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

[jnaveen1980]

Babar should actually be the one thinking about how he literally threw everything away when he had the world at his feet for a brief period of time

A ridiculous fall from grace for someone once hailed as the successor to the Fab 4

It was only his fan girl Urooj kept saying Fab 5 when there was no fab 5.

 

[pratiktc]

Under Mike Hesson the approach is to outline a playing philosophy and then pick players who team mgmt and selectors feel can uphold the same while identifying roles for them.

Reality is Rizwan and Babar with their current play styles and skillsets do not fit the defined roles. Unless the current PCB/coach regime gets upturned (which is very much possible always in Pak cricket), these 2 are not coming back unless they adapt their games.

Whether this approach will generate successful results or not in near term is doubtful because all said and done, reality is also that Pakistan today does not have the quality of players that the top 3-4 nations have. However this is the way modern teams play cricket and Pakistan must move towards this structured approach instead of the rip up the book, sound alarms and bring back washed players style of selection they have done in last 7-8 years before any major tournament.

Hesson will eventually be judged on his results and will not get nor should he deserve an unlimited rope, but I hope this approach of PCB to buy into coach's vision remains same. At very least it brings some sanity to the Head Coach role and ensures that there will be future intl applicants.

 

[adi_62941]

Babar should actually be the one thinking about how he literally threw everything away when he had the world at his feet for a brief period of time

A ridiculous fall from grace for someone once hailed as the successor to the Fab 4

I think he just realized that he is from a family of geniuses like kami and umar akmal.

Kamran and umar had some great performance for Pakistan. Still cant forget the century of kamran akmal he made after 36/6 against india in 2006 home test series. Same goes with umar akmal. But both of them throw it away

Babar is just following their path i guess.

 

[Caved12]

Except for Saim and Hasan Nawaz, all these players have strike rates in the range of 104 to 130 with laughable averages. Most of them have played enough T20s by now to improve and develop better strike rates, yet they are still failures and nothing players. Just because a player shows intent and swings his bat blindly after blocking a few balls should not give us the illusion that he is better suited for the T20 format.

Politics is killing this team. Aaqib is a corrupt individual, and Hesson is completely sold out, blindly listening to Aaqib and Naqvi just because they gave him this job. It makes no sense that we changed captains like Babar and Rizwan only to appoint another player as captain in this format who has achieved little in T20s and has a strike rate worse than both Rizwan and Babar.

I really like Salman and believe he can continue to improve as a T20 player, but at this point, he is just a yes-man and a puppet of Aaqib, Naqvi, and Hesson. Trust me, nothing would make me happier than to see this squad and our coach prove me wrong and do well in the upcoming tournament, because all I want is to see Pakistan win. But I highly doubt they will succeed, because all the management seems to be doing is punishing players and replacing them with others who are even worse than the ones they dropped.

You guys keep saying you support young players but where are they? Who are they? All I see are tried and tested failures, most of them 30 plus, being given more chances and brought back into this squad.

 

[Rana]

Except for Saim and Hasan Nawaz, all these players have strike rates in the range of 104 to 130 with laughable averages. Most of them have played enough T20s by now to improve and develop better strike rates, yet they are still failures and nothing players. Just because a player shows intent and swings his bat blindly after blocking a few balls should not give us the illusion that he is better suited for the T20 format.

Politics is killing this team. Aaqib is a corrupt individual, and Hesson is completely sold out, blindly listening to Aaqib and Naqvi just because they gave him this job. It makes no sense that we changed captains like Babar and Rizwan only to appoint another player as captain in this format who has achieved little in T20s and has a strike rate worse than both Rizwan and Babar.

I really like Salman and believe he can continue to improve as a T20 player, but at this point, he is just a yes-man and a puppet of Aaqib, Naqvi, and Hesson. Trust me, nothing would make me happier than to see this squad and our coach prove me wrong and do well in the upcoming tournament, because all I want is to see Pakistan win. But I highly doubt they will succeed, because all the management seems to be doing is punishing players and replacing them with others who are even worse than the ones they dropped.

You guys keep saying you support young players but where are they? Who are they? All I see are tried and tested failures, most of them 30 plus, being given more chances and brought back into this squad.

Hesson should not listen to Aqib and listen to you instead

Then we can get the GOAT middle order of;

3. Babar
4. Imam
5. Rizwan

 

[Aami]

Saim
Farhan
Haris
Salman
Hasan Nawaz
TOM (Khusdil)
DICK (MO Nawaz)
HARRY (Faheem)
Shaheen/Hasan Ali
Haris
Abrar/Moqim

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Under Mike Hesson the approach is to outline a playing philosophy and then pick players who team mgmt and selectors feel can uphold the same while identifying roles for them.

Reality is Rizwan and Babar with their current play styles and skillsets do not fit the defined roles. Unless the current PCB/coach regime gets upturned (which is very much possible always in Pak cricket), these 2 are not coming back unless they adapt their games.

Whether this approach will generate successful results or not in near term is doubtful because all said and done, reality is also that Pakistan today does not have the quality of players that the top 3-4 nations have. However this is the way modern teams play cricket and Pakistan must move towards this structured approach instead of the rip up the book, sound alarms and bring back washed players style of selection they have done in last 7-8 years before any major tournament.

Hesson will eventually be judged on his results and will not get nor should he deserve an unlimited rope, but I hope this approach of PCB to buy into coach's vision remains same. At very least it brings some sanity to the Head Coach role and ensures that there will be future intl applicants.

Well said. Structure is important, more important than anything as it allows for a baseline to be generated and something that can be measured and improved.

No more qudrat, no more anchors.

 

[Caved12]

No self respecting foreign coach would ever take this PCB setup seriously. Big names like Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie refused to continue once they realized they weren’t even allowed to pick their own squads or playing XIs. And yet we have a coach here who has no problem being a spineless puppet for Aaqib and Naqvi, happily accepting the squad and captain they forced on him. They’ve thrown him a couple of his bits and pieces players just to keep up appearances, while demanding he somehow “change the mindset” of the same tried and tested failures who’ve already shown they can’t play at a higher strike rate in this T20 format. At this point, you really have to question his credibility as a professional coach, because what kind of coach signs up just to be a yes-man?

 

[Rana]

No self respecting foreign coach would ever take this PCB setup seriously. Big names like Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie refused to continue once they realized they weren’t even allowed to pick their own squads or playing XIs

Yes, Gary Kirsten resigned because he wanted this set up which Hesson is getting but the PCB at the time wanted to go in your direction and make Rizwan captain.

Kirsten saw the writing on the wall and didn’t want to be humiliated any further. It was a wise decision. Rizwan’s drama came to an end and then Hesson was given a clean slate.

Hesson still has to save his career by trusting Rizwan in ODI but I think this will also come to an end and Hesson will restore sense when he gets a proper leader instead of your favourite.

 

[shah9425]

Full support for this team go boys win tri series and Asia cup

 

[Caved12]

T20 bilaterals are mainly for trying out young players and building a strong team and bench for the big tournaments. But when it comes to ICC events, teams get serious and quickly expose any weak batter. Against stronger opposition and on slightly bowling friendly pitches, our batters will collapse like a pack of cards and get out cheaply. In the end, it always comes down to our bowling attack to bail us out, but these days almost every team has a better bowling unit than Pakistan. Forget about beating India, with the batters we have in this squad, we’ll struggle against teams like Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in upcoming tournaments. Honestly, I don’t have faith in a single one of our batters, not even Saim or Hasan.

 

[Rana]

Full support for this team go boys win tri series and Asia cup

Full support for Rizwan to retire as well

 

[shah9425]

Full support for Rizwan to retire as well

Why should he retire

 

[Rana]

Why should he retire

Uska Bootha hai khelne wala?

 

[mominsaigol]

Uska Bootha hai khelne wala?

is the of t20 cricket.

 

[shah9425]

Uska Bootha hai khelne wala?

Tumhare boothy say to bethr hi hai

 

[shamaan]

a horrible career in t20I.. his bowling does nt make it up for his actual role. Besides , a asian batter will tonk him anyway

I agree...

 

[shaz619]

Mazza Aa gaya

Zindabad squad

Bale! Bale!

I am listening to this today while I drink a cup full of passion:

 

[Rana]

Bale! Bale!

I am listening to this today while I drink a cup full of passion:

I’m feeling this vibe!

 

[shaz619]

Bale! Bale!

I am listening to this today while I drink a cup full of passion:

Has anyone heard of my remix ?

@Rana @mominsaigol

It goes like this,

Rizwan, Babar!
Rizwan, Babar!
Rizwan, Babar!
Rizwan, Babar!

Jobbar!
Jobbar!
Jobbar!
Jobbar!
Jobbar!
Jobbar!

Everybody know say Babar a Jobbar!

 

[Snowflake]

Kevin Nash
Undertaker
Kane
Sid Vicious

You a big WWE fan? I’ve noticed you give WWE references pretty regularly

 

[Snowflake]

Can anyone please explain to me on what basis does Khushdil keep getting selected?

I have never seen this guy perform - not once. So, what am I missing? Did he have a great PSL?

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Can anyone please explain to me on what basis does Khushdil keep getting selected?

I have never seen this guy perform - not once. So, what am I missing? Did he have a great PSL?

Ya he had a great psl had runs with great strike rate and can bowl as well so he is always in mike hesson plans.

 

[shaz619]

This T20I squad will iA bring back my Pakistani Cricket Team’s 1990’s & 2000’s CRUSH back!

 

[SportsWarrior]

Irrespective of their current form, Babar and Rizwan are better than Talat, Salman Agha, Harris, Fakhar, Khushdil, etc. Poor to leave them oitm

 

[AZulfi]

I would not have selected Haris Rauf. He is very expensive in every game and has already cost us two or three crunch matches with his pathetic bowling. Faheem Ashraf is another sifarishi, a bits and pieces player

+

Rauf has the attitude of an upstart.

 

[AZulfi]

However, good to see Wasim Junior and Salman Mirza back in the squad.

Batting is a big question mark and is the main reason why we have been mediocre during the past 4-5 years.

 

[Rana]

Can anyone please explain to me on what basis does Khushdil keep getting selected?

I have never seen this guy perform - not once. So, what am I missing? Did he have a great PSL?

Khushdil’s problem is that he’s a crap starter at the crease when batting, otherwise he’s a pretty good batsman once he gets going.

 

[shamaan]

Irrespective of their current form, Babar and Rizwan are better than Talat, Salman Agha, Harris, Fakhar, Khushdil, etc. Poor to leave them oitm

Babar and rizwan only wan to open.

 

[Rana]

Babar and rizwan only wan to open.

This is what I don’t understand with people. The amount of silly complaints, “why is XYZ in the squad but Babar and Rizwan can’t make it?”

How do you want to make this work? Ok, remove Khushdil and Faheem for Babar and Rizwan…then what?

Babar and Rizwan bat at 6 and 7? Or Babar and Rizwan open, then Saim and Farhan bat at 6 and 7??

Babar and Rizwan are out of the team for being rubbish openers. Pakistan discarded two rubbish openers for 2 better ones. That’s it. Deal with it!

 

[shamaan]

This is what I don’t understand with people. The amount of silly complaints, “why is XYZ in the squad but Babar and Rizwan can’t make it?”

How do you want to make this work? Ok, remove Khushdil and Faheem for Babar and Rizwan…then what?

Babar and Rizwan bat at 6 and 7? Or Babar and Rizwan open, then Saim and Farhan bat at 6 and 7??

Babar and Rizwan are out of the team for being rubbish openers. Pakistan discarded two rubbish openers for 2 better ones. That’s it. Deal with it!

Exactly but if Rizwan or Babar had batted at 3/4 in psl or domestically they could have had a better chance to make the squad however they are to selfish and only want to open.

 

[Rana]

Exactly but if Rizwan or Babar had batted at 3/4 in psl or domestically they could have had a better chance to make the squad however they are to selfish and only want to open.

Rizwan made everyone else shift around for the past 4 years with MS but never himself.

Shai Hope
David Malan
Yasir Khan
Usman Khan
Johnston Charles
Reza Hendricks

Maybe I’m missing some names. Everyone has been shifted around but not Rizwan lol

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Can anyone please explain to me on what basis does Khushdil keep getting selected?

I have never seen this guy perform - not once. So, what am I missing? Did he have a great PSL?

He is not a great player but can be a handy utility player in some positions. He's a good squad pick.

 

[Greenstorm]

Other than senseless selections Faheem and Talat, its a decent squad. Abbas Afridi should make a trip to jati umra and condemn 9th May events to get back into good books of PCB.

Over reliance on 'allrounders' will cost us.

 

[Greenstorm]

Except for Saim and Hasan Nawaz, all these players have strike rates in the range of 104 to 130 with laughable averages. Most of them have played enough T20s by now to improve and develop better strike rates, yet they are still failures and nothing players. Just because a player shows intent and swings his bat blindly after blocking a few balls should not give us the illusion that he is better suited for the T20 format.

Politics is killing this team. Aaqib is a corrupt individual, and Hesson is completely sold out, blindly listening to Aaqib and Naqvi just because they gave him this job. It makes no sense that we changed captains like Babar and Rizwan only to appoint another player as captain in this format who has achieved little in T20s and has a strike rate worse than both Rizwan and Babar.

I really like Salman and believe he can continue to improve as a T20 player, but at this point, he is just a yes-man and a puppet of Aaqib, Naqvi, and Hesson. Trust me, nothing would make me happier than to see this squad and our coach prove me wrong and do well in the upcoming tournament, because all I want is to see Pakistan win. But I highly doubt they will succeed, because all the management seems to be doing is punishing players and replacing them with others who are even worse than the ones they dropped.

You guys keep saying you support young players but where are they? Who are they? All I see are tried and tested failures, most of them 30 plus, being given more chances and brought back into this squad.

Babar and Rizwan used to open. They are replaced by Saim and Farhan.

Saim Ayub was given a long rope in T20Is which eventually paid off as he is now a far better option than RizBabar.

Farhan is averaging 38 with sr of 145 in T20Is since his comeback.

There is no justification for crying about RizBabar's non selection in T20Is. Faheem and Talat are only two poor selections in this squad.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

The pace trio of Shaheen, Hasan and Haris may well be the most inconsistent trio we've ever had. They'll either go for 6 an over or 10. No in between

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Babar and rizwan only wan to open.

Nothing wrong with that. They were our most successful opening pair. These are facts

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Rizwan made everyone else shift around for the past 4 years with MS but never himself.

Shai Hope
David Malan
Yasir Khan
Usman Khan
Johnston Charles
Reza Hendricks

Maybe I’m missing some names. Everyone has been shifted around but not Rizwan lol

Perhaps that's because he has been a consistent performer in his position?

 

[zahid01]

Not much going for this team bowlers are inconsistent batting is outdated apart from couple of youngsters please don't have to much hope it will only lead to disappointment

 

[Nikhil_cric]

What even are these comparisons between Khushdil and Babar/Rizwan?

Babar and Rizwan were openers and Khushdil had 36/156 numbers while batting at #6 in the PSL.

Babar had 36/128 stats despite opening in the PP with the field up.

Surely , Babar and Rizwan have to be compared to other PP batters in the PSL?

 

[Mamoon]

How to get into the good books of 0 IQ fans.

Don’t score any runs, always close your eyes and swing across the line. Later in the pressers, say that you are not interested in personal milestones and only want to help the team.

You will be a fan favorite.

 

[Mamoon]

Rizwan +
Sahibzada
Babar
Fakhar
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Faheem

This should be Pakistan’s top 7 in T20Is. This is easily a better lineup than the one Pakistan will play with it.

Saim has been inconsistent since returning from injury. Sahibzada has done better than him and deserves to play some matches ahead of him, but competition between the two is important.

Anyway, I don’t want to waste my team anymore. I am boycotting Pakistan cricket until merit and transparency is restored again. InshAllah they will get the humiliation that they deserve in the Asia Cup and the noise pollution will come to an end.

 

[mominsaigol]

Rizwan +
Sahibzada
Babar
Fakhar
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Faheem

This should be Pakistan’s top 7 in T20Is. This is easily a better lineup than the one Pakistan will play with it.

Saim has been inconsistent since returning from injury. Sahibzada has done better than him and deserves to play some matches ahead of him, but competition between the two is important.

Anyway, I don’t want to waste my team anymore. I am boycotting Pakistan cricket until merit and transparency is restored again. InshAllah they will get the humiliation that they deserve in the Asia Cup and the noise pollution will come to an end.

First it was boycotting due to Amir and imad, now its boycotting due to ba/riz?

Bruh you take things way too seriously. Its just a sport, relax.

 

[Rana]

How to get into the good books of 0 IQ fans.

Don’t score any runs, always close your eyes and swing across the line. Later in the pressers, say that you are not interested in personal milestones and only want to help the team.

You will be a fan favorite.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1867605382429896811

We love this guy

 

[Mamoon]

Good luck to Sahibzada and Saim in the Asia Cup. Everyone else deserves to fail.

I will be happy to see these two perform though. They are here on merit and not because of agendas.

I don’t have a problem with Agha as a player, but yes I hope his captaincy fails because he doesn’t deserve to be captain and is a beneficiary of agendas.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Rizwan +
Sahibzada
Babar
Fakhar
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Faheem

This should be Pakistan’s top 7 in T20Is. This is easily a better lineup than the one Pakistan will play with it.

Saim has been inconsistent since returning from injury. Sahibzada has done better than him and deserves to play some matches ahead of him, but competition between the two is important.

Anyway, I don’t want to waste my team anymore. I am boycotting Pakistan cricket until merit and transparency is restored again. InshAllah they will get the humiliation that they deserve in the Asia Cup and the noise pollution will come to an end.

Saim should always play ahead of Sahibzada, if it is down to picking one or the other. His bowling is a big asset. Ideally we need to find a team competition where both play, and i think that combination can only work with Fakhar at 4.

 

[mominsaigol]

Good luck to Sahibzada and Saim in the Asia Cup. Everyone else deserves to fail.

I will be happy to see these two perform though. They are here on merit and not because of agendas.

I don’t have a problem with Agha as a player, but yes I hope his captaincy fails because he doesn’t deserve to be captain and is a beneficiary of agendas.

So hasan Nawaz who ironically has been performing better then all 3 of em atm (Saim, Farhan, Agha) deserves to fail and isnt here on merit?

 

[Usman Chadda]

Rizwan +
Sahibzada
Babar
Fakhar
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Faheem

This should be Pakistan’s top 7 in T20Is. This is easily a better lineup than the one Pakistan will play with it.

Saim has been inconsistent since returning from injury. Sahibzada has done better than him and deserves to play some matches ahead of him, but competition between the two is important.

Anyway, I don’t want to waste my team anymore. I am boycotting Pakistan cricket until merit and transparency is restored again. InshAllah they will get the humiliation that they deserve in the Asia Cup and the noise pollution will come to an end.

They will get humiliated, that's a given looking at the lack of experience and skill level in this team compared to their counterparts. But that doesn't mean we bring back two players who are just not playing T20s the right way and focus on averages in a format where strike-rate is more important.

A template needs to be set and it cannot be done until Babar and Rizwan are out of contention. We might get some players adhering to the same set of standards as modern day cricket is exposed to, rather than stat-padders who look at their averages before the team's needs.

 

[mominsaigol]

So hasan Nawaz who ironically has been performing better then all 3 of em atm (Saim, Farhan, Agha) deserves to fail and isnt here on merit?

@Rana @RidiculousMan @topspin @shaz619

Hasan Nawaz

1) Scores a 44 ball century is nightmarish seam conditons vs NZ and is the only shining grace in an otherwise terrible tour for Pakistan.

2) Has an excellent start to his odi career scoring 2 back to back 50's at a healthy SR

3) in 14 t20's has a monster sr of 175 and am avg of 28 which is Finn Allen esc

4) Has an avg of 30 and 150 SR in t20 domestic and an avg of 39 and a sr of 118 in list A proving he is here in merit and is a solid no 5 in t20 and a solid no 5 to no 6 in odi.

He supposedly deserves to fail? And isnt here on merit

 

[Mamoon]

So hasan Nawaz who ironically has been performing better then all 3 of em atm (Saim, Farhan, Agha) deserves to fail and isnt here on merit?

I forgot about him. I am okay with him in the middle-order.

My main problem is with Haris who is an awful player and shouldn’t be near the team in any format, and also with Fakhar who is very good in the middle-order but a proven failure in the top-order.

Agha himself knows it’s a joke that he’s the captain.

 

[Mamoon]

^ These three are beneficiaries of agendas and I hope they all fail.

 

[Rana]

@Rana @RidiculousMan @topspin @shaz619

Hasan Nawaz

1) Scores a 44 ball century is nightmarish seam conditons vs NZ and is the only shining grace in an otherwise terrible tour for Pakistan.

2) Has an excellent start to his odi career scoring 2 back to back 50's at a healthy SR

3) in 14 t20's has a monster sr of 175 and am avg of 28 which is Finn Allen esc

4) Has an avg of 30 and 150 SR in t20 domestic and an avg of 39 and a sr of 118 in list A proving he is here in merit and is a solid no 5 in t20 and a solid no 5 to no 6 in odi.

He supposedly deserves to fail? And isnt here on merit

Bro you need a 150iq to understand the genius

 

[Rana]

How to get into the good books of 0 IQ fans.

Don’t score any runs, always close your eyes and swing across the line.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1799880914354209140

Great description

 

[mominsaigol]

I forgot about him. I am okay with him in the middle-order.

My main problem is with Haris who is an awful player and shouldn’t be near the team in any format, and also with Fakhar who is very good in the middle-order but a proven failure in the top-order.

Agha himself knows it’s a joke that he’s the captain.

Actually do some research brother.

Haris is a failure of an opener in t20 and a failure of a no 5 batter where he avg 10 and 12 with crap strike rates.

However out of his 23 matches, 10 of them come at no 3(most out of any number) where he avg 29 and a strike rate of 161.

Both haris and Hasan Nawaz have finn Allen level stats so far at their respective positions. Infact their stats are better then Saim at said numbers despite you claiming saim is their on merit yet these 2 aren't.

As for Fakhar, I agree with this and dont mind him at no 4 as stats show he is a better no 4 in t20.

I dont think my bro @Rana would mind if I suggest a combo of

1) Farhan
2) Saim
3) Haris
4) Fakhar

 

[Mamoon]

They will get humiliated, that's a given looking at the lack of experience and skill level in this team compared to their counterparts. But that doesn't mean we bring back two players who are just not playing T20s the right way and focus on averages in a format where strike-rate is more important.

A template needs to be set and it cannot be done until Babar and Rizwan are out of contention. We might get some players adhering to the same set of standards as modern day cricket is exposed to, rather than stat-padders who look at their averages before the team's needs.

This is what I disagree with.

You can’t choose a template or a playing style and then try to identify the players who fit the strategy.

This can work in franchise cricket where you have the luxury of “buying” players but it doesn’t work in international cricket where you have to do with what you have.

In international cricket, you pick your best available players and then adopt a strategy that gets the best out of those players.

Pakistan wants to play “modern” cricket but they don’t have the players who can effectively execute the strategy.

 

[Mamoon]

Actually do some research brother.

Haris is a failure of an opener in t20 and a failure of a no 5 batter where he avg 10 and 12 with crap strike rates.

However out of his 23 matches, 10 of them come at no 3(most out of any number) where he avg 29 and a strike rate of 161.

Both haris and Hasan Nawaz have finn Allen level stats so far at their respective positions. Infact their stats are better then Saim at said numbers despite you claiming saim is their on merit yet these 2 aren't.

As for Fakhar, I agree with this and dont mind him at no 4 as stats show he is a better no 4 in t20.

I dont think my bro @Rana would mind if I suggest a combo of

1) Farhan
2) Saim
3) Haris
4) Fakhar

Haris is not better than Rizwan at any batting position. Therefore, I cannot support a team that is not picking players on merit.

PCB did this in 2024 when they brought back Amir and Imad without merit and they proceeded to bowl the worst Super Over and one of the worst innings in history.

History should repeat itself here. Good intentions and integrity will always prevail in the end.

 

[mominsaigol]

Haris is not better than Rizwan at any batting position. Therefore, I cannot support a team that is not picking players on merit.

PCB did this in 2024 when they brought back Amir and Imad without merit and they proceeded to bowl the worst Super Over and one of the worst innings in history.

History should repeat itself here. Good intentions and integrity will always prevail in the end.

Haris at no 3: 29 avg and 161 SR

Rizwan at no 3: 32 avg, 118 SR.

Rizzu has played 5 games at no 3 while haris has played 10.

Rizzu's HS is 45 at no 3 while haris has a century as well. To top it off Rizwan's no 3 games came vs 2x Ireland, Canada, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe. So you cant use the excuse that he played tougher teams.

 

[Rana]

We need to start thinking of a future where the two turds are not holding us back anymore


Why are we still trying to make XIs by looking to fit those two in? Rubbish T20 players and their rubbish supporters! Pakistan cricket has suffered because of these wastemans running the agenda to keep them going when they had no business in this format!

Pakistan has so much work to do in Test cricket! Why can’t these wastemans put the effort to justify the two turd T20 players into the Test arena where Pakistan is ranked 7th and are under threat of ending up in a 2nd division???

 

[Mamoon]

Haris at no 3: 29 avg and 161 SR

Rizwan at no 3: 32 avg, 118 SR.

Rizzu has played 5 games at no 3 while haris has played 10.

Rizzu's HS is 45 at no 3 while haris has a century as well. To top it off Rizwan's no 3 games came vs 2x Ireland, Canada, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe. So you cant use the excuse that he played tougher teams.

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

The sample size for Rizwan at 3 isn’t big enough to draw conclusions.

 

[Rana]

The two turds are apparently justified openers or top 3 in T20….


But the two turds will never want to open in Test cricket for Pakistan. Why? Because they crap their pants against the brand new red kookaburra/Dukes. Selfish c’s who have never cared about Pakistan!

 

[Mamoon]

Let me make myself clear, again.

I don’t have a problem with Babar and Rizwan getting dropped for superiorplayers.

In theory, every single cricketer in the world is droppable if you can find a superior alternative.

But don’t come to me with players like Haris, Agha, Khushdil, Fakhar (as T20 opener) and expect me to buy into the delusion that these players are better than Babar and Rizwan.

 

[mominsaigol]

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

The sample size for Rizwan at 3 isn’t big enough to draw conclusions.

You said rizzu is > haris at any no, but maths proves you wrong. Now if the data is insufficient then it isn't my problem. I can only present the data available.

 

[Mamoon]

The two turds are apparently justified openers or top 3 in T20….


But the two turds will never want to open in Test cricket for Pakistan. Why? Because they crap their pants against the brand new red kookaburra/Dukes. Selfish c’s who have never cared about Pakistan!

How many wicket-keeper batsmen in history have opened in Test cricket?

And I know you don’t know the first thing about cricket, but opening in white ball isn’t the same as opening in Test cricket.

Do you have a problem with the countless white ball openers in history who never opened in Test cricket? I’m sure you don’t.

 

[Rana]

How many wicket-keeper batsmen in history have opened in Test cricket?

And I know you don’t know the first thing about cricket, but opening in white ball isn’t the same as opening in Test cricket.

Do you have a problem with the countless white ball openers in history who never opened in Test cricket? I’m sure you don’t.

Which Test opener bats in the middle in T20s???

Which T20 opener bats in the middle in Tests???

 

[mominsaigol]

The two turds are apparently justified openers or top 3 in T20….


But the two turds will never want to open in Test cricket for Pakistan. Why? Because they crap their pants against the brand new red kookaburra/Dukes. Selfish c’s who have never cared about Pakistan!

Rizzu batting at no 6 is fine in test cricket. Even gilly could not open in tests. Its too greulling to keep and bat straight after.

Opening is also the most difficult position in tests and you need a specialist opener. Very few all format stars cam be successful at opening in tests such as Warner, Sehwag, Hayden etc etc.

I dont think its fair to blame these 2 for that. At the time, No 4 was the correct call for Bobby in test cricket with no 6 for Rizwan.

The issue is a loss of form in all formats regardless of batting position.

 

[Usman Chadda]

This is what I disagree with.

You can’t choose a template or a playing style and then try to identify the players who fit the strategy.

This can work in franchise cricket where you have the luxury of “buying” players but it doesn’t work in international cricket where you have to do with what you have.

In international cricket, you pick your best available players and then adopt a strategy that gets the best out of those players.

Pakistan wants to play “modern” cricket but they don’t have the players who can effectively execute the strategy.

I used to think the same way, but this doesn’t work anymore. We will be worse off than associate nations, even they don’t have the luxury of having world-class talent but they have developed their systems and templates according to the modern standards. The likes of Scotland or the Netherlands have explosive openers who score more runs in the powerplay compared to RizBar.

Every neutral critic has openly been saying how Pakistan batting is stuck in the 90s, while a few players like Hardik Pandya have outright dismissed our batters’ efforts while being live on-screen. It’s embarrassing and just downright demoralizing. Add to that, Babar and Rizwan kept repeating the same garbage about being 20-30 runs short in every single post-match interview, while being the cause of that shortage themselves.

The strategy you are talking about worked alright till the bowling was winning us games, then eventually it tapered off once the bowlers either lost form, got figured out or had fitness issues.

We are losing anyway with the current out-dates mindset, what will we lose more by trying out something new? As you said two players Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are deserving candidates for national team selection, their best spots are as openers so RizBar do not fit into the line-up anymore. They have been overshadowed by their peers in PSL too, which basically should be the final nail in the coffin.

 

[Mamoon]

Which Test opener bats in the middle in T20s???

Shai Hope has done it recently, some others have done it too, including Rahul, but it’s not very common.

Which T20 opener bats in the middle in Tests???

Gill, Head, Rohit for many years. Watson also did it numerous times. There are other examples too. What a dumb question.

 

[RidiculousMan]

@Rana @RidiculousMan @topspin @shaz619

Hasan Nawaz

1) Scores a 44 ball century is nightmarish seam conditons vs NZ and is the only shining grace in an otherwise terrible tour for Pakistan.

2) Has an excellent start to his odi career scoring 2 back to back 50's at a healthy SR

3) in 14 t20's has a monster sr of 175 and am avg of 28 which is Finn Allen esc

4) Has an avg of 30 and 150 SR in t20 domestic and an avg of 39 and a sr of 118 in list A proving he is here in merit and is a solid no 5 in t20 and a solid no 5 to no 6 in odi.

He supposedly deserves to fail? And isnt here on merit

That innings I'd argue was the turning point of Pakistan T20 Cricket this year.

Before that innings. Everyone, RizBar haters and lovers didn't exactly know how Pakistani batting would fare without them in T20s.

Pakistan chased that 200 total in like 15-16 overs. That was surreal. I don't recall this kind of chase ever happening with that many overs to spare in Pakistan Cricket. That too against New Zealand overseas.

That innings and win. Provided every unbiased person in Pakistan with hope. That Pakistan can play modern day Cricket. They can accelerate for whole 20 years and keep smashing 6s.

Whatever the outcome of Pakistan T20 Cricket in the future. The decision to build a team on the philosophy of modern day Cricket was the right one.

If you prepare yourself to compete in Olympics. You might make it someday. But if you only have Intercity Trophy as your ultimate goal. Then you'll never make it to Olympics. That's how much of a difference a standard makes.

 

[mominsaigol]

I used to think the same way, but this doesn’t work anymore. We will be worse off than associate nations, even they don’t have the luxury of having world-class talent but they have developed their systems and templates according to the modern standards. The likes of Scotland or the Netherlands have explosive openers who score more runs in the powerplay compared to RizBar.

Every neutral critic has openly been saying how Pakistan batting is stuck in the 90s, while a few players like Hardik Pandya have outright dismissed our batters’ efforts while being live on-screen. It’s embarrassing and just downright demoralizing. Add to that, Babar and Rizwan kept repeating the same garbage about being 20-30 runs short in every single post-match interview, while being the cause of that shortage themselves.

The strategy you are talking about worked alright till the bowling was winning us games, then eventually it tapered off once the bowlers either lost form, got figured out or had fitness issues.

We are losing anyway with the current out-dates mindset, what will we lose more by trying out something new? As you said two players Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are deserving candidates for national team selection, their best spots are as openers so RizBar do not fit into the line-up anymore. They have been overshadowed by their peers in PSL too, which basically should be the final nail in the coffin.

The formula worked for chasing in 2021, not for batting first. Pk was a terrible batting first side and Aus exposed it albeit with great difficulty.

Pakistan had no rhyme or reason to lose that match but just a little bit of grit from Australia and Pakistan folded qith drop catches, full tosses and half volleys despite Australia requiring 48 of 18 to chase with only mattew wade being the sole batsmen available. The rest were mostly tail.

India, Afg, and NZ games were win due to bowling keeping them at bay scorecard wise and our accumulators + lower order punch hitters chasing the target down by the 19th.

It was never a good strategy as it was entirely toss dependent.

The 2021 t20 team reminds me of the current test team at home. Both teams are dependent on the toss.

 

[Mamoon]

That innings I'd argue was the turning point of Pakistan T20 Cricket this year.

Before that innings. Everyone, RizBar haters and lovers didn't exactly know how Pakistani batting would fare without them in T20s.

Pakistan chased that 200 total in like 15-16 overs. That was surreal. I don't recall this kind of chase ever happening with that many overs to spare in Pakistan Cricket. That too against New Zealand overseas.

That innings and win. Provided every unbiased person in Pakistan with hope. That Pakistan can play modern day Cricket. They can accelerate for whole 20 years and keep smashing 6s.

Whatever the outcome of Pakistan T20 Cricket in the future. The decision to build a team on the philosophy of modern day Cricket was the right one.

If you prepare yourself to compete in Olympics. You might make it someday. But if you only have Intercity Trophy as your ultimate goal. Then you'll never make it to Olympics. That's how much of a difference a standard makes.

Turning point?

What turning point?

They got battered 4-1, and then beat Bangladesh at home before losing in BD and beating WI.

2 series defeats and 2 series wins is a turning point. Absolute comedy gold

 

[RidiculousMan]

I used to think the same way, but this doesn’t work anymore. We will be worse off than associate nations, even they don’t have the luxury of having world-class talent but they have developed their systems and templates according to the modern standards. The likes of Scotland or the Netherlands have explosive openers who score more runs in the powerplay compared to RizBar.

Every neutral critic has openly been saying how Pakistan batting is stuck in the 90s, while a few players like Hardik Pandya have outright dismissed our batters’ efforts while being live on-screen. It’s embarrassing and just downright demoralizing. Add to that, Babar and Rizwan kept repeating the same garbage about being 20-30 runs short in every single post-match interview, while being the cause of that shortage themselves.

The strategy you are talking about worked alright till the bowling was winning us games, then eventually it tapered off once the bowlers either lost form, got figured out or had fitness issues.

We are losing anyway with the current out-dates mindset, what will we lose more by trying out something new? As you said two players Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are deserving candidates for national team selection, their best spots are as openers so RizBar do not fit into the line-up anymore. They have been overshadowed by their peers in PSL too, which basically should be the final nail in the coffin.

RizBar are stuck in 2021 T20I. That's the problem.

When they realize this and improve their game. I have no doubt they'll be back. Specially Babar who has the best talent. But what good is a talent if you won't apply and adapt your game to modern standards?

 

[Rana]

Shai Hope has done it recently, some others have done it too, including Rahul, but it’s not very common.

Gill, Head, Rohit for many years. Watson also did it numerous times. There are other examples too. What a dumb question.

Shai Hope, Gill and Rahul are not considered T20 players. West Indies don’t want Hope opening. Gill will never open for India in T20s and Rahul’s career is over.

Watson and Sharma where number 6 before they switched to opening in white ball cricket. They were solid hitters of the ball, it was a good decision.

Travis Head is the only player that you make a strong case of. Then again, Head isn’t opening in white ball to build an innings like the two turds. It’s the same in Test cricket too, he’s there to absolutely wreck $hit for the opposition.

Which genuine World class/middle order accumulator is a successful T20 opener in world standards?

 

[RidiculousMan]

Turning point?

What turning point?

They got battered 4-1, and then beat Bangladesh at home before losing in BD and beating WI.

2 series defeats and 2 series wins is a turning point. Absolute comedy gold

I can understand a person with Intercity Trophy in mind will laugh at a person with Olympics in mind.

 

[Mamoon]

Only in Pakistan is two series defeats (including one in Bangladesh) in the last four series a “turning point”.

Jesus

 

[Mamoon]

Shai Hope, Gill and Rahul are not considered T20 players. West Indies don’t want Hope opening. Gill will never open for India in T20s and Rahul’s career is over.

Watson and Sharma where number 6 before they switched to opening in white ball cricket. They were solid hitters of the ball, it was a good decision.

Travis Head is the only player that you make a strong case of. Then again, Head isn’t opening in white ball to build an innings like the two turds. It’s the same in Test cricket too, he’s there to absolutely wreck $hit for the opposition.

Which genuine World class/middle order accumulator is a successful T20 opener in world standards?

So you forgot about all these players, I educated you and now you are resorting to terms and conditions because you can’t admit that you walked into this one.

No more replies unless I see something intelligent. If you want the last word, you can have the last word. No problem.

 

[mominsaigol]

That innings I'd argue was the turning point of Pakistan T20 Cricket this year.

Before that innings. Everyone, RizBar haters and lovers didn't exactly know how Pakistani batting would fare without them in T20s.

Pakistan chased that 200 total in like 15-16 overs. That was surreal. I don't recall this kind of chase ever happening with that many overs to spare in Pakistan Cricket. That too against New Zealand overseas.

That innings and win. Provided every unbiased person in Pakistan with hope. That Pakistan can play modern day Cricket. They can accelerate for whole 20 years and keep smashing 6s.

Whatever the outcome of Pakistan T20 Cricket in the future. The decision to build a team on the philosophy of modern day Cricket was the right one.

If you prepare yourself to compete in Olympics. You might make it someday. But if you only have Intercity Trophy as your ultimate goal. Then you'll never make it to Olympics. That's how much of a difference a standard makes.

Hasan Nawaz is actually very talented. Avg of 30 and 151 in domestic t20 and an abg close to 40 with a 100+ sr is extremely good for odi.

If pcb persists he can also function in test cricket. Unlike Abdul Samad who is a pure hack, hasan Nawaz is actually extremely solid technique and shot selection wise.

His hand eye coordination + foot movement at reading spin is top notch and most of his shots are authentic lofted strokes vs pace and not random wild slogs.

This guy is logically an all format player for PK. I wouldn't mind him in the test team at no 7, odi team at no 6 and t20 team at no 5.

He and Shahibzada Farhan deserve to play all formats. Muhammad haris is a hack though. But tbf he has kicked off at no 3 in t20.

We can critisice haris, but he has performed at no 3 anytime hes been given the opportunity to bat at that number.

 

[Rana]

You want middle order technically sound batters to open in T20…

The caveat is that they have to be proper hitters!

Australia will do this with Cameron Green going forward. He is a beast of a hitter who will eventually be their T20 opener. He won’t look for 25 off 20 by the end of the powerplay. He will look for 50 off 18.

 

[Ahmed216]

Only in Pakistan is two series defeats (including one in Bangladesh) in the last four series a “turning point”.

Jesus

Our moronic fans truly deserve the humiliation that awaits them because they refuse to learn.
At this point they'll send their grandmothers to play for Pakistan if it helps to keep Babar and Rizwan out.

 

[Rana]

Our moronic fans truly deserve the humiliation that awaits them because they refuse to learn.
At this point they'll send their grandmothers to play for Pakistan if it helps to keep Babar and Rizwan out.

Would rather have grandmothers playing for Pakistan instead of Babar and Rizwan who only play for themselves.

It’s better than offering the rishta of grandmothers to RizBar because you love them so much.

 

[mominsaigol]

Shai Hope, Gill and Rahul are not considered T20 players. West Indies don’t want Hope opening. Gill will never open for India in T20s and Rahul’s career is over.

Watson and Sharma where number 6 before they switched to opening in white ball cricket. They were solid hitters of the ball, it was a good decision.

Travis Head is the only player that you make a strong case of. Then again, Head isn’t opening in white ball to build an innings like the two turds. It’s the same in Test cricket too, he’s there to absolutely wreck $hit for the opposition.

Which genuine World class/middle order accumulator is a successful T20 opener in world standards?

Head doesnt open not cause he doesnt wish to, but Australia dont want him to.

People have forgotten that head was a no 5 all format batsmen. His 2 centuries vs PK were at no 5.

However he was naturally aggressive and hence they tried him as an opener in whiteball and he kicked off.

They tried him as an opener in test cricket and he did score a 36 ball 50 vs Sri Lanka however opening is difficult and Head + Steve Smith has worked well together.

No 5 is the easiest position to bat in test cricket even easier then no 4. But Head and Brooks dont bat their cause they want it easy, they bat their to maul oppositions.

They want to give their most destructive player the easiest batting positions as a result.

This whole Head is afraid to open is nonsense, Travis Head has vocally claimed he doesn't mind opening in test cricket but Pat Cummins and the management just dont see it that way.

Even Ponting chipped in and argued that its better to have 2 test specialists open and protect your most destructive batter.