I am not sure actually what was the purpose of this game for PAK A. First, this is an A side of Mugabe's Zimboks - probably better club teams in Karachi will win against them, so win is not a confidence booster here. Still fine, it's a foreign tour & opportunity for few players.
But, I failed to realize the take out of this match. They played as if the result was in doubt. First, no clue why they shouldn't bat first - this is a tour to test batsmen, not bowlers. Bowling first, PAK C, D or E can bundle those ZIMBOKs for sub 200 score & then stroll to the target in 45 overs. They should have batted first after winning toss & bat to post 300+; that could be the only positive intent. When the opponent is too weak, only take out from the match can be competing against own targets - set stiff targets for own team & try to beat that. As said, batting first 300+, or chasing <200 inside 35 overs. Finally, Bhaia Maqsood batted at 4 for his usual score these days & they are opening with Jaahid in a List A match - as if Azhar is not enough already.
Then the bowling - 4 specialist bowlers bowling 40 overs & 10 overs shared by part timers - as if we are watching 1987 WC Final. Ideally, Saud, Amin & Fakher should have bowled at least 25 overs between them, for a future prospect of No. 6 in National team. May be Asghar could have bowled 10 overs as he is next in line - not sure what was the purpose of using Adil, Hamza & the other pacer for full quota. Bowling first was a failure here as well - neither they tested their part-timers, nor they bundled Zimboks for 150. They are proving nothing more than what we already know.
From the match, I think Amin might get a call for the Test side, if not against WI, NZ is a good chance; while Saud shouldn't get a call before next September - if he gets a call & fail in NZ, AUS, WI (for the only match he will get) - Inzi & Co. 'll find an excuse to dump him for 5 years. He should play one more domestic season, A tours & then make the team in next home season in UAE. I don't want MoHa cashing on at Saud's expense next home season, after dodging the NZ, AUS & WI tour.
Early days, still 4 matches to go. May be we'll see some "Intent" from PAK A team going forward - I would have liked to see Saud opening for Jaahid & PAK A batting first, while the "all-rounders" (Amin, Fakhar & Saud), given a full quota of 10 overs each.
), Fawad, and even Umar Akmal now, with Maqsood probably lingering somewhere too as he's been made captain.
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