Possible Pakistan Test Squad(s) for 2019/20

[barah_admi]

Pakistan are soon to travel to Australia for two tests, then, following a huge number of T20s, they are to arrive in England for three tests. The reality is, both series are winnable, with both sides struggling for consistency and form (England more so than Australia). Yet we know the Aussies and the English can recover from slumps and find replacements for out of form players pretty quickly in the test arena. Even with Warner, Khawaja and plenty of others looking terrible in the batting line up, they will have found replacements/improvements by the time the test series arrives...but Pakistan have failed to register a competitive test side for years now.

There are bright spots with the bowling at times (Abbas has been exceptional, Shaheen is young and gifted, Shadab will only improved) but the batting is too inconsistent and there are too few centurions, so which set of players can be brought in to improve things? I think a major overhaul is needed in some areas and this is the squad I'd go for to start things off in Australia -

1. Imam Ul Haq
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Sami Aslam
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail
6. Usman Salauuddin
7. Mohammad Rizwan wk
8. Rohail Nazir wk (only 17 but already has a hundred and from what I have read, is a good keeper)
9. Shadab Khan
10. Yasir Shah
11. Zafar Gohar
12. Shaheen Afridi
13. Mohammad Abbas
14. Mohammad Hasnain
15. Usman Shinwari

Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed are done away with. I think the obvious choice for captain would be Babar and the team I would pick to start in that first test would be:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam Ul Haq (why split the ODI pair?)
3. Babar Azam c
4. Haris Sohail
5. Usman Salahuddin
6. Mohammad Rizwan wk
7. Shadab Khan
8. Yasir Shah
9. Mohammad Abbas
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Mohammad Hasnain

The youth is exciting and seemingly fearless of failure, plus Hasnain and Shaheen bring genuine pace to Abbas' line and length. Shadab is a genuine bat and can back up with 10-15 overs a day if needed, while Shah can bowl around the others. Leg spin can be a great weapon if captained properly (Ask Morgan). Babar seems to be clued in enough to know how to use them best, better than Sarfraz and Arthur anyway. Hopefully Misbah's advice can help at this stage.

The batting is new, inexperienced and an unknown but again, like the bowling, it is all about bleeding in the new and letting them have experience of the highest quality, in preparation for England.

This Pak side may well be beaten easily by Australia, but the aim is to build a side that is confident and experienced at the highest level by the time they arrive in England, and then travel elsewhere in the years to come.

Invest now to build for 20-21.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Imagine picking Yasir in AUS. Dude avergs like 95 in SENA.

I'd go for

1. Sami Aslam
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Ahmed Shehzad
4. Babar (c)
5. Haris Sohail
6. Fawad Alam
7. Rizwan (wk)
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Ehsan Adil


12. Usman Saluhuddin
13. Rohail Nazir
14. Abid Ali
15. Shadab Khan
16. Naseem Shah

 

[ameemlutfi]

Should be some mixture of the following

1. abid ali / sami aslam
2. shan masood/ imam
3. Azhar ali/ fawad alam
4. haris sohail/asad shafiq
5. mohd. rizwan/ sarfaraz
6. babar azam/ usman salahuddin
7. Aamir yamin/ iftikhar ahmed/ aadil amin
8. Zafar/ yasir / asghar
9. naseem shah/ haaris rauf/ musa
10. shaheen/ ehsan adil/ sameen gul
11. abbas / mir hamza / waqas massod

 

[ahmadharis1]

Openers

1. Sami Aslam
2. Shan Masood
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Imam ul-Haq

Middle Order
4. Asad Shafiq
5. Babar Azam
6. Usman Salahuddin
7. Azhar Ali

Keepers
8. Sarfraz Ahmed
9. Mohammad Rizwan

All-rounders
10. Faheem Ashraf

Spinners
11. Zafar Gohar
12. Mohammad Asghar

Fast bowlers
13. Mohammad Abbas
14. Mir Hamza
15. Shaheen Afridi

 

[CricketDon]

Babar
Haris
Azhar
Imam
Umar Akmal
Sarfraz
Rizwan
Avid
Yasir shah
Afridi
Abbas
Hasnain

 

[aloo paratha]

For Australia:

Shan
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Rizwan
Shafiq
Yamin
Zafar
Shaheen
Abbas
Sameen Gul

Imam
Ehsan Adil
Naseem Shah
Shadab
Backup middle order bat

 

[HappyWarsFan]

For Australia:

Shan
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Rizwan
Shafiq
Yamin
Zafar
Shaheen
Abbas
Sameen Gul

Imam
Ehsan Adil
Naseem Shah
Shadab
Backup middle order bat

It's time for Azhar and Shafiq to go. They are past it. Get Fawad Alam or someone else in

 

[PAF]

It would be good to go with a mixture of experience and young blood. As we are playing Australia in Australia, I would like to see few quick young bowlers selected. Our batting looks solid at the moment. It's our bowling which lacks experience but still exciting days ahead. Due to Sarfraz Ahmed's dismal performance I would like to see him dropped. Whereas Mohammad Hasnain at the moment is too raw. His time will come.
My squad for Australia tour:

Shan Masood
Imam ul Haq
Azhar Ali (Captain)
Abid Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Asad Shafiq
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Aamir Yamin
Yasir Shah
Zafar Gohar
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Usman Shinwari
Mohammad Abbas
Ehsan Adil
Naseem Shah

 

[Finisher]

1- Azhar Ali/Shan Masood
2- Abid Ali /Imam Ul Haq
3- Haris Sohail
4- Babar Azam
5- Asad Shafiq
6- Sarfraz Ahmed
7- Faheem Ashraf
8- Shadab Khan/ Yasir Shah
9- Shaheen Afridi
10- Sameen Gul/ Ehsan Adil
11- Mohammed Abbas

 

[Salman4.]

Nobody has mentioned Haider, Saad and Saud yet.

 

[MenInG]

Nobody has mentioned Haider, Saad and Saud yet.

Are they the future of Pakistan cricket? Are we sure?

 

[Major]

Sorry, you cant drop Yasir Shah. Shadab cant even bowl in odis and zafar gohar will first need to be tested in odis before he gets a go in test.

Yasir shah is a good spinner, better than Lyon atleast

 

[barah_admi]

It would be good to go with a mixture of experience and young blood. As we are playing Australia in Australia, I would like to see few quick young bowlers selected. Our batting looks solid at the moment. It's our bowling which lacks experience but still exciting days ahead. Due to Sarfraz Ahmed's dismal performance I would like to see him dropped. Whereas Mohammad Hasnain at the moment is too raw. His time will come.
My squad for Australia tour:

Shan Masood
Imam ul Haq
Azhar Ali (Captain)
Abid Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Asad Shafiq
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Aamir Yamin
Yasir Shah
Zafar Gohar
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Usman Shinwari
Mohammad Abbas
Ehsan Adil
Naseem Shah

Maybe one of adil or Shah but both with no room for hasnain just isn't right. Also Pakistans test batting is far from solid. As much as ali and shafiq have been important fixtures, their time has come and gone.

This is the time to bleed in new players ahead of future test series.

 

[barah_admi]

It would be good to go with a mixture of experience and young blood. As we are playing Australia in Australia, I would like to see few quick young bowlers selected. Our batting looks solid at the moment. It's our bowling which lacks experience but still exciting days ahead. Due to Sarfraz Ahmed's dismal performance I would like to see him dropped. Whereas Mohammad Hasnain at the moment is too raw. His time will come.
My squad for Australia tour:

Shan Masood
Imam ul Haq
Azhar Ali (Captain)
Abid Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Asad Shafiq
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Aamir Yamin
Yasir Shah
Zafar Gohar
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Usman Shinwari
Mohammad Abbas
Ehsan Adil
Naseem Shah

Nobody has mentioned Haider, Saad and Saud yet.

Said maybe but I can't see him getting in ahead of salahuddin.

Sorry, you cant drop Yasir Shah. Shadab cant even bowl in odis and zafar gohar will first need to be tested in odis before he gets a go in test.

Yasir shah is a good spinner, better than Lyon atleast

Yasir is top quality, ppl are forgetting his wicket taking records. Maybe age is catching up to him but he is still our first choice spinner .

 

[topspin]

Imagine picking Yasir in AUS. Dude avergs like 95 in SENA.

I'd go for

1. Sami Aslam
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Ahmed Shehzad
4. Babar (c)
5. Haris Sohail
6. Fawad Alam
7. Rizwan (wk)
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Ehsan Adil


12. Usman Saluhuddin
13. Rohail Nazir
14. Abid Ali
15. Shadab Khan
16. Naseem Shah

Even you cannot excuse Misbah if it does turn out he selects Yasir Shah for the Australia tour.

Secondly that top 6 (apart from Babar and Haris) is awful.

 

[SARJ_BD]

Openers:
1. Abid Ali
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Khurram Manzoor
4. Shan Masood (on non-Asian matches)

Middle order:
1. Azhar Ali
2. Haris Sohail
3. Fawad Alam
4. Asad Shafiq
5. Babar Azam

Wicket keeper
1. M Rizwan

Spinner:
1. Yasir Shah
2. Zafar Gohar
3. Kashif Bhatti
4. Bilal Asif

Pacer:
1. M Abbas
2. Hasan Ali
3. Musa Khan
4. Mir Hamza

Fast bowling is really a concerning department in Test.

 

[world cup captain]

There's no ideal selection on this tour. We getting the Misbah treatment this season with the following matchwinners.

1. Azhar Ali (VC)
2. Salman Butt
3. Haris Sohail
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Sarfraz Ahmed (C)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah
9. Rahat Ali
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Shaheen Afridi

Reserve
Zulfiqar Babar
Ahmed Shehzad
Imran Khan
Ehsan Adil
Adnan Akmal

 

[PAF]

Maybe one of adil or Shah but both with no room for hasnain just isn't right. Also Pakistans test batting is far from solid. As much as ali and shafiq have been important fixtures, their time has come and gone.

This is the time to bleed in new players ahead of future test series.

How many youngsters you want in the squad? Apart from Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, all are new to Test cricket arena. And they are more than capable to deliver in Australia. (Talking about batting)

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Sorry, you cant drop Yasir Shah. Shadab cant even bowl in odis and zafar gohar will first need to be tested in odis before he gets a go in test.

Yasir shah is a good spinner, better than Lyon atleast

Sure he's good but not in SENA.

 

[aloo paratha]

Sorry, you cant drop Yasir Shah. Shadab cant even bowl in odis and zafar gohar will first need to be tested in odis before he gets a go in test.

Yasir shah is a good spinner, better than Lyon atleast

Testing someone in one format in order for them to play another format doesn't make sense. Yasir Shah can't bowl outside Asia.

 

[barah_admi]

How many youngsters you want in the squad? Apart from Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, all are new to Test cricket arena. And they are more than capable to deliver in Australia. (Talking about batting)

I think you're statement was Pakistan's batting is "solid" at the moment. In tests it is not, maybe you are confusing ODI batting for the test side?

There could be an argument for Ali retaining his spot (he has a century not too long ago and a handful of 50s) in his last 10 or so matches but Shafiq, apart from a couple of gritty innings against Australia has not forged on as one of Pakistan's middle order rocks post Khan/Misbah. As a unit, the batting has been far too inconsistent, yest here have been the odd score of 300+ but how often has the side scored consistently well in both innings? The batting is topsy turvy and needs to rejuvenating.

 

[PAF]

How many youngsters you want in the squad? Apart from Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, all are new to Test cricket arena. And they are more than capable to deliver in Australia. (Talking about batting)

I think you're statement was Pakistan's batting is "solid" at the moment. In tests it is not, maybe you are confusing ODI batting for the test side?

There could be an argument for Ali retaining his spot (he has a century not too long ago and a handful of 50s) in his last 10 or so matches but Shafiq, apart from a couple of gritty innings against Australia has not forged on as one of Pakistan's middle order rocks post Khan/Misbah. As a unit, the batting has been far too inconsistent, yest here have been the odd score of 300+ but how often has the side scored consistently well in both innings? The batting is topsy turvy and needs to rejuvenating.

All I said that they are more than capable to have a good run. Especially Babar Azam and Haris Sohail have a bright future ahead. The other guys are also performing to whatever they've been given opportunity with.

 

[tyron_woodley]

concern is the 5th bowling option. who do pick for australia? ifthikar? need a lace bowling all rounder though. ashraf?

 

[hitthestump]

Shadab and Faheem for 7 and 8. We need 4 pacers and just one spinner in Aus.

Hasan, Shaheen and Abbas would be my 9, 10 and 11.

Given Shadab is quite high at 7, you need a decent tail and that's why Hasan gets the nod.

 

[hitthestump]

Shan
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Shafiq
Rizwan (inshaAllah no more specialist captain by this point)
Shadab
Faheem
Hasan
Shaheen
Abbas

For Aus series.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Looking at people's squads here is quite amusing as in how nearly everyone has included in Shadab while excluding Yasir who either you like it or not and yes off late in the last series or so hasn't performed as he should've but he still is the best test spinner in Pakistan.

Shadab has barely cemented his place in the other formats and he isn't in form either yet as he hadn't played much of the FC cricket is yet to develop his skills there.

 

[The Viper]

Looking at people's squads here is quite amusing as in how nearly everyone has included in Shadab while excluding Yasir who either you like it or not and yes off late in the last series or so hasn't performed as he should've but he still is the best test spinner in Pakistan.

Shadab has barely cemented his place in the other formats and he isn't in form either yet as he hadn't played much of the FC cricket is yet to develop his skills there.

Yasir Shah is useless in those conditions.

Maybe Shadab should be picked, but Shah does not merit selection whatsoever.

In those conditions, i guess the appeal is that Shadab could add useful runs and do better than Yasir.

Alternatively, Zafar Gohar can be given a go,

 

[hussain.r97]

Ideally, outside Asia I'd like to see something like this :

Abid Ali
Shan Masood
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam*
Asad Shafiq
Mohammed Rizwan+
Aamer Yamin
Shadab Khan/Zafar Gohar
Ehsan Adil
Nasim Shah
Shaheen Shah Afridi

Most likely we'll see Azhar, Sarfraz, Faheem, Yasir, Abbas, and Rahat ahead of Abid, Rizwan, Yamin, Shadab/Zafar, Ehsan, and Nasim though.

 

[Danyaalr01]

My team for Australia

1. Abid Ali
2. Imam/Shan Masood
3. Haris
4. Babar
5. Asad
6. Rizwan (WK)
7. Shadab/ Zafar Gohar (Shadab’s batting is more valuable)
8. Aamer Yamin/Faheem
9. Naseem Shah/ Sameen (prefer Naseem)
10. Shaheen
11. Ehsan Adil


12. Usman Salahuddin
13. Mohammad Abbas


People are saying pick Hasnain but he is not ready at all. He needs to develop control on line and length and control over the seam. Naseem and Sameen have already shown their control on line and length and seam, while also bowling at a good pace.

I would never take Yasir to Australia, apart from England he has struggled in Sena, Shadab can’t do much worse and is 100 times more valuable as a batsman.

The only problem with my team is the captain. Making Babar captain would be a risk, but they will have to take it. Shafiq is in the team as we have to have someone with a bit of experience and Shafiq is the better than Azhar in Australia as he plays the short ball better. Azhar may have made a 200 at the MCG but that was on a dead track, Gabba and Adelaide will not be dead.

 

[aloo paratha]

By which account are poeple willing to drop Azhar and keep Shafiq? Azhar deserves to stay (good domestic performances) whereas Shafiq has not done anything of note in internationals or domestics for 2 years.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Fawad alam

 

[Danyaalr01]

By which account are poeple willing to drop Azhar and keep Shafiq? Azhar deserves to stay (good domestic performances) whereas Shafiq has not done anything of note in internationals or domestics for 2 years.

It's because we have better openening options available. It's also because Asad Shafiq can play the short ball much better than Azhar. Azhar's ability against the short ball was exposed in South Africa where he looked like a club cricketer.

Ideally Usman Salahuddin should replace him. If Sarfaraz remains captain then Muhammad Rizwan should replace Asad Shafiq.

Actually Aamer yamin has done quite well in the middle order and has decent FC stats and could replace Shafiq at number 5.

The only problem with replacing both is that we will have an almost fresh side touring.

 

[Salman4.]

My team for Australia

1. Abid Ali
2. Imam/Shan Masood
3. Haris
4. Babar
5. Asad
6. Rizwan (WK)
7. Shadab/ Zafar Gohar (Shadab’s batting is more valuable)
8. Aamer Yamin/Faheem
9. Naseem Shah/ Sameen (prefer Naseem)
10. Shaheen
11. Ehsan Adil


12. Usman Salahuddin
13. Mohammad Abbas


People are saying pick Hasnain but he is not ready at all. He needs to develop control on line and length and control over the seam. Naseem and Sameen have already shown their control on line and length and seam, while also bowling at a good pace.

I would never take Yasir to Australia, apart from England he has struggled in Sena, Shadab can’t do much worse and is 100 times more valuable as a batsman.

The only problem with my team is the captain. Making Babar captain would be a risk, but they will have to take it. Shafiq is in the team as we have to have someone with a bit of experience and Shafiq is the better than Azhar in Australia as he plays the short ball better. Azhar may have made a 200 at the MCG but that was on a dead track, Gabba and Adelaide will not be dead.

Where did Naseem show control? LOL.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Where did Naseem show control? LOL.

In the first class matches he's played and in U19 cricket. The type of bowler he is, he might not be in control 100% of the time as he is trying to bowl quick and aggressively, but he definitely has a lot more control than Hasnain, Musa, Wahab and most other fast bowlers playing QeA.

 

[JibranAnsari]

we are going to lose anyway in australia , lets plan for the future and get rid of old non performing legs like azhar , shafiq and sarfraz.

Imam ul haq
abid ali
sami aslam
babar azam
haris sohail
usman salahuddin
Mohammad rizwan
rohail nazir
aamir yamin
zafar gohar
yasir shah
shaheen afridi
mohammad abbas
naseem shah
usman shinwari

2-0 drubbing is on the cards anyway , why not try a new look.

 

[barah_admi]

All I said that they are more than capable to have a good run. Especially Babar Azam and Haris Sohail have a bright future ahead. The other guys are also performing to whatever they've been given opportunity with.

I am not doubting Babar and Haris,but sticking with Shafiq and Ali at a time when change is needed is dangerous. May be one could be kept in the side but both of them sticking around will be detrimental, much like Hafeez/Malik were to ODI cricket for the last 6 months.

 

[emranabbas]

Won't be surprised if we see a come back of Saeed ajmal

 

[babajee]

Being realistic + optimistic:

Imam
Azhar (not going anywhere)
Haris
Asad (not going anywhere)
Babar (C)
Rizwan
Yamin
Zafar
Shaheen
Abbas
New pacer (Hasnain/Naseem/Sameen)

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan are going to lose 2-0 in Australia, so might aswell do it with new players instead of TTFs.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

Pakistan are going to lose 2-0 in Australia, so might aswell do it with new players instead of TTFs.

So we have an excuse to bring back the old guard after the series??

 

[Sultan Baba]

1.Abid Ali
2.Azhar Ali(c)
3.Fawad Alam
4.Asad Shafiq
5.Babar Azam(vc)
6.Adnan Akmal(wk)
7.Aamir Yamin
8.Bilal Asif
9.Yasir Shah
10.Mohammad Abbas
11.Junaid Khan
12.Hassan Ali
13.Shaheen Shah Afridi
14.Salman Butt
15.Haris Sohail
16.Mohammad Rizwan(wk)

 

[tyron_woodley]

1.Abid Ali
2.Azhar Ali(c)
3.Fawad Alam
4.Asad Shafiq
5.Babar Azam(vc)
6.Adnan Akmal(wk)
7.Aamir Yamin
8.Bilal Asif
9.Yasir Shah
10.Mohammad Abbas
11.Junaid Khan
12.Hassan Ali
13.Shaheen Shah Afridi
14.Salman Butt
15.Haris Sohail
16.Mohammad Rizwan(wk)

I like this bro. cam fawad get a chance? he reminds me of anwar.

SSA, Hassan and haris rauf for me though.

Probably one more bowler for backup. I prefer sameem gul over abbas. I don't think abbas will be effective in australia

 

[Extra_Cover]

This is where I'm interested in, now that test championship is at stake the test team is under more scrutiny. Ideally, the squad should be broken down as follows; openers (3), bat (4), wk (2), AR (2) and bowlers (4). This is when there is a 15 member squad, in case of 16 member squad a bat or bowler can be added depending on the situation.

Further, an ideal test lineup should look as follows:
1. Opener
2. Opener
3. Batsman
4. Batsman
5. Batsman
6. Keeper
7. All rounder
8. Bowler
9. Bowler
10. Bowler
11. Bowler

One of the most crucial things to remember in here that test matches are always won by bowlers and therefore a minimum of 4 should be played in every game (not counting all rounders unless they are proper bowlers).

For Pakistan, considering test championship is around the corner and also considering there is lack of consistent youngsters in this team, I would like to see the following team given a long-run.

1. Shan Masood
2. Imam
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail (needs to play first class cricket, haven't seen him play much first class)
5. Usman Salahuddin / Asad Shafiq
6. Rizwan
7. Amad Butt / Shadab (depending on conditions)
8. Yasir Shah
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen
11. Ehsan Adil

Reserves:
1. Usman / Asad
2. Amad / Shadab
3. Rohail
4. Young pacer (Hasnain / Naseem)
5. Domestic bat (middle order)

I would like to see Sarfraz and Azhar to retire from tests and Asad to continue for the transition period as we dont have sufficient replacements yet. Shan to be made captain and should be backed for one test championship cycle. No one is expecting immediate results but by the time we are in third test championship cycle we might very well be in contention if we show consistency in our selection.

 

[Shaka81]

I'm surprised by all the optimistic squads full of new players... realistically with what we know of Misbah this will be the starting lineup in Aus.
1. Azhar Ali
2. Salman Butt
3. Kamran Akmal
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Sarfaraz Ahmed
8. Yasir Shah
9. Rahat Ali
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Imran Khan or Sohail Khan

Then Misbah will give a press conference to say that these are the best young players in Pakistan cricket.

 

[moghul]

I'm surprised by all the optimistic squads full of new players... realistically with what we know of Misbah this will be the starting lineup in Aus.
1. Azhar Ali
2. Salman Butt
3. Kamran Akmal
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Sarfaraz Ahmed
8. Yasir Shah
9. Rahat Ali
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Imran Khan or Sohail Khan

Then Misbah will give a press conference to say that these are the best young players in Pakistan cricket.

You missed two other youngster, Imran Farhat in batting and Aizaz Cheema in bowling.

 

[moghul]

Naseem Shah has the best average so far among top 10 bowlers in QeA tropgy.

 

[Danyaalr01]

I prefer sameem gul over abbas. I don't think abbas will be effective in australia

Misbah thinks otherwise.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Being realistic + optimistic:

Imam
Azhar (not going anywhere)
Haris
Asad (not going anywhere)
Babar (C)
Rizwan
Yamin
Zafar
Shaheen
Abbas
New pacer (Hasnain/Naseem/Sameen)

I would like to see Sameen over Abbas. Shaheen, Naseem and Sameen can be a lethal combo I reckon. But knowing Misbah he will select maximum one under 20.

Also I would have Abid and Shan opening as they can play the short ball. Imam and Azhar are average or poor against a quick bouncer which they will get plenty of in Aussie.

Yamin is a brilliant option. Averages close to 40 in FC, bats at an excellent strike rate and can get through a few overs. Picked up 4 wickets so far vs Sindh.

 

[shamaan]

My team for austrlia

Azar ali
Masood
Harris
Babar
Shafiq
Rizwan
Yasmin
Shadab
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem

Squad players
Salahuddin
Imaam
Faheem
Hassan ali
Adnan akmal

 

[ChTab]

Preparation for Australia tour.

The tour will begin with 3 T20's. So Pakistan would have a brilliant chance to send the test players early as well so that they can familiar with the conditions. 1st T20 is scheduled for 3rd November which means Pakistan should send the team in last week of October. My squad for the test series
1. Shan Masood
2. Imam ul haq
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail
6. Saad Ali
7. M. Rizwan
8. Zafar Gohar
9. M. Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Ehsan Adil

Reserves
Sami Aslam
Asad Shafiq
Hassan Ali
Shahdab Khan

Considering the record of Yasir shah in Australia I haven't picked him in the squad plus Zafar Gohar is playing really well in QEA trophy plus he is very decent batsman as well. I wanted to go with a tall right arm pacer like Hassnain but he isn't suitable for test cricket atm & Ehsan is alo performing well on dead pitches in QEA trophy plus he is tall.

 

[ChTab]

The tour will begin with 3 T20's. So Pakistan would have a brilliant chance to send the test players early as well so that they can familiar with the conditions. 1st T20 is scheduled for 3rd November which means Pakistan should send the team in last week of October. My squad for the test series
1. Shan Masood
2. Imam ul haq
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail
6. Saad Ali
7. M. Rizwan
8. Zafar Gohar
9. M. Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Ehsan Adil

Reserves
Sami Aslam
Asad Shafiq
Hassan Ali
Shahdab Khan

Considering the record of Yasir shah in Australia I haven't picked him in the squad plus Zafar Gohar is playing really well in QEA trophy plus he is very decent batsman as well. I wanted to go with a tall right arm pacer like Hassnain but he isn't suitable for test cricket atm & Ehsan is alo performing well on dead pitches in QEA trophy plus he is tall.

Abid Ali is also an option in place of Sami Aslam or even in place of Imam.

 

[ChTab]

The tour will begin with 3 T20's. So Pakistan would have a brilliant chance to send the test players early as well so that they can familiar with the conditions. 1st T20 is scheduled for 3rd November which means Pakistan should send the team in last week of October. My squad for the test series
1. Shan Masood
2. Imam ul haq
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail
6. Saad Ali
7. M. Rizwan
8. Zafar Gohar
9. M. Abbas
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Ehsan Adil

Reserves
Sami Aslam
Asad Shafiq
Hassan Ali
Shahdab Khan

Considering the record of Yasir shah in Australia I haven't picked him in the squad plus Zafar Gohar is playing really well in QEA trophy plus he is very decent batsman as well. I wanted to go with a tall right arm pacer like Hassnain but he isn't suitable for test cricket atm & Ehsan is alo performing well on dead pitches in QEA trophy plus he is tall.

Forgot to mention about test captaincy. I think Shan should captain the side because Sarfraz is not good captain, batsman or keeper to play in test cricket. Rizwan is scoring runs in domestic & he is an excellent keeper so we should give him a chance.

 

[Shafi]

Under Misbah we will loose even Australia club teams. A complete whitewash

 

[ChTab]

Under Misbah we will loose even Australia club teams. A complete whitewash

Loosing to Australia isn't anything new for Pakistan especially in Australia if i am not wrong last time we won a test match in Australia was in 96. I'm just saying we should be there atleast 1 month before the test series.

 

[Danyaalr01]

My team:

1.Abid
2.Shan
3.Haris
4.Babar
5. Asad
6.Rizwan
7.Aamer Yamin
8.Shadab/Zafar Gohar
9.Shaheen Shah
10.Naseem Shah
11. Sameen Gul/ Ehsan Adil

 

[Shaka81]

You missed two other youngster, Imran Farhat in batting and Aizaz Cheema in bowling.

They'll probably be part of the squad too

 

[Sher Khan]

My xi for aus would be
1. Salman Butt
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Haris Sohail
5. Babar Azam
6. Kamran Akmal
7. Aamer Yamin
8. Amad Butt
9. Zafar Gohar
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

 

[Mustafamq]

Moving forward, I think we have a solid pool of players available to us that could potentially shape our Test squad for the next 2-3 years and further than that.

Tier 1: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Usman Salahuddin, Zafar Gohar, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah

Tier 2: Imam-ul-Haq, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Saad Ali, Mohammad Saad, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Shinwari, Hassan Ali, Aamir Yamin, Mohammad Irfan Jlr., Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan

Tier 3: Faizan Riaz, Khushdil Shah, Ashfaq Ahmed, Waqas Maqsood, Mir Hamza, Ehsan Adil, Khurram Shahzad, Sameen Gul, Amad Butt, Nauman Ali, Raza Hassan, Waleed Ahmed

Longer-term: Haider Ali, Imran Butt, Omair Yousaf, Ammad Alam, Ali Zaryab Asif, Rohail Nazir, Muhammad Musa, Mohammad Hasnain, Nasim Shah, Akhtar Shah, Hassan Khan

Our U16 pool has a few players too with the potential to excel in the longer formats: Sameer Saqib, Haseebullah, Umar Eman, Aseer Mughal, to name a few.

All these players have demonstrated the skill, more importantly the temperament, to succeed in the longer format. Need to back it with consistent performances as part of a robust domestic structure.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Will lessons be learnt when the Test squad is announced for the Australia series?

Only a few weeks into the job and we have already seen the conservative and poor selections with the ODI sqaud vs SL. The team struggled overall to make it past a make shift SL team.

Then we had the disaster of the T20 series, again TTFs picked and flattered to deceive and a shameful 3-0 loss to Sri lanka.

Pakistans test results over last 2 years have been poor, the losses in UAE against SL might have not been to much of a shock as they have tended to perform well in UAE. But scraping a 1-0 win over Australia and a shameful 2-1 loss to New zealand in which the team played negative and poor cricket all series was no acceptable. A gutless 3-0 surrender in SA against the poorest SA team since readmission wasnt acceptable either.

So pakistans next two series are Australia and SL and if the theme of picking TTFs is going to be continued then they are like to lose.

Playing in Australia is going to be tough but team can compete at least if they make the right selections.
Azhar, Asad and Sarfaraz have simply not pulled there weight in last two years with the batting and in the case of Azhar hes on his last legs as a player and needs to get the boot. Sarfaraz simply also contributes nothing with the bat or as a captain and that is effecting the balance of the side majorly.

With the bowling attack lacking experience and in tough conditions to bowl in once the kookaboora ball is likely to go soft, ideally pakistan would like 5 bowlers in the team, sadly we dont have decent all-rounder to fufil those roles in tests right now, nor does sarfaraz have the ability with the bat to allow us to just play with 5 batsmen.

Pakistan are likely barring a miracle likely to lose series 2-0 in Australia, so rather then selecting same TTFs and the nonsense of we need experience in Australia, lets see if misbah is bold enough (I doubt it very highly) if hes willing to plan for future by picking a few fresh faces and giving them the experience of a tour to Australia and building for the long term.

Yes Azhar and Asad played 1 decent inns each in Australia last time, but both players have got worse as players since then.

 

[barah_admi]

we are going to lose anyway in australia , lets plan for the future and get rid of old non performing legs like azhar , shafiq and sarfraz.

Imam ul haq
abid ali
sami aslam
babar azam
haris sohail
usman salahuddin
Mohammad rizwan
rohail nazir
aamir yamin
zafar gohar
yasir shah
shaheen afridi
mohammad abbas
naseem shah
usman shinwari

2-0 drubbing is on the cards anyway , why not try a new look.

Pakistan are going to lose 2-0 in Australia, so might aswell do it with new players instead of TTFs.

I'm surprised by all the optimistic squads full of new players... realistically with what we know of Misbah this will be the starting lineup in Aus.
1. Azhar Ali
2. Salman Butt
3. Kamran Akmal
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Sarfaraz Ahmed
8. Yasir Shah
9. Rahat Ali
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Imran Khan or Sohail Khan

Then Misbah will give a press conference to say that these are the best young players in Pakistan cricket.

I think these are most people's preferred XI, not what is most likely if we were Misbah.

I agree with the overall sentiment that Pakistan are set to lose this series, which is why new players need to be brought in now rather than later. Give them international experience before BD, SL and then Eng.

This is where I'm interested in, now that test championship is at stake the test team is under more scrutiny. Ideally, the squad should be broken down as follows; openers (3), bat (4), wk (2), AR (2) and bowlers (4). This is when there is a 15 member squad, in case of 16 member squad a bat or bowler can be added depending on the situation.

Further, an ideal test lineup should look as follows:
1. Opener
2. Opener
3. Batsman
4. Batsman
5. Batsman
6. Keeper
7. All rounder
8. Bowler
9. Bowler
10. Bowler
11. Bowler

One of the most crucial things to remember in here that test matches are always won by bowlers and therefore a minimum of 4 should be played in every game (not counting all rounders unless they are proper bowlers).

For Pakistan, considering test championship is around the corner and also considering there is lack of consistent youngsters in this team, I would like to see the following team given a long-run.

1. Shan Masood
2. Imam
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail (needs to play first class cricket, haven't seen him play much first class)
5. Usman Salahuddin / Asad Shafiq
6. Rizwan
7. Amad Butt / Shadab (depending on conditions)
8. Yasir Shah
9. Abbas
10. Shaheen
11. Ehsan Adil

Reserves:
1. Usman / Asad
2. Amad / Shadab
3. Rohail
4. Young pacer (Hasnain / Naseem)
5. Domestic bat (middle order)

I would like to see Sarfraz and Azhar to retire from tests and Asad to continue for the transition period as we dont have sufficient replacements yet. Shan to be made captain and should be backed for one test championship cycle. No one is expecting immediate results but by the time we are in third test championship cycle we might very well be in contention if we show consistency in our selection.

I agree, an ideal test XI should have 4 bowlers (3 pace, 1 spin) and a bowling all rounder (depending on conditions it could be pace or spin). I like your combination of debutants and current crop.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

let me make a revised lineup based on domestic performances. It's a mix of reality and what I want to see.

1) Shan Masood
2) Azhar Ali (c)
3) Haris Sohail
4) Babar Azam
5) Fawad Alam
6) Muhammad Rizwan
7) Aamer Yamin
8) Zafar Gohar
9) Ehsan Adil
10) Muhammad Abbas
11) Shaheen Afridi

I don't want Azhar to be there but I am prrtty sure they will keep him.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

When is the test and t20 squads for Aus tour going to be announced?

 

[shamaan]

All three Pacers bowl bowl less than 90mph in austrlia its pace and bounce

 

[HGhazanfar]

Most likely test squad will be

1. Abid Ali
2. Imam Ul haq
3. Shan Masood
4. Azhar Ali
5. Haris Sohail
6. M Rizwan
7. Babar Azam
8. Sarfraz Ahmed
9. Yasir Shah
10. Zafar Gohar
11. Naseem Shah
12. Shaheen Afridi
13. M Abbas
14. Mir Hamza
15. Amir Yamin
16. Asad Shafiq

Predicting Imam will fail badly after 1-2 tests and we will end up with a strong look team something like the below. Yasir doesn't bowl well overseas better option to go with a offspinner, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz have better replacements in M Rizwan and Haris Sohail

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail
6. M Rizwan
7. Amer Yamin
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Mir Hamza

 

[nextover666666]

My 15 for Aussie tour

1) Azhar
2)Imam
3) Shan Masood
4) Babar Azam
5) Haris Sohail
6) Safraz Ahmed ( no choice )
7) M Rizwan
8) Usman Salahuddin
9) Yaser Shah
10)Zafar Gohar
11) Aamer Yamin
12) Mohammad Abbas
13) Ehsan Adil
14) Mohammad Hasnain
15) Shaheen Afridi

 

[Danyaalr01]

Most likely test squad will be

1. Abid Ali
2. Imam Ul haq
3. Shan Masood
4. Azhar Ali
5. Haris Sohail
6. M Rizwan
7. Babar Azam
8. Sarfraz Ahmed
9. Yasir Shah
10. Zafar Gohar
11. Naseem Shah
12. Shaheen Afridi
13. M Abbas
14. Mir Hamza
15. Amir Yamin
16. Asad Shafiq

Predicting Imam will fail badly after 1-2 tests and we will end up with a strong look team something like the below. Yasir doesn't bowl well overseas better option to go with a offspinner, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz have better replacements in M Rizwan and Haris Sohail

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail
6. M Rizwan
7. Amer Yamin
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Mir Hamza

Why Mir Hamza, he’s gotten one wicket in the whole domestic season. Personally I also wouldn’t pick Abbas after seing what a failure he was in SA and in this QeA season.
My squad:

1.Abid Ali
2.Shan Masood
3. Imam (I would like to see Haider Ali but it’s very unlikely)
4.Haris Sohail
5.Babar Azam
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Usman Salahuddin
8.Saad Ali
9. Aamer Yamin
9. Shadab Khan
11. Zafar Gohar
12. Shaheen Shah Afridi
13. Naseem Shah
14. Sameen Gul
15. Ehsan Adil

My team from this squad would be:

1. Abid Ali
2. Shan Masood
3. Haris Sohail
4. Babar Azam
5. Mohammad Rizwan
6. Aamer Yamin
7. Shadab Khan
8. Ehsan Adil/ Zafar Gohar
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen
11. Sameen Gul

I would put Yamin at 6 as there is no point just chucking in Saad Ali, or Salahuddin for the sake of having a pure batsman there, Yamin’s batting is good enough for 6. With Yamin at 6 we can play 4 genuine bowlers plus Shadab, giving us 6 bowling options, 2 of them are allrounders and the number 8 can bat decently.

 

[barah_admi]

Abbas may still be recovering from his injury, these things can take time but he is an exceptional bowler with just 14 matches under his belt. Dropping him is madness. He does need to be complimented by the likes of Shaheen, Hasnain, possibly Hasan, possibly one or 2 other pace bowlers who ca get it above 85.

He looked very promising in the county championship and took wickets averaging around 25. I don't see a failure at all.

 

[azimiqbal]

Ok to be honest azhar\ Shafiq and yasir are 100% good to play so my team would be


1. Abid Ali
2. Shan Masood
3. Azhar ali
4. Fawad Alam
5. Babar Azam
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Mohammad Rizwan / Kamran
8. Yasir shah
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen
11. Mohammed Abbas

 

[coy0607]

Given Misbah's selection decisions so far, and his previous preferences as captain - Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Yasir Shah are locks. I wouldn't be surprised is Salman Butt and Bilal Asif made comebacks.

We may want younger / newer faces, but Misbah clearly wants to move backwards

 

[Danyaalr01]

Abbas may still be recovering from his injury, these things can take time but he is an exceptional bowler with just 14 matches under his belt. Dropping him is madness. He does need to be complimented by the likes of Shaheen, Hasnain, possibly Hasan, possibly one or 2 other pace bowlers who ca get it above 85.

He looked very promising in the county championship and took wickets averaging around 25. I don't see a failure at all.

Selecting Hasan and Hasnain wouldn't be merit based selections, Hasan has been poor in international crciket for almost 2 years now and was poor in SA, Hasnain hasn't performed in the FC matches he's played and has shown little control in t20s. Hasan's style of bowling wouldn't be suited to Australia.

 

[Amjid Javed]

With Misbah in charge i fully expect Ajmal, Malcolm sami, zulfi to be selected for tour to Australia.

 

[sallu78]

You need the old guard in batsmen, whether in good nick or not. You need batsmen with good techniques and no flashes like Fakhar. In bowling, pls, no Phasht bowlers, can't believe I'm using the term for Pakistan, but Abbas, hamza and the likes should be no no. I am really impressed with Musa and Harris rauf plus naseem is a good prospect. Dunno if they'll take him being 16/17 yrs old. I doubt they'll take even shadab for tests. He's out of sorts. One player they should look at I'd Amad Butt. He's fit and strong and he's your fifth bowler ahead of amir yamin who again is a phasht bowler.

 

[Paka Lahori]

I seriously can't stand Shaan Masood's batting. My team would be:

Imam ul Haq
Sami Aslam\Abid Ali
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Asad Shafiq
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Naseem Shah
Yasir Shah
Mohammad Abbas
Shaheen Afridi

 

[aloo paratha]

If Azhar is captain:

Shan
Abid Ali
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Rizwan
Yamin
Zafar
Shaheen
Sameen
Abbas

 

[ARK Rafay]

Azhar
Masood (c)
Haris
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan (wk)
Imad/Yamin/Zafar
Zafar/Shadab/Naseem
Yasir/Naseem
Shaheen
Abbas

 

[ARK Rafay]

Azhar
Masood (c)
Haris
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan (wk)
Imad/Yamin/Zafar
Zafar/Shadab/Naseem
Yasir/Naseem
Shaheen
Abbas

In the 1st test against Australia I will play this bowling.

Yamin
Naseem
Yasir
Shaheen
Abbas

 

[Ellipsism]

Heard that Fawad is being considered for the Aus tour

If picked for test matches in Asia then it would make some relative since a lot of our upcoming batsman struggle against the spinners whilst Fawad fairs pretty well against them. However, sending him over to Australia, a side with the best pace attack in the world, with both test matches under lights really is sending a lamb over for slaughter with that technique.

 

[barah_admi]

Selecting Hasan and Hasnain wouldn't be merit based selections, Hasan has been poor in international crciket for almost 2 years now and was poor in SA, Hasnain hasn't performed in the FC matches he's played and has shown little control in t20s. Hasan's style of bowling wouldn't be suited to Australia.

Hasnain is certainly a work in progress but his pace, physicality and ability to take wickets in bursts should merit a squad place, especially considering he is in the international outfit now. No reason why he can't play more FC cricket till then.

I mentioned Hasan because he has been around the international set up and looks to be out of form, rather than being a bad bowler. No reason complete debutants should leapfrog him in the test squad. I can understand him maybe not playing every match but he should be chosen for a while longer.

In the 1st test against Australia I will play this bowling.

Yamin
Naseem
Yasir
Shaheen
Abbas

By Naseem do you mean Naseem Shah? Who is still only 16?

And is Yamin the same as Aamer Yamin who really is the same as Faheem Ashraf.

Heard that Fawad is being considered for the Aus tour

If picked for test matches in Asia then it would make some relative since a lot of our upcoming batsman struggle against the spinners whilst Fawad fairs pretty well against them. However, sending him over to Australia, a side with the best pace attack in the world, with both test matches under lights really is sending a lamb over for slaughter with that technique.

Well, is this is true you cant begrudge him a place after all this time.

 

[ARK Rafay]

By Naseem do you mean Naseem Shah? Who is still only 16?

And is Yamin the same as Aamer Yamin who really is the same as Faheem Ashraf.

Yes by Naseem I mean Naseem Shah the 16yo boy.

And no Aamer Yamin isn't the same Faheem Ashraf.

 

[barah_admi]

Yes by Naseem I mean Naseem Shah the 16yo boy.

And no Aamer Yamin isn't the same Faheem Ashraf.

It is way too early for Shah, who is physically nowhere near ready for international LO cricket let alone test matches. We have Shaheen and Hasnain already, who should be coupled with the likes of Abbas and Hasan (if he fails again then there can be serious talk of dropping him).

I remember Yamin from his short international stint and he did not ignite any level of excitement in me. Maybe he can be selected as part of the squad but I don't see any huge advantage of having him around.