Babar Azam has failed to recover from injury, ruled out of the 2nd Test against New Zealand

[MenInG]

Babar Azam to miss Christchurch Test

Christchurch, 02 January 2021:

Pakistan men’s national team captain Babar Azam will miss the second Test against New Zealand, which commences at the Hagley Oval from Sunday. In his absence, Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side.

Babar had a full-fledge training session yesterday but felt slight pain in his thumb, following which, the team management has opted against taking any risk.

Babar had to sit out the three-T20I series and the first Test, at Mount Maunganui, after he fractured his right thumb during a net session in the lead-up to the white-ball series.

Team Doctor Dr Sohail Saleem: “We have seen improvement in Babar Azam's injury but he is yet to fully recover. He is our captain and the most important batsman in the lineup, so we do not want to take any risk.

“The medical team is constantly reviewing his injury and we are hopeful he will be available for the home series against South Africa.”

Pakistan squad for the second Test against New Zealand:

Mohammad Rizwan (captain, wicketkeeper), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah and Zafar Gohar

 

[Bilal_103]

I wonder what the playing 11 will be? I hope its the same team so the frauds at the top of the order get exposed.

 

[Savak]

It would have been pointless to play him, he hasn't played a single game on tour and would not be acclimatized to the conditions. The PCB should send him home for recovery

 

[Caved12]

His thumb was never going to heal that fast anyway.

 

[Usman]

Now that is a massive blow.

It means both Shan and Abid will play again and both are walking wickets.

On the plus side, it removes the risk of Haris being dropped as I truly believe he is the second best batsman in Pakistan. People have written him off in the same way Fawad was written off before the last game. I hope Haris goes onto prove all the doubters wrong.

This does really suck though. Barbar adds a huge amount to our team and without him, our chances are massively diminished. Oh well, let's hope the rest of the boys make up for it.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Better for the team in the long run. No excuses for Haris Sohail and some of the others now, really his last chance to impress before potentially being dropped.

Also allows Rizwan to settle into the captaincy role a bit longer, which will be helpful if Babar doesn’t acclimatize quickly (helping from behind the stumps as vc)

 

[Usman]

It would have been pointless to play him, he hasn't played a single game on tour and would not be acclimatized to the conditions. The PCB should send him home for recovery

I'll take Barbar over Shan/Abid/Azhar any day of the week, acclimatised or not. Haris was also played in the last game having not played in any other game before (which is just totally shocking management from Misbah). Point is you play your best players in all conditions and Barbar would have likely made a much bigger contribution that most of our other batters combined.

 

[Last Monetarist]

I know I'll get slaughtered for this potentially, but the 11 that played the first test are the best cricketers available in the squad now. I'd go unchanged tomorrow.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I know I'll get slaughtered for this potentially, but the 11 that played the first test are the best cricketers available in the squad now. I'd go unchanged tomorrow.

No swapping Yasir out for a pure batsman considering it’s Christchurch? I would personally use Fawad and Haris for control as far as spin goes, otherwise this is usually a wicket where teams go with an all-pace attack. It’s unlikely to be relatively dry like the one at Mount Manganui. This means more overs given to Faheem and Naseem, essentially.

 

[MenInG]

I know I'll get slaughtered for this potentially, but the 11 that played the first test are the best cricketers available in the squad now. I'd go unchanged tomorrow.

Think you are right - too much of a risk now to bring in Imran Butt, although Haris Sohail being replaced with Imran could be an option

 

[Last Monetarist]

No swapping Yasir out for a pure batsman considering it’s Christchurch? I would personally use Fawad and Haris for control as far as spin goes, otherwise this is usually a wicket where teams go with an all-pace attack. It’s unlikely to be relatively dry like the one at Mount Manganui. This means more overs given to Faheem and Naseem, essentially.

I definitely won't play an extra batsman. Pitches at Christchurch tend to flatten out considerably by day 3 and our attack will be cannon fodder if we don't play the extra bowler. If forced to make a change, I'd replace Yasir with Sohail Khan.

 

[Junaids]

They really really really should replace Haris Sohail with Rohail Nazir.

 

[waleed88]

Who the hell was responsible for this injury? Does anyone know?

 

[Last Monetarist]

I definitely won't play an extra batsman. Pitches at Christchurch tend to flatten out considerably by day 3 and our attack will be cannon fodder if we don't play the extra bowler. If forced to make a change, I'd replace Yasir with Sohail Khan.

Or Amad Butt.

 

[Yk313]

They really really really should replace Haris Sohail with Rohail Nazir.

Not sure the mgmt. think like that. Think there are clear demarcations between the Shaheens and Test squads.

 

[omairsiddiqui]

Sohail in for Naseem, Zafar in for Yasir. Doubt it will happen.

 

[J-Essence]

How about play Sarfarz Ahmed purely as a batsman and move rizwan up the batting order?

 

[Usman Chadda]

Sohail in for Naseem, Zafar in for Yasir. Doubt it will happen.

Do you want two pacers operating at 120 KPH?

 

[Mesozoic]

It'll be very interesting to see how Babar comes back from this. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is the first major injury in his career so far right?

Never saw him miss a game or should I say.... never saw Pakistan resting him even against Zimbabwe. Looking forward to see how he regains his form and momentum. Think he's too good a player to not do that.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Haris Sohail was supposed to be one of the "core players" around whom the team was supposed to be built. Also the best player of seam and swing bowling from Asia. And now suddenly he needs to be kicked out, for some Rohail Nazir...........

 

[angrypathan]

It'll be very interesting to see how Babar comes back from this. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is the first major injury in his career so far right?

Never saw him miss a game or should I say.... never saw Pakistan resting him even against Zimbabwe. Looking forward to see how he regains his form and momentum. Think he's too good a player to not do that.

Not his first injury. Had a fracture in his forearm on the 2018 tour of England after a Ben Stokes delivery hit him and missed some games. Recovered pretty seamlessly

 

[waleed88]

Probably want Sarfaraz to play as a specialist batsman instead of Haris Sohail. But knowing Misbah, I am about a 100% sure that he will go with this EXACT same line up barring an additional injury.

 

[JibranAnsari]

zafar gohar should play otherwise you should have left him to play quaide azam trophy if he cant replace anyone whos failing.

Usman salahuddin failed to get his chance while asad was failing around him. This needs to change , imran buttust replace shan and yasir shah should be replaced by zafar gohar.

Sohail khan must come in for naseem shah.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This is incredibly disappointing news. I was holding out hope that he might make it for the second test.

That said, Pakistan should go with the same team. Because like it or not, its the best side they have on-paper.

 

[choudhary6964]

Without Babar no chance of winning or drawing the test and the new Asad shafiq can score consistently or not that has to be seen although I m sure he will fail badly.
Haris Sohail if played should justify his selection and score some runs.zafar should definitely play instead of that useless Yasir Shah.

 

[MenInG]

Rizwan regarding Babar today:

"Babar Azam is a strong guy and has made many sacrifices for the country before, but now he is worried that his playing in the 2nd Test could cause damage to the side; He wants to be in perfect shape when plays for the country and so he has asked for more time to recover"

"He will surely be available for the South Africa series but now he is 60% fit and wants to be 100% fit so he can deliver for Pakistan"

"Any team will feel the absence of a player like Babar Azam who has been performing so well for his country, and is also in the top rankings in all three formats"

"Once Babar Azam is back, we will be able to form a better combination and produce good results for the country"

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Seeing how Rizwan is saying there will be changes I think Sohail Khan could come in for Naseem. Although I don't see how brining in a 36 year old who can't bowl more than one good spell is any better.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Now that is a massive blow.

It means both Shan and Abid will play again and both are walking wickets.

On the plus side, it removes the risk of Haris being dropped as I truly believe he is the second best batsman in Pakistan. People have written him off in the same way Fawad was written off before the last game. I hope Haris goes onto prove all the doubters wrong.

This does really suck though. Barbar adds a huge amount to our team and without him, our chances are massively diminished. Oh well, let's hope the rest of the boys make up for it.

Nobody doubts Haris's ability, but his poor fitness is just not acceptable at the international standard. Fawad Alam is much older and looks about 100x fitter than Haris Sohail.

 

[Ucdkee]

Yasir shah, Naseem shah and Abid Ali should be replaced.

 

[Hasan123]

If he isn't fully fit there is no need to take a risk.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Think you are right - too much of a risk now to bring in Imran Butt, although Haris Sohail being replaced with Imran could be an option

Why not replace Abid with Imran?

 

[Shazzam]

"Once Babar Azam is back, we will be able to form a better combination and produce good results for the country"

Sounds like we have already admitted defeat in the last Test.

 

[Markhor]

Why not replace Abid with Imran?

See Imran's FC record prior to last season. Not much of an upgrade.

http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Pakistan/Players/510/510680/f_Batting_by_Season.html

 

[CleverSir]

Best of luck to him. He will be available for the SA series. Hopefully he can play some matches in the Pakistan Cup to get some match practice in.

 

[Dantheone]

And there now Pakistan management will ask the players to play for the draw and end up losing another one.

 

[lahoriyah1234]

Yasir shah, Naseem shah and Abid Ali should be replaced.

Yasir shah yes but not abid and naseem both of them its there first tour. Lets be honest how many green pitches we get in Pakistan v rare not easy to come perform in NZL. Even great teams like England - India and Australia have struggled dont be too harsh. I would like to see how NZL perform when put in isolation for 14 days.

 

[moghul]

It would have been pointless to play him, he hasn't played a single game on tour and would not be acclimatized to the conditions. The PCB should send him home for recovery

Yes, what exactly Babar was doing in NZl after the injury, you cannot play test two weeks after fracturing thumb. When a player is ruled out from the tour he is sent home, like Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadev is going home. Everyone in Pakistan team likes to enjoy free vacations, from board chairman to players.

 

[moghul]

Haris should be first to be dropped , even he scores some runs here, by luck, he has no future in Pakistan team. My fear is they will play him and he will drops some catches, will concede plenty of runs in fielding might score some useless runs in losing cause and will linger on with the team for another year.

Home series ( against SA) is perfect opportunity to give debut to new players but we need to get rid of players like Azhar, Harris and Abid first.

 

[Usman]

Nobody doubts Haris's ability, but his poor fitness is just not acceptable at the international standard. Fawad Alam is much older and looks about 100x fitter than Haris Sohail.

I have to agree with that. Haris looks fat which for a professional sportsman in this era is unacceptable. Having said that, I don't think that should stop him from batting well - Inzi for example was as fat as they come. In addition, Haris took a spectacular slip catch in the last game to dismiss Williamson, something super fit Shan failed to do despite several opportunities. All I'm saying is that although yes Haris needs to get fitter, that alone shouldn't stop him making the team given that he genuinely a class above the likes of Shan, Abid, Azhar etc.

 

[zacattakk]

No surprise this - they were only fooling themselves that he could possibly play the 2nd test. As soon as I heard I knew he was out of the tour. No way a fractured finger would have healed well enough in time for him to be ready again for professional sport that quickly.

 

[Saj]

60% fit?

I guess it all depends on whether he could grip the bat properly.

 

[sweep_shot]

He is out of 2nd Test. Big blow for Pakistan.

But, this is a good test for them (playing without Babar).

 

[UzmanBeast]

I have to agree with that. Haris looks fat which for a professional sportsman in this era is unacceptable. Having said that, I don't think that should stop him from batting well - Inzi for example was as fat as they come. In addition, Haris took a spectacular slip catch in the last game to dismiss Williamson, something super fit Shan failed to do despite several opportunities. All I'm saying is that although yes Haris needs to get fitter, that alone shouldn't stop him making the team given that he genuinely a class above the likes of Shan, Abid, Azhar etc.

Comparing Haris with Inzi is like comparing a cat to a tiger. Inzi might have been overweight but he was oozing with talent. Haris Sohail has talent, but not an abundance of it. The difference between the two was that Inzi despite being overweight never sustained huge injuries, which is something Haris did. It should be common sense to Haris that if he got a knee injury, he should lose weight to reduce the strain on the legs during running, but our management is also too incompetent to think of this.

Haris is definitely a class above the batsmen you mentioned, but he is creating limitations for himself due to poor fitness.

Who would you play for the final test?

 

[Usman]

Comparing Haris with Inzi is like comparing a cat to a tiger. Inzi might have been overweight but he was oozing with talent. Haris Sohail has talent, but not an abundance of it. The difference between the two was that Inzi despite being overweight never sustained huge injuries, which is something Haris did. It should be common sense to Haris that if he got a knee injury, he should lose weight to reduce the strain on the legs during running, but our management is also too incompetent to think of this.

Haris is definitely a class above the batsmen you mentioned, but he is creating limitations for himself due to poor fitness.

Who would you play for the final test?

I agree Inzi was supremely talented. I actually think Babar Azam is the first player to compete with Inzi when it comes to match winning abilities for Pakistan. Nobody else comes close. However Inzi was an example that the extra weight doesn't necessarily stop you from performing.

I do not however make any excuses for Haris and as I said above, being overweight in the current era is totally unforgivable. I also agree Haris's fitness may (although not necessarily) have played a part in his knee injury. I say 'may' because some of the fittest sportsmen have had knee problems and I doubt that if Haris lost weight, the knee issues would just disappear. However it makes sense that the extra kilos adds unnecessary pressure on a dodgy knee.

I think more than the management, Haris has himself to blame here. A player needs willpower to make themselves fit and shouldn't need a push from the management to get fit.

In terms of who I would play in the final test, unfortunately I think we have very limited options.

I don't want Shan and Abid to play, but then who replaces them? Imran Butt did well in the last first class season but I'm not convinced that he's the real deal. The other candidates are either with the Shaheens (e.g. Abdullah Shafiq) or in Pakistan (e.g. Saud, Ghulam). Through sheer lack of options therefore, I'd very reluctantly stick to the same batsmen.

Bowling options are similarly limited. However I would drop Yasir for Zafar Gohar. In fact I would have done that 2 years ago. I don't know how many bowling centuries Yasir needs to obtain before the management realises that he is no longer the bowler he once was.

 

[Ami]

Rizwan regarding Babar today:

"Babar Azam is a strong guy and has made many sacrifices for the country before, but now he is worried that his playing in the 2nd Test could cause damage to the side; He wants to be in perfect shape when plays for the country and so he has asked for more time to recover"

"He will surely be available for the South Africa series but now he is 60% fit and wants to be 100% fit so he can deliver for Pakistan"

"Any team will feel the absence of a player like Babar Azam who has been performing so well for his country, and is also in the top rankings in all three formats"

"Once Babar Azam is back, we will be able to form a better combination and produce good results for the country"

This 'Qurbani Culture'...

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Not sure why he wasn't ruled out the same time as imam ul haq
The pakistani team hasn't known who will lead them for the last week
Poor poor management

 

[Saj]

Not sure why he wasn't ruled out the same time as imam ul haq
The pakistani team hasn't known who will lead them for the last week
Poor poor management

Yes I think they have known all along that he wasn't going to play and were just living in hope that he may be able to make it.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I agree Inzi was supremely talented. I actually think Babar Azam is the first player to compete with Inzi when it comes to match winning abilities for Pakistan. Nobody else comes close. However Inzi was an example that the extra weight doesn't necessarily stop you from performing.

I do not however make any excuses for Haris and as I said above, being overweight in the current era is totally unforgivable. I also agree Haris's fitness may (although not necessarily) have played a part in his knee injury. I say 'may' because some of the fittest sportsmen have had knee problems and I doubt that if Haris lost weight, the knee issues would just disappear. However it makes sense that the extra kilos adds unnecessary pressure on a dodgy knee.

I think more than the management, Haris has himself to blame here. A player needs willpower to make themselves fit and shouldn't need a push from the management to get fit.

In terms of who I would play in the final test, unfortunately I think we have very limited options.

I don't want Shan and Abid to play, but then who replaces them? Imran Butt did well in the last first class season but I'm not convinced that he's the real deal. The other candidates are either with the Shaheens (e.g. Abdullah Shafiq) or in Pakistan (e.g. Saud, Ghulam). Through sheer lack of options therefore, I'd very reluctantly stick to the same batsmen.

Bowling options are similarly limited. However I would drop Yasir for Zafar Gohar. In fact I would have done that 2 years ago. I don't know how many bowling centuries Yasir needs to obtain before the management realises that he is no longer the bowler he once was.

I agree with dropping Yasir, the guy has been completely useless overseas ever since 2018. He has been given a long rope and his time is up.

Zafar is a far better investment for us moving forward, and with some work with Younis Khan, he could also improve his batting. He's a great fielder, and we also need a proper spin coach to groom him. Mushtaq Ahmed might not be the right option as he specialized with wrist spinners, so maybe someone would need to contact Saqlain Mushtaq or Saeed Ajmal for a coaching role.

I'd replace Imran with Haris because Haris has averaged around 9 or 10 overseas in the last few years, he's not a good candidate on these dangerous pitches. Either that, or he needs to be sent further down the order at like 5 or 6 where the ball will be soft.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Yes I think they have known all along that he wasn't going to play and were just living in hope that he may be able to make it.

Thumb injuries need a lot longer than one week
Poor players and team management

Babar should have been resting in a bandage rather than seeing how much it hurt him hitting the ball in the nets

 

[Saj]

Thumb injuries need a lot longer than one week
Poor players and team management

Babar should have been resting in a bandage rather than seeing how much it hurt him hitting the ball in the nets

Indeed, the PCB sending pictures out of Babar batting in the nets, were merely filling the poor fans with hope.

 

[MMHS]

I think, Babar never had a chance, but they probably kept him with the squad being captain, which is fine. They sent Imam back. Cracked/dislocated fingers for batsman takes longer - I wasn’t expecting him to play actually

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Indeed, the PCB sending pictures out of Babar batting in the nets, were merely filling the poor fans with hope.

Also didn't send for any cover which was strange as the shaheens are already over

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Bunch of softies. Our team is full of girls.

There was a time when we had players who’d take injections on the legs before games and still bowl 155kph.

If Wagner can play with two broken toes, then Babar should be forced to play the second test. It’s not a dead rubber.

 

[Darkrai]

Bunch of softies. Our team is full of girls.

There was a time when we had players who’d take injections on the legs before games and still bowl 155kph.

If Wagner can play with two broken toes, then Babar should be forced to play the second test. It’s not a dead rubber.

Uh, no.

Given the number of times Pakistani batsmen were hit on the glove in the first test due to the bounce on the pitch, it would be reckless, to say the least, to play Babar on these types of pitches if he is only about 60% fit. If he gets hit on the thumb due to an unexpected bounce, forget this series, he could miss the SA series as well.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Uh, no.

Given the number of times Pakistani batsmen were hit on the glove in the first test due to the bounce on the pitch, it would be reckless, to say the least, to play Babar on these types of pitches if he is only about 60% fit. If he gets hit on the thumb due to an unexpected bounce, forget this series, he could miss the SA series as well.

The injury is on the right thumb, and he’s a right handed batsman so the glove he’ll be wearing on the right hand will have more padding for the thumb, which would mean it’s unlikely he’ll feel the impact if he does get hit on that thumb.

 

[MMHS]

The injury is on the right thumb, and he’s a right handed batsman so the glove he’ll be wearing on the right hand will have more padding for the thumb, which would mean it’s unlikely he’ll feel the impact if he does get hit on that thumb.

Cracked bone in hand is different from fast bowlers groin or ankle injury - last week Wegnar bowled 10-12 overs at one go on fifth afternoon with two cracked nails, because while it’ll hurt you, injured bowler won’t loose his skills or thinking cap. For a batsman, one mistake of a fraction of second is enough and if he has a fear that he might get a thump on that finger .... he is dead.


Right thumb is the exposed finger for a right handed (otherwise he won’t have been hurt on that finger, right thumb & left wrist are the most exposed parts while batting for right-handers) - and these gloves won’t protect the cracked finger from the impact of a 5.5 oz hard ball travelling at 140k+

If batsman is not 100%, shouldn’t play from such injuries.

 

[Usman]

I agree with dropping Yasir, the guy has been completely useless overseas ever since 2018. He has been given a long rope and his time is up.

Zafar is a far better investment for us moving forward, and with some work with Younis Khan, he could also improve his batting. He's a great fielder, and we also need a proper spin coach to groom him. Mushtaq Ahmed might not be the right option as he specialized with wrist spinners, so maybe someone would need to contact Saqlain Mushtaq or Saeed Ajmal for a coaching role.

I'd replace Imran with Haris because Haris has averaged around 9 or 10 overseas in the last few years, he's not a good candidate on these dangerous pitches. Either that, or he needs to be sent further down the order at like 5 or 6 where the ball will be soft.

I agree entirely with the comments on Yasir vs Zafar Gohar.

This is fast becoming similar to the Shafiq vs Fawad fiasco where the former was preferred over the latter for years, for no reason other than that the former "looked" better. In the same way, Yasir bowls all over the place but because he's a leggie, he looks like a wicketaker more than an off spin option. However this is flawed thinking - just look at Lyon and Ashwin, neither of whom are leggies!

I wouldn't replace Haris with Imran. I know Haris hasn't performed yet but he's hardly played and his ceiling is sky high. Imran's ceiling is not. As Shan has showed us, short term fluke performances cost the team in the long run - always back your most talented players and eventually they will come good.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Cracked bone in hand is different from fast bowlers groin or ankle injury - last week Wegnar bowled 10-12 overs at one go on fifth afternoon with two cracked nails, because while it’ll hurt you, injured bowler won’t loose his skills or thinking cap. For a batsman, one mistake of a fraction of second is enough and if he has a fear that he might get a thump on that finger .... he is dead.


Right thumb is the exposed finger for a right handed (otherwise he won’t have been hurt on that finger, right thumb & left wrist are the most exposed parts while batting for right-handers) - and these gloves won’t protect the cracked finger from the impact of a 5.5 oz hard ball travelling at 140k+

If batsman is not 100%, shouldn’t play from such injuries.

The right thumb has extra padding on the glove for a right hand batsman because the thumb is placed in front of the bat handle. Babar injured his thumb during a fielding drill, not whilst batting.

If Babar made himself available for the 2nd test it would easily boost the teams morale, the mood in the dressing room changes, it would’ve motivated the rest of the players to perform better.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I agree entirely with the comments on Yasir vs Zafar Gohar.

This is fast becoming similar to the Shafiq vs Fawad fiasco where the former was preferred over the latter for years, for no reason other than that the former "looked" better. In the same way, Yasir bowls all over the place but because he's a leggie, he looks like a wicketaker more than an off spin option. However this is flawed thinking - just look at Lyon and Ashwin, neither of whom are leggies!

I wouldn't replace Haris with Imran. I know Haris hasn't performed yet but he's hardly played and his ceiling is sky high. Imran's ceiling is not. As Shan has showed us, short term fluke performances cost the team in the long run - always back your most talented players and eventually they will come good.

Haris might not be dropped today, but his chances are running thin. This might be his last chance to prove himself, because when Mohammad Wasim comes, he won't have the same backing from the new selector.

 

[Usman]

Haris might not be dropped today, but his chances are running thin. This might be his last chance to prove himself, because when Mohammad Wasim comes, he won't have the same backing from the new selector.

Well he's in now and we are batting first on a tough surface. Let's see if he can do it!

 

[Suleiman]

Now that is a massive blow.

It means both Shan and Abid will play again and both are walking wickets.

On the plus side, it removes the risk of Haris being dropped as I truly believe he is the second best batsman in Pakistan. People have written him off in the same way Fawad was written off before the last game. I hope Haris goes onto prove all the doubters wrong.

This does really suck though. Barbar adds a huge amount to our team and without him, our chances are massively diminished. Oh well, let's hope the rest of the boys make up for it.

I agree about Haris 100%. I hope he shows how good he actually is because I still believe he has the qualities to be world class.

Was hoping Shan would be kicked out, with Azhar opening and Haris at 3.

But Shan wanted to ensure another anda for his egg farm.

 

[Usman]

I agree about Haris 100%. I hope he shows how good he actually is because I still believe he has the qualities to be world class.

Was hoping Shan would be kicked out, with Azhar opening and Haris at 3.

But Shan wanted to ensure another anda for his egg farm.

Absolutely, I really want Haris to perform here because it's clear that a lot of fans are calling for his head. If he doesn't perform, he's going to end up out of this side for a prolonged period - perhaps forever.

The comment about Shan is hilarious But so true!!

 

[shamaan]

It'll be very interesting to see how Babar comes back from this. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is the first major injury in his career so far right?

Never saw him miss a game or should I say.... never saw Pakistan resting him even against Zimbabwe. Looking forward to see how he regains his form and momentum. Think he's too good a player to not do that.

i think he broke/fractured his arm agsinst ben stokes