If Umar Akmal comes back in to ODI set up, then who goes out? Shoaib Malik or Mohammad Hafeez?

[Sarwar89]

Cricket World Cup 2019, is still 2 years away. However 2 players who are at the wrong side of 35+ age bracket, they will experience significant deterioration in their reflexes, running between the wickets and over all stamina to compete at the highest level. (Shoaib and Hafeez)

Umar Akmal will be relatively still young during 2019 World Cup, he will be 29. While Shoaib Malik will be 38 and Hafeez will be 37. Given the amount of stick Umar Akmal has received recently, he has matured a lot, now he he knows that without him, Pakistan has won a Global Tournament, therefore he needs the team desperately rather than team needs him. I have a feeling this time Umar Akmal will deliver and might not be dropped again, secondly he has a competition with his own cousin Babar Azam.

Cousin rivalries always bring the best out of no-where. Imran Khan wanted to do better than Javed Burki, Jahangir Khan and Majid Khan. He did it in the end. Umar Akmal has all the tools to be successful at highest level. Under Brendon McCullum at Lahore Qalandars he will further enhance his expertise. Now the question is who goes out ? Hafeez is a bowling all-rounder. He can give you economical 6-7 overs easily with an odd wicket. Shoaib Malik who is not part of Test Cricket anymore is only playing as a pure batsman and has not delivered lately.
It will be suitable in the long run to bring Umar Akmal back into the team while replacing Shoaib Malik. Secondly Umar Akmal can hang around till 2023 world cup.

He is also a wicket keeper, if Sarfraz wants to take a mini break as a wicket keeper during an ODI match, Umar Akmal can be a stand-in wicket=keeper as well. (Just as Javed Miandad was on few occasions).

People do talk about his temperament and few off-the field issues, but i think this time it will be a different version of him (if given a chance).

 

[fasihulhaq94]

Akmal wont be making the team so the question is invalid

 

[hadiimam]

even a 50 year old hafeez or malik will be better than umar akmal

 

[wicketpace]

Hafeez would've been a straight choice to drop if he didn't had performed in the last two dead game in the CT

Everyone was after him but he threw dust into the viewers eyes

He's another afridi in the coming

Will never retire unless u throw him out

Malik will still retire from ODI's in 2019

its an obvious choice if you look at the post 2015 era, and a bad one if you look at the LAST TWO MATCHES OF CT that everyone is doing on this forum

 

[Golden arm]

Akmal should come back as opener and given consistent run of atlas 6 to 7 matches

 

[kaifmazhar]

Akmal wont be making the team so the question is invalid

Why is that an invalid question? Its not about your likes or dislikes here. Umar Akmal is a brainless yet the most complete batsman in Pak. The days when he will think right he will score so he is always in contention for a spot and much sooner than you can imagine. In fact this is pretty valid and interesting question. It would be a funny situation and let's see how Sarfaraz will deal with it.
It won't be a bad idea to give him a chance to open the innings whenever he is back in the team and provide him the freedom to go all out with his stroke play because he just doesn't do any justice to his selection when he is bounded, something which Misbah never tried to address and in process Umar never developed as a cricketer the way people in 2009 thought he would.

 

[Square Drive]

Hafeez would've been a straight choice to drop if he didn't had performed in the last two dead game in the CT

Everyone was after him but he threw dust into the viewers eyes

He's another afridi in the coming

Will never retire unless u throw him out

Malik will still retire from ODI's in 2019

its an obvious choice if you look at the post 2015 era, and a bad one if you look at the LAST TWO MATCHES OF CT that everyone is doing on this forum

The semi-final and final were dead games?

))

 

[kaifmazhar]

The semi-final and final were dead games?

))

Such is the mental level that they can write anything that comes to their mind and what is mind boggling is that it's in bold, hahaha.

 

[Billy1999]

Why do we need batsmen like Umar Akmal

My 2019 WC Team based on current form and predictions

1:Azhar Ali
2:Fakhar Zaman
3:Babar Azam
4:Sarfraz Ahmed*Wk
5:Shoaib Malik
6:Umar Akmal
7:Faheem Ashraf/Amir Yamin/Imad Wasim
8:Shadab Khan
9:Amir
10:Hassan
11:Junaid

 

[Square Drive]

Such is the mental level that they can write anything that comes to their mind and what is mind boggling is that it's in bold, hahaha.

LOL yes, the fact that it's in bold makes it even better )

 

[khalil1986]

Hafeez would've been a straight choice to drop if he didn't had performed in the last two dead game in the CT

Everyone was after him but he threw dust into the viewers eyes

He's another afridi in the coming

Will never retire unless u throw him out

Malik will still retire from ODI's in 2019

its an obvious choice if you look at the post 2015 era, and a bad one if you look at the LAST TWO MATCHES OF CT that everyone is doing on this forum

)

There's always one

 

[dauntless]

He should comeback in place of hafeez and I would drop shoaib too their time is up now!! umar is still one of the best in the country.

 

[theariezman]

OK What if we let Umar make his way to the team but what if he fails again can we discard him for forever or only we have hate against the selection of Hafeez and Shoaib only.

 

[umerz]

None of the three should be in the team. Its the right time to inject new batsmen from domestic/PSL

 

[wicketpace]

The semi-final and final were dead games?

))

Such is the mental level that they can write anything that comes to their mind and what is mind boggling is that it's in bold, hahaha.

lol, weren't they one sided?

maybe you got it in the wrong sense but I just meant they were one sided matches where Pakistan clinched to victory from bowl no.1

 

[hadi123]

Akmal can come back BUT he must prove his fitness and get runs in domestic. He is talented and mentally weak but if he is managed right he can become world class

 

[hadi123]

lol, weren't they one sided?

maybe you got it in the wrong sense but I just meant they were one sided matches where Pakistan clinched to victory from bowl no.1

yes, they were one sided but in both matches. Pakistan were massive underdogs so they were still memorable, good games, if England had thrashed Pakistan like expected or India had thrashed Pakistan like expected would be boring but I'm sure even the neutral would have enjoyed Pakistan smashing England and India

 

[ExpressPacer]

I wouldn't drop Malik because he has been in sublime form, a couple of unlucky innings don't mean much. I hate Hafeez and I want him out of the team but I don't want to replace a deadweight with an anchor. No way.

 

[Justcrazy]

No Umar Akmal has wasted himself already , no need to bring him back.

Team for 2019 should be

Sharjeel
Babar
Fakhar
Harris
Sarfaraz
Dynamic batsman
Fahim
Shadab
Amir
hassan
Junaid / Ruman

 

[wicketpace]

yes, they were one sided but in both matches. Pakistan were massive underdogs so they were still memorable, good games, if England had thrashed Pakistan like expected or India had thrashed Pakistan like expected would be boring but I'm sure even the neutral would have enjoyed Pakistan smashing England and India

Agree, in both the matches, the opponents were clear favourites but Pakistan made sure they win from the first bowl.

 

[super hitter]

No Umar Akmal has wasted himself already , no need to bring him back.

Team for 2019 should be

Sharjeel
Babar
Fakhar
Harris
Sarfaraz
Dynamic batsman
Fahim
Shadab
Amir
hassan
Junaid / Ruman

I know why you aren't openning fakhar and sharjeel but since there tactics are different and Fakhar can play spin well, we can open with both and babar will come at 3. Harris will never be able to recover to his original form and fahim is overrated imo, Imad is better in both the fields...

 

[coy0607]

Why would Umar Akmal make a comeback- he's hasn't done anything do deserve one and he doesn't own the team

We have better talent

 

[ExplicitAI]

Umar's career is gone, there's no way he's coming back unless someone is losing their form and he's playing well in domestics. The guy cannot be consistent to save his life and he's got the ability to become one of the world's best batsmen but he threw it all away. We should look ahead to others who are willing to take the team forward and win more trophies without Umar.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Akmal shouldnt bat in lower order.

 

[Square Drive]

lol, weren't they one sided?

maybe you got it in the wrong sense but I just meant they were one sided matches where Pakistan clinched to victory from bowl no.1

You never win knockouts against teams like India and England from ball #1.

 

[proud_pakistani]

Whenever there's a discussion of Umar Akmal I think of his debut, in general the start of his career and think he can go back to that level. Then he makes a comeback and looks like a useless slogger who just doesn't have the mental capacity to finish off games for Pakistan. There's never a right position for him to play, there's never a right diet for him to lose weight. There's always an excuse. Though I am not a Malik fan, he at least will give his 100% and the youngsters respond well to him. I don't think Umar can have that kind of influence on the youngsters.

As far as Umar Akmal's selection is concerned, the only way he will be selected is if Pakistan lose a series which is not likely at least in the near future. Even if Malik is dropped I think Haris Sohail is first in line to replace him and then perhaps Umar Amin. I think Umar Akmal is probably 3rd in that order. So Umar will have to really do something really amazing in domestics to get back.

Hafeez's position is safe due to his bowling. He will further enhance his reputation as a bowler when we play more in the UAE so really don't see him being dropped.

Honestly speaking we need to move on from Umar Akmal. He isn't going to become that batsman we all thought he was if he hasn't already. He just doesn't have that hunger for hard work. If he had Azhar Ali's temperament and drive he would be at the level of Kohli or Kane Williamson. Unfortunate but he just won't reach those heights.

 

[msb314]

None because both deserve to play ahead of Umar Almal (at least for now)

 

[TeymurBlake]

PCB needs to take there loses and realise that Umar Akmal will not become the player they invested in. Its time to focus on other younger, more groomable players that fortunately have the brains for the sport and modern style of play

 

[Ahson8]

No-one because Umar Akmal does not come back into the team.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Who said Akmal is coming back. I will even take Afridi over Akmal. Umar Akmal is so bad right now!

 

[yasir]

Weather UA plays or not it's a separate matter. But we cannot have batting line up in which Azhar, Sarfraz, Hafeez, Malik are in top 6, none of them can play pace, if WC was in Asia, may be 2/3 can play but in England, No way they all can play.

Pakistan won CT, because we kept teams 80/90 runs below par, credit goes to bowlers a whole lot, that does not mean we blind eye from batting unit. They are the reason we ranked #8, we must not forget that

Looking at Sharjeel, Fahim, Fakhar, Talat, Harris, Babar it is clear to me there are much better player of pace in the younger generation, there is no reason to keep up with this lot of seniors, they should be buried with Misbah era. My worry is since Sarfraz himself is not a modern day batsman(he is dud against pace as well), he will be reluctant or would be under pressure to keep hold on to senior batsmen, that would be disaster to Pakistan development. Mark my words, Pakistan cannot beat top 4 teams with this batting unit, it has to be changed :

 

[sali]

I want to see Sharjeel, Harris Sohail, and Umer Akmal as the permenant members. Shoib Malik has no role as Hafeez is already there and Shadab and Imad are favorites of coach and captain. They just need to fix Sharjeel's and Umer Akmal's problems but I can see a very strong Pakistani ODI and T20 batting emerging if they are back. BUt I think we have a huge problem in test batting line up.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

UA can be hungry to succeed but lack brains... if he can fix the mental aspect, he will be back... but him and AS doesnt seem to have realized that yet...

 

[Mamoon]

He does not need to come back.

 

[Abdullah719]

If Umar Akmal comes back in to ODI set up, then who goes out?

He goes straight back out after failing the ensuing fitness test.

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Hafeez plays pace better than Malik, and is a better bowler than Malik, let the two of em fight for number 6.

 

[The Googly]

I very much hope the following are replaced for the 2019 World Cup :

Azhar (our best test player - should stick to tests)
Hafeez - need a better/younger option
Malik - need a better/younger option
Imad - need a pace bowling allrounder - replace with Faheem or a youngster
Junaid - really hope a new pace bowler emerges in next 2 years

We MUST move on and replace the above with new talent if we are to succeed.

 

[Titan24]

Would like to give him few chances as opener if Sharjeel isnt available and if it still doesnt work out than so be it.

 

[Titan24]

I very much hope the following are replaced for the 2019 World Cup :

Azhar (our best test player - should stick to tests)
Hafeez - need a better/younger option
Malik - need a better/younger option
Imad - need a pace bowling allrounder - replace with Faheem or a youngster
Junaid - really hope a new pace bowler emerges in next 2 years

We MUST move on and replace the above with new talent if we are to succeed.

We need Imad if we want to play all three of Amir, Hassan and Junaid and on slow or dry wickets as you cant go with four seamers, yes on seam friendly conditions a pace bowling all rounder can play instead of him.
Imad does give good control on the game as he is pretty economical.

Junaid! guys please leave Junaid alone, what else do you want him to do his and amir stats of overall career are almost same. He was the third highest wicket taker in champions trophy. He seams the bowl, can reverse swing the old one and can ball good yorkers.

I dont know what kind of bowler we are looking for, only two young bowlers ho can finish the top order are Rabada and Hassan Ali. So to find such young bowlers to replace experienced and proven bowlers like Junaid is difficult but they will eventually come through the ranks.

 

[The Googly]

Malik Out.
Hafeez Out.

Haris in (and he should be told to lose a few pounds)
One more young batsman in. PLEASE NOT UMAR AKMAL. Guys like Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shezad - get rid! They are unprofessional and lazy and have a loser mentality.

 

[Hasan123]

He needs to prove his fitness. Once that is done, he will have a role to play.

There are 2 extremes on this forum when it comes to Umar, those who say he is a must and Pakistan can't survive without him. And then those who say he is rubbish.

He has the shots and is modern day LO batsmen. But he has serious temperamental issues which must be sorted out. I think his best role maybe at 4 or 5.

For now he isn't in the pecking order, but if he can prove his form and fitness he will be back. I won't be against it but he has to perform. Otherwise knives will be out again.

 

[PakLFC]

Hafeez for sure. Shoaib is doing well at the moment.

 

[Im Suds]

Umar s largely underperformed so far however he s got ability shown by the fact that he s scored runs in all conditions [he s a player who plays pace well also].
I d play him but ask him to open with Farkhar and play himself in.
Could be a lethal opening pair.

 

[Kroll]

Can't believe we're still talking about bringing back Umar Akmal. The guy epitomises the tag of TTF.