Pakistan announce Test squad for the tour of South Africa, Mohammad Amir and Shan Masood back

[MMHS]

Doesn't give Mickey too many options. Mickey's tactics are clear: the UK formula once again.

In the batting front they do not have any other serious option so Imam will have to do no matter the situation. Shan is poor against swing and Sarfraz cannot be replaced by Rizwan being the captiain.

Things will only get interesting IF someone gets injured.

Not having player (s) is ground reality, one has to cope within. Not opening with Azhar is a cunning tactics, to keep some slot free - only 6 are to play.

 

[ShahidDar08]

In my opinion they should select selectors from Rashid Latif, Misbah, Younis Khan and Afridi

Rashid Lateef
Aqib Javid
Saqlain Mushtaq
Mohammad Wasim

 

[TalhaSyed]

Amir's been average at best since his come back.

Yup - I wont argue with that.

However, I think he should be in the squad for a tour of SA. Conditions should suit him and it's a good selection.

 

[in_cutter]

We are playing in South Africa. Have the selectors forgotten the importance of needing cutters and puller and hookers in the team.

Who are these so called cutters & pullers? Umar Akmal? Shehzad?

 

[in_cutter]

Yup - I wont argue with that.

However, I think he should be in the squad for a tour of SA. Conditions should suit him and it's a good selection.

Conditions in NZ, AUS & ENG should have suited him too. Does not deserve selection based on potential.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Very nice!

A humble 0-3!

 

[Sirris]

What a squad, what a nepotism and biasedness!!? Only possible in Pak cricket. Still no Fawad! Shaan is back in test!!! He was doing well in 50 overs format! Asad the hack is retained. Saad Ali is dropped without being tested at all,bechara.Amir is back on what basis? Has he improved significantly? What more needs to do for Abid Ali to be selected? All are question marks selection.

Saad Ali was dropped because his bench warming technique wasn't good enough. The reason I was most frustrated by Hafeez's retirement announcement in middle of the 3rd test was that he could have easily retired before the test and let somebody else like Saad Ali have the opportunity to debut. Hafeez is no Younis Khan such that the team absolutely relies on his performance for success.

 

[Mainul]

Saad Ali was dropped because his bench warming technique wasn't good enough. The reason I was most frustrated by Hafeez's retirement announcement in middle of the 3rd test was that he could have easily retired before the test and let somebody else like Saad Ali have the opportunity to debut. Hafeez is no Younis Khan such that the team absolutely relies on his performance for success.

Yes. But we all know that how shameless and selfish Hafeez is! He will still continue in ODIs and T20s at 38 and he dreama of playing in 2019 WC with his chucking bowling and inconsistent batting. I feel for Saad. He has been performing so well in domestics but can't play

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Conditions in NZ, AUS & ENG should have suited him too. Does not deserve selection based on potential.

He bowled well in England and New Zealand.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Abid Ali should have been there along with Saad Ali.

Frustrating to see Shan Masood back and Imam being retained.

Why have they brought Amir back? He should have spent some more time in domestics.

Hope Fakhar is fit and firing before the first test and that he opens with Azhar.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Team management will go with this XI.

1. Fakhar
2. Azhar
3. Haris
4. Asad
5. Babar
6. Sarfraz
7. Faheem
8. Shah
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen/Amir
11. Hasan/Amir

 

[topspin]

Lost for words like everyone here with S.Masood's selection. If Sarfraz is to maintain his captaincy and as his place in the side as WK, at least let Rizwan come into the side and bat at 6. That way we can see who is the better batsman and whether this will spur Sarfraz to perform or whether he will crumble.

The exclusions of one or more of Abid Ali, Umar Akmal, Saad Ali and Saud Shakeel highlights the incompetency of our CS who should now be relieved of the role if his nephew is in consideration for the national side.

 

[JaanZeb]

Team management will go with this XI.

1. Fakhar
2. Azhar
3. Haris
4. Asad
5. Babar
6. Sarfraz
7. Faheem
8. Shah
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen/Amir
11. Hasan/Amir

They won't drop Imam, he'll get another extended run for being Inzamam nephew which means Sarfraz is down to 10 players.

Shadab Khan will play as he is the main batsman in the team alongwith Faheem. Shaheen And Hasan would miss out which is really pathetic.
Inzamama has also increased problems for the bowling management also
Bowling coach Azhar Mahmood had a problem with Amir refusing to improve and bowling with scrambled seam and defensive line. His hard work with Hasan is going to suffer also

 

[Mp812]

Sarfraz has now captained his side to four losses in seven Tests in the UAE.
Soon he will captain three Tests in South Africa . where he can pull off an incredible series win and set record straight.
However Hafeez is missing who gave some memorable and matching-winning performances for Pakistan in the Test match format will be missed.

 

[JaanZeb]

Another important mention who has been dropped without any reason.

Mir Hamza who swings way more than Amir and would've been great in RSA pitches has been dropped for Amir.

Players like Saad Ali, Usman, hamza being dropped without getting matches is just shameful from selection committee.

 

[Asif321]

Team management will go with this XI.

1. Fakhar
2. Azhar
3. Haris
4. Asad
5. Babar
6. Sarfraz
7. Faheem
8. Shah
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen/Amir
11. Hasan/Amir

Lol Faheem at 7 we need 6 proper batsmen and wicketkeeper

 

[ask_analyse_act]

He and Faheem together are better than a middle order batsman + tail ender.

6 batsmen can’t survive lIttle more than half a day in UAE. Will 5 batsmen do in SA.. there will be few 100 and 150 all out in SA

 

[in_cutter]

Lahore- December 7, 2018: The National Selection Committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq after consultation with Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Head Coach Mickey Arthur has announced the 16 member Test squad for three Test matches against South Africa. The first Test match of the three-match series will be played at Centurion from December 26 to 30, 2018. The second Test match will be played at Cape Town from January 3 to 7, 2019. The third and final Test match of the series will be played at Johannesburg from January 11 to 15, 2019.

“The best possible squad has been selected keeping in mind the conditions of South Africa. Three openers have been selected in the squad, where Shan Masood has been selected after the retirement of Mohammad Hafeez from Test cricket. Mohammad Amir makes a comeback in the team after regaining his form in the domestic cricket, giving strength to fast bowling attack that includes four pace bowlers. Mohammad Rizwan has been included in the squad after performing consistently in the domestic cricket and for Pakistan ’A’,” concludes Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq.


View attachment 86283

Another Inzi gem: Rizwan is on fire in the shorter format & selects him for the Test squad. How dumb/illogical can these guys running PCB get??

 

[dani594]

//stop pulling name out of hat ehsan adil

 

[dani594]

why would they put farheem in playing 11 when they did not do do so in UAE ?

 

[Greenstorm]

Rizwan and Masood are useless, Saad Ali dropped . Inzi's selections are getting from bad to worse.

 

[RickyG]

Clever move by Inzi to name sqaud before we have lost this series to NZ, Just so calls cant be made for his head or other players.

As Mushy said, Inzi is a politician.

Mushtaq Ahmed said that? Where?

 

[saabir]

I'm really surprised to see the name of Imam Ul Haq in the squad. On what basis he got selected. There is no justification to select this guy. Shaan deserved to be selected based on his recent form.

 

[rhony]

Shadab Khan (blue eyed boy of Sarfraz and Mickey) had no business for this tour.

Saud Shakeel or Saad Ali should have been picked instead.


No backup middle order batsman has been picked. Rizwan is a wicket keeper batsman and not a specialist batsman. SA will expose his technique vs Pace aswell as spin. He is lbw candidate, lacks balance while driving and picks up length late while hooking and pulling so finds it difficult to transfer weight on backfoot (exposed against 142 + pacers only)


Maharaaj would eat him up aswell. (V poor against Leg spin or Left arm spin of any type)



Because Rizwan has performed exceptionally well for Pakistan A so his selection as Sarfraz’s back up keeper (in case of injury + tour match keeping) is ok



But Saud Shakeel should have been picked as backup middle order batsman in case Asad, Babar or Haris get injured or fail to score in first two Tests.



Why Saud over Saad ? Because Saud is technically more sound and has shots all round the ground against pace.



Abid’s SR and fitness cost him Test Selection.



Fakhar should open with Azhar.



1. Fakhar
2. Azhar
3. Haris
4. Asad
5. Babar
6. Faheem
7. Sarfraz
8. Yasir
9. Amir
10. Hasan
11. Abass


Should be the line up for first Test.



Faheem hasn’t showed his true potential with the bat in International Cricket as of yet. His batting success would be crucial and he needs to be batting ahead of a captain Sarfraz Ahmed.


Shaheen can replace Amir or Hassan in the second Test if either one has v poor figures in 1st Test. No point in benching Amir if you have selected him and Hasan has performed well vs NZ so he should be retained.

You would take Faheem over a specialist batsman? That would be too risky.

 

[Ali_Pakistan]

People saying that these are the best guys selected and there are no world beaters in the domestic. Alright.
Better to select top performers from domestic rather than being stuck with all this mediocrity for eternity.
Just different excuses for keeping the mediocrity.

 

[Ali_Pakistan]

You would take Faheem over a specialist batsman? That would be too risky.

Not that specialist batsmen are going to make any difference.

 

[Ali_Pakistan]

The way Inzi has treated Saad Ali is disgusting way of treating the young talent. Nowhere in the world is the young players are treated like that.

 

[rhony]

Another Inzi gem: Rizwan is on fire in the shorter format & selects him for the Test squad. How dumb/illogical can these guys running PCB get??

What options does he have? It's similar to selecting Rohit Sharma for tests in AUS. When regular batsmen fail to make an impact, the next best choice is to select players who are in form.

 

[MMHS]

The way Inzi has treated Saad Ali is disgusting way of treating the young talent. Nowhere in the world is the young players are treated like that.

Why did you expect otherwise for Ul Haq? I mean, he kept identical 15 for 3rd Test as well; and had Kiwis won the 2nd Test, he would have simply dropped Afridi and Saad Ali to bring some changes - same 11 would have played unless injury issues.

 

[Nado_]

Seeing Masood in the squad is beyond a joke , selectors are becoming more and more inadequate

 

[Ahmed216]

Lol Faheem at 7 we need 6 proper batsmen and wicketkeeper

5 so-called proper batsmen( Fakhar Azhar babar haris Asad)
3 so-called all-rounders( Sarfraz Faheem Shadab)
3 pacers

 

[jadaja]

What is this fascination towards Fawad Alam, is he that great player???

 

[Saj]

I look at this squad and worry about it.

I mean the batting looks terribly weak, but then why also take 2 leg-spinners?

 

[Amjid Javed]

I look at this squad and worry about it.

I mean the batting looks terribly weak, but then why also take 2 leg-spinners?

Inzis selections never make any logic, would be great if PP could interview him and ask him these questions.

 

[srh]

Good to see Fakhar, Abbas, Shadab and Amir fit and back in the squad!

Also good to see Rizwan's excellent recent performance being rewarded.

So you are ok with Mir Hamza dropped after only 1 test? Saad Ali dropped without even debut? Shame on you.

 

[CricVet]

Guys its a great thing that imam and shan have been selected in my opinion.
Its very obvious that we are going to get smash in southafrica and I dont think selecting saad ali or abid will change this. This coming series provides us a great chance to get rid of dead weight in the form of imam and shan.

How many time this has been said about Hafeez and all those TTFs deadwood in the past. Some things just never change (even in NEW Pakistan). We need to have an Accountability Bureau (Ehtasab commission) for cricket selection ...Pathetic. Come on Imran.

 

[TalhaSyed]

So you are ok with Mir Hamza dropped after only 1 test? Saad Ali dropped without even debut? Shame on you.

Oh no she has summoned shamed on me - what will I ever do

You wanna take a 25 man squad to South Africa? It's amazing how the value of players rises exponentially in Pakistani cricket when they are sitting on the bench.

 

[Saj]

Inzis selections never make any logic, would be great if PP could interview him and ask him these questions.

I have asked....let's see.

 

[Abdullah]

I'm ok with the team. Opening and sarfaraz batting are the only issues. We need to give this team time. 10 tests since losing our backbone is not a lot. We need to make things count when on top.
I agree with Mickey that FZ BA and HS, will be better on wickets conducive to stroke play.
Bowling will always be ok.
We are about 6th 7th at the moment but once we sort above issues out we will easily be top 4.
FZ needs to come good for us

 

[TalhaSyed]

He bowled well in England and New Zealand.

That's what I was thinking

 

[PakHammer]

Would not surprise me in the coming days that the media pressure/criticism will be too much for Safaraz and he will resign the test captaincy. He will sit out the South Africa tests and come back after. He is an emotional type of guy so watch this space.

 

[Zaz]

Where’s Mir hamza and what has he done wrong? It’s ridiculous that some players barely play and are dropped whilst others get numerous games to prove (as they were at the start of their careers) utter failures till the end

 

[Junaids]

6 batsmen can’t survive lIttle more than half a day in UAE. Will 5 batsmen do in SA.. there will be few 100 and 150 all out in SA

I look at this squad and worry about it.

I mean the batting looks terribly weak, but then why also take 2 leg-spinners?

I am almost okay with this squad.

It doesn’t matter how many batsmen you play, they are rubbish and won’t score enough runs.

The only strategy which can work, like with Azhar Mahmood in 97-98, is to accept that you will always be 100-4 - if you’re lucky - and then score 160 more against the old ball to be 260 all out.

And that requires runs from numbers 7, 8 and 9.

And that makes Shadab and Faheem into key players.

Yasir Shah would hardly get a bowl at Centurion or Johannesburg.

So the question becomes: “which batsman can turn 120-5 into 200-7, Yasir Shah or Shadab Khan?”

The real insanity is only picking four quicks plus Faheem. Pakistan will need four quicks in every match - they needed Ehsan Adil as back-up.

 

[Junaids]

Here is my squad to win in South Africa:

1. Azhar Ali
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Asad Shafiq
4. Haris Sohail
5. Babar Azam
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

Spare batsman 1: Umar Akmal (to Bat at 6)

Spare batsman 2: Usman Salahuddin

Spare batsman 3 and keeper: Mohammad Rizwan

Spare spinner: Yasir Shah (Cape Town only)

Spare quick 1: Ehsan Adil

Spare quick 2: Hasan Ali

Spare quick 3: Mohammad Asif (back-up for Abbas, and bowling assistant coach).

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Pathetic squad selected.

Abid
Usman
Saad
Saud

all missing

Height of corruption.

 

[Hasan123]

Why are you so convinced that Shadab and Faheem will score against the accuracy of Mahraj, a reversing old ball against Rabada,Steyn ,and Philander? They haven't done much in LO cricket to show they can score against great attacks. You don't even watch LO cricket or PSL so you are judging them off 3 matches against Ireland and England.

Your theories are pure fantasy.

 

[sali]

Best team possible except selection of Shadab and Imam can be debated. I wish Sharjeel wasn't banned and I would like to see a left arm spinner like Abdur Rehman in place of Shadab. Asghar hasnt really lived up to the hype.

 

[shaz619]

Why are you so convinced that Shadab and Faheem will score against the accuracy of Mahraj, a reversing old ball against Rabada,Steyn ,and Philander? They haven't done much in LO cricket to show they can score against great attacks. You don't even watch LO cricket or PSL so you are judging them off 3 matches against Ireland and England.

Your theories are pure fantasy.

Junaids is one of the most astute posters on PP, he has a knack for recognising the skill set of players and their suitability for various conditions and balance. But if we don't keep an open mind then for example Shaheen Shah shouldn't be in the team either due to his lack of experience, but he has a skill set which will be useful so I wouldn't overlook Faheem / Shadab should they play.

 

[Junaids]

Why are you so convinced that Shadab and Faheem will score against the accuracy of Mahraj, a reversing old ball against Rabada,Steyn ,and Philander? They haven't done much in LO cricket to show they can score against great attacks. You don't even watch LO cricket or PSL so you are judging them off 3 matches against Ireland and England.

Your theories are pure fantasy.

The outfields in South Africa are so lush that the ball doesn’t reverse unless you tamper with it.

Maharaj is a bog standard slow left-armer, no better than Zulfiqar.

So it’s a matter of surviving 25 overs of conventionally swinging medium pace by Steyn and Philander.

After that Rabada is quick, but gun-barrel straight.

Once the Kookaburra goes soft around 25 overs there is not much left to fear for the lower middle-Order.

 

[gazza619]

To be fair the team looks fine. I would land the following eleven in the first test:
1. Fakhar
2. Shaan
3. Azhar
4. Haris
5. Babar
6. Asad
7. Sarfaraz
8. Amir
9. Yasir
10. Shaheen
11. Abbass

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Fakhar Zaman (c)
Azhar Ali
Harris Sohail
Babar Azam
Mohammad Rizwan (w/k) (bats > Sarfraz)
Faheem Ashraf (bats well in tests)
Shadab Khan (bats well in tests)
Yasir Shah (can bat)
Mohammad Amir (can bat)
Hasan Ali ( bats > shaheen)
Mohammad Abbas

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Does anyone now if fitness is the reason Abid Ali is not selected? He probably wouldn't pass Mickey's yoyo test.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

To be fair the team looks fine. I would land the following eleven in the first test:
1. Fakhar
2. Shaan
3. Azhar
4. Haris
5. Babar
6. Asad
7. Sarfaraz
8. Amir
9. Yasir
10. Shaheen
11. Abbass

Mickey has indicated that they might go with Shadab and Faheem once again. So no Shan or Yasir.

 

[MRSN]

Would not surprise me in the coming days that the media pressure/criticism will be too much for Safaraz and he will resign the test captaincy. He will sit out the South Africa tests and come back after. He is an emotional type of guy so watch this space.

An emotional guy who also loves to escape and hide from challenges. Yeah we know that. Won't be surprised at all.

 

[blackanhyellow]

Pathetic squad selected.

Abid
Usman
Saad
Saud

all missing

Height of corruption.

They were missing from the squads of the UAE test matches. The mistake happened here.

You dont put brand new players in to a tour of South Africa.

 

[MenInG]

They cannot suddenly bring in rookies for an important tour.

The NZ defeat is a shock for them but its too late.

 

[Hasan123]

The outfields in South Africa are so lush that the ball doesn’t reverse unless you tamper with it.

Maharaj is a bog standard slow left-armer, no better than Zulfiqar.

So it’s a matter of surviving 25 overs of conventionally swinging medium pace by Steyn and Philander.

After that Rabada is quick, but gun-barrel straight.

Once the Kookaburra goes soft around 25 overs there is not much left to fear for the lower middle-Order.

Don't agree with your opinion on Mahraj. He has done a very good job for South Africa. We made Somerville and Patel look good so I wouldn't down play any spinner if I was you.

 

[Goharn]

With Imam in the squad, I would much rather play Shan Masood which tells you how great our squad is.

 

[Nasty Naz]

They selected their 3 different openers instead of 2 and opting to have Azhar open who is the best opening option they have. It's just baffling decision making since Pakistan have middle order batsmen in domestic with a great track record in FC who deserve a legitimate chance and have a chance to do pretty well... instead they select mediocre openers.

Hafeez and Imam horrendous batting was a big reason why NZ won the series and its hard to see it being any different in SA. Pakistan will have the bowling to make a difference potentially but I don't see how the batting will hold up.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

People need to get one thing and that is Fawad Alam won't be playing international cricket for sure and same goes for Sadaf Hussain no matter how much their names are mentioned here or on TV.

Pakistan's domestic level is only going to produce hacks who can only block or whack and that's what their level is as their mental capacity is such.

 

[TeamPak95]

Amir coming back not a surprise at all, although regarding Shan I don't understand his selection. Selection committee can't seriously think that he can play Steyn, Rabada and Philander..

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Amir coming back not a surprise at all, although regarding Shan I don't understand his selection. Selection committee can't seriously think that he can play Steyn, Rabada and Philander..

He's that designated ugly bad batsman whole make Imam look like a million dollar kid.

 

[PakLFC]

What has Amir done to merit a return? With the opening partnership of Imam and Masood we're already one down before the tour has started Good to see Rizwan in the team even though he will probably not get a game with Sarfaraz being captain/keeper.

 

[pratiktc]

The outfields in South Africa are so lush that the ball doesn’t reverse unless you tamper with it.

Maharaj is a bog standard slow left-armer, no better than Zulfiqar.

So it’s a matter of surviving 25 overs of conventionally swinging medium pace by Steyn and Philander.

After that Rabada is quick, but gun-barrel straight.

Once the Kookaburra goes soft around 25 overs there is not much left to fear for the lower middle-Order.

Level of delusion in this post is at peaks.

Keshav Maharaj is a high quality spinner who has amassed an enviable record in intl cricket. His record in England is more consistent and threatening than Yasir/Ashwin/Lyon and he has played high class holding role in key game as part of 3 man attack on his first tour to Aus with Econ of 2.5. Compare that to Yasir and Ashwin who have been carted at stick cricket and ODI cricket rates on multiple occasions in Australia.

Rabada is out and out the most exciting fast bowler in the world with proven match winning spells in Eng, SA, Aus with proper ATG level bowling numbers so far in his career.

Even in his dotage, condescending to call Steyn a medium pacer is ludicrous.

The reality is that Pak's sub par batting will likely be blown away and never allow their somewhat decent bowling to exert any pressure. If Pak manages to stretch match to 4th day, it will be a small positive.

It is good to hope and there are small probabilities that if all events go their way (toss, opposition injuries, drs calls), Pak may even compete with SA in a game, but there is no need to blatantly pull down quality of opposition to feed your hope.

 

[barah_admi]

Apart from salahuddin and possibly fawad who else could realistically be in the squad?

The xi I'd pick would be:

1. Ali
2. Zaman
3. Sohail
4. Shafiq c
5. Azam
6. Rizwan wk
7. Khan
8. Amir
9. Shah
10. H. Ali
11. Abbas

No more sarfraz as captain or keeper. I k ow it's too much to dream. Two spin options, a part time spinner in sohail and three pace options.

The team likely to play will include sarfraz and maybe have both ashraf and shadab.

Should be interesting.

 

[CricketDon]

Slaughtering of the lambs. Is how this series will be remembered.

Faheem and shadab are both poor batsman and average bowlers. We are taking our bits and pieces xi to the rest arena I see.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Mickey wants 100 runs from the lower order. Would be something if Shadab and Faheem manage it again.

Could make a world of difference.

 

[ahmadharis1]

I am going to get burned alive for even asking this, but should Mohammad Nawaz have been considered for the test squad?

He's played LOIs mostly but I think he's best suited for tests. FC batting average is 33 and FC bowling average is 26, showing he's good with bat and ball. Didn't show too much in the lone WI series he played but I think the potential to be a quality test all rounder is there.

He's also been playing the south africa domestic t20 competition right now and he's bowling pretty well, showing how he's already acclimatizing to the conditions there.

 

[The Viper]

What has Amir done to merit a return? With the opening partnership of Imam and Masood we're already one down before the tour has started Good to see Rizwan in the team even though he will probably not get a game with Sarfaraz being captain/keeper.

Amir averaged 13 in the Quaid E Azam first class competition. His selection is fair.

 

[CricketDon]

Mickey wants 100 runs from the lower order. Would be something if Shadab and Faheem manage it again.

Could make a world of difference.

Why don’t mickey first expect a 100 from the top order before he asks the lower order.

 

[ads101]

Extremely disappointing squad, what's the point of dropping Saad Ali. We did the same with Usman. No point of squad players being in the squad when they're just dropped next tour without a game.

1. Fakhar
2. Azhar
3. Asad
4. Haris
5. Babar
6. Rizwan
7. Sarfraz
8. Amir
9. Yasir
10. Abbas
11. Hasan Ali

Let's Azhar open, give Asad more responsibility to see if he can cement his place finally in the team and lead this batting order. Rizwan's simply picked as only option left in the middle order and to be fair to him he has been improving, I'd be interested to see how he fares.

 

[gazza619]

I am going to get burned alive for even asking this, but should Mohammad Nawaz have been considered for the test squad?

He's played LOIs mostly but I think he's best suited for tests. FC batting average is 33 and FC bowling average is 26, showing he's good with bat and ball. Didn't show too much in the lone WI series he played but I think the potential to be a quality test all rounder is there.

He's also been playing the south africa domestic t20 competition right now and he's bowling pretty well, showing how he's already acclimatizing to the conditions there.

Nawaz may have done better than Bilal Asif in UAE. But he has no place for SA conditions.

 

[PakLFC]

Amir averaged 13 in the Quaid E Azam first class competition. His selection is fair.

Okay. I don't keep an eye on domestic Cricket.

 

[giri26]

Well not much different to the team which played in UAE. The batting is still a suspect. The only good thing is that Hafeez isn't in the squad. The top 5 will have a tough time against the SA bowling attack.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

Bowlers will likely do well and try to give us a chance only for the batsmen to screw it up. It will likely be a thrashing.

 

[gazza619]

Pathetic squad selected.

Abid
Usman
Saad
Saud

all missing

Height of corruption.

I dont know how the above players would have performed on SA pitches, if I was given an opportunity to turn back the clock and pick an eleven for the first test I would have selected the following. I have mostly picked batsmen who have a good backfoot game (hence Umar Akmal & Umar Amin).

1. Shan Masood
2. Sami Aslam
3. Azhar Ali
4. Haris Sohail
5. Umar Amin
6. Umar Akmal
7. Muhammad Rizwan
8. Muhammad Amir
9. Hassan Ali
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Muhammad Abbass

 

[Karl]

My eleven for the next Test Series would be:
1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Usman Salahuddin
4. Saad Ali
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Babar Azam (c)
7. Muhammad Rizwan
8. Muhammad Amir
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Muhammad Abbas

 

[gazza619]

Shan Masood over Abid Ali...
Amir back, good to see Rizwan being taken too.

Shan Masood is back!

Shan MASOOOD )

Killing it in 50 over cricket, has been a proven mug in tests, chosen for tests. Classic Inzi

Inzi has lost the plot completely. Seeing his bhateeja get owned time and again has sent him into shock and now he is doing wack things.

Bechara Shan Masood. If he fails in tests they won't select him for ODIs again as well, the FORMAT HE SHOULD'VE BEEN SELECTED FOR. Not his fault.

Maulvi saab did the same thing with Mohammad Sami, effectively cutting his ODI career in half.

So frustrating. But literally everyone predicted this move from Mr. "credit to the boyzz" from a mile away.

Shan Masood in Tests? Imam ul Haq still there after proving to be useless and technically poor?

Where are Saad Ali and Abid Ali?

Shan and Imam, just shows if you have relatives in the PCB you will keep getting selected for pakistan.

Imam ul Haq retained... This guy can't score runs in UAE, how is he gonna score in South Africa?

Shan Masood.

Mockery of Pakistan cricket.

Unbelievable how he gets selected every time.

Shan Masood selected in the wrong format once again
Imam retained over Saad Ali is a farce
Asad, Haris... SA are going to toy with this batting

Shan Masood scoring in list A cricket and he is picked for test cricket in South Africa) .

Rizwan and Masood are useless, Saad Ali dropped . Inzi's selections are getting from bad to worse.

Seeing Masood in the squad is beyond a joke , selectors are becoming more and more inadequate

Humble pies anyone?

 

[topspin]

Humble pies anyone?

In all fairness to these guys Masood never looked international material and lets not forget its taken him years to find his feet but better late than never.

I do admit however I never thought he would make it at the top level despite his work ethic and smart cricket brain.

 

[Suleiman]

Humble pies anyone?

I still stand by what I said, proudly. If Shan failed in the tests that would've been the end for him in all 3 formats when he deserved a shot in ODIs by a million percent as I said in my post. He performed and I'm happy for him.