This is the best squad Pakistan could have chosen for the 2019 World Cup

[Sher Khan]

I know people have differing opinions about the squad. But this time around, players have been picked on merit. The stats back our opening combination of Imam and Fakhar- their was never any doubt about this one. Babar and Haris have performed admirably and again their was no question over their selection. Hafeez and Malik have a wealth of experience and have won matches for their country, both can also bowl and are excellent fielders. Their inclusion will come very handy especially agisnt the weaker opposition, if their is a batting collapse. Sarfraz is the captain obviously.

Faheem and Shadab are needed to provide balance with both bowling and batting. Imad wasim is a very key Player for us with his power hitting at the end and his economical bowling. The fast bowling trio of Hasan, Shaheen and Junaid form the core of our firepower with the bowling. All three, provide something different with conventional swing, bounce and reverse swing.

Now their are two inclusions which people are unsure about. Abid and hasnain. Abid ali during his century looked like a rich man’s Azhar ali to Me. In that, he has a very compact technique and has a wide range of shots. I think it’s a master stroke to select him just in case. With hasnain, he provides something different with his raw pace and aggression. I can imagine teams like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would definetly not enjoy facing someone like him.

 

[Chokli]

Wrong.

Only one of Hafeez or Malik was needed.

Malik has a horrendous average in England, not to mention he hasn't been amongst the runs for the past few years. If the World Cup was in India then it would be a different story.

Shadab and Faheem are both pseudo all rounders, Sohail Tanvir is a better bat than Faheem Ashraf and that should tell you everything, Faheem is pretty much playing as a bowler, surely we could have selected a better pure bowler than Faheem Ashraf? At least Shadab can hold a bat but that doesn't make him an all rounder.

Bowling at 140-145 with the odd ball at 148 isn't anything to get excited about. He played in the UAE where the scores tend to be lower and he was carted around the ground, the UK where where conceded our highest score of 444 is where the World Cup is. He'll be smashed all over in the UK.

Better squad would have been Rizwan for Malik, Shinwari for Faheem and Haris for Hasnain and Amir for Junaid.

Our management clearly has something personal against spinners so obviously no place for one.

 

[salman24]

Team still lacks an aggressive batsman. Umar Akmal after his showing in the Pakistan Cup should have been included.

 

[Chokli]

Team still lacks an aggressive batsman. Umar Akmal after his showing in the Pakistan Cup should have been included.

He should have been included in place of Asif Ali for the England series and if he did well there then included in the World Cup.


We all saw what his aggressiveness was useful for in the Australian series

 

[Jeetlodil]

You must be kidding. You are looking at Sarfaraz or Hafeez walking in at 2 or 3 down. Just imagine. Its ridiculous

 

[Sher Khan]

You must be kidding. You are looking at Sarfaraz or Hafeez walking in at 2 or 3 down. Just imagine. Its ridiculous

Still, this is the best squad Pakistan could have come up with. Who else would you want walking in at 2 or 3 down Umar Akmal and Asif Ali??

 

[Jeetlodil]

Still, this is the best squad Pakistan could have come up with. Who else would you want walking in at 2 or 3 down Umar Akmal and Asif Ali??

without a doubt Umar Akmal. You will see how poor a Hafeez or Sarfaraz look walking in at 3 down. Only miracles will make these players dependable. Sarfaraz knows only one way to play.

 

[Sher Khan]

Team still lacks an aggressive batsman. Umar Akmal after his showing in the Pakistan Cup should have been included.

Yes, that’s true. An aggressive batsman was needed but Umar Akmal can never be replied on. The WC pressure itself could have made him gain a few kilos extra. And Asif Ali is still a work in progress. He needs to learn to construct an innings.

But truth be told, I have more hopes from Asif Ali. I think he will improve. Through what his going through, and being with the Pakistani team in England shows he values the green cap. He can be devastating when he figures everything out one day.

 

[Jeetlodil]

Yes, that’s true. An aggressive batsman was needed but Umar Akmal can never be replied on. The WC pressure itself could have made him gain a few kilos extra. And Asif Ali is still a work in progress. He needs to learn to construct an innings.

But truth be told, I have more hopes from Asif Ali. I think he will improve. Through what his going through, and being with the Pakistani team in England shows he values the green cap. He can be devastating when he figures everything out one day.

No my friend. Asif Ali at best looks like a poor mans Russel or Pant. Some fluke innings here and there is all I expect out of him.

 

[Chokli]

. He can be devastating when he figures everything out one day.

That day will never come, he's not good enough.

 

[barah_admi]

Completely agree with this assessment. I too do not like Hafeez being in the squad but beyond that it's a solid squad picked on merit.

I am, fakhar and babar all average over 50. Harris has put in solid performances, imad ha s become a terrific lower order hitter and can bowl, shadab and shaheen are terrific young gems and so on.

If the side doesn't perform it isn't for a lack of ability or selection, it is because they got their tactics wrong, we're not dedicaten and nor were they coached well enough.

I'll also add the captain is a problem but it would have been stupid to replace him last minute.

 

[hitthestump]

Read the title and thought "nope". Out of the established players Safaraz doesn't deserve his spot and neither does Malik.

Shadab's selection is also forced. The think tank failed to groom a potential alternative and now they are stuck with a player who is looking increasingly ineffective.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Completely agree with this assessment. I too do not like Hafeez being in the squad but beyond that it's a solid squad picked on merit.

I am, fakhar and babar all average over 50. Harris has put in solid performances, imad ha s become a terrific lower order hitter and can bowl, shadab and shaheen are terrific young gems and so on.

If the side doesn't perform it isn't for a lack of ability or selection, it is because they got their tactics wrong, we're not dedicaten and nor were they coached well enough.

I'll also add the captain is a problem but it would have been stupid to replace him last minute.

If i didnt know my own team, your post would make me think that this team is a favorite for the World Cup title.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

We stink, factually.

 

[barah_admi]

If i didnt know my own team, your post would make me think that this team is a favorite for the World Cup title.

In what way?

Do the three batsmen I mention not average 50+?

Are shadab and shaheen not young men full of potential who have also performed well?

Which part sounds so unbelievable to you?

 

[Dr_Bassim]

In what way?

Do the three batsmen I mention not average 50+?

Are shadab and shaheen not young men full of potential who have also performed well?

Which part sounds so unbelievable to you?

Its too optimistic.

This incredible team would be lucky to make it to the semis.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

We can't say it is the best or not until they prove it, some people will agree that it is the best possible 15, yet some might differ on basis of 1/2 selections.

For me:

There is is lack of power hitters/finishers in the squad, but sadly they aren't available in Pakistan who can consistently perform.

Selection on basis of one series(Faheem Ashraf), who hasn't done anything of note other than that.

No quality specialist spinners.

Selecting senior players who haven't performed for some time now, especially at the place of the tournament.

 

[Cric1234]

In what way?

Do the three batsmen I mention not average 50+?

Are shadab and shaheen not young men full of potential who have also performed well?

Which part sounds so unbelievable to you?

I would say overall they are 7th in terms of ability and winning potential it'll take a big effort to qualify for the semi finals.
The 50 plus averages are misleading they are built on minnow bashing and scoring against the lower ranked teams.
Only an in form Fakhar can make match winning contributions at the moment while Shaheen has been bowling well but hasn't got hit around as of yet to see how it will affect his confidence.

 

[Mueez]

Its too optimistic.

This incredible team would be lucky to make it to the semis.

You sure, Doc?

I mean don’t you believe they can make it to semis?

 

[Gullycricket]

Agree with OP.Its not like any other alternative team would set the world on fire.Those mentioning Akmal etc didn't watch Aus series I guess.
The core of this team won arguably the biggest game in our cricket history which even legends like Wasim,Waqar,Akhtar,etc couldn't do.Definitely the selection has been on merit and a bit Australian type

 

[Bigbb]

Agree with OP.Its not like any other alternative team would set the world on fire.Those mentioning Akmal etc didn't watch Aus series I guess.
The core of this team won arguably the biggest game in our cricket history which even legends like Wasim,Waqar,Akhtar,etc couldn't do.Definitely the selection has been on merit and a bit Australian type

Biggest game in our Cricket history??

I don't remember any of the current squad playing in the 1992 final.

And if you meant CT final, then you don't quite understand the dynamics of the game.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

You sure, Doc?

I mean don’t you believe they can make it to semis?

On paper, they can win the whole thing, even.

But games are not won on paper, artificially inflated averages and potential ability.

 

[Mueez]

On paper, they can win the whole thing, even.

But games are not won on paper, artificially inflated averages and potential ability.

Indeed.

Pakistan would have to punch above its weight if they want to get far in the tournament.

And you can’t expect much from the likes of Imam, Malik and (I’m being realistic here) also Sarfraz...

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

A hard hitter like Khushdil for Malik/Hafeez and Haris Rauf for Junaid would have made it the best available squad considering recent internationals/domestics.

 

[Gullycricket]

Biggest game in our Cricket history??

I don't remember any of the current squad playing in the 1992 final.

And if you meant CT final, then you don't quite understand the dynamics of the game.

I did use the word arguably but still believe it was our biggest truimp.Beating your arch-rivals with no one on your side and triumphing in emphatic fashion is bigger than anything.Our so called legends failed in biggest games of WC and that's why we never beat them in WC or other ICC tournaments

 

[Markhor]

It is for the most part - these alternative names people are suggesting like Rizwan and Shinwari aren't exactly world beaters. Are they really the missing link upon selection will get us beating top teams again ?

 

[Bigbb]

I did use the word arguably but still believe it was our biggest truimp.Beating your arch-rivals with no one on your side and triumphing in emphatic fashion is bigger than anything.Our so called legends failed in biggest games of WC and that's why we never beat them in WC or other ICC tournaments

Agree to some extent, but nothing comes close to being the world champions.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

It is for the most part - these alternative names people are suggesting like Rizwan and Shinwari aren't exactly world beaters. Are they really the missing link upon selection will get us beating top teams again ?

Maybe not world beaters but they are better than the ones currently playing like Malik and Junaid . Atleast Rizwan and Shinwari should have been selected for the England series to see if they were better in English conditions . Leaving out Rizwan, in particular, has been a very harsh call.

 

[barah_admi]

Its too optimistic.

This incredible team would be lucky to make it to the semis.

Who said the team was incredible. You quoted me and said I made it sound like Pak would win the world cup when I said nothing of the sort. I didn't even use words like "incredible", you have.

So instead of deflecting can you once again answer the questions:

Do the three batsmen I mention not average 50+?

Are shadab and shaheen not young men full of potential who have also performed well?

 

[The_Odd_One]

Yes, this was the best squad that could have been chosen. Except, Rizwan who is better than Sarfraz in every facet of the game.

 

[Chokli]

Biggest game in our Cricket history??

I don't remember any of the current squad playing in the 1992 final.

And if you meant CT final, then you don't quite understand the dynamics of the game.

The 2017 Champions Trophy final is the second biggest match in the history of our Cricket.