Mohammad Hafeez's bowling action to be tested on 8th July (2016)

[Shayan]

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Hafeez's bowling action test will be held in Chennai on 8th July <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/720545947156115456">April 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[marlonbrowndo]

Even if his bowling is half as good itll be a huge bonus. When he can bowl our team balance in ODIs becomes much better. We can play 7 batsmen including him, one bowling all rounder and 3 regular bowlers. Also a decent 5th bowler in tests.

 

[ExplicitAI]

Too late since we lost a lot of matches during his bowling ban. What a shame.

 

[TalhaSyed]

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Hafeez's bowling action test will be held in Chennai on 8th July <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/720545947156115456">April 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Aren't there any testing facilities in England where he can be tested rather than testing him in Chennai 6-7 days before the first Test VS England?

 

[#GreenRoars]

Hope he will clear the test this time.

 

[Junaids]

Aren't there any testing facilities in England where he can be tested rather than testing him in Chennai 6-7 days before the first Test VS England?

Exactly - this should be happening at Loughborough.

Then again, the best thing for Pakistan would probably be to use Salman Butt and Babar Azam as the openers in the Test series.

Assuming that you are going to play the geriatric pairing of Younis and Misbah until their aged reflexes are exposed, that would mean:

1. Salman Butt
2. Babar Azam
3. Azhar Ali
4. Younis Khan
5. Misbah-ul-Haq (capt)
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Mohammad Asif

Given that England only really have two batsmen, I'd rate that Pakistan team as favourites to win in England.

But instead they will play Hafeez and Shehzad and Imran and get massacred.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

So he will miss the first test?

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[Prince of Pakistan]

Exactly - this should be happening at Loughborough.

Then again, the best thing for Pakistan would probably be to use Salman Butt and Babar Azam as the openers in the Test series.

Assuming that you are going to play the geriatric pairing of Younis and Misbah until their aged reflexes are exposed, that would mean:

1. Salman Butt
2. Babar Azam
3. Azhar Ali
4. Younis Khan
5. Misbah-ul-Haq (capt)
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Mohammad Asif

Given that England only really have two batsmen, I'd rate that Pakistan team as favourites to win in England.

But instead they will play Hafeez and Shehzad and Imran and get massacred.

How do you see M. Asif in the team? He has already been ignored in the Pak cup.

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[Junaids]

I don't see Asif being selected: I think there is a deal at PCB level to exclude him.

But I think he is your best Test bowler.

 

[Deewana]

He will clear it and get banned again

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[Gabbar Singh]

Exactly - this should be happening at Loughborough.

Then again, the best thing for Pakistan would probably be to use Salman Butt and Babar Azam as the openers in the Test series.

Assuming that you are going to play the geriatric pairing of Younis and Misbah until their aged reflexes are exposed, that would mean:

1. Salman Butt
2. Babar Azam
3. Azhar Ali
4. Younis Khan
5. Misbah-ul-Haq (capt)
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Mohammad Asif

Given that England only really have two batsmen, I'd rate that Pakistan team as favourites to win in England.

But instead they will play Hafeez and Shehzad and Imran and get massacred.

Misbah and Younis may not be the players they once were but they are still better than the alternatives.

I'm surprised that you want Misbah and Younis out the side yet want Salman Butt back in - a man who has a test record similar to Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed (yes those two giants of test match cricket).

 

[IslamabadUnited]

What's Hafeez's bowling statistics? Is he a wicket taking kind of bowler?

 

[Syed1]

What's Hafeez's bowling statistics? Is he a wicket taking kind of bowler?

Only against lefties. Most times he was a wicket to wicket bowler who was very hard to get away. An economy of 3.75 - 4 was common for him in ODIs. You need these sort of bowlers in any side to increase the pressure on the opposition.

 

[Hasan123]

Hafeez bowling will be vital, gives us a 5th bowling optition in test matches and in Odis he's economical and can trouble left handers. He can bowl with new ball and in the power play and in the middle overs.

 

[idrizzy]

Only against lefties. Most times he was a wicket to wicket bowler who was very hard to get away. An economy of 3.75 - 4 was common for him in ODIs. You need these sort of bowlers in any side to increase the pressure on the opposition.

Suggesting "only against lefties" is a bit far fetched. There was a stat that last year 69% of his wickets in test matches were lefties, so he does have the odd knack to get the right hander out. I also think the numbers have exponentially risen to favour lefties: I once heard Rameez Raja say in commentary "it's a formality for him to pick up left handed batsmen" but his stats were 50-50. Maybe there's been a psychological affect on left handed batsmen that Hafeez can get them out? Not sure, but either way he does seem to nowadays be bowling to left handed batsmen which is fine since he's bowling to his strengths.

Great economy, we're missing that especially in ODIs and even in T20s. Definitely a good all rounder. It's funny though because since he hasn't been bowling he's done pretty well with the bat so hopefully he can keep up the performances once he can get back to bowling.

 

[ads101]

Exactly - this should be happening at Loughborough.

Then again, the best thing for Pakistan would probably be to use Salman Butt and Babar Azam as the openers in the Test series.

Assuming that you are going to play the geriatric pairing of Younis and Misbah until their aged reflexes are exposed, that would mean:

1. Salman Butt
2. Babar Azam
3. Azhar Ali
4. Younis Khan
5. Misbah-ul-Haq (capt)
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Mohammad Asif

Given that England only really have two batsmen, I'd rate that Pakistan team as favourites to win in England.

But instead they will play Hafeez and Shehzad and Imran and get massacred.

Butt's been a colossal failure in England. Averaged 24, and overall 28 against England.

Hafeez averages 95 in England (albeit one match, so you could treat this as an anomaly) and 55 overall against England. Also been averaging 60 for the last two years.

Hafeez will probably fail in England, but I don't see how Butt will succeed in England either, he's even had chances there before to succeed and he's failed.

I don't think Shehzad will get selected for the England tour, he's pretty much gone atm. Feel good chance Babar will get it given there is no stable partner to Hafeez and he will be the popular choice (just as how we were desperate to get Jamshed into the test arena when he was performing in LOI), but think him performing in his first series in England isn't likely, hard place to perform on your debut. I don't see Butt and Babar dramatically increasing our chances and making us favourites rather than being massacred. Just doesn't make sense based on past records.

 

[ads101]

Only against lefties. Most times he was a wicket to wicket bowler who was very hard to get away. An economy of 3.75 - 4 was common for him in ODIs. You need these sort of bowlers in any side to increase the pressure on the opposition.

He is a better wicket taking option against lefties which worked well when Ajmal was playing as Ajmal was better against righties than lefties so they complimented each other well. A shame really they chucked, Ajmal and Hafeez was the best Pakistan bowling partnership we've had for ages. The two just complimented each other really well.

 

[idrizzy]

Misbah and Younis may not be the players they once were but they are still better than the alternatives.

I'm surprised that you want Misbah and Younis out the side yet want Salman Butt back in - a man who has a test record similar to Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed (yes those two giants of test match cricket).

Exactly this. He's shown good form in List A but to say that he should get slotted in the test team is bizarre. Yes we've had our problems with openers but his average isn't even that great, nor is his SR. This is why I'm circumspect of even considering him for ODIs since having a SR of 75 isn't good enough in modern cricket.

Also M Asif isn't gonna get selected, our best XI that is the most realistic would be:

1) Hafeez
2) Babar Azam (would like him at #3 but Azhar is settled there)
3) Azhar Ali
4) YK
5) Misbah
6) Shafiq
7) Sarfaraz
8) Yasir Shah
9) Wahab Riaz
10) M Amir
11) Rahat Ali

Babar probably won't get a look in, and that'd be a shame.

 

[Square Drive]

Exactly - this should be happening at Loughborough.

Then again, the best thing for Pakistan would probably be to use Salman Butt and Babar Azam as the openers in the Test series.

Assuming that you are going to play the geriatric pairing of Younis and Misbah until their aged reflexes are exposed, that would mean:

1. Salman Butt
2. Babar Azam
3. Azhar Ali
4. Younis Khan
5. Misbah-ul-Haq (capt)
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
8. Mohammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Mohammad Asif

Given that England only really have two batsmen, I'd rate that Pakistan team as favourites to win in England.

But instead they will play Hafeez and Shehzad and Imran and get massacred.

Don't think it will be Shehzad.

Think it will be Hafeez and one of Shan/Babar.

 

[ads101]

Don't think it will be Shehzad.

Think it will be Hafeez and one of Shan/Babar.

I think Babar will get his debut. Looking at the past, PCB tend to go with the popular choice and Babar is getting popularity recently.

I'd personally promote Azhar to opening, Asad to three and have Babar down at 6. Think that seems to be the route he's going, to be a middle order bat and in tests think it's best to start lower down. I don't think it makes too much difference to Azhar whether he's at three or opening, he plays just like an opener anyway and isn't exactly great against spin. He's also opener in ODIs too so might as well. I'd like Asad to take more responsibility up the order too given he's been in the team for some time, time for him to move up. Think Babar will be more settled at 6, less pressure and will be able to learn to better perform there as likely he'll either be coming in with someone set or YK or Misbah at the other end. I don't view Asad and Azhar as junior players anymore, they are experienced in the test arena now, hence promoting them would be wise, they need to learn to take responsibility when Misbah and YK retire.

I'd play a team of
1. Hafeez
2. Azhar
3. Asad
4. YK
5. Misbah
6. Babar
7. Sarfraz
8. Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Eshan Adil (or try out sadaf but don't think this will happen)
11. Riaz (since this is England, might take a gamble and play him. On UAE pitches would be different, would play another spinner or some other pacer)

 

[Square Drive]

I think Babar will get his debut. Looking at the past, PCB tend to go with the popular choice and Babar is getting popularity recently.

I'd personally promote Azhar to opening, Asad to three and have Babar down at 6. Think that seems to be the route he's going, to be a middle order bat and in tests think it's best to start lower down. I don't think it makes too much difference to Azhar whether he's at three or opening, he plays just like an opener anyway and isn't exactly great against spin. He's also opener in ODIs too so might as well. I'd like Asad to take more responsibility up the order too given he's been in the team for some time, time for him to move up. Think Babar will be more settled at 6, less pressure and will be able to learn to better perform there as likely he'll either be coming in with someone set or YK or Misbah at the other end. I don't view Asad and Azhar as junior players anymore, they are experienced in the test arena now, hence promoting them would be wise, they need to learn to take responsibility when Misbah and YK retire.

I'd play a team of
1. Hafeez
2. Azhar
3. Asad
4. YK
5. Misbah
6. Babar
7. Sarfraz
8. Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Eshan Adil (or try out sadaf but don't think this will happen)
11. Riaz (since this is England, might take a gamble and play him. On UAE pitches would be different, would play another spinner or some other pacer)

Hmm, wouldn't mind your XI, though I'd be inclined to stick with the XI that seems to be working well.

Or, we could make Azhar open and put Babar at #3, with Shafiq remaining at #6.

Not too fussed either way, as long as Babar slots in.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

What's Hafeez's bowling statistics? Is he a wicket taking kind of bowler?

He was GOLD for us.

 

[ChachaCricket]

He's useless with a legal action.

 

[Pak Warrior]

He won't pass the test, if he does he will be banned soon enough. Probably on the back of a great bowling performance.

 

[hur rizvi]

If Hafeez clears his test, which he most probably will, we can play 4 seamers in absence of Yasir and Hafeez can take the role of sole spinner.

I dont care even if he gets banned after Eng-Pak tests, but he can give us respite for 1 or 2 tests until yasir gets ready to go

 

[The Last Of The Stars]

His modified bowling action will never be useful, he should retire. By the way, he never was that useful with his old action in Tests, people are overrating him. Azhar Ali is a better option than him as a part timer, he is a leg spinner, and leg spinners will be more useful in England and Australia. Sorry Mr. Hafeez, you are too late.

 

[hur rizvi]

His modified bowling action will never be useful, he should retire. By the way, he never was that useful with his old action in Tests, people are overrating him. Azhar Ali is a better option than him as a part timer, he is a leg spinner, and leg spinners will be more useful in England and Australia. Sorry Mr. Hafeez, you are too late.

He wont be the main bowler. If yasir is unfit for first test we can use him along with Azhar for sharing the spin duties. That will allow us to play 4 seamers which would be better than playing Zulfi babar or giving debut to youngster like Zafar or Asghar.

It will be a make shift arrangement until yas gets fit and anyway I dont see Hafeez getting dropped atleast for 1st 2 tests.

 

[Hasan123]

Hopefully he passes could do with a 5th bowling option

 

[MenInG]

From his recent statements, he didnt think there was anything wrong with his action! Lets hope that he is actually making changes and someone is monitoring his progress. Remember, we have had a busy time recently and there have been changes in personnel as well so not sure who is keeping an eye on his training.

 

[Mamoon]

Needs to be reported again. This is unacceptable.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Blantantly obvious that he's chucking.

 

[mak36]

I am not going to comment on whether he is chucking but if he is, the ICC will be doing Pakistan a favour if they ban him.

No way can he retain his place just as a specialist batsman.

 

[Rana]

He bowled out the captain too. Poor Lankans will feel hard done by