Haris Sohail replaces Umar Akmal for Champions Trophy 2017

[MenInG]

Lahore- May 23, 2017: The national selection committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq had called Umar Amin, Haris Sohail and Asif Zakir for fitness test today at National Cricket Academy to replace Umar Akmal who had earlier failed to pass the fitness test in the pre-camp for Champions Trophy in Birmingham, England. Umar Akmal has been told to return home to work on his fitness.

The NCA trainer conducted the test of all three players and based on the reports submitted by the trainer and upon Pakistan's team management request Haris Sohail has been selected to replace Umar Akmal for the Champions Trophy to commence from June 1, 2017 in England and Wales.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Greeeattt news. Now only Sharjeel is missing. Why Sharjeel

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

Yeahhh finally a solid batsmen... Wish came true... Let's see he is fit enough to hit at 6..

 

[moghul]

Not a bad choice but I would prefer Umar Amin.

 

[Hamza_]

Azhar and Hafeez should open now.

Hafeez
Azhar
Babar
Malik
Haris
Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
Fahim
Hassan
Amir

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

So Sarfaraz should open now with Shehzad.. then Babar, Professor, Malik, Haris, Imad, Shadab, Hasan, Amir, Wahab.

 

[Mamoon]

A rare good call by the selectors who narrowed it down to Haris and Amin rather than the beloved Iftikhar and the pointless Zakir. On paper, Amin adds more balance to the team with his dibbly-dobbly bowling, but a batsman should replace a batsman and Haris is better on that front. Amin though, will get his chance soon.

 

[Slog]

The irony is that I won't be totally surprised if Haris Sohail goes there and also fails the fitness test

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

The best possible team from the 15.

Fakhar/Azhar
Hafeez
Babar
Haris
Sarfi
Malik
Shadab/Imad
Imad/Shadab
Fahim
Amir
Hasan


Good batting depth. If they want to play another pacer than replace Fahim or Imad with him.

 

[wasimjunior]

Azhar and Hafeez should open now.

Hafeez
Azhar
Babar
Malik
Haris
Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
Fahim
Hassan
Amir

Haven't seen Fahim but that's our best lineup.

 

[UN talkz]

The irony is that I won't be totally surprised if Haris Sohail goes there and also fails the fitness test

waiting for the same thing.....

 

[UN talkz]

all the batsman are either top or middle order players.... no one is a lower order razzaq like player.... imad simply can't hit and dont know whether fahim can but if he can probably cant hit it better than yamin....and asking shadab to do so is too much...

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Will he pass the fitness test? Even U. Akmal cleared the NCA test.

Or was it just an excuse to dissmiss U. Akmal?

 

[angrypathan]

Have a feeling that Haris is still a little undercooked for a return to International cricket, but hope he does well

 

[Zak_Fan]

I am actually happy that Umar won't be playing. He may flop more often than not, but he always had this ability to be a game-changer.

 

[Slog]

My team:

Hafeez
Fakhar Zaman
Babar
Malik
Haris
Sarfaraz
Imad
Shadab
Hasan Ali
Amir
Abbas/Wahab/Junaid

 

[waqar goraya]

Haris himself has not been an epitome of physical fitness. Lets see whether he has improved or not.

 

[Jabo]

Poor choice at this current time

Chances of getting bowled out for under 200 in each game has increased

 

[Bewal Express]

For me Haris is very limited- he is very bottom handed and hence any balls outside off stump will be difficult for him to hit. Teams will work him out pretty quickly, he will have to adapt quickly or perish quicker than a Pizza on the Akmal table.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Azhar
shehzad
babar
hafeez
malik
sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
amir
hassan
junaid


haris wont get a game

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Where will he bat though?

His isn't gonna open. He can't bat at 7. 3 of 3,4,5,6 are occupied by Babar, Sarfraz, and Malik who are confirmed starters. Hafeez feasted on the poor Windies bowling so he will get the nod for the remaining middle order spot.

No reason to get excited. He'll warm the bench for the first two games definitely and I can only see him getting a chance against Lanka if someone fails miserably in the first two games.

 

[ChinMusic]

A rare good call by the selectors who narrowed it down to Haris and Amin rather than the beloved Iftikhar and the pointless Zakir. On paper, Amin adds more balance to the team with his dibbly-dobbly bowling, but a batsman should replace a batsman and Haris is better on that front. Amin though, will get his chance soon.

first time in recent time i agree with u ... Amin would have been better due to his accelerating and hitting ability but i dont mind Sohail as well given he can add value with his part time off spin as well.. probably not as good an athlete as amin but again, amin will get his chance..

one thing that these guys need to do is to take the chance, perform and shut doors for TTF and instagram players like akmal brothers and shahzad and haffez...

 

[Red Devil]

I like Haris, probably the most solid batsman in the country, just hope he plays at a good strike rate. Can't really afford another snail-paced batsman in the line up.

 

[yasir]

I am actually happy that Umar won't be playing. He may flop more often than not, but he always had this ability to be a game-changer.

UA had little competition, he could be really destructive in last 15 overs. Right now we don't have anybody who can play in those overs. Sharjeel at top and UA at bottom was only hope for Pakistan to play modern cricket. Now we are back to 80s style of cricket. All others cannot play shots, opposition is happy now both are gone, no chance of any attack from our side.

 

[yasir]

A rare good call by the selectors who narrowed it down to Haris and Amin rather than the beloved Iftikhar and the pointless Zakir. On paper, Amin adds more balance to the team with his dibbly-dobbly bowling, but a batsman should replace a batsman and Haris is better on that front. Amin though, will get his chance soon.

UA was not playing as top order batsman but a power hitter, he should be replace by a power player, non of these guys are power hitter...Hafeez, Azhar, Shezad, Malik, Sarfraz, Babar they are all similar style of players, we added one more to the lot. Our batting is truly one dimensional. We cannot have all of them playing in one team, it just too much sameness, bowlers are happy to bowl to such line up on any wicket(maybe except on slow tracks), there is no fear factor, all are gentleman type players, no harm done...

I like Harris Sohail but he should replace Hafeez/Azhar/Shezad in top order not UA at no 6, he cannot play below #4(even that is low)....

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Where will he bat though?

His isn't gonna open. He can't bat at 7. 3 of 3,4,5,6 are occupied by Babar, Sarfraz, and Malik who are confirmed starters. Hafeez feasted on the poor Windies bowling so he will get the nod for the remaining middle order spot.

No reason to get excited. He'll warm the bench for the first two games definitely and I can only see him getting a chance against Lanka if someone fails miserably in the first two games.

He will bat no 4 with babar as right left middle order combo.

Hafeez will open with Azhar. Shehzad will not be picked.

 

[Hawkeye]

Ideally, both Haris and Amin should've been selected over Malik, Shehzad and the likes.

They're our BEST batsmen - Babar Azam, Umar Amin, Haris Sohail... WHAT A MOUTH WATERING batting lineup!!!!!

Now just add 2-3 hitters, we'll become the world champions and lift the WC trophy in 2019!

 

[Canistani Hero]

Hafeez Azhar Babar Malik Haris Sarfraz Imad Shadab Hassan Amir Junaid

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Hafeez Azhar Babar Malik Haris Sarfraz Imad Shadab Hassan Amir Junaid

Swap Malik with Haris.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Good selection, will be wonderful to see Haris and Babar bat together.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Good selection, will be wonderful to see Haris and Babar bat together.

I have been waiting years for this moment.

 

[Hamza_]

Ideally, both Haris and Amin should've been selected over Malik, Shehzad and the likes.

They're our BEST batsmen - Babar Azam, Umar Amin, Haris Sohail... WHAT A MOUTH WATERING batting lineup!!!!!

Now just add 2-3 hitters, we'll become the world champions and lift the WC trophy in 2019!

After Champions trophy 2017 we should be playing this line up:

Umar Amin
Sahibzada Farhan
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed
Hussain Talat
Shadab Khan
Imad Wasim
Mohammad Amir
Hassan Ali

 

[Rafay Shafiq]

Umar Amin deserve more. Performance in Pakistan cup. Haris sohail is unfit.cannot slide

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Team should be:

Fakhar Zaman
Mohammed Hafeez
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Sarfraz Ahmed(C)(WK)
Shoaib Malik
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Mohammed Amir
Hasan Ali
Junaid Khan

 

[captain crook]

Now I will see who can defeat us

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Now I will see who can defeat us

These are capable of putting 100 run partnership at 90+ SR.

 

[Pete Rose]

A mistake

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Now I will see who can defeat us

Yup, our chances of winning have increased significantly due to the coming of Haris Sohail in place of Umar Akmal.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

If only we had Sharjeel Khan in place of Mohammed Hafeez our team would have been nothing short of perfect.

 

[Syed1]

My team:

Hafeez
Fakhar Zaman
Babar
Malik
Haris
Sarfaraz
Imad
Shadab
Hasan Ali
Amir
Abbas/Wahab/Junaid

Good team.. however, there is no way in hell that Hafeez is being displaced from this number four position where he scored some cheap runs against the Windies.

Haris unfortunately will start from the bench and our openers would be Azhar and Shehzad, if MA grows a pair we may have Fakhar opening instead of one of those two.

 

[Syed1]

If only we had Sharjeel Khan in place of Mohammed Hafeez our team would have been nothing short of perfect.

Imagine this team:

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Malik
Imad
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Junaid/Wahab


3 lefties and 3 righties in the top six. Explosive openers. Middle order batsmen adept at rotating the strike. Number 7 with ability to hit it big. Number 8 and 9 handy batsmen. 1 leggie, 1 left-armer, 1 off-spinner, 1 right arm fast, 2 left arm fast. All bases covered.

 

[sadida97]

Imagine this team:

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Malik
Imad
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Junaid/Wahab


3 lefties and 3 righties in the top six. Explosive openers. Middle order batsmen adept at rotating the strike. Number 7 with ability to hit it big. Number 8 and 9 handy batsmen. 1 leggie, 1 left-armer, 1 off-spinner, 1 right arm fast, 2 left arm fast. All bases covered.

Replace fakhar with amin...

 

[Sherlock]

Eh...Geo was reporting that Amin was being picked

Pakistan media for you.

 

[cric4now]

Look a good choice. Here are some stats for people with a deep appreciation for merit.

 

[Speedster777]

Hoping hafeez to get injured or unfit he's a weak link in the team and because of this seniority crap youngsters are being sacrifsed. He's a flop in England. Sarfraz should drop him.

 

[Speedster777]

Good decision to give chance to a youngster.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Imagine this team:

Sharjeel
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Malik
Imad
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Junaid/Wahab

Almost a perfect team apart from the third seamer. But yeah you picked from the available choices in CT.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Fr all those who are saying Haris cant hit big, please tell me who can in Pakistan? Umar Akmal had the ability but he ruined himself and isnt reliable.
And please tell me who has the ability in Pakistan to chase 350s?

If 350 is scored against us then we are almost gone. No Uma amin or Umar Akmal or Babar Azam can chase it. But if 250-275 is scored against us in bowler friendly conditions than I would rather have someone like Haris and Babar who are reliable and better playing quality bowlers. Like we saw last time in Champions trophy final that it was a low scoring match.

 

[Mamoon]

UA was not playing as top order batsman but a power hitter, he should be replace by a power player, non of these guys are power hitter...Hafeez, Azhar, Shezad, Malik, Sarfraz, Babar they are all similar style of players, we added one more to the lot. Our batting is truly one dimensional. We cannot have all of them playing in one team, it just too much sameness, bowlers are happy to bowl to such line up on any wicket(maybe except on slow tracks), there is no fear factor, all are gentleman type players, no harm done...

I like Harris Sohail but he should replace Hafeez/Azhar/Shezad in top order not UA at no 6, he cannot play below #4(even that is low)....

We don't have power-hitters. The PSL exposed our lack of options on this front - the fact that a 42 year old Afridi was by far the best hitter on show explains everything. Haris certainly improves our batting. Like Babar, he is capable of batting at a SR of 85-90 without taking risks. Umar at his best is certainly a better striker of the ball, but considering his current form and fitness, Haris is more likely to outperform him in spite of the fact that he maybe rusty for international cricket at this point.

 

[Friend786]

Sami Aslam was more deserving considering he has performed well in english conditions and he was splendid in Pakistan Cup. Anyway, hope Haris Sohail makes good comeback.

 

[Hamza_]

We don't have power-hitters. The PSL exposed our lack of options on this front - the fact that a 42 year old Afridi was by far the best hitter on show explains everything. Haris certainly improves our batting. Like Babar, he is capable of batting at a SR of 85-90 without taking risks. Umar at his best is certainly a better striker of the ball, but considering his current form and fitness, Haris is more likely to outperform him in spite of the fact that he maybe rusty for international cricket at this point.

Umar Amin and Hussain Talat deserve selection.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Sami Aslam was more deserving considering he has performed well in english conditions and he was splendid in Pakistan Cup. Anyway, hope Haris Sohail makes good comeback.

already have three openers in the team and if you add hafeez then 4.

 

[Friend786]

already have three openers in the team and if you add hafeez then 4.

Well tbh , Azhar Ali shouldn't be in the team. What has he done since being dropped after Australian tour?

 

[StreetSmart]

Poor choice at this current time

Chances of getting bowled out for under 200 in each game has increased

Please tell us why

 

[Rayyman]

Good move because Amin is best suited at #3. We already have Babar for that.

Haris can bat at #4 or #5.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Well tbh , Azhar Ali shouldn't be in the team. What has he done since being dropped after Australian tour?

But he is , so can't really have another opener in the 11.

 

[Speedster777]

Well tbh , Azhar Ali shouldn't be in the team. What has he done since being dropped after Australian tour?

Exactly he's poor in one day format and does not deserve any place.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Good Call by Team management, NCA & Selection Committee.

Thankfully the Best available option was chosen.

 

[yasir]

Umar Amin and Hussain Talat deserve selection.

They are not better option then Harris Sohail. Harris has better technique against pace and had played well in WC2015, considering that was his first exposure to AUS, and Pakistan was always man down in first 2/3 overs.

Batting is a headache, despite very mediocre. Harris best spot is opener or one down. Malik and Sarfraz are best for 4 and 5, because they are best players of spin in middle overs, both of them cannot wack 145 clicks fast bowlers in last 15...Azhar/Hafeez/Shezad cannot play at #6. Who is going to open and bat at #6?? - #6 is completely empty after UA. Opening was already a struggle, since Sharjeel left...There is too much sameness and not enough power hitter to take advantage...

Babar can play some shots at the end, but his main role is to anchor the innings, Harris can do the same, but for that to happen they both have to bat in top3 in every game, so if one of them plays long innings, Pakistan can hope for strong finish. Azhar/Shezad/Hafeez cannot play long innings, that is effective too.

Malik and Sarfraz has very specific skill set, in tournaments top teams are not going to give them spinner to milk on and nothing in last 12 overs. 6/7 runs an over in last 10 (70 runs is nothing, lt has to be 100+) when you have wickets in hand is too low. I don't see how we can have couple of boundaries in every over, with this line up.

 

[kingusama92]

Solid selection as long as he's fit.

Will add depth to the batting options even though the team's inability to hit big will cost it in the latter stages of this tournament.

Not much the selectors can do about that. So, good pick.

 

[Hamza_]

They are not better option then Harris Sohail. Harris has better technique against pace and had played well in WC2015, considering that was his first exposure to AUS, and Pakistan was always man down in first 2/3 overs.

Batting is a headache, despite very mediocre. Harris best spot is opener or one down. Malik and Sarfraz are best for 4 and 5, because they are best players of spin in middle overs, both of them cannot wack 145 clicks fast bowlers in last 15...Azhar/Hafeez/Shezad cannot play at #6. Who is going to open and bat at #6?? - #6 is completely empty after UA. Opening was already a struggle, since Sharjeel left...There is too much sameness and not enough power hitter to take advantage...

Babar can play some shots at the end, but his main role is to anchor the innings, Harris can do the same, but for that to happen they both have to bat in top3 in every game, so if one of them plays long innings, Pakistan can hope for strong finish. Azhar/Shezad/Hafeez cannot play long innings, that is effective too.

Malik and Sarfraz has very specific skill set, in tournaments top teams are not going to give them spinner to milk on and nothing in last 12 overs. 6/7 runs an over in last 10 (70 runs is nothing, lt has to be 100+) when you have wickets in hand is too low. I don't see how we can have couple of boundaries in every over, with this line up.

Hussain Talat can bat at #6, While Sahibzada Farhan should be brought in to open ASAP after CT.

 

[Monsee]

all the batsman are either top or middle order players.... no one is a lower order razzaq like player.... imad simply can't hit and dont know whether fahim can but if he can probably cant hit it better than yamin....and asking shadab to do so is too much...

You better check Imad's record in England, his average, SR, hitting ability etc. before saying that!

 

[Rayyman]

You better check Imad's record in England, his average, SR, hitting ability etc. before saying that!

He is no Afridi, but is the best power hitter in the squad along with Fakhar, Fahim and Wahab. Only difference is that Imad has a good record at #7 while others are inexperienced as sloggers.

 

[Monsee]

He is no Afridi, but is the best power hitter in the squad along with Fakhar, Fahim and Wahab. Only difference is that Imad has a good record at #7 while others are inexperienced as sloggers.

Afridi, meh, how many matches we truly won due to his hitting against good/great squads?

I am not a fan of the 2 sixes, 1-2 Fours and then holding out in the deep on leg side

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Azhar
shehzad
babar
hafeez
malik
sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
amir
hassan
junaid


haris wont get a game

That sounds like the playing eleven

 

[Abdullah]

A rare good call by the selectors who narrowed it down to Haris and Amin rather than the beloved Iftikhar and the pointless Zakir. On paper, Amin adds more balance to the team with his dibbly-dobbly bowling, but a batsman should replace a batsman and Haris is better on that front. Amin though, will get his chance soon.

I like haris a lot but if we r going to be batting the replacement at the umar akmal spot, who do u think is the better 6 hitter out of the 2?

 

[Pollack]

) The usual dose of drama and entertainment before an ICC trophy.

 

[the Great Khan]

so they finally selected the Messiah. If he gets selected he'll win the trophy for us single handedly.

 

[Abdullah]

so they finally selected the Messiah. If he gets selected he'll win the trophy for us single handedly.

Not if he is not batting in the top 4. You will see the class if he has to play the true quicks unlike hafeez malik etc

 

[MenInG]

Speaking to PCB today

"Feels like I have been selected for the first time"
"I hope I can perform well once I am in England"
"I became unfit at a time when I was in good form but what I learnt from that is that there is always some reason behind the Almighty's will"
"Its always been my goal to play for long period of Pakistan but that was interrupted by injury which kept me out for almost 2 years; I am now going in with the same goal"

 

[dauntless]

if your a pakistani fan you should be ashamed of yourself, if not, well I hope Pakistan makes you eat a hat or something..

Well time will tell! Be ready for real thrashing first India and then mighty s.africa! By the way it's my choice I can support which team I want you are nobody to me.Keep your opinion to yourself!

 

[dauntless]

He is Indian Kashmiri. If he supports Pakistan we should welcome it, if he decides to support India we should accept it rather than asking him to "eat a hat"

LOl at Indian kashimiri I m not any kashmiri! Jammu and Kashmir are two different regions and in jammu most of gujjar Muslims support Pakistan for a cricket match only nothing else!

 

[Brilliance]

Azhar.
Hafeez.
Babar.
Haris.
Malik.
Sarfaraz.
Shadab.
Imad.
Amir.
Hassan.
Riaz.

 

[IAJ]

The irony is that I won't be totally surprised if Haris Sohail goes there and also fails the fitness test

I was thinking the same lols. He has had fitness issues previously and you would think a serious injury would have been bad for him. Bit maybe he has got his priorities right and worked extremely hard on his fitness. Along with Babar Azam and Malik he is our best batsman.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

This is good on paper but two things complicit this

1. Where does he bat ? He shouldn't bat lower than 4

2. He has had severe injuries and we are bribing him back in tournament where there is zero margin of error

 

[Amirforpresident]

Shaking my head everytime people put Sarfraz at 6.
He should be nowhere under 5.
Ideally i would have him at 1or 2.

 

[Syed1]

This is good on paper but two things complicit this

1. Where does he bat ? He shouldn't bat lower than 4

2. He has had severe injuries and we are bribing him back in tournament where there is zero margin of error

We made him debut just 1 or 2 series before the WC. This is not the first time he is being thrown in the deep end due to shoddy selection policies.

 

[idrizzy]

Good team.. however, there is no way in hell that Hafeez is being displaced from this number four position where he scored some cheap runs against the Windies.

Haris unfortunately will start from the bench and our openers would be Azhar and Shehzad, if MA grows a pair we may have Fakhar opening instead of one of those two.

Couldn't agree more. Hafeez will bat at 4, and Haris will be a benchman. Shehzad will open since he played all 3 ODIs vs WI and will still play him. Azhar will play (speculating) because he's been the face of Pak in CT (with Sarf, Babar). Team will be:
Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab/J Khan
Hasan Ali
M Amir
Wahab

This will not be a winning combination at all.

 

[srh]

Lahore- May 23, 2017: The national selection committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq had called Umar Amin, Haris Sohail and Asif Zakir for fitness test today at National Cricket Academy to replace Umar Akmal who had earlier failed to pass the fitness test in the pre-camp for Champions Trophy in Birmingham, England. Umar Akmal has been told to return home to work on his fitness.

The NCA trainer conducted the test of all three players and based on the reports submitted by the trainer and upon Pakistan's team management request Haris Sohail has been selected to replace Umar Akmal for the Champions Trophy to commence from June 1, 2017 in England and Wales.

View attachment 74248

Is this the same NCA trainer who conducted the test of Umar Akmal before and passed him?

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Good team.. however, there is no way in hell that Hafeez is being displaced from this number four position where he scored some cheap runs against the Windies.

Haris unfortunately will start from the bench and our openers would be Azhar and Shehzad, if MA grows a pair we may have Fakhar opening instead of one of those two.

Warm up matches will give them a better look on who to open. Azhar has one match ban so cannot play against India. That leaves with Fakhar and shehzad only, I have a feeling shehzad will play 2 warm up games and the match against India, then being replaced by azhar.