Pakistan A squad announced for four-day matches against New Zealand A

[Abdullah719]

Lahore- October 28, 2018: The National selection committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq has selected 14-member Pakistan ‘A’ squad for 2 four-day match series against New Zealand ‘A' to be played in Dubai( October 30-Nov 2) and Abu Dhabi (Nov 6-9)

Pakistan A Squad

1. Sami Aslam
2. Shan Masood
3. Abid Ali
4. Usman Salahuddin
5. Muhammad Saad
6. Saud Shakeel
7. Saad Ali
8. Muhammad Rizwan (C)
9. Kashif Bhatti
10. Muhammad Asghar
11. Mir Hamza
12. Waqas Ahmed
13. Taj Wali
14. Rahat Ali

 

[AliMurtaza]

Good squad except Shan Masood and Rahat Ali. Shan Masood is again in the squad due to connections becuase he has done zilch in quaid trophy during the last 2 years. Rahat has also struggled in Quaid trophy.

Apart from Shan, the other 6 batsmen are on merit. I would have selected Iftikhar in place of Shan Masood, who will play and cost a middle order batsman a deserving spot in the final 11. Important series for Usman, Saad and Saud as they all have a shot at 1 or possibly 2 backup middle order slots for SA test tour. Most likely M Saad will miss out in the playing 11 against NZ A becuase of Shan Masood.

Mir Hamza and Waqas Maqsood make it on merit. I would have liked to see Hassan Ali and Junaid Khan in the squad too so that they get 4-day practice before SA. However, it seems selectors want them to play limited overs matches against NZ. Taj Wali isn’t cut out of intl. cricket and Rahat is rubbish.

From this squad selection, it is clear that Hassan Ali will go to SA along with Abbas. The other 2 pace bowlers slots are still up for grabs with Faheem Ashraf as the 5th pacer. From this A squad selection and knowing Mickey, it seems Amir, Mir Hamza, Waqas and Rahat will compete for those 2 slots.

 

[Ami]

Rahat Ali..oh please...

The days of rahat, sohail khan, imran khan and wahab are gone...we persisted them when our emphasis was on spin esp in UAE.

They were and are mediocre at best.

As for Shan Masood...he seems better suited to odi cricket. Having said that, its not the first time we've tried a gadha in a ghora race.

With Fakhar, Imam and Azhar as a beck up, Sami is more than enough. Surely, they could have tried another opener?

 

[DRsohail]

Positives are Saud , Saad and waqas Ahamd. Negative are shaan, Rahat,and Saad wai 50:50 for me.

 

[Shafi]

Is Inzi is that bad as a selector or just have his set of favorites?

How can he select failures like Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Rahat Ali and oldie Khasif Bhatti ?

 

[Abdullah719]

Is Inzi is that bad as a selector or just have his set of favorites?

How can he select failures like Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Rahat Ali and oldie Khasif Bhatti ?

At least Abid Ali and specially Kashif Bhatti have performed.

But no obvious reason to select Shan Masood and Rahat Ali. They have done nothing in Tests, nor have they performed recently in FC cricket.

 

[Boi]

Baffling how Rahat and Shan keep getting into these squads.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Is this A series going to be the unofficial warm ups for New Zealand Tests for NZ? If yes, then why have 2 spinners been selected when there wasn't a single one given to Australia. NZ played it to the fullest when we toured NZ in 2016, even more so than Australia. If we are going to play "strategically", then do the same to NZ(the "nice guy" of cricket) rather than just Australia(who aren't "polite")

Although I don't agree with such tactics, but they should be uniformly done if done so.

 

[Hasan123]

Rahat Ali has no business playing on A tours. Why not try a younger pacer instead ?

 

[ShahidDar08]

Rahat Ali, Shan Masood, Mohammad saad and Kashif Bhatti out.

Sadaf Hussain, Zeeshan Malik, imran Rafiq & Zafar gowhar in.

 

[b.lesner]

Good squad except Shan Masood and Rahat Ali. Shan Masood is again in the squad due to connections becuase he has done zilch in quaid trophy during the last 2 years. Rahat has also struggled in Quaid trophy.

Apart from Shan, the other 6 batsmen are on merit. I would have selected Iftikhar in place of Shan Masood, who will play and cost a middle order batsman a deserving spot in the final 11. Important series for Usman, Saad and Saud as they all have a shot at 1 or possibly 2 backup middle order slots for SA test tour. Most likely M Saad will miss out in the playing 11 against NZ A becuase of Shan Masood.

Mir Hamza and Waqas Maqsood make it on merit. I would have liked to see Hassan Ali and Junaid Khan in the squad too so that they get 4-day practice before SA. However, it seems selectors want them to play limited overs matches against NZ. Taj Wali isn’t cut out of intl. cricket and Rahat is rubbish.

From this squad selection, it is clear that Hassan Ali will go to SA along with Abbas. The other 2 pace bowlers slots are still up for grabs with Faheem Ashraf as the 5th pacer. From this A squad selection and knowing Mickey, it seems Amir, Mir Hamza, Waqas and Rahat will compete for those 2 slots.

its waqas ahmed the right arm pacer from Sialkot not waqas maqsood

 

[Bewal Express]

Nothing will be learnt about the likes of Rahat and Shan. I am surprised that Irfan- the young fast bowler hasnt been selected considering his success in the ODI matches recently.

 

[Khan12]

Shan and rahat shouldn't be anywhere near our A team. Rubbish selections as useless by inzi. He's turning out to be a disaster. Hopefully we get rid of him ASAP.

 

[Xoib]

Why is Shaheen not getting a run in 4 day cricket?

 

[emranabbas]

youngsters should be given a chance for the these A tours and groomed for the senior side

 

[Markhor]

Only batsmen of interest are the 3 Ss - Saud, Saad and Salahuddin.

Good to see Asghar and Bhatti there - given Yasir's struggles we need to ensure there's competition for places in the spin department.

Rahat needs to be pensioned off.

 

[MMHS]

Much better squad to be honest - may be finally people are reading PP (Last game, Saud also batted at 3).

Half way through - next half is to reduce bowlers age in A team below 25. Wuo bhi aa jayga - we are in a mission here in PP

May be, may be they are actually looking for pace options for SAF - Kashif comes from that plot while Rahat is just Rahat, like a beautiful young lady - looks great at first sight, but the more you get closer, it starts to pain He is 6'2", can swing, can cut, can bounce - still he is Rahat Ali after 6 years, which is a mystery for me as well.

 

[CricketingMinds]

I really wonder why Shaheen Afridi wasn't given a shot in the A team when we are hoping that he'd be the next big thing in Pakistan?

 

[ARK Rafay]

Really good squad. Doubts with Shan and Rahat.

 

[saeed5646]

I really wonder why Shaheen Afridi wasn't given a shot in the A team when we are hoping that he'd be the next big thing in Pakistan?

NZ A VS PAK A 4 day start from 30 october while pakistan vs nz first t20 is on 31 october so it makes sense why he is not pick

 

[Rayyman]

Don't know the pacers in this squad.

Where are Zia ul-Haq, Ahmed Bashir and Sameen Gul?

 

[AliMurtaza]

Don't know the pacers in this squad.

Where are Zia ul-Haq, Ahmed Bashir and Sameen Gul?

Haven’t performed in quaid trophy so don’t deserve to be selected.

 

[Abdullah719]

Haven’t performed in quaid trophy so don’t deserve to be selected.

Zia-ul-Haq: 5 matches, 20 wickets @ 18
Ahmed Bashir: 4 matches, 19 wickets @ 20
Sameen Gul: 4 matches, 19 wickets @ 16

If anything, they haven't had enough chances. Another thing to note is that all 3 play for strong bowling lineups, thus they have lesser opportunities to pick up wickets in comparison to a, say, Aizaz Cheema who has 46 wickets in 7 games for Lahore Blues. Their next two highest wicket-takers have 15 apiece.

 

[AliMurtaza]

Zia-ul-Haq: 5 matches, 20 wickets @ 18
Ahmed Bashir: 4 matches, 19 wickets @ 20
Sameen Gul: 4 matches, 19 wickets @ 16

If anything, they haven't had enough chances. Another thing to note is that all 3 play for strong bowling lineups, thus they have lesser opportunities to pick up wickets in comparison to a, say, Aizaz Cheema who has 46 wickets in 7 games for Lahore Blues. Their next two highest wicket-takers have 15 apiece.

What should be the criteria of selection, reward domestic top performers or make subjective selections?

If former, then all except Rahat need to be there. And I have already spoken against Rahat. If selection should be made on subjective criteria, then Zia Ul Haq should not be there based on what I see on tv recently. He has lost pace and hasn’t poor control. No one except perhaps PP armchair critics have seen Bashir bowl so he is an unknown quantity. Perhaps Sameen Gul has a case but only perhaps.

 

[moghul]

Is Inzi is that bad as a selector or just have his set of favorites?

How can he select failures like Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Rahat Ali and oldie Khasif Bhatti ?

Constitution of Pakistan enforces Inzi to include Rahat Ali again and again, don;t see any other reason. Sick and tired of seeing him.

 

[Abdullah719]

What should be the criteria of selection, reward domestic top performers or make subjective selections?

If former, then all except Rahat need to be there. And I have already spoken against Rahat. If selection should be made on subjective criteria, then Zia Ul Haq should not be there based on what I see on tv recently. He has lost pace and hasn’t poor control. No one except perhaps PP armchair critics have seen Bashir bowl so he is an unknown quantity. Perhaps Sameen Gul has a case but only perhaps.

I was only addressing your point that 'they haven't performed'.

As for who should and shouldn't be selected, the only two selections in this squad that I have a problem with are Shan Masood and Rahat Ali. A case can be made for the rest, though subjective opinions may give weightage to others which is within the realm of discussion.

 

[sully3]

Last A squad had Wahab Riaz

This A Squad has Rahat Ali

Next A squad will probably have Sohail Khan

Domestic fast bowlers much be scratching their heads.

 

[syedahsan]

Rahat Ali should leave this team. I mean A tour is meant for someone who has never played for Pakistan and would need necessary experience to be ready for Pakistan. I mean Rahat Ali is "budha" and has played for Pakistan numerous times, dropped and then made many failed comebacks. He is Naved Anjum, Mohsin Kamal or Zakir Khan of 1980s. What are the selectors thinking that playing for A team will make him into Glenn Macgarth.
I mean he is too senior for A team. He is short of international class and thats ok! as he just does not have it in him against good sides. He has been given many chances but it seems someone in PCB is hell bent to get him in the team.

 

[b.lesner]

when is the next A series after this

 

[Ahson8]

England Lions will tour almost immediately after

when is the next A series after this

 

[mastersaan10]

so besides sami aslam, rahat and shan i like the squa. i used to be a big fan of sami but it seems that he has no shots. masood is a test failure but has good numbers in odi so should be tried there when/if imam fails. rahat is a decent bowler in uae but nowhere else. if anything he should be on standby when our main pacer gets injured in uae as his brainless bowling takes wickets there.

 

[Ummii]

Feeling sorry for Fawad really

 

[Abdullah719]

OK digging a bit deeper regarding FC performances:

Sami Aslam 35th on top run-scorers' list: 8 innings, 325 runs at 46.43, two hundreds

Shan Masood 173rd on top run-scorers' list: 4 innings, 66 runs at 16.50

Abid Ali 33rd on top run-scorers' list: 8 innings, 330 runs at 41.25 with a hundred and two fifties

Usman Salahuddin 53rd on top run-scorers' list: 4 innings, 279 runs at 93.00 with a hundred and two fifties

Muhammad Saad 47rd on top run-scorers' list: 10 innings, 289 runs at 32.11 with one fifty

Saud Shakeel 12th on top run-scorers' list: 10 innings, 414 runs at 46.00 with a hundred and two fifties

Saad Ali 38th on top run-scorers' list: 9 innings, 321 runs at 40.13 with one hundred

Muhammad Rizwan (C) 116th on top run-scorers' list: 3 innings, 140 runs at 70.00 with one hundred, 3 catches (wk)

Kashif Bhatti 2nd on top wicket-takers' list: 6 matches, 37 wickets at 13.08 with 3 five-fers

Muhammad Asghar 70th on top wicket-takers' list: 3 matches, 9 wickets at 14.33

Mir Hamza 29th on top wicket-takers' list: 4 matches, 20 wickets at 11.50 with 1 five-fer

Waqas Ahmed 10th on top wicket-takers' list: 5 matches, 29 wickets at 20.10 with 1 five-fer

Taj Wali 3rd on top wicket-takers' list: 7 matches, 36 wickets at 15.47 with 2 five-fers

Rahat Ali 60th on top wicket-takers' list: 3 matches, 12 wickets at 21.58 with 1 five-fer

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

With Regards to Pakistan's test tour of South Africa Waqas Ahmed is an excellent selection by Inzamam ul Haq.


Dissapointed that He missed out today on Selection but I hope and pray that He gets selected for second FC match vs New Zealand A.


Rahat Ali is a bowler who massively impresses in NCA camps and any net and every selection committee loves to select him including Inzamam ul Haq and Pakistan team Captains and Coaches but but,


Keeping SA test tour in mind in my view Ehsan Adil should have been picked for this squad and than task should have been given to him and NCA to improve his fitness further.


Mir Hamza is unplayable when he gets that banana swing but otherwise he will be tested in Int Cricket unless he improves his speed because he is a swing bowler and not a seamer.


I am keeping my fingers crossed for Asif, Waqas & Ehsan Adil for Pakistan's Test tour of SA. Max Asif can do is to take a tenfer in televised FC match. Waqas & Ehsan are both injury prone but if they are fit they are quality pacers especially Waqas.

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION]

 

[DRsohail]

With Regards to Pakistan's test tour of South Africa Waqas Ahmed is an excellent selection by Inzamam ul Haq.


Dissapointed that He missed out today on Selection but I hope and pray that He gets selected for second FC match vs New Zealand A.


Rahat Ali is a bowler who massively impresses in NCA camps and any net and every selection committee loves to select him including Inzamam ul Haq and Pakistan team Captains and Coaches but but,


Keeping SA test tour in mind in my view Ehsan Adil should have been picked for this squad and than task should have been given to him and NCA to improve his fitness further.


Mir Hamza is unplayable when he gets that banana swing but otherwise he will be tested in Int Cricket unless he improves his speed because he is a swing bowler and not a seamer.


I am keeping my fingers crossed for Asif, Waqas & Ehsan Adil for Pakistan's Test tour of SA. Max Asif can do is to take a tenfer in televised FC match. Waqas & Ehsan are both injury prone but if they are fit they are quality pacers especially Waqas.


[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION]

waqas is playing today?

 

[Abdullah719]

waqas is playing today?

Yes he is playing.

 

[Sadozai]

So these YOUNGSTERS are future prospect of Pakistan cricket?
Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Kashif Bhatti
Rahat Ali

 

[Markhor]

With Regards to Pakistan's test tour of South Africa Waqas Ahmed is an excellent selection by Inzamam ul Haq.


Dissapointed that He missed out today on Selection but I hope and pray that He gets selected for second FC match vs New Zealand A.


Rahat Ali is a bowler who massively impresses in NCA camps and any net and every selection committee loves to select him including Inzamam ul Haq and Pakistan team Captains and Coaches but but,


Keeping SA test tour in mind in my view Ehsan Adil should have been picked for this squad and than task should have been given to him and NCA to improve his fitness further.


Mir Hamza is unplayable when he gets that banana swing but otherwise he will be tested in Int Cricket unless he improves his speed because he is a swing bowler and not a seamer.


I am keeping my fingers crossed for Asif, Waqas & Ehsan Adil for Pakistan's Test tour of SA. Max Asif can do is to take a tenfer in televised FC match. Waqas & Ehsan are both injury prone but if they are fit they are quality pacers especially Waqas.


[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION]

Yeah when I saw his name in the squad I remembered your thread. Has a strong build and good run up/action. Gets good bounce too. Somehow hasn't got a proper run in FC cricket until his late 20s.

 

[Zeeraq]

So these YOUNGSTERS are future prospect of Pakistan cricket?
Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Kashif Bhatti
Rahat Ali

Give some respect to the long term vision of PCB, we are preparing to be a ATG team in the recently introduced Over-50s Cricket World Cup.

 

[Justcrazy]

Sami Aslam not doing well at Top level is really surprising , he was rated highly in his under 19 days .

 

[srh]

OK digging a bit deeper regarding FC performances:

Sami Aslam 35th on top run-scorers' list: 8 innings, 325 runs at 46.43, two hundreds

Shan Masood 173rd on top run-scorers' list: 4 innings, 66 runs at 16.50

Abid Ali 33rd on top run-scorers' list: 8 innings, 330 runs at 41.25 with a hundred and two fifties

Usman Salahuddin 53rd on top run-scorers' list: 4 innings, 279 runs at 93.00 with a hundred and two fifties

Muhammad Saad 47rd on top run-scorers' list: 10 innings, 289 runs at 32.11 with one fifty

Saud Shakeel 12th on top run-scorers' list: 10 innings, 414 runs at 46.00 with a hundred and two fifties

Saad Ali 38th on top run-scorers' list: 9 innings, 321 runs at 40.13 with one hundred

Muhammad Rizwan (C) 116th on top run-scorers' list: 3 innings, 140 runs at 70.00 with one hundred, 3 catches (wk)

Kashif Bhatti 2nd on top wicket-takers' list: 6 matches, 37 wickets at 13.08 with 3 five-fers

Muhammad Asghar 70th on top wicket-takers' list: 3 matches, 9 wickets at 14.33

Mir Hamza 29th on top wicket-takers' list: 4 matches, 20 wickets at 11.50 with 1 five-fer

Waqas Ahmed 10th on top wicket-takers' list: 5 matches, 29 wickets at 20.10 with 1 five-fer

Taj Wali 3rd on top wicket-takers' list: 7 matches, 36 wickets at 15.47 with 2 five-fers

Rahat Ali 60th on top wicket-takers' list: 3 matches, 12 wickets at 21.58 with 1 five-fer

so a bowler with 11.50 average is worst than bowlers with 13.08, 20.10 and 15.47 averages?

 

[Abdullah719]

so a bowler with 11.50 average is worst than bowlers with 13.08, 20.10 and 15.47 averages?

Who said that?

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Yeah when I saw his name in the squad I remembered your thread. Has a strong build and good run up/action. Gets good bounce too. Somehow hasn't got a proper run in FC cricket until his late 20s.

Waqas got one march only for Pakistan A. It was a dead UAE track. After that he was dropped which was unfair unless he got injured.


Waqas got 3 , Taj got 2 and Mir Hamza got 1 wicket in that match but next match Waqas was shown the door.

 

[MenInG]

Well they won the game with this team!