We have an excellent core group of players ahead of the 2019 World Cup

[Pak number 1]

Although the last few years have not been the best for our ODI side, I feel we have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of years. Our core is looking very strong and consists of the likes of Fakhar, Babar, Sarfraz, Shadab, Amir and Hassan.

If we can find 5 other fairly solid players such as Junaid, Imad/Fahim, Haris, Sharjeel if available or any other new talent that emerges I feel we have a team capable of competing with the very best.

If everything goes well and all the above players remain fit, and develop as they should, we should be one of the major contenders in 2019.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

And an amazing captain

 

[Syed1]

Pakistan is going to play the semifinal of 2019 WC. From then on it is form, fitness, fire and Allah tawaqul.


#You heard it here first

 

[ManFan]

I think we will make it to the Finals. Got a distinct feeling it will be against Australia as well. Exactly 20 years after the 99 Final. But this time, our bowlers will beat them IA.

 

[Khwaja]

Add Azhar to the list

 

[PakLFC]

We do indeed. Must also keep an eye on what other teams are doing and how they are developing.

 

[heddie19]

Add Azhar to the list

Yes add that mind giant who ll give his life for the sake of Pakistan.
Azhar Ali, you have earned all the respect and you deserve it

 

[Khwaja]

Yes add that mind giant who ll give his life for the sake of Pakistan.
Azhar Ali, you have earned all the respect and you deserve it

He's a true champion

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Yes add that mind giant who ll give his life for the sake of Pakistan.
Azhar Ali, you have earned all the respect and you deserve it

Azhar is probably the most mentally tough batsman I've ever seen come out of Pakistan. Him and Sarfraz make an extremely valuable set of seniors for the young players coming in, as both of them, just don't give up at their respective roles in the team.

A true role model for the upcoming players

 

[The_Odd_One]

Yes, the future looks bright. The cupboard is not empty and Pakistan is not going to be Afghanistan and Kenya level.

 

[Sarwar89]

For 2019 World Cup, First of all Sharjeel Khan needs to join the team as an opener along with Fakhar Zaman. Azhar Ali can replace Shoaib Malik. I think Junaid Khan has lost his pace and venom, in 2 years time, he will not be a force to reckon. We need to find a perfect replacement for him. Shadab needs to improve his batting and same goes to Imad Wasim. 2019 world cup will be based on same format as was 1992 world cup. This format suits Pakistan. Lets assume that West indies and Afghanistan both qualify for the world cup. All Team Pakistan has to do is to beat Sri lanka, Bangladesh, West indies and Afghsnistan. That will give them 8 points. Plus 2 further wins needed from either India, Nzl, Aus, Eng and South Africa. With 2 wins (4 points) 4+8= 12 points Pakistan will qualify for the Semi Finals.

 

[Fantasy]

I agree.

Around 7 to 8 players in Babar,Fakhar,Sarfaraz,Shoaib,Amir,Hasan,Shadab are fixed for quite a few years now.Some of the things which need to be improved are as:

1)Find some lower order batsman who are capable enough of clearing the ropes consistently against fast bowlers by playing proper cricketing shots.

In this regard,at this point in time,I only see one guy in Pakistan domestics and that is Saif Badar.He is a guy who can be a perfect fit for a No.5/6 role for Pakistan.His secondary skills are also very good.Good fielder and a decent leg spinner.Even tough he is mentally not there but I am really looking forward to see him play in PSL.He has to cash in big time if he gets a chance,which I believe he will.

2)Need to find two other openers to partner Fakhar.To me Shehzad and Azhar aren't the answers.As much as I admire Azhar he isn't the player you crave for in modern setup.Also,when you look at the WC which is 2 more years away and cricket will change that much more.Maybe Farhan is the guy and maybe Sharjeel if he isn't a fixer.

3)Need to build a strong group of fast bowlers.We have Amir,Hasan,Rumman,Junaid.But need to add more 2 fast bowlers and use them on rotation process.So that they get enough game time before WC 19.Also,anyone can get out of form or injured during this phase,so need to have a backup plan.

4)One of the fast bowling allrounders need to play consistently in the team.Amir Yamin,Talat and Faheem are the options and they always need to be around the team.Personally I will take Talat and Faheem in the lower order of the batting.

5)Along with Shadab we need to find a spinner who is a proper batsman first up and can bowl at least 7-8 overs.In this regard I don't think Imad is an option.He is a curious case study.He isn't a brilliant batsman nor a brilliant bowler.

6)Need to have a backup WK for Sarfaraz.He the extra responsibility of captaincy and him playing all formats there is always a threat looming of an injury,I don't like Rizwan because his batting isn't quite up to the mark.I will take Umair Masood and work on him to be the predecessor of Sarfaraz.

 

[Billy1999]

Yes probably would want Malik just to have his final hurrah

My 11
1:Fakhar
2:Azhar
3:Babar
4:Sarfraz
5:Malik
6:Umar Amin
7:Amir Yameen
8:Shadab Khan
9:Amir
10:Hassan
11:Junaid/I'm sure we'll see another upcoming fast bowler

 

[Billy1999]

Everyone including myself were condemning The Azhar decision before CT2017

Now look
We haven't given him respect he has earned it

Hope the very Best

1:Become paks leading Test scorer
2:Win a World Cup

These two achievements is what Azhar deserves
Humble and a person I know respect and admire as a role model

 

[ItsArslan]

I think PSL3 can give us some good players. Like Umar Amin, Saif Badar, Hussain Talat, Hasan Mohsin. These are attacking players and can fill that 6/7 batting position and finisher job. Finishing the innings on high is always required to pose serious threat on opposition. And as these players can also bowl a bit so can be helpful after Hafeez Malik exit in WC19.

 

[Saj]

The vast majority of the Champions Trophy winning squad should be around for the World Cup and perhaps Sharjeel Khan could be back.

The likes of Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman with 2 more years experience is a mouthwatering prospect.

 

[Slog]

Sharjeel needs to open with Fakhar and Haris battling for a middle order spot

One thing I like about Azhar is that he's very hard to dislodge so for a side which has a perennial tendency to collapse that quality Azhar has is golden

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

much of this will be negated if we still keep malik, professor and even Azhar

 

[Syed1]

Azhar is a hard worker and gives his all for the team, but unfortunately he just doesn't have what it takes to consistently play at a modern day SR. He can be a very good squad option, but I won't have him in my playing eleven unless we are playing against ENG/NZ/AUS on a green top, the kinds of which are very rare in ODIs these days.

 

[Im Suds]

The vast majority of the Champions Trophy winning squad should be around for the World Cup and perhaps Sharjeel Khan could be back.

The likes of Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman with 2 more years experience is a mouthwatering prospect.

I agree.
Hafeez and Malik have been good servants but they now need to step down and we bring and we give their replacements time to establish themselves.
Haris Sohail and Umar Akmal come to mind but other younger players should also be considered

 

[Abdullah]

Azhar is a hard worker and gives his all for the team, but unfortunately he just doesn't have what it takes to consistently play at a modern day SR. He can be a very good squad option, but I won't have him in my playing eleven unless we are playing against ENG/NZ/AUS on a green top, the kinds of which are very rare in ODIs these days.

British his innings was key against India and he was going a lot quicker than Fakhar at the start

 

[Abdullah]

*Bro

 

[coy0607]

Sharjeel needs to open with Fakhar and Haris battling for a middle order spot

One thing I like about Azhar is that he's very hard to dislodge so for a side which has a perennial tendency to collapse that quality Azhar has is golden

In test cricket- yes

In ODI cricket- no
Azhar routinely goes for a wild slog in ODIs after he gets bogged down, and usually end up losing his wicket