Waqar Younis's ODI team combination

[Slog]

This is what he seems to be looking for

1. Stabilising opener (Azhar Ali)
2. Aggressive opener (Jamshed, Shehzad, Hafeez, Babar Azam etc)

3. Attacking batsman & 4. Solid anchor batsman who can accumulate.
(3&4 can alternate. Potential batsmen are Malik, Hafeez, Harris, Babar Azam, Shafiq)

5. Stroke player (Sarfaraz)
6. Aggressive batsman (Rizwan)

7. Genuine All rounder (Imad, Bilal Asif)
8. Bowling Allrounder (Anwar Ali, Yamin, Hammad Azam, Bhatti, Tanvir)

9. Spinner (Yasir)

10 & 11. Pacers (Wahab, Irfan, Rahat, Adil,Sohail)

Do you guys agree with this team combination or do you think in long term team make up will be different? Also any other potential players other than the ones listed for these roles?

If someone from 1 to 6, can roll their arms and give good 5 or so overs then it would be golden for us

 

[ChachaCricket]

I like this combination. With so much batting depth, it is necessary to have attacking openers(at least one). We haven't been able to make full use of our depth because of Shehzad and to an extent Azhar. They either take up too many balls and get out or don't score fast enough which doesn't allow the middle and lower order to play freely. 10 overs 70-2 starts are better than 10 overs 40-0 starts for this team.

After the first 10 overs, loss of couple wickets isn't a big deal if runs are scored at a fast pace. It stops swinging and the ball isn't old enough to turn, on top with the 4 fielder rule there are plenty of gaps to exploit. Batting couldn't be easier from 10-40 overs for the middle order. Fast starts will allow such a stacked middle order to play freely and more often than not, we'll be at 230-40 by the 40th over. With Imad, Anwar/Yamin, Yasir, Wahab as our lower order/tail, scores of 300 should be easily achievable.

Fast starts are absolutely crucial.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Its a good combo. But selecting the wrong players constantly.

 

[Slog]

I like this combination. With so much batting depth, it is necessary to have attacking openers(at least one). We haven't been able to make full use of our depth because of Shehzad and to an extent Azhar. They either take up too many balls and get out or don't score fast enough which doesn't allow the middle and lower order to play freely. 10 overs 70-2 starts are better than 10 overs 40-0 starts for this team.

After the first 10 overs, loss of couple wickets isn't a big deal if runs are scored at a fast pace. It stops swinging and the ball isn't old enough to turn, on top with the 4 fielder rule there are plenty of gaps to exploit. Batting couldn't be easier from 10-40 overs for the middle order. Fast starts will allow such a stacked middle order to play freely and more often than not, we'll be at 230-40 by the 40th over. With Imad, Anwar/Yamin, Yasir, Wahab as our lower order/tail, scores of 300 should be easily achievable.

Fast starts are absolutely crucial.

Agreed.

But the problem with having such an attacking batting line up (for us atleast) is that there are more chances of collapses. Let's be honest these are not ATG level batsmen by any means and when the top bowling attacks come they may fold often. Also it's not like even before we did not see regular collapses and then have Misbah get us to some sort of respectable total and in the end lower the margin of defeat.

So this is why it is crucial that at no.4 or so we have a solid batsman who can stabilise the innings and is technically good enough to be able to hold onto his wicket and maintain atleast a 75-80 SR. This is why Waqar keeps coming back to Shafiq in the hope that he can replicate his test form and domestic list A form. He did a similar job brilliantly in 2011 WC too. But unfortunately he's failed enough times since then that we should close the book on him for a while atleast.

Is Harris Sohail proficient enough to do a role like this. Actually Malik did this brilliantly last match but honestly I don't think this is something he can do on a consistent basis for us to rely on him

 

[ChachaCricket]

Agreed.

But the problem with having such an attacking batting line up (for us atleast) is that there are more chances of collapses. Let's be honest these are not ATG level batsmen by any means and when the top bowling attacks come they may fold often. Also it's not like even before we did not see regular collapses and then have Misbah get us to some sort of respectable total and in the end lower the margin of defeat.

So this is why it is crucial that at no.4 or so we have a solid batsman who can stabilise the innings and is technically good enough to be able to hold onto his wicket and maintain atleast a 75-80 SR. This is why Waqar keeps coming back to Shafiq in the hope that he can replicate his test form and domestic list A form. He did a similar job brilliantly in 2011 WC too. But unfortunately he's failed enough times since then that we should close the book on him for a while atleast.

Is Harris Sohail proficient enough to do a role like this. Actually Malik did this brilliantly last match but honestly I don't think this is something he can do on a consistent basis for us to rely on him

Collectively, we really shouldn't have a problem. The way we were able to recover from a collapse(self inflicted) showed tremendous depth, facing a minnow or not. Replace Shehzad, Hafeez with Babar, Haris and we have three of the most able top order players in Pakistan.

In 6 months, I'm hoping we can see this lineup:

Azhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Malik
Rizwan
Imad
Anwar/Yamin
Amir
Yasir
Wahab

Post Malik retirement, which is possible in his first encounter against quality teams to 2019 WC, we can open with Nauman and move Babar down to 3.

 

[Slog]

Collectively, we really shouldn't have a problem. The way we were able to recover from a collapse(self inflicted) showed tremendous depth, facing a minnow or not. Replace Shehzad, Hafeez with Babar, Haris and we have three of the most able top order players in Pakistan.

In 6 months, I'm hoping we can see this lineup:

Azhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfaraz
Malik
Rizwan
Imad
Anwar/Yamin
Amir
Yasir
Wahab

Post Malik retirement, which is possible in his first encounter against quality teams to 2019 WC, we can open with Nauman and move Babar down to 3.

Team seems perfect.

I would swap Malik with Sarfaraz.

And still not fully sold on Yasir so will be open to trying other spinners

 

[ChachaCricket]

Team seems perfect.

I would swap Malik with Sarfaraz.

And still not fully sold on Yasir so will be open to trying other spinners

Yeah, Zafar, Asghar, Usama, Yasir will be fighting for one spot which is healthy competition.

Malik at 5 because I'm not convinced he can face the new ball. Sarfaraz though not ideal should be able to face a semi-new ball. If Malik does fail in his first encounter against top teams, we can replace him with top domestic performers or move Babar down and open with Nauman. Risky proposition but dude is extremely gifted. He has some problems on the front foot which can easily be resolved with Flower.

 

[Slog]

Seems like Mickey Arthur is following same strategy

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Seems like Mickey Arthur is following same strategy

The world is following that strategy. Just have to find the right players

 

[Slog]

The world is following that strategy. Just have to find the right players

Not true lol

 

[MenInG]

Seems like Mickey Arthur is following same strategy

He has to start from a base. First real ODI test for him.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Its a good combo. But selecting the wrong players constantly.

This is still the case.

Modern day combo, but selecting old fashioned batsmen.

 

[Slog]

This is still the case.

Modern day combo, but selecting old fashioned batsmen.

England doesn't have any 'stabilising players. Root you can call but he plays at a SR of 85-90 lol

It's funny he's considered one of the slower ones in England ODI side

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan need to make strategies according to there own strength and capabilities.

If you try and do something what you are not capable , it will never work.

 

[cricketInsight]

Seems like Mickey Arthur is following same strategy

Strategy is not bad on paper but do we have the talent to back it? probably not.

so we may have to tweak it based on our strengths - thats where Arthur can play a role.

 

[Slog]

Can mods merge my new thread with this one and change to some appropriate title