Sanaz's injury could change DZCC's plans

DZCC's campaign suffered a major setback even before it started with M.Sanaz fracturing a Knee during a last game between JBS in Al-Qusas. The injury will sideline him for three weeks, which puts him in doubt for the series against JBS.M.Fasir will replace him in the Current Series while M.Arafath takes over as vice-captain.

Sanaz's absence presents fascinating challenges to a batting line-up struggling to cope with M.Razeen's unavailability and the failures of Arafath and Siraj.Fasir was recalled as a result of those problems, and his role grows in stature with the current crisis.There has been a pattern to DZCC's innings since Razeen's out:Sanaz solid at the top,Hillal and Nazeer anchors the innings during the middle overs, while sanaz provides firepower to propel DZCC to a strong total. That will now have to change.

Sanaz's injury is likely to most affect Skipper. Of late Arafath has adopted a more sedate approach and has almost cut out his big shots. It could be said that even when Arafath tried to play big shots during the Middle overs of, and in tournaments like the Lions Tour, he could not pull them off consistently. However, with Sanaz in the team, Arafath could play the anchoring role, which he has done brilliantly. Time and again he promoted himself, especially when DZCC made a good start, to steer the side through the middle overs, allowing others to flex there muscles at the end.

Nazeers's re-adjustment process could be helped by the presence of Fasir, whose much-discussed - and in some quarters much criticised - comeback couldn't have been timed better.Arafath again can play the anchoring role, one that obviously suits him, and it might help him as well. He might have been under pressure earlier to increase the run-rate but now his role will be to bat through the innings.Fasir normally starts Slowly but by the end of his innings his strike-rate is usually acceptable. Now, he can afford to start slowly without the added pressure.That worked like a charm but it may change now.Nazeer could be forced to do what he has given up, turning the clock back and playing the aggressive shots that captured the imagination of his fans. It will be intriguing to see what route he takes: Will he bat at No 4 and leave the attacking roles to his younger team-mates, or will he take it up himself?

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