Stop picking mediocre bits and pieces players in Test matches

[Amjid Javed]

Whilst their is a fully understandable need to want to pick a Test All rounder in the team which provides balance to the team when looking to select a player the 1st criteria has to does that player merit a place on their strongest suit (batting or bowling) alone.

If they answer to that question is NO then they player should not be selected at all.

If the Answer is yes - next question is make sure they are utilized in corrrect batting or bowling position as well.

When Hafeez was in the tests side in Asian / UAE conditions he merited a place in the side as a pure batsmen and his bowling was a bonus.

since then we have continued to select mediocre bits and pieces players to fill that so called all rounder role.

Iftikar, agha being prime examples of mediocre batsmen picked because they bowl off spin. On batting Alone they arent good enough to be selected.

Nawaz being used as batting all rounder at 7. This guy isnt good enough to score a test 50 let alone 100. would he get in as a pure batsmen? No he wouldnt.

If he was selected as a front line spinner and batted 8 or 9 - no issue as are current spinners are garbage.

Even Fahim whilst he is a decent hold an end up 3rd seamer in certain conditions, his batting isnt good enough to play as a pure batsmen.

Anyone would think we were playing ODIs or T20s with this dumb selections.

Im sure there are plenty of genuine batsmen out there who can turn their arm over for a few overs if needed. The main fact being these are genuine batsmen 1st.

who ever it is Babar, Coach, Mo wasim thats making these dumb calls needs to be sacked.

There is no place in test cricket for mediocre bits and pieces players, especially when pakistans batting and bowling is already at a average level.

 

[Bewal Express]

Lots of confused thinking from our selectors. We have the basis of a solid team if we simplify our selection and stop confusing the issue. Pick your 6 best batsman, and Riz at 7. Pick your best spinner and 3 pacers. If in places like SL the ball spins Pick your 2 best spinners. Spend hours and i mean hours and hours with the tail and improve their batting, so that it's not 6, all out. At the moment there is too much hedging and it has led to confusion

 

[Amjid Javed]

Lots of confused thinking from our selectors. We have the basis of a solid team if we simplify our selection and stop confusing the issue. Pick your 6 best batsman, and Riz at 7. Pick your best spinner and 3 pacers. If in places like SL the ball spins Pick your 2 best spinners. Spend hours and i mean hours and hours with the tail and improve their batting, so that it's not 6, all out. At the moment there is too much hedging and it has led to confusion

The so called management are really clueless. They started off the Aussie series on a Rawalpindi road picking 6 batters, keeper and 4 bowlers.

Both teams scored runs and struggled to take wickets.

So babar and co got carried away think on more lively surfaces 5 batsmen would be enough and 5 bowlers there after.

Pindi showed that most of our batsmen ate FTBs and struggle otherwise. if you were going to pick 5 bowlers you do it on a dead pindi wicket not other way round.

i dont see what nawaz/agha playing as bits n pieces at 5 n 6 in this test was achieving its not a T20 match.

 

[MenInG]

To me not playing Faheem and/or Shan was was wrong.

Agha Salman had no reason to be played - another bits and pieces.

 

[muqarrab]

The so called management are really clueless. They started off the Aussie series on a Rawalpindi road picking 6 batters, keeper and 4 bowlers.

Both teams scored runs and struggled to take wickets.

So babar and co got carried away think on more lively surfaces 5 batsmen would be enough and 5 bowlers there after.

Pindi showed that most of our batsmen ate FTBs and struggle otherwise. if you were going to pick 5 bowlers you do it on a dead pindi wicket not other way round.

i dont see what nawaz/agha playing as bits n pieces at 5 n 6 in this test was achieving its not a T20 match.

Sack Saqlain

 

[Saj]

Simple definition of an all-rounder:

Someone who can singlehandedly win you a match with either the bat or the ball, or both.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Simple definition of an all-rounder:

Someone who can singlehandedly win you a match with either the bat or the ball, or both.

Something non of the so called pakistan bits and pieces players can do.

 

[Energy]

The entire dressing room has a soft uncle coco environment, and Saqlain will obviously exploit it.

Any team in the world would have dropped Fawad, Hassan and Nauman after the previous series but we stuck with them and are giving them red carpet treatment.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Pak is a good team riddled by poor selections. I don't think the management has lots experience in assessing available players skills, playing conditions and opposition strength and weaknesses. With good support staff Pak can consistently do well again top teams.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pak is a good team riddled by poor selections. I don't think the management has lots experience in assessing available players skills, playing conditions and opposition strength and weaknesses. With good support staff Pak can consistently do well again top teams.

This is pretty much on point.

 

[cricketjoshila]

This is the new disease in SC cricket. India is a severe case of this new ailment. Thats why you see Thakur Axar Bhuvi type bowlers over Saini Kuldeep Malik etc.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Well done Fahim, Agha, wasim Jnr brilliant all rounder performances.

World class bits and pieces players

 

[MenInG]

Really defies the logic of having FC tournaments in Pakistan when you don't select from FC performers.

 

[u0sama]

Mohd Wasim btw looking good reverse swing bowler, best currently available. Salman Ali Agha should stay need to bring Zafar goher in sub continent and Sindh Alrounder Mehmood in SENA

 

[James]

Mo Wasim Jr has done ok. Looks a threat with the older ball, reverses it and gets some nip. Needs to get his lines & lengths sorted a bit.

 

[Saj]

Well done Fahim, Agha, wasim Jnr brilliant all rounder performances.

World class bits and pieces players

Got to blame the selectors and those in the think-tank who actually think these bits and pieces players will succeed in Test cricket.

It's never worked and never will.

 

[mastermind_quad]

Got to blame the selectors and those in the think-tank who actually think these bits and pieces players will succeed in Test cricket.

It's never worked and never will.

At least not in the test. T20 is fine.

 

[shamaan]

At least not in the test. T20 is fine.

Mubasir is the only one who can bat at 7 and bowl decently.

 

[Ami]

Agha is just a batter...may not be great yet...but he is a batter.
HE IS NOT A BOWLER...just because he bowled a few overs he is not a bowler.
We're being led to believe that he can bowl...HE CAN'T.
I don't think even the management rates his bowling...he is just been hyped to be a bowler by some pp posters here, but he ain't.
I dont think, he even regards he has any bowling credentials.

 

[Justcrazy]

Saud should have played long back. He was wasted. You need Test batsmen instead of average white ball batsmen.

Pakistan need to have some grass on the pitch for home series. Pakistan spin department is below International standards. Kiwis have better spin options.

 

[PakLFC]

We have no one better. The tank is empty.