Iftikhar Ahmed Sparks Debate Over His Role in Pakistan Cricket Team
Pakistan cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed has stirred up a discussion about his role within the national cricket team after labeling himself as a “tailender” rather than an all-rounder or middle-order batter.
Since 2022, Iftikhar has been a consistent part of Pakistan’s white-ball teams, often considered a batting all-rounder who plays in the lower middle order and can bowl occasionally. Despite this, he has yet to deliver a standout match-winning performance, which has led to criticism from fans.
Ahead of the Champions One-Day Cup, where he is set to represent Team Wolves under the leadership of wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar made headlines with his candid remarks. In a viral video on social media, a reporter referred to him as a middle-order batter, prompting an annoyed response from the cricketer.
“I’m not a middle-order batter, I’m a lower-order batter. I’m not an all-rounder, I’m a tailender,” Iftikhar clarified.
He went on to explain: “I bat at No.7 or 8. If you compare me to all-rounders and middle-order batters around the world, they play at No.4 or 5. But I bat at No.7 or 8, so I consider myself a tailender.”
For context, Iftikhar Ahmed has batted in 55 T20I innings for Pakistan, playing at No.5 on 25 occasions, No.7 11 times, No.6 10 times, and a few stints at No.4 and No.8. In ODIs, he has batted at No.5 in 16 out of 24 innings, with stints at No.7, No.6, and No.4. In his brief Test career, consisting of six innings, he batted five times at No.6 and once at No.7.
Iftikhar’s recent comments have reignited conversations about his position and future role in Pakistan’s cricket team.
