I'll pick 18 members, if it's a 4 Test series. 18th, 17th, 16th & all 18 members will be deducted if PCB somehow manages to agree WICB to curtail the Series to 3 Test, 2 Tests, 1 Test, Zero Tests affair.
This is hypothetical team, because as it stands now, Misbah is not that mean to leave his youngsters to face such a difficult tour & if he is there, 12/13 members of ANZ tour party will be there as well.
1. YK (C)
2. Amir (1st VC)
3. Babar(2nd VC)
3 Openers: Sharjeel, Azhar, Sami
2 Middle Order: Asad, Amin
2 All-rounder: Fahim Ashraf, Aga Salman (17)
2 WK: Sarfraz, Umar Siddiq (16)
2 Spinners: Yasir, Asghar
4 Pacers: Wahab, Asif, Md. Abbas, Mir Hamza (18)
This team is a blend of youth & experience with every bowling options for 3/4 formations.
- Surprisingly, there are not many lefti in WI line up (just 2), therefore the 2nd spinner has to a SLAO, while the spin all-rounder is an offie. This side has proper mix of left-right batting combo & Captain can go with 2+2 bowling option (Amin being 3rd seemer), or 3 + 2 all-rounder options.
- If I take 4 Tests at PoS, Bridgetown, Kingston & Antigua; I'll play 2 spinners at PoS & 1 in other 3 venues. If Guyana hosts one Test, 2 spinners will play there as well.
- 2 WKs are essential because of the long tour - I picked Siddique, as his domestic stats are best with bat & has kept really well (by stats) this season). Rizwan can come, but he is inferior WK & any of them will play over Sarfu if it's absolute necessary, in terms of fitness only.
- Sharjeel, Azhar, Babar, YK & Asad are fixed 5 batsmen - with Sami & Amin as back up each for opener & middle order. If they play 2 spinners, Amin comes at No. 6 with 2 pacers & he is capable of 15 overs seem-up; that's one of 2 reasons he is there over Sallu (being lefti is the other advantage).
- If they play 3 pacers, Aga Salman or Fahim comes at 7 - probably Fahim as he is the pace bowling all-rounder. At Antigua or Georgetown, I'll use 3rd formation - play both Fahim & Aga; with 3 specialist bowlers. I could have taken Fawad as the batsman & he is capable of 20 overs spin, but I already have a specialist SLAO spinner - need an offie. Besides, at 35, Fawad has lost his chance - and he is the worst player to pick for No. 6 - can't play new ball, can't slog when one end is open with tail. No way he can replace YK/Asad at 4 & 5.
- It's not about whom to pick from Yasir, Amir, Wahab, Asif, Asghar, Hamza or Abbas - it's about 3 bowlers who are match fit to give absolute flat out 130 overs - 60 by the spinner, 70 by the 2 pacers. Provided everyone is fit, I'll play Amir all 4 Tests, Asif for greener tops (which is basically 3 pacer strategy) & Wahab for hard, dry surface. Fahim bats lefti & bowls decent seem-up with recent bowling success, so he is always a better fit in 2+3 bowling strategy - be it on green tops with one spinner or dry cracker with 2 specialist spinners.
This same formation is valid, even if they take 16 players dropping Siddiqe & one of Hamza/Abbas - compared to that, one can plot PAK's squad for ANZ Tour & the context - himself can analyze why I thought that was a shambolic selection.
