South Africa vs Pakistan | 2nd Test | Cape Town | Jan 3-7, 2019 | Pre-Match Thread

[Abdullah]

How should we approach it?
I think we have to pick our 5 best bats and 2 all rounders.
Yasir needs to go ( I was right about him and faheem should have played instead)
Our quicks lost intensity as they bowled and yas couldn't hold an end, so we definitely need faheem to just bowl those tight nagging lengths he is good at. That allows our quicks to bowl shorter more intense bursts. Morning of day 2 we just could not keep the runs down.

I would play shadab as it is good to have some kind of spin option should the game go into day 4 and 5. I would even go as far as saying his temperament and solidity is as good if not better than shafiq right now ( see those 50s in England) and his defence is probably better than fakhar.

So my line up would be as follows assuming every1 is available given what we saw in game 1;

1 imam ( over fakhar -just)
2 shaan
3 Azhar
4 harris
5 Babar
6 Rizwan
7 shadab
8 faheem
9 amir
10 Abbas
11 Shaheen

It's tough on Hasan as he is going to play a part in us winning the game tomorrow inshaAllah, but he is the weakest of the quicks
( though Hsi batting has come in handy)

If sarfaraz has to play he should bat after amir

 

[Ahmed216]

Shan
Imam
Azhar
Babar
Fakhar
Kaptaan undroppable
Shadab
Faheem
Amir
Shaheen
Abbas

 

[Barragan]

First and foremost, shafiq out!!

If Haris is fit, then bring him in and if not, then Rizwan in for him.

Also, should think about Zaman moving down to no. 6 and he'll be much better down there against the older ball.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Imam ul Haq
Shan Masood
Injured Harris Sohail
Mohammad Yousuf (c) (not retired IIRC)
Babar Azam
Fakhar Zaman
Mohammad Rizwan (w/k)
Mohammad Amir
Yasir Shah
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi

 

[ads101]

Masood opens, Fakhar removed from opening.

If Haris plays, play him at 6 if Haris isn't fit, Fakhar at 6. That's all the changes I would make. You can't drop captain midway through the series lol with no real other captaincy alternative, wait at least till the end of tour (despite the fact I agree Sarfraz should lose test captaincy after this series).

 

[Ab Fan]

I am not convinced of Faheem or Shadab batting, but I will go with Faheem because Yasir can leak a lot of runs if there ain't anything for spinners. Faheem should look to ball those tight nagging length and give breathe to fast bowlers.

Imam
Shan
Azhar
Harris
Babar
Fakhar
Sarfaraz (he is not getting dropped from being a captain in a span of one night)
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

 

[We Bleed Green]

So none of you want to learn from mistakes.

Our batsmen are struggling and most of you want to play from 4 bowlers in the first test match to 5 bowlers. Unbelievable pathetic analysis.

We must have six proper batsmen, then keeper , then all rounder and then three bowlers.

My team will be

Imam
Fakhar
Shan Masood
Azhar
Harris
Abbas
Rizwan
Shadab or Faheem ( bowling all rounder)
Amir
Afridi
Abbas

If any is unfit then it must be like for like replacement.

Our tail is still too long and last three can't bat so the last three must improve their batting but for goodness me.

WE CANT AFFORD THE LUXURY OF FIVE BOWLERS.

 

[ILcricket]

premature , let this end .

 

[warcry]

How should we approach it?
I think we have to pick our 5 best bats and 2 all rounders.
Yasir needs to go ( I was right about him and faheem should have played instead)
Our quicks lost intensity as they bowled and yas couldn't hold an end, so we definitely need faheem to just bowl those tight nagging lengths he is good at. That allows our quicks to bowl shorter more intense bursts. Morning of day 2 we just could not keep the runs down.

I would play shadab as it is good to have some kind of spin option should the game go into day 4 and 5. I would even go as far as saying his temperament and solidity is as good if not better than shafiq right now ( see those 50s in England) and his defence is probably better than fakhar.

So my line up would be as follows assuming every1 is available given what we saw in game 1;

1 imam ( over fakhar -just)
2 shaan
3 Azhar
4 harris
5 Babar
6 Rizwan
7 shadab
8 faheem
9 amir
10 Abbas
11 Shaheen

It's tough on Hasan as he is going to play a part in us winning the game tomorrow inshaAllah, but he is the weakest of the quicks
( though Hsi batting has come in handy)

If sarfaraz has to play he should bat after amir

1 imam ( over fakhar -just)
2 shaan
3 Azhar
4 Babar
5 Harris
6 Rizwan
7 shadab
8 faheem
9 amir
10 Abbas
11 Shaheen

switch positions of babar and harris, else this team is optimal

 

[We Bleed Green]

I meant Babar not Abbas.

Abbas appears twice

 

[Ab Fan]

I am not convinced of Faheem or Shadab batting, but I will go with Faheem because Yasir can leak a lot of runs if there ain't anything for spinners. Faheem should look to ball those tight nagging length and give breathe to fast bowlers.

Imam
Shan
Azhar
Harris
Babar
Fakhar
Sarfaraz (he is not getting dropped from being a captain in a span of one night)
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

Abbas can come in place of Hasan if he is fit. I thought he is ruled out of the tour due to injury, lol.

 

[Rayyman]

Imam
Shan
Azhar
Harris
Shafiq*
Babar
Rizwan+
Hasan
Amir
Abbas
Yasir

 

[topspin]

4 Changes:

1. Shafiq out for Haris
2. Sarfraz out for Rizwan - won't happen
3. Yasir out for Shadab
4. Hasan Ali out for Abbas

Shan Masood is a better suited at 3 because he has guts and shown he can handle responsibility but him opening the bat I feel may expose him against the new ball.

Pakistan need a stand in captain until the end of the series. Any one of Azhar, Fakhar, Shan or Amir can lead the side.

Imam
Azhar
Shan
Haris
Babar
Fakhar
Rizwan
Shadab
Amir
Abbas
Shaheen

 

[Ami]

[MENTION=137997]Abdullah[/MENTION]
your line up is spot on..

but sorry lad..it wont happen

These guys arent made for risk taking.

 

[Rayyman]

Imam
Shan
Azhar
Harris
Shafiq*
Babar
Rizwan+
Hasan
Amir
Abbas
Yasir

I might take Shaddy over Yasir depending on 4th innings performance from latter

 

[Brilliance]

Imam
Shan
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Rizwan
Shadab
Fahim
Amir
Shaheen
Abbas

 

[Markhor]

What's Shadab going to do ? His legspin bowling is not even as developed as Yasir, and Yasir lacks potency in these conditions.

Go with four pacers with Haris/Fakhar chipping in with part time spin overs. Spinners here won't do much.

Azhar
Imam
Shan
Haris
Babar
Fakhar
Rizwan
Fahim
Amir
Abbas
Shaheen

 

[Rayyman]

What's Shadab going to do ? His legspin bowling is not even as developed as Yasir, and Yasir lacks potency in these conditions.

Go with four pacers with Haris/Fakhar chipping in with part time spin overs. Spinners here won't do much.

Azhar
Imam
Shan
Haris
Babar
Fakhar
Rizwan
Fahim
Amir
Abbas
Shaheen

Cape Town is slow and supports spinners

 

[Loralai]

What's Shadab going to do ? His legspin bowling is not even as developed as Yasir, and Yasir lacks potency in these conditions.

Go with four pacers with Haris/Fakhar chipping in with part time spin overs. Spinners here won't do much.

Azhar
Imam
Shan
Haris
Babar
Fakhar
Rizwan
Fahim
Amir
Abbas
Shaheen

Agree with the above. Bowlers have been good and I do feel bad for Hasan Ali but he was expensive and Abbas has to return somehow.

 

[Markhor]

[MENTION=137997]Abdullah[/MENTION]

Look at how much better that lower order looks when you remove Sarfraz !

The reason we can't play two allrounders is because Sarfraz would move up to 6 - when our tail would begin.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Sohail and rizwan need to come in for shafiq and sarfraz. Shadab in for yasir. Abbas in for hasan.

 

[The Viper]

I am not convinced of Faheem or Shadab batting, but I will go with Faheem because Yasir can leak a lot of runs if there ain't anything for spinners. Faheem should look to ball those tight nagging length and give breathe to fast bowlers.

Imam
Shan
Azhar
Harris
Babar
Fakhar
Sarfaraz (he is not getting dropped from being a captain in a span of one night)
Faheem
Amir
Hasan
Shaheen

Would go with this providing Abbas is still hurt.

 

[JibranAnsari]

azhar
shan
haris
babar
rizwan
fakhar
sarfraz
faheem
abbas
afridi
amir

 

[Abdullah]

What's Shadab going to do ? His legspin bowling is not even as developed as Yasir, and Yasir lacks potency in these conditions.

Go with four pacers with Haris/Fakhar chipping in with part time spin overs. Spinners here won't do much.

Azhar
Imam
Shan
Haris
Babar
Fakhar
Rizwan
Fahim
Amir
Abbas
Shaheen

If Yasir was getting tonked, what do you think will happen to Harris/ fakhar.
However u still need a decent options in case the game goes deep

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Sami Aslam
Hafeez (bring him back, will be useful for his off spin)
Azhar
Asad
Fakhar
Sarfraz +

 

[Sadozai]

it won't make any difference.

 

[Hasan123]

Haris in for Shafiq
Rizwan in for specialist captain
Abbas in for Amir or Hasan Ali, don’t mind which one.

 

[PakSarZameen]

In a dream world

Shan Masood
Imam ul Haq
Azhar Ali*
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Fakhar Zaman
Muhammad Rizwan+
Hassan Ali/Shadab Khan
Muhammad Amir
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Muhammad Abbas

 

[Abdullah719]

Drop Asad at any cost.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

just drop the undroppables .
dont think it will happen

 

[ali2220]

Drop Asad for Harris
Drop Yasir for Faheem
Drop Hassan for Abbas.

Sarf can't be dropped, so we will have to tolerate him, otherwise Rizwan could have replaced him.

 

[MMHS]

No change, if the fitness issues are not over yet. Sarfraz & Ul Haq’s PCT doesn’t change losing combination much.

If everyone is available then Haris might comeback for FZ and Abbas will come back - but not sure if it’s for Afridi or Hasan; Afridi lacks the ultimate quality for such series savers - experience.

 

[Bilal7]

Hope Sarfaraz sits himself out. He needs a break:

1) Imam
2) Masood
3) Azhar *
4) Shafiq
5) Haris
6) Babar
7) Rizwan (wk)
8) Shah
9) Amir
10) Shaheen
11) Abbas

12) Sarfaraz

* Captain on the field but Sarfaraz should develop strategies, hopefully with a cleared mind.

 

[Gullycricket]

Imam
Masood
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Rizwan
Shadab
Faheem
Amir
Abbas
Shaheen

This should be the 11 for 2nd test but I know won't be

 

[HuzaifaE]

1. Imam
2. Shan
3. Azhar
4. Haris
5. Babar
6. Rizwan
7. Shadab
8. Hassan
9. Amir
10. Abbas
11. Shaheen

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Still shocks me that people are selecting A sad technique

 

[161]

Wasn't Haris sent back to Pakistan ?

I'd include Faheem and Shadab ... they can't be worst than some of our so called specialist batsmen.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Wasn't Haris sent back to Pakistan ?

I'd include Faheem and Shadab ... they can't be worst than some of our so called specialist batsmen.

he was sitting in the dressing room yesterday, so i presume they have hope he can play in the series

 

[CricketDon]

Fakhar
Imam
Azhar
Shaan
Haris
Babar
Sarfraz
Yasir
Amir
Abbas
Shaeen/Hassan Ali


Asda needs to go
Sarfraz needs to go but you can’t dispense a captain mid series.

 

[QalandarFan]

My line-up would be

1. Azhar Ali
2. Imam-Ul-Haq
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail
6. Fakhar Zaman
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (C)
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

Sarfraz should be dropped but you can't drop him in the middle of the series.

 

[MenInG]

So what changed do we need to make?

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

What's the latest about Haris Sohail? Is he going to be fit? Really missed him.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

My line-up would be

1. Azhar Ali
2. Imam-Ul-Haq
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail
6. Fakhar Zaman
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (C)
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

Sarfraz should be dropped but you can't drop him in the middle of the series.

Shadab might get in as Cape Town is favourable to spinners or it can be.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Imam
Shan
Azhar (c)
Haris
Babar
Fakhar
Rizwan (WK)
Faheem/Shadab (Depending on conditions)
Amir
Abbas
Shaheen

 

[Khwaja78]

The only hope in this team is coach Mickey Arthur. Request him to please throw out Asad Shafiq from the team and play Shadab in his place. These shameless seniors are a burden to the team. Either play Azhar in opener slot or just remove him also.

Azhar
Shan
Haris
Babar
Shadab
Sarfraz
Faheem
Hasan
Shaheen
Amir
Abbas

 

[Etherealistic]

So what changed do we need to make?

Just have to remove Sarfaraz from captaincy and replace him with a capable batsman from first class cricket.
I'm sure his replacement will do better than 2x (0s).

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Based on what I've seen

1. Imam
2. Azhar
3. Shan
4. Haris
5. Babar
6. Fakhar
7. Rizwan
8. Aamir
9. Hasan
10. Shaheen
11. Abbas

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

The best possible eleven with Inzi's squad is:

Azhar Ali (C)
Shan Masood
Imam ul Haq
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Fakhar Zaman
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Abas
Shaheen Shah Afridi

For Johannesburg replace Shadab with Faheem. Cape Town does have something for the spinners + Shadab is a better bat than Faheem. Shadab will always be useful.

Imam is a hit and miss but he scored a fifty so should be given another chance. I wouldn't open with him as he would give edge a delivery from good length.

 

[Asif321]

Harry for Asad , Abbas for Hasan/Yasir

 

[Boi]

Philander is going to wreck us regardless of the batting lineup picked.

 

[MMHS]

Based on what I've seen

1. Imam
2. Azhar
3. Shan
4. Haris
5. Babar
6. Fakhar
7. Rizwan
8. Aamir
9. Hasan
10. Shaheen
11. Abbas

Good XI, unless Newlands is a dry surface. In that case Yasir replaces Hasan.

WHO IS GOING TO LEAD THE SIDE, if you are "resting" both of PCB's Captain & Deputy?!

 

[Swashbuckler]

SA curators will doctor the pitch to nullify Yasir, I can tell that much sitting 5000 miles away a week before the toss. And they will look to bring local boy Philander in place of Maharaj. Pakistan must retaliate with a 4 pronged pace attack of Abbas/Aamir/Afridi/Hasan. Maybe Azhar and Haris can fill in with some spin to provide respite and to take care of over rate. Fight fire with fire, don't expect much from Yasir in these conditions.

 

[Greenstorm]

Harris and Abbas in, Asad and Yasir out.

 

[ILcricket]

Ground stats :
Total matches 56
Matches won batting first 22
Matches won bowling first 23
Average 1st Inns scores 332
Average 2nd Inns scores 295
Average 3rd Inns scores 231
Average 4th Inns scores 162

 

[last_knight]

Good XI, unless Newlands is a dry surface. In that case Yasir replaces Hasan.

WHO IS GOING TO LEAD THE SIDE, if you are "resting" both of PCB's Captain & Deputy?!

Our best bet still is Amir.
PCB and CS are always occupied by things other than PCT.

But first test has given ul'haq more than enough to defend his squad. At PCB, Senior players are kept in side to protect selectors. At the end of day you can blame senior players, overlooking the selectors who made mistake in first place.

Amir is still our best bet for a Captain.

Pakistan is no India,Australia or England where your Captain is mostly a batsman.

PCT culture and history doesn't fit in with a batting Captain. Examples are Raja, Saleem Malik, Inzamam, Younas, Butt, Malik, Azhar among many others. Everyone relied on instincts rather than a method, except Azhar Ali who had a test-format method which he tried in ODIs.

I know bowlers as captain is not an SOP in other countries, but PCT culture will always need a Bowling Captain. Imran, Wasim, Waqar were way better than others (Batsmen) as captains. They usually come with a method and insight.

Replacing Sarfaraz by Asad, Azhar, Babar etc won't change cricket brand of PCT. Pakistan needs a Fast Bowling Captain.

 

[MMHS]

Mickey bro is really confusing me. He has lived almost his entire life on these tracks and went for a 3+1 bowling combination at Centurion ..... and before that, he went for same 3+1 combination in UAE, for back to back Tests!!!

He has to take his toughest call in PAK job - drop Sarfraz's buddy here, who happens to be deputy as well. In fact "resting" Sarfraz is a better idea, but I don't think anyone would like to take that challenge of replacing Sarfraz as Captain - Karachi based media & former cricketers will ruin his life.

 

[MMHS]

Our best bet still is Amir.
PCB and CS are always occupied by things other than PCT.

But first test has given ul'haq more than enough to defend his squad. At PCB, Senior players are kept in side to protect selectors. At the end of day you can blame senior players, overlooking the selectors who made mistake in first place.

Amir is still our best bet for a Captain.

Pakistan is no India,Australia or England where your Captain is mostly a batsman.

PCT culture and history doesn't fit in with a batting Captain. Examples are Raja, Saleem Malik, Inzamam, Younas, Butt, Malik, Azhar among many others. Everyone relied on instincts rather than a method, except Azhar Ali who had a test-format method which he tried in ODIs.

I know bowlers as captain is not an SOP in other countries, but PCT culture will always need a Bowling Captain. Imran, Wasim, Waqar were way better than others (Batsmen) as captains. They usually come with a method and insight.

Replacing Sarfaraz by Asad, Azhar, Babar etc won't change cricket brand of PCT. Pakistan needs a Fast Bowling Captain.

Bro, are you telling this to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[last_knight]

Ground stats :
Total matches 56
Matches won batting first 22
Matches won bowling first 23
Average 1st Inns scores 332
Average 2nd Inns scores 295
Average 3rd Inns scores 231
Average 4th Inns scores 162

More importantly, tell us about Spinners vs Pacers stats. Wickets, Avg, SR.

 

[barah_admi]

I think the team needs a lot of rejigging to get back on track. The bowling is great and needs to be added to...time for a shake up.

1. Imam ul Haq - should retain his place
2. Fakhar Zaman - I think based on potential and the ground, he should play
3. Azhar Ali c - last chance saloon and yet only other logical choice for captain
4. Haris Sohail - if he is fully fit
5. Babar Azam - no need to discuss
6. Mohammad Rizwan wk - Sarfraz must go
7. Shadab Khan - can bowl his legspin and carry the bat well enough, again, if fit
8. Faheem Ashraf - a batting option as low as 8 is really needed, even if he isn't that good a test bat
9. Mohammad Amir - proven
10. Mohammad Abbas - the best bowler Pak have at the moment...doubts on fitness at the moment
11. Shaheen Shah/Yasir Shah - this final decision should be made after seeing the pitch

 

[last_knight]

Bro, are you telling this to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know you know it. Actually you repeatedly advocate Amir for captaincy.

I posted it for other PPers, some of them want Sarfaraz replaced by Asad/Azhar/Babar/Shan.

If situation arises where they have to change captain, Apparently CS will not replace Sarfaraz by a Bowling Captain. That's sad reality.

 

[Abdullah]

So none of you want to learn from mistakes.

Our batsmen are struggling and most of you want to play from 4 bowlers in the first test match to 5 bowlers. Unbelievable pathetic analysis.

We must have six proper batsmen, then keeper , then all rounder and then three bowlers.

My team will be

Imam
Fakhar
Shan Masood
Azhar
Harris
Abbas
Rizwan
Shadab or Faheem ( bowling all rounder)
Amir
Afridi
Abbas

If any is unfit then it must be like for like replacement.

Our tail is still too long and last three can't bat so the last three must improve their batting but for goodness me.

WE CANT AFFORD THE LUXURY OF FIVE BOWLERS.

It's all about balance and I actually was one who said 5 2 3 from the start, and even after shadab was injured and out I said go with faheem instead of Yasir, and if we had done that our quicks would not have lost intensity like they did in first innings .

And did u see how shadab batted in his 3 abroad tests recently ( compared to our batsman)

And you have Abbas batting at 6 lol ( so u got 5 bowlers too)

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Good XI, unless Newlands is a dry surface. In that case Yasir replaces Hasan.

WHO IS GOING TO LEAD THE SIDE, if you are "resting" both of PCB's Captain & Deputy?!

I would go with Azhar as captain. No other option I guess.

 

[aloo paratha]

Imam
Masood
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Rizwan
Sarfraz
Hasan
Amir
Abbas
Shaheen

We need our 4 best fast bowlers. Azhar and Haris are good enough as spin options.

 

[Mueez]

1) Imam ul Haq
2) Azhar Ali
3) Shan Masood
4) Babar Azam
5) Haris Sohail
6) Fakhar Zaman
7) Sarfraz Ahmed (He isn’t going anywhere...) WK & C
8) Muhammad Amir
9) Hasan Ali
10) Shaheen Shah Afridi
11) Muhammad Abbas


This team will be solid, the batting will get going and the bowling will be at it’s best for South African conditions.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sarfaraz Ahmed "Both (Mohammad Abbas and Haris Sohail) will hopefully be fit for the 2nd Test" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1078654110382153729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Mp812]

Asked if his side planned to spend the extra couple of days working on certain aspects of their cricket or resting, a world-weary Sarfraz finally allowed himself a smile.

"I think rest is best."

 

[a_tahir]

Asked if his side planned to spend the extra couple of days working on certain aspects of their cricket or resting, a world-weary Sarfraz finally allowed himself a smile.

"I think rest is best."

Such a bad answer.
That’s why I think Shan Masood should be the captain, at least he knows how to respond to questions properly. Sarfaraz just adds to the stereotype of ‘Pakistani cricketers can’t speak english’.

 

[Ilustcricket]

Imam (can’t be dropped sadly)
Fakhar Zaman
Shan Masood
Azhar Ali
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Sarafaraz (sadly can’t be dropped)
Amir
Hassan
Shaheen
Abbas

I would have loved to somehow get Faheem in the side as he provides the bowlers with a break. But Right now it seems hard to make that happen.

More than likely though it will be Fakhar who will be made the scapegoat to include Asad Shafiq in the side. Hopefully this tour will be the last for Sarfaraz, Imam and Asad. We have replacements for all of them.

 

[AAli98]

When Shan masood is your best batsman brace yourselfs for a 3-0

Just hope they can make a fight of it & don’t embarrass the nation.

 

[Ilustcricket]

If however I would have complete freedom then my team for now would be

Fakhar
Azhar
Shan
Haris
Babar
Rizwan
Asad/Shadab
Hassan
Amir
Shaheen
Abbas

Since Asad kind of sucks, maybe give Shadab the confidence to bat like he did in England. Plus his bowling will give the main bowlers a good rest.

Long term I don’t think Shan will outperform Saad Ali so he should replace Shan. And depending on the country and pitch, Yasir could replace one of the 4 fast bowlers. Example in UAE Yasir could replace Amir and Bilal Asif to replace Shaheen.

 

[Pete Rose]

I think they will play the same line up barring Abbas coming in for Hassan Ali. Sarfaraz’s post match presser indicated Azhar and Asad will be playing second game.

 

[Barragan]

Seaming guys like Philander generally have been great in Cape Town and for spinners, where Ajmal picked up a 10-fer.

I'd keep Hassan over Shaheen because of his ability to seam the ball and Yasir in the 11, he will play a huge role here and hope he can pick up 10 wkts like Ajmal.

Bring in Abbas and Haris for Shaheen and shafiq.

Move Azhar to opening, Haris at 4, Babar at 5 and Zaman at 6.

 

[gazza619]

Seaming guys like Philander generally have been great in Cape Town and for spinners, where Ajmal picked up a 10-fer.

I'd keep Hassan over Shaheen because of his ability to seam the ball and Yasir in the 11, he will play a huge role here and hope he can pick up 10 wkts like Ajmal.

Bring in Abbas and Haris for Shaheen and shafiq.

Move Azhar to opening, Haris at 4, Babar at 5 and Zaman at 6.

Hassan leaks too many runs. Fakhar at number 6 will be too risky. There is a series to be won and we should put players in their specialist positions..

 

[Barragan]

Hassan leaks too many runs. Fakhar at number 6 will be too risky. There is a series to be won and we should put players in their specialist positions..

Because Hassan is very attacking and it will work in Cape Town, where he can pitch the ball up consistently and get some movement off the surface.

Why would you say Zaman at 6 is risky?

He will play against the older and softer ball, which will have less movement and it will allow Zaman to play his natural game and take the game to the opposition. At the moment, he won't do much against the moving ball as opener, but he can score vital runs down the order.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Harris in for Asad.

Abbas in for Hasan.

 

[ads101]

1. Imam
2. Masood
3. Azhar
4. Asad
5. Babar
6. Haris
7. Sarfraz
8. Amir
9. Yasir
10. Shaheen
11. Abbas

I'm tempted to drop Yasir for a pacer, but if there's some spin on offer, we'll regret it big time, sometimes spinners have done well there. And SA struggle more against spin. SA are playing their own spinner in Maharaj, it's not like 3 pacers aren't enough to do the job. Ajmal gave us the biggest chance to win last time in Cape Town. And I'd rather play Yasir than Shadab, I don't think Shadab can run through a side in the same way Yasir can.

Still bat Asad up the order, I want to give him plenty of opportunity to prove himself, as if he doesn't perform this tour (or perhaps next tour too) he should be out. He'll just continue to hide and evade the chop at 6. If he does start performing at 4, to have a performing reliable senior bat at 4 will do wonders and perhaps provide that stability we haven't had since YK and Misbah left.

You can't drop captain midway a tour, it'll just be chaos. Keep him there till the end of the tour. What good will it do Pakistan to get Rizwan in mid way with no practice games in SA, in a team where no established captain.

 

[gazza619]

Because Hassan is very attacking and it will work in Cape Town, where he can pitch the ball up consistently and get some movement off the surface.

Why would you say Zaman at 6 is risky?

He will play against the older and softer ball, which will have less movement and it will allow Zaman to play his natural game and take the game to the opposition. At the moment, he won't do much against the moving ball as opener, but he can score vital runs down the order.

Not sure if Fakhar has ever played at no.6 in domestic cricket?

 

[Barragan]

Not sure if Fakhar has ever played at no.6 in domestic cricket?

I don't think that would matter much.

Babar used to open in FC and even hit a double hundred in the final of a FC game, but he is doing very well at 6.

No. 6 is generally very good for counter-attacking batsmen and you don't need to be a specialist in that position either - it is a very flexible position.

 

[BaankeJi]

So many members selecting dream team without Sarfaraz.
It is okay to dream but this much dreaming can be dangerous.

 

[MenInG]

Options are limited but Abbas and Haris are a must for the team - Shafiq needs to be dropped for his own sake