"Fakhar Zaman played a hell of a knock" : Aaron Finch

[Abdullah719]

Aaron Finch has named Pakistan’s biggest threat ahead of Australia’s T20 final matchup with the World No.1 side.

With scores of 61, 47 and 73 in the T20 Tri-Series already, Fakhar Zaman has been an anchor atop the Pakistani order and Finch knows his wicket will be crucial.

“I think Fakhar Zaman has been outstanding and a real thorn in our side. He’s also been consistent in this format for a long time,” Finch said ahead of the Sunday’s final.

“In T20 cricket a lot of the time it’s the openers that set the tone, Fakhar is in good form.”

Australia missed an opportunity to claim the T20 No.1 ranking after their 45-run loss to Pakistan in the group stage but have had three resounding victories from four matches and can rise to second on the rankings with victory in Harare’s decider.

But after a period of four months without a single victory in any format, Finch said the team hadn’t put any pressure on rising up the ICC rankings.

“On this tour there’s been no talk about us having to win the tournament to become number one, it’s about winning a tournament for Australia,” Finch said.

The Australia captain’s 2018 T20 form has been sublime, amassing more than 400 runs including a mammoth 172 against Zimbabwe.

But despite his two most recent outings being well below his lofty standards, Finch remains optimistic.

“I feel like I’m playing very well at the moment, I’m not too bothered by a couple of low scores to be honest,” he said.

“T20 cricket tends to be a little high risk at the start of the innings, as long as I’m moving well and hitting the ball in the middle of the bat, I’m pretty confident.

“Hopefully I can get a few (runs) in the final.”

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/aaro...tan/2018-07-07

[TeymurBlake]

Fakhar has been in quality form and become a mainstay in our LOIs team.

[saeed5646]

Hopefully fakhar doesnot miss out in final

[Markhor]

The way he's developed under Arthur and Flower has been impressive.

Initially when we saw him in the West Indies last year he looked limited and there were worries about his abilities against pace.

Now he looks full of confidence and is hitting the ball more cleanly. If only we can groom another hard hitting opener to partner him !

[babajee]

He’s a hack who needs all the stars to align in order to score a few runs.

[Bewal Express]

He’s a hack who needs all the stars to align in order to score a few runs.

And even if that were true, which it isnt, in his short career he has ended the Indian arrogance, ended the career of 2 Indian spinners in ODI cricket, won a champions trophy and has made mince meat of some very good bowlers. Please lets have more of these successful hacks.

[Madplayer]

The way he's developed under Arthur and Flower has been impressive.

Initially when we saw him in the West Indies last year he looked limited and there were worries about his abilities against pace.

Now he looks full of confidence and is hitting the ball more cleanly. If only we can groom another hard hitting opener to partner him !

Are you talking about the time when he was being made into a slogger at 6?

[Markhor]

Are you talking about the time when he was being made into a slogger at 6?

Well we had to accomodate Shezzy and Kami...

[coy0607]

Fakhar single handedly carrying Pak in this tournament

Hopefully Farhan turns into a similar player and takes some load of Fakhar

[Khan12]

Fakhar single handedly carrying Pak in this tournament

Hopefully Farhan turns into a similar player and takes some load of Fakhar

Farhan is totally different to him he takes his time.

[Khan12]

He's a hack. it's embarrassing that he's opening for us. We are finished and this is a clear sign oh yes he doesn't have charisma and communication skills which is the most important aspect of being a cricketer.

[big_gamer007]

And this is where the danger lies for Pakistan. Somehow I feel fakhar is scoring way more runs than his skills and without a doubt he's winning matches for Pakistan, champions trophy a case in point. But if he gets found that before that world cup then Pakistan batting could really struggle. That's why I feel Pakistan might want to try out kamran Akmal and see if he has some steam left. I know most PPers dislike him but as a non Pakistani, I feel he might just work for Pakistan in the short term.

He's a hack. it's embarrassing that he's opening for us. We are finished and this is a clear sign oh yes he doesn't have charisma and communication skills which is the most important aspect of being a cricketer.

He’s a hack who needs all the stars to align in order to score a few runs.

@blackanhyellow

[blackanhyellow]

@blackanhyellow

The top guy said he wants to try kamran, he didnt say he wants to replace fakhar. If he meant that then hes lost his marbles.

The second two posts are obviously being sarcastic. There is a lot of that "fluke" talk going around PP right now.

[Slim]

@blackanhyellow

Babajee, Khan12 are being sarcastic and the first guy is an Indian.

[Arham_PakFan]

He's been amazing for us and by far our most impactful batsman in LOI's since his debut.

[happydavy]

And this is where the danger lies for Pakistan. Somehow I feel fakhar is scoring way more runs than his skills and without a doubt he's winning matches for Pakistan, champions trophy a case in point. But if he gets found that before that world cup then Pakistan batting could really struggle. That's why I feel Pakistan might want to try out kamran Akmal and see if he has some steam left. I know most PPers dislike him but as a non Pakistani, I feel he might just work for Pakistan in the short term.

[Bewal Express]

And this is where the danger lies for Pakistan. Somehow I feel fakhar is scoring way more runs than his skills and without a doubt he's winning matches for Pakistan, champions trophy a case in point. But if he gets found that before that world cup then Pakistan batting could really struggle. That's why I feel Pakistan might want to try out kamran Akmal and see if he has some steam left. I know most PPers dislike him but as a non Pakistani, I feel he might just work for Pakistan in the short term.

Not the perennial failure Kami. If Fakhar fails then i will live with that and like all batsman he will go through a bad spell but at this point in time he is a legend. Certainly Jadega and Ashwin will testify to that.

[silentkiller187]

And this is where the danger lies for Pakistan. Somehow I feel fakhar is scoring way more runs than his skills and without a doubt he's winning matches for Pakistan, champions trophy a case in point. But if he gets found that before that world cup then Pakistan batting could really struggle. That's why I feel Pakistan might want to try out kamran Akmal and see if he has some steam left. I know most PPers dislike him but as a non Pakistani, I feel he might just work for Pakistan in the short term.

Fakhar has a better technique then people give him credit for, as an opener during the powerplay he will be effective.His shot selection is also brilliant, he reads the game and field placings well. I think he can be a real star at next years world cup.

[Usman Chadda]

And this is where the danger lies for Pakistan. Somehow I feel fakhar is scoring way more runs than his skills and without a doubt he's winning matches for Pakistan, champions trophy a case in point. But if he gets found that before that world cup then Pakistan batting could really struggle. That's why I feel Pakistan might want to try out kamran Akmal and see if he has some steam left. I know most PPers dislike him but as a non Pakistani, I feel he might just work for Pakistan in the short term.

His fielding is a massive issue. Nowhere to hide in international cricket

[AssassinatedDevil]

Fakhar and Babar are the main players in our batting lineup across formats. Both need to be groomed properly and handled with care.

[hadi123]

Fakhar Zaman's batted 5 times in the series, this is his third score of 50 or more and he also has a score of 47 #AUSvPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 8, 2018

[big_gamer007]

Pakistani fans are one weird bunch.. The guy is winning you tournaments and you are suggesting to bring back a proven failure like Kamran Akmal in his place??

It seems like you guys want Pakistan to fail so you can cry foul over the Internet and vent steam..

[blackanhyellow]

Pakistani fans are one weird bunch.. The guy is winning you tournaments and you are suggesting to bring back a proven failure like Kamran Akmal in his place??

It seems like you guys want Pakistan to fail so you can cry foul over the Internet and vent steam..

No one wants to replace Fakhar with Kamran lol.

They probably want to have Kamran partner Fakhar.

Our second opener position is unsettled.

Man I wish Sharjeel wasnt a fixer.

Imagine a Fakhar / Sharjeel combo in LOIs.

[ask_analyse_act]

No one wants to replace Fakhar with Kamran lol.

They probably want to have Kamran partner Fakhar.

Our second opener position is unsettled.

Man I wish Sharjeel wasnt a fixer.

Imagine a Fakhar / Sharjeel combo in LOIs.

Babar and Fakhar did well, I think the plan was to make Babar the opener and play the rohit sharma role or Hashim Amla role and it will work in LOIs... Mickey is going for it i think if so then it is very good for Pakistan..

[RedwoodOriginal]

Pakistani fans are one weird bunch.. The guy is winning you tournaments and you are suggesting to bring back a proven failure like Kamran Akmal in his place??

It seems like you guys want Pakistan to fail so you can cry foul over the Internet and vent steam..

Any Pakistani fan who says that is either ignorant, delusional or on some kind of hallucinogens

[hadi123]

Fakhar Zaman in the tri-series:
61 off 40 balls
6 off 11
47 off 38
73 off 42
91 off 45 balls
Total of 278 runs at a strike rate of 157.95#Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 8, 2018

[Markhor]

I guess all the planets, stars and moons aligned today.

[aliasad1998]

I guess all the planets, stars and moons aligned today.

Good one

[90MPH]

It was comfortable win in the end.

[Theo_14]

It’s the Fakhar Zaman ERA.

[Arham_PakFan]

He's an absolute superstar.No Pakistani batsman has been more impactful than him since his debut.

[silentkiller187]

Another "flukey" innings from Fakhar, and Pakistan win another T20 series again. Still don't deserve to be number 1 tho. ;)

[Abdullah719]

Finch post-match:

"I thought we should have got over 200 but towards the end, they bowled really well and we kept losing wickets"

"It happens in T20 cricket that you lose a bunch of wickets because you're trying to accelerate"

"I thought we started off well with the ball but lost our way in the middle, Fakhar Zaman played a hell of a knock, 90-odd in a T20 match is going to be hard to beat most times"

[barah_admi]

Another top level LOs knock by one of the very best.

[Abdullah]

This guy could become legendary

[BunnyRabbit]

Will probably land a BBL contract for this year. Australians are known for noticing performances against Australia.

[RedwoodOriginal]

Refreshing to see a Pakistani batsman who is ready to step-up on big occasions and actually play fearless cricket. We really needed someone like Fakhar since god knows how long

[Markhor]

Will probably land a BBL contract for this year. Australians are known for noticing performances against Australia.

Beat me to it !

BBL contract incoming...

[Plumb]

Any news on sharjeel? Him and sharjeel would be an ideal opening pair for pak.

[aloo paratha]

Beat me to it !

BBL contract incoming...

He'll be busy wrecking the south Africans in their backyard though!

[happydavy]

The top guy said he wants to try kamran, he didnt say he wants to replace fakhar. If he meant that then hes lost his marbles.

The second two posts are obviously being sarcastic. There is a lot of that "fluke" talk going around PP right now.

My marbles are intact, of course I meant having kamran as a ready alternate by letting him play a few games alongside fakhar.

[RedwoodOriginal]

My marbles are intact, of course I meant having kamran as a ready alternate by letting him play a few games alongside fakhar.

Thankfully, as long as Mickey is in-charge nobody is even touching Kamran Akmal with a 10 foot pole.

Guys like him have been harmful to this team for years and I'm surprised people are still pushing for his inclusion. He's nothing more than a domestic bully who will always fail on the international circuit because he doesn't have the temperament to make it. Maybe he did during his early years but like his brother that early career is now a distant memory. And there's his egregious fielding and fitness standards that he will bring into the team with him