Well, here we are. The end of Day Three, with Pakistan still needing five more Indian wickets as quickly as possible in order to get back into the game. Yerterday’s ‘post-lunch pre-tea’ session has raised a major question among all cricketing fans, alike.
If Pakistan does enter their second innings anytime during the day tomorrow (as early as possible, hopefully), should Afridi be sent into bat as an opener? Please justify, as to why, or why not?
Option 1
Afridi will make for an excellent choice, as he will quickly pile up a humongous chunk of runs (remember, there is always a downside to this situation as well, as the plan may very well backfire), and if it does indeed take place, Pakistan might very well be in a commanding position to hand the bat over to India sometime during Day 5, possibly just before Lunch, and set a target of ~300 runs.
If he does open, who do you think he should be paired up with? The more aggressive Salman Butt (left/right-hand combination), or a more authoritative Kamran Akmal? (Or maybe someone else besides these two)? Option 2
Afridi should not open under any circumstances, since Pakistan will be playing with a huge gamble on their hands. With Malik and Inzamam being left-aside from the team, we will definitely need all the help we can get, therefore, he should come lower down the order to provide emotional, physical and mental support (downside in this case could be that Pakistan may have to heavily rely on their top-order batters to establish a solid base/ground before Afridi comes into bat, and at an exceeding run-rate at that). Option 3
*]Please describe and enhance your viewpoint, and/or (approve/disapprove) with the above options.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd innings?
I'd rather have Younis Khan open than Akmal as Younis has probably seen the new ball, though Akmal has a something to repair and repay (drop catches and makeup for the 1st inning duck). The obvious partner for Younis would be Salman Butt. If we can manage to restrict India below 500 then they could try playing faster. That means that India will be out before lunch and chances of having a result are brighter. But I see slimmer chances of that as Pathan and Dhobi (I mean Dhoni) will probably last past 500, then we have Bhajji who also bats okay and this pitch is not bowler friendly, even Kumble will last a bit longer. Don't know much about RP Singh.
If India goes past 588 then they should start slowly and try to buildup the inning because going past 588 means India has gone past lunch time tomorrow..... game is a draw.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd inning
If India goes past 588 then they should start slowly and try to buildup the inning because going past 588 means India has gone past lunch time tomorrow..... game is a draw.
How about if they get Pak all out after passing 588. After all its 8 wickets only and Kumble can be danegrous under these conditions.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd inning
Do you think India should play at an exceeding run-rate tomorrow (as they most likely will be also thinking about their 'tail exposure' - batters to come), or should India play their normal game? What will be their strategy come tomorrow, as few early wickets will definitely throw the ball in Pakistan's court, while on the other hand, a flurry of boundaries and sixes will ultimately result in India's favor? It is anybody's ball-game at the moment, however, I would say Pakistan has a slight advantage from my perspective.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd inning
Thats why I said ‘buildup’, means playing slowly/cautiously, playing ‘faster’ would mean taking more risks but that’d only result in a crash since we don’t have many batsmen now. If Kumble starts getting more help that’d mean Kaneria and Afridi also get more help and by the time India plays on 5th day pitch would be more deteriorated, but to me chances of that happening are slimmer.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd inning
Dhoni and Pathan should play their natural game. Blocking and defending are not their natural skills and they are bad at it. It was amply demonstrated in the last session today. I think if India gets to the pakistan total and then few early wickets in pakistan innings will put considerable pressure on the rest of the pakistani batsmen. Then the pakistani batsmen will go for a draw. I dont think the pitch had deteriorated to an extent where a major collapse in pakistani batting is possible. The most likely outcome is a win for pakistan or a draw. THere is hardly any chance for India to win from here..But they would have played really well to have enforced a draw.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd inning
As u said its a two way problem. If he gets out early then it will put lot of pressure on the other batsmen and they will definitely go for the draw. But if he clicks then i think pakistan will be in a position to force the issue.
Considering the success he had against Indians, pakistan should buck up and open with Afridi. Even if Afridi gets out early younis and yousuf should back themselves to bat through and save the day for the pakistan. Thats the only way Pakistan can go in for the kill. It all depends on how much they back their batsmen. I dont know why would they be afraid of Indian bowling any way.
I would like to know how afridi plays under pressure. If some of the guys get out early then may be the heroics of afridi may not work. So I think Afridi should open and then have a go at the indian bowlers.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd innings?
I hope Dravid has a lot more sense than many here. We can hope for whatever miracle but the fact is that Indian score is still some 140+ runs behind with 5 tailenders. The Pak bowlers may not be firing squad as was made out to be but still they have the attcking edge.
It is foolish to think the useless Indian bowlers can bowl the Pak team out for anything under 350 considering the 600 runs in each inning so far.
The pressure or chasing 350+, the last day pitch and the Pak bowling superiority will be too much for India.
Therefore the ONLY strategy at this point is to play for a draw and through whole of tomorrow.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd innings?
My thoughts coincide with yours as well, as my thinking is also such that if Pakistan did receive an opportunity to bat (early) tomorrow, Afridi should lead from the front. I believe Younis/Yousuf/Butt/Akmal will definitely be in shape to further the batting attack, incase if the plan backfires. Given strong track records of almost all these batsman against India, I think taking the risk is worth it.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd innings?
I can see "DRAW or india" written all over it!
(caps are used intentionally)
Give that Shoaib Malik is unable to make it back on time to open, I'll rather go with SALMAN and RAZZAQ to see off new ball than any other pair!! Razzaq is a senior player and that guy can stop balls (beside hitting over boundries).
I hope to see Malik back in the dressing room (no matter if he comes out at number 6-7)!!!
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd inning
yarr bhai logo, pehlay Inn "La'lon" ko out to kar lo....dhoni nay dho dho kay hamara bura haal kiya howa ha....kon see option 1, option 2 or option 3....abiee to sariee options dhonie bhai jan kay pass haan......lets hope for the best....
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd innings?
What a pathetic test series..no matter who opens..I don't see 25 wickets falling in two days.
The ground staff should be spanked with 12 number kay chitars and liturs. What a waste!
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd innings?
I don't think Pakistan should change anything with the batting. Why change when the batting is kicking in all 4 cylinders (more like 8 cylinders actually). Afridi is well suited for the current batting position
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd innings?
^ In case you didn't read, Shoaib Malik has gone off to care for his ailing father. And Inzi is ruled unfit for the remainder of this test due to back pain. So some changes in batting order are required by necessity.
Re: The ultimate question arises: Should Afridi be sent in as an opener in 2nd innings?
Lets cross that bridge when we get there. First we need 5 more Indian wickets, and if our fielding doesn't improve God knows how long that will take. Plus Pakistan is hardly renowned for aggressive declarations, I doubt they will give India anything under 450 to chase on the final day.
