Team Green [181 & 354/4] beat Team White [249 & 284/5] by 6 wickets in 4-day match at Derby

[MenInG]

So the second of 3 matches that Pakistan will play between themselves.

Hopefully the squad is getting acclimatized and there are no fitness concerns.

 

[shah_1]

Please Haider Ali over Fakhar Zaman

 

[Saj]

Derby, 17 July 2020:

Pakistan men’s squad will take part in a four-day intra-squad match from today at the Derbyshire County Ground.

Pakistan men’s Test captain Azhar Ali will lead PCB Green, while Babar Azam, the Test vice-captain and captain of the white ball teams, will skipper PCB White.

This is the first of the two four-day matches that the squad will play ahead of their three World Test Championship fixtures against England. Previously, the squad played two two-day matches during their 14-day quarantine period in Worcester.

PCB Green:
Azhar Ali (c), Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Asad Shafiq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas and Wahab Riaz.

12th man: Imran Khan

PCB White:
Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Musa, Usman Khan Shinwari and Haider Ali

12th man: Kashif Bhatti.

The match will begin at 11am local time.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Haider Ali got a shot, hope he impresses. Really excited.

Also notable: Misbah seems to be going for 4/1 attacks.

Shadab is also the preferred spinner over Kashif Bhatti while Shinwari, Musa Khan get the nod over 12th man Imran Khan, which validates my earlier hypothesis that Misbah has taken certain characters along as glorified net bowlers and to provide experience along the sidelines.

 

[Square Drive]

Haider Ali time!

 

[Square Drive]

Haider Ali got a shot, hope he impresses. Really excited.

Also notable: Misbah seems to be going for 4/1 attacks.

Shadab is also the preferred spinner over Kashif Bhatti while Shinwari, Musa Khan get the nod over 12th man Imran Khan, which validates my earlier hypothesis that Misbah has taken certain characters along as glorified net bowlers and to provide experience along the sidelines.

Why is Sohail in the XI ahead of Hasnain?

 

[shah_1]

Big chance for fringe players to impress CS/Head coach

 

[shah_1]

My playing XI

Abid
Shan
Azhar
Babar
Asad
Rizwan
Shadab
Wahab
Naseem
Shaheen
Abbas

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[Abdullah719]

PCB White win the toss and opt to bat.

 

[Junaids]

Musa Khan get the nod over 12th man Imran Khan, which validates my earlier hypothesis that Misbah has taken certain characters along as glorified net bowlers and to provide experience along the sidelines.

It validates my hypothesis that Misbah picked his geriatric mates to provide company in the bubble.

Hafeez
Iftikhar
Imran
Younis
Sohail

It’s just Misbah’s gang.

 

[Afhan Ali]

Where is rohail

 

[angrypathan]

It validates my hypothesis that Misbah picked his geriatric mates to provide company in the bubble.

Hafeez
Iftikhar
Imran
Younis
Sohail

It’s just Misbah’s gang.

Don't forget Kashif Bhatti. Iftikhar at least makes sense for the T20s, had a decent outing in Australia

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Why is Sohail in the XI ahead of Hasnain?

I suppose because Hasnain has barely bowled first class. Sohail is in the XI to provide practice to the opposition batsmen, and Misbah clearly doesn’t think Hasnain is at that level yet.

 

[Titan24]

Don't forget Kashif Bhatti. Iftikhar at least makes sense for the T20s, had a decent outing in Australia

Kashif Bhatti had extraordinary stats in 2018 QAE trophy where he averaged 14 with the ball along with being the second highest wicket taker and was pretty accurate in 2019 QAE as well with an average of around 28. Not to forget he averages 23 with the bat in FC cricket with 2 100s so its definitely not a random selection.

 

[Titan24]

Good to see Haider getting a game and that too in Babar’s team.

 

[Titan24]

Why is Sohail in the XI ahead of Hasnain?

As per last year’s reports Hasnain’s fitness wasnt considered good enough for longer format cricket at that time. He definitely has gone much leaner than before but I am not sure if the stance has completely changed or not yet.

Management already have around 7-8 pacers for tests so I think they are not gonna push him here.

 

[MenInG]

Pictures from the action

 

[shamaan]

Pictures from the action

View attachment 102247View attachment 102248View attachment 102249View attachment 102250

What's the scores

 

[MenInG]

What's the scores

Update - Lunch, Day One:

Team White 86-0

29 overs

Shan Masood 41 not out
Imam ul Haq 36 not out

 

[shamaan]

Update - Lunch, Day One:

Team White 86-0

29 overs

Shan Masood 41 not out
Imam ul Haq 36 not out

Wicket down shan masood out Abbas got the wicket Haider ali has come in to bat hope he makes it count

 

[Ahson8]

Wicket down shan masood out Abbas got the wicket Haider ali has come in to bat hope he makes it count

Where did you get that ?

 

[Baigel]

Surely the match is being streamed?

 

[angrypathan]

Kashif Bhatti had extraordinary stats in 2018 QAE trophy where he averaged 14 with the ball along with being the second highest wicket taker and was pretty accurate in 2019 QAE as well with an average of around 28. Not to forget he averages 23 with the bat in FC cricket with 2 100s so its definitely not a random selection.

I'm aware, he's a quality player. Just too old, may as well select Zafar Gohar who is similar but almost a decade younger. Plus this is a tour of England, and on top of Yasir there are already backup spinners in the squad in Shadab and Imad.

 

[TrentDevil]

Surely the match is being streamed?

No, PCB isn't even giving regular updates despite having a dedicated twitter account for it(Pakistan Cricket Live)

 

[shamaan]

No, PCB isn't even giving regular updates despite having a dedicated twitter account for it(Pakistan Cricket Live)

Look below thiers a link for scores

 

[shamaan]

133-3

Naseem shah with 2 wickets
Abbas with 1 wicket
Stay stay by Haider ali 21 and out

 

[TrentDevil]

Thanks for sharing the link [MENTION=149054]shamaan[/MENTION] bro

 

[shamaan]

Thanks for sharing the link [MENTION=149054]shamaan[/MENTION] bro

Np

 

[coy0607]

Naseem's form looks really promising. Faheem as usual with meaningless 9 overs so far - no wickets and highest RPO

 

[Omer2002]

Babz gone....our batting looks v v weak i am afraid

 

[Kashur_Kalkharab]

..

 

[angrypathan]

12 off 41 is an uncharacteristically slow innings by Babar. Might be a tricky pitch

 

[Kashur_Kalkharab]

Nice to see abbas and naseem among wickets, this should be confidence booster....
Our batsmen getting out after having starts is not acceptable, imam and shan should know that this is not acceptable.its criminal to get out after getting start,need to make most of it.

 

[MenInG]

Update - Four-Day Intra-Squad Practice Match: Tea, Day One

Team White 142-4

55 overs

Fawad Alam 11 not out
Mohammad Rizwan 0 not out

Mohammad Abbas 2-28
Naseem Shah 2-29

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

wahab needs to pick some wickets.i would definitely play wahab instead of trundler Abbas.

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[feelings2002]

where is the link for live score updates

 

[saeed5646]

wahab needs to pick some wickets.i would definitely play wahab instead of trundler Abbas.

Thankfully you are not one to decide. Forget about his atrocious overall test record Do you know wahab raiz test record in recent years?

On the other hand in short time abbas have already done better than wahab in test cricket despite being less experienced and also played less

 

[gazza619]

Seems like another normal day at the office for wicketless Fahim Ashraf. Hang on, I think I have said this several times before.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Update - Four-Day Intra-Squad Practice Match: Tea, Day One

Team White 142-4

55 overs

Fawad Alam 11 not out
Mohammad Rizwan 0 not out

Mohammad Abbas 2-28
Naseem Shah 2-29


View attachment 102256

Any updates on the score bhai?

 

[saeed5646]

Any updates on the score bhai?

213/7 rizwan 34 notout naseem with 3 wicket abbas and yasir have 2 each.

 

[shamaan]

wahab needs to pick some wickets.i would definitely play wahab instead of trundler Abbas.

Lol hes only bowled 10 overs and took no wickets seems like he cant bowl long spells anymore.idc if Abbas bowls at 20 mph aslong as he takes wickets Idc

 

[shamaan]

Thankfully you are not one to decide. Forget about his atrocious overall test record Do you know wahab raiz test record in recent years?

On the other hand in short time abbas have already done better than wahab in test cricket despite being less experienced and also played less

Agreed plus hes only bowled 10 overs today surely hes unfit or tired or something

 

[Abdullah]

Seems like another normal day at the office for wicketless Fahim Ashraf. Hang on, I think I have said this several times before.

Look at this scorecard, this is exactly what we require. He doesn't need to pull up any trees, just keep it tight and pick up the odd wicket or 2, with around 40 runs a game batting at 8.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...vs-pakistan-1st-test-pak-in-ire-eng-scot-2018

Shadab is there to make more runs,bowl more in the second innings of games

 

[shamaan]

Seems like another normal day at the office for wicketless Fahim Ashraf. Hang on, I think I have said this several times before.

Similar with wahab who bowled only 10 overs all day

 

[Shoaibbtt]

213/7 rizwan 34 notout naseem with 3 wicket abbas and yasir have 2 each.

What did Fawad get?

 

[Abdullah]

Damn Yasir has picked up a couple.
Shadab is going to be bowling to guys who can properly pay spin only Tbh, Azhar Asad sarfaraz etc so he will find it harder.
Hopefully he can take a few in the last innings.

We need to go with a 5 man attack. Make 350 n we are in the game

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Thankfully you are not one to decide. Forget about his atrocious overall test record Do you know wahab raiz test record in recent years?

On the other hand in short time abbas have already done better than wahab in test cricket despite being less experienced and also played less

I don't care about his record but one thing is sure Abbas will get a lot of phainti he will bowl at 120ks at that pace he won't be picking up wickets.wahab Riaz will definitely do better than that trundler and his batting is bonus.

 

[saeed5646]

What did Fawad get?

24

 

[saeed5646]

I don't care about his record but one thing is sure Abbas will get a lot of phainti he will bowl at 120ks at that pace he won't be picking up wickets.wahab Riaz will definitely do better than that trundler and his batting is bonus.

When did abbas got phainty in england? his dibly dobley bowling is ideal for english conditions also he was pivotal for our win at lord in last series so i am not why he should be left out.

Wahab raiz is not younger anymore he won't bowl with same speed as he usually does in t20s .we already have nasim shah whose role will be similar with much more speed and pace

 

[Kashur_Kalkharab]

Quite typical Pakistan innings.
Positives...
Rizwan playing good.
Our main bowlers ín wickets.
Negatives...
Batsmen not capable of playing a long innings, just incapable to do so.

 

[MenInG]

Update - Four-Day Intra-Squad Practice Match: End of Day One

Team White 231-8

90 overs

Mohammad Rizwan 41 not out
Kashif Bhatti 11 not out

Mohammad Abbas 3-34
Naseem Shah 3-45

 

[The Viper]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 80.000%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/mjshry" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Shot at 1:26!

 

[shah_1]

Imam has changed his technique for sure

Lets hope it is for the betterment

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan’s pace bowlers fired a warning to England on the opening day of the tourists' intra-squad match at the Incora County Ground in Derby.

Teenager Naseem Shah, who at 16 became the youngest player to take a Test match hat-trick earlier this year, and Mohammad Abbas shared six wickets for Team Green, captained by Azhar Ali, against Team White who closed on 231 for eight.

Shan Masood top scored with 42 and Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on 41 but Team White captain Babar Azam made only 12 on a day when Naseem’s youthful promise shone as brightly as the July sunshine.

The 17-year-old is already being tipped as a future star and it is not hard to see why on the evidence of this performance.

Operating off a short run, he generated considerable pace on a slow pitch and troubled all the batsmen, although he had to wait until after lunch for his rewards.

Frustration best summed up his morning as he twice appealed imploringly to umpire Steve O’Shaughnessy for lbw against Shan Masood who with Imam-ul-Haq, was forced to concentrate on survival in a first hour which brought only 33 runs.

Both became more expansive although Masood was missed off a sharp chance to first slip on 23 but at lunch, Babar’s decision to bat was vindicated with his team 86 without loss.

The balance shifted in the afternoon as first Abbas then Naseem worked through the top order before Yasir Shah’s leg-spin snared two team mates in the evening session.

Only six runs had been added when Abbas, who was to have joined Nottinghamshire this year before his contract was cancelled due to Covid-19, had Masood caught at second slip and although Haider Ali drove the former Leicestershire man for a huge six onto the media centre, he became the second of Naseem’s victims.

By pitching the ball up and concentrating on off stump, he allowed little margin for error and when he found enough movement to defeat Ul-Haq’s half forward push, Martin Saggers upheld his appeal.

Babar edged his first ball narrowly past leg stump but Naseem was celebrating again when Hadair was taken low at second slip.
Fawad Alam, adopting a Shivnarine Chanderpaul stance, never looked convincing and needed treatment and a new helmet after he was clattered by a skiddy Naseem bouncer.

But it was Babar who went just before tea when Iftikhar Ahmed grabbed a smart catch at first slip and Alam dragged Yasir to wide mid-on.

Naseem lured Shadab Khan into pulling a short ball to deep backward square and after Yasir had Sohail Khan lbw, Abbas returned to have Shaheen Shah Afridi caught at third slip.

That brought in Kashif Bhatti, only restored to the squad yesterday after a precautionary period of self-isolation, and he announced his return by driving the last ball of the day from Yasir for six.​

 

[gazza619]

Look at this scorecard, this is exactly what we require. He doesn't need to pull up any trees, just keep it tight and pick up the odd wicket or 2, with around 40 runs a game batting at 8.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...vs-pakistan-1st-test-pak-in-ire-eng-scot-2018

Shadab is there to make more runs,bowl more in the second innings of games

Hafeez can also bowl 15 overs for 45 runs, so can Fawad, so can Iftikhar, so can every single part time international bowler in the world. The main issue i have with fahim is that he bats like a no.11, and i am really not exaggerating.

 

[Junaids]

Hafeez can also bowl 15 overs for 45 runs, so can Fawad, so can Iftikhar, so can every single part time international bowler in the world. The main issue i have with fahim is that he bats like a no.11, and i am really not exaggerating.

But Faheem is a quick, so the guy at the other end gets longer between overs.

 

[Usman]

Look at this scorecard, this is exactly what we require. He doesn't need to pull up any trees, just keep it tight and pick up the odd wicket or 2, with around 40 runs a game batting at 8.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...vs-pakistan-1st-test-pak-in-ire-eng-scot-2018

Shadab is there to make more runs,bowl more in the second innings of games

But Faheem is a quick, so the guy at the other end gets longer between overs.

You cannot seriously be advocating selecting Faheem Ashraf can you??? The guy bowls such utter garbage that he hasn't taken a wicket in any practice game. Not even a frikken tailender and our tail can't bat.

Faheem will NOT hold an end up. Faheem will simply let go of any pressure built up at the other end.

There is already a horrible and high risk that the useless Yasir Shah will be picked. Please for God's sake don't torture us with Faheem as well. Yasir and Faheem's bowling partnership will be a dream come true for even a low level club player.

 

[shamaan]

Damn Yasir has picked up a couple.
Shadab is going to be bowling to guys who can properly pay spin only Tbh, Azhar Asad sarfaraz etc so he will find it harder.
Hopefully he can take a few in the last innings.

We need to go with a 5 man attack. Make 350 n we are in the game

May get 350 in one or two ininings but not every inings I'd say more 250 300

 

[shamaan]

I don't care about his record but one thing is sure Abbas will get a lot of phainti he will bowl at 120ks at that pace he won't be picking up wickets.wahab Riaz will definitely do better than that trundler and his batting is bonus.

Like wahab has done today lots of wickets in the intra match

 

[shamaan]

Shot at 1:26!

Good shot but needed to apply him self if hes going to play aggressive he needs to bat down the order

 

[shamaan]

Imam has changed his technique for sure

Lets hope it is for the betterment

Yes seems like hes leaving the ball alot better and dropping his hands when pitched short which is good

 

[shamaan]

You cannot seriously be advocating selecting Faheem Ashraf can you??? The guy bowls such utter garbage that he hasn't taken a wicket in any practice game. Not even a frikken tailender and our tail can't bat.

Faheem will NOT hold an end up. Faheem will simply let go of any pressure built up at the other end.

There is already a horrible and high risk that the useless Yasir Shah will be picked. Please for God's sake don't torture us with Faheem as well. Yasir and Faheem's bowling partnership will be a dream come true for even a low level club player.

I disagree with you fahim even if you look at today's stats yes fahim was abit more expensive that wahab but wahab only bowled 10 overs surely hes injuried or unfit.

As for yasir shah he hasnt had the conditions and I belive it will be hot and spinners will get joy so him and shadab should play as the 2 spinners 3 fast bowlers in naseem abbas and shaheen if you want to play 4 fast 1 spinner I'd go shadab and fahim

 

[shamaan]

Naseem and abbas beat the bat multiple times let's see how shaheen does on the wicket

 

[gazza619]

But Faheem is a quick, so the guy at the other end gets longer between overs.

I have no issues with Faheem’s bowling only if he starts to get some runs at no.8.

He actually had a decent run for a few months with his bowling in international cricket and then i dont know what really happened, he lost confidence.

Still a reasonable 4th seamer but i feel someone like Umar Amin could have a similar job with his medium pace in England.

 

[Usman]

I disagree with you fahim even if you look at today's stats yes fahim was abit more expensive that wahab but wahab only bowled 10 overs surely hes injuried or unfit.

As for yasir shah he hasnt had the conditions and I belive it will be hot and spinners will get joy so him and shadab should play as the 2 spinners 3 fast bowlers in naseem abbas and shaheen if you want to play 4 fast 1 spinner I'd go shadab and fahim

I don't understand what Wahab's performance or non-performance has to do with Faheem. But since you've raised it, Wahab when he turns it on can be an absolute dynamite bowler as he proved when he came and saved our bowling line up in last year's World Cup. Faheem has virtually no skill in batting or bowling and is the very definition of bits and pieces. I mean why don't we just give England an extra 100 runs if we are going to play Faheem!!

As for Yasir Shah, when have conditions ever suited him? There was a time he was world class but his performance has dropped off a cliff so badly that he simply is a liability. Again he will give away 150-200 runs for very few if any wickets.

Whilst I don't think Shadab has proven himself at all in tests, I would much rather take a chance on him rather than guaranteed failure with Yasir.

This is the problem with Misbah and indeed many of our past selectors. The keep selecting players who once upon a time put in a good performance here and there but haven't done anything of note recently. They then just hope that these players will magically perform as they once did many moons ago. Stop living in kuku land. Wake up and start picking people who are performing right now. Don't select people on reputation alone.

 

[coy0607]

Batting is looking real dodgy now. Could be a brutal tour if some batsmen don't find some form asap

 

[ammar_merry]

Batting is looking real dodgy now. Could be a brutal tour if some batsmen don't find some form asap

Shan played OK.rizwan is notout.Babar is quality anyway.Other batsman in this 11 will not feature in series vs england.

 

[Abdullah]

Hafeez can also bowl 15 overs for 45 runs, so can Fawad, so can Iftikhar, so can every single part time international bowler in the world. The main issue i have with fahim is that he bats like a no.11, and i am really not exaggerating.

It needs to be a pace all-rounder, batting lower down.
Hafeez was a good all-round option in his day.
Batting does need to improve but his bowling record in tests is decent

 

[Abdullah]

You cannot seriously be advocating selecting Faheem Ashraf can you??? The guy bowls such utter garbage that he hasn't taken a wicket in any practice game. Not even a frikken tailender and our tail can't bat.

Faheem will NOT hold an end up. Faheem will simply let go of any pressure built up at the other end.

There is already a horrible and high risk that the useless Yasir Shah will be picked. Please for God's sake don't torture us with Faheem as well. Yasir and Faheem's bowling partnership will be a dream come true for even a low level club player.

It's fawad and Yasir or faheeem and shadab.

Faheeem and shadab is better for the balance of the side.

Faheeem and Yasir will not play in the same eleven.
I refer you to that scorecard again.

 

[kamz]

the only batsmen that looked any bit assured of his off stump was imam, judging from the video. Really good shot selection and was driving well.

Haider Ali, the six on long on does suggest the talent, but temperament? the shot selection? perhaps playing too many shots (played 35 balls for his 21)

if situation requires him to grind out for a couple of hours to save the day or a session (as it is a test match) is it something that he can do? dont know, need to see more. Though I am sure the coaches and PCB investing in the right talent.

 

[shamaan]

I don't understand what Wahab's performance or non-performance has to do with Faheem. But since you've raised it, Wahab when he turns it on can be an absolute dynamite bowler as he proved when he came and saved our bowling line up in last year's World Cup. Faheem has virtually no skill in batting or bowling and is the very definition of bits and pieces. I mean why don't we just give England an extra 100 runs if we are going to play Faheem!!

As for Yasir Shah, when have conditions ever suited him? There was a time he was world class but his performance has dropped off a cliff so badly that he simply is a liability. Again he will give away 150-200 runs for very few if any wickets.

Whilst I don't think Shadab has proven himself at all in tests, I would much rather take a chance on him rather than guaranteed failure with Yasir.

This is the problem with Misbah and indeed many of our past selectors. The keep selecting players who once upon a time put in a good performance here and there but haven't done anything of note recently. They then just hope that these players will magically perform as they once did many moons ago. Stop living in kuku land. Wake up and start picking people who are performing right now. Don't select people on reputation alone.

Fahim averages about 26 in tests with the ball
Wahab averages 34.

Yes that's world cup this is test match different format.

Tbh shadab has only played by matches so se cant judge him tbh I'd have shadab with yasir if it's a turning pitch If it ain't then shadab with fahim.

If that's the problem with misbah then he defo shouldn't pick wahab with his 1 performance in a year.

 

[shamaan]

the only batsmen that looked any bit assured of his off stump was imam, judging from the video. Really good shot selection and was driving well.

Haider Ali, the six on long on does suggest the talent, but temperament? the shot selection? perhaps playing too many shots (played 35 balls for his 21)

if situation requires him to grind out for a couple of hours to save the day or a session (as it is a test match) is it something that he can do? dont know, need to see more. Though I am sure the coaches and PCB investing in the right talent.

I agree I always said imaam shouldn't play in tests cuz he fishes outside off stump and also doesnt play short bowling well but judging from that short click seems like hes dropping his hands when playing short ball which is good idea also look compact

 

[coy0607]

You cannot seriously be advocating selecting Faheem Ashraf can you??? The guy bowls such utter garbage that he hasn't taken a wicket in any practice game. Not even a frikken tailender and our tail can't bat.

Faheem will NOT hold an end up. Faheem will simply let go of any pressure built up at the other end.

There is already a horrible and high risk that the useless Yasir Shah will be picked. Please for God's sake don't torture us with Faheem as well. Yasir and Faheem's bowling partnership will be a dream come true for even a low level club player.

Faheem is not an all-rounder, he's more like a bits and pieces cricketer. For batting, more of a #9 batsmen (like a Stuart Broad) then anything else.

His bowling is okay for #5 or #6 bowler in a T20 or ODI - but he's not a wicket-taking threat at all, the practice matches prove that. He doesn't threaten the batsmen in any way, probably eases the pressure more than anything else.

 

[shamaan]

Faheem is not an all-rounder, he's more like a bits and pieces cricketer. For batting, more of a #9 batsmen (like a Stuart Broad) then anything else.

His bowling is okay for #5 or #6 bowler in a T20 or ODI - but he's not a wicket-taking threat at all, the practice matches prove that. He doesn't threaten the batsmen in any way, probably eases the pressure more than anything else.

He averages 25 in tests better than what we have currently eg wahab imran sohail

 

[moghul]

Hafeez can also bowl 15 overs for 45 runs, so can Fawad, so can Iftikhar, so can every single part time international bowler in the world. The main issue i have with fahim is that he bats like a no.11, and i am really not exaggerating.

You got to be really a bad #11 batsman to bat like Fahim.

 

[TeamPak95]

the only batsmen that looked any bit assured of his off stump was imam, judging from the video. Really good shot selection and was driving well.

Haider Ali, the six on long on does suggest the talent, but temperament? the shot selection? perhaps playing too many shots (played 35 balls for his 21)

if situation requires him to grind out for a couple of hours to save the day or a session (as it is a test match) is it something that he can do? dont know, need to see more. Though I am sure the coaches and PCB investing in the right talent.

For test cricket, I’d say Haider needs to play 1-2 seasons to really get a solid grip on the format. For t20s, I believe he’s ready and should play all three t20s vs England.

 

[amvbfm]

Really don't understand how anyone can advocate playing Faheem. His batting was always mediocre and now that his bowling is no better, with our long tail, it would be a disaster to play him at 7. The only thing he can do is to provide some rest to the main bowlers. But then that job can be easily done by any combination of part timers like Azhar, Shan, Asad, Fawad and Iftikhar. And if we absolutely have to play an allrounder (actually a bit and pieces player as we don't have a proper allrounder) then I would rather take Shadab, Kashif or even Wahab over him.

If that brief clip is a good representation of the whole day then the batsmen look a little rusty. Shan as always looks suspect and Haider despite a few impressive shots looks too raw. Naseem though looks amazing, even from a short run up. Also can't understand how people are calling for Abbas to be dropped. Even at this pace he is a serious threat in favorable conditions and can keep it tight if the conditions don't suit him. Given England's relatively inexperienced top order tight spells at the top will be extremely important.

I think the only place up for grabs right now is 6/7 where most probably a batsman will play (knowing Misbah it will probably be Iftikhar) unless one of the bits and pieces players really impresses with the bat.