1st Test Match kicks off. Well, Pakistan lineup seems bizarre. Its good to see Abdullah Shafiq getting the chance however the middle order seems quite weak and shallow. Are they experimenting with the test line-up to make a combination. We will have to see. This lineup does not look like a balanced and top one to compete against the top teams though. You need a solid batsman like Haris Sohail in the middle if he is in the Squad. Who is Sajid Khan?
Iftikhar averages around 36 in T20Is scoring 218 runs in 12 innings with strike rate of 132. Those are pretty decent numbers tbh.
I don't know how Hafeez have been able to stay in this line-up for so long. He is more like an opening batsman who didn't do well consistently at any other place. Yes, in 2014 he was at his prime and did do well in National T20 Cup followed by a very good CLT20 in 2014 for Lahore Lions. Post that he has been poor in this format. Shoaib Malik can still be persisted with but not Hafeez.
Domestic averages don't matter when you fail miserably at the International Stage. The International pressure and Cricket is a different ball game altogether. Hopefully, he performs this time as he was in sublime off in the domestic games off recent.
In my view, Hafiz has been quite consistent in the middle order in T20s. The opening role has long gone. Hafeez was the rightful selection in the T20 World Cup due to his experience and some really good past performances.
Shoaib Malik for sure is in different league altogether. He is Super-Fit and a better performer for sure. Probably once of the best batters around to play Spin at the moment.