama/Abrar
10. Shaheen
11. Rauf
 
I don't really know what babar is doing with ifti chacha tbh. His role at 6 should be clear by now. But sometimes he comes at 8 after shadab and usama lol.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
why do u have that much problems with Rizwan? :ROFLMAO: He is doing good at 4 position.

Where else u want to play him?
Click to expand...
I want saud at 4 and rizwan to open. Let's be honest with fakhar's lack of form, we are looking at 30 for 0 after 10 overs with Imam and Abdullah opening
 
Ifti Chacha is the best player of spin in Pakistan's lineup, his position should be such that he plays in overs 15-30, so probably no.4 ahead of Rizwan
 
to me he must bat above Salman Agha because he can steer the game effectively once he get settled.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
to me he must bat above Salman Agha because he can steer the game effectively once he get settled.
Click to expand...
Agha shouldn't be in the team at all.

As ramiz raja said yesterday, the best option that Pakistan ironically has to have rizwan open and let saud at 4 with chacha at 5.

Then at 6 and 7, because our braindead management didn't select anyone, we have no choice but to hope for the best and pray that someone like shadab or agha can bash and bazzball the best they can.

Imam and Abdullah opening cripples us, Fakhar is out of form, and rizzu at no 4 ia a liability.

However as an opener it's difficult because it's hard for a wicket keeper to keep 50 overs and then just go open with zero rest.

You need to be an Adam Gilchrist legend to be able to do that. Rizzu will tire out, even if opening is best for someone like him since 90 ball 100's are welcome.

Lastly even if rizwan does open, then it weakenes our 6 and 7 position since everyone will move one up.

I have no clue why tayyab was selected and discarded for no reason despite not being given a game. And haris isn't in

Saud and tayyab were badly needed, since their genuine middle order batsmen, whereas someone like haris who is a hack, can do pretty well at no 7 as a slogging finisher and chacha can function well at 6.

Pakistan's obsession with nawaz, shadab and agha, aka bits and pieces in the middle is a sign of a collapse 99% of the time.

We literally do not have a middle order besides chacha, considering agha has been preferred over saud in the past games.
 
Chacha is suited for the number 5 or 6 position easily. The problem is number 4 and 5 in case Iftikhar plays at number 6. Opening is also completely dead in recent matches. Imam also looks like he is struggling. Fakahr is out of form, and Abdullah is not good atm in my opinion. the best bet is to let Rizwan open.
 
BouncerGuy said:
Chacha is suited for the number 5 or 6 position easily. The problem is number 4 and 5 in case Iftikhar plays at number 6. Opening is also completely dead in recent matches. Imam also looks like he is struggling. Fakahr is out of form, and Abdullah is not good atm in my opinion. the best bet is to let Rizwan open.
Click to expand...

If Rizwan has fitness to keep 50 overs and then open, then I am all for it.
 
Why not trial as an opener?. Pakistan lost the concept of attacking bowlers and maximising PP
 
He is there to hit big. He is the ideal no.6 in the current side. This World Cup will be the end of his career if he fails.
 
aukhan said:
He is there to hit big. He is the ideal no.6 in the current side. This World Cup will be the end of his career if he fails.
Click to expand...
His career should have ended many years ago. He lacks the reflexes to hit fast bowlers.
 
It always feels as if every match could be his last for Pakistan.

Every now and then he performs well, the rest of the time we see mediocrity.
 
Saj said:
It always feels as if every match could be his last for Pakistan.

Every now and then he performs well, the rest of the time we see mediocrity.
Click to expand...
Well said Saj bhai, something definitely wrong with his Fan Base. He is just like Asif ali
 
Iftikhar has transformed himself into a very handy cricketer recently. He had some good scores and is bowling just fine.
 
Iftikhar once again proved that he is a useful part of this Pakistan team with his decent contribution with both ball and bat.
 
Saud playinga head of him and playing the spin bowling is perfect for iftikhar his game sit well against pace bowling
 
Economical bowling and good solid hitting - what more can you ask for from a number 6?
 
Why not open the batting with Iftikhar?

The man hit 3 sixes in match against AUS today. He quickly got out because of the scorecard pressure. There 8 RRR off the last 12 overs. He couldn’t finish the job but he reckon could be useful at the opening slot.

Pakistan digged themselves in a whole because of slow paced batting at the top order. No 6s hit in the PP this year. Imam & Shafique are total flops—they are ruining the innings to jacking up the RRR.

Have Ifti open the batting. Let the man score 50-70 runs off 30-40 balls. You’re in a very good position now.

Bam!💥 I think the winning formula always calls for good intent. Iftikhar has shown he has good intent and ability to clear the ropes.
 
I know this dude’s pretty much a meme. But Imam & Shafique are bigger jokes with their batting style. They will give you 64(61) when chasing 360. That’s well below-par.

On the other hand, Warner did 163(124). He got his 64 off 48 balls. Huge difference. Isn’t it?
 
ArabKnight said:
Why not open the batting with Iftikhar?

The man hit 3 sixes in match against AUS today. He quickly got out because of the scorecard pressure. There 8 RRR off the last 12 overs. He couldn’t finish the job but he reckon could be useful at the opening slot.

Pakistan digged themselves in a whole because of slow paced batting at the top order. No 6s hit in the PP this year. Imam & Shafique are total flops—they are ruining the innings to jacking up the RRR.

Have Ifti open the batting. Let the man score 50-70 runs off 30-40 balls. You’re in a very good position now.

Bam!💥 I think the winning formula always calls for good intent. Iftikhar has shown he has good intent and ability to clear the ropes.
Click to expand...

A RR of 8 is nothing in the last 12 overs if you have an actual thinking human being batting at that point. It's the bad shot selection of Saud Shakeel and Chacha's inability against spin that killed us today. You must be joking if you think it's our opening partnership that cost us the match. We were cruising towards that target even when Saud Shakeel was batting. What a terrible shot that was.

Back to the thread, Chacha opening the innings is a funny but terrible idea.
 
The only caveat is that Iftikhar will open the innings and score 30 off 50 balls instead of your desired value.
 
Rana said:
Open with him and watch him become selfish

I know these players
Click to expand...
Loved watching Mohammed Haris play last year. Total winner that guy.

In know in my heart that he would’ve won the match for us. We need to get someone new as opener. The dudes we got right now aren’t cutting it. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
 
I wouldn’t open with Ifty, which is a terrible horrible idea, but Pakistan needs another pinch hitter in the lower order. Mohammed Harris is a dangerous but 9 out of 10 times he gets out playing a dumb shot. Sadly, there’s no other pinch hitter in the squad.

The team management have selected a weak squad for dubious reasons and so Pakistan is without real options.
 
ArabKnight said:
Loved watching Mohammed Haris play last year. Total winner that guy.

In know in my heart that he would’ve won the match for us. We need to get someone new as opener. The dudes we got right now aren’t cutting it. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
Click to expand...
Bro there is a top brass of cricketers represented by the same agency

They have a bizarre approach and understanding of cricket. Im purposely being cryptic here,

But I can gaurentee you, if you give players from that agency a top position in Pakistan cricket, they will only care and play for themselves first. They will however act as if they are playing for the team.
 
Rana said:
Bro there is a top brass of cricketers represented by the same agency

They have a bizarre approach and understanding of cricket. Im purposely being cryptic here,

But I can gaurentee you, if you give players from that agency a top position in Pakistan cricket, they will only care and play for themselves first. They will however act as if they are playing for the team.
Click to expand...
Then don’t let one occupy a top position for too long. We have to axe both openers. Bring in someone else. I’m tired of seeing Shafique and Imam milk it.

New face even if it’s from the same party is better than seeing one face forever.
 
Nowhere, a couple of sixes and everyone goes gaga. If we're going to compete, need to get rid of bits n pieces and dead weight cricketers like Ifti, Nawaz and Shadab.
 
well ifti was our one decent spinner today and scored some runs as well unlike that fraud shadab and nawaz both of them never score runs and can't contain either
 
Essentially he’s playing the role that Shadab/Nawaz should be playing. He’s often preferred as a bowler to them as if he’s the full time bowler and they’re part time. And he does the big hits. So we don’t need the other 2 bits and piece players in Nawaz and Shadab who are not doing anything with the bat or ball.
 
Another splendid knock by Peshawar captain Iftikhar Ahmed in National T20 Cup 2023 against Karachi Whites. He scored unbeaten 72*(45).

Iftikhar Ahmed in the National T20 so far:
5 innings, 3 fifties
222 runs (2nd-highest)
18 fours, 12 sixes
222 average
179 strike rate
 
FearlessRoar said:
Another splendid knock by Peshawar captain Iftikhar Ahmed in National T20 Cup 2023 against Karachi Whites. He scored unbeaten 72*(45).

Iftikhar Ahmed in the National T20 so far:
5 innings, 3 fifties
222 runs (2nd-highest)
18 fours, 12 sixes
222 average
179 strike rate
Click to expand...
Respect the inning. But he can only do that in domestic nothing impressive. Where was this performance in World Cup ? international big 0, he can hit 400 tomorrow, he can’t do anything in international
 
I like Ifti but he is too limited vs spin to ever be a threat like Butler ,Maxwell , Pandaya etc
 
Iftikhar is a player who cant play the anchor role so let him play where he is playing right now at #6 position where he can come at play his own game without any extra burden.
 
Should retire for good or move to aboard to Canada and USA. He is waste of spot and blocking doors on young talents .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

mominsaigol
What now for Iftikhar Ahmed?
Replies
16
Views
590
Asif321
Asif321
Z
[PICTURES/VIDEO] Colin Munro and Mohammad Rizwan clash after Islamabad United opener accused Iftikhar Ahmed of chucking, prompting umpire intervention
Replies
45
Views
1K
Snowflake
S
Cricket Warrior
"Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir are in the team just to take the blame for the losses": Ahmed Shehzad
Replies
65
Views
3K
Bhaijaan
Bhaijaan
The Bald Eagle
[PICTURE] "This team will do great in the Champions Trophy": Aaqib Javed
Replies
64
Views
2K
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
Greenstorm
Pakistan team - a home of accumulators, so what exactly do we need for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and World Cup 2027
Replies
3
Views
421
Greenstorm
Greenstorm
Back
Top