New Zealand vs Pakistan | 1st ODI | Wellington | Jan 6, 2018 | Pre-Match Thread

[Abdullah719]

Post your preferred lineups etc.

There's a warm-up match on the 3rd against a NZ XI which should give us a decent idea about the playing lineup for the 1st ODI.

 

[Railu Katta]

Bhai there's still a week left. Don't you think it's a bit early to start a pre-match thread

 

[Abdullah719]

Bhai there's still a week left. Don't you think it's a bit early to start a pre-match thread

Bhai what else is there to discuss? People are getting bored

 

[Abdullah719]

Azhar
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Rumman

 

[babajee]

This would never happen but it would be my ideal lineup:

Fakhar
Hafeez (better than Azhar)
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Malik
Yamin
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir

 

[babajee]

Azhar
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Rumman

We’ll be seeing this but Hafeez instead of Haris ...

 

[Acricfan]

Fakhar
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Rumman

 

[Railu Katta]

The expected XI barring any injuries:

Azhar
Fakhar
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Amir
Hassan
Rumman


I hope Yamin gets a couple games here and there.

 

[coy0607]

I hope Imam gets a few games. I know people here aren't super high on his as a LOI opener, but he did exceptionally well in the last series and I want to see him get an extended run. I also think he has clean hitting ability once he's set (a little like Inzamam)

This will be a good test for Babar and Haris if he gets any games

And super excited to see how much damage Amir, Hassan Shadab can do to this NZ batting

 

[PakSarZameen]

Azhar
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Malik
Fahim
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Rumman

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Team practice session at Saxton Oval from 10am to 1pm. Team did warm up followed by fielding drills. Next the team moved to the nets for batting and bowling session.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Zeshan547]

Azhar
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Rumman

Ideal Team but Sarfraz has to come at 4 if don't lose 2 wickets inside 10 overs otherwise at 5, at 6 he don't have required skill set and big hitting vs pacers, but he has proven to be great captain so far, so will have to adjust him where he is lesser a liability as a batsman, otherwise any other batting position he will be counter productive for our batting unit, in ideal haris and malik should bat at 4 and 5, but world isn't ideal and you can't have it all.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Square Drive]

Fakhar working on his bowling... interesting.

 

[PakLFC]

Any team that wins!

 

[shah_1]

Looking forward to all the younsters

Fahim is the one to watch out for and Babar needs to hit a match winning century against quality bowling.

 

[dauntless]

Azhar shouldn't be in the team.Sarfraz should open instead.Batting looks mediocre.Not expecting much from them.Bowlers have to be at their best.

 

[shah_1]

Good to see all the players looking fit, no family pack to be seen.

Well done Micky Authur for setting a fitness standard despite all those clueless pundits criticising him

 

[Abdullah719]

Fakhar working on his bowling... interesting.

He bowls occasionally in domestic cricket, can be a useful part-timer if required.

 

[Rayyman]

My boy Nawaz looking brawlic. Good stuff.

But I'm low-key scared for this series. Think we might lose tbh.

 

[babajee]

My boy Nawaz looking brawlic. Good stuff.

But I'm low-key scared for this series. Think we might lose tbh.

Where’s the jazba?

 

[Rayyman]

Where’s the jazba?

It's been gone for a while now
Bro it'll be back by Friday

 

[shokz1408]

The team I would play:
Imam-ul-Haq
Fakhar Zaman
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Rumman Raees

 

[Square Drive]

He bowls occasionally in domestic cricket, can be a useful part-timer if required.

Yeah he's bowled his full quota a few times for Pakistan A.

Would like to see him bowl more.

 

[shokz1408]

I feel we are one batsman short.. a few quick wickets and we're down to shoaib and sarfraz.. I hope the all rounders/bowlers can contribute with the bat.. we'll definitely need it to chase a decent score or to set one.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Haris must start.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Team trained from 2pm to 5pm at Saxton Oval with agility drills to begin training. Followed by nets session with both batting and bowling for entire team. Followed by fielding drills.

 

[Justcrazy]

Still Long way away.

Hafeez should not be played , Harris needs to play . He and Malik should be good extra bowling options.

 

[Greenstorm]

This will be my playing eleven from this squad.

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Haris Sohail
3. Babar Azam
4. Sarfaraz Ahmed
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Mohammad Hafeez
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hassan Ali
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Rumman Raees

 

[dauntless]

My starting 11 would be
Fakhar
Sarfraz
Babar
Haris
Malak Saab
Hafeez
Faheem
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Rumman

 

[MenInG]

A day before the practice match against New Zealand XI, Pakistan Team had a Top Up Session. Where each player works on the skills they feel they need work. All players were present at the ground. But it rained all morning. Players will do gym and pool session if and when they feel the need.

 

[ali333]

The playing 11 must be as follow
1- fakhar
2-azhar
3-babar
4-shoaib
5-sarfraz
6-hafeez(I always considerd him as a good power hitter Coz he has a terrible technique for conditions like new Zealand )
7-shadab
8-Hassan (will become an all rounder in few months yup )
9-aamir yameen
10- amir
11-raess

 

[asadee]

Haris has gained weight?? Can't see Amir anywhere in the pics

 

[Abdullah719]

Hafeez failed yesterday but that's not going to take him out of the playing XI. I'd be surprised if there's any changes for the first ODI.

 

[Abdul]

Haris has gained weight?? Can't see Amir anywhere in the pics

He's always been chubby. He can convert the flab into muscle but it requires a lot of dedication.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Team arrived in Wellington earlier today and did a gym session.

Pictures courtesy of the PCB

 

[Acricfan]

Haris needs to put in some hard yards at the gym.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Interesting... besides Malik bowling they will also ask Fakhar to bowl some overs due to Hafeez being unable to. Why not just drop Hafeez and put Haris...... Oh wait The Professor is undroppable.

 

[smasher1980]

Nice pics...gives good insight into the physical training levels these days. No wonder most cricketers these days are supremely fit and ripped!

 

[hadi123]

Hopefully Hafeez is dropped.

1) AA
2) FZ
3) BA
4) SM
5) HS
6) SA (C) (WK)
7) SK
8) FA
9) MA
10) HA
11) RR

 

[Jonty]

I happened to be at the gym while practically the whole team was there. I liked the chemistry between the team and their trainer, laughing joking etc. first time I’ve seen these players up close and personal.

Amir definitely looks the most ripped of them all as well as Hasan Ali. Amir also seemed to be the most hard working.

Azhar Mahmood was also having a decent workout - pretty impressed. And seemed a genuinely friendly guy who was willing to talk.

Rest of the team is pretty tight lipped and I think that’s a good thing.

Sarfraz seems very serious - I like that. Hafeez also.

Shadab looks VERY young. Interesting wrist exercises for the spinner.

Haris Sohail needs to work on his fitness which is quite obvious.

There was also a one eyed short stocky guy with them lifting some heavy weights not sure who that was.

Good to see the boys here in Wellington. Hoping for some good weather on Saturday!

 

[zn426]

I happened to be at the gym while practically the whole team was there. I liked the chemistry between the team and their trainer, laughing joking etc. first time I’ve seen these players up close and personal.

Amir definitely looks the most ripped of them all as well as Hasan Ali. Amir also seemed to be the most hard working.

Azhar Mahmood was also having a decent workout - pretty impressed. And seemed a genuinely friendly guy who was willing to talk.

Rest of the team is pretty tight lipped and I think that’s a good thing.

Sarfraz seems very serious - I like that. Hafeez also.

Shadab looks VERY young. Interesting wrist exercises for the spinner.

Haris Sohail needs to work on his fitness which is quite obvious.

There was also a one eyed short stocky guy with them lifting some heavy weights not sure who that was.

Good to see the boys here in Wellington. Hoping for some good weather on Saturday!

How is Sarfraz's fitness looking? Has he gotten rid of his belly?

 

[Jonty]

Well I think he may have improved from the past. He has a strange body type and walks a little funny. He was planking beside me and for decent times so I think he’s getting there!

 

[Amjid Javed]

Hafeez needs to be dropped for haris, also pakistan need to ensure fahim or yamin are needed in lower order as we need power hitters which we have lacked in our ODI team for a while.

 

[Justcrazy]

Interesting... besides Malik bowling they will also ask Fakhar to bowl some overs due to Hafeez being unable to. Why not just drop Hafeez and put Haris...... Oh wait The Professor is undroppable.

That is the reason why Pakistan would not be top contenders for 2019 WC.
Azhar Ali and hafeez

 

[shokz1408]

24 hours left!! .. Hope we can get a full game, really need to see some cricket!

 

[zn426]

That is the reason why Pakistan would not be top contenders for 2019 WC.
Azhar Ali and hafeez

Did anyone miss the photos showing that Haris was unfit? Umar Akmal was held to such high standards, yet we won't do the same for Haris? Why is everyone ignoring this? If the man isn't fit, he's not playing, period.

 

[todfod 11]

24 hours left!! .. Hope we can get a full game, really need to see some cricket!

it will be a shortened game or may be no game at all..the weather looks crap

 

[todfod 11]

Pakistan Team arrived in Wellington earlier today and did a gym session.

Pictures courtesy of the PCB

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which gym is this do u know the name?? i m going to the basin soon hopefully they are practising there.

 

[shokz1408]

it will be a shortened game or may be no game at all..the weather looks crap

That sounds awful hope the forecast improves. Fingers crossed.

 

[Jonty]

which gym is this do u know the name?? i m going to the basin soon hopefully they are practising there.

City fitness Thorndon

 

[Jonty]

Did anyone miss the photos showing that Haris was unfit? Umar Akmal was held to such high standards, yet we won't do the same for Haris? Why is everyone ignoring this? If the man isn't fit, he's not playing, period.

His fitness could be better than akmals. Yes he does have flab but endurance might be better? Akmals was a combination of fitness+attitude wasn’t it?

 

[todfod 11]

City fitness Thorndon

so i guess they staying in rydges hotel.

 

[waleed88]

What time does the match start in Pakistan?

 

[todfod 11]

its pouring hard out in wellington.

 

[zain7077]

What time does the match start in Pakistan?

3 am

 

[Iffitheking]

Match is not today, match is tomorrow, if I am not mistaken.

 

[Jonty]

Weather is terrible here but looks like it will clear by tomorrow morning. I think we will get a full game. Unless the outfield condition causes delays

 

[todfod 11]

Weather is terrible here but looks like it will clear by tomorrow morning. I think we will get a full game. Unless the outfield condition causes delays

went to the basin an hour ago... conditions look terrible.. hope the rain stops but the cloud cover is dark as

 

[giri26]

Hopefully we get a full game. Don't want a rain restricted game.

 

[shady]

From the weather forecast, it looks like it's gonna rain heavy overnight but stop before the match is supposed to start. Probably gonna be a delayed start because of the wet outfield.

 

[Abdul]

I'm guessing all they can manage is a plate.

 

[Rayyman]

I'm guessing all they can manage is a plate.

Besides Azhar. He is strong. Probably the strongest in the team.

 

[Abdul]

Besides Azhar. He is strong. Probably the strongest in the team.

Nah, he does CrossFit. Need I say more?

 

[Usman]

Does anyone know who will broadcast this series in the UK?

 

[Rayyman]

Nah, he does CrossFit. Need I say more?

Okay who do you think is strongest in the team? I still think it's Azhar.

 

[Abdul]

Okay who do you think is strongest in the team? I still think it's Azhar.

It's probably a tie between him and Shoaib Malik.

I was making a joke about CrossFit because it's hated by everyone in the bodybuilding community.

 

[Madplayer]

Okay who do you think is strongest in the team? I still think it's Azhar.

In this team, it might be malik or azhar. Rumman looks quite well built too.

But overall Imad wasim is the strongest of them all.

 

[giri26]

Practice was 2-5pm at Basin Reserve, Wellington. It was moved to indoors nets during the warm up drills due to rain. Team did a shortened batting session in the nets.

 

[IAJ]

Looking forward to see Fahim’s bowling in these conditions, can be really handy with the new ball. And not to forget his batting...

 

[style_guru]

I still remember the image of Pak team having Lunch along side Javed Afridi in NZ, where they were having mega sized Naan & plateful of Rice with other greasy stuff. Good to see these guys focusing on fitness instead

 

[hadi123]

Does anyone know who will broadcast this series in the UK?

Sky sports.

 

[imshally81]

Any Weather Update ??

 

[moghul]

Still can;t believe Hafeez is in NZL and Umar Amin in Pakistan.

 

[MenInG]

Any Weather Update ??

All looks good for 11 am (NZT) start

 

[imshally81]

Still can;t believe Hafeez is in NZL and Umar Amin in Pakistan.

Good for us

 

[imshally81]

All looks good for 11 am (NZT) start

Good News.... hopefully outfield won't wet....

 

[Syed1]

What's the weather like folks?