Who should bat at the number 4 position for Pakistan in ODIs?

[MenInG]

A few candidates including the likes of Mohammad Rizwan who have put their hand up for this role.

But who is the ideal candidate for this very important position, especially in a team like Pakistan which can lose wickets early at the start of the innings?

 

[Rana]

Yeah not Rizwan

 

[PakEngFan]

Anyone but rizwan. Rizwan should never bat above 5 in odis. I will go with haris sohail.

 

[MenInG]

Add you vote to the poll

 

[Rana]

If you can’t find anyone, just slot Sarfaraz at 4 and drop Rizwan.

Sorry but Salman and Ifti are brilliant for 5 and 6

 

[PakEngFan]

If you can’t find anyone, just slot Sarfaraz at 4 and drop Rizwan.

Sorry but Salman and Ifti are brilliant for 5 and 6

There are million better options then Sarfraz at 4 including rizwan who’s miles better.

 

[Kroll]

Ideally none of those options. Pakistan's development of the middle order is atrocious and part of that is due to accommodating friends that are no way suitable for the role.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

On merit Rizwan deserves a longer run at #4 considering he averages 50+ since 2021.

But if you look at other names Haris Sohail is probably the best one.

This is really a tough one for Babar. We need more matches to get things clear.

 

[Rana]

There are million better options then Sarfraz at 4 including rizwan who’s miles better.

Well. No Rizwan is not better than Sarfaraz for number 4

And who are the millions of better options for number 4??

 

[gazza619]

Ifti all the way!

 

[Double Trouble]

Ifti Mania zindabad

 

[Concerned]

Number 4 should be specialist batsmen. One who is able to anchors and also is able to accelerate.

Rizwan is not a specialist batsmen who can bat at 4 and Iftikhar won’t be able to handle hot pace.

One would think playing a C team Pakistan might try alternative options?

 

[Plumb]

Iftikhar didn't start well when he first came to the scene, He is mentally very strong. Currently he is in form and reading the game well.. no doubt it will be a blow if he is not in playingX1

 

[sweep_shot]

Ifti should be at #4.

Babar, Imam, Fakhar, and Ifti. They should be the top 4.

 

[Ali Active]

imam
fakhar
babar
haris sohail/rizwan
agha
ifti
M.Haris/shadab/imad/nawaz
usama
shaheen
naseem
rauf/waseem/ihsanullah

 

[hitthestump]

Despite a lack of performances i still back Rizwan to do the job. This is because his strengths are strike rotation and finding gaps. We have seen in t20's that he puts a price on his wicket. He has all the ingredients to be a great number 4.

I am also mindful of how well Agha and Ifti are doing in their positions. While Ifti wouldn't be a bad option at 4 by any means, he is our best option as a finisher and the number 6 role seems to have finally unlocked him. Rizwan is also too low at 5 or 6 given his limitations in power hitting.

Rizwan hasn't made the most of his opportunities in the middle order of ODI's but he is a quality cricketer who has tight slapped his critics repeatedly. Never write him off from being able to do a job with the bat.

 

[hitthestump]

Number 4 should be specialist batsmen. One who is able to anchors and also is able to accelerate.

Rizwan is not a specialist batsmen who can bat at 4 and Iftikhar won’t be able to handle hot pace.

One would think playing a C team Pakistan might try alternative options?

I mean across white ball cricket we have tried many middle order players. It's pretty clear that there is a dearth of good options right now.

Someone like Abdullah Technique might fit the role you've described but he failed to take his chances in this series. Shan did nothing as opener (thank God) so there's no reason to think he could do the role. Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub are too raw. None of the t20 middle order players we've tried are good options either.

 

[Rana]

Despite a lack of performances i still back Rizwan to do the job. This is because his strengths are strike rotation and finding gaps. We have seen in t20's that he puts a price on his wicket. He has all the ingredients to be a great number 4.

I am also mindful of how well Agha and Ifti are doing in their positions. While Ifti wouldn't be a bad option at 4 by any means, he is our best option as a finisher and the number 6 role seems to have finally unlocked him. Rizwan is also too low at 5 or 6 given his limitations in power hitting.

Rizwan hasn't made the most of his opportunities in the middle order of ODI's but he is a quality cricketer who has tight slapped his critics repeatedly. Never write him off from being able to do a job with the bat.

He’s not a batsman. He can’t bat.

Exposed in Test cricket

Soon to be exposed in ODI cricket at number 4.

A grave is being dug. By him for himself. He can tight slap his country’s chances at the World Cup at the number 4 position. You need a BATSMAN at that position. Not a circus performer

 

[topspin]

Ability wise, Haris Sohail is the best but his work ethic and fitness isn't good. After him the most suitable candidate is Abdullah Shafique. If the latter can mentally handle the pressure of a World Cup, he will do well but I'm not sure if he will at this stage of his career with all those ducks and low scores he's got already in white ball cricket.

Rizwan is the last player I'd have at number 4 on this list unless we want to watch a masterclass on scoring all your runs in the leg-side. Seriously the standards some of you guys have is shocking.

 

[topspin]

He’s not a batsman. He can’t bat.

Exposed in Test cricket

Soon to be exposed in ODI cricket at number 4.

A grave is being dug. By him for himself. He can tight slap his country’s chances at the World Cup at the number 4 position. You need a BATSMAN at that position. Not a circus performer

That's exactly how it looks with all his theatrics. But hey at least we get free entertainment from him during this cost of living crisis.

 

[CricVet]

The reason why I have chosen Ifti for #4 is due to lack of proper middle order batting options. We know that Haris Sohail will be injured again even after he gets fit. If by miracle he maintains fitness, he is an automatic 4. However, knowing that WC is only 6 months away, it would be wise to forget about Haris and go with Ifti.

PCB is a joke as any institution in Pak, and I don't expect jokers to use their heads to properly select the team. On top of it, merit has quota in Pakistan. After one or two parchi players, then you also have to deal with buddies of captain, whose input counts as well for final selection.

The buddy of Rizwan I guess has made up his mind to go with Rizwan, a player who is just barely qualified for LOI and deserves no higher than #6 or #7.

I am very sure that no matter what, Rizwan will be the #4 heading into WC per his wish master approval. Professionalism in Pak is too much to expect.

 

[Firebat]

The #4 position has to be a batsman. Haris Sohail has to be the first choice every time.

 

[todfod 11]

Ifti is the only one. There is no one in pakistan apart from Ifti who can bat at number 4.

 

[Kroll]

The #4 position has to be a batsman. Haris Sohail has to be the first choice every time.

He would be if he wasn’t a croc.

 

[a_jawad]

Haris Sohail is so injury prone I'd be surprised if he makes it to the WC squad. He's a wonderful player but the fitness is not there
Iftikhar may be the Bradman of No. 3 / 4 in Domestic circuit but that was not the need of the hour. He was brought into the squad to find a suitable late middle order option and he has proven himself to be worthy of it
Rizwan's game is suited to the No. 4 position. He is not the kind of player who could come it, bash a few and provide a flourish at the end of the innings

 

[Marooned]

Should have been Haris Sohail without question, but I feel there is a big question mark hanging over his fitness now.

After Haris, it's Kamran Ghulam and Tahir who should have been given a chance @4 but we wasted it on AS and Rizwan. Both wrong choices to begin with.

Imaad comes back into the team as well and that can change the order a bit too but we are anyway short of a Middle order batsman for the squad.

If we somehow arrange more odis now Ghulam and Tahir should be tried.

 

[shamaan]

If Haris Sohail is fit then he will take the number 4 spot.

 

[Yk313]

Ability wise, Haris Sohail is the best but his work ethic and fitness isn't good. After him the most suitable candidate is Abdullah Shafique. If the latter can mentally handle the pressure of a World Cup, he will do well but I'm not sure if he will at this stage of his career with all those ducks and low scores he's got already in white ball cricket.

Rizwan is the last player I'd have at number 4 on this list unless we want to watch a masterclass on scoring all your runs in the leg-side. Seriously the standards some of you guys have is shocking.

I think it’s an interesting toss up. I feel like Abdullah may be more comfortable opening in ODIs than coming in at No. 4. Haris would have been a good fit but I am not sure if he will play another WC without any bilateral games. And he was re-exposed against NZ in the earlier series (not this one) on PAK pitches with the short ball. I imagine teams will have a blue print against him with body line shoulder height stuff.

I would have preferred Rizwan at 5 (he is not getting dropped) to reduce his chances of coming to bat when pacers are bowling. I feel he may be more comfortable with spinners on. And he’s more comfortable rotating strike when he does not have to pierce gaps in a tight circle. Field being back is somewhat beneficial to him.

 

[proud_pakistani]

On current form has to be Iftikhar though I prefer Haris Sohail. Haris with his injury record perhaps will have to sit out.

 

[gazza619]

Hope Mickey & Babar are following this thread. The experts of pakpassion have spoken in favour of Iftimania

 

[shamaan]

Agha Salman if Haris Sohail isn't fit enough.