Can Mohammad Hafeez make a comeback into the Test team as a direct replacement for Misbah-ul-Haq?

[PakSarZameen]

After the retirement of Misbah and Younis, Pakistan will surely miss a lot of experience which was brought by the duo. Experienced Hafeez's style of play has always suited the longer format more than the shorter formats, he has a good test record at a position which I think never suited to his play and he also gives us that valuable off-spin option we have been lacking over the last series or two.

I would go ahead and push Hafeez to retire from the limited over formats just so he can focus on tests.

Sami Aslam
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail/Fawad Alam
Muhammad Hafeez
Asad Shafiq
Sarfraz Ahmed+*

This, in my opinion, is a solid solid test batting line up. It also gives us a leg spin option in Azhar Ali, a left arm spin option in Haris/Fawad and of course Hafeez as the 5th bowler and sole off spinner. Like this we could go ahead with 3 specialist fast bowlers even in the UAE.

 

[mak36]

Absolutely not- here's two reasons why:

(i) he is 36
(ii) after 50 tests has an average below 40.

Time to move on.

 

[Abdullah719]

This is my response: Mohammad Hafeez has the 2nd worst record for a batsman outside Asia in the history of Test Cricket!

Thanks but no thanks.

 

[PakSarZameen]

Absolutely not- here's two reasons why:

(i) he is 36
(ii) after 50 tests has an average below 40.

Time to move on.

(i) Age is just a number as long as you are fit and performing
(ii) Like I mentioned, number 5 suits him more. He has an average of 40 at a position where his weakness could be exploited.

 

[PakSarZameen]

This is my response: Mohammad Hafeez has the 2nd worst record for a batsman outside Asia in the history of Test Cricket!

Thanks but no thanks.

Once again, that was at an opening position where his weaknesses were exploited. We won't have to worry about that with him batting at 5.

 

[Justcrazy]

NO .

Pakistan need to invest in younger batters.

 

[mak36]

(i) Age is just a number as long as you are fit and performing
(ii) Like I mentioned, number 5 suits him more. He has an average of 40 at a position where his weakness could be exploited.

He is not performing- which is why I mentioned his average. How do you know number 5 suits him more? It would be a completely backwards step. Plus have you forgotten Hafeez considers it an insult if he is asked to bat outside the top four?

The retirements of MisYou is a great opportunity to induct new players into the test team. Yes, there might be some short term pain but it will help build a strong team for the next 5-10 years. Why would rather settle for a player that is defined by his mediocrity?

 

[Abdullah719]

Once again, that was at an opening position where his weaknesses were exploited. We won't have to worry about that with him batting at 5.

Yes, the likes of Usman Salahuddin should just rot on the bench forever so we can select another TTF. Let's bring back Imran Farhat in the middle order also because his 'weakness will be hidden'.

I do hope you aren't serious.

 

[Shaka81]

Good God No!
It would be the worst decision ever. Doesn't matter which number he bats it would be a disaster.

 

[mak36]

Yes, the likes of Usman Salahuddin should just rot on the bench forever so we can select another TTF. Let's bring back Imran Farhat in the middle order also because his 'weakness will be hidden'.

I do hope you aren't serious.

Bhai, don't forget Khurram Manzoor. Whilst we are at it, we should bring Mohammad Sami back too.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

36 year old making a comeback again?

Time for Haris Sohail to step in.

 

[PakSarZameen]

Yes, the likes of Usman Salahuddin should just rot on the bench forever so we can select another TTF. Let's bring back Imran Farhat in the middle order also because his 'weakness will be hidden'.

I do hope you aren't serious.

Hafeez brings invaluable off spin. Come back when Usman Sallahuddin can do too.

 

[PakSarZameen]

36 year old making a comeback again?

Time for Haris Sohail to step in.

I've already included Haris in the XI as a replacement for Younis. I am talking about Misbah's replacement here.

 

[Abdullah719]

Hafeez brings invaluable off spin. Come back when Usman Sallahuddin can do too.

Picking a batsman for his bowling?

 

[PakSarZameen]

Picking a batsman for his bowling?

Why not?

Let's suppose we have player A and B.

Player A averages 45 with the bat but can't bowl, whereas Player B averages 41 with the bat and 30 with the ball.

Who would you rather select? Especially taking into account that we have been lacking a 5th bowler and an off spinner.

*(Player B a.k.a. Hafeez's stats are from 2010 onwards btw)

 

[Abdullah719]

Why not?

Let's suppose we have player A and B.

Player A averages 45 with the bat but can't bowl, whereas Player B averages 41 with the bat and 30 with the ball.

Who would you rather select? Especially taking into account that we have been lacking a 5th bowler and an off spinner.

*(Player B a.k.a. Hafeez's stats are from 2010 onwards btw)

What if Player B has a). always been a failure against top quality sides and b). is nearing the end of his career and is not a long-term option?

I'll take Player A, thanks. We can look for an all-rounder without resorting to this farce of bringing back a 'senior' just because he's 'experienced'.

 

[mak36]

What if Player B has a). always been a failure against top quality sides and b). is nearing the end of his career and is not a long-term option?

I'll take Player A, thanks. We can look for an all-rounder without resorting to this farce of bringing back a 'senior' just because he's 'experienced'.

Exactly. Why don't more fans get this? It's so frustrating.

 

[Stewie]

I think hafeez should be in the team

 

[Rayyman]

To be honest, we need a 5th bowler.

I would select him and bat him at #5 or #6.

Only if he retires or is dropped from LOIs.

Otherwise, playing Hafeez in multiple formats at this stage of his career is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Rayyman]

Of course this would only be a short-term decision. 4 years max.

I don't want to see Hafeez playing international cricket at 42.

 

[Monsee]

One Question: When was the last time he really looked threatening with the ball in hand; when you can answer that I will also support coming back of the recent great aka Iftikhar Ahmed?

 

[coy0607]

Yes absolutely, we need the 38 year old to replace the 42 year old

Because that's what leads to success, not young talent, but 38 year olds who average 35 with the bat

You're brilliant

 

[ads101]

Why not?

Let's suppose we have player A and B.

Player A averages 45 with the bat but can't bowl, whereas Player B averages 41 with the bat and 30 with the ball.

Who would you rather select? Especially taking into account that we have been lacking a 5th bowler and an off spinner.

*(Player B a.k.a. Hafeez's stats are from 2010 onwards btw)

This is the reason why he rightly deserved his test place in the past. We had few good opening options and Hafeez outperformed them with the bat as well as bringing use with the ball. Hafeez bat alone was the best since Anwar for us such was the dearth in our opener quality, until Azhar got promoted. I never would have played him middle order, even if he was more suited, simply as we had other talent which I'd rather take a punt on developing than having Hafeez. He's actual had a big impact on our wins in UAE and asia, which people underrate, was useless outside of asia but quite frankly barring some exceptions we as a team were awful there. Hafeez was just even worse than the rest.

His usefulness however has declined. A player on the wane, not good as he was with the bat, and a shadow of himself with the ball. While we don't have any players that stand out to be included in the test middle order to replace Misbah and YK, probably worth taking a shot at trying them. Babar's already in the side, and he was the real standout amongst the youngsters.

Azhar to continue opening, Asad needs to move up to three (lowest four) and Babar drop down, ideally to 6 to be given time to learn the test game. No point Asad hogging the developing position, been sheltered too long at 6, and Sarfraz already provides experience lower order.

Haris hopefully will come in, but I have doubts he'll be as good as he once were, management were reluctant to play him in CT, and that worries me. Fawad I'd probably get in, but have fears of his scoring in domestic isn't as prolific as it used to as well as his technique. Umar if he regains fitness I'd have him in, but again not sure about him for obvious reasons. Fakhar is an option but would play him middle order, maybe 3 or 4, but probably a bad idea better to let him focus on LOI for now. Similar story for Sharjeel, though not sure he's coming back. Usman Salluhuddin is a possible option too.

Honestly our middle order talent in tests looks rather bleak. But don't think Hafeez is the answer.

 

[Titan24]

In UAE if we are playing shadab and yasir than we need a pace bowling allrounder. Even i overseas tests pace bowling all rounder will be handy.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Pakistan had more than enough better options. Hafeez had consistently failed against quality attacks in the past and having such a liability in the batting order is a huge blow.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

What an absolute joke. We have younger batsmen like Haris with much more calibre than this failure. His bowling is only suited to LOIs now. He is not a wicket taking option. Can't believe some clueless people actually want him to play tests

 

[Titan24]

What an absolute joke. We have younger batsmen like Haris with much more calibre than this failure. His bowling is only suited to LOIs now. He is not a wicket taking option. Can't believe some clueless people actually want him to play tests

Yes. Haris Sohail's is technically one the most compact batsman we have and is going to be a valuable asset in overseas series like SA, Aus, NZ and Eng. Further he can bowl good enough 5 to 10 overs in test matches if required to rest the main bowlers.

High hopes for him, fingers crossed.

 

[New Yorker]

After the retirement of Misbah and Younis, Pakistan will surely miss a lot of experience which was brought by the duo. Experienced Hafeez's style of play has always suited the longer format more than the shorter formats, he has a good test record at a position which I think never suited to his play and he also gives us that valuable off-spin option we have been lacking over the last series or two.

I would go ahead and push Hafeez to retire from the limited over formats just so he can focus on tests.

Sami Aslam
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail/Fawad Alam
Muhammad Hafeez
Asad Shafiq
Sarfraz Ahmed+*

This, in my opinion, is a solid solid test batting line up. It also gives us a leg spin option in Azhar Ali, a left arm spin option in Haris/Fawad and of course Hafeez as the 5th bowler and sole off spinner. Like this we could go ahead with 3 specialist fast bowlers even in the UAE.

Quite possibly the worst idea ever sold on this board. Why would you bench either one of Haris or Fawad for this hack? Both need to play. No 5 is a specialist batsman position.

 

[DRsohail]

why not bring back imran farhat and faisal iqbal [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] ,,,,i am astonished by these threads,,,

 

[hadi123]

We do need an off spinning all rounder. Maybe Agha Salman as Hafeez is awful in tests

 

[MMHS]

why not bring back imran farhat and faisal iqbal [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] ,,,,i am astonished by these threads,,,

MoHa has the biggest admirers in PAK - not sure, but some may be paid, as he knows how to manipulate statistics & take advantage of media (& injury).

The biggest loser in PAK cricket for MoHa is Taufique Umar, who ironically had 60+ average against SAF, in SAF. Since 2000, PAK probably has played around 150+ Tests - on merit, Taufique should have played at least 135 of those - today, he should have been standing on a realistic chance at YK's total!!! And, he would have been the only lefti in a horribly monotonous line-up with 1-11 right handers at times.

Now, some people are suggesting the same at the cost for at least couple of young players, who can serve for another decade. On a cricket term, if it's essential to have someone bowling 10-12 overs of off spin, why not start that with Babar or Asad, who does make the team on merit - if someone is hell bent that Aga Salman Ali isn't Test material at 7.

 

[Ahson8]

Lol. No. Although I'd take him as opener ahead of Shehzad or even Sami (too slow to partner Azhar) in UAE conditions.

 

[Junaids]

Next year you have Test tours to England and South Africa.

Can Hafeez bowl pace? Because you don't need a fifth bowler bowling spin!

 

[Hawkeye]

Hafeez cannot play as an opener or top order bat.

As a 5th bowling spin+bat option, there's nobody better in the world - Only Shakib is close.

Next year you have Test tours to England and South Africa.

Can Hafeez bowl pace? Because you don't need a fifth bowler bowling spin!

His off spin is actually very effective without assistance from the pitch. Can bowl well even overseas.

 

[Billy1999]

36 year old making a comeback again?

Time for Haris Sohail to step in.

Harris cannot even bat

 

[DRsohail]

i will take miandad and inzimam but dont recall this big hach and failed bat...

 

[DRsohail]

Harris cannot even bat

he will bowl..hahhaha yaar what are these people talking about...

 

[kaifmazhar]

he will bowl..hahhaha yaar what are these people talking about...

Not thinking too far ahead he is likely to be picked up against SL since 2 most experienced guys have retired and he plays spin well and at Misbah's batting position he is likely to do well and beside that he can be a useful option as a support bowler. Beyond that just wait and watch....

 

[Junaids]

What's the job description?

"Old man who was never Test Class but can score runs on grassless wickets with no bounce, seam or swing."

 

[mak36]

What's the job description?

"Old man who was never Test Class but can score runs on grassless wickets with no bounce, seam or swing."

The job description also specifies the player must have given themselves the nickname "Professor."

 

[Kroll]

Nah, need to invest in the future, guys such as blessed in all three facets have had his time.

 

[DRsohail]

Not thinking too far ahead he is likely to be picked up against SL since 2 most experienced guys have retired and he plays spin well and at Misbah's batting position he is likely to do well and beside that he can be a useful option as a support bowler. Beyond that just wait and watch....

if u are talking about hafeez then big noooooo.and yes haris desreves it,,,,

 

[PakHammer]

Could happen for the next series in the UAE. Did'nt Micky want Hafeez added to the test squad against the Windies?

So it wont be that surprising if Hafeez is named in the next test squad in place of Shezzy.

 

[Tommo]

What a horrible idea, the thought of it makes me want to cringe into a ball. Hell no!

Few Potential contenders:
Umar Amin (massively improved)
Haris (subject to fitness)
Osman salahuddin
Fawad Alam (inept technically may not last long)

 

[msb314]

Hafeez should stick to at ODI 's at no. 5 or 6. PERIOD.

Nowhere else does he bring any value to the team.

 

[Stewie]

Hafeez should stick to at ODI 's at no. 5 or 6. PERIOD.

Nowhere else does he bring any value to the team.

Same logic applies in tests. He needs to understand he isn't a top order batsman and he can really do the job of Misbah in tests at 5, or even 6.

 

[Markhor]

This is not a good idea. Yes Younis and Misbah were capable of defying their age but that doesn't mean everyone else can.

Everyone who's seen Hafeez in the last year know his reflexes against pace is gone. Even at his peak, he's always struggled against swing and given we're touring England and SAF next year he's likely to be a sitting duck.

Its not like there's a dearth of middle order options either - we have Haris, Fawad and Salahuddin waiting in the wings.

However the OP is right to mention the lack of 5th bowler in Tests is a problem for us. Yasir is being bowled into the ground and needs someone to share the workload. Maybe Agha Salman is an option.