Is Mohammad Hafeez Pakistan’s best batsman?

[Hawkeye]

No. Babar then followed by Harris. Hafeez is probably one of the better players of spin though.

Babar Azam and Hafeez are the only ones who can play both pace and spin.

Harris too is decent vs spin.

The others are too one dimensional. Mostly spin and minnow bashers like Malik, Sarfraz.

Sharjeel was a beast against pacers but with sheer hitting ability and good hand eye. Not a stroke maker.

[babajee]

Ton up for the FTB

Watch him tweet how great he is & that he should be part of WC plans. Team is doomed.

Nothing wrong with being a FTB.

[babajee]

Hey

[babajee]

Hey

Jinxed him

[troodon]

Hafeez is your best batsman after Babar. In fact, Hafeez scores much quicker and has one extra gear that Babar lacks.

I can't believe he has so many haters on this forum.

[Hawkeye]

Babar is a better player in ODIs as he can score big (Hafeez too can).

Hafeez is probably better and our best batsman in T20s when Fakhar isn't clicking. Can score faster than Babar and score big.


Overall, in LOIs, Babar, Hafeez, Fakhar and Asif Ali are our best batsmen.

[The Viper]

Babar is a better player in ODIs as he can score big (Hafeez too can).

Hafeez is probably better and our best batsman in T20s when Fakhar isn't clicking. Can score faster than Babar and score big.


Overall, in LOIs, Babar, Hafeez, Fakhar and Asif Ali are our best batsmen.

Doesn’t look good when Asif is our fourth best bat

[Hawkeye]

Doesn’t look good when Asif is our fourth best bat

Indeed.

But he can hit, and I'm hopeful that he'll start scoring more as the ability is there.

We really don't have any other proper LOI batsman.

Embarrassing state of affairs.

[Ilan Bluestone]

Babar is a better player in ODIs as he can score big (Hafeez too can).

Hafeez is probably better and our best batsman in T20s when Fakhar isn't clicking. Can score faster than Babar and score big.


Overall, in LOIs, Babar, Hafeez, Fakhar and Asif Ali are our best batsmen.

Malik has a high 40s average since 2015 going at a run a ball.

[Hawkeye]

Malik has a high 40s average since 2015 going at a run a ball.

Very misleading. He has and will continue to fail against half decent bowling or on good batting surfaces with decent bowling. A spin or slow wicket bully like Sarfraz.

So, going to fail where we have the next 2 ICC tournaments.

[mastersaan10]

Hafeez always looked good but when pressure comes, he is nowhere to be found. But at least he scores, weather minnow or not, because our other batsman barring Azam and fakhar can't even score at a decent pace against minnows.

[Hawkeye]

Hafeez always looked good but when pressure comes, he is nowhere to be found. But at least he scores, weather minnow or not, because our other batsman barring Azam and fakhar can't even score at a decent pace against minnows.

Champions Trophy final.

We got a great score because of him and his onslaught.

[ads101]

With these performances in tests and T20s and looking in form, he's probably going to get his ODI place back. I thought he was past it, even though have defended him in the past given the fact he was usually amongst the best bats in our team for a long time even if he might not be outstanding.

[Rana]

Shot range, technique and quality...he is the best. Babar is a world class batsman and is far more consistent none the less.

As much as people will hate him, he is a vital player for Pakistan. Him and Malik are more useful to Pakistan at their age as compared to Dhoni for India. Dhoni, regardless of his many achievements and performances throughout his career is not offering much to India whereas Hafeez and Malik are still producing decent knocks

[saeedhk]

People hate Hafeez for no reason. He is our best batsmen, much better than Babar. Hafeez can score runs quickly and can hit out at the end. He has saved us in the last 4 matches plus he bowls with good economy

[Mamoon]

He looks great when he is in good form. Why are people surprised?

[Savak]

Even Mohd Yousaf admits that while Hafeez is technically very faulty, he is very pleasing to the eye when in full flow and compared to Malik, he does not get scared of pacy bowlers.

[MMHS]

He has God gifted timing - when he can plant front foot & hit through the line without bothering for any movement, a treat to watch. But even in his hay days between 2011-2015, his outside Asia average was like 20.

Don’t understand why people are surprised to see him doing well in UAE T20s - at 3, he is quite good to score 30s & 40s at 120 SR there. If Mian Malik bats at 3, he’ll do even better there, hardly anything conclusive.

Also, he batted first in all 4 innings - I hope Kiwis will win next toss & put 140+, we’ll then see how he chases that target.

[Hawkeye]

In LOIs:

Hafeez and Fakhar are probably our best batsmen because they really can take the attack to the opposition.

Here, Hafeez might be slightly more consistent.

Fakhar's more explosive.

[babajee]

Heading towards ATG status.

[MenInG]

Yes he is in LOIs!

[Hawkeye]

Heading towards ATG status.

Calm down.

Yes he is in LOIs!

Glad people are seeing it now.

[Mamoon]

He has God gifted timing - when he can plant front foot & hit through the line without bothering for any movement, a treat to watch. But even in his hay days between 2011-2015, his outside Asia average was like 20.

Don’t understand why people are surprised to see him doing well in UAE T20s - at 3, he is quite good to score 30s & 40s at 120 SR there. If Mian Malik bats at 3, he’ll do even better there, hardly anything conclusive.

Also, he batted first in all 4 innings - I hope Kiwis will win next toss & put 140+, we’ll then see how he chases that target.

Well, he chased it with a aplomb. Truth to be told, I have never truly known what to make of Hafeez.

Always great to watch when in flow, and could have been a much, much better player had he trusted his instincts and attacking game a bit more, and he has shown that in glimpses outside Asia as well.

However, fear of tailure tends to get the better off him and brings out the soft dismissals within him. Otherwise, he is far more talented than a lot of youngsters that are hyped up as his replacements, and he certainly deserves to go to the World Cup now.

[YousafTheBeast]

Afridi was right when he said Pakistan has no talent. Our best batsman is a 38 year old, and the younger players can’t be relied upon to finish a game off without the help of experienced players. Once Malik and Hafeez go we’ll be par with Afghanistan.

[The Viper]

Way better than the likes of Asif. Hafeez has always been a gifted striker of the ball. Genuinely think he is a must for the World cup. Just don't get banned from bowling Prof.

[Savak]

Well, he chased it with a aplomb. Truth to be told, I have never truly known what to make of Hafeez.

Always great to watch when in flow, and could have been a much, much better player had he trusted his instincts and attacking game a bit more, and he has shown that in glimpses outside Asia as well.

However, fear of tailure tends to get the better off him and brings out the soft dismissals within him. Otherwise, he is far more talented than a lot of youngsters that are hyped up as his replacements, and he certainly deserves to go to the World Cup now.

Hafeez has made the most out of his abilities, he never turns up out of shape, he plays domestic cricket and leagues whenever he is not playing for Pakistan or is practicing at the NCA. Umar Akmal in comparison could have done much better had he had this sort of work ethic.

[ads101]

Hafeez has made the most out of his abilities, he never turns up out of shape, he plays domestic cricket and leagues whenever he is not playing for Pakistan or is practicing at the NCA. Umar Akmal in comparison could have done much better had he had this sort of work ethic.

I don't think he's made the most out of them sadly, as Mamoon said he's far better playing his aggressive game and should have gone with that. It's harder to do that as an opener for him due to his weaknesses against pace, but middle order or even lower order it's easier. And his technical deficiencies would have been hid (similar to Malik). His timing is exquisite and when in form, looks miles better player than he actually is. I'd daresay sometimes watching him I wonder why this man isn't averaging 40 rather than low 30s.

I don't buy this stuff Hafeez was adamant to open or hogging the opener slot. He simply batted where he was told to bat. I mean he himself went down to 3 in T20s when he was captain, and I think 4 was probably ideal for him. It's up to management/captain to make the call, I doubt Hafeez penned in where he was going to bat each game.

I think be batted up the order due to the fact he had experience opening, and so that we could play other middle order bats in lower positions like Umar Akmal, Maqsood, Malik etc. We didn't exactly have an influx of talented opening bats at the time. I think it was worth him opening if it meant better talents could be groomed middle order. However that didn't work out unfortunately, none of the youngsters of that era e.g. maqsood,umar, shehzad, jamshed etc. made it. Changed now given we have quite a few
promising top order players who are better against pace now, which is also why Hafeez is now batting down too, but it's a bit too late, nearing the end of his career now.

[DRsohail]

2nd to Babar.

[RedwoodOriginal]

I feel like Hafeez could have had a completely different and far more successful career as a No.5, 6 finisher. Instead he spent the bulk of his career as an inconsistent Opener/Number 3 who never truly delivered when Pakistan needed him most. I hope he comes to his senses, keeps his ego aside and bats at No.5 or 6 till the World Cup

[Hawkeye]

I don't think he's made the most out of them sadly, as Mamoon said he's far better playing his aggressive game and should have gone with that. It's harder to do that as an opener for him due to his weaknesses against pace, but middle order or even lower order it's easier. And his technical deficiencies would have been hid (similar to Malik). His timing is exquisite and when in form, looks miles better player than he actually is. I'd daresay sometimes watching him I wonder why this man isn't averaging 40 rather than low 30s.

I don't buy this stuff Hafeez was adamant to open or hogging the opener slot. He simply batted where he was told to bat. I mean he himself went down to 3 in T20s when he was captain, and I think 4 was probably ideal for him. It's up to management/captain to make the call, I doubt Hafeez penned in where he was going to bat each game.

I think be batted up the order due to the fact he had experience opening, and so that we could play other middle order bats in lower positions like Umar Akmal, Maqsood, Malik etc. We didn't exactly have an influx of talented opening bats at the time. I think it was worth him opening if it meant better talents could be groomed middle order. However that didn't work out unfortunately, none of the youngsters of that era e.g. maqsood,umar, shehzad, jamshed etc. made it. Changed now given we have quite a few
promising top order players who are better against pace now, which is also why Hafeez is now batting down too, but it's a bit too late, nearing the end of his career now.

It's true.

It never was his own wish to *only* open. Captains/coaches should have better utilized him.

[cricket_cfa]

well he seems to get better with age like some old radeon cards

[Hawkeye]

Among the batsmen currently in the team or in the bench, Hafeez is one of our last hopes of winning the WC.

Babar, Hafeez.. these are the only two hopes in LOI batting.

And Fakhar IF is hacking works and no teams targets his glaring weaknesses.


Hope Asif Ali too can learn to bat by that time.

[MenInG]

Mohammad Hafeez last 6 T20Is:

53*, 34*, 45, 32*, 40 and 39
Runs 243
Average 81
Strike-rate 138.86
Fours 18
Sixes 11#Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) November 4, 2018

[Gollum]

Playing very well. Probably the best I've seen him playing in a long time.

[ARK Rafay]

His form reminded me of him when he was our team's captain and was in great form with ball and bat. Scored some crucial T20 runs in South Africa tour as well

[pakistani pride]

Playing very well. Probably the best I've seen him playing in a long time.

Cashing in big time in the UAE. Jury still out he performs away from the UAE.

[Titan24]

Cashing in big time in the UAE. Jury still out he performs away from the UAE.

He will be playing in the middle order now as he did in CT 17 and NZ recently, in middle order he doesnt have to face the new ball

[pakistani pride]

He will be playing in the middle order now as he did in CT 17 and NZ recently, in middle order he doesnt have to face the new ball

Would be perfect if he bats at no 5 or 6.

[Hawkeye]

Amazing timing against pace.

Schooling Olivier here.

Who schooled all the PAK batsmen on this tour so far.

[Majid Khan]

Looks like Viv is batting out there, what’s going on.

[Hawkeye]

Looks like Viv is batting out there, what’s going on.

He's been batting like Viv since CT 2017. In ODIs.

Don't confuse it with Tests though.

[babajee]

Clutch, ATG, Legend, GOAT.

Looking forward to his performance on 16th June.

[Hawkeye]

What a phainty to SA fast bowlers here by Hafeez!!!!



Looks like he's here to take revenge of the humiliation PAK batsmen received in Tests!

[YousafTheBeast]

Yes. Currently he’s our best middle order batsman.

Then it’s Umar Akmal.

[leatherface58]

Hafeez as a middle order player is very useful. Great job today and took it till the end.

[Suleiman]

Didn’t want to believe it but seems to be true in recent times. Softie Azam doesn’t have it in him to finish off matches, at least not yet.

To his credit he makes the ODI side as a batsman alone, so good on him.

[troodon]

Pak fans want to drop Hafeez

Hafeez is Pakistan’s best player and has been for a while. Never understood the hate he gets.

[MenInG]

71 not out off 63 balls and he made sure he saw his team through to the end - Professor at his best#SAvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) January 19, 2019

[Suleiman]

He's been batting like Viv since CT 2017. In ODIs.

Don't confuse it with Tests though.

You’ve been supporting him for some time, good call mate.

[Hawkeye]

You’ve been supporting him for some time, good call mate.

Eye for talent.

[ExpressPacer]

I can't believe this. I was so disappointed to see him play today but my word, what an innings. One of the ATG innings for Pakistan in South Africa.

[Cric1234]

He played well today but needs to do more from here ideal conditions today he did it well expect less when the pitch is tougher and run rate is higher.

[Fahdi]

As long as there is no lateral movement Hafeez is capable of quality knocks by any standard, always was a sweet timer of the ball and a good player of spin.

If it's possible can someone dig up Hafeez's numbers when he has walked in after 20 overs? Probably has great numbers even if there haven't been many such innings. The CT final 50, the 71 in today's match are a few examples. People are right, perhaps he should have been a number 4 from the start of his career.

[Greenstorm]

Good innings but he will be back to his usual self soon.

[Cric1234]

He averaged 27 last year at a strike rate of 77 it's a good start to 2019 though but expect inconsistency from Hafeez needs more to be called the best batsman.

[ARK Rafay]

If he only started his career as a middle order batsman

[Cric1234]

If he only started his career as a middle order batsman

He's played 19 innings at 4 at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 76 before today.

[QalandarFan]

He played well today but needs to do more from here ideal conditions today he did it well expect less when the pitch is tougher and run rate is higher.

Yes the ICC is known for churning up green mambas in the World Cups...

[Hasan123]

He scored in first test against Australia which cemented his place for the rest of the UAE tests.

Wouldn't be doing banghra yet. There's a big difference between scoring against Olivier and scoring against Boult,Starc,Bumrah ,Cummins ,etc.

[ind_win]

If he can continue his attacking style mixed with calculated caution - he could become Pak Hussey and could end up in Pak top 10 - Hussey, a late bloomer but one of the very good batsman of Aus, in top 50 of Aus.

[Hawkeye]

Probably?

[Hawkeye]

The shots he's playing are just mind blowing.

Especially at his age.

[BunnyRabbit]

Impact wise, Yes.

[ads101]

He plays great shots and can accelerate when he stays in. His timing is superb when he's in full flow. Partly why I've favoured him so much. I think it's more an issue he's just older so you can't expect him to be consistent at this age now.

He should have been playing middle order, but I think coaches were happy enough to let him play as opener to fit in talented young middle order batsmen like Umar Akmal, Maqsood etc., there wasn't enough space. I don't buy that he commanded an opening slot, it's the coach's responsibility to work out the best place to play players, that's what they're paid for.

[aukhan]

Babar
Hafeez
Imam
Fakhar

[saeedhk]

Hafeez is a class player.

[Hawkeye]

Probably not the best.

But definitely top 2-3 in T20s/ODIs.

Best timer of the ball in PAK? YES
One of the best at shot-making ability? YES
Best performer in T20s for PAK since 2018? YES


His shots are all classic textbook, with no effort going in them. He just times his shots so well. Just class and elegance.

Only Babar Azam is ahead in this area.

[GreenKhan]

Timing is over rated . I’m not going to knock anyone who has scored a 50 but the bottom line is Hafeez will go missing when it matters .

His record in 8 world cups is embarrassing but he feels he should play the next one as it his right .

We should have played Saud shakeel and even Hussain Talat.

Hafeez is mentally weak and will not deliver for Pak on the big stage

[Hawkeye]

All effortless.

He's the guy who won us the CT final against IND. His timing and acceleration came at the right time for us.

He's our 2nd best batsman since 2017/18 after Babar Azam in LOIs.

All we need are Kami and Sharjeel as openers. Plus Umar to replace Malik.

We can win the World T20.

[Hawkeye]

Hafeez is mentally weak and will not deliver for Pak on the big stage

He won us the CT final.

Now stop the hate.

[Cric1234]

Indeed five time wisden cricketer of the year M Hafeez is now entering legendary status after a masterful half century in tough conditions to lead Pakistan to yet another win.

It looks like his swan song will be the T20 WC 2020 where he will lead his nation to a great title with more swashbuckling innings affirming his legendary status and becoming the best ever batsman in the 21st century.

[Ahmed4472]

Hafeez 67(47)* - match winning performance albeit against Bangladesh

[GreenKhan]

He won us the CT final.



Now stop the hate.

He added to the platform set . Kudos for that . However one swallow does not make a summer

He averages 20 in 5 world t20 world cups and over 20 innings . With one 50. That was also against Bangladesh.

Similar story in the 50 over World Cup format .

I’m not hating , merely stating facts . It’s not even like I am cherrypicking stats. His World Cup record which is the “big stage “ is quite frankly embarrassing, for somebody riding on the team for being. “Senior” and “experienced”.

Rest my case .

[moghul]

He won us the CT final.

Now stop the hate.

You call it " hate", sensible people call it difference of opinion.

[coy0607]

He won us the CT final.

Now stop the hate.

Hafeez played a great innings in the CT final, but to say he won Pakistan the game is absurd!

Hafeez came in when the score was 247-3 and still 10 overs to go, with a set Babar the crease. Not to mention Imad and Sarfraz to follow. By the way, that 247 almost 100 more runs than India scored total.

Saying Hafeez won that game is flat out fake news

not that it matter, but for the record, his 1 over went for 13 runs

[Abdullah719]

14 off 22 in first game of PSL 5.

[Kroll]

Hafeez can only contribute when others have laid the platform. Always goes missing when the pressure is on.

[shamaan]

Hafeez can only contribute when others have laid the platform. Always goes missing when the pressure is on.

Agreed !

[Majid Khan]

Hafeez can only contribute when others have laid the platform. Always goes missing when the pressure is on.

You have clearly missed some of his great innings under pressure like the 187 v Australia at Perth some years ago when Pakistan were struggling at 40-5 , or the classy 125 at Johannesburg some time back when Dale Steyn was bowling lightening fast and unplayable, having reduced Pakistan to 140 for 7. The manner in which Hafeez batted under pressure and alongside the tail to rescue Pakistan to a total of 330 against all odds was one of the best innings by a Pakistani batsman in years... that’s just two innings, there’s many more too I’m sure.

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

We all bash Hafeez on this forum... but is he actually our best batsman?

Is the Earth flat?