What will Pakistan Gain?

[sehsan]

What will Pakistan gain by having so many old players who have been past their best in onedays.

Abdul razzaq is the first one who comes to mind. He is neither a full time bowler nor a batsman. What is the point of having bits and pieces player in your team? Wouldnt it be better to invest on Hammad Azam? He looks a better batsman, can bowl as well, good fielder and he is young.

Sohail Tanveer: He looks out of sort, another bits and pieces player who neither does well as a bowler nor as a batsman. How many chances will we keep giving?

Younis Khan: A great test player but time to move on in oneday, isnt better to invest on Asad shafiq or another younster in the team?

As much as i dont want Imran farath in the team, there is no point to discuss as he will always be in the team because of SUSAR.

By having Abdul Razzaq in the squad, this would be a real hedache for Misbah, It would be very tough to drop him as well because he is SENIOR, which would mean we need to play 5 batsman (Hafeez, farath/Asad, Younis, Malik, Misbah). Does it mean they will drop Umar akmal and Asad might not get the full chance?

Your thoughts?

[ads101]

Need to move on from razzaq. His bowling is not as good as it used to be nor his batting. Definitely a player on the wane.

Hammad's bowling didn't look too good internationally. Needs to improve it. Honestly I think he was picked to early and too hyped to be the next razzaq. Doesn't actually bat like Razzaq, he's a more complete batsman and less of a hitter than razzaq (which is good playing higher up the order, worse down the order). Think it's better to get someone in like umar amin at no.6, a proper middle order player we can groom (and is handy with the ball).

Sohail Tanvir, we don't need him. His batting abilities are greatly exaggerated, and he doesn't make it in as a bowler on merit. Since we're also playing a wicketkeeper who's batting at seven, we need a proper batsman coming in at 6.

Younis Khan, I agree time to move on. Farhat course he shouldn't be playing. I'd actually like to push asad up to opening with Hafeez.

AR I assume stands for Abdul rehman. Which I'm confused to why we need to play him. We're going to go with 6 batsman. We usually drop him for ODIs anyway in the past, it's usually a contest between him and ajmal. Umar akmal will definitely play the ODI series in my opinion. He's a lock in at the moment. Question is what position will he play at.

[Shayan]

Regarding the Razzaq point, there really isn't much to gain. The only thing I can think of is that the selectors are looking towards the next T20 World Cup.

[M.A.G]

We only need one of younus and misbah, and misbah is in his twilight of his carrier, while younus past it, even though he wasnt that great in loi before.

We dont need toufeeq umer or farhat.

Razzaq has past it, afridi is still the only thing close to good leg spinner we got, thats why we can keep him.

Malik is a mixed openion, i donno, there are sooo many bad stuff been said about him.

We need to invest in youth. We have enough experience with Hafeez opening, Misbah keeping it together in the middle and gul, ajmal bowling.

Ahmad Shehzad, Umer Akmal, Sarfraz ahmad, Hammad Azam, Asad Shafiq must be made perminint in ODI.

And new players like zain abbas, nasir jamsheed, umer amin, usman salahuddin, raza hasan, mohd talha etc must be tried soon in different formats.

[Down2Earth]

you can add Afridi to that too... Razzaq and Afridi should be nowhere near the ODI team, T20's is where they belong till the next world T20

[sehsan]

Originally Posted by ads101 Need to move on from razzaq. His bowling is not as good as it used to be nor his batting. Definitely a player on the wane. Hammad's bowling didn't look too good internationally. Needs to improve it. Honestly I think he was picked to early and too hyped to be the next razzaq. Doesn't actually bat like Razzaq, he's a more complete batsman and less of a hitter than razzaq (which is good playing higher up the order, worse down the order). Think it's better to get someone in like umar amin at no.6, a proper middle order player we can groom (and is handy with the ball). Sohail Tanvir, we don't need him. His batting abilities are greatly exaggerated, and he doesn't make it in as a bowler on merit. Since we're also playing a wicketkeeper who's batting at seven, we need a proper batsman coming in at 6. Younis Khan, I agree time to move on. Farhat course he shouldn't be playing. I'd actually like to push asad up to opening with Hafeez. AR I assume stands for Abdul rehman. Which I'm confused to why we need to play him. We're going to go with 6 batsman. We usually drop him for ODIs anyway in the past, it's usually a contest between him and ajmal. Umar akmal will definitely play the ODI series in my opinion. He's a lock in at the moment. Question is what position will he play at.

Good post, i agree with you that amin can be an option as well at 6.

AR was Abdul razzaq

[Desi_Joker]

We play in the present guys, not in the future. What's the point then to have a team of youngsters that get beaten by Bangladesh instead of making the most of our best available CURRENT players.

[Statsman]

Originally Posted by Desi_Joker We play in the present guys, not in the future. What's the point then to have a team of youngsters that get beaten by Bangladesh instead of making the most of our best available CURRENT players.

Ask Australia and India.

[salman24]

Originally Posted by Desi_Joker We play in the present guys, not in the future. What's the point then to have a team of youngsters that get beaten by Bangladesh instead of making the most of our best available CURRENT players.

Finally a sensible post

[salman24]

Originally Posted by Statsman Ask Australia and India.

Aus and Ind used their seniors well into their late thirties. That is why they have been so successful. If they were taking out their good players all this time they would be just like us.

[Zeeraq]

Originally Posted by Statsman Ask Australia and India.

What do you mean they need youngsters or Are they giving chances to youngsters ?

[Shayan]

Originally Posted by Down2Earth you can add Afridi to that too... Razzaq and Afridi should be nowhere near the ODI team, T20's is where they belong till the next world T20

We play 1 or 2 T20s in a series, then have a massive gap before the next series where we play 1 or 2 more.

How exactly are Afridi and Razzaq supposed to perform in the next T20 World Cup with so little international match practice?

Either pick them for both, or not at all.

[Statsman]

Originally Posted by Zeeraq What do you mean they need youngsters or Are they giving chances to youngsters ?

In tests. Needed to give chances to youngsters even more early. Specially to spin bowlers and middle order batsmen. Relied too heavily on Kumble and Bhajji for almost a decade for the spin department.

Agree. India is giving a lot of chances to youngsters now, but the youngstas need to establish themselves before the seniors retire, something which might be round the corner.

Australia, well, everyone knows.

[Zaz]

You can add afridi to the list

We should be preparing for next world cup and giving a run to the likes of hammad etc not to same washed out past it has beens who only offer a wkt here or there and a dozen runs at most

[Bullet Drive]

Originally Posted by Desi_Joker We play in the present guys, not in the future. What's the point then to have a team of youngsters that get beaten by Bangladesh instead of making the most of our best available CURRENT players.

Agree, Say no more.

[ads101]

Originally Posted by sehsan Good post, i agree with you that amin can be an option as well at 6. AR was Abdul razzaq

ah yes my bad.

I thought about you meaning Abdul Razzaq, but you mentioned it before and you said for the need to play 5 batsmen instead of 6 (which means you don't consider razzaq as a full batsman). Honestly I do see Razzaq as a batsman (Even though he's more of a hitter) and would play him as a batsman, not an all rounder. He's a pretty good no.7/no.8 batsman, if our wicket keeper opens. Since our wicket keeper will now be coming in at 7, there of course isn't the need for a no.7/no.8 batsman, he'll need to come in at six.

[sehsan]

Originally Posted by Desi_Joker We play in the present guys, not in the future. What's the point then to have a team of youngsters that get beaten by Bangladesh instead of making the most of our best available CURRENT players.

Lets assue that you are correct, do you think Abdul razzaq is the best option even at the present time? Same can be said about Sohail Tanvir.

[Osman]

Originally Posted by sehsan Lets assue that you are correct, do you think Abdul razzaq is the best option even at the present time? Same can be said about Sohail Tanvir.

name me one late order hitter in pakistan better than razzaq?

question answered

[Theo_14]

The ones stating that Razzaq is 'completely' finished, need to think again. He still has the quality in him, and he can easily walk in the T20 and possibly the ODI side.

Many fans have turned their backs on Razzaq, only because of the performances at the World cup. But ask yourself... Was he utilised well? Did he face enough overs to show what he's capable of? Should he have been bowling with the old bowl instead of the new bowl?

His performance against Australlia was a classy example of how good he is WHEN he is utilised well - a side who were unbeaten for a while in the World cup until they faced the mighty Pakistan.

It was as if watching the good old Razzaq, when it comes to bowling. He produced a game changing over, where he beautifully clipped the bails of the wicket after sending in form Clarke back to the pavillion.

It's fantastic to see Razzaq back. He has class and experience. Use him as a T20 specialist opener, he has opened before in ODI's... And he's suceeded there, remember.. This was during a time where batting PP's were not introduced, the fact they are introduced now can only be used as a advantage for Razzaq.

Utilise Razzaq - bring him up the order when setting a target - let him bowl with the old ball - use him as a part time bowler and as a opening batsmen, especially in T20s - if this does indeed happen... Then I'm sure he will deliver his best and convince his doubters wrong.

[Shayan]

Originally Posted by Theo_14 The ones stating that Razzaq is 'completely' finished, need to think again. He still has the quality in him, and he can easily walk in the T20 and possibly the ODI side. Many fans have turned their backs on Razzaq, only because of the performances at the World cup. But ask yourself... Was he utilised well? Did he face enough overs to show what he's capable of? Should he have been bowling with the old bowl instead of the new bowl? His performance against Australlia was a classy example of how good he is WHEN he is utilised well - a side who were unbeaten for a while in the World cup until they faced the mighty Pakistan. It was as if watching the good old Razzaq, when it comes to bowling. He produced a game changing over, where he beautifully clipped the bails of the wicket after sending in form Clarke back to the pavillion. It's fantastic to see Razzaq back. He has class and experience. Use him as a T20 specialist opener, he has opened before in ODI's... And he's suceeded there, remember.. This was during a time where batting PP's were not introduced, the fact they are introduced now can only be used as a advantage for Razzaq. Utilise Razzaq - bring him up the order when setting a target - let him bowl with the old ball - use him as a part time bowler and as a opening batsmen, especially in T20s - if this does indeed happen... Then I'm sure he will deliver his best and convince his doubters wrong.

Again, see my post above. What's the point of selecting a player for 1/2 T20 games per series. If we're looking ahead to the T20 world cup, then surely Razzaq needs to play in ODIs just to be match fit, otherwise how can he be expected to perform at the World Cup? I'm not saying we should definitely pick him, but if we do pick him, he should be playing both ODIs and T20s.

Obviously people will disagree, but I've always felt that the ODI team and the T20 team need to be the same. Picking specialist T20 players for a single game every few months (like we did with Imran Nazir in Australia) is completely pointless.

[Theo_14]

Originally Posted by Shayan but I've always felt that the ODI team and the T20 team need to be the same. Picking specialist T20 players for a single game every few months (like we did with Imran Nazir in Australia) is completely pointless.

A valid point you make but natural abilities will never go down the drain unless your retirement is down the corner, especially if you have low standard of fitness which is not good enough for International cricket.

T20s are often added more in series then ever before - during the days of Nazir, not many T20 matches were added in series, where now they are used more then ever before.

I disagree with it being completely pointless because it's a policy which has worked in the past for other International sides, so I don't see any problem in Pakistan trying this policy.

Also, if you've read the whole of my post, then I have listed somewhere that perhaps he should also be used in the ODI's.

[attock]

I think Abdul Razzaq is a definate in T20s but for ODIs we should stick to Hammad Azam........
I think it will be hard for Shoaib Malik to find a place in the team across the three formats.....
You can not Play Misbah, Asad and Younus in the same team in ODI's which means Younus should be dropped from the ODI team.........
Afridi can still play until the next World cup....

[sehsan]

Originally Posted by Osman name me one late order hitter in pakistan better than razzaq? question answered

and u are saying based on what? how has he done in last 1 year except couple of good innings? If he is in the team because he can hit the ball hard then he should be good enough bowler. Playing razzaq at 6 is a dangerous move.

[chacha kashmiri]

I'ts probly in the best interests to potentialy unearth the next gem after the england series

[asif9138]

ABdul Razzaq has lot to offer if he uses well by the captain. Afridi is stil good with his bowling. Need to have rotation policy between Misbah and Younus Khan.

[1137moiz]

It depends. If Misbah actually plays Abdul Razzaq as an allrounder and not as a part-time bowler (which Afridi did) then I think it's worth it.

I'd still have Sohail Tanveer in first choice since he's younger and had a decent Zimbabwe outing. But to be honest he does leak runs and Abdul Razzaq rarely does that, so it depends.

It's interesting to note that since Abdul Razzaq came back in 2009 he's been given 5 or more overs in an innings only in 13 out of 40 games. An average of 5 overs is hardly enough to see how well you bowl, especially for a stock and not a strike bowler. In the matches where Abdul Razzaq HAS bowled more than 5 overs he has a better average (28.8) and economy (4.36) than Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar and most of the other bowlers barring Gul, Ajmal and Riaz. Personally I think he's very very underrated with the ball, mostly because people remember his slump with the ball in 2003 where he was nearly a specialist hitter bowling occasional overs. But since returning, MashaAllah I think that Abdul Razzaq has rediscovered some nip and guile

Now it depends. If Misbah is gonna use Abdul Razzaq the way Afridi did, then I think we'd have been better off with Hammad Azam, and will probably be better off with Tanveer. But if he gives him a decent average of overs to bowl in the middle, as a first-or-second-change thrift merchant to the comparatively incisive and aggressive Umar Gul and others then I think Abdul Razzaq could be very very handy.

Here's the record of Pakistan bowlers over the last few years in MATCHES WHERE THEY HAVE BOWLED 5+ OVERS

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/eng...s;type=bowling

[Love Pakistan]

Razzaq will be retiring after 2012 t20 WC! so why not stick with him for one more year... he is a useful all rounder and an experienced player... It's a shame that he never got the opportunity to bat up the order! He is a very good batsman if he gets time to settle first!

[CORNERED-TIGER]

afridi n razzaq should only play t20s

and faysal bank / big bash/ or english t20s or suth africans t20s 2 get them in 2 form

[1137moiz]

I'd like somebeast to take note of the stats in post 26.

Since May 2009, for games where the bowlers have bowled 5 or more overs:

Shahid Afridi: 46 matches, 60 wickets, average 32.60, economy 4.54
Saeed Ajmal: 33 matches, 50 wickets, average 25.42, economy 4.33
Umar Gul: 29 matches, 42 wickets, average 30.97, economy 5.39
Wahab Riaz: 15 matches, 28 wickets, average 23.42, economy 5.30
Mohammad Amir: 14 matches, 23 wickets, average 22.64, economy 4.47
Mohammad Hafeez: 23 matches, 25 wickets, average 32.36, economy 4.08
Shoaib Akhtar: 17 matches, 24 wickets, average 32.95, economy 5.20
Abdul Razzaq: 13 matches, 16 wickets, average 28.81, economy 4.36
Naved-ul-Hasan: 12 matches, 15 wickets, average 39.42, economy 5.79
Mohammad Asif: 7 matches, 10 wickets, average 32.60, economy 4.86

From the list only Amir, Riaz, and Ajmal have better averages than Abdul Razzaq while only Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez have better economy rates. Now tell me why Abdul Razzaq, who when given a fair number of overs has a better record in this period than every Pakistan bowler barring these four, is given 5 or more overs only once every 3 games, which is the bare minimum you'd have for a change-bowling seamer?

[osee_bhai]

If razzaq is playing, he has to play number 6 and primarily as a batsmen. Which I am not sure he can do (maybe he can, maybe he can't). If Afridi is playing, he has to play at number 8. 7 is for sarfraz ahmed.

When we had kami as an opener, that opened up a spot in the middle order at 7, which gave afridi or razzaq their correct spot. I agree razzaq was not given a proper opportunity this last world cup, but I don't know if he can play the next world cup and be a factor. Especially now when we have a very solid all-rounder in Hafeez who can bowl 10 overs a game.

Both are great t20 players yes, and I do kind of understand giving them a shot to play since they are not THAT old and could possibly play the next world cup.

Sohail tanvir I think is crap and old, and YK should make way for asad or azhar ali in odis.

My side:
Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Azhar ali, Umar Akmal, Misbah (c), Razzaq/youngin', Sarfraz, Afridi/Junaid Khan/Raza Hasan type youngin, Gul, Wahab (n/a currently, JK here), Ajmal.

Razzaq could be replaced by someone like Sharjeel khan or Fawad Alam, who would both be have to moved up the order however.

Hammad Azam's domestic stats are not too impressive, I think he needs some more seasoning . Raza Hasan's stats on the other hand, are insane.

[osee_bhai]

Originally Posted by 1137moiz I'd like somebeast to take note of the stats in post 26. Since May 2009, for games where the bowlers have bowled 5 or more overs: Shahid Afridi: 46 matches, 60 wickets, average 32.60, economy 4.54 Saeed Ajmal: 33 matches, 50 wickets, average 25.42, economy 4.33 Umar Gul: 29 matches, 42 wickets, average 30.97, economy 5.39 Wahab Riaz: 15 matches, 28 wickets, average 23.42, economy 5.30 Mohammad Amir: 14 matches, 23 wickets, average 22.64, economy 4.47 Mohammad Hafeez: 23 matches, 25 wickets, average 32.36, economy 4.08 Shoaib Akhtar: 17 matches, 24 wickets, average 32.95, economy 5.20 Abdul Razzaq: 13 matches, 16 wickets, average 28.81, economy 4.36 Naved-ul-Hasan: 12 matches, 15 wickets, average 39.42, economy 5.79 Mohammad Asif: 7 matches, 10 wickets, average 32.60, economy 4.86 From the list only Amir, Riaz, and Ajmal have better averages than Abdul Razzaq while only Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez have better economy rates. Now tell me why Abdul Razzaq, who when given a fair number of overs has a better record in this period than every Pakistan bowler barring these four, is given 5 or more overs only once every 3 games, which is the bare minimum you'd have for a change-bowling seamer?

I think these stats are a bit misleading though moiz, because I can remember a few times (and there must be more) where razzaq was smashed in his first few overs and then subsequently not given 5.
Somedays his off-cutters worked, and then he was given more overs. I don't quite understand why he opened the bowling so many times though. A middle of the innings 6th bowler should be his role, one in which his batting is alot more important to the team coming as a number 6 in the lineup (not 7/8 as afridi sometimes used him)

[1137moiz]

Originally Posted by osee_bhai I think these stats are a bit misleading though moiz, because I can remember a few times (and there must be more) where razzaq was smashed in his first few overs and then subsequently not given 5. Somedays his off-cutters worked, and then he was given more overs. I don't quite understand why he opened the bowling so many times though. A middle of the innings 6th bowler should be his role, one in which his batting is alot more important to the team coming as a number 6 in the lineup (not 7/8 as afridi sometimes used him)

I think it was because Gul and Riaz were both comfortable with the old ball for reverse-swing, which I think is wrong because Gul is a scorching new-ball bowler usually as well (his tendency to blow hot and cold doesn't vary with the state of the ball, he's either brilliant or occasionally very offkey).

With regards to what you're saying, the SA series last year comes to mind. But that was one series and apart from that Abdul Razzaq had done very well when given an opportunity MashAllah. The only patently rubbish spell he's bowled in the last few years--I mean absolute rubbish, the sorts that Akhtar and occasionally Gul/Riaz have not uncommonly bowled in the last couple of years (Akhtar smashed in New Zealand, the others very expensive about once or twice a series) was the 4-0-49-0 v New Zealand in the World Cup which was basically lollipop bowling and took away from the fact that Abdul Razzaq was Pakistan's most economical bowler of the tournament at a fairly respectable average of 32.2 considering how short his spells were.

Nothing however warrants being given such a small share of the ball in my opinion. In 27 out of 40 games Abdul Razzaq was given less than 5 overs, and only tossed the ball if the others were struggling. There's no excuse for that--yes like any other bowler Abdul Razzaq had one or two off-days but if you look at a list of his spells in that period very few were actually bad, and most of them were cut short after 4 or 5 overs which is mismanagement pure and simple.

I still think Hammad Azam deserved a go--and I'd like to start with the unreliable but younger and more settled Sohail Tanveer for the first game. But I do think that Abdul Razzaq is a criminally underrated support bowler, the seam-bowling version of Mohammad Hafeez except that Mohammad Hafeez gets about twice as many overs on average

[sehsan]

As mentioned in the OP, playing Abdul razzaq at 6 is too dangerous. We are definetly one batsman short. On top of that we have great Imran farath playing.

We need to play 6 genuien batsman or play a batting all rounder. Hammad should have been in squad. From this squad, i believe Asad should come in for sure inplace of farath and Malik inplace of Abdul Razzaq

[Amjid Javed]

I mentioned at start off the ODI series my displeasure at pakistan selecting Razzaq, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik and Afridi for the games v Sri lanka.

I really dont understand why Pakistan cant start thinking long term interms of the ODI team selection, How can we identify players that will be around for the 2015 world cup etc.. when we continual keep picking failures or has beens.

Younis Khan - The guy averages less then 30 in his ODI career against Non-minnows. Now and then we get a decen knock, but usually its surrounded by mediocrity.

Razzaq - Well hes been dropped today so the novelty of recall has pretty much worn off. He cant field, his batting apart from the super hundred v S.A last year is not reliable any more!

Malik - His form in international game was pretty poor before his recall. Yet players like Asad Shafiq and Fawad alam to name a few are discarded but have performed much better in ODIs.

None off these guys are likely to improve as time goes on. Fair enough these guys are senior players, But its time pakistan selectors grew some balls and dropped this guys and moved forward.

I also wasnt to keen on Afridi being recalled, but il hold my hand up and say hes bowled well and justified his recall.

The other 3 should never be picked for ODIS again!

[Prince_Pathan]

why is yk useless

he has made 1 50 and a 44 already this series?

[rhussain33]

Amjid what would be your odi squad then... ??

Heres mine...

01. Mohammed Hafeez
02. Awais Zia/Sharjeel Khan
03. Umar Akmal
04. Fawad Alam
05. Umar Amin/Asad Shafique
06. Hammad Azam
07. Jamal Anwar+
08. Shahid Afridi*
09. Wahab Riaz
10. Umar Gul/Junaid Khan
11. Saeed Ajmal /Raza Hassan

[pakistanigoneaussie]

abdul razzaq is still a must for t20s, though i think in odis hammad azam should take over

[MMHS]

Originally Posted by rhussain33 Amjid what would be your odi squad then... ?? Heres mine... 01. Mohammed Hafeez 02. Awais Zia/Sharjeel Khan 03. Umar Akmal 04. Fawad Alam 05. Umar Amin/Asad Shafique 06. Hammad Azam 07. Jamal Anwar+ 08. Shahid Afridi* 09. Wahab Riaz 10. Umar Gul/Junaid Khan 11. Saeed Ajmal /Raza Hassan

Excellent choice, I 'll have only 3 major changes, Shehzad at 3, dropping Akmal at 5 & Amin at 4 & I think Sarfarz is perfect. Ajmal is irreplaceable & Gul & Cheema should be the new ball pair (With Amin & Azam being back up seamers)

[PerfectionPersonified]

agree

[Zain93]

For God sakes, can we groom Hammad? What exactly has he done to get dropped?

[Amir]

Not sure why we dropped Fawad. Maybe he bats slow but have you seen the rest of our selfish batting line up?

[Ironcat]

Here's how I'd look at it.

You need two specialist pacemen - who also open the bowling. Then there are Ajmal and Afridi, so you have 40 overs covered among them.

You need another 10 overs from a combo of Hafeez and another allrounder. This allrounder should be a fast bowling allrounder.

There is no need for Malik to be in this team. His bowling is redundant, and you might as well play a proper batsman.

So, here is what you should have:

Hafeez
(Another opener)
(Specialist batsman)
U Akmal
Misbah
Allrounder (Razzaq/Hammad/Naved/Tanvir)
Afridi
Sarfaraz/Haider
Riaz
Ajmal
Gul

[Shayan]

Malik had done nothing whatsoever to deserve a recall.

[dilojaanpakistan]

lol...

i'm glad you guys are not the one selecting the team....i thought Mohsin Khan and our selector suck when it comes to picking team, well i sure was wrong..

[rhussain33]

Originally Posted by Shayan Malik had done nothing whatsoever to deserve a recall.

Everyone was calling for Razzlers dropping to be replaced by a proper batsmen, they got that in Malik.

N wanted Kukri Tanvir out for a proper bowler, should have been Junaid, they got that in Cheema

[iZeeshan]

Agreed. Razzaq, YK, and Malik are useless. Misbah and YK serve the same purpose, and frankly I prefer Misbah because he's much more reliable and he's a good captain.

Razzaq has lost it, and Malik is still awful.

Bring Alam back, he's 10x better than YK. Or at least Hammad, who had done nothing wrong until now. Selection is getting better, but still way off. I'd have this XI:

Hafeez, Farhat (Sharjeel), Umar, Fawad, Misbah, Hammad, Afridi, Sarfraz, Gul, Ajmal, Junaid

[sharaf katawazi]

mr amjid javid bahi what has misbah done in this series?what has umar akmal done in this series?what has sarfaraz done in this series.what has umar gul done in this series.i think they all shopuld be out and every that players who do not bat well in the series should be out.
younis khan has score 55 not out.and 42 and today he was looking well but unfortunatly was out on 18.
thank GOD u r not selector.

[shahrukh619]

SOhail Tanvir should had been there, just to add some help with the bat.

[AbdulrazzaqFan]

They should've persisted with Abdulrazzaq instead of brining in Malik.

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Ideal Team:

1.Ahmed Shehzad
2.Mohammad Hafeez
3.Umar Akmal
4.Asad Shafiq
5.Umar Amin
6.Shahid Afridi
7.Hamad Azam
8.Kamran Akmal WK
9.Gul
10.Ajmal
11.Junaid

Afridi as Captain. Thier goal should be to groom a team for 2015

[Osman]

Originally Posted by AbdulrazzaqFan They should've persisted with Abdulrazzaq instead of brining in Malik.

this! no other changes were needed apart from cheema in for tanvir. OP is a chief whinger and a knee jerker!

[carbon11]

either way misbah needs to go his mindset and approach is the biggest negative in the middle order he puts pressure on other players

[Osman]

Originally Posted by shahrukh619 SOhail Tanvir should had been there, just to add some help with the bat.

u again! what is it with sohail tanvir and u??? why do u not understand he is sht!

[TNA]

Originally Posted by Osman u again! what is it with sohail tanvir and u??? why do u not understand he is sht!

i bet its something to do with his phanka action - its a sight to watch

[sehsan]

now since the series have been over, lets analyze whether we gain anything.

Abdul Razzaq took only 2 wicket in 3 matches and made 17 runs.

Younis Khan made 150 runs in 5 matches, average of 30.

I still believe we could have played 2 young all rounders and would have gained a lot. Unfortunately it didnt happen and will not happen in Bangladesh series as well.

[JibranAnsari]

Supporters of hammad azam, What has hammad azam done so far to get selected? Any good work with bat or ball in the domestic circuit?

What have we gained? I think the most important thing ,CONFIDENCE!
WE saw Afridi coming back without any issues and totally focused on the job in hand. So we have gained an Afridi who is ready to serve under Misbah. Afridi stood out in the whole one day series. In tests apart from the intent in batting and poor fielding we were pretty good. I think the intent in the batting will come with time as the players will feel that their place is safe.

[Dr Khan]

We have pretty short memorries. We saw what happened with a predominently younger team this summer on the English tour. I am all for giving a chance to youth but it has to be a process involving grooming by seniors. You can not have a team of 11 youngsters, its international cricket. Our team currently is an ideal mix of youth and experience and this is one reason of our reccent success