Your starting XI for Pakistan's T20 World Cup group match against Namibia?

[Firebat]

3 wins out of 3 for Pakistan, with Namibia up next. Would you make changes and rotations for this next match? Do Mohammad Wasim Jr or Haider Ali deserve a spot?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

No change. Maybe give Wasim Jr and Nawaz a go against Scotland.

 

[ritzy_123]

I think M. Wasim Jnr in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haider Ali in place of Shoaib Malik or Muhammad Hafeez

 

[freezerburn]

Wasim to replace Hassan, Haider to replace Hafeez

 

[FollowThru]

Pretty clear now that it is Babar's Team. He asked for Asif and Shoaib.

Hafeez not bowling today gave the impression that he can be replaced by Haider Ali but may be this strategy was a litmus test for Hasan Ali to bowl his 4 overs.

Hasan somehow bowls a good ball when it's a free hit and that mindset will be very crucial in Knock out matches.

ATM, its between Hafeez-Haider. In any case, you shouldn't play all matches when you are in 40s.

 

[syd_pak]

Replace Hassan

 

[WC-Passion]

Wasim Jr in for Hassan Ali and Haider/Sarfraz instead of Hafeez

 

[Bewal Express]

Keep the same team.

 

[FollowThru]

Keep the same team.

As I said, A player shouldn't play all matches when he's 40+. Rest Hafeez in next match and Malik in last match.

 

[KingKhan12]

Fakhar
Babar
Haider Ali
Hafeez
Malik
Safraz
Asif Ali
Imad
Hasan
Wasim JR
Rauf

Would play hasan Ali to see if he can get some form going same with Hafeez.
Shaheen and Shadab can rest.
Can get Hafeez and Malik with some overs in as 5th option.
Rizwan can rest give a go to Haider and then need Sarfraz who can just play as keeper and bat low down if needed. Rizwan first choice but just to get others game time and he can have a rest too

 

[Justcrazy]

I would like to see Haider Ali in the team.

Haider Ali and Asif Ali should be promoted up the order , one of them clicks it can make a big difference in the final total in a big game.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Pakistan should either keep the same XI or make maximum number of changes possible.

Rotate everyone!

 

[TeymurBlake]

No need to make changes. But me personally, I would drop Hafeez for Nawaz.

 

[Saurav]

Rest Shaheen. Play Dhani

Nawaz can come in for Shadab.

 

[Swing]

Time for the bench strength to be tested. I don't think they will have any problems versus Scotland and Namibia.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Wasim Jr. for Shaheen.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Rest Shaheen. Play Dhani

Nawaz can come in for Shadab.

Can't play reserves unless a player gets injured.

 

[IMMY69]

I would go with exactly the same team.

Those that are lacking runs to wickets, these are the games to get your confidence back.

Don't change a winning combination

 

[Forum363]

Rest Shaheen and Rauf. It’s only T20s but they’re bowling serious pace in hot conditions. Play Wasim and maybe Nawaz.

Haider should also get a game.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

3 wins out of 3 for Pakistan, with Namibia up next. Would you make changes and rotations for this next match? Do Mohammad Wasim Jr or Haider Ali deserve a spot?

Haider Ali in place of Malik or Fakhar Zaman, M Nawaz or M wasim in place of Shahdab. Sarfaraz can also replace Rizwan against Scotland. But not all 4 changes together be 2 at a time.

 

[Saurav]

Can't play reserves unless a player gets injured.

oh I thought he was in main squad.

Wasim Jr. was also impressive in WI. Can bat too. Perfect replacement for Hasan if required later.

 

[anonymous_guy]

Rest Shaheen against Namibia, play him vs Scotland.

Rest Haris agains Scotland, play him vs Namibia.

Replacement:-
Md Wasim or if ICC commitee allows them play Dahani.

Reason:-
Shaheen had been playing regularly and putting in 100% in every match, give him rest for a match and then play him again in the last match, so he can get his rhythm back against Scotland.

Haris is also bowling in full tilt, one match rest would be good to keep his him fresh.

 

[Extra_Cover]

I would make wholesome changes and give all the bench a go. Then against Scotland bring your best team back.

In both the upcoming matches I would like to see Pakistan bat first.

 

[hitthestump]

Pretty clear now that it is Babar's Team. He asked for Asif and Shoaib.

Hafeez not bowling today gave the impression that he can be replaced by Haider Ali but may be this strategy was a litmus test for Hasan Ali to bowl his 4 overs.

Hasan somehow bowls a good ball when it's a free hit and that mindset will be very crucial in Knock out matches.

ATM, its between Hafeez-Haider. In any case, you shouldn't play all matches when you are in 40s.

Pretty certain it's a toss up between Imad and Hafeez for their 4 overs and it entirely depends on whether left handers are at the crease.

Don't agree with the point about age either. Malik is insanely fit and the prof isn't slacking either.

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

now as everything is in their control, Pakistan can make some trial changes..

1.Rizwan
2.Babar
3.Zaman
4.Haider/Hafeez
5.Asif
6.Malik/Sarfaraz
7.Shadab/ M Wasim
8.I Wasim/ Nawaz
9.Hasan Ali/ Dahani
10.Rauf
11.Afridi

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan should try out someone in place of Hassan Ali.

Rest should stay the same.

 

[IMMY69]

Same team
They're in the field for 20 overs not 50..

You fine tune the team in the remaining matches not make changes.
Changes for the sake of it is completely unnecessary.

 

[Extreme Pace]

1. Mohammed Rizwan (wk)
2. Babar Azam (c)
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Mohammed Hafeez
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Asif Ali
7. Imad Wasim
8. Wasim Jr
9. Hassan Ali
10. Shadab Khan
11. Haris Rauf

 

[Colorblind Genius]

I would give a break to our ace bowlers to preserve them and avoid even the slightest possibility of picking up an injury. Shaheen, Rauf sit out and relax, and I will bring in Dahani and Wasim Jr.

Hafeez doesn't make it, so the squad to Haider Ali comes in.

If Sarafarz is itching to play then he can play against Scotland. Rizwan needs a lil rest break too.

Hassan Ali already seems done n dusted so he can play another couple of games to see if it brings him back into rhythm?

 

[Saj]

I would give a break to our ace bowlers to preserve them and avoid even the slightest possibility of picking up an injury. Shaheen, Rauf sit out and relax, and I will bring in Dahani and Wasim Jr.

Hafeez doesn't make it, so the squad to Haider Ali comes in.

If Sarafarz is itching to play then he can play against Scotland. Rizwan needs a lil rest break too.

Hassan Ali already seems done n dusted so he can play another couple of games to see if it brings him back into rhythm?

Dahani is a reserve.

I'd give Mohammad Wasim and Haider Ali a chance in the next match.

 

[The Viper]

I would do Haider for Imad and Wasim for Shaheen.

Let Wasim and Hassan bowl in the same game and see who does better out of Hafeez and Haider.

I personally think we will stick with the same team in the semi final unless one of the starting players performs really badly.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

We should rest Shaheen and play Wasim jr and play haider ali too. This game is crucial to test bench strength

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

Dhani gets a game in place of hassan ali and lets try out a youngsta for hafeez. Still not convinced on dropping Hafeez but would be nice to try out the bench and see what we got .

 

[IMMY69]

Dahani is a reserve.

I'd give Mohammad Wasim and Haider Ali a chance in the next match.

and if they score runs and take wickets against Namibia or Scotland? Do you then back them in a high profile pressure game which a semi final would be?

 

[Rana]

Hassan Ali needs to rest now until SF and get his no ball issue sorted out. Unforgivable mistake at this level in T20 cricket. Pakistan could also swap Hafeez with Nawaz but that would need a strong decision.

 

[Rana]

If I’m not mistaken, Pakistan can still not qualify so they can’t take it too easy

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

oh I thought he was in main squad.

Wasim Jr. was also impressive in WI. Can bat too. Perfect replacement for Hasan if required later.

Hasan needs to find his form again. And he can only do that by playing. I'd rather rest Shaheen so he can fire on all cylinders for the Semi-Final

 

[Theo_14]

Give Shaheen a rest - his workload is heavy. Wasim jr or Dhani should come in.

Haider for Hafeez. I’d rest Hasan but he needs to find form and perhaps against minnow could be a good starting point.

 

[Saj]

Dahani cannot be picked.

He's a reserve player and can only come into the squad if a player gets injured.

 

[moghul]

Wasim to replace Hassan, Haider to replace Hafeez

That makes a lot of sense.

 

[moghul]

Hasan is not out of from , that's his regular game . With lack of pace , no height , no swing, it should not be a surprise the way teams pick him to catch up the run rate.

 

[ahmadharis1]

Not exactly an XI adjustment but I'd love to see Pakistan bat first, see if our bowlers can defend

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Dahani cannot be picked.

He's a reserve player and can only come into the squad if a player gets injured.

Based on his action and bowling dynamics, Dahani should’ve been put ahead of Wasim Jr.

Wasim Jr. seems to have the same issue as Hasnain. The wrist position position twists as if he is going to bowl somewhat of a fast off spin.
The back of the bowling hand is not facing the bowler’s face. It’s facing somewhere towards long on.

Dahani seems like a natural born pace bowler with dynamics of a pace bowling action are already well in place.

 

[Charmander]

If pakistan is still undefeated at that point, should just experiment and aim to lose. Dont' want to carry that win streak into the knockouts

 

[Hectic]

If pakistan is still undefeated at that point, should just experiment and aim to lose. Dont' want to carry that win streak into the knockouts

Yeah aim to lose. That’s totally how you build a winning culture. “Aim to lose” must have been Australia’s motto before every game at World Cups from 1999 to 2011.

 

[angeldsoul]

Time to test our bench strength..

Now that we have virtually secured our passage to semis, I believe in the next 2 fixtures we should give the rest of the squad a game each, imad Wasim and Hussan Ali should be rested for the next game, for M Nawaz and M Wasim respectively and inshallah if we get through that match with semis guaranteed, in the final match of group we should play sarfraz instead of Rizwan and Haider Ali for Asif for the final game. Maybe let Rizwan comeback in and Sarafarz play instead of Hafeez for a game as a batter only etc in the final game too. But over the next 2 games the rest if squad should get a game each for sure...

Thoughts and discuss please

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

If pakistan is still undefeated at that point, should just experiment and aim to lose. Dont' want to carry that win streak into the knockouts

I must confess this is the craziest statement I have ever read in a long long time.

Are you serious, bro?

 

[Charmander]

I must confess this is the craziest statement I have ever read in a long long time.

Are you serious, bro?

i said what i said. you dont want to bring that undefeated streak into the knockouts

 

[Charmander]

Yeah aim to lose. That’s totally how you build a winning culture. “Aim to lose” must have been Australia’s motto before every game at World Cups from 1999 to 2011.

with all due respect, pakistan is nowhere close to being the Australia of yesteryear

 

[Extra_Cover]

My team against Namibia would be following:

Babar
Haider
Fakhar
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Nawaz
Shadab
Imad
Wasim
Hasan
Haris

Matchups I would be interested in seeing who is better amongst following:
Fakhar vs Haider
Hasan vs Wasim
Imad vs Nawaz

An extraordinary performance by any fringe member in next game can give selectors a very good headache to have.

I would then go back to best XI vs Scotland. In both games Pakistan I would want Pakistan to bat first.

 

[Barragan]

My team against Namibia would be following:

Babar
Haider
Fakhar
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Nawaz
Shadab
Imad
Wasim
Hasan
Haris

Matchups I would be interested in seeing who is better amongst following:
Fakhar vs Haider
Hasan vs Wasim
Imad vs Nawaz

An extraordinary performance by any fringe member in next game can give selectors a very good headache to have.

I would then go back to best XI vs Scotland. In both games Pakistan I would want Pakistan to bat first.

I would go with a similar line up, except give Babar a rest and have Rizwan captain the side.

If Babar picks up an injury now, then Rizwan would have to captain without any intl. experience, so best for Rizwan to captain this game and potentially the Scotland game.

 

[smkk]

I would go with a similar line up, except give Babar a rest and have Rizwan captain the side.

If Babar picks up an injury now, then Rizwan would have to captain without any intl. experience, so best for Rizwan to captain this game and potentially the Scotland game.

I agree with you, in this 2 matches I would rest Babar and let Rizwan lead the team.

Babar out, Haider comes in.
Shaheen and Rauf out, Wasim Jr and Nawaz come in.

This way you get to play all your benches and also give support to the least performance players to give them time to gain their form. Please no Sarfaraz back in the team. Pak have already let Shoaib and Hafeez back, no more expired player anymore.

Rizwan(wk) (c)
Haider
Fakhar
Hafeez
Shoaib
Asif Ali
Imad
Shadab
Nawaz
Hassan
Wasim Jr.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Haider for Malik. Drop Hafeez to five.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Haider for Malik. Drop Hafeez to five.

Why drop Malik, he's been making runs.

Hafeez is the problem right now.

 

[reversehook]

Anyone off the streets, but rest Hassan Ali...

 

[Firebat]

Hasan is not out of from , that's his regular game . With lack of pace , no height , no swing, it should not be a surprise the way teams pick him to catch up the run rate.

He's got a T20I career bowling average of 22 (better than Rashid, Boult, Southee, Shaheen, Rabada) and before this tournament had an average of 18 in the UAE across 9 matches (against AUS, NZ, WI, SRL) with an SR of 12.6.

He also had an average of 14.9 in 11 matches in 2021 before this tournament, with an SR of 11.5, on the back of recovery from a long term injury.

I'd be intrigued to know what makes you think his current poor performances are his "regular game".

I think he should retain his place to try to regain some form and confidence against weaker batsmen.

 

[silentkiller187]

i said what i said. you dont want to bring that undefeated streak into the knockouts

Sounds like a losers mentality if ever I heard one.

Keep Hassan in let him regain some form, few cheap wickets against associate players could give his confidence a refresh. Get haider Ali in for Malik or Hafeez just in case someone gets injured later on we want players that have acclimatised already, maybe give wasim jr a go too

 

[Giannis]

If pakistan is still undefeated at that point, should just experiment and aim to lose. Dont' want to carry that win streak into the knockouts

lol what? That's such a loser mentality. Don't be superstitious, plenty of teams across different sports have won tournaments being undefeated, Australia last did that between 199-2007 - won 3 straight world cups without losing a game. It'd be embarrassing if Pak ended up losing to minnows like Namibia and Scotland. Pakistan should focus on total domination, run through these minnow teams and then win their knockout game(s), win the world cup with a statement.

 

[indianpanacea]

You don't change and break rythm of winning combination..what Pakistan can can do is promote Hafeez to 3 so that he can spend much time in middle to get him going..similarly with shahdab and imad..jus shuffle bowling a bit and give new ball to Hassan Ali with afridi..
Babar
Rizwan
Hafeez
Shahdab
Imad
Hassan Ali

 

[TeymurBlake]

Mohammad Nawaz for Hafeez.

The dilemma of Hasan Ali is a difficult one but trying Wasim Jnr isn't bad.

 

[IMMY69]

He's got a T20I career bowling average of 22 (better than Rashid, Boult, Southee, Shaheen, Rabada) and before this tournament had an average of 18 in the UAE across 9 matches (against AUS, NZ, WI, SRL) with an SR of 12.6.

He also had an average of 14.9 in 11 matches in 2021 before this tournament, with an SR of 11.5, on the back of recovery from a long term injury.

I'd be intrigued to know what makes you think his current poor performances are his "regular game".

I think he should retain his place to try to regain some form and confidence against weaker batsmen.

Thank you for your words of reason!

People have short memories and we can only thank the lord that selections are not decided by the peeps on PP

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Here is the potential issue that I see.

If Hafeez plays against these weaker sides, he will score some runs, which will choke the chances of Haider and Nawaz to be considered in the play offs.

We obviously don't know what the future holds but Hafeez MUST NOT PLAY in the next two games.

We must bring in Haider and Nawaz to replace, Malik and Hafeez.
Malik because he may need some rest and Hafeez because we don't want him in the play offs.

If both Malik and Nawaz play, then Harris can be given rest for a game or two. Shaheed must also be given a break to replenish.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Here is the potential issue that I see.

If Hafeez plays against these weaker sides, he will score some runs, which will choke the chances of Haider and Nawaz to be considered in the play offs.

We obviously don't know what the future holds but Hafeez MUST NOT PLAY in the next two games.

We must bring in Haider and Nawaz to replace, Malik and Hafeez.
Malik because he may need some rest and Hafeez because we don't want him in the play offs.

If both Malik and Nawaz play, then Harris can be given rest for a game or two. Shaheed must also be given a break to replenish.

Hafeez's bowling is needed though, so we can't drop him.

 

[Rana]

My team against Namibia would be following:

Babar
Haider
Fakhar
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Nawaz
Shadab
Imad
Wasim
Hasan
Haris

Matchups I would be interested in seeing who is better amongst following:
Fakhar vs Haider
Hasan vs Wasim
Imad vs Nawaz

An extraordinary performance by any fringe member in next game can give selectors a very good headache to have.

I would then go back to best XI vs Scotland. In both games Pakistan I would want Pakistan to bat first.

Sarfaraz should replace Hafeez and not Rizwan

 

[shariqnoor]

You don't test bench strength in world cup tournaments.

Go with same team unless there's a niggle with someone.

Misbah said it well on the Pavilion that the moment you change the team just for the sake of testing bench strength is the moment you start to lose momentum if you lose even 1 match. In a world cup, you cannot afford to lose that momentum. So stick to the same team.

 

[Savitar]

Namibia have four quality left arm bowlers and one of them is a good hitter too.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Hafeez's bowling is needed though, so we can't drop him.

Nawaz can't be any worse than Hafeez's bowling.
Plus, Nawaz has the highest # of sixes hit in Pakistan T20 tournament. I will definitely take in Nawaz instead of Hafeez.

 

[reversehook]

reserves cant play, some one needs to be injured and their replacement has to be approved by icc panel (thats dahani, qadir, and the other middle order batsman)

 

[finalfantasy7]

play the same team, give players like hafeez and hassan another chance.

We must bowl them out under 100, and the 2 players above have to perform if not - them replace both for game after

 

[Firebat]

Why do we need to "test bench strength"? We're not preparing for a World Cup, we're in one! This team is on a roll, 3 wins out of 3, play your strongest team every game and keep the momentum going.

We can test bench strength in the next bilateral series.

This is a T20 World Cup, bowlers only bowl 4 overs and the team only has to field for 20, plus they are getting a lot of days rest between fixtures, unlike in a bilateral series. Same team again.

 

[Sycamore]

Why do we need to "test bench strength"? We're not preparing for a World Cup, we're in one! This team is on a roll, 3 wins out of 3, play your strongest team every game and keep the momentum going.

We can test bench strength in the next bilateral series.

This is a T20 World Cup, bowlers only bowl 4 overs and the team only has to field for 20, plus they are getting a lot of days rest between fixtures, unlike in a bilateral series. Same team again.

If any of Hasan Ali, Shaheen, Rauf gets injured, then you will have Wasim who has not played any games whatsoever in the middle of a semi final against the likes of AUS.

 

[Firebat]

If any of Hasan Ali, Shaheen, Rauf gets injured, then you will have Wasim who has not played any games whatsoever in the middle of a semi final against the likes of AUS.

Australia won't drop Starc or Cummins so that they can test bench strength and make sure Kane Richardson gets a game. They know their best players and will play them every game so they get as much match practice and confidence as possible before the real crunch games. Same with all the top teams.

The only ones chopping and changing players is because they don't know their best side, or are making conditions-specific decisions.

These are professional athletes bowling 24 balls every 4 days. They should be fine, and they should keep playing to keep their rhythm and confidence sky high.

 

[The Yorker]

Hassan Ali is proving to be the weak link. He will be targeted by Australia and England if Pakistan make it all the way to the final. Hassan will either be kept on or Mohammed Wasim or Dahani should be tried out. Also Haider should be tried out at one down.

 

[Sycamore]

Australia won't drop Starc or Cummins so that they can test bench strength and make sure Kane Richardson gets a game. They know their best players and will play them every game so they get as much match practice and confidence as possible before the real crunch games. Same with all the top teams.

The only ones chopping and changing players is because they don't know their best side, or are making conditions-specific decisions.

These are professional athletes bowling 24 balls every 4 days. They should be fine, and they should keep playing to keep their rhythm and confidence sky high.

Australia hasn't qualified yet, they are also not left in a position/ in a group with two games to go against Namibia and Scotland. Look at the English, they are consistently messing around with their batting order even when chasing 70 runs.

Btw i agree with you team needs to remain the same, but an exception needs to be made in this case since Wasim has just started playing in international cricket.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Ideally we should treat these two games as a practice match for Semi Final. But I don't think management will make any changes to the winning combination.

This should be playing 11 for Namibia and Scotland.

Rizwan
Babar
Fakhar
Malik
Haidar
Asif Ali
Nawaz
Shadab
Waseem Jr
Shaheen
Rauf

Hasan needs to be dropped as he has almost failed in all the three matches we won. Based up performance Waseem jnr deserves a chances against these two weak teams.

 

[Justcrazy]

Fakhar , Haider , Asif and Hassan should be batting at 3 - 6 and looking to hit out

 

[IMMY69]

Why do we need to "test bench strength"? We're not preparing for a World Cup, we're in one! This team is on a roll, 3 wins out of 3, play your strongest team every game and keep the momentum going.

We can test bench strength in the next bilateral series.

This is a T20 World Cup, bowlers only bowl 4 overs and the team only has to field for 20, plus they are getting a lot of days rest between fixtures, unlike in a bilateral series. Same team again.

Unless there is an injury, you simply have to pick the same team.
The mere suggestion of replacing a player or two beggars belief

 

[MenInG]

Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim jnr, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Qadir, Khushdil Shah and Haider Ali attending a practice session at the ICC Academy, Dubai

 

[Justcrazy]

In the semi final I would want this team

Babaar
Rizwan
Fakhar
Haider
Asif
Malik
Shadab
Imad
Hassan
Haris Rauf
Shaheen

I would like Pakistan to attack with Asif Ali , Haider Ali and Hassan Ali a little up the order while batting .

 

[PakistanFan1991]

Same lineup with only change being to rest Shaheen. Middle order needs practice too in batting.