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Australia vs Pakistan | 1st Test | Brisbane | Nov 21-25, 2019 | Pre-Match Discussion Thread

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KyoOne said:
Bhatti scored quick-fire fifty with the bat. If Bhatti performs tomorrow with the ball, I'd be tempted to include him over Haris, with the x1 being:

Shan
Azhar
Shafiq
Babar
Iftikhar
Rizwan
Bhatti
Shaheen
Naseem
Abbas
Imran/Musa
Click to expand...

You can't pick a guy with a FC batting average of 23 as your Test #7, specially when the two that come in before him are also unproven at this level.
 
Abdullah719 said:
You can't pick a guy with a FC batting average of 23 as your Test #7, specially when the two that come in before him are also unproven at this level.
Click to expand...

He'd do better than Haris with bat, ball and as a fielder.

Unproven or not, you need to go with your in-form lot
 
KyoOne said:
He'd do better than Haris with bat, ball and as a fielder.

Unproven or not, you need to go with your in-form lot
Click to expand...

So he is better than Abid, Imam and Haris (I know his form isn't good) as a batsman?
 
Haris looks out of form so

1) Imam Ul Haq
2) Shan Masood
3) Azhar Ali
4) Babar Azam
5) Asad Shafiq
6) Iftikhar Ahmed
7) Kashif Bhatti
8) Yasir Shah
9) Shaheen Shah Afridi
10) Naseem Shah
11) Muhammad Abbas

I'll take risk with Naseem Shah as we do not have any other option and we cannot fit Imran Khan & Muhammad Abbas in the same team
 
ritzy_123 said:
Haris looks out of form so

1) Imam Ul Haq
2) Shan Masood
3) Azhar Ali
4) Babar Azam
5) Asad Shafiq
6) Iftikhar Ahmed
7) Kashif Bhatti
8) Yasir Shah
9) Shaheen Shah Afridi
10) Naseem Shah
11) Muhammad Abbas

I'll take risk with Naseem Shah as we do not have any other option and we cannot fit Imran Khan & Muhammad Abbas in the same team
Click to expand...

Babar is our new WK?
 
10 out of 11 slots are confirmed and shouldn't be up for debate. Final position between Imran and Kashif.

Shan
Imam
Azhar
Babar
Shafiq
Ifti Chacha
Rizwan
?
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem
 
Usman said:
I did not say that Imam is Graeme Smith or Matthew Hayden. My point is that Imam has scored big runs in odi cricket for Pakistan. That is not to say that he will also score big runs in test cricket, but it at least shows that he belongs at this level and COULD score in test cricket too.

Contrast that with Shan who has now played consistently for Pakistan and apart from one innings, he has never scored big runs. Even when he "looked good" in SA, he was unable to push on and score meaningful runs.

I don't dispute that Imam and Shan have similar averages in FC cricket. But one is a 22/23 year old emerging talent and the other is an experienced 30 year old with probably more than double the number of first claas innings under his belt. So whilst Imam is still making his way and capable of developing into a good test batsman, Shan has already arrived at his final destination, which is distinct mediocrity.

As far as the two players List A average are concerned, the difference between them is that Imam has shown the ability to step up and replicate those performances in odi cricket too whereas Shan has simply been unable to do so.

I repeat again, I am not suggesting that Imam is destined to be a great batsman, as much as I hope he does. However, I maintain that Imam has shown an ability to step up to international cricket and perform in a way Shan has never really done on a consistent basis. On that basis therefore, Imam deserves his shot.
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So because shan is 30 now he can improve? I guess all cricketers should stop playing after 30.

Imam has shown ODI form, but has flopped in tests. Hes played 12 tests and shown no improvement, so until he shows signs of improvement he shouldnt be picked in test side.

Plenty of batsmen hales, roy, guptill etc.. score big in ODIs and cant hack it in tests. So scoring in one format is no indicstor a batsmen is a proven scorer in all formats.

Imam plays safety 1st cricket in ODIs to score runs wgich shows how limited a player he is.
 
Hawkeye said:
1. Abid
2. Azhar (c)
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail
5. Shafiq
6. Iftikhar
7. Rizwan + (sad, but no other choice)
8. Abbas
9. Imran Khan Sr
10. Shaheen
11. Naseem

All-out pace attack (4)

Iftikhar + Haris + Azhar can bowl spin when needed. But it shouldn't be needed a lot at the Gabba.

Most likely though, one pacer will definitely sit out, and I can't fault the management for that.
Click to expand...

You wont be able to fault the managment even if we get demoted to associate level. Your loyalties dont lie with Pakistan.
 
Slim said:
You wont be able to fault the managment even if we get demoted to associate level. Your loyalties dont lie with Pakistan.
Click to expand...

If that helps you sleep at night, then okay, I believe you. :najam
 
Tough questions for Misbah & Azhar coming up soon....
 
1. Shan Masood
2. Azhar Ali (c)
3. Haris Sohail
4. Asad Shafiq
5. Babar Azam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Iftikhar Ahmed
8. Yasir Shah
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Muhammad Abbas
11. Naseem Shah
 
If Pakistan end up bowling first, I think they should look to go with 4 pacers and no Yasir. Shaheen/Abbas/Naseem + Yasir if they are batting first.

Yasir has been completely useless in Australia and I think the only one he can be useful is if Pakistan bats first and Australia 2nd innings reach in Day 4/5.
 
I'm more inclined towards going with 4 pacers and then having Iftikhar as the lone spinner. He's been the best spinner in the warm-ups anyways.
 
Smith ready to test Pakistan pacemen

Steve Smith has warned Pakistan's exciting pace attack he aims to test their reserves with patience in the first Test at the Gabba starting Thursday.

The match will mark the former Australian captain's first Test on home soil since his ball-tampering ban.

He'll arrive with plenty of belief, coming off an Ashes series that netted 774 runs at 110.57 and with fond memories of the Brisbane ground.

Smith averages 71 across five Tests at the venue, with a patient unbeaten 141 on day one of the 2017 Ashes series that rated among his best knocks.

Pakistan could include promising 16-year-old speedster Naseem Shah alongside accurate seamer Mohammad Abbas in a pace attack capable of doing damage on a lively Gabba deck.

But Smith intends to make them work hard for any success.

"This week is going to be about getting used to the Gabba bounce, working on my leave and just being patient," Smith said on Sunday.

"I've never faced Abbas ... he stands the seam up, any sort of movement he'll get the most out of it.

"And it looks like Shah bowls with some good pace.

"Being as young as he is, he probably hasn't bowled lots of overs consistently so it'll be about making him come back and bowl as many spells as he can and see if he can maintain it."

Skipper Tim Paine hopes Smith's top-six companions take note as the side aims to be less reliant on their star man.

"We felt we made some strides in England, but it means nothing if we don't continue to improve," he said.

"We can't be so reliant on Steve all the time, so that's a huge area of focus for us this summer - scoring hundreds and putting big first innings runs on the board."

https://wwos.nine.com.au/cricket/sm...-pacemen/860ec808-96e6-4192-b4c9-38886307d15e
 
What is wrong with everybody? All these fantasy teams, with zero recognition of who Australia have selected and what their plans are!

Firstly, their Top Six includes three left-handers (Warner, Head and Wade).

That means that Kashif is unselectable and that Iftikhar may play a big role with the old ball against Head and Wade.

Yasir is a worry. He has the tools to do well in Australia, but was crippled by Misbah three years ago, who made him bowl to self-destructive leg-side fields.

Australia’s changed attack also should influence selection.

Now that Starc replaces Pattinson, the top order would clearly benefit from having both Imam and Shan in the Top Three, because Starc will bowl full and into their pads. They can tuck away for runs balls that a right-hander cannot score off.

Nathan Lyon will bowl a third of the overs with the old ball, and would be a threat to left-handed batsmen. That, coupled with Haris’ form, is a reason for 4, 5, 6 and 7 to be Shafiq, Babar, Rizwan and Iftikhar.

The main problem is that Misbah’s insane “all-rounders need to be a full Test quality batsman or bowler” will now come home to roost.

On the last tour, Mohammad Amir scored runs from Number 8. The lack of lower order runs is going to be a major problem this time, and Kashif cannot be the answer because he’s the wrong type of spinner to bowl to left-handers.

Lastly, surely Misbah can’t pick both Abbas and Imran?

1. Imam
2. Azhar (c)
3. Shan
4. Shafiq
5. Babar
6. Rizwan (wk)
7. Iftikhar
8. Yasir
9. Shaheen
10. Abbas
11. Naseem
 
Junaids said:
What is wrong with everybody? All these fantasy teams, with zero recognition of who Australia have selected and what their plans are!

Firstly, their Top Six includes three left-handers (Warner, Head and Wade).

That means that Kashif is unselectable and that Iftikhar may play a big role with the old ball against Head and Wade.

Yasir is a worry. He has the tools to do well in Australia, but was crippled by Misbah three years ago, who made him bowl to self-destructive leg-side fields.

Australia’s changed attack also should influence selection.

Now that Starc replaces Pattinson, the top order would clearly benefit from having both Imam and Shan in the Top Three, because Starc will bowl full and into their pads. They can tuck away for runs balls that a right-hander cannot score off.

Nathan Lyon will bowl a third of the overs with the old ball, and would be a threat to left-handed batsmen. That, coupled with Haris’ form, is a reason for 4, 5, 6 and 7 to be Shafiq, Babar, Rizwan and Iftikhar.

The main problem is that Misbah’s insane “all-rounders need to be a full Test quality batsman or bowler” will now come home to roost.

On the last tour, Mohammad Amir scored runs from Number 8. The lack of lower order runs is going to be a major problem this time, and Kashif cannot be the answer because he’s the wrong type of spinner to bowl to left-handers.

Lastly, surely Misbah can’t pick both Abbas and Imran?

1. Imam
2. Azhar (c)
3. Shan
4. Shafiq
5. Babar
6. Rizwan (wk)
7. Iftikhar
8. Yasir
9. Shaheen
10. Abbas
11. Naseem
Click to expand...

I think, the title of the thread isn’t correct - the Test is at Gabba.

I know, most likely Yasir will play there but unless it’s a burned Gabba track (won’t be in late Nov), I even don’t like your XI - Yasir hardly makes sense and those few spin overs can be covered by Haris & Ifti. I would have played all four pace attack and extract few overs of Off, Leg & Left-arm spin from Ifti, Azhar & Haris.

I think, they are backing Imran to play the Peter Siddle role, though not sure if he has that control. Abbas can’t be the container, but he is the best pacer with new ball and PAK does need someone to bowl long spells with new ball. I fear actually the worst - they might drop Naseem and pick a 3+1 bowling combo including Yasir.

From your XI, I’ll drop one of Imam, Shan and play Haris - he is in horrible touch, but still a proper Test batsman; and I’ll drop Yasir for a 4th pacer....... and ask PAK to bowl first, if they win the toss; Aussies probably will bat first in any case, therefore picking all 4 pace attack actually takes toss out of context.
 
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[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]
I live an hour south of Brisbane.

It’s been an incredibly hot and dry Spring here, and the vegetation is like a tinderbox. There are fires breaking out everywhere.

The Gabba may not be the same as usual. Humidity has been low, and the curator always removes all the grass.

If ever Yasir will succeed south of the Equator, it’s now.

The tail is already a catastrophe, and I can’t justify picking Imran. I want four quicks, but not if it means picking Imran or Musa.
 
Junaids said:
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]
I live an hour south of Brisbane.

It’s been an incredibly hot and dry Spring here, and the vegetation is like a tinderbox. There are fires breaking out everywhere.

The Gabba may not be the same as usual. Humidity has been low, and the curator always removes all the grass.

If ever Yasir will succeed south of the Equator, it’s now.

The tail is already a catastrophe, and I can’t justify picking Imran. I want four quicks, but not if it means picking Imran or Musa.
Click to expand...

I see, normally it rains lot in November in QL/Gold Coast area. If it’s that dry, Indeed PAK has to pick a spinner (& bat first).

I think, of all the picks for this squad - Kashif is the most redundant one; he never had any chance to succeed in Australia (though PAK might play him, you never know!!!!). Ideally, they should have picked two leggis and make sure that if a spinner plays, it’s s leggi.

I am not sure how fit Yasir is to be honest - he looks out of shape and if indeed this Test goes deep into day five, he’ll struggle. Imran wasn’t in my play book either, but the guy performed in the only tour game. I would rather say, if it’s that dry a surface with less grass, better drop Abbas than Imran. PAK can’t bowl 23 overs/day by Abbas, Shaheen or Naseem, but may be Imran can.

Batting tail is poor, probably poorest in many years. No quick solution there, but I hope next season PCB lists about 12 bowlers and make it mandatory that they bat at least two slots above their usual deserving spot in QeA trophy games.
 
I see Haris Sohail in most of the XIs here but on current form not sure he's an automatic starter.

For me it's either you open with Azhar and Shan followed by Haris at 3.

OR

Open Azhar with Imam and bring Shan at 3.

I don't expect Imam to average over 30 given his deficiencies against genuine pace (particularly back of a length), but then you have Haris who is looking so inept.
 
Junaids said:
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]
I live an hour south of Brisbane.

It’s been an incredibly hot and dry Spring here, and the vegetation is like a tinderbox. There are fires breaking out everywhere.

The Gabba may not be the same as usual. Humidity has been low, and the curator always removes all the grass.

If ever Yasir will succeed south of the Equator, it’s now.

The tail is already a catastrophe, and I can’t justify picking Imran. I want four quicks, but not if it means picking Imran or Musa.
Click to expand...

damn.. you sound like a character From a Hollywood movie "2012"
in movie he wanted to save the world from natural disaster..
& you my friend here trying to save the Sinking ship of Pakistan 'Down Under'
Interesting...
 
While I think Yasir has shown himself to be poor outside Asia, and I dont think he should be the frontline spinner here, I will point out that he was not all that bad at the gabba in 2016. He bowled tidily in the first innings for 2 wickets. Kept runrate a little over 2, he wasnt ever given support by the weight of runs in that game.
Difficult for spinners to run through sides in the first 1.5 days...and basically he ended up bowling 43 overs with the captain confused whether he wanted him to attack or to dry up runs. Obviously the fast bowlers didnt do anything of note in that game.
Yasir is not warne so he wont be getting cheap wickets on reputation. if he is to play, its important that the fast bowlers carry the load in the first innings and the batsmen score enough runs so that he can do real damage in Australia's second innings.
 
The Gabbatoir is never a hospitable venue for touring teams.

My main worry is Steve Smith, and how we plan on getting 20 wickets. We must get our lengths right and take early wickets with the new ball. I fear Abbas will be a blunt spearhead on these hard wickets but he's got enough credit in the bank to feature. I'd rather we play four pacers plus Iftikhar than give Yasir another outing. One bad spell and the scars from 16/17 will be reopened.

Batting wise I hope Haris plays himself back into form. T20s are not his format but in Tests he can take time settling at the crease. Babar and Shafiq will be key, have no faith in an ageing Azhar. Shan may surprise us again, and it looks like he'll edge Imam out for the right to partner Azhar as the second opener.
 
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Gabba is Australia's mightiest fortress, so i don't think pakistan has a chance of winning.
I just want pakistani bowlers to crack the steve smith code, it will help us in 2020.
Pakistan has the bowlers to test out smith but surviving against pat cummins, hazlewood will be difficult.
 
Australias last defeat at gabba 1988, they have pretty much smashed and dominated opposition teams here since then. Tough ask for pakistan to compete here.
 
CadPakFan said:
Shan has been doing some practice.
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Not a fan of the upload given the test series coming up. This simply gives the Aussies a bigger sample size to look at.

Given that, I'm not surprised Shan putting in such work. He's a smart man (very different from being educated), who knows only hard work will take him the distance as he is not as naturally talented as most batsmen. One can hope he goes on to coach Pakistan one day at the international/domestic level and instills such qualities in our players.
 
My biggest fear is them playing ABBAS and Imran together trundling at 75-80 mph

We might have little chance anyway but playing both of them just make it too easy for smith and co
 
If Pakistan are to win this series, they need to win the first game. First Test generally sets the tone for the whole series.

All the best to both teams.
 
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Rewatched the highlights from the 2016 Brisbane Test, maybe out of sado-masochism but time and again we lost wickets playing 45 degree shots on the front foot.

In Australia the best batsmen are those who can quickly transfer their weight onto the backfoot. That's why Ihaz Ahmed was successful. Unfortunately many of our batsmen used to slow, dead wickets prefer to play on front foot and cannot cut or pull.
 
Markhor said:
Rewatched the highlights from the 2016 Brisbane Test, maybe out of sado-masochism but time and again we lost wickets playing 45 degree shots on the front foot.

In Australia the best batsmen are those who can quickly transfer their weight onto the backfoot. That's why Ihaz Ahmed was successful. Unfortunately many of our batsmen used to slow, dead wickets prefer to play on front foot and cannot cut or pull.
Click to expand...
I was there.

Wahab and Amir were really good, but it was a Pink Ball Test in a grassless surface which made it a bit strange.

Sami was defensively good and Sarfraz and Shafiq and Amir batted well.

Pakistan had not done their homework about difficult batting conditions in the hour after dark, and their first innings collapse under lights was why they lost.
 
The big question is whether they will go with Yasir + 3 quicks, or with 4 quicks + Ifti chacha

If they pick Yasir, then I expect Haris to get the nod over Ifthikar. Everything else is pretty much decided. Really excited to see Naseem and Babar, and even excited about an in-form Shafiq
 
hur rizvi said:
My biggest fear is them playing ABBAS and Imran together trundling at 75-80 mph

We might have little chance anyway but playing both of them just make it too easy for smith and co
Click to expand...

I don't see a way around Abbas + Imran playing together. I'm particularly doubtful of Imran - I don't think this series is going to be very good for him
 
anyone know if sky gonna show this in uk on red button or suttin? i know eng nz test on at the same time.
 
coy0607 said:
I don't see a way around Abbas + Imran playing together. I'm particularly doubtful of Imran - I don't think this series is going to be very good for him
Click to expand...
It very much depends upon whether Misbah can take responsibility for his mistakes in Australia and New Zealand in 2016-17.

The relationship between Misbah and Mickey Arthur was strained in the First Test on a Christchurch greentop. Mickey wanted a four man pace attack whereas Misbah wanted 3 quicks plus Yasir Shah. Misbah as captain prevailed, as he should.

Pakistan was skittled for 133, then Amir reduced NZ to 40-3 before the overworked bowlers ran out of steam and NZ escaped to 200 all out. Yasir Shah was a passenger: he only bowled 4 overs.

Misbah was banned for the Second Test, so Mickey got his way and Yasir Shah was dropped for a fourth seamer. But Mickey was overruled on retaining Rahat Ali (who took 4-62 in the previous Test) and was given Imran Khan instead.

Imran took 6 wickets, but the attack was a bit one dimensional, and NZ got to declare and set Pakistan a target which they stupidly chased on Azhar Ali's orders against Mickey's advice when they had 9 wickets in hand at Tea. And they lost.

There are two lessons there.

Don't pick Yasir Shah on a greentop - but that's why you drop him for Adelaide, not Brisbane. Brisbane will be a grassless, dry wicket with plenty of bounce.

And don't pick both Imran Khan and Mohammad Abbas - they are too similar in terms of their lack of pace.
 
Junaids said:
It very much depends upon whether Misbah can take responsibility for his mistakes in Australia and New Zealand in 2016-17.

The relationship between Misbah and Mickey Arthur was strained in the First Test on a Christchurch greentop. Mickey wanted a four man pace attack whereas Misbah wanted 3 quicks plus Yasir Shah. Misbah as captain prevailed, as he should.

Pakistan was skittled for 133, then Amir reduced NZ to 40-3 before the overworked bowlers ran out of steam and NZ escaped to 200 all out. Yasir Shah was a passenger: he only bowled 4 overs.

Misbah was banned for the Second Test, so Mickey got his way and Yasir Shah was dropped for a fourth seamer. But Mickey was overruled on retaining Rahat Ali (who took 4-62 in the previous Test) and was given Imran Khan instead.

Imran took 6 wickets, but the attack was a bit one dimensional, and NZ got to declare and set Pakistan a target which they stupidly chased on Azhar Ali's orders against Mickey's advice when they had 9 wickets in hand at Tea. And they lost.

There are two lessons there.

Don't pick Yasir Shah on a greentop - but that's why you drop him for Adelaide, not Brisbane. Brisbane will be a grassless, dry wicket with plenty of bounce.

And don't pick both Imran Khan and Mohammad Abbas - they are too similar in terms of their lack of pace.
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If the tour matches (and Yasir's history in Oz) is any indication, then Yasir has no value for these 2 team. And no the other side the fast bowlers are hungry and ready. Ifti has also looked decent as the fifth choice bowler

There really is no reason for Yasir to be selected at all. It remains to be seen whether reason will prevail in the Pakistani think tank - with Misbah, Waqar and Azhar running the show, I am not optimistic.
 
coy0607 said:
If the tour matches (and Yasir's history in Oz) is any indication, then Yasir has no value for these 2 team. And no the other side the fast bowlers are hungry and ready. Ifti has also looked decent as the fifth choice bowler

There really is no reason for Yasir to be selected at all. It remains to be seen whether reason will prevail in the Pakistani think tank - with Misbah, Waqar and Azhar running the show, I am not optimistic.
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Look, I've been very open about this.

I didn't want a specialist spinner for these 2 Tests: I wanted Shadab Khan to bat at Number 7 and to be a spin-bowling all-rounder. And I wanted Ehsan Adil and Sameen Gul as tall fast bowlers for the Gabba Test.

But that's not going to happen.

The bottom line is this. Mohammad Abbas may be useful for his accuracy and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be useful for his height.

After that Naseem Shah could be useful, but is not really suited to The Gabba.

But you have to ask yourself whether Musa and Imran have anything to offer at The Gabba.

Musa clearly no, he's at least 8 inches too short.

Imran almost certainly no too, his success was with a Pink ball on a grassy track, and there is no reason to think that he would perform with a red Kookaburra at a grassless Gabba.

Yasir Shah is the least worst fourth bowling option in a very unbalanced squad. But he needs Misbah to have the courage to say

"Yasir, I messed up with you here 3 years ago. I was wrong to give you leg-side fields and to ask you to bowl a leg-side line. This time you need to bowl like an Australian leggie: aim to pitch the ball on off-stump and bowl to an off-side field."
 
Haris and the captain are not in form to be picked in all honesty.
I hate to say this but imam deserves the nod over haris.
Cant do anything about the captain, unfortunately, thats why shan should have been made captain, until babar was ready to take over.
Unlike others, i want imran and abass both playing, along with afridi and shah. Ifti can be our fifth bowler.

Iman
Shan
Azhar(c) forced selection
Shafiq
Babar
Rizwan(wk)
Ifti
Yasir
Shaheen
Abass
Imran
 
Captain caveman said:
Haris and the captain are not in form to be picked in all honesty.
I hate to say this but imam deserves the nod over haris.
Cant do anything about the captain, unfortunately, thats why shan should have been made captain, until babar was ready to take over.
Unlike others, i want imran and abass both playing, along with afridi and shah. Ifti can be our fifth bowler.

Iman
Shan
Azhar(c) forced selection
Shafiq
Babar
Rizwan(wk)
Ifti
Yasir
Shaheen
Abass
Imran
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The problem is that the Red Kookaburra at Brisbane just goes soft - it doesn't even reverse swing.

So in overs 20-60 you really rely upon tall fast bowlers - Pakistan really could have done with Ehsan Adil and Sameen Gul at Brisbane to support Shaheen Shah - and quick bowlers.

Abbas and Imran are not going to move the old ball and they will come at a lovely pace for people like Wade and Paine and Cummins to score runs. Even Starc will probably enjoy facing them.
 
Junaids said:
Look, I've been very open about this.

I didn't want a specialist spinner for these 2 Tests: I wanted Shadab Khan to bat at Number 7 and to be a spin-bowling all-rounder. And I wanted Ehsan Adil and Sameen Gul as tall fast bowlers for the Gabba Test.

But that's not going to happen.

The bottom line is this. Mohammad Abbas may be useful for his accuracy and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be useful for his height.

After that Naseem Shah could be useful, but is not really suited to The Gabba.

But you have to ask yourself whether Musa and Imran have anything to offer at The Gabba.

Musa clearly no, he's at least 8 inches too short.

Imran almost certainly no too, his success was with a Pink ball on a grassy track, and there is no reason to think that he would perform with a red Kookaburra at a grassless Gabba.

Yasir Shah is the least worst fourth bowling option in a very unbalanced squad. But he needs Misbah to have the courage to say

"Yasir, I messed up with you here 3 years ago. I was wrong to give you leg-side fields and to ask you to bowl a leg-side line. This time you need to bowl like an Australian leggie: aim to pitch the ball on off-stump and bowl to an off-side field."
Click to expand...

Hopefully Yasir learnt from Lloyd Pope in the Waca warm up. I remember that awful defensive field with like 6 fielders in the leg side and Yasir bowling on the pads.
 
The first test of the Australian summer is upon us soon.

I remember as a kid I used to be so excited for these and especially for Pakistan tours. The 1999-2000, 2004-05 and 2009-10 tours especially.

Would wake up at 4am to watch the first over of the first day of the Pakistan Test series in Australia. Some of them were school days I remember. So much excitement there used to be for these first days.
 
Slog said:
The first test of the Australian summer is upon us soon.

I remember as a kid I used to be so excited for these and especially for Pakistan tours. The 1999-2000, 2004-05 and 2009-10 tours especially.

Would wake up at 4am to watch the first over of the first day of the Pakistan Test series in Australia. Some of them were school days I remember. So much excitement there used to be for these first days.
Click to expand...

same here brother .. against aussie & newzealand.. im not fortunate enough to witness waseem & waqar but i use to wake up for Mohammed asif making mockery of new zealand batting .. i remember in one of pak tour of newzeland it was 5th day of test & pak had to chase 250 something .. had 5 wicket left with 50 odd runs & then umar akmal played brainless slog.. then it was famous pakistani collapsed happened.. it was against shane bond it was his last test match if my memory serves me right.
.. it was Eid day here..
 
The cricket enthusiast said:
same here brother .. against aussie & newzealand.. im not fortunate enough to witness waseem & waqar but i use to wake up for Mohammed asif making mockery of new zealand batting .. i remember in one of pak tour of newzeland it was 5th day of test & pak had to chase 250 something .. had 5 wicket left with 50 odd runs & then umar akmal played brainless slog.. then it was famous pakistani collapsed happened.. it was against shane bond it was his last test match if my memory serves me right.
.. it was Eid day here..
Click to expand...

yes remember the eid day

Umar akmal's debut test.

Had socred a brilliant century in first innings and then was on 70s in the second before a slog. And then the batting folded like a pack of cards

But that was special performance by Umar Akmal on debut test and probably his best every performace till date.

Shane Bond announced retirement after the match.

also remember our Aus tour of 2004. In opening day i woke up at 5am and watched the match before going to school. Shoaib had reduced Aussies to 70 odd for 5 if my memory is correct. Then had to go to school and by the time I came back in the afternoon the last 2 overs were playing and Aussies were 350+ :facepalm:
 
Last edited:
Slog said:
yes remember the eid day

Umar akmal's debut test.

Had socred a brilliant century in first innings and then was on 70s in the second before a slog. And then the batting folded like a pack of cards

But that was special performance by Umar Akmal on debut test and probably his best every performace till date.

Shane Bond announced retirement after the match.

also remember our Aus tour of 2004. In opening day i woke up at 5am and watched the match before going to school. Shoaib had reduced Aussies to 70 odd for 5 if my memory is correct. Then had to go to school and by the time I came back in the afternoon the last 2 overs were playing and Aussies were 350+ :facepalm:
Click to expand...

https://youtu.be/4CPuHz2jXuc
it was caught & ball
 
Junaids said:
The problem is that the Red Kookaburra at Brisbane just goes soft - it doesn't even reverse swing.

So in overs 20-60 you really rely upon tall fast bowlers - Pakistan really could have done with Ehsan Adil and Sameen Gul at Brisbane to support Shaheen Shah - and quick bowlers.

Abbas and Imran are not going to move the old ball and they will come at a lovely pace for people like Wade and Paine and Cummins to score runs. Even Starc will probably enjoy facing them.
Click to expand...
Good points!
You are right. Ehsan adil would have been ideal for this tour, sameen gul deserved a try, but not sure how he would have fared.
So imran or abass, which to choose? A difficult choice.
So naseem shah has to play in place of abass or imran. Lets see if the boy is as good as i think he is.
 
Pak will have no answer to the bounce they will face at these grounds

Match will be done by sundsy

Smith to get a big ton and pak to be skittles for 170 and 190 in both innings
 
Yes started at 12am here. Was a long day at school after watching the Aussies destroy us on those tours.
 
Junaids said:
What is wrong with everybody? All these fantasy teams, with zero recognition of who Australia have selected and what their plans are!

Firstly, their Top Six includes three left-handers (Warner, Head and Wade).

That means that Kashif is unselectable and that Iftikhar may play a big role with the old ball against Head and Wade.

Yasir is a worry. He has the tools to do well in Australia, but was crippled by Misbah three years ago, who made him bowl to self-destructive leg-side fields.

Australia’s changed attack also should influence selection.

Now that Starc replaces Pattinson, the top order would clearly benefit from having both Imam and Shan in the Top Three, because Starc will bowl full and into their pads. They can tuck away for runs balls that a right-hander cannot score off.

Nathan Lyon will bowl a third of the overs with the old ball, and would be a threat to left-handed batsmen. That, coupled with Haris’ form, is a reason for 4, 5, 6 and 7 to be Shafiq, Babar, Rizwan and Iftikhar.

The main problem is that Misbah’s insane “all-rounders need to be a full Test quality batsman or bowler” will now come home to roost.

On the last tour, Mohammad Amir scored runs from Number 8. The lack of lower order runs is going to be a major problem this time, and Kashif cannot be the answer because he’s the wrong type of spinner to bowl to left-handers.

Lastly, surely Misbah can’t pick both Abbas and Imran?

1. Imam
2. Azhar (c)
3. Shan
4. Shafiq
5. Babar
6. Rizwan (wk)
7. Iftikhar
8. Yasir
9. Shaheen
10. Abbas
11. Naseem
Click to expand...

I dont think Kashif will be playing, He is just a replacement spinner if Yasir can't play for some reason.
 
Since Mohammad Abbas debuted in Test cricket in April 2017, no bowler to have taken 25-plus wickets has ticked along at an average better than his 18.66.

Through the same period, no batsman with 250-plus runs can match Steve Smith's mark of 78.27.

From Thursday in the first Test in Brisbane, Smith and Abbas will square off for the first time – in any format.

And while the wheels of 16-year-old Naseem Shah have caused considerable excitement in the build-up to this two-match series, the Australians have first-hand experience of the sort of damage the right-armer is capable of inflicting.

It was only 13 months ago that, in Australia's first Test series since Smith's suspension, Abbas scythed through Tim Paine's team to the tune of 17 wickets in two matches.

And unlike the out-and-out pace of the Australians or even his Pakistani counterparts, Abbas hovers at a moderate 130kph on the speed gun, relying instead on an unerring line and length, and a canny knack of hitting the seam, to take his wickets.

"I've never faced him, but he obviously bowled really well in that series in Dubai last year," Smith said in Brisbane. "He's a bowler that stands the seam up, and any movement he'll get the most out of it.

"We'll have to be really disciplined against him, that's for sure."

Marnus Labuschagne debuted in that UAE series and was a victim of Abbas's in the second Test, and the right-hander sees a likeness with an Aussie Test veteran.

"He's very similar to Peter Siddle in that he's close to the stumps, he's moving the ball both ways – nipping it in, nipping it away – so he's going to be a really good challenge," Labuschagne told cricket.com.au.

"Any bowler that runs in and hits the seam very consistently is tough to play … He's going to be a really big bowler for them, so if we can find ways to really dominate him and come up with some good plans, that will put a lot of pressure on their younger bowlers."

Smith also forecast Australia's willingness to engage in a war of attrition across five days at the Gabba, with Test experience a key factor in overcoming any threat posed by the raw speed of Naseem.


"Being as young as he is, he probably hasn't bowled lots of overs consistently," Smith said of the teenager.

"For us, it will just be about making him come back and bowl as many spells as he can, and see if he can maintain it.

"It's going to be hard work for him up here, in some pretty warm conditions as well.

"So we try and get the overs into him and hopefully, if he's bowling well early on we'll be able to cash in later on."

Pat Cummins is yet to face Pakistan in Test cricket but the paceman has fond memories of Waqar Younis in his latter-days bowling "big, fast inswinging yorkers" and Shoaib Akhtar "pushing off the fence and bowling a million miles an hour".

The vice-captain, however, was another to quickly identify the subtler skills of Abbas, who has played 14 of Pakistan's past 16 Tests, capturing 66 wickets.

"He's been really impressive in his Test career so far," Cummins told cricket.com.au. "He's a bit different from your traditional fast bowler in that he's at you all day at the top of off-stump, so you need to have a really solid defence against him.

"Hopefully we can get him coming back for spell after spell, but he does look quite a complete bowler."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/moh...-wickets-smith-labuschagne-cummins/2019-11-18
 
Philander with more pace': Pakistan wary of Neser


Michael Neser may well be Australia's reserve paceman, but Pakistan are wary of the uncapped Queenslander they've likened to a pacier version of prolific South Africa quick Vernon Philander.

Most think James Pattinson's suspension for the first Domain Test at the Gabba locks in left-arm quick Mitchell Starc for Australia's attack to take on Pakistan.

The NSW left-armer was expected to be battling with Pattinson for the remaining spot in the pace battery alongside fellow Blues Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Pattinson, however, received a one-game ban on Sunday after pleading guilty to a code of conduct breach during Victoria's recent Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.

That ban makes Starc the frontrunner to bowl against Pakistan from Thursday when the Brisbane Test starts, but Pakistan batsman Shan Masood isn't convinced Neser is out of the running.

Neser being picked ahead of Starc for his Test debut would be a long shot, but Masood said the tourists had been impressed by the 29-year-old during their game against Australia A in Perth.

"Very decent bowler - will bowl that line and length all day and we likened him a bit to Vernon Philander but with probably a bit more pace," Masood said.

"He's a very skilful bowler but, looking at the whole Australian bowling line-up, he'll have to do a really good job to get into that because they've already got a pretty formidable attack."

Pakistan are weighing up whether to hand a debut of their own to 16-year-old tearaway Naseem Shah after his impressive showing in Perth.

With Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi, Imran Khan and Mohammad Musa also vying for spots, there's no doubt the talent pool in Pakistan's fast bowling is deep.

"I think the preparation in Perth will set us in good stead," Masood said.

"We spent 10 days over there, played against a really good Australian A attack over there. So I think we've done as much as we could to prepare and, hopefully, the experience from 2016, three of our main guys in our batting order, will help us all settle in well."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/aus...gabba-neser-starc-philander-masood/2019-11-19
 
Cricket Australia vs Pakistan, first Test in Brisbane: Justin Langer drops selection hint

BRISBANE — Australia coach Justin Langer has all but confirmed Cameron Bancroft and Michael Neser will miss out on Test selection at the Gabba, with Joe Burns’ strong relationship with David Warner aiding his cause.

"We haven't named the XI yet but I'd say those two will be 12th and 13th man," Langer told reporters of Bancroft and Neser.

Bancroft's omission confirms Joe Burns will resume his Test career at the top of the order alongside David Warner, with Travis Head to slot in at five or six in a middle order featuring Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Matthew Wade.

Left out of the XI in four of the five Ashes Tests, Mitchell Starc will be a part of a three-man pace attack with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Probable XI: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (c, wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Unlucky to be left out of Australia’s Ashes squad, Burns’ combination with Warner and Australia’s desire to start the match on the right foot bolstered his case for a recall.

“He’s got a very good first innings record,” Langer said of Burns, who averaged 47.25 in the first innings.

“I know Davey likes batting with him.

“I obviously have some understanding in how important it is for the openers to get along really well, and work really well with each other and understand each other."

Langer is hopeful the duo can end Australia's trouble at the top of the order, which has lacked stability since the retirement of Chris Rogers after the Ashes.

“What we need to do is to get our top 3 cemented and get that as strong as possible. It’s a pivotal part of winning games of cricket.

“I’m confident that the odd couple will get out there and like we’ve seen in the past will form a really good partnership.”

The first Test between Australia and Pakistan begins on Thursday at the Gabba.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...t/news-story/d6ea5dd5b14a74e683a735707b7f400a
 
Test Cricket 2019 | Justin Langer all but reveals first Test team

Australian coach Justin Langer has all but revealed his side for the first Test against Pakistan as cricket legend Shane Warne issued a stern warning.

Speaking to media this afternoon, Langer confirmed that 29-year-old Queenslander Michael Neser will have to continue to wait in the wings as 12th man, while shock recall Cameron Bancroft will also ride the pine as 13th man.

Langer said “We haven’t named the XI yet but I’d say those two will be 12th and 13th man” of the pair.

Bancroft will likely be a concussion cover for the side, able to cover any player in the top six.

Langer said the pair were “the future” of Australian cricket and that both made a big impression on himself and former Aussie skipper Steve Waugh during the Ashes.

“I like what they both brought to the table. I think it was no surprise they were in our Ashes squad, they’re both outstanding,” Langer said on Tuesday.

“Steve Waugh hadn’t been in the system, back in the team for some time, he came to the first training session and he looked at me and said ‘who are those three blokes?’

“I said ‘Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Bancroft and Michael Neser’. He goes ‘how good are they? They’re the future of Australian cricket, aren’t they?’”

With James Pattinson suspended for a match, it appears as though the opportunity for Neser to debut during the first Test will be lost as Mitchell Starc is expected to join Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon in the all-NSW attack.

It means that Joe Burns will likely open alongside David Warner for the first Test of the summer.

Langer said Warner and Burns get along well and he was hopeful the pair could cement their places at the top of the order.

“What we need to do is to get our top three cemented and get that as strong as possible. It’s a pivotal part of winning games of cricket,” Langer said.

“I’m confident that the odd couple will get out there and like we’ve seen in the past will form a really good partnership.”

Neser was first selected in Australia’s Test squad in September 2018 against Pakistan, as well as in the Ashes squad but has yet to debut.

Langer suggested that Neser would likely get a shot in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, ensuring the controversial rotation policy will continue in Australian cricket.

But despite the greater choice in bowling stocks, calls have been renewed to end the policy.

Late last month, former Aussie quick Brett Lee told The Saturday Telegraph, “I hate it (the rotation policy), it just upsets the balance”.

Carl Rackemann is the latest former Aussie quick to rubbish the rotation policy.

“It should be performance that brings changes, more than a conscious decision to play certain bowlers at certain grounds,” Rackemann told Wide World of Sports.

“I’m definitely not a fan of rotation, I’d rather we just wheeled out our best available team at all times, and just let nature take its course.

“We should be putting our best 11 on the park, and good luck to anyone trying to beat us.”

Rackemann also said he liked what he saw in Neser but felt he probably wouldn’t be able to crack the top side — at least not yet.

“He’s a quality performer, he’s very reliable and consistent, especially with the new ball and in conditions that help swing bowling. He’s as dangerous as anyone going around as a strike bowler,” Rackemann began.

“But it’s a sign of the embarrassment of riches Australia has in its bowling stocks right now that Michael Neser may be on the sidelines.”

‘LOOK OUT’: WARNE’S PAKISTAN WARNING

But Warne has issued a stern warning that the side can’t be complacent if they hope to defeat the visiting side.

“The key for Pakistan, for me, is their fielding – it’s a barometer for them,” Warne said.

“If their fielding is on and they hold their catches, they field well and they have intensity … you know they’re switched on.

“If they start misfielding, if they start dropping catches and fumbling, you know they’re with the fairies and always looking after themselves.

“So (if) Pakistan are fielding well, look out Australia.”

But Warne has taken aim at the selection of Bancroft.

In the Shield this season, Harris has 266 runs in five innings at an average of 53.20, Bancroft has a horror record of 57 runs at 11.40.

Last week, former Australian player Gavin Robertson told Fox Sports News he felt like selectors felt Bancroft could handle Test cricket but Harris couldn’t.

It comes after criticism of Burns from the Australia A match against Pakistan when he was bowled for a golden duck.

“I would’ve liked to see Marcus Harris there (in the squad), I thought he deserved another chance,” Warne told reporters at a President’s Cup golf event.

“He’s been in pretty good form too. Joe Burns, I like that selection.

“I’m a little surprised with Cameron Bancroft being in the squad.

“Whether he gets the nod, we’ll have to wait and see but I was a little surprised after his form in England.”

Bancroft appears to have forced his way into the team with 49 in Australia A’s dire performance against Pakistan.

But Warne conceded the selection of Bancroft showed the strength of Australian cricket at the moment.

“It’s great to have that competition for spots, because it’s not easy to pencil in, we’ve got choices,” Warne said. “It’s the first time in a while we’ve had choices for fast bowlers, first time we’ve got choices for batsmen, so I think Australian cricket is in pretty good shape.”
https://www.news.com.au/sport/crick...m/news-story/74766a4a3176b66ac6f09f91a32b5933
 
Maybe we can bench Yasir for the first test. If we have ifti and Bhatti in the team
 
For the first time in a long long time, I just have a feeling that Pakistan will probably do well this time.

They might still end up being whitewashed but it'll probably not be in the manner we've been used to in the past. Expecting close matches.

Few reasons for this optimism:

1) Couple of warm up games before the test and with decent opposition rather than university students.

2) Good backfoot players in Shan, Shafiq and Iftikhar alongside Babar who's currently in the form of his life.

3) Departure from rubbish combination of Sarfraz and Mickey who had no clue whatsoever how to play Test matches.

4) A decent bowling attack this time. They're young and inexperienced in Australian conditions but they're still better than the experienced lot of Wahab, Amir, Hasan.
 
Folks on twitter talking about Abid Ali doing practice for wicket keeping role in case Rizwan isn’t ready. I would replace Rizwan for being a rubbish bat regardless of injury
 
Pete Rose said:
Folks on twitter talking about Abid Ali doing practice for wicket keeping role in case Rizwan isn’t ready. I would replace Rizwan for being a rubbish bat regardless of injury
Click to expand...

Abid's display behind the stumps in the practice game was quite disastrous.

If Rizwan isn't fit enough to play, they should have called up another specialist wicket-keeper.
 
Justin Langer is confident Mitchell Starc can be a destructive force this summer even if he cannot get the ball reversing, saying he shapes as a “nightmare to face” for Pakistan when he returns to the Australian side after an Ashes series in which he played only once.

The left-armer will resume his combination with state colleagues Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the first Test starting at the Gabba on Thursday after the Australia coach all but confirmed the final XI, indicating Cameron Bancroft and Michael Neser would be the two players in the squad to sit out.

Pakistan paceman Naseem Shah, just 16 years-old, is set to be an exciting inclusion for the first Test against Australia.

The result is that Joe Burns will resume his opening partnership with David Warner, Travis Head will be recalled in the middle order and Starc is back in favour, with the suspension of James Pattinson ensuring his return if there was any doubt before he was rubbed out on Sunday.

Starc had a disappointing outing at the Gabba to start the Sheffield Shield season but bounced back with 16 wickets in the following two games for NSW and impressed for Australia in Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The 29-year-old had to be content with warming the bench for much of the winter series against England, figuring only in the fourth Test at Old Trafford when Australia clinched the Ashes and then surprisingly missing out again for the fifth Test at the Oval.

The reasoning was that his style didn’t fit ideally with the blueprint of controlled bowling that Australia designed to try and capture the Ashes on foreign soil for the first time in 18 years, but Langer said Starc had worked hard on his consistency and taken well the setback of largely being overlooked in England.

“His white ball cricket has always been world class,” Langer said. “What’s impressed me is how hard he’s worked, and he worked really hard with [bowling coach] Troy Cooley through the Ashes when he wasn’t playing.

“He bowled beautifully in that fourth Test at Old Trafford. The ball didn’t reverse swing there at all but he swung the ball and he bowled really well. I love Mitchell Starc’s development . . . his maturity through that period of not playing four of the five Test match. I can’t wait to see him bowl this Test match.

“He can bowl yorkers at will, he can bowl a good bouncer. He’s never going to be a [Vernon] Philander or he’s never going to be in a sense Josh Hazlewood, who is going to bowl the [good length] ball every ball, that’s his strength. But the more consistent he can get hitting that back of a length delivery . . . he is a nightmare to face and he is getting better and better.”

Speaking for the first time since the Australian squad was announced last week, Langer defended the omission of Usman Khawaja, who has a superior Test record to Bancroft and averages nearly 53 in Australia with six Test centuries. Both Khawaja and Bancroft were dropped during the Ashes and struggled for first-class runs this summer and Langer said he didn’t think a player of Khawaja's class needed to be in Brisbane simply to run drinks and be a back-up player in the event a concussion substitute was required.

“I’ve spoken to him. We do that usually. But Uzzy is 33 years old [next month]. He’s got a great record. He’s missed out a few times. He knows what he has to do,” Langer said.

“In this instance, we probably don’t need a 33-year-old like Uzzy not playing a Test match. That’s what it comes down to. He’s a very good player. He got himself so fit and strong. I still maintain one of the main reasons we didn’t win the World Cup was he hurt his hamstring in the semi-final. I have great admiration for Uzzy. He’s a fantastic player. And I’m sure when he finds a bit of touch, he’ll be pushing very hard for a place in the team.”

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cri...for-pakistan-says-langer-20191119-p53c2k.html
 
Slog said:
The first test of the Australian summer is upon us soon.

I remember as a kid I used to be so excited for these and especially for Pakistan tours. The 1999-2000, 2004-05 and 2009-10 tours especially.

Would wake up at 4am to watch the first over of the first day of the Pakistan Test series in Australia. Some of them were school days I remember. So much excitement there used to be for these first days.
Click to expand...

We are a small team now which is why we have been reduced to 2 Tests which is pathetic. India, England, South Africa and New Zealand will never be offered or will agree to a 2 Test series in Australia.

It is the major reason for my lack of interest personally.
 
Danyaalr01 said:
Looked like a casual village keeper.
Click to expand...

Not sure why he was being touted as a wicket-keeper. He looked like someone who has kept for the first time. I don’t think his keeping is any better than that of Babar, Imam or Shafiq.
 
Mamoon said:
We are a small team now which is why we have been reduced to 2 Tests which is pathetic. India, England, South Africa and New Zealand will never be offered or will agree to a 2 Test series in Australia.

It is the major reason for my lack of interest personally.
Click to expand...
Pakistan needs couple of decent 2 test tours to Aus to go back to 3 tests status hopefully this series will be a start. Pakistan will always be a more box team in Aus compared to NZl this summer is just an anomaly due to past 4 - 5 years results eventually if Pakistan can improve we will always be the bumper summer tourist over NZl.
 
Need to play 4 fast bowlers and no yasir shah.

Yasir is a liability in aus.

Also we only have 2 capable fast bowlers who will threaten the other team. That SSA and naseem shah. Abbas is too slow, imran jr is too slow, and musa doesnt have the radar.

Also SSA is only one with height advantage. Rest are around 5'10 to 6'1 maybe.
 
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