West Indies v Pakistan | 1st Test | Jamaica | Apr 21-25, 2017 | Pre-Match Thread

[godzilla]

now the real cricket starts.

given that this is a golden opportunity to secure a first test series win, I would imagine there will be no experimentation and the team will be a sub-optimal mix of tired players.

squad: misbah, asad, azhar, babar, sarfraz, ahmed, hasan, abbas, amir, asghar, shadab, shan, salahuddin, wahab, yasir, younis.

probable:

1. shan 2. azhar 3. younis 4. babar 5. misbah 6. asad 7. sarfraz 8. yasir 9. wahab 10. amir 11. hasan

my favoured team:

1. shehzad 2. azhar 3. younis 4. salahuddin 5. misbah 6. asad 7. sarfraz 8. yasir 9. amir if fit otherwise asghar 10. hasan 11. abbas


I think its pretty clear that wahab and amir are in serious need of rest.

shan is crap.

salahuddins fc record is vastly superior to babar's.

no third seamer in the squads which is why the only choices left would be shadab - who will be way way out of his league as could be seen from his struggles in the 50-over format - and asghar who is entirely unproven but has decent fc stats.

abbas has by far the best fc starts of all the bowlers in the squad, with hasan and amir close behind and wahab way, way, away and by far the worst.

[Ellipsism]

Shan
Azhar
Babar
Misbah
Younus
Shafiq
Sarfaraz
Yasir
Amir
Hasan/Asghar- depending on conditions
Wahab

[dildildalwalla]

Salahuddin looks to have a very good fc record but Babar has been playing so well it's mad to leave him out...for now. Obviously Misbah and YK will play all 3 tests.

The only places open for debate are the opening slot. Azhar needs to play, he was easily the best opener of 2016. I'd prefer Shehzad over Shan but who knows, Shan might shine. It's sad that Sami isn't here.

As for the bowlers, Shah has got to play and I reckon Wahab shouldn't be picked just yet. My 3 seamers: Amir, Ali and ... wait they haven't got another seamer?

[godzilla]

Salahuddin looks to have a very good fc record but Babar has been playing so well it's mad to leave him out...for now. Obviously Misbah and YK will play all 3 tests.

The only places open for debate are the opening slot. Azhar needs to play, he was easily the best opener of 2016. I'd prefer Shehzad over Shan but who knows, Shan might shine. It's sad that Sami isn't here.

As for the bowlers, Shah has got to play and I reckon Wahab shouldn't be picked just yet. My 3 seamers: Amir, Ali and ... wait they haven't got another seamer?

its a tough choice for there number 4 - I was watching the pre-match discussion amongst mohammed wasim, Akram, Rashid and akhtar, and they highlighted that in their opinion babar is still early on the learning curve, and has some technical deficiencies in tests which is why his returns there are ordinary. they also mentioned that they think he will resolve them soon. given the two big guns are going, id personally prefer to go for the guy who has more experience and a better comparative record, but its a tough and controversial.

shan is so bad, his record speaks for himself. the long format is easily shehzads best, and his record is significantly better than Shans so thats a no brainer for me.

there is one more bowler - abbas, he's been a leading wicket taker in the past two seasons and was outstanding in the prep camps. he's medium pace but apparently quick off the pitch - he has been taking tonnes of wickets in first class, has an excellent record and has received accolades from asif.

[Speedster777]

there is one more bowler - abbas, he's been a leading wicket taker in the past two seasons and was outstanding in the prep camps. he's medium pace but apparently quick off the pitch - he has been taking tonnes of wickets in first class, has an excellent record and has received accolades from asif.

Mohammad Abbass has been bowling along with Mohammad Asif who speaks highly of the former.

[dildildalwalla]

its a tough choice for there number 4 - I was watching the pre-match discussion amongst mohammed wasim, Akram, Rashid and akhtar, and they highlighted that in their opinion babar is still early on the learning curve, and has some technical deficiencies in tests which is why his returns there are ordinary. they also mentioned that they think he will resolve them soon. given the two big guns are going, id personally prefer to go for the guy who has more experience and a better comparative record, but its a tough and controversial.

shan is so bad, his record speaks for himself. the long format is easily shehzads best, and his record is significantly better than Shans so thats a no brainer for me.

there is one more bowler - abbas, he's been a leading wicket taker in the past two seasons and was outstanding in the prep camps. he's medium pace but apparently quick off the pitch - he has been taking tonnes of wickets in first class, has an excellent record and has received accolades from asif.

But I'm not sure if debuting Abbas in the first two tests which Pak must win is a good idea. I'd go with the experience and pace of Wahab.

As for batting, I guess an argument can be made for keeping Babar out but he is in such form and the WI are so mediocre that he will do well.

[Ellipsism]

Salahuddin looks to have a very good fc record but Babar has been playing so well it's mad to leave him out...for now. Obviously Misbah and YK will play all 3 tests.

The only places open for debate are the opening slot. Azhar needs to play, he was easily the best opener of 2016. I'd prefer Shehzad over Shan but who knows, Shan might shine. It's sad that Sami isn't here.

As for the bowlers, Shah has got to play and I reckon Wahab shouldn't be picked just yet. My 3 seamers: Amir, Ali and ... wait they haven't got another seamer?

Abbas is there but he isn't great.

[dildildalwalla]

Abbas is there but he isn't great.

I forgot about him. So they'll have to play Wahab at least in the first 2 tests. If they win both I guess they can rest some guys.

[Flat_Track_Bully]

I forgot about him. So they'll have to play Wahab at least in the first 2 tests. If they win both I guess they can rest some guys.

Wahab needs a rest. He should sit out test series.

[moghul]

Abbas is there but he isn't great.

But he might be better than Hasan, who seems to me a good ODI bolwer but probably not a wicket taker in test.

[Chief Destroyer]

Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Younis
Usman
Shadab
Sarfaraz
Misbah
Amir
Yasir
Hasan

[Ahson8]

Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Younis
Usman
Shadab
Sarfaraz
Misbah
Amir
Yasir
Hasan

No Shafiq ?

[Chief Destroyer]

No Shafiq ?

No, he's too soft.

[Citizen4]

No, he's too soft.

too bad our management thinks he'll fill the shoes of Misbah.
so inconsistent player, don't deserve to play regularly

[dildildalwalla]

too bad our management thinks he'll fill the shoes of Misbah.
so inconsistent player, don't deserve to play regularly

Really? Or are you joking? He has 5 centuries in 2 years manly batting at 6, averages over 50 and 4 centuries are away (Bang, SL, Eng and Aus). He almost won us the closest test we've had against Aus in Aus. Shafiq is the best lower order batsman on the planet.

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Shehzad
Azhar
Babar
Younis
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Shadab
Amir
Yasir
Hasan Ali

[Citizen4]

A realistic team if the pitch is spin friendly:

Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Younis
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Shadab
Amir
Yasir
Wahab

If the pitch is more balanced then I think Hasan or Abbas will play instead of Shadab or Babar, they might go with 5 batsmen and 5 bowlers plus Sarfraz if Shadab is not playing

[godzilla]

A realistic team if the pitch is spin friendly:

Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Younis
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Shadab
Amir
Yasir
Wahab

If the pitch is more balanced then I think Hasan or Abbas will play instead of Shadab or Babar, they might go with 5 batsmen and 5 bowlers plus Sarfraz if Shadab is not playing

if you're playing two leagues, you have to have at least one right hander to create rough or else its not worth it.

[Citizen4]

if you're playing two leagues, you have to have at least one right hander to create rough or else its not worth it.

they won't play 2 debutants in the first test, only 1 debutant will play, Amir and Wahab both will play first test because Experience^TM

[godzilla]

they won't play 2 debutants in the first test, only 1 debutant will play, Amir and Wahab both will play first test because Experience^TM

Im not sure I agree, cant see why they wouldn't play two debutants if it fit. the advantage on the one hand is that its recent debutants that have performed in babar, shadab, hasan, so theres a good excuse to play them even if one or both fails. on the other hand, shadab has shown he's not ready for odis let alone tests, so I don't think theres a chance he gets picked. he's not well practiced enough.

[A.A.Z]

1, Shehzad/Masood
2, Azhar
3, Babar
4, Younis
5, Misbah
6, Asad
7, Sarfraz
8, Wahab/ Hasan
9, Shadab/Asghar
10, Yasir
11, Abbas/ Amir

The bottom 4 are in no particular order. There is no way Usman will make his test debut in the first test. Hasan will probably debut. Abbas might debut but not sure. Either Shadab or Asghar will debut. Amir will probably be rested. Wahab will play since it's the only format he's suited for and the ball will definitely reverse on these pitches unless they want to rest/drop him.

Shehzad's horror show in the last 2 odi's could mean Shan plays and the retiring seniors will probably make sure this happens. Shehzad should play and find his feet at the international level again especially since he's decent in tests. Shan has no long terms prospects in the team since he can't even play Anderson in the Uae let alone England. He's a hard worker, supremely fit, and educated but just not good enough at this level.

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Just don't pick Shan "dad's Dream ' Masood, rest I don't care about because the squads pretty good

[On_the_up]

Have to go in with 2 spinners, not much in these pitches for the pacers and ours are world beaters anyway.

Also a solitary spinner means another 40+ overs workload per inns for Yasir which isn't sustainable nor fair.

Although Masood is capable of getting runs against this WI side, I'll rather have Shehzad in for him as a better long term bet.

[Hamza_]

Azhar
Shizzy
Babar
YK
Misbah
Usman/Shafiq
Sarfraz
Shadab
Amir
Asghar
Hassan

[Speedster777]

Mohammad Abbass should play

[Boi]

Azhar
Babar
YK
Usman
Misbah
Sarfraz
Shadab
Amir
Yasir
Hasan
Wahab

[Rayyman]

My XI:
Azhar
Masood
Azam
Younus
Misbah*
Shafiq
Sarfraz+
Riaz
Amir
Shah
Hasan/Asghar (depending on conditions)

[cricketInsight]

Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Younis
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Shadab/Asghar
Yasir
Wahab
Amir

[Rayyman]

My XI:
Azhar
Masood
Azam
Younus
Misbah*
Shafiq
Sarfraz+
Riaz
Amir
Shah
Hasan/Asghar (depending on conditions)

I have Shan Masood over Ahmed Shehzad because the former is a left handed batsman.
Amir shouldn't be turned into an all-rounder. That's why he is at 9 and not 8.
Shah is night watchman with a good technique, not an all-rounder. So he is at #10.
I know Riaz bats like a tailender these days, but we need him to step it up. He has shown his batting prowess before and can provide some quick runs with Sarfraz.

I want Pakistan to either win or draw this series. Don't lose please.

[Speedster777]

Not sure whats the hype about Asad Shafiq he's nothing special always fails in pressure situations.

[Pete Rose]

I am not sure who's failure would would give me more satisfaction: shehzad or masood.

[Jabo]

How could you bring Shan back?

Likely awful XI is

Shan
Hafeez
Azhar
YK
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz

[Abdullah]

i will be shocked if azhar doesnt open with shaan
i will be shocked if babar doesnt play at 3.
i will be shocked if we dont play 6-1-4, though with impendijg retirements we should be thinking 5-1-2-3 especially if shadab can really bat
i will be shocked if amir and wahab dont start the first game
so i will be shocked if the team is anything othed than the below;

azhar
shan
babar
younis
misbah
shafiq
sarfaraz
wahab
amir
yasir
hasan/asghar depending on wicket

[Pete Rose]

i will be shocked if azhar doesnt open with shaan
i will be shocked if babar doesnt play at 3.
i will be shocked if we dont play 6-1-4, though with impendijg retirements we should be thinking 5-1-2-3 especially if shadab can really bat
i will be shocked if amir and wahab dont start the first game
so i will be shocked if the team is anything othed than the below;

azhar
shan
babar
younis
misbah
shafiq
sarfaraz
wahab
amir
yasir
hasan/asghar depending on wicket

I would be shocked if wahab plays

[Abdullah]

and agree that yes this is the real cricket!!
i said all along i want misbah to retire after leading us to first ever series win in windies!!

[Abdullah]

the aim shouldnbe to win the first 2 tests and play usman n shadab in the last one. babar amir wahab and hassan can go home early n rest up

[Bilal7]

the aim shouldnbe to win the first 2 tests and play usman n shadab in the last one. babar amir wahab and hassan can go home early n rest up

This. The last test should be a farewell for Younis and Misbah and a glimpse of the future. Salahuddin and Shadab should be given a debut in this series and Babar and Amir should be rested for a game.

[Hasan123]

Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Younis
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Yasir
Wahab
Hasan
Asghar

[Markhor]

Would go Azhar, Babar, Salahuddin, Younis, Misbah, Shafiq, Sarfraz, Amir, Yasir, Hasan, Asghar.

However one of Shehzad or Masood will probably play, neither are good enough long-term and never should've replaced Sami Aslam.

There's a warm-up match in Trelawny so I'd expect the XI to start will be the one in Jamaica.

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Waiting eagerly for this series to start. WI are no push overs in test cricket at home.

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Just for this series

Azhar
Babar
Usman
Younis
Misbah
Sarfi
Shadab
Amir
Wahab
Hasan
Yasir

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Just for this series

Azhar
Babar
Usman
Younis
Misbah
Sarfi
Shadab
Amir
Wahab
Hasan
Yasir

2 spinners are a must. Maybe 3. Would replace a pacer with Asghar.

[hadi123]

We have a warm up game first, whoever does well in that match should get a game in this test

[Bilal7]

For the first test:

1) Shehzad
2) Azhar
3) Babar
4) Younis
5) Shafiq
6) Misbah (c)
7) Sarfaraz (wk)
8) Asghar
9) Shah
10) Amir
11) Riaz

[Arsalan Pro]

Playing XI:

Ahmed Shehzad
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Younis Khan
Misbah Ul Haq(C)
Asad Shafiq
Sarfraz Ahmed(Wk)
Shadab Khan
Mohammed Amir
Wahab Riaz/Hasan Ali
Yasir Shah

[Syed1]

Ah yes the boring part of the tour. Hope we quickly get this out of the way and focus on bigger things like the CT.

[Abdul]

Azhar Ali
Usman Salahuddin
Asad Shafiq
Younis Khan
Misbah-ul-Haq
Sarfraz Ahmed
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Asghar
Yasir Shah
Wahab Riaz
Hasan Ali

[ads101]

Utter joke Sami's been dropped. Guy has one bad test series in Aus of all places and replaced him. The last time we had a good opener before than was Saeed Anwar. The reason why hafeez lasted so long despite him being average was because he was better than the rest, Butt, Farhat, Khurram, Shan etc. We finally find a guy who looks not only better than Hafeez, but actually has potential to be a great opener as well as youth on his side and he's dropped.

1. Shehzad (think he'll be better in tests than LOI, and has a decent record in it so far at least
2. Azhar
3. Asad (he needs to take responsibility here he's the experienced guy, babar's not ready)
4. Younis
5. Misbah
6. Babar
7. Sarfraz
8. Yasir Shah
9. Amir
10. Abbas
11. Hasan Ali

[Red Devil]

Hope Usman gets a game. Looks like a compact batsman from what I've seen of him.

[Square Drive]

Ahmed Shehzad
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Younis Khan
Misbah-ul-Haq*
Asad Shafiq
Sarfraz Ahmed (VC) (WK)
Yasir Shah
Mohammad Amir
Wahab Riaz
Mohammad Asghar

The most realistic XI.

Shadab playing will mean one of Babar/Shafiq getting dropped which obviously will not happen, so we gotta keep it real.

Salahuddin's debut is only 3 months away tops. No need to force him into the side right now.

[khurram39]

Ahmad shahzad must give a go in test match foreseeing CT2017 if he scored will give him confidence.
Azhar
Babar
Younis
Misbah
Asad
Sarfraz
Yasir
Amir
Wahab
Abbass/ Asghar depending on wicket

No shadab and Hassan. Left them with team and enjoy. Don't be over burden.

[The cricket enthusiast]

can someone post the windies team?

[Syed1]

can someone post the windies team?

the windies team

[hadi123]

can someone post the windies team?

hasn't been named

[Rafay Shafiq]

It's too early for shadab. Let him preserve for champions trophy

[ExpressPacer]

Abbas should play in place of Wahab, instead of Hasan.

[Adil_94]

bar any bad weather we should whitewash them in this series. Surely our Windies hoodoo has to be over now.

[Adil_94]

Ahmed Shehzad
Azhar Ali
Younis Khan
Babar Azam
Misbah Ul Haq (c)
Asad Shafiq
Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
Shadab Khan
Wahab Riaz
Hasan Ali
Yasir Shah

that would be my team for the 1st Test.

[Brilliance]

I hope Shadab gets a chance in the series. He will be able to showcase his batting talent in the tests.

[SarfiBabarHaris]

I hope Shadab gets a chance in the series. He will be able to showcase his batting talent in the tests.

Yep thats what i hope too.
He is a proper batsman.

[JibranAnsari]

Shehzad
Azhar
Babar
Yk
Misbah
Asad
Sarfraz
Shadab
Yasir
Wahab
Amir

Shehzad is better than shan.

[Abdullah719]

It's unlikely but I hope Usman gets to make his Test debut in this series.

[SarfiBabarHaris]

It's unlikely but I hope Usman gets to make his Test debut in this series.

classy bat.

[Yaasir]

Azhar Ali
Shan Masood
Babar Azam
Younus Khan
Misbah Ul Haq
Asad Shafiq
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Mohammad Amir
Yasir Shah
Mohammad Asghar
Hasan Ali

[Rafay Shafiq]

Amir the wicket taker has to prove himself. He will not be automatic choice in future

[Brilliance]

1 Shehzad.
2 Azhar.
3 Babar.
4 YK.
5 Misbah.
6 Asad.
7 Sarfaraz.
8 Shadab.
9 Yasir.
10 Wahab.
11 Hassan.

[ammar_merry]

news channel reporting team management has asked for rahat ali.selection commitee has rejected.
what is team management upto

[Arham_PakFan]

Azhar
Shehzad
Shafiq
Younis
Misbah
Babar
Sarfraz
Amir
Hasan Ali
Asghar
Yasir

Best XI IMO.

[Seamer]

My team for the first test match:

1. Azhar Ali
2. Shehzad
3. Babar Azam
4. Younis Khan
5. Misbah ul Haq
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfaraz Ahmed
8. Shadab Khan
9. Yasir Shah
10. Amir
11. Hassan Ali

[Rayyman]

The pitch in Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica usually has it for something in it for pacers.

So I would go with a bowling attack of:

Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali/Mohammad Abbas
Wahab Riaz
Yasir Shah
Asad Shafiq

[The cricket enthusiast]

The pitch in Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica usually has it for something in it for pacers.

So I would go with a bowling attack of:

Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali/Mohammad Abbas
Wahab Riaz
Yasir Shah
Asad Shafiq

asad shafiq?

[Rayyman]

asad shafiq?

Yes. The off-spin all-rounder.

[Ellipsism]

But he might be better than Hasan, who seems to me a good ODI bolwer but probably not a wicket taker in test.

Abbas being a medium pacer needs to be skilled with the ball to pick up wickets- something that I personally haven't seen.

The longer format is most suited to Hasan's style of bowling...

[Junaids]

Very dangerous signs in the warm-up match:

Hassan Ali 2 maidens in 21 overs

Yasir Shah 0 maidens in 24 overs

The key bowlers in the Test are Amir and Wahab. I personally think that Misbah's fields have set Yasir Shah back so very far that I would select Shadab Khan instead - which strengthens the batting too as the tail becomes:

8. Shadab Khan
9. Mohammad Amir
10. Hassan Ali
11. Wahab Riaz

Still a lightweight attack though.

[Hamza_]

Azhar
Shehzad
Babar
Younis
Usman
Shadab
Sarfaraz
Misbah
Amir
Yasir
Hasan

Misbah at #8?

[Nikhil_cric]

Quite a few posters don't have wahab in their lineup. Are you kidding me? He was quite comfortably our best bowler Down Under and you want to drop him? If anything Yasir should be dropped. Don't play a spinner for the heck of it.

[Rayyman]

Shafiq should definitely not be dropped. Of course, people will have their personal agendas against him, but he is a pretty good player. Average is around 40 which is fine for a #6. Lack of big scores is also due to his batting position. As he is not a quick scorer like Gilchrist or Stokes.

He should be more consistent though to get to the next level. Especially as he enters his prime. Needs a lot of more runs and/or a man of the series. Has an opportunity here against WI.

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Shafiq should definitely not be dropped. Of course, people will have their personal agendas against him, but he is a pretty good player. Average is around 40 which is fine for a #6. Lack of big scores is also due to his batting position. As he is not a quick scorer like Gilchrist or Stokes.

He should be more consistent though to get to the next level. Especially as he enters his prime. Needs a lot of more runs and/or a man of the series. Has an opportunity here against WI.

He can't take ODI pressure. We have been down this road many a time. Look at his record. There are other options.

[Rayyman]

He can't take ODI pressure. We have been down this road many a time. Look at his record. There are other options.

Was talking Test matches.

If this off-spin experiment works, then we can finally say goodbye to Hafeez.

[Arsalan Pro]

Was talking Test matches.

If this off-spin experiment works, then we can finally say goodbye to Hafeez.

Best bowler of the tour game after Amir.