Where are the quality Pakistani spinners?

[Madplayer]

Its absolutely clear as day light that Pakistan does not have good spinners for this world cup. Shadab has poor control. And Imad doesnt spin it. Pakistan needs a finger spinner with great control and one who can spin the ball. Why havent such attacking spinners been selected for the world cup?

 

[ManFan]

Rotting away in domestic.

Gohar, Mir, Irfan, Hasan, Umer, Asghar, etc.

Pakistan think tank selected Yasir Shah after he has failed in ODI’s for the umpteenth time and discarded him anyways.

 

[Asim_khan]

Another issue is our quality test spinners have been absolute garbage in limited overs cricket since Saeed Ajmal.

 

[Savak]

The team think tank i.e. captain, coach and chief selector need to be sent packing for this. Absolutely criminal.

 

[Madplayer]

Rotting away in domestic.

Gohar, Mir, Irfan, Hasan, Umer, Asghar, etc.

Pakistan think tank selected Yasir Shah after he has failed in ODI’s for the umpteenth time and discarded him anyways.

Two matches in a row the opposition spinners have outbowled Pakistani spinners. Its pathetic to say the least. Freaking Santner outbowled Pakistani spinners.

 

[ManFan]

Two matches in a row the opposition spinners have outbowled Pakistani spinners. Its pathetic to say the least. Freaking Santnee outbowled Pakistani spinners.

By spinners, you mean a fat darter (Imad), a hot-and-cold fielding specialist (Shadab), and repeated offender (Hafeez).

If someone says there is no spinner in Pakistan to replace these imposters, I don’t know what to say.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Inzi escaped today.

 

[Madplayer]

By spinners, you mean a fat darter (Imad), a hot-and-cold fielding specialist (Shadab), and repeated offender (Hafeez).

If someone says there is no spinner in Pakistan to replace these imposters, I don’t know what to say.

Inzi has no shame really. He has preferred bits and pieces spinners over specialists. We saw batting of Shadab today. Inzi should be held accountable for this

 

[castortroy]

It's crazy that Afghanistan part timer had better control than Shadab

All their spinners are quality

 

[aloo paratha]

Idiotic team management didnt groom one in 4 years. Zafar Gohar would've wreaked havoc against NZ a couple of days ago and Afghanistan today.

 

[pakistani pride]

Chill.
It makes a MASSIVE difference bowling 2nd!

Look at Rashids figures today.

 

[Markhor]

We possess one of the weakest spin attacks in our history.

How many times must it be proven that Shadab isn't good enough to be our lead spinner ? You saw the difference between their spinners and this bits and pieces player. One of Shadab's varieties is the full toss.

And everyone can see Imad is a containing bowler only.

 

[Loralai]

Imad is only good for ten overs for sixty. Not a wicket taking option.

Shadab is clearly not good enough but we keep persisting with him. And don't get me started again on Yasir Shah.

We need to look at Mohammad Irfan. He is an excellent prospect. As is Zafar Gauhar. I was impressed with Asghar too.

 

[Madplayer]

Imad is only good for ten overs for sixty. Not a wicket taking option.

Shadab is clearly not good enough but we keep persisting with him. And don't get me started again on Yasir Shah.

We need to look at Mohammad Irfan. He is an excellent prospect. As is Zafar Gauhar. I was impressed with Asghar too.

How about Usama Mir?

 

[Arsal_AK]

In Pakistan. Zafar and Usama are two that come to mind. Zafar should have started playing for the national team ages ago. If we are to avoid this **** show in India come 2023, they need to be around the team starting immediately.

Yasir is done. There is no need to take him to Aus later this year. He will get smashed once again.

 

[The_KING]

The next world cup is in India, which means that the pitches will be spinner friendly. But our current set of spinners aren't good enough. If they were, Afghanistan wouldn't have got more than 180. Shadab is too raw at the moment. He has no consistency in his bowling due to his poor control. He can't be the leader of our spin attack. Imad is good only for containing, he isn't a wicket taker. He should only be a part of T20 team. Hafeez hasn't been as effective since his action change. Frankly speaking, he needs to be shown the door after this world cup. Not good enough anymore.

We need to start giving opporunties to the likes of Zafar Gohar, Irfan, Usama Mir after the world cup. But will we do that? We will probably continue with the current lot or to make matters worse, we will recall Yasir Shah.

 

[Mueez]

Zafar is in England.

While Mir, Asghar and Irfan are in Pakistan.

 

[Hasan123]

Our so called spin attack is pathetic. Australia have picked 2 specialist spinners. That tells you how important spinners are in LO cricket

 

[farazaidi]

Usama Mir is a more attacking leg spinner, while Zafar Gohar will provide better control. Problem with Pakistan is that we havnt given them any chance at all rather wasted time with Yasir Shah in ODIs. Inzi should be sacked day one after the world cup, after the success of Champions Trophy, he has failed miserably to add depth to the squad. Invested too much time in Faheem & Junaid only to discard them before the tournament. If you see talent in a player, you back them all the way or you dont select them at all.

Shadab is hot and cold, he should stop trying to emulate unplayable deliveries like that of KW and try to get better control. Even Tahir has bowled better than him in this WC

 

[Markhor]

4 years later and STILL we are asking the same question.

How are we going into another World Cup with Shadab Khan as our frontline spinner ?

The only spinner we haven't tried in white-ball cricket is Abrar Ahmed. However it would leave us with a long tail. Plus it seems that ship has sailed now there's so few fixtures left until the start of the World Cup.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

4 years later and STILL we are asking the same question.

How are we going into another World Cup with Shadab Khan as our frontline spinner ?

The only spinner we haven't tried in white-ball cricket is Abrar Ahmed. However it would leave us with a long tail. Plus it seems that ship has sailed now there's so few fixtures left until the start of the World Cup.

The cupboard is bare. Simple.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

4 years later and STILL we are asking the same question.

How are we going into another World Cup with Shadab Khan as our frontline spinner ?

The only spinner we haven't tried in white-ball cricket is Abrar Ahmed. However it would leave us with a long tail. Plus it seems that ship has sailed now there's so few fixtures left until the start of the World Cup.

Usama Mir is the best white ball spinner in Pakistan. Problem is Pakistan want to play spin all-rounders and have one of them bat at 7.

 

[Firebat]

India and SL are still producing quality spinners, we haven't since Yasir Shah. It says a lot that most are begging to give Abrar a debut on the eve of the WC, even though his domestic performances are nothing to write home about.

Even still, Pakistan always do this. Fail to spot and rectify glaring weaknesses in the side, that are exposed only when it's too late. Why were Abrar and Usama not given proper extended runs in the side to see if they could make the step up? I must have missed the games where Shadab and Nawaz were running through opposition lineups like Warne and Murali that they've been undroppable.

Instead we only rotate in for the odd game when the series is won, and only realise the mistake when it blows up in our face in a humiliating high profile defeat. What a waste of 4 years.

 

[PakLFC]

In a cricket crazy country surely we must have a few talented spinners already. If Lanka and India do then why not us?

 

[Usman Chadda]

Usama is in the squad and should definitely come in for Faheem. There is no other quality spinner in our domestic set up, one or two bad games for Usama doesn’t mean he gets benched for inferior players.

Nawaz and Shadab can be rotated, but Usama definitely needs to play. He actually spins the ball and gets good bounce.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Spinners need a lot of game time to improve and mature as compared to fast bowlers. Our domestic cricket of late has been providing very little FC experience. 8-9 fc matches a year isn't going to help the spinners develop or even pacers either.

 

[Markhor]

Usama Mir is the best white ball spinner in Pakistan. Problem is Pakistan want to play spin all-rounders and have one of them bat at 7.

Spinners need a lot of game time to improve and mature as compared to fast bowlers. Our domestic cricket of late has been providing very little FC experience. 8-9 fc matches a year isn't going to help the spinners develop or even pacers either.

Lack of FC exposure is a concern. The other is our FC pitches - they don't really deteriorate like in India or Sri Lanka so the spinners don't come into the game as they traditionally should on Day 3 and 4.

Our curators only produce two types of surfaces - dead flat or grassy with the lowest bounce in the world. This hardly encourages the development of spinners.

In contrast, India have their famed red soil pitches. From my limited reading - the red soil absorbs less moisture and the pitches crumble more. Can we not import this and have a couple of grounds that really spin ?

That'll in turn get our batsmen to improve their techniques vs spin.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Lack of FC exposure is a concern. The other is our FC pitches - they don't really deteriorate like in India or Sri Lanka so the spinners don't come into the game as they traditionally should on Day 3 and 4.

Our curators only produce two types of surfaces - dead flat or grassy with the lowest bounce in the world. This hardly encourages the development of spinners.

In contrast, India have their famed red soil pitches. From my limited reading - the red soil absorbs less moisture and the pitches crumble more. Can we not import this and have a couple of grounds that really spin ?

That'll in turn get our batsmen to improve their techniques vs spin.

Those conditions should actually be better since Pakistani spinners will be forced to put overspin on the ball and get some real dip in order to beat batsmen in flight.

These Indian pitches produce round arm darters like Axar as well. So it's a double edged sword.

No team has more than 1 quality ODI spinner .

We have Kuldeep and that's about it. And even he can get hit on better pitches. Wellalage slog swept him with ease.

The problem is that Pakistan don't have a seam all-rounder of Hardik Pandya's quality.

Faheem Ashraf is an absolute fraud.
And despite all the hype, these Aamer Jamals etc. are all unproven .

If TM have faith in Usama as a wicket taking spinner, then play him with the trio and play one of Nawaz/Shadab at 7.

If they don't have any faith in him, drop him from the squad , pick an extra fast bowler and play 4 quicks at all times with one of Nawaz/Shadab coming in at 7.

 

[CerebralPatriot]

I can list some who have/had potential but are sidelined for obvious reasons:
- Abrar Ahmed
- Umer Khan
- Imad Wasim
- Aaliyan Mahmood
- Asif Mehmood
All are superior to both Shadab and Usama, however they'll never be given a shot in LOI's

 

[Nado_]

Spinners need a lot of game time to improve and mature as compared to fast bowlers. Our domestic cricket of late has been providing very little FC experience. 8-9 fc matches a year isn't going to help the spinners develop or even pacers either.

I agree , a lot of spinners take time to mature unless your a freak talent.

No one has noticed but I keep mentioning , Shadab was picked based on early psl in Dubai which were rank turners, he fluked his way into the team

 

[FearlessRoar]

Instead of Zaman Khan, Pakistan should add a specialist spinner in the team

 

[hassan918]

Instead of Zaman Khan, Pakistan should add a specialist spinner in the team

They have already added Nawaz in their team as the second front line spinner but Zaman Khan inclusion in the playing XI for tomorrow's match against Sri Lanka has come to a surprise for many PCT fans. I think we should have included Ihsanullah or Hasan Ali in place of Zaman Khan.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Srilanka has surplus of spinners. Lot of mystery spinners. So are Afghanistan. That Noor guy can be deadly on Indian wickets. He can't even find a spot in the side. Even Bangladesh has some good spinners. Pakistan seems to be the weak subcontinent side in this.

 

[hassan918]

Mornie Morkel on Pakistan spinners in today's press conference.

"Conditions are spin friendly and I think our spinners are working really hard at the moment they'll be the first to put up their hands and say yes, we haven't bowled well as we would have liked but they match winners they are all experienced players and they know how to make comebacks and big players make big plays in important games and you know we've got two important games coming up in a semi-final and potentially a final and again, I would like to see their character"

"We're definitely heading in the right direction in terms of talking game plans and stuff like that it's just putting the package together and that's going to come over time so let's just be patient with them as they are world class and I'm no doubt they'll perform"

 

[Bewal Express]

I can list some who have/had potential but are sidelined for obvious reasons:
- Abrar Ahmed
- Umer Khan
- Imad Wasim
- Aaliyan Mahmood
- Asif Mehmood
All are superior to both Shadab and Usama, however they'll never be given a shot in LOI's

None of these guys would cause any decent player any headaches. Infact they would be taken to the cleaners like Shadab and Nawaz

 

[hitthestump]

None of these guys would cause any decent player any headaches. Infact they would be taken to the cleaners like Shadab and Nawaz

Indeed.

Just the usual hot headedness after a loss and overestimating the players who are out of the side.

Zahid Mahmood is genuinely terrible but sideline him for a bit and people will think we're benching Shane Warne.

 

[Bewal Express]

Indeed.

Just the usual hot headedness after a loss and overestimating the players who are out of the side.

Zahid Mahmood is genuinely terrible but sideline him for a bit and people will think we're benching Shane Warne.

The problem started with Imad bowling his gentle inswingers and getting success in T20 cricket and also some success in ODI cricket against mostly useless teams. This started a trend in our cricket of useless spinners that don't turn the ball. Get back to basics and find spinners that spin the ball

 

[mominsaigol]

The quality spinners are all sitting at home playing domestic or being water boys because shadab is the type of guy to sideline rashid khan in a framchise game for fear that rashid will outshine him and take his captaincy spot.

 

[Farabi]

Its absolutely clear as day light that Pakistan does not have good spinners for this world cup. Shadab has poor control. And Imad doesnt spin it. Pakistan needs a finger spinner with great control and one who can spin the ball. Why havent such attacking spinners been selected for the world cup?

At home in Karachi. Abrar Ahmed.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

honestly speaking we dont have quality spiners in circuit, abrar is good but very much single dimmensional player.

 

[mominsaigol]

honestly speaking we dont have quality spiners in circuit, abrar is good but very much single dimmensional player.

That's kind of harsh. Abrar is a mystery spinner and has excellent variation. I'm afraid of his speed though. He bowls extremely slowly so I'm not sure how that would fair in odi's.

In test he's good at getting the defensive wickets. Not sure how he'd handle batsmen who are ready to attack him.

 

[mominsaigol]

honestly speaking we dont have quality spiners in circuit, abrar is good but very much single dimmensional player.

Abrar isn't really one dimensional, usama mir is, usama keeps bowling the same leg spin and relies on uneven bounce to get him through. Abrar genuinely has variety but his speed is way too slow.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I agree , a lot of spinners take time to mature unless your a freak talent.

No one has noticed but I keep mentioning , Shadab was picked based on early psl in Dubai which were rank turners, he fluked his way into the team

he hasn't played much fc since making it to the national team.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Lack of FC exposure is a concern. The other is our FC pitches - they don't really deteriorate like in India or Sri Lanka so the spinners don't come into the game as they traditionally should on Day 3 and 4.

Our curators only produce two types of surfaces - dead flat or grassy with the lowest bounce in the world. This hardly encourages the development of spinners.

In contrast, India have their famed red soil pitches. From my limited reading - the red soil absorbs less moisture and the pitches crumble more. Can we not import this and have a couple of grounds that really spin ?

That'll in turn get our batsmen to improve their techniques vs spin.

the qea tournament has been so weirdly held that out of 4 matches, only one match is held at one of the accredited stadia while other 3 are played in sub standard club grounds. krl pitch is notorious for being a green top.

 

[Saj]

Overall standard has gone down.

We seem to be producing bits and pieces players, rather than genuine high-quality spinners these days.

 

[Nado_]

he hasn't played much fc since making it to the national team.

Exactly

 

[Nado_]

Overall standard has gone down.

We seem to be producing bits and pieces players, rather than genuine high-quality spinners these days.

I remember Shadab rose to stardom and got into the team based on early PSL in UAE where the pitches were rank turners.

Why is it selectors primary look at a franchise tournament rather than matured spinners doing well in domestic circuit.

Some finds from PSL have done well of course but that’s mainly our pacers. But I feel unless you’re a freak talent , the art of spin bowling takes time to perfect.

 

[Farabi]

Abrar isn't really one dimensional, usama mir is, usama keeps bowling the same leg spin and relies on uneven bounce to get him through. Abrar genuinely has variety but his speed is way too slow.

Only one way to find out. His List A record is promising.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

I consider usama one of the best short format spinners in the world. And Abrar has plenty potential.

That they can’t be given opportunities is another matter.

 

[ahmadharis1]

I've said it before and I stand by this

Zafar Gohar is the best spinner in Pakistan and needs to be inducted in the Test and ODI squad immediately

 

[hassan918]

Our fast bowlers usually do so well and this is one reason why we didn't pay a lot of attention on the quality of our spinners. We are seeing in this Asia Cup that whenever our fast bowlers don't get a few wickets with the new ball, it gets difficult for our spinners to make a great impact.

 

[IAJ]

When Iftikhar is your best spinner, you know you have bad spinners.

If Pakistan don’t pick up wickets with new ball they have nothing else to come up with.

 

[shokz1408]

Yeah Ifti out bowling Shadab and Nawaz is good for his part. But your main spinners in shadab and nawaz not looking like taking wickets is worrying. Can’t see either of them being match winners in the WC.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Why not consider dropping either Shadab or Nawaz to make room for a dependable batsman, while allowing Ifti to do as an all rounder since he has already bowled effectively.

 

[Major]

Why not consider dropping either Shadab or Nawaz to make room for a dependable batsman, while allowing Ifti to do as an all rounder since he has already bowled effectively.

issue is ifti is one dimensional. Ifti can spin yes, but he needs varietie aswell to survive. When playing against India he spun the ball, but kohli and KL Rahul handled him well. So he didnt had any other variety to bowl.

Shadab has alot of variety but he cant spin and sucks. Thus, while ifti can be used to bowl atleast 5, but still we need proper bowlers in there

 

[PakLFC]

Usama should be given a chance in the team. What ever happened to Usman Qadir?

 

[Theo_14]

It’s scary since Saeed Ajmal we haven’t had a game changing spinner that can dominate games in ODI’s.

We were blessed with the likes of Hafeez and Malik who made key contributions but haven’t found a key spinner.

 

[asfandyar]

Apart from the usual suspects, Abrar Ahmed (mystery), Sufiyan Muqeem (chinaman), Faisal Akram (chinaman) and Arafat Minhas (all rounder) are half-decent ones I managed to dig up.

 

[Nado_]

Remember Raza, he debuted when he was a kid and no one could play him. What the hel happened to him

 

[Cricket Warrior]

We have many in domestic circuit its all about giving them a chance.
Now its a time that We have to get rid of shadab and Nawaz now and go with proper spinners who can actually spin a ball.

 

[shamaan]

Iftikhar can't be trusted to be one of the main 5 bowlers.

 

[Theo_14]

We have many in domestic circuit its all about giving them a chance.
Now its a time that We have to get rid of shadab and Nawaz now and go with proper spinners who can actually spin a ball.

Many? Like who.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Many? Like who.

sufyan muqeem a good chinamen bowler, Abrar Ahmed a good finger spinner, Zahid Mehmood gr8 leg spin bowler.
and list goes on.

 

[izi]

We have selected Osama Mir and he should be our first choice spinner

 

[sam_ahm]

Pakistan have not tried Abrar even on the Zimbabwe A tour earlier this year, I think they tried Mehran Mumtaz in that series? Now I don't know if he is in the frame or not but if Pakistan were thinking Usama Mir, Shadab Khan and M Nawaz were going to be their WC then good luck with such planning!!

 

[Usman Chadda]

Usama Mir should not have been dropped. He can actually spin the ball and is a half decent lower-order hitter.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Usama Mir should not have been dropped. He can actually spin the ball and is a half decent lower-order hitter.

I totally agree with this. Usama has more variations in his bowling and can also hit the bowl. He should have played the virtual semi-final but here we are. Out of Asia cup due to pathetic performance.

 

[Major]

Remember Raza, he debuted when he was a kid and no one could play him. What the hel happened to him

he became a cocaine addict. lol

 

[Nado_]

he became a cocaine addict. lol

I thought he served his ban, what happened after , he was a talent what a shame/waste

 

[Major]

I thought he served his ban, what happened after , he was a talent what a shame/waste

he did, but when you are a drug addict that also means you suck in fitness and cant quite what you do.

If you stop doing cocaine you will still do hash, typical behavior of drug addicts in Pakistan. He doesnt have the fitness.

4 years ago i saw him at a ground in Islamabad, and his face and body was soo ugly, it was evident that his drug addiction had a terrible effect on him.

 

[Nado_]

he did, but when you are a drug addict that also means you suck in fitness and cant quite what you do.

If you stop doing cocaine you will still do hash, typical behavior of drug addicts in Pakistan. He doesnt have the fitness.

4 years ago i saw him at a ground in Islamabad, and his face and body was soo ugly, it was evident that his drug addiction had a terrible effect on him.

Didn’t know cocaine was as available in Pak as its mostly heroine users. What a tragedy

 

[Major]

Didn’t know cocaine was as available in Pak as its mostly heroine users. What a tragedy

Cocaine is there. ANd meth is a drug that has been on the rise here.

Raza Hassan was a left arm spinner that was able to bowl the doosra.... This guy destroyed his own career. He is just 31 years old right now. But his drug addiction means, no team wants him with them..

 

[Savak]

The last time I saw Raza Hasan bowl in the PSL for Lahore Qalandars, he was a shadow of the bowler we saw in the T20 WC in 2012, didn't have the same venom anymore and they let go off him after a season

 

[Nado_]

The last time I saw Raza Hasan bowl in the PSL for Lahore Qalandars, he was a shadow of the bowler we saw in the T20 WC in 2012, didn't have the same venom anymore and they let go off him after a season

Was just a kid when he debuted such a waste of talent

 

[hitthestump]

Abrar Ahmed is being hyped to the moon before he’s even played one white ball game lol.

Our fans are the most rational in the world.

 

[sam_ahm]

Abrar Ahmed is being hyped to the moon before he’s even played one white ball game lol.

Our fans are the most rational in the world.

It's not about Hyping him up, it's about considering him because others simply aren't doing good.

Even Bangladesh spinners are choking India batters for runs, Pakistan were clearly the weakest spin attack amongst India, SL, Bang and Afg, so you've got to try something else.

Abrar has done well in tests and has a bit of mystery about him, teams facing him for the first time at the WC may actually find it difficult to read his googlies. No harm in taking a gamble on him.

 

[Marooned]

It's not about Hyping him up, it's about considering him because others simply aren't doing good.

Even Bangladesh spinners are choking India batters for runs, Pakistan were clearly the weakest spin attack amongst India, SL, Bang and Afg, so you've got to try something else.

Abrar has done well in tests and has a bit of mystery about him, teams facing him for the first time at the WC may actually find it difficult to read his googlies. No harm in taking a gamble on him.

Discuss any pak player under the sun, pak fans: "Haha lmao why are delusional people hyping him lol. My prediction is brutal reality check". The vocabulary doesn't change much either

 

[m.shah]

Pakistan should groom Sufiyan Muqeem he is good. Also back Mehran Mumtaz

 

[Major]

Abrar Ahmed is being hyped to the moon before he’s even played one white ball game lol.

Our fans are the most rational in the world.

Not being hyped. We are abit desperate.

Abrar Ahmad is slow in the air. But is a mystery spinner.

 

[shamaan]

Abrar Ahmed should be considered.