Haris Sohail's future in ODIs?

[ads101]

Now the tournament has been concluded, think it's time to talk about Haris Sohail. Despite being in the squad didn't get a game. A lot thought it was an obvious decision for him to come in (including me) for Hafeez (or Azhar) at some point, though those two did up their game for the latter stage.

Question is with Hafeez's and Azhar's performances in the latter stages of the tournament, is the wait for Haris Sohail's return to the ODI side put on hold?

Was Haris Sohail match fit during the tournament, were there concerns about that for why he wasn't in the side? As his past international record is more than good enough to get into the side. I think had umar akmal not failed the fitness test, he would have been given a game midway tournament when our batting looked shaky. Yet Haris wasn't. Worrying signs if management don't trust him enough to play him.

Thoughts?

 

[Madplayer]

Should be number 4.

At least should be given chances in dead rubbers or in matches where others players are rested. He is the best after Babar. Best against swing.

 

[ads101]

Should be number 4.

At least should be given chances in dead rubbers or in matches where others players are rested. He is the best after Babar. Best against swing.

But do you think realistically he will be back in the side anytime soon?

 

[Mamoon]

I want him as a batsman in the team, but he will cost runs in the field. He is fit by Pakistani standards but unfit by international standards. If we are aspiring to reach the international standards which we are, then Haris will have to up his fitness. He is indolent and not athletic either.

 

[Abdullah]

I think Mickey likes him (but he also is willing to give shehzad a chance)

They should really play a homecoming game between themselves in lahore next month
2 odis n 1 t20

Team 1

1 azhar 1 sahibzada
2 fakhar 2 shezzy
3 babar 3 Haris
4 malik 4 sarfaraz
5 hafeez 5 yamin
6 akmal 6 imad
7 fahim 7 shadab
8 amir 8 hasan
9 amad 9 ruman
10 wahab 10 junaid
11 asghar 11 usama

 

[Blitz]

I want him as a batsman in the team, but he will cost runs in the field. He is fit by Pakistani standards but unfit by international standards. If we are aspiring to reach the international standards which we are, then Haris will have to up his fitness. He is indolent and not athletic either.

I guess you conducted a fitness test on him? Or are you judging him by how he looks?

He passed a fitness test that Mickey Arthur oversaw, otherwise he wouldn't have made the squad. We've already seen the level of fitness/fielding go up under this new system by Mickey.

Please don't make up stuff about a player 'unfit, indolent, not athletic', that you quite frankly have no idea about.

 

[Pete Rose]

He should take malik's place provided he has the fitness for it.

 

[ads101]

I guess you conducted a fitness test on him? Or are you judging him by how he looks?

He passed a fitness test that Mickey Arthur oversaw, otherwise he wouldn't have made the squad. We've already seen the level of fitness/fielding go up under this new system by Mickey.

Please don't make up stuff about a player 'unfit, indolent, not athletic', that you quite frankly have no idea about.

I'm sure he's fitter and a better fielder than Sharjeel and Mickey was adamant about playing him. My fears are less to do whether he's athletic or fielding concerns, more to do whether there are fears that Haris hasn't fully recovered from injury/concerns his body won't be able to handle the rigours of international cricket anymore after the injury. You never know after such long injuries that those players come back to their best ever again.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I dont think he is out of the picture, Mickey mentioned him specifically when he was taking about the 2019 World Cup in an interview with the BBC

Having said that Haris will have to be more dynamic than what he was last time.

I really love the guy, i reckon he has great ability, but the number 3 is now Babar's. Haris has more shots than babar and if he is to bat at 4 he has to bring them out more often

 

[sadida97]

I dont think he is out of the picture, Mickey mentioned him specifically when he was taking about the 2019 World Cup in an interview with the BBC

Having said that Haris will have to be more dynamic than what he was last time.

I really love the guy, i reckon he has great ability, but the number 3 is now Babar's. Haris has more shots than babar and if he is to bat at 4 he has to bring them out more often

Where can we find this interview ?

 

[Arsalan Pro]

He should be in the squad permanently and although I want him in the team too, I think team management will put hold his selection until Malik and M Hafeez retire from the team.

 

[Gr33n_Pak]

He should be permanent feature in ODI and tests. Not so much for T20. Drop Hafeez and bring him in.

 

[Mamoon]

I guess you conducted a fitness test on him? Or are you judging him by how he looks?

He passed a fitness test that Mickey Arthur oversaw, otherwise he wouldn't have made the squad. We've already seen the level of fitness/fielding go up under this new system by Mickey.

Please don't make up stuff about a player 'unfit, indolent, not athletic', that you quite frankly have no idea about.

I'm not sure what caused the offense, but no it is not black and white as you are presenting it. There is a difference between being fit for selection and being optimally fit. Players like Imad, Sarfraz, Hafeez etc. are not in ideal shape or condition unlike Hasan, Shadab, Fakhar, Babar etc., but they are fit enough to pass fitness Tests unlike folks like Umar Akmal. If you don't see that then I don't think I can help you further on this matter.

Haris has never been convincing with his fitness. He has a documented history of failing numerous tests and is generally out of breath after 15 overs in the middle. Judging by how he looks at the moment, it doesn't look like he has made big strides on that front. And yes, fitness can be gauged by appearance because in case you did not know, as you get fitter, it starts to reflect in your appearance.

You won't see a fit player walk around with a pot belly and high percentage of body fat along with poorly defined muscles. Yes that sounds like Haris Sohail, although the belly fat has been trimmed.

 

[Greenstorm]

Haris Sohail isn't as dynamic a batsman to bat anywhere below number 3. His strength is his game against pace bowling. He used to regularly find gaps in initial powerplay overs and hence he should replace Azhar Ali as opener. If Sharjeel comes back then it will be difficult for Haris to be in the starting XI.

 

[omcswe]

i really want babar azam to open the innings with some aggressive batsman.

as good as azhar has been in the tournament, he shouldn't be playing limited overs cricket. it is not that he can't do it, it is just that there are better alternatives available that can do the same job better.

case in point rehman vs. zulfiqar thing - we missed on the prime period of zulfiqar because we pursued with rehman.

haris needs to get stronger, and fitter. there is no doubt about that and he should look to model himself on some of the indian players.

if babar opens, it frees up the number three place which should go to haris.

i am not sure what sharjeel's status is but if he comes back and is the same player, he can open the innings with babar. fakhar plays spinners better while sharjeel loves pace on the ball. that'd make haris a good number 4.

my concern for this team would definitely be running between the wickets but that sounds a good top 4 to me.

 

[Madplayer]

But do you think realistically he will be back in the side anytime soon?

I am afraid not.

Haris has to come in place of either hafeez or malik who are going to be 38 in 2019 wc and i am afraid thats too old to make any impact. Hopefully mickey sees it and phases them out.

 

[ads101]

i really want babar azam to open the innings with some aggressive batsman.

as good as azhar has been in the tournament, he shouldn't be playing limited overs cricket. it is not that he can't do it, it is just that there are better alternatives available that can do the same job better.

case in point rehman vs. zulfiqar thing - we missed on the prime period of zulfiqar because we pursued with rehman.

haris needs to get stronger, and fitter. there is no doubt about that and he should look to model himself on some of the indian players.

if babar opens, it frees up the number three place which should go to haris.

i am not sure what sharjeel's status is but if he comes back and is the same player, he can open the innings with babar. fakhar plays spinners better while sharjeel loves pace on the ball. that'd make haris a good number 4.

my concern for this team would definitely be running between the wickets but that sounds a good top 4 to me.

I agree with this, do kind of feel that it would be good if Babar or Haris open. Both have ability to open are tactically sound. And I'm a great believer your best batsmen should be at the top, more chance to impact the innings. Babar has more experience opening, but seems settled at three. Haris would be a good makeshift opener but has little experience. I don't mind Sarfraz opening, would allow him to have more of an impact, but feel his best position is 4 or 5, I wanted him to open in the past based on the fact it was the only free position in the top order.

 

[Tommo]

Anyone who slides into the playing 11 has to be able to field really well.. It's should be a pre-requisite for all potential players, no matter how well you bowl or bat. On that bombshell, i would leave haris out of the team, until he has considerably improved. What's more, I distinctly remember Mickey professing he's got a shortlist of 10 new potential players that he'll be keeping a close eye on. All this to say, it's up to Haris and his dedication levels.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

He should stay in the squad.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Where can we find this interview ?

BBC test match special I believe

The podcast with Vaughn

 

[ManFan]

Should play at Number 4 followed by Sarfraz at Number 5.

 

[Hasan123]

Babar at 3 and Harris at 4.

 

[ar2020]

Yes Babar, Haris, and Sarfraz at 3, 4 and 5. This is a must.

Also, no one is talking about it but what are the chances of him getting a call for the Test team now that Misbah and Younis are gone? Those are two openings.

 

[SM1989]

Keep him out for now. Was a failure in a must win game against Australia in the 2015 world cup. Wasn't exceptional in the PSL either. Let him play another domestic season before bringing him back.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

He will soon be in the team. Too good a player to be out for too long.

 

[ads101]

Yes Babar, Haris, and Sarfraz at 3, 4 and 5. This is a must.

Also, no one is talking about it but what are the chances of him getting a call for the Test team now that Misbah and Younis are gone? Those are two openings.

Was thinking that. I actually think he will make a test debut before ODI return

 

[ar2020]

Keep him out for now. Was a failure in a must win game against Australia in the 2015 world cup. Wasn't exceptional in the PSL either. Let him play another domestic season before bringing him back.

Failure in the QF? I understand his strike rate was only 72 but he was the leading scorer for Pakistan with 41 runs.

 

[Ami]

Hes 28 now...last played May 15...that would make it 2 yrs?
Personally..hes gonna have to come in for Hafeez or Malik..like for like player.
But, trust me, those 2 are here till 2019 and then theyll be pushed out as they would be unwilling to step down.

 

[sshakir411]

I doubt he has a future. He's an accumulator, something we have enough of in the team. If he can bat at 6 and be good at it...then he has a chance.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He will soon be in the team. Too good a player to be out for too long.

He's already in the team.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

He's already in the team.

in playing x1

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Should get his opportunity soon. Hope Hafeez continues to fail miserably.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Now the tournament has been concluded, think it's time to talk about Haris Sohail. Despite being in the squad didn't get a game. A lot thought it was an obvious decision for him to come in (including me) for Hafeez (or Azhar) at some point, though those two did up their game for the latter stage.

Question is with Hafeez's and Azhar's performances in the latter stages of the tournament, is the wait for Haris Sohail's return to the ODI side put on hold?

Was Haris Sohail match fit during the tournament, were there concerns about that for why he wasn't in the side? As his past international record is more than good enough to get into the side. I think had umar akmal not failed the fitness test, he would have been given a game midway tournament when our batting looked shaky. Yet Haris wasn't. Worrying signs if management don't trust him enough to play him.

Thoughts?

Problem is Pakistan's cricket Calendar is almost empty with huge gaps. And then PCB foolishly cancelled the Bangaldesh Trip. The Test Middle order is vacant with 2 vacancies and a failing unreliable Asad Shafiq. Technically we need 3 batsmen in middle order. So Harris Sohail can get started in Tests. Pakistan ODI team is not balanced we are 1 batsman short that spot can go to Harris. But we need to play more cricket. Otherwise the team will not develop...but rather waste away

 

[mak36]

I think Mickey likes him (but he also is willing to give shehzad a chance)

They should really play a homecoming game between themselves in lahore next month
2 odis n 1 t20

Team 1

1 azhar 1 sahibzada
2 fakhar 2 shezzy
3 babar 3 Haris
4 malik 4 sarfaraz
5 hafeez 5 yamin
6 akmal 6 imad
7 fahim 7 shadab
8 amir 8 hasan
9 amad 9 ruman
10 wahab 10 junaid
11 asghar 11 usama

I like this idea. I would change some of the players though- would test Talat out.

 

[SM1989]

Failure in the QF? I understand his strike rate was only 72 but he was the leading scorer for Pakistan with 41 runs.

That was the moment for him to step up and score a hundred. We need to stop being satisfied with scraps. 41 was not sufficient.

 

[KashifButt]

With Sharjeel coming back (possibly), would it be the best idea to open with him and Fakhar? I'm all for attacking and positive cricket but as someone has mentioned Fakhar plays spin much better than pace so opening with Babar instead of Fakhar does sound better? Also on Haris Sohail, need to give him a run to see how good he is and what position is best suited to him.

 

[moghul]

I want him as a batsman in the team, but he will cost runs in the field. He is fit by Pakistani standards but unfit by international standards. If we are aspiring to reach the international standards which we are, then Haris will have to up his fitness. He is indolent and not athletic either.

Then you need Umar Amin, fit, lefty , inform and classy.

 

[Langau]

haris sohail in place of shoaib malik. thats it.