Central Punjab squad for for the 2020-21 domestic cricket season

[MenInG]

Central Punjab First XI Head Coach Shahid Anwar: “We have a big talent pool and some of the biggest names of the domestic game are once again part of the side which has established a legacy by the triumph in last year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class tournament. This year we have picked some exciting players including Pakistan U19 performers, who will be groomed with an eye for the future.”

 

[Kaddy]

Is Ahmed Shehzad unfit?

I hope coaches play Abdullah in the first xi. He should be given preference over 36 years old Salman Butt, who has no future in Pakistan team.

 

[Bigboii]

Is Ahmed Shehzad unfit?

I hope coaches play Abdullah in the first xi. He should be given preference over 36 years old Salman Butt, who has no future in Pakistan team.

Not with that attitude says Misbah

 

[Markhor]

The favourites to win the QEA Trophy for a second year in a row. Central Punjab are stacked with internationally capped players. The loss of Umar Akmal represents a chance for Abdullah Shafique in their middle-order.

Strengths: Presence of so many internationally capped players. Hard team to take 20 wickets against.
Weaknesses: None. However seniors like Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad have had a history of disciplinary or attitude problems.
Possible XI: Abid, Shehzad, Azhar, Babar, Salahuddin, Kamran, Faheem, Gohar, Asif, Shah, Adil.
Players to watch: Abdullah Shafique scored a hundred on his FC debut last season vs Southern Punjab and has impressed many with his strokeplay.

 

[Titan24]

Good to see quite a few young players in the main squad. Two from the recent U19 WC squad in Qasim Akram (Batting all rounder, balls decent off spin) and Irfan Khan Niazi (A young batsman). Also a leg spin bowling all rounder in Suleman Shafqat from the previous U19 squad.

Abdullah Shafique, Ali Zaryab, Rizwan Hussain and Mohammad Imran Doggar are good upcoming batsmen. Abdullah Shafique should be given as many matches as possible this season.

 

[zacattakk]

Disappointing to see so many mediocre players still hanging around in the domestic circuit. Reflects our quality overall when even with reduced teams there is still a lot of deadweight eg Salman Butt, Saad Nasim, Gulraiz Sadaf, Ramiz Raja Jnr, Shehzar Mohammad, Bilawal Bhatti, etc

 

[Titan24]

Disappointing to see so many mediocre players still hanging around in the domestic circuit. Reflects our quality overall when even with reduced teams there is still a lot of deadweight eg Salman Butt, Saad Nasim, Gulraiz Sadaf, Ramiz Raja Jnr, Shehzar Mohammad, Bilawal Bhatti, etc

Our expectations are unrealistic. Look at the number of such players in county cricket and even in Sheffield Shield. Not every player in domestic circuit is an international prospect. Some players like those will always be there, its not possible to have 180 odd international prospects playing against each other. To keep the cricket competitive, you need few domestic performers as well despite them not being international material now as this helps upcoming younger players to play in a competitive environment.

 

[Markhor]

Our expectations are unrealistic. Look at the number of such players in county cricket and even in Sheffield Shield. Not every player in domestic circuit is an international prospect. Some players like those will always be there, its not possible to have 180 odd international prospects playing against each other. To keep the cricket competitive, you need few domestic performers as well despite them not being international material now as this helps upcoming younger players to play in a competitive environment.

Correct, plus the squads are enlarged this year because of Covid. The journeymen will mostly be playing 2nd XI cricket.

 

[Bewal Express]

The emphasis from the PCB should be to find young batsman, then tall right arm fast bowlers at least 6 2 and some decent finger spinners who don't ape Imad Wasim and actually spin the ball.

 

[zacattakk]

Our expectations are unrealistic. Look at the number of such players in county cricket and even in Sheffield Shield. Not every player in domestic circuit is an international prospect. Some players like those will always be there, its not possible to have 180 odd international prospects playing against each other. To keep the cricket competitive, you need few domestic performers as well despite them not being international material now as this helps upcoming younger players to play in a competitive environment.

County cricket has many more teams for a much smaller population so is not a good comparison. However I agree with your point. Of course there will be average players who cant cut it at the international level and aren't genuine prospects as well as recent former international players going through the end of their professional careers, which can add a lot of value to up and coming players and the overall competitiveness of the circuit.
It just pisses me off when garbage like Salman Butt walk in to the first XI team. Or the clear sifarish selections I have seen in previous years (guys who have not ever performed at the domestic level yet magically get selected). Our obsession with seniority also means a younger more talented player will always make way for an older has-been.

 

[zacattakk]

The emphasis from the PCB should be to find young batsman, then tall right arm fast bowlers at least 6 2 and some decent finger spinners who don't ape Imad Wasim and actually spin the ball.

And a fast bowling allrounder!

 

[CleverSir]

Definite front runners to with QeA. With all their star players probably available for most of the season they should be able to walk into the championship.

 

[shamaan]

Who are the young emerging player to watch out for in all three formats ??

 

[Markhor]

Who are the young emerging player to watch out for in all three formats ??

I've mentioned the players to watch for all of the teams if you scroll up.

 

[shamaan]

I've mentioned the players to watch for all of the teams if you scroll up.

Thankyou

 

[Titan24]

4 day XI

Abid Ali
Salman Butt/ Ahmed Shehzad/ Ali Zaryab/ Rizwan Hussain
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Abdullah Shafiq/ Usman Salhuddin
Kamran Akmal
Faheem Ashraf/ Qasim Akram
Zafar Gohar
Bilal Asif/ Ehsan Adil/ Ahmed Bashir
Hasan Ali/ Ehsan Adil
Naseem Shah

 

[shamaan]

4 day XI

Abid Ali
Salman Butt/ Ahmed Shehzad/ Ali Zaryab/ Rizwan Hussain
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Abdullah Shafiq/ Usman Salhuddin
Kamran Akmal
Faheem Ashraf/ Qasim Akram
Zafar Gohar
Bilal Asif/ Ehsan Adil/ Ahmed Bashir
Hasan Ali/ Ehsan Adil
Naseem Shah

Add t20s lol

 

[Titan24]

Add t20s lol

Sure.

 

[Titan24]

T20 XI

Babar Azam (C)
Kamran Akmal (WK)
Ahmed Shehzad/ Ali Zaryab
Abdullah Shafiq/ Saad Nasim
Rizwan Hussain (Played some clutch knocks last season in the middle order)
Irfan Khan Niazi/ Qasim Akram/ Saad Nasim
Faheem Ashraf/ Qasim Akram
Zafar Gohar
Ahmed Safi/ Or a pacer (Depending upon conditions)
Hasan Ali/ Ahmed Bashir/ Ehsan Adil/ Waqas Maqsood
Naseem Shah

Not a lot of experience in the middle order but some decent young talent.

 

[shah_1]

I hope Babar Azam misses out this tournament

 

[Titan24]

I hope Babar Azam misses out this tournament

Misses out? Why? I think he should avail every opportunity to captain a team.

 

[Kaddy]

Misses out? Why? I think he should avail every opportunity to captain a team.

He is definitely joking.

Babar Azam should play all the matches of Quaid-e-Azam trophy, except the ones when he is on national duty (Zimbabwe series).

In fact PCB should force him to play at least few matches of this tournament.

 

[hitthestump]

PCB need to start forcing domestic sides to play an 'emerging' youngster in each format.

It's a travesty that Abdullah Shafique won't be guaranteed gametime because someone like Salman Butt won't let go.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Too many current and have been internationals. Guys like Abdullah and Ali Zaryab need to move to teams like Northern so that they can get into the first XI.

If Azhar opens, Abdullah might get a game. Or when Babar goes on international duty for Zimbabwe tour.

 

[shamaan]

T20 xi

Babar azam
Kamran akmal
Shezard
Sad nasim
Rizwan hussain
Irfan Khan
Fahim Ashraf
Gohar
Hassan ali
Naseem shah
Waqar maqsood /bilal asif

 

[shamaan]

4 day xi

Abid ali
Ali zaryab
Azhar
Babar
Abdullah shafique /usman salahuddin
Kamran akmal
Qasim akram
Gohar
Bilal asif / ahmed Bashir
Naseem
Hassan ali/ehsan adil

 

[Kaddy]

4 day xi

Abid ali
Ali zaryab
Azhar
Babar
Abdullah shafique /usman salahuddin
Kamran akmal
Qasim akram
Gohar
Bilal asif / ahmed Bashir
Naseem
Hassan ali/ehsan adil

IMO both Abdullah & Usman should play in the first xi and to adjust both, Azhar Ali can open.

Ali zaryab should be in second xi as he has first class average of only 28 so let him prove himself in second xi before bringing him in the main team. But good thing is, he is young so hopefully he will improve.

Moreover, Faheem Ashraf should also be given few matches at number 6 and he should be asked to improve his batting.

Fast bowlers Naseem, Hasan, Bashir, Ehsan & waqas should be rotated intelligently.
I hope they don't get Naseem shah injured by playing him all the matches.

 

[Abdullah719]

IMO both Abdullah & Usman should play in the first xi and to adjust both, Azhar Ali can open.

Ali zaryab should be in second xi as he has first class average of only 28 so let him prove himself in second xi before bringing him in the main team. But good thing is, he is young so hopefully he will improve.

Moreover, Faheem Ashraf should also be given few matches at number 6 and he should be asked to improve his batting.

Fast bowlers Naseem, Hasan, Bashir, Ehsan & waqas should be rotated intelligently.
I hope they don't get Naseem shah injured by playing him all the matches.

Ali Zaryab had outstanding performances for the 2nf XI last year.

 

[Kaddy]

Ali Zaryab had outstanding performances for the 2nf XI last year.

View attachment 103073

These are good numbers, I think second division stats are not considered as First class stats. That is why his first class average is still 28.

But Still, i believe first priority should be given to Abdullah Shafiq & Usman Salahuddin.

Once main players go for international duty. Ali Zaryab should be brought (but i am afraid instead of him, Salman Butt will play).

 

[shamaan]

IMO both Abdullah & Usman should play in the first xi and to adjust both, Azhar Ali can open.

Ali zaryab should be in second xi as he has first class average of only 28 so let him prove himself in second xi before bringing him in the main team. But good thing is, he is young so hopefully he will improve.

Moreover, Faheem Ashraf should also be given few matches at number 6 and he should be asked to improve his batting.

Fast bowlers Naseem, Hasan, Bashir, Ehsan & waqas should be rotated intelligently.
I hope they don't get Naseem shah injured by playing him all the matches.

Tbh u have a valid point azhar can open with Usman at 3 and shafique at 5

Ali zaryab I belive had average of 60 in the second xI which is very good.

Fahim Ashraf until he proves his batting doesnt warrant a place in at 6 maybe at number 8.

Yes that's true they should be rotated at different times of the tournament

 

[shamaan]

Too many current and have been internationals. Guys like Abdullah and Ali Zaryab need to move to teams like Northern so that they can get into the first XI.

If Azhar opens, Abdullah might get a game. Or when Babar goes on international duty for Zimbabwe tour.

Azhar should open so abdullah gets in the team if not ali zaryab should open at azhar at 3 either way one of abdullah or zaryab should be in the team and both are young

 

[shamaan]

PCB need to start forcing domestic sides to play an 'emerging' youngster in each format.

It's a travesty that Abdullah Shafique won't be guaranteed gametime because someone like Salman Butt won't let go.

One of zaryab or shafique should play

 

[shamaan]

I am looking foward to in 4day xi is ali zaryab and abdullah shafique

 

[shamaan]

In t20 am looking forward to Qasim Akram,rizwan Hussain and irfan khan niazi all these 3 and the 2 from the 4 day need to be given a chance and are all young

 

[Markhor]

Well Central Punjab have gone from finishing 6th last year to 5th in the T20 Cup.

While they are a formidable 4 Day team, they have struggled in the shortest format winning only 5 of 15 T20s.

They were without Babar Azam for the Multan leg, and looked much improved after his return. Despite the emergence of Abdullah Shafiq, their middle and lower order was weaker than other sides. Saad Nasim was an awful choice as captain given his own place in the side is questionable. Even Babar himself is not a natural captain.

Nevertheless Shahid Aslam deserves credit for giving the U19 graduates like Qasim Akram a proper run. CP should be stronger in the longer formats.

 

[Titan24]

Well Central Punjab have gone from finishing 6th last year to 5th in the T20 Cup.

While they are a formidable 4 Day team, they have struggled in the shortest format winning only 5 of 15 T20s.

They were without Babar Azam for the Multan leg, and looked much improved after his return. Despite the emergence of Abdullah Shafiq, their middle and lower order was weaker than other sides. Saad Nasim was an awful choice as captain given his own place in the side is questionable. Even Babar himself is not a natural captain.

Nevertheless Shahid Aslam deserves credit for giving the U19 graduates like Qasim Akram a proper run. CP should be stronger in the longer formats.

Agreed. Not to forget this time around they were without Umer Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad as well, both of them despite their issues would have provided some experience and strength to CP’s batting. Naseem couldn’t continue for them after initial few matches. Also Babar and Faheem (Who provides a better combination) could also only join in for the 2nd leg.

I think overall they had a decent side but, availability of players due to one reason or another did impact them.

 

[Markhor]

Agreed. Not to forget this time around they were without Umer Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad as well, both of them despite their issues would have provided some experience and strength to CP’s batting. Naseem couldn’t continue for them after initial few matches. Also Babar and Faheem (Who provides a better combination) could also only join in for the 2nd leg.

I think overall they had a decent side but, availability of players due to one reason or another did impact them.

Good points, CP didn't have all their players available this year. With a full strength team, they likely would've qualified for the semi finals at least.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Agreed. Not to forget this time around they were without Umer Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad as well, both of them despite their issues would have provided some experience and strength to CP’s batting. Naseem couldn’t continue for them after initial few matches. Also Babar and Faheem (Who provides a better combination) could also only join in for the 2nd leg.

I think overall they had a decent side but, availability of players due to one reason or another did impact them.

Don’t forget Hassan Ali!

 

[shamaan]

Well Central Punjab have gone from finishing 6th last year to 5th in the T20 Cup.

While they are a formidable 4 Day team, they have struggled in the shortest format winning only 5 of 15 T20s.

They were without Babar Azam for the Multan leg, and looked much improved after his return. Despite the emergence of Abdullah Shafiq, their middle and lower order was weaker than other sides. Saad Nasim was an awful choice as captain given his own place in the side is questionable. Even Babar himself is not a natural captain.

Nevertheless Shahid Aslam deserves credit for giving the U19 graduates like Qasim Akram a proper run. CP should be stronger in the longer formats.

Tbh I wouldnt read into the standings I would prefer young players given a chance than a team win it and no youngester be given a chance.i think also abid ali he went at run a ball which isnt good enough in t20s also Hassan ali was unfit he would have made difference in the batting and bowling .coaches should be judged in this league based on how they managed the youngesters

 

[MenInG]

Central Punjab were on course to defend their title in the final of the ongoing first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy as their disciplined bowling display allowed Southern Punjab a measly eight-run second innings lead with just three wickets intact on the penultimate day of the 10th fixture at the State Bank Stadium.

Central Punjab added six crucial bowling points, which took their bonus points tally from the match to 10, as they bowled out Southern Punjab for 187 and forced them to follow on.

Upon completion of the impending win, the Hasan Ali-led side will be granted 16 more points for an outright win which will see them jump to the second spot in the six-team points table. They are currently ranked fourth with 111 points.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Defending champions Central Punjab will play Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2020-21. Central Punjab were at the bottom of the table with just 30 points, before winning four of their last five matches to finish second with 137 points <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QeA20?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QeA20</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1343891901318049794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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