If you could send one person to the ICL, who would you choose?

[161]

Thought I'd put an interesting spin on Saj's poll

Sooo .. there a number of people I would love to have punted out of our team and into ICL obscurity.

Malik's name comes up first for obvious reasons .. but I've got a feeling it won't be long before he is relieved of captaincy and he still has some utility as an ODI/T20 player.

Kamran is also a top contender ... as evidenced from yesterday his catching problem has not resolved itself.

Other obvious options would be Afridi and Kaneria. The beast has become a feast for opposition bowlers, however, his bowling still adds some value. Danish Klownaria AKA Shane Warnaria on the other hand is just a nothing bowler now. Guaranteed free 100+ runs for the opposition before he manages to pick up a tailender or two.

And finally .. who can forget about good old Phaital Ikbal .. who with MoYo's departure he is placed ominously on the verge of a comeback !

So the top contenders would be -

Kaneria
Afridi
Bhanja
Malik
Kamran

In the end I would have to choose Kaneria. Because of our extremely weak/always injured pace attack we need to develop a competent spin option .. and Kaneria is just standing in the way of that.

[161]

Also ... Indians, Ozzies, Pommes etc... you are also welcome to nominate players for a sending off to the ICL.

Katich or Sreesanth anyone

[Mohsin]

Malik is our best ODI and T20 batsman!

[salman24]

TBH there is no one I despise that much currently. I hate over-hyped players though. Maybe Asim Kamal so he can make some money in the ICL because he is too old to make a comeback and sometimes deserved to play.

[salman24]

Originally Posted by Mohsin_Pak786 Malik is our best ODI and T20 batsman!

I agree now that Moyo is gone. Misbah is also developing into a good player.

[lollol]

Why would anyone chose Malik, he is one of out best limited-overs batsman...

I would chose Faisal Iqbal, to eliminate the possibility he might be chosen in a Test

[sehsan]

Rao Iftikhar!!!!!!!!

[Saj]

I dont understand why anyone in their right mind would send Malik to the ICL. He is a very handy 3 dimensional one day cricketer.

[sehsan]

Originally Posted by Saj I dont understand why anyone in their right mind would send Malik to the ICL. He is a very handy 3 dimensional one day cricketer.

but there are some people who doesnt think. Malik as a oneday palyer is as good as anyone can be.....

[Crucifier]

Originally Posted by Saj I dont understand why anyone in their right mind would send Malik to the ICL. He is a very handy 3 dimensional one day cricketer.

When he's not arguing and thrusting his authority over the seniors.

[SalaamPakistan]

Send the blind to ICL. Million dollars have blinded cricketers to join ICL. What could be worse than sending another blind to ICL who is already blind, aka Shahid Khan Afridi

[Savak]

For perfectly legit reasons: Asim Kamal. He has just been wronged by the PCB

But to be honest, i want the ICL to be recognized and i want players to be able to play in both the ICL and IPL. Double profits. Provided ofcourse if the players have the right to go back to play for their countries and respect the international calender.

[161]

Kamran Akmal is also a strong contender ... unfortunately it seems like his butter fingers have become permanent.

So far the top contenders would be -

Kaneria
Afridi
Akmal
Faisal
Malik

[PlanetPakistan]

All players who haven't signed for IPL.

[Mohsin]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Kamran Akmal is also a strong contender ... unfortunately it seems like his butter fingers have become permanent. So far the top contenders would be - Kaneria Afridi Akmal Faisal Malik

No one mentioned Malik! Why would we want our best (and most consistent) ODI and T20 player to go to ICL?! :romeo

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Crucifier When he's not arguing and thrusting his authority over the seniors.

Talking about whether he should be captain is an entirely different argument altogether.

[161]

Originally Posted by Mohsin_Pak786 No one mentioned Malik! Why would we want our best (and most consistent) ODI and T20 player to go to ICL?! :romeo

If he is to remain as captain I'd rather see him join the ICL.

[SalaamPakistan]

Originally Posted by kashif77 If he is to remain as captain I'd rather see him join the ICL.

You prefer Shahid Khan Afridi a captain to sink the team than Malik with an improving leadership with experience to expose and quite a responsible player indeed what we wanted!

Younis will say NO again. Misbah is new to International level. What do you suggest next captain should be? Akhtar, Kamran, or you name yourself a skipper instead?

[161]

Originally Posted by SalaamPakistan You prefer Shahid Khan Afridi a captain to sink the team than Malik with an improving leadership with experience to expose and quite a responsible player indeed what we wanted! Younis will say NO again. Misbah is new to International level. What do you suggest next captain should be? Akhtar, Kamran, or you name yourself a skipper instead?

Younis only said no before because of DNA.

I think overall Malik is beneficial to the ODI team but he belongs nowhere close to the test squad.

Perhaps we should keep him as ODI captain and have YK become test captain.

[Mohsin]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Younis only said no before because of DNA. I think overall Malik is beneficial to the ODI team but he belongs nowhere close to the test squad. Perhaps we should keep him as ODI captain and have YK become test captain.

Bingo! :romeo

[Bouncer]

Originally Posted by Mohsin_Pak786 Malik is our best ODI and T20 batsman!

I dont know why people dot get it. Other than Inzi, He has been the single most influential performer for Pak in ODi's for few years now.

The starter of this thread often amuzes me with his opinion and today is no different

[SalaamPakistan]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Younis only said no before because of DNA. I think overall Malik is beneficial to the ODI team but he belongs nowhere close to the test squad. Perhaps we should keep him as ODI captain and have YK become test captain.

Younis said NO because of DNA

Younis said NO because of Media

Younis said NO because of public

Younis said NO because of not wannabe dummpy captain?

Younis said NO because of not ready to face pressure yet

The list goes on and on. Too many complain from Younis in several different interviews

Younis is comfortable as a Test captain, but nevertheless, i still can't understand why he has failed to consider Abdur Rauf when PCB was offering him before the third test in India. Younis has insisted either to go with Rao or Yasir Arafat. I agree Yasir debut was a brilliant start, but it's inexcusable to leave one genuine fast bowler behind. Younis leadership invites some controversies to say least.

That is why Malik is best option for our captain at the moment. And i think he should start focusing on Test and try to improve his technique for Test. If he can improve his ODI cricket and be a quite responsible for team, then he is no doubt should be ready for Test. I know that may sound awkward to hear this, but you can hope for improving. You never know!

[Imran_m]

Aquib Javed.

[161]

Why are u guys turning this into a Malik thread ?

I listed several options ... and if you don't like any of them .. then suggest ur own or buzz off

[Bumblebee]

sreesanth or even bhajji!

[The_Cricket_Devil]

Faisal Iqbal and Rao Iftikhar immediately come to mind. This is just so we can have a valid excuse not to pick them again! And in a perfect world I would like this to be a trade with Abdul Razzaq returned to that national side.

[Bouncer]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Perhaps we should keep him as ODI captain and have YK become test captain.

Its a good idea and i never understood why Pak didnt try it. Over last ten years many teams have tried it,

AUS; Tayler and Waugh and then Waugh and Ricky
WI: Sarwan and Gayle
India: Saurav and MSD

On what bases do u not want to consider him a test player, he has moved in batting order so much, from late order to middle order to opening (where i thought he did reasonably well But the place was given to Mohammad hafiz an even worst player than shoaib)

So i disagree on leaving malik out from test team, he aint no inzi but he can still be part of test batting line up.

[SalaamPakistan]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Why are u guys turning this into a Malik thread ? I listed several options ... and if you don't like any of them .. then suggest ur own or buzz off

You should have expected this from the beginning. Blind fans simply hate him, but not referring to you.

Beside, Malik as ODI captain and Younis as a Test skipper wouldn't sound bad idea though

[Savak]

Originally Posted by SalaamPakistan Younis said NO because of DNA Younis said NO because of Media Younis said NO because of public Younis said NO because of not wannabe dummpy captain? Younis said NO because of not ready to face pressure yet The list goes on and on. Too many complain from Younis in several different interviews Younis is comfortable as a Test captain, but nevertheless, i still can't understand why he has failed to consider Abdur Rauf when PCB was offering him before the third test in India. Younis has insisted either to go with Rao or Yasir Arafat. I agree Yasir debut was a brilliant start, but it's inexcusable to leave one genuine fast bowler behind. Younis leadership invites some controversies to say least. That is why Malik is best option for our captain at the moment. And i think he should start focusing on Test and try to improve his technique for Test. If he can improve his ODI cricket and be a quite responsible for team, then he is no doubt should be ready for Test. I know that may sound awkward to hear this, but you can hope for improving. You never know!

Younis told DNA he would only accept the captaincy if he was given the same powers as Inzamam and authority on selection. But DNA wanted a puppet captain. Younis maintained his dignity by refusing to divulge the real reasons for his refusal to accept the captaincy because he would only have put himself at risk given that the PCB could not tolerate any constructive, legitimate criticism of its policies.

As far as allegation against Younis against the selection of Abdur Rauf was concerned, Younis did not have the right to select the team, it belonged to the selectors, it was reported he was extremely angry at the decision to leave Afridi out of the test matches and he was against the selection of Rao in test matches. He had to do with what he was given. Younis apparently also wanted to drop Sami but couldnt due to dwindling options in the squad.

But Younis Khan is more captaincy material than Malik and has shown some traces of pro activeness in the field whenever he has led the side.

[Boi]

Bhanja!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SalaamPakistan]

Apart from DNA problems, but there are other problems Younis has earlier. No Kidding!
Younis simply has no idea whether to show an interest on Leadership, seriously.

Argument with DNA and selectors back then, were 'Having Afridi in the squad and Leaving Abdur Rauf behind'? He wanted Rao instead. Later, he chose to continue with Yasir Arafat. Of course, it's selectors job to select the players. Basically, they were doing right job. It's Younis stupidity that simply ignored Rauf and whined for Afridi to be included, seriously? Does his leadership not to point negative already is, than Malik leadership?

[Savak]

Originally Posted by SalaamPakistan Apart from DNA problems, but there are other problems Younis has earlier. No Kidding! Younis simply has no idea whether to show an interest on Leadership, seriously. Argument with DNA and selectors back then, were 'Having Afridi in the squad and Leaving Abdur Rauf behind'? Does his leadership not to point negative already is, than Malik leadership?

Did i not tell you he had no role in selection on that tour?. Selection decisions lied with the selection committee's, the captain, coach and team managers were only allowed to give their inputs.

Younis's captaincy is more proactive than Malik's. Younis is not hungry for the captaincy and thats why he doesnt advocate strongly for it. But he is also not a fool to accept becoming a puppet captain and to accept ridiculous PCB Chairman's terms and conditions.

[BD-fan]

Create a PCL send all 15 of them there. Do not need to throw a player or two under the bus. They are treasures of Pakistan. All of them.

[SalaamPakistan]

Originally Posted by Savak Did i not tell you he had no role in selection on that tour?. Selection decisions lied with the selection committee's, the captain, coach and team managers were only allowed to give their inputs. Younis's captaincy is more proactive than Malik's. Younis is not hungry for the captaincy and thats why he doesnt advocate strongly for it. But he is also not a fool to accept becoming a puppet captain and to accept ridiculous PCB Chairman's terms and conditions.

No captain has any role on selection matter Does Ponting has any role on selection matter? Beside, they brought the right players and Younis has refused to acknowledge them. What do you think Misbah was selected in WC T20?

I am not really convinced about Younis yet. Beside, Malik is not captain hungry. It's Yousuf, Afridi and Razzaq who are far more hungry than Malik for the captaincy. Malik accepted the challenged for captaincy while some of cricketers were begging for captaincy. Malik is only one who is the most consistent than any player in the Pakistan. He has nothing to lose.

Can you define 'Malik is hungry for captaincy'?

Younis may remains proactive and similar with Misbah, who was far more proactive during the Asia Cup. But i can never understand for whining about 'Afridi not getting selected on Test'. Younis choices aren't perfect to say least. I might prefer Misbah over Younis for leadership. At least, he has fine choice, like chosen Rauf and Saeed Ajmal, both were played with the request of Misbah during the Asia Cup

[Saqlain_doosra]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan All players who haven't signed for IPL.

100%. Another chance to make good money.

[salmanbutt129]

[b]faisal Iqbal Easily

[Poison]

Hopefully Faisal Iqbal. The guy has nothing of his uncle, and with a Test average of 25, should not be seen near a Pakistan team again.

[bones20]

Dont know about ICL but if there was one person I could send out of PP, it would be Kashif77

[161]

Originally Posted by bones20 Dont know about ICL but if there was one person I could send out of PP, it would be Kashif77

ahaahhh .. i left some of u permanently scarred from 'whine-gate"

[Shah]

Ijaz Butt

[Geordie Ahmed]

Faisal Iqbal wins this hands down - the other guys do offer something to the team, this guy diddly squat

[Mythsmoke]

ejaz butthead and slim shady altaf

[hashman]

Why would people wanna drop Shoaib Malik. He has been constantly performing well in one day cricket and T20.

When test matches come around, Danish Kaneria is still likely to be a major contender for leading wicket taker for Pakistan.

[Sultan Yusuf]

Shoaib Malik - the perfect scenario would be he gets sacked, throws his toys out of his pram, signs for ICL. Not for Lahore Badshahs because he has burnt his bridges with them aswell.

I wait for the day that this mediocre cancer to pakistan cricket bringing his bits n pieces mediocrity to the forefront has left pakistan cricket.

I'd also chuck kaneria in for free as part of the deal.

[DM]

Originally Posted by Savak As far as allegation against Younis against the selection of Abdur Rauf was concerned, Younis did not have the right to select the team, it belonged to the selectors, it was reported he was extremely angry at the decision to leave Afridi out of the test matches and he was against the selection of Rao in test matches. He had to do with what he was given. Younis apparently also wanted to drop Sami but couldnt due to dwindling options in the squad.

I didn't know that!

So Younis Khan thinks Afridi should play tests too!

YK or Afridi for captain! (or anyone except Malik).

[Inswinger]

Originally Posted by Saj I dont understand why anyone in their right mind would send Malik to the ICL. He is a very handy 3 dimensional one day cricketer.

Some people o PP have been very critical of Malik ever since he became captain. He is our best ODI batsman and a handy bowler. I really don't get the hatred for Malik and the love for Afridi. Sometimes it makes me wonder if its because he is Punjabi but then I think that we are past the era of dividing the country by cities but I may just be naive.

[Inswinger]

Originally Posted by DM I didn't know that! So Younis Khan thinks Afridi should play tests too! YK or Afridi for captain! (or anyone except Malik).

How can you justify this?
Afridi has never had success as a captain, referring to domestic cricket. Atleast Malik had success as a captain in domestic cricket before being considered or this job. Im not saying that Malik is the right man for the job but he is a better option than Afridi.
Younis should be made captain before the Indian series but Malik will be fine, keep in mind that ever since he became captain we haven't played regular cricket and haven't had a strong squad to choose from.
I'll take anyone but Afridi a captain.

[SalaamPakistan]

Originally Posted by DM I didn't know that! So Younis Khan thinks Afridi should play tests too! YK or Afridi for captain! (or anyone except Malik).

There is no doubt your respect for Younis has grown much more now than ever!

[DM]

Not the thread for it Inswinger, but we've discussed Afridi for captain in a million recent threads and written reams of text on the matter. I mean just an example, your information on his domestic captaincy is woefully incorrect - eg testimony of people who actually watched the domestic matches here on PP. Sindh are crumbling now without him.

But I'll stop here as I dont want to derail Kashif's thread. If you want to discuss it, search for my posts in the Cricket forum and put search words eg "captain domestic" etc

[DM]

Originally Posted by SalaamPakistan There is no doubt your respect for Younis has grown much more now than ever!

1 million percent

[SalaamPakistan]

^ damn it

[Mercenary]

Really good thread. I'd send two players.

and

[DM]

Originally Posted by Mercenary Really good thread. I'd send two players. and

DUDE!!!!

I used to think you were also an excitement junkie Merc, but you've gradually mellowed on me over the years! (i personally guess it's all the modding and perhaps PP forecasts)

But that would be an interesting move.

I imagine the ICL would like nothing more than having these 2 - There is no doubt whatsoever that that would steal a huge chunk of viewers away from watching the national team to watch an ICL match with these two playing.

There is no way on God's earth I'd send Shahid Afridi or Shoaib Akhtar to ICL

[Asim2Good]

No one, you never know which player can win you match on his day. players named jokingly here, could be MOM in WC final for taking Pakistan to victory

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by DM DUDE!!!! I used to think you were also an excitement junkie Merc, but you've gradually mellowed on me over the years! (i personally guess it's all the modding and perhaps PP forecasts)

I backed Shoaib and Afridi for long enough but there's a limit.

Akhtar is unfit, out of shape and I truly believe he will never ever get back to the sort of fitness that will mean he can bowl regularly again. All he's doing is taking up the place of exciting youngsters like Aamer, Talha, Anwar, Wahab and Sohail Khan. Id keep the Shoaib of 1999 to 2005, I'd never send him to ICL but then I don't live in the past. I live in the present.

As for Afridi I've been one of his biggest supporters, I wrote several times to Woolmer to consider Afridi as a bowling all-rounder and not a batting all-rounder. I made it clear to Bob and PPers that Afridi shouldn't be dropped on the basis of batting failures if he was performing with the ball. I was ridiculed back in 2004 for saying Afridi could become our leading spin bowler in limited overs cricket.

But that was back then, like I said I dont live in the past and Afridi's batting is non-existent, his fielding is slipping and his bowling has only been effective against the minnows. It's time to move on. I'd like to see guys like Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, Mansoor Amjad and other youngsters tried as spin bowling hard hitting all-rounders instead. I'd like to see Saeed Ajmal given a run as a specialist spinner.

If anything I'm a bigger excitement junkie than I was back then because I'm, not willing to settle for the mediocrity that guys like Akhtar and Afridi bring to the team 90%+ of the time.

They had their chances, its time to move on.

If they can go away and come back at the top of their game then I'll be the first one to welcome them back but if not then thanks for the memories Akhtar and Afridi but it's time for you to go!

Come in number 10 and number 14, your time is up!

[DM]

Fair enough. I guess we have a subjective difference on what constitutes excitement.

For me, one minute of Afridi or Akhtar is more entertaining than a hundred hours of any of our other players. Put it this way, I'd go out of my way FAR more if Afridi is in the middle, or Akhtar is bowling an over, than I would with any other player you can think of in Pakistan.

Unfortunately we don't have any genuine express pacers or massive hitters in the wings. And of course Afridi - well he's on a different scale in terms of approach to the game (why he's loved by most Pakistan fans), he's literally on a different planet. I know that we'll never find anyone like him ever again. I'm enjoying every minute we have.

I also happen to think that he warrants a place on the team based on merit, but this is not the thread for it, myself and others have written reams of text on the matter of late.

Not that it needs to matter one iota to myself of course.

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by DM For me, one minute of Afridi or Akhtar is more entertaining than a hundred hours of any of our other players. Put it this way, I'd go out of my way FAR more if Afridi is in the middle, or Akhtar is bowling an over, than I would with any other player you can think of in Pakistan.

I used to be like that. I'd not move from my seat when Akhtar was bowling but nowadays you barely have a chance to sit down before he's out injured or completed his 2 over spell

As for Afridi there used to be a time when the adrenaline would pump when I saw him walking out swinging his bat. Anything could happen, he could tear apart the opposition or get out. That was then.

The last time he had a significant knock against a non minnow was in May 2007. That's 18 months and around 30 ODIs ago.

The magic is gone, the unpredictbale one has become predictable!

He doesnt even hit those big sixes anymore, in his last 9 ODI innings he hasnt hit a single six. In his last 9 ODIs Afridi has faced 82 balls and not hit a single six!! He's tried to hit tons of sixes but he hasnt connected with a single one!

You can call that exciting batting but not me!

[SalaamPakistan]

Originally Posted by Mercenary I backed Shoaib and Afridi for long enough but there's a limit. Akhtar is unfit, out of shape and I truly believe he will never ever get back to the sort of fitness that will mean he can bowl regularly again. All he's doing is taking up the place of exciting youngsters like Aamer, Talha, Anwar, Wahab and Sohail Khan. Id keep the Shoaib of 1999 to 2005, I'd never send him to ICL but then I don't live in the past. I live in the present. As for Afridi I've been one of his biggest supporters, I wrote several times to Woolmer to consider Afridi as a bowling all-rounder and not a batting all-rounder. I made it clear to Bob and PPers that Afridi shouldn't be dropped on the basis of batting failures if he was performing with the ball. I was ridiculed back in 2004 for saying Afridi could become our leading spin bowler in limited overs cricket. But that was back then, like I said I dont live in the past and Afridi's batting is non-existent, his fielding is slipping and his bowling has only been effective against the minnows. It's time to move on. I'd like to see guys like Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad, Mansoor Amjad and other youngsters tried as spin bowling hard hitting all-rounders instead. I'd like to see Saeed Ajmal given a run as a specialist spinner. If anything I'm a bigger excitement junkie than I was back then because I'm, not willing to settle for the mediocrity that guys like Akhtar and Afridi bring to the team 90%+ of the time. They had their chances, its time to move on. If they can go away and come back at the top of their game then I'll be the first one to welcome them back but if not then thanks for the memories Akhtar and Afridi but it's time for you to go! Come in number 10 and number 14, your time is up!

You just stole my words. Nothing more i can add!

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by SalaamPakistan You just stole my words.

You wrote several times to Woolmer about Afridi being a bowling all-rounder and said to PPers in 2004 (to much ridicule) that he'd become our best ODI spinner as well?

[SalaamPakistan]

Not that part. Just never was a member this site back then. Okay!