A solution to fix the confusion around picking the Pakistan squad

[gazza619]

I have noticed a huge amount of confusion (at least for Pakistan anyways) when picking squads for the three formats of the game. T20s should be used as a platform for launching the newbies. When it comes to Tests and ODIs my proposal to Aquib is to simply pick one squad. I see no reason why the likes of Shan & Saud cant be available for both formats. If a player has retired from Tests or if they are simply not interested in playing Test cricket (eg Haris Rauf) then they should simply not be picked for ODIs either based on this approach.

If M Abbass or Mir Hamza are not good enough for ODIs the they should not be picked for Tests either. I think this will create a lot of clarity for the players and team think tank.

What do you guys think?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Just pick for each format on the merits for that format.

 

[Farabi]

Just pick for each format on the merits for that format.

Yup! Use T20I to launch newbies is pretty old school and totally wrong. T20I format should be used to blood players suited for that format, irrespective of age.

 

[gazza619]

Just pick for each format on the merits for that format.

If Sajid Khan is good for test cricket, he should also be good for ODIs

If Fakhar Zaman is good for ODIs, he should also be good for tests.

I think we are simply creating confusion and giving chances to nothing players like Irfan Niazi just for the sake of it.

 

[Buffet]

• Pick players based on performance in each format. All teams do that. Rarely a player has skills for 3 formats.
• Pick based on domestic and international performance taken together. Don't ignore domestic otherwise no point in anyone doing well.
• Don't slelect more than one player if they are neither good enough to play as bowler or batsman alone. One is enough.
• Keep pitches decent and some what consistent in domestic and international both. It will help bowles to develop skills.

I heard in this forum that some time back, pitches in domestic were so bad that bowlers skills were not required to pick wickets. On other hands, we saw PCB ordering super road to counter Aus pacers. Then it went to chairman, selectors, captain, coach -- all camping in 2 venues to make the pitch turning track.


It's ok to fine tune pitches to suite home side, but no need to go so extreme for roads or tuners in internationals and green mambas in domestics. Just have something consistent which allows good bowlers/batsmen to develop skills and do well in different conditions. Pakistan is large enough country that you can have different nature of pitches in different venues. Pakistan has produced great bowlers and batsmen in past who could adapt to most conditions. You can get good enough squad if playes have played in different conditions before debuting.

 

[Farabi]

• Pick players based on performance in each format. All teams do that. Rarely a player has skills for 3 formats.
• Pick based on domestic and international performance taken together. Don't ignore domestic otherwise no point in anyone doing well.
• Don't slelect more than one player if they are neither good enough to play as bowler or batsman alone. One is enough.
• Keep pitches decent and some what consistent in domestic and international both. It will help bowles to develop skills.

I heard in this forum that some time back, pitches in domestic were so bad that bowlers skills were not required to pick wickets. On other hands, we saw PCB ordering super road to counter Aus pacers. Then it went to chairman, selectors, captain, coach -- all camping in 2 venues to make the pitch turning track.


It's ok to fine tune pitches to suite home side, but no need to go so extreme for roads or tuners in internationals and green mambas in domestics. Just have something consistent which allows good bowlers/batsmen to develop skills and do well in different conditions. Pakistan is large enough country that you can have different nature of pitches in different venues. Pakistan has produced great bowlers and batsmen in past who could adapt to most conditions. You can get good enough squad if playes have played in different conditions before debuting.

It really is as simple as that. But common sense is not common. Process orientation is key to consistent outcomes.

 

[emranabbas]

I have noticed a huge amount of confusion (at least for Pakistan anyways) when picking squads for the three formats of the game. T20s should be used as a platform for launching the newbies. When it comes to Tests and ODIs my proposal to Aquib is to simply pick one squad. I see no reason why the likes of Shan & Saud cant be available for both formats. If a player has retired from Tests or if they are simply not interested in playing Test cricket (eg Haris Rauf) then they should simply not be picked for ODIs either based on this approach.

If M Abbass or Mir Hamza are not good enough for ODIs the they should not be picked for Tests either. I think this will create a lot of clarity for the players and team think tank.

What do you guys think?

Picking newbies like kaptana rizwana and babara for t20's?

We have been fighting for this for years and you have always said rizwan and babar are the best we have and they should open in t20's

@Rana @mominsaigol

 

[Rana]

Picking newbies like kaptana rizwana and babara for t20's?

We have been fighting for this for years and you have always said rizwan and babar are the best we have and they should open in t20's

@Rana @mominsaigol

I would like OP to be put in the hot seat here. I would like him to imagine that he has been given the reigns to decide what should be the T20I XI that should be fielded in the first match of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

I wouldn’t be surprised that he puts together a ‘politically correct’ XI here to portray himself as a progressive thinker of cricket,

But then I also wouldn’t be surprised if on other threads and debates he argues tooth and nail for Babar and Rizwan to either open or bat in the top 3.

That’s why, I just can’t be bothered to take any of these discussions seriously.

 

[gazza619]

I would like OP to be put in the hot seat here. I would like him to imagine that he has been given the reigns to decide what should be the T20I XI that should be fielded in the first match of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

I wouldn’t be surprised that he puts together a ‘politically correct’ XI here to portray himself as a progressive thinker of cricket,

But then I also wouldn’t be surprised if on other threads and debates he argues tooth and nail for Babar and Rizwan to either open or bat in the top 3.

That’s why, I just can’t be bothered to take any of these discussions seriously.

I have been promoting the concept of resting RizBar from T20s in recent months. I have also said that Riz should not bat at no.4 in ODIs.

The problem starts when you blindly criticise RizBar just because you find fun in it.

 

[Rana]

I have been promoting the concept of resting RizBar from T20s in recent months

Yeah I could care less to give importance to anyone asking them to be ‘rested’ and not fully discarded.

Rested so then what? Brought back at a later convenience? Why rested? What exactly is their style of play that needs to be ‘rested’ and not completely removed?

Either you are clear in your thought process and what you want, or you can remain confused…and then suggest ideas of reformation based on a core confused thought process. It’s like building a structure with wonky foundations. Best of luck

 

[gazza619]

• Pick players based on performance in each format. All teams do that. Rarely a player has skills for 3 formats.
• Pick based on domestic and international performance taken together. Don't ignore domestic otherwise no point in anyone doing well.
• Don't slelect more than one player if they are neither good enough to play as bowler or batsman alone. One is enough.
• Keep pitches decent and some what consistent in domestic and international both. It will help bowles to develop skills.

I heard in this forum that some time back, pitches in domestic were so bad that bowlers skills were not required to pick wickets. On other hands, we saw PCB ordering super road to counter Aus pacers. Then it went to chairman, selectors, captain, coach -- all camping in 2 venues to make the pitch turning track.


It's ok to fine tune pitches to suite home side, but no need to go so extreme for roads or tuners in internationals and green mambas in domestics. Just have something consistent which allows good bowlers/batsmen to develop skills and do well in different conditions. Pakistan is large enough country that you can have different nature of pitches in different venues. Pakistan has produced great bowlers and batsmen in past who could adapt to most conditions. You can get good enough squad if playes have played in different conditions before debuting.

I agree that rarely a player will have skill for 3 formats. But I am only looking for a player with skill in two formats (Tests & ODIs). Pakistan has never gained anything with test specialists. Never. We were a mid tier team 20 years ago and we are still a mid tier team today. Surely something has got to change.

I agree that domestic performances need to be given importance and it has been refreshing to see KG & TT having a little bit of success in international colours.

 

[gazza619]

Yeah I could care less to give importance to anyone asking them to be ‘rested’ and not fully discarded.

Rested so then what? Brought back at a later convenience? Why rested? What exactly is their style of play that needs to be ‘rested’ and not completely removed?

Either you are clear in your thought process and what you want, or you can remain confused…and then suggest ideas of reformation based on a core confused thought process. It’s like building a structure with wonky foundations. Best of luck

My point is to rest them from these pointless bi-laterals till we find a good solid combination. But if we couldnt managed to find good alternatives and let’s say if a T20 WC is round the corner then surely you got to reconsider them.

Never say never to anything in life.

 

[Rana]

My point is to rest them from these pointless bi-laterals till we find a good solid combination. But if we couldnt managed to find good alternatives and let’s say if a T20 WC is round the corner then surely you got to reconsider them.

Never say never to anything in life.

Your point is wrong.

Rest them in bilaterals to find something better….so what’s better according to you? What’s RizBar doing right now that can be ‘bettered’? So RizBar are failing or not according to you? If they are not failing, why look for better in your opinion? If they are failing according to you, why resort back to them if the guys you are trying to see are better fail at their job instead?

Be clear. It’s very easy to say things that don’t really add up.

 

[Mohraheem]

Remove Misbah from PCB

 

[Farabi]

Your point is wrong.

Rest them in bilaterals to find something better….so what’s better according to you? What’s RizBar doing right now that can be ‘bettered’? So RizBar are failing or not according to you? If they are not failing, why look for better in your opinion? If they are failing according to you, why resort back to them if the guys you are trying to see are better fail at their job instead?

Be clear. It’s very easy to say things that don’t really add up.

Exactly, and I’d go even further.

It’s not just that Rizbabar can be outdone—it’s that they are part of the problem holding this T20I team back from becoming competitive again.

We’re constantly told Pakistan lacks talent, yet time and again, that myth is disproven.

Build a top order around Fakhar, Saim, and Haris (with Yasir Khan as backup), and Pakistan will never look back.

 

[gazza619]

Your point is wrong.

Rest them in bilaterals to find something better….so what’s better according to you? What’s RizBar doing right now that can be ‘bettered’? So RizBar are failing or not according to you? If they are not failing, why look for better in your opinion? If they are failing according to you, why resort back to them if the guys you are trying to see are better fail at their job instead?

Be clear. It’s very easy to say things that don’t really add up.

RizBar were doing a grand job before their partnership was forcefully broken. All the chaos around captaincy change, changes in PCB, comebacks of Imad & Amir, forcefully playing nepo kid Azam Khan, infighting, coach changes damaged the team unity. This also impacted the games of both Riz & Babar.

Never mind it is now time to look beyond RizBar in T20s. I will not completely rule them out though if a T20 WC is coming up and if the newbies have badly failed.

 

[Rana]

RizBar were doing a grand job before their partnership was forcefully broken

So now that your actual beliefs are here for everyone to see (and you are fully entitled to them), carry on suggesting reforms for Pakistan cricket based on this viewpoint….which I argue is the core issue.

Without being disrespectful to you personally, I believe this attempt at suggesting reforms is akin to the blind leading the blind.

“RizBar were doing a grand job before their partnership was forcefully broken”

Why was it forcefully broken? Are they star crossed lovers in a Shakespeare play? So breaking up that partnership was a mistake?

 

[Rana]

And if any guy wants to come here and say

“RizBar were the need and necessity of their time but now this partnership is outdated”

Well I think your also a part of the problem. You were foolish, naive or disingenuous then. You will prove to be foolish, naive or disingenuous going forward to.

You as Pakistan cricket fans need to take a long, hard look at yourselves. The nation is as bankrupt as its cricket, and the people who support this rubbish regardless of where you are in the world are only a reflection of that bankruptcy.

 

[Farabi]

And if any guy wants to come here and say

“RizBar were the need and necessity of their time but now this partnership is outdated”

Well I think your also a part of the problem. You were foolish, naive or disingenuous then. You will prove to be foolish, naive or disingenuous going forward to.

You as Pakistan cricket fans need to take a long, hard look at yourselves. The nation is as bankrupt as its cricket, and the people who support this rubbish regardless of where you are in the world are only a reflection of that bankruptcy.

RizBar were doing a grand job before their partnership was forcefully broken. All the chaos around captaincy change, changes in PCB, comebacks of Imad & Amir, forcefully playing nepo kid Azam Khan, infighting, coach changes damaged the team unity. This also impacted the games of both Riz & Babar.

Never mind it is now time to look beyond RizBar in T20s. I will not completely rule them out though if a T20 WC is coming up and if the newbies have badly failed.

They were never the need of anytime whatsoever nor were they doing a “grand job”.

 

[Farabi]

I have noticed a huge amount of confusion (at least for Pakistan anyways) when picking squads for the three formats of the game. T20s should be used as a platform for launching the newbies. When it comes to Tests and ODIs my proposal to Aquib is to simply pick one squad. I see no reason why the likes of Shan & Saud cant be available for both formats. If a player has retired from Tests or if they are simply not interested in playing Test cricket (eg Haris Rauf) then they should simply not be picked for ODIs either based on this approach.

If M Abbass or Mir Hamza are not good enough for ODIs the they should not be picked for Tests either. I think this will create a lot of clarity for the players and team think tank.

What do you guys think?

Outside of T20Is, your original point does have merit. I agree that we don’t play enough Test matches to justify having dedicated Test specialists.

We need more consistency across formats, though I don’t think it should be a strict requirement.

 

[Buffet]

I agree that rarely a player will have skill for 3 formats. But I am only looking for a player with skill in two formats (Tests & ODIs). Pakistan has never gained anything with test specialists. Never. We were a mid tier team 20 years ago and we are still a mid tier team today. Surely something has got to change.

I agree that domestic performances need to be given importance and it has been refreshing to see KG & TT having a little bit of success in international colours.

Mid tier team or not, why not look for players who can play ,

Test well
ODI well
T20 well

Keep standards for all three formats independent. That way team does not get stuck with few all format batsmen who are not good in all formats.

If you are good enough to make into the team on merit in 1 , 2 or 3, then more power to that player. But no need force the issue. Have the best team in each format and whoever makes it, makes it.

 

[emranabbas]

When picking players for the Test team, it's best to focus on those who have excelled in first-class (FC) cricket, as this format closely mirrors the demands of Test matches. This means even players like Rizwan and Babar should prove their form in domestic FC games to earn their spots.

For the T20 squad, selections should be based on performances in the PSL, since it's the leading platform for the shorter format In pakistan. This ensures that players chosen for T20s have demonstrated their skills in a setting that reflects the fast-paced nature of international T20 matches.

It's important to give top domestic players a fair shot at international cricket. Often, they're dropped after just a few games, which doesn't give them enough time to adjust to the higher level. Providing these players with adequate opportunities can help them build confidence and experience, ultimately strengthening the national team.

 

[gazza619]

Outside of T20Is, your original point does have merit. I agree that we don’t play enough Test matches to justify having dedicated Test specialists.

We need more consistency across formats, though I don’t think it should be a strict requirement.

I am talking about situations when Pakistan tours overseas, like the current tour of SA. In my opinion our test cricket squad would have been more battle ready if they were there for the ODIs too. The ODI squad could have been slightly enhanced and included one or two extra players.