A complete overhaul of Pakistan ODI cricket is required

[shariqnoor]

It goes without saying that a complete overhaul of Pakistani ODI cricket is required, but by overhauling I mean not just the players but the selectors as well and the coaches at the domestic too.

Our selectors need to become brave now and pick players out of the blue, either from the U19s or maybe someone who has showed some promise in the domestic without having played much domestic because our domestic structure is only worsening players. I'm reminded of Amir Sohail's tenure as chief selector right after the World Cup 2003 where he took the ruthless step of ending careers of Wasim/Waqar/Anwar and gave chances to youngsters. Amir Sohail actually introduced 3 players who served Pakistan for a long time and won matches for us (Hafeez/Naved-ul-Hasan/Umar Gul).

We need a similar approach now. Our U16 team just whitewashed Australia U16 team so it means that up til the U16 and U19 level, we have some good talent. But once this U19 team goes into our domestic structure, they become mediocre ala Anwar Ali/Nasir Jamshed. Now with our domestic structure being the way it is, it would be better to induct 17-18 year olds into the team rather than waste this talent into our domestic. Wasim/Waqar/Inzamam/Afridi all were in their teens when selected. Look how they turned out. Lately we have started following the Australian method of inducting players after they have played an X amount of domestic cricket. That works for them but it doesn't work for us.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

No offence but some fans opinions changes after every game here. You should have started this thread after Pakistan won the second ODI against Australia otherwise it will look like another emotional thread after a loss.

 

[coy0607]

Everything you're saying, people have been saying for 10+ years

 

[JaDed]

There should be a megathread on this topic ,not sure the amount of times such threads have come up in past 3-4 years since i have been reading this forum.

 

[MRSN]

Nothing will change brother. We have been left behind by the modern ODI cricket. People used to defend 220 totals set by Pakistan during Misbah days due to our side losing early wickets. It seems like it is coming back to haunt us forever. at least there is some improvement we are crossing 250 now.

Look at our selections the likes of Shafiq and Rizwan. The more emphasize is playing out the 50 overs not on getting a par total. If PCB were any serious they would have dumped players like Azhar,Asad,Rizwan and made sure Hafeez never opens. And selected a proper off spinner.

 

[Raja Danish]

We need to build an odi team that plays attacking brand of cricket and compete with best... First need an aggresive captain who plays with aggresive mindset and makes his team fight for every ball.. Make Sarfraz as captain.. The team combination should be similar to the one we had in 1999 world Cup.. That was our best side to play limited overs cricket, we will never get that combination but we need to find similar combination with CT 20117 and worldcup 2019 in our mind as both tournaments will be played in England... My team consists of:
1: Sharjeel
2: Fakhar Zaman or another reliable solid opener to support sharjeel with keeping on end and other end attacking,sharjeel to be aggressor and other keep rotating strike..
3: Babar Azam (one down place should be given to your best batsman and babar is ther)
4: Haris Sohai (2 down is also important position and you should have a player who plays swing and seam with ease and build innings and haris is the man)
5: Shoaib malik (need a senior here so no options than to chose malik)
6: Sarfraz Ahmad (Captain, he can interchange position with malik if required)
7: Need an allrounder here fast bowling allrounder aka Razzaq mould or even azhar mahmood
8: Imad wasim or another express right hand pace bowler bowling in 145+ kphs and could bat a bit...
9:Amir
10: Mystery spinner or some wicket taking spinner ( asghar, irfan legspinner, or other top domestic spinner if we could find)
11:Junaid
Bench:
12: Reserve talented young opener/fakhar zaman
13: Middleorder batsman who could bat at strike rate of 100 or above,like sohaib maqsood
14: fast medium bowling all rounder/imad wasim
15: reserve keeper who is more of a batsman and a reliable behind stumps
16: Fast bowler(express one, i mean bowler with 145+ kph pace)

 

[MRSN]

There should be a megathread on this topic ,not sure the amount of times such threads have come up in past 3-4 years since i have been reading this forum.

There is literally no hope in Pakistan as far as merit is concerned. We have our prime minister caught red handed with corruption but our courts just can't give verdict against this man. Unless we get rid of a dictator in civilian uniform we will never get far. I'm mentioning this because it is him who has appointed the likes of Najam Sethi and SHK who have spent more than half revenues travelling than the actual domestic cricket.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Nothing will change brother. We have been left behind by the modern ODI cricket. People used to defend 220 totals set by Pakistan during Misbah days due to our side losing early wickets. It seems like it is coming back to haunt us forever. at least there is some improvement we are crossing 250 now.

Look at our selections the likes of Shafiq and Rizwan. The more emphasize is playing out the 50 overs not on getting a par total. If PCB were any serious they would have dumped players like Azhar,Asad,Rizwan and made sure Hafeez never opens. And selected a proper off spinner.

And also done away with sloggers like Akmal and Afridi.

 

[MRSN]

And also done away with sloggers like Akmal and Afridi.

he resurrected our innings today. If it wasn't for his vital 38 runs we wouldn't even reached 250.

 

[Kianig89]

Serious of talent atm so our best chance is to stick with 20-22 players and develop them tactically in terms of match awareness and situation perfect example is how a debutante H'comb weathered the early storm at snail's pace and by then end of his innings his SR 97/98

We should select a group of players and stick with them regardless of results for atleast 15-20 games which is 3-4 series players who have a long term future with the side not perpetuity like Hafeez Malik etal.

Openers Sharjeel Shehzad Sami Aslam

Middle Order Babar Haris Sohail U.Akmal K.Latif

Wicket Keepers Safraz (c) Rizwan

All Rounders Imad Nawaz Anwar Ammad

Spinners Z.Gohar Y.Shah M.Asghar

Pacers Amir Junaid Hasan Wahab

 

[Dr_Bassim]

he resurrected our innings today. If it wasn't for his vital 38 runs we wouldn't even reached 250.

Was resurrection a part of his plan when he charged down the wicket when only on 1 run and was lucky to have avoided being stumped?

Or was that all part of the Master Plan of the "The Chosen One" ?

 

[Syed1]

How impressive it was of Australia to play Billy Stanlake. He only has 7 games in domestic yet they put the lad in the deep end and I think he did fairly well. I think the comms mentioned that he was identified at the young age of 16 and has been under development since then.


Pakistan was renowned for throwing youngsters in the deep end and seeing if they sink or swim, but since the Misbah era we have developed a distinct hate for youngsters and if your age is less than 30 then you won't debut.

 

[Kianig89]

we also had a lanky pacer who was hitting early 140kph and was less than 25 back in 2012 but we never gave him opportunity Ahmed Jamal rather we opted for Cheems S.Khans Bhattis etc

 

[shariqnoor]

Leaving aside the horrors of our domestic, we need some innovation in our selections too. We have absolutely no sense and purpose in selecting players. Asad Shafiq was selected in ODIs based on his Test match performances. Sharjeel was selected in Test matches based on his T20 skills. I mean who comes up with these horrible decisions?

The World Cup is only 2.5 years away. We need to take a chance with youngsters (U-19s) right now so that at least 2 or 3 of them are able to cement themselves by the time the world cup arrives.

Also is it just me or is Pakistan now the worst team when it comes to utilizing reverse-swing? Hazlewood gets reverse for fun yet Amir/Wahab who bowl a lot faster than him hardly reverses. We have been declining in every aspect.

 

[MRSN]

we also had a lanky pacer who was hitting early 140kph and was less than 25 back in 2012 but we never gave him opportunity Ahmed Jamal rather we opted for Cheems S.Khans Bhattis etc

you forgot Anwar Ali,Imran Khan jnr. snr..?

 

[MRSN]

Leaving aside the horrors of our domestic, we need some innovation in our selections too. We have absolutely no sense and purpose in selecting players. Asad Shafiq was selected in ODIs based on his Test match performances. Sharjeel was selected in Test matches based on his T20 skills. I mean who comes up with these horrible decisions?

The World Cup is only 2.5 years away. We need to take a chance with youngsters (U-19s) right now so that at least 2 or 3 of them are able to cement themselves by the time the world cup arrives.

Also is it just me or is Pakistan now the worst team when it comes to utilizing reverse-swing? Hazlewood gets reverse for fun yet Amir/Wahab who bowl a lot faster than him hardly reverses. We have been declining in every aspect.

This is the best batting line up we can put from the players available.

Sharjeel
Kamran Akmal/Ahmed Shehzad
Baber Azam
Malik
Umar
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Imad

It's the best Pakistan can put. Unless we really can find better players than above in the list we should stop making changes.

 

[shariqnoor]

This is the best batting line up we can put from the players available.

Sharjeel
Kamran Akmal/Ahmed Shehzad
Baber Azam
Malik
Umar
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Imad

It's the best Pakistan can put. Unless we really can find better players than above in the list we should stop making changes.

Brother unless we give chances to absolute rookies we will not understand whether they are better than Umar Akmal or MoHa or Ahmed Shehzad. We need to try them out before making a judgement that Akmals, Shehzad, Nawaz, Shafiq are the best we have.

 

[160KPH]

We certainly don't need a complete overhaul.

Replace Hafeez with Azhar Ali. Even though I haven't liked Azhar's captaincy or a fan of his batting, as of now there is no reason to drop him and he's in in amazing form. Hafeez on the other hand consistently fails overseas and Malik does his role far better.

Replace Asad Shafiq with a hard hitting pace all-rounder who will bat 8 behind the wicket-keeper. Our opening-duo of bowlers I'm confident in and we still have spin options in Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik. Ideally Babar and Azhar can toss in few as well.

Umar Akmal is downright useless. Can never expect him to come good for you, I never feel assured when he's at the crease. Send him back to domestics forever, he's been given too many chances and fails time and time again.


1. Azhar Ali
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Babar Azam
4. Shoaib Malik
5. Imad Wasim
6. Hard hitting lower order batsmen
7. Sarfraz
8. Pace-bowling all rounder
9. Mohammed Amir
10. Hasan Ali
11. Junaid Khan

 

[Bilal7]

Simply need to bid farewell to Hafeez, Malik and Azhar; play Babar, Akmal and Sarfaraz at 3, 4 and 5, respectively; find a solid opener to partner Sharjeel and an explosive finisher for the #6 slot; and pick your four best bowlers in every single match. I suggest something along these lines:

1) Sharjeel
2)
3) Babar
4) Umar
5) Sarfaraz (c) (wk)
6) ?
7) Imad
8) Riaz
9) Amir
10) Hassan
11) Junaid

 

[Syed1]

Simply need to bid farewell to Hafeez, Malik and Azhar; play Babar, Akmal and Sarfaraz at 3, 4 and 5, respectively; find a solid opener to partner Sharjeel and an explosive finisher for the #6 slot; and pick your four best bowlers in every single match. I suggest something along these lines:

1) Sharjeel
2)
3) Babar
4) Umar
5) Sarfaraz (c) (wk)
6) ?
7) Imad
8) Riaz
9) Amir
10) Hassan
11) Junaid

I like how you always have to put Wahab Riaz in your side. He averages 74 in his last 10 ODIs. With most of the wickets being against the Windies. Against NZ and England his average is in the hundreds. Mashallah exactly what our team needs.

And Umar Akmal has played 12 matches in the last 2 years (including the one in WACA yesterday) and he averages a ground breaking 25. Mashallah exactly what our team needs.

 

[Bilal7]

I like how you always have to put Wahab Riaz in your side. He averages 74 in his last 10 ODIs. With most of the wickets being against the Windies. Against NZ and England his average is in the hundreds. Mashallah exactly what our team needs.

And Umar Akmal has played 12 matches in the last 2 years (including the one in WACA yesterday) and he averages a ground breaking 25. Mashallah exactly what our team needs.

Yes, they haven't been in good form but they are proven quality and both deserve to be in the side at least until the Champions Trophy. After that, Riaz should be bid farewell as well.

 

[shariqnoor]

I like how you always have to put Wahab Riaz in your side. He averages 74 in his last 10 ODIs. With most of the wickets being against the Windies. Against NZ and England his average is in the hundreds. Mashallah exactly what our team needs.

And Umar Akmal has played 12 matches in the last 2 years (including the one in WACA yesterday) and he averages a ground breaking 25. Mashallah exactly what our team needs.

Exactly why we need to depart with this selection policy of picking players based on "potential". Potential never won you anything. We need performers. Wahab and Akmal have always played on their potential. About time we throw them out.

 

[New Yorker]

Yes, they haven't been in good form but they are proven quality and both deserve to be in the side at least until the Champions Trophy. After that, Riaz should be bid farewell as well.

Riaz is proven mediocrity. There is nothing more to know about him. Hasan was a good introduction. We need to keep introducing new prospects.

 

[Rayyman]

Look at England. Their oldest player is Morgan at 30 and Plunkett at 31. We need to get rid of TTFs like Azhar, Hafeez, Shafiq, Riaz and Malik. Make a young captain like Imad or Amir. Sarfraz can be the veteran. Sure we might struggle without Hafeez and Malik for the time being, but it will be better for the future.

 

[fazleefridi]

For CT

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Malik
Imad
Sarfraz(wk, c)(floater)
Yamin
Amir
Junaid
Ghulam mudassar(get him into the side ASAP)

Umar(3rd opener)
Kamran(back up keeper, as his batting is much better than Rizwan)
Asghar
Irfan

After September(Direct qualification to the WC ) throw Kamran and Irfan out. If needed throw Umar as well.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Simply need to bid farewell to Hafeez, Malik and Azhar; play Babar, Akmal and Sarfaraz at 3, 4 and 5, respectively; find a solid opener to partner Sharjeel and an explosive finisher for the #6 slot; and pick your four best bowlers in every single match. I suggest something along these lines:

1) Sharjeel
2)
3) Babar
4) Umar
5) Sarfaraz (c) (wk)
6) ?
7) Imad
8) Riaz
9) Amir
10) Hassan
11) Junaid

malik has done well in this series so far his avg is 81 and @ SR 87 second to him is babar averaging 50.. hafeez got away with his 72 in the last game, but still stuggling...

If there is a complete overhaul MALIK should take the captaincy with his form being good in LOIs since his return... I personally didnt expect MALIK to play this good in AUS knowing his weakness against pace and bounce...

 

[Mamoon]

Having said that, the next few years in ODIs are surely going to be better than the last few years. I believe we are going back to the early and mid 2000's where Pakistan was better in Limited Overs compared to Tests.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Having said that, the next few years in ODIs are surely going to be better than the last few years. I believe we are going back to the early and mid 2000's where Pakistan was better in Limited Overs compared to Tests.

Slowly but surely you are getting there. You just need a solid opener (Not Azhar Ali) to allow Sharjeel to free his arms early on. Babar at 3, Malik at 4 and U Akmal at 5 with Sarfaraz at 6 is a good batting unit that can post competitive totals. You need to find a good pace A/R in the Razzaq mould tho

Whatever happend to Shoaib Maqsood? He looked promising.

 

[Hasan123]

Slowly but surely you are getting there. You just need a solid opener (Not Azhar Ali) to allow Sharjeel to free his arms early on. Babar at 3, Malik at 4 and U Akmal at 5 with Sarfaraz at 6 is a good batting unit that can post competitive totals. You need to find a good pace A/R in the Razzaq mould tho

Whatever happend to Shoaib Maqsood? He looked promising.

Maqsood fitness was poor. Also had issues with his footwork and struggled to pick leg break bowlers.

 

[Hasan123]

I think we just need an explosive opener, more power down the order, and a leg break bowler such as Mir or Shadab. Optimistic about our LO future if Azhar is replaced soon.

 

[Square Drive]

Nah our team is fine.

Just need a pace AR/finisher down the order, and I believe Yamin can fit the bill.

Also need to stop making silly mistakes on a mental level i.e. bowling no balls.

Apart from that our team is fine.

 

[Mamoon]

Slowly but surely you are getting there. You just need a solid opener (Not Azhar Ali) to allow Sharjeel to free his arms early on. Babar at 3, Malik at 4 and U Akmal at 5 with Sarfaraz at 6 is a good batting unit that can post competitive totals. You need to find a good pace A/R in the Razzaq mould tho

Whatever happend to Shoaib Maqsood? He looked promising.

Maqsood's decline has been worse than that of Umar and Rizwan. Lazy, unfit and a brainless slogger.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Maqsood's decline has been worse than that of Umar and Rizwan. Lazy, unfit and a brainless slogger.

Maqsood fitness was poor. Also had issues with his footwork and struggled to pick leg break bowlers.

Well that's sad, I remember catching his debut innings. He looked quite promising. Free flowing and fearless. And had a bit of Inzy touch to his style.

 

[ads101]

Slowly but surely you are getting there. You just need a solid opener (Not Azhar Ali) to allow Sharjeel to free his arms early on. Babar at 3, Malik at 4 and U Akmal at 5 with Sarfaraz at 6 is a good batting unit that can post competitive totals. You need to find a good pace A/R in the Razzaq mould tho

Whatever happend to Shoaib Maqsood? He looked promising.

If Jamshed ever rediscovers form, that would be good.

On ability alone I think the top 7 in the future would be

1. Jamshed
2. Shehzad
3. Haris Sohail
4. Babar Azam
5. Umar Akmal
6. Maqsood
7. Sarfraz

But don't see that happening, probably only Babar and Sarfraz will succeed from that crop (who are performing now anyway).

 

[ads101]

Well that's sad, I remember catching his debut innings. He looked quite promising. Free flowing and fearless. And had a bit of Inzy touch to his style.

Just fell away, ran into bad form. Pretty much the same as Umar, became more of a slogger, lot of aerial stuff, couldn't find the gaps in the field, technique fell apart.

So many of our most talented batsmen have just fallen away after good starts. Jamshed, Umar Akmal, Maqsood, Shehzad they've just failed to live up to the hype.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

If Jamshed ever rediscovers form, that would be good.

On ability alone I think the top 7 in the future would be

1. Jamshed
2. Shehzad
3. Haris Sohail
4. Babar Azam
5. Umar Akmal
6. Maqsood
7. Sarfraz

But don't see that happening, probably only Babar and Sarfraz will succeed from that crop (who are performing now anyway).

Shehzad needs to change his style or he's a big no in todays modern ODI era. He plays far too many dots and puts break to your innings even before it takes off. He can play shots but you would do well with a less elegant player who rotates strikes and keep things moving. Azhar Ali isnt your answer though.

Jamshed is too similar to Sharjeel isn't he? You could risk playing 2 aggressive openers.

 

[Misia]

We need to build an odi team that plays attacking brand of cricket and compete with best... First need an aggresive captain who plays with aggresive mindset and makes his team fight for every ball.. Make Sarfraz as captain.. The team combination should be similar to the one we had in 1999 world Cup.. That was our best side to play limited overs cricket, we will never get that combination but we need to find similar combination with CT 20117 and worldcup 2019 in our mind as both tournaments will be played in England... My team consists of:




1: Sharjeel
2: Fakhar Zaman or another reliable solid opener to support sharjeel with keeping on end and other end attacking,sharjeel to be aggressor and other keep rotating strike..
3: Babar Azam (one down place should be given to your best batsman and babar is ther)
4: Haris Sohai (2 down is also important position and you should have a player who plays swing and seam with ease and build innings and haris is the man)
5: Shoaib malik (need a senior here so no options than to chose malik)
6: Sarfraz Ahmad (Captain, he can interchange position with malik if required)
7: Need an allrounder here fast bowling allrounder aka Razzaq mould or even azhar mahmood
8: Imad wasim or another express right hand pace bowler bowling in 145+ kphs and could bat a bit...
9:Amir
10: Mystery spinner or some wicket taking spinner ( asghar, irfan legspinner, or other top domestic spinner if we could find)
11:Junaid
Bench:
12: Reserve talented young opener/fakhar zaman
13: Middleorder batsman who could bat at strike rate of 100 or above,like sohaib maqsood
14: fast medium bowling all rounder/imad wasim
15: reserve keeper who is more of a batsman and a reliable behind stumps
16: Fast bowler(express one, i mean bowler with 145+ kph pace)

i like it. !!!!!!!!!
1 change

swap Fukhar and Haris, the swing/seam will be there from 1st ball

 

[Markhor]

You guys are making all these hypothetical XIs, but you have to compare them to our competition - our batting lineup is not as explosive as England or Australia, not as adept at rotating strike and running hard between the wickets as India, we're not in the same league.

Our standard of domestic one day competition is mediocre. The organising for this current regional 50 over tournament has been a debacle with it being bang in the middle of the rainy season in Pakistan. You have the likes of Sohail Tanvir who are captaining these sides based on seniority alone. In the departmental cup you only had 2 scores of 300+ in over 30 matches.

The domestic system is not producing the strokemakers or explosive power hitters needed for the modern game.

 

[PakLFC]

This overhaul has been pending for the last ten years. Problem is that we don't seems to have any better options on the subs bench. Call for change will only work if there is talent available who can come in and do the business.

 

[R1ddlR]

Mickey Arthur himself stated that he doesn't want Shafiq in the ODI Squad, but he has no other options - this is a selection matter' AUS took a punt with Handscombe and he came good - we need to take a punt with a good young domestic batsmen.

We will lose series after series, but in a year or two we will have an formidable/experienced squad.

 

[Barragan]

Don't need an overhaul, just a rejig of the order.

1. Sharjeel
2. Babar
3. Akmal
4. Malik
5. Sarfraz
6. Hafeez
7. Imad

Hafeez is bad upfront, but he can do really well down the order and has the intelligence to be a fine finisher, plus his bowling is very handy.

As for bowling, Amir is the only certainty and the rest are questionable.

 

[Shahvaaaaaaaiz]

Yes, we need to rethink our teams, in all formats. Ahmed shahzad, who is a talent we our wasting is playing domestic, scoring runs, captained 2 sides to victory and is not in the team, and the likes of asad shafiq, who can't play one dayers is in the team, costing us matches. We need a new improved team, and yes a sensible selection comitte, and don't forget our coaches. We have a horrible batting and bowling coach, so our structure needs improving aswell.

 

[Pete Rose]

No. There is nothing in life that ever requires a complete overhaul.
But it makes for a great stump speech: make Pakistan cricket great again.
Welcome meat for plenty of rubes.

 

[Seamer]

We need to bring Sohail into the odi side use him as a hard hitting lower order option for a few years. My team for ct will look like this:

1. Azhar Ali
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Babar Azam
4. Malik
5. Sarfaraz
6. Hafeez
7. Imad Wasim
8. Sohail Khan
9. Amir
10. Hassan Ali
11. Junaid Khan

 

[mz123]

I thinks that this is the best possible playin eleven:

1-Sharjeel Khan
2-Umar Akmal
3-Babar Azam
4-Haris Sohail
5-Sarfaraz Ahmad
6-Shoaib Malik
7-Mohammad Hafeez
8-Imad Wasim
9-Mohammad Amir
10-Junaid Khan
11-Hassan Ali

 

[shariqnoor]

Listening to Michael Clarke in the 3rd ODI, he mentioned that he wanted players in the ODI team who could deliver in 2 aspects of the game (Batting/Fielding, Batting/Bowling or Bowling/Fielding). Let's see how our today's team stacks up in that aspect.

1. Sharjeel Khan (only Batting - 1/3)
2. Azhar Ali (Batting/Fielding - 1.5/3)
3. Babar Azam (Batting/Fielding - 2/3)
4. Mohammad Hafeez (Batting/Bowling - 1.5/3)
5. Shoaib Malik (Batting/Fielding - 2/3)
6. Umar Akmal (Batting/Fielding - 2/3)
7. Mohammad Rizwan (WK - 1/3)
8. Imad Wasim (Batting/Bowling - 2/3)
9. Mohammad Amir (Bowling - 1/3)
10. Hasan Ali (Bowling - 1/3)
11. Junaid Khan (Bowling - 1/3)

So we have only about 4 players in our current team who contributes to 2 aspects of the game in our ODI cricket. And even those 4 players are really 1.5/3 rather than proper all rounders. Our whole team is a big liability. You could say only Shoaib Malik is worthy of being called an all rounder in our team. Compare this to Australia, leaving out Khwaja, the other 10 all contribute to 2 aspects of the game.

 

[princeuk]

Surely there are young cricketers that the PCB can groom, they cant be any worse than our current outfit.

 

[azimiqbal]

On the batting front apart from sharjeel, safraz and babar , everyone else needs to be replaced.

todays match is evidence of this fact. Had a really good start then hafees and Malik slowed the innings down
and required rate climbed above 9.

In the past before the match i would say to myself we got a chance, but the way we are currently constructed we will lose 8/10 matches to any decent team.

 

[sam_ahm]

Guys a few areas where there can be immediate change for champions trophy will be one of the openers slot ... Kamran Akmal will make for a good opening partner with Sherjeel, both can give Pakistan some electric starts. Kami can also be a back up keeper.

Mohammad Asif should be seriously considered for Champions trophy, the bowling desperately needs a lift. If not Asif then Sadaf Hussain should be given a go.

A specialist spinner is a must, either Zafar Gohar, Ashghar, whoever is the best should ve in the team.. imad can continue to play as an all rounder taking Hafeez's place.

Pakistan would do well to get in Haris Sohail for CT... Ahead of Azhar ali n shafiq. If Sohail is not fit then they can try out someone else, whoever is doing well in domestics.

 

[Madplayer]

Pakistani team - The glaring flaws

This thread is directed towards pointing out some very obvious things, all in one place.

Pakistani ODI team has been struggling to beat good teams off late. Everytime we think that the team has improved, it disappoints us. Everytime we feel that a player is going to be the next big thing, he regresses. The situation has reached such a point where we look forward to seeing individual performances of select players rather than actually expecting a win from the team.

In my opinion some of the very obvious but glaring flaws in the team are:

1) Lack of lower order hitters : Pakistan's problem isnt the top order or upper middle order. Not looking at the stats but i feel In recent times, the first 4-5 batsmen have done a reasonably good job but the lack of clean hitters down the order have hampered the team from crossing the finishing line. Even in the 4th ODI vs AUS, Pakistan were ahead of where AUS were after first 30 overs but the final push never came.

The likes of rizwan and Imad, who bat at a place where they should go bonkers and smash 30 ball 50s, haven't been able to inspire much confidence. Imad looks like a player who can score a 20 ball 25 or a run a ball 40 but not someone who can smash fast bowlers in death overs to score say a 20 ball 40 especially in non-asian conditions. Rizwan isn't a number 6 batsman, period.
If you move a place higher there is umar akmal who is unreliable and looks a shadow of himself in his prime.

Pakistan needs clean hitters at 6 and 7. In overseas conditions, Players with more muscle and stronger wrists are required because of more bounce and pace in the wickets along with enormous size of the grounds. In subcontinent even weaker players can hit sixes easily.

2) Placing the ball in gaps : This seems like a lost art as far as Pakistani batsmen are concerned. Pakistani Batsmen find it really hard to place the ball in gaps when they play grounded shots. Even when going in the air, why not hit into the gaps in the outfield? Why try to go over the head of the fielder at the boundary??? Shoaib Malik, Babar azam, hafeez, sharjeel , you name it , all got out like that today. Take Virat Kohli for example, when he goes in the air, you will usually see he plays it over the head of the infield fielder and into the outfield gap. He may get a 6 or a 4 but there is little chance of holding out at the boundary. Even in death overs, if you cant hit sixes, just try to hit the gaps and score fours.

Is it the inability of Pakistani batsmen to do this? Or they just dont work on it?

3) Fielding : Forget about taking brilliant catches for a moment. Thats not going to happen anytime soon. If you compare how Pakistani outfielders and Aussie outfielders throw the ball towards the wicket keeper, the difference is huge. Aussies and pretty much all other teams throw the ball with amazing accuracy just over the stumps or close to it which always puts pressure on the running bastmen. Pakistani outfielders throw waywardly away from the stumps apart from one guy, shoaib malik who ocassionally makes the batsmen stretch. At least make it difficult for the batsmen to run between the wickets if you arent going to catch the ball.

4) Captaincy : there is hardly anyone who looks like captaincy material in This Pakistani team. Azhar has been below par. Babar azam will be considered too young and Imad wasim is on and off as a player. Sarfaraz might be an option and hafeez can be a stop gap captain. Captains have to be tactically good.

5) lack of right handed fast bowlers : too many left handed fast bowlers in the team. Need more right handed fast bowlers.

6) Front line spinners : there has to be one in the squad. Imad and nawaz are bowling all rounders. Need spinners with variations and ones who can turn the ball.

These are flaws which i think need to be fixed. You can add any other flaws as well.

 

[Pete Rose]

Number 2 and number 4 are the real issues.

 

[Runner Up]

Once Int'l Cricket comes back to Pakistan, things would be fine. Playing in front of own people means a lot.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

So batting, bowling and fielding then. Teams will generally struggle if they have problems in those areas.

 

[Madplayer]

So batting, bowling and fielding then. Teams will generally struggle if they have problems in those areas.

Yes well all teams have some sort of problems in the three facets of the game : but we could try to pin point what the specific problems are.

 

[Bewal Express]

Five players need to go from this team, who should they be?

This team is very very average team and most of the players are out of their depth. But practically, it's not possible not get rid of the majority of the team.
Azhar Ali- just not good enough
Shoaib Malik- been around for nearly decades and looks to going nowhere.
Mohammed Hafeez- Can't bat at the top
Imad- no spin
Junaid- Lost his zip, shadow of the bowler that destroyed Ind in 2011.

 

[The_KING]

Umar Akmal- Rubbish overhyped player
Juanid- Why was he selected?
Shafiq- Not an ODI player
Hafeez- Out of his depth outside of Asia. Needs to be dropped.
Wahab- Completely brainless bowler. Should only play tests.

 

[Black Zero]

What about Rizwan and Umer?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Azhar Ali and his dull captaincy is the reason. Look at the body language of Pakistan team under Hafeez and now azhar. Why can't guys like azhar, shafiq and rahane accept that they are not good enough for LOI's?

 

[Hawkeye]

The batting flaws are obvious. Can be fixed if Inzi takes a stand and kicks out the accumulators from LOIs.

But can he? He won't ever replace Malik, Rizwan, Shafiq, Imad, Nawaz, Azhar.

That's your core, and it keeps you losing matches. Fielding is obvious, but let's fix batting first. Can't kick out Sharjeel for fielding as he's your only proper LOI bat.

 

[Nado_]

Guys what about this Ahmad butt all rounder, is he the real deal or what?? And when is raza's ban coming off?

 

[Madplayer]

The batting flaws are obvious. Can be fixed if Inzi takes a stand and kicks out the accumulators from LOIs.

But can he? He won't ever replace Malik, Rizwan, Shafiq, Imad, Nawaz, Azhar.

That's your core, and it keeps you losing matches. Fielding is obvious, but let's fix batting first. Can't kick out Sharjeel for fielding as he's your only proper LOI bat.

I think the first 4-5 batsmen : sharjeel, azhar (needs to go), babar, malik and even hafeez have been doing decently well even with all the flaws they have. But The final push just doesnt come. Its the responsibility of number 5,6 and 7 to give that push to the total and they have failed because the players at these positions are rubbish or just not suited for the job.

 

[Shafi]

Every team keep injecting 3-4 new players while our selectors keep bringing proven failures again and again. No hope

 

[Syed1]

Azhar Ali and his dull captaincy is the reason. Look at the body language of Pakistan team under Hafeez and now azhar. Why can't guys like azhar, shafiq and rahane accept that they are not good enough for LOI's?

More than them accepting it is the fault of the people who keep selecting them or recommend them for the captaincy

 

[itsme]

Will only keep sharjeel,babar,umar,amir,hasan,imad from the current lot and imad need to take batting seriously he has the potential.
Rizwan was perfect with the gloves but bat like a tailenders and sarfraz is ordinary against pace and can't hit.

 

[ads101]

I think the first 4-5 batsmen : sharjeel, azhar (needs to go), babar, malik and even hafeez have been doing decently well even with all the flaws they have. But The final push just doesnt come. Its the responsibility of number 5,6 and 7 to give that push to the total and they have failed because the players at these positions are rubbish or just not suited for the job.

The top 7 after this series will be:

1. Azhar
2. Sharjeel
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Sarfraz
6. Malik
7. ?

Management will stick with Hafeez at four since he looked decent there now. I imagine Sarfraz will come back at five, being our best batsman atm. And Malik's performance today will probably make management think to use him as a finisher rather than someone up the order to build an innings.

The question is who will bat at seven. Honestly not sure. Rizwan hasn't inspired anyone he can do well there. Umar could perhaps thought to do a job there, but his poor fitness and lack of form, think management will decide against it. But that's the only spot that will be free after this tour. Azhar might lose captaincy, but think he'll get another series at least as a batsman.

 

[itsme]

We are losing anyway so better try out new and young guys

 

[itsme]

I think the first 4-5 batsmen : sharjeel, azhar (needs to go), babar, malik and even hafeez have been doing decently well even with all the flaws they have. But The final push just doesnt come. Its the responsibility of number 5,6 and 7 to give that push to the total and they have failed because the players at these positions are rubbish or just not suited for the job.

Better to get rid of azhar ,malik and hafeez,we can't score modern days' total with a top/middle order like that.

 

[MMHS]

This team is very very average team and most of the players are out of their depth. But practically, it's not possible not get rid of the majority of the team.
Azhar Ali- just not good enough
Shoaib Malik- been around for nearly decades and looks to going nowhere.
Mohammed Hafeez- Can't bat at the top
Imad- no spin
Junaid- Lost his zip, shadow of the bowler that destroyed Ind in 2011.

Amir
Babar
Imad
Hasan
Malik

The first 4 are too young & inexperienced while the the 5th one is an Indian agent (read damad).

If you don't trust me, please check what your CS did in his 4 years as Captain with 2 U19 world champs team passing through his tenure.

 

[MMHS]

The top 7 after this series will be:

1. Azhar
2. Sharjeel
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Sarfraz
6. Malik
7. ?

Management will stick with Hafeez at four since he looked decent there now. I imagine Sarfraz will come back at five, being our best batsman atm. And Malik's performance today will probably make management think to use him as a finisher rather than someone up the order to build an innings.

The question is who will bat at seven. Honestly not sure. Rizwan hasn't inspired anyone he can do well there. Umar could perhaps thought to do a job there, but his poor fitness and lack of form, think management will decide against it. But that's the only spot that will be free after this tour. Azhar might lose captaincy, but think he'll get another series at least as a batsman.

You'll loose 6-0 to BD in ODI with this top 7 & you know I don't troll around.

If I realign just a bit & put Sharjeel at 1, basically it's Azhar, Babar, MoHa, Mian, Sarfu & probably Rizwan from 2 to 7 .....

Robert Mugabe will pay from own pocket to host PAK every year ....

 

[ads101]

You'll loose 6-0 to BD in ODI with this top 7 & you know I don't troll around.

If I realign just a bit & put Sharjeel at 1, basically it's Azhar, Babar, MoHa, Mian, Sarfu & probably Rizwan from 2 to 7 .....

Robert Mugabe will pay from own pocket to host PAK every year ....

What top 7 would you choose?

 

[Syed1]

You'll loose 6-0 to BD in ODI with this top 7 & you know I don't troll around.

If I realign just a bit & put Sharjeel at 1, basically it's Azhar, Babar, MoHa, Mian, Sarfu & probably Rizwan from 2 to 7 .....

Robert Mugabe will pay from own pocket to host PAK every year ....

That last line made me chuckle

And yes you are right. Can't believe people are still putting the likes of Hafeez and Azhar in their batting line-up. The only way I can tolerate Hafeez is if he is pushed further down and made the captain (if Sarf is not getting the captaincy)

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Malik, Umar, Rizwan, Azhar all goodbye.

 

[Syed1]

Malik, Umar, Rizwan, Azhar all goodbye.

Now or never time is approaching FAST for Pakistan.

If we go with same side in Champion's Trophy you can expect us to lose every single match by a handsome margin.

We need atleast 3-4 changes in the batting lineup ASAP. I wouldn't mind a whole host of 20-25 year debutantes from our next series. They can't do any worse than the no-hopers we have at the moment. Also with Azhar as captain you can play ATG Aussie side and still lose to Zimbabwe.

 

[Black Zero]

I had high hopes for Umer.

Maybe he is playing too low??

 

[MMHS]

What top 7 would you choose?

Please, for havens sake start to believe that in country of 200 mn there are options outside those 20 names. If this guy Arthur not kicked some back side still Hasan Ali would have been trolling around for Habib Bank & Imad for Islamabad for Gul & Tannu & ..

From 2 to 6 in your team are actually similar type player - you need just one; best is Babar, while Sarfu makes it as WK.

Rest are garbage - would have been garbage in 1971 as well. Don't even fool yourself to think that Azhar Ali would have been Gordon Grineede in 70-80s as GG's SR is in 60s ( & Mian/MoHa with no bouncer restriction ...). You can keep one in the squad as a senior guy to mentor young players - I keep Malik, because he has proper attitude of a professional - which is work hard & be serious to maximize your natural self.

Now, this guy Umar is gone - I just can't believe once I thought this guy resembles like one unique West Indian, my shame. I 'll never put his name, unless he can convince with his shape first.

So, there are 3 spots left - I'll take at least 1 lefti - doesn't matter who, the best lefti available in middle order - Haris, Amin, Saad Ali ...to bat at 4. Sarfu to bat at 6 while Mian will compete with the other new player at 5 - find someone under 25 who can run for 100 overs.

For opener, I'll take Ahmed now - no comparison, but he has done almost something similar that one liner I used to use for Bradmann - 170% better than 2nd man - doesn't matter what I think about PAK domestics or cricket of 1930s.

7 Imad is fine; BUT there has to be a genuine leggi in the XI - if Yasir is not the best, them find the best one & play him at Adelaide, if possible. AUS can debut Stanlake after 6 FC match; PCB shouldn't need 6 years ...

Amir, Hasan is fine; JK as well if Umpires don't mind. But those pacers will be rotated.

 

[Madplayer]

Please, for havens sake start to believe that in country of 200 mn there are options outside those 20 names. If this guy Arthur not kicked some back side still Hasan Ali would have been trolling around for Habib Bank & Imad for Islamabad for Gul & Tannu & ..

From 2 to 6 in your team are actually similar type player - you need just one; best is Babar, while Sarfu makes it as WK.

Rest are garbage - would have been garbage in 1971 as well. Don't even fool yourself to think that Azhar Ali would have been Gordon Grineede in 70-80s as GG's SR is in 60s ( & Mian/MoHa with no bouncer restriction ...). You can keep one in the squad as a senior guy to mentor young players - I keep Malik, because he has proper attitude of a professional - which is work hard & be serious to maximize your natural self.

Now, this guy Umar is gone - I just can't believe once I thought this guy resembles like one unique West Indian, my shame. I 'll never put his name, unless he can convince with his shape first.

So, there are 3 spots left - I'll take at least 1 lefti - doesn't matter who, the best lefti available in middle order - Haris, Amin, Saad Ali ...to bat at 4. Sarfu to bat at 6 while Mian will compete with the other new player at 5 - find someone under 25 who can run for 100 overs.

For opener, I'll take Ahmed now - no comparison, but he has done almost something similar that one liner I used to use for Bradmann - 170% better than 2nd man - doesn't matter what I think about PAK domestics or cricket of 1930s.

7 Imad is fine; BUT there has to be a genuine leggi in the XI - if Yasir is not the best, them find the best one & play him at Adelaide, if possible. AUS can debut Stanlake after 6 FC match; PCB shouldn't need 6 years ...

Amir, Hasan is fine; JK as well if Umpires don't mind. But those pacers will be rotated.

Where are the clean hitters who can push the total in final few overs? Imad isnt that guy. Neither is sarfaraz.

 

[MMHS]

Where are the clean hitters who can push the total in final few overs? Imad isnt that guy. Neither is sarfaraz.

The biggest myth in PAK cricket.

More or less, PAK's last 10 over is like 2/56 or 3/53 in between. Do you think, this is because of lack of power hitting or couple of monsters'll suddenly make it 100/2?

NO - this is purely because of horrible shot productivity - every PAK bottom half tries to become Afridi or Razzak & leaves 35% ball as dot in last 10 overs. The key in last 10 overs is not big 6/4, key is score of every ball & "hit & run" - every ball should fetch at least one, anything either side of line fielder should bring 2 - in gap 3. In between couple of big hits every alternate overs - the key is, a set batsman till last over, who'll play at 100% shot productivity - rest will swing around one by one, but must make contact & run for a single.

Do this maths in last 10 overs - 60 balls

Dots 6 X 0 = 0 (6 balls - 1 every other over)
Wicket 4 X 0 = 0 (4 balls)
Single 38 X 1 = 38 (38 balls)
Doubles 3 X 2 = 6 (3 balls)
Triple 1 X 3 = 3 (1 ball)
Four 4 X 6 = 24 (6 balls)
SIX 6 X 2 = 12 (2 balls)

Extras = 3 (all wides, byes & leg byes - no NO ball)

Total = 86/4

I have taken the worst possible return with 4 wickets down & hardly any extra - it's 30 more than PAK's average.

Power hitting is not a problem, never was. Finishing is not about one particular banger - this guy Malik once took 28 of one Kallis over, because he was well set on to that platform. And that was at Gaddafi - couple of current NZ stadium might find space in that playing surface. Any set player can do that, if he is proper batsman (this guy Rizwan is no more - he learned keeping from Rixon & bunked Gary's school)

 

[Chief Destroyer]

A complete overhaul of PCB is required.

 

[vandokkum]

Hafeez, Malik, Azhar Ali etc have no business being top order batsmen

 

[MRSN]

The biggest myth in PAK cricket.

More or less, PAK's last 10 over is like 2/56 or 3/53 in between. Do you think, this is because of lack of power hitting or couple of monsters'll suddenly make it 100/2?

NO - this is purely because of horrible shot productivity - every PAK bottom half tries to become Afridi or Razzak & leaves 35% ball as dot in last 10 overs. The key in last 10 overs is not big 6/4, key is score of every ball & "hit & run" - every ball should fetch at least one, anything either side of line fielder should bring 2 - in gap 3. In between couple of big hits every alternate overs - the key is, a set batsman till last over, who'll play at 100% shot productivity - rest will swing around one by one, but must make contact & run for a single.

Do this maths in last 10 overs - 60 balls

Dots 6 X 0 = 0 (6 balls - 1 every other over)
Wicket 4 X 0 = 0 (4 balls)
Single 38 X 1 = 38 (38 balls)
Doubles 3 X 2 = 6 (3 balls)
Triple 1 X 3 = 3 (1 ball)
Four 4 X 6 = 24 (6 balls)
SIX 6 X 2 = 12 (2 balls)

Extras = 3 (all wides, byes & leg byes - no NO ball)

Total = 86/4

I have taken the worst possible return with 4 wickets down & hardly any extra - it's 30 more than PAK's average.

Power hitting is not a problem, never was. Finishing is not about one particular banger - this guy Malik once took 28 of one Kallis over, because he was well set on to that platform. And that was at Gaddafi - couple of current NZ stadium might find space in that playing surface. Any set player can do that, if he is proper batsman (this guy Rizwan is no more - he learned keeping from Rixon & bunked Gary's school)

problem is Pakistani batsmen struggle at death overs as most of the times its premier fast bowlers bowling with fielders inside circle to stop the singles..which brings dot balls which brings wicket and extra pressure. Pakistani batting in the last 2 years I have seen no one is good enough to hit good fast bowlers which is why we have been very terrible in last 10 overs. That's why I think we really need UA back in form. He is only hope.