Opening combination is the most vital combination, furthest up on the scale than any middle or late-order partnership. A super opening stand, like the one provided today by Imran Nazir, pulls the conservative plug from the shadows of dressing room and allows room to breathe; allows responsibility to be divided instead of having it on the shoulders of batters, although who won’t mind it, but will be eventually unable to compete against the law of averages.
When Mohammad Hafeez returned and had his praises sung, it was thought we had finally dug ourselves through a hole. From that time on until last night, we were back to square one. The selection of Imran Nazir stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest. It allowed breathing room for other batters to come in and roam around more freely. Very happy at his inclusion in the team.
Opening combination is far from being resolved. We have, once again, moved one square inch from square one. Let’s not go back to where we have been for all these years.
Re: One chief selection stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest
The reason Imran Farhat was persisted for so long (repeatedly) is that he also showed same potentials (alongwith some actual showings) of giving a flying start, atleast a good decent start if not a flying-jetting start. Mohammed Hafeez is known for builder-opener and was supposed to support Farhat, but things do not always turn out the way you think they will.
Imran Nazir was dropped for loooong time for same reason as any other opener (or player) getting dropped i.e. good showing in early games then fading out... some fade quickly some slowly. We can hope and pray that Imran Nazir doesn't fade away again, but that would be against the odds.
We had Taufeeq Umar recalled, he blasted in a few innings, then faded away, then Imran Farhat, Salman Butt..... now Imran Nazir is back... It is sorta good that players who are performing in domestic are being recalled for their performance, but at the same time it also shows that our domestic structure doesn't groom a player as much as we would want it to, but England, Australia, South Africa's domestic do not churn out best of the players as well, rather they pull 'matured' talent unlike Pakistan who throws 16-19 year old rookies.
Lets not go all praise for one inning and then bring out sword after next games (God forbid).
Re: One chief selection stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest
They all have khujli, some have major batting technical flaws as well. IMO, when they come back they are very focused to prove their worth, which they do with heart. But since lacking some basics, often get exposed after few innings. The opposition coaches and analysts are getting paid for something. To sort out opposition players ASAP. Which they do, hence the failure of our 'solution for longtime opening issue'.
Re: One chief selection stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest
hafeez was a waste.... farhat would still score runs (ugly, but it counts).
I certainly agree that Nazir played the most crucial innings of the day. It was after a long time that our middle order had some breathing room and played their natural game
Re: One chief selection stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest
Here is the thing when these players come back after a long lay off, they simply burst on the scene but then good teams do their homework and figure out their weekness. So they eventually end up "fading away".
Next in queue is Salman Butt. He again scored 166 today in Quaid-e-Azam trophy.. So far in the tournament he has scored 2 90s , 1 80 and now 166.
Also the chances of Fawad Alam keep on getting brighter. He also scored another 100 today . His 2nd of the tournament and he has already scored 2 50s.
Re: One chief selection stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest
We do not need a solid stand from our openers, a decent stand would do. Those 1, 0, 4, 10, 13, 4 and 0 again would not get the job done. If Imran Nazir and his counterpart can stay on their wicket 8 over and post decent score, we have Younis, Yousuf and Inzamam to steer the ship to victory. After that Afridi, Razzaq and Malik are great closers that can hit in last over. Nothing much to ask for, just stay on your wicket for 10 over and do not put Inzamam and Yousuf at 14th over when the score is 50-3.
Re: One chief selection stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest
^ with this mentality we would never see the sun that rises on Austrailian continent. We will remain what we are today, unpredictable. If we want to improve our winning ratio then we need solid openners. Atleast who can assure us a 70+ stand in every other match if not every match.
Re: One chief selection stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest
The reason why Australia has a great opening stand is because Adam is mature and knows when and when not to hit. Similar strategy Saeed Anwar had, we thought Butt, Farhat, Hammed and Afridi will understand that and so far they have not. We tried Malik and Akmal as make-shift and so far shift is far away from happening. I do not think Imran Nazir is the answer, but if he is not giving away wickets like the previous ones than it is a way forward and that is the best way for him approach any inng.
I said earlier that it is like playing Russian roulette with our openers until someone becomes mature and understand how to play the opening stand.
Re: One chief selection stands out heads and shoulders amongst the rest
Opening is the most difficult position to bat on. You need people with a solid technique to bat and stay on the wicket. The flashers and sloggers will always come and go. When Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge came to bat they came to stay till the end, not just to give a good start. That's a totally different mindset. Unless our openers learn to 'value' their wickets like these legends did, they will not convert 10s to 50s and 50s to 100s.
Imran Nazir is not better or worse than Butt, Hameed and co. He shouldn't expect SA to bowl short balls to him in the next match. He is strong on the backfoot and square of the wicket but for me a good opener is the one who knows how to play straight on a seaming wicket.
