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Predict the outcome of the 5-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand
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Before I start my suggestions can I just say, this is not a thread to debate whether or not Misbah should remain in the team, whether he should be captain, does Afridi need to go etc. Even their strongest supporters would agree that it would be beneficial to Pakistan for them to rest for the Zim series and try some new players. 
Also, some of these players may have been selected for the U-23 cup, but after the apparent cancelation of Moin Khan's contract etc, we cant be sure. Even then I would say that international duty always comes first and will benefit these youngsters much more. If anyone disagrees we can debate this. 
This is the team I suggest, although there are certain positions I am not certain about and would happily agree with suggestions.

Azhar Ali (C)
Nasir Jamshed
Babar Azam
Umar Akmal (Wk)
Haris Sohail
Fawad Alam/Umar Amin 
Hammad Azam/ Mohammad Hafeez
Anwar Ali/ Mohammad Talha/ Asad Ali 
Junaid Khan
Mohammad Irfan
Raza Hassan

1) At the top it really is time to bring Azhar Ali. I know immediately people will bring up strike rate, tuk tuk and many dont rate him in ODI's. But the limited chances he has gotten, he has actually done very succesfully opening, in fact better than anyone else I can remember for the past few years. (Please can someone post the stats to confirm this). His strike rate cannot be lower than what the Pakistan batters have done recently. I must reiterate that it is important for him to open since that is where he is able to play those release shots and therefore settle in which isnt possible when he comes lower down and so he isn't as successful. I hate to drop Shahzad so quickly but Azhar is more deserving. Appointing him captain is bold but I sense a calmness in him and considering he has captaincy experience at domestic level, I feel like he could do well as skipper. 
2) Jamshed should be persisted with I feel.
3) He has done very well at different levels for Pakistan for a while now and is someone a lot of us have been following. It would be great for him to debut here and get some light experience. 
Middle order) The batting order for these three is adjustable and people can argue about that but we need to identify these young batsman and support their development. I'm sure not many of you will have a problem with Umar and Haris, at least to give him further chances. As for the other position, it is between Fawad, again someone who has great numbers and has proven effective if not pretty in the past, but someone who greatly divides opinion. As for Amin, it is sad that he hasn't scored but maybe should be persisted with a bit longer. 
7) Hammad could to be given a chance here or I'm sure many will be shocked with the Hafeez suggestion. But here is my logic. By his batting performance recently, he deserves to be dropped. But his bowling has been very useful and he helps provide balance to the team. If and only if he agrees to drop down to 7, it could help to get him back to performing for Pakistan. There are also many young players in the top order and it couldn't hurt to have a bit of 'experience' just in case. 
8) It would be good to find a solid third seamer and Anwar is chosen for his batting prowess + recomendation from Akram, but again I am open to suggestions for this. 
9) Junaid Irfan and Raza Hassan I'm sure people will agree with. It won't hurt to rest Ajmal since he's so necessary for us in all there formats. Maybe even Irfan could be rested if someone else needs exposure. 
Other players I did consider include Yasir Shah. You will agree that maybe Hafeez aside, there are really no TTF's in this team and many players that can be hugely important for pakistan, even if a couple of them click.
Please discuss any players you feel are more deserving, or any that should not be in the team, preferably with reasons and some logic.

 

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