Decoding Why PAK must replace Sahibzada Farhan with Maaz Sadaqat after poor run in T20Is

Pakistan has Sahibzada Farhan replacement ready [Source: AFP, @dhillow_/X.COM]

When Sahibzada Farhan was drafted into the T20I setup by the Pakistan side, the expectations were high as the opening batter was known for his aggressive style of play, and this was exactly what Pakistan wanted from their openers. When he came into the team, Sahibzada was a fearless batter, but a few months have passed since his debut, and things have turned from bad to worse.

The Runs have been hard to come by, and the strike rate issue is now hampering the Pakistan team and with each innings, the failures are getting bigger. However, the management shouldn't worry as the Men in Green have Sahibzada's replacement ready, and he currently plays in Rising Stars Asia Cup - Maaz Sadaqat.

The real issue with Sahibzada Farhan's batting

• T20I cricket is not only about blind slogging, but it also involves calculative assault, something which Sahibzada lacks at the moment. His inability to rotate strike whenever things get tough hurts his strike rate as the batter is unable to find boundaries, and at the same time, is unable to take singles to ease the pressure.
• Known for big-hitting, Sahibzada’s T20I numbers since his debut has been dismal, and the data reveals the entire story.

(Farhan in T20Is)

• For a player who has been given a 31-match rope in T20Is, Sahibzada is yet to justify the reason for his inclusion in the Pakistan team. Most of his matches have come on Pakistan’s flat wickets, and yet, the batter has constantly struggled for runs.
• Against Zimbabwe in the first T20I, the opening batter scored 16 off 15 and this disrupted their momentum as Pakistan won the match, but after a lot of hiccups.
• Hence, the team needs someone who can actually play an aggressive brand of cricket and here is Maaz Sadaqat, who has done well for Pakistan Shaheens and should be his replacement.

Why Maaz Sadaqat is the perfect Sahibzada replacement

Currently, Sadaqat plays for Pakistan A (Shaheens) in the Rising Stars Asia Cup, and the batter has displayed an aggressive brand of cricket that Pakistan wants. He has been Pakistan’s best batter in the three group stage matches, and the numbers reveal his brilliance.

(Sadaqat in Rising Stars Asia Cup)

• Just 3 matches and 212 runs with a strike rate of 182 define his ongoing Asia Cup campaign. Unlike Sahibzada Farhan, Sadaqat has displayed hunger for runs and those runs have come in at a rapid pace.
• While Sahibzada strikes at a meagre 123, the Risimg Pakistan star has been hammering the ball at 182, and this showcases his attacking abilities, something Sahibzada is yet to learn.
• In overall T20s, Sadaqat strikes at 147, and has 705 runs in 23 matches, and hence, he should be the one to replace the struggling opener.

Final verdict

Pakistan opener, Sahibzada Farhan is yet to learn from his past mistakes as the batter has failed to improve his strike-rate issues. Hence, the Men in Green have a potential replacement ready as Pakistan Shaheens’ Maaz Sadaqat is a better choice for the opening slot and can strike the ball at a higher rate than Sahibzada.

---

ALSO READ

Is Babar Azam a Zimbabwe bully? Record reveals shocking details before PAK tri-series

---