Pakistan v England | 5th T20I | GSL | 28 September 2022 | Pre-match discussion

[MenInG]

Great win in the 4th T20I and the action now moves to Lahore...

So all those in favour of Khushdil being dropped, say aye!

What other changes should we make?

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan have the momentum now. I think they should make it 3-2 next game.

 

[Kianig89]

Our mindset is not right for this format we fluked 4th t20 but never was Babar looking to win by taking all 10 wicket, 20 overs is a very less margin where you can squeeze opposition serious soul searching req by team management

 

[PakFan2010]

Why not open with Asif Ali?

 

[sweep_shot]

Why not open with Asif Ali?

I agree.

Either him or Nawaz should come in earlier.

 

[Concerned]

Pakistan think tank do not have it in them to change the team.

Kushdil should make way to give someone else a opportunity.

 

[adzzy786]

i think after 10’overs if Pakistan loose a wicket then Asif Ali should come in.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

ANYTHING CAN HAPPPEN truly incredible

 

[Aviator]

They should boot out khushdil but I doubt they'll go with so called winning combination.

 

[Marooned]

Please for the love of God, drop Khushdil for good now.

What do they see in him????

 

[Markhor]

Hope that incredible finish doesn't allow our team management to escape scrutiny for another error-filled game.

Starting with negatives, another good PP was wasted by a poor middle phase. While the pitch slowed, Shan and Rizwan went nowhere and it's clear Asif Ali needs had more overs to bat. He should've come ahead of the hapless Khushdil Shah who's had enough rope !

So far none of Hasnain, Dhani or Wasim jr have made a case to play ahead of Shaheen, Rauf or Naseem. Qadir pulled off a stunning catch but your specialist spinner not bowling even an over is damning and another example of wasted resources. Play Shadab or test young Abrar.

Catching remains highly inconsistent, still too many dollies dropped.

Positives - Iftikhar's bowling was a plus. Although overbowled in Asia Cup final, he's very useful in right situations and a 6th bowler is crucial if a frontliner gets hit. Nawaz has bowled well this series. The boys showed lots of character when all seemed lost.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I would drop Khushdil for Haris, drop Qadir for Abrar and maybe rest a few guys for Haider & Aamer Jamal.

 

[IMMY69]

Hope that incredible finish doesn't allow our team management to escape scrutiny for another error-filled game.

Starting with negatives, another good PP was wasted by a poor middle phase. While the pitch slowed, Shan and Rizwan went nowhere and it's clear Asif Ali needs had more overs to bat. He should've come ahead of the hapless Khushdil Shah who's had enough rope !

So far none of Hasnain, Dhani or Wasim jr have made a case to play ahead of Shaheen, Rauf or Naseem. Qadir pulled off a stunning catch but your specialist spinner not bowling even an over is damning and another example of wasted resources. Play Shadab or test young Abrar.

Catching remains highly inconsistent, still too many dollies dropped.

Positives - Iftikhar's bowling was a plus. Although overbowled in Asia Cup final, he's very useful in right situations and a 6th bowler is crucial if a frontliner gets hit. Nawaz has bowled well this series. The boys showed lots of character when all seemed lost.

Not sure if Asif Ali has it in him to play more then ten deliveries.
History has shown us that he can be electric for 7-10 deliveries and that could be mental thing.
But I suppose it's worth a shot.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan need to utilize there resources , when you have Nawaz batting at 8 and Waseem at 9 , you cannot waste slowly.

 

[hitthestump]

Why not open with Asif Ali?

Pretty simple why. Your opener needs to be at least capable of playing a long innings if he clicks. Asif Ali won't adjust to a tricky surface nor rotate the strike against good opposition who won't give him freebies. Asif Ali has never played a long innings in his life and never will.

His job is as a 20 ball specialist hoping he can hit a few good shots. His position should be flexible but he should never walk out before the 14th over.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I would drop Khushdil for Haris, drop Qadir for Abrar and maybe rest a few guys for Haider & Aamer Jamal.

My line-up would be:

1. Babar Azam (C)
2. Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
3. Shan Masood
4. Asif Ali
5. Mohammad Haris
6. Mohammad Nawaz
7. Aamer Jamal
8. Mohammad Wasim Jnr
9. Haris Rauf
10. Abrar Ahmed
11. Shahnawaz Dhani - Rest Hasnain.

 

[shady]

It’s obvious most of the components are there, but Babar needs to be braver in his captaincy. I think if you slot in Fakhar for Khushdil in the World Cup and prioritize flexibility in the middle order, this batting lineup can do a job.

1.Babar
2.Rizwan
3.Shan
4.Fakhar
5.Iftikhar
6.Shadab
7.Asif
8.Nawaz
9.Haris
10.Shaheen
11.Naseem

If one of the openers fall early send in Shan. If they take it deep and one falls when the spinners are bowling, send in Fakhar to slog, if the pacers are bowling, send in Asif. There’s more than enough resources to put up challenging totals, but Babar is gonna have to get out of his comfort zone captaincy wise.

For the next three games make it a point to shuffle the middle order and get the players used to flexible roles.

 

[Babeikh]

Our mindset is not right for this format we fluked 4th t20 but never was Babar looking to win by taking all 10 wicket, 20 overs is a very less margin where you can squeeze opposition serious soul searching req by team management

Lol relax man. Have an aloo paratha or some chai or something. We have just seen a remarkable win, at least enjoy it for a couple of hours before moaning

 

[GreenKhan]

I don’t think it matters what the batting order is. If one of your openers is consistently gna face half the balls at SR of 130 , then it’s impossible for the others to deliver consistently and be comfortable in there roles .

Today was another example and it nearly cost us the match .

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Lol relax man. Have an aloo paratha or some chai or something. We have just seen a remarkable win, at least enjoy it for a couple of hours before moaning

Well he is right, soul searching starts right away, how many games you will win like this, for sure it makes for an incredible game but then you also lost 3rd T20 with an ODI margin. If Rauf haven't come through, it be 1-3 now, these kind of wins are ok every now and then as long as you win others consistently and resoundingly, else we always be unpredictable.

 

[Babeikh]

Well he is right, soul searching starts right away, how many games you will win like this, for sure it makes for an incredible game but then you also lost 3rd T20 with an ODI margin. If Rauf haven't come through, it be 1-3 now, these kind of wins are ok every now and then as long as you win others consistently and resoundingly, else we always be unpredictable.

If Dawson hadn't come through then Rauf wouldn't have even been in the picture. All part of the game. Can't take anyone's performance away with 'if he hadn't done that then...'

 

[PakPremi]

The ball was not coming to bat easily first inning, especially when ball was revesrsing, and it gets easier in the later part of the second inning as it was seen even England batters struggled in the first half despite their risk hit approach at which they are good at. If Asif Ali batted before the hopeless Khushdil Pak could have had 10 or 15 more runs.
Anyhow as for the next match only Qadir needs to be replaced from bowling,and he probably will be as heay have injured hand due to excellent catch he took. The rest of bowlers were good except for one very bad over of Hasnain and one bad over of Nawaz.
And for batting Khushdil for sure needs to be dropped now for someone like Haris, Haider or even Jamal.

 

[hitthestump]

It’s obvious most of the components are there, but Babar needs to be braver in his captaincy. I think if you slot in Fakhar for Khushdil in the World Cup and prioritize flexibility in the middle order, this batting lineup can do a job.

1.Babar
2.Rizwan
3.Shan
4.Fakhar
5.Iftikhar
6.Shadab
7.Asif
8.Nawaz
9.Haris
10.Shaheen
11.Naseem

If one of the openers fall early send in Shan. If they take it deep and one falls when the spinners are bowling, send in Fakhar to slog, if the pacers are bowling, send in Asif. There’s more than enough resources to put up challenging totals, but Babar is gonna have to get out of his comfort zone captaincy wise.

For the next three games make it a point to shuffle the middle order and get the players used to flexible roles.

I agree that this is probably the best we can do. As usual it all depends on Babar and Rizwan for the batting but we just need enough that a decent bowling attack can defend.

 

[Gayle_Force]

I hope the team learns that if Babar and Rizwan take the game to 11th or 12th over than it does not make sense to bring in Shan or Iftikhar. We should be looking to bring in Asif or Khushdil at that stage. No point leaving them for the last overs.

 

[wrongun]

Coming in to game 5, what's the feeling on 7 game t20 series?

It seems people are still very, very interested in game 5. Do you think game 7 will be the same?

Of course this has the benefit of being a close series, with each team swapping some close wins.
If it were 4-0 already it could be a disaster.

I'll own up as one who thought 7 game t20 series was absurd. But now maybe I think it's like basketball, which has extremely long format finals series (7 games)- because each game is high scoring and more a lottery there is usually a win or two to keep either team interested.

Never seen a t20 series this long so wondering what the home fans think of it?

 

[Suleiman]

Babar-Rizwan-Shan is not the way to big scores but our thick tank can’t really think. Babar and Rizwan are a given of course. But Shan should only walk in if we’re down a wicker very early in the power play. If we are at 100/1 at around the 10th over mark, then you DO NOT send in Shan, you send in Asif or Nawaz.

 

[NeVerMind]

Babar-Rizwan-Shan is not the way to big scores but our thick tank can’t really think. Babar and Rizwan are a given of course. But Shan should only walk in if we’re down a wicker very early in the power play. If we are at 100/1 at around the 10th over mark, then you DO NOT send in Shan, you send in Asif or Nawaz.

Exactly....he is almost a like for like repalcement for either Babar or Riz and should be in if they fall early. If we bat first, we need to bat like we chasing 180 odd, so if we get a good start, it's time to send someone who can put the opposition under pressure by playing unorthodoxly. We were actually chasing that kind of score against India and sent Nawaz up the other once a decent base had been set and it worked. Should have done the same today...

 

[Suleiman]

Exactly....he is almost a like for like repalcement for either Babar or Riz and should be in if they fall early. If we bat first, we need to bat like we chasing 180 odd, so if we get a good start, it's time to send someone who can put the opposition under pressure by playing unorthodoxly. We were actually chasing that kind of score against India and sent Nawaz up the other once a decent base had been set and it worked. Should have done the same today...

It is one step forward and two steps back with our management. I was honestly very pleased when they sent Nawaz up the order like that and thought maybe, just maybe, they had learned the skill of adjusting to the situation.

Instead they continue with the same garbage tactics.

 

[PakEngFan]

Babar-Rizwan-Shan is not the way to big scores but our thick tank can’t really think. Babar and Rizwan are a given of course. But Shan should only walk in if we’re down a wicker very early in the power play. If we are at 100/1 at around the 10th over mark, then you DO NOT send in Shan, you send in Asif or Nawaz.

I agree with this. No need for him to come in after the 10th over or so if we are 1 down.

 

[shady]

I agree that this is probably the best we can do. As usual it all depends on Babar and Rizwan for the batting but we just need enough that a decent bowling attack can defend.

I think if we’ve learned anything through the Asia cup and this series is that the bowling isn’t just decent but genuinely world class. I’d argue it’s the most complete in the world when everyone’s healthy. Which makes it all the more important that we sort out our middle order because our bowling can legitimately win us the WC if they get enough help. On that note, It was encouraging to see Saqlain acknowledge after the match that they will prioritize batting flexibility in the future when batting first.

 

[javid]

It’s obvious most of the components are there, but Babar needs to be braver in his captaincy. I think if you slot in Fakhar for Khushdil in the World Cup and prioritize flexibility in the middle order, this batting lineup can do a job.

1.Babar
2.Rizwan
3.Shan
4.Fakhar
5.Iftikhar
6.Shadab
7.Asif
8.Nawaz
9.Haris
10.Shaheen
11.Naseem

If one of the openers fall early send in Shan. If they take it deep and one falls when the spinners are bowling, send in Fakhar to slog, if the pacers are bowling, send in Asif. There’s more than enough resources to put up challenging totals, but Babar is gonna have to get out of his comfort zone captaincy wise.

For the next three games make it a point to shuffle the middle order and get the players used to flexible roles.

Good team

 

[TeamPak95]

It’s obvious most of the components are there, but Babar needs to be braver in his captaincy. I think if you slot in Fakhar for Khushdil in the World Cup and prioritize flexibility in the middle order, this batting lineup can do a job.

1.Babar
2.Rizwan
3.Shan
4.Fakhar
5.Iftikhar
6.Shadab
7.Asif
8.Nawaz
9.Haris
10.Shaheen
11.Naseem

If one of the openers fall early send in Shan. If they take it deep and one falls when the spinners are bowling, send in Fakhar to slog, if the pacers are bowling, send in Asif. There’s more than enough resources to put up challenging totals, but Babar is gonna have to get out of his comfort zone captaincy wise.

For the next three games make it a point to shuffle the middle order and get the players used to flexible roles.

Totally agree on this.

The fact of the matter is that Pakistan do not have the type of hitters that England, India, Australia have. However, Pakistan do have players that they can make full use of and that comes down to game situations and the awareness and courage to respond to said situations by making use of the players at your disposal to their fullest. It was so annoying seeing Shan come in after the first wicket fell for 90-odd in the 11th over instead of a Nawaz/Asif to potentially carry on the momentum.

 

[Extreme Pace]

1. Mohammed Rizwan (wk)
2. Babar Azam (c)
3. Shan Masood
4. Mohammed Harris
5. Ifitkhar Ahmed
6. Asif Ali
7. Shadab Khan
8. Mohammed Nawaz
9. Mohammed Wasim
10. Naseem Shah
11. Haris Rauf

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I am going to parrot the same.

Babar and Rizwan should rest.

Give time to the middle order.

The value of winning this series even 5-2 is ZERO if middle order has no time in the middle.

 

[bones]

I really don’t know how PCB managed to get away with all these in game tapal tea and sensodyne ads but I hope ICC blocks in the future. No need in international cricket.

 

[Saj]

I would rest Rizwan, maybe one or two others in the next couple of matches.

Play some of your fringe players, try them out.

 

[Rana]

Qadir most likely won’t play so we can at least expect one change

 

[Kianig89]

Let's see what Lahore serves us usually its short boundaries and 170_180 score
Pakistan has taken this series as a matter of life and death so they won't make wholesale changes

Babar
Rizwan
Shan
Haider
Nawaz
Asif
Iftikhar
Shadab
WasimJr.
Rauf
Hasnain

 

[ZafarKhan2022]

I would rest Rizwan, maybe one or two others in the next couple of matches.

Play some of your fringe players, try them out.

Agree with this idea, it's a friendly bilateral series, could be used to provide an opportunity of a lifetime for a hungry cornered tiger.

 

[DHONI183]

I heard Mark Butcher say the other day that that was the first time in over 2000 days that England had failed to chase down a target of under 170 in T20I cricket. Just goes to show how for a great batting line-up that they´ve had the recent years. What a team!

 

[Omer2002]

Haris is there so rizwan can be rested that way a new opener will be there..two newcomers can play too

 

[sindhiboy]

Ideally Rizwan and Rauf should be resting

But the team is under big pressure to win this series, that could explain the selection.

Otherwise this series was a good opportunity to try out other players.

England have found Duckett and Brook. Pak had no choice but to pick Shan over Fakhar

 

[alone1213]

I m gonna have to say once again. Just drop the most useless player ever khushdil useless Shah.

I have been hoping for it for so long now.

He really has to be kicked out now. Just drop him forever.

 

[MenInG]

According to reports, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah are likely to return for the remaining three T20 Internationals against England

 

[Rana]

According to reports, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah are likely to return for the remaining three T20 Internationals against England

Well

Thanks for nothing Abrar ul Haq

 

[Rana]

Ideally Rizwan and Rauf should be resting

But the team is under big pressure to win this series, that could explain the selection.

Otherwise this series was a good opportunity to try out other players.

England have found Duckett and Brook. Pak had no choice but to pick Shan over Fakhar

They also found a banker in Dawson who also offers a lot with the bat.

Jacks
Brooks
Duckett
Dawson

4 players who can be called up to the first XI and trusted to perform

Who have we found? Hasnain to some extent? Anyone else?

 

[Rana]

If you tell me that Pakistan have found Shan Masood in this tour…well then I will tell you that Pakistan has just found another problem to the T20 batting line up.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I would rest Rizwan, maybe one or two others in the next couple of matches.

Play some of your fringe players, try them out.

I would do that too. But that's not how Pakistan operate. They play their best team almost every game, even against Zimbabwe and Ireland. Here a home series is on the line so they won't drop any of the first choice players.

 

[Uet331]

They should try Harris as he will be the back up keeper for the world cup and needs to be given some chance to gain confidence at international level in case he is needed in the world cup. Not to be thrown at the deep end during the world cup only.

 

[ritzy_123]

I think we should make some changes.. It's better to make a team for long term.. winning will only be a short term benefit..

1) Muhammad Haris (WK)
2) Babar Azam
3) Shan Masood
4) Iftikhar Ahmed
5) Asif Ali
6) Muhammad Nawaz
7) Aamer Jamal
8) Abrar Ahmed
9) Shahnawaz Dahani
10) Naseem Shah
11) Muhammad Hasnain

 

[Kroll]

Karachi crowd was good but Lahore is always colourful and boisterous, I feel the players will get a real lift here.

 

[MenInG]

Lahore, 27 September 2022: The advertisers were dressing up the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday. The production crew is zipping between the FC College and Pavilion End to lay their equipment at the designated areas. The hour has arrived – England are in the city to play their first match in Lahore since December 2005, an ODI affair they lost by seven wickets, and they play Pakistan tomorrow (Wednesday) in the fifth of the seven T20Is.

Pakistan and England arrived in the city yesterday afternoon after four riveting T20Is in Karachi. After what will go down as the comeback for the ages by Pakistan, the series stands level at 2-2 and it is upon Lahore, fondly referred to as the ‘heart of the country’ in the subcontinent literature, to decide the winners.

Heavy afternoon showers deprived the two sides of a first look at the ground, so they enter match five with a few unknowns, something that promises to add spice to tomorrow’s face-off.

Pakistan enter the Lahore leg with momentum behind them after they pulled off a miraculous three-run victory in the final over, courtesy extraordinary death over bowling from Haris Rauf and an acrobatic Shan Masood run out.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan – the most successful opening pair in the history of T20Is – were phenomenal in Karachi, accumulating 50 runs inside powerplay in three of the four matches.

Babar brought an end to a string of low scores in the second T20I with an incredible century in what was the highest run chase without losing a wicket and Rizwan – who has scored the most runs in the format since the start of 2021 – comes to Lahore after smashing three half-centuries in four matches. The wicketkeeper is the leading run-getter in the series with 252 at 84 runs per dismissal and a strike rate of over 142.

Shan scored his maiden half-century in just his second innings - albeit in a losing cause. But, Shan reaching the 50-run mark in just 28 balls augurs well for Pakistan.

Babar will hope that Haris continues to do what he had done in the last four matches. The fast bowler took six wickets – the most in the series to date - at a staggering economy of 7.75, considering he bowls in the powerplay and death.

It is England’s youngsters who have been one of the talking points in this series. Twenty-three-year-old Harry Brook rose to the occasion in the first T20I and helped England chase down a whirlwind 25-ball 42 not out, and he partnered with Ben Duckett in the third to set the largest total to be scored at the venue and script England’s eventual 63-run win.

The fact that the series is playing the build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup adds more flavour as the two teams finalise their combinations ahead of the all-important tournament. Both teams fly out immediately after the seventh match – Pakistan fly to New Zealand to play the hosts and Bangladesh in a tri-series and England take on Australia in Australia.

 

[MenInG]

Babar Azam vs Naseem Shah in the nets

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/dakav1" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Kianig89]

Karachi really gave the Burnabeau type feeling let's see what Lahore offers

 

[TheSultan]

Not sure if Asif Ali has it in him to play more then ten deliveries.
History has shown us that he can be electric for 7-10 deliveries and that could be mental thing.
But I suppose it's worth a shot.

Let’s make sure gets at least 10 deliveries then. We should do tactical retirements if Rizwan, Babar and Shan are shining in their accumulation glory.

 

[TheSultan]

And yes we should call Rizwan’s bluff. If he’s so prone to lying on the ground during a 20 over innings then please “rest” him

 

[shamaan]

Our mindset is not right for this format we fluked 4th t20 but never was Babar looking to win by taking all 10 wicket, 20 overs is a very less margin where you can squeeze opposition serious soul searching req by team management

How did we fluke the win we were in control before hasnains over.

 

[James]

My 4-3 prediction before the series may not be too wide of the mark. This seems like a very competitive and close series. I’m enjoying it.

 

[fight_club]

What's the update on Haider? have they decided to put him in the refrigerator? also any guess on Harris like after how many consecutive matches he is likely to crash

 

[shamaan]

They should make some changes

Babar
Rizwan
Haider Ali
Shan Masood
Iftikhar
Asif Ali
Shadab Khan (reports say that he's now fit)
Nawaz
Wasim Jnr
Rauf
Naseem.

 

[shamaan]

What's the update on Haider? have they decided to put him in the refrigerator? also any guess on Harris like after how many consecutive matches he is likely to crash

Apparently he had a small injury

 

[world cup captain]

Would love to Haris get a few games instead of Khushdil if changes can be made for the WT20 squad. Otherwise, Khushdil needs all the time in the middle possible because he'll be slotted for the middle order in the WT20.

Similarly, Haider needs to face as many balls as possible before Australia.

 

[hitthestump]

They should try Harris as he will be the back up keeper for the world cup and needs to be given some chance to gain confidence at international level in case he is needed in the world cup. Not to be thrown at the deep end during the world cup only.

He won't be. Any injury to Rizwan means we will see Sarfaraz. Haris is as raw as it gets.

 

[Kianig89]

How did we fluke the win we were in control before hasnains over.

How many times a team has defended 5 runs in last over of T20 format

it happened first time in that game

Pakistan win probability before that last delivery 0.5%

if its not a fluke then not sure what is a fluke