Pakistan can get even better after South Africa clean sweep : Babar Azam

[MenInG]

RAWALPINDI (Pakistan): Pakistan's new Test captain Babar Azam said Monday they can get even better after a historic first series win against South Africa since 2003. He led Pakistan to a 2-0 sweep over the Proteas in Rawalpindi on Monday in a hard-fought 95-run win on the fifth and final day of the second Test.

"It's a welcome sign but we have to further improve," said an elated Azam, who was leading Pakistan for the first time.

"It was a much needed win and the best part of this series win is that now we are number five in Test rankings."


Azam, whose team will now play three Twenty20 internationals against South Africa on February 11, 13 and 14, all in Lahore, said patience would be required to see the squad's full potential.

"It will take time because it's a new team. I am a new captain and we have made some changes to the squad," he said.

"When you win it lifts your confidence and I am sure this win against South Africa will give us improvement."

Azam hoped the new-look Pakistan team will continue its progress and secure some wins away from its home patch.

"We have won at home, but we now need to win on away tours. I am sure that with time we will do that. We lost in New Zealand and there were so many negative things said, but I am sure that now people will back us."

Pakistan had set South Africa a daunting target of 370 to win.

Opener Aiden Markram scored a fighting 108 and Temba Bavuma 61.

They added 106 runs together for the fourth wicket to give Pakistan a real scare.

But Pakistan took the second new ball and wrapped up the last seven wickets for just 33 runs to bowl South Africa all out for 274.

Medium pacer Hasan Ali -- recalled after a year on the sidelines with multiple injuries -- took 5-60 to finish with 10-114 in the match.

"Hasan was outstanding, he came after a year but showed character. Yes, at lunch we were thinking that it's getting away.

"At one time, we thought the game would've gone either way when Markram and Bavuma were playing well. But we knew, one wicket and we can come back into the game again. And then we did that with the new ball.

"This win was hard earned, harder than our win in Karachi," said Azam comparing the latest win with the first Test in Karachi where Pakistan won by seven wickets.

Mohammad Rizwan cracked his maiden hundred in Pakistan's second innings of 298.

Losing captain Quinton de Kock hoped his team will learn lessons from the defeat.

"It's painful at the moment," said de Kock who had a lacklustre series, scoring just 46 in four innings.
"When we get back home, we'll have to look at our performances and improve on the way forward."

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...weep-says-babar-azam/articleshow/80751649.cms

==

With a 2-0 series win over South Africa, Pakistan rose to No. 5 in the ICC Test rankings for the first time since 2017.


Highlights | Scorecard | Cricket News

Babar Azam believes the team should be looking higher.

"Getting into the top five is promising," the Pakistan captain said after a 95-run victory in the second test in Rawalpindi on Monday, "and we would like to extend our win streak and rise a bit more higher in the ranking."


Already captain of Pakistan's T20 and ODI teams, Babar was appointed as skipper of the Test side in November and was supposed to make his Test captaincy debut in New Zealand.

A fractured thumb ruled him out of that series, which Pakistan lost 2-0, and he returned for the matches against South Africa, scoring only 122 runs in the two Tests. He was out lbw three times to left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

"Individual performances do not really matter and, if you see, everyone played a role accordingly and finished off well," he said. "There were some mistakes and we're definitely going to improve them going forward."

Babar said he doesn't hesitate to consult with former captains Azhar Ali and Mohammad Rizwan before taking decisions on the field.

"If I feel I am stuck and need help, I reach out to Rizwan and Azhar," he said.

"It's not like I just impose myself, but I ask around, discuss and take their consent before making any decision."

It was only Pakistan’s second series victory against South Africa in 12, with the Proteas winning seven of them. Pakistan last beat South Africa in 2003, winning a home series 1-0.

https://www.outlookindia.com/websit...-after-series-win-against-south-africa/373665

 

[ElRaja]

pakistans top order is a shambles, there were a few good individual performances that saved pak. had nauman not scored that 40 odd, pak would have lost, and misbah would be gone.

im all for celebrating wins, but lets get some context, pak beat a team of similar ability in conditions which favoured pak.

"We have won at home, but we now need to win on away tours. I am sure that with time we will do that. We lost in New Zealand and there were so many negative things said, but I am sure that now people will back us."

nope, not away, i dont think this team wins much away still. not until openers start contributing something.

only tangible improvement was fielding. props to pak on that.

 

[Pakhs]

Yes ofcourse they can improve they have won without top order not performing even once in 4 innings.

 

[Markhor]

Good to see Babar doesn't want the team to rest on their laurels.

We must improve the opening pair and new ball bowling.

 

[UzmanBeast]

pakistans top order is a shambles, there were a few good individual performances that saved pak. had nauman not scored that 40 odd, pak would have lost, and misbah would be gone.

im all for celebrating wins, but lets get some context, pak beat a team of similar ability in conditions which favoured pak.

"We have won at home, but we now need to win on away tours. I am sure that with time we will do that. We lost in New Zealand and there were so many negative things said, but I am sure that now people will back us."

nope, not away, i dont think this team wins much away still. not until openers start contributing something.

only tangible improvement was fielding. props to pak on that.

Would hope that Pakistan kick out Abid from opening, and tell Azhar to occupy that position.

Should look to bring in a kid from domestic to groom him for opening the batting when Azhar's time comes, so bring either Haider, Imam, or Abdullah at 3.

Fielding was better, but would like to see better captaincy and field placements from Babar.

Shaheen finally figured out how to bowl on Pakistani wickets, first time I saw him really bang the ball into the pitch.

Our spinners were also a disappointment, especially because they didn't know how to respond when being attacked. Don't think Nauman is a long-term solution, Sajid Khan should debut in Zimbabwe IMO. If he can bowl well there, then it means that he isn't reliant on conditions which I fear Nauman is.

 

[ElRaja]

Our spinners were also a disappointment, especially because they didn't know how to respond when being attacked. Don't think Nauman is a long-term solution, Sajid Khan should debut in Zimbabwe IMO. If he can bowl well there, then it means that he isn't reliant on conditions which I fear Nauman is.

i wouldnt be too harsh on paks spinners, they did a job in karachi, and pindi doesnt really favour spin. yes there is room for improvement but both yasir and nauman are beyond that age.

from what ive seen of pak domestics there is no spinner who rips it big and bullies line ups. the easiest way to improve test spinners is to just play more test cricket.

fundamentally tho pak need to return focus on quicks doing bulk of grunt work in tests.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Would hope that Pakistan kick out Abid from opening, and tell Azhar to occupy that position.

Should look to bring in a kid from domestic to groom him for opening the batting when Azhar's time comes, so bring either Haider, Imam, or Abdullah at 3.

Fielding was better, but would like to see better captaincy and field placements from Babar.

Shaheen finally figured out how to bowl on Pakistani wickets, first time I saw him really bang the ball into the pitch.

Our spinners were also a disappointment, especially because they didn't know how to respond when being attacked. Don't think Nauman is a long-term solution, Sajid Khan should debut in Zimbabwe IMO. If he can bowl well there, then it means that he isn't reliant on conditions which I fear Nauman is.

Why not do something out of the box? Just like India create openers instead of trying the ones who even struggle in domestic cricket.

Azhar Ali in the past has done a commendable job opening the batting. Someone like Usman Salahuddin could assist him. Usman has a good domestic record and we all know he has a tight batting defense. Also doesn't play loose shots.

I know Misbah is obsessed with specialists, but we don't have many options. I would rather go with proven performers. Usman Salahuddin's batting style suits the opening role in Test cricket. He could be a good option to assist Azhar.

It would also allow someone like Saud to bat at 3 or 4.

 

[UzmanBeast]

i wouldnt be too harsh on paks spinners, they did a job in karachi, and pindi doesnt really favour spin. yes there is room for improvement but both yasir and nauman are beyond that age.

from what ive seen of pak domestics there is no spinner who rips it big and bullies line ups. the easiest way to improve test spinners is to just play more test cricket.

fundamentally tho pak need to return focus on quicks doing bulk of grunt work in tests.

Agreed, our domestic system doesn't have many good spinners.

Nauman, Sajid, and Yasir are our best options.

IMO we should try Sajid + Nawaz combination in test matches, or Nauman + Salman Ali Agha.

If there's no good frontline spinners, we need to pick some good spin-bowling all-rounders. Shadab's bowling is inferior than Nawaz's.

Looking at domestic cricket, I can come up with a decent pool of players:

Opening Batsmen - Usman Salahuddin, Azhar Ali, Imran Butt, Haider Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Sharjeel Khan

Middle Order - Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam.

Wicketkeepers - Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Rohail Nazir

All-rounders - Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Amad Butt.

Fast Bowlers - Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan, Irfanullah Shah

Spinners - Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Yasir Shah

We have a lot of options, so we can't complain there. The quality of those options is yet to be determined. The best we can do is use options to our advantage, for example, going against a subcontinent team in the subcontinent and their batsmen are left-handed, bring in Sajid.

That's all we can do at the moment.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Why not do something out of the box? Just like India create openers instead of trying the ones who even struggle in domestic cricket.

Azhar Ali in the past has done a commendable job opening the batting. Someone like Usman Salahuddin could assist him. Usman has a good domestic record and we all know he has a tight batting defense. Also doesn't play loose shots.

I know Misbah is obsessed with specialists, but we don't have many options. I would rather go with proven performers. Usman Salahuddin's batting style suits the opening role in Test cricket. He could be a good option to assist Azhar.

It would also allow someone like Saud to bat at 3 or 4.

True but it requires out of the box thinking.

Usman Salahuddin should be sent to the NHPC if he wants to remodel his technique to open the innings.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

True but it requires out of the box thinking.

Usman Salahuddin should be sent to the NHPC if he wants to remodel his technique to open the innings.

Muhammad Saad won't be bad either. However, i think we must also give time to Imran Butt honestly nobody is picking up his slips fielding skills this is a very in demand skill in Pakistan cricket and not a quality a lot of our players possess. I would wanna back Imran to improve his batting and don't wanna shun him away just yet, my opening pair is gonna be Imran-Abdullah for the next series. I wish the best to Abid but unfortunately a dropping should not be out of the question.

 

[shariqnoor]

Right now I'm also going to be the one who will enjoy the clean sweep. But a few days later, I will look onto this series and wonder how on earth did SA lose both the Test matches? There was some some atrocious batting from SA where they literally gifted Pakistan 3-4 wickets every innings via run-outs or via couple of batsmen having a brainfade.

On top of that, fielding of SA was probably one of the worst of all time from them. Dropped catches left right and center. For them to be allowing almost 150 runs to be scored after the fall of 5th wicket every time should be concerning for them.

Any team from Eng, Ind, Aus and NZ would've cakewalked to a series win against Pakistan here. They would've been ruthless and not committed the mistakes that this SA team did. Not sure how SA will recover from this embarrassing defeat. QdK will be relieved of captaincy and probably Van Der Dussen will be the new captain.

For Pakistan, they need to plug so many holes. The top order is in shambles. The openers and Azhar Ali are walking wickets. Azhar's ceiling nowadays is 30 odd runs with a century maybe after 10 Tests. Babar, Fawad and Rizwan are carrying this batting lineup on their shoulders and inevitably that burden will be too much, even in home conditions.

By virtue of winning the series, Imran Butt has probably stayed his execution. His slip fielding was top notch though. Abid Ali needs to be discarded. Imran Farhat at this age would be a better batsman. It would be a ridiculous call by Mohammed Wasim, if he doesn't recall Imam-ul-Haq in the Test team after he regains his fitness. Imam might also struggle initially for a few Tests but the guy has a much higher ceiling than the likes of Abid and Imran.

 

[On_the_up]

Of course they can get better, having played with only 9 men in this series.

 

[gazza619]

Just watched the highlights and boy this guy Imran Butt can catch! Based on his catching ability alone I am willing to invest 5 more test matches in him.

I think going forward we should play an extra fast bowler (Rauf?) and drop Nauman Ali. I reckon Fawad Alam can do the same job as a part time spinner as Nauman Ali.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Babar needs to be better. Plain and simple.

Hope he really puts the work in.

New session starting and getting out is really poor stuff.

 

[Bewal Express]

To improve we need more series against teams like SA, NZ and Eng at home. All the series will be competitive and the dross will be weeded out. We have the spine of a solid team and with a few additions we will be able to compete from a position of confidence. This team would beat NZ at home and would be on par with England at home. As I said yesterday, it's time to think outside the box for openers because picking openers in domestic cricket are poor.

 

[Omer2002]

Abid has to go if not both openers..if this so called Zimbabwe tour goes ahead we need to experiment. I have come to conclusion we need to invest in imam ul haq....imran butt did well few seasons so.lets see

 

[Amjid Javed]

Both pakistan openers need to be replaced while azhar also needs to be replaced at sumpoint. We definatley need our fast bowling resourses to be tested out improved also.

 

[DeadBall]

Just watched the highlights and boy this guy Imran Butt can catch! Based on his catching ability alone I am willing to invest 5 more test matches in him.

Sorry but he looked utterly clueless out there in all 4 innings. Can't have him as a fielding specialist, need to get the others to work harder and step up.

On the other hand we could use him as a fielding sub for a bit.

 

[Suleiman]

SA and Pakistan will fight for the #5-6 spots across ODIs and tests for the next couple of years. Bangla, WI and SL might make a guest appearance at 5-6 here and there too.

Quota system has ruined SA cricket. A potentially top 3 team shot in the foot by their own government. Kyle Abbott and Riley Russow were world class players and both left due to this unfair system. Many more talented players will go through the same, and over the next few decades youngsters will stop trying to pursue cricket in SA for similar reasons. What is the point when you’re not going to get selected on talent level but on the color of your skin?

It’s mainly the whites who are interested in cricket in SA anyway.

Pretty sad to see such a weak SA team come up here. I’ll take the free win, thanks, but expected more of a fight.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Just watched the highlights and boy this guy Imran Butt can catch! Based on his catching ability alone I am willing to invest 5 more test matches in him.

I think going forward we should play an extra fast bowler (Rauf?) and drop Nauman Ali. I reckon Fawad Alam can do the same job as a part time spinner as Nauman Ali.

I was of the same opinion on Imran

 

[Hasan]

Reading some of the posts on this thread are laughable. “Fans” with back garden, park and club cricket experience passing critical comments about individuals and team performances at the international level.

“This team will not win abroad....” who the hell are you and what has given you the ability to read the future?

People pls do not make yourself look stupid, know your limits and learn to enjoy this game and be supportive the team in both wins or loses.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

One would certainty hope so. For starters we need better openers. better fitness standards and better fielding.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Reading some of the posts on this thread are laughable. “Fans” with back garden, park and club cricket experience passing critical comments about individuals and team performances at the international level.

“This team will not win abroad....” who the hell are you and what has given you the ability to read the future?

People pls do not make yourself look stupid, know your limits and learn to enjoy this game and be supportive the team in both wins or loses.

You think Pakistan can win in Australia?

 

[Muhammad Saad]

It's one wicket per inning guaranteed if Imran Butt is in the slips. Surely a perfect SUB.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Muhammad Saad won't be bad either. However, i think we must also give time to Imran Butt honestly nobody is picking up his slips fielding skills this is a very in demand skill in Pakistan cricket and not a quality a lot of our players possess. I would wanna back Imran to improve his batting and don't wanna shun him away just yet, my opening pair is gonna be Imran-Abdullah for the next series. I wish the best to Abid but unfortunately a dropping should not be out of the question.

Exactly.

We should try out Imran Butt, he's looked pretty solid but throws the starts away. Should work at the NHPC on his batting and how to get off strike so that he doesn't get stranded.

Abid's time is up, for two reasons primarily. Both Imran and Abid are of the same height, and struggle against the short ball. Someone like Haider or Abdullah would take on the short ball and give more breathing room to the openers.

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Top 4 in 1st tier
Gap
Next 4 in 2nd tier
Gap
Then Bangladesh

For Pakistan to teach in top 4, I think Pakistan has to win all the matches for the next 2 years and England has to lose a lot of matches over the next two years.

Practically it ain’t possible in the next 3-4 years at least.

 

[Hasan]

You think Pakistan can win in Australia?

Why not? Those individuals and teams are successful who think big and challenge themselves. Learn to be positive otherwise you will become a negative minded failure.

 

[MenInG]

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Hasan ali can only get better with his confidence blooming
Babar can score a hundred and shame his critics and detractors
And the return of imam and shan should give us more stabilty and stop our fluctuating early starts and trepid stroke play

Our third seamer is open for debate and naseem or hasnain will need to step in to make us even more formidable and make the team play to the sum of its part as we approach our summer itinerary

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Exactly.

We should try out Imran Butt, he's looked pretty solid but throws the starts away. Should work at the NHPC on his batting and how to get off strike so that he doesn't get stranded.

Abid's time is up, for two reasons primarily. Both Imran and Abid are of the same height, and struggle against the short ball. Someone like Haider or Abdullah would take on the short ball and give more breathing room to the openers.

This next assignment is something for Imran Butt to get some confidence on, if he can't even manage a 50 then however good his fielding is i'd drop him. My playing XI doesn't have many changes only a couple with some obvious rest to Shaheen.

Playing XI for Zimbabwae

1. Imran Butt
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nuaman Ali
10. Yasir Shah
11. Tabish Khan

 

[UzmanBeast]

This next assignment is something for Imran Butt to get some confidence on, if he can't even manage a 50 then however good his fielding is i'd drop him. My playing XI doesn't have many changes only a couple with some obvious rest to Shaheen.

Playing XI for Zimbabwae

1. Imran Butt
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nuaman Ali
10. Yasir Shah
11. Tabish Khan

I would personally try someone else against Zimbabwe instead of Tabish Khan. Maybe Hasnain or Haris Rauf, even a domestic player like Irfanullah Shah. Just something different rather than someone who won't serve us for some long time. I'd actually send Shinwari to Zimbabwe, was unfairly dropped from the test squad for no reason.

Also wouldn't send Yasir there, he's too good for them. Someone like Sajid or Shadab should get to bowl there, see if he can last the long overs.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I would personally try someone else against Zimbabwe instead of Tabish Khan. Maybe Hasnain or Haris Rauf, even a domestic player like Irfanullah Shah. Just something different rather than someone who won't serve us for some long time. I'd actually send Shinwari to Zimbabwe, was unfairly dropped from the test squad for no reason.

Also wouldn't send Yasir there, he's too good for them. Someone like Sajid or Shadab should get to bowl there, see if he can last the long overs.

I think for Yasir to regain form I would send him and it's a perfect opportunity to gain confidence.

Might as well give Tabish a trial even though we feel he's not a long term solution, if we get 2 years out of him that will be reasonable. I saw some glimpses of him in the nets and he was troubling batsmen, in my view he is a welcome inclusion.

Shadab although a great bowler i don't think he's test quality and should stick to the shorter format. Sajid Khan is a good option as well and again he looked really good in the nets.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I think for Yasir to regain form I would send him and it's a perfect opportunity to gain confidence.

Might as well give Tabish a trial even though we feel he's not a long term solution, if we get 2 years out of him that will be reasonable. I saw some glimpses of him in the nets and he was troubling batsmen, in my view he is a welcome inclusion.

Shadab although a great bowler i don't think he's test quality and should stick to the shorter format. Sajid Khan is a good option as well and again he looked really good in the nets.

The thing with Tabish would be that he'd be a threat on a green wicket overseas, in SENA particularly. He can swing the ball, and will genuinely be threatening in such conditions.

Zimbabwean conditions require hard bowling on the surface from what I remember, and I doubt he'd be used well in those conditions. I think someone like Hasnain has a longer future, and if he can learn how to control the swing and control his lines, he can also improve as a bowler. Haris Rauf is a bit raw for test cricket, but someone like Shinwari is being treated unfairly.

Shinwari was dropped from all 3 formats for reasons I cannot comprehend at all.

Take a look at his stats for the formats:

Tests:

1 game, 1 wicket, 3.6 ER, 54 average, 94 SR (Played in a game washed out by rain, did well considering what other quicks did.)

ODI: (This is where he was dropped unfairly in my opinion.)

17 games, 34 wickets, 4.94 ER, 18.61 average, 22.5 SR (Amazing stats, far superior than the likes of Wahab Riaz who still got games ahead of Shinwari. Mohammad Wasim needs to wake up and select this guy for our next ODI series.)

T20I: (Hasn't really been a good T20 Bowler, but that's no reason to drop him from other formats.)

16 games, 13 wickets, 8.31 ER, 32.6 average, 23.5 SR

I definitely think that we're wasting a talent like Shinwari. In the middle overs, he'd be extremely useful. I understand that we have Hasnain and Haris Rauf, but this guy has been waiting in the queue for far longer, and I think that he's a better bowler than Rauf in ODI cricket.

I also think that we haven't seen the best of him as a test bowler, which is why I'd send him to Zimbabwe. On those conditions, he'd have to bowl accurately and bowl well, and if he demonstrates that control, he should be part of the squad.

That's my view.

I agree with your point on Yasir and Shadab. Yasir needs confidence, though Sajid wouldn't be a bad try either. Shadab needs to go into domestic and bowl overs, long overs. He's on the team for no reason, because an all-rounder who goes at 4 RPO isn't needed in test cricket. He needs to step up his bowling big time if he wants to make the team, because right now, Faheem has taken the batting all-rounder spot from Shadab.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

The thing with Tabish would be that he'd be a threat on a green wicket overseas, in SENA particularly. He can swing the ball, and will genuinely be threatening in such conditions.

Zimbabwean conditions require hard bowling on the surface from what I remember, and I doubt he'd be used well in those conditions. I think someone like Hasnain has a longer future, and if he can learn how to control the swing and control his lines, he can also improve as a bowler. Haris Rauf is a bit raw for test cricket, but someone like Shinwari is being treated unfairly.

Shinwari was dropped from all 3 formats for reasons I cannot comprehend at all.

Take a look at his stats for the formats:

Tests:

1 game, 1 wicket, 3.6 ER, 54 average, 94 SR (Played in a game washed out by rain, did well considering what other quicks did.)

ODI: (This is where he was dropped unfairly in my opinion.)

17 games, 34 wickets, 4.94 ER, 18.61 average, 22.5 SR (Amazing stats, far superior than the likes of Wahab Riaz who still got games ahead of Shinwari. Mohammad Wasim needs to wake up and select this guy for our next ODI series.)

T20I: (Hasn't really been a good T20 Bowler, but that's no reason to drop him from other formats.)

16 games, 13 wickets, 8.31 ER, 32.6 average, 23.5 SR

I definitely think that we're wasting a talent like Shinwari. In the middle overs, he'd be extremely useful. I understand that we have Hasnain and Haris Rauf, but this guy has been waiting in the queue for far longer, and I think that he's a better bowler than Rauf in ODI cricket.

I also think that we haven't seen the best of him as a test bowler, which is why I'd send him to Zimbabwe. On those conditions, he'd have to bowl accurately and bowl well, and if he demonstrates that control, he should be part of the squad.

That's my view.

I agree with your point on Yasir and Shadab. Yasir needs confidence, though Sajid wouldn't be a bad try either. Shadab needs to go into domestic and bowl overs, long overs. He's on the team for no reason, because an all-rounder who goes at 4 RPO isn't needed in test cricket. He needs to step up his bowling big time if he wants to make the team, because right now, Faheem has taken the batting all-rounder spot from Shadab.

I agree with you on Shinwari in test cricket but he didn't play much this season but did have a decent last season in QeA (QeA 2019/20- 6 games, ave 25.33, 15 wickets, ER 3.04). I agree as well about Shinwari maybe in ODIs but again against the bigger teams he's gotten took to the cleaners, however again like you said he might be a long format player.

With Shadab it's not really about his bowling i just feel his style is more limited overs as oppose to tests so i wouldn't push tests on him. Sajid Khan on the other hand is decent with the bat and one i would support being in the team but seeing as our lower order is performing then i don't see him being selected yet in the playing XI.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I agree with you on Shinwari in test cricket but he didn't play much this season but did have a decent last season in QeA (QeA 2019/20- 6 games, ave 25.33, 15 wickets, ER 3.04). I agree as well about Shinwari maybe in ODIs but again against the bigger teams he's gotten took to the cleaners, however again like you said he might be a long format player.

With Shadab it's not really about his bowling i just feel his style is more limited overs as oppose to tests so i wouldn't push tests on him. Sajid Khan on the other hand is decent with the bat and one i would support being in the team but seeing as our lower order is performing then i don't see him being selected yet in the playing XI.

True, Shinwari didn't impress in the games against bigger teams, but he's certainly a better selection than Wahab Riaz. He's better suited to the longer formats as per my observations, if he can learn how to swing the ball in, he'd be very useful in test cricket.

Shadab's bowling is good enough for an all-rounder in white-ball cricket, and also his batting. His technique won't last in test cricket, whereas someone like Faheem has looked very solid with the bat.

However, Shadab needs to improve his bowling by a longshot, if Usman Qadir takes a good number of wickets in this upcoming series, he'd be contending for the spinner spot.

Sajid should be kept in the mix of things, he's very good at dismissing LHB, but I'd like to see him get more revolutions on the ball when bowling to right-handers. Saqlain Mushtaq should be able to help him in that regard, which is why he should be kept near the team. I'd also send the likes of Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha to the NHPC to make some technical adjustments and improve their bowling, as they'd be of more use.

 

[Yk313]

View attachment 106923

Never saw Fazal. Not much of MM either.

Javed is, was and will remain Javed. And I did like Salim for his read of the game.

On this side of 2000s I have only seen YK have a dynamic cricketing mind in terms of reading the game unfortunately.

Hope Babar lasts long and brings PAK and himself all the positives and successes the state and citizens are rooting for. Long, long way to go.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

True, Shinwari didn't impress in the games against bigger teams, but he's certainly a better selection than Wahab Riaz. He's better suited to the longer formats as per my observations, if he can learn how to swing the ball in, he'd be very useful in test cricket.

Shadab's bowling is good enough for an all-rounder in white-ball cricket, and also his batting. His technique won't last in test cricket, whereas someone like Faheem has looked very solid with the bat.

However, Shadab needs to improve his bowling by a longshot, if Usman Qadir takes a good number of wickets in this upcoming series, he'd be contending for the spinner spot.

Sajid should be kept in the mix of things, he's very good at dismissing LHB, but I'd like to see him get more revolutions on the ball when bowling to right-handers. Saqlain Mushtaq should be able to help him in that regard, which is why he should be kept near the team. I'd also send the likes of Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha to the NHPC to make some technical adjustments and improve their bowling, as they'd be of more use.

Yep all very valid points.

I think some of our players could do with development at NHPC specifically our batsmen. I think YK could do with teaching our players the importance of the sweep shot and this goes for all.

The series although we won must also have it's learning points and inshAllah my duas are with them and they all realise the importance of each of their roles. I'm happy that we have some easy-ish (knock on wood) tours coming and it's an excellent time for our batsmen to gain more and more confidence (WI test series will scare me).

 

[UzmanBeast]

Yep all very valid points.

I think some of our players could do with development at NHPC specifically our batsmen. I think YK could do with teaching our players the importance of the sweep shot and this goes for all.

The series although we won must also have it's learning points and inshAllah my duas are with them and they all realise the importance of each of their roles. I'm happy that we have some easy-ish (knock on wood) tours coming and it's an excellent time for our batsmen to gain more and more confidence (WI test series will scare me).

I think we have some easy series coming up, and it's the perfect time to solidify a team combination.

The WI Test Series isn't as threatening as it looks, their batting has been lacklustered to say the least. Conditions are easier than SENA, so hopefully we can win there as well.

 

[Hyder]

True, Shinwari didn't impress in the games against bigger teams, but he's certainly a better selection than Wahab Riaz. He's better suited to the longer formats as per my observations, if he can learn how to swing the ball in, he'd be very useful in test cricket.

Shadab's bowling is good enough for an all-rounder in white-ball cricket, and also his batting. His technique won't last in test cricket, whereas someone like Faheem has looked very solid with the bat.

However, Shadab needs to improve his bowling by a longshot, if Usman Qadir takes a good number of wickets in this upcoming series, he'd be contending for the spinner spot.

Sajid should be kept in the mix of things, he's very good at dismissing LHB, but I'd like to see him get more revolutions on the ball when bowling to right-handers. Saqlain Mushtaq should be able to help him in that regard, which is why he should be kept near the team. I'd also send the likes of Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha to the NHPC to make some technical adjustments and improve their bowling, as they'd be of more use.

You are mixing formats for shinwari. As far as i remember he hasnt conceeded more than 60 in 15 20 odi that he has played. He is a very good penetrating fast bowler for odi format and can give you wickets in middle and should never be bowled in death overs. Selectors in the past have made a mess of mixing formats. If a person performs in t20 they add him in test squad. And if a player doesnt perform in t20 they remove him from odi squad too.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I think we have some easy series coming up, and it's the perfect time to solidify a team combination.

The WI Test Series isn't as threatening as it looks, their batting has been lacklustered to say the least. Conditions are easier than SENA, so hopefully we can win there as well.

We haven't won many series in WI so i will be a little skeptical.

 

[UzmanBeast]

You are mixing formats for shinwari. As far as i remember he hasnt conceeded more than 60 in 15 20 odi that he has played. He is a very good penetrating fast bowler for odi format and can give you wickets in middle and should never be bowled in death overs. Selectors in the past have made a mess of mixing formats. If a person performs in t20 they add him in test squad. And if a player doesnt perform in t20 they remove him from odi squad too.

Yeah, he's a good middle overs bowler and that's where he should be used.

Should play more FC Cricket as well.

 

[UzmanBeast]

We haven't won many series in WI so i will be a little skeptical.

True, but we stand a pretty good chance this time.

Hopefully our bowling attack can restrict them to lower targets, and if our top order chips in, I'd say we have that series in the bag.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

True, but we stand a pretty good chance this time.

Hopefully our bowling attack can restrict them to lower targets, and if our top order chips in, I'd say we have that series in the bag.

Batting wise we have struggled there and wherever the dukes ball is used it makes me a little iffy. However, inshAllah we win that one as well.

 

[shamaan]

This next assignment is something for Imran Butt to get some confidence on, if he can't even manage a 50 then however good his fielding is i'd drop him. My playing XI doesn't have many changes only a couple with some obvious rest to Shaheen.

Playing XI for Zimbabwae

1. Imran Butt
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nuaman Ali
10. Yasir Shah
11. Tabish Khan

Abdullah shafique should play atleast 1 season of domestic dont rush him in.i would play usman saladin if hes in the squad if he isnt id play azhar opening and play saud at 3. The rest i agree

 

[shamaan]

I would personally try someone else against Zimbabwe instead of Tabish Khan. Maybe Hasnain or Haris Rauf, even a domestic player like Irfanullah Shah. Just something different rather than someone who won't serve us for some long time. I'd actually send Shinwari to Zimbabwe, was unfairly dropped from the test squad for no reason.

Also wouldn't send Yasir there, he's too good for them. Someone like Sajid or Shadab should get to bowl there, see if he can last the long overs.

Irfanullah and dahani need 1 more season they had good first season thou i would give Tabish a chance.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Abdullah shafique should play atleast 1 season of domestic dont rush him in.i would play usman saladin if hes in the squad if he isnt id play azhar opening and play saud at 3. The rest i agree

To be honest Azhar won't mind opening as the next few series are easy peezy so i don't think he will decline.

For us to best utilize a player i feel that we can't enforce a position on them which is clearly beyond their reach i.e. having a middle order batsman be placed as an opener (although Fawad was an opener previously and he did a sterling job of it in SL).

Abdullah was just a nice experiment that i'm willing to play out and think this is the perfect opportunity for him to flourish i.e. light opponents.

However we can still do the following.....

1. Imran Butt
2. Azhar Ali
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Saud Shakeel
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nuaman Ali
10. Yasir Shah
11. Tabish Khan

 

[shamaan]

My xi vs zimbabwe tests

Imran butt
Azhar ali
Saud shakeel
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Fahim
Hassan ali (rauf,husnain)
Yasir
Sajid khan test bench strength
Tabish khan

Shadab
Rauf
Husnain
Kamran ghullam
Numan ali (not dropped)

I would play azhar oppening and saud shakeel at 3 an easy tour and perfect time to bring him into the team.

I would give tabish a chance opening the bowling and i would rest shaheen.

I would be tempted to rest hassan ali and give rauf or husnain a chance.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Batting wise we have struggled there and wherever the dukes ball is used it makes me a little iffy. However, inshAllah we win that one as well.

Inshallah.

Our lower order is showing more character and strength against the Dukes nowadays, and hopefully we can establish a few pillars in the team to carry us from strength to strength.

Also wondering when Azhar decides to call it quits. Has served Pakistan greatly, and I think that he should open for his last few years, a time where the team desperately needs an opening batsman.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Irfanullah and dahani need 1 more season they had good first season thou i would give Tabish a chance.

Yeah, I think Irfanullah Shah looks good, but I want to see some more consistency in his bowling, especially bowling more overs.

Will be interesting to see how these players develop.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Inshallah.

Our lower order is showing more character and strength against the Dukes nowadays, and hopefully we can establish a few pillars in the team to carry us from strength to strength.

Also wondering when Azhar decides to call it quits. Has served Pakistan greatly, and I think that he should open for his last few years, a time where the team desperately needs an opening batsman.

I don't see Azhar retiring anytime soon, I mean i hope that Azhar and Fawad can have a Misbah-Younis type role for the coming years. I think both can still play into their 40s, just look at Ross Taylor he's still going but he's fighting fit.

I'm bored with this most of the time i wish Pakpassion held a live interaction session would love to speak to you guys on these matters (well just not Mamoon and Junaids).

 

[UzmanBeast]

I don't see Azhar retiring anytime soon, I mean i hope that Azhar and Fawad can have a Misbah-Younis type role for the coming years. I think both can still play into their 40s, just look at Ross Taylor he's still going but he's fighting fit.

I'm bored with this most of the time i wish Pakpassion held a live interaction session would love to speak to you guys on these matters (well just not Mamoon and Junaids).

The only thing we need to make sure about Azhar's role is that we identify someone who can take over his role.

When Misbah and Younis left, we had nobody to take over that role, and so a lot of pressure fell on the lower order and Azhar Ali. Replacements should be identified and should be playing matches before we drop one of Azhar and Fawad. Secondly, both should retire at different times, to create a smooth transition for the team.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

The only thing we need to make sure about Azhar's role is that we identify someone who can take over his role.

When Misbah and Younis left, we had nobody to take over that role, and so a lot of pressure fell on the lower order and Azhar Ali. Replacements should be identified and should be playing matches before we drop one of Azhar and Fawad. Secondly, both should retire at different times, to create a smooth transition for the team.

Well both are about the same age with Azhar a little older than Fawad. I reckon both Saud Shakeel and Usman Salhuddin deserve those spots post retirement of these players, i believe Azhar will retire first at around 40 and i hope to see Fawad make it to 42.

Yep, I fully get your point on the problems we faced post retirement of Misbah-Younis.

 

[Suleiman]

Never saw Fazal. Not much of MM either.

Javed is, was and will remain Javed. And I did like Salim for his read of the game.

On this side of 2000s I have only seen YK have a dynamic cricketing mind in terms of reading the game unfortunately.

Hope Babar lasts long and brings PAK and himself all the positives and successes the state and citizens are rooting for. Long, long way to go.

YK is a massive chicken.

YK was groomed to be the next captain under Inzi. When the time came he ran in fear. You can have the best cricketing mind, but if you don’t have courage you can’t be captain.

 

[Yk313]

YK is a massive chicken.

YK was groomed to be the next captain under Inzi. When the time came he ran in fear. You can have the best cricketing mind, but if you don’t have courage you can’t be captain.

Ran in fear? Sadly, agree to disagree on that one. No intention of lashing into prolix to argue about a now moot point but if you mean not accepting the captaincy when initially offered, then I think it was pretty clear he wanted to be a captain with long-term authority instead of being a ceremonial figure.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I agree with you on Shinwari in test cricket but he didn't play much this season but did have a decent last season in QeA (QeA 2019/20- 6 games, ave 25.33, 15 wickets, ER 3.04). I agree as well about Shinwari maybe in ODIs but again against the bigger teams he's gotten took to the cleaners, however again like you said he might be a long format player.

With Shadab it's not really about his bowling i just feel his style is more limited overs as oppose to tests so i wouldn't push tests on him. Sajid Khan on the other hand is decent with the bat and one i would support being in the team but seeing as our lower order is performing then i don't see him being selected yet in the playing XI.

Completely agree with this verdict on Shinwari. I said this two months ago - he shot his career in the foot by skipping QeA trophy and going to the Lankan Premier League instead.

A good performance by him might have helped give him a callup (the spot that Tabish Khan is currently occupying in the squad).

Even with Hasan Ali’s return, Shinwari could have been a valuable new ball option in SENA countries, but it seems that ship has sailed since Shinwari is not interested in that now. Hypothetically, if Shinno was interested and performed up to the mark, his new ball pairing with Shaheen and Hassan at first change would be absolutely fantastic.

1. Azhar Ali
2. Imran Butt / Usman Salahuddin / Imam ul Haq
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nauman Ali
10. Usman Shinwari
11. Shaheen Afridi

That would be a pretty good SENA lineup especially in England.

 

[Shazzam]

View attachment 106923

Babar got lucky on missing the New Zealand tour. Or else he would not be here.

 

[MenInG]

"The fast-bowlers made a good comeback and brought us back in the game" : Babar Azam

Babar Azam speaking at end of the 1st T20I versus South Africa

"The boys put in a good effort today; If we talk about the powerplay we bowled a few bad overs due to which the match became so close but here I give credit to the spinners where Usman and Nawaz bowled well; Usman stepped in and turned the game in our favour which really helped us"

"In the end the fast-bowlers made a good comeback and brought us back in the game"

"At start of the innings, the ball wasnt coming that nicely on to the bat, so in those conditions you have to play carefully and build partnerships which comes handy later on; But we lacked in that and played too many shots and lost lots of wickets but let me give credit to Rizwan for the way he took hold of the innings and also helped other batsmen around him"

"Due to fog we had some trouble sighting the ball but the boys did not let that be an excuse and gave it their 100% and we also saw a lot of improvement in our fielding effort"