Best outcomes for Pakistan in the 5th ODI with the World Cup looming by

[topspin]

It's crucial Pakistan wins to end the streak of losing these bilateral deciders but also about time they beat a top five side in an ODI series.

But actually given the potential implications going into the WC following all the drama, inept captaincy and not to forget the woeful performances from the suspended skipper, tomorrow's game isn't just any decider, it is in fact another opportunity for common sense to finally prevail in regards to PCB's stance on Sarfraz as captain (and perhaps his place in the side).

If Pakistan lose it would seem as if changing the skipper would have no bearing on the side's fortunes going into the WC. But we will never know where the team's potential truly lies in the tournament this summer until we have a competent captain.

But if Pakistan win, just maybe there is a chance PCB will come to their senses and take the bold step of axing Sarfraz. Hence why I won't be satisfied with just any Pakistan win, I would also like to see the following outcomes accomplished tomorrow, so there is the greatest chance of PCB putting this into action:

1. Shoaib Malik's leadership inspires the team to clinch the series
2. Rizwan scores a half century (or ideally ton) in a winning decider

I sincerely believe if Rizwan can somehow make a name for himself tomorrow with the bat (along with the gloves) and if Shoaib Malik can lead the side commendably, PCB will have no choice but to begin their search of a captain who can take over the reigns from Sarfraz.

Please note I'm not specifically vouching for Shoaib Malik to be made captain but rather like to see get PCB get the wake up call they need to look beyond Sarfraz and put him out of his misery.

If it has to be a senior then I would like to see Hafeez lead the side because unlike Malik he actually makes the XI on merit. Beggars can't always be choosers however and I would take Malik (as specialist captain) over Sarfraz any day of the week.

If it was any other functioning cricket, Sarfraz would never have lasted this long but there is still time. The clock is ticking...

 

[Abdullah]

The odi side needs a wickie who can bat competently in the top 5
A hitter for 35+ over mark number 6 ( who would have turned that 3rd odi score to the 340 mark)
You also need a player who plays the sweep shot well for the middle overs. This is so critical in the modern day game to get opposition spinners thinking
6 proper bowling options ( hafeez is no more than a 6th option( fakhar and Malik are not viable options)
9 people who can wield the willow.

That means we can have only the following team

1 Shan (I believe he is better than imam ( think fast bowlers and pull shot, cut shot, list a record
2 fakhar has to play (will ensure we beat teams we should be beating which isn't to be scoffed at in this tournament format)
3 babar
4 hafeez
5 rizwan
6 Asif Ali ( this guy needs rope and a big PSL
7 Imad ( should be locked in)
8 shadab
9 hasan
10 amir/Junaid/shinwari ( faheem can play here if u plan to use Imad to bowl a few overs with the new ball depending on oppositions, leaving faheem with only having to bowl 2 or 3 in the first 10)
11 shaheen

So all in all there is a lot to happen before we have the optimum 11 in place.
We only have 6-7 of the eleven in place

 

[topspin]

The odi side needs a wickie who can bat competently in the top 5
A hitter for 35+ over mark number 6 ( who would have turned that 3rd odi score to the 340 mark)
You also need a player who plays the sweep shot well for the middle overs. This is so critical in the modern day game to get opposition spinners thinking
6 proper bowling options ( hafeez is no more than a 6th option( fakhar and Malik are not viable options)
9 people who can wield the willow.

That means we can have only the following team

1 Shan (I believe he is better than imam ( think fast bowlers and pull shot, cut shot, list a record
2 fakhar has to play (will ensure we beat teams we should be beating which isn't to be scoffed at in this tournament format)
3 babar
4 hafeez
5 rizwan
6 Asif Ali ( this guy needs rope and a big PSL
7 Imad ( should be locked in)
8 shadab
9 hasan
10 amir/Junaid/shinwari ( faheem can play here if u plan to use Imad to bowl a few overs with the new ball depending on oppositions, leaving faheem with only having to bowl 2 or 3 in the first 10)
11 shaheen

So all in all there is a lot to happen before we have the optimum 11 in place.
We only have 6-7 of the eleven in place

Very solid team and I agree Asif Ali was unfairly dropped. He was never going to be prolific on slow SC wickets without been given much of a platform to build from.

Who would you want as captain?

 

[gazza619]

There is a lot of pressure in the big game tomorrow.

Whether Pakistan wins or not, Sarfraz’s days as captain are done and dusted.

 

[topspin]

There is a lot of pressure in the big game tomorrow.

Whether Pakistan wins or not, Sarfraz’s days as captain are done and dusted.

I think he dug his own grave with that response in re: Shoaib Akhtar.

We talk about captaincy taking a toll on Joe Root's batting which ofc is very much true however I've never seen a captain look so overwhelmed - as apparent from the footage.

 

[Abdullah]

Very solid team and I agree Asif Ali was unfairly dropped. He was never going to be prolific on slow SC wickets without been given much of a platform to build from.

Who would you want as captain?

That's the problem!! Malik!!
Hafeez is also ok but I think the youngsters will respond to Malik a lot better as hafeez comes across as Mr know it all- hence the prof nickname

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I think the time for raptures either way is looking at the issue very "superficially".

First of all, its disastrous, that a team can suddenly start performing with change of captains which means the team was purposefully not performing under the other captain. If Malik takes genius decisions, which leads to the team performing, it holds more weight. But if its just a simple replacement, that causes the team to play 100 times better, we have deeper issues.

What's to say the team won't start bickering soon with Shoaib as captain, if indeed its all about changing the captaincy ? If you open the Pandora's box of team performing only when some players are leading the team, you might as well grant all the players free passes.

Secondly, Sarfraz will be back as skipper for the World Cup, no matter what the outcome of the SA ODI series or T20 series.

Its fruitless and futile to assume that PCB will have the vision, thought or foresight to replace captains at this juncture. And they will not do it.

So stop dreaming and live with the fact that Sarfraz will be back for Australia and England.

 

[xricket]

Best outcome will be a loss for a world cup, as it will help us overcome our deficiencies even more. Over-confidence has always be counter productive for our team

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Best outcome will be a loss for a world cup, as it will help us overcome our deficiencies even more. Over-confidence has always be counter productive for our team

The last time Pakistan won a World Cup was in 1992.

It takes more than "cornered tigers" tag to win the World Cup because cricket as a sport has become more about roles, SR, attacking intent and detailed analysis of the opposition strengths and weaknesses which Pakistan hardly does.

A loss of a series is demoralizing because they have lost many of these deciders and nothing good comes off a loss.

Especially going all the way in the Word Cup is not going to be based on a "series loss to South Africa" or even a "series win in South Africa".

 

[topspin]

That's the problem!! Malik!!
Hafeez is also ok but I think the youngsters will respond to Malik a lot better as hafeez comes across as Mr know it all- hence the prof nickname

I have the same concerns under Hafeez. Malik is the best specialist captain for the youngsters but his inability to handle pace (particularly on faster wickets) will make him a liability with the bat like Sarfraz.

 

[topspin]

So stop dreaming and live with the fact that Sarfraz will be back for Australia and England.

If Pakistan lose today absolutely he will remain captain but if they do win today, given the current sentiment and what has accumulated over his tenure as captain (since the CT), I would like to think even an incompetent cricket board like PCB will be forced to make the change that has been long overdue.

 

[barah_admi]

The odi side needs a wickie who can bat competently in the top 5
A hitter for 35+ over mark number 6 ( who would have turned that 3rd odi score to the 340 mark)
You also need a player who plays the sweep shot well for the middle overs. This is so critical in the modern day game to get opposition spinners thinking
6 proper bowling options ( hafeez is no more than a 6th option( fakhar and Malik are not viable options)
9 people who can wield the willow.

That means we can have only the following team

1 Shan (I believe he is better than imam ( think fast bowlers and pull shot, cut shot, list a record
2 fakhar has to play (will ensure we beat teams we should be beating which isn't to be scoffed at in this tournament format)
3 babar
4 hafeez
5 rizwan
6 Asif Ali ( this guy needs rope and a big PSL
7 Imad ( should be locked in)
8 shadab
9 hasan
10 amir/Junaid/shinwari ( faheem can play here if u plan to use Imad to bowl a few overs with the new ball depending on oppositions, leaving faheem with only having to bowl 2 or 3 in the first 10)
11 shaheen

So all in all there is a lot to happen before we have the optimum 11 in place.
We only have 6-7 of the eleven in place

Not sure why you're dropping Imam, one of the bets run getters in ODI cricket over the last year.

Asif Ali should be included and I agree and he should play in rotation with Hafeez/Malik.

My squad of sorts -

1. Imam (locked in)
2. Fakhar (locked in but replaceable if his form continues to drop)
3. Babar
4. Malik/Hafeez
5. Ali
6. Sarfraz (will play but I'd rather Rizwan) wk
7. Shadab
8. Imad/Faheem/Nawaz/Gohar
9. Hasan
10. Amir/Shaheen/Shinwari/Junaid
11. Amir/Shaheen/Shinwari/Junaid

In my ideal side, Malik would be getting a minimum of 5 overs.

 

[Abdullah]

Not sure why you're dropping Imam, one of the bets run getters in ODI cricket over the last year.

Asif Ali should be included and I agree and he should play in rotation with Hafeez/Malik.

My squad of sorts -

1. Imam (locked in)
2. Fakhar (locked in but replaceable if his form continues to drop)
3. Babar
4. Malik/Hafeez
5. Ali
6. Sarfraz (will play but I'd rather Rizwan) wk
7. Shadab
8. Imad/Faheem/Nawaz/Gohar
9. Hasan
10. Amir/Shaheen/Shinwari/Junaid
11. Amir/Shaheen/Shinwari/Junaid

In my ideal side, Malik would be getting a minimum of 5 overs.

About imam. Exactly what I said in my post. Shan can be better.