Australia v Pakistan | 2nd Test | Melbourne | Dec 26-30, 2016 | Pre-Match Thread

[Statsman]

Are Salman Butt / Mohammad Asif / Umar Akmal still required?

What a great game of cricket. Pakistan will take a lot from this. This has been a huge moral victory and should help them immensely going forward.


Coming to the all important question of team selection now. Are Salman Butt/ Mohammad Aif/ Umar Akmal still required or should Inzamam-ul-Haq persist with stability?

Ps. Mods please correct the title. My "s" button on keyboard has some problem.

 

[Speedster777]

We could have won this Test had our senior players scored more runs. Our bowling gave away too many runs which made the difference at the end.

 

[Big Mac]

No thanks. Asif is my favourite bowler of all time, from any country, but Pakistan need to stick with the same squad for the rest of the tour.

We can cry about talent, and the lack of it, but this group of players has a team spirit like none other and we should think twice before messing with the dressing room chemistry.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

They were never required in the first place.

 

[Buffet]

What a great game of cricket. Pakistan will take a lot from this. This has been a huge moral victory and should help them immensely going forward.


Coming to the all important question of team selection now. Are Salman Butt/ Mohammad Aif/ Umar Akmal still required or should Inzamam-ul-Haq persist with stability?

Ps. Mods please correct the title. My "s" button on keyboard has some problem.

A dedicated thread for moral victory is missing.

 

[AlphaFighter]

Sharjeel Khan in place of Sami Aslam?

Pakistan needs to take a gamble here, we cannot bat at a snail's pace a the start of the innings in Australia. Sami just looks clueless out there and i believe his confidence is at a low right now. Sharjeel was put in the test squad for a purpose, it is time for the team management to take a bold move and select Sharjeel to partner Azhar Ali for the remaining test matches.

 

[boomboom6]

agreed ... should replace Sami next match.

 

[Junaids]

Who is going to take the wickets with a saggy, seamless red ball that is 20 to 80 overs old at the MCG?

You still need a right-arm quick bowler.

Mickey Arthur correctly said three days ago that Imran Khan is too slow to be selectable.

Mickey Arthur correctly said three days ago that Sohail Khan's mediocre second spell, and non-existent third and fourth spells make him unselectable.

I would say that you desperately need Asif at Sydney and Melbourne.

Umar Akmal? Probably not.

And Salman Butt would score more runs than Younis Khan and Misbah.

2004-5 tour of Australia
Younis Khan aged 31: 259 runs @ 43.16
Salman Butt aged 20: 225 runs @ 37.50

2009-10 tour of Australia
Misbah-ul-Haq aged 35: 76 runs @ 25.33
Salman Butt aged 25: 280 runs @ 46.66


2016-17 tour so far:
Younis Khan aged 43: 65 runs @ 32.00
Misbah-ul-Haq aged 42: 9 runs @ 4.50
Salman Butt aged 32: 230 runs without being dismissed by a bowler in 190 overs in QEA Final.

 

[Ellipsism]

No, you have one of the best openers to debut for Pakistan in the last half decade and this is no way to treat such a player especially when replacing him with an extremely unfit hack.

 

[Pete Rose]

No change to the batting line up. Obviously a right handed paceman needs to come in

 

[Rayyman]

I don't think so. Sharjeel will get tired. We need him in the ODIs.

 

[Rayyman]

I don't think so. Sharjeel will get tired. We need him in the ODIs. Bear in mind Sami scored 90 in Hamilton.

 

[AlphaFighter]

No, you have one of the best openers to debut for Pakistan in the last half decade and this is no way to treat such a player especially when replacing him with an extremely unfit hack.

22 of 100 deliveries is not going to give any opposition nightmares. If this is one of the best openers in Pakistan then might as well go in with 10 players. Unfit hack or not, if Sharjeel can get the team off to a flyer and unsettle Hazzlewood and Starc, he will help the team immensely, plus succeeding in test cricket will help his ODI game as well.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Who is going to take the wickets with a saggy, seamless red ball that is 20 to 80 overs old at the MCG?

You still need a right-arm quick bowler.

Mickey Arthur correctly said three days ago that Imran Khan is too slow to be selectable.

Mickey Arthur correctly said three days ago that Sohail Khan's mediocre second spell, and non-existent third and fourth spells make him unselectable.

I would say that you desperately need Asif at Sydney and Melbourne.

Umar Akmal? Probably not.

And Salman Butt would score more runs than Younis Khan and Misbah.

2004-5 tour of Australia
Younis Khan aged 31: 259 runs @ 43.16
Salman Butt aged 20: 225 runs @ 37.50

2009-10 tour of Australia
Misbah-ul-Haq aged 35: 76 runs @ 25.33
Salman Butt aged 25: 280 runs @ 46.66


2016-17 tour so far:
Younis Khan aged 43: 65 runs @ 32.00
Misbah-ul-Haq aged 42: 9 runs @ 4.50
Salman Butt aged 32: 230 runs without being dismissed by a bowler in 190 overs in QEA Final.

So that's 2 down and 1 to go.

Umar Akmal crossed out.

After Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam make 100 plus partnerships in Melbourne and Sydney you would also cross out Salman Butt

And after Pakistan wins the next two tests, even the cries for Asif would be gone

 

[jog_1]

No

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Same batting lineup. Just replace Rahat

 

[AlphaFighter]

I don't think so. Sharjeel will get tired. We need him in the ODIs. Bear in mind Sami scored 90 in Hamilton.

A harmless 90 runs where most of the runs were scored at a snails pace, the moment he was required to up the ante, he got out. He doesn't have the game to succeed in Australia right now and the likes of Starc, Hazelwood will feel no pressure facing up to 20 runs of 100 deliveries. We need to take a gamble with Sharjeel and we need to put pressure on Starc, Hazelwood upfront.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

So Sharjeel can strike 30 off 10 balls and depart?

 

[aloo paratha]

I don't rememebr a time when Akmal was ever considered as "required"

 

[boomboom6]

Who is going to take the wickets with a saggy, seamless red ball that is 20 to 80 overs old at the MCG?

You still need a right-arm quick bowler.

Mickey Arthur correctly said three days ago that Imran Khan is too slow to be selectable.

Mickey Arthur correctly said three days ago that Sohail Khan's mediocre second spell, and non-existent third and fourth spells make him unselectable.

I would say that you desperately need Asif at Sydney and Melbourne.

Umar Akmal? Probably not.

And Salman Butt would score more runs than Younis Khan and Misbah.

2004-5 tour of Australia
Younis Khan aged 31: 259 runs @ 43.16
Salman Butt aged 20: 225 runs @ 37.50

2009-10 tour of Australia
Misbah-ul-Haq aged 35: 76 runs @ 25.33
Salman Butt aged 25: 280 runs @ 46.66


2016-17 tour so far:
Younis Khan aged 43: 65 runs @ 32.00
Misbah-ul-Haq aged 42: 9 runs @ 4.50
Salman Butt aged 32: 230 runs without being dismissed by a bowler in 190 overs in QEA Final.

Sohail is still miles better then Rahat and offers batting utility unlike the latter.

 

[Moiza]

Sharjeel will last 2 overs at best. I don't see the need of over efficiency when you already have such a good test opener.

 

[AlphaFighter]

So Sharjeel can strike 30 off 10 balls and depart?

Run a ball will do but can't have 2 slow openers and Sami scoring 20 of 100 deliveries and then getting out. Sehwag played a huge role in India holding their own in Australia.

 

[Speedster777]

Asif and Butt should be on next flight to Australia.

 

[Ellipsism]

22 of 100 deliveries is not going to give any opposition nightmares. If this is one of the best openers in Pakistan then might as well go in with 10 players. Unfit hack or not, if Sharjeel can get the team off to a flyer and unsettle Hazzlewood and Starc, he will help the team immensely, plus succeeding in test cricket will help his ODI game as well.

This isn't OD cricket were getting off to a blistering start is going to effect the final outcome.

 

[Moiza]

Run a ball will do but can't have 2 slow openers and Sami scoring 20 of 100 deliveries and then getting out. Sehwag played a huge role in India holding their own in Australia.

Run a ball will only happen for the first 12 balls if we're lucky and then babar comes out in the 4th over, your thoughts on this?

I don't see why people are giving sami so much crap, he sees off the new ball which most of our batsmen are incapable of doing.

 

[AlphaFighter]

This isn't OD cricket were getting off to a blistering start is going to effect the final outcome.

Oh yes it will. You take the attack to the likes of Starc and Hazelwood early, it puts the rest of the Aussie bowling line up under pressure and eases the pressure on the middle order.

 

[o_ahsan99]

It actually a very tough decision. While Sharjeel can be aggressive and take the gane away, he is also likely to get out early, but we will never find out until we try him. Moverover, success at test level will improve his ODI game as well.

On the other hand we have Sami. A highly talented 21 year old who has already played a few good knocks in his short year. While Sami is super slow, he usually sees off the new bowl and tires the bowlers, which does not expose our middle order to the new ball. Also, with his excellent temperament he leaves a lot of balls without too many plays and misses, which makes the bowling look manageable and settles the dressing room.

Both Sami and Sharjeel have a strong case. Hopefully who ever plays can score some runs and help the team.

 

[Ellipsism]

Run a ball will only happen for the first 12 balls if we're lucky and then babar comes out in the 4th over, your thoughts on this?

I don't see why people are giving sami so much crap, he sees off the new ball which most of our batsmen are incapable of doing.

I agree with everything that you said.

People don't take into consideration that Sami started his innings under lights on both occasions.

Failure is all part of the learning experience for a young batsman.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

I'd take the gamble.

 

[Moiza]

Oh yes it will. You take the attack to the likes of Starc and Hazelwood early, it puts the rest of the Aussie bowling line up under pressure and eases the pressure on the middle order.

It's the same as thinking Afridi putting a bowling line up under pressure. Fluke batsmen don't put anyone under pressure, Warner sehwag were different but with sharjeel the bowling team knows he'll give away his wicket any moment.

 

[Ellipsism]

Oh yes it will. You take the attack to the likes of Starc and Hazelwood early, it puts the rest of the Aussie bowling line up under pressure and eases the pressure on the middle order.

Starc and Hazlewood would enjoy someone taking the attack to them.

They know it would only be a matter of time before he mishits or edges one.

 

[Moiza]

I agree with everything that you said.

People don't take into consideration that Sami started his innings under lights on both occasions.

Failure is all part of the learning experience for a young batsman.

I don't consider it a failure. Getting through the new ball makes it better for everyone coming in, people want to go back to hafeez era where you no 3 would be batting in the 3 overs setting up the team for a collapse.

 

[Statsman]

No thanks. Asif is my favourite bowler of all time, from any country, but Pakistan need to stick with the same squad for the rest of the tour.

We can cry about talent, and the lack of it, but this group of players has a team spirit like none other and we should think twice before messing with the dressing room chemistry.

So it is the team spirit that brought the team this far?

Agree, Butt and Asif can disrupt the team spirit but they can also replace young Aslam and Sohail Khan (who does bowl with a heart).

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

we need to rest (The Destroyer).......

At least give the Aussies a fair playing field. His motivational speech alone changed the course of the 4th innings and HE CARRIED HIS BAT !!

I'd rest the annihilator and play Imran 'Lillie' Khan to make the match competitive and evenly contested !!

 

[AlphaFighter]

It actually a very tough decision. While Sharjeel can be aggressive and take the gane away, he is also likely to get out early, but we will never find out until we try him. Moverover, success at test level will improve his ODI game as well.

On the other hand we have Sami. A highly talented 21 year old who has already played a few good knocks in his short year. While Sami is super slow, he usually sees off the new bowl and tires the bowlers, which does not expose our middle order to the new ball. Also, with his excellent temperament he leaves a lot of balls without too many plays and misses, which makes the bowling look manageable and settles the dressing room.

Both Sami and Sharjeel have a strong case. Hopefully who ever plays can score some runs and help the team.

Sami can also get out early next game. Secondly just occupying the crease is not enough, you need to score runs as well. This gamble fails when wickets fall at the other end. This Pakistani batting line up is too one dimensional. An explosive opener is a must.

Sharjeel also loves to cut and pull the ball which is very vital in Australia. A couple of solid shots and the intent to punish anything lose will put Starc, Hazelwood under pressure and will make things easier for the other batsmen.

 

[Ellipsism]

I don't consider it a failure. Getting through the new ball makes it better for everyone coming in, people want to go back to hafeez era where you no 3 would be batting in the 3 overs setting up the team for a collapse.

The first innings wasn't the greatest, he showed glimpse of improvement in the second innings.

Overall it was an average test for Sami.

 

[Statsman]

If YK can, Shafiq can, holy God, Wahab can then even Aslam can come good.

 

[Ellipsism]

Sami can also get out early next game. Secondly just occupying the crease is not enough, you need to score runs as well. This gamble fails when wickets fall at the other end. This Pakistani batting line up is too one dimensional. An explosive opener is a must.

Sharjeel also loves to cut and pull the ball which is very vital in Australia. A couple of solid shots and the intent to punish anything lose will put Starc, Hazelwood under pressure and will make things easier for the other batsmen.

Hazlewood bowls a loose delivery once every 10 overs...

 

[AlphaFighter]

It's the same as thinking Afridi putting a bowling line up under pressure. Fluke batsmen don't put anyone under pressure, Warner sehwag were different but with sharjeel the bowling team knows he'll give away his wicket any moment.

Sharjeel is no Afridi. He has double centuries and even a 300 in domestic cricket where he averaged between 45 and 50. He is very solid on the cut and pull which are very vital shots on Australian wickets.

 

[boomboom6]

Run a ball will only happen for the first 12 balls if we're lucky and then babar comes out in the 4th over, your thoughts on this?

I don't see why people are giving sami so much crap, he sees off the new ball which most of our batsmen are incapable of doing.

The problem is, we have 2 guys who operate in the same fashion upfront allowing Aussie frontline pacers to settle in and attack us. Since Azhar is senior and he scored 71, Sami needs to make way. Him blunting the ball hardly does anything when the scoreboard hasn't really been bothered much.

We saw what positive intent does to bowlers when Shafiq & Amir took them on, they start giving more boundary balls then usual. Sarf showed the same in both innings.

 

[saeed5646]

Australia v Pakistan | 2nd Test | Melbourne | Dec 26-30, 2016 | Pre Match Thread

I think one change for second test Rahat must be drop and bring in imran or

sohail khan

 

[Deception]

Sure why not should try sharjeel, as opener Sami blocks way too much creates a negative approach to whole innings .
I don't think sharjeel will be that worse.

 

[Ellipsism]

Sharjeel is no Afridi. He has double centuries and even a 300 in domestic cricket where he averaged between 45 and 50. He is very solid on the cut and pull which are very vital shots on Australian wickets.

He averages 37 in FC cricket.

 

[AlphaFighter]

The problem is, we have 2 guys who operate in the same fashion upfront allowing Aussie frontline pacers to settle in and attack us. Since Azhar is senior and he scored 71, Sami needs to make way. Him blunting the ball hardly does anything when the scoreboard hasn't really been bothered much.

We saw what positive intent does to bowlers when Shafiq & Amir took them on, they start giving more boundary balls then usual. Sarf showed the same in both innings.

Misbah has brain washed an entire generation that anything other than Tuk Tuk is Haram.

 

[Ellipsism]

Same as OP.

Sohail in for Rahat.

 

[Moiza]

Who is going to take the wickets with a saggy, seamless red ball that is 20 to 80 overs old at the MCG?

You still need a right-arm quick bowler.

Mickey Arthur correctly said three days ago that Imran Khan is too slow to be selectable.

Mickey Arthur correctly said three days ago that Sohail Khan's mediocre second spell, and non-existent third and fourth spells make him unselectable.

I would say that you desperately need Asif at Sydney and Melbourne.

Umar Akmal? Probably not.

And Salman Butt would score more runs than Younis Khan and Misbah.

2004-5 tour of Australia
Younis Khan aged 31: 259 runs @ 43.16
Salman Butt aged 20: 225 runs @ 37.50

2009-10 tour of Australia
Misbah-ul-Haq aged 35: 76 runs @ 25.33
Salman Butt aged 25: 280 runs @ 46.66


2016-17 tour so far:
Younis Khan aged 43: 65 runs @ 32.00
Misbah-ul-Haq aged 42: 9 runs @ 4.50
Salman Butt aged 32: 230 runs without being dismissed by a bowler in 190 overs in QEA Final.

Asif is as quick as imran Kahn if not slower. I don't know why people are living in a past wonderland where Asif is destroying Australia batting for fun whereas he's mediocre at best now.

And for God's sake please stop making Salman Butt sound like Tendulkar. He is and always was a mediocre batsmen who had a good Australian tour and now people sing of him like second coming of Bradman. If I remember correctly hafeez too score mountains of runs every domestic and you've seen how he performs. I would rather have imam ul haq in the team rather than Butt.

 

[Boi]

Toss will be crucial. Need to win it, bat first and rack them up.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

No choice but to fly Asif.

Seriously though, only Sohail Khan can come for Rahat if he can prove he can last 5 days otherwise we don't even have backup fast bowlers.

 

[Big Mac]

So it is the team spirit that brought the team this far?

Agree, Butt and Asif can disrupt the team spirit but they can also replace young Aslam and Sohail Khan (who does bowl with a heart).

This team, supposedly bereft of talent and courage, just scored 450 in the 4th innings in Australia after being bowled out for <150. They chased 382 to win in Sri Lanka and scored 300+ in two sessions to win in the UAE.

They've got more balls than any Pakistani team in my lifetime.

 

[Shafi]

Any one is better than Sami!! This guy is shame as a young player with so limited abilities and no energy

 

[Metron]

Pakistan may take some heart from the First test performance but we must realize that Pakistan's bowling didn't really click and did not seem likely to take match winning 20 wickets. It was a reasonable over-confidence on part of Steve Smith and out of the blue gutsy and lucky performance that made a match out of this game.

If people are imagining a win for Pakistan coming up, sorry, its not there yet.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Pakistan may take some heart from the First test performance but we must realize that Pakistan's bowling didn't really click and did not seem likely to take match winning 20 wickets. It was a reasonable over-confidence on part of Steve Smith and out of the blue gutsy and lucky performance that made a match out of this game.

If people are imagining a win for Pakistan coming up, sorry, its not there yet.

Hey we nearly pulled it off.

Had Smith declared with 550 as a poster said, Pakistan might have ended with a draw.

 

[Shafi]

No, you have one of the best openers to debut for Pakistan in the last half decade and this is no way to treat such a player especially when replacing him with an extremely unfit hack.

Best opener? Nice joke. This guy needs 2 days to score 100 and only fit for 9 days test. Really disappointed with his attitude. Most boring test player in these days

 

[Speedster777]

Nobody is living in wonderland. After 5 years ban a bowler comes backs and bowls with the same accuracy and precision as he did 5 years ago, that itself is a testimony to his talent. No player in history has ever done that. Asif is a rare talent. Utilize his potential before time runs out.

 

[Moiza]

I'm surprised at how quickly people have forgotten pakistan's batting capabilities against the new ball. Even if same score 10 runs but gets us through the first 10 15 overs then I'll take it any day of the week. If you play sharjeel then we'll probably be 25-1 in the first 6 overs but a batting collapse will be right around the corner with our batsmen having to face the new ball.

 

[Metron]

Hey we nearly pulled it off.

Had Smith declared with 550 as a poster said, Pakistan might have ended with a draw.

Had it been a 550, Pakistan would have been tuk tuking all the way and we all know how good the defenses are of Pakistan's team. This innings was one in a thousand. In all fairness Pakistan doesn't have the batting calibre to come close to repeating this again.

Kenya qualified for the SF 2003. Do we see a repeat till now? This innings was an outlier, but the trend of Pakistan's batting line up is pretty flat with middling averages and Misbah and Younis past their prime.

 

[Moiza]

Had it been a 550, Pakistan would have been tuk tuking all the way and we all know how good the defenses are of Pakistan's team. This innings was one in a thousand. In all fairness Pakistan doesn't have the batting calibre to come close to repeating this again.

Kenya qualified for the SF 2003. Do we see a repeat till now? This innings was an outlier, but the trend of Pakistan's batting line up is pretty flat with middling averages and Misbah and Younis past their prime.

What world are you living in? Do you honestly believe we were chasing this target in the first place? Had it been 400 even then we would have played with a full defensive approach.

 

[boomboom6]

We don't necessarily have a need for Salman at the moment as we have other options in the squad available i.e. Sharjeel ... But we definitely have a need for a quality right arm fast-medium. Doubt Asif will be sent to Australia after what Inzi said few days back. So in that case, Sohail Khan in place of Rahat and Sharjeel for Sami should be the two changes needed for next match and for remainder of this test series.

Arthur has publicly critiqued Sohail and Imran but they are both better then Rahat and Sohail in particular adds batting utility. It was an absurd decision to play Rahat in the first place. Don't know what they see in Rahat as he has literally been the weakest link in our bowling for last 1 year or so. After showing early signs of promise he has not improved one bit after being in the squad for last 3 years. It's high time Arthur stops poking fun at performers over non-performers.

 

[Ellipsism]

Best opener? Nice joke. This guy needs 2 days to score 100 and only fit for 9 days test. Really disappointed with his attitude. Most boring test player in these days

We've got Shehzad and Masood lined up, considering your attitude I'm sure you would much rather those two,

 

[boomboom6]

I'm surprised at how quickly people have forgotten pakistan's batting capabilities against the new ball. Even if same score 10 runs but gets us through the first 10 15 overs then I'll take it any day of the week. If you play sharjeel then we'll probably be 25-1 in the first 6 overs but a batting collapse will be right around the corner with our batsmen having to face the new ball.

We have been collapsing past 4 matches anyway while playing ultra defensive upfront, no harm in trying Sharjeel.

 

[Ellipsism]

We have been collapsing past 4 matches anyway while playing ultra defensive upfront, no harm in trying Sharjeel.

The harm is destroying the confidence of a future main stay of the team.

 

[Metron]

What world are you living in? Do you honestly believe we were chasing this target in the first place? Had it been 400 even then we would have played with a full defensive approach.

After a decent hold, when Amir came, Pakistan let loose like crazy. Pakistan went from a runrate of 2 to over 3.In 40 overs past the fall of 6 wickets Paksitan scored 180 runs. (4.5 runrate). This was about going bonkers, a kamikaze attack.

Do you remember Nathan Astle's fastest 200. You go berserk and sometimes actually come close to the target. Such freak innings do happen.

 

[boomboom6]

The harm is destroying the confidence of a future main stay of the team.

Well the team is losing, need to get creative. Let Sami work on his game in nets. I have been very disappointed with him. Thought he'd display another gear after settling in, but so far he has not. And with Azhar being very limited in ability, we can't have 2 guys who bat the exact same way right up front. That's what allows pressure to build.

 

[Ellipsism]

Well the team is losing, need to get creative. Let Sami work on his game in nets. I have been very disappointed with him. Thought he'd display another gear after settling in, but so far he has not. And with Azhar being very limited in ability, we can't have 2 guys who bat the exact same way right up front. That's what allows pressure to build.

The fault lies within Younus and Misbah.

 

[saeed5646]

Shaun Marsh 'highly unlikely' for Boxing Day return

Squad for the second Commonwealth Bank Test against Pakistan in Melbourne

The National Selection Panel (NSP) has named an unchanged 12-man squad for the second Commonwealth Bank Test against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting on Boxing Day (26 December).

To squad is as follows:

• Steve Smith (C) - New South Wales
• David Warner (VC) - New South Wales
• Jackson Bird - Tasmania
• Peter Handscomb - Victoria
• Josh Hazlewood - New South Wales
• Usman Khawaja - Queensland
• Nathan Lyon - New South Wales
• Nic Maddinson - New South Wales
• Matt Renshaw - Queensland
• Chadd Sayers - South Australia
• Mitchell Starc - New South Wales
• Matthew Wade - Victoria

Commenting on the squad Interim National Selector Trevor Hohns said: “These players have performed extremely well in earning back-to-back Test victories against South Africa and Pakistan and deserve the opportunity to stay together as a group to continue their development.

“We have the option to add to the squad depending on how the bowling unit pulls up after getting through a lot of overs in Brisbane and if we opt to go down that path then that is a decision we will make over the coming days.

“Shaun Marsh was not considered for selection as he continues his recovery from the finger injury that sidelined him following the Perth Test match and which has required surgery. He will be assessed by a specialist this week and will hopefully be given the all-clear to return to unrestricted training, at which point we will be able to consider him again for selection.

“This squad has been selected for the Melbourne Test only and we will assess our requirements for Sydney during the Melbourne Test.”

The NSP is made up of Trevor Hohns (Chairman), Greg Chappell, Darren Lehmann and Mark Waugh.

 

[Madplayer]

Nawaz should be brought in place of rahat. Mcg might spin more. Hopefully Pak win the toss and bat first.

I am tempted to bring in sharjeel in place of sami and see if can score a 50 at quick pace.

 

[QalandarFan]

This would be my Playing XI

1. Sami Aslam
2. Azhar Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Younis Khan
5. Misbah Ul-Haq (C)
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (WK)
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Sohail Khan
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Yasir Shah

Although there are rumors that Sharjeel may play instead of Babar. Would be a ridiculous decision if true. Babar is a key player for Pakistan we need to invest in him.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pakistan to go with the same team.

 

[hur rizvi]

Such a pathetic bowler. Should pick Imran or Sohail for MCG

 

[Abdullah]

First hour is key when bowling- we need to try to get 3 wickets with the new ball, as from 6 down, they are not that strong.
I don't think Rahat did enough, so Sohail gets a game.

 

[Junaids]

Same as OP.

Sohail in for Rahat.

This is precisely what Mickey Arthur said about Sohail Khan two days ago:

"Sohail Khan comes in and swings it right arm, but I've got a doubt about Sohail's comebackability.

If he has got to bowl, his first spell's very good, his second spell's okay, his third spell is tough and then you just don't get anything more.

That puts a lot of pressure on our other units."

 

[Junaids]

Nawaz should be brought in place of rahat. Mcg might spin more. Hopefully Pak win the toss and bat first.

I am tempted to bring in sharjeel in place of sami and see if can score a 50 at quick pace.

Firstly, the MCG doesn't spin, especially with drop in wickets.

Secondly, spinners rarely take wickets in Australia because the bounce is so predictable.

 

[Pete Rose]

I don't think it's a easy answer. Although it should be obvious given Rahat was largely rubbish this match

 

[Junaids]

Such a pathetic bowler. Should pick Imran or Sohail for MCG

Firstly, Rahat actually bowled quite well in the second innings.

Secondly, Mickey Arthur has been very honest about picking Rahat because apart from Amir and Wahab he is the only bowler in the squad who can sustain a pace above 135K all day.

Mickey Arthur on Sohail Khan:
"Sohail Khan comes in and swings it right arm, but I've got a doubt about Sohail's comebackability. If he has got to bowl, his first spell's very good, his second spell's okay, his third spell is tough and then you just don't get anything more. That puts a lot of pressure on our other units."

Mickey Arthur on Imran Khan:
"I wouldn't be speaking out of line if I said I don't think he has got the pace to bowl on a good wicket here. But when it does a little bit he's fantastic."

 

[Sherlock]

Yeah, I can see where Junaids is coming from. The reason Rahat is being picked is because we don't have a suitable 3rd seamer in the squad that can replace him...

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Firstly, Rahat actually bowled quite well in the second innings.

Secondly, Mickey Arthur has been very honest about picking Rahat because apart from Amir and Wahab he is the only bowler in the squad who can sustain a pace above 135K all day.

Mickey Arthur on Sohail Khan:
"Sohail Khan comes in and swings it right arm, but I've got a doubt about Sohail's comebackability. If he has got to bowl, his first spell's very good, his second spell's okay, his third spell is tough and then you just don't get anything more. That puts a lot of pressure on our other units."

Mickey Arthur on Imran Khan:
"I wouldn't be speaking out of line if I said I don't think he has got the pace to bowl on a good wicket here. But when it does a little bit he's fantastic."

For the last 1 year I have saying that fo Australia our 3rd fast bowler who should open the bowling should be either Asif or Ali or Waqas.

For Australia you either need sheer pace or you have to be tall and should be able to bowl consistent line and length keeping it tight.


If Mickey and Misbah did not have any confidence on Sohail & Imran than why did they and Inzamam pick them ?


Why 6'4 inch tall Waqas only played 2-3 Fc matches after being a top bowler in Grade 2 Cricket before QEA where Brighto Paints qualified for final because of him and PIA qualified for final because of Ali Imran ? Even in his last FC match of QEA this season Waqas took a tenfer.

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?114855-Who-is-Waqas-Ahmed-from-Sialkot


Clearly lack of planning.

 

[Markhor]

Some of you guys have no idea how to handle a young batsman. Sami Aslam has done nothing to deserve being dropped.

Its true he's batted quite slowly, but he's a very young player still finding his feet in international cricket. With time he might open up and start playing more fluently.

We've had 17 years of chopping and changing the opening partnership, so let's stick with what works.

 

[mrmiz]

Looking ahead a week, it's going to be a HOT dry 36 deg on Day 1, good toss to win and bat and for Pak key to keep Aussie bowlers toil

 

[Markhor]

There's some optimism heading into this Test after the 2nd innings heroics at the Gabba, but I expect Australia to come at us hard after that scare.

I'd replace Rahat with Sohail who can swing the new ball and provide more control. It would also give us more variety by introducing a right-armer. I just hope his fitness holds up.

The Kookaburra doesn't do much once it gets soft and the Melbourne pitch should suit our batting more than Brisbane, not to mention we won't be batting under lights. What was of a huge boost is that the likes of Azhar, Younis, Shafiq and Sarfraz, as well as the tail, got runs under their belt. The Australian pacers have bowled a LOT of overs recently so hope we can exploit any fatigue.

However we've got to stop all this poking outside off stump. The 1st innings was abysmal with batsmen playing away from their body, not moving their feet and not getting in line with the ball. We were much better in the 2nd innings in this regard.

Finally, for the love of god hold onto your catches. Maybe there was a sighting issue with the pink ball but you cannot be giving batsmen like Steven Smith reprieves.

 

[New Yorker]

Firstly, Rahat actually bowled quite well in the second innings.

Secondly, Mickey Arthur has been very honest about picking Rahat because apart from Amir and Wahab he is the only bowler in the squad who can sustain a pace above 135K all day.

Mickey Arthur on Sohail Khan:
"Sohail Khan comes in and swings it right arm, but I've got a doubt about Sohail's comebackability. If he has got to bowl, his first spell's very good, his second spell's okay, his third spell is tough and then you just don't get anything more. That puts a lot of pressure on our other units."

Mickey Arthur on Imran Khan:
"I wouldn't be speaking out of line if I said I don't think he has got the pace to bowl on a good wicket here. But when it does a little bit he's fantastic."

Rahat is living proof that pace can be cheap, and quality is priceless. At some point in a match he is always likely to look OK, but on balance he's rarely more than mediocre, and he will never run through a side even in helpful conditions.That is the story of his career. Because he is more skilled - can't do as much with the ball as Rahat but knows how to take wickets - and disciplined Imran is likely to come out better than him pretty much anywhere, as is also suggested by a comparison of their FC stats. On this one Arthur is literally making it up as he goes along