20 players shortlisted for Pakistan's Test series against England

[MenInG]

Pakistan shortlist players for England Tests

Derby, 27 July 2020:

Following the conclusion of two four-day intra-squad matches, Pakistan shortlisted the squad for the three-match Test series against England, which begins on 5 August.

The following is the squad:

1. Azhar Ali (captain)
2. Babar Azam (vice-captain)
3. Abid Ali
4. Asad Shafiq
5. Faheem Ashraf
6. Fawad Alam
7. Imam ul Haq
8. Imran Khan Snr
9. Kashif Bhatti
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Mohammad Rizwan
12. Naseem Shah
13. Sarfaraz Ahmed
14. Shadab Khan
15. Shaheen Shah Afridi
16. Shan Masood
17. Sohail Khan
18. Usman Shinwari
19. Wahab Riaz
20. Yasir Shah

Meanwhile, the remaining nine players – Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain and Musa Khan – will continue to train with the squad for the T20I series, which will be played at the backend of the Test series.

[TrentDevil]

Thank God Amir ain't there

Great to see Iftikhar also not being considered for Tests, I think the management has realised he isn't fit for Tests, atleast in SENA.

[coy0607]

Surprised at the exclusion of Iftikhar and Farkhar, also surprised at the inclusion of both Wahab and Shinwari. The list seems a little fast bowler heavy with 8/20

[MenInG]

Thank God Amir ain't there

Great to see Iftikhar also not being considered for Tests, I think the management has realised he isn't fit for Tests, atleast in SENA.

Expect a last minute change...

[Salman4.]

Feeling for the people who said, "I'm sure the incompetent Misbah will select Ifitkhar in the playing XI".

[HappyWarsFan]

Feeling for the people who said, "I'm sure the incompetent Misbah will select Ifitkhar in the playing XI".

Lmao it was so funny how everyone assumed that ifti would be starting for sure. Misbah haters silenced once again.

[Shoaibbtt]

Hopefully this means Fawad gets a go. I still feel he merits a go no matter what people say. To be honest everyone right now is a little rusty.

[ElRaja]

Surprised at the exclusion of Iftikhar and Farkhar, also surprised at the inclusion of both Wahab and Shinwari. The list seems a little fast bowler heavy with 8/20

rotation policy pbly likely

abbas, shaheen, naseem
abbas, shaheen, wahab/shinwari
abbas, sohail, naseem

[Boycottisno2]

Only 6 specialist batsmen in the squad of 20...... why?

[Deewana Mastana]

Only 6 specialist batsmen in the squad of 20...... why?

Because they've got none

[Deewana Mastana]

Would have picked Fakhar or even Ifti for Imran Khan in that 20 man squad.

[Deewana Mastana]

It's a shame that Zafar has not been part of this tour.

[Gotham Cronie]

Only 6 specialist batsmen in the squad of 20...... why?

Because they've got none

Abid Ali
Shan Masood
Imam-ul-Haq
Azhar Ali (c)
Babar Azam
Asad Shafiq
Fawad Alam

[Suleiman]

They always choose garbage even when there is a pool of decent talent available. These will be the new Imran Farhat, Hafeez, Shehzad of the next generation of Pak cricket fans. Old and declining but still selected for no reason.

[Saj]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

[Invincible Gujjar]

i really can't believe the oldies trundlers Sohail and Imran khan are going to play the test series I really feel for ehsan Adil he is much better than these guys he would have been perfect here.

[Junaids]

Take no notice of this squad.

1. Shannon Gabriel was just a reserve in the current series - and played every Test.

2. All 29 players will be there in the pavilion, available for selection.

3. Misbah “dropped” Musa Khan for the Sri Lanka Tests, only to keep him there in the squad.

4. Misbah uses squad selection as a way of including players he has no intention of selecting, as a tactic to get the media off his back. Like Fawad Alam v Bangladesh.

[PakPremi]

Good selection from the ones touring except for, two: Fakhar should have been kept instead of Shinwari, who would be useless in tests. Same goes for Imran K, who is as toothless as it gets.
For the first test selection will be madefor this 20 unless injury forces their hand.

[coy0607]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

Its going to be a bloodbath unless Babar, Shaheen, Naseem do something historic

[Thunderbolt14]

My lineup with an eye on the future-

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Shan Masood
3. Azhar Ali (c)
4. Babar Azam
5. Asad Shafiq
6. M Rizwan (wk)
7. Shadab Khan / Faheem Ashraf
8. Yasir Shah / Sohail Khan
9. Shaheen Afridi
10. M Abbas
11. Naseem Shah

7, 8 to vary based on conditions

[Junaids]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

is it though? Really?

Part of the problem is Misbah's inability to design a balanced starting eleven from what he has. In international cricket you can go far simply by having a balanced team, with 3 or 4 high quality players, 4 or 5 moderate ones and 2 bad ones.

I'll give you two examples:

England came within a whisker of beating the champion West Indies in 1989-90 in the Caribbean. But consider the very mediocre Northants trio in this team:

1 Graham Gooch
2 Wayne Larkins (!!!!)
3 Alec Stewart on debut
4 Allan Lamb - comparable to Shafiq at that stage
5 Robin Smith - still inexperienced
6 Nasser Hussain / Rob Bailey
7 Jack Russell
8 David Capel - inferior all-rounder to Faheem Ashraf
9 Gladstone Small
10 Angus Fraser
11 Devon Malcolm - after a wicketless Test debut

You can actually do the same with England's victorious 2005 Ashes team - it included Geraint Jones and Ashley Giles.

Sometimes you have to pick certain players for balance even though they aren't very good.

I accept that Azhar Ali is the worst player in this squad and that at whatever his true age is he has no right to be in an international cricket team. But if you accept that Pakistan's top order and bottom order is locked in, you find yourself with:

1 Abid Ali
2 Shan Masood
3 Azhar Ali
4 Babar Azam
5 Asad Shafiq
6 Mohammad Rizwan
7
8
9
10 Shaheen Shah Afridi
11 Naseem Shah

You effectively have three places to fill and some fairly fine candidates to do so - including Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas. There's no need to resort to wrist-cutting at this stage.

The next and most important issue is how you turn this squad into a strong eleven. I have similar beliefs to Graham Gooch and Mickey Stewart in 1990 on this.

1. You can't pick 4 Number Eleven batsmen.
2. If your spinner keeps taking 3-200 in SENA - and Yasir Shah does - then you either need to:
a) Drop him and pick Shadab Khan as a Moeen Ali-style batsman who can bowl a bit, or
b) Pick four quicks including 2 who can bat so that you don't have to persist with Yasir Shah when your 3 main quicks are exhausted after 110 overs with England 450-4 and Yasir Shah currently with figures of 30-1-130-1.

You just have to plan for these eventualities. For me, if I select Yasir Shah I need 4 quicks and two have to be picked between Sohail Khan, Mohammad Amir and Faheem Ashraf who are not Number Elevens. In effect, I have to choose between Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas for the starting eleven.

[Deewana Mastana]

Abid Ali
Shan Masood
Imam-ul-Haq
Azhar Ali (c)
Babar Azam
Asad Shafiq
Fawad Alam

I know the 7 you've named are in there my other post was just sarcastic

I suppose the poster meant that in a squad of 20 they've got 8 fast bowlers and not 2 more batters?

[Thunderbolt14]

I know the 7 you've named are in there my other post was just sarcastic

I suppose the poster meant that in a squad of 20 they've got 8 fast bowlers and not 2 more batters?

You need to rotate fast bowlers, but not batsmen.

There are 7 specialist bats and 2 wicket keepers who can actually bat quite well.

Since Pak will be playing 5 bowlers+all rounders, that indicates 5 specialists in the batting lineup, with the number 6 being Rizwan. In other words, if you are playing only 5 specialist bats, 2 specialist backup bats is not a bad number. There will also be a third batting option in Sarfaraz if worst comes to worst.

8 quicks is great for rotation over 3-4 spots per test / 3 tests while also keeping in mind potential injuries.

[Deewana Mastana]

You need to rotate fast bowlers, but not batsmen.

There are 7 specialist bats and 2 wicket keepers who can actually bat quite well.

Since Pak will be playing 5 bowlers+all rounders, that indicates 5 specialists in the batting lineup, with the number 6 being Rizwan. In other words, if you are playing only 5 specialist bats, 2 specialist backup bats is not a bad number. There will also be a third batting option in Sarfaraz if worst comes to worst.

8 quicks is great for rotation over 3-4 spots per test / 3 tests while also keeping in mind potential injuries.

The only slight issue being that the 3 bowlers out of the 8 aren't quite fit enough for 5 days cricket especially Sohail and Imran.

[Forum363]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

I don’t think it’s the weakest. I just think there’s a huge gulf between the quality players and the backup. Especially in terms of the bowling - Shaheen, Abbas, Naseem vs Shinwari, Imran Khan. I expect the playing 11 to be as strong as we normally have. Perhaps the batting is weaker without MisYou, but we have Babar and an inform keeper and arguably better openers.

The fast-bowling is potentially the strongest we’ve had in a while.

[Thunderbolt14]

The only slight issue being that the 3 bowlers out of the 8 aren't quite fit enough for 5 days cricket especially Sohail and Imran.

Then good we have 8 so 5 are fit

[HappyWarsFan]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

2018 and 2010 were worse.

[Usman]

I am disappointed to see Fakhar dropped when he has been the best performing opener all tour. I get that his aggressive game and unusual technique isn't everyone's cup of tea but the lad is talented which is more than can be said for the likes of Shan Masood.

How I wish we had Harris Sohail right now! We find ourselves in an unfortunate situation where just before the test series, even decent players are all over the place like Abid Ali. Azhar lost it long ago and the less said about Shaan the better. Asad is unreliable. That leaves us Barbar and an inexperienced. Rizwaan. Yikes!

Still, there is reason to be hopeful. For all their recent failures, Azhar and Asad have in the past put on stellar performances and inshallah they will do it once again.

Abid I am confident just needs to find form. Inshallah he does so before the test series starts.

Shaan could survive the opening English onslaught, albeit I don't see him doing so if I'm honest.

Barbar is of course our man.

Rizwaan is a proper batsman.

Then we have Naseem and Shaheen both of whom are world class. Abbas has lost his touch recently but given the right conditions and his accuracy, I could well imagine him nailing the likes of Sibley LBW.

Yasir has been poor for a long time now but you never know, he could come alive on a 5th day pitch.

So despite all our reservations, this team could perform sell and inshallah they will. Let's think positive!

[Nasty Naz]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

Somehow a lineup of this won a match vs Australia in England:

Farhat
Butt
Azhar
Amin
U Akmal
K Akmal
Malik
Amir
Gul
Kaneria
Asif

That Australia team had Smith batting 8th. Soooooo... anything is possible.

[Thunderbolt14]

I see a lot of people wishing for Haris Sohail. What happened to your calls to drop him after the Australia tour?

[MMHS]

Somehow a lineup of this won a match vs Australia in England:

Farhat
Butt
Azhar
Amin
U Akmal
K Akmal
Malik
Amir
Gul
Kaneria
Asif

That Australia team had Smith batting 8th. Soooooo... anything is possible.

Brilliant post, an eye opener. Despite being a team game, cricket still is dominated by individuals- one or two outstanding individual backed by the rest squad to their best level can achieve miracles. One Brian Lara made 1999 Frank Worell trophy 2-2 alone.

The playing that you have posted, on papers one of the weakest to your UK; but that team had two outstanding, outstanding pacers, almost ATG in English condition and both had a great game. This series also, if Babar hits a double others can take the match total to 600 and bowlers can win that game.

[Junaids]

I see a lot of people wishing for Haris Sohail. What happened to your calls to drop him after the Australia tour?

Sohail’s record outside Asia is horrific.

To be honest, Misbah has brought back the wrong 2016 Success.

Half the vulnerability would vanish if he had Sami Aslam in the top three instead of a past-it Azhar Ali.

[Abdullah]

Expect a last minute change...

Do you know something we don't...

[coy0607]

Brilliant post, an eye opener. Despite being a team game, cricket still is dominated by individuals- one or two outstanding individual backed by the rest squad to their best level can achieve miracles. One Brian Lara made 1999 Frank Worell trophy 2-2 alone.

The playing that you have posted, on papers one of the weakest to your UK; but that team had two outstanding, outstanding pacers, almost ATG in English condition and both had a great game. This series also, if Babar hits a double others can take the match total to 600 and bowlers can win that game.

So basically, Pakistan can win if one or two players pull off some of the best performances off their careers. That's what happened in the Aus game with Amir and Asif - each had arguably the best match of their careers. And Pakistan still only squeezed out a win with Umar Gul getting the winning runs.

Shaheen needs something like 6-fer or Babar needs a double for Pakistan to win. Otherwise, Pakistan don't really stand much of a chance.
Not great odds

[ask_analyse_act]

i really can't believe the oldies trundlers Sohail and Imran khan are going to play the test series I really feel for ehsan Adil he is much better than these guys he would have been perfect here.

Ehsan Adil , Sameen Gil would be watching this and feel like may be we will get our chance after 10 years when our age has crossed 32 lol. Junaid Khan , Rabat Ali will be watching the match in agony , we bowled well in comparison to Imran Khan and Sohail but they are picked, should get our sources right.

[MenInG]

Do you know something we don't...

I am just going by what happened in 2019 World Cup - Amir dropped and then magically back in the squad...

Pakistan should do whats best for them and not worry about what's right or wrong!

[ask_analyse_act]

Somehow a lineup of this won a match vs Australia in England:

Farhat
Butt
Azhar
Amin
U Akmal
K Akmal
Malik
Amir
Gul
Kaneria
Asif

That Australia team had Smith batting 8th. Soooooo... anything is possible.

They had Butt as captain which is massive difference compared to the timid Azhar Ali and all the bowlers were good that time except Kaneria.
Amir and Asif were unplayable especially with the new ball in that summer including England.

Can Shaheen and Naseem could do that we will have to wait and see.

[ask_analyse_act]

So basically, Pakistan can win if one or two players pull off some of the best performances off their careers. That's what happened in the Aus game with Amir and Asif - each had arguably the best match of their careers. And Pakistan still only squeezed out a win with Umar Gul getting the winning runs.

Shaheen needs something like 6-fer or Babar needs a double for Pakistan to win. Otherwise, Pakistan don't really stand much of a chance.
Not great odds

Looking at the English bowling attack in the last test match looks like they found the combo needed

Woakes, Jimmy, Broad and Archer will eat them up live.

Pakistan should go with 4 pace bowlers.

[ask_analyse_act]

I am disappointed to see Fakhar dropped when he has been the best performing opener all tour. I get that his aggressive game and unusual technique isn't everyone's cup of tea but the lad is talented which is more than can be said for the likes of Shan Masood.

How I wish we had Harris Sohail right now! We find ourselves in an unfortunate situation where just before the test series, even decent players are all over the place like Abid Ali. Azhar lost it long ago and the less said about Shaan the better. Asad is unreliable. That leaves us Barbar and an inexperienced. Rizwaan. Yikes!

Still, there is reason to be hopeful. For all their recent failures, Azhar and Asad have in the past put on stellar performances and inshallah they will do it once again.

Abid I am confident just needs to find form. Inshallah he does so before the test series starts.

Shaan could survive the opening English onslaught, albeit I don't see him doing so if I'm honest.

Barbar is of course our man.

Rizwaan is a proper batsman.

Then we have Naseem and Shaheen both of whom are world class. Abbas has lost his touch recently but given the right conditions and his accuracy, I could well imagine him nailing the likes of Sibley LBW.

Yasir has been poor for a long time now but you never know, he could come alive on a 5th day pitch.

So despite all our reservations, this team could perform sell and inshallah they will. Let's think positive!

Pakistan if started well will finish very badly, if started poorly finish on a decent to high note. They have never been consistent and rightly because their selections have always been awful.

Consistency in selection and performance is what something Mickey was working on and they got rid of him.

In ODIs, it has been been long in the past during Anwar and Sohail times where the top three avg decently. Right after that only in Mickeys period the top three batsmen averaged 50 and match to intl standards. In tests if he had some more time he would have fixed that, because they are still a young lineup were Azhar and Asad adds nothing as seniors and rely on the bats of Babar who again Mickey persisted with after failures in the beginning..

Mickey backed players who he think has potential and will contribute in the long run. Misbah-ul-Haq criteria is only if aged 32+ will be backed and given number of chances.

Ifthikar is a very big example , Mickey didn’t have him any formats , Misbah get him in all squads

Players who are discarded as not meeting the intl standards or doesn’t have the fitness or potential or not very young to be backed are given chances now and persisted. Hussain talat vanished since MA left is a prime example here not saying that he is a Yuvraj Singh or mike hussey but MA persisted with him as he was delivering what’s needed at no.3 in t20s.. Let’s see who else will vanish under Misbah.

[shamaan]

Lmao it was so funny how everyone assumed that ifti would be starting for sure. Misbah haters silenced once again.

Slap on the face for the haters lol

[shamaan]

So team could be

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Shafiq
Rizwan
Fawad
Yasir
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

[shamaan]

Hopefully this means Fawad gets a go. I still feel he merits a go no matter what people say. To be honest everyone right now is a little rusty.

More than likely now he will get a go and should be given ago now

[Shoaibbtt]

So team could be

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Shafiq
Rizwan
Fawad
Yasir
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

Most likely that will be the team in my view. There is no reason to experiment with an allrounder in my view so i'd hold off giving a go to Faheem or Shadab.

[shamaan]

Looking at the English bowling attack in the last test match looks like they found the combo needed

Woakes, Jimmy, Broad and Archer will eat them up live.

Pakistan should go with 4 pace bowlers.

They wont play all three bowlers in all 3 tests even broad said it's unlikely

Vaughan states Pakistan would be tougher than west indies

[shamaan]

So basically, Pakistan can win if one or two players pull off some of the best performances off their careers. That's what happened in the Aus game with Amir and Asif - each had arguably the best match of their careers. And Pakistan still only squeezed out a win with Umar Gul getting the winning runs.

Shaheen needs something like 6-fer or Babar needs a double for Pakistan to win. Otherwise, Pakistan don't really stand much of a chance.
Not great odds

Vaughan states pakistan would be tough for england and alot more challenging than what west indies gave

[shamaan]

I see a lot of people wishing for Haris Sohail. What happened to your calls to drop him after the Australia tour?

He only good for asain conditions

[shamaan]

Most likely that will be the team in my view. There is no reason to experiment with an allrounder in my view so i'd hold off giving a go to Faheem or Shadab.

If they want to go in 4 man pace attack then fahim can play instead of yasir but I highly doubt that

[Shoaibbtt]

If they want to go in 4 man pace attack then fahim can play instead of yasir but I highly doubt that

That's true but again having one spinner at least is always a good option especially on day 4 and 5.

[Amjid Javed]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

Batting looks weak on paper, similar to 2010 tour here.

[shamaan]

That's true but again having one spinner at least is always a good option especially on day 4 and 5.

Yes true but if you set it up in the first innings high chance you will go on and win the test not all the time obvs also we no our fast bowlers are on different level to our spinners

[Kroll]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

Have to agree. Babar is the only reliable batsman. We have some decent bowlers but the best Shaheen is still a bit raw. Nothing much to get excited about to be honest.

[J-Essence]

Yasir can score a century so there you go!!!

[Kroll]

So team could be

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Shafiq
Rizwan
Fawad
Yasir
Abbas
Shaheen
Naseem

Too defensive, also I think they're going to need a fourth pacer to rotate the fast bowlers.

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Just a cop out.

At this stage, a 15 member squad would have sufficed.

Misbah-ul-Haq knows what team he wants to play. The rest are just there as they would be at an interview for a vacancy which has already been filled but the interviews are being conducted to keep people off your back.

[shamaan]

Too defensive, also I think they're going to need a fourth pacer to rotate the fast bowlers.

What would you change?

[Kroll]

What would you change?

You know me, personally I would have liked both Azhar and Shafiq to have been booted. That's not happening so I would have to take out Fawad.

Or actually, I'd rather see Fawad over Shafiq but that's not going to happen either.

Sohail Khan's been one of the best bowlers in the practice matches but I will go with Faheem. I know many don't like Faheem but as a bowler he can cause England's batsmen problems.

I think Shadab is a better pick than Yasir but I'll leave your man in there for now.

[shamaan]

You know me, personally I would have liked both Azhar and Shafiq to have been booted. That's not happening so I would have to take out Fawad.

Or actually, I'd rather see Fawad over Shafiq but that's not going to happen either.

Sohail Khan's been one of the best bowlers in the practice matches but I will go with Faheem. I know many don't like Faheem but as a bowler he can cause England's batsmen problems.

I think Shadab is a better pick than Yasir but I'll leave your man in there for now.

Of course azhar and shafiq should not be in the team bro but we all no they will be thier even before the squad was picked or anything.

That's the thing if we go in with 5 man attack then yes fahim and shadab could play .

I also want shadab in the team but we all no hes not going to play ahead of yasir hence why I picked him according to the likelihood of who's going to be picked

[Kroll]

Of course azhar and shafiq should not be in the team bro but we all no they will be thier even before the squad was picked or anything.

That's the thing if we go in with 5 man attack then yes fahim and shadab could play .

I also want shadab in the team but we all no hes not going to play ahead of yasir hence why I picked him according to the likelihood of who's going to be picked

Yasir will play but I don't think its a given with Fawad going by history.

[Nikhil_cric]

I see a lot of people wishing for Haris Sohail. What happened to your calls to drop him after the Australia tour?

Haris Sohail is vulnerable against the short ball. In Australia, the combination of Aussie quicks and the Gabba wicket exposed him pretty quickly. It won't be an issue in England I suppose.

[Thunderbolt14]

Haris Sohail is vulnerable against the short ball. In Australia, the combination of Aussie quicks and the Gabba wicket exposed him pretty quickly. It won't be an issue in England I suppose.

Won’t be an issue against Archer?

[MMHS]

So basically, Pakistan can win if one or two players pull off some of the best performances off their careers. That's what happened in the Aus game with Amir and Asif - each had arguably the best match of their careers. And Pakistan still only squeezed out a win with Umar Gul getting the winning runs.

Shaheen needs something like 6-fer or Babar needs a double for Pakistan to win. Otherwise, Pakistan don't really stand much of a chance.
Not great odds

PAK lost the first Test in 2001 by innings at Lord's .... considered to be PAK's strongest ground in UK. Then won the second Test at OT, arguably ENG's strongest ground, because the game was set by a wonderful attacking hundred on Day 1 by IuH. It was scored at a brisk rate allowing PAK enough time (still game reached 30th hour) and it was a counter attacking hundred which surprised the English attack, which at that time arguably was better than current attack. If all or most of the followings happens, yes PAK can win a Test or two

1. Win toss and take the right call (not necessarily has to bat first)
2. One batsman scores a hundred & another a fifty, at least. Test matches are set by first innings, therefore that batting has to come on Day 1
3. A little tail wagging in second innings to take the target further away
4. Holding on to catches - most of them an this after considering that attempts will be made to grab the difficult ones. Tendency of PAK slip fielders is not to stick hand unless it's a dolly in they laps - every possible chance has to be attempted and then the success rate has to be high, very high
5. No off day for any of the bowlers - everyone has to keep it tight
6. Yasir has to have a good game on 4th innings

[Nikhil_cric]

Won’t be an issue against Archer?

Probably not the pace at which he is currently bowling and given the fact that OT will be seeing 3rd consecutive Test in used conditions.

[Kashur_Kalkharab]

In middle of this chaos let me put my dream 11...

Fakhar zamane
Mohammad hafeez
Shan masood
Azhar ali
Fawad alam
Iftikar ahmed
Sarfaraz ahmed
Kashif bhatti
Faheem ashraf
Imran khan
Mohammad musa.



A team full of hacks.The man behind this great work is our misbah ul haq sahab.

What I predict they are gonna put out there;

Shan masood
Imam ul haq
Azhar ali
Babar azam
Asad shafiq
Fawad alam
Mohammad rizwan
Yasir or sohail
Mohammad abbas
Naseem
Afridi

[Shoaibbtt]

You know me, personally I would have liked both Azhar and Shafiq to have been booted. That's not happening so I would have to take out Fawad.

Or actually, I'd rather see Fawad over Shafiq but that's not going to happen either.

Sohail Khan's been one of the best bowlers in the practice matches but I will go with Faheem. I know many don't like Faheem but as a bowler he can cause England's batsmen problems.

I think Shadab is a better pick than Yasir but I'll leave your man in there for now.

If anything they don't struggle so much against pace as they have done against an offspinner so Kashif Bhatti is your best bet and this is where Zafar Gohar would've been handy. It makes no sense to play Shadab as Shadab is really a limited overs player in my eyes and not suited for the long format. I think on the day it will need to be established whether a 5th bowler is needed or not. However, i think with Pakistan's fragile batting an extra batsman who can bowl a bit is always handy. Shan Masood troubled the South Africans with his bowling so he might come handy with the ball. I'd check out the latest video by Waheed Khan on this issue, he's a good sports journalist.

[Shoaibbtt]

In middle of this chaos let me put my dream 11...

Fakhar zamane
Mohammad hafeez
Shan masood
Azhar ali
Fawad alam
Iftikar ahmed
Sarfaraz ahmed
Kashif bhatti
Faheem ashraf
Imran khan
Mohammad musa.



A team full of hacks.The man behind this great work is our misbah ul haq sahab.

What I predict they are gonna put out there;

Shan masood
Imam ul haq
Azhar ali
Babar azam
Asad shafiq
Fawad alam
Mohammad rizwan
Yasir or sohail
Mohammad abbas
Naseem
Afridi

That dream 11 of yours wouldn't last, terrible bowling options.

You probably aren't far off but I think Abid Ali will get a nod ahead of Imam despite the practice games.

[Abid Z]

This looks like one of the weakest ever squads to come to England.

I’m not sure I agree. The 2010 squad was very weak barring asif, amir and butt. The 2016 one was not so strong also but managed to punch above its weight.

I think ssa, Naseem Abbas and yasir is a fantastic bowling combo.
Rizwan looks like a real prospect
The rest is just about batting combination but we’ve always had weak batting against the swinging ball in damp conditions. Hopefully they will click.

[Titan24]

It looks to be pretty much clear that Yasir is gonna play at Old Trafford. I have apprehensions but I hope he turns up snd performs well. So the combo of Faheem and Shadab at no 7 or 8 is probably not gonna be their as was initially expected, one can still play if their batting is deemed trustworthy.

If Fawad (has 50 FC wickets) can ball 10-15 economical overs if required supported by Masood and captain is comfortable having them as 5th option then this is a call which can be taken to have Fawad at 5 (Absorbs a lot of balls so not ideal at no 6 in my opinion if he has to with tail).

However, if they are not deemed good enough for 10-15 odd overs then I think Pak has to play one of Shadab or Faheem. Why? Because, if Eng bats for over a day and part timers arent much used (lack of trust from captain) then main pacers (Not to forget one is 20 and other is a teenager) will have to put in a lot of overs. Not to forget its a 3 match test series as well so unless the workload is managed they will have to be rotated.

Imam looked in pretty good touch and could have played at no3 pushing Azhar and Asad down to 5 and 6 but, 5th bowling option would be a problem in this scenario.

If Shabab or Faheem comes in depending upon conditions then obviously he will play at no 7 and while Rizwan and Asad will move one position up and Fawad will sit out.

[Kroll]

That dream 11 of yours wouldn't last, terrible bowling options.

You probably aren't far off but I think Abid Ali will get a nod ahead of Imam despite the practice games.

More like nightmare 11, that's a joke surely.

[ARK Rafay]

Fakhar Zaman would've been a good option at no. 6 or 7

[Shoaibbtt]

It looks to be pretty much clear that Yasir is gonna play at Old Trafford. I have apprehensions but I hope he turns up snd performs well. So the combo of Faheem and Shadab at no 7 or 8 is probably not gonna be their as was initially expected, one can still play if their batting is deemed trustworthy.

If Fawad (has 50 FC wickets) can ball 10-15 economical overs if required supported by Masood and captain is comfortable having them as 5th option then this is a call which can be taken to have Fawad at 5 (Absorbs a lot of balls so not ideal at no 6 in my opinion if he has to with tail).

However, if they are not deemed good enough for 10-15 odd overs then I think Pak has to play one of Shadab or Faheem. Why? Because, if Eng bats for over a day and part timers arent much used (lack of trust from captain) then main pacers (Not to forget one is 20 and other is a teenager) will have to put in a lot of overs. Not to forget its a 3 match test series as well so unless the workload is managed they will have to be rotated.

Imam looked in pretty good touch and could have played at no3 pushing Azhar and Asad down to 5 and 6 but, 5th bowling option would be a problem in this scenario.

If Shabab or Faheem comes in depending upon conditions then obviously he will play at no 7 and while Rizwan and Asad will move one position up and Fawad will sit out.

In my view if you wish to play an extra spinner then opt for Kashif as England typically struggle against off spinners, this is where i was hoping Zafar would've gotten bumped up ahead of Kashif.

Faheem has been a disappointment with the bat with only one 50 and that as well against Ireland, there should be certain expectations from him but he keeps on failing with the bat. Granted in terms of bowling he hasn't done too bad but his batting is too poor for him to be considered. Probably his most notable innings was against England were he made 37.

Shadab though fairs better with him having at least 3 50s, now if it was me i would opt to possibly drop Yasir and go with Shadab but this should be on the basis of how Yasir performs after say the first tests or after 2 tests. Playing 2 leggies will be useless in my eyes.

[Pete Rose]

‘Overlooked by Mickey’ XI

[Junaids]

‘Overlooked by Mickey’ XI

It's funny, isn't it?

Misbah and Mickey never publically say a word against one another. But it's blindingly obvious that each of them thinks that the other is a complete fool.

[Kashur_Kalkharab]

More like nightmare 11, that's a joke surely.

These are certainly some players who shouldn't even be in Pakistan A team. Faheem, iftikhaar, and sarfaraz as absolute hacks, and I haven't seen kashif bhatti,so don't know much about him.

I think we should consider the likes of umer akmal if it has come to this.

[Titan24]

In my view if you wish to play an extra spinner then opt for Kashif as England typically struggle against off spinners, this is where i was hoping Zafar would've gotten bumped up ahead of Kashif.

Faheem has been a disappointment with the bat with only one 50 and that as well against Ireland, there should be certain expectations from him but he keeps on failing with the bat. Granted in terms of bowling he hasn't done too bad but his batting is too poor for him to be considered. Probably his most notable innings was against England were he made 37.

Shadab though fairs better with him having at least 3 50s, now if it was me i would opt to possibly drop Yasir and go with Shadab but this should be on the basis of how Yasir performs after say the first tests or after 2 tests. Playing 2 leggies will be useless in my eyes.

Valid points. I also think two leggies would be too much but, decision is a bit difficult as Yasir has performed better than other spinners in the warm ups and has been part of the last few tests so if he plays going with Kashif who is a solid slow left arm spinner would be difficult because of his batting being inferior to Shadab. That is the scenario if captain is not comfortable with Fawad and Masood as 5th bowling options.

Its not like Kashif Bhatti cant bat, he has got couple of 100s in FC but is definitely not a test no 7.

The only way I am seeing it is that its between Shadab and Fawad in the playing XI unless there is a big cloud cover on day while the bowlers will be Yasir, Abbas, Shaheen and Naseem. Not sure if Fawad has been bowling in the nets and how the team management sees his bowling to be the 5th option.

[Shoaibbtt]

Valid points. I also think two leggies would be too much but, decision is a bit difficult as Yasir has performed better than other spinners in the warm ups and has been part of the last few tests so if he plays going with Kashif who is a solid slow left arm spinner would be difficult because of his batting being inferior to Shadab. That is the scenario if captain is not comfortable with Fawad and Masood as 5th bowling options.

Its not like Kashif Bhatti cant bat, he has got couple of 100s in FC but is definitely not a test no 7.

The only way I am seeing it is that its between Shadab and Fawad in the playing XI unless there is a big cloud cover on day while the bowlers will be Yasir, Abbas, Shaheen and Naseem. Not sure if Fawad has been bowling in the nets and how the team management sees his bowling to be the 5th option.

That's the thing you have to have people try and enforce them to bowl. I still remember Fawad picking up some vital wickets or wicket in the Kitply Cup Final against India (Tri-series with Bangladesh in 2007). However, primarily i think Fawad is being pushed to be a specialist batsman.

Kashif Bhatti again i like the guy but i'm getting the fear he might be another Bilal Asif, a person who can bowl but not expect too much from his bat.

Anyways i think you should go to the YouTube channel with Waheed Khan he made some very valid points on the matter.

[shamaan]

In middle of this chaos let me put my dream 11...

Fakhar zamane
Mohammad hafeez
Shan masood
Azhar ali
Fawad alam
Iftikar ahmed
Sarfaraz ahmed
Kashif bhatti
Faheem ashraf
Imran khan
Mohammad musa.



A team full of hacks.The man behind this great work is our misbah ul haq sahab.

What I predict they are gonna put out there;

Shan masood
Imam ul haq
Azhar ali
Babar azam
Asad shafiq
Fawad alam
Mohammad rizwan
Yasir or sohail
Mohammad abbas
Naseem
Afridi

I fink ur dream team will likely not beat zimbabwe and the rest lol