Who should open for Pakistan in ODIs?

[mz123]

1-Sharjeel is virtually gone (although I hope something extraordinary happens).
2-Azhar has just resigned from captaincy, and for the past 2 years he has been averaging 25 at a strike rate of 70.
3-Kamran Akmal is too old and inconsistent.
4-Ahmed Shehzad plays too many dots, no strike rotation,too slow.
5-Hafeez: zero,zero,three
6-Umar Akmal: Team management will never make him open.

What should be the next opening pair for Pakistan ???

Knowing Inzi very well now, I reckon it is going to be Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali/Ahmed Shehzad.

 

[Mamoon]

I'd open with Shehzad and Kamran for now.

 

[mz123]

I'd open with Shehzad and Kamran for now.

I have a strange feeling that shafiq will open...

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Umar and Babar with Haris at 3. If not then even Fakhar is a better option than shehzad and Azhar

 

[WC-Passion]

Umar and Fakhar has to be tried tbh.

 

[Mamoon]

I have a strange feeling that shafiq will open...

With Inzi The Revolutionary as CS and Sarfraz as captain, it is possible. A couple of 50+ scores in the PSL and your prediction might prove to be true. In addition, we are in dire need of honest cricketers who keep their noses clean....so he can get selected on the Sharafat quota as well.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Umar
Babar
Haris

Or

Umar
Fakhar
Babar
Haris

 

[Syed1]

Fakhar
Umar


The jury is still out on both and don't be astonished with frequent scores of 10/2 with both openers back in the hut.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Fakhar
Umar


The jury is still out on both and don't be astonished with frequent scores of 10/2 with both openers back in the hut.

AFter all that arguing over these 2 guys we come to the same conclusion

 

[Boi]

Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal. Babar is sealed at number 3, just keep him there. I'd play Fakhar in the middle order seen as though he's a better player of spin and I don't see him or Shehzad being able to handle the bowling if there's abit of cloud cover around in the Champions Trophy where there is every chance one or two pitches might not be as flat as we expect.

 

[mz123]

AFter all that arguing over these 2 guys we come to the same conclusion

We can't open with fakhar, he is too weak against the short ball...I have seen him play many times, he can't pull !

 

[Sub-Zero]

for ODIs:
Selfie, Fakhar, Shahzaib, Khurram,
select them and throw out the TTF gang Shafiq, Rizwan, Umar Akmal and Hafeez

for tests:
Shehzad and Kamran

 

[Ellipsism]

for ODIs:
Selfie, Fakhar, Shahzaib, Khurram,
select them and throw out the TTF gang Shafiq, Rizwan, Umar Akmal and Hafeez

for tests:
Shehzad and Kamran

Why select Shehzad ahead of Sami?

 

[Rayyman]

Let's see who is on the radar: Zaman is good on domestics and got BMac's attention, Shehzad is dominating domestic, Shafiq has been getting free rides and Sarfraz is a good friend of his, Azhar is a friend of Sarfraz too and SK or someone stated he will stay in team as batsman. Talks of Umar Akmal and Shahzaib, but no signs from Inzi so far. Sami has failed recently. Imam might get a go. "Fat Fixer" will be banned. Hafeez and KAkmal are in poor form. I personally want Shahzaib and Fakhar as of now.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Azhar resigned from captaincy but he has never said that he's retiring from ODIs. Azhar and Shehzad are most likely to open.

I would have gone with Akmal brothers, the brothers of destruction.

 

[Sub-Zero]

Why select Shehzad ahead of Sami?

Shehzad has shown it that he deserves a comeback, record highest scorer in the departmental One day cup, he scored at a very good strike rate too, captained his team, won the final and his attitude problems seems to be fixed as well, fit player and good fielder as a bonus.

 

[Sub-Zero]

Why select Shehzad ahead of Sami?

for tests, Sami will be in the squad surely, Selfie and Kamran (as a batsman only) should take Sharjeel's and Rizwan's spot

 

[Hamza_]

I'd open with Shehzad and Kamran for now.

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] I would want a Left-hand Right hand combo at the top.
Would be interesting to see if Umar Amin opens for Quetta instead of Asad who has struggled and can score some runs.

Might as well look forward to someone like Khushdil Shah in PZ who has come off from a fine domestic session.

Kamran is a short term solution and he is inconsistent, Shehzad has same consistency problem but has been in fine form so won't be bad to have him in the squad.

 

[Seamer]

Shahzaib and Fakhar

 

[Pete Rose]

Whoever is still standing blemish free after this psl

 

[Abidi110]

Looks like some ppl are in a hurry to throw our future captain out of the team."blessed in all facets" is not going anywhere and whether one likes it or not, he will remain our opener for a long time and will get captaincy back sooner or later!

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Shahzaib and Fakhar

Agreed

Shahzaib is the only one in domestic cricket who comes close to the style of play Sharjeel had. We must treat him simlaraly and given him time. I dont think he will be as good as Sharjeel but we have little choice.


I have niggling feeling that Zaman may not do well in International cricket, but his numbers certinaly merit a chance. Plus being a left hander he can complement Shahzaib

Rather do this first then go back to deadwood

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Let's see who is on the radar: Zaman is good on domestics and got BMac's attention, Shehzad is dominating domestic, Shafiq has been getting free rides and Sarfraz is a good friend of his, Azhar is a friend of Sarfraz too and SK or someone stated he will stay in team as batsman. Talks of Umar Akmal and Shahzaib, but no signs from Inzi so far. Sami has failed recently. Imam might get a go. "Fat Fixer" will be banned. Hafeez and KAkmal are in poor form. I personally want Shahzaib and Fakhar as of now.

Shahzaib is playing under Mickey with the kings. Mickey has made it clear that we need an agressive approach upfront. I think Shahzaib will be selected if he plays a decent innings in the PSL. Plus he did nothing wrong at all with this fixing fiasco

 

[ayemgilani86]

fakhar zaman seems like a good stroke maker should be given a chance, no need to bring back old spot fixers like kamran akmal and salman butt, kamran akmal was also involved in 2010 he was just lucky he didnt get caught

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

Wait for it ..........,............
.........................................
........

..UMAR AKMAL

 

[Sub-Zero]

Wait for it ..........,............
.........................................
........

..UMAR AKMAL

bring back Afridi as well to open with him while you're at it

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

bring back Afridi as well to open with him while you're at it

Imran Nazir with Afridi. The world will fear Pak batting. #Retro_Cricket

 

[Speedster1]

Bring Fakhar in, wouldnt mind shahzaib either

 

[pasha404]

Stage set for Shehzad return have to accept the boy might have many faults but at least he is not a fixer

 

[Madplayer]

Its all doom and gloom.

Need to try umar akmal as opener. now that sharjeel is gone , Pakistan needs somebody who can hit over the top of the fielders in powerplays.

Kamran is too old now. Dont waste your time on him.

Need to keep an eye on Fakhar zamaan in this PSL too. He is better than what he is showing these days.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Fakhar Zaman and Kamran Akmal.

 

[b.lesner]

Fakhar zaman and Zain Abbas

 

[marlonbrowndo]

It just has to be Umar Akmal

 

[Square Drive]

Umar Akmal
Shahzaib Hasan

Bench: Fakhar Zaman

Standby: Imam-ul-Haq

If let's say all four of these flop, then go to Ahmed Shehzad/Ahsan Ali.

 

[khurram39]

I think Azhar or Asad are not fit in modern cricket and Umar is awful in any case. We have to think out of the box and I think Fakhar Zaman has the potential performing regularly well and just watching in PSL how he behave. Other opener should be Ahmad Shahzad and give him some confidence in and off the field he can do this.

 

[big_gamer007]

Seems like shezzy boy gonna be back.. Good news for world cricket..

 

[DRsohail]

fakhar zaman and may be umar amin....

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

Shehzad and Fakhar Zaman...
They've been playing together in domestic and they've done quite well as partners and it will help them in international matches as well.
They're a good pair and accommodate each other quite well...
In few matches what I've seen when one of them was struggling the other one took care of the strike rate and vice versa..

Kamran is in good form and if he continues to show his hitting abilities then he should play lower down the order at 6 or 7..

Babar, Sarfaraz and Harris for 3,4,5 respectively..

If hafeez continues to perform with the ball then he should be considered as a lower order alrounder
So Kamran or Umar at 6 and hafeez at 7.

Well have Imad Waseem, Sohail Khan, Hasan Ali and M_Amir at 8,9,10,11..

I think this is the best team we can offer.. If Imad is unable to perform with the ball then use M_Asghar...

 

[Shafi]

I always want a promising, quick youngster in our line up. But its most likely Rafatullah Mohmand.

 

[Shafi]

After Sharjeel gone we are going back to 90s oven 80s cricket if we keep recycling senior oldies

 

[Markhor]

Shahzaib is playing under Mickey with the kings. Mickey has made it clear that we need an agressive approach upfront. I think Shahzaib will be selected if he plays a decent innings in the PSL. Plus he did nothing wrong at all with this fixing fiasco

Shahzaib was the one who blew the whistle, deserves credit for his courage.

As for the OP, let's wait until the end of the PSL and see who are the top performers.

 

[Drreddymd]

Shezzy boy hit a jackpot again with sharjeel suspension. If he performs in rest of psl then shazad will open in west indies i think

 

[Sub-Zero]

Shezzy boy hit a jackpot again with sharjeel suspension. If he performs in rest of psl then shazad will open in west indies i think

Shehzad would have been selected anyway, for the ODIs st least, he dominated the departmental One Day cup

 

[nextover666666]

Mukhtar Ahmed, Zaman, or Ahmed Shehzad

 

[Ankit007]

Azhar Ali with hafeez

 

[Syed1]

Chota Akmal opening the batting is just a PP fantasy and it will probably never happen.

 

[hitthestump]

I'm really glad people are suggesting Umar Akmal! He should always have played as an LOI opener imo, though does need to work hard on his fitness so he can bat the full 50 overs. Let's hope it'll happen.

 

[Sub-Zero]

I'm really glad people are suggesting Umar Akmal! He should always have played as an LOI opener imo, though does need to work hard on his fitness so he can bat the full 50 overs. Let's hope it'll happen.

he is useless, soon everyone will realise it when he consistently fails
he is the definition of mediocrity

 

[ExpressPacer]

Mukhtar Ahmed and Nauman Anwar

OR

Awais Zia and Shahzaib Hasan

OR

Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal


If you actually want modern day openers, that is.

 

[Hamza_]

Nauman Anwar has lost it after a bright start. His stance was messed up

 

[KashifButt]

What about Fawad Alam coming in and opening with Babar. This gives option of right left hand combo and both are usually very consistent. Not the quickest but always active

 

[Rayyman]

What about Fawad Alam coming in and opening with Babar. This gives option of right left hand combo and both are usually very consistent. Not the quickest but always active

Yeah bring in K.Akmal too.

Fawad
Babar
K.Akmal
Hafeez
Shafiq
Malik

Great.

 

[Syed1]

Yeah bring in K.Akmal too.

Fawad
Babar
K.Akmal
Hafeez
Shafiq
Malik

Great.

Why leave out Taufiq Umar and Imran Farhat mannnn


Farhat
Taufiq
K Akmal
Hafeez
Fawad
Malik


Beautiful team.

 

[Rayyman]

Why leave out Taufiq Umar and Imran Farhat mannnn


Farhat
Taufiq
K Akmal
Hafeez
Fawad
Malik


Beautiful team.

This is not possible unfortunately. The team I put has a chance of happening.

 

[Ummii]

say welcome to Hafeez with Shehzadi / Kami like it or not but this is going happen IF they dont let Azhar in ODI team

 

[o_ahsan99]

Fakhar Zaman should be given a chance in LOI's. As it stands his domestic List A average is 49 at a strike of 93. He may have issues with facing the short ball but recent history has shown that players who perform consistently at domestic level also perform at international level. Haris Sohail and Sharjeel Khan are examples. Both have good domestic records and both impressed at international level. I feel that Fakhar will be a good addition to the LOI team. I just hope that he is a good fielder. Anyone knows if he is a good fielder?

Ahmed Shehzad can be given a chance to open along with Fakhar but I'm not sure if Shehzad has sorted out his dot ball issue. Kamran's name is being floated and he too has performed exceptionally in the past two years but Kamran has failed to establish himself as a match winner at international level and age is against him too. Shahzaib may be an aggressive option but he needs to perform for Karachi in PSL before he can be taken seriously. Babar Azam can be tried as well. He opened for the youth teams. Babar and Fakhar, with Harris at three, Malik four and Sarfraz at five. If we can find an explosive player at number six, with Imad to follow at seven, Pakistan will have a decent LOI batting lineup.

 

[StreetSmart]

Choices

Fakhar, Shahzad, Kamran or Babar.

Babar was opener with Umer Akmal in the U-19 WC

those who think UA still have a chance keep dreaming

 

[StreetSmart]

Mukhtar Ahmed and Nauman Anwar

OR

Awais Zia and Shahzaib Hasan

OR

Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal


If you actually want modern day openers, that is.

Awais Zia and Shahzaib Hasan blind slogger

Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal

useless

Mukhtar Ahmed and Nauman Anwar Mukhtar can be a good choice Noman anwar is useless for now

 

[Sub-Zero]

Why leave out Taufiq Umar and Imran Farhat mannnn


Farhat
Taufiq
K Akmal
Hafeez
Fawad
Malik


Beautiful team.

who can forget Lala, bring him back as well, he'll open with Hafeez, specially against good fast bowlers

 

[cricketerB94]

The way things are going, seems like Asad and Azhar will open.

 

[yasir]

Whoever is still standing blemish free after this psl

That's the standard now, Matrit fail will work as long as record is clean

 

[yasir]

The way things are going, seems like Asad and Azhar will open.

2 down Sarfraz, then Misbah and Malik... Kiya mature team hai, SK's dream team, lets book if till 2025

 

[Rayyman]

The way things are going, seems like Asad and Azhar will open.

Azhar
Shafiq
Babar
Hafeez
K.Akmal
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad

 

[cricketerB94]

Azhar
Shafiq
Babar
Hafeez
K.Akmal
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad

Welcome to no.10 slot in ranking.

 

[Speedster777]

Sharjeel (if cleared)
Fakhar Zaman
Ahmed Shehzad
Salman Butt

 

[Sub-Zero]

Azhar
Shafiq
Babar
Hafeez
K.Akmal
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad

where is PP fan favorite Umar "World Class Talent" Akmal? put him at his favorite one down spot, remove Babar, also add Rahat Ali before Imad in the line up

 

[Sub-Zero]

Sharjeel (if cleared)
Fakhar Zaman
Ahmed Shehzad
Salman Butt

bruh...! Sharjeel has confessed to his crime, he's done. No way Butt will be coming back when we already have so many openers already lined up.
realistic openers will be Shehzad, Fakhar, Imam, Khurram and Shahzaib maybe kamran as well, also Azhar is not getting dropped anytime soon in real life

 

[ahmadharis1]

What about Shoaib Malik? He's opened before and averages 53 at the #2 position (albeit a small sample size, and he averages 29 at the #1 position). He could open with Sharjeel if he gets cleared, and it would open up a slot in the middle order for someone like Zaman or Salahuddin or maybe even Fawad Alam

 

[Sub-Zero]

What about Shoaib Malik? He's opened before and averages 53 at the #2 position (albeit a small sample size, and he averages 29 at the #1 position). He could open with Sharjeel if he gets cleared, and it would open up a slot in the middle order for someone like Zaman or Salahuddin or maybe even Fawad Alam

Zaman is already an opener, and Malik is not that good against fast bowlers anyway, he has not opened in ages for the national team, he won't open, genuine openers are needed not makeshift openers, Shehzad is coming back anyways

 

[Madplayer]

The biggest benefactor of sharjeel's casualty will be shehzad.

 

[Syed1]

The biggest benefactor of sharjeel's casualty will be shehzad.

Motu khud tou dhooba hi humein bhi leh dhooba

 

[Madplayer]

Motu khud tou dhooba hi humein bhi leh dhooba

Didn't drop his weight but dropped our hopes down from burj khalifa.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Motu khud tou dhooba hi humein bhi leh dhooba

So were back to almost the 2013 type of lineup in ODIs, just need Misbah and Afridi to make a comeback for 'national interest' and SK's dream team would be complete

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

If this was a Bollywood film , then the plot will be a cunning plan by Shehzad to approach Sharjeel and Latif ( Latif used as distraction ) and convince them ( with a facade ala Mission Impossible 2 ) to make this mistake. Thus Sharjeel lose his position and Shehzad takes his place.

Film is a flop as usual

 

[Rayyman]

So were back to almost the 2013 type of lineup in ODIs, just need Misbah and Afridi to make a comeback for 'national interest' and SK's dream team would be complete

So much for rebuilding.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

So much for rebuilding.

Bro....we've literally been rebuilding since 2003

 

[farsiddiqui]

Fawad Alam

 

[Rayyman]

Bro....we've literally been rebuilding since 2003

Started from the bottom now we...are still at the bottom.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Whoever left without corruption(fixing legacy) though the number of that type are very few it seems.

 

[rhony]

If UA doesn't get to open now, he never will. Just give him the dang opening spot and get it over with.