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If Fakhar Zaman hits a big 100 against Leicestershire, do you drop Azhar Ali?

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asifp

ODI Debutant
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Our next game is on the 19th. Given the fact our batting has looked out of sorts, I think the following players need to be given a chance:

1. Fakhar
2. Usman S
3. Hasan Ali

Amir will be rested so Hasan Ali for sure comes in. Question is do Pakistan make the right call and give Fakhr a chance. Now lets say Fakhr hits a big smashing 100, what do you do? Who do you do to bring him in the playing XI?
 
I doubt Fakhar will be played in the warm up
 
asifp said:
Our next game is on the 19th. Given the fact our batting has looked out of sorts, I think the following players need to be given a chance:

1. Fakhar
2. Usman S
3. Hasan Ali

Amir will be rested so Hasan Ali for sure comes in. Question is do Pakistan make the right call and give Fakhr a chance. Now lets say Fakhr hits a big smashing 100, what do you do? Who do you do to bring him in the playing XI?
Click to expand...

Did you mean Saad Ali?
 
Opening with Fakhar against Anderson in early English summer is akin to taking a lamb to slaughter, and I do not see Mickey entertaining that idea. He is not a threat to the stroke-less wonder.

However, I am interested in the idea of playing Fakhar at number 6. He can change the tempo of the innings and also take on the second new ball.
 
asifp said:
Our next game is on the 19th. Given the fact our batting has looked out of sorts, I think the following players need to be given a chance:

1. Fakhar
2. Usman S
3. Hasan Ali

Amir will be rested so Hasan Ali for sure comes in. Question is do Pakistan make the right call and give Fakhr a chance. Now lets say Fakhr hits a big smashing 100, what do you do? Who do you do to bring him in the playing XI?
Click to expand...

I feel regardless of performance Pakistan should gamble opening with Fakhar and drop Azhar to 3. Given Sarfaraz's woeful form we can't afford playing with 5 bats and as good as Shadab and Faheem might have been in this match we can only afford one of them (Shadab for me). So for me Rahat and Faheem should go for Hasan and Fakhar.
 
Asad out any of Fakhar/Usman/Saad in
Rahat out Hassan in

These should be the only changes.
 
not sure how fakhar will do on these pitches . i would say lets stick with Azhar
but im thinking what about Faheem shall we add a proper batsmen Saad or Usman.No harm playing Fakhar at 6 also
Faheem doesnt look like getting wickets . Hasan for Rahat . Saad/Usman/Fakhar for Faheem i guess this is strong unit
 
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Azhar will play , no doubt about that.

Fakhar has to wait for some more time, maybe in UAE will get his chance.
 
They won't play FZ as opener, I doubt even include in XI for middle order. If he hits a 100, Haris or Fahim/Shadab will pay the toll - PAK might drop Azhar at 3!!!!!!!

Difficult to drop Azhar to be honest, for his past 2/3 years. Also, he is extremely limited players, a workman who needs time to acclimatize in a new conditions. AUS tour was a surprise, but last in UK, he struggled in first half of the tour - 2 years closer to 40 since then but he might turn it back again.
 
Asif321 said:
not sure how fakhar will do on these pitches . i would say lets stick with Azhar
but im thinking what about Faheem shall we add a proper batsmen Saad or Usman.No harm playing Fakhar at 6 also
Faheem doesnt look like getting wickets . Hasan for Rahat . Saad/Usman/Fakhar for Faheem i guess this is strong unit
Click to expand...

You can't go to England with just 4 bowlers. You need 5 bowlers, 4 of them should be pacers.
 
Remember decision to take on Fakhar wasnt met with universal approval in CT - and he was chosen ahead of Shehzad and look what he achieved
 
MenInG said:
Remember decision to take on Fakhar wasnt met with universal approval in CT - and he was chosen ahead of Shehzad and look what he achieved
Click to expand...

I concur.

Azhar shouldn’t be opening. If anything he should bat number 4.
Fakhar has already proven that he’s mentally strong. Two fifties followed by a hundred in a final of a major tournament and that to against an arch rival is not something to take likely.

Now I know that the ODI format is completely different but the bloke hasn’t even been given a chance in test cricket yet...

If we based every player just on technique then I doubt Smith, Sehwag, Warner or even Gayle would have played much test cricket..
 
He should but he will not.

Azhar had the best calendar year by a Pakistani batsman since MoYo’s 2006 in 2016.

He has had only two hundreds to his name in 2017 and is in terminal decline.

He has no plan, no intent, no intitiative except to survive.

It was painful to watch and read (on the scoreboard) when he played in ODI’s and is the same in Tests.
 
The_Odd_One said:
You can't go to England with just 4 bowlers. You need 5 bowlers, 4 of them should be pacers.
Click to expand...

last time we had 4 bowlers and drew the series
rahat,yasir,wahab and amir
and it doesnt look like faheen is gonna trouble english batsmen
 
I would like to see Fakhar in the middle order if he played test cricket. Don't think he has the technique to bat up the order in tests but in the middle order he would be very effective.
 
Fakhar will be walking wicket against Anderson/broad if he is played as a opener.
 
Can he be any worse than Azhar at the moment?
 
Mamoon said:
Opening with Fakhar against Anderson in early English summer is akin to taking a lamb to slaughter, and I do not see Mickey entertaining that idea. He is not a threat to the stroke-less wonder.

However, I am interested in the idea of playing Fakhar at number 6. He can change the tempo of the innings and also take on the second new ball.
Click to expand...

This would be a good ploy in Asia - drop Faheem for Fakhar and push back Sarfraz to 7 or 8 in the batting order. 4 front line bowlers would be Yasir, Shadab and 2 seamers supported by 2 left arm spinners in Haris and Fakhar.
 
Fakhar should be drafted in to open along with imam, the team should looks like this

Fakhar
Imam
Azhar Ali (back to his norm position)
Haris
Babar / Asad
Usman S (a solid batsman needed at this position to stabilise the position if quick wkts fall early)
Sarfraz (No other choice unfortunately)
Faheem
Shadab
Hassan Ali
Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Abbas

I think this team would be good enough to give tough time to england
 
Mamoon said:
Opening with Fakhar against Anderson in early English summer is akin to taking a lamb to slaughter, and I do not see Mickey entertaining that idea. He is not a threat to the stroke-less wonder.

However, I am interested in the idea of playing Fakhar at number 6. He can change the tempo of the innings and also take on the second new ball.
Click to expand...

Fakhar at 6 is Not happening for a few reasons.
We can't play 4 front line bowlers because shadab can't bowl (25-7-50-1) and we can't trust amir/hasan not to breakdown.
So shadab and faheem will play which also allays he fears slightly with sarfaraz form.

It will be interesting to see who plays v leicester. They have to try one of the back up batters and get hasan into some rythm.
I guess faheem hasan Rabat and shadab will do the bulk of the bowling
 
fluke said:
Fakhar should be drafted in to open along with imam, the team should looks like this

Fakhar
Imam
Azhar Ali (back to his norm position)
Haris
Babar / Asad
Usman S (a solid batsman needed at this position to stabilise the position if quick wkts fall early)
Sarfraz (No other choice unfortunately)
Faheem
Shadab
Hassan Ali
Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Abbas

I think this team would be good enough to give tough time to england
Click to expand...

It's not allowed though. It's a line up of 12
 
Fakhar is an opening batsman. Why pick him in the squad if you are not going to consider picking him as an opener? In that case it would have made more sense to choose a middle order batsman like Fawad Alam in the squad instead.
 
The_Odd_One said:
You can't go to England with just 4 bowlers. You need 5 bowlers, 4 of them should be pacers.
Click to expand...

If that is true then I cannot understand why we picked 9 batsmen and only 4 specialist pacers in the squad when we planned to go with a 5-1-1-4 combination. I am sure that the plan was to go with a 6-1-4 combination (if not then it just highlights a serious lack of planning and coordination) and hence the selection.

Four specialist bowlers are enough for most conditions but since one of our pacers is always on the verge of breaking down (but selected nevertheless) and we have no part time options, we have to sacrifice a batting spot for an extra bowler. It wouldn't have been a problem if our batting line had been firing or our specialist bowlers hadn't been as inept with the bat as they are, but given the present form of the top order and most importantly that of our keeper I can't see how we can go in with just five batsmen. Also, despite his good innings in Ireland I still don't think Fahim is good enough as either a batsman or bowler to sacrifice a specialist batting spot. England will not give him the chances that the Irish fielders did and his bowling is not likely to trouble English bats.

Having said that, I am sure that we will go in with the same combination of 5 bats and 4 specialist bowlers because of Amir's fitness and most likely see Shadab batting before we have reached 150.
 
shane said:
Fakhar is an opening batsman. Why pick him in the squad if you are not going to consider picking him as an opener? In that case it would have made more sense to choose a middle order batsman like Fawad Alam in the squad instead.
Click to expand...

You are being too logical for PCB here bruh.

Remember them folks at PCB think out side of box :yk :fawad
 
what an absurd idea. You want to remove your best batsman because he is defensive?
 
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Plot twist: What if it's Sami Aslam who hits a big 100 and not Fakhar Zaman? What then :saslam
 
Mamoon said:
Opening with Fakhar against Anderson in early English summer is akin to taking a lamb to slaughter, and I do not see Mickey entertaining that idea. He is not a threat to the stroke-less wonder.

However, I am interested in the idea of playing Fakhar at number 6. He can change the tempo of the innings and also take on the second new ball.
Click to expand...

Azhar is a walking wicket at moment and wont last long against Anderson/broad and will just wasted overs not scoring, Atleast Fakhar will try and score quickly even if he may get knocked over early
 
You have to back Azhar, crazy to drop him

Hasan should obviously play for Rahat.

I think the only question that remains is Faheem or a batsmen. Personally I don’t think Faheems bowling is good enough to to justify a spot. If we wanted an all rounder in these conditions we should have brought Yamin.

So I think Saad Ali should come in
 
Mamoon said:
Opening with Fakhar against Anderson in early English summer is akin to taking a lamb to slaughter, and I do not see Mickey entertaining that idea. He is not a threat to the stroke-less wonder.

However, I am interested in the idea of playing Fakhar at number 6. He can change the tempo of the innings and also take on the second new ball.
Click to expand...

They'll play the two all-rounders,who seem to have the capability to score briskly. Very little insight to chose between pedigree of zaman, fakhar, fahim vs the england bowling attack.
 
I will definitely give him a chance. Can play a Warner role for us. The top order is full of tuk tuk brigade.
 
So Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Sami Aslam are all playing in this warm up against Leicestershire. What if Azhar Ali gets out for a low score but FZ and/or SA both make high scores? We will be in a sticky situation.
 
Has to develop and play in the long term, or the batting not only lacks any quality, it is also very one dimensional.
 
babajee said:
Why :facepalm:
Click to expand...

Because Haris Sohail does not appear to have adapted to damp early season British conditions at all. He scored 31 and 7 in the Ireland Test.

Before that his scores on tour were 5 off 40 balls in tricky conditions v Kent, and 79 and 55 in easy conditions v Northants.
 
Either Faheem or Harris are facing the axe here. Azhar wont be dropped and Fakhr has to play now.
 
if azhar gets a 50 here . i guess haris sohail will be dropped
Imam, Fakhar and Azhar at 3 sounds good
 
Azhar and Fakhar, the inseparable pair, or not?

How does this XI look?

1. Babur Azam
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Azhar Ali
4. Imam ul Haq
5. Usman Salahuddin
6. Saad Ali
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Shadab Khan
9. Faheem Ashraf
10. Mohammed Amir
11. Mohammed Abbas

OR THIS?

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babur Azam
5. Usman Salahuddin
6. Sarfraz Ahmed
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammed Amir
10. Hasan Ali
11. Mohammed Abbas
 
Babar, Imam, Haris, Asad have 50's in the last game - can't see any of them missing out

Azhar won't be dropped, and I don't see them dropping Faheem who not only is a very handy fifth bowler - and even more important with Amir's fitness concerns - but also the top scorer in the last match

Haris might end up being the odd man out if Fakhar is included
 
Haha. Dropping Faheem, the highest scorer for Pakistan on debut in the first innings. What a joke! He’s been our most reliable batsman already! What has Harris and Asad done???
 
No one is entitled to play Test Cricket for Pakistan and it's something which has to be earned. Ignorant children may have the memory of a fish but you got to be someone incredibly special to replace Azhar Ali given how well he has performed for his country in the past (also being among a few experienced bunch in a very inexperienced team) and that's not a knock on Fakhar at all because am a huge fan but some people need to get their head checked.
 
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shaz619 said:
No one is entitled to play Test Cricket for Pakistan and it's something which has to be earned. Ignorant children may have the memory of a fish but you got to be someone incredibly special to replace Azhar Ali given how well he has performed for his country in the past (also being among a few experienced bunch in a very inexperienced team) and that's not a knock on Fakhar at all because am a huge fan but some people need to get their head checked.
Click to expand...

Beautifully written. :D
 
shaz619 said:
No one is entitled to play Test Cricket for Pakistan and it's something which has to be earned. Ignorant children may have the memory of a fish but you got to be someone incredibly special to replace Azhar Ali given how well he has performed for his country in the past (also being among a few experienced bunch in a very inexperienced team) and that's not a knock on Fakhar at all because am a huge fan but some people need to get their head checked.
Click to expand...

Quality post, some people just have agendas and are willing to judge on an innings-by-innings basis if its suits them.
 
The team that will play on Thursday is predictable because unlike a lot on this forum, Mickey knows exactly what he's doing and has no agendas.

There was some absolute drivel being posted on here before the Ireland test about Imam Ul Haq, who other than scoring a 100 on ODI debut and being amongst the runs in domestic and U19 cricket, happened to be the main reason we didnt suffer a national embarassment - what an innings on debut from the lad and showed exactly the sort of composure and decisiveness needed at test level. Funny how his 50s in the tour matches were completely disregarded by some, yet its taken Fakhar (who I rate by the way) and Salahuddin a 50 each to replace Azhar Ali - one of the best PAK test bats of the last 20 years. Babar Azam won't be dropped because like Imam, he contributed to the win against Ireland and also got a 50 in the tour match before whilst Haris Sohail was the best PAK batsmen in the SL tests and also has looked in form in this tour. Faheem Ashraf was top scorer on debut and we're in desperate need of a 5th bowler, so he wont be dropped either.

Unless injury,

Azhar
Imam
Haris
Shafiq
Babar
Sarfraz
Shadab
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Abbas

Lets support every member of the XI and go hard at ENG - this is a very young and exciting team.
 
shaz619 said:
No one is entitled to play Test Cricket for Pakistan and it's something which has to be earned. Ignorant children may have the memory of a fish but you got to be someone incredibly special to replace Azhar Ali given how well he has performed for his country in the past (also being among a few experienced bunch in a very inexperienced team) and that's not a knock on Fakhar at all because am a huge fan but some people need to get their head checked.
Click to expand...

I agree that Azhar's place is not up for grabs, but Faheem's place is. Let me explain why.

I accept that Faheem played an absolutely crucial knock for us against Ireland. However, Faheem cannot be relied on because he's not a top order bat (as was demonstrated by the several chances he gave to Ireland to take his wicket which they failed to grasp). This is an issue because for Faheem to make the team, Sarfraz has to bat at 6. Sarfraz is in woeful form. Therefore, we need a proper batsman at 6 and Sarfraz has to be at 7. Given that there's no Younus or Misbah, its even more important to focus on the batting. Unfortunately, that means Faheem has to miss out and Fakhar gets a place.

Mohammed Abas, Amir, Hasan Ali and Shadab should between them be able to take 20 wickets. Harris Sohail can always take a more active bowling role in passages of play where the main fast bowlers need a rest. Faheem was always unlikely to take many English wickets, if any, and so if Harris can fill in the overs, we won't be losing a lot in the field with Faheem's absence.
 
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If I had it my way,
1_Azhar
2_Imam
3_Haris
4_Babar
5_Fakhar
6_Shadab
7_Fahim
8_Sarfraz
9_Amir
10_Hassan
11_Abbas
Thats the best possible combo considering all things, Batting till 10, 3 fast bowlers one fast medium all rounder, one spin all rounder, 2 left arm 2 right arm pacers, plus 3 good part timers, mean 8 possible bowling option, which mean variety and depth, this team have it both, plus great left right combo in batting with 6 righties and 5 lefties, once upon a time we had one or 2 lefties at most that too bowlers, Asad and Azhar both have been bang average thus for in this tour but Azhar recent performances have earned him a longer rope, Asad can still be in the squad but don't deserve to be in the XI, and before most of you jump in and say both Azhar or imam are too defensive but tell me with a straight face who have more chances to survive clouderson and Barbie in early summer under cloudy skies, these two with solid defense or fakhar? And it's coming from big fakhar fan, his attacking prowess should be used in middle order out of Asia, and if our openers can score even 50 without no loss till lunch they would have done their job of saving middle order from new cherry, and this middle order is dynamic enough to score at over 3.5 and all of them potentially can bat at 50 plus career strike rate. So they can make up for slow start. [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=137148]Rayyman[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=140234]DRsohail[/MENTION] [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] agree guys?
 
MeanAndGreen said:
The team that will play on Thursday is predictable because unlike a lot on this forum, Mickey knows exactly what he's doing and has no agendas.

There was some absolute drivel being posted on here before the Ireland test about Imam Ul Haq, who other than scoring a 100 on ODI debut and being amongst the runs in domestic and U19 cricket, happened to be the main reason we didnt suffer a national embarassment - what an innings on debut from the lad and showed exactly the sort of composure and decisiveness needed at test level. Funny how his 50s in the tour matches were completely disregarded by some, yet its taken Fakhar (who I rate by the way) and Salahuddin a 50 each to replace Azhar Ali - one of the best PAK test bats of the last 20 years. Babar Azam won't be dropped because like Imam, he contributed to the win against Ireland and also got a 50 in the tour match before whilst Haris Sohail was the best PAK batsmen in the SL tests and also has looked in form in this tour. Faheem Ashraf was top scorer on debut and we're in desperate need of a 5th bowler, so he wont be dropped either.

Unless injury,

Azhar
Imam
Haris
Shafiq
Babar
Sarfraz
Shadab
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Abbas

Lets support every member of the XI and go hard at ENG - this is a very young and exciting team.
Click to expand...

Very well said.Fakhar is fantastic but at the moment there is no slot for him.But he should definitely be in the test squad.
I'm no fan of Shafiq or Babar(in tests) but they have merited a spot with fifties against Ireland and good scores in practice.Haris also did well,as did Faheem.
 
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