Pakistan announce ODI squad for the tour of South Africa

[MenInG]

==

Pakistan squads for South Africa and Zimbabwe announced

• 18-player T20I and ODI squads named, 20-player Test side confirmed; 14 players feature in both T20I and ODI sides, eight players earn selectors’ nod across all formats

• New-comers Arshad Iqbal of Swabi named in T20I side, Mohammad Wasim Jnr of North Waziristan picked in both T20I and ODI teams, Larkana’s Shahnawaz Dahani included in Test squad

• Pakistan’s white-ball side to depart for Johannesburg on 26 March for three ODIs and four T20Is; will also play three T20Is and two Tests against Zimbabwe; Test specialists to leave for Bulawayo around 12 April

• Training camp for white-ball players to commence in Lahore on 19 March

Lahore, 12 March 2021:

Pakistan cricket selectors have continued to reward domestic performers and show faith in emerging cricketers as they named formidable sides for the upcoming challenges in South Africa and Zimbabwe where the national men’s side will play seven T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.

The seven T20Is and two Tests will count towards the ICC T20I and Test Team Rankings, while the three ODIs against South Africa will be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League – a 13-team competition from which the top seven sides will qualify automatically for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The 35-member Pakistan squad will depart for Johannesburg on 26 March for the three ODIs and four T20Is against South Africa. They will then fly to Bulawayo on 17 April for three T20Is and two Tests against Zimbabwe. The side is scheduled to return on 12 May.

Prior to their departure for Johannesburg, a training camp for the white-ball players will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium from 19 March. The players will arrive in Lahore on 18 March following 16 March PCR tests in their respective cities and will undergo further PCR tests on 18, 21 and 24 March. During the Lahore camp, the players will remain in a bio-secure environment.

The T20I and ODI sides include 18 players each with 14 players featuring in both the formats, while the Test squad comprises 20 players with eight players figuring across all three formats. These eight players are Babar Azam (captain), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Squad:

ODI: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Danish Aziz (Sindh), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)

Pakistan white-ball vice-captain Shadab Khan and T20I specialist Mohammad Hafeez have returned to the side after missing the South Africa series.

The newcomers in the white-ball squads are 20-year-old Swabi-born fast bowler Arshad Iqbal (T20I squad) and 19-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jnr from North Waziristan (both T20I and ODI squads).

Arshad has earned selection after claiming 10 T20 wickets and seven 50-over wickets in the 2020-21 season, while his Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team-mate Wasim took seven 50-over wickets and four T20 wickets in the HBL PSL 6. Wasim also played in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020.

Chief selector Muhammad Wasim: “I want to congratulate Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shahnawaz Dahani on their selections in the Pakistan squads. This is an acknowledgement and reward for their talent and performances in the 2020-21 domestic season.

“Representing the country at a global stage is the biggest honour and achievement for any professional athlete. I am confident these selections for important tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe will inspire and motivate these budding youngsters to produce more impressive and consistent performances so that they can justify the faith and confidence exposed on them by the team management and selectors.

“The South Africa and Zimbabwe tours are extremely important for Pakistan cricket. The seven T20Is are part of our preparation for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while the South Africa ODIs are part of the Super League as we aim to qualify directly for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.


Tour itinerary (Zimbabwe schedule to be announced in due course)

26 March – Departure for Johannesburg
2 April - 1st ODI; SuperSport Park, Pretoria
4 April - 2nd ODI; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
7 April - 3rd ODI; SuperSport Park, Pretoria
10 April - 1st T20I; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
12 April - 2nd T20I; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
14 April - 3rd T20I; SuperSport Park, Pretoria
16 April -4th T20I; SuperSport Park, Pretoria
17 April – Departure for Bulawayo
12 May – Departure for Lahore from Bulawayo

 

[Rana]

Lol Abdullah Shafique

The guy is living a rollercoaster life since he has been scouted by Pakistan cricket board

 

[hitthestump]

This is a fairly good side. Haris Sohail should really be there at this stage of his career but it looks like the selectors want to move on from him permamently now.

 

[guldozer]

Which one is wasim Jr, I can keep up with the emerging players in PSL.

 

[saeed5646]

Lol Abdullah Shafique

The guy is living a rollercoaster life since he has been scouted by Pakistan cricket board

Hafeez usually doesn't hype our player but he particularly mentioned Abdullah shafiq and said he is one future star .

But i agree he needs to show some performances otherwise he will be under immense scrutiny

 

[b.lesner]

Sharjeel Should be in ODIs as well in place of Abdullah club cricketer Shafiq and what is Shadab doing in odi in place of Zahid.
Why is Rohail Nazir dropped from ODIs?

 

[Square Drive]

Haris Sohail's career over?

 

[Rana]

OMG the famous finisher not included?!???

 

[ChTab]

Sharjeel Should be in ODIs as well in place of Abdullah club cricketer Shafiq and what is Shadab doing in odi in place of Zahid.
Why is Rohail Nazir dropped from ODIs?

Yeah, we need to give all the fixers a chance once again so that they can betray their country/club once again for few dollars.

 

[ChTab]

This is a fairly good side. Haris Sohail should really be there at this stage of his career but it looks like the selectors want to move on from him permamently now.

Haven't done anything since 19 WC been really awful, we definitely need to move on from him.

 

[Firebat]

Which one is wasim Jr, I can keep up with the emerging players in PSL.

He’s a pace bowler playing for Islamabad in PSL6

 

[guldozer]

Iftikhar Ahmed is actually pretty decent in 50 over cricket, I think it's his best format.

I also have no issue with Danish Aziz being selected before him, it's a good chance to see him in action.

 

[Markhor]

Strange to select Sharjeel over Fakhar in T20s but Fakhar over Sharjeel in ODIs. Would liked to have seen more continuity between the ODI and T20 squad.

Good to see Saud Shakeel in ODIs.

Don't see Abdullah Shafique playing either Tests or ODIs, I guess he's picked to train with Younis and Misbah in nets.

No Imad Wasim in any of the squads ! A deserved kick up the backside for him. His fitness must improve and his bowling consists of little more than economical darts.

 

[Mir jibran]

Haris Sohail's career over?

Never say never in pakistan cricket
We.might see him playing at no 5 at the 2023 wc in india

 

[Square Drive]

Strange to select Sharjeel over Fakhar in T20s but Fakhar over Sharjeel in ODIs. Would liked to have seen more continuity between the ODI and T20 squad.

Good to see Saud Shakeel in ODIs.

Don't see Abdullah Shafique playing either Tests or ODIs, I guess he's picked to train with Younis and Misbah in nets.

No Imad Wasim in any of the squads ! A deserved kick up the backside for him. His fitness must improve and his bowling consists of little more than economical darts.

Fakhar in ODIs is the definition of continuity. He hasn't done much wrong there, and with Abid failing, he has rightfully been retained in the squad. Though I would open with Imam and Rizwan.

Furthermore, Wasim has maintained that Fakhar has been poor in T20Is and has thus not been selected once again (though I personally would've had him after a good NT20 and PSL). Again, showing continuity.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Haris Sohail's career over?

Alhamdulillah. I have lots of respect for Haris Sohail’s knocks but Wasim made the smart decision. Has barely played any cricket in 2 years and the little he has played, he has been performing horribly.

Glad that Wasim is proactive about these things. Many past chief selectors would have said something like “Haris Sohail is a match winner on his day” and “he has it in him to replicate that knock from 50 years ago.”

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Strange to select Sharjeel over Fakhar in T20s but Fakhar over Sharjeel in ODIs. Would liked to have seen more continuity between the ODI and T20 squad.

Good to see Saud Shakeel in ODIs.

Don't see Abdullah Shafique playing either Tests or ODIs, I guess he's picked to train with Younis and Misbah in nets.

No Imad Wasim in any of the squads ! A deserved kick up the backside for him. His fitness must improve and his bowling consists of little more than economical darts.

Agreed about Imad. Had (has) a lot of talent but absolutely lazy. A very good cricketer though, so hopefully he works hard and improves his fitness.

 

[Kroll]

Lol Abdullah Shafique

The guy is living a rollercoaster life since he has been scouted by Pakistan cricket board

I thought he had been scouted by [MENTION=56866]Bullet Drive[/MENTION]

 

[Omer2002]

Mohammed waseem junior ....what has he done to get in. I know i am all up for youngsters but we are talking about the national team here....some strange selections although i like the exclusions. Shafique is a good move in one day and test but he needs to play he is very low in confidence right now

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Mohammed waseem junior ....what has he done to get in. I know i am all up for youngsters but we are talking about the national team here....some strange selections although i like the exclusions. Shafique is a good move in one day and test but he needs to play he is very low in confidence right now

Listen to the press conference. Wasim Jr was selected as backup bowling all rounder to Faheem Ashraf. He has excellent performances in QeA Trophy, Pakistan Cup, and now PSL.

We don’t have any other backups to Faheem as fast bowling all rounders in the country. Wasim said Aamer Yamin and Ammad Butt weren’t selected because they were being carted around for fun in the PSL even though Ammad had excellent performances with the bat.

Wasim has good economy, provides control, and can bat too, which makes him the second best all rounder in the country. The bitter truth is we don’t really have any seam all rounder depth.

 

[gazza619]

Haris Sohail's career over?

It was about time.

 

[Titan24]

Decent squad.

Haris Sohail was a class act in WC 19 and his last 3 innings in ODIs were 40 off 48 (vs Srl), 56 off 50 (vs Srl) and 71 off 82 (vs Zim). So his exclusion falls within a grey area. Purely on the basis of performances I think he did reasonably well to remain part of ODI squad however, if we look at his fitness issues at this age, considering the tournaments ahead along with his inability to show that high level of commitment to fulfil his potential over the years it can be understandable from this perspective.

Imad Wasim exclusion on the other hand also falls within that grey area in my opinion. As a batsman who can hit the ball, I personally believe at the moment he is better than Nawaz and his ODI batting stats show that while in terms of bowling he is pretty limited but, a smart operator more often than not and Danish or Saud would have been decent options to fill that 5th bowler quota with him. However, he did himself no favours by not bowling much in PSL and not doing much with limited innings he played with the bat either. On the other hand Nawaz comes across as a fitter guy, decent fielder, younger, has hit more variety in his bowling and recently has batted decently in the death overs. So another selection which can be questioned as well as can be accepted with reasonable basis

Mohammad Wasim did mention that they want to try out the players as well so that they have a pool of white ball players for the 3 consecutive whiteball tournaments. So opportunity for players who have been dropped to work hard and the ones who are selected to grab it.

 

[cricketerB94]

First choice 11 from this squad should be:

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Saud
Haider
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Qadir
Shaheen

 

[GreenKhan]

Fakhar averages 46 in one day matches . Why do we always confuse formats ! There is no continuity in selecting players for formats they don’t deserve to be in . Sharjeel has no business being in our one day set up at present .

 

[nextover666666]

Pretty good sqaud would have like to see dahani in the odi sqaud and maybe nauman ali a go instead of nawaz for odi

 

[Bewal Express]

Dahani is a great selection and will in time develop in all 3 formats. Still too much dead wood in the T20 and ODI teams. No real strategy being developed for either format

 

[Markhor]

Fakhar in ODIs is the definition of continuity. He hasn't done much wrong there, and with Abid failing, he has rightfully been retained in the squad. Though I would open with Imam and Rizwan.

Furthermore, Wasim has maintained that Fakhar has been poor in T20Is and has thus not been selected once again (though I personally would've had him after a good NT20 and PSL). Again, showing continuity.

The problem is Fakhar has been trending downwards for the last 2 years in all formats, he averages 32 since the start of 2019 in ODIs and even that's propped up by bashing a second string Sri Lanka at home in 2019.

In the Pakistan Cup this season, he averaged 34 from 9 innings at the small State Bank Ground in Karachi on flat decks (Sharjeel was poor too). His technical weaknesses are being repeatedly exposed in T20s - and if we played more ODIs in the last year his ODI numbers would've fallen too.

And I hate saying that because he's a gun fielder who's delivered in big games.

When I say continuity, I mean keeping the core of your ODI and T20 squads the same. The gap between the two white ball formats are getting increasingly smaller, ODIs are becoming an extended T20 so theoretically a player who performs in one format should be good enough to adapt in the other (with exceptions like Shai Hope who's undroppable in ODIs). And ideally you'd want the same opening pair for each.

Otherwise, how are meant to find a stable opening pair who can build a proper understanding if we keep changing the combination every few matches ?

 

[Rayyman]

The problem is Fakhar has been trending downwards for the last 2 years in all formats, he averages 32 since the start of 2019 in ODIs and even that's propped up by bashing a second string Sri Lanka at home in 2019.

In the Pakistan Cup this season, he averaged 34 from 9 innings at the small State Bank Ground in Karachi on flat decks (Sharjeel was poor too). His technical weaknesses are being repeatedly exposed in T20s - and if we played more ODIs in the last year his ODI numbers would've fallen too.

And I hate saying that because he's a gun fielder who's delivered in big games.

When I say continuity, I mean keeping the core of your ODI and T20 squads the same. The gap between the two white ball formats are getting increasingly smaller, ODIs are becoming an extended T20 so theoretically a player who performs in one format should be good enough to adapt in the other (with exceptions like Shai Hope who's undroppable in ODIs). And ideally you'd want the same opening pair for each.

Otherwise, how are meant to find a stable opening pair who can build a proper understanding if we keep changing the combination every few matches ?

I disagree.

I used to think that in ODIs/T20Is you should have the same players, but if there is a large enough difference in performance, then you can select players for only one format. For example, Asif Ali will never play ODIs again, but he is the only decent option in T20Is. On the other hand, somebody like Usman Shinwari never deserved to be dropped for ODIs even though he struggles in T20s.

 

[UzmanBeast]

The problem is Fakhar has been trending downwards for the last 2 years in all formats, he averages 32 since the start of 2019 in ODIs and even that's propped up by bashing a second string Sri Lanka at home in 2019.

In the Pakistan Cup this season, he averaged 34 from 9 innings at the small State Bank Ground in Karachi on flat decks (Sharjeel was poor too). His technical weaknesses are being repeatedly exposed in T20s - and if we played more ODIs in the last year his ODI numbers would've fallen too.

And I hate saying that because he's a gun fielder who's delivered in big games.

When I say continuity, I mean keeping the core of your ODI and T20 squads the same. The gap between the two white ball formats are getting increasingly smaller, ODIs are becoming an extended T20 so theoretically a player who performs in one format should be good enough to adapt in the other (with exceptions like Shai Hope who's undroppable in ODIs). And ideally you'd want the same opening pair for each.

Otherwise, how are meant to find a stable opening pair who can build a proper understanding if we keep changing the combination every few matches ?

At the moment, I don't see any other opener who could take the slot from Fakhar. Abid is too slow, Sharjeel hasn't proved his credentials yet, so all that's left is Fakhar.

Hopefully Fakhar gets back into form, he is a match winner when he fires.

 

[Rayyman]

Great squad aside from Haris Rauf.

Rauf has done absolutely nothing in domestic cricket to deserve to be selected. He has pace and aggression, but he lacks control especially for longer formats.

I’m not completely sold on Shadab and Hasnain either. Have to do more in domestic cricket. A bit raw atm.

Arshad Iqbal could have a better option for ODIs.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Very surprised that Hafeez isn't picked considering his GOAT like form since 2020. Pak could have used Hafeez against a stronger opposition.

Yet again great stuff from Wasim by selecting Saud, Danish and Arshad Iqbal in T20's.

M Wasim's squads are very much in sync with most of the pp'ers preferred squads which is a good sign.

 

[BigShak]

Good decision to leave out Haris. Can’t have him hogging a spot until the WC only to let us down on the eve of it with fitness issues and then we’d be left with playing a rookie like Saud with little experience then. The time for Saud to get a long rope in ODIs and Tests is now, long overdue.

 

[Hasan123]

Haris Sohail has done well in ODIs, he is unlucky to miss out here. But his lack of work ethic and laziness about his game have proven costly.

 

[Omer2002]

Haris is finished..but looking at that squad batting is very thin. Saffers will smash us big time for sure

 

[MenInG]

"Training camp for white-ball players to commence in Lahore on 19 March" from the press release yesterday

But Punjab Govt has suspended all sports activities until further notice

https://arysports.tv/punjab-government-suspends-sports-activities-across-province/

 

[Abdullah Rabbani]

2 batsman are short

 

[Saj]

The batting looks pretty thin to me. A lot of untried batsmen.

Heavily reliant on Babar and Rizwan.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Very cool lineup. Don’t consider it in terms of present value, think of it in terms of a squad that’s going to develop together for 2023.

1. Imam ul Haq / Fakhar Zaman
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
3. Babar Azam
4. Haider Ali
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Shadab Khan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Mohammad Nawaz
9. Hassan Ali
10. Usman Qadir / Mohammad Hasnain (depending on conditions)
11. Shaheen Afridi

That batting lineup is extremely young and is likely to all peak together at around the same time in 2023. That’s really, really, really important. Abdullah Shafique on the bench for Imam and Danish Aziz on the bench for Saud is a very valuable proposition as well. All the bowlers are also expected to peak together in 2023. In addition, Nawaz is a genuine spinner compared to Imad which should not be overlooked considering the conditions are in India.

Consider past world cups where we’ve carried deadweight. 1996 with Miandad, 2003 with half the team, 2007 with Inzi, 2015 with Younis and Misbah, and 2019 with Shoaib Malik. We don’t want that kind of situation in 2023 as honestly those players were the difference between victory and defeat, even if the rest of the team was pretty decently good.

Hopefully this crop can make a good mark, play some exciting cricket, and grow well together.

 

[Varun]

Lol Abdullah Shafique

The guy is living a rollercoaster life since he has been scouted by Pakistan cricket board

Has he played more than the gargantuan 1 FC game yet?

Edit: Just checked. Nope, he hasn't.

 

[Varun]

Has he played more than the gargantuan 1 FC game yet?

Edit: Just checked. Nope, he hasn't.

Just the 1 List A game too, so on what basis is this Twitter influencer making it to an international ODI tour?

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Just the 1 List A game too, so on what basis is this Twitter influencer making it to an international ODI tour?

Had a pretty good National T20 cup. About 10 games if I remember correctly. A lot of his knocks were ODI-style knocks (130 SR with proper technique). Also, his technique is really highly rated by Wasim, Misbah, and most of all Babar Azam who said in an interview that Abdullah is his personal selection.

Btw he had a groundbreaking grade 2 season on some pretty difficult tracks. It’s not a completely out of the blue selection, although yes he should have played more first class cricket before being selected.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Squad seems okay but Danish Aziz seems like a really odd pick for ODI's. His domestic track record is pretty poor in List A and only got his 1st List A century every just recently. I don't think his SR was even that particularly good for the tournament.

He is definitely someone that makes sense to tryout in T20's and can be a big six hitter but I am not sure ODI is the right format for him. Hope they try Fakhar/Imam/Babar/Saud/Rizwan/Haider/Faheem/Hasan/Hasnain/Shaheen/Qadir.

 

[Suleiman]

So will this Saud Shakeel ever get a game, or will he keep getting selected to apply pressure from the bench?

 

[shamaan]

I like the overall squad i am glad they haven't included hafeez in the squad as some people were vouching for his inclusion in the odi squad also i am happy that haris sohail isnt also included his fitness is shocking.


Positives:
Saud shakeel should not take the number 4 spot with babar at 3 hes performed consistently over a number of years.

 

[shamaan]

My playing xi would be

Fakhar
Rizwan
Babar
Saud shakeel
Danish aziz (nawaz) coming in at 7
Haider ali
Shadab
Fahim
Hassan ali
Shaheen
Hasnain

 

[Yk313]

No Hafeez makes the middle order bare.

 

[shamaan]

No Hafeez makes the middle order bare.

I would rather invest in saud shakeel for that number 4 spot he has time on his hands.thiers no garranteed that hafeez will play the next 50 over format world cup

 

[mumtaz]

I will play this team:

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Saud
Haider
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Shaheen
Hasnain

The matches are on the Highveld where the ball will really fly through and typically there is no grip for the spinners. So just go with the 4+1 combination. Also, play Rizwan at 4 in ODIs where he has 2 hundreds already.

 

[Bewal Express]

Great squad aside from Haris Rauf.

Rauf has done absolutely nothing in domestic cricket to deserve to be selected. He has pace and aggression, but he lacks control especially for longer formats.

I’m not completely sold on Shadab and Hasnain either. Have to do more in domestic cricket. A bit raw atm.

Arshad Iqbal could have a better option for ODIs.

Agreed. By now I expected his bowling to be showing growth and it isn't. His 4 balls get hit just behind deep square and that's happening without anything being done about it.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I will play this team

Imam
Shafiq
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Haider
Nawaz
Faheem
Hasan Ali
Usman Qadir
Shaheen
Hasnain

 

[zain7077]

They will go with

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haider
Shadab
Faheem
Nawaz
Qadir/ Hasnain
Hassan
Shaheen

I would definitely play Abdullah and Saud.

 

[Cric1234]

They will go with

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haider
Shadab
Faheem
Nawaz
Qadir/ Hasnain
Hassan
Shaheen

I would definitely play Abdullah and Saud.

Weak lineup middle to lower order will struggle to make enough runs while the top order isn’t great either Fakhar isn’t the same he was a few years ago.

The team needs Imad U Akmal and possibly Hafeez due to lack of alternatives to strengthen the batting if not Saud who’s more of an accumulator aswell.

Rizwan
Fakhar
Babar
Akmal
Haider
Hafeez
Imad

A better line up capable of competing in high scoring matches.

 

[offstump]

Umar Akmal? Hahah cmon man he’s no where near the stratosphere of selection

 

[Cric1234]

Umar Akmal? Hahah cmon man he’s no where near the stratosphere of selection

I’m basing it on current ability to do best in different positions U Akmal very much makes the test and ODI teams currently while in T20 he’s probably a better option than a few batsmen selected in the squad.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Weak lineup middle to lower order will struggle to make enough runs while the top order isn’t great either Fakhar isn’t the same he was a few years ago.

The team needs Imad U Akmal and possibly Hafeez due to lack of alternatives to strengthen the batting if not Saud who’s more of an accumulator aswell.

Rizwan
Fakhar
Babar
Akmal
Haider
Hafeez
Imad

A better line up capable of competing in high scoring matches.

Saud is out due to injury and so will only be part of the test squad

 

[mastimasti]

I often view these selections from an Indian lens, as the BCCI, for all its politics has some of the most sound selection policies across all boards. I'm just curious what the policy is for guys with limited domestic experience or no international experience?

I guess the best XI to be picked from this is:

1. Zaman
2. Ali (off the PSL)
3. Babar c
4. Rizwan wk
5. Saud
6. Ashraf
7. Shadab
8. Hasan Ali
9. Shaheen
10. Hasnain
11. Qadir

That is a very weak middle order and some very untested or not very good odi spinners.

 

[Canistani Hero]

Expecting to see this in the first ODI

1) Fakhar
2) Imam
3) Babar*
4) Rizwan+
5) Haider
6) Shadab
7) Faheem
8) Nawaz
9) Hasan
10) Shaheen
11) Haris Rauf

Not what I would play, but Misbah-Babar are very predictable. Will be surprised if we see anything different. Shadab will be preferred to Usman Qadir to lengthen the batting order and preferred to Asif and Danish to bolster the bowling lineup..we will get 30 overs out of Haris, Hasan and Shaheen so 20 overs between Faheem, Nawaz and Shadab

 

[Greenstorm]

Expecting to see this in the first ODI

1) Fakhar
2) Imam
3) Babar*
4) Rizwan+
5) Haider
6) Shadab
7) Faheem
8) Nawaz
9) Hasan
10) Shaheen
11) Haris Rauf

Not what I would play, but Misbah-Babar are very predictable. Will be surprised if we see anything different. Shadab will be preferred to Usman Qadir to lengthen the batting order and preferred to Asif and Danish to bolster the bowling lineup..we will get 30 overs out of Haris, Hasan and Shaheen so 20 overs between Faheem, Nawaz and Shadab

Yes this is the most likely lineup that they will go with.

 

[shamaan]

I will go with the following due to saud shakeel injury.i will pick danish aziz due to him being able to able.i will also go with 4 fast bowlers with shadab being the only main spinner.

Imaam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haider ali
Danish aziz
Shadab
Fahim/nawaz
Hassan ali
Husnain
Shaheen

 

[shamaan]

I often view these selections from an Indian lens, as the BCCI, for all its politics has some of the most sound selection policies across all boards. I'm just curious what the policy is for guys with limited domestic experience or no international experience?

I guess the best XI to be picked from this is:

1. Zaman
2. Ali (off the PSL)
3. Babar c
4. Rizwan wk
5. Saud
6. Ashraf
7. Shadab
8. Hasan Ali
9. Shaheen
10. Hasnain
11. Qadir

That is a very weak middle order and some very untested or not very good odi spinners.

Your lineup you picked is 1 batter light push everyone from 6 down one position.saud shakeel is injured but hes an excellent player and has very good domestic stats.babar,rizwan,saud is solid

 

[mastimasti]

Your lineup you picked is 1 batter light push everyone from 6 down one position.saud shakeel is injured but hes an excellent player and has very good domestic stats.babar,rizwan,saud is solid

who would you include as another batsman? and who gets dropped?

 

[shamaan]

who would you include as another batsman? and who gets dropped?

If saud was fit i would play haider at 6 and play imaam oppening but drop Qadir. now saud is injuired i would go with haider ali at 5 and danish aziz at 6 and drop qadir due to condition danish can ball azwell that way you have increased your batting and have a part time option avaliable.

Imaam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haider ali
Danish aziz
Fahim ashraf
Shadab
Hassan ali
Husnain
Shaheen

 

[mastimasti]

If saud was fit i would play haider at 6 and play imaam oppening but drop Qadir. now saud is injuired i would go with haider ali at 5 and danish aziz at 6 and drop qadir due to condition danish can ball azwell that way you have increased your batting and have a part time option avaliable.

Imaam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haider ali
Danish aziz
Fahim ashraf
Shadab
Hassan ali
Husnain
Shaheen

Ah fair enough. I do not know domestic cricket so Danish as ab owling option makes sense. I am just not sure if Imam can step back into the side after some poor performances but I do like him.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

If saud was fit i would play haider at 6 and play imaam oppening but drop Qadir. now saud is injuired i would go with haider ali at 5 and danish aziz at 6 and drop qadir due to condition danish can ball azwell that way you have increased your batting and have a part time option avaliable.

Imaam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haider ali
Danish aziz
Fahim ashraf
Shadab
Hassan ali
Husnain
Shaheen

It is going to be a shootout between Danish and Nawaz...However with Saud out the batting has gone very weak.. I think Sarfraz with his current form might end up playing as a middle order option.

The vacancy that hafeez left at no.4 needs to be covered.. haider with his maverick hits doesnt warrant to score 100s.. in the middle order Rizwan, Haider and one of Sarfraz or Danish or Nawaz need to make up for the runs..

With SA going full pace attack of Rabada, Nortje and Ngidi , pak will lose early wickets. Babar also looked rusty not in the best form in the recent ZIm series.... I think they will lose 3 wickets inside 40-50 runs in the first 2 matches, then the bulk of scoring needs to be from the middle order to put a decent score or chase down anything above 250...

 

[Rayyman]

It is going to be a shootout between Danish and Nawaz...However with Saud out the batting has gone very weak.. I think Sarfraz with his current form might end up playing as a middle order option.

The vacancy that hafeez left at no.4 needs to be covered.. haider with his maverick hits doesnt warrant to score 100s.. in the middle order Rizwan, Haider and one of Sarfraz or Danish or Nawaz need to make up for the runs..

With SA going full pace attack of Rabada, Nortje and Ngidi , pak will lose early wickets. Babar also looked rusty not in the best form in the recent ZIm series.... I think they will lose 3 wickets inside 40-50 runs in the first 2 matches, then the bulk of scoring needs to be from the middle order to put a decent score or chase down anything above 250...

Abdullah Shafique should also be considered for the 1st ODI as he showed good form in the practice match as opposed to Haider Ali who struggled.

Haider can be a good choice as an opener, but his defensive technique against spin was found out as Shamsi bamboozled him in the recent T20I series. Facing spin in an ODI is even harder as a batsman has to survive for longer. One or two big shots is not enough. In this case, Shafique and Mohammad Nawaz who are proper batsman should be preferred for the middle-order ahead of Haider and Danish Aziz.

 

[shamaan]

It is going to be a shootout between Danish and Nawaz...However with Saud out the batting has gone very weak.. I think Sarfraz with his current form might end up playing as a middle order option.

The vacancy that hafeez left at no.4 needs to be covered.. haider with his maverick hits doesnt warrant to score 100s.. in the middle order Rizwan, Haider and one of Sarfraz or Danish or Nawaz need to make up for the runs..

With SA going full pace attack of Rabada, Nortje and Ngidi , pak will lose early wickets. Babar also looked rusty not in the best form in the recent ZIm series.... I think they will lose 3 wickets inside 40-50 runs in the first 2 matches, then the bulk of scoring needs to be from the middle order to put a decent score or chase down anything above 250...

I dont think they will pick nawaz and i dont think he is competing with danish.i have 2 sperate reports that both Safraz and asif ali will play but other reports say different.they need to score 300 if they do they have a geunine chance of winning the series.

 

[shamaan]

Abdullah Shafique should also be considered for the 1st ODI as he showed good form in the practice match as opposed to Haider Ali who struggled.

Haider can be a good choice as an opener, but his defensive technique against spin was found out as Shamsi bamboozled him in the recent T20I series. Facing spin in an ODI is even harder as a batsman has to survive for longer. One or two big shots is not enough. In this case, Shafique and Mohammad Nawaz who are proper batsman should be preferred for the middle-order ahead of Haider and Danish Aziz.

Abdullah has no chance of oppening ahead of imaam and fakhar and rightly so.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I dont think they will pick nawaz and i dont think he is competing with danish.i have 2 sperate reports that both Safraz and asif ali will play but other reports say different.they need to score 300 if they do they have a geunine chance of winning the series.

Asif ali doesnt fit the bill, he is not david miller but PCT management thinks he is..

He will not survive 1 over of Shamsi if he has to rotate..

Hitting sixes , yes he can do, if he hits three sixes that will be 18 runs, his strike rotation is as poor as Ahmed shehzad. I was shocked to see him get selected for the ODIs s a replacement for Saud.

Selectors have already selected a weak middle order by dropping Haris Sohail. Now with asif as replacement it is even more weaker.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I dont think they will pick nawaz and i dont think he is competing with danish.i have 2 sperate reports that both Safraz and asif ali will play but other reports say different.they need to score 300 if they do they have a geunine chance of winning the series.

if they pick both Sarfraz and Asif Ali, then 6th bowling option is out of the equation which gives captain more pressure and the 5 bowling options has to give their all without anyone having a bad day which is pretty daunting task for any team.

usually 2-3 bowlers will have a good to decent day, 1 will have very bad day where they will end up 7-8.5 RPO , 1 will be ok going at 6 - 6.5 RPO


if it is only 5 bowlers then the 1 bad bowler going at 8.5 RPO if he has to bowl ten overs then he might concede 90 odd runs in 10 overs.. the game will be lost here.. by playing a 6th bowling option this 90 runs can significantly reduced to 60 to 70 runs in the 10 overs.

 

[shamaan]

Defonitely agree with the points you made and we defonitely need a 6th bowling option and i would include danish aziz at 5 he can give you atleast 5 overs. It will be big mistake if we don't have a 6th bowling option. I will stil go with the line up i stated it gives you 6th bowling option and a lower order hitters in aziz,Haider