Who should open for Pakistan in the 1st Test against England?

[MenInG]

This is our opener's list:

Openers (4) – Abid Ali (Sindh, Lahore Qalandars), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi) and Shan Masood (Southern Punjab, Multan Sultans)


Fakhar Zaman is obviously not going to play Tests so which 2 will/should open for Pakistan in the 1st Test vs England?

 

[shamaan]

This is our opener's list:

Openers (4) – Abid Ali (Sindh, Lahore Qalandars), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore Qalandars), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan, Peshawar Zalmi) and Shan Masood (Southern Punjab, Multan Sultans)


Fakhar Zaman is obviously not going to play Tests so which 2 will/should open for Pakistan in the 1st Test vs England?

Thiers only 2 people in contention
Abid ali and shan followed imaam then fakhar

 

[Nasty Naz]

Going to be Shan and Abid of course.

I'd expect Pakistan to go with the exact same combination as their last Test match vs Bangladesh with Fawad being swapped in for Haris.

 

[Rayyman]

Going to be Shan and Abid of course.

I'd expect Pakistan to go with the exact same combination as their last Test match vs Bangladesh with Fawad being swapped in for Haris.

I’d pick Faheem Ashraf for the Old Trafford match, and Yasir would sit out because he sucked at that venue the last time Pakistan played there.

The openers should be Shan Masood and Imam ul-Haq.

 

[sweep_shot]

Shan Masood and Abid Ali.

 

[Rana]

I think Shan and Imam
Abid at 3
Babar 4

 

[Rayyman]

I think Shan and Imam
Abid at 3
Babar 4

Don’t see this happening vs England, but this should be the Top 4 once Azhar is gone. Hopefully soon.

 

[Nasty Naz]

I’d pick Faheem Ashraf for the Old Trafford match, and Yasir would sit out because he sucked at that venue the last time Pakistan played there.

The openers should be Shan Masood and Imam ul-Haq.

I would have different choices personally but that's what Pakistan will go with. Yasir is somehow still a lock despite numerous mediocre performances the last few years.

I also don't see Pakistan going with 4 seamers and no spinner option unless they really think Fawad can bowl (or Iftikhar if they select him instead).

 

[Rayyman]

I would have different choices personally but that's what Pakistan will go with. Yasir is somehow still a lock despite numerous mediocre performances the last few years.

I also don't see Pakistan going with 4 seamers and no spinner option unless they really think Fawad can bowl (or Iftikhar if they select him instead).

Idk bro let’s see what the pitches are like in the West Indies series

 

[sshakir411]

Abid and Shan. This shouldn't even be a question.

 

[TeamPak95]

Unless one of them (maybe even both) score horrendously to start the series, it's most likely going to be Shan and Abid for all three tests. Imam will probably only play if someone gets injured.

 

[pratiktc]

Shan and Abid
Unlikely they will do any miracles but both are mature experienced players. Hopefully will see out new ball and give Pak setup for at 275-300 scores

 

[Justcrazy]

Shaan and Abid , that is my choice as well.

Left and Right combo , they need to blunt the new ball.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Pakistan was a different team when Sami Aslam replaced Shan Masood in their tour of England.

Obviously Shan Masood is top of the pecking order because he has earned it - although I believe Imam may be a better option in England.

 

[MMHS]

First Test at OT and I have no clue about how the wickets will be, but believe that’s a fresh wicket - some thing like a May wicket, but during much warmer weather and hopefully drier than Manchester’s usual.

The toughest call is not about openers - since Azhar won’t open, I think this one is the easiest of calls - at least for first or may be first two Tests. For me the toughest call is the bowling combination - usually, fresh Trafford wicket in early summer means at least three out & out pacers, may be four men all pace attack, backed by part-time spin. Later part of summer - may be 1.5 or two specialist spinets. But, this one is an August wicket with little or no cricket at all.

I’ll definitely play Yasir, and tempted to play two spinners (both leggi) - May be Faheem should replace Abbas as third seemer!!! Depending on the colour of the track (& weather forecast), this will be my playing XI

1. Shan
2. Abid
3. *Azhar
4. Babar
5. Asad
6. +Rizwan
7. Shadab/Yasir
8. Yasir/Faheem
9. Faheem/Abbas
10. Shaheen
11. Naseem

Considering the fitness of PAK pacers, I won’t suggest four Bowlers’ combination - but if they do go with 3+1 combination, that lone spinner must have to be Yasir.


Pretty much given line-up, barring injury or illness, first two Tests will be played by players among these 12.

 

[Hasan123]

It will be Shan Masood and Abid Ali.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The fact that imam and fakhar are the back up options in test team shows how bad options are.

Shan and abid to open.

 

[ShahidDar08]

Playing 11 for first test:

01. Abid Ali
02. Shan Masood
03. Azhar Ali
04. Babar Azam
05. Asad Shafiq
06. Iftikhar Ahmad
07. Mohammad Rizwan
08. Yasir Shah
09. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Mohammad Abas
11. Naseem Shah

 

[shamaan]

I think Shan and Imam
Abid at 3
Babar 4

Imaam you want him to end his career by getting hit with a bouncer

 

[shamaan]

Pakistan was a different team when Sami Aslam replaced Shan Masood in their tour of England.

Obviously Shan Masood is top of the pecking order because he has earned it - although I believe Imam may be a better option in England.

Maybe in Asian conditions hes better but in sena has to be shan

 

[shamaan]

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Shafiq
Rizwan
shadab
Fahim
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem

Shadab,fahim can contribute with the bat and ball like they did last tym they were in england

 

[shamaan]

Playing 11 for first test:

01. Abid Ali
02. Shan Masood
03. Azhar Ali
04. Babar Azam
05. Asad Shafiq
06. Iftikhar Ahmad
07. Mohammad Rizwan
08. Yasir Shah
09. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Mohammad Abas
11. Naseem Shah

Sami aslam would have been the squad if they were taking 2 separate squads at different times

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Maybe in Asian conditions hes better but in sena has to be shan

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...kistan-3rd-investec-test-pak-tour-of-eng-2016

 

[Shoaibbtt]

In an answer to your question the 2 best are Shan and Abid to open and in my eyes most likely opening pair. Only change i would make is having Fawad in for Haris, i think with the swinging conditions it's best to go in with an extra batsman, i don't think Faheem will have any impact plus he's a disappointing batsman.

 

[shamaan]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...kistan-3rd-investec-test-pak-tour-of-eng-2016

No am on about about imaam he shouldn't b in the squad Sami should ahve been in thier

 

[Kroll]

Shan is certain, Abid will get the nod ahead of Imam.

 

[shamaan]

In an answer to your question the 2 best are Shan and Abid to open and in my eyes most likely opening pair. Only change i would make is having Fawad in for Haris, i think with the swinging conditions it's best to go in with an extra batsman, i don't think Faheem will have any impact plus he's a disappointing batsman.

Would you play shadab then cuz hes more of a batting all rounder instead of yasir

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Would you play shadab then cuz hes more of a batting all rounder instead of yasir

Unfortunately whatever form Yasir is in you have to play him bro but i think after 2 tests he flops or gets smashed then play Shadab as an alternate.

My opinion on including Fawad is perhaps bias cause i'm a fan but honestly Faheem has been disappointing to say the least in my eyes. I had high expectations for Faheem but honestly he's been a let down, i would however reserve him for the t20s but again even in t20s i would rather opt for Amer Yamin.

 

[shamaan]

Unfortunately whatever form Yasir is in you have to play him bro but i think after 2 tests he flops or gets smashed then play Shadab as an alternate.

My opinion on including Fawad is perhaps bias cause i'm a fan but honestly Faheem has been disappointing to say the least in my eyes. I had high expectations for Faheem but honestly he's been a let down, i would however reserve him for the t20s but again even in t20s i would rather opt for Amer Yamin.

It's TRUE they will play yasir but I'd rather play shadab atleast you no he can bat more than decently.

Fawad will play if they go with 4 man attack.i only said fahim and shadab cuz they both can chip in with ball and bat espically if its abit if swing fahim could he useful and shadab can be handy with the bat but I dont except then to go in with both or even 1

 

[Shoaibbtt]

It's TRUE they will play yasir but I'd rather play shadab atleast you no he can bat more than decently.

Fawad will play if they go with 4 man attack.i only said fahim and shadab cuz they both can chip in with ball and bat espically if its abit if swing fahim could he useful and shadab can be handy with the bat but I dont except then to go in with both or even 1

Shadab i don't think he will be a suitable substitute for Yasir, i am happy for Shadab and his batting form but as an incentive let's just have him play more t20s and odis before jumping him into tests in fact when greedy Malik and Hafeez back away then we can give him a higher batting position.

 

[Majid Khan]

I would go with Hafeez if he’s around in England, as you definitely need solid experience in the top order on England tours and Hafeez being an established batsman at the top level who is well respected by opposition and fellow colleagues , could show the way as a senior player to youngsters like Babar, Fakhar and Imam ul Haq on how to bat when things get tough out there in the middle. He’s clearly done it all around the world , for him to still be around after 20 years almost and making headlines globally about passing covid tests on the eve of the tour.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

Would prefer Abid and Azhar but know it’s unlikely. Worry Shan would be troubled by Broad early on

 

[coy0607]

Pretty straight forward this - Abid and Shan will open, thats been the plan for months and nothing recent suggests that would change. They're both very unproven though, so expect a lot of nervous starts by Pakistan batting

 

[Abdullah719]

I would go with Hafeez if he’s around in England, as you definitely need solid experience in the top order on England tours and Hafeez being an established batsman at the top level who is well respected by opposition and fellow colleagues , could show the way as a senior player to youngsters like Babar, Fakhar and Imam ul Haq on how to bat when things get tough out there in the middle. He’s clearly done it all around the world , for him to still be around after 20 years almost and making headlines globally about passing covid tests on the eve of the tour.

Well, he did say he is ready to play Tests if needed.

 

[Kashur_Kalkharab]

Maqsood and abid obviously,left right combination. I will try babar at three in first match, azhar can then be more useful if babar survives.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Shan and Imam. Our best bets, according to me!

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Abid looked very rusty in English conditions as per the clip released yesterday. I think Shan and Imam might me the best bets. Don’t want to write Abid off too soon though, but I hope Misbah is open minded enough to try another opener if Abid doesn’t perform in the next 2 practice matches.

 

[Usman]

Abid looked very rusty in English conditions as per the clip released yesterday. I think Shan and Imam might me the best bets. Don’t want to write Abid off too soon though, but I hope Misbah is open minded enough to try another opener if Abid doesn’t perform in the next 2 practice matches.

I agree. Hopefully Abid will recover his form very soon but if he's looking completely out of sorts, he shouldn't play, irrespective of the plans that the team may have had for months. In the clips yesterday, Abid got out multiple times and we can't go into the test match with a guaranteed 0-1 scorecard.

 

[Mueez]

Definitely Shan and Imam.

Wish we had Sami Aslam in the squad...

Wonder where he disappeared.

 

[shamaan]

Abid looked very rusty in English conditions as per the clip released yesterday. I think Shan and Imam might me the best bets. Don’t want to write Abid off too soon though, but I hope Misbah is open minded enough to try another opener if Abid doesn’t perform in the next 2 practice matches.

You csnt just drop him cuz hes failed in a practise match he has to give atleast 2 tests this thing with pakistan cricket either u get 1 or 2 chances or u get 100 chances thiers no in between

 

[shamaan]

I agree. Hopefully Abid will recover his form very soon but if he's looking completely out of sorts, he shouldn't play, irrespective of the plans that the team may have had for months. In the clips yesterday, Abid got out multiple times and we can't go into the test match with a guaranteed 0-1 scorecard.

But do we have any replacement is imaam good enough in tests in sena dont think so

 

[shamaan]

Definitely Shan and Imam.

Wish we had Sami Aslam in the squad...

Wonder where he disappeared.

Defo shan and abid if Sami was in the squad then him ahead of abid

 

[Thunderbolt14]

You csnt just drop him cuz hes failed in a practise match he has to give atleast 2 tests this thing with pakistan cricket either u get 1 or 2 chances or u get 100 chances thiers no in between

If he fails in 3 practice matches against our own bowlers he won’t stand a chance against Anderson, Broad, Archer etc. I know it is harsh but the guy is in his 30’s as well and shouldn’t have been given a debut so late. This is what happens when you let seniors hog up spots, you prevent younger talents from developing with the national side.

Abid unfortunately doesn’t have many years left to develop his game for SENA conditions. So better to invest in a youngster even if the youngster fails. I’m saying all of this on the assumption Abid continues to look rusty in the next three weeks. If he supersedes that, he must play for sure.

 

[Usman]

But do we have any replacement is imaam good enough in tests in sena dont think so

I'm an Imam fan to be honest. Whilst I agree he sometimes lacks the consistency required, I think he's got a solid technique, patience and a hunger for runs. I think if he's given an extended run, he'd prove his worth.

 

[shamaan]

If he fails in 3 practice matches against our own bowlers he won’t stand a chance against Anderson, Broad, Archer etc. I know it is harsh but the guy is in his 30’s as well and shouldn’t have been given a debut so late. This is what happens when you let seniors hog up spots, you prevent younger talents from developing with the national side.

Abid unfortunately doesn’t have many years left to develop his game for SENA conditions. So better to invest in a youngster even if the youngster fails. I’m saying all of this on the assumption Abid continues to look rusty in the next three weeks. If he supersedes that, he must play for sure.

Am sure its 2 practise matches ain't it.but I fought our howling shaheen and naseem are just as good dont no weather he played against these two in the practise matches thou.archer can end imaam career with a bouncer we know he dont play bounce to well.

 

[shamaan]

I'm an Imam fan to be honest. Whilst I agree he sometimes lacks the consistency required, I think he's got a solid technique, patience and a hunger for runs. I think if he's given an extended run, he'd prove his worth.

I just belive he should be given a chance against a weaker team in Asian conditions to build confidence he dont play the short bowl that well and england have archer and wood in the squad I dont want him getting injuried

 

[Usman]

I just belive he should be given a chance against a weaker team in Asian conditions to build confidence he dont play the short bowl that well and england have archer and wood in the squad I dont want him getting injuried

I don't believe Imam needs shielding against the England attack. Hopefully Abid will be in good nick come the test matches. However if he's still getting out regularly, then Imam is a sound choice. He's faced Archer etc before - just last year we played against England in England and we played the World Cup. Imam scored a glorious 100 in one of those games and generally played well throughout.

 

[shamaan]

I don't believe Imam needs shielding against the England attack. Hopefully Abid will be in good nick come the test matches. However if he's still getting out regularly, then Imam is a sound choice. He's faced Archer etc before - just last year we played against England in England and we played the World Cup. Imam scored a glorious 100 in one of those games and generally played well throughout.

That's cuz it was an odi where u can bowl 1 per over were in tests you can bowl 5 overs of short bowling if he did improve on short pitched bowling then yeah give me a chance but for me nope but just my opinion

 

[Usman]

That's cuz it was an odi where u can bowl 1 per over were in tests you can bowl 5 overs of short bowling if he did improve on short pitched bowling then yeah give me a chance but for me nope but just my opinion

You may have a point - his First Class record is much worse than his Limited Overs record. That could be because of problems with the short ball - we'll have to wait and see if he gets his chance. But in any case, Shan Masood has a pretty poor First Class record too, yet everyone loves him at the moment.

My own view is that Imam has shown enough in limited overs cricket to suggest he should be successful in tests. So if the management are in doubt of Abid's form, they shouldn't hesitate to select Imam. I honestly don't think an out of form Abid is any match for an in-form Imam.

All of this assumes of course that Abid is out of form and Imam is in form. All total hypotheticals at this stage. Let's see how the next month or so plays out.

 

[shamaan]

You may have a point - his First Class record is much worse than his Limited Overs record. That could be because of problems with the short ball - we'll have to wait and see if he gets his chance. But in any case, Shan Masood has a pretty poor First Class record too, yet everyone loves him at the moment.

My own view is that Imam has shown enough in limited overs cricket to suggest he should be successful in tests. So if the management are in doubt of Abid's form, they shouldn't hesitate to select Imam. I honestly don't think an out of form Abid is any match for an in-form Imam.

All of this assumes of course that Abid is out of form and Imam is in form. All total hypotheticals at this stage. Let's see how the next month or so plays out.

Tbh I dont watch much first class only here and thier I cant remember opposition but I know he got hit by a short bowler and was off the ground for a while he tried playing it instead of ducking it. Also he fishes outside off stump.

He has done more than enough in odis I like him in odis gives stability to the batting.of course imaam will play they have no other options even thou I belive Sami aslam should have been in the squad.