Name your starting ODI XI for Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup

[mominsaigol]

Mine is

1) Fakhar Zaman (Has not shown good performance in LPL, but is the only pak player who can score 150 to 200 if he gets going.)

2) Imam Ul Haq (I prefer him over Abdullah, due to Abdullah being lackluster in odi, but his problems with the short ball and his acceleration is a problem)

3) Babar Azam ( Easy Pick)

4) Saud Shakeel ( I was really impressed by him in the Sri lanka test series, I feel like he'll be perfect as a no 4)

5) Muhammad Rizwan ( Rizwan Ironically did better at no 5 in the New Zealand odi series then he did at no 4, despite claiming he's not happy batting at no 5.)

6) Agha Salman ( If spin is introduced, then we need to bring him in earlier, possibly at no 4)

7) Muhammad Haris ( Chacha been disappointing in LPL, Haris is the perfect no 7)

8) Usama Mir ( I prefer him over shadab and Nawaz)

9) Shaheen Shah Afridi (Easy Pick)

10) Haris Rauf

11) Naseem Shah

If extra bowling option is needed, then Haris can be replaced with Shadab.

 

[heddie19]

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Salman
Iftikhar
Nawaz
Usama/Shadab (based on form)
Shaheen
Naseem
Haris

 

[Ahmed216]

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Tayyab
Salman
Iftikhar
Usama
Naseem
Shaheen
Rauf

 

[hitthestump]

Most of the starting XI is set in stone so there isn't much to discuss.

Imam
Fakhar
Babar (c)
Rizwan (wk)
?
Salman Agha
Shadab
Nawaz
Shaheen
Naseem
Rauf

The only spot even remotely up for debate is number 4/5 and most likely it will go to Chacha to start with anyway.

Depending on how things go there may be an argument for Usama Mir and Mohammad Haris to stake a claim but someone would have to fail first.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Fakhar Zaman
Mohammad Haris (concussion substitute for Imam if we’re chasing anything over 300.
Babar
Tayyab Tahir
Rizwan
Agha Salman
Chacha
Usama Mir
Naseem
Shaheen
Rauf

 

[Hextro]

Fakhar |
Imam |> These three must be the top order in every match.
Babar |

4) Rizwan - For the sake of consistency he has to play at 4. Since 2020 Rizwan has played at four 17 times, no batsman other than Rizwan has played at four more than two times.

5) Agha - I personally don't like his batting very much but so far he has batted at five three times and he has scored at least fifty runs each of those times. His bowling is a small bonus.

6) Haris - I was tempted to pick Tayyab for this position but Haris seems like more of a match-winner. All we need from him is 20-40 quick runs. If he can replicate his performance from the T20 world cup then I think he would have done his job well.

7) Usama - Best spinner in Pakistan currently. Can be a handy bat as well.

8) Shadab - Shaky selection but he has never underperformed in a world cup so far.

9) Shaheen - No explanation needed.

10) Naseem - Ability to move the new ball and doesn't go for a lot of runs.

11) Rauf - Only real 3rd fast bowling option. He needs to crake it up to 150kph in the world cup.

_____________________________________

12) Ihsanullah - Would love to have this guy in place of Rauf but due to his injury, it doesn't seem realistic to add him to the world cup squad.

13) Mohammad Wasim - Could see him play in place of Rauf but unfortunately, this guy isn't a real allrounder and I don't think he is a better bowler than Rauf 1 on 1.

14) Tayyab

15) Iftikhar

16) Hasnain

 

[gazza619]

Mine is

1) Fakhar Zaman (Has not shown good performance in LPL, but is the only pak player who can score 150 to 200 if he gets going.)

2) Imam Ul Haq (I prefer him over Abdullah, due to Abdullah being lackluster in odi, but his problems with the short ball and his acceleration is a problem)

3) Babar Azam ( Easy Pick)

4) Saud Shakeel ( I was really impressed by him in the Sri lanka test series, I feel like he'll be perfect as a no 4)

5) Muhammad Rizwan ( Rizwan Ironically did better at no 5 in the New Zealand odi series then he did at no 4, despite claiming he's not happy batting at no 5.)

6) Agha Salman ( If spin is introduced, then we need to bring him in earlier, possibly at no 4)

7) Muhammad Haris ( Chacha been disappointing in LPL, Haris is the perfect no 7)

8) Usama Mir ( I prefer him over shadab and Nawaz)

9) Shaheen Shah Afridi (Easy Pick)

10) Haris Rauf

11) Naseem Shah

If extra bowling option is needed, then Haris can be replaced with Shadab.

If you want to pick Haris as the number 7 batter which by the way I 100% agree with, then you need to pick Iftikhar as the 6th bowler instead of Saud Shakeel.

 

[mominsaigol]

If you want to pick Haris as the number 7 batter which by the way I 100% agree with, then you need to pick Iftikhar as the 6th bowler instead of Saud Shakeel.

But chacha isn't a great bowler. I did say you can add in shadab for no 7 if you need an extra 6th bowler. And chacha's performance has been poor in LPL.

 

[gazza619]

But chacha isn't a great bowler. I did say you can add in shadab for no 7 if you need an extra 6th bowler. And chacha's performance has been poor in LPL.

LPL doesnt matter. Iftimania will be back when the real cricket is on.

 

[mominsaigol]

LPL doesnt matter. Iftimania will be back when the real cricket is on.

it does matter if majority of the Asia cup is being played in September, with international quality bowlers including bumrah and rashid khan, whereas Ifti chacha failed to perform against weaker bowlers in the same condition. Not all bowlers he faced were bad, but some were and yet he failed to kick things off.

 

[Rana]

LPL doesnt matter. Iftimania will be back when the real cricket is on.

Iftimania can’t read wrist spinners

There will be no Rawalpindi/Karachi roads for him for the next 3 months for him to score a 35 ball 50 in T20s

 

[mominsaigol]

it does matter if majority of the Asia cup is being played in Sri Lanka, with international quality bowlers including bumrah and rashid khan, whereas Ifti chacha failed to perform against weaker bowlers in the same condition. Not all bowlers he faced were bad, but some were and yet he failed to kick things off.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Iftimania can’t read wrist spinners

There will be no Rawalpindi/Karachi roads for him for the next 3 months for him to score a 35 ball 50 in T20s

Iftikhar is a genuine lower order batsman and he has already proved multiple times .. few bad innings in LPL can't represent his abilities.

 

[Rana]

Iftikhar is e genuine lower order batsman and he has already proved multiple times .. few bad innings in LPL can't represent his abilities.

It isn’t a few bad innings. I have been following him very closely. Iftikhar has a genuine/serious issue against wrist spinners. He can’t read them. Each team will have at least one wrist spinner in the World Cup

 

[Cricket Warrior]

It isn’t a few bad innings. I have been following him very closely. Iftikhar has a genuine/serious issue against wrist spinners. He can’t read them. Each team will have at least one wrist spinner in the World Cup

He needs to get his footwork right. Use small, quick steps to move into position and try to get your front foot close to the pitch of the ball. He always tries to play far from his body, but whenever he plays straight, he does well. Playing across the line can get him into trouble.

 

[Justcrazy]

Fakhar , Imam , Babar , Shaheen , Naseem , Rauff will be in everyone XI , the debate would be in other spots.

I would want the following

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Saud Shakel
Harris ( WK )
Agha Salman
Nawaz
Usama Mir
Afridi
Naseem
Rauf

One of the top will have to bat long and deep till 35 overs.

 

[gazza619]

Fakhar , Imam , Babar , Shaheen , Naseem , Rauff will be in everyone XI , the debate would be in other spots.

I would want the following

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Saud Shakel
Harris ( WK )
Agha Salman
Nawaz
Usama Mir
Afridi
Naseem
Rauf

One of the top will have to bat long and deep till 35 overs.

It is amazing how everybody is awarding Saud Shakeel a spot in the ODI XI based on some test scores.

 

[Rana]

It is amazing how everybody is awarding Saud Shakeel a spot in the ODI XI based on some test scores.

It’s amazing how people actually see Rizwan as a proper number 4.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Fakhar , Imam , Babar , Shaheen , Naseem , Rauff will be in everyone XI , the debate would be in other spots.

I would want the following

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Saud Shakel
Harris ( WK )
Agha Salman
Nawaz
Usama Mir
Afridi
Naseem
Rauf

One of the top will have to bat long and deep till 35 overs.

I will put in rizwan here instead of harris.. rest of the playing 11 seems ok to me.

 

[Justcrazy]

I will put in rizwan here instead of harris.. rest of the playing 11 seems ok to me.

I will not , because Babar , Imam , saud are all there to stabalize the batting , you cannot have same kind of players . You need enforcers.

 

[Justcrazy]

It is amazing how everybody is awarding Saud Shakeel a spot in the ODI XI based on some test scores.

He rotates the strikes well in Middle order. Looks composed. If you lose early wickets he can stabalize the innings.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Indeed he is a solid middle order player who can rotate the strike well and can consolidate the inning.

 

[sindhiboy]

Muhamamd Haris has potential, but he is still too raw plus his record in white ball is still pretty ordinary
I think Iftikhar will be backed to be the pinch hitter at no.6 with nawaz and shadab to support him in the lower order.

Agha is almost a lock in at no.5

 

[Scoop_shot]

Muhamamd Haris has potential, but he is still too raw plus his record in white ball is still pretty ordinary
I think Iftikhar will be backed to be the pinch hitter at no.6 with nawaz and shadab to support him in the lower order.

Agha is almost a lock in at no.5

at 4

 

[Maher96]

Looking at India’s squad picked will need to go toe to toe

Imam Rohit
Fakhar Gill
Babar Kohli
Rizwan Tilak
Agha KL
Ifitkhar Suryakumar
Shadab Pandya
Nawaz Jadeja
Shaheen Bumrah
Naseem Shami
Rauf Siraj

India to bat first post 300+, we will use 7 bowling options. Whilst chasing will fall short 70-80 runs.

 

[owenhcricket]

Mine is

1) Fakhar Zaman (Has not shown good performance in LPL, but is the only pak player who can score 150 to 200 if he gets going.)

2) Imam Ul Haq (I prefer him over Abdullah, due to Abdullah being lackluster in odi, but his problems with the short ball and his acceleration is a problem)

3) Babar Azam ( Easy Pick)

4) Saud Shakeel ( I was really impressed by him in the Sri lanka test series, I feel like he'll be perfect as a no 4)

5) Muhammad Rizwan ( Rizwan Ironically did better at no 5 in the New Zealand odi series then he did at no 4, despite claiming he's not happy batting at no 5.)

6) Agha Salman ( If spin is introduced, then we need to bring him in earlier, possibly at no 4)

7) Muhammad Haris ( Chacha been disappointing in LPL, Haris is the perfect no 7)

8) Usama Mir ( I prefer him over shadab and Nawaz)

9) Shaheen Shah Afridi (Easy Pick)

10) Haris Rauf

11) Naseem Shah

If extra bowling option is needed, then Haris can be replaced with Shadab.

Shadab has better batting potential than Mir and is on his day, a better bowler as well. Not to mention a far superior fielder and a handy cricketing brain for Babar to feed off.

I actually think Wasim Jr is better than Naseem Shah for ODIs as a first choice.

1. Zaman
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Ahmed
5. Rizwan
6. Haris (a great striker and innovator with the bat, rare for Pakistan so have to find a space for him)
7. Shadab
8. Nawaz
9. Shaheen
10. Rauf
11. Wasim Jr.

There is room for maybe Salman who can also bowl a bit but that would mean no Haris...

 

[sindhiboy]

at 4

rizwan is at no 4

 

[RidiculousMan]

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Babar (c)
4. Rizwan (wk)
5. Salman
6. Iftikhar
7. Nawaz / Shadab
8. Usama
9. Shaheen
10. Naseem
11. Haris

 

[Extra_Cover]

After a long time we have a settled Pakistan XI. I have high hopes from this team again as it would be another mental test for team rather than one of ability. I would have the following start in games with minor changes dependent on the conditions.

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Rizwan
5. Salman Agha
6. Ifikhar Ahmed
7. Shadab Khan
8. Mohammad Nawaz / Mohammad Wasim
9. Shaheen Afridi
10. Naseem Shah
11. Haris Rauf / Ihsanullah

 

[CricLegend]

It does seem that 7 out of the 11 players are nailed in. The other 4 spots will depend on the players current form in the Asia Cup. Pakistan ideally needs to identify batsman that they can rely on to play the finisher type of role. In my opinion I would play Rizwan @ 5 as he is a guarantee starter. @6 it will be either Agha or Ifti, basically whoever is in better form throughout the Asia Cup will take that spot.

@4 it will be either Saud/Abdullah/Mohammed Harris. In the Asia Cup I hope Pakistan give an opportunity to Harris at 4. He is a different type of player to the other 2 as he is more dynamic in his stroke play, which is something Pak needs in the middle order.

@7 it’s between Shadab or Nawaz, I think Usama has leepfroged Shadab due to recent performances and will play at 8.

The team I would start the Asia cup with is as follows

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Harris
5. Rizwan
6. Agha
7. Nawaz
8. Usama
9. Shaheen
10. Naseem
11 Rauf

 

[gazza619]

It’s amazing how people actually see Rizwan as a proper number 4.

Rizzu is my number 5.

 

[Rana]

Rizzu is my number 5.

Sounds right

 

[cricenjoyer]

I'd go for the following:
1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Agha
5. Rizwan
6. Iftikhar
7. Shadab
8. Nawaz/Usama
9. Shaheen
10. Naseem
11. Wasim Jr

 

[hitthestump]

He rotates the strikes well in Middle order. Looks composed. If you lose early wickets he can stabalize the innings.

Imam, Babar and Rizwan are in the top 4 so Pakistan are not likely to lose early wickets. For once we're actually pretty stable at the top.

Saud is a waste of a spot given he has almost no ODI experience and can't clear the fence, which is far more pertinent for Pakistan than another touch player.

If Babar was somehow injured then maybe there's an argument for Saud.

 

[Rana]

Imam, Babar and Rizwan are in the top 4 so Pakistan are not likely to lose early wickets. For once we're actually pretty stable at the top.

Saud is a waste of a spot given he has almost no ODI experience and can't clear the fence, which is far more pertinent for Pakistan than another touch player.

If Babar was somehow injured then maybe there's an argument for Saud.

Pakistan are not likely to lose early wickets with Rizwan at 4?

What happened against England in the 3 ODI series against their C team?! Rizwan was batting at 4

Stop spreading misinformation

 

[heddie19]

Fakhar |
Imam |> These three must be the top order in every match.
Babar |

4) Rizwan - For the sake of consistency he has to play at 4. Since 2020 Rizwan has played at four 17 times, no batsman other than Rizwan has played at four more than two times.

5) Agha - I personally don't like his batting very much but so far he has batted at five three times and he has scored at least fifty runs each of those times. His bowling is a small bonus.

6) Haris - I was tempted to pick Tayyab for this position but Haris seems like more of a match-winner. All we need from him is 20-40 quick runs. If he can replicate his performance from the T20 world cup then I think he would have done his job well.

7) Usama - Best spinner in Pakistan currently. Can be a handy bat as well.

8) Shadab - Shaky selection but he has never underperformed in a world cup so far.

9) Shaheen - No explanation needed.

10) Naseem - Ability to move the new ball and doesn't go for a lot of runs.

11) Rauf - Only real 3rd fast bowling option. He needs to crake it up to 150kph in the world cup.

_____________________________________

12) Ihsanullah - Would love to have this guy in place of Rauf but due to his injury, it doesn't seem realistic to add him to the world cup squad.

13) Mohammad Wasim - Could see him play in place of Rauf but unfortunately, this guy isn't a real allrounder and I don't think he is a better bowler than Rauf 1 on 1.

14) Tayyab

15) Iftikhar

16) Hasnain

2 leggies. Can win you any match and can cause you any match too depending on the pitch. Big gamble. But I still like the idea considering we have agha/ifti as 6th and 7th bowler

 

[shamaan]

1.Fakhar Zaman:A pakistan goat and one of the best openers in the world.A clutch player.

2. Imaam Ul Haq:Mr consistent and slowly he is improving his strike rate.Needs to work on the short ball.

3.Babar Azam :The best player in the world in odis.

4.Muhammmed Rizwan:He is under pressure but still the best wicket keeper in the country.

5.Agha Salman:Should be batting at 4 if the Spinners are on proberly the best player of spin in the squad.

6.Iftikhar Ahmed: Should be played as the finisher and chip in with few overs.

7.Usama Mir: He should be played ahead of Shadab but that will not happen.


8.Nawaz:If the pitches turn he should be in the XI gives you control and wickets and he's a left hander.

9.Shaheen Afridi

10.Naseem Shah

11.Haris Rauf


Wasim Jnr
Usama Mir
Tayyab Tahir
Abdullah Shafique

 

[TeymurBlake]

I'm going to go a little different than the other PPers.

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Babar Azam (C)
4. Iftikhar Ahmed
5. Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
6. Agha Ali Salman
7. Shadab Khan/Aamer Jamal
8. Usama Mir
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Naseem Shah
11. Haris Rauf

12. Mohammad Wasim Jnr
13. Mohammad Nawaz
14. Tayyab Tahir
15. Arshad Iqbal
16. Mohammad Harris (WK)

This would be XI as well as squad for the tournament. I would propose the idea of Ifti at No.4 as he is a solid player of spin, specially in spin friendly conditions. I've gone with Shadab & Usama as my spinners mainly because I'm done with Nawaz. Despite him being a fine spinner, Pakistan need spinners who are wicket takers & offer variations so for now Nawaz is just a squad player, plus Shadab is a better batter and Usama is a better striker of the ball. Tayyab Tahir give variety as a opener & middle order player puts him in the squad as well as a good player of spin. Arshad Iqbal is a no slouch with the ball, good variations and bounce, not the most pacey but a good consistent bowler and Mohammad Wasim Jnr for the pace, reverse swing & yorkers.

 

[Justcrazy]

Imam, Babar and Rizwan are in the top 4 so Pakistan are not likely to lose early wickets. For once we're actually pretty stable at the top.

Saud is a waste of a spot given he has almost no ODI experience and can't clear the fence, which is far more pertinent for Pakistan than another touch player.

If Babar was somehow injured then maybe there's an argument for Saud.

From where you are assuming he is a bad player ? In his list A he averages 45 with strike rate of 84.

You need to play the players and then judge, I am sure he is a good player , and will be a solid middle order in OD. Once he gets confidence , you will see him win games.

 

[hitthestump]

From where you are assuming he is a bad player ? In his list A he averages 45 with strike rate of 84.

You need to play the players and then judge, I am sure he is a good player , and will be a solid middle order in OD. Once he gets confidence , you will see him win games.

He would have been a solid middle order option if our top order wasn't already very solid.

If we are 250-2 in the 40th over we don't want or need to see Saud Shakeel walk out.

FYI he has hit 12 sixes across his entire List A career. In international cricket so far, just 1.

 

[heddie19]

Pakistan are not likely to lose early wickets with Rizwan at 4?

What happened against England in the 3 ODI series against their C team?! Rizwan was batting at 4

Stop spreading misinformation

That is more than 2 years ago now.

 

[Rana]

That is more than 2 years ago now.

quality of opposition and the intensity of the match will not change

Rizwan May have done ok in low quality/low intensity games

The World Cup is a different level all together

 

[heddie19]

quality of opposition and the intensity of the match will not change

Rizwan May have done ok in low quality/low intensity games

The World Cup is a different level all together

Underestimating Rizwan? He is averaging 80 in last year or so. He might not be a WC batter but he is the best WK batter in the history of Pakistan cricket.

 

[Rana]

Underestimating Rizwan? He is averaging 80 in last year or so. He might not be a WC batter but he is the best WK batter in the history of Pakistan cricket.

We will see.

My hunch, which is usually correct tells me that you are in for a shocker.

 

[imshally81]

Saud shakeel is must...

 

[TheSultan]

1. Fakhar Zaman - picks himself with his history of ODI performances

2. Mohammad Haris W/K - gives something extra for the powerplay

3. Abdullah Shafique - has all the shots, needs to be given a free hand

4. Babar Azam - less stat padding and more meaningful knocks at 4

5. Saud Shakeel - picks himself with his performances

6. Tahir - deserves a chance based on form

7. Salman Agha - has displayed a steel and mental resilience that the team needs

8. Shadab / Mir - this is very much dependent on form. Pick either.

9. Naseem - picks himself

10. Shaheen - picks himself

11. Rauf - slightly ahead of wasim Jr, but could be swapped out depending on form.

 

[Rana]

Imam, Babar and Rizwan are in the top 4 so Pakistan are not likely to lose early wickets. For once we're actually pretty stable at the top.

Saud is a waste of a spot given he has almost no ODI experience and can't clear the fence, which is far more pertinent for Pakistan than another touch player.

If Babar was somehow injured then maybe there's an argument for Saud.

It’s views like these that need to be challanged/questioned

The delusion.

 

[Farabi]

It’s not a delusion. It’s a confusion. The overconfidence stems from seeing Pak batting nail down B/C quality attacks on placid Pak batting tracks.

Pak should get batting till 7. We need 2 spinners and 2 pacers should be enough as cricket is in Asia for next few months.

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Saud - MUST
Agha Salman
Rizwan
Ifti
Shadab
Usama - MUST
Pacer 1
Pacer 2

Rotate Shaheen, Rauf and Naseem like Eng does. Keep them fresh and hungry.

 

[hitthestump]

It’s not a delusion. It’s a confusion. The overconfidence stems from seeing Pak batting nail down B/C quality attacks on placid Pak batting tracks.

Pak should get batting till 7. We need 2 spinners and 2 pacers should be enough as cricket is in Asia for next few months.

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Saud - MUST
Agha Salman
Rizwan
Ifti
Shadab
Usama - MUST
Pacer 1
Pacer 2

Rotate Shaheen, Rauf and Naseem like Eng does. Keep them fresh and hungry.

At least it only took one innings to highlight what a terrible idea you had here

 

[Third Man]

This is what we will and perhaps should go with:

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Salman Agha
Iftikhar
Nawaz
Shadab
Shaheen
Naseem
Rauf

Middle order is still the question and Salman and Iftikhar will have to be kept an eye on. Abdullah Shafiq should be in the squad and can replace Salman and play at 4 instead of Rizwan who'll have to go down to 5 in that case.

 

[Rana]

At least it only took one innings to highlight what a terrible idea you had here

What terrible idea did he have? Rotating your pacers? Is that a terrible idea?

 

[controversial_man]

The missing link is in my opinion haris sohail that lefty who can take singles and can hit. Against good bowling attacks I do not know how inexperience bastmen will put up with. In my humble opinion we need an experienced player in the middle order.
200 runs are easily chasable by good teams. Good this series is being played I think Pakistan shoudl finalize their team in Asia cup which they can take to the world cup. In contrast, indian team is really packed with good palyers of spin and atleast does not look like a pushover. Pakistan is banking on the performances of 2-3 key players.

 

[mominsaigol]

The missing link is in my opinion haris sohail that lefty who can take singles and can hit. Against good bowling attacks I do not know how inexperience bastmen will put up with. In my humble opinion we need an experienced player in the middle order.
200 runs are easily chasable by good teams. Good this series is being played I think Pakistan shoudl finalize their team in Asia cup which they can take to the world cup. In contrast, indian team is really packed with good palyers of spin and atleast does not look like a pushover. Pakistan is banking on the performances of 2-3 key players.

Haris sohail is unfit and frankly his career is over. Its a shame, because if it wasn't for his knee, he'd have the best career and would become Pakistan's best middle order batsmen to date. But sadly he's unlucky and atm, it's impossible for him to return to the side. His career is pretty much over due to no fault of his own, health and fitness is a luxury not all can afford.

 

[hitthestump]

Haris sohail is unfit and frankly his career is over. Its a shame, because if it wasn't for his knee, he'd have the best career and would become Pakistan's best middle order batsmen to date. But sadly he's unlucky and atm, it's impossible for him to return to the side. His career is pretty much over due to no fault of his own, health and fitness is a luxury not all can afford.

A fit Haris Sohail would have been indispensible to this side.

However he is never fit, so sadly he will remain a 'what if'.

 

[gazza619]

Rizwan needs to drop at no.5 and we need to play a proper batter at no.4

 

[Justcrazy]

He would have been a solid middle order option if our top order wasn't already very solid.

If we are 250-2 in the 40th over we don't want or need to see Saud Shakeel walk out.

FYI he has hit 12 sixes across his entire List A career. In international cricket so far, just 1.

Solid top order does not mean they will never fail.

 

[Justcrazy]

Rizwan needs to drop at no.5 and we need to play a proper batter at no.4

No matter where you put him , he will always be a liablity. He is not good enough to play white ball cricket . Just get rid of him . Pakistan made the mistake of playing Miandad in 1996 WC , they are making same mistake again.

 

[Rana]

No matter where you put him , he will always be a liablity. He is not good enough to play white ball cricket . Just get rid of him . Pakistan made the mistake of playing Miandad in 1996 WC , they are making same mistake again.

I believe you are saying this as a neutral. I follow your posts. They are hardly ever biased

My views can be considered biased but I 100% agree with you.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Rizwan needs to drop at no.5 and we need to play a proper batter at no.4

They can replace Usama Mir wirh Saud Shakeel and he can bat at number 4... no need to add too many spinners when u already have ifti and Salman Agha as a good part time spinners.

 

[Rana]

They can replace Usama Mir wirh Saud Shakeel and he can bat at number 4... no need to add too many spinners when u already have ifti and Salman Agha as a good part time spinners.

Mir might not have had the best game but he is capable of delivering big breakthroughs against the big teams, especially their middle order stalwarts. He will be a key bowler for Pakistan

 

[hitthestump]

Solid top order does not mean they will never fail.

Lolll what does this even mean? Shall we play 11 batsmen then in case the first 10 fail?

Fakhar, Imam and Babar are all 50+ averaging batsmen with a wealth of experience behind them. We do not need to shoehorn another touch player in behind them on the basis of 'they might fail'.

Whilst we have a solid top order, our lower order is weak. Replacing an aggressive batsman for Saud Shakeel is a defensive move to make.

 

[Naveedahmed1]

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Harris Sohail
5. Rizwan
6. Ifti
7. Shadab
8. Nawaz
9. Shaheen
10. Naseem
11. Rauf


Reserves

12. Abdullah
13. Usama
14. Hassan Ali
15. Agha

 

[mominsaigol]

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Harris Sohail
5. Rizwan
6. Ifti
7. Shadab
8. Nawaz
9. Shaheen
10. Naseem
11. Rauf


Reserves

12. Abdullah
13. Usama
14. Hassan Ali
15. Agha

Chances of haris sohail making it is, zero at this point.

 

[hamaadravda]

Imam
Rizwan
Babar
A Shafiq / Salman
Fakhar
Iftikhar / Salman
Shadab
Usama
Shaheen
Naseem
Haris

 

[adi_62941]

Fakhar, Imam, babar, haris and rizwan are must in batting

 

[Cric1234]

Some people will be surprised and realise the false perception created by winning high scoring matches against B teams when the batsmen Fakhar apart struggle to outscore the batsmen of the best teams at the World Cup.

 

[gazza619]

They can replace Usama Mir wirh Saud Shakeel and he can bat at number 4... no need to add too many spinners when u already have ifti and Salman Agha as a good part time spinners.

Not a bad idea but I would drop Usama Mir for M Haris.

More risky. But I see Haris as the wild card who can do a 1992 Inzi.

 

[pratiktc]

Haris Sohail's gotta come in at no.4

Leftie who can control the innings on slow pitches. Abso

 

[Rana]

Not a bad idea but I would drop Usama Mir for M Haris.

More risky. But I see Haris as the wild card who can do a 1992 Inzi.

Relax

Mir will win you big games. Believe in that.

 

[Rana]

If Jos the Boss Butler rates Usama Mir,

I rate Usama Mir. Believe that. The English cold blooded gun bats know cricket

 

[gazza619]

No matter where you put him , he will always be a liablity. He is not good enough to play white ball cricket . Just get rid of him . Pakistan made the mistake of playing Miandad in 1996 WC , they are making same mistake again.

Rizwan

Relax

Mir will win you big games. Believe in that.

I like Usama too but we need runs on the board to win games. One more batter is needed for our fragile batting line up

 

[Rana]

Rizwan

I like Usama too but we need runs on the board to win games. One more batter is needed for our fragile batting line up

Well, we have to deal with it now.

Pakistan have invested 4 years on roads (at home) with this line up. They need to deal with the consequences with this line up as well.

You can’t have it both ways…

“Oh we are a great ODI side killing Australia and New Zealand at home”

And

“Oh damn we’ve messed up here”

 

[shamaan]

Haris Sohail's gotta come in at no.4

Leftie who can control the innings on slow pitches. Abso

If he was fit enough then yes but he isn't so he will be liable in the field.

 

[Justcrazy]

Rizwan

I like Usama too but we need runs on the board to win games. One more batter is needed for our fragile batting line up

nawaz or Usama would be batting at number 8 , you need batsman there ? Usama is good enough for that number , where as in Bowling he is a specialist bowler.

 

[Justcrazy]

Lolll what does this even mean? Shall we play 11 batsmen then in case the first 10 fail?

Fakhar, Imam and Babar are all 50+ averaging batsmen with a wealth of experience behind them. We do not need to shoehorn another touch player in behind them on the basis of 'they might fail'.

Whilst we have a solid top order, our lower order is weak. Replacing an aggressive batsman for Saud Shakeel is a defensive move to make.

Saud is not a bad middle order player. He will set up games. He can control the middle order against spin. pakistan have enough bowling options , they donot need any all rounders more.

 

[Justcrazy]

I believe you are saying this as a neutral. I follow your posts. They are hardly ever biased

My views can be considered biased but I 100% agree with you.

Thanks. Yes I do not give biased views , I keep my favourites personal.

Look Rizwan is not a bad player , but he is limited in shot making , and gets bogged down , and wastes lots of balls , though at times he makes them up as well to an extent, but against good sides this will cost the game. you cannot play the waiting game anymore.

Also , when you have batters like Imam , Babar and Saud there , you do not want same mould player. It will make the batting one dimensional , and too much pressure on Fakhar.

You need to be prepared to chase 300 - 330 every game in WC in India. Also look to set such totals because of dew factor.

 

[gazza619]

nawaz or Usama would be batting at number 8 , you need batsman there ? Usama is good enough for that number , where as in Bowling he is a specialist bowler.

I would drop Shadab to no.8 and play M Haris at no.7

 

[Justcrazy]

I would drop Shadab to no.8 and play M Haris at no.7

So four specialist bowlers?

 

[Farabi]

They can replace Usama Mir wirh Saud Shakeel and he can bat at number 4... no need to add too many spinners when u already have ifti and Salman Agha as a good part time spinners.

Saud Shakeel is a must in this fragile batting line up.
Those who are saying Babar and Imam play too slow and we need batters who can get us to 300, Pak was cruising when Imam and Babar were in the middle chasing 300. Problem started after Babar got out because rest don’t know how to take advantage of favorable fielding conditions.
Solidity is gonna be key in the WC games

 

[amvbfm]

Saud Shakeel is a must in this fragile batting line up.
Those who are saying Babar and Imam play too slow and we need batters who can get us to 300, Pak was cruising when Imam and Babar were in the middle chasing 300. Problem started after Babar got out because rest don’t know how to take advantage of favorable fielding conditions.
Solidity is gonna be key in the WC games

Indeed. Too much T20 cricket has made teams try the same strategies in ODIs. But as you said stability is key in ODIs. Shadab’s innings today was a perfect example. He didn’t do a lot of flashy stuff, just read the situation and took advantage of the big ground and worked the ball around to take it deep which is always the key in ODI chases. Iftikhar on the other hand failed miserably scratching around and only looking for big hits.

I think there are two or three spots that need to be looked at, others are all automatic picks. First we can’t play with such a long tail. Usama is an ok bat but his bowling alone doesn’t merit picking him over Nawaz. Also if Salman and Iftikhar are playing then Pakistan shouldn’t need a 5th bowler. Personally, the only changes I would make in the team that played today are Saud at 4 replacing Usama and maybe Haris if Rizwan can’t produce impactful innings at 6.