Radical overhaul required if we are to challenge for the 2019 World Cup!

[Siraj.Hussain]

I believe that the Champions Trophy was a double-edged sword for us. While we played excellently after the first India game, our success has masked our frailties.

I do not know for how long Azhar Ali will live off the fact that for the first time in his life, he played at a strike-rate more akin to the modern-day and helped Zaman when he was struggling. I ask you, which other team would he get into? Arguably, he wouldn't even get into Bangladesh or Afghanistan's team.

To this end, I cannot wait for Sharjeel to be back. He's an awesome player, and would compliment Zaman very well. In the mean-time, Saibzada Farhan needs to be in the team. I've been very impressed by what I have seen from him.

The same goes for Hafeez, who played very well in the Champions Trophy final, but hasn't shown much else.

For me, Hafeez should only be in the team if he can bowl. I'm very confident that results right now in New Zealand would be much different if he was allowed to bowl. It allows Sarfraz to rotate his bowlers freely, mixing things up and strangling the batting team.
The problem however is this. I maintain that he should be in the team only if he can bowl. However, even then, for me he should come in as a lower-order finisher. Now, he is not able to bowl, nor is he coming in as a finisher, and we are severely handicapped because of this.

Babar and Sarfraz have also both disappointed for me on this tour so far. Babar has been unlucky on a few occasions, however Sarfraz has disappointed severely. His fitness needs to improve, and his batting has been atrocious for a while now.

I also think Imad Wasim has been a big miss. He is very good at tying down one end, building pressure for other people. He is also no mug with the bat.

Long story short, I think that the squad needs big change, if we are to challenge in the 2019 World Cup. However, the core of the squad is there.

Sharjeel
Zaman
Babar
Sarfraz
Malik
Shadab
Faeem Ashraf
Hafeez/Seamer
Imad
Hasan Ali
Mohammed Amir

Bench: Farhan, Haris Sohail, Rohail Nazir, Junaid Khan, Raess, Usman Khan, Shaheen Shah

This is the team I would play. There's batting all the way down, and all can bat at a reasonable strike-rate. There are finishers in Hafeez, Ashraf, and Hasan Ali. There's three seamers, a leg-spinner, two off-spinners, and a left-arm spinner. If Hafeez can't bowl, I'd bring in another seamer, whether it be Junaid, Raess, Usman Khan, or even a left-field selection like Shaheen Shah.

Bench strength is strong, seamers can be rotated, and I've also added some U19 players, as the team needs some fresh energy I think. In particular Rohail Nazir to keep Sarfraz on his toes. He's had no competiton and has become complacent.

Firstly, do we think this team is feasible? Secondly, would it challenge in the World Cup in 2019?

 

[CricFan2012]

two changes isn't radical.

sarfaraz is an inept batter, unfit, and malik needs to start performing again or else he should be axed as well

 

[Syed1]

1. Sharjeel is not coming back before the 2019 WC. Only chance is a new government comes that removes Najam Sethi and then the Sharjeel decision can be reverted. It is a farce anyway corrupt Sethi hasn't released any evidence that he claimed to have.


2. You talk about radical change but then 9 out of 11 are the same players that are playing in NZ right now.

 

[Siraj.Hussain]

Two changes is radical by Pakistani standards lol.

Regardless, by radical change, perhaps I didn't express it well, I meant more of a change in mindset
- I.e. out with the Azhar's and the Hafeez' and a move to a more modern brand of cricket

 

[Siraj.Hussain]

It is also a quite a change in batting order, with Sarfraz promoted, Hafeez demoted, etc

 

[bujhee kom]

I love the way Pk fans think they have superstars playing at home. They always flatter to decieve.

 

[babajee]

I love the way Pk fans think they have superstars playing at home. They always flatter to decieve.

Even players in Dhaka club cricket would do a better job than Azhar, Hafeez and Malik.

 

[bujhee kom]

Even players in Dhaka club cricket would do a better job than Azhar, Hafeez and Malik.

None of your top 6 would make our team. None. We beat NZ for fun, you can't buy a win v them. Pakistan's batting is horrendously bad.

 

[Syed1]

None of your top 6 would make our team. None. We beat NZ for fun, you can't buy a win v them. Pakistan's batting is horrendously bad.

It's just a matter of everything that could fail is failing together... if in the next match things fall in place this same batting lineup can rack up 350 no problem. Plus you have no players of the caliber of Fakhar and Babar.

 

[Pete Rose]

There is no radical overhaul needed. We found Sharjeel and Fakhar over the last couple of years and they quickly became the mainstays of the batting lineup.
The need to phase our hafeez and Malik. Doesn’t sound all that tough

 

[Siraj.Hussain]

There is no radical overhaul needed. We found Sharjeel and Fakhar over the last couple of years and they quickly became the mainstays of the batting lineup.
The need to phase our hafeez and Malik. Doesn’t sound all that tough

Doesn't sound all that tough, but clearly beyond the think-tank of Pakistan Cricket

 

[KingKhanWC]

It totally depends on the conditions. If we see the same pitches as we did in the CT, then fine. If they are pacey with movement, this batting line up is a line up of sitting ducks.

 

[backfootpunch]

We were told before the NZ series by many of the posters on here that Pakistan didn't need a good batting line up because they could bowl any side out cheaply. The CT win was a one off and a gift from the almighty during the holy month.

Pakistan needs to kick out the seniors like Azhar Ali (should have retired from ODIs after the CT final), Shoaib Malik (can't bat on faster wickets outside SC) and particularly Hafeez (bottler) and replace them with players such as Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat and Maqsood.

 

[srh]

I believe that the Champions Trophy was a double-edged sword for us. While we played excellently after the first India game, our success has masked our frailties.

I do not know for how long Azhar Ali will live off the fact that for the first time in his life, he played at a strike-rate more akin to the modern-day and helped Zaman when he was struggling. I ask you, which other team would he get into? Arguably, he wouldn't even get into Bangladesh or Afghanistan's team.

To this end, I cannot wait for Sharjeel to be back. He's an awesome player, and would compliment Zaman very well. In the mean-time, Saibzada Farhan needs to be in the team. I've been very impressed by what I have seen from him.

The same goes for Hafeez, who played very well in the Champions Trophy final, but hasn't shown much else.

For me, Hafeez should only be in the team if he can bowl. I'm very confident that results right now in New Zealand would be much different if he was allowed to bowl. It allows Sarfraz to rotate his bowlers freely, mixing things up and strangling the batting team.
The problem however is this. I maintain that he should be in the team only if he can bowl. However, even then, for me he should come in as a lower-order finisher. Now, he is not able to bowl, nor is he coming in as a finisher, and we are severely handicapped because of this.

Babar and Sarfraz have also both disappointed for me on this tour so far. Babar has been unlucky on a few occasions, however Sarfraz has disappointed severely. His fitness needs to improve, and his batting has been atrocious for a while now.

I also think Imad Wasim has been a big miss. He is very good at tying down one end, building pressure for other people. He is also no mug with the bat.

Long story short, I think that the squad needs big change, if we are to challenge in the 2019 World Cup. However, the core of the squad is there.

Sharjeel
Zaman
Babar
Sarfraz
Malik
Shadab
Faeem Ashraf
Hafeez/Seamer
Imad
Hasan Ali
Mohammed Amir

Bench: Farhan, Haris Sohail, Rohail Nazir, Junaid Khan, Raess, Usman Khan, Shaheen Shah

This is the team I would play. There's batting all the way down, and all can bat at a reasonable strike-rate. There are finishers in Hafeez, Ashraf, and Hasan Ali. There's three seamers, a leg-spinner, two off-spinners, and a left-arm spinner. If Hafeez can't bowl, I'd bring in another seamer, whether it be Junaid, Raess, Usman Khan, or even a left-field selection like Shaheen Shah.

Bench strength is strong, seamers can be rotated, and I've also added some U19 players, as the team needs some fresh energy I think. In particular Rohail Nazir to keep Sarfraz on his toes. He's had no competiton and has become complacent.

Firstly, do we think this team is feasible? Secondly, would it challenge in the World Cup in 2019?

your team is not radical enough. I would drop Malik, Hafeez and Imad from your team. I dont want to lose Sarfraz the captain so I will include him for now. I will select Saad Ali, Hussain Talat and Junaid Khan / Usman as their replacement. This is my team:

1. Sharjeel
2. Zaman
3. Babar
4. Sarfraz
5. Saad Ali
6. Hussain Talat
7. Shadab
8. Faheem
9. Hasan Ali
10. Amir
11. Junaid / Usman

 

[babajee]

Azhar, Hafeez and Malik need to be booted out of the side ASAP. Enough of “experience”.

I want to see this side:

Fakhar
Amin (not the most explosive but dynamic enough to maintain a 90+ SR)
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz - time to take some responsibility. Lets face it he’s definitely going to stay until 2019 WC.
Talat
Shadab
Faheem
Hasan
Amir
Bashir/Usman/Junaid

 

[PakLFC]

How many overhauls do we need?. I don't see the point in introducing new faces if they are no better then what we currently have. Often wonder what happens to all those who have performed so well in past U-19 WC tournaments? By all means if we have class waiting then better to try them right now, it will need time to bed them in before the WC next year.

 

[coy0607]

Honestly, I don't see how the squad you list is 'radically' different from the current group

And its noble to suggest such an idea (someone always does after a poor series)- but the fact is the Pakistani management are perfectly fine with the way things are right now... no radical changes are coming

 

[MRSN]

We were told before the NZ series by many of the posters on here that Pakistan didn't need a good batting line up because they could bowl any side out cheaply. The CT win was a one off and a gift from the almighty during the holy month.

Pakistan needs to kick out the seniors like Azhar Ali (should have retired from ODIs after the CT final), Shoaib Malik (can't bat on faster wickets outside SC) and particularly Hafeez (bottler) and replace them with players such as Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat and Maqsood.

thanks for reminding me this excuse..) Most of Pak fans were really defending our mediocre batting because our bowlers had a purple patch thanks to supportive conditions but once environment changes bowlers fail and true reality of our team is exposed. Today England chased down 300+ and none of Aussie commentators said their bowlers failed. instead they were saying their batting should have put 40 odd runs more given the track. Our superstars can't even score 250 without struggling on a flat road.

 

[Hasan123]

There is definitely better opitions than Hafeez and Azhar in our domestic system. But the revolutionary doesn't have the guts to give them a chance .

 

[Kroll]

They may need a rehaul similar to what England did with their ODI team after the 2015 WC debacle. I say "may" due to the fact that we still won the CT with a pretty much similar lineup to what we have in NZ presently.

England were ruthless by axing the likes of Cook, can Pakistan do the same? Ironically, Cook would probably still be a better opener than Azhar but he was unceremoniously dumped form the ODI team despite wanting to continue. Same goes with the likes of Bell and Trott and look at how strong their team has become.

We sacked Azhar for not being a competent one day player as much as for his lousy stint as captain. I remember him in the UAE rushing down at the ball and flailing his arms all over the place just to try and score at rate deemed acceptable for modern ODI cricket. Astonishingly, we bring him back!

I'd start by booting out Azhar, Hafeez, Sarfraz and perhaps Malik. Bring in the likes of Farhan, Haris, Talat etc or whoever you prefer.

 

[TeymurBlake]

We've got players performing in Pakistan who can easily come in and take Azhar, Hafeez and Malik's places. Hussain Talat are really good batsman that can easily draft in to No.6 with Safaraz moving to No.5. Haris Sohail a quality middle order batsman who is so far just warming the bench in NZ can come in for Hafeez at No.4 and finally Mukhtar or Sahibzada, aggressive openers who can come in and provide Pakistan with an aggressive attack.

 

[prop558]

01 - Azhar Ali
02 - Fakhar Zaman
03 - Babar Azam
04 - Sarfraz Ahmed
05 - Saad Ali
06 - Sohaib / Hussain Talat (any one)
07 - Shadab Khan
08 - Fahim Ashraf
09 - Hasan Ali
10 - Muhammad Amir
11 - Junaid Khan

-------------------------------------------
Bakcup All Rounder - Amir Yameen
Backup Batsman - Haris Sohail / Saud Shakeel
Backup Bowler - Rumman Raees
Backup Opener - Shan Masood

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Bring the Akmals back
Make Kammy captain

For all the runs saved with running and better fitness are lost when our super fit fielders don’t get into double digits


Drop the totalitarian regime, reintroduce abit of flair and unpredictability and don’t play by the manual book

 

[MMHS]

I believe that the Champions Trophy was a double-edged sword for us. While we played excellently after the first India game, our success has masked our frailties.

I do not know for how long Azhar Ali will live off the fact that for the first time in his life, he played at a strike-rate more akin to the modern-day and helped Zaman when he was struggling. I ask you, which other team would he get into? Arguably, he wouldn't even get into Bangladesh or Afghanistan's team.

To this end, I cannot wait for Sharjeel to be back. He's an awesome player, and would compliment Zaman very well. In the mean-time, Saibzada Farhan needs to be in the team. I've been very impressed by what I have seen from him.

The same goes for Hafeez, who played very well in the Champions Trophy final, but hasn't shown much else.

For me, Hafeez should only be in the team if he can bowl. I'm very confident that results right now in New Zealand would be much different if he was allowed to bowl. It allows Sarfraz to rotate his bowlers freely, mixing things up and strangling the batting team.
The problem however is this. I maintain that he should be in the team only if he can bowl. However, even then, for me he should come in as a lower-order finisher. Now, he is not able to bowl, nor is he coming in as a finisher, and we are severely handicapped because of this.

Babar and Sarfraz have also both disappointed for me on this tour so far. Babar has been unlucky on a few occasions, however Sarfraz has disappointed severely. His fitness needs to improve, and his batting has been atrocious for a while now.

I also think Imad Wasim has been a big miss. He is very good at tying down one end, building pressure for other people. He is also no mug with the bat.

Long story short, I think that the squad needs big change, if we are to challenge in the 2019 World Cup. However, the core of the squad is there.

Sharjeel
Zaman
Babar
Sarfraz
Malik
Shadab
Faeem Ashraf
Hafeez/Seamer
Imad
Hasan Ali
Mohammed Amir

Bench: Farhan, Haris Sohail, Rohail Nazir, Junaid Khan, Raess, Usman Khan, Shaheen Shah

This is the team I would play. There's batting all the way down, and all can bat at a reasonable strike-rate. There are finishers in Hafeez, Ashraf, and Hasan Ali. There's three seamers, a leg-spinner, two off-spinners, and a left-arm spinner. If Hafeez can't bowl, I'd bring in another seamer, whether it be Junaid, Raess, Usman Khan, or even a left-field selection like Shaheen Shah.

Bench strength is strong, seamers can be rotated, and I've also added some U19 players, as the team needs some fresh energy I think. In particular Rohail Nazir to keep Sarfraz on his toes. He's had no competiton and has become complacent.

Firstly, do we think this team is feasible? Secondly, would it challenge in the World Cup in 2019?

Old wine in a new bottle isn’t change, let alone being radical. Your team doesn’t fix the primary reason of this sharp nose dive - CT was played in UK in June, this Kiwi condition can’t be more adverse than that (for batting), therefore it’s not a question of being exposed on alien condition.

The reason for this sharp decline is that, average player are carried well beyond their sell by date. Azhar, MoHa, Malik, Sarfraz by any standard at best is average player - take it outside Asia, we’ll below average even at their prime. Add 2 to 5 years to their official age - these players were on their last leg even in CT; wasn’t exposed for outstanding performance of few young players pulling socks well beyond expectation. Now every day, they are sinking at faster rate and it’s not going to improve ever at this age.

Advantage for PAK players is that in a year team hardly plays 1/2 competitive series and lots of soft matches in between, which doesn’t expose these seniors for their decade long experience - against mediocre team (s), they’ll always make numbers to justify their spot. You probably can find a reason why & how Kamran is destroying domestic bowlers at this age (& fitness). Forget about top teams, had PAK toured BD just after CT win, you would have a reality check.

The radical changes that you are asking for is not about reshuffling the dead woods, or players that doesn’t fit the format. Many times I wrote that ODI teams are built on combination, not around individuals - you figure out your strategy & combination, then pick players (squad) for that. PAK is doing otherway - picking favourite players (of players that expected to perform) and then fit them in the strategy, which doesn’t suit their core game. Won’t work - you can reshuffle it whichever way you wish - Azhar Ali isn’t going to execute a cover drive on back foot!!!!

12 months left (by the time team starts for SAF ODI, at least 14 of the 16 should be finalized) - first & foremost, bring that official average age from 29 to 25 (I would have brought it to 23, so that it reaches 25 by WC). It’s not about who is what, rather it’s about picking the possible best player at his prime for a given role/spot for a particular condition/venue (here WC in UK). Experience is absolute rubbish excuse if your experienced bunch does what these guys are doing or what YK did in 2015.

If you ask me - I see only 5 players from these 16 good enough (read justified enough) to make the WC 16 : Amir, Hasan, FZ, Shadab, Babar. May be, we can add Fahim & Haris (remember, we haven’t seen him yet much & he has fitness issues) as well, which makes it 7 - that’s 8/9 spots to fix including Captaincy and I do agree with you - it’ll be a radical change, if so. I give you couple of examples from PAK itself - 2003 WC squad was one of the most experienced & star studded side while both 1992 & 1999 squads were quite young ...... experience is bullish!t if it lands those seniors who can’t guide the juniors & hide under them in crunch situation. Stats are misleading distractions - I would have sent Shadab at 4 in that CT SF against Poms to prove that for an example.

For such discussions, first mistake posters do that they go straight to player selection - who should be there & where - it ends up in frastration always - who is not there rather who is there and what he is doing. It should be completely opposite - a tournament in UAE/WI or in SAF/AUS or IND/BD/SRL or UK/NZ demands different strategy and combination, different role for players. Therefore, ideally one should target next big ticket item (here WC 2019), identify the condition, context, strategy for the tournament - then slot players in 15/16 roles; obviously many players (but not expired oldies) should fit into every combination, because they are available best. It’s not club football that genius Pep can spend quarter billion on Mansoor’s credit for his back line (& then concede 4 in 60 minutes) - one has to find solutions within country boundary (& domestic tournaments) for National jobs.

In other thread, I had my 16 for WC - may be 1/2 spots will change over the year (but not in the direction of experience) - and I can give my justifications for each & every single pick of that 16, given a WC in early UK summer and 9 confirmed games may be in 35 days. If you wish, bring it here for further discussions - this FIFA 2015 style Play Station pick isn’t radical change.

 

[giri26]

To be frank radical overhaul will not happen with just 1 year left before WC. Even if there an overhaul, it will be limited. PCB is not going to throw away the seniors and playing youngsters a year before a major tournament. Someone like Kamran Akmal or Umar Akmal might find their way back and at max one of the senior players might get the boot.

 

[Titan24]

I believe that the Champions Trophy was a double-edged sword for us. While we played excellently after the first India game, our success has masked our frailties.

I do not know for how long Azhar Ali will live off the fact that for the first time in his life, he played at a strike-rate more akin to the modern-day and helped Zaman when he was struggling. I ask you, which other team would he get into? Arguably, he wouldn't even get into Bangladesh or Afghanistan's team.

To this end, I cannot wait for Sharjeel to be back. He's an awesome player, and would compliment Zaman very well. In the mean-time, Saibzada Farhan needs to be in the team. I've been very impressed by what I have seen from him.

The same goes for Hafeez, who played very well in the Champions Trophy final, but hasn't shown much else.

For me, Hafeez should only be in the team if he can bowl. I'm very confident that results right now in New Zealand would be much different if he was allowed to bowl. It allows Sarfraz to rotate his bowlers freely, mixing things up and strangling the batting team.
The problem however is this. I maintain that he should be in the team only if he can bowl. However, even then, for me he should come in as a lower-order finisher. Now, he is not able to bowl, nor is he coming in as a finisher, and we are severely handicapped because of this.

Babar and Sarfraz have also both disappointed for me on this tour so far. Babar has been unlucky on a few occasions, however Sarfraz has disappointed severely. His fitness needs to improve, and his batting has been atrocious for a while now.

I also think Imad Wasim has been a big miss. He is very good at tying down one end, building pressure for other people. He is also no mug with the bat.

Long story short, I think that the squad needs big change, if we are to challenge in the 2019 World Cup. However, the core of the squad is there.

Sharjeel
Zaman
Babar
Sarfraz
Malik
Shadab
Faeem Ashraf
Hafeez/Seamer
Imad
Hasan Ali
Mohammed Amir

Bench: Farhan, Haris Sohail, Rohail Nazir, Junaid Khan, Raess, Usman Khan, Shaheen Shah

This is the team I would play. There's batting all the way down, and all can bat at a reasonable strike-rate. There are finishers in Hafeez, Ashraf, and Hasan Ali. There's three seamers, a leg-spinner, two off-spinners, and a left-arm spinner. If Hafeez can't bowl, I'd bring in another seamer, whether it be Junaid, Raess, Usman Khan, or even a left-field selection like Shaheen Shah.

Bench strength is strong, seamers can be rotated, and I've also added some U19 players, as the team needs some fresh energy I think. In particular Rohail Nazir to keep Sarfraz on his toes. He's had no competiton and has become complacent.

Firstly, do we think this team is feasible? Secondly, would it challenge in the World Cup in 2019?

You do realize we won CT 17 in the same country and Pakistan historically is always a threat in English conditions.

 

[Titan24]

You do realize we won CT 17 in the same country and Pakistan historically is always a threat in English conditions.

So I think other then the broken few which are Malik (yes he is bradmenish in subcontinent with his current form but not in overseas conditions) and Hafeez (Atleast not without his bowling) we don need a lot of changes.

 

[Titan24]

01 - Azhar Ali
02 - Fakhar Zaman
03 - Babar Azam
04 - Sarfraz Ahmed
05 - Saad Ali
06 - Sohaib / Hussain Talat (any one)
07 - Shadab Khan
08 - Fahim Ashraf
09 - Hasan Ali
10 - Muhammad Amir
11 - Junaid Khan

-------------------------------------------
Bakcup All Rounder - Amir Yameen
Backup Batsman - Haris Sohail / Saud Shakeel
Backup Bowler - Rumman Raees
Backup Opener - Shan Masood

One big problem is that your whole squad has just one spinner, we won CT 17 with three fast bowlers and three spinners. Sarfaraz would like to have atleast two if not three in playing 11

I guess Saud is the only one who can be considered a spin bowling, batting all rounder

 

[Brilliance]

I know what follows the losses in NZ, Akmal brothers of all people will be back into the team. TTFs should be completely sidelined if we are to stand any chance of going into the semifinals of the WC.

1 Fakhar.
2 Sharjeel.
3 Babar.
4 Haris.
5 Sarfaraz.
6 Talat.
7 Shadab.
8 Fahim.
9 Hasan.
10 Amir.
11 Usman.

12 Shaheen Shah.
13 RFM.
14 Rohail Nazir.
15 Imad Wasim.

 

[Tyler Durden]

It's just a matter of everything that could fail is failing together... if in the next match things fall in place this same batting lineup can rack up 350 no problem. Plus you have no players of the caliber of Fakhar and Babar.

Fakhar is the only player that I see as a serious threat and a match-winner in the current Pak lineup. He is the only person who has the ability to take the game away from opposition with his lethal attack. Not sure why do you include Babar in this? I understand he's a quality player. But I can never see him chasing a big total or providing a game-changing knock except his soft runs. Babar is still an impact-less player to me and any team would feel much relieved once they take Fakhar's wicket early/cheaply, but certainly not Babar's.

 

[Mamoon]

The World Cup is going to be a disaster like the 2013 Champions Trophy. I think history will repeat itself - we won the WT20 in 2009 in England, and returned four years later to get humiliated in the Champions Trophy.

Now after winning the Champions Trophy in 2017, we are heading for a humiliation in the 2019 World Cup in England.

 

[Mamoon]

It's just a matter of everything that could fail is failing together... if in the next match things fall in place this same batting lineup can rack up 350 no problem. Plus you have no players of the caliber of Fakhar and Babar.

Barring Saeed Anwar, Tamim Iqbal is better than any ODI opener we have produced. He is miles better than Fakhar.

Babar easily makes the Bangladesh team, but their overall batting unit is superior to ours. Mushfiq and Shafiq will walk into our team.

 

[Sarwar89]

I really do not understand the psyche of Sub-Continent Cricket followers. Pakistani supporters give absolute tosh to Test Cricket and their entire focus is on bish-bosh hurrah cricket, which is limited overs cricket. And it is not real cricket.
I have lived in Australia and England. And I can tell you from my experience both nations take One day or T20 as fun game only, nothing serious. Their main and major focus is on Ashes and Test Cricket.

Yesterday Jason Roy scored 180. In England he was not given enough appreciation, this is what One English-man wrote to me.



One test series defeat away in Australia does not mark the end of the test team. Do not forget that Australia have not won in England either for over a decade and half - in fact, England have won in Australia more recently than the other way around.

And as far as supporting the one day team, while this is a nice it of cricket candy, it comes nowhere near test cricket for credibility. And I for one would never trade test success for one day success.

Similarly in Australia most of the people openly mentioned to me they give an absolute tosh to their 5 World cups what bothers them is losing an Ashes. Australia has won 5 world cups and their public is never bothered about it but here on these forums i see young generation obsessed with limited overs cricket.

During recent MCG test match between Australia v England on day 1 the crowd attendance was 88000, yesterday during a One day match at MCG between Australia v England, attendance was only 40000.

Pakistan needs to start dominating Test Cricket across the globe only then they will be respected in cricketing terms. This bish bosh hurrat one day cricket is a temporary fun.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

I really do not understand the psyche of Sub-Continent Cricket followers. Pakistani supporters give absolute tosh to Test Cricket and their entire focus is on bish-bosh hurrah cricket, which is limited overs cricket. And it is not real cricket.
I have lived in Australia and England. And I can tell you from my experience both nations take One day or T20 as fun game only, nothing serious. Their main and major focus is on Ashes and Test Cricket.

Yesterday Jason Roy scored 180. In England he was not given enough appreciation, this is what One English-man wrote to me.



One test series defeat away in Australia does not mark the end of the test team. Do not forget that Australia have not won in England either for over a decade and half - in fact, England have won in Australia more recently than the other way around.

And as far as supporting the one day team, while this is a nice it of cricket candy, it comes nowhere near test cricket for credibility. And I for one would never trade test success for one day success.

Similarly in Australia most of the people openly mentioned to me they give an absolute tosh to their 5 World cups what bothers them is losing an Ashes. Australia has won 5 world cups and their public is never bothered about it but here on these forums i see young generation obsessed with limited overs cricket.

During recent MCG test match between Australia v England on day 1 the crowd attendance was 88000, yesterday during a One day match at MCG between Australia v England, attendance was only 40000.

Pakistan needs to start dominating Test Cricket across the globe only then they will be respected in cricketing terms. This bish bosh hurrat one day cricket is a temporary fun.

Lol. Who cares about a minority of ageing white men.

We are the majority. White ball cricket is the present and future. Let dinosaurs live in their own world.

 

[prop558]

The World Cup is going to be a disaster like the 2013 Champions Trophy. I think history will repeat itself - we won the WT20 in 2009 in England, and returned four years later to get humiliated in the Champions Trophy.

Now after winning the Champions Trophy in 2017, we are heading for a humiliation in the 2019 World Cup in England.

I still believe playing in England is much happier for Pakistan rather than in Australia New Zealand or South Africa. We have good past memories from England.

I still believe that Pakistan can win the World Cup if we play with the right batting combination and right team selection. But if we play with wrong combinations, wrong selection, and will continue the "seniority myth".

Team selection was just pathetic in the previous 3 World Cups. Otherwise there is no shortage of talent in Pakistan.

 

[DRsohail]

The World Cup is going to be a disaster like the 2013 Champions Trophy. I think history will repeat itself - we won the WT20 in 2009 in England, and returned four years later to get humiliated in the Champions Trophy.

Now after winning the Champions Trophy in 2017, we are heading for a humiliation in the 2019 World Cup in England.

On serious note what are the changes and replacement you will like in our team to become competitive ib WC 2019??

 

[Mamoon]

On serious note what are the changes and replacement you will like in our team to become competitive ib WC 2019??

Unless we have a fluke run like the Champions Trophy, I don't think there is any combination in the country that can help us win with the World Cup. The gulf between us and the best teams in the world is too big.

 

[Mamoon]

I still believe playing in England is much happier for Pakistan rather than in Australia New Zealand or South Africa. We have good past memories from England.

I still believe that Pakistan can win the World Cup if we play with the right batting combination and right team selection. But if we play with wrong combinations, wrong selection, and will continue the "seniority myth".

Team selection was just pathetic in the previous 3 World Cups. Otherwise there is no shortage of talent in Pakistan.

There is a big shortage of talent in Pakistan. We don't have 150 kph fast bowlers, we don't have dynamic batsmen who can play modern cricket, we don't have a world class WK batsman and we don't have a potential world class off-spinner.

England is a happy hunting ground for us, but I don't see us making an impact at the World Cup.

 

[Mamoon]

I really do not understand the psyche of Sub-Continent Cricket followers. Pakistani supporters give absolute tosh to Test Cricket and their entire focus is on bish-bosh hurrah cricket, which is limited overs cricket. And it is not real cricket.
I have lived in Australia and England. And I can tell you from my experience both nations take One day or T20 as fun game only, nothing serious. Their main and major focus is on Ashes and Test Cricket.

Yesterday Jason Roy scored 180. In England he was not given enough appreciation, this is what One English-man wrote to me.



One test series defeat away in Australia does not mark the end of the test team. Do not forget that Australia have not won in England either for over a decade and half - in fact, England have won in Australia more recently than the other way around.

And as far as supporting the one day team, while this is a nice it of cricket candy, it comes nowhere near test cricket for credibility. And I for one would never trade test success for one day success.

Similarly in Australia most of the people openly mentioned to me they give an absolute tosh to their 5 World cups what bothers them is losing an Ashes. Australia has won 5 world cups and their public is never bothered about it but here on these forums i see young generation obsessed with limited overs cricket.

During recent MCG test match between Australia v England on day 1 the crowd attendance was 88000, yesterday during a One day match at MCG between Australia v England, attendance was only 40000.

Pakistan needs to start dominating Test Cricket across the globe only then they will be respected in cricketing terms. This bish bosh hurrat one day cricket is a temporary fun.

People in the subcontinent, i.e. the players and the viewers, consider the World Cup as the greatest prize in the game. As a result, they take ODIs more seriously than teams like Australia and England (although there has been a shift in the mentality of the ECB) who value the Ashes as the most important prize.

That is why the excitement of winning the Champions Trophy was far greater than reaching the top of the Test rankings in 2016, and that is why India consider the 1983 and 2011 World Cups as bigger achievements than winning Test series in England in 2007.

In fact, if Kohli is given a choice between winning this ongoing Test series or winning the World Cup next year, he will most probably go for the World Cup. I remember an interview with Sangakkara where he was asked to choose between the World Cup and the number on Test ranking, and he opted for the former without any hesitation.

Tendulkar, in spite of being the most decorated batsman in history, was desperate to win a World Cup. On the contrary, the likes of Botham and Gower opted out of the 1987 World Cup and decided to rest.

If Pakistan beats Australia or South Africa away in Tests, half of the country will not care or watch. However, when it comes to the World Cup, the whole country is glued to the screens. Imran Khan was a legendary captain before the 1992 World Cup, but today, he is remembered for leading Pakistan to glory. Similarly, Wasim Akram was already a top bowler, but his spell in the World Cup Final made him a legend.

The excitement and euphoria of winning tournaments (esp. the World Cup) is not matched by any Test series win. it brings the whole nation together and makes the protagonists overnight stars. Subcontinent fans and players will never learn to value Test cricket more than ODI cricket. It is not our culture.

However, it also interesting to note that South African cricketers also think along similar lines. They have achieved everything in Test cricket, but their desperation to win the World Cup is clear. Kallis retired from Test cricket early to have one final crack at the World Cup; de Villiers took hiatus from Test cricket to recuperate for the World Cup. It seems that at this point, they would trade any Test series win to win the World Cup.

 

[DRsohail]

Unless we have a fluke run like the Champions Trophy, I don't think there is any combination in the country that can help us win with the World Cup. The gulf between us and the best teams in the world is too big.

i mean competitive not win.

 

[Mamoon]

i mean competitive not win.

Getting rid of Hafeez, Azhar and Imam would be a start. Umar, Maqsood and Talat needs to be in contention. Sarfraz is also a liability but he is not replaceable at the moment.

Malik can be carried till the World Cup.

 

[backfootpunch]

Barring Saeed Anwar, Tamim Iqbal is better than any ODI opener we have produced. He is miles better than Fakhar.

Babar easily makes the Bangladesh team, but their overall batting unit is superior to ours. Mushfiq and Shafiq will walk into our team.

I strongly disagree on this one, yes technically he is better but his SR lets his team down. I would take a match winner in Fakhar Zaman any day of the week.

 

[DRsohail]

I strongly disagree on this one, yes technically he is better but his SR lets his team down. I would take a match winner in Fakhar Zaman any day of the week.

i will take tamim over any pak bat.

 

[Mamoon]

I strongly disagree on this one, yes technically he is better but his SR lets his team down. I would take a match winner in Fakhar Zaman any day of the week.

Problem with Tamim is that he is selfish. He can do what Fakhar does and more. He is a high quality batsman if he plays for the team.

 

[backfootpunch]

i will take tamim over any pak bat.

I would take Tamim over any Pakistan batsman (barring Babar and Fakhar) but all that amplifies is how minnow like this batting line up really is since he averages under 35 @SR under 80 which is rubbish. I rate him far more highly in tests.

 

[Kroll]

To be frank radical overhaul will not happen with just 1 year left before WC. Even if there an overhaul, it will be limited. PCB is not going to throw away the seniors and playing youngsters a year before a major tournament. Someone like Kamran Akmal or Umar Akmal might find their way back and at max one of the senior players might get the boot.

Knowing the Pakistan hierarchy, very unlikely it will happen. But there is around a year and half still left - plenty of time to make some changes that can improve the lineup. The batting is where the major issues are and I'm sure, it's possible to induct three or four new players into the side. This needs to start now.

 

[DRsohail]

Old wine in a new bottle isnÂ’t change, let alone being radical. Your team doesnÂ’t fix the primary reason of this sharp nose dive - CT was played in UK in June, this Kiwi condition canÂ’t be more adverse than that (for batting), therefore itÂ’s not a question of being exposed on alien condition.

The reason for this sharp decline is that, average player are carried well beyond their sell by date. Azhar, MoHa, Malik, Sarfraz by any standard at best is average player - take it outside Asia, weÂ’ll below average even at their prime. Add 2 to 5 years to their official age - these players were on their last leg even in CT; wasnÂ’t exposed for outstanding performance of few young players pulling socks well beyond expectation. Now every day, they are sinking at faster rate and itÂ’s not going to improve ever at this age.

Advantage for PAK players is that in a year team hardly plays 1/2 competitive series and lots of soft matches in between, which doesnÂ’t expose these seniors for their decade long experience - against mediocre team (s), theyÂ’ll always make numbers to justify their spot. You probably can find a reason why & how Kamran is destroying domestic bowlers at this age (& fitness). Forget about top teams, had PAK toured BD just after CT win, you would have a reality check.

The radical changes that you are asking for is not about reshuffling the dead woods, or players that doesnÂ’t fit the format. Many times I wrote that ODI teams are built on combination, not around individuals - you figure out your strategy & combination, then pick players (squad) for that. PAK is doing otherway - picking favourite players (of players that expected to perform) and then fit them in the strategy, which doesnÂ’t suit their core game. WonÂ’t work - you can reshuffle it whichever way you wish - Azhar Ali isnÂ’t going to execute a cover drive on back foot!!!!

12 months left (by the time team starts for SAF ODI, at least 14 of the 16 should be finalized) - first & foremost, bring that official average age from 29 to 25 (I would have brought it to 23, so that it reaches 25 by WC). ItÂ’s not about who is what, rather itÂ’s about picking the possible best player at his prime for a given role/spot for a particular condition/venue (here WC in UK). Experience is absolute rubbish excuse if your experienced bunch does what these guys are doing or what YK did in 2015.

If you ask me - I see only 5 players from these 16 good enough (read justified enough) to make the WC 16 : Amir, Hasan, FZ, Shadab, Babar. May be, we can add Fahim & Haris (remember, we havenÂ’t seen him yet much & he has fitness issues) as well, which makes it 7 - thatÂ’s 8/9 spots to fix including Captaincy and I do agree with you - itÂ’ll be a radical change, if so. I give you couple of examples from PAK itself - 2003 WC squad was one of the most experienced & star studded side while both 1992 & 1999 squads were quite young ...... experience is bullish!t if it lands those seniors who canÂ’t guide the juniors & hide under them in crunch situation. Stats are misleading distractions - I would have sent Shadab at 4 in that CT SF against Poms to prove that for an example.

For such discussions, first mistake posters do that they go straight to player selection - who should be there & where - it ends up in frastration always - who is not there rather who is there and what he is doing. It should be completely opposite - a tournament in UAE/WI or in SAF/AUS or IND/BD/SRL or UK/NZ demands different strategy and combination, different role for players. Therefore, ideally one should target next big ticket item (here WC 2019), identify the condition, context, strategy for the tournament - then slot players in 15/16 roles; obviously many players (but not expired oldies) should fit into every combination, because they are available best. ItÂ’s not club football that genius Pep can spend quarter billion on MansoorÂ’s credit for his back line (& then concede 4 in 60 minutes) - one has to find solutions within country boundary (& domestic tournaments) for National jobs.

In other thread, I had my 16 for WC - may be 1/2 spots will change over the year (but not in the direction of experience) - and I can give my justifications for each & every single pick of that 16, given a WC in early UK summer and 9 confirmed games may be in 35 days. If you wish, bring it here for further discussions - this FIFA 2015 style Play Station pick isnÂ’t radical change.

These sorts of thing have been done just once in our entire last 25 years and that was aamir sohail back in 2003.but was robbed of that afterwards.

 

[BlueDoritos]

Fakhar
Sahibzada/Mukhtar
Babar
Saad/Maqsood
Sarfraz
Shadab
Talat/Yamin/Imad
Faheem
Hasan
Amir
Sadaf