Pakistan announces squads for Asia Cup 2025 and T20I Tri-series against UAE and Afghanistan

[Rana]

ou cannot implement a new era when you are selecting players like Fakhar, Agha, Talat, Khushdil, Faheem.

They are all fine, white ball hitters. They don’t have the issue of not putting the team above their own goals. Khushdil due to his allegiance to Rizwan+Iftikhar does have a slight issue where he also feels he needs 10 deliveries at the crease to get going, otherwise he too is a fine hitter once set for the death overs.

 

[RidiculousMan]

That’s your choice, but my invitation is on the table.

I’m happy to change my mind if anyone can come up with an intelligent argument in favor of this squad and prove to me that this isn’t a same wine in different bottle situation.

However, I understand that my condition (intelligent arguments only) rules out posters like you, so I will wait for some intelligent poster to take up this challenge and prove me wrong.

What are you concerns with the squad? I admit that it is not a perfect squad but the approach is right with the style of play and Hesson and Salman wants to demand which the world cricket today demands.

 

[Rana]

No need to defend Talat. You know as well he is picked not because of his stats or "record breaking" psl performance. It is because he is a bits and pieces cricketer. Which perfectly fits in Mike Hesson's world of All Rounders.

No that’s not true at all.

Talat is a good batsman. He isn’t selected for his bowling. He will get smashed for 6x6 by SENA+ Indian batters if he is to bowl to someone set at the crease.

As a batter, he is more than decent for the middle order to consolidate and attack if needed. He’s a better middle order T20 batter than Agha.

 

[Mamoon]

They are all fine, white ball hitters. They don’t have the issue of not putting the team above their own goals. Khushdil due to his allegiance to Rizwan+Iftikhar does have a slight issue where he also feels he needs 10 deliveries at the crease to get going, otherwise he too is a fine hitter once set for the death overs.

They are not. None of them are aggressive or consistent.

I have no problem with not selecting Babar and Rizwan as long as you go in a different direction and show that you want to implement a new brand of cricket.

These players don’t represent that. They are more than welcome to prove me wrong in the Asia Cup but I don’t see it happening.

 

[Rana]

They are not. None of them are aggressive or consistent

They are the best options for Pakistan.

You won’t even bother making an XI for Pakistan without Babar or Rizwan so it’s pointless to ask you to name better players for those positions. You don’t watch domestic cricket so you don’t know who to suggest for the better options. I’ll still give you a chance.

Name a better XI without those names and without Babar and Rizwan.

 

[Usman Chadda]

They are not. None of them are aggressive or consistent.

I have no problem with not selecting Babar and Rizwan as long as you go in a different direction and show that you want to implement a new brand of cricket.

These players don’t represent that. They are more than welcome to prove me wrong in the Asia Cup but I don’t see it happening.

They won’t succeed in the Asia Cup and the subsequent tournaments due to lack of skill and talent, but atleast fans don’t have to go through the torture of watching 22/2 in 10 overs or 7 runs off 26 balls against a minnow.

 

[Mamoon]

They are the best options for Pakistan.

You won’t even bother making an XI for Pakistan without Babar or Rizwan so it’s pointless to ask you to name better players for those positions. You don’t watch domestic cricket so you don’t know who to suggest for the better options. I’ll still give you a chance.

Name a better XI without those names and without Babar and Rizwan.

I don’t need to bother because there is no best Pakistan XI without Babar and Rizwan in any format.

 

[Rana]

I don’t need to bother because there is no best Pakistan XI without Babar and Rizwan in any format.

You won’t bother because you know you can’t name a proper XI without them.

Pakistan have clearly been stronger without those 2 in T20i

Pakistan will most likely be better without them in other formats too.

 

[Mamoon]

You won’t bother because you know you can’t name a proper XI without them.

Pakistan have clearly been stronger without those 2 in T20i

Pakistan will most likely be better without them in other formats too.

I agree. I cannot name a proper XI without them, because any Pakistan XI without them is weaker than any Pakistan XI with them.

I am not brainwashed into thinking that Pakistan have a better chance of being successful with the likes of Talat, Agha and Khushdil instead.

 

[Rana]

I agree. I cannot name a proper XI without them, because any Pakistan XI without them is weaker than any Pakistan XI with them.

I am not brainwashed into thinking that Pakistan have a better chance of being successful with the likes of Talat, Agha and Khushdil instead.

Alright, let’s do it your way.

Name a proper XI with them in the side and in the batting order. Let’s see how you’ve kept up with the year 2025

 

[Mamoon]

Alright, let’s do it your way.

Name a proper XI with them in the side and in the batting order. Let’s see how you’ve kept up with the year 2025

Saim
Rizwan
Babar
Fakhar/Farhan
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Faheem
Shaheen (c)
M Wasim/Rauf
Hassan Ali/Naseem
Abrar/Sufiyan

For me this is Pakistan’s best current T20 team based on available players. It is better than the team Pakistan will field in the Asia Cup.

I am not entirely happy with having players like Agha and Faheem but at the moment I don’t see alternatives. Agha is better than Talat and Iftikhar, and Faheem is better in white ball cricket than Jamal.

You can replace Faheem with Nawaz but that would be a spin overkill, considering Saim will be bowing frequently.

Fakhar has failed enough in the top 3 to not deserve any further opportunities, but he has done well at #4. However, Farhan can also do well at that number, he has the shots.

This team will not uproot any trees or win you a World Cup, but then again, no combination of XI players in Pakistan can. We haven’t got the talent at our hands and we need to accept it.

Shaheen should be captain 100%. He needs to be rewarded for his success in PSL. Agha has done absolutely nothing to deserve a leadership role over Shaheen.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Saim
Rizwan
Babar
Fakhar/Farhan
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Faheem
Shaheen (c)
M Wasim/Rauf
Hassan Ali/Naseem
Abrar/Sufiyan

For me this is Pakistan’s best current T20 team based on available players. It is better than the team Pakistan will field in the Asia Cup.

I am not entirely happy with having players like Agha and Faheem but at the moment I don’t see alternatives. Agha is better than Talat and Iftikhar, and Faheem is better in white ball cricket than Jamal.

You can replace Faheem with Nawaz but that would be a spin overkill, considering Saim will be bowing frequently.

Fakhar has failed enough in the top 3 to not deserve any further opportunities, but he has done well at #4. However, Farhan can also do well at that number, he has the shots.

This team will not uproot any trees or win you a World Cup, but then again, no combination of XI players in Pakistan can. We haven’t got the talent at our hands and we need to accept it.

Shaheen should be captain 100%. He needs to be rewarded for his success in PSL. Agha has done absolutely nothing to deserve a leadership role over Shaheen.

This is a very safe XI and you are correct that this team won't win you a world and certainly not with that approach.

But the approach and players picked by Hesson will at least give you a chance of winning it. The ceiling of the new gen squad in terms of batting is higher than RizBar in the format.

 

[Rana]

This is a very safe XI and you are correct that this team won't win you a world and certainly not with that approach.

But the approach and players picked by Hesson will at least give you a chance of winning it. The ceiling of the new gen squad in terms of batting is higher than RizBar in the format.

I don’t even think it’s a very safe XI

First of all, you need to realise that this isn’t Babar and Rizwan who actually have some form and getting absolute roads to bat on anymore. Teams have worked them out so massively that you already know where to bowl against them and what kind of bowlers. On top of it, it’s a win win situation for them if Pakistan bat first if they do occupy the crease for a reasonable amount of time. They will definitely ensure runs are left out in the middle.

Nawaz at 6 and Faheem at 7 in a team where Babar and Rizwan get the powerplay?

Sahibzada and Farhan at 4 in a team where Babar and Rizwan get the powerplay?

It only makes sense to have far more explosive players batting later than their actual positions if the players before the guys up top are striking at 170+… not 120 lol

 

[Rana]

Saim
Rizwan
Babar
Fakhar/Farhan
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Faheem
Shaheen (c)
M Wasim/Rauf
Hassan Ali/Naseem
Abrar/Sufiyan

Agha
Babar
Rizwan

3/7 batting options

45% of the batting striking it at 120

That leaves you with 4 players who have to bat out of their skin to get Pakistan to a competitive total, which is above 200? And above 170 on spin decks??

This strategy is very close to being thrown out in ODI for Pakistan, and you are trying to enforce it in T20??

 

[mominsaigol]

Agha
Babar
Rizwan

3/7 batting options

45% of the batting striking it at 120

That leaves you with 4 players who have to bat out of their skin to get Pakistan to a competitive total, which is above 200? And above 170 on spin decks??

This strategy is very close to being thrown out in ODI for Pakistan, and you are trying to enforce it in T20??

So after writing essay upon essay on Rauf and naseem, mamoon includes them in the playing 11 for t20?

And Farhan at no 4

 

[CricVet]

if Babar and Rizwan gone from the batting, why Hasan Ali was preferred over Abbas Afridi in bowling? Abbas is also a far more dependable allrounder than Hasan.

 

[RidiculousMan]

I don’t even think it’s a very safe XI

First of all, you need to realise that this isn’t Babar and Rizwan who actually have some form and getting absolute roads to bat on anymore. Teams have worked them out so massively that you already know where to bowl against them and what kind of bowlers. On top of it, it’s a win win situation for them if Pakistan bat first if they do occupy the crease for a reasonable amount of time. They will definitely ensure runs are left out in the middle.

Nawaz at 6 and Faheem at 7 in a team where Babar and Rizwan get the powerplay?

Sahibzada and Farhan at 4 in a team where Babar and Rizwan get the powerplay?

It only makes sense to have far more explosive players batting later than their actual positions if the players before the guys up top are striking at 170+… not 120 lol

It's a safe XI. RizBar can take the game deep. If you tell them to take it deep. They will score 140-150 scores more than current XI. But they will struggle to score 200+ runs.

 

[Rana]

So after writing essay upon essay on Rauf and naseem, mamoon includes them in the playing 11 for t20?

And Farhan at no 4

This team will not uproot any trees or win you a World Cup

On top of it, he’s running a vile and vicious campaign against a side that is actually trying to uproot trees and working towards winning a World Cup.

So he wants to return to a team that has failed and he admits that it won’t win you a World Cup? What’s the point? Why cry so much and then admit that you are useless?

 

[Rana]

It's a safe XI. RizBar can take the game deep. If you tell them to take it deep. They will score 140-150 scores more than current XI. But they will struggle to score 200+ runs.

Pakistan scored close to the required total in Bangladesh being 16-6

You don’t even have to apply a lot of batting sense to her to 140-150 even on challanging decks

Pakistan A got to 145 being 60-6 against Nepal first team.

Why is the strategy to bat safely to get to 140-150?

What year is this, 1925?

 

[mominsaigol]

It's a safe XI. RizBar can take the game deep. If you tell them to take it deep. They will score 140-150 scores more than current XI. But they will struggle to score 200+ runs.

This is a myth.

Rizwan had a freak purple patch in the year 2021 where he was avg 70+ with an avg of 136. While 136 avg is on the lower end its not too far off from 140 which is the norm and hence that freak 76 avg made him a worthy investment.

Similarly babar was avg 50+ albeit with a sr of 131. However when they got set they did manage to chase totals ranging from 140 to 200.

However after 2022 their form in t20 fell off with their form collapsing in odi in 2023.

I started commenting on the forumn in 2023 which is why people thought I was a ba/riz hater but I always maintained my stance that I have zero issues with them from 2016-2021.

But you can't carry a 16-25 avg 90-110SR players for 3+ years which is what babar and rizzu have been consistently avg.

Babar avg from t20 fell from 51 to 39 as a result and rizwan followed a similar trajectory from 60+ to 48.

^^ This overall masks the 3 years However

 

[Rana]

Rizwan had a freak purple patch in the year 2021 where he was avg 70+ with an avg of 136. While 136 avg is on the lower end its not too far off from 140 which is the norm and hence that freak 76 avg made him a worthy investment.

It’s not opener standards.

136 is decent for middle order players who don’t get the powerplay

It’s crap if your job is to utilise the powerplay. You have to strike at 180+ in the powerplay

This guy can’t do it.

 

[mominsaigol]

It’s not opener standards.

136 is decent for middle order players who don’t get the powerplay

It’s crap if your job is to utilise the powerplay. You have to strike at 180+ in the powerplay

This guy can’t do it.

I think the 76 avg covered the trade off tbh.

Regardless it doesnt matter now. 2021 is history. I dont live in the past like Pakistani fans do.

Perform up to standards for that year. You have to be an exceptional ATG player to get a pass from me.

Which is why I was fine with Steve Smith pre bgt and am fine and with Ponting's downfall post 2006.

 

[Obaidd]

As much as Haris is a hack/one-trick pony/poor contributor, I am ready to move into post-rizwan t20 era

 

[Markhor]

This debate about Babar and Rizwan is incredibly toxic. There's one camp led by Rana and co are vehement critics, and another camp defending them, going round and round in circles for years. Then we have Dr U Turn Mamoon who changes sides depending on the majority viewpoint and the need to satiate his Trumpian-esque cravings for attention as per Examples One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven - note the condemnations of Babar and Rizwan when most people generally supported them to the shift post-2024 when the majority were anti-Babar and Rizwan.

FWIW I lean more towards Rana's argument as I've felt since 2021 when the pairing was first put together that you cannot afford two very similar accumulators in a modern T20 batting lineup. Where I disagree is how he sometimes asserts his points, personal remarks are unnecessary and people are entitled to their views. Let's face reality - Pakistan cricket barring a miracle is in terminal decline. Politicians of all stripes have destroyed cricket like they have countless other institutions. So why exhaust yourselves over who occupies which deckchair on the Titanic ?

The "right" T20 template depends on conditions. In the book Hitting Against The Spin authored by Nathan Leamon and Ben Jones, far more intelligent analysts than me, it's not stated that conservative T20 teams can't succeed. Perth Scorchers under Justin Langer won multiple BBLs between 2013-17 adopting a clearly defined formula - slower than average PowerPlay batting with emphasis on wickets preservation, supported by economical bowling. This made sense on hard, fast, bouncy pitches at the old WACA with its big boundaries, making quick scoring challenging. The flipside is RCB's template with faster than average scoring rates and amassing massive totals in the batting paradise that's Bengaluru. They're the current IPL champions.

So what's the right formula for Pakistan's T20 side ? Start by rejecting this binary, simplistic debate between aggressive vs defensive, intent vs selfish etc. International cricket is too varied in the types of conditions and opponents for one rigid template and Mike Hesson has already learned this the hard way. At home, Pakistan were absolutely right to target 200 vs Bangladesh on those flat roads in Lahore. In other words the RCB formula. On slow, two paced pitches in Bangladesh (and likely in UAE), we need the Perth formula.

Where does this leave Babar and Rizwan ? The problem is they underperform par on flat pitches, which cost us dearly in the 2021 T20 World Cup SF, but don't deliver in low scoring games either ! The 2022 T20 World Cup was a low scoring affair in wet, early season Australian conditions and both failed miserably. In 2024, they couldn't even chase a paltry 119 vs India in New York, capping arguably the most embarrassing ever World Cup in our history having lost to USA. All while occupying the best batting positions in T20 - 1 to 3.

Personally, I believe it's easier to coach attack-minded batsmen to play more conservatively than conservative-minded batsmen to play more expansively. Does this new Pakistan team need a more nuanced approach in specific situations ? Yes. Do some of Hesson's selections contradict his philosophy ? Yes (Hussain Talat is an ODI peg in a T20 hole - just view his records). Are there holes in the T20 records of some of Hesson's crew ? Yes. Should we relive the toxic debates of 2021-2024 by reintroducing two senior batsmen who had a sufficiently long rope and relive those shocking results ? NO.

 

[topspin]

This debate about Babar and Rizwan is incredibly toxic. There's one camp led by Rana and co are vehement critics, and another camp defending them, going round and round in circles for years. Then we have Dr U Turn Mamoon who changes sides depending on the majority viewpoint and the need to satiate his Trumpian-esque cravings for attention as per Examples One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven - note the condemnations of Babar and Rizwan when most people generally supported them to the shift post-2024 when the majority were anti-Babar and Rizwan.

He might be a contrarian but I don't believe this is the reason for his u-turn. I actually think he might be connected to one or both of Babar and Rizwan when you look closely at how he's gone out of his way to promote the duo, particularly Babar.

You call it selfishness, I call it knowing your value. If you don’t know your worth and if you don’t respect yourself, people will exploit you and take advantage of you.

Babar is not a fool. He knows that not a single Pakistani cricketer in this era is anywhere near him in terms of stature, performances, brand value and fame.

The gap between Babar and the others in this generation is bigger than it ever was for any previous Pakistani star.

Babar is bigger than PCB right now and it took the Zalmi management to actually make him realize his value and why he should not let his brand diminish and devalue during its peak phase by not captaining the Pakistan team.

People don’t know this but the motion of reinstating Babar as captain was put in place during the PSL and Zalmi played a big role in it.

New endorsements are in line to and Babar’s brand value will increase by multiple folds over the next couple of years.

He will also be reinstated as Test captain in 2025.

He knew Babar was going to be reinstated before this was out in the public domain and he's bragging about how his "brand value will increase in multiple folds".

FWIW I lean more towards Rana's argument as I've felt since 2021 when the pairing was first put together that you cannot afford two very similar accumulators in a modern T20 batting lineup. Where I disagree is how he sometimes asserts his points, personal remarks are unnecessary and people are entitled to their views. Let's face reality - Pakistan cricket barring a miracle is in terminal decline. Politicians of all stripes have destroyed cricket like they have countless other institutions. So why exhaust yourselves over who occupies which deckchair on the Titanic ?

The "right" T20 template depends on conditions. In the book Hitting Against The Spin authored by Nathan Leamon and Ben Jones, far more intelligent analysts than me, it's not stated that conservative T20 teams can't succeed. Perth Scorchers under Justin Langer won multiple BBLs between 2013-17 adopting a clearly defined formula - slower than average PowerPlay batting with emphasis on wickets preservation, supported by economical bowling. This made sense on hard, fast, bouncy pitches at the old WACA with its big boundaries, making quick scoring challenging. The flipside is RCB's template with faster than average scoring rates and amassing massive totals in the batting paradise that's Bengaluru. They're the current IPL champions.

So what's the right formula for Pakistan's T20 side ? Start by rejecting this binary, simplistic debate between aggressive vs defensive, intent vs selfish etc. International cricket is too varied in the types of conditions and opponents for one rigid template and Mike Hesson has already learned this the hard way. At home, Pakistan were absolutely right to target 200 vs Bangladesh on those flat roads in Lahore. In other words the RCB formula. On slow, two paced pitches in Bangladesh (and likely in UAE), we need the Perth formula.

Where does this leave Babar and Rizwan ? The problem is they underperform par on flat pitches, which cost us dearly in the 2021 T20 World Cup SF, but don't deliver in low scoring games either ! The 2022 T20 World Cup was a low scoring affair in wet, early season Australian conditions and both failed miserably. In 2024, they couldn't even chase a paltry 119 vs India in New York, capping arguably the most embarrassing ever World Cup in our history having lost to USA. All while occupying the best batting positions in T20 - 1 to 3.

Personally, I believe it's easier to coach attack-minded batsmen to play more conservatively than conservative-minded batsmen to play more expansively. Does this new Pakistan team need a more nuanced approach in specific situations ? Yes. Do some of Hesson's selections contradict his philosophy ? Yes (Hussain Talat is an ODI peg in a T20 hole - just view his records). Are there holes in the T20 records of some of Hesson's crew ? Yes. Should we relive the toxic debates of 2021-2024 by reintroducing two senior batsmen who had a sufficiently long rope and relive those shocking results ? NO.

Great points made here. One of the reasons why I was an advocate for Shan Masood to be selected in the 2022 WT20 is because he had the know how on how to play off the back foot and he also had the game awareness to be able to rotate strike effectively on larger grounds found in Australia.

 

[Usman Chadda]

This debate about Babar and Rizwan is incredibly toxic. There's one camp led by Rana and co are vehement critics, and another camp defending them, going round and round in circles for years. Then we have Dr U Turn Mamoon who changes sides depending on the majority viewpoint and the need to satiate his Trumpian-esque cravings for attention as per Examples One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven - note the condemnations of Babar and Rizwan when most people generally supported them to the shift post-2024 when the majority were anti-Babar and Rizwan.

FWIW I lean more towards Rana's argument as I've felt since 2021 when the pairing was first put together that you cannot afford two very similar accumulators in a modern T20 batting lineup. Where I disagree is how he sometimes asserts his points, personal remarks are unnecessary and people are entitled to their views. Let's face reality - Pakistan cricket barring a miracle is in terminal decline. Politicians of all stripes have destroyed cricket like they have countless other institutions. So why exhaust yourselves over who occupies which deckchair on the Titanic ?

The "right" T20 template depends on conditions. In the book Hitting Against The Spin authored by Nathan Leamon and Ben Jones, far more intelligent analysts than me, it's not stated that conservative T20 teams can't succeed. Perth Scorchers under Justin Langer won multiple BBLs between 2013-17 adopting a clearly defined formula - slower than average PowerPlay batting with emphasis on wickets preservation, supported by economical bowling. This made sense on hard, fast, bouncy pitches at the old WACA with its big boundaries, making quick scoring challenging. The flipside is RCB's template with faster than average scoring rates and amassing massive totals in the batting paradise that's Bengaluru. They're the current IPL champions.

So what's the right formula for Pakistan's T20 side ? Start by rejecting this binary, simplistic debate between aggressive vs defensive, intent vs selfish etc. International cricket is too varied in the types of conditions and opponents for one rigid template and Mike Hesson has already learned this the hard way. At home, Pakistan were absolutely right to target 200 vs Bangladesh on those flat roads in Lahore. In other words the RCB formula. On slow, two paced pitches in Bangladesh (and likely in UAE), we need the Perth formula.

Where does this leave Babar and Rizwan ? The problem is they underperform par on flat pitches, which cost us dearly in the 2021 T20 World Cup SF, but don't deliver in low scoring games either ! The 2022 T20 World Cup was a low scoring affair in wet, early season Australian conditions and both failed miserably. In 2024, they couldn't even chase a paltry 119 vs India in New York, capping arguably the most embarrassing ever World Cup in our history having lost to USA. All while occupying the best batting positions in T20 - 1 to 3.

Personally, I believe it's easier to coach attack-minded batsmen to play more conservatively than conservative-minded batsmen to play more expansively. Does this new Pakistan team need a more nuanced approach in specific situations ? Yes. Do some of Hesson's selections contradict his philosophy ? Yes (Hussain Talat is an ODI peg in a T20 hole - just view his records). Are there holes in the T20 records of some of Hesson's crew ? Yes. Should we relive the toxic debates of 2021-2024 by reintroducing two senior batsmen who had a sufficiently long rope and relive those shocking results ? NO.

Hesson can only work with what he’s got and Talat is being selected as an all-rounder. He is barely one, that would mean Hesson has got it wrong here for sure. But criticizing his selection based on his ODI stats is not the way to go, as his criteria is something entirely different.

We don’t have anyone besides maybe Abdul Samad who is not a tried and tested failure in our domestic circuit. No one else can come in and has the potential to start hitting sixes from ball one. Samad might not play since Hesson is adamant on playing all-rounders.

 

[Mamoon]

On top of it, he’s running a vile and vicious campaign against a side that is actually trying to uproot trees and working towards winning a World Cup.

So he wants to return to a team that has failed and he admits that it won’t win you a World Cup? What’s the point? Why cry so much and then admit that you are useless?

and how are they doing that by getting smashed in New Zealand and Bangladesh?

 

[Mamoon]

This is a very safe XI and you are correct that this team won't win you a world and certainly not with that approach.

But the approach and players picked by Hesson will at least give you a chance of winning it. The ceiling of the new gen squad in terms of batting is higher than RizBar in the format.

This is my problem. Apart from H. Nawaz who is already in my team, there isn’t a single player picked by Hesson that represents a new approach and mentality.

The likes of Agha, Talat, Faheem, Khushdil etc. are bang average.

 

[Rana]

and how are they doing that by getting smashed in New Zealand and Bangladesh?

How are they breaking Pakistan’s powerplay record, and fastest T20 century records as openers, and also recording the only century for Pakistan from a non opening position? All in a space of 6 months and since Babar and Rizwan were dropped??

 

[Mamoon]

So after writing essay upon essay on Rauf and naseem, mamoon includes them in the playing 11 for t20?

And Farhan at no 4

I am not happy with them just like I am not happy with Agha and Faheem, but I can’t invent new players. I have to choose from what is available.

 

[Mamoon]

How are they breaking Pakistan’s powerplay record, and fastest T20 century records as openers, and also recording the only century for Pakistan from a non opening position? All in a space of 6 months and since Babar and Rizwan were dropped??

Babar and Rizwan have scored 200+ multiple times on such pitches too.

What they did vs Bangladesh is no different than what the above two did in South Africa in or vs England in that 2022 series.

So yeah one series on flat wickets against a very poor attack doesn’t represent a new era. They had the chance to show it in Bangladesh and West Indies and they didn’t deliver as per the hype.

The Asia Cup pitches will not be par 220 pitches either, and these players will flop. Like I said, it is a same wine new bottle situation.

 

[Rana]

Babar and Rizwan have scored 200+ multiple times on such pitches too.

What they did vs Bangladesh is no different than what the above two did in South Africa in or vs England in that 2022 series.

So yeah one series on flat wickets against a very poor attack doesn’t represent a new era. They had the chance to show it in Bangladesh and West Indies and they didn’t deliver as per the hype.

The Asia Cup pitches will not be par 220 pitches either, and these players will flop. Like I said, it is a same wine new bottle situation.

What happened against NZ C team before the 2024 World Cup on the same pitches where Pakistan smashed the daylights out of Bangladesh?? What happened against Ireland on 45m boundaries??

 

[Mamoon]

This debate about Babar and Rizwan is incredibly toxic. There's one camp led by Rana and co are vehement critics, and another camp defending them, going round and round in circles for years. Then we have Dr U Turn Mamoon who changes sides depending on the majority viewpoint and the need to satiate his Trumpian-esque cravings for attention as per Examples One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven - note the condemnations of Babar and Rizwan when most people generally supported them to the shift post-2024 when the majority were anti-Babar and Rizwan

I don’t agree with Rana one bit but at least he stands for what he believes in and isn’t afraid of sticking his neck out.

People who sit on the fence like you do and try to act neutral bring no value to the discourse and have the charisma of a dead frog.

There is no such thing as sitting on the fence and being a neutral. It is a myth and anyone who tries to propagate this myth brings no value to the discussion.

 

[Mamoon]

What happened against NZ C team before the 2024 World Cup on the same pitches where Pakistan smashed the daylights out of Bangladesh?? What happened against Ireland on 45m boundaries??

That’s what I am saying — it is the same wine in a different bottle.

If you want to drop Babar and Rizwan because you want to hold them accountable, please do so. However, let’s not propagate the myth that the current team is a different breed and will achieve things that they were not able to do so.

But here is the thing — what I say doesn’t change anything. The onus is on these players prove me wrong. I am not stopping them from smashing teams in the Asia Cup and showing the world that this is a new Pakistan.

I don't want to listen to excuses if they don’t or stories about how Babar and Rizwan also failed.

 

[mominsaigol]

I am not happy with them just like I am not happy with Agha and Faheem, but I can’t invent new players. I have to choose from what is available.

Why not choose salman Mirza? Who's actually bowling well?

I respect you alot but in terms of Pakistan cricket you let your bias show mate.

I agree with you that talat, Agha and others aren't t20 material. But their are players who are sitting out atm like abdul samad who are.

Mirza > Rauf and naseem both.

 

[sweep_shot]

Why not choose salman Mirza? Who's actually bowling well?

I respect you alot but in terms of Pakistan cricket you let your bias show mate.

I agree with you that talat, Agha and others aren't t20 material. But their are players who are sitting out atm like abdul samad who are.

Mirza > Rauf and naseem both.

Salman Mirza felt like the best Pakistani bowler in recent times. I personally think he should be a regular in ODI and T20 (maybe even Test as his FC records are very good).

 

[Mamoon]

Why not choose salman Mirza? Who's actually bowling well?

I respect you alot but in terms of Pakistan cricket you let your bias show mate.

I agree with you that talat, Agha and others aren't t20 material. But their are players who are sitting out atm like abdul samad who are.

Mirza > Rauf and naseem both.

Old, slow and another left armer which I don’t want alongside Shaheen.

 

[mominsaigol]

Salman Mirza felt like the best Pakistani bowler in recent times. I personally think he should be a regular in ODI and T20 (maybe even Test as his FC records are very good).

T20

1) Farhan
2) Saim
3) Haris
4) Fakhar
5) Hasan Nawaz
6) Abdul Samad
7) Salman Ali Agha/Nawaz/Shadab(due to bowling no choice)
8) Faheem Ashraf
9) Shaheen Shah Afridi
10) Salman Mirza
11) Sufiyan

Backup: Usman Khan, Hussain Talat, Naseem Shah, Abrar

Odi

1) Fakhar Zaman
2) Saim Ayub
3) Shahibzada Farhan (I think he can replace Babar at 3 tbh)
4) Kamran Ghulam
5) Salman Ali Agha
6) Hasan Nawaz
7) Muhammad Haris
8-11) Sufiyan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen, Naseem

Test

1) Saim Ayub
2) Azan Awais
3) Shahibzada Farhan
4) Kamran Ghulam
5) Saud Shakeel
6) Salman Ali Agha
7) Muhammad Rizwan
8) Sajid Khan
9) Noman Ali
10-11) Abass, Shaheen

@Rana this imo is the best 11 Pakistan can go with.

 

[Rana]

If you want to drop Babar and Rizwan because you want to hold them accountable, please do so. However, let’s not propagate the myth that the current team is a different breed and will achieve things that they were not able to do so

But that’s not true at all.

There are clear stats that prove the new approach since Rizwan’s ousting as skipper and Babar as a player is far more productive from a batting pov. I will find and share them all. One that I know from the top of my head is that Pakistan have been far more aggressive as team in the middle overs period of 7-15 overs than most other teams against spin bowling. Again I’ll get this confirmed with facts and figures to back it up.

What was the issue before? What was holding them back? Who was occupying the crease during these overs before? It was Babar and Rizwan mainly?

So you make a case about how they should only open, and they shouldn’t bat in the middle….so how do you make this work? Why are they slowing down having for a start in the powerplay? Why have Pakistan suffered so badly because of this? They didn’t win a T20 series at home for over 2 years until Pakistan beat Bangladesh 3-0. Something was clearly wrong wasn’t it?


So they should open and get out? They don’t do that. They think it’s their duty to take it deep now. And all they do is dig a hole for Pakistan. So they can’t really open…

They can’t bat in the middle… they play as lower order hitters? Is that what their game is? Is that how they see themselves? Who sees them as lower order hitters?

 

[RidiculousMan]

This is my problem. Apart from H. Nawaz who is already in my team, there isn’t a single player picked by Hesson that represents a new approach and mentality.

The likes of Agha, Talat, Faheem, Khushdil etc. are bang average.

Ridiculous assessment just like my name.

M Haris, Saim Ayub, S Farhan, Fakhar Zaman all represent this new approach and mentality. The proof is in the fact that before 2025 in the last 2-3 years RizBar never let even one of these folks occupy an opener role permanently. In fact even Saim had to wait and be inducted as an opener after immense pressure from outside - given the lack of explosive starts from RizBar (which is one of the primary reasons why they are out today).

Ever since Hesson and Salman era started Pakistan team is hitting 7.7 sixes per match which is much better than 2023 and 2024 of the RizBar era where the ratio was 5.49 sixes cumulatively. This is not just because of a single player, everyone is playing an aggressive brand of Cricket.

 

[Obaidd]

Ridiculous assessment just like my name.

M Haris, Saim Ayub, S Farhan, Fakhar Zaman all represent this new approach and mentality. The proof is in the fact that before 2025 in the last 2-3 years RizBar never let even one of these folks occupy an opener role permanently. In fact even Saim had to wait and be inducted as an opener after immense pressure from outside - given the lack of explosive starts from RizBar (which is one of the primary reasons why they are out today).

Ever since Hesson and Salman era started Pakistan team is hitting 7.7 sixes per match which is much better than 2023 and 2024 of the RizBar era where the ratio was 5.49 sixes cumulatively. This is not just because of a single player, everyone is playing an aggressive brand of Cricket.

Agha hits some sixes himself too or just encourages the other guys to hit them?

He needs to own the no. 5 spot. Demotion in every innings raises questions on his place in t20s.

 

[Mamoon]

Ridiculous assessment just like my name.

M Haris, Saim Ayub, S Farhan, Fakhar Zaman all represent this new approach and mentality. The proof is in the fact that before 2025 in the last 2-3 years RizBar never let even one of these folks occupy an opener role permanently. In fact even Saim had to wait and be inducted as an opener after immense pressure from outside - given the lack of explosive starts from RizBar (which is one of the primary reasons why they are out today).

Ever since Hesson and Salman era started Pakistan team is hitting 7.7 sixes per match which is much better than 2023 and 2024 of the RizBar era where the ratio was 5.49 sixes cumulatively. This is not just because of a single player, everyone is playing an aggressive brand of Cricket.

What a delusional post.

Saim Ayub was part of the team before Hesson joined. He has nothing to do with his selection. M Haris has been around since 2022 and he is a poor player. A couple of fluke innings here and there doesn't justify selection.

Fakhar is a proven failure in the top-order. His SR is almost on par with Babar and Rizwan as an opener and he scores less than half the runs they do. He has only done well at #4 in T20Is.

Sahibzada has done well but he needs a bigger sample size before we wax lyrical about his performances.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I know people are high on Salman Mirza and I don't want to take anything away from his performances. But bowlers like him are a dime a dozen in Pakistan. As a country, we don't struggle to produce left-armers the same way that India does. On top of that, he is 31, short, doesn't have alot of pace and seems to be a new-ball specialist. I just don't see him lasting very long. Pakistani fast-bowlers these days notoriously temperamental. Once they get injured or get smashed around a bit, they lose their confidence and forget they ever even knew how to bowl. They lack the character or temperament to bounce back from setbacks. And somehow I just don't think this guy is the answer. That said, he does deserve to play for Pakistan, because he has earned his place in the side.

 

[RidiculousMan]

What a delusional post.

Saim Ayub was part of the team before Hesson joined. He has nothing to do with his selection. M Haris has been around since 2022 and he is a poor player. A couple of fluke innings here and there doesn't justify selection.

Fakhar is a proven failure in the top-order. His SR is almost on par with Babar and Rizwan as an opener and he scores less than half the runs they do. He has only done well at #4 in T20Is.

Sahibzada has done well but he needs a bigger sample size before we wax lyrical about his performances.

Ah yes. These are failed, poor and fluke players. But RizBar are great.

You'll never change your mind.

 

[Mamoon]

Ah yes. These are failed, poor and fluke players. But RizBar are great.

You'll never change your mind.

I will change my mind when I see counter evidence. I am not ready to delude myself into believing that a team that has won 2 and lost 2 series has turned a corner, or players who have been failing for years have been reborn under a new coach even though there is no evidence to support that claim.

I saw Pakistan bat in Bangladesh and West Indies in the T20I series and I saw nothing different or nothing new.

 

[Mamoon]

What I find funny is the desperation of some to convince others that Pakistan have turned a corner in T20Is and everyone’s supposed to jump on the bandwagon and praise them for their newfound intent and aggression.

All of that will happen organically if these players deliver in the Asia Cup. Everyone will praise them if they deliver and those who won’t praise them at that point will be blinded by their agenda.

It seems as if even their fans are afraid that it will turn out to be a damp squib and the team will not live up to the hype. If they weren’t afraid, they wouldn’t be making so much noise now and would let the results speak for themselves, but they know they cannot do that anymore.

 

[Usman Chadda]

What I find funny is the desperation of some to convince others that Pakistan have turned a corner in T20Is and everyone’s supposed to jump on the bandwagon and praise them for their newfound intent and aggression.

All of that will happen organically if these players deliver in the Asia Cup. Everyone will praise them if they deliver and those who won’t praise them at that point will be blinded by their agenda.

It seems as if even their fans are afraid that it will turn out to be a damp squib and the team will not live up to the hype. If they weren’t afraid, they wouldn’t be making so much noise now and would let the results speak for themselves, but they know they cannot do that anymore.

They were reduced to 15/5 against Bangladesh of all teams, so we need to keep our expectations low. Like really low.

 

[Rana]

What I find funny is the desperation of some to convince others that Pakistan have turned a corner in T20Is and everyone’s supposed to jump on the bandwagon and praise them for their newfound intent and aggression.

All of that will happen organically if these players deliver in the Asia Cup. Everyone will praise them if they deliver and those who won’t praise them at that point will be blinded by their agenda.

It seems as if even their fans are afraid that it will turn out to be a damp squib and the team will not live up to the hype. If they weren’t afraid, they wouldn’t be making so much noise now and would let the results speak for themselves, but they know they cannot do that anymore.

No one is making noise. It’s the haters of this young team that are making the most noise with false arguments that are simply being refuted.

You have tried to make a case for Babar and Rizwan, but the case is very weak. On top of it, there is no clear proof or argument that adding those two is the solution to a problem that will be posed in these conditions. The two have failed here in the past in such conditions and were recently failing in similar conditions. It’s better to move on. That’s simply the argument

You should be showing this much enthusiasm and anger at the team if Babar and Rizwan are being shoved out of the Test team. Not the T20 side. Stop making it seem as if T20 is Pakistan’s prestige format!

 

[RidiculousMan]

I will change my mind when I see counter evidence. I am not ready to delude myself into believing that a team that has won 2 and lost 2 series has turned a corner, or players who have been failing for years have been reborn under a new coach even though there is no evidence to support that claim.

I saw Pakistan bat in Bangladesh and West Indies in the T20I series and I saw nothing different or nothing new.

You will change your mind. When you will get embarrassed.

One evidence for sixes ratio I have just given you.

You are adamant on reinforcing failures of RizBar. Their style of play is outdated. Maybe someday you'll accept it

 

[Rana]

You are adamant on reinforcing failures of RizBar. Their style of play is outdated. Maybe someday you'll accept it

Lol, he accepted in 2022 as Markhor pointed out. They didn’t improve in any aspect since that time, but suddenly they are now fit for modern requirements according to him

 

[RidiculousMan]

Lol, he accepted in 2022 as Markhor pointed out. They didn’t improve in any aspect since that time, but suddenly they are now fit for modern requirements according to him

Because now general Pakistani fans have accepted this and so he has to go against the tide for the sake of it, as usual?

 

[Rana]

Because now general Pakistani fans have accepted this and so he has to go against the tide for the sake of it, as usual?

We know the reason. It’s sad that he thinks he is fooling people here.

 

[mominsaigol]

We know the reason. It’s sad that he thinks he is fooling people here.

Anyone who supports babar in odi, idm.

Anyone who supports rizwan in tests, idm

Anyone who supports babar in tests, eh its AlrightE.

Anyone who supports babar in t20, and rizwan in odi, then we have a huge problem

Anyone who supports rizwan in t20, just shoot me already.

^^ That is my motto.

Edit: Although tbf, I no longer support ba/riz in any format, enough is enough

 

[Mamoon]

You will change your mind. When you will get embarrassed.

One evidence for sixes ratio I have just given you.

You are adamant on reinforcing failures of RizBar. Their style of play is outdated. Maybe someday you'll accept it

Who cares about sixes ratio? I saw them play in Bangladesh and West Indies, and I didn’t see anything different or new. The only exciting prospect who has emerged of late is H. Nawaz. That is it.

 

[Mamoon]

No one is making noise. It’s the haters of this young team that are making the most noise with false arguments that are simply being refuted.

You have tried to make a case for Babar and Rizwan, but the case is very weak. On top of it, there is no clear proof or argument that adding those two is the solution to a problem that will be posed in these conditions. The two have failed here in the past in such conditions and were recently failing in similar conditions. It’s better to move on. That’s simply the argument

You should be showing this much enthusiasm and anger at the team if Babar and Rizwan are being shoved out of the Test team. Not the T20 side. Stop making it seem as if T20 is Pakistan’s prestige format!

What young team?

The only young player with good potential who has emerged in the Hesson era is H. Nawaz. Apart from him, the same players are getting recycled.

 

[mominsaigol]

What young team?

The only young player with good potential who has emerged in the Hesson era is H. Nawaz. Apart from him, the same players are getting recycled.

No one just axes an entire team .

Before Hesson babar and Rizwan would open 24/7. The likes of saim, Haris, Shahibzada Farhan, Fakhar and many others would get shuffled anywhere from no 3 to no 7 due to these 2.

Later Kristen took over and forced babar to vacate opening so that saim could open with rizwan.

Since they left the players who never got their preferred spots are finally getting their preferred spots.

The only player I disapprove of in the t20 side and who also happens to be the captain is salman Ali Agha who isnt a t20 player.

Other players who are in the squad but aren't always main features includes nawaz, Hussain talat and many others

 

[Mamoon]

Hesson likes bits and pieces players because he himself is a bits and pieces coach. He has no leadership qualities or charisma. Such a dull, uninspiring coach who is just waiting to be sacked.

 

[Mamoon]

No one just axes an entire team .

Before Hesson babar and Rizwan would open 24/7. The likes of saim, Haris, Shahibzada Farhan, Fakhar and many others would get shuffled anywhere from no 3 to no 7 due to these 2.

Later Kristen took over and forced babar to vacate opening so that saim could open with rizwan.

Since they left the players who never got their preferred spots are finally getting their preferred spots.

The only player I disapprove of in the t20 side and who also happens to be the captain is salman Ali Agha who isnt a t20 player.

Other players who are in the squad but aren't always main features includes nawaz, Hussain talat and many others

Same wine, different bottle.

 

[Obaidd]

Hesson likes bits and pieces players because he himself is a bits and pieces coach. He has no leadership qualities or charisma. Such a dull, uninspiring coach who is just waiting to be sacked.

He had two main qualities.
1) he was willing to take the job
2) he was willing to be based in Pak

Why I think he shouldn’t/won’t get the sack.
1) we are already losing everything, I don’t mind that carrying on till agha-hesson duo finds its feet
2) if he’s not got a big ego he’d work better in this setup

Personally I’d have been happier with Kirsten continuing but we all knew he was too professional for this board.

 

[Mamoon]

He had two main qualities.
1) he was willing to take the job
2) he was willing to be based in Pak

Why I think he shouldn’t/won’t get the sack.
1) we are already losing everything, I don’t mind that carrying on till agha-hesson duo finds its feet
2) if he’s not got a big ego he’d work better in this setup

Personally I’d have been happier with Kirsten continuing but we all knew he was too professional for this board.

Kirsten has a really good coaching profile, but tbh I wasn’t very impressed by him this time around and he seems to be aging badly.

He is supposedly 57 but he looks and acts like he is 80. I don’t think he had energy and the drive for this job.

Nonetheless, the way that helmet Aqib Javed sabotaged his tenure for his personal gain was pretty embarrassing.

Gillespie was also a good option but he too walked away when Aqib crippled his authority.

Hesson rode on the coattails of McCullum with New Zealand and then had 4 trophyless IPL seasons with RCB. He won the PSL with IU in 2024, and that seemed to convince PCB that he is the right man for the job.

His biggest failure so far has been his reluctant to stand his ground. He has enough experience as a coach to know that Pakistan is currently not picking the best available team, but he has become a mouthpiece for the PCB and is acting on their agenda to save his own beck.

He knows he along with PCB will die on this hill but I suppose he doesn’t care as long as he gets his fat paycheck every month.

 

[mominsaigol]

Kirsten has a really good coaching profile, but tbh I wasn’t very impressed by him this time around and he seems to be aging badly.

He is supposedly 57 but he looks and acts like he is 80. I don’t think he had energy and the drive for this job.

Nonetheless, the way that helmet Aqib Javed sabotaged his tenure for his personal gain was pretty embarrassing.

Gillespie was also a good option but he too walked away when Aqib crippled his authority.

Hesson rode on the coattails of McCullum with New Zealand and then had 4 trophyless IPL seasons with RCB. He won the PSL with IU in 2024, and that seemed to convince PCB that he is the right man for the job.

His biggest failure so far has been his reluctant to stand his ground. He has enough experience as a coach to know that Pakistan is currently not picking the best available team, but he has become a mouthpiece for the PCB and is acting on their agenda to save his own beck.

He knows he along with PCB will die on this hill but I suppose he doesn’t care as long as he gets his fat paycheck every month.

Ngl I actually thought Kristen was 80 before you told me he was 57