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Who do you think should open for Pakistan in the New Zealand T20Is in Babar Azam's absence?

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KoyoAli

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Now with Babar Azam injured and ruled out of the T20I series, who would you think should open for Pakistan in his stead. Reports of it being Rizwan are out there, however, I don't think he can work as a genuine opener in New Zealand conditions as he is very circumspect to the ball moving in at pace. So who else can Pakistan pick as their openers?
 
My suggestion is to go with Zeeshan Malik. Bring him in as a replacement for Babar into the squad and slot him into the opening combination.

My XI for first t20I:

1. Zeeshan Malik
2. Abdullah Shafiq
3. Haidar Ali
4. Muhammad Hafeez
5. Iftikhar Ahmad
6. Khusdil Shah
7. Shadab Khan (c)
8. Wahab Riaz
9. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Haris Rauf/Muhammad Husnain

Khusdil, Iffti and Hafeez share the overs as 5th bowler.
Zeeshan and Abdullah will give us the dynamic that Babar and Fakhar did. That being said no one can replace Babar and his absence will really be felt.
 
Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Rizwan

A cameo from Faheem can provide momentum to the innings. Rizwan to play the role of an anchor.
 
Ideally your best player should play the maximum number of balls in T20s. And also a power hitter to take advantage of the field restrictions....

MoHa vol 3.0 :hafeez2

and

Wahab Riaz :wahab2
 
Iftikhar has scored 100 in inter-squad match.
He should open with ABs.
Having good defence, he can negotiate the intial few overs.
With shorter boundaries, even if he mistimes the shots, he can still score.
Should be given a go.
 
I think Haider will have to open to have any chance of utilizing the first 6 overs. One of Rizwan (If we want experience at the top) or Abdullah can open with him to perform the role of an accumulator.
 
If Zeeshan Malik can be brought it than he can also perform the role of aggressive top order batsman but, then problem will come in how to adjust Iftikhar in the XI as he is most likely going to play after his century in the warm up match.
 
Titan24 said:
If Zeeshan Malik can be brought it than he can also perform the role of aggressive top order batsman but, then problem will come in how to adjust Iftikhar in the XI as he is most likely going to play after his century in the warm up match.
Click to expand...

1. Zeeshan Malik
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shadab Khan (c)
8. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Haris Rauf
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
1. Zeeshan Malik
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shadab Khan (c)
8. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Haris Rauf
Click to expand...

Good lineup but, I think Imad is a pretty good T20 player and more often than not provides dependable 4 overs and decent lower order hitting so not sure if he will be or should be dropped.

Abdullah is going to open the innings and that is pretty much on the cards considering he debuted as opener vs Zim. Who opens with him is definitely going to be a crucial call as you need someone who can push the cause. Zeeshan Malik is a decent option and absolutely wont mind if he is called up but, I think it would be difficult to fit him in the XI.
 
Looking at the options, it has to be Haider & Shafique.

A shame Sharjeel Khan didnt do enough to be part of the squad.
 
What about replacing Babar with Hussain Talat? Push Haider or Hafeez up to open with Shafique (preferably Haider to bring the firepower to the opening pair).
 
Are they actually serious about Mohammad Rizwan opening in T20s ?

We've seen his total lack of power game in white ball cricket. I can't think of anyone worse to exploit the PowerPlay overs and clear the circle.

Only Pakistan are obsessed with "anchors" in T20 cricket - there's 120 balls in an innings !
 
Firebat said:
What about replacing Babar with Hussain Talat? Push Haider or Hafeez up to open with Shafique (preferably Haider to bring the firepower to the opening pair).
Click to expand...

Yep i would have Talat at 3 and have Haider and Shafique open with Hafeez at 4.
 
Would love to see Khushdil open the batting with Haider. Give him 20 overs to bat and you are in with a chance of batting out the opposition.
 
Markhor said:
Are they actually serious about Mohammad Rizwan opening in T20s ?

We've seen his total lack of power game in white ball cricket. I can't think of anyone worse to exploit the PowerPlay overs and clear the circle.

Only Pakistan are obsessed with "anchors" in T20 cricket - there's 120 balls in an innings !
Click to expand...

Opening is the only position where he can be half useful in this format. He doesn’t have the hitting ability to clear the boundary in the middle overs, but perhaps he can hit a few fours and get more value for his shots in the PP overs.
 
If this is going to be true, Pakistan would be the only team that would play a wicketkeeper at 9.

KoyoAli said:
My suggestion is to go with Zeeshan Malik. Bring him in as a replacement for Babar into the squad and slot him into the opening combination.

My XI for first t20I:

1. Zeeshan Malik
2. Abdullah Shafiq
3. Haidar Ali
4. Muhammad Hafeez
5. Iftikhar Ahmad
6. Khusdil Shah
7. Shadab Khan (c)
8. Wahab Riaz
9. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Haris Rauf/Muhammad Husnain

Khusdil, Iffti and Hafeez share the overs as 5th bowler.
Zeeshan and Abdullah will give us the dynamic that Babar and Fakhar did. That being said no one can replace Babar and his absence will really be felt.
Click to expand...
 
sharmaji said:
If this is going to be true, Pakistan would be the only team that would play a wicketkeeper at 9.
Click to expand...

If your wicketkeeper bats 9 in t20's then we need to accept that he isn't good enough for the format. And i am a guy who rates Rizwan highly.
 
I think they will go with abdullah and rizwan

But i would go with abdullah and haider
 
Should go with but i tbink rizwan will open with Abdullah

Haider
Abdullah
Rizwan
Hafeez
Iftikhar
Khusdhil
Imad
Shadab
Wahab
Rauf
Shaheen
 
Would love to see Imad Wasim opening. Has very inventive strokes and has proven handy down the order in the death. I think he can do well opening in the power play with more freedom to play his shots
 
Unless they bring replacements from A team, I’ll open with Rizwan and may be play Sarfraz as well. Imam is also out & Fakhar failed COVID test, means PAK will have to make-up at least one slot. Haider-Abdullah sound quite romantic choice, but it won’t be fair for them - Kiwis are not Zimbabwe.

May be, Abdullah & Rizwan opener followed by Haider, Hafeez & Khusdil in next three slots. If they indeed pick Sarfraz, then Khusdil goes one slot down.
 
Lol people here want Rizwan to open.
He scored at a SR of 125 in NT20 cup where every other Tula scored with a minimum SR of 150.
This is NZ and you need swashbuckling openers who could put 60 70 in first 6 overs.
Gone are the days where teams should have been happy with 40 - 0 after 6.
 
hamaadqureshi said:
Lol people here want Rizwan to open.
He scored at a SR of 125 in NT20 cup where every other Tula scored with a minimum SR of 150.
This is NZ and you need swashbuckling openers who could put 60 70 in first 6 overs.
Gone are the days where teams should have been happy with 40 - 0 after 6.
Click to expand...

He can do a similar job to babar and will open a spot in the middle overs its not ideal if rizwan does open then we defonitely should play haider with him
 
With Trent Bolt moving it like a banana, the new kids will be nervous to open, but I guess that’s how they will learn and become battle hardened.
Anyone who plays late may have better chances of survival. I will be pleasantly surprised if Haider creates a huge impact in the opening - so Abdullah it is for me.
 
shamaan said:
Looks like we should drop imad haris azwell
Click to expand...

Are you seriously comparing Imad and Haris to Sharjeel?

For one thing, Imad is not overweight in any way. He has fitness issues but they stem from knee problems. Physically, he is in good shape and much better shape than he was back in 2017.

Haris is out of shape but nowhere near Sharjeel's level who is essentially bursting at the seams. Even Azam Khan, who has lost alot of weight recently looks like a model of fitness in comparison to Sharjeel.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
Are you seriously comparing Imad and Haris to Sharjeel?

For one thing, Imad is not overweight in any way. He has fitness issues but they stem from knee problems. Physically, he is in good shape and much better shape than he was back in 2017.

Haris is out of shape but nowhere near Sharjeel's level who is essentially bursting at the seams. Even Azam Khan, who has lost alot of weight recently looks like a model of fitness in comparison to Sharjeel.
Click to expand...

No am comparing fitness levels all have poor fitness thiers numrous occasions were they have played without doing fitness tests.

Thats my point azam may be fat but i garrante his fitness levels be above haris and on par with imad
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
Are you seriously comparing Imad and Haris to Sharjeel?

For one thing, Imad is not overweight in any way. He has fitness issues but they stem from knee problems. Physically, he is in good shape and much better shape than he was back in 2017.

Haris is out of shape but nowhere near Sharjeel's level who is essentially bursting at the seams. Even Azam Khan, who has lost alot of weight recently looks like a model of fitness in comparison to Sharjeel.
Click to expand...

Do you agree that you have to be fit enough and pass fitness tests or can we pick and choose who should and shouldn't complete fitness tests
 
shamaan said:
No am comparing fitness levels all have poor fitness thiers numrous occasions were they have played without doing fitness tests.

Thats my point azam may be fat but i garrante his fitness levels be above haris and on par with imad
Click to expand...

There is a difference between bad fitness levels and horrendous fitness levels. Sharjeel's fitness would be questioned in every sport barring Sumo Wrestling.
 
Pakistan opt for Abdullah and Rizwan - failed experiment?
 
You can't play 2 make shift openers in New Zealand simple, let specialists do the job. it New Zealand not any street cricket, most dangerous conditions for openers.

Maybe Zeeshaan malik can donas specialist opener but don't know about his technique je edges balls sometimes on dead tracks.
 
MMHS said:
Unless they bring replacements from A team, I’ll open with Rizwan and may be play Sarfraz as well. Imam is also out & Fakhar failed COVID test, means PAK will have to make-up at least one slot. Haider-Abdullah sound quite romantic choice, but it won’t be fair for them - Kiwis are not Zimbabwe.

May be, Abdullah & Rizwan opener followed by Haider, Hafeez & Khusdil in next three slots. If they indeed pick Sarfraz, then Khusdil goes one slot down.
Click to expand...

Used exactly this combination though Shadab came at 5, but it didn’t work. Not sure what else can be done - bringing new talent to open won’t work while trying to promote Faheem as opener (I believe he opened in NZ in past), will mean bottom half won’t contribute much either.

I think, they should stick to this combination for one more game - may be Haider to exchange spot with Abdullah. There is not much left in the tank to be honest. Had they picked Yamin, may be could have replaced Wahab, whose bowling is not suited for Kiwi grounds. Otherwise, this is what it is.
 
MMHS said:
Used exactly this combination though Shadab came at 5, but it didn’t work. Not sure what else can be done - bringing new talent to open won’t work while trying to promote Faheem as opener (I believe he opened in NZ in past), will mean bottom half won’t contribute much either.

I think, they should stick to this combination for one more game - may be Haider to exchange spot with Abdullah. There is not much left in the tank to be honest. Had they picked Yamin, may be could have replaced Wahab, whose bowling is not suited for Kiwi grounds. Otherwise, this is what it is.
Click to expand...

Last time amer yamin helped us to win match
 
MMHS said:
Used exactly this combination though Shadab came at 5, but it didn’t work. Not sure what else can be done - bringing new talent to open won’t work while trying to promote Faheem as opener (I believe he opened in NZ in past), will mean bottom half won’t contribute much either.

I think, they should stick to this combination for one more game - may be Haider to exchange spot with Abdullah. There is not much left in the tank to be honest. Had they picked Yamin, may be could have replaced Wahab, whose bowling is not suited for Kiwi grounds. Otherwise, this is what it is.
Click to expand...

I would defonitely play haider and abdullah at the top rizwan/sarfraz can bat at 3
 
35 players on tour and team management using make shift openers. Amazing!!!

Just use Abdullah and Haider as they are what we got sadly.
 
shamaan said:
I would defonitely play haider and abdullah at the top rizwan/sarfraz can bat at 3
Click to expand...

You’ll regret then - jeopardising two promising careers.

I repeat, Kiwi reserves are not Zimbabwe.... and they are at home. Rizwan’s 17 ball 17 didn’t look good because Kiwis missed Shadab at start by a feather touch (it went for six rather), and one of their best fielders dropped a sitter of Imad (?) ...... otherwise, Rizwan could have been among highest scorers of the innings!!!!

Ideally, MoHa should take the responsibility and bat at 3, if not as opener and cover Abdullah/Haider - guy has forced his way to opening in past, now is the time to man up. Rizwan is a sacrifice choice actually - he is still keeping as his primary job.

They haven’t picked Zeeshan (Ashraf) means only alternative is Sarfraz - it’ll be a sight to watch him opening in NZ. If Imam was fit, may be he could have kept wicket. PAK took like 35 players to NZ, now opening with a misfit, makeshift opener come WK ..... therefore you can’t complain much. Had you recalled my posts long, long back - I had written many epics here that instead to teasing him, PAK should develop Umar Akmal as second WK for LO side so that there is a confirm starter in playing XI who can keep in emergency.
 
Might as well open with Hafeez and Abdullah, bulk up the middle order with Talat, Haider, Shadab, Khushdil, Faheem, Imad

Hafeez
Abdullah
Haider
Talat
Shadab
Khushdil
Imad
Faheem
Rizwan
 
Rana said:
Because you want Pakistan to suffer so that you can make your appearances to troll the fans when they are losing
Click to expand...

Pakistan will suffer without Rizwan as well. NZ is a much better team.
 
Mamoon said:
Pakistan will suffer without Rizwan as well. NZ is a much better team.
Click to expand...

The torture will be less bearable without Rizwan because we are not going to be bowing to political agendas with him being shoved down our throats as a keeper batsman. He is not a T20 keeper batsman. And he is not the best keeper batsman in Pakistan as you are trying to make out.
 
MMHS said:
You’ll regret then - jeopardising two promising careers.

I repeat, Kiwi reserves are not Zimbabwe.... and they are at home. Rizwan’s 17 ball 17 didn’t look good because Kiwis missed Shadab at start by a feather touch (it went for six rather), and one of their best fielders dropped a sitter of Imad (?) ...... otherwise, Rizwan could have been among highest scorers of the innings!!!!

Ideally, MoHa should take the responsibility and bat at 3, if not as opener and cover Abdullah/Haider - guy has forced his way to opening in past, now is the time to man up. Rizwan is a sacrifice choice actually - he is still keeping as his primary job.

They haven’t picked Zeeshan (Ashraf) means only alternative is Sarfraz - it’ll be a sight to watch him opening in NZ. If Imam was fit, may be he could have kept wicket. PAK took like 35 players to NZ, now opening with a misfit, makeshift opener come WK ..... therefore you can’t complain much. Had you recalled my posts long, long back - I had written many epics here that instead to teasing him, PAK should develop Umar Akmal as second WK for LO side so that there is a confirm starter in playing XI who can keep in emergency.
Click to expand...

Khushdil can keep.
 
MMHS said:
You’ll regret then - jeopardising two promising careers.

I repeat, Kiwi reserves are not Zimbabwe.... and they are at home. Rizwan’s 17 ball 17 didn’t look good because Kiwis missed Shadab at start by a feather touch (it went for six rather), and one of their best fielders dropped a sitter of Imad (?) ...... otherwise, Rizwan could have been among highest scorers of the innings!!!!

Ideally, MoHa should take the responsibility and bat at 3, if not as opener and cover Abdullah/Haider - guy has forced his way to opening in past, now is the time to man up. Rizwan is a sacrifice choice actually - he is still keeping as his primary job.

They haven’t picked Zeeshan (Ashraf) means only alternative is Sarfraz - it’ll be a sight to watch him opening in NZ. If Imam was fit, may be he could have kept wicket. PAK took like 35 players to NZ, now opening with a misfit, makeshift opener come WK ..... therefore you can’t complain much. Had you recalled my posts long, long back - I had written many epics here that instead to teasing him, PAK should develop Umar Akmal as second WK for LO side so that there is a confirm starter in playing XI who can keep in emergency.
Click to expand...

No il stil back them for the next series.whats the difference between oppening and coming 1 down .maybe they should both not play as it come jeopodise thier careers.even if rizwan was the highest score is a run a ball going win you the game ?.

I think management are reluctant to play him a position up as hes hafeez has done well at 4.

I would stil play haider oppening with abdullah.
 
My line

Abdullah
Haider
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Khushdil
Iftikhar
Imad
Shadab
Shaheen
Husnain
Rauf
 
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