I just hope the other players can pick up Fawad’s attitude and take a leaf out of his book. But knowing them, they’ll be thinking ‘what can this rookie teach me?’. We should never close ourself off from learning from anyone, old or young, good or bad.

I liked Jamshed also, and Shehzad did not look bad either; he is still young. I agree about Salman Butt.

Younis is beginning to earn a reputation of making some terribly bad decisions. They’re not even small ones, something captains do every game and can be forgiven for. He makes potentially game costing ones.

The thing which impressed me the most about Fawad is his determination and the way he worked the ball around to score his 100. The wicket has become too easy but still not many Pak players have the patience, determination and the attitude to stay on the wicket although quite a few players in the team and in the reserves have a wider stroke range and better technique than Fawad but I think he will have a better future just because of his attitude, I hope he retains this attitude.

As regards the openers I think Nasir Jamshed was the best prospect he did well in every format the pentangular cup in which Fawad scored 800+ runs Nasir also scored 800 + runs so he can’t be labelled as just an ODI player,both Nasir and Khurram have contrasting playing styles, Nasir is more like Hayden where as Khurram and Ahmed Shahzad are defensive players, out of these two Shahzad has better technique but Khurram has more patience and seems a more smarter cricketer, Shahzad is a bit too arrogant but does not have that range of strokes to support his arrogance.If he learns to play within his limitiations like Fawad he can be a good option.

Butt should be dumped for an extended period. Pakistan has invested a lot in him but he still displays the same weaknesses which he was displaying four years ago.

I think its too early to judge any of these players it’s good that Fawad got a chance and it’s even better that he performed and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He has been an instant star and Pakistan team needs some new stars to increase the international worth of the team, but I think we should leave him alone and let him grow and cement his place in the team exaggerated praises can turn him into another Sohail tanvir.Lets just wait and watch.

Jack,
This bite and attitude of Fawad’s is, and I’m sure Q will agree, very un-Pakistani like. Maybe it’s what we need but definitely lower down 4,5,6. If he can sort his technique out then he would be a good no.3 to have. Come in after the loss of a wicket and stay at the crease not out and play a dogged knock until the end.

Fawad has done well today, but will he be a one in 15-20 innings player like we have seen with our openers since Saeed’s departure? I hope not, he has bite and attitude so that may see him through…but I won’t be holding my breath.

As for the openers.. I agree, there’s no reason why Jamshed or Ahmed cannot do well at test level.. I believe Ahmed has a lot of promise.. but the selectors and Younis went for Khurram because he was the most successful opener in domestic cricket.. my only point is that if they have then he deserved a proper chance..

I know stats are not everything which is why my first opinions of him originated purely from just watching him. Whilst doing that, he did not catch my eye. This doesn’t mean we chuck him out of course.

As for Jamshed. He looked technically good and his strike rate is not as such to suggest he is only suited to ODIs. What’s the need to change openers for Tests? I would be happy with him or Shehzad. They should try them for Tests.

About Fawad’s ODI chances.. he batted at 7 or 8.. one can hardly make an impression batting at that number.. I’m sure he would have done better if he was given more consistent chances at 5 or 6.. despite that if u look at his ODI stats his average is huge.. and thats because he has remained not out in most of his innings.. wat more could he have done batting at the end of the innings?

Fawad has been on the bench and part of the squad for 2 years now.. and the reason why he has not had a consistent run is because of what you say, that he could not force anyone out of the team..

I think now that thinking is changing.. I believe he can..

As for Khurram / Jamshed..

During last year, when Pakistan played only ODIs, they tried 3 openers – Jamshed, Khurram, and Khalid Latif…

From what I saw it was apparent that Jamshed was the ODI player with the smash bang type of game, while Khurram was the test one…

When Pakistan played their first test this year, it was Khurram who made his debut…

Then when Pakistan went to Dubai for the Aus ODIs, it was Jamshed who was in the squad.

That made it clear to me that Younis, selectors, etc were thinking along the same lines – Khurram for tests, Jamshed for ODIs..

Jamshed got injured in Dubai, Pakistan has not played ODIs since then.. I guess he will be back for the ODIs against SL unless Pak stick with Shehzad who replaced Jamshed in Dubai.