Should Pakistan include a specialist fast bowler for the second Test against West Indies?

hassan918

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Pakistan’s strategy of including fast bowlers in home Test matches is under scrutiny, and the stats paint a concerning picture. Over the last three home Tests, fast bowlers have failed to claim a single wicket, with spinners doing all the damage. Moreover, only 3% of the overs in these matches were bowled by pacers, highlighting their limited role.

In the first Test against the West Indies, Khurram Shehzad who was the only fast bowler in the playing XI, bowled just one over in the entire match. Should Pakistan replace him with an extra batter and go for an all spin attack or would you like to see a specialist pacer to provide variety?
 
They have bowled a total of 7 overs lol So not sure why they are selected in the first place. You go to extraordinary length to keep the pitch extremely dry. Including a pacer makes no sense. Sean masood can be used as a seamer. This can be like India's bowling attack from the 1970s where Abid ali or Gavaskar would open bowl a couple of overs and let the spin quartet control the innings.
 
Nope. I don't think anyone else is needed... Khurram is there. He is enough. 3 spinners in the team on such a spin heaven should be the way to go
 
Add sarfraz and given him Farwell test to retire. He is a good player of spin. If ever there was a totally free spot it is now.
 
No.

I think they shouldn't change the XI for 2nd Test. Play the same team and have the same type of pitch.
 
Add sarfraz and given him Farwell test to retire. He is a good player of spin. If ever there was a totally free spot it is now.
Sarfraz might out perform players on this pitch. He used to be so good at playing spin tho havent seen him for ages
 
For what joy? If the pitch is similar , I say remove Khurram and just play an extra batsman in your lineup
 
Add sarfraz and given him Farwell test to retire. He is a good player of spin. If ever there was a totally free spot it is now.
He is not with the team anymore and I don't think we will see him play another match for Pakistan national team.
 
Ideally on such surface , I would have played a seam bowling all rounder , Faheem Ashraf type .
 
There is really no need to change anything. Just go unchanged... Khurram is better than Ali and Kashif so no point replacing him and there is certainly no need for an extra pacer.
 
Nope. I don't think anyone else is needed... Khurram is there. He is enough. 3 spinners in the team on such a spin heaven should be the way to go
And what exactly Khurram is needed for ? , what was his contribution in Multan test ? How many overs he bowled ?
 
And what exactly Khurram is needed for ? , what was his contribution in Multan test ? How many overs he bowled ?
Khurram bowled just 1 over in the first game. And I think he is probably not gonna bowl much in the 2nd test as well. That is why another pacer in the team makes no sense... You should go with same 11
 
Khurram bowled just 1 over in the first game. And I think he is probably not gonna bowl much in the 2nd test as well. That is why another pacer in the team makes no sense... You should go with same 11
As far I know , pacers also cannot take wickets unless they bowl. PCB should not kill pacers , even on spinning wickets , there should be two pacers. And, if you go by one pacer, let him bowl at least 10 overs if not more in an inning.
 
As far I know , pacers also cannot take wickets unless they bowl. PCB should not kill pacers , even on spinning wickets , there should be two pacers. And, if you go by one pacer, let him bowl at least 10 overs if not more in an inning.
I don't think it is necessary to bowl him a certain number of overs if he is not going to make any impact but if there is a chance that your pace bowler is only going to bowl 1-2 overs then it is better to not play him and add another spinner or a batter.
 
Three spinners plus Salman Agha is more than enough. They should play an extra batsman in place of a seamer.
 
Well in hindsight, it appears we shouldn't try anyone who is in plans for CT but although nothing wrong in giving chance to some domestic top gun
 
If there is any Malcolm Marshall, Dale Steyn waiting in the dressing room then definitely go for it otherwise stick with spin attack
 
If there is any Malcolm Marshall, Dale Steyn waiting in the dressing room then definitely go for it otherwise stick with spin attack
Or a Shoaib Akhtar. We use to have him in our test team who can take wickets on any kind of surface with his sheer pace.
 
They have decided to add Kashif Ali in the playing XI. It would be interesting how many overs he would bowl in his debut test match.
 
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