Areas to address to shape Pakistan's World Cup XI

[NauV]

As the title suggests, there is less than a year left before the world cup. I believe Pakistan is already extremely short on ODI match time as they have only played 10 ODI games over 2 series since their champions trophy victory . .

I am not sure how many ODis Pakistan is playing prior to their first game in the world cup, but it is important that Pakistan not only get its squad right (which I am sure Mickey Arthur is doing) but also play the players at their optimum positions!

For me, Pakistan has a decent enough talent pool to be a dark horse in the competition provided they are playing the right squad.

Here's what my thoughts are 1 year in advance:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Harris Sohail? Sahibzada Farhan? someone else?
3. Babar Azam
4. Sarfaraz Ahmed (HAS TO PLAY AT 4. We don't just waste him at another number but it also harms the team for his lack of ability to hit big at the death)
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Asif Ali? Hussain Talat? Mohammad Hafeez?
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf (I think he has more or less sealed his spot)
9. Hasan Ali
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Junaid Khan? Usman Shinwari? Shaheen Afridi?

In my opinion, numbers 2, 6 and 11 are up for debate. All other spots are locked in provided no injuries/serious loss of form . . .

2. I would have Harris Sohail. Why? He has already started to bat number 3 in test cricket. He is a good player of pace bowling. And typically, he doesn't get out early which is exactly what we want from a partner next to Fakhar Zaman. Harris' problem is in the 30s and 40s. Other option is Sahibzada Farhan, but he isn't tested yet at this level, so I am not sure! It would be a disaster to have Hafeez open in my opinion . . but I have a bad feeling . . I don't see any other contenders . Let's all pray together that Ahmed Shehzad doesn't come back!

6. Trickiest one! Typically how Pakistan teams think is that they will send Hafeez up the order . . have Harris at 4 . . malik at 5 and sarfaraz at 6 . . For me, that is ABSOLTUELY the wrong strategy . . you can not have sarfaraz at 6 (and if you move Sarfaraz up to 4 and hafeez to open, you leave out harris who I think brings value to this ODI team) . . at 6, you want someone who can accelerate and hit the big shots . . hence, I would have Asif Ali/Hussain Talat at 6 . . but the dilemma is that for me, if you have to play Hafeez, he is better off at 6 (where he can still come out and play an innings like he played against India int he final) . . The issue is, that Pakistan will need another reliable spinner in the line up to support Shadab Khan . . In last years champions trophy, that role was given to Imad Wasim . . but I don't see Imad coming back into the team with Shadab pretty much a certain starter. . hence I think Mickey really wants Hafeez in the line up with his bowling . . and as much as I don't like it . . I think this spot would go to Hafeez . . (I am secretly hoping Asif Ali does well in the ODIs in the next year) . . and if he does and seals his spot at number 6, you'd still need to find the spinner . . and my inkling is, Mickey will play hafeez as an opener or send him at 4 and sarfaraz at 6 . . Both wrong strategies! . .

11. This one is not as tricky as the other 2 positions . . This will be a straight fight for the 3rd best fast bowler for English conditions . . I am not convinced Junaid Khan is that person! I prefer Usman Shinwari to Junaid khan for his pace and his death bowling . . However, with Shaheen Afridis height, he could also be a looked at . . but he hasn't played any ODI cricket, so I am not sure he is in contention at this point . .

Anyway, like I said, its a decent group of players . . Important to not just select them wisely but use them so they can provide the best value to the team!

 

[Usman]

I think the team management will go for Imam as the second opener to partner Fakhar.

Hafeez and Asif Ali appear to be fighting for one sport, as I don't believe Hussain Talat has been selected for odis. What's the state with Hafeez' s bowling these days? Hes been banned so many times, I've lost track!

I would back Usman Shinwari for the third pacer slot. He's done very well when selected and appears to be ahead of Junaid in the pecking order. Given that they've still not given Shaheen Sha Afridi a debut, I think he is unlikely to feature in the final 11.

 

[Justcrazy]

My Team would be

fakhar
Babaar
Harris
Sarfaraz
Malik
Talat
Shadab
Faheem
Hassan
Amir
Usman.

 

[babajee]

If we get rid of Malik and Hafeez we can win the world cup.

 

[Sean143]

We have three major issues to address
Fakhar's Opening Partner:We haven't been able to find somebody so far but I thing it's a tie between Imam ul Haq,Haris Sohail, Azhar Ali and Sahibzada Farhan. Imam isn't good enough for me, Sohail seems a really good option as he can be good against the moving ball, but his boundary hitting ability (specially in power play) needs to improve considerably along with his Temperament/Fitness(whatever is stopping him from converting starts into hundreds). Sahibzada Farhan is under cooked for international cricket at the moment, but he stills seams to be a fair option considering the dearth of aggressive openers that we are facing. If All three experiments go wrong then perhaps we should go for experience in the form of Azhar Ali, and hope that he can

4th Seamer: With a good All-rounder in the form of Faheem Ashraf in setup now, it is pretty certain that pakistan would go for 4-seamers in England just like they did in the recently concluded test series against England.The big question is that who is going to join the likes of Amir,Hasan and Faheem. I think the competition is basically between Junaid Khan and Usman Shinwari. Rumman looks like a one trick pony in ODIs sometimes and Shaheen is too young(although if he makes it, he could be deadly). Junaid Khan has been good in ODIs since his comeback, but Shinwari edges him out in my opinion.The good thing about Shinwari is that he is right at the batsman and always wants to take wickets, add to that his banana away swingers and you have got a very penetrative opening bowler in your arsenal. His body(because of his action) hasn't been kind to him Thus Far so there is still a possibility of him getting injured

2nd Spin Bowling All-rounder: With Hafeez coming back into the side, the slot for the second spinner is also up for grabs. The three candidates are Nawaz, Imad and ofcource Hafeez. Imad is one dimensional as a bowler and has been been ineffective in ODIs with both bat and ball of late. So we will probably see Hafeez or Nawaz. Nawaz has been outstanding with the ball in the PSL and T20Is. He looked a more confident and improved stroke player, but is still lacking quality as a batsman. The fate of mohammad hafeez on the other hand depends on how effective he is with the ball without breaking rules.

My Proposed 11 would be
Fakhar Zaman(Agressor/creates a huge impact on how we bat 50 overs)
Sahibzada/Harris/Imam/Azhar/Asif Ali (hitters or defensive batters, but someone has to step up)
Babar Azam( A lot depends on what sought of a batsman he is at that time, need him to get 100s)
Sarfaraz(a busy player, will probably increase the scoring rate in middle overs with risk free cricket)
Shadab (Accumulator)
Malik/(Asif Ali in case of injury)
Hafeez/Nawaz/Imad(hitters,we haven't got any, so probably we should get the best of out what we have)
Faheem(Potentially a really really destructive hitter,can hit every delivery for six, but needs nurturing)
Hassan (A very useful lower order batter who can hit sixes at will, when on song)
Amir (Pretty decent No10 to have, Usually underachieves as a batters but has great potential)
Shinwari/Junaid/Rumman/Shaheen

 

[Hasan123]

Batting is the main area of concern. We lack power and players who can go big against fast bowlers. Also Sarfraz form is a real worry. I don't trust his keeping and fitness with so many games in such a short space of time.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Its still the batting. I think the problem with our team is that we have to playe Hafeez and Malik in our line-up cause apparently Mickey and Inzi like there experience and the fact that there seniors. Sahibzada Farhan would be a good option to open with Fakhar but he inexperienced and if he fails in Zimbabwe, the management might go back to Azhar. With Imam its........... quite tricky to place, because he seems like a good stroke maker and Mickey seems to take a liking to him. The only problem with him is that he's got quite a few issues with his batting which can fortunately be worked on. The third seamer is definitely between Junaid and Usman which is a trickey situation cause both are capable bowlers but Amir has stated that he works better with Junaid so maybe Junaid might get the nod. Haris and Babar with Safaraz has to be our middle order with Hussain Talat or Asif Ali coming in at No.6 as the hitter.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Hope Hafeez is banned again.

Opening partner for Fakhar and developing Shadab, Talat, Fahim to bat at 5-7.

 

[babajee]

Hope Hafeez is banned again.

Opening partner for Fakhar and developing Shadab, Talat, Fahim to bat at 5-7.

Babar/Haris/Farhan

Pick one.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Babar/Haris/Farhan

Pick one.

No.

 

[ameemlutfi]

Fakhar
Harris/ Sharjeel
Babar
Sarfraz
Malik
Shadab
Hafeez
Fahim
Hasan
Aamir
Usman

Backup: Nawaz, Junaid, Yaamin, Shan masood/rizwan/fawad

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Micky said in an interview that " no 4 is one too high for Sarfraz in odi but he also believe that Sarfraz plays well at no 4 and 5 "
So I think he will promote Sarfraz at no 5
About Harris he said he is a starter in our odi and test lineup so all I can see this linup
1Fakher
2Babar Harris
3Harris Babar
4Hafeez ( unfortunately)
5Sarfraz
6Malik (unfortunately)
7Shadab
8Faheem
9 Hasan
10 amir
11 Junaid

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

with professor back we have taken 10 steps back. People can slate me all they want, but i hope he gets a yorker that breaks his toe.

Some players are so hard to get rid of that its only injury or tragedy that finishes them off

 

[NauV]

Micky said in an interview that " no 4 is one too high for Sarfraz in odi but he also believe that Sarfraz plays well at no 4 and 5 "
So I think he will promote Sarfraz at no 5
About Harris he said he is a starter in our odi and test lineup so all I can see this linup
1Fakher
2Babar Harris
3Harris Babar
4Hafeez ( unfortunately)
5Sarfraz
6Malik (unfortunately)
7Shadab
8Faheem
9 Hasan
10 amir
11 Junaid

That's a bit contradictory by Mickey if he thinks Sarfaraz plays well at number 4 and 5, but 4 is too high for him. He needs to realize, thats where Sarfaraz's true value lies in the ODI team. Look at his record too, if he needs backing by stats.

Issue with Sarfaraz at 5 is taht Malik goes down to 6 and Malik has traditionally failed at 6. Malik at 4 is too high I think as there will most likely be fast bowlers in operation. Hence, I think to make it work you need to have Sarfaraz at 4 and Malik at 5, and then a Asif Ali/Talat type batsman . .

My biggest fear with this line up right now is how they will fit Hafeez. Because they seem to destroy the whole batting line up by inducting hafeez.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

That's a bit contradictory by Mickey if he thinks Sarfaraz plays well at number 4 and 5, but 4 is too high for him. He needs to realize, thats where Sarfaraz's true value lies in the ODI team. Look at his record too, if he needs backing by stats.

Issue with Sarfaraz at 5 is taht Malik goes down to 6 and Malik has traditionally failed at 6. Malik at 4 is too high I think as there will most likely be fast bowlers in operation. Hence, I think to make it work you need to have Sarfaraz at 4 and Malik at 5, and then a Asif Ali/Talat type batsman . .

My biggest fear with this line up right now is how they will fit Hafeez. Because they seem to destroy the whole batting line up by inducting hafeez.

Yes this is the big concern for me as well you can't fit Malik and hafeez both in a same team.
Bring in Asif Ali at no 6

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I would have Farhan to partner Fakhar. Babar and Malik are good enough to provide stability if we lose early wickets.

For fourth seamer: Need to have both Junaid and Shinwari in the squad. We don't realise how crucial Junaid was to us in CT, he would always be taking early wickets and was an ideal foil to Amir at the other end. No doubt Shinwari is extremely good, but the thing is, he is rhythm sort of bowler, who when in rhythm can be an absolute beast, but when he is not, he can be awful. Plus Junaid has better presence of mind to deal with the batters when things are not going Pak's way, while Usman just knows one way to bowl. In short, Junaid is more reliable but a known quantity. Shinwari, can go on both extremes. Both along with Rumman should be in the squad though. Plus Shinwari has a very extensive injury record.

 

[Manzoorsyed25]

Does anyone know what's happening with Sharjeel? How long till his bans removed? Him along with Fakhar at the top could be the best opening combination in the tournament and definitely the best we've had over the last decade and a half.

 

[The_Odd_One]

If Talat can improve his bowling, he can be a real asset in the ODI team. He should take the vacant #6 spot. Mickey has to find a spot for Nawaz. He and Shadab can choke the oppositions with their economy.

1. Fakhar (opener/part-timer)
2. Babar (opener)
3. Haris (middle order/part-timer)
4. Sarfraz (keeper, batsman)
5. Malik (middle order/part-timer)
6. Talat (middle order/part-timer)
7. Shadab (spin all-rounder)
8. Faheem (pace all-rounder)
9. Nawaz (spin all-rounder)
10. Aamir (fast bowler/slogger)
11. Hassan (fast bowler/slogger)

This team bats very deep and 9 out of 10 players can bowl.

The reserves can be: Farhan, Asif, Usman, and Shaheen

 

[TeymurBlake]

with professor back we have taken 10 steps back. People can slate me all they want, but i hope he gets a yorker that breaks his toe.

Some players are so hard to get rid of that its only injury or tragedy that finishes them off

Trust me, no-one will hate you for saying this. Its got to the point where only a serious injury can drop Mr Undroppable.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

If Talat can improve his bowling, he can be a real asset in the ODI team. He should take the vacant #6 spot. Mickey has to find a spot for Nawaz. He and Shadab can choke the oppositions with their economy.

1. Fakhar (opener/part-timer)
2. Babar (opener)
3. Haris (middle order/part-timer)
4. Sarfraz (keeper, batsman)
5. Malik (middle order/part-timer)
6. Talat (middle order/part-timer)
7. Shadab (spin all-rounder)
8. Faheem (pace all-rounder)
9. Nawaz (spin all-rounder)
10. Aamir (fast bowler/slogger)
11. Hassan (fast bowler/slogger)

This team bats very deep and 9 out of 10 players can bowl.

The reserves can be: Farhan, Asif, Usman, and Shaheen

Not bad but this won't be happen

 

[TeamPak95]

[MENTION=141847]NauV[/MENTION] From the players you've presented I would go:

1. Fakhar
2. Babar
3. Haris
4. Sarfraz
5. Talat
6. Asif
7. Shadab
8. Faheem
9. Hasan
10. Amir
11. Usman

The XI I present, in my opinion, should be tested out in most, if not, all the ODIs leading to the WC. On paper it looks very well balanced, great bowling attack, deep batting lineup, and youthful, gun fielders. I have faith in the bowlers doing well so I'm not too worried about them, but if the batting doesn't then you could bring in someone like Shoaib Malik (who could at least be in the squad) into the XI. Point is, I feel this team presented needs as much exposure to ODIs as possible before the WC to build the experience.

 

[JattMaula]

Why is everyone putting Shadab at 7 or lower? He is not a slogger and is wasted down the order in ODI and T20s. He can bat at 4 or 5 depending upon kaptaan's preferred spot.

 

[TeamPak95]

Why is everyone putting Shadab at 7 or lower? He is not a slogger and is wasted down the order in ODI and T20s. He can bat at 4 or 5 depending upon kaptaan's preferred spot.

I guess I should have mentioned in my XI that the batting order, especially after Sarfraz, should depend upon the game situation. If there are a bunch of overs left in the innings with Pak 3 or 4 down, then you could bring in Shadab. You can't put Haris or Sarfraz down the order + if Pak happen to bat out of their skins by being, for example, 300+ with 8-10 overs remaining and being only 2-3 down then you could bring in a Faheem or an Asif Ali. But getting to your original point, for me Shadab being at 7 is more so he has to be somewhere on the team sheet; his actual batting position, I feel, should depend upon the game situation.

 

[zn426]

Does anyone know what's happening with Sharjeel? How long till his bans removed? Him along with Fakhar at the top could be the best opening combination in the tournament and definitely the best we've had over the last decade and a half.

He was given a 5 year ban, half of which is suspended on 2/10/17. He won't be eligible to play again until August 2019 barring a reopening of the case which finds the spot-fixing verdict reversed and the ban removed entirely. Can't see that happening under Sethi.

 

[iniqbal223]

I think only one of Hafeez or Malik can be in XI, unless its a match against teams where they play spinners.

Malik
Zaman
Babar
Sarfaraz
Haris Sohail
Shadab
Hussain Talat/Hafeez/Imad Wasim/Asif Ali
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Junaid

 

[NauV]

[MENTION=141847]NauV[/MENTION] From the players you've presented I would go:

1. Fakhar
2. Babar
3. Haris
4. Sarfraz
5. Talat
6. Asif
7. Shadab
8. Faheem
9. Hasan
10. Amir
11. Usman

The XI I present, in my opinion, should be tested out in most, if not, all the ODIs leading to the WC. On paper it looks very well balanced, great bowling attack, deep batting lineup, and youthful, gun fielders. I have faith in the bowlers doing well so I'm not too worried about them, but if the batting doesn't then you could bring in someone like Shoaib Malik (who could at least be in the squad) into the XI. Point is, I feel this team presented needs as much exposure to ODIs as possible before the WC to build the experience.

Didn't mean for you to pick the players that I presented in my post . . Those were just who I thought were/should be in contention . . You can always add to the pool

 

[TeamPak95]

Didn't mean for you to pick the players that I presented in my post . . Those were just who I thought were/should be in contention . . You can always add to the pool

Fair point Although the only player that can be added to the pool seems to be, as firmly said by Saifi, the holiness that is the Prof

 

[Markhor]

My biggest concern is as always with the batting. We lack the firepower that the likes of England and New Zealand have. Other than Fakhar Zaman, who else can score big knocks batting at a run a ball or more ?

We need another explosive opener to partner Fakhar Zaman and sort out the #6 position (I'd like to see Shadab promoted as he's a proper bat).

I would've liked for us to move on from proven failures outside SC in Hafeez and Malik after the NZ tour, but if we're accomodating one then it has to be Malik.

 

[Kroll]

My biggest concern is as always with the batting. We lack the firepower that the likes of England and New Zealand have. Other than Fakhar Zaman, who else can score big knocks batting at a run a ball or more ?

We need another explosive opener to partner Fakhar Zaman and sort out the #6 position (I'd like to see Shadab promoted as he's a proper bat).

I would've liked for us to move on from proven failures outside SC in Hafeez and Malik after the NZ tour, but if we're accomodating one then it has to be Malik.

Sadly, this penchant for accommodating old and average players like Hafeez has continued to hold us back as far as the batting is concerned. It would have been great if we could have been ready for the Word Cup with a somewhat decent batting but increasingly not looking the case unless we start taking some drastic steps. PSL 2019 could be vital in shaping our final squad.

 

[ads101]

All they need to do is fix their batting. Our bowling and fielding are good enough. But if you can't post 300 consistently with your batting line up, you're not going to be a consistently top tier team.

At the moment only Fakhar and Babar have been good enough. And yet we're playing with a batsman short too.

A performing opener at the top to partner Fakhar would help us immensely. Hafeez can't even open anymore so is a mistake. I'd even gone with Kamran or Khurram who both seemed in good form in domestic. We don't need more bowling options, we could afford to even reduce.

There's very little time for Fahim to start performing in ODI cricket. I don't think batting him at 8 helps either nor not bowling his full quota, it means he's hardly getting much opportunity. Either perform or we need to drop him. We don't have time to keep nurturing him, the world cup is too soon, and players need to be ready by then.

We should have picked Talat in the ODI squad, it would have given us a potential hitter down the order, or a middle order bat so that we could promote Babar to open if needed. It's going to be hard for him to debut during the world cup, and we needed to do it in one of the series before.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

So sarfraz stated in a recent interview that he looking for hafeez to partner with fakher.

So i am hopefull if styen return SA series will be his last for a life..

 

[giri26]

So sarfraz stated in a recent interview that he looking for hafeez to partner with fakher.

So i am hopefull if styen return SA series will be his last for a life..

Even if Steyn returns, I doubt he will be playing the ODIs. Hafeez will not be playing the Tests, so I don't think he will face Steyn at all in that series.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Even if Steyn returns, I doubt he will be playing the ODIs. Hafeez will not be playing the Tests, so I don't think he will face Steyn at all in that series.

Don't think so hafeez will secure his spot after Zimbabwe series. And till SA tour all matches are in uae so i am hopeful he will face styen

 

[NauV]

My biggest concern is as always with the batting. We lack the firepower that the likes of England and New Zealand have. Other than Fakhar Zaman, who else can score big knocks batting at a run a ball or more ?

We need another explosive opener to partner Fakhar Zaman and sort out the #6 position (I'd like to see Shadab promoted as he's a proper bat).

I would've liked for us to move on from proven failures outside SC in Hafeez and Malik after the NZ tour, but if we're accomodating one then it has to be Malik.

Absolutely! Batting remains the concern . . In order to have any shot at going deep into the tournament, we need to be able to score 300 consistently . . and chase 300 consistently . . However, looking at what England is doing . . 300 seems to be the new 250 . .

I think Babar (if in form) will give you runs at a run a ball . . Sarfaraz (lets all pray he regains form inshaAllah) if he plays in the top 4 (which he absolutely should) should give you runs at a run a ball . . Shoaib Malik, I feel, is the best striker in the team . .

I do think Shoaib Malik is probably one of the first names on the team sheet, so unless there's a drastic drop in form or injury, he is a sure shot starter . . if he is not playing in the first 25 overs, I am reasonably confident he will do well . . considering its going to be his last tournament, I'd think he would be more determined too!

Problem is Hafeez . . Sending Hafeez to open is a recipe for disaster I think! and sending him at 4 is, if at all possible, EVEN worse than playing him as an opener . . cuz at least if he opens, he will get out soon enough and hopefully not cause too much damage . . in the middle order, he's sure to waste 40 deliveries to get a score for himself . . at number 6, he doesn't have that much time to settle in, so hopefully he'd be more inclined to play CT Final type innings . . Point being, if Hafeez is to play . . he HAS to play at number 6 . . all other positions screw the team over . .

Lastly, although I see the logic in why people would want Shadab promoted, the issue is that who do you then move out? Unless, you bring in Asif Ali and ask Shadab to bat 6 and Asif to bat 7 with a license to kill . . I dont see how else shadab can go up the order . . In this world cup, you need your batting line up to go to 8 minimum I feel!

 

[NauV]

So sarfraz stated in a recent interview that he looking for hafeez to partner with fakher.

So i am hopefull if styen return SA series will be his last for a life..

I am a massive fan of Mickey Arthur, and I genuinely believe he has done great things for Pakistan cricket . . including trying to throw Hafeez out of the team . . but I seriously question the wisdom behind having hafeez open OR EVEN WORSE having him in the middle order . . Hafeez's only position in this ODI team is at 6 . . if he can't play at 6 or doesn't want to play at 6 . . he has no place in the team

 

[Sunny_majoka]

My biggest concern is as always with the batting. We lack the firepower that the likes of England and New Zealand have. Other than Fakhar Zaman, who else can score big knocks batting at a run a ball or more ?

We need another explosive opener to partner Fakhar Zaman and sort out the #6 position (I'd like to see Shadab promoted as he's a proper bat).

I would've liked for us to move on from proven failures outside SC in Hafeez and Malik after the NZ tour, but if we're accomodating one then it has to be Malik.

More than shadab we need asif ali at 6. Shadab place is no 4 but currently he can't be promoted up the order

 

[hamaadravda]

Fakhar
Babar
Maqsood
Asif
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Shadab
Faheem
Hasan
Amir
Usman/Nawaz

 

[Faizi Zeta]

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Sarfraz Ahmed (Wk/C)
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Mohammad Hafeez
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hasan Ali
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Junaid Khan

With such a line up we have different bowling options with quality batsman till Faheem Ashraf. Hassan and Amir also played some good match wining knocks as well.

4 Spin Bowlers and 4 fast Bowlers
Haris and Malik need to work on their bowling if they do. it really helps.

reserve player for position
4. Hussain Talat (can also play as an opener)
6. Imad Wasim
10. Rumman raees
11. Usman Shinwari

InshaAllah Pakistan will win WC2019

 

[todfod 11]

I would play Faheem at 6. he has potential and what i have see of him is he can hit big but he needs few ball to settle in.

my team would be

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
sarfaraz
hussain talat
Faheem
Shoaib/ Hafeez (they both seem equally good) if compared to each other.
shadab
hasan ali
Amir
Jaunaid/shinwari/ rumman raees

We have 3 fast bowler
1 spinner who can bat.
2 fast bowling allrounder. hussain talat is a batsmen more
And hafeez or shoaib can bowl as well.

Wahab riaz
imam ul haq
azhar ali to be on bench

 

[babajee]

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz

Willing to bet we will see this top 6 at the WC

 

[GrandMaster]

Kaptaan sahab's fitness and form. Apart from these, all looking good for Pakistan.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz

Willing to bet we will see this top 6 at the WC

No micky will surely make a way for haris. He will promote haris or hafeez as an opener

 

[Dagestani_Eagle]

This is the team I would like to see (if all of these players are in form)
1: Fakhar Zaman
2: Harris Sohail
3: Babar Azam
4: Sirfaraz Ahmed
5: Shoaib Malik
6: Asif Ali
7: Sadab Khan
8: Faheem Ashraf/Imad Wasim
9: Mohammad Amir
10: Hassan Ali
11: Junaid Khan


12: Imad Wasim/Faheem Ashraf
13: Mohammad Hafeez
14: Usman Shinwari
15: Rumman Raees

 

[Justcrazy]

Till hafeez is there , it is useless.

 

[Kroll]

Sarfaraz is too rubbish to play any higher than 7.

 

[PakSarZameen]

Fakhar
Haris
Babar
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Malik
Shadab
Fahim (still a question mark)
Hasan
Amir
Junaid/Shinwari/Shaheen

 

[ads101]

atm for the world cup I'd prefer a line up of

1. Fakhar
2. Babar
3. Haris
4. Talat
5. Sarfraz
6. Malik
7. Maqsood
8. Shadab
9. Hasan
10. Amir
11. Shinwari

If Babar sticks at 3 (or Haris doesn't open), bring in Khurram or Kamran and drop Maqsood.

I'd like us to absolutely pack our batting. Make sure we've got the batting to get 300 runs or so on the board. And make sure at the very least our top 4 are consistent, top batsmen. We have a weak link atm in the opener who partners Fakhar, and that needs to be fixed. If we get the top 4 too at least give us a good start, will allow the worse batsman down the order to capatalize. You can not rely on the likes of Sarfraz current form or Malik, or guys like Shadab/Fahim to get us out of trouble, their ability against pace just isn't on the same level as guys like Babar, Haris or even Fakhar.