There has been so much speculation in regards to which bowlers we play, but, truth be told, they’re not gonna make any difference unless our batsmen play well. We have a pathetic line-up with Inzi and Yousuf (Youhana) the only batsmen likely to score much. Our opening slots are always being filled up with different players. In Tests especially we are really gonna suffer considering our “batsmen” are players like Razzaq who should really stick to ODIs. Yasir Hameed really has no right to the no. 3 position. How many times does the guy make 20 then play a ridiculous shot? Younis Khan, to me, has serious technical flaws. We’ve got some talented bowlers but, really, it’s the batsmen that are going to have to post 350+ totals in order for us to win.
Re: Pakistan’s Batting
I agree that bowling is not our only worry, in Tests its batsmen… but care to explain the bolded part in your comments?
Re: Pakistan's Batting
^ Hes always smiling in the field.
Sincerely,
Captain Lota
Re: Pakistan's Batting
Lets see for tests we have these batsmen and their dependability (i.e. ability to play a long innings) on a scale of 1-10.
Inzamam 9
Youhana 9
Younis Khan 7
Shoaib Malik 7
Asim Kamal 7
Salman Butt 6
Razzak 5
Meeda 4
Afridi 4
Kamran Akmal 4
These numbers are roughly what i 'feel'. Maybe someone can improve on these numbers. Plus anybody else im missing? Bazid Khan? Taufeeq?
Sincerely,
Captain Lota
Re: Pakistan’s Batting
I sort of agree but would have afridi at 3
Re: Pakistan's Batting
funny how u people are still doubting younis's capability as a world class match winner! MOhammad yousuf has not played a match winning innings in a test match for God knows how long!
Re: Pakistan's Batting
I agree with Jazba on this one, Mohammad Yousuf's ability to play a long innings agaisnt quality attack is fading. He hasnt made a match winning innings in a test match in quite some time. Younis Khan has performed credibly of late plus who really cares about tehnical correctness ? Sehwag barley moves his feet but has a trible hundred to his name. Saeed Anwar played away from his body on the off side all his life yet almost scored a double hundred in ODI's. There are plenty of players that are not technically correct yet have scored heavily. Javed Miandad was famous for his cheeky shots, I bet you wont found those in any book. I think the thing that counts the most is the hand/eye co-ordination and if one's got that the correctness can go to hell.
Re: Pakistan’s Batting
That’s exactly what i thought when i read negative remarks about Younis Khan , it’s true that he is not most exciting to watch and may not have good technique and he is probably not that flashy player but give the guy his due credit for God’s sake, have a look at his performances in last 4 series he has played:
2004 Vs Sri lanka
He had the highest average (scored 138 @ 69 average) and scored a match winning CENTURY in the ONLY test he played in that series, so he was best Pakistan batsman in that series.
2004 Vs Australia
He was the MOST consistent Pakistani batsman once again and had the best average of 43.16 and scored more runs than any other pakistani batsmen in tough conditions against BEST bowling attack.
Feb 2005 Vs India
We all know what he did there, ONCE again he was the top Pakistani batsman, scored 508 runs (second only to Sehwag 544) at an astonishing average of 101.6 and scored massive 267 in one inning and won us the match to help draw the series.
2005 Vs West Indies
He scored 180 runs at an average of 45 and scored yet another match winning century to help Pak draw the series against Windies.
Does it matter how bad his technique is???
Re: Pakistan’s Batting
I’m not saying he is a bad player but technical flaws were things that England concentrated on in the Ashes. Gilchrist’s weakness of around the wicket bowling, Hayden’s vulnerability to inswinging deliveries that are full-pitched and Clarke’s problem with the ball swinging away.
This is without mentioning Martyn’s tendency to play away from his body which got him runs but also got him out. The English bowlers just kept on bowling to those weaknesses and Vaughan set the field well. I’m sure England would have analysed Younis’ batting and will have discovered these flaws. I’m not saying he isn’t a good player or that he is not a matchwinnerbut I’m just saying that he might want to improve on those flaws.
Re: Pakistan's Batting
But you can't simply rule him out on the basis of imaginary things, if you are talking about technical flaws then none of our batsmen have perfect technique. He does have sort of an awkward batting style but he has played responsibly and with dedication, Bob Woolmer was asked this question twice before India series and he reaplied that Younis Khan is the MOST hard working player, concentrates really hard on fitness, training etc etc.
Our 3,4 and 5 spots are FIXED ( Younis, Yohanna, Inzi), Salman Butt and Malik are MOST likely to OPEN so only no 6 slot is open for debate in my opinion. Asim Kamal, Afridi, Razzaq or maybe even Hasan Raza could claim the spot.
Re: Pakistan's Batting
Noting wrong with Pakistan's batting. Afridi should at top and Malik at first down. Things are going well. This batting line-up can not only make 100 runs in 15+ overs but also chase a target of 315.
Re: Pakistan's Batting
I thinks Pakistan has pretty formidable middle order (Inzi, Yousuf,Younus) .Asim Kamal aint bad either at lower middle order. If Shoaib can establish himself as a good number 3 (he is showing the signs already) , we only have to worry about 2 openers for atleast next 2-3 years.
Re: Pakistan's Batting
Bazid
Malik
Younis
Inzi
Yoyo
Asim
Kamran
Razzaq
Akhtar
Sami/Shabbir
Danesh
= a good batting and bowling lineup for Test cricket.
Butt
Afridi
Malik
Younis
Inzi
YoYo
Kamran
Razzaq
Akhtar
Rana
Sami/Shabbir
= the best ODI combination after Aussies.
Re: Pakistan's Batting
^^ No Afridi in tests? :(
Plus i think Road Rana should be given another chance to prove himself in Test cricket.
Sincerely,
Captain Lota
Re: Pakistan's Batting
I will still give Salman Butt another series to prove himself.
Butt
Malik
Younis
Yohanna
Inzi
Kamal/Afridi
Razzaq
Akmal
Re: Pakistan's Batting
How about the guy who scored some 400+ with 38 sixes in some Ist class cricket match...is he holding Pakistani nationality...
PS: Shahid Afridi & Pakistan Zindabad!