Pakistan announce Test squad for the series against Zimbabwe

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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

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:

Test: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Abid Ali (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imran Butt (Balochistan), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Tabish Khan (Sindh) and Zahid Mahmood (Southern Punjab)

Fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani is the only new face in the 20-player Test squad. The 22-year-old from Larkana took 26 wickets in his debut first-class season for Sindh after picking up six wickets in the second eleven National T20 Cup. He then followed up with five wickets in the Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament and nine wickets for Multan Sultans in the HBL PSL 6.

Two changes have been made in the 20-player Test side that defeated South Africa by seven wickets and 95 runs in Karachi and Rawalpindi, respectively. Kamran Ghulam and Yasir Shah have been replaced by Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood.

Zahid has been promoted to the Test squad after taking three wickets on his T20I debut against South Africa following the non-availability of Yasir Shah. Yasir is recovering from a left knee injury he sustained during the Rawalpindi Test against South Africa.

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.

“Yasir Shah is suffering from left knee injury and requires another six weeks to fully recover. His absence has opened a door for Zahid Mahmood, who will have a stronger case in the Test squad as compared to the T20I side following the return of Shadab Khan and presence of Usman Qadir. For a place in the Test side, Zahid will compete with Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan, who, like Zahid, were the two outstanding bowlers in the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

“Aamer Yamin, Amad Butt and Kamran Ghulam are unlucky to miss out on selections. Aamer and Amad have paved the way for Mohammad Hafeez and Shadab Khan in the T20I squad, while Kamran has narrowly missed out to Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel in the Test side. However, the three are in the larger pool of players and will get their opportunity at some stage as we have a busy year of cricket ahead of us.

“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.

“Test cricket remains the pinnacle format and are the health-check of any cricket playing country. We have limited Tests this year with three-Test series against West Indies and two-Test series against Bangladesh planned. As such, it is imperative that we do well in Zimbabwe so that we can not only carry the winning momentum forward but also prepare for tougher series in the West Indies and Bangladesh.”

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

 

[thecrusade911]

Kamran Ghulam dropped without getting a game.

 

[thecrusade911]

What is Shahnawaz Dahani doing in the squad???

 

[ChTab]

So Abid still in the team despite being a failure but Kamran is dropped without getting any chance just amazing.

 

[MHN1293]

Yep abid ali remains in the squad to feast on zimbabwe instead of someone like kamran ghulam who could have played at 3. You also have abdullah shafique and dhahani who have no buisness in the squad.

 

[hitthestump]

Kamran Ghulam dropped without getting a game.

Meanwhile Abid Ali and Imran Butt are retained. It makes no sense!

Good to see the Pakistani tradition of not allowing bowlers to grow in domestics has continued too. Dhani is up against it like 99% of fast bowlers who have proceeded him in the last decade.

 

[angrypathan]

Is Yasir injured?

 

[redmaverik84]

The tour is gonna be boring with slow, low almost Asian tracks and weakish opposition. Dhani has been brought in to cheer up the mood and add some colour.

 

[Abdullah Rabbani]

Best domestic performer is excluded without a chance but gali openers get back to back Chances to bash minnows this system will never change in this corrupt country

 

[ChTab]

Meanwhile Abid Ali and Imran Butt are retained. It makes no sense!

Good to see the Pakistani tradition of not allowing bowlers to grow in domestics has continued too. Dhani is up against it like 99% of fast bowlers who have proceeded him in the last decade.

It is so stupid to give Abid another chance Butt was also awful vs SA but he deserves another chance & maybe series vs Zim can help him.

It is also a good idea to give Dhani a chance or at least allow him to be around the team it's not like he's missing on FC cricket when the tour happens plus Zim is an extremely poor team it would be like playing a FC game.

 

[ChTab]

It is so stupid to give Abid another chance Butt was also awful vs SA but he deserves another chance & maybe series vs Zim can help him.

It is also a good idea to give Dhani a chance or at least allow him to be around the team it's not like he's missing on FC cricket when the tour happens plus Zim is an extremely poor team it would be like playing a FC game.

Also, time for Babar to score some massive hundred & gets his average into 50 well TBH these runs against Zim doesn't matter.

 

[saeed5646]

Is Yasir injured?

Yup he is injured and will work with saqlain in NHPC

 

[saeed5646]

We might see saud shakeel debut in zim .He richly deserved it

 

[Artaxerxes]

Abid Ali and Imran Butt are failures and should have been dropped.Why was Kamran Ghulam dropped?

 

[b.lesner]

Squad is good but can't justify Abid Ali and exclusion of Kamran Ghulam.

Please someone tell me if Agha Salman is Lyon or Ashwin? Kamran Ghulam is far better bowler and far better batan and far far better fielder if you remember in PSL how Salman dropped 3 or 4 sitters same style looked like action replay.

Should have selected anyone Zain Abbas or Israrullah or Ali Zaryab or Rizwan Hussain or whoever i won't say anything but Abid Ali please.

 

[King_Kohli]

Dhani or Dahani which is correct?

 

[Markhor]

Haris Rauf has no business in a Test squad. I'm happy to see Dhani but he should not be given his Test debut until after the QEA Trophy this winter.

As for the openers, apparently the coaches have worked with them at the NHPC so let's see if that's had any effect.

 

[guldozer]

No kamran ghulam. I'm okay with Imran butt getting another go as it's quite harsh to drop a batsman after just 2 test matches.

Abid Ali should have been dropped, l though I'm not sure who could replace him.

 

[guldozer]

Also dahani and Rauf should not be there, especially Rauf.

 

[Slim]

So, imran butt and abid still in squad and ghulam gets dropped? And then we have Dhani in the test squad (based on what?) What the hell are Nawaz, Tabish Khan still doing in the squad? Pathetic.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Meanwhile Abid Ali and Imran Butt are retained. It makes no sense!

Good to see the Pakistani tradition of not allowing bowlers to grow in domestics has continued too. Dhani is up against it like 99% of fast bowlers who have proceeded him in the last decade.

So you would drop Imran Butt after just 2 games? Give him a fair chance

Kamran Ghulam isn’t even competing with the openers, his competition is with Saud Shakeel, who himself can’t get a spot in the playing XI yet.

Wasim explained that it’s simple, Saud is higher in the pecking order and while we needed an extra batsman as backup during the SA Test series, these upcoming twin tours have 10 matches between them and the pacers are going to get worn out.

Hence, Shahnawaz Dahani was selected on the back of an impressive first class season in case Shaheen, Hassan need rest or get injured.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Squad is good but can't justify Abid Ali and exclusion of Kamran Ghulam.

Please someone tell me if Agha Salman is Lyon or Ashwin? Kamran Ghulam is far better bowler and far better batan and far far better fielder if you remember in PSL how Salman dropped 3 or 4 sitters same style looked like action replay.

Should have selected anyone Zain Abbas or Israrullah or Ali Zaryab or Rizwan Hussain or whoever i won't say anything but Abid Ali please.

One season worth of performances. Record breaking no doubt but lower in the pecking order than Saud Shakeel who has been performing for years. There was a limit on squad size so Wasim dropped an extra batsman (Kamran is backup to the backup to the middle order position in the playing XI) and replaced with an extra bowler Dahani in case we need to rotate pacers.

 

[Omer2002]

openers is a big worry ...scoring against zimbos shouldnt mean anything...Yasir shah not going is a blessing in disguise

 

[Markhor]

So, imran butt and abid still in squad and ghulam gets dropped? And then we have Dhani in the test squad (based on what?) What the hell are Nawaz, Tabish Khan still doing in the squad? Pathetic.

Based on being the best young fast bowler in the recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

 

[Tabishbeigh]

Could they not have rested Shaheen for Zimbabwe ? I understand you can’t keep everyone happy but seriously SSA cant be burnt like this. Yes you don’t have any experience in bowling squad , play tabish khan . 600 fc wickets should make him decent enough to lead the attack against Zimbabwe . There can’t be any rational explanation why he wasn’t rested. Teams use such tours to test their bench strength not to injure their assets. Abid Ali is clearly not good enough as an opener, neither is IMRAN bhat. Either I’m wrong or Pakistan has some serious dearth of cricketing talent.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

It is so stupid to give Abid another chance Butt was also awful vs SA but he deserves another chance & maybe series vs Zim can help him.

It is also a good idea to give Dhani a chance or at least allow him to be around the team it's not like he's missing on FC cricket when the tour happens plus Zim is an extremely poor team it would be like playing a FC game.

I think in place of Dhani I would’ve given someone like Taj Wali or Waqas Moqsood a go. I still feel that we should’ve tried a fresh bowling attack and left out Shaheen.

In terms of the openers Wasim ignored the point on Abid Ali when asked but took the easy option of saying that this was Imran’s first tour. Imran Butt though should be given a shot I feel.

 

[Extra_Cover]

Why is Kamran Ghulam not part of squad. How can Agha Salman or Saud Shakeel be selected over someone who has had a telling first class season?

I'm very disappointed with omission of Kamran Ghulam.

Why is Abid Ali being persisted with? Do we have a viable long-term option with Abid Ali?

 

[Major]

Mohammad Waseem does deserve credit for dropping Yasir Shah as it is an overseas tour.

However, Kamran Ghulam should had been kept, especially when there isn't any need for Agha Salman

Shahnawaz Dhani a good selection, but why isn't shadab added?

 

[Canistani Hero]

Saud Shakeel > Kamran Ghulam > Agha Salman but well done Mo Wasim

 

[Ellipsism]

No Kamran Ghulam after the season he's had

One of Abid and Imran should've been dropped, and Azhar should be forced to open, thereby opening a slot in the squad for Ghulam.

 

[nextover666666]

Good squad here too but kamran ghulam should have not been dropped and dahani i dont know how he will do in test he is a good bowler but dont know if ready for test, i would have opted for sameen gul or arshad iqbal for test

 

[Markhor]

Mohammad Waseem does deserve credit for dropping Yasir Shah as it is an overseas tour.

However, Kamran Ghulam should had been kept, especially when there isn't any need for Agha Salman

Shahnawaz Dhani a good selection, but why isn't shadab added?

Yasir is injured.

Shadab wasn't added because he's rubbish. He should go play some FC cricket instead of BPL, ZPL, ABCPL every winter.

 

[Firebat]

Mohammad Waseem does deserve credit for dropping Yasir Shah as it is an overseas tour.

However, Kamran Ghulam should had been kept, especially when there isn't any need for Agha Salman

Shahnawaz Dhani a good selection, but why isn't shadab added?

He hasn't really been dropped, unless you think even if fit he would not have been selected.

Zahid has been promoted to the Test squad after taking three wickets on his T20I debut against South Africa following the non-availability of Yasir Shah. Yasir is recovering from a left knee injury he sustained during the Rawalpindi Test against South Africa.

“Yasir Shah is suffering from left knee injury and requires another six weeks to fully recover."

 

[hitthestump]

So you would drop Imran Butt after just 2 games? Give him a fair chance

Based on what? His epic FC average? I like the idea of continuinty but not for continuinty's sake which is your one and only argument. He has shown precisely nothing with the bat to justify another test series and that's all that should matter here.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Why is Kamran Ghulam not part of squad. How can Agha Salman or Saud Shakeel be selected over someone who has had a telling first class season?

I'm very disappointed with omission of Kamran Ghulam.

Why is Abid Ali being persisted with? Do we have a viable long-term option with Abid Ali?

Wasim felt that we need an extra fast bowler on the Zimbabwe track which is why he opted for Dhani and rested Kamran as opposed to dropped.

He was asked about the selection/failures of Abid Ali-Imran Butt but he only answered about Imran and avoided answering about Abid which i found unfair.

Saud has been performing for a few seasons and deserves a shot along with Agha i feel both as well as batting bring bowling options with them as well which is why they've been preferred over Kamran.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Based on being the best young fast bowler in the recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

I'm sure Waqas Moqsood and Taj Wali did better, no?

 

[Markhor]

I'm sure Waqas Moqsood and Taj Wali did better, no?

Talking about the young pacers, Maqsood and Taj aren't youngster beauties anymore my friend

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Talking about the young pacers, Maqsood and Taj aren't youngster beauties anymore my friend

Ok, Waqas although 33 has still been performing for a few seasons along with Taj Wali. They were much better than Dhani although i have nothing against the young lad.

 

[Markhor]

Ok, Waqas although 33 has still been performing for a few seasons along with Taj Wali. They were much better than Dhani although i have nothing against the young lad.

Yeah Waqas is a class new ball bowler and should've been selected ahead of Tabish.

Wasim can be selective with his use of stats.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Based on what? His epic FC average? I like the idea of continuinty but not for continuinty's sake which is your one and only argument. He has shown precisely nothing with the bat to justify another test series and that's all that should matter here.

It's an argument entirely without merit and is reflective of a decision based on hope rather than any firm conviction in one's judgment. If Butt was the wrong selection two tests ago, the last two test matches prove that persisting with him is an even worse decision now.

These squad selections typify Mohammad Wasim's love of playing to the gallery, an accusation which I had not been taking seriously before.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Yeah Waqas is a class new ball bowler and should've been selected ahead of Tabish.

Wasim can be selective with his use of stats.

I still feel Tabish is a good selection and judging by what i saw in the practise nets video he was impressive. I also feel someone like Tabish will be needed in WI as he's got experience in using the Dukes ball.

I have only 2 selections i can argue about in Abid Ali and to a small extent Dhani (however i will give it a pass as they are trying something new). I feel Abid didn't merit selection for this series and should've been given to someone like Usman Salhuddin who is practising to become an opener or retain Kamran.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

It's an argument entirely without merit and is reflective of a decision based on hope rather than any firm conviction in one's judgment. If Butt was the wrong selection two tests ago, the last two test matches prove that persisting with him is an even worse decision now.

These squad selections typify Mohammad Wasim's love of playing to the gallery, an accusation which I had not been taking seriously before.

You've selected Butt now and you have to back him. Butt is not the selection we should be judging but it should be Abid who has completely flopped against better bowling attacks that clearly doesn't justify a spot like i say that i don't mean to be mean and wish him the best but seriously come on.

 

[mazkhan]

This is same agha Salman who doesn't know how to field or catch a ball he was dropping dollies in psl .

Don't understand why you would discard kamran ghulam when he was highest scorer in qea surely he pips agha.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Not a bad squad by any means, Mohammad Wasim is certainly a competent selector, providing an abundance of options to try out.

Salman Ali Agha (RA batting all rounder, RA off spinner) and Mohammad Nawaz (LA batting all rounder, LA off spinner) give two options of spin and batting when considering the opposition.

Sajid, Nauman, and Zahid also competing for a spin-bowler role (Nauman has shown competence with the bat, so would be a factor giving him the edge over others.)

Faheem is the sole fast-bowling all-rounder, so he doesn't have competition directly.

Abid, Imran, and Abdullah the openers (Abdullah should open if he's part of the squad, probably better than Abid).

Azhar, Fawad, Babar, Saud, Rizwan, Sarfaraz as MO batsmen.

I'm hoping that Shahnawaz Dhani takes wickets, he looks like a good bowler and one for the future. Will be interesting to see if he can get reverse swing with a rather round-armish action. Should play both tests ahead of Tabish Khan.

I'd play Abdullah, Imran, Azhar, Babar, Fawad, Rizwan, Faheem, Nawaz/Nauman, Shaheen, Hasan, Shahnawaz.

 

[Last Monetarist]

You've selected Butt now and you have to back him.

Why should anyone change their mind if they think Butt isn't good enough? There has to be a compelling reason to back him. As stated earlier, continuity for continuity's sake is frankly a weak and timid rationale.

I agree on Abid Ali, there is nothing anyone can learn if he scores runs in Zimbabwe.

 

[Line and Length]

Did Mohammad Wasim give an explanation for dropping Kamran Ghulam? Unless he’s injured, it’s a pretty clueless decision.

 

[Titan24]

Ok, Waqas although 33 has still been performing for a few seasons along with Taj Wali. They were much better than Dhani although i have nothing against the young lad.

Thing is team already has two automatic selections in Shaheen (21) and Hassan Ali (26), bench strength already has Tabish Khan (36) if experience is required to replace any of the front two pacers. So selecting guys like Waqas Mqasood and Taj Wali to make them sit on the bench wont make much sense. Yes if any of the frontline pacers isnt available and team needs more experience then these can be brought in to fill that gap.

Further dont forget that Waqas, Tabish and Taj are similar kind of pacers who can keep the ball around corridor of uncertainity with bit of seam and swing from there. Yes they are pretty decent at it but a squad needs variety in terms of different role a pacer can perform (Bounce, pace etc) and youngsters can learn more on the bench or maybe getting a game as 3rd seamer vs Zim than these guys. Dhani on the bench or as third seamer will obviously be a better investment than these names. However as said, if Shaheen or Hassan were being rested Waqas (Ideally)/Tabish or Taj should have been given a go due to their experience, consistent performances and control.

On a side note, I personally feel Waqas deserved it more to be that experienced pace bowling option if required than Tabish when Tabish got selected for SA home series as Waqas' stats in QAE were simply outstanding and was one of the key factors in CP defending the QAE trophy along with Hassan Ali.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Why should anyone change their mind if they think Butt isn't good enough? There has to be a compelling reason to back him. As stated earlier, continuity for continuity's sake is frankly a weak and timid rationale.

I agree on Abid Ali, there is nothing anyone can learn if he scores runs in Zimbabwe.

Bhai we need to have some sort of consistency and if i may be honest a debut against a team like South Africa is tough for our batsmen, we can't keep having Tabdilli every series and it should only be a couple plus what openers do we have at the moment? The only reason and biggest reason Imran makes the squad is the slips fielding right now for me and against somebody like Zimbabwe he might show some good performance so let's wait and see.

 

[Majid Khan]

They should have given Hafeez an honorary test match to let him officially announce his test retirement - and what better opposition for him to say farewell against with a majestic century then Zimbabwe

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Thing is team already has two automatic selections in Shaheen (21) and Hassan Ali (26), bench strength already has Tabish Khan (36) if experience is required to replace any of the front two pacers. So selecting guys like Waqas Mqasood and Taj Wali to make them sit on the bench wont make much sense. Yes if any of the frontline pacers isnt available and team needs more experience then these can be brought in to fill that gap.

Further dont forget that Waqas, Tabish and Taj are similar kind of pacers who can keep the ball around corridor of uncertainity with bit of seam and swing from there. Yes they are pretty decent at it but a squad needs variety in terms of different role a pacer can perform (Bounce, pace etc) and youngsters can learn more on the bench or maybe getting a game as 3rd seamer vs Zim than these guys. Dhani on the bench or as third seamer will obviously be a better investment than these names. However as said, if Shaheen or Hassan were being rested Waqas (Ideally)/Tabish or Taj should have been given a go due to their experience, consistent performances and control.

On a side note, I personally feel Waqas deserved it more to be that experienced pace bowling option if required than Tabish when Tabish got selected for SA home series as Waqas' stats in QAE were simply outstanding and was one of the key factors in CP defending the QAE trophy along with Hassan Ali.

To be honest we'll have to see, I mean i'm happy enough with the test squad selection. You make some excellent points on the fast bowlers but i just feel we need to start trialing some new fast bowlers other than Shaheen who i feel needs a break.

I personally feel that Abid was not a right pick and we perhaps should've said Azhar opens or enforce that Imran and Abdullah be utilized this series with dropping Abid and retaining Kamran.

Overall, I stick with my guns and say Wasim is a fair selector and agree somewhat fully with what was said in today's conference.

 

[moghul]

So Abid still in the team despite being a failure but Kamran is dropped without getting any chance just amazing.

That is beyond ridiculous , a younger player with record breaking performance dropped without getting a game and a much older guy who has been a failure in away and home series is still in the team . Now Abid will score some easy runs against Zimb and will be declared another Gavaskar, until he plays against a stronger team.

 

[moghul]

Good Job by selecting
1-Dhani
2-Saud
3-Agha

No sense in selecting these players in test tem
1-Harris Rauf
2-Nawaz
3-Taabish
4-Abid
5-Butt
6-Sarfraz

Over all poor selection by Wasim, I would give him 4/10 marks .

 

[Kaddy]

They should have given Hafeez an honorary test match to let him officially announce his test retirement - and what better opposition for him to say farewell against with a majestic century then Zimbabwe

He has officially retired from test cricket.

Its ODis, from where he hasn't taken official retirement.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Good Job by selecting
1-Dhani
2-Saud
3-Agha

No sense in selecting these players in test tem
1-Harris Rauf
2-Nawaz
3-Taabish
4-Abid
5-Butt
6-Sarfraz

Over all poor selection by Wasim, I would give him 4/10 marks .

In regards to the inclusions you are questioning i can only agree with some:

1- Harris Rauf- agree he shouldn't be selected in tests but he provides our guys with some training in the nets plus he bowls +150kph and sometimes you need that.
2- Nawaz- he had a very good season in QeA so his selection i'm sorry is justified, he was no. 11 in most no. of runs scored this season and was fair in his bowling also
3- Tabish- again he performed this season and has been performing for some time so selection is justifed
4- Abid- agree that he's not done anything to merit re-selection.
5- Butt- deserves another chance in my opinion based on having only 2 tests that to against South Africa
6- Sarfraz- only there is a concussion rule otherwise my selection would've been Rohail Nazir.

 

[Zeshan547]

Good Job by selecting
1-Dhani
2-Saud
3-Agha

No sense in selecting these players in test tem
1-Harris Rauf
2-Nawaz
3-Taabish
4-Abid
5-Butt
6-Sarfraz

Over all poor selection by Wasim, I would give him 4/10 marks .

One step forward, three steps back, rinse and repeat, pak cricket in nutshell. Somethings never change, joke is on us for hoping for one.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Bhai we need to have some sort of consistency and if i may be honest a debut against a team like South Africa is tough for our batsmen, we can't keep having Tabdilli every series and it should only be a couple plus what openers do we have at the moment? The only reason and biggest reason Imran makes the squad is the slips fielding right now for me and against somebody like Zimbabwe he might show some good performance so let's wait and see.

If I think someone made a mistake to begin with and I have seen no reason to change my judgment, I will not advocate for the opposite position due to some nebulous understanding of consistency or maintenance of the status quo. This is a bizarre argument that I have never ever understood, it's a wider point applicable in life as well. Doubling down on mistakes never works out well.

 

[Mamoon]

Early days but M. Wasim is proving himself to be the most incompetent, delusional and hypocritical selector Pakistan has ever had.

 

[Mamoon]

A bog average cricketer and a bog average selector. He knows nothing about cricket and chose the wrong profession in life.

 

[Darkrai]

Some seriously brainless selections. In particular, what in the world is Rauf doing in the test squad? The guy doesn't even merit a selection in T20s let alone Test cricket. And if i remember correctly, he was dropped from the last T20I against SA after getting hammered like he typically does.

 

[bilawal666]

Ghulam was unlucky to miss out while Abid Ali incredibly lucky to survive. Haris Rauf shouldn't be in any squad. Rauf and Ali are the only questionable selections in this squad.

 

[TeamPak95]

The XI that played in the SA tests will likely play in the Zim tests, with Yasir being replaced by either Zahid/Nawaz/Sajid/Dhani. Personally, depending on the pitches, I'd go Sajid/Dhani. Haris has the role of short overs, quick bursts as that's probably why he is in the squad, but I highly doubt he'll get a game anyway even if there are injuries to the main XI bowlers.

Overall, a decent squad as there won't be perfect selections all the time so there's no need to fret. Even though Wasim has said that he is in a larger pool of players that will get opportunities down the road (which is great), I'm not quite sure about the exclusion of Ghulam as he was in the squad for the SA series. That and Abid's selection are my only question marks for this squad.

 

[Omer2002]

Abid should have been dropped and gulam has only had one season so i am not bothered there.haris rauf is not a good selection but he keeps mentioning raw pace i wud take hasnain instead

 

[shamaan]

Kamran Ghulam dropped without getting a game.

He should feel hard done by but i think becouse he normally bats at 3 i think they persisted with abid as they proberly didn't want abdullah or azhar oppening.

 

[shamaan]

What is Shahnawaz Dahani doing in the squad???

Wasim clarified that if the test was against south africa he may not have made the squad but due to it being Zimbabwe they went with him.am ok with that decision hes shown enough skill/handling preesure in tbe last year.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Can't believe Dhani is selected. This is the age to learn and gain experience in domestic cricket.

Wasim is looking for quick win at the expense of Dhani. Dhanis has played a total of 8 List A games.

I am not happy.

 

[shamaan]

Yep abid ali remains in the squad to feast on zimbabwe instead of someone like kamran ghulam who could have played at 3. You also have abdullah shafique and dhahani who have no buisness in the squad.

Thats the problem kamran has to open as they are not willing to open with azhar/Abdullah with imran butt.

As for dahani the reason for including him was given by wasim and ok with that

 

[shamaan]

Meanwhile Abid Ali and Imran Butt are retained. It makes no sense!

Good to see the Pakistani tradition of not allowing bowlers to grow in domestics has continued too. Dhani is up against it like 99% of fast bowlers who have proceeded him in the last decade.

The only difference is that he will be up against zimbabwe if hes in the team

 

[Shoaibbtt]

If I think someone made a mistake to begin with and I have seen no reason to change my judgment, I will not advocate for the opposite position due to some nebulous understanding of consistency or maintenance of the status quo. This is a bizarre argument that I have never ever understood, it's a wider point applicable in life as well. Doubling down on mistakes never works out well.

I mean here's another reason bro with the disadvantage of new selections/new faces and why i'm against it. If you are working hard as a coach and providing coaching to players then all your hard work goes in the water when new guys come in, we can't just keep discarding players after 1 or 2 failures you must have patience in life.

 

[shamaan]

Abid Ali and Imran Butt are failures and should have been dropped.Why was Kamran Ghulam dropped?

He was dropped becouse kamran bats at 3 if he was an opener he should have been in the squad.azhar bats at 3 also saud can bat at 3

 

[BakuGM]

Rauf and Agha (and maybe Shafique) absolutely do not belong in the test team and all three of them are part of Northern squad. Butt is another mistake that Wasim is doubling down on which tells me he is another bull sh.... artist.

 

[shamaan]

So, imran butt and abid still in squad and ghulam gets dropped? And then we have Dhani in the test squad (based on what?) What the hell are Nawaz, Tabish Khan still doing in the squad? Pathetic.

Dahani was based around how he bowled in the qaid e azam on the flat pitches showed decent skills also handled preesure quite well in psl.

 

[shamaan]

Why is Kamran Ghulam not part of squad. How can Agha Salman or Saud Shakeel be selected over someone who has had a telling first class season?

I'm very disappointed with omission of Kamran Ghulam.

Why is Abid Ali being persisted with? Do we have a viable long-term option with Abid Ali?

Saud shakeel has been performing consistently for a number of years kamran has performed this season.

Long term option is abdullah shafique thats why hes in the squad for development

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Based on what? His epic FC average? I like the idea of continuinty but not for continuinty's sake which is your one and only argument. He has shown precisely nothing with the bat to justify another test series and that's all that should matter here.

Based on the lack of other openers in the country. Despite an abysmal first class average he’s really one of the only ones available.

That average was largely against the new ball in domestic cricket where even middle order batsmen saw their average go down against the Dukes. When it was changed to Kookaburra, he cashed in and became top run scorer and far and away best opener. He then had an average start to this latest first class season before being sent to New Zealand.

Lastly, he looked quite decent against the likes of Rabada and Nortje, even though he got out in bad ways.

Unfortunately, the only other openers in the country are Sharjeel Khan (past it as a Test cricketer) and youngsters like Omair bin Yousuf, Ali Zaryab, Haider Ali, and Abdullah Shafique, none of whom are ready. Sami Aslam has left the country.

Until then, it is worth trying Imran Butt out.

 

[shamaan]

Mohammad Waseem does deserve credit for dropping Yasir Shah as it is an overseas tour.

However, Kamran Ghulam should had been kept, especially when there isn't any need for Agha Salman

Shahnawaz Dhani a good selection, but why isn't shadab added?

Proberly trying to manage his workload also agha salman is thier as a all rounder

 

[Markhor]

Rauf and Agha (and maybe Shafique) absolutely do not belong in the test team and all three of them are part of Northern squad. Butt is another mistake that Wasim is doubling down on which tells me he is another bull sh.... artist.

Only one of those players belong to Northern (Rauf).

 

[Artaxerxes]

He will probably not play.He is a backup in case of any injuries.It is hard to replace players due to covid-19.Dhani will be ready for test cricket after one more domestic season.

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

Rauf and Agha (and maybe Shafique) absolutely do not belong in the test team and all three of them are part of Northern squad. Butt is another mistake that Wasim is doubling down on which tells me he is another bull sh.... artist.

Talk about being ignorant.
Only Rauf is part of the Northern squad.

Doing some research will help if you have go on such tirades.

 

[Bilal7]

Lots of new and new-ish names. It's always exciting when you have a squad of unproven talent but that can also backfire pretty quickly. Pakistan needs to ensure they get to the next WTC. They won't ever have a better chance.

Early days but M. Wasim is proving himself to be the most incompetent, delusional and hypocritical selector Pakistan has ever had.

Good to see that Inzamam has risen in stature in your eyes.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Lots of new and new-ish names. It's always exciting when you have a squad of unproven talent but that can also backfire pretty quickly. Pakistan needs to ensure they get to the next WTC. They won't ever have a better chance.



Good to see that Inzamam has risen in stature in your eyes.

I think with a team like Zimbabwe they not only have a good chance but room to do some experiments. I mean to be honest it's not as if that team will fail and if we look at the assignments so far of M. Wasim then Pakistan is doing ok, as follows:

lost 2-1 against NZ in t20s
lost 2-0 against NZ in tests
Won 2-0 against SA in tests
Won 2-1 against SA in t20s

We don't give the man any credit and credit is due to him. Just like you've said and (i've highlighted above) i too love seeing new faces myself but the inclusion of these people in the playing XI is up to Babar/Misbah. Abdullah Shafique against someone like Zimbabwe is a safe option and who knows he could pull a rabbit out of the hat, certainly merits it in my view.

 

[Ami]

Frankly, dont really care who they select...but?

Why drop Kamran Ghulam, he didnt get a game but now dropped?

Surely, M Wasim gave an explanation?

By the way, when the original 26 man test squad was announced against South Africa, Salman Agha was in there along with Kamran Ghulam.

However, in the final 20 man squad for the series, Kamran was picked but Salman dropped.

So, what has changed?

How has Salman all of a sudden over taken Kamran?....Based on what?

Mind boggling!

Does anyone understand the logic here?