Pakistan's Tour of England - General Discussion Thread

[TalhaSyed]

With so much difficulty and grief in the world right now, many fans around the world cannot wait to return to normal-life day-to-day activities - such as simply watching the sport they enjoy.

I for one am certainly looking forward to the resumption of international cricket inshAllah & this will certainly mark the start of return to normality for a lot of us.

With this in mind - it would be good to look forward to Pakistan's next international assignment. Specially since the only other Pakistani cricket related stories in the news recently have been ex-cricketers making a mockery of themselves.

Of course - given the recent circumstances it's difficult to know if the tour(s) will even go ahead or not and if they do in what capacity (i.e. shortened tours, behind closed doors etc.). However, with the Netherlands, Ireland and UK now past the COVID peak, I am hopeful that we will get some sort of Pakistani international cricket at some stage this summer.

With this in mind - what are your thoughts for the tour?

Who should make up the Pakistani T20, ODI & Test teams?

If allowed/possible - is anyone planning on going to any of the games?

Which players are you particularly excited to see in action?

Any new faces you would like to see introduced in the team?

 

[HappyWarsFan]

I'm just interested in the England Tests and here's my XI for the tests vs England:

1) Shan Masood
2) Abid Ali
3( Azhar (c)
4) Babar Azam
5) Fawad Alam
6) Asad Shafiq
7) Mohammed Rizwan
8) Zafar Gohar
9) Shaheen Afridi
10) Mohammad Abbas
11) Naseem Shah

I just want Zafar brought in for tests as he can do a much better containing job than yasir with the ball, he's young and has talent. Also can be a handy batsman.

 

[Abdullah]

2 months is a long time, and if we haven't got over this then, them something is seriously wrong!!
Pakistan will have the advantage if the England series is behind closed doors.
It is a fine line, between wanting the tour to happen but at the same that's only if our best players are available.
I wouldn't want to play if a couple of our fab 4 have to be quarantined and can't play

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

Please see this.

[MENTION=3474]TalhaSyed[/MENTION] <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan's tour of the Netherlands is off after the Dutch Government's ban on all major public events, including professional sports and music festivals was extended until September 1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1252858885385277440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

If allowed/possible - is anyone planning on going to any of the games?

It will definitely be without spectators based on what Tom Harrison has been saying recently.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Pakistan has a very good chance of beating England in Test series. However, England should win LOI games comfortably.

 

[TalhaSyed]

It will definitely be without spectators based on what Tom Harrison has been saying recently.

Please see this.

[MENTION=3474]TalhaSyed[/MENTION] <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan's tour of the Netherlands is off after the Dutch Government's ban on all major public events, including professional sports and music festivals was extended until September 1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1252858885385277440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ah cool thanks for sharing

And yea - the chances of allowing spectators is near 0 in my opinion, but with this Gov you just never know

Last reports suggested that ECB were still keen to host all the intended international fixtures as originally planned, however, that may result in a very tight schedule with matches focussed in Manchester, Southhampton and possibly Birmingham and Durham - but lets see. Very difficult to predict at the moment.

 

[TalhaSyed]

I'm just interested in the England Tests and here's my XI for the tests vs England:

1) Shan Masood
2) Abid Ali
3( Azhar (c)
4) Babar Azam
5) Fawad Alam
6) Asad Shafiq
7) Mohammed Rizwan
8) Zafar Gohar
9) Shaheen Afridi
10) Mohammad Abbas
11) Naseem Shah

I just want Zafar brought in for tests as he can do a much better containing job than yasir with the ball, he's young and has talent. Also can be a handy batsman.

Ah we can only hope mate

 

[TalhaSyed]

2 months is a long time, and if we haven't got over this then, them something is seriously wrong!!
Pakistan will have the advantage if the England series is behind closed doors.
It is a fine line, between wanting the tour to happen but at the same that's only if our best players are available.
I wouldn't want to play if a couple of our fab 4 have to be quarantined and can't play

Yea I think it will take a substantial amount of planning

Following BoJo's announcements yesterday it may mean that Pakistan need to arrive in UK 2 weeks early to quarantine before the 1st game. Following yesterdays announcement I got the impression that the UK give (and probably ECB) are also quietly optimistic to host international cricket in England by the time July rolls around but lets see inshAllah.

As [MENTION=40190]BoomBoomCricket[/MENTION] mentioned it is likely to be behind closed doors, however you just never know with BoJo and his gang. I have tickets to Day 3 at Trent Bridge and the T20 in Leeds but am extremely sceptical as to whether or not I actually want to go or not at this stage...

 

[Bullet Drive]

Misbah will select the most boring squad in history

We'll probably lose 5-0

Lets see if he's smart enough to pick a fast bowling all-rounder

I already know he's incompetent enough to pick Yasir Shah, and he'll probably play him in ALL games

 

[Square Drive]

Misbah will select the most boring squad in history

We'll probably lose 5-0

Lets see if he's smart enough to pick a fast bowling all-rounder

I already know he's incompetent enough to pick Yasir Shah, and he'll probably play him in ALL games

Faheem was in the squad for the home Tests against BD so let's see.

Although I really don't think Faheem's the right guy for that role. I'd go for Yamin.

 

[Majid Khan]

Disappointing news about Pakistan tour to Netherlands being cancelled , was looking forward to Hafeez silencing his critics who claim he can’t perform overseas as a batsman.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

Disappointing news about Pakistan tour to Netherlands being cancelled , was looking forward to Hafeez silencing his critics who claim he can’t perform overseas as a batsman.

He doesn't play ODIs anymore.

 

[TalhaSyed]

What does UK government's plan mean for sport?

Professional sport in England could take place behind closed doors from 1 June, following the guidance from the government.

Step two of the government's plan to ease restrictions in England, which will not begin until 1 June, includes "permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact".

Premier League football clubs are meeting on Monday to continue discussions on Project Restart.

The top flight has been suspended since 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic but is aiming to resume in June, with 92 fixtures left to play.

There will be no cricket played in England and Wales until at least 1 July, following a decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

British horse racing had hoped to resume behind closed doors later this month, having been on hold since 17 March. Royal Ascot is due to take place behind closed doors from 16-20 June.

Premiership Rugby is aiming for a resumption in early July, with nine rounds of matches remaining.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/wor...b962c4d68c9d066be8b47d&pinned_post_type=share

 

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will take up to four weeks to make a decision over whether the tour of England will go ahead.

Pakistan are due to start a three-match Test series against England at Lord's on July 30, with three Twenty20 Internationals also on the schedule.

Yet there are doubts over whether the tour will be staged due to the coronavirus crisis, with spectators highly unlikely to be allowed into venues if matches can go ahead.

PCB chiefs and the counterparts at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will hold talks on Friday.

Wasim Khan, the chief executive of the PCB, says there will be no rush to make such a big decision, with Pakistan's trip to the Netherlands already having been postponed.

He told reporters: "Health and safety is paramount for our players and officials and we are not going to compromise on it.

"The situation in England is poor right now, and we will ask them about their plans. We are not making any decisions, but we will assess and decide in the next three to four weeks.

"This isn't an easy situation, and it isn't an easy decision to make, because things are changing every day in England. There are so many things to be considered - flights, hotels and they are talking about bio-security stadiums… so if people ask me, I will tell them to wait and be patient.

"The longer they stay there, the more our players will be exposed. So there is speculation that the tour might be extended, but I can confirm that this is presently not on the table.

"The West Indies tour to England is also uncertain, and we don't know what to expect. So we are looking forward to the May 15 meeting and will see what are the options."

Khan stressed that will not be influenced by whether England are prepared to make a long-awaited return for a tour of Pakistan when they make their decision.

He added: "It's a tough situation for everyone right now, and I don't think it's fair to take advantage of the situation.

"The most important thing for us is to revive the game for all countries. If we don't, we will be facing a lot of problems going forward.

"The next 12 months will be tough for cricket financially. Thankfully, the PCB is fine for the next 12 months but thereafter, in 18 months' time, we will also have problems.

"Hopefully, by then, cricket will resume and I don't think we are going to take our discussion with the ECB [with a tour of Pakistan a big factor], but we will definitely talk about it when we tour them.

"Look, the MCC toured Pakistan, an Australia delegation came as well, so there is no reason why England and Australia shouldn't be here in 2021 and 2022."

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/cri...nd-tour-coronavirus/olhhpkswfoi01hxko0v0aq5yf

 

[TalhaSyed]

It certainly is a tough situation.

ECB and British Gov will no doubt be keen to resume international cricket ASAP, however, at the same would not want to risk lives (you would like to think).

PCB would also be keen to send the team and if they can help the ECB right now, this now doubt will act as some good-will and leverage for when PCB is trying to convince ECB to tour Pakistan next year.

However, at the same time any move forward will have to be made whilst keeping the health and safety of the players, management teams, broadcast personnel and fans as the primary factor.

 

[Savak]

Maximum safe guards should be in place and if the players have to quarantine for 2 weeks then so be it. PCB should help the ECB out in these difficult times. These gestures are never forgotten. Plus this was already a pre scheduled FTP series so no issues.

 

[MenInG]

It certainly is a tough situation.

ECB and British Gov will no doubt be keen to resume international cricket ASAP, however, at the same would not want to risk lives (you would like to think).

PCB would also be keen to send the team and if they can help the ECB right now, this now doubt will act as some good-will and leverage for when PCB is trying to convince ECB to tour Pakistan next year.

However, at the same time any move forward will have to be made whilst keeping the health and safety of the players, management teams, broadcast personnel and fans as the primary factor.

One must remember that whilst one could recover from Covid, no one really knows the long term impact on health - which for players could be a huge issue.

 

[shamaan]

My test team for england will be

Abid
Shan
Azar
Babar
Shafiq
Harris
Rizwan
Shadab (all rounder)
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem

Odi

Fakhar
Imaam
Babar
Haider ali
Harris
Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
Shaheen
Rauf
Amir


I will be going to 1 of the days against england in the test match what do people think about my squad any changes
T20
Fakhar
Sharjeel
Babar
Haider
Safraz
Khushdil
Imad
Shadab
Shaheen
Amir
Rauf/naseem

 

[AFM]

As much as we would all like to see live cricket again, I dont think it is possible in the current scenario to host any sport.

It's just not players, there is ground staff, media, cameramen, commentators, kitchen staff etc. There is no need to risk a potential exposure for sports.

 

[Savak]

As much as we would all like to see live cricket again, I dont think it is possible in the current scenario to host any sport.

It's just not players, there is ground staff, media, cameramen, commentators, kitchen staff etc. There is no need to risk a potential exposure for sports.

Stakeholders cannot sustain losses for long. Its scary how people are at breaking point. In my firm, i have learnt of 5 clients who have lost their jobs and one client was emotionally requesting that we delay charging him our fees for his tax returns due at the end of this month. This lockdown cannot continue indefinately, people will have to take precautions and life resuming like normal.

 

[tyron_woodley]

I'm just interested in the England Tests and here's my XI for the tests vs England:

1) Shan Masood
2) Abid Ali
3( Azhar (c)
4) Babar Azam
5) Fawad Alam
6) Asad Shafiq
7) Mohammed Rizwan
8) Zafar Gohar
9) Shaheen Afridi
10) Mohammad Abbas
11) Naseem Shah

I just want Zafar brought in for tests as he can do a much better containing job than yasir with the ball, he's young and has talent. Also can be a handy batsman.

dear God the batting looks terrible.

if they don't practice county before the offical series then I would be concerned.

However I hope pakistan kick their butts.

 

[chazam]

look for quid pro quo and ask england to tour pakistan in return.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

It certainly is a tough situation.

ECB and British Gov will no doubt be keen to resume international cricket ASAP, however, at the same would not want to risk lives (you would like to think).

PCB would also be keen to send the team and if they can help the ECB right now, this now doubt will act as some good-will and leverage for when PCB is trying to convince ECB to tour Pakistan next year.

However, at the same time any move forward will have to be made whilst keeping the health and safety of the players, management teams, broadcast personnel and fans as the primary factor.

England are not touring Pakistan next year.
It is Nov 2022.

 

[TalhaSyed]

One must remember that whilst one could recover from Covid, no one really knows the long term impact on health - which for players could be a huge issue.

Yup very valid point.

Having said that - in some ways the players may be safer on tour. If they are getting tested regularly and being isolated to "bio-secure" venues they may be safer then they would be in general

 

[TalhaSyed]

England are not touring Pakistan next year.
It is Nov 2022.

Sure - in that case PCB would be looking for a tour this year to act as some good-will and possibly some leverage in 2 years time

 

[TalhaSyed]

As much as we would all like to see live cricket again, I dont think it is possible in the current scenario to host any sport.

It's just not players, there is ground staff, media, cameramen, commentators, kitchen staff etc. There is no need to risk a potential exposure for sports.

In an ideal world you are absolutely right. We should just go into lockdown until the whole thing blows over.

Realistically individuals, organisations, governments and countries are losing money at an alarming rate and are looking for some sort of respite

 

[shamaan]

dear God the batting looks terrible.

if they don't practice county before the offical series then I would be concerned.

However I hope pakistan kick their butts.

The onus on babar to score lots of runs should be an even contest due to fragile batting of both teams

 

[MenInG]

On SkySports:

Nasser: I just found it ironic that the two sides who have probably been hard done the most, two great cricketing nations (Big 3 have gone away), Pakistan and West Indies, two great cricketing nations, they've been the hardest hit. Pakistan, very few go there to play and West Indies a little isolated with IPL contracts, etc. It has hit them hard and now we're asking them to come over. It's nice Wasim Khan gave an answer that wasn't about self interest and looked at the big picture.

Athers: 2021, Pakistan are looking at England and Australia coming over.

 

[Mir jibran]

On SkySports:

Nasser: I just found it ironic that the two sides who have probably been hard done the most, two great cricketing nations (Big 3 have gone away), Pakistan and West Indies, two great cricketing nations, they've been the hardest hit. Pakistan, very few go there to play and West Indies a little isolated with IPL contracts, etc. It has hit them hard and now we're asking them to come over. It's nice Wasim Khan gave an answer that wasn't about self interest and looked at the big picture.

Athers: 2021, Pakistan are looking at England and Australia coming over.

Wasim khan has been a wonderful signing by PCB
Even the great sangakkara acknowledged his role of making Mcc tour pakistan

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Wasim khan has been a wonderful signing by PCB
Even the great sangakkara acknowledged his role of making Mcc tour pakistan

Agreed. He’s done so much in so little time. What a professional he’s been. I’ll evaluate him fully after his term is complete but I’ve never seen so many radically big decisions made by any previous PCB administration so quickly, so decisively, and so effectively.

Still a question mark on appointing Misbah though. But hopefully Misbah can come through

 

[Mir jibran]

Agreed. He’s done so much in so little time. What a professional he’s been. I’ll evaluate him fully after his term is complete but I’ve never seen so many radically big decisions made by any previous PCB administration so quickly, so decisively, and so effectively.

Still a question mark on appointing Misbah though. But hopefully Misbah can come through

I believe they appointed misbah because of his professionalism , Yes he has his limitations but he doesnt spit venom sitting on the tv unlike other legends
And lets give misbah a year before evaluating his performance

 

[Rana]

I believe they appointed misbah because of his professionalism , Yes he has his limitations but he doesnt spit venom sitting on the tv unlike other legends
And lets give misbah a year before evaluating his performance

But Mickey Arthur was a thorough professional also. His support staff were very good as well. Misbah would have been a great assistant coach learning under the wing of a solid coach, and he could have taken over as the head coach post 2023

 

[Thunderbolt14]

But Mickey Arthur was a thorough professional also. His support staff were very good as well. Misbah would have been a great assistant coach learning under the wing of a solid coach, and he could have taken over as the head coach post 2023

The flip side to this is that Mickey was mediocre despite being professional. The team really regressed under him. Just look at Fakhar, Azhar, Shafiq, Sarfaraz, Hassan Ali. What exactly has he been coaching? The only product that he’s given us is Babar and I’m very thankful for that but one product for 6 regressing players is not a good tradeoff in a team based game. It could be argued that Babar, with his mindset and attitude, and natural talent from his youth, would have become good anyways.

Mickey was barely responsible for coaching the team that gave us the champions trophy (he was new to the setup and barely coached any of the players) while we became number 1 in T20s by bullying on UAE pitches. He had some highlights, but like I said, deeply mediocre.

Not that Misbah is a huge improvement. But I have a gut feeling that Misbah will come good. My gut feeling doesn’t mean anything though, so I’ll save my evaluation for another two years.

 

[MenInG]

England's plan to operate with two different squads for the majority of the summer once cricket returns may create new opportunities for young players, says Mike Atherton.

Ashley Giles, managing director of England men's cricket, reiterated that flexibility in selection will be key should international fixtures take place from July onwards - subject to government advice in response to the coronavirus pandemic - rather than keep players in isolation from their families.

Giles spoke to The Cricket Show on the day the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that centrally-contracted players would begin returning to individual training programmes at venues across the country from Monday.

Up to 30 players would begin tailored skills-based programmes with a red-ball focus, before the ECB introduced similar schedules for white-ball players "in two or three weeks' time".

Former England captain and Sky Sports Cricket pundit Atherton said continuity of selection in proposed Test series against West Indies and Pakistan was unlikely.

"England are going to need those 30 names probably because when you listen to Gilo, he's talking about requiring flexibility for players to go and see family," said Atherton.

"So it's unlikely that they are going to pick the same team for Test match after Test match. So it may give some opportunities for some young players.

"Joe Root's wife, I think, is expecting on the very first day of that scheduled first Test against West Indies on July 8, so maybe Ben Stokes will get a chance at the captaincy.

"With 30 names you are looking at the bunch of England centrally-contracted players, a dozen or so; then you've got people like Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Olly Stone who are on those pace bowling development contracts.

"You've got young players like Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, Dom Sibley who are not contracted. But in someone like Crawley's case, he's someone who will have to be brought off furlough at Kent - and the ECB will be paying for that - as well as Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley at Surrey.

"So you'll probably have a few players with the Lions team in Australia this winter - somebody like Dan Lawrence, maybe, who did pretty well down there.

"So there might be a few fresher faces that people haven't seen in and around the England team in the last year or two - and given the schedule, which is going to be very tight, and the flexibility required for the selectors you may see one or two opportunities thrown their way."

Giles stressed that the physical and mental health of all players remains the ECB's top priority and that players would have the option to opt out of individual training at this stage should they wish, and undergo psychological screening.

"It is very clear that this is individual skills-based training so in many ways we should be able to get control of the environment right, so it's safer to go back to practice than it is to go to the supermarket," said Giles.

Sky Sports Cricket pundit Nasser Hussain said the ECB's duty of care extends as much to those players who aren't involved in the sessions as those who are.

"I was reading social media and quite a few people have picked up on the fact that Ashley Giles said it will be less dangerous than going to the supermarket," said Hussain.

"But one good thing about having an ex-cricketer at the top of the tree is that Ashley knows the mental side of international cricket and I'm pleased that he ruled out having international cricketers stuck in a hotel room for nine to 10 weeks, with form going up and down and you not being able to see your family.

"Everyone, whatever world you are in, has to work out the balance between getting back to work and risking life. But I would say the most important thing is not risking your life but trying to do something appropriate to try and get yourself back to work.

"So the mental side and the mental duty of care from the ECB to its players has to be paramount; just under the safety of life comes mental well-being.

"It's not just the mental well-being of those 30 cricketers that opt in, that say 'I can do this' it's the ones that opt out as well, who'll be thinking 'should I have played, should I have not?'

"Someone like Jack Leach, who has got Crohn's disease and is taking immune-suppressants, may be in the vulnerable category. He may not be able to play, so you have a duty of care to him as well."

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...ung-players-this-summer-says-michael-atherton