Can Pakistan find a good combination in ODIs before the World Cup?

[JibranAnsari]

An out of form fakhar zaman( or found out) has totally exposed pakistans batting and now pakistan is finding is very very hard to score good totals in odis. World cup is approaching fast and pakistans batting is in total shambles. Can the same set of players form a winning combination or should pakistan try new guys in the team.

In my opinion saad ali or saud shakeel should be tried in the middle order. Babar azam has done well at number 3 but in my opinion he is well equipped to open the innings for pakistan

Babar azam
Imam ul haq
Haris sohail
Saud shakeel/saad ali
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad/faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Shaheen
Junaid/abbas

 

[trickyone]

Not possible, first you have to accomodate senior players in the team so Sarfraz, Hafeez and Malik get 3 batting spot, Babar Azam needs to be accomodate somewhere along with Fakhar and then you are left with one p@rchi.

Harris and co need to wait till worldcup for any chance...

 

[iPakistani]

In an ideal world we would have Saud Shakeel, Saad Ali drafted in for the tour to SA. I highly doubt this would happen though but if it did this could help our batting order a lot.

Our bowling is not bad and that was shown today we could have bowled NZ out for 220-225 but bad captaincy cost us. I have no doubt that Hasan and Amir will return to form as particularly on UK pitches they come to life. The problem is that 5th bowler, currently we have Shaheen, Amir, Hasan, Shadab we are missing a 5th bowler that can really change the game, maybe someone like Zafar Gohar or Asghar would work.

 

[Mohsin123]

This should be the lineup:

Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Saud Shakeel (He has to be given a chance)
Sarfraz Ahmed
Mohammad Hafeez
Imad Wasim
Fahim Ashraf
Shadab Khan
Shaheen Afridi
Junaid Khan

We need proper batsmen in the top 4 therefore I included Saud Shakeel. Malik does not deserve to be in the side. It's either him or Hafeez and I'll go with the latter. Hafeez CANNOT bat in the top 5. Hasan Ali is out of form and needs to sort his issues and attitude.

 

[Markhor]

Agreed with that lineup from [MENTION=143952]Mohsin123[/MENTION] though I'd look to upgrade on Junaid. Enough of these bits and pieces all-rounders masquerading as specialist batsmen. How can you have a middle order of Malik, Hafeez and Sarfraz when not one of them is a specialist batsman ?

Let's induct batsmen who have strong domestic one day records and are capable of batting at SRs of above 80 at least. Haris Sohail scored two fifties back to back in New Zealand when everyone was getting blown away by Boult and Southee yet we dropped him. Saud Shakeel averages 53 at a SR of 85 in List A cricket yet hasn't had a look in.

But it's not just the batting that needs fixing. Hasan Ali has regressed this year, averaging 53 at an ER of 6.45 against non-minnows in 2018. Too many of our youngsters become arrogant with a bit of success and it seems he needs knocking back down to earth. If he sits out a few games hopefully it'll lit a fire under him.

 

[Ahmed216]

My line up

Imam
Babar
Haris
Saud
Malik
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Shadab
Amir
Shaheen
Abbas

We can afford only one of Imad/Shadab/Faheem in lower order as all 3 are useless batsmen.

Abbas is very accurate and does move the new ball and can bowl a economical+wicket taking spell. Plus he is in form.

 

[Ahmed216]

Hafeez malik and haris to bowl 10 overs combined

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan are not going to make whole sale changes 9 months before world cup, this was always going to end in tears with team selection but PCB dont learn when it comes to ODIs.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Cant do whole sale changes now but if i had a choice then i would like to see:

* Ideally none of Malik and Hafeez to be part of world cup squad and Haris and Saud/Zeeshan/Sharjeel as their replacement.
* A special spinner like Mohammad Irfan (leggie) to be a part of the squad.

These are the only 2 changes i would make. Rest i would go with a similar 15 (depending on fast bowlers' form and fitness) in world cup.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

People including Saud are delusional, he’s been batting at 7 for the Pakistan A team lol

Idrc what anyone says Asif HAS to play in order for us to compete with modern day scores.

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Asif
Imad/Faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Shaheen

In a perfect world and if Pakistan cricket wasn’t filled with nepotism we should be playing this team:

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Saud
Sarfraz
Rizwan
Asif
Imad/Faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Shaheen

 

[TeamPak95]

People including Saud are delusional, he’s been batting at 7 for the Pakistan A team lol

Idrc what anyone says Asif HAS to play in order for us to compete with modern day scores.

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Asif
Imad/Faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Shaheen

In a perfect world and if Pakistan cricket wasn’t filled with nepotism we should be playing this team:

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Saud
Sarfraz
Rizwan
Asif
Imad/Faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Shaheen

Totally agree regarding Asif Ali. Yes he's not playing well but who else is there with, at the very least, natural ball striking potential? I swear, if someone says Umar Akmal...

 

[Haripotter]

I think it's time to re-slot Umar akmal, kamran akmal, Ahmed shahzad and Shahid afridi

 

[Usman Chadda]

Knowing Pakistan, they could limp to the WC and turn up out of nowhere.

 

[Hasan123]

The revolutionary won't make any drastic changes so put your dream XI away.

 

[Syed1]

Knowing Pakistan, they could limp to the WC and turn up out of nowhere.

Just like CT we had unsettled side even after first match in the tournament and then all of a sudden somebody flicked a switch and everything set in place. Same thing happened in 2009 and in 92 (from what I heard)

 

[Plumb]

Just like CT we had unsettled side even after first match in the tournament and then all of a sudden somebody flicked a switch and everything set in place. Same thing happened in 2009 and in 92 (from what I heard)

And same 'll happen in 2019 '92 we crawled huff n puffed and won. That time no1 called it fluke, even if they call 2019 fluke won't care just gotta win it

 

[Syed1]

And same 'll happen in 2019 '92 we crawled huff n puffed and won. That time no1 called it fluke, even if they call 2019 fluke won't care just gotta win it

I'll take flukes as long as they mean tournament wins and heartburn for "fans"

 

[Syed1]

But seriously some of you are acting as if WC is next month and there is nothing but doom gloom to look forward to.


For starters the WC is in England which will exponentially help ALL of our bowlers. Secondly I think only one of Hafeez or Malik will be part of the main eleven, not both. Then hopefully Imam would have been dumped just because he is a garbage bat(fingers crossed on this one, his uncle is CS after all, we have another Farhat on our hands). England pitches will also support Fakhar. Also one can hope that Sharjeel gets a nod to play the WC. His ban tragically ends a month and a bit after the WC.


If I had to pick an ideal side:

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Haris/Saud
Malik
Sarfaraz
Shadab
Fahim
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

 

[Usman Chadda]

Just like CT we had unsettled side even after first match in the tournament and then all of a sudden somebody flicked a switch and everything set in place. Same thing happened in 2009 and in 92 (from what I heard)

We lost a warm-up to India in resounding fashion, while copping thrashings from England and Sri Lanka in 2009. The team's struggles in 1992 are well-documented.

This WC's format might not suit this kamikazee style, but you never know with a Pakistan team. On paper, we could get knocked out before our final two games

 

[Pete Rose]

In a word no.
We are two steps forward five steps backward.
Media pressure due to Asia cup led to hafeez's (lion of UAE) recall.

The issues are clear:
Imam is a poor odi player
Fakhar a bit of hit and miss but what can we do.
Babar Azam - glass chin
Hafeez - nothing beyond UAE and minnows, and a chucking cheat to boot
Malik - same as above
sarfaraz - doesnt belong in odi team, but lets waste time discussing it endlessly.

 

[Syed1]

We lost a warm-up to India in resounding fashion, while copping thrashings from England and Sri Lanka in 2009. The team's struggles in 1992 are well-documented.

This WC's format might not suit this kamikazee style, but you never know with a Pakistan team. On paper, we could get knocked out before our final two games

I think it will come to a situation where every match for us will be do or die

 

[Pete Rose]

I think it will come to a situation where every match for us will be do or die

You have to hope the bowling pulls you through in somewhat friendlier english conditions. These batsmen (all of them) are not up to the task to set or chase more than 240

 

[Chokli]

1.Babar Azam
2.Umar Akmal
3.Haris Sohail
4.Shoaib Malik
5.Mohammad Hafeez
6.Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
7.Imad Wasim
8.Faheem Ashraf
9.Mohammad Amir
10.Shadab Khan
11.Shaheen Afridi

 

[jadaja]

How long will some people still live in CT 2017 illusion.That was a fluke it won't happen again.Pakistan is a very poor odi side with not one class batsmen apart from Azam who is also a border line case.They don't have world class bowling also.There is not one single world class bowler in this lineup.

 

[Usman Chadda]

How long will some people still live in CT 2017 illusion.That was a fluke it won't happen again.Pakistan is a very poor odi side with not one class batsmen apart from Azam who is also a border line case.They don't have world class bowling also.There is not one single world class bowler in this lineup.

Sood samaid ye mazay waapis lautaayenge boy

 

[Theo_14]

You had a good 3-4 years to start a project of revonating the ODI team. 4 yeas on, same problems. Pathetic.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Fakhar Zaman
Sarfraz Ahmed
Babar Azam
Umar Akmal
Mohammad Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Asif Ali
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan
Junaid Khan/Hassan Ali
Shaheen Afridi/Mohammad Amir

Bench:
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan
Saud Shakeel

A long batting line up and with enough bowlers!

 

[Ilustcricket]

Fakhar
Farhan
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfaraz
Imad
Faheem
Shadab
Amir
Shaheen


We could consider Junaid/Hassaan instead of Faheem to strenghthen the bowling but not having a power hitter at the end of the innings in England might cost us.

Shame we cannot somehow fit Asif in the side, feel like he would do well in England.

 

[MMHS]

Tough, not saying impossible since WC is 6 months (from squad finalisation) away and that’s enough time, because to an extent players are available and there is enough games as well to test the best combination. But, I think biggest challenge is to overcome the continuity pressure & fear of change. WC playing conditions will be completely different than UAE (& PAK’s ODI result in UAE isn’t that great either), but what I feel is that think tank is cascading same team which is playing in UAE into UK context.

PAK’s main weaknesses are batting & spin bowling department (proper spin, not darting on sluggish wickets) and looks like team will go to WC with players more suited to UAE condition. More or less Sarfraz, Malik, Hafeez, FZ, Imam, Imad, Shadab, Fahim, Hasan, Amir & Afridi are certain to make the 16 subject to fitness, and most of them will start (or starting XI should come from these 12).

Pace bowling is the only area which has least concern, or more or less it’s covered - they can add Abbas with the 4 & it’s quite potent. But, for spin department I give BOD to Shadab only for his all-round ability & being a leggy, but I don’t have much confidence in the other 2 (Imad & Hafeez) for UK - they are not turner of the ball & being finger spinner, always risky in English grounds. Not sure if Managment has the guts or vision to test couple of genuine spinners in next 15 games - potentials are ready though. Irfan & one of Raza or Gohar can serve the purpose.

Biggest concern is batting. I am not sure how PAK is thinking of taking a batting lineup of Hafeez, Malik & Sarfraz at 4-5-6!!!! At his best days Hafeez had a stats like 23/70 outside Asia, Malik is even poor against pace while Sarfraz is struggling to manage 3 departments & he is not that good either. Imam is also a misfit & the instrumental guy in CT win is struggling big time. I still give Fakhar a BoD & Babar is there, but 4 loose spots are too many to cover.

I can leave Sarfraz out of 4 as designated Captain, but #2, 4 & 5 doesn’t give any confidence. I still think, there are options available- Haris is a better player of pace & movement, Maqsood can be devastating on firm wickets where he can hit through the line, Amin is in brilliant form, while barring fitness issues, Umar deserves a call back. And there are few young players piling on lots of runs in domestics - Saud, Shan, Zeeshan, Saad.

But, to test the combination, PCB has to take bold calls - will/can they do that? Can PCB raise above the fear of a hammering and send 4/5 new faces to SAF or in UK? Can PCB shift that AUS series to AUS - Aussies are playing SAF series on fantastic wickets, ideal WC preparation. Personally, I don’t see PAK making the SF with the current set of players with whom they are building their combination. Amir might come back with a bang, but still batting & spin department is too weak to form a winning combination.

 

[Ahmed216]

My biggest concern is Pak playing too many all rounders like faheem imad hafeez shadab in the same team.

Most we can afford is 2 and my choices would be Shadab and Hafeez.

They should look to play at least 4 specialist batsmen in Imam/Shan, Fakhar, Babar, Haris.

Pacers must also be specialist wicket taking options like Abbas, Shaheen, Hasan(he'll soon overcome the slump in form Inshallah)

Lower middle order will do well with experinced Malik and Sarfraz.

My line-up

Imam/Shan
fakhar
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Shadab
Hasan
Shaheen
Abbas

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I am sort of resigned to the fact that Professor will be there, and that we wont try a spinner like zafar

with all that in mind the best we can hope for is this


1. Professor
2. Fahkar
3. Babar
4. Sarfraz
5. Malik
6. Asif
7.Shadab
8. Imad/faheem
9. Amir
10. Hasan
11. Shaheen

 

[Justcrazy]

Fakhar
Babaar
Umar Amin
Harris
Sarfaraz
Malik
Shadab
Faheem
Yammine / Raza Hassan
Hassan
Afridi

 

[emranabbas]

An out of form fakhar zaman( or found out) has totally exposed pakistans batting and now pakistan is finding is very very hard to score good totals in odis. World cup is approaching fast and pakistans batting is in total shambles. Can the same set of players form a winning combination or should pakistan try new guys in the team.

In my opinion saad ali or saud shakeel should be tried in the middle order. Babar azam has done well at number 3 but in my opinion he is well equipped to open the innings for pakistan

Babar azam
Imam ul haq
Haris sohail
Saud shakeel/saad ali
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad/faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Shaheen
Junaid/abbas

This my brother is a big big big problem for us we can not afford to open with 3 accumulators.
we can only afford to play one of these guys, haris and babar both average 36 vs top 5 away.
babar however strikes at 80 & haris at 70. imam will not be any better.

its wise to stick with fakhar who is in his 50's at a strike rate of 50 form will be back

imad is a must he's been doing well away averaging 54 at a strike of run a ball

faheem is a must even though he's not been tested away but he brings in variety in bowling

i'd also have hafeez in and malik out due to bowling advantage from hafeez, hafeez is a great run stopper with his bowling and maybe a touch better than malik with the bat

 

[Mamoon]

This team has mediocrity written all over it, and it is reflected in the fact that it has lost 9 out of the last 10 matches against the top half teams.

The top-order is consistent only against minnows, the middle-order has a couple of veterans who are not the best against pace, and the lower-order is an absolute circus - easily the worst in the world.

Sarfraz, Asif, Shadab, Faheem and Imad - it does not get worse than that. A collection of mediocre batsmen, hacks and glorified tail-enders.

Quality of spin bowling is pretty substandard as well. Pace bowling is decent after Shaheen’s emergence, but Hasan’s poor form and Amir’s lack of wicket-taking ability have neutralized his impact.

Faheem has been decent with his economy rate, but he is not a wicket-taker and much like Junaid, even when he is bowling well, it seems that he is on the cusp of getting smashed and losing Pakistan the game.

This team is 3-4 world class players short of competing with the best teams in the world on a consistent basis, and there are no names sitting outside (including Haris) who can come in and transform this lineup - we simply do not have the players.

Our winning percentage against the big teams in the last 12 months is not an aberration - it is an accurate reflection of the capabilities of this team.

8 out of 10 times, India, England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will walk over this team.

People need to have realistic aspirations from the World Cup. We are masters of minnow-bashing and there is not much room for that considering the format.

We might win a game or two against the top teams, but it will be difficult to win the majority of games.

England and India are two lock-ins for the semifinal spot, and one of New Zealand, South Africa or Australia will occupy the remaining two spots.

At best, we can hope for a semifinal place if one of the three latter teams have a very poor campaign. New Zealand have an excellent all-round team, and Australia will have Smith and Warner back.

South Africa look vulnerable, but their pace attack is brilliant. They have a better chance of making it to the final four than we do.

 

[Greenstorm]

Looks difficult. We have to get rid of Hafeez, Malik, Imam and Imad from ODI squad until WC which is impossible. But still no harm in dreaming so an ideal line-up will be,

1. Fakhar
2. Babar
3. Harris
4. Saud/Zeeshan
5. Sarfaraz
6. Talat/Asif
7. Shadab
8. Faheem/Gohar/Irfan
9. Hassan
10. Amir
11. Shaheen

15. Junaid
16. Shinwari

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

This team has mediocrity written all over it, and it is reflected in the fact that it has lost 9 out of the last 10 matches against the top half teams.

The top-order is consistent only against minnows, the middle-order has a couple of veterans who are not the best against pace, and the lower-order is an absolute circus - easily the worst in the world.

Sarfraz, Asif, Shadab, Faheem and Imad - it does not get worse than that. A collection of mediocre batsmen, hacks and glorified tail-enders.

Quality of spin bowling is pretty substandard as well. Pace bowling is decent after Shaheen’s emergence, but Hasan’s poor form and Amir’s lack of wicket-taking ability have neutralized his impact.

Faheem has been decent with his economy rate, but he is not a wicket-taker and much like Junaid, even when he is bowling well, it seems that he is on the cusp of getting smashed and losing Pakistan the game.

This team is 3-4 world class players short of competing with the best teams in the world on a consistent basis, and there are no names sitting outside (including Haris) who can come in and transform this lineup - we simply do not have the players.

Our winning percentage against the big teams in the last 12 months is not an aberration - it is an accurate reflection of the capabilities of this team.

8 out of 10 times, India, England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will walk over this team.

People need to have realistic aspirations from the World Cup. We are masters of minnow-bashing and there is not much room for that considering the format.

We might win a game or two against the top teams, but it will be difficult to win the majority of games.

England and India are two lock-ins for the semifinal spot, and one of New Zealand, South Africa or Australia will occupy the remaining two spots.

At best, we can hope for a semifinal place if one of the three latter teams have a very poor campaign. New Zealand have an excellent all-round team, and Australia will have Smith and Warner back.

South Africa look vulnerable, but their pace attack is brilliant. They have a better chance of making it to the final four than we do.

Like I said elsewhere, we have to beat WI, SL, Afg and Ban and win two games out of five against Eng, Aus, Ind, SA and NZ.

The crowd will get us through some games...the boys really get pumped up here!

 

[JibranAnsari]

This my brother is a big big big problem for us we can not afford to open with 3 accumulators.
we can only afford to play one of these guys, haris and babar both average 36 vs top 5 away.
babar however strikes at 80 & haris at 70. imam will not be any better.

its wise to stick with fakhar who is in his 50's at a strike rate of 50 form will be back

imad is a must he's been doing well away averaging 54 at a strike of run a ball

faheem is a must even though he's not been tested away but he brings in variety in bowling

i'd also have hafeez in and malik out due to bowling advantage from hafeez, hafeez is a great run stopper with his bowling and maybe a touch better than malik with the bat

Babar hasnt played enough matches yet to judge him on away average , if anything he can start well with the field inside. His average of 50 will come down as well but he will end up as the best pakistan odi opener ever. Pakistan doesnt have many options if fakhar keeps failing , his 88 was good but lets see how he does in the next 5 matches.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Certainly, this team can't be worst than WC 2015?

 

[DRsohail]

If we want to be competetive,remove mad ,shoaib,and Hafiz and bring in replacements.simple.Imam has to go as well.

 

[DRsohail]

Certainly, this team can't be worst than WC 2015?

Can be,we won there against SA,But i cant see them winning against SA.

 

[Hasan123]

Our main problem is batting. We don't have dynamic batsmen who can score both sides of the wicket against pace and spin. Hafeez and Malik are past there best and have serious issues against pace yet they will be selected. Sarfraz is poor against pace and he will be our captain! Imam isn't a LO player. Can't rotate strike and doesn't have the ability to change gears the longer he bats.

Our bowling is exciting. Hasan Ali,Shaheen , and Amir is a good attack for English conditions. Abbas and Junaid can be the back up giving us plenty of options. Would prefer to see Irfan the leg spinner instead of Shadab but won't be that upset if Shadab is selected but we must select another spinner who makes the team on bowling merit at least in the squad.

If we carry our current batting line up to the WC, I don't see us getting to the semis. The introduction of Haris and Saud , And backing Faheem and Asif will give me more confidence about our batting line up. If Asif isn't the answer, we should take a chance with another big hitter from domestic cricket down the order. As we are in desperate need of some power down the order.

 

[PakSarZameen]

This is a good combination if you ask me. We have never won any big series or world cup without senior players. Whether you guys like it or not, having a good combination of seniors and juniors is necessary to win major series and tournaments.

I would only make 2 changes from the team that played in the Champions Trophy, and that's Imam and Shaheen in.

 

[Raja Danish]

1: Fakhar Zaman
2: Sharjeel Khan
3: Babar Azam
4: Sarfraz Ahmad
5: Shoaib Malik
6: Muhammad Hafeez
7: Shadab Khan
8: Faheem Ashraf
9: Hasan Ali
10:Muhammad Amir
11:Shaheen Shah Afridi

Bench:
12: Junaid Khan
13: Imad Wasim
14: Haris Sohail
15: Asif ali
16: Usman Shinwari/Muhammad Abbas

 

[PakSarZameen]

This is a good combination if you ask me. We have never won any big series or world cup without senior players. Whether you guys like it or not, having a good combination of seniors and juniors is necessary to win major series and tournaments.

I would only make 2 changes from the team that played in the Champions Trophy, and that's Imam and Shaheen in.

Just to add:

Major wins in last 10 years.

2009 WC - Afridi, Younis, Malik, Misbah
2012 ODIs v India - Kami, Younis, Malik, Hafeez, Misbah, Gul, Ajmal
2013 ODIs v SA - Misbah, Afridi, Hafeez, Ajmal
2016 Tests v England - Misbah, Younis, Azhar, Hafeez, Wahab, Yasir
2017 CT - Azhar, Hafeez, Malik, Amir

 

[Justcrazy]

Sharjeel Khan
Babaar Azam
Fakhar Zaman
harris Sohail
Sarfaraz
Hafeez/ Malik
Umar Amin
Shadab
faheem
Shaheen Shaah
Hassan Ali .

This team should make semis easily .

 

[New Yorker]

I'm going to be counter punctual:
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is completely right that barring a few bright sparks the existing roster reeks of mediocrity, and will not win anything anytime soon against quality opposition, let alone England and India, who are clear front runners for the WC. That said, a roster very similar to the current team won the CT not so long ago by ultimately beating every quality opposition in sight very comprehensively, including England and India, who were clear front runners for the CT.

In other words, we have to explain how Mamoon could on the one hand be absolutely right and how him being right may be besides the point. How does the quality of a roster of players become besides the point? Well, it becomes a more relative concept if we also account for that strange little word 'form'

We always seem to take form very much less seriously than "quality" Yet one term is arguably as vague and elusive as the the other. How "temporary" is form really, how "permanent" is quality? We can think of many players who sustained extraordinary 'form' for a number of years, ie Mitch Johnson, while being merely very good over their career.

People like to explain England and India's ODI success in terms of the abundance of talent available to both teams, such abundance in fact that they seem to have the luxury to swap players in and out at will while continuing to win. Yet precisely in so far as they are swapping players in and out, they are showing an indifference to something that Pakistani selectors and fans have a reverential obedience to: quality and seniority, and a sensitivity to something that Pakistani selectors have almost lost track of enitrely, form.

Could we ever imagine Pakistan dropping an Ashwin in ODIs, if such a spinner were available to us? Let alone thinking of finding another good spinner, besides Shadab Khan? Of actually not selecting a player of Dhoni's calibre, let alone a Hafeez or Malik, who may be many things, in many facets of the game, but who are also probably the least reliable closers/chasers under pressure that ODI cricket has ever seen; happy to biff a brisk 40 in a winning cause but invariably falling short when a game could very well have been won with a bit more application, as in the first ODI against NZ in this series.

Does this mean that Saud Shakeel and Haris Sohail, two genuine, in form specialist batsmen who are also very handy spin bowler will be given enough game time before the WC? Unfortunately we already know the answer to this question.

Pakistan, as we know, hardly ever uses even dead rubbers to try out new talent. Thus for instance, Malik and Hafeez were still being played in the last dead rubber T20 against NZ. Thus for instance Sadaf Hussain, who traveled with the national team to the Windies in 2013 and was at the time averaging a scarcely believable 18 in LA cricket, 12 points less than Rahat Ali, could not be given even a single opportunity in the last dead rubber of the series by genius coach and die hard Rahat fan Waqar Younis. Indeed, Sadaf will most likely never be seen national colours.

It is argued by some that Sadaf may be past his peak, and one could say that his performance recently has been merely very good, not leagues above the rest of the pack. So many may feel indifferent about this omission, much as they purport to argue that Fawad's Alam's ship has also sailed. Yet the point here is not about Sadaf's fate per se, but the selection policy itself, which seems so ill equipped to respond to form. If you don't have an abundance of stellar quality at home, that kind of lethargy is all the more damaging.

People might argue that Shaheen's run marks a brave new policy shift by the selectors, they seem finally to be willing to take a chance on young talent. But it should be remembered that Shaheen had hardly any domestic record to be judged by; he was selected because he looks good because he looked like a fast bowler should look; tall and fasti-ish. And this is still why so many people are instantly convinced about him, while continuing harbor doubts about Abbas, who is too slow, and clearly looks nothing like a square jawed Imran Khan. (Shaheen looks like someone had inflated teenage Imran Khan's head and stuck it back unto teenage Imran's body; he's literally a fast bowler caricature)

Shaheen, in other words, was selected for much the same reasons that Wahab Riaz kept being selected. (The difference is that he has made that selection count.) Shaheen, in the former respect, is an anti Hasan Ali selection; the inverse of the case of a bowler considered too short to succeed who nevertheless did so well in domestic that he had to be given a place on the bench in the CT, even if Wahab was clearly first choice. Meanwhile, another young pretender, Fakhar Zaman, was given a spot on the back of good performances, and finally got his chance when Shehzad failed one time too many. And the rest as they say history. But what kind of history? Short term, long term, what?

As we know, even a stopped clock tells the time at least twice. And by now some will say that all the doubts about Hasan were in fact true. Maybe he really is too short? The problem with this argument is that Hasan's height has not changed since the CT. We may reserve our faith in a logic that fails to predict the future, but if it also fails to explain the past we should throw in the garbage bin. The best explanation here is at once the simplest, the most general. Hasan has lost form.

This explanation is also the most useful kind of explanation if we draw from it not merely the conclusion that Hasan himself should be persisted with - that is one conclusion to draw, because he has clearly shown that he is capable of being the very best - but also to acknowledge that we need to be in a position to select the next Hasan Ali, if Hasan Ali fails to regain his form. Ie. to be open to performers in domestics who are in good nick.

So for me, the answer to the question of who should be Pakistan's World Cup XI is that the the question itself should be more open ended. It is not merely about selecting who, but selecting them when.

 

[MMHS]

Tough, not saying impossible since WC is 6 months (from squad finalisation) away and thatÂ’s enough time, because to an extent players are available and there is enough games as well to test the best combination. But, I think biggest challenge is to overcome the continuity pressure & fear of change. WC playing conditions will be completely different than UAE (& PAKÂ’s ODI result in UAE isnÂ’t that great either), but what I feel is that think tank is cascading same team which is playing in UAE into UK context.

PAKÂ’s main weaknesses are batting & spin bowling department (proper spin, not darting on sluggish wickets) and looks like team will go to WC with players more suited to UAE condition. More or less Sarfraz, Malik, Hafeez, FZ, Imam, Imad, Shadab, Fahim, Hasan, Amir & Afridi are certain to make the 16 subject to fitness, and most of them will start (or starting XI should come from these 12).

Pace bowling is the only area which has least concern, or more or less itÂ’s covered - they can add Abbas with the 4 & itÂ’s quite potent. But, for spin department I give BOD to Shadab only for his all-round ability & being a leggy, but I donÂ’t have much confidence in the other 2 (Imad & Hafeez) for UK - they are not turner of the ball & being finger spinner, always risky in English grounds. Not sure if Managment has the guts or vision to test couple of genuine spinners in next 15 games - potentials are ready though. Irfan & one of Raza or Gohar can serve the purpose.

Biggest concern is batting. I am not sure how PAK is thinking of taking a batting lineup of Hafeez, Malik & Sarfraz at 4-5-6!!!! At his best days Hafeez had a stats like 23/70 outside Asia, Malik is even poor against pace while Sarfraz is struggling to manage 3 departments & he is not that good either. Imam is also a misfit & the instrumental guy in CT win is struggling big time. I still give Fakhar a BoD & Babar is there, but 4 loose spots are too many to cover.

I can leave Sarfraz out of 4 as designated Captain, but #2, 4 & 5 doesnÂ’t give any confidence. I still think, there are options available- Haris is a better player of pace & movement, Maqsood can be devastating on firm wickets where he can hit through the line, Amin is in brilliant form, while barring fitness issues, Umar deserves a call back. And there are few young players piling on lots of runs in domestics - Saud, Shan, Zeeshan, Saad.

But, to test the combination, PCB has to take bold calls - will/can they do that? Can PCB raise above the fear of a hammering and send 4/5 new faces to SAF or in UK? Can PCB shift that AUS series to AUS - Aussies are playing SAF series on fantastic wickets, ideal WC preparation. Personally, I donÂ’t see PAK making the SF with the current set of players with whom they are building their combination. Amir might come back with a bang, but still batting & spin department is too weak to form a winning combination.

We are at the 11th hour now with only few days before finalizing the squad - there after, it's all through to WC with 1 months preparation in UK. I wrote it 5 months back, and only addition in the secured list is probably Haris, therefore don't think overall squad has changed much (if anything). Only way now (for better out put), is individual improvement of the players. In a squad of 15, if 10-12 players are in form and couple of world class players reach their top potential, it's possible to over achieve - SRL did that in 1996 and between Nov 2014 to Sep 2015, we covered 29 rating points to make the CT cut, basically with same players that are playing now.

So, it's possible for PAK to punch above weight, but for that I think squad has to be extremely fit and at least 6 players has to hit their peak - Babar, Amir, Hasan, Shaheen, Fakhar and may be Haris; and none of the other 9 can be passengers either. In this format, it's about making the SF and then all about 2 great days - I honestly don't see PAK making the SF as of now - they are clear 11 points behind 5th ranked AUS and this gap might widen by the start of WC. But you never know, there is always luck factor in this game and Someone has to wish as well.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

We are at the 11th hour now with only few days before finalizing the squad - there after, it's all through to WC with 1 months preparation in UK. I wrote it 5 months back, and only addition in the secured list is probably Haris, therefore don't think overall squad has changed much (if anything). Only way now (for better out put), is individual improvement of the players. In a squad of 15, if 10-12 players are in form and couple of world class players reach their top potential, it's possible to over achieve - SRL did that in 1996 and between Nov 2014 to Sep 2015, we covered 29 rating points to make the CT cut, basically with same players that are playing now.

So, it's possible for PAK to punch above weight, but for that I think squad has to be extremely fit and at least 6 players has to hit their peak - Babar, Amir, Hasan, Shaheen, Fakhar and may be Haris; and none of the other 9 can be passengers either. In this format, it's about making the SF and then all about 2 great days - I honestly don't see PAK making the SF as of now - they are clear 11 points behind 5th ranked AUS and this gap might widen by the start of WC. But you never know, there is always luck factor in this game and Someone has to wish as well.

When will you learn? Pakistan is a tournament team and I fully expect then to turn up. They will easily make semi finals.

 

[MMHS]

When will you learn? Pakistan is a tournament team and I fully expect then to turn up. They will easily make semi finals.

I have lot to learn yet, but I guess couple of dollies dropped by Lankan's has made you forget lot more that you had learned. Tournament team - this is

PAK's ICC events record, since winning WC 27 years back -

1996 WC: QF (Lost to IND)
1998 CT: 1st round exit (Lost to WIN)
1999 WC: Final (Lost to AUS)
2000 CT: QF (lost to NZ)
2002 CT: Group stage exit
2003 WC: Group stage exit
2004 CT: SF (Lost to WIN)
2006 CT: Group stage exit
2007 WC: Preliminary stage exit
2009 CT: SF (Lost to NZ)
2011 WC: SF (Lost to IND)
2013 CT: Group stage exit
2015 WC: QF (Lost to AUS)
2017 CT: Winners

Add to the T20I -

2007 WC: Finalist (Lost to IND)
2009 WC: Winners
2010 WC: SF (Lost to AUS)
2012 WC: SF (Lost to SRL)
2014 WC: Group stage exit
2016 WC: Group stage exit


Asia Cup in this millennium -

2000 BD: Winners
2007 PK: Group stage exit
2010 SRL: Group stage exit
2012 BD: Winners
2014 BD: Finalist (Lost to SRL)
2016 BD: Group stage exit (T20I format)
2018 UAE: Group stage exit

I'll definitely wait to see how much easily they make the SF this time.

 

[Ronaldo7]

I have lot to learn yet, but I guess couple of dollies dropped by Lankan's has made you forget lot more that you had learned. Tournament team - this is

PAK's ICC events record, since winning WC 27 years back -

1996 WC: QF (Lost to IND)
1998 CT: 1st round exit (Lost to WIN)
1999 WC: Final (Lost to AUS)
2000 CT: QF (lost to NZ)
2002 CT: Group stage exit
2003 WC: Group stage exit
2004 CT: SF (Lost to WIN)
2006 CT: Group stage exit
2007 WC: Preliminary stage exit
2009 CT: SF (Lost to NZ)
2011 WC: SF (Lost to IND)
2013 CT: Group stage exit
2015 WC: QF (Lost to AUS)
2017 CT: Winners

Add to the T20I -

2007 WC: Finalist (Lost to IND)
2009 WC: Winners
2010 WC: SF (Lost to AUS)
2012 WC: SF (Lost to SRL)
2014 WC: Group stage exit
2016 WC: Group stage exit


Asia Cup in this millennium -

2000 BD: Winners
2007 PK: Group stage exit
2010 SRL: Group stage exit
2012 BD: Winners
2014 BD: Finalist (Lost to SRL)
2016 BD: Group stage exit (T20I format)
2018 UAE: Group stage exit

I'll definitely wait to see how much easily they make the SF this time.

Yeah but this year have a very decent chance of making it to the semis
After that it's equal for all teams due to the pressure.

 

[MMHS]

Yeah but this year have a very decent chance of making it to the semis
After that it's equal for all teams due to the pressure.

Remember, that list I have posted where realistically at most 4 to 5 teams were contenders for SF spot. I have gone through this entire period, and more or less this was PAK's seeding in each case -

1996 WC: QF (Lost to IND) - among top 2 seeds, expected per was Final at Lahore
1998 CT: 1st round exit (Lost to WIN) - 3rd/4th - SF
1999 WC: Final (Lost to AUS) - joint top (1 of 3) - Final
2000 CT: QF (lost to NZ) - joint 3rd/4th - SF
2002 CT: Group stage exit - 4th - SF
2003 WC: Group stage exit - 4th/5th - at least super six
2004 CT: SF (Lost to WIN) - 3rd/4th - SF
2006 CT: Group stage exit - 4th - SF
2007 WC: Preliminary stage exit - 5th - at least super 8
2009 CT: SF (Lost to NZ) - 4th/5th - Group stage exit (AUS From that group was favorite, per with IND)
2011 WC: SF (Lost to IND) - 3rd/4th - SF
2013 CT: Group stage exit - 5th - Group stage exit (but not last in group)
2015 WC: QF (Lost to AUS) - 5th - QF
2017 CT: Winners - 6th - Group stage exit

Add to the T20I -

2007 WC: Finalist (Lost to IND) - no clue, 1st event
2009 WC: Winners - top 3, at least SF
2010 WC: SF (Lost to AUS) - top 3, Final
2012 WC: SF (Lost to SRL) - top 3, Final
2014 WC: Group stage exit - top 4, SF
2016 WC: Group stage exit - 6th, not expected to SF


Asia Cup in this millennium -

2000 BD: Winners - 1st, winner
2007 PK: Group stage exit, 1st - winner
2010 SRL: Group stage exit, joint 1st - at least Final
2012 BD: Winners - 1st - winner
2014 BD: Finalist (Lost to SRL) - top 2, at least Final
2016 BD: Group stage exit (T20I format), top 2, at least Final
2018 UAE: Group stage exit - 1st, winners

Tournament team......................

 

[Chokli]

I have lot to learn yet, but I guess couple of dollies dropped by Lankan's has made you forget lot more that you had learned..

Dropped catches are a part of the game. You can't use it to downgrade Pakistan's achievement.

Pakistan will win the 2019 World Cup.

 

[MMHS]

Dropped catches are a part of the game. You can't use it to downgrade Pakistan's achievement.

Pakistan will win the 2019 World Cup.

Inshallah. I am not down grading PAK's achievement either.

 

[saeedhk]

Realistically, Pak has no chance of making the semis. Our whole batting line up is filled with dot ball kings. Teams will easily pin these guys down, after which they will slog and get caught. Just like what has happened with Fakhar. Teams are very smart, they do their homework.
Another major concern is our power hitting. Not one player who can hit sixes at the end apart from Hafeez and Imad. Asif Ali is club level player who will hit a six and get out. Faheem is not even an allrounder. He is just an average bowler but people rate him more than Razzaq. This guy was exposed in the Aus series so they called him back to avoid embarrassment.
Our bowling is our main weapon but we are getting thrashed by top teams in the ast 2 years. Shadab getsh thrashed aginst top teams. Shaheen is our only hope.
Optimism is good but looking at realities, Pak should be happy if they beat SL or Bangladesh.

 

[saeedhk]

Certainly, this team can't be worst than WC 2015?

Difficult question.

 

[Chokli]

Inshallah. I am not down grading PAK's achievement either.

Hope Bangladesh play well.

We are brothers

 

[MMHS]

Hope Bangladesh play well.

We are brothers

I always thought so.....

 

[ARK Rafay]

Difficult question.

You really think that? I mean batting of WC15 was no way better than now

 

[MMHS]

That time is over - no more combination. Now, it’s time to back whoever is picked and expect that the squad as a whole will hit peak form during WC. And, Sarfraz needs to be supported (& he needs to keep his mouth in check as well).

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz (avgs 50+ at 5)

We are going with a very strong top 5 this time. Need to get a late order stroke maker and a late order hitter.

My worry is bowling as we are going to the world cup without any proper spinner.

 

[Mamoon]

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz (avgs 50+ at 5)

We are going with a very strong top 5 this time. Need to get a late order stroke maker and a late order hitter.

My worry is bowling as we are going to the world cup without any proper spinner.

You don’t need anyone reminding you that there is no chance of Imam sitting out for Abid unless he is injured. This top 5 is just your wishlist.

The likes of Malik and Hafeez will probably squeeze in the middle-order as well, which it is highly unlikely that Sarfaraz will be batting at 5, not that his average of 50+ has any significance at the moment. He has been awful for years.

 

[saeedhk]

As long as Faheem is in the team. Dont expect high scores. This guy coupled with Asif Ali are the worst finishers in the history of cricket. Faheem can't even middle a ball while Asif hits a six and gets out.