That is a very bold and innovative signing by Mickey Arthur in picking up one of Pakistan's hottest batting prospects for all formats for the 2023 season, subject to his international commitments.
While he has played a fair amount of the latter for a young man of just 22, he is not currently a first pick, so Derbyshire may perhaps see more of him than we did Shan Masood last year.
He is a completely different player, of course. Where Masood is essentially a sheet anchor, a Roundhead if you will, Haider is a Cavalier, an entertainer, capable of reaching and clearing the boundary on a regular basis. He has a good range of strokes and while typical English early season wickets will prove a fresh challenge for him, Arthur will know him well and be confident that he can rise to that challenge.
It would be wrong, I think, to expect him to replicate the exploits of Masood last year. He is much less experienced and a totally different kind of player. Nor will he have cost so much, as a young man with a reputation to build.
He most frequently bats in the middle order and will certainly offer valuable firepower in the Vitality Blast. But there are suggestions that he has been signed to open the batting, which is interesting. It will test him, but may also see an enhancement to and strengthening of his technique.
As for the middle order...Guest, Madsen, du Plooy, Lamb and Dal is a serious lineup, not forgetting Tom Wood. There should be high level, high octane entertainment this summer.
I can only say that if Haider discovers his best form early, then he could be the missing link in this side. He is an entertainer, albeit one who will want to see his one-day averages head northwards. Coming to the county game, as for so many before, could be the making of him. He will better learn to go through the gears, rather than aiming to get from nought to sixty in no time but perhaps to the detriment of his average.
Here he is below, showing what he can do from YouTube.
Those tickets look like being in high demand this season!
Welcome to Derbyshire, Haider.
I wonder if Brooke Guest might be asked to open as we now have such a strong middle order?
ReplyDeleteAli sounds an exciting signing. We needed a cavalier to add extra fire power.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of fire power, Leus du Plooy has been in sparkling form in the South African T20.
I also think Brooke Guest would make a good opener. He's solid and can occupy the crease while keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Exciting signing. A quick scout on ESPN suggests he's opened the batting in first-class cricket. Maybe in Mickey's thoughts?
ReplyDeleteDifficult to dislodge the Guest, Madsen, du Plooy axis after last season. Roll on the season!
Excellent signing indeed. Hope he can stay the entire season with us, without any international call ups. I guess it is inevitable though that he will be an attractive choice for one of the Hundred franchises.
ReplyDeleteAs far as our team line up is now looking - a batting line up of Ali; Madsen; Du Plooy; Guest; Lamb and Dal would look strong in a 1st Division team, with one opener to be found from those 6 and another from Reece, Godleman, Came and Wood. Personally I wouldn't bet against Anuj Dal and Harry Came being tried as openers
Seam attack is also 1st division ready with Aitchison, Connors, Scrimshaw, Lakmal and Chappell to choose from, plus back up from Dal and Reece if he is the chosen extra batsman
That just leaves the spinners. Whilst McKiernan and Watt can do good jobs in the 1 day arena, I'm not convinced they are the the answer in 4 day cricket. For me this remains the 1 piece of the jigsaw yet to be found
I would expect Godleman and Reece to start the season as openers. Hopefully Billy can recapture his best form without the captaincy to worry about.
ReplyDeleteDal has benefitted from a clearly defined role within the side and I think there is zero chance of him being asked to open.
I am hoping Thompson can regain a bit of confidence which he seemed to lose during the second half of last season, giving us a good spin option. Can bat a bit too. I rate him.
As for Ali, being available for all formats all season (hopefully) is a real bonus. I trust MA to get the best out of him. Could be another inspired overseas signing. Let's hope so.
I just hope we don't run out of fast bowlers again, like last September. It's the bowlers who get injured and I doubt Conners will play every game again. The rest almost certainly won't. Lack of depth in that department could be costly. Kris
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