Babar Azam ruled out of New Zealand T20Is after suffering fracture in his right thumb

[Rana]

There you have it folks, Shadab will now captain the side and will most likely bat at 5.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION]

 

[watson367]

huge loss, 3-0 upcoming. hopefully he becomes fit for the tests.

 

[Firebat]

It says he will not be able to participate in nets for 12 days, which puts his return to the team at 25th December (at least). That's the day before the first Test.

Not good signs.

 

[Titan24]

Bad news but, I guess its part and parcel of the game. In recent times the only time Pak played with a full strength T20 team was vs Eng where atleast almost everyone was available. Pak was without Shaheen vs Srl, Aus and BD, without Hafeez vs Srl and Aus (He was dropped though) and now without Babar.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Unfortunate news. He's a key player and has been brilliant in T20 cricket in the last couple of years. Abdullah Shafique and Haider Ali will play and maybe even open together. Good luck to the both of them.

 

[Hasan123]

Really unfortunate way to get injured. Hopefully he is back for the tests.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

There you have it folks, Shadab will now captain the side and will most likely bat at 5.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION]

Shadab batting at 5 is a bigger joke than Shadab being made captain

 

[Titan24]

Haider Ali
Abdullah Shafique
Mohammad Rizwan (WK) (To anchor the innings)
Mohammad Hafeez
Hussain Talat
Khushdil Shah
Shadab Khan (If fit)/ Usman Qadir
Imad Wasim
Wahab Riaz
Shaheen Shah
Haris Rauf/ Mohammad Hasnain

 

[Arsal_AK]

Push Rizwan to open, get Talat in at 5.

 

[Rana]

Shadab batting at 5 is a bigger joke than Shadab being made captain

What is and what isn’t is for us to debate on.

What will happen is what this management will do. It makes no sense for Shadab the PSL captain to back himself as a batsman and score runs for his franchise only to shy away from batting when he is made the captain of the national side.

 

[Titan24]

Push Rizwan to open, get Talat in at 5.

Definitely an option considering Rizwan he did anchoring job decently for KPK in Nat T20.

 

[watson367]

Haider, Abdullah, and Hafeez need to step up big time

 

[moghul]

Who cares for T20, test is the real deal, hopefully he will be fit by then.

Congratulations to NZL for winning the series.

 

[Greenstorm]

Haider Ali
Abdullah Shafique
Mohammad Rizwan (WK) (To anchor the innings)
Mohammad Hafeez
Hussain Talat
Khushdil Shah
Shadab Khan (If fit)/ Usman Qadir
Imad Wasim
Wahab Riaz
Shaheen Shah
Haris Rauf/ Mohammad Hasnain

This batting line up has to be the worst among top 8 cricketing nations. Thank you Misbah !

 

[Shafi]

Wasim Khan wanted some cheap solution and we are paying the price. People with no experience or qualification should start from bottom not from top.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Shadab batting at 5 is a bigger joke than Shadab being made captain

Why not?
Don't you want to see Shadab evolve as a batsman?
We know how lazy and entitled likes of Malik, Hafeez are. Don't you feel happy someone is trying to become a better version of himself?

 

[Mamoon]

There you have it folks, Shadab will now captain the side and will most likely bat at 5.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION]

Congratulations to New Zealand.

Commiserations to Pakistan. Having a nothing player like Shadab captain your team and bat at number 5 is the lowest level of mediocrity that a major cricket nation with 60+ years of heritage can reach.

Ye din bhi dekhna tha.

 

[Savak]

An opportunity for others and for somebody else to step up

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I cant see Misbah surviving this tour after the humiliation they will receive without Babar.

How long will the PCB bear with Misbah? That's the most interesting question.

 

[PakPremi]

Good decision Shadab is very good and inspiring captain. Good opportunity for youngsters to take responsibilities and not just rely on Babar all the time.

 

[Rayyman]

Get well soon Bobby.

I’m not a fan of Shadab, but let’s see how does. Misbah is an intelligent man. He knows what he is doing..

 

[DarkKnight123]

Definitely an option considering Rizwan he did anchoring job decently for KPK in Nat T20.

This is not a good option bro. The reason why Rizwan did good as an opener for KPK in the recent Nat T20 cup is because his partner was Fakhar who was attacking from ball one and Rizwan's job was to anchor the innings.

Now for the Pak team, you have Abdullah Shafiq is an anchor like Rizwan, so two anchors batting starting off your batting and during powerplay doesn't make sense.

 

[Third Man]

I hope Talat gets to play so we can settle the question of his quality/lack thereof against pace. Then again, Lockie Ferguson isn't playing, so we may not get to see that on this tour. Bits and pieces if you ask me. I don't know why some people are so excited about him.

Lockie would've busted this "Shadab the middle order hitter" myth too. Makes my heart sink seeing Shadab at 5 in some of the lineups above. Mamoon utters some drivel at times, but he's right about this one.

 

[NauV]

Not a doctor, but what kinda fracture takes 2/3 weeks to heal? A sprain can take a couple of weeks to completely go away (let alone then be able to hold your bat properly, train and apply force) . .
I'd be surprised if he even makes it back for the 2nd test . .

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

There you have it folks, Shadab will now captain the side and will most likely bat at 5.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION]

[MENTION=146594]BreadPakoda[/MENTION] Look who has become captain lol.

 

[DarkKnight123]

Not the news to start off your day. And def not the news to hear before a series. I was looking forward to Babar's batting. Get Well Soon Babar.

But this is actually a blessing in which youngsters can step up and stake their claim. It is about time the team plays these youngsters and us viewers can see how they perform without Babar.

Abdullah need to play the anchor innings like Babar does and to make sure to stay at the crease, and take the game deep.

Misbah should call up Zeeshan and have him open with Abdullah instead of Haider opening with him
There are two reasons for this:
1. You want an attacking batsmen with Abdullah
2. Haider should come one down, as he is not comfortable with the moving ball, also moving his positions from one down to opener and then back down to one down when Babar comes back ,Inshallah, this will mess around with his confidence. However Haider has played opener his whole life growing up so I think he would still do good, but he is our future number 3, so he should perform in that position and lock it in.

I am pretty sure Shadab is going to play, as he has a niggle. The management just have to monitor him consistently and let him rest. This is going to be good for him as he will get experience as captain, so going forward , if a big situation arises and Babar is not there or needs help, Shadab can step up as he has experience as captain. Also the way he captained Northern, was tremendous. He is a fighter and is not afraid of anything.

For Wicket Keeper, I would not play Sarfraz or M Rizwan. Both players are not T20 batsmen whatsoever. I would play Khushdil as wicketkeeper. He has been a wicketkeeper before and was a full time wicket keeper in couple of previous domestic competitions. As this will open a spot up and you can play an extra fast bowler or a spinner.

My playing Xi would be

1. Abdullah Shafiq
2. Zeeshan Malik
3. Haider Ali
4. M Hafeez
5. Hussain Talat
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shadab
8. Qadir/Imad/Hasnain ( Hasnain would bat at 11)
9. Wahab
10. Shaheen
11. Haris Rauf

 

[gazza619]

In a way this may not be a bad thing. The other guns have a chance to prove they can compete.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

He is part of the Shaheen squad. What makes you think he is there to fill spaces. I expect him to be drafted in as Babar's replacement.

We have a history of bringing players on long tours and then never playing them.

Zafar Gohar won’t be selected when we have Imad, Shadab and Qadir ahead of him and then the part timer Ifthikar.

Sohail Khan won’t be playing any games on this tour since our coaches are desperate to play Shaheen in every single game so he gets injured just like Hasan Ali.

I can give u more names but I can’t be bothered.

 

[silent ischemia]

With Babar's injury there is no hope of winning even a single game on this tour if at all there was any. This tour should be the nail in Misbah's coffin as the coach, but with Wasim Khan at the helm you never know.....

 

[ask_analyse_act]

It seems like he has been ruled out for only 12 days so he will be back right in time for tests hopefully.

Depends on if he has recovered or not. Half recovery should not be the case of being fit to play.

This Pak think tank will do anything.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Not the news to start off your day. And def not the news to hear before a series. I was looking forward to Babar's batting. Get Well Soon Babar.

But this is actually a blessing in which youngsters can step up and stake their claim. It is about time the team plays these youngsters and us viewers can see how they perform without Babar.

Abdullah need to play the anchor innings like Babar does and to make sure to stay at the crease, and take the game deep.

Misbah should call up Zeeshan and have him open with Abdullah instead of Haider opening with him
There are two reasons for this:
1. You want an attacking batsmen with Abdullah
2. Haider should come one down, as he is not comfortable with the moving ball, also moving his positions from one down to opener and then back down to one down when Babar comes back ,Inshallah, this will mess around with his confidence. However Haider has played opener his whole life growing up so I think he would still do good, but he is our future number 3, so he should perform in that position and lock it in.

I am pretty sure Shadab is going to play, as he has a niggle. The management just have to monitor him consistently and let him rest. This is going to be good for him as he will get experience as captain, so going forward , if a big situation arises and Babar is not there or needs help, Shadab can step up as he has experience as captain. Also the way he captained Northern, was tremendous. He is a fighter and is not afraid of anything.

For Wicket Keeper, I would not play Sarfraz or M Rizwan. Both players are not T20 batsmen whatsoever. I would play Khushdil as wicketkeeper. He has been a wicketkeeper before and was a full time wicket keeper in couple of previous domestic competitions. As this will open a spot up and you can play an extra fast bowler or a spinner.

My playing Xi would be

1. Abdullah Shafiq
2. Zeeshan Malik
3. Haider Ali
4. M Hafeez
5. Hussain Talat
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shadab
8. Qadir/Imad/Hasnain ( Hasnain would bat at 11)
9. Wahab
10. Shaheen
11. Haris Rauf

Zeeshan Malik is not in the 18 man list selected for the t20s.

He is going to warm the bench for Shaheens 4 day game against NZ A

Shafiq, Haider, Hafeez , hussain talat, Ifthikar, Shadab (c) Rizwan , Imad, rauf, Wahab, Shaheen

Will be the 11

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Congratulations to New Zealand.

Commiserations to Pakistan. Having a nothing player like Shadab captain your team and bat at number 5 is the lowest level of mediocrity that a major cricket nation with 60+ years of heritage can reach.

Ye din bhi dekhna tha.

If he is carrying a niggle too , then other options are Imad, Hafeez, Sarfraz , Rizwan.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Send in Shoab Malik as replacement and captain for the T20 leg.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Why not?
Don't you want to see Shadab evolve as a batsman?
We know how lazy and entitled likes of Malik, Hafeez are. Don't you feel happy someone is trying to become a better version of himself?

Lazy and entitled? They (along with Babar) have been Pakistan's best batsmen in the last few years, in this format. Not to mention, also two of the fittest players in the side. Just because they are nearing 40 doesn't mean they should be automatically kicked out.

Shadab as a batsman does not impress me. He doesn't have any technique and has a long way to go before he is thrown into a spot that should be occupied by a proper batsman.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

What is and what isn’t is for us to debate on.

What will happen is what this management will do. It makes no sense for Shadab the PSL captain to back himself as a batsman and score runs for his franchise only to shy away from batting when he is made the captain of the national side.

Alot of things don't make sense. Things like; a '22 year old' rookie being made vice-captain (if that is his real age), or Misbah coaching Islamabad United while he is coach of the national team. But we ignore these things and act like there's nothing wrong, because we prefer the alternative: which is searing criticism after things that were doomed to fail, fail.

 

[hur rizvi]

Seems unlikely that he'll be available for the first test either.

Big blow for Pakistan

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I predict Pakistan will win 2-1.

Players will step up. Quarantine restrictions and Babar blow means there is a shock to the mind. They will reset with a siege mentality and come at the opposition with vengeance.

You read it here first.

 

[gazza619]

Send in Shoab Malik as replacement and captain for the T20 leg.

Nooooo!!!!

Malik struggles against pace.

 

[Snowflake]

I almost completely lost interest in this series upon hearing this news

 

[lahoriyah1234]

I personally I dont care about T20 cricket and its results dont know why fans take it so seriously. We saw Aussies they literally applied rotational policy and tried new players against a good indian side, thats why Aussies are 5 times Champions, because of their excellent selection and giving players a fair chances to show case their talent.


This may be Best for Pakistan to see how good their back up strengths are? If some performs and help Pakistan to be even competitive in the series, it will be a good sign, because Misbah was never going to allow youngsters to play in NZL.

 

[zacattakk]

How about some accountability from the team management. How have 2 top order batsmen broken their fingers in training within 24 hrs???

 

[Minnowbasher]

See you next year Babar
Hopefully might play the 2nd test but he's out for the first test without a doubt.
Pitty hes out of the t20s because we actually had a decent chance to win it. In tests we have no chance anyway - to even make new zealand bat twice would be an achievement.

 

[Hitman]

Was looking forward to watch him play in the Test series. Hope he recovers on time.

 

[shamaan]

How about some accountability from the team management. How have 2 top order batsmen broken their fingers in training within 24 hrs???

Babar and who else ?

 

[shamaan]

I personally I dont care about T20 cricket and its results dont know why fans take it so seriously. We saw Aussies they literally applied rotational policy and tried new players against a good indian side, thats why Aussies are 5 times Champions, because of their excellent selection and giving players a fair chances to show case their talent.


This may be Best for Pakistan to see how good their back up strengths are? If some performs and help Pakistan to be even competitive in the series, it will be a good sign, because Misbah was never going to allow youngsters to play in NZL.

Yes that's the positive of babar not going to play it opens opportunities

 

[shamaan]

I almost completely lost interest in this series upon hearing this news

It should make you more interested as will give opportunities to the younger guys to step up

 

[shamaan]

Alot of things don't make sense. Things like; a '22 year old' rookie being made vice-captain (if that is his real age), or Misbah coaching Islamabad United while he is coach of the national team. But we ignore these things and act like there's nothing wrong, because we prefer the alternative: which is searing criticism after things that were doomed to fail, fail.

Why doesnt it make sense that shadab is being made vise captain ? Who would you have had vise captain

 

[shamaan]

Rizwan should be made captain if shadab is not fit enough

 

[shamaan]

Send in Shoab Malik as replacement and captain for the T20 leg.

Are you joking or being serious

 

[aloo paratha]

Abdullah
Haider
Talat
Hafeez
Shadab
Khushdil
Imad
Rizwan
Wahab
Shaheen
Rauf/Hasnain

 

[shamaan]

Looks like rizwan will be opening with abdullah from reports

 

[zacattakk]

Babar and who else ?

Imam ul Haq also reportedly fractured a finger on Saturday in training.

 

[BreadPakoda]

I hope he's back for the tests. Really want to see him play in SENA. So far Babar has only 1 test century outside home and he's 26 already. Kohli had 5 centuries in Australia by this age. And he played roughly the same number of away games. That tells you about the gulf between the two players.

Next 2-3 years are crucial for Babar to leave any legacy in test cricket and he needs to play as much as he can.

 

[Madplayer]

Good chance for youngsters to showcase their mettle. Haidar in particular needs to cement his place.

 

[Titan24]

This is not a good option bro. The reason why Rizwan did good as an opener for KPK in the recent Nat T20 cup is because his partner was Fakhar who was attacking from ball one and Rizwan's job was to anchor the innings.

Now for the Pak team, you have Abdullah Shafiq is an anchor like Rizwan, so two anchors batting starting off your batting and during powerplay doesn't make sense.

I agree with your analysis but, Haider Ali can also open.

 

[Mamoon]

Why doesnt it make sense that shadab is being made vise captain ? Who would you have had vise captain

Imad.

Better cricketer than Shadab and has recently captained Karachi to PSL title.

 

[Markhor]

Our chances went from a whitewash defeat in both formats to a whitewash defeat in both formats.

 

[shah_1]

Today Babar was giving pep talk to players. This is how it should be, act like a leader. Develop your own team, don't be a puppet.

 

[DarkKnight123]

I agree with your analysis but, Haider Ali can also open.

Absolutely, if you look at my first post on this thread you would read that I had stated he can open and he has opened his whole life growing up. However i had stated that he should play at number 3 and get as much practice at that position because once Babar comes back he is going to be back as an opener, and Haider would go back to number 3 which can hinder his confidence. Also Haider is still young and is not really good against the moving ball. But in a few yrs he can absolutely be an opener in all formats, but not right now.

 

[shamaan]

Imad.

Better cricketer than Shadab and has recently captained Karachi to PSL title.

Maybe better crickter but not a better captain

 

[shamaan]

I agree with your analysis but, Haider Ali can also open.

Haider should open

 

[shamaan]

Absolutely, if you look at my first post on this thread you would read that I had stated he can open and he has opened his whole life growing up. However i had stated that he should play at number 3 and get as much practice at that position because once Babar comes back he is going to be back as an opener, and Haider would go back to number 3 which can hinder his confidence. Also Haider is still young and is not really good against the moving ball. But in a few yrs he can absolutely be an opener in all formats, but not right now.

I think haider should open i have stated this even when babar was going to play that haider and ali should open with abdullah at 3

 

[KoyoAli]

Babar’s absence should not worry Pakistan: Miandad

ISLAMABAD: Batting legend Javed Miandad believes Babar Azam’s absence should not haunt Pakistan in the Twenty20 series against New Zealand, saying every player who gets a chance should have the confidence to perform for the team.

Right-handed Babar has been ruled out of the New Zealand T20s after suffering a fracture in his right thumb during the Sunday practice session. The 26-year-old skipper won’t be attending nets for at least, 12 days and would be unavailable for the Dec18, 20 and 22 T20s to be played in Auckland, Hamilton, and Napier, respectively.

Miandad was of the view that every player in the team should have the confidence to prove their mettle and any single player’s absence must not haunt the whole team.

“Babar is our key player. No doubt his absence will affect the team as he is [Pakistan’s] best performing player at the moment. However, the team should not get under pressure as there are 11 players in the team who all must have the confidence to perform for their country,” former skipper Miandad said while talking to APP on Monday.

“If any one player gets injured or else, then others should fulfill his responsibility in the team by performing as victory is gained when the whole team performs.”

Miandad reckons the entire Pakistan team is capable of winning.

“All the players are equally good as they are playing for the country. They just need to build their confidence and whoever gets the chance must perform,” he insisted.

Meanwhile, former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said Babar’s injury raises many questions.

“As per the PCB statement, Babar was injured on Dec 13 and won’t play for 12 days, which is inexplicable. After 12 days if he comes in the nets for practice on Dec 25, then it means he won’t be available for the first Test even which is on Dec 26 because you need time to practice and it will take 7 to 8 days for Babar to get in form,” Inzamam said in a video on his YouTube channel. “[Opener] Imam-ul-Haq also had an injury. He won’t be able to play for two weeks and cannot practice then it means he will also be out of the first Test.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1595827/babars-absence-should-not-worry-pakistan-miandad

 

[Mamoon]

Maybe better crickter but not a better captain

What captaincy credentials did Shadab show? His leadership was poor for Islamabad United and Imad looked more impressive and won the tournament.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

What captaincy credentials did Shadab show? His leadership was poor for Islamabad United and Imad looked more impressive and won the tournament.

Shows exactly how much you follow domestic cricket. Thanks for exposing yourself. I’ll bump this post for a long time.

 

[Mamoon]

Shows exactly how much you follow domestic cricket. Thanks for exposing yourself. I’ll bump this post for a long time.

I don’t care about domestic cricket where there is no pressure to perform in terms of public expectations. The majority of the fans aren’t even following those competitions and neither do they care. Only Pakistan cricket nerds do.

So I don’t care what miracles Shadab has performed at that level when I saw him lead the team in PSL where he didn’t look an impressive captain other than trying hard to become Steve Smith himself.

Imad outshone him and that is all that matters. He deserves to be the vice-captain ahead of him.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Only Pakistan cricket nerds do.

One doesn’t!

 

[shamaan]

What captaincy credentials did Shadab show? His leadership was poor for Islamabad United and Imad looked more impressive and won the tournament.

He made imad look like amtuer in the domestic competition.if you think that pakistan fans dont watch it or follow it then thats your opinion .

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

There you have it folks, Shadab will now captain the side and will most likely bat at 5.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=147292]RedwoodOriginal[/MENTION]

Hope he does well for the sake of the team. Evethough him batting at No. 5 has disaster written all over it. Especially when everyone in the side barring the bowlers are better batsmen than him.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

We all know that Imad is a better cricketer and a more dynamic captain. He understands the game very well and might be one of the few mentally strong players in the side. Shadab has a bright future but he is not there yet and certainly not as captain. Unlike Shadab, Imad has been leading since Pakistan U-19s. He has lead Islamabad for years, captained Northern to the NT20 crown last year and lead KK to the PSL title this year. If that doesn't establish his credentials as a captain I don't know what should.

If it was up to me I would have given him limited-overs captaincy completely but there seems to be a certain stigma regarding him because of his label as a white-ball player, and his fitness issues of the past. He may have fitness issues but they are not bad enough to keep him laid off and he is easily the best all-rounder in Pakistan right now.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

If Shadab is the captain , Pak might win this series.

He is not too soft as babar. He is a natural leader. Mickey asked for Shadab to be the captain during his meeting with the cricket committee after the CWC’19.

People who say Shadab is a poor choice will be shocked when he manages to defeat NZL.

 

[shamaan]

If Shadab is the captain , Pak might win this series.

He is not too soft as babar. He is a natural leader. Mickey asked for Shadab to be the captain during his meeting with the cricket committee after the CWC’19.

People who say Shadab is a poor choice will be shocked when he manages to defeat NZL.

Even mohammad wasim said shadab will be the captain next season in the t20s for nothern

 

[shamaan]

We all know that Imad is a better cricketer and a more dynamic captain. He understands the game very well and might be one of the few mentally strong players in the side. Shadab has a bright future but he is not there yet and certainly not as captain. Unlike Shadab, Imad has been leading since Pakistan U-19s. He has lead Islamabad for years, captained Northern to the NT20 crown last year and lead KK to the PSL title this year. If that doesn't establish his credentials as a captain I don't know what should.

If it was up to me I would have given him limited-overs captaincy completely but there seems to be a certain stigma regarding him because of his label as a white-ball player, and his fitness issues of the past. He may have fitness issues but they are not bad enough to keep him laid off and he is easily the best all-rounder in Pakistan right now.

Wasim also stated next year nothern captain will be shadab even mickey wanted shadab to be captain hes more dynamic than imad

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Wasim also stated next year nothern captain will be shadab even mickey wanted shadab to be captain hes more dynamic than imad

This is a disappointing development, but also understandable to a certain extent.

If they are backing Shadab as vice-captain then it makes no sense for him to not captain in domestic. At the same time, not having Imad Wasim captain a side in domestic is a waste of his talents. Either Shadab or Imad should be drafted to Balochistan to take over as captain.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Not the news to start off your day. And def not the news to hear before a series. I was looking forward to Babar's batting. Get Well Soon Babar.

But this is actually a blessing in which youngsters can step up and stake their claim. It is about time the team plays these youngsters and us viewers can see how they perform without Babar.

Abdullah need to play the anchor innings like Babar does and to make sure to stay at the crease, and take the game deep.

Misbah should call up Zeeshan and have him open with Abdullah instead of Haider opening with him
There are two reasons for this:
1. You want an attacking batsmen with Abdullah
2. Haider should come one down, as he is not comfortable with the moving ball, also moving his positions from one down to opener and then back down to one down when Babar comes back ,Inshallah, this will mess around with his confidence. However Haider has played opener his whole life growing up so I think he would still do good, but he is our future number 3, so he should perform in that position and lock it in.

I am pretty sure Shadab is going to play, as he has a niggle. The management just have to monitor him consistently and let him rest. This is going to be good for him as he will get experience as captain, so going forward , if a big situation arises and Babar is not there or needs help, Shadab can step up as he has experience as captain. Also the way he captained Northern, was tremendous. He is a fighter and is not afraid of anything.

For Wicket Keeper, I would not play Sarfraz or M Rizwan. Both players are not T20 batsmen whatsoever. I would play Khushdil as wicketkeeper. He has been a wicketkeeper before and was a full time wicket keeper in couple of previous domestic competitions. As this will open a spot up and you can play an extra fast bowler or a spinner.

My playing Xi would be

1. Abdullah Shafiq
2. Zeeshan Malik
3. Haider Ali
4. M Hafeez
5. Hussain Talat
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Shadab
8. Qadir/Imad/Hasnain ( Hasnain would bat at 11)
9. Wahab
10. Shaheen
11. Haris Rauf

Your tail is far too long, New Zealand will almost certainly expose the top order within the first 2-4 overs. We need batting until as far down as we can get. With Babar out, we should look to make a balanced batting lineup that can be explosive at different stages.

I'd go with:
Abdullah Shafique
Zeeshan Malik
Haider Ali
Mohammad Hafeez
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Shadab Khan (c)
Khushdil Shah
Imad Wasim
Wahab Riaz
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Haris Rauf

 

[zamana]

This batting line up has to be the worst among top 8 cricketing nations. Thank you Misbah !

I believe this is the best current combination available . Who do you think is missing? Sharjeel K, Fakhar Zaman. We know the reasons they are not there. This is the best we have. If you have issues regarding the selection, please elaborate and explain.

 

[zamana]

The absence of B. Azam gives an opportunity to some of the younger players to demonstrate their skills. One should consider this as an opportunity rather than a loss. If a couple of players can perform well, they may be the nucleus of a future team. We need to develop and expand the pool of players considering the T20 World Cups and ODI World Cup in the coming years. Why do we have to be eternally pessimistic? We have the best available players . Let us see how they perform and gradually return to being the top team in T20. We have the potential.

 

[DarkKnight123]

Your tail is far too long, New Zealand will almost certainly expose the top order within the first 2-4 overs. We need batting until as far down as we can get. With Babar out, we should look to make a balanced batting lineup that can be explosive at different stages.

I'd go with:
Abdullah Shafique
Zeeshan Malik
Haider Ali
Mohammad Hafeez
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Shadab Khan (c)
Khushdil Shah
Imad Wasim
Wahab Riaz
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Haris Rauf

My bro all you did is replace Hussain Talat with Sarfraz. And that is in my opinion the worst move. Sarfraz is not a T20 batsman, just like Rizwan. Hussain Talat is much better than Sarfaraz,especially in T20.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Khushdil as wicket keeper opens up a lot of options for the World T20:

1. Abdullah Shafique / Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam (c)
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Khushdil Shah (wk)
7. Shadab Khan (vc)
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Haris Rauf

Theoretically, if it’s a spinner’s track, you can even drop Rauf and add in a pure batsman anywhere in the order. In addition to Shaheen and Wahab, you will have Shadab, Imad, Iftikhar, and Hafeez to cover 12 overs between them.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

This series has 2-1 to Pakistan written all over it. Boys will play well. They have nothing to lose and the opposing team isn’t as fearsome as past NZ teams.

Perspective.