Sri Lanka v Pakistan | 2nd Test | Galle | 24-28 July | Pre-game discussion

[MenInG]

So what changes should Pakistan make for the next Test?

 

[Shafi]

Since we won same players will be retained.

 

[Asif321]

Sarfraz and fawad for Agha and Azhar

 

[Rellu_Katta]

Drop Azha, Hassan & Naseem

Bring Fawad Alam, Saud Shakil & Nouman Ali

Azhar NEEDS to go big time ... really Big time

 

[Amjid Javed]

Out
Azhar
Agha
Naseem
Shaheen (injured)

In
Saud
Shan
Faheem
Rauf

wont happen! But it should.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Sarfraz and fawad for Agha and Azhar

Recycling trash? replacing two failures with another 2?

 

[Rellu_Katta]

Sarfraz and fawad for Agha and Azhar

no "sasstay" jokes please

agree for a switch for Azhar to Fawad but would we not prefer a saud shakeel?

 

[Marooned]

Is Shaheen certainly out??

If he is, I will keep Naseem.

Otherwise, Azhar, Agha, Naseem out. Saud, Fawad, Nouman in.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Azhar wont be dropped

I have never been impressed with Salman Ali Agha, but on principal he should stay


Ideally id have Saud for Azhar

I have never a fan of Shan, and i think he will continue to be a dud as an opner, however i want to try him at 5.

 

[Ahmed216]

Need to play more lefties to tackle prabath's threat.
Ideally azhar and Agha out for shan and saud.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Is Shaheen certainly out??

If he is, I will keep Naseem.

Otherwise, Azhar, Agha, Naseem out. Saud, Fawad, Nouman in.

not 100% shaheen is out but no point picking him half fit. Picking hasan and naseem as two pacers would be poor neither can bowl with control.

Also we dont need a 3rd front line spinner, they always get under used.

Abdullah
Imam
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Nawaz
Faheem
Yasir
Rauf
hasan ( if shaheen is fit then play him)

 

[Marooned]

not 100% shaheen is out but no point picking him half fit. Picking hasan and naseem as two pacers would be poor neither can bowl with control.

Also we dont need a 3rd front line spinner, they always get under used.

Abdullah
Imam
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Nawaz
Faheem
Yasir
Rauf
hasan ( if shaheen is fit then play him)

Faheem over Nouman is a good pick too.

Reason I said Naseem is that he now probably knows the conditions better. Rauf could be tried but I don't think it will make a big difference either way.

Hasan should stay for now imo.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Faheem over Nouman is a good pick too.

Reason I said Naseem is that he now probably knows the conditions better. Rauf could be tried but I don't think it will make a big difference either way.

Hasan should stay for now imo.

Personally id drop Hasan 1st (if Shaheen is fit)

Then you can have Shaheen, fahim and Naseem as 3 seamers.

But with no shaheen, then Hasan has to stay. Plus i think Rauf would offer decent control.

Ths batting is a huge issue Kamran ghulam and saud shakeel should be part of our top 6 already. One was dropped and not given a game. other doesnt seem to get chances either.

 

[Marooned]

Personally id drop Hasan 1st (if Shaheen is fit)

Then you can have Shaheen, fahim and Naseem as 3 seamers.

But with no shaheen, then Hasan has to stay. Plus i think Rauf would offer decent control.

Ths batting is a huge issue Kamran ghulam and saud shakeel should be part of our top 6 already. One was dropped and not given a game. other doesnt seem to get chances either.

Saud should certainly make his debut in place of Azhar. Hopefully it happens. Easily bowls Agha level too, maybe better.

 

[Titan24]

- Azhar's long term feasibility and struggles in this match aside, a lefty in the middle order would be handy especially to handle the main threat of Jayasuriya. Saud can be given a go if management thinks in that direction or Shan who has shown some top form but, in completely different kinds of conditions.

- Agha has just played one game, would be harsh to drop him despite the debates if he is good enough or not as that would be principally wrong and would set a wrong precedent (Not that its cared about much in Pak cricket historically)

- 3 full time seamers was a poor call to start with. Faheem as the 3rd seamer is more than sufficient on these surfaces if required and adds to batting depth.

- Shaheen even if slightly unfit, I would like him to rest despite desperately waiting for his 100th test wicket (He is just 1 away)

Imam
Abdullah
Saud/Shan
Babar
Rizwan (wk)
Agha Salman
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Nawaz
Yasir Shah
Hasan Ali
Shaheen (If fit)/ Naseem

 

[topspin]

- Azhar's long term feasibility and struggles in this match aside, a lefty in the middle order would be handy especially to handle the main threat of Jayasuriya. Saud can be given a go if management thinks in that direction or Shan who has shown some top form but, in completely different kinds of conditions.

- Agha has just played one game, would be harsh to drop him despite the debates if he is good enough or not as that would be principally wrong and would set a wrong precedent (Not that its cared about much in Pak cricket historically)

- 3 full time seamers was a poor call to start with. Faheem as the 3rd seamer is more than sufficient on these surfaces if required and adds to batting depth.

- Shaheen even if slightly unfit, I would like him to rest despite desperately waiting for his 100th test wicket (He is just 1 away)

Imam
Abdullah
Saud/Shan
Babar
Rizwan (wk)
Agha Salman
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Nawaz
Yasir Shah
Hasan Ali
Shaheen (If fit)/ Naseem

Good post +1.

We do need Shan Masood. He's more than good enough (especially with his current form) to make this Pakistan team which is short of decent batsmen.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Saud should certainly make his debut in place of Azhar. Hopefully it happens. Easily bowls Agha level too, maybe better.

Saud can bowl left arm spin so can kamran Ghulam. if you had both in your top 6 then you could easily then have a 5th bowling option to hold up and end.

On the Shaheens Tour vs SL in Oct 2021

1st 4 day Game
Shakeel 118
Ghulam 58


2nd 4 day game
Shakeel 9
Ghulam 45

so both had played in these conditions as well.

 

[Marooned]

- Azhar's long term feasibility and struggles in this match aside, a lefty in the middle order would be handy especially to handle the main threat of Jayasuriya. Saud can be given a go if management thinks in that direction or Shan who has shown some top form but, in completely different kinds of conditions.

- Agha has just played one game, would be harsh to drop him despite the debates if he is good enough or not as that would be principally wrong and would set a wrong precedent (Not that its cared about much in Pak cricket historically)

- 3 full time seamers was a poor call to start with. Faheem as the 3rd seamer is more than sufficient on these surfaces if required and adds to batting depth.

- Shaheen even if slightly unfit, I would like him to rest despite desperately waiting for his 100th test wicket (He is just 1 away)

Imam
Abdullah
Saud/Shan
Babar
Rizwan (wk)
Agha Salman
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Nawaz
Yasir Shah
Hasan Ali
Shaheen (If fit)/ Naseem

Agha was anyway meant to be a specialized selection for the conditions as babar tried to cover basis and now we know it's pointless. Otherwise his number is surely below Saud and kamran in the pecking order.

As you say, this precedent is already here. Saad Ali was dropped without ever getting a game, Ghulam same. Saud has waited for ages now. These guys surely have a better claim than Agha who only got in because of a selection blunder.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Highly unlikely Azhar will get dropped.

I think if Shaheen is unfit, I could see them replacing him with Fawad and go with the same lineup otherwise. There was no need to use 3 pacers and its hard to see them going with the same strategy again. If Shaheen is fit, its likely Naseem who gets dropped for a batsmen.

I am not a fan of having Salman in the lineup but it makes more sense if Fawad or Saud are in the lineup as well and he's being used as your 7th batsmen & 5th bowling option. I would probably just pick Nauman over him to have 3 really good spinners to attack the opposition but it would also be extremely unfair to drop a player 1 match after his debut.

Fawad & Saud can bowl some spin as well if needed. I don't think Pakistan can go into the next match relying on Babar to save the match with the 2nd innings he played or Abdullah performing at a historic level to win the match in 4th innings. Rest of the batting is not good enough and having Fawad or Saud in there will go a long way into making this batting unit stronger & deeper.

 

[Dagestani_Eagle]

Imam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Faheem
Nawaz
Yasir
Nauman
Hassan/Afridi

 

[usmanraheel]

Imam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Nawaz
Yasir
Nauman
Hassan
Afridi

 

[ChTab]

1. Imam
2. Abdullah
3. Saud
4. Babar (c)
5. Fawad (I hate to see him but on spinning wickets he is must)
6. Rizwan (wk)
7. Nawaz
8. Faheem
9. Shaheen/Hassan (If Shahen not 100%)
10. Yasir
11. Nauman

 

[Hyder]

Nauman is no dud with bat too. He can certainly return the figures of 20 25 that seems to be the ceiling of azhar and agha in these conditions. Also he ll pick.more wickets than naseem. But i ll keep naseem.and rest shaheen here

 

[PakHammer]

Imam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Nawaz
Yasir
Nauman
Hassan
Afridi

Pick this team and we win the series. Simple as that.

 

[ZaidTR]

Go with same team..

 

[Markhor]

Imam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Nawaz
Yasir
Nauman
Hassan
Afridi

Yeah I'm thinking along these lines too. Azhar's performance was a debacle and it's criminal to keep wasting Shan's domestic form.

Another LHB is needed to combat SL left arm spinners though I feel uncomfortable turfing Agha Salman out after just one Test.

I'm not a Nauman Ali fan, he seems to be a poor man's Zulfiqar Babar, but we'll definitely need a third spinner since we're playing the second Test on the same ground. Naseem wasn't really necessary with the ball although he did a passable impression of Sunil Gavaskar in the 1st inns as a batter.

 

[James]

There’s an argument to say ‘don’t change a winning team’- although arguably there should (at the very least) be one change.

 

[Amjid Javed]

There’s an argument to say ‘don’t change a winning team’- although arguably there should (at the very least) be one change.

cant keep carrying passengers in the team, only so long you will get away with it. we didnt in the Aussies series and we wont against england or NZ.

 

[Omer2002]

Hasan and shaheen replaced by faheem and nauman .agha with faddy or masood. Azar ali wnt get dropped end off

 

[shamaan]

not 100% shaheen is out but no point picking him half fit. Picking hasan and naseem as two pacers would be poor neither can bowl with control.

Also we dont need a 3rd front line spinner, they always get under used.

Abdullah
Imam
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Nawaz
Faheem
Yasir
Rauf
hasan ( if shaheen is fit then play him)

I highly doubt they will play Saud Shakeel at 5.

 

[shamaan]

I would go with this team.

Abdullah
Imaam
Shan Masood
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Nawaz
Yasir
Fahim Ashraf
Hassan Ali
Shaheen if fit (Naseem Shah)

I would not pick Rauf as he leaks to much runs but does offer pace.

Pakistan will most likely go with
Imaam
Abdullah
Azhar
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Nawaz
Yasir
Naseem
Hassan Ali
Shaheen,Nuaman Ali,Fahim Ashraf.

 

[The Googly]

Gutless selectors and yes man coach means no changes likely. Azhar is guaranteed to play and for some reason they dislike Shan who should be nailed in replacement for Azhar to anyone with common sense.

This is why we need a foreign coach. Saqlain does not do anything and has no say.

Seeing a test team with the likes of Azhar, Fawad, Agha, Hasan Ali , Noaman, Sajid shows the ineptitude of the selectors and Saqlain.

 

[The Googly]

Ideal test team for future tests

Abdullah
Imam
Shan
Babar
Saud (give him 10 tests home and away guaranteed)
Rizwan
Shadab (make him focus on tests)
Nawaz or Faheem depending on conditions
Naseem
Shaheen
Dahani ( try for 10 tests)


For this test
Imam
Abdullah
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Nawaz
Shaheen if 100% fit or Faheem
Yasir
Hasan Ali
Naseem

I do not want to see Fawad and his silly stance exposed to world class bowlers in bowling conditions in future tests. Drop him now.

 

[Energy]

Azhar will be dropped after this series even if he gets a 50 now. He's out dated and past it.

For next test I can only see Agha or Naseem get dropped but that too unlikely.

 

[MenInG]

Sri Lankan bowler Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan with a finger injury, the country's cricket board said on Thursday.

The spinner returned figures of 2-68 in Pakistan's first innings in the opening Test, which the hosts lost by four wickets in Galle on Wednesday.

Uncapped all-rounder Lakshitha Manasinghe comes into the squad as replacement.

Batsman Pathum Nissanka, who contracted Covid in the middle of the second Australia Test earlier this month, returns for the final Pakistan match starting on Sunday in Galle.

NDTV

 

[Savak]

Shaheens MRI report is clear. But the team management on the side of precaution wants him to rest, he could be replaced by Haris Rauf or Faheem Ashraf.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

This will be Azhar's 96th test.

The good news is, after this test in SL, next four tests will be in Pakistan (if I'm not wrong).

After 100th they might consider dropping him.

And he will definitely cost us the spot in WTC final.

Not that we were gonna make to the final anyways. Not after pathetic series against the Aussies at home!

 

[MenInG]

Shaheen Shah Afridi Injury Update

Galle, 21 July 2022:

Due to a knee injury sustained on the fourth day of the first Test, Shaheen Afridi will miss the second Test, which will be played in Galle from 24 July.

He will stay with the Test side in Sri Lanka, where his initial rehabilitation and management will continue under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.

 

[Nasty Naz]

With the Shaheen news confirmed, I think Pakistan will go with this lineup:

Imam
Abdullah
Azhar
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Nawaz
Nauman
Yasir
Hasan
Naseem

2 specialist spinners and spin allrounder would be a good way to attack Lanka in these spin conditions.

Ideally, I would love to see Azhar get dropped but that won't happen.

 

[usmanraheel]

Pick this team and we win the series. Simple as that.

Looks like Afridi is injured

I guess Naseem might have to play, although I am leaning towards Agha because he can bat and provide a spin option. But most likely Azhar Ali will retain his position.

 

[Markhor]

Shaheen Shah Afridi Injury Update

Galle, 21 July 2022:

Due to a knee injury sustained on the fourth day of the first Test, Shaheen Afridi will miss the second Test, which will be played in Galle from 24 July.

He will stay with the Test side in Sri Lanka, where his initial rehabilitation and management will continue under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.

There goes our pace attack, I hope Pakistan team management are happy now. This is what happens when you bowl somebody in every meaningless bilateral series.

This reasoning that Shaheen needs to bowl constantly otherwise his elbow locks up...does he not have knees, shoulders, or a back ?

 

[Marooned]

There goes our pace attack, I hope Pakistan team management are happy now. This is what happens when you bowl somebody in every meaningless bilateral series.

This reasoning that Shaheen needs to bowl constantly otherwise his elbow locks up...does he not have knees, shoulders, or a back ?

To make matters worse, management gets so defensive and are in a hurry to brush under the carpet any questions regarding fast bowlers fitness. They said Shaheen will have a 'precautionary' check. They denied any fitness issues when Naseem got suddenly taken off in Australia, and then ofcourse he was injured.

It's weird. Hard to trust their word anymore.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

Agha deserves another chance. Would like to see Azhar replaced w saud but can’t see that happening

 

[Marooned]

Agha deserves another chance. Would like to see Azhar replaced w saud but can’t see that happening

He never deserved his chance ahead of Saud and Kamran anyway. He jumped the queue, now he is suddenly more deserving than them just because of a selection blunder?

 

[Marooned]

To make matters worse, management gets so defensive and are in a hurry to brush under the carpet any questions regarding fast bowlers fitness. They said Shaheen will have a 'precautionary' check. They denied any fitness issues when Naseem got suddenly taken off in Australia, and then ofcourse he was injured.

It's weird. Hard to trust their word anymore.

It's frustrating the lack of transparency. As if the fans won't be able to see it sooner or later.

We better start managing Shaheen. Let's not make him play everything under the sun. Don't put him in the squad for Netherlands series fgs, only selectively play him in t20s vs bd, nz. etc

 

[Bewal Express]

There’s an argument to say ‘don’t change a winning team’- although arguably there should (at the very least) be one change.

They got away with appalling, illogical selections. We are 2 batsman short and we have one fast bowler too many. Naseem Shah offers nothing and Hasan Ali is the same. If Fawad isnt going to play, why pick him for the tour.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Ideally this Haris Rauf would come in for Shaheen Shah Afridi, maybe Faheem for Naseem would be a good idea.

 

[MenInG]

So Haris Rauf or F Ashraf could replace SSA?

FA could be back or they play an extra spinner?

or Faheem for Naseem?

 

[Anis Shivani]

This is the lineup I suggested during the 1st Test, the only change is that SSA is out:

Abdullah
Imam
Shan/Saud (never a fan of Shan, but current form)
Babar
Fawad (or play Saud at 3 and Shan at 5)
Rizwan
Nawaz
Faheem
Nauman
Yasir
Hassan

This gives batting till 11. Less reliance on Yasir. Faheem should be enough on this track. Loaded with batting, even Nauman bats well. You can't rely on an Abdullah Shafique ATG innings each time to bail you out for selection errors.

But more likely that they don't change much. Maybe Fawad gets in instead of Agha Salman Ali but I doubt it. They're forced to substitute for SSA but I think they'll go with Haris Rauf because "pace."

 

[shamaan]

Shaheens MRI report is clear. But the team management on the side of precaution wants him to rest, he could be replaced by Haris Rauf or Faheem Ashraf.

If this true then that's a good idea to rest him.

 

[shamaan]

There goes our pace attack, I hope Pakistan team management are happy now. This is what happens when you bowl somebody in every meaningless bilateral series.

This reasoning that Shaheen needs to bowl constantly otherwise his elbow locks up...does he not have knees, shoulders, or a back ?

It's fine this is perfect opportunity for others to step up.

 

[shamaan]

I will play Fahim now that Shaheen won't take part in the second test.

Naseem will open the bowling alongside Hassan Ali.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I will play Fahim now that Shaheen won't take part in the second test.

Naseem will open the bowling alongside Hassan Ali.

Faheem for Naseem will be the only change I would make. An all rounder is tremendous value. If Shaheen is injured, then Faheem for Shaheen.

Azhar was a failure in the last test and this should be his last chance.

Not convinced on a 4th spinner in Nouman - if 3 can’t do it. An extra batter is gold though.

 

[Anis Shivani]

I will play Fahim now that Shaheen won't take part in the second test.

Naseem will open the bowling alongside Hassan Ali.

No need for Naseem if Faheem plays on this wicket. Don't need three pacers. Hassan and Faheem are enough. But it looks like they have decided to move on from Faheem and prioritize Naseem in the future. That's unfair to Faheem.

 

[shamaan]

Faheem for Naseem will be the only change I would make. An all rounder is tremendous value. If Shaheen is injured, then Faheem for Shaheen.

Azhar was a failure in the last test and this should be his last chance.

Not convinced on a 4th spinner in Nouman - if 3 can’t do it. An extra batter is gold though.

Shaheen won't play the second test that's why i said il play Fahim he gives you more batting.No need for a extra Spinner espically becouse that spinner can't really turn the ball.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Rauf needs to come in Shaheen.

Having Hasan and naseem as 2 seamers for 2nd test is asking for trouble both are useless with new ball and offer zero control.

Also passengers Azhar and Agha should be dropped.

Pakistan got out of jail in 1st test with their poor team selections.

 

[shamaan]

No need for Naseem if Faheem plays on this wicket. Don't need three pacers. Hassan and Faheem are enough. But it looks like they have decided to move on from Faheem and prioritize Naseem in the future. That's unfair to Faheem.

Who's going to open the bowling I understand that Naseem didn't bowl that well but he's young and can bowl with pace when in form.Naseem Hassan as the pacers with Fahim being the third seeming all rounder.

 

[shamaan]

Rauf needs to come in Shaheen.

Having Hasan and naseem as 2 seamers for 2nd test is asking for trouble both are useless with new ball and offer zero control.

Also passengers Azhar and Agha should be dropped.

Pakistan got out of jail in 1st test with their poor team selections.

Rauf also doesn't offer much control

 

[Amjid Javed]

Shaheen won't play the second test that's why i said il play Fahim he gives you more batting.No need for a extra Spinner espically becouse that spinner can't really turn the ball.

3rd spinner usually gets under bowled add to that their are players in top 6 who can bowl spin.

 

[shamaan]

3rd spinner usually gets under bowled add to that their are players in top 6 who can bowl spin.

That's correct

 

[ethan hunt]

I have a feeling even Naseem is carrying an injury. He was trundling in the last game.

 

[Monsee]

This is what happens (I hope):

- Azhar develops a conscience all of a sudden and retires...points to Shaan as his replacement.
- Agha Salman says he wants to compete in 'Lanka got talent' show and paves the way for Saud to
come in
- Shaheen goes on a shopping spree and doesn't come back in time, asks Rauf to hold his place for him
- Naseem Shah cuts his hand while fixing his hair (has a habit of setting them up every two seconds) and if that fails, Faheem will lock him in the room and takes his place.
- Hassan Ali gets to keep his place only if he promises to try and hit less sixes and cuts down on his wicket taking celebrations (especially if wicket is of a tail ender)
- Yasir keeps his place if he promises not to eat the whole team's biryani and hence reduces his tidh a bit
- Imam will wear weights on his left leg, hence no chance of a stumping

- Babar and Abdullah get another game on trial

This is the team we end up with:
Abdullah, Imam, Shaan, Babar, Saud, Faheem, Rizwan, Nawaz, Hassan, Yasir, Rauf

 

[Shah]

Sham Masood should be in the team and also needs to be test captain. He scored two double centuries for Derbyshire this year and was captain of Derbyshire. He was the first Pakistani batter to score two consecutive double centuries in two innings in the county championship. How many Pakistani captains of English counties in the past 50 years can you name?
Masood is eloquent, educated and a good motivator, way better as a captain than Babar Azam who has no charisma.

 

[MenInG]

Video of training session

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[zarak]

Sham Masood should be in the team and also needs to be test captain. He scored two double centuries for Derbyshire this year and was captain of Derbyshire. He was the first Pakistani batter to score two consecutive double centuries in two innings in the county championship. How many Pakistani captains of English counties in the past 50 years can you name?
Masood is eloquent, educated and a good motivator, way better as a captain than Babar Azam who has no charisma.

This isn't the bachelor tv show where you need to charm people with charisma. Fact is that we need a performing captain who can create a positive dressing room environment. Not someone eloquent and educated. Culture and tactics over eloquence and education. Babar is doing fine

 

[Babeikh]

I do worry about Rauf's fitness and can see him breaking down in the middle of a test match, crucially.

Would be a risk to play him, but also more likely to pick up a wicket or two than Faheem.

Otherwise I would drop Azhar Ali. Replace him with Shan.

 

[Titan24]

I do worry about Rauf's fitness and can see him breaking down in the middle of a test match, crucially.

Would be a risk to play him, but also more likely to pick up a wicket or two than Faheem.

Otherwise I would drop Azhar Ali. Replace him with Shan.

His fitness has improved I believe in last year or so. Has played county cricket (3-4 matches) with no issues.

Faheem on the other hand would provide more batting depth and third seamer option if required.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

I wish we could have dropped Azhar, Hassan and Naseem

I think we would now have

Harris Rauf for SSA
Nouman Ali for NAseem Shah


I wish I wish we can drop Azhar Ali for Shaan Masood

 

[MenInG]

Pictures (courtesy of PCB Twitter) of the Pakistan squad practicing ahead of the final Test of the series

 

[PakEngFan]

Sham Masood should be in the team and also needs to be test captain. He scored two double centuries for Derbyshire this year and was captain of Derbyshire. He was the first Pakistani batter to score two consecutive double centuries in two innings in the county championship. How many Pakistani captains of English counties in the past 50 years can you name?
Masood is eloquent, educated and a good motivator, way better as a captain than Babar Azam who has no charisma.

Shan has also the worst test batting average as an opener for Pakistan I believe. Getting tired of fans wanting him back. He’s has 25 tests and his average is still below 30 which is pathetic. Saud should be preferred over no talent Shan. I know he has improved but Saud should be ahead of him. Just because he performed in county that means make him the captain? How about Hasan Ali, he performed too.

 

[MenInG]

Shaheen Shah Afridi Injury Update

Galle, 21 July 2022:

Due to a knee injury sustained on the fourth day of the first Test, Shaheen Afridi will miss the second Test, which will be played in Galle from 24 July.

He will stay with the Test side in Sri Lanka, where his initial rehabilitation and management will continue under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.

[MENTION=47000]Sherlock[/MENTION]

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Faheem should play with Shaheen out injured.

Also Nauman in for Agha.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Faheem should play with Shaheen out injured.

Also Nauman in for Agha.

So play 1 less batsmen? whilst Agha is rubbish and should be dropped a proper batsmen needs to come in. your suggesting fahim and nawaz playing as a 5th and 6th batter? )

Our batting is poor as it is and niether nawaz and fahim are good enough to be batting so high.

This isnt an ODI where you fill batting sports 5-8 with bits and pieces players.

 

[hitthestump]

Without Shaheen, Pakistan's attack is probably the worst in the world currently.

It's a lucky break that Galle pitches suit spin. Nawaz may be able to do some damage control. Our pacers will get smashed to high heaven.

 

[Omer2002]

shaheen is injured which means naseem should just about stay...hasan should be out for Faheem. Shaheen for Nauman. Agha for either faddy or shaan. Saud needs to establish himself before being sent in.

 

[Amjid Javed]

shaheen is injured which means naseem should just about stay...hasan should be out for Faheem. Shaheen for Nauman. Agha for either faddy or shaan. Saud needs to establish himself before being sent in.

How can Saud establish himself if hes never picked? )

 

[MenInG]

How can Saud establish himself if hes never picked? )

He means to establish himself in the team bus.

Not likely to get any games.

 

[Anis Shivani]

Who's going to open the bowling I understand that Naseem didn't bowl that well but he's young and can bowl with pace when in form.Naseem Hassan as the pacers with Fahim being the third seeming all rounder.

I think that's the most likely option they'll go with anyway, Naseem, Hassan, and Faheem. But couldn't Hassan and Faheem open the bowling? It would be a little risky if one gets injured during the game, and there is no express pace, but I think that's a chance you have to take, and get in three spinners instead, give Nauman a chance. Wasn't it a mistake to have three pacers in the first test? It would have helped if SSA were fit, because then you can go with two pacers, just SSA and Hassan would be enough. I think Faheem unfortunately is no longer in their long-term plans.

 

[Amjid Javed]

He means to establish himself in the team bus.

Not likely to get any games.

He should become the bus driver. Maybe when saud is 35 he will get a game. Pretty similar to when fawad was ignore so much earlier in his career.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Faheem should play with Shaheen out injured.

Also Nauman in for Agha.

That will reduce the number of Batsmen further, Agha was playing as Batsman who can bowl. Fawad Alam can do that and also Shan Masood. However Shan Masood is not a good player of spin, Shan can replace Azhar Ali (I doubt Azhar will be dropped). So in place of Agha it should be Fawad Alam.

In place of Shaheen we can play Nauman if it is turning track. But Sri Lanka can make a green pitch (seeing that Pakistan is without their Spearhead). If green pitch than play 3 pacers, if spinning track play 3 spinners.
For 3 spinners play Nauman Ali. for 3 pacers play either of Faheem or Rauf.

Agha must go, he is not ready for this level.