2nd 4-Day practice game between PCB Green & PCB White ends in a draw

[MenInG]

Pakistan step up preparations for England Tests with first-class fixture

• Azhar Ali leads PCB Green, Sarfaraz Ahmed captains PCB White

Derby, 24 July 2020:

In a bid to step up their preparations for the three World Test Championship fixtures against the hosts, England, the Pakistan men’s national cricket team will play a four-day first-class intra-squad match at Incora County Ground, Derby.

The match, which begins today, will be played between PCB Green, captained by Test captain Azhar Ali, and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s PCB White.

14-player lineups:

PCB Green: Azhar Ali ©, Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah

PCB White: Sarfaraz Ahmed ©, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Khushdil Shah, Musa Khan, Sohail Khan and Usman Khan Shinwari

This fixture is Pakistan’s last match practice before the much-anticipated Test series kicks off on 5 August at Old Trafford Manchester.

The first of the two four-dayers, which concluded on Monday, turned out to be an absorbing contest with both batsmen and bowlers fighting tooth and nail to stake their claims in the final XI of the first Test.

After getting rolled out for a paltry 181 in the reply of Team White’s first innings 249 all-out, Team Green staged a jaw-dropping comeback – at the back of Azhar’s 120 retired out, Fakhar Zaman’s 99 and Asad Shafiq’s 67 retired out – to chase 354 for the loss of four wickets in the final session.

As many as six half-centuries and two centuries were scored, while 17-year-old Naseem Shah and Sohail Khan returned five-wicket hauls for their teams. Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Yasir Shah were the other bowlers to put up notable performances.

In such a backdrop, the upcoming fixture promises to keep the fans checking the scorecard on the PCB website and scrolling through the PCB social media handles for the regular updates.

The match will commence at 11am (British Summer Time)

 

[angrypathan]

Looks like PCB Green contains all the first choice players, plus Hafeez.

Hope Hasnain gets to play this one, don't think he's even close to ready for test cricket at the moment but needs to be developed, and this would be a great experience for him.

Unfortunately if he does play, he'll be bowling to a very ordinary batting line up.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

It’s good that Hafeez is in PCB Green. This means they didn’t want to play him in PCB White and is on the Green bench.

Predicted Lineups:

PCB Green
1. Abid Ali
2. Shan Masood
3. Azhar Ali ©
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Shadab Khan / M Hasnain / Wahab Riaz
8. Yasir Shah
9. Shaheen Shah
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Naseem Shah

PCB White
1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Haider Ali
4. Fawad Alam
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Sarfaraz Ahmed ©
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Kashif Bhatti
9. Sohail Khan
10. Usman Khan Shinwari
11. Imran Khan / Musa Khan

 

[Majid Khan]

Hafeez and Naseem Shah in the same XI ? Would have been great if they were in opposing sides , what a contest that could have been - a rookie fast bowler with genuine pace bowling to a batting maestro who makes playing fast bowling look so easy.

 

[Usman]

Hafeez and Naseem Shah in the same XI ? Would have been great if they were in opposing sides , what a contest that could have been - a rookie fast bowler with genuine pace bowling to a batting maestro who makes playing fast bowling look so easy.

Are you crazy? Do you want to destroy Naseem's confidence just before the start of such an important test series? What sort of frame of mind do you think Naseem would be in when the Professor would come in and inevitably score a quadruple century like he always does?

Honestly some people on PP

 

[Saj]

Last chance saloon to grab that number 6 spot.

Openers need runs.

Can Fawad score heavily and claim a place in the starting XI.

 

[Omer2002]

its saying its classed as first class fixture is this true ...this means scores will be counted as Stats and also you can only play 11 v 11

 

[mumtaz]

Seems like no place in the first choice XI for Fawad or Iftikhar which means that Pakistan are going with Shadab at #7 with the four bowlers to follow.

The only other possibility is that they might be thinking of playing Hafeez at #6.

 

[Abdullah719]

Four-Day intra-squad match, Derby: PCB Whites win toss and elect to bowl first.

 

[Arsal_AK]

So for greens, it our standard XI with Shadab at 7. Line up for the first test?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

And with that Abid ali is out for 1

 

[Kroll]

Seems like no place in the first choice XI for Fawad or Iftikhar which means that Pakistan are going with Shadab at #7 with the four bowlers to follow.

The only other possibility is that they might be thinking of playing Hafeez at #6.

So for greens, it our standard XI with Shadab at 7. Line up for the first test?

Could be a straight shoot out between Shadab and Yasir, think they need 4 pacers instead of 2 spinners unless we know for sure its going to be a rank turner at OT but that's unlikely.

 

[Kroll]

And with that Abid ali is out for 1

Lol, top order is so fragile.

 

[Kroll]

Sohail Khan getting the wicket, been one of the best bowler's in the practice matches so far?

 

[the Great Khan]

So for greens, it our standard XI with Shadab at 7. Line up for the first test?

i think so. I think shadabs slot is up for grabs but this could be the lineup. Shadab can bat a bit so they may be thinking of having shadab there to allow yasir to attack when required. Maybe they are thinking of playing two spinners?

 

[TrentDevil]

Sohail Khan - The Destroyer

Both first choice openers gone

 

[Omer2002]

sohail khan guaranteed now......oh dear

 

[PakPremi]

Sohail Khan should be in theteam forming 4 bowler pace attack. Shadab and Yasir need to fight out for the slow bowler place.

 

[Junaids]

Now do you see why they needed 3 x 3 day matches - 6 innings instead of 4!

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Who will not play if Sohail Khan plays?

A potion of disaster calmly, magically brewing...

 

[Titan24]

Sohail Khan should be in theteam forming 4 bowler pace attack. Shadab and Yasir need to fight out for the slow bowler place.

Cant play Yasir no 7 in my opinion. One thing to note is that Sohail Khan can bat a bit as well, still remember his 60 odd in tough conditions in NZ. If Sohail is to form a 4 man pace attack you have to play either Shadab or Iftikhar at no 7 I think.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

I really really hope that trundler of highest level Sohail khan is not selected in playing 11.He is really awful.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

See you later Azhar Ali

 

[Ahmed216]

I really really hope that trundler of highest level Sohail khan is not selected in playing 11.He is really awful.

I dont agree. He's been claiming maestros like shan masood regularly so far on this tour

 

[angrypathan]

Sohail Marshall.

 

[TrentDevil]

Sohail Khan making mockery of Pak top order

 

[shamaan]

Wow sohail Khan on fire

 

[Ahmed216]

Serious problems.Shadab khan is the best bat after babar or may be shafiq as well.
Captain is a passenger who should have retired an year ago at least. This way we'll really be short of inspiration as well

 

[Junaids]

I really really hope that trundler of highest level Sohail khan is not selected in playing 11.He is really awful.

If you push Rizwan up to 6, you have several options:

7. Shadab
8. Faheem

7. Shadab
8. Sohail

7. Shadab
8. Yasir

7. Iftikhar
8. Yasir

I’d be happy with either of the first two options.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

I dont agree. He's been claiming maestros like shan masood regularly so far on this tour

He is 36 years old. he averages 41 in 9 test matches he played.He is a trundler with zero skill.Pakistani batsmen are incompetent he can have all the success against these losers but in real match he will fail I have zero doubt about that

 

[raashidkhan89079]

I dont agree. He's been claiming maestros like shan masood regularly so far on this tour

No way shan masood and a maestro should i take this as a sarcasm
Take ss of my words that i am gonna tell you right now azhar ali will fail asad will fail he is not gonna even score his 50's this time abid Ali will score babar azam will chunk runs for fun that too in every inning yasir shah will take fifers unfortunately but with a heavy dozing of runs and if they select fawad he is gona score that i can promise you he will if he is selected Shaheen and naseem will be in wicket columns shadab will score but no wickets sorry and guys like other all rounders will fail whomsoever you select suhail is not gonna pick single wicket if hr is selected take ss bro

 

[raashidkhan89079]

If Sohail khan took wicket of babar then select him for a test but don't select him on the basis of (Oxford cricketer) (23 years old captain) and (legend) wickets

 

[Kaddy]

Sohail Marshall.

Sohail Steyn.....

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Where can I find the scorecard please?

 

[TrentDevil]

Where can I find the scorecard please?

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...eam-white-tour-match-pakistan-in-england-2020

 

[PakPremi]

I really really hope that trundler of highest level Sohail khan is not selected in playing 11.He is really awful.

Sohail bowled decent last time around in England and in the world cup that he played.if you only play 9 tests on and off then you are not going to have good average. Sohail Khan bat too.

 

[Omer2002]

faheem gets Asad Shfiq now.....

Saj can you ask to the team management to play 3 match series against PCB Whites instead...i dont think there is any point in playing England and become a laughing stock on the TV.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Faheem stokes gets asad for 9

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Looks like Team green is the lineup for the first test unless someone from Team white performs exceptionally better than his counterpart. Old trafford, in recent years, has offered more spin than any other venue in England and Waqar/Misbah/Azhar are gambling on the fact this will be the 3rd consecutive test which should mean even more purchase for spinners. Not the worst idea but considering the form of both spinners, weakness of top 3 as shown by Sohail khan and the lottery that is the toss, can backfire especially if England get to bat first.

 

[PakPremi]

Bowling selction would be ok either way, but batting is the real issue. I think all three Imam, Fawad, and Haider Ali can stake a claim for Asad Shafiq place if they have a very good match.

 

[Markhor]

The two sainted seniors failing again, not like they're under any threat of being dropped though.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Bowling selction would be ok either way, but batting is the real issue. I think all three Imam, Fawad, and Haider Ali can stake a claim for Asad Shafiq place if they have a very good match.

I think Imam is already gunning for the position of Abid. Haider I think it’s too early man. Fawad as a fan I sincerely hope so

 

[shah_1]

Sohail Khan was the most unforunate bowler

Should have picked him in his prime, could move the ball both ways . Dropping him after Karachi test 2009(dead pitch) was great injustice to him. We have never tried to develop a bowler since 2 Ws retirement

 

[Pakhs]

It will be Babar or bust for Pakistan.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...eam-white-tour-match-pakistan-in-england-2020

Than you [MENTION=152120]TrentDevil[/MENTION] whatever your name means

 

[Pakhs]

The two sainted seniors failing again, not like they're under any threat of being dropped though.

Those two were never great players - they were just support player to MissYo. They have been woefully exposed since then.

 

[PakPremi]

If you push Rizwan up to 6, you have several options:

7. Shadab
8. Faheem

7. Shadab
8. Sohail

7. Shadab
8. Yasir

7. Iftikhar
8. Yasir

I’d be happy with either of the first two options.

Sohail is probably better batsman than Faheem,and certainly a lot better bowler. So for me its either Shadab and Sohail, or Yasir and Sohail.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Abid, Azhar and Asad are on their last legs. Azhar shouldn't even have been on this tour. Yasir is past it too and Abbas has another year.

We need to look for replacements at these positions. And we need a backup keeper and it's not Sarfraz.

Haris with his issues and Fawad this late are not the answer as well.

It's too soon to open with Haider. Abdullah too needs atleast one full FC season. Maybe look at guys like Usman Salahudin, he is performing in the domestics and is not at the end of his career.

 

[Junaids]

Faheem’s 6-3-8-1 against the best batsmen may be more significant than Sohail’s 7-1-15-1 against the flimsy top order.

Perhaps Faheem and Sohail are competing for the position of “fourth quick who can bat a bit”.

 

[GreenKhan]

2016 Sohail Khan got two five Wicked hauls I’m the English test series . But that was 4 years ago . He can potentially be very dangerous but his fitness is a major concern . It’s just a big shame he’s only played 9 tests .

 

[coy0607]

Shan, Abid, Azhar, Asad - they're either unproven or well past their best. Anderson, Broad, Archer will eat them up

 

[Arsal_AK]

Sohail Khan should be in theteam forming 4 bowler pace attack. Shadab and Yasir need to fight out for the slow bowler place.

If we are going with four pacers, pick either Amir or Wahab.

Sohail is not getting the new ball over Shaheen Abbas, nor should he. Plus he will be trundling in by lunch.

 

[Titan24]

Second string bowling attack giving tough time to the first choice of batsmen.

 

[Titan24]

If we are going with four pacers, pick either Amir or Wahab.

Sohail is not getting the new ball over Shaheen Abbas, nor should he. Plus he will be trundling in by lunch.

Not sure if Amir is available for tests.

 

[coy0607]

Sohail must be on the cusp of selection, although I can't see any one of Shaheen, Naseem or Abbas being dropped. Perhaps if Abbas has a poor game?

If Fakhar has a big game, he may push out Abid Ali who hasn't done much, and very unproven.

Fawad or Ifthikar may earn a place too if either one manages a decent score. With how weak the top order is, there is a room for an extra batsmen to get selected.

 

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan’s leading batsmen ran into problems on the opening morning of their final intra-squad game before next week’s first Test against England.

Four of the top order expected to play against England fell for single-figure scores with Sohail Khan taking three wickets after Azhar Ali’s Team Green were put into bat by Team White at the Incora County Ground in Derby.

Sarfraz Ahmed’s Team White opted to bowl after winning the toss on a sunny morning and Sohail was soon among the wickets, striking twice in his first three overs.

Abid Ali, who did not bat in the second innings of the opening game after he was hit on the head while fielding on the third day, edged a drive and was caught behind for one.

Shan Masood was dropped at third slip but added only one run before he was lbw for seven to a full length ball that swung in from Sohail.

Azhar made a century in the first game but made only six before he was lbw to another swinging Sohail delivery and Asad Shafiq was brilliantly caught at second slip by Iftikhar Ahmed off Faheem Ashraf for nine.

At lunch, Babar Azam was 25 not out with Team White 56 for four in a match that has been given first-class status and is being played under Test match rules.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Looks like Pakistani bowlers will fully destroy batsmen confidence before the 1st test

 

[Titan24]

Shan, Abid, Azhar, Asad - they're either unproven or well past their best. Anderson, Broad, Archer will eat them up

For their own sake lets hope Anderson and co dont overeat.

 

[Shams123]

Looks like Pakistani bowlers will fully destroy batsmen confidence before the 1st test

And these are not even the first choice bowlers. I was not expecting this. May be the conditions are very difficult.

 

[TrentDevil]

Faheem’s 6-3-8-1 against the best batsmen may be more significant than Sohail’s 7-1-15-1 against the flimsy top order.

Perhaps Faheem and Sohail are competing for the position of “fourth quick who can bat a bit”.

Sohail picked up 3 wickets

If Pakistan is going with 5 bowler strategy, it would be better to go with Sohail rather than Faheem, Sohail gives you wickets in 1st innings almost every time, though his fitness issue means he's going to be almost useless in 2nd innings.

I would prefer to go with 4 bowler strategy though, it's evident that Pakistan needs to put in enough runs on the board for Bowlers to have any chance, otherwise it might turn out to be similar to South Africa 2018

 

[TrentDevil]

Than you [MENTION=152120]TrentDevil[/MENTION] whatever your name means

haha, no worries bro

 

[Abdullah719]

Pics from the first session.

Spoiler

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Faheem’s 6-3-8-1 against the best batsmen may be more significant than Sohail’s 7-1-15-1 against the flimsy top order.

Perhaps Faheem and Sohail are competing for the position of “fourth quick who can bat a bit”.

Shan and Abid are far better than Asad individually. But let’s say there’s a debate to be had — even then, Sohail got both of them out vs Faheem who got just Asad out.

Further, Sohail spoke a bit in a video a few days ago about having an excellent training session with Waqar where Waqar taught him how to get late swing, which he says he started getting immediately after fixing an issue or two. So he seems like he’s quite potent right now.

 

[Forum363]

I mean, this is obviously worrying.

But at the same time, if the Greens were 80 for 0 at lunch, we would be bemoaning the lack of effective match practise against a second string attack etc.

At least this way we know that the top order was put under some test with swing on offer on a difficult pitch. Ofcourse the fact that they couldn’t last against these bowlers is a bit of an issue but you hope they learn from this experience. I believe it’s more beneficial than racking up 200 runs on a flat pitch.

 

[Forum363]

Shan and Abid are far better than Asad individually. But let’s say there’s a debate to be had — even then, Sohail got both of them out vs Faheem who got just Asad out.

Further, Sohail spoke a bit in a video a few days ago about having an excellent training session with Waqar where Waqar taught him how to get late swing, which he says he started getting immediately after fixing an issue or two. So he seems like he’s quite potent right now.

Let’s see how he bowls for the rest of the match. Bowling with the new ball, the first session of a test match is good but he has fitness issues plus is slower so needs to prove he can bowl well throughout a Test.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I mean, this is obviously worrying.

But at the same time, if the Greens were 80 for 0 at lunch, we would be bemoaning the lack of effective match practise against a second string attack etc.

At least this way we know that the top order was put under some test with swing on offer on a difficult pitch. Ofcourse the fact that they couldn’t last against these bowlers is a bit of an issue but you hope they learn from this experience. I believe it’s more beneficial than racking up 200 runs on a flat pitch.

On the other hand, it does mean that Babar is doing quite nicely. Which is always good.

 

[coy0607]

Looks like Pakistani bowlers will fully destroy batsmen confidence before the 1st test

If Azhar and Asad, veterans of 70+ tests can get their confidence destroyed in a warm-up match, then this team should just pack their bags and head back home

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Let’s see how he bowls for the rest of the match. Bowling with the new ball, the first session of a test match is good but he has fitness issues plus is slower so needs to prove he can bowl well throughout a Test.

Definitely. I am also watching Haider, Fawad, Iftikhar, and Shadab very closely.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Definitely. I am also watching Haider, Fawad, Iftikhar, and Shadab very closely.

Thing is like a relationship you can't rush things with Haider. He's some player i know but let's slowly build him as well as him Hurraira is another that deserves ago along with Rohail Nazir as a future prospect.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Thing is like a relationship you can't rush things with Haider. He's some player i know but let's slowly build him as well as him Hurraira is another that deserves ago along with Rohail Nazir as a future prospect.

Agreed, don’t want to rush him either, but I still want to see him do well here. If he can score 40-80 against Shaheen, Naseem, Abbas, in difficult English conditions, I will be very happy.

 

[shah_1]

Those two were never great players - they were just support player to MissYo. They have been woefully exposed since then.

Throw these two garbage out if they don't perform in this series

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Babar Azam is gone just like last night's somosa in my fridge.

 

[Mujtaba2900]

Babar definitely not in the same form post covid .His Sr Has gone down and repeatedly Getting Out To keeper .Lol.this tour is done already

 

[angrypathan]

Babar out to Imran Khan of all bowlers.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Babar definitely not in the same form post covid .His Sr Has gone down and repeatedly Getting Out To keeper .Lol.this tour is done already

That's why we can't be harsh with under-performing players, everyone needs time to adjust. It's not easy playing cricket post COVID.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Those two were never great players - they were just support player to MissYo. They have been woefully exposed since then.

Azhar was pretty good before his decline. He was our second best batsman after YK. Runs in all conditions.

The trouble with our players is that they don't know when to call it quits. Azhar should have been out of the team a year ago, especially after the Aus series.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Azhar was pretty good before his decline. He was our second best batsman after YK. Runs in all conditions.

The trouble with our players is that they don't know when to call it quits. Azhar should have been out of the team a year ago, especially after the Aus series.

It's all about the money, who is going to quit when they have money coming in even if they stink.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Ladies and gents! Shadab now goes. Interesting this! Is the final spot still up for grabs?

 

[Titan24]

I feel inter squad matches are much more competitive and better preparation for the players in comparison to teams which home countries provide to play against.

Ofcourse squads in normal circumstances arent this big but still requesting few fringe players from host board and playing inter squad matches looks to be a decent way to go in my opinion. We can easily see the mediocre teams which were provided by Aus for warm ups in the last tour and has happened on numerous other occasions as well where teams either provide teams with very young players or second xis.

 

[Titan24]

Sohail Khan with a 4fer, based upon stats what a performance from him.