South Africa v Pakistan | 2nd ODI | Johannesburg | 4th April 2021 | Pre-Match Discussion

[Firebat]

So Pakistan lead the series after just scraping past South Africa on the last ball in the 1st ODI.

Looking to the 2nd ODI, this is the match Pakistan could clinch the series. This is a massive chance to earn a series victory away from home, which would be a great boost for young captain Babar Azam.

Would you bat or bowl first? What changes would you make to the team? Do you think Pakistan will win?

 

[LordJames]

Seen enough of Asif Ali and there is no improvement and he isn't a finisher. In Johannesburg, Pakistan is going to need batting to either put up 300+ or chase down 300+.

Pakistan shouldn't drop Danish Aziz because the lad deserves a few more games on the trot.

I would drop Asif Ali and play Sarafaraz Ahmed as specialist keeper and move Rizwan to the outfield and switch the batting order of Sarafaraz with Danish Aziz.

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Danish cannot be dropped (after 1 game)
Hasan Ali replaces Rauf
Sarfraz (coz of his experience) replaces Asif

Imam
Fakhar
Babar *
Rizwan +
Sarfraz
Danish
Shadab
Faheem
Hassan
Shaheen
Hasnain

 

[Justcrazy]

Babar is batting like dream, pure poetry in motion.

 

[Justcrazy]

I would like to rest Shaheen , and play Nawaz , and promote him up the order to see how he bats.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I would like to rest Shaheen , and play Nawaz , and promote him up the order to see how he bats.

I’d like to rest Shaheen but that’s if we win the next game then I’ll rest him, play him in a few of the t20s for SA to ensure we secure the series and then I wouldn’t play him at all in the Zimbabwe series.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

So Pakistan lead the series after just scraping past South Africa on the last ball in the 1st ODI.

Looking to the 2nd ODI, this is the match Pakistan could clinch the series. This is a massive chance to earn a series victory away from home, which would be a great boost for young captain Babar Azam.

Would you bat or bowl first? What changes would you make to the team? Do you think Pakistan will win?

Batting or bowling will be dependent on the conditions but Pakistan after this victory should feel that they can clinch this series because the batting or bowling will be nothing in that 3rd odi.

Anyways playing XI for Sunday’s game:

1. Imam-Ul-Haq
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Haider Ali
5. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
6. Danish Aziz
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hassan Ali
10. Muhammed Hasnain
11. Shaheen Afridi

 

[hitthestump]

I would like to rest Shaheen , and play Nawaz , and promote him up the order to see how he bats.

Rest Shaheen now? Of all the times to rest him now probably isn't the time!

 

[hitthestump]

Knowing Misbah i wouldn't be surprised if we see an unchanged team. Haider Ali doesn't slot into positions 5/6 very well and it would feel harsh on both Asif and Danish to be dropped so swiftly.

If there are any changes i think it will be just one - Haider for Asif Ali in a move which will unofficially consign Asif's international career to the scrapheap for good.

 

[MenInG]

Asif wasnt even supposed to be in the ODI side - think Haider a better option

 

[cricketerB94]

We need to utilise Hefeez's good form. He can be the important part of team for next 2 years and say goodbye to ODIs after world cup 2023.

The ideal ODI team going forward should be:

1- Imam
2- Rizwan (Yes, he should open in both the white ball formats)
3- Babar
4- Abdullah/Saud
5- Hafeez (Until he is in his current form. Nothing suggests that it cannot last 2 more years. He also provides a solid off-spin bowling option)
6- Haider
7- Faheem
8- Shadab
9- Hasan
10- Shaheen
11- Hasnain

But they will play the following team tomorrow:

1- Imam
2- Fakhar
3- Babar
4- Rizwan
5- Danish
6- Sarfraz (*experience*)
7- Shadab
8- Faheem
9- Hasan
10- Shaheen
11- Haris

 

[castortroy]

SA will win tomorrow. Guaranteed to go to a decider

 

[Shahzad1985]

Misbah don’t like making changes to a winning combination, they will go with the same team tomorrow

 

[PakPremi]

It will be same team or Asif Ali will be replaced for Haider Ali. Asif Ali will then get another chance in T20s. Haris Rauf also deserves to be dropped but I think they want to give Hasan Ali more time for full recovery.

 

[Hasan123]

Haider Ali should replace Asif Ali and Hasan Ali should replace Rauf.

I don't really want Fakhar to open but I think he will get this series to prove himself.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I'd personally take Rauf out and replace him with Hasan. He is not good at building pressure.

Similarly, Asif should make way for Haider, who is a younger player with a bright future.

The rest was fine.

 

[Coolcapri]

Hi, Is Shaheen fit? Why he was bowling in the mid 30sss speed.

 

[Coolcapri]

It will be same team or Asif Ali will be replaced for Haider Ali. Asif Ali will then get another chance in T20s. Haris Rauf also deserves to be dropped but I think they want to give Hasan Ali more time for full recovery.

I also think that Hassan Ali is not fully fit otherwise they would have played him 1st ODI.

 

[Markhor]

My two changes would be :

Haider for Asif.
Nawaz for Shadab.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Misbah don’t like making changes to a winning combination, they will go with the same team tomorrow

That is the 80s mindset...

The modern day of cricket demands continuous improvement , even if they win, find the weak spot or the hole and plug that out to strengthen the winning team to make it more tougher to beat for the opposition.

The game has evolved but both Misbah and Waqar restrict to adapt that evolution with their sick old mindset..

 

[Firebat]

Haider for Asif and Hassan for Rauf are the obvious changes.

However, I feel they will be reluctant to change a (barely) winning combination.

 

[IAJ]

Asif wasnt even supposed to be in the ODI side - think Haider a better option

When Misbah saw Asif's name there was no doubt he would play as Misbah was the coach of Islamabad Utd. Misbah still think Asif can play some of the shots he played in PSL in international cricket as well,
probably here where things get complicated. In international cricket you face the likes of Nortje and Rabada and they figure out quickly the weaknesses of a batsman.

 

[IAJ]

Rest Shaheen now? Of all the times to rest him now probably isn't the time!

Agree, if we win the second ODI and thereby the series, you can rest him in the last ODI and even in T20s, but tomorrow he just has to play.

 

[Bewal Express]

HA has to play and needs to develop a game for batting at 4 or 5. Haris needs to develop a few more brain cells to improve his game.

 

[MesonK]

Imam
Haider
Babar
Rizwan
Hafeez (Please come out of retirement) otherwise Haris Sohail
Faheem
Shadab/Imad
Qadir
Hassan Ali
Shaheen
Hasnain

 

[Yk313]

We need to utilise Hefeez's good form. He can be the important part of team for next 2 years and say goodbye to ODIs after world cup 2023.

The ideal ODI team going forward should be:

1- Imam
2- Rizwan (Yes, he should open in both the white ball formats)
3- Babar
4- Abdullah/Saud
5- Hafeez (Until he is in his current form. Nothing suggests that it cannot last 2 more years. He also provides a solid off-spin bowling option)
6- Haider
7- Faheem
8- Shadab
9- Hasan
10- Shaheen
11- Hasnain

But they will play the following team tomorrow:

1- Imam
2- Fakhar
3- Babar
4- Rizwan
5- Danish
6- Sarfraz (*experience*)
7- Shadab
8- Faheem
9- Hasan
10- Shaheen
11- Haris

I keep getting told Hafeez has retired from ODIs too - can this be confirmed?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

SA will win tomorrow. Guaranteed to go to a decider

That’s what I feel but the series is ours to take with the final being against a severely weakened SA side.

 

[bilawal666]

Does anyone know why Hassan Ali didn't play the first game?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Does anyone know why Hassan Ali didn't play the first game?

He’s in a post COVID recovery mode, management gave him more time to recover.

 

[bilawal666]

Any word on whether he'll play tomorrow?

 

[nextover666666]

I keep getting told Hafeez has retired from ODIs too - can this be confirmed?

I am confused about this too ...i dont know i hope someone can clarify that

 

[HappyWarsFan]

This is an important game. If we win this one, we have a real shot at winning 3-0, because in the last match SA will be playing a weaker team.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Only changes I would make are Haider coming in for Asif & moving to No.5 and Hassan Ali coming in for Haris Rauf.

 

[bilawal666]

Only changes I would make are Haider coming in for Asif & moving to No.5 and Hassan Ali coming in for Haris Rauf.

Let's hope the team management get the memo.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I keep getting told Hafeez has retired from ODIs too - can this be confirmed?

Hafeez has not retired from ODI's. Only Malik retired after WC 2019.

Hafeez is very much available. But team management doesn't feel he will be there in 2023.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I am confused about this too ...i dont know i hope someone can clarify that

Hafeez is very much available for ODI's. Pak management doesnt want to invest in a 41 year old when the WC is in 2023.

 

[Maher96]

Would love to see explosive team let’s see if they would ever play this

Haider
Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Hasnain
Shaheen

 

[Golden arm]

That is the 80s mindset...

The modern day of cricket demands continuous improvement , even if they win, find the weak spot or the hole and plug that out to strengthen the winning team to make it more tougher to beat for the opposition.

The game has evolved but both Misbah and Waqar restrict to adapt that evolution with their sick old mindset..

I would dare to say this is 70s mindset.
Misbah would have played Gavascar for ever for his 30s runs not out in one day game.

 

[indianpanacea]

Haider Ali
Imam
Babar
Rizwan
Danish
Nawaz
Faheem
Shahdab
Hassan Ali
Afridi
Hasnain

 

[Amjid Javed]

Haider Ali needs to come into the side. Also the bowling needs looking at as both rauf and shadab look like liabilities with the ball.

 

[PakHammer]

The sensible three changes will be Hassan in for Rauf, Haider Ali for Asif Ali and Qadir for Shadab.

Shadab unlikely to be dropped as the vice captain but his bowling has really regressed. Even bit part players are hitting him for sixes on a regular basis. Unless his batting can get to the Pakistan version of Steve Smith, I don't see him being in the team much longer. Mohammed Waseem has been quite ruthless with his power point presentations and I suspect he is drafting one for Shadab's bowling average.

 

[heddie19]

Batting or bowling will be dependent on the conditions but Pakistan after this victory should feel that they can clinch this series because the batting or bowling will be nothing in that 3rd odi.

Anyways playing XI for Sunday’s game:

1. Imam-Ul-Haq
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Haider Ali
5. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
6. Danish Aziz
7. Shadab Khan
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hassan Ali
10. Muhammed Hasnain
11. Shaheen Afridi

Rain expected in 3rd ODI at centurion.

 

[Golden arm]

The sensible three changes will be Hassan in for Rauf, Haider Ali for Asif Ali and Qadir for Shadab.

Shadab unlikely to be dropped as the vice captain but his bowling has really regressed. Even bit part players are hitting him for sixes on a regular basis. Unless his batting can get to the Pakistan version of Steve Smith, I don't see him being in the team much longer. Mohammed Waseem has been quite ruthless with his power point presentations and I suspect he is drafting one for Shadab's bowling average.

Spot on

 

[Golden arm]

The sensible three changes will be Hassan in for Rauf, Haider Ali for Asif Ali and Qadir for Shadab.

Shadab unlikely to be dropped as the vice captain but his bowling has really regressed. Even bit part players are hitting him for sixes on a regular basis. Unless his batting can get to the Pakistan version of Steve Smith, I don't see him being in the team much longer. Mohammed Waseem has been quite ruthless with his power point presentations and I suspect he is drafting one for Shadab's bowling average.

Nawaz should play as well

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pak won't make any changes

 

[naseem]

Should bring in Haider and Hasan....but having known Misbah ..he won't change the team..