How do we fit Asif Ali & Mohammad Amir in the World Cup squad?

[TalhaSyed]

Firstly - let's focus on the more straight forward case of Asif Ali. In my mind unless Faheem has a phenomenal performance in the remaining ODIs vs England, it's a one for one swap with Asif replacing Faheem in the squad.

The trickier inclusion will be that of Amir's. It seems like Amir is making an extremely strong case for selection in the WC squad from the comfort of his bed.

People have been quick to point out how in terms of picking up wickets Amir has been our least effective bowler since the Champions Trophy, however, I think we have seen how important containing the batsman is been in the first 2 ODIs. Amir has been our most economical bowler since the Champions Trophy with an economy of 4.35, which in this world cup can be extremely valuable and can help create opportunities for the other bowlers.

Now their are a couple of ways of getting Amir in the squad from what I can see:

- Dropping one of the other pacers. I think Shaheen or Junaid will be the ones who get the cut if the selectors decide to go down this route with Hassan and Hasnain all but confirmed for the WC (barring injury). I think this would be quite harsh on Shaheen and Junaid, however, unless they perform in the remaining ODIs Vs England, I think they may find themselves on a flight back to Pakistan alot sooner than they would have hoped

- Dropping Abid Ali. I know dropping an opening batsmen for an opening pace bowler sounds odd, however, if the selectors don't want to drop any of the fast men given the length of the competition - with Imam's century today - Abid may be the one to get cut. That will be extremely harsh specially since the guy hasn't even been given a chance yet, however, I can't see which other batsmen can realistically get dropped.

- Neither Malik to Hafeez will get the axe, however, Hafeez is still not 100% fit. That may be the only other opening in the squad for Amir if Hafeez fails to recover in time for the World Cup

What are your thoughts?

 

[ARK Rafay]

One of Abid or Malik will make way for Asif

Faheem or Husnain will make way for Amir

 

[TalhaSyed]

One of Abid or Malik will make way for Asif

Faheem or Husnain will make way for Amir

I don't see Malik getting dropped due to his "senior-hood"

Meanwhile I don't think the selectors will be quick to drop Hasnain since he can bring some extra pace which the other bowlers can't.

In that case it will be Faheem and Abid that get dropped for Amir and Asif.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

I think Pakistan is just waiting for Junaid to fail in one game and they will send him packing along with Abid and replace them with Asif and Amir.

 

[SecularPakistanii]

Drop Abid Ali and Imad Wasim.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Asif for abid
Amir for klusner

 

[Sher Khan]

Asif will replace abid ali for sure. But Amir has zero chance to make the World Cup now. He will not be 100 percent for the fifth odi. He cannot simply replace someone without proving his worth.

 

[saeedhk]

Faheem will never get dropped. He is Mickey and Inzis favorite idiot. They won’t drop him even if he gets smashed 130 off 10 overs. And yesterday, he was taking singles in the 48th over with 8 wickets down.

 

[saeedhk]

Asif will replace abid ali for sure. But Amir has zero chance to make the World Cup now. He will not be 100 percent for the fifth odi. He cannot simply replace someone without proving his worth.

Anyone who is breathing should replace Kluzener.

 

[cricketInsight]

Faheem has failed to score runs on flat pitches - not sure how valuable his bowling skills are on these tracks.

On the other hand, i wont expect much from Husnain on these pitches either - dropping Husnain would be the easier decision unless he gets an opportunity to impress in the next couple of matches.

Abid likely to get the chop since he is unlikely to get a shot in the next couple of matches even though it would be worth giving him a go in place of Fakhar who can play the warm up games.

 

[hussain.r97]

It'll probably be Abid and Junaid out for Asif and Amir. Don't see them dropping Malik (seniority) or Faheem (Mickey's favourite).

 

[cricketInsight]

It'll probably be Abid and Junaid out for Asif and Amir. Don't see them dropping Malik (seniority) or Faheem (Mickey's favourite).

Junaid was our best bowler today. He could do better with some match practice before the WC.

 

[Sher Khan]

Anyone who is breathing should replace Kluzener.

You are right. Faheem is a complete waste of a player. It boggles me how he made it to international cricket. But still it will be hard to justify Amir inclusion without Amir performing.

 

[arehaan]

Amir for Faheem and Asif for Abid Ali.

Don't see Abid getting a game come world cup and babar/hafeez can always open in case of an injury.

 

[shahidbhai]

Discussing Amir's inclusion first... we have taken 7 wickets in the last 2 ODI's and the pace bowlers are averaging 8.0+ runs per over...regardless of whether Amir has played or not yet, I am sure he cant do much worse than that... So his inclusion is almost automatic at this point... I could see a case being made for Faheem to leave, since you can have Hafeez play in his role as the hitting "all rounder" even though both their bowling isnt much to write home about. I can see Hasnain being dropped for him as well, but even though he is young and in experienced, I feel having someone that can bowl beyond 90mph and have the ball reverse (which I was able to see in his first game) makes a strong case for him to say, plus it will break the monotony of having all 3 left handed pacers roughly bowling with the same speeds. Maybe Junaid gets axed too since he seems a watered down version of Amir with less pace and less swing... If it was me, Faheem for Amir..

Moving on to Asif Ali, I think he has done pretty decently considering I thought all he was capable of doing was swing from the hip, if it clears the boundary great, if not hes gone. He was managed to build an innings somewhat and then hit some power shots, mind you these have been absolute PERFEcT batting conditions, with 0 swing or seam to speak of. I think we might have to wait a game or 2 and try Malik as well...and then make a decision on Asif Ali. Because it seems Malik would be the replacement for him in my eyes...I cant see the case for Abid Ali, he is the only one that can potentially play as a backup keeper (which was one of the reasons behind including him in the 15 in the first place) also I am not sure Fakhr Zaman will be having those 138 innings throughout the tournament and having a left hand right hand combination at the top might serve us better than praying for a Fakhr 100...he still seems to lack the technique required to withstand some good bowling at the top, the opener position isnt just a wham bam thank you ma'am kind of position, at times you need to respect that the bowling is good and just survive the new ball, which I feel Abid Ali is a lot better at than him...

 

[The_Odd_One]

Abid is in a rough spot. Both first-choice openers have hit very good centuries and regained the confidence of the team management. Asif also hit two 50s at 100+ SR and brings something different to the team. Abid did not get any practice game before the England series and with just 2 matches left in the series with the last one very likely a washout, Abid is very likely to make way for Asif in the final 15.

Faheem will make way for Aamir as he has completely failed with the bat, neither did he set the world on fire with his bowling. After the collective thrashing Pakistani bowlers have received, Aamir has regained the favor of most including ex-cricketers, fans, etc. There will be a huge pressure on team management if Aamir is not selected now.

 

[moghul]

Amir : for the mistake selection of Faheem

Asif: for Hafeez

Don;t discard Abid without giving him a game.

 

[Snowflake]

Abid will make way for Asif while Amir won't make the cut.

It's tough on Abid but that's how it is. I don't see the management dropping Malik.

 

[PakLFC]

Drop Faheem and Shaheen, simple.

 

[CricFan2012]

Faheem will never get dropped. He is Mickey and Inzis favorite idiot. They won’t drop him even if he gets smashed 130 off 10 overs. And yesterday, he was taking singles in the 48th over with 8 wickets down.

You're overlooking things, yes he will be dropped if he goes for the most expensive spell in ODIs or he consistently performs like this. Surely, Mickey is not that stupid.

 

[QalandarFan]

By dropping Faheem and Abid

 

[da_don]

malik should be dropped for asif ali not abid.

 

[Sher Khan]

I don’t know why people are angry? Isnt it good that Amir is replacing Faheem? Faheem is the most useless player ever. Can’t bat or bowl. Atleast Amir can control the run rate on these flat tracks.

 

[SecularPakistanii]

I will believe it when it actually happens. Faheem is one of Sarfaraz's golden boys. He will never drop him.

 

[Gunner786]

Now just need to drop yasir shah for usman shinwari

 

[hadi123]

Now just need to drop yasir shah for usman shinwari

For goodness sake, Yasir Shah isn't in the WC squad! Asif Ali can replace one of Malik/Hafeez/Abid (Although Imam's injury may complicate things)

Amir is crap too but he's better than Faheem