Shoaib Malik

[Abdul Qadir 236]

I used to be a huge critic of this guy but whilst I still have the same gripes about his bowling, his batting has really won me round. I hope he does not suffer in favour of more flashy players as Younis Khan has done and Taufeeq. What is the best way to utilise him in tests and odis?
I dont think he is good enough for the test side but I would play him as a no6 batsman in odis. Bowling......fine if he is legal a 5th bowler but never ever ahead of Danish, a real spinner.

[Shayan]

i think 6 is too low for him in ODI's. He needs to be in between Youhana and Inzi in my opinion. Probably at number 4. If not, then 3 followed by Inzi and Yousuf.

[Abdul Qadir 236]

i think that he has such a good temperament and he can play straight and positively as well as defend when team is in trouble so he should be at 6, as the finisher.

youhana and inzi should both bat in the top3.
anyways this about Malik.

[Muzy]

i think malik should play at no.3 spot thats where his best average lies... as a bowler you never know once he's cleared he might show some raw talent... well i have faith in him :)

[Abdul Qadir 236]

he does not have the penetration of a Kaneria!
give me a real spinner any day.
Muzi....best batsmen should bat in top3 and not hide! Malik should be at 6 so he can finish games off. u could maybe have him 3 when batting first and 6 chasing. aus sometimes had bevan 4 chasing and 6 setting targets.

[the true passionist]

well for me malik has been the only consistent player since the worldcup along with (many would disagree ) Inzi!
Yeh his bowling action has caused some problems..with his bowling he an assured selection for both forms of the game...
But even without his bowling he is better than YK and many more in ODIs and can simply bat at any place from 3 to 7...But i would only say that he needs to be given a batting which he can make his own!

As far as tests he...he has to prove himself as a specialist batsman...he is in contention with Asim Kamal
But whatever the case may be In Shoaib Malik i see a player ready to serve his country for atleast 7-8 years if not a decade!

[Abdul Qadir 236]

yeah I hope he is there or thereabouts for a very long time.

[Muzy]

ttp - what you said is so true!!

[Abdul Qadir 236]

not better than YK, that guys world class.

[Daoud]

In ODIs id definetely have YK ahead of Shoaib Malik. But in ODIs its the other way around. Sometimes you just need to accept that some players are better than others in one form of the game and vice versa. YK has had a decent number of games at 3 or 4, yet wasnt able to do much there. SM in his time in these positions has done very well. It must indicate something

[Abdul Qadir 236]

well I think Younis is such a class player he can do it.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Malik at 3 in ODI's for me!

Gary you say the best players should bat at top 3 so your saying that your best players should open as well????

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

gary u say best batter should bat in top 3 and not hide - what about BCL. U must remember inzi started down the order and has gradually moved up the order.Lara on other hand used to opened and has dropped down the order to put more responsibility on likes of sarwan. I prefer inzi t 5, yoyo at 4. Inzi exerts himself better at 5 and seems less tentative

[Abdul Qadir 236]

Lara should open the batting. so should Inzi.

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

inzi should never open, 3 - possibly but i like him batting at 5

[DesiMD]

I used to be a huge critic of this guy but whilst I still have the same gripes about his bowling, his batting has really won me round. I hope he does not suffer in favour of more flashy players as Younis Khan has done and Taufeeq. What is the best way to utilise him in tests and odis?
I dont think he is good enough for the test side but I would play him as a no6 batsman in odis. Bowling......fine if he is legal a 5th bowler but never ever ahead of Danish, a real spinner.his batting ..i would say he is a great batsman....like he has been in form for quite long now....in this form...he can bat in tests and odis....
his bowling..its goood too.......but agree with u that no competition with kaneria's bowling...

[DesiMD]

Lara should open the batting. so should Inzi.i dont care abt lara...cuz his team's bating style is different..cuz they all the time rely on sarwan..but inzi can't open the inning......he is the only batsman in pakistani team from whom we can expect a 50 in every game.....he is good down there....

[Abdul Qadir 236]

Javed was great! ya see what ur saying

[DesiMD]

Javed was great! ya see what ur sayingtalking to me????

[Bailan]

Actually, I think that the single best batsman should bat at #4 in the ODI's ... 2nd best @ 3 and at 5 u need someone who can play a dual role as the situation required ....

[DesiMD]

Actually, I think that the single best batsman should bat at #4 in the ODI's ... 2nd best @ 3 and at 5 u need someone who can play a dual role as the situation required ....well...than inzi at # 5 is perfect...

[Abdul Qadir 236]

best player should bat for as long as possible nad give him chance to make more runs!