Misbah announces 20 probables for SL series (Ahmed Shehzad, Iftikhar Ahmed and Umar Akmal included)

[Kroll]

Playing XI Possibly:

Fakhar
Abid/Imam
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Asif
Imad
Shadab
Hasnain/Faheem
Amir
Wahab/Hassan
Shaheen/Usman

Despite some shocking selections in the initial 30- not a bad Final XI - or even Final 15 for that matter.

Well, it is the best out of a bad bunch of players. I'd replace Sarfi though, he's been mediocre, but Misbah has decided to retain him as captain no less so hands are tied.

 

[daytrader]

Oh man, Misbah has a really tough job. Credit to the man to put his reputation on the line by accepting both roles. Our fans will never be happy. As regards to Shehzad and Akmal selections, damned if he selects them damned if he doesn't. Personally I feel it's better to face that drama early in his tenure rather than answering calls for their selections later

 

[Shafi]

Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik have not been named in the probables as they have been granted NOC until 12 October to participate in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).


What it means they will be back after CPL.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Would have liked to see some of the young pacers/spinners selected for at least the T20s.

On the flip side at least they'll be playing FC cricket.

Yea would have been good to see some fresh face in there rather than the tried and tested players - however it's promising to see the likes of Abid and Harris in there.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Well, it is the best out of a bad bunch of players. I'd replace Sarfi though, he's been mediocre, but Misbah has decided to retain him as captain no less so hands are tied.

Yea Sarfraz isn't going anywhere any time soon. And until he goes I dont see how Rizwan fits into the squad/team.

Hopefully over the next 12-18 months we will have a deeper pool of players to pick from as the revamped domestic structure starts to develop stronger cricketers inshAllah

 

[Shafi]

Yea Sarfraz isn't going anywhere any time soon. And until he goes I dont see how Rizwan fits into the squad/team.

Hopefully over the next 12-18 months we will have a deeper pool of players to pick from as the revamped domestic structure starts to develop stronger cricketers inshAllah

Nothing will change until Misbah is there. Rizwan is already 5 times better than Sardraz but he will not be selected over him. Misbah will not take any new player for the cause of experience. There l be 3 wasted spots Sarfraz, Malik and Hafeez.

 

[Mercurial]

Rizwan must not be wasted, especially in the ODI format, where he is potentially better than Sarfraz. Sarfraz must be axed from the ODI team.

 

[Mercurial]

Selection of Shehzad, Umar, Sarfraz (ODI) and Wahab, already shows that Misbah has failed already.

 

[mak36]

Yea would have been good to see some fresh face in there rather than the tried and tested players - however it's promising to see the likes of Abid and Harris in there.

Haris was Pakistan's second best batsman in WC19- was always going to feature.

 

[Rayyman]

Playing XI Possibly:

Fakhar
Abid/Imam
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Asif
Imad
Shadab
Hasnain/Faheem
Amir
Wahab/Hassan
Shaheen/Usman

Despite some shocking selections in the initial 30- not a bad Final XI - or even Final 15 for that matter.

Not bad but why are you picking Wahab for ODIs. He has no business being there.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

No, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Last I heard he had contracted Dengue, for some odd reason this year a great number of Key Pakistan players got sick or injured. Now it is Shaheen, hope he recovers fast. This Srilanka series could be easy, but real sad to see that yet another Key pace bowler is sidelined for the upcoming test series. Hope he is fully fit for Australia

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Rizwan must not be wasted, especially in the ODI format, where he is potentially better than Sarfraz. Sarfraz must be axed from the ODI team.

Sarfraz is the Captian so he is automatic selection. Which is so unfair to Mohd Rizwan who is in great form. Real bad decision made by PCB to keep Sarfaraz as skipper

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Sohail
Sarfraz
______
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Wahab
Shaheen

So I guess there is only one spot up for grabs in ODI team and it would go to one of Asif Ali/Umar Akmal/Iftikhar Ahmed.

But Shaheen Afridi is not a probable, possibly due to Dengue sickness. That batting spot should go to Abid Ali.

 

[Titan24]

1. Do you agree that PSL is a reliable criteria for t20 selection? If yes, who was the best batsman in last two editions? Shouldn't Kamran Akmal get a trial, particularly when you know that Fakhar is struggling for over a year?

2. Srilanka is bringing a weak Odi team. If this was not the opportunity to give younger, inexperienced potential like Saud Shakeel or Haris Rauf or Umer Khan than when will it be? Do you really think that if we play Saud Shakeel at #4 by benching a regular like Haris Sohail for a match or two, Pakistan will lose against such a minor Srilankan side?

Good and valid questions but there are valid answers as well in my opinion.

Kamran is unfortunately 37 years of age with not much future ahead of him, at the same time he isnt good enough fielder as he was a keeper most of his life. If he would have been even in early 30s, would have improved his ground fielding, he could definitely have been selected in T20s atleast but not now with declining reflexes and at the end of his career.

Coming to Haris Sohail to sit out for Saud Shakeel. Problem with the current Pakistani team is that even the established players dont have much experience under their belt. Other than Babar, Sarfaraz, Wahab, Umar Akmal and Shehzad all other 15 players in probables are yet to play even 60 ODIs (Individually).

This Pakistan team lacks experience and thus consistency as well. Dropping any player just because he is an established name with dependable credentials is not something team management should do. However, Wahab Riaz and Sarfaraz Ahmed could definitely have been rested while Babar could have captained and gained bit of experience while some young pacer could have been selected over Wahab.

Haris Rauf and Umer Khan are both really talented but both are very new to the game and are yet to play one season of domestic. Though Haris Rauf could have been an exception in LOIs as he is 24 with a mature head and has shown decent control over skills he has got. He could have played over Wahab in my opinion.

 

[Titan24]

No, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Last I heard he had contracted Dengue, for some odd reason this year a great number of Key Pakistan players got sick or injured. Now it is Shaheen, hope he recovers fast. This Srilanka series could be easy, but real sad to see that yet another Key pace bowler is sidelined for the upcoming test series. Hope he is fully fit for Australia

He is not missing any test matches because test matches against Aus are in Nov while against Srl are in Dec. He will be easily 100% by then.

 

[Cricketrenew]

What a joke.....
Bring back Mickey Arthur.
Umar Akmal!!!!

I was really hoping under Wasim Khan, Imran Khan things would change but it is the same old.

How long before Misbah… is sacked … after next years failed England tour.... but I will have to live through... This is not fair.....

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Extremely surprised to see Umar Akmal included - someone who Misbah dropped numerous times - as a captain of the national team and as Umar's domestic captain for first class.

I'm happy he has been given another shot. Can't say the same for Ahmed Shehzad who has always batted at a pathetic strike rate.

But it's funny seeing all these angry posts about the selections. Frankly I don't think it's that bad.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Iftikhar's selection is justified as he performed well in domestic recently.

Umar Akmal's selection is pure nepotism.

I expected Haris Rauf and Khusdil Shah against this Srilanka B team.

Kamran Akmal deserve a place in t20 based on this PSL performance.

Do you know what nepotism means? Unless Misbah is Umar Akmal's uncle or something, just what are you talking about?

 

[aloo paratha]

But Shaheen Afridi is not a probable, possibly due to Dengue sickness. That batting spot should go to Abid Ali.

I actually wouldn't mind giving Iftikhar a chance, he has a good domestic record and has played some decent PSL knocks as well. Also a handy bowling option.

 

[big_gamer007]

Got to hand it to Misbah, finally bringing some drama and entertainment back into this overtly boring squad of yes men and zero personality outside of cricket.

Umar Akmal circus is the best thing ever to happen for Pakistan cricket brand since Afridi and Akhtar retired.

hahaha totally agreed, the good days of entertainment on PP are back. Can't wait for Akmal and Shehzad to start frustrating PPers again

 

[Kroll]

hahaha totally agreed, the good days of entertainment on PP are back. Can't wait for Akmal and Shehzad to start frustrating PPers again

You mean start mentally torturing us again. This will only apply to the Pakistan supporting PPers, it will be entertainment for the rest of the PPers.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Haris was Pakistan's second best batsman in WC19- was always going to feature.

You would hope so....

 

[Titan24]

I actually wouldn't mind giving Iftikhar a chance, he has a good domestic record and has played some decent PSL knocks as well. Also a handy bowling option.

Totally. Iftikhar played the most clutch couple of knocks in later half of the innings in PSL 2019 amongst any Pakistani counterpart. He is a handy off spinner as well, a spin variety we will lack post Hafeez and Malik in LOIs.

For the sake of Pak’s LOI team I hope he clicks. However, there will be many who want him to fail just to get Sauds and Saads in the team without realizing they dont have the ability to play shots required post 35 overs in ODIs (as shown by Saad against Aus where he couldnt finish even simple matches).

 

[TalhaSyed]

Not bad but why are you picking Wahab for ODIs. He has no business being there.

I was impressed with what I saw during the WC.

His extra pace added a much needed extra dynamic to our otherwise one dimensional bowling line up and couple that with his handy hitting down the order means he makes the playing XI for me.

I was extremely skeptical and openly against his selection in the WC squad ahead of the likes of Shinwari or even Junaid - but he proved me wrong and gave us a much needed X factor with the ball and even with the bat.

 

[PAF]

Final XI for ODI Vs Srilanka

Abid Ali
Imam ul Haq
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Sarfraz Ahmed
Iftikhar Ahmed/ Umar Akmal
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Wahab Riaz
Mohammad Aamir
Mohammad Hasnain/ Usman Shinwari

 

[ameemlutfi]

Aamir yamin should have been in the squad . Also rizwan is just so much better than sarfaraz . Wonder akmal. Can he tried as opener in place of fakhar .

 

[Hawkeye]

Hmm, the meltdown at Umar Akmal being included shows how clueless some folks are.

If anyone here is abusing Misbah for picking Umar, then you don't know much cricket or batting in particular - the modern day batting.
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION], you were on a full-time campaign to trash talk Misbah.

But, Misbah is showing he has an eye for talent. Nobody else would have the guts to pick Umar Akmal again.

He's doing it.

And I'm so freaking happy. Umar Akmal is the one we need in modern day LOI cricket. He's been doing excellent in the domestics as well.

At the same time, however, I'm a bit sad to see Shehzad being mentioned. No Misbah, NO! Shehzad is NOT who we need, he doesn't have it, not the right ability nor technique nor mindset.

 

[Hawkeye]

Extremely surprised to see Umar Akmal included - someone who Misbah dropped numerous times - as a captain of the national team and as Umar's domestic captain for first class.

I'm happy he has been given another shot. Can't say the same for Ahmed Shehzad who has always batted at a pathetic strike rate.

But it's funny seeing all these angry posts about the selections. Frankly I don't think it's that bad.

From a hard-core, die-hard Misbah hater, a somewhat sensible post (though it has lies and inaccuracies, that Misbah wanted Umar dropped).

Really happy to see Umar Akmal's name. You need someone with guts to make such bold decisions. Misbah's the right man, doing the right things till now.

Shehzad should be kicked out, however.

 

[MenInG]

Reports indicate that Umar Akmal's fitness wasnt that great but still included.

 

[Kroll]

I was impressed with what I saw during the WC.

His extra pace added a much needed extra dynamic to our otherwise one dimensional bowling line up and couple that with his handy hitting down the order means he makes the playing XI for me.

I was extremely skeptical and openly against his selection in the WC squad ahead of the likes of Shinwari or even Junaid - but he proved me wrong and gave us a much needed X factor with the ball and even with the bat.

Wahab did well during the WC but it still wasn't enough to see us through to the semis. I think this should have been his swansong. He's now aged and won't be around for the next WC, we should be inducting potential replacements.

Posters are right in suggesting Misbah's probables squad show a lack of foresight and future planning instead opting for the friends, uncles and TTFs.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

So what do you think our XI should be?

I'd go with:

1. Imam ul-Haq
2. Abid Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail
5. Sarfraz Ahmed
6. Umar Akmal / Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Muhammad Amir
11. Shinwari

I'm not sure on who is the better middle order batsmen between Iftikhar and Umar Akmal is.