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The Pakistan Top 6 in Tests?

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Saj

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What do you feel should be the Pakistan top 6 in Tests and the best batting order?
 
Im gonna say top 7


1. Sami /Fahkar
2. Azhar
3. Haris
4. Asad - let's be real he will get another series /Fawad
5. Babar
6. Safraz - wk
7. Hammad if he continues his domestic form with the bat
 
sami aslam
ahmed shehzad based on his current form
azhar ali
harris sohail
usman salahuddin
asad shafiq
sarfraz ahmed
 
Sami
Azhar
Babar(one last series,should be sent back to FC if he fails)
Haris
Fawad/Usman
Usman/Fawad
 
Batting order is completely imbalanced right now as you have grinders at 1-4 and strokeplayers from 5-7.

Given we're touring England and South Africa next year we need Azhar to open as he knows where his off-stump is and has a compact technique.

Haris's game is suited to 3 as he's a more dynamic, free flowing batsman. Babar is still finding his game in Test cricket and seems like he needs taking out of the firing line, I'd let him play his natural game at 6 for now and promote him back up once he gets a string of performances together.

5 is where our stabiliser should be like Salahuddin or Fawad.

So I'd go Azhar, Aslam, Haris, Shafiq, Salahuddin, Babar.
 
Haris needs to go in at 4
For the overseas tour Azhar at 3 just gives it a solid look.
Asad i would keep at 6 where he is a bit more comfortable
Babar has started slow in tests but hey so did kohli. He doesnt have major flaws in his game which cant be ironed out.
So based on the above
1 Shezzy/Masood/Imam
2 Sami
3 Azhar
4 Haris
5 Babar
6 Asad
7 Sarf
 
It will take a few losses for the Pakistani team management to get it right.

After being thrashed they will realise that Shan Masood isn't good enough and that we have better middle order bats than openers available. With Azhar opening we always have a better foundation making things easier for the rest.

It's disappointing that after getting it right Mickey goes back to old ways. The only logical explanation I see is that Mickey is really impressed and has reserved a place for Salman Butt in 2018.
 
Azhar
Sami
Babar
Harris
Asad
Saluhdin /all rounder depending on conditions
 
Ideally.
1. Sami A.
2. Azhar A.
3. Harris S.
4. Asad S.
5. Fawad A. ( Perfect man for no. 5 )
6. Babar A. ( I think this is good for him as it puts less pressure on him)
7. Sarfraz

What we will get

1. Sami A.
2. Shan M.
3. Azhar A.
4. Asad S.
5. Babar A
6. Harris S.
7. Sarfraz A

Cant see anyone of them being changed anytime soon especially after the 50 by legend Shan M.
 
Farkhar Zaman
Sami
Azhur
Babar
Harris
U akmal
Shafiq Hammad azam
 
Shahzad
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Asad

Need two genuine All rounders in the 7-8 positions, number 8 can be a bowling all-rounder
 
1-Sami Aslam(Needs to convert 50's into centuries if he still fails to do that,bringing Fakhar in won't be a bad option but Fakhar should bat in the middle order)
2-Azhar Ali
3-Babar Azam
4-Haris Sohail(Should not be batting at 5 or 6)
5-Usman Salahuddin(He has to be in the team anyhow,100 times better than Shan)
6-Asad Shafiq(Has to take responsibility of scoring big else his place should come under scanner)
 
Sami
Azhar
Haris
Babar
Shafiq (one last series, if he fails bring Yamin in at 7 and push the rest up)
Salahuddin
Sarfraz
 
Azhar
Sami
Haris
Asad
Usman
Babar
Sarfraz
Yasir
Hassan
Asghar
Abbass

This team is for the UAE only
 
01 Proper Opener
02 Azhar Ali
03 Haris Sohail
04 Babar Azam
05 Asad Shafique / Fawad Alam
06 Sarfaraz Ahmed
07 Fakhar Zaman in Asia / fast bowling all rounder
08 Hasan Ali
09 Mohammad Amir
10 Yasir Shah
11 Mohammad Asghar / (Abbas/Junaid) for foreign tours
 
Im actually okay with Sami / Masood for now- Sami is a top domestic performer and Masood is a very hard worker. I think they need some confidence, so I'm in no hurry to change this

Azhar is a lock, Babar and Haris haven't earned it yet but are essentially locks nows.

My biggest problem is with Shafiq, after 6-7 years of consistent batting, his game really hasn't improved. He hasn't turned into the player most thought he would. I would look to replace him with an batting all-rounder, I like Aamir Yamin, but I think Imad Wasim can also be good here.
Bowling attack of only 4 bowlers baffles me

Sami
Shan
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Yamin / Imad
 
Sami Aslam
Azhar Ali
Haris Sohail
Asad Shafiq
Usman Salahuddin
Babar Azam
 
Azhar
Sami
Haris
Babar
Usman
should be out long term top 5

Fawad/Shadab in (Asia) and a fast bowling allrounder (non Asia)
 
Completely agree with [MENTION=143023]SarfiBabarHaris[/MENTION]
Azhar
Sami
Haris
Babar
Usman
Imad
Sarfraz

I genuinely believe Imad has potential in tests. He’s a free flowing stroke maker who could do what Moeen Ali does for England. It’s fine that he doesn’t spin the ball because he can just use rough Jaddu style ;)

He would add great balance to the team in UAE and abroad as we would have a wide range of options.
 
Last edited:
Sami is a hack... Shan too... Only played so they can get Salman Butt in the team after they fail...

Azhar
Fakhar
Haris
Shafiq
Babar
Salahuddin
Sarfraz
 
Samj
Azhar
Harris
Babar
Saud shakeel
Usman


This is a very solid line up. Some people may question saud, but let me tell you that he can be as good as haris . This is such a dream top 6.
 
Saj said:
What do you feel should be the Pakistan top 6 in Tests and the best batting order?
Click to expand...

Sami/Fakhar
Azhar
Haris
Babar/Salahuddin
Fawad/Fawad/Fawad or Fawad
Sarfraz

Salahuddin is no substitute for Pakistan's highest averaging FC batsman ever.
A 9 point margin in average is the difference between a Tendulkar and a mid
career Asad Shafiq.
 
All players in the top 6 with a sub 50 strike rate how many away series especially can be won with a defensive combination.
 
Nearly everyone going for Haris at 3 with Azhar going back to opening, this I think would be a start. Don't think Asad is a top 4 player.
 
1.Sami Aslam
2. Azhar Ali

solid right-left opening combo that has showed promise in the past in some challenging conditions and a nice blend of youth and experience.

3. Usman Salahuddin

compact, solid technique and perfect no3 longterm.

4. Haris Sohail

Solid batsman and argubly out best middle order bat.

5. Fawad ALam
lets right a wrong and a grafter for the middle order who will occuoy the crease and add some steel to the lineup.

6. Babar Azam
I would have him at no6 and stick with him there for 18mths or so.
 
Ellipsism said:
Sami, a hack? :danish
Click to expand...

Abdullah719 said:
Sami, a hack.
Fakhar, a Test opener.

:ibutt
Click to expand...

He doesn't have skill to score.... Just leaves everything... Fakhar might not have perfect technique but in this line-up of slow batsmen you need someone who can take attack to the opposition...

Today proved me right. Sami and Shan are hacks and only selected to justify Salman Butt's selection.... Fakhar is much better option than all 3
 
I don't think the Sami and Shan combination works as both are too similar.

In the next Test I would go with, Sami, Azhar, Haris, Babar, Usman and Shafiq as my top 6 in this order.
 
Saj said:
I don't think the Sami and Shan combination works as both are too similar.

In the next Test I would go with, Sami, Azhar, Haris, Babar, Usman and Shafiq as my top 6 in this order.
Click to expand...

Seems like Mickey is hell bent on keeping Azhar at 3 :(
 
Saj said:
I don't think the Sami and Shan combination works as both are too similar.

In the next Test I would go with, Sami, Azhar, Haris, Babar, Usman and Shafiq as my top 6 in this order.
Click to expand...

Doubt ppl selecting team have the authority to remove shan masood esp after a 50. Mickey or inzi would probably be sackes asap
 
JoniInsafian said:
He doesn't have skill to score.... Just leaves everything... Fakhar might not have perfect technique but in this line-up of slow batsmen you need someone who can take attack to the opposition...

Today proved me right. Sami and Shan are hacks and only selected to justify Salman Butt's selection.... Fakhar is much better option than all 3
Click to expand...
Do you know what a hack is?

Sami is the least closest thing to it, considering that he leaves everything.
 
1. Sami
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Asad
5. Haris
6. Usman

I'd keep Haris down the order for now, he did well, let him settle. I don't think we lose anything batting Babar at 3, it's not like he's not capable, just he hasn't adapted to test batting yet (hasn't adapted to first class either tbh).

I'd have Fawad and Fakhar in the squad too.
 
Saj said:
I don't think the Sami and Shan combination works as both are too similar.

In the next Test I would go with, Sami, Azhar, Haris, Babar, Usman and Shafiq as my top 6 in this order.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Both left-handed new ball blunters without many scoring shots and no experience of playing long innings in terms of runs.

If we were looking at players outside the squad I would go with the following: Azhar, Sami, Hafeez/Fawad, Haris, Asad, Babar.

The batting order would change depend on whether you go with Hafeez or Fawad. Asad is definitely on borrowed time. Babar is better suited to number 6 where he can play a little more freely.

The reason I would go with Hafeez or Fawad is because it adds balance to the bowling attack. 3 seamers and 2 very capable spin bowlers.
 
The batting order is already iffy and then you put in Shan Masood.

You're walking in with 5 specialists essentially.

They need to make Azhar open again.
 
Saj said:
I don't think the Sami and Shan combination works as both are too similar.

In the next Test I would go with, Sami, Azhar, Haris, Babar, Usman and Shafiq as my top 6 in this order.
Click to expand...

Azhar also plays a similar style - he is attritional and will start off slowly.

However, he has much better technique and far more experience than Masood so is obviously more likely to succeed.
 
Azhar
Fakhar (was brilliant in FC for Pakistan A in England and UAE last year)
Shafiq
Haris Sohail
Fawad Alam
Usman Salauddin
Sarfaraz

Shafiq living on thin thread, but he does make the cut for now. Other replacements will make our batting line-up way stronger and flexible
 
msb314 said:
Azhar also plays a similar style - he is attritional and will start off slowly.

However, he has much better technique and far more experience than Masood so is obviously more likely to succeed.
Click to expand...

At least with Azhar you would get a right/left opening combination and with Azhar if he gets in he is less likely to throw it away.
 
Shehzad
Azhar
Haris
Babar/Salahuddin
U Akmal
Fawad
Sarfraz
Raza
Yasir
Amir/Hasan
Abbas

This team on paper looks a lot more potent in UAE than the one currently playing.
 
kingusama92 said:
The batting order is already iffy and then you put in Shan Masood.

You're walking in with 5 specialists essentially.

They need to make Azhar open again.
Click to expand...

Should be a campaign slogan - "Make Azhar Open Again".

His game is perfectly suited to opening, it makes no sense to shift him after he proved himself more than capable there on a tough run of overseas Tests.

If the team management is worried about who'd replace him at #3 - well Haris Sohail showed in the 1st Test he'd be ideal. He's confident against both pace and spin plus the #3 batsmen needs to be more dynamic whereas Azhar's attritional batting is most suited against the new ball.
 
cricketerB94 said:
Imam
Azhar
Haris
Usman
Fawad
Yamin/Talat
Click to expand...

My playing XI would be:

Imam
Azhar
Haris
Usman
Fawad
Yamin/Talat
Sarfraz
Faheem/Raza Hasan - depending on conditions.
Yasir
Abbas
Junaid

Babar is not ready yet for test cricket. He needs to play a season or two of First Class cricket and prove himself there.

Sami and Asad are too timid players. Every time they play, it seems like they are playing for the first time and there is the pressure of whole world on their shoulders.

Instead of playing 3 pacers in UAE, we need to put a pace bowling all rounder at no.6 and go in with another pacer who can bat, like Faheem Ashraf, outside Asia. That will make 3 pace bowling options and 3 spin bowling options in Asia and 4 pace bowling options and 2 spin bowling options outside Asia.

They need to change their timid approach towards batting and play like other top teams, heck even Bangladesh bat with better approach than us. They need much more than 2.2 RR to win matches consistently and to go up the ladder.
 
Azhar Ali
Salman Butt
Haris Sohail
Usaman Salahuddin
Fawad Alam
Fakhar Zaman (outside SC - Play Yamin)

Nearly everyone has mentioned Sami Aslam and to be frankly honest it saddens me why we hold such low standards - 12 test with low 30s avg with a SR about the same (under 40). He just isn't test material and needs to stay in FC circuit for at least 2 years.

The selection of Salman Butt will hit a lot of nerves but to be honest I want what is best for Pakistan cricket on the scorecard.
 
Last edited:
Shan Masood, Sami Aslam and Asad Shafiq are all garbage.

Babar Azam is arguably worse than Khawaja against spin and needs at least 2 years of FC excellence before further consideration.
 
backfootpunch said:
Azhar Ali
Salman Butt
Haris Sohail
Usaman Salahuddin
Fawad Alam
Fakhar Zaman (outside SC - Play Yamin)

Nearly everyone has mentioned Sami Aslam and to be frankly honest it saddens me why we hold such low standards - 12 test with low 30s avg with a SR about the same (under 40). He just isn't test material and needs to stay in FC circuit for at least 2 years.

The selection of Salman Butt will hit a lot of nerves but to be honest I want what is best for Pakistan cricket on the scorecard.
Click to expand...

If you don't like low 30s averages what on earth is Butt doing on that roster?

Did you see him play in England? The only Pakistani opener in decades who knows where his off stump is.
 
Shehzad (atleast he can tee off after getting to his fifty unlike sami)
Azhar
Haris
Shafiq/Babar/Usman
Fawad
Amir Yamin/Hammad Azam
Sarfraz
 
New Yorker said:
If you don't like low 30s averages what on earth is Butt doing on that roster?

Did you see him play in England? The only Pakistani opener in decades who knows where his off stump is.
Click to expand...

The standard of bowling was actually better in those days and as for your point about the England tour, the ball was swinging like crazy in those overcast conditions where we saw Anderson + Swann at their very peak. They were unstoppable!

Same thing happened to ATG Indian batting line up in 2011 as well, so to judge any batsman just going by the 2010 + 2011 tours when 95% of them failed miserably would be poor analysis.

Hafeez managed to boost his average from 30 to 40 from playing in UAE and we know he's a shoddy opener at test level. Salman Butt would have averaged at least mid 40s with those pancake wickets he missed out on going by the fact that Hafeez who was actually his replacement since he was the inferior batsman.

Also Butt has more composure, fitness and can play positively with shots all round the ground unlike Sami Aslam who is very timid and limited. Salman Butt's backfoot game is exponentially better than this joke of an opener who can't even strike it at 40. Hence why he has a very decent record in Australia from the 6 tests he played there (better than Moyo and Inzy) whereas Sami Aslam looked like a tail ender coming to roost.
 
Last edited:
If PAK is hell bent to bat Azhar at 3, then Babar should open & Haris bat at 4. It'll serve better for Babar as well for his weakness against spin.
 
Good idea by [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

But ideally Babar should be at #3.

Sooner or later he will be our best player anyways.
 
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