South Africa vs Pakistan | 1st ODI | 19 Jan, 2019 | Port Elizabeth | Pre-Match Discussion

[Arsalan Pro]

We have lost in Tests but that isn't our best format, we can still win ODI and T20I series.

My Team for the First Match realistically:


Fakhar Zaman
Shan Masood
Babar Azam
Mohammad Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed(C)(Wk)
Shadab Khan
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi

 

[babajee]

The most we can hope for is Shan ahead of Imam, which probably won't happen.

 

[topspin]

Fakhar
Imam (won't be dropped)
Babar
S.Masood
H.Talat
Hafeez
Imad
Sarfraz (doesn't bet higher than 7)
Amir
Hasan Ali
Shaheen

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Fakhar
Imam (won't be dropped)
Babar
S.Masood
H.Talat
Hafeez
Imad
Sarfraz (doesn't bet higher than 7)
Amir
Hasan Ali
Shaheen

Why no Shadab Khan?

 

[Rayyman]

I want them to play this XI in the 1st match.

1. Imam ul-Haq
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Sarfraz Ahmed*+
7. Imad Wasim
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Shadab Khan
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Usman Shinwari

Rest Amir and Hasan for the 1st match at least. They will be tired from the Test matches and there is a lot of cricket coming up in the next few months

 

[topspin]

Why no Shadab Khan?

His batting isn't needed because he's more of an accumulator than a lower order hitter and hence why I prefer his batting in the longer format. In the Asia Cup he really struggled with the bat.

Also I felt Imad is more economical with the ball and he's also a better LOI batsman. I think the good players of spin will smash Shadab out of the park because he does bowl a lot of rubbish as well.

 

[Rayyman]

His batting isn't needed because he's more of an accumulator than a lower order hitter and hence why I prefer his batting in the longer format. In the Asia Cup he really struggled with the bat.

Also I felt Imad is more economical with the ball and he's also a better LOI batsman. I think the good players of spin will smash Shadab out of the park because he does bowl a lot of rubbish as well.

Shadab will definitely struggle against Klaasen who hit a lot against Indian leggie Chahal.

 

[Markhor]

The lack of specialist batsmen worries me, especially since our two senior batsmen are so vulnerable against quality pace. Imam will likely start too so that's another sitting duck.

My preference would be:

Fakhar Zaman
Shan Masood
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed
Hussain Talat
Shadab Khan
Fahim Ashraf
Hasan Ali
Mohammad Amir
Shaheen Afridi

However I'm sure Hafeez's spot will be secure so he can "clear the issue" with Steyn.

 

[ARK Rafay]

We can only expect our chances in T20 series. We'll be whitewashed in ODIs as well

 

[Hasan123]

My preferred 11 from the squad chosen

Fakhar
Shan
Babar
Talat
Malik /Hafeez
Sarfraz
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

 

[Chokli]

The lack of specialist batsmen worries me, especially since our two senior batsmen are so vulnerable against quality pace. Imam will likely start too so that's another sitting duck.

My preference would be:

Fakhar Zaman
Shan Masood
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed
Hussain Talat
Shadab Khan
Fahim Ashraf
Hasan Ali
Mohammad Amir
Shaheen Afridi

However I'm sure Hafeez's spot will be secure so he can "clear the issue" with Steyn.

Shadab is fine at 7 for Tests but not for ODIs

 

[Chokli]

1.Fakhar Zaman
2.Shan Masood
3.Babar Azam
4.Shoaib Malik
5.Mohammad Hafeez
6.Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) (c)
7.Hussain Talat
8.Shadab Khan
9.Faheem Ashraf
10.Mohammad Amir
11.Shaheen Afridi

 

[Justcrazy]

They will again make selection blunders , and loose the series.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Another whitewash is waiting to be delivered.

 

[Chokli]

1.Fakhar Zaman
2.Mohammad Hafeez
3.Shan Masood
4.Babar Azam
5.Shoaib Malik
6.Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) (c)
7.Hussain Talat
8.Shadab Khan
9.Faheem Ashraf
10.Mohammad Amir
11.Shaheen Afridi

With Hafeez opening it looks better

 

[Mueez]

Will be good to see our side performing before the WC...

 

[Snowflake]

A green storm is coming!

 

[Snowflake]

I hope they do not play Hussain Talat. The guy defines mediocrity!

 

[Mueez]

1.Fakhar Zaman
2.Mohammad Hafeez
3.Shan Masood
4.Babar Azam
5.Shoaib Malik
6.Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) (c)
7.Hussain Talat
8.Shadab Khan
9.Faheem Ashraf
10.Mohammad Amir
11.Shaheen Afridi

With Hafeez opening it looks better

Steyn says hi

 

[Ahmed216]

a poor lower middle order should mean Pak are in for another drubbing.

My 11
Imam(cant be dropped)
Shan
Bobby
Fakhar
Malik
Hussain Talat
Shadab
Sarfraz(cant be dropped)
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

I would bat Fakhar in middle order permanently because he can play spin well

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

When you only have one quality batsman who came from a long line of mental midgets, its not really that difficult to predict the outcome of the series.

 

[a_tahir]

When you only have one quality batsman who came from a long line of mental midgets, its not really that difficult to predict the outcome of the series.

People are seriously overrating the ODI squad of SA.
They are way ahead of Pakistan in the tests but ODIs the gap isn't that much tbh.
WHAT good team gets thrashed 5-1 by a sub continent team in their own backyard??
WHAT was the reason they flopped?

I predict 3-2 to either side.

 

[a_tahir]

Do Pakistan have a realistic chance of winning the SA ODI series?

Do Pakistan have a realistic chance of winning the ODIs?
Am I just being too influenced by the test matches?

 

[jnaveen1980]

You can beat them. They are not that good a ODI side Ranked 4th

 

[rhony]

Pak will win one or two last matches after SA goes 3-0 to clinch the series

 

[rhony]

People are seriously overrating the ODI squad of SA.
They are way ahead of Pakistan in the tests but ODIs the gap isn't that much tbh.
WHAT good team gets thrashed 5-1 by a sub continent team in their own backyard??
WHAT was the reason they flopped?

I predict 3-2 to either side.

Kohli and Kuldeep. They were the difference. Pak was also thrashed by Kohliless India in Asia cup. SA is better in all three facets and are playing at home.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I want them to play this XI in the 1st match.

1. Imam ul-Haq
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Sarfraz Ahmed*+
7. Imad Wasim
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Shadab Khan
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Usman Shinwari

Rest Amir and Hasan for the 1st match at least. They will be tired from the Test matches and there is a lot of cricket coming up in the next few months

Shadab at 9? Are you serious? That's an insult to the guy. He has more potential than Faheem, Imad and Sarfraz. Imad is a better hitter though.

I would play Shan Masood as well and take advantage of his insane form.

 

[a_tahir]

Kohli and Kuldeep. They were the difference. Pak was also thrashed by Kohliless India in Asia cup. SA is better in all three facets and are playing at home.

But you're taking out two players out of the equation. Even I can say Olivier was the difference.
That is not an excuse that u can use.

 

[giri26]

SA's batting in ODI's is not that great. The only difference this time is that Amla seems to have regained some form and De Kock who was completely toast against India, looks in good touch as well. So this will be a good series. The biggest thing for Pakistan is their ability to chase a 250+ total. I don't think they can do that against the SA bowling attack. Both teams have dodgy batting, so it will come to which team can outscore the other.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

People are seriously overrating the ODI squad of SA.
They are way ahead of Pakistan in the tests but ODIs the gap isn't that much tbh.
WHAT good team gets thrashed 5-1 by a sub continent team in their own backyard??
WHAT was the reason they flopped?

I predict 3-2 to either side.

You might wanna look at the ranking.

 

[Rayyman]

Shadab at 9? Are you serious? That's an insult to the guy. He has more potential than Faheem, Imad and Sarfraz. Imad is a better hitter though.

I would play Shan Masood as well and take advantage of his insane form.

It does not really matter. Batting positions should be flexible based on situations. Numbers are not set in stone.

Imam ul-Haq currently averages 60+. Masood will have to wait until that average plumets.

 

[coy0607]

We have lost in Tests but that isn't our best format, we can still win ODI and T20I series.

My Team for the First Match realistically:


Fakhar Zaman
Shan Masood
Babar Azam
Mohammad Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed(C)(Wk)
Shadab Khan
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi

I think thats the most likely team. Hopefully we'll see Talat at some point in the series

And no Imad in SA

 

[rhony]

But you're taking out two players out of the equation. Even I can say Olivier was the difference.
That is not an excuse that u can use.

What excuse? I said Kohli was a beast with 3 hundreds and Kuldeep was a magician on that tour. Saffers just didn't have a clue how to read him. Both scenarios are one off. Dhawan was a hit too. Overall India played like a No.1 and defeated them. They are not just any Asian side. They are the best Asian side.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

I think thats the most likely team. Hopefully we'll see Talat at some point in the series

And no Imad in SA

Imad should play ahead of faheem.. He is a better batsman than him

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

Considering some of the mediocre players have to play, this would be a fighting 11.

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Shan
Hafeez
Malik
Sarfraz
Shadab
Faheem
Hassan
Shaheen

If Pakistan has any sense, drop Imam for Talat and Hafeez for Amir. Play Shan as your opener and play Talat at 4.

 

[coy0607]

Imad should play ahead of faheem.. He is a better batsman than him

I don't think thats likely. Faheem just took 6 wickets in the last test, and probably showed some promise with the bat too.

Meanwhile they'll already have Shadab, Hafeez and Malik as spin options.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

I don't think thats likely. Faheem just took 6 wickets in the last test, and probably showed some promise with the bat too.

Meanwhile they'll already have Shadab, Hafeez and Malik as spin options.

Yeah you're right.. But Saffers record again spin is average. We had seen in champion trophy too. So
I will back 3 spin option including hafeez and. 3 fast bowlers are enough.
As bowler i will prefer faheem over hassan..

 

[Rayyman]

Yeah you're right.. But Saffers record again spin is average. We had seen in champion trophy too. So
I will back 3 spin option including hafeez and. 3 fast bowlers are enough.
As bowler i will prefer faheem over hassan..

Also, India's spinners- Kuldeep and Chahal did very well here in ODIs same time last year.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

You need Mohammed Amir in the squad, he will be the most successful bowler in England

 

[Shafi]

S Africa will hammer us in ODI and give us some 100+ runs defeat. S Africa can easily score between 350-400 depending on pitch where our batting varies from 225-300 (Depends on catches drop and some quick fluke innings).
5-0 is on the card. Even 1 win will be satisfactory for us considering we were beaten by Bangladesh without 2 of their top batsmen (Tamim and Sakib) and awarded heavy defeat by Kohli less India in our backyard.

 

[ShahidDar08]

We have lost in Tests but that isn't our best format, we can still win ODI and T20I series.

My Team for the First Match realistically:


Fakhar Zaman
Shan Masood
Babar Azam
Mohammad Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed(C)(Wk)
Shadab Khan
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi

One change,

Fakhar Zaman
Shan Masood
Babar Azam
Mohammad Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Hussain Talat
Sarfraz Ahmed(C)(Wk)
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi

 

[Markhor]

Since 2009, the average 1st innings score in Port Elizabeth has been 241. We'll probably need at least 270.

 

[hadi123]

Our management should look at the SA v India series last year and try to follow the same game plan to win this series. SA were absolutely dominated in the ODI series last year, losing 5-1.

The games SA lost batting first:

1st ODI - SA 269-8, India chased it easily
2nd ODI - SA skittled out for 118, India won comfortably
6th ODI - SA 204 all out, easy chase for India.


Games SA lost chasing:

3rd ODI - India 303-6, SA didn't even come close, 179 all out
5th ODI - India 274-7, SA 201 all out. This game was at PE, where Saturday's match is.


The one game SA won, was 4th ODI, and they won that chasing, helped by DL. So SA weren't just beaten but absolutely thrashed, games were very one sided. This proves SA are definitely beatable. I think if we bat first, our bowling line up is capable of defending anything over 270. As we all know, chasing is our biggger problem, so if we bowl first, we need to keep SA under 250.

For first game, this should be the playing XI

1) Fakhar Zaman - struggled in Tests but he's a key player in ODI's.
2) Shan Masood - I'd start him over Imam, but I have a feeling Imam will play over Masood
3) Babar Azam
4) Mohammad Hafeez - his bowling is good for team balance
5) Shoaib Malik - needs to start scoring in tougher conditions against better teams. In home series vs NZ he averaged 19.33 and in the away series he averaged a pathetic 12.25. Not good enough
6) Sarfaraz Ahmed (C) (WK) - he's going to be captain at WC regardless but he needs to find some runs
7) Shadab Khan
8) Faheem Ashraf - Bowled well in the 3rd Test, and decent batsman too.
9) Hasan Ali - hasn't been in too good form, needs to step up and if he can smash a few at the end with the bat too, that's a bonus.
10) Usman Shinwari - he deserves to start based on BBL form but we all know Amir will play instead of him -_-
11) Shaheen Afridi - excellent against NZ in ODI's

Bowling obviously our strength, if all our bowlers perform to potential then for sure SA's batsmen will struggle but as always not much hopes from our batsmen! Come on Pakistan, do us proud!

 

[Rana]

Fakhar Zaman should aim for a 60-70 ball hundred in this series. He is capable of doing it as long as he backs himself

 

[Syed1]

Since 2009, the average 1st innings score in Port Elizabeth has been 241. We'll probably need at least 270.

Its curtains if 240 is scored against us. Can't chase anything over 200 with batsmen like Imam, Hafeez, Malik and Sarf in the top 6.



Glad that the revolutionary selected so many spare batsmen in the squad to pick from

 

[ARK Rafay]

Fakhar Zaman should aim for a 60-70 ball hundred in this series. He is capable of doing it as long as he backs himself

He seem to lack a lot of confidence after since Asia Cup

 

[ads101]

1. Babar
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Shan Masood
4. Rizwan
5. Talat
6. Sarfraz
7. Imad
8. Shadab
9. Amir
10. Shaheen
11. Hasan

If Malik plays, he plays in front of Talat, but last chance for him this series, he's been unremarkable in 2018. No reason for Hafeez to play, give Rizwan a shot.

 

[Rana]

He seem to lack a lot of confidence after since Asia Cup

These tracks should suit him. Players like Afridi, Imran Nazir have done well when the ball comes on to the bat at pace. Fakhar needs to give hell for leather and put away the leg side rubbish he gets regularly

 

[rhony]

These tracks should suit him. Players like Afridi, Imran Nazir have done well when the ball comes on to the bat at pace. Fakhar needs to give hell for leather and put away the leg side rubbish he gets regularly

He sure will be at ease in LOIs but 'these tracks should suit him' is a bit of an exaggeration after the test series.

 

[Pete Rose]

so, how many games would we have to lose with malik and hafeez before we bench one/both

 

[Rana]

He sure will be at ease in LOIs but 'these tracks should suit him' is a bit of an exaggeration after the test series.

Test cricket is a completely different ball game. It’s a game for the bowlers whereas limited overs cricket these days is designed for batsmen to succeed. You will see a different Fakhar in ODIs for sure

 

[Pete Rose]

South Africa could do us a big favor by bring Olivier in to their squad an killing of malik/hafeez careers.

 

[a_tahir]

South Africa could do us a big favor by bring Olivier in to their squad an killing of malik/hafeez careers.

I am sure Olivier won't make an impact in the ODIs.
He got hit for 50 runs in his first ten overs against a mediocre Pakistan batting line-up.

 

[Pete Rose]

I am sure Olivier won't make an impact in the ODIs.
He got hit for 50 runs in his first ten overs against a mediocre Pakistan batting line-up.

Its not how many runs he goes for, its the wickets he takes. I would take a bowler in my team who gets hit for 50 runs as long as he gets two to three wickets. And lets have perspective he is bowling to malik and hafeez here.

 

[a_tahir]

Yeah but he took 0 wickets in those first 10 overs

 

[Syed1]

Its not how many runs he goes for, its the wickets he takes. I would take a bowler in my team who gets hit for 50 runs as long as he gets two to three wickets. And lets have perspective he is bowling to malik and hafeez here.

That is the logic that has allowed gully mohallah bowlers like Wahab to have 10 year long careers.

 

[Pete Rose]

That is the logic that has allowed gully mohallah bowlers like Wahab to have 10 year long careers.

but wahab is not bowling to pakistani batsmen, olivier is/

 

[Bilal7]

1) Fakhar
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Talat/Hafeez
5) Malik
6) Rizwan
7) Sarfaraz (c) (wk)
8) Shadab
9) Amir
10) Hasan
11) Shaheen

Probably the best we can do at the moment, with Haris and Junaid injured.

Lacking firepower in the lower-order but 270 should be a good total in this series, a target that this team is good enough to meet.

 

[Pete Rose]

1) Fakhar
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Talat/Hafeez
5) Malik
6) Rizwan
7) Sarfaraz (c) (wk)
8) Shadab
9) Amir
10) Hasan
11) Shaheen

Probably the best we can do at the moment, with Haris and Junaid injured.

Lacking firepower in the lower-order but 270 should be a good total in this series, a target that this team is good enough to meet.

I dont realistically see them excluding Shan. unless he looks awful in the nets. most likely in pace of Rizwan.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

I dont realistically see them excluding Shan. unless he looks awful in the nets. most likely in pace of Rizwan.

Realistically, they wouldn't even play M Hafeez as the 5th bowler on South African pitches, Faheem will play instead of Rizwan especially after his valuable performance as the fifth bowler.

Shan Masood should play ahead of Imam.

 

[Pete Rose]

Realistically, they wouldn't even play M Hafeez as the 5th bowler on South African pitches, Faheem will play instead of Rizwan especially after his valuable performance as the fifth bowler.

Shan Masood should play ahead of Imam.

Well yeah but that goes against the first guiding principle of Pakistan cricket: do no harm to the seniors regardless of worth

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Well yeah but that goes against the first guiding principle of Pakistan cricket: do no harm to the seniors regardless of worth

What harm will it do to M Hafeez playing as a 6th bowler?

 

[Pete Rose]

What harm will it do to M Hafeez playing as a 6th bowler?

oh i assumed you meant drop him/

 

[Plumb]

South Africa could do us a big favor by bring Olivier in to their squad an killing of malik/hafeez careers.

They both aren't going anywhere and will play the WC-19. Getting rid of them ship has sailed, they will make sure they play as long as they want...

 

[Bilal7]

I dont realistically see them excluding Shan. unless he looks awful in the nets. most likely in pace of Rizwan.

Hope he plays. However, they'll probably want to play him as an opener or #3 and only when the current openers fail.

I would like him at #3 and Babar at #4. That would push Hafeez down to #6 or completely out of the side, which is a win-win.

 

[Chokli]

1) Fakhar
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Talat/Hafeez
5) Malik
6) Rizwan
7) Sarfaraz (c) (wk)
8) Shadab
9) Amir
10) Hasan
11) Shaheen

Probably the best we can do at the moment, with Haris and Junaid injured.

Lacking firepower in the lower-order but 270 should be a good total in this series, a target that this team is good enough to meet.

Hafeez as the 5th bowler?

 

[Bilal7]

Hafeez as the 5th bowler?

Hafeez/Talat and Malik. Ideally, we would have Haris.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Talat and Masood will not get a game until 3rd or 4th odi is what I think.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

My team would be

Fakhar
Masood
Babar
Sarfraz
Malik
Hafeez
Imad
Shadab
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

 

[Omer2002]

First match is on saturday ..isnt there suppose to be a practice match??

 

[ARK Rafay]

These tracks should suit him. Players like Afridi, Imran Nazir have done well when the ball comes on to the bat at pace. Fakhar needs to give hell for leather and put away the leg side rubbish he gets regularly

I doubt that. South Africa's bowling attack is very lethal

 

[Abdullah]

I can not believe what I am seeing with people's teams.
We all know sarfaraz is playing but it is beyond pointless him batting at number 7.
He can not bat lower than 5 and if we have a good start he should come at 4 to put pressure on Tahir with his sweep shots . The middle overs are the best for him.

Shan
Fakhar
Babar
Sarfaraz/Malik
Malik/Sarfaraz
Hafeez ( should be ur best hitter here - asif)
shadab- totally unsure of his Odis batting ability especially at this position
Faheem
Hasan
Amir
Shaheen

We may try and squeeze Imad in for 1 of the 3 quicks. That depends on hafeez bowling form as we need cover for Imad and faheem

 

[Greenstorm]

I know it won't happen but this is the best we can come up with from this squad.

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam
3. Shan Masood
4. Sarfaraz Ahmed
5. Shadab Khan
6. Hussain Talat
7. Mohammad Hafeez
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hassan Ali
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Shaheen Afridi

 

[Ahmed216]

I know it won't happen but this is the best we can come up with from this squad.

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam
3. Shan Masood
4. Sarfaraz Ahmed
5. Shadab Khan
6. Hussain Talat
7. Mohammad Hafeez
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hassan Ali
10. Mohammad Amir
11. Shaheen Afridi

very good choice of players and batting-order

 

[barah_admi]

The team picks itself imo.

Zaman
Imam
Babar
Malik
Ali
Sarfraz
Shadab
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

Malik really should bowl more.

 

[ARK Rafay]

The team picks itself imo.

Zaman
Imam
Babar
Malik
Ali
Sarfraz
Shadab
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

Malik really should bowl more.

Asif Ali is not in the squad

 

[Chokli]

The team picks itself imo.

Zaman
Imam
Babar
Malik
Ali
Sarfraz
Shadab
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

Malik really should bowl more.

lol this team will be 32-8 more often that not

asif ali at 5, shadab at 7

 

[Smudger]

My team would be
Fakhar
Imam/Shan
Babar
Malik
Hafeez
Sarfaraz
Faheem
Shadab
Amir
Hassan
Afridi

 

[Pete Rose]

Reading somewhere that Olivier has been selected and Steyn rested.

 

[Hasan123]

Reading somewhere that Olivier has been selected and Steyn rested.

De Kock and Steyn have been rested for the first 2 ODIs.