Pakistan announce 12-man squad for the first T20I against Bangladesh (19th November)

[MenInG]

Pakistan name 12 for first T20I

Dhaka, 18 November 2021:

Pakistan today announced their 12-player squad for the first T20I against Bangladesh, which will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium on Friday. The match will start at 1400 local time.

Squad (in alphabetical order):

Babar Azam (Captain)
Shadab Khan (Vice Captain)
Fakhar Zaman
Haider Ali
Haris Rauf
Hasan Ali
Khushdil Shah
Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shoaib Malik

The second and third T20Is will be played at the same venue on 20 and 22 November.

 

[IAJ]

They will destroy Shaheen Shah Afridi playing him in every single match and format. Why not play Dahani or are they afraid of losing to BD? Hopefully Wasim jr will play over him.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

B Azam *
M Rizwan +
F Zaman
H Ali
S Malik
K Shah
M Nawaz
S Khan
*
*
*


* = (3 Fast bowlers from 4)

 

[shah_1]

Such a shame to see no Shahnawaz Dhani

Babar is such a softie who takes no risks at all. Malik and Sania are close friends of Babar. Malik will stick with the team like a lice, and Babar will not touch him

What is the point of Shaheen and Hasan when they are suppose to play test series?

 

[Sunny_majoka]

why they droped asif ali..? and not malik?

 

[Shahzad1985]

Looks like first game will be;

Babar
Rizwan
Fakhar
Haider
Malik
Khushdil
Shadab
M Nawaz
Hasan
Shaheen
Rauf

 

[Coolcapri]

They should have played the bench strengh, Also in BD, You need only 2 pacer and 3 spinners especially on Mirpur pitches.

 

[gazza619]

The team lacks experience. Should have recalled Saleem Malik, Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar for this all important nail biting series.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

Surprised Asif isnt playing.

Babar
Rizwan
Fakhar
Haider
Malik
Khsuhdil
Nawaz
Shadab
Wasim JR
Hasan
Shaheen

They will probably play this team. Maybe switch Wasim for Rauf

 

[Mirpur express]

Can’t believe Hassan & Shaheen are not rested especially Shaheen! & that leech Malik will be of no use in the next T20 W/C , He not graceful enough & Babar is still busy with “dosti nibhaing”.. same goes for the Professor sb! so Raja sb has to force the issue here, if these two leeches remain in the team then we won’t even get out of the group in the stage.. ps am still not happy with Babar the captain we need Rizwan @ the helm.

 

[MenInG]

Pictures of Pakistan T20I squad's practice (Courtesy of the PCB) ahead of the 1st T20I against Bangladesh

 

[in_cutter]

What is the point of Malik being there?

 

[Shafi]

Are Philander and Hayden still with Pakistan?
Why Pakistan declare their 12 man squad before the match? Pathetic strategy.

 

[Shafi]

What is the point of Malik being there?

Because Babar doesn't have confidence about himself and other players about spin playing ability.

 

[Shafi]

So it seems like Malik and Hafeez will not retire even after 2022 World Cup.

 

[shokz1408]

Why is asif ali not there

 

[in_cutter]

Because Babar doesn't have confidence about himself and other players about spin playing ability.

Why blame Babar..if. Malik had any shame, he would retire.

 

[Rana]

Babar wants Malik and Hafeez in the side because this way him and Rizwan can open and not be forced down to 3 and 4.

 

[Ahmed216]

Thankfully there's no overrated Imad wasim.
So who's likely to sit out?

 

[fight_club]

Babar wants Malik and Hafeez in the side because this way him and Rizwan can open and not be forced down to 3 and 4.

Agreed. All the hopes of this team becoming "Free" and ready to infuse fresh talent and develop
a fantastic "Bench Strength" goes out of window. What a Meek Captain Babar is turning out to be
and We were blaming Misbah for all the ills.

I am beginning to feel sick looking at Shaheen running in for every insignificant game. This is now borderline Criminal. Ideally Rizzy, Bobby , Shaheen, Malik should have warmed benches and allowed
youngsters to express themselves in a Zero pressure series.

So, Youngsters will make way for youngsters Asif out haider in, Just pathetic

 

[GreenKhan]

From the squad of 18, and those who were on the bench during the world cup they have inducted Khushdil, Haider, Nawaz and Mohammad wasim junior into the final 12 and amongst them only one will miss out.

So its not as bad as it seems.

Calls for Rizzy and Bobby to completely miss out on the whole series does not make sense as the test series is in next week and as their are no warm up matches to get them used to the conditions.

However i think they may well rotate further to allow the likes of dahani, sarfaraz and iftikhar to get games as well.

 

[reversehook]

bangla is without most of their main playerz, i guess we (pct) will never learn, go ahead pad up ur avg's against a weak team already weakened further in a meaningless series.

Babar is a mental midget when it comes to captaincy, the sooner he leaves the post the better.

 

[Kianig89]

PAKISTAN should play positively against Bangladesh , when under pressure Bangladesh act like ultra minnow

 

[IMMY69]

I'm so glad Malik is being persisted with!

Not only do we need him for next years World Cup but now that three or four tournaments are being played in Asia he is a vital cog in the lineup for stleadt the next 40/50 years.

Now if only we can get him into the test side

 

[smkk]

There had been few reports that Shoaib Malik is about to retire after this series.
So let's have some patience and see how true the reports are.

If he is really retiring once for all, then he being in the side with spin pitches being concocted, is the right decision for his last series.

 

[sweep_shot]

Strong team.

Surprised to see no Asif Ali.

 

[mazkhan]

Good squad

Would have liked trying dahani or bringing faheem ashraf back
Hasan ali could have done with a rest .

But glad m nawaz has been preferred over imad , nawaz is a good cricketer

 

[mon858]

Google to give chances to those who were on bench in world cup , but ideally Dahani should be there over Hasan or Shaheen.

 

[Barragan]

No Ifthikhar and Dhani?

Khusdil is mediocre.

 

[pakistani pride]

Sick and tired of S. Malik.
Seriously will this torture never end?!

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Malik is playing because it is his last series and is going to retire as per reports.

 

[gazza619]

Strong team.

Surprised to see no Asif Ali.

We are resting him for the next 12 months and will unleash him at the next WC.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Drop Shoaib Malik absolutely no need for him

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Don’t even have the courage to test their bench strength against Bangladesh

Playing all of them lol

Shaheen , Babar, Rizwan, Shadab, Fakhar and Malik what is he doing there

 

[shamaan]

Iftikhar should have been in the 12.

 

[Kianig89]

Such a strong side we have there will be alot of minnow bashing hopefully let's hope the pitches are not rank turner's

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Far too many pacers, hmmm i reckon Wasim jr might need to sit this out:

1. Babar Azam (Captain)
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
3. Haider Ali
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Khushdil Shah
6. Muhammad Nawaz
7. Shoaib Malik
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali/Wasim Jr
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Haris Rauf

 

[Ami]

I've said this numerous times, Malik will retire after next World T20 (Aus 2022) and Hafeez will carry on till 2023, 50 overs World Cup in India.

 

[Bewal Express]

We had a good T20 WC and now is the time to build upon. Whether we win or lose depends on Babar and Riz and the other batsman are like actors who don't have speaking parts. It would have been a chance to move aside the likes of Malik and FZ and try young Batsman.

 

[Snowflake]

khuda k liye Shaheen ko rest karva do!!!

 

[Artaxerxes]

Shaheen should be rested.It is shocking they have not selected Dahani for the fist T20.I think it is the fear of losing to BD.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Some really disappointing stuff.

Really, we're going to play Malik. Why? So he can be terrible in Australia WC?

Zero reason for Shaheen & Hasan to be playing. They have been playing without any rest and there's an upcoming Test series. Why not just rest him for that. This is a completely meaningless T20 and in no way does it matter who wins or loses. It's about trying new combination for what may work in the upcoming WC, not using full strength to win a series against this pathetic Bangladesh side.

 

[cricketerB94]

Rest Shaheen and play Waseem tomorrow.

 

[Maher96]

The obsession with rotating your players in a sport like cricket where the workload on players isn’t even that heavy is over stated here.

Shaheen has been bowling rubbish 4 pathetic overs. Agreed the only issue for him should be mental toll but no physical of his body can’t withstand minor t20
Games he is no good.

All the workload will generate him to get better, I have even heard waqar mention a elbow issue where the less cricket Shaheen plays the more difficult it is for him to get rhythm again.

He will be playing this series then West Indies at home after there is a rest period before PSL. For them.

We need to realise the below are 5 players of team who currently are the backbone. Whom around the squad and team is built.

Babar
Rizwan
Shadab
Hasan
Shaheen

Haider and Kushdil warmed the whole tournament only fair they play this series now. With next World Cup in mind Nawaz really need to at least replace Hafeez for good.

His all round skills will be vital addition to Imad and Shadab to give the right balance along with Asif Ali in team.

Ideally my team going forward is

Babar
Rizwan
Fakhar
Haider
Nawaz
Asif
Imad/Kushdil
Shadab
Hassan
Haris
Shaheen

Imad is ageing now.. his belly and terrible fielding and non spinning deliveries are not going to work much. Pretty much decent batsmen like Warner will continue the torture bets we get kushdil able to bowl one or two overs as his batting will be crucial.

 

[Artaxerxes]

If Khushdil does not perform in BD(assuming he plays)then he should be dropped.

 

[GreenKhan]

We had a good T20 WC and now is the time to build upon. Whether we win or lose depends on Babar and Riz and the other batsman are like actors who don't have speaking parts. It would have been a chance to move aside the likes of Malik and FZ and try young Batsman.

Fakhar is only 31, one of our best fielders and an absolute game changer. Grouping him together with Malik is absolutely senseless.

 

[Bewal Express]

Fakhar is only 31, one of our best fielders and an absolute game changer. Grouping him together with Malik is absolutely senseless.

But he is too inconsistent against the better teams and needs to up his game. His innings against Aus in the SF was very good but he struggled the rest of the tournament. If you don't try young batsman against BD, who do you try them against

 

[shamaan]

Drop Shoaib Malik absolutely no need for him

If reports are true that malik will retire then give him the 3 match series as a farewell.

 

[shamaan]

Some really disappointing stuff.

Really, we're going to play Malik. Why? So he can be terrible in Australia WC?

Zero reason for Shaheen & Hasan to be playing. They have been playing without any rest and there's an upcoming Test series. Why not just rest him for that. This is a completely meaningless T20 and in no way does it matter who wins or loses. It's about trying new combination for what may work in the upcoming WC, not using full strength to win a series against this pathetic Bangladesh side.

Apparently he's going to retire after this series.and yes I agree no reason for shaheen and Hassan to be playing but 1 will definitely play.

 

[shamaan]

Far too many pacers, hmmm i reckon Wasim jr might need to sit this out:

1. Babar Azam (Captain)
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
3. Haider Ali
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Khushdil Shah
6. Muhammad Nawaz
7. Shoaib Malik
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali/Wasim Jr
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Haris Rauf

I would play haider at 4 he's a better player of spin.fakhar should bat at 3.

 

[shamaan]

Rizwan
Fakhar
Babar
Haider ali
Malik if its last series
Khushdil
Wasim Jnr
Shadab
Nawaz
Shaheen
Rauf

 

[shamaan]

If Khushdil does not perform in BD(assuming he plays)then he should be dropped.

He should get 3 games and not 1 game.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

If reports are true that malik will retire then give him the 3 match series as a farewell.

Yep, i am hearing that he might use the next WI series as a farewell tour which that's fine i can support that

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I would play haider at 4 he's a better player of spin.fakhar should bat at 3.

4 is fine, what's one number gonna do. However, in this series i want the bench strength getting the chances to come out in crunch situations or have a good go. The low bounce though still concerns me.

 

[shamaan]

4 is fine, what's one number gonna do. However, in this series i want the bench strength getting the chances to come out in crunch situations or have a good go. The low bounce though still concerns me.

Hopefully haider ali performs we need him to cement the position at 3/4

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Personally think Shaheen and Hasan should have been rested. They have been playing non-stop and will be playing again in the test matches.

T20s are in Bangladesh where visiting teams were struggling to cross 60 few months ago and where it makes sense to with Imad, Nawaz and Shadab. Or even Usman Qadir over Imad or Nawaz.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Hopefully haider ali performs we need him to cement the position at 3/4

He certainly should, we need to give him confidence now with his hot form. Should've done it in the WC but hey ho such is life. This series and next month he should be playing and others rested.

 

[Kroll]

Hopefully, Khushdil and Haider can do something, we need to develop a middle order urgently! What this will do then is allow us to try some new openers cos lets face it, the Babar and Rizwan pairing is too slow.

You need one opener who averages at least 140+ SR.

 

[shamaan]

He certainly should, we need to give him confidence now with his hot form. Should've done it in the WC but hey ho such is life. This series and next month he should be playing and others rested.

Yes agree even if he fails in this series he should be backed fully.

 

[globalcitizen]

Surely mohammed Rizwan can rest for this series.. he was in ICU a few days back , I can understand playing a vital game like SF but this one can give a pass ?

 

[Shafi]

Why Sarfraz still in the team? Why Rohail or even Haris get opportunity?

 

[Cric1234]

I've said this numerous times, Malik will retire after next World T20 (Aus 2022) and Hafeez will carry on till 2023, 50 overs World Cup in India.

Great after excellent 50s against Scotland and Namibia they can retire on a high next year by scoring more half centuries against UAE and Papa New Guinea fully cementing their legacy as minnow bashing all time greats.

 

[Cric1234]

As usual T20s are everything for us we take the bilaterals too seriously compared to others lack of success in other formats could be the reason for it losing more in this format would lead to more mediocrity when we’ve seen plenty in tests and ODIs.