Pakistan playing three pacers, just one spinner at Abu Dhabi against Sri Lanka - Good decision?

[Abdullah719]

The pacers don't look to be getting much help on this wicket at all. Was it a wise decision to pick three pacers rather than two spinners? Looks like Yasir is going to have a massive workload as usual.

 

[arehaan]

Shows the lack of experience. A 2nd spinner is mandatory on these tracks and he should have known better the combination which has worked for us tremendously in UAE for all these years.

 

[lehen]

Not long ago hasan ali and amir were hailed as the best pacer duo who do not require assistance to get wickets, so give them some time, only 70 overs are done

 

[ExpressPacer]

What was the management thinking? Mickey Arthur, Steve Rixon are not small names. 2 spinners in the UAE are a given. :Facepalm: I can actually see Sri Lanka getting success here because of the spinners they have.

 

[ads101]

Three pacers on this pitch, opting to not go for 2 spinners? Madness!

One of the most questionable decisions I've seen. UAE has nearly always suited 2 spinners over 3 pacers.

Makes little sense to choose three pacers.

The only possible reasons I can see is that there is no set second spinner in the team, so they opted to go with a pacer rather than to debut a spinner. Which isn't a good reason, especially given fans wanted to see what Ashgar would do for some time.

There is also no reliable part time spinner in the team. Haris has just got back to internationals, can't expect him to bowl 20+ overs.

As a result, seems like they're running Yasir into the ground, who's been overused in the past. Over 30 overs in a day is a lot.

Thoughts? Really surprised, was thinking that lately management decisions have been on point, but this test they've got it badly wrong.

 

[DRsohail]

horrible decision...

 

[MMHS]

One of the most questionable decisions I've seen. UAE has nearly always suited 2 spinners over 3 pacers.

Makes little sense to choose three pacers.

The only possible reasons I can see is that there is no set second spinner in the team, so they opted to go with a pacer rather than to debut a spinner. Which isn't a good reason, especially given fans wanted to see what Ashgar would do for some time.

There is also no reliable part time spinner in the team. Haris has just got back to internationals, can't expect him to bowl 20+ overs.

As a result, seems like they're running Yasir into the ground, who's been overused in the past. Over 30 overs in a day is a lot.

Thoughts? Really surprised, was thinking that lately management decisions have been on point, but this test they've got it badly wrong.

This is the negative side of having a non Asian Coach - one needs a strong Captain for that. You can go through Junaids's posts to understand why I am trying to say.

I won't call it "Management", because Inzi did his best - picked the best 2 available spinners, picked the best possible off-spin all-rounder & picked 3 pacers for such condition (Wahab, Hasan & Hamza, who actually swings in air). Not only 3 pacers, picking Amir & definitely Abbas over Wahab is another blunder. Both might end up cleaning the weak SRL line up with reverse swing & cutters, but Wahab would have done that better for sure.

 

[ads101]

This is the negative side of having a non Asian Coach - one needs a strong Captain for that. You can go through Junaids's posts to understand why I am trying to say.

I won't call it "Management", because Inzi did his best - picked the best 2 available spinners, picked the best possible off-spin all-rounder & picked 3 pacers for such condition (Wahab, Hasan & Hamza, who actually swings in air). Not only 3 pacers, picking Amir & definitely Abbas over Wahab is another blunder. Both might end up cleaning the weak SRL line up with reverse swing & cutters, but Wahab would have done that better for sure.

Yeah I probably should have said Sarfraz and Mickey. Just said management to include both of them as don't really know who's decision it was out of the two (or both wanted it).

 

[Markhor]

The decision to pick three seamers appears to be on the basis of the grass on the pitch. However its only there to hold the pitch together - in the blazing heat of Abu Dhabi its not going to offer much for the seamers.

The pitch is dry and expected to break up. There were already signs of turn today so picking a second spinner was crucial.

I've strongly backed Arthur and Sarfraz but they haven't read the conditions properly.

 

[MMHS]

The decision to pick three seamers appears to be on the basis of the grass on the pitch. However its only there to hold the pitch together - in the blazing heat of Abu Dhabi its not going to offer much for the seamers.

The pitch is dry and expected to break up. There were already signs of turn today so picking a second spinner was crucial.

I've strongly backed Arthur and Sarfraz but they haven't read the conditions properly.

Drop Abbas or Amir for Wahab - still I can accept, because ball will reverse here. But that bowling combination is almost match losing, unless it was SRL ..... but it still can result in losing Yasir for few months.

I don't think, those are live grass - they might have put some cut green & rolled in the surface - it'll turn brown straw by tmro lunch.

 

[coy0607]

it would've been hard to drop one of Hasan, Amir, Abbas, all of them earned a spot in the 11

but in hindsight, yeah, should've played an extra spinner. I still cant say which of the seamers you drop. Maybe play 5 bowlers

 

[Justcrazy]

They should have played two spinners , its a mistake.

 

[ads101]

Sigh, the way things are going we probably would have had a big first innings lead and definite favourites to win at this position. Massive blunder.

 

[AFM]

Who needs two spinners when you have playes like Haris and Shafiq who are blessed in all 3 facets

 

[another drop catch]

mohd asghar should be selected for next match

 

[Hasan123]

Another spinner should have been selected but credit to Sarfraz for having faith and for trying Asad and Harris. I am a massive Misbah fan but I don't think he would have Asad and Harris as much overs as Sarfraz did.

 

[Saj]

Of the three pacers in this Test Amir has been the weakest.

I wonder how fit he actually is considering he hasn't played much cricket of late.

 

[waleed88]

Of the three pacers in this Test Amir has been the weakest.

I wonder how fit he actually is considering he hasn't played much cricket of late.

Yes he played against Essex, which means he was fit enough to bowl only in 'English' conditions, he has never been fit enough as a bowler in poor conditions all his career.
Kind of a one trick pony all his career

 

[Markhor]

Fact that Haris and Shafiq were looking tbreatening with the ball shows this match could be done and dusted by now had we a second spinner.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Hopefully, it paves the way for Asghar to play in the next match.