We haven't had a proper limited overs spinner since Saeed Ajmal in 2014!

[HappyWarsFan]

It's been 5 years of us without a proper, quality spinner in limited overs cricket. We have been use darters like Imad and Shadab. It's time we bring a new slow left arm or off spinner who can be a specialist spinner and not a bits and pieces all rounder.

From domestic cricket, Zafar Gohar and Sajid Khan look promising - they should be tried for tests and limited overs.

 

[Mamoon]

Imad needs to stay. He is usually very economical and is by far the best batsman among the so-called all rounders.

Shadab however needs to make way for a specialist spinner. His bowling is massively overrated and his batting is non-existent. Can’t keep him in the team forever because of his theatrics in the field.

 

[Hawkeye]

I'm hopeful that Misbah will unearth a spinner.

2 years, and we should have someone quality. The railu kattas need to go.

 

[jaisan]

Even ajmal is not a spinner.

 

[Savak]

Imad needs to stay. He is usually very economical and is by far the best batsman among the so-called all rounders.

Shadab however needs to make way for a specialist spinner. His bowling is massively overrated and his batting is non-existent. Can’t keep him in the team forever because of his theatrics in the field.

Imad cannot be opening the bowling in SENA conditions, you need to attack upfront with proper pacers with the new ball

 

[Pete Rose]

Basically since they banned chucking

 

[shortbread]

Even ATG spinners cannot restrict teams chasing 140s on a batting track nowadays.

Most T20s take place on batting wickets. Spinners come into play when batsmen need to score 8+ and over and a risk taking shot will be attempted every few balls.

Chasing 140s they just need to run well between wickets and wait for the bad balls. Spinners can be really ineffective unless the ball really turns. Also SENA batsmen are no sitting ducks against spin, playing franchise cricket globally they have good exposure against a variety of spin bowlers.

The Ajmal days, when an Australian team might see a spinner of his calibre once every few years are long gone. The bowling is not the problem and Imad-Shadab are a decent spin duo.

The problem is the batting line up cannot consistently make match-winning scores. If you ranked modern T20 batting lineups from scariest to the least, England/NZ/Aus would be right up there, it's like watching IT. The Pak batting line up will be languishing towards the bottom, Teletubies more like.

The only consistent performer is Babar.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Uae fortress era.

 

[Savak]

Even ATG spinners cannot restrict teams chasing 140s on a batting track nowadays.

Most T20s take place on batting wickets. Spinners come into play when batsmen need to score 8+ and over and a risk taking shot will be attempted every few balls.

Chasing 140s they just need to run well between wickets and wait for the bad balls. Spinners can be really ineffective unless the ball really turns. Also SENA batsmen are no sitting ducks against spin, playing franchise cricket globally they have good exposure against a variety of spin bowlers.

The Ajmal days, when an Australian team might see a spinner of his calibre once every few years are long gone. The bowling is not the problem and Imad-Shadab are a decent spin duo.

The problem is the batting line up cannot consistently make match-winning scores. If you ranked modern T20 batting lineups from scariest to the least, England/NZ/Aus would be right up there, it's like watching IT. The Pak batting line up will be languishing towards the bottom, Teletubies more like.

The only consistent performer is Babar.

You clearly havent been watching enough Pakistani Cricket of late. Our bowling has been the problem, they have conceeded far too many runs against Sri Lanka therefore putting scoreboard pressure on an already short of confidence Pakistani batting line up. Yes 150 runs today may not be a huge total against a gun Australian T-20 team but how about showing some fight like picking up 5-6 wickets and running the team close? Not a single spinner in our team looks capable of picking up wickets and the same goes for our pace attack as well.

 

[fluke]

what about Mohamad Mohsin ? if I am not mistaken he is the same guy who can hit big and a very good leggie

 

[Mueez]

Imad needs to stay. He is usually very economical and is by far the best batsman among the so-called all rounders.

Shadab however needs to make way for a specialist spinner. His bowling is massively overrated and his batting is non-existent. Can’t keep him in the team forever because of his theatrics in the field.

Shadab or Usman Qadir? Who would you choose?

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Shadab or Usman Qadir? Who would you choose?

Why does it have to be a leg spinner? We can go for an off spinner or slow left arm.

 

[Canistani Hero]

Shadab's appetite and hunger to succeed has largely disappeared. I remember a time when he used to be upset at being hit for a single boundary now its business as usual...

 

[Savak]

Shadab's appetite and hunger to succeed has largely disappeared. I remember a time when he used to be upset at being hit for a single boundary now its business as usual...

In the National T-20 tournament i saw a few leg spinners who can clearly take his place therefore keeping him on his toes.

 

[Canistani Hero]

In the National T-20 tournament i saw a few leg spinners who can clearly take his place therefore keeping him on his toes.

Only Mohsin really and he can whack it a fair bit too. Zahid is more suited to the longer formats, he doesn't change up his lengths or pace as much as you need to be successful in T20 on the international circuit. Usman's googly is good but for a leg-spinner your stock ball can't be all you bring to the table, he needs alot of work on his release and flight for the leggies, will get picked apart by a team like Australia..problem is Shadab is beginning to feel like he is irreplaceable.

 

[shortbread]

You clearly havent been watching enough Pakistani Cricket of late. Our bowling has been the problem, they have conceeded far too many runs against Sri Lanka therefore putting scoreboard pressure on an already short of confidence Pakistani batting line up. Yes 150 runs today may not be a huge total against a gun Australian T-20 team but how about showing some fight like picking up 5-6 wickets and running the team close? Not a single spinner in our team looks capable of picking up wickets and the same goes for our pace attack as well.

Against SL, the 2nd T20 was bad I agree. Amir-Shadab had a bad day and Rajapaksa was on a song. The 1st was on par and the third T20 the bowlers did very well restricting a confident T20 team to 140!

I am no expert but from whatever T20 I have seen, the spinners come into play when the batsmen look to attack/take risks. That will not happen when scoring 7 an over will win them the game.

The biggest benefit of scoring 160+ in T20s is that the chasing side will be immediately under pressure after a few quiet overs, the run rate climbs to 10+ This is exactly what happened to England chasing 180 against New Zealand.

Savak, lets be honest. If the tables were turned and the bowlers restricted Australia to 150 bowling first, do you think the current batting line-up will chase that score?

 

[Savak]

Against SL, the 2nd T20 was bad I agree. Amir-Shadab had a bad day and Rajapaksa was on a song. The 1st was on par and the third T20 the bowlers did very well restricting a confident T20 team to 140!

I am no expert but from whatever T20 I have seen, the spinners come into play when the batsmen look to attack/take risks. That will not happen when scoring 7 an over will win them the game.

The biggest benefit of scoring 160+ in T20s is that the chasing side will be immediately under pressure after a few quiet overs, the run rate climbs to 10+ This is exactly what happened to England chasing 180 against New Zealand.

Savak, lets be honest. If the tables were turned and the bowlers restricted Australia to 150 bowling first, do you think the current batting line-up will chase that score?

On Australian pitches and with Iftikhar in form, i think we can chase 150.

 

[Rana]

Nawaz is good. He bowls pretty nicely and can open the bowling

 

[Mamoon]

Shadab or Usman Qadir? Who would you choose?

Shadab is like Shane Warne compared to Qadir.

 

[MenInG]

PCB busy looking for a spin consultant

 

[MMHS]

Not only spinners, overall quality isn't there to be honest. Apart from Babar, I doubt how many ........

Outside Babar, Imad is decent in Asia while Amir can create some moments with new ball - that's it. Add to that horrible fitness, poor running, lethargic fielding - costing may be 10-12 extra runs at least than par, which is massive in a 20 over game. I read PAK fans to bring IND of 90s & Tendulkar here, in reference to Babar's pain ......guys, that IND team in 1990s also had Azhar, Kumble, Srinath, Dravid, Ganguly, Jadeja as well - don't insult respected people in your desperation - it'll bite you back.

The gap with AUS is massive - today, it looked close on scorecard (I didn't see the game), because Aussies were always in cruise control; won with like 10 balls and 7 wickets at hand, which is a good gap in T20I. Apparently, it looks like Smith played a blinder to win it, but not every day Warner & Finch will be back inside 50, and Maxi will come back .... on top of that Aussies can bring Tye or Stanlake for that loose 3rd pacer's spot. It won't be even a contest the day just about 2-3 Aussies fire together, gap is that wide.

Some hard calls need to be taken but Management is stuck in between - they are trying to protect that fake No. 1 ranking (PAK shouldn't be ahead of AUS, ENG, IND, NZ, SAF definitely and probably WIN as well), therefore reluctant to start from scratch, and the new management is desperate to show some results after the SRL series, hence they have gone back to players without any future (& honestly, these obsolete players are delivering somewhat - today 2 of the 3 best players were Iftekhar & Irfaaaan), but it's just complicating the problem.

To be honest, I was expecting a better show from PAK than the SRL team that toured AUS recently - don't think it's the case; Aussies would have won the first game at equal opposite of SRL's first game (by 10/9 wickets and inside 67-75% overs, and they were without Maxi, who slaughtered Lankans in 1st game). Next two years, teams will prepare for two WCs - so no free lunch and if every team plays their best T20 XI against PAK, within a year that shiny ranking will melt faster than spring snow.

It'll be a slow, painful & tough way to recovery, if it happens (didn't happen in Hockey though) - PAK fans should keep patience.

 

[MMHS]

PCB busy looking for a spin consultant

Yah, then might hire Abdur Rehman or Zulfi Babar ..... or even Saeed Ajmal

Why don't they try for the guy who tormented PAK even in his sleep - Rangana Herath? What PCT needs is a conventional spin coach, who'll teach the classical art of spin bowling - flight, turn, loop, pace variation .... instead of doosra, tishra, choutha, knuckle ball, carom ball, tennis ball, ping pong ball, golf ball, base ball, snooker ball, football.....

It's quite alarming that PAK pacers are losing pace and spinner are gaining on that .........

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

I would keep betting on Imad. He started out as- and still is- a darter, but he seems to have control, which is key to a spinner. I think if given time and encouragement to experiment with flight and loop, he can make a contribution.

He'll never be a spinner of the Lynn, Ashwin variety, but he'll do a job in the shorter forms(as Jadeja has begun to do for us in Tests), especially since he's not a bunny with the bat.

However, to OP's point, yeah getting a classy, frontline spinner is still a work in progress for Pakistan.

 

[Mueez]

Shadab is like Shane Warne compared to Qadir.

Lol that says a lot about Qadir.

 

[Mueez]

Why does it have to be a leg spinner? We can go for an off spinner or slow left arm.

Hmm, valid question.

To be honest I don’t know many off-spinners and SLA...

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

PCB busy looking for a spin consultant

.......

I thought Misbah was doing a perfect job anyway.

Also, N. Srinivasan mamu is available to meet all your spin needs.

 

[Boiz Played Well]

PCB busy looking for a spin consultant

Are they going to end up giving this one to Misbah too?

But jokes aside I’m glad to hear of it. We need a spin consultant. Both to sort out issues with our current frontline spinners and also to bring up some domestic talent which might transition well to the international stage. That is if Misbah decides to actually play them though.

 

[Captain caveman]

Not only spinners, overall quality isn't there to be honest. Apart from Babar, I doubt how many ........

Outside Babar, Imad is decent in Asia while Amir can create some moments with new ball - that's it. Add to that horrible fitness, poor running, lethargic fielding - costing may be 10-12 extra runs at least than par, which is massive in a 20 over game. I read PAK fans to bring IND of 90s & Tendulkar here, in reference to Babar's pain ......guys, that IND team in 1990s also had Azhar, Kumble, Srinath, Dravid, Ganguly, Jadeja as well - don't insult respected people in your desperation - it'll bite you back.

The gap with AUS is massive - today, it looked close on scorecard (I didn't see the game), because Aussies were always in cruise control; won with like 10 balls and 7 wickets at hand, which is a good gap in T20I. Apparently, it looks like Smith played a blinder to win it, but not every day Warner & Finch will be back inside 50, and Maxi will come back .... on top of that Aussies can bring Tye or Stanlake for that loose 3rd pacer's spot. It won't be even a contest the day just about 2-3 Aussies fire together, gap is that wide.

Some hard calls need to be taken but Management is stuck in between - they are trying to protect that fake No. 1 ranking (PAK shouldn't be ahead of AUS, ENG, IND, NZ, SAF definitely and probably WIN as well), therefore reluctant to start from scratch, and the new management is desperate to show some results after the SRL series, hence they have gone back to players without any future (& honestly, these obsolete players are delivering somewhat - today 2 of the 3 best players were Iftekhar & Irfaaaan), but it's just complicating the problem.

To be honest, I was expecting a better show from PAK than the SRL team that toured AUS recently - don't think it's the case; Aussies would have won the first game at equal opposite of SRL's first game (by 10/9 wickets and inside 67-75% overs, and they were without Maxi, who slaughtered Lankans in 1st game). Next two years, teams will prepare for two WCs - so no free lunch and if every team plays their best T20 XI against PAK, within a year that shiny ranking will melt faster than spring snow.

It'll be a slow, painful & tough way to recovery, if it happens (didn't happen in Hockey though) - PAK fans should keep patience.

Naseem shah
Haris rauf
Musa khan
M. Husnain
Shaheenshah afrdi
Sameen gul
Umer khan
Khushdil shah
Ahshan ali
Saud shakeel
Zeeshan malik
Etc

This is just some of the young talent available to pakistan, if the chief selector and coach is brave enough to play youth!

 

[MMHS]

Naseem shah
Haris rauf
Musa khan
M. Husnain
Shaheenshah afrdi
Sameen gul
Umer khan
Khushdil shah
Ahshan ali
Saud shakeel
Zeeshan malik
Etc

This is just some of the young talent available to pakistan, if the chief selector and coach is brave enough to play youth!

May be, I am just not spirited and confident enough anymore after watching the previous bunch of talent - Farhan, Hasnain, Faheem, Shadab, Rizwan, Sami Aslam, Imam, Shinwari, Hasan Ali, Talat, Hamza, Asif Ali, Fakhar ..... may be these bunch will be different. Good luck.

 

[Mercurial]

Shadab is fine in LOI cricket. Imad is great in the T20I format. The problem lies somewhere else, in the power hitting department.

 

[Captain caveman]

May be, I am just not spirited and confident enough anymore after watching the previous bunch of talent - Farhan, Hasnain, Faheem, Shadab, Rizwan, Sami Aslam, Imam, Shinwari, Hasan Ali, Talat, Hamza, Asif Ali, Fakhar ..... may be these bunch will be different. Good luck.

Only time and of course a fair chance will tell.
But thanks for your best wishes, i know you are a big bangladesh fan(i also support my bangla bros when they are not playing pak, great win against india by the way), but you are a genuine well wisher of pak cricket and i always respect your views, as i know you are being genuine and thinking about the best for pak team!

 

[Muhammad Saad]

We have Zafar Gohar and Usman Qadir the only spinners who can actually turn it.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

We have Zafar Gohar and Usman Qadir the only spinners who can actually turn it.

Yesh but turning it is the very least of being a spinner. Loop, drift, flight, control, and then only turn.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Yah, then might hire Abdur Rehman or Zulfi Babar ..... or even Saeed Ajmal

Why don't they try for the guy who tormented PAK even in his sleep - Rangana Herath? What PCT needs is a conventional spin coach, who'll teach the classical art of spin bowling - flight, turn, loop, pace variation .... instead of doosra, tishra, choutha, knuckle ball, carom ball, tennis ball, ping pong ball, golf ball, base ball, snooker ball, football.....

It's quite alarming that PAK pacers are losing pace and spinner are gaining on that .........

What is wrong if Abdur Rehman is the spin coach? I really think he was quite a good spinner, he was also a hard worker.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

I am reading reports that Mushtaq Ahmed is likely to become the new spin coach. Thoughts?

 

[MMHS]

What is wrong if Abdur Rehman is the spin coach? I really think he was quite a good spinner, he was also a hard worker.

Coaching is different type of job - hardly any former PAK player has the personality for that. You need lots of patience, reading, learning & listening habits, very good communication skills and above all discipline in your act - of the three, Zulfi Babar had the closest chance. Of the retired players, Arshad could be - I read he used to drive Taxi in Australia, that tells lot about the mindset & work ethics of the guy.

 

[Stark]

He wasn't proper either.