"Wah selector sb, kya selection ki hai. This will be exposed badly in Australia": Shoaib Akhtar

[MenInG]

"Wah selector sb, kya selection ki hai. This will be exposed badly in Australia": Shoaib Akhtar

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aap sab kay dil ki awaz, Iftikhar remains in the team, so does Khushdil. <br>Wah selector sb, kya selection ki hai. <br>This will be exposed badly in Australia. <br><br>Full video: <a href="https://t.co/TIPrWgnj8Z">https://t.co/TIPrWgnj8Z</a> <a href="https://t.co/oKvWIBfTKq">pic.twitter.com/oKvWIBfTKq</a></p>— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/1570685732175646723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Akhtar on a warpath!


“One cannot expect extraordinary decisions from average people. Mashallah, what a team Pakistan Cricket Board has selected!"

“Pakistan’s problem had been the middle order, but the board has said it consistently wants make decisions that will please the fans, but will end up making terrible ones that will leave the middle order crisis intact"

“I have consistently been calling for Fakhar Zaman get the six powerplay overs. The ball will come on to him nicely in Australia and will help him in getting the cuts and suit him. But no, Babar Azam will remain the opener."

“With this team, we might get knocked out in the first round itself. I am really scared as our batting has no depth"

“When the chief selector is average, his decisions will also be average. Saqlain Mushtaq last played cricket in 2002. I don’t want to say this as he’s my friend, but he doesn’t have any idea about T20 cricket"

 

[pratiktc]

He is always spewing acid but which other matchwinner players did selectors ignore?
From talent pool available this is more or less best squad. Any changes or replacements would pretty much be punts

 

[Rana]

This squad is for bants

I’m going to enjoy the next month or so for comedy purposes

 

[Gayle_Force]

Akhtar and many other ex-cricketers come across as entitled and bitter until they get a high ranking position in PCB to shut them up. I have never heard anything constructive from a lot of our ex cricketers and it is really a shame.

 

[Rana]

Akhtar and many other ex-cricketers come across as entitled and bitter until they get a high ranking position in PCB to shut them up. I have never heard anything constructive from a lot of our ex cricketers and it is really a shame.

Gayle Force

You are an ardent follower of the Misbah brand. I know who supports what methodology here. Clearly Shoaib, Aqib, Inzimam and others are saying things these days that don’t suit the agenda you support.

 

[Alter_Ego]

Akhtar and many other ex-cricketers come across as entitled and bitter until they get a high ranking position in PCB to shut them up. I have never heard anything constructive from a lot of our ex cricketers and it is really a shame.

He's stating facts there infact he's speaking what majority of Pak fans think about the squad particularly Iftikhar and Khushdil.

 

[Rana]

I actually think this is a brilliant Test squad for the England series

It’s a shame that it has been announced a few months earlier and there could be injuries by the time the series begins

 

[PakEngFan]

Instead of calling it rubbish can anyone provide the tendulkars which we have missed out?

 

[Rohan]

Now, if Pak win T20 title and Chach becomes man of the series award winner, what will SA do??

 

[MenInG]

Now, if Pak win T20 title and Chach becomes man of the series award winner, what will SA do??

It's not just Akhtar but a few others who wait around for Pakistan to fail who will have some navel gazing to do.

 

[Gayle_Force]

Gayle Force

You are an ardent follower of the Misbah brand. I know who supports what methodology here. Clearly Shoaib, Aqib, Inzimam and others are saying things these days that don’t suit the agenda you support.

Lol I don’t have any agenda. If we had a Butler, Stokes or Dhoni waiting in our setup I would be the first one to call for a change. The fact that Chris Gayle is one of my favourite players should be an indication of that. What alternative is Shoaib, Aqib or Inzi suggesting? Nothing new other than go back to Sharjeel or Malik. What has Sharjeel done on the National T20 other than that fluke 100? Saw him getting out for 13 of 19 yesterday. How is that any better? Malik I would have maybe been ok with in the middle order but he is also an accumulator and doesn’t really provide any kind of explosive batting in the middle order.

 

[Savak]

Khusdil will destroy Starc in Australia. Mark my words.

 

[Rana]

Instead of calling it rubbish can anyone provide the tendulkars which we have missed out?

It’s T20, something the Misbah fans are yet to understand about the philosophy of this game

Tendulkar never played T20i for India and he knew rightly not to.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I actually think this is a brilliant Test squad for the England series

It’s a shame that it has been announced a few months earlier and there could be injuries by the time the series begins

) harsh but true.

 

[Rana]

Khusdil will destroy Starc in Australia. Mark my words.

Acha jee

Pehle Sam Curran ko Karachi main destroy Kar le

 

[shaz619]

This squad is for bants

I’m going to enjoy the next month or so for comedy purposes

So who do you want in the team?

I gather:

- Korma Biryani
- Grapes
- Big teeth
- Sania’s handbag
- Greedy Rattle Manj

These are sure to not only beat India but take pak to the finals then

 

[shaz619]

) harsh but true.

Call it a day Bawa Amjid if you think Shah should be in England Test squad

 

[PakEngFan]

It’s T20, something the Misbah fans are yet to understand about the philosophy of this game

Tendulkar never played T20i for India and he knew rightly not to.

Misbah is the worst thing to happen to Pakistan cricket and I have stated that many times. Try again. Answer the question.

 

[PakEngFan]

I actually think this is a brilliant Test squad for the England series

It’s a shame that it has been announced a few months earlier and there could be injuries by the time the series begins

Asif Ali and Khushdil will struggle to average more then 20 in test cricket.

 

[Bewal Express]

The guys chosen are no doubt rubbish but the guys left behind are even worse. If Shoaib Malik and Sharjeel are other options then we are in a bad way. These pundits make a living feeding off bad news, and no doubt they will make money after the T20 WC. But we have been punching above weight in the recent past because of Babar and with the dip in his form, we are going to be where we should be.

 

[PakEngFan]

The guys chosen are no doubt rubbish but the guys left behind are even worse. If Shoaib Malik and Sharjeel are other options then we are in a bad way. These pundits make a living feeding off bad news, and no doubt they will make money after the T20 WC. But we have been punching above weight in the recent past because of Babar and with the dip in his form, we are going to be where we should be.

Agreed. Seems like we want the whole squad to be replaced but no one has got any names. The middle order is bad but the options are even worse.

 

[Rana]

Call it a day Bawa Amjid if you think Shah should be in England Test squad

The way Khushdil Shah bats in T20 suggests he has the correct temperament for Test cricket

 

[Rohan]

So who do you want in the team?

I gather:

- Korma Biryani
- Grapes
- Big teeth
- Sania’s handbag
- Greedy Rattle Manj

These are sure to not only beat India but take pak to the finals then

I could recognize Umar Akmal, Jijaji, who are others???

 

[Rana]

So who do you want in the team?

I gather:

- Korma Biryani
- Grapes
- Big teeth
- Sania’s handbag
- Greedy Rattle Manj

These are sure to not only beat India but take pak to the finals then

Na mate, instead I’ll enjoy:

-“This too shall pass” Oxford Don
-Andy flower’s translator
-Pakistan’s best all-rounder
-Righteous fighter
-Misbah Reloaded

Great top 5

 

[JibranAnsari]

so what happens if fakhar zaman gets out in the first over? then we will again have babar and rizwan.
The problem is not with the lineup but with the mindset , you cant send in a t20 and tell him not to get out for the next 15 overs. Change your strategy instead of the players , the same players can play well if given the instruction of scoring at a high rate instead of keeping the wickets.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

cant disagree with him

 

[ExpressPacer]

Could they not have announced the squad AFTER the series with England?

 

[Ashmal]

Usual crap from Akhtar....why don't these experts name who they'd have liked to see in the squad rather than just blindly criticising the team.

 

[Rana]

Could they not have announced the squad AFTER the series with England?

15th September deadline

Everything was going fine for the PCB until those 2 disastrous T20s against Sri Lanka

Ik dum waqt badl diye jazbaat badl diye

 

[Ashmal]

Could they not have announced the squad AFTER the series with England?

Technically, they can still change the squad till Oct 15.

 

[PakEngFan]

Usual crap from Akhtar....why don't these experts name who they'd have liked to see in the squad rather than just blindly criticising the team.

Because they don’t care about our cricket only views which they get. I have been asking the same question no one seems to have any alternatives.

 

[Kianig89]

Squad is rubbish specially the middle order is brittle and not aligned with t20 format and the worrying thing is that there ain't any alternative to it

 

[Rana]

Squad is rubbish specially the middle order is brittle and not aligned with t20 format and the worrying thing is that there ain't any alternative to it

-Sharjeel Khan
-Saud Shaqeel
-Saim Ayub
-Sarfaraz Ahmed
-Tayyab Tahir
-Qasim Akram
-Faheem Ashraf
-Ali Imran
-Harris Sohail
-Asif Mahmood
-Shoaib Malik
-Imad Wasim

 

[shaz619]

I could recognize Umar Akmal, Jijaji, who are others???

Korma Biryani = Sarfraz

Big Teeth = Kamran Akmal

Greedy Rattle Manj = Sharjeel Khan

 

[shaz619]

The way Khushdil Shah bats in T20 suggests he has the correct temperament for Test cricket

Ya”ll need to be drug tested then for coming to such a conclusion

 

[shaz619]

-Sharjeel Khan: Plus sized Phat Phucking Model Choor
-Saud Shaqeel: Misbah ul Haq
-Saim Ayub: Random Overhyped Jobber #1
-Sarfaraz Ahmed: Karachi Microwave Biryani
-Tayyab Tahir: Random Overhyped Jobber #2
-Qasim Akram: Random Overhyped Jobber #3
-Faheem Ashraf: Kapil Dev
-Ali Imran: Random Overhyped Jobber #4
-Harris Sohail: Mr Glass
-Asif Mahmood: Random Overhyped Jobber #5
-Shoaib Malik: Sanya’s Lota
-Imad Wasim: Honorary British Mirpuri

There you go

 

[zarak]

Hahaha he is deluded. I applaud selectors for being consistent. If you have invested in these players, give them a chance. There is no one on the outside that deserves to be in the team. Rather have this team than have the likes of: Sharjeel and Malik.

 

[Rana]

There you go

Funny how you don’t mind Rizwan and Iftikhar to be Misbah’s padwans but you have to point out Saud for his slow approach

Saud bats at 3 and is more fluent at that position as compared to Fakhar

 

[shaz619]

Funny how you don’t mind Rizwan and Iftikhar to be Misbah’s padwans but you have to point out Saud for his slow approach

Saud bats at 3 and is more fluent at that position as compared to Fakhar

He is a good selection in your Test squad

So you want replace one snail with another because of likes/dislikes then, typical jobber behaviour

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

-Sharjeel Khan
-Saud Shaqeel
-Saim Ayub
-Sarfaraz Ahmed
-Tayyab Tahir
-Qasim Akram
-Faheem Ashraf
-Ali Imran
-Harris Sohail
-Asif Mahmood
-Shoaib Malik
-Imad Wasim

Brother, I appreciate your passion for Pakistan playing more aggressively but the above aren’t solutions.

My view points on the above names:

Sharjeel - In 10 innings in the National t20 he scored 264 runs at a 137 s/r. This included a fortuitous 107. Thus, in 9 innings he scored 157 runs. Not exactly banging the door down.

Further, in this years PSL, playing international bowlers, he scored 230 runs in 10 innings at a s/r of 126. That’s not much better than Babar or Rizzy’s s/r. Case in point, it’s not 2016 Sharjeel, and he sure isn’t playing like that guy.

Saud - Has played one good knock in the National T20. Deserves a go in the Teat team, but T20 just isn’t his format. He, similar to Babar, will have s/r issues. We’ve seen from his ODI innings that he struggles to go from ball 1

Saim - He absolutely will play for Pakistan, but needs to be brought on properly. You bring him in too early and he’ll get the Haider Ali treatment. For his own temperament and back foot development, he needs to play, play, play in the domestics

Sarfaraz - A leader, but he isn’t a better keeper than Rizzy. He’s a better bet in the middle order than Ifti, but can he field?

Tayyab Tahir- top scorer in the National T20, but struggles against pace

Qasim - Please see Saim’s explanation above. We can’t think short term and butcher these lads development. I’d rather they spend two seasons in domestic, and come in fully formed, rather than come half baked into the squad because of media pressure.

Fahim - Hasn’t played any recent cricket because of a hand injury in the National T20. Would have been an interesting shout, however his batting means he has to play at 5 and his bowling on Aussie wickets is not as threatening

Ali IMRAN - An interesting shout, but too late for the WC

Haris Sohail - He doesn’t have the mobility in the field anymore nor can he take quick singles. Given how dropped catches cost us in both the WC and the Asian t20 this doesn’t help.

Asif Mahmoud- Has had a total of one good domestic game in recent memory

Shoaib Malik- At 5, perhaps, but we need to move on at some point. Case in point Hafeez, who just retired suddenly, and we had no obvious succession plan, hence the current middle order issues. Giving Malik a middle order spot is doing the same thing

Imad Wasim - A reliable bowler in the power play. If Imad could demonstrate bowling 4 economical wicket taking overs outside the power play, he would be in the squad. Has he done so in the CPL? (I don’t actually know). His batting is decent but not good enough for him to play as a specialist batsmen.


Just my two cents

 

[Bewal Express]

Usual crap from Akhtar....why don't these experts name who they'd have liked to see in the squad rather than just blindly criticising the team.

Because they don't have any players to replace these guys. We don't have any good players or average to replace these terrible players.

 

[Bewal Express]

-Sharjeel Khan
-Saud Shaqeel
-Saim Ayub
-Sarfaraz Ahmed
-Tayyab Tahir
-Qasim Akram
-Faheem Ashraf
-Ali Imran
-Harris Sohail
-Asif Mahmood
-Shoaib Malik
-Imad Wasim

So all the talk and you come up with these guys.

 

[Rana]

So all the talk and you come up with these guys.

If the entire pakistan batting order (up to 7) gets wiped out due to injury and you have to pick 7 from this list…

We will still manage,

120 against Sri Lanka
147 against Sri Lanka
130-9 against Afghanistan
130-9 against India

 

[Mp812]

If there are no viable replacements to current squad members whatever happened to ' taailunt bahut hai in the country'

 

[zoeyfactor]

So everyone is criticizing the selections and I am not disagreeing with them but if you have to send experienced T20 INTERNATIONAL players to a WC in Australia, who would be right replacements for Iftikhar, Asif and Khushdil? Maybe Malik should have been in the squad but I don't think there were many other options.

 

[Bewal Express]

If the entire pakistan batting order (up to 7) gets wiped out due to injury and you have to pick 7 from this list…

We will still manage,

120 against Sri Lanka
147 against Sri Lanka
130-9 against Afghanistan
130-9 against India

So they aren't any better but just different.

 

[Rana]

So they aren't any better but just different.

So what’s your issue if the people sitting out are as good if not better? How do you know they are not better?

 

[UP]

This is the best available squad. They could have dropped two or three players but what’s their replacement?

People sitting outside have identical tulla skills.

 

[Bewal Express]

So what’s your issue if the people sitting out are as good if not better? How do you know they are not better?

They aren't. We have seen these guys play. Your posts seem more about getting attention than any constructive suggestions. They remind me of an Ind fan on here

 

[Bewal Express]

This is the best available squad. They could have dropped two or three players but what’s their replacement?

People sitting outside have identical tulla skills.

Pretty much what I think. The middle order is weak but the guys suggested as replacements are even worse.

 

[Rana]

They aren't. We have seen these guys play. Your posts seem more about getting attention than any constructive suggestions. They remind me of an Ind fan on here

Who are you to say they aren’t? Babar Azam???

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Who are you to say they aren’t? Babar Azam???

Their recent performances (please see my longer post suggest that they aren’t or it’s too early for them). It’s not just about the short term, it’s about the long term and their performances at an easier level don’t merit a stronger case than the incumbents. If it did, they’d have been in the squad.

 

[Rana]

Their recent performances (please see my longer post suggest that they aren’t or it’s too early for them). It’s not just about the short term, it’s about the long term and their performances at an easier level don’t merit a stronger case than the incumbents. If it did, they’d have been in the squad.

Most of them are the leading performers in the Domestic T20 cup. So what’s wrong with their performances?

 

[cricketAXEpert]

This squad is for bants

I’m going to enjoy the next month or so for comedy purposes

What would be your selection?

I think only one out of the middle order trio (Ifti, Asif & Khushdil) should play not all three. Big tournament is no time for experimentation, take someone who can provide some stability in the middle order. Shoaib in place of Khushdil (you are replacing an unproven and out of form player with an experienced player who has been in great form)

Imad can be a cover for one of the 2 spinners (Nawaz and Shahdab)if they get injured or loose form. Plus Imad can also play as a batsman who can bowl.

But still would like to know who you would have in the side?

 

[Savak]

The players aren't the problem, it's the strategy and approach, no matter how so called crap the middle order is, the top 4 playing for themselves and taking the required run rate to 15 in conditions where it is not easy to hit out from ball one against quality bowlers and long boundaries is unacceptable.

Pakistan is under utilizing its hitters, they need to be made to play the maximum number of overs even if they fail in a few games but now that you have selected these players, back them and get the most out of them. Attack upfront

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Most of them are the leading performers in the Domestic T20 cup. So what’s wrong with their performances?

If you read my longer post above I explain qualitatively why their performances haven’t been great. Saim stands out and Qasim has done well recently, but they need to be properly developed rather than destroying their development like we did with Haider Ali.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

The players aren't the problem, it's the strategy and approach, no matter how so called crap the middle order is, the top 4 playing for themselves and taking the required run rate to 15 in conditions where it is not easy to hit out from ball one against quality bowlers and long boundaries is unacceptable.

Pakistan is under utilizing its hitters, they need to be made to play the maximum number of overs even if they fail in a few games but now that you have selected these players, back them and get the most out of them. Attack upfront

Exactly this. I actually think Babar can go harder. Rizzy needs to work with his offside length ball strokes but he can improve as well. But but but, they have to bat w/ positivity rather than desperation. Because that’s when you lose your shape and play premeditated nonsense.

 

[shariqnoor]

Shoaib used to sit with Wasim on PTV sports and used to agree with Wasim on selections when they used to talk. Shoaib is trying too hard to get a job in the PCB. Has been trying for quite a while now. 10 years ago, he would've been easily granted a job based on relentless criticism. Now it's not so easy.

 

[Kroll]

This squad is for bants

I’m going to enjoy the next month or so for comedy purposes

Some people on here maintaining its a cracking squad, I kid you not.

 

[Gayle_Force]

Some people on here maintaining its a cracking squad, I kid you not.

Please tell me what will be your cracking squad?

I personally am not saying this is a cracking squad but this is more or less the best available squad (maybe a couple of players can be questioned) from the available poo of players.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar 100 MPH]

This needs to be a Horses for courses selection for the world Cup. Batsmen than can cut , pull , hook, ramp, reverse sweep, Time the Ball etc
Shan Masood Cut, pull, Timer of the Ball, knows his Game
Sharjeel Cut, pull, Timer of the Ball, 6 hitting ability
Rizwan knows his Game
Babar knows his Game
Fakhar Cut, pull, Timer of the Ball, 6 hitting ability
Hussain Talat Timer of the Ball , reverse sweep, extra bowling option Etc
Haider Ali Timer of the Ball, 6 hitting ability
Nawaz 6 hitting ability, Timer of the Ball. Wicket Taker
Shadab 6 hitting ability, Sweeps. Wicket Taker Either order
Shaheen 6 hitting ability. Wicket Taker
Naseem 6 hitting ability Wicket Taker
Rauf Can hit a long ball. Wicket Taker
Dahani Wicket Taker
Hasnain Wicket taker
Abrar Ahmed Mystery Spinner
Muhammad Harris , Back up Keeper, explosive, Inventive, Future prospect
One off Asif Ali, Khushdil or ifti. don't feel malik suits Aus conditions.

Strategy and aim should be to score 70 - 80 in first 6 overs of powerplay every game.
Followed by at least 2 overs of 15-20 runs in an over targeting the weak link of that particular attack.

This is where a pro coach can implement a positive change in attitude and mindset towards batting.

Nothing against Saqi. A great bowler and a legend but he s not a No 1 when it comes to coaching, more of a spin bowling mentor / consultant.

Just my opinion.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I don't have a lot of interest left in cricket anymore but I work from home so I have the opportunity to do my work with cricket as a background and I've been managing to keep up with the National T20 tournament that's happening in Pakistan.

Apart from maybe one or two selections, this is the best squad that Pakistan could have compiled.

Sharjeel is overweight & unfit and also is dropped early on in his innings in every match. The century he made, he was dropped thrice and in the next innings, he was dropped on zero on the first ball that he faced and he still failed.

Last I checked, Muhammad Amir was still retired and if Shaheen makes it to the team, Amir's not necessarily even needed as well.

Imad Wasim has a genuine case and the selector should stop comparing him to Nawaz. Both of them can play in the team at the same time along with Shadab and with overrate being such a key concern now, his importance has increased manifold. Khushdil doesn't bowl in international cricket so he's redundant and Pakistan could go with Imad at that place.

Iftikhar did well in his last tour to Australia unlike the media champion Malik who's an abysmal cricketer of pace and bounce. Haider should be backed at 4 anyway as he has the potential to play modern white ball cricket. Fakhar is injured plus I think he needs a break from cricket for a little while; the drop catch & misfield at the end of the India match showed that he's mentally drained and needs a little break from cricket.

I've also seen most of the players who are mentioned as replacements and even though I do like some of the names mentioned above (Tayyab & Qasim), both of them have to first make it big for their PSL sides.

Reaching the semi-final will be a massive achievement for this team anyway because India are favorites to win the tournament and if South Africa doesn't choke, they have a quality team.

Pakistani ex-cricketers are just toxic and play a great role in ensuring that we do not move forward as a cricketing nation. This guy used to sit next to Muhammad Waseem and act all friendly and whatnot and now that he didn't get the job that he was after, he's stabbing him left, right, & center.

I don't like Rizwan as an opener but there's no keeper-batter combination at the moment who is good enough to make it. Sarfraz can play but he should himself realize that PSL is where his future is at and that's where he should focus on now. Unless he becomes a finisher overnight and starts playing fearless cricket like he used to, it's also game over for him.

This would be an ok team from my perspective

Rizwan - Babar
Shan - Haider - Shadab
Ifti - Nawaz - Asif
Shaheen - Rauf - Naseem

I would have really liked to put Imad in place of Asif but we don't have him.

 

[Kianig89]

Middle order Would have been strengthen by incl of Sarfraz but that might have an effect on dressing room, as for Shoaib Malik we all know his exemplary skills against the likes of Cummmins Starc etc infact it was Malik who ate up the over of Cummins in that t20Sf last year and eventually we lost better to play with 10 men instead of having Malik

 

[Bewal Express]

Who are you to say they aren’t? Babar Azam???

Babar is a 100* better than any player you have put on the list. Stop this nonsense.

 

[Bewal Express]

Some people on here maintaining its a cracking squad, I kid you not.

I am not but its better than what's been suggested as replacements. We have to accept that our quality is poor and most of the games will be decided by how well Babar and Riz bat. If they struggle, we lose. Not a single batsman suggested is better than the poor level we already have.

 

[Rana]

Babar is a 100* better than any player you have put on the list. Stop this nonsense.

I asked you, are you Babar Azam to say that these guys are not good enough?

 

[Bewal Express]

I asked you, are you Babar Azam to say that these guys are not good enough?

I think you missed the fact that PK selectors are saying it. And any respected contributor on the forum is saying the same. We know the guys in the team are poor but these guys are even poorer.

 

[srh]

I am surprised that Pakistan has 2 T20 tailor-made openers in Sharjeel and Fakhar and yet they play Rizwan and Babar as T20 openers, whose stronger suit is not T20. Lol. But this is a problem with Pakistan team all along. Their collective intelligence leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Markhor]

I think we're getting too bogged down in throwing names around. As [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] rightly said, if the overall strategy is flawed it doesn't matter who you select.

Our template of consolidating for 10-15 overs with two samey anchors and asking miracles from a demoralised and flawed middle order will simply not work against any half-decent team.

I'm no fan of Khushdil and Asif but the grief they're getting for the Asia Cup final defeat is ridiculous. Even the best powerhitters in world cricket would've struggled after Rizwan and Ifti allowed the RRR to soar to 14-15.

Although I disagree with some of the names in the squad - you could still muster together a decent XI PROVIDED we've the right template.

For those saying we don't have the personnel to play more positively - with all due respect what superstar batsmen did SL have ? They were ranked 8th in T20s going into Asia Cup with us 2nd but they had the mindset of champions, counterattacking even at 58-5, and they got rewarded.

 

[Bewal Express]

I think we're getting too bogged down in throwing names around. As [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] rightly said, if the overall strategy is flawed it doesn't matter who you select.

Our template of consolidating for 10-15 overs with two samey anchors and asking miracles from a demoralised and flawed middle order will simply not work against any half-decent team.

I'm no fan of Khushdil and Asif but the grief they're getting for the Asia Cup final defeat is ridiculous. Even the best powerhitters in world cricket would've struggled after Rizwan and Ifti allowed the RRR to soar to 14-15.

Although I disagree with some of the names in the squad - you could still muster together a decent XI PROVIDED we've the right template.

For those saying we don't have the personnel to play more positively - with all due respect what superstar batsmen did SL have ? They were ranked 8th in T20s going into Asia Cup with us 2nd but they had the mindset of champions, counterattacking even at 58-5, and they got rewarded.

SL have lots of talented batsman, we don't. We played 2 proper batsman and from them 2, Babar was out of form. I would like to see both Babar and Riz use their feet against the pacers like Rohit or Buttler do. This would increase their scoring areas and bowlers can't just hit a hard length on off stump

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

I think we're getting too bogged down in throwing names around. As [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] rightly said, if the overall strategy is flawed it doesn't matter who you select.

Our template of consolidating for 10-15 overs with two samey anchors and asking miracles from a demoralised and flawed middle order will simply not work against any half-decent team.

I'm no fan of Khushdil and Asif but the grief they're getting for the Asia Cup final defeat is ridiculous. Even the best powerhitters in world cricket would've struggled after Rizwan and Ifti allowed the RRR to soar to 14-15.

Although I disagree with some of the names in the squad - you could still muster together a decent XI PROVIDED we've the right template.

For those saying we don't have the personnel to play more positively - with all due respect what superstar batsmen did SL have ? They were ranked 8th in T20s going into Asia Cup with us 2nd but they had the mindset of champions, counterattacking even at 58-5, and they got rewarded.

I agree on the approach, but I’d be stunned if we change the strategy this close to the WC. However, depending on how we do in Australia, will determine if we continue with this in the long term.

Pakistan famously are reluctant in changing their approach. The Imad PP tactic was on that went on and on, when there were more attacking alternatives available.

I’m just surprised that Saqi has not been more daring w/ his approach. The man was in the dressing room when England lifted the 2019 WC so I thought some of that Trevor Baylis approach would have rubbed off. But Saqi clearly is a pragmatist.

The Rizwan opening tactic is a remanent of the Misbah era, and Babar can’t bat anywhere else because of his boundary heavy batting style. Thus this is where we find ourselves.

The middle order is thusly undercooked. It’s not just that Ifti and Khushdil haven’t performed, it’s that they’ve had scant time in the middle against good opposition.

Rather hilariously, we have had the same issue that the Indian ODI team were having, in that the Sharma, Rahul, Kohli top 3 meant that others just didn’t get enough time in the middle.

 

[Savak]

Shoaib used to sit with Wasim on PTV sports and used to agree with Wasim on selections when they used to talk. Shoaib is trying too hard to get a job in the PCB. Has been trying for quite a while now. 10 years ago, he would've been easily granted a job based on relentless criticism. Now it's not so easy.

Shoaib makes a lot of money outside the PCB. He doesn't need a job working for the PCB.

 

[Savak]

I think we're getting too bogged down in throwing names around. As [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] rightly said, if the overall strategy is flawed it doesn't matter who you select.

Our template of consolidating for 10-15 overs with two samey anchors and asking miracles from a demoralised and flawed middle order will simply not work against any half-decent team.

I'm no fan of Khushdil and Asif but the grief they're getting for the Asia Cup final defeat is ridiculous. Even the best powerhitters in world cricket would've struggled after Rizwan and Ifti allowed the RRR to soar to 14-15.

Although I disagree with some of the names in the squad - you could still muster together a decent XI PROVIDED we've the right template.

For those saying we don't have the personnel to play more positively - with all due respect what superstar batsmen did SL have ? They were ranked 8th in T20s going into Asia Cup with us 2nd but they had the mindset of champions, counterattacking even at 58-5, and they got rewarded.

The problem is that we have around 4-5 players in the team who are strictly playing for their spots at the expense of the team. No team will be successful in this scenario

 

[PakLFC]

I agree. When the likes of Khushdil and Iftekhar struggled on UAE wickets they'll do much worse on the bouncy wickets of Australia. That said I can't think of any quality replacements either.

 

[moghul]

Probably first time in a long time I agree with Shoaib , this squad is really bad, its mind boggling how all three of the repeatedly failed batsmen ( Khushdil, Chacha and Asif ) made it to the world cup squad .

 

[daytrader]

Always the doom and gloom with Akhtar. The squad is pretty much the same as Asia cup and the World T20 before that

 

[moghul]

Always the doom and gloom with Akhtar. The squad is pretty much the same as Asia cup and the World T20 before that

And what was the performance of Kushdil, Iftikhar and Asif in Asia cup ??

 

[daytrader]

And what was the performance of Kushdil, Iftikhar and Asif in Asia cup ??

Non-existent pretty much hence why we couldn't go all the way. Iftikhar had a couple of pedestrian innings and hit the winning runs against India. I think the middle order is imbalanced and we need only 2 out of 3. Khushdil imo should be dropped. We should look to use these two as pinch hitters rather than sending them in according to a script

 

[kingusama92]

Not much quality outside the squad.

The likes of Sharjeel/Malik only look good because they're not in the squad.

I think the solution is within the squad and would swap one of Khushdil/Ifthikar with Haider Ali as a starting point.

In general, the batting improvements have to come from within too. This includes the openers adjusting their approach rather than looking elsewhere. They are good enough to increase their SR and need to be pushed to change their mindset.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Not much quality outside the squad.

The likes of Sharjeel/Malik only look good because they're not in the squad.

I think the solution is within the squad and would swap one of Khushdil/Ifthikar with Haider Ali as a starting point.

In general, the batting improvements have to come from within too. This includes the openers adjusting their approach rather than looking elsewhere. They are good enough to increase their SR and need to be pushed to change their mindset.

No need Sharjeel and Malik

Well these 3 gully cricketers with avg in 15 and 20 are playing ahead of deserving players
Haider Ali scored fantastic fifty against WI , Babar looks like feared of his place choosing cricketers who are not good enough...

Shan Masood and Kamran Ghulam has performed so well in the last 12 months , has not worn the green or white/green shirt yet for their performances,

but Asif Ali and khusdil shah in the last three years did nothing to play 20 T20I games...

Asif Ali avg 11 in last 20 games and if we remove Afghanistan that avg goes down to 9.9
Khushdil avg is 20 ,and if we remove AFG, BAN and ZIM his avg goes down to 12.4 in 11 games

Clearly shows that these two are mugs with the bat in international arena against quality teams or teams that rank higher than Pak

Following players in domestics are doing well

Saim Ayub
Agha Salman
Tayyab Tahir
Kamran Ghulam
Bangalzai