Assessing how Pakistan's Test Team will shape up in 2022

[Markhor]

Alright enough about the Ashes and India-South Africa, this is PakPassion so let's focus on Pakistan as it seeks a place in next year's World Test Championship final. Last year we had a run of favourable fixtures against the likes of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. 2022 however will be the true litmus test of Babar Azam's Pakistan:

Mar - 3 Tests vs Australia (H)
Jul/Aug - 2 Tests vs Sri Lanka (A)
Oct/Nov - 2 Tests vs New Zealand (H)
Nov/Dec - 3 Tests vs England (H)

We should be favourites against Sri Lanka and England, while Australia and New Zealand will be tough challenges. AUS/NZL/ENG have a better chance of competing in Pakistan where pitches are more supportive of quick bowling than UAE. Winning three series would be an excellent achievement IMO.

As for the team - we know Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Fawad Alam, Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali (wrongly) are locked in. Abid Ali's ACS may spell the end of his international career so leaving him aside for now. Sajid Khan will keep his place taking 16 wickets at 15 in Bangladesh, leapfrogging Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah as our frontline spinner. Fahim Ashraf didn't pull up any trees in Bangladesh, but has been good since his return so he stays.

That means a second opener and two bowling spots are vacant.

Stable opening pairs are like gold dust now and there's no ideal solution. Imam-ul-Haq was our backup opener in Bangladesh, and averaged 100 in the QEA Trophy mostly on dead tracks in Punjab in 1st half of the tournament. However an avg of 25 from 11 Tests is nothing to write home about. The alternative is promote Azhar to open - and debut Saud Shakeel at #3.

The issue with the latter is Azhar's ability to play half-decent pace bowling has gone. He averages 31 minus ZIM since 2017. Sri Lanka at home in 2019 should've been his farewell with a youngster debuting vs Bangladesh in 2020. Nevertheless it's a temporary option until Haider Ali or Mohammad Huraira are ready. Plus it's the only way I see Saud Shakeel playing - whose debut has been blocked long enough.

Hasan Ali should return with his reverse swing and skiddy pace well suited for Asian conditions. Yes he had a disappointing T20 World Cup but let's not mix formats - he took 41 wickets at 16 in 2021. The last bowling gap depends on conditions. In Rawalpindi an extra seamer should play (Dhani/Infanullah/Naseem ?) - otherwise I'd choose Mohammad Nawaz. He looks improved and is turning his stock ball more since his last international stint, so he gets the nod ahead of Yasir Shah who averages 36.50 in Pakistan and appears on downward trajectory.

Azhar
Abdullah
Saud
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Fahim
Nawaz/pacer (depending on conditions)
Hasan
Sajid
Shaheen

 

[Buffet]

Hopefully, all those series happen for real. UAE was a bore-fest. Yah, it was an adopted ground, but playing a team in their den is real fun.

I think results will mostly depend on how Pakistani bowling does. I have almost forgotten the nature of the pitch in different venues in Pakistan, but if there is a decent turn then Pakistan should win all series comfortably.

If it comes down to simply pacers then I don't think it will be easy against Aus with their gun pace unit. If it's flat pitch then I don't think Eng and NZ have bowlers to do well. They are too dependent on conditions. But I am not sold on Pakistani bowlers doing well on the flat pitch as well, so it will be interesting contests.

Looking forward to seeing these contests.

 

[Buffet]

ICC should get rid of 2 tests for all major teams.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

While theory crafting is fun, I'm pretty sure that we will play a similar team to the one that played against South Africa.

If Abid isn't available then he'll be replaced by most probably Imam and that's about it.

Personally, I'd like a few players to make debuts this season. We are scheduled to play 10 tests and that's the kind of year where we should get some fringe players who are more aggressive in nature in the team than the incumbent ones. Azhar is a good bloke but his record doesn't merit automatic selection anymore. Haider as an aggressive number 5 could help us counter-attack in difficult situations and can add fear factor which we don't have right now.

I'd also like some left-field choices in terms of bowling; the trio of Hassan, Fahim, and Shaheen did work but I'm not confident that it's the best pace bowling trio in Pakistan. Either get in a spin-bowling allrounder like Nawaz or Shadab or strengthen the batting by playing Kamran Ghulam and task him to bowl 15 overs a day with Fawad. That also gives us the flexibility to play 4 fast bowlers and have a lower order like that bats deep. I'd also want to know if Muhammad Wasim still thinks that Rauf is an option in test cricket. He was selected for England tour but after that, we never heard anything about the experiment. Naseem (already made debut), Dahani, Rauf, Wasim Jr, Irfanullah, Arshad Iqbal, Khurram Shehzad, and Sameen are the rookies that may get a look in the squad but I don't expect any debut here. From the more experienced players, we have Abbas, Sohail, Imran Khan Jr, Tabish, Mir Hamza, & Zia ul Haq who have also a chance to appear in the extended squads for the series.

I'd love to see PCB schedule a few more A series this year. Now that Abdullah and Saud both have graduated to the main squad, would love to see Huraira & Haris get an extended run with the Shaheens. There's also an extremely underrated player in Tayyab Tahir who I feel is being wasted at the moment and deserves his run now.

My biggest wish for the year would be that our main players remain injury-free and retain a semblance of good form. Australia may not be the team that they used to be but we rarely perform against them and moving away from the UAE also means that their fast bowlers will be much more in the game than the previous two series. This is the fantasy team that I'd love to see come the first test of the series

1. Abdullah
2. Shan/Saud/Azhar
3. Kamran Ghulam/Saud
4. Babar
5. Fawad
6. Rizwan
7. Haider/Nawaz/Shadab
8. Fahim/Nasim
9. Sajid Khan
a. Hassan
b. Shaheen

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan chances of winning depends on quality of spinners , if Pakistan has two solid specialist spinners bowling in tandem , it will trouble both Aussies and Kiwis as well as England.

Two specialist spinners , one fast bowler , one fast bowling all rounder and one batting spin all rounder.

 

[Barragan]

Azhar needs to open or leave.

Guys like Kamran, Saud and Salahuddin are too good to be kept on the sidelines.

 

[Maher96]

Big questions Azhar Future, are we really going to carry him to get to 100 Test matches.

Abid will he make a comeback or is this Shan Masood/ Imam ul Haq chance?

Surely Imran Butt needs to be looked at as hes a walking wicket.

Abdullah should continue now in Abid absence and I feel he will come of age this season.

Bowling wise Nauman is getting younger so they will need to see where Shadab is going as I always hoped him and Faheem could add Value as AR but the bowling hasn’t been at Test standards.

Shaheen and Hasan are cemented just depends what management will be thinking Abbas at home is most likely no use for.

Rauf i think can be kept at LOI and rather try Hasnain for test format. His line and length is very precise and could trouble the Aussies.

 

[Savak]

Pakistani wickets are not really as conducive to spin as UAE, Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi wickets.

Spinners tend to have a marginal role on Day 4 & 5 but usually pacers who bend their back with the new ball and reverse swing the old ball do the business.

SA had Pakistan in precarious positions many times in both the test matches but they let the game slip because of not being able to finish the tail in the end and then struggling against Hasan Ali, Shaheen

It will be a close series with Australia in Pakistan. They will enjoy the Pakistani wickets

 

[Extra_Cover]

Massive home season of test cricket is lining up for Pakistan in 2022. Given the team is going to be playing back to back in Asian conditions Pakistan should aim for maximum points in here and should stick with formula that works.

Firstly, we need stable openers for these conditions. Abid for all his shortcomings was a very apt opener in Asian conditions and would have done well here however unfortunately his sickness would mean end of his career. I wish him all the best as he comes across as a nice person. I think Pakistan would go back to Shan Masood for the upcoming tours which might be a short term fix till Hurraira and Haider get sufficient experience under their belt. Abdullah would retain his position so would Imam therefore with Shan they would make up the openers in the squad and frankly any 2 of these 3 can play in the starting XI.

Our middle order starts with Azhar Ali who would definitely play against Australia however if he is unable to conjure any material numbers in the first 2 tests then Ramiz should speak with Azhar and ask him to retire in the third test. I want Azhar to have a respectable retirement given he has given Pakistan test cricket a lot and deserves a standing ovation. Once Azhar retires Saud should come into his position and Haider should make the squad as a replacement of Saud. Our 4 and 5 spots are sealed with Babar and Fawad. No changes here with Ghulam being replacement of Fawad once he retires or goes off form. Rizwan completes top 6 and is an automatic pick.

Number 7 is the most crucial slot for us given we are playing at home and in Asian conditions. I personally feel Shadab would be great for this position in Asian conditions as his bowling has shown signs of improvements of late and he is a very decent bat for number 7 as well. Faheem should be part of the squad and should play should conditions suit fast bowling.

The bowlers in the squad should include 3 fast bowlers and 2 spinners. Sajid Khan picks himself with his performance in Bangladesh. I also feel Sajid Khan is a great bowler for Asian conditions. After a long time we have a genuine offspinner who prefers to bowl at right handers and bowls quite attacking lengths. I feel Sajid Khan would be very successful in Asian conditions but shouldn't be selected for SENA matches given his attacking line would go for plenty of runs in SENA conditions. Nauman Ali bowled well for no luck in Bangladesh and should continue to be part of squad and keep Yasir Shah out. Shaheen and Hasan are automatic picks with no arguments. For third seamer I hope they pick Dahani rather than Naseem and let Naseem play in county circuit.

The team for 2022 season ideally should be as follows:
1. Imam / Shan
2. Shafique
3. Azhar Ali / Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam / Kamran Ghulam
6. Rizwan
7. Shadab Khan / Faheem Ashraf
8. Nauman Ali / Dahani
9. Hasan Ali
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Sajid Khan

 

[hitthestump]

Pakistan chances of winning depends on quality of spinners , if Pakistan has two solid specialist spinners bowling in tandem , it will trouble both Aussies and Kiwis as well as England.

Two specialist spinners , one fast bowler , one fast bowling all rounder and one batting spin all rounder.

Agree with this. Unfortunately Sajid remains an fairly unknown package and i'm not sure how good Yasir will be after all his recent drama.

Pakistan's test attack still has a lot to answer for. Performances against mediocre teams have told us nothing. It'll be much harder for our pacers to take wickets this year and they're going to need to show a massive improvement, because last time we faced ENA teams Shaheen and co. were thoroughly thrashed.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Loss of Abid Ali will hurt us. But we are used to having no openers, so that's that.

I got a feeling Azhar Ali will play until at least 100 tests, he has played 91, so far. Let's just accept this fact and hope that he plays 100 deliveries averaging around 40-something for these upcoming 9 tests.

Babar Azam will have a legendary 2022, Insha'Allah. I expect him to score match-winning 100s everywhere around the world, in all formats, vs all attacks. He is capable and it is now or never.

Rizwan is worth his weight in gold.

Our pacers are doing great. Insha'Allah they will remain injury free and win games for us.

I am worried about spinners. Don't be surprised if visiting spinners outbowl Pakistani spinners. I hope they prove me wrong.

In conclusion, we should aim to improve our test ranking and our noob test players should get invaluable experience for future.

Let's see.

 

[Justcrazy]

Agree with this. Unfortunately Sajid remains an fairly unknown package and i'm not sure how good Yasir will be after all his recent drama.

Pakistan's test attack still has a lot to answer for. Performances against mediocre teams have told us nothing. It'll be much harder for our pacers to take wickets this year and they're going to need to show a massive improvement, because last time we faced ENA teams Shaheen and co. were thoroughly thrashed.

Pakistan needs to prepare turning pitches, underprepared ones. Look to get in first class experienced spinners in the team.

If Pakistan go with normal pitches , they will be in big problem against Kiwis and Australia.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

In Australia/New Zealand our playing xi should look like this -

Ahmad Shahzad
Imam ul Haq
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam (c)
Abdullah Shafiq
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi
Shahnawaz Dahani

 

[Justcrazy]

In Australia/New Zealand our playing xi should look like this -

Ahmad Shahzad
Imam ul Haq
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam (c)
Abdullah Shafiq
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi
Shahnawaz Dahani

������������

Those are home series.

You need spinners , not 3 fast bowlers

 

[ElRaja]

given how was it not for abid ali bang spinners ran through paks middle order in the first innigs of the first test, i would under no circumstance assume that series is a given.

babar for all his accomplishments in white ball cricket has proven wobbly against good spin, if maharaj could trouble him in pak, i have no doubt embuldeniya will in sri lanka.

this year will fundamentally come down to whether shaheen and hassan can make the step up and replicate their 2021 test form against better teams, and whether babar finally delivers on his talent in the test arena.

 

[Sarwar89]

I am not too sure that Pakistani pitches support fast bowlers. Yasir Shah with his experience against top test playing nations will be handy.

Sajid and That fella shadab i am not too sure i have seen them taking big wickets against top test playing nations in test match.

I will stick with yasir shah and may be sajid both in team + shaheen + hasan + faheem ashraf

2 fast bowlers + 2 spinners + 1 medium pacer
I think it is right combination.

If pitches are not very spin friendly. Then create them or make them friendly. That is what india has done post 2012. Kohli’s inflated record of 40 test wins has lot to do with home rank turners.

I just wish if we have nasty result oriented people at hierarchy in pcb like BCCI officials are results driven and hungry or New zealand the kibd of pitches they produce. Pakistanis and our officials are too soft on it and then we get beaten.

 

[FreakCricket]

Tailender Azhar Ali needs to go first, I wonder why is he in the team when we have good enough talent which needs to be groomed by giving them chances in back to back series.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

Why are people fixated on Yasir Shah?
When di he last perform even half decently? Time for young blood. Namely accurate off spin. Shah is yesterday’s news.

 

[Amjid Javed]

All tests in Asian conditions we should fancy our chances to win all 4. It wont be easy though. We need to have balance in ourside but also make sure we are retaining strength with batting and bowling.

Azhar Ali needs to be given the boot, 1st hes taking up a number 3 spot which should be given to a new player, plus his slow negative batting is no benefit to the team and against quality bowlers hes a walking wicket.

Fahim ashraf needs to improve his bowling, look at pace cameron green bowls at, good bouncer and yorker yet fahim just trundles in, we cant afford that in this series.

My team

A Shaffique
Abid Ali / Azhar Ali
Saud shakeel (spin option to)
Babar
Rizwan
Fawad
Shadab / Kamran Ghulam / nawaz (spin options as a batsmen)
Dhani / Another 3rd seamer
Shaheen
Hasan Ali
Sajid khan / nauman / yasir shah

3 seamers plus, 1 front line spinner, 5 players in top 6 can all bowl spin. Batting is solid and team looks well balance. This is how should look.

 

[Markhor]

I'd love to see PCB schedule a few more A series this year. Now that Abdullah and Saud both have graduated to the main squad, would love to see Huraira & Haris get an extended run with the Shaheens. There's also an extremely underrated player in Tayyab Tahir who I feel is being wasted at the moment and deserves his run now.

If we can't organise any Shaheens tours because of Omicron/scheduling then we should at least arrange for them to play the visiting teams at home.

Mohammad Asif's return to the side in 2005/06 was largely on the back of his performance for Pakistan A vs England at Bagh-e-Jinnah in that warmup before the Tests.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

If we can't organise any Shaheens tours because of Omicron/scheduling then we should at least arrange for them to play the visiting teams at home.

Mohammad Asif's return to the side in 2005/06 was largely on the back of his performance for Pakistan A vs England at Bagh-e-Jinnah in that warmup before the Tests.

True. Babar and Haris Sohail performed well against Australia in an A-team series. Rizwan and Shan did great against the English Lions as well to come in selection reckoning.

It's always interesting to see which players are able to handle the mental pressure of playing A cricket.

 

[Nasty Naz]

I don't see this team making a significant improvement until Azhar is finally gone. More deserving players like Saud & Kamran should be taking over his spot at this point. Maybe as an opener you could make an argument for him to stay but even then, I'd rather just go with Imam who at least has long-term potential. Azhar is just too old, limited and way past his prime. He's had an excellent career but it's time to move on.

 

[sweep_shot]

I expect Pakistan to have a good time in 2022. Not many tough assignments. Also, team is looking good under Babar.

 

[shah9425]

Hopefully a good year for our team

 

[Ashmal]

Aus series is going to be a very tough challenge....Pakistan needs to be at the top of their game

 

[zamana]

How about Wasim Jr. in place of Fahim as the AR?
Would also like to see Dhani and Haider Ali given opportunities.

 

[Mamoon]

10 Tests in Asian conditions. Babar needs to score 4-5 hundreds. He has no excuses. Needs to go big and get a 200+ once or twice as well.

Time is running out for him to make his mark as an elite Test batsman. He needs to go on the type of run Kohli had in 2016.

If he doesn’t, all these comparisons are unjustified. He has been very poor in Test cricket since the Australian tour in 2019-20.

 

[Babeikh]

On paper a very exciting year with home tests against three top teams.

Let's hope the tours happen. I think we have an excellent chance to beat all three in home conditions.

 

[shaz619]

Alright enough about the Ashes and India-South Africa, this is PakPassion so let's focus on Pakistan as it seeks a place in next year's World Test Championship final. Last year we had a run of favourable fixtures against the likes of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. 2022 however will be the true litmus test of Babar Azam's Pakistan:

Mar - 3 Tests vs Australia (H)
Jul/Aug - 2 Tests vs Sri Lanka (A)
Oct/Nov - 2 Tests vs New Zealand (H)
Nov/Dec - 3 Tests vs England (H)

We should be favourites against Sri Lanka and England, while Australia and New Zealand will be tough challenges. AUS/NZL/ENG have a better chance of competing in Pakistan where pitches are more supportive of quick bowling than UAE. Winning three series would be an excellent achievement IMO.

As for the team - we know Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Fawad Alam, Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali (wrongly) are locked in. Abid Ali's ACS may spell the end of his international career so leaving him aside for now. Sajid Khan will keep his place taking 16 wickets at 15 in Bangladesh, leapfrogging Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah as our frontline spinner. Fahim Ashraf didn't pull up any trees in Bangladesh, but has been good since his return so he stays.

That means a second opener and two bowling spots are vacant.

Stable opening pairs are like gold dust now and there's no ideal solution. Imam-ul-Haq was our backup opener in Bangladesh, and averaged 100 in the QEA Trophy mostly on dead tracks in Punjab in 1st half of the tournament. However an avg of 25 from 11 Tests is nothing to write home about. The alternative is promote Azhar to open - and debut Saud Shakeel at #3.

The issue with the latter is Azhar's ability to play half-decent pace bowling has gone. He averages 31 minus ZIM since 2017. Sri Lanka at home in 2019 should've been his farewell with a youngster debuting vs Bangladesh in 2020. Nevertheless it's a temporary option until Haider Ali or Mohammad Huraira are ready. Plus it's the only way I see Saud Shakeel playing - whose debut has been blocked long enough.

Hasan Ali should return with his reverse swing and skiddy pace well suited for Asian conditions. Yes he had a disappointing T20 World Cup but let's not mix formats - he took 41 wickets at 16 in 2021. The last bowling gap depends on conditions. In Rawalpindi an extra seamer should play (Dhani/Infanullah/Naseem ?) - otherwise I'd choose Mohammad Nawaz. He looks improved and is turning his stock ball more since his last international stint, so he gets the nod ahead of Yasir Shah who averages 36.50 in Pakistan and appears on downward trajectory.

Azhar
Abdullah
Saud
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Fahim
Nawaz/pacer (depending on conditions)
Hasan
Sajid
Shaheen

Great 2022 preview. Azhar is dead weight but if he is absolutely playing then it’s a good suggestion to have him open so Saud Shakeel can debut. Ignoring that, if pak were to play a pure opener ahead of Abid (not sure if Saud opens in QEA) what are the options besides Imam ?

And if two spinners are played, while I like how Nawaz has improved, I find it difficult to consider someone other then Nauman who has been brilliant for Pakistan, brings a high level of energy and he can bat a bit to.

If they play a third seamer in Pindi, is Naseem Shah really an option ? am not sure how he has been performing in FC cricket lately. But it would be interesting to see who they would opt for, ideally someone with decent FC experience

 

[Manunited18]

If Australia do tour I think pakistan will struggle. Aussies have all bases covered to do well in sub continent. Excellent pace attack, Lyon is a handful on subcontinent wickets, he virtually bamboozle India in India, and the Australian batting is alot stronger than pakistans.

 

[shaz619]

If Australia do tour I think pakistan will struggle. Aussies have all bases covered to do well in sub continent. Excellent pace attack, Lyon is a handful on subcontinent wickets, he virtually bamboozle India in India, and the Australian batting is alot stronger than pakistans.

Their batting in Asia would heavily depend on Smith and Warner, maybe Khawaja to an extent to if he is picked. With the others, am not sure how capable they will be against spin especially ? and how many of them have encountered reverse swing in asia ?

Having said that, it is certainly a difficult series for Pakistan.

 

[Greenstorm]

We won't get anything out of Imam, Shan types.
M Wasim should try to convince Babar to open with either Haider or Farhan along side Abdullah followed by Saud at 3.

But I think they will go with Azhar at 3 and i in that case, they should just open with Saud who has done well as an opener in recent A games vs Srilanka.

 

[shamaan]

We won't get anything out of Imam, Shan types.
M Wasim should try to convince Babar to open with either Haider or Farhan along side Abdullah followed by Saud at 3.

But I think they will go with Azhar at 3 and i in that case, they should just open with Saud who has done well as an opener in recent A games vs Srilanka.

Which format ?

 

[shamaan]

How about Wasim Jr. in place of Fahim as the AR?
Would also like to see Dhani and Haider Ali given opportunities.

Not in tests wasim needs more control.

Dahani definitely in all three formats.

 

[shamaan]

Great 2022 preview. Azhar is dead weight but if he is absolutely playing then it’s a good suggestion to have him open so Saud Shakeel can debut. Ignoring that, if pak were to play a pure opener ahead of Abid (not sure if Saud opens in QEA) what are the options besides Imam ?

And if two spinners are played, while I like how Nawaz has improved, I find it difficult to consider someone other then Nauman who has been brilliant for Pakistan, brings a high level of energy and he can bat a bit to.

If they play a third seamer in Pindi, is Naseem Shah really an option ? am not sure how he has been performing in FC cricket lately. But it would be interesting to see who they would opt for, ideally someone with decent FC experience

Hurrira is option but not at this current time needs 1 more season of domestic.

 

[shamaan]

Their batting in Asia would heavily depend on Smith and Warner, maybe Khawaja to an extent to if he is picked. With the others, am not sure how capable they will be against spin especially ? and how many of them have encountered reverse swing in asia ?

Having said that, it is certainly a difficult series for Pakistan.

Warner Vs shaheen and Sajid would be good contest.

 

[Greenstorm]

Which format ?

Tests and Imam should go from ODIs as well.

 

[gazza619]

How about Wasim Jr. in place of Fahim as the AR?
Would also like to see Dhani and Haider Ali given opportunities.

I have seen Wasim Jr. bat.

If he is an allrounder, then so is Hasan Ali.

 

[Amjid Javed]

If Australia do tour I think pakistan will struggle. Aussies have all bases covered to do well in sub continent. Excellent pace attack, Lyon is a handful on subcontinent wickets, he virtually bamboozle India in India, and the Australian batting is alot stronger than pakistans.

Pakistan have played lyon well before in UAE and i think they will handle him well again. How our batsmen play cummins will be key to series as i can see him being as dangerous as a Dale steyn was in pakistan, a bowler who can take the surface out of the equation.

 

[PakLFC]

I expect to win all four. We should be able to win at home providing the tours go ahead. Pak does historically do well in Sri Lanka as well. The 4 month gap between the Australia and Sri Lanka series seems to be a large gap for me.

 

[Titan24]

10 Tests in Asian conditions. Babar needs to score 4-5 hundreds. He has no excuses. Needs to go big and get a 200+ once or twice as well.

Time is running out for him to make his mark as an elite Test batsman. He needs to go on the type of run Kohli had in 2016.

If he doesn’t, all these comparisons are unjustified. He has been very poor in Test cricket since the Australian tour in 2019-20.

Agreed. He is a phenomenal batsman but, needs that breakthrough season in test cricket to really leave his mark in the format.

As a batsman he has entered his peak years and has a golden opportunity with upcoming home series and series in asian conditions to really make it count and provide that much needed direction towards greatness to his test career as well.

 

[Titan24]

How about Wasim Jr. in place of Fahim as the AR?
Would also like to see Dhani and Haider Ali given opportunities.

While Wasim Jr is an exciting prospect, test cricket is a different beast. He is yet to score a 50 in FC cricket while Faheem has couple of FC 100s and averages 35 in test cricket.

I believe Wasim Jr can definitely be more potent with the ball in test cricket then Faheem but, he has proven nothing to be given that number 7 position in tests. Faheem plays more as a batting all rounder in test cricket.

In LOIs its literally is a different ball game altogether and he has been able to replace Faheem by being a potentially superior bowler overall and Shadab, Hassan, Nawaz/Imad already providing decent batting depth for whiteball cricket. Your batting depth (no 8 onwards ) in LOIs only has to hit a few in ideal scenarios at the end or play 10 overs or so in difficult scenarios.

In tests you need to be able to survive and score for long durations if a player is targeting that no 7 position.

 

[Anis Shivani]

Get in Kamran Ghulam, Dahani, Wasim Jr. Establish Saud Shakeel at 3. Try out Haider Ali somewhere in there. Get rid of Azhar Ali. Give Abdullah Shafique free run, he's the future.

 

[Mamoon]

It won’t happen, but Fawad and Azhar’s dull Test careers should be finished off now. Thank them for their services and move on.

Pakistan is playing 10 Tests in Asian conditions in 2022. It is the perfect opportunity to bring two younger, fresher batsmen.

 

[Amjid Javed]

It won’t happen, but Fawad and Azhar’s dull Test careers should be finished off now. Thank them for their services and move on.

Pakistan is playing 10 Tests in Asian conditions in 2022. It is the perfect opportunity to bring two younger, fresher batsmen.

Simply wont happen Azhar should have been dumped years ago. instead PCB will blood new players on tough away tours instead. no real future plans are used with our test batting.