Why pak is struggling with openers

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
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Ok Ok ! I admit … i had some time to kill , so i had nothing better to do then to check the average of pak openers in their last 10 matches… so i thought i should share the results with u folks… so here we go !!

Player (Average)
Yasir Hameed 57, 41, 24, 12, 18, 48, 13, 0, 0, 39 (25.20)
Imran Farhat 15, 8, 30, 46, 24, 14, 0, 38, 11, 17 (22.56)
Taufeeq Umar 3 , 18, 2, 3, 21, 9, 81, 17, 6, 16 (19.56)
Salman Butt 1, 4 , 26, 13, 0, 0, 101, 6, 15, 29 (19.50)
Imran Nazir 27 , 1, 14, 10, 28, 8, 0, 33, 59, 7 (18.70)

Please join me in praying kay Allah mian Pak koo aik achaa opening pair day dein ! Ameeen!!!

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

The weird thing is most of these players dont lack talent. All have shown gimpses of brilliance every now and then. Imran Nazir is a breathtaking stroke maker who has played a few classy knocks. Salman Butt was suppose to be the one who solved the problem for atleast one of the opening spots. Made a classy century in Austalia in one of the tests, a crafty century in the BCCI golden jublee match agaisnt India. Imran Farhat too is a fluent stroke player and when he gets going he is a treat to watch. Taufeeq Umar seemed reliable for a little while before and after the world cup. Yasir Hameed started his career with a BANG (even if it was against Bangladesh, two centures in debut game is no mean feat).

All these players lack is consistency. They need to work on their temprament and selectors need to show some faith. Yes, they are going to have some failures but shuffling and reshuffling so often wont fix the problem. I would personally like to see Salman Butt back in the side and give him a long run. He has shown his talent, a century agaisnt Aussies in Australia is not everyone's cup of tea. He will come good, InshAllah.

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

The crickters who specialize in openings must always practice with brand new balls with maximum pace...

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

I would open with Hafeez and Afridi (I know it's a big gamble but otherwise you just waste his wicket at 5-down esp. if he has to come in at 80-5) in the one-dayers and with Hafeez/Malik and Farhat/Butt in tests. Yasir Hameed is another option in tests.

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

The lone way to solve the opening slot is to try openers rather than makeshifts like Malik and Kamran. Heck, if you bring Afridi as an opener in one-days and give him enough time to mend, he will give you big scores on dependable basis.

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

As much as i like Afridi, i dont think playing him as an opener is a solution. He has more then enough games under his belt. He is going to play the way, he plays. Adding him to the top 2 will always keep uncertainity at the top level. I think he works great down the order.
As far as opening slots are concerned, thats exactly what every one is worried about. All the players took great start to their careers and then suddenly forgot how to play. I also agree with the fact that couple of them should be given a long strech no matter how they perform and if that still doesnt improve things, then good bye.
Hafeez and Farhat should be given some time. I am sure age is on Salman's side and he will find a way back. Yasir should have learned to keep his mouth shut. I belive that is the reason he is sitting outside.

Photographers???
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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers


Vehemently support your entire post, especially the final part on Salman Butt. Good read!

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

Anyone can have one good day at the office, however the name of the game is consistency which has sadly lacked in him. The only thing consistent about him is the way he gets out. He is talented but should not return till he can sort his problems. Staying out like Hafeez will do him good.

Punishment time
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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

That's the key.

None of these openers can stay on the wicket for too long. Extremely weak in the slip area and embarrassing to watch against spin bowling.

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

i dont understand how come india keeps on getting good batsmen, even though their pitches are almost same as ours :grumpy:

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

if i was only playing, i would be hitting century every match.

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Re: Why pak is struggling with openers

Why don't you play and make yourself available than? :D