PCB announce 16-member squad for 2018 Asia Cup; Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez excluded

[MenInG]

16-member Pakistan’s Team announced for Asia Cup

Lahore-September 4, 2018: The National Selection Committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq has today announced 16-member squad for Pakistan team for Asia Cup in a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The Asia Cup will commence in the UAE from September 15, 2018. (Press Conference Audio attached)

Fakhar Zaman

Imam ul Haq

Shan Masood

Babar Azam

Shoaib Malik

Sarfraz Ahmed (C)

Asif Ali

Haris Sohail

Shadab Khan

Muhammad Nawaz

Fahim Ashraf

Hasan Ali

Muhammad Amir

Junaid Khan

Usman Khan Shinwari

Shaheen Shah Afridi

[Syed1]

Two of the top three names though

[Slim]

Would have preferred Hafeez over the likes of Shan and Nawaz but as long as these two dont get near the playing 11, i am good. Good squad, best of luck Pakistan.

[nextover666666]

I remember seeing a report that Hafeez would not make the team. imad I think it was due to the fitness test. I would have personally got rid of Shan Masood,

[Syed1]

Solid bowling attack - easily best in the world damn. Look at that talent, Amir, Hasan, Shinwari, Junaid, Shaheen. Wow wow wow

[Major]

Everything is perfect except they dont have a spinner.

Yasir Shah or even Asghar should had been considered instead of Nawaz.

[Slim]

Also good to see that Shaheen finally gets a look in for the ODI squad. Should have been selected against Zimboks too. However, its better late than never.

[Major]

Its UAE, and you need spinners. Instead they are taking 6 pacers which are not needed. 4-5 pacers are alllright.

[Slim]

Everything is perfect except they dont have a spinner.

Yasir Shah or even Asghar should had been considered instead of Nawaz.

Agree, playing Nawaz is basically playing with 10 players. I pray that we dont ever have the need for another spinner in the line up and that Malik takes his bowling seriously if theres ever a need.

[the Great Khan]

Its UAE, and you need spinners. Instead they are taking 6 pacers which are not needed. 4-5 pacers are alllright.

Looks like Haris and Nawaz will have to do the spin work...not happy we didnt include a off spinner although shadab is there too..

[Major]

Agree, playing Nawaz is basically playing with 10 players. I pray that we dont ever have the need for another spinner in the line up and that Malik takes his bowling seriously if theres ever a need.

on Uae wickets, you always need to be playing 2 spinners with 1 extra in the squad.

Many times against Srilanka in UAE, spin has won us matches. Not pace.

Pakistan will probably lose the Asia cup. Dont see them winning by having 6 pacers when they are playing in UAE. Would had made sense if they were going to Australia or England or even South Africa.

[saeed5646]

perfect squad except shan masood who is tested failure at international level .Shaheen afridi is very positive

pick and glad we have get rid of egoistic hafeez

[Ahson8]

Everything is perfect except they dont have a spinner.

Yasir Shah or even Asghar should had been considered instead of Nawaz.

Zafar Gohar instead of Nawaz.

[saeed5646]

Nawaz is very good in uae pitches hopefully he will be decent against india apart from that team he will be good against other team

[Major]

SHan masood avgs 58 in List A
Why would you guys be sad about his selection?

[Sarfarazian92]

Alhumdulillah hafeez dropped; can't believe I'm alive to see this day.

[Sherlock]

Shan Masood being the "standout" though

[Arham_PakFan]

Needed another spinner.Glad to see Hafeez out though.

[The Googly]

Almost ideal squad bar Shan and Nawaz.

Talat or Saad in and Shan out.

Gohar in. Nawaz out.

Gohar has to be given a chance. Nawaz is simply useless.

[topspin]

Surprised to see Shan Masood. He couldn't even get a game in the PSL and now he's been put into a LOI squad. This reeks of nepotism I have to say.

Delighted to see Shaheen picked, it's important Pakistan play him as opposed to Junaid and Shinwari, which leads on for one to probe what was the need to pick 4 left arm pace bowler?

An extra spinner in Gohar or Asghar would have given a better balance and further spin options in the squad. My proposed XI would be as follows:

Fakhar
H.Sohail
Babar
Shoaib Malik
Shadab
Asif Ali
Sarfraz (c + wk)
Nawaz
Hasan Ali
Amir
Shaheen

Don't rate Imam or Masood as openers. Haris Sohail may struggle to bat for long periods but I can trust him to find the pierce the gaps in the field in the first power play against quality bowling and also provide a handy left arm spin option in the team.

Shadab is a proper batsmen and his performances in his short ODI career so far have been impressive, means he deserves a promotion at 5, plus he looks a lot more composed than some of the batters in the side. Will also play a crucial role with his leg spin as well, but it will be a matter of time once his batting becomes his greater asset. Look forward to seeing Asif Ali utilise his hitting abilities at number 6.

With Sarfraz's decline in his batting I no longer trust him with the bat and if I had Faheem in this team, he would have been my number 8 in this side. Doesn't make the team on merit at all but merely as a wicket keeper captain as odd as it may sound.

With Imad's failed fitness test, it's time for Nawaz to show his worth as a proficient left arm spinner with good economical returns. Faheem misses it because I felt his pace bowling isn't required when there's enough quality in Amir, Shaheen and Hasan Ali. In regards to his batting, so far in his LOI career there hasn't been a single knock of note, not even a decent hitting cameo, so on that basis I would save him for matches outside Asia in ODIs.

It would be disappointing if the management was to pick Shinwari or Junaid ahead of Shaheen who should open the bowling with Amir in this tournament. If the pitches are slow and gripping, alternatively there should be a strategy in the pipeline of opening with a spinner as well.

[mak36]

Non-selection of Imad and Hafeez is excellent news.

Big servings of humble pie to the "experts" who said Mickey/Inzi would never do it.

Coming to the squad, the lack of a specialist spinner is a worry. Zafar, Irfan, Asghar or even Bilal Asif would have made this squad a lot stronger.

[Ummii]

Solid bowling attack - easily best in the world damn. Look at that talent, Amir, Hasan, Shinwari, Junaid, Shaheen. Wow wow wow

Best in the World?

Well, then wait for someone who's going to involve in this and starts his humiliation topic once again. How dare you to compare our Bowling attack with Bumrah and co.

[j_kazmi]

I can’t be the only one who thinks that batting line up looks really week.

Other than fakhar and Babar and to an extent shoaib Malik it looks pretty average.

[Adijazz1706]

Surprised to see Shan Masood. He couldn't even get a game in the PSL and now he's been put into a LOI squad. This reeks of nepotism I have to say.

Delighted to see Shaheen picked, it's important Pakistan play him as opposed to Junaid and Shinwari, which leads on for one to probe what was the need to pick 4 left arm pace bowler?

An extra spinner in Gohar or Asghar would have given a better balance and further spin options in the squad. My proposed XI would be as follows:

Fakhar
H.Sohail
Babar
Shoaib Malik
Shadab
Asif Ali
Sarfraz (c + wk)
Nawaz
Hasan Ali
Amir
Shaheen

Don't rate Imam or Masood as openers. Haris Sohail may struggle to bat for long periods but I can trust him to find the pierce the gaps in the field in the first power play against quality bowling and also provide a handy left arm spin option in the team.

Shadab is a proper batsmen and his performances in his short ODI career so far have been impressive, means he deserves a promotion at 5, plus he looks a lot more composed than some of the batters in the side. Will also play a crucial role with his leg spin as well, but it will be a matter of time once his batting becomes his greater asset. Look forward to seeing Asif Ali utilise his hitting abilities at number 6.

With Sarfraz's decline in his batting I no longer trust him with the bat and if I had Faheem in this team, he would have been my number 8 in this side. Doesn't make the team on merit at all but merely as a wicket keeper captain as odd as it may sound.

With Imad's failed fitness test, it's time for Nawaz to show his worth as a proficient left arm spinner with good economical returns. Faheem misses it because I felt his pace bowling isn't required when there's enough quality in Amir, Shaheen and Hasan Ali. In regards to his batting, so far in his LOI career there hasn't been a single knock of note, not even a decent hitting cameo, so on that basis I would save him for matches outside Asia in ODIs.

It would be disappointing if the management was to pick Shinwari or Junaid ahead of Shaheen who should open the bowling with Amir in this tournament. If the pitches are slow and gripping, alternatively there should be a strategy in the pipeline of opening with a spinner as well.

Shan Masood dominated in the last one day cup, not picking him would send a clear message that the cup is meaningless. The squad is a batsman short and 6 pacers are too many. Probably 3 pacers (Amir Hasan UKS/Shaheen) + Shadab and Nawaz with Haris and Malik as backup spinners

[hitthestump]

I'm not sure we needed 6 pacers for Asia Cup, but to be fair Shaheen is probably only there to train with Azhar and gain international experience.

I think Nawaz will prove a few doubters wrong in this series but mainly I think the exclusion of Zaafar/Ashgar was with WC in mind next year. If you can't contribute with the bat as well as bowl spin you won't be playing in early summer English conditions. There's little point blooding them in now.

[InziRules]

Best in the World?

Well, then wait for someone who's going to involve in this and starts his humiliation topic once again. How dare you to compare our Bowling attack with Bumrah and co.

@Mamoon, can you teach @Syed1 and this guy about how India have 4 bowlers in the top 10 in ODI rankings. I don't feel like I can be bothered to do so

[mak36]

Non-selection of Imad and Hafeez is excellent news.

Big servings of humble pie to the "experts" who said Mickey/Inzi would never do it.

Coming to the squad, the lack of a specialist spinner is a worry. Zafar, Irfan, Asghar or even Bilal Asif would have made this squad a lot stronger.

Not the biggest fan of Shan's inclusion either tbh.

[TalhaSyed]

Everything is perfect except they dont have a spinner.

Yasir Shah or even Asghar should had been considered instead of Nawaz.

Shadab?

[coy0607]

Best squad that can be selected for an ODI tournament

Shan Masood is debatable, but with his domestic record he deserves a chance moreso than Hafeez

Haris Sohail will also be under pressure to perform if he gets a chance

[Kohli, The King of Chase]

Hafeez dropped but, we rather than dropping Dhoni, add Rayudu and Jadhav. 😢

Shan's there ON MERIT tho.

For WC Nawaz will be dropped. So it's basically the WC squad apart from Nawaz.

[Sajjad-007]

What happened with Hafeez? Failed the test or ???/

[Major]

Shadab?

thats only 1 spinner.

they should have 2 in the team, with one in squad

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Rather than Shan, Talat should be in our world cup plans. Similarly rather than Nawaz , Gohar or M. Irfan(leggie) should be in our world cup plans. Fine team otherwise. May be a batsman or all rounder in place of Junaid too for world cup.

[Slim]

on Uae wickets, you always need to be playing 2 spinners with 1 extra in the squad.

Many times against Srilanka in UAE, spin has won us matches. Not pace.

Pakistan will probably lose the Asia cup. Dont see them winning by having 6 pacers when they are playing in UAE. Would had made sense if they were going to Australia or England or even South Africa.

Alright, buddy. I dont really subscribe to this talk of doom and gloom. Malik, and Haris can punch above their weight especially the former is capable if he puts himself through it.

Taking 6 pacers was a good decision, we play to our strengths.

[coy0607]

I'm not sure we needed 6 pacers for Asia Cup, but to be fair Shaheen is probably only there to train with Azhar and gain international experience.

I think Nawaz will prove a few doubters wrong in this series but mainly I think the exclusion of Zaafar/Ashgar was with WC in mind next year. If you can't contribute with the bat as well as bowl spin you won't be playing in early summer English conditions. There's little point blooding them in now.

That's a good point- it's clear that this squad was picked with the WC in mind.

[Markhor]

6 pacers seems overkill given we're playing in the UAE. Mickey given his coaching background in South Africa is used to playing spin bowling ARs rather than specialist spinners.

Hopefully Shadab and Nawaz, with some part time offies from Malik, will be sufficient.

Shan Masood isn't surprising if we're looking purely at his domestic one day numbers and recent form, but it remains questionable whether he can handle international attacks. In Tests he was heading Jimmy Anderson's 80mph thunderbolts onto the stumps on slow UAE tracks.

Overall, it's the squad we expected.

[topspin]

Shan Masood dominated in the last one day cup, not picking him would send a clear message that the cup is meaningless. The squad is a batsman short and 6 pacers are too many. Probably 3 pacers (Amir Hasan UKS/Shaheen) + Shadab and Nawaz with Haris and Malik as backup spinners

There have been many other tried and test failures from List A success stories. Names I can think of are Azhar Ali, Shafiq, Rifatullah, Sami Aslam and Mukhtar Ahmed to name a few.

What distinguishes Fakhar and Sharjeel (prior to his ban) were PSL performances which is Pakistan's premier domestic limited overs competition because the standards of the teams and the tournament as a whole are far greater.

[Slim]

6 pacers seems overkill given we're playing in the UAE. Mickey given his coaching background in South Africa is used to playing spin bowling ARs rather than specialist spinners.

Hopefully Shadab and Nawaz, with some part time offies from Malik, will be sufficient.

Shan Masood isn't surprising if we're looking purely at his domestic one day numbers and recent form, but it remains questionable whether he can handle international attacks. In Tests he was heading Jimmy Anderson's 80mph thunderbolts onto the stumps on slow UAE tracks.

Overall, it's the squad we expected.

2 of the pacers can bat as well.

[coy0607]

Surprised to see Shan Masood. He couldn't even get a game in the PSL and now he's been put into a LOI squad. This reeks of nepotism I have to say.

Delighted to see Shaheen picked, it's important Pakistan play him as opposed to Junaid and Shinwari, which leads on for one to probe what was the need to pick 4 left arm pace bowler?

Instead of Shinwari?!

Shinwari has been arguably Pakistan's best pace bowler in the past 6-8 months in LOI
And he's still quite young and raw

Him and Hassan should be the first 2 pacers selected for any ODI

[mak36]

Rather than Shan, Talat should be in our world cup plans. Similarly rather than Nawaz , Gohar or M. Irfan(leggie) should be in our world cup plans. Fine team otherwise. May be a batsman or all rounder in place of Junaid too for world cup.

Which three openers would you have in the squad?

(Fakhar is one of them obviously).

[Markhor]

I'm not sure we needed 6 pacers for Asia Cup, but to be fair Shaheen is probably only there to train with Azhar and gain international experience.

I think Nawaz will prove a few doubters wrong in this series but mainly I think the exclusion of Zaafar/Ashgar was with WC in mind next year. If you can't contribute with the bat as well as bowl spin you won't be playing in early summer English conditions. There's little point blooding them in now.

Think there's still room for a specialist spinner in LOI cricket outside Asia. We've seen how Kuldeep Yadav troubled South Africa and England.

However Mickey comes from a fast bowling culture where specialist spinners just aren't utilised as matchwinners, hence why he favours spin ARs.

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Yar Fakhar and Babar will be my 2 opemers with Haris at 3. 3rd opemer would be Zeeshan Malik or if Sharjeel comes back.

For world cup I will have Talat in the squad as chances of Zeeshan and Sharjeel are almost nil. I know he doesn't have any opening experience but other choices are Azhar and Imam who I don't think play accoring to the needs in powerplay and wastes too many balls.

@mak36

[mak36]

Think there's still room for a specialist spinner in LOI cricket outside Asia. We've seen how Kuldeep Yadav troubled South Africa and England.

However Mickey comes from a fast bowling culture where specialist spinners just aren't utilised as matchwinners, hence why he favours spin ARs.

The management's attitude to spinners is a puzzle.

If it is a case of Mickey not understanding the value of a specialist spinner, why aren't Mushy/Inzi saying anything? They should know.

But then again, Mickey is not stupid. As you mention, he will have seen Kuldeep trouble SA and England. He will know Pakistan's historic strength has been spin bowling. He will know about the recent success of wristspinners in LOIs. Is he really that stubborn that he would cut off his nose to spite his face? Or is it a case of not being impressed by the spinners he is being shown?

Something doesn't seem right to me, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

[topspin]

Instead of Shinwari?!

Shinwari has been arguably Pakistan's best pace bowler in the past 6-8 months in LOI
And he's still quite young and raw

Him and Hassan should be the first 2 pacers selected for any ODI

Shinwari is a limited bowler. Lacks the pace, swing, seam and bounce that Shaheen does possess. He's a foot shorter and a low 130ks trundler. Not much going for him and Junaid. Shaheen also has a sharper bowling brain and has all the ingredients to be a top bowler in all formats.

It's about time following his successful tri series tournament in Zimbabwe to spearhead Pakistan's bowling attack now alonside with Amir and Hasan Ali. Shinwari and Junaid should play for Pakistan A's limited over matches instead.

[SarfiBabarHaris]

@mak36
This will be my batting side for WC (Considering no Sharjeel).

Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Talat
Asif
Shadab
Faheem

No.place for Malik and Hafeez. Haris and Talat as 6th/7th bowlers depending on pitch.

[Major]

Alright, buddy. I dont really subscribe to this talk of doom and gloom. Malik, and Haris can punch above their weight especially the former is capable if he puts himself through it.

Taking 6 pacers was a good decision, we play to our strengths.

you play according to conditions, not strength. THe 2016 world t20 is a good example. Spin wickets, and yet we took pacers and we lost.

This has been a big problem in the past aswell. Pakistan is making the same mistake that countries like Australia or south africa often do. Playing strength but overlooking the conditions.

If Pakistan plays an allround spinner(shadab), this allows them to add a full time spinner.

Malik and haris are not proper bowlers.

Pakistan have made many combacks on UAE wickets due to their spinner. Pakistan should take advantage of shadab the allrounder and add Yasir shah or some other spinner with them.

[Brilliance]

Its UAE, and you need spinners. Instead they are taking 6 pacers which are not needed. 4-5 pacers are alllright.

They see them as the bowlers who'll be flying to Eng next year for WC. SO they are trying to keep the squad together that'll play in the WC, to gel the squad together you know.

[Major]

The management's attitude to spinners is a puzzle.

If it is a case of Mickey not understanding the value of a specialist spinner, why aren't Mushy/Inzi saying anything? They should know.

But then again, Mickey is not stupid. As you mention, he will have seen Kuldeep trouble SA and England. He will know Pakistan's historic strength has been spin bowling. He will know about the recent success of wristspinners in LOIs. Is he really that stubborn that he would cut off his nose to spite his face? Or is it a case of not being impressed by the spinners he is being shown?

Something doesn't seem right to me, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Mickey comes from Australia/South Africa. And these teams often commit the same mistake when they come to UAE. THey over look conditions.

Hence, here it is Sarfraz's job to convince the coach.

[Major]

They see them as the bowlers who'll be flying to Eng next year for WC. SO they are trying to keep the squad together that'll play in the WC, to gel the squad together you know.

No, they are not gelling them together. If that was happening then Shan Masood would not had been added, nor Shaheen.

[mak36]

Mickey comes from Australia/South Africa. And these teams often commit the same mistake when they come to UAE. THey over look conditions.

Hence, here it is Sarfraz's job to convince the coach.

Read my post again. I am well aware of where he comes from. It's no excuse.

[Asif321]

I don’t know but this is unfair with Hafeez he should have got a chance even as 3rd opened unless he has shown some sort of ego or something .
Shan Masood i don’t know what Micky or inzi saw in him . Let’s see he has never played a ODI may be this format will suit him we shall wait but if he fails he should be thrown off immediately . We can’t afford to take him to WC

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I don’t know but this is unfair with Hafeez he should have got a chance even as 3rd opened unless he has shown some sort of ego or something .
Shan Masood i don’t know what Micky or inzi saw in him . Let’s see he has never played a ODI may be this format will suit him we shall wait but if he fails he should be thrown off immediately . We can’t afford to take him to WC

Shan shouldnt be there but maybe the reasoning is its better to have him on the bench ( by all acounts a nice, professional guy plus gun fielder) as comapred to a grumpy Professor who will no doubt be leaking stuff to Hussaini and the rest of the media.

I would have like a punt take on Farhan, but I doubt the third opener will be playing, and its probably better for Farhan to be playing some FC right now

[WhenSultansBowled]

Pakistani selectors, skipper and coach are thinking in world cup. That's why Hafeez is dropped and so many pacers have been selected.

Amen and Bienvenidos say I.

Well done. We must persist with this squad and give them time to improve themselves.

This might be the 1st time in Pakistani cricket history (since IK) that TTFs are dropped. A really brave and welcomed squad.

Shan has earned his spot by performing consistently (maybe talented UAkmal and Shehzada can learn)!

I am really disappointed Immad Wasim... what the heck dude! you failed 2 fitness tests take your cricket seriously!

[shaaik]

perfect squad except shan masood who is tested failure at international level .Shaheen afridi is very positive

pick and glad we have get rid of egoistic hafeez

I think he needs a look in in limited overs considering he had been scoring heavily in list A and t20s .. I think he has been too defensive in what ever opportunities that he has received at test level which has caused his demise. He is a very free flowing batsman and needs to be given a chance in limited overs. I am actually expecting him to come good.

[MMHS]

Out of the preliminary 18, this is the best possible 16, therefore squad is good. Between Masood & Hafeez, Shan deserves most for his last season performance in domestics, while I think finally MoHa's stock as a tight spinner has gone down. Imad failed fitness test, therefore it ends there.

I actually didn't like the initial 18 - 8 batsmen including Malik & MoHa, 1 WK, 6 pacers including Fahim & 3 spinners including Nawaz & Imad; isn't a good pool for 5 games in 2 weeks in UAE, in SEP and all the games are scheduled to be played in Day. From that 18, I would have dropped Imad for a genuine spinner - Asghra, Gohar or R Hasan; dropped one of MoHa/Shan for a back up WK. Then in final 16, I'll drop one of the pacers from JK/Shinwari (Afridi should remain in squad) for the 3rd spinner and drop one of Shan/Haris for a back-up WK. 6 pacers is a bit over kill in UAE, while a back-up WK is essential, considering Sarfraz's workload, and up-coming fixtures - he chould have rested or played as specialist bat against UAE/HK.

[Zeeraq]

Some pictures:

[Kohli, The King of Chase]

Out of the preliminary 18, this is the best possible 16, therefore squad is good. Between Masood & Hafeez, Shan deserves most for his last season performance in domestics, while I think finally MoHa's stock as a tight spinner has gone down. Imad failed fitness test, therefore it ends there.

I actually didn't like the initial 18 - 8 batsmen including Malik & MoHa, 1 WK, 6 pacers including Fahim & 3 spinners including Nawaz & Imad; isn't a good pool for 5 games in 2 weeks in UAE, in SEP and all the games are scheduled to be played in Day. From that 18, I would have dropped Imad for a genuine spinner - Asghra, Gohar or R Hasan; dropped one of MoHa/Shan for a back up WK. Then in final 16, I'll drop one of the pacers from JK/Shinwari (Afridi should remain in squad) for the 3rd spinner and drop one of Shan/Haris for a back-up WK. 6 pacers is a bit over kill in UAE, while a back-up WK is essential, considering Sarfraz's workload, and up-coming fixtures - he chould have rested or played as specialist bat against UAE/HK.

May be Fakhar can keep against UAE/HK and, Haris plays in place of Sarfi.

[Fahdi]

Shan Masood getting selected was inevitable. He had one of the greatest LA seasons ever if not the greatest. Not selecting him would have been injustice plain and simple. Though I don't have much hope of him succeeding and he is once again from the wrong category of batsmen.

[MMHS]

May be Fakhar can keep against UAE/HK and, Haris plays in place of Sarfi.

You want to risk PAK's main batsman, who happens to be opener as well to keep with little practice against 3 outright fast bowlers & a leggi, and end-up with bruised palm or dislocated fingers? Also, he'll have to open just after keeping for hours with bent knee in UAE.

I understand your point, for that best option is Asif, not FZ - this is one main reason despite all his issues, I have kept Umar always in my such squads of 15/16, a player who can make the squad on batting merit & can be 2nd keeping option.

[TeymurBlake]

Shan Masood being picked isn't really a surprise due to his form in List A, with that being said I'm happy Hafeez and Imad not picked. I agree with the bro's have said that another spinner should have been picked instead of potentially Amir who could use a rest. Zafar Gohar, Mohammad Asghar and Mohammad Irfan jnr could have been perfect addition's to the team.

[hadi123]

Really surprised at Shan Masood's selection, he wouldn't do anything noteworthy, but I doubt he'll make the XI anyway. It does feel though that every series there's always 1 bizarre selection, this tournament it's Masood, in the Zimbabwe series it was Yasir Shah. But overall, solid squad and a good bowling line up.

[Cricfan321]

There have been many other tried and test failures from List A success stories. Names I can think of are Azhar Ali, Shafiq, Rifatullah, Sami Aslam and Mukhtar Ahmed to name a few.

Mukhtar and Sami Aslam were not given chances they deserved and Azhar Ali did well in CT.

[Snowflake]

Solid squad.

Just wondering what the thought process was in bringing Yasir back in the ODI fold for just one series and then dropping him for the next?

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan should try Asif Ali up the order here

[Rayyman]

Good squad overall.

Just one it question, are there no good young batsman in Pakistan that we have to keep resorting to the likes of Harris Sohail and Shan Masood?

[Usman Chadda]

Guess Inzi thinks he can get away with having Shan Masood in the squad in the Asia Cup. He has always been found wanting at international level, this is very surprising.

[topspin]

Mukhtar and Sami Aslam were not given chances they deserved and Azhar Ali did well in CT.

With the greatest of respect is this how low our standards have now become? We're defending B grade batsmen (at best). Mukhtar and Sami Aslam are not even close to international standards.

Azhar was part of a heroic 100+ run stand with Fakhar in the CT final but that does not warrant him any further selections because he's had a poor ODI career to say the least. There is a reason why between them they have only managed one PSL game.

As mentioned earlier, what distinguishes Fakhar and Sharjeel (prior to his ban) from the others is that they not only hold excellent List A records, but fundamentally they have done it in Pakistan's premier domestic limited overs competition where the standard of cricket is a lot higher than the other domestic tournaments. Speaking of which, Azhar Ali was rightly discarded from Lahore Qalanders (and with no offers from other sides) because they realised he was a poor LOI batsmen. If he was a truly a good limited overs player he would have no difficulty adjusting to the shortest form of the game at domestic level.

[Salman4.]

The way Masood performs will end the debate of players getting selected in the wrong formats.

[PakLFC]

Excellent bowling attack for sure. Batting always seems suspect as we know. We could score 350 one day then 50 the next. Good to see Haris Sohail back in the side fighting fit. I enjoy watching him bat.

[shaaik]

The way Masood performs will end the debate of players getting selected in the wrong formats.

Couldn't agree more. I am sure he will come good in the format that he's best suited to.

[Pete Rose]

Will malik's career be over before or after the saffer series?
Looking forward to Hafeez following in the illustrious foot steps of moyo, razzaq, yk, faisal iqbal, and the akmals on national tv.

[Markhor]

Solid squad.

Just wondering what the thought process was in bringing Yasir back in the ODI fold for just one series and then dropping him for the next?

Probably to give Yasir overs under his belt after a long layoff.

Now QEA Trophy is underway so he's better served playing 4 day cricket before a busy Test winter.

[DRsohail]

@MMHS do you seriously think that it’s inzi decisuon to drop national treasure.

[MMHS]

@MMHS do you seriously think that it’s inzi decisuon to drop national treasure.

I think, there has been a settlement - Ul Haq will select preliminary squad with few extra players; Arthur (& Sarfraz) will pick the final squad and subsequently playing XI. Ul Haq did keep MoHa in 18, though it was clear that the guy isn't wanted in the team - warmed bench for 5 games in ZIM, even after 3-0 lead.

Just yesterday, I read the Guy promised Sulman Butt an A Team ticket, and Butt is telling this on record with name - therefore Ul Haq still has to run long to convince me from the fact that in total 3/4 players debuted under him in 4 years - 3 played 1 game each before being dropped and that time PAK won 2 U19 WCs in 2004 & 2006.

[El Generico]

Guess Inzi thinks he can get away with having Shan Masood in the squad in the Asia Cup. He has always been found wanting at international level, this is very surprising.

He has never played one day internationals though. Masood averages 58 in List A cricket with a decent strike rate.

Masood isn't ideal but his domestic performance is too good too ignore imo.

[mak36]

Probably to give Yasir overs under his belt after a long layoff.

Now QEA Trophy is underway so he's better served playing 4 day cricket before a busy Test winter.

I did mention this possibility at the time.

I had hoped it was a sign of something more though...

[Bilal7]

Another fantastic squad selected by Inzamam ul Haq. Team Pakistan is finally rid of all the TTFs, which is cause for celebration. Everyone in the squad deserves their place and hopefully, they can add another trophy to the cabinet.

[Bilal7]

Pakistani selectors, skipper and coach are thinking in world cup. That's why Hafeez is dropped and so many pacers have been selected.

Amen and Bienvenidos say I.

Well done. We must persist with this squad and give them time to improve themselves.

This might be the 1st time in Pakistani cricket history (since IK) that TTFs are dropped. A really brave and welcomed squad.

Shan has earned his spot by performing consistently (maybe talented UAkmal and Shehzada can learn)!

I am really disappointed Immad Wasim... what the heck dude! you failed 2 fitness tests take your cricket seriously!

Exactly. Besides, we're not Afghanistan that need to play three spinners to win a game, our pace battery should do very well and Shadab and Nawaz are pretty good spin options.

[Titan24]

Nawaz is very good in uae pitches hopefully he will be decent against india apart from that team he will be good against other team

Agree with this, Nawaz with his finger spin on UAE tracks can be really leathal. Feel bad for maddy but even he knows that even played previously his fitness was marginal so should definitely work on that.

[Titan24]

Now thats one hell of a pace attack dont think anything can be as lethal as this and with so much variety.

A tall baller was missing but now we have Shaheen as well, harsh on Rumman Raees but I would say a master stroke from selectors, Micky and captain selecting Shaheen at this junction.

Wont be surprised if he gets picked in the world cup and bowl two cruicial deliveries in a crucial match like Wasim in 1992.