Which combo makes the best T20I opening pair in world cricket today?

[MenInG]

Some excellent opening pairs in the T20 game at the moment - each pair capable of taking the game away from the opposition but which one is the most lethal?

 

[Mamoon]

Deluded fans will say Babar and Rizwan, but they are not even in the same ballpark as Buttler and Roy.

If they stay for 5 overs and it is game over.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Please don't say Babar and Rizwan

For me it is Roy and Buttler by some Margin.

 

[Major]

Babar rizwan, rest dont come near except for the english pair.

Babar and rizwan shows that you dont need to smack sixs and can play t20 with proper cricketing shots.

Interestingly no one from the fab 4 was able to be as good t20 player as babar.

I always wonder how an alex hake pairung would do for england

 

[Major]

Deluded fans will say Babar and Rizwan, but they are not even in the same ballpark as Buttler and Roy.

If they stay for 5 overs and it is game over.

Its not deluded. This pair has successfully scored 180+ for us in t20 cricket. It is because of this pair we finally moved on from ahmad shezad and tullerz like shazaib hassan or sharjeel khan.

Out of all the batting pairs it was these two that defeated india and to by playing all the overs.

It is worth the praise.

 

[topspin]

Babar Azam and Rizwan are fine players and have done well so far as T20I openers but they're not the best.

Some of you need to take off your green tinted glasses.

It's Roy and Buttler. It's not even debatable.

 

[Shaddy86]

Any pair England decide to send, they're all mighty destructive and effective. It's all in the mindset, they could send any of butler, Roy, Malam, Bairstow, hales (it's a shame he's been left out for so long)

It's all about self confidence and the support they get rather as much as their own skill and ability. I don't see any other team coming close to it. Pakistani pair are not even contenders in this race.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Babar and Rizwan.

 

[James]

Roy/Salt and Buttler/Bairstow have got to be up there.

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

Rizwan/Babar
Rahul/Rohit
Buttler/Roy
Warner/Finch
Cownay/Guptill

Nothing to separate between these quality pairs. Everyone at same level.

 

[Major]

Babar Azam and Rizwan are fine players and have done well so far as T20I openers but they're not the best.

Some of you need to take off your green tinted glasses.

It's Roy and Buttler. It's not even debatable.

You cant expect us to take off our green tinted glasses because now adays people only watch their own country's matches.

Manyof us wont watch england play unless its against Pakistan.

Babar and rizwan play with a different strategy compared to roy and buttler. Both pairs are great and both pairs have different ways of scoring runs.

Babar Rizwan have shown thatyou dont need to play airborne shots or wack every ball. Their utilization of the powerplay is just amazing

 

[Mesozoic]

Butler - Roy
Butler - Bairstow
Butler - Salt
Butler - A log of wood

 

[Mesozoic]

Babar and rizwan play with a different strategy compared to roy and buttler. Both pairs are great and both pairs have different ways of scoring runs.

Babar Rizwan have shown thatyou dont need to play airborne shots or wack every ball. Their utilization of the powerplay is just amazing

Babar and Rizwan are match losers while chasing a steep total or setting up big totals against decent attacks. They both combined to score 100 off 80 balls in the semi final against Australia and pretty much lost Pakistan the game right there. You can't play 2/3rds of the innings while striking at 120.

They're great at chasing middling totals but 4/5 times you'll fail to score 180+ if they play more than 12 overs.

 

[Major]

Babar and Rizwan are match losers while chasing a steep total or setting up big totals against decent attacks. They both combined to score 100 off 80 balls in the semi final against Australia and pretty much lost Pakistan the game right there. You can't play 2/3rds of the innings while striking at 120.

They're great at chasing middling totals but 4/5 times you'll fail to score 180+ if they play more than 12 overs.

Yet india couldnt get either one of the match losers out. What does that make India cricket?

 

[Mesozoic]

Yet india couldnt get either one of the match losers out. What does that make India cricket?

Did you like... skip the entirety of my post other than the match losers part?

 

[Major]

Did you like... skip the entirety of my post other than the match losers part?

You made a comment and i reminded you what the match losers did to india.

Rest of the post is irrelevent as you dont watch pakistan cricket because id you did you would know the team woth this pair has chased and scored high totals

 

[Mesozoic]

You made a comment and i reminded you what the match losers did to india.

Rest of the post is irrelevent as you dont watch pakistan cricket because id you did you would know the team woth this pair has chased and scored high totals

Those match losers chased a middling total against India. They're good at that as I said already. Extremely good actually credit where it's due.

But they also lost the semi final against Australia. When it was time time to set up a defendable total , they batted at a snail's pace (for T20s) and cost their team the game. Had Butler and Roy batterd 80 out of the 120 balls, they'd make sure England post at least 200 if not 220+.

 

[Major]

Those match losers chased a middling total against India. They're good at that as I said already. Extremely good actually credit where it's due.

But they also lost the semi final against Australia. When it was time time to set up a defendable total , they batted at a snail's pace (for T20s) and cost their team the game. Had Butler and Roy batterd 80 out of the 120 balls, they'd make sure England post at least 200 if not 220+.

Again, you need to check score cards where they have done such chases and scores.

If india was good enough they would had posted a higher total. Babar and rizwan scored that total underr less overs compared to all indian batters.

 

[hitthestump]

Babar and Rizwan are match losers while chasing a steep total or setting up big totals against decent attacks. They both combined to score 100 off 80 balls in the semi final against Australia and pretty much lost Pakistan the game right there. You can't play 2/3rds of the innings while striking at 120.

Lol. I could pull just about any scorecard at random to prove you wrong.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Interestingly no one from the fab 4 was able to be as good t20 player as babar.

Highlighting this.

Just so that no one misses this joke.

 

[Mesozoic]

Again, you need to check score cards where they have done such chases and scores.

Any such instances against decent attacks? Attacks that didn't have the likes of Magala, Lizaad Williams etc?

 

[Mesozoic]

Lol. I could pull just about any scorecard at random to prove you wrong.

Please do.

 

[Mamoon]

Its not deluded. This pair has successfully scored 180+ for us in t20 cricket. It is because of this pair we finally moved on from ahmad shezad and tullerz like shazaib hassan or sharjeel khan.

Out of all the batting pairs it was these two that defeated india and to by playing all the overs.

It is worth the praise.

Babar and Rizwan are extremely important for Pakistan and they have changed the complexion of the team, but they are not the best T20 opening pair by any measure.

They work really well for weak team like Pakistan with an unreliable middle-order. The India match is a very good example bechare although it was a modest total, Pakistan would have most probably bottled the run chase if they would have been out early.

They have produced a level of consistency that we never saw before as far Pakistani openers are concerned.

However, both have their limitations when it comes to power-hitting. The semifinal is actually a good example because it was their partnership that ultimately cost Pakistan. They never got going in spite of batting for 10 overs.

67 (52) and 39 (34) on a proper batting track were match-losing efforts. Yes they have chased 180+ but it was against minnow-level attacks.

Babar and Rizwan bat within their comfort-zone and if they play in a strong team with an explosive middle-order, they will not be afforded this comfort-zone.

Babar is a really good player but there is no doubt about the fact that he has benefited from the mediocrity around him because it has allowed him to bat at his own pace and focus on his own runs.

He is rarely forced to go for expansive shots and sacrifice his wicket for the team’s sake. If he was playing in England, India or Australia, he would be batting at 3-4 and he would not be able to play at his own pace.

 

[Major]

Any such instances against decent attacks? Attacks that didn't have the likes of Magala, Lizaad Williams etc?

They did it against england and souuth africa. You can whine all you want about bowlers. Those were sena teams

 

[sweep_shot]

Roy and Butler.

Destructive.

 

[moghul]

1-Roy and Butler

2-Azam,-Rizwan
3-Guptil-Munro
4-Warner-Finch
5-Rahul-Sharma
6-De Kock-Hendricks

 

[Justcrazy]

Butler and Roy , epic pair. This pair will put all opposition under pressure right from start

 

[Ab Fan]

T20s is a lottery format so there is no specific answer to this. In terms of ability to destroy the bowling attack, the answer is Buttler and Roy obviously.

However, things change quickly and hence the relevance of this format shouldn't be given much value. An example could be if we look at Indian T20 team. A couple of players who were in World Cup team won't merit a place in third string Indian XI on current form.

 

[Mesozoic]

You can whine all you want about bowlers.

Thought so. Have a nice day lol.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

You made a comment and i reminded you what the match losers did to india.

Rest of the post is irrelevent as you dont watch pakistan cricket because id you did you would know the team woth this pair has chased and scored high totals

He is still sore about India losing that match against Pakistan because few months before that match happened, he said that any IPL team can beat any Asian team in T20I. He went missing for few days after that match.

 

[Rana]

Babar and Rizwan in our little world of Rizwan favouritism

 

[Saj]

Roy and Buttler are a pairing that can destroy any bowing line up but Babar and Rizwan are probably more consistent than them?

 

[MenInG]

Roy and Buttler are a pairing that can destroy any bowing line up but Babar and Rizwan are probably more consistent than them?

Think Roy in trouble now? Will he be in the England squad for the T20 World Cup?

 

[MenInG]

Roy/Buttler combo having a dip in form now....

 

[James]

Certainly not Roy and Buttler at the moment.

Roy I think might be done.

 

[Ab Fan]

As I said earlier, things change pretty quickly in T20Is. There is no exclusive no.1 opening pair in T20s.

 

[MenInG]

Babar and Riz not done that well in recent times (as a pair).

 

[MenInG]

As the best batters prepare to plunder runs from the top of the order we rank the opening pairs for every team at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Fast starts will be as important as laying solid foundations at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and the top opening pairs will be pivotal to setting their teams up for success.

Looking closely at the MRF Tyres T20I Batting Rankings, past performance and recent form, we rank the T20 World Cup opening partnerships.

Note: Rankings and statistics as on 6 October 2022


1. Pakistan

Two of the top three batters in the MRF Tyres T20I Batting Rankings give Pakistan the leading opening line-up heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

Captain Babar Azam and star keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan have scored more runs together in T20Is than any other opening pair, and arrive in ominous form following their recent displays against England and in the Asia Cup.

The duo were also two of the top three run scorers at last year's T20 World Cup and will again be crucial to Pakistan’s chances of challenging for the title with their middle order looking less reliable.

Babar Azam

ICC T20I batting ranking: 3
Career average / strike rate: 43.41 / 130.03
Latest T20I scores: 4, 87*, 9, 36, 8

Mohammad Rizwan

ICC T20I batting ranking: 1
Career average / strike rate: 52.53 / 128.57
Latest T20I scores: 1, 63, 88, 8, 88*


2. India

KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have been among the most devastating opening pairs for more than five years and will be among the key players in India’s chances of putting a poor T20 World Cup behind them just a year later.

Rahul was India’s leading scorer at the tournament last year but Rohit also has the pedigree of scoring heavily at the biggest events and will now want to lead from the front as skipper.

KL Rahul

ICC T20I batting ranking: 14
Career average / strike rate: 39.57 / 140.40
Latest T20I scores: 57, 51*, 1, 10, 55

Rohit Sharma

ICC T20I batting ranking: 16
Career average / strike rate: 31.94 / 140.59
Latest T20I scores: 0, 43, 0, 17, 46


3. New Zealand

The 36-year-old veteran Martin Guptill has been part of several dazzling duos over the years and seems set to build another with Devon Conway.

Keeper-batter Conway moved to the top of the order for the recent series against the West Indies and made fast starts in all three T20Is.

While young gun Finn Allen is another opening option, expect the experienced pair to be given first opportunity to lead New Zealand to an elusive Men’s white-ball trophy.

Devon Conway

ICC T20I batting ranking: 7
Career average / strike rate: 47.2 / 138.28
Latest T20I scores: 21, 42, 43, 46, 36*

Martin Guptill

ICC T20I batting ranking: 10
Career average / strike rate: 31.79 / 135.8
Latest T20I scores: 15, 20, 16, 2, 45


4. Australia

The reigning champions will start the T20 World Cup uncertain of their preferred opening pair. Skipper Aaron Finch batted at four in the recent T20I against the West Indies but should start the tournament at the top of the order alongside usual partner David Warner.

The two 35-year-olds have been in reasonable T20I form but all-rounder Cameron Green could still be unlocked as a weapon for the hosts if called into the tournament squad.

Aaron Finch

ICC T20I batting ranking: 6
Career average / strike rate: 34.97 / 144.88
Latest T20I scores: 58, 7, 31, 22, 29

David Warner

ICC T20I batting ranking: 48
Career average / strike rate: 33.3 / 141.18
Latest T20I scores: 14, 39, 21, 70*, 53


5. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will be full of confidence after their Asia Cup triumph and have two of the top batters at that tournament set to open the batting at the T20 World Cup.

Pathum Nissanka and keeper Kusal Mendis both scored heavily at the Asia Cup and will have an opportunity to build on that form against lower-ranked opposition through the First Round matches.

Pathum Nissanka

ICC T20I batting ranking: 8
Career average / strike rate: 29.66 / 115.58
Latest T20I scores: 8, 55*, 52, 35, 20

Kusal Mendis

ICC T20I batting ranking: 56
Career average / strike rate: 20.90 / 126.47
Latest T20I scores: 0, 0, 57, 36, 60


6. Afghanistan

Afghanistan have experimented with much of their batting order this year but have settled on Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai as their openers

The young duo put together several strong partnerships through the Asia Cup, with 20-year-old keeper Gurbaz particularly impressive against Sri Lanka and one to watch closely at the T20 World Cup.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

ICC T20I batting ranking: 18
Career average / strike rate: 25.87 / 138.46
Latest T20I scores: 0, 17, 84, 11, 40

Hazratullah Zazai

ICC T20I batting ranking: 21
Career average / strike rate: 32 / 138.92
Latest T20I scores: 0, 21, 13, 23, 37*


7. England

Skipper and keeper Jos Buttler sat out the recent T20I series against Pakistan but will return to open the batting for England alongside Alex Hales or Phil Salt.

Buttler can punish loose bowling from the outset but will need to quickly find his best form after a layoff, while Hales can also take hold of an innings but needs to make more of any solid starts.

Jos Buttler

ICC T20I batting ranking: 26
Career average / strike rate: 32.75 / 142.57
Latest T20I scores: 14, 29, 22, 18, 4

Alex Hales

ICC T20I batting ranking: 166
Career average / strike rate: 30.06 / 136.98
Latest T20I scores: 18, 27, 1, 5, 26


8. South Africa

Captain Temba Bavuma is ready to return after elbow surgery and should partner Quinton de Kock, although South Africa might be tempted to open with the in-form Reeza Hendricks.

Keeper de Kock looms as crucial to their fast starts with his sublime striking of the ball, especially if Bavuma picks up where he left off with a streak of poor scores before his injury.

Quinton de Kock

ICC T20I batting ranking: 12
Career average / strike rate: 32.25 / 134.12
Latest T20I scores: 68, 69*, 1, 7, 7

Temba Bavuma

ICC T20I batting ranking: 89
Career average / strike rate: 23.54 / 116.49
Latest T20I scores: 3, 0, 0, *8, 8


9. Ireland

Ireland will push their leading batters to the top of the order as they bank on Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie setting up their innings and batting the bulk of their overs.

Stirling will want to find form in the warm-up matches and through the First Round after a rough patch, while skipper Balbirnie can usually be relied on to lead a strong start.

Paul Stirling

ICC T20I batting ranking: 27
Career average / strike rate: 28.67 / 134.84
Latest T20I scores: 16, 20, 0, 4, 31

Andy Balbirnie

ICC T20I batting ranking: 49
Career average / strike rate: 23.33 / 126.00
Latest T20I scores: 9, 15, 1, 46, 51


10. United Arab Emirates

The UAE have a settled opening pair in Muhammad Waseem and Chirag Suri that now have an opportunity to show their talents on the biggest stage.

Waseem will be expected to lead the attack from the early overs but Suri has shown he is also capable of big scores for a team searching for form after a disappointing Asia Cup.

Muhammad Waseem

ICC T20I batting ranking: 9
Career average / strike rate: 40.62 / 152.58
Latest T20I scores: 18, 15, 18, 58, 35

Chirag Suri

ICC T20I batting ranking: 77
Career average / strike rate: 30.42 / 118.23
Latest T20I scores: 5, 39, 4, 0, 88


11. West Indies

The two-time T20 World Cup champions have a call to make on the make-up of their top order and whether to partner Brandon King with Kyle Mayers.

King is more than capable of doing damage from first drop but with the likes of Shamarh Brooks and the recalled Evin Lewis yet to claim the opener role the West Indies might prefer to start with two of their more damaging batters.

Brandon King

ICC T20I batting ranking: 19
Career average / strike rate: 24.69 / 127.12
Latest T20I scores: 12, 53, 13, 20, 68

Kyle Mayers

ICC T20I batting ranking: 76
Career average / strike rate: 24.53 / 130.96
Latest T20I scores: 39, 4, 1, 14, 73


12. Scotland

George Munsey has been looking for a new opening partner since former skipper Kyle Coetzer retired from T20Is, with Calum MacLeod appearing the most likely option.

The pair will have an opportunity to work on their partnership in the First Round, with Matthew Cross next in line if reinforcements or a shuffle are needed.

George Munsey

ICC T20I batting ranking: 25
Career average / strike rate: 27.43 / 144.72
Latest T20I scores: 19, 28, 17, 24, 22

Calum MacLeod

ICC T20I batting ranking: 78
Career average / strike rate: 24.28 / 111.00
Latest T20I scores: 33, 16, 12, 0, 0


13. Zimbabwe

Veterans Craig Ervine and Regis Chakabva ensure the in-form Zimbabwe look stable at the top of the order in their return to a T20 World Cup after the team failed to qualify for the 2021 event.

Captain Ervine can be relied on to contribute early runs with a relatively conservative approach while allowing keeper-batter Chakabva to attack the bowlers at the other end.

Craig Ervine

ICC T20I batting ranking: 94
Career average / strike rate: 22.66 / 107.59
Latest T20I scores: 24, 1, 21, 10, 38

Regis Chakabva

ICC T20I batting ranking: 102
Career average / strike rate: 16.33 / 129.20
Latest T20I scores: 17, 0, 8, 27, 30


14. Netherlands

Max O'Dowd and Stephan Myburgh will be relied on to lay solid foundations for Netherlands in a First Round group that they will be confident of progressing from.

It will be O’Dowd that is called on to lead the fast starts while also taking the opportunity to test himself against the best bowlers, as 38-year-old veteran Myburgh approaches a probable last appearance on the biggest stage.

Max O'Dowd

ICC T20I batting ranking: 47
Career average / strike rate: 29.28 / 124.03
Latest T20I scores: 6, 2, 12, 16, 73

Stephan Myburgh

ICC T20I batting ranking: 149
Career average / strike rate: 22.15 / 115.04
Latest T20I scores: 24, 5, 22, 0, 0


15. Bangladesh

Bangladesh have tried more combinations at the top of the order than most this year but seem to have settled on Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Sabbir Rahman as their opening pair.

A star in under age tournaments now with more than 100 internationals to his name, the 24-year-old Miraz arrives in good form and with an opportunity to finally make a mark at the top level while Rahman also searches for consistency.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz

ICC T20I batting ranking: 151
Career average / strike rate: 15.83 / 121.01
Latest T20I scores: 46, 12, 38, 19, 8

Sabbir Rahman

ICC T20I batting ranking: 589
Career average / strike rate: 23.48 / 120.22
Latest T20I scores: 12, 0, 5, 1, 24


16. Namibia

Namibia could turn to the inexperienced Divan la Cock and Michael van Lingen to get their innings started, following the recent retirement of Craig Williams.

The 19-year-old la Cock looms as one of the brightest young talents among the emerging teams, while van Lingen will have an opportunity to make the position his own in the First Round matches.

Divan la Cock

ICC T20I batting ranking: NA
Career average / strike rate: 29.66 / 121.91
Latest T20I scores: 14, 9, 66

Michael van Lingen

ICC T20I batting ranking: NA
Career average / strike rate: 19.29 / 104.65
Latest T20I scores: 12, 51, 14, 25, 4

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2841339

 

[Mamoon]

Babar and Rizwan have the best numbers in terms of average and aggregate runs. It is a fact that you cannot dispute because these are cold, hard numbers.

However, it is also an indisputable fact that this output is greatly influenced by the method of their batting. They are the most risk-averse and cautious opening pair you will find in T20 cricket.

You look at all the major teams and also the minnows and almost every opener will try to hit a six in the first over. How often do you see Babar and Rizwan take a fast bowler one and try to deposit him to the stands in the first couple of overs?

They nudge the ball around for 10 overs and they maintain a 110-120 SR by utilizing field restrictions in the PP overs and getting a few fours.

It is not until they have spent an hour at the crease and starting seeing the ball like a football that they will start hitting some big shots and end up with a 50 ball 70 and pretend that they have played a blinder.

They are the only opening pair in the format that does not have to deal with run rate pressure. They have full liberty to get their eye in.

If they are batting first, they will target a total of 160. If it proves sufficient, they will claim that we read the pitch correctly and if it doesn’t, they will hide behind the failures of the middle and lower-order because they failed to score in 70 in the last 5 overs even though Babar and Rizwan laid the platform for them.

If they are chasing, they will do the same thing. If they see it through, they are the heroes but if they don’t, again, blame falls on the middle and lower-order because these two set the platform for them but they couldn’t capitalize.

They literally have the easiest job in the format and have been allowed to do stats-padding to their heart’s content. The English, Indian, Australian openers would love to have this level of relaxation from the management.

The likes of Rohit, Rahul, Buttler, Bairstow, Roy, Hales, de Kock, Warner etc. would also pile up the runs at 50+ averages if they are giving the same liberty as these two, while these two would have their averages halved if they are asked to play a more risky and aggressive brand of cricket that all these openers try to play.

 

[Mobashir]

Babar and Rizwan have the best numbers in terms of average and aggregate runs. It is a fact that you cannot dispute because these are cold, hard numbers.

However, it is also an indisputable fact that this output is greatly influenced by the method of their batting. They are the most risk-averse and cautious opening pair you will find in T20 cricket.

You look at all the major teams and also the minnows and almost every opener will try to hit a six in the first over. How often do you see Babar and Rizwan take a fast bowler one and try to deposit him to the stands in the first couple of overs?

They nudge the ball around for 10 overs and they maintain a 110-120 SR by utilizing field restrictions in the PP overs and getting a few fours.

It is not until they have spent an hour at the crease and starting seeing the ball like a football that they will start hitting some big shots and end up with a 50 ball 70 and pretend that they have played a blinder.

They are the only opening pair in the format that does not have to deal with run rate pressure. They have full liberty to get their eye in.

If they are batting first, they will target a total of 160. If it proves sufficient, they will claim that we read the pitch correctly and if it doesn’t, they will hide behind the failures of the middle and lower-order because they failed to score in 70 in the last 5 overs even though Babar and Rizwan laid the platform for them.

If they are chasing, they will do the same thing. If they see it through, they are the heroes but if they don’t, again, blame falls on the middle and lower-order because these two set the platform for them but they couldn’t capitalize.

They literally have the easiest job in the format and have been allowed to do stats-padding to their heart’s content. The English, Indian, Australian openers would love to have this level of relaxation from the management.

The likes of Rohit, Rahul, Buttler, Bairstow, Roy, Hales, de Kock, Warner etc. would also pile up the runs at 50+ averages if they are giving the same liberty as these two, while these two would have their averages halved if they are asked to play a more risky and aggressive brand of cricket that all these openers try to play.

How do you explain than Babar has a better SR than Sharma against SENA teams + Pak/India?

Rohit Sharma reserves his best cricket for West indies, Sri Lanka, bangladesh, Namibia, Zimbabwe.....
I agree that he is a better hitter against those teams. But he is the ultimate tuk tuk master in the powerplay against good teams.

 

[Kianig89]

I'd say anyone with David Warner

 

[Mamoon]

How do you explain than Babar has a better SR than Sharma against SENA teams + Pak/India?

Rohit Sharma reserves his best cricket for West indies, Sri Lanka, bangladesh, Namibia, Zimbabwe.....
I agree that he is a better hitter against those teams. But he is the ultimate tuk tuk master in the powerplay against good teams.

Simply naming teams doesn’t mean anything, you have to look at the bowling attacks as well. Babar last T20I series vs South Africa was against their third-choice pacers while Rohit was playing against Rabada and Nortje.

In the recent series vs England, Babar was a walking wicket when Wood played.

Babar vs England when Wood played:

Average 8.5, SR 94

Babar vs England when Wood did not play:

Average 89, SR 148

Babar is the biggest stats-padder in T20Is over the last 3-4 years. He has played the most number of T20Is in the last 4 years and 99% of the time he as played against second and third-string bowling attacks when he has played against the big teams.

Really good player but not even close to being the best in this format. His best format is ODI cricket, it is the most natural format for him. It hides his deficiencies against power-hitting and spin bowling which has been his undoing in T20Is and Tests.

 

[Farabi]

Babar and Rizwan have the best numbers in terms of average and aggregate runs. It is a fact that you cannot dispute because these are cold, hard numbers.

However, it is also an indisputable fact that this output is greatly influenced by the method of their batting. They are the most risk-averse and cautious opening pair you will find in T20 cricket.

You look at all the major teams and also the minnows and almost every opener will try to hit a six in the first over. How often do you see Babar and Rizwan take a fast bowler one and try to deposit him to the stands in the first couple of overs?

They nudge the ball around for 10 overs and they maintain a 110-120 SR by utilizing field restrictions in the PP overs and getting a few fours.

It is not until they have spent an hour at the crease and starting seeing the ball like a football that they will start hitting some big shots and end up with a 50 ball 70 and pretend that they have played a blinder.

They are the only opening pair in the format that does not have to deal with run rate pressure. They have full liberty to get their eye in.

If they are batting first, they will target a total of 160. If it proves sufficient, they will claim that we read the pitch correctly and if it doesn’t, they will hide behind the failures of the middle and lower-order because they failed to score in 70 in the last 5 overs even though Babar and Rizwan laid the platform for them.

If they are chasing, they will do the same thing. If they see it through, they are the heroes but if they don’t, again, blame falls on the middle and lower-order because these two set the platform for them but they couldn’t capitalize.

They literally have the easiest job in the format and have been allowed to do stats-padding to their heart’s content. The English, Indian, Australian openers would love to have this level of relaxation from the management.

The likes of Rohit, Rahul, Buttler, Bairstow, Roy, Hales, de Kock, Warner etc. would also pile up the runs at 50+ averages if they are giving the same liberty as these two, while these two would have their averages halved if they are asked to play a more risky and aggressive brand of cricket that all these openers try to play.

If you exclude UAE slow wickets, Babar SR is 140+. It’s also actually better than Rohit, Kohli and KL Rahul in SENA.
These are hard cold numbers not opinions. But now you will say Babar plays against B and C attacks. Lol
The whole SR debate is overrated. Conditions dictate SRs as well. You cannot compare SR of the likes of Buttler and co who play most of their cricket on flat roads in England where par ODI score nowadays is 375! Eng batsmen are the biggest flag track bullies and struggle in difficult conditions vs potent attacks.

 

[MHN1293]

Simply naming teams doesn’t mean anything, you have to look at the bowling attacks as well. Babar last T20I series vs South Africa was against their third-choice pacers while Rohit was playing against Rabada and Nortje.

In the recent series vs England, Babar was a walking wicket when Wood played.

Babar vs England when Wood played:

Average 8.5, SR 94

Babar vs England when Wood did not play:

Average 89, SR 148

Babar is the biggest stats-padder in T20Is over the last 3-4 years. He has played the most number of T20Is in the last 4 years and 99% of the time he as played against second and third-string bowling attacks when he has played against the big teams.

Really good player but not even close to being the best in this format. His best format is ODI cricket, it is the most natural format for him. It hides his deficiencies against power-hitting and spin bowling which has been his undoing in T20Is and Tests.

If you filter out all the second string teams babar actually has a pretty good record in sena countries against their first choice bowling lineups
Against England 80 avg @150sr
Australia 57.5 @138
Newzealand 75@150
(I don't think South Africa has ever played a full strenght t20 bowling lineup against Pakistan mainly due to other clashes whenever these two sides meet. )
In conclusion babar generally is able to score freely on pace favoured pitches of Sena whether against world class bowlers or not. The sample size is small however it is not babars fault he hasn't been able to play against quality bowling lineups.

 

[Mamoon]

If you exclude UAE slow wickets, Babar SR is 140+. It’s also actually better than Rohit, Kohli and KL Rahul in SENA.
These are hard cold numbers not opinions. But now you will say Babar plays against B and C attacks. Lol
The whole SR debate is overrated. Conditions dictate SRs as well. You cannot compare SR of the likes of Buttler and co who play most of their cricket on flat roads in England where par ODI score nowadays is 375! Eng batsmen are the biggest flag track bullies and struggle in difficult conditions vs potent attacks.

Second, third string attacks make a big difference. Check Babar’s performance vs England in the recently concluded series in matches that involved Wood. He was a rabbit caught in headlights against him. His average of 8.5 in matches that involved Wood is also a hard, cold fact.

English batsmen won a World Cup on pitches that were very sporting. They busted the myth that they only do well on roads.

Even in the current series Babar is making hay against a depleted New Zealand attack. Boult and Southee are very good but they are not as effective without an enforcer like Ferguson as they are with him.

He is one of fastest bowlers in the world and considering how Babar struggled against Wood, it is obvious that Ferguson would have tested him big time.

Also, Santner is not world class but Babar clearly struggles against left-arm spin.

 

[Mamoon]

If you filter out all the second string teams babar actually has a pretty good record in sena countries against their first choice bowling lineups
Against England 80 avg @150sr
Australia 57.5 @138
Newzealand 75@150
(I don't think South Africa has ever played a full strenght t20 bowling lineup against Pakistan mainly due to other clashes whenever these two sides meet. )
In conclusion babar generally is able to score freely on pace favoured pitches of Sena whether against world class bowlers or not. The sample size is small however it is not babars fault he hasn't been able to play against quality bowling lineups.

A lot of these matches that you highlighted were missing some key bowlers too. Babar has played very few T20Is against first-choice attacks. There is always someone rested or injured, because only small teams like Pakistan regularly play first-choice T20I bowlers outside World T20s.

 

[Mamoon]

A lesson from Buttler to Babar and Rizwan on how to open in T20Is.

Buttler ranked 21, Rizwan and Babar ranked 1 and 2.

Comedy.

 

[Mamoon]

England 93/0 in 8 overs.

Babar and Rizwan would be 53/0 with Rizwan holding his leg and needing medical attention. )

 

[Farabi]

B

A lot of these matches that you highlighted were missing some key bowlers too. Babar has played very few T20Is against first-choice attacks. There is always someone rested or injured, because only small teams like Pakistan regularly play first-choice T20I bowlers outside World T20s.

Mamoon this is the reality of today’s cricket. Some or the other player is always injured or rested. If you think Rohit, Kohli always play against complete A choice attacks all the time, that’s not true either.
This year, when India played Eng, it was missing Wood, Archer, Ben Stokes, Woakes, and Adil Rashid.
When India played SA in SA, it was missing Nortje and Rabada.
When it played Aus at home, Aus was missing starc who was in red hot form lately.

So someone or other other is always missing, and this cannot be held against the batsman as they can only play what’s in front of them.

You are right in saying babar didn’t look at ease against wood. But are you forgetting the beating Wood got from Babar in 2019 ODI series in England? Babar has also not looked at ease against Rashid Khan. That said, he’s played many genuine pacers and looked at ease including Ferguson in 2018/2019 series.

But these are world class bowlers in their own right and they will have their day against you too.
On his day, Wasim made Dravid dance on the pitch like he couldn’t hold a bat, but other days it was Dravid who made Wasim look ordinary. McGrath made Lara look like a schoolboy cricketer but other days it was the opposite.
You don’t have to be invincible to be the best batsman. Infallibility is not a prerequisite to greatness.

 

[Rana]

England 93/0 in 8 overs.

Babar and Rizwan would be 53/0 with Rizwan holding his leg and needing medical attention. )

Come on man. They need to think about the middle order. If they get out we will be rolled over for 120….

 

[Farabi]

England 93/0 in 8 overs.

Babar and Rizwan would be 53/0 with Rizwan holding his leg and needing medical attention. )

Wow But this is against Aus B attack no? So how does it matter/count. You can’t have your cake and eat it too!

 

[Rana]

Wow But this is against Aus B attack no? So how does it matter/count. You can’t have your cake and eat it too!

Pakistan can do it against Bangladesh and put this to bed

Do it and prove it that you are the no.1 and no.3 batsmen!

 

[Mamoon]

Wow But this is against Aus B attack no? So how does it matter/count. You can’t have your cake and eat it too!

Moot point. Buttler has destroyed first-choice Australian and other attacks numerous times.

 

[pak.cricket]

Lol Since buttler has scored a fifty, he will fail miserably in next 5-6 games. Thats the story of his whole t20i career. I would rather have someone like rizwan in my team than this inconsistent butller.

 

[Ab Fan]

Lol Since buttler has scored a fifty, he will fail miserably in next 5-6 games. Thats the story of his whole t20i career. I would rather have someone like rizwan in my team than this inconsistent butller.

Buttler is in a different league altogether to Rizwan...most Pakistanis will also agree with this

 

[Rana]

Buttler is in a different league altogether to Rizwan...most Pakistanis will also agree with this

Don’t think they will agree

Butler is not as ‘consistent’ as Rizwan

 

[Ashmal]

Wow But this is against Aus B attack no? So how does it matter/count. You can’t have your cake and eat it too!

Don't bring facts in here.

 

[pak.cricket]

Buttler is in a different league altogether to Rizwan...most Pakistanis will also agree with this

Rizwan Scored fifty in semi final of last world cup. What did buttler do? He goes missing when his team needs him

 

[MHN1293]

Lol Since buttler has scored a fifty, he will fail miserably in next 5-6 games. Thats the story of his whole t20i career. I would rather have someone like rizwan in my team than this inconsistent butller.

Butler and sky are the most destructive t20 batsmen currently.
Rizwan is pakistans most important player rn but he won't be nearly as useful to other teams.

 

[pak.cricket]

Where was this destructuve SKY on UAE wickets against Pakistan? He is pure hone track bully and a minnow basher. He will be exposed badly in this wc. So will be buttler.

 

[Ashmal]

These pointless comparisons mean nothing.

I'd like to see how Butler bats with the 'great' Pakistani middle-order following him.

There's a huge difference in your approach when you have the likes of Stokes/Moeen/Brook following you rather than Khushdil,Ifti,Asif.

Not saying that Babar/Riz can match Butler's hitting ability but the difference isn't probably as big as many think......when you consider the whole context.


Also, no one's claiming that Babar/Rizwan are the best T20I batters in the world.

But they're surely the best option for Pakistan and have delivered consistent results in last 2 yrs.

If their detractors feel there's any Pakistani Butler sitting on the bench who can do better....then go ahead and make your claim with some data to back it

 

[Rana]

These pointless comparisons mean nothing.

I'd like to see how Butler bats with the 'great' Pakistani middle-order following him.

There's a huge difference in your approach when you have the likes of Stokes/Moeen/Brook following you rather than Khushdil,Ifti,Asif.

Not saying that Babar/Riz can match Butler's hitting ability but the difference isn't probably as big as many think......when you consider the whole context.


Also, no one's claiming that Babar/Rizwan are the best T20I batters in the world.

But they're surely the best option for Pakistan and have delivered consistent results in last 2 yrs.

If their detractors feel there's any Pakistani Butler sitting on the bench who can do better....then go ahead and make your claim with some data to back it

Rubbish argument

Iftikhar /Khushdil/Asif would also raise their game when they have Butler/Hales and Stokes opening for them. It completely changes the mindset of a changing room. Far more inspirational when you have Babar/Rizwan and Shan’s timid approach put away

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Babar and Rizwan currently. Whatever matches Pakistan is winning recently is because of these two. Pakistan is highly dependent on Babar and Rizwan. They don't have that luxury of big hitters coming down the order.

Currently these guys would have outperformed both KL and Rohit if they were playing for India. They are still doing it anyway but their weak middle order is putting too much pressure on them. And they have set the standard so high with consistent performances that people expect them to chase every target without any contribution from the middle order.

 

[alone1213]

Babar and rizwan without a shadow doubt. They are the most successful partnership in the history of t20is cricket. Hopefully they keep going and keep winning games for Pakistan.

LOL haters can keep burning.

Keep going strong guys!! Babar and rizwan the best in the business.

 

[The lone Ranger]

Where was this destructuve SKY on UAE wickets against Pakistan? He is pure hone track bully and a minnow basher. He will be exposed badly in this wc. So will be buttler.

Opening the inning without pressure is the easiest job in T20 cricket. Don't compare those risk-free accumulators to someone who comes in at no. 4 and starts smashing from ball 1. As it involves high risks, you can't expect consistency from players like him in this format and they bound to fail in few matches. Despite his approch, He still averages 40 at 175.

You can't call him a home track bully because he has a T20I century in England.

You can't call him a minnow basher either as he has mostly performed against bowlers like Cummins, Hazlewood, Rabada, Nortje etc.

The real minnow bashing is when you face bowlers like Dala, Phelukwayo, Lizaad Williams, Fortuin , Sipmala , Snyman, Luke wood, Willy, Dawson etc and chase down 200 for fun. That's what we call "the real minnow bashing" .

Let's see who is going to be exposed in Australia! him or those pretenders who call themselves openers, especially when they try to chase down a huge target against any quality bowling attack.

 

[Ashmal]

Rubbish argument

Iftikhar /Khushdil/Asif would also raise their game when they have Butler/Hales and Stokes opening for them. It completely changes the mindset of a changing room. Far more inspirational when you have Babar/Rizwan and Shan’s timid approach put away

Won't sound as rubbish....if you leave your bias against Babar/Riz for a moment.

Khushdil/Ifti/Asif haven't shown anything to suggest that they even have the ability to raise their games.

Even on the few occassions, when openers gave a decent platform of 100/1 in 10/11 ovs.....the middle-order failed to capitalize.

There's a reason that allrounders like Shadab Khan and Nawaz are getting promoted ahead of them.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Opening the inning without pressure is the easiest job in T20 cricket. Don't compare those risk-free accumulators to someone who comes in at no. 4 and starts smashing from ball 1. As it involves high risks, you can't expect consistency from players like him in this format and they bound to fail in few matches. Despite his approch, He still averages 40 at 175.

You can't call him a home track bully because he has a T20I century in England.

You can't call him a minnow basher either as he has mostly performed against bowlers like Cummins, Hazlewood, Rabada, Nortje etc.

The real minnow bashing is when you face bowlers like Dala, Phelukwayo, Lizaad Williams, Fortuin , Sipmala , Snyman, Luke wood, Willy, Dawson etc and chase down 200 for fun. That's what we call "the real minnow bashing" .

Let's see who is going to be exposed in Australia! him or those pretenders who call themselves openers, especially when they try to chase down a huge target against any quality bowling attack.

Matlab kuch bhi lol? Opening is the easiest job because Babar and Rizwan are batting there currently. Once Babar starts playing at 3/4 you will start calling number 3/4 positions the easiest too.

Sky is a good player though but he has to perform in tournaments also.

 

[The lone Ranger]

Matlab kuch bhi lol? Opening is the easiest job because Babar and Rizwan are batting there currently. Once Babar starts playing at 3/4 you will start calling number 3/4 positions the easiest too.

Sky is a good player though but he has to perform in tournaments also.

You have got no problem when someone says sky is a home track bully and minnow basher but you get hurt when I say that the opening spot in T20 is the easiest job LoL.
I can see where you are coming from. Now take off the mask and reveal your true self.

I will never say no. 3/4 positions to be the easiest. Even babar himself knows which position suits his style of play the most in this format. That's why he refuses to let the natural openers do their thing. He can't come in at no. 3/no. 4 and strike at 170+ though happy to be proven wrong.

 

[Mobashir]

England 93/0 in 8 overs.

Babar and Rizwan would be 53/0 with Rizwan holding his leg and needing medical attention. )

India 45/2. So it's still better.

And yes Babar and Rizwan can't play like Buttler.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

You have got no problem when someone says sky is a home track bully and minnow basher but you get hurt when I say that the opening spot in T20 is the easiest job LoL.
I can see where you are coming from. Now take off the mask and reveal your true self.

I will never say no. 3/4 positions to be the easiest. Even babar himself knows which position suits his style of play the most in this format. That's why he refuses to let the natural openers do their thing. He can't come in at no. 3/no. 4 and strike at 170+ though happy to be proven wrong.

First off don't expect me to sugercoat stuff here. I say what I see. I hardly care what trolls like you think about me so don't waste your time in those things. Secondly I am pretty sure you will say the same about number 3/4 positions too or find some other loopholes to downplay Babar and Rizwan.

Regarding Sky, he is playing in a team which is full of good batsman except Pant. He can rotate his bat in 360 degrees whereas Babar and Rizwan have a tough task of not only opening the inning but also giving their tuk tuk brigade a platform from where they can post a good enough score to defend everytime. They are consistent and scoring runs for their team. They also have few performances in World Cup and Sky has to play those good innings in WC. As I said, I like Sky and I believe he will play well in WC.

 

[pak.cricket]

Opening the inning without pressure is the easiest job in T20 cricket. Don't compare those risk-free accumulators to someone who comes in at no. 4 and starts smashing from ball 1. As it involves high risks, you can't expect consistency from players like him in this format and they bound to fail in few matches. Despite his approch, He still averages 40 at 175.

You can't call him a home track bully because he has a T20I century in England.

You can't call him a minnow basher either as he has mostly performed against bowlers like Cummins, Hazlewood, Rabada, Nortje etc.

The real minnow bashing is when you face bowlers like Dala, Phelukwayo, Lizaad Williams, Fortuin , Sipmala , Snyman, Luke wood, Willy, Dawson etc and chase down 200 for fun. That's what we call "the real minnow bashing" .

Let's see who is going to be exposed in Australia! him or those pretenders who call themselves openers, especially when they try to chase down a huge target against any quality bowling attack.

Yeah If opening the batting is such an easy jib, why doesn't india send him to open the batting against Pakistan? Shaheen afridi will eat him alive if he tries to open the batting. No 4 is in fact the easiest position to bat because there is no swing and you are under no pressure to hit from ball 1. He is a home track bully because in UAE when there was something in the wicket in the first game against Pakistan he batted like a true tail ender. Now keep your ipl stars to yourself and don't hype any random nobody.

 

[Farabi]

Moot point. Buttler has destroyed first-choice Australian and other attacks numerous times.

Well you were posting Buttler’s performance from yesterday not his historical performances now were you.
Babar has also “destroyed first-choice” Aussie attack in Aus last time Pak was down under (57 avg and 140 SR). He’s also scored 2 centuries and a double century both home and away against “first choice” Aussie attack in test cricket, something Buttler cannot even dream of as he doesn’t have the technique for test cricket.

 

[hitthestump]

A lesson from Buttler to Babar and Rizwan on how to open in T20Is.

Buttler ranked 21, Rizwan and Babar ranked 1 and 2.

Comedy.

Lol. You can't find a single batsman in the history of Pakistan who can do what Buttler can.

The only two batsmen holding our current side together have nothing to do with that.

 

[giri26]

Roy and Buttler if the former is in form. Roy has been struggling for runs in recent times so not sure if that combination will actually play in the T20 WC.

 

[Rana]

Lol. You can't find a single batsman in the history of Pakistan who can do what Buttler can.

The only two batsmen holding our current side together have nothing to do with that.

Fakhar Zaman and Sharjeel Khan can if they are given the chance to open together

In the past, there were great destructive batsmen who could have been utilised and made into great T20i openers like Butler is. Abdul Razzaq comes to mind, he was brutal when he got his eye in and went after bowlers standing right in his crease.

Clearly, your history of following the team is since Misbah took over

 

[Rana]

Babar against NZ was 31 off 17 in the powerplay

He was later 62 off 42. I pointed this out in the match thread. So that makes it another 31 runs off 25 balls.

I feel the guy doesn’t want to accelerate past that 130-140 sr. Up to him I guess. Nobody will drop him, change his batting order or ask him to explain himself.

 

[ChTab]

Fakhar Zaman and Sharjeel Khan can if they are given the chance to open together

In the past, there were great destructive batsmen who could have been utilised and made into great T20i openers like Butler is. Abdul Razzaq comes to mind, he was brutal when he got his eye in and went after bowlers standing right in his crease.

Clearly, your history of following the team is since Misbah took over

Come on. Are you on Sharjeel's payroll or what?
Sharjeel of 2016 couldn't do the things Butler can do. Even before ban he was very inconsistent & a minnow basher.
Fakhar is a good hitter probably the best in Pakistan but he's no match for Butler neither in power nor in consistency.

 

[ChTab]

Seems like atm Eng has the best opening pair. Butler with Hales/Roy/Bairstow

 

[jnaveen1980]

Not the current Roy. He is totally off color. Hales & Buttler are great. Entertaining. But Mohammad Naim and Litton Das edge them.

 

[MenInG]

Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was critical of India's openers Rahul and Rohit for their failure to build a partnership. He criticised both for their extra cautious approach during the match.

"India openers ki baat karenge, thore dabe lag rahe hai, thode dare-dare lag rahe hai. Rohit Sharma as a captain apne aap ko calm down kare, apni batting gawa raha hai aur KL Rahul jyada focus karke khudko fasa raha hai, wo na kare (India's openers are looking intimidated and scared. Rohit needs to calm down as a captain, his batting is bearing the brunt of it. KL Rahul is getting trapped because of his extra focused approach, he shouldn't do so)," said Akhtar on his YouTube channel.