Which spinner should partner Yasir Shah in the Test series versus Sri Lanka?

[Hasan123]

Our next test assignment is in the UAE versus Sri Lanka. We will be expected to field 2 spinners. Yasir Shah is a certainty to start question is who should be his partner?

I'll go with Asghar.

Discuss who would you go for.

[MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=100918]Square Drive[/MENTION] [MENTION=141557]Chief Destroyer[/MENTION] [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION]

 

[Hasan123]

Hopefully Inzi stays away from chacha Zulfi. Can't afford to go with a 38 year old.

 

[Rayyman]

Hopefully Inzi stays away from chacha Zulfi. Can't afford to go with a 38 year old.

Add 7-9 years to that.

 

[Hasan123]

Add 7-9 years to that.

More than likely he's 42 at the very minimum

 

[Jabo]

Hopefully Inzi stays away from chacha Zulfi. Can't afford to go with a 38 year old.

I hope they bring the real chacha back

Abdur Rehman

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Asghar is a limited-overs bowler. What happened to Zafar Gohar?

 

[Rayyman]

Just go with three pacers + Imad Wasim.

We need a fifth bowler as Azhar doesn't cut it with his pies.

 

[Abdullah719]

Just go with three pacers + Imad Wasim.

We need a fifth bowler as Azhar doesn't cut it with his pies.

Nice try inserting Imad.

For most pitches that they'll serve up in UAE, we'll need two front-line spinners.

 

[QalandarFan]

It's more than likely going to be Ashgar or Shadab

 

[sali]

There is no class off spinner. They need one. SL plays left arm spinner better.

 

[Hasan123]

Just go with three pacers + Imad Wasim.

We need a fifth bowler as Azhar doesn't cut it with his pies.

He's not a test bowler. Batsmen can just milk him around . He won't deceive them in flight and he doesn't spin the ball.

Your love Imad is blinding your opnion.

 

[Haz95]

Pakistan should look to develop an allrounder. I heard that kid Agha Salman is meant to be good [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION]

 

[MMHS]

Our next test assignment is in the UAE versus Sri Lanka. We will be expected to field 2 spinners. Yasir Shah is a certainty to start question is who should be his partner?

I'll go with Asghar.

Discuss who would you go for.


[MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=100918]Square Drive[/MENTION] [MENTION=141557]Chief Destroyer[/MENTION] [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION] [MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION]

In ideal world, I'll suggest PCB to force UAE groundsmen to put grass & water on the track & make it hard & solid, so that PAK can go with 3+1+0.5 pace heavy bowling formation & the 2nd spinner being someone like Haris or Aga Salman, who can bowl 20 tight overs in the match (but no MoHa for haven's sake - even a recall of Fawad as No. 6 & 5th bowler is better).

But, probably, wickets in UAE will be even more dull than last year, because of one more year of aging; therefore 2.5 spinners are must. That 0.5 spinner still remains same, while Asghar remains the 1st choice over Gohar, but I would like to see how Raja Hasan is bowling. Before ban, he was the best SLAO spinner in PAK (Zulfi was more accurate, but hardly any variation) & he can bat, probably good enough to bat ahead of Hasan & Amir. If the wicket are really that much pathetic that I fear, PAK might need to go with 1.5 pacer to take the shine off new ball & play 3 specialist spinners - in that case, this new leggi Irfan can get a look as well.

As long as it's not Z Babar & Moha, I don't mind anyone - even Arshal Sheikh might be an option because at least he has age in his side to learn (clean action as well), besides SRL has few lefti in lineup (joking, but the idea is simple - bring Khan's scouting mantra - players in their 40s can't survive in modern day cricket).

 

[ahmadharis1]

Ideally an off-spinner to pair with Yasir Shah and someone to go after lefties.

 

[Ellipsism]

I don't believe Shadab is an adequate to fill the second spinner void in Asia. He isn't the best spinner after Yasir in Pakistan and only makes into the test team based on his all round abilities, which aren't being utilised.

That only leaves Asghar.

If I were able to pick anyone than it would be Zafar- the amount he turns the ball is unparalleled by anyone in Pakistan. But it seems as if he's fallen off the radar.

 

[Justcrazy]

I have a feeling it will be Asghar.

 

[Hasan123]

I hope they bring the real chacha back

Abdur Rehman

Lol too old.

 

[Hasan123]

In ideal world, I'll suggest PCB to force UAE groundsmen to put grass & water on the track & make it hard & solid, so that PAK can go with 3+1+0.5 pace heavy bowling formation & the 2nd spinner being someone like Haris or Aga Salman, who can bowl 20 tight overs in the match (but no MoHa for haven's sake - even a recall of Fawad as No. 6 & 5th bowler is better).

But, probably, wickets in UAE will be even more dull than last year, because of one more year of aging; therefore 2.5 spinners are must. That 0.5 spinner still remains same, while Asghar remains the 1st choice over Gohar, but I would like to see how Raja Hasan is bowling. Before ban, he was the best SLAO spinner in PAK (Zulfi was more accurate, but hardly any variation) & he can bat, probably good enough to bat ahead of Hasan & Amir. If the wicket are really that much pathetic that I fear, PAK might need to go with 1.5 pacer to take the shine off new ball & play 3 specialist spinners - in that case, this new leggi Irfan can get a look as well.

As long as it's not Z Babar & Moha, I don't mind anyone - even Arshal Sheikh might be an option because at least he has age in his side to learn (clean action as well), besides SRL has few lefti in lineup (joking, but the idea is simple - bring Khan's scouting mantra - players in their 40s can't survive in modern day cricket).

Pitches won't be changed unfortunately , they'll be dull as always which you have mentioned.

Doubt we will pick a right arm off spinner that isn't hafeez. I don't want him in the line up. So Babar or Asad should cover RAO role as Lankans have plenty of lefties.

I think Raza may need some more time. Don't want to throw him back in. Bowling 30 plus overs in 8/9 first class game will get him some bowling rytheme back. Should bat 8 so he gets enough batting practice as well.

 

[Ahson8]

Zafar Gohar, but it'll probably be Asghar

 

[aloo paratha]

Mohammad Asghar, or that Agha Salman dude. He's raw but he has potential!

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Zafar Gohar. Asghar is a pitch dependent bowler like Yasir but not of the same quality.

 

[Rayyman]

Nice try inserting Imad.

For most pitches that they'll serve up in UAE, we'll need two front-line spinners.

We tried this tactic in last year's Dubai Test. I think it was Amir, Rahat, Wahab, Yasir and Nawaz.

But Imad's first-class stats are good so he can do better than Nawaz.

He's not a test bowler. Batsmen can just milk him around . He won't deceive them in flight and he doesn't spin the ball.

Your love Imad is blinding your opnion.

Just as a fifth bowler. Much more superior than Azhar/Shafiq.

 

[Abdullah719]

We tried this tactic in last year's Dubai Test. I think it was Amir, Rahat, Wahab, Yasir and Nawaz.

But Imad's first-class stats are good so he can do better than Nawaz.

Just as a fifth bowler. Much more superior than Azhar/Shafiq.

Day/Night Test.

Zulfi played in the other two Tests.

Imad is not good enough to play as one of two front-line spinners.

Wouldn't mind him as a third option if the pitch dictates it, though his batting form seems pretty poor lately.

 

[The_Odd_One]

No need to play an all-rounder in UAE. Go with 4 specialist bowlers: Aamir, Abbass, Yasir, and Asghar. Harris Sohail and Azhar Ali can also bowl some spin overs.

 

[Junaids]

Sri Lanka are weak: this should be used as a development series.

The bottom line is that Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed are over thirty, so there's no room for Yasir Shah in the Test side any more. Sorry, but goodbye.

Shadab Khan needs to be got up to Test standard ASAP.

 

[proud_pakistani]

Should give an off spinner a go. Maybe Bilal Asif. Took a 5 fee vs Zimbabwe.

Asghar is very over rated, wud play Zafar Gohar over him.

 

[Abdullah]

It's a tough choice. In SL u need more 2.5 seam options and 2 spinners.

 

[hussain.r97]

Zafar Gohar.

 

[ExpressPacer]

To be extremely honest, I'm not a HUGE fan of Asghar but it'd be good to give him a chance and see what the big deal is about.

 

[Markhor]

I'd prefer Gohar but looking at the central contracts and the last Test squad - its more likely Asghar will get the nod.

 

[mak36]

Sri Lanka are weak: this should be used as a development series.

The bottom line is that Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed are over thirty, so there's no room for Yasir Shah in the Test side any more. Sorry, but goodbye.

Shadab Khan needs to be got up to Test standard ASAP.

First you start a thread saying Azhar's career will be over in one or two years time, and now you want to prematurely end the career of Yasir Shah. I am afraid to say you are going the way of Shahryar Khan.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

First you start a thread saying Azhar's career will be over in one or two years time, and now you want to prematurely end the career of Yasir Shah. I am afraid to say you are going the way of Shahryar Khan.

I don't know if you were a lurker here before but if you were you might remember Junaids saying Misbah was going to be a flop in England.He ended up as Man of the Series.
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] is a big fan of youngsters being in the squad.He still likes Umar Akmal and wants him in tests.

As for the OP,I would want Asghar given a go. No more Zulfi chacha.

 

[Stallion__]

Asghar. Shadab should also be in contention as an allrounder.

 

[hadi123]

I think it should be Mohammad Asghar. He is ahead of Zafar Gohar in the pecking order and it's too early for Raza Hasan unless he starts off the FC season extremely well. Agha Salman should also be in the squad as should Haris Sohail who can bowl off spin and slow left arm spin as well respectively. Would put Agha Salman there cos we need at least one off spinner in the squad. We have leg spinners in Yasir Shah and lefties in Asghar. Shadab Khan is not test material yet as shown when WI played him with ease

 

[The_Odd_One]

Sri Lanka are weak: this should be used as a development series.

The bottom line is that Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed are over thirty, so there's no room for Yasir Shah in the Test side any more. Sorry, but goodbye.

Shadab Khan needs to be got up to Test standard ASAP.

Yes, kick out the only wicket taker and match winner bowler in the team. Logic.

 

[Square Drive]

Zafar Gohar, but he's not in the mix.

So realistically, I'd go for Asghar.

Shadab, if he plays, should play as a 5th bowling option.

 

[kaifmazhar]

Asghar does look like a classic test match type bowler so he will get his chance.

 

[htariq25]

Asghar

 

[mmkextreme_1]

There are few options available to the team, personally, would choose Mohammad Irfan or Asghar. With their style of bowling, I think both would thrive in UAE conditions. I can see Asghar not only be an attacking options but also can be used to contain runs throughout the day and let Yasir Attack, vice versa.

 

[Railu Katta]

Asghar is mediocre and you will all see it once he plays consistently.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Asghar is mediocre and you will all see it once he plays consistently.

That's great insight. Mind explaining why?

Also, who else would you recommend to partner up with Yasir Shah?

 

[KhalidRafi]

Sri Lanka are weak: this should be used as a development series.

The bottom line is that Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed are over thirty, so there's no room for Yasir Shah in the Test side any more. Sorry, but goodbye.

Shadab Khan needs to be got up to Test standard ASAP.

LOL. Yeah sure. Kick out the only wicket-taking bowler. Yasir is 30, which means he probably still has 5-6 good years left in him.

 

[KhalidRafi]

Asghar. He's a raw talent, which is always exciting. He's a left-arm spinner so playing him brings some variety to the spin department which you wouldn't get by playing two leg-spinners. And he's been picked in the squad too many times without actually playing so about time he got a go.

 

[Junaids]

I don't know if you were a lurker here before but if you were you might remember Junaids saying Misbah was going to be a flop in England.He ended up as Man of the Series.
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] is a big fan of youngsters being in the squad.He still likes Umar Akmal and wants him in tests.

As for the OP,I would want Asghar given a go. No more Zulfi chacha.

I genuinely mean no offence, but you are making the same mistake of excessive deference to age.

Misbah-ul-Haq was a sentimental choice as Man of the Series in England. But what actually happened was that he scored a century at the beginning against an attack missing Anderson and Stokes, and then had scores of:

0, 52, 35, 56, 10, 15

In other words, in 3 of the 7 innings he put his team in trouble.

As for Yasir Shah, the bottom line is that he has not reached the level I hoped, and now Shadab Khan needs to get the intensive exposure to Mushtaq Ahmed that he got.

This is Yasir's record in his 5 Test series in the last year:

In England: 19 wickets at an average of 40.73
Home v West Indies: 21 wickets at an average of 26.85
In New Zealand: 0 wickets for 61
In Australia: 8 wickets at an average of 84.00
In West Indies: 25 wickets at an average of 21.96

Pakistan's next two big challenges are a spring series on soft, seaming wickets in England next May, followed six months later by a series in Australia-like conditions in South Africa.

Yasir Shah is already 31 years old, and clearly will be a liability in both series.

Even if Shadab Khan doesn't develop to become a bowler any better than Shahid Afridi, at least if he is groomed properly he can average 25 with the bat in those series and support the quick bowlers.

Whereas with Yasir Shah, Misbah overbowled him in such conditions and destroyed his own attack.

The two big series next year require 4 quick bowlers per Test. The more a spinner bowls, the less rest the quick bowlers get between overs.

Shadab needs to be developed. Yasir Shah hasn't reached his potential. He hardly spins his leg-break, his googly is non-existent, and he has no flipper. His only real strength is exceptional accuracy.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I genuinely mean no offence, but you are making the same mistake of excessive deference to age.

Misbah-ul-Haq was a sentimental choice as Man of the Series in England. But what actually happened was that he scored a century at the beginning against an attack missing Anderson and Stokes, and then had scores of:

0, 52, 35, 56, 10, 15

In other words, in 3 of the 7 innings he put his team in trouble.

As for Yasir Shah, the bottom line is that he has not reached the level I hoped, and now Shadab Khan needs to get the intensive exposure to Mushtaq Ahmed that he got.

This is Yasir's record in his 5 Test series in the last year:

In England: 19 wickets at an average of 40.73
Home v West Indies: 21 wickets at an average of 26.85
In New Zealand: 0 wickets for 61
In Australia: 8 wickets at an average of 84.00
In West Indies: 25 wickets at an average of 21.96

Pakistan's next two big challenges are a spring series on soft, seaming wickets in England next May, followed six months later by a series in Australia-like conditions in South Africa.

Yasir Shah is already 31 years old, and clearly will be a liability in both series.

Even if Shadab Khan doesn't develop to become a bowler any better than Shahid Afridi, at least if he is groomed properly he can average 25 with the bat in those series and support the quick bowlers.

Whereas with Yasir Shah, Misbah overbowled him in such conditions and destroyed his own attack.

The two big series next year require 4 quick bowlers per Test. The more a spinner bowls, the less rest the quick bowlers get between overs.

Shadab needs to be developed. Yasir Shah hasn't reached his potential. He hardly spins his leg-break, his googly is non-existent, and he has no flipper. His only real strength is exceptional accuracy.

I agree with you that Shadab needs to be developed.But as you said,he is just 18 and that means he can play games here and there e.g he can be given a test against SL.In the only test that Shadab has ever played,he was clearly outperformed by Yasir Shah.He can play after the next batch of away tours i.e SA and England.
P.S Shadab is a better batsman than you think.Can average 30.

Asghar is an offspinner who has been on the selection radar for a long time and he deserves a look in.He is also 18.If him and Shadab both make it,it will be brilliant for the future.

Also,old age?Our oldest player is 32.Yasir is only 31 and can play for the next two years provided he performs well.

 

[ads101]

Shadab isn't ready, I feel really strongly that he shouldn't even touch test cricket atm, just focus on LOI.

I'd go with Zafar Gohar.

 

[saifi]

Asghar.
Shadab is not ready

 

[Abdullah719]

It will probably be Asghar, he was with the team during the previous Test series. Shadab was there too but he shouldn't play as part of a four-man attack. The other bowlers like Zafar Gohar appear to be out of contention for the time being. Hopefully some of them can do well in the next season of QeA - that should bring them into contention.

 

[Muhammad10]

Should go with Asghar, assuming Shadab is the other option.

 

[Parvaiz Occupied Kashmiri]

There Was Some1 Called Iqbal Mustafa In Lahore Lions team....
I watched Him During Clt20 2014 when lahore lions played in clt20 in india...
He was ok....

 

[The_Odd_One]

I genuinely mean no offence, but you are making the same mistake of excessive deference to age.

Misbah-ul-Haq was a sentimental choice as Man of the Series in England. But what actually happened was that he scored a century at the beginning against an attack missing Anderson and Stokes, and then had scores of:

0, 52, 35, 56, 10, 15

In other words, in 3 of the 7 innings he put his team in trouble.

As for Yasir Shah, the bottom line is that he has not reached the level I hoped, and now Shadab Khan needs to get the intensive exposure to Mushtaq Ahmed that he got.

This is Yasir's record in his 5 Test series in the last year:

In England: 19 wickets at an average of 40.73
Home v West Indies: 21 wickets at an average of 26.85
In New Zealand: 0 wickets for 61
In Australia: 8 wickets at an average of 84.00
In West Indies: 25 wickets at an average of 21.96

Pakistan's next two big challenges are a spring series on soft, seaming wickets in England next May, followed six months later by a series in Australia-like conditions in South Africa.

Yasir Shah is already 31 years old, and clearly will be a liability in both series.

Even if Shadab Khan doesn't develop to become a bowler any better than Shahid Afridi, at least if he is groomed properly he can average 25 with the bat in those series and support the quick bowlers.

Whereas with Yasir Shah, Misbah overbowled him in such conditions and destroyed his own attack.

The two big series next year require 4 quick bowlers per Test. The more a spinner bowls, the less rest the quick bowlers get between overs.

Shadab needs to be developed. Yasir Shah hasn't reached his potential. He hardly spins his leg-break, his googly is non-existent, and he has no flipper. His only real strength is exceptional accuracy.

None scores a 50+ score in every inning. Not sure why would you remove Misbah's 1 100 and 2 50s in 4 tests to prove a point. Anderson took just 9 wickets in the 3 tests he played, he was hardly threatening. Stokes averages almost 35 with ball. He is no McGrath.

Yasir is a better test bowler and even batsman than Shadab. How many tests have Pakistan won without Yasir taking at least one 5-fer in an inning?