Sharjeel Khan.

[Autonomous]

Sharjeel Khan has been one of leading scorers in Pakistan Domstics including List A and FC Cricket. Did pretty well against England Lions as well. Got a Century against best bowling side of PSL which included Tait, Asghar (Very Smart Left Arm Bowler), Wahab, Afridi.etc also had a 79* against Lahore however was inconsistent. Observing his batting he seema to favor leg side, But can play offside even though not his strong zone. His timings against pace bowlers are veey good most of the times and also he carries power. But somehow he is not able to carry himself up even though seems to get some sort of starts. I remember Asad Shafiq as another batsman who would look a million dollars, Seem to middle it well but would somehow not able to make it count (Shafiq Averaged 52 in List A).

[Autonomous]

Maybe the question marks over Pakistan's batting in last decade or so have put on extra pressure on such coming batsman to perform? Sometimes they look all at sea. Only batters who got some sort of going are Shehzad and Harris Sohail in Limited Overs.

[Ultimate_Game]

I saw Sharjeel Khan in Asia Cup and today and so far can't understand why he's in the team. The guy is fat, unfit, poor fielder and not that good a batsman either. Pakistan would be better off selecting a fitter batsman who can at least contribute in the field and someone should tell Pak selectors that era of selecting overweight, unfit cricketers is passe.

[chewy]

I felt kindna sorry for him when he dived to save a boundary in today's match. He just couldn't run fast enough, and made a untimely desperate lunge.  

In today's modern game guys like him will be ruthlessly exposed unless they are special talent. 

[Ultimate_Game]

I felt kindna sorry for him when he dived to save a boundary in today's match. He just couldn't run fast enough, and made a untimely desperate lunge.  

In today's modern game guys like him will be ruthlessly exposed unless they are special talent. 

He reminded me of how my uncles used to play cricket on picnics 

[Captain]

He's a hack. He'll get away with it on wickets that are batsman friendly but will be exposed in bowler friendly conditions. You only need to look at his footwork to see that he isn't a long term option.

[chewy]

going back to the OP, trust me, having watched some of the games in PSL, Sharjeel Khan is one their best options for opener's position.

 

[Autonomous]

@‌Ultimate_Game and @Chewy , Might not be fit as per weight but talking about batting perspective, Approach and Play. He has scored runs so its definite that he should be getting a proper run in side. As per batting perspective, Clearly very strong on the on side and is special in that zone but weaker in offside though not that he cant play offside. Does not drive the ball to the offside so that makes him less vulnerable to giving a catch to slips though should just nudge it or play over the cover fielders with power as observed that he carries power. Other positive thing is batting stance, It makes his balance good actually very good when he times it to the on side, Also has very gifted hand eye co-ordination (I have seen him Upper Cut Shaun Tait like Sehwag). But he seems to be finding ways to get out like or not carrying on. Lacks feet movement as well which possibly makes him sluggish against spin so he has to rely on hand eye co-ordination.

[Autonomous]

going back to the OP, trust me, having watched some of the games in PSL, Sharjeel Khan is one their best options for opener's position.

 

Yes. He did score runs as well as in FC and List A, Pakistan A.etc Has very good hand eye co-ordination. But has his flaws such as lack of feet movement for which he has to cover up with hand eye-co-ordination. Has fast bat speed as he was able to hit express pace of Shaun Tait and Wahab. But somehow he is able to make himself look like all at sea playing for Pakistan. Could this be some mental issue that needs to be addressed? To note, He i think has two double tons in FC Cricket. Best of 270 odd i guess, Two Tons in Domestic T20 including PSL. Aswell as Highest list A score of 194, With second highest score of 163 in List A. Is he not playing confidently? Needs a better game plan by batting coach since he has power and ability to score runs.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Autonomous

[Ultimate_Game]

@‌Ultimate_Game and @Chewy , Might not be fit as per weight but talking about batting perspective, Approach and Play. He has scored runs so its definite that he should be getting a proper run in side. As per batting perspective, Clearly very strong on the on side and is special in that zone but weaker in offside though not that he cant play offside. Does not drive the ball to the offside so that makes him less vulnerable to giving a catch to slips though should just nudge it or play over the cover fielders with power as observed that he carries power. Other positive thing is batting stance, It makes his balance good actually very good when he times it to the on side, Also has very gifted hand eye co-ordination (I have seen him Upper Cut Shaun Tait like Sehwag). But he seems to be finding ways to get out like or not carrying on. Lacks feet movement as well which possibly makes him sluggish against spin so he has to rely on hand eye co-ordination.

But the problem is that a batsman won't succeed at intl level by not having a decent off side game. Bowlers at intl game won't stray on the leg side or on the stumps too often and as a result the batsman will have to play across the line to score. This approach may succeed occasionally on flat pitches but the batsman won't be successful consistently and will struggle on helpful pitches.

This is the same problem which plagued Murali Vijay in shorter formats as he had limited shots and he couldn't afford to wait for loose deliveries to score. Thus he had to use his go to shot, which was a leg side hoick. he used to look like a million dollars when it came off or against lesser attacks (IPL) but was found out in intl cricket (shorter formats). Sharjeel is in the same boat though he's still a better option than Vijay in shorter formats. As for fielding, I'm sorry but you've to be strong in 2 out of 3 disciplines to play in intl cricket. If you are a batsman who doesn't bowl and is a poor fielder, someone else should take your spot in the team.

[Autonomous]

But the problem is that a batsman won't succeed at intl level by not having a decent off side game. Bowlers at intl game won't stray on the leg side or on the stumps too often and as a result the batsman will have to play across the line to score. This approach may succeed occasionally on flat pitches but the batsman won't be successful consistently and will struggle on helpful pitches.

This is the same problem which plagued Murali Vijay in shorter formats as he had limited shots and he couldn't afford to wait for loose deliveries to score. Thus he had to use his go to shot, which was a leg side hoick. he used to look like a million dollars when it came off or against lesser attacks (IPL) but was found out in intl cricket (shorter formats). Sharjeel is in the same boat though he's still a better option than Vijay in shorter formats. As for fielding, I'm sorry but you've to be strong in 2 out of 3 disciplines to play in intl cricket. If you are a batsman who doesn't bowl and is a poor fielder, someone else should take your spot in the team.

Pakistan mostly play on Flat or Slow UAE Wickets nor do they have good flat track bullies. So wouldnt it be actually good if he can do something on Flat Tracks? Also i put Asad Shafiq example in OP because he plays on both sides of wicket, Scores heavily in List A and Had a good solid technique but still not able to make it count on even flat tracks? Sharjeel is a gifted timer, good wrists, decent square cut and clearly has power to clear the field. Also a pretty decent domestic record to back but he too looks at sea, Poor body language while batting and looks lost even though he is better than what he seems to be showing.

[Ultimate_Game]

Pakistan mostly play on Flat or Slow UAE Wickets nor do they have good flat track bullies. So wouldnt it be actually good if he can do something on Flat Tracks? Also i put Asad Shafiq example in OP because he plays on both sides of wicket, Scores heavily in List A and Had a good solid technique but still not able to make it count on even flat tracks? Sharjeel is a gifted timer, good wrists, decent square cut and clearly has power to clear the field. Also a pretty decent domestic record to back but he too looks at sea, Poor body language while batting and looks lost even though he is better than what he seems to be showing.

Can't comment on Shafiq as i only saw him in one match - WC 2011 semi-final - and he didn't look special either. If Sharjeel doesn't do much this WT20 then you have no option but to move on. I actually liked Haris Sohail when I saw him in 2015 WC. he had a decent off side game and timed the ball well. IMO he would be a better option than Sharjeel. or maybe invest in some talented U-19 batsmen and back them as I don't see Sharjeel as a long term option.

[Autonomous]

Can't comment on Shafiq as i only saw him in one match - WC 2011 semi-final - and he didn't look special either. If Sharjeel doesn't do much this WT20 then you have no option but to move on. I actually liked Haris Sohail when I saw him in 2015 WC. he had a decent off side game and timed the ball well. IMO he would be a better option than Sharjeel. or maybe invest in some talented U-19 batsmen and back them as I don't see Sharjeel as a long term option.

Harris Sohail had a knee operation in December. Not available since June 2015, Did not even play PSL. Harris is a middle order batsman and is very much more conventional. Possibly the only one who was looking solid and finding feet but only to injure himself in a practice session.

[Ultimate_Game]

Harris Sohail had a knee operation in December. Not available since June 2015, Did not even play PSL. Harris is a middle order batsman and is very much more conventional. Possibly the only one who was looking solid and finding feet but only to injure himself in a practice session.

I would go with solid batsmen over flashy ones. Haris Sohail was the only one of all the new Pak batsmen who impressed me. He looked like he had time to play his shots, played orthodox shots and timed the ball well. I would pick him as soon as he's back. Plus you've to decide how long do you go with likes of Maliks and Hafeezs. Maybe pick one of the two and select a younger batsman in place of the other.

[Autonomous]

‌@Ultimate_Game Shafiq is a well established test batsman with a Test Ton in South Africa. Has been scoring tons of runs in List A cricket but not able to carry it on to ODIs and T20Is. Technically strong batsman with ability to play on all sides of wicket. However this is the problem these guys make themself look all at sea, Just not being able to carry the batting momentum and approach due to unknown reasons.

[Ultimate_Game]

‌@Ultimate_Game Shafiq is a well established test batsman with a Test Ton in South Africa. Has been scoring tons of runs in List A cricket but not able to carry it on to ODIs and T20Is. Technically strong batsman with ability to play on all sides of wicket. However this is the problem these guys make themself look all at sea, Just not being able to carry the batting momentum and approach due to unknown reasons.

You have to keep in mind that some batsmen are suited to a particular format only. E.g., for India Murali Vijay, Pujara and Rahane are Test specialists whereas likes of Raina and Yuvi are short format specialists. Maybe Shafiq is Pakistan's version of Vijay or Rahane. Once you've given a batsman plenty of opportunities and the batsman still doesn't show improvement, it's time to move on. Yes, there are times when you have to invest in a particular player but it's quite apparent when you come across such a player. To me Rohit Sharma and Kohli always looked special and I can't understand why Sharma hasn't succeeded in Tests. But generally if you've done all you can and have given a player sufficient opportunities, it's time to move on.

[Autonomous]

You have to keep in mind that some batsmen are suited to a particular format only. E.g., for India Murali Vijay, Pujara and Rahane are Test specialists whereas likes of Raina and Yuvi are short format specialists. Maybe Shafiq is Pakistan's version of Vijay or Rahane. Once you've given a batsman plenty of opportunities and the batsman still doesn't show improvement, it's time to move on. Yes, there are times when you have to invest in a particular player but it's quite apparent when you come across such a player. To me Rohit Sharma and Kohli always looked special and I can't understand why Sharma hasn't succeeded in Tests. But generally if you've done all you can and have given a player sufficient opportunities, it's time to move on.

How many chances or number of matches you think a player should get to show improvement or ability to survive at top level. Batsman in particular.

[kira]

Iss mote ko cricketer kisne banaya?

[Ultimate_Game]

How many chances or number of matches you think a player should get to show improvement or ability to survive at top level. Batsman in particular.

It's all subjective TBH and that's where selection panels earn their salaries. Sometimes even 10 games may be too many for some while in some cases even 25-30 games may be too few for some. It all depends on how comfortable the player looks in the middle and whether he shows potential to succeed at intl level. Tom me Haris Sohail looked like one even though i only saw him bat in one innings, whereas Shehzad hasn't looked the part even though he's been around for long.

[deathmonger]

This guy can only play on OFF side from what i saw!!!

leg side