Why pick Asad Shafiq and Fawad Alam ahead of Abdullah Shafique and Haider Ali?

[Junaids]

The title of this thread says it all.

Pakistan is at a crossroads now.

The next World Cup is 3 years away. They are going to finish 4th or 5th in the 2019-21 World Test Championship cycle, and have no realistic pathway to the Final.

I cannot understand why they would retain the likes of:

Azhar Ali, aged 35, averaging 31.37 since MisYou retired 3 years ago.
Asad Shafiq, aged 34, averaging 35.11 since MisYou retired.
Fawad Alam, aged 35, averaging 10.00 since his Test comeback.

Why would you not replace these players with the likes of Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafique now, so that they have some test experience going into the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle?

 

[Ahson8]

While I'm against Fawad & Shafiq's selection, Haider shouldn't play tests yet, and especially not in New Zealand.

Get Saud in.

 

[Junaids]

You could strengthen the current Test team - and futureproof it - by simply removing those players who will be too old for the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle:

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Abdullah Shafique
4. Babar Azam
5. Haider Ali
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)

In one go you have removed two failing geriatrics with two promising youngsters. They might fail in New Zealand against Southee and Boult and Wagner, but so did Kohli and Co nine months ago. But at least they would learn from the experience!

 

[angrypathan]

Abdullah Shafique has 1 first class game to his name. He's not ready. Saud Shakeel should be the one replacing Shafiq and Haider Ali should replace Abid Ali. Haris Sohail if fit should be the stopgap replacement for Fawad till the next Test championship cycle begins.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] have you seen Saud Shakeel? He’s the type of player you’d like

 

[aloo paratha]

Experience

 

[choudhary6964]

Asad shafiq is the most useless cricketer ever and that tailender ugliest batsman ever fawad alam should not play cricket it's not his cup of tea

 

[Kroll]

You could strengthen the current Test team - and futureproof it - by simply removing those players who will be too old for the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle:

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Abdullah Shafique
4. Babar Azam
5. Haider Ali
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)

In one go you have removed two failing geriatrics with two promising youngsters. They might fail in New Zealand against Southee and Boult and Wagner, but so did Kohli and Co nine months ago. But at least they would learn from the experience!

1. Sami Aslam / Shan Masood
2. Imam
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Haris Sohail / Abdullah Shafique
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)

 

[Arsal_AK]

Because it's too soon. They should play with the Shaheens, rack up scores in domestics and thentransition into the test team.

For now, they should get Saud into the team over Asad/Fawad and move on from there. I wanted Usman as well but he has been really quite this season. Has gotten starts but not anything substantial. If he plays an innings like Saud next round, I think he can make a case.

Imran Butt should also replace Abid Ali at the top.

 

[naseem]

Is the squad announced

 

[zain7077]

No it will be tonight

 

[Arsal_AK]

No it will be tonight

Tonight? I thought they will wait till the end of the next QeA round. What's the urgency?

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Tonight? I thought they will wait till the end of the next QeA round. What's the urgency?

Indeed, they should wait. But at least it means that Saud Shakeel and Hussain Talat are likely selections.

I expect the four day Shaheens lineup to be something like this:

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imran Butt
3. Haider Ali
4. Saud Shakeel
5. Hussain Talat
6. Rohail Nazir (wk)
7. Amad Butt
8. Sajid Khan
9. Ehsan Adil
10. Sameen Gul
11. Khurram Shehzad

 

[zain7077]

Tonight? I thought they will wait till the end of the next QeA round. What's the urgency?

Has to be done early because it’s a 55 man squad including backroom staff and covid tests etc

 

[Arsal_AK]

Indeed, they should wait. But at least it means that Saud Shakeel and Hussain Talat are likely selections.

I expect the four day Shaheens lineup to be something like this:

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imran Butt
3. Haider Ali
4. Saud Shakeel
5. Hussain Talat
6. Rohail Nazir (wk)
7. Amad Butt
8. Sajid Khan
9. Ehsan Adil
10. Sameen Gul
11. Khurram Shehzad

I'll change it a bit. Abdullah should focus on the one down spot in test cricket. He is perfect for the no.3 spot, has all the atributes. Likes to bat long, can get big scores and is a fluent batsmen, we need that desperately in our middle order. Once Azhar is done, which should be soon even by our standards, he will be in contention for the position.

Saud should be with the main team and so should Imran, they have been playing for years now. Saud should be making his debut in NZ. Imran ideally should replace Abid but if not he should be the backup opener for when Abid inevitably fails.

If that's the case and they are already with the team, they shouldn't feature here. A games should spotlight people who are a year or few away from breaking into the national team. If not then yeah, they can get a spot especially if it helps them get into the team for tests later on the tour.

Ehsan again I think is doing enough in the domestic circuit. He has had these tours before. I don't think performing against NZ A is going to help his case any more than what he is already doing. Should be given to bolwers who can in a few years break into the national team. Otherwise it's a waste of the spot. I'll add Hasnain in his place. He had improved tremendously but needs for FC games. Can be a really good third seamer going forward.

I'll also take Ali Zaryab and maybe Omair too, both look good despite not being is that good of a form recently.

I am a bit torn about Hussain. Do we really see him playing test cricket down the line? If no, there is little use. But on the other had he has scored big runs so he makes an undeniable case.

Amad I can see getting that no.8 position overseas with Shadab at 7 especially going by his bowling recently so he is a good pick and should get the nod.

Maybe add someone like Huraira from the u-19s as well in the sqaud? Seems to be in good form currently.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

I'll change it a bit. Abdullah should focus on the one down spot in test cricket. He is perfect for the no.3 spot, has all the atributes. Likes to bat long, can get big scores and is a fluent batsmen, we need that desperately in our middle order. Once Azhar is done, which should be soon even by our standards, he will be in contention for the position.

Saud should be with the main team and so should Imran, they have been playing for years now. Saud should be making his debut in NZ. Imran ideally should replace Abid but if not he should be the backup opener for when Abid inevitably fails.

If that's the case and they are already with the team, they shouldn't feature here. A games should spotlight people who are a year or few away from breaking into the national team. If not then yeah, they can get a spot especially if it helps them get into the team for tests later on the tour.

Ehsan again I think is doing enough in the domestic circuit. He has had these tours before. I don't think performing against NZ A is going to help his case any more than what he is already doing. Should be given to bolwers who can in a few years break into the national team. Otherwise it's a waste of the spot. I'll add Hasnain in his place. He had improved tremendously but needs for FC games. Can be a really good third seamer going forward.

I'll also take Ali Zaryab and maybe Omair too, both look good despite not being is that good of a form recently.

I am a bit torn about Hussain. Do we really see him playing test cricket down the line? If no, there is little use. But on the other had he has scored big runs so he makes an undeniable case.

Amad I can see getting that no.8 position overseas with Shadab at 7 especially going by his bowling recently so he is a good pick and should get the nod.

Maybe add someone like Huraira from the u-19s as well in the sqaud? Seems to be in good form currently.

You make some very valid points. Ideally Saud does get a Test callup but I struggle to see that happen. Not sure Imran has done enough to get a callup, has had one good season last year and now needs a good A tour to stand out.

Hasnain will be a good pick, better than Ehsan Adil. Similarly I don’t mind giving Haris Rauf a try instead of Sameen Gul or Khurram Shehzad.

Overall very solid reasoning. Schoolboy selections but I don’t expect Misbah to get them right

 

[angrypathan]

Indeed, they should wait. But at least it means that Saud Shakeel and Hussain Talat are likely selections.

I expect the four day Shaheens lineup to be something like this:

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imran Butt
3. Haider Ali
4. Saud Shakeel
5. Hussain Talat
6. Rohail Nazir (wk)
7. Amad Butt
8. Sajid Khan
9. Ehsan Adil
10. Sameen Gul
11. Khurram Shehzad

Great line up. Realistically though it'll probably have at least 3 players over the age of 30, plus of course the ever young 29 year old Iftikhar

 

[Arsal_AK]

You make some very valid points. Ideally Saud does get a Test callup but I struggle to see that happen. Not sure Imran has done enough to get a callup, has had one good season last year and now needs a good A tour to stand out.

Hasnain will be a good pick, better than Ehsan Adil. Similarly I don’t mind giving Haris Rauf a try instead of Sameen Gul or Khurram Shehzad.

Overall very solid reasoning. Schoolboy selections but I don’t expect Misbah to get them right

I agree that it seems difficult Saud will get a call up let alone debut. Asad should be left out of the squad completely but we know that is not going to happen. Atleast Fawad and Azhar have some runs. I don't see Fawad lasting against Boult and Wagner at all so that is a waste too.

Imran did have a good season, was in the squad to England and has a couple of good scores here too. So, seems to be next in line. Abid Ali meanwhile can't seem to lay bat on ball.

 

[Shafi]

Shafiq dropped!!!

 

[Arsal_AK]

[MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] Saud is not even in the whole squad, Shaheens included.

 

[Hasan123]

Haider Ali is not ready for test match cricket yet. Stop thinking just because a player is young he will magically start performing. He needs more first class cricket.

Saud Shakeel is the 1 who should replace Shafiq.

 

[Bullet Drive]

You could strengthen the current Test team - and futureproof it - by simply removing those players who will be too old for the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle:

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Abdullah Shafique
4. Babar Azam
5. Haider Ali
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)

In one go you have removed two failing geriatrics with two promising youngsters. They might fail in New Zealand against Southee and Boult and Wagner, but so did Kohli and Co nine months ago. But at least they would learn from the experience!

Abid out!

How have you missed Saud Shakeel?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

New Zealand is not the place to give tryouts to rookies. Their technique will be sliced open by the likes of Boult, Southee and Wagner and it will demoralize their confidence before their Test career even has a chance to begin.

Pakistan's batting is fragile as it is. We need to stick with: Abid, Shan, Azhar, Babar, Haris/ Fawad, and Rizwan.

 

[shamaan]

The title of this thread says it all.

Pakistan is at a crossroads now.

The next World Cup is 3 years away. They are going to finish 4th or 5th in the 2019-21 World Test Championship cycle, and have no realistic pathway to the Final.

I cannot understand why they would retain the likes of:

Azhar Ali, aged 35, averaging 31.37 since MisYou retired 3 years ago.
Asad Shafiq, aged 34, averaging 35.11 since MisYou retired.
Fawad Alam, aged 35, averaging 10.00 since his Test comeback.

Why would you not replace these players with the likes of Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafique now, so that they have some test experience going into the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle?

Asad shafiq isnt in the test squad hes been dropped but Haider ali needs more experience in domestic hes more suited to odis and t20s Saud would be better option

 

[shamaan]

Abdullah Shafique has 1 first class game to his name. He's not ready. Saud Shakeel should be the one replacing Shafiq and Haider Ali should replace Abid Ali. Haris Sohail if fit should be the stopgap replacement for Fawad till the next Test championship cycle begins.

Saud should replace shafiq yes but haider ali no way should be open should be abdullah shafiq if anyone or imran butt

 

[shamaan]

While I'm against Fawad & Shafiq's selection, Haider shouldn't play tests yet, and especially not in New Zealand.

Get Saud in.

I totally agree with you regarding Haider just not yet

 

[shamaan]

Because it's too soon. They should play with the Shaheens, rack up scores in domestics and thentransition into the test team.

For now, they should get Saud into the team over Asad/Fawad and move on from there. I wanted Usman as well but he has been really quite this season. Has gotten starts but not anything substantial. If he plays an innings like Saud next round, I think he can make a case.

Imran Butt should also replace Abid Ali at the top.

Agree Imran but has a decent technique he replace abid ali and saud to replace asad all the rest need to play in shaheens

 

[Thunderbolt14]

[MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] Saud is not even in the whole squad, Shaheens included.

Very saddening, very maddening.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

The title of this thread says it all.

Pakistan is at a crossroads now.

The next World Cup is 3 years away. They are going to finish 4th or 5th in the 2019-21 World Test Championship cycle, and have no realistic pathway to the Final.

I cannot understand why they would retain the likes of:

Azhar Ali, aged 35, averaging 31.37 since MisYou retired 3 years ago.
Asad Shafiq, aged 34, averaging 35.11 since MisYou retired.
Fawad Alam, aged 35, averaging 10.00 since his Test comeback.

Why would you not replace these players with the likes of Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafique now, so that they have some test experience going into the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle?

Azhar Ali and Asad deserve dropping and well at least one of them got the boot.

Fawad deserves a go, he's really and truly only played one test match. I think ever since being in the test team it's certainly helped him with his QeA form which again he's still performing with 296 runs in 3 matches at an average of 59 and SR 51. I think after a long time to recall someone and to England of all places is frankly unfair and he should've been played in Pakistan against SL and Bangladesh.

However, we need to stop this culture of drop this guy and add this guy, if we do that how are we supposed to ever be settled or hope to be settled. Tomorrow if Abdullah Shafique doesn't perform after a series or 2 are we just gonna drop him? Give people proper chances in the case of Azhar and Asad they've had ample chances Fawad has only had one test match (technically) and we are already calculating his average.

 

[shamaan]

New Zealand is not the place to give tryouts to rookies. Their technique will be sliced open by the likes of Boult, Southee and Wagner and it will demoralize their confidence before their Test career even has a chance to begin.

Pakistan's batting is fragile as it is. We need to stick with: Abid, Shan, Azhar, Babar, Haris/ Fawad, and Rizwan.

Abid ali should be replaced by imran but and Saud with haris/fawad

 

[shamaan]

[MENTION=151892]Thunderbolt14[/MENTION] Saud is not even in the whole squad, Shaheens included.

I cant belive it he should have been thier very sad news

 

[shamaan]

Haider Ali is not ready for test match cricket yet. Stop thinking just because a player is young he will magically start performing. He needs more first class cricket.

Saud Shakeel is the 1 who should replace Shafiq.

I totally agree with you haider should concentrate on t20s and odis and play domestic

 

[shamaan]

Indeed, they should wait. But at least it means that Saud Shakeel and Hussain Talat are likely selections.

I expect the four day Shaheens lineup to be something like this:

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imran Butt
3. Haider Ali
4. Saud Shakeel
5. Hussain Talat
6. Rohail Nazir (wk)
7. Amad Butt
8. Sajid Khan
9. Ehsan Adil
10. Sameen Gul
11. Khurram Shehzad

I would have abdullah at 3 and haider at 5 and husain on the bench

 

[Hasan123]

I totally agree with you haider should concentrate on t20s and odis and play domestic

Junaids claims not to watch LO cricket but probably seen threads about Haider and seen his age . He thinks off that he should play test cricket lol.