Would Imad Wasim be a good option for Tests?

[aloo paratha]

Imad Wasim is a decent all rounder and he did well in the ODIs Vs Sri Lanka. But now that Hafeez has been banned from bowling we don't have a proper all rounder in the side.

Imad Wasim is a good player in FC cricket with a not to impressive 31 bowling average with a SR of 59 but taking his bating into account he becomes a solid player! Imad Wasim averages 41 in FC batting!

So how would you get him in the side? First Hafeez needs to be dropped, with him gone the order gets shifted up 1 until Shafiq so Imad can come at 6 or maybe Sarfraz can be promoted to 6 so Imad will be at 7. It would look a little like this:

Shehzad/Masood
Azhar Ali
Younis Khan
Misbah
Shafiq
Imad
Sarfraz

Do you think he is good enough to partner with Yasir Shah?

Discuss!

 

[Bullet Drive]

Yes.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Been saying it since before his debut , thought I would still play 6 bats + Sarfraz


Imad will be a good stopgap while the likes of Zafar develop

 

[Stallion__]

Sounds decent combination.

Imad can fill Hafeez's vaccuum (after his bowling ban).

Need 4 wicket-taking bowlers as well, atm, we are relying on only one.

 

[The_KING]

I've been impressed with him but from what I've seen of him so far, he doesn't come across as a huge wicket taker. He is more of a container much like Hafeez. In tests, I feel you need bowlers who can take wickets. I suppose there is no harm in trying him against England. Maybe he can play the Moeen Ali role for us going forward.

 

[aloo paratha]

I've been impressed with him but from what I've seen of him so far, he doesn't come across as a huge wicket taker. He is more of a container much like Hafeez. In tests, I feel you need bowlers who can take wickets. I suppose there is no harm in trying him against England. Maybe he can play the Moeen Ali role for us going forward.

The containing role usually helps the bowler at the other end get wickets! Yes in tests too. He won't be the main spinner anyway, he'll be bowling at the other end of Yasir Shah!

 

[The_KING]

The containing role usually helps the bowler at the other end get wickets! Yes in tests too. He won't be the main spinner anyway, he'll be bowling at the other end of Yasir Shah!

Yeah I guess you are right. No harm in giving him a go against England.

 

[aloo paratha]

Yeah I guess you are right. No harm in giving him a go against England.

Add his batting and I think we have a solid player!

 

[The_KING]

Add his batting and I think we have a solid player!

Yeah that's why I think he can play the Moeen Ali role lower down the order.

 

[#GreenRoars]

Can be handy with bat and ball too, should try him.

 

[aloo paratha]

Been saying it since before his debut , thought I would still play 6 bats + Sarfraz


Imad will be a good stopgap while the likes of Zafar develop

But he is coming as a replacement for Hafeez so I don't think we can have someone with a 14 batting average in for him. Although Zafar has a good bowling average of 21! we need someone who could bat though so Imad seems the better choice! But Zafar is one to look out for in the future and hopefully he improves his batting!

 

[Mahmood101]

Shehzad
Azhar Ali
Younis
Misbah
Safraz
Shafiq
Imad wasim
Zafar gohar
Wahab
Amir
Yair shah

This is a DEEP batting line up, with 5 bowlers

The best squad going forward



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[aloo paratha]

Shehzad
Azhar Ali
Younis
Misbah
Safraz
Shafiq
Imad wasim
Zafar gohar
Wahab
Amir
Yair shah

This is a DEEP batting line up, with 5 bowlers

The best squad going forward



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Yes will be a deep batting lineup since even Yasir our number 11 can hold a bat!

 

[Syed1]

I thought this topic was done and dusted..

The answer is a resounding NO.. one six in a T20 match should not result in a test cap. Let him perform first..

 

[Belawal2014]

I thought this topic was done and dusted..

The answer is a resounding NO.. one six in a T20 match should not result in a test cap. Let him perform first..

Too late. The hype train has already taken off.

 

[aloo paratha]

I thought this topic was done and dusted..

The answer is a resounding NO.. one six in a T20 match should not result in a test cap. Let him perform first..

?!?!?!?!? Nobody is hyping him and I didn't make this thread because he got the six in th T20, it's because Hafeez can't bowl anymore so we don't have an all rounder in the side!

 

[Mahmood101]

I thought this topic was done and dusted..

The answer is a resounding NO.. one six in a T20 match should not result in a test cap. Let him perform first..

Bro, it isn't just about that, it is for balance that is needed in the squad after hafeezs ban

His batting is probably as good as hafeezs in test and bowling role is the same, plus I'd rather have him in the squad over shan masood because at least he can bowl

Ur right one six doesn't make him a good player, but he's is needed in the squad for the uae pitches which support his bowling (spin) and batting (flat track)

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[Mahmood101]

Yes will be a deep batting lineup since even Yasir our number 11 can hold a bat!

I really wish we use this line up all the time in uae, 3 spinners! 2 good pacers And every one can bat, the last 4 batsmen can count as one batsmen itself

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[hussain.r97]

He can replace Hafeez, but he's not good enough to play the second spinner role.

 

[aloo paratha]

He can replace Hafeez, but he's not good enough to play the second spinner role.

In UAE we would probably have 2 spinners + Imad like we did with Hafeez but in other countries where spin isn't as effective I think he could be the 2nd spinner.

 

[aloo paratha]

I really wish we use this line up all the time in uae, 3 spinners! 2 good pacers And every one can bat, the last 4 batsmen can count as one batsmen itself

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Yes! And depending on conditions we could drop Zafar for Rahat Ali but that affects our batting since Rahat isn't too good with the bat!


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[Mahmood101]

Yes! And depending on conditions we could drop Zafar for Rahat Ali but that affects our batting since Rahat isn't too good with the bat!


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Yes Zafar can be replaced by a pacer in supporting conditions, ideally rahat, asif, or Junaid (hope he gets his MOJO back)

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[aloo paratha]

Just looking around on cricinfo and seems like Pakistan has a bright future with spinning all rounders like Zafar Gohar who averages about 21 bowling in both FC and List A and also surprisingly Kamran Ghulam who averages 70 with the bat which is bloated by a 157* but still has 2 other 50s!

 

[sunnykhan]

I don't agree. He will not be good in my opinion.

 

[aloo paratha]

I don't agree. He will not be good in my opinion.

What makes you think this?

 

[Mahmood101]

I don't agree. He will not be good in my opinion.

Sometimes the balance of the team is more important, I'm sure Haris Sohail is the better test batsmen, but he isn't needed a fifth Bowler is needed, that's why Imad is ideal for this team

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[proud_pakistani]

I have been quite impressed by his batting, the little I have seen of it. He could be a decent 5th bowling option and a decent lower order batsman. If he keeps it tight at one end he would allow Yasir to attack from the other. Will also depend on the pitch if we need a spinning all rounder or a pace bowling all rounder.

 

[aloo paratha]

6 100s and 19 50s at number 7 position with best bowling figures of 8-81

 

[Pakcricket89]

If he can bat at no. 7, Only then he can be given a debut, but for that we will have to disturb/change our batting order and drop 1 of Shehzad and Masood which could be an aggressive mood, but i dont expect Misbah to go this route. AS a pure bowler Imad isnt test class, his batting is unproven, as most of his runs have been scored in less competetive leg of our domestic FC cricket

 

[Sakss]

Since Hafeez cant bowl might be a good option as he can also bat down the order... like Moeen Ali kind of role

 

[ExplicitAI]

Considering how weak our tailenders are at batting, Imad can inject some life into the late parts of the innings.

 

[sunnykhan]

What makes you think this?

Sometimes the balance of the team is more important, I'm sure Haris Sohail is the better test batsmen, but he isn't needed a fifth Bowler is needed, that's why Imad is ideal for this team

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Well, Imad scored alot of runs in regional cricket in FC but he wasn't tested against Departmental bowlers. I'm not sold on him on the basis of his few little innings. So I will hold on including him in the test side. We have a habit of rushing. Just wait and watch and let him earn his spot for the test team on the basis of his performances.

Haris and Imad can not be compared. Both are different.

 

[aloo paratha]

Well, Imad scored alot of runs in regional cricket in FC but he wasn't tested against Departmental bowlers. I'm not sold on him on the basis of his few little innings. So I will hold on including him in the test side. We have a habit of rushing. Just wait and watch and let him earn his spot for the test team on the basis of his performances.

Haris and Imad can not be compared. Both are different.

I feel that he should at least be included in the squad!

You're right Haris and Imad can't be compared

 

[Mahmood101]

Well, Imad scored alot of runs in regional cricket in FC but he wasn't tested against Departmental bowlers. I'm not sold on him on the basis of his few little innings. So I will hold on including him in the test side. We have a habit of rushing. Just wait and watch and let him earn his spot for the test team on the basis of his performances.

Haris and Imad can not be compared. Both are different.

Not comparing them as individuals, just as who's needed now in the team. An allrounder is needed

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[Mahmood101]

Not comparing them as individuals, just as who's needed now in the team. An allrounder is needed

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Because some people were asking for Haris in the team as a third spinner

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[aloo paratha]

Because some people were asking for Haris in the team as a third spinner

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Haris would probably be a pretty handy bowler in tests but he is not one that could fill up the spot of a 2nd bowler.

 

[umer187]

We can give him a game or two as an allrounder but i don' t think he is a good enough test bowler. We need genuine wicket takers in the test side and Imd Wasim is not a wicket taker. Furthermore,there is really no need to strengthen our batting line up as it is performing well and it is quite deep anyways and I don't think Imad can ever fill the second spinner's spot in tests in any way. Just so that u guys get an idea of his wicket taking capabilities here are some of the FC stats of other similar spinners he is competing with:

If Imad joins the test side now so he will be replacing Zulfiqar Babar,who is an experienced bowler and has quite amazing stats in First Class cricket:

Zulfiqar Babar: Matches 77 Wickets 381 Average 22.26

Another player who is very highly regarded as a bowler in the domestic circuit is Zafar Gohar who made his mark in the Under 18 World Cup and has been a part of the Pakistan A team. He is just 20 years of age and has great potential as a bowler. His FC stats are:

Zafar Gohar: Matches 8 Wickets 37 Average 21.27

Imad Wasim has been quite good for Pakistan in the LOIs but it is still early days for him and he doesn't come across as a genuine wicket taker. His batting provides him a big advantage as he has 6 FC hundreds and 19 Fifties. But then again,we are talking about the second spinner's spot here. Here are Imad's First Class stats:

Imad Wasim: Matches 72 Wickets 134 Average 31.10

So Imad has just 134 wickets in 72 FC matches and he has bowled in 108 Innings. I feel that 134 wickets in 108 innings is not good enough to hand u a place in the Pakistan test side.
Hopefully this will help others to judge too!

 

[aloo paratha]

We can give him a game or two as an allrounder but i don' t think he is a good enough test bowler. We need genuine wicket takers in the test side and Imd Wasim is not a wicket taker. Furthermore,there is really no need to strengthen our batting line up as it is performing well and it is quite deep anyways and I don't think Imad can ever fill the second spinner's spot in tests in any way. Just so that u guys get an idea of his wicket taking capabilities here are some of the FC stats of other similar spinners he is competing with:

If Imad joins the test side now so he will be replacing Zulfiqar Babar,who is an experienced bowler and has quite amazing stats in First Class cricket:

Zulfiqar Babar: Matches 77 Wickets 381 Average 22.26

Another player who is very highly regarded as a bowler in the domestic circuit is Zafar Gohar who made his mark in the Under 18 World Cup and has been a part of the Pakistan A team. He is just 20 years of age and has great potential as a bowler. His FC stats are:

Zafar Gohar: Matches 8 Wickets 37 Average 21.27

Imad Wasim has been quite good for Pakistan in the LOIs but it is still early days for him and he doesn't come across as a genuine wicket taker. His batting provides him a big advantage as he has 6 FC hundreds and 19 Fifties. But then again,we are talking about the second spinner's spot here. Here are Imad's First Class stats:

Imad Wasim: Matches 72 Wickets 134 Average 31.10

So Imad has just 134 wickets in 72 FC matches and he has bowled in 108 Innings. I feel that 134 wickets in 108 innings is not good enough to hand u a place in the Pakistan test side.
Hopefully this will help others to judge too!

You're forgetting that he would be coming in for Hafeez who was a good batsmen and decent bowler and that is why we need someone who could bat as well! Gohar only averages 14 batting. We would have 2 spinners and 2 pacers+ Imad in spin friendly conditions but in pace friendly conditions we'd have 3 pacers and 1 spinner+Imad as a decent 2nd spinner!

 

[umer187]

You're forgetting that he would be coming in for Hafeez who was a good batsmen and decent bowler and that is why we need someone who could bat as well! Gohar only averages 14 batting. We would have 2 spinners and 2 pacers+ Imad in spin friendly conditions but in pace friendly conditions we'd have 3 pacers and 1 spinner+Imad as a decent 2nd spinner!

You simply can't drop hafeez yet coz his average in the last year or so has been quite good. There is no way we can swap imad with hafeez atm the only spot imad can get in the side the second spinner spot and so far he doesn't deserve to be anywhere near that

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[aloo paratha]

You simply can't drop hafeez yet coz his average in the last year or so has been quite good. There is no way we can swap imad with hafeez atm the only spot imad can get in the side the second spinner spot and so far he doesn't deserve to be anywhere near that

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We need to tell Hafeez that he is not dropped for good but that for the need of the team his position will be sacrificed since he can't bowl anymore! If there is no plan to drop Hafeez then you're right! Imad can't be a 2nd spinner in Asian conditions! But we need an all rounder in the side which then Zafar can get a chance at #8 or 9.

 

[Ummii]

Inclusion of Imad Wasim in Pakistan's Test team?

I know he doesn't deserve much to be there, guys like Zafar, Asghar, Irfan deserves a lot more than him. But we all know that our selectors are no-brainer, and it is not easy for the guys like Zafar, Asghar and Irfan to join the test squad soon. However on other hand we saw that Imad isn't a good batsman specially he isn't a good power hitter, but his first class average tells the different story here, I am not a fan of him but we can try him, as I believe he can be more handy than Bilal Asif, inclusion of Imad along with Shadab and Yasir could be devastating for other teams specially when it comes to UAE.

What are your thoughts guys on this?

 

[The Viper]

Could be good with the bat but his bowling is not good enough for test match cricket. In LOI his bowling is fine because he can bowl tight overs but he won’t have that luxury in test match cricket.

 

[Justcrazy]

Could be good with the bat but his bowling is not good enough for test match cricket. In LOI his bowling is fine because he can bowl tight overs but he won’t have that luxury in test match cricket.

Even in OD if you are looking to get wickets in middle overs he is No good. having two quality spinners in your XI in OD in sub continent can be really attacking option.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think it could be a very good gamble that is worth taking. I've said this on other threads aswell. We already know he can bat and his bowling can be useful because if he bowls tight lines in tests as he does in ODIs he could become a Kumble-esque bowler who succeeds by getting the batsman to make mistakes. Not to say he is anything like Kumble who also succeeded because of his discipline and mastery in flighting the ball. But still he could be a very good selection.


Unfortunately, chances of this experiment not happening or falling flat on it's face (if it happens) are also there. There could be a chance that Imad simply isn't a test bowler and ends up with figures of 1-105 on his debut. And let's face it, Pakistani selectors are not exactly known for making bold selections. On top of that, Imad hasn't played any first-class cricket recently. I think he played his last FC game more than a year ago. So that would also work against him.

 

[gazza619]

The only way Imad can make it to the test team is if he becomes twice the batsman which he currently is. To do this he will need to spend a 100k hours in the nets. Who knows he might improve. To be honest you dont need a miracle to become a better batsman than Asad Shafiq.

 

[Hasan123]

NO MORE BITS AND PIECES CRICKETERS PLEASE.

If a all rounder doesn't make the team on 1 of bowling or batting merit don't play them. I would rather play 4 specialist bowlers than 5 bowlers with a fake all rounder included .

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Doesn't spin the ball which is a reason.

BUT if Bilal Asif's role was to contain runs then Imad is better in every facet of the game. Also Shadab's leggies can be inconsistent even though he is a better bat than Imad.

Like the guy above me said: if Imad is ambitious then he needs to work on his batting and on the art of spin.

 

[Cric1234]

Most likely an inferior version of Hafeez in tests unlikely to make the team better another bits and pieces all rounder.

 

[Barragan]

Imad>> shadab and bilal.

He is a better bowler and batsman than those two, so definitely should be in ahead of those two and if selectors have no desire of playing a 2nd specialist spinner.

 

[Markhor]

Pakistan fans and team management for many years have failed to differentiate between formats when it comes to selection and neglecting to understand why a player's strengths are in a particular format.

Imad's bowling is of value in LOIs when we need to keep things tight during the middle overs. In T20s he's especially lethal with his wicket to wicket line when batsmen look to play across the line shots. However in Tests without the urgency of runscoring Imad can be easily negated especially since his action doesn't allow him to impart a lot of spin. On the other hand, Yasir struggles in LOIs because he lacks variety so struggles when a batsmen attacks him.

Finally, even in SENA it's important to have a good spinner on Day 4 or 5. You cannot rely on part-timers or bits and pieces to win you Test matches.

 

[Abdul Moiz]

But still he needs to do a lot in batting to be a regular part of Odi team as his bowling gets neutralized outside UAE.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

No

 

[TeymurBlake]

I would prefer Zafar Gohar or Mohammad Irfan

 

[PakSarZameen]

He can barely cement his place in the ODI side and you want him to play Tests

 

[Josh]

Lol he gets wicket only when runs need to be scored at good pace. He is not a proper spinner of a ball. In test a wicket taker like Yasir would be needed from the other end.

 

[nextover666666]

I think Agaisnt non Asian team home or away matches he would be effective even as a bowler but Agaisnt Asian teams in test home or away he wouldn't be effective

 

[Rayyman]

I know he is 31 now, but with Haris out, I think that Misbah should consider giving Imad a debut against England.

 

[Saj]

He'd be steady with the ball without being too threatening. But I wouldn't expect him to be very effective with the bat.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Zafar Gohar is a better option.

Zafar has two first class centuries!

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

From what i have seen, he is a better batsman than shadab but has almost zero skills as a test bowler. Only good for t20s.

 

[Rayyman]

Zafar Gohar is a better option.

Zafar has two first class centuries!

True, but players like him can’t do well with the bat in Test cricket because Pakistan’s tail cannot hang around.

Yasir took 5+ years to score a 50+ score in Tests.

Imad’s power-hitting can come in handy

From what i have seen, he is a better batsman than shadab but has almost zero skills as a test bowler. Only good for t20s.

If you are comparing them then Shadab is even worse with the ball. He cannot bowl at a single line and length for over 3 balls.

 

[ahmadharis1]

I think it's worth a shot. I always thought he was a genuine batsman who could bowl handy overs. Plus, he has a solid record in English conditions. Obviously tests is a different game but he has a solid FC batting record behind him and, if a genuine spinner is played, won't be counted only a handful of overs

 

[Arsal_AK]

No. Zafar and Shadab are better options. Zafar had a century in the last domestic season and even before than he has shown he can be very handy with the bat.

Shadab will be much more threatening with the ball and I think he will out bat Imad too, he certainly has shown he can be decent in previous outings.

 

[TeamPak95]

No primarily because of longevity. Would rather have Zafar or Shadab.

 

[sweep_shot]

I don't think Imad will be good for Test. He is good for T20 and perhaps ODI.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I know he is 31 now, but with Haris out, I think that Misbah should consider giving Imad a debut against England.

By knowing what are Misbahs preference all these years.
Im 100% sure either ifthikar or fawad will play inplace of Haris Sohail.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

In limited-overs he is the best all-rounder we have but in England, in those swinging conditions where it is really tough to bat for visiting batsmen and spinners have a very minimal effect to begin with, I wouldn't play Imad.

 

[Officer Barbrady]

If I remember correctly Imad averages almost 40 with the bat in FC cricket. That’s pretty impressive given that batting was pretty tough the past few years in our domestic circuit and hardly anyone averages 40+. He also averages 40 odd in one day internationals.

I think he could have made a solid #6 or #7 in the test 11 and helped the balance of the side with his bowling. Sadly our players don’t have much incentive to prioritize test cricket - they are financially better off playing leagues and focusing on the shorter formats.

I saw an interview of his last year in which he stated he wasnt interested in pursuing a test career because his injury prone knees don’t allow it. That’s ** in my view and he would have been keen on it if he thought it vital to his career as a cricketer.

Of all the pakistani “all rounders” I’ve seen in the past 2 decades I think Imad had the most potential to build a successful test career. Pity he had little motivation of incentive to do so.