Zimbabwe v Pakistan | 1st Test | Harare | 29 April - 3rd May , 2021 | Pre-Match Discussion

[moghul]

It’s a Test against Zimbabwe.

How do you justify picking Azhar Ali instead of Abdullah Shafique, or Fawad Alam ahead of Saud Shakeel?

I’m just baffled!

I thought you knew Misbah well.

 

[shamaan]

Dhani is another option but i'd urge that you watch him in training in the Lahore camp, didn't look all that impressive to me, Taj Wali looked a lot better in my view. Tabish looked ok, no need to play Shaheen absolutely no reason why he shouldn't be rested in my view. Can't wait for this test though!

When I watched him in the qaid e azam he looked good but I want another season then he should be ready.dahani offers you something different compared to the pacers Pakistan currently have.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

When I watched him in the qaid e azam he looked good but I want another season then he should be ready.dahani offers you something different compared to the pacers Pakistan currently have.

Well hearing breaking news about tomorrow’s XI, only change will be Zahid in for Yasir apparently and Shaheen comes back.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Best chance to debut Shafique, Shakeel, Dahani , sajid Khan and zahid mehmood.

Out of nowhere Misbah will give debut to Tabish Khan and also I think he will play Nawaz

Misbahs thinking is not give an inch to think Pakistan has a good bench strength or good players coming through.

He has been taking revenge for his late entry to int’l cricket on the young players who has good potential to have long careers. Been happening for a decade now.

 

[Ahmed216]

Best chance to debut Shafique, Shakeel, Dahani , sajid Khan and zahid mehmood.

Out of nowhere Misbah will give debut to Tabish Khan and also I think he will play Nawaz

Misbahs thinking is not give an inch to think Pakistan has a good bench strength or good players coming through.

He has been taking revenge for his late entry to int’l cricket on the young players who has good potential to have long careers. Been happening for a decade now.

No one's going to debut this is Misbah. I thought we have a world class batsman as a captain now who'll do his own but he too is a meek character it seems

 

[MenInG]

Pictures (courtesy of the PCB) of Pakistan squad practicing ahead of the 1st Test against Zimbabwe

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Hearing that the following XI plays tomorrow:

1. Abid Ali
2. Imran Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nuaman Ali
10. Zahid Mehmood
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Best of luck boys, bleed green!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MenInG]

The captains pictured with the trophy ahead of the Test series

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan take on Zimbabwe without key leg-spinner Yasir Shah in a two-Test series which starts in Harare on Thursday, but are "confident" after beating South Africa earlier this year.

Yasir has been an integral part of Pakistan's Test bowling attack since making his debut in 2014, only missing two tours -- to Ireland for a single Test and a two-match visit to England -- both in 2018.

Yasir, who has taken 235 wickets in 45 Tests, is absent with a knee injury.

The visitors will also be without frontline seamer Mohammad Abbas, now starring for Hampshire in English county cricket, who lost favour with selectors early this year.

The Babar Azam-led Pakistan will instead rely on the pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi (15 Tests), Hasan Ali (11) and Faheem Ashraf (eight), while Nauman Ali (two Tests) is the frontline spinner.

They also have leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood and off-spinner Sajid Khan to chose from, who both have not played a Test yet.

Hasan's 10 wickets anchored a victory over South Africa in Pakistan's last Test in Rawalpindi two months ago.

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq believes his team can kick on from that 2-0 series win.

"Our confidence level is good after winning the home series against South Africa so we hope to carry that good performance," Misbah told AFP.

"Yes, we don't have Yasir but the back-up spinners, like Sajid and Mahmood, are good and in the absence of Yasir they have a good opportunity to perform."

Pakistan's batting will revolve around veteran Azhar Ali, Babar, Fawad Alam and in-form wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Azhar is one of the two survivors from the last Test between the two sides in Harare seven years ago, when the hosts upset Pakistan by 24 runs to achieve a 1-1 series draw.

Pakistan still lead the teams' head-to-head record with 10 wins in 17 bilateral Tests. Zimbabwe have won three, with four drawn.

- Improving Zimbabwe -

Zimbabwe will hope to continue their form from the preceding three-match Twenty20 series. Despite losing 2-1, they gave their higher-ranked opponents a tough contest.

"It was a very good series with a young side," said skipper Sean Williams, who has hit hundreds in each of his last three Tests.

Zimbabwe drew a two-match Test series 1-1 against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates last month.

"We've got some talented young batsmen and bowlers and we are really excited for the Test series."

Besides Williams, the other crucial batsman remains Brendan Taylor, the only other player who featured in the Pakistan-Zimbabwe Test in 2013.

In Blessing Muzarabani and Victor Nyauchi, Zimbabwe have a potent pace attack strengthened by Luke Jongwe, expected to make his Test debut after taking nine wickets in the T20 series.

The second Test will also be in Harare from May 7, with the full tour played behind closed doors due to Covid-19.

Squads

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Tabish Khan, Hasan Ali, Shahnawaz Dhani, Nauman Ali, Zahid Mahmood, Sajid Khan

Zimbabwe: Sean Williams (captain), Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chisoro, Tanaka Chivanga, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano

Umpires: Langton Rusere (ZIM) and Marais Erasmus (RSA)

TV umpire: Iknow Chabi (ZIM)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pakistan-look-tame-zimbabwe-without-010535399.html

 

[Afhan Ali]

Saud Shakeel have to wait another year or 2 before making his debut.

 

[MenInG]

Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams will miss the first Test match against Pakistan after he failed to fully recover from a soft tissue injury to his left hand in time for the game that gets underway at Harare Sports Club this Thursday.

The injury, which had forced him to sit out the second T20I last Friday, flared up during the third game on Sunday.

With Williams ruled out, Brendan Taylor has been asked to stand in as Zimbabwe’s captain for the first Test.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams will miss the first Test match against Pakistan after he failed to fully recover from a soft tissue injury to his left hand in time for the game that gets underway at Harare Sports Club this Thursday.

The injury, which had forced him to sit out the second T20I last Friday, flared up during the third game on Sunday.

With Williams ruled out, Brendan Taylor has been asked to stand in as Zimbabwe’s captain for the first Test.

I could see that coming that he wasn't gonna play, wish him the best!

Pakistan plzzzzzzzz bat first tomorrow.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Hearing that the following XI plays tomorrow:

1. Abid Ali
2. Imran Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nuaman Ali
10. Zahid Mehmood
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Best of luck boys, bleed green!!!!!!!!!!!

lol Abid & Butt will score plenty of runs to secure their spots going forward despite how completely terrible they are.

Oh well, it's Pakistan. Expecting sensible things is far too much of an ask.

 

[MesonK]

Abid ali and Imran butt backers succeeded in giving them this opportunity to score some weak 50s so that they can be sustained in the squad while people like Osman Salahuddin, Saud shakil, Kamran Ghulam are sitting outside.

This Shan Masood all over again. I hope they both fail.

 

[shamaan]

Well hearing breaking news about tomorrow’s XI, only change will be Zahid in for Yasir apparently and Shaheen comes back.

Not surprised at all whilst misbah is coach.

 

[shamaan]

How can saud shakeel not make his debut baffled!.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

lol Abid & Butt will score plenty of runs to secure their spots going forward despite how completely terrible they are.

Oh well, it's Pakistan. Expecting sensible things is far too much of an ask.

I was looking forward to seeing Abdullah Shafique open the innings, i mean this proves nothing for Abid in particular but if he comes good he comes good. Let's see, it's Ramadan so gonna wish all the boys the best.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Abid ali and Imran butt backers succeeded in giving them this opportunity to score some weak 50s so that they can be sustained in the squad while people like Osman Salahuddin, Saud shakil, Kamran Ghulam are sitting outside.

This Shan Masood all over again. I hope they both fail.

I like Usman but his SR is really slow, in domestic for 2019/20 and 2020/21 he was averaging a SR of around 41.

 

[Nasty Naz]

I don't think enough people are talking about Zahid Mahmood's horrific FC numbers. The average is 36.76 and a bad economy rate to boot. He is also pretty old.

Just saying but the so called "awful" Shadab has six 4 wicket haul in FC in 29 innings. Zahid has 7 in 81 innings. Zahid's economy rate is even worse than Shadab who is already leaky to begin with.

Truly excellent T20 numbers and decent List A numbers but Pakistan may be confusing the format with him.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

The unpredictability of Pakistani cricket team is very real.

Anything could happen. This could become an interesting one.

Looking forward to some hard fought games instead of "one way traffic". Lets hope Zim serves a banana peel on the floor for us.

 

[imshally81]

I think Sajid khan is better than Zahid Mehmood in test..

Also Fakhar can play as a opener... Just for a change..

Surely he will do better than both Abid & butt

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I think Sajid khan is better than Zahid Mehmood in test..

Also Fakhar can play as a opener... Just for a change..

Surely he will do better than both Abid & butt

I think with the t20 WC coming i'd want him focusing on his limited overs game, besides they should be trying Abdullah Shafique or Azhar as opener with Imran Butt playing second fiddle and then Saud at 3.

Team has more or less been announced, it's more or less the team that beat South Africa with Yasir out and Zahid in meaning no debuts for Saud, Abdullah or Sajid.

 

[liam26]

Misbah cannot afford to lose here with debutants hence he will opt for experience.

 

[imshally81]

Also please bat first...

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Shaheen and Hasan should be rested. Babar should also rest himself in the 2nd match.

Tabish Khan , Dahani and Haris Rauf should be spearheaded line up
Nauman ali and Zahir Mahmood should be the spinners

Imran butt and Azhar ali should open
Saud Shakeel at 1 down

Babar Fawad and Rizwan be 4,5,6

Hasan Ali doesn't need rest he is making a comeback. Pakistan plays far fewer test matches than top 3 sides. So no point resting players. I dont see any point in playing Tabish Khan, he is already 36 years old, pace bowlers retire around this age. He is yet to make debut. Spinners can play longer but for pace bowlers it is pretty much the last stretch.

The only bowler you can rest is Shaheen However Shaheen Afridi debuted in 2018 & since 2018 he has only played 15 tests. If you want to give a new Bowler a chance than one of Haris Rauf and Shahnawaz. you cant play both of them as they both have very little first class experience. We really dont know if they can last in a 5 day match.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Hearing that the following XI plays tomorrow:

1. Abid Ali
2. Imran Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nuaman Ali
10. Zahid Mehmood
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Best of luck boys, bleed green!!!!!!!!!!!

If they milk bowlers like shaheen like this then Amirs retirement is fully justified.
Amir knew that these buffoons will let him rot in the heat every game, Pak doesn’t have a rotation policy and that is why they haven’t have any bowler who has taken 200 test wickets in the last 2 decades.

When asked Misbah the Buffon arrogantly answers that they are loooking after shaheen well and people should not worry about his rest.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

If they milk bowlers like shaheen like this then Amirs retirement is fully justified.
Amir knew that these buffoons will let him rot in the heat every game, Pak doesn’t have a rotation policy and that is why they haven’t have any bowler who has taken 200 test wickets in the last 2 decades.

When asked Misbah the Buffon arrogantly answers that they are loooking after shaheen well and people should not worry about his rest.

Yep, I'm disgusted they couldn't even consider trialing the likes of Tabish or Dhahani.

Anyways, how is this wicket gonna play? Similar to Karachi?

 

[Nasty Naz]

Misbah cannot afford to lose here with debutants hence he will opt for experience.

Yep, he may get fired if he loses a match or potentially the series.

I think this is where if selectors and coach are on the same page, you can give him the vote of confidence where it should be about the process and not the results. Fault does lie a lot with the media as well. Even if its a rebuilding side, the expectation is to win at all costs or else the sky is falling and everyone needs to go.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Babar has already said they will field their best available team and not change the combination. So automatically a legspinner will replace Yasir. Pakistan is a very defensive thinking team. Very predictable.

 

[zacattakk]

Its Misbah, one of the most timid defensive minded cricketers to have ever played for Pakistan. He will almost certainly go with a full strength team barring the one forced change for Yasir Shah. He'll be terrified of losing another test match against Zimbabwe after losing one the last time he toured as captain.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

A Yasir sized hole lurking in the team might tilt the balance towards Zim in atleast 1 test I feel.
In addition, our batting starts at no.3.

 

[gazza619]

Abid ali and Imran butt backers succeeded in giving them this opportunity to score some weak 50s so that they can be sustained in the squad while people like Osman Salahuddin, Saud shakil, Kamran Ghulam are sitting outside.

This Shan Masood all over again. I hope they both fail.

Zimbabwe’s bowling attack is not as weak as you think it is. Plus they will be bowling in home conditions.

Runs in test cricket never come easy.

 

[ahmadharis1]

My ideal XI vs Zimbabwe would have been

1. Imran Butt
2. Azhar Ali
3. Usman Salahuddin
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Yasir Shah (maybe Nauman Ali)
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen Afridi

 

[Line and Length]

Hearing that the following XI plays tomorrow:

1. Abid Ali
2. Imran Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Nuaman Ali
10. Zahid Mehmood
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Best of luck boys, bleed green!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely pathetic if true. Abid Ali averaged 8.25 in the series against SA at home. What does Saud need to do to get a game?