Should we open with Irfan? asks Misbah

Published March 6, 2015
“Should we open with Irfan?” — AFP
“Should we open with Irfan?” — AFP

AUCKLAND: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hit back at criticism from ex-players who advised him to think out of the box, asking should hapless tailender Mohammad Irfan be sent in as a World Cup opener?

Pakistan's top order has flopped in the last four games with opening stands of 11, 0, 1 and 10 which put enormous pressure on the middle-order.

Pakistan tried veteran Younis Khan as opener in the first match against India after regular starter Mohammad Hafeez withdrew from the tournament following a calf injury just a week before the start of the World Cup.

But that didn't work.

Recalled opener Nasir Jamshed, who replaced Hafeez in the squad, fell for nought, one and four in his three innings, leaving Pakistan to consider using wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfraz Ahmed as opener in Saturday's crucial match against South Africa in Auckland.

When asked what he thinks of former captains, Javed Miandad and Ramiz Raja's advice of thinking out of the box, Misbah quipped: “Out of the box? Should we open with Irfan?”

Irfan, the 7-foot fast bowler, is a 'bunny' with the bat, scoring just 43 runs in the 44 one-day matches he has played.

Misbah said that Sarfraz Ahmed is being considered as an opener.

“He (Ahmed) has opened the innings in the United Arab Emirates,” said Misbah of last year's one-day series with Australia and New Zealand.

“But here the conditions are different.”

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.