Time to bring Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel into the Test XI?

[Sher Khan]

Now is the right time for the team management to move on from Azhar Ali and Fawad. We have what should be a relatively easier test series in Sri Lanka coming up next.

The selectors and team management need to bite the bullet and omit both Azhar and Fawad from the test squad. As with them in the squad, the two younger deserving players won't get a chance.

Time to start the new era.

 

[Rana]

Bari Jaldi yaad aa gayi…

Btw, Kamran Ghulam is most likely another 30-40 strike rate accumulator.

 

[as-95]

Bari Jaldi yaad aa gayi…

Btw, Kamran Ghulam is most likely another 30-40 strike rate accumulator.

Ghulam has a First Class strike rate of 53 (marginally higher thqn Saud Shakeel) compared to 45 for Imam... even Babars FC strike rate is only 55...

Ghulams track record so far is acceptable and as long as you can rotate the strike, you will be fine in Test matches. Azhar and Imam get bogged down too easily without rotating strike

 

[JibranAnsari]

Both are very good players and need to be given.chances at home venues first.

 

[Rana]

Ghulam has a First Class strike rate of 53 (marginally higher thqn Saud Shakeel) compared to 45 for Imam... even Babars FC strike rate is only 55...

Ghulams track record so far is acceptable and as long as you can rotate the strike, you will be fine in Test matches. Azhar and Imam get bogged down too easily without rotating strike

Pakistani FC cricket isn’t a measuring stick to go by. If that’s the case then Sajid and Nauman should not have been this impotent as spinners.

KG will play at a snail’s pace initially to ensure his position in the side. Mark my words

 

[TeamPak95]

At the very least, one of them needs to be brought in. If Pakistan play the same XI moving forward, then they can forget about trying to beat the big teams. The first step is proactiveness, and for that bring in the new blood that have FC performances and give them a long run, not worrying about the results.

I feel for Fawad as series-wise, this is his first proper failure in a over a year but unfortunately age isn't on his side and I would not be surprised at all if he's dropped. Otherwise, under normal circumstances and if age was on his side, it would be unfair to drop him after one series failure.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Now is the right time for the team management to move on from Azhar Ali and Fawad. We have what should be a relatively easier test series in Sri Lanka coming up next.

The selectors and team management need to bite the bullet and omit both Azhar and Fawad from the test squad. As with them in the squad, the two younger deserving players won't get a chance.

Time to start the new era.

1) SL test series will not be easy, lets not get carried away here
2) Both players have won domestically and in the A team (shaheens) as well. Both should be in the team now. They will strengthen the batting but also both can bowl as well which helps balance of the side.

 

[PakEngFan]

Bari Jaldi yaad aa gayi…

Btw, Kamran Ghulam is most likely another 30-40 strike rate accumulator.

According to you he’s better then Babar so let’s see.

 

[Kianig89]

Yes the next Micheal Slater and Mark Taylor for us bring them on

 

[Rana]

According to you he’s better then Babar so let’s see.

Technically way more solid, yes

 

[Barragan]

Perfect time for both.

They will solidify that batting line up massively.

 

[PakEngFan]

Technically way more solid, yes

So now he’s technically more. Can you please elaborate how he’s technically better then Babar. I am intrigued to know.

 

[shamaan]

Saud Shakeel is class and should be batting at 3 Kamran Ghullam is good at should be batting at 5

 

[moghul]

Now is the right time for the team management to move on from Azhar Ali and Fawad. We have what should be a relatively easier test series in Sri Lanka coming up next.

The selectors and team management need to bite the bullet and omit both Azhar and Fawad from the test squad. As with them in the squad, the two younger deserving players won't get a chance.

Time to start the new era.

But, personal records are more important than future of Pakistan cricket. Selector's first priority looks like is to let Azhar Ali play 100 tests, so what if team loses some tests or series for that , we have to sacrifice smaller things for a bigger goal. Seniors Ko Izzat Do

 

[Officer Barbrady]

I’d prefer to give huraira a go as opener (in place of Imam) and saud in place of Azhar. Fawad stays

 

[Varun]

There is zero chance Pakistan cricket will do away with Azhar Ali and Imam-ul-Haq after they have had such a successful series (on paper).

That's not how they roll.

 

[Arsal_AK]

There is zero chance Pakistan cricket will do away with Azhar Ali and Imam-ul-Haq after they have had such a successful series (on paper).

That's not how they roll.

This right here. The PCB post about star performers was all you needed to know that both of them will be playing atleast the next 2-3 series. Imam also is Babar's buddy, so he gets in on that merit as well.

 

[shamaan]

Saud should not bat at number 5 in odis your wasting a position in the line up.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Should be in test side now along with kamran ghulam instead of fawad and Azhar.

Looks like babar doesnt fancy Saud in starting X1.

 

[Titan24]

Should be in test side now along with kamran ghulam instead of fawad and Azhar.

Looks like babar doesnt fancy Saud in starting X1.

Babar is a young captain, thats where experienced management needs to guide him and management, captain should be on one page in terms of creating a good side for upcoming seasons.

Babar finds comfort in having experience around him whether its Malik, Azhar etc. I dont blame him as he is still finding his feet in the role but, management needs to nudge his thinking a bit here and there when required.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Babar is a young captain, thats where experienced management needs to guide him and management, captain should be on one page in terms of creating a good side for upcoming seasons.

Babar finds comfort in having experience around him whether its Malik, Azhar etc. I dont blame him as he is still finding his feet in the role but, management needs to nudge his thinking a bit here and there when required.

Babar needs to buck his ideas up. Fawad, Azhar are offering nothing to the team and Babar needs to be more assertive as a captain.

100% spot on yes the coach etc.. need to be more assertive and helpful off the field.

 

[shamaan]

Saud Shakeel should be batting at 3 and kamran batting at 5

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan should have inducted new batters in Test 3 - 4 years ago. Dead pieces will not get you anywhere

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan should have inducted new batters in Test 3 - 4 years ago. Dead pieces will not get you anywhere

Exactly what ive mentioned numerous times.

If these guys had played vs bangladesh or Australia and were then given SL, Eng and NZ series that would have been 10-12 tests in Asian conditions to slot into side before we go on big away tours again. Sadly longterm batting planning isnt pakistans strong point in recent years.

 

[TheSultan]

What I hate is eventually they will very reluctantly give these guys a go but any hint of failure it will be like “see this is why we didn’t select them. They are not ready yet. Right now we need ‘experienced’ players like Azhar Ali”

I can see it now

 

[Officer Barbrady]

I actually like the idea of having babar step up and play at 3 and take control of the game. Let the newer players settle in lower in the order.

Salman Agha deserves more chances but saud could come in for Fawad next series.

And hopefully Huraira will replace imam soon enough.

 

[Dagestani_Eagle]

Abdullah
Imam
Shan
Babar
Kamran/Agha
Saud
Rizwan
Faheem/Nawaz
Shaheen
Naseem
Yasir/Harris


This is the team i would go with depending on conditions

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I predict it will be a few months after Saud and Kamran debut before 90% posters here will turn on them just like they turned on Fawad Alam after 2 failures.

Before Fawad Alam came into the side:

"He deserves to be in the side" "He has been dealt a bad hand"

After two failures:

"He is defensive" "He has bad technique" "He's not mentally tough enough"

Nevermind the fact that he scored four centuries under pressure when almost everyone else failed and Pakistan needed him to step up. Nevermind the fact that he has one of the highest FC averages of all-time.

Why don't some of you just accept the reality that you guys are fickle and that whether its Saud or Kamran or Fawad, you won't be happy because for some reason you guys have got it in your head that we are an Australia or India-level elite team. Succeeding at test cricket is tough. It doesn't happen overnight and failures are very much part and parcel of the process.

Anyway, waiting for the day when Saud and Kamran debut. Interested to see how long it will take for most posters on PP turn on them and start calling them "defensive" and "mentally weak", while cheerleading the next young talent who will likely have the same fate.

It's a vicious cycle that not ending anytime soon.

 

[Titan24]

I predict it will be a few months after Saud and Kamran debut before 90% posters here will turn on them just like they turned on Fawad Alam after 2 failures.

I think issue with Fawad is not just his failures. Anyone can go out of form and fail on occasions however, when that happens when you are 36 or so then there is no roam for improvement or much development that is left. A 26-27 year old guy failing wont be causing as much of an issue as they still have some years left in him.

However, I agree that in general our fans are too quick to discard player. Though in case of Fawad one has to think for the next WTC as well and future.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think issue with Fawad is not just his failures. Anyone can go out of form and fail on occasions however, when that happens when you are 36 or so then there is no roam for improvement or much development that is left. A 26-27 year old guy failing wont be causing as much of an issue as they still have some years left in him.

However, I agree that in general our fans are too quick to discard player. Though in case of Fawad one has to think for the next WTC as well and future.

Two failures shouldn't be enough to write off anyone. I don't care if you are 20 or 40. And there is always room for improvement. Even at an older age. Anderson and Chanderpaul have both been shining examples of that.

 

[Xoib]

Two failures shouldn't be enough to write off anyone. I don't care if you are 20 or 40. And there is always room for improvement. Even at an older age. Anderson and Chanderpaul have both been shining examples of that.

It's not two failures Fawad has gone now 6 innings without a contribution at his age we can't afford a player who goes missing 6 innings in a row as Titian said older you are the less is margin of error.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It's not two failures Fawad has gone now 6 innings without a contribution at his age we can't afford a player who goes missing 6 innings in a row as Titian said older you are the less is margin of error.

He had two bad test matches against Australia where he was largely dismissed by searing, quick, reverse-swinging yorkers. Most batters in the world would have a similar fate against Starc and Cummins on a pitch where the ball was reversing.

In this test just about everyone failed. And his failure was not any worse than the failure of others.

All I'm saying is when someone has played those kind of knocks for you he deserves a little bit of patience through bad patches.

 

[Titan24]

Two failures shouldn't be enough to write off anyone. I don't care if you are 20 or 40. And there is always room for improvement. Even at an older age. Anderson and Chanderpaul have both been shining examples of that.

Fair enough but, issue has been that in Fawad's case even when he was in form and scoring runs in last season, his failures saw him getting out in single digits and below 20 scores which amplifies the things. I think its an indication of declining reflexes, when he first comes on the crease he finds it difficult to get better hang of the ball and as he settles the experience takes over to guide him through.

Since his comeback in more than half of his innings he has gone out before 20.

 

[Shafi]

Its not gonna happen anytime soon when you have Desi unskilled yes man as a head coach. Bring a professional and skilled foreign coach and you will see useless players will be kicked to the curve.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Fair enough but, issue has been that in Fawad's case even when he was in form and scoring runs in last season, his failures saw him getting out in single digits and below 20 scores which amplifies the things. I think its an indication of declining reflexes, when he first comes on the crease he finds it difficult to get better hang of the ball and as he settles the experience takes over to guide him through.

Since his comeback in more than half of his innings he has gone out before 20.

If that's a problem that he can't deal with than it won't be long before the failures start piling upthen . And there won't be any choice but to drop him.

All I'm saying is atleast give the guy a chance to do something. You can build teams by chopping and changing constantly. If Pakistan can have so much faith in Hasan Ali, who has been out of form and off color for far longer than I think the same patience can be accorded to Fawad too.

 

[shamaan]

I actually like the idea of having babar step up and play at 3 and take control of the game. Let the newer players settle in lower in the order.

Salman Agha deserves more chances but saud could come in for Fawad next series.

And hopefully Huraira will replace imam soon enough.

Both kamran Ghullam and Saud should come in for Azhar and Fawad.

 

[shamaan]

Two failures shouldn't be enough to write off anyone. I don't care if you are 20 or 40. And there is always room for improvement. Even at an older age. Anderson and Chanderpaul have both been shining examples of that.

But it isn't to failures from Fawad now even thou I think he will get runs in the second innings.