Pakistan to announce T20I squad on Thursday for series against Bangladesh

[MenInG]

PCB have stated that the

Misbah-ul-Haq, head coach and chief selector of the national men’s cricket team, captain Babar Azam and coordinator – selection committee, Nadeem Khan, held a preliminary meeting today at the Gaddafi Stadium to discuss the side for the three T20Is against Bangladesh to be played here on 24, 25 and 27 January.

The discussion process will continue on Thursday when they will involve the six selectors, following which Misbah and Babar will announce the side.


===


Reports suggest that Sarfaraz Ahmed may well make a return to the side which would be very interesting - Who else should be in the side?

 

[Titan24]

Sarfaraz Ahmed? On what performance? Yes Rizwan didnt do much in T20 internationals but he was one of the top batsmen in National T20 cup atleast. No point of having two keepers and no point of dropping Rizwan in T20s if the replacement is Sarfaraz.

 

[saeed5646]

Sarfraz will definitely make a comeback. Unfortunately this is what it is .

Interesting to see what they do with naseem shah .i think he shouldn't be picked for t20s and should focus on test and odi format

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Please don't call sarfraz back. no!!!!!

 

[Slim]

Fakhar needs to be dropped. Need to change our openers for t20Is.

 

[Rayyman]

Nice I would play this squad:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam*
3. Umar Amin
4. Mohammad Rizwan+
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Mohammad Hasnain
11. Haris Rauf
———————————-
Mohammad Nawaz
Imam ul-Haq
Amad Butt
Hussain Talat

Fakhar and Rizwan need to be backed for a couple of more matches at least. Umar Amin and Imam both had a great 2019 in white ball cricket. Iftikhar deserves to play based on his performance in Australia. Hasnain needs to play the 1st match instead of giving him the dead rubber as always. Nawaz is blessed in 3 facets of the game. Amad Butt and Talat are two talented youngsters.

Haris Sohail & Asif Ali miss out due to poor form. Wahab Riaz, Musa and Irfan all struggled in Australia as well.

 

[Titan24]

Haris Sohail should be dropped and should be replaced by either Hussain Talat or Ahsan Ali.

Mohammad Irfan should make way for Shaheen. Musa should make way for Haris Rauf while if Hassan Ali is fit maybe Wahab should make way for him.

Amad Butt also needs to come in, if Hasan is still not fit than he should come in for Wahab otherwise either Hasnain or Asif Ali.

 

[Shafi]

More oldies will return!!!!

 

[Titan24]

Nice I would play this squad:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam*
3. Umar Amin
4. Mohammad Rizwan+
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Mohammad Hasnain
11. Haris Rauf
———————————-
Mohammad Nawaz
Imam ul-Haq
Amad Butt
Hussain Talat

Fakhar and Rizwan need to be backed for a couple of more matches at least. Umar Amin and Imam both had a great 2019 in white ball cricket. Iftikhar deserves to play based on his performance in Australia. Hasnain needs to play the 1st match instead of giving him the dead rubber as always. Nawaz is blessed in 3 facets of the game. Amad Butt and Talat are two talented youngsters.

Haris Sohail & Asif Ali miss out due to poor form. Wahab Riaz, Musa and Irfan all struggled in Australia as well.

Decent squad. However, Shaheen might need to start playing T20s again considering the T20 WC in mind and if Hasan Ali is fit he might need to come in as well. Also it would be harsh to drop Usman Qadir without giving him a proper oppurtunity.

 

[ahmedzee]

I still feel Sarfraz is the best T20 captain in the country...i will get a lot of flak for this now

 

[Titan24]

Fakhar
Babar
Hussain Talat
Rizwan
Iftikhar
Imad Wasim
Amad Butt/ Khushdil
Sahdab
Hassan (If fit other wise Haris Rauf)
Amir
Shaheen

Khushdil
Usman Qadir
Imam/ Ahsan Ali/ Umer Amin
Haris Rauf/ Hasnain

 

[Mean&Green]

Sarfaraz needs to be the captain simply their is no better option

 

[The_Odd_One]

Please no more Fakhar in T20s. He has been horrible in this format for so long.

Pakistan should persist with Rizwan. He had a good test series in Australia. I see no reason why he can't perform better than Sarfraz who himself is not a great T20 bat.

Aamir and Shaheen should sit out to try Ammad Butt and Haris Rauf. Both can be useful in the next world T20.

No place for Shadab either - he has not done anything to warrant a comeback. Time to try a new spinner.

1. Babar
2. Rizwan
3. Talat
4. Iftikhar
5. Yamin
6. Khushdil
7. Imad
8. Ammad
9. Umer
10. Hasnain
11. Rauf

 

[MenInG]

Haris Rauf is a must for this squad.

 

[Titan24]

Haris Rauf is a must for this squad.

Yes he is, it would be disappointing if he isnt selected as he is in top form and in the radar of Waqar as well.

 

[Rana]

Hopefully we see a fresh side with some young and upcoming batsmen

 

[Bewal Express]

It's time to think outside the box because the sides picked by Misbah and the sides suggested on here look weak.

 

[Saj]

An opportunity to try a few more youngsters.

Recalling Sarfaraz Ahmed would be a backward step.

 

[CricketDon]

No one dares about random T20 games. Hold no bearing. Only time it matters if it is IPL or T20WC.

When teams actually send there A teams and play the best 11, which would be the World Cup coming.

Pakistan’s standing as number 1 will be exposed. We have no batting fire power besides Babar.

People are actually suggesting Rizwan to open. That alone sums it up. Not even gonna touch on those calling for Umar Amins return.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

I'd champion the inclusion of Ammad Butt in the squad plus would expect Misbah to call up Haris Rauf.

I hope to see atleast one new dynamic batsman in the squad and hope that Hasnain is reconsidered too.

I hope that Mohammed Mohsin is considered for the spinners slot.

Lastly, it would be good to see A T20 squad without Imam and Faheem as these guys should continue to work on their games at the NCA, specifically on improving their aggressive strike rate

 

[Hawkeye]

Sarfraz?

Oh no. Misbah, you're much better than this. Don't go back to that accumulator, he has no role in 20 or 50 overs.

 

[MenInG]

An opportunity to try a few more youngsters.

Recalling Sarfaraz Ahmed would be a backward step.

Its the age of politics.

 

[shamaan]

Babar
Fakhar
Sarfraz
Iftikhar
Khushdil
Ammad butt
Imad
Shadab
Shaheen
Rauf
Amir

Talat
Hassan ali
Ahsan Ali
Husnain

 

[Shaka81]

I'm having images of the nightmare team being selected....

Salman Butt
Kamran Akmal
Babar Azam
Ahmed Shehzad
Umar Akmal
Mohammed Hafeez / Shoaib Malik
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Yasir Shah
Wahab Riaz
Mohammed Amir
Mohammed Irfan

 

[gazza619]

Its time to play a team who are also crowd pullers. I will keep Shaheen Afridi away from T20s as he is our major asset for test//ODIs.

1. Sharjeel Khan
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam
4. Muhammad Rizwan
5. Umar Akmal
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Muhammad Amir
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Haris Rauf

 

[Titan24]

Its time to play a team who are also crowd pullers. I will keep Shaheen Afridi away from T20s as he is our major asset for test//ODIs.

1. Sharjeel Khan
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam
4. Muhammad Rizwan
5. Umar Akmal
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Muhammad Amir
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Haris Rauf

Its highly unlikely that Sharjeel will be selected before playing any domestic cricket. Regarding Shaheen, as world T20 is this year so team would need its best bowlers ready for the tournament, other teams are also doing the same.

 

[Rayyman]

Decent squad. However, Shaheen might need to start playing T20s again considering the T20 WC in mind and if Hasan Ali is fit he might need to come in as well. Also it would be harsh to drop Usman Qadir without giving him a proper oppurtunity.

Its highly unlikely that Sharjeel will be selected before playing any domestic cricket. Regarding Shaheen, as world T20 is this year so team would need its best bowlers ready for the tournament, other teams are also doing the same.

Pakistan play nonstop from July-November. Shaheen will have plenty of opportunities in white ball cricket then.

For now he should be rested for the BD Tests and PSL.

 

[SARJ_BD]

Umar Amin was the top scorer in National t20 Cup.
Kamran Akmal was the top scorer (Pakistani) during PSL 2018 and 2019 (both)

Lets see if the team is selected on the basis of merit or personal interest?

 

[Titan24]

Pakistan play nonstop from July-November. Shaheen will have plenty of opportunities in white ball cricket then.

For now he should be rested for the BD Tests and PSL.

Thats true, it wont be a bad call and justifiable either ways to be honest. If he is rested than others like Harsi Rauf, Amad Butt etc will have more opportunities that is for sure.

 

[moghul]

Sarfaraz Ahmed? On what performance? Yes Rizwan didnt do much in T20 internationals but he was one of the top batsmen in National T20 cup atleast. No point of having two keepers and no point of dropping Rizwan in T20s if the replacement is Sarfaraz.

Going backward, typical of Misbah, or Saf is coming on Karachi quota ?

 

[Hawkeye]

1. Kami
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Babar Azam
4. Umar Akmal +
5. Hafeez
6. Iftikhar
7. Asif/Husain Talat/hitter
8. Imad (he's done, but will still be played)
9. Amir/Shadab
10. Shaheen
11. Rauf


This team can certainly win the WT20 in Aus.

 

[salman24]

1. Fakhar Zaman/Sharjeel
2. Kamran Akmal
3. Babar Azam
4. Hafeez
5. Umar Akmal
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Muhammad Amir
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Haris Rauf/Shaheen Shah

 

[Hawkeye]

Fakhar
Babar
Hussain Talat
Rizwan
Iftikhar
Imad Wasim
Amad Butt/ Khushdil
Sahdab
Hassan (If fit other wise Haris Rauf)
Amir
Shaheen

Khushdil
Usman Qadir
Imam/ Ahsan Ali/ Umer Amin
Haris Rauf/ Hasnain

Brother, I was expecting a much better team from you.

Rizwan, Ammad/Khushdil, Fakhar.. really?

Umar
Kamran

These two names are essential in Aus, who can take on the pacers in AUS.

 

[Titan24]

Going backward, typical of Misbah, or Saf is coming on Karachi quota ?

Its not confirmed yet but It will not be be a smart move and Misbah being the head coach and chief selector will have to take the responsibility if he selects him and it doesnt work out. He shouldnt take pressure of media and lobbies and team should be selected on total merit. I think he did take bit of pressure against Srl as well when he dropped both Umar and Shehzad from 3rd T20 international as if he selected them than he should have given them more than 2 T20s otherwise there was no point in selecting them.

 

[Titan24]

Brother, I was expecting a much better team from you.

Rizwan, Ammad/Khushdil, Fakhar.. really?

Umar
Kamran

These two names are essential in Aus, who can take on the pacers in AUS.

Bro I was trying to keep it closer to reality. Kamran averaged 7 in 4 innings of national T20 cup 2019 he played, that is not the kind of performance that should warrant selection of a 38 year old keeper.

Umar Akmal was selected and dropped after two games (which was questionable) so probablity of him being selected again is not high. I personally wont mind seeing him.

Fakhar is the only attacking opener we have in domestic circuit at the moment, Ahsan Ali can be tried in T20s but then he hasnt set the world on fire either.

Amad Butt has shown as good hitting ability in the final of national T20 cup as we have seen from some of our domestic hitters and not to forget he is a really decent pace bowler if required but I am not sure if he can play as a specialist pacer considering the competition so I went with 6 bowling options in which 3 can bat. Khushdil definitely deserves a chance first as he has been with the team without much opportunities.

Rizwan on the other hand is the best keeper batsman we have which was endorsed in the national T20 Cup. Yes he has limitations in T20s but then what option do we have?

 

[Markhor]

Oh lord brace yourselves.

 

[shamaan]

If it was my choice I would pick

Sharjeel
Kamran
Babar
Iftikhar
Umar akmal
Imad
Ammad but
Shadab
Amir
Shaheen
Rauf

Fakhar
Umar amin
Hasan ali
Nawaz

 

[Subhan999]

Asif ali/ Sohail Akhtar
Fakhar (wk) / Abid (wk)
Faheem
Khushdil
Iftikhar
Imad / Bilal Asif/ shadab
Amad butt
Aamer Yamin
Babar (c)
Rauf/Naseem/Hasnain/Musa
Amir/Shaheen

17 man squad - most should get atleast get one game based on a pre-determined rotation plan. Let's start building a team for next 5 years not just the t20 world Cup.

Lots of bowling - approx 8-9 bowling options in the lineup at any given time

Power hitting down to #9.

 

[moghul]

I still feel Sarfraz is the best T20 captain in the country...i will get a lot of flak for this now

Looks like you're not feeling well, get well soon.

 

[RehanG]

before the visiting side makes their announcement? Is this usual?

 

[Mobashir]

Hopefully we see Umar Akmal back in the squad. Not so much time left before the world cup so he should be back now.

Kamran akmal is also the best option for wk role in T20. Unfortunately he, along Bismillah Khan, are the only two options in T20.

I will wait for PSL before calling back Sharjeel so maybe we should try Rizwan Hussain in this series.
Fakhar should move to one down.
My team :

Babar Azam
Rizwan Hussain
Fakhar Zaman
Umar Akmal
Iftikhar Ahmed
Kamran Akmal
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Harris Rauf
Shaheen Shah Afridi

Rest of the squad:
Umar Amin
Hammad Azam
Mohammad Hasnain
Naseem Shah

 

[ahmedzee]

Looks like you're not feeling well, get well soon.

good one!!!
But really, I still think he is the best captain in Pakistan right now. Don't say that I gotta check my brain...

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Haris Rauf will replace Musa. Don't think there will be many changes.

 

[Khan12]

Haris Rauf will replace Musa. Don't think there will be many changes.

Harris should be dropped too now place for him in t20s.

 

[coy0607]

Why do people feel Safaraz is coming back? Other than the fitness test, there isn't much to suggest a comeback. His performance in QAE trophy was average, not that QAE should serve as selection criteria for a T20 series.

Khushdil, Rauf, Naseem should be included. Hopefully no more Asif Ali, Haris, Irfan, Wahab, Musa

 

[Maher96]

Malik is bound to be back after stand out BPL as always. Sarfraz should never have been axed and if called back certainly not a backward step. We had him playing 6-7 years straight this three month period would have done him world of good.

Let’s not always start judging from the cover. We seem to be doing just fine tbf. A lot of players who are able to compete are firing away. Its always good to have a back up pool from which the most in form players can be chosen as always.

My team would be

Babar
Fakhar
Malik
Umar Akmal
Sarfraz
Imad
Ammad Butt
Shadab
Wahab
Haris Rauf
Amir

Now I think it’s time we have this team a go, on or off paper we don’t have a better team suited to our home conditions on or off paper.

Babar the beast we know him given plenty of batsmen who we know the qualitaties off in this format. Formidable bowling attack, haris Rauf must be given a go at the Bangladeshis who will realise why it might have been not such a bad option staying at home hehe. Jokes aside tough not this team would be. Keep babar the captain for namesake after Saifi we need a leader who can set and play by example and that’s hard to find unfortunately but babar is a true worksman.

Let’s await but I feel this is what we will see.

 

[The Viper]

Bringing Sarfaraz back would be a regressive move.

Rizwan does not suit the T20 format, but Sarfaraz does not either.

I would give Rizwan this series and then evaluate after.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Umar Akmal should be called in my view.

Shoaib Malik too.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I don’t know here’s a stupid thought. I’d let Haris continue playing bbl to gain experience in Australia and besides its much more competitive than playing the Bangladesh series.

 

[zamana]

How about Abid Ali as an opener in T20. He has shown tremendous potential in the other formats. He is technically correct and a plays along the ground, unlike some of our openers who slog wildly. He has impeccable timing and can utilize the fields to great advantage. Fakhar or Sharjeel can complement him. My feeling is that he can score at a strike rate of 125 to 150 and has the tenacity to go the distance. This can allow aggressive stroke play from the other end. The bowling should be able to defend a score of 165 to 175. I think he would be vital in chasing big scores also!

 

[Mesozoic]

Can't believe people are still stuck at Sarfraz, Malik and the Akmals. What next ?

Bring back Afridi ?

 

[Sunny_majoka]

I hope the don't drop khushdil shah, he needs to be back like Asif Ali,

 

[Omer Baloch]

Babar
Sarfaraz
Hafeez
Malik
Iftikhar
Khusdil Shah
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Haris Rauf
Shaheen

 

[IAJ]

Can't believe people are still stuck at Sarfraz, Malik and the Akmals. What next ?

Bring back Afridi ?

We want Abdul Razzaq back!

 

[IAJ]

On a serious note. Some posters have Sharjeel Khan lined up. Has he played any cricket after his ban expired? And what form is he in?

 

[Amjid Javed]

An opportunity to try a few more youngsters.

Recalling Sarfaraz Ahmed would be a backward step.

These youngsters selected will be Hafeez, Malik, Shezhad and the Akmal brothers

 

[Theo_14]

I would definitely consider bringing Kamran Akmal back as a specialist opener. Fakhar Zaman has been struggling for a good period of 7-8 months whereas Kamran Akmal has been very consistent over the last 2.5 years. Malik has also been in exceptional form but I feel we have enough young candidates for the middle order spot, however again... I would not be bothered if he is selected too.

There is nothing wrong in blending youngsters with experience.

Haris Rauf and Ammad Butt need to be drafted IMO.

 

[Ellipsism]

Who would’ve thought that in 2020 Kamran Akmal would still be in the reckoning for national selection.

He’s been a dud with the bat his entire career and that ain’t changing at the age of 40.

 

[Attiq_Lone]

Babar Azam
Ahsan Ali
Hussain Talat
Mohammad Rizwan
iftikhar Ahmed
Khushdil Shah
Ammad Butt
Mohammad Nawaz
Shadab Khan
Haris Rauf
Shaheen Afridi

Imad Wasim
Mohammad Amir
Rizwan Hussain
Saif Badar