Pakistan's choice of bowlers - lack of 5th bowling option a wise decision?

[LordJames]

As I said before lack of a 5th bowler continues to hurt Pakistan. They cannot play with 4 Bowlers specially on day 1/day 2 pitches when Yasir won't be able to run through sides.

Bowlers clearly tired.

 

[Square Drive]

Yes we need Shadab at #6.

4 bowlers won't cut it, especially if that includes an unpredictable Wahab, a Test rookie in Abbas/Hasan, a clueless Yasir, and an Amir who is apparently carrying injuries. This attack however will look much sharper with a 5th bowler.

Will have to wait until after this series when Misbah and Younis leave, and Shafiq moves up the order, allowing Shadab to come in at #6.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

this team needs an amir yamin. no point in playing shehzad even if he scores a ton.

u need an all-rounder.

azhar babar to open and a spot to be given to yamin. u need four seam options and worst match for hasan ali to get unfit.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

It is hurting Pakistan and we should play Shadab, Yasir , Amir, Abbas and Hasan in the next match dropping A Shehzad if he doesn't perform.

 

[dildildalwalla]

I've never been fond of test teams playing with 4 bowlers, especially if only one is a truly good pace bowler. Pak have those problems BUT their batting is often so weak, they can't afford to let go of a single batsman. All this talk of Shadab is so premature, especially as he is not a test style batsman.

Maybe bring in Hassan Ali, with Amir having the added responsibility of playing more substantial innings? I dunno, it's a tough call really.

 

[LordJames]

There is where I think that Mickey and his team are not earning their money. If Misbah and everybody else doesn't remember that Azhar Ali is perfectly suited for 10 overs in a day why can't they be reminded?

Get Azhar Ali to bowl with a defensive field and let the bowlers get some rest.

 

[Adil_94]

this is why we need an allrounder desperately. What we would do for a Razzaq or an Azhar Mahmood now. Especially pace bowling all rounders they seem to have died out in Pakistan.

Shadab could potentially be a spinning all rounder.

I still think Hamad Azam could do a decent role in Tests. I know his domestic stats aint that good recently but to me he seemed like one of those guys that looked at home in Intl Cricket.

 

[cricketInsight]

this is why we need an allrounder desperately. What we would do for a Razzaq or an Azhar Mahmood now. Especially pace bowling all rounders they seem to have died out in Pakistan.

Shadab could potentially be a spinning all rounder.

I still think Hamad Azam could do a decent role in Tests. I know his domestic stats aint that good recently but to me he seemed like one of those guys that looked at home in Intl Cricket.

Razzaq and Mahmood played 47 test matches combined over an internation career that lasted 26 years. They both played test cricket but werent regulars in team. Stop looking at them through rose colored glasses.

They were great assets in ODIs but not really in tests.

 

[Barragan]

Sohail Khan can't play as a main bowler, but could be used as an A/R.

He can bowl around 15 overs in a day and that should be enough, plus he has proven to be very capable with the bat.

Usama and Shadab should develop into very good A/R's in the future, but Pak need a pace bowling A/R and there doesn't seem to be many around.

 

[KingKhanWC]

4 pacers and a spinner is ideal but if 4 bowlers can't bowl 90 overs in a day they need to get improve their fitness.

Pakistan's batting does not allow 5 specialist bowlers and 5 specialist batsmen.

 

[Big Mac]

It's all very well saying we need a 5th bowler but where is he going to play?

The only option we have would be to drop Babar Azam and move everyone up one spot so Sarfraz is at 6 and the 5th bowler/all-rounder bats at 7.

The problem is we don't have anyone who is that good right now and none of our bowlers can bat. Amir or Sohail Khan come out and swing the bat a bit and once in a blue moon it comes off for 45 mins and we try and act like they are potential all-rounders.

If we could get two or three of those bowlers to consistently reach Ashley Giles level batting then we could afford to fit a 5th bowler into the team but there is no way to do it while the laws limit you to 11 players per side.

 

[cricketInsight]

It's all very well saying we need a 5th bowler but where is he going to play?

The only option we have would be to drop Babar Azam and move everyone up one spot so Sarfraz is at 6 and the 5th bowler/all-rounder bats at 7.

The problem is we don't have anyone who is that good right now and none of our bowlers can bat. Amir or Sohail Khan come out and swing the bat a bit and once in a blue moon it comes off for 45 mins and we try and act like they are potential all-rounders.

If we could get two or three of those bowlers to consistently reach Ashley Giles level batting then we could afford to fit a 5th bowler into the team but there is no way to do it while the laws limit you to 11 players per side.

Precisely, our weak opening/batting coupled with the fact that we dont have any bowlers who can bat well means that we have depend on a 4 bowler strategly.

5 bowlers would allow us to pull off some wins but we wont be consistent - batting crahses would be a lot more common.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Pakistan can only play 5 bowlers if 4th and 5th bowlers are both all-rounders. Aamir, Hassan, Yamin, Yasir, and Shadab is a possibility. It will strengthen batting too.

 

[MMHS]

Misbah's every beard will turn white before he goes for 5th bowling combination. PAK got WI 5 down in 26'2 overs I believe, then 2 in next 55 overs - I hope that 6th batsman (Ahmed) is worthy of this sacrifice. Yasir can't do that donkey job everywhere, therefore once Amir breaks down, I wish to see Misbah's face. Today he was bowled 8 overs with new ball in 1st spell & had the game gone for full 90 overs, probably 23 overs in full day - only a batting Captain can do this to his premier fast bowler.

I am sure, it's ONLY Arthur, otherwise MoHa would have surely played in this Test, which I do feel would have been right decision (not for MoHa, but an off-spinning batsman is essential against a line-up that has 3 lefti in top 5)

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Shadab and Yamin are your best options.

 

[msb314]

Misbah's every beard will turn white before he goes for 5th bowling combination. PAK got WI 5 down in 26'2 overs I believe, then 2 in next 55 overs - I hope that 6th batsman (Ahmed) is worthy of this sacrifice. Yasir can't do that donkey job everywhere, therefore once Amir breaks down, I wish to see Misbah's face. Today he was bowled 8 overs with new ball in 1st spell & had the game gone for full 90 overs, probably 23 overs in full day - only a batting Captain can do this to his premier fast bowler.

I am sure, it's ONLY Arthur, otherwise MoHa would have surely played in this Test, which I do feel would have been right decision (not for MoHa, but an off-spinning batsman is essential against a line-up that has 3 lefti in top 5)

Why Shezzy?

The number 6 batsman has to be a batting all-rounder and it is clear the Shafiq's time is up and has to go...

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=138140]cricketInsight[/MENTION] im not saying that they were Test ATGs or anything. They both were just ok in Tests bar a few games. But such is the dearth of pace bowling all rounders in Pakistan now in both Tests and LOIs that someone like a Razzaq or Mahmood would be a god send for this team.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

Bring in Imad

 

[MRSN]

Misbah's every beard will turn white before he goes for 5th bowling combination. PAK got WI 5 down in 26'2 overs I believe, then 2 in next 55 overs - I hope that 6th batsman (Ahmed) is worthy of this sacrifice. Yasir can't do that donkey job everywhere, therefore once Amir breaks down, I wish to see Misbah's face. Today he was bowled 8 overs with new ball in 1st spell & had the game gone for full 90 overs, probably 23 overs in full day - only a batting Captain can do this to his premier fast bowler.

I am sure, it's ONLY Arthur, otherwise MoHa would have surely played in this Test, which I do feel would have been right decision (not for MoHa, but an off-spinning batsman is essential against a line-up that has 3 lefti in top 5)

Misbah is the same captain who played with 3 spinners out of four bowlers..I'm sure you remember that? one of the most defensive and timid captain to be seen.

 

[MMHS]

Why Shezzy?

The number 6 batsman has to be a batting all-rounder and it is clear the Shafiq's time is up and has to go...

Ideally, thy should find a new lefti opener & couple of middle order whom can bowl few overs. May be after YK & Misbah leaves, 2 of Haris, Fawad & Amin will make the starting XI; then PAK can go with 4 bowlers.

 

[msb314]

Ideally, thy should find a new lefti opener & couple of middle order whom can bowl few overs. May be after YK & Misbah leaves, 2 of Haris, Fawad & Amin will make the starting XI; then PAK can go with 4 bowlers.

Thats a good idea.

 

[Kitchlew]

So we need a batsman who can bowl.. Ideally Off spiner.. And who meets the criteria? Hafeez!!!
After Misbah Younis retires, he is ideal for No 6 position.
I dont think shadab can qualify as a batting alrounder or Imad's bowling will suit the longer format

 

[Kitchlew]

And for greener wickets, Hammad Azam is our best option. Amer Yamin is better suited for shorter format.

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Such a dumb idea to play only 4 bowlers, until and unless Azhar Ali bowls his leggies....Pakistan need to stick to the below mentioned template almost always

1. Azhar Ali
2. Opener
3. Babar
4. Shafiq
5. Middle Order player
6. Sarfraz
7. All rounder
8. Amir
9. Yasir
10. Bowler
11. Bowler

 

[LordJames]

Pakistan are still missing a 5th Bowler even if they go on to win this Game (which they will). You cannot go into a Test Match against even average sides with 4 Bowlers.

And the best option (in this team with this selection) is to make Azhar Ali Bowl

 

[Square Drive]

Need another bowler big time.

Misbah and Younis can't leave soon enough.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I don't know if his bowling is good enough, but agha salman is a tempting choice if we want an off spinner

Most 5 bowlers in test keep things tight and take the odd wicket, I think he can do that job and give us the variety we need

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

Such a dumb idea to play only 4 bowlers, until and unless Azhar Ali bowls his leggies....Pakistan need to stick to the below mentioned template almost always

1. Azhar Ali
2. Opener Shehzad
3. Babar
4. Shafiq
5. Middle Order player Haris Sohail
6. Sarfraz
7. All rounder Yameen
8. Amir
9. Yasir
10. Bowler Hasan Ali
11. Bowler M.Asghar

And we got a perfect test team..

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I get the bad feeling that the return of Professor is inevitable, taking Misbah's place in the middle order. He may well do okay there, but it would be so much better invest in a young player.

 

[KhalidRafi]

I get the bad feeling that the return of Professor is inevitable, taking Misbah's place in the middle order. He may well do okay there, but it would be so much better invest in a young player.

Can already see it. He'll do well in UAE as usual and get slaughtered and badly exposed abroad like he did in England and South Africa. Would be a waste to bring him in but I agree it's inevitable knowing the PCB.

 

[KhalidRafi]

Post Misbah, Younis team:

1. Azhar Ali
2. Sami Aslam/ Ahmed Shehzad
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail (can bowl spin aswell)
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfraz Ahmed
7. Aamer Yameen
8. Shadab Khan/ Mohammad Asghar
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Yasir Shah
11. Hasan Ali/ Wahab Riaz

 

[shaz619]

Hammad Azam says Hi

 

[Junaids]

There is where I think that Mickey and his team are not earning their money. If Misbah and everybody else doesn't remember that Azhar Ali is perfectly suited for 10 overs in a day why can't they be reminded?

Get Azhar Ali to bowl with a defensive field and let the bowlers get some rest.

The problem is too much spin. And too few quicks.

Which results in the quicks being overbowled and losing their bite.

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

And we got a perfect test team..

How do u rate Usman Salahuddin ?

 

[silent ischemia]

Very defensive team selection by Misbah going with four bowlers. Shadab can bat so I would dropped Shafiq for Shadab and played Hassan/Wahab

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

How do u rate Usman Salahuddin ?

This was the perfect tour for some debuts and giving chance to chance to younger players but Inzi, Mickey and Misbah are trying to save their...............

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

This was the perfect tour for some debuts and giving chance to chance to younger players but Inzi, Mickey and Misbah are trying to save their...............

Yeah plus sad that Asad Shafiq is proving to be a no show