PCB announces list of 20 players who will travel to England on 28th June: Rohail Nazir, Musa Khan in

[Abdullah719]

20 players, 11 support staff to travel to Manchester on Sunday

Musa Khan and Rohail Nazir to also depart with the side; left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar to join from England to assist the side in pre-series preparations

Lahore, 27 June 2020:

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday confirmed 20 players and 11 player support personnel will travel on a chartered flight to Manchester on Sunday morning for a three-Test and three T20I series to be played in August and September.

Upon arrival in Manchester, the squad will be transported to Worcestershire where they will undergo the England and Wales Cricket Board testing before completing their 14-day isolation period, during which they will be allowed to train and practice. The side will move to Derbyshire on 13 July.

In a positive news, all 18 players and 11 player support personnel, who had tested negative for Covid-19 in the first round of tests on Monday, have again returned negative in Thursday’s retests.

Besides the 29 members, tests of fast bowler Musa Khan and Pakistan U19 captain and wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir, along with three other reserve players, were also conducted on Thursday and they have also returned negative.

As such, Musa and Rohail have been included in the first group of travellers, which is:

Players – Azhar Ali (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, and Yasir Shah. Zafar Gohar, the left-arm spinner who played an ODI in 2015, will join the side from England and will only be involved in pre-match preparations.

Player support personnel – Mansoor Rana (manager), Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach), Younis Khan (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Talha Butt (team analyst), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Dr Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Lt Col (retd) Usman Riffat (security manager) and Raza Kitchlew (media and digital content manager).

Cliffe Deacon and Waqar Younis will join the side directly from South Africa and Australia, respectively, while Shoaib Malik is expected to travel around 24 July.

Following advice from leading sports science experts and as per the UK government regulations, players who have tested positive during the PCB testing process will be unable to travel on Sunday.

However, they will be sent to England as soon as their two tests return negative.

 

[Junaids]

Musa Khan really does have a horseshoe lodged in his backside.

I’m delighted to see Rohail Nazir though. That’s absolutely fantastic.

 

[Markhor]

Musa Khan again ?! This think tank never learns.

 

[angrypathan]

Musa Khan really does have a horseshoe lodged in his backside.

I’m delighted to see Rohail Nazir though. That’s absolutely fantastic.

Zafar Gohar will be joining the team too, which is great news

 

[angrypathan]

Anyone know who Cliffe Deacon is?

 

[Titan24]

Zafar Gohar, the left-arm spinner who played an ODI in 2015, will join the side from England and will only be involved in pre-match preparations.
.

Only be involved in the pre match preparation? Is he part of the squad for series or not?

 

[Titan24]

Only be involved in the pre match preparation? Is he part of the squad for series or not?

So he is only to assist in the preparation? Still a decent opportunity to show his work ethics and attitude which had a dent in reputation when he missed his flight for his potential test debut (long time ago).

 

[Abdullah719]

Only be involved in the pre match preparation? Is he part of the squad for series or not?

Looks like he won't be part of the squad.

 

[Titan24]

Looks like he won't be part of the squad.

Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Zafar and Rohail, great selection. I see no reason for Sarfraz to play ahead of Rohail, absolutely none.

Zafar I hope is there for the tests too. Its about time we move on from Yasir as our main test spinner. He has been woeful of late.

 

[shamaan]

Musa Khan again ?! This think tank never learns.

Would you rather have musa or some 40 year old ?

 

[shamaan]

Zafar and Rohail, great selection. I see no reason for Sarfraz to play ahead of Rohail, absolutely none.

Zafar I hope is there for the tests too. Its about time we move on from Yasir as our main test spinner. He has been woeful of late.

Give him at least a game dont just let him sit on the bench

 

[Bewal Express]

Rohail selection is a good one, Musa has lots of work to do and is not at this level yet.

 

[the eslah]

One of the few reason of Pakistan struggle is we are alway delibarate to see new faces.

 

[aloo paratha]

So he is only to assist in the preparation? Still a decent opportunity to show his work ethics and attitude which had a dent in reputation when he missed his flight for his potential test debut (long time ago).

I think they can still add to the squad. Windies originally took Shannon Gabriel as a reserve, but have now added him to the squad.

Hopefully Zafar performs will on the nets and in the warm up's, and he could be added to the squad.

 

[Majid Khan]

What’s the idea behind selection of Faheem Ashraf - does Pakistan have any matches lined up against Scotland or Ireland on this tour?

 

[Khan12]

What’s the idea behind selection of Faheem Ashraf - does Pakistan have any matches lined up against Scotland or Ireland on this tour?

TBH he hasn't done too badly in tests while in odi's it's a different story.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Love the Rohail and Zafar selection. I don't think either will end up playing in a match but it will be a good experience for them to play inter squad games and get some more reps after this layoff. Hopefully they impress Misbah bowling/batting in the nets and or inter squad games and it leads to actual selection on the squad in the future.

 

[TrentDevil]

So Wasim Khan categorically said in the presser that "Zafar Gohar will be with the squad just for training, for 2-3 weeks until rest of guys join with the main team"

Also said he needs to be tested negative twice by England authorities in order to join the team.

A bit sad that he isn't part of the team and is just there for the training, he would have been a perfect like for like replacement for Bhatti, infact he provides more value than Bhatti. Anyways, he's still lucky to be in England already and if he can impress the management, will probably play at least one warm up game also, who knows he might get a shot.

 

[Red Devil]

Musa Khan is going to be this generation's Sohail Tanvir or Anwar Ali type of player. The guy who who will keep getting picked to our collective dismay.

 

[KhanNn]

Is Zafar already in England? Why?

 

[coy0607]

Doesn't make sense to not make Zafar part of the squad so unnecessarily? Why limit yourself - why announce he's just there for practice?

Otherwise Rohail is a great addition. And Musa isn't perfect, but there were really no other options to select, unless you want Sohail Tanvir or Mohd. Irfan. Pretty much all the front line bowlers are already selected

 

[Abdullah719]

Doesn't make sense to not make Zafar part of the squad so unnecessarily? Why limit yourself - why announce he's just there for practice?

To make it clear that Kashif Bhatti is still the frontrunner for the role of backup spinner

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Musa khan a much better selection than Imran khan and sohail khan. Saw in PSL that he can bat and hold his nerve in a run chase which doesnt come to everyone naturally.

He is a good one for the future , age on his side, with experience he will improve further.

Zafar another good one though he will contribute in the nets only but still a chance to work with mustaq and impress the management to get his chance in the absence of shadab and kashif

 

[Saj]

The batting looks terribly weak and will rely so much on Babar.

To get to the magical 300 scores, the likes of Shan, Asad and Azhar can stick around with the keeper and Yasir to chip in too.

 

[sindhiboy]

Would you rather have musa or some 40 year old ?

Sameen gul is a much better bowler than musa

 

[sindhiboy]

Musa khan a much better selection than Imran khan and sohail khan. Saw in PSL that he can bat and hold his nerve in a run chase which doesnt come to everyone naturally.

He is a good one for the future , age on his side, with experience he will improve further.

Zafar another good one though he will contribute in the nets only but still a chance to work with mustaq and impress the management to get his chance in the absence of shadab and kashif

Sameen gul is a much better bowler. A few good Psl games should not be a selection criteria

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Sameen gul is a much better bowler than musa

Akif Javed looks a better prospect compared to these two.

 

[moghul]

20 players, 11 support staff to travel to Manchester on Sunday

Musa Khan and Rohail Nazir to also depart with the side; left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar to join from England to assist the side in pre-series preparations

Lahore, 27 June 2020:

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday confirmed 20 players and 11 player support personnel will travel on a chartered flight to Manchester on Sunday morning for a three-Test and three T20I series to be played in August and September.

Upon arrival in Manchester, the squad will be transported to Worcestershire where they will undergo the England and Wales Cricket Board testing before completing their 14-day isolation period, during which they will be allowed to train and practice. The side will move to Derbyshire on 13 July.

In a positive news, all 18 players and 11 player support personnel, who had tested negative for Covid-19 in the first round of tests on Monday, have again returned negative in Thursday’s retests.

Besides the 29 members, tests of fast bowler Musa Khan and Pakistan U19 captain and wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir, along with three other reserve players, were also conducted on Thursday and they have also returned negative.

As such, Musa and Rohail have been included in the first group of travellers, which is:

Players – Azhar Ali (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, and Yasir Shah. Zafar Gohar, the left-arm spinner who played an ODI in 2015, will join the side from England and will only be involved in pre-match preparations.

Player support personnel – Mansoor Rana (manager), Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach), Younis Khan (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Talha Butt (team analyst), Yasir Malik (strength and conditioning coach), Dr Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Lt Col (retd) Usman Riffat (security manager) and Raza Kitchlew (media and digital content manager).

Cliffe Deacon and Waqar Younis will join the side directly from South Africa and Australia, respectively, while Shoaib Malik is expected to travel around 24 July.

Following advice from leading sports science experts and as per the UK government regulations, players who have tested positive during the PCB testing process will be unable to travel on Sunday.

However, they will be sent to England as soon as their two tests return negative.

Azhar Ali, Hafeez, Suhail Khan, Iftikhar Ahmen , Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasid Shah, Asad Shafiq, exciting, youthful team.

 

[coy0607]

To make it clear that Kashif Bhatti is still the frontrunner for the role of backup spinner

Kashif Bhatti can still be the front runner. But making unsolicited announcements like 'player X will only be a warm-up' is just limiting yourself. Things can go wrong, Shadab, Yasir, Kashif can all get hurt or sick, etc. Or Gohar may look really really good in the nets. Why restrict yourself

 

[MMHS]

I read that PCB’s selection process has changed - now people from field (domestic coaches/selectors) will give inputs.....

Still Sameen Gul didn’t find a spot now what is like a 35-38 men squad. As it looks, he is not among top 15 in order. Not sure what else he can do - at 23, he has max 2 years to make the cut.

 

[TeamPak95]

Won't expect Rohail and Zafar to play in any games but I'm glad they'll get this experience and hopefully they'll take a lot from this tour.

 

[Titan24]

Sameen gul is a much better bowler than musa

Musa is probably selected keeping T20s in mind as well.

 

[Titan24]

What’s the idea behind selection of Faheem Ashraf - does Pakistan have any matches lined up against Scotland or Ireland on this tour?

Based upon domestic stats, he is a better player in the longer format. He wasnt the so called hitter which everyone expected after warm up match against BD and his List A average is also 16,17 with bat. In FC though he averages 30 with couple of 100s and 27 with the ball in hand. Took a fifer in QAE 2019 final and scored 2 50s as well in 3 matches he played. His only useful innings for Pak also came in tests when he scored a decent 50.

Not good enough with bat to be the sole all rounder but can be useful with someone like Shadab or even Kashif Bhatti/Zafar Gohar in the lower order who can provide some batting depth and 5 bowling options.

 

[Titan24]

I think they can still add to the squad. Windies originally took Shannon Gabriel as a reserve, but have now added him to the squad.

Hopefully Zafar performs will on the nets and in the warm up's, and he could be added to the squad.

True they can add him to the squad depending upon availability of others and how he does in the nets.

 

[Red Devil]

Doesn't make sense to not make Zafar part of the squad so unnecessarily? Why limit yourself - why announce he's just there for practice?

Otherwise Rohail is a great addition. And Musa isn't perfect, but there were really no other options to select, unless you want Sohail Tanvir or Mohd. Irfan. Pretty much all the front line bowlers are already selected

Mir Hamza would be an ideal pick for English conditions.

 

[Kroll]

Musa is probably selected keeping T20s in mind as well.

Really?

Musa only T20I: 3.5 overs, 0/39 with econ 10.17

17 T20s: 18 wkts, average 29.44 with econ 9.21

Yes, we can see Musa's been setting the T20 circuit alight.

 

[Titan24]

Really?

Musa only T20I: 3.5 overs, 0/39 with econ 10.17

17 T20s: 18 wkts, average 29.44 with econ 9.21

Yes, we can see Musa's been setting the T20 circuit alight.

My point wasnt he is setting the circuit on fire, it was that management thinks he can be an option for both tests and T20s unlike many others. Arguing they are right or wrong in thinking that is completely separate issue.

If it would have been Sohail Tanvir even then many wouldnt have been satisfied, and he couldnt have played tests as well. Though upon performance in national T20 cup as well as PSL he could have been easilt there for T20s but I am pretty sure many would have had problem with that.

Sameen Gul averages 31 in T20s which isnt that great either. Musa wasnt great as well but was okish in national T20 cup with 4 wickets in 2 matches and in PSL in 2-3 matches as well.

Everything aside, who do you suggest, someone who set the T20 circuit on fire?

 

[Titan24]

Mir Hamza would be an ideal pick for English conditions.

For tests Mir Hamza, Ehsan Adil, Sameen Gul all have been probably better options then Musa but I think management has already got their test pacers in mind with Abbas, Shaheen, Naseem, Shinwari, Sohail Khan and Faheem Ashraf.

 

[Kroll]

My point wasnt he is setting the circuit on fire, it was that management thinks he can be an option for both tests and T20s unlike many others. Arguing they are right or wrong in thinking that is completely separate issue.

If it would have been Sohail Tanvir even then many wouldnt have been satisfied, and he couldnt have played tests as well. Though upon performance in national T20 cup as well as PSL he could have been easilt there for T20s but I am pretty sure many would have had problem with that.

Sameen Gul averages 31 in T20s which isnt that great either. Musa wasnt great as well but was okish in national T20 cup with 4 wickets in 2 matches and in PSL in 2-3 matches as well.

Everything aside, who do you suggest, someone who set the T20 circuit on fire?

Doubt Musa will get a game, so actually Tanvir might not have been that bad a choice for net bowler. He certainly wouldn't been out of place in joining his old Misbah buddies.

In all seriousness though, I take your point that there isn't much out there as replacements as we already struggle to get decent front line bowlers. However, since Musa's been tried and failed, why not give someone like Akif Javed a run instead?

I'm not sure what the situation is right now with Hasan Ali if he's still injured or what. But he was a great T20 bowler for us who lost his form after being played in all formats. He needs to be eased back into T20s only to see if he can get back to his best.

Was Musa really necessary though? They've brought in Gohar and hopefully Rauf and Hasnain will be able to join back up later. For now, I'd pick Hasnain over Musa although Hasnain has still a lot to do to justify his selection.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan cricket: Saga of conflicting coronavirus tests adds chaotic backdrop to team’s arrival in England

An initial Pakistan touring party of 20 has landed in Manchester today after a build-up with more twists than a soap-opera, writes @Saj

There is never a dull moment when it comes to affairs related to Pakistan cricket.

If positive proof was ever needed of this statement, one needs to look no further than the chaotic preparations for this summer’s tour of England.

Even when considering mitigating circumstances such as the ongoing Covid-19 crisis which has put many cricket boards around the world on the back foot, some of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts ahead of the squad’s arrival in Manchester on Sunday can only be described as frantic.

Initially the PCB took the understandable and safe option of cancelling its customary pre-tour preparation camp in Lahore for fears of players contracting coronavirus. But the board’s apparent attempts at educating and warning its players about the importance of social distancing fell on deaf ears.

Despite coronavirus increasing at an alarming rate in Pakistan, players proudly shared pictures on social media of themselves in close proximity while training together.

Then a video appeared which showed more players defying the PCB’s instructions and congregating at a net session.

The video prompted a response from an increasingly frustrated PCB reminding players of their duties and responsibilities.

After what seemed like an age, a provisional 29-man squad was announced by chief selector Misbah-Ul-Haq on 12 June, subject to the selected players testing negative for Covid-19 during screenings which were scheduled for 21 and 22 June across various centres in Pakistan.

Initial tests confirmed what many feared would occur, with a total of 10 players – including Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan and Wahab Riaz – and the team masseur failing their first tests.

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that 702 tests conducted on players, support staff, match officials, ECB staff, venue staff and hotel staff were all negative, putting more pressure on the PCB to keep its house in order.

But the pre-tour soap-opera did not stop there. Much like the dramatic twists found in popular Pakistani television serials, Hafeez announced on social media a couple of days later that he had organised a Covid-19 test for himself and his family and had now tested negative.

That led to an uncomfortable telephone conversation with PCB chief executive Wasim Khan, with the board feeling Hafeez’s actions brought their testing process into disrepute.

The PCB’s efforts to control what was now becoming a farcical situation then resulted in all players, including Hafeez, being retested on 25 and 26 June.

The results of the retests brought some improved outcomes with six players of the original 10 who tested positive now showing a negative reading for Covid-19. However, four players – including the exciting young batsman Haider Ali – failed both tests.

Along the way, stung by criticism from various quarters and eager to show the ECB that it was being proactive, the PCB began checking-in players who had tested negative into a bio-secure hotel.

The PCB shared pictures and videos of players practicing social distancing to how that it was in control and managing the situation with the necessary precautions. But to many these were steps that should have been taken much earlier.

While it must have been a frustrating experience for the beleaguered Wasim Khan, who described the testing and re-testing as a “challenging and unprecedented process”, the PCB will now be relieved that an initial touring party – consisting of 20 players who have tested negative twice for Covid-19 – is now safely in England to start quarantine in Worcester.

While more tests will occur back in Pakistan over the coming days with a view to bolstering the squad in England, the current group can finally look forward to some proper practice and preparation.

It’s been a roller-coaster ride, but with Pakistan cricket, you wouldn’t expect it to be any different.

https://inews.co.uk/sport/cricket/p...s-covid-19-positive-tests-tour-england-457990

 

[coy0607]

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that 702 tests conducted on players, support staff, match officials, ECB staff, venue staff and hotel staff were all negative, putting more pressure on the PCB to keep its house in order.

But the pre-tour soap-opera did not stop there. Much like the dramatic twists found in popular Pakistani television serials, Hafeez announced on social media a couple of days later that he had organised a Covid-19 test for himself and his family and had now tested negative.

I though Wasim Khan was supposed to bring professionalism to the PCB. Its been over a year, and the PCB is as much of circus as it has ever been

National embarrassment!

 

[Saj]

I'm sure some PCB officials will somehow manage to turn up at the team hotel and become part of the bio-secure environment.

 

[moghul]

Glad team reached UK safe and sound, hope they were not flown by a PIA pilot.

 

[shamaan]

Akif Javed looks a better prospect compared to these two.

Agreed

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Sameen gul is a much better bowler. A few good Psl games should not be a selection criteria

Totally agree. I’m happy that Musa khan is selected instead of Tabish Khan

 

[Bullet Drive]

I read that PCB’s selection process has changed - now people from field (domestic coaches/selectors) will give inputs.....

Still Sameen Gul didn’t find a spot now what is like a 35-38 men squad. As it looks, he is not among top 15 in order. Not sure what else he can do - at 23, he has max 2 years to make the cut.

Ehsan Adil > Sameen Gul

Sameen is an awful fielder, and cannot bat either.