"Usman Salahuddin will replace Babar Azam for the 2nd Test" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

[DeadBall]

"It was a very good win at Lord's so we will try and win the series as well"

"Usman Salahuddin is playing in place of Babar Azam - he was chosen because he has been with us for the last 3 tours and he has worked very hard"

"He played the 2 day game and did well and that is why he will make his debut tomorrow, Inshallah"

"We tried Fakhar on all positions from 1-6 but we felt Usman was better"

"Usman played a very good and long inning at Leicester"

"Yesterday we practiced indoors so we will look at the pitch today"

"All the games we won in Ireland and at Lord's were big victories"

"This is a learning process and whilst we won the Lord's Test, we still have to learn a lot"

"This match is as important as the previous one and if we win then this will be a win for the team that will always be remembered"

"As a team it is our wish that the side should win this match"

"Last time we won a series in England was in 1996 and the match in Leeds was drawn"

"This match is important as we are at a stage that we can win the series"

"The idea is to play good cricket, forget what we did before and look to peform better as a team"

"As a team if we have to move forward, we need to forget about previous victories"

"There is always room for improvement and we can always do better than what we did before"

"If you look at our batting, a few scored 50s but if one had scored 100 then it would have been even better"

"We are all working hard, we couldnt practice outdoor but we made good use of indoor facilities"

"So I am hopeful that batsmen or bowlers, whoever gets a chance will do better; so if a bowler took 3 wickets before, they will want to take 6 wickets and if a batsman made a 50, then they will try and score a 80, 90 or 100"

 

[Syed1]

That's good... wasn't in favour of experimenting with Fakhar at 6 and making him a middle order batsman when he is not.


I hope Mani bats at 5. The number 6th position was already too high for Sarfaraz, the number 5th one will be through the roof.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Good decision. Finally, Pakistan persisting with players. How many times in the past were players dropped without even getting a chance.

 

[Amjid Javed]

So I am hopeful that batsmen or bowlers, whoever gets a chance will do better; so if a bowler took 3 wickets before, they will want to take 6 wickets and if a batsman made a 50, then they will try and score a 80, 90 or 100"

And if someone played a stupid brainfade shot and contributed nothing with the bat will they try and stop batting like a tail-ender?

 

[srh]

good decision; although I would have preferred Saad Ali who is more attacking than Usman but Usman is on merit for being part of 3 previous squad but not getting a chance to debut

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

So I am hopeful that batsmen or bowlers, whoever gets a chance will do better; so if a bowler took 3 wickets before, they will want to take 6 wickets and if a batsman made a 50, then they will try and score a 80, 90 or 100"

And if someone played a stupid brainfade shot and contributed nothing with the bat will they try and stop batting like a tail-ender?

Yes, of course they will.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I am hoping Sarfaraz has got a rollicking himself from Micky Arthur or some words from his team on 'that' shot at Lord's.

If so, I am happy that shot is out of the way and he won't repeat it.

 

[Syed1]

I am hoping Sarfaraz has got a rollicking himself from Micky Arthur or some words from his team on 'that' shot at Lord's.

If so, I am happy that shot is out of the way and he won't repeat it.

Don't underestimate a Pakistani batsman's ability to have a brain fade

 

[Hasan Cheema]

Usman deserved it more than Saad or Fakhar. This is very important for Usman to cash on this opportunity. We are hearing his name in domestic cricket for few season now. Lets hope he is not grinder like Misbah or Fawad Alam and likes to play strokes like Asad Shafiq.

 

[AFM]

Deserved selection. Wish him all the best. England won't know what to do

 

[Ahson8]

Good luck, sir

 

[Sherlock]

I guess it's the right decision. Only time will tell if it's the correct one.

 

[the Great Khan]

I remember many moons ago Usman was compared to Mohammed Yusuf in the way he played..if he can achieve a half of what moyo did , he will be a great find for us.

 

[Salman]

Good sensible selection, there is no way Fakar has the temperament to play a long restrictive innings.

 

[Syed1]

I remember many moons ago Usman was compared to Mohammed Yusuf in the way he played..if he can achieve a half of what moyo did , he will be a great find for us.

Yes his batting style is very similar to Moyo

 

[as-95]

Yes his batting style is very similar to Moyo

Really? I hope Usman is able to live up to this because MoYo was one of the most stylish batsmen to play the game. Having a similar batting style is no easy feat. Lets hope his substance matches the style too...

 

[Syed1]

Really? I hope Usman is able to live up to this because MoYo was one of the most stylish batsmen to play the game. Having a similar batting style is no easy feat. Lets hope his substance matches the style too...

Style isn't everything. Umar Amin is the most stylish batsman in Pakistan but struggles to buy a run.

 

[ArsenalFC]

Can score runs but expect him to face 150 balls before he reaches the 50 runs mark. Pakistan have taken a more conservative approach as they probably deem Fakhar high risk, which is understandable with the aim of defending the test series lead going into the finale.

 

[Syed1]

Can score runs but expect him to face 150 balls before he reaches the 50 runs mark. Pakistan have taken a more conservative approach as they probably deem Fakhar high risk, which is understandable with the aim of defending the test series lead going into the finale.

Playing conservatively paid dividends for us in the Lord's test. If the opposition is in self-destruct mode what is the need to take undue risks and give them a chance?

 

[the Great Khan]

Anyone got any very recent clips of Usman?

 

[PakSarZameen]

Not an impact player. Too timid like Azhar. Can only have one of such players in the team.

Having said that, he might be useful on bowling pitches as you need players with a strong survival game.

 

[Syed1]

Anyone got any very recent clips of Usman?

69* vs Leicestershire


Don't know why PTV Sports felt the need to add sound effects of bat hitting ball

 

[punter17]

69* vs Leicestershire


Don't know why PTV Sports felt the need to add sound effects of bat hitting ball

Is it me or his style really reminds of Dravid?

 

[Syed1]

Is it me or his style really reminds of Dravid?

I don't know... a 1 minute video isn't sufficient to judge a batsman. We shall see when he actually plays.

 

[Pete Rose]

69* vs Leicestershire


Don't know why PTV Sports felt the need to add sound effects of bat hitting ball

he seems very still before the ball is delivered: thats a positive. And the celebration on 50? thats a bad look, that seems to have infected a few pakistani players.

 

[Pete Rose]

Is it me or his style really reminds of Dravid?

yes, he is right handed and is a batsman: resemblance is uncanny.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I’m not really impressed by him, but he is the logical choice and I hope he proves me wrong

 

[TQ89]

How good is his aggressive game? Based on the leicestershire match scorecard, he seems to be slow starter & not a big hitter. Two slow batsmen in the top three is not a good idea.

 

[Fluke Master]

How good is his aggressive game? Based on the leicestershire match scorecard, he seems to be slow starter & not a big hitter. Two slow batsmen in the top three is not a good idea.

He's batting at 5....

 

[ArsenalFC]

Playing conservatively paid dividends for us in the Lord's test. If the opposition is in self-destruct mode what is the need to take undue risks and give them a chance?

In Lord's they still ended up with a run rate of over 3 i.e. overall strike rate of 50+. Apart from Azhar Ali the batsmen was pacing their innings at a nice tempo.

There's a difference between batting defensive (SR:45-50) and going into your shell like Salahuddin and Azhar Ali does. The latter can afford to do it because he is an opener, so his primary objective is to blunt the new ball and lay the foundation for the middle order when the conditions ease.

 

[Asif321]

good decision . usman was deserving wish him luck

 

[Justcrazy]

Its right decision , he has been around a while , should have got chance earlier before Imam Ul Haq.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I'd play Fakhar. Seems like another Sami Aslam.

Best I expect is 20 (100)

 

[MMHS]

It's settled - Mickey doesn't rate FZ much for longer game. I also thought so .....
[MENTION=143344]babajee[/MENTION], may be had Imam failed 2nd time, there was a chance, but it's hardly likely that in UK they'll open with him in red ball game.

 

[ArsenalFC]

I'd play Fakhar. Seems like another Sami Aslam.

Best I expect is 20 (100)

My thoughts exactly

 

[Hawkeye]

Good for

Curious to see how he bats. Excited for young bats coming through.

Glad Fawad Alam is out.

 

[Hawkeye]

yes, he is right handed and is a batsman: resemblance is uncanny.

ROFL

 

[coy0607]

slightly disappointed by this - Salahuddin seems like a defensive move when Mickey / Sarfraz are trying to move in the opposite direction.
I don't know if Salahuddin would've played if Pakistan hadn't won't the first game

Lets see what he can do

 

[ShahKhan007]

Poor decision. Should have opted for the much touted Ali Suleman instead.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Beggars belief how most of you can write Usman off when you haven't even seen him bat

 

[Mainul]

good decision; although I would have preferred Saad Ali who is more attacking than Usman but Usman is on merit for being part of 3 previous squad but not getting a chance to debut

Not much difference in SR between two in first class.

 

[Asch Ali]

Usman should debut.
Saad should debut.
Fakhar should debut.
Everyone should debut.
After all it’s Pakistan.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

It's settled - Mickey doesn't rate FZ much for longer game. I also thought so .....
[MENTION=143344]babajee[/MENTION], may be had Imam failed 2nd time, there was a chance, but it's hardly likely that in UK they'll open with him in red ball game.

doubt he would have brought him into the team if that was the case.

Most likely he is saving him for the UAE

 

[babajee]

It's settled - Mickey doesn't rate FZ much for longer game. I also thought so .....
[MENTION=143344]babajee[/MENTION], may be had Imam failed 2nd time, there was a chance, but it's hardly likely that in UK they'll open with him in red ball game.

You said the reason yourself

I understand why they chose Usman over Fakhar. Not sure why it’s a case of Mickey rating him or not.

 

[PakLFC]

Glad to see Salaluddin instead of a slogger like Fakhar. We need someone to occupy the crease, it's a Test match after all. Fakhar is not a Test player.

 

[Asch Ali]

Usman is a MUCH riskier choice than Fakhar. At least the latter has proven to be a sucess in international cricket.

Usman could be another Sami/Shan/Farhat/Jamshed

 

[Kroll]

Glad to see Salaluddin instead of a slogger like Fakhar. We need someone to occupy the crease, it's a Test match after all. Fakhar is not a Test player.

No point in writing off players before they're given a chance.

 

[PakLFC]

No point in writing off players before they're given a chance.

Give him a chance against a minnow side. Playing him in a decider in England is not the way to go. From the little I have seen Usman seems more of a Test batsman.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Real quality test batsman is Usman. Right choice.

 

[Kroll]

Give him a chance against a minnow side. Playing him in a decider in England is not the way to go. From the little I have seen Usman seems more of a Test batsman.

If anything, he's proven he's got the temperament and nerves to succeed. After all, he was thrown into the deep end of the CT after Shehzad failed miserably.

 

[AFM]

Give him a chance against a minnow side. Playing him in a decider in England is not the way to go. From the little I have seen Usman seems more of a Test batsman.

Good thing we are playing a Test then

 

[Saj]

Best of luck to Usman, he deserves this chance as he has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket these past few seasons.

 

[MMHS]

You said the reason yourself

I understand why they chose Usman over Fakhar. Not sure why it’s a case of Mickey rating him or not.

I have seen the pattern - he is trying to build format specific squads. If he stays for long after 2019, you'll see at least 25 players playing for PAK in 3 formats; may be 2/3, max 4 core players in multiple formats and rest are specialist.

 

[MMHS]

doubt he would have brought him into the team if that was the case.

Most likely he is saving him for the UAE

They picked 9 batsmen & 4 pacers (& no back-up WK) for 3 Tests in UK, in May & early June; therefore not sure how much logic was used in selection. I believe, Mickey saw the names and found that his preferred players were not missing - left rest for Ul Haq to decide. If he was rated, no way Imam should have debuted against IRL.

 

[Sirris]

It think it is a good decision to give a new player a chance before trying out Fakhar. At least now we will find out what other batting talents we have.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Anyone got any very recent clips of Usman?

Some clips are not on youtube but here is one. 108 against KRL which had an attack of Mohammad Abbas and Ahmed Bashir.

<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x558sto" allowfullscreen allow="autoplay"></iframe>

 

[pakistani pride]

Best of luck to Usman, he deserves this chance as he has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket these past few seasons.

This.
He deserves it 100%.
Wish him all the best.

 

[Markhor]

Good decision. Finally, Pakistan persisting with players. How many times in the past were players dropped without even getting a chance.

This is why I rate the Mickey-Inzamam selection combination - for far too long there's been so much chopping and changing.

Regardless of whether you rate Salahuddin (I think its good a top FC performer is being rewarded) this continuity in selection is a breath of fresh air.

 

[Hasan123]

He deserves his chance . Let's see how he does.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

This is why I rate the Mickey-Inzamam selection combination - for far too long there's been so much chopping and changing.

Regardless of whether you rate Salahuddin (I think its good a top FC performer is being rewarded) this continuity in selection is a breath of fresh air.

Mickey-Inzi deserves the credit, but continuity policy mai Sarfraz should be the first one who is to be applauded. Domestic mai bhi he is like this over the years; chance do to consistent do, long run do phir dekho. One of my fav thing about Sarfraz.

 

[hur rizvi]

Well deserved

I remember him playing U19s alongside Amir, Amin, Akmal and Shehzad

 

[Khan12]

Hope he performs. Very good test Batsmen.

 

[Bilal7]

1) Imam
2) Azhar
3) Haris
4) Shafiq
5) Usman
6) Sarfaraz
7) Shadab
8) Fakhar
9) Amir
10) Hasan
11) Abbas

This is a pretty solid batting order if Sarfaraz finds form with the bat.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

This is the first time after Faysal Bank Pentangular Cup 2011/2012 final where Haris and Usman will be playing together for the same side (they played together for Punjab who won the tournament).

 

[Khan12]

This is the first time after Faysal Bank Pentangular Cup 2011/2012 final where Haris and Usman will be playing together for the same side (they played together for Punjab who won the tournament).

Add Babar and that looks very solid middle order and players who are actually good to wqtch. Can't wait inshallah Babar gets fit soon.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Add Babar and that looks very solid middle order and players who are actually good to wqtch. Can't wait inshallah Babar gets fit soon.

IA Ameen.
Yep and bench with likes of Saad, Saud, Talat is good too. Need to.persist with these youngsters. But sadly knowing Pakistani majority fans unfortunately Allah na karay one failure and the knives will be out.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Give the guy a chance at the least before writing him off. Usman seems like someone with good batting temperament and a bat who values his wicket. A good combo!

He will be key here as the ball will swing/nibble at Headingley for a very long time. I think he will form a partnership with either Shadab or Faheem rescuing Pak.

Best of luck Usman!

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Well deserved

I remember him playing U19s alongside Amir, Amin, Akmal and Shehzad

That golden generation. Even though many of them failed most of those guys did play for Pak which is unique for a generation.

Imad, Junaid were also there.

 

[ameemlutfi]

Kind of looks like Hafeez when batting. That's not a bad thing , Hafeez has been one of the most fluent Pakistani batsman in the last decade .

 

[PakLFC]

If anything, he's proven he's got the temperament and nerves to succeed. After all, he was thrown into the deep end of the CT after Shehzad failed miserably.

CT was not a Test match.

 

[Big Mac]

Can score runs but expect him to face 150 balls before he reaches the 50 runs mark. Pakistan have taken a more conservative approach as they probably deem Fakhar high risk, which is understandable with the aim of defending the test series lead going into the finale.

Not an impact player. Too timid like Azhar. Can only have one of such players in the team.

Having said that, he might be useful on bowling pitches as you need players with a strong survival game.

How good is his aggressive game? Based on the leicestershire match scorecard, he seems to be slow starter & not a big hitter. Two slow batsmen in the top three is not a good idea.

I'd play Fakhar. Seems like another Sami Aslam.

Best I expect is 20 (100)

Said it in another thread as well but we don't need to bat quickly. There will be plenty of time to score runs after we bowl England out for 150

 

[Eagle_Eye]

69* vs Leicestershire


Don't know why PTV Sports felt the need to add sound effects of bat hitting ball

What the .... sajda for scoring a 50 against the 2nd string of the worst county team!!

Will he do a lap of honour if he manages to score a 50 in the test?

 

[Eagle_Eye]

IA Ameen.
Yep and bench with likes of Saad, Saud, Talat is good too. Need to.persist with these youngsters. But sadly knowing Pakistani majority fans unfortunately Allah na karay one failure and the knives will be out.

That's the whole idea of having a strong bench.... you make a mistake, someone else will take your place..

 

[moghul]

Years of hard work, 20 FC centuries paid of. Thoroughly deserves the chance. very happy for him and good luck.

 

[Xoib]

his test debut will also be his 100th FC game will make a good trivia question someday.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

That's the whole idea of having a strong bench.... you make a mistake, someone else will take your place..

Not after 1 mistake.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Kroll]

CT was not a Test match.

No, but my point is that the guy's a fighter, important ingredients for a Test match player, no? Bear in mind that Babar, Faheem, Shadab and Hasan have all come in from the one day set up and haven't done too shabbily have they?

 

[PakLFC]

No, but my point is that the guy's a fighter, important ingredients for a Test match player, no? Bear in mind that Babar, Faheem, Shadab and Hasan have all come in from the one day set up and haven't done too shabbily have they?

He is a slogger at the same time No technique for a Test batsman.

 

[Cricket World]

I wasn't impressed much.