Pakistan v Sri Lanka | 3rd ODI | Abu Dhabi | Oct 18, 2017 | Pre-Match Thread

[hadi123]

Ahmed Shehzad has to be dropped now surely for Haris Sohail. I would also consider giving Ashraf a go over Imad as he hasn't really been used.

 

[Asif321]

give shahzad a last chance . Faheem for Imad rest all ok

 

[Abdul]

Have to get rid of Shehzad. Goddamnit nothing infuriates me more than just looking at him.

 

[SARJ_BD]

Replace Imad for Harris and play him at 6 before Sarfraz.
No point of keeping Imad for 3 overs in 2 matches.

 

[AFM]

Abu Dhabi again? Should never play cricket there again.

 

[DRsohail]

bring in haris..

 

[Hamza_]

Faheem in for Imad, Haris in for Shehzad.

Professor to open

 

[Plumb]

Will Sarfaraz Ahmed play the same team for the 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka?

Will sarfi play the same team? shezzy needs to be axed, how many more chances 'll he get? For me couple of changes just because we are 2 up.

Shezzy out Harris In
Imad Out Imam In

Play Imam as opener and Haris at 4

 

[Hasan123]

Hate Abu Dhabi, the pitch is absolutely awful.

Faheem for Imad is the only change I would make.

 

[Rana]

Shahzad out, Fahim in. The only change we need

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Fahim and Haris should come in but its unlikely

 

[Zaz]

Shezad and Imad out
Harris and Fahim in

 

[babajee]

Shehzad should be dropped and we don’t need Imad against this SL lineup with the left handers so i’d play:

Fakhar
Imam (let’s see what he’s made of, can’t be worse than Shehzad anyway)
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Shadab
Hasan
Rumman
Junaid

Plenty of bowling options with Hasan Rumman Junaid Shadab Hafeez Malik and even Haris if need be.

Batting lineup is strong.

 

[Abdullah]

The only thing is if shezzy gets dropped imam comes in.
I really want to see only harris n fahim from the current squad

 

[IAJ]

Shehzad out, Haris/Imam in
Imad out, Faheem in.

 

[IAJ]

Faheem in for Imad, Haris in for Shehzad.

Professor to open

Professor should never open again. A walking wicket against new ball. He should actually switch position with Sarfraz.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Keep it unchanged. Give Shehzad 3 more matches and if he doesn’t perform then say goodbye to him.

 

[Plumb]

Keep it unchanged. Give Shehzad 3 more matches and if he doesn’t perform then say goodbye to him.

playing with fire, he 'll score a 50 on snail pace and start thumping his chest. Don't need to be in that situation

 

[IAJ]

Keep it unchanged. Give Shehzad 3 more matches and if he doesn’t perform then say goodbye to him.

Great. Let him play 3 more matches, score a fifty in one of them and then flop for next 10 players. Why not give other players same amount of matches to prove their worth?

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Great. Let him play 3 more matches, score a fifty in one of them and then flop for next 10 players. Why not give other players same amount of matches to prove their worth?

The thing is, that Shehzad is not only batsman but a good fielder. He saves at least 10-15 runs through his ground fielding. If we want to kick him out then fine, but at least he deserves one last go. If he doesn’t perform in the next few games then by all means kick him out for good.
I still remember that there was a time when people used to compare him with Virat Kohli. So just let him play out the next few ODIs for old times sakes!

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Shehzad batting was disgusting butbhid fielding was amazing.

 

[90MPH]

I just hope it's a new strip and not another very slow wicket where boundaries seem a lottery at times.

 

[ahmadharis1]

1. Fakhar Zaman (give him more chances)
2. Imam ul-Haq (why not? can't be worse than shehzad)
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Sarfraz Ahmed
7. Faheem Ashraf (Imad has bowled only a few overs in 2 matches, let's see what he can do!)
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hasan Ali
10. Rumman Raees
11. Junaid Khan

Really want to see Haris Sohail in, but the only way I see that happening is if Mohammad Hafeez opens with Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail slots in at 4.

 

[Saif218]

Shehzad and Imad out Haris and Fahim in if not we are ok with 9 players.

 

[kingusama92]

Wait, are they playing on the same pitch or a different one?

Both teams will be out under 100 if it's the former.

 

[CadPakFan]

My XI

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Inam ul Haq
3. Babar Azam
4. Sarfraz Ahmed
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Shadab Khan/Haris Sohail
7. Mohammad Hafeez
8. Fahim Ashraf/Shadab Khan
9. Hasan Ali
10. Rumman Raees
11. Junaid Khan

 

[Hamza_]

Fakhar
Hafeez
Babar
Haris
Malik
Sarfraz
Shadab
Faheem
Hasan
Rumman
Junaid

 

[nads_rocks]

We all know Shahzad isnt going anywhere he is another Imran Farhat and it took us a very long time to get rid of him. No changes will be made because we have won 2 in 2 so the flaws will just be ignored and the same team will be selected. Its a shame because Haris Sohail and Faheem Ashraf could really strengthen our batting and a lower order finisher which we have not had since Afridi!

 

[waleed88]

Abu Dhabi is the worst place to play cricket in. Cricket should be banned on this ground.

 

[hussain.r97]

Shehzad and Imad both need to be dropped. Bring in Haris and Fahim Ashraf. Also, Hafeez is hogging a spot at 4 which means Sarfraz has to bat at 6. Sarfraz will always struggle down the order as he does not have a big hitting game. Sarfraz brings value in manipulating the field in the middle overs, and should therefore be batting at 4 instead of Hafeez. I would try this combination for the next game:

1.)Fakhar Zaman
2.)Mohammad Hafeez
3.)Babar Azam
4.)Sarfraz Ahmed+*
5.)Haris Sohail
6.)Shoaib Malik
7.)Shadab Khan
8.)Fahim Ashraf
9.)Hasan Ali
10.)Rumman Raees
11.)Junaid Khan

I have put Shoaib Malik at 6, but he should be used as a float. Ideally, Shoaib should walk in around the 30-35th over, settle, and then look to smash. Also, Malik should be sent in early during a run chase as he is the only person in the team who knows how to construct a chase.

They could even try Babar as an opener, put Hafeez at 6, Haris at 3, and push everyone else up one spot.

 

[coy0607]

I can't see any possibility in which Shehzad is selected again. Even in Pakistan cricket

 

[Sadevdesai]

I just hope that playing against SL is not hiding our real flaws and giving us a false sense of superiority. That would be a real cruel joke on us !!!!!!!!

 

[Professor]

I just hope that playing against SL is not hiding our real flaws and giving us a false sense of superiority. That would be a real cruel joke on us !!!!!!!!

Well the same team did win the CT so it's not just one series

 

[yasir]

I hope they make better wicket, this one was third class Odi wicket...

Pakistan needs to play Harris and Fahim for Shezad and Immad. Fahim is much better down order hitter and extra seamer may be useful with new ball. We have enough spinners to take care of their lefty’s.

I feel change in opening coming one way or the other, it’s either Inam or Harris, I would go for Harris if he is fit otherwise Inam.

 

[another drop catch]

Dont change winning combination

 

[IAJ]

Dont change winning combination

Need to get over this old saying now. You can’t just brush the problems under the carpet just because we are winning, there is always room for improvement and by changing non-performing players it will only benefit the team.

 

[Yatoo]

Why can't Harris open? It's not like we are playing in 80s England and require specialists

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Wouldn't surprise me if Sarfraz goes with same eleven yet again. That would be typical Pakistan.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Shehzad and Imad both need to be dropped. Bring in Haris and Fahim Ashraf. Also, Hafeez is hogging a spot at 4 which means Sarfraz has to bat at 6. Sarfraz will always struggle down the order as he does not have a big hitting game. Sarfraz brings value in manipulating the field in the middle overs, and should therefore be batting at 4 instead of Hafeez. I would try this combination for the next game:

1.)Fakhar Zaman
2.)Mohammad Hafeez
3.)Babar Azam
4.)Sarfraz Ahmed+*
5.)Haris Sohail
6.)Shoaib Malik
7.)Shadab Khan
8.)Fahim Ashraf
9.)Hasan Ali
10.)Rumman Raees
11.)Junaid Khan

I have put Shoaib Malik at 6, but he should be used as a float. Ideally, Shoaib should walk in around the 30-35th over, settle, and then look to smash. Also, Malik should be sent in early during a run chase as he is the only person in the team who knows how to construct a chase.

They could even try Babar as an opener, put Hafeez at 6, Haris at 3, and push everyone else up one spot.

That's the best team combination possible with the options Inzi has given us.

 

[New Yorker]

Well the same team did win the CT so it's not just one series

the team that won the CT had dropped Shezzy

 

[mak36]

It's interesting that unlike the previous two matches they haven't announced the team beforehand. Can we expect some changes?

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

It's interesting that unlike the previous two matches they haven't announced the team beforehand. Can we expect some changes?

Shehzad is getting one last chance. Could add Haris Sohail to bolster the batting on this slow and low Abu Dhabi wicket.

 

[Justcrazy]

This was Pakistan best chance to groom Fahim as batting all rounder.

Imad does not deserve a spot here.

Harris can open in the team along with fakhar.

 

[mak36]

Shehzad is getting one last chance. Could add Haris Sohail to bolster the batting on this slow and low Abu Dhabi wicket.

Imad is a passenger in this team, as is Shehzad.

 

[MMHS]

Another unchanged winning combination?

 

[CricFan2012]

Imam-ul-haq is basically an inexperienced shehzad. Bookmark this and come back after he's played a dozen matches.

Pakistan will do wonders if they make Babar open, he is doing that anyways with the one early wicket.

1.Fakhar
2.Babar
3.Harris
4.Hafeez
5.Sarfaraz
6.Malik
7.Faheem
8.Shadab
9.Hasan
10.Ruman
11.Junaid

Genuine batting until 8, and plenty of bowling options.

Replace Junaid with Amir, and hafeez with another dashing batsman and this team will win the 2019 cricket world cup.

 

[Syed1]

Haris better be in the playing eleven in place of Shehzad or Imad.

 

[Syed1]

Imad is a passenger in this team, as is Shehzad.

This Lanka side is so bad that Pakistan is still comprehensively beating them with 2 passengers and a non-performing captain.


Imagine if we had a half decent side infront of us. We would be getting a whooping.

 

[mak36]

This Lanka side is so bad that Pakistan is still comprehensively beating them with 2 passengers and a non-performing captain.

Don't forget the legend that is Hafeez.

 

[Hamza_]

[MENTION=18398]IAJ[/MENTION] koi baat nahin.

Hafeez walking wicket hi thek hai, balls to nahin zaaya karega akhir.

 

[Pak_lover6]

Shehzad and Imad out
Haris and Fahim in
Make any of the guys open but Hafeez.

 

[Madplayer]

How long befote hafeez is called for chucking? If that happens it would open up one more slot because his batting isnt firing completely.

 

[Waseem]

My team:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Sarfraz Ahmed
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail
5. Mohammad Hafeez
6. Shoaib Malik
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hasan Ali
10. Rumman Raees
11. Junaid Khan

 

[JibranAnsari]

Make haris open , he has a fine technique and can tackle the early swing. Hafeez should bat in the last 15 overs.

 

[Sirris]

I do believe we won't be playing the same XI since sarfraz hasn't released the team the evening before. Tactics.

Still I don't see Shehzad getting dropped.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Haris and fahim should come in and Babar should open with sohail at 3. Or even move hafeez back up to open again.

 

[Sultan Baba]

Should Go With This Lineup

Imam ul Haq
Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Harris Sohail
Mohammad Hafeez
Sarfraz Ahmad
Shahdab Khan
Hassan Ali
Rumaan Raees
Junaid Khan

 

[ExpressPacer]

My team:

1) FZ
2) Imam
3) Babar Azam
4) Harris Sohail
5) Shoaib Malik
6) Fahim Ashraf
7) Shadab Khan
8) Sarfraz Ahmed
9) JK
10) Hasan
11) Rumman