Which 2 (or 3) spinners should Pakistan play against South Africa?

[Babar_Azam_fan]

It’s a great news that SA is visiting. Pak needs to win this series 2-0, and not get overwhelmed by the occasion

The best way is to spin them out. For that you need at least 2 spinners, or may be even three if it’s an AR. Currently the one spinner at the disposal, Yasir, is in the worst form of his life and Shadab is an AR.

Also a new selector is going to be appointed, so there’s a chance there’ll be few changes

These are the available options for genuine spinners. Good thing is all these spinners can bat a bit (~15 runs)

Sajid Khan
N Ali
K Bhatti
Z Gohar
Y Shah
Z Mehmood


All rounders

A Salman
M Nawaz
S Khan

[MHN1293]

I would go with shadab and zafar.

[Babar_Azam_fan]

@Abdullah719 @MenInG
Can you add a poll?

[Babar_Azam_fan]

I would go with shadab and zafar.

One (and a half) spinner won’t help I guess

[Titan24]

If conditions are like vs Srl and BD than Pak should go for only one specialist spinner and one decent batting all rounder who provides option of spin.

However, if Pak management decides that they want to have conditions that support spin to have some possible edge over SA than two specialist spinners will be required.

There arent going to be many lefties in the top 5 of SA (Possibly only Elgar) so despite outstanding performance of Sajid Khan I think Pak should go with Yasir and Zafar/Nauman. In that case Pak management will have to thing about whether the batting all rounder be a medium pacer like Talat or Hammad or they want a third spinner in the role of batting all rounder.

In any case, considering how many batting all rounder have put their hands up in this year’s QAE for that no 6,7 position along with Rizwan being a pretty decent batsman at test level there should be atleast one batting all rounder in Pak playing XI going forward in my opinion.

[MHN1293]

One (and a half) spinner won’t help I guess

If this was uae there would not be any need for an extra batsmen and 2 spinners would be ideal but the likes of rabada and nortje can easily run through our lineup in the more pace friendly wickets of pakistan. No need of two specialist spinners. A alrounder is crucial for a good balance within the team. If pak had a good seam bowling allrounder they could have had switched between spin ar and seam ar depending on the conditions.

[zain7077]

Nauman Ali/ Zafar Gohar and Yasir Shah.

[Rana]

Yasir Shah has to play. Might be a coin toss between Shadab and Zafar. I would go with Shadab because I think he is a decent batsman to come in at 7.

Pakistan can utilise Harris Sohail more if they need an alright left arm spin option, hence it might not be ideal to pick Zafar

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Pakistan has to groom Shadab Khan

So this would be my choice

05. Haris Sohail
06. Mohammed Rizwan +
07. Shadab Khan
08. Nauman Ali (FC batting average of 20+)
09. Sajid Khan (FC batting average of ~17)
10. Mohammed Abbas
11. Shaheen Afridi


This bowling has 2 genuine pacers. Two genuine spinners(Off and left arm). One Leg spin AR. Also, Haris Sohail can bowl a bit. So, the bowling line up is looking complete.

Coming to the batting, the one recent problem which Pak faced in tests is their tail enders.
Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan at #8 and 9 make the team on bowling merit, and also they can add about 30+ runs together, which is really important

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Nauman Ali was the leading wicket taker last season, and the current one. He’s taking wickets for fun.

[Junaids]

7. Shadab Khan
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Sajid Khan

[Babar_Azam_fan]

7. Shadab Khan
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Sajid Khan

Looks fine too, but I am slightly bending towards Nauman as compared to Zafar. Zafar can add max of 10-15 runs more than Nauman, but Nauman is on a different level as compared to Zafar when it comes to bowling. But I can see where you’re coming from

[Thunderbolt14]

Pakistan has to groom Shadab Khan

So this would be my choice

05. Haris Sohail
06. Mohammed Rizwan +
07. Shadab Khan
08. Nauman Ali (FC batting average of 20+)
09. Sajid Khan (FC batting average of ~17)
10. Mohammed Abbas
11. Shaheen Afridi


This bowling has 2 genuine pacers. Two genuine spinners(Off and left arm). One Leg spin AR. Also, Haris Sohail can bowl a bit. So, the bowling line up is looking complete.

Coming to the batting, the one recent problem which Pak faced in tests is their tail enders.
Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan at #8 and 9 make the team on bowling merit, and also they can add about 30+ runs together, which is really important

We will need 3 pacers in Pindi to be honest, but I don’t mind a lineup like this for Karachi.

I also want a genuine leggie in the mix, if not Yasir Shah then Zahid Mehmood.

Sajid Khan is good for running through domestic lineups but didn’t seem to look particularly exceptional in his televised matches.

I would go with the Zafar Gohar and Yasir Shah, personally speaking.

This is my lineup (keeping a realistic batting lineup in mind) if it’s a solid spinning track.

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Haris Sohail
7. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

2 pacers 2 spinners and Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam, and Azhar Ali to all bowl some pretty good part time.

[Junaids]

My team at this stage would be:

1. Shan Masood
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
6. Hammad Azam
7. Shadab Khan
8. Zafar Gohar or Mohammad Nawaz
9. Sajid Khan
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Some real good headache for the upcoming selector when it comes to selecting spinners

[Junaids]

Looks fine too, but I am slightly bending towards Nauman as compared to Zafar. Zafar can add max of 10-15 runs more than Nauman, but Nauman is on a different level as compared to Zafar when it comes to bowling. But I can see where you’re coming from

Pakistan can’t qualify for the 2021 World Test Championship Final. So they need to turn the page and pick guys who will peak in 2023.

[zain7077]

My team at this stage would be:

1. Shan Masood
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
6. Hammad Azam
7. Shadab Khan
8. Zafar Gohar or Mohammad Nawaz
9. Sajid Khan
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

Junaids I really enjoy your posts and they are of great quality but why does your team change every post.

[zain7077]

We will need 3 pacers in Pindi to be honest, but I don’t mind a lineup like this for Karachi.

I also want a genuine leggie in the mix, if not Yasir Shah then Zahid Mehmood.

Sajid Khan is good for running through domestic lineups but didn’t seem to look particularly exceptional in his televised matches.

I would go with the Zafar Gohar and Yasir Shah, personally speaking.

This is my lineup (keeping a realistic batting lineup in mind) if it’s a solid spinning track.

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Haris Sohail
7. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

2 pacers 2 spinners and Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam, and Azhar Ali to all bowl some pretty good part time.

You can't pick 3 geriatrics in the form of abid azhar and fawad in the same line up!

[Junaids]

Junaids I really enjoy your posts and they are of great quality but why does your team change every post.

Age and form. And the fact that it’s in Asia.

The team needs to peak in 2023.

Hence no Yasir Shah or Nauman Ali. They will be 38 and 37 in 2023.

And if I’m picking Sajid and Zafar as my two frontline spinners with Shadab as backup, I want someone who can bat at 6 and bowl a few overs of seam in case it turns out that a third quick is required.

Hammad Azam is batting superbly this season, and can bat at 6.

[zain7077]

Age and form. And the fact that it’s in Asia.

The team needs to peak in 2023.

Hence no Yasir Shah or Nauman Ali. They will be 38 and 37 in 2023.

And if I’m picking Sajid and Zafar as my two frontline spinners with Shadab as backup, I want someone who can bat at 6 and bowl a few overs of seam in case it turns out that a third quick is required.

Hammad Azam is batting superbly this season, and can bat at 6.

Makes sense. Hammad's bowling is as useless as it gets though.

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Karachi

05. Haris Sohail (Part time / 3rd spinner)
06. Hammad Azam (In good batting form and to bowl some seam up)
07. Mohammed Rizwan +
08. Shadab Khan
09. Nauman Ali
10. Mohammed Abbas
11. Shaheen Afridi

Rawalpindi

05. Haris Sohail (Part time / 3rd spinner)
06. Mohammed Rizwan +
07. Shadab Khan
08. Nauman Ali
09. Mohammed Abbas
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

[Junaids]

Age and form. And the fact that it’s in Asia.

The team needs to peak in 2023.

Hence no Yasir Shah or Nauman Ali. They will be 38 and 37 in 2023.

And if I’m picking Sajid and Zafar as my two frontline spinners with Shadab as backup, I want someone who can bat at 6 and bowl a few overs of seam in case it turns out that a third quick is required.

Hammad Azam is batting superbly this season, and can bat at 6.

Makes sense. Hammad's bowling is as useless as it gets though.

To be honest, Hammad Azam is there in Asad Shafiq’s role at Number 6. But I’ve chosen him in case Shaheen or Naseem break down and I need a third quick.

[Shoaibbtt]

We will need 3 pacers in Pindi to be honest, but I don’t mind a lineup like this for Karachi.

I also want a genuine leggie in the mix, if not Yasir Shah then Zahid Mehmood.

Sajid Khan is good for running through domestic lineups but didn’t seem to look particularly exceptional in his televised matches.

I would go with the Zafar Gohar and Yasir Shah, personally speaking.

This is my lineup (keeping a realistic batting lineup in mind) if it’s a solid spinning track.

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Haris Sohail
7. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

2 pacers 2 spinners and Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam, and Azhar Ali to all bowl some pretty good part time.

I'd take that team. Except something just irks me to give Numan Ali a go in place of Zafar.

[Thunderbolt14]

You can't pick 3 geriatrics in the form of abid azhar and fawad in the same line up!

I know! But I said “realistic”! No point for me to write fan fictions about Saud Shakeel if it’s just not going to happen.

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Karachi

05. Haris Sohail (Part time / 3rd spinner)
06. Hammad Azam (In good batting form and to bowl some seam up)
07. Mohammed Rizwan +
08. Shadab Khan
09. Nauman Ali
10. Mohammed Abbas
11. Shaheen Afridi

Rawalpindi

05. Haris Sohail (Part time / 3rd spinner)
06. Mohammed Rizwan +
07. Shadab Khan
08. Nauman Ali
09. Mohammed Abbas
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

Karachi

Session one
Abbas 8
Shaheen 7
Hammad 5 (He’s there to just bowl 5 overs in a day when the ball is still doing something)
Nauman 10

Session two
Abbas 8
Shaheen 7
Nauman 8
Shadab 5
Haris 2(Just before tea)

Session three
Nauman 9
Shadab 8
Haris 3 (Just before second new ball)
Second new ball
Abbas 5
Shaheen 5


Total overs
Abbas 21
Shaheen 19
Nauman 27
Shadab 13
Haris 5
Hammad 5


45 overs of pace (40 + 5 from Hamamd)
45 overs or spin (40 + 5 from Haris)


Rawalpindi

Session one
Abbas 7
Shaheen 7
Naseem 6
Nauman 8
Shadab 2(just before lunch)

Session 2
Abbas 7
Shaheen 6
Naseem 6
Nauman 9
Shadab 2(just before tea)

Session 3
Naseem 5(quick burst with full pace)
Nauman 8
Shadab 6
Haris 1(just before new ball)
New ball
Abbas 5
Shaheen 5

Total overs
Abbas 19
Shaheen 18
Naseem 17
Nauman 25
Shadab 10
Haris 1

54 overs of pace
36 overs of spin (35 + 1 from Haris)

[Da_Future_Knick]

Imam
Masood
Babar (c)
Saud
Haris
Talat
Rizwan (wk)
Shadab
Zafar
Shaheen
Abbas

[Arsal_AK]

And who is batting against spin from our side? The days we had YK are far gone and our batting is far from quality or settled. Further more how are you going to get Pindi to spin in February? This isn't the UAE.

We need to go with three pacers, one front line spinner and one batsman who can bowl spin for a few overs. Salman Ali Agha won't be a bad option considering the form he is in. We can consider Shadab as well especially if Yasir isn't the frontline spinner.

The best bet is to have the pitches that we had vs SL and BD and trust that the players now the home conditions better than SA. Babar seems to thrive on these pitches.

Imran.
Shan.
Azhar.
Babar.
Saud.
Rizwan.
Salman/Shadab.
Yasir/Zafar.
Shaheen.
Naseem.
Abbas.

Here I am assuming that provided something extraordinary doesn't happen Abid, Azhar and Fawad aren't going to have good series. Haris is most probably not lasting the series as well either due to his form or much more likely his fitness.

If they do well, they retain their positions ofcourse.

[Thunderbolt14]

Why won’t Abid have a good series? He’s had amazing numbers in Asian conditions so far.

[Arsal_AK]

Why won’t Abid have a good series? He’s had amazing numbers in Asian conditions so far.

I meant in New Zealand.

[KyoOne]

Makes sense. Hammad's bowling is as useless as it gets though.

No it is not. He has a nag of picking wickets with his dibbly dobblies. Can swing the old ball well

[ameemlutfi]

If it's spinning track them noman and yasir. With talat, Shaheen , and Abbas as the pacers.

If it's a quicker track, I would play salman and yasir . Shaheen , Abbas , and yamin as the pacers . Won't mind waqas or tabish getting a go either .

[Rayyman]

We will need 3 pacers in Pindi to be honest, but I don’t mind a lineup like this for Karachi.

I also want a genuine leggie in the mix, if not Yasir Shah then Zahid Mehmood.

Sajid Khan is good for running through domestic lineups but didn’t seem to look particularly exceptional in his televised matches.

I would go with the Zafar Gohar and Yasir Shah, personally speaking.

This is my lineup (keeping a realistic batting lineup in mind) if it’s a solid spinning track.

1. Shan Masood
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Fawad Alam
6. Haris Sohail
7. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
8. Zafar Gohar
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Mohammad Abbas

2 pacers 2 spinners and Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam, and Azhar Ali to all bowl some pretty good part time.

Realistically, I can see two of Abid, Azhar and Fawad be gone after the NZ series.

[Thunderbolt14]

Realistically, I can see two of Abid, Azhar and Fawad be gone after the NZ series.

With a new selector, I don’t see them trying to get the Karachi journalist mafia against them by kicking out Fawad as their first ever decision. So Fawad will definitely be selected. After that, Misbah decides the playing XI.

Abid is also unlikely to be dropped because of how new he is. The new selector would have to have a heart of ice and be absolutely ruthless to drop someone who averages 107 at home (regardless of his performances away), especially since the series against South Africa is a home series.

The only realistic person who will be dropped is Azhar Ali, assuming he fails on this tour.

[HappyWarsFan]

Shadab is completely useless for tests, keep him far away from tests.

I'd go with Sajid and Zafar.

[Canistani Hero]

01) Shan Masood
02) Imam ul Haq
03) Abdullah Shafiq
04) Babar Azam
05) Saud Shakil
06) Haris Sohail
07) Mohammed Rizwan +
08) Zafar Gohar
09) Shaheen Afridi
10) Mohammed Abbas
11) Zahid Mahmood

[PakPremi]

Pakistan is blessed with so many good spinners except for our selectors are not able to give them experience. Zhaid Mahmood has been excellent this year,, today he even replicated Shane Warne ball of century. Then we have Zafar Gohar, Yasir S, Nauman Ali, Sajid, Usman Q and Shadab. However, keep Nawaz away from Pakistan squad.

[aloo paratha]

Yasir is not going anywhere guys.

[aloo paratha]

Abid
Shan
Azhar
Babar
Saud/Haris
Rizwan
Shadab
Yasir
Shaheen
Naseem
Abbas

This is probably what they'll go with.

[aloo paratha]

I suppose if they go for dustbowls this should be the team.

Shan
Abid
Azhar
Babar
Haris/Saud
Rizwan
Yamin/Shadab
Yasir
Sajid/Nauman
Shaheen
Abbas

I would go with Sajid over Nauman for variety. Plus off spinners tend to do better when the pitch is turning square. Haris or Saud can provide the SLA option. I would go with Yamin for the AR spot. Having 3 pacers is still important and Yamin's bowling is very underrated.

[shamaan]

Pakistan has to groom Shadab Khan

So this would be my choice

05. Haris Sohail
06. Mohammed Rizwan +
07. Shadab Khan
08. Nauman Ali (FC batting average of 20+)
09. Sajid Khan (FC batting average of ~17)
10. Mohammed Abbas
11. Shaheen Afridi


This bowling has 2 genuine pacers. Two genuine spinners(Off and left arm). One Leg spin AR. Also, Haris Sohail can bowl a bit. So, the bowling line up is looking complete.

Coming to the batting, the one recent problem which Pak faced in tests is their tail enders.
Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan at #8 and 9 make the team on bowling merit, and also they can add about 30+ runs together, which is really important

Yes i agree with your 6 down shadab is good enough at 7 with the bat and we need 2 gunine spinners nuaman is the leading wicket taker and i would partner him with gohar both are at a good age.

[shamaan]

Dust bowl

7 shadab
8.gohar
9.sajid khan
10.shaheen
11.naseem

Abit of swing or seem
7.shadab
8.gohar/sajid
9.shaheen
10.abbas
11.naseem

The top order we will know after the new Zealand results/performances

[Bullet Drive]

My team at this stage would be:

1. Shan Masood
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam (c)
5. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
6. Hammad Azam
7. Shadab Khan
8. Zafar Gohar or Mohammad Nawaz
9. Sajid Khan
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Naseem Shah

Shan OUT - Omair Bin Yousuf in

Hammad Azam OUT - Haider Ali IN

Sajid Khan btw is easily 35+ fake age.

If you want to look at a young off-spinner, then Mubasir Khan is your man. He is a genuine all-rounder who can average under 30 with the ball and over 40 with the bat. Best thing? He's 18.

[Thunderbolt14]

Shan OUT - Omair Bin Yousuf in

Hammad Azam OUT - Haider Ali IN

Sajid Khan btw is easily 35+ fake age.

If you want to look at a young off-spinner, then Mubasir Khan is your man. He is a genuine all-rounder who can average under 30 with the ball and over 40 with the bat. Best thing? He's 18.

Bro if you have backing for this kind of stuff, please provide it (otherwise 8+ years of age fudging is a little suspect...)

Also how do you know Mubasir Khan is 18?

[Bullet Drive]

Bro if you have backing for this kind of stuff, please provide it (otherwise 8+ years of age fudging is a little suspect...)

Also how do you know Mubasir Khan is 18?

Just look at him.

He's bald, and he does not look under 30 one bit.

Mubasir is a genuine 18.

[aloo paratha]

Just look at him.

He's bald, and he does not look under 30 one bit.

Mubasir is a genuine 18.

My friends brother is 22. Born and raised here in Canada so no way of faking age. He's completely bald. It happens.

[shamaan]

Shan OUT - Omair Bin Yousuf in

Hammad Azam OUT - Haider Ali IN

Sajid Khan btw is easily 35+ fake age.

If you want to look at a young off-spinner, then Mubasir Khan is your man. He is a genuine all-rounder who can average under 30 with the ball and over 40 with the bat. Best thing? He's 18.

Mubasir Khan needs to play first class cricket for atleast 2 years as for omair another year

[Babar_Azam_fan]

The best way to compete is to bat first (make SA bat on day 4 and 5) and have 2(+1 AR) spinners


06. Agha Salman (Off Spin)
07. Mohammad Rizwan +
08. Hassan Ali
09. Yasir Shah (Leg Spin)
10. Nauman Ali (Left Arm Spin)
11. Shaheen Afridi

[shamaan]

The best way to compete is to bat first (make SA bat on day 4 and 5) and have 2(+1 AR) spinners


06. Agha Salman (Off Spin)
07. Mohammad Rizwan +
08. Hassan Ali
09. Yasir Shah (Leg Spin)
10. Nauman Ali (Left Arm Spin)
11. Shaheen Afridi

I would push rizwan to 6 and play nawaz at 7 in karachi it spins more thier would usuaally. In pindi i would go with a batting all rounder agha

[Markhor]

The best way to compete is to bat first (make SA bat on day 4 and 5) and have 2(+1 AR) spinners


06. Agha Salman (Off Spin)
07. Mohammad Rizwan +
08. Hassan Ali
09. Yasir Shah (Leg Spin)
10. Nauman Ali (Left Arm Spin)
11. Shaheen Afridi

I'd be tempted to go with that too, as long as Azhar's pushed up to open and Saud bats at 3. However I fear Misbah will open with his old SNGPL teammate Imran Butt instead.

Nawaz's bowling has looked mediocre at international level. He was part of that disasterous 2018 Asia Cup. Unless it's a square turner he won't trouble many batsmen.

[Rana]

The best way to compete is to bat first (make SA bat on day 4 and 5) and have 2(+1 AR) spinners


06. Agha Salman (Off Spin)
07. Mohammad Rizwan +
08. Hassan Ali
09. Yasir Shah (Leg Spin)
10. Nauman Ali (Left Arm Spin)
11. Shaheen Afridi

You can’t drop Faheem. He was very good with the bat in NZ

[MMHS]

The best way to compete is to bat first (make SA bat on day 4 and 5) and have 2(+1 AR) spinners


06. Agha Salman (Off Spin)
07. Mohammad Rizwan +
08. Hassan Ali
09. Yasir Shah (Leg Spin)
10. Nauman Ali (Left Arm Spin)
11. Shaheen Afridi

You can do that combination if it's a rank turner - but drop Shaheen for Faheem. That'll lengthen batting further and Faheem actually is a better bowler on such tracks, because he can use cutters, intelligent as well.

However, playing on rank turner comes with a risk as well. If SAF wins the toss, Mahraj & Shamshi will be effective and their pacers with extra pace will be handy on such tracks with a roughed-up ball. Being host, PAK shouldn't put itself in a position that the game ends at a shoot-out at toss.

[Rellu_Katta]

Would you play Sajid + Nauman over (Sajid or Nauman) + Yasir ?

my vote would be with them.

Right and Left variety plus huge controls plus both had abs smashing seasons and know every grain on the pitch.

Both of them are intelligent bowlers and wont give in as easy as Yasir.

Love the flair Sajid has abt his body language ... fiery and aggressive.
Nauman has that calmness about him but reads the game well

Time to move on from Yasir and wait for a proper leggie to come in

P.S. We def need a proper leggie soon ...

[Bigboii]

Don't even THINK about going without Yasir...

Simple as that
I know we are always looking for the next best thing

But you just can't win a test without Yasir in home conditions

[RedwoodOriginal]

Yasir and Nauman. Nauman is among the few truly good inclusions in the squad. He fully deserves a debut based on the consistent performances he has given in the last 2 seasons. Could be a very good bowler to have on home tracks, which I am assuming will be helpful to spin.

[RedwoodOriginal]

Even the idea of leaving out Yasir is bonkers. He is hands down our most important bowler in this series. And if the curators don't give him wickets he will find helpful to bowl on, then we will have no ones but ourselves to blame for him underperforming.

[Bigboii]

Yasir and Nauman. Nauman is among the few truly good inclusions in the squad. He fully deserves a debut based on the consistent performances he has given in the last 2 seasons. Could be a very good bowler to have on home tracks, which I am assuming will be helpful to spin.

Yep agreed

Yasir and Nauman is the way to go
Add hA and Faheem for AR batting

[RedwoodOriginal]

Its surprises me the lack of respect Yasir gets here sometimes. Yes he is not as good as Lyon or Ashwin but he is still one of the best spinners in the world. If he was playing for any other team he would have much better numbers because that team likely wouldn't overbowl him to the point of being ineffective.

Few spinners in the world carry the kind of workload he has to in a given match. And he has accomplished alot in the past 7 years. Name me one bowler who has taken more test wickets than him and won us more test matches than him, since his debut. Go on, I'll wait.

[aloo paratha]

What's with the hate for Yasir? He has 227 test wickets. Why we expect spinners to do well in SENA and pacers to do well in India, Sri Lanka and UAE is beyond me. Yasir will do just fine against SA.

[HappyWarsFan]

Naumans + Yasir

[RedwoodOriginal]

Yep agreed

Yasir and Nauman is the way to go
Add hA and Faheem for AR batting

Yup. That's the best bowling attack Pakistan can hope to field.

[Rellu_Katta]

Even the idea of leaving out Yasir is bonkers. He is hands down our most important bowler in this series. And if the curators don't give him wickets he will find helpful to bowl on, then we will have no ones but ourselves to blame for him underperforming.

his performance in 3 tests in pak, (SL n BD) was actually bonkers...Harris Sohail out-bowled him... I have huge respect for Yasir but he needs time to re-invent himself... he is going no-where with this performance

[Junaids]

Nauman can’t bat or field.

Are you going to drop Shaheen to accommodate him?

How many guys who can’t bat can you hide in the field?

[Rellu_Katta]

Nauman can’t bat or field.

Are you going to drop Shaheen to accommodate him?

How many guys who can’t bat can you hide in the field?

Faheem
Hassan Ali
Sajid
Nauman
Shaheen

[Ahmed216]

Faheem
Sajid(can bat a bit)
Hassan
Yasir
Shaheen

[ethan hunt]

Play the offspinner. He'll dispose off the lefties if nothing else.
Kamran ghulam can provide the left arm spin option if needed.

[mahmed]

I would go with OB and LB specialist and LAS will be covered by Kamran / Saud. At Karachi, My XI will be :

1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Kamran Gulam
6. Fawad Alam
7. Mohammed Rizwan
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Sajid Shah Khan
11. Shaheen Shah

[Muhammad Saad]

Haris Rauf , Shaheen , Hasan , Sajid and Noman Ali , not a long tail as only Rauf and Shaheen being mug with the bat.

[RedwoodOriginal]

his performance in 3 tests in pak, (SL n BD) was actually bonkers...Harris Sohail out-bowled him... I have huge respect for Yasir but he needs time to re-invent himself... he is going no-where with this performance

If people were judged based on 3 tests then no one would have an sort of career in test cricket.

Name me one bowler who has played more test matches than him and taken more wickets than him since his debut. Everything can't be solved by giving someone new a debut.

[Hasan123]

Nauman and Yasir.

[Kaddy]

I would go with OB and LB specialist and LAS will be covered by Kamran / Saud. At Karachi, My XI will be :

1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Kamran Gulam
6. Fawad Alam
7. Mohammed Rizwan
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Sajid Shah Khan
11. Shaheen Shah

This could've been an ideal team if kamran was a better bowler.

He should focus on his bowling as well he can be a utility player in our test lineup.

Same way I don't know why Fawad has stopped bowling. When he initially came into the scene, he used to bowl a lot.

[gazza619]

I would go with shadab and zafar.

Not in the 20 man squad.

[Rellu_Katta]

If people were judged based on 3 tests then no one would have an sort of career in test cricket.

Name me one bowler who has played more test matches than him and taken more wickets than him since his debut. Everything can't be solved by giving someone new a debut.

can you tell me when was last time Yasir Shah won us a game? or had significant contribution? last I could remember was that game vs NZ in UAE... ....so how much more he wants to be given chances on his past performances?

[RedwoodOriginal]

can you tell me when was last time Yasir Shah won us a game? or had significant contribution? last I could remember was that game vs NZ in UAE... ....so how much more he wants to be given chances on his past performances?

If you think a spinner can win you test matches in SENA then I don't know what to tell you.

The question you should be asking is why didn't the fast-bowlers win us any matches in those countries? Even the 3 test matches he played in Pakistan were on pace-friendly tracks.

How can you expect a spinner to win you matches if he doesn't get a chance to bowl on spin-friendly wickets?

And Yasir could have had a role in SENA if the fast-bowlers actually took some wickets. Whenever he came on to bowl in SENA, the batsmen were almost always well-set because our pacers rarely made use of the new ball. And what little effectiveness he could have had would be made completely redundant by getting him to bowl 50 something overs in an innings in countries like Australia.

[Rellu_Katta]

If you think a spinner can win you test matches in SENA then I don't know what to tell you.

The question you should be asking is why didn't the fast-bowlers win us any matches in those countries? Even the 3 test matches he played in Pakistan were on pace-friendly tracks.

How can you expect a spinner to win you matches if he doesn't get a chance to bowl on spin-friendly wickets?

And Yasir could have had a role in SENA if the fast-bowlers actually took some wickets. Whenever he came on to bowl in SENA, the batsmen were almost always well-set because our pacers rarely made use of the new ball. And what little effectiveness he could have had would be made completely redundant by getting him to bowl 50 something overs in an innings in countries like Australia.

O bhai .... can u tell me any in subcontinent ? --- all of a sudden u have aflatoon spirit , going round n around n not answering wat I asked... PK hoo kia?

[RedwoodOriginal]

O bhai .... can u tell me any in subcontinent ? --- all of a sudden u have aflatoon spirit , going round n around n not answering wat I asked... PK hoo kia?

Do you watch cricket with your eyes closed? He has played 3 matches in Asia in the last 3 years. How is that supposed to be any kind of a sample size to judge anything? And I have already told you that even those matches were on pace-friendly tracks.

[RedwoodOriginal]

O bhai .... can u tell me any in subcontinent ? --- all of a sudden u have aflatoon spirit , going round n around n not answering wat I asked... PK hoo kia?

Yasir Shah is Pakistan's best bowler. Whether you like it or not he will play because even the management is not stupid enough to drop him.

[RedwoodOriginal]

O bhai .... can u tell me any in subcontinent ? --- all of a sudden u have aflatoon spirit , going round n around n not answering wat I asked... PK hoo kia?

Not even 3, he has played two test matches in Pakistan. But yeah based on those two matches he is finished according to experts like you. LOL, give me a break.

[shamaan]

Its surprises me the lack of respect Yasir gets here sometimes. Yes he is not as good as Lyon or Ashwin but he is still one of the best spinners in the world. If he was playing for any other team he would have much better numbers because that team likely wouldn't overbowl him to the point of being ineffective.

Few spinners in the world carry the kind of workload he has to in a given match. And he has accomplished alot in the past 7 years. Name me one bowler who has taken more test wickets than him and won us more test matches than him, since his debut. Go on, I'll wait.

Its the fault of the coach/captain as he shouldnt play in sena but even then he should take some criticism for his away performance

[shamaan]

Yasir Shah is Pakistan's best bowler. Whether you like it or not he will play because even the management is not stupid enough to drop him.

Yes the management is stupid for playing him in sena agreed

[shamaan]

i would go with yasir and sajid khan