Who should bat at #4 for Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup?

[ahsan_888]

The innings Sarfaraz played in the 5th ODI clearly showed us that Sarfraz is wasting himself playing down the order. His Strike rotation is one of the best in the team and he clearly deserves playing at No: 4. On the other hand, Hafeez is also great like he can play the spinners well and up the strike rate easily. However, Hafeez can also play at No: 5 or down the order as he showed in the CT 17 Final.
Furthermore, when Sarfraz gets time on the pitch he performs and if he performs it will greatly improve his confidence and he will be a captain with confidence.

He cannot waste his potential down the order, his strike rotation, his great ability to play spin bowling with a high strike rate clearly means that he should push himself up the order.

What do you think?

 

[Boi]

Sarfraz. Hafeez can actually do a job at 5 or 6 whereas Sarfraz is of no use if he isn’t batting in the top 4.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

between the two Sarfraz, but id say niether.

Id play Haris at 4.

It does make the batting more once paced but he is more reliable than Malik or Professor and his bowling is probably better as well.

 

[szundercover]

Haris sohail

 

[ahsan_888]

Its quite difficult that haris is gonna play so between hafeez and sarfaraz, Sarfaraz is the better option as he is useless down the order

 

[octavian]

Hairs without the shadow of a doubt.

 

[hussain.r97]

4.) Haris
5.) Sarfraz
6.) Hafeez
7.) Asif

 

[octavian]

4.) Haris
5.) Sarfraz
6.) Hafeez
7.) Asif

This is a very good middle and lower order. But Hafeez and Haris would have to bowl 10 over between them so we can play 4 front line bowlers.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

This is a very good middle and lower order. But Hafeez and Haris would have to bowl 10 over between them so we can play 4 front line bowlers.

this is actually the bigger question

Should we go in with 4 bowlers or 5 ( assuming Shadab and Imad are of the 5)

I actually think we will see the latter, which means that only one of Professor, Haris or Malik will make the squad

 

[Junaids]

Umar Akmal, lol.

 

[topspin]

Haris and Hafeez should both play and as for who should bat at number 4, depends on what stage does Pakistan lose their second wicket.

If it's early in the innings, you want Haris in because he can competently handle lateral movement against the pacers, since he is far more technically sound than Hafeez and you would expect (more often than not), he will prevent an imminent collapse, however if the veteran comes in under these circumstances he will fail 8 times out of 10 and consequently see the team 3 wickets down in no time - as evident from the last ODI. This is because Hafeez struggles even with the slightest amount of lateral movement, so in this kind of match situation best to save him at no.6 when he can play more freely.

If Pakistan lose their second wicket after say 20-25 overs, I would want Hafeez in because he will show the intent to kick on and is more than capable of batting at a strike rate in excess of 100. He's a good player of spin and I love the fact he doesn't take forever before he unleashes, whereas with Haris you feel he needs more deliveries to get set and his SR capacity is around 100, so if Pakistan have a good start, I wouldn't want Haris to suck momentum out of the innings.

So ideally Haris and Hafeez should float according to the timing of the second wicket. To summarise, we need both in the team - former to prevent a collapse and utilise his technical skills in order to overcome a potent pace attack on song and the latter to help push the team towards a match winning total.

One thing I will never understand with Hafeez, is his insistence to bat somewhere in the top order and I don't know if it's because he's just selfish or just deluded?

Fakhar
Imam
Babar (swap spots with Fakhar if the opener struggles in the first few games)
Haris/Hafeez
Sarfraz
Hafeez/Haris
Asif Ali (float between 6 and 7 - on a good day, should come in at 6)
Imad
Hasan Ali
Amir
Shaheen

 

[topspin]

Umar Akmal, lol.

He would have been ideal at number 4. Hafeez is susceptible if he comes early in the innings and Haris bats at a same SR as Babar.

 

[hitthestump]

Haris Sohail. Having two specialist batsmen at 3 and 4 is pretty much non explanatory.

This is Pakistan though, so what i think will happen is that either Hafeez or Safaraz will play there.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Agree

 

[Green Patriot]

For me it should be Haris Sohail.
But probably wont play to accomodate Hafeez and Malik.

 

[Chokli]

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Imad
Shadab

Hafeez to be a floater

 

[Captain]

It'll be criminal to play anyone at 4 but Haris Sohail..

 

[Mirpur express]

He would have been ideal at number 4. Hafeez is susceptible if he comes early in the innings and Haris bats at a same SR as Babar.

Get over it dude *

 

[octavian]

this is actually the bigger question

Should we go in with 4 bowlers or 5 ( assuming Shadab and Imad are of the 5)

I actually think we will see the latter, which means that only one of Professor, Haris or Malik will make the squad

Imad is not good enough and neither is Malik. But obviously that's just common sense, its Pakistan management we are talking about.

 

[Pete Rose]

Sarfaraz. The captain leading from the front in more important than Haris playing a 4. A contributing captain is a confident captain: unafraid to take bold decisions: especially about who to play and who to bench.
If he doesn’t bat at 4 won’t get to bat at 5 because the top 4 will be able to take it to the 35th over.

 

[octavian]

Sarfaraz. The captain leading from the front in more important than Haris playing a 4. A contributing captain is a confident captain: unafraid to take bold decisions: especially about who to play and who to bench.
If he doesn’t bat at 4 won’t get to bat at 5 because the top 4 will be able to take it to the 35th over.

Nope. The best man for the job should bat at 4 ( or any other position for that matter), and that is Haris.

The Captain doesn't deserve a special treatment for being a captain.

 

[Pete Rose]

Nope. The best man for the job should bat at 4 ( or any other position for that matter), and that is Haris.

The Captain doesn't deserve a special treatment for being a captain.

Don’t agree with that, because I think Sarfaraz rotates the strike better especially early in the innings. I hoe doesn’t demote himself. Let’s see

 

[ask_analyse_act]

4. Haris
5. Sarfraz
6. Hafeez
7. Shadab

 

[octavian]

Don’t agree with that, because I think Sarfaraz rotates the strike better especially early in the innings. I hoe doesn’t demote himself. Let’s see

Sarfraz although abysmal at slogging, is still better at it than Haris.

Sarfraz is better suited for number 5.

 

[Canistani Hero]

What I would play:

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Saifi
Hafeez
Imad
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Afridi

What I expect Pakistan to play

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Malik
Asif
Imad/Shadab
Wahab
Hasan
Amir

 

[Kroll]

Haris, prof is a walking wicket if he has to come in early after fall of wickets. Just pray that we get fast and steady starts so not to expose prof and Malik early.

 

[Sherlock]

I'd be shocked if Hafeez/Malik and Harris all play in the same XI.

Also I'd be equally shocked if Sarfaraz isn't the one that comes in at 4th position.

 

[shah_1]

Haris has to bat at 4

There should be no other option

 

[Titan24]

Haris definitely. Sarfaraz would struggle more often than not at no 4 as he did in Asia Cup when he had to walk in early, his technique and his scoring areas are not the most suitable against the new ball.

So it should be

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Hafeez
Imad/ Asif
Shadab

 

[indianpanacea]

The other day sarfaraz was at crease in 4th over....and sarfaraz has been best if he comes to bat before 10th over....so i guess he should open the innings with fakhar...He can play definitely play better and aggressively than imam...
Fakhar
Sarfaraz
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Imad
Asif
Shahzad
Hassan
Amir
Shaheen

 

[Energy]

It will be Hafeez. Sarfaraz will come after him. Only if Hafeez scores two ducks in the first two games they will replace him with Haris.

 

[StreetSmart]

depends on the situation. If early chips down then Saifi should bat at number 4, if need a slog then Hafeez

 

[szundercover]

4.) Haris
5.) Sarfraz
6.) Hafeez
7.) Asif

Thats a solid line up.It means we will have to drop imad for shadab and play with 4 special ist bowlers.

 

[coy0607]

4.) Haris
5.) Sarfraz
6.) Hafeez
7.) Asif

probably a bowler short. I don't think Pak management see Hafeez as a fifth bowler, more of a sixth bowler at this point. He hasn't bowled a full 10 overs since 2017.

More likely: 4) Sarfraz, 5) Hafeez 6) Asif 7) Shadab 8) Imad

 

[szundercover]

Haris and Hafeez should both play and as for who should bat at number 4, depends on what stage does Pakistan lose their second wicket.

If it's early in the innings, you want Haris in because he can competently handle lateral movement against the pacers, since he is far more technically sound than Hafeez and you would expect (more often than not), he will prevent an imminent collapse, however if the veteran comes in under these circumstances he will fail 8 times out of 10 and consequently see the team 3 wickets down in no time - as evident from the last ODI. This is because Hafeez struggles even with the slightest amount of lateral movement, so in this kind of match situation best to save him at no.6 when he can play more freely.

If Pakistan lose their second wicket after say 20-25 overs, I would want Hafeez in because he will show the intent to kick on and is more than capable of batting at a strike rate in excess of 100. He's a good player of spin and I love the fact he doesn't take forever before he unleashes, whereas with Haris you feel he needs more deliveries to get set and his SR capacity is around 100, so if Pakistan have a good start, I wouldn't want Haris to suck momentum out of the innings.

So ideally Haris and Hafeez should float according to the timing of the second wicket. To summarise, we need both in the team - former to prevent a collapse and utilise his technical skills in order to overcome a potent pace attack on song and the latter to help push the team towards a match winning total.

One thing I will never understand with Hafeez, is his insistence to bat somewhere in the top order and I don't know if it's because he's just selfish or just deluded?

Fakhar
Imam
Babar (swap spots with Fakhar if the opener struggles in the first few games)
Haris/Hafeez
Sarfraz
Hafeez/Haris
Asif Ali (float between 6 and 7 - on a good day, should come in at 6)
Imad
Hasan Ali
Amir
Shaheen

What about shadab?

 

[shahidbhai]

gotta play Haris while he is in form...! bring in Hafeez as the "hitter" same role he played in the champions trophy final, a quick fire 50 odd... wouldnt play asif in the opener, he must be going through a lot right now.

 

[KaaziSaab]

It'll be criminal to play anyone at 4 but Haris Sohail..

It would be criminal to not include Haris in the playing 11. I think you bring Sarfraz in at 4 because he keeps the scoreboard ticking. Bring Haris in at 5, Hafeez in at 6. Hafeez can serve as the "power hitter". No Asif Ali in my playing 11.

 

[javid]

Harris sohail

 

[Ertugrul_Bey]

Dot balls are our biggest weakness and playing Sarfaraz at no.4 will help tackle this problem. Moreover, this is the best suited position for captain as he becomes pretty useless in the last 10 overs.

 

[The Viper]

Haris Sohail. We all saw what happened last game when Hafeez batted at 4.

 

[nam]

4.) Haris
5.) Sarfraz
6.) Hafeez
7.) Asif

This would mean 10 overs of part time between Hafiz, Haris and Fakhar and if both Shadab and Imad play, you are looking at two pacers only which is not a good plan in England dead pitches

I would definitely go with Haris at 4 but between Asif/Imad only one one can play

 

[ARK Rafay]

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Sarfraz
5. Hafeez
6. Asif
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Hasan
10. Amir
11. Shaheen/Hasnain

 

[topspin]

What about shadab?

As a spinner I don’t rate Shadab highly and I think his recent performances, show he’s been worked out by batsmen. He needs a year or two in domestics, but I have high hopes with him in the longer form of the game because of his temperament. Having followed the sport avidly as a kid (since 2000), sadly this is the worst spin attack I’ve ever seen from a Pakistan side. Along with the top 5 (SENAI), our spin composition is also inferior to Afghanistan and Bangladesh, which goes to show the extent of how far the spin stocks have really fallen! - because we’re no longer able to produce good right arm finger spinners, following ICC’s clampdown on suspect actions.

I think Shadab’s inclusion in the XI would completely ruin the balance of the side because not only is his bowling a liability, but he’s also not going to do any favours with the bat - as evident from his sub-70 strike rate, so he is no way fit to bat at number 8. It’s an insult to all the accomplished all-rounders in international cricket to classify him in the same regard.

We have a specialist captain, so perhaps it’s time for Pakistan to add a specialist fielder

 

[GreenKhan]

He would have been ideal at number 4. Hafeez is susceptible if he comes early in the innings and Haris bats at a same SR as Babar.

That’s such a deluded comment . Akmals SR is pretty similar to Haris. But Haris has amici better average and knows how to build an innings .

 

[ahsan_888]

Its quite difficult that Haris plays because we are not gonna sit Malik and Hafeez. No way what so ever. But yes if haris does then he will come at the place of Hafeez.
Shadab and Imad are both gonna play no matter what, because of which we will play a batsman short ( Probably Asif) and will have to rely on the power hitting abilites of Malik and Imad.
Malik played quite decently though in the 4th game.

In this case Sarfraz really needs to move up to No : 4 so the dotballs can be controlled and babar and imam or fakhar can play more freely according to their roles.

Best place for Sarfraz really

 

[ahsan_888]

Idk what happened to Shadab's batting. He used to bat one down in the U19 World cup.
Both his and faheem's batting dropped drastically after joining the team.
Shadab's got a great economy he apply the chokes pretty well, he will be quite important to the team both as a fielder and bowler

 

[topspin]

That’s such a deluded comment . Akmals SR is pretty similar to Haris. But Haris has amici better average and knows how to build an innings .

With all due respect, this comment typifies your everyday stats bully, when you observe stats without any context whatsoever.

This is like me saying Hafeez has a SR of 76, therefore he bats slower than Haris Sohail. But I'm sure even you don't believe this and fully aware of the reason behind the difference in their SRs.

Umar Akmal's SR is similar to Haris' because he has played most of his cricket in the early 2010s (300+ era), whereas Haris has played most of his cricket in the mid to latter end of the decade (350+ era).

I could be wrong but if Umar Akmal can survive 25-35 balls on these 400+ wickets, I would back him to score a quick fire 50 with his ability to attack the pace bowlers and he's certainly done it in T20I contests with very similar scoring rates (8 rpo +) to the ODIs we've seen recently in England.

 

[ahsan_888]

With all due respect, this comment typifies your everyday stats bully, when you observe stats without any context whatsoever.

This is like me saying Hafeez has a SR of 76, therefore he bats slower than Haris Sohail. But I'm sure even you don't believe this and fully aware of the reason behind the difference in their SRs.

Umar Akmal's SR is similar to Haris' because he has played most of his cricket in the early 2010s (300+ era), whereas Haris has played most of his cricket in the mid to latter end of the decade (350+ era).

I could be wrong but if Umar Akmal can survive 25-35 balls on these 400+ wickets, I would back him to score a quick fire 50 with his ability to attack the pace bowlers and he's certainly done it in T20I contests with very similar scoring rates (8 rpo +) to the ODIs we've seen recently in England.

Umar Didnt Middle the ball once in the Austrilian series, he was given 5 ODIS on pitched where the Australians were scoring freely. Hes great against spin but against fast bowling hes just got a single shot over midwicket thats all. I havent seen him smack a six anywhere else since a long time now. And that can be easily worked out

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I'd be shocked if Hafeez/Malik and Harris all play in the same XI.

Also I'd be equally shocked if Sarfaraz isn't the one that comes in at 4th position.

Prepare to be shocked

If he hasn’t been batting there the past 4 years even though it was obvious he should, I doubt things would change now

 

[CadPakFan]

Haris without a doubt, but if the management doesnt play him it should be Sarfraz.

 

[topspin]

Umar Didnt Middle the ball once in the Austrilian series, he was given 5 ODIS on pitched where the Australians were scoring freely. Hes great against spin but against fast bowling hes just got a single shot over midwicket thats all. I havent seen him smack a six anywhere else since a long time now. And that can be easily worked out

You may well be right and I could be wrong but let’s not forget nearly everyone on here wanted Asif Ali gone for good after his failings during the Asia Cup on tired surfaces in UAE, where it’s hard to time the ball.

Despite all the “one six wonder” comments and bashing he was getting, I backed him to be given one more chance on better suited wickets, so I was left disappointed when he didn’t make the squad for the ODI series in SA. At that time the decision seemed justified on PP, but I knew he would be back in the team as I expected him to have another prolific showing in the PSL.

Earlier this month he finally got his chance on nicer paced English wickets and that leap of faith from the selectors + management reaped fruits for the side, when he returned with 2 x 50s at a healthy SR.

Like Asif Ali, Umar is also very good timer of pace but a superior driver of a cricket ball and also a superior bat on the back foot, whereas Asif Ali’s game is more proficient in aerial shots utilising his power hitting. Umar was in excellent touch in FC cricket, PSL and List A and has scored heavily from what I’ve seen in the last 6-8 months. Like Asif, he deserved a chance in this series at the very least. In my opinion, the selectors and management have avoided giving him this chance because they fear he’s going to come with too much baggage.

Whether we like it or not, he’ll be back straight after this WC because I don’t expect Malik and Hafeez to be around. I also think Haris won’t have long left in ODIs since he’s injury prone.

 

[Chokli]

Umar Didnt Middle the ball once in the Austrilian series, he was given 5 ODIS on pitched where the Australians were scoring freely. Hes great against spin but against fast bowling hes just got a single shot over midwicket thats all. I havent seen him smack a six anywhere else since a long time now. And that can be easily worked out

False.

Man, do you guys even watch the damn games before commenting?

He hit one of the Australian fast bowlers for three sixes in one over.

UAE is not the best place to judge players.

 

[Sherlock]

Prepare to be shocked

If he hasn’t been batting there the past 4 years even though it was obvious he should, I doubt things would change now

I'm all out of preparing to be shocked, tbf.

 

[hussain.r97]

This would mean 10 overs of part time between Hafiz, Haris and Fakhar and if both Shadab and Imad play, you are looking at two pacers only which is not a good plan in England dead pitches

I would definitely go with Haris at 4 but between Asif/Imad only one one can play

I would drop Imad, Hafeez can easily give 6 economical overs, 10 on a good day. He is also perfect foil to Shadab. Haris and Fakhar are capable enough to share 4 overs between themselves if required.

1.) Imam
2.) Fakhar
3.) Babar
4.) Haris
5.) Sarfraz+*
6.) Hafeez
7.) Asif
8.) Shadab
9.) Hasan
10.) Amir
11.) Shaheen

Shaheen - 10 overs
Amir - 10 overs
Hasan - 10 overs
Shadab - 10 overs
Hafeez - 6 overs
Haris - 3 overs
Fakhar - 1 over

 

[iamoyes]

Pakistan Batting Line-up?

Hello People!
am a cricket freak,and a huge fan of Pakistan cricket team and cricket is always on my mind so its my first thread out here about the batting line of Pakistan cricket team on the bloody English flat decks!
The amount of expectations are getting higher and higher from baber Azam and why not? He is the most consistent batsman we had (averages 51 in his 62 innings)after greats like Inzi, Misbah, Younus, Yousuf and many others, But who is going to be along Baber in the middle order?
Honestly who is gonna help Baber to recover the collpase that we may often see and not only recover but roar back on the oppostion, There are worries many worries the strike rate to maintain on these English Bloody Flat decks?
According to me Harris Sohail can be a major factor along Baber to score big and put runs on the board!
What do you think who should be batting at 4? Harry, Saifi or Malik?

 

[Seamer]

I personally would have this lineup. I think Malik should not be in the starting 11:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail
5. Sarfaraz
6. Hafeez
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Amir
11. Shaheen Afridi

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Harris
Sarfraz
Asif(position depending on match situation)
Hafeez/Imad
This is a decent batting combination.

 

[emranabbas]

We have a decent squad and can fly through this wc

We just need to get combinations right

Imam and Babar should not be in the same line up unless one of them accelerate without eating too many balls

Hafeez Malik and Imad should also not be in the same line up one of them needs to should sit out

Also Hasnain and Shaheen should not be in the same line up

 

[shahidbhai]

I personally would have this lineup. I think Malik should not be in the starting 11:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail
5. Sarfaraz
6. Hafeez
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Amir
11. Shaheen Afridi

yup! thats my team too

 

[msb314]

Haris Sohail /thread

 

[GreenKhan]

You may well be right and I could be wrong but let’s not forget nearly everyone on here wanted Asif Ali gone for good after his failings during the Asia Cup on tired surfaces in UAE, where it’s hard to time the ball.

Despite all the “one six wonder” comments and bashing he was getting, I backed him to be given one more chance on better suited wickets, so I was left disappointed when he didn’t make the squad for the ODI series in SA. At that time the decision seemed justified on PP, but I knew he would be back in the team as I expected him to have another prolific showing in the PSL.

Earlier this month he finally got his chance on nicer paced English wickets and that leap of faith from the selectors + management reaped fruits for the side, when he returned with 2 x 50s at a healthy SR.

Like Asif Ali, Umar is also very good timer of pace but a superior driver of a cricket ball and also a superior bat on the back foot, whereas Asif Ali’s game is more proficient in aerial shots utilising his power hitting. Umar was in excellent touch in FC cricket, PSL and List A and has scored heavily from what I’ve seen in the last 6-8 months. Like Asif, he deserved a chance in this series at the very least. In my opinion, the selectors and management have avoided giving him this chance because they fear he’s going to come with too much baggage.

Whether we like it or not, he’ll be back straight after this WC because I don’t expect Malik and Hafeez to be around. I also think Haris won’t have long left in ODIs since he’s injury prone.

Umar has been given 100 plus matches to prove himself and also went to the last world cup in Australia. Im very happy that Asif has been given the nod. Umar had 5 matches against Australia and he showed he has not learnt to build an innings by playing brainless shots despite coming with 25 plus overs remaining in nearly all the matches.

The excuse that he was playing in UAE does not make any sense as batsman supposedly inferior to him scored 100s whilst he could not even pass 50 even once.

The same thing would have happened in the England series. He would have got a couple of 40s and got out generally playing stupid shots. But there would still have been excuses for him that he was batting against the best team in the world and he should have been given the warm ups against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

All we get with Umar and his fans is excuses, excuses and more excuses.

 

[topspin]

False.

Man, do you guys even watch the damn games before commenting?

He hit one of the Australian fast bowlers for three sixes in one over.

UAE is not the best place to judge players.

Yep especially against pace bowling. Even AB de Villiers wasn't entirely convincing in PSL, despite the fact he is the second best limited overs batsman in the world (after Kohli).

 

[AdamM97]

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Imad
Shadab
Hassan
Amir / Wahab
Shaheen

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Haris but lets see if izzat of the big man allows this. If he wont like it then there will be a new hopla in media.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Wahab Riaz

 

[cricketAXEpert]

The innings Sarfaraz played in the 5th ODI clearly showed us that Sarfraz is wasting himself playing down the order. His Strike rotation is one of the best in the team and he clearly deserves playing at No: 4. On the other hand, Hafeez is also great like he can play the spinners well and up the strike rate easily. However, Hafeez can also play at No: 5 or down the order as he showed in the CT 17 Final.
Furthermore, when Sarfraz gets time on the pitch he performs and if he performs it will greatly improve his confidence and he will be a captain with confidence.

He cannot waste his potential down the order, his strike rotation, his great ability to play spin bowling with a high strike rate clearly means that he should push himself up the order.

What do you think?

Haris Sohail, He is in form, and is technically a superior batsman.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Haris but lets see if izzat of the big man allows this. If he wont like it then there will be a new hopla in media.

I fear he will be able to play single match in a world cup

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Imad
Shadab
Hassan
Amir / Wahab
Shaheen

That is the best possible line up, However Asif Ali will be selected Mickey's in love with his hacking. Although Hafeez (is a better option) can be equally as destructive.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

I fear he will be able to play single match in a world cup

All depends on the izzat of the 2 senior citizens. I am still gutted how they excluded Abid for Malik. Come on its a freaking world cup and Malik is poor against pace and has no form.

 

[Aaqibpeer]

Haris and Hafeez should both play and as for who should bat at number 4, depends on what stage does Pakistan lose their second wicket.

If it's early in the innings, you want Haris in because he can competently handle lateral movement against the pacers, since he is far more technically sound than Hafeez and you would expect (more often than not), he will prevent an imminent collapse, however if the veteran comes in under these circumstances he will fail 8 times out of 10 and consequently see the team 3 wickets down in no time - as evident from the last ODI. This is because Hafeez struggles even with the slightest amount of lateral movement, so in this kind of match situation best to save him at no.6 when he can play more freely.

If Pakistan lose their second wicket after say 20-25 overs, I would want Hafeez in because he will show the intent to kick on and is more than capable of batting at a strike rate in excess of 100. He's a good player of spin and I love the fact he doesn't take forever before he unleashes, whereas with Haris you feel he needs more deliveries to get set and his SR capacity is around 100, so if Pakistan have a good start, I wouldn't want Haris to suck momentum out of the innings.

So ideally Haris and Hafeez should float according to the timing of the second wicket. To summarise, we need both in the team - former to prevent a collapse and utilise his technical skills in order to overcome a potent pace attack on song and the latter to help push the team towards a match winning total.

One thing I will never understand with Hafeez, is his insistence to bat somewhere in the top order and I don't know if it's because he's just selfish or just deluded?

Fakhar
Imam
Babar (swap spots with Fakhar if the opener struggles in the first few games)
Haris/Hafeez
Sarfraz
Hafeez/Haris
Asif Ali (float between 6 and 7 - on a good day, should come in at 6)
Imad
Hasan Ali
Amir
Shaheen

Cannot change the position of babar, he is our number 3 and will remain so. And haris should play at 4 sarfaraz at 5 and either of Malik or hafeez at 6.
Haris is being wasted just to play both hafeez and Malik together.
Similarly both imad and shadab should not play together, only one of two.
Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Hafeez/malik
Asif
Shadab
Hasan/wahab
Amir/wahab
Shaheen

 

[timurasf]

Haris at 4, Sarfaraz at 5.
Haris is the most technically sound and elegant batsman in the side. It'd be criminal to make him bat outside the top 4. Plus, Hafeez should bat no higher than 6, if he gets into the side it's only due to his finishing abilities as we saw in the ct17. For me our ideal middle order will be:
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Sarfaraz
6. Hafeez/Malik
7. Asif

 

[ahsan_888]

False.

Man, do you guys even watch the damn games before commenting?

He hit one of the Australian fast bowlers for three sixes in one over.

UAE is not the best place to judge players.

I would Totally say the same for you. Do you even watch cricket and know what middling the ball means?
Not one of those three sixes were middled at all.
But yes i agree UAE is not the best place to judge batsman at all

 

[ahsan_888]

You may well be right and I could be wrong but let’s not forget nearly everyone on here wanted Asif Ali gone for good after his failings during the Asia Cup on tired surfaces in UAE, where it’s hard to time the ball.

Despite all the “one six wonder” comments and bashing he was getting, I backed him to be given one more chance on better suited wickets, so I was left disappointed when he didn’t make the squad for the ODI series in SA. At that time the decision seemed justified on PP, but I knew he would be back in the team as I expected him to have another prolific showing in the PSL.

Earlier this month he finally got his chance on nicer paced English wickets and that leap of faith from the selectors + management reaped fruits for the side, when he returned with 2 x 50s at a healthy SR.

Like Asif Ali, Umar is also very good timer of pace but a superior driver of a cricket ball and also a superior bat on the back foot, whereas Asif Ali’s game is more proficient in aerial shots utilising his power hitting. Umar was in excellent touch in FC cricket, PSL and List A and has scored heavily from what I’ve seen in the last 6-8 months. Like Asif, he deserved a chance in this series at the very least. In my opinion, the selectors and management have avoided giving him this chance because they fear he’s going to come with too much baggage.

Whether we like it or not, he’ll be back straight after this WC because I don’t expect Malik and Hafeez to be around. I also think Haris won’t have long left in ODIs since he’s injury prone.

Umar does deserve a chance at better wickets. I am not that big fan of asif as he has the pathetic ability to get out at the most crucial times. Umar is better than Asif in some aspects but Asif overtakes him in some aspects.
Yeah Umar will come back he just needs to work on his fitness more.
Umar and Rizwan as well

 

[Chokli]

I would Totally say the same for you. Do you even watch cricket and know what middling the ball means?
Not one of those three sixes were middled at all.
But yes i agree UAE is not the best place to judge batsman at all

UAE have big grounds, if he didn't middle them they wouldn't have cleared.

 

[hur rizvi]

Ideally Should be Harris. He is the 2nd best bat in 15 after Babar

But with Asif Ali performing he might have to be left out. In that case it should be Sarfraz

Hafeez is useful when ball is old. He should realize this from last match too

 

[hur rizvi]

Haris, prof is a walking wicket if he has to come in early after fall of wickets. Just pray that we get fast and steady starts so not to expose prof and Malik early.

Malik has no place in XI

 

[Sami92]

Sarfaraz Ahmed at 4.

 

[Kroll]

Malik has no place in XI

He's a senior though, and by default that's good enough.

 

[Zhasan]

Mark my words, Haris will be the biggest failure of this world cup even more so than the nephew and it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has eyes and is capable of breathing. I'd play Abid in the middle order than Haris, the latter has never scored any runs of consequences and goes missing when the team needs him the most.

 

[jonny darko]

Haris Sohail .. give him a consistent run of games at no.4. Not this in & out, in & out rubbish.

Imam, Fakhar, Babar, Haris .. the sequence of the top order should be set in stone.

Finch, Warner, Smith, Maxwell .. Aus won the world cup with this top 4.

Mohammad Hafeez struggles against the quicks (both him & Malik tbh), so I'd pick Haris Sohail vs Eng, Aus, NZ & SA. He likes ball coming on to the bat, quicker the better.

Hafeez could play vs SL, Ban, WI.