Should Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal open in the limited-overs series vs West Indies?

[Hamza_]

Kamran is a proven performer who hasn't been consistent; Amir has achieved nothing in his career so far and is overrated at this point. Not interested in stats, Younis might have a higher average in ODIs but no one in his right mind would take Younis over Kamran in ODIs. The latter over the former 10/10 times.

Don't you think consistency is key aspect of the game? Specially as a batsman?

 

[Square Drive]

Neither Kamran or Shehzad would've been selected if it wasn't for Sharjeel and Latif's indiscretions.

The selectors were in a tight spot, but I wouldn't have picked either regardless as we know this story will end once these two face international class attacks.

But doesn't it speak to the atrocious standard of our domestic system that these two highly flawed players look like the second coming of Greenidge and Haynes in our FC and LA tournaments.

Who would you have picked, then?

 

[Markhor]

Who would you have picked, then?

Rejig the batting order by promoting Babar to open as he was during the PSL. My first preference would've been Shahzaib Hasan to partner him but since he's under investigation - I'd have considered Fakhar Zaman or Imran Butt.

At a push, if I REALLY had to pick one of Kamran or Shehzad given the lack of alternatives - I may have plumped for Kamran as Shehzad still has many technical issues and consumes so many dot balls putting everyone under pressure.

But that's just my personal preference. I understand the reasoning for their inclusion and the tough situation the selectors found themselves in as the fixing scandal has wiped out four openers.

 

[Square Drive]

Rejig the batting order by promoting Babar to open as he was during the PSL. My first preference would've been Shahzaib Hasan to partner him but since he's under investigation - I'd have considered Fakhar Zaman or Imran Butt.

At a push, if I REALLY had to pick one of Kamran or Shehzad given the lack of alternatives - I may have plumped for Kamran as Shehzad still has many technical issues and consumes so many dot balls putting everyone under pressure.

But that's just my personal preference. I understand the reasoning for their inclusion and the tough situation the selectors found themselves in as the fixing scandal has wiped out four openers.

Babar & Fakhar opening with Imran as backup? Sounds good, but then what would your batting order from #3-7 look like, without Babar?

Yeah honestly, I see where the selectors are coming from.

 

[Hasan123]

They are going to open let's see how they do. Both have earned there selections.

 

[Markhor]

Babar & Fakhar opening with Imran as backup? Sounds good, but then what would your batting order from #3-7 look like, without Babar?

Yeah honestly, I see where the selectors are coming from.

3) Shoaib Malik
4) Asif Zakir (prefer Haris Sohail but it seems he needs a season of domestic post-injury)
5) Sarfraz Ahmed
6) Hussain Talat (though I understand giving him more time by playing him in this U23 Cup)
7) Shadab Khan with Imad Wasim at 8.

Man, Sharjeel and Latif have ruined all our plans

With those two opening and getting us off to explosive starts, you could then have a middle order of Haris-Babar-Sarfraz to build on that platform, with late order hitting from Talat, Shadab and Imad.

 

[Square Drive]

3) Shoaib Malik
4) Asif Zakir (prefer Haris Sohail but it seems he needs a season of domestic post-injury)
5) Sarfraz Ahmed
6) Hussain Talat (though I understand giving him more time by playing him in this U23 Cup)
7) Shadab Khan with Imad Wasim at 8.

Man, Sharjeel and Latif have ruined all our plans

With those two opening and getting us off to explosive starts, you could then have a middle order of Haris-Babar-Sarfraz to build on that platform, with late order hitting from Talat, Shadab and Imad.

Fair enough, but Babar is our best batsman and I think he should stick to #3.

Your batting order still seems very good, but alas, what's done is done.

Let's hope for Pakistan's sake, both Kamran & Shehzad make good comebacks!

 

[Mamoon]

Don't you think consistency is key aspect of the game? Specially as a batsman?

It is, which is why I am eager to see how he fares as a specialist batsman. This experiment should have been done years ago.

 

[Square Drive]

I really don't see why people are angry/surprised at these two being selected.

It was the inevitable.

 

[Mamoon]

Best opening pair in the country at the moment.

 

[Square Drive]

Best opening pair in the country at the moment.

What are your thoughts on the squads announced by the Revolutionary?

 

[Mamoon]

What are your thoughts on the squads announced by the Revolutionary?

Some good calls but quite a few poor ones. Revolutionary was again coming up short when it matters, even though he talks well. Actions speak louder than words, as they say. Revolutionary was a loyalist captain and now he is a loyalist Chief Selector. Wants to keep his friends happy, doesn't matter if they deserve selection or not.

 

[Square Drive]

Some good calls but quite a few poor ones. Revolutionary was again coming up short when it matters, even though he talks well. Actions speak louder than words, as they say. Revolutionary was a loyalist captain and now he is a loyalist Chief Selector. Wants to keep his friends happy, doesn't matter if they deserve selection or not.

Elaborate on the good and bad ones?

 

[Mamoon]

Elaborate on the good and bad ones?

Good:

Shehzad, Kamran, Shadab

Bad:

Hafeez, Chucker, Tanvir, no Sohail Khan, Zakir

Rest are okay. Not convinced with Fakhar and Raees, but they deserve an opportunity.

 

[Hasan123]

Good:

Shehzad, Kamran, Shadab

Bad:

Hafeez, Chucker, Tanvir, no Sohail Khan, Zakir

Rest are okay. Not convinced with Fakhar and Raees, but they deserve an opportunity.

Fakhar is questionable but Raees is a good prospect imo

 

[Square Drive]

Good:

Shehzad, Kamran, Shadab

Bad:

Hafeez, Chucker, Tanvir, no Sohail Khan, Zakir

Rest are okay. Not convinced with Fakhar and Raees, but they deserve an opportunity.

Fair enough, though I'd wait and see how Zakir goes despite his age.

Also, Shinwari is another good one, as is Asghar.

 

[Bilal7]

I think Kamran can be a hit in England, despite always being a mediocre performer. The pitches are going to be flat and he has the 2010 WT20 to look back at for inspiration. Not sure about his success in West Indies where the pitches are slow and low but let's see.

 

[phoenix363]

Kamran is a proven performer who hasn't been consistent; Amir has achieved nothing in his career so far and is overrated at this point. Not interested in stats, Younis might have a higher average in ODIs but no one in his right mind would take Younis over Kamran in ODIs. The latter over the former 10/10 times.

Proven performer who hasn't been consistent? So he has played a few good innings but failed miserably over a career spanning 200 plus matches. Amir has more than one brilliant performance, in a considerably shorter career split into two parts where he was a rookie and then making a comeback. Heck he even has a couple of very good innings. But I know that will be rubbished as excuses for his lack of performance.

As for Kamran, based on their ODI careers, both were undeserving but younis played more and performed better. Kamran in ODIs was complete and utter trash. Name me a worse bat who has played consistently?

Completely illogical to suggest giving up the gloves can suddenly transform him into a world class batsman. This experiment is just a fad for his fans to find another way of defending his return.

He will most likely perform against West Indies and then be on the plane to England where he will lose us one final Champions trophy before being discarded forever, continuing to cut domestic trundles to the boundaries, demanding 7 more chances and being the subject of reminiscent threads by posters like you who will look back at him fondly as a great talented batsman let down by his keeping. Just because he can play a few nice shots.

 

[birdistheword]

Fakhar Zaman should rather open with shezad..If fakhar fails then try the next young opner if he fails then go for Mr akmal

 

[Manager101]

Against West Indies, Shehzad and Kamran Akmal will excel which would mean they will be selected for champions trophy in England and at the end they will fail there miserably, this is what they have been doing in their entire ODI career; Great against average teams and choke in big tournaments against top teams.

 

[Syed1]

I think Kamran can be a hit in England, despite always being a mediocre performer. The pitches are going to be flat and he has the 2010 WT20 to look back at for inspiration. Not sure about his success in West Indies where the pitches are slow and low but let's see.

If it was so easy for him to be a hit in England because of the flat pitches he wouldn't average 21.6 at SR of 77 after 11 ODI innings. Remember that record is from a younger and fitter K.Akmal. Not the 35 year old fat bucket we have at the moment.


It would be a minor miracle if he averages anything over 30.


I don't want to be the guy that says "I told you so" but there is massive chance that I'll have to go down that road.

 

[Bilal7]

If it was so easy for him to be a hit in England because of the flat pitches he wouldn't average 21.6 at SR of 77 after 11 ODI innings. Remember that record is from a younger and fitter K.Akmal. Not the 35 year old fat bucket we have at the moment.


It would be a minor miracle if he averages anything over 30.


I don't want to be the guy that says "I told you so" but there is massive chance that I'll have to go down that road.

I'm not excited about Kamran coming back but instead of "I told you so", I hope you can say "Mubarak ho" after Pakistan wins the CT. What can't be denied is that he deserved it. Averaged 50+ in all three formats at the domestic level over the past year.

The pitches in England haven't been flat which is why guys like Kamran have struggled. It might be different this time around. However, that wouldn't be helpful because it would cripple our strong pace attack.

 

[Bilal7]

Good:

Shehzad, Kamran, Shadab

Bad:

Hafeez, Chucker, Tanvir, no Sohail Khan, Zakir

Rest are okay. Not convinced with Fakhar and Raees, but they deserve an opportunity.

"The best T20 bowler" selected for the T20 team is bad? Stop playing the switch-hit over and over.

 

[Watsupdoc]

I think Kamran won't play. Fakhar and Shehzad would open and only if one of them fails in a few matches then Kami might get the chance.

 

[Mamoon]

"The best T20 bowler" selected for the T20 team is bad? Stop playing the switch-hit over and over.

Recent form needs to take precedence, which is why I support Shehzad's selection. Tanvir was poor in the PSL and does not merit selection at the moment, especially with Raees and Shinwari in the squad already. A waste of a spot.

 

[Mamoon]

Proven performer who hasn't been consistent? So he has played a few good innings but failed miserably over a career spanning 200 plus matches. Amir has more than one brilliant performance, in a considerably shorter career split into two parts where he was a rookie and then making a comeback. Heck he even has a couple of very good innings. But I know that will be rubbished as excuses for his lack of performance.

As for Kamran, based on their ODI careers, both were undeserving but younis played more and performed better. Kamran in ODIs was complete and utter trash. Name me a worse bat who has played consistently?

Completely illogical to suggest giving up the gloves can suddenly transform him into a world class batsman. This experiment is just a fad for his fans to find another way of defending his return.

He will most likely perform against West Indies and then be on the plane to England where he will lose us one final Champions trophy before being discarded forever, continuing to cut domestic trundles to the boundaries, demanding 7 more chances and being the subject of reminiscent threads by posters like you who will look back at him fondly as a great talented batsman let down by his keeping. Just because he can play a few nice shots.

Yes, not interested in your version of history. This is the first time he is going to play as a specialist batsman and that is what I am looking forward to.

 

[phoenix363]

Yes, not interested in your version of history. This is the first time he is going to play as a specialist batsman and that is what I am looking forward to.

Awful reply

 

[Mamoon]

Awful reply

I'm not interesting in a summary of history. Thank you for the post but it did not tell me anything that I did not know. Like I said, him playing as a specialist batsman is something that has not been tried before, so I am eager to see how he fares. Don't know if he will succeed or not, but I am prepared to wait and see for myself.

 

[phoenix363]

I'm not interesting in a summary of history. Thank you for the post but it did not tell me anything that I did not know. Like I said, him playing as a specialist batsman is something that has not been tried before, so I am eager to see how he fares. Don't know if he will succeed or not, but I am prepared to wait and see for myself.

I appreciate that, but I didn't mean I needed a thank you. I am simply trying to understand the rationale behind this support for Kamran. I have had the debate many times with close friends who all agree with you but I am unconvinced.

I hope I am completely wrong and he goes on to win us many matches, but common sense is telling me that this whole episode seems very much like a a stab in the dark. He might perform without the burden of keeping but then there are plenty of younger players we could have taken on a risk on, on the chance that they might perform.

Nothing left to do now but to wait and hope that the outcome benefits Pakistan.