Analysis of the Changes made to the T20I and ODI Squads

[Square Drive]

All in all, 6 changes have been made from our last T20I squad (the one that faced WI in the UAE) and 7 changes from our last ODI squad (the one that toured Australia).

Changes from our last T20I squad: Khalid Latif, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Saad Nasim, Sharjeel Khan, Umar Akmal OUT; Ahmed Shehzad, Usman Shinwari, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan IN

Changes from our last ODI squad: Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Rahat Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Umar Akmal OUT; Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Asghar, Kamran Akmal, Fahim Ashraf, Asif Zakir, Shadab Khan IN

Now, let's analyze each change:

T20Is:

1. Khalid Latif OUT, Ahmed Shehzad IN - GOOD change, especially when you consider it was a forced change, and that Shehzad has been selected on merit.
2. Mohammad Amir OUT, Usman Shinwari IN - GOOD change, as Amir has been given rest and a performing PSL youngster has been selected.
3. Mohammad Rizwan OUT, Kamran Akmal IN - GOOD change, as Rizwan's game does not seem to be suited for T20s. He's been struggling of late while Kami was the best player in the PSL. Although not good for the long-term, it is overall a good change.
4. Saad Nasim OUT, Mohammad Hafeez IN - AVERAGE change. Although Hafeez in T20s is terrible, Saad wasn't the best of picks either, thus making this a change that doesn't make too much of a difference. While Talat/Saad could've come in instead, if someone asked me who I want between Saad & Hafeez in T20Is, I'd probably look at both players with equal disdain.
5. Sharjeel Khan OUT, Fakhar Zaman IN - GOOD change, especially when you consider it is a forced change, and that Fakhar was among the best Pakistani batsman in the PSL.
6. Umar Akmal OUT, Shadab Khan IN - GOOD change as Umar is not selectable due to his fitness. Shadab is a PSL star and has definitely deserved to be selected.

Overall, 5 good changes and one average one. Talat, Saad, Sohail among those who could've and should've made it.

ODIs:

1. Azhar Ali OUT, Ahmed Shehzad IN - GOOD change considering Shehzad's recent performances and Azhar's lack of suitability for LOIs.
2. Asad Shafiq OUT, Fakhar Zaman IN - GOOD change considering Fakhar's recent performances and Shafiq's ODI struggles.
3. Mohammad Nawaz OUT, Mohammad Asghar IN - GOOD change. Although I believe Nawaz is suited for ODIs more than he is for T20s, the fact that Asghar replaces him makes it a good change overall.
4. Mohammad Rizwan OUT, Kamran Akmal IN - GOOD change. While it is not a very good change considering the long-term, it is a pretty good change when you consider Rizwan's recent struggles; he must spend some time in domestic cricket. Also, Kamran's been doing well lately in not only the PSL but also LA cricket. So overall a good change for now.
5. Rahat Ali OUT, Fahim Ashraf IN - GOOD change, as Rahat is not LOI material at all, while an all-rounder who has been performing in domestics in the form of Fahim has finally been selected. Would've preferred Yamin, but I'll take Fahim over Rahat easily.
6. Sharjeel Khan OUT, Asif Zakir IN - AVERAGE change. Although it is a forced change and Asif has pretty much been selected on merit, his recent LA form is not too pretty, coupled with the fact that he's 33. I really think we could've had a younger, more in-form, and a leftie batsman in the form of Saad Ali or Hussain Talat in there. However, I'd like to give Asif a chance before complaining too much.
7. Umar Akmal OUT, Shadab Khan IN - GOOD change as Umar is not selectable due to his fitness. Shadab is a PSL star and has definitely deserved to be selected.

Overall, 6 good changes and 1 average change. Hussain Talat, Saad Ali, Sohail Khan, and Aamer Yamin the ones who can consider themselves unlucky.

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All said and done, I don't think there's been a single bad change for either squad when you consider form, fitness, and recent performances, as well as the conditions.

Thoughts?

 

[Square Drive]

My point is, people need to stop overreacting.

Most 'TTFs' have made it on merit this time around.

 

[Rayyman]

You hit the nail on the coffin when you said: "not good for long-term."

Yes, this squad is on merit and might win in WI, but they won't get any better than they are right now. 3 years from now, TTFs will be as old as Misbah. I doubt that they will take us into Top 3 or Final of WC.

The good thing about a young side is that for the next 5-8 years, the team will keep improving. Eventually reaching the goal that all of the fans desire, or getting extremely close and giving us memories along the way.

The decision of selecting seniors is wrong imho and it is just putting off the rebuilding process due to fright.

The only way I will be convinced is if Pak. reach CT semis, Top 3 rankings, or WC Final within 3 years. None of those seem likely though, as we are mediocre compared to other teams atm.

 

[Abdullah]

u can not argue about the guys who have been dropped. at all. any single one of them

 

[MMHS]

Good selection, because previous one was horrible. In that regard, it's definitely vast improvement - could have been much better with few changes

T20:
MoHa Out, Saad Ali in
Nawaz out, Talat in
Sohail could have come, but his spot went to Fahim (Shinwari is Amor's replacement), which is fine. Tanvir makes the T20 squad on merit.

ODI
MoHa Out, Talat in
Asif out, Saad Ali in
JK out, Sohail in.

What irritates me is tactfully, Inzi has cleared MoHa for CT2017, regardless of whatever. He is picked to play at 4& his back up is Asif - it's a protection for MoHa, because even if he fails horribly, he'll go to UK on "Experience" - unless he gets "Injured" and somehow misses the UK trip - next BD is waiting in Asia. It's the same tactics, which picked Manzoor as opener instead of Ahmed in Asia Cup & as expected, Ahmed made a come back in T20 WC. JK over Sohail is a foolish selection, more than anything else - of obvious reason.

Rest are not bad at all.

 

[Square Drive]

You hit the nail on the coffin when you said: "not good for long-term."

Yes, this squad is on merit and might win in WI, but they won't get any better than they are right now. 3 years from now, TTFs will be as old as Misbah. I doubt that they will take us into Top 3 or Final of WC.

The good thing about a young side is that for the next 5-8 years, the team will keep improving. Eventually reaching the goal that all of the fans desire, or getting extremely close and giving us memories along the way.

The decision of selecting seniors is wrong imho and it is just putting off the rebuilding process due to fright.

The only way I will be convinced is if Pak. reach CT semis, Top 3 rankings, or WC Final within 3 years. None of those seem likely though, as we are mediocre compared to other teams atm.

OK but what other youngsters are you gonna try? Most of them are already part of the squad(s).

All I can think of is Talat (even he's only 20), Saad (both apparently going to the Emerging Cup which will ultimiately be better for them), Yamin, Zafar, and Usama (the latter two aren't in because we have other young spinners atm). Amad Butt, Ahsan Ali etc. are too raw.

Sohail Khan is a big miss but he's not a youngster.

 

[Rayyman]

OK but what other youngsters are you gonna try? Most of them are already part of the squad(s).

All I can think of is Talat (even he's only 20), Saad (both apparently going to the Emerging Cup which will ultimiately be better for them), Yamin, Zafar, and Usama (the latter two aren't in because we have other young spinners atm). Amad Butt, Ahsan Ali etc. are too raw.

Sohail Khan is a big miss but he's not a youngster.

The problem is that the TTFs will be playing over the youngsters. Hafeez, K. Akmal, Malik, and Tanvir will all whine if not selected.

The media also supports these players by pressuring PCB with annoying questions.

 

[Square Drive]

The problem is that the TTFs will be playing over the youngsters. Hafeez, K. Akmal, Malik, and Tanvir will all whine if not selected.

That's upto Mickey & Sarfraz to handle.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Optimism tapak raha hai Sqaure Drive se

 

[Rayyman]

Optimism tapak raha hai Sqaure Drive se

Squid when Pak. wins- "What a magnificent day in my life!"
Squid when Pak. loses-"This is just a wake up call, there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Got to give it to him, he has that "never say die" attitude.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Squid when Pak. wins- "What a magnificent day in my life!"
Squid when Pak. loses-"This is just a wake up call, there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Got to give it to him, he has that "never say die" attitude.

I used to be like him. I used to defend the selectors no matter how rubbish the selections were. When you lose, you're extremely disappointed.

I changed. Became a realist. I realize how bad we are now. Defeats are expected lol. Squid will also lose his optimism in a couple of years.

 

[todfod 11]

rubbish team expect it to fail in t20s and odis

 

[Square Drive]

I used to be like him. I used to defend the selectors no matter how rubbish the selections were. When you lose, you're extremely disappointed.

I changed. Became a realist. I realize how bad we are now. Defeats are expected lol. Squid will also lose his optimism in a couple of years.

Tell me one "bad" change in either squad and back it up, please.

 

[silent ischemia]

rubbish team expect it to fail in t20s and odis

Can't agree with you more. The team has been selected keeping in view to qualify for the world Cup rather than keeping the world Cup itself in mind. The question is " Are Kamran and Hafeez in your plans for the next world cup?" If no; then why not give exposure to youngsters like Saad, Talat or Saud?
There is that fear of failure kind of feeling that with a young team we may lose to WI and struggle to qualify so they selected the TTFs like Hafeez and Kamran

 

[Kianig89]

they are all N00bs (Shadab Fkahr Shinwari Asghar) lets see whether they are cut for int;l cricket

 

[todfod 11]

Can't agree with you more. The team has been selected keeping in view to qualify for the world Cup rather than keeping the world Cup itself in mind. The question is " Are Kamran and Hafeez in your plans for the next world cup?" If no; then why not give exposure to youngsters like Saad, Talat or Saud?
There is that fear of failure kind of feeling that with a young team we may lose to WI and struggle to qualify so they selected the TTFs like Hafeez and Kamran

some where they know pak isnt winning the world cup anyways... so just some how get qualified and ve happy with it..
shameless attitude from the selectors and management. Picking Hafeez kamran and shehzad should be considered as criminal.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Tell me one "bad" change in either squad and back it up, please.

You can't look at it like that lol. If I get a 50 on my first test and 65 on the second, that's better but surely not good enough. When you should've easily gotten 75+ on the second test, the 65 shouldn't be sufficient.

 

[hadi123]

I know there are some TTF but at least they're actually selected on merit and not on "experience"
1. Khalid Latif OUT, Ahmed Shehzad IN - This had to happen obviously due to fixing, hate Shehzad but it's on merit
2. Mohammad Amir OUT, Usman Shinwari IN - GOOD change, as Amir has been playing non stop
3. Mohammad Rizwan OUT, Kamran Akmal IN - This is good, Rizwan looks clueless
4. Saad Nasim OUT, Mohammad Hafeez IN - okay change, Nasim is awful for T20s but Hafeez hasn't done much to be picked
5. Sharjeel Khan OUT, Fakhar Zaman IN - I really liked Sharjeel but obviously he can't be selected, Fakhar Zaman is the best replacement
6. Umar Akmal OUT, Shadab Khan IN - GOOD change as Umar is not selectable due to his fitness. Shadab is a PSL star and has definitely deserved to be selected.

 

[Square Drive]

You can't look at it like that lol. If I get a 50 on my first test and 65 on the second, that's better but surely not good enough. When you should've easily gotten 75+ on the second test, the 65 shouldn't be sufficient.

OK but this thread is only looking at whether squad changes have been good, and the analysis above shows that selections this time around have been better than last time around.