Pakistan v England | 2nd Test | Multan | October 15-19 | Pre-Match Discussion

[hur rizvi]

No not really zahid is biggest turner of cricket ball in whole pakistan you dont wanna expose mehran he is a darter not a turner i would say bring zahid on used pitch and its gonna be fun.

Zahid wouldn't be averaging close to 40 in Pakistani domestic if he was a half decent leggie

 

[batandballbattle]

It feels like they gave Babar an ultimatum before the first test
Almost like they said to him that they're going to churn out the absolute flattest road for 27 years and if you still can't score on that then you're dropped.
He still couldn't shake his horrid form even in the circumstances and he was rightly canned

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Zahid wouldn't be averaging close to 40 in Pakistani domestic if he was a half decent leggie

What do you wanna do you still have to pick 20 wickets and spinners is the way to go like how misbah ued to do in uae?

 

[RidiculousMan]

Okay wow. So Pakistan going with all spinners. No Babar Azam, Naseem Shah or Shaheen Shah either. Seems more like panic button. Nonetheless they have nothing to lose.

My prediction of the playing XI is;

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Saim Ayub
3. Shan Masood (c)
4. Kamran Ghulam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Salman Ali Agha
8. Aamer Jamal
9. Mir Hamza
10. Noman Ali
11. Zahid Mehmood

 

[FearlessRoar]

The last time Babar and Shaheen were not part of a Test match for Pakistan was in the Leeds Test 2018.

England won that Test match by an innings and 55 runs.

 

[ataullah]

Huraira
Shan
Kamran
Saud
Rizwan
Salman Agha
Jamal
Mehran/Nauman
Mir Hamza
Muhammad Ali
Zahid Mehmood

 

[ataullah]

The last time Babar and Shaheen were not part of a Test match for Pakistan was in the Leeds Test 2018.

England won that Test match by an innings and 55 runs.

The last time they did play they were worse than club level players and didn't benefit the team at all. They were the best of a mediocre lot at best

 

[RidiculousMan]

Sajid Don is on his way to Multan!

Now who will save Harry Brook and Joe Root??

To be honest with you. If the pitch has assistant for spinners. Chacha Noman and Sajid Don will eat England alive with at least 7 wickets each for them in the game.

 

[Ahmed216]

Hurraira can play if it's a used surface. Good player of spin

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Okay wow. So Pakistan going with all spinners. No Babar Azam, Naseem Shah or Shaheen Shah either. Seems more like panic button. Nonetheless they have nothing to lose.

My prediction of the playing XI is;

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Saim Ayub
3. Shan Masood (c)
4. Kamran Ghulam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Salman Ali Agha
8. Aamer Jamal
9. Mir Hamza
10. Noman Ali
11. Zahid Mehmood

Bro you are going with zahid over mehran you reckon this would be pak best test team for spin pitch?

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

To be honest with you. If the pitch has assistant for spinners. Chacha Noman and Sajid Don will eat England alive with at least 7 wickets each for them in the game.

Ya some of posters are having a laugh should remember it was noman ali who won pak series in sri lanka in a spinning track this guy is handful.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood may as well be wearing England shirts. Because they won't be playing for Pakistan if they play.

Seriously, what a rubbish spin attack. I guess they want England to score 1000 this time.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

To be honest with you. If the pitch has assistant for spinners. Chacha Noman and Sajid Don will eat England alive with at least 7 wickets each for them in the game.

Please don't mention their names in the same breath. I'm getting PTSD of the 2022 Australia series.

 

[Kianig89]

So with all the storm passing some established players are dropped and rightly so. The playing XI might be

Shafiq
Saim
Imam
Shan
Saud
Rizwan
Agha
Jamal
Nauman
Zahid
Shehzad
-----------------

Is this team capable of taking 20 wickets , answer is "Absolutely Not"

 

[followed]

Lol zahid mahmood is so garbage and that Sajid khan is awful as well.

They should use this opportunity to develop some young spinners not bring these tried and tested failures back.

Pakistan cricket is going backwards with every step.

 

[FearlessRoar]

The Pakistan Cricket Board has said that four top players including former captain Babar Azam have been spared from the team to give them rest so that they can come back afresh۔

The spokesman said that Babar Azam is the best batsman of his generation and the PCB wants a mentally refreshed Babar to represent the Pakistan side in future.

The PCB spokesman said that selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors. They had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket and the players, it was decided to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The spokesman said that at the same time, the PCB is offering opportunities to our young players and domestic performers to showcase their skills against a formidable England side. The PCB believes that each of Haseebullah, Mehran, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali, Noman, Sajid and Zahid have the ability to rise to the occasion and serve the team in the remaining two Tests. The spokesman said the PCB had to focus on developing the next generation of our Test players too, and this series is a chance to induct youngster in the squad.

 

[stani_pak]

Root fans will be disappointed with the PCB. Denying their honorary pakistani batsman to speed to higher milestone.

You seem to talk about Root alot nowadays....like as if you are worried...that he might end up doing something that will cause a billion tears

 

[pakistani pride]

Ab maja ayega biddu ab dekho spin ka magic

Maja??

 

[gibsyhesperis]

Have to say, this has made the second Test a whole lot more interesting.
The prospect of a pitch that might help the bowlers always makes for exciting cricket.
Might just turn out to be road again though ….

I still think England will still probably win, irrespective of the surface ( Pakistan don’t have an Ashwin, Jadeja or Yadav to exploit the conditions, should they materialise)

 

[pakistani pride]

The last time Babar and Shaheen were not part of a Test match for Pakistan was in the Leeds Test 2018.

England won that Test match by an innings and 55 runs.

So basically makes no difference. 2 of the most over hyped Pak players ever.

 

[zaidihusain]

Sarfraz has been rested without getting a game. Not a fan of Sarfraz at all but this is funny.

Happy with all other decisions even if the team loses again as it's a young side

 

[YousafTheBeast]

It’s a difficult position to be in right now as a fan.

You want the team to win and the youngsters to secure their spots in the XI, but you also want Shan’s losing streak to continue.

 

[Human786]

Apparently, all of these guys are rested. But Naseem was a surprise.

not really - these 2 superstar '' Shahs '' need lot o rest even though being a NPA in recent times ....

 

[Human786]

likely 11 folks keeping the defensive mindset which hosts have batting Agha at 7 & considering him a credible 5th bowling option[ which I personally do NOT ] ? c @BouncerGuy @Rana @Mamoon @MenInG

 

[asifp]

Shafique
Hurraira
Shaan
Saud
Kamran
Rizwan
Aga
Jamaal
Nauman
Mumtaz or Mo Ali
Mir Hamza

 

[Asif321]

Hopefully by end of this series . Shan shafique and Rizwan also get dropped

 

[Asif321]

Sarfraz has been rested without getting a game. Not a fan of Sarfraz at all but this is funny.

Happy with all other decisions even if the team loses again as it's a young side

Basically released . I think it’s good call. He can be a mentor focus on coming players grooming from his region rather than playing guitar in dug out . Backup keeper should be groomed .

 

[Aami]

Maja??

"Maza"

 

[Aami]

It’s a difficult position to be in right now as a fan.

You want the team to win and the youngsters to secure their spots in the XI, but you also want Shan’s losing streak to continue.

Of course...some fans.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

If it's a flat wicket again, 4 bowlers may not be enough. Need to drop the extra batter and play Jamal at 7.

Agha is not good enough as a bowler.

 

[gazza619]

Hopefully by end of this series . Shan shafique and Rizwan also get dropped

And who are the replacements?

 

[HARKS]

English players played indian spinners in India very well ,they only faltered due to Bumrah at crucial time and lost the series. Even if spinners paradise is prepared, they will hit to 300runs on Average which may take pakistan players 2 innings to catch up .

 

[YousafTheBeast]

And who are the replacements?

Whoever replaces them will make sure we lose a test series to Bangladesh, oh wait…

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

You seem to talk about Root alot nowadays....like as if you are worried...that he might end up doing something that will cause a billion tears

I like to talk about current topics.
If you had bothered I was active on hockey, olympics, women cricket thread too and plenty other stuff. You never noticed my presence there. Has discussion on Root passed under certain national citizen for which I am not eligible?
I would like to apply for that particular privilege, plz help me .

 

[RidiculousMan]

Bro you are going with zahid over mehran you reckon this would be pak best test team for spin pitch?

This is my predicted XI. Not my favorite.

Reasoning is that they will think of playing One Leg Spinner and One Left arm Spinner instead of both Noman and Mehran

 

[Human786]

It feels like they gave Babar an ultimatum before the first test
Almost like they said to him that they're going to churn out the absolute flattest road for 27 years and if you still can't score on that then you're dropped.
He still couldn't shake his horrid form even in the circumstances and he was rightly canned

if PCB past is anything to go by , Babar could well be your next TEST Captain ....

 

[Human786]

If it's a flat wicket again, 4 bowlers may not be enough. Need to drop the extra batter and play Jamal at 7.

Agha is not good enough as a bowler.

absolutely - being saying this since a year

 

[Hellion]

English players played indian spinners in India very well ,they only faltered due to Bumrah at crucial time and lost the series. Even if spinners paradise is prepared, they will hit to 300runs on Average which may take pakistan players 2 innings to catch up .

Jadeja and Ashwin both averaged 25 and Kuldeep averaged 20. That is well played?

 

[RidiculousMan]

Please don't mention their names in the same breath. I'm getting PTSD of the 2022 Australia series.

Choose your PTSD. Abrar or Sajid

 

[batandballbattle]

if PCB past is anything to go by , Babar could well be your next TEST Captain ....

He resigned from white ball duties, so I don't think he'd take up the mantle again in a tougher format
Though logic doesn't apply for the PCT circus so another re-appointment isn't too ludicrous

 

[Asif321]

And who are the replacements?

they are already in squad

 

[Human786]

can some1 list the realistic playing 11 & NOT their fantasy playing 11 ?

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

It looks like Kamran Ghulam comes straight in for Babar.

The bowling attack chosen by these selectors is looks atrocious.

Hasnain , Akif javed and Faisal akram should of been chosen.

Zahid is a bowler who bowls half trackers all day and the english will pounce.

The best line up possible with this squad has to be

Saim
ABD
Shan
Kami G
Saud
Riz
Salman Ali
Jamal
Mehran
Sajid K
Muhammad Ali

 

[gazza619]

they are already in squad

So Haseebullah will replace Rizwan then.

Good choice

 

[mominsaigol]

can some1 list the realistic playing 11 & NOT their fantasy playing 11 ?

Most likely it'll be

1) Saim
2) Abdullah
3) Shan
4) Kamran Ghulam (He came to replace Babar so will likely make his debut at 4)
5) Saud
6) Rizzu (WK)
7) Agha
8) Jamal
9) one of the new spinners be it sajid, Mehran or Noman chacha
10) Mir Hamza
11) Mohammad Ali

 

[stani_pak]

I like to talk about current topics.
If you had bothered I was active on hockey, olympics, women cricket thread too and plenty other stuff. You never noticed my presence there. Has discussion on Root passed under certain national citizen for which I am not eligible?
I would like to apply for that particular privilege, plz help me .

You have the right to talk about who ever you like just saying I have noticed you have been talking about him a lot....we both know the reason why.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Ben Stokes is also working on his bowling, seemingly determined to claim wickets even on flat pitches.

 

[PakFan2010]

How many Pakistan players would get into the England team?

I can't think of a single one.

Maybe Rizwan over Jamie Smith, but the latter has the potential to be a great.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Choose your PTSD. Abrar or Sajid

You're asking me if I want to be shot with Magnum or a Beretta. The result is the same..

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

How many Pakistan players would get into the England team?

I can't think of a single one.

Maybe Rizwan over Jamie Smith, but the latter has the potential to be a great.

No one besides Rizwan.

 

[Hellion]

With Mir Hamza and Mohammad Ali coming in , England should target a thousand runs.

Very much possible.

 

[RidiculousMan]

You're asking me if I want to be shot with Magnum or a Beretta. The result is the same..

At the you get to make a choice

 

[gazza619]

Ben Stokes is also working on his bowling, seemingly determined to claim wickets even on flat pitches.

He should rest and not waste energy against a minnow

 

[batandballbattle]

A used pitch hopefully means things are less dull as spinners will come into the game
Still though I rate Bashir and Leach over our spin attack despite they themselves not being all that special

 

[Aami]

Am I the only one thinking here that we have no Pak fans on this forum or as Mamoon famously put once only 'wrist slitters' and wanna be selectors; who are celebrated not for their wisdom (dare I say) or insight but for having an active right thumb.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Rotten eggs and tomatoes for someone's bday

 

[Amjid Javed]

Bringing back pie throwers and imam isn't going to change teams fortunes

 

[Nasirz]

This was bound to happen when you chase captaincy @babar @ Shaheen ,
Instead focusing on improving their game and fitness they were after glory , and carried ego
Let's hope they come back to team as better team players
It will be unfortunate if we loose Babar , as there is dearth of talent

 

[shamaan]

Abdullah Shafique
Saim Ayub
Shan Masood
Kamran Ghullam
Saud Shakeel
Rizwan
Agha Salman
Jamal
Nuaman
Mir Hamza
Ali

Saim Is walking on thin ice.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

This was bound to happen when you chase captaincy @babar @ Shaheen ,
Instead focusing on improving their game and fitness they were after glory , and carried ego
Let's hope they come back to team as better team players
It will be unfortunate if we loose Babar , as there is dearth of talent

Blame the clown chairman for creating that captaincy rift just before the WT20 and two gun players in the side.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Abdullah Shafique
Saim Ayub
Shan Masood
Kamran Ghullam
Saud Shakeel
Rizwan
Agha Salman
Jamal
Nuaman
Mir Hamza
Ali

Saim Is walking on thin ice.

You dont need ali have sajid khan need 2 spinners to beat sena team

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

This was bound to happen when you chase captaincy @babar @ Shaheen ,
Instead focusing on improving their game and fitness they were after glory , and carried ego
Let's hope they come back to team as better team players
It will be unfortunate if we loose Babar , as there is dearth of talent

Blame the clown chairman for creating that captaincy rift just before the WT20 and screwing the two gun players in the side.

 

[Kianig89]

So with Pakistan team in full nonk mode,game could end up like if Eng bats 1st

Eng 1130/6 dec at Day 4 Lunch

Pakistan 224 ao at Day 5 1st hr Session 1

Pakistan 167ao Day 5 Session 3 , 17over left

So count yourself Eng won by an Inn. & how many runs

 

[Ahmed216]

So with Pakistan team in full nonk mode,game could end up like if Eng bats 1st

Eng 1130/6 dec at Day 4 Lunch

Pakistan 224 ao at Day 5 1st hr Session 1

Pakistan 167ao Day 5 Session 3 , 17over left

So count yourself Eng won by an Inn. & how many runs

England will take 6-7 sessions not 10 to score 1130

 

[James]

The toss is not usually decisive with this England team, as they tend to do quite well when batting second and chasing. But this match will be different - If indeed it’s going to be played on a used wicket. Whoever wins the toss must surely bat first and try to put a score on the board. The last innings on this could be an <100 all out job.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Prepare a spinning track and go for a spin heavy attack against England... thats the only way Pakistan can put up a fight otherwise be ready for another thrashing in the next Test match.

 

[Justcrazy]

To be honest with you. If the pitch has assistant for spinners. Chacha Noman and Sajid Don will eat England alive with at least 7 wickets each for them in the game.

I said long before that though Pakistan does not have strength but If I was PCB chairman I would prepare a rank turner and play three specialist spinners , that will be the best chance for Pakistan.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

I said long before that though Pakistan does not have strength but If I was PCB chairman I would prepare a rank turner and play three specialist spinners , that will be the best chance for Pakistan.

So what does it look like will pak go for heavy spin attack?

 

[ghalib kichlu]

The same pitch will be used
Shafique
Hurraira
Masood
Shakeel
Ghulam
Rizwan
Agha
Jamal
Mumtaz
Noman
Ali

Mir hamza was useless against bangladesh
Mahmood will give away too many runs and fakhar a better option than ayub

Hopefully mumtaz and noman> Bashir and leach

Would be interesting to see who has a better domestic season out of shoaib Bashir and mehram mumtaz

 

[James]

Although I think Pakistan can bounce back by playing on a cracked up pitch with their wily old spinners, it is not a guaranteed route to victory. Leach, Bashir and even Root are all more than capable of taking big wicket hauls of their own on such pitches; and they have in the past.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Although I think Pakistan can bounce back by playing on a cracked up pitch with their wily old spinners, it is not a guaranteed route to victory. Leach, Bashir and even Root are all more than capable of taking big wicket hauls of their own on such pitches; and they have in the past.

THey are battle hardened in India. Pakistan doesn't have that advantage.

 

[kingusama92]

If the pitch doesn't turn big, this bowling attack is going to get smashed with England putting up 1000+.

Even England winning the toss and batting first might be disastrous for Pakistan.

 

[topspin]

Balochistan’s parchi on his way to Multan

Guy thinks he’s Leonardo Di Caprio

 

[riddu]

Okay wow. So Pakistan going with all spinners. No Babar Azam, Naseem Shah or Shaheen Shah either. Seems more like panic button. Nonetheless they have nothing to lose.

My prediction of the playing XI is;

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Saim Ayub
3. Shan Masood (c)
4. Kamran Ghulam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Salman Ali Agha
8. Aamer Jamal
9. Mir Hamza
10. Noman Ali
11. Zahid Mehmood

good team ... now the team will be more united since the ego boss azam is gone ... now everyone can play freely

 

[Caved12]

1- Shafique
2- Hurraira
3- Shan
4- Kamran
5- Saud
6- Rizwan
7- Salman
8- Jamal
9- Sajid
10- Mehran
11- Mir Hamza

Saim has no place in my playing 11.

 

[Caved12]

If I were Gillespie, I would ask my bowlers to keep it simple and try to bowl maiden overs. I would show them a stat where England bowled 26 maiden overs in the first test match as compared to Pakistani bowlers who were only able to bowl 1 maiden over in the entire test match.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

1- Shafique
2- Hurraira
3- Shan
4- Kamran
5- Saud
6- Rizwan
7- Salman
8- Jamal
9- Sajid
10- Mehran
11- Mir Hamza

Saim has no place in my playing 11.

Shafique should also be dropped... bring shan as an opener with hurarira so they can easily adjust tayyab tahir in the middle order who is far more reliable compared to both saim and shafique.

 

[Caved12]

Shafique should also be dropped... bring shan as an opener with hurarira so they can easily adjust tayyab tahir in the middle order who is far more reliable compared to both saim and shafique.

Hard to drop a player who scored a century in his last test match. Shan is a terrible player who should have no place in this team, but there is nothing we can do since he is the captain of our test team. Besides, he scored 150 plus in his last match from number 3, so I would not change what worked in the last game.

is Tayyab Tahir part of our squad? After playing 59 matches, he averages only 34 in first class cricket. I don't know much about his recent scores, so please feel free to fill me in.

 

[Justcrazy]

So what does it look like will pak go for heavy spin attack?

They should have in the first Test as well.
Look last time England toured India , India despite losing first test still kept on producing turners , and they will do the same against Kiwis.

You need to learn from that.

 

[mon858]

I would go with 3 spinners. 1 pacer. Make it a spin shootout. I would have kept sarfraz and played him as a batter as he is one of our best players of spin.

Saim (last chance)
Abdullah
Shan
Kamran
Saud
Salman
Rizwan
Aamer
Nauman
Sajid
Zahid

Keeps batting line long also, Nauman and Sajid can bat as well.

Possibly can consider playing Mir Hamza over one of the spinners if there is any swing chance