Changes to Pakistan's Test squad for the upcoming series against Australia and New Zealand

[ManFan]

The team mostly picks itself so we are not going to get a lot of changes.

Azhar, Imam, Haris, Shafiq, Babar, Sarfraz pick themselves.

The main question is who will be the reserve left-arm bowler for Amir (since he obviously has fitness issues playing in the UAE) and whether or not Pakistan decides to go with a fifth bowler (Faheem) or FZ (the much-needed aggressor in the middle-order).

Will be a fun series to watch nonetheless as I for one quite enjoy Tests in the UAE. It will be the first time our new Test Core (Haris, Hasan, Abbas, Shadab, Faheem, FZ, Imam) will have a chance to play in our adopted home while coming off a drawn series in England.

My request would be to slot FZ in at 6 and have an attack of Abbas (Hasan should be reserve since we do not need two right-handers), Shadab, Gohar (reserve for Yasir but replace him in the 3rd Test) and Amir (2 Tests followed by SSA in the 3rd).

 

[TeymurBlake]

Be realistic man Inzi isn't going to drop him after a decentish UK tour and he is still a big upgrade over Shan and which better option as test opener we have? as for Abbas i think he can do OK in UAE as well as he did in WI on similar pitches but i guess vs OZ/NZ on such pitches when there is a big partnership you need some fiery quick spells to make things happen and Wahab have that ability but abbas pace isn't enough for that.

I'm not saying Drop Imam, I'm saying Imam is left handed batsman not right handed.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Also Abbas has deserved to start ahead of Wahab who I think doesn't have a future in test cricket. Abbas had a solid UK tour and has been doing well with Leicestershire whereas as Wahab has been doing well for Derbyshire in the T20 Blast.

Also I would like to see where Faheem would fit, done okay with the bat in UK but bowled really well.

 

[Khan12]

We don't need wahab he can practice his no balls and wide balls in nets at home. Forgot his run up.

 

[Khan12]

I would play Usman order Shafiq.

 

[Zeshan547]

People are forgetting that Wahab is a different beast in UAE tests. And abbas over Hassan doesnt nake much sense and Hassan is also a better batsman plus a lot faster than Abbas. Abbas is ideal for UK, Nz and SA pitches but not the best option in UAE.

 

[ManFan]

People are forgetting that Wahab is a different beast in UAE tests. And abbas over Hassan doesnt nake much sense and Hassan is also a better batsman plus a lot faster than Abbas. Abbas is ideal for UK, Nz and SA pitches but not the best option in UAE.

Yes he is.

Abbas averaged 25 in his first tour of the UAE while Wahab averaged 21 after a once-in-the-blue moon performance where he picked up four wickets. (Ironically, there was actually a blue moon spotting in Dubai).

Not to mention him having to abort his run-up FIVE times in a row!

 

[ManFan]

Yes he is.

Abbas averaged 25 in his first tour of the UAE while Wahab averaged 21 after a once-in-the-blue moon performance where he picked up four wickets. (Ironically, there was actually a blue moon spotting in Dubai).

Not to mention him having to abort his run-up FIVE times in a row!

Just to be clear, Abbas only got to bowl four overs in the second innings of the Second Test (where Wahab picked up four) despite getting a wicket in his first over.

So the U.A.E Wahab and Abbas trundler myth is blown out of proportion.

 

[MMHS]

I thinks we have made considerable improvement in our LOIs team, but our test result have been very poor off late but there is no lack of potential are we have making of a good if not great test team as well, but for that we have to select the right squad, right batting order on merit considering strength and weaknesses of every player, here is my probable squad for these two important test series with reason for why i picked these players.

Playing XI:-

1_ Azhar Ali (Right hander Batsman, He is an automatic choice and have done well as an opener, need to score big after a below average UK tour)

2_ Imam ul Haq (Right hander Batsman, and he has good potential to be a decent opener, but still jury is out on him if he can be a permanent member)

3_ Harris Sohail (A left Hander Batsman, He is best player of swing bowling and very decent vs spin as well and plays at decent strike rate, but he needs to improve his fitness and start converting starts into daddy hundreds or his position should be reconsidered)

4_ Babar Azam (Right Hander Batsman, A very good all format batsman potentially and he should also start setting the stage on fire in test as well, otherwise his past record isn't good enough)

5_ Fakhar Zaman (Another Leftie Batsman, He can be a great asset in Middle order, there maybe solid reason for playing him as an opener and specially in Asia, but IMO he can be more deadly option in our Middle order and can counter attack when chips are down are when we need to accelerate our run rate after a good start, he has very good FC record and now its a right time to debut him, not to mention his great ability vs spin and a handy part time option as well with ball in hand)

6- Asad Shafiq (Right Hander Batsman, In an Ideal world he should have been now a permanent number four after MisYou but he haven't been able to move to next level but still a decent option for no.6, where he has one of the best stats, and he is very well equipped to play with tail)

7_ Sarfraz (WK, Captain) (Right hander, Sarfraz is one best tactician no doubt, but we can't afford a specialist captain for too long, on pure merit he doesn't make the XI as a player)

8_ Shadab Khan ( Spin All rounder, would have been ideal he was an off spinner to compliment Yasir in test but even as a leg spinner, he is very different bowler from yasir, he doesn't have control and accuracy of Shah but has way more tricks up his sleeve, like good googly, very capable lower order batsman, and good second spinner for test)

9_ Yasir Shah (Main Spinner, An automatic choice in Asia, very handy with the bat as well)

10_ Wahab Riaz (Let Arm pacer, The Enforcer, For UAE highways we need his raw speed and aggression, specially with old reverse swinging ball, can tonk a few with the bat as well, Bowlers like Amir won't cut it on these dead roads)

11_ Hassan Ali (Right Arm Pacer, He can compliment Wahab with his skiddy pace and reverse swing, Can hit the long ball with bat as well)

Reserves:-

12_ Muhamad Abbas
13_ Junaid Khan
14_ Usman Salahudin
15_ Muhammad Asghar


I think this is very balanced squad specially in these conditions specially from the current available pool of players, and very realistic one as well, what changes would you make and why?

I would like serious and constructive discussion from all members, Cheers.
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] and others.

Almost perfect XI, barring 1/2 - I won't mind going with that against NZ, may be with a little change in order and few options for playing XI.

1. Azhar, 2. Imam
3. Haris, 4/5. Asad, ?5/4. Sarfraz, 6. Babar, 7. FZ
8. ?Shadab, 9. Yasir, 10. ?Wahab, 11. Hasan

There are 3 question marks - Wahab, I am not sure how fit he is now; last he played a year back against SRL and he was good, but he might be too old now for an October series in UAE. If he is fit & willing, I actually will keep Amir in XI instead of Wahab.

2nd one is about combination - Kiwis are likely to play Raval, Latham, Nicholls, Santner, Wagner - that's 5 lefti. Against that batting line up, 2 leggi and a part-time SLAO (Haris), backed by 2 pacers, one of whom is lefti might be too monotonous. An Offie is essential, but there is not many available - next best case is probably drop Shadab, bring a classical SLAO (Haris is a sort of darter, FZ as well) - may be Gohar, and bowl Asad & Babar lot more in nets. If a 2nd leggi is required, Azhar can roll arm for few overs.

Only reason I want Sarfraz to bat at 5/4 and Babar/FZ at 6-7 is that he is poor against pace, horrible against swing. Putting him at 7 means 9 times out of 10, he is likely to come and immediately face 2nd new ball or a ball that's reversing, against 2 of the best swing bowlers. Babar & FZ are genuine top order/openers, who can play new ball - has better chance to counter Kiwi's 2nd ball, while from 5/4, Sarfraz can start his innings in between 35th to 58th overs (just after lunch or Tea). Besides, if FZ comes at like 300/5 against a tiring attack, he can race with the total, shielding tail, which Sarfraz can't.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Against AUS, it's essential that there is at least 1.5 finger spinners. AUS are traditionally very good against leggi and vulnerable against finger spin, particularly offies. And, they have more lefti in top order than Kiwis - Renshaw, Khwaja, S Marsh; may be Travis Head, Maddison, that's 3/4 lefti in top half. In bottom half, Starc, H'wood, Stanlake, Agar ... AUS might load the XI with 6-7 lefties.

I'll pick an offie against them for sure - be it 38 years old Tahir Khan (who played last FC game almost 2 years back!!! (http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/43279.html - surprised why this guy was never tried, unless there is an issue with action), or Nasir Awais (http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/42237.html), or even this new kid Ashiq Ali. Bottom line is, one Offie is a MUST, for an attack with left-arm over the wicket bowlers and leg-spinners bowling round the wicket.

Against AUS, I'll actually drop 1 pacer and play 3 spinners. PAK pacers are not going to do much against AUS in UAE, rather 3 spinners are best way to attack.

1. Azhar, 2. Imam
3. Haris, 4/5. Asad, 5/4. Sarfraz, 6. Babar, 7. FZ
8. Gohar, 9. Yasir, 10. Hasan/Amir/Wahab 11. Offie

If required, drop one batsman and play Fahim at No. 7, to share the new ball, but make no mistake - 3 spinners. I am sure time isn't going to an issue - both Test will end in direct result and .

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a weak PAK batting since last time - batsmen are not going to take the game out of reach in any series - it's about getting 20 wickets at lower cost. If the spin picks are good, don't see AUS bowling more than 3 times in 2 Tests, while Kiwis might be losing both Test, as it's the start of their season - batsmen won't survive relentless spin attack. If Arthur again goes for 3+1 pace based attack - mark this post, PAK will lose both Series, at least won't win, and Aussies will hurt PAK batting with their pace attack & Lyon.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Your reasoning?

Abbass is a test specialist who averages 17 despite playing most of his games in the UAE?

 

[The_Odd_One]

Almost perfect XI, barring 1/2 - I won't mind going with that against NZ, may be with a little change in order and few options for playing XI.

1. Azhar, 2. Imam
3. Haris, 4/5. Asad, ?5/4. Sarfraz, 6. Babar, 7. FZ
8. ?Shadab, 9. Yasir, 10. ?Wahab, 11. Hasan

There are 3 question marks - Wahab, I am not sure how fit he is now; last he played a year back against SRL and he was good, but he might be too old now for an October series in UAE. If he is fit & willing, I actually will keep Amir in XI instead of Wahab.

2nd one is about combination - Kiwis are likely to play Raval, Latham, Nicholls, Santner, Wagner - that's 5 lefti. Against that batting line up, 2 leggi and a part-time SLAO (Haris), backed by 2 pacers, one of whom is lefti might be too monotonous. An Offie is essential, but there is not many available - next best case is probably drop Shadab, bring a classical SLAO (Haris is a sort of darter, FZ as well) - may be Gohar, and bowl Asad & Babar lot more in nets. If a 2nd leggi is required, Azhar can roll arm for few overs.

Only reason I want Sarfraz to bat at 5/4 and Babar/FZ at 6-7 is that he is poor against pace, horrible against swing. Putting him at 7 means 9 times out of 10, he is likely to come and immediately face 2nd new ball or a ball that's reversing, against 2 of the best swing bowlers. Babar & FZ are genuine top order/openers, who can play new ball - has better chance to counter Kiwi's 2nd ball, while from 5/4, Sarfraz can start his innings in between 35th to 58th overs (just after lunch or Tea). Besides, if FZ comes at like 300/5 against a tiring attack, he can race with the total, shielding tail, which Sarfraz can't.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Against AUS, it's essential that there is at least 1.5 finger spinners. AUS are traditionally very good against leggi and vulnerable against finger spin, particularly offies. And, they have more lefti in top order than Kiwis - Renshaw, Khwaja, S Marsh; may be Travis Head, Maddison, that's 3/4 lefti in top half. In bottom half, Starc, H'wood, Stanlake, Agar ... AUS might load the XI with 6-7 lefties.

I'll pick an offie against them for sure - be it 38 years old Tahir Khan (who played last FC game almost 2 years back!!! (http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/43279.html - surprised why this guy was never tried, unless there is an issue with action), or Nasir Awais (http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/42237.html), or even this new kid Ashiq Ali. Bottom line is, one Offie is a MUST, for an attack with left-arm over the wicket bowlers and leg-spinners bowling round the wicket.

Against AUS, I'll actually drop 1 pacer and play 3 spinners. PAK pacers are not going to do much against AUS in UAE, rather 3 spinners are best way to attack.

1. Azhar, 2. Imam
3. Haris, 4/5. Asad, 5/4. Sarfraz, 6. Babar, 7. FZ
8. Gohar, 9. Yasir, 10. Hasan/Amir/Wahab 11. Offie

If required, drop one batsman and play Fahim at No. 7, to share the new ball, but make no mistake - 3 spinners. I am sure time isn't going to an issue - both Test will end in direct result and .

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a weak PAK batting since last time - batsmen are not going to take the game out of reach in any series - it's about getting 20 wickets at lower cost. If the spin picks are good, don't see AUS bowling more than 3 times in 2 Tests, while Kiwis might be losing both Test, as it's the start of their season - batsmen won't survive relentless spin attack. If Arthur again goes for 3+1 pace based attack - mark this post, PAK will lose both Series, at least won't win, and Aussies will hurt PAK batting with their pace attack & Lyon.

Do you think Nawaz might be a better option than Shadab?

 

[Zeshan547]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] man you never disappoint with your insights, even though mickey is good but even for him your suggestions will be too good to actually pull off, i like your batting order better in Asia but even mine would do, this batting don't have stand out batsman like younis but this is the pak batting with best depth no Chris Martin in this batting so the can make up for quality with quantity so i am not much worried about batting, but I can't imagine how we don't have single half decent spinner in our pool. Such a grave mismanagement.

 

[Zeshan547]

I mean half decent off spinner

 

[TeamPak95]

I think now playing Fakhar is pretty much a necessity. The current batting lineup is more tuk tuk than bang bang, so Fakhar in the XI would at least bring the tempo up in the innings. Although someone would have to be dropped, I don't know who though..

 

[MMHS]

Do you think Nawaz might be a better option than Shadab?

NO. If I write my mind, why Nawaz is there in PAK team & what he is doing .... people will get upset.

PAK has to get out of this "dart syndrome" & "runs from spinners" tactics. This is the worst era of spin play that I have seen, and trust me - I have seen lot, lot, lot - live of archived. Bring genuine spinners who floats like a butterfly & stings like a bee - batsmen with ZERO footwork against spin, no capability to read spin in air would play like fish out of water. Besides, these days they bat with 3.5+ lbs mallets - edges carry to hands quite easily. In olden days, even sweet timers like Zaheer or Azhar (uddin) used to bat with 2lbs, 2/3oz bats - and their "dead bat" defense won't reach rolling even to silly point.

Fast darters are actually easier to play because it comes on to bat for batsmen "pushing" at the ball without footwork, tight wrist and playing with heavy bat - they play them like slow medium cutters or seemers and can hit through the line. Unless, batsmen are forced to swing across line (like in LOs), these darting isn't going to get much against dogged defense, even on under prepared wickets. Make "modern" batsmen play balls that are floating slow at around 70KM, and coming down from above eye line - they'll be searching for the ball and wondering which way it's turning. I can give a perfect example, if you can relate - someone Virat Kohli left a ball from O'keefe to be castled, because he wasn't sure which way it's going to turn!!!!!!! Imagine it's Murali or Warne or Saqui instead of O'keefe. You'll be able to compare some of the modern greats' spin play with 3 WKs of 90s, if you can see what's needed to be seen - Moin, Mongia & Kalu, even Khaled Mashud, who was quite good spin player.

3 spinners against AUS & 2.5 against NZ - no shame in it. If ENG can play 5 seemers in a home Test, Asian teams need not to hesitate for playing with 3 spinners or opening with spinners. You utilize your home condition to fit your attack - that's Test cricket & I am perfectly happy with that. Only very few teams in history could raise above that - that's why history recalls them, not for their ranking position.

 

[Zeshan547]

NO. If I write my mind, why Nawaz is there in PAK team & what he is doing .... people will get upset.

PAK has to get out of this "dart syndrome" & "runs from spinners" tactics. This is the worst era of spin play that I have seen, and trust me - I have seen lot, lot, lot - live of archived. Bring genuine spinners who floats like a butterfly & stings like a bee - batsmen with ZERO footwork against spin, no capability to read spin in air would play like fish out of water. Besides, these days they bat with 3.5+ lbs mallets - edges carry to hands quite easily. In olden days, even sweet timers like Zaheer or Azhar (uddin) used to bat with 2lbs, 2/3oz bats - and their "dead bat" defense won't reach rolling even to silly point.

Fast darters are actually easier to play because it comes on to bat for batsmen "pushing" at the ball without footwork, tight wrist and playing with heavy bat - they play them like slow medium cutters or seemers and can hit through the line. Unless, batsmen are forced to swing across line (like in LOs), these darting isn't going to get much against dogged defense, even on under prepared wickets. Make "modern" batsmen play balls that are floating slow at around 70KM, and coming down from above eye line - they'll be searching for the ball and wondering which way it's turning. I can give a perfect example, if you can relate - someone Virat Kohli left a ball from O'keefe to be castled, because he wasn't sure which way it's going to turn!!!!!!! Imagine it's Murali or Warne or Saqui instead of O'keefe. You'll be able to compare some of the modern greats' spin play with 3 WKs of 90s, if you can see what's needed to be seen - Moin, Mongia & Kalu, even Khaled Mashud, who was quite good spin player.

3 spinners against AUS & 2.5 against NZ - no shame in it. If ENG can play 5 seemers in a home Test, Asian teams need not to hesitate for playing with 3 spinners or opening with spinners. You utilize your home condition to fit your attack - that's Test cricket & I am perfectly happy with that. Only very few teams in history could raise above that - that's why history recalls them, not for their ranking position.

good points.

 

[gazza619]

I have seen enough of Haris Sohail. No thank you, dont need his good looking 30s and 40s. If Asad Shafiq is in the side, he should bat at no 6 as batting higher freezes his brain cells. I am tempted to play Shadab but the opponents have far too many left hand batsmen. You will be shocked to know that I would give Hussain Talat a go. Yes, he is in reality a test batsmen who is wearing this T20 mask. We need to scare them white guys with pace so my gun player will be Shaheen Afridi.

My best pick:
1. Imam-ul-Haq
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Hussain Talat
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfaraz Ahmed
8. Yasir Shah
9. Bilal Asif
10. Muhammad Amir
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

There are many question marks in the above. Hussain Talat? Bilal Asif? Shaheen Afridi?
But you got to take risk if you want the best result which is to white wash the opponent. I always like to think out of the box.

 

[giri26]

I would drop Amir from the Test squad for UAE. As I don't think he will be effective and give some young player a Test cap.

 

[Zeshan547]

Guys try to be a little realistic while putting up your best combos,,, Thanks, because some of your picks are not even on selectors radar.

 

[Hawkeye]

I thinks we have made considerable improvement in our LOIs team, but our test result have been very poor off late but there is no lack of potential are we have making of a good if not great test team as well, but for that we have to select the right squad, right batting order on merit considering strength and weaknesses of every player, here is my probable squad for these two important test series with reason for why i picked these players.

Playing XI:-

1_ Azhar Ali (Right hander Batsman, He is an automatic choice and have done well as an opener, need to score big after a below average UK tour)

2_ Imam ul Haq (Right hander Batsman, and he has good potential to be a decent opener, but still jury is out on him if he can be a permanent member)

3_ Harris Sohail (A left Hander Batsman, He is best player of swing bowling and very decent vs spin as well and plays at decent strike rate, but he needs to improve his fitness and start converting starts into daddy hundreds or his position should be reconsidered)

4_ Babar Azam (Right Hander Batsman, A very good all format batsman potentially and he should also start setting the stage on fire in test as well, otherwise his past record isn't good enough)

5_ Fakhar Zaman (Another Leftie Batsman, He can be a great asset in Middle order, there maybe solid reason for playing him as an opener and specially in Asia, but IMO he can be more deadly option in our Middle order and can counter attack when chips are down are when we need to accelerate our run rate after a good start, he has very good FC record and now its a right time to debut him, not to mention his great ability vs spin and a handy part time option as well with ball in hand)

6- Asad Shafiq (Right Hander Batsman, In an Ideal world he should have been now a permanent number four after MisYou but he haven't been able to move to next level but still a decent option for no.6, where he has one of the best stats, and he is very well equipped to play with tail)

7_ Sarfraz (WK, Captain) (Right hander, Sarfraz is one best tactician no doubt, but we can't afford a specialist captain for too long, on pure merit he doesn't make the XI as a player)

8_ Shadab Khan ( Spin All rounder, would have been ideal he was an off spinner to compliment Yasir in test but even as a leg spinner, he is very different bowler from yasir, he doesn't have control and accuracy of Shah but has way more tricks up his sleeve, like good googly, very capable lower order batsman, and good second spinner for test)

9_ Yasir Shah (Main Spinner, An automatic choice in Asia, very handy with the bat as well)

10_ Wahab Riaz (Let Arm pacer, The Enforcer, For UAE highways we need his raw speed and aggression, specially with old reverse swinging ball, can tonk a few with the bat as well, Bowlers like Amir won't cut it on these dead roads)

11_ Hassan Ali (Right Arm Pacer, He can compliment Wahab with his skiddy pace and reverse swing, Can hit the long ball with bat as well)

Reserves:-

12_ Muhamad Abbas
13_ Junaid Khan
14_ Usman Salahudin
15_ Muhammad Asghar


I think this is very balanced squad specially in these conditions specially from the current available pool of players, and very realistic one as well, what changes would you make and why?

I would like serious and constructive discussion from all members, Cheers.
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] and others.

GOod lineup, but incomplete without Amir.

Bowling a bit weak.

 

[Zeshan547]

What extra Amir can bring in UAE [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

 

[Square Drive]

Rumour has it that Yasir & Wahab will be back for Rahat & Sami, while Bilal Asif will be in as an extra member.

This is exacly what I was hoping for, except I would've had Zafar or even Asghar over Bilal.

However, Bilal has earned it and he can also perform with the bat.

 

[Ahson8]

My squad:

Imam, Azhar, Haris, Shafiq, Babar, Shadab, Sarfraz, Fahim, Yasir, Abbas, Wahab, Shaheen, Zafar, Saud, Saad, Salahuddin, Fakhar & Bilal Asif / Haseeb-ur-Rehman

Wahab has always been a potent bowler in the UAE because of his pace and reverse swing. On the other hand, Amir is useless in the UAE, and with a long season to follow, it is best for both the interests of the team and his interests to sit these out for Wahab

Shaheen is another guy who could probably come good on placid UAE tracks with his pace

Zafar is the best left arm spinner in the country, and in an unreal world should be the second spinner to partner Shah. He can bat as well

Saud has been killing it in the current QeA, and it would be a travesty if he misses out, unless, ofcourse, he isbselected for the A team instead. He can also bowl some useful left arm spin

Saad & Salahuddin had been very good in the QeA last year and were part of the squad that toured England. It would make little sense to drop them without giving them a proper run

Finally, Australia has a lot of left handers in their XI so it’s important to have an offspin option in the squad. I’m not a big fan of Asif, but he does have performances in QeA. Haseeb ur Rehman is the other offspin option they could go with.

 

[Sher Khan]

This would be my squad: imam, azhar, shafiq, azam, salahuddin, saad ali, Sarfraz, Yasir, nawaz, bilal asif, fakhar zaman, abbas, wahab, shadab, Hasan Ali.

 

[hussain.r97]

Azhar Ali
Fakhar Zaman
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Asad Shafiq
Shadab Khan
Sarfraz Ahmed+*
Faheem Ashraf
Yasir Shah
Wahab Riaz
Mohammad Abbas

-------------------------

Hasan Ali
Saad Ali
Usman Salahuddin
Zafar Gohar
Bilal Asif

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Rahat desperately needs to be dropped for someone like Wahab. No need for Sami since already too many openers. And Fakhar to replace Imam in the playing eleven