Maximizing Usman Khan's Potential Might Require Pakistan to Make Sacrifices
It's common for teams to experiment closer to a World Cup, especially given the tight international schedules and sometimes limited access to competitive opponents. The Pakistan Cricket Board faced such challenges, relying on the available sample size post the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in March.
Wahab Riaz, then chief selector and now a member of the current selection committee, engaged with Usman Khan after his standout performance in the PSL, where he was awarded the best batter of the tournament. This led to Usman giving up his contract with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to fully commit to Pakistan.
Usman's impressive statistics in the PSL, playing just seven games, included 430 runs at a strike rate of 164.12 and an average of 107.50. He also scored two centuries, the most in the season, and two half-centuries, showcasing his potential as a valuable addition to Pakistan's struggling batting lineup.
Usman Khan of Multan Sultans takes a swing while Lahore Qalandars' wicket-keeper Sahibzada Farhan watches during their match at Gaddafi Stadium, as captured in a photo by M. Arif/White Star/File.
Following his participation in the Kakul fitness camp, which the Pakistan Cricket Board highlighted as an opportunity for player bonding, Usman Khan awaited his call-up to the Pakistan team.
However, this call-up came with significant consequences. Usman's journey to the national team was marked by a decision years ago when he, dissatisfied with the limited opportunities in Pakistan, relocated to the UAE to pursue his dream of international cricket. This move led to a contract with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and a pathway to international qualification, along with a work visa for residency.
In a dramatic turn, Usman tore up his ECB contract, resulting in a five-year ban from ECB-sanctioned leagues, including prominent tournaments like the ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10.
Despite these hurdles, Usman earned his Pakistan cap alongside Irfan Khan and Abrar Ahmed for the first T20I, which unfortunately got washed out. He featured in the subsequent T20Is but struggled to make an impact, scoring only 12 runs off 13 balls across two innings.
Notably, he faced challenges against leg-spin, particularly from Ish Sodhi, leading to speculations about his vulnerability to this bowling style. However, his overall record against leg-spin is more promising, having scored 207 runs off 117 balls at a brisk strike rate of 177.
Usman's journey reflects the complexities and sacrifices involved in pursuing a cricketing career across borders.
Creating a flawless eleven requires strategic placement of each player in positions where they can excel the most. It's crucial for team management to recognize and nurture players in environments where they can thrive, leading to optimal results for the team.
Usman's situation is noteworthy, as he was initially chosen based on his top-order batting performances but has been positioned in the middle order. This shift in role has brought attention to the importance of aligning player roles with their strengths to maximize their contributions to the team's success.
Cricket has undergone a significant transformation into a data-centric game, particularly with the rise of T20 cricket, leading to a greater emphasis on specialization. Coaches now craft their line-ups and strategies based on specific match-ups, influencing in-game tactics such as batting order adjustments and bowler deployment.
Players, especially bowlers, are selected based on their suitability for different game phases, conditions, and opponents. However, recent data suggests that Usman Khan hasn't been utilized effectively, a point highlighted after Pakistan's defeat to New Zealand in the third T20I in Rawalpindi.
In that match, Pakistan managed a competitive total of 178 on a batting-friendly pitch in Rawalpindi, with late contributions from Shadab Khan and Irfan. Despite New Zealand missing key players, they comfortably chased down the target, finishing 10 balls early with seven wickets in hand against Pakistan's full-strength bowling attack.
Rawalpindi has historically been a tough ground to defend totals, and Pakistan's head coach, Azhar Mahmood, acknowledged that they left some runs on the table. The key to success was a solid start from the top order, especially during the powerplay.
However, Pakistan's powerplay phase, which offers ample scoring opportunities with only two fielders outside the circle and favorable pitch conditions, yielded just 54 runs. The subsequent four overs added a mere 30 runs, highlighting the missed opportunity to capitalize on the early momentum.
The unfolding events saw Usman Khan, typically slotted at number four, remain on the sidelines despite his impressive statistics in 2024. With a strike rate of 152.43 and an average of 62.50 in the powerplay, Usman has showcased his prowess at setting high batting standards.
Throughout the year, he has been dismissed only twice in 10 innings while opening, maintaining a run rate of over nine runs per over during the first six overs. Usman has established himself as a top-order batsman, with 80% of his 1,219 T20 runs scored in the top three positions. His most effective position has been number three, where he has amassed 374 runs at a striking rate of 164.03 and an exceptional average of 124.66. As an opener, he has scored 601 runs at a strike rate of 151 and an average of 35.35, further showcasing his adaptability and ability to perform consistently at different positions.
Usman Khan, the opener for Multan Sultans, displayed his skills with a reverse-sweep during his remarkable century against Quetta Gladiators at Pindi Cricket Stadium, as captured in a photo by Tanveer Shahzad/White Star/File.
However, Usman's performance takes a noticeable dip when he is moved down the batting order. Batting at number four, where Pakistan has positioned him, his strike rate drops to 115.84, with an average of 23.40.
These statistics underscore the fact that Usman has not been utilized to his full potential. Yet, the Pakistan team faces a dilemma regarding his placement in the batting order. Promoting Usman would mean displacing either Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan, both stalwarts and key T20I batters for Pakistan, or sacrificing the promising talent of Saim Ayub. Additionally, Fakhar Zaman is also waiting for an opportunity in the playing XI.
Before the series commenced, Pakistan captain Babar Azam mentioned that the team planned to experiment during these five T20Is to finalize their ideal eleven before their departure for the UK, which marks the final phase of their T20 World Cup preparations.
One potential experiment in Lahore could involve promoting Usman up the order. In a recent match in Lahore, Usman showcased his capabilities while batting at his preferred position of number three, rescuing Multan Sultans with a rapid 55-ball 96 and leading them to a convincing 60-run victory over Lahore Qalandars.
This period presents an opportunity to explore and test various combinations to find the optimal lineup for success.
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