Players to watch in PSL 2020 (with T20 World Cup in mind)

[Officer Barbrady]

We still have some potential spots open in the Pakistan team for the upcoming World Cup. Here are the players to watch - the ones who I think could find their way into the team with strong performances:

Fakhar Zaman, Sharjeel Khan (opener(s))
Khushdil Shah, Rizwan Hussain, Zeeshan Ashraf (hard-hitting middle order bat)
Amad Butt (fast bowling all-rounder needed for Aussie conditions)
Umer Khan, Mohammed Mohsin (spinners)


Of the lot if an opener, middle order bat and a spinner can really stand out this PSL it may go ways in strengthening the Pak 11 that ultimately starts in the World Cup.

Any others to watch for?

 

[Titan24]

I guess you have covered the names pretty well considering the positions to compete for in Pak team. Just to add Zeeshan Ashraf opens as well as he did in National T20 cup 2nd xi so we will have to see how MS utilizes him as they have mentioned that they were keen on Zeeshan because he can bat at different positions.

I would add:

Hasan Ali (High chance of him making a comeback to Pak side if he shows some form though competition is a lot more than before his injury)

Hussain Talat (Had a really good National T20 cup so he can impress and come into radar again)

Rumman Raees (Really good white ball baller coming back after injury but there is obviously high competition currently in Pak squad and all will depend upon the opportunities he gets)

Other than these and the ones you have covered someone else will first need to get few opportunities and perform exceptionally well.

 

[squanchy]

Mohammed Mohsin is a really exciting player

Amad Butt has also shown considerable improvement

I think the most important finds will be:
1) Fast bowling allrounder
2) Hard hitting batsman

Those are the options lacking in the Pakistan team.

Was Muhammad Harris picked? He was an exciting watch.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

Agree Hasan Ali and Rumman could come into contention though there is a lot of competition. Not sure Rumman will start for Isb though?

Talat struggled against spin. He will need to prove he has improved on that to be considered again

Sarfraz is another who could make a claim since Rizwan hasn’t solidified his spot in T20.

 

[Forum363]

I think with Shaheen, Rauf, Naseem, Hasnain firing and Amir almost certain to be back with Musa and Wahab likely selections too, the fast bowling is pretty stacked for now.

Unless they have an outrageous PSL, Rumman and Hasan Ali can't do much. Hasan should work on his batting though, he has talent and regularly hitting cameos could help him leap frog the others.

There is definitely a space for an opener (shootout between Fakhar and Sharjeel) and then if Shadab continues his poor performance, he could be replaced with another spinner or fast bowling all rounder.

Rest of the lineup is fixed unfortunately, Misbah is not changing his oldies middle order even if they have a terrible PSL.

Babar
Opener
Hafeez
Iftikhar
Malik
Rizwan
Imad
Shadab / Hammad Butt / Other spinner / Hasan Ali as an outside chance
Amir / Hasnain
Shaheen
Rauf

 

[The Viper]

An opener is a requirement - Sharjeel has a great chance to show he still has it.

 

[Red Devil]

We desperately need some good strikers in our lineup.

It was depressing seeing the South African and English batsmen clear the boundary for fun the other day.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Sharjeel Khan, Ammad Butt, Naseem Shah, Haider Ali (if he is playing), Mohammad Haris Khan (not sure of he's playing either) and Umer Khan.

 

[IAJ]

We desperately need some good strikers in our lineup.

It was depressing seeing the South African and English batsmen clear the boundary for fun the other day.

Very important that Sharjeel hits form and hopefully Hassan Ali can take his cricket serious now. If he can bowl well again that would be a great plus as he is a very handy batsman down the order.

 

[ameemlutfi]

The keeper slot is up in the air too. Sarfaraz, kamran, or even zeeshan ashraf can get a place in the worldcup squad. I am most excited about the growing competition between fast bowlers . Shaheen, naseem, rauf, hasnain, wahab, aamir, raees, hasan, irfan, akif, musa and tanvir-- all have a chance if they end up with a great psl.

 

[shah_1]

PSL cannot fix our batting woes. We are still looking forward to Sharjeel after him being 3 years away from cricket shows lack of quality batsmen in Pakistan

 

[Rellu_Katta]

i am disappointed that no1 picked Abid Ali in their teams..... He looks like an aggressive player who wants to get on with his game. I know he isnt a 150+ striker but he is def a 125-130 striker which isnt tht bad.

problem is that we have to play the guys with walking stick in their hands... the curse of malik n hafeez

Ammad, Khushdil, Iffti Chacha, Mhd. Moshin, M.Hussnain, Umer Khan, all have a good chance

one shld pray tht Rahat Ali and Sohail Tanveer have a bad PSL, along with Umar Akmal and Ahmad Shahzad, bcz the garbage-man would not take a milli-second to bring them back

 

[khurram39]

Can Sharjeel be the the part of Pakistan team, if he looks well and scored well?

good names covered here.

Khushdil, Asif Ali, Haris Rauf, Ammad But, Hussain Talat, Hassan Ali, Rumman Raees, Ahsan,

 

[khurram39]

i am disappointed that no1 picked Abid Ali in their teams..... He looks like an aggressive player who wants to get on with his game. I know he isnt a 150+ striker but he is def a 125-130 striker which isnt tht bad.

problem is that we have to play the guys with walking stick in their hands... the curse of malik n hafeez

Ammad, Khushdil, Iffti Chacha, Mhd. Moshin, M.Hussnain, Umer Khan, all have a good chance

one shld pray tht Rahat Ali and Sohail Tanveer have a bad PSL, along with Umar Akmal and Ahmad Shahzad, bcz the garbage-man would not take a milli-second to bring them back

Good, I like the spirit.

 

[Omer2002]

mohammed mohsin is i am after i have not seen his batting capabilities but they cant be worse than shadab surely

 

[last_knight]

Still want Nawaz to replace Shadab. Hoping that he impresses in this edition.

 

[minamino]

Nawaz is a good bowler but his batting is terrible. He needs to improve his batting. Otherwise I think he can do better than Shadab as a bowler.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

i m looking forward to see umer khan umar akmal mohammad hasnain wahab riaz hassan ali

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Don't think that PSL should be the selection criteria but it's the closest to international cricket that it can get for most players so unfortunately the trend will continue.

 

[shamaan]

Openers
Sharjeel,fakhar,kamran akmal,haider ali?
Middle over
Zeeshan ashraf,khushdil shah,rizwan hussain,umar akmal,
All rounders
Ammad butt,yamin,
Spinners
Umer khan,Mohammed Mohsin,usman qadir? Nawaz
Fast bowlers
Hassan ali,wahab,naseem,shaheen

 

[ARK Rafay]

I guess you have covered the names pretty well considering the positions to compete for in Pak team. Just to add Zeeshan Ashraf opens as well as he did in National T20 cup 2nd xi so we will have to see how MS utilizes him as they have mentioned that they were keen on Zeeshan because he can bat at different positions.

I was about to say the same thing.

 

[aloo paratha]

Ammad Butt
Sharjeel Khan
Haider Ali
Umer Khan

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Sharjeel vs Fakhar will be the primary battle to make it to the team. Ahsan Ali is a wild card here, has to be better than both of these two to retain his place.

If both Sharjeel and Fakhar perform, Sharjeel will make it to the team given Falhar’s consistent struggles. Only hope for Fakhar is if the other two don’t perform and Fakhar does, which is very unlikely.

Sharjeel will automatically get in if he performs, given Misbah’s selection policies so far. One opener spot is open and we desperately need an aggressive striker at a 140-160 SR to complement Babar’s more calm and casual start to the innings at 130-140.

Wild card pick here is Haider Ali if Zalmi give him a long enough run, which doesn’t seem likely as they have Kamran, Imam, Banton already in line for the opener position.

Therefore, for me the only player worth watching is Sharjeel. His performance will make or break not only his chances, but also the chances of all the other potential opener options.

I also have my eye on Amad Butt and Khushdil Shah who need to both perform with the bat (not the ball) to cement their place in the Pakistan side. They are both excellent lower order hitters, and will be very valuable for the t20 world cup. Mohammad Nawaz would also be an interesting pick if he performs.

Amir will need to perform to prove his way back onto the team as spearhead for an excellent new attack that could very well comprise of

Shaheen
Rauf
Amad
Hasnain
Shadab

with no space for Amir if he doesn’t become one of the top 5 wicket takers of this tournament. Wahab also has a similar point to prove, but is far less likely to make it to the team now that we have Rauf who is a lock for the World T20 given his BBL performance. For this reason I am not following him. Shaheen already has a place in the t20 team but an excellent PSL will guarantee his spot in Australia.

These are the main players with a point to prove. I will also be following Hafeez and Malik, as them not performing will mean they will probably be dropped after a series or two to free up space for the WC, with this space being given to Khushdil and Amad probably. However, even if they perform a little bit, they will end up being retained completely which will be disappointing.

To summarize, these are the players we should be watching (no one else has a chance of making it to the team, even if they end up leading wicket taker or run scorer):
Sharjeel Khan
Amad Butt
Khushdil Shah
M Nawaz
M Amir
Shaheen Afridi

If any of them provide a standout performance, you can bet your buck they are going to play in Australia.

 

[ZamanFan]

I hope I'm wrong but I don't see any performer from PSL playing for Pakistan this year.

It was former chairman Najam Sethi's policy to induct PSL performers into the team. Current chairman Ehsan Mani had supported Inzamam to ignore PSL players last year and now with a more worse and biased dictator-like character in Misbah I don't have any expectation he'll replace or bring reserves for Shoaib Malik, Iftikhar and Hafeez before WT20.

Sharjeel also looks doubtful to be given opportunity to play for Pakistan team this year.

PCB mafia's favorite problem child U. Akmal or Ahmed Shehzad might get a chance if they perform. Misbah's sole purpose is to dismantle the 2017 Arthur side, so Fakhar Zaman and Asif Ali also won't be selected again however they perform.

Only Faheem Ashraf can return if he performs with the bowl. This is it, Misbah will never allow any changes in the Pakistan team across all formats.

 

[NauV]

Thinking about the world cup, there are a few spots up for grabs . . but I am going to point out 2 extremely important ones . .

1.) All rounder . . Please please please . . I hope some all rounder has an block buster tournament . . Because Faheem Ashraf is NOT an all rounder, and he will be on that trip if no one else performs (because he most likely will take a few wickets) . . Amad Butt, Hussain Talat, et al. I really hope they have great tournaments . . Heck, I will even take Billawal Bhatti over Faheem Ashraf for his far superior batting ability

2.) Opener . . The guy who played the last few games isn't up to it and will never be! Ahsan Ali . . Really important for Fakhar, Sharjeel, etc. to have great tournaments . . I suggested on another thread too, I would even hope that Sarfaraz opens the innings for Quetta. I would have him as our opener in the WOrld t20 . . because A.) he is a better t20 batsman than rizwan and B.) it opens up a spot down the order . . but I don't think sarfaraz will do that

 

[ZamanFan]

[MENTION=141847]NauV[/MENTION]

However they perform in PSL, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Sarfaraz Ahmed will not play for Pakistan this year. Misbah will never allow them back.


You'll see Hafeez and Malik in the WT20 and if Misbah gets his way you would see U. Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad in the team also.

Amad Butt is a match winner player but Misbah wants a bowler on no. 7 who bats a bit. Faheem is the most likely candidate for that slot.

 

[Danyaalr01]

[MENTION=141847]NauV[/MENTION]

However they perform in PSL, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Sarfaraz Ahmed will not play for Pakistan this year. Misbah will never allow them back.


You'll see Hafeez and Malik in the WT20 and if Misbah gets his way you would see U. Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad in the team also.

Amad Butt is a match winner player but Misbah wants a bowler on no. 7 who bats a bit. Faheem is the most likely candidate for that slot.

But Faheem can't bat a bit. He may be alright in test cricket. But not in white ball cricket.

 

[The Viper]

Thinking about the world cup, there are a few spots up for grabs . . but I am going to point out 2 extremely important ones . .

1.) All rounder . . Please please please . . I hope some all rounder has an block buster tournament . . Because Faheem Ashraf is NOT an all rounder, and he will be on that trip if no one else performs (because he most likely will take a few wickets) . . Amad Butt, Hussain Talat, et al. I really hope they have great tournaments . . Heck, I will even take Billawal Bhatti over Faheem Ashraf for his far superior batting ability

2.) Opener . . The guy who played the last few games isn't up to it and will never be! Ahsan Ali . . Really important for Fakhar, Sharjeel, etc. to have great tournaments . . I suggested on another thread too, I would even hope that Sarfaraz opens the innings for Quetta. I would have him as our opener in the WOrld t20 . . because A.) he is a better t20 batsman than rizwan and B.) it opens up a spot down the order . . but I don't think sarfaraz will do that

Yes, Sarfaraz opening is very unlikely when Quetta have Roy/Watson/Ahsan as options. Regardless, i think Sarfaraz can get back in the team if he scores runs from the middle order as Rizwan has not really impressed in the T20 format.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Khushdil Shah definitely.

Once he fires, he becomes a beast

 

[Ibad17]

If Kamran Akmal performs as he does usually in PSL tournaments, he should be selected as a specialist batsman opening with Babar Azam in T20 WC

 

[last_knight]

Nawaz is a good bowler but his batting is terrible. He needs to improve his batting. Otherwise I think he can do better than Shadab as a bowler.

I hope you are watching him bat atm.

Nawaz should be in team ahead of Shadab.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

One game in its Azam Khan starring who curiously had not been mentioned. Husnain also had a great game but he’s already in the Pak team

 

[Mobashir]

If we look at the composition of the 15 man squad it will be something like this :

5 fast bowlers: I really am not worrying for this. We have enough pacers these days for T20's. Probably Shaheen and Amir are sure in. And they are plenty of other options. So no need to worry that much.

2 spinners : That's already sealed whatever happen : Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim are going to Australia. I don't believe they are perfect but we don't have many options.

1 wk batsman : We have no one so here we should be searching. It's a sorry state when after 1 T20 game we have to put Azam Khan's name in contention for that spot.

1 fast bowling all rounder: Again, we have no one and not many playing. We may found no one.

7 batsmen : We just have one confirmed : Babar Azam.
We have to find 6 others. It would be nice if Sharjeel and Fakhar Zaman can found some form.

 

[hussain.r97]

We desperately need Sharjeel Khan to fire.

 

[imshally81]

Akif Javed & Azam Khan.....

 

[Forum363]

If we look at the composition of the 15 man squad it will be something like this :

5 fast bowlers: I really am not worrying for this. We have enough pacers these days for T20's. Probably Shaheen and Amir are sure in. And they are plenty of other options. So no need to worry that much.

2 spinners : That's already sealed whatever happen : Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim are going to Australia. I don't believe they are perfect but we don't have many options.

1 wk batsman : We have no one so here we should be searching. It's a sorry state when after 1 T20 game we have to put Azam Khan's name in contention for that spot.

1 fast bowling all rounder: Again, we have no one and not many playing. We may found no one.

7 batsmen : We just have one confirmed : Babar Azam.
We have to find 6 others. It would be nice if Sharjeel and Fakhar Zaman can found some form.

Actually Shadabs lack of form has thrown the second spinner slot wide open.

Any one of the below has a chance to make the squad with an outstanding tournament:

Shadab vs Nawaz vs Mohsin vs Usama vs Qadir

The leg spinners obviously have an edge given Imad Wasim is already a certain starter.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

Akif Javed & Azam Khan.....

Yes Akif is another standout in addition to Azam. Zeeshan Ashraf also impressed and I hope he comes in the frame as keeper/bat for Pakistan.

Misbah should drop Faheem so he can fit Steyn and then bring in Rizwan Hussain so we can see him in action as well.

KK also need to give Umar Khan a few games.

If Sharjeel can come good as opener, Zeeshan secures the keeper spot, Amad sets himself as the best available fast bowling all rounder and one of Kushdil/Rizwan H get us a middle order bat we are in real good shape and we can look past Malik/Hafeez.

Iftikhar is already showing why he should be on the first names in the side alongside Shaheen/Husnain/Babar.

 

[minamino]

Haider Ali and Azam Khan should be in ODI squad against Bangladesh

I think they should be in the squad just to test them and for Azam it's important if he's under the wing of PCB so he can get fitter. You can't expect him to get fit while playing domestic because there are already a lot of unfit players playing in FC without worrying about their weight.

 

[Bullet Drive]

and Zeeshan ashraf

 

[minamino]

and Zeeshan ashraf

Yes, give Rizwan some rest.

 

[Bigboii]

Wth is wrong with people why is pak cap becoming so cheap like seriously not anyone can represent Pakistan you need lots of runs under your belt before even thinking like that
And that's coming from a guy who thinks Haider will be a superstar if he stays focused on his game
It's to premature to give these guys caps they need time (I know what you mean that Bangladesh is a weak odi team but when you drop tham after the series either for good or bad performance it's bad for a player mentally after getting dropped so don't give him a chance unless you don't want to give than a long run which they shouldn't be getting at this stage of their careers)