Pakistan Cricket Board announces 17-player squad for first Test versus South Africa

[Saj]

Pakistan cricket selectors today confirmed a 17-player squad who will be available for selection for the first Test against South Africa, which will begin on Tuesday. The remaining three players will continue to be part of the squad and will feature in warm-up and training sessions at the National Stadium.

The playing line-up with now be finalised by the captain in consultation with the head coach.

The 17-player squad is:

Openers – Abid Ali (Central Punjab) and Imran Butt (Balochistan)

Middle-order batsmen - Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Babar Azam (captain, Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh) and Saud Shakeel (Sindh)

All-rounders – Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab) and Mohammad Nawaz (Northern)

Wicketkeepers – Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh)

Spinners – Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan)

Fast bowlers – Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Tabish Khan (Sindh)

[Saj]

Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam and Agha Salman have been dropped from the original squad of 20.

[Rana]

Kamran Ghulam??????

Na. This is a farce!

[Pacy with wisdom]

Kamran Ghulam??????

Na. This is a farce!

They could have only fitted in one batsman, and so went for the stylish but loose plus casual Saud, instead of the obdurate and determined Kamran.

[Last Monetarist]

The more I think about it, the more the selection of Imran Butt seems a huge mistake. No form to speak of for more than a year and a middling first-class record are huge red flags.

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Given that they've specifically named Imran Butt as an opener, means that he's definitely playing. Which means that with Fahim playing the all rounder role and a 5 batsmen, 4 bowlers, 1 all rounder combo, Saud Shakeel will not debut.

Great.

Makes complete sense to drop currently inform lads like Kamran and (most probably) Saud and instead include Imran Butt, who was last in form and playing regularly 18 months ago.

[Thunderbolt14]

The more I think about it, the more the selection of Imran Butt seems a huge mistake. No form to speak of for more than a year and a middling first-class record are huge red flags.

Who else would your backup opener be? They’ve given Misbah the options and it’s up to him now to decide what to do.

1. Azhar Ali
2. Abid Ali
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ahsraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Sajid Khan
11. Shaheen Afridi

The best possible playing XI in the country (which is not saying much) can still be picked from this 17 man squad. There really isn’t anyone better.

Kamran Ghulam definitely deserved an opportunity to sit on the bench, so maybe a little unlucky there, but no way does he make the Test side on one season as opposed to years of performances by Saud.

[Markhor]

Haris Rauf and Tabish Khan. Pakistan's bowling is in a truly deplorable state.

[Thunderbolt14]

Given that they've specifically named Imran Butt as an opener, means that he's definitely playing. Which means that with Fahim playing the all rounder role and a 5 batsmen, 4 bowlers, 1 all rounder combo, Saud Shakeel will not debut.

Great.

Makes complete sense to drop currently inform lads like Kamran and (most probably) Saud and instead include Imran Butt, who was last in form and playing regularly 18 months ago.

I’m still holding out hope. It’s still possible that Imran Butt is just there as a backup opener (which would make sense as you do need three openers in the squad combination).

[reversehook]

M Nawaz ki kya tuq banti hai when Nouman and Sajid are there, plus Faheem will play as all rounder... these ppl know how to crush morale... KG tough luck buddy...

[UzmanBeast]

Who else would your backup opener be? They’ve given Misbah the options and it’s up to him now to decide what to do.

1. Azhar Ali
2. Abid Ali
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ahsraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Sajid Khan
11. Shaheen Afridi

The best possible playing XI in the country (which is not saying much) can still be picked from this 17 man squad. There really isn’t anyone better.

Kamran Ghulam definitely deserved an opportunity to sit on the bench, so maybe a little unlucky there, but no way does he make the Test side on one season as opposed to years of performances by Saud.

I think Misbah will ask Azhar to step up and open again, which means that we will be able to see one or two new players get a chance in the middle order. It's been circulating around as well, so it will be interesting to see if Azhar Ali can hold us together at the top.

Imran Butt is unlikely to debut in my opinion, he doesn't have consistent performances and can't really justify his own selection.

If Abid fails in the first test, then the management will swap him our for Imran Butt to see if it works.

The playing XI you made was probably the best we can make at this point in time, although I do worry that we might have gone in with a batsman short.

The way I'm thinking is that Saud and Fawad can give you a few overs if needed, and can merge to be your 5th bowling option. That means that someone like Kamran Ghulam could have been slotted into the playing XI, and Rizwan would be sent down to 7.

We need some world-class spin-bowling all-rounders. At the moment, I'd be tempted to try Mohammad Nawaz in the team to see how he bowls and what he can do.

[Cryin Out Loud]

My guess:


1.Abid Ali
2. Imran Butt
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Yasir Shah
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Hasan Ali
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Another spinner

I think Abid Ali and Imran Butt are pencilled in as openers for the series, since the 17 does not have any other opening bats (unless I missed something).

Shakeel is a middle order bat as per cricinfo, so I doubt if he will be selected to open- hence my belief that is he will not be first XI, but will be backup for Fawad or Azhar Ali if they fail (all 3 are middle order bats).

Sarfaraz possibly is seen not just as a cover for Rizwan, but as a middle order also.

The other pacers are just cover. As is the other allrounder Nawaz.

[Saj]

The starting XI more or less picks itself. The only question really is whether they go with 2 spinners or just trust Yasir Shah as the only spinner.

[SensiblePakFan]

If Haris Rauf gets a test cap, it will be very dissapointing and will continue to turn our youngsters towards T20 cricket.

[Zaz]

The starting XI more or less picks itself. The only question really is whether they go with 2 spinners or just trust Yasir Shah as the only spinner.

The only doubt seems to be this and whether saud will play or imran butt?

[shariqnoor]

Great decision to keep Shafique, Ghulam, Agha out of the final squad.

Naming them in the 20 man squad indicates to them that their hardwork hasn't gone unnoticed but 1 season performances will not be enough.

Yes imran butt isn't anything special but he's an opener and isn't vying for a place in the middle order so his selection makes sense. Haris Rauf should not be in Pakistan T20s let alone Tests.

[Saj]

The only doubt seems to be this and whether saud will play or imran butt?

The listed openers are just Imran Butt and Abid Ali.

Shaheen, Hassan and Faheem as the seamers.

Just the question of whether they go with a 5th bowling option of a spinner or an extra batsman at number 6.

[Forum363]

The starting XI more or less picks itself. The only question really is whether they go with 2 spinners or just trust Yasir Shah as the only spinner.

I think that decision has already been made as it’s obvious. They will definitely play two spinners since Faheem is there as a fast bowling all rounder.

The actual question is whether Imran Butt debuts or Azhar opens and a middle order player (Saud) debuts.

[Shafi]

If they wanted to drop Kamran why bother selected him in the first place. He could play Pakistan ODI cup to gain more batting practice.

[Zeshan547]

Haris Rauf and Tabish Khan. Pakistan's bowling is in a truly deplorable state.

We as fans should just have to take this bitter pill that this is the best we got, but we could easily have dropped at least one of these to have Kamran, so in the end so much for rewarding domestic performance. What a farce.

[Zeshan547]

This should be no brainer for karachi but i expect atleast two slection blunders or more...
What we should have from 20 men squad,,,
1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Babar Azam
4. Kamran Ghulam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Saud Shakil
7. Mohammad Rizwan
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Sajid Khan

What we will have most likely,,,
1. Imran Butt
2. Abid Ali
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Fahim Ashraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Sajid Khan

The glaring errors will be not opening with azhar which would have extra benefit of having both new middle order batsman , Kamran and Saud,
playing extra (third seamer) in Karachi costing 6th batsman, in Asia mostly two pacers who can bowl max 20 overs per day are required and 50 overs by two spinners , (25 each) more so with unproven batting line up like our seven batsman are must including wk. @MMHS @Junaids @Mamoon

[UzmanBeast]

With the players that they picked for the 17 man squad, I'm trying to determine what Mohammad Wasim is trying to do for Pakistan Cricket, especially test matches. Are we trying to adopt a similar approach as to what India have done with Jadeja + Ashwin being two spinners? Or are we going for a different dimension?

You see, an ideal competitive test match team would have to look like this:

Opener (40 average)
Opener (40 average)
#3 (42+ average minimum)
#4 (45+ average minimum)
#5 (42+ average minimum)
Wicket Keeper (40+ average)
Batting All-rounder (pace/spin)(Batting average of 30 minimum with a bowling average of 32 max)
Bowling All-rounder (spin)(Batting average of 20+, bowling average of less than 28)
Pacer (bowling average under 30)
Pacer (bowling average under 30)
Pacer (bowling average under 30)

If we try to fill in the positions we have right now:

-
-
Azhar Ali (barely makes the cut)
Babar Azam (c)
-
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)(vc)
Faheem Ashraf/Shadab Khan (both need to improve their bowling)
-
Shaheen Shah Afridi (only bowler who has longevity)
-
-

So if we're looking towards the next few series, we really need to fill in the holes in our team.

Fawad Alam is currently occupying the #5 slot, but his numbers need to improve. I'm looking to the future in my playing XI, so I won't be accomodating Fawad Alam for the moment.

Using the resources in domestic cricket, this is the best team that I can make at the moment:

Abid Ali/Imran Butt (no better openers in domestic atm)
Haider Ali/Abdullah Shafique (when you don't have any openers in domestic, you have to go on the basis of potential)
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam (c)
Saud Shakeel/Kamran Ghulam
Mohammad Rizwan
Shadab Khan/Faheem Ashraf/Salman Ali Agha/Mohammad Nawaz(In SENA, Faheem will play most times. Other times, I'd go with Salman because he can convert with the bat and bowls pretty decently.)
Sajid Khan/Zafar Gohar (only to notable options who have excellent bowling stats and decent batting stats)
Hasan Ali (made a comeback, let's see how he does.)
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Irfanullah Shah/Shahnawaz Dhani (both need more seasons of FC cricket, and should not be picked soon, rather after another season of FC, when we can discard Tabish Khan due to age or lack of performances.)

That's where I see our team moving, with some genuine all-rounders who can really contribute with the bat.

IMO Salman Ali Agha should be tried in the Pindi test, to see if he can hold the batting-all-rounder positon.

[ask_analyse_act]

I think Misbah will ask Azhar to step up and open again, which means that we will be able to see one or two new players get a chance in the middle order. It's been circulating around as well, so it will be interesting to see if Azhar Ali can hold us together at the top.

Imran Butt is unlikely to debut in my opinion, he doesn't have consistent performances and can't really justify his own selection.

If Abid fails in the first test, then the management will swap him our for Imran Butt to see if it works.

The playing XI you made was probably the best we can make at this point in time, although I do worry that we might have gone in with a batsman short.

The way I'm thinking is that Saud and Fawad can give you a few overs if needed, and can merge to be your 5th bowling option. That means that someone like Kamran Ghulam could have been slotted into the playing XI, and Rizwan would be sent down to 7.

We need some world-class spin-bowling all-rounders. At the moment, I'd be tempted to try Mohammad Nawaz in the team to see how he bowls and what he can do.

If Azhar wants to extend his playing career , it is best advised for him to open and seal the spot, he will have no one compete with him for the opening slot.

With his solid defence he can make a huge difference ,plus opening is the position where he scored 300 and 200. Scored centuries in foreign conditions.

Best for him and his career is to open in tests. If he is shrewd enough this is the opportunity for him. Leave the headache of no.3 to anyone.

[Nikhil_cric]

So the lineup will be

Abid
Imran
Azhar
Bobby
Fawad
Rizwan
Faheem
Yasir
Sajid
Hasan
Shaheen

I don't think TM will give more than 2 debuts. Might play it conservatively and go for experience . Although I think they should make a bold call and make azhar open and add Saud in the middle order as well.

[Yk313]

Slightly tangential maybe but who are the best No.3s in PAK domestics at the moment?

A strong number 3 is capable of opening. Basically, if none of the openers are working may be worth looking at No.3s from donestics.

Also, hope Saud pays off. He looks more Haris Sohail like though. Ghulam looked more circumspect and comparatively stoic but does not have the numbers behind him over a longer period.

[SARJ_BD]

M Nawaz ki kya tuq banti hai when Nouman and Sajid are there, plus Faheem will play as all rounder... these ppl know how to crush morale... KG tough luck buddy...

He is the only spinning all rounder. If Pakistan play 3 pacers after waching the pitch, Nawaz will play instead of Fahim Ashraf

[Junaids]

I’m hearing whispers that Sarfraz Ahmed might play.

I had argued for Rohail Nazir to bat at 6 with Rizwan playing at 3 as a specialist batsman.

Sarfraz is incapable of batting at 6, but he could bat at 7 and open up the possibility of:

1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Mohammad Rizwan
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel or Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Nawaz
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Yasir Shah
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

I don’t really see 20 wickets in that attack, I’m afraid.

[Pakpak]

Sadly Misbah the dinosaur still has to be accommodated. Should be Azhar's last series. Enough of his one score wonder innings all series every time.

[angrypathan]

I’m hearing whispers that Sarfraz Ahmed might play.

I had argued for Rohail Nazir to bat at 6 with Rizwan playing at 3 as a specialist batsman.

Sarfraz is incapable of batting at 6, but he could bat at 7 and open up the possibility of:

1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Mohammad Rizwan
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel or Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Nawaz
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Yasir Shah
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

I don’t really see 20 wickets in that attack, I’m afraid.

There's more chance of Yasir Shah bowling pace than there is of Sarfraz playing this game

[Last Monetarist]

Who else would your backup opener be? They’ve given Misbah the options and it’s up to him now to decide what to do.

1. Azhar Ali
2. Abid Ali
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Faheem Ahsraf
8. Hassan Ali
9. Yasir Shah
10. Sajid Khan
11. Shaheen Afridi

The best possible playing XI in the country (which is not saying much) can still be picked from this 17 man squad. There really isn’t anyone better.

Kamran Ghulam definitely deserved an opportunity to sit on the bench, so maybe a little unlucky there, but no way does he make the Test side on one season as opposed to years of performances by Saud.

Azhar should definitely open, I'm more or less in agreement with that side above. I'd maybe select Nauman ahead of Sajid.

If there's a problem with backup openers and you are selecting someone based on performances in 2019, then there is no justification for dropping Shan Masood given how he performed at home last year.

[Junaids]

There's more chance of Yasir Shah bowling pace than there is of Sarfraz playing this game

GOOD!

Why recall a 33 year old keeper to replace a 28 year old, when you could have had a 19 year old Rohail?

The problem now is that Misbah has been handed this squad from Mohammad Wasim.

So he could pick a team with 7 players aged over 30!

[Thunderbolt14]

Azhar should definitely open, I'm more or less in agreement with that side above. I'd maybe select Nauman ahead of Sajid.

If there's a problem with backup openers and you are selecting someone based on performances in 2019, then there is no justification for dropping Shan Masood given how he performed at home last year.

I think it’s Mohammad Wasim’s way of forcing Misbah into certain selections. If Shan was selected, he’d have the opener position locked down with Abid, Azhar at 3, Babar at 4, Fawad at 5, Rizwan at 6, Faheem at 7..... in other words the exact same lineup as the one in New Zealand.

I also feel that while you and I might not rate Imran Butt, and we both appreciate Shan’s performances last year, it needs to be accepted that Imran is definitely superior to Shan in terms of footwork and strokes.

Shan leaves everything on off and swipes on anything bowled at the stumps, which is why teams have devised a way of getting him out by deliberately sliding a ball down leg. On a good day, Shan will see out the new ball and score 40(120). On a bad day, he will score 10(60).

Even if Imran Butt debuts and Azhar plays at 3 instead of Saud, I won’t mind it one bit as we need a new opener as well.

[Shafi]

Sadly Misbah the dinosaur still has to be accommodated. Should be Azhar's last series. Enough of his one score wonder innings all series every time.

Possible!!! Misbah might be the reason for Kamran/Abdullah Shafiq to be dropped.

[Thunderbolt14]

GOOD!

Why recall a 33 year old keeper to replace a 28 year old, when you could have had a 19 year old Rohail?

The problem now is that Misbah has been handed this squad from Mohammad Wasim.

So he could pick a team with 7 players aged over 30!

To be honest, Misbah can’t do much wrong with this squad. That’s the beauty of it.

[Titan24]

To be honest, Misbah can’t do much wrong with this squad. That’s the beauty of it.

This. With the squad Wasim has covered every possible combination and hopefully team management can make whatever is best based upon conditions.

[Ahson8]

Only two spots are in question.

Saud Shakeel vs Imran Butt.
Sajid Khan vs Nauman Ali.

[Last Monetarist]

it needs to be accepted that Imran is definitely superior to Shan in terms of footwork and strokes.

That's premature. For me the 2019 domestic season is a glaring outlier in Butt's career, and he is being thrown to the wolves here much as Abdullah Shafique was in white ball cricket.

[Thunderbolt14]

That's premature. For me the 2019 domestic season is a glaring outlier in Butt's career, and he is being thrown to the wolves here much as Abdullah Shafique was in white ball cricket.

Quantitatively, I completely agree with you. Qualitatively, Imran strikes me as better than Shan.

I would have liked Imran to open in the four day games against NZ A so we could get a better picture of his footwork and balance but sadly it was not to be.

[sharmaji]

It'd be interesting if Pakistan announces the playing XI a day before the test, a bold move that will be.

[Titan24]

Hassan Ali even as a batsman had a pretty decent QAE and scored his maiden 100 as well so I think team should definitely go with five man attack. Not to forget Sajid Khan and Nauman are also not too shabby with the bat with avg of 17 (1 100 and 2 50s) and avg of 19 (10 50s) respectively.

Azhar Ali
Abid Ali
Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam (C)
Fawad Alam
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Faheem Ashraf/ Mohammad Nawaz
Hassan Ali
Yasir Shah
Sajid Khan/ Nauman Ali/ Haris Rauf
Shaheen Shah

If its a wicket which isnt gonna spin much even in the last 2 or so days and is flat than I would bring in Haris Rauf to utilize some reverse and will play Nawaz over Faheem.

[Ahmed216]

Sadly Misbah the dinosaur still has to be accommodated. Should be Azhar's last series. Enough of his one score wonder innings all series every time.

Azhar Ali is not going anywhere. Knew his hundred on a dead pitch in England will haunt us for long. Sub 20 average in last 3-4 years on foreign soil and he continues to be the leader of our batting side. His mediocre leadership is necessary for our batting side to remain mediocre.

[Thunderbolt14]

Azhar Ali is not going anywhere. Knew his hundred on a dead pitch in England will haunt us for long. Sub 20 average in last 3-4 years on foreign soil and he continues to be the leader of our batting side. His mediocre leadership is necessary for our batting side to remain mediocre.

141* and 40 to save the Test followed by a 93 and a few scores of 25, 38, 37 in between, all of this in SENA, that’s quite haunting.

Let’s appreciate that this dedicated servant of Pakistan is back in form and putting in the performances without much support.

[Ahmed216]

141* and 40 to save the Test followed by a 93 and a few scores of 25, 38, 37 in between, all of this in SENA, that’s quite haunting.

Let’s appreciate that this dedicated servant of Pakistan is back in form and putting in the performances without much support.

Ya 141 in a test which 30 averaging zak crawley scored almost a triple hundred. Dedicated servant of Pak cricket? If i was in his place i would have retired for not playing an innings of impact in last 4 years for pakistan and let a new player come in

[IAJ]

Can someone please explain what is Haris Rauf doing in the squad? I am sure he wont be in the playing eleven, but does he have any stamina to bowl 15+ overs a day?

[Thunderbolt14]

Ya 141 in a test which 30 averaging zak crawley scored almost a triple hundred. Dedicated servant of Pak cricket? If i was in his place i would have retired for not playing an innings of impact in last 4 years for pakistan and let a new player come in

Define impact. It’s hard to have impact with a bowling unit that averages 639 for every 10 wickets they take (not a typo) over that same timespan since Azhar fixed the technical issue of his head falling over.

[Thunderbolt14]

Can someone please explain what is Haris Rauf doing in the squad? I am sure he wont be in the playing eleven, but does he have any stamina to bowl 15+ overs a day?

I guess they want to groom his old ball skills and slowly build up the stamina for a debut next year with a first class season in between.

Right now, he’s there to provide practice to the squad against genuine pace in anticipation of Anrich Nortje (that’s my best guess).

[hitthestump]

The more I think about it, the more the selection of Imran Butt seems a huge mistake. No form to speak of for more than a year and a middling first-class record are huge red flags.

He averages 36 in FC and 37 in LA. Also did nothing in his Shaheen's outing against NZ A.

Very hard to see the justification for his selection but i guess we don't have long to wait before we see if he's international standard or not.

[Ahmed216]

Define impact. It’s hard to have impact with a bowling unit that averages 639 for every 10 wickets they take (not a typo) over that same timespan since Azhar fixed the technical issue of his head falling over.

I agree Azhar is not our biggest problem right now. But his poor performances over last few years just cannot be justified.

[Usman]

The selection of Imran Butt will end in tears. History is repeating itself - Shan Masood was also selected off the back of a very poor domestic record and after many years of torture, even his most ardent supporters accept that he is no good.

If you pick sub-par batsmen, you will get sub-par performances. There is no point hoping that a batsman averaging 30 in domestic cricket will somehow manage to average 45 in the much tougher international cricket.

The only players who average about the same/more in international cricket as they do in domestic cricket are the really good players with averages exceeding 50 - for those guys, they are good enough to score against most types of bowlers.

This is why I am so disappointed to see Imran Butt in and Kamran Ghaulam out. I just hope the management sees sense so that Azhar and Abid open.

Personally I am not even opposed to the idea of both Saud and Kamran playing and one of them opening with Azhar. Yes neither are openers but:

a) the quality of openers in Pakistan is once again not good and so neither will do worse than the current bunch;

b) if one of them bats at 3, they are likely to be in early any way because of the poor quality openers (so they might as well open and not face the pressure of coming in after an early wicket),

c) arguments like "Oh you'll potentially ruin their careers by making them open" are not credible. If the only spot available is the openers slot, then these guys either play and take that risk, or they just don't play for Pakistan at all until a spot opens up possibly years in the future. It might be that when their opportunity finally arrives, they just happen not to have had a good domestic season, or they are considered too old, or someone else has emerged, or the selector at the time just doesn't like them etc etc. Fawad Alam is a classic example of what happens if we preserve players until the "right" opportunity arises - they are old men by the time they get a chance.

d) I truly believe that a really good batsman can play at any spot. Take Barbar, he plays at 4 but he could bat anywhere. The same is true for most really good batsmen. Kamran and Saud both average around the 50 mark so they have shown that they are very capable. It would not surprise me one bit if these guys excelled as openers; and

e) our test team has really struggled of late. We need radical solutions to the problems. This means taking educated gambles. Being so stuck in your ways that you don't dare mix things up will just mean more of the same. More of the same means more heavy losses. We need some innovation here and what I'm suggesting is just that.

[hitthestump]

So the lineup will be

Abid
Imran
Azhar
Bobby
Fawad
Rizwan
Faheem
Yasir
Sajid
Hasan
Shaheen

I don't think TM will give more than 2 debuts. Might play it conservatively and go for experience . Although I think they should make a bold call and make azhar open and add Saud in the middle order as well.

I think this is likely to be it. Having recently had the worst tail in international cricket we now have a much more competent one now Naseem and Abbas have been dropped. On that basis it can be justified having Faheem at 7 and playing 5 bowlers.

[mazkhan]

Imran butt
Abid ali
Azhar ali
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan
Faheem
Sajid khan / nauman / nawaz ?
Hasan ali
Yasir shah
Shaheen

I reckon that will be the squad question mark being who will be the second spinner, unless they go for three pacers outright and bring in tabish or rauf ?

[UzmanBeast]

If Azhar wants to extend his playing career , it is best advised for him to open and seal the spot, he will have no one compete with him for the opening slot.

With his solid defence he can make a huge difference ,plus opening is the position where he scored 300 and 200. Scored centuries in foreign conditions.

Best for him and his career is to open in tests. If he is shrewd enough this is the opportunity for him. Leave the headache of no.3 to anyone.

Yeah, he should have stuck as an opener, because we really needed good starts in test cricket to compete in foreign conditions.

Sub-continent conditions are pretty good for test openers of Azhar Ali's calibre, ball won't swing much and he can play his shots with some good degree of comfort.

Number 3 should go to either Saud Shakeel or Kamran Ghulam.

[PakPremi]

Except for Nawaz great selection from the 20 man squad. Imran Butt deserves a chance after sitting out in NZ tour. One cannot pre judge how will go but must atleast be tried in both tests

[PakPremi]

Can someone please explain what is Haris Rauf doing in the squad? I am sure he wont be in the playing eleven, but does he have any stamina to bowl 15+ overs a day?

He is being groomed for the series after SA by practising and training with the squad.

[unemployedgm]

They could have only fitted in one batsman, and so went for the stylish but loose plus casual Saud, instead of the obdurate and determined Kamran.

You haven’t watched Kamran bat

[MachoKhan]

Question, The players that are out of the squad, will they be released or will they stay with the team and continue to practice?

[Maher96]

Most likely we will see Azhar and Abid open with Babar at 3. Bowling wise might be an option to drop faheem and try tabish where as yasir can sit out so the duo sajid naumaan get a go if yasir doesn’t perform in the first test. Hassan Ali slips straight back in with Shaheen so will be more potent than Abbas.


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

[JibranAnsari]

so there will be at least one debutante.

I would love to see sajid khan in action , hopefully the management dont make blunder of playing all rounder nawaz ahead of him as his bowling isnt good enougj foe taking wickets. Abbas will be sorely missed when pakistan is looking to control run rate as hassan ali isnt good in containing the opposition.

Imran butt
abid ali
azhar ali
babar azam
fawad alam
mohammad rizwan
faheem ashraf
yasir shah
hassan ali
shaheen afridi
sajid khan

[Yk313]

You haven’t watched Kamran bat

I presume you mean he plays loose? Slightly surprised because skimming through some highlights he seemed to be grafting his way through.

If he’s as flashy as Saud or not good enough despite being circumspect then it hardly matters.

[hur rizvi]

Except for Nawaz great selection from the 20 man squad. Imran Butt deserves a chance after sitting out in NZ tour. One cannot pre judge how will go but must atleast be tried in both tests

Imran butt should never have been selected in first place.

Azhar's best internation performances have been at opening position. Mohd. Wasim should have forced Misbah to open with Azhar

[b.lesner]

The bowling Nawaz does Kamran ghulam can also do and he is far more 10000 times better batsman even i would say he has more variation than Nawaz he has some angle ball which comes into right hander or maybe carrom because its appears to spin also so over all selecting Nawaz over Kamran Ghulam means selecting Rony Irani in place of Ben Stoakes.

[mahmed]

I will go thinking its a spinning track, with the following XI:

1. Abid
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Saud
5. Fawad
6.Rizwan
7.Nawaz
8.Yasir
9. Sajid
10. Hassan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah

[Zeshan547]

The bowling Nawaz does Kamran ghulam can also do and he is far more 10000 times better batsman even i would say he has more variation than Nawaz he has some angle ball which comes into right hander or maybe carrom because its appears to spin also so over all selecting Nawaz over Kamran Ghulam means selecting Rony Irani in place of Ben Stoakes.

And even if KG failed 10x times his selection still would have merit and stats to back. How does, Nawaz Haris Rauf, Tabish and Imran butt deserve it more than him. Just hope it's not another fawad alam story.

[Zeshan547]

I will go thinking its a spinning track, with the following XI:

1. Abid
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Saud
5. Fawad
6.Rizwan
7.Nawaz
8.Yasir
9. Sajid
10. Hassan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah

Three spinners is overkill but considering we don't have proper middle batsman in squad than it's better to go with Nawaz than Faheem on spinning wicket.

[Manzy2599]

Don’t understand this at all. They should’ve just excluded sarfraz since he’s not gonna be playing anyway and it’s highly unlikely he’d be required mid game. They could’ve then added him to the squad for the 2nd test if they wanna rest Rizwan or something like that. PCB always makes brainless decisions.

[Junaids]

I will go thinking its a spinning track, with the following XI:

1. Abid
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Saud
5. Fawad
6.Rizwan
7.Nawaz
8.Yasir
9. Sajid
10. Hassan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah

Two quicks?

But this is going to be Karachi, not Abu Dhabi!

[Thunderbolt14]

Don’t understand this at all. They should’ve just excluded sarfraz since he’s not gonna be playing anyway and it’s highly unlikely he’d be required mid game. They could’ve then added him to the squad for the 2nd test if they wanna rest Rizwan or something like that. PCB always makes brainless decisions.

Rizwan gets injured on day 2. Who are you going to send in to keep?

[waleed88]

Kamran Ghulam??????

Na. This is a farce!

Why?

[Esfahani]

I will go thinking its a spinning track, with the following XI:

1. Abid
2. Azhar
3. Babar
4. Saud
5. Fawad
6.Rizwan
7.Nawaz
8.Yasir
9. Sajid
10. Hassan Ali
11. Shaheen Shah

My XI:

1. Abid
2. Abdullah
3. Babar
4. Fawad
5. Rizwan
6. Sarfraz
7. Nawaz
8. Faheem
9. Hassan
10. Shaheen
11. Sajid

[CanadianG00se]

Why is there no Pre match thread for Pak v SA 1st test?

[Mainul]

Pakistan Will be badly missing the service of Sami Aslam.This Butt is an another passenger in the team?

[MenInG]

So Babar Azam hinting on playing 2 spinners as pitch is slow at NSK

[ataullah]

Sadly reports indicating Imran Butt will debut and no Saud. Hope this isn't true. I want azhar opening and saud at 3/4

[lahoriyah1234]

Until Misbah Bhai is the Coach, No bold or Brave decisions will be taken. Imran butt is not as talented as Saud, Sadly Saud is not making is debut in this test or possibly in this series either.

Misbah is going for Safety first, Put all the 35+ Cricketers banking on experience to win this test.

When are we going to find a Leader, not Followers. Sadly Babar is a follower here and not leader.

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Saud was bowling(rather than batting) in the nets to Faheem and Nauman


So Saud won’t be playing(Imran will have to debut then) whereas Nauman and Faheem will be playing

If Nauman plays Sajid and Nawaz won’t play, as Yasir will be in the 11 for sure


Hence this will be the 11

Abid
Imran
Azhar
Babar *
Fawad
Rizwan +
Faheem
Nauman
Yasir
Hassan
Shaheen

[ataullah]

Saud was bowling(rather than batting) in the nets to Faheem and Nauman


So Saud won’t be playing(Imran will have to debut then) whereas Nauman and Faheem will be playing

If Nauman plays Sajid and Nawaz won’t play, as Yasir will be in the 11 for sure


Hence this will be the 11

Abid
Imran
Azhar
Babar *
Fawad
Rizwan +
Faheem
Nauman
Yasir
Hassan
Shaheen

This team but maybe sajid for nauman...really sad seeing saud giving throw downs to fawad hence unlikely to debut tomorrow

[lahoriyah1234]

I would have played this Playing 11.

Azhar
Abid
Saud
Babar
Fawad
Rizwan WK
Nawaz
Nauman
Yasir
Shaheen
Hassan ali

[lahoriyah1234]

Any Idea or What the pitch looks like.

[Omer2002]

I had already announced my team a month ago

They will be going with that on paper doesn't look strong but lets see.

The main issue is getting 20 wickets thus nawaz will not play

[lahoriyah1234]

I had already announced my team a month ago

They will be going with that on paper doesn't look strong but lets see.

The main issue is getting 20 wickets thus nawaz will not play

I doubt Fahim can take wickets here, this is not NZL or SA pitches.

Nawaz is an ideal all rounder u need here on Karachi Day 4 or 5 pitch.