Like always we will delay till the last second and then ask for an extension and then announce the same squad that we would have 20 days ago. The England tour should have been used for finalizing roles and addressing any gaps. Players would have known if they would be on the flight to the Caribbean or not and it would have helped them be more focused about the tournament instead of fighting for their place. But like always, we will keep everything and everyone in a state of flux till the last moment.
For what its worth my squad would be:
Bats: Babar, Saim, Fakhar, Iftikhar, Usman
Allrounders: Shadab, Imad
Keeper: Rizwan
Pacers: Shaheen, Naseem, Aamir, Abbas
Spinners: Abrar
I won't pick Usama as we already have a lot of spin options.
That leaves two batting/allrounder spots for which its perhaps a matter of choosing the least worst options. The possible contenders include Azam, Farhan, Irfan, Salman, Jamal, Nawaz, Abdullah, Saud, Haider, Haris. I would choose Azam and Jamal and I am really surprised by my own decision as I don't rate Azam and not convinced about Jamal's bowling. But it makes sense, or at least more sense than picking some of the others. Abdullah and Saud are two of my favorite young players but their inclusion can't be justified in the presence of Babar and Rizwan. Similarly Nawaz and Salman are not needed with Imad and Shadab already there. Farhan and Irfan have not impressed me and Haris and Haider are hacks. But then so is Azam. The only thing that convinced me to go for Azam is his experience and decent performances in the CPL. Although playing him would be a nightmare for the captain as far as hiding him in the field is concerned. Hopefully he won't be needed.
My reserves will include Mir, Rauf (if fit), Saud and Salman
For what its worth my squad would be:
Bats: Babar, Saim, Fakhar, Iftikhar, Usman
Allrounders: Shadab, Imad
Keeper: Rizwan
Pacers: Shaheen, Naseem, Aamir, Abbas
Spinners: Abrar
I won't pick Usama as we already have a lot of spin options.
That leaves two batting/allrounder spots for which its perhaps a matter of choosing the least worst options. The possible contenders include Azam, Farhan, Irfan, Salman, Jamal, Nawaz, Abdullah, Saud, Haider, Haris. I would choose Azam and Jamal and I am really surprised by my own decision as I don't rate Azam and not convinced about Jamal's bowling. But it makes sense, or at least more sense than picking some of the others. Abdullah and Saud are two of my favorite young players but their inclusion can't be justified in the presence of Babar and Rizwan. Similarly Nawaz and Salman are not needed with Imad and Shadab already there. Farhan and Irfan have not impressed me and Haris and Haider are hacks. But then so is Azam. The only thing that convinced me to go for Azam is his experience and decent performances in the CPL. Although playing him would be a nightmare for the captain as far as hiding him in the field is concerned. Hopefully he won't be needed.
My reserves will include Mir, Rauf (if fit), Saud and Salman
