Pakistan name squad for New Zealand Tests (Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani & Sajid Khan added)

[MenInG]

Pakistan have named an uncapped middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam and fast bowler Hasan Ali in the 16-player squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which will commence at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena on Monday, 26 December.

Kamran has replaced Azhar Ali, who announced his retirement last week, while Hasan Ali has taken over from Mohammad Ali, who, like Faheem Ashraf, has been advised to participate in the ongoing Pakistan Cup in Karachi.

Haris Rauf has not been included in the squad as he is recovering from an injury he sustained while fielding in the Rawalpindi Test. However, fast bowler Naseem Shah, who missed the Multan and Karachi Tests due to a shoulder niggle, has been being declared fit and as such, retained in the squad.

Test squad:

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood

Umpire and match referee appointments for the series:

26-30 December - 1st Test, Karachi. Alex Wharf and Aleem Dar (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)

3-7 January – 2nd Test, Multan. Alex Wharf and Aleem Dar (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

10 January – 1st ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

12 January – 2nd ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

14 January – 3rd ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

 

[Mamoon]

I really hope Kamran gets to play over the failure Masood but it is unlikely to happen.

He was picked for the Australian series too & warmed the bench.

Naseem should have been dropped too & replaced with a seasoned FC bowler who doesn’t go at 4 am over 9/10 times.

 

[PakEngFan]

No Mir Hamza, Mubasir, Huraira , Zafar gohar but Hasan Ali returns due to friendship and zahid mehmood is still retained. Won’t be wasting my time watching them play anymore. Good bye cricket Pakistan.

 

[Rana]

The only changes I expect to the first XI is:

Imam in for Masood
Kamran in for Azhar
Hassan in for Faheem
Nawaz in for Nauman

Rizwan will play

 

[shah_1]

Hopefully Faheem's test career should be over.

Last announcement by Mohammad Wasim I think, he will be sacked soon.

 

[Rana]

People are trying to make out Huraira as if he is some kind of Eddie Guerrero of Test cricket

He will play when the time is right. Relax everyone!

 

[shah_1]

Why didn't Mir Hamza get picked? Thankfully Waseem will be sacked soon, a rubbish selector who continuously ignores many domestic performers.

 

[MenInG]

Kamran has been picked in place of Azahr Ali

 

[Markhor]

Our management do not have two brain cells to rub together.

Pace attack still looks pathetic. Where's Mir Hamza ? He had a better QEA season than Hasan Ali. Mohammad Abbas also outperformed him.

Zahid Mehmood is still there ! Another terrible squad.

 

[Rana]

Our management do not have two brain cells to rub together.

Pace attack still looks pathetic. Where's Mir Hamza ? He had a better QEA season than Hasan Ali. Mohammad Abbas also outperformed him.

Zahid Mehmood is still there ! Another terrible squad.

Its cheaper to keep the guys who are already there to wing through another week or so (travel and hotel expenses).

I think Zahid needs to be escorted back home if he is axed anyways, he cant travel alone.

 

[shah_1]

Kamran has been picked in place of Azahr Ali

Kamran wasn't even a top 10 scorer in this season .

 

[alone1213]

Lol hahahahah Hasan Ali got dropped due to poor performance and he is back and the most useless player ever zahid Mahmood is still in the squad.
I m very very frustrated right now.

I really really really hope that this Mohammad Wasim selector guy get kicked out hard.

 

[shariqnoor]

Aleem Dar the umpire in all 3 Tests. Gutted. With Aleem Dar, always remember:

"If you have a 50-50 chance of getting it right, you have a 100% chance of getting it wrong."

 

[pak.cricket]

Pace bowling is still ordinary. Naseem and wasim jr. do not belong in this team. Both are LOI bowlers not test. Also, Yasir shah should have replaced zahid. Yasir shah even at this stage of his career is still far better than zahid mehmood. Moreover, What is Rizwan doing in the team? He does not belong to international cricket especially in tests.Agha Salman should also have been dropped. He is not good enough to bat in top 6 and he cannot bat with tail either.

 

[pak.cricket]

Kamran wasn't even a top 10 scorer in this season .

Picked on current form probably. Scoring loads of runs in pakistan cup.

 

[Zaz]

What trees has hasan ali pulled out that hes back again?

Hes another whos had a poor fc season and is suddenly back over better day in day out performers like Mir Hamza

 

[Zaz]

Kamran wasn't even a top 10 scorer in this season .

He avges 47 in Fc cricket Thats decent

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Hopefully Zahid and Wasim Jr will be dropped before test series starts, and hopefully Zafar Gohar and Sameen Gul/Mir Hamza are picked.

Our pace unit without Shaheen is a toothless kitten.

Please no part timers in the final eleven. better to go in with 6 proper batters, 1 wicketkeeper (who bats at 7) and 2 proper spinners and 2 proper pacers. Neither Nawaz nor Agha can do enough to play as a batter or spinner alone. Need to pick one proper middle order batter in place of them.

 

[Bewal Express]

Kamran def deserves his chance, although I have my doubts. Mubashir and Huraira should have come in to the squad and in Mubashir case, he should be playing and batting at 7

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Well, many posters did say that Hasan Ali would strengthen the bowling considering he was the best bowler in 2021.
We will see if there's any merit to it.

Top domestic wicket takers in QEA are mostly trundlers anyway. Much of a muchness. Mir Hamza adds variety as a left armer but from what I've seen he is not particularly great either.

Mubasir had to come in here. Since PAK bowling is weak, they should've added Hurraira, Mubasir at 7, Nawaz at 8 , Abrar and then 2 seamers

 

[shah_1]

Picked on current form probably. Scoring loads of runs in pakistan cup.

different format

 

[shah_1]

Well, many posters did say that Hasan Ali would strengthen the bowling considering he was the best bowler in 2021.
We will see if there's any merit to it.

Top domestic wicket takers in QEA are mostly trundlers anyway. Much of a muchness. Mir Hamza adds variety as a left armer but from what I've seen he is not particularly great either.

Mubasir had to come in here. Since PAK bowling is weak, they should've added Hurraira, Mubasir at 7, Nawaz at 8 , Abrar and then 2 seamers

Pace is very overrated in test cricket.

 

[PakHammer]

Can't see Kamran coming in. Top 3 will be Abdullah, Imam & Shan.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pace is very overrated in test cricket.

It isnt if you have a release height and relentless accuracy + movement and good plans etc. The point I was trying to make was that the replacements are not going to do much better than Mohammad Ali. Atleast there's there's strong possibility of that.

PAK pace attack generally can't out think and prise out wickets with good planning backed by good tactics and catching.

They rely more on pace and attacking the stumps to get bowleds and lbws. None of the QEA bowlers have that.

Only Shaheen, Naseem, Rauf, Hasnain etc have that kinda pace.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Kamran wasn't even a top 10 scorer in this season .

Kamran has performed for quite a few seasons, also did well for Shaheens when they toured SL. He should never have been dropped from squad and was replaced by fake batsmen and all rounder Salman Agha

 

[Amjid Javed]

Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood

Should all not be in this squad

 

[Rana]

Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood

Should all not be in this squad

Rizwan is vice captain. He’s going nowhere

 

[Amjid Javed]

I really hope Kamran gets to play over the failure Masood but it is unlikely to happen.

He was picked for the Australian series too & warmed the bench.

Naseem should have been dropped too & replaced with a seasoned FC bowler who doesn’t go at 4 am over 9/10 times.

Knowing how dumb Babar is he will probably use Shan at 3, such is the incompetence when it comes to selection.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Rizwan is vice captain. He’s going nowhere

Vice captain and passenger, needs to be dropped and learn how to bat, seems to spend longer preaching these days then he does time at the crease.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistans Pacers need to be used in shirt spells with new ball and then the reversing ball. Spinners then should be doing bulk of the bowling.

Mir Hamza and sameen Gul should have been called up.

Hasan Ali has Been poor for a year but he's better then rest of Pacers in squad, hopefully he will regain form here.

 

[Barragan]

No Huairara, Salahuddin, Mubasir or Zafar Gohar?

Why is Hassan Ali there?

He has done nothing domestically and M. Abbas was far more deserving.

 

[Amjid Javed]

So we have just lost 3-0 and selectors think that 2 changes to squad is sufficient, Mo wasim clueless safety 1st approach as always.

When people can't even recognise issues in team no wonder its in a mess.

 

[Titan24]

Really good to see Kamran in the squad. Not seeing Mubasir Khan is pretty disappointing as he has been really good in last two QAE seasons with both bat and bowl, as possibly the best off spinner currently in Pakistan could have been handy against lefties in Nz ranks.

 

[JibranAnsari]

A big no to Salahuddin , he is worse than Azhar Ali. Just watch him bat.

Mubasir and Hurrajea are too raw at the moment ,they need experience . Hasan Ali doesnt deserve t to be in the squad, has had a poor quaide azam .

trophy.

mir hamza should have been in the squad , years of experience and performance. M abbas is injured i think. Should have given more chances to mohammad ali and for Gods sake make a pitch where quicks can bowl too.

 

[Shafi]

So Babar and his friends along with mr. Fraud and others kept their positions. Why bother remove Ramiz? Is Sethi any better. Just got top job by replacing Ramiz. Rest are same.

 

[Farah Sohail]

Thwre were rumors that Rizwan would be rested for this series..but he is still there.. (should have been dropped) as long as babar is the captain, he will never drop Rizwan

After playing Zahid Mahmood fpr two tests..they dropped him..but now he is again in the squad… why not Yasir Shah or zafar gohar?

Hasan Ali is back as he is Babar’s favorite

 

[moghul]

It gives me headache to see that pathetic age fudger Hasan Ali keep coming back . Can;t we try someone new like Dahani ?

Rizwan has proved, once gain , his lobby is too strong.

Zahid ?? really, Nawaz too ?? , what will it take for Gohar to get a chance ? How old is Nauman now ?

 

[muqarrab]

Pakistan have named an uncapped middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam and fast bowler Hasan Ali in the 16-player squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which will commence at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena on Monday, 26 December.

Kamran has replaced Azhar Ali, who announced his retirement last week, while Hasan Ali has taken over from Mohammad Ali, who, like Faheem Ashraf, has been advised to participate in the ongoing Pakistan Cup in Karachi.

Haris Rauf has not been included in the squad as he is recovering from an injury he sustained while fielding in the Rawalpindi Test. However, fast bowler Naseem Shah, who missed the Multan and Karachi Tests due to a shoulder niggle, has been being declared fit and as such, retained in the squad.

Test squad:

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood

Umpire and match referee appointments for the series:

26-30 December - 1st Test, Karachi. Alex Wharf and Aleem Dar (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)

3-7 January – 2nd Test, Multan. Alex Wharf and Aleem Dar (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

10 January – 1st ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

12 January – 2nd ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

14 January – 3rd ODI, Karachi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee)

What has Zahid Mehmood done to keep his place?

What should Mir Hamza and Usman Salahuddin do to get selected?

M. Wasim again proving to be a stupid selector.

 

[Ami]

People are trying to make out Huraira as if he is some kind of Eddie Guerrero of Test cricket

He will play when the time is right. Relax everyone!

Common sense.

 

[Loralai]

No Zafar Gohar, Sameen Gul or Mir Hamza. No Usman Salahuddin either.

Instead we have serial choker Hasan Ali return. Not sure why Sarfraz, Nouman and Zahid are in the squad either. It would be a great opportunity to give chance to Haseebullah.

Looks like another whitewash incoming.

 

[WengerOut]

India recalled Unadkat of all people. Atleast Hasan Ali has skills and some pedigree.

 

[ElRaja]

lord have mercy, its obvious from top to bottom the PCB dont believe there is any issue with losing a home series 3-0.

expect super flat pitches and pak hoping to get some draws with this attack.

kamran ghulam deserves selection but its a year or two too late.

zahid and salman ali agha do not deserve to be retained, they fail to carry out their roles respectively. i dont see the point of salman batting at 7 as a specialist in tests.

 

[shamaan]

No Mir Hamza, Mubasir, Huraira , Zafar gohar but Hasan Ali returns due to friendship and zahid mehmood is still retained. Won’t be wasting my time watching them play anymore. Good bye cricket Pakistan.

Us fans are deluded to think thier was going to be multiple players going to be dropped.

 

[shamaan]

Kamran def deserves his chance, although I have my doubts. Mubashir and Huraira should have come in to the squad and in Mubashir case, he should be playing and batting at 7

Exactly Mubaair can score the runs Agha has and is much better bowler.

 

[shamaan]

This squad is still pathetic how an earth is Zahid still in the squad one of many other blunders!.
Wasim is timid risk free selections.

I will play
Imaam
Abdullah
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam
Kamran Ghullam
Rizwan
Agha
Hassan Ali
Nuaman
Abrar
Naseem Shah

 

[shamaan]

Shan Masood should not be batting at 3.

 

[ElRaja]

btw i couldnt find the presentation for the squad announcement? i wanted to see some slides about how zahid mehmood deserved to retain his place in the squad.

 

[RyanRyan10]

People are trying to make out Huraira as if he is some kind of Eddie Guerrero of Test cricket

He will play when the time is right. Relax everyone!

He topped domestic charts for two seasons in a row, also scoring at a healthy strike rate. He won't just produce great performances but can also change the way Pakistan batsmen approach test cricket.

 

[shamaan]

He topped domestic charts for two seasons in a row, also scoring at a healthy strike rate. He won't just produce great performances but can also change the way Pakistan batsmen approach test cricket.

But the two openers haven't really put a foot wrong I would have replaced Shan with Hurraira.

 

[u0sama]

Mir Hamza is also a medium pace trundler. His speed average 80 hardly.

 

[Ami]

If you want to try to win a game...they should go with this:

Imam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan

Nawaz
Hasan
Wasim
Naseem
Abrar

Extra bowling option.

However, if you want to draw or save a defeat:

Imam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Saud
AGHA

Rizwan
Hasan
Nauman
Naseem
Abrar

Would kove to see Kamran in there instead of Shan, but I don't think it will happen just yet.

There is no space for Zahid or Sarfraz in this line up.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Zahid and Noman

Anyways, 0-2 is loading nicely!

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

It gives me headache to see that pathetic age fudger Hasan Ali keep coming back . Can;t we try someone new like Dahani ?

Rizwan has proved, once gain , his lobby is too strong.

Zahid ?? really, Nawaz too ?? , what will it take for Gohar to get a chance ? How old is Nauman now ?

Hasan Ali would have had better stats against Leach, Root, the other dude and the new leggie.

But yeah, his bowling has been pretty average for a while now.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Is this squad void now?

 

[Rana]

Glenn Phillips is in the NZ squad

There is a good chance that he can be the Harry Brook/tormentor for Pakistan in this series

 

[PakHammer]

Did Mohammed Wasim select this squad?
I was under the impression that new temporary selection panel was going the pick the squad for the NZ series? If they did, they hardly made any changes considering we just got whitewashed at home

 

[Sidilicious]

For a minute I read Kamran Akmal and was a little shocked.

 

[Champ_Pal]

For a minute I read Kamran Akmal and was a little shocked.

Even I read it like that Pakistanis tend to have similar names. A small pool of names to pick from.

 

[Shafi]

I parchi replaced by another.

 

[Shafi]

Can anyone tell why M Wasim changed his attitude in selection when he became selector. He was doing good job with Northern team. Bringing out lots of talented youngsters. Something is not right here.

 

[MenInG]

Hold the press....

Najam Sethi in his presser

"I just want to say that a cricket team has been announced for the series. I don't know whether it's appropriate or not to make changes. We will discuss and see; we haven't made any decision yet"

 

[Rana]

Hold the press....

Najam Sethi in his presser

"I just want to say that a cricket team has been announced for the series. I don't know whether it's appropriate or not to make changes. We will discuss and see; we haven't made any decision yet"

Go on Najam! Change the captain and vice captain please

Boss move!

 

[Amjid Javed]

Hold the press....

Najam Sethi in his presser

"I just want to say that a cricket team has been announced for the series. I don't know whether it's appropriate or not to make changes. We will discuss and see; we haven't made any decision yet"

I hope he does make more changes to squad.

 

[MenInG]

I hope he does make more changes to squad.

Yes, lets do it 1 day before the 1st Test.

 

[SamNJ]

Can anyone tell why M Wasim changed his attitude in selection when he became selector. He was doing good job with Northern team. Bringing out lots of talented youngsters. Something is not right here.

He has lesser say than Babar and then Saqlain in selection.

 

[Rana]

I hope he does make more changes to squad.

100%

Consistency and fairness. Fawad dropped for one poor series but Rizwan continues and that too as vice captain for series upon series as a failure

 

[emranabbas]

Select any squad you want if the captain is clueless and doesn't understand field placements and when to change bowlers or recognise oppositions weaknesses then we are not going far

 

[Rana]

Bringing in Kamran Ghulam (a year too late) is a clear example of Panic.

Persisting with Rizwan as vice captain is a clear example of stubbornness and reluctance to accept your mistake. All your eggs were placed in this basket at the ousting of Sarfaraz.

Bringing back Hassan Ali, another clear example of panic

 

[James]

Yes, lets do it 1 day before the 1st Test.

this is probably what will happen.

 

[Rana]

Yes, lets do it 1 day before the 1st Test.

If I be honest, this is also due to the incompetence of the previous regime.

The writing was on the wall for them, they knew they were on their way out. They jumped the gun and announced a squad that reflected their inability to take accountability for their poor decisions and direction throughout their tenure.

The old regime should have consulted Sethi sab before firing away.

It’s ok I guess, they are gone now

 

[Farah Sohail]

Hold the press....

Najam Sethi in his presser

"I just want to say that a cricket team has been announced for the series. I don't know whether it's appropriate or not to make changes. We will discuss and see; we haven't made any decision yet"

I didnt read this.. infact I read that sethi has said that since team has already been announced..we will let it go…otherwise we would have looked into the team selection

 

[Amjid Javed]

Bringing in Kamran Ghulam (a year too late) is a clear example of Panic.

Persisting with Rizwan as vice captain is a clear example of stubbornness and reluctance to accept your mistake. All your eggs were placed in this basket at the ousting of Sarfaraz.

Bringing back Hassan Ali, another clear example of panic

100% agree on Ghulam, he should have played in Bangladesh series and Azhar should have been got rid of then. Entire WTC wasted picking TTFs and losers.

Hasan has been poor for a while, but with shaheen and naseem Shah being injured during england series he should have been put in squad to offer experience as he's still better then M Ali and Wasim Jnr

 

[Savak]

According to reports, the PM appointed advisory team has met and they have even debated making changes to the team for the first test, the team is officially supposed to report on Dec 25, 2022 and it is possible some changes can still be made to the team.

 

[Amjid Javed]

According to reports, the PM appointed advisory team has met and they have even debated making changes to the team for the first test, the team is officially supposed to report on Dec 25, 2022 and it is possible some changes can still be made to the team.

Fingers crossed changes will be made and hope rizwan, shan and a few others get the boot and hope babar is stripped off captaincy.

 

[Rana]

Fingers crossed changes will be made and hope rizwan, shan and a few others get the boot and hope babar is stripped off captaincy.

Perfect gift for the festive season

 

[Farah Sohail]

According to reports, the PM appointed advisory team has met and they have even debated making changes to the team for the first test, the team is officially supposed to report on Dec 25, 2022 and it is possible some changes can still be made to the team.

Is there any chance of captaincy change?

 

[Nasty Naz]

Fingers crossed changes will be made and hope rizwan, shan and a few others get the boot and hope babar is stripped off captaincy.

Rizwan should be dropped because Pakistan have an abundance of elite wicketkeepers in the system that are being blocked I guess? Or are we pining for an over the hill Sarfraz to play now?

Or are we pining for Haseebullah & Rohail 34 FC average now?

 

[Bewal Express]

100% agree on Ghulam, he should have played in Bangladesh series and Azhar should have been got rid of then. Entire WTC wasted picking TTFs and losers.

Hasan has been poor for a while, but with shaheen and naseem Shah being injured during england series he should have been put in squad to offer experience as he's still better then M Ali and Wasim Jnr

And Hasan too would have been smashed. We need tall bowlers and the only one that could develop is Ihsanullah

 

[RyanRyan10]

Can't believe some want Rizwan to be dropped just for failing in a few matches. He still averages 39 which is better than FC average of the youngsters.

 

[James]

Can't believe some want Rizwan to be dropped just for failing in a few matches. He still averages 39 which is better than FC average of the youngsters.

Wondering if 6 is too high in the order for him.

7 seems more appropriate.