The future of Pakistan's Test team and the ICC Test Championship

[HappyWarsFan]

We've been discussing a lot about WC and I'd like to take a small step aside and focus on Test Cricket since it's my favourite format, and we haven't been doing so well in it.

It's unnacceptable for Pakistan to be 6th/7th place and we should always be a 3rd/4th/5th ranked team.

I feel like in Tests we haven't done as bad as the results look - we almost won the first test vs AUS in UAE, lost by 4 runs to NZ, could have easily drawn the 3rd test against NZ as well. This series cold have been won 2-0 with even 20 percent more careful batting.

Same applies for SA series - could have easily been a 2-1 loss instead of 3-0 with some more care in batting.

IMO we are lack that "killer" instinct - we just aren't clinical and can't finish off our opportunities to end the game take a win. This is due to several inconsistent batsmen and also due to sometimes Sarfraz's defensive captaincy.

There are some changes that should be made - first of all. Sarfraz should not be captain of the Test team (he is fine for limited overs).

We need a slow left arm bowler who can take wickets at regular intervals. Instead of bringing in hacks like Bilal Asif, try some young Test spinners like Ashgar or Zafar Gohar.

Also, Azhar and Asad have to be discarded. They've caved into the pressure since Misbah left and they are very inconsistent players.

'Replace them with Saad Ali and Usman Salahuddin - both of these players have done stellar for the A team and have shown they can score big.

I would also maybe consider Umar Akmal for keeper instead of Sarfraz if Umar can perform for a bit longer. (he's done well lately but it should be continuous)

As for our future, we do have a good crop of fast bowlers coming up who hopefully can improve our Test fortunes, but mainly we need 2-3 quality batsmen.

Our XI for the next series should look something like:

1) Imam

2) Shan (captain)

3) Haris

4)Babar

5) Usman Salahuddin

6) Saad Ali

7) U. Akmal / Sarfraz (keeper)

8) Yasir / Shadab

9) Zafar Gohar / Ashgar

10) Junaid / Hasan Ali

11) Abbas

Azhar and Asad can be the backup batsmen, and Amir should start if it's a SENA tour. Shaheen should develop for 1-2 more years before playing a lot of Tests.

Well, that was a long post haha! Discuss - I'm especially curious what you guys would think about how Usman/ Saad would perform, and also on how beneficial it could be to have a proper SLA bowler.

 

[Abdullah719]

Oct 19: 2 Tests against SL - World Test Championship (WTC) (home)
Nov 19: 2 Tests against Aus - WTC (away)
Jan 20: 2 Tests against BD - WTC (home)

These are the next few assignments for Pakistan in Tests.

 

[Hawkeye]

I'm sorry OP, but your lineup will struggle to beat Afghanistan.

What kind of a substandard bowling attack you have? And you're replacing Asad/Azhar with even more timid, clueless bats like Usman Salahuddin?

I appreciate you thinking about WTC. However, your lineup is way below what we already have.

You have to take 20 wickets and without our best bowlers Amir, Shaheen, this attack won't take even 6.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

1. Shan Masood (c)
2. Imam Ul-Haq
3. Babar Azam
4. Haris Sohail
5. Saad Ali
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Mohammad Amir
8. Hasan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

12. Abid Ali
13. Shadab Khan
14. Saud Shakeel
15. Faheem Ashraf
16. Sarfaraz Ahmed
17. Fakhar Zaman
18. Mohammad Asghar/ Mohammad Irfan (Left arm orthodox spinner)

 

[Hasan123]

I don't expect us to win the test championship as we have a lot of changes to make in our test team. But we must beat Sri Lanka and Bangldesh. We need to get back to winning games in test cricket. If we select the correct team , I think we should win those series.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

Dude have you seen how garbage Azhar and Shafiq are? Azhar averaged 9. It's time to blood a new batsmen, just discard those 2. Why do you think Usman and Saad are bad? They are pretty good players who have domestic stats. Shan Masood performed for the A team and look at him now. If Shan was successful, why can't they?

Also the bowling, I was taking about UAE tests. Amir is bad in UAE and Shaheen, I don't want to risk injury at such a young age. But surely you agree we need to bring a SLA into the team?

 

[Mirpur express]

We've been discussing a lot about WC and I'd like to take a small step aside and focus on Test Cricket since it's my favourite format, and we haven't been doing so well in it.

It's unnacceptable for Pakistan to be 6th/7th place and we should always be a 3rd/4th/5th ranked team.

I feel like in Tests we haven't done as bad as the results look - we almost won the first test vs AUS in UAE, lost by 4 runs to NZ, could have easily drawn the 3rd test against NZ as well. This series cold have been won 2-0 with even 20 percent more careful batting.

Same applies for SA series - could have easily been a 2-1 loss instead of 3-0 with some more care in batting.

IMO we are lack that "killer" instinct - we just aren't clinical and can't finish off our opportunities to end the game take a win. This is due to several inconsistent batsmen and also due to sometimes Sarfraz's defensive captaincy.

There are some changes that should be made - first of all. Sarfraz should not be captain of the Test team (he is fine for limited overs).

We need a slow left arm bowler who can take wickets at regular intervals. Instead of bringing in hacks like Bilal Asif, try some young Test spinners like Ashgar or Zafar Gohar.

Also, Azhar and Asad have to be discarded. They've caved into the pressure since Misbah left and they are very inconsistent players.

'Replace them with Saad Ali and Usman Salahuddin - both of these players have done stellar for the A team and have shown they can score big.

I would also maybe consider Umar Akmal for keeper instead of Sarfraz if Umar can perform for a bit longer. (he's done well lately but it should be continuous)

As for our future, we do have a good crop of fast bowlers coming up who hopefully can improve our Test fortunes, but mainly we need 2-3 quality batsmen.

Our XI for the next series should look something like:

1) Imam

2) Shan (captain)

3) Haris

4)Babar

5) Usman Salahuddin

6) Saad Ali

7) U. Akmal / Sarfraz (keeper)

8) Yasir / Shadab

9) Zafar Gohar / Ashgar

10) Junaid / Hasan Ali

11) Abbas

Azhar and Asad can be the backup batsmen, and Amir should start if it's a SENA tour. Shaheen should develop for 1-2 more years before playing a lot of Tests.

Well, that was a long post haha! Discuss - I'm especially curious what you guys would think about how Usman/ Saad would perform, and also on how beneficial it could be to have a proper SLA bowler.

As Soon as I saw U Akmal’s name I stopped taking the thread seriously.. lol what a joke

 

[Markhor]

I'd hate to see us scrambling around to find the right combination when the WTC begins. It'd be ideal if we had a bilateral Test series before our first assignment vs SRL.

I think Azhar Ali will stay given his record in Australia and the lack of experience in the team. However Asad Shafiq must be given the boot. Imam-ul-Haq is scoring in white ball cricket so I'd rather we leave him there for now and open with a seemingly new and improved Shan Masood.

We need a good player of spin at 5 to shore up the middle-order. It was embarrassing seeing us capitulate to Ajaz Patel and Will Somerville. I'd recall Fawad Alam and give him his long overdue run. If he's too old for the selectors then Saad Ali is an alternative. Usman Salahuddin is a shout but I'm concerned he only averages 36 against departmental teams - his record is inflated by facing weaker regional bowlers.

I agree with Zafar Gohar as Yasir Shah's partner. Bilal Asif did nothing after his debut 6-fer vs AUS, and despite his billing as an AR - think even Gohar would've better his batting stats.

I'd go:

Azhar Ali
Shan Masood
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Fakhar Zaman
Sarfraz Ahmed
Zafar Gohar
Hasan Ali
Yasir Shah
Mohammad Abbas

In early season Australian conditions, I wouldn't even bother with a spinner and would play Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi.

 

[Khan12]

I'd hate to see us scrambling around to find the right combination when the WTC begins. It'd be ideal if we had a bilateral Test series before our first assignment vs SRL.

I think Azhar Ali will stay given his record in Australia and the lack of experience in the team. However Asad Shafiq must be given the boot. Imam-ul-Haq is scoring in white ball cricket so I'd rather we leave him there for now and open with a seemingly new and improved Shan Masood.

We need a good player of spin at 5 to shore up the middle-order. It was embarrassing seeing us capitulate to Ajaz Patel and Will Somerville. I'd recall Fawad Alam and give him his long overdue run. If he's too old for the selectors then Saad Ali is an alternative. Usman Salahuddin is a shout but I'm concerned he only averages 36 against departmental teams - his record is inflated by facing weaker regional bowlers.

I agree with Zafar Gohar as Yasir Shah's partner. Bilal Asif did nothing after his debut 6-fer vs AUS, and despite his billing as an AR - think even Gohar would've better his batting stats.

I'd go:

Azhar Ali
Shan Masood
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Fakhar Zaman
Sarfraz Ahmed
Zafar Gohar
Hasan Ali
Yasir Shah
Mohammad Abbas

In early season Australian conditions, I wouldn't even bother with a spinner and would play Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi.

Awful line up with Fawad and Fakhar in there.

 

[Markhor]

Awful line up with Fawad and Fakhar in there.

I know you don't rate Fawad's "hockey technique" but what message does it send when a batsman with 30 FC centuries and average of 55 never gets a proper run ?

When Asad Shafiq is given countless opportunities then for god's sake surely Fawad deserves a chance, especially with his spin playing ability.

Fakhar did fine in his last Test in UAE v AUS in Abu Dhabi. He helped us recover from 57-5 and adds attacking firepower to a one paced batting lineup. We need his spin playing abilities - remember what happened last time in UAE v SRL.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

I'd hate to see us scrambling around to find the right combination when the WTC begins. It'd be ideal if we had a bilateral Test series before our first assignment vs SRL.

I think Azhar Ali will stay given his record in Australia and the lack of experience in the team. However Asad Shafiq must be given the boot. Imam-ul-Haq is scoring in white ball cricket so I'd rather we leave him there for now and open with a seemingly new and improved Shan Masood.

We need a good player of spin at 5 to shore up the middle-order. It was embarrassing seeing us capitulate to Ajaz Patel and Will Somerville. I'd recall Fawad Alam and give him his long overdue run. If he's too old for the selectors then Saad Ali is an alternative. Usman Salahuddin is a shout but I'm concerned he only averages 36 against departmental teams - his record is inflated by facing weaker regional bowlers.

I agree with Zafar Gohar as Yasir Shah's partner. Bilal Asif did nothing after his debut 6-fer vs AUS, and despite his billing as an AR - think even Gohar would've better his batting stats.

I'd go:

Azhar Ali
Shan Masood
Haris Sohail
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Fakhar Zaman
Sarfraz Ahmed
Zafar Gohar
Hasan Ali
Yasir Shah
Mohammad Abbas

In early season Australian conditions, I wouldn't even bother with a spinner and would play Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi.

I like your lineup a lot! However I just don't think Fakhar is a test player. I'd put Saad Ali in his place.

 

[Khan12]

I know you don't rate Fawad's "hockey technique" but what message does it send when a batsman with 30 FC centuries and average of 55 never gets a proper run ?

When Asad Shafiq is given countless opportunities then for god's sake surely Fawad deserves a chance, especially with his spin playing ability.

Fakhar did fine in his last Test in UAE v AUS in Abu Dhabi. He helped us recover from 57-5 and adds attacking firepower to a one paced batting lineup. We need his spin playing abilities - remember what happened last time in UAE v SRL.

Saud Shakeel is a better option then both plus fawad is over 30 and couldn't even play maxwell so that trows out his spin playing ability. As for Fakhar he is fine for uae but a disaster outside like we saw in south africa. it's better to invest in saud and saad ali.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Shan
Abid
Haris
Babar
Usman/Saad
Saud/Saad
Sarfraz (c)
Shaheen
Hasan
Irfan/Gohar
Sadaf

 

[Markhor]

Saud Shakeel is a better option then both plus fawad is over 30 and couldn't even play maxwell so that trows out his spin playing ability. As for Fakhar he is fine for uae but a disaster outside like we saw in south africa. it's better to invest in saud and saad ali.

He scored 168 on debut against Rangana Herath in 2009 when everyone else bar Younis Khan were collapsing against him.

Anyway that was an ODI where he was struggling to clear the circle v Maxwell under run rate pressure. In Tests where he can take his time that won't be an issue.

Even Pakistani batting greats have failed in South Africa, so Fakhar failing on his first tour isn't a big issue. In UAE, Fakhar's weaknesses against short ball won't be exposed. He showed vs AUS he can play important counterattacking innings at 6 when the ball is old. I don't mind Saud playing instead but we see how Inzamam/Mickey are reluctant to select young batsmen.

Anyway we shouldn't be so concerned about winning away when we're losing so many home Tests in an era of pronounced home advantage. Let's fix UAE form first.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Shan
Abid
Haris
Babar
Usman/Saad
Saud/Saad
Sarfraz (c)
Shaheen
Hasan
Irfan/Gohar
Sadaf

Sarfraz is a garbage test captain how have you not realized for God's sake. His defensive, mediocre tactics do not work for Tests. He's fine for a limited overs captain though.

I'd rather make Shan captain.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Sarfraz is a garbage test captain how have you not realized for God's sake. His defensive, mediocre tactics do not work for Tests. He's fine for a limited overs captain though.

I'd rather make Shan captain.

Sarfraz is not garbage as you said. He is as good as Misbah and Sallo Butt on overseas tours but in Asia he didnt have the services of Younis and Misbah (our 2 premier batsmen against spin) and his most senior batsmen flopped so results were expected.

But i get your point on results alone Sarfraz didnt get the results and it will be fair if he is sacked.

Shan has limited captaincy experience lol on what basis he should be given the captaincy? Just because he studied from abroad and can speak English? You guys made Malik the best captain (for similar reasons) and next coming of Clive Lyod after 4th odi and Rizwan the new Gilchrist but see how did it pan out?

If not Sarfraz then Babar should be the captain.

Long term Saud Shakeel should be groomed for captaincy who has captaincy experience from the u-19s and led a young PTV side to finals.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Shan Masood is being put as captain after one above average series. Mahshallah.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Need to stick with current group of players because barring Fawad and maybe Saad Ali they are the best test players we have. For once, opening combination looks promising provided Imam can start scoring a little more consistently. Also think it's about time that Shadab/Yasir spin combination was used in UAE. Bilal Asif is worse than a tail-ender with the bat and has been found out with the ball.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

With Hasnain and Zafar Gohar coming in, our Test bowling attack should be set for the future if they can develop well. Now we just need 2-3 decent batsmen to come in. Saad Ali and Fawad Alam should be called for sure.