Pakistan announce squad for first two Tests against NZ - Saad Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked

[Abdullah719]

15 Member Test Squad announced for first 2 Test matches against New Zealand in UAE

Lahore- November 10, 2018: The National Selection Committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq after consultation with Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Head Coach Mickey Arthur has announced the 15 member Test squad for two Test matches against New Zealand. The three match Test series will commence from November 16-20 in Abu Dhabi. The second Test match will be played in Dubai from November 24-28, whereas the last match of the series will be played in Abu Dhabi from December 3 to 7, 2018.
The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions of the UAE, where Shahdab Khan and Fakhar Zaman have been rested from the Test matches and have also been advised to undergo training at the NCA. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been included in the squad keeping his current form. Saad Ali included in the side after performing in domestic cricket and recent Pakistan 'A' series in the UAE,” concludes Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq.

The selected players are:

1). Muhammad Hafeez
2). Imam Ul Haq
3). Azhar Ali
4). Haris Sohail
5). Asad shafiq
6). Baber Azam
7). Saad Ali
8). Sarfaraz Ahmad. ( captain)
9). Yasir Shah
10). Bilal Asif
11). Muhammad Abbas
12). Hassan Ali
13). Shaheen Shah Afridi
14). Faheem Ashraf
15). Mir Hamza

 

[anakwalajinn]

Rest Fakhar Zaman after making 160 runs in his debut test?

 

[Naim]

Rest Fakhar Zaman after making 160 runs in his debut test?

yesterday i saw a news that he is struggling with his knee so he will be not picked in test squad.

 

[Hawkeye]

So going again with one full time spinner.

Good batting squad, credit to Inzi. Been one of our best selectors.

Bowling is weak.

At the end of the day, if Boult manages to swing the ball, I don't think we'll win.

Else, victory is ours.

 

[Darkrai]

Fakhar score 66 and 94 against Aus. Should have played ahead of Imam, instead he isn't even selected.

 

[Amjid Javed]

So azhar will bat at 3 again

No fakhar

And 1 spinner, pretty poor decisions with squad, nothing learnt from Australia series

 

[DRsohail]

Fakhar score 66 and 94 against Aus. Should have played ahead of Imam, instead he isn't even selected.

I think struggling with fitness.

 

[Darkrai]

I think struggling with fitness.

Ok. That makes sense then.

 

[Barragan]

Again, no 2nd genuine spinner!

Bilal did well for one innings and that was pretty much it.

Asghar picked up a 4-fer against NZ A in both a one day match and FC match.

Zafar Gohar has also picked up wickets this season and a recent 5-fer to boast.

Are Inzi and co. blind and dumb?

The Kiwi's are far better equipped than the Aussies at playing spin, meaning a lot pressure on Yasir and Abbas, who could break down on these surfaces bowling long spells.

 

[DRsohail]

Looks like Shaheen will play first test match along with abbas and YAsri and bilal.
I hope saad ali performs and get a chance in odi as well.

 

[angrypathan]

Why on Earth does Faheem keep getting picked in UAE test squads? Send him home so he can get some FC games under his belt before the SA tour where he'll actually be needed

 

[topspin]

I hope Fakhar can play rest of the ODIs. Would have been nice to have more tests under his belt before he goes SA.

Very happy to see SSA in the squad and Wahab omitted from it. Overall a good test squad selected and would pick the following XI:

Imam
Azhar
Haris
Shafiq
Babar
Sarfraz
Faheem
Asif
Yasir
Shaheen
Abbas

If Faheem struggles with the bat after 2 tests then give Saad Ali a go at 6. The only change I would have made to this squad is replace Mir Hamza with Amir as a back up to Shaheen and Abbas.

 

[fluke]

Saad ali should get a nod and gets his chance in this series the guy certainly deserves a go ahead of imam, asad and few more names and please dont include faheem and hasan in test playing eleven instead of him give a go to shaheen

 

[angrypathan]

Looks like Shaheen will play first test match along with abbas and YAsri and bilal.
I hope saad ali performs and get a chance in odi as well.

I feel they'll give Mir Hamza one more game to give him another chance and also so that Shaheen can get some rest. If Hamza doesn't perform Shaheen might come into the team for the 2nd game

 

[fluke]

I would play this eleven

Imam
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Saad Ali
Asad (At his origional position) / Hafeez if he can play at no. 6
Sarfraz
Asif
Yasir
SSA
Abbas


That would be the perfect eleven to go in first test

 

[Rinnegan Sasuke]

No Zafar Gohar, senseless stuff. Bilal Asif is not a frontline spinner!

 

[ShahidDar08]

Why Usman salahudin got dropped?

 

[DRsohail]

Why Usman salahudin got dropped?

We have many like him in the squad.

 

[PakPlayer]

Shaheen shah is too young to start playing all 3 formats, especially on these pitches. I always found best approach was Ferguson ease them in slowly or will get burned out before peak.

 

[last_knight]

If they are planning to take him to England for WC, Ideally PCT shouldn't play Afridi in any form of cricket that gets a broadcast.

Let him play occasional ODI in between but don't want to give too much video footage for counter-strategics. Afridi playing PSL is inevitable, still PCT can use him as a secret. Meanwhile he can play domestic, if competitive.

 

[ShahidDar08]

Should have dropped Fahim Ashraf also.

 

[Darkrai]

Shaheen shah is too young to start playing all 3 formats, especially on these pitches. I always found best approach was Ferguson ease them in slowly or will get burned out before peak.

He needs to be tested before SA series. We might need him there.

 

[Bewal Express]

Why Usman salahudin got dropped?

By the looks of the scorecards he is another nudger and nurdler.

 

[Brilliance]

Ehsan Adil should've been there. I hope he is picked for the final test. Not selecting another frontline spinner is a blunder. Azhar should open the innings or not play at all. Amir too not picked. If he isn't there for the third test, he doesn't deserve to play SA tests ahead of other bowlers.

1 Hafeez.
2 Imam.
3 Haris.
4 Shafiq.
5 Babar.
6 Saad.
7 Sarfaraz.
8 Bilal.
9 Yasir.
10 Hamza ( deserves one more shot ).
11 Abbas.

 

[Nado_]

Shaheen shah is too young to start playing all 3 formats, especially on these pitches. I always found best approach was Ferguson ease them in slowly or will get burned out before peak.

I agree , he shouldn’t be playing all 3 formats yet, he’s still developing physically, should have picked a full time spinner instead.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Seems like they are trying to get Shaheen burnt out before the WC

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Good to see Pakistan backing thwrw players! Look Fakhar was awful since the asia cup and played wonderful yesterday. Hasan has been off colour but took wickets yesterday. Faheem will get there hopefully

 

[Titan24]

Decent squad and good decision to rest Shadab and Fakhar. Ideally they should have rested hassan as well and added one more spinner. SSA’s inclusion is a good one but should play just the last match, if we win the first two. As dont want him to burn out.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Nice. Usman Salahuddin dropped and Saad selected. OR Saad dropped and Usman selected. What a circus

 

[aloo paratha]

This is not the place to debut Shaheen.

 

[ameemlutfi]

Imam
Hafeez
Azhar
Haris
Asad
Saad Ali
Sarfaraz
Faheem
Bilal
Yasir
Abbas

 

[Mirpur express]

Imam
Hafeez
Azhar
Haris
Asad
Saad Ali
Sarfaraz
Faheem/Asif
Yasir
Abbas
Afridi

 

[Syed1]

"Fakhar had to be dropped because he was a potential threat to my bhatija's position in the side. Family comes first, ok?" -



BEST. CHIEF. SELECTOR. EVER

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Averages 80 and dropped?

Poor. He should've played all 3 tests and opened in SA. Whereas, Hafeez and Imam will play here and be mauled in SA.

 

[PakSarZameen]

This is not the place to debut Shaheen.

Not exactly wise to make Shaheen debut in a big series against SA either.

Even if he doesn't play in this Test series, he will learn a lot by observing the Test matches from the bench and bowling with Abbas in the nets.

 

[hadi123]

I think Mohammad Asghar should have been there. I don't see anything suspicious about Fakhar Zaman not being included, believable that he needs rest because of the knee injury

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

So Yasir will bowl 40 overs and Abbas will end up bowling 30 in a day

At least no Wahab "the pace demon" Riaz. One thing at a time PCB, I guess...

 

[Boi]

Needed another spinner in the squad. Gohar continues to be ignored.

 

[BakuGM]

If Fakhar is not well then I do understand his omission otherwise this is the most glaring mistake in this squad. The second glaring mistake (or first depending on Fakhar's fitness) is the inclusion of Hafeez in the squad. What is he doing there? I would have Shan given his prolific form in the A team and before in the domestic arena. I am not a fan of Shan but if the player performs where ever they are asked to play then they deserve a go. The third issue I have is inclusion of Faheem on whose place I would have brought Amir in. Other then these 3 obvious mistakes I like the rest of the team.

 

[Justcrazy]

Poor squad , They should have had at least 3 spinners.

 

[The Viper]

Lets hope Shaheen does not get injured.

 

[Markhor]

"Fakhar had to be dropped because he was a potential threat to my bhatija's position in the side. Family comes first, ok?" -



BEST. CHIEF. SELECTOR. EVER

He's been advised to rest. He has a knee issue.

 

[iniqbal223]

Again 5 fast bowlers for 2 test matches?? Are they planning to play 4 fast bowlers in one match? One needs 2 full time spinners bowling in tandem in UAE.
No learning from Asia Cup..

 

[topspin]

"Fakhar had to be dropped because he was a potential threat to my bhatija's position in the side. Family comes first, ok?" -



BEST. CHIEF. SELECTOR. EVER

This could very much be the case because if Fakhar is carrying an injury he wouldn't be playing in the rest of this ODI series.

 

[Baigel]

This could very much be the case because if Fakhar is carrying an injury he wouldn't be playing in the rest of this ODI series.

Or maybe because they want him to work on his weak leg-side game before the South Africa tour?

 

[ads101]

Good squad on the whole. Fahim is a waste of a slot really as he'll never play. But the rest make sense.

1. Azhar
2. Imam
3. Haris
4. Babar
5. Saad Ali
6. Hafeez
7. Sarfraz
8. Bilal Asif
9. Yasir Shah
10. Mir Hamza
11. Abbas

I wouldn't play Shaheen as no point playing him too much, keep him fresh for World cup and prioritise limited overs. Especially in the UAE, could run him into the ground where really our spinners and Abbas will do the job anyway.

Lost patience in Asad finally, he's been mediocre for 3 years now, and still isn't showing he can bat anywhere else but 6, lacks impact. Even played a slow innings first test leading to a draw. Time to move on.

Azhar gets another shot because of his past record, and the fact he's only had one bad year. Hafeez's spin provides value and in asia conditions he'll probably outbat Asad. Though mid order, he can't play top order anymore.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Why are people saying one spinner? Yasir Shah and Bilal Asif are both full-time spinners. Also, Shadab and Fakhar have been rested for the two matches because both have had issues with injuries recently.

 

[Snowflake]

I don't think Shaheen should play any 5 day games prior to the WC. The risk of him getting injured is too big to take.

 

[PakLFC]

Hassan Ali has to play. Hamza, Saad Ali and Ashraf should be warming the bench

 

[Hasan123]

Fakhar is playing the ODIs so why is he rested for the tests when he needs test experience?

Cannot believe we haven't selected another specialist spinner . Bilal isn't a long term opition and he isn't enough support for Yasir. There are more than enough opitions to choose from in domestic cricket so can't use lack of choices as a reason not to select another spinner. Faheem isn't even going to play so he could have made way for a spinner.

Hafeez has been selected for his T20 performances. He struggled after the century in the first test against pace. He's struggling on these awful pitches in the UAE. Imagine what Steyn will do to him . Also he has hardly bowled against Australia so can't use the all rounder excuse as a reason to select him.

Inzi just seems to pick the same set of players and doesn't take into consideration the conditions.

 

[gazza619]

I don't think Shaheen should play any 5 day games prior to the WC. The risk of him getting injured is too big to take.

WC is too far away. The current test series against NZ is also important.
We need to him to play and get stronger.

 

[DRsohail]

Asghar or Zafar Gohar should have been ideal.

 

[Hasan123]

No back up keeper is another weird decision.

 

[DRsohail]

Sarafraz has scored runs in previous match so Inzi did not include Rizwan here. We all knwo yours tactics mr. Inzi. Shan deaerved another ho as the guy was in insane form.

 

[AFM]

Interesting that the squad is only for the first 2 Tests.

Do you think if we win the first 2, they will fly the squad over to SA for earlier aclimitization and basically play an 'A' squad for the last test?

 

[moghul]

Fakhar score 66 and 94 against Aus. Should have played ahead of Imam, instead he isn't even selected.

Fkhar is not Inzi's nephew, don't you know ?

 

[moghul]

What Usman Salahuddin is being punished for ? He scored runs in England now dropped , again ? No sifarish ?

 

[PakSarZameen]

What Usman Salahuddin is being punished for ? He scored runs in England now dropped , again ? No sifarish ?

When was this? He scored 4 in the first inning and a 100+ ball 33 in the second.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

I'm happy Saad Ali and Shaheen Shah are selected, However, I still don't agree with choosing Hafeez, only for test formats other formats he is fine. Faheem and Hasan Ali are useless choices (for UAE tests only). Don't understand why Usman Salahuddin isn't selected he recently scored century and fifty while noyone cares about Shan Masood despite his good form in A matches. I would have picked Mohammad Ashgar or Gohar and Rizwan as back up keeper.

 

[yasir]

I am looking forward to Afridi in test.

For SA tour we need lot of changes in bowling department, which are must to have a shot against them....

I would go with:
Abbas, Amir, Afridi, Faheem and Shadab... These five bowlers with two allrounders. Gives us best shot at winning test...

In batting, you need to get rid of Hafeez at least. The way Imam plays shot pitch, I am lot more worried about his safety, emergency numbers should be on speed dial for coach on that series. It’s better for him and Inzi to skip it.

Batting order:
- Sami (He is the best opener we got for seaming conditions)
- Azhar
- Fakhir ( you need stoke maker as new ball shine wears off)
- Harris/ Shafiq
- Shafiq/Harria
- Babar
- Shadab ( Shadab is better batsman than Captain on seaming wickets, we are not in UAE any more)
- Sarfaraz
- Faheem
- Amir
- Afridi
- Abbas

This is best possible team I can think off to win agleast one test in SA. Which will be an achievement considering how good they are at home.

We have long batting lineup. And better player of pace, decent experience and good allrounders. Not to mention best possible pace attack ATM.

I hope we pick this 11 for SA

 

[yasir]

^ Above also means we are going to change 4/5 personal for SA tour, a change Pakistan is not open often to make I am afraid. Which is need of the conditions, as these two are very different conditions, you have to completely change the team!!

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

^ Good team but you have 12 players rather than x1. And I would put Hasan instead of Amir.

 

[topspin]

No back up keeper is another weird decision.

Would make Sarfraz insecure and uncomfortable if one was picked.

 

[coy0607]

decent squad overall. very happy to see Saad Ali selected

going with 5 pacers for 2 tests in the UAE seems silly, why can't they just select 14 players. Hassan Ali could have been rested

 

[rhony]

This probably means they are not going to consider FZ as opener in SA tests. SSA in UAE tests is a great choice. This kid is going from strength to strength. Can't wait to see him bowl in tests.

 

[TeamPak95]

If he gets to play, Shaheen should bowl short, quick spells. Out of all the players, he's the one to be taken care of the most.

 

[topspin]

Or maybe because they want him to work on his weak leg-side game before the South Africa tour?

That doesn't make sense. Putting him in Pakistan's shambles domestic standards will rot him. Obviously you have to prove your worth in internationals and he did very well on his debut, it's like he's being punished for passing it in flying colours.

If Fakhar's injury and fitness concerns are exaggerated or false then there is only one answer - he's not fortunate enough to be Inzy's nephew who will struggle on faster wicket and bats far too slowly.

Fakhar on the other hand will have no issues striking at 55-60 and is a far more accomplished batsman in FC and international cricket as a whole. In fact he should have played in UAE tests after the CT win, since he plays spin better than anyone in the test XI could have saved us from a whitewash (at least) against SL last year.

 

[AliMurtaza]

Decent squad overall. My 2 cents

- In Fakhar's absence, Hafeez will again play as an opener against NZ. It may be a blessing in disguise for Pakistan since he may be exposed against pace in these 2 tests. If he does badly, and I am hoping he does, he can be dropped for SA tour. I believe Fakhar will be back for the SA tour but will only start the first test as a partner for Imam if Hafeez fails against NZ. I have nothing against Hafeez but I believe his best place is in the middle order where he doesn't have the face the new ball.

- It seems Saad was preferred over Usman because of his ability to play pace and strike rate. Otherwise, both Saad and Usman have been in terrible form before they scored in the second 4-day match against NZ A. Since Pak will most likely take 8 batsmen to SA, 3 openers and 5 middle order batsmen, it seems Saad will get the nod over Usman as the 5th middle order batsman with Azhar, Babar, Asad, and Haris as the remaining 4 batsmen.

- I have nothing against resting Fakhar. However, if he did have an injury, it made sense to rest him in the limited overs series against Aus and NZ rather than the tests, especially knowing he isn't great in limited overs in the UAE.

- Bilal Asif is a front line spinner. I don't know why PP experts are bent on making him an allrounder. However, it made sense to drop Faheem and make way for a 3rd spinner, Kashif or Asghar, as Faheem won't get a game in UAE. He would have been better served playing in domestic cricket rather than sitting on the bench against NZ.

Now, my issue with this squad are the pacers. I believe Shaheen has been selected rather early and I prefer him playing only limited overs cricket before the world cup. Also, Hassan Ali could have also used domestic cricket at this point. He has been in terrible form and will most likely be sitting on the bench along with Faheem. Apparently, Junaid's injury gave Hassan another lifeline.

I am still not sure who are our 3 pacers along with Abbas for the SA tour. It seems Amir will be back. It still leaves us with 2 slots. Mir Hamza has been average in his 3 matches against Aus and NZ A. Shaheen is untested and young at this level. Hassan Ali has been in terrible form. Not sure how Junaid will perform in tests. So, still not sure who will be your 2-3 pacers to partner Abbas and Amir against SA.

 

[yasir]

People questioning Afridi, he is no brainer in SA, not only he bowls at 140 and swings both way, he is 6’6”, bounce is most important thing in SA, choosing 6’6” seamer over 5’7” is no brainer... He is more successful than rest even in UAE LOIs because of his extra height, in west that advantage will multiple...

Amir Vs Hasan/Junaid/Shanwari is again not that difficult. In England Amri bowled pretty well in test, he can swing both ways, others don’t have that pace nor swing, after the dose he got he better come good, or will be permanently gone. Plus, he can give you 20/40 runs, which are valuable for team... Hasan is not as good bowler as many think, he is exposing after every match.

Amir, Abbas and Afridi are best bowlers we got, if they are fit, they should be first choice.

 

[Hasan123]

Would make Sarfraz insecure and uncomfortable if one was picked.

Well he's 31 so we need to start planning for his replacement.

 

[topspin]

Well he's 31 so we need to start planning for his replacement.

Yes at least 31 - I don't think he has long left at international level.

 

[hitthestump]

Not sure on people commenting on SSA being "bowled into the ground" several months before the WC. He's still so raw that he's basically only just broken into the international side. Exposure is required at this stage, not rest.

Hasan Ali on the other hand, looks like he could do with some time off.

 

[silent ischemia]

I would play this eleven

Imam
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Saad Ali
Asad (At his origional position) / Hafeez if he can play at no. 6
Sarfraz
Asif
Yasir
SSA
Abbas


That would be the perfect eleven to go in first test

Sarfraz will never drop the Professor as he is The all-rounder you need on these wickets

 

[moghul]

Styne is happy Hafeez is in test squad, he wants him to open in SA in all the matches .

 

[moghul]

Well he's 31 so we need to start planning for his replacement.

Sarfraz still has 13 playing years left in him, if follow Misbah's footsteps .

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I'm really hoping Fakhar is injured otherwise we are handicapping ourselves big time. Imam and Azhar are only able to go 2rpo at best.

 

[Salman4.]

I am looking forward to Afridi in test.

For SA tour we need lot of changes in bowling department, which are must to have a shot against them....

I would go with:
Abbas, Amir, Afridi, Faheem and Shadab... These five bowlers with two allrounders. Gives us best shot at winning test...

In batting, you need to get rid of Hafeez at least. The way Imam plays shot pitch, I am lot more worried about his safety, emergency numbers should be on speed dial for coach on that series. It’s better for him and Inzi to skip it.

Batting order:
- Sami (He is the best opener we got for seaming conditions)
- Azhar
- Fakhir ( you need stoke maker as new ball shine wears off)
- Harris/ Shafiq
- Shafiq/Harria
- Babar
- Shadab ( Shadab is better batsman than Captain on seaming wickets, we are not in UAE any more)
- Sarfaraz
- Faheem
- Amir
- Afridi
- Abbas

This is best possible team I can think off to win agleast one test in SA. Which will be an achievement considering how good they are at home.

We have long batting lineup. And better player of pace, decent experience and good allrounders. Not to mention best possible pace attack ATM.

I hope we pick this 11 for SA ����

That's where you are wrong buddy.

 

[angrypathan]

Sarfraz still has 13 playing years left in him, if follow Misbah's footsteps .

Except Sarfraz has half the fitness levels.

 

[wasimjunior]

Shaheen is a child still. Shouldn’t be playing tests let alone on a graveyard

 

[ARK Rafay]

I was hoping Shaheen to debut in Saf not on this dead UAE pitch.

If just M Amir could get back to what he was. Abbas and Amir could do wonders for Pakistan.