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Pakistan announce 16-man squad for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies

Sami was a good test opener in my opinion.

Yes he was limited but at least he stuck around in the crease.

Let's see how others fare.
 
It's barely been a year since Inzimam was appointed as chief selector. Sure he has made a few blunders, but overall this is very good progress for one year. People who expected us to drop everyone and bring in 11 new players after one series don't know anything about cricket.

It takes time to build a team. And Pakistan is low on good players right now. They can't just throw in all these domestic "wonders" all at once.
 
Very good squad. Good to see no Sohail, Imran, or Rahat. Great to see Salahuddin there. Only mistake is Shan Masood for Sami Aslam.
 
Ahmed Shehzad
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Younis Khan
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Misbah Ul Haq
Shadab Khan
M.Amir
Yasir Shah
Hasan Ali
M. Asghar.
 
I haven't seen Salauddin or Abbas play but they have pretty impressive 1st class stats so I wonder if they'll get a go above the established names. Other than that it's a straightforward squad and I can't argue too much with the names included. My only issue is that there are 3 openers in the squad which seems unnecessary.

The XI I'd pick is:

1. Ali
2. Shehzad
3. Babar
4. Y. Khan
5. Misbah c
6. Shafiq (Pak's unusng hero)
7. Sarfraz wk (Pak's overrated "hero" lol)
8. Amir
9. Riaz
10. Shah
11. Ali

If Pakistan win the first test and the bowl looks to turn, I think Shadab should be given a try in Riaz's place. If Pak have won the first 2 tests, I think they should try Abbas in the 3rd test in place of H. Ali who would probably need a rest by then.
 
Shan over Sami aside, it's a good squad. Usman Salahuddin earned that call up and so have Asghar, Shadab, Hasan and Abbas.

The only one I will complain about is Ahmed Shehzad. Wasn't he playing BPL when the premier first class domestic competition was going on?

Sami dropped is disappointing but like someone explained earlier, I feel it is an earned recall. He was pretty good in domestic cricket this past season and his behavior, his fitness etc is exemplary. He's a decent bat. I shoud actually be complaining about Shehzad over Sami.

But overall a squad with much to be cheered about. The inclusion of Asghar, Shadab, Hasan and Abbas is major step forward. Sohail Khan will feel hard done, but a tour of West Indies is hard work for a fast bowler and his energy levels from the third spell onward are not international standards.

Rahat and Imran rightfully dropped, even though I still think both are serviceable guys. Abbas and Hasan both I am looking forward to seeing in the longer format. I hope they get both get plenty of chances to prove themselves.

The biggest mystery to me is how the line up pans out. I hope they don't bring Azhar down from his opener slot to the one down position. That would be a major step backwards. Another interesting thing to look for is whether they finally treat acknowledge Shadab as an all rounder and go with a 6+1+4 or a straight 7+4.
 
Apart from Sami aslam, this is a very good squad. Don't know what people are complaining about. If not masood, Shehzad can open with azhar. The only other questionable selection is Misbah himself who has been terrible off late but I doubt Inzi and Mickey could've done anything about that.
 
I would go with this:
Azhar
Masood
Shafiq
Khan
Misbah*
Salahuddin
Sarfraz+
Wahab
Amir
Yasir
Abbas

I hope Shafiq has improved his bowling a lot. Otherwise we would have to go with Babar as an all-rounder over Salahuddin.
 
Rayyman said:
I would go with this:
Azhar
Masood
Shafiq
Khan
Misbah*
Salahuddin
Sarfraz+
Wahab
Amir
Yasir
Abbas

I hope Shafiq has improved his bowling a lot. Otherwise we would have to go with Babar as an all-rounder over Salahuddin.
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Salahuddin over babar?
 
DRsohail said:
sami come back was good after failure against bangla....time will tell that how this masood guy goes.i have zero expectations though...
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As I said, this one is the only question mark - between the 2 lefti openers, I would have picked Sami, they have picked Shan. Argument against Shan is that he is too ordinary to be part of PAK Test team; while Sami has better celling but couldn't cash on.

It's a close call, but for that may be it's not perfect 10, but overall very good squad. They have brought the average squad age to 29 level - take out Misbah & YK, it'll come down further.
 
Good squad overall. However, dropping of Sami for Shan is a farce.

Azhar and Sami were a very good opening pair.
 
MMHS said:
As I said, this one is the only question mark - between the 2 lefti openers, I would have picked Sami, they have picked Shan. Argument against Shan is that he is too ordinary to be part of PAK Test team; while Sami has better celling but couldn't cash on.

It's a close call, but for that may be it's not perfect 10, but overall very good squad. They have brought the average squad age to 29 level - take out Misbah & YK, it'll come down further.
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thats good that misbah buddies hafezz is not there and zulfi couldnt make it for obvious reasons otherwise it would have been different.....see micky influence here for dropping sohail.hafeez and zulfi..
 
hadi123 said:
Sami Aslam's career has been ruined. He will never regain confidence
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i fear this too. seems like a timid character who needs backing n confidence.
shocking decision to nkt select him. maybe inzi wants a hit and miss opener so he can bring butt back next
 
Overall, not bad.

Don't agree with Shadab and shan being selected.

Feel for Sami Aslam, who handled the English bowlers much better than shan and he would have done far worse than Sami in NZ and Aus.

Good to see Salahuddin there, but hopefully we see Fawad Alam next time is well.
 
Sami being dropped is the only poor selection

Ahmed Shehzad never actually deserved to be dropped from test team. So he is deservedly back
 
BA56 said:
The biggest mystery to me is how the line up pans out. I hope they don't bring Azhar down from his opener slot to the one down position. That would be a major step backwards. Another interesting thing to look for is whether they finally treat acknowledge Shadab as an all rounder and go with a 6+1+4 or a straight 7+4.
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I think Azhar will stay as an opener, and he will be joined by Shehzad unless the latter completely flops in the odis

The bowling attack is a far more interesting question. I think Amir is the only certainty. If shadab has an outstanding odis series i can see him pipping Yasir, and personaly i dont think it would be in misbah's nature to play 2 leggies.
 
pakistanigoneaussie said:
I think Azhar will stay as an opener, and he will be joined by Shehzad unless the latter completely flops in the odis

The bowling attack is a far more interesting question. I think Amir is the only certainty. If shadab has an outstanding odis series i can see him pipping Yasir, and personaly i dont think it would be in misbah's nature to play 2 leggies.
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Shadab's only option is playing as an AR at no 7. For that one of shafiq/babar will have to be dropped

Don't think Shadab even with a spectacular ODI series would make it as a pure bowler
 
Everyone is ending Rahat Ali loool Brilliant selection, finally new players, different pace and spin bowlers to assisr Yasie, Amir and Wahab. Brilliant so glad we have new players and brilliant adding Hasan Ali.
 
hur rizvi said:
Shadab's only option is playing as an AR at no 7. For that one of shafiq/babar will have to be dropped

Don't think Shadab even with a spectacular ODI series would make it as a pure bowler
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i agree he shouldnt but i can see it happening, no way they would play him as an allrounder though

We have to look at the context of the tour, this is Misbah's last hurray, he will be desperate to win and so he will go back to what he is most used to.
 
pakistanigoneaussie said:
i agree he shouldnt but i can see it happening, no way they would play him as an allrounder though

We have to look at the context of the tour, this is Misbah's last hurray, he will be desperate to win and so he will go back to what he is most used to.
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Misbah would prefer asghar and Yasir and I think if we go with two spinners that's better
 
I feel desperately sorry for Sami Aslam.

But compare these two 2016-17 First Class batting records:

Shan Masood
9 matches, 14 innings
436 runs @ 36.33
1 x 100, 1 x 50


Salman Butt
10 matches, 16 innings
741 runs @ 47.99,
4 x 100, 2 x 50

Butt is too old to recall, but the selection of Masood is outrageous.
 
Pakistan is going into a Test series in the West Indies with only 2 pace bowlers taller than 6 foot.

The West Indies should win easily.
 
Junaids said:
Pakistan is going into a Test series in the West Indies with only 2 pace bowlers taller than 6 foot.

The West Indies should win easily.
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When Hasan Ali took out the stumps with the batsman baffled it reminded me of Asif. I'm not saying he is as gifted but he does have something about him you have to admit.

Sometimes in pro sports these things can happen. Its not always about a rigid spec for a bowler.
 
Junaids said:
Pakistan is going into a Test series in the West Indies with only 2 pace bowlers taller than 6 foot.

The West Indies should win easily.
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Abbas, Riaz and Amir are all above six foot.
 
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DRsohail said:
another question ....do u also think that imam is going to grab that spot eventually because he is better than the two ..shan and sami and may be shezzy to make left right combo with shezzy..inzi is slowly and gradually doing well....i am asking capiblity of the four openers where i feel imam is better....
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[MENTION=140234]DRsohail[/MENTION] your conspiracy theories have been thrown out of the window :))
 
Why is Amir selected again? He done zilch in Aus. Undeserving selection.
 
Junaids said:
Pakistan is going into a Test series in the West Indies with only 2 pace bowlers taller than 6 foot.

The West Indies should win easily.
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West Indian pitches aren't what they used to be - they're uniformly slow, low and spin-friendly. The pacers are there to give the spinners a rest.

This series may as well be in Asia.
 
Shafi said:
Why Hasan Ali and Sadab khan in Test squad. Too many matches will spoil their career. Typical no brainer for our selector
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Yeah, let's pick them when they're 30.

Their career is playing cricket.

One is 22/23 and the other is 18 years of age.

Sachin started his career at 16 and almost all young and exciting prospects make their debut in their early 20s.

Why are you plagued with the uncle syndrome?
 
Shafi said:
Why Hasan Ali and Sadab khan in Test squad. Too many matches will spoil their career. Typical no brainer for our selector
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Yeh. How dare they be selected. They should retire.
 
Sami Aslam's inevitable axing is beyond ridiculous, that too for someone like Sifarishan. I like the latter but you don't drop a 27-year-old who averages 24 for a 21-year-old who averages 33 which includes 5 Tests in NZ/AUS. Horrible.

Regarding Shehzad, if there's one format he actually deserves to make it on merit in, it's Test cricket. Imam-ul-Haq is injured, and keeping that in mind, I'd go for Shehzad over senior citizens like Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, and Salman Butt 10/10 times (assuming Ahmed's attitude is fine, which seems to be the case at the moment).

Rest of the batting selects itself. Hoping Babar continues batting at #3 and Azhar opens with Ahmed, because I'm hearing that the management is considering moving Azhar to #3 (though I doubt that will happen because Arthur loves Babar, and rightly so).

Great to see Usman Salahuddin finally get a call-up. Fantastic addition. One of our best prospects in terms of Test batsmen when you consider the fact that Haris Sohail is still finding his feet post-injury, Umar Akmal is an unfit fool at the moment, Umar Amin and even Ali Waqas have not done anything of note lately, as well as (of course) the fact that Babar Azam is already in the squad.

Bowling is excellent. Zero complains. Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, and Yasir Shah are automatic selections. Sohail Khan is only fit for LOIs and will not work in Tests. Imran Khan and Rahat Ali, though are servicable players as someone mentioned above, are simply lacking and we have other options who deserve chances. Hasan Ali is a great example of that, and it's great to see him in all three squads now. Mohammad Abbas is another selection done on merit. Mohammad Asghar and Shadab Khan are fantastic additions and am happy for both of them, though one has to feel for Zafar Gohar (but at least no Zulfiqar/Ajmal!).

All in all a 9/10, with Sami's omission the only glaring error. No Hafeez, Kamran which is wonderful.

My XI:

Ahmed Shehzad
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Younis Khan
Misbah-ul-Haq*
Asad Shafiq
Sarfraz Ahmed+ (VC)
Yasir Shah
Mohammad Amir
Wahab Riaz
Mohammad Asghar

I was initially in favour of a 6-4-1 combination but that will unsettle the top-order and will result in Shafiq/Babar's removal which Misbah obviously will not do. Will have to wait for Misbah to leave for that to happen.

Hasan Ali, Abbas, Shadab Khan and Usman Salahuddin unlucky to miss out but they will get their chances soon; Usman/Shadab after Misbah leaves, and Hasan overseas or incase Wahab/Amir gets injured, with Abbas as a reserve option.

All four bowlers are fresh at the moment (Wahab should sit out for the ODIs) and so a four-man attack can work for these three Tests, with Babar/Shafiq/Azhar providing ~15 overs daily if required (though we should be fine against WI with just four bowlers).
 
Not bad but Sami Aslam's non-selection is a shocker. Not smart at all.

Still, respectable squad considering how awful things can get.
 
Regarding Salahuddin, the one man I would've picked instead of him would be Fawad Alam. Guy along with Sadaf has to be the unluckiest cricketer in Pakistan.

However, am happy for Salahuddin. Have rated him for years now and hope he comes good.
 
I have been watching Test cricket from the West Indies since 1980-81.

Two spinners does not work. Whether it's Emburey-Edmonds, Mushtaq-Saqlain or Qadir-Tauseef - and Imran refused to pair Tauseef with Qadir.

The Dukes ball lasts twice as long as a Kookaburra but still leaves you needing to fill forty overs (41-80) with a guy at least 6 foot 6 (Ambrose, Bishop, Garner, Walsh or McGrath or Hazlewood) bowling a full length from a huge height.

This is not a bowling attack. It's a suicide note.
 
Shan Masood does nothing other then nick it to the keeper. Sami Aslam should have been given another chance to come good. Glad to see no Akmal in the side.
 
Pretty decent squad - only questionable picks are Shan and Shehzad. Good to see Usman there.
 
Sami Aslam is a good prospect but mentally too weak. He was always playing for his spot and never saw him coming out of his shell...
 
Junaids said:
I have been watching Test cricket from the West Indies since 1980-81.

Two spinners does not work. Whether it's Emburey-Edmonds, Mushtaq-Saqlain or Qadir-Tauseef - and Imran refused to pair Tauseef with Qadir.

The Dukes ball lasts twice as long as a Kookaburra but still leaves you needing to fill forty overs (41-80) with a guy at least 6 foot 6 (Ambrose, Bishop, Garner, Walsh or McGrath or Hazlewood) bowling a full length from a huge height.

This is not a bowling attack. It's a suicide note.
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India just won 2-0 with Ashwin + Jadeja.
 
kingusama92 said:
India just won 2-0 with Ashwin + Jadeja.
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And Kumar/Yadav/Shami - none over 6'.
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] - the time you started watching cricket in WI - probably 4 fast bowlers like Irfan's height won't have won the series. This is a different WI team, who are almost as poor as England when it comes to play spin. Last time, Ajmal almost alone won PAK 2 Tests, batsmen bolted once against Sammy. This time as well, unless it rains & batsmen flops no reason for PAK not to win at lest 2 Tests.

Major concern is batting & catching, not bowling.
 
id say sallahudin deserves a place over Babar in tests, without any shadow of a doubt, and as for the quick bowlers, theres little to choose between amir, Hassan and Abbas, with wahab easily the worst of the lot.

im not sure why amir and wahab are seen as automatic choices, they have both been failures:

test records: amir ave 34@65, wahab ave 34 @59

but if we are to compare the four, can only look at fc stats, bearing in mind that wahab and amir will look slightly worse because fc stats include tests:

amir 24@47 - 175 wkts
wahab 29@51 - 420 wkts
abbas 22@46 - 244 wkts
Hasan 24@42 - 124 wkts

which for me means amir and Abbas make the final xi, with one of Hasan, asghar or shadab - depending on conditions. also we need a right hander to create rough for yasir.

so the best eleven from that squad is:

1. ali (because Shehzad is too much of a coward too ever take 1)
2. Shehzad
3. younis
4. salahuddin
5. misbah
6. shafiq
7. sarfraz
8. yasir
9. amir
10. abbas
11. asghar/hasan/shadab
 
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[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

Just to add, I think Saq-Mushi won PAK a Test (Series), but robbed by the umpires. India won its 1st series with 3 spinners, 2nd series in 2006 with 2.5 spinners. In fact BD won a series against a WI side 2-0 with 2.5 spinners.

I am a bit surprised that you named Embury-Edmonds with Qadir, Tausif, Saq & Mushi - had they been Pakistani or Indian, it would have been difficult for them to make a decent FC side, therefore that comparison is a bit .. you know. Warne, Miller & McGill did enough to suggest that you can play two spinners in WI, if you pick them on bowling merit, not to contribute 35 with bat.

Last time WI chased ~200 against English all-rounder spin attack on a Barbados minefield - same team'll need to bat 3 times to chase that, if you replace proper spinners with all-rounders.
 
MMHS said:
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

Just to add, I think Saq-Mushi won PAK a Test (Series), but robbed by the umpires. India won its 1st series with 3 spinners, 2nd series in 2006 with 2.5 spinners. In fact BD won a series against a WI side 2-0 with 2.5 spinners.

I am a bit surprised that you named Embury-Edmonds with Qadir, Tausif, Saq & Mushi - had they been Pakistani or Indian, it would have been difficult for them to make a decent FC side, therefore that comparison is a bit .. you know. Warne, Miller & McGill did enough to suggest that you can play two spinners in WI, if you pick them on bowling merit, not to contribute 35 with bat.

Last time WI chased ~200 against English all-rounder spin attack on a Barbados minefield - same team'll need to bat 3 times to chase that, if you replace proper spinners with all-rounders.
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I disagree about Phil Edmonds: after Bishan Bedi he is the second best slow left-arm spinner that I have ever seen!
 
 
MMHS said:
Everyone has to blame Saan Masood's luck here, not Inzi. Arthur always backs player who are comited, fit & dedicated; besides he would defintely like a lefti in a line up that has only Amir to bat left handed (surely WI will pick 2.5 spinners with 2 taking their stock ball away from right handers).

Now, Saan didn't force Sharjeel to go beyond line, he didn't make Imam unfit, he wasn't responsible for Salman Butt not playing his 100th Test by now & he is definitely not responsible for Sami to bat at 33 average & probably similar Strike Rate. Rather, what he has done is kept himself in game, kept himself fit & kept himself available - even that guy didn't go to BPL & he kept playing every possible match that came towards him.

Unless these qualities & efforts are recognized, PAK will keep producing lots of Umar Akmal. Saan might not be the best tool, but definitely a role model of what a pro sportsman should be. There was a thread on this - I can safely bet that Saan would have played many more Test under Imran than Misbah & many, many more matches than Afridi or Umar. For a change, Khan would have forced him to improve his game - he won't ever be Lara, but its possible to match Shoaib Md....
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I agree. Spot on. It makes me sick that some people think his selection is because of his dad. From what I have heard, Misbah, Younus and Mickey love the guy because of his attitude, hard work and dedication.
 
Yaasir said:
I agree. Spot on. It makes me sick that some people think his selection is because of his dad. From what I have heard, Misbah, Younus and Mickey love the guy because of his attitude, hard work and dedication.
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I'm a hardworking lad that means I can be test opener for Pakistan despite not having the requisite skill set?
 
Although I'm still
Mad at Misbah's inclusion at the cost of a youngster but other than that an excellent selection, first time I have given this sort of endorsement to Inzi,s selection.
 
All over the world, in sports including cricket, one has be a good sportsman and physically very fit to be national team, Shaan is the only opener in Pak who has reasonab stats and the most physically fit and hardworking. I would prefer him over anyone with average stats and everage fitness .
 
Yaasir said:
I agree. Spot on. It makes me sick that some people think his selection is because of his dad. From what I have heard, Misbah, Younus and Mickey love the guy because of his attitude, hard work and dedication.
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But Shan Masood's technique is unfixable.

Literally no amount of hard work can fix it.

He failed in England, was told to go back to QEA First Class cricket and has been recalled after a vastly inferior season to Salman Butt.
 
moghul said:
All over the world, in sports including cricket, one has be a good sportsman and physically very fit to be national team, Shaan is the only opener in Pak who has reasonab stats and the most physically fit and hardworking. I would prefer him over anyone with average stats and everage fitness .
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His QEA stats were massively inferior to both Salman Butt and Imam-ul-Haq.

Massively, massively inferior.
 
2016-17 First Class batting records:


Shan Masood
9 matches, 14 innings
436 runs @ 36.33
1 x 100, 1 x 50


Salman Butt
10 matches, 16 innings
741 runs @ 47.99,
4 x 100, 2 x 50
 
85% good selection

Preferred XI

Shehzad
Azhar
Babar
YK
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Amir
Yasir
Wahab
Hasan/Shadab/Asghar

Bowling is weak but will do the job against WI not too sure teams have 2 specialists leggie in a single test, Nawaz should have been kept in squad :facepalm:
 
MMHS said:
Great pick by Inzi, I have to admit. Probably only question mark is Saan over Sami, but neither was supposed to start over Shehzad. They took a little risk by not picking 2nd WK, but that spot has gone to Usman, rather than MoHa - more than fair enough.

13 of the 16 were certain, even before the probables sorted for practice - 3 spots were open, they picked Saan, Usman & Abbas.

9.5/10 from me. I would have taken a off spin all-rounder for Usman - probably Aga Sulman Ali; rest is perfect. Sami didn't help his course down under.
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Do you think this fast bowling line up amir, wahab and hassan, out of which only 2 will be in playing 11, has potential to penetrate the opposition?
 
Rashid Latif said that usman salahuddin was more an odi batsman. So he should have been picked for odis instead of tests
 
Selectors on Wednesday named young leg-spinner Shadab Khan in a 16-man squad for their three-match Test series in the West Indies, rewarding him for his strong Twenty20 performance.

Shadab, 18, who rose to fame in the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in February-March, took 10 wickets in Pakistan's 3-1 T20 series victory against the West Indies last week.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said Shadab's inclusion highlights the policy of introducing fresh blood.

“The Test team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions in the West Indies and the recent performances of players during the domestic and international season,” Inzamam told AFP.

Misbah-ul-Haq will lead Pakistan in the Tests, which follow the three-match one-day series starting in Guyana on Friday.

Inzamam said Shadab had performed better than predicted.

“Everyone felt that Shadab has performed beyond expectations so we thought he should also be used for the five-day format,” he said.

Uncapped medium paceman Mohammad Abbas, 27, won selection thanks to his performance in domestic matches, having taken 61 and 71 wickets in the last two home seasons respectively.

Middle-order batsman Usman Salahuddin, 26, was selected for the first time in a Test team after failing in the two one-day internationals on the tour of West Indies in 2011.

But wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, who scored 1,035 in the country's premier first-class tournament and Asif Zakir - 853 runs in the same tournament - were overlooked.

Inzamam defended Kamran's exclusion.

“We gave Kamran chances in the recent Twenty20 (in West Indies) and he is in the one-day squad but in the presence of the main wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed it was tough to get him in the Test side,” he said.

Openers Ahmed Shehzad and Shan Masood staged comebacks in the Test side but there was no place for Mohammad Hafeez, who was also overlooked for Pakistan's last two Test series in New Zealand and Australia.

The first Test starts in Jamaica on April 21, the second in Barbados on April 30 and the third in Dominica on May 10.

Squad
Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad,Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Usman Salahuddin, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asghar, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
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Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1325054/test-squad-announced-for-west-indies-series
 
Rafay Shafiq said:
Do you think this fast bowling line up amir, wahab and hassan, out of which only 2 will be in playing 11, has potential to penetrate the opposition?
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I am not sure what Misbah would like to operate with - probably he'll go with 4 bowlers, in that case 2 spinners are must; therefore Hasan misses out.

Personally, I'll operate with 5 bowlers - PAK is the better team, hence they should play to get 20 wickets. It's not about what the batsmen does, rather getting 20 WI wickets at a lower cost than own 20 wickets.

3 Tests are scheduled at Barbados, Trinidad & Dominica (?) - I know the first 2 wickets much better than the 3rd.

At Kensington, I'll play 3 pacers & 2 spinners. 3 pacers are Amir, Wahab & the faster one of Hasan & Abbas - I go for Hasan, because I know he can reverse the old ball. For 2 spinners, I'll definitely pick Shadab to bat at 7 & cover the gap of 1 batsman. His partner has to be Yasir at the 1st Test.

At Queens Park, it's a 3 spinner track, if anything such exists. Unless the 3rd pacer does exceptionally well, I'll play Amir & Wahab, backed by all 3 spinners.

By 3rd Test, Mickey should figure it out who should be 5th bowler, depending on condition. I'll play 3 spinners, because I do believe this is the poorest era of Spin play & this WI lot is the worst along with Poms, when it comes to handle spinners under pressure.

If I play 5 bowlers, batting selects almost themselves - Azhar to open with Babar or Shehzad & by 3rd Test, Misbah might call it a day - in that case, both.
 
MMHS said:
I am not sure what Misbah would like to operate with - probably he'll go with 4 bowlers, in that case 2 spinners are must; therefore Hasan misses out.

Personally, I'll operate with 5 bowlers - PAK is the better team, hence they should play to get 20 wickets. It's not about what the batsmen does, rather getting 20 WI wickets at a lower cost than own 20 wickets.

3 Tests are scheduled at Barbados, Trinidad & Dominica (?) - I know the first 2 wickets much better than the 3rd.

At Kensington, I'll play 3 pacers & 2 spinners. 3 pacers are Amir, Wahab & the faster one of Hasan & Abbas - I go for Hasan, because I know he can reverse the old ball. For 2 spinners, I'll definitely pick Shadab to bat at 7 & cover the gap of 1 batsman. His partner has to be Yasir at the 1st Test.

At Queens Park, it's a 3 spinner track, if anything such exists. Unless the 3rd pacer does exceptionally well, I'll play Amir & Wahab, backed by all 3 spinners.

By 3rd Test, Mickey should figure it out who should be 5th bowler, depending on condition. I'll play 3 spinners, because I do believe this is the poorest era of Spin play & this WI lot is the worst along with Poms, when it comes to handle spinners under pressure.

If I play 5 bowlers, batting selects almost themselves - Azhar to open with Babar or Shehzad & by 3rd Test, Misbah might call it a day - in that case, both.
Click to expand...

My mistake - 1st Test is at Kingston, which should take out 3rd spinner, same goes for 2nd Test - therefore, Yasir or Asghar for 1st 2 Tests,in a 5 bowler strategy.
 
Disappointed to see Sami has been dropped.Shan should not have been picked.
However it's good that Salahuddin has been picked
 
in_cutter said:
[MENTION=140234]DRsohail[/MENTION] your conspiracy theories have been thrown out of the window :))
Click to expand...

not at all..when you are in the verge of retirement and your own place in the team is not guaranted then you cant ask for buddies otherwise the 7 years history tells that how many openers we got and how many all rounders played under him....
 
Unless we have a Gavaskar or Cook in our domestic cricket , I'm fine with Shaan. Imam would have been my choice but he is injured, Butt not selected due to instructions from top although I would have no problem. Sami is not suitable for modern day cricket with extremely limited range of strokes and not a great fielder at such a young age.
 
Shaan for Sami is contentious

Dropping Sohail Khan is contentious . .

Other than that, very happy with the Squad! Great blend of youth and experience . . with Misbah on his way out, important to make Usman Salahuddin feel at home . . hope he is able to impress Mickey and the management!
 
MMHS said:
Personally, I'll operate with 5 bowlers - PAK is the better team, hence they should play to get 20 wickets. It's not about what the batsmen does, rather getting 20 WI wickets at a lower cost than own 20 wickets.

3 Tests are scheduled at Barbados, Trinidad & Dominica (?) - I know the first 2 wickets much better than the 3rd.
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Dominica is a newer ground and will produce another slow, low spin-friendly pitch. Bishoo took a 6-fer against Australia in the last Test at the ground.
 
Where is the batting?

Younis Khan has failed in 19 Test innings out of 23 outside Asia in the last five years.

Misbah has failed in 17 Test innings out of 21 outside Asia in the last five years.

Ahmed Shehzad has looked terrible against short-pitched bowling in the longer game since Corey Anderson fractured his skull.
 
moghul said:
Unless we have a Gavaskar or Cook in our domestic cricket , I'm fine with Shaan. Imam would have been my choice but he is injured, Butt not selected due to instructions from top although I would have no problem. Sami is not suitable for modern day cricket with extremely limited range of strokes and not a great fielder at such a young age.
Click to expand...
Because Shan is a free flowing batsman with a solid technique.

Sami is perfect for test cricket.

Renshaw and Cook are limited batsman but are succeeding.
 
Last edited:
pacesensation said:
Rashid Latif said that usman salahuddin was more an odi batsman. So he should have been picked for odis instead of tests
Click to expand...

interesting and do you know why he said that?
May be 5-6 years back but odi game has changed and don't think Usman is suited for that format now.
 
Junaids said:
Where is the batting?

Younis Khan has failed in 19 Test innings out of 23 outside Asia in the last five years.

Misbah has failed in 17 Test innings out of 21 outside Asia in the last five years.

Ahmed Shehzad has looked terrible against short-pitched bowling in the longer game since Corey Anderson fractured his skull.
Click to expand...

Misbah is the only odd choice, for obvious reason. YK is more than automatic choice in this line up, against WI. We can argue if he should be playing or not at this age. Out side Asia and in WI are not same, though technically you are right.
 
Abdullah719 said:
List A strike-rate of 75.... makees sense.
Click to expand...

These ex-cricketers have struggled to move on with the times. They still think cricket is played the way they used to play. If a batsman is batting at 75 SR and even if he scores a century he is doing more harm to his side than good.



Also whatever Latif says should be taken with a truckload of salt, he used to throw a hissy fit everytime Khurram Manzoor didn't get selected and we all saw what kind of 'batsman' Manzoor was.
 
I would experiment with 5 bowlers for the First Test.

Azhar
Babar (Root had a brief stint as an opener that developed his game; Babar can open until Misbah goes)
Shafiq
Younis
Misbah
Sarfraz
Shadab
Amir
Yasir
Wahab
Hassan
 
pacesensation said:
Rashid Latif said that usman salahuddin was more an odi batsman. So he should have been picked for odis instead of tests
Click to expand...

How I missed this - didn't he recommend Fawad, Manzoor & Faisal Iqbal for Test squad?
 
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