Our Test team in Asia moving forward...

[msb314]

I cannot stress this enough - we must play with the following team if we are to have a chance competing with the best teams in the UAE.

1) Shehzad
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4) Haris
5) Usman
6) Hafeez
7) Sarfraz
8) Imad
9) Amir
10) Yasir
11) Junaid/Wahab

Sami and Masood need to be given the pink slip and thank them on their way out. So too with Shafiq despite his hundred.

I understand many will disagree with inclusion of Hafeez but this is a stopgap solution until Haris’ bowling becomes Test standard.

With Imad’s batting/bowling abilities - they should give plenty of support to Yasir and Amir and Wahab should do the trick with the new ball.

I remain adamant that Shehzad, Babar, Haris and Usman are our Test future despite their lukewarm form.

 

[Mamoon]

That lineup is far better than our current one.

 

[msb314]

That lineup is far better than our current one.

Yes thank you!

I identified the deadwood who need to go ASAP.

 

[Cric1234]

My team would be:

Shehzad
Azhar
Haris
Akmal
Salahuddin
Fawad
Sarfraz
Raza
Yasir
Abbas
Wahab/Amir

The middle order needs a dynamic batsman U Akmal should be given 5-7 matches in UAE and Raza should be 2nd spinner he has all rounder potential aswell.

 

[MMHS]

I cannot stress this enough - we must play with the following team if we are to have a chance competing with the best teams in the UAE.

1) Shehzad
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4) Haris
5) Usman
6) Hafeez
7) Sarfraz
8) Imad
9) Amir
10) Yasir
11) Junaid/Wahab

Sami and Masood need to be given the pink slip and thank them on their way out. So too with Shafiq despite his hundred.

I understand many will disagree with inclusion of Hafeez but this is a stopgap solution until Haris’ bowling becomes Test standard.

With Imad’s batting/bowling abilities - they should give plenty of support to Yasir and Amir and Wahab should do the trick with the new ball.

I remain adamant that Shehzad, Babar, Haris and Usman are our Test future despite their lukewarm form.

Better XI - I'll change few though.

Fakhar, Azhar
Babar, Hari,
2 of Amin, Asad, Usman
Sarfraz
Raza Hasan, Amir, Hasan, Yasir.

Fakhar, Amin, Haris, Asad has to covers for 25 overs. Not sure between Raza or Gohar, but no darter.

 

[Mamoon]

Apart from blind hate, there is no valid justification for the way Shehzad has been discarded in Tests. He has performed brilliantly in the UAE where Sami and Masood are walking wickets. Yes he may fail outside Asia, but apart from Azhar (whose runs never have any significance) and Shafiq (who only performs once per series regardless of the venue), there is a question mark on everyone.

 

[ManFan]

1) Shehzad
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4) Haris
5)Salahuddin
6) Safraz
7) Raza Hasan
8) Yasir
9) Hasan
10) Abbas
11) Shaheen Shah Afridi
How's this [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]?

 

[Savak]

Apart from blind hate, there is no valid justification for the way Shehzad has been discarded in Tests. He has performed brilliantly in the UAE where Sami and Masood are walking wickets. Yes he may fail outside Asia, but apart from Azhar (whose runs never have any significance) and Shafiq (who only performs once per series regardless of the venue), there is a question mark on everyone.

Between Shan Masood, Sami Aslam and Salman Butt, i will choose Salman Butt. Shehzad should focus on improving his strike rate in T-20's and ODI's.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Next test is in England. Based on that.

Sami - proven performer in eng
Azhar - should stick to opening
Babar -
Haris -
Asad -
this spot is open for any one to grab usman/hafeez/ fawad/ Amin / faheem / fakhar
Sarfraz -
Amir
Hasan ali
Yasir
Abbas

Reserves:

Junaid
Mir hamza
One batsman
Two batsman

One spinner in yasir for the tour is enough.
If I have to take fawad I would better take hafeez whose bowling , experience, presence for tactics can be used and he should bat at no.6 which his ego won't let him. Will come back for opening.

 

[ManFan]

Next test is in England. Based on that.

Sami - proven performer in eng
Azhar - should stick to opening
Babar -
Haris -
Asad -
this spot is open for any one to grab usman/hafeez/ fawad/ Amin / faheem / fakhar
Sarfraz -
Amir
Hasan ali
Yasir
Abbas

If I have to take fawad I would better take hafeez whose bowling , experience, presence for tactics can be used and he should bat at no.6 which his ego won't let him. Will come back for opening.

I wrote a thread on the team for England. " The Crossroads of the Pakistan Test Team ".

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I wrote a thread on the team for England. " The Crossroads of the Pakistan Test Team ".

Link pls

 

[Mamoon]

Between Shan Masood, Sami Aslam and Salman Butt, i will choose Salman Butt. Shehzad should focus on improving his strike rate in T-20's and ODI's.

After 8 years and over a 100 Limited Overs games, his SR may not improve. However, his SR has always been good for Tests.

If Azhar is not going to open, than Sami and Masood have no business keeping him and Butt out of the team.

 

[babajee]

In UAE test matches:
Azhar
Fakhar/Shehzad
Haris
Babar
Shafiq (let’s face it he isn’t getting dropped any time soon)
Usman
Sarfraz
Raza
Amir
Hasan
Yasir

Need extra overs from Haris, Fakhar and Shafiq

 

[ManFan]

Link pls

srry dont know how
Im new here

 

[Sachin136]

Link pls

srry dont know how
Im new here

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?265565-The-crossroads-of-the-Pakistan-Test-team

 

[Hasan123]

Would replace Imad with another spinner and wouldn't have Hafeez playing

 

[ManFan]

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?265565-The-crossroads-of-the-Pakistan-Test-team

Thanks [MENTION=139108]Sachin136[/MENTION]. Appreciate the effort.

 

[MMsheikh2000]

My team would be in the UAE

1-Azhar
2- Amin
3-Babar
4-Haris
5-Hafeez
6-Shafiq
7- Sarfraz
8- Yasir
9- Amir
10- Asghar
11- Abbas

Outside Asia :

1-Sami
2-Azhar
3- Babar
4- Haris
5 - shafiq
6-Safraz
7- Yamin/ Ashraf/ Imad
8- Yasir
9 -Amir
10- Hassan/ wahab
11- Abbas

 

[Ellipsism]

Imran Butt/Imam ul Haq/Fakhar Zaman (dependant on QeA performances)
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Usman Salahuddin
Asad Shafiq
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Raza Hassan
Hasan
Yasir
Abbas

Amir
Bashir
Fawad Alam (not a fan but deserves a run of opportunities)
Batsman?
Batsman?

 

[Gubol123]

I cannot stress this enough - we must play with the following team if we are to have a chance competing with the best teams in the UAE.

1) Shehzad
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4) Haris
5) Usman
6) Hafeez
7) Sarfraz
8) Imad
9) Amir
10) Yasir
11) Junaid/Wahab

Sami and Masood need to be given the pink slip and thank them on their way out. So too with Shafiq despite his hundred.

I understand many will disagree with inclusion of Hafeez but this is a stopgap solution until Haris’ bowling becomes Test standard.

With Imad’s batting/bowling abilities - they should give plenty of support to Yasir and Amir and Wahab should do the trick with the new ball.

I remain adamant that Shehzad, Babar, Haris and Usman are our Test future despite their lukewarm form.

How are you going to get 20 wickets? I see only Yasir consistently taking wickets. Hafeez, Amir, Wahab will take wickets consistently. I am not sure about Junaid

 

[Gubol123]

Between Shan Masood, Sami Aslam and Salman Butt, i will choose Salman Butt. Shehzad should focus on improving his strike rate in T-20's and ODI's.

This is a test team... Shehzad has better strike rate and average then all current options apart from Azhar

 

[silent ischemia]

Babar, Babar, Babar ..... He is in everybody's team. Honestly he doesn't seem to know how to pace his innings in the longer format. I feel he needs a couple of seasons of four day cricket under his belt before he is considered again. Maybe give Amin, Salahuddin or even Alarm a chance.

 

[ads101]

People are seeing the worth of Hafeez in tests now. Though not wise to bring him back his batting and his bowling ain't good enough anymore. Hafeez wasn't an amazing opener but he scored runs at an average of 40 and provided a very good bowling option. That value combined put him over the other opening options. He was an asset. Yeah it would be awesome if we had an amazing opener instead, but sometimes you have to make comprimises and be realistic, Hafeez didn't average any less than the other options and brought value with the ball.

Only options I can think of to bring in are Fawad, Butt, Hafeez and Amin. Hafeez think his time is done, time to move on. Butt I simply don't want back. So between Fawad and Amin, and I think I'd go with Fawad despite the fact that Amin has improved a lot in domestic, he'll finally average above 40 soon, think people underrate the fact he's been doing decent in domestic for a while now.

There really aren't many options sadly. As for Imad vs Ashgar I'm not sure. Pakistan would probably benefit with the extra batting power at 8, would give someone to bat in the tail, given our tail is just too weak atm. I think I'd go with Imad, I don't think Ashgar's going to be a superb spin bowler, and if he averages similar to imad with the ball, might as well have imad, who will provide more with the bat, and had plenty of match practice with LOI rather than being picked for tests every 6 months.

My team in the future
1. Shehzad
2. Azhar
3. Haris (feel uncomfortable playing him here, rather he at 4 but see few other options)
4. Asad (needs to learn how to bat at four, keep him here he has the ability to)
5. Fawad Alam (or Umar Amin if Fawad isn't selected)
6. Usman Salluhuddin
7. Sarfraz
8. Imad
9. Yasir Shah
10. Hasan Ali
11. Abbas

 

[msb314]

Better XI - I'll change few though.

Fakhar, Azhar
Babar, Hari,
2 of Amin, Asad, Usman
Sarfraz
Raza Hasan, Amir, Hasan, Yasir.

Fakhar, Amin, Haris, Asad has to covers for 25 overs. Not sure between Raza or Gohar, but no darter.

Shehzad deserves the opening spot more than Fakhar as he is proven in this format - atleast in Asia.

I would also stay away from the likes of Raza and play with all-rounders like Hafeez or Imad.

 

[msb314]

How are you going to get 20 wickets? I see only Yasir consistently taking wickets. Hafeez, Amir, Wahab will take wickets consistently. I am not sure about Junaid

Yasir, Amir and Wahab will you be your main strike bowlers.

However, now we will also have Imad, Hafeez and Haris as support bowlers.

This should be gold in asian conditions.

 

[msb314]

Would replace Imad with another spinner and wouldn't have Hafeez playing

I can understand the hesitation with Hafeez but what has Imad done wrong?

Surely he deserves a consistent chance at the Test level.

 

[Cric1234]

I can understand the hesitation with Hafeez but what has Imad done wrong?

Surely he deserves a consistent chance at the Test level.

Imad might average over 30 with the bat in test but he's won't be a great bowler which means he can't make it alone as a batsman.
Raza has potential to average under 30 with the ball and be a decent batsman aswell over time.

 

[Rayyman]

Shehzad
Azhar
Shafiq
Hafeez
Haris
Usman
Sarfraz*+
Wahab
Amir
Yasir
Raza

 

[Rayyman]

Shehzad
Azhar
Shafiq
Hafeez
Haris
Usman
Sarfraz*+
Wahab
Amir
Yasir
Raza

Rest of squad can be: Babar, Imam, Hasan and Imad.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Hafeez is a must in Asia.

1. Hafeez
2. Shehzad
3. Azhar
4. Asad
5. Harris
6. Sarfraz
7. Yamin
8. Imad
9. Yasir
10. Hassan
11. Wahab

 

[Hasan123]

I can understand the hesitation with Hafeez but what has Imad done wrong?

Surely he deserves a consistent chance at the Test level.

Don't think he has the variety to play tests.

 

[hisham_ashraf]

Shahzad
Azhar
Haris
Salahuddin
Shafiq
Fakhar
Sarfraz
Wahab
Hasan
Yasir
Asghar

 

[Adil_94]

Shehzad
Azhar
Haris
Usman
Fawad
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Amir
Yasir
Asghar
Hasan

 

[MMHS]

1) Shehzad
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4) Haris
5)Salahuddin
6) Safraz
7) Raza Hasan
8) Yasir
9) Hasan
10) Abbas
11) Shaheen Shah Afridi
How's this [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]?

Batting depth is too weak.

The key in Asia, which Arthur missed is the bowling combination - you can go with 4 bowlers in Asia, if you have 2 spinners to share 70% work load. Arthur went with 3 pacers on such dead wickets & only 1 spinner, which won't work ever. In such wickets, what you need is to target 200+ overs to get 20 wickets - of those 200, may be 125 by 2 spinners, and 15 by part-timers & use 2 pacers in short bursts of 3-4 overs spells for say 60 overs in total. That entirely changes the equation.

Not even old Ajmal, just a tight finger spinner like Imad could have changed the series up side down - Imad bowling 50 overs for 2/125, 25 by Hari/Asad/Azhar, 65 by Yasir constantly attacking & may be 30 overs each by 2 pacers (not more than 15 a day). Yasir had to attack & contain, which is near impossible for a leggi on such wickets without pace & bounce (leggi can't dart, but if he starts to flight on such dross, he'll go for 3+ rate; something I wrote in WI series - Yasir went at ~3 economy, but he was ready for buying wickets, as the pacers were effective from other end).

Coming to your team - I'll make 2 changes. Don't know who, but one lefti opener is a MUST - I'll take Fakhar. No Abbas - what he is doing is attacking wickets with his 120KM in cutters, which is basically fast off-spin dart; getting tailenders here, but won't get much on faster surface. If he is fit, still Amir is a must (but someone needs to kick his back side to pitch it up) and Hasan. I'll pick Amin as the last batsman & kick his back side to extract 13-15 overs as 1st change after both new ball - he is quite capable of that, but needs some kick at the right place where it hurts.

Fakhar, Azhar, Babar
Hari, Amin, Usman/Asad
Sarfraz
Raza, Yasir, Amir, Hasan.

12th man is Aga Salman, in case it's bone dry & opponent has too many lefti - he'll take out one of Amin or Amir as such cases. The drier the wicket, Hasan's work load gets higher, Amir's lesser - so that balance has to be found at which point, Arim gets dropped for Aga.

 

[htariq25]

I cannot stress this enough - we must play with the following team if we are to have a chance competing with the best teams in the UAE.

1) Shehzad
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4) Haris
5) Usman
6) Hafeez
7) Sarfraz
8) Imad
9) Amir
10) Yasir
11) Junaid/Wahab

Sami and Masood need to be given the pink slip and thank them on their way out. So too with Shafiq despite his hundred.

I understand many will disagree with inclusion of Hafeez but this is a stopgap solution until Haris’ bowling becomes Test standard.

With Imad’s batting/bowling abilities - they should give plenty of support to Yasir and Amir and Wahab should do the trick with the new ball.

I remain adamant that Shehzad, Babar, Haris and Usman are our Test future despite their lukewarm form.

That's a pretty good line-up although I would make babar 4 and haris 3. Also Imad is good enough to bat at 7 with sarfraz at 6. Imads first class average is only slightly less than Hafeez if I'm not mistaken and Hafeez is too old for tests anyway. Could play asghar as 2nd spinner and imad as 3rd in Asia.

 

[ManFan]

Batting depth is too weak.

The key in Asia, which Arthur missed is the bowling combination - you can go with 4 bowlers in Asia, if you have 2 spinners to share 70% work load. Arthur went with 3 pacers on such dead wickets & only 1 spinner, which won't work ever. In such wickets, what you need is to target 200+ overs to get 20 wickets - of those 200, may be 125 by 2 spinners, and 15 by part-timers & use 2 pacers in short bursts of 3-4 overs spells for say 60 overs in total. That entirely changes the equation.

Not even old Ajmal, just a tight finger spinner like Imad could have changed the series up side down - Imad bowling 50 overs for 2/125, 25 by Hari/Asad/Azhar, 65 by Yasir constantly attacking & may be 30 overs each by 2 pacers (not more than 15 a day). Yasir had to attack & contain, which is near impossible for a leggi on such wickets without pace & bounce (leggi can't dart, but if he starts to flight on such dross, he'll go for 3+ rate; something I wrote in WI series - Yasir went at ~3 economy, but he was ready for buying wickets, as the pacers were effective from other end).

Coming to your team - I'll make 2 changes. Don't know who, but one lefti opener is a MUST - I'll take Fakhar. No Abbas - what he is doing is attacking wickets with his 120KM in cutters, which is basically fast off-spin dart; getting tailenders here, but won't get much on faster surface. If he is fit, still Amir is a must (but someone needs to kick his back side to pitch it up) and Hasan. I'll pick Amin as the last batsman & kick his back side to extract 13-15 overs as 1st change after both new ball - he is quite capable of that, but needs some kick at the right place where it hurts.

Fakhar, Azhar, Babar
Hari, Amin, Usman/Asad
Sarfraz
Raza, Yasir, Amir, Hasan.

12th man is Aga Salman, in case it's bone dry & opponent has too many lefti - he'll take out one of Amin or Amir as such cases. The drier the wicket, Hasan's work load gets higher, Amir's lesser - so that balance has to be found at which point, Arim gets dropped for Aga.

Thanks! Don't bother replying to the Asia XI in the other post I tagged you in.

 

[Abdullah]

I cannot stress this enough - we must play with the following team if we are to have a chance competing with the best teams in the UAE.

1) Shehzad
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4) Haris
5) Usman
6) Hafeez
7) Sarfraz
8) Imad
9) Amir
10) Yasir
11) Junaid/Wahab

Sami and Masood need to be given the pink slip and thank them on their way out. So too with Shafiq despite his hundred.

I understand many will disagree with inclusion of Hafeez but this is a stopgap solution until Haris’ bowling becomes Test standard.

With Imad’s batting/bowling abilities - they should give plenty of support to Yasir and Amir and Wahab should do the trick with the new ball.

I remain adamant that Shehzad, Babar, Haris and Usman are our Test future despite their lukewarm form.

Imad amir and babar wahab out . Abbas shadab asad and hasan in.
5 bowlers and deep batting