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Fakhar Zaman replaces Usman Qadir in Pakistan's final 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022

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Pakistan have made one change in their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 with Fakhar Zaman and Usman Qadir swapping places. Fakhar is included in the 15-player squad and Usman has moved to the traveling reserves.

The change was necessary as Usman Qadir is yet to recover from a hairline fracture on his right thumb that he suffered during the 25 September T20I against England in Karachi. The leg-spinner will not be available for selection before 22 October.

Fakhar will arrive in Brisbane from London along with Shaheen Shah Afridi on Saturday and will be available for selection in the two warm-up matches against England (17 October) and Afghanistan (19 October), during which the team management will assess the left-handed batter’s fitness.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood.

Traveling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir.

Schedule of Pakistan’s matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022:

23 October – vs India, Melbourne
27 October – vs winner Group B, Perth
30 October – vs runner-up Group A, Perth
3 November – vs South Africa, Sydney
6 November – vs Bangladesh, Adelaide
 
It sucks that Qadir is being replaced instead of Shan or Khushdil, to be honest. We have no back-up spinners now to play at the MCG and SCG, where leggies are usually dangerous.

Our lineup for the first game:

1) Babar
2) Rizwan
3) Fakhar
4) Nawaz
5) Haider
6) Iftikhar
7) Shadab
8) Asif/Wasim/Hasnain
9) Rauf
10) Naseem
11) Shaheen
 
This team is not looking bad going into the World Cup.

1. Mohammad Rizwan
2. Babar Azam
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Mohammad Nawaz
5. Haider Ali
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Asif Ali
8. Shadab Khan
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Haris Rauf
11. Naseem Shah

If they want to play an extra seamer they can add Wasim in place of Haider and move Shadab up the order.
 
Everyone & his dog knew FZ would be back.

We are still left with liabilities Khushdil and Shan in the squad.
 
It sucks that Qadir is being replaced instead of Shan or Khushdil, to be honest. We have no back-up spinners now to play at the MCG and SCG, where leggies are usually dangerous.

Our lineup for the first game:

1) Babar
2) Rizwan
3) Fakhar
4) Nawaz
5) Haider
6) Iftikhar
7) Shadab
8) Asif/Wasim/Hasnain
9) Rauf
10) Naseem
11) Shaheen

Besides the fact that Qadir is injured, let's not forget that he is more of a liability than he is any kind of a benefit to the side. Even when he picks up wickets he goes at 9+ RPO. We're better off relying on Chacha for a couple of good overs than him.
 
It sucks that Qadir is being replaced instead of Shan or Khushdil, to be honest. We have no back-up spinners now to play at the MCG and SCG, where leggies are usually dangerous.

Our lineup for the first game:

1) Babar
2) Rizwan
3) Fakhar
4) Nawaz
5) Haider
6) Iftikhar
7) Shadab
8) Asif/Wasim/Hasnain
9) Rauf
10) Naseem
11) Shaheen

They would never be able to trust fulltoss Qadir in an important game anyway. Rightly so.
 
It sucks that Qadir is being replaced instead of Shan or Khushdil, to be honest. We have no back-up spinners now to play at the MCG and SCG, where leggies are usually dangerous.

Our lineup for the first game:

1) Babar
2) Rizwan
3) Fakhar
4) Nawaz
5) Haider
6) Iftikhar
7) Shadab
8) Asif/Wasim/Hasnain
9) Rauf
10) Naseem
11) Shaheen

Usman was substandard in the Big Bash (after making big pronouncements about playing for Australia).

Trust me when I say he would have gotten demolished. If anything missing this World Cup has extended his career.
 
Fakhar is one of those who'll never achieve Babar-levels consistency. He'll frustrate, he'll infuriate due to a high risk approach.

BUT in knockout cricket he's one of the first names on teamsheet. He stepped up in the 2017 CT Final, 2018 Zim tri-series final and 2021 WC SF.

He should enjoy the pace of the AUS wickets, especially given how well he performed last year in SAF particularly at the Wanderers in Joburg where he scored that 193.
 
Usman was substandard in the Big Bash (after making big pronouncements about playing for Australia).

Trust me when I say he would have gotten demolished. If anything missing this World Cup has extended his career.

I trust you but I still feel a third spinner would offer more utility than Masood or Khushdil. Our batting lineup seems pretty set and I doubt even one of them will see a game, let alone both.

Not sure what the thinking was. He's in the reserves which means his injury is not tournament-ending. In that case, why not keep him in the squad?
 
This team is not looking bad going into the World Cup.

1. Mohammad Rizwan
2. Babar Azam
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Mohammad Nawaz
5. Haider Ali
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Asif Ali
8. Shadab Khan
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Haris Rauf
11. Naseem Shah

If they want to play an extra seamer they can add Wasim in place of Haider and move Shadab up the order.

Asif Ali has no use. Rather play an extra pacer. Fakhar really needs to open to have any sort of impact. Babar needs to come one down for the team.

I would tweak your XI as follows:
1. Mohammad Rizwan
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Nawaz
5. Haider Ali
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Shadab Khan
8. Mohammad Waseem
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Haris Rauf
11. Naseem Shah
 
Asif Ali has no use. Rather play an extra pacer. Fakhar really needs to open to have any sort of impact. Babar needs to come one down for the team.

I would tweak your XI as follows:
1. Mohammad Rizwan
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Nawaz
5. Haider Ali
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Shadab Khan
8. Mohammad Waseem
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Haris Rauf
11. Naseem Shah

I agree that Fakhar should be opening. But we both know that the team management is not going to separate this combination. So its a fools errand even talking about this.

As for Asif Ali, I disagree. He is exactly the impact player that everyone here keeps talking about. In the right circumstances his 12 off 3, 19 off 4 or 20 off 5 has its weight in gold. That's why he is in the team. His high rate of failure should not take away from the fact that when he delivers, it usually ends up having a massive impact on the final result.
 
Good decision but we all know we are gonna throw away wickets to short balls every match.
 
Sometimes i wonder that is Babur Azam even a Pakistani. At times he strikes as Pakistani Kane Williamson, cool, composed & calm. Generally in job market, such is the line manager one always looks for. Non impulsiveness. Babur always keeps faith in all of his bunch. If he goes by social media trend or youtube analysis, almost 8/9 players must have been home by now. He even gave Hasan Ali many chances after last year world cup as well.
He has kept faith in his players including Shan, Khushdil, Hasnain and Asif, that is nice to know. Such belief gives confidence.
 
Not ideal but better than no change. If we didn't have stubborn selector below is what I would have done:
Fakhar for Khushdil
Imad for Usman

Usman being unfit was all the more reason to identify and replace with someone else. Potentially even Shoaib Malik. What's the point of putting unfit non performing player who isn't even like for like replacement in team as shadab and Nawaz are all rounders not failed spinners.
 
Picking Qadir over Imad is pretty ridiculous. It's a shame Imad had to rub M. Wasim and Babar up the wrong way.
 
LOL khushdil the goat is still in the team..

Nonetheless step in the right direction. Hopefully khushdil Shah gets kicked out soon.
 
It sucks that Qadir is being replaced instead of Shan or Khushdil, to be honest. We have no back-up spinners now to play at the MCG and SCG, where leggies are usually dangerous.

Our lineup for the first game:

1) Babar
2) Rizwan
3) Fakhar
4) Nawaz
5) Haider
6) Iftikhar
7) Shadab
8) Asif/Wasim/Hasnain
9) Rauf
10) Naseem
11) Shaheen

Qadir is in reserve, he can play if something happens to shadab
 
This is great news!

A fit and firing Fakhar is a match winner with the bat.
 
I would have liked Fakhar & Haris IN in place of Shan & Khushdil.

Dahani (who is in traveling reservs) should have replaced injured Usman Qadir.
 
Perfect match for match replacement that.

Just imagine if Shadab Khan has another hamstring injury, Fakhar Zaman will be brought on to bowl some wrong-uns.

Usman Qadir should’ve been replaced by another leggie, especially when he’s injured.

Fakhar should’ve replaced Shan Masood.
 
It sucks that Qadir is being replaced instead of Shan or Khushdil, to be honest. We have no back-up spinners now to play at the MCG and SCG, where leggies are usually dangerous.

Our lineup for the first game:

1) Babar
2) Rizwan
3) Fakhar
4) Nawaz
5) Haider
6) Iftikhar
7) Shadab
8) Asif/Wasim/Hasnain
9) Rauf
10) Naseem
11) Shaheen

Why you rate this parchi? Even Australian local teams don't want to take him.
 
Pathetic!!! 1 win and it wipes out all poor performances of Khusdil, Haider, Shan
 
Imad as a batsman alone is better than many of our batsmen. Hopefully after first round exit we may get rid of Ramiz, Saqlain, Wasim and Babar.
 
Fakhar is one of those who'll never achieve Babar-levels consistency. He'll frustrate, he'll infuriate due to a high risk approach.

BUT in knockout cricket he's one of the first names on teamsheet. He stepped up in the 2017 CT Final, 2018 Zim tri-series final and 2021 WC SF.

He should enjoy the pace of the AUS wickets, especially given how well he performed last year in SAF particularly at the Wanderers in Joburg where he scored that 193.

Babar is consistent? since when? :facepalm
 
So Shan’s existence prevails in the squad, despite yet another match losing effort…

Qadir would’ve been 100x better than the social media phenom.
 
Good call.

Despite lack of consistency in T20Is, Fakhar has the ability to tack attack towards any bowling unit in his day which adds another dimension to the no 3/middle order position.

Qadir was not going to play over Shadab or alongside him considering the combination.
 
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Babar is consistent? since when? :facepalm

Consistency has come down in the last season or so overall in terms of numbers however, his career average is still healthy in 40s and was the top scorer in last WT20. So it would be fair to assume he can be consistent in upcoming WT20 imo especially when he likes surfaces with decent pace.
 
Good to see Fakhar is back and great to see the mediocrity that is Usman Qadir being excluded. Should have booted him out of the squad all together for his sake too, to be honest. He's better off playing in FC and learning how to bowl with any consistent line & length.

Can bowl magical deliveries but has to be one of the worst bowlers to watch with literally zero control of his bowling.
 
Babar is consistent? since when? :facepalm

Babar scores runs fairly consistently - now he scores them too slowly for my liking particularly in PP overs as I keep arguing with folks about.

There needs to be a clear message that Fakhar's role is not to selfishly accumulate runs at low SR to boost average but to play those impact innings that we saw from Nawaz today. We don't need more anchors - we have two at the top already.

This will require being patient and accepting some failure that comes with high risk cricket which PAK fans and media aren't readily willing to do.
 
Babar
Rizwan
Nawaz
Haider
Iftikhar
Fakhar
Asif
Shadab
Wasim JR
Rauf
Naseem

Fakhar either opens or bats at number 6 for me.
 
No surprise that Fakhar is back.

The worrying thing is though he could have replaced any of 4 or 5 players who are struggling.
 
Give him back his opening spot if you want to get the best from him. Rizwan can drop down the order, he's a good player of spin so can adapt better than Babar to all conditions.
 
My line up...

Babar
Fakhar
Riz
Shadab
Nawaz
Wasim
Afridi
Haris
Naseem
Best fielder in Pak 1
Best fielder in Pak 2

the 2 fielders will save more runs than the likes of Shan, Iftikhar, Haider, Asif & Khushdil will score.
 
Welcome news but Fakhar needs to open with Babar. L-R combo also helps. Fakhar likes pace on the ball and can score some brisk runs during the powerplay. He is wasted at 5 or 6 IMO. Rizwan should bat at 3 >> Haider >> Nawaz >> Shadab/Iftikhar
 
Fakhar is hit and miss one match he’ll play a match winning innings 3 matches he won’t do much Babar and Rizwan are too slow in the power play too much pressure will be on Haider and Nawaz who aren’t consistent enough to play cameos like yesterday.

If the matches are high scoring a first round exit is likely low scoring matches mean more chance of making it to the semi finals.
 
You are more likely to need/use Fakhar than Usman in this tournament so it makes sense. Fakhar may get a call up for form, strategy or injury. Usman would really only be used if Shadab goes down.

Fakhar is also slightly more likely to be able to do the job if called in than Usman.
 
This team is not looking bad going into the World Cup.

1. Mohammad Rizwan
2. Babar Azam
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Mohammad Nawaz
5. Haider Ali
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Asif Ali
8. Shadab Khan
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Haris Rauf
11. Naseem Shah

If they want to play an extra seamer they can add Wasim in place of Haider and move Shadab up the order.

Asif is totally useless bater, its a myth he can hit six at will , all his shots are caught at mid-on , not even long on , replace him with anyone, even with Shaan.
 
Welcome news but Fakhar needs to open with Babar. L-R combo also helps. Fakhar likes pace on the ball and can score some brisk runs during the powerplay. He is wasted at 5 or 6 IMO. Rizwan should bat at 3 >> Haider >> Nawaz >> Shadab/Iftikhar

Rizwan needs all the time he can get to get going. 3 will be too low for him. Between Babar and Rizwan, Babar is typically faster to score and so he’d be better suited at 3.

Fakhar should open though, I agree. Fakhar will take proper advantage of the power play.
 
I think Its smart move, They will never play 2 leggie in a match, so UQ will be in reserve as backup for Shadab.
 
Rizwan needs all the time he can get to get going. 3 will be too low for him. Between Babar and Rizwan, Babar is typically faster to score and so he’d be better suited at 3.

Fakhar should open though, I agree. Fakhar will take proper advantage of the power play.

We can open with Fakhar if we are setting the Target, For chasing Riz&Babar opening is fine as long as we are chasing par score.
 
Lets hope fakhar has gained his hunger and form back because a fit and firing fakhar is a match winner for pakistan but lately hes been anything but in t20s
 
Lets hope fakhar has gained his hunger and form back because a fit and firing fakhar is a match winner for pakistan but lately hes been anything but in t20s

I don’t think it’s an issue of hunger . You can tell this from his disappointment when he gets out. But yes form has been a big issue in t20s

I think the break will have done him good . He is Pakistan’s most impactful batsman ( Nawaz has joined that list ) and to a lesser extent Asif Ali also.
 
Fakhar Zaman has now joined the squad in Brisbane.
 
Shan was brilliant in county cricket and vitality blast.He performance has been disappointing.I was expecting him to make do better.
 
Asif is totally useless bater, its a myth he can hit six at will , all his shots are caught at mid-on , not even long on , replace him with anyone, even with Shaan.

He's actually one of the only clean hitters in the team and someone who change the game if he can get even a few balls away in the last few overs.
 
Shan was brilliant in county cricket and vitality blast.He performance has been disappointing.I was expecting him to make do better.

There is nothing to be disappointed about his career is one of unfulfilled promised. Totally expected .
 
1) Fakhar
2) Rizwan
3) Babar
4) Nawaz (floater)
5) Haider (floater)
6) Iftikhar (floater)
7) Shadab (floater)
8) Asif (floater)
9) Rauf
10) Naseem
11) Shaheen

I know that Babar will open with Rizwan, but what worries me is these two nudging along at combined 123 SR for majority of the balls like they did in WC semi-final which led to the loss.

Rest of the middle order can float according to match requirements.
 
Shan was brilliant in county cricket and vitality blast.He performance has been disappointing.I was expecting him to make do better.

Opening & coming at #3 isn't the same, especially on a team that requires immediate hitting due to openers not being super quick. He's not someone who can slog anyways and requires more on timing & placement which is harder to make use of when the field is spread around.
 
Let's see which Fakhar we see.

Hadn't been in the best of form of late.
 
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed a dedicated physiotherapist to look after fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and batter Fakhar Zaman during the T20 World Cup in Australia.

A PCB source confirmed that due to the nature of the knee injuries suffered by Afridi and Fakhar, the board asked Dr Javed Akhtar Mughal, a London-based physiotherapist, to join the players.

“Dr Mughal was part of the whole rehabilitation process that Shaheen and Fakhar went through in London so he knows their injuries very well. Which is why the PCB chairman decided that the two players, particularly Shaheen, need dedicated care during the World Cup," he said.

He further said that the PCB considered both players an asset for Pakistan cricket and knowing well how sensitive knee injuries and their recovery process can be, it was decided to send Dr Mughal to Australia.

“He will be looking after both of them during the event. He was there when Shaheen and Fakhar used facilities at the Crystal Palace football club for their rehabilitation."

Afridi and Fakhar have joined the team in Brisbane and are expected to play in the two warm-up matches against England and Afghanistan before a decision is taken on whether they be available for selection in the World Cup.

Pakistan play India in their opening World Cup match at Melbourne on October 23.

Afridi has been out of action since mid-July when he hurt his knee while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle while Fakhar injured his knee in the Asia Cup final in Dubai. Both underwent rehab in London last month.

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...-shaheen-afridi-and-fakhar-zaman-6172711.html
 
Fakhar Zaman is undergoing further rehab and will continue his cricket training in Brisbane.
 
Usman Qadir's inclusion was a stupid decision from the start.

Wonder what Fakhar we will see. He's played 7 T20Is in 2022 at an average of 13.
 
With Fakhar not available, we should definitely play six bowlers when we have three guys that can bat and bowl.

1) Babbar Sher
2) Muhammad
3) Haider
4) Nawaz
5) Shadab
6) Asif
7) Iftikhar/Khushdil/Masood (Probably Ifti)
8) Wasim
9) Rauf
10) Naseem
11) Shaheen
 
Fakhar needs to put his game face on now

Chances are Shan will not be allowed to play due to concussion protocols.
 
Babar Azam: "Fakhar Zaman's recovery is going well, but he's not fully fit yet and won't be available for the match against India"
 
No Shan and No fakhar

Muhammad Harris in traveling reserves

Khushdil will play and bat in top 3 it seems
 
So they replaced an injured player (Usman Qadir) with another injured player (Fakhar Zaman).
And both of them (injured) are traveling with the team...
What kind of logic is this?
 
Some social media channels are saying Fakhar won't play, Shan Masood will.

Dont think you have been reading posts here!

Remember this, we pride ourselves on being the first to report verified info

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam "Fakhar Zaman's recovery is going well, but he's not fully fit yet and won't be available for the match against India" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvPAK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1583745704723611648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Babar Azam "Shan Masood is fine and has recovered from his injury. He's ready for tomorrow's match if needed, but we've not selected our final team yet" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvPAK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1583745305547186176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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Its funny that Fakhar who replaced an "injured" Usman is still not match fit while Usman with a broken finger is bowling at the nets.
 
Don’t understand this . Fakhar is still recovering then how is he in squad lol
 
He has to be fit and play vs Zim

Here he is practicing today

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.604%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/1vlsih" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
He has to be fit and play vs Zim

Here he is practicing today

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.604%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/1vlsih" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

The mayor of slog sweep city

We need you brother!
 
How do we get Fakhar into this team:

Shan just scored a 50 against India so he can’t / wont be dropped

Asif Ali can potentially be replaced with Wasim because an extra seamer is crucial in these conditions

That would leave us with Haider Ali, and it would be a bit harsh to drop him for Fakhar

Pakistan made a big mistake not picking Faheem Ashraf for this WC in Australia, a pace bowling A/R is a blessing, most of the former world champion had one of these in their teams
 
How do we get Fakhar into this team:

Shan just scored a 50 against India so he can’t / wont be dropped

Asif Ali can potentially be replaced with Wasim because an extra seamer is crucial in these conditions

That would leave us with Haider Ali, and it would be a bit harsh to drop him for Fakhar

Pakistan made a big mistake not picking Faheem Ashraf for this WC in Australia, a pace bowling A/R is a blessing, most of the former world champion had one of these in their teams

The Mayor walks in this team over Haider Ali
 
How do we get Fakhar into this team:

Shan just scored a 50 against India so he can’t / wont be dropped

Asif Ali can potentially be replaced with Wasim because an extra seamer is crucial in these conditions

That would leave us with Haider Ali, and it would be a bit harsh to drop him for Fakhar

Pakistan made a big mistake not picking Faheem Ashraf for this WC in Australia, a pace bowling A/R is a blessing, most of the former world champion had one of these in their teams

Easy.. Haider & Asif sit out Fakhar & Wasim in
 
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