Middle-order batsmen for Pakistan's tour of SA: Saad Ali, S Shakeel, F Alam, U Salahuddin or U Akmal

[TalentSpotterPk]

Pakistan has next Test assignment against South Africa. South African Test wickets are fast and bouncy so there is always a chance of some injuries aswell when the visiting teams have to face 145 clicks threatening pace attack.


Steyn if fully fit would be touching 145 kph


Rabada would bowl few above 150 kph


And there is a strong possibility that the 4th seamer selected would also be some one who is " Fast ". In SA domestic Cricket there are 3-5 guys who can bowl 145 + stuff with decent Ave & SR.


We all saw how difficult it was for Pakistan Odi team facing upto Lockie Ferguson who is a genuine fast bowler and borderline express pacer. Remember those were UAE placid tracks. Majority batsmen from Pakistan struggled against short ball stuff.


Keeping this in mind there should be atleast two decent middle order batsman on the bench bearing in mind possible injury scare (God forbid) and severe lack of performances by any batsman in first two Tests.


It's not just that. SA outfields are heavy (higher sand %) than most others. It takes alot of toll on your knees and hamstrings. So if one is not superfit than this can also cause an injury.



Guys like Steyn, Rabada & Philander are no spray guns. They are very accurate and skillful bowlers so it would only take one good ball to dislodge any of our top 4 batsmen at the moment ie Azhar, Asad, Haris & Babar. The surfaces will not only assist pace and bounce but ball will seam and swing aswell. In such a situation when Selectors look for back up options or bench strength than SR should be one important option. In case we need to replace any out of form or injured middle order batsman SR of replacement would be key because we need batsman who play positively and can play shots all round the wicket especially against pace so that even if there are no long partnerships the score gets moving.


Who should be those two back up middle order batsmen out of the lot we have ?


Lets have a look at what we have got


1. Saad Ali

3979 FC Runs @46.81 & SR of 52.21 with 11 FC hundreds in 58 matches.


2018-2019 FC Season performance

5 matches 321 runs @45.85 and SR of 57.21



2. Saud Shakeel

2023 FC Runs @43.97 & SR of 49.92 with 06 FC hundreds in 31 matches.


2018-2019 FC Season performance

5 matches 414 runs @46.00 and SR of 61.06



3. Usman Salahuddin


6992 FC Runs @46.81 & SR of 44.35 with 22 FC hundreds in 108 matches.


2018-2019 FC Season performance

4 matches 279 runs @93.00 and SR of 38.80



4. Fawad Alam

11441 FC Runs @56.08 with 30 FC hundreds in 155 matches.


2018-2019 FC Season performance

10 matches 699 runs @69.90 and SR of 50.21



5. Umar Akmal


6551 FC Runs @43.09 & SR of 74.12 with 14 FC hundreds in 94 matches.


2018-2019 FC Season performance

10 matches 684 runs @40.23 and SR of 79.07



Akmal has just scored 113 (161) including 16 fours in QEA final. This was his second FC hundred of the season. Visibly he looks slightly unfit so I am not sure if he can pass fitness test at the moment. If he cannot pass fitness test than he should not be selected also there has been a question mark on his attitude and discipline in the past so if he is being considered than HBL Coach and Manager should give there report.



For me Saud Shakeel should be one of the back up options while other one should be Saad Ali or Umar Akmal (if cleared for selection).



Who would you pick ?

Keep in mind that Azhar, Asad, Haris Babar are sure selections (unless anyone gets injured before tour). Also Inzamam ul Haq the chief selector has emphasized the importance of SR in selection for Test team aswell.


[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=141557]Chief Destroyer[/MENTION] [MENTION=133726]GoUgandaCranes[/MENTION] [MENTION=136079]ahmedwaqas92[/MENTION] @Ahson08 [MENTION=34564]asfandyar[/MENTION] [MENTION=139754]New Yorker[/MENTION] [MENTION=142670]mak36[/MENTION] [MENTION=130037]Titan[/MENTION]4 [MENTION=140234]DRsohail[/MENTION] [MENTION=113742]Hamza_[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=5869]yasir[/MENTION] [MENTION=143023]SarfiBabarHaris[/MENTION]

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I actually want Pakistan to stop playing test cricket and focus on T20's only.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

For me debate about Shan & Abid should revolve only around opening slot and Rizwan should be picked as back up keeper only and not as a specialist batsman.

Rizwan has batted 3 times in QEA 2018-2019 where he scored 140 runs at a SR of 49 and his FC SR is 53.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

I actually want Pakistan to stop playing test cricket and focus on T20's only.

You look too disheartened due to first test debacle vs NZ and current partnership of Wiliamson and Nicholls in 3rd Test.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

This QEA the highest averaging player was Asad Shafique who averaged 125 after 4 FC matches and his SR was 52.50

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

I missed Umar Amin but he has a bad Int Cricket record and is not in the mix of things at the moment with No Pakistan A calls so it's quite unlikely thay he will be picked.


Umar Amin is on number 2 at the moment in terms of runs scored this season. He has scored 728 runs @56 and a healthy SR of 69.39 with 3 hundreds.


His overall FC numbers are Ave of 40.05 at a SR of 55.61 with 19 FC tons in 121 matches.


He might be picked again for Pakistan A based for next tour based on current season FC performances but unlikely for SA tour.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

You look too disheartened due to first test debacle vs NZ and current partnership of Wiliamson and Nicholls in 3rd Test.

Partially but also because it's too much time and effort following test cricket now.

 

[CricketDon]

Umar Akmal all day. Saud has a SR of 49 and if would be even worse at international level. Can’t bear to watch him and Azhar bore us to death.

 

[DRsohail]

Umar is the way to go, only player who can play short pitch bowling.Inzi has played his cards otherwise Azhar as an opener and Saad in the middle order then we would have been having decent middle order.Sadly only Umar has a bit of international experience in test cricket and his 40s or 50s would be handy .

 

[MMHS]

Umar is the way to go, only player who can play short pitch bowling.Inzi has played his cards otherwise Azhar as an opener and Saad in the middle order then we would have been having decent middle order.Sadly only Umar has a bit of international experience in test cricket and his 40s or 50s would be handy .

Finally our good doctor has seen the light. Yes, if he is fit (18.2 yo-yo shouldn’t be that tough), should be first man on flight.

Azhar, FZ,
Haris, Babar, Asad, Umar
Rizwan
4 bowlers.

If FZ isn’t available, open with Haris & bring Saad at 5. Imam or Abid/Israrullah as back up opener & Usman/Saud/Amin as back middle order.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Salahuddin as backup opener, Saud for the middle order.

 

[DRsohail]

Finally our good doctor has seen the light. Yes, if he is fit (18.2 yo-yo shouldn’t be that tough), should be first man on flight.

Azhar, FZ,
Haris, Babar, Asad, Umar
Rizwan
4 bowlers.

If FZ isn’t available, open with Haris & bring Saad at 5. Imam or Abid/Israrullah as back up opener & Usman/Saud/Amin as back middle order.

Thanks,It has been long time I have spoken positive about Umar which shows things are really bad.

 

[Chokli]

That is one weak batting line up

 

[topspin]

If what Inzy is saying is true about Fakhar (+ Abbas) being fit in time for the series, that's good news. Time for Imam and Sarfraz to be replaced in the side now.

Fakhar
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Shafiq
Umar Akmal (or Saad Ali/Saud Shakeel)
Rizwan
Faheem
Bilal Asif (or Shadab but Asif is better suited for these conditions)
Shaheen
Abbas

The batting line up and tail end strength looks far better now. Another alternative is playing 3 specialist seamers, dropping Faheem for Amir/Hasan Ali and playing Shadab instead of Bilal Asif however I think the leggie will struggle in SA.

 

[waqar goraya]

[MENTION=147314]topspin[/MENTION] Where is our Captain?

 

[aloo paratha]

Saad Ali.

 

[topspin]

[MENTION=147314]topspin[/MENTION] Where is our Captain?

They will probably appoint a makeshift captain and go with the flow after every series since the PCB will trembling on the thought of having to appoint an under 30 captain. The curse of the seniority culture won't however keep Sarfraz in the role for long.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Let’s bring Fawad Alam as our new test captain for SA tour.

 

[The Viper]

If what Inzy is saying is true about Fakhar (+ Abbas) being fit in time for the series, that's good news. Time for Imam and Sarfraz to be replaced in the side now.

Fakhar
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Shafiq
Umar Akmal (or Saad Ali/Saud Shakeel)
Rizwan
Faheem
Bilal Asif (or Shadab but Asif is better suited for these conditions)
Shaheen
Abbas

The batting line up and tail end strength looks far better now. Another alternative is playing 3 specialist seamers, dropping Faheem for Amir/Hasan Ali and playing Shadab instead of Bilal Asif however I think the leggie will struggle in SA.

Don’t know if Faheem is good enough playing as third pacer. The conditions will be favourable but would rather pick Amir or Hasan. Amir may edge as he is a better batsman.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

My batting line-up:

Azhar
Abid
Haris
Babar
Usman/Saad
Fakhar/Saud
Sarfraz

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Bring Abid Ali in place of Hafeez.

 

[topspin]

Don’t know if Faheem is good enough playing as third pacer. The conditions will be favourable but would rather pick Amir or Hasan. Amir may edge as he is a better batsman.

He isn't a front line seamer unfortunately like the other 4 however the tail end runs could be the difference between scoring 200-220 to a match winning 250 (with Abbas and Shaheen) in a low to mid scoring contest.

Another option is to discard the no.6 batsman from the XI and bat Shadab at 6/7 with the WK occuping the other spot. Have Faheem at 8, Amir at 9 and then Shaheen and Abbas to follow.

 

[MMHS]

FZ, Azhar
Haris, Babar, Umar, Asad
*Sarfraz+
Amir, Hasan^, Afridi, Abbas

^Yasir replaces Hasan for Cape Town and if they wish for a spinner at J'Burg. 1st Test should be with 4 pacers at Centurion - Yasir might not do much on a ground where Shane Warne's figure reads 36-11-89-0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saad, Imam/Amin, Hamza, Gohar/Bilal

That's my 16.

If Umar is picked, don't think Rizwan should be in squad as Sarfraz will play 3 games even if he goes for 2 pairs, Umar can substitute for emergency. Not impressed with Abid Ali and guy is officially 31 already. Saud should make the ODI squad, but not Test yet. In modern game, they hardly pick 2 WKs in squad, rather the 2nd WK is often good enough batsman to make the squad - in this case Umar. After SAF tour, PAK doesn't have any Test series, so hopefully after WC, Sarfraz will be off loaded permanently for 2 formats at least and Rizwan can come as the 1st WK, with Umar as back up.

Don't see any role for Shadab or Fahim but I am sure both'll be picked for Test series over performers in QeA - that's PSL's contribution to PAK cricket.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

There's no point in investing in Umar. He's too stupid.

 

[We Bleed Green]

If there is any justice in this world then Fawad Alam should be picked.

People who question his technique would have never selected Steven Smith, Chanderpaul.

What can I tell my son that player who had one the highest first class average in the history of cricket and planet earth never played for Pakistan as he was not considered good enough and we kept selected Imam ******** , Hafeez , Malik

 

[Rayyman]

Usman Salahuddin should because he was unfairly dropped.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

Azhar
Abid
Haris
Shafiq
Babar
Fakhar
Sarfraz
Faheem
Amir
Shaheen
Abbas

Or you could replace Fakhar with Hassan and play 5 pace options.

 

[Savak]

Too many one dimensional batsmen in the squad. Fakhar helped change things but ideally you need two aggressive players in the team

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Commiserations to

1. Saad Ali

2. Usman Salahuddin

3. Iftikhar Ahmed

4. Fawad Alam

5. Saud Shakeel

6. Umar Amin

7. Abid Ali &

8. Umar Akmal



Keep up your training guys. Bouncy fast tracks with heavy sand outfields. Injury or injuries might require replacements.


Century in Each Innings for Abid or Umar Akmal in Qea final or MOM award could bring them in reckoning if they pass fitness Test overall including 18.2 score in Yoyo. (Would be tough for both)

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Inzi the great trolls you all. Well they could not go with the best squad available right? Itni jaldi qayamat to nahi asakti.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Inzi the great trolls you all. Well they could not go with the best squad available right? Itni jaldi qayamat to nahi asakti.

Shadab Khan is blue eyed boy of Mickey and Sarfraz both. He doesn't merit a spot as an allrounder and with Yasir no way we would play two spinners on SA wickets.


Shadab blocked selection of back up middle order batsmen.


Rizwan is a wicket keeper batsman who would be replacement for any injury to top 6 batters. I do not agree with this but since he has scored heavily for Pak A and is super fit hence he is doing dual job in the squad ie cover for wicket keeper Sarfraz aswell as back up batting option.


Injuries are expected so 1 or 2 replacements might be called later.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Please stop putting akmals name forward , have not we had enough of his mindless slogs.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Shadab Khan is blue eyed boy of Mickey and Sarfraz both. He doesn't merit a spot as an allrounder and with Yasir no way we would play two spinners on SA wickets.


Shadab blocked selection of back up middle order batsmen.


Rizwan is a wicket keeper batsman who would be replacement for any injury to top 6 batters. I do not agree with this but since he has scored heavily for Pak A and is super fit hence he is doing dual job in the squad ie cover for wicket keeper Sarfraz aswell as back up batting option.


Injuries are expected so 1 or 2 replacements might be called later.

Still too thin in the top order department and middle order department. Your only options are basically TTF's Rizwan and Shan. Shan is poor against genuine swing bowling while Rizwan had issues before.

It just doesn't give Mickey Arthur too many options. It's like they already have decided that Imam will play all games no matter what the outcome will be.

 

[JibranAnsari]

I will go with saud shakeel

 

[Abdullah719]

We don't need any middle-order batsmen :

 

[MMHS]

We don't need any middle-order batsmen :

Guy is extremely cunning, and he knows his cricket. He has announced the team right on the moment PAK lost to NZ, and the QeA Final has one crucial day where Abid/Umar can play another significant role. Team is returning from UAE tomorrow, therefore no question of practice schedule; could have easily delayed 24 hours.

This is the same guy delayed naming Test squad against WIN (2016) to allow MoHa couple of chances in practice games, and then announced CT squad in between PAK Cup - then went on to watch games in stadium.

 

[The Viper]

Seriously there are some corrupt individuals in Pak Cricket but Inzi is one of the worst.

 

[waqar goraya]

What Saad Ali did wrong here? He has been dropped from the squad without any reason. If he is not good enough then why was he originally selected?

 

[Hasan123]

The most important thing in South Africa for our batsmen is after the new ball is that we need to be more positive. I'm sorry but the honest truth is dead batting isn't going to work and it will on fact cost us the game. We need to be more positive. Our best test win in recent years was at the Oval against England. And look how Younis played. He wasn't dead batting,he was rotating the strike and took Moen apart.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Lol none of them is selected

 

[in_cutter]

Bring back the legendary Hafeez

 

[moghul]

Lol none of them is selected

None of them has an " uncle ".

 

[MenInG]

Bring back the legendary Hafeez

Its because of him that Pakistan could not experiment with a new player vs NZ

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Its because of him that Pakistan could not experiment with a new player vs NZ

I will be making a thread on it. After 1st test defeat I was in process of making a thread but sadly I lost all I typed.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Let’s bring Fawad Alam as our new test captain for SA tour.

That's exactly what i was thinking

 

[Barragan]

Inzi 'the revolutionary' didn't even bother to select a single one of these guys and what happens?

Haris gets injured!

Great batsman, but easily one of the worst selectors of all time.

A proper middle-order bat would have made a huge difference.

 

[Snak3eye5]

We need to fast track Saad, Saud and Rizwan into the lineup ASAP

Anything is better than this. With these three getting into the lineup we atleast have youngsters exposed at a younger age who. can learn and get better with time. India has allready fast tracked youngsters Pant, Shaw into their lineups.

 

[Madplayer]

Sanke eyes the well wisher of Pakistan team is back

 

[Amjid Javed]

The whole middle order Azhar, Asad and sohail (Always injured and time to move on) need to be removed for series after this one.

A series vs SL - Brand new team and just start building from scratch as these players are clearly not good enough and they have had 2 years to prove them selves since Misyou retirement and they havent.