Who should Pakistan's T20I openers be?

[Firebat]

There has been a lot of discussion about this with recent PSL performances, so here's a good place to debate this.

The main contenders are:

Babar Azam - He's been the stalwart T20I opener, unbelievably consistent, he got to the #1 T20I batsman in the world, Pakistan's most talented batsman. However, there are criticisms that he scores too slowly, and his power game is very weak.

Mohammad Rizwan - Has been doing the job recently with a lot of success in NZ and vs SA, and backed it with some great performances so far in PSL6. Again, he also has criticisms that he can start too slowly in the powerplay, but can certainly play the big shots.

Fakhar Zaman - Was dropped from the team after a string of bad form, but has performed very well in the NT20, PSL5 and so far in PSL6. A match-winning 82* (52) for Lahore the other day, and has the power game to exploit the powerplay and start the innings with a bang.

Sharjeel Khan - Again generally a very explosive opener and hitter, and just hit a big 105 from 59 balls for Karachi. Got the tools to hit big and put pressure back on the bowler, but perhaps consistency and fitness is a question mark.

Haider Ali - The most promising young batsman in Pakistan who, when he gets going, can strike the ball as cleanly and as far as anyone in the country. Has struggled a little thus far in his international career at the top of the order, but is only young and looks like he'll be the real deal.

Imam-ul-Haq - Mohammad Wasim may not think he is suited for the shorter format of the game but he can hold his own in T20s and give the stability needed at the top end.

Are there any other names you would throw into the hat? Kamran Akmal?

Discuss.

[Suleiman]

Rizwan + Sharjeel / Fakhar.

Both Sharjeel / Fakhar should be in the 12-15 man squad. Rizwan triggers a lot of people, too bad for them he's performing with the bat and that's all that matters.

[Firebat]

If Babar doesn't open then where can he bat? The powerplay is where he's allowed to play himself in and hit his drives through the in-field and get boundaries. Once the field goes back, he begins to struggle picking up the scoring with his weak power game.

[MHN1293]

In asia rizwan and fakhar or rizwan and sharjeel. Anywhere else babar and fakhar.

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Sharjeel
Babar *
Fakhar
Hafeez
Haider
Faheem
Rizwan +
Imad
Hassan
Shadab (Hoping he'll figure out his bowling)
Shaheen

Batting till #10

[Suleiman]

If Babar doesn't open then where can he bat? The powerplay is where he's allowed to play himself in and hit his drives through the in-field and get boundaries. Once the field goes back, he begins to struggle picking up the scoring with his weak power game.

Did nothing in powerplay today in a fun cricket league with bowlers at a lower standard than internationals. Cost Karachi the game.

If Sharjeel/Fakhar fail early on, which they are prone to, as that aggressive brand of cricket is prone to, then Babar will still have the powerplays to take advantage of.

It's tough though. Sharjeel, Hafeez, Fakhar, Rizwan all have a claim to the top 3-4, and Babar looks the weakest.

[Firebat]

Did nothing in powerplay today in a fun cricket league with bowlers at a lower standard than internationals. Cost Karachi the game.

If Sharjeel/Fakhar fail early on, which they are prone to, as that aggressive brand of cricket is prone to, then Babar will still have the powerplays to take advantage of.

It's tough though. Sharjeel, Hafeez, Fakhar, Rizwan all have a claim to the top 3-4, and Babar looks the weakest.

I disagree with that. While Sharjeel couldn't put bat to ball in the powerplay and was 6 from 17, Babar hit 5 boundaries and was something like 24 from 14 in the 5th over. It was only once the middle overs began that he began to struggle and crawl. Sharjeel was unleashing and Babar was doing his job of rotating strike and let Sharjeel do his thing.

Where it went off the rails was after the 10/11/12 over mark, where he needed to accelerate and capitalise on this brilliant start, but he doesn't have it in him to do so. Ideally, he gets out here and lets a Joe Clarke or Colin Ingram come in to make use of the platform Babar set. We unfortunately did not get that today, but instead Babar trying to do what he cannot, and everyone terming this a match-costing innings.

While Sharjeel/Fakhar are going to be hit or miss in the powerplay, Babar is there consistently scoring his risk-free boundaries to keep the score going, so the other explosive batsman is not under scoreboard pressure and is free to play his innings as he likes.

[Ertugrul_Bey]

My team would be

Sharjeel/Fakher
Babar
Rizwan
Hafeez
Haider Ali/Iftikhar
Maqsood/Asif Ali
Malik
Imad
Faheem
Shaheen
Hasan Ali

[Barragan]

You have to open with both Rizwan and Babar, otherwise they will just eat up deliveries in the middle overs.

On the other hand, you also want to take advantage of the PP with someone like Zaman or Sharjeel or even both.

It's tough.

Either way, both Sharjeel and Zaman need to be in the 15, plus one of them at 3 or opening.

[Last Monetarist]

I'd go Haider and Rizwan, but then again I don't much understand T20 cricket.

[srh]

There has been a lot of discussion about this with recent PSL performances, so here's a good place to debate this.

The main contenders are:

Babar Azam - He's been the stalwart T20I opener, unbelievably consistent, he got to the #1 T20I batsman in the world, Pakistan's most talented batsman. However, there are criticisms that he scores too slowly, and his power game is very weak.

Mohammad Rizwan - Has been doing the job recently with a lot of success in NZ and vs SA, and backed it with some great performances so far in PSL6. Again, he also has criticisms that he can start too slowly in the powerplay, but can certainly play the big shots.

Fakhar Zaman - Was dropped from the team after a string of bad form, but has performed very well in the NT20, PSL5 and so far in PSL6. A match-winning 82* (52) for Lahore the other day, and has the power game to exploit the powerplay and start the innings with a bang.

Sharjeel Khan - Again generally a very explosive opener and hitter, and just hit a big 105 from 59 balls for Karachi. Got the tools to hit big and put pressure back on the bowler, but perhaps consistency and fitness is a question mark.

Haider Ali - The most promising young batsman in Pakistan who, when he gets going, can strike the ball as cleanly and as far as anyone in the country. Has struggled a little thus far in his international career at the top of the order, but is only young and looks like he'll be the real deal.

Imam-ul-Haq - Mohammad Wasim may not think he is suited for the shorter format of the game but he can hold his own in T20s and give the stability needed at the top end.

Are there any other names you would throw into the hat? Kamran Akmal?

Discuss.

If Fakhar Zaman was right hand I would definitely try him as opener with Sharjeel Khan. So instead I will still pick Babar Azam as opener with Sharjeel Khan.

[srh]

One thing is Sharjeel does not depend on a PP to get going so he can also be tried at #3.

[salman24]

My team would be

Sharjeel/Fakher
Babar
Rizwan
Hafeez
Haider Ali/Iftikhar
Maqsood/Asif Ali
Malik
Imad
Faheem
Shaheen
Hasan Ali

Agree with most of that except I would have Rizwan opening and Babar at 3. Others name I would consider in the playing XI would be Kamran Akmal, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan , WahabRiaz/ Amir.

[Markhor]

Sharjeel and Rizwan, with Babar at 3.

[Majid Khan]

It doesn’t matter who opens and bats for Pakistan Top 3 in any format , the end result almost 9 times out of 10 will be the same - one scores, two fail.

Sometimes I think this would happen even if Bradman, Sobers and Viv had been born in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi respectively and played for Pakistan - ok that’s on the assumption these three got selected in the first place , as Hafeez would probably get selected ahead of at least one of them in Top 3 if all four batting legends were playing in same era at their prime.

[shamaan]

Imaam is not in the picture for a place in the Pakistan team.I would go babar with any of fakhar and sharjeel.Rizwan has performed exceptionaly but i stil dont want him oppening.babar is better in the powerplay

[shamaan]

Rizwan + Sharjeel / Fakhar.

Both Sharjeel / Fakhar should be in the 12-15 man squad. Rizwan triggers a lot of people, too bad for them he's performing with the bat and that's all that matters.

Were does babar bat then ?

[Suleiman]

Were does babar bat then ?

3.

Hafeez 4.

Only one of Sharjeel or Fakhar play.

[ads101]

Babar and Rizwan. Yes it'd be great to a to have a hard hitting opener, but I don't think the rest are good enough to last opening. Better we just lay a platform so our hard hitting batsmen can hit with freedom without worrying about wickets.

I'd take Fakhar back but down the order now given his form.

1. Babar
2. Rizwan
3. Haider
4. Hafeez
5. Fakhar
6. Iftikhar
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Hasan
10. Shaheen
11. Hasnain

Yes Sharjeel would make the team on merit and could be our best opener, but we've got to take a stand sometime.

[UzmanBeast]

If Babar doesn't open then where can he bat? The powerplay is where he's allowed to play himself in and hit his drives through the in-field and get boundaries. Once the field goes back, he begins to struggle picking up the scoring with his weak power game.

Babar will have to open, because he does not have a large enough shot selection to get boundaries in the middle overs.

He will have to exploit the powerplay more, and use his feet to create room and angles to hit boundaries. I reckon his role on the team should be to come and hit a good few runs in the powerplay, allowing our aggressive opener to settle in and cash in when the field restrictions come.

Haider for me is best utilized down at 5 or 6.

I'd try a batting order which looks like this:

Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam
Fakhar Zaman/Sharjeel Khan (Both can step in if there's an early wicket, both go berserk against spin)
Mohammad Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Haider Ali
Faheem Ashraf

That looks pretty solid to me.

[Nado_]

My team would be

Sharjeel/Fakher
Babar
Rizwan
Hafeez
Haider Ali/Iftikhar
Maqsood/Asif Ali
Malik
Imad
Faheem
Shaheen
Hasan Ali

That’s a solid team aside from Ifthikhar but that’s an ideal team for outside Asia. In India we need more spinners in that team. Faheem will have to make way for Usman Qadir. And Imad I think might struggle against Asian sides in India as well.

[shamaan]

3.

Hafeez 4.

Only one of Sharjeel or Fakhar play.

Is rizwan a better opener than babar in the first 6 overs defonitely not.

[silentkiller187]

Rizwan
Sharjeel/ fakhar

All 3 have proved they can construct big innings at a good strike rate , rizwan at the moment is consistent in his last few outings so deserves an extended run

Babar in my opinion is more of a makeshift opener, Pakistan have a few more options now so he should move down to 3, depending on how good he is this PSL Haider could also challenge at some point.

[Shoaibbtt]

Rizwan-Sharjeel as an opening pair easy. However, don't get it twisted performing against these types of bowling attacks doesn't prove much. We could've done with the likes of Curran, Nortje, Archer, Cummins, Rabada and Starc this doesn't prove much.

[ritzy_123]

My opinion would be to go for this pair

1) Sharjeel Khan/Fakhar Zaman
2) M. Rizwan
3) Babar Azam
4) M. Hafeez
5) Shoaib/Iftikhar/Danish whoever performs well (PSL and Other T20 Games)
6) Haider Ali
7) Imad Wasim
8) Hasan Ali
9) Faheem Ashraf/Shadab Khan (According to The Conditions)
10) Usman Qadir
11) Shaheen Shah Afridi

[Canistani Hero]

Rizwan
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez
Haider
Shadab
Faheem
Nawaz
Usman
Hasan
Shaheen

If an extra seamer is needed, we can drop Shadab, promote Faheem and bring in Haris/Hasnain

[Canistani Hero]

Sharjeel still has alot to prove. I think Fakhar still brings more value..much better fielder too.. He got bailed out due to a terrible over from Shadab and several lives..

[Firebat]

I'm not sold on Sharjeel in the powerplay, he was getting owned by Hassan with the new ball. He just bowled every ball on his pads and Sharjeel barely put bat on ball. But once the spin came on, he exploded. Since Babar can make more use of the powerplay, and Sharjeel in the middle overs, I would use this batting lineup (if Fakhar and Sharjeel can actually keep their performances up):

Fakhar
Babar
Sharjeel
Hafeez
Haider
Rizwan

[Thunderbolt14]

People need to realize how weak Fakhar was in the powerplay and how strong he is against spin. Meanwhile Babar is strong in the powerplay and bad in the middle overs. Hafeex even though he bats at 4, functions as a number 3 for LQ and even for the Pakistan team always comes in during the powerplay. This leads me to believe he is a number 3. The conclusion is simple.

1. Babar Azam (c)
2. M Rizwan (wk)
3. M Hafeez
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Haider Ali
6. Shadab Khan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Imad Wasim
9. Hassan Ali
10. Usman Qadir
11. Shaheen Afridi

That’s the best T20I lineup in the country right now.

Sharjeel is basically equivalent to Fakhar, the difference being Fakhar can take blinders of catches which is the tie breaker. They’re otherwiss both hit or miss and stronger against spin these days than against pace.

[IAJ]

Players who can hit sixes quite easily can play on other positions as well, so Pakistan should open with Babar and Rizwan;

1.Babar
2.Rizwan
3.Sharjeel/ Hafeez
4.Haider Ali

[Firebat]

The only batsmen with an all-round game that can properly exploit the powerplay seem to be Rizwan and Babar.

Sharjeel and Fakhar seem to be unable to put bat on ball vs the new-ball fast bowlers unless it's way wide of off stump.

[jeeteshssaxena]

Ifthikar is 45 years old at least, why not try Kamran instead.

[Thunderbolt14]

The only batsmen with an all-round game that can properly exploit the powerplay seem to be Rizwan and Babar.

Sharjeel and Fakhar seem to be unable to put bat on ball vs the new-ball fast bowlers unless it's way wide of off stump.

Definitely. I once thought that Rizwan’s strike rate would be an issue, but seems confidence was all he needed to improve that as well.

Our T20I team is beginning to look 🤩

[Firebat]

Definitely. I once thought that Rizwan’s strike rate would be an issue, but seems confidence was all he needed to improve that as well.

Our T20I team is beginning to look ��

Absolutely, he's looking like the perfect powerplay T20 batsman. 44 from 22 in the powerplay today.

[ChTab]

Our openers should be Babar & Rizwan. Babar is a massive liability in T20's if he is not opening the innings, he needs to open so that he can utilize power play properly.

[Firebat]

Babar and Sharjeel achieved the biggest partnership in PSL history last game, and they've started very well today - 50 partnership from 25 balls.



They seem to have quite a good dynamic

[gazza619]

Sharjeel & Fakhar to open with Babar at 3.

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Look, if Rizwan keeps going like this he's definitely opening. Babar has to open because he needs as many balls as possible to be effective. So that's your opening pair.

I'm curious however, how does a Sharjeel/Fakhar fit in here? I think you play one of these lads at 3 like Gayle.

Hafeez at 4 and Haider at 5 completes your top 5. If InshAllah Pakistan can somehow get a worthy no 6, you have a pretty effective top 6. Another option would be Azam at 5 and Haider at 6, although that's too low for Haider.

Of course, there's always Umar Akmal to play at 6, if all else fails

[Kroll]

Rizwan + Fakhar (Sharjeel as backup)

[Kroll]

If Babar doesn't open then where can he bat? The powerplay is where he's allowed to play himself in and hit his drives through the in-field and get boundaries. Once the field goes back, he begins to struggle picking up the scoring with his weak power game.

I understand what you're saying but do you want to break the team structure and best possible combination to accommodate one player?

Rizwan has effectively usurped Babar, not the other openers. Babar would still have plenty of time to play himself at 3.

[Rana]

Sharjeel and Fakhar

Take a punt. Either one of the two comes off and they will give players like Babar, Hafeez, Haider and Rizwan to build on a good score.

[NoBallZombie]

If Rizwan keeps playing like this, he is definitely one of the openers. He can pair up with someone like sharjeel who should be given the license to go for it from ball 1. Should a wicket fall early Babar should be the ideal batsman at 3 to provide some stability followed by hafeez and haider.

If Rizwan gets injured or loses form, he can go down the order and the places changed for haider and himself. I think this is the best we can do. Fakhar doesn’t look consistent enough to be given a go again.

[mastimasti]

As great a batsman as Babar Azam is I believe he is better suited to stabilise the batting at 3 or in all formats. T20 openers need to be explosive and for that it should be Rizwan, Zaman or Haider.

As good as Imam is and as dedicated as he is in the field, he probably doesn't fit into the squad at this point in time.

As for Sharjeel, Pakistan need to cut ties with him, as India did with many of our match fixers.

[hitthestump]

That’s the best T20I lineup in the country right now.

I really dunno about sticking Haider at 5. There will be a time when he is needed to guide home a chase as he will be the last recognised batsman and he obviously isn't suited for that role. Fakhar probably has a little more maturity but i also wouldn't really fancy him there either. For me Haider needs to be in the top 3, and i doubt there'll be much love realistically for Fakhar doing anything but open.

[Audrey500]

Rizwan has played a couple of innings and some people have him rated ahead of Babar azam!

I’m actually in shock. When it’s all set out and done in 15 years. Babar will be the greatest Pakistani player of all time in every mode of cricket.

Rizwan will be known as a great keeper who had a great purple patch.

Babar will be remembered for eras.

[Extra_Cover]

Historically if Pakistan has done well in limited overs cricket and even in world competitions its due to explosive batting in last 10 overs by its lower order power hitting.

If Pakistan has to do well in upcoming T20 world cup then onus should be on lower order to come into play with platform being set to take off.

Only Babar and Rizwan combo will give us enough stability at the top to make last 8 overs of T20 count. I hope that PCB does not shy away from this combo and given Haider in 3 for some quick 30odd we have Hafeez in golden touch at 4. Pakistan should stamp this top 4 already now for upcoming tournament.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Rizwan and Babar. They are our two best batsmen, and both doing well currently.

[The Viper]

I was worried about Rizwan/Babar at the top, but truthfully we have nobody who can score really fast in the powerplay. Fakhar and Sharjeel enjoy spin so it would be better if they play in the middle if they are selected. Rizwan has improved his power game and a score of around 48/0 after the powerplay is a decent enough base for players like Hafeez and Haider to come in and up the run rate.

[Last Monetarist]

It's a nice shootout between Fakhar and Sharjeel for one of the opening spots. Sharjeel's form will certainly put the selectors under pressure.

[Firebat]

I reckon this T20 WC has made everyone up their game. All these guys are giving the selectors a lot to think about, and it's the best kind of selection headache you could hope for

[Majid Khan]

I was worried about Rizwan/Babar at the top, but truthfully we have nobody who can score really fast in the powerplay. Fakhar and Sharjeel enjoy spin so it would be better if they play in the middle if they are selected. Rizwan has improved his power game and a score of around 48/0 after the powerplay is a decent enough base for players like Hafeez and Haider to come in and up the run rate.

I would go for the following Top 6
for T20 World Cup:

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar Azam
Hafeez
Mo Rizwan
Azam Khan

And followed by :

Shadab Khan
Imad Wasim
Shaheen Afridi
Mohammed Amir / Hasan Ali
Haris Rauf

[Rana]

It's a nice shootout between Fakhar and Sharjeel for one of the opening spots. Sharjeel's form will certainly put the selectors under pressure.

Rizwan isn’t out of the woods in this race. Only player in Pakistan who has done enough to bat where he wants is Babar.

[Rana]

If Rizwan doesn’t open, I would rather have Azam khan at Number 5.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Rizwan isn’t out of the woods in this race. Only player in Pakistan who has done enough to bat where he wants is Babar.

Rizwan is in a different class to Sharjeel and Fakhar. Much wider range of strokes and the technique to deal with a higher calibre of pace bowler than those two. Sharjeel can do damage for sure, but he is always really vulnerable in the opening overs.

[Line and Length]

It depends on whether Fakhar and Sharjeel can carry this form into International Cricket as well. Have both of them in the squad, and give them games before the WC. But right now, it's still gotta be Rizwan and Babar, cause Rizwan's not put a foot wrong so far.

[Suleiman]

So now it’s apparent that in one way or the other, Fakhar, Sharjeel, Rizwan and Hafeez need to be in the first XI. Maybe Haider Ali and Hafeez competing for a spot.

[srh]

So now it’s apparent that in one way or the other, Fakhar, Sharjeel, Rizwan and Hafeez need to be in the first XI. Maybe Haider Ali and Hafeez competing for a spot.

Rizwan can make the team only as an opener otherwise I will select Azam Khan as late middle order hitter.
1. Babar
2. Sharjeel / Fakhar
3. Fakhar / Sharjeel
4. Hafeez
5. Haider
6. Azam Khan

[Firebat]

Whatever the lineup, it can only be good for Pakistan that Sharjeel, Fakhar, Rizwan, Haider are finding their form. Add to that the best batsmen in the country Babar and Hafeez (who's in the form of his life) then we have a serious batting lineup for that WC

[Suleiman]

Rizwan can make the team only as an opener otherwise I will select Azam Khan as late middle order hitter.
1. Babar
2. Sharjeel / Fakhar
3. Fakhar / Sharjeel
4. Hafeez
5. Haider
6. Azam Khan

Nope. Cannot have both Sharjeel and Azam, we will look like clowns fielding 2 unfit guys. Imagine the ground fielding. Forget about it

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Sharjeel
Babar *
Fakhar
Hafeez
Rizwan +
Haider
Faheem
Imad/ Nawaz
Hassan
Shadab
Shaheen

Azam
Usman/ Zahid
Haris
Hasnain

[Kroll]

Fakhar looks seriously good, should try to keep going though rather than holing out near the end.

[Shahzad1985]

I know Rizwan has been very successful of late opening but I think he is more flexible than Babar and now we have seen Rizwan can hit sixes too so why not try him as a middle order Malik type of role to see the game through till the end as we clearly can’t trust Ifti or Asif Ali to do this and his a good player of spin.
My team would be;
1) Fakhar
2) Sharjeel
3) Babar
4) Hafeez
5) Haider
6) Rizwan
7) Faheem
8) Imad
9) Hasan
10) Usman Qadir
11) Shaheen

On Bench

Hasnain
Rauf
Azam Khan
Zahid Mehmood
Iftikhar
Shadab

[Barragan]

You have to open with both Rizwan and Babar, otherwise they will just eat up deliveries in the middle overs.

On the other hand, you also want to take advantage of the PP with someone like Zaman or Sharjeel or even both.

It's tough.

Either way, both Sharjeel and Zaman need to be in the 15, plus one of them at 3 or opening.

Forget about having both Sharjeel and Zaman in the 15, they both need to be in the 11.

Those two together can cause absolute chaos.

I'd go with:

1. Babar
2. Rizwan
3. Sharjeel
4. Zaman
5. Hafeez
6. Haider

[YousafTheBeast]

Sharjeel Khan
Fakhar Zaman
Haidar Ali
Mohammad Hafeez (c)
Shoaib Malik
Umar Akmal
Azam Khan (wk)
Shadab Khan
Hassan Ali
Mohammad Amir
Shaheen Afridi

Babar Azam isn’t good enough for T20’s. He’s our Joe Root.

Mohammad Rizwan is good but he can only play as an opener. Fakhar and Sharjeel are ahead of him.

[Hasan123]

If Misbah and co want to replace one of Babar or Rizwan I hope someone else emerges that isn’t Sharjeel or Fakhar. We have seen Fakhar be exposed enough at international level so I think it’s time to move on from him. And I don’t want that fixer to represent Pakistan again. We need to set a precedent. If your involved in fixing, you don’t represent Pakistan again. Unfortunately it seems as though the fixer will get himself back in the team due to performing in the PSL.

[hur rizvi]

Sharjeel and Fakhar both are unreliable. Only one of them can be selected depending upon form. People getting impressed by loggers too much. At international level likes of Babar and Rizwan will have more success than Sharjeel and Fakhar 9.5/10 times.

1. Sharjeel/Fakhar
2. Rizwan
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Haider
6. Imad (1st spinner)
7. Faheem
8. Nawaz (as 3rd spinner) or Rauf/Hasnain as 4th pacer
9. Usman Qadir (2nd spinner)
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen

[Justcrazy]

Rizwan
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez
Haider
Faheem
Nawaz
Imad
Wahab
Hassan
Shaheen

Babar and Hafeez to provide stability. The rest of them should go after the bowling from word go.
Even Wahab and Hassan till 10 can smash a few lusty blows

Shaheen / Hassan / Wahab pace bowlers

Imad / Nawaz as spinners. Faheem can bowl a couple in between when required.

[Majid Khan]

Sharjeel and Fakhar both are unreliable. Only one of them can be selected depending upon form. People getting impressed by loggers too much. At international level likes of Babar and Rizwan will have more success than Sharjeel and Fakhar 9.5/10 times.

1. Sharjeel/Fakhar
2. Rizwan
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Haider
6. Imad (1st spinner)
7. Faheem
8. Nawaz (as 3rd spinner) or Rauf/Hasnain as 4th pacer
9. Usman Qadir (2nd spinner)
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen

Agree with you 100 per cent, Fakhar and Sharjeel are unreliable.

But , I would still open with them in T20 because the last 25-30 years history has proven that no matter which combination of three batsmen you select for the Pakistan top 3 , no matter what form of cricket, two of them are almost guaranteed to fail in 9 out of 10 innings.

Therefore you have nothing to lose , open with Sharjeel and Fakhar and pray that one of them fires - and If it’s Pakistan cricket’s lucky day once in a while where both ‘click’ then let the bowlers pray , as they will witness such fireworks and explosions that they will regret the day they became bowlers , lol.

[cricketerB94]

For the upcoming South Africa series, I'd keep both Sharjeel and Fakhar in the squad and will start the series with Sharjeel as opener along with Rizwan. If Sharjeel does not perform in the first 2 matches, then Fakhar will replace him. My starting 11 would be:

Rizwan
Sharjeel
Babar
Hafeez
Malik (I am not a Malik fan, but the Khushdils and Iftikhars and Asifs are not the answer at the moment for the middle order problems so I'll keep Malik in the team until the 2021 WT20 in India. I believe he can be that short term fix till the WT20).
Haider
Faheem
Imad
Hasan
Qadir
Shaheen

Hafeez/Malik can be the 6th bowling options

[hur rizvi]

Agree with you 100 per cent, Fakhar and Sharjeel are unreliable.

But , I would still open with them in T20 because the last 25-30 years history has proven that no matter which combination of three batsmen you select for the Pakistan top 3 , no matter what form of cricket, two of them are almost guaranteed to fail in 9 out of 10 innings.

Therefore you have nothing to lose , open with Sharjeel and Fakhar and pray that one of them fires - and If it’s Pakistan cricket’s lucky day once in a while where both ‘click’ then let the bowlers pray , as they will witness such fireworks and explosions that they will regret the day they became bowlers , lol.

Babar has excellent consistency at the opening spot and Rizwan has also shown great consistency. Both of them in the top 3 gives the consistency that is needed if we want to play someone like Fakhar or Sharjeel

[hur rizvi]

For the upcoming South Africa series, I'd keep both Sharjeel and Fakhar in the squad and will start the series with Sharjeel as opener along with Rizwan. If Sharjeel does not perform in the first 2 matches, then Fakhar will replace him. My starting 11 would be:

Rizwan
Sharjeel
Babar
Hafeez
Malik (I am not a Malik fan, but the Khushdils and Iftikhars and Asifs are not the answer at the moment for the middle order problems so I'll keep Malik in the team until the 2021 WT20 in India. I believe he can be that short term fix till the WT20).
Haider
Faheem
Imad
Hasan
Qadir
Shaheen

Hafeez/Malik can be the 6th bowling options

Instead of Malik i would rather have a potent bowling option in Nawaz who can hit a few if needed

[cricketerB94]

Instead of Malik i would rather have a potent bowling option in Nawaz who can hit a few if needed

Again, I am not a Malik fan, but he adds more value to the team than any other player when he is in form. He can take pressure, build innings and can accelerate at the end. He will be a good foil for someone like Haider, as we have seen in PSL. Moreover, he was a premier part of the T20 team when it was hovering around No.1 spot. I believe a team should be composed of 6 batsmen and 5 bowlers with some batsmen who can bowl and some bowlers who can bat. Nawaz in place of Malik will make the composition of 5 batsmen and 6 bowlers and that will cause problems in run scoring.

[Forum363]

You need to be flexible in T20.

If Rizwan gets out early, send Babar. If Sharjeel falls early send Fakhar.

Maintains the left right combo and aggressive/ steady partnership.

Rizwan
Sharjeel
Babar
Fakhar
Hafeez
Haider

[Kroll]

If both Fakhar and Sharjeel continue their sparkling form, then playing both as openers and shifting down Rizwan and Babar might not be the punt it looks like.

They'd be batting on the flat tracks of India where both could make hay and give Pak a big boost in the powerplay and beyond. This combination could give us 60+/1 after 6 ov whereas a Babar/Rizwan opening pair might get you 35/0 after 6 ov.

Yes, there is more risk of wicket going down, but getting big runs is more important imo than worrying about losing an early wicket or two.

But as it stands, my preference is Rizwan + Fakhar with Babar one down.

[hitthestump]

I appreciate that Sharjeel/Fakhar is not a reliable combination but this team isn't going to win the WC 19 out of 20 times. We don't have the personnel to go toe to toe with the big boys. Therefore i'm starting with the highest risk/reward approach.

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez
Rizwan
Imad
Faheem
Nawaz
Hasan
Qadir
Shaheen

If they start looking really scratchy together you can drop one and then promote Rizwan, but personally i want to go all guns blazing from the beginning.

[Rellu_Katta]

It has to be Rizwan and Sharjeel... there is no doubt about Rizwan now playing any kind of bowling and Sharjeel to take on the offensive road

Babar HAS to be no3 ... he can take over from Rizwan as the steadier of the ship and allow Sharjeel to continue hitting or allow Rizwan to take the aggressive plot and play the anchor

No doubt Haffez comes no4.. on his pure form, he is ideal no4... plays spin better then 95% of the current players in world circuit and can and has played long innings

Haider Ali... would want him to come higher up the order but once Haffez puts down his boots, then he can bat at no4 but at the min, shld be no5

Azam Khan - Hated him to begin with but he is raw power... depends how he played rest of the tournament but i would have him at no6. Spinners are dead with this guy - no6

Faheem Ashraf - improving day by day (although his shot vs Zalmi was his old poor shot but he is building up good and i would keep him there

Imad Wasim ... has to play .. he is sublime with the bat and can hit out ( i think the best hitter in Pak with ball 1)

Hassan Ali - Basher, and bowls good middle overs... seems his mojo is back.. still expensive but on dry wickets, gets the ball reversing

Usman Qadir / Zahid Mehmood - Will find difficult to pick 1 but both are good... don't know who to pick

Shaheeeen Shah "the maystro" Afridi.... just don't have words


so for me

1) Rizwan
2) Sharjeel
3) Babar
4) Hafeez
5) Haider
6) Azam
7) Faheem
8) Imad
9) Haasan
10) Qadir
11) SSA

12) Shoaib Malik
13) Fakhar
14) M Hussnain
15) Harris Rauf

[TeamPak95]

Man, it's a tough one. If I had to say, and assuming Fakhar regains his form, I'd go Babar-Fakhar with Rizwan at 3. It's an ideal opening combo as you have the aggressor in Fakhar and the productive consolidator in Babar.

[ElRaja]

seems like a straight shootout between sharjeel and fakhar

sharjeel pros: natural timer of the ball, good hitter and comfortable against pace or spin
sharjeel cons: terrible fitness, liability in the field, likely to in his mid 30s thus liable to quick degradation in his reactions

fakhar pros: mentally stronger, has big tournament experience, better fitness and fielder
fakhar cons: is technically full of holes and relies almost exclusively on slogs to hit sixes

if it comes down to it i think sharjeel is more likely to win you a t20 game with his batting than fakhar.

[mazkhan]

For t20 I would go with both

Sharjeel and lieutenant zaman

First 6 power play overs give them free licence they could win you the game in 6/7 , you might as well gamble im not sold on rizwan and babar as openers in t20s I think sharjeel and fakhar could be more destructive in the first 6 overs .


Sharjeel
Lieutenant zaman
Babar
Rizwan
Hafeez
Faheem
M nawaz
Shadab
Hasan ali
Shaheen
Qadir / rauf/ dhani / hasnain ?

Positions 3 -5 depending on match situation the batting positions are not fixed.

I'd rather back faheem , nawaz and shadab as lower order allrounders than fill those spots with chacha , asif butler , and khusdil and rather back shadab and m nawaz over the rellu katta that is imad and both are gun fielders nawaz and shadab .

[mazkhan]

If sharjeel fitness is a concern then the other option is trying haider ali


Rizwan
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez
Haider