Can any other batsman in the Pakistan Test squad be an able partner for Azhar Ali?

[MenInG]

I look at him as the next rock to rely on for Pakistan's brittle batting order but he needs a partner, someone who can help him in the middle order or even amongst the top 3.

Babar Azam could be one as Asad Shafiq is going downhill.

Who else?

 

[Abdul]

Haris Sohail insha'Allah.

 

[shady]

Haris and Babar should be given an extended run in the middle order to build their confidence. The talent is undeniably there and with experience the results will come.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Haris Sohail or Umar Amin.

 

[Hasan123]

Azhar Ali
Sami Aslam
Babar Azam
Harris Sohail

A solid top 4

 

[aloo paratha]

Haris Sohail.

 

[fazleefridi]

Azhar Ali
Sami Aslam
Babar Azam
Harris Sohail

A solid top 4

Sami
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Usman
Sarfraz
Tallat(3rd seamer, 5th bowler)

Asad should be shown the door, atleast for a series or two, if he doesn't score in this match.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Haris who should've already scored 4k runs by now had Misbah not preferred his friends over him. He was ready a long time ago.

 

[Hasan123]

Sami
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Usman
Sarfraz
Tallat(3rd seamer, 5th bowler)

Asad should be shown the door, atleast for a series or two, if he doesn't score in this match.

Asad won't be dropped.

 

[Azzurri]

I don't know why every one is so sure about Haris's abilities. I don't really think he will be able to make a comeback provided his history with injuries

 

[Square Drive]

Haris who should've already scored 4k runs by now had Misbah not preferred his friends over him. He was ready a long time ago.

Nah. He would've still gotten injured.

Misbah didn't injure him.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Nah. He would've still gotten injured.

Misbah didn't injure him.

Haris was ready 5 years ago. His injury was recent which was mucked up by the PCB. It should've taken no more than 6-8 months to recover from.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Haris and Babar should both bat in the top 4 with Azhar

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Azhar
Sami/Sharjeel
Haris/Babar
Babar/Haris

This is one solid top 4. Really really good. And dare I say has the potential to be the best top 4 in few years time.

 

[Square Drive]

Haris was ready 5 years ago. His injury was recent which was mucked up by the PCB. It should've taken no more than 6-8 months to recover from.

His injury would've been mucked up by the PCB regardless of when he made his debut.

There's no way Haris deserved to be in the line-up 5 years ago ahead of Azhar, YK, Misbah, or Shafiq.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

His injury would've been mucked up by the PCB regardless of when he made his debut.

There's no way Haris deserved to be in the line-up 5 years ago ahead of Azhar, YK, Misbah, or Shafiq.

Yes, he did. Far superior prospect. Stop wasting my time.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

His injury would've been mucked up by the PCB regardless of when he made his debut.

There's no way Haris deserved to be in the line-up 5 years ago ahead of Azhar, YK, Misbah, or Shafiq.

Haris should have been there in 2012. Better long term investment than Shafiq.
You have to strive for the best.

 

[Muhammad10]

His injury would've been mucked up by the PCB regardless of when he made his debut.

There's no way Haris deserved to be in the line-up 5 years ago ahead of Azhar, YK, Misbah, or Shafiq.

If you're a stats/merit fan, Haris has way better FC stats than Asad ever did. If you're an ability fan, you only had to watch Haris bat to know he has way more potential than Asad. In my opinion, it should've been Haris we invested in all these years rather than the mediocre, inconsistent Shafiq.

 

[Square Drive]

Yes, he did. Far superior prospect. Stop wasting my time.

Haris should have been there in 2012. Better long term investment than Shafiq.
You have to strive for the best.

If you're a stats/merit fan, Haris has way better FC stats than Asad ever did. If you're an ability fan, you only had to watch Haris bat to know he has way more potential than Asad. In my opinion, it should've been Haris we invested in all these years rather than the mediocre, inconsistent Shafiq.

In 2012 Shafiq averaged 47.

Prior to 2012, he averaged 39 in the few games he played.

The Shafiq investment began in late 2010 and by the end of 2011 (after the Bangladesh series), Shafiq had already shown what he was made of, and that he belonged at the Test level.

If you drop someone from that position onwards, you have issues.

Haris is a fantastic prospect but if you dropped Shafiq at any point in 2012, you're blem.

 

[Muhammad10]

In 2012 Shafiq averaged 47.

Prior to 2012, he averaged 39 in the few games he played.

The Shafiq investment began in late 2010 and by the end of 2011 (after the Bangladesh series), Shafiq had already shown what he was made of, and that he belonged at the Test level.

If you drop someone from that position onwards, you have issues.

Haris is a fantastic prospect but if you dropped Shafiq at any point in 2012, you're blem.

Are you satisfied with the meagre returns on our long-term investment in Asad? Have you ever seen Haris bat, and if so, which of them looks like a more well-rounded batsman to you?

Do you honestly believe Haris would barely average 40 after an uninterrupted 55-Test run while being shielded below two 40-year-olds at #6?

 

[LordJames]

Sami Aslam who shouldn't have been dropped for Pakistan to go round and round in circles for a second opener.

Who thought Shehzaad is a better opener then Aslam?

 

[ads101]

I kind of feel eventually babar will be made to open with azhar to fit in middle order batsmen, which we have more talent, given that Babar could actually be a decent opener (same what happened to Azhar).

I'd like Sami Aslam to return and do well, but not sure will happen.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

No Sami please. We need shot-makers.

 

[LordJames]

No Sami please. We need shot-makers.

He is and its his style. Somehow he became Misbahfied!

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Azhar
Ahsan
Babar
Haris
Salahuddin
Yamin/Talat
Sarfaraz

 

[Square Drive]

Are you satisfied with the meagre returns on our long-term investment in Asad? Have you ever seen Haris bat, and if so, which of them looks like a more well-rounded batsman to you?

Do you honestly believe Haris would barely average 40 after an uninterrupted 55-Test run while being shielded below two 40-year-olds at #6?

No, he's been too inconsistent.

Haris is the better batsman without much doubt, in all 3 formats.

My question to you: do you honestly believe Haris would've survived 6 years of Test cricket without getting injured?

Yes Haris should've been around the setup a while ago, but he should NOT have replaced Shafiq in 2012, where the latter was excellent.

When the time came for Haris to actually replace after Shafiq started becoming a nuisance in the side, Haris barely managed to stay fit (obviosly most of the blame lies on the PCB for fudging it all up).

NOW, Shafiq is becoming more and more annoying and Haris is FINALLY fit as well, so selecting Haris (or even Fawad/Usman) now in place of Asad would make complete sense and it is a move I myself am advocating for.

Only fools would drop a batsman averaging 47 who has now proved himself, for a batsman who looks "well-rounded" based on domestic cricket (and guess what, we later go on to find out that this well-rounded batsman can't stay fit either!). That's my point,

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He is and its his style. Somehow he became Misbahfied!

He's not. He struggles against pace. If it's not a perfect half volley, he remains in his shell.

 

[Square Drive]

Correction: since we have invested so much in Asad, I'd give him a series or two at #4 as a make-or-break for his career. He needs to be given responsibility and if he disappoints, drop him.

 

[Muhammad10]

No, he's been too inconsistent.

Haris is the better batsman without much doubt, in all 3 formats.

My question to you: do you honestly believe Haris would've survived 6 years of Test cricket without getting injured?

Yes Haris should've been around the setup a while ago, but he should NOT have replaced Shafiq in 2012, where the latter was excellent.

When the time came for Haris to actually replace after Shafiq started becoming a nuisance in the side, Haris barely managed to stay fit (obviosly most of the blame lies on the PCB for fudging it all up).

NOW, Shafiq is becoming more and more annoying and Haris is FINALLY fit as well, so selecting Haris (or even Fawad/Usman) now in place of Asad would make complete sense and it is a move I myself am advocating for.

Only fools would drop a batsman averaging 47 who has now proved himself, for a batsman who looks "well-rounded" based on domestic cricket (and guess what, we later go on to find out that this well-rounded batsman can't stay fit either!). That's my point,

I don't think fitness was prioritised enough to be considered a criteria for selection in 2012.

How do we know he wouldn't have started taking his fitness more seriously if his fine FC performances had been rewarded with international selection (in the correct format, i.e. Tests)? The likes of Maqsood had also started working hard on their fitness after realising they were being invested in as international cricketers.

 

[MMHS]

Next Test in UAE (SRL), I would have played this XI

1. Azhar
2. Sami
3. Amin/Babar
4. Babar/Amin
5. Haris
6. Saud/Aga Salman/Yamin/Talat
7. Sarfu
8. Amir
9. Yasir
10. Hasan/Abbas
11. Asghar

Asad has been given enough time actually - now, he shouldn't be leveraged to post some soft runs against Lankans, this is what MoHa had been doing.

 

[Ab Fan]

Azhar Ali
Sami Aslam
Babar Azam
Harris Sohail

A solid top 4

You would need a more attacking opener to pair with Azhar. Sami is too one dimensional just like Azhar.

 

[Square Drive]

I don't think fitness was prioritised enough to be considered a criteria for selection in 2012.

How do we know he wouldn't have started taking his fitness more seriously if his fine FC performances had been rewarded with international selection (in the correct format, i.e. Tests)? The likes of Maqsood had also started working hard on their fitness after realising they were being invested in as international cricketers.

OK fair enough, and I would've definitely had him in my squad back then too.

But I definitely wouldn't be stupid enough to put him in for a guy averaging 47 that same year.

 

[Square Drive]

For the SL series in October:

Playing XI:

Sami Aslam
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam (VC)
Usman Salahuddin
Asad Shafiq
Shadab Khan/Aamer Yamin
Sarfraz Ahmed* (WK)
Mohammad Amir
Yasir Shah
Hasan Ali/Mohammad Asghar
Mohammad Abbas

Bench: Ahmed Shehzad, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamer Yamin/Shadab Khan, Mohammad Asghar/Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz

Standby: Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Butt, Haris Sohail, Saad Ali, Saud Shakeel, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Mir Hamza, Zafar Gohar

Haris Sohail on standby because I believe he should first be eased into the ODI side, and then if he shows good progress performance and fitness wise, he should be drafted into the Test side. Don't want to just shove him in the Test side, only to find out he wasn't match fit.

 

[Square Drive]

Shafiq should get the next 1-2 series at #5 (originally wrote #4 but I don't think he has it in him to bat there), and if he fails there, he should be dropped.

 

[Rayyman]

For the SL series in October:

Playing XI:

Sami Aslam
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam (VC)
Usman Salahuddin
Asad Shafiq
Shadab Khan/Aamer Yamin
Sarfraz Ahmed* (WK)
Mohammad Amir
Yasir Shah
Hasan Ali/Mohammad Asghar
Mohammad Abbas

Bench: Ahmed Shehzad, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamer Yamin/Shadab Khan, Mohammad Asghar/Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz

Standby: Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Butt, Haris Sohail, Saad Ali, Saud Shakeel, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Mir Hamza, Zafar Gohar

Haris Sohail on standby because I believe he should first be eased into the ODI side, and then if he shows good progress performance and fitness wise, he should be drafted into the Test side. Don't want to just shove him in the Test side, only to find out he wasn't match fit.

Hey man don't waste your time. Inzi isn't reading PP. Though I want you as Chief Selector instead of him.
#SackInzi

#SackInzi

 

[Junaids]

I think that Babar Azam is too high at Number 3, and that Azhar Ali needs to drop down to Number 3.

At this point, my FIXED positions are:

1. Sami Aslam
2. Opener 2
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/capt)
7. Pace bowling all-rounder
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Hasan Ali / second spinner in Asia
11. Wahab Riaz

I am on record repeatedly in recent months wanting to replace Misbah and Younis with men in their twenties.

But Pakistan may have to use Salman Butt as the second opener just to ensure some experience in the opening pair. He'd probably be good for Sami Aslam: he's the only Pakistani opener with a positive but relatively low-risk off-side game.

So I'm looking at:

1) OUTSIDE ASIA
1. Sami Aslam
2. Salman Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/capt)
7. Aamer Yamin
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Hasan Ali or Wahab Riaz (depending on the greenness of the surface)
11. Mohammad Abbas

2) IN ASIA
1. Sami Aslam
2. Salman Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk/capt)
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Mohammad Asghar
11. Mohammad Abbas or Wahab Riaz

 

[Square Drive]

Hey man don't waste your time. Inzi isn't reading PP. Though I want you as Chief Selector instead of him.
#SackInzi

#SackInzi

Addicted man.

I lowkey have a similar squad made for ODIs and T20Is too.

You're right though, all for nothing, unfortunately.

 

[Square Drive]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] why would you move Azhar down to #3 when he's been opening so well?

Glad we both agree on Shafiq's spot, Nawaz's utility, and most of the remainder of the line-up.

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] why would you move Azhar down to #3 when he's been opening so well?

Glad we both agree on Shafiq's spot, Nawaz's utility, and most of the remainder of the line-up.

Because I'm afraid of the middle order falling over in a heap!

 

[Square Drive]

Because I'm afraid of the middle order falling over in a heap!

Yeah but we finally got a man who has made that opener's spot his own.

Also, Azhar is too slow for a #3 tbh.

 

[khurram39]

I think asad got improvement in number and may be bat at 4 while the new comer who could be any one will bat after him to put lesser pressure on him.

 

[Hasan123]

You would need a more attacking opener to pair with Azhar. Sami is too one dimensional just like Azhar.

There isn't one.

Sami is brilliant at seeing off the new ball and seems to have improved his shot range.

 

[shariqnoor]

Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing? If only we all have a crystal ball before making decisions.

Our test side over the past 6 years has been extremely solid especially our batting from 3-6. The spots Haris Sohail could've gotten in the past 6 years are Openers and Number 6. If Haris was tried as an opener and he failed, everyone would've criticized the decision of making Haris open when he isn't one. This leads to only one spot remaining which is number 6. Asad Shafiq was reliable till very recent. He has been inconsistent for sure but he's hardly gone a series without making a meaningful contribution. And who's to say the investment on Haris would've worked fluidly? Is everybody so confident that Haris would average 50 coming in at number 6 that sticking with Asad Shafiq was the wrong decision? Like I said, hindsight is a wonderful thing. Haris is not old. He has a lot of cricket in front of him. Younis and Misbah are retiring and he will get his opportunities.

 

[Slog]

Haris was ready 5 years ago. His injury was recent which was mucked up by the PCB. It should've taken no more than 6-8 months to recover from.

in 2014 Haris was not ready. he had a sever concentration problem and wasnt ready for playing long innings. his FC record also showed that

so forget 5 years

 

[Markhor]

We're playing England in May next year, with one Test at Headingley, so I definitely want Sami Aslam partnering Azhar Ali to face the new ball.

Then Haris Sohail at 3 and Babar Azam at 4.

Also - laughable but sadly predictable that one of our esteemed posters brings up the name of Salman Butt yet again. He miserably failed in PAKISTAN let alone outside Asia in his first mediocre stint in international cricket, averaging a pathetic 26 away from home.

Butt couldn't even cash in on phattas in the Pakistan Cup but well past the age of 30 he's going to make a grand return to Test cricket. Alright then.