Why is Inzamam-ul-Haq too scared to test new players against a weak Zimbabwe?

[Shafi]

Really disappointed to see Hafeez in both T20 and ODI squad and Yasir in ODI squad. Why can't we give opportunities to younger players? If India can send their B team against full strength Zimbabwe team then why we cannot rest and drop some of our players against Zimbabwe A team.
Really poor from Inzamam!!!!

 

[ExplicitAI]

Zimbabwe isn't an associate level team like everyone makes them out to be, they're above the likes of Ireland, Afghanistan etc. They're the type of team where you could either whitewash them or lose an odd game (considered an upset) and this has happened against Pakistan, India, Aus. They're a competitive team against Bangladesh from what I've seen so I wouldn't mind a full strength team against them. Plus the ODI team we currently have has lots of youngsters who haven't even played 40 games so I don't understand all the fuss here; let them get their runs and wickets.

 

[Shafi]

Zimbabwe isn't an associate level team like everyone makes them out to be, they're above the likes of Ireland, Afghanistan etc. They're the type of team where you could either whitewash them or lose an odd game (considered an upset) and this has happened against Pakistan, India, Aus. They're a competitive team against Bangladesh from what I've seen so I wouldn't mind a full strength team against them. Plus the ODI team we currently have has lots of youngsters who haven't even played 40 games so I don't understand all the fuss here; let them get their runs and wickets.

Zimbabwe will play without their top 5 players!!!!

 

[hadi123]

Zimbabwe haven't even got some of their big names. I think we could have rested a couple of the big guns. I am disappointed with this squad.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Malik, Hasan and Amir should have been rested. The others should play. Most of these guys are as young as the players in the India B team

 

[Hitman]

What future does anyone see with a 37 year old outright below average Hafeez in the team? Can any sane mind explain me?

 

[Kroll]

What future does anyone see with a 37 year old outright below average Hafeez in the team? Can any sane mind explain me?

He's a "senior" and these need to be respected. Has an influential lobby behind him in the right places as well.

 

[Hitman]

He's a "senior" and these need to be respected. Has an influential lobby behind him in the right places as well.

The only way a 37 year old player should find a place in any team is if he's really special and playing really well.

 

[Savak]

Sometimes a match or series should be all about testing new players, yes you might win, lose but you need to plan for the future and give younger players a go

 

[TeymurBlake]

We don't have much of a depth in our team especially in our spin department and batting slots. Zafar Gohar or Raza Hasan should have been tried rather than test spinner Yasir. We also don't have much depth in the middle order. Hafeez and Malik continously looked at to solve that problem, unfortunately for us there trash and we need to groom some new ones such as Saad Ali, Saud Shakeel or anyone that hasn't been tested and Mickey can work with.

 

[Kroll]

The only way a 37 year old player should find a place in any team is if he's really special and playing really well.

Hafeez is blessed in all three facets of the game.

 

[Mainul]

By selecting Hafeez again and again Pakistan have thrown axe onto their own feet.Hafeez is the luckiest guy in world cricket to play so many matches.If Hafeez,Yasir,Shehzad,Wahab are (even any one of them) there in the ODI squad for 2019 world cup Pakistan won't reach semifinal stage.
Pakistan for last few years is afraid and reluctant to test new promising guys in LOIs.Even against Scotland they played their best eleven.There is no logic to play their full strength team against weak Zimbabwe though Hafeez belongs to Pakistan B team actually.

 

[Hitman]

Hafeez is blessed in all three facets of the game.

The guy reminds me of Ravi Shastri, both equally useless and both played way too many matches than they deserved.

 

[deems]

To all those bashing the selectors

Micky and management are planning for WC 2019 and upcoming test series. They've decided they'll be sticking to these guys untill the world cup. Yasir shah is there to get match fitness and game time before the tests in the UAE and also back up option to shadab in ODI.
Whether you like it or not(I don't) Hafeez will play the world cup unless he gets banned again. As an all-rounder, he adds value to the team. He could well be opening with fakhar at the world cup unfortunately. Now, let's hope and pray that either Asif Ali or sahibzada; if presented an opportunity set the stage on thus making it tough for Feeju.
I'm happy with the squad, if anything nephew shouldn't be in the ODI squad.

 

[cricketworm]

Hafeez is there so he can destroy Zim. Doesn't he have like Bradman like average against minnows.

 

[Markhor]

Probably because in the past two tours of Zimbabwe, we've lost matches even with a full strength team.

 

[MMHS]

Zimbabwe isn't an associate level team like everyone makes them out to be, they're above the likes of Ireland, Afghanistan etc. They're the type of team where you could either whitewash them or lose an odd game (considered an upset) and this has happened against Pakistan, India, Aus. They're a competitive team against Bangladesh from what I've seen so I wouldn't mind a full strength team against them. Plus the ODI team we currently have has lots of youngsters who haven't even played 40 games so I don't understand all the fuss here; let them get their runs and wickets.

You haven't seen anything, taking a chance here - last ZIM won against BD was May 2013. Since then, these two teams have played 10 ODIs, for a 10-0 run for BD, and these are the margins -

87 runs
68 runs
124 runs
21 runs
5 wickets (inside 25 overs)
145 runs
58 runs
61 runs
8 wickets (Inside 29 overs) &
91 runs.

However, all 10 games were played in BD; but compared to the squad (s) that ZIM picked in those games and the squad they have picked for this series, it's shameful, knee jerking squad.

The ZIM that's going to take a full strength PAK team is not associate level, rather club level of top associate nations.

 

[MMHS]

The guy reminds me of Ravi Shastri, both equally useless and both played way too many matches than they deserved.

Ravi at least won a Man of The Series in B&H Mini World Cup, in AUS; also he still holds the best figure (?) by an Indian in AUS (5/15 at WACA), and he has 3 MoMs there I believe - this guy MoHa bats like tail-ender there (11 game, 18/60 stats) and he chucks.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Should have rested Amir and Hassan,also Shadab and Faheem.

Hafeez should not have been selected

 

[MMHS]

Probably because in the past two tours of Zimbabwe, we've lost matches even with a full strength team.

Do you think, picking best possible XI protects that? On playing merit PAK C should have won 3-0 every time (It would have been 2-1 in PAK as well without rain, but Malik could have won the 2nd game as well without rain); but both times PAK managed to lose an active rubber, because those teams were not ruthless enough - led by weak Captains, they allowed skill wise far inferior teams to make a come back. Can't recall the first one, but in 2nd defeat, ZIM scored like 100 in last 12-13 overs from 5/6 down and then got PAK 6 down for 60 or so. These things don't happen because inexperienced players were picked, rather because of panicking & losing focus - 90% of time that happens for weak leadership (unless game was fixed).

 

[imranyounus]

criticism of hafeez asid the statement looks bit odd. you only have hafeez and malik as old players. even sarfaraz wasent there 4 years ago as regular. rest of team is pretty much almost less than 4 years experienced. what new you want.

 

[BaankeJi]

Really disappointed to see Hafeez in both T20 and ODI squad and Yasir in ODI squad. Why can't we give opportunities to younger players? If India can send their B team against full strength Zimbabwe team then why we cannot rest and drop some of our players against Zimbabwe A team.
Really poor from Inzamam!!!!

I think they don't want to disrespect Zimbabwe since Zimbabwe visited Pakistan when nobody else would.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I think we could have afforded the chance to rest a few players and taken youngsters to improve our depth in the team specially with the world cup on the horizon.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Has to do with our mentality. Always afraid to lose esp with the nr 1 ranking at stake.

This is what they will keep playing till the WC 2019. So bear with it.

 

[moghul]

What future does anyone see with a 37 year old outright below average Hafeez in the team? Can any sane mind explain me?

No one knows, hope I'm not the only one clueless on this . Sheer disappointment .

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Pakistan hasn't played an ODI since January 19, 2018.

They don't have another series until mid September (Asia Cup).

Would you guys really like your full ODI squad to not play for 8 months less than a year before the World Cup?

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Exrreemely poor that they are planning Hafeez but not Hussain Talat for odi world cup next year.

 

[ExplicitAI]

You haven't seen anything, taking a chance here - last ZIM won against BD was May 2013. Since then, these two teams have played 10 ODIs, for a 10-0 run for BD, and these are the margins -

87 runs
68 runs
124 runs
21 runs
5 wickets (inside 25 overs)
145 runs
58 runs
61 runs
8 wickets (Inside 29 overs) &
91 runs.

However, all 10 games were played in BD; but compared to the squad (s) that ZIM picked in those games and the squad they have picked for this series, it's shameful, knee jerking squad.

The ZIM that's going to take a full strength PAK team is not associate level, rather club level of top associate nations.

I wasn't really insulting Bangladesh here, they've improved so much over the years but they obviously haven't had a golden run against Zim where both Pak and Ind have been defeating them for many years. The recent 10 games you mentioned are proof of their good form in ODI's as of lately. And no I will still say that Zim has that ability to cause upsets to major teams, they're not as "weak pushovers" as everyone makes them out to be, their batting is somewhat decent.

 

[hitthestump]

Basically this means Hafeez is part of the WC squad.

What they could have done is given a chance to Hussain Talat/Asif Ali and then brought Hafeez back for the WC had they failed. But for some reason they're even unwilling to try out the youngsters, as if to avoid a situation where they can no longer justify the Prof's selection.

 

[Shaka81]

Hafeez is blessed in all three facets of the game.

Hafeez is blessed with being extremely poor in all three facets of the game but good at building relationships with powerful people. Who needs talent when you have strong backing...

 

[MMHS]

I wasn't really insulting Bangladesh here, they've improved so much over the years but they obviously haven't had a golden run against Zim where both Pak and Ind have been defeating them for many years. The recent 10 games you mentioned are proof of their good form in ODI's as of lately. And no I will still say that Zim has that ability to cause upsets to major teams, they're not as "weak pushovers" as everyone makes them out to be, their batting is somewhat decent.

Bro, in any logic, sense, calculation.... there is absolutely no justification to pick the 3 bowlers (& Yasir) for this series. Batsmen I can overlook, and Ul Haq has slotted Bhatija in the young batsmen quota & he had to pick MoHa - but, the bowling picks are not only knee jerk, stupid as well. In a WC year with at least 25 ODIs to be played before WC & after this useless series ....... it’s only possible in PAK.

Last time Ul Haq sent Afridi to Scotland and Arthur didn’t field him at all- this time, I hope they are not forced to do so with Amir/Hasan breaking down. They didn’t pick any backup WK for 5+5 games in quick succession and, that recall of Yasir .....

 

[coy0607]

pathetic selection, considering you're playing the ZIM c-team

Hafeez, Yasir, Amir, Hassan, Haris (T20), Asif (ODI)

now I hope this series doesn't happen

 

[PakSarZameen]

criticism of hafeez asid the statement looks bit odd. you only have hafeez and malik as old players. even sarfaraz wasent there 4 years ago as regular. rest of team is pretty much almost less than 4 years experienced. what new you want.

Agreed, nothing wrong with having Hafeez and Malik in our squads, they need to perform though.

 

[TeamPak95]

Talat: "Saifi bhai, I don't feel so good..."

 

[asfandyar]

It is not a matter of being scared. It is a matter of not being aware domestic players, except those whose names are circulated in the media (no matter how mediocre they are).

 

[NoBallZombie]

Just like everyone here, I am not satisfied with the selection for the tour but if we keep the 2019 WC, i have a feeling that Mickey and co have already decided the team and unless there is some amazing talent that surfaces between now and then. The team I think they are looking for is:

1. Fakhar (dasher)
2. Imam (can build an innings)
3. Babar (can build an innings)
4. Hafeez (Off spinning allrounder)
5. Malik (Dasher)
6. Sarfraz (wk, can increase run rate)
7. Shadab (leg spinning all rounder —also proper batsman)
8. Faheem (seam allrounder)
9. Hassan (medium fast)
10. Amir (fast medium)
11. Shinwari/shaheen/junaid (fast medium)

That team doesn’t look too bad with a lot of bowling options (as usual). Batting as usual is a bit of hit and miss. Shadab should replace hafeez in the batting order. What do you guys think?

 

[gazza619]

Really disappointed to see Hafeez in both T20 and ODI squad and Yasir in ODI squad. Why can't we give opportunities to younger players? If India can send their B team against full strength Zimbabwe team then why we cannot rest and drop some of our players against Zimbabwe A team.
Really poor from Inzamam!!!!

Yasir Shah has hardly played any international cricket. The main point to pick him is so that he is not raw when it comes to all important test series later in the year.

Tha Pakistan squad is already made up of mostly new players. I would rather let these new players further establish themselves rather than give exposure to more players. With the exception of Hafeez i cant think of any other player in this squad who doesnt deserve a place.

 

[gazza619]

Just like everyone here, I am not satisfied with the selection for the tour but if we keep the 2019 WC, i have a feeling that Mickey and co have already decided the team and unless there is some amazing talent that surfaces between now and then. The team I think they are looking for is:

1. Fakhar (dasher)
2. Imam (can build an innings)
3. Babar (can build an innings)
4. Hafeez (Off spinning allrounder)
5. Malik (Dasher)
6. Sarfraz (wk, can increase run rate)
7. Shadab (leg spinning all rounder —also proper batsman)
8. Faheem (seam allrounder)
9. Hassan (medium fast)
10. Amir (fast medium)
11. Shinwari/shaheen/junaid (fast medium)

That team doesn’t look too bad with a lot of bowling options (as usual). Batting as usual is a bit of hit and miss. Shadab should replace hafeez in the batting order. What do you guys think?

I am still not convinced with Imam in the line up. We need somebody like Sharjeel to partner Fakhar.
I would give Hussain Talat and/or Haris Sohail a go as well.

 

[Blitz]

Really disappointed to see Hafeez in both T20 and ODI squad and Yasir in ODI squad. Why can't we give opportunities to younger players? If India can send their B team against full strength Zimbabwe team then why we cannot rest and drop some of our players against Zimbabwe A team.
Really poor from Inzamam!!!!

Less then a year to go for a WC Pakistan can realistically win given their pedigree in England.

The time for experiments and opportunities is over. A settled team, winning a lot of matches, building confidence is the way to go.

 

[nextover666666]

For the t20 because we have number one ranking maybe we wants to secure that a a couple of losses can bring us down the rankings I would think but I would give more youngsters a shot for the ODI squad really happy that Farhan got selected

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Yasir is the weaklink

 

[New Yorker]

Less then a year to go for a WC Pakistan can realistically win given their pedigree in England.

The time for experiments and opportunities is over. A settled team, winning a lot of matches, building confidence is the way to go.

Because the team we have now could not possibly be better? Because Mohammed Amir has no chance of being injured? Because there is no more sublime batsman than Mohammed Hafeez in ODIs? How come we are ranked 5th in the ODI rankings? No, there is plenty of time left to give chances to youngsters. Bench strength and options are an absolute must, the CT story was itself testimony to that, with Fakhar replacing Shehzad being a crucial factor in our success.

 

[Saj]

The World Cup is less than a year away now, so the time for experiments is probably over.

To be fair to Inzi he's introduced a few new players since around the time of the Champions Trophy.

 

[MenInG]

The World Cup is less than a year away now, so the time for experiments is probably over.

To be fair to Inzi he's introduced a few new players since around the time of the Champions Trophy.

True, Mickey has said that they have the main WC19 squad in mind so we should expect same guys to feature.

 

[hadi123]

Pakistan hasn't played an ODI since January 19, 2018.

They don't have another series until mid September (Asia Cup).

Would you guys really like your full ODI squad to not play for 8 months less than a year before the World Cup?

Good point but why is Yasir Shah there? Completely random, Shadab Khan is there already.

 

[Hasan123]

Inzi has always been a fan of Hafeez. We also know our culture loves experience. His selection isn't a shock.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Good point but why is Yasir Shah there? Completely random, Shadab Khan is there already.

He's been injured and Pakistan have some crucial Test series coming up this season. Not the worst idea to give him match practice in some dead rubbers.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

The squad that has been picked is truly not even a surprise as they always do so even on such tours.

Look at Aussies how they are trying new players against such a strong England team and losing a series 5-0 in response. They are doing so because their main players are out for some reasons and some are injured.

Pakistan on the other hand confine to keep picking Amir who himself said he wants a break but the coach apparently doesn't want that so has picked him for both series.

Farhan and Talat have better stats in List A yet isn't picked in that format and yet Asif Ali who has mediocre stats gets picked instead.

When it comes to Pakistan cricket it's never anything simple.

This was the perfect way to give more exposure to guys like Talat, Farhan, maybe even Gohar and a few others who have done well domestically over the years to be tried out.