PCB announce names of 25 players for initial camp (Test series vs Ireland and England)

[Square Drive]

Wow wow wow. Impressive list! Aamer Yamin and Zafar Gohar the only two I'd have picked that are not on it, but fair to say this is a fantastic bunch of names.

From this, I'd choose:

Sami Aslam
Azhar Ali
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Asad Shafiq
Shadab Khan
Sarfraz Ahmed* (WK)
Fahim Ashraf
Hasan Ali
Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Abbas

Bench: Imam-ul-Haq, Usman Salahuddin, Fawad Alam/Saad Ali (former deserves it for a decade but latter has been better of late), Rahat Ali, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Asghar

Inexperienced bunch and a tour of three Tests, so I'd pick 17 to be on the roster.

Not sure about Fahim for Tests, but there is no Yamin and Fahim has the pace and the length for Test cricket to be a solid 4th pacer. That's why I'd pick him over Talat.

Shadab as the main spinner is fine in a 5-man attack, plus it bolsters the batting. I'd put Zafar in there if he was in, especially because he can bat as well. Not sure about Asghar but I think he's good enough to be a backup spinner.

Shaheen and Musa are fantastic additions, but too early for them for Tests.

I can actually see Fakhar for Tests working and am a fan of it, especially because it can also provide another leader in the side (possible VC). But I think Imam deserves to be ahead in the pecking order in this format. Sami is obviously first-choice because of his previous performances in England, and Azhar is a given. If Sami fails all 3 Tests then I guess a case can be made for Imam in the XI and Fakhar as backup in the future.

Bilal is mediocre and haven't seen much of Kashif, but he is on the wrong side of 30 so there's that.

All in all, very good stuff. Need to play 5 proper bowling options at all costs. Wouldn't bank on Haris to be the 5th bowler. He is barely fit enough to bat, let alone bowl.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Poor Fawad has missed out on 8 years of test cricket. Still puts the youngsters to shame in fitness test by outscoring them.

Could have been our best test bat by now if it hadn't it been for nepotism or whatever has kept him out for such long.

But being given a call up here doesn't mean he will be turning up to England to play.

As for the rest, some expected trash but some positives too but it's mostly the case when they name the touring squad that positives aren't there and the trashy ones are.

 

[AamirWarraich]

Why not?

He surely can't be worse than Hafeez. Even a quick 30 from him can ease the pressure for the other opening batsman.
Sehwag used to do this all the time in Tests. It is pretty simple, if you hit a few boundaries in the first couple overs, the field will automatically spread out.

I don't think Fakhar is ideal but I'd definitely try him out in these Tests. Anything is better than Hafeez getting out early playing like a scared tail-ender.

 

[MenInG]

Training sessions in progress

 

[MenInG]

Seems poor Fawad Alam doesnt even have a training shirt - wearing his last Pakistan shirt

 

[Forum363]

2 debutants.... 1 guy with 1 test experience... 2 guys with 2 test experience.... 1 guy with 5 test experience.... add to that constantly flopping Azam and Shafiq. Alhumdulilah we really are going to do well.

Who would you recommend instead? The potential guys who we have as replacements are Fawad Alam, Sami Aslam, Salahuddin etc. They also have a combined experience of less than 10 tests so the same point would apply. Perhaps Fawad is older and has considerable domestic experience but who else?

 

[barah_admi]

Players for Pakistan Test Team Initial Camp

Lahore April 10, 2018:The National Selection Committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq has called the following players for the initial Test Camp from 11th till 15th April, 2018 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore prior the tour of Ireland and England :



BATSMAN:

1. Azhar Ali

2. Sami Aslam

3. Haris Sohail

4. Asad Shafiq

5. Babar Azam

6. Fakhar Zaman

7. Usman Salahuddin

8. Fawad Alam

9. Saad Ali

10. Imam ul Haq



SPINNERS:

11. Bilal Asif

12. Muhammad Asghar

13. Shadab Khan

14. Kashif Bhatti


FAST BOWLERS:

15. Muhammad Amir

16. Muhammad Abbas (exempted as allowed to play county in England)

17. Hasan Ali

18. Rahat Ali

19. Mir Hamza



WICKETKEEPERS:

20. Sarfaraz Ahmed

21. Muhammad Rizwan



ALL-ROUNDERS:


22. Fahim Ashraf

23. Hussain Tallat



(Player Development)

24. Shaheen Shah Afridi

25. Musa Khan



The followng players have not been considered due to injuries.

Yasir Shah (Fracture Hip. Rest and rehab 6-12 weeks)

Shan Masood (knee injury)

Final Test Team will be announced later and their camp will continue from 18th till 22nd April, 2018. The team will depart on 23rd April, 2018.

Not quite sure what the final squad size will be but if it is around 15 or 16, I really think it picks itself -

Sami Aslam
Fakhar Zaman
Azhar Ali
Usman Salahuddin
Asad Shafiq/Fawad Alam
Sarfraz Ahmed c/wk
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan/Muhammad Asghar
Muhammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Muhammad Abbas

Rahat Ali and Babar Azam.

All the bases covered with a back up spinner, back up pace man and back up batsman.

The problem is there is a lot of inexperience in the side, which will have to learn on the job and learn quickly in the wet, grey, swinging conditions of May.

 

[moghul]

Congrats & mubarak to all.. no Hafeez Anderson won’t be happy

Yeah, Anderson must be disappointed, who does not like a wicket in very first over.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

dont know why so many people are picking Imam, player of potential yes but his first class average is 34

Sami's is around 37 if you take out his test stats

Fahkar is 42

 

[babajee]

dont know why so many people are picking Imam, player of potential yes but his first class average is 34

Sami's is around 37 if you take out his test stats

Fahkar is 42

Fakhar Zaman is the best all formats opener in Pakistan.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Fakhar Zaman is the best all formats opener in Pakistan.

hopefully

Its a very tough place to debut, especially for a stroke maker, but if Fahkar has one thing its mental strength. Id take the punt


Also think he needs to be named as vice captain in all formats.

He captains domestically and is a nice contrast to Sarfraz

 

[babajee]

hopefully

Its a very tough place to debut, especially for a stroke maker, but if Fahkar has one thing its mental strength. Id take the punt


Also think he needs to be named as vice captain in all formats.

He captains domestically and is a nice contrast to Sarfraz

I just wish he was a few years younger

 

[rizwanak]

Sharjeel's debut in tests was quite alright, I'm sure Fakhar zaman will do well

 

[samiakh]

Zafar Gohar was a big miss. I think he is our best chance at a proper test match spinner after Yasir.

 

[KhanNn]

Fakhar Zaman as a Test opener?

Will help him chage his game slightly and realise the importace of singles and doubles

 

[KhanNn]

Really pleased to see Mohammad Musa Khan

 

[Usman Chadda]

Fawad Alam will be a qurbaani ka bakra if hes selected. I don't see him surviving this tour with that technique. Hope too see him prove me wrong.

 

[MMHS]

Will help him chage his game slightly and realise the importace of singles and doubles

You think as a Test opener, Fakhar’s only challenge is lack of willingness to rotate strike? That too in UK in early part of summer against Jimmy & Berbi with Dukes ball..,,,,

Even regarding singles, I see the issue is willingness, not capability - hence the key word is “realization”, not “capability”.

“Slight” changes can fix my concerns that are put here?

 

[babajee]

You think as a Test opener, Fakhar’s only challenge is lack of willingness to rotate strike? That too in UK in early part of summer against Jimmy & Berbi with Dukes ball..,,,,

Even regarding singles, I see the issue is willingness, not capability - hence the key word is “realization”, not “capability”.

You have always written Fakhar off, even as ODI opener

He might not succeed in England as opener but he does have a future in tests imo ...

 

[FreakCricket]

Well I am genuinely happy our squad is selected on merit for the first time, its a entirely new squad so hopefully knifes are not out on one series failure.

Fakhar Zaman
Sami Aslam
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Asad Shafiq
Haris Sohail
Sarfraz Ahmed
Shadab Khan
Muhammad Amir
Hassan Ali
Muhammad Abbass

 

[MMHS]

You have always written Fakhar off, even as ODI opener

He might not succeed in England as opener but he does have a future in tests imo ...

First part isn’t right, you’ll do injustice to me saying that.

In Test, I think last I wrote that he can be drafted even now as No. 5/6

 

[babajee]

No - in fact he won't ever make into any other 3 Asian sides just on the look. Forget India, none of the BD or Lankan players' follow through end to fine leg after a cover drive. He basically slices every off side shot - even full tosses. 2, maximum 3 innings of total 35 balls, international teams will block his slogging range.

I know, he has outstanding List A stats, but not sure how - few years back Awsis Zia had even better reputation, until I saw him against Poms. Fakhar is an opening batsman with ZERO off side game & very loose defense without any rotating ability. Even in PSL, he was struggling to score after PP overs. At 27, he doesn't have the time learn the game from scratch.

I might sound harsh, but for a new batsman, I never see where he has sent the ball, rather how he did that. He doesn't look to me a player to invest for top 3 spots. If Imad wasn't there, may be he could have played as an opener & bowl few left-arm overs, but he is too risky to play as specialist bat. His limited shot range will result in high risk % shots.

One of a few posts
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

 

[MenInG]

 

[ManFan]

View attachment 80755View attachment 80756View attachment 80757View attachment 80758View attachment 80759View attachment 80760

Great pics! Preparations are coming along well.

 

[Syed1]

View attachment 80758

Sarfaraz: Mein idhar jata hoon, pait odhar jata hai. Kya karoon buhat pareshaan hoon


Mickey: You asking me?

 

[saeed5646]

I have a feeling hussain talat will be prefer over fahim as a allrounder spot due to talat supreme batting and swing bowling which will suite english condition

 

[saeed5646]

What a shame for some one like usman salahdin to wait 6 month to have any chance to make a test debut hopefully he wont.t be drop for eng series without testing

 

[srh]

Select 7 batsmen, 1 spinner, 5 fast bowlers, 1 wicket keeper, 1 all rounder for a 15 member squad.

BATSMAN:
1. Azhar Ali
2. Asad Shafiq
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail
5. Fakhar Zaman
6. Saad Ali
7. Usman Salahuddin

SPINNER:
8. Muhammad Asghar

FAST BOWLERS:
9. Muhammad Amir
10. Muhammad Abbas (exempted as allowed to play county in England)
11. Hasan Ali
12. Rahat Ali
13. Mir Hamza

WICKETKEEPERS:
14. Sarfaraz Ahmed

ALL-ROUNDERS:
15. Fahim Ashraf

 

[MMHS]

One of a few posts

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

That post was indeed valid when it was written - FZ has improved lot under Arthur, still valid for most part; you should look at batsman how he is sending ball, not where and not through CI - that's the fundamental reason why Indian top batsmen play for 2 decades; too many PAK young batsmen fade away after 2 years. In PSL as well, he indeed struggled after PP overs; looking carefully at his batting, you should notice his struggles outside off and his sliced drives.

Couple of knocks in NZ has basically gone into FZ's fan base in such that you think him to be best LO opener now days and searching for every post against/for FZ. Couple of years back Soumya had 50/100 stats for a year and he won 2 series against PAK & SAF - still these days when he plays, looks like million dollar; but sustaining on that purple patch is the key.

And, still I am saying his only chance in Test is to bat at 5/6 because he is good at spin - won't survive against new ball with slips.

 

[babajee]

That post was indeed valid when it was written - FZ has improved lot under Arthur, still valid for most part; you should look at batsman how he is sending ball, not where and not through CI - that's the fundamental reason why Indian top batsmen play for 2 decades; too many PAK young batsmen fade away after 2 years. In PSL as well, he indeed struggled after PP overs; looking carefully at his batting, you should notice his struggles outside off and his sliced drives.

Couple of knocks in NZ has basically gone into FZ's fan base in such that you think him to be best LO opener now days and searching for every post against/for FZ. Couple of years back Soumya had 50/100 stats for a year and he won 2 series against PAK & SAF - still these days when he plays, looks like million dollar; but sustaining on that purple patch is the key.

And, still I am saying his only chance in Test is to bat at 5/6 because he is good at spin - won't survive against new ball with slips.

Nah I wasn’t looking for posts for and against. My point is that FZ has always been written off by the majority - people said he wasn’t international standard, can’t play pace, leg side hack etc. and who knows, he may surprise us all as an opener in test cricket. It seems like Mickey thinks he can.

 

[saeed5646]

That post was indeed valid when it was written - FZ has improved lot under Arthur, still valid for most part; you should look at batsman how he is sending ball, not where and not through CI - that's the fundamental reason why Indian top batsmen play for 2 decades; too many PAK young batsmen fade away after 2 years. In PSL as well, he indeed struggled after PP overs; looking carefully at his batting, you should notice his struggles outside off and his sliced drives.

Couple of knocks in NZ has basically gone into FZ's fan base in such that you think him to be best LO opener now days and searching for every post against/for FZ. Couple of years back Soumya had 50/100 stats for a year and he won 2 series against PAK & SAF - still these days when he plays, looks like million dollar; but sustaining on that purple patch is the key.

And, still I am saying his only chance in Test is to bat at 5/6 because he is good at spin - won't survive against new ball with slips.

Correction somyo was playing in the home condition when he was in top form as compared to fz who have proven to be good outside asia england/nz so not the great comparison

 

[Mueez]

hopefully

Its a very tough place to debut, especially for a stroke maker, but if Fahkar has one thing its mental strength. Id take the punt


Also think he needs to be named as vice captain in all formats.

He captains domestically and is a nice contrast to Sarfraz

Don't forget the fact that he made his debut in England!

 

[MMHS]

Nah I wasn’t looking for posts for and against. My point is that FZ has always been written off by the majority - people said he wasn’t international standard, can’t play pace, leg side hack etc. and who knows, he may surprise us all as an opener in test cricket. It seems like Mickey thinks he can.

Arthur likes FZ because he is dedicated, professional, committed and focused - he is punching well above his weight for these qualities and he is young, extremely fit, multi dimensional, modern day cricketer; which is what Arthur values most. Before FZ, Arthur has carried Shan for long because of his work ethics and dedication, and that's the only reason MoHa & Malik has still some value to him at this age. If Mickey thinks that FZ can open in UK, then he should be picked as opener and we should definitely bump this thread after 2 Test.

I think, majority had written off him because of his style and technique, more than anything else. Perception builds over a long period of experience - with his technique, if he can survive few more years, indeed majority will praise him. It's foolish to go overboard after couple of months high; he was all at see in UAE against SRL, when the slow wickets took the pace out of the ball and he couldn't hit through the line. Normally, players with flashy technique bumps hard on floor when their eye sight starts to bitrey - I wish he proves majority wrong here.

 

[MMHS]

Correction somyo was playing in the home condition when he was in top form as compared to fz who have proven to be good outside asia england/nz so not the great comparison

Doesn't matter - FZ played in UAE, which was his home condition and he struggled there. It's the type of player, rather than where he plays. FZ likes the ball on bat and try to get under the ball, hence on true bouncy wicket he is in comfort zone. SS likes to plant front foot and hit through the line - in last SAF tour he had a stunning T20 innings on similar wicket.

 

[babajee]

Arthur likes FZ because he is dedicated, professional, committed and focused - he is punching well above his weight for these qualities and he is young, extremely fit, multi dimensional, modern day cricketer; which is what Arthur values most. Before FZ, Arthur has carried Shan for long because of his work ethics and dedication, and that's the only reason MoHa & Malik has still some value to him at this age. If Mickey thinks that FZ can open in UK, then he should be picked as opener and we should definitely bump this thread after 2 Test.

I think, majority had written off him because of his style and technique, more than anything else. Perception builds over a long period of experience - with his technique, if he can survive few more years, indeed majority will praise him. It's foolish to go overboard after couple of months high; he was all at see in UAE against SRL, when the slow wickets took the pace out of the ball and he couldn't hit through the line. Normally, players with flashy technique bumps hard on floor when their eye sight starts to bitrey - I wish he proves majority wrong here.

Wouldn’t most of these aggressive openers struggle on those slow dead tracks though?Sharjeel was nothing special in UAE either.

 

[MMHS]

Wouldn’t most of these aggressive openers struggle on those slow dead tracks though?Sharjeel was nothing special in UAE either.

They would have, but more all-round players has more shots at hand - they can adjust to the condition. On same dead track, Hayden once scored an 8 hour 100, in probably 55C

 

[babajee]

They would have, but more all-round players has more shots at hand - they can adjust to the condition. On same dead track, Hayden once scored an 8 hour 100, in probably 55C

I think FZ is improving by the day. Hopefully he can fix the UAE struggles in Asia Cup.

 

[Ellipsism]

Reports going around that Ashraf will in fact be selected.

 

[Khan12]

Reports going around that Ashraf will in fact be selected.

Any other surprises?

 

[Khan12]

If fahim gets selected I am pretty sure shadab will as well. Don't think they will go with fahim at 7.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

If fahim gets selected I am pretty sure shadab will as well. Don't think they will go with fahim at 7.

Yes i think the same, and they should do this.

 

[Ellipsism]

If fahim gets selected I am pretty sure shadab will as well. Don't think they will go with fahim at 7.

Fakhar’s name is being mentioned as well. Anyhow, I believe the squad is being announced on the 18th.

Faheem’s selection is pretty much confirmed now.

 

[MenInG]

There is NO confirmed news on this.

 

[MenInG]

From today's practice

 

[babajee]

Good to see Rana jee getting some batting practice.

 

[Syed1]

From today's practice

Mickey: Apkay bhai ne apni shaadi pe London thamakda pe kya dance kiya thi


Fahim: .........

 

[Hasan123]

My line up would be


Azhar
Imam
Harris
Babar
Asad
Sarfraz
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Abbas
Gohar ( but doesn't seem likely he will be selected) I would go with Asghar out of the opitions .


Faheem bowling is much improved. We need a 4th seamer . I trust his bowling over Talats even though Talats has a high potential with the bat. Let him concentrate on LO for now.

I would go with Asghar,I think he is capable of bowling tight overs and picking up wickets. I love Shadab but I think he could be expensive and give vital runs away. Need to pick an offie who can keep it tight like Mahraj and Lyon do for their teams .

Our batting is the worry. Babar and Harris are still inexperienced but have the potential. Only Azhar seems capable of getting big scores. But it will be at a slow tempo.

We have a good chance of winning the series if we can score the runs. Poms batting line up isn't very strong and we can target the 3rd seamer and Stokes as there is a clear drop off after Broad and Anderson are out of the attack. If they pick a spinners , his overs must be targated as a chance to get runs.


Should be a good series . Would have preferred a 3 test match series.