Should Haris Sohail be in the starting XI for World Cup 2019, if fit?

[ar2020]

1) Imam Ul Haq
2) Fakhar Zaman
3) Babar Azam
4) Haris Sohail
5) Shoaib Malik
6) Sarfraz Ahmed
7) Imad Wasim
8) Shadab Khan
9) Mohammad Amir (rotate with Faheem Ashraf)
10) Hasan Ali
11) Shaheen Afridi

 

[ar2020]

How are my comments puzzling? You have mentioned Injuries? So did i. Thus my reservations on his fitness.

Also if hes injured all time then clearly hes not established himself despite his nice averages.

So what exactly is baffling?

He probably would be an established star if his fitness and injuries hadnt occured but his career has been stop start.

Only stating the obvious.

The part I found puzzling was that you said: "his batting hasnt take off at all in any format yet".

 

[ads101]

Don't know why people are attacking him, a 100 at a decent SR. Haris might struggle to truly accelerate but he isn't that slow, he doesn't struggle to keep the score ticking along. I'll take consistent over a bit faster.

Easily slots in at 4 for Malik. Though will be a problem to get him in for a senior so soon to the world cup.

 

[javid]

Yes indeed

 

[CricFan2012]

Don't know why people are attacking him, a 100 at a decent SR. Haris might struggle to truly accelerate but he isn't that slow, he doesn't struggle to keep the score ticking along. I'll take consistent over a bit faster.

Easily slots in at 4 for Malik. Though will be a problem to get him in for a senior so soon to the world cup.

Anyone who is attacking Harris doesn't understand his potential.

He's basically a more consistent Misbah who can score at a higher strike rate and doesn't hide in the middle order.

With Babar already proving himself, a performing Imam and then Harris, we will have our best top 3 going into any World Cup, and potentially we can have ourselves our best top 3 of all time, although I'm sceptical on how far Imam will reach.

All we need is our bowling to fire and we will have a very good side on our hands.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Of course. He's a better #4 option than anyone else in Pakistan and a perfect lefty-righty combo at 3/4 with Babar.

Ideally, this is the lineup I would pick:

Fakhar
Masood
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Imad
Shadab
Hasan
Afridi
Amir/Junaid/Usman/any good 3rd fast bowling option tbh

 

[The_Odd_One]

Perfect replacement for Sarfraz if only Umar could keep wickets.

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Umar
6. Hafeez
7. Imad
8. Faheem
9. Hassan
10. Aamir
11. Shaheen

 

[Greenstorm]

Harris at 4 is paramount for success at WC.

 

[khan_aa]

Perfect replacement for Sarfraz if only Umar could keep wickets.

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Umar
6. Hafeez
7. Imad
8. Faheem
9. Hassan
10. Aamir
11. Shaheen

LOL, and you expect umar akmal to guide the spinners and control the game?

 

[MRSN]

Perfect replacement for Sarfraz if only Umar could keep wickets.

1. Fakhar
2. Imam
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Umar
6. Hafeez
7. Imad
8. Faheem
9. Hassan
10. Aamir
11. Shaheen

Sarfraz liability is not going anywhere

 

[Cric1234]

Haris
Fakhar
Babar
Umar
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Imad

Imam isn't good enough to be a long term opener Haris should take his place and anchor the innings which opens up the spot for Umar.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The part I found puzzling was that you said: "his batting hasnt take off at all in any format yet".

Most of his inns have been nice 30s and 40s and then thrown away. Yes hes got a few recent hundreds but hes not progressed as you would expect from such a player.

 

[harasraja]

Yes should be a permanent no 3 in odis and babar should be opening.

 

[Bewal Express]

Most of his inns have been nice 30s and 40s and then thrown away. Yes hes got a few recent hundreds but hes not progressed as you would expect from such a player.

Mentally lazy, sets very low goals and is happy to achieve.

 

[The_Odd_One]

LOL, and you expect umar akmal to guide the spinners and control the game?

A player should make the team on performance first. Sarfraz has been the worst batsman on the team for a while now.

 

[khan_aa]

he's a keeper plus captain. Batsman is his third role.

do not forget clutch performances in CT match against SL, and then captaincy in the final.

 

[Bilal7]

A player should make the team on performance first. Sarfraz has been the worst batsman on the team for a while now.

Sarfaraz isn't a batsman. He makes the team on his keeping.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Mentally lazy, sets very low goals and is happy to achieve.

Lack of fitness effects concentration. Its a shame as hes a good player in making.

 

[Bilal7]

I think Haris' best spot is #3. #4 might mean that he comes in after the 20-25th over and has to play attacking cricket from the get-go. Babar might have to take one for the team and drop down to four himself.

 

[Syed1]

A player should make the team on performance first. Sarfraz has been the worst batsman on the team for a while now.

You have serious problems if you are expecting someone batting at 6/7 to be the best batsman in the side.



Either that or you are just one of those "experts" who barely even played gully cricket yet act like Michael Holding is their student.

 

[MRSN]

he's a keeper plus captain. Batsman is his third role.

do not forget clutch performances in CT match against SL, and then captaincy in the final.

If only I had a penny for each time these excuses are brought here in the last two years...

 

[Bewal Express]

Lack of fitness effects concentration. Its a shame as hes a good player in making.

I see bits of what everyone else sees but you know that when he gets 35 in any innings he thinks he has done his job of staying in the team for another game. There seems to be no desire and I agree that fitness has played it's part but the guy will drift along for another year and then fade out.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Haris has the stats and I have seen him deliver many times. He is a sure starter.

 

[Bewal Express]

Just to clarify, I am desperate for him to do well.

 

[ar2020]

I think Haris' best spot is #3. #4 might mean that he comes in after the 20-25th over and has to play attacking cricket from the get-go. Babar might have to take one for the team and drop down to four himself.

Shouldn't Babar open like Rohit Sharma does for India?

 

[The_Odd_One]

Sarfaraz isn't a batsman. He makes the team on his keeping.

Long gone are the days when keepers made the team on keeping alone in limited overs.

 

[The_Odd_One]

You have serious problems if you are expecting someone batting at 6/7 to be the best batsman in the side.



Either that or you are just one of those "experts" who barely even played gully cricket yet act like Michael Holding is their student.

I do not have to be a Michael Holding to see what a liability Sarfraz has been with bat since he became captain. The excuse of 6/7 does not work for two reasons:

1. He is a captain who can easily bat at #4 and yet he sometimes chooses to bat below Hassan Ali.
2. He plays for a very weak batting line-up where there are plenty of opportunities to contribute at #6.

 

[hadi123]

Never in doubt. Great player, can't believe there are people who don't think he should be in the World Cup squad. He is not to be blamed for today's loss.

 

[a_tahir]

He's a reliable middle order batsman. If fit, there's no competition.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Has something like 5 50s in last 5/6 matches and people want duds like Malik over him. Wow!

 

[Zhasan]

I do not have to be a Michael Holding to see what a liability Sarfraz has been with bat since he became captain. The excuse of 6/7 does not work for two reasons:

1. He is a captain who can easily bat at #4 and yet he sometimes chooses to bat below Hassan Ali.
2. He plays for a very weak batting line-up where there are plenty of opportunities to contribute at #6.

Slight problem, if Sarfaraz is dropped, then Pakistan would be the only side to have fielded an XI in the history of international cricket without an wicket keeper. Sarfaraz makes the team purely as keeper hands down, there isn't another keeper in all of Pakistan that even comes close to him.

Beyond keeping, we just saw what a pathetic dunce the supposed biggest cricketing brain in Pakistan Malik is when it comes to captaincy, first in PSL and just today in Sharjah against Australia. Whereas Sarfaraz, has a track record to prove his mettle. So in two departments he has no competition and batting is only a bonus.

In all other departments of the game we've compromised and set our expectations low since we are not producing the caliber of players we once did, but for some reason our standard for keeping has been elevated to the level of someone who should be a combination of Gilchrist and Sobers.

 

[ritzy_123]

We should look to play this squad in England in my opinion

1) Fakhar Zaman
2) Babar Azam
3) Haris Sohail
4) Muhammad Hafeez
5) Umar Akmal
6) Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK)
7) Imad Wasim
8) Shadab Khan
9) Faheem Ashraf
10) Hasan Ali
11) Shaheen Shah Afridi/12) Muhammad Hasnain

13) Shoaib Malik (Batsman)
14) Umer Khan (SLA)
15) Umar Siddiq (The backup WK)

 

[hitthestump]

Should bat at 4 in the WC. Pakistan don't need to shoot for monster totals in England (and we couldn't if we wanted to anyway), but they can win by having solid batsmen who will consistently score enough runs to keep the bowlers in the game.

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Safaraz
Imad
Shadab
Faheem
Hasan
Shaheen

 

[ask_analyse_act]

No doubts.. Only him and Babar has the technique to see pak through the overcast conditions, short pitch and swing bowling. Hafeez as we all know is a sitting duck against swing bowling even if it is at 120kph

Hafeez and Malik should make a case for their selection in the 11 otherwise in a long series like the CWC the mgmt will be forced to drop them if they had a continued poor matches in a row. They might embarrass themselves in this CWC if top 4 fails to score a 100

 

[ARK Rafay]

I feel only one of Imam and Haris can play. Pakistan in CWC19 can't afford both Haris and Imam at top 4 followed by Sarfraz and Malik. Malik needs to be dropped to play Haris.

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Hafeez
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Shaheen
Hasan

This is the best XI imo.

 

[Bewal Express]

I see bits of what everyone else sees but you know that when he gets 35 in any innings he thinks he has done his job of staying in the team for another game. There seems to be no desire and I agree that fitness has played it's part but the guy will drift along for another year and then fade out.

How much did he get today?

 

[Zhasan]

Time to milk that useless Tendularkesque century for a couple more series. Look out for a few more sub par performances even by his standards.

Selfish and very limited batsman who is at sea in LOIs.

 

[Bewal Express]

Time to milk that useless Tendularkesque century for a couple more series. Look out for a few more sub par performances even by his standards.

Selfish and very limited batsman who is at sea in LOIs.

Has talent to be a good player but he is lazy and easily satisfied with 30's and 40's.

 

[Kroll]

I was hoping for big things from Haris. After a century in the 1st ODI at a SR of 88, he regressed quite badly in the next three matches. There are still injury concerns but I think he's shown enough to merit a place, can also be handy as a bowling option. However, he has not shown the promise that was expected of him.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Not much suited to UAE kind of picthes but will select him for WC in England. Rizwan has given him good competition.

Anyways both should be selected over Malik.

 

[moghul]

In 1980s yes when 250 on a flat wicket was a decent score but not in 2019. His SR is only good for himself, not for team.

 

[Bewal Express]

Haris just looks scared, his batting lacks any energy and the overall impression is that his soft dismissals​ are result of a confused state of mind.

 

[gazza619]

He is not a match winner. But he stays on the crease which is important.

I would open with Babar and Fakhar and bat Haris at 3, followed by Rizwan at 4.

 

[Asher]

After his selfish batting in this series, I really do hope he isn't on the plane to the UK.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

Absolutely not, we don’t need another tuk tuk selfish player in the team. He has failed miserably in this series, apart from one selfish century in losing cause.

 

[Sadozai]

He is a good batsman by the Pakistani standards but he is too lazy. Moreover, his fitness is a question mark, he never looks fit to me. I think if he passes yo yo test (which I believe he couldn't) he should be in the squad but shouldn't be in the starting XI, as he doesn't brings anything new to the table. Just an accumulator like our other batsmen.

 

[Something]

No. Just no.

 

[MenInG]

Haris Sohail now with a chance to take Pakistan as close as possible to the wining score

 

[Syed1]

Harry Sohail cannot chase this even if he batted five times. He is a 240-250 target batsman at max.

 

[Rana]

He might as well play as an opener.

 

[babajee]

Needs to show some intent here.

 

[Taaya]

I cant believe the amount of people here asking for Haris to be dropped for the WC. Which middle order batsmen do we have to replace him? His injuries have prevented him to get fully established, but he is the best we have in the moment for that 3/4 spot with Babar. We will need him to step up on the big stage.

 

[b.lesner]

I cant believe the amount of people here asking for Haris to be dropped for the WC. Which middle order batsmen do we have to replace him? His injuries have prevented him to get fully established, but he is the best we have in the moment for that 3/4 spot with Babar. We will need him to step up on the big stage.

He is just doing Asad shafiq here , saving his spot by playing fast

 

[Chokli]

Harry Sohail cannot chase this even if he batted five times. He is a 240-250 target batsman at max.

this is actually true, i remember he helped us chase 246 along with Afridi in 2014 vs NZ

 

[Taaya]

He is just doing Asad shafiq here , saving his spot by playing fast

You still haven't named a replacement.

He averages 45 with the bat. Yes his SR is on the lower side, but he can get that to 85-90. He also has a century this series. He is playing the WC, you may as well wish for his success.

 

[Rayyman]

Easily.

 

[MenInG]

looking all set for 100 here - should not throw it away now

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Haris oozes class. The best after Babar. Still people hate him. Unbelievable!

 

[Rana]

My XI

Fakhar
Harris
Babar
Hafeez
Malik
Asif/Umar
Sarfaraz
Imad
Faheem
Hassan
Shadab
Shaheen

Harris Sohail should open. FULL STOP

 

[Zhasan]

If Pakistan needs a batsman to score a aggregate of 250 runs that Tendulkar would be proud of then yes. If Pakistan want to far in the tournament then no.

 

[Forum363]

If Pakistan needs a batsman to score a aggregate of 250 runs that Tendulkar would be proud of then yes. If Pakistan want to far in the tournament then no.

Yes, because striking at a 100 coming at 3 and playing riskless cricket is not good enough for Pakistan. We need someone like Umar Akmal to make 15 of 10.

 

[Forum363]

Harry Sohail cannot chase this even if he batted five times. He is a 240-250 target batsman at max.

Done his job for the chase so far. Still feel the same?

 

[Seamer]

Haris should open in the world cup:

1.Fakhar Zaman
2. Haris Sohail
3. Babar Azam
4. Hafeez
5. Sarfaraz
6. Asif Ali
7. Imad Wasim
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Amir
10. Hassan Ali
11. Afridi

 

[Syed1]

Fakhar
Abid
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Hafeez
Imad
Shadab/Fahim

 

[Syed1]

Done his job for the chase so far. Still feel the same?

What exactly is his job? Kohli also comes one down and he thinks his job is done after scoring 60 odd and the team is still 200 runs away from the target?

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Time to say goodbye to Malik. Both Haris and Rizwan are better than him.

 

[Madplayer]

Absolutely not, we don’t need another tuk tuk selfish player in the team. He has failed miserably in this series, apart from one selfish century in losing cause.

Unbelievable that Haris is getting criticised by fans who have akmals and shafiqs playing for them.

 

[Forum363]

What exactly is his job? Kohli also comes one down and he thinks his job is done after scoring 60 odd and the team is still 200 runs away from the target?

If he wins Pakistan the game it will be a brilliant innings.

If he doesn’t it’s not necessarily a failure. Specifically if he makes 60 at above a 100 strike rate and the rest of the team flop and we lose, he hasn’t won us the game but he hasn’t also lost it for us by failing or playing slowly. Which is what you seemed to think he would definitely do.

 

[Syed1]

If he wins Pakistan the game it will be a brilliant innings.

If he doesn’t it’s not necessarily a failure. Specifically if he makes 60 at above a 100 strike rate and the rest of the team flop and we lose, he hasn’t won us the game but he hasn’t also lost it for us by failing or playing slowly. Which is what you seemed to think he would definitely do.

He is still batting and slowing down as he approaches his ton. Marks of a very selfish batsman.


Like I said he is a batsman for a 240-250 target.... The required run rate is steadily climbing all the while Haris Sohail is at the crease. In the end he will get out and the batsmen following him will have a run rate of 10+ to chase.


Job done

 

[Major]

GOod player, batting at a good rate today, and should be in the world cup.

 

[Major]

Great century well done. His spot is booked in the world cup

 

[Hawkeye]

He is still batting and slowing down as he approaches his ton. Marks of a very selfish batsman.


Like I said he is a batsman for a 240-250 target.... The required run rate is steadily climbing all the while Haris Sohail is at the crease. In the end he will get out and the batsmen following him will have a run rate of 10+ to chase.


Job done

Errr, NO.

Also, the same criteria applies to useless Sarfraz, who can't hold a bat since the last 2 years. He's worse than a tailender now and shouldn't be in the team either.

Babar, Haris, Umar are our best bats.

 

[Major]

Errr, NO.

Also, the same criteria applies to useless Sarfraz, who can't hold a bat since the last 2 years. He's worse than a tailender now and shouldn't be in the team either.

Babar, Haris, Umar are our best bats.

our odi team becomes a joke once you have got sarfraz,malik,hafeez and imad waseem in one line up.

WE could afford to have 1 player who scores 30 runs, but not 4.

 

[Mamoon]

His best ODI innings so far, but to be honest, he is not reliable because of his baggage.

Fitness problems, probably some psychological issues as well and an overall lazy vibe.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Shouldnt be a debate after this series. He needs to play and bat at 4. Malik should be on the bench if he makes the squad. I would go with the following 11:

imam
fakhar
babar
harris
hafeez
imad / faheem
shadab
sarfraz
hasan
shinwari
afridi

 

[Hawkeye]

our odi team becomes a joke once you have got sarfraz,malik,hafeez and imad waseem in one line up.

WE could afford to have 1 player who scores 30 runs, but not 4.

Hafeez is our most dynamic batsman and forms the core. Can easily take attacks apart.

Babar, Haris, Hafeez, Umar.


Yes, we do have a lot of baggage in Sarfraz, Malik, Imad. They are pure accumulators, cannot accelerate or take on the bowlers and the main reason our team has been struggling in ODIs.

Can't chase targets, can't set the right targets because of these accumulators.

 

[Forum363]

He is still batting and slowing down as he approaches his ton. Marks of a very selfish batsman.


Like I said he is a batsman for a 240-250 target.... The required run rate is steadily climbing all the while Haris Sohail is at the crease. In the end he will get out and the batsmen following him will have a run rate of 10+ to chase.


Job done

He is currently on 115 at over a 100 strike rate which he has maintained pretty much throughout his innings. That is not how you need to bat for a 250 total. That is exactly how you bat for a 330 total.

Knowing our awful history of batsman, to say we don’t need a batsman who can score a run a ball 100 at 3 to leave even 85 require of the last 10, is ridiculous.

It clearly shows your bias.

 

[Rana]

He practically came in as an opener today and played the way an opener should. He must open ahead of Imam ul Haq

 

[ManFan]

Certainly.

But he will not score many runs on those England pitches.

 

[babajee]

Certainly.

But he will not score many runs on those England pitches.

Your logic being?