[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Pakistan intra-squad matches on tour of New Zealand

[MenInG]

Pakistan have opted to play a series of intra-squad matches in Queenstown from December 10-13 instead of the planned four-day game against New Zealand A, in order to maximise their preparation ahead of the T20 and Test series

 

[MenInG]

Videos and pic from the T20I intra squad game

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[MenInG]

Boys looking in good nick - hope tehy can get their full fitness restored

 

[Xoib]

How can an intra squad match replicates the intensity of NZL A side which would be an official first class game.

 

[Xoib]

There are 35 players in nzl right now they could have easily released 12 of them to play the A game vs NZL A and still had 22-23 players for their glorified net sessions.

 

[Ucdkee]

There are 35 players in nzl right now they could have easily released 12 of them to play the A game vs NZL A and still had 22-23 players for their glorified net sessions.

Common sense aur hamari team management ki apas mai banti nahe hai

 

[Xoib]

Common sense aur hamari team management ki apas mai banti nahe hai

Exactly.
A 100 or a fiver against NZ A by Hussain Talat or Hasnain would have given the team management an extra option come the tests who even keep track on these intra squad performance when they are like net sessions.

 

[guldozer]

Agree with xoib

 

[Xoib]

Exactly.
A 100 or a fiver against NZ A by Hussain Talat or Hasnain would have given the team management an extra option come the tests who even keep track on these intra squad performance when they are like net sessions.

Also the most likely reason they scrapped it as they would want less pressure for spots on incumbent test xi.

I am looking at you Azhar Ali, Yasir Sha and Abid Ali.

 

[zain7077]

Seems like Abdullah Shafique will definitely play.

 

[shah_1]

Seems like Abdullah Shafique will definitely play.

How are you so sure?

 

[zain7077]

How are you so sure?

He has been seen batting with Babar consistently in both the nets and intra squad games so far, suggesting they will be the two openers.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Abdullah Shafique smacked a bunch of bowlers for some pretty beautiful power shots in the video I saw. Bless him.

 

[KoyoAli]

He has been seen batting with Babar consistently in both the nets and intra squad games so far, suggesting they will be the two openers.

Yeah, Abdullah and Haidar are both sure starters. Who else will play in the absence of Fakhar. Hopefully, he makes this opportunity count.

 

[moghul]

Boys look well rested.

 

[zain7077]

Pretty sure that was Babar batting.

Abdullah uses blue Moonwalkr thigh guards, and white spikes.

That batsman hitting them looked like Babar to me.

Yes that was Babar but there was one hit over long on against Shadab in between those shots of Babar and that was Abdullah.

See Video in Post #1

 

[UzmanBeast]

Babar-Abdullah opening combination won't be bad from my standpoint, it's just the lack of left-handers in our top 6 that might raise some questions.

 

[Titan24]

Babar-Abdullah opening combination won't be bad from my standpoint, it's just the lack of left-handers in our top 6 that might raise some questions.

Yes its good to have left right combo but, thing is it cant be forced. Other than Fakhar and couple of players which have been told to improve fitness Sharjeel and Zeeshan, there are not much options for openers. Khusdil will be there in the middle and Imad down the order while Talat is in the suqad as well but, I dont see a lot of change in batting department unless there is a dead rubber.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Yes its good to have left right combo but, thing is it cant be forced. Other than Fakhar and couple of players which have been told to improve fitness Sharjeel and Zeeshan, there are not much options for openers. Khusdil will be there in the middle and Imad down the order while Talat is in the suqad as well but, I dont see a lot of change in batting department unless there is a dead rubber.

True, but playing against a quality left-arm quick in the form of Trent Boult will be tough for a top 6 of right-handers. New Zealand won't mind exploiting as many overs as possible early on with Trent just to get a breakthrough, so it's important for us to be mindful of this.

 

[Titan24]

True, but playing against a quality left-arm quick in the form of Trent Boult will be tough for a top 6 of right-handers. New Zealand won't mind exploiting as many overs as possible early on with Trent just to get a breakthrough, so it's important for us to be mindful of this.

Agreed. Boult didnt play T20s against WI so Pak management will have to see what team NZ announce and then develop their strategies accordingly.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Agreed. Boult didnt play T20s against WI so Pak management will have to see what team NZ announce and then develop their strategies accordingly.

This series against New Zealand, both T20I and Tests, is probably the last chance for players to show performances to back up their selections because the new chief selector will most likely cite this tour as a reason to drop/bring in players. The likes of Yasir Shah, Fawad Alam, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (T20I), and Sarfaraz Ahmed will need to put forth performances which will keep them in the team.

Rizwan will probably be given one final opportunity in the first T20I to show something, otherwise, Sarfaraz will reclaim his spot in the team, though only in white-ball cricket. Yasir Shah will be under pressure due to the fact that Shadab and Zafar are more than capable of taking over the spin department. Azhar Ali knows that he needs to prove that the century in England was not a one-time event. Shan Masood needs to keep performing, because as decent as his performances have been, his test stats are poor, to say the least. Fawad Alam was unable to contribute anything substantial against England, and will probably be tested to see if his technique can cope with these new conditions.

Whilst I wish all of these players the best of luck, the need of the team relies on the fact that everyone is backing their selection through performances. If they aren't, it is unfair to bench a domestic performer who could be what is missing from the team. Desperately hope that Misbah does NOT play a frontline spinner in the form of Yasir Shah on these dead wickets. Would be much better to play a 4th seamer, or Shadab Khan/Zafar Gohar than to play a frontline spinner.

 

[Titan24]

This series against New Zealand, both T20I and Tests, is probably the last chance for players to show performances to back up their selections because the new chief selector will most likely cite this tour as a reason to drop/bring in players. The likes of Yasir Shah, Fawad Alam, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (T20I), and Sarfaraz Ahmed will need to put forth performances which will keep them in the team.

Rizwan will probably be given one final opportunity in the first T20I to show something, otherwise, Sarfaraz will reclaim his spot in the team, though only in white-ball cricket. Yasir Shah will be under pressure due to the fact that Shadab and Zafar are more than capable of taking over the spin department. Azhar Ali knows that he needs to prove that the century in England was not a one-time event. Shan Masood needs to keep performing, because as decent as his performances have been, his test stats are poor, to say the least. Fawad Alam was unable to contribute anything substantial against England, and will probably be tested to see if his technique can cope with these new conditions.

Whilst I wish all of these players the best of luck, the need of the team relies on the fact that everyone is backing their selection through performances. If they aren't, it is unfair to bench a domestic performer who could be what is missing from the team. Desperately hope that Misbah does NOT play a frontline spinner in the form of Yasir Shah on these dead wickets. Would be much better to play a 4th seamer, or Shadab Khan/Zafar Gohar than to play a frontline spinner.

I agree with rest of the analysis but, Pak's bowling has been lacking penetration in the overseas conditions since the Aus tour due to inexperience and Yasir did well in England so I think he will be playing. Yes taking into account the last successful tour of Pak in NZ which was around 2011 and how Abdur Rehaman was the highest wicket taker, Zafar's selection should atleast be given a thought.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I agree with rest of the analysis but, Pak's bowling has been lacking penetration in the overseas conditions since the Aus tour due to inexperience and Yasir did well in England so I think he will be playing. Yes taking into account the last successful tour of Pak in NZ which was around 2011 and how Abdur Rehaman was the highest wicket taker, Zafar's selection should atleast be given a thought.

Though Yasir Shah performed well in England, we need to also sort between the needs of the team. Does the team NEED a frontline spinner in New Zealand, where pitches are green and pacy? The answer to that, according to most, would be no. However, that does not exclude the possibility of taking a spinner, who functions as an all-rounder. I'd pick Shadab Khan for his batting, and also because he can spin the ball both ways, though Zafar Gohar is a choice as well, who could give some better quality bowling.

Though our bowling has lacked penetration, I feel as though the primary reason for that is the fact that we play 3 pacers only. Had we played a fourth seamer, it might have turned out differently for us, especially if that fourth seamer can function as an all-rounder.

I wouldn't mind going into the first test match with the following squad -

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf/Amad Butt
Shaheen Shah
Mohammad Abbas
Naseem Shah

Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam should give enough overs of spin to suit our needs. The other fast bowlers will have to bowl around 20 overs per innings. The only reason I see to include a spinner is if our quicks get tired, but I feel as though a few overs of Fawad/Haris should be good enough.

If our top-order can consistently make good starts, we might even be available to the option of dropping Fawad Alam for someone like Shadab Khan, so that we can improve his batting ability and invest in him.

However, I don't know if Faheem Ashraf is the best choice for the fourth seamer option, because his returns with the ball haven't been very good in recent times. Amad Butt, if he was selected, should get the nod to play and show what he is capable of. If he can deliver, then he should be our fourth seamer outside Asia, though I don't think he is a technically solid batsman. This decision is for the management to determine, but what I know is that if our top order posts decent totals, it allows us to experiment with the lower-middle order and find a suitable combination in different conditions.

 

[Greenstorm]

Videos and pic from the T20I intra squad game

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View attachment 105111View attachment 105112View attachment 105113View attachment 105110

Stunning scenery !

After Pakistan, NZ and Ireland must be the most beautiful countries out there.

 

[Omer2002]

This series against New Zealand, both T20I and Tests, is probably the last chance for players to show performances to back up their selections because the new chief selector will most likely cite this tour as a reason to drop/bring in players. The likes of Yasir Shah, Fawad Alam, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (T20I), and Sarfaraz Ahmed will need to put forth performances which will keep them in the team.

Rizwan will probably be given one final opportunity in the first T20I to show something, otherwise, Sarfaraz will reclaim his spot in the team, though only in white-ball cricket. Yasir Shah will be under pressure due to the fact that Shadab and Zafar are more than capable of taking over the spin department. Azhar Ali knows that he needs to prove that the century in England was not a one-time event. Shan Masood needs to keep performing, because as decent as his performances have been, his test stats are poor, to say the least. Fawad Alam was unable to contribute anything substantial against England, and will probably be tested to see if his technique can cope with these new conditions.

Whilst I wish all of these players the best of luck, the need of the team relies on the fact that everyone is backing their selection through performances. If they aren't, it is unfair to bench a domestic performer who could be what is missing from the team. Desperately hope that Misbah does NOT play a frontline spinner in the form of Yasir Shah on these dead wickets. Would be much better to play a 4th seamer, or Shadab Khan/Zafar Gohar than to play a frontline spinner.

I agree for sure. Its a brave call but yasir shah will be useless in these conditions ss we can see thru windies series.

I also think playing 4 seamers mite be too much too but dropping yasir for shadab snd dropping faddy for faheem might be an option which is v risky but do able

 

[UzmanBeast]

I agree for sure. Its a brave call but yasir shah will be useless in these conditions ss we can see thru windies series.

I also think playing 4 seamers mite be too much too but dropping yasir for shadab snd dropping faddy for faheem might be an option which is v risky but do able

No need for a spinner on these pitches. Dropping Yasir Shah is the best way to make full use of the conditions available. Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam can both bowl maybe combined 10-15 overs if needed, but Yasir will just be wasting a spot and making our batting weaker. Shadab is a good batsman but not as "good" of a batsman statistically as Fawad Alam or Haris Sohail are.

 

[shamaan]

Exactly.
A 100 or a fiver against NZ A by Hussain Talat or Hasnain would have given the team management an extra option come the tests who even keep track on these intra squad performance when they are like net sessions.

Maybe they dont want an extra headache they want a nice and easy selection process

 

[shamaan]

Babar-Abdullah opening combination won't be bad from my standpoint, it's just the lack of left-handers in our top 6 that might raise some questions.

I would have liked haider to open with babar but i guess they playing the safer option against boul southee

 

[shamaan]

This series against New Zealand, both T20I and Tests, is probably the last chance for players to show performances to back up their selections because the new chief selector will most likely cite this tour as a reason to drop/bring in players. The likes of Yasir Shah, Fawad Alam, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (T20I), and Sarfaraz Ahmed will need to put forth performances which will keep them in the team.

Rizwan will probably be given one final opportunity in the first T20I to show something, otherwise, Sarfaraz will reclaim his spot in the team, though only in white-ball cricket. Yasir Shah will be under pressure due to the fact that Shadab and Zafar are more than capable of taking over the spin department. Azhar Ali knows that he needs to prove that the century in England was not a one-time event. Shan Masood needs to keep performing, because as decent as his performances have been, his test stats are poor, to say the least. Fawad Alam was unable to contribute anything substantial against England, and will probably be tested to see if his technique can cope with these new conditions.

Whilst I wish all of these players the best of luck, the need of the team relies on the fact that everyone is backing their selection through performances. If they aren't, it is unfair to bench a domestic performer who could be what is missing from the team. Desperately hope that Misbah does NOT play a frontline spinner in the form of Yasir Shah on these dead wickets. Would be much better to play a 4th seamer, or Shadab Khan/Zafar Gohar than to play a frontline spinner.

I agree yasir should not play he may get turn of last day of 4th day or 5th day but the test could be over by then so i would go with 5 man attack with shadab playing at 7 and 4 fast bowlers

 

[shamaan]

I agree with rest of the analysis but, Pak's bowling has been lacking penetration in the overseas conditions since the Aus tour due to inexperience and Yasir did well in England so I think he will be playing. Yes taking into account the last successful tour of Pak in NZ which was around 2011 and how Abdur Rehaman was the highest wicket taker, Zafar's selection should atleast be given a thought.

If yasir shah can hold a end up then yes play him but he cant do that hes to expensive so i would play shadab he offers way more with the bat

 

[shamaan]

Though Yasir Shah performed well in England, we need to also sort between the needs of the team. Does the team NEED a frontline spinner in New Zealand, where pitches are green and pacy? The answer to that, according to most, would be no. However, that does not exclude the possibility of taking a spinner, who functions as an all-rounder. I'd pick Shadab Khan for his batting, and also because he can spin the ball both ways, though Zafar Gohar is a choice as well, who could give some better quality bowling.

Though our bowling has lacked penetration, I feel as though the primary reason for that is the fact that we play 3 pacers only. Had we played a fourth seamer, it might have turned out differently for us, especially if that fourth seamer can function as an all-rounder.

I wouldn't mind going into the first test match with the following squad -

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf/Amad Butt
Shaheen Shah
Mohammad Abbas
Naseem Shah

Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam should give enough overs of spin to suit our needs. The other fast bowlers will have to bowl around 20 overs per innings. The only reason I see to include a spinner is if our quicks get tired, but I feel as though a few overs of Fawad/Haris should be good enough.

If our top-order can consistently make good starts, we might even be available to the option of dropping Fawad Alam for someone like Shadab Khan, so that we can improve his batting ability and invest in him.

However, I don't know if Faheem Ashraf is the best choice for the fourth seamer option, because his returns with the ball haven't been very good in recent times. Amad Butt, if he was selected, should get the nod to play and show what he is capable of. If he can deliver, then he should be our fourth seamer outside Asia, though I don't think he is a technically solid batsman. This decision is for the management to determine, but what I know is that if our top order posts decent totals, it allows us to experiment with the lower-middle order and find a suitable combination in different conditions.

If your stating that shadab khan spin the ball both ways does that mean you expect the pitch to spin ?.

I think its a battle between haris sohail and fawad for 1 position i also think shadab should play as a batting all rounder my line up would be

Shan masood
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Harris/fawad
Rizwan
Shadab
Fahim dont see butt getting chance
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

4 seemers 1 batting all rounder in shadab haris can bowl decent 10-15 overs

 

[shamaan]

What was the scores of the intra match?

 

[hitthestump]

Does Misbah have the guts to go without Yasir? One of Pakistan's only consistent match winners with the ball.

I agree for squad balance its better to go with 4 pacers and Shadab as the lone spinner, but tbh i'm not sure whether Yasir is dropabble when Misbah is in charge.

 

[RickyG]

If your stating that shadab khan spin the ball both ways does that mean you expect the pitch to spin ?.

I think its a battle between haris sohail and fawad for 1 position i also think shadab should play as a batting all rounder my line up would be

Shan masood
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Harris/fawad
Rizwan
Shadab
Fahim dont see butt getting chance
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

4 seemers 1 batting all rounder in shadab haris can bowl decent 10-15 overs

They could also go with someone like Hussain Talat as the all-rounder instead of Shadab. If he can swing seam the ball then even better. He along with Fawad/Harris can offer a 5th bowling option. I would also in that case opt for Amad Butt over Faheem Ashraf.

Although there may not be much between Amad and Faheem but Amad seems to be a better bowler.

 

[RickyG]

Does Misbah have the guts to go without Yasir? One of Pakistan's only consistent match winners with the ball.

I agree for squad balance its better to go with 4 pacers and Shadab as the lone spinner, but tbh i'm not sure whether Yasir is dropabble when Misbah is in charge.

I really hope Yasir does not play. If the wickets don't offer turn he is a liability. Harris and Fawad will give you control that Yasir will not.

 

[shamaan]

They could also go with someone like Hussain Talat as the all-rounder instead of Shadab. If he can swing seam the ball then even better. He along with Fawad/Harris can offer a 5th bowling option. I would also in that case opt for Amad Butt over Faheem Ashraf.

Although there may not be much between Amad and Faheem but Amad seems to be a better bowler.

I think talat wont get a chance hes a good batter but bowling wise he is proberly below fahim even thou hes not in the best off form. Atleast with fahim he can be the workhorse alongside abbas.as for butt lets see how he does in the shaheens hes ok bowler and ok batter.

 

[Zeshan547]

If your stating that shadab khan spin the ball both ways does that mean you expect the pitch to spin ?.

I think its a battle between haris sohail and fawad for 1 position i also think shadab should play as a batting all rounder my line up would be

Shan masood
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Harris/fawad
Rizwan
Shadab
Fahim dont see butt getting chance
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

4 seemers 1 batting all rounder in shadab haris can bowl decent 10-15 overs

Ideal team, but I would just swap Imam with Abid, who was complete dud in England, in Aisa Abid can be worked with but outside imam would be better even if not by much. Just don't play Yasir for goodness sake but considering Misbah is in charge, Yasir is the first name on team sheet, even if it's most illogical selection.

 

[shamaan]

Ideal team, but I would just swap Imam with Abid, who was complete dud in England, in Aisa Abid can be worked with but outside imam would be better even if not by much. Just don't play Yasir for goodness sake but considering Misbah is in charge, Yasir is the first name on team sheet, even if it's most illogical selection.

I think even thou abid didnt have the best of series i would give him the new Zealand series atleast then he cant complain about not getting enough opportunities.as for imaam hes a good player but hes game against the short ball makes me worry and if its just by not much then i would defonitely stick with abid.i think misbah will play him but lets waite and see if he doesnt get picked i think that babar m8ght have had a say

 

[aloo paratha]

I would go with:

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Talat
Rizwan
Shadab
Shaheen
Naseem
Abbas

You could play Amad or Faheem instead of Talat and slide whichever in at 8. Yasir will be useless in NZ. Shadab will likely score decently. I'd go with Talat because his batting form has been great and he's still good enough to bowl 10ish overs a day.

 

[zacattakk]

What a beautiful place to play cricket!

 

[RickyG]

I think talat wont get a chance hes a good batter but bowling wise he is proberly below fahim even thou hes not in the best off form. Atleast with fahim he can be the workhorse alongside abbas.as for butt lets see how he does in the shaheens hes ok bowler and ok batter.

Yea he would be a batting all-rounder and bat at 6. I think his medium pace bowling might find someone successful but he would obviously be a 5th choice bowler. For the 4th bowling option I would go with the best bowler out of Butt, Faheem, Shadab, Yasir etc. Butt is probably the best option.

 

[MenInG]

Pictures of training and game being played

 

[MenInG]

Videos of Pakistan intra-squad game

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<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/qnk3ed" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[UzmanBeast]

I agree yasir should not play he may get turn of last day of 4th day or 5th day but the test could be over by then so i would go with 5 man attack with shadab playing at 7 and 4 fast bowlers

There isn't even a need to play Shadab if both Fawad and Haris are playing. Both offer decent overs of left-arm spin. I'd rather have one more batsman than have a spin-bowling all-rounder in SENA, because having a complete batsman could allow the fourth seamer to be an actual seamer, not an all-rounder. It is a risk, but it could also work.

 

[UzmanBeast]

If your stating that shadab khan spin the ball both ways does that mean you expect the pitch to spin ?.

I think its a battle between haris sohail and fawad for 1 position i also think shadab should play as a batting all rounder my line up would be

Shan masood
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Harris/fawad
Rizwan
Shadab
Fahim dont see butt getting chance
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

4 seemers 1 batting all rounder in shadab haris can bowl decent 10-15 overs

I mentioned Shadab in case the pitches against West Indies showed signs of spin, but otherwise, I wouldn't play him unless someone like Fawad Alam flopped miserably in the first test match.

 

[MenInG]

More pictures:

 

[ataullah]

Second T20 Practice Match.

Pakistan Greens 150-8 (20 overs)
M. Hafeez 48
B. Azam (C) 40

Wickets
S. Afridi 6

Revised Target 175

Pakistan Whites 160-8 (20 overs)

Z. Malik 50
H. Ali 45
A. Shafiq 35

Wickets
W. Riaz 2
U. Qadir 2
I. Wasim 2

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Second T20 Practice Match.

Pakistan Greens 150-8 (20 overs)
M. Hafeez 48
B. Azam (C) 40

Wickets
S. Afridi 6

Revised Target 175

Pakistan Whites 160-8 (20 overs)

Z. Malik 50
H. Ali 45
A. Shafiq 35

Wickets
W. Riaz 2
U. Qadir 2
I. Wasim 2

Wickets, Shaheen Afridi 6?

 

[shah_1]

Shaheen has taken 6 wickets

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Greens win the 2nd T20 practice game in Queenstown

Pakistan Greens made 150/8 in 20

Mohammad Hafeez made 48 and Babar Azam made 40 runs

Shaheen Shah Afridi took 6 wickets

Pakistan Whites were given a revised target of 175 runs in 20 overs

Pakistan Whites made 160/8 in 20 overs

Zeeshan Malik made 50, Haider Ali made 45 and Abdullah Shafique was out for 35

Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir and Imad Wasim took 2 wickets each

 

[Titan24]

Though Yasir Shah performed well in England, we need to also sort between the needs of the team. Does the team NEED a frontline spinner in New Zealand, where pitches are green and pacy? The answer to that, according to most, would be no. However, that does not exclude the possibility of taking a spinner, who functions as an all-rounder. I'd pick Shadab Khan for his batting, and also because he can spin the ball both ways, though Zafar Gohar is a choice as well, who could give some better quality bowling.

Though our bowling has lacked penetration, I feel as though the primary reason for that is the fact that we play 3 pacers only. Had we played a fourth seamer, it might have turned out differently for us, especially if that fourth seamer can function as an all-rounder.

I wouldn't mind going into the first test match with the following squad -

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf/Amad Butt
Shaheen Shah
Mohammad Abbas
Naseem Shah

Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam should give enough overs of spin to suit our needs. The other fast bowlers will have to bowl around 20 overs per innings. The only reason I see to include a spinner is if our quicks get tired, but I feel as though a few overs of Fawad/Haris should be good enough.

If our top-order can consistently make good starts, we might even be available to the option of dropping Fawad Alam for someone like Shadab Khan, so that we can improve his batting ability and invest in him.

However, I don't know if Faheem Ashraf is the best choice for the fourth seamer option, because his returns with the ball haven't been very good in recent times. Amad Butt, if he was selected, should get the nod to play and show what he is capable of. If he can deliver, then he should be our fourth seamer outside Asia, though I don't think he is a technically solid batsman. This decision is for the management to determine, but what I know is that if our top order posts decent totals, it allows us to experiment with the lower-middle order and find a suitable combination in different conditions.

I also think that 5 man bowling attack is the need of the hour in NZ and in that combination I wont mind if Yasir doesnt play considering the kind of conditions which have been on display against WI but, not sure if its likely with the current management.

I have been vocal on the forum against the idea of playing frontline leggies in SENA which almost no other country does other than Pakistan but, then nobody plays so inexperienced (Even at FC level) bowling attack as well, looks like current management tries to create a combination of two wrongs into one right. So under those circumstances Yasir appears to be the saviour in that inexperienced attack which in reality is obviously not the right way to go about things from the very start. You need pacers performing to win series in SENA and spinners need to support with good economy.

Your XI is good, as 4th frontline seamer it should be Amad Butt considering the form he has been in and then in place of Fawad I would prefer Shadab Khan. Another combination would be to have Hussain Talat as batting all rounder in that 5th bowler (Medium pacers are reasonably effective in NZ) role while three front line fast bowlers are rotated around him along with maybe Zafar Gohar who can try to hold one end.

Combination (A)

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Shadab Khan
Amad Butt
Shaheen Shah
Naseem Shah/ Sohail Khan
Mohammad Abbas

Combination (B)

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam (C)
Haris Sohail
Hussain Talat
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Zafar Gohar/ Yasir Shah
Shaheen Shah
Naseem Shah/ Amad Butt/ Sohail Khan
Mohammad Abbas

Both of them give 5 bowling options and batting capability till no 8. Though I wont be surprised of Yasir is played as the main spinner. Also Fawad doesnt seem to be suitable for no 6 as per any decent combination in NZ but, then again anything can happen.

 

[Xoib]

I also think that 5 man bowling attack is the need of the hour in NZ and in that combination I wont mind if Yasir doesnt play considering the kind of conditions which have been on display against WI but, not sure if its likely with the current management.

I have been vocal on the forum against the idea of playing frontline leggies in SENA which almost no other country does other than Pakistan but, then nobody plays so inexperienced (Even at FC level) bowling attack as well, looks like current management tries to create a combination of two wrongs into one right. So under those circumstances Yasir appears to be the saviour in that inexperienced attack which in reality is obviously not the right way to go about things from the very start. You need pacers performing to win series in SENA and spinners need to support with good economy.

Your XI is good, as 4th frontline seamer it should be Amad Butt considering the form he has been in and then in place of Fawad I would prefer Shadab Khan. Another combination would be to have Hussain Talat as batting all rounder in that 5th bowler (Medium pacers are reasonably effective in NZ) role while three front line fast bowlers are rotated around him along with maybe Zafar Gohar who can try to hold one end.

Combination (A)

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Shadab Khan
Amad Butt
Shaheen Shah
Naseem Shah/ Sohail Khan
Mohammad Abbas

Combination (B)

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam (C)
Haris Sohail
Hussain Talat
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Zafar Gohar/ Yasir Shah
Shaheen Shah
Naseem Shah/ Amad Butt/ Sohail Khan
Mohammad Abbas

Both of them give 5 bowling options and batting capability till no 8. Though I wont be surprised of Yasir is played as the main spinner. Also Fawad doesnt seem to be suitable for no 6 as per any decent combination in NZ but, then again anything can happen.

I like the idea of Talat as 4th seamer as it allows us to keep Yasir in the mix not to mention he is a better bat then Shadab but can he give you 10-15 overs a day?

 

[UzmanBeast]

I also think that 5 man bowling attack is the need of the hour in NZ and in that combination I wont mind if Yasir doesnt play considering the kind of conditions which have been on display against WI but, not sure if its likely with the current management.

I have been vocal on the forum against the idea of playing frontline leggies in SENA which almost no other country does other than Pakistan but, then nobody plays so inexperienced (Even at FC level) bowling attack as well, looks like current management tries to create a combination of two wrongs into one right. So under those circumstances Yasir appears to be the saviour in that inexperienced attack which in reality is obviously not the right way to go about things from the very start. You need pacers performing to win series in SENA and spinners need to support with good economy.

Your XI is good, as 4th frontline seamer it should be Amad Butt considering the form he has been in and then in place of Fawad I would prefer Shadab Khan. Another combination would be to have Hussain Talat as batting all rounder in that 5th bowler (Medium pacers are reasonably effective in NZ) role while three front line fast bowlers are rotated around him along with maybe Zafar Gohar who can try to hold one end.

Combination (A)

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Shadab Khan
Amad Butt
Shaheen Shah
Naseem Shah/ Sohail Khan
Mohammad Abbas

Combination (B)

Shan Masood
Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam (C)
Haris Sohail
Hussain Talat
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Zafar Gohar/ Yasir Shah
Shaheen Shah
Naseem Shah/ Amad Butt/ Sohail Khan
Mohammad Abbas

Both of them give 5 bowling options and batting capability till no 8. Though I wont be surprised of Yasir is played as the main spinner. Also Fawad doesnt seem to be suitable for no 6 as per any decent combination in NZ but, then again anything can happen.

I like combination B better to be fair, and I still wouldn't play Yasir Shah. I'd opt for Zafar Gohar who can bowl controlled overs and also given the fact that most of New Zealand's squad is right-handed batsmen.

Hussain Talat could be a reasonable bowling option, and we should figure this out from the Shaheens games. If not, I think Amad Butt deserves a call-up, and he could play in place of Zafar Gohar/Yasir Shah. It could also be possible to go into the game with Haris Sohail being the sole spinner, but it is always better to take a spinner who functions as an all-rounder, which is why I'd go with Shadab because of his batting for Hussain Talat.

 

[shamaan]

There isn't even a need to play Shadab if both Fawad and Haris are playing. Both offer decent overs of left-arm spin. I'd rather have one more batsman than have a spin-bowling all-rounder in SENA, because having a complete batsman could allow the fourth seamer to be an actual seamer, not an all-rounder. It is a risk, but it could also work.

I have included shadab becouse he can attack when batting fawad and sohail will take time to settle and they will go at less than 40 strike rate.i dont see shadab as a spin bowling all rounder i see him as a batting all rounder in tests. Shadab and fahim can combine runns and wickets

 

[JibranAnsari]

I have included shadab becouse he can attack when batting fawad and sohail will take time to settle and they will go at less than 40 strike rate.i dont see shadab as a spin bowling all rounder i see him as a batting all rounder in tests. Shadab and fahim can combine runns and wickets

shadab only gives illusion of attack , he actually isnt good at accelerating.

 

[shamaan]

I mentioned Shadab in case the pitches against West Indies showed signs of spin, but otherwise, I wouldn't play him unless someone like Fawad Alam flopped miserably in the first test match.

If it showed spin then we should play gohar if it doesnt then its shadab.we need a 5 man attack we complain about bowlers getting overused or getting injured.we can only win this test if we take wickets.

 

[shamaan]

shadab only gives illusion of attack , he actually isnt good at accelerating.

Strike rate of 62 in tests is not to bad

 

[JibranAnsari]

Strike rate of 62 in tests is not to bad

The sample is too small. You can only get idea of his sr by looking at a good sample in odis.

 

[shady]

shadab only gives illusion of attack , he actually isnt good at accelerating.

He's good at attacking by creating urgency between the wickets and putting the fielding side under pressure, not necessarily playing big shots.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Shadab can't bat or bowl. He is an awful player especially in tests. Can't believe people want him in the test XI.

 

[JibranAnsari]

He's good at attacking by creating urgency between the wickets and putting the fielding side under pressure, not necessarily playing big shots.

Not really , he needs to improve his bowling. Not a batting all rounder.

 

[Xoib]

The sample is too small. You can only get idea of his sr by looking at a good sample in odis.

Attacking batsman in tests is different like Sarfraz he is not a power hitter but can change the tempo of a test inning by going at 70-80 Sr

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

In hindsight, that forced confinement in rooms may have helped Pakistan players more than practice matches.

They have been on the go for months. This was complete physical rest. We will see how it helps them but I do think it will.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Attacking batsman in tests is different like Sarfraz he is not a power hitter but can change the tempo of a test inning by going at 70-80 Sr

He has a good strike rate in odis too. Shadab doesnt have that.

 

[aloo paratha]

I would go with this

Abid
Shan
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Talat
Rizwan
Shadab
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem

Solid batting until #8. Shadab will be a better spin option because on pitches that hardly turn, variation is needed. Yasir can only bowl leg spin, so he'll be useless on these pitches. Obviously Shadab is a much better batsman as well.

 

[aloo paratha]

He has a good strike rate in odis too. Shadab doesnt have that.

Why would you judge his strike rate for tests using his strike rate in ODIs?

 

[KoyoAli]

Shadab can't bat or bowl. He is an awful player especially in tests. Can't believe people want him in the test XI.

Please don't make ignorant posts that make no sense. Shadab has an excellent batting record in Test cricket that too in difficult conditions against good bowling.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Please don't make ignorant posts that make no sense. Shadab has an excellent batting record in Test cricket that too in difficult conditions against good bowling.

In my eyes he’s still a limited overs player.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Why would you judge his strike rate for tests using his strike rate in ODIs?

There is no good sample of measurement at the moment. He lacks time when playing his shots , he is not good enough to be a batting allrounder.

He needs to improve his bowling control to be effective in test cricket , his batting comes second. No., he cant turn into steve smith.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Shaheens are playing their 2nd intra-squad practice game today

2 Teams are being lead by Azhar Ali and Rohail Nazir

Azhar Ali won the toss and elected to bat first

Also, Pakistan T20 squad players are carrying out optional training - the idea of optional training is to allow bowlers to get some rest

During this optional session, T20 players have done net sessions and also fielding practice

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Shaheens are playing their 2nd intra-squad practice game today

2 Teams are being lead by Azhar Ali and Rohail Nazir

Azhar Ali won the toss and elected to bat first

Also, Pakistan T20 squad players are carrying out optional training - the idea of optional training is to allow bowlers to get some rest

During this optional session, T20 players have done net sessions and also fielding practice

Shaheen pictures and videos

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 100.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/r2493x" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Shaheens are playing their 2nd intra-squad practice game today

2 Teams are being lead by Azhar Ali and Rohail Nazir

Azhar Ali won the toss and elected to bat first

Also, Pakistan T20 squad players are carrying out optional training - the idea of optional training is to allow bowlers to get some rest

During this optional session, T20 players have done net sessions and also fielding practice

T20I squad practice Pictures and Videos

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/8b9q4k" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[shamaan]

The sample is too small. You can only get idea of his sr by looking at a good sample in odis.

Cant look at odi he proberly only gets a few overs to hit in odis stil got to look at the test and see whos he been up against i belive 2 50s came against england which is decent for someone batting down the order ans starting off his career in tests

 

[JibranAnsari]

Cant look at odi he proberly only gets a few overs to hit in odis stil got to look at the test and see whos he been up against i belive 2 50s came against england which is decent for someone batting down the order ans starting off his career in tests

Still diesnt warrant him a place as a battong all rounder , his bowling needs to be good. Cant have someone averaging 40 with the ball @economy close to 4 and average 27 with the bat.

Remember you have to take all 20 wickets to win a test match. If you are not a wicket taker you sbould at least be able to contain the opposition.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Cant look at odi he proberly only gets a few overs to hit in odis stil got to look at the test and see whos he been up against i belive 2 50s came against england which is decent for someone batting down the order ans starting off his career in tests

plus too.much T20 cricket has affected his bowling a lot im adverse way , he needs to get his flight and turn back. He is too flat these days.

 

[Snowflake]

Our batters look uncomfortable even in the nets

Look at the videos of how Aussies or even the Indians bat in the nets; they are smashing the ball like there's no tomorrow!

The gulf is so wide that it's not even funny anymore.

 

[MenInG]

Day 1 of Pakistan Shaheens intra-squad game has been completed.

At close of play, the Azhar Ali XI have made 198/3 in 75 overs.

Wickets to fall were Shan Masood (65), Abid Ali (36) and Azhar Ali (25)

Haris Sohail (32*) and Fawad Alam (31*) are the not out batsmen.

Naseem Shah, Yasir Shah and Zafar Gohar have taken one wicket apiece.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Bowl off between Yasir Shah and Zafar Gohar, potentially?

Azhar’s form is concerning.

 

[MenInG]

Bowl off between Yasir Shah and Zafar Gohar, potentially?

Azhar’s form is concerning.

Seems like a slow and steady approach being prepared for the series.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Day 1 of Pakistan Shaheens intra-squad game has been completed.

At close of play, the Azhar Ali XI have made 198/3 in 75 overs.

Wickets to fall were Shan Masood (65), Abid Ali (36) and Azhar Ali (25)

Haris Sohail (32*) and Fawad Alam (31*) are the not out batsmen.

Naseem Shah, Yasir Shah and Zafar Gohar have taken one wicket apiece.

Would like to see Imam and Talat scoring a hundred