Sarfaraz Ahmed names 12-member team for 1st T20I against West Indies

[hadi123]

Sarfaraz Ahmed speaking today:

"It augurs well for Pakistan cricket that international cricket is coming back to Pakistan"

"And the sort of response we saw in the PSL final, we should thanks the people of Karachi as well as the PCB"

"Also the credit goes to our security agencies for organizing these matches so well"

"I last played a match against India in 2008 here and that's the last time I saw the ground full of people"

"And then I saw the ground full again during the PSL final"

"We are all very excited about the games here and happy that international cricket is back home and we hope that these will be good games"

"There is pressure on us to maintain our position in the T20I rankings because not only do we need to win the series, we have to win 3-0"

"West Indies are in good form and in T20 games, as we know, regardless of being strong or not, any team that plays well on the day will win"

"We want to thank the West Indies for coming here as other teams have refused to do so"

"If you look at our success rate for the last 1.5-2 years then our bowlers success rate has been good"

"Our bowlers are now experienced such as M Amir, Hasan Ali, Shadab, Faheem Ashraf and Usman Shinwari and we also have likes of Rahat and SSA who have been selected on basis of PSL"

"If we score well then our batting has the capability to defend that target"

 

[Abdullah719]

Sarfraz names 12-member team for 1st T20 against West Indies

Pakistan Super League (PSL) stars Hussain Talat and Asif Ali are expected to make their international debut as both have been named in the 12-member team to face West Indies in the first T20 international at National Stadium on April 1.

Addressing to a press conference at National Stadium Karachi, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed confirmed the final 12 for the first T20I.

Both of Islamabad United’s hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali and all-rounder Hussain Talat could make their debut for Pakistan on Sunday.

Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain, wicketkeeper), Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali.

Returning pacers Rahat Ali and Usman Khan Shinwari and Lahore Qalandars’ speed sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi have been omitted from the lineup for the opening T20.

Sarfraz Ahmed has set eyes on a clean sweep of the West Indies in order to retain the top T20 team ranking for Pakistan.

A 3-0 victory will take Pakistan four points clear of Australia, who had closed in on them following a 2-0 series win over New Zealand last month. Pakistan and Australia are both currently on 126 points, with Pakistan ahead on decimal points, as per the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings.

“Definitely, we [are aiming for] clean sweep, but [we won’t be taking West Indies lightly]. Their team is quite strong, their players have been playing a lot of T20 cricket,” said the skipper.
Sarfraz said that all attempts will be made to give opportunities to the youngsters in the team.

“We have very important tours coming up. England, South Africa.. We want to give confidence to the youngsters to [prepare them for the World Cup 2019].”

The 30-year old hailed the return of international cricket to Karachi after a hiatus of nine years.

“We are very excited to play in front of our home crowd after so long,” he said, and thanked the foreign players who have visited [and are visiting] Pakistan.

https://www.brecorder.com/2018/03/3...-member-team-for-1st-t20-against-west-indies/

 

[shokz1408]

Well I wasn't expecting that. I wanted Shaheen to play! Can't try him for 3 T20s against WI? Really!?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

No Shaheen

Hope he plays the next 2

 

[Syed1]

Well I wasn't expecting that. I wanted Shaheen to play! Can't try him for 3 T20s against WI? Really!?

Mickey will ease him in. I think most of our cricket fans do not remember what happened with Shinwari. He ripped through batting lineups in domestic T20s and then was selected for international T20s and on debut Dilshan took him to the absolute cleaners and it was one of the worst phaintis ever dished out. Shinwari then saw himself dropped for the next five years. Do you want Shaheen to suffer the same fate?


I'd be happy if we are up 2-0 in the series and then Shaheen is let lose in the 3rd T20 and told to phaar de

 

[shah_1]

Don't see Shoaib being dropped

It's between Hussain Talat and Asif Ali, ideally it should have been these two picked and Malik nowhere near the team

 

[shokz1408]

Mickey will ease him in. I think most of our cricket fans do not remember what happened with Shinwari. He ripped through batting lineups in domestic T20s and then was selected for international T20s and on debut Dilshan took him to the absolute cleaners and it was one of the worst phaintis ever dished out. Shinwari then saw himself dropped for the next five years. Do you want Shaheen to suffer the same fate?


I'd be happy if we are up 2-0 in the series and then Shaheen is let lose in the 3rd T20 and told to phaar de

I'm considering the west Indies side, where they currently stand in cricket and what players they have to choose from.

He should have been given all 3 games, and be told that you will play all of them before hand, so one bad performance is not the end for him.

 

[Kashmirilion]

"The friend" makes it in to party of 12.

 

[Abdullah719]

Fakhar
Babar
Talat
Malik
Sarfaraz
Asif
Faheem
Shadab
Nawaz
Hasan
Amir

Go with this please

 

[hadi123]

So from that 12 member squad, hopefully Shehzad is the one that misses out. Although I know that most likely Shehzad WILL play and one of Talat/Asif Ali won't.

 

[babajee]

This “naming XI day before match” business is going to cost us in the future... we did it in CT too

 

[RickyG]

"The friend" makes it in to party of 12.

Who is the friend?

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed thanked the West Indies for touring the country, with the Caribbean side due to arrive in Karachi Saturday in the latest step towards the resumption of top-level cricket in the South Asian nation.

The West Indies will become only the third international team to play a bilateral series on Pakistani soil since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.

The tourists are expected to land in Karachi on Saturday night local time amid high security.

International cricketers stopped playing in Pakistan after the 2009 assault, citing safety concerns, and the national team has had to play its home matches in the United Arab Emirates since.

There has been a trickle of internationals and high-profile matches in recent years, however, with an improvement in the security situation.
Zimbabwe travelled to Lahore for five limited-overs matches in 2015 - the first since the 2009 attack.

That was followed by the final of the Pakistan Super League T20 tournament last year - also in Lahore - which featured several international players, including former West Indies captain Darren Sammy.

Soon after, there was a series against a World XI and a match against Sri Lanka - all T20s in Lahore.

The West Indies will play three T20s in as many days starting Sunday at National Stadium in Karachi - Pakistan's largest city. This is the Caribbean side's first tour of the country since 2006.

The venue is hosting international cricket for the first time in nine years. The PSL 2018 final was played at the National Stadium last Sunday, packed with 33,000 fans.

"We should thank... the West Indies cricket board and their team for the tour," Pakistan skipper Ahmed said Saturday.

"I hope it will be a successful tour and when they go back they will tell players from other countries to come to Pakistan."
Ahmed was especially pleased with the return of cricket to his home city.

"I am also very excited as I last played an international game here in 2008 against India," he said."

"The credit goes to the whole nation and I hope they will see very good cricket."

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...dies-fly-in-for-t20s/articleshow/63560623.cms

 

[UP]

Drop Nawaz and play both Asif and Talat. Don’t know what is Nawaz doing in the team along with Rahat, Selfie and Malik.

 

[RehanG]

Who is the friend?

Believe me its a trick.. he named him in 12 but will drop him tomorrow ..

 

[Ali Imam]

I'd go with
1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam
3. Hussain Talat
4. Shoaib Malik
5. Asif Ali
6. Faheem Ashraf
7. Sarfaraz Ahmed
8. Shadab Khan
9. Mohammad Nawaz
10. Amir
11. Hassan Ali

Asif plays ahead of Malik if batting first.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed on Saturday rejected the perception that the West Indies team travelling to Pakistan for the three-match T20I series is weak due to the absence of big-name players, DawnNewsTV reported.

The wicketkeeper-batsman echoed PCB Chairman Najam Sethi's sentiments in today's pre-match presser, telling media men not to undermine West Indies or any other side in T20 format, where margins for victory are slim and any side can come out on top.

"West Indies are not weak," said Sarfraz. "[In fact], we cannot take any team lightly in the shortest format."

Sarfraz said he plans on using the series to try out new combinations for the busy season that lies ahead. However, he also made it clear that experimentation does not mean his team will not try and overpower the Calpsos each time the two teams clash.

"We have a lot of important series coming up before the World Cup so we want to make some new combinations with our youngsters," he said. "Having said that, we will go for a clean sweep because doing so will help us retain our number one spot in the ICC rankings."

The 15-man squad announced for the Windies series features several youngsters and first-timers, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hussain Talat and Asif Ali.

Sarfraz urged the trio to repay the selectors' faith in them, saying: "They will have to prove that they were selected for a reason."

Sarfraz admitted that the strict security detail for Windies players would be a problem for the fans but urged them to be brave for the sake of the country.

"The people of Karachi should brave these issues and still come to the ground so that a positive message goes to the world," he said.

Sarfraz also said that the pace duo of Afridi and Rahat Ali will not feature in the series' opening match on Sunday as they've been rested.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1398734/west-indies-are-not-weak-sarfraz

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I pray there is no shezhad

however based on the squad I think Asif may miss out

 

[Boi]

How boring.

 

[moghul]

Well I wasn't expecting that. I wanted Shaheen to play! Can't try him for 3 T20s against WI? Really!?

Absolutely dumb idea not to try Shaheen at this relatively " easy" series in home conditions. He needs no less three games here. We need to prepare him , at raid speed, for 2019 WC.

 

[Fahdi]

Shaheen is not ready for international cricket yet. I wanted him in the squad so that he learns from better coaches as opposed to ruining his ability in domestics but he is nowhere near international class as of now. He should only be thrown games here an there. If we go 2-0 up then I say play Shaheen but otherwise keep him with the squad.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Heard that both Talat and Asif are likely to debut. Shehzad to sit out most likely.

 

[Rayyman]

Nice. This is what I wanted.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Drop Nawaz and play both Asif and Talat. Don’t know what is Nawaz doing in the team along with Rahat, Selfie and Malik.

Nawaz is a very good left arm spin option, considering WI could not play Imad in the past.

 

[shokz1408]

Absolutely dumb idea not to try Shaheen at this relatively " easy" series in home conditions. He needs no less three games here. We need to prepare him , at raid speed, for 2019 WC.

Exactly, the weakest of major sides, coming off losses to associates, lacking star players and we're playing at home. There is literally no better time I can think of giving him 3/3 games.

 

[szundercover]

It would be an repeat of what happend when usman shinwari debuted in t20 series against sri lanka.. Dont want that same thing happen to shaheen..

 

[sshakir411]

Shehzad should sit out. Open with Babar

 

[szundercover]

i think shadab and shoaib are enough options in the spin department for this windies side...

 

[Sirris]

This “naming XI day before match” business is going to cost us in the future... we did it in CT too

Since we ended up winning the CT, isn't it a good thing to do?

 

[DRsohail]

I have heard a journalist saying that Fakhar zaman is injured and Sahibzada is going to replace him.Any other source

 

[babajee]

Since we ended up winning the CT, isn't it a good thing to do?

No. We will suffer from it some day.

 

[cricketerB94]

I'd say don't touch Babar's and Sarfraz's number. They should be our permanent LOI bats at number 3 and 4 respectively as they have shown in NZ series that they can do good there.

Open with Nawaz as he is good against pace. If he fails then we need another opener. Hussain Talat should make himself a specialist finisher and Asif for later overs blast.

This should be the team:

Fakhar
Nawaz
Babar
Sarfraz
Malik
Talat
Asif
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir

 

[Hasan123]

Wanted to see Shaheen play.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Heard that both Talat and Asif are likely to debut. Shehzad to sit out most likely.

So that means Nawaz will open alongside Fakhar?

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

So that means Nawaz will open alongside Fakhar?

that would be interesting to see

I expect Babar would be opening though if Shezhad ain't there

 

[babajee]

I have heard a journalist saying that Fakhar zaman is injured and Sahibzada is going to replace him.Any other source

Any update on this anyone?

 

[Suleiman]

Ofc, his brother from another mother has to play.

 

[Abdullah719]

Any update on this anyone?

Haven't seen anything. Seems like an unlikely rumour.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

So that means Nawaz will open alongside Fakhar?

Hopefully not! He can't bat.

 

[hussain.r97]

Hopefully Shehzad is dropped and Babar opens.

Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Hussain Talat
Sarfraz Ahmed+*
Shoaib Malik
Asif Ali
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Nawaz
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali

Batting lineup can be adjusted to the situation. If a solid partnership is needed, send Malik and Sarfraz ahead of Asif. If some hitting is needed, send Asif ahead of Sarfraz.

 

[ads101]

Look like we ain't playing 4 pacers. Wise decision really, it's West Indies who struggle more against spin. And it improves our batting line up a bit.

Wonder if we'll do the same thing in the future. The 3rd and 4th pacer slots have been our weakness and letting us down majorly of late. Even our batsmen, most have good averages in recent years. It's the lack of a batsman, going with an extra pacer who isn't pulling their weight (as well as the 3rd pacer too) that's hurting us. I'm not fan of passengers in any side, and usually our 4th and 3rd pacers tend to be the worst players on the pitch for us these days. Which is why our part time spin options are still bowling a lot of overs, despite 4 fast bowlers in our team. I'd rather have better less "ideal" team comp players, those that will add the most value.

We have guys like Zafar, Nawaz, Ashgar, Imad, Raza if he gets things back on track. Maybe even Yasir, didn't have the best start in LOI but could work out, especially I feel if he isn't the sole spinner in the team. At least one of them is better than the 3rd/4th best fast bowlers we can put out IMO. I'd also like to see Shadab get some help at the other end, feel like because the 3rd/4th pacers are getting belted, he's almost forced to play a more containing role which isn't ideal.

 

[Asch Ali]

Can’t we rest Hasan Ali? He’s been largely out of form. Shaheen and Rahat both are in SUPERB form and deserve a change. They are 6’4” giants who have excellent line and swing with both the new ball and old ball.

 

[Baigel]

Surely Asif can open the innings? Doesn't he also have a domestic T20 Hundred as an opener? He'll be a good replacement for shehzad to open the innings with all guns blazing. He'll play like a pinch hitter but with a better technique and all round play. Your Thoughts?