I don’t like them. I agree with the idea of keeping wickets intact, but the way we do it by over-excessive caution relies on some fantastic hitting in the last few overs and that’s not always possible. It’s worked today only thanks to a one man hitting frenzy by Shoaib but I think the balance of the team is wrong.
In the middle order we have people like Yoyo, Younis and Inzimam who like to collect runs until the end which is fair enough. But if the openers get off to a slow start like they did today it means we are always behind a potentially winning score. Today with the field in we scored only 30 runs from 10 overs. That’s not good enough, and although the guys who followed did well enough their efforts were undermined by the slow start.
I’d like to see Salman Butt come in for the next match instead of Hafeez (Imran Nazir would have been a good choice as well but he’s not in the squad). Some aggressive hitting in the first 15 overs can really set the rest of the team up, and even a quickfire 25-30 runs can give a great start. These are good batting pitches there’s no need to play defensively.
Well is it Maindad's idea or were the guys bit twitchy and nervous against SA. Overall, I agree they need to give a good start and it is time for a change and bring someone else instead of Hafeez. The openers should capitalise on the first 15 overs and put up a decent score around 65/75.
One thing though, because they keep their wickets it does allow the likes of Inzi, Malik and Razzaq to go beserk at the end. Not a bad strategy but risky.
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*Originally posted by ehsan: *
One thing though, because they keep their wickets it does allow the likes of Inzi, Malik and Razzaq to go beserk at the end. Not a bad strategy but risky.
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I agree but we can afford to have one pinch hitter in the side as long as he is of good enough quality. Even today we lost an early wicket despite the defensive start so that didn't stop us keeping wickets intact. We really need someone who can take advantage of the field restrictions for the first 15 overs, if we lose a quick wicket we can always adjust tactics.
Imran Farhat is another good stroke player. We don't need blind sloggers like Afridi, but genuine bats along the lines of Gilchrist or Jayasuriya. Tendulkar doesn't open for India for no reason, he wants to belt the ball out of the ground while the fields in.
I like Miandads strategy, thats why we won the WC.
But in order to do that you need quality hitter down the order, someone like Klusener, guys like Malik and Razzaq only shine once in blue moon, so you can't expect them to score 81 off 41 balls in every game.
Yeah we definitly need someone @ the top order, who can keep up the RR.
And I think the best choice would be none other then Rashid Latif, his wicket isn't as valuable to us then other batsmen, he should go open and score 30 odd runs in 20 deliveries, that would definitly set the tone.
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*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *
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And I think the best choice would be none other then Rashid Latif, his wicket isn't as valuable to us then other batsmen, he should go open and score 30 odd runs in 20 deliveries, that would definitly set the tone.
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Rashid opening batting may be a good idea, but how has he fared against fast bowling?
Rashid opening batting may be a good idea, but how has he fared against fast bowling?
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I have seen him do very well against the fast bowler, like in WC 03 against Aus, I remember him smashing Gillespie for 2 sixes.
But its a different story with the new ball.
I dont think batsmen implement Miandad's strategy in full. He was always the master of ticking the score board if the boundries are not coming. New generation of Pakistani batsmen dont know how to keep the score board moving. Its like either boundries or nothing.
in first fifteen overs we need an aggressive opener, and that , we all are hopeful, that we have found in Yasir Hameed but guy on the other end HAS to score some runs. I would say give Hafeez another try and then we will see what options are avaialable..
Miandad's starategy is fine, keep the scoreboard rotating. and that wasnt happening with Yasir and Youhana. Younis and Youhana upped the score rate considerably before younis got run out.
The batting was fine apart from the first 15 overs. We aren't going to score 42 in 2 overs every match at the death, it took a miracle knock from Shoaib to give us a winning score in this one. They don't have to go crazy but allowing the opposition to stifle you when the field is in is not a good idea.
I agree…its time we get rid of Hafeez. He has constantly failed with the bat and his bowling is not enough to keep him in the team. I would like to see Salman Butt given a chance :k:
Once again failure to strike the ball positively in the first 15 overs is putting too much pressure on the middle order. As I speak, it's 12 overs gone and 37 runs on the board and we've still lost 2 wickets despite the defensive batting. It's time to introduce an attacking opener to the team NOW
Salman Butt must play in the next game, and whover decided to drop Imran Nazir from the squad should be kicked up the arse to see if that will activate some brain cells.
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
Once again failure to strike the ball positively in the first 15 overs is putting too much pressure on the middle order. As I speak, it's 12 overs gone and 37 runs on the board and we've still lost 2 wickets despite the defensive batting. It's time to introduce an attacking opener to the team **NOW*
Salman Butt must play in the next game, and whover decided to drop Imran Nazir from the squad should be kicked up the arse to see if that will activate some brain cells.
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Imran Nazir is the same, instead Rashid is the key, we need to send him up the order, his wickets isn't really of a great value, we can expect him to score 30 odd runs in 20 balls and get the momentum going.
Imran Nazir is a hitter, he's not defensive at all. I'm sure if you look up his stats, he will have a strike rate in the 70's at least (unlike Hafeez's which is around 50). His shot selection's not great but in a ODI that's not so important especially when you have got the talent he posesses.
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*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
Imran Nazir is a hitter, he's not defensive at all. I'm sure if you look up his stats, he will have a strike rate in the 70's at least (unlike Hafeez's which is around 50). His shot selection's not great but in a ODI that's not so important especially when you have got the talent he posesses.
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Whats the use of his great talent when you doesn't use it the proper way, I have seen him play some magnificent shots in Sharjah, but throwing his wicket has become a usual thing for him.
Why not opt for another mid order specialist batsman and have Latif open.
New Zealand has also adopted that strategy with Chris Nevin and it worked during the Triangular Series in Lanka in May
Imran Nazir has a proper range of shots unlike Afridi so I think the comparison isn't quite fair. Another alternative apart from Rashid which would be worth a gamble, would be to send Razzaq as a pinch hitter. He's got a sound defence and could certainly take advantage of field restrictions. Plus his selection would be justified then as his bowling certainly doesn't warrant it.
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*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
Imran Nazir has a proper range of shots unlike Afridi so I think the comparison isn't quite fair. Another alternative apart from Rashid which would be worth a gamble, would be to send **Razzaq as a pinch hitter. **He's got a sound defence and could certainly take advantage of field restrictions. Plus his selection would be justified then as his bowling certainly doesn't warrant it.
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done that many times.
It actually worked in the beginning, but he was trying to play more like a batsman with the strike rate of 30.
He might have a proper range of shots but his performance to date is disappointing and he has a habit just like Afridi to get carried away and throw his wicket.