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Pakistan T20 team for the next World Cup

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Gasman

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So after the conclusion of the Zimbabwe series, despite the weakness of the opposition, we are getting some ideas of the composition of our T20 team for Indian conditions.
My starting 11:

1 Babar Azam
2 Abdullah Shafique
3 Haider Ali
4 Azam Khan (wk)
5 Khushdil Shah
6 Shadab Khan
7 Imad Wasim
8 Wahab Riaz
9 Usman Qadir
10 Shaheen Afridi
11 Haris Rauf

Squad players:

Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Hasnain
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Amir

The only proviso is that Azam Khan continues to improve his fitness levels to get up to international cricket standards.
Your thoughts?
 
Shadab is not a #6. Either bats in top or lower order.

Amir and Hafeez if in form have to start in the XI.

Other than that it is good.

I would open with Haider Ali, as he can take advantage of the powerplay. Abdullah has the game to play at #3.

I think Shoaib Malik will make the team as well.
 
Babar
Haider
Hafeez
Shadab
Khushdil
Imad
Rohail/Rizwan (leaning towards Rohail)
Wahab
Qadir
Shaheen
Haris/Hasnain

Fakhar
Hussain Talat
Abdullah Shafiq
Haris/Hasnain

A lot could and probably will change in a year but this is what I'm at so far.
 
I think the following team could be good based on current form. However I am not convinced with moving Haider to open. He is a dynamic number 3 and ideally, Babar should be partnered with an aggressive opener in the mould of Sharjeel/ Fakhar. However neither is in form.


Babar Azam
Haider Ali
Abdullah Shafiq
M Hafeez
Shadab Khan
Khushdil/Sohaib Maqsood
Azam Khan
Imad Wasim
Shaheen Afridi
Hasnain
Amir / Wahab / Rauf

The other problem is, Abdullah, Hafeez and Shadab can be aggressive but they also have a tendency to get stuck and may slow down the scoring too much. It’s all about mindset. With Imad coming in at 8 and Wahab/Amir potentially to follow, the batsmen should be told to play aggressively at all times.
 
I think the NZ series will be an interesting thread to see how people’s teams change after the NZ series.

Mark my words, we will see Hafeez and Malik feature in the starting XI in the first game of the World Cup fixture next year
 
I think the team in Zim T20's series was pretty good, keep building on that. The only major change I would look to make is to bring in Sharjeel for Fakhar, and of course bring in Shaheen for Wahab
 
From what I have been following and how this team management thinks, our main combination next year will be:

1. Babar
2. Fakhar
3. Haider
4. Hafeez
5. Malik
6. Khushdil
7. Rizwan (wk)
8. Imad
9. Wahab
10. Shaheen
11. Amir


The team I want,

1. Haider
2. Khushdil
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Shadab
6. Zeeshan Ashraf (wk)
7. Imad
8. Wahab
9. Hasnain
10. Qadir
11. Rauf
 
What a dominating series victory for Pakistan. No doubt the best team in the world
 
I don’t want to waste Haider in the powerplay. He is one of the only batsmen we have who can accelerate from ball 1 and I don’t want him to try to accelerate from ball 1 against the moving ball from Rabada or Bumrah or Cummins.

One down suits him really well as it adds stability if we lose an opener, and we have more explosive options for opener than we have options for the middle order so rather than shift everyone up and play someone new at 5, I would rather bring someone new in to open. My contender is Zeeshan Ashraf as wicket keeper and opener. This will allow us to bring someone in the middle order too by dropping Rizwan so solves two problems - two birds in one stone. I will also not be opposed to Rohail Nazir taking this role. I just don’t think Rizwan is the answer.

Something like this:

1. Babar Azam (c)
2. Zeeshan Ashraf (wk)
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Shadab Khan (vc)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Iftikhar Ahmed
8. Imad Wasim
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Shaheen Afridi

12th man: Usman Qadir
In for Amir: Hasnain or Rauf

The above lineup has depth until number 10 with batting and has 6 bowling options with Hafeez as 6th bowler.

Qadir has showed some good potential but will not displace any of the 3 spinners in the lineup as he cannot bat as well as them, nor can he field as well as them. Hafeez is essentially a specialist bat, while Shadab was third highest wicket taker in the National T20 and remains the 8th best bowler in the world according to ICC rankings. He can potentially displace Imad, if we go with two leggies, though Imad’s economy is invaluable.

But regardless of our bowling options, I think we will enjoy considerable batting depth and bowling depth no matter which picks we go for, which affords us the liberty of giving aggressive bats a free hand.

Our lineup is not bad, and stands a decent chance but I don’t see us beating the likes of India, England, Australia in the T20 world cup.

Rather, I see the world cup as opportunities to develop the likes of Haider and Khushdil.
 
Rana said:
From what I have been following and how this team management thinks, our main combination next year will be:

1. Babar
2. Fakhar
3. Haider
4. Hafeez
5. Malik
6. Khushdil
7. Rizwan (wk)
8. Imad
9. Wahab
10. Shaheen
11. Amir


The team I want,

1. Haider
2. Khushdil
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Shadab
6. Zeeshan Ashraf (wk)
7. Imad
8. Wahab
9. Hasnain
10. Qadir
11. Rauf
Click to expand...

There’s no way they’ll drop Shadab for Malik if he’s fit. Perhaps Khushdil could have made way for Malik but now Khushdil has done well so that is unlikely.

As for your team, why would you move Babar down from opening where he has been such a success? Plus there are way too many bowling options. And why Khushdil to open but Zeeshan at 6? These are not roles the players have experience of or have shown inclination they’re good at. And why would you exclude Shaheen who is our best pacer?
 
Forum363 said:
There’s no way they’ll drop Shadab for Malik if he’s fit. Perhaps Khushdil could have made way for Malik but now Khushdil has done well so that is unlikely.

As for your team, why would you move Babar down from opening where he has been such a success? Plus there are way too many bowling options. And why Khushdil to open but Zeeshan at 6? These are not roles the players have experience of or have shown inclination they’re good at. And why would you exclude Shaheen who is our best pacer?
Click to expand...

1. So, I think Babar should be at No. 3 to anchor the innings as I don’t think it is safe to play Haider in this role, he is young and reckless at the moment. Better safe than sorry. If we lose Babar in the first over or early due to a beautiful ball by a top bowler, we will be in big trouble. Kohli, Smith, Root, Williamson will all be batting at number 3.

2. I don’t think Fakhar will make the side, but I am not comfortable with a Babar/Shafiq pairing or a Babar/Haider pairing. I’m also not happy with a Khushdil and Zeeshan 5&6 slot either. I feel we have nothing to lose by giving Khusdhil a chance to try his hand as an opener and utilise the power play with Haider. Both are young and could do with some early boundaries with the field up, instead of having to walk in at 3,4,5 and playing to a spread out field.

3. Yes, I prefer lots of bowling options instead of putting all my eggs in one basket. I would go with 3 spin options and 3 pace options in case any one or two bowlers have a bad day. There is no bowler in Pakistan and even in the world who is gaurenteed to give you 4 economical/par overs. The plus point is that 3 of those 6 bowlers are very handy batting options (Shadab/Imad/Wahab).

4. You are right about Shaheen. I would swap him with Rauf, I posted the team in haste and realised my mistake. Could not edit it in time.
 
Probable Fixtures before the World Cup:

3 T20Is in NZ
3 T20Is against England at home
3 T20Is against SA at home
3 T20Is in South Africa
Asia Cup in Sri Lanka
3 T20Is in England
3 T20Is in WI
3 T20Is against NZ at home
 
Rana said:
I think the NZ series will be an interesting thread to see how people’s teams change after the NZ series.

Mark my words, we will see Hafeez and Malik feature in the starting XI in the first game of the World Cup fixture next year
Click to expand...

Yep. Then the South Africa series will see a change and after that the next series, then the next and then the next.

Until the tournament arrives and the squad is announced and we are all upset and irritated.
 
aloo paratha said:
Probable Fixtures before the World Cup:

3 T20Is in NZ
3 T20Is against England at home
3 T20Is against SA at home
3 T20Is in South Africa
Asia Cup in Sri Lanka
3 T20Is in England
3 T20Is in WI
3 T20Is against NZ at home
Click to expand...

Pretty great set of fixtures to be honest, enough time to try out a new keeper/opener as that is the main question mark in the lineup right now. Rest of the unit should be settled by then. About 24 T20 games, I’d wager?
 
I wonder why most of the teams on here don't feature Harry Sohail. He is an excellent chaser, great against spin and can hit pace as well. An ideal grafter in the middle order for a T20 side.


T20 teams need players like him to recover from situations like 20/3. You can't go with tullay from 1-11.
 
Last edited:
Gasman said:
So after the conclusion of the Zimbabwe series, despite the weakness of the opposition, we are getting some ideas of the composition of our T20 team for Indian conditions.
My starting 11:

1 Babar Azam
2 Abdullah Shafique
3 Haider Ali
4 Azam Khan (wk)
5 Khushdil Shah
6 Shadab Khan
7 Imad Wasim
8 Wahab Riaz
9 Usman Qadir
10 Shaheen Afridi
11 Haris Rauf

Squad players:

Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Hasnain
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Amir

The only proviso is that Azam Khan continues to improve his fitness levels to get up to international cricket standards.
Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Too many all-rounders in that line-up. In T20, you need solid 16 overs and may be decent 4 .... and you don't need extra bowling options much, neither batting from tail if your top six/seven are good enough.
That line-up will be struggling to build any momentum and might struggle to finish 20 overs if Babar gets out early.

Abdullah is not a T20 batsman and they must find a left slogger at the top. Sharjeel or Fakhar would have been perfect but neither looks like making it - rest left is Imam, not a bad choice actually. Couple of years back, I would have said Amin to partner Babar, but not any more.

I'll go with this line up till next WC, which is likely to be in India in 12 months time (It might change by a player or two over the time, but the core will remain similar)

1. *Babar
2. +Zeeshan Ashraf
3. Haider
4. MoHa
5. Shadab
6. Khusdil
7. Maqsood
8. Imad
9. Wahab/Amir (Both won't play together - that makes three left-arm pacers)
10. Shaheen
11. Hasnain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Rauf
14. Malik
15. Usman/Gohar
 
MMHS said:
Too many all-rounders in that line-up. In T20, you need solid 16 overs and may be decent 4 .... and you don't need extra bowling options much, neither batting from tail if your top six/seven are good enough.
That line-up will be struggling to build any momentum and might struggle to finish 20 overs if Babar gets out early.

Abdullah is not a T20 batsman and they must find a left slogger at the top. Sharjeel or Fakhar would have been perfect but neither looks like making it - rest left is Imam, not a bad choice actually. Couple of years back, I would have said Amin to partner Babar, but not any more.

I'll go with this line up till next WC, which is likely to be in India in 12 months time (It might change by a player or two over the time, but the core will remain similar)

1. *Babar
2. +Zeeshan Ashraf
3. Haider
4. MoHa
5. Shadab
6. Khusdil
7. Maqsood
8. Imad
9. Wahab/Amir (Both won't play together - that makes three left-arm pacers)
10. Shaheen
11. Hasnain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Rauf
14. Malik
15. Usman/Gohar
Click to expand...

Good team overall. Batting lineup is good for t20.

But

Are you satisfied with Shadab & Imad as the main spinners considering next world cup is in India.

Do you think they can trouble asian teams especially India.

Another problem is if you add specialist spinners, it will weaken batting lineup.

What is your opinion?.
 
MMHS said:
Too many all-rounders in that line-up. In T20, you need solid 16 overs and may be decent 4 .... and you don't need extra bowling options much, neither batting from tail if your top six/seven are good enough.
That line-up will be struggling to build any momentum and might struggle to finish 20 overs if Babar gets out early.

Abdullah is not a T20 batsman and they must find a left slogger at the top. Sharjeel or Fakhar would have been perfect but neither looks like making it - rest left is Imam, not a bad choice actually. Couple of years back, I would have said Amin to partner Babar, but not any more.

I'll go with this line up till next WC, which is likely to be in India in 12 months time (It might change by a player or two over the time, but the core will remain similar)

1. *Babar
2. +Zeeshan Ashraf
3. Haider
4. MoHa
5. Shadab
6. Khusdil
7. Maqsood
8. Imad
9. Wahab/Amir (Both won't play together - that makes three left-arm pacers)
10. Shaheen
11. Hasnain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Rauf
14. Malik
15. Usman/Gohar
Click to expand...


Please explain your faith in Maqsood? And why is he batting below Shadab in your batting line up lol?

I don't think that line up is that bad.
 
Kaddy said:
Good team overall. Batting lineup is good for t20.

But

Are you satisfied with Shadab & Imad as the main spinners considering next world cup is in India.

Do you think they can trouble asian teams especially India.

Another problem is if you add specialist spinners, it will weaken batting lineup.

What is your opinion?.
Click to expand...

They won't be dropped, therefore no point making hypothetical teams. Also, I am not sure about alternatives - Usman Qadir is not a better bowler than Shadab, or may be marginal call, overall package Shadab is way ahead and he is the deputy as well. Imad actually is a quite a decent T20 bowler and I am not sure if Gohar or any other SLAO spinner can delivery better than him as bowler. May not be in other formats, but in T20 these two are actually best two options right now and Imad is a much better slogger at 7 than most.

One alternate you can think since Shadab & Imad are batting well these days is to promote Imad at 7 (drop Maqsood) and play one extra spinner. On Indian wickets, it can be a turner or a batting belter, but it'll never be seemer's track, hence PAK should keep Faheem at a pole distance.

5 pacers, 3 spinners, 6 batsmen and a WK + one of Haider or Khusdil has to practice WKeeping, just in case as a back-up, otherwise one spot will be wasted to carry a WK, who might not even be 12th man for a single game.
 
Hasan123 said:
Please explain your faith in Maqsood? And why is he batting below Shadab in your batting line up lol?

I don't think that line up is that bad.
Click to expand...

You need an explosive hitter at 7 - someone who can come and instantly score 15 of 5-6 balls. In T20, the No. 6/7 are almost redundant spot for batsmen - in IPL, have you seen a single game where teas have won from say 4 down inside 6 overs? ODI gives more time to the batsmen hence No. 6, 7 are critical batting spots, but in T20, there is absolutely no point trying to play out overs (in case of early wicket loss), and post a near about score.

Now, Shadab has absolutely no use at 7 - he can't blast from ball one, won't carry the batting if it starts like 57/5 - from No. 5, he can at least take the innings to deep or doesn't come to bat at all (at 135/3 after 16 or 147/3 after 17 overs, Shadab shouldn't come to bat). He is there for a good balance and for lack of alternatives (as leg-spinner).

That No. 7 spot depends on the strategy you are adopting - PAK can go with batting heavy XI and plan to use the batting depth from ball one; or play a specialist spinner at 8, promoting Imad one slot and make a better bowling combination - either way, Shadab doesn't fit at No. 7.
 
MMHS said:
You need an explosive hitter at 7 - someone who can come and instantly score 15 of 5-6 balls. In T20, the No. 6/7 are almost redundant spot for batsmen - in IPL, have you seen a single game where teas have won from say 4 down inside 6 overs? ODI gives more time to the batsmen hence No. 6, 7 are critical batting spots, but in T20, there is absolutely no point trying to play out overs (in case of early wicket loss), and post a near about score.

Now, Shadab has absolutely no use at 7 - he can't blast from ball one, won't carry the batting if it starts like 57/5 - from No. 5, he can at least take the innings to deep or doesn't come to bat at all (at 135/3 after 16 or 147/3 after 17 overs, Shadab shouldn't come to bat). He is there for a good balance and for lack of alternatives (as leg-spinner).

That No. 7 spot depends on the strategy you are adopting - PAK can go with batting heavy XI and plan to use the batting depth from ball one; or play a specialist spinner at 8, promoting Imad one slot and make a better bowling combination - either way, Shadab doesn't fit at No. 7.
Click to expand...


So you think Maqsood can consistently get the 15 off 5/6 balls you are referring too? I was thinking he is finished as a player but if you say he has a role to play I wouldn't him being given a chance.
 
Going by the IPL, India’s XI should be:

1. Rohit Sharma
2. KL Rahul
3. Ishan Kishan
4. Surya Kumar Yadav
5. Shreyas Iyer
6. Sanju Samson (wk)
7. Hardik Pandya
8. Varun Chakarvaty
9. Mohammad Shami
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Yuzendra Chahal
 
MMHS said:
Too many all-rounders in that line-up. In T20, you need solid 16 overs and may be decent 4 .... and you don't need extra bowling options much, neither batting from tail if your top six/seven are good enough.
That line-up will be struggling to build any momentum and might struggle to finish 20 overs if Babar gets out early.

Abdullah is not a T20 batsman and they must find a left slogger at the top. Sharjeel or Fakhar would have been perfect but neither looks like making it - rest left is Imam, not a bad choice actually. Couple of years back, I would have said Amin to partner Babar, but not any more.

I'll go with this line up till next WC, which is likely to be in India in 12 months time (It might change by a player or two over the time, but the core will remain similar)

1. *Babar
2. +Zeeshan Ashraf
3. Haider
4. MoHa
5. Shadab
6. Khusdil
7. Maqsood
8. Imad
9. Wahab/Amir (Both won't play together - that makes three left-arm pacers)
10. Shaheen
11. Hasnain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Rauf
14. Malik
15. Usman/Gohar
Click to expand...

Exactly same as my lineup except for Maqsood. I think this is probably the best combination moving forward. Like you said, one or two players plus minus
 
1) Sharjeel Khan
2) Babar Azam
3) Abdullah Shafique
4) Haider Ali
5) Muhammad Hafeez
6) Azam Khan (WK) - For T20 at the moment we don't have any other option TBH
7) Imad Wasim
8) Wahab Riaz
9) Usman Qadir
10) Shaheen Shah Afridi
11) Haris Rauf

I'm quite sure this team has more than enough potential to give fights and win matches..

12) Shadab Khan
13) Faheem Ashraf
14) Muhammad Hasnain
15) Khushdil Shah
 
The team is taking shape quite nicely after that series where FINALLY some youngsters were tried out. The squad may look something like this in a years time:

Haider
Babar
Abdullah
Rizwan (WK)
Hafeez
Khushdil
Shadab
Imad
Wahab
Afridi
Hasnain

Bench: Fakhar, Malik, Usman Qadir, Rauf

The jury is still out on Khushdil, but the way he effortlessly hits sixes i'd be hopeful he can maintain his place with some hard work.

Malik makes the bench as..well, he'll be there whether we like it or not. His t20 record is good though and he adds a lot of experience to a line up that suddenly looks a little raw without Hafeez.

Rizwan is a good enough batsman to make the side but needs to be in the top 4 as his main game will be keeping the ball on the floor. I doubt we'll groom a replacement in time now anyway.

Bowling wise it looks like Hasnain might grab the new ball along with Shaheen. Wahab's death bowling is excellent and he'll be very handy at number 9. Imad and Shadab should look to bowl 4 each, but Hafeez can always chip in to left handers if neccesary.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Exactly same as my lineup except for Maqsood. I think this is probably the best combination moving forward. Like you said, one or two players plus minus
Click to expand...

Maqsood isn’t my choice either - I would have batted him in top three earlier, but I am struggling to find one name for that no 7 spot - someone like Pollard, Hardik, Maxwell, Butler, Miller or the Kiwi guy I forgot name. Malik or Talat are not the players while if I push Khusdil further down, he’ll face every ball from pacers into last 4-5 overs. May be another option can be Asif Ali, if he can connect 4-5 balls regularly out of 6, he has future in T20. Otherwise, PCB has one year to find an instant explosive hitter for No. 7 ... someone like Afridi or ARazzak - Sohail Akhtar, Moin’s son, Yamin..... I don’t know, but this should be the focus spot - they must try players who are doing the same job at 7 in PSL; not like picking someone hitting in power play, then picked for No. 7 spot. Maqsood, if fit actually can serve the purpose.
 
MMHS said:
Maqsood isn’t my choice either - I would have batted him in top three earlier, but I am struggling to find one name for that no 7 spot - someone like Pollard, Hardik, Maxwell, Butler, Miller or the Kiwi guy I forgot name. Malik or Talat are not the players while if I push Khusdil further down, he’ll face every ball from pacers into last 4-5 overs. May be another option can be Asif Ali, if he can connect 4-5 balls regularly out of 6, he has future in T20. Otherwise, PCB has one year to find an instant explosive hitter for No. 7 ... someone like Afridi or ARazzak - Sohail Akhtar, Moin’s son, Yamin..... I don’t know, but this should be the focus spot - they must try players who are doing the same job at 7 in PSL; not like picking someone hitting in power play, then picked for No. 7 spot. Maqsood, if fit actually can serve the purpose.
Click to expand...

Not considering Iftikhar?
 
15 Man Squad

Batsmen
Haider Ali
Babar Azam
Sohaib Maqsood
Khushdil Shah
Mohammad Hafeez
Ifthikhar Ahmed
Abdullah Shafiq
Mohammad Rizwan

Bowlers
Shadab Khan
Imad Wasim
Zahid Mehmood
Faheem Ashraf
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Wahab Riaz
Akif Javed
 
I see that performing well against Zimbabwe now warrants you a place in the T20 WC squad lol.

After the NZ series, half of these names will disappear from your t20 wc squads.
 
ritzy_123 said:
1) Sharjeel Khan
2) Babar Azam
3) Abdullah Shafique
4) Haider Ali
5) Muhammad Hafeez
6) Azam Khan (WK) - For T20 at the moment we don't have any other option TBH
7) Imad Wasim
8) Wahab Riaz
9) Usman Qadir
10) Shaheen Shah Afridi
11) Haris Rauf

I'm quite sure this team has more than enough potential to give fights and win matches..

12) Shadab Khan
13) Faheem Ashraf
14) Muhammad Hasnain
15) Khushdil Shah
Click to expand...

THIS. I'd like to see Danish Aziz in there too.
 
Rana said:
1. So, I think Babar should be at No. 3 to anchor the innings as I don’t think it is safe to play Haider in this role, he is young and reckless at the moment. Better safe than sorry. If we lose Babar in the first over or early due to a beautiful ball by a top bowler, we will be in big trouble. Kohli, Smith, Root, Williamson will all be batting at number 3.

2. I don’t think Fakhar will make the side, but I am not comfortable with a Babar/Shafiq pairing or a Babar/Haider pairing. I’m also not happy with a Khushdil and Zeeshan 5&6 slot either. I feel we have nothing to lose by giving Khusdhil a chance to try his hand as an opener and utilise the power play with Haider. Both are young and could do with some early boundaries with the field up, instead of having to walk in at 3,4,5 and playing to a spread out field.

3. Yes, I prefer lots of bowling options instead of putting all my eggs in one basket. I would go with 3 spin options and 3 pace options in case any one or two bowlers have a bad day. There is no bowler in Pakistan and even in the world who is gaurenteed to give you 4 economical/par overs. The plus point is that 3 of those 6 bowlers are very handy batting options (Shadab/Imad/Wahab).

4. You are right about Shaheen. I would swap him with Rauf, I posted the team in haste and realised my mistake. Could not edit it in time.
Click to expand...

1. You don’t change something that’s working so incredibly well. Babar can anchor the innings at 3, but why not 4 etc? Haider May be reckless but he has 2 50s in three innings and he doesn’t become less reckless by opening. Those other batsman bat at 3 because the teams have great and explosive openers. We are struggling to find a partner for Babar.

2. Your first point is centred on being safe than sorry but here you say there’s nothing to lose by making Khushdil open. It’s clear his strength is not against pace. So yes, we have a lot to lose by placing someone out of their position.

3. In a T20 you cannot fully use all the bowlers because by the time you’ve given everyone a few overs each, the match would be over. Plus imagine a us being 80 - 4 at the halfway mark. We would have shadab and newbie Ashraf batting with just Imad and Wahab (still a tailender) to come.
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
Not considering Iftikhar?
Click to expand...

Indeed an option for Indian WC, can bowl a bit off spin as well - this is something we need to consider; if PP can dream with Haider & Khusdil for their 50+/150+ average and SR after the ZIM series, then why not Iftekhar also ... for his 5for?

However, the problem is for no. 7 I am looking for someone who can hit the pacers. Most times No. 7 will come to bat after 15th over and face pacers, might not face even a single ball from spinners - Iftekhar doesn’t fit that bill.

Another name I can think about is Danish Aziz, but the concern remains same - hit the pacers. If you narrow down, you’ll see only names like Maqsood, Umar Akmal .....
 
Rana said:
Going by the IPL, India’s XI should be:

1. Rohit Sharma
2. KL Rahul
3. Ishan Kishan
4. Surya Kumar Yadav
5. Shreyas Iyer
6. Sanju Samson (wk)
7. Hardik Pandya
8. Varun Chakarvaty
9. Mohammad Shami
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Yuzendra Chahal
Click to expand...

Not bad brother. And if hardik isn't bowling then drop iyer and get in jadeja.
 
Gasman said:
So after the conclusion of the Zimbabwe series, despite the weakness of the opposition, we are getting some ideas of the composition of our T20 team for Indian conditions.
My starting 11:

1 Babar Azam
2 Abdullah Shafique
3 Haider Ali
4 Azam Khan (wk)
5 Khushdil Shah
6 Shadab Khan
7 Imad Wasim
8 Wahab Riaz
9 Usman Qadir
10 Shaheen Afridi
11 Haris Rauf

Squad players:

Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Hasnain
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Amir

The only proviso is that Azam Khan continues to improve his fitness levels to get up to international cricket standards.
Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

I would have Hasnain in place of Rauf
 
Rana said:
From what I have been following and how this team management thinks, our main combination next year will be:

1. Babar
2. Fakhar
3. Haider
4. Hafeez
5. Malik
6. Khushdil
7. Rizwan (wk)
8. Imad
9. Wahab
10. Shaheen
11. Amir


The team I want,

1. Haider
2. Khushdil
3. Babar
4. Hafeez
5. Shadab
6. Zeeshan Ashraf (wk)
7. Imad
8. Wahab
9. Hasnain
10. Qadir
11. Rauf
Click to expand...

No Saheen....
 
I will go with the following XI :

1. Babar Azam
2. Fakhar Zaman/Sharjeel Khan
3. Haider Ali
4/5. Two out of Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Masood and Hussain Talat.
6. Azam Khan (wk)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Imad Wasim
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Harris Rauf
 
If Pakistan decide to go with Shadab and Imad, then I'm afraid the result will be the same as it was in 2016. Especially Shadab....the guy will be slaughtered by decent teams on Indian wickets if he doesn't improve his bowling drastically.
 
Fakhar/Sharjeel
Babar
Haider
Hafeez/Abdullah
Khusdil/Azam khan/ Malik
Rizwan/Rohail nazir
imad/shadab
Qadir/iftikhar
Amir/wahab
Rauf/Hasnain
Shaheen

My 20 man squad which would probably be cut down to 15 by removing these 5 (Malik/ifthikar/Rohail/Azam khan/Sharjeel)

But you never know with the PCB. They will probably play iftikahr and Malik in the XI since Misbah loves experienced players no matter how out of form they are. Then he’ll make so many excuses to get them in the team by saying it’s in Asia and so and so has a good record in India. Then if they crash out early he’ll make more excuses and end with “guys have done well” Shoaib akhtar was right when he said Misbah is the most “buzdil” and selfish captain during 2015 WC. Nothing has changed since he’s become coach. Still same old Misbah with lame excuses and pathetic performances. “I didn’t do too bad in t20s” is what he said after Pakistan slid from No1 ranking. And this guys first move was to bring shehzad and akmal. Let’s move him from head coach before we start discussing squads. Seriously need to get rid of him soon if Pakistan want to start competing again. One Niazi ruining the country while another one is ruining the cricket.
 
I think this team/squad is good enough for semi final

Haider ali
Babar /abdullah
Zeshan ashraf /azam khan fitness
Hafeez
Khushdil
Danish aziz
Imad /gohar
Shadab /qadir
Shaheen /akif
Husain
Wahab/rauf

/=unfit or injury
 
Mesozoic said:
If Pakistan decide to go with Shadab and Imad, then I'm afraid the result will be the same as it was in 2016. Especially Shadab....the guy will be slaughtered by decent teams on Indian wickets if he doesn't improve his bowling drastically.
Click to expand...

So would you replace with them two ?
 
Syed1 said:
I wonder why most of the teams on here don't feature Harry Sohail. He is an excellent chaser, great against spin and can hit pace as well. An ideal grafter in the middle order for a T20 side.


T20 teams need players like him to recover from situations like 20/3. You can't go with tullay from 1-11.
Click to expand...

You already have babar and abdullah
Or babar and rizwan for some so do you really need sohail I dont think so
 
shamaan said:
So would you replace with them two ?
Click to expand...

Imad is fine. He can hit it out at the death unlike Shadab, who pretty much plays as a specialist bowler at no.8.

They should just go for a spinner who won't bowl two long hops every hour. I know it's too early Usman Qadir looks a better option than him , particularly in Indian conditions.
 
MMHS said:
Indeed an option for Indian WC, can bowl a bit off spin as well - this is something we need to consider; if PP can dream with Haider & Khusdil for their 50+/150+ average and SR after the ZIM series, then why not Iftekhar also ... for his 5for?

However, the problem is for no. 7 I am looking for someone who can hit the pacers. Most times No. 7 will come to bat after 15th over and face pacers, might not face even a single ball from spinners - Iftekhar doesn’t fit that bill.

Another name I can think about is Danish Aziz, but the concern remains same - hit the pacers. If you narrow down, you’ll see only names like Maqsood, Umar Akmal .....
Click to expand...

Danish Aziz smashed Wahab for six over cover at the death.

Hasan Mohsin can smash pace for six at the death

Azam Khan can do.

They are all from Karachi surprisingly !
 
Mesozoic said:
Imad is fine. He can hit it out at the death unlike Shadab, who pretty much plays as a specialist bowler at no.8.

They should just go for a spinner who won't bowl two long hops every hour. I know it's too early Usman Qadir looks a better option than him , particularly in Indian conditions.
Click to expand...

But if you go on stats in t20s its actually quite good average of 25 or less against austrlia england and New Zealand also you havemt really provided any other options baring qadir
 
Gasman said:
So after the conclusion of the Zimbabwe series, despite the weakness of the opposition, we are getting some ideas of the composition of our T20 team for Indian conditions.
My starting 11:

1 Babar Azam
2 Abdullah Shafique
3 Haider Ali
4 Azam Khan (wk)
5 Khushdil Shah
6 Shadab Khan
7 Imad Wasim
8 Wahab Riaz
9 Usman Qadir
10 Shaheen Afridi
11 Haris Rauf

Squad players:

Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Hasnain
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Amir

The only proviso is that Azam Khan continues to improve his fitness levels to get up to international cricket standards.
Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

How can you drop Hafeez? He has been among the best t20i batsmen over the last two years
 
Rana said:
Going by the IPL, India’s XI should be:

1. Rohit Sharma
2. KL Rahul
3. Ishan Kishan
4. Surya Kumar Yadav
5. Shreyas Iyer
6. Sanju Samson (wk)
7. Hardik Pandya
8. Varun Chakarvaty
9. Mohammad Shami
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Yuzendra Chahal
Click to expand...
Just keep the MI team after replacing the four overseas with KL (for QdK), Virat (for Pollard), Shami (for Boult) and Chahal (for Coulter Nile)
 
People wanting Sharjeel in the team. :facepalm:

The fat blob is going to cost you more runs in the field than what he's going to get with the bat, especially going by his rubbish form domestically.
 
1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar (c)
3. Haider Ali
4. Hafeez
5. Khushdil
6. Zeeshan Ashraf / Rohail (wk)
7. Shadab
8. Imad
9. Wahab
10. Hasnain
11. Shaheen
 
I believe there is no such thing as ideal team. Form, conditions, tactics and opposition's make up make stuff variable.
Who knows if a player goes out of form, gets finds out, develops technical or mental blocks. failure of execution of plans etc etc.
Regardless of that, best available 15 should be picked with different strategies in mind with flexible players.
A squad of 15 can never satisfy the nation. If it was announced today, people would have been crying over exclusion of Saud Shakeel, Nauman Ali, Sharjeel, Zohaib Khan, Kamran Akmal etc etc
 
I would love to see this side in India:

Babar
Haider
Abdullah/talat
Azam (wk)
Khushdil
Danish
Shadab
Imad/usman
Wahab
Shaheen
Rauf

Realistically though I think it will be the following side unless the new chief selector is bold and brave with his selections.

Fakhar
Babar
Haider
Hafeez
Rizwan WK
Khushdil
Shadab
Imad
Wahab
Shaheen
Rauf
 
Lfc4life786 said:
I would love to see this side in India:

Babar
Haider
Abdullah/talat
Azam (wk)
Khushdil
Danish
Shadab
Imad/usman
Wahab
Shaheen
Rauf

Realistically though I think it will be the following side unless the new chief selector is bold and brave with his selections.

Fakhar
Babar
Haider
Hafeez
Rizwan WK
Khushdil
Shadab
Imad
Wahab
Shaheen
Rauf
Click to expand...

The realistic side is stronger imo especially if Fakhar can find some form.
 
All tough series back to back .
End of freebies like Bangladesh (After Australia Tour) & Zimbabwe (after England Tour) which helped in forgetting & covered up pathetic performances & selections ...
 
Kroll said:
The realistic side is stronger imo especially if Fakhar can find some form.
Click to expand...

You reckon? Interesting. Fakhar is hopelessly out of form. I think new Zealand is his last chance to stake a claim and if he doesnt which I think is the likeliest outcome I dont think we can justify persisting with him when there are decent backups and lower order power hitters waiting in the wings.
 
Based on current performances/form -

1. Babar Azam
2. Zeeshan Ashraf
3. Haider Ali
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Shadab Khan
6. A power hitter, not Ifti Chacha he's not good enough to play that role. Maybe Danish Aziz.
7. Khushdil Shah
8. Zafar Gohar / Usman Qadir (need someone who can turn the ball in India not Imad)
9. Wahab Riaz
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

However, this list may be subject to change depending on how individuals perform over the next couple months. Also I'm only picking Zeeshan Ashraf right now because of his keeping I'd take him over the likes of Rizwan/Sarfraz but I'd like to see him and Rohail Nazir play some T20I's to see if they can play at the international level first if they straight up flop and do nothing from now till the World T20 I'd say we'd have to go with Sarfraz as Rizwan is a passenger, and can't score any runs.
 
Lfc4life786 said:
You reckon? Interesting. Fakhar is hopelessly out of form. I think new Zealand is his last chance to stake a claim and if he doesnt which I think is the likeliest outcome I dont think we can justify persisting with him when there are decent backups and lower order power hitters waiting in the wings.
Click to expand...

It’s a mental block from Fakhar. He needs to improve his shot range when cramped for room (his major weakness) which he can easily focus the next month practicing on.

If he does find form, he will remain an MVP. Otherwise we need a replacement for him, preferably one who can keep as well since that allows us to sub Rizwan for a top middle order striker
 
Syed1 said:
I wonder why most of the teams on here don't feature Harry Sohail. He is an excellent chaser, great against spin and can hit pace as well. An ideal grafter in the middle order for a T20 side.


T20 teams need players like him to recover from situations like 20/3. You can't go with tullay from 1-11.
Click to expand...

20 overs is not a lot, you have to be a pretty poor batting team if you are afraid of losing 6 or 7 batsmen in that time. Haris can be part of the team but every batsman in a T20 game should be capable of scoring quickly from the first ball. I actually think Sohail is not bad as he doesn't waste too many deliveries. He's a good batsman by Pakistani standards.
 
Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Haider Ali
Mohammad Hafeez
Haris Sohail/Khushdil Shah
Mohammad Rizwan
Imad Wasim
Wahab Riaz
Mohammad Amir
Usman Qadir/Shadab Khan
Shaheen Shah Afridi
 
Abdullah
Babar
Haider
Hafeez
Azam Khan (WK)
Danish/ Khushdil
Imad
Shadab/ Qadir
Shaheen
Wahab
Amir/ Hasnain/ Rauf

I know Abdullah and Babar are not explosive but look at everyone after them. All pack a punch. This IMO is the best possible playing XI in Pak.
 
Also Abdullah and Babar almost guarantee Pak a solid start 90% of the time. They’re that good.
 
Best XI:

1.Babar Azam (c)
2.
3.Haider Ali
4.Mohammad Hafeez
5.Shadab Khan
6.
7.
8.Imad Wasim
9.Mohammad Amir
10.
11.Shaheen Afridi

I feel good about this 7 but we still need to figure out opener, a couple lower order hitters, and a third fast bowler.
 
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