Pakistan squad announced for 2015 World Cup

[Strike Rate]

Any videos of this Sohail Khan?(never seen him bowl,pretty random pick)

He played for Pakistan in Tests but didn't perform than but recently he have been really good in domestic a leading wicket taker and just yesterday he picked 6 wicket in a List A match.

 

[yasir]

130-135 kph with no swing hasnt improved at all, has a pathetic action

Why he is getting wickets in FC div 1 as well as pentagular cup?

Are you really sure he does not bowl 140s ? Last time he was fast 140k bowler.

I would like to see footage to get a better idea.

What about death bowling that's, that big worry, how good he is in that area.


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[Strike Rate]

who are the stand by players?

I think Jamshed and Tanvir because both of them were in 15 till yesterday and Misbah was insisting selectors for Jamshed while Tanvir got out of 15 because Sohail Khan took 6 wickets yesterday

 

[yasir]

130-135 kph with no swing hasnt improved at all, has a pathetic action

Why he is getting wickets in FC div 1 as well as pentagular cup?

Are you really sure he does not bowl 140s ? Last time he was fast 140k bowler.

I would like to see footage to get a better idea.

What about death bowling that's, that big worry, how good he is in that area.


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[yasir]

He played for Pakistan in Tests but didn't perform than but recently he have been really good in domestic a leading wicket taker and just yesterday he picked 6 wicket in a List A match.

Are there any highlights of pentagular cup?

He played well in final of FC div 1, highest wicket taker in div 1 this season.


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[Manager101]

Close to perfect squad in my opinion. Firstly from batting point of view, we have good blend of stabilizers and attackers, secondly in bowling department we got the line & length bowling of Ehsan Adil that can trouble the opponents just like Mcgrath use to do, Irfan will be our key weapon especially in Australian conditions.

Hence, Great selection by the selectors.

 

[Strike Rate]

Are there any highlights of pentagular cup?

He played well in final of FC div 1, highest wicket taker in div 1 this season.


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Can't find any videos on pcb official site or ptv sports site this is pathetic i mean this your premier domestic tournament. btw Sohail Khan is leading wicket taker in this tournament with 10 wickets in 3 matches second is Zafar Gohar with 7 and Junaid got 6 wickets. He was leading wicket taker in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold League too with 64 wickets. (three 10fers and six 5fer)

 

[Major]

I think Jamshed and Tanvir because both of them were in 15 till yesterday and Misbah was insisting selectors for Jamshed while Tanvir got out of 15 because Sohail Khan took 6 wickets yesterday

was Tanvir in contention?

 

[qaiser]

Worse possible selection committee. worse possible squad
But we have to back the team now that its selected.

My 15 would be

1. Ahmed Shehzad

2. Sami instead of Ehsan Adil

3. Shoaib Malik instead of Mohammad Hafeez

4. Haris Sohail

5. Mohammad Irfan

6. Junaid Khan

7. Misbah ul Haq (captain)

8. Sarfraz Ahmed (w.k)

9. Shahid Afridi

10. Sohaib Maqsood

11. Sohail Khan

12. Fawad Alam instead of Umar Akmal

13. Rahat Ali instead of Wahab Riaz

14. Raza Hassan instead of Yasir Shah

15. Younis Khan

ps. I still feel Misbah is too defensive to be captain of the side.

 

[Strike Rate]

was Tanvir in contention?

yes he was till yesterday but than Sohail Khan case got more strong with the 6 wicket in yesterday match

 

[cricwiz]

Going by the recent history, Pakistan will keep the same combination of playing 7 batsmen (including W.k), than Afridi as bowling all-rounder and than the three pacers (2 left handers, 1 right hander). Pakistan will be hoping that Hafeez gets cleared. In such a case Hafeez, Haris Sohail & Ahmed Shahzad can make a good 5th bowling option.

The batsmen in squad are:

1. Ahmed Shehzad
2. Mohammad Hafeez
3. Haris Sohail
4. Misbah ul Haq (captain)
5. Sarfraz Ahmed (w.k)
6. Sohaib Maqsood
7. Umar Akmal
8. Younis Khan

So out of the above 8 gentlemen, 7 are always going to be on the team list.

On the bowling front, Yasir Shah is a backup to Afridi. While Wahab Riaz seems to be backup to Irfan and Junaid Khan. Ehsan Adil will be the preferred right hander and Sohail Khan is his backup.

 

[Rawstar]

Looks like Pakistan have reserved Raza Hassan for only t20s.Why yashir shah here when Afridi is there.Raza Hassan need a long run here.He is very economical as well wicket taker and not easy to hit him out of the ground.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

good selection overall

we all know we are stuck with professor and team man

sohail khan is a real doozie though

ehsan, maqsood, akmal are brillant

second spinner wont get a game so im fine with Yasir, he is a great sub

 

[Cricketrenew]

Pakistan have been known for agez for selecting youngsters now all they seem to do is bring in over 30's....
How did that happen.

Umar Akmal shouldn't be there, not done enough.
Raza Hassan should be in the team....
Afridi has had too many chances....only one T20 tournament where he actually did something, and won it.

Looking at that squad, I would have maybe recalled Azhar Mahmood..........

Really no one seems attacking enough, too many tuk tuks and with no bowling to destroy a team, if you have a low score.
Really negative selections.....IS there no young talent left in Pakistan?

I will watch in hope......................

 

[MMHS]

This is quite a good squad - probably best possible team within the capacity. I am almost certain that PCB is assured Hafeez 'll be able to bowl, so there goes Malik. Fawad is unlucky because of Maqsood - rather than YK. I can understand they 'll go for a specialist No. 3, so one of YK/Asad 'll go & rightly so. In a 8 weeks & potential 9 match tournament, you need all sorts of option - once the team is in down under, I don't think, anyone is assured of a starting place. They have appointed Afridi as VC, so even Misbah has to bat well, to avoid midway "minor injury".

I don't think Bhatti or Anwar adds anything in AUS - may be little in NZ matches, but Waquar knows Fast bowling; I thought, instead of taking a bits & piece all-rounder, he 'll prefer a specialist pacer. As long as Waquar was there, I was almost certain that Edil 'll be there. In AUS/NZ, Adil is a perfect new ball bowler to partner Irfan. JK struggles a bit with the new ball - best combination is Irfan & a right arm pacer, JK coming at 1st change. I think, if played, Adil 'll be given a 7/8 overs long opening spell while Irfan & JK 'll go for 4/5 overs burst so that the 2 new balls are used by pacers for 15 overs or more to start with.

I think, there are 2 surprise - they opted for a second spinner, which I am sure considering the later part of the tournament. Also, chances are there PAK 'll play all 3 KOs at SCG & MCG - in that regard, a second spinner was must. Highly hyped, but I don't think Raza is a great bowler against settled batsmen & when the batsmen are not going after him - Yasir provides better wicket taking threat, & he is the best fielder by a bit, 'll spend some times in fielding every match. Otherwise, Fawad was almost certain in the squad.

Finally the 15th spot - Sohail Khan. I was sure, Waquar 'll ask for a right arm fast bowler & 'll be granted as well. My choice was Sami, but I haven't seen him recently - may be he isn't fit enough. Also, at official 34, he might not be that fast either. S Khan has been in red hot form - not only for his 6/46, but few days back I asked BD how he was bowling - one has to value 64 First Class wickets is 9 matches, otherwise no point for domestics. Last time I saw SK, he was very raw - had pace, could reverse a bit but hardly any plan or any use of the crease. He was running in & throwing like a bowling machine. I don't think a bad choice, but I probably would have gone for Sami, provided that he is fit enough. Feeling a bit sorry for the man - came with tremendous potential - finally end of his unfulfilled career.

Overall, a very good squad - they went for a bowling heavy squad with 5 pacers, 2 regular spinners & Hafeez. That's the right way to go for such a long tournament with so many worthless initial matches. I believe, WY 'll rotate all his pacers during group matches.

 

[TalhaSyed]

We always complain about the squad not being picked on merit - well to be honest based on his recent domestic performance I guess Sohail has earned his spot and deserves to be there. If it wasn't going to be Sohail I would've preferred Gul on bouncy pitches rather than Sami due to his height.

YK is a big maybe - could've had Fawad there instead - but on the whole cant complain with the squad.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Honestly looking at this squad makes me hate Ross Taylor. Add in fawad this would be near perfect, would give you another part time option as well. ID even take malik over yk given our needs

 

[TalhaSyed]

Pakistan have been known for agez for selecting youngsters now all they seem to do is bring in over 30's....
How did that happen.

Umar Akmal shouldn't be there, not done enough.
Raza Hassan should be in the team....
Afridi has had too many chances....only one T20 tournament where he actually did something, and won it.

Looking at that squad, I would have maybe recalled Azhar Mahmood..........

Really no one seems attacking enough, too many tuk tuks and with no bowling to destroy a team, if you have a low score.
Really negative selections.....IS there no young talent left in Pakistan?

I will watch in hope......................

UA shouldn't be there
SA has done nothing apart from 2009
AM should've been recalled

[emoji52][emoji52][emoji52][emoji52][emoji52][emoji52][emoji52]

Mind blown

 

[FreeBird]

Obviously, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan and YK shouldn't be there.

And the logic behind Yasir Shah's selection is even more funny, "because we noticed that we also had two leg spinners in the 92 WC".

 

[octavian]

Very good squad. This is probably closes to the best we could have selected based in current resources.

Very glad to see Sohaib, Yasir and Ehsan Adil included. Ecstatic to see the back of Anwar Ali, Tanvir and Asad Shafiq.

Sohail Khan is the wild card selection which I am not too bothered about. Let's hope he has improved since the last time we saw him. I'd much rather see a wild card selection like him instead of a TTF like Sami. Onus is gonna be on YK to perform after the storm he created in the media.

 

[Manager101]

All players look good, although I would have liked to see Fawad Alam in the squad, but somehow Younus Khan took his place, hopefully after the world cup, Fawad Alam gets selected as a permanent member.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

PCB names Team Pakistan for ICC World Cup 2015

Moin Khan:'Squad capable of excelling in the World Cup'

LAHORE–January 7, 2015: Chairman PCB Shaharyar Mohammad Khan has approved Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 after it was picked up by the six-member selection committee headed by Moin Khan after consultations with head coach Waqar Younis and skipper Misbah ul Haq.

*

“This is the best possible squad from the available resources, and the selectors believe it has the requisite talent and skill-set to recapture the World Cup Down Under after 22 years”, said chief selector Moin Khan.

*

Following is the 15-man Pakistan cricket team for the ICC World Cup 2015 to be played in Australia/New Zealand from February 14 to March 29. The squad contains two openers, four middle order batsmen, five pace bowlers, one spinner, two all-rounders and a wicket-keeper/batsman. The accent, said Moin Khan, has been on preferring specialists over bits and pieces players.


15-member squad: (In alphabetical order)

1. Ahmed Shehzad

2. Ehsan Adil

3. Mohammad Hafeez

4. Haris Sohail

5. Mohammad Irfan

6. Junaid Khan

7. Misbah ul Haq (captain)

8. Sarfraz Ahmed (w.k)

9. Shahid Afridi

10. Sohaib Maqsood

11. Sohail Khan

12. Umar Akmal

13. Wahab Riaz

14. Yasir Shah

15. Younis Khan


Team Management:

Manager: Naveed Akram Cheema; Head Coach: Waqar Younis; Batting Coach: Grant Flower; Spin Bowling Coach: Mushtaq Ahmed; Fielding Coach: Grand Luden; Physio/Trainer: Brad Robinson; Assistant Coach: Shahid Aslam; Media Manager: Agha Akbar; Security officer: Col. (Retd) Muhammad Azam Khan; Analyst: Talha Butt

*

Quotes – Chief Selector Moin Khan:

“This is the best possible squad from the available resources, and the selectors collectively believe it has the requisite talent and skill-set to recapture the World Cup Down Under after 22 years.

*

‘’My request to all Pakistanis is to back the national team in its quest for glory.

“Four factors were of prime import for selectors: Suitability to play in conditions in Australia and New Zealand; performance in international contests; performance in domestic cricket and preference to the choices suggested by captain and head coach, TeamPakistan.

*

“Of the selected squad of 15, eight have played in the last World Cup, while the remaining seven have been picked after their recent form impressed the selectors. This makes it a pretty decent blend of experience and youth.

*

“Despite a recent poor run of form in limited-overs cricket, in my mind, there’s no doubt on the capability of this side to excelling in the World Cup.

*

“It indeed is a formidable unit, with the potential and natural flair to perform well at the ICC’s premier global showpiece event. And if the boys hit form individually and as combinations and peak at the right time, this bunch has the capacity to go all the way to the winners’ podium.”

*

Training Camp:

To fine-tune preparations for the global event, PCB has decided to organize a short training camp for Team Pakistan, which has been scheduled from Jan. 13, 2015 to Jan. 17, 2015 at the Gaddafi stadium, Lahore.

*

Departure Date:

Team Pakistan will embark from Lahore on Jan. 21, 2015 for New Zealand via Dubai for the two-match ODI series against the Black Caps before flying over Tasman Sea to Sydney for its warmup games before moving on to Adelaide for its much-anticipated first World Cup 2015 encounter against India on Feb. 15.
ia/B6vDzxeCAAAqLL8.jpg[/IMG]

Sad that Fawad Alam missed out plus at least one out of the Anwar Ali/ Sohail Tanvir should have been picked. But I am delighted that was dropped.

 

[khalil1986]

Besides Younis Khan and Sohail Khan pretty good squad.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

No Kamran Akmal, No Shoaib Malik, No Asad Shafiq. Well done Moin

 

[CaptainPak]

Happy to see Haris Sohail picked, sad to see Fawad left out. Good luck to Pak team, this team has it in them to qualify for Quarter Finals, anything after that is a plus. Good luck Pak team!

 

[GreenRage]

No way a world cup winning squad because we have no players in this country at the moment that can win even a match let alone the world cup. But justice has been done not selecting TTF's and one extremely poor and ****** selection of wahab I have a feeling sohail will be great. Other than that we really need a spin bowler like ajmal in there otherwise we will struggle hopefully hafeez gets his action cleared.

 

[in_cutter]

Sickening that the likes of Younis & Hafeez are preferred over Fawad. And who is our finisher?? Every top team has one...even Bangladesh (Shakib).

 

[cric]

This is really a slap on the faces of Malik/Kami supporters.

They were the ones particularly targeting our captain who has led this team beautifully in the last 4 years.

Let's go team Pakistan!

What beautifully? Only 2 big test series win, and that too in UAE and only 2 big one day series win in last 5 years. If that’s beautifully than, we need to change definition of beautifully.

 

[zabalestmsm]

I am very satisfied with the squad! The only one whom i didnt want was Wahab! But i hope he isnt selected in the playing XI! Yasir Shah will be a surprise package! Overall good selection! Now i think Pakistan can win the cup and will!

 

[zabalestmsm]

For the time in many years i am very satisfied and happy with our selection!

 

[Mystrey]

This is quite a good squad - probably best possible team within the capacity. I am almost certain that PCB is assured Hafeez 'll be able to bowl, so there goes Malik. Fawad is unlucky because of Maqsood - rather than YK. I can understand they 'll go for a specialist No. 3, so one of YK/Asad 'll go & rightly so. In a 8 weeks & potential 9 match tournament, you need all sorts of option - once the team is in down under, I don't think, anyone is assured of a starting place. They have appointed Afridi as VC, so even Misbah has to bat well, to avoid midway "minor injury".

I don't think Bhatti or Anwar adds anything in AUS - may be little in NZ matches, but Waquar knows Fast bowling; I thought, instead of taking a bits & piece all-rounder, he 'll prefer a specialist pacer. As long as Waquar was there, I was almost certain that Edil 'll be there. In AUS/NZ, Adil is a perfect new ball bowler to partner Irfan. JK struggles a bit with the new ball - best combination is Irfan & a right arm pacer, JK coming at 1st change. I think, if played, Adil 'll be given a 7/8 overs long opening spell while Irfan & JK 'll go for 4/5 overs burst so that the 2 new balls are used by pacers for 15 overs or more to start with.

I think, there are 2 surprise - they opted for a second spinner, which I am sure considering the later part of the tournament. Also, chances are there PAK 'll play all 3 KOs at SCG & MCG - in that regard, a second spinner was must. Highly hyped, but I don't think Raza is a great bowler against settled batsmen & when the batsmen are not going after him - Yasir provides better wicket taking threat, & he is the best fielder by a bit, 'll spend some times in fielding every match. Otherwise, Fawad was almost certain in the squad.

Finally the 15th spot - Sohail Khan. I was sure, Waquar 'll ask for a right arm fast bowler & 'll be granted as well. My choice was Sami, but I haven't seen him recently - may be he isn't fit enough. Also, at official 34, he might not be that fast either. S Khan has been in red hot form - not only for his 6/46, but few days back I asked BD how he was bowling - one has to value 64 First Class wickets is 9 matches, otherwise no point for domestics. Last time I saw SK, he was very raw - had pace, could reverse a bit but hardly any plan or any use of the crease. He was running in & throwing like a bowling machine. I don't think a bad choice, but I probably would have gone for Sami, provided that he is fit enough. Feeling a bit sorry for the man - came with tremendous potential - finally end of his unfulfilled career.

Overall, a very good squad - they went for a bowling heavy squad with 5 pacers, 2 regular spinners & Hafeez. That's the right way to go for such a long tournament with so many worthless initial matches. I believe, WY 'll rotate all his pacers during group matches.

Love your posts!

 

[Energetic]

So what's the 11 in general? to beat India you will probably need a strong bowling force.

 

[yadunoe]

Kudos to the selectors. A very decent squad. Only issue I can see is YK in Fawad's rightful place.

ya besides that its a very good squad

 

[Jabo]

Great squad, better than expected.

I'd rather have Maqsood/U Akmal over Alam, Alam will fit in when YK fails and finally retires hopefully.

I'd rather see Raza over Yasir.
Sohail... don't know much about
Very happy that Ehsan is in the squad

No Tanvir, Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Malik and Kamran = Great

 

[Thivagar]

Pakistan's execution must be right. Pakistan has the tendency collapse just like that. No gul, no Fawad. Pakistan's bowling need to click. Their batting doesn't seem to look too good. Pakistan are the dark horse along with NZ. Pakistan would need to fight hard.

 

[Markhor]

Good squad. Sad for Fawad Alam who no matter what he does, how well he performs at domestic level, he gets overlooked for Younis Khan who has never been an accomplished ODI batsman.

Glad to see no Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik or Kamran Akmal who all have had enough chances.

Sohail Khan will be a bench warmer so the whining over his selection is very excessive, plus wasn't he the top wicket-taker in the QEA Gold League with 64 wickets, so its not as if this isn't a merit-based selection, despite the pros and cons of his bowling ability.

Now get those marble slabs out, Woolmer/Miandad-style and get these lads hooking and pulling.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Does Hafeez have any chance of getting his action cleared before the world cup?

 

[DrUzairHafeez]

Well done for not selecting Sohail Tanvir, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Shoaib malik & Kamran Akmal.

 

[Square Drive]

Excellent, excellent squad! No Kamran, Malik Shafiq, Tanvir, Gul, Anwar - I am delighted!!

Umar Akmal, Maqsood, Ehsan - brilliant selections!

Sohail Khan is not the brightest of selections but hey, at least it's on merit!

Younus was always going to be there.

Overall, excellent squad. I back these 15 players to bring the WC to Pakistan.

 

[wazzy]

Sickening that the likes of Younis & Hafeez are preferred over Fawad. And who is our finisher?? Every top team has one...even Bangladesh (Shakib).

I think we are blessed with two finishers: Shoaib Maqsood and Haris Sohail

 

[wazzy]

Does Hafeez have any chance of getting his action cleared before the world cup?

If Hafeez can't bowl, I would like to see Sarfaz open and Umar come in. Hafeez does not justify his place as a batsman only

 

[osee_bhai]

I think we're lacking a pace allrounder, all 5 pacers are No.9 and below batsmen. I would have taken one of Bhatti (I think he was injured)/Anwar Ali for the sake of balance of the 15. The question is whether they want to play Afridi at 7 or 8, and in turn if it's 8, all 4 bowlers + harris need to bowl 50. If it's at 7, I'm hoping Yasir stands up at No.8 and provides a few runs. Wahab may get in just because of his batting - he's been brutal with the ball lately. Aussie decks will suit him though.

In terms of batting, we all know Hafeez is not worth a spot if he can't bowl and provide that 5th option, really is a terrible blow to the XI if he can't. But he's going to open or play no.3 regardless, especially with no Jamshed in the squad. YK as well seems primed to bat, his ODi record is another story.

If they both play and Afridi is a no.7, that means hafeez/shehzad/yk/misbah/sarfraz take 5 batting spots, with harris probably getting the 6 spot because he can bowl. Personally would like to see Sarfraz open, with umar akmal and maqsood filling hafeez + YK's spot. Obviously would have liked to see Fawad there, although they keep mistreating him when he's in the team - he should be a No.3/4 not No.6/7. Plus, we do have some good young batsmen in the squad.

What I think is going to be the XI (wouldn't mind it if Hafeez could bowl):
Hafeez/Shehzad/YK/Harris/Misbah/UmarAkmal/Sarfraz/Afridi/Wahab/Junaid/Irfan.

What I'd like to see XI:
Shehzad/Sarfraz/UmarAkmal/Harris/Misbah/Maqsood/Afridi/Yasir/Wahab/Junaid/Irfan.

All in all, the 15 is set. Good luck team Pakistan, we're with you.

 

[Inzy's Aloo]

No Farhat
No Malik
No Kamran
No Tanvir
No Shafiq
No Amin

Well done PCB!

Would liked to have seen Fawad in there but i'm sure his time will come once Misbah & Younus move on after the tournament.

I like Sohail Khan's selection, a real surprise package. What it also means is that he is the back-up to our first choice pace bowling quartet of Irfan, Junaid, Wahab & Ehsan. Better to have a wild card back up than a so called 'senior' like Tanvir who would undeservedly filter his way into the playing XI.

Also happy that there's not any bits and pieces players in the squad, specialists needed in Australia.

ALOO's XI:

Hafeez
Shehzad
Younis
Haris
Misbah (c)
Umar
Sarfraz (w)
Afridi
Wahab
Junaid
Irfan

Maqsood
Yasir
Ehsan
Sohail

 

[world cup captain]

I am hoping gets injured in the second warm so he can't play the whole tournament. UA and Maqsood both would get a spot then.

 

[sunnykhan]

Excellent, excellent squad! No Kamran, Malik Shafiq, Tanvir, Gul, Anwar - I am delighted!!

Umar Akmal, Maqsood, Ehsan - brilliant selections!

Sohail Khan is not the brightest of selections but hey, at least it's on merit!

Younus was always going to be there.

Overall, excellent squad. I back these 15 players to bring the WC to Pakistan.

+1. The selectors did a great job IMO.

 

[Fallen King]

Overall, this is good squad. This is best you guys can get given the history of PCB and its official team. Younus khan was bound to get selected given his lady-outcry to media. Better luck next time, Fawad Alam.

I sincerely hope to see oldies and tukanators no longer part of Pakistan team in every formats after ODI WC.

 

[cricketInsight]

Batting has always been the sore point for us but now the 5th/6th bowler is an additional challenge with the ban on Hafeez. We cannot expose Harris has the 5th bowler - He must be played as the 6th bower. As Imran would say if 6 of your top batsmen didn't do the job, a 7th one would not help.

Since Sarfraz is on par with our best batsmen in current form, we should play 6 batsmen(including Sarfraz) and 5 bowlers(including Afridi). We need to remove anxiety about one aspect of our play - bowling. So we can focus on putting in the best at fielding and batting.

 

[MeanAndGreen]

Fantastic Squad overall.

Just 2 changes I would make; Fawad for Younus and Rahat/Sami for Sohail.

 

[MMHS]

I don't think YK's position in playing XI is granted.

What happens that, before any big tournaments, lot of discussion, lobbing takes place, a lot of nerves for the players - it's just like pre-election scenario. To a certain extent media plays a vital role in that (they also have to run their shop), but once the team is declared, all the excitement evaporates. Few days of evaluation of the selection/non-selections & everybody 'll focus on the tournament, rather than who is there or not. I can guarantee that, even if the least popular quartet (Malik, KAkmal, Tanvir & Asad) been selected, few days of criticism, them most posters would have focused on the team.

I think, YK managed to get into the team, mainly because PCB wanted to avoid too much disruption before the WC. The media, senior cricketers would have made teams preparation impossible. YK was in great form (In Test though), made a 100 as well & his potential replacements were neither that great (Asad or Fawad), so they picked him to silence the critic, but bigger benefit was, just by one selection, PCB silently has chopped all the players lobbying or enjoying free ride in last few years. NOW, the team 'll go to AUS & YK 'll not get a free ride - if he is to play, he has to perform. Not necessarily, he has to blast, but WY & GF 'll ask for a particular role from him & he 'll have to deliver to be in team.

Having YK with the team isn't bad idea - he is the only batsman with vast experience of AUS & someone who has the experience of laying 3 WC in different continents. I believe his company 'll be beneficiary for the young batting lineup. My hunch is, if PAK makes in later stages (to me that's SF/F), we might see one of YK or Misbah replaced by Maqsood at 3 (players of that age can always get a back spasm, groin injury, pulled hamstring........).

I think, against IND, Maqsood, Yasir, Wahab & Adil 'll be sitting.

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

1. AHMED SHEHZAD

2. MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ

3. YOUNIS KHAN

4. UMAR AKMAL

5. MISBAH UL HAQ

6. HARIS SOHAIL

7. SARFRAZ AHAMED

8. SHAHID AFRIDI

9. YASIR SHAH / WAHAB RIAZ

10. JUNAID KHAN

11. MOHAMMAD IRFAN

Sadly this has to be the opening combo.Umar Akmal shouldn't be dropped, let him play through out.

Swap Khan with Maqsood depending on form.

Junaid and Irfan will have to be rested for lesser teams.

Making Haris the ONLY 5th bowler was a bad bad idea. Should have included Malik or pray to God Hafeez gets cleared.

 

[adnan yasin]

Excellent, excellent squad! No Kamran, Malik Shafiq, Tanvir, Gul, Anwar - I am delighted!!

Umar Akmal, Maqsood, Ehsan - brilliant selections!

Sohail Khan is not the brightest of selections but hey, at least it's on merit!

Younus was always going to be there.

Overall, excellent squad. I back these 15 players to bring the WC to Pakistan.

And we know why he was going to be there. After all ....the drama he did when he was not selected for ODI series....it was for world cup selection. Even after selected in ODIS he didnt perform and fawad alam performed well and he is out because of no space in middle order.

its an 8/10 selection not 10/10

 

[fahadshah]

Hope sohail gets a game in the start ! Can be devastating with his pace ! Improved bowler ! Don't know on what performance ehsan was selected ! May be he is the one who bowls consistent in the good channel and swing both ways


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[fahadshah]

Excellent, excellent squad! No Kamran, Malik Shafiq, Tanvir, Gul, Anwar - I am delighted!!

Umar Akmal, Maqsood, Ehsan - brilliant selections!

Sohail Khan is not the brightest of selections but hey, at least it's on merit!

Younus was always going to be there.

Overall, excellent squad. I back these 15 players to bring the WC to Pakistan.

Umar akmal ? Lol


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[Sam18696]

Worse possible selection committee. worse possible squad
But we have to back the team now that its selected.

My 15 would be

1. Ahmed Shehzad

2. Sami instead of Ehsan Adil

3. Shoaib Malik instead of Mohammad Hafeez

4. Haris Sohail

5. Mohammad Irfan

6. Junaid Khan

7. Misbah ul Haq (captain)

8. Sarfraz Ahmed (w.k)

9. Shahid Afridi

10. Sohaib Maqsood

11. Sohail Khan

12. Fawad Alam instead of Umar Akmal

13. Rahat Ali instead of Wahab Riaz

14. Raza Hassan instead of Yasir Shah

15. Younis Khan

ps. I still feel Misbah is too defensive to be captain of the side.

Please tell me your joking.

 

[Sam18696]

Tbf YK did make a century so it would be unfair if he wasn't picked.

 

[osee_bhai]

Batting has always been the sore point for us but now the 5th/6th bowler is an additional challenge with the ban on Hafeez. We cannot expose Harris has the 5th bowler - He must be played as the 6th bower. As Imran would say if 6 of your top batsmen didn't do the job, a 7th one would not help.

Since Sarfraz is on par with our best batsmen in current form, we should play 6 batsmen(including Sarfraz) and 5 bowlers(including Afridi). We need to remove anxiety about one aspect of our play - bowling. So we can focus on putting in the best at fielding and batting.

Agreed, let's hope hafeez can fix his action in the coming weeks, but it seems less and less likely.

 

[Firebreaker]

Tbf YK did make a century so it would be unfair if he wasn't picked.

Fawad also scored a century in Asia Cup and also in his Test debut

 

[Sam18696]

Fawad also scored a century in Asia Cup and also in his Test debut

I'm talking recently.

 

[AZulfi]

Feel sorry for Fawad Alam. should have been an automatic selection. As chief selector Moin Khan should take the major blame for this gross injustice to Fawad.

Not too sure about Wahab and Sohail Khan (Is he really better than Bhatti and Anwar Ali? Both can bat but their bowling is nothing special). The rest of the squad picks itself.

 

[AZulfi]

Thank god no Sohail Tanvir, Kamran Akmal or Shoaib Malik

 

[Square Drive]

And we know why he was going to be there. After all ....the drama he did when he was not selected for ODI series....it was for world cup selection. Even after selected in ODIS he didnt perform and fawad alam performed well and he is out because of no space in middle order.

its an 8/10 selection not 10/10

8/10 just because of one selection?

Umar akmal ? Lol


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Why? You wanted Malik?

 

[fahadshah]

8/10 just because of one selection?


Why? You wanted Malik?

Haha malik ? Abay bhai maaf kardo
Tbh umar got the advantage of keeping and there was a tie between asad sohaib and umar ! They wanted a batsman who can go more than a run a ball in going on 6 ! So asad's case was flattened there and despite the fact that sohaib wasn't probably fit he was preferred over him !
The only question remains that who will play? Sohaib or umar at 6


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[The Yorker]

Sohail Khan failed miserably on his previous selection for Pakistan. He is not an international standard bowler, in fact he is one of the worst specialist bowlers to have ever played for Pakistan. I don't understand his great success in the domestic leagues. Rahat Ali, Imran Khan and Mir Humza were all better younger options as specialist pace bowlers. I think Pakistan may well go with four pace bowlers. Which means that Sohail will get an opportunity to play, I hope he does not let the side down.

 

[LegendAli]

Sohail Tanvir and Anwar Ali can make a century against NZ, how much weight does YK's century have on you?

 

[LegendAli]

Tbf YK did make a century so it would be unfair if he wasn't picked.

Sohail Tanvir and Anwar Ali can make a century against NZ, how much weight does YK's century have on you?

 

[Sam18696]

Sohail Tanvir and Anwar Ali can make a century against NZ, how much weight does YK's century have on you?

Lol I'll never support YK's inclusion but I'm just saying that dropping someone after scoring a century isn't fair.

 

[Itachi]

perfect squad.

not a wc winning squad but if pak enters final, i wont be surprise.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Sohail Tanvir and Anwar Ali can make a century against NZ, how much weight does YK's century have on you?

No they can't do it in a million years.

 

[Realitybites]

As good as it can get given the choice we have among the mediocre raw "talent" we have. No match winning spinner. However, underdogs do have their day too. Good luck.

 

[MMHS]

Sohail Tanvir and Anwar Ali can make a century against NZ, how much weight does YK's century have on you?

I understand the animosity for YK, but please don't take the toll out of those Kiwis. Imagine, the gentleman blew PAK to win the series, didn't make Kiwi 15 men squad - reputation of PAK batting.............

 

[Mamoon]

I understand the animosity for YK, but please don't take the toll out of those Kiwis. Imagine, the gentleman blew PAK to win the series, didn't make Kiwi 15 men squad - reputation of PAK batting.............

Point of the Year.

 

[Saj]

Not the worst squad ever selected.

A couple of talking points of course and the usual surprise pick.

 

[HappyFan]

This is my first post for PakPassion, it could be the last one, depends on PP administrators & others! I have been following this forum for the past few months and decided to give my opinion, too bad no one asked me for it.

I have been following cricket since ... well, lets just not say that. I don’t want to disclose my age ... it seems ages now ... they put me in a time capsule years ago then one day, they woke me up (no its not the plot of some Hollywood movie, its real!). Lets just start from nineties when Pakistan team could grab victories from the jaws of other teams. I still live in the age of Wasim, Waqar & Shoaib.

After reading most of the comments I couldn't help myself to give my two cents on current Pakistan squad for the world cup.

Lets start with Umar Akmal. Words are not enough to describe the great talent. Umar is the greatest batsman Pakistan has ever produced. A potential since 2010. He has done what great batsman like Miandad, Zaheer Abbas or Inzamam couldn't do. A century against Afghanistan. That alone should be enough to shut his critics. When he is not batting you can always enjoy his sense of fashion and the evergreen lipstick that I have been missing lately.

Hafeez is a big match player. He should only be allowed to play big matches like knock outs, semi finals or finals. The rest of the time he can hang out as a 12th player or something like that.

To include Younus Khan in the world cup is the wisest decision from selection committee. I always believe senior players like Younus should be allowed to bat in a game until he is out 'twice'. Unfortunately ICC wont listen to a fan like me so now all the hope is on the fielding side. Lets just hope they drop his catches. Once he is dropped we'll be able to enjoy his batting skills for the next 30 overs or so. That will be a great learning session for youngsters watching him bat. He is the academy in himself, an institution or institute, you know what I mean.

Youngsters should watch closely the first ten overs that he will face (that is of course after he is dropped in slip or somewhere). He will be able to score a healthy 20 runs, a bonus for Pakistan. After completing his half century you will see some more shot selections. Once he is around 80's he will slow down again. Don't worry the idea here is to complete the century. Youngsters who are watching should take notes as YK slowly build his inning. Cricket is a game of patient. He will be able to complete his century in a couple of hundred balls. Now Younus Khan's task is done. He scored runs, gave youngsters a great leaning session, what else you want from him? Now he is tired and can go to dressing room for a nice massage.

Now its up to Afridi & Sarfaraz to finish the game. After all these days its not that difficult to score 10 to 20 runs in a over not for boom boom and Sarfaraz. If Afridi failed, I am not going to criticize the legend. If Sarfaraz failed there is always Kamran Akmal or in fact Umar Akmal or Adnan or one more Akmal (These Akmals have a clone factory somewhere that makes them keep coming), one of them can easily replace Sarfaraz.

Then we have the backbone of our batting, our great captain. He has made a deal with the devil. I don’t know the full details of their agreement but in returns Misbah gets to play Cricket till he is 50. For Indian fans Sachin Tendulkar may have some world records but he doesn’t have this one. Not to mention the fastest test century. Misbah starts his inning slowly as some says wisely but then again you have to give old man some benefit at this age, he needs some time to settle on the crease. Again youngsters please take notes in your notebooks. You are watching a legend. I would like to point out at this age he cant run like Fawad Alam, good thing that he is not in the squad. If Fawad was in the team imagine how many run outs he would have caused? I heard some say last year he scored with an average of something like 69. Trust me people, that’s just a myth. No Pakistani batsman can reach that number except of course Umar Akmal, a potential since 2010.

In my opinion 220 or 230 should be enough. Our bowlers will be able to defend that score. With bowlers like Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar, we should be able to wrap other teams around 170 or 180.

The crunch match will be against Ireland, fans like me will nervously watching that game. After all Ireland is one of the top three in ICC one day ranking. If we win that game then I say the selection committee has done its job and should be entitles to be selectors for their life time.

I am sure Pakistan will play fearless cricket. The key is to take fear of winning out of your mind. Then you become fearless.

Some say that Pakistan team is not consistent. I say its wrong. If you compare Pakistan world cup squad from 2011 World Cup, this world cup squad has 8 members from there. That's more then 50% consistency. I am sure final 11 will have all of these 8 members. I call them super members.

Like any other fan I demand to see these super members in 2019 World Cup, when Pakistan will go to England to defend their title.

Sorry Indian fans, your 2011 squad is disintegrated and you will loose your title in a couple of months. After all how would you defend the title with the bowlers like Javagal Srinath , Venkatesh Prasad, Venkatapathy Raju and not to mention world's greatest straight bowler Anil Kumble in the squad!

That concludes my analysis.

In the end I would like to mention if Moin Khan need a seventh selector I am always willing to server the country. After all seven selectors are better then six selectors. In fact I would say Cricket is a game played with 11 players, why cant we have 11 members in the selection committee as well?

 

[Strike Rate]

This is my first post for PakPassion, it could be the last one, depends on PP administrators & others! I have been following this forum for the past few months and decided to give my opinion, too bad no one asked me for it.

I have been following cricket since ... well, lets just not say that. I don’t want to disclose my age ... it seems ages now ... they put me in a time capsule years ago then one day, they woke me up (no its not the plot of some Hollywood movie, its real!). Lets just start from nineties when Pakistan team could grab victories from the jaws of other teams. I still live in the age of Wasim, Waqar & Shoaib.

After reading most of the comments I couldn't help myself to give my two cents on current Pakistan squad for the world cup.

Lets start with Umar Akmal. Words are not enough to describe the great talent. Umar is the greatest batsman Pakistan has ever produced. A potential since 2010. He has done what great batsman like Miandad, Zaheer Abbas or Inzamam couldn't do. A century against Afghanistan. That alone should be enough to shut his critics. When he is not batting you can always enjoy his sense of fashion and the evergreen lipstick that I have been missing lately.

Hafeez is a big match player. He should only be allowed to play big matches like knock outs, semi finals or finals. The rest of the time he can hang out as a 12th player or something like that.

To include Younus Khan in the world cup is the wisest decision from selection committee. I always believe senior players like Younus should be allowed to bat in a game until he is out 'twice'. Unfortunately ICC wont listen to a fan like me so now all the hope is on the fielding side. Lets just hope they drop his catches. Once he is dropped we'll be able to enjoy his batting skills for the next 30 overs or so. That will be a great learning session for youngsters watching him bat. He is the academy in himself, an institution or institute, you know what I mean.

Youngsters should watch closely the first ten overs that he will face (that is of course after he is dropped in slip or somewhere). He will be able to score a healthy 20 runs, a bonus for Pakistan. After completing his half century you will see some more shot selections. Once he is around 80's he will slow down again. Don't worry the idea here is to complete the century. Youngsters who are watching should take notes as YK slowly build his inning. Cricket is a game of patient. He will be able to complete his century in a couple of hundred balls. Now Younus Khan's task is done. He scored runs, gave youngsters a great leaning session, what else you want from him? Now he is tired and can go to dressing room for a nice massage.

Now its up to Afridi & Sarfaraz to finish the game. After all these days its not that difficult to score 10 to 20 runs in a over not for boom boom and Sarfaraz. If Afridi failed, I am not going to criticize the legend. If Sarfaraz failed there is always Kamran Akmal or in fact Umar Akmal or Adnan or one more Akmal (These Akmals have a clone factory somewhere that makes them keep coming), one of them can easily replace Sarfaraz.

Then we have the backbone of our batting, our great captain. He has made a deal with the devil. I don’t know the full details of their agreement but in returns Misbah gets to play Cricket till he is 50. For Indian fans Sachin Tendulkar may have some world records but he doesn’t have this one. Not to mention the fastest test century. Misbah starts his inning slowly as some says wisely but then again you have to give old man some benefit at this age, he needs some time to settle on the crease. Again youngsters please take notes in your notebooks. You are watching a legend. I would like to point out at this age he cant run like Fawad Alam, good thing that he is not in the squad. If Fawad was in the team imagine how many run outs he would have caused? I heard some say last year he scored with an average of something like 69. Trust me people, that’s just a myth. No Pakistani batsman can reach that number except of course Umar Akmal, a potential since 2010.

In my opinion 220 or 230 should be enough. Our bowlers will be able to defend that score. With bowlers like Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar, we should be able to wrap other teams around 170 or 180.

The crunch match will be against Ireland, fans like me will nervously watching that game. After all Ireland is one of the top three in ICC one day ranking. If we win that game then I say the selection committee has done its job and should be entitles to be selectors for their life time.

I am sure Pakistan will play fearless cricket. The key is to take fear of winning out of your mind. Then you become fearless.

Some say that Pakistan team is not consistent. I say its wrong. If you compare Pakistan world cup squad from 2011 World Cup, this world cup squad has 8 members from there. That's more then 50% consistency. I am sure final 11 will have all of these 8 members. I call them super members.

Like any other fan I demand to see these super members in 2019 World Cup, when Pakistan will go to England to defend their title.

Sorry Indian fans, your 2011 squad is disintegrated and you will loose your title in a couple of months. After all how would you defend the title with the bowlers like Javagal Srinath , Venkatesh Prasad, Venkatapathy Raju and not to mention world's greatest straight bowler Anil Kumble in the squad!

That concludes my analysis.

In the end I would like to mention if Moin Khan need a seventh selector I am always willing to server the country. After all seven selectors are better then six selectors. In fact I would say Cricket is a game played with 11 players, why cant we have 11 members in the selection committee as well?

Top post POTW for me! it's always nice to see more old babas like me at PP still living in 80s and 90s aah those memories hurts when you compare the cricket of that era to today

 

[Strike Rate]

[MENTION=138180]HappyFan[/MENTION] bro i hope we will see more posts from you in future

 

[Strike Rate]

We missed a trick by not sending Sami

 

[iHammad]

Bump.

Then: good squad, apart from Younis and Sohail Khan everyone should be there

Now: Drop Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, and Sohaib Maqsood

 

[farazaidi]

Younus really plunged the squad in the ground. In the hindsight, if Fawad had been there just on the bench, they'd be more pressure on Maqsood and Umar to perform and be consistent. We just didnt had any options to fall back on as far as batting was concerned !

And Shehzad has been the biggest disappointment, his whole world cup with selfies, bust up with journalists etc. Its another crappy WC campaign for him after 2011. Simply not the player for the big occasion !

 

[Chokli]

Lol it's fun going back and reading posts.

Some people complaining now that the 2015 Squad was awful actually said that they were happy with the squad back in 2015.

 

[waqar goraya]

5 specialist fast bowlers in a 15 man squad are unbalancing !

Don't tell me Faheem Ashraf is an all-rounder. The likes of Wasim Akram and Brett Lee had better batting skills and they played as specialists !

The second problem is Shoaib Malik. The legend has an average of 13 in around 25 innings in England. And if i remember correctly has scored couple of half centuries in his last dozen innings.

The third problem is lack of a lower middle order batsman who could score briskly. May be they consider Imad good enough for that. But I'm satisfied with selectors not including Asif Ali in original 15 at this stage. He has not done anything to be there.