The_Odd_One
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2015
- Runs
- 8,950
PCB should take the bitter pill and appoint Mohammad Aamir as the captain in ODIs. Give him a younger team and at least an year. I am sure, his team will do better than what teams under Afridi, Misbah, Azhar, and Sarfraz have done so far. This is a practical playing XI (no far fetched ideas like Akmal opening, etc) that can easily represent Pakistan until the 2023 world cup.
This is a very strong team with plenty of batting and bowling options.
1. Sami Aslam (Batsman)
He is not rated highly by most of the posters here but he definitely is a much stronger player mentally than the other options available. Most of his good test scores have come in tough conditions and when chips were down. Even in Pakistan cup, both of his 100s came in pressure games. He hit 169 of 126 balls chasing 375 in Pakistan cup which shows he can play the modern game and handles pressure much better than what he is credited for.
2. Babar Azam (Batsman & Vice Captain)
He is by far the most promising batting talent to have come out of Pakistan since Yousuf. However, I feel like he bats more like Amla and Kane rather than Kohli and Root. Pakistan has tried Azhar as an batsman who can consistently provide good platforms. Azhar failed in doing so but Babar is capable of averaging 40/45 @ 85/90 SR. With Sami, he can form a very formidable opening partnership for years to come.
3. Harris Sohail (Batsman & Part-Timer)
He is best suited for #3 and can play pace, swing, and seam better than anyone else in Pakistan. He was doing extremely well in ODIs before he got injured. I think most will agree to his selection as the #3 batsman for Pakistan. On top of this batting, he is a very useful part-timer too. He can actually turn the ball and can easily bowl 4-5 overs in every match.
4. Umar Amin (Batsman & Part-Timer)
Another left handed batsman who is a stroke maker and can bat at a decent SR. Amin has an X-factor in his batting which is missing from the current Pakistani batting unit. He is another handy part-timer who can bowl 4-5 overs in a match.
5. Shoaib Malik (Batsman & Part-Timer)
The only Pakistani batsman who understands the modern game. His comeback has been remarkable. He is extremely fit, can hit long sixes, and contribute with his bowling and fielding too. He is the only 30+ player who should be playing for Pakistan. I think he has good 2 years of Cricket left in him and can retire after the next world cup.
6. Aamir Yamin (Batting All-Rounder)
Everybody wants him in the team. His bowling is not the best but he can be the lower order batsman that Pakistan has been missing. He is a very clean striker of the ball and is the closest to what is currently available as a replacement for Abdur Razzaq.
7. Shadab Khan (Bowling All-Rounder)
He is one player who can win a match single handedly with his batting or bowling. He has shown good promise so far and must be retained in ODIs. A leggie who can smack a few is gold in shorter formats.
8. Mohammad Rizwan (Batsman & Wicket Keeper)
Sadly, none is better than Sarfraz as a wicket-keeper batsman in Pakistan. This said, Sarfraz can only bat in top 5 spots. However, he lacks power hitting skills and is approaching cut off age of 30. In the long run, Rizwan might be a better option for #8 position. He is younger, a better athlete and can improve his batting/hitting skills. His batting has been really disappointing recently, and hence he is batting at #8 in this team.
9. Mohammad Aamir (Bowler and Captain)
He is the only Pakistani player who commands some sort of respect from most of the opposition teams. He is young, an automatic pick, and has the right attitude to lead a team. He made a mistake and served his time. I see no reason why he should not be a captain. Pakistan has done better with bowling captains historically and it is time PCB and some fans let go of their ego and do the right thing for the team.
10. Hassan Ali (Bowler)
A very good bowler who can be a decent slogger. He must take the new ball with Aamir. Their partnership can be the best since the days of Wasim and Waqar.
11. Mohammad Asghar (Bowler)
Pakistan has badly missed a leading spinner like Saqlain and Ajmal who won their teams countless matches. Asghar can be groomed in that role. He has shown some promise and deserves a run in the national team. If two spinners are not need in some conditions, then Pakistan can replace him with another pacer. The point is he should be consistently in the squad.
12. Rumman Raees (Bowler)
He looks like an intelligent bowler. He is not an express bowler but he can play a container role very well in the middle overs. One of him or Asghar can be selected based on the playing conditions.
This is a very strong team with plenty of batting and bowling options.
1. Sami Aslam (Batsman)
He is not rated highly by most of the posters here but he definitely is a much stronger player mentally than the other options available. Most of his good test scores have come in tough conditions and when chips were down. Even in Pakistan cup, both of his 100s came in pressure games. He hit 169 of 126 balls chasing 375 in Pakistan cup which shows he can play the modern game and handles pressure much better than what he is credited for.
2. Babar Azam (Batsman & Vice Captain)
He is by far the most promising batting talent to have come out of Pakistan since Yousuf. However, I feel like he bats more like Amla and Kane rather than Kohli and Root. Pakistan has tried Azhar as an batsman who can consistently provide good platforms. Azhar failed in doing so but Babar is capable of averaging 40/45 @ 85/90 SR. With Sami, he can form a very formidable opening partnership for years to come.
3. Harris Sohail (Batsman & Part-Timer)
He is best suited for #3 and can play pace, swing, and seam better than anyone else in Pakistan. He was doing extremely well in ODIs before he got injured. I think most will agree to his selection as the #3 batsman for Pakistan. On top of this batting, he is a very useful part-timer too. He can actually turn the ball and can easily bowl 4-5 overs in every match.
4. Umar Amin (Batsman & Part-Timer)
Another left handed batsman who is a stroke maker and can bat at a decent SR. Amin has an X-factor in his batting which is missing from the current Pakistani batting unit. He is another handy part-timer who can bowl 4-5 overs in a match.
5. Shoaib Malik (Batsman & Part-Timer)
The only Pakistani batsman who understands the modern game. His comeback has been remarkable. He is extremely fit, can hit long sixes, and contribute with his bowling and fielding too. He is the only 30+ player who should be playing for Pakistan. I think he has good 2 years of Cricket left in him and can retire after the next world cup.
6. Aamir Yamin (Batting All-Rounder)
Everybody wants him in the team. His bowling is not the best but he can be the lower order batsman that Pakistan has been missing. He is a very clean striker of the ball and is the closest to what is currently available as a replacement for Abdur Razzaq.
7. Shadab Khan (Bowling All-Rounder)
He is one player who can win a match single handedly with his batting or bowling. He has shown good promise so far and must be retained in ODIs. A leggie who can smack a few is gold in shorter formats.
8. Mohammad Rizwan (Batsman & Wicket Keeper)
Sadly, none is better than Sarfraz as a wicket-keeper batsman in Pakistan. This said, Sarfraz can only bat in top 5 spots. However, he lacks power hitting skills and is approaching cut off age of 30. In the long run, Rizwan might be a better option for #8 position. He is younger, a better athlete and can improve his batting/hitting skills. His batting has been really disappointing recently, and hence he is batting at #8 in this team.
9. Mohammad Aamir (Bowler and Captain)
He is the only Pakistani player who commands some sort of respect from most of the opposition teams. He is young, an automatic pick, and has the right attitude to lead a team. He made a mistake and served his time. I see no reason why he should not be a captain. Pakistan has done better with bowling captains historically and it is time PCB and some fans let go of their ego and do the right thing for the team.
10. Hassan Ali (Bowler)
A very good bowler who can be a decent slogger. He must take the new ball with Aamir. Their partnership can be the best since the days of Wasim and Waqar.
11. Mohammad Asghar (Bowler)
Pakistan has badly missed a leading spinner like Saqlain and Ajmal who won their teams countless matches. Asghar can be groomed in that role. He has shown some promise and deserves a run in the national team. If two spinners are not need in some conditions, then Pakistan can replace him with another pacer. The point is he should be consistently in the squad.
12. Rumman Raees (Bowler)
He looks like an intelligent bowler. He is not an express bowler but he can play a container role very well in the middle overs. One of him or Asghar can be selected based on the playing conditions.
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