Getting off to a fast start is crucial in T20 cricket as gaining early momentum in a 20-over inning can give a team an advantage over their opponent. In all formats of cricket, openers have a big responsibility to set a solid foundation for the rest of the batting lineup.
T20 cricket presents an added challenge as the format requires runs to be scored at a quick pace while preserving wickets in the Powerplay. With the evolution of the T20 format, openers have adopted different methods and philosophies to succeed.
Three top T20 openers Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, and Sharjeel Khan sat down for a conversation ahead of the HBL Pakistan Super League 8, starting on February 13th in Multan.
Fakhar was a key player in Lahore Qalandars’ successful PSL 7 campaign, finishing the tournament with 588 runs and the best strike rate (152.72) among the top five run-getters. Fakhar’s 73 sixes are second only to Asif Ali’s 79 among the players in this year’s tournament.
Fakhar says, “As an opener, I take advantage of the opening six overs by exploiting gaps in the field. I try to score boundaries from the first ball and make the most of good deliveries by rotating the strike. Having an attacking mindset is crucial, and the approach can vary depending on the situation. If chasing a big total, you must attack, but if chasing a small total, you have more time to adjust.”
Haris, a product of age-group cricket, had a standout performance in the PSL last year with 166 runs and a strike rate of 186.51 in five matches. He anticipates the bowler’s moves by reading the field and has a success rate of 80%. Haris says, “You need a strong technique to be aggressive and attack the bowler. My goal is to dominate the bowler, no matter who they are.”
Sharjeel Khan was the first player to score a century in the PSL and has hit 72 PSL sixes to date. He believes that 70-80% of a match is defined by the first six overs and aims to score boundaries to win the game. Sharjeel says, “I try to lay a solid foundation for my team and maintain momentum if I continue to bat after the first six overs. It’s important to not forget the basics and assess the conditions before attacking. My plan is the same whether facing a spinner or a pacer, examine the conditions and then attack.”
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