Who would you rather see partner up with Fakhar Zaman - Mohammad Hafeez or Imam-ul-Haq?

[Square Drive]

With Asif Ali providing that extra dimension to the lineup, Shadab and Faheem pretty much regular starters, Babar coming back, and Fakhar/Sarfraz/Malik having their spots locked down, even a talent like Haris is having to warm the bench.

What this means is that the only questionable spot at the moment is the 2nd opener's spot. Now we have Imam and Hafeez as contenders for that spot, and whichever one of the two doesn't play will warm the bench.

Having said that, who would you prefer - Imam or Hafeez?

Please don't say "neither" - trying to be realistic here.

IMO, Imam performing is good news as it means Hafeez sits out. Plus, Imam is only 22 and still has time on his side to rectify shortcomings.

Discuss.

 

[aloo paratha]

Neither

Imam because at least he can improve as he is still young. Hafeez pretty much brings nothing to the team, he's a terrible bat and Malik good enough of a spinner if we ever need an extra.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Well if Hafeez comes in, he only needs one fifty to be back into the team or 3 top order/middle order wickets. Imam is young but needs alot of work. He has issues that he needs to work on in LOI cricket. I personally would stick with Imam on this one. But overall would Sahibzada over both.

 

[B_Positive]

Imam. Hafeez would not do well at the top. He needs to come down the order.

 

[Ahson8]

Anyone over Hafeez or Shehzad

 

[Lefthanded]

Grandad needs to be put out to pasture and can't bat at the top anyway.

There's a dozen or so games to the WC, and it's time to stop experimenting. Imam has done well with his opportunities, with at a great strike rate.

For the 90s.

If he can score faster, then he's a gem.

 

[Fahdi]

Anyone over Hafeez but Imam isn't ideal as well really. Yes Imam deserves a longer run like most youngsters but from what I have seen so far Imam does not fulfill the criteria for a modern day opener. But he has the potential for improvement that's for sure.

 

[Slim]

Neither to be honest.

 

[Stewie]

Imam

 

[hussain.r97]

Neither, experimenting with Haris as an opener is a far better idea.

 

[Pete Rose]

If I have to choose between the two, I would take imam. Hafeez has a solid 2 decade career of wilting in tough situations.
Imam, is mediocre but doesn’t show any mental frailties

 

[ShahidDar08]

Neither, better to experiment with Harris Sohail. Harris is a quality player and if he settled at this position will end the opening problem.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Imam.

Hafeez should bid adieu to national selection. Enough is enough.

 

[mak36]

Anything that means Hafeez isn't in the team is good news.

Imam is young, has more upside and is a gun fielder. Lack of strike rotation and lack of power game are concerns though. Either needs to improve quickly in that regard or it's curtains.

Hafeez obviously offers more with the ball but absolutely nothing with the bat or in the field. Given he is primarily in the team as a batsman, that is not good enough.

 

[Zaz]

Imam We know exactly whay hafeez is capable of and frankly that isnt good enough going forward

Imam at least has potential even though at the moment he isnt quite upto scratch Hafeez has had his time

 

[Hasan123]

Don't think Imam is an ODI player. So neither of them. Would rather experiment with a youngster from domestic cricket.

 

[moghul]

Imam belongs to Pakistan cricket's bright future, Hafeez to the dark past of Misbah era.

 

[InziRules]

Inzamam looks a bright talent

 

[moghul]

Imam is young , technically correct, has all the shots and there is no reason he cannot further improves his SR. He should be kept in ODI team also.
Hazeez, only God ( or Inzam or Misbah ) knows how such an incompetent cricketer has played so much international cricket for Pakistan, should be stopped now.

 

[Tabishbeigh]

Imam ul haq , if he can work on his strike rotation and work his way out to an incoming delivery is an ideal foil for fakar Zaman. He has a decent technique which will only improve. Come on this guy has 2 hundreds in 5 matches. Instead that Farhan guy was poor on his debut, this guy got a hundred.

 

[Shaka81]

Definitely Imam because he still has time to learn and improve. Hafeez is a failure and will always be a failure so never want him to be in the team again.

 

[Prashant]

Just replied to another such shocking post, Imam just scorec a centuary how on earth you people think its time to question to change

 

[PakLFC]

It is a close call. None of the two fill me with great confidence. Both are experts in edging it to the keeper I have more confidence in Hafeez, he scores more heavily when in.

 

[coy0607]

Hafeez is a proven failure against quality bowling and approaching 40 years of age

He shouldn’t be anywhere near the National team

 

[TeamPak95]

Imam. At the very least he has been scoring runs albeit not productively. However, he is young and through time he can work on his shortcomings. Hafeez has long expired as a batsman.

 

[Pete Rose]

it doesnt what decade we are in, but the question will always be: does hafeez/malik/kamran/m.sami deserve recall/should be selected?

 

[giri26]

Both are similar type of players but Imam at least is young, so he should be given the preference.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Don't know why people here are so much against imam.. he is young. Fit and much better fielder than hafeez and Haris.. at least he can score hundred after get in. Unlike haris

 

[UN talkz]

Bhanjaa

 

[hadi123]

At this moment in time, Imam but neither of them are good choices in the long term.