Shoaib Malik scores 31.3% of Pakistan's runs in this series!!

[Mercenary]

This was Shoaib Malik's series in every sense. He was the best Pak fielder with his athletic stops, spectacular catches and that boundary rope run out.

However it was his batting which shone brightest. He singlehandedly bludgeoned 302 runs in 4 inns at a strike rate of 94!! In contrast the rest of the Pakistani batsmen could only manage 575 runs combined!

75.50 --- 302 runs / 4 inns -----> Shoaib Malik
21.30 --- 575 runs / 27 inns ----> Rest of the Pakistani batsmen

It was a forgettable series all round for the Pakistani batting, if we remove Malik's scores from the first 3 ODI's then Pakistan made totals of 221, 170 and 180!

That's abysmal batting from the rest of the cast, we're lucky that Malik returned so soon after his father's death otherwise we would really have been mauled in this series!

Regardless of what types of pitches were being played on, Malik faced the same bowlers the other Pakistani batsmen faced and he was in from the 3rd ball in the second and third ODI.

Malik faced a moving, seaming and swinging ball confidently and dispatched it to all corners of the ground. He played the short ball with authority and effectivley hit 3 centuires in a row!

He's definitely one of the 'badge-kissers' brigade and I hope the senseless criticism of arguably one of our top 3 ODI players if not our best ODI player will stop!

Malik for President!!

[AT1]

simply amaizng, thanks merc

[Gasherbrum]

darpok tinpot minnow bashing couldn't hold a bat properly till a few years ago match throwing lassimaking eyelid batting chucker of a cricketer cannot be made President, no sir. i hate him because he threw a match, thats no way for a potential captain to act when someone tries to cheat him and his fellow team members. give me a break with all this malik nonsense. he can bat, he can bowl and he can field but he can't do either one of them properly because he just can't. no ifs ands or buttaahs about it, he's got woolmer in his pocket and that is the only reason he's playing. he isn't the solution at number 3, so we really should be opening with him.

[Mercenary]

he isn't the solution at number 3, so we really should be opening with him.

:))) :))) :)))

Is one of your names Niazi??

[pacman]

Malik is def a badge kisser. What a player. I really hope he keeps this standard when we go overseas so every critic of his can shut up. Go Malik Go.

[Team Slayer]

darpok tinpot minnow bashing couldn't hold a bat properly till a few years ago match throwing lassimaking eyelid batting chucker of a cricketer cannot be made President, no sir. i hate him because he threw a match, thats no way for a potential captain to act when someone tries to cheat him and his fellow team members. give me a break with all this malik nonsense. he can bat, he can bowl and he can field but he can't do either one of them properly because he just can't. no ifs ands or buttaahs about it, he's got woolmer in his pocket and that is the only reason he's playing. he isn't the solution at number 3, so we really should be opening with him.

i see that someone has been reading PPer interviews.

[Oxy]

Poor Malik.

Scores 31% of our runs - cops 69% of the criticism on PP!

[Bailan]

When an allrounder is doing so well; you'd expect that given his confidence he will be allowed to roll his arm over; but our sleeping captain instead is opting otherwise.

Inzi's captaincy is a farce.

[inzidabest]

Merc. I think Pakistan still got mauled in this series

[Mercenary]

Merc. I think Pakistan still got mauled in this series

Exactly.

It's easy for critics to dismiss Malik and praise others when the team is winning but when Malik does everything in his power to win the series with effectively 3 run a ball centuries in 4 games and we still lose, it shows us Malik isnt the one crumbling under pressure!

[Big Mac]

he isn't the solution at number 3, so we really should be opening with him.


Ahahahaha, if he's not the solution at number 3 then who is? You say he can't bat properly so you want him to open instead?

[m_sohail]

I really enjoyed watching Malik batting this serious, for the simple fact that his critics would shut up (or so I thought). Regradless, what he did was not easy. It takes a man of strength, will, determination, and high character to really be the leader in an otherwise poor performing team. He did whatever was asked of him. It is unfortunate his father could not be here to see this. But Malik definitly came ready to play, and he deserves recognition for his excellence this series. Well done Malik!

[cavin420]

he isn't the solution at number 3, so we really should be opening with him.[/QUOTE]

we should perhaps ask ricky ponting to come over n fill in the no 3 slot? what do you reckon ;-)

[Big Mac]

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/237528.html


Someone give me Imran Khan's email adress, I've got an article I want to send him.

Pakistan's batting line-up for the one-day internationals against India has come in for plenty of flak: Imran Khan has been the most vocal of the critics, questioning the policy of sending in lesser batsmen at the start and keeping the three big guns - Inzamam, Yousuf and Younis - back for the later overs. The tactic is a debatable one, but one batsman who has deserved his spot at the top is Shoaib Malik. Before his failure in the fourth game at Multan, he had scores of 90, 95 and 108 in his three innings.

Since Bob Woolmer took over, the change in Shoaib Akhtar has been publicised and written about the most, but the manner in which the other Shoaib has flowered has been equally impressive. The table below compares Malik the batsman in his first 68 matches to his last 43, all of them under Woolmer. The contrast is stark.

Shoaib Malik's rise as a batsman

Matches Runs Average 100s/ 50s
First 68 1264 26.89 2/ 4
Last 43 1677 44.13 3/ 14

Not only has Malik been the batting star for Pakistan - only Inzamam (1434 runs at 46.26) has averaged more for the side in the last 20 months - he is also among the most prolific batsmen in world cricket in ODIs during this period. The table below lists the cream of the crop, and Malik sits proud at fourth spot, ahead of the likes of Rahul David, Marvan Atapattu and Ricky Ponting.

Best ODI batsmen since July, 2004
(Min 30 ODI innings)


Batsman Innings Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Mahendra Singh Dhoni 30 1056 50.29 2/ 5
Michael Clarke 41 1453 48.43 1/ 11
Inzamam-ul-Haq 38 1434 46.26 0/ 14
Shoaib Malik 41 1677 44.13 3/ 14
Rahul Dravid 48 1747 43.68 3/ 16
Kumar Sangakkara 53 1985 42.23 1/ 18
Marvan Atapattu 40 1537 41.54 1/ 14
Ricky Ponting 45 1703 41.54 4/ 10

And no prize for guessing who the best No.3 batsman has been during this period. Malik's runs at that position have come an incredible rate of 47 per innings. Combine that with a scoring rate of 83 runs per 100 balls - a touch higher than Ponting's 82 - and it's a combination which is tough to beat. His ability to switch gears and bat according to the needs of the team means that, despite Pakistan's debacle against India, he is likely to retain that spot for a fair period of time.


Top ODI batsmen at No.3 since July, 2004
(at least 20 ODIs at No.3)

Batsman Innings Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Shoaib Malik 25 1141 47.54 2/ 9
Ricky Ponting 45 1724 42.04 4/ 10
Michael Vaughan 24 695 38.61 0/ 8
Kumar Sangakkara 24 860 37.39 0/ 9
Jacques Kallis 25 803 36.50 1/ 6

[Big Mac]

he isn't the solution at number 3, so we really should be opening with him.

we should perhaps ask ricky ponting to come over n fill in the no 3 slot? what do you reckon ;-)

Ricky Ponting is worse at number 3 than Shoaib Malik though. We need someone even better than Punter I'm afraid. I wonder if Don Bradman is available?

[cavin420]

Ricky Ponting is worse at number 3 than Shoaib Malik though. We need someone even better than Punter I'm afraid. I wonder if Don Bradman is available?
nice stats big mac well done! perhaps don bradman is the best one......by the way what was imrans average at no3? i heard he used to bat at no 3 for a snails pace 20 off 70 balls....would like to see his average.......


PS......and remember peeps malik used to be our no 11 batter once upon a time ;-)

[Officer Barbrady]

A closer reading of the cricinfo stats reveal that:

filtered 45 43 3 1755 143 118 108 43.87 3 15 1

v Australia 7 7 0 158 66 36 31 22.57 0 1 0
v Bangladesh 2 2 0 51 48 3 - 25.50 0 0 0
v England 5 4 1 82 50 23 8 27.33 0 1 0
v Hong Kong 1 1 0 118 118 - - 118.00 1 0 0
v India 16 16 0 926 143 108 95 57.87 2 8 0
v Kenya 1 1 0 0 0 - - 0.00 0 0 1
v Sri Lanka 4 4 1 183 86* 56 37 61.00 0 2 0
v West Indies 7 6 1 156 60 51 17 31.20 0 2 0
v Zimbabwe 2 2 0 81 80 1 - 40.50 0 1 0

in Australia 8 8 1 195 66 60 31 27.85 0 2 0]in England 4 4 0 24 17 5 2 6.00 0 0 1
in India 7 7 0 330 75 72 65 47.14 0 4 0
in Netherlands 2 2 0 104 68 36 - 52.00 0 1 0
in Pakistan 16 15 2 722 108 95 90 55.53 1 7 0
in Sri Lanka 5 5 0 316 143 118 48 63.20 2 0 0
in West Indies 3 2 0 64 51 13 - 32.00 0 1 0

in Americas 3 2 0 64 51 13 - 32.00 0 1 0
in Asia 28 27 2 1368 143 118 108 54.72 3 11 0
in Europe 6 6 0 128 68 36 17 21.33 0 1 1
in Oceania 8 8 1 195 66 60 31 27.85 0 2 0

I think this gives us a better picture of Malik's performance in the past 45 games. He has had most of his success against India, who are not known for a good bowling attack, while his performance outside the subcontinent has been a bit of a concern comparatively.

Overall, I think he's done quite well in these 45 games or so but the cricinfo bit doesn't give us a true picture.

I also don't think making YK bat at 3 instead of Malik has any special benefits.

[Amjid Javed]

nice stats marooned, as it shows malik is an asian track bully.

[Invictus]

Just a question. Who are these majical batsman from Pakistan who have nice or decent avg against Aus, Eng and SA.

[Big Mac]

Someone find a number 3 who will average 40 against a top pace attack or in seaming conditions and I'll concede that Malik should be replaced as number 3. Until then I'm not convinced.

Besides, Malik has has to come in early and face the swinging new ball in practically every game this series and has looked more comfortable than the supposed specialist batsmen.

[Invictus]

That would be the rational choice would'nt it.

[Big Mac]

Not to mention that Shoaib Malik is still learning and improving as a batsman, it wasn't long ago he wasn't much more than a tailender who slogged a bit.

The batsmen people want to bat at 3 like Younis Khan or Yousuf all have glaring technical deficiences but are set in their ways and there is no chance of them changing at this stage in their careers. Shoaib is improving with each series and he still gets a ton of criticism.

[Invictus]

People seem to forget that he made his way up from the bottom Mac. That in itself is a huge achievement given Pakistan's packed middle order and a bunch of talented batsman waiting in the wings for the middle order Bazid/Hassan/Faisal/Asim. He makes runs on the same pitch against the same bowlers that the entire teams faces. With his shoddy technique I dunno how he pulls it off.
I dunno what else the guy can do to prove himself??

[kayanni]

Big Mac - i agree with you.

Imran's argument is that YK ave 115 in tests v India, but his strike rate is 50. this means he can take his time rightly in building an innings.

In ODI's he cant do this and thus fails. If Imran is worried about the swinging ball then why not open with him to avoid the CRISIS.

[Amir_rulez]

Malik has been marvellous in this series. Hope he carries on!

[nafajafam]

Until Malik underperforms abroad against better bowlers, I won't be convinced that there is someone better than him. Previously I wanted Yousaf to take that spot, but given his habits, Malik is the better option IMO.

[UJ]

Malik has been an exceptional performer at no 3 for Pak. The point to notice is that he still has alot of cricket left in him and you would think that he would improve from here onwards. A no 3 batsmen must be able to both consolidate after an early wicket but also attack when the team is off to a good start. Malik can do both because he is a good runner and also a good hitter. Ideally you would want a 'specialist' batsmen at no 3, but if Malik is performing so well then theres no reason to change his position in the team.

Its just a shame that in the series the other batsmen haven't supported him enough. 31.3% is huge considering that we have 8 players in the side who can bat!

[Tupac]

add to the fact he had a tragedy...makes his feat that much more likeable, over this series i've become a huge fan!

I think he's your answer to #3.....Butt/Akmal/Malik/Inzy/Yousaf/Younis

[pain]

With openers like salman butt, what more can we expect. Shoaib Malik, however, no doubt played his best series. Simply brilliant piece of batting, can can't blame him for not reaching another 90 in the 4th ODI, the other batsmen's (and the team's) score is enough to show its not his fault. He is simply at his best!

[Easa]

Those are amazing stats, Merc.

Malik has been our most reliable ODI batsmen, and anyone who claims that he shouldn't be in the team, is spouting rubbish.

The stats just show how much we have depended on Malik especially since our openers haven't been competent enough to give us good starts.

[Easa]

darpok tinpot minnow bashing couldn't hold a bat properly till a few years ago match throwing lassimaking eyelid batting chucker of a cricketer cannot be made President, no sir. i hate him because he threw a match, thats no way for a potential captain to act when someone tries to cheat him and his fellow team members. give me a break with all this malik nonsense. he can bat, he can bowl and he can field but he can't do either one of them properly because he just can't. no ifs ands or buttaahs about it, he's got woolmer in his pocket and that is the only reason he's playing. he isn't the solution at number 3, so we really should be opening with him.

:))) :))) :)))

[Muzy]

MALIK :14:
MALIK :27:
MALIK :26:

well done malik, great series for him shame he didnt get MOM he deserves all the praise he can get inshallah his late father will be v.pleased with his performances!!!

leave malik alone, he performs sooo well in a series and still these mop heads aren't satisfied (pathetic if u ask me)

[Geordie Ahmed]

That might not please Imran khan :)) :)) :)) :)) :)) :))


In no-3 spot , there should be a khan!!! :)) :)) :))

well he will have to change his name to Don BradKhan

[DotCom]

One thing I love to point out - going back to when the experiment with Shoaib began .. i think it was 2004 Asia Cup? ..He was pushed up the order as a pinch hitter.. we had lost an opener very cheaply, and Malik came in to face a virtually new ball...

and since he has proven his skillz. Maliks first handful of scores as a #3 .. ocurred because the team was in desperate measures and lost openers quickly... HE basically opened the innings..

He should open with Butt, and Butt play the steady roll, whereas Malik play his natural agressive game... this would allow Akmal to become a potential # 6 or 7, I still dont think Akmal is the best man for the job at # 2..

[Big Mac]

No, we leave him where he is. You need a different mindset to bat at 3 than you do as an opener even if you have to start your innings in the first over all the time.

[Blistering Barnacle]

Malik is playing very well at no. 3. I think the middle order should read Malik, Inzi, Yousuf, Younis, with Younis dropped down the order behind Afridi and Razzaq if we are doing well.

The real concern is finding solid openers. Butt struggles mightily whenever there is anything at all for the bowlers. He's been dismissed in the first over a number of times, if I recall correctly, in his short playing career.

Akmal is doing a pretty good job as an opener, but I'm not sure if he should be playing there either.

[Abdul Qadir 236]

I know who I would want walking out at 10/1 facing McGrath and Lee!

So u guys finally realise u can play well and be on losing side. Hope u apply this consistently.