Pakistan name T20I squad for tour of Australia: Imam, Khushdil, Irfan, Musa, Qadir selected

[Ahmed_99]

Lahore, 21 October 2019:

In the 20-over format, Musa will team up with Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan, the 2.16m tall left-armer who has been included to further bolster the fast bowling attack while keeping an eye on next year’s ICC T20 World Cup Australia 2020.

In the T20I side, they have included Bannu’s 24-year-old middle-order batsman Khushdil Shah and 26-year-old wrist spinner Usman Qadir of Lahore, who has played seven Big Bash League matches for Perth Scorchers.

In the ongoing National T20 Cup, Khushdil has scored 93 runs for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at an impressive strike-rate of over 160. Khushdil was the second highest run-getter in the Pakistan Cup 2019, scoring 316 runs at 105.33 with the help of two centurieswhile Usman has taken four wickets at an economy-rate of under seven.

Explaining his selections, chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said: “We know that Australia will present different and exciting challenges for us. There is a need to play a different type of cricket, the balance of the squads is reflective of us having options to play aggressive, attacking cricket

“For the T20Is, Mohammad Irfan has been rewarded for the form he has shown recently. Based on horses for courses and his form, the Australian conditions will present Irfan with the opportunity to excel. This selection has also been made while looking at next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, which will be played in Australia. If we can successfully manage his workload, then he can be a valuable asset for us in next global event.

“Similarly, Khushdil Shah has been added as he is in-form and has displayed his power-hitting abilities, while Usman Qadir brings to the table his experience of playing in Australia. Usman also provides cover for Shadab Khan, who is on track for reclaiming his match form.

“Asif Ali has been retained due to his sparkling form in the National T20 Cup, while we have kept faith in Iftikhar Ahmed who has all the ability and talent in the middle-order.”

Hasan Ali was not considered for the tour as he is still recovering from his back injury, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has been picked only for Tests to ensure his safe return to international cricket after picking dengue virus in August.

Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik were not considered as part of the selectors’ forward-looking strategy.

The T20I side will depart for Sydney on 26 October, while the Test players will leave for Perth after featuring in the fifth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which will be played from 28-31 October.

Pakistan squads for Australia tour (age and team names in brackets):

T20Is (average age of the side is 26)

1. Babar Azam (captain) (25, Central Punjab)
2. Asif Ali (28, Northern)
3. Fakhar Zaman (29, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
4. Haris Sohail (30, Balochistan)
5. Iftikhar Ahmed (29, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
6. Imad Wasim (30, Northern)
7. Imam-ul-Haq (23, Balochistan)
8. Khushdil Shah (24, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
9. Mohammad Amir (27, Northern)
10. Mohammad Hasnain (19, Sindh)
11. Mohammad Irfan (37, Southern Punjab)
12. Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (27, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
13. Musa Khan (17, Northern)
14. Shadab Khan (21, Northern)
15. Usman Qadir (26, Central Punjab)
16. Wahab Riaz (34, Southern Punjab)


Series schedule

31 October – T20 warm-up match v CA XI, Bankstown, Sydney
3 November – 1st T20I, Sydney
5 November – 2nd T20I, Canberra
8 November – 3rd T20I, Perth

_____________________


Wow. Didn't expect to see some of these names like Musa or Naseem Shah or even Irfan!

How's Usman Qadir been performing? Thought they would have gone maybe with Umer Khan or Zafar Gohar

 

[shah_1]

Usman Shinwari being dropped is shocking

 

[Danyaalr01]

Usman Shinwari being dropped is shocking

for grandpa Irfan

 

[Danyaalr01]

I hope Musa and Hasnain get to bowl together in the t20is. Looks unlikely as the senior legends Wahab and Irfan will get preference.

 

[Mercurial]

Usman Shinwari being dropped is shocking

He is an ODI specialist.

 

[Asif321]

any explaniation of Dropping shinwari ?????

 

[another drop catch]

For once Pak have taken a bold step,
Let us appreciate it

 

[Khan12]

any explaniation of Dropping shinwari ?????

A rubbish t20 bowler. Rightfully dropped.

 

[hussain.r97]

Usman Shinwari being dropped is shocking

Usman has honestly been poor in T20s, to be honest, but replacing him with Irfan is an atrocious decision.

 

[Mueez]

Yes by selecting Imran and irfan. But, not as bad it could have been.

Irfan’s height could be used in the third T20I in Perth.

 

[Danyaalr01]

He is an ODI specialist.

Yeah, that's true.

 

[Mueez]

Naseem Shah has been rightfully not been selected for the T20s.

He hasn’t performed much in the National T20 Cup.

Looking forward to see Khushdil Shah and Musa.

 

[Asif321]

Misbah is a double faced speaker . after loss to srilanka he was saying seniors are important and was accusing media that they always are against seniors like hafeez and malik and now drops them ?

 

[Mueez]

Misbah is a double faced speaker . after loss to srilanka he was saying seniors are important and was accusing media that they always are against seniors li hafeez and malik and now drops them ?

Wants to be in the good books of all

 

[Mesozoic]

And there were people saying that Misbah doesn't like new players.

Anyways, what on earth is Imam ul Haq doing in a T20 squad ?

 

[Indiafan]

So the Akmal, Shehzad experiment is over

 

[Abdullah719]

Misbah is a double faced speaker . after loss to srilanka he was saying seniors are important and was accusing media that they always are against seniors like hafeez and malik and now drops them ?

He said they are good players of spin.

 

[Khan12]

Why on earth hasn't amad butt and amir yamin been selected.

 

[hussain.r97]

Not bad, but I think the Test squad selection was much better. Usman Qadir, Irfan, and Imam are all poor selections IMO.

 

[Mueez]

And there were people saying that Misbah doesn't like new players.

Anyways, what on earth is Imam ul Haq doing in a T20 squad ?

Imam is the second or third highest run-scorer in National T20 Cup...

Also had a decent PSL.

 

[Mercurial]

No Hafeez and Malik in the T20I squad? There goes the T20I series.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Why Irfan, Qadir, and Imam have been selected in T20s?

The squads overall for both formats are good but you can see the Misbah trademark in those squad in shape of few players.

 

[Abdullah719]

No Hafeez and Malik in the T20I squad? There goes the T20I series.

Yes, their averages of 15 in Australia would certainly be a massive boost to the side.

 

[nextover666666]

Very happy to see Musa khan I know people will be Agaisnt him for his height but i think he will be fine and good see see khushdil shah as well

A little shocked too see irfan and Usman Qadir their

And dissappointed too see imam ul haq for a t20 sqaud like seriously

 

[Mercurial]

I don't get Musa and Hasnain's selections. I vehemently oppose it. Both have mediocre domestic stats. Why not let them prove themselves in domestic cricket first rather than ending their careers prematurely?

 

[big_gamer007]

Imam and Irfan are appalling selections. Other than that, selections are as expected.

 

[Ahmed216]

Decent test squad but some very strange T20 selections

 

[Mercurial]

Yes, their averages of 15 in Australia would certainly be a massive boost to the side.

It was a sarcastic attempt.

 

[Mercurial]

Imam and Irfan are appalling selections. Other than that, selections are as expected.

Imad has a good domestic T20 record.

 

[Omer2002]

20 20 is a micky mouse thing anyways..but i like Irfan he is something different for sure..pity about his batting and fielding

 

[re82h]

I thought Usman Qadir had decided to qualify to play for Australia. Once he plays for Pakistan he basically won't have that Australia option. But I guess he has probably realised Australia have some good young spinners ahead of him in the pecking order so realistically he wasn't going to make it to Australian side.

Its a shame his Dad the great Abdul Qadir isn't around to see his selection.

 

[Mueez]

Usman Qadir should make his late Daddy proud.

Wish him good luck!

 

[Mamoon]

Irfan was a totally absurd selection. If he was of little use in Australia in 2015, what hope is there in 2019? He was finished years ago and there is no justification for his selection.

 

[hadi123]

Interesting selections. Fakhar shouldn't be there, perhaps Awais Zia or Ahsan Ali could have been picked. Irfan being recalled is surprising. Glad UKS was dropped. He is an ODI specialist.

Feel Mohammad Mohsin, Aamer Yamin, Amad Butt could have been picked.

 

[hussain.r97]

Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam*
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan+
Iftikhar Ahmed
Khushdil Shah/Asif Ali
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Wahab Riaz
Mohammad Hasnain/Musa Khan

If this big hitter experiment with Ifti, Khushdil, or Asif comes off, then our lower order problem will be solved. Shaheen will eventually slot back in for whoever is doing the poorest. Shaping up to be very good looking team on paper.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Irfan shouldn't have been selected. Maybe Sameen Gul instead.

 

[Rana]

Shinwari is garbage

He will cost us games when it matters most

 

[babajee]

Should have let Hasnain play FC cricket instead of dragging him along for these T20s.

 

[angrypathan]

Wouldn't complain if Irfan picks up a niggle in the warm up. Imam's selection is also baffling

 

[asfandyar]

I think Usman's selection is as a tribute to his father who died recently. Other than that, he is as mediocre as they come.

 

[big_gamer007]

Imad has a good domestic T20 record.

I am talking about Imam ul Haq (Inzi's nephew), he isn't suitable for T20's. He is good for ODI & Test matches. Should be kept away from T20s. Imad Wasim is Pakistan's 2nd best T20 player after Babar, deserves a place for sure.

 

[Danyaalr01]

I am talking about Imam ul Haq (Inzi's nephew), he isn't suitable for T20's. He is good for ODI & Test matches. Should be kept away from T20s. Imad Wasim is Pakistan's 2nd best T20 player after Babar, deserves a place for sure.

He was talking about Imam, he is having a good national t20 cup. But I wouldn't pick him either, he won't do well in Aus t20Is as he can't attack the short ball.

 

[big_gamer007]

He was talking about Imam, he is having a good national t20 cup. But I wouldn't pick him either, he won't do well in Aus t20Is as he can't attack the short ball.

What was his record in national T20 cup? His issue is not consistency, his main issue is he lacks the next gear which is required in T20's. What was his SR in the recently concluded tournament?

 

[Sher Khan]

Irfan was a totally absurd selection. If he was of little use in Australia in 2015, what hope is there in 2019? He was finished years ago and there is no justification for his selection.

Shocking selection for sure. I wonder if he can still roll his arm over?

 

[Abdullah719]

What was his record in national T20 cup? His issue is not consistency, his main issue is he lacks the next gear which is required in T20's. What was his SR in the recently concluded tournament?

Tournament is ongoing.

PSL stats:

 

[big_gamer007]

Tournament is ongoing.

PSL stats:

I wouldn't lie, his record on paper in these tournaments look very impressive. Even Shehzad looks impressive. How is the quality of bowling? If both Shehzad and Imam are unable to replicate this form at international level, it might be due to lack of quality bowlers in domestics.
But having seen his recent record, I would say his inclusion is not as appalling as I thought it was.

 

[Titan24]

I wouldn't lie, his record on paper in these tournaments look very impressive. Even Shehzad looks impressive. How is the quality of bowling? If both Shehzad and Imam are unable to replicate this form at international level, it might be due to lack of quality bowlers in domestics.
But having seen his recent record, I would say his inclusion is not as appalling as I thought it was.

Imam is someone who has been improving or trying to improve since his debut and his T20 format’s performances at domestic level and giving a chance at international level (Will only be his 2nd match) is a reflection of that. With now 6 domestic teams every bowler he had to face was a decent bowler atleast and he provided start for his team Baluchistan in every match and played a big role in them being at the top of the table.

For Shehzad or Akmal the problem has ben to transfer performances as international level but Imam on the other hand fares better at that level which can be seen from the fact that 7 out of his 8 List A centuries are in ODIs.

 

[Hasan123]

Other than Imam and Irfan it isn't that bad a squad. Would have preferred someone like Gohar instead of Qadir. But this is better than the last squad.

 

[moghul]

Our other bowlers are short ( Musa and co ), Irfan is there just to improve the average height,

 

[Markhor]

Thought Khushdil Shah looked very limited when I caught a brief glimpse of him during PSL.

However he has impressed domestically. Irfan is a peculiar choice whilst I'm guessing Qadir's there because of his BBL experience. Musa is a gutsy bowler but fear he might be a Hasan Ali V2.

 

[Markhor]

No Fahim or Nawaz which is welcome.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

A 37 year old fast bowler, not a very good one and the worst fielder I have ever seen. Great choice.

 

[Rayyman]

Very good squad. Irfan is the only questionable selection. But maybe he can do well.

 

[coy0607]

some (surprisingly) bold moves from Misbah with the selection of Musa, Husnain, Khushdil and Qadir - I just hope these guys don't sit on the bench

But then he selects the 35 year old Wahab and 37 year old Irfan - leaves a bad aftertaste

Also, how long will Asif be carried based on domestic performances when he clearly isn't an international caliber player ?

 

[Canistani Hero]

Imam won't play any games - he's just there to conserve fuel costs as he's in the test squad as well. Happy for Khushdil but he has to play all 3 games. Would've taken Ammad butt ahead of Irfan

 

[Titan24]

A 37 year old fast bowler, not a very good one and the worst fielder I have ever seen. Great choice.

Bit like Ashish Nehra coming in the Indian side for the 2016 T20 WC. Irfan will remain in the team only if he does decently and the max duration of his presence will be till T20 WC by the looks of it.

 

[Rayyman]

These T20Is are really important because the WC next year is in the same country. And Pak's 1st game in the tournament is vs Australia.

I would play this at Sydney:

Fakhar
Babar*
Haris
Asif
Rizwan+
Iftikhar
Imad
Shadab
Wahab
Amir
Irfan

Hasnain comes in for Shadab for the last 2 matches.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Usman Shinwari being dropped is shocking

Not too surprised by Usman Shinwari's exclusion, But more surprised by Omission of Faheem Ashraf he has been a Regular since Champion trophy also Junaid Khan not included. Plus Shaheen Shah Afridi not in the T20i side (is it due to illness? or Misbah wants him just for tests).
Mohd Irfan can bowl one good spell per match , which makes him a fairly dangerous T20 bowler.


Very Happy With Abid Ali inclusion in the test squad. Hope he plays in place of Shan Masood.

 

[HGhazanfar]

Couple of issues Imad Wasim will be useless better off to go with Amad Butt here. Imam will struggle big time especially against short ball - Ahmed Shehzad should have been given the whole series just compare their performances in the recent T20 cup. Fakhar needs to be benched has done nothing since the Champions trophy final. Haris Sohail is too slow of a player for T20 cant play Babar and Haris together and Hasnain struggles with line and lenght no point of pace.

Ideally should have gone with the below and invested in Rizwan Hussain even if he struggles.

1. Babar Azam
2. Ahmed Shehzad
3. Rizwan Hussain
4. M Rizwan WK
5. Khusdil Shah
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Ammad Butt
8. Usman Qadir/Shadab Khan
9. Wahab Riaz
10. M Musa
11. M Amir

Bench
Asif Ali
Shaheen Afridi
2nd leggie
Zafar Gohar

 

[shamaan]

Fakhar
Babar
Harris
Rizwan
Iftikhar
Asif
Imad
Shadab
Wahab
Amir
Irfan

 

[Monsee]

'Usman Qadir'...only team in the world that selects a bowler who barely plays in Pakistan and having played in Big Bash most Aussie T20 batsmen will be quite familiar with his bowling!

Mystery, that is overrated, it is all about exposing your qualities well, well ahead of time

 

[Asif321]

Gosh I missed it
Imam is in T20 squad are you kidding me?

 

[Chikkeh]

The bounce on the aussie wickets is perfect for big Mo Irfan he will trouble the batsmen..

 

[hitthestump]

I am no fan of spray gun Shinwari but his treatment has been absolutely appalling.

Surprisingly dropped before the WC for a teenager. The very next series he's brought back in then all of a sudden he is dropped again. Absolutely nothing in that process was justified at all.

Make your mind up on the guy Misbah. Either he's good enough or he isn't.

I have a feeling there is going to be significant insecurity under Misbah's helm and the players are going to be forced to play selfishly for their spots every single game.

 

[hitthestump]

Gosh I missed it
Imam is in T20 squad are you kidding me?

Hasn't looked bad in the t20 cup to be honest.

He has shown constant improvement since coming into the national side and at this rate his position in all 3 formats is well deserved.

 

[CricketDon]

How the hell asif Ali keeps getting selected is baffling. Un19 batsman from Australia England Australia are miles ahead and barely finished puberty.

 

[hitthestump]

Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam*
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan+
Iftikhar Ahmed
Khushdil Shah/Asif Ali
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Wahab Riaz
Mohammad Hasnain/Musa Khan

If this big hitter experiment with Ifti, Khushdil, or Asif comes off, then our lower order problem will be solved. Shaheen will eventually slot back in for whoever is doing the poorest. Shaping up to be very good looking team on paper.

We better hope Khudshil or Asif come off otherwise next year we will see that spot taken up by Malik or Hafeez. We won't even be able to blame Misbah at that point.

 

[Nasty Naz]

It's disgusting seeing Irfan get selected. I can't believe he's had a International career as long as he's had. A totally mediocre bowler who is the worst fielder the cricket game has ever seen and a total zero with the bat. If he was an exceptional bowler to make up for the runs he gives up due to his fielding, it could be fine but a 37 year old bowler who hasn't even bowled in the International level for years is being brought back to the squad. I wish there was a stat that actually showed how many runs Irfan has been below average or how many runs he costs you per game due to his fielding. I'm sure it would be an astronomical number.

At least they managed to do one good thing and selected Khushdil Shah.

 

[PakLFC]

Where did Usman Qadir come from all of a sudden??. Riaz and Wahab shouldn't be there anymore looking towards next years WC. Whose Abdul Qadir's son that was gonna play for the Aussies?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

I told you guys we're screwed.

 

[The Viper]

Irfan and Usman Qadir!

Terrible picks by Misbah. Usman Qadir is as mediocre as it gets- he bowls far too much loose lengths and instead of bowling faster, he bowls far too slow. There is a reason why he flopped in Big Bash.

So much spinners could have been picked such as Muhammad Mohsin, Zahid Mahmmod, Umer Khan to name a few.

 

[srh]

So the Akmal, Shehzad experiment is over

may come back from dead, you never know with Pak cricket

 

[srh]

this is a poor squad; Imam, Irfan, Rizwan and Usman are terrible selections for T20I team

 

[Rayyman]

[

I told you guys we're screwed.

Misbah's strange selections since his appointment as CS:
-Selecting Asif Ali for ODIs

-Recalling "29 years young" Iftikhar Ahmed

-Calling back Nawaz only to drop him for the next series

-Retaining 35 year old Wahab Riaz for ODIs

-Recalling the failure Ahmed Shehzad

-Recalling an overweight Umar Akmal

-Recalling a 37 year old unfit Mohammad Irfan

-Making Azhar Ali Test match captain

-Picking 4 uncapped players in a Test squad on a tour to Australia

-Selecting 32 year old Kashif Bhatti over Zafar Gohar

-Recalling the medium pacer- Imran Khan, whose international career should have been over after Warner scored a century in one session

-Selecting two inexperienced teenagers over bowlers who have been doing well (Sameen, Ehsan, etc.)

Already 12-13 poor selections out of just 35 odd players who have been named in the squads. Some of which have been his friends.

I'm afraid this might just be the beginning.

 

[Acricfan]

To me Usman Qadir could be a selection call made by Babar Azam. Usman Qadir is known to be friends with him, which could have influenced the decision.

 

[Danyaalr01]

To me Usman Qadir could be a selection call made by Babar Azam. Usman Qadir is known to be friends with him, which could have influenced the decision.

I think it media influenced. After the Sri Lanka series Misbah was asked "where is Shadab's replacement", Misbah said there are no leggies in Pakistan, to which the media replied "What about Usman Qadir", Misbah replied "He isn't in Pakistan, if he was then he would be considered". That's where Misbah shot himself in the foot, he has had to stick to his word or the media would be after him again. Usman is a below average leggie who will get smashed in Australia.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Only one positive in this sequad, is Khushdil shah

 

[Barragan]

Aus is one place with big boundaries and you need guys who can really strike the ball very well.

Except for Zaman and Asif, none of the other batsmen are capable of really muscling the ball.

There are plenty of chances to get ones and twos, but those won't make a difference in T20's.

Compare to the Aus side, who have Warner, Finch, Maxwell and Lynn - guys that can really hammer it.

Next year, WI (just need their bowling to click) and Aus will be favourites because of their firepower.

 

[nam]

Absolutely ridiculous decision to hand over T20 captaincy to Babar Azam. Sarfraz clearly made the scape goat here. How can you expect a side to win with Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad? T20 world cup is around the corner and Sarfraz captaincy record in T20 is second to none. PCB in shambles! I would be really surprised if Pakistan can pull off even one win in Australia. Ridiculous!

 

[Danyaalr01]

Absolutely ridiculous decision to hand over T20 captaincy to Babar Azam. Sarfraz clearly made the scape goat here. How can you expect a side to win with Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad? T20 world cup is around the corner and Sarfraz captaincy record in T20 is second to none. PCB in shambles! I would be really surprised if Pakistan can pull off even one win in Australia. Ridiculous!

What did Sarfaraz do in all those mathces we won. Nothing. In all the mathces Babar performed, or Fakhar or Imad or Shadab or Hafeez or Shaheen or Amir. I only remember one against NZ at Eden Park in his 3 year stint as captain. His leadership had very little to do with it. It was the players who performed. We saw what happenned when these guys failed against Sri Lanka, Sarfaraz had no answer. He looked helpless in the field. His expression showed he didn't know what to do.