[VIDEO] Should Pakistan play a not 100% fit Mohammad Abbas in the 2nd Test?

[MenInG]

I was thinking looking at the video below that Abbas may not be 100% fit for the 2nd Test; Of course in practice he may not be bowling at full tilt but is if there is any doubt on his fitness, will it be wise to play him in the 2nd Test? Is his presence that vital for us? Shouldnt other bowlers step-up?


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Abbas bowling in the nets during a practice session at Newlands, Cape Town today (video via PCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/LkFenznpMD">pic.twitter.com/LkFenznpMD</a></p>— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPassion/status/1080042807828664320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[Prince of Pakistan]

You could provided you also play Faheem as backup.

Mohammad Abbas could bowl 4 over spells which should be sufficient for others to continue the good work. Pak then has Faheem, Amir and Shaheen to cover the rest.

 

[jeetu]

Playing a unfit player especially bowler is big risk. It could lead to bowler losing more matches in future due to high risk of aggravated injury. In test matches it increases workload for rest of the bowlers leading them to be injury prone.

 

[MenInG]

You could provided you also play Faheem as backup.

Mohammad Abbas could bowl 4 over spells which should be sufficient for others to continue the good work. Pak then has Faheem, Amir and Shaheen to cover the rest.

That's my point - is his inclusion so very important?

 

[BaankeJi]

An unfit player is never worth the risk. Even more so in a test wherein others have to take the burden for a long time.

 

[Fahdi]

Well you're never 100% fit but a bowler shouldn't be risked even if there is a slight chance of the injury becoming aggravated. The team management has professional physicians for the purpose, they know better whether Abbas is up to the task or not

 

[Muhammad10]

Abbas is hardly a speed demon, so I don't see anything unusual about the way he's bowling. Of course, if he isn't 100% fit he shouldn't play, especially considering Sarfraz is hell-bent on making three pacers bowl more than 90% of the overs, while also putting all the pressure of taking 10 wickets on them. Meanwhile, Yasir, Asad and Sarfraz play as specialist tailenders...

 

[Hasan123]

If he isn't fit he shouldn't play. Playing him when not fit could make the injury worse.

 

[JibranAnsari]

No , if he isn't 100 percent don't play him.

 

[Nasty Naz]

No, of course not. It's not like bowling is the problem either.

 

[Greenstorm]

Yes we should. Next test series is many months away so its worth the risk. Also we should play Faheem or Shadab as 5th bowler in place of Shafiq.

 

[Rayyman]

Abbas needs to play. He is a crucial bowler. If SA win this one, then they win the series. And the next series is in a long time so he will have a lot of time to recover.

 

[MenInG]

Abbas is hardly a speed demon, so I don't see anything unusual about the way he's bowling. Of course, if he isn't 100% fit he shouldn't play, especially considering Sarfraz is hell-bent on making three pacers bowl more than 90% of the overs, while also putting all the pressure of taking 10 wickets on them. Meanwhile, Yasir, Asad and Sarfraz play as specialist tailenders...

What I am worried about isnt this video but the lack of firm statements about his fitness - Sarfaraz's "hopefully" fit doesnt inspire confidence

 

[saabir]

He should play even if he is 80%. This is worth Risk that can be taken. It's do or die. Next test is long long away. He can do his rehab. In case of any aggrieved injury.

 

[last_knight]

Forget about next series.
If not match-fit, shouldn't even be a question.Particularly Bowlers, Even at 90% match fitness, shouldn't play.

 

[hadi123]

What I am worried about isnt this video but the lack of firm statements about his fitness - Sarfaraz's "hopefully" fit doesnt inspire confidence

You said in the OP that the video doesn't look good for him now you're saying you aren't worried about the video? Bit contradictory no?

Anyway, I don't think he should be played if he's not 100% fit, and I don't think he'll make a HUGE difference anyway as batting is our problem, not our bowling

 

[gazza619]

He should play even if he is 80%. This is worth Risk that can be taken. It's do or die. Next test is long long away. He can do his rehab. In case of any aggrieved injury.

Agreed. The chances are that Pakistan will play 4 seamers so Abbass’s workload will be shared.

 

[MenInG]

You said in the OP that the video doesn't look good for him now you're saying you aren't worried about the video? Bit contradictory no?

Anyway, I don't think he should be played if he's not 100% fit, and I don't think he'll make a HUGE difference anyway as batting is our problem, not our bowling

Without getting into an argument on what I meant to say etc -

I did also say that in practice he may not be bowling at his fullest, only reason for thread is to highlight fact that Pakistan could go in with a less than 100% fit Abbas which could be a known risk , but is it an acceptable one?

 

[happydavy]

Playing a bowler who's let's say 90% fit is not a risk worth taking because 5-10% drop in efficiency whether measured in terms of pace or swing is massive. Suddenly a 140 bowler becomes 130 and we have seen that even a marginal drop in pace makes it massively easy for batsmen. Playing half fit batsman is still manageable as he may struggle with a few shots but experienced one would make up for it. Tendulkar once played on literally one leg during the 2nd final of CB series in 2008 and many 2s were converted into 1s but he still managed to score 90 runs. Don't think it's possible with the bowlers.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Playing an unfit player will not only hamper the current game, might also seriously affect Abbas' future career. Donot play him if he is even 5% unfit.

 

[nitrous]

You can play your top bowlers, it’s the pathetic batting that is the biggest issue.

Not point risking him, when you don’t have the batsman to score, when given good starts by the bowlers.

 

[ILcricket]

If 100% , i would include him in place of Hassan & add Faheem as the 5th bowling option .

 

[Sunny_majoka]

If your bowler is not 100% then use his back up which is faheem. Whats the point of having backup if you con play him.. Surely abbas is our best bowler.

But others need to step up too. And as far abbas he can play the 3rd if he will be fit

 

[hisham_ashraf]

Mickey Arthur just confirmed that he will play but Haris Sohail has still not recovered from his injury.You could see the disappointment on Mickey's face when he had to say Haris hasn't recovered.
He rates him very highly but the guy is prone to injuries.

 

[The Viper]

Hope he is not rushed for the sake of it. The injury could be aggravated further.

 

[MenInG]

Injury or not, he seems pretty ineffective at the moment.

 

[MenInG]

Seems to have recovered well in his bowling.

Also some great batting from him too