Pakistan v England | 1st Test | Rawalpindi | 1-5 December | Pre-match discussion

[MenInG]

So here we are!

What XI should Pakistan play for the 1st Test in 'Pindi?

What sort of pitch can we expect?

What will be our pace attack in the absence of SSA?

 

[MenInG]

Pictures of Pakistan squad's practice (courtesy of the PCB)

 

[MenInG]

Video highlights of practice

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[pakfan54588]

My lineup
Abdullah shafiq
imam ul haq
Azhar ali
Babar azam
Saud shakeel
M Rizwan
Agha salman
M nawaz/Faheem if pitch is helpful for seamers
Naseem shah
Haris rauf
Muhammad ali

 

[MenInG]

Mark Wood to miss first Pakistan Test through injury

England decided to not play the third day of their warm-up match against the Lions, settling for one day of batting and one of bowling

England’s fastest bowler Mark Wood appears a major doubt for next Thursday’s first Test against Pakistan, but Ben Stokes is confident the team he sends out will not be undercooked after playing just 156 overs of practice cricket.

England decided to not play the third day of their warm-up match against the Lions in Abu Dhabi, settling for one day of batting and one of bowling, and instead opting for a non-compulsory two-hour training session. Most players showed up, and there was decent intensity in the nets and middle practice.

Skipper Stokes has played no part in the match, preferring instead to build up in the nets and gym after a gruelling T20 World Cup campaign.

“At the end of yesterday we went around our group and we asked where everyone was at and what they felt like they needed,” said Stokes. “Sometimes with the warm-up games you can get into the last day of that and it becomes a thankless task, and don’t get out of it what you really wanted to. I thought the first two days was really good.

“It’s all about peaking at the right time and the message at the start of the camp was to build-up towards two days before that Test and still have something left in the tank to get going because you don’t want to burn yourself out now and almost be ready a week too early.

“I looked at this fixture here in particular and honestly thought I’d get more out of these three days training. Getting my bowling workloads back up again after having a break after the World Cup in particular. I like working on my skills in the nets rather than being out there in the middle.

“I’ve really benefited from these three days definitely and just because I’ve missed this game I don’t feel like I’ve missed a trick or feel underprepared. We’ve still got three days out in Pakistan to prepare for the first Test

“We’re a group where we like to give the individuals what they want to do rather than forcing them into doing something, but letting them take care of themselves because they all know what they need to be ready for that first Test.”

At least one debut certain in series opener

Also absent were two other World Cup winners, Wood and Harry Brook, who were given a week at home to break up three months of touring Pakistan, Australia, then Pakistan again.

Wood missed the latter part of the World Cup with a hip injury and, despite now recovering – Stokes described him as “coming on nicely” – it appears unlikely to play the first Test in Rawalpindi as he will not have bowled sufficient amounts in preparation. He and Brook will have three days to prepare after flying on Saturday.

Concerns about Wood do not seem to extend beyond the first Test, with Stokes confirming that there would be no additional call-ups from the Lions group. Rehan Ahmed was promoted on Wednesday, but the likes of Matt Potts will now return to the UK.

With doubts over Wood an extra complication, the make-up of England’s XI is unclear, but at least one debut seems certain, with spin bowling all-rounders Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone and Ahmed all jostling for position. Livingstone has been carrying with an ankle injury, while Stokes confirmed he is “absolutely” ready to throw Ahmed into the side.

Wood’s absence denies England a point of difference, but they do have the pace of Jamie Overton to turn to if required, as well as James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Stokes. The captain said England have very little idea what to expect from pitches in a country they have not played for 17 years.

“We are not reading too much into the Australia-Pakistan series, because we don’t know it’ll be like that,” he said. “If we get there and it looks dry, and it might spin. We have heard some comms that it might be green, nippy wickets. We need all bases covered, and to wait and see.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket...Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1669381496

 

[Justcrazy]

The key is making a turning track and playing three spinners.

 

[Rana]

Rawal Pindi 2 session Tests

Expect bad light every day around 4:00pm

 

[Kianig89]

ABShafiq
Imam
Shan
Azhar
Babar
Rizwan
Nawaz
Faheem
Naseem
RAUF
ABRAR

 

[boomboomcheema]

I hope the pitches would be lively and produce exciting Cricket unlike the defensive dross that was served during the Australia series which wasn't enough to avoid a series defeat.

 

[ChTab]

Rawal Pindi 2 session Tests

Expect bad light every day around 4:00pm

I hope they could start the game around maybe 8:30 or 9:00 instead of usual 10 am start. 10 am is fine for other grounds but not for Pindi in winters.

 

[Nasty Naz]

My guess on who they'll play in the first match:

Abdullah
Imam
Azhar
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Faheem
Rauf
Naseem
Abrar
Ali

Gotta go with 4 pacers in the Pindi pitch. Likely not much assistance for spinners but that didn't seem to bother Abrar much during domestic as he kept on picking piles of wickets on these Pindi grounds.

 

[Suleiman]

The key is making a turning track and playing three spinners.

Won’t work, we’re not good players of spin. Nor do we have world class spinners aside from Abrar.

Only time this strategy worked for us was in 2012-2016 during Fort UAE days.

 

[indianpanacea]

My line up for 1st test
Shaan
Abdullah
Imam
Babar
Saud
Sarfaraz
Nawaz
Abrar
Haris
Naseem
Ali

 

[TeymurBlake]

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam (C)
5. Agha Ali Salman
6. Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Abrar Ahmad
9. Haris Rauf
10. Naseem Shah
11. Mohammad Ali

Now I know Azhar will play instead of Agha Ali Salman or Saud Shakeel. But me personally, I wouldn't play him.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The key is making a turning track and playing three spinners.

When have you seen a turning track in pakistan?

We dont have 1 good spinner and you want to play 3?

Our strength is our pacers.

Have you ever watched test matches in pakistan?

 

[Snatch]

England should be too strong, especially with McCullum as coach and the team playing positive cricket.

 

[hitthestump]

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam (C)
5. Agha Ali Salman
6. Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Abrar Ahmad
9. Haris Rauf
10. Naseem Shah
11. Mohammad Ali

Now I know Azhar will play instead of Agha Ali Salman or Saud Shakeel. But me personally, I wouldn't play him.

That is a very long tail. I think Faheem may have to be the 3rd pacer on that basis.

 

[msb314]

Won’t work, we’re not good players of spin. Nor do we have world class spinners aside from Abrar.

Only time this strategy worked for us was in 2012-2016 during Fort UAE days.

When have you seen a turning track in pakistan?

We dont have 1 good spinner and you want to play 3?

Our strength is our pacers.

Have you ever watched test matches in pakistan?

Other than Joe Root - England are also poor against spin and they have no world class spinner outside of Adil Rashid.

If we prepare a green top - Anderson, Stokes, Wood will wreck havoc. A flat pitch will lead to a boring draw…

 

[Kianig89]

on spinning tracks Dily Rash will run through us, just a matter of 10 deliveries

 

[adi_62941]

I dont know why people cry for spin tracks, however i have never seen any spinning track in pakistan
Always it will be favouring a bowler or a concrete road

 

[adzzy786]

The key is making a turning track and playing three spinners.

You do know it can take 2/3 years to prep a pitch properly. These pitches won’t be different to the ones we saw a few months ago. Will be flat decks

 

[Amjid Javed]

Other than Joe Root - England are also poor against spin and they have no world class spinner outside of Adil Rashid.

If we prepare a green top - Anderson, Stokes, Wood will wreck havoc. A flat pitch will lead to a boring draw…

Who said produce a green track?

We need wickets like SA series where it was decent for batting, some help for pacers and there was reverse swing due to abbrasive surface and turn late in game for spinners.

 

[Farabi]

My line up for 1st test
Shaan
Abdullah
Imam
Babar
Saud
Sarfaraz
Nawaz
Abrar
Haris
Naseem
Ali

Unfortunately its not going to play.

I am pretty sure this is what they gonna go with something closer to this:

Imam
Abdullah
Azhar Ali
Babar
Rizwan
Salman
Nawaz
Fahim
Rauf
Naseem
Zahid M (maybe Abrar)

They gonna keep with Azhar Ali due to experience.
Imam will get another series due to his ODI record and friendships in the team. And “future” potential.
They are not gonna drop Salman after that knock in Sl.
Babar’s love of allrounders over specialists is well known. Gonna go with both Fahim and Nawaz.
Zahid M has been around longer so they gonna give him a chance as he is next in line.
Rauf will debut ahead of Ali because Rauf has pace.


My line-up

Shan
Abdullah
Saud Shakeel
Babar
Azhar Ali
Rizwan
Salman Ali Agha
Abrar
Naseem
M.Ali
Rauf

Imam is not a test batsman yet. His current form was exposed in QEA.
Shan Masood is in good form and coming in confidence from scoring runs all round the world across formats. Only have 3/4 years left.
Saud scored ton of QEA runs at no3
Azhar Ali’s reflexes have faded but can he still contribute tons in middle order where we lack experience? Unfortunately they didn’t pick Usman S whom I would have gone with.
Pak should go with a proper bat at 7 because 1-6 is ok quality. Please no fake allrounders like Fahim and Nawaz.
Abrar and Ali based on FC record.
Naseem is the only decent bowler based on test perf
Rauf needs to play. Wish Sameen Gul or Usama M were available instead.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Preparing for our T̵2̵0̵ Test tour of Pakistan &#55357;&#56485;<a href="https://twitter.com/Wjacks9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Wjacks9</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/liaml4893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@liaml4893</a> have got the message &#55358;&#56617; <a href="https://t.co/sa6siUGYNS">pic.twitter.com/sa6siUGYNS</a></p>— England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1596168306767151104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Suleiman]

We need to redo our entire batting philosophy across formats.

That philosophy being, always look to score. It’s the mentality of Australia, England, India and SA. Test cricket is also being positively played these days with the bat. Have to look to attack with the bat as well as the ball.

The Azhar Ali approach is outdated. Top line ups have at most 1 batsman like that in their line ups surrounded by guys who are stroke makers and looking to score runs.

I was at first a bit of peeved at Usman Salahuddin not being selected, but I understand now.

But this starts from the junior level. It starts with creating sporting pitches, not wet, low bounce dross that produces low crouching zero back lift grinders.

 

[MenInG]

Ben Stoke regarding the tour and warm-ups in AD:

“I'm very excited, the summer went really well for us in conditions that I know, and we all know as a team, so it's exciting to come away somewhere completely different in sub-continent conditions where whatever team tours finds it very difficult. It's going to be completely different to the summer.”

“We've got everything available to us, the nets out back have got different types of surfaces because we're not quite sure what we're going to get in Pakistan in terms of wickets."

“We've been lucky to have some wickets that do a bit and some wickets that are a bit drier to help the lads prepare for the challenges that the spinners will present, so it's been really good.”

"We've been very lucky to be able to come out here to Abu Dhabi and use the facilities here before we head to Pakistan"

“We've been very spoilt. The facilities here are of one of the highest quality that I can remember since being out here."

“We've got the amazing net facilities out the back and then with all the squares, to be able to have a practice game between the Test team and the Lions has been really good so hopefully we can come back here in the future as well.”

 

[MenInG]

Practice continues in Islamabad

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[Shafi]

Would be same old boring test. We will loose 2-0. What can you expect from Babar, Saqlain.....Same Nauman will fail so as others.

 

[Shafi]

Heard Sarfraz will play as a keeper and Rizwan as a batsman. So no more Saud.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Heard Sarfraz will play as a keeper and Rizwan as a batsman. So no more Saud.

Horrendous decision if true, Rizwans as a batsmen has been up and down in tests, playing him just as batsmen and playing sarfaraz makes zero sense.

 

[ex-q-zit]

Pakistan batter Shan Masood warns England their Bazball approach will be 'risky' in three-match Test series - but believes their aggressive style under captain Ben Stokes could win them the World Championship

Shan Masood has raised doubts on whether Bazball can work in Pakistan but still believes England have come up with a long-term winning formula for Test cricket.

Pakistan batter Masood was making his own history during the 2022 summer as the first player to 1,000 first-class runs, form that resulted in the new Yorkshire captain being recalled to a Pakistan team accustomed to grinding out matches on home soil.

Meanwhile, England ripped up the traditional game's play book, and won six of their first seven matches under new coach Brendon McCullum.

Now, they will take their attacking policy into a first overseas assignment, with the three-match series promising to be a clash of styles.

Asked whether England can play with uber aggression in Pakistani conditions, Masood told the Mail On Sunday: 'I think anyone can but it's risky. As a batsman, one bad shot here and you get everyone on your back.

'The most important thing that England are doing right now is giving players backing. They've decided this is the way they want to play it. They decided that with their white-ball cricket in 2015 too.

'In life, you have to take risks. If you don't take risks, you probably stay in the same place.

'Life evolves, this game evolves, and England have decided to be the pioneers of it by introducing levels that were previously unheard of.

'People initially laughed it off when in white-ball cricket they talked about scoring 400 but they did that, and ended up winning that World Cup three years ago.

'Now, it's come to Test cricket and I wouldn't be surprised if they they start winning World Championships with this style of play because they found their own thing, they've seen a gap that maybe exists in cricket and been successful.'

England scored at an astonishing rate of 4.44 runs per over in the 2022 home season, more than 60% faster than their historical tempo of 2.76.

'They played quality teams in New Zealand, India and South Africa. They're not lesser teams. And it's just exciting watching them play,' the 33-year-old added.

'What's good as a cricketer is that they continue to play that way, don't change and stay true to their blueprint.

'They've made people watch Test cricket and see what they're doing differently. They've made it more entertaining and put the spark back in it.'

That spark might be hard to rekindle if the pitch in Rawalpindi, scene of the first Test starting on Thursday, proves as lifeless as when Australia visited earlier this year - only 20 wickets fell across 379.1 overs.

Both teams will be hoping for more in this one, with the hosts including bespectacled leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed - just like his English counterpart and namesake Rehan Ahmed, as yet uncapped - plus another newbie in fast bowler Mohammad Ali, whose nickname of Dizzy reflects the similarity in his bowling action to that of Jason Gillespie, within an attack missing spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi due to an appendectomy.

The selection of four frontline spinners plus off-spinning all-rounder Agha Salman in a squad of 18 suggests Pakistan - who unlike England can still qualify for the next World Test Championship final - have identified a potential achilles heel in a stroke-playing tourists' batting unit in which the injured Jonny Barstow is a notable absentee.

But reverse swing also proved a potent weapon for the Australians in their 1-0 series win six months ago, hence the call-up of Haris Rauf. The 29-year-old is one of the world's primary exponents of the art in limited-overs cricket.

In contrast, England's fastest bowler Mark Wood remains extremely doubtful for the series opener due to wear and tear in the body.

Dailymail

 

[Ahmed216]

Heard Sarfraz will play as a keeper and Rizwan as a batsman. So no more Saud.

Anything is possible if you have Babar Azam as a captain

 

[MenInG]

Pictures from practice

 

[Kianig89]

Pakistan thin on experience in bowling department, Eng have veterans and a star studded side its a complete mismatch hopefully the visitors will be complacent

Imam
AbShafiq
Shan
Azhar
Babar
Rizwan
Nawaz
Faheem
Abrar
Naseem
Rauf

 

[Adeel Naseem]

Why England team yet to come Pakistan it was announced on 26 Nov?

 

[Markhor]

We need to redo our entire batting philosophy across formats.

That philosophy being, always look to score. It’s the mentality of Australia, England, India and SA. Test cricket is also being positively played these days with the bat. Have to look to attack with the bat as well as the ball.

The Azhar Ali approach is outdated. Top line ups have at most 1 batsman like that in their line ups surrounded by guys who are stroke makers and looking to score runs.

I was at first a bit of peeved at Usman Salahuddin not being selected, but I understand now.

But this starts from the junior level. It starts with creating sporting pitches, not wet, low bounce dross that produces low crouching zero back lift grinders.

It also requires complete buy-in from fans, the press, ex-cricketers and PCB.

It won't take long for the sniping and second guessing to start the moment things go wrong. I can already picture the PP thread titles and YouTube clips.

 

[PakLFC]

Win the toss and bat first. Concern is IK's latest dhrana or walk could play spoil sport for the first time ever.

 

[Amjid Javed]

With such a poor squad picked especially on batting side id have to go with

Abdullah
Imam
Saud
Babar
RIzwan
Agha (no other options in squad execpt TTFs)
Fahim
Nawaz
Abrar
Rauf
Naseem Shah

If id selected squad imam, Agha, nawaz, shan, Azhar, nauman, wasim jnr wouldnt even be in it.

 

[marzupian]

With such a poor squad picked especially on batting side id have to go with

Abdullah
Imam
Saud
Babar
RIzwan
Agha (no other options in squad execpt TTFs)
Fahim
Nawaz
Abrar
Rauf
Naseem Shah

If id selected squad imam, Agha, nawaz, shan, Azhar, nauman, wasim jnr wouldnt even be in it.

Congratulations. Not only is Faheem completely useless and only going to give 20 runs with the bat, 80-0 or 90-1 with the ball - but we're going in with an attack where Naseem is the lead, Rauf on debut to have to grind long spells, Abrar to have to bowl long spells too on debut, with Nawaz as frontline spinner (that too only a few Tests to his name), and Faheem to be completely useless and pick up his standard one wicket per innings contributing nothing more as an All-Rounder despite years of investment in him

Forget the fact that tail starts at 5 when Rizwan walks in. I don't blame you, the 18 man squad selection is shambles as is. But this XI is asking England to outbat us on our pathetic roads

 

[Rana]

Heard Sarfraz will play as a keeper and Rizwan as a batsman. So no more Saud.

Oh boy, if true, Rizwan is in dangerous territory. He is valuable keeper/Batsman for number 6 but he won’t escape criticism like Fawad, Azhar and other Middle order players if he fails solely as a batsman

 

[Amjid Javed]

Congratulations. Not only is Faheem completely useless and only going to give 20 runs with the bat, 80-0 or 90-1 with the ball - but we're going in with an attack where Naseem is the lead, Rauf on debut to have to grind long spells, Abrar to have to bowl long spells too on debut, with Nawaz as frontline spinner (that too only a few Tests to his name), and Faheem to be completely useless and pick up his standard one wicket per innings contributing nothing more as an All-Rounder despite years of investment in him

Forget the fact that tail starts at 5 when Rizwan walks in. I don't blame you, the 18 man squad selection is shambles as is. But this XI is asking England to outbat us on our pathetic roads

I agree the squad is a poor one. Batting wise usman Salluddin, Kamran Ghulam should be in squad. shadab should have been selected as an all rounder, id have had Dhani in as well as another pacer.

Mo wasim has selected a unbalanced squad full of mediocre bits and pieces players and TTFs.

Ive never back england to do well vs pakistan (away) but i can here with garbage squad pakistan has picked. The batting doesnt inspire any confidence.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Oh boy, if true, Rizwan is in dangerous territory. He is valuable keeper/Batsman for number 6 but he won’t escape criticism like Fawad, Azhar and other Middle order players if he fails solely as a batsman

If Rizwan plays as just a batsmen thats a slap in face to Saud, and players like kamran ghulam not in squad and it would need Babar and mo wasim to start answering some serious questions on team and squad selections.

 

[shah_1]

The key is making a turning track and playing three spinners.

Pindi pitches have extremely slow turn. It is very easy to play on the backfoot, most likely will be a draw

 

[ElRaja]

Heard Sarfraz will play as a keeper and Rizwan as a batsman. So no more Saud.

pbly just karachi journos stirring, or at least i hope that's all it is. saud is a must for all three tests, cant ignore his record, form and ability to bowl 4 or 5 overs to rest someone.

 

[Rana]

If Rizwan plays as just a batsmen thats a slap in face to Saud, and players like kamran ghulam not in squad and it would need Babar and mo wasim to start answering some serious questions on team and squad selections.

But that is Mohammad Rizwan for you

Him playing as an opener in T20 is a slap in the face on every cricketer in this world who honed his art as an opening batsman in T20 or white ball cricket

Won’t be the first time he is elevated over deserving players for no justifiable reason

 

[daytrader]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">Hello Pakistan &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;</p>— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) <a href="https://twitter.com/benstokes38/status/1596628811310940164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Arrival video

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[shah_1]

Just saw the pitch pictures, looks like a bloody road to me. Babar and Ramiz Raja are such cowards of losing a test match.

 

[MenInG]

England’s first training session in Rawalpindi underway.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan squad practice in progress

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[Amjid Javed]

Just saw the pitch pictures, looks like a bloody road to me. Babar and Ramiz Raja are such cowards of losing a test match.

Why the surprise? We same cowards approach during Aus series.

 

[MenInG]

England practice pictures

 

[sam_ahm]

Many of you have Nawaz in your line up, is he the preferred one over Nauman Ali?

Will Abrar and Rauf both make debuts?

 

[Kriketer]

Just saw the pitch pictures, looks like a bloody road to me. Babar and Ramiz Raja are such cowards of losing a test match.

Shame if they followed the same timid mindset of preparing roads. Not a surprise

 

[Omer2002]

Its a shame we will lose to England as well. I mean i know we are scared of seaming wickets but I remember we made good spinning tracks against South Africa which is what needed. We do our curators make roads even now the Quad Trophy final is such a road no purchase for anybody.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Just saw the pitch pictures, looks like a bloody road to me. Babar and Ramiz Raja are such cowards of losing a test match.

If this is true, then it's quite a dumb decision . It was understandable against Australia because Australia play spin and pace very well and their spinners were better than Pakistan's.

They could have beaten Pakistan on any pitch .

England only have 2 guys who can play spin on Asian surfaces - Root and Jennings. Should've prepared good pitches which assist turn.

 

[Xoib]

If this is true, then it's quite a dumb decision . It was understandable against Australia because Australia play spin and pace very well and their spinners were better than Pakistan's.

They could have beaten Pakistan on any pitch .

England only have 2 guys who can play spin on Asian surfaces - Root and Jennings. Should've prepared good pitches which assist turn.

Rambo Raja is the dumbest analysist of the game going by his commentary and seems to be a narcissistic aswell in a position of power.

The worst combination.

 

[Mamoon]

The pitch can be flat, but opening the innings in Rawalpindi weather in Nov/Dec is not easy. The ball will swing upfront.

If Pakistan wins the toss and bats first, it will take a big effort from Imam and Shafique to survive the first 10 overs against Anderson.

If you survive that period, you can score 350-400.

 

[Titan24]

Many of you have Nawaz in your line up, is he the preferred one over Nauman Ali?

Will Abrar and Rauf both make debuts?

Nawaz is younger with a higher ceiling especially in terms of batting and bowling as well most likely if we go by current version of Nauman. Nauman was struggling with bowl even in domestic cricket's ongoing 4 days season and looks like his best years are behind him. Nawaz establishing himself would mean having a decent left arm spin option who can bat for the next test championship cycle as well while Nauman is in his twilight. So I believe that's the main reasoning.

Yes most likely both will debut depending upon the conditions.

 

[bones]

I've just seen the video from the PCB focusing on play vs spin. I am not impressed by what I've seen from Shan Masood. Who told him that reverse sweeping balls out of the rough is a good idea?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hbx_2qLA6Y

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Nawaz is younger with a higher ceiling especially in terms of batting and bowling as well most likely if we go by current version of Nauman. Nauman was struggling with bowl even in domestic cricket's ongoing 4 days season and looks like his best years are behind him. Nawaz establishing himself would mean having a decent left arm spin option who can bat for the next test championship cycle as well while Nauman is in his twilight. So I believe that's the main reasoning.

Yes most likely both will debut depending upon the conditions.

If they’re preparing Pindi as a seaming track, I expect to see the following bowling line up:

Mohammad Ali
Naseem Shah
Mohammad Wasim
Mohammad Nawaz
Faheem Ashraf

That way, you bat down to No.9, and have your seam options covered. I’m not saying that this is the most effective bowling line-up, but what Babar will prefer, to help beef up the batting.

Mohammed Ali has to play, because it’s too much to ask Rauf to debut as a new ball bowler against England. Ali has new ball experience, and is riding a rich vein of form.

I’m also convinced that they hold back Abrar till the second test.

The ideal test bowling line up from this squad would be Naseem, Ali, Rauf, Abrar and Nawaz, but that means your tail starts from No.8. It shows the lack of trust in the batsmen that we’ll never see this bowling line-up.

As for the batting, fully expecting Salman Ali Agha to play, as his off spin will be useful against lefties.

 

[SamNJ]

England can be really dangerous on flat pitches. They just hit their lions team for 501 runs in 79 overs in Abu Dhabi. They can comfortably outbat any team on flat tracks.

 

[MenInG]

Pictures of Pakistan practice

 

[MenInG]

Azhar Ali and Mark Wood review their preparations for the Test series

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/1sdipg" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Kianig89]

Eng superior in all depts should they win the toss and then might punish Pakistan to 356/2 at stumps, our pedestrian spin attack will be catch 22 for us

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Wow McCullum admits that his team is not fully prepared for the first Test against Pakistan.

 

[Marooned]

Its a shame we will lose to England as well. I mean i know we are scared of seaming wickets but I remember we made good spinning tracks against South Africa which is what needed. We do our curators make roads even now the Quad Trophy final is such a road no purchase for anybody.

You can't make a spinning track in pindi.

Even in that SA series, in the pindi test our spinners were completely toothless, and picked 2 wickets in total while seamers picked 16.

In pindi our only option is to make seaming tracks and let go of this cowardly strategy of making brutal roads to force a draw in the name of backing our non existent spinners.

 

[shah_1]

You can't make a spinning track in pindi.

Even in that SA series, in the pindi test our spinners were completely toothless, and picked 2 wickets in total while seamers picked 16.

In pindi our only option is to make seaming tracks and let go of this cowardly strategy of making brutal roads to force a draw in the name of backing our non existent spinners.

Pindi has very slow turn. Very easy to play on the backfoot. Karachi has something for spinners

 

[Omer2002]

You can't make a spinning track in pindi.

Even in that SA series, in the pindi test our spinners were completely toothless, and picked 2 wickets in total while seamers picked 16.

In pindi our only option is to make seaming tracks and let go of this cowardly strategy of making brutal roads to force a draw in the name of backing our non existent spinners.

Absolutely making roads will only benefit England. Making seaming wickets will also benefit them

 

[Titan24]

If they’re preparing Pindi as a seaming track, I expect to see the following bowling line up:

Mohammad Ali
Naseem Shah
Mohammad Wasim
Mohammad Nawaz
Faheem Ashraf

That way, you bat down to No.9, and have your seam options covered. I’m not saying that this is the most effective bowling line-up, but what Babar will prefer, to help beef up the batting.

Mohammed Ali has to play, because it’s too much to ask Rauf to debut as a new ball bowler against England. Ali has new ball experience, and is riding a rich vein of form.

I’m also convinced that they hold back Abrar till the second test.

The ideal test bowling line up from this squad would be Naseem, Ali, Rauf, Abrar and Nawaz, but that means your tail starts from No.8. It shows the lack of trust in the batsmen that we’ll never see this bowling line-up.

As for the batting, fully expecting Salman Ali Agha to play, as his off spin will be useful against lefties.

Fair points. 4 pacers irrespective of the pitch would be a tough call for managements of both the sides to take but I get the point. In 4 man pace attack surely Ali can play however, if its a 3 man pace attack (Along with Faheem) then other than Naseem it can become a bit one dimensional especially with the older bowl. So lets see how the conditions are and what does the think tank think.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Fully expected a pindi highway like the Aussie series and pakistan team will be fully of TTFs and bits and pieces players. Nothing will change with current clown regime.

 

[MenInG]

Pictures from practice by both teams

 

[Babeikh]

Ticket sales seem to be going well for Pindi - issue though is will people actually turn up?

 

[andy0204]

Can't wait to see Jimmy Anderson bowling!

 

[MenInG]

SkyCricket's predicted England XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Liam Livingstone, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Ollie Robinson/Jamie Overton, Jack Leach, James Anderson

 

[Amjid Javed]

SkyCricket's predicted England XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Liam Livingstone, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Ollie Robinson/Jamie Overton, Jack Leach, James Anderson

Very long batting line up. I was going to say bowling looks weak but with pakistans pathetic batting like of jack leach will look world class.

 

[PakHammer]

Pre match talk from the English camp is a bit cocky. Hopefully they will underestimate Pakistan and that will motivate Pakistan.

But the Pakistan team seem a bit meek and nicey nicey for that.

 

[Saj]

Ben Stokes has named his XI for the first Test against Pakistan - Liam Livingstone debut and Ben Duckett returns

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Liam Livingstone, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Jimmy Anderson

 

[GLORY OF '92]

3 bowlers ridiculous selection by England.

 

[Kriketer]

Ticket sales seem to be going well for Pindi - issue though is will people actually turn up?

Despite the usual dull looking grass and terrible concrete slabs and shaadi chairs, one thing about Pindi stadium is that it tends to get the most crowd for Test cricket consistently for 5 days compared to all other venues for Test in Pakistan. I don't ever recall complete empty stands in this stadium. I am positive crowd will show up, and knowing its England which played T20 final will have added pull.

Really poor from PCB that passion of Pindi crowd is served with concrete, shaadi chairs and no shades. PCB had all the time in the world to atleast install plastic chairs, I mean they made over $10M in profit from Australia series so they could have spent marginal of that revenue to upgrade this ground. We have a lot of cricket coming up in Pakistan and we barely have a few stadiums, how PCB doesn't spend to upgrade stadiums is absolutely shameful. Karachi roof is the only upgrade they have made in ages.

Enough of my complains, looking forward to a good contest and a decent pitch hopefully.