Should Fakhar Zaman be in the playing XI for Pakistan's upcoming Tests in UAE?

[Abdullah719]

He was in the squad during the tours of Ireland and England, but is it time that Fakhar is given a chance in the longest format?

We have 2 Tests against Australia and 3 against New Zealand in October/November which are all home fixtures for us, so likely to be in UAE.

He has been shown that he has the ability and concentration to play longer innings and has a good first-class record to back him up as well. He would add another dimension to the team with his faster pace of scoring which is something that we currently lack.

However, where does he fit in? Not in favour of dropping Imam, he must be given more chances to prove himself in what should be his best format (in the long run). Azhar's best position also seems to be while opening the innings.

Should Fakhar bat in the middle order? Should one of Imam/Azhar be dropped? Should Azhar be slotted into the middle order?

 

[hadi123]

I voted no. I think he should be in the squad but I think try Azhar and Imam at the top, if partnership isn't good or needs to broken cos of someone in the middle order failing, then by all means Zaman can get a go, my point is that he shouldn't just walk into the Test xi.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I'm not sure. I think this would be a good chance to bring him into the test team considering we are playing the UAE but having the experience of Azhar upto likely to be partnered with Sami or Imam who both suit test format should be ahead. I agree with Hadi bro that Fakhar shouldn't walk into the side.

 

[topspin]

Yes and bat him at 6. FC stats are very good and he's exactly what you need from your lower middle orders, quick runs with consistent returns. This is the right place to start for a newbie in tests and with progression should move up the order.

Also I can't think of anyone who plays spin better than him in the test squad, so he's a must pick for UAE tests. I can understand the uncertainty for the matches outside the SC but in the SC his test selection is a no brainer for me.

 

[IMMY69]

He should be opening the innings for us in all three formats

Azhar Ali should move back down to number 3

 

[Ahson8]

Yes. Better player of spin than anyone in current test lineup.

 

[ExplicitAI]

Him and Azhar as openers would be a good shout, I'd say play him in most of the tests in the series then put him on the bench in a dead rubber.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Yes.Play him at 3

 

[babajee]

Fakhar Zaman in UAE Tests?

I would have wholeheartedly supported this idea apart from the fact that he seems to be in terrible form at the moment. An in form Fakhar would have been a devastating sight against Australia. However should he be backed and given a run in the middle order in the upcoming test series?

Personally I believe he has the ability to be a game changer in test cricket.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Not on these wickets. He's a confidence player, and once he loses that confidence, he is his own worst enemy.

 

[Savak]

Am double edged on this. Perhaps test match exposure can make him a better all round player. He can truly afford to take his time on the wicket. I wonder what his domestic record is.

 

[sindhiboy]

Fakhar Zaman was unlucky in the asia cups and played a few loose shots.

He deserves a test debut, he has worked hard enough in first class cricket and pakistan's A tours. These flat UAE pitches are the perfect wickets to give him a test debut. Its just hat he needs to come back to form

I also don't think he is the slogger and dasher that people make him out to be. He started all his high odi scores slowly. He is just a good batsman in general and is not like david warner who will score a 100 in one session of a test match.
He is a good player of spin and I honestly think he can see off the new ball in test matches if the coaches and selectors don;t force him to be a slogger.

 

[shokz1408]

Nope. He is struggling to buy a run in the UAE, need someone more reliable in tests under these conditions.

 

[austerlitz]

No,not a test player.Imam,azhar ali are better test players.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Yes absolutely. He can demoralize starc with his batting upfront. After the start other batters can just build and bury Aussies in huge totals..

 

[Square Drive]

There's no reason as to why it shouldn't be Azhar & Imam.

 

[babajee]

There's no reason as to why it shouldn't be Azhar & Imam.

Fakhar at 6 could be a possibility.

 

[Asif321]

Will top edge one after 2 maiden overs
Fakhar will never succeeded on UAE pitches specially in Test cricket

 

[ShahidDar08]

Big nooo.... Azhar & Imam should open followed by 4 specialist batsman and Sarfaraz then 2 pacers and 2 spinners.

Azhar
Imam
Haris
Asad
Babar
Usman
Sarfaraz
Bilal / Shadab
Yasir
Hamza
Abas

 

[Shafi]

Let all our 15 players play all 3 formats and then drop alltogether

 

[Square Drive]

Fakhar at 6 could be a possibility.

Nah, not in favour of that.

 

[Hasan123]

He should play in this series. We need a different type of batsmen for series in the UAE. Azhar and Imam deserve the opening slots so the only space for Fakhar is the middle order. He is good versus spin so it plays to his strengths to play in the middle order.

 

[Josh]

Imam should open with Azhar ..he is very sound technically, only needs to add some scoring shots.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

He was in the squad during the tours of Ireland and England, but is it time that Fakhar is given a chance in the longest format?

We have 2 Tests against Australia and 3 against New Zealand in October/November which are all home fixtures for us, so likely to be in UAE.

He has been shown that he has the ability and concentration to play longer innings and has a good first-class record to back him up as well. He would add another dimension to the team with his faster pace of scoring which is something that we currently lack.

However, where does he fit in? Not in favour of dropping Imam, he must be given more chances to prove himself in what should be his best format (in the long run). Azhar's best position also seems to be while opening the innings.

Should Fakhar bat in the middle order? Should one of Imam/Azhar be dropped? Should Azhar be slotted into the middle order?

Surely if you want him to be eaten live by Mitchell Starc even on dead wickets like Israrullah and Shan Masood.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Sami Aslam who scores 82 & 70 vs Anderson, Broad, Woakes, Finn and Ali in his first test against England in England in Pak vs Eng 3rd Test 2016 should have been part of Test Squad.

Sami also has stroked 2 F.C. hundreds this season.


His non selection can be termed as “ Inzamam ul Haq comforting Imam ul Haq “


Discarding a player for eating Karahi is as brainless as it could get.


[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] [MENTION=5869]yasir[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[Hawkeye]

Sami Aslam who scores 82 & 70 vs Anderson, Broad, Woakes, Finn and Ali in his first test against England in England in Pak vs Eng 3rd Test 2016 should have been part of Test Squad.

Sami also has stroked 2 F.C. hundreds this season.


His non selection can be termed as “ Inzamam ul Haq comforting Imam ul Haq “


Discarding a player for eating Karahi is as brainless as it could get.


[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] [MENTION=5869]yasir[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

Sami deserves to be in the squad.

But, "Inzi comforting Imam" is NOT true. Imam is also quality. Both Imam and Sami can be in the squad.

Shan Masood should not be there.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

In Test Cricket,Sami Aslam should have been opening from Last 2 years along with Athar Ali and Imam ul Haq should have been the 3rd opener since Sharjeel got banned.

Sami getting dropped was pure injustice.


Evidence

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Sami deserves to be in the squad.

But, "Inzi comforting Imam" is NOT true. Imam is also quality. Both Imam and Sami can be in the squad.

Shan Masood should not be there.

I explained my opinion in Sami Aslam thread :



“ In Test Cricket,Sami Aslam should have been opening from Last 2 years along with Athar Ali and Imam ul Haq should have been the 3rd opener since Sharjeel got banned.

Rather what we saw was Shan Masood getting numerous chances despite his dismal F.C. record. (Shan only deserved selection for Odi squad after brilliant last two List A seasons)

And than Fakhar Zaman getting picked ahead of Sami. Although his F.C. numbers are good but his technique is as good as Israrullah and can’t last Test Cricket. Warner (decent tech), Gayle and Sehwag have been only successful aggressive test openers. We could have tried with Sharjeel but surely not Fakhar who has numerous issues with technique against pace and spin both.



Sami getting dropped was pure injustice. “

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Yes definitely. Usman is a poor selection. Will never win us a game. Fakhar can.