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

This is how i'd like us to line up:

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Salman Agha
Chacha
Shadab
Mohammad Wasim
Shaheen
Naseem
Rauf

4 pacers, 3 spinners. All the options are available to us.

If the pitch is very dry or dusty then replace Usama Mir for Mohammad Wasim. If Usama and Shadab can't be a threat on those wickets then we aren't winning the WC anyway.
 
hitthestump said:
The complete lack of penetration during the middle overs against India was a real worry. Pakistan should probably have the option to use a 4th pacer.

Therefore i am in favour of having Mohammad Wasim as the number 8 unless it is a real dustbowl. In which case i'd play both Usama and Shadab in tandem with Salman Agha to provide some control.
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Pakistan have played 32 ODIs since the last WC, winning 22 of them. 10 series, won 8. Ascended to the #1 ranking.

Like it or not, it's unlikely Babar will change the combination and balance of this settled and successful side based on one performance, especially not in the middle of the tournament. If the spinners continue to flop in the middle overs for the whole of the Asia Cup, then the question will probably enter their minds.
 
Firebat said:
Pakistan have played 32 ODIs since the last WC, winning 22 of them. 10 series, won 8. Ascended to the #1 ranking.

Like it or not, it's unlikely Babar will change the combination and balance of this settled and successful side based on one performance, especially not in the middle of the tournament. If the spinners continue to flop in the middle overs for the whole of the Asia Cup, then the question will probably enter their minds.
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So far as of 2023, we've only beaten minnows however?

The NZ side was depleted, the 3 games against Afghans, only one we struggled but Afghans are minnows, they only gave us trouble due to palkelle being spin friendly, their matches in lahore show how poor they are if spin is taken out of the equation.

And Nepal was also a minnow. The India game got washed out but if we were to win that it would have been the top order that got us through, not the middle order.

Our batting is entirely dependant on babar and Imam, while the rest bat around them. If they fail, we'll lose to top sides. I'm worried Hazelwood will eat us alive
 
The bench should be

Saud
Muhammed Haris
Wasim Jnr
Imad Wasim
Usama Mir/Fahim Ashraf
 
Why is Haris Sohail's name not being mentioned. Is he injured, out of favor, or has he retired. He is a great accumulator
 
Misia said:
Why is Haris Sohail's name not being mentioned. Is he injured, out of favor, or has he retired. He is a great accumulator
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He has been away from cricket for quite some time and he's not actively participating in domestic cricket either making it challenging for selectors to consider him for an opportunity.
 
mominsaigol said:
So far as of 2023, we've only beaten minnows however?

The NZ side was depleted, the 3 games against Afghans, only one we struggled but Afghans are minnows, they only gave us trouble due to palkelle being spin friendly, their matches in lahore show how poor they are if spin is taken out of the equation.

And Nepal was also a minnow. The India game got washed out but if we were to win that it would have been the top order that got us through, not the middle order.

Our batting is entirely dependant on babar and Imam, while the rest bat around them. If they fail, we'll lose to top sides. I'm worried Hazelwood will eat us alive
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That wasn't the point, I just meant that I didn't think Pakistan would be changing the (bowling) balance of the side that they had been selecting all year and beating every side put in front of it.

Anyway, my post became void pretty quickly after they announced Faheem's inclusion over Nawaz. :)
 
What would be your playing 11 (in order) for Pakistan right now, considering you could pick your players.

1) Rizwan
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Saud
5) Chacha
6) Imad
7) Shadab
8) Faheem
9) Shaheen
10) Naseem
11) Haris
 
MenInG said:
Pakistan need to take a good hard look at their spin attack for the World Cup - still time to get a replacement in
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Pakistan's strategy to go with spinning allrounders is not working. They will have to opt for a frontline spinner but the issue is they have not groomed one for that role.
 
coooolali said:
Pakistan's strategy to go with spinning allrounders is not working. They will have to opt for a frontline spinner but the issue is they have not groomed one for that role.
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I think they can go with Abrar for a front line spinner. He can become a good option with his carom balls.
 
I think they should pick Immad Wasim into the squad.

He is doing so well in CPL with the bat and Ball too.

He is a perfect bowler who can bowl in the death overs.
 
MenInG said:
Pakistan need to take a good hard look at their spin attack for the World Cup - still time to get a replacement in
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That is not how babar Azam works. He believes in giving 'confidence' to failing players 😂 His captaincy mantra
 
Cricket Warrior said:
I think they can go with Abrar for a front line spinner. He can become a good option with his carom balls.
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Test spinners are rarely effective for us in ODI's. Yasir Shah and Danish Kaneria are much better leggies than Abrar but never made any impact in white ball cricket.

On top of that Abrar has barely played any white ball cricket. There's no way he will be selected for this WC.
 
At this rate the 5th bowler is looking like a significant weak point for Pakistan.

I'm back to considering whether we need Imad Wasim. We simply don't have an effective wicket taking option in the middle overs. At least Imad can choke the scoring and improve the batting.
 
1) Abdullah Shafiq
2) Imam/ Saim Ayub
3) Babar Azam
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Tayyab Tahir
6) Imad Waseem
7) Muhammad Haris
8) Abrar( Groom this lad to become a bat as well, he can tonk a few)
9) Naseem
10) Haris/ Zaman Khan
11) Shaheen/ Ihsanullah
 
Sharjeel Khan
Mohammad Harris (wk)
Abdullah Shafique
Babar Azam
Harris Sohail
Fakhar Zaman
Aamir Jamal
Usama Mir
Shaheen Afridi (c)
Haris Rauf
Naseem Shah


Sharjeel Khan is a hit or miss. He’ll either get out first ball or he’ll get you a 60 ball 100. No other opener can do that for Pakistan.

Imam ul Haq is a fraud, minnow bashing stat padder wouldn’t get into any of the top 5 teams. “Oh but he’s the best we got”, shut up. Give someone else a chance and then form an opinion on whether he’s the best we’ve got.

Fakhar either plays as a lower order hitter or he can go back to the navy.

Babar the batsman no problem at all, Babar the captain can do one. He’s been fortunate to be playing crappy teams or crappy xi’s otherwise his captaincy record would’ve been a whole lot worse.

Harris Sohail is still our best middle order batsman. We’ve had many players take his spot but none have been able to do what he’s done.

Amir Jamal has pace, plus he can bat. Faheem has neither of those two abilities.

Shadab, you’re a great fielder, so was Ahmad Shahzad. It’s time to warm the bench buddy.
 
mominsaigol said:
1) Abdullah Shafiq
2) Imam/ Saim Ayub
3) Babar Azam
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Tayyab Tahir
6) Imad Waseem
7) Muhammad Haris
8) Abrar( Groom this lad to become a bat as well, he can tonk a few)
9) Naseem
10) Haris/ Zaman Khan
11) Shaheen/ Ihsanullah
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Imad is not a number 6 imo, you need a proper hitter at that position.
 
Can Hafeez/Malik be recalled out of retirement haha. Get rid of Salman Agha and Faheem ashraf. Wish that was possible, our middle order is bad.
 
Sadly given the insecurities of the core players we didn’t have the opportunities to test out players like saud, shafique, Saim, zaman, ihsanullah and abrar. Thankfully usama at least got a game or two.

Easiest way forward now is to find a way to fit in saud and shafique (the 2 best batsmen in Pakistan other than babar). Ensure usama plays all future games and send an sos for Imad.
 
1) Abdullah Shafiq
2) Imam ul Haq
3) Babar Azam
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Rizwan
6) Iftikhar
7) Nawaz/Imad/Shadab/fahim/Wasim
8) Genuine Spinner ( Who's the one? )
9) Shaheen
10) Naseem
11) Haris Rauf
 
imran1976 said:
1) Abdullah Shafiq
2) Imam ul Haq
3) Babar Azam
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Rizwan
6) Iftikhar
7) Nawaz/Imad/Shadab/fahim/Wasim
8) Genuine Spinner ( Who's the one? )
9) Shaheen
10) Naseem
11) Haris Rauf
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Rizwan will never be dropped from number 4
 
imran1976 said:
1) Abdullah Shafiq
2) Imam ul Haq
3) Babar Azam
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Rizwan
6) Iftikhar
7) Nawaz/Imad/Shadab/fahim/Wasim
8) Genuine Spinner ( Who's the one? )
9) Shaheen
10) Naseem
11) Haris Rauf
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This 11 makes more sense to me. They should have pick Abrar as a genuine spinner and Play Imad Wasim as an all rounder.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
This 11 makes more sense to me. They should have pick Abrar as a genuine spinner and Play Imad Wasim as an all rounder.
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I believe in specialists -- my team will have only one bits and pieces player at number 7 (as we don't have any genuine all rounder) ---

Fakhar Zaman is too much erratic -- As this is an ODi game, I prefer a solid batsman like Abdullah Shafiq.

Number 4 position is for a solid batsman, an accumulator, Saud Shakeel is man for this role.

I don't know about Tayyab Tahir, but if he's a solid batsman and can hit big, I will play him at number 5 (Iftikhar out) and bring Rizwan down to 6.

One specialist/genuine spinner is what we need.
 
We have huge problems. Hopefully the injuries to the bowlers are temporary niggles, otherwise we'll struggle to beat Netherlands. But other than that we have the following issues:

1. Fakhar zaman's form. I don't think anyone can make a case for him starting for us at the world cup. His technical issues have been found out and he's struggling to put bat on ball. Has to be replaced.
2. Lack of a genuine spin threat. Shadab is not cutting it and there's no other option in sight. This is the most difficult issue to solve. May be Usama Mir can work here but I don't see it.
3. Not a single proper batsman in the middle order. I don't think anyone of Rizwan, Agha and Ifti qualify. Rizwan is not going anywhere but one of the other two has to go.

Here's my XI based on the issues above:

1. Abdullah Shafiq (difficult to go straight into a world cup without much ODI experience but better bet than Fakhar atm)
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Babar Azam
4. Saud Shakeel (same experience issue but less risky because of loads of domestic experience and solid spin-playing)
5. Rizwan (inevitable. Haris is a risky choice at the moment and they won't drop Rizwan anyway)
6. Iftikhar (have to have a batsman who can bowl a bit. Imad Waseem can be considered as well. Similar batting ability, tbh)
7. Shadab (too late to consider an alternative. I'd rather bolster the fast bowling. Shadab and Ifti/Imad can combine for 10)
8. Shaheen
9. Naseem
10. Rauf
11. Ihsanullah (inexperienced but carries a threat with the ball. If you want to take wickets in the middle overs, here's your answer)

If Ihsanullah is still injured when the world cup rolls around, pick any one of Waseem/Jamal/Zaman. If any one of Naseem/Shaheen is unfit (God forbid), take Arshad Iqbal.
 
Im literally done with Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan

My Playing XI would be

- Imam ul Haq
- Rizwan (wk)
- Babar (c)
- Saud Shakeel
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Salman Agha
- Imad waseem
- proper spinner
- Haris Rauf
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen afridi
 
zains_rulez said:
Im literally done with Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan

My Playing XI would be

- Imam ul Haq
- Rizwan (wk)
- Babar (c)
- Saud Shakeel
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Salman Agha
- Imad waseem
- proper spinner
- Haris Rauf
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen afridi
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Probably the worst line up I have ever read in the history of Pakistan cricket.
 
Rana said:
Trust me mate, it won’t be as chawwal as this one

Imam and Rizwan opening with Saud coming in at 4.

Looks like we will reach 200 in 45 overs
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So you want Shahid Afridi in playing XI again ?

Tell me yours Playing XI ?
 
zains_rulez said:
So you want Shahid Afridi in playing XI again ?

Tell me yours Playing XI ?
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Actually why don’t you add your Icon Misbah in that XI you announced? The undisputed king of destruction…….











Of Pakistan cricket
 
1) Saim
2) Haris
3) Babar
4) saud
5) shafique
6) ifti
7) Imad
8) Usama
9) Shaheen
10) Naseem
11) Rauf

Rest of squad:
M wasim
Zaman Khan (which he had gotten opportunities)
Abrar
Agha
 
1) Mohammad Haris
2) Saim Ayub
3) Babar Azam
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Agha Salman
6) Rizwan
7) Fakhar zaman
8) Shaheen
9) Abrar
10) Haris Rauf
11) Ihsanullah
 
Being saying this for years , injustice against Harris Sohail. He always plays the situation and doesn't stat pad. Saud is too raw, his time should come after the WC. Fakhar is completely out of sorts but maybe ball won't do as much in India? Either way he needs a break.

We also need a front line spinner.

Rizwan needs to be dropped as well he has been pathetic , playing for stats but he won't be dropped

Imad wasim can do a good holding job and can bowl in PP if pacers aren't working

Shahfique
Imam
Babar
Harris Sohail
Ifti
M. Harris ideally but will be Rizwan
Imad wasim
Osama
Shaheen
Naseem
Rauf


Bench

Fakhar
M. Waseem
Shadab
Ashraf / Hassan Ali
 
riddu said:
1) Mohammad Haris
2) Saim Ayub
3) Babar Azam
4) Saud Shakeel
5) Agha Salman
6) Rizwan
7) Fakhar zaman
8) Shaheen
9) Abrar
10) Haris Rauf
11) Ihsanullah
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This is what you call an overreaction :ROFLMAO: i get that you're upset at today's loss but come back in a few days and think about whether you really want to send THIS team to the World Cup lol
 
Currently I'd go with this:

M Haris
Imam
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Iftikhar
Usama
Nawaz (all possible options here are horrible)
Shaheen
Rauf
Naseem
 
hitthestump said:
This is what you call an overreaction :ROFLMAO: i get that you're upset at today's loss but come back in a few days and think about whether you really want to send THIS team to the World Cup lol
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this should be tried with sl, nepal teams to give chance for youngsters .. with bigger teams we can add some experienced players ..
 
There is still time for Pakistan to get Abrar in for Nawaz, no matter how he does, just gamble on him, there is no one else to consider (unless they are looking at Nauman Ali)

Saud Shakeel is a must ahead of either Agha Or Fakhar Zaman, in case of the latter, they'll have to open with Rizwan.

World Cup comes once in 4 years and a WC in India is something they would want to do well at. Better to take time and make the right decisions rather than being rigid.
 
Firebat said:
Currently I'd go with this:

M Haris
Imam
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Iftikhar
Usama
Nawaz (all possible options here are horrible)
Shaheen
Rauf
Naseem
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I'm ok with this team except Shadab for Nawaz.

The tail just looks really long with Usama coming at 7 otherwise.

Like you say none of the options are good - at least Shadab can bat and is a gun fielder.
 
Imam
M haris
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Agha
Shadab ( because of lack of altrnative options)
Abrar / Wasim Jnr
Shaheen
Naseem
Rauf
 
Like everyone, I had been thinking over the best Xl we could get of the current lot. I know it is highly unlikely we are going to see this in the WC, but I would still love to share why I think this is the best we can do. I will later explain why I think this is the best we got.

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Saud
5. Rizwan
6. Shadab
7. Imad
8. Wasim Jr. / Usama (if its a spinning track)
9. Shaheen
10. Naseem
11. Rauf.

Fakhar - One half of our 2nd most successful opening pair and the 18th most successful ever. Another 1k runs and these guys will be the 9th most prolific opening pair ever. He is out of form I know, but old fans would know how shambolic (understatement) our opening partnerships were for the last 20 years. We prayed for a half decent opener all these years. We all know what he can do (3 150+ scores, the highest by a Pak player). After all this investment over so many years and promising results, I would give him another 2 months before replacing him. Now is not the time.

Imam - Our 2nd best batsman. Reliable at the top. 50+ Avg. second half of our amazing opening pair. Enough said.

Babar - No explanation needed.

Saud (replacing Chacha) - Saud is a compact batsman, can score runs, can stay at the wicket. Chacha with all the opportunities, cannot be relied on. His game and performances are too weak to justify his position. We need a more solid bat and Saud is the answer. I would play him at 4 as he is more suited here than 5.

Rizwan - Hands down our best Keeper/ batsman. I don't like Rizwan at 4. His busy game is more suited at 5 with the field open. His technical shortcomings also mean that he may struggle against a swinging ball if we lose 2 early. At 5, he can move the game well, while Saud is better equipped to face the newer ball.

Shadab- Shadab will remain a key cog in this line-up, unfortunately he doesn't qualify as the 5th bowler on this form. His batting hasn't suffered much though. I would play him mainly as a batter so that his lost confidence can come back with lesser pressure to bowl 10 overs, his weaker facet.

Imad (replacing Salman) - Now this is the key. I know Imad hasn't played enough List A games recently, but in this combination, he has to fit in as the 5th/6th bowler. His batting is more than handy and he has finished intl games several times in crunch situations. He is the ideal player to come at 7, especially with his decent bowling.

Wasim Jr. (replacing Faheem) - Reasons, better bowler than Faheem. On par batter with Faheem. Faheem avgs. 11 with bat in ODIs with HS of 30, something Wasim can easily replicate. Even if its a little less, his bowling will save those runs in the field. Way better bowler than Faheem and can also bowl in the death. This would mean that we can attack more with Shaheen and Naseem with the new ball, rather than saving them for the death. A wicket taking option in the middle overs.

Usama - The only attacking spinner we have. I have seen his bowling and he is a wicket taker. The captain should use him better as an attacking option. Batting on par with Faheem. Should come in on spinning conditions (Chennai maybe)

Shaheen - No explanation needed.

Naseem- No explanation needed.

Haris - No explanation needed.

To conclude, why this Xl? Its very clear that even if we bat till 8, our batting does not have the prowess to chase 350 against a quality bowling lineup. So, our best bet is it to ensure we create a team which doesn't allow oppositions to score 270+ most of the times. For that, we need an attacking bowler with our pace trio to ensure we keep the foot on the gas and don't allow opposition a breathing space. Imad and Shadab are capable to combine for 10 overs as the 5th and 6th bowlers. Even if one of the fast men have an off day, we still have 3 firing at the batters, with Imad and Shadab good enough to bowl 10 each on their day. Pakistan has to bet on restricting opposition at 270 and our batting with Babar and Imam would then be good enough to chase it on batting tracks. On bowling tracks, this line will be good enough to restrict others till 220. I know the bowlers will not fire everyday and the opposition will still score 320 on odd days, but we should strengthen our best bet which is bowling.

Time to be aggressive, if one of the top 5 scores a 100 or a couple of 70s, we are winning many games, and hopefully WC, with this lineup. Enough of lengthening the batting, time to strengthening our stronger suit.
 
Honestly after this Asia cup the whole team needs an overhaul that will never happen.

1) Saim Ayub (More technically solid then fakhar, is raw but has an extremely high ceiling)

2) Abdullah Shafiq ( Constantly embarrasses imam in test, can play longer innings, isn't technically limited so can genuinely become a solid striker and opener)

3) Babar Azam ( A good accumulator and teams should bat around him)

4) Saud Shakeel ( Good player, people are wrong about this lad being another accumulator, he'll be the future and will have a killer strike rate in the future, trust)

5) Tayyab Tahir ( honestly I don't really know, he doesn't seem technically solid, man's got the bharanga shots, and he was a tail ender against afghanistan bowling, I'd rather pakistan look for someone who's a middle order player and is technically sound but for now he needs to be here, best performer for a while, he can't do Amy worse then agha lol)

6) Imad Waseem (Don't know why he's put, he's a genuine all rounder, 10x superior to agha and shadab)

7) Haris ( Not the most technically sound but this man needs to be our no 7, he won't become a butler or Maxwell but he'll finish well)

Bowlers for the future

Zaman khan( Trust me he'll come good)

Ihsanullah ( Raw but once he improves his line and length, no player not even bunrah will match him, his pace is extremely difficult to play with line and length, perfect replacement for haris Rauf and Rauf is getting old for a fast bowler 29, so probs till 2027 he has)

Naseem, Shaheen( Pretty obvious)

Abrar ( Genuine spinner for pak, he'll come good, usama mir I will also trust now, I think usama will come good eventually)

Imam( Should only play test)

Fakhar ( Fans need to stop the impact player delusions at this point every team including minnows now know to just bowl the good length away from him)

Rizwan( Needs to go, a medicore bat, again fans are delusional with his 2nd string batting)

Shadab, Nawaz, Faheem, Chacha, agha (All bits and pieces, don't bother showing me averages or their 2nd string performances, these guys gotta be shown the door forever)

Saud, Abdullah, Saim ayub, Ihsanullah, Zaman Khan, Abrar

^^ Promising players, Groom them for God sakes. Don't worry about strike rate or game awareness or being raw. All that is nonsense from posters who don't understand the game.
 
When I posted this my Xi a couple of weeks ago most people wouldn't have taken it seriously however after our reality check on Monday I think most of us will appreciate this team.
1. Shan
2. Imam
3. Saud
4. Babar
5. Sarfaraz
6. Haris
7. Imad
8. Abrar
9. Shaheen/ Mir Hamza
10. Naseem
11. Rauf
I put Mir Hamza in as Shaheen is proving to be pretty brainless 90% of the time whereas Mir Hamza has shown to 1. Bowl with intelligence and 2. Has the experience required to win games
 
Unless we pick proper spinners our WC is doomed. They must take a chance with abrar

Abdullah/Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Saud
Iftikhar
Imad
Shah
Shah
Haris
Abrar

Babar plz stop banking on bits n pieces.
 
M wasim takes 34% top order wickets

32% middle order wickets

Someone posted these stats before too.

He would be my pick for number 8 spot. I would like to see abar as well.
We may have to drop rauf. If we plan to go with a 3 man pace attack then m wasim at 7 followed by 3 main pacers and then abrar.

Remember this is india. It aids spin not so much pace. Although raw pace will still be effective there given the nature of the pitch. Abrasive surfaces would allow bowlers capable of bowling over 140 to be effective. We need to make a decision as to whether we will be opting for m wasim at 8 and leave out rauf to play abrar or have m wasim at 7 and play the pace trio and abrar. It's a huge risk given it elongates the tail.


I am not liking iftikar and I certainly would not be pleased with the selection of agha either.

Saudi shakeel is a good call. Maybe sos to tayub. That's it.
 
Pak need attacking spinners and attacking bats.

My XI

Fakhar
Abdullah Shafique
Babar
Iftikhar
Haris (WK)
Shadab
Md. Wasim
Naseem
Shaheen
Rauf
Abrar
 
I am going to switch it up a bit.

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

Pakistan's pace attack has often taken wickets earlier on so I suggest Pakistan bring in Ihsanullah if he is fit. Open the bowling with Shaheen & Naseem with the new ball, rotate Haris Rauf, Ihsanullah, Shadab Khan in the middle overs & get some overs of Salman & Iftikhar.

As for Fakhar Zaman, he is on a lean patch no doubt, however he is still Pakistan's most destructive opener. He is opening Imam with Babar & Rizwan following in order, none of these guys can play at the 100+ SR whereas Fakhar Zaman. I however do think, they will need to evaluate what to do with Fakhar after the WC, with the next 50 over tournament in 2025 Champions Trophy.

As for Agha & Iftikhar, they are currently fine for now & they can chip in with there offspin bowling. Shadab Khan has overtaken Usama Mir for the tournament due to his control.
 
These guys are making a mistake. Haris shouldn't open, he should be slotted at no 7. He isn't good at spin or swing, but he's a fearless bat and cam dominate at no 7.

Why wasn't Abdullah played and chacha rested? Makes no sense, as much as I hate it, pak should just bring rizwan to open with Imam. Then maybe management will drop rizwan after seeing how exposed he is at opening.
 
Fakhar/Haris
Imam
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Iftikhar (Dont have any other option)
Shadab
Nawaz
Shaheen
Naseem
Abrar/Usama/Rauf (Basis pitch and opposition)
 
Pakistan need proper batsmen like Saud in the middle order. Pakistan need to understand that even if they go with batting till , you cannot score 330 - 350 like others , Pakistan simply do not have such players like Kohli , Gayle , stokes etc.

They need to look and get to 280 - 300 and then hope the bowling fires.

In Bowling you need specialist spinner in the middle overs.
 
I like the fact that they are trying Haris in place of Fakhar, this is important because considering Fakhar Zaman's form, you'd want some options at the WC. Try out Shakeel in the middle order and you won't look back, glad they are doing it tomorrow.

I have a feeling that M Wasim will do well, Probably the only change in that announced line up could have been Usama Mir getting another go in place of Nawaz, for whatever it is worth. Still a good XI.
 
sam_ahm said:
I like the fact that they are trying Haris in place of Fakhar, this is important because considering Fakhar Zaman's form, you'd want some options at the WC. Try out Shakeel in the middle order and you won't look back, glad they are doing it tomorrow.

I have a feeling that M Wasim will do well, Probably the only change in that announced line up could have been Usama Mir getting another go in place of Nawaz, for whatever it is worth. Still a good XI.
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Kind of. Abdullah Shafique has already tasted success in test cricket as an opener, which is a harder gig than ODIs, so I felt it was harsh to look past him. Haris doesn’t feel like a proper bat for ODIs.

You’ve got to find a way to get a proper, specialist spinner in. Usama Mir?
 
Farabi said:
Kind of. Abdullah Shafique has already tasted success in test cricket as an opener, which is a harder gig than ODIs, so I felt it was harsh to look past him. Haris doesn’t feel like a proper bat for ODIs.

You’ve got to find a way to get a proper, specialist spinner in. Usama Mir?
Click to expand...
Haris should be no 7, Abdullah shpuld be opening, Saud should be a no 4.

Management is brain dead at not understanding this, just like in t20, their do the same thing in odi.

Their playing a finisher at opening, a top order player (Saud) at no 5 which is usually the back end of the innings. And sidelining Abdullah 😂.
 
The worrying thing is - does the think-tank know their starting XI for the World Cup?

At this time, I don't think they do.
 
Saj said:
The worrying thing is - does the think-tank know their starting XI for the World Cup?

At this time, I don't think they do.
Click to expand...
They do not. Our 2023 team is 100x weaker and less settled then out 2019 team. Our 2019 team besides that collapse and embarrassing West indies performance was a gun team. We gave every team a run for their money including beating England and NZ.

If we lost badly minus the WI loss, we were losing to genuinely better teams such as aus and India.

Our 2023 team is a mess. Middle order is bad, bowling is completly reliant on our trio, which although world class, if it fails theirs no alternative option, and if it succeeds then except shadab, nawaz and faheem to help the opposition recover just like India recovered in the 1st game. And top order is falling apart due to Fakhar's form.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Still could have done better as compare to Fakhar Zaman.
Click to expand...
Wait, You're solution is to play asif Ali ahead of fakhar 😂😂. What's the obsession of replacing technically limited players with even more technically limited players?

Asif is beyond useless, parchi player who came forward because he's misbah's buddy, same with khushdil and various other frauds. Asif camt rotate strike, can't play on the leg side or offside, can't drive, can't play anything.

He just waits for bowlers to pitch it in his slot so he can smash a 6 😂. And people seriously compared him to jos Butler.
 
Firebat said:
Currently I'd go with this:

M Haris
Imam
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Iftikhar
Usama
Nawaz (all possible options here are horrible)
Shaheen
Rauf
Naseem
Click to expand...
Usama and Shafique are pretty much out of the squad I think. Selection for SL vs PAK in Asia Cup I think should have settled the debate imo. Usama is not being tried even after bad days for Shadab and Nawaz
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Usama and Shafique are pretty much out of the squad I think. Selection for SL vs PAK in Asia Cup I think should have settled the debate imo. Usama is not being tried even after bad days for Shadab and Nawaz
Click to expand...
Why is Abdullah out? He didn't even play a game? On what basis is he out? He and saud and tayyab proved they deserve to be selected the most, saim ayub as well.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Usama and Shafique are pretty much out of the squad I think. Selection for SL vs PAK in Asia Cup I think should have settled the debate imo. Usama is not being tried even after bad days for Shadab and Nawaz
Click to expand...
i dont know what is the point carrying Abdullah with the squad when u r not willing to test him as on openner.

Means from no where harris has been added as an openner which realy makes no sense to me.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
i dont know what is the point carrying Abdullah with the squad when u r not willing to test him as on openner.

Means from no where harris has been added as an openner which realy makes no sense to me.
Click to expand...
The think tank is a joke. They probably added haris because they think haris a striker should replace a fakhar who the think tank deems to be a striker even though he's an accumulator who will only activate 4th and 5th gear if he manages to actually play till the 30th over which is never going to happen at this point
 
mominsaigol said:
Why is Abdullah out? He didn't even play a game? On what basis is he out? He and saud and tayyab proved they deserve to be selected the most, saim ayub as well.
Click to expand...
I don't think Pakistan is playing any ODI's before Asia Cup? They are not keen on playing Usama and Abdullah despite 5 players missing? Yeah i think they're out
 
mominsaigol said:
The think tank is a joke. They probably added haris because they think haris a striker should replace a fakhar who the think tank deems to be a striker even though he's an accumulator who will only activate 4th and 5th gear if he manages to actually play till the 30th over which is never going to happen at this point
Click to expand...
Perhaps the think tank want an actual striker at the top of the order alongside accumulators Imam, Babar, Saud.

As you said, Fakhar never utilises the powerplay like an aggressive, technically deficient batter should, instead he only explodes in the 35th over which he looks very unlikely to survive to.

Haris will be just as much a sitting duck against the moving ball as Fakhar, but maybe they're looking for some aggressive cameos up front to put the opposition on the defensive early and set a foundation for a big total. I would prefer Shafique opener as Haris is probably going to fail, but it's not the worst idea ever. An aggressive opener who's actually aggressive.
 
Firebat said:
Perhaps the think tank want an actual striker at the top of the order alongside accumulators Imam, Babar, Saud.

As you said, Fakhar never utilises the powerplay like an aggressive, technically deficient batter should, instead he only explodes in the 35th over which he looks very unlikely to survive to.

Haris will be just as much a sitting duck against the moving ball as Fakhar, but maybe they're looking for some aggressive cameos up front to put the opposition on the defensive early and set a foundation for a big total. I would prefer Shafique opener as Haris is probably going to fail, but it's not the worst idea ever. An aggressive opener who's actually aggressive.
Click to expand...
Everyone wants Abdullah Shafique to open, Haris is a no 7, not an opener.
 
Farabi said:
Kind of. Abdullah Shafique has already tasted success in test cricket as an opener, which is a harder gig than ODIs, so I felt it was harsh to look past him. Haris doesn’t feel like a proper bat for ODIs.

You’ve got to find a way to get a proper, specialist spinner in. Usama Mir?
Click to expand...
Usama Mir is likely not the answer but there is no one else in the squad to be tried out.

Anyways, it looks like a washout is on the cards. A pretty disappointing tournament for Pakistan this.
 
sam_ahm said:
Usama Mir is likely not the answer but there is no one else in the squad to be tried out.

Anyways, it looks like a washout is on the cards. A pretty disappointing tournament for Pakistan this.
Click to expand...
Naw 45 overs a side atm
 
Shadab Khan has declined since the last T20WC with injuries as well as form. Despite this Usama Mir was performing for Worcestershire & Manchester Originals. I would pick him ahead of Shadab Khan.
 
mominsaigol said:
Haris should be no 7, Abdullah shpuld be opening, Saud should be a no 4.

Management is brain dead at not understanding this, just like in t20, their do the same thing in odi.

Their playing a finisher at opening, a top order player (Saud) at no 5 which is usually the back end of the innings. And sidelining Abdullah 😂.
Click to expand...
If haris is batting at 7 who's going to be the 5th bowler.
 
SHOULD JUST BE PRACTICAL
THIS WILL BE THE 11

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

The 4 reserves
Fakhar/Abdullah
M. Haris
Usama Mir
Zaman Khan
 
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