[PICTURES/VIDEO] Babar Azam returns to training ahead of the Test series vs South Africa

[MenInG]

Imran Butt named in 17-player Test squad

• Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq ruled out of 1st Test in Mount Maunganui

• 15-player Pakistan Shaheens squad for five T20s also confirmed

Napier, 21 December 2020:

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq have been ruled out of the first Test starting in Mount Maunganui from 26 December, while the tour selection committee has named prolific domestic run-scorer Imran Butt in the 17-player squad.

Babar had fractured his right thumb a day after Imam had fractured his left thumb during training sessions in Queenstown last week. Both are yet to return to nets with the team’s medical staff closely monitoring their progress.

Decision on their participation in the second Test, which commences in Christchurch on 3 January, will be made closer to the time.

Babar’s absence means Mohammad Rizwan will captain the Pakistan side in the first Test. When he will step out for the toss on Saturday, he will become Pakistan’s 33rd captain to lead the side in the traditional format of the game.

Balochistan’s 24-year-old Imran Butt scored 191 runs in the three ongoing four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches before joining the New Zealand-bound tour party. He had topped batting charts in the 2019-20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 934 runs at an average of over 62 with four centuries and three half-centuries.

Also returning to the Pakistan Test side are Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah.

They will replace Abdullah Shafiq, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Musa Khan, Usman Qadir and Wahab Riaz who will now join Pakistan Shaheens for five T20 matches against the local and New Zealand XI sides.

Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez will not be in action on the New Zealand tour after the Napier T20I. Imad will travel to Australia to join Melbourne Renegades in the BBL, while Mohammad Hafeez will return to Pakistan.

Test players to show some form in Pakistan Shaheens’ 89 runs victory over New Zealand ‘A’ include Azhar Ali (58 and 29), Fawad Alam (three and 139), Mohammad Abbas (4-40 and 1-34), Naseem Shah (0-55 and 3-44) and Yasir Shah (3-54 and 2-55).

Separately, Shan Masood has had a successful calendar year with the bat in which he has scored 279 runs, second most after Babar Azam (338). Shan is followed by Azhar Ali (244), Mohammad Rizwan (171) and Abid Ali (131). Yasir Shah is the leading Pakistan bowler this calendar year with 15 wickets, followed by Shaheen Shah Afridi (10), Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah (eight wickets apiece).

Misbah-ul-Haq: “It is disappointing to lose the T20I series against a well-settled New Zealand side, who utilised their resources and conditions to their advantage. We need to up skill and improve our individual and team performances, including in Tuesday’s match, and the sooner we get these sorted the better it will be in term of player confidences and team results as 2021 will not be any easier as we have two major events.

“Contrary to the T20I side, the Test side appears to be pretty organised and we boast some experienced cricketers, both in batting and bowling departments. With some competitive cricket on the tour now under the belt, I am hoping we will be a better outfit in the longer version of the game.

“Although it will be nearly two weeks to Babar’s injury when the first Test starts, it will be hard on him and the team to play him without any net sessions. I remain confident and optimistic that other players will rise to the occasion in Mount Maunganui and use the opportunity to rise to the occasion and put the disappointment of the T20I series behind them.”

Squads:

Pakistan squad for Tests: Mohammad Rizwan (captain for 1st Test), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah. (Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq not available for first Test)

Pakistan Shaheens for T20s: Rohail Nazir (captain, wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafiq, Amad Butt, Danish Aziz, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Musa Khan, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Malik.

Upcoming matches:

26-30 Dec – 1st Test v New Zealand, Mount Manganui
27 Dec – 1st T20 v Northern Knights, Hamilton
29 Dec – 2nd T20 v Wellington Firebirds, Wellington
1 Jan – 3rd T20 v Canterbury, Lincoln
3-7 Jan – 2nd Test v New Zealand, Christchurch
3 Jan – 4th T20 v New Zealand XI, Lincoln
5 Jan – 5th T20 v New Zealand XI, Lincoln

 

[Mobashir]

What a bad news. I cared little about him missing the T20's, but not the tests.

 

[Mamoon]

He was always unlikely to play in the first Test. Didn’t have enough time to recover.

Imam wouldn’t have played anyway I guess, we prefer inferior players like Masood and Abid.

 

[Energy]

Big blow to our chances. That test squad looks really weak. Not sure what Sohail Khan and Faheem Ashraf are doing there.

 

[Ucdkee]

35 all out it's going to be...!

 

[liam26]

It's 1-0 to NZ then and one more step closer to the WTC finals.

 

[CleverSir]

So they will likely go into the 1st Test with this squad

1. Shan
2. Abid
3. Azhar
4. Haris
5. Fawad
6.
7. Rizwan
8.
9. Naseem
10.Shaheen
11.Abbas

2 spots up for grabs.I suspect Yasir Shah will slot into 8 and they will push Rizwan up to 6 and play Faheem as the 4th "pacer". I wonder if the Butt kid gets a look. Might as well give the young kid a go. I would push everyone down 1 spot and play Butt at 2. The final call would be between Shah at 8 or a 4th pacer.

 

[El Generico]

Unfortunate but perfect opportunity for Rohail to make his debut.

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Haris
Fawad
Rohail
Rizwan
Amad
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem


I don’t think there is any point playing Yasir Shah as he is likely not gonna get much help from the pitch.

 

[angrypathan]

Not unexpected but disappointing nonetheless

 

[angrypathan]

Play both Faheem and Amad and you have a 5 man pace attack

Edit: nevermind Amad hasn't been named in the squad

 

[Arsal_AK]

If both Haris and Fawad play, there is no need for Yasir. Get Amad Butt in, he has 6 wickets in the practice match.

That is a hopeless sqaud though and the form most of the team is in only makes it worse. I will shocked if we avoid an innings defeat. The only hope is to get NZ in first and do as much damage in the first two sessions as we can.

Edit: Apparently Amad isn't even in the squad. Wow.

 

[El Generico]

Play both Faheem and Amad and you have a 5 man pace attack

Edit: nevermind Amad hasn't been named in the squad

Well that’s disappointing. I guess Faheem could be the 4th pacer.

 

[Madplayer]

Al disaster al shadeeda. Worst possible thing has happened. I hope Babar recovers for the second test. Man this tour is turning out to be a nightmare.

 

[ethan hunt]

Ammad outbowled abbas and sohail khan in the tour game.
How has he not made the 17 member squad at the very least.

 

[El Generico]

Just realized that Rohail isn’t in the test squad either despite the century. So is Imran Butt going to debut or are they going to play Shadab at 6?

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Does Misbah even pay attention to the Shaheens games?

 

[sindhiboy]

No babar. Look out india we are keen on breaking your record this week

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Realistic

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Haris
Fawad
Rizwan + *
Shadab
Faheem
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem / Sohail

 

[Junaids]

The absolute disgrace is that Amad Butt took 6-60, outbowled everyone else, and is dropped.

I think Rohail Nazir and Mohammad Rizwan should both play, I’m not sure which one should keep wicket.

My team would be

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Mohammad Rizwan (c)
5. Haris Sohail (on his last chance ever)
6. Rohail Nazir (wk)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

I’m not picking two 35 year olds. You can pick one of Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam and Yasir Shah, and that’s your lot!

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Amad Butt and Rohail Nazir are confirmed starters, this is a crazy squad chosen by Misbah. I would hate to give Rohail a debut in overseas conditions but he was the only batsman who looked like he had any idea what he was doing in the NZ A games other than Fawad Alam and Azhar Ali.

Also, I am hyper skeptical of Haris Sohail. Flopped on bouncy pitches in Australia last year 4 times in a row and now has no match practice in 2 months. Not to mention the usual fitness and knee issues.

 

[Mamoon]

The absolute disgrace is that Amad Butt took 6-60, outbowled everyone else, and is dropped.

I think Rohail Nazir and Mohammad Rizwan should both play, I’m not sure which one should keep wicket.

My team would be

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Mohammad Rizwan (c)
5. Haris Sohail (on his last chance ever)
6. Rohail Nazir (wk)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

I’m not picking two 35 year olds. You can pick one of Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam and Yasir Shah, and that’s your lot!

You are not sure which one should keep?

Rizwan is one of the best keepers in the world. Rohail is barely international standard with the gloves if at all, and you are giving him the gloves over Rizwan in Test cricket?

I shouldn’t interrupt you taking the usual vulnerable suspects for a ride as always, but sometimes you go so overboard that it is hard to resist.

Your next strategy on PP would be to present Rohail as ATG WK batsman in the making and get the usual suspects excited as always.

 

[naseem]

More humiliations lining up

 

[Junaids]

You are not sure which one should keep?

Rizwan is one of the best keepers in the world. Rohail is barely international standard with the gloves if at all, and you are giving him the gloves over Rizwan in Test cricket?

I shouldn’t interrupt you taking the usual vulnerable suspects for a ride as always, but sometimes you go so overboard that it is hard to resist.

There is a very good reason why I struggle to decide between Rizwan or Rohail keeping.

Pakistan has lost its best batsman, and Rizwan showed in Australia and England that he is the second best batsman.

I think Pakistan needs Rizwan as a batsman in this match more than it needs him as a keeper. Rather like how Sangakkara came to give up the gloves in Tests even though I rate him the greatest ever Test batsman-wicketkeeper.

Rizwan is capable of performing as a pure batsman at Number 4. I’m not certain that Rohail is.

 

[Mamoon]

There is a very good reason why I struggle to decide between Rizwan or Rohail keeping.

Pakistan has lost its best batsman, and Rizwan showed in Australia and England that he is the second best batsman.

I think Pakistan needs Rizwan as a batsman in this match more than it needs him as a keeper. Rather like how Sangakkara came to give up the gloves in Tests even though I rate him the greatest ever Test batsman-wicketkeeper.

Rizwan is capable of performing as a pure batsman at Number 4. I’m not certain that Rohail is.

Sangakkara is one of the best Test batsmen ever. It made sense to take the gloves off him because he had the skill to average 57 in Test cricket and score 38 tons.

Rizwan’s potential with the bat is not even close. Today, he is one of the best keepers for sure but as a batsman, he is merely decent and inferior to most other keepers around.

It makes no sense whatsoever to take the gloves off him and promote him up the order as a specialist batsman because he is not going to score enough runs as a specialist batsman at a high enough average to justify his selection as a specialist batsman.

As a result, it is madness to take the gloves off him and weaken a position of strength for Pakistan (keeping) without significantly (if at all) improving the batting lineup.

 

[hur rizvi]

India's 36 AO record in serious danger

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Sucks about Babar and Imam missing out but it was also expected. Amad Butt not even making the test squad is frankly stunning, it really is.

The Shaheens squad is interesting, in that both Ifti and Khushdil are included in that squad. Shaheens are a DEVELOPMENT team and thus playing Ifti is absolutely pointless, as at his age, you know what he brings to the table.
U hope both Misbah and Ijaz understand that. I hope to see the following top 5 batters for all 5 T20 games:

Zeeshan Malik
Abdullah Shafique
Haider Ali
Hussain Talat
Danish Aziz/Khushdil

Khushdil will probably get another go inn the last game, which is why I'd rather try Danish in the Shaheens games.

Similarly Zafar, Hasnain and Qadir shld play every game, but they'll conspire to give Amad Butt playing time based on his 4 day performance. If Haris Rauf and Wahab play even one Shaheens game, then PCB have a definitive answer on Misbah and Ijaz's squad planning ability.

 

[Amjid Javed]

35 all out it's going to be...!

Sadly i can see some double digit team totals in this series.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Unfortunate but perfect opportunity for Rohail to make his debut.

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Haris
Fawad
Rohail
Rizwan
Amad
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem


I don’t think there is any point playing Yasir Shah as he is likely not gonna get much help from the pitch.

Misbah made sure rohail is not given a chance in tests, that’s why made him captain t20s.

Misbah has taken 35 players and still cannot build a proper 11 for any format at the expense of Babar and Imam being injured. Such a clueless individual

Hussain talat was selected based on his First class performances but he is in the t20s for national side and the shaheens side as well.

 

[NauV]

This was always expected! I don't even know why they gave the team the hope that Babar might be back for the first test. When I first heard the news, I was sure it would be a miracle if he's even fit for the second test . . Im not a doctor, but haven't seen anyone come back from a fracture after 3 weeks . . The best you can hope for is start training/batting again.

Leaves me to the squad. Its ridiculous in my opinion that Hussain Talat isn't in the squad. Pakistan absolutely needs a batting all-rounder at number 7. . Hussain talat is coming off of decent performances in domestic! What do they do? Put him in the T20 squad and don't give him a game . . That is not even the format Talat should be considered for . . He should have been playing the Shaheens game . . And this ridiculous obsession with Faheem is beyond me . . Faheem can never be a test all rounder . .

I have said time and again . . Talent is only one part of the puzzle (albeit very important) . . Strategy, player efficacy, vision and doing what you control well is a huge part of it too!

NZ has always punched above their weight because they do the latter very well . . We have always underperformed (even when we had the talent) because we do the latter poorly!

 

[ask_analyse_act]

This was always expected! I don't even know why they gave the team the hope that Babar might be back for the first test. When I first heard the news, I was sure it would be a miracle if he's even fit for the second test . . Im not a doctor, but haven't seen anyone come back from a fracture after 3 weeks . . The best you can hope for is start training/batting again.

Leaves me to the squad. Its ridiculous in my opinion that Hussain Talat isn't in the squad. Pakistan absolutely needs a batting all-rounder at number 7. . Hussain talat is coming off of decent performances in domestic! What do they do? Put him in the T20 squad and don't give him a game . . That is not even the format Talat should be considered for . . He should have been playing the Shaheens game . . And this ridiculous obsession with Faheem is beyond me . . Faheem can never be a test all rounder . .

I have said time and again . . Talent is only one part of the puzzle (albeit very important) . . Strategy, player efficacy, vision and doing what you control well is a huge part of it too!

NZ has always punched above their weight because they do the latter very well . . We have always underperformed (even when we had the talent) because we do the latter poorly!

Exactly Pakistan have good players but not used at right places. In absence of babar azam and Imam ul haq
Following 11 will do much better if played in the order


Shan Masood
Azhar Ali
Haris Sohail
Fawad Alam
Rohail Nazir (wk)
Hussain Talat
Shadab Khan (c)
Shaheen shah afridi
Hasnain
Abbas
Naseem shah

Reserves
Rizwan
Imran butt
Sohail Khan
Amad butt
Babar
Imam

For the Shaheeens , remaining players should make the squad with Sarfraz as captain.

 

[b.lesner]

Imran butt likely to get debut, can play 6 Batman in New Zealand.


Is Rizwan first Pakistan captain from KPK?

 

[Ayubhbaloch]

Playing 11 should be :-

1 Shan Masood
2 Abid Ali
3 Azhar Ali
4 Mohammad Rizwan ( Captain)
5 Haris Sohail
6 Fawad Alam
7 Sarfaraz Ahmed ( WK)
8 Yasir Shah
9 Mohammad Abbas
10 Shaheen Afridi
11 Naseem Shah

 

[Ayubhbaloch]

Imran butt likely to get debut, can play 6 Batman in New Zealand.


Is Rizwan first Pakistan captain from KPK?

Sarfaraz have played 49 test matches with 36 average should be included in playing 11 he is sensible batsman .... pls no more new experiments or debuts.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Typical Misbah, only he could keep Amad Butt out after his performance in the Shaheens game. Whilst New Zealand will be going with a 5 man pace attack, we’ll be going with 3 pacers and a spinner.

Misbah OUT!

 

[Omer2002]

Spinner will be absolute useless over there ..Babz been ruled out along with Imam has confirmed my 3 0 and 2 0 defeats..Might aswell start to prepare of south africa series

 

[El Generico]

Imran butt likely to get debut, can play 6 Batman in New Zealand.


Is Rizwan first Pakistan captain from KPK?

Younis Khan and Afridi both were also test captains. Although they both mostly lived and played their cricket in Karachi so I don’t know if they count as KPK players despite being born there.

 

[Shafi]

So Basically we play 3 bowlers if we picked Soahil Khan as a 4th bowler. This guy will be injured after 20 overs. Pathetic from Misbah and so-called bowling genius Waqar.

 

[smkk]

Playing 11 should be :-

1 Shan Masood
2 Abid Ali
3 Azhar Ali
4 Mohammad Rizwan ( Captain)
5 Haris Sohail
6 Fawad Alam
7 Sarfaraz Ahmed ( WK)
8 Yasir Shah
9 Mohammad Abbas
10 Shaheen Afridi
11 Naseem Shah

I am amazed to see that so many people have got such low confidence in Rizwan's keeping, either Rizwan is being left out in favor of other oldies or he is in the team but another wicketkeeper is given chance to keep. Get this everyone, Rizwan is one of the very best Wk in the world right now.

 

[PakHammer]

Realistic

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Haris
Fawad
Rizwan + *
Shadab
Faheem
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem / Sohail

Agree, this will give us 5 bowlers. Shadab and Faheem can both fulfil the allrounder role. Not ideal, but it's ok for NZ conditions.

 

[arehaan]

I dont think we should play bits and pieces player for a test. If the wicket is green need to swap Yasir with a pacer.

1. Shan
2. Abid
3. Azhar
4. Haris
5. Imran Butt
6. Fawad A.
7. Rizwan
8. Yasir
9. Shaheen
10. Abbas
11. Naseem

Loss of Babar and vulnerability of Pakistan batting ends scope of any experimentation. Knowing Misbah and his conventional approach I will be very surprised if we find a different combination.

 

[ChTab]

Pakistan should go with this squad:
1. Shaan
2. Abid
3. Azhar
4. Haris
5. Rohail
6. Fawad
7. Rizwan
8. Amad
9. Shaheen
10. Abbas
11. Naseem

We don't need a spinner on these sort of wickets, plus Amad has done decent enough job vs NZ A to be in team in place of Faheem.

 

[UzmanBeast]

So they will likely go into the 1st Test with this squad

1. Shan
2. Abid
3. Azhar
4. Haris
5. Fawad
6.
7. Rizwan
8.
9. Naseem
10.Shaheen
11.Abbas

2 spots up for grabs.I suspect Yasir Shah will slot into 8 and they will push Rizwan up to 6 and play Faheem as the 4th "pacer". I wonder if the Butt kid gets a look. Might as well give the young kid a go. I would push everyone down 1 spot and play Butt at 2. The final call would be between Shah at 8 or a 4th pacer.

That won't work necessarily. Haris Sohail is not even fit to be played at No.4, he's a lower order player and so he should play there. Imran Butt should come in at 3 and Azhar at 4, given that when Azhar is in form, he is our best batsman.

Amad Butt should get the nod ahead of Faheem Ashraf, and Yasir Shah should be benched as there is no need of his bowling and once-in-a-lifetime batting.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

The absolute disgrace is that Amad Butt took 6-60, outbowled everyone else, and is dropped.

I think Rohail Nazir and Mohammad Rizwan should both play, I’m not sure which one should keep wicket.

My team would be

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Mohammad Rizwan (c)
5. Haris Sohail (on his last chance ever)
6. Rohail Nazir (wk)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

I’m not picking two 35 year olds. You can pick one of Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam and Yasir Shah, and that’s your lot!

Harris Sohail is our 2nd best player ....

 

[Junaids]

Harris Sohail is our 2nd best player ....

In the last five years, Haris Sohail has scored less First Class runs than Nathan Lyon.

When is he going to start scoring some runs? On his last tour of Australia he averaged 8.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

This is a body blow... sad news!

 

[Ahmed216]

Harris Sohail is our 2nd best player ....

He may be our 2nd best or 3rd or whatever but He has an awful technique for bouncy conditions. I mean the guy doesn’t even know horizontal bat shots exist

 

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

I like how Misbah gets the excuses in right at the start. Well-settled NZ? How many players did they have missing?!?!?!? LOL.

It is almost at the point, we have to be like Mamoon and saeedhk for a short period of time- only way Misbah goes and we can get someone else in to drive us forward

 

[Markhor]

Realistic

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Haris
Fawad
Rizwan + *
Shadab
Faheem
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem / Sohail

That's exactly the lineup they'll go for though even Sohail Khan provides more utility as an all-rounder than Faheem the cowlasher.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Harris Sohail is our 2nd best player ....

Haris has spent zero minutes at the crease in a month and a half.

He has chronic fitness issues.

He did not play the practice game.

He has knee issues.

He cannot field.

He has historically flopped in bouncy conditions with a horrendous tour of Australia last year across 3 innings against Australia A, 4 innings against the Australian Test side, and 3 T20I innings.

He did not play in England, and flopped in the only innings he played against Sri Lanka. He made a 75 against Bangladesh.

Playing him against Boult, Southee, Wagner, and Jamieson would be fatal.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Haris Sohail in Australia last year:

4
6
8
18
2
1
8

 

[JibranAnsari]

expecting to see 4 sub 150 scores and inning defeat or 300 plus runs defeat in both matches.

 

[angrypathan]

Haris Sohail in Australia last year:

4
6
8
18
2
1
8

I was pretty surprised by how bad Haris played on that tour. 4 years ago in the 2015 World Cup he seemed pretty comfortable against bounce.

 

[Hawkeye]

You are not sure which one should keep?

Rizwan is one of the best keepers in the world. Rohail is barely international standard with the gloves if at all, and you are giving him the gloves over Rizwan in Test cricket?

I shouldn’t interrupt you taking the usual vulnerable suspects for a ride as always, but sometimes you go so overboard that it is hard to resist.

Your next strategy on PP would be to present Rohail as ATG WK batsman in the making and get the usual suspects excited as always.

It has already started.

Rohail Nazir, a no-name with no proven wicket keeping record, is the next Sangakkara on here. Being hyped to the moon.

And they want Rohail in place of our Test captain + wicket-keeper, RIZWAN!!! ) ) )

Even better! Waste a spot and play him as a dedicated batter! ) ) When Rizwan is already there.


A harmless trundling king, with no ability to move the ball, i.e. Amad Butt, being hailed as the next coming of Wasim Akram in this very thread.

What a treat.

I'm now in the camp that just watches with amusement how random nobodies get hyped to the moon. With zero substance in their technique or ability.

But but.. they scored some 50 or 60 in X or Y domestic / practice game. WHY ON EARTH THEY ARE NOT SELECTED?

Drop Rizwan. Naseem. Shaheen.. but play their next-favorite youngster beauty with no international record.

98% of the "youngsters" coming up are not even Zimbabwe-level.

Any others are exception that make it to hardly above ZIM level.

 

[Arsal_AK]

It has already started.

Rohail Nazir, a no-name with no proven wicket keeping record, is the next Sangakkara on here. Being hyped to the moon.

And they want Rohail in place of our Test captain + wicket-keeper, RIZWAN!!! ) ) )

Even better! Waste a spot and play him as a dedicated batter! ) ) When Rizwan is already there.


A harmless trundling king, with no ability to move the ball, i.e. Amad Butt, being hailed as the next coming of Wasim Akram in this very thread.

What a treat.

I'm now in the camp that just watches with amusement how random nobodies get hyped to the moon. With zero substance in their technique or ability.

But but.. they scored some 50 or 60 in X or Y domestic / practice game. WHY ON EARTH THEY ARE NOT SELECTED?

Drop Rizwan. Naseem. Shaheen.. but play their next-favorite youngster beauty with no international record.

98% of the "youngsters" coming up are not even Zimbabwe-level.

Any others are exception that make it to hardly above ZIM level.

Amad took 6 wickets in the NZ-A game, meanwhile Sohail Khan had just the one. Faheem is mediocre and hasn't played test or FC cricket for ages. What the point of the practice game if you aren't going to base selection of that?

But it's Misbah, so ofcourse he can do no wrong.

Nobody has said anything about dropping Rizwan. Nobody.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Amad took 6 wickets in the NZ-A game, meanwhile Sohail Khan had just the one. Faheem is mediocre and hasn't played test or FC cricket for ages. What the point of the practice game if you aren't going to base selection of that?

But it's Misbah, so ofcourse he can do no wrong.

Nobody has said anything about dropping Rizwan. Nobody.

The point about them having no international record also makes no sense. How should they get an international record without actually playing any games at that level?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

The absolute disgrace is that Amad Butt took 6-60, outbowled everyone else, and is dropped.

I think Rohail Nazir and Mohammad Rizwan should both play, I’m not sure which one should keep wicket.

My team would be

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Mohammad Rizwan (c)
5. Haris Sohail (on his last chance ever)
6. Rohail Nazir (wk)
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

I’m not picking two 35 year olds. You can pick one of Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam and Yasir Shah, and that’s your lot!

Essentially you'd opt for Haris/Azhar over Fawad who just scored 139 in the tour game?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Pakistan squad for Tests: Mohammad Rizwan (captain for 1st Test), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah. (Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq not available for first Test)

Based on those guys given i would go for the following:

1. Abid Ali
2. Shan Masood
3. Azhar Ali
4. Imran Butt
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan
7. Faheem Ashraf/Shadab (depends on conditions, personally i would've wanted to trial Amad Butt)
8. Yasir Shah
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Muhammad Abbas

The signs for this first test are looking a little scary.

Abid Ali- looks completely out of shape and has been hitting those parathas hard.
Haris Sohail- main question is why he didn't play the practise game? Is there an injury there? Is he fully fit?

I can understand why not to include Rohail but i reckon Amad with his bowling should've gotten a go.

 

[hitthestump]

I see that Yasir Shah isn't in many people's suggested XI.

Sorry to disappoint you all but he is the first name on every Misbah XI so you may as well never forget to include him going forward.

 

[ARK Rafay]

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Haris Sohail/Imran Butt (Not sure how is Haris now)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Rizwan (WK, C)
7. Faheem Ashraf (Amad Butt should've been here)
8. Yasir
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen
11. Naseem

 

[Hasan123]

Without Babar we have 0 chance. A shame. Wanted to see how he would do in New Zealand conditions.

 

[usmanraheel]

Shan and Abid will totally get wrecked this series. Shan might be able to salvage something , but Abid man .

Hopefully Harris, Azhar and Fawad can step up BIG time

 

[Shoaibbtt]

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Haris Sohail/Imran Butt (Not sure how is Haris now)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Rizwan (WK, C)
7. Faheem Ashraf (Amad Butt should've been here)
8. Yasir
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen
11. Naseem

Like for like that's what i have, I'm a little obligated at this point to pick Abid but the bloke looks totally out of shape.

It's a toss up between Faheem Ben Stokes and Shadab Khan, 2 leggies being played will be pointless so opting for Faheem.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Shan and Abid will totally get wrecked this series. Shan might be able to salvage something , but Abid man .

Hopefully Harris, Azhar and Fawad can step up BIG time

Play out the overs and make the bowlers tired would be my advise and of course bat first. If they start off with a SR of 30 then that's ok it will slowly get better for the batsmen.

 

[shaaik]

It has already started.

Rohail Nazir, a no-name with no proven wicket keeping record, is the next Sangakkara on here. Being hyped to the moon.

And they want Rohail in place of our Test captain + wicket-keeper, RIZWAN!!! ) ) )

Even better! Waste a spot and play him as a dedicated batter! ) ) When Rizwan is already there.


A harmless trundling king, with no ability to move the ball, i.e. Amad Butt, being hailed as the next coming of Wasim Akram in this very thread.

What a treat.

I'm now in the camp that just watches with amusement how random nobodies get hyped to the moon. With zero substance in their technique or ability.

But but.. they scored some 50 or 60 in X or Y domestic / practice game. WHY ON EARTH THEY ARE NOT SELECTED?

Drop Rizwan. Naseem. Shaheen.. but play their next-favorite youngster beauty with no international record.

98% of the "youngsters" coming up are not even Zimbabwe-level.

Any others are exception that make it to hardly above ZIM level.

Agree with you on everything bar Amad butt not able to seam or swing the ball. Whenever I have seen him play on those slow low Pakistani pitches he has been able to swing and seam the ball a bit which is not bad for a medium pacer who cd bat a bit also. He is a good out swing bowler and shd hv been there in place of Faheem. The comparison here is between Faheem and Ammad and I wd choose Amad over Faheem any day of the week specially in New Zealand.

 

[moghul]

Test cricket is game of the specialist

I would not think about playing Rohail as batsman, one century against NZL A does not make him better batsman than the one who has been piling up runs in QeA trophy, Imran Butt. And Rizwan is far better keeper than Rohail.

Here is my squad

1-Abid
2-Shaan
3-Azhar ( unfortunately)
4-Haaris
5-Imarn Butt
6-Fawad ( Unfortunately )
7-Rizwan
8-Yasir Shah
9-Shaheen
10-Naseem Shah
11- Abbas
12th man Amad Butt ( after his 6 wickets in match against NZL A )

 

[Abdullah]

35 all out it's going to be...!

Came here to write this!!!

 

[Abdullah]

Abid ( would prefer imam)
Shan
Azhar
Haris
Fawad
Rizwan
Shadab
Faheem
Shaheen
Naseem
Abbas

 

[Forum363]

I’m sorry if I missed something but has anyone explained how Babar and Imam got injured??

Throwdowns is when a coach throws the ball relatively slowly at a player right? To help them get their eye in. Usually done without a helmet but all other protective gear. So how did the players hurt their hands. I’ve never seen anyone do throwdowns without gloves. Or did they injure it even with the gloves? Which can’t be possible surely?

Why is their being brushed under the carpet

 

[CleverSir]

This was always expected! I don't even know why they gave the team the hope that Babar might be back for the first test. When I first heard the news, I was sure it would be a miracle if he's even fit for the second test . . Im not a doctor, but haven't seen anyone come back from a fracture after 3 weeks . . The best you can hope for is start training/batting again.

Leaves me to the squad. Its ridiculous in my opinion that Hussain Talat isn't in the squad. Pakistan absolutely needs a batting all-rounder at number 7. . Hussain talat is coming off of decent performances in domestic! What do they do? Put him in the T20 squad and don't give him a game . . That is not even the format Talat should be considered for . . He should have been playing the Shaheens game . . And this ridiculous obsession with Faheem is beyond me . . Faheem can never be a test all rounder . .

I have said time and again . . Talent is only one part of the puzzle (albeit very important) . . Strategy, player efficacy, vision and doing what you control well is a huge part of it too!

NZ has always punched above their weight because they do the latter very well . . We have always underperformed (even when we had the talent) because we do the latter poorly!

Pakistani had to submit the preliminary squad to NZ gov't very early. The QeA season hadn't started yet. You can't go off this season's performances for the current squad.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

My team for the first test match

1. Abid Ali
2. Shan Masood
3. Azhar Ali
4. Haris Sohail
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Muhammad Abbas
11. Naseem Shah

Anyone know how good Imran Butt is, and how he compares to the other middle-order batsman in this squad, because I don't know anything about him

 

[hitthestump]

My team for the first test match

1. Abid Ali
2. Shan Masood
3. Azhar Ali
4. Haris Sohail
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Muhammad Abbas
11. Naseem Shah

Anyone know how good Imran Butt is, and how he compares to the other middle-order batsman in this squad, because I don't know anything about him

I think this team stands no chance. We're already without Babar and have a hopeless tail, so to double down by having Faheem Ashraf at 7 means we'll rarely get enough runs on the board to win a game.

It won't matter if we play 5 bowlers if they have nothing to bowl at.

 

[TeymurBlake]

With Babar not being our batting gets depleted so much more. Azhar, Haris and Fawad as our middle order is too weak. Would have been a perfect opportunity to try Abdullah Shafique or Haider Ali at No.5.

 

[shaaik]

My team for the first test match

1. Abid Ali
2. Shan Masood
3. Azhar Ali
4. Haris Sohail
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Muhammad Abbas
11. Naseem Shah

Anyone know how good Imran Butt is, and how he compares to the other middle-order batsman in this squad, because I don't know anything about him

This is the line up that will feature in the first test for sure.. though I wish if they wd just rest Yasir and play a batsman in his place..

 

[Hawkeye]

Amad took 6 wickets in the NZ-A game, meanwhile Sohail Khan had just the one. Faheem is mediocre and hasn't played test or FC cricket for ages. What the point of the practice game if you aren't going to base selection of that?

But it's Misbah, so ofcourse he can do no wrong.

Nobody has said anything about dropping Rizwan. Nobody.

Just proving my point. One practice game DOES NOT MEAN SELECTION.

He's a far inferior product than even Faheem.

Agree with you on everything bar Amad butt not able to seam or swing the ball. Whenever I have seen him play on those slow low Pakistani pitches he has been able to swing and seam the ball a bit which is not bad for a medium pacer who cd bat a bit also. He is a good out swing bowler and shd hv been there in place of Faheem. The comparison here is between Faheem and Ammad and I wd choose Amad over Faheem any day of the week specially in New Zealand.

I respect your opinion. But, Amad isn't the right person that too in Tests.

Needs to improve a lot.

It's actually these type of bowlers who have make a living on our low slow domestic surfaces.

 

[Omer2002]

Amad has done nothing..faheem wouldnt be good enough either i would only play him if shadab played to make the balance of team slighty right

 

[shaaik]

Just proving my point. One practice game DOES NOT MEAN SELECTION.

He's a far inferior product than even Faheem.




I respect your opinion. But, Amad isn't the right person that too in Tests.

Needs to improve a lot.

It's actually these type of bowlers who have make a living on our low slow domestic surfaces.

Couldn’t agree with u anymore .. I was only talking about the squad we have for this tour. If I was to choose between Faheem and Amad I would choose Amad as his bowling is more suited to New Zealand pitches..

Faheem obviously wd be playing the first test on the back his t20 performance..

 

[Rellu_Katta]

Haris has spent zero minutes at the crease in a month and a half.

He has chronic fitness issues.

He did not play the practice game.

He has knee issues.

He cannot field.

He has historically flopped in bouncy conditions with a horrendous tour of Australia last year across 3 innings against Australia A, 4 innings against the Australian Test side, and 3 T20I innings.

He did not play in England, and flopped in the only innings he played against Sri Lanka. He made a 75 against Bangladesh.

Playing him against Boult, Southee, Wagner, and Jamieson would be fatal.

Haris Sohail in Australia last year:

4
6
8
18
2
1
8

His fitness has always been the worst. poor chap got the worst possible treatment from PCB. heard he got his wrong knee operated (not sure if its true but if it is .... urgghh)

he had a bad series ... but he has to play in the team... he will score runs ....

 

[Rellu_Katta]

It has already started.

Rohail Nazir, a no-name with no proven wicket keeping record, is the next Sangakkara on here. Being hyped to the moon.

And they want Rohail in place of our Test captain + wicket-keeper, RIZWAN!!! ) ) )

Even better! Waste a spot and play him as a dedicated batter! ) ) When Rizwan is already there.


A harmless trundling king, with no ability to move the ball, i.e. Amad Butt, being hailed as the next coming of Wasim Akram in this very thread.

What a treat.

I'm now in the camp that just watches with amusement how random nobodies get hyped to the moon. With zero substance in their technique or ability.

But but.. they scored some 50 or 60 in X or Y domestic / practice game. WHY ON EARTH THEY ARE NOT SELECTED?

Drop Rizwan. Naseem. Shaheen.. but play their next-favorite youngster beauty with no international record.

98% of the "youngsters" coming up are not even Zimbabwe-level.

Any others are exception that make it to hardly above ZIM level.

from 1 extreme to an other... Rohail has time on his hands... just abt 19-20 he is ...
he is playing A-tours and scoring runs, so good for him.
he is captaining the side , so even better.
guy has decent technique, is aggressive and bats in top4
leave him be... keep ur neagitivity with u in a bum
his time will come if he continues to grow.
he needs to perform in at least 1 more season on domestic and A-tours level and then we will see how much he has in him to play for the main team.

 

[usmanraheel]

Play out the overs and make the bowlers tired would be my advise and of course bat first. If they start off with a SR of 30 then that's ok it will slowly get better for the batsmen.

Agreed brotha ! After negating the new ball, we need to capitalize and score as much as possible.

Sometimes the batsmen are so defensive that they forget to score haha

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Agreed brotha ! After negating the new ball, we need to capitalize and score as much as possible.

Sometimes the batsmen are so defensive that they forget to score haha

yep i reckon you can't be frightened by the opposition and i think the batting displayed by Fawad and Rohail showed that patience pays off. NZ will exhaust their resources and then look to part timers and the spin where most of our players will cash in, don't really rate Santner as a test bowler.