Pakistan ODI team has too many passengers

[gazza619]

I know we are all happy celebrating the first ODI win against SA. I would still like to highlight the massive flaws in our ODI team:

No.4: Riz at no.4 is just not working and the sooner he realises this is a spot for a specialist batter, the better.

No.7: Irfan at no.7 does not give me any confidence. I think it is about time Pakistan considers other options.

No.8: Shaheen. Enough said. This is an important batting position in ODIs and Pakistan might want to consider any all rounders.

Fast bowling: As much as I like Naseem’s fighting spirit as a tail-end batter, he looks toothless as a bowler and does not look like picking any wickets. If he does not pick up his game then it is time to say bye bye to him.

Openers: Abdullah’s focus on style only is a concern.

Alternatives: Well we have of course decent options in Fakhar, Saud, Sajid, Abbass & Jamal.

 

[khyberlion]

Rizwan shouldn't bat any higher than 6. Get someone like saud at 4. Today we got away with Shaheen batting at 8. We won't get away with it all the time.

Naseem needs to go.
Abdullah needs to be replaced by fakhar
Irfan should be given this series. If not get bat rizwan at 7.
Abrar bowled well today on a supportive wicket but I don't see much future for him. I would personally replace him with Arafat Minhas.
A line up of the below will be pretty solid.
Saim ayub
Fakhar zaman
Babar azam
Saud shakeel
Kamran ghulam
Salman agha
Rizwan
Arafat / amir Jamal
Jahandad
Shaheen
Haris rauf

 

[mominsaigol]

I know we are all happy celebrating the first ODI win against SA. I would still like to highlight the massive flaws in our ODI team:

No.4: Riz at no.4 is just not working and the sooner he realises this is a spot for a specialist batter, the better.

No.7: Irfan at no.7 does not give me any confidence. I think it is about time Pakistan considers other options.

No.8: Shaheen. Enough said. This is an important batting position in ODIs and Pakistan might want to consider any all rounders.

Fast bowling: As much as I like Naseem’s fighting spirit as a tail-end batter, he looks toothless as a bowler and does not look like picking any wickets. If he does not pick up his game then it is time to say bye bye to him.

Openers: Abdullah’s focus on style only is a concern.

Alternatives: Well we have of course decent options in Fakhar, Saud, Sajid, Abbass & Jamal.

This is the first time you've made a sensible thread. And the 2nd time you've written a sensible post lol.

Shukar Allah Ka.

 

[zaidihusain]

Saud is must @ no. 4. I can't understand why he is not in playing eleven

 

[stani_pak]

If Naseem and Afridi, are both playing than Naseem should always bat higher than Shaheen.

Regarding Rizwan at 4, I do agree, but issue is he is the captain of the team, so if he does not play at 4, what should be his batting position, genuine question, he is not performing with the bat, but I do not think PCB will remove him from Captain for ODI or T20 any time soon

 

[mominsaigol]

@gazza619

Let's identify everyone and their replacements.

1) Abdullah = Garbage, Replacment: Fakhar Zaman

2) Saim = Perfect and should keep his spot

3) Babar = Fandom is divided, Replacement = Kamran ghulam at 3

4) Rizwan at no 4 = Garbage, Replacment he saud shakeel

5) Kamram ghulam = He's fine for now, should bat higher

6) Agha = Fine as is

7) Niazi = Useless, Replacment = Muhammad haris at no 7

8) Shaheen = Useless at no 8, so should bat at 9 or 10.

9) Naseem Shah = Should bat at no 8, bad bowling skills so jamal or jahndad can replace

10) Rauf = Run machine, Better to replace him for Ali raza or jamal or jahndad

11) Abrar = Useless, Replace for sajid khan who's a better spinner and better batter, Sajid can bat at no 7 or 8.

12) Tayyab = more opportunities for now, but otherwise replace for omair bin yousaf

13) Usman Khan = Maybe try for odi due to 74 list A avg, but replace for Haris amd keep haris as backup keeper.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I know we are all happy celebrating the first ODI win against SA. I would still like to highlight the massive flaws in our ODI team:

No.4: Riz at no.4 is just not working and the sooner he realises this is a spot for a specialist batter, the better.

No.7: Irfan at no.7 does not give me any confidence. I think it is about time Pakistan considers other options.

No.8: Shaheen. Enough said. This is an important batting position in ODIs and Pakistan might want to consider any all rounders.

Fast bowling: As much as I like Naseem’s fighting spirit as a tail-end batter, he looks toothless as a bowler and does not look like picking any wickets. If he does not pick up his game then it is time to say bye bye to him.

Openers: Abdullah’s focus on style only is a concern.

Alternatives: Well we have of course decent options in Fakhar, Saud, Sajid, Abbass & Jamal.

We miss a middle order leftie & Saud should play in place of Kamran.

Fakhar should also be playing in ODIs as it's his best format. Babar honestly feels like a relic these days & Riz is struggling but idt that they'll drop Riz/Bab atm.

Amir Jamal is not a good bowler to be the 4th bowler & Abbas Afridi isn't a good batter to bat at 8. This is the conundrum that we have with no solution available. The absence of a true all-rounder means that the incumbent will be either an only one skill specialist like Abrar or a bits & pieces cricketer like Shadab/Imad/Ifti. For now, no matter what permutations we run, it'll be hard to have a balanced team.

Sidenote: Rizwan's captaincy results are fortunately decent in ODIs but his captaincy style is simply irritating. The non-stop chatter, guidelines to bowlers, chatting with fielders is simply unnecessary. Man really took PSL captaincy style to heart.

 

[Suleiman]

Babar needs to go. Been coasting on this supposed celebrity status for years now and done zilch. Time to go.

 

[usman.sandhu]

Babar needs to go. Been coasting on this supposed celebrity status for years now and done zilch. Time to go.

Agreed, he's been really poor for the past couple of years - no performances to speak of...

We need to let him go back to domestic now, he is not willing to work on his fitness and form...

 

[moghul]

Saud is must @ no. 4. I can't understand why he is not in playing eleven

Saud is worst than any other non-performing batter in SENA . He is good only on roads in Pakistan.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I said some time ago that Rizwan shouldn't be batting higher than no.5 in ODIs. At no.4 he gets complacent. It's at no.5 that he's shown the most urgency. And he doesn't have shots or armory to be a successful no.4 in ODIs. Need a proper no.4 batter there.

Need to get rid of Irfan Niazi. Abdullah Shafique is just another Asad Shafiq. Amir Jamal has a higher ceiling but needs to improve his bowling a lot. Shaheen and Naseem need to be sent to FC circuit to attain ample fitness and game time.
As poor as Babar has been, I think his recent struggles are more due to his current mental state than technical glitches.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Babar needs to go. Been coasting on this supposed celebrity status for years now and done zilch. Time to go.

world no.1 ranked batsman Babar !! They won't drop him.

 

[zaidihusain]

Saud is worst than any other non-performing batter in SENA . He is good only on roads in Pakistan.

I don't on what basis you are saying that. Saud has played only 12 ODI innings and out of which only 3 he has played in England in 2021. Rest of the ODIs he has played in Asia and most of them in 2023 WC. He was never given consistent chances in ODIs and was just brought in WC without too many games. In comparison many fake players got chances and many non performing players since years are still there and occupying specific positions

 

[Kianig89]

I wont put Naseem in passengers category, ok bowler & gun no.9 batsmah

 

[samiakh]

I know we are all happy celebrating the first ODI win against SA. I would still like to highlight the massive flaws in our ODI team:

No.4: Riz at no.4 is just not working and the sooner he realises this is a spot for a specialist batter, the better.

No.7: Irfan at no.7 does not give me any confidence. I think it is about time Pakistan considers other options.

No.8: Shaheen. Enough said. This is an important batting position in ODIs and Pakistan might want to consider any all rounders.

Fast bowling: As much as I like Naseem’s fighting spirit as a tail-end batter, he looks toothless as a bowler and does not look like picking any wickets. If he does not pick up his game then it is time to say bye bye to him.

Openers: Abdullah’s focus on style only is a concern.

Alternatives: Well we have of course decent options in Fakhar, Saud, Sajid, Abbass & Jamal.

Fakhar is done. Doubt he plays ODI again. Imam is probably your best bet. Although I like this Kid Maaz Sadaqat too. At 8 Aamer Jamal or Jahandad is a better option. Saud would be a good option for Irfan in the sub continent not sure about outside.

 

[shah_1]

The idea that bench strength is better than current players is laughable

Fakhar is struggling against domestic bowlers. We saw aukkaat of domestic bully like Farhan Shabzada

 

[usman.sandhu]

Fakhar is done. Doubt he plays ODI again. Imam is probably your best bet. Although I like this Kid Maaz Sadaqat too. At 8 Aamer Jamal or Jahandad is a better option. Saud would be a good option for Irfan in the sub continent not sure about outside.

The probability of Fakhar playing a good innings is much higher than Babar at the moment, we should replace Babar with Farhad in the team..

Imam is pathetic, should be nowhere near our team..

Jahandad does not have what it takes to succeed, he is only in the team because of LQ and Aaqib connection, does not deserve a spot...

 

[khyberlion]

The idea that bench strength is better than current players is laughable

Fakhar is struggling against domestic bowlers. We saw aukkaat of domestic bully like Farhan Shabzada

Farhan is now getting bounced out on domestic pitches against domestic bowlers. In the whole tournament the only one with genuine batting talent is Maaz Sadaqat. The likes of Hasan Nawaz and khawaja nafay are decent but only for limited overs. The rest are all rubbish.

 

[shah_1]

Farhan is now getting bounced out on domestic pitches against domestic bowlers. In the whole tournament the only one with genuine batting talent is Maaz Sadaqat. The likes of Hasan Nawaz and khawaja nafay are decent but only for limited overs. The rest are all rubbish.

Yup I like Maaz Sadaqaat

But thats about it.

Huraira is not ready for top cricket, I would perfer Maaz Sadaqaat over him for test tour

 

[Rana]

I wont put Naseem in passengers category, ok bowler & gun no.9 batsmah

What’s a gun number 9 batsman?

 

[khyberlion]

Yup I like Maaz Sadaqaat

But thats about it.

Huraira is not ready for top cricket, I would perfer Maaz Sadaqaat over him for test tour

Huraira's technique is all over the place for an opener. Like his uncle he doesn't have the game against pace. Will be decent for tests in SC that too while batting in middle order.

On the other hand maaz seems to have better game against pace. Need to see him in a FC televised game but he definitely looks to have some potential.

 

[sweep_shot]

Every team has a few passengers. Even Australia.

But, I think Pakistan has less passengers now than before. ODI team is looking pretty good (only Fakhar is missing).

 

[TeymurBlake]

We've had this conversation for a very long time but this Pakistan team hasn't evolved at all. We mention Babar & Rizwan a lot & at times rightfully so.

However the bowler don't inspire confidence with the bat.

Gone are the days where Pakistan had Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Amir in the tail who all could be more than useful with the bat. I mean Yasir Shah has a 100 in Australia for christ sake.

Specially when you look at the rate Gus Atkinson improved his batting.

No one from Pakistan inspires confidence or competence.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Much of a muchness. Maybe replace Abdullah with Fakhar and that's about it.

 

[Kianig89]

What’s a gun number 9 batsman?

Hold his bat , rotates strike and occasionally use long handle

 

[Rana]

Hold his bat , rotates strike and occasionally use long handle

Reliable number 9 you mean?

 

[Kianig89]

Reliable number 9 you mean?

Yes

 

[gazza619]

What’s a gun number 9 batsman?

Not sure about a no.9 batsman, but this is how a gun batsman generally looks like:

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Not sure about a no.9 batsman, but this is how a gun batsman generally looks like:View attachment 148752

This is a batsmen who fires blanks.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Champions Trophy will be the real test for Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

I would like to see Saud Shakeel in the middle-order instead of Ghulam. Saud is clearly a better batsman. Also, Shafique should make way for Fakhar.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

I would like to see Saud Shakeel in the middle-order instead of Ghulam. Saud is clearly a better batsman. Also, Shafique should make way for Fakhar.

exactly.. kamran ghulam is not reliable not has any variety of shots to survive in middle order.. saud shakeel is a far better option.

 

[Aami]

@gazza619

Let's identify everyone and their replacements.

1) Abdullah = Garbage, Replacment: Fakhar Zaman

2) Saim = Perfect and should keep his spot

3) Babar = Fandom is divided, Replacement = Kamran ghulam at 3

4) Rizwan at no 4 = Garbage, Replacment he saud shakeel

5) Kamram ghulam = He's fine for now, should bat higher

6) Agha = Fine as is

7) Niazi = Useless, Replacment = Muhammad haris at no 7

8) Shaheen = Useless at no 8, so should bat at 9 or 10.

9) Naseem Shah = Should bat at no 8, bad bowling skills so jamal or jahndad can replace

10) Rauf = Run machine, Better to replace him for Ali raza or jamal or jahndad

11) Abrar = Useless, Replace for sajid khan who's a better spinner and better batter, Sajid can bat at no 7 or 8.

12) Tayyab = more opportunities for now, but otherwise replace for omair bin yousaf

13) Usman Khan = Maybe try for odi due to 74 list A avg, but replace for Haris amd keep haris as backup keeper.

some good suggestions, not all lol

 

[moghul]

I don't on what basis you are saying that. Saud has played only 12 ODI innings and out of which only 3 he has played in England in 2021. Rest of the ODIs he has played in Asia and most of them in 2023 WC. He was never given consistent chances in ODIs and was just brought in WC without too many games. In comparison many fake players got chances and many non performing players since years are still there and occupying specific positions

any noteworthy performance outside Pakistan , in any format ?

 

[heddie19]

I would like to see Saud Shakeel in the middle-order instead of Ghulam. Saud is clearly a better batsman. Also, Shafique should make way for Fakhar.

Do you still standby it after Ghulam's MOTM display yesterday? I think Ghulam should bat at no.4 and Rizzy at 5.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The only passenger in the current squad is Abdullah. No sure why he is in the team now, he is just good enough.

 

[moghul]

Fakhar is out of favor due to political reasons, replace Abdullah with Omair Yusuf or Harris .

 

[Mamoon]

Do you still standby it after Ghulam's MOTM display yesterday? I think Ghulam should bat at no.4 and Rizzy at 5.

I want another batsman like Babar and Rizwan and Saud is the closest. If he bats at 4 and Rizwan at 5, it will make the batting unit much stronger.

Ghulam showed good attacking prowess yesterday. Maybe he should focus on an aggressor role down the order and compete with Irfan for a spot in the team, but I wouldn’t give preference to him over Saud as a number 4.

 

[shamaan]

This is the reason why I wanted Kamran Ghullam in the xi as he is more attacking than Saud.

 

[shamaan]

I want another batsman like Babar and Rizwan and Saud is the closest. If he bats at 4 and Rizwan at 5, it will make the batting unit much stronger.

Ghulam showed good attacking prowess yesterday. Maybe he should focus on an aggressor role down the order and compete with Irfan for a spot in the team, but I wouldn’t give preference to him over Saud as a number 4.

Rizwan wont bat at 5 hence why they proberly went with Kamran instead of Saud.

 

[Mamoon]

Saim
Fakhar
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Agha
Ghulam/Irfan


This is a very strong top 7.

 

[heddie19]

I want another batsman like Babar and Rizwan and Saud is the closest. If he bats at 4 and Rizwan at 5, it will make the batting unit much stronger.

Ghulam showed good attacking prowess yesterday. Maybe he should focus on an aggressor role down the order and compete with Irfan for a spot in the team, but I wouldn’t give preference to him over Saud as a number 4.

Ghulam did really good but traditonally, he is a Babar/Rizwan/Saud like batter and we can't accomodate everyone on our ODI team. Saud should wait imo, Abdullah Shafique must be replaced by Fakhar. If we get an in-form Fakhar-Saim at the top. Those two dashers will make us win matches in first 10-15 overs.

 

[heddie19]

Saim
Fakhar
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Agha
Ghulam/Irfan


This is a very strong top 7.

Again, I think no.7 for Ghulam is very unfair to him.

Saim
Fakhar
Babar
Ghulam
Rizwan
Agha
Shadab?? Iftikhar?? What do you say?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Again, I think no.7 for Ghulam is very unfair to him.

Saim
Fakhar
Babar
Ghulam
Rizwan
Agha
Shadab?? Iftikhar?? What do you say?

riz will not play at 5 so kamran at 5 and why Shadab and Iftikhar??? We need to move on in the forward direction, not backward.

Irfan is fine at 7 or maybe we need to adjust a good all-rounder there like abbas, jahandad, aamer jamal etc but they have to prove their worth first.

 

[Farabi]

Saim
Fakhar
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Agha
Ghulam/Irfan


This is a very strong top 7.

In terms of skill, particularly strike rotation, Agha Salman and Kamran Ghulam are ahead of Rizwan.

Saim
Fakhar
Babar
Saud Shakeel
Agha Salman
Kamran G
M Rizwan (Wk)

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Usman Khan, Abdullah Shafique are going to be off loaded soon

 

[heddie19]

riz will not play at 5 so kamran at 5 and why Shadab and Iftikhar??? We need to move on in the forward direction, not backward.

Irfan is fine at 7 or maybe we need to adjust a good all-rounder there like abbas, jahandad, aamer jamal etc but they have to prove their worth first.

Irfan is not clicking in ODIs at all. I don't see him playing for long with this performance.

 

[Marooned]

Naseem has done well in Odis.

averages 19 and over 2 wickets per match so far. Remember he was our best odi bowler before his injury before the wc.

Yes he wasn't that great in Australia but if this is the level of patience we show with our players, we will never have a team.

Naseem isn't suited for t20s but he clearly belongs in odis. If we chop and change after every couple of games there's no scope of forming a team.

 

[Marooned]

Rizwan needs to drop down to 6.

Fakhar
Saim
Babar
Ghulam
Agha
Rizwan

This should be the top 6.

Ghulam must be given a long rope. He isn't easy on the eye and that kind of players tend to get treated harshly by fans but he's our best bet for that no.4 position.

Saud I don't see as a viable player for odis. Ghulam is as solid as Saud but with a better power game and better conversion too.

Saud just has 4 list A hundreds while Ghulam has 9 playing roughly same amount of games.

 

[sweep_shot]

Rizwan needs to drop down to 6.

Fakhar
Saim
Babar
Ghulam
Agha
Rizwan

This should be the top 6.

Ghulam must be given a long rope. He isn't easy on the eye and that kind of players tend to get treated harshly by fans but he's our best bet for that no.4 position.

Saud I don't see as a viable player for odis. Ghulam is as solid as Saud but with a better power game and better conversion too.

Saud just has 4 list A hundreds while Ghulam has 9 playing roughly same amount of games.

Agree with your lineup.

If Rizwan bats at 6 (ODI format), batting department can become more balanced.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

It's a shame to see Abdullah not kick on. If he is dropped then I would like to see Babar open as a trial. We are hoping for Fakhar but he ain't coming back any time soon.