Babar Azam "I don't want to be a dummy captain"

[UzmanBeast]

These comparisons don’t make sense since none of these said players have played as many world cups as Malik. Nor are they near finished officially by age.



Let me ask you have any of the players you mentioned gotten as much chances as Malik in international cricket? Considering you’re doing a comparison with them might as well do it whole.



I mean Malik has what like one World Cup left? After that World Cup Twenty20 we are gonna be struggling with the same stuff you mentioned here. So why not take him out sooner if we are talking about the future?

Even if they got as many chances, they weren't as good as Malik in T20s. One just needs to look at Malik's T20 record to figure that out. You can look at their T20 records and see that they aren't finished products yet, much less products in a sense. Most are just leg-side hacks who have zero game awareness and perform once every blue moon. We also saw how poorly these players handled spin, an aspect where Malik is very good.

You are helping my point, if Malik is to retire after this world cup, and there are no suitable options in the middle order, make use of him whilst you can to have a better chance at winning the world cup. Once you find batsmen for the future, take him out.

I will return to my point, what happened to all the "future" middle order batsmen that we tried at international level? There is clearly a lack of these types of batsmen in our domestic system. If Danish Aziz is tried and he too fails, then what other options would you want us to go with?

I'm not a fan of Malik on the team, I'd back youngsters if there were any good ones. Seeing as there are no alternatives, Malik is perhaps the best option we have at this stage if Danish Aziz does not do well.

Perhaps if Malik can't make it, there is a very good chance for Sarfaraz to make that #5 slot his own. He plays spin well, can bat reasonably well, but he will need to be surrounded with a few batsmen who can hit a long way.

Realistically, the Pakistan Cricket Team has no middle order options and no hitters either. We will struggle greatly in this World Cup in chasing totals, but we should do well when setting totals.

 

[Shazzam]

Even if they got as many chances, they weren't as good as Malik in T20s. One just needs to look at Malik's T20 record to figure that out. You can look at their T20 records and see that they aren't finished products yet, much less products in a sense. Most are just leg-side hacks who have zero game awareness and perform once every blue moon. We also saw how poorly these players handled spin, an aspect where Malik is very good.

There sample size is low compared to Malik's. You can bring Malik's record up and you can say they are not finished articles. Fact is Malik has had a full career in International cricket where as these guys hardly got enough to develop one. So I'd rather bank on someone new over someone tried and tested.

You are helping my point, if Malik is to retire after this world cup, and there are no suitable options in the middle order, make use of him whilst you can to have a better chance at winning the world cup. Once you find batsmen for the future, take him out.

But who says he's the best middle order batsmen we got in Pakistan? Has he done anything to warrant a spot outside of playing spin well?

I will return to my point, what happened to all the "future" middle order batsmen that we tried at international level? There is clearly a lack of these types of batsmen in our domestic system. If Danish Aziz is tried and he too fails, then what other options would you want us to go with?

This is defiantly a area the Pakistan cricket team needs to look at. Maybe develop Faheem Ashraf into a middle order batsmen?

I'm not a fan of Malik on the team, I'd back youngsters if there were any good ones. Seeing as there are no alternatives, Malik is perhaps the best option we have at this stage if Danish Aziz does not do well.

Perhaps if Malik can't make it, there is a very good chance for Sarfaraz to make that #5 slot his own. He plays spin well, can bat reasonably well, but he will need to be surrounded with a few batsmen who can hit a long way.

Realistically, the Pakistan Cricket Team has no middle order options and no hitters either. We will struggle greatly in this World Cup in chasing totals, but we should do well when setting totals.

I like the idea of giving Sarfraz a go. He's been part of the dressing room for a while. Giving him a role in the middle order would probably benefit him the most.

As far as the World Cup is concerned my expectations are very low. With the quality of talent we have right now it would be achievement if we get past top 8. I also don't rate Babar as that good of a captain.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Babar is right, a player has too prove itself before it is thrown into the international cricket (example Abdullah Shafique, Mohd Musa, Imran Khan jr 2, Kushdil Shah etc). I hope Babar also insists on bringing Imad Wasim back. And getting rid of useless players like Iftikhar Ahmed and Asif ali.

Musa is too expensive and if he takes a wicket here or there it’s somewhat of a bonus.

Khushdil is one player I liked but honestly he’s a leg side hack. He done nothing in the NZ and SA series plus did nothing in PSL, so why select him?

Imran Khan Jr he’s a good test player so wouldn’t mind seeing him back.

Abdullah Shafique is more Odi and test as opposed to t20 for me, he’s been selected so that request has been filled.

Point is not everything can go Babar’s way in terms of selection. You’ve just gotta deal with the cards you’ve been dealt.

Besides this is a good chance for a young Pakistan side to surprise SA.

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

PCB made a big mess here giving the loi captaincy to dummy Babar ..
Imad deserved it Big time

 

[UzmanBeast]

There sample size is low compared to Malik's. You can bring Malik's record up and you can say they are not finished articles. Fact is Malik has had a full career in International cricket where as these guys hardly got enough to develop one. So I'd rather bank on someone new over someone tried and tested.



But who says he's the best middle order batsmen we got in Pakistan? Has he done anything to warrant a spot outside of playing spin well?



This is defiantly a area the Pakistan cricket team needs to look at. Maybe develop Faheem Ashraf into a middle order batsmen?



I like the idea of giving Sarfraz a go. He's been part of the dressing room for a while. Giving him a role in the middle order would probably benefit him the most.

As far as the World Cup is concerned my expectations are very low. With the quality of talent we have right now it would be achievement if we get past top 8. I also don't rate Babar as that good of a captain.

The only reason Malik's career was as prolonged as it has been is due to the lack of middle order batsmen. It comes as no surprise that we have nobody to hold the middle order together. Malik in the last few years hasn't been bad in T20 internationals, which is why he is probably someone who should be looked into if the middle order fails on this tour too SAF.

Sarfaraz should be given a go, but after Danish Aziz. I want to make sure that Danish Aziz is even worth carrying around with the team, so he should play the first two T20s against SAF to see what he can do. If he can't take those opportunities, drop him for Sarfaraz. It's harsh, but we do not have enough time. Contrary to what others think, Pakistan may have a lot of T20 games left but those games should be played with our finalized squad so that the team combination settles. After the SAF series, the experimentation should stop, as we'd have our squad for the World Cup ready.

Pakistan has a difficult group, but I think we can make the semi-finals ideally, and if we have momentum, we could progress to the finals and possibly win. I wouldn't rule us out yet.

 

[Sajeel]

Cheif Selector: Mohammed Waseem
CEO: Wasim Khan

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Anyone in a new job needs to be given reasonable amounts of time before being judged. This is like Wasim's second tour in charge. Your arguments remind me off so and so should not be appointed a coach, chief selector because he was an average cricketer. How did Inzi's tenure as CS turn out?

That's just one side of my argument. The other is that he is a hypocrite trying to play to the galleries. Go look up his YouTube channel and seek out the bit he did on Iftikhar in 2019 or 2020.

Inzamam clearly had a vendetta against Fawad but if you keep that aside Inzamam was probably one of the best selectors Pakistan has had in recent times. He brought in guys like Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Imam and gave them consistent chances to solidify themselves in the side. When he announced the CT squad people were predicting a first round exit and we went on to win the tournament.

Inzamam's tenure had many issues. Namely; the persistence with Umar Akmal and keeping Fawad out for no good reason. But atleast he understood that Pakistan needed a stable side to have any chance of competing and didn't chop and change every series. The squad he selected for the World Cup was also the best squad he could have selected.

 

[srh]

So spoke with a very reliable source of mine who has communicated the following to me:

Babar Azam is unhappy with the choice of 6 players who have been selected in the Zimbabwe/South Africa squads.

Babar is not happy that Shahnawaz Dhani has been called up to the Test squad based on some decent performances at PSL6. He feels that players performing in one format are being picked for other formats which makes no sense

Babar is not happy that players are being picked for the Test squad based on performances in the Pakistan Super League

Babar is in favour of some experimentation but not at this late stage when it comes to the T20 squad given that it's a T20 World Cup year

Babar was in favour of Yasir Shah's selection in the Test squad for Zimbabwe but was ignored by the selectors

Mohammad Wasim jr has been picked too soon according to Babar Azam and has been picked based on a couple of decent performances in the PSL, Babar feels that he has talent but is too raw and shouldn't have been picked at this stage of his career

Babar wants a mixture of youth and experience in the squads but lessons need to be learnt from the Naseem Shah selection

Babar wanted players to get a proper and consistent chance rather than getting called up, not being given a chance and then dropped without any reason. The examples being Aamer Yamin and Kamran Ghulam

Babar Azam was in favour of Haris Sohail being picked in the ODI squad, but once again this suggestion was ignored

Babar has communicated to the PCB that he doesn't want to be a dummy captain whose opinions are just ignored again and again. If he is to have the responsibility as captain then his suggestions and opinions regarding selection need to be considered

Babar Azam called Mohammad Wasim up many times after the recent squads were announced but Mohammad Wasim wasn't answering his calls

Eventually when Wasim answered Babar's call the skipper was told that the selection of the squads wasn't his concern

Babar confronted Mohammad Wasim and told him that it was his concern as he is the skipper and is held accountable if the team doesn't perform

Babar has taken the matter to Wasim Khan who is looking into the situation with a view to sorting out the differences

To be honest I do not know why he was made the captain in the first place. He is too soft with no personality. Should be removed from captaincy as soon as possible for his own good.

 

[Canistani Hero]

make Rizwan all-format captain

 

[Rana]

make Rizwan all-format captain

No thanks

I’d prefer a dummy captain instead of an Autopilot captain

 

[Markhor]

Really? So you're telling me he got selected for averaging 33 with the ball?

QeA Trophy finished before the South Africa series, why wasn't he selected against South Africa then?

You can bring Haris Rauf into this if you want. But doing so only strengthens my argument. Because he too was selected on the basis of T20 performances.

Neither Rauf nor Dahani have done anything substantial to earn a test call-up.

So we've established that you didn't know what you're talking about when you claimed Dhani had less FC experience than Naseem Shah when he debuted.

We've also established you didn't watch a single ball of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and you've clearly literally Googled to find his bowling average (33 is a decent average given it's his debut FC season and his stamina/strength is still a work in progress). Now I actually watched every game of the QEA Trophy, and he was only young fast bowler getting consistent bounce from a good length on those dead Karachi pitches and hits the pitch hard. That's where he made his mark, not PSL which simply gave him a national platform.

Thirdly, I think you know the difference between the strength of South Africa and Zimbabwe, and where a youngster would be better served making their debut (not that I'd debut Dhani yet, but no harm in him being around the group).

Lastly, I'm not sure sacking Mohammad Wasim after 2.5 months will make the chief selector position very attractive for future candidates - at least those who value job security and contracts.

Does that mean Mohammad Wasim has been flawless ? No, some decisions like Haris Rauf's inclusion totally deserves criticism. However, let's please discuss based on facts not emotional ranting and raving.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Musa is too expensive and if he takes a wicket here or there it’s somewhat of a bonus.

Khushdil is one player I liked but honestly he’s a leg side hack. He done nothing in the NZ and SA series plus did nothing in PSL, so why select him?

Imran Khan Jr he’s a good test player so wouldn’t mind seeing him back.

Abdullah Shafique is more Odi and test as opposed to t20 for me, he’s been selected so that request has been filled.

Point is not everything can go Babar’s way in terms of selection. You’ve just gotta deal with the cards you’ve been dealt.

Besides this is a good chance for a young Pakistan side to surprise SA.

I agree with you. I was actually giving examples of Mistakes made by selecting players that were not ready. I was not talking about Imran Khan jr the test bowler. There was another Imran Khan jr 2, which unsurprisingly no one even remembers any more. He was a T20 player and based on a single tournament he was thrust into Pakistan international side but He failed and disappeared after that.

This is not all Selectors fault, behind the scenes it is Misbah with his favorites who is dictating. Useless Players like Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed are being tried again and again. It was Misbah that gave Asad Shafiq 70 consecutive tests while denying a deserving Fawad Alam even a single test match.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

So we've established that you didn't know what you're talking about when you claimed Dhani had less FC experience than Naseem Shah when he debuted.

We've also established you didn't watch a single ball of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and you've clearly literally Googled to find his bowling average (33 is a decent average given it's his debut FC season and his stamina/strength is still a work in progress). Now I actually watched every game of the QEA Trophy, and he was only young fast bowler getting consistent bounce from a good length on those dead Karachi pitches and hits the pitch hard. That's where he made his mark, not PSL which simply gave him a national platform.

Thirdly, I think you know the difference between the strength of South Africa and Zimbabwe, and where a youngster would be better served making their debut (not that I'd debut Dhani yet, but no harm in him being around the group).

Lastly, I'm not sure sacking Mohammad Wasim after 2.5 months will make the chief selector position very attractive for future candidates - at least those who value job security and contracts.

Does that mean Mohammad Wasim has been flawless ? No, some decisions like Haris Rauf's inclusion totally deserves criticism. However, let's please discuss based on facts not emotional ranting and raving.

Mate, you can quip about the semantics all you want. The fact remains the same: a handful of FC matches should not get you selected for test cricket. And you are literally contradicting yourself when you say Dahani did well on the flat surfaces of Karachi. If he did so well why didn't he make the squad for a test match in Karachi? It's not like he was going to play anyway right? He could have made the squad.

And no, we did not establish that, you just assumed that. I did watch quite a fair bit of the QeA Trophy. Its just that I don't have the time to watch every single ball. But hey, I'm glad that you did.

You can go to bat for Wasim all you want but that won't compensate for the brainless selections that he has made. This guy doesn't understand that inorder to build a team you need stability and consistency in selection. Guys need to be given consistent chances and your star players deserve the most confidence because they form the nucleus of your team. Fakhar, Imad, Imam, Haris Sohail all proved at one time or another that they could hang on the international level and be successful; Nawaz, Khushdil, Asif Ali, Husain Talat never did.

He is unquestionably the worst selector Pakistan has had in recent memory. This is not an emotional rant but an assertion based on basic logic.

And I know why he is doing this. He is egotistical enough to think that people will remember him for the team that he is 'making'. Clearly, that can only happen if he drops guys that were brought in by Inzamam or Misbah.

Unfortunately this is what happens when you give incompetent and egotistical individuals (who never accomplished anything in their professional careers) too much power. People who went their entire careers thinking they had a point to prove to their critics but were never able to actually prove it because of their mediocrity.

 

[shamaan]

Babar or any captain should have the final say in the selection. Period.
Hopefully PCB realises this and give him full authority.

What is the point of a cheif selector then?

 

[shamaan]

Did you even bother to read what I said or did you just start typing after you read Haris Sohail?

That was a test series not a one day series. Haris never lost form in ODIs. And the fact that you don't even know the difference between Haris's test performances and his ODI performances shows you are on the same planet as Wasim who doesn't seem to know the difference between PSL performances and FC or List-A performances.

When was last time haris played a odi ?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I agree with you. I was actually giving examples of Mistakes made by selecting players that were not ready. I was not talking about Imran Khan jr the test bowler. There was another Imran Khan jr 2, which unsurprisingly no one even remembers any more. He was a T20 player and based on a single tournament he was thrust into Pakistan international side but He failed and disappeared after that.

This is not all Selectors fault, behind the scenes it is Misbah with his favorites who is dictating. Useless Players like Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed are being tried again and again. It was Misbah that gave Asad Shafiq 70 consecutive tests while denying a deserving Fawad Alam even a single test match.

Yep, i hate the hypocrisy cry about my players haven't been selected but not stand up for guys who deserve a chance based on merit. However, i understand that Wasim is probably making a few errors with selecting players who aren't ready prematurely. The PSL being postponed didn't make selection any easier. However, with the likes of Ifti, Talat and Khushdil going there should be no dispute as they failed not only in the series but in the PSL as well.

Speaking of one of Misbah's favorites in Asad Shafiq (nothing against Asad I wish him the best in life and hope he proves himself) the media have been claiming he's been robbed of selection. I spoke to someone who I will leave nameless and said how is this a robbery? 1 good season doesn't constitute a return or shouldn't in my book, how would Asad leap frog the middle order batsmen who are currently performing in Azhar, Fawad and Babar, do we not have reliance on the middle order guys picked? i.e. Saud, Agha and Kamran (i know he's not part of this squad but will be selected in the next i guarantee).

We need to be patient with players and although themselves the time to grow and start from the bottom (gotta start somewhere).

 

[shamaan]

Its okay for babar to speak about his inclusions but he shouldnt have gone to the media/public he also shouldnt have thrown the youngers players under the buss.wasim has come up with a decent squad baring 1/2 selections

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Its okay for babar to speak about his inclusions but he shouldnt have gone to the media/public he also shouldnt have thrown the youngers players under the buss.wasim has come up with a decent squad baring 1/2 selections

Yep, exactly why moan about 2% of the selection?

 

[shamaan]

Really? So you're telling me he got selected for averaging 33 with the ball?

QeA Trophy finished before the South Africa series, why wasn't he selected against South Africa then?

You can bring Haris Rauf into this if you want. But doing so only strengthens my argument. Because he too was selected on the basis of T20 performances.

Neither Rauf nor Dahani have done anything substantial to earn a test call-up.

He wasnt selected becouse it was south africa wasim clearly stated that due to it being zimbabwe they have included him and he also stated if it was south africa he may not have been selected.he handled the preesure quite well in psl along with his good performance in qaid e azam.

 

[Markhor]

Mate, you can quip about the semantics all you want. The fact remains the same: a handful of FC matches should not get you selected for test cricket.

There's no semantics, you claimed Dhani has less FC experience than Naseem Shah when he debuted which a simple Google search shows that's clearly untrue.

And you are literally contradicting yourself when you say Dahani did well on the flat surfaces of Karachi. If he did so well why didn't he make the squad for a test match in Karachi? It's not like he was going to play anyway right? He could have made the squad.

Wasn't the Pakistan Cup scheduled at the same time ? He probably wasn't included to get more domestic gametime for Sindh which you and I both agree he, and every youngster, needs.

Now there's literally no domestic cricket until June so it's better he trains with the first-team in Zimbabwe instead of sitting on his backside in Larkana.

And no, we did not establish that, you just assumed that. I did watch quite a fair bit of the QeA Trophy. Its just that I don't have the time to watch every single ball. But hey, I'm glad that you did.

Well if you watched a fair bit, you'd see why Dhani is on the selectors radar.

You can go to bat for Wasim all you want but that won't compensate for the brainless selections that he has made. This guy doesn't understand that inorder to build a team you need stability and consistency in selection. Guys need to be given consistent chances and your star players deserve the most confidence because they form the nucleus of your team. Fakhar, Imad, Imam, Haris Sohail all proved at one time or another that they could hang on the international level and be successful; Nawaz, Khushdil, Asif Ali, Husain Talat never did.

What consistency has Fakhar proven in T20Is in last two years, or Imam demonstrated in Tests ? I've already analysed the all-rounder situation in the Imad Wasim thread so won't relitigate that here.

He is unquestionably the worst selector Pakistan has had in recent memory. This is not an emotional rant but an assertion based on basic logic.

Those who sat through the various tenures of Iqbal Qasim and Haroon Rashid may disagree. But okay if you say so, after the grand total of 2.5 months.

Unfortunately this is what happens when you give incompetent and egotistical individuals (who never accomplished anything in their professional careers) too much power. People who went their entire careers thinking they had a point to prove to their critics but were never able to actually prove it because of their mediocrity.

Okay let's sack him then. I'm sure people will be running to the PCB for other roles - what should their contract length be ? Hopefully more than 2.5 months.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

There's no semantics, you claimed Dhani has less FC experience than Naseem Shah when he debuted which a simple Google search shows that's clearly untrue.


Wasn't the Pakistan Cup scheduled at the same time ? He probably wasn't included to get more domestic gametime for Sindh which you and I both agree he, and every youngster, needs.

Now there's literally no domestic cricket until June so it's better he trains with the first-team in Zimbabwe instead of sitting on his backside in Larkana.

Well if you watched a fair bit, you'd see why Dhani is on the selectors radar.


What consistency has Fakhar proven in T20Is in last two years, or Imam demonstrated in Tests ? I've already analysed the all-rounder situation in the Imad Wasim thread so won't relitigate that here.



Those who sat through the various tenures of Iqbal Qasim and Haroon Rashid may disagree. But okay if you say so, after the grand total of 2.5 months.


Okay let's sack him then. I'm sure people will be running to the PCB for other roles - what should their contract length be ? Hopefully more than 2.5 months.

I admit I was wrong. But at least I am not arrogant enough to suggest that Dahani wasn't selected on the basis of PSL when that is quite obviously the case.

Pakistan Cup? HAHAHAH. Now I know you are trolling. As if playing in the Pakistan Cup is more important than playing for Pakistan when someone is as seemingly ready as Dahani is.

You're so wrapped up in your own arrogance that you've failed to recognize a simple point. Neither Naseem Shah nor Dahani are ready for test cricket by which I mean they shouldn't even be in the squad. This is not to say they both aren't talented.

Iqbal Qasim and Haroon Rashid get a lot of flak rightfully but it has to be said that barring Fawad Alam who was treated the same by nearly every selector they did not have alot of players to choose from. The talent pool was very thin. I know people here loved to talk about Sadaf Hussain once upon a time but he was never good enough for international cricket.

I honestly hope to god he is sacked. The question is when? Because every series is causing more and more damage to our side. And LOL at the precedent argument from your end. As if every two bit ex-cricketer in the country wouldn't be jumping to take the chief-selector job.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Wow you really are a child aren't you? I admit I was wrong. But atleast I am not arrogant enough to suggest that Dahani wasn't selected on the basis of PSL when that is quite obviously the case.

Pakistan Cup? HAHAHAH. Now I know you are trolling. As if playing in the Pakistan Cup is more important than playing for Pakistan when someone is as seemingly ready as Dahani is.

You're so wrapped up in your own arrogance that you've failed to recognize a simple point. Neither Naseem Shah nor Dahani are ready for test cricket by which I mean they shouldn't even be in the squad. This is not to say they both aren't talented.

Iqbal Qasim and Haroon Rashid get a lot of flak rightfully but it has to be said that barring Fawad Alam who was treated the same by nearly every selector they did not have alot of players to choose from. The talent pool was very thin. I know people here loved to talk about Sadaf Hussain once upon a time but he was never good enough for international cricket.

I honestly hope to god he is sacked. The question is when? Because every series is causing more and more damage to our side. And LOL at the precedent argument from your end. As if every two bit ex-cricketer in the country wouldn't be jumping to take the chief-selector job.

Wasim has been in charge for literally one series till now, can you kindly clarify the “every series is causing more and more damage to our side” claim?

I agree with you if you are talking about Misbah though.

 

[Markhor]

I admit I was wrong. But at least I am not arrogant enough to suggest that Dahani wasn't selected on the basis of PSL when that is quite obviously the case.

Pakistan Cup? HAHAHAH. Now I know you are trolling. As if playing in the Pakistan Cup is more important than playing for Pakistan when someone is as seemingly ready as Dahani is.

You're so wrapped up in your own arrogance that you've failed to recognize a simple point. Neither Naseem Shah nor Dahani are ready for test cricket by which I mean they shouldn't even be in the squad. This is not to say they both aren't talented.

Iqbal Qasim and Haroon Rashid get a lot of flak rightfully but it has to be said that barring Fawad Alam who was treated the same by nearly every selector they did not have alot of players to choose from. The talent pool was very thin. I know people here loved to talk about Sadaf Hussain once upon a time but he was never good enough for international cricket.

I honestly hope to god he is sacked. The question is when? Because every series is causing more and more damage to our side. And LOL at the precedent argument from your end. As if every two bit ex-cricketer in the country wouldn't be jumping to take the chief-selector job.

2.5 months is not enough time to judge anyone's work. I don't need to explain how laughable it is to call for someone's head after one series. I didn't support Misbah's appointment but he deserved like anyone else a proper chance to show his worth as a coach.

Now I am not declaring Mohammed Wasim a success or failure. What we must see are the results on the field, how the younger players are developed, and whether a stable core is identified ahead of two T20 World Cups. If he's chopping and changing close to the WC, absolutely he'll deserve criticism. There's some calls I've already questioned. But the sample of work is so small that this level of hatred is irrational.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

2.5 months is not enough time to judge anyone's work. I don't need to explain how laughable it is to call for someone's head after one series. I didn't support Misbah's appointment but he deserved like anyone else a proper chance to show his worth as a coach.

Now I am not declaring Mohammed Wasim a success or failure. What we must see are the results on the field, how the younger players are developed, and whether a stable core is identified ahead of two T20 World Cups. If he's chopping and changing close to the WC, absolutely he'll deserve criticism. There's some calls I've already questioned. But the sample of work is so small that this level of hatred is irrational.

If you are winning who cares?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Wasim has been in charge for literally one series till now, can you kindly clarify the “every series is causing more and more damage to our side” claim?

I agree with you if you are talking about Misbah though.

He has selected 5 different squads since he has come in. What is there to explain?

 

[Usman Chadda]

He has selected 5 different squads since he has come in. What is there to explain?

Whats with the more and more damage part? Didn’t we win two series since he has been named selector?

Pakistan fans want Wasim out after just 2.5 months, while Misbah gets a free ride for 1.5 years.

 

[Bewal Express]

Apparently Babar wanted Masood in the team. How many chances is enough for a guy who averages 30 after 7 years. I am worried about Babars poor selection ideas.

 

[Varun]

Apparently Babar wanted Masood in the team. How many chances is enough for a guy who averages 30 after 7 years. I am worried about Babars poor selection ideas.

Seems to be giving Kohli a run for his money.

Either that, or Misbah is controlling him like a puppet master.

 

[Markhor]

If you are winning who cares?

The problem is Pakistan fans like the one I conversed with have become a parody of themselves. If their favourites aren't selected, or if they don't get instant results they are so quick to demand firings. And PCB often give in, hence why they have such a poor reputation as an employer and struggle to attract top candidates for roles.

The next guy comes in and the same cycle repeats, so nobody ever can build something long-term. Obviously we should hold the selectors accountable, but we need a decent sample first.

The funniest thing from these unhinged rantings is attacking Mohammad Wasim's Test average like that's relevant to a selector's role. I wonder if ECB asked to see Ed Smith's Test average ?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Whats with the more and more damage part? Didn’t we win two series since he has been named selector?

Pakistan fans want Wasim out after just 2.5 months, while Misbah gets a free ride for 1.5 years.

He is doing long-term damage to the side by keeping out guys in the prime of their cricketing careers infavor of mediocre mental midgets who are not ready for international cricket in any way.

I didn't have as many problems with the test squad because you could still selecting a good playing eleven out of it. But let's be clear: the only reason we won the T20 series was because South Africa was playing a highly depleted side.

 

[Last Monetarist]

The problem is Pakistan fans like the one I conversed with have become a parody of themselves. If their favourites aren't selected, or if they don't get instant results they are so quick to demand firings. And PCB often give in, hence why they have such a poor reputation as an employer and struggle to attract top candidates for roles.

The next guy comes in and the same cycle repeats, so nobody ever can build something long-term. Obviously we should hold the selectors accountable, but we need a decent sample first.

The funniest thing from these unhinged rantings is attacking Mohammad Wasim's Test average like that's relevant to a selector's role. I wonder if ECB asked to see Ed Smith's Test average ?

For me, apart from the obvious pitfalls in selecting a competent opening pair for tests, I don't have any serious concerns with the actual squad selection(s) by Mohammad Wasim.

However, the communication issues and grandstanding doesn't sit well with me at all. There are blatant double standards in selection criteria which don't really bode well for the future. That's not to say that communication hasn't been a problem with PCB selectors and the team management in the past, but I did hope that Mohammad Wasim would bring a change in this respect.

At the end of the day, the probability of conflict is only going to increase because of the disparity in outlook and selection philosophy between Misbah/Waqar/Babar and Mohammad Wasim. This is a fairly predictable divergence and one that Wasim Khan and Ehsan Mani should be accountable for ultimately.

 

[Markhor]

For me, apart from the obvious pitfalls in selecting a competent opening pair for tests, I don't have any serious concerns with the actual squad selection(s) by Mohammad Wasim.

However, the communication issues and grandstanding doesn't sit well with me at all. There are blatant double standards in selection criteria which don't really bode well for the future. That's not to say that communication hasn't been a problem with PCB selectors and the team management in the past, but I did hope that Mohammad Wasim would bring a change in this respect.

At the end of the day, the probability of conflict is only going to increase because of the disparity in outlook and selection philosophy between Misbah/Waqar/Babar and Mohammad Wasim. This is a fairly predictable divergence and one that Wasim Khan and Ehsan Mani should be accountable for ultimately.

That I totally agree with. Communication is a must in any organisation where you're working as part of a team.

These are grown men, I'm sure they can sensibly patch their differences behind the scenes if they put their egos aside.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

The problem is Pakistan fans like the one I conversed with have become a parody of themselves. If their favourites aren't selected, or if they don't get instant results they are so quick to demand firings. And PCB often give in, hence why they have such a poor reputation as an employer and struggle to attract top candidates for roles.

The next guy comes in and the same cycle repeats, so nobody ever can build something long-term. Obviously we should hold the selectors accountable, but we need a decent sample first.

The funniest thing from these unhinged rantings is attacking Mohammad Wasim's Test average like that's relevant to a selector's role. I wonder if ECB asked to see Ed Smith's Test average ?

I mean don't get me wrong bhai, I don't necessarily agree all the time with Muhammad Wasim on his selections but i feel +90% of his choices you can hardly disagree with. The job of the chief selector is to pick the best players based on recent performances/long term consistent performances with considering the choices of the captain/head coach (not to be confused with agreeing, they captain/head coach is there to only consider). I mean for me M. Wasim is the first selector i actually get engaged with watching and always look forward to whenever his press conference comes out his past stats are irrelevant and i feel he's fulfilling his role well as chief selector (well as a majority).


You are totally 100% right that we slate people constantly just for the sake of slating them. We bash players who fail now and again, and some are so bitter and hateful (who i think you know already on PP who they are and i don't need to point them out) that they wish for failure even if it's a one off and they usually can't wait to bash them. Give players chances, do dua that they do well and allow them to settle into their roles and help them to understand the importance of their roles as well (coach's job).

Nobody is calling Babar a "dummy" captain but it's a pretty "dummy" move to go out public and cry about your choices not being picked, at the end of the day Babar is the lawyer and Wasim is the judge who makes the final call (that's the way i see it).

To repeat as well since Wasim has been selector:

Tests
Pak vs NZ, Pak lost 2-0
Pak vs SA, Pak won 2-0

T20s
Pak vs NZ, Pak lost 2-1
Pak vs SA, Pak won 2-1

 

[naseem]

I think he is actually sounding like a dummy a spokesperson of Misbah...... We need to break this big brother youngerbrother type combo....otherwise disasters are lying ahead........T20WC will be our worst performance ....

 

[naseem]

I mean don't get me wrong bhai, I don't necessarily agree all the time with Muhammad Wasim on his selections but i feel +90% of his choices you can hardly disagree with. The job of the chief selector is to pick the best players based on recent performances/long term consistent performances with considering the choices of the captain/head coach (not to be confused with agreeing, they captain/head coach is there to only consider). I mean for me M. Wasim is the first selector i actually get engaged with watching and always look forward to whenever his press conference comes out his past stats are irrelevant and i feel he's fulfilling his role well as chief selector (well as a majority).


You are totally 100% right that we slate people constantly just for the sake of slating them. We bash players who fail now and again, and some are so bitter and hateful (who i think you know already on PP who they are and i don't need to point them out) that they wish for failure even if it's a one off and they usually can't wait to bash them. Give players chances, do dua that they do well and allow them to settle into their roles and help them to understand the importance of their roles as well (coach's job).

Nobody is calling Babar a "dummy" captain but it's a pretty "dummy" move to go out public and cry about your choices not being picked, at the end of the day Babar is the lawyer and Wasim is the judge who makes the final call (that's the way i see it).

To repeat as well since Wasim has been selector:

Tests
Pak vs NZ, Pak lost 2-0
Pak vs SA, Pak won 2-0

T20s
Pak vs NZ, Pak lost 2-1
Pak vs SA, Pak won 2-1

Bhai......he is a selector and Talat Khushdil were rightly dropped.........what is the coach doing.....a selector can't coach the team too......this coach captain combo needs to be broken for good.......most of his selection S are good........baring the kamran ghulam Haris Sohail one.....

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Instead of showing power hungry behaviour he should be concentrating on his game and on field captaincy.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

It's another thing if Misbah is using him as a puppet. But from his dim witted reply to zainab it's more of a case of power and ego.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Bhai......he is a selector and Talat Khushdil were rightly dropped.........what is the coach doing.....a selector can't coach the team too......this coach captain combo needs to be broken for good.......most of his selection S are good........baring the kamran ghulam Haris Sohail one.....

Yep, Talat and Khushdil were guys i was hoping would do well especially Talat who had a Tamim Iqbal flair to him but alas he failed and Khushdil failed.

Yep, exactly a couple of guys not selected in Kamran and Haris.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

It's really stupid to rant in public and calling Wasim Khan to give him more power.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

There was no nothing wrong in demanding power if he has the intelligence and charisma of Imran khan but he is just a dim witted guy wants power , he better concentrate on his game and on field captaincy , power will come automatically when gets mature

 

[Muhammad Saad]

I am not against him and I wish him best of luck in future and I really hope that in future he gets more mature and indeed become like Imran Khan because it will only be in the betterment of our cricket , but right now he sounds like an immature child asking for candy

 

[Darkrai]

I am not against him and I wish him best of luck in future and I really hope that in future he gets more mature and indeed become like Imran Khan because it will only be in the betterment of our cricket , but right now he sounds like an immature child asking for candy

He is the captain. Wasim should attend his calls and at least select 1 player from the 6 or so he wanted. You can't disrespect the captain like that.

I don't know the entire story but Babar is right to be upset here. Pakistan barely beat Zimbabwe and Wasim drops our best or second-best ODI player. We only have 3 or 4 performers in our ODI team and if you're going to take out one of them to accommodate new players when you already have new, young players in the team who haven't even settled in yet then any captain would be upset.

However, the squad has already been selected. Babar needs to support them to ensure they have the best chance to win. After this tour Babar, Wasim Khan, and Mohammad Wasim can have a long discussion on how to fix these issues.

 

[MenInG]

Shoaib Akhtar speaking about Babar:

“We are hearing that Babar Azam has complained to the PCB that his suggestions have been ignored regarding squad selection"

"If Babar Azam is so hurt, then he should resign right now and send a message that this can’t happen again or he will simply become Sarfaraz Ahmed part two if he doesn’t follow his words with action"

 

[the Great Khan]

I would sack him for this insolence. He is already coming across as a shoada. Raat u Raat paisa wala.

My message to babar sahib:"This is your team, shut your mouth and get the ebst out of them. oh and learn to play left arm spin so you can continue to make big runs. Make yourself unexpendable as a captain and then open your mouth."

 

[Titan24]

It's really stupid to rant in public and calling Wasim Khan to give him more power.

But, did he really rant in public? Yes should have raised issues in more closed circle however, the news got out due to sources inside PCB and around Pak cricket team if I am not wrong. Babar is yet to give any official public word on it and just raised the issue to people in PCB.

 

[imranyounus]

really don't know what is he thing. Pakistan is at a stage where there aren't many established players. Particularly in Test Dhani selection is probably most reasonable in Test. looking at our test fast bowling strengths what do you have other than shaheen and Hassan so probably he is best available backup.

In case of T 20 you don't have much option either too many tried and tested failures.

And looking at the available squad with openers fakhar and sharjil followed by Himself hafeez Rizwan and haider is possible the best combination available. And as far as waseem Jr. there's no harm in trying a all-around in SA so why not. its always been like that in Pakistan try a new player and see if he is worth it.

 

[cricketjoshila]

There is a reason why there exists a separate selection committee. The captain or coach can give opinion, but the final squad selection should be by the selectors. Else why remove Misbah as selector if he is going to make the moves via proxy here too.


If youngsters are not given a chance versus Zimbabwe, when will they play?

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Former Test cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq urged Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to look into the team’s selection as he thinks chief selector Mohammad Wasim is not the right man for the job.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former chief selector questioned Wasim’s role in the team’s selection for South Africa and Zimbabwe tours. “I can’t understand how this team was picked. I mean when your captain is not happy, your coach has shown concerns, how you can say to them that it was not their concern?” Inzamam asked.

“Wasim has played lesser than both Misbah and Babar. How can he challenge their concerns regarding the squad. The board must look into this matter,” he said.

Inzamam claimed that PCB brought Wasim as a chief selector on the recommendations of some people without naming them. “Wasim became chief selector on the wish of some people who wanted to enforce their desires in team’s selection,” he said.

“Don’t play with Pakistan’s cricket. Don’t make people happy and work for the betterment of cricket by making the right decisions,” he concluded.

ARY

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Except Haris for ODIs and Ghulam for tests being dropped rest I see are good selections

Babar like a child simply cries to get his senior players to help him with captaincy otherwise he looks doomed in on-field captaincy.

 

[Usman Chadda]

He is doing long-term damage to the side by keeping out guys in the prime of their cricketing careers infavor of mediocre mental midgets who are not ready for international cricket in any way.

I didn't have as many problems with the test squad because you could still selecting a good playing eleven out of it. But let's be clear: the only reason we won the T20 series was because South Africa was playing a highly depleted side.

Who is he keeping out of the T20 squad? Shoaib Malik? He has no place in the T20 side anymore.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

KARACHI: Former Test cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq urged Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to look into the team’s selection as he thinks chief selector Mohammad Wasim is not the right man for the job.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former chief selector questioned Wasim’s role in the team’s selection for South Africa and Zimbabwe tours. “I can’t understand how this team was picked. I mean when your captain is not happy, your coach has shown concerns, how you can say to them that it was not their concern?” Inzamam asked.

“Wasim has played lesser than both Misbah and Babar. How can he challenge their concerns regarding the squad. The board must look into this matter,” he said.

Inzamam claimed that PCB brought Wasim as a chief selector on the recommendations of some people without naming them. “Wasim became chief selector on the wish of some people who wanted to enforce their desires in team’s selection,” he said.

“Don’t play with Pakistan’s cricket. Don’t make people happy and work for the betterment of cricket by making the right decisions,” he concluded.

ARY

Can’t argue with the results thus far. Hopefully the SA tour answers a lot of questions.

 

[fasihulhaq94]

I would sack him for this insolence. He is already coming across as a shoada. Raat u Raat paisa wala.

My message to babar sahib:"This is your team, shut your mouth and get the ebst out of them. oh and learn to play left arm spin so you can continue to make big runs. Make yourself unexpendable as a captain and then open your mouth."

I am sure babar will take your chilling message to heart

 

[Shafi]

Inzi is trying to stir trouble. I wish Babar was matured enough not to listen Misbah and Inzi. That's why in subcontinent very rare young players can cope with captaincy issues. PCB should make Rizwan captain in ODI and Test and Sadab (more matured than Babar for sure) in T20. Also Babar should try to improve his batting skill against spinners instead of getting big head by some hyped up fans with few good performances.

 

[the Great Khan]

KARACHI: Former Test cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq urged Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to look into the team’s selection as he thinks chief selector Mohammad Wasim is not the right man for the job.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former chief selector questioned Wasim’s role in the team’s selection for South Africa and Zimbabwe tours. “I can’t understand how this team was picked. I mean when your captain is not happy, your coach has shown concerns, how you can say to them that it was not their concern?” Inzamam asked.

“Wasim has played lesser than both Misbah and Babar. How can he challenge their concerns regarding the squad. The board must look into this matter,” he said.

Inzamam claimed that PCB brought Wasim as a chief selector on the recommendations of some people without naming them. “Wasim became chief selector on the wish of some people who wanted to enforce their desires in team’s selection,” he said.

“Don’t play with Pakistan’s cricket. Don’t make people happy and work for the betterment of cricket by making the right decisions,” he concluded.

ARY

Love Inzi bhai but he is wrong. Totally. Wasim is not like Wasim bari or that Iqbal Qasim who were volunteers and just listened to what the cuptaan wanted and what the coaching staff wanted. Ordinarily it was TTF's. None of these so called selectors went to matches. We know this, PP is replete with threads on this subject.

The selection committee includes the zix coaches of our domestic setup and wasim. He isnt making decisions on his own. They are looking at stats too and strategy.

Babar is lucky he is a good batsman but clearly he has a long way to go to be a proper leader. He needs to buckle down and create a fighting unit that plays for that shirt no matter what. Crying like a child isnt going to help our team. Take the team you are given and mold them into a hard to beat, hard nosed, aggressive unit..stop moaning..

Inzi bhai needs to be reminded that this isnt 2006..

 

[Bewal Express]

There is a reason why there exists a separate selection committee. The captain or coach can give opinion, but the final squad selection should be by the selectors. Else why remove Misbah as selector if he is going to make the moves via proxy here too.


If youngsters are not given a chance versus Zimbabwe, when will they play?

Players are scared of losing their place and so they should be. They are worried about the competition and one way to avoid competition is to play against rubbish teams, put stats on the board and get a free ride for a year, we have had the same mediocrities picked for too long. We are not winning the T20 WC with any team we pick atm because we lack both power and depth in the batting and the bowlers havent and dont take enough wickets upfront. MW has made a good start, some selections are wrong- Abid Ali but some of the losers Babar wants are just rubbish,

 

[UzmanBeast]

I would sack him for this insolence. He is already coming across as a shoada. Raat u Raat paisa wala.

My message to babar sahib:"This is your team, shut your mouth and get the ebst out of them. oh and learn to play left arm spin so you can continue to make big runs. Make yourself unexpendable as a captain and then open your mouth."

Lol, I don't know if you're being sarcastic, but if Babar resigns, this team would fall apart. He is the best batsman we have produced in recent times. Babar not being able to play LA spin plays better than our so-called "batsmen", who are glorified tail-enders. Whereas Babar may be seen to have one weakness, it is far superior to every other batsman on our team who are both mentally and technically weak.

People need to stop getting emotional about selections. He's the captain, his word matters.

 

[Varun]

Lol, I don't know if you're being sarcastic, but if Babar resigns, this team would fall apart. He is the best batsman we have produced in recent times. Babar not being able to play LA spin plays better than our so-called "batsmen", who are glorified tail-enders. Whereas Babar may be seen to have one weakness, it is far superior to every other batsman on our team who are both mentally and technically weak.

People need to stop getting emotional about selections. He's the captain, his word matters.

His batting abilities won't go away if he's removed as captain. He's barely been in the role anyway.

We should do the same with Kohli. Disastrous selection and knockout failures have flourished under his tenure, it's time to roll the dice.

 

[Titan24]

Was just watching interview of Mohammad Wasim with one of the famous journalists on his YouTube channel and he said that media can give rise to rumours but every player was discussed with Coach and Captain and that they had regular interaction for 3 days when all were in Lahore regarding the squad while discussions were carried out even outside of that.

 

[Titan24]

Further following up on previous post Mohammad Wasim also said that he was surprised when he read about “11” players that supposedly Babar wanted as which 11 players have suddenly appeared in Pakistan. He said that majority of the players were as per what captain/team management wanted and luckily we in selection committee also had those players in mind and for any player which any party was apprehensive about was debated. As per Wasim things have been blown out of proportion by media, creating some sort of scandal which isnt true and that he sometimes even laugh at such rumours. So as per Wasim Captain and coach were involved in thorough discussions.

Interesting.

 

[UzmanBeast]

His batting abilities won't go away if he's removed as captain. He's barely been in the role anyway.

We should do the same with Kohli. Disastrous selection and knockout failures have flourished under his tenure, it's time to roll the dice.

There aren't any other good leaders in the Pakistan team. Everyone else will be a liability. If Shadab is made captain, his spot isn't guaranteed, so he'd end up being a liability. Babar is the ideal choice because his spot is unchallenged.

Kohli in tests and ODI is India's best choice. T20s could be given to Rohit, but India have largely remained successful in the format, so there's no reason to change. A few of Kohli's selections did work (Sundar, Siraj), but some failed (Dube, etc.). Chahal being persisted with is quite confusing because off late he's been poor with the ball. I personally don't see a reason to take captaincy from Kohli, unless India doesn't perform well in the WT20. That's the only reason they'd have to consider someone else.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Who is he keeping out of the T20 squad? Shoaib Malik? He has no place in the T20 side anymore.

Not having Shoaib Malik in your squad for a T20 WC in India, of all places would be an incredibly stupid move. That's all that needs to be said. Any thinking cricket fan would agree.

Leaving him out of the squad for a T20 series is one thing. And that's fine if they plan on bringing him back for the WC. But if Mohammad Wasim actually leaves him out of the WC squad that would be remarkably foolish. Though I have to say he's definitely capable of going through with it.

 

[Saj]

Was just watching interview of Mohammad Wasim with one of the famous journalists on his YouTube channel and he said that media can give rise to rumours but every player was discussed with Coach and Captain and that they had regular interaction for 3 days when all were in Lahore regarding the squad while discussions were carried out even outside of that.

In all honesty, he's not going to say any different is he.

Also if Babar is asked now, I'm sure he will be told to say everything is fine and play it down.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Not having Shoaib Malik in your squad for a T20 WC in India, of all places would be an incredibly stupid move. That's all that needs to be said. Any thinking cricket fan would agree.

Leaving him out of the squad for a T20 series is one thing. And that's fine if they plan on bringing him back for the WC. But if Mohammad Wasim actually leaves him out of the WC squad that would be remarkably foolish. Though I have to say he's definitely capable of going through with it.

Where would you play Malik in your playing XI?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Who is he keeping out of the T20 squad? Shoaib Malik? He has no place in the T20 side anymore.

I wish Malik the best but that SR is too low for modern cricket.

 

[Titan24]

In all honesty, he's not going to say any different is he.

Also if Babar is asked now, I'm sure he will be told to say everything is fine and play it down.

Fair point. He looked pretty comfortable and confident handling the question which maybe was due to his past experience in media himself. Will have to see how it unfolds and hopefully all the parties involved can sort any issues out so that it doesnt impact the team's performance.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Where would you play Malik in your playing XI?

5 or 6

 

[Shoaibbtt]

5 or 6

If you are gonna best utilize Malik in my view then it would have to be top of the order, his SR in T20 WC is too low to play at that position (SR 116) so he's best suited up the order but right now the top order slots are more or less occupied.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

If you are gonna best utilize Malik in my view then it would have to be top of the order, his SR in T20 WC is too low to play at that position (SR 116) so he's best suited up the order but right now the top order slots are more or less occupied.

His SR at the T20 WC is a pretty a strange criteria to judge his effectiveness. I think in many ways it is an irrelevant criteria. He last played a T20 WC in 2016. That was 5 years ago. And the T20 WCs he played before those were back in 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2014. That even longer back and during those last two tournaments he was in the worst form of his career and quite simply, a bad player.

His career resurgence happened in that mid to post 2016 period. You should instead be looking at his SR between 2017 and 2020. The time during which he has batted at the number 5-6 position regularly.

 

[Saj]

Fair point. He looked pretty comfortable and confident handling the question which maybe was due to his past experience in media himself. Will have to see how it unfolds and hopefully all the parties involved can sort any issues out so that it doesnt impact the team's performance.

Babar is doing a press conference tomorrow. I'm sure he will say the same as Mohammad Wasim now if he is asked about it.

 

[Abdullah719]

Was just watching interview of Mohammad Wasim with one of the famous journalists on his YouTube channel and he said that media can give rise to rumours but every player was discussed with Coach and Captain and that they had regular interaction for 3 days when all were in Lahore regarding the squad while discussions were carried out even outside of that.

He did hint that everyone wasn’t in agreement regarding all the selections but clearly said that the media has exaggerated the differentiating factors.

The main thing I understood from that interview was that the selection committee was keen on trying a few options for these series before deciding on a final player pool for the T20 World Cup going forward. If Misbah and Babar have a problem with that, that’s a very regressive thought process.

 

[Titan24]

If Misbah and Babar have a problem with that, that’s a very regressive thought process.

Agreed, and if it would have been the last T20 series before the World T20 than it would have made sense to maybe not try too much now but there are still some series to go before the tournament and trying to find players to fill in the missing links is a sensible approach in my opinion. Wasim also said that they will finalize a pool of players after this series.

 

[Greenstorm]

Handing over captaincy to Babar was a big mistake made by PCB. He lacks certain personality traits to lead a team and will forever need 'seniors' by his side. Its telling that he is insisting on bringing in Malik and Wahab against Zimbabwe !

There is still time, PCB should look for someone else and relieve Babar from this burden which will inevitably effect his batting, if it hasn't already.

 

[Saj]

When you have a coach, captain and chief selector picking a squad there will always be differences. In fact I would be shocked if squads are picked with total harmony. But when a skipper is saying he was against 6 players or even more according to some reports, then that is a concern.

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

When you have a coach, captain and chief selector picking a squad there will always be differences. In fact I would be shocked if squads are picked with total harmony. But when a skipper is saying he was against 6 players or even more according to some reports, then that is a concern.

Well then this tour comes in a good time for babar to get away from all local toxic & vulture journalist looking for him.
Better to be quarantine and enjoy the tour in Africa then being hounted by these vultures

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

According to media reports Babar Azam wanted Malik, Haris Sohail, Wahab and Imad.

Except for Imad all the others are 50/50 selections. Do we really want the captain to have his say and get these TTF's?

People who wanted Misbah out of the selection panel now support the inclusion of the TTF's (except Imad ofc.)?

 

[arunpsm]

AFAIK Saj himself confirmed that Babar was non-committal on Imad during the interview. Imad can still be a very valuable player for Pak if he swallowed his pride, left his egos behind, got into the team and focussed on his game alone. Sad that Pak is missing a really talented AR, because of perceived power struggles.

 

[NoBallZombie]

According to media reports Babar Azam wanted Malik, Haris Sohail, Wahab and Imad.

Except for Imad all the others are 50/50 selections. Do we really want the captain to have his say and get these TTF's?

People who wanted Misbah out of the selection panel now support the inclusion of the TTF's (except Imad ofc.)?

This is the problem. Babar in his short stint as captain so far, looks like he feels comfortable having senior people around him which means he is not mentally as strong as we would expect him to be. Ideally a leader should be confident enough to build his team from scratch and take a "strategy-first" approach. What is Babar's vision for his ideal team? I would think his vision is a "safety-first" approach , which sounds awfully like that of Misbah's.

 

[NoBallZombie]

AFAIK Saj himself confirmed that Babar was non-committal on Imad during the interview. Imad can still be a very valuable player for Pak if he swallowed his pride, left his egos behind, got into the team and focussed on his game alone. Sad that Pak is missing a really talented AR, because of perceived power struggles.

Out of all the people Babar wanted in the team, Imad probably should probably be the top candidate. Malik, even though good against spin, is a spent force. Haris Sohail is the same, I cant see someone batting well with a dodgy knee and he is definitely going to get some ghosts come and haunt him. Wahab, less said the better, not sure why everyone likes him ... barring one spell ..he has largely been mediocre in his career. Imad at least had his batting ... which I agree is better than ifti, khushdil and possibly shadab. I reckon Imad's prima donna attitude has rubbed the people the wrong way and he has paid the price.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

This is the problem. Babar in his short stint as captain so far, looks like he feels comfortable having senior people around him which means he is not mentally as strong as we would expect him to be. Ideally a leader should be confident enough to build his team from scratch and take a "strategy-first" approach. What is Babar's vision for his ideal team? I would think his vision is a "safety-first" approach , which sounds awfully like that of Misbah's.

Exactly.

People bashed Misbah for the very same approach. But with Babar its all fine because he is our best batsman?

Finally we got a progressive thinking selector in M Wasim yet most of us are complaining. It shows that Pakistan is a country where stars are bigger than principles.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Good stuff from Babar. I like the swagger.

If you're gonna get blamed for the losses, you should be the one selecting the team.