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Have Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal done enough in PSL to be given a last chance in ODIs?

cricketworm

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Ahmed Shehzad is in the news again for the good thing. His side won the maiden PSL title and he did very well through tournament with 50+ average. Pakistan top order in ODIs is struggling to have good form. Should PCB selectors use Ahmed Shehzad's form and include him in ODI side ahead of the world cup?

Same goes with Umar, who have done decently for a lower order, however he has a strong competition unlike Ahmed Shehzad. It will be hard for him to be in ODI side once again. However, struggling form Sarfaraz Ahmed makes weak lower order.

I always believe that whoever is in form should be considered for a side, unless you are an ODI legend.
 
Going by the Pakistani selectors' logic of giving heavy weight to PSL performance, yes. to not select them might be considered inconsisten (Even though umar akmal started strong and faded in middle, opposite of shehzad).

But if you do it on the basis pure cricketing pedigree, general attitude, and previous false dawns these guys best days are behind them.

I am really happy that we ten odi's to figure this stuff before we go back to hafeez and malik (*bangs head on desk*)
 
Umar Akmal's alternative is Asif and we know Asif is a dud. Might slot back in the team.

Ahmed Shehzad is better than Abid, Shan and arguably Imam. Should go as a backup option. I would prefer him at number 3 though.
 
Pakistan top order in ODIs is struggling to have good form.

Actually it's the middle order in most need of attention. Hafeez, Malik and Sarfraz have failed time and again against quality seam bowling and their batting averages against top sides since the Champions Trophy has been absymal.

As for Shehzad - we went through this routine after PSL2 only for him to fail in the Caribbean and CT17. Akmal has a better claim given our lack of lower-order firepower.
 
Regardless of PSL performances or Not we need an Umar Akmal type player at number 5/6 in our batting line up in ODIs as the current ODI team barring fakhar is one paced.

I doubt Shehzad will get a recall at moment as Opening sports in ODIs seem to be locked down at moment.
 
Akmal yes, Shehzad no.

Asif Ali, if willing, should also be part of any future ODI squad.
 
Did Shehzad actually play any match winning innings? His S/R was pretty poor for a T20 yesterday, I think that was more a case of Peshawar batsmen losing the game than him winning it. It was a nice enough knock, just made under no pressure because the RRR was so low.
 
They deserve their place back because their replacements proved to be worse. I would even play Akmal in tests.
 
Umar Akmal might turn out to be the best no.6 option for Pak. He is definitely better than Asif Ali and Fahim. His Last 15 overs Batting for Pak, will help them set a good total or even in chasing could provide the needed strike rate we need. He has done well and should be in WC Squad.

My Squad for WC.

Openers
Imam
Fakhar

Middle order

Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Umar A

Allrounder
Faheem
Imad
Shadab
Amer Yamin

Bowlers
Amir
Shaheen
Hasan Ali
Junaid
Umer Khan
 
Umar gets another chance in the middle order for me based off his domestic season and some decent impactful knocks in this PSL. Still not very optimistic though.

Shehzad, never.
 
Do we have no solid middle order talent on the domestic circuit? How is that even possible? :(
 
Who said PSL is how one should get selected?

Umar Akmal is needed in international cricket which is a different kind of beast.

Just forget PSL.
 
Umar Akmal yes, he's always been a talented player and even so, his stats aren't even bad internationally. Shehzad should be kept far away from the Pakistan team but he's young so it's inevitable he'll get another recall at some point, I just hope he isn't in the WC squad.
 
Umar Akmal might turn out to be the best no.6 option for Pak. He is definitely better than Asif Ali and Fahim. His Last 15 overs Batting for Pak, will help them set a good total or even in chasing could provide the needed strike rate we need. He has done well and should be in WC Squad.

My Squad for WC.

Openers
Imam
Fakhar

Middle order

Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Umar A

Allrounder
Faheem
Imad
Shadab
Amer Yamin

Bowlers
Amir
Shaheen
Hasan Ali
Junaid
Umer Khan

This is a very decent team, all Pakistan needs now is momentum. And they do well in England and ICC events. Pakistan can make it to semis if they get consitancy.
 
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