Pakistan urgently needs Yasir Shah in ODIs

[Statsman]

The highest ODI wicket takers list in 2016 was dominated by leg spinners with Zampa, Rashid and Tahir featuring at 1, 2 and 5.

Yasir is your best bowler, is touted as the best leg spinner after Shane Warne and praised lavishly by the man himself. Why can't he play the attacking leg spinner role like the ones mentioned above play? Is it fear of failure?

From Yasir's perspective, we have seen that bowlers learn new tricks and trades by playing ODIs and T20s. This helps them stop runs when there isn't enough purchase from the pitch and also bamboozling tailenders with a wide variety of deliveries. We all saw how Yasir got humiliated by Warner and likes in the test series in Australia. This could probably have been avoided had Yasir played more LOIs.

While I also agree that not playing LOIs allows Yasir to focus on his stock deliveries in test cricket and gives him enough rest to get rejuvenated before every test series I still feel he needs to play ODI cricket to become an all round bowler.

What is your opinion on this? Should he be included in the Champions trophy plans?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

No thanks. Awful ODI bowler. While I think Inzimam has been poor so far, the best thing he has done is get rid of Yasir. Yasir will be destroyed in ODIs and if you take away that one match against Zimbabwe his stats rightfully become worse than they already are.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I don't think we do.He has an awful record in LOI's as well as a terrible record in Australia.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Often gets hammered in domestic One Day games too

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Why are we talking about our bowling when it's the batting that's flopping?

 

[MenInG]

No thanks. Awful ODI bowler. While I think Inzimam has been poor so far, the best thing he has done is get rid of Yasir. Yasir will be destroyed in ODIs and if you take away that one match against Zimbabwe his stats rightfully become worse than they already are.

No reason why he cannot improve.

 

[vandokkum]

I don't fancy Yasir shah against Smith, Warner Maxwell after what happened earlier in the series.

 

[Thivagar]

Sadly he doesn't know how to use his potential in Loi.

 

[Hasan123]

We definitely need a leg break bowler in LO. Yasir doesn't seem to be the answer.

 

[Statsman]

No reason why he cannot improve.

Exactly.

Also if Tahir and Rashid can, why can't Yasir?

 

[Mamoon]

He is a dreadful LOI bowler and also proving to be mediocre in Tests. One day people will look back and laugh that there was a time he was getting compared to Ashwin.

He has been badly exposed and making him play ODIs will only make things worse. Pakistan don't need any spinners in this format with the likes of Imad, Malik and Hafeez present.

 

[Stallion__]

1) Yasir is a different bowler than the others mentioned. Others rely on variations while Yasir depends on accuracy.

2) Yasir has lost his drift since we started using him in ODIs. Playing him in Limited Overs is going to affect his Test performances.

 

[Statsman]

1) Yasir is a different bowler than the others mentioned. Others rely on variations while Yasir depends on accuracy.

2) Yasir has lost his drift since we started using him in ODIs. Playing him in Limited Overs is going to affect his Test performances.

1) Its actually great that he has accuracy. Isn't that what LOI bowers need? This is where someone like Mishra has lacked.
He can learn variations if he plays LOIs.

2) His test performances have been going downhill. He got belted by Aussies and his economy rate was the reason why Pakistan lost 2 tests. Not sure how ODIs can be blamed for that since he hadn't played an ODI in previous ~6 months before that game. He'd have learnt a trick or two about stopping runs had he played more.

 

[Stallion__]

1) Its actually great that he has accuracy. Isn't that what LOI bowers need? This is where someone like Mishra has lacked.
He can learn variations if he plays LOIs.

2) His test performances have been going downhill. He got belted by Aussies and his economy rate was the reason why Pakistan lost 2 tests. Not sure how ODIs can be blamed for that since he hadn't played an ODI in previous ~6 months before that game. He'd have learnt a trick or two about stopping runs had he played more.

And yet Mishra is more successful than Yasir in ODIs. Accuracy without variations in modern Limited Overs game means predictability. You need to keep the batsman guessing.

His recent test performances in fact further validates the point. Whenever we have required him to stem the flow of runs, he hasn't been able to do so.

 

[Ahson8]

No thankyou, we have just finally managed to get rid of him in ODIs...

 

[speedking]

need this need that.. Pakistan has very good odi team they need only three things 1) Aggressive captain 2) hard hitting batsman @ num 6 3) express 1st change RIGHT ARM pacer who can hit yorkers at will

 

[ask_analyse_act]

No reason why he cannot improve.

he doesnt have a googly to start with... he has become a pitch dependent bowler. only variety he has is pace variation, modern cricket needs more skill set from a bowler to survive

 

[Zak_Fan]

I think he should be persisted with. You don't always need the variations to be a success in ODIs, look at Jadeja or Shakib.

 

[Asim2Good]

Lets see
18 wickets in 17 ODI at econ 5.4
Out of 17 matches, 8 matches he went wicketless

 

[Hawkeye]

Absolutely agree with OP.

We badly need Yasir Shah so that at least 350 scores can be regularly scored - BY THE OPPOSITION!

THE WORST bowler from Pakistan for a good amount of time, in LOIs. Pretty mediocre in Tests, too.

 

[ExpressPacer]

He is an extremely average ODI bowler. In fact, below average. He's on the wrong side of 20's now too so I don't expect him to transform himself into an ODI bowler. He's better off as a test specialist - something he is very good at.

As for people saying that he's also a mediocre test bowler, I would disagree. One bad tour is just a small dot in your career. Performed in all places he's played at except Oceania (that too his first tour) which is known to be a graveyard for spinners.

 

[Syed1]

We need Shadab Khan to come good. A hard hitting bat and a good leg-spinner. He needs to be fast tracked into the side.

Revert to the old Pakistani way of throwing youngsters in the deep end and see if they sink or swim. We have been floundering ever since we decided to only include players who are above or near 30 years of age.

 

[Statsman]

We need Shadab Khan to come good. A hard hitting bat and a good leg-spinner. He needs to be fast tracked into the side.

Revert to the old Pakistani way of throwing youngsters in the deep end and see if they sink or swim. We have been floundering ever since we decided to only include players who are above or near 30 years of age.

Ahmed Shahzad, Umaṛ Akmal, Umaṛ Amim, Raza Hassan. You've had a few who made early debuts.

 

[sshakir411]

Yasir still has a lot to learn which is sad for someone who has played enough test and domestic cricket. He seems to have no plan and does not back himself to outfox the batsman. A strong captain who had a good understanding of the game would've helped him get better but Misbah nor Azhar have that capability. The rate at which our players are understanding the game and applying themselves is worrying.

 

[Madplayer]

yasir is the worst ODI leg spinner in the world. he doesnt turn the ball at all, doesnt have a googly , just bowls straight deliveries. this kind of bowler will be massacred in LOIs and thats what he has shown in his LOI stint.

 

[Sadevdesai]

I am sure the Australians would welcome it !!!

 

[Syed1]

Ahmed Shahzad, Umaṛ Akmal, Umaṛ Amim, Raza Hassan. You've had a few who made early debuts.

All of those names debuted in 2009-2012 region. We are in 2017 at the moment.

 

[Thivagar]

1) Its actually great that he has accuracy. Isn't that what LOI bowers need? This is where someone like Mishra has lacked.
He can learn variations if he plays LOIs.

2) His test performances have been going downhill. He got belted by Aussies and his economy rate was the reason why Pakistan lost 2 tests. Not sure how ODIs can be blamed for that since he hadn't played an ODI in previous ~6 months before that game. He'd have learnt a trick or two about stopping runs had he played more.

Cricket is a closed minded sport, only in recent times that open minded thinkings has been applied and cricket has become more liveral. You do need accuracy, but variation now a days is a must, batsmen can clear the ropes easily and even a tail-enders can do that. Ashwin isn't an accurate bowler, but he does well because he varies his deliveries and when you get decent amount of turn it is all about making the batsmen play a wrong shot. Ashwin is clever and he gets it, even Shane Warne and Murali admitted bowling to certain shots and not to any particular stump. Only 2-3 inch turners should worry about being very accurate as they can't beat batsmen with anything else and Left Arm spinners like Herath,Jadeja and so on. Accuracy is a must but it doesn't have to be very specific. Subtle variations is the key and even obvious variations like Ashwin are hard to bat against. Batsmen are going to pick them up, no doubt about that but they still have to play it and they don't have much time for it.

 

[Hasan123]

We need Shadab Khan to come good. A hard hitting bat and a good leg-spinner. He needs to be fast tracked into the side.

Revert to the old Pakistani way of throwing youngsters in the deep end and see if they sink or swim. We have been floundering ever since we decided to only include players who are above or near 30 years of age.

Good suggestion. Him or Mir must be introduced in our LO team.

 

[silent ischemia]

Good suggestion. Him or Mir must be introduced in our LO team.

Agreed. Mir has more control compared to Shadab and has a better action.
We also lack a couple of power hitters. PSL may help

 

[Boi]

Yep. We already have non spinning bowlers in Imad and Hafeez so just need to complete the attack with Yasir's non spinning leg breaks.

 

[Red Devil]

Asghar is the spinner this team needs.

 

[Hasan123]

Agreed. Mir has more control compared to Shadab and has a better action.
We also lack a couple of power hitters. PSL may help

Arthur is a big fan also. He needs work but playing international cricket and working with a professional coach will help improve him.

 

[The_Odd_One]

There is no place for specialist spinners in ODIs unless they are Saqlain level good. All-rounders are doing a reasonable job and should be persisted.

 

[Speedster777]

he's a pretty ordinary bowler.

 

[Hasan123]

There is no place for specialist spinners in ODIs unless they are Saqlain level good. All-rounders are doing a reasonable job and should be persisted.

You clearly haven't seen Imran Tahirs odi record

 

[The_Odd_One]

You clearly haven't seen Imran Tahirs odi record

Tahir plays in a strong ODI batting unit. Pakistan can't afford to play a #11 like him in an already weak batting lineup.

 

[Hasan123]

Tahir plays in a strong ODI batting unit. Pakistan can't afford to play a #11 like him in an already weak batting lineup.

I'm not advocating Yasirs selection, I'm advocating the selection of a leg break bowler in modern odi cricket.

Usama Mir and Shadab Khan are worth investing in.

 

[Cricket World]

We need someone who can turn the ball as most of part timers are accurate but don't turn the ball

 

[Hawkeye]

I'm not advocating Yasirs selection, I'm advocating the selection of a leg break bowler in modern odi cricket.

Usama Mir and Shadab Khan are worth investing in.

Show me evidence they're better than Yasir s mediocrity, have a really good googly, good drift and high accuracy.

So far none has made any mark, not in any prominent domestic tournament either.

Easy to throw around names like people used to overhype Rizwan, Nawaz et al.

 

[Buffet]

Going by how he does when attacked in the Test format, it's not hard to see how he will do in the ODI format. He is a limited bowler suitable for only one format. There is a reason he is not playing in shorter format. He needs to develop some variations to bowl when when batsmen are attacking him.

 

[spade]

He is currently low in confidence after the pasting he got in the australia series, needs to take a break from cricket for 6 months, work on his bowling rhythm and then make a comeback in Test matches, i still consider him the best spinner in the world without an iota of doubt.

 

[Hasan123]

Show me evidence they're better than Yasir s mediocrity, have a really good googly, good drift and high accuracy.

So far none has made any mark, not in any prominent domestic tournament either.

Easy to throw around names like people used to overhype Rizwan, Nawaz et al.

They have potential, so they need to be given a chance to prove themselves.

Shadab performed well on the recent A tour of Zimbabwe.

Yes you will know about over hyping players who don't perform such as Umar Amin and Umar Akmal

 

[Khan12]

We should play shadab who is a much better batsmen and also a terrific fielder as well.

 

[Lynx]

Yasir is the last thing our ODI team needs right now. Seriously, I feel like tearing my hair out when I see threads like this pop up after every Pakistan loss. Just shows our fans and selectors indeed share the same mindset. No wonder our team is in the dumps. Knee jerk reactions everywhere.

 

[Statsman]

Australia ran away with the game in the middle overs when the spinners were bowling. There's a huge gap here as previously Ajmal attacked the batsmen and made middle overs difficult to survive. Pakistan needs someone better than Hafeez, Malik and Imad.

 

[Buffet]

Australia ran away with the game in the middle overs when the spinners were bowling. There's a huge gap here as previously Ajmal attacked the batsmen and made middle overs difficult to survive. Pakistan needs someone better than Hafeez, Malik and Imad.

Others don't have the luxury Ajmal had so don't expect something similar.

 

[Hawkeye]

They have potential, so they need to be given a chance to prove themselves.

Shadab performed well on the recent A tour of Zimbabwe.

Yes you will know about over hyping players who don't perform such as Umar Amin and Umar Akmal

If we talk about potential, we need some evidence to base it on. I just asked for it. You or others or I have not seen them enough on TV under decent conditions to conclude they have potential.

If they do, I'll support them just like Umars have potential plus talent.

I've kept calling out Nawaz and Rizwan as very mediocre cricketers before they were selected. Saw Nawaz in PSL and he was horrible. Saw Rizwan in domestic TV matches and he was horrible. Plus in national team too.

But our fans still hyped them..

 

[Hasan123]

If we talk about potential, we need some evidence to base it on. I just asked for it. You or others or I have not seen them enough on TV under decent conditions to conclude they have potential.

If they do, I'll support them just like Umars have potential plus talent.

I've kept calling out Nawaz and Rizwan as very mediocre cricketers before they were selected. Saw Nawaz in PSL and he was horrible. Saw Rizwan in domestic TV matches and he was horrible. Plus in national team too.

But our fans still hyped them..

Shadab did well in the A tour and Arthur rates Amir highly what more do you want? I am willing to give them a chance that's all.

Rizwan and Nawaz are still young, they can still comeback, but so far both have disappointed.

 

[Indiafan]

I think he should be persisted with. You don't always need the variations to be a success in ODIs, look at Jadeja or Shakib.

Both bowl flat at high speeds, almost like medium pacers. Yasir floats the ball making it easier to hit

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Is Afridi still available to play for Pakistan?

 

[Abdullah719]

I don't think so.