Now Pakistan has the talent, but can they turn the page?

[Junaids]

Pakistan cricket has reverted in the last decade to a peculiarly Asian selection model, in which seniority is prioritised over youth and experience is prioritised over potential.

There was an argument for Misbah and Younis to be selected into their forties, even though they had serial failures on tour in SENA, with even Younis only producing one good innings per tour.

But the model is now all-pervasive. When Pakistan needed an opener, 32 year old Abid Ali was the next stop. When they needed a middle-order batsman, suddenly 34 (now 35) year old Fawad Alam was the solution. For reasons that I can't even begin to grasp, Sarfraz Ahmed rather than Rohail Nazir was Mohammad Rizwan's understudy in England, and Sohail Khan and Imran Khan were taken instead of Sameen Gul.

For years we have been conditioned to think that veterans are the alternative. Somehow Kashif Bhatti at 34 was considered ahead of Zafar Gohar and Sajid Khan.

When we talk of pace bowling all-rounders, the conversation too often moves on to Hammad Azam and Aamer Yamin, both trundling in around 125K, when Amad Butt is a terrific prospect (3-22 and 1-22 against New Zealand A) and Nasir Nawaz at 22 this season has immense potential with both bat and ball.

By my reckoning, the following players are all serious candidates for international selection, with immense potential.

Abdullah Shafique
Haider Ali
Saud Shakeel
Mubasir Khan - who can bat Top Six and bowl off-spin as a support spinner.
Mohammad Nawaz - who can bat at six and bowl slow left-arm as a part-time support spinner.
Rohail Nazir - who looks like a Top Six batsman who can keep wicket
Amad Butt - who can bowl 140K and be a decent Number 8.
Shadab Khan - who is a legitimate Test Number 7 who can bowl part-time leg-spin.
Zafar Gohar - who can also bat at 8 and be a decent support spinner.
Sajid Khan - who is a top class off-spinner who can bat at 8.
Naseem Shah
Shaheen Shah Afridi

I am struggling to see why you would keep any of the existing international players over the age of 25 in the team apart from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for their performance, and Shan Masood as a role model.

I am baffled as to why anyone would now persist not just with 35 year old Fawad Alam and Yasir Shah, but even 32 year old Abid Ali.

The next generation is already here. So why not groom them for the future?

 

[Slog]

You have more trust, hope and confidence in the ability and potential of some of the players you listed than their own family members I think.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

This team would get hammered everywhere LOL. Sindh 2nd XI would absolutely mash them 9 times out of 10.

 

[Mean&Green]

You have more trust, hope and confidence in the ability and potential of some of the players you listed than their own family members I think.

Lmao exactly is this thread a joke

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

You have more trust, hope and confidence in the ability and potential of some of the players you listed than their own family members I think.

I nominate this as POTW

 

[Varun]

When has Pakistan not had the T-word?

 

[Junaids]

This team would get hammered everywhere LOL. Sindh 2nd XI would absolutely mash them 9 times out of 10.

It’s not a team. That’s the point.

I’m saying “why don’t you just put together a squad like this:

3 senior pros
Babar Azam
Mohammad Rizwan
Shan Masood

4 unestablished players in their mid to late 20’s
Saud Shakeel
Mohammad Nawaz
Sajid Khan
Amad Butt

3 young players with lots of international experience
Naseem Shah
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shadab Khan

4 gifted but very raw youngsters
Mubasir Khan
Rohail Nazir
Abdullah Shafique
Haider Ali

Add Sajid Khan, Zafar Gohar and Sameen Gul and you have a 17 man squad.

And no need for 30-somethings.

 

[Mamoon]

There is no talent in Pakistan. We are barely hovering above minnow level.

40 year old Hafeez is looking head and shoulders above the young and so-called talented batsmen coming through the system.

 

[MRSN]

Why is Pakistan producing mediocre cricketers? Where is the talent they all talk about?

Today witnessed some glimpse of Pakistan's talent and really got disappointed. Why is Pakistan producing such mediocre cricketers and how do they manage to make the national team?

 

[uberkoen]

a 40 year old Hafeez saving us from embarrassment in a team full of part timers who can only swing wildly at the ball and throw pies at the batsmen waiting to get lucky because of a mishit or the batsmen making a mistake.

We don't have any talent. Most of the players you mentioned won't walk into a Zimbabwe or Ireland team.

 

[watson367]

You have more trust, hope and confidence in the ability and potential of some of the players you listed than their own family members I think.

nailed it.

 

[saeedhk]

People hated on Afridi when he said there’s no talent in Pakistan. Truth is bitter and many Pakistanis can’t handle it.

 

[Snowflake]

What is on display in NZ in anything but talent

 

[saeedhk]

When people like Faheem, Shahzad and Shafiq manage to play for Pakistan, you know there isn’t any talent.

 

[Junaids]

This team would get hammered everywhere LOL. Sindh 2nd XI would absolutely mash them 9 times out of 10.

What is on display in NZ in anything but talent

a 40 year old Hafeez saving us from embarrassment in a team full of part timers who can only swing wildly at the ball and throw pies at the batsmen waiting to get lucky because of a mishit or the batsmen making a mistake.

We don't have any talent. Most of the players you mentioned won't walk into a Zimbabwe or Ireland team.

You have all been watching the wrong game.

Rohail Nazir and Amad Butt just outperformed most of the veterans in the Shaheens game.

Forget T20 - you were recently the worlds top team in that format.

The point is what Rohail Nazir and Amad Butt have done over the last couple of days

 

[Baigel]

There is no talent in Pakistan. We are barely hovering above minnow level.

40 year old Hafeez is looking head and shoulders above the young and so-called talented batsmen coming through the system.

How much of Hafeez’s success here do you think is credited to his knowledge on the wickets and match experience?

 

[Hawkeye]

Khushdil. Hyped to the moon here. As a huge talent.

But I've always said he's a domestic hack, will never work at the international level. People still hype him to the moon.

He's feasted on slow low wickets vs domestic third rate trundlers or spinners.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Yeah really disappointed and let down by the batsmen. Without Babar and Hafeez in T20 Pakistan youngsters doesn't have it in them.

 

[Mamoon]

There is no talent in Pakistan. The gap between fan expectations and the actual capability of the team is very huge.

Pakistan is a rubbish, almost minnow level cricket nation now but the deluded fans think that if we get rid of Misbah and hire XYZ, we will become a top class team because we are overflowing with talent.

Pakistan has by far the most deluded fan base in the world. Our fans are always in perpetual denial.

 

[saeedhk]

For the past decade or so, we have been a minnow-level team in ODIs and T20s because there is no talent in Pakistan. In the past two decades, we haven’t produced any stars apart from Babar.

Our dysfunctional domestic circuit has given us Bhatti, Faheem, Awais Zia, Cha Cha Ifti, Khuraam Manzoor, Belawal, Farhan, Shafique, Shahzaib Hassan and Khusdil.

I expect Pakistan to remain a minnow-level team in the future. The future is bleak. I fear we may be have to qualify for future world cups like Hong Kong.

 

[Mamoon]

How much of Hafeez’s success here do you think is credited to his knowledge on the wickets and match experience?

The way the likes of Shafique got out in both games showed lack of basic batting skill. Cannot blame inexperience here.

This guy looks like he has never faced an international standard bowling attack in his life.

 

[shah_1]

There is no talent in Pakistan. The gap between fan expectations and the actual capability of the team is very huge.

Pakistan is a rubbish, almost minnow level cricket nation now but the deluded fans think that if we get rid of Misbah and hire XYZ, we will become a top class team because we are overflowing with talent.

Pakistan has by far the most deluded fan base in the world. Our fans are always in perpetual denial.

Lol so true

We have no talent at all.

 

[shady]

There is no talent in Pakistan. The gap between fan expectations and the actual capability of the team is very huge.

Pakistan is a rubbish, almost minnow level cricket nation now but the deluded fans think that if we get rid of Misbah and hire XYZ, we will become a top class team because we are overflowing with talent.

Pakistan has by far the most deluded fan base in the world. Our fans are always in perpetual denial.

You'd maybe have a decent argument if you said the systems have deteriorated to the point that talent can't be groomed properly. But to insist that there's no cricket talent in a country of 200+ million, where cricket is by far the most popular sport, is just pure ignorance and almost wishful thinking on your part.

 

[shah_1]

I used to always be excited to watch a young talent 5 to 6 years ago, I don't anymore. There is no expectation, it is clear from my posts on these threads of super talunts.

 

[Junaids]

Shaheen is 20.

Naseem is probably 19.

Shadab is 22.

In the Shaheens match just concluded,

1. Rohail Nazir scored a century when the team was 4 wickets down and just 32 runs ahead.

2. Amad Butt took 6 wickets for 60.

Frankly, what more could you want?

 

[Savak]

Talent is only a measure of your ability. It alone is not enough. Other teams have added science, research, knowledge, practical application to the mix. Pakistani players are still mentally operating with the 90's framework i.e. wake up, offer namaz, pray for a good day and just turn up to the field hoping for the best. Cricket has advanced way beyond that now, this approach might help you win 1 game out of 10 at best

 

[Bewal Express]

These T20 games have no value and will be forgotten before the week is over. They should be used as trial matches to filter out the dross. The problem is that we don't play as much as some of the other countries and our players look anxious.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

There is no talent in Pakistan. The gap between fan expectations and the actual capability of the team is very huge.

Pakistan is a rubbish, almost minnow level cricket nation now but the deluded fans think that if we get rid of Misbah and hire XYZ, we will become a top class team because we are overflowing with talent.

Pakistan has by far the most deluded fan base in the world. Our fans are always in perpetual denial.

Yet you're still part of a discussion board that is dominated by the said fans. Tells us more about you than the fans tbh.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Shaheen is 20.

Naseem is probably 19.

Shadab is 22.

In the Shaheens match just concluded,

1. Rohail Nazir scored a century when the team was 4 wickets down and just 32 runs ahead.

2. Amad Butt took 6 wickets for 60.

Frankly, what more could you want?

That NZ A team wasn't strong and we fielded 6 Test players in the game. The gulf of FC experience was massive between the two teams.

 

[Rayyman]

So basically batting, bowling and fielding skills are mastered at the First-Class level.

If you are playing guys who do not have 1st-Class experience, then you will lose.

Pakistan should play a young XI in Tests:
Shan, Imran, Imam, Babar*, Saud, Rizwan+, Talat, Zafar, Hasan, Shaheen, Naseem
Average age: 25, This team might lose a lot of games at first, but it will get better in time, because young players only improve in the longest format.

In ODIs, you can bring in a couple more older players, as younger batsmen find it harder to pace their innings, and younger bowlers lose their cool under pressure.
Imam, Fakhar, Babar*, Saud, Rizwan+, Iftikhar, Imad, Faheem, Hasan, Shaheen, Shinwari
Average age: 27, The team is pretty settled, I would replace Haris with Saud because of the latter’s injury history. Shinwari never deserved to be dropped.

In T20Is, play an older team, as this format is hardest for youngsters.
Fakhar, Babar*, Hafeez, Sarfraz+, Malik, Iftikhar, Imad, Faheem, Hasan, Qadir, Shaheen
Average age: 30, This is the same record Top 5 that Pakistan had under Mickey before Misbah dropped Sarfraz and Malik. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Sarfraz was wrongfully scapegoated after the SL series and is still the best WK option in Pakistan for this format. Malik just won MOM in NT20 & LPL Finals.

Players like Haider, Zeeshan, Shadab, Rauf, and Hasnain can remain squad players, but they need to play domestic too and work in their main skill, whatever it is..

Abdullah, Danish, Khushdil, and Musa are not good enough at the moment.

PCB must stop selecting players based on PSL and NT20 performances. It is destroying Pakistan cricket.

 

[naseem]

Misbah hatao.....cricket bachao

 

[Junaids]

That NZ A team wasn't strong and we fielded 6 Test players in the game. The gulf of FC experience was massive between the two teams.

To be honest, I think that the Shaheens ought to be a separate domestic First Class team.

This would be my Shaheens domestic First Class squad:

1. Nasir Nawaz
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Haider Ali
4. Saud Shakeel
5. Mohammad Nawaz
6. Rohail Nazir (c / wk)
7. Mubasir Khan
8. Amad Butt
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Naseem Shah
11. Mohammad Asghar

Reserve: Sameen Gul

I suspect that those players would actually learn to play First Class cricket very rapidly, and be the top domestic team.

And within 2 years they would be the core of the test team, with just Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan added.

 

[naseem]

Said it b4...separate Saheen squad is call of the day....sorry but no place for Sohail Fawad Abid and Imran in that squad.....although corona has made this tour already a forgettable one....no practice... Quarantine ...... A separate squad for Saheens and national team must be there with Saheen departing earlier and by the time Pak national team arrives they should have played few matches.....

 

[naseem]

How Abdullah and Gohar are denied first class this season is just unforgiving...although Haider is a different issue

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

To be honest, I think that the Shaheens ought to be a separate domestic First Class team.

This would be my Shaheens domestic First Class squad:

1. Nasir Nawaz
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Haider Ali
4. Saud Shakeel
5. Mohammad Nawaz
6. Rohail Nazir (c / wk)
7. Mubasir Khan
8. Amad Butt
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Naseem Shah
11. Mohammad Asghar

Reserve: Sameen Gul

I suspect that those players would actually learn to play First Class cricket very rapidly, and be the top domestic team.

And within 2 years they would be the core of the test team, with just Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan added.

They just restructured FC cricket in Pakistan only 2 years ago to make it competitive and to give meaning and commercial value to the domestic game in Pakistan. This Shaheens team suggestion would literally be a step in the opposite direction to what PCB is trying to achieve with the FC game in Pakistan.