Mohammad Wasim to announce an initial 20-man Test squad on 15 Jan for series against South Africa

[MenInG]

Mohammad Wasim speaking on PCB video



I will initially announce a 20 man Test Squad on 15th January in Karachi

After consultation with team management and selectors final 16 man squad will be announced later

I consulted with 6 head coaches who are part of selection committee

I also consulted with Head Coach Misbah and Babar Azam

Analysed the performances of players on tour of New Zealand and in domestic cricket

Will consult with the selection committee again before announcing final Test squad

 

[mazkhan]

I really hope he isn't a yes man and makes some brave decisions and selections

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

So, we'll find out in a few days anyway, but I expect the 20 man squad to look like this:

9 batsmen
1 keeper
2 All rounders
3 spinners
5 quicks

Keeper- Rizwan. This will also be the first squad where Sarfi clearly does not get picked, as it's not necessary for a 2nd keeper to be in the squad for a home series, if he's already involved in first class.

Two All rounders - Faheem Ashraf. Depending on fitness, Shadab but unlikely. You may see Mo Waseem go for Amir Yaseen here.

Three spinners. Yasir will get another go. Zafar will be included for Continuity. And either Nauman Ali or Sajid Khan will get called up.

Five quicks - Shaheen. Abbas. Naseem. Hassan Ali also guaranteed to get picked. Will be interesting to see Wasim's last pick. May keep it safe by going for Sohail Khan or might spring a surprise like Tabish Khan.

9 batsmen - Babar. Azhar. Fawad. Abid. Haris. Shan. Imran Butt. Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam. He'll include all the batsmen from New Zealand on Babar and Misbah's insistence. However, don't be surprised to see Haris and Shan dropped when they announce the 16 man final squad.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

So, we'll find out in a few days anyway, but I expect the 20 man squad to look like this:

9 batsmen
1 keeper
2 All rounders
3 spinners
5 quicks

Keeper- Rizwan. This will also be the first squad where Sarfi clearly does not get picked, as it's not necessary for a 2nd keeper to be in the squad for a home series, if he's already involved in first class.

Two All rounders - Faheem Ashraf. Depending on fitness, Shadab but unlikely. You may see Mo Waseem go for Amir Yaseen here.

Three spinners. Yasir will get another go. Zafar will be included for Continuity. And either Nauman Ali or Sajid Khan will get called up.

Five quicks - Shaheen. Abbas. Naseem. Hassan Ali also guaranteed to get picked. Will be interesting to see Wasim's last pick. May keep it safe by going for Sohail Khan or might spring a surprise like Tabish Khan.

9 batsmen - Babar. Azhar. Fawad. Abid. Haris. Shan. Imran Butt. Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam. He'll include all the batsmen from New Zealand on Babar and Misbah's insistence. However, don't be surprised to see Haris and Shan dropped when they announce the 16 man final squad.

There will need to be two keepers due to the biosecure bubble I think. So Sarfi is likely to be picked.

1. Azhar Ali
2. Abid Ali
3. Shan Masood
4. Imran Butt

5. Babar Azam
6. Saud Shakeel
7. Kamran Ghulam
8. Fawad Alam
9. Usman Salahuddin
10. Haris Sohail

11. Mohammad Rizwan
12. Sarfaraz Ahmed

13. Zafar Gohar
14. Yasir Shah
15. Sajid Khan

16. Shaheen Afridi
17. Naseem Shah
18. Mohammad Abbas
19. Hassan Ali
20. Faheem Ashraf

This is what I’m expecting for the 20 man training squad.

 

[Bullet Drive]

I hope no Imran Butt

Would be happy to see Kamran Ghulam, Saud and Usman Salahuddin.

 

[Mamoon]

Shows the level of uncertainty and confusion among the selectors.

After taking 300 players to New Zealand, they are now selecting a 20 man squad for a home Test series before cutting it down to 16.

Instead of selecting 20 players now, he should consult with the management and choose a 16 man squad right away.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Wasim probably doesn't want to step on too many toes with his first team selection, he understands the politics involved. He's not a big enough personality to get away with culling any established test players.

 

[hitthestump]

In all seriousness what is the advantage of starting with 20 then going to 16?

Is he hoping for a few favours from the fringe players or something?

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

There will need to be two keepers due to the biosecure bubble I think. So Sarfi is likely to be picked.

1. Azhar Ali
2. Abid Ali
3. Shan Masood
4. Imran Butt

5. Babar Azam
6. Saud Shakeel
7. Kamran Ghulam
8. Fawad Alam
9. Usman Salahuddin
10. Haris Sohail

11. Mohammad Rizwan
12. Sarfaraz Ahmed

13. Zafar Gohar
14. Yasir Shah
15. Sajid Khan

16. Shaheen Afridi
17. Naseem Shah
18. Mohammad Abbas
19. Hassan Ali
20. Faheem Ashraf

This is what I’m expecting for the 20 man training squad.

i take your point on Sarfi and the bio secure bubble. However I'd be very surprised to see Salahuddin picked in addition to Saud and Kamran. Also, whilst I don't expect him to, he may instead pull a surprise and include Abdullah Shafique in there as well.

I also feel they'll defo have an extra pacer in the initial 20.

The initial 20 man squad is almost like a morale lifting vehicle for domestic performers, even if they don't get picked in the final 16.
just my two cents

 

[Maher96]

If your not picking saifi to play just select Kami as back up to shut him up.

No need having ex captain carry drinks- need to be more humble carrying him around for sake of it when Rizwan is clearly head and shoulder above the rest makes no sense.

Jaisa bi hai, akhir Sarfraz hai.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

i take your point on Sarfi and the bio secure bubble. However I'd be very surprised to see Salahuddin picked in addition to Saud and Kamran. Also, whilst I don't expect him to, he may instead pull a surprise and include Abdullah Shafique in there as well.

I also feel they'll defo have an extra pacer in the initial 20.

The initial 20 man squad is almost like a morale lifting vehicle for domestic performers, even if they don't get picked in the final 16.
just my two cents

Agreed about the morale lifting. It will also help phase people like Shan out without giving them too much of a shock.

However I also feel it’s due to covid requirements- 20 people might have 3-4 Test positive, which will automatically give us a 16 man squad for the first Test. So to have options on the table it makes sense.

I don’t think Wasim will pick Abdullah Shafique. That would be extremely irresponsible given that he’s only played 1 first class game, and unfair to the people who performed this year (Salahuddin, mainly, since I’m taking Kamran and Saud as guaranteed selections).

Wasim has raised his voice in the past against fast tracking youngsters to the senior team. There’s a video of him a year ago saying he would have given Babar one more season of First Class rather than fast track him into Tests before he’s ready. So I’d be surprised if Abdullah were to be selected.

And who would your extra pacer be? The cupboard is bare.

 

[m.shah]

The point I liked about his interview is tht player development will take place at first class and NHP center. So hopefully we won't see players being selected without any domestic exposure.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Agreed about the morale lifting. It will also help phase people like Shan out without giving them too much of a shock.

However I also feel it’s due to covid requirements- 20 people might have 3-4 Test positive, which will automatically give us a 16 man squad for the first Test. So to have options on the table it makes sense.

I don’t think Wasim will pick Abdullah Shafique. That would be extremely irresponsible given that he’s only played 1 first class game, and unfair to the people who performed this year (Salahuddin, mainly, since I’m taking Kamran and Saud as guaranteed selections).

Wasim has raised his voice in the past against fast tracking youngsters to the senior team. There’s a video of him a year ago saying he would have given Babar one more season of First Class rather than fast track him into Tests before he’s ready. So I’d be surprised if Abdullah were to be selected.

And who would your extra pacer be? The cupboard is bare.

You are right about the cupboard being bare re: the quicks.

I imagined it may be one of the usual ssuspects I.e. Sohail, Shinwari or maybe a surprise pick like Waqas or Tabish. You have to remember that it's unlikely that we'll have dustbowl pitches and hence may play a 3 quicks + Faheem attack. Naseem will probably be dropped for his own development and then Hasan Ali comes in. We need an extra pacer in case of the quicks goes down with covid, God forbid.

Also, on Abdullah Shafique, I hadnt realised Wasim's stance on young players, which is correct. I just think that Salahuddin was quite late to the party with performances, and Mohammad Wasim will probably avoid blanket changes, since bringing in Kamran and Saud will be seen as the 'right' amount of change.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

He also said that it has been unanimously decided that player development will only be made in domestic cricket and NHPC. So, no more fast tracking now.

 

[gazza619]

Shows the level of uncertainty and confusion among the selectors.

After taking 300 players to New Zealand, they are now selecting a 20 man squad for a home Test series before cutting it down to 16.

Instead of selecting 20 players now, he should consult with the management and choose a 16 man squad right away.

Couldnt agree more. Dont need more than 14 players for a home test and a few more players can always be kept on stand by due to Covid.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

If your not picking saifi to play just select Kami as back up to shut him up.

No need having ex captain carry drinks- need to be more humble carrying him around for sake of it when Rizwan is clearly head and shoulder above the rest makes no sense.

Jaisa bi hai, akhir Sarfraz hai.

Haha, I love to Sarfraz carrying drinks now. Egg on his face.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Haha, I love to Sarfraz carrying drinks now. Egg on his face.

Sarfraz was very arrogant and honestly he doesn't merit a return, if anything the underrated Rohail Nazir deserves a spot ahead of him. I loved his batting with Fawad in the practise game.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I reckon the biggest thing for this series is trying a new/refreshed bowling attack, poor Shaheen needs a rest and feel he shouldn't play. 3 pacers and 2 spinners is good enough, maybe try someone like Waqas Moqsood/Hassan Ali/Tabish Khan/Taj Wali as pacers and spin dept we have Zafar/Nuaman/Sajid/Zahid/Yasir.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Saud Shakeel to be selected.

1000000000%.

 

[El Generico]

Haha, I love to Sarfraz carrying drinks now. Egg on his face.

Is this a Pakistani thing or do other fans also see being 12th man as an humiliation?

Doesn’t “carrying drinks” mean despite a downfall he is still part of the top 16 cricketers in the world and is one injury away from being in the XI? Isn’t that a good thing for his career?

 

[Savak]

Shows the level of uncertainty and confusion among the selectors.

After taking 300 players to New Zealand, they are now selecting a 20 man squad for a home Test series before cutting it down to 16.

Instead of selecting 20 players now, he should consult with the management and choose a 16 man squad right away.

What difference does 4 extra players make to you? You do realize they had to take a huge squad to NZ because the national tour and the shaheens series was happening simultaneously hence because of the Covid restrictions it was better to take a big squad to NZ in one go

 

[El Generico]

Is this a Pakistani thing or do other fans also see being 12th man as an humiliation?

Doesn’t “carrying drinks” mean despite a downfall he is still part of the top 16 cricketers in the world and is one injury away from being in the XI? Isn’t that a good thing for his career?

*meant to say Pakistan not the world lol.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I would rest Shaheen, drop Shan, drop Haris, drop Naseem and maybe even drop Yasir. The bowling attack is the one that needs changing as that is what has failed on the NZ tour.

 

[Last Monetarist]

I would rest Shaheen, drop Shan, drop Haris, drop Naseem and maybe even drop Yasir. The bowling attack is the one that needs changing as that is what has failed on the NZ tour.

Why would you rest Shaheen? There's no international cricket scheduled for a long while after this series.

 

[coy0607]

I have high hopes for Wasim, selection for the first series will be telling.
Never forget Misbah brought back Shehzad, Akmal, Irfan, Imran Khan Sr back very early in his tenure. He has been destined to fail ever since

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Why would you rest Shaheen? There's no international cricket scheduled for a long while after this series.

Well Shaheen does have the PSL coming up which is in February right? Followed by the Zimbabwae series in April. I reckon Shaheen needs a break.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Well Shaheen does have the PSL coming up which is in February right? Followed by the Zimbabwae series in April. I reckon Shaheen needs a break.

You'd rest your best bowler in a high-profile test series against South Africa for the sake of a series against Zimbabwe?

 

[shah_1]

Just straight to 16

Abid
Imam
Imran Butt
Azhar
Babar
Fawad
Saud
Rizwan
Sarfraz
Nauman Ali
Yasir Shah
Waqas Masood
Hasan Ali
Sohail Khan
Shaheen

 

[shah_1]

So, we'll find out in a few days anyway, but I expect the 20 man squad to look like this:

9 batsmen
1 keeper
2 All rounders
3 spinners
5 quicks

Keeper- Rizwan. This will also be the first squad where Sarfi clearly does not get picked, as it's not necessary for a 2nd keeper to be in the squad for a home series, if he's already involved in first class.

Two All rounders - Faheem Ashraf. Depending on fitness, Shadab but unlikely. You may see Mo Waseem go for Amir Yaseen here.

Three spinners. Yasir will get another go. Zafar will be included for Continuity. And either Nauman Ali or Sajid Khan will get called up.

Five quicks - Shaheen. Abbas. Naseem. Hassan Ali also guaranteed to get picked. Will be interesting to see Wasim's last pick. May keep it safe by going for Sohail Khan or might spring a surprise like Tabish Khan.

9 batsmen - Babar. Azhar. Fawad. Abid. Haris. Shan. Imran Butt. Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam. He'll include all the batsmen from New Zealand on Babar and Misbah's insistence. However, don't be surprised to see Haris and Shan dropped when they announce the 16 man final squad.

Why don't you need 2nd WK?

Don't you know about concussion rule or any other injury(replacement can keep but can't bat)?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

You'd rest your best bowler in a high-profile test series against South Africa for the sake of a series against Zimbabwe?

You did not listen, I said he needs rest and will have a high probability for injury. He's got the PSL which he'll be playing and then the Zimbabwae series won't be far off for him. That's not really fair on him. You can try a new fresh bowling attack and we certainly have the resources to.

 

[shamaan]

My squad of 20

Azhar ali
Imaam ul haq
Imran butt
Abid ali

Babar
Saud shakeel
Fawad alam
Kamran ghulam
Usman Salahuddin
Haris sohail

Rizwan
Sarfraz


Gohar
Sajid khan
Yasir


Shaheen
Hassan ali
Abbas
Fahim ashraf
Tabish khan/sohail khan

 

[BigShak]

Got to pick Agha, Kamran and Saud.

 

[shamaan]

Got to pick Agha, Kamran and Saud.

agha may have an outside chance due to shadab not being in the squad

 

[Omer2002]

I would rather have wasim being our coach rather than selector

 

[Bigboii]

Shows the level of uncertainty and confusion among the selectors.

After taking 300 players to New Zealand, they are now selecting a 20 man squad for a home Test series before cutting it down to 16.

Instead of selecting 20 players now, he should consult with the management and choose a 16 man squad right away.

This
Why are you announcing 20 players in home series?

 

[b.lesner]

This
Why are you announcing 20 players in home series?

Wasim gave the reason these 20 players will enter bio secure buble and then 16 will be announced for Ist test in karachi and different 16 may be announced for 2nd test.

 

[Omer2002]

Any Ideas about the broadcast of the series. All we know is in Africa its been shown on supersports but thats about it

 

[Ami]

Abid
Imam
Azhar
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Faheem
Yasir
Hasan
Abbas
Shaheen

Plus
Back up opener: Shan?

Back up middle order batter: Saud Shakeel

Back up spinner: Zafar Gohar

Back up fast bowlers:
Naseem Shah
???

Not too sure about other openers in domestic cricket; but as I would like them to try Imam, I'd keep Shan as back up.

I'd only keep Saud as middle order back up so that he gets a chance if they decide to play 6 batters on there is an injury.
No need to have Haris in there as well, as Said wont get a look in.

Zafar Gohar is a better choice as back up spinner as oppose to Shadab.
If they're looking for 3rd spinner, then Shadab is fine.

Fast Bowlers...? Not sure of anyone except Naseem Shah.
Polite no to the likes of Sohail Khan, Imran Khan type of bowlers.
Not sure which of Haris, Moosa, Hasnain etc are ready to take the next step.

 

[shamaan]

Wasim gave the reason these 20 players will enter bio secure buble and then 16 will be announced for Ist test in karachi and different 16 may be announced for 2nd test.

could be a sign that different pitches may be prepared ?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

could be a sign that different pitches may be prepared ?

Nah i doubt it, i think 20 is just account for any that might test positive. The Karachi pitch should be dead and hope it's like a UAE track i.e. great for batting first 3 days with spin domination on day 4/5.

 

[Rayyman]

Any Ideas about the broadcast of the series. All we know is in Africa its been shown on supersports but thats about it

Yeah.

The last Pakistani home series was on YouTube. I am not sure what will happen with this.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

I really hope he isn't a yes man and makes some brave decisions and selections

Lets see if keeps Asad Shafiq out and also drops Shan Masood.

 

[shamaan]

Nah i doubt it, i think 20 is just account for any that might test positive. The Karachi pitch should be dead and hope it's like a UAE track i.e. great for batting first 3 days with spin domination on day 4/5.

Hopefully its dead and spins

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Hopefully its dead and spins

Ameen!

 

[NoBallZombie]

I feel Md Wasim would take a conservative approach. I expect to see all the names that performed poorly in Newzealand to feature in the squad. Given the clean chit the cricket committee has given to the team management, I would be pleasantly surprised if there is ANY new face in the final 16 squad. We have seen how the team rates Haris so he aint getting dropped, maybe the only causality would be Shan.

 

[NoBallZombie]

Hopefully its dead and spins

For that we need people who can spin the ball. Dont think I have seen many balls spin from Yasir (apart from one I remember in the last series)

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Hopefully its dead and spins

Do you not agree that perhaps Shaheen could use a rest? Maybe retain Abbas to put the squeeze on him to lead the attack for once?

I just feel Shaheen has lots of cricket in a short amount of time that he could injure himself potentially.

 

[silent ischemia]

To be honest seeing his interview I didn't see him as a person who will be assertive and the one to stamp his authority. He will select the team as needed by the captain/coach. Hope I m proven wrong but he appears to be another yes man

 

[angrypathan]

Do you not agree that perhaps Shaheen could use a rest? Maybe retain Abbas to put the squeeze on him to lead the attack for once?

I just feel Shaheen has lots of cricket in a short amount of time that he could injure himself potentially.

Shaheen should never be rested in a test against the top teams, the backups are nowhere near good enough. If he's to be rested then it should be in the LOI matches, where the likes of Hasnain and Rauf can do an acceptable job in his place.

 

[observer1]

Picking 20 people is likely closure to players sl they know they're being considered, even if they don't make it for the final 12.

Making a shortlist of players in Cricket and Football is as old as the game itself.

That said, I'd like to see Shan and Naseem dropped from Imam and Tabish

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Picking 20 people is likely closure to players sl they know they're being considered, even if they don't make it for the final 12.

Making a shortlist of players in Cricket and Football is as old as the game itself.

That said, I'd like to see Shan and Naseem dropped from Imam and Tabish

Tabish averaged 31 in First Class this year. I agree he should have been selected two years ago but now his time is up.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Typical Pakistan cricket always in search for new messiah. Muhammad Wasim looks to be new messiah after Wasim Khan now.
I have seen few QEA matches and Kamran Ghulam looks awful.
Other batsmen and spinners in QEA final were pretty bad as well.
Only decent test batsman I can see is Haider Ali. He should be debuting.
Abid is good for Pakistan conditions but his reflexes will give up in 2 years.
The quality has just gone down.

 

[saeed5646]

This will be some attack .Might as well pick tabish khan

Sohail khan 35
Tabish khan 36
Nouman ali 34
Yasir shah 34

 

[saeed5646]

Typical Pakistan cricket always in search for new messiah. Muhammad Wasim looks to be new messiah after Wasim Khan now.
I have seen few QEA matches and Kamran Ghulam looks awful.
Other batsmen and spinners in QEA final were pretty bad as well.
Only decent test batsman I can see is Haider Ali. He should be debuting.
Abid is good for Pakistan conditions but his reflexes will give up in 2 years.
The quality has just gone down.

How is kamran ghulam awful ?what weakness he have ?

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

How is kamran ghulam awful ?what weakness he have ?

okay lets see..
When he played few shots on the leg side, he was not balanced. Shows there is a weakness which will quickly exploited.
Most of the shots he played he just hangs on the back foot, his feet movement was not so proactive. He can be easily setup by a bit of nip and speed above 140kph.
When he played straight shots to spinners, coming down the track head is not straight and line of the ball, A spinner with bit more bounce and bite will deceive him in the flight.
He can improve on this, but it will not be an easy ride.

 

[Omer2002]

I completely agree Gulam doesnt look international level as i always said gohar wasnt..haider ali is too young but i am disappointed in him.

Saud shakeel is a young version of haris suhail and too loose...but the problem is we need to give chances to people otherwise we will not move forward.

My main concern is maturity of batters...all indian young batters i have seen have so much balance and maturity we just dont

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

I completely agree Gulam doesnt look international level as i always said gohar wasnt..haider ali is too young but i am disappointed in him.

Saud shakeel is a young version of haris suhail and too loose...but the problem is we need to give chances to people otherwise we will not move forward.

My main concern is maturity of batters...all indian young batters i have seen have so much balance and maturity we just dont

Haider Ali will come good.. He has the test match acumen and game from what i have seen.
Give him a go in home series, in familiar environment.
I have not seen Saud so not sure.
Babar + Haider. Find a couple more promising youngsters and build around them.
Keep Azhar as opener for a. couple of years, but have his replacement along with him and ask him to mentor those.
Bowling. Shaheen and Naseem(he has been picked now, so just work on him).
Spinners find a replacement of Yasir for Sena, but play Yasir in home tests.

 

[KoyoAli]

Imam ruled out of Test series against South Africa

Karachi: Opener Imam-ul-Haq has been ruled out of the Test series against South Africa as he is yet to recover from a thumb injury, reports suggested.

The left-hander suffered a fracture during a net session at Queenstown, New Zealand last month. He also missed the Test series against New Zealand and was sent back home during the first Test at Mount Maunganui.

According to local media, Imam has been advised further rest of a week and a half. He is not even allowed to bat at nets because if he does, the recovery process will proceed to more than four weeks.

Note, South Africa will play Two Tests in Karachi and Rawalpindi. Proteas will arrive in Pakistan on January 16.

Pakistan’s 20-member squad for Tests will be announced tomorrow by chief selector Mohammad Wasim in Karachi.

https://arysports.tv/imam-ruled-out-test-series-against-south-africa/

 

[b.lesner]

Any news if Bismillah khan will be selected for t20s?

 

[Slim]

Well Shaheen does have the PSL coming up which is in February right? Followed by the Zimbabwae series in April. I reckon Shaheen needs a break.

Shaheen should rather skip PSL or Zimbabve series rather than missing the all important South Africa series.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Shaheen should rather skip PSL or Zimbabve series rather than missing the all important South Africa series.

SA t20s and Zimbabwe series then for sure. He’ll play the PSL.

 

[ataullah]

Pakistan Test Squad for #PakvSA

Shan, Haris, Abbas, Sohail likely to be dropped

Hassan Ali, Saud Shakel, Rohail Nazir likely inclusions

Squad to be announce tomorrow

Source: Abdul Ghaffar Dawn News

 

[Omer2002]

Shaheen should never be rested in a test against the top teams, the backups are nowhere near good enough. If he's to be rested then it should be in the LOI matches, where the likes of Hasnain and Rauf can do an acceptable job in his place.

Rohail wont be included with saffy there thats for sure

 

[Savak]

Pakistan Test Squad for #PakvSA

Shan, Haris, Abbas, Sohail likely to be dropped

Hassan Ali, Saud Shakel, Rohail Nazir likely inclusions

Squad to be announce tomorrow

Source: Abdul Ghaffar Dawn News

Naseem Shah should be dropped as well

 

[lahoriyah1234]

I hope he is not a dummy Selector, he used to talk alot, yeh karna chaiye woh karna chaiye, now is your chance to deliver, Pakistan must find good middle order players in this series.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Naseem Shah should be dropped as well

I'm still tempted to rest Shaheen for this series because he's got far too much cricket on the horizon for my liking. I would like to offer Abbas a last chance to prove himself and be the lead bowler for the series with Hassan Ali and Waqas Moqsood/Tabish Khan/Taj Wali playing second fiddle.

 

[lahoriyah1234]

Hassan Ali
Waqas
Fahim should be the fast bowlers
Yasir shah
Zahid Mehmood should be the bowling attack.

Fawad can add extra options.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Hassan Ali
Waqas
Fahim should be the fast bowlers
Yasir shah
Zahid Mehmood should be the bowling attack.

Fawad can add extra options.

I wouldn't have 2 leggies operating, i don't want both Zahid and Yasir being used in the same game. Maybe Zahid/Sajid Khan or Zahid/Gohar.

 

[JibranAnsari]

abid ali
imran rafiq
sharjeel khan

azhar ali
babar azam
saud shakeel
fawad alam
kamran ghulam


mohammad rizwan
sarfraz ahmed

gohar
faheem


sajid khan
yasir shah

hassan ali
shaheen shah
mohammad abbas

 

[UzmanBeast]

There will need to be two keepers due to the biosecure bubble I think. So Sarfi is likely to be picked.

1. Azhar Ali
2. Abid Ali
3. Shan Masood
4. Imran Butt

5. Babar Azam
6. Saud Shakeel
7. Kamran Ghulam
8. Fawad Alam
9. Usman Salahuddin
10. Haris Sohail

11. Mohammad Rizwan
12. Sarfaraz Ahmed

13. Zafar Gohar
14. Yasir Shah
15. Sajid Khan

16. Shaheen Afridi
17. Naseem Shah
18. Mohammad Abbas
19. Hassan Ali
20. Faheem Ashraf

This is what I’m expecting for the 20 man training squad.

Personally, I think Mohammad Wasim is going to drop Naseem Shah from the test squad. Who he brings in for Naseem will be a good indicator of where our team is going. If he brings in an old, future-less bowler, it will not leave a good impression, but if he brings someone younger, like Shinwari or someone else, it would be better.

I've been hearing that Sarfaraz will be dropped for Rohail Nazir, which isn't a bad decision really. If needed, we can try Rohail in place of Haris Sohail, and it could work as well to groom him in the future.

You got everything else spot on in my opinion.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I wouldn't have 2 leggies operating, i don't want both Zahid and Yasir being used in the same game. Maybe Zahid/Sajid Khan or Zahid/Gohar.

Agree, Zahid has been extremely expensive in the QEA trophy.

Yasir is a world class bowler on his day, and I am of the firm opinion that his bowling overseas is not because of his own lack of quality, it is due to the fact that he is over-bowled to cover up our pace attacks lack of penetration.

I'd have Yasir Shah playing with Zafar Gohar. We can't discard Zafar yet, he hasn't been given a good enough chance.

Final XI I would play would be:

Azhar Ali (has to open, sub-continent conditions are not very threatening.)
Abid Ali
Imran Butt
Babar Azam (c)
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan (vc)
Zafar Gohar
Yasir Shah
Faheem Ashraf
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Shah Afridi

Could potentially replace Imran Butt with Saud Shakeel to bring in a balanced right-left hand combination.

 

[ataullah]

So its going to be something different tomorrow as while announcing the 20 member squad for South Africa series Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim will show data & performances of all selected players on projector Screen with proper explaination
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=149054]shamaan[/MENTION] [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION]

 

[Thunderbolt14]

So its going to be something different tomorrow as while announcing the 20 member squad for South Africa series Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim will show data & performances of all selected players on projector Screen with proper explaination

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=149054]shamaan[/MENTION] [MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION]

Interesting. That’s great. Should be par for the course as it will give an exact reasoning behind selection and non-selection. Will be harder to accuse anyone of favoritism, and will also give players a better understanding of what the selectors are looking for.

 

[ataullah]

Pak likely squad according to reports:

(20 to be trimmed to 16)

Shan (Because imam injured)
Abid
Azhar
Imran butt
Babar
Fawad
Saud
Kamran ghulam
Rohail Nazir
Yasir
Abbas
Tabish
Naseem
Zafar
Nouman ali
Rizwan
Shaheen
Faheem
Hasan Ali
Salman ali agha

Could change 1 or 2 names after final meeting

 

[Canistani Hero]

Mo Wasim

 

[Savak]

Pak likely squad according to reports:

(20 to be trimmed to 16)

Shan (Because imam injured)
Abid
Azhar
Imran butt
Babar
Fawad
Saud
Kamran ghulam
Rohail Nazir
Yasir
Abbas
Tabish
Naseem
Zafar
Nouman ali
Rizwan
Shaheen
Faheem
Hasan Ali
Salman ali agha

Could change 1 or 2 names after final meeting

Shan, Naseem do not deserve to be there based on the tour of NZ. Some question marks on Abid and Azhar as well. Selectors need to get their standards up. You cant stay in the team with one good performance followed by 9 bad ones.

 

[ataullah]

Shan, Naseem do not deserve to be there based on the tour of NZ. Some question marks on Abid and Azhar as well. Selectors need to get their standards up. You cant stay in the team with one good performance followed by 9 bad ones.

Shan and Naseem i agree but with imam injured who can replace abid? New Zealand commentators were impressed with his technique and i feel he's best option for us right now out of a mediocre bunch

 

[MMHS]

20 for home series is a bit ... you know, but I guess they are trying to empower Babar - MoWas will select 20 players; Babar + MisQar will select 11 on match day. Also, I guess they are not sure about how the wicket will look like, so they are likely to load the squad with several bowlers (hopefully of different types - I can recall PAK taking 6/7 pacers for ODIs in NZ... then played 4 left-arm pacers + Imad).

Here would be my 20:

3 Openers: Imam, Shan, Abid
5 MO: Babar, Azhar, Fawad, Saud, Asad
2 Batting All-rounder: Ghulam, Aga Salman
2 WK: Rizwan, Sarfraz
2 All-rounder: Faheem, Shadab
3 Spinners: Gohar, Yasir, one Offie
3 Pacers: Shaheen, Hasan, Abbas

 

[Square Drive]

Pak likely squad according to reports:

(20 to be trimmed to 16)

Shan (Because imam injured)
Abid
Azhar
Imran butt
Babar
Fawad
Saud
Kamran ghulam
Rohail Nazir
Yasir
Abbas
Tabish
Naseem
Zafar
Nouman ali
Rizwan
Shaheen
Faheem
Hasan Ali
Salman ali agha

Could change 1 or 2 names after final meeting

Apart from Shan, this would be amazing.

Rohail as backup rather than Sarfraz is a great move, and it's about time.

Nauman over Sajid doesn't surprise me too much as Wasim likes Nauman, though I would prefer Sajid. As long as Zafar is still there though.

I'd prefer Waqas to Tabish if we're not gonna go for someone like an Ahmed Bashir, but it doesn't matter because whoever is picked will warm the bench anyway with Hasan, Shaheen, Faheem, Abbas being the four main pacers to choose from.

Good to see Saud, Kamran, and even Agha getting rewarded.

Let's see what the official squad looks like.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Apart from Shan, this would be amazing.

Rohail as backup rather than Sarfraz is a great move, and it's about time.

Nauman over Sajid doesn't surprise me too much as Wasim likes Nauman, though I would prefer Sajid. As long as Zafar is still there though.

I'd prefer Waqas to Tabish if we're not gonna go for someone like an Ahmed Bashir, but it doesn't matter because whoever is picked will warm the bench anyway with Hasan, Shaheen, Faheem, Abbas being the four main pacers to choose from.

Good to see Saud, Kamran, and even Agha getting rewarded.

Let's see what the official squad looks like.

Rohail isn’t ready yet. I would pick Sarfaraz and let Rohail play domestic cricket. The alternative is Sarfaraz hogging the keeper spot for Sindh instead of Azam Khan.

For all our criticisms of Sarfaraz, he’s still capable enough to serve as backup wicket keeper in Test cricket. And much better right now than Rohail purely because of his experience — note that this is the backup wicket keeper position, why make Rohail sit on the bench when he can be playing List A cricket?