Can this team do well in the Champions Trophy 2017?

[Shutdown Corner]

This plus minus will keep on going, but the real divider will come in the Champions Trophy. Which team amongst BD, Pak and WI does well and goes to the semis or further, will open up an unassailable lead with the rest of the pack.

BD having dropped that match against Afghanistan did quite a big disservice to itself, now they are within touching distance of the other two which wasn't the case earlier.

Well we had a 10 point lead on both PAK and WI but then WI had a very good tri series where they went to the final, beating AUS and SA 3 times. So they really cut the gap. I think they were 4 points behind us, 98-94.

But with BD being at 95, PAK at 91, and WI at 89...we're back to just having a 4 point buffer.

Until Sep 2017, BD has a very tough schedule:

3 ODIs vs ENG
3 ODIs @ NZ
3 ODIs @ SL (unconfirmed)
2 vs IRE, 2 vs NZ
Champions Trophy (vs AUS, ENG, NZ)
3 ODIs vs PAK
3 ODIs @ AUS

We will rely heavily on Mustafiz and Taskin to maintain our rating at 90+ with so many away matches.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Hussain Talat's inclusion in place of Shafiq would make a good squad for CT17

Shafiq needs to go. Azhar should be relieved of captaincy, Rahat should be dropped for Irfan. Sarfraz will take his place back in the squad. Talat or Fakhar should be included in place of Shafiq. It would give a pretty solid outlook for our Champions Trophy squad.

 

[saeed5646]

Shafiq needs to go. Azhar should be relieved of captaincy, Rahat should be dropped for Irfan. Sarfraz will take his place back in the squad. Talat or Fakhar should be included in place of Shafiq. It would give a pretty solid outlook for our Champions Trophy squad.

cannot agree with you more

 

[KhalidRafi]

Yes if Akmal replaces Azhar. Also only one of Imad or Nawaz should be in the 11 since its in England.

Should keep Nawaz as a backup. His batting is useless and Imad is a far better bowler aswell.

 

[Brilliance]

1 U Akmal.
2 Sharjeel.
3 Babar.
4 Haris.
5 Hafeez.
6 Malik.
7 Sarfaraz.
8 Imad.
9 Amir.
10 Hassan.
11 Junaid Khan.

This side has the ability to post 280+ scores consistently and also to defend it.

 

[Brilliance]

Shafiq needs to go. Azhar should be relieved of captaincy, Rahat should be dropped for Irfan. Sarfraz will take his place back in the squad. Talat or Fakhar should be included in place of Shafiq. It would give a pretty solid outlook for our Champions Trophy squad.

Talat has a long way to go. If he continues to improve and maintain the current form for 1 to 2 years , he will be definitely on selectors radar.

 

[Hasan123]

Why not?

There are just about 2/3 quick fix required, which I am sure Arthur can do within next 6 months.

1. Just need a better opener than Azhar. May be a new face or someone like Butt, MoHa. MoHa is a bit risky in early UK summer, but Fakher has a realistic chance - outside chance is Shahzeb. I would have opened with Babar & played Asad at 3 or even Amin has a better prospect than Azhar, as he can seem a bit with ball & fields brilliantly.
2. Need a new ball partner for Aamir, Imad can't open there. If Sohail can improve fitness, ideal partner.
3. Mian won't be this good in UK for sure. He can remain in the squad or even XI, but Umar needs to come at 4.
4. 2 left arm spinner won't work in UK, now way in June, specially when they have Malik in XI (& Fakhar can bowl SLAO as well). PAK MUST give Yasir all that he needs to succeed in ODI; if not, find another Leggi. But, this bowling combination won't work beyond WI.
5. Azhar is hurting with his batting as well - by now, I guess everyone is aware of who is calling shots during fielding. This'll create division in the team - this must has to be solved. Either empower Azhar & make that clear to everyone, or sack him (ask to resign on personal grounds).

Rest are perfectly in order & moving forward. At this rate, PAK should make the SF easily.

How about now?

 

[MMHS]

How about now?

Still remains same - have to fix at the start - at Toss, in batting order, in bowling order.

For CT specifically -

1. No place for Captain Azhar - Mian, MoHa, Sarfy- anyone'll do, but not Azhar. Can stay in squad as opener, but must not be given automatic starting spot
2. New ball partner for Amir - JK, Irfan, Asif, Sohail ....... but someone who'll bowl 7 tight & attacking overs with new ball from one end at the start. Hasan is a decent finisher - will be better in UK, but needs to improve hitting ability
3. Opening partner for SK, & I am not convinced with MoHa. This was very much Asian track at MCG, still he started like tail-ender & needed a sitter to be dropped by safest of hands. I don't mind if Ahmed is called back or Babar promoted - but a right handed partner for SK is must
4. A pace bowling all-rounder - in UK, MoHa/Mian can't bowl 15 overs between them. At most MoHa, Mian, Imad can share 15 overs. Sarfy comes for Rizwan; while one of Mian/MoHa has to leave a opening spot - or Umar/Babar opens. For Asad's spot, I'll take a pace bowling all-rounder - Yamin or Fahim.

SK, Umar/Babar
Babar/Umar, MoHa, Malik, Sarfy
Yamin/Fahim, Imad
Amir, Hasan, Irfan/Asif/JK

MoHa or Sarfy Captain, BUT no way one Captain & other one Deputy - for that Amir or Imad has to be groomed. I'll go with MoHa as Captain & Amir as Deputy, but don't mind other pair either - or even Amir/Imad for 2 spots, but not MoHa & Sarfy.

Still believe, PAK should make SF, but won't do under Azhar.

 

[SaadAliG]

What's your 1-8 for ODIs right now?

Mine would be;
1)Sarfraz Ahmed(c)(wk)
2)Sharjeel
3)Babar Azam
4)Usman Salahuddin
5)Umar Akmal
6)Sohaib Maqsood
7)Sohail Tanvir
8)Sohail Khan

 

[cricketInsight]

Mine would be;
1)Sarfraz Ahmed(c)(wk)
2)Sharjeel
3)Babar Azam
4)Usman Salahuddin
5)Umar Akmal
6)Sohaib Maqsood
7)Sohail Tanvir
8)Sohail Khan

Sohaib & Tanvir

 

[Midwinter13992]

Pakistan Team Combination For Champions Trophy

I know Pakistan is very unpredictable team but with their poor ODI form , it is very much predictable that they will not lift Champions Trophy..
Reaching semifinals will be huge achievement for the team but with current squad it is highly unlikely for them to win a single match in the tournament ..
What should be the ideal squad for them to reach at least semis??? Will new captain make any impact on the performance ???
Your thoughts

 

[Syed1]

I would select something like this:

1. Sharjeel
2. Shahzaib (seriously sceptical about his capabilities, but it seems all of PP wants him these days)
3. Babar
4. Haris (hopefully he is up and running by then)
5. Sarfaraz (WK/C)
6. Saad Ali (can't keep playing Malik, he also struggles in English conditions)
7. Yamin/ some other batting alrounder who can hit a long ball
8. Imad (I think he will be found out in the tournament, is a one-trick pony)
9. Hassan
10. Amir
11. Junaid/some other pacer that we find by then

 

[Midwinter13992]

I would select something like this:

1. Sharjeel
2. Shahzaib (seriously sceptical about his capabilities, but it seems all of PP wants him these days)
3. Babar
4. Haris (hopefully he is up and running by then)
5. Sarfaraz (WK/C)
6. Saad Ali (can't keep playing Malik, he also struggles in English conditions)
7. Yamin/ some other batting alrounder who can hit a long ball
8. Imad (I think he will be found out in the tournament, is a one-trick pony)
9. Hassan
10. Amir
11. Junaid/some other pacer that we find by then

What about Sohail Khan...a quality swing bowler..he has good memories there and can bat too

 

[Hawkeye]

I would select something like this:

1. Sharjeel
2. Shahzaib (seriously sceptical about his capabilities, but it seems all of PP wants him these days)
3. Babar
4. Haris (hopefully he is up and running by then)
5. Sarfaraz (WK/C)
6. Saad Ali (can't keep playing Malik, he also struggles in English conditions)
7. Yamin/ some other batting alrounder who can hit a long ball
8. Imad (I think he will be found out in the tournament, is a one-trick pony)
9. Hassan
10. Amir
11. Junaid/some other pacer that we find by then

It's a decent team.

Sarfraz maybe don't belong there and Umar can keep.

We have no big hitting AR for 7 and it's the BIGGEST concern for me. We d pick up another accumulator like Imad for 6 and 7 or most probably himself.

We're losing this.

 

[Hamza_]

I think Rumman Raees should be picked. Has a good Yorker, Bowls decent pace now and will be very handy like Hassan Ali.

Sharjeel
Sarfraz
Babar Azam
Harris Sohail
Shoaib Malik
Saad Ali
Imad Wasim
Aamir Yamin/Nawaz
Aamir
Rumman
Hassan