HappyWarsFan
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2018
- Runs
- 2,528
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.
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.