"Yasir Shah should have played as he is a wicket-taking option" : Inzamam-ul-Haq

[MenInG]

Inzamam-ul-Haq speaking on his YouTube channel:

"I have some a reservation about the team that has been selected for the first Test; We should have played a [specialist] spinner"

"The first reason for doing that is that the 4-man fast-bowling attack we have has only 21 years of experience between themselves"

"They don't even have a combined total of 100 wickets between themselves and so they have little experience"

"We have a spinner present in the Pakistan squad who has in the past 5 years brought us more wins than other players"

"Yasir Shah should not have been excluded from the side as he's a wicket-taking option & a leg-spinner can be dangerous in any place"

"The other reason we play spinners is that the spinner can keep control on runs from one end which allows the fast-bowler to attack from the other end"

"In a way, Sri Lanka did what Pakistan wanted to do, which was to allow their 4-man pace attack to use a pacy wicket, but then again we come back to the question of inexperience; If Pakistan had bowlers who had played more Tests and were experienced, they would have made better use of these conditions"

"Shaheen Shah Afridi is a good bowler and others are good too but they don't have an idea as to how to take wickets in the longer format of the game"

"I would like to say to Misbah and especially Waqar who is the bowling coach and has a lot of experience that, in their playing days when we used to have the likes of Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib we always used to attack with a spinner in such playing conditions"

"There should have been one [specialist] spinner in the team and I don't understand why a spinner was not included in the side"

"Misbah is experienced as is Waqar and, as a cricketer Waqar is one of the greatest players that Pakistan has produced so they have to look at the selection of the match XI carefully; They should not be dropping players after playing one Test match as this is very tough for the players' confidence as this will not allow for development of good players"

"We got an advantage handed to us as Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat and we should have bowled them out in 70 overs as this was supposed to be a seaming track; This Test is virtually just 4 days long as everyday there is a chance of losing 20-25 overs based on the weather conditions"

"It is my view that Pakistan should be playing smart cricket"

 

[HasanA]

yeah SL would have been 380 for 6 with Shah being 10 overs 80 runs 1 wicket

 

[Titan24]

I hope certain myths leave Pakistan cricket and the minds of ex cricketers soon.

Leg spinner can be dangerous in any condition? Maybe if you are Shane Warne other than that there is no leg spinner in the last two decades which created impact in all the conditions rather I dont remember leggies taking a lot of wickets in test cricket in the decade or two except 2-3 names let alone in all the conditions.

Even SA who didnt produce a lot of leggies realized that Imran Tahir is not cut out for bowling in SA and his test figures also manifested that.

Just because a person can bowl leg spin doest make him dangerous and wicket taking option. For it to be somewhat true that leggy he needs variety, variation in flight and pace along with accuracy.

 

[topspin]

I hope certain myths leave Pakistan cricket and the minds of ex cricketers soon.

Leg spinner can be dangerous in any condition? Maybe if you are Shane Warne other than that there is no leg spinner in the last two decades which created impact in all the conditions rather I dont remember leggies taking a lot of wickets in test cricket in the decade or two except 2-3 names let alone in all the conditions.

Even SA who didnt produce a lot of leggies realized that Imran Tahir is not cut out for bowling in SA and his test figures also manifested that.

Just because a person can bowl leg spin doest make him dangerous and wicket taking option. For it to be somewhat true that leggy he needs variety, variation in flight and pace along with accuracy.

Agreed, as a bare minimum a leggie should be as good as Mushtaq Ahmed/Kumble/Stuart MacGill.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Always the missing player is a great player. Srilankans play well against spin.

 

[Boi]

Inzi is just peeved that Imam got rightly dropped. Hopefully Abid and Shan get good scores so the door on Imam is shut for a while.

 

[Pete Rose]

I am loathe to criticize this move

 

[Hawkeye]

Always the missing player is a great player. Srilankans play well against spin.

Haha, spot on.

In AUS, Abbas was that great player who would have run through the Aussie lineup on a flat Gabba pitch.

On non-spinning track, imagine what Lankans would have done to Yasir.

But still, it is an old "tradition" and a logical one too that you should play one specialist spinner. Those traditionalists are not wrong either.

Playing 4 pacers is a bold and daring move - you can either appreciate it or stick to your theory of 1 spinner. Both are not blunders.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Haha, spot on.

In AUS, Abbas was that great player who would have run through the Aussie lineup on a flat Gabba pitch.

On non-spinning track, imagine what Lankans would have done to Yasir.

But still, it is an old "tradition" and a logical one too that you should play one specialist spinner. Those traditionalists are not wrong either.

Playing 4 pacers is a bold and daring move - you can either appreciate it or stick to your theory of 1 spinner. Both are not blunders.

I understand the logic of playing a spinner on these surfaces. But saying he would have picked more wickets is not convincing. If at all he had played, he would have played in place of Shinwari who didn't exactly bowl that badly.There is a case of bowlers fast bowler getting injured. May be a tinge of green on the wicket tempted them to employ a 4 bowler strategy.

 

[Kroll]

I would have actually preferred an alternative spinner to Yasir as I don't he's good enough anymore. But this decision is okay and Inzi should be supporting the pacers that are playing.

 

[Bewal Express]

Yasir is quite simply bowling too much rubbish. They should have played a spinner and out of the small snippets I have seen Nauman Ali is the best Left spinner.

 

[mgtow]

Leg spinner makes a lot more difference in seaming track. Danish Kaneria is the proof of that. Too bad Yasir Shah is mediocre at best. Either he got lazy or he is obsolete now.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Leg spinner makes a lot more difference in seaming track. Danish Kaneria is the proof of that. Too bad Yasir Shah is mediocre at best. Either he got lazy or he is obsolete now.

Yeah, Kaneria waas very good. Not sure if I'm remembering right but he did decent in New Zealand and Aus in 2009-10

 

[moghul]

Inzi is not happy , Imam dropped.

 

[moghul]

yeah SL would have been 380 for 6 with Shah being 10 overs 80 runs 1 wicket

But that would have been another way to thank Sri Lankanks, like a good host.

 

[The Viper]

The over rate is a problem and the pitch may turn later on.

Even if not Yasir, Bhatti should have been picked.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

The over rate is a problem and the pitch may turn later on.

Even if not Yasir, Bhatti should have been picked.

True, there is a reason why Srilanka Picked 2 spinners. Bizzare selections so far from Misbah. First it was Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad that were selected out of the blue & then dropped. Then Mohd Abbas was dropped in Australia and Then Selected in the next Match. Then Strange selection of Mohd Musa who was clearly not ready then Musa was dropped out of the squad.
Kashif Bhatti's surprise inclusion into the squad, Imam played for 1 test and then it is Abid Ali. Fawad Alam Inclusion in the squad but again not in the team. Haris Sohail 1 test in, other test out and then Back Again.

Now we are playing without a specialist spinner that too in Pakistan. If Yasir shah is out of form then play Shahdab or Bilal Asif

What is going on with ???

 

[Junaids]

Fairly pointed comments by Inzamam.

He called Waqar a great cricketer, but only described Misbah as “experienced”.

Ouch!

 

[Junaids]

True, there is a reason why Srilanka Picked 2 spinners. Bizzare selections so far from Misbah. First it was Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad that were selected out of the blue & then dropped. Then Mohd Abbas was dropped in Australia and Then Selected in the next Match. Then Strange selection of Mohd Musa who was clearly not ready then Musa was dropped out of the squad.
Kashif Bhatti's surprise inclusion into the squad, Imam played for 1 test and then it is Abid Ali. Fawad Alam Inclusion in the squad but again not in the team. Haris Sohail 1 test in, other test out and then Back Again.

Now we are playing without a specialist spinner that too in Pakistan. If Yasir shah is out of form then play Shahdab or Bilal Asif

What is going on with ???

Except Musa Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed are actually getting a free holiday with the squad.

Misbah hasn’t dropped them at all. He’s just hiding them from the public.

 

[topspin]

Fairly pointed comments by Inzamam.

He called Waqar a great cricketer, but only described Misbah as “experienced”.

Ouch!

Lol I don't think anyone can rate Misbah with the batting he had against pace bowling.

The fact he's managed to average 45+ in tests is perhaps the biggest fluke in the sport. I doubt one would find a worse batsman Misbah in the 45+ test average bracket.

 

[moghul]

Except Musa Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed are actually getting a free holiday with the squad.

Misbah hasn’t dropped them at all. He’s just hiding them from the public.

Musa qualified to play for Pakistan and now staying in the squad as he is Misbah;s Islamabad United player.

 

[ZamanFan]

"Misbah is experienced as is Waqar and, as a cricketer Waqar is one of the greatest players that Pakistan has produced so they have to look at the selection of the match XI carefully; They should not be dropping players after playing one Test match as this is very tough for the players' confidence as this will not allow for development of good players"

Imam's uncle trying to make case for nephew's confidence who has played 11 tests, was literally got easy debut against Ireland and Zimbabwe and still has average of 25.

This is the same uncle who served as chief selector for 3.5 years, selected and removed lot of performing batsmen who did'nt play a single test match, just to protect his favorite few like Hafeez, Imam, Malik, Akmal bros. and Shehzad.

Continued to ignore domestic performers and never pick a reserve for opening slot.

 

[Titan24]

Except Musa Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed are actually getting a free holiday with the squad.

Misbah hasn’t dropped them at all. He’s just hiding them from the public.

Players who are expected to be part of setup going forward which Iftikhar in LOIs and Musa to an extent as well, there is no harm in keeping them with the team when matches are happneing in Pakistan while there is no domestic match going around for which they are going to be part of and working on them is actually a good thing.

 

[mgtow]

Yeah, Kaneria waas very good. Not sure if I'm remembering right but he did decent in New Zealand and Aus in 2009-10

Despite Kamran Akmal poor wicket-keeping and missed out some stump out. Kamran Akmal practically ruined Danish Kaneria's career and ruined the chances for Pakistan team many times.

Danish Kaneria should have taken 500 wickets by now. That guy knew his ways around in seaming track as well.

 

[ahmadharis1]

I don't get the move. Honestly I think regardless of conditions there should always be one specialist spinner in every test XI

 

[JibranAnsari]

Yasir shah , a run stopping option? Someone tell inzi that he went for almost 200 runs in 32 overs in the last innings he bowled. Pakistan could have played the benchwarmer kashif bhatti though.

 

[charlie007]

Agree with Inzi here! A spinner in Pakistan is a must. Remember, Yasir Shah went for runs in Aus, not subcontinent. He would have been quite effective here.

And yes, Waqar is a legend and Misbah just “experienced”, so no point trying to sugarcoat the truth.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

If the match stretches to day 4/ 5 a spinner esp on Asian tracks is totally useful. Misbah will soon realise it.

3 pace bowlers
1 all rounder
1 spinner is ideal attack for any surface and any opponent.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Time to find and invest in a good spinner - someone who can play every game.

Yasir Shah ain't it anymore.

 

[HARKS]

if u lose the match and also found to be over short surely Pakistan is going to be first team to be in negative points , for that purpose atleast u should pick one spinner to control over rate ,in the first day over rate is really abysmal

 

[Abdullah719]

Players who are expected to be part of setup going forward which Iftikhar in LOIs and Musa to an extent as well, there is no harm in keeping them with the team when matches are happneing in Pakistan while there is no domestic match going around for which they are going to be part of and working on them is actually a good thing.

Is Iftikhar with the squad? Musa is, Misbah said he will work with Waqar during the series but not sure about Iftikhar.

 

[Savak]

A well rounded bowling attack should have 5 bowling options i.e. 4 pacers and a spinner. The spinner does the donkey work and helps the pacers to be used in short sharp bursts. The pacers are already looking jaded as the overs are piling up.

 

[MenInG]

This from PCB:

Pakistan wrist spinner Yasir Shah has been released from the Pakistan national men’s cricket team so that he can work with spin bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed at the National Cricket Academy.

Yasir will re-join the team in Karachi on 16 December, where the second Test will commence on 19 December.

 

[Titan24]

Is Iftikhar with the squad? Musa is, Misbah said he will work with Waqar during the series but not sure about Iftikhar.

I am not sure regarding Iftikhar to be honest but [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] is claiming him to be with the team and getting free holidays, he better shed some light on spreading this rumour.

 

[Fahdi]

The wicket taking option isn't taking a lot of wickets these days.

I think it's too risky to go into a match in Pakistan without a spinner but with rain wasting day 2 and day 3 it's not going to be a problem I guess. But I am tired of this mantra of leg spinner should always play because he is a wicket taking option. This policy had us go into 3 series in SA and Aus with one very large waste of space in the form of Yasir. For a leg spinner to succeed in those sorts of conditions you need to know how to utilize the bounce of the wicket to beat the bat, which Yasir seems to have no idea how to do. Shadab does a far better job at that than Yasir yet he is the one who was dropped from the squad and we had Yasir scoring double hundreds with the ball.

Yasir is in terrible form and has struggled both in Australia and in FC cricket in Pakistan. A proper spinner should have been picked, for the squad at least, nonetheless.

 

[MenInG]

Yasir sent back to school! Hope Mushtaq can do some miracles with him.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I also believe a spinner should have been a part of the lineup but not Yasir. More likely Zafar Gohar should have been.

 

[MenInG]

Inzamam on Day 4:

"The whole of Pakistan is disappointed including the spectators at the Pindi stadium as they could not watch the Test match that they so wanted to see"

"Also all the Pakistan players who were 'debuting' in Pakistan would also have been disappointed by this"

"It would have been better if the venue for the Test match had been changed, and there had been a result; This would have brought joy to all"

"I would advise both captains to declare each innings at 0 runs and then give Pakistan a chance to chase target of 283 runs on the last day as that would be a nice gesture; that would also be an opportunity for Sri Lanka to win by taking 10 wickets"

"If we have made this pitch for fast-bowlers in Rawalpindi and if we are unable to dismiss this Sri Lanka side which in my view is devoid of any world-class players in about 100 overs, then we must think carefully about selection of our side"

"It seems that our bowling is not responding in the way our management is expecting them to do"

"In Karachi the weather and pitch will be different so in my view, Yasir Shah will play there and he could well be a match-winner there"

"If captains dont declare and the match takes normal course, then Pakistan batsmen should try and get 60-70 overs batting ahead of the Karachi Test so that our batsmen can get in touch too"

"Abid Ali has debuted and he can get an opportunity to play, and other batsmen who could not get runs in Australia can also get a chance to score and relieve some of the pressure on themselves; This will be good for Pakistan in the next Test match"

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan cricket team has not had much to celebrate in the calendar year with defeats across formats. While they are aiming to finish off the year with a series win on home soil, versus Sri Lanka, in the longest format, there is no denying that Babar Azam's stature only grew from strength to strength despite his national side's struggles in 2019.

Talking about numbers, the right-hander amassed 456* runs at 57 with two hundreds and equal number of half-centuries in whites. In the shorter format, Pakistan's Mr. Consistent scored over 1000 runs with three tons and as many as six half-centuries. Babar even managed staggering numbers in T20Is with a total of four fifties and a strike-rate of over 135.

Thus, time and again Babar has been compared to Indian skipper Virat Kohli. While former chief selector and Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq didn't compare the two stalwarts, he certainly believes there are glaring similarities between the two. Further, the 49-year-old added that Babar has it in him to reach Kohli's heights in the two longer formats.

"The Indian captain’s record speaks for himself and he can also surpass Sachin Tendulkar‘s record in the future. Virat’s aggression and passion for the game have been the same since his first match for India. Babar Azam also has a hunger to score runs. Both players have similar traits. Both the players play with a motive to deliver match-winning performances for their team. Kohli has already proved his forte by steering his side to the win on many occasions. Babar has also stepped up and started delivering match-winning performances for Pakistan since a couple of years," opined Inzamam on his official YouTube channel.

While the two have a tendency to raise their game during crunch situations or in must-win encounters, Inzy drew an important point on why both Babar and Kohli are on the right track for consistent success.

"Both players possess the quality to learn from their mistakes and improve their game. Babar is ranked No.1 in T20Is and has the potential to reach Kohli’s heights in ODI and Tests too. Babar has the potential to become an ever-great player for Pakistan," concluded the former cricketer.

Babar slammed his first ton on home soil when Pakistan hosted their first-ever Test, versus Sri Lanka, in Rawalpindi last week. The subcontinental side will end the year with the hope to win the two-match series 1-0.

On the other hand, Kohli-led India are engaged in three ODIs versus West Indies at home.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...to-match-virat-kohli-in-odis-tests-too/528918

 

[Slog]

Ironic to hear this from a guy who converted Kaneria into a stock work horse bowler

 

[Abdullah719]

Looks more like a run leaking option rn.