While there is a lunch break, I thought of starting this new thread:) After this series is over, what lineup will we see in future. We know afridi will not play as a regular opener in matches to come. Although with his current performance there is no way he would not be selected in the side. So assuming that afridi and razzak play together in a test match, can we play with 2 natural openers like salman and yasir. I don’t think so. With 4 middle order batsmen, afridi and razzak, akmal and then 3 regular bowler, there will be one vacant position for only one opener. If they decide to play with 2 natural openers then PCB has to take a tough decision of dropping either razzak or afridi from the squad which I don’t see happening.
If they play with only one natural opener (salman or yasir), the other opener can be someone from the middle order, could be younis. Then Afridi can also come to open the innings when the situation demands. I guess they have realized that this siutation will come soon and they are trying to figure out who will play as the natural opener in the side, salman , yasir or could be malik thats why they gave malik a chance today because there is no way malik can enter the side on any other position.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
^^
I for one would give malik a Fair Chance, say like maybe atleast 5 tests, and no I would not Consider Afridi to open.
Hope Mods can make this into a Poll.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
Neither do I. He should only come when the situation demands for it. Like we saw in Banglore
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
I still see good and poised performances from Butt,beside a left hander is needed, no question on tha.
Under the prsent circumstances , Malik & Butt are a good / sound / solid pair on the top
with left-right combination, they should be allowed to mature at this position,
I see afridi at # 6 spot… 
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
I like salman butt as the opener. Not sure what will happen if we have malik as well as the other opener. In that case razzak will have to face the tough decision i guess.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
Malik will make a good opening pair with Salman. His ODI experience and versatility will be an asset in tests as well. Give him a fair chance.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
I think Butt should be there to have a left and right hand combination as well he will mature as test match opener with every game.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
So the million $ question is, are they going to drop razzak or some one from the middle order? I personally think no one will be dropped. Pakistan will stick with salman or some other opener and the other opener will be younis or afridi shuffling according to the situation. I think it won't be a bad strategy.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
I like Razzak ko stay in the side,,, but his game approach and bowling needs to go
to the drawing board again. Needs some 'new' coaching ,,,
His excellent match fitness should be groomed and if his bowling is injected with "sharp & quick" off the length deliveries ,, it would be good old razzak again,,,,, right now we can't afford to replace him,,,,
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
I also agree we can’t afford to drop razzak. Raindance bro that was the idea of the thread, if we have 2 openers for eg. malik and salman, we have razzak as well and afridi, then who will they drop, inzi youhana younis and kamal will be there as well. They have to make a tough choice.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
Razzaq’s bowling form has been good off-late in case you didnt notice. He can never reach the bowling heights he did then becase he has a bit of pace after his wrist operations but is surely on its way up.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
So do you agree we can’t have 2 natural openers in the side in future matches with razzak and afridi looking good in playing 11
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
Hain, no smilies, raindance aap theek toh hain???
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
-------------------cvabn---------------------
Yes I did notice. And it was bit of a drag,realy.
I’l be more than a happy camper if he can pull it off on English wickets.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
^ ^
?
~
LOL
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
ya Allah khair.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
Urgent: Opener’s Needed for test match cricket
This should be the sign outside Pakistan dressing room. Butt has shown promise and should be persisted with. Other partner must be explored from the pool of players in domestic cricket, like Hasan Reza, Shadab Kabir, Faisel Ather and Taufeeq Omer.
Playing Malik was a mistake, he has no foot movement and will always be suspect outside the offstump. Pakistan has to stop experimenting forgodsake, how can it be we hv yet to find a stable opening partnership since Bob & Co hv taken over. Kabhee its Butt, kabhee koi tho kabhee koi. WHat the hell is going on? 
We hv some very talented players in domestic cricket and they deserve a chance.
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
Well Who So Eva They Choose We Certainly Do Not Have Good Openers, Who So Eva They Open With His Average Drops Under 30, I Say Why Not Try Razzak Coz I Consider Him The Best Player Of Fast Bowling After Inzi And He Has Shown He Can Adapt By Playing Very Careful Test Innings And Keep Looking For The Othe Slot, Butt Might Fit In Given He Is Young And An Intelligent Cricketer .......... Just Being A Left Hander Is Over Rated I Guess, No Use If You Cannot Maintain A Healthy Average + Should Be Able To See Off The New Ball ............
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
At The Moment We Need Somone With A Cool Head Who Has The Patience To Stay And Not Worry About Scoring Atleast In The First 20 Overs Of A Test Match ......
Re: Interesting situation for the Opening slot
You must be made next PCB chairman!