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Rebuilding Pakistan's Test team after the expected series defeat vs Australia

realitygaf

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Build the team around the following players


Abdullah Shafiq - Opener
Babar Azam - number 3
Fawad Alam - middle order
Mohammad Rizwan - wicket keeper
Shaheen Afridi - opening bowler 1
Naseem Shah - opening bowler 2
Shadab Khan - all rounder

Only have one senior Batman in the team as Fawad Alam as some semblance of experience is needed as Babar Azam has not reached Fawad Alam’s experience in test cricket yet .
 
Build the team around the following players


Abdullah Shafiq - Opener
Babar Azam - number 3
Fawad Alam - middle order
Mohammad Rizwan - wicket keeper
Shaheen Afridi - opening bowler 1
Naseem Shah - opening bowler 2
Shadab Khan - all rounder

Only have one senior Batman in the team as Fawad Alam as some semblance of experience is needed as Babar Azam has not reached Fawad Alam’s experience in test cricket yet .


The score is 0-0 with 2nd test in progress. First Pakistan has to lose this test and then there will be 3rd test as well.
 
Wait until the series is finished at least before getting your panties in a twist.
 
Pakistan needs to move on from Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam. No country persists with batsmen 37 plus. Even Tendulkar was politely told by the BCCI selectors to call it quits in a farewell series otherwise he was going to be dropped from the team.
 
I’d bring in either one of Sharjeel or Fakhar into the test squad, they won’t need to play as openers. It’s not mandatory to have 5-6 players who are all striking at low 50’s, every other team will have a batsman that has the ability to take on the oppositions bowling.

Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Abdullah Shafique
Kamran Ghulam
Babar Azam
Fakhar/Sharjeel
Saud Shakeel
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan (c)
Kashif Bhatti
Shaheen Afridi
Imran Khan snr
 
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I hope Rambo is willing to make the tough calls.

The last decade has been full of “senior players must be given respect”

“Misbah deserves to choose when he retires”

“Younis deserves to choose”

“Azhar Ali is a fine servant and deserves is 100 tests”

“Fawad Alam got a bad run, he deserves his chance now for as long as he wants”

It’s getting beyond ridiculous.

Get rid of the deadwood
 
I’d bring in either one of Sharjeel or Fakhar into the test squad, they won’t need to play as openers. It’s not mandatory to have 5-6 players who are all striking at low 50’s, every other team will have a batsman that has the ability to take on the oppositions bowling.

Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Abdullah Shafique
Kamran Ghulam
Babar Azam
Fakhar/Sharjeel
Saud Shakeel
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan (c)
Kashif Bhatti
Shaheen Afridi
Imran Khan snr

A modern test team should have an aggressive opener, an aggressive middle order batsman and aggressive lower order player and 1-2 accumulators in the mould of Babar
 
I mean our Test team has been poor for a while

I was baffled why everyone was doing bhangras after the T20 WC. I remember posters used to take offence when I'd point out t20 is just a clowns format that only we take seriously.

Outside of that format our team has been poor for a while
 
The reality is our team is dead in the water. I really don’t see any way back. We are ingrained in this defensive, scared culture and I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not because of talent and ability - they just don’t think about their cricket.

There is no single active cricketer in pakistan that is a visionary. In fact, I don’t think there a single active cricketer that actually understands cricketing strategy. They don’t understand the game at all.
 
Build the team around the following players


Abdullah Shafiq - Opener
Babar Azam - number 3
Fawad Alam - middle order
Mohammad Rizwan - wicket keeper
Shaheen Afridi - opening bowler 1
Naseem Shah - opening bowler 2
Shadab Khan - all rounder

Only have one senior Batman in the team as Fawad Alam as some semblance of experience is needed as Babar Azam has not reached Fawad Alam’s experience in test cricket yet .

Parchi Imam hatao
He always score runs in dead rubbers, placid tracks , depleted oppositions.. Will never help to bail out team from good attack or difficult situations

Still remember his 100 against Bangladesh in dead rubber in 2019 WC; while he failed in all other games
 
I hope Rambo is willing to make the tough calls.

The last decade has been full of “senior players must be given respect”

“Misbah deserves to choose when he retires”

“Younis deserves to choose”

“Azhar Ali is a fine servant and deserves is 100 tests”

“Fawad Alam got a bad run, he deserves his chance now for as long as he wants”

It’s getting beyond ridiculous.

Get rid of the deadwood

These days we hear : We have world class bowlers and King Babar; and hype is so much that sometimes I feel Babar would score 500 runs in a test innings against Australia in Perth
And Shaheen / Hasan would take 10 wickets a piece in Karachi test
 
Parchi Imam hatao
He always score runs in dead rubbers, placid tracks , depleted oppositions.. Will never help to bail out team from good attack or difficult situations

Still remember his 100 against Bangladesh in dead rubber in 2019 WC; while he failed in all other games

Well said. He's so bad.
 
They should build thier squad around

Abdullah
Babar
Saud Shakeel
Rizwan
Shaheen
Nawaz


Then the players who should be inducted into the team are

Kamran Ghullam lower middle order
Shadab batting all rounder
Irfanullah,Sameen Gull,khurram Shezard someone who can open the bowling.
Dahani,Rauf,Naseem Shah someone who can bowl Express pace.

The main area that we are definitely lacking is wrist Spinner/mystery spin.
 
The tank is empty. I don't believe in the rubbish that we have so much talent waiting to be utilized. This is the biggest myth in Cricket.
 
The formula is very simple. Pick the top performers from last 3-4 QEA seasons, irrespective of what speed they bowl at or how flashy or dour their batting is or their personality is.
Back them and give them full chances, and create confidence in the players that if they perform in QEA they will be picked or in consideration for National Call up.
Just keep on repeating this and drill it into players mindset, prepare pitches that suit your strength at home and become really unbeatable at home first. Then, when winning at home consistently, push further for overseas victories. Long and painful process and it needs a grind from everyone.
But this is not expected from Ramiz "loudmouth" Raja who is only interested in Blank Cheques, Series with India and PSL for Women/U19 and what not and just focus on T20Is.
 
The formula is very simple. Pick the top performers from last 3-4 QEA seasons, irrespective of what speed they bowl at or how flashy or dour their batting is or their personality is.
Back them and give them full chances, and create confidence in the players that if they perform in QEA they will be picked or in consideration for National Call up.
Just keep on repeating this and drill it into players mindset, prepare pitches that suit your strength at home and become really unbeatable at home first. Then, when winning at home consistently, push further for overseas victories. Long and painful process and it needs a grind from everyone.
But this is not expected from Ramiz "loudmouth" Raja who is only interested in Blank Cheques, Series with India and PSL for Women/U19 and what not and just focus on T20Is.

Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali had been picked in the back of domestic performances. One can only rely on domestic cricket so much, its not very high quality
 
We need a foreign coach like Mickey Arthur back. The local coaches like Mo Yusuf are too toxic to be in any professional setting. Same goes for the selectors.
 
Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali had been picked in the back of domestic performances. One can only rely on domestic cricket so much, its not very high quality

Then give them a long rope and be patient. Picking players with limited FC experience does not work out well in Test Cricket.
 
If we have to lose, why not lose with younger players , who knows we might unearth a new start down the road. Losing with same oldies is torture.

Get rid on Azhar, Fawad, Sajid , Nauman , Faheem and Hasan Ali, bring in some new and fresh faces and give them enough time.
 
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we dont have a proper itinerary so wait till next series is out of question or we will play Zimbabwe next and all will be set
 
Shaffique
Opener 2
Saud
Babar
Ghulam
Rizwan
Shadab / nawaz
Dhani
Hasan
Shaheen
leggie or young spinner

Should be X1 for next test and going forward for next 3 series in Asian conditions.
 
Build the team around the following players


Abdullah Shafiq - Opener
Babar Azam - number 3
Fawad Alam - middle order
Mohammad Rizwan - wicket keeper
Shaheen Afridi - opening bowler 1
Naseem Shah - opening bowler 2
Shadab Khan - all rounder

Only have one senior Batman in the team as Fawad Alam as some semblance of experience is needed as Babar Azam has not reached Fawad Alam’s experience in test cricket yet .

If Fawad Alam cant score in Karachi his home ground, then why would take that experience as needed...
 
It is not over yet.

Pakistan can still win/save this game and this series.

I think Fawad Alam should be dropped. Also, spinners probably need to be replaced.
 
Imam and Azhar need to go. Fawad needs to play as an all-rounder otherwise there's no place for him as well. Kamran Ghulam, Saud, & Shan need to be played as batters.

Nawaz and Shadab need to be played regularly instead of the garbage spinners that we are playing right now.

Dahani, Rauf, & Naseem need to be groomed as well as Irfanullah, Khurram, Sameen, Arshad, & Akif.

Bat deep, bowl fast, and play aggressively should be the way forward.

We don't have an opener but this would be my team to start against England

Abdullah
(shan)
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Fawad/Kamran
Nawaz
Shadab
Rauf/Naseem
Hasan/Dahani
Shaheen
 
Need to get rid of dead wood. Azhar def needs to go. Also Hassan Ali is a liability.
 
I’d bring in either one of Sharjeel or Fakhar into the test squad, they won’t need to play as openers. It’s not mandatory to have 5-6 players who are all striking at low 50’s, every other team will have a batsman that has the ability to take on the oppositions bowling.

Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Abdullah Shafique
Kamran Ghulam
Babar Azam
Fakhar/Sharjeel
Saud Shakeel
Faheem Ashraf
Shadab Khan (c)
Kashif Bhatti
Shaheen Afridi
Imran Khan snr

Let Shadab cement his place in test cricket... Lol at Fakhar and sharjeel at no.5 in the test line up :qdkcheeky
 
Kick Azhar , Sajid and Nauman out.. one last chance for Fawad tmw... If he scores a ton , keep him otherwise show him the door..
 
iftikhar ahmed to replace azhar ali please...STAT!!!

Iftikhar deserves a chance - he has been dominating domestics.

Saud Shakeel as a 7th batsman

need to drop one spinner and get another pacer.
 
The formula is very simple. Pick the top performers from last 3-4 QEA seasons, irrespective of what speed they bowl at or how flashy or dour their batting is or their personality is.
Back them and give them full chances, and create confidence in the players that if they perform in QEA they will be picked or in consideration for National Call up.
Just keep on repeating this and drill it into players mindset, prepare pitches that suit your strength at home and become really unbeatable at home first. Then, when winning at home consistently, push further for overseas victories. Long and painful process and it needs a grind from everyone.
But this is not expected from Ramiz "loudmouth" Raja who is only interested in Blank Cheques, Series with India and PSL for Women/U19 and what not and just focus on T20Is.

where the heck is iftikhar ahmed

the guy scored a century under tough conditions in QEA final
 
where the heck is iftikhar ahmed

the guy scored a century under tough conditions in QEA final

Real age Iftikhar is nearly 40. This an OPEN secret

In fact I think it was Waqar Younis who recently said he is just a few years younger than me
 
Pakistan needs to move on from Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam. No country persists with batsmen 37 plus. Even Tendulkar was politely told by the BCCI selectors to call it quits in a farewell series otherwise he was going to be dropped from the team.

What’s the source? who would have the courage to ask Tendulkar to retire? he had a good score in his final game to
 
Real age Iftikhar is nearly 40. This an OPEN secret

In fact I think it was Waqar Younis who recently said he is just a few years younger than me

What difference does it make.

He performed - maybe he’ll play 2-3 years

atleast he deserves a chance on merit
 
I hope and pray that Pakistan draws/wins this test and goes on to win the series as well...this is what real fans do.

Fickle ones start threads like these! (at least let the worst predictment happen first for God's sake)
 
outside sub continent
A.shafique
Shaan Masood
Haider Ali
Babar
Kamran Ghulam
Saud shakeel
Rizwan
Shahdab
Afridi
Zameer
Hassan ali
WITHIN SUBCONTINENT
A.shafique
Shaan
Haider
Babar
Saud/Kamran
Rizwan
Shahdab(leggie)
Sajid
Afridi
Zameer
Dhani
 
iftikhar ahmed to replace azhar ali please...STAT!!!

Iftikhar deserves a chance - he has been dominating domestics.

Saud Shakeel as a 7th batsman

need to drop one spinner and get another pacer.

We're would Iftikhar bat ?
 
Look at the qea final - he was way above any domestic player and has been for a while

It's one match where Kamran Ghulam also got a decent knock and should be in ahead of the likes Azhar, Fawad and Iftikhar.

Iftikhar's average in tests is 12 and its only that high cos he got a not out in the last match. The point of this thread is to rebuild the test team, not use it as a retirement home.
 
Pakistan needs to jump the line with our test spinners exactly as we did with Shaheen and select someone from the U19 setup and stick with them.

Mehran Mumtaz has potential in white-ball cricket, I don't think he's test class or something but he needs to be penciled in as a lone spinner in our conditions and then trained for it.

Shadab and Nawaz also should be in the mix, there's no point in playing a 37-year-old Nauman and an extremely mediocre Sajid.

Imam may be funny and jokes about and keeps the team interested in cricket but he's not someone who should be playing for Pakistan. Jump the queue again, get Haider and Huraira in the setup, not necessarily the team but we need impetus in our lineup.

Haider, Huraira, and Abdullah won't necessarily perform in overseas conditions but then neither will anyone else and they have the potential to be destructive in our conditions.

Huraira, Abdullah, Haider, Babar, Rizwan, Saud/KG/Fawad, Nawaz, Shadab, Hasan, Shaheen, Naseem/Rauf/Dahani kind of eleven suits our playing style. Azhar Ali needs to open or there's no place for him. Man sucks the momentum out of the innings then gets out and we are always chasing the game because of these kinds of innings.
 
I hope and pray that Pakistan draws/wins this test and goes on to win the series as well...this is what real fans do.

Fickle ones start threads like these! (at least let the worst predictment happen first for God's sake)


Come out Mr. OP and take a bow!
 
We need to replace Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam in the middle order.
Bowlingwise we need to get Shadab and Dahani into the side.

Then we're all set
 
We need to replace Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam in the middle order.
Bowlingwise we need to get Shadab and Dahani into the side.

Then we're all set

But but but Azhar has been the best Pakistani batsman for the last 2 years and Fawad is the best domestic legend around.
 
We need to replace Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam in the middle order.
Bowlingwise we need to get Shadab and Dahani into the side.

Then we're all set

Fawad and Azhar-Totally agree but after the series. We need Saud and another to replace these guys. In the bowling Dahani and Rauf need be inducted as soon as possible in the bowling. Outside SSA our bowling is pretty toothless on flat wickets and even he has struggled.
 
The score is 0-0 with 2nd test in progress. First Pakistan has to lose this test and then there will be 3rd test as well.

Here you go. Don't write off teams when the series is alive and any team had not even taken the lead.
 
But but but Azhar has been the best Pakistani batsman for the last 2 years and Fawad is the best domestic legend around.

Its time to move on from the 2. We rely on Babar and Riz and that isnt going to change. When the pressure was on both guys failed. But the work our system works, it aint happening
 
Its time to move on from the 2. We rely on Babar and Riz and that isnt going to change. When the pressure was on both guys failed. But the work our system works, it aint happening

Surprised no one has mention Faheem Ashraf either. Doesn't belong anywhere near the team in any format.
 
We need to replace Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam in the middle order.
Bowlingwise we need to get Shadab and Dahani into the side.

Then we're all set

Shadab needs a season of FC cricket first. Bowling well in PSL should not be criteria for Test selection.

I remember the last Test he played in Manchester vs Eng where he went at 4+ RPO in 4th innings.

The Unthreatening Uncles Nauman and Sajid need to go though.
 
Shadab needs a season of FC cricket first. Bowling well in PSL should not be criteria for Test selection.

I remember the last Test he played in Manchester vs Eng where he went at 4+ RPO in 4th innings.

The Unthreatening Uncles Nauman and Sajid need to go though.
Shadab will do better than the current two spinners.
 
Shadab needs a season of FC cricket first. Bowling well in PSL should not be criteria for Test selection.

I remember the last Test he played in Manchester vs Eng where he went at 4+ RPO in 4th innings.

The Unthreatening Uncles Nauman and Sajid need to go though.

I would rather than Shadab than Faheem.
 
Pakistan team needs stability and not change to improve. We have been changing and chopping for decades with limited success. The brief periods where we have been successful was during periods of relative stability.

So no - no need to change anything for now.
 
Shadab needs a season of FC cricket first. Bowling well in PSL should not be criteria for Test selection.

I remember the last Test he played in Manchester vs Eng where he went at 4+ RPO in 4th innings.

The Unthreatening Uncles Nauman and Sajid need to go though.

I agree that Shadab needs more FC Cricket under his belt but on asian conditions he has the quality to run through sides. Plus he's a gun fielder and extremely handy with the bat.
So you can afford to have him at number 7 instead of one of the current spinners irrespective of whether he's quite ready...
 
But but but Azhar has been the best Pakistani batsman for the last 2 years and Fawad is the best domestic legend around.

I feel for Fawad. I really do.
But its time to move on now.

Get a couple of youngsters in and back them to perform.
We have several youngsters pushing so lets get on with it.
 
Pakistan team needs stability and not change to improve. We have been changing and chopping for decades with limited success. The brief periods where we have been successful was during periods of relative stability.

So no - no need to change anything for now.


I agree with this. Consistency in selection and a stable eleven is the way to move forward. However, we should at least have the best 11 players available before we start being consistent.

No way are Sajjid and Nauman are our future. If you had to play one then stick with Nauman but get your best 11 on the field and then back them come what may.
 
I agree with this. Consistency in selection and a stable eleven is the way to move forward. However, we should at least have the best 11 players available before we start being consistent.

No way are Sajjid and Nauman are our future. If you had to play one then stick with Nauman but get your best 11 on the field and then back them come what may.

Sadly, corruption, cronyism, nepotism, groupism, sectarianism, favouritism etc that is all too rampant within within Pak cricket will never allow the best 11 on the field.
 
Do not disagree. Were Pakistan to lose this and next test, I can assure you some idiots in the media and forums like this would/will be calling for a change in captaincy.

I can still recall a campaign on PP to have Younis and Misbah dropped immediately after Inzy and Mohammad Yousuf had departed. Why do people not understand that wholesale and radical changes destroy rather than strengthen teams.
 
Lots of knee jark emotions in this thread.
Going into 3rd Test, my test team for Pak would be:

Abdullah
Imam
Babar
Saud Shakeel
Fawad
Rizwan
Shadab
Nawaz
Hassan Ali
Naseem/Nauman (based on pitch)
Shaheen
 
Instead chopping and changing all the time, Pak should first develop a core team immediately.

1. Opening - Abdullah is gem of a find. I wish Sami Aslam was there on the other side, they both would have compliments each other very well. Now that Imam is there, instead give him some more chances. Don't change on a whim and destroy a probably good combination like PCB did in past. Give him 10-15 tests to before passing any judgement.

2. One Down - Babar should occupy this position. Azhar with his ultra defensive game, sucks out all the momentum of the innings. Instead a dynamic batsman like Babar is needed over here. In this test, last innings Azhar made 6 runs for 56 deliveries. Think, if Babar was there in this position instead, Pakistan would have been far closer to the required total, then now it is.

3. Position 4-6 - Saud needs to be debuted. No more excuses. For the betterment of the team, Azhar must be discarded. I know many people is aganist Fawad as well. But Fawad have got some excuses, he is inexperience in internationals cricket. So can be forgiven. But Azhar, the senior most batsman, with 2 decades of experience, and 90+ matches played. Still plays with such insecurity. No excuses any more. He is not a great player, who can be accommodate to play 100 tests. Azharuddin twice the batsmen and could not get to play his 100 test matches, but Azhar Ali should be allowed to do so. This is just insane. Saud should be debuted immediately with Fawad and Rizwan to come.

4. Alrounder - First of all, everyone is wrong to discard Faheem so easily. He is done nothing wrong in terms of batting or bowling to be discarded so easily. But one needs to understand, when to play him. In SENA, he will be necessary, but not in Asia. Instead Shadab is more needed for the team in asian condition.

5. Spinner - This duo of Nauman and Sajid is not working at all. Pak must find new players in the squad for spinner option. Nawaz should be tested lets see what he can do. And only one from Nauman or Sajid should play from now on.

6. Pacer – Naseem should not be discarded so early. After 2 tests, it is apparent that his performance in first test is not as bad as other’s in Pak team. Rather continue with him, let him give chances to improve in international. Apart from that Dahani should also be considered. In my opinion, both Naseem and Dahani should play interchangely in the team, 2 test for one and 2 for others in a series. That’s the way to create new player and keep them fresh at the same time.

Overall the team should be build around in this format in future.
1. Abdullah Shafique.
2. Imam ul Haque / Shan Masood (if one of the openers is unavoidable then Shan should be tried.)
3. Babar Azam (no more mediocracy, it’s time to take hard decision.)
4. Saud Shakeel. (need to be debuted immediately.)
5. Fawad Alam / Kamran Ghulam. (Kamran should be tried in atleast one test in a series, before fully taking over from Fawad Alam in one or two years.)
6. Rizwan.
7. Faheem / Shadab (SENA / Asian)
8. Nawaz / Nauman.
9. Hassan Ali / Iranullah / Sameen Gul (High time these players should be drafted in the team.)
10. Naseem / Dahani (should be played interchangely)
11. Shaheen Afridi
 
Need 3 changes for Lahore test.

Azhar out Shan Masood in
Fawad out Saud Shakeel in
Faheem out Yasir shah in
 
Do you have any idea how old is Iftikhar, according to Waqar Yunis , he is of Shoaib Malik and Hafeez's age.

I don’t think he was supporting Ifitikhar hehe.

BTW was it Saeed Ajmal who was making fun of his age as well?
 
Yes, Azhar just brings a bad vibe to proceedings. He basically starts playing to survive no matter the match situation.

Babar could do the no.3 role but I think its best to play him at 4 and induct some fresh blood into 3
 
Interesting thread title.

Pakistan may yet win the series!
 
Pakistan needs to jump the line with our test spinners exactly as we did with Shaheen and select someone from the U19 setup and stick with them.

Mehran Mumtaz has potential in white-ball cricket, I don't think he's test class or something but he needs to be penciled in as a lone spinner in our conditions and then trained for it.

Shadab and Nawaz also should be in the mix, there's no point in playing a 37-year-old Nauman and an extremely mediocre Sajid.

Imam may be funny and jokes about and keeps the team interested in cricket but he's not someone who should be playing for Pakistan. Jump the queue again, get Haider and Huraira in the setup, not necessarily the team but we need impetus in our lineup.

Haider, Huraira, and Abdullah won't necessarily perform in overseas conditions but then neither will anyone else and they have the potential to be destructive in our conditions.

Huraira, Abdullah, Haider, Babar, Rizwan, Saud/KG/Fawad, Nawaz, Shadab, Hasan, Shaheen, Naseem/Rauf/Dahani kind of eleven suits our playing style. Azhar Ali needs to open or there's no place for him. Man sucks the momentum out of the innings then gets out and we are always chasing the game because of these kinds of innings.

Yes i agree with Mehran he looks like someone who has fantastic control and could be long term investment.

Shadab is a good player with both bat and bowl but should only play in SENA to provide useful overs and score runs but in asain conditions you have to bowl long spells I have yet to see this.

Hurraira/abdullah/Omair Bin Yousuf could be 3 players who will open in the next couple years.
 
I don't think Babar has the courage to make the tough decisions but sooner rather than later we have to sack AA, Fawad, both spinners and Faheem in PK conditions. Babar loyalty is a good thing but we have the potential to be much better than we are.
 
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