Mohammad Hafeez. -File photo by AFP

KARACHI: Former Pakistan Test paceman and cricket analyst Sikander Bakht has suggested national team’s Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez to bat down the order in the shortest form of the game during the coming tour of India.

“His style of batting did not suit T20 brand and Hafeez should bat down the order in the interest of the team,” he said on Thursday.

“We needed attacking batsmen at the top. I think Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad should be opening the innings because both are firebrand cricketers who are ideally suited for T20 format,” he commented.

“On the other hand, Hafeez’s cautious and steady style sometime put later batsmen under pressure which disturbs the rhythm and tempo of the team,” Sikander, who took 67 wickets in a 26-Test career between 1976 and 1983, said.

However, he was full of compliments for Hafeez’s tight off-spin bowling in T20 cricket.

Sikander said further that Kamran Akmal can also be used as an opener if required because of his healthy strike rate.

He also said Umar Akmal should bat at No 3. “Umar is basically an attacking batsman and would be more productive if he is given a chance to move up.”

Sikander also welcomed the selection of pacemen Anwar Ali, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan and Asad Ali along with left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar for the Indian tour.—APP