New Zealand v Pakistan l 2nd Test l Christchurch l January 03-07 2021 l Pre-match discussion

[Slog]

I think the following players need to be dropped:
Abid Ali / Shan Masood
Harris Sohail
Naseem Shah
Yasir Shah (if option to play Shadab which is unlikely)

Who can we replace them with?

 

[Giannis]

Didn't Yasir Shah take like 3 wickets?

 

[Rayyman]

Abid Ali / Shan Masood- Imran Butt
Harris Sohail- Babar Azam
Naseem Shah- Zafar Gohar
Yasir Shah (if option to play Shadab which is unlikely)- keep him

 

[naseem]

Both openers must go...

Azhar Ali...
Imran Butt
Fawad Alam
Babar Azam
Md Rizwan
Shadab Khan if fit
Rohail Nazir
Faheem Ashraf
Saheen
Abbas
Naseem/Sohail

 

[Thunderbolt14]

1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Fawad Alam
5. Rohail Nazir
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk) (c)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah
9. Amad Butt
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Shaheen Shah

After Fawad’s century, I’m going to trust the warmup game and say Rohail is the only specialist bat sitting on the bench worth calling up (Imran Butt failed).

If Babar is still unfit, I’ll bring back Shan. Haris serves no purpose in this team, at least Shan blunts the new ball.

 

[Romali_rotti]

If Babar is fit, on paper it looks like a strong batting line up, however no one knows how Babar would be mentally coming back from the injury.

 

[Slog]

If Babar is fit, on paper it looks like a strong batting line up, however no one knows how Babar would be mentally coming back from the injury.

Yea and having not batted for weeks. Also the pressure would be intense.

 

[naseem]

The openers have shown zero fight and ideally i don't want them here......I would definitely drop Haris too....many catches are dropped which didn't help the bowlers too....and Haris is not a safe catcher at slips too....in an ideal world i would play Rohail along with Imran Butt ..... although I don't want any bowlers to drop baring Yasir but Naseem still not ready and sohail may come in

 

[naseem]

Tai lenders are showing more heart and soul than openers..... Very sad

 

[UsmanhailsAfridi]

Yea and having not batted for weeks. Also the pressure would be intense.

lol we can’t afford leaving out Babar, do you even watch our lineup bat without him? Warner is out for longer and will come right back in Aus lineup

 

[Ahmed216]

My 11 for next game

Abid Ali
Imran butt
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Rizwan
Zafar
Faheem
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

 

[aloo paratha]

Shan/Abid/Imran
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Faheem
Zafar
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem

There's no point in dropping Naseem for an oldie like Sohail Khan, he might as well play and get experience. There will definitely not be a need for Yasir at Hagley Oval, it's likely to be a green mamba. The pitch for this match wasn't even too bad.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Fawad Alam
5. Rohail Nazir
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk) (c)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah
9. Amad Butt
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Shaheen Shah

After Fawad’s century, I’m going to trust the warmup game and say Rohail is the only specialist bat sitting on the bench worth calling up (Imran Butt failed).

If Babar is still unfit, I’ll bring back Shan. Haris serves no purpose in this team, at least Shan blunts the new ball.

Solid team selection and a much better team than the one that played in the first test. I will only make one change here which is Yasr as he does not merit a place in the team. I'd place Talat instead of him if the pitch is green and Zafar if it's not. Shadab is out of the tour I think otherwise he'd fit right in.

We need deep batting because the conditions are such that the top order will have issues and it will come down to the lower and middle order to do anything substantial.

The first test's loss is a hundred percent because of Misbah and his terrible selections where the performers from the practice game were ignored.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I have a better XI:

1. Shaheen Afridi
2. Naseem Shah
3. Mohammad Abbas
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Azhar Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shan Masood
11. Abid Ali

 

[Arsal_AK]

Same team. If fit, Babar in for Haris.

 

[hur rizvi]

Haris should be gone

Even if babar cant play. Play Imran butt

Also if imam is fit. Replace Abid

 

[squanchy]

Not a fan of Abid Ali. Shan Masood is a much better option. Drop Haris Sohail.

 

[MMHS]

If everyone fit, on a typical Christchurch track, I'll drop Yasir for Babar and may be Imam for Haris but not sure. I'll use four pacers and lots of overs from Haris & Fawad. It'll be greener, faster and bouncier track there - Sohail may replace Naseem as well.

On a drier surface, which is unlikely, I'll drop Naseem for Babar, Haris stays as second spinner.

 

[James Steven]

Play Imran Butt in place of Abid Ali. A lot of people here talking about Imam and Shadab probably don't know that they are back in Pakistan already.

 

[angrypathan]

If everyone fit, on a typical Christchurch track, I'll drop Yasir for Babar and may be Imam for Haris but not sure. I'll use four pacers and lots of overs from Haris & Fawad. It'll be greener, faster and bouncier track there - Sohail may replace Naseem as well.

On a drier surface, which is unlikely, I'll drop Naseem for Babar, Haris stays as second spinner.

Imam is already back in Lahore

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Here is the match summary:

Pakistan team scored 239 and 271 in a match where the opposition scored 431 and declared in the second innings at 180*.

Pakistan was playing, at best, for a draw, not a win. NZ were on top 5 of 5 days.

It was a tame surrender. Nothing more.

We can play this player instead of that in the next test - But I don't see the result changing at all.

There is however some silver lining in all this: the core of the team is shaping up - Rizwan, Babar, Shaheen. The rest is all up for grabs.

 

[Space Cat]

Waste of time playing a spinner in Christchurch. I think jadeja was the only person to take a winter there in the past few years.

It was a real bouncey spicy deck when Indian played us last summer.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Waste of time playing a spinner in Christchurch. I think jadeja was the only person to take a winter there in the past few years.

It was a real bouncey spicy deck when Indian played us last summer.

Might aswell start with 0/2 in both innings

 

[hitthestump]

There will definitely not be a need for Yasir at Hagley Oval, it's likely to be a green mamba. The pitch for this match wasn't even too bad.

Where Misbah is concerned there is always a need. Yasir doesn't get dropped for any amount of grass.

 

[Karachi]

Babar Adam in forHarris Sohail, rest of the team should be the same. Let’s see what they can do in text test. If they fail again, both Abid and Shan Masood should be dropped from the team and PCB should start the rebuilding process.

 

[Square Drive]

Apart from Babar in for Haris (if fit), I'd play the same group of guys instead of throwing in a Rohail/Amad into the deep end.

Last chance saloon for the likes of Shan/Abid/Azhar. I'm only down to make peace with Azhar on a series by series basis if he plays as an opener, while the likes of Haider/Abdullah/Zeeshan develop. Imam's Test record so far has been poor and I don't think Imran is the answer, while Sami ran off to the USA.

As for Abid, if he can hold his own in the next game, I'm OK with showing some leniency as I know he'll be a beast at home and he's too early into his career to be written off just yet.

For Shan, enough's enough. This has to be the last chance.

Haris needs to go from Tests now.

 

[ChTab]

Pakistan needs to drop who were pathetic in the 1st test.

1. Azhar (but I guess they will go with Shan & Azhar will play at 3)

2. Imran
3. Haris (don't want him to be in the side but i don't think they'll give Rohail a chance although Rohail can't be as pathetic as Haris)

4. Babar
5. Fawad
6. Rizwan
7. Faheem
8. Zafar( Shah is useless, we should go with zafar but I highly doubt that he will play)

9. Shaheen
10. Abbas
11. Sohail ( with Faheem in the side I think we can play Sohail who definitely will be better than Naseem.

 

[hur rizvi]

Waste of time playing a spinner in Christchurch. I think jadeja was the only person to take a winter there in the past few years.

It was a real bouncey spicy deck when Indian played us last summer.

So we should definitely not play Yasir shah there.

Babar should come in for Haris and may be Amad butt can come in for Yasir shah

I would also replace both the openers, if Imam is not available Azhar ali should replace Shan or Abid

 

[MenInG]

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been given all clear after being hit on the helmet - he will be observed for next 48 hrs also

 

[shah_1]

Replace ANYONE(batsman or bowler) with Yasir Shah and Pakistan team will improve. Once a champion player has turned into worst cricketer in Pakistan. We are playing with 10 men with him in the team.

Abid, Shan, Haris are not far behind

A

 

[PakPremi]

There will be only two changes I think Babar in for Haris and Yasir to be dropped. Ammad Butt would do similar job as Yasir in wicket taking but will add to batting

 

[Mueez]

I have a better XI:

1. Shaheen Afridi
2. Naseem Shah
3. Mohammad Abbas
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Azhar Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shan Masood
11. Abid Ali

Haha this reminds me of PPCL.

I think we will see something like this:

1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Haris Sohail
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah/Amad Butt
9. Mohammed Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

Have a feeling Misbah is going to play two fast-bowling allrounders at Christchurch.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shaheen Shah Afridi has been given the all-clear after being hit on the head earlier today, but will be observed for the next 48 hours <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/BQYdFVxheO">pic.twitter.com/BQYdFVxheO</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1344246832424230913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Given it's Christchurch, Yasir cannot play. I think they'll also swap out Abid for Babar and promote Azhar. Haris will play due to his 'experience' as will Shan. Yasir will probably be dropped for Sohail Khan. Amad Butt is staying with the Shaheens I'm afraid, as is Rohail.

 

[Saj]

I'd drop Abid Ali and ask Azhar Ali to open with Babar Azam at number 3.

Sohail Khan probably comes into the reckoning in place of Naseem Shah.

I guess Imran Butt could be tried in place of Shan Masood, but I doubt they'll do that.

 

[EngrOmair]

1. Azhar Ali
2. Imran Butt
3. Babar Azam (C)
4. Fawad Alam
5. Haris Sohail
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah
9. Sohail Khan
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Shaheen Shah

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Haris should be gone

Even if babar cant play. Play Imran butt

Also if imam is fit. Replace Abid

Imam back to Pakistan already after being ruled out from the test series

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Under Misbah , expect least things to happen..

If Babar is fit, he will come in for Haris. Or if they are going to play six batsman and four pacers then Babar will be in for Yasir which is very unlikely to happen..

If Babar is not fit then i expect the same team to play, no changes..

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Only Babar's inclusion will already make a huge difference. Really really need Babar.

Need Sohail Khan, Shadab Khan in there and we will be a tough side to beat.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Under Misbah , expect least things to happen..

If Babar is fit, he will come in for Haris. Or if they are going to play six batsman and four pacers then Babar will be in for Yasir which is very unlikely to happen..

If Babar is not fit then i expect the same team to play, no changes..

Can't Babar take a pain killer sort of injection? He will have a break of two weeks after this game.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I'd drop Abid Ali and ask Azhar Ali to open with Babar Azam at number 3.

Sohail Khan probably comes into the reckoning in place of Naseem Shah.

I guess Imran Butt could be tried in place of Shan Masood, but I doubt they'll do that.

I personally would let Shan and Abid play 2nd test and get exposed or score runs..

Will not make babar move to no.3... babar should play at no.4 whatsoever...

Yes Azhar's best position is opening the inns where he scored 200 and 300s... He should have never been dropped from the opening position...Having said that need to groom Imam at no.3 on a long term basis, also a better fit as he is willing to improve just need consistent chances.. But this should be happening may be in the next series, as he is not available now for 2nd test.

If babar is fit , should be coming in for Haris Sohail and no more changes, thats all i expect from Misbah..

Imran butt had only one good season in which every other batsman was scoring runs for fun.. he has been playing fc ever since 2012 and he could only avg 36.11 with a SR 52 , this is a super low stats for pak domestic levels... He is a complete eye-washer selection from MISBAH , he will do much worse than abid and shan

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Only Babar's inclusion will already make a huge difference. Really really need Babar.

Need Sohail Khan, Shadab Khan in there and we will be a tough side to beat.

shadab and Imam are ruled out of the test series.

Imam is back to Pakistan already i guess..

Shadab is ruled of SA series too, he was advised six weeks rest and rehab to recover from the injury...

 

[Firebat]

If Babar is not fit, we will slide to an even bigger defeat. We will probably do that even if he is playing. Competing for 5 days vs NZ in NZ is impossible, especially for this side

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

shadab and Imam are ruled out of the test series.

Imam is back to Pakistan already i guess..

Shadab is ruled of SA series too, he was advised six weeks rest and rehab to recover from the injury...

Then I would rather have a pacer instead of Yasir. Yasir is useless in SENA conditions. Misbah just doesn't get it.

 

[Ahmed216]

Any update on babar's injury?? His comeback would ensure someone in the worthless top 4 will sit out

 

[Rana]

Abdullah Shafique
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Mohamad Rizwan (c)
Imran Butt
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan/Zafar Gohar
Shaheen Shah
Naseem Shah
Mohammad Abbas

Key changes:
1.Abbas should bowl first change and let Naseem Share the new ball with Shaheen

2.Rizwan and Fawad need to come in a lot earlier instead of coming in for a rebuilding job when we are 3 or 4 down.

 

[Rana]

I think Abbas will not threaten to take wickets up front with his pace, his main strength is to just contain Im afraid. Would rather he does this as first change and let Naseem have a go who could get the ball to move a lot more. Even a brief 4-5 over opening burst will be fine.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Abid Ali
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Faheem Ashraf
Sohail Khan
Zafar Gohar
Shaheen Afridi
Mohammad Abbas

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I'd drop Abid Ali and ask Azhar Ali to open with Babar Azam at number 3.

Sohail Khan probably comes into the reckoning in place of Naseem Shah.

I guess Imran Butt could be tried in place of Shan Masood, but I doubt they'll do that.

Even if babar is unfit, and if have to replace haris then with the century from fawad today, i believe rohail who scored a century against NZ A should be give the debut chance instead of Imran butt who did nothing on that match...

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I think Abbas will not threaten to take wickets up front with his pace, his main strength is to just contain Im afraid. Would rather he does this as first change and let Naseem have a go who could get the ball to move a lot more. Even a brief 4-5 over opening burst will be fine.

As we saw from day 1, Naseem released the pressure and undone all the hard work Abbas and Shaheen had done. Think he went 5-6 an over after 6 overs.

 

[Markhor]

Imran Butt is not the silver bullet to our opening issues some think he is.

His FC record was miserable until last year when he cashed in on dead flat pitches like everyone else.

 

[ShahidDar08]

Playing 11,

Abid Ali (Last chance)
Imran Butt
Azhar Ali
Haris Sohail
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan
Fahim Ashraf
Zafar Gohar
Sohail Khan
Shaheen Afridi
Mohammad Abas

 

[Titan24]

Tail of Pak was just too long in this test in my opinion when we look at how long the batting lineups of some other teams are along with the fact that Pak top order isnt reliable. If they want to go with 5 bowlers than no 8 should be someone who can consistently add some scores which Yasir isnt. Yasir didnt do much wrong but, considering the combination either Zafar Gohar needs to be added to that no 8 slot or Amad Butt needs to come into the XI. I wont mind both.

Shan/ Abid
Azhar
Imran Butt/ Haris Sohail
Babar Azam (C)
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Faheem Ashraf
Zafar Gohar
Amad Butt/ Abbas/ Naseem
Sohail Khan/ Abbas/ Naseem
Shaheen Shah

 

[Titan24]

Imran Butt is not the silver bullet to our opening issues some think he is.

His FC record was miserable until last year when he cashed in on dead flat pitches like everyone else.

While he might not be but, if he is selected and others arent performing I think he deserves a decent run.

 

[MMHS]

I'd drop Abid Ali and ask Azhar Ali to open with Babar Azam at number 3.

Sohail Khan probably comes into the reckoning in place of Naseem Shah.

I guess Imran Butt could be tried in place of Shan Masood, but I doubt they'll do that.

That’s probably the best option - dropping Haris is not the best idea because he is the best slip fielder without Asad and under utilised as spinner. Yasir or Gohar won’t do much on a typical C’church track and that tail with Faheem at 7 is atrocious. If Azhar agrees to open, this is probably my line up

1. Shan (can’t drop him after ICC’s selection & no better option left - picked over Abid for his English hundred)
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Fawad
6. New batsman- not sure who is available, but I would be tempted to debut Abdullah or Talat - ideally I would have flown Saud to NZ last week.
7. Rizwan
8. Faheem
9. Shaheen
10. Abbas
11. Sohail (he’ll bat up at 9) or Naseem

Haris is there for spin all-rounder role and must be ready to bowl 12+23 overs in the game.

 

[hur rizvi]

That’s probably the best option - dropping Haris is not the best idea because he is the best slip fielder without Asad and under utilised as spinner. Yasir or Gohar won’t do much on a typical C’church track and that tail with Faheem at 7 is atrocious. If Azhar agrees to open, this is probably my line up

1. Shan (can’t drop him after ICC’s selection & no better option left - picked over Abid for his English hundred)
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Fawad
6. New batsman- not sure who is available, but I would be tempted to debut Abdullah or Talat - ideally I would have flown Saud to NZ last week.
7. Rizwan
8. Faheem
9. Shaheen
10. Abbas
11. Sohail (he’ll bat up at 9) or Naseem

Haris is there for spin all-rounder role and must be ready to bowl 12+23 overs in the game.

Definitely talat is a very solid option

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I don't know if Pakistan can call a player from the Shaheens game (assume not) but based on the guys we have my team is the following:

1. Shan Masood
2. Imran Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah/Zafar Gohar
9. Shaheen Afridi
10. Muhammad Abbas
11. Sohail Khan

Haris Sohail drop- I reckon he was out of sorts in the whole match and just feel he's harboring an injury.
Naseem Shah drop- I reckon he needs proper work on the domestic level and the good work that Shaheen/Abbas showed in that first innings he just sort of ruined it with his wayward bowling.
Abid Ali drop- Played ok in that first innings but again he looks a little unfit for me and will probably be more of an asset in Pakistan against SA.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Abdullah Shafique
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Mohamad Rizwan (c)
Imran Butt
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan/Zafar Gohar
Shaheen Shah
Naseem Shah
Mohammad Abbas

Key changes:
1.Abbas should bowl first change and let Naseem Share the new ball with Shaheen

2.Rizwan and Fawad need to come in a lot earlier instead of coming in for a rebuilding job when we are 3 or 4 down.

Bro Shadab is injured and out. Shafique i think will struggle in Christchurch and really won't be fair to bring him in based on his 4-day match experience which is limited to say the least.

I tell you what might be a cheeky option possibly dropping Shan and Abid for Imran and Sarfraz??? Thoughts?

1. Sarfraz Ahmed
2. Imran Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah/Zafar Gohar
9. Shaheen Afridi
10. Sohail Khan
11. Muhammad Abbas

 

[Omer2002]

You cant have sohail khan and abbas in same team simple and i hope that doesnt happen with two players who cant even reach 120kph...if desperate to drop naseem that only valid option for third seamer is bring Wahab from shaheens

 

[Rana]

Bro Shadab is injured and out. Shafique i think will struggle in Christchurch and really won't be fair to bring him in based on his 4-day match experience which is limited to say the least.

I tell you what might be a cheeky option possibly dropping Shan and Abid for Imran and Sarfraz??? Thoughts?

1. Sarfraz Ahmed
2. Imran Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah/Zafar Gohar
9. Shaheen Afridi
10. Sohail Khan
11. Muhammad Abbas

Right, it would be highly unlikely that they will drop both openers for a debutant and a guy who has no technical batting awareness to survive as a Test opener (Sarfaraz). Sarfaraz at 6 could possibly work, but not in the top 4 I’m afraid.

That’s why I still went with a realistic approach and went for Shafique because:

1. Abid or Imam, one of them if not both will get out for a single digit score. So Shafique even at worst is no loss.

2. Shafique from what I have seen (very limited footage) is a selfish player (in the positive sense). The kind of guy that will go about his business and just score his runs, look shy and introverted but getting just about enough according to his own set goals. I really don’t mind this approach at all from Batsmen in Tests, even ODI up to some point. It’s your wicket, do what you must to keep it. It’s nobody’s business to take it from you. Stand and bat for as long as you can. Shafique has this selfishness, Gill has it also.

+I think Azhar is the only other guy in the squad technically equipped enough to open, and he will not mess the flow of our middle order this way.

3. Babar
4. Fawad
5. Rizwan

This is actually the best middle order we can have on this tour right now. Azhar and Harris in these positions will only add extreme pressure on our lower order.

Zafar Gohar over Yasir any day. Any spinner over Yasir at the moment. I would take Chacha Iftikhar as an off-spinner over Yasir Shah right now.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Right, it would be highly unlikely that they will drop both openers for a debutant and a guy who has no technical batting awareness to survive as a Test opener (Sarfaraz). Sarfaraz at 6 could possibly work, but not in the top 4 I’m afraid.

That’s why I still went with a realistic approach and went for Shafique because:

1. Abid or Imam, one of them if not both will get out for a single digit score. So Shafique even at worst is no loss.

2. Shafique from what I have seen (very limited footage) is a selfish player (in the positive sense). The kind of guy that will go about his business and just score his runs, look shy and introverted but getting just about enough according to his own set goals. I really don’t mind this approach at all from Batsmen in Tests, even ODI up to some point. It’s your wicket, do what you must to keep it. It’s nobody’s business to take it from you. Stand and bat for as long as you can. Shafique has this selfishness, Gill has it also.

+I think Azhar is the only other guy in the squad technically equipped enough to open, and he will not mess the flow of our middle order this way.

3. Babar
4. Fawad
5. Rizwan

This is actually the best middle order we can have on this tour right now. Azhar and Harris in these positions will only add extreme pressure on our lower order.

Zafar Gohar over Yasir any day. Any spinner over Yasir at the moment. I would take Chacha Iftikhar as an off-spinner over Yasir Shah right now.

We just have to look at the momentum in the first innings when we were bowling, you had Abbas and Shaheen applying pressure on one end and then Naseem completely ruin that momentum with his wayward bowling.

Abid Ali I'm a little angry with and specifically the fitness level which is poor to say the least. If i would take an opener in this next game then i would favour Shan Masood still and perhaps Imran Butt is possibly the best solution. When it comes time to give Shafique a shot then it will be his time but not right now i reckon.

I reckon Imam needs more time in QeA before being given a chance in test cricket again, the NZ commentators were going on about him being a loss he was a loss in the first place I mean he's got some decent half centuries but an average of 25 is hardly good is it?

 

[Suleiman]

Misbah has always been one of the worst when it comes to team selection. Was a very dull and passive captain in his playing days and his selections also seem to be of a similar kind.

He will advice that Yasir keeps playing till the age of 40 like he himself did. Replace Yasir with another bowler and reshuffle the top order to completely eliminate Shan Masood from the equation. That should be a good XI.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

There will only be one change made that will be Babar (if fit) and Haris Sohail will make way for that if it happens.

 

[Line and Length]

Rohail should be given a chance, but I doubt he will get one. They might give Imran Butt a go instead of either Shan or Abid, but I don’t have high hopes for a guy that averages 36 at the FC level.

 

[Usman Chadda]

You guys want to have two 120 KPH pacers in one bowling line-up? NZ will have a field day and rack up 600+ quite easily. The only replacement for Naseem is back in Pakistan, only one of Sohail or Abbas can play.

 

[shamaan]

If its going to swing and seem i would drop the yasir and play a batter

 

[shamaan]

abid
Shan
Azhar
Babar
Fawad
Haris
Rizwan
Fahim
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

 

[Omer2002]

I would have imran butt instead of abid in the above team

 

[wrongun]

If its going to swing and seem i would drop the yasir and play a batter

If you are going to play an all seam attack in NZ, Christchurch would be the place to do it.

NZ didn't play a spinner there at all last Test (v India) & regulalrly go all seam attack at the venue. Spinners have taken 5 wickets combined across the last 3 tests played there. Although if NZ never pick one, that DOES reduce the chance for spinners to show up in the wickets at all.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

If we are going to play the same opening pair then we should tell them that you guys are perhaps not going to last long in tuk tuk and defensive mode as this pitch of Christchurch is fast and bouncy - so take the fight to the enemy and play aggressive by trying to score at 4 runs an over. Otherwise, you will get out anyway, so there is nothing to lose.

And if we really want to play a spinner then Sohail Khan is perhaps better than Yasir Shah? I don't know. Both are equally worse. But if we have wasted a test match with Yasir Shah then lets be fair and waste the other test with Sohail Khan. At least we would be able to say that we gave both a fair chance.

 

[saeed5646]

You guys want to have two 120 KPH pacers in one bowling line-up? NZ will have a field day and rack up 600+ quite easily. The only replacement for Naseem is back in Pakistan, only one of Sohail or Abbas can play.

Are you talking about hasan ali ?

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Test squad have reached Christchurch

 

[MenInG]

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand pace bowler Neil Wagner battled through the pain of two broken toes in the first test against Pakistan but coach Gary Stead said he would miss the second match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch starting on Sunday.

Wagner needed pain-killing injections during the test, which the hosts won by 101 runs, after he was struck on the foot while batting on the second day at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

He bowled several lengthy spells over the next three days and was instrumental in New Zealand sealing victory late on the final day when he captured centurion Fawad Alam and the dangerous Faheen Ashraf to expose the Pakistan tail.

“Neil was absolutely outstanding,” Stead told reporters at Christchurch airport on Thursday. “I don’t think there are too many individuals who could do what he did in that test match.

“Neil hasn’t travelled with us. The injections he was getting (to lessen the pain) were wearing off (quickly) and we can’t let him go through that again.”

The left-arm quick would be out of action for up to six weeks. Stead said they would likely name his replacement on Friday, adding that they would go “like for like”.

Matt Henry, who has often been drafted in when a pace bowler goes down injured, is in contention after recovering from a hand injury.

 

[ShoaibM]

Henry is a dangerous bowler. Hard to see too many changes for Pakistan. Babar comes in for...Abid, Haris, Faheem? Unless something seems off with Naseem I would go in with the same team and let them battle this series out then we can think about chopping and changing. You dont drop players when they are charged up emotionally you let them rise to the occasion. Thats what I would do and then evaluate after its all over.

 

[cokezero]

Misbah will not make too many changes, I think. Babar in for Haris is the only one realistic change that I see. Even though I would love to see Zafar in instead of Yasir Shah and Sohail Khan instead of Naseem Shah.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Imran Butt and Babar (Return) in the batting

Yasir shah needs to be dropped from the side as well.

Pakistan need to bowl and field better in 2nd test.

Also our pathetic openers need to score some damn runs.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Henry is a dangerous bowler. Hard to see too many changes for Pakistan. Babar comes in for...Abid, Haris, Faheem? Unless something seems off with Naseem I would go in with the same team and let them battle this series out then we can think about chopping and changing. You dont drop players when they are charged up emotionally you let them rise to the occasion. Thats what I would do and then evaluate after its all over.

He played pretty well in the practise game but think his wickets came a little late.

 

[wrongun]

He played pretty well in the practise game but think his wickets came a little late.

Henry can be quick- he used to be 145k+ but I haven't seen him for a couple of years.

He's nowhere near as reliable & relentless as Wagner though.

He's a potential pressure release as he can go for runs easier than Wagner. Still a handy bowler at home though & good enough to take wickets if he gets it right since he'll have a great attack around him building pressure.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Most likely an innings defeat. After 2017 team has become a disgrace. No hope from this team for 2021 for sure.

Embarrassed.

 

[161]

Yasir needs to be dropped.

Play another spinner, seamer or batsman ... whatever ... he is of no value outside of Asia.