Pakistani Cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed Declares Himself As a ‘Tailender’

Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has redefined his role within the national cricket team, referring to himself as a “tailender” rather than a middle-order batter.

His comments came ahead of the Champions One-Day Cup, which will take place in Faisalabad. Iftikhar will represent the Wolves team under Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy.

In a recent media interaction, the 34-year-old all-rounder explained his perspective: “I don’t see myself as a middle-order batter or an all-rounder. I bat at No.7 or 8, and when you compare that with other all-rounders, they often occupy the No.4 or 5 spots. In my eyes, I’m a tailender.”

Iftikhar’s remarks might surprise some, given his versatility within the Pakistan squad. In the 2024 T20 World Cup match against India, he batted at No.7, contributing to his 55 T20I innings, where he has played in various positions, including 25 innings at No.5 and several stints lower down the order.

Despite his self-characterization, Iftikhar Ahmed has shown adaptability across formats. In One Day Internationals, he has batted in different spots, with the majority of his innings coming at No.6, while in Tests, he has predominantly occupied No.6 and occasionally No.7.

The Champions One-Day Cup, which will run from September 12 to 29 at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, features Pakistan’s top cricket talent, with seasoned mentors such as Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis guiding the teams.