So now that we've tested the strenght (or lack thereof) of our reserve team, time to pick a World Cup squad. Here's mine
Fakhar Zaman
Imam-ul-Haq
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed
Asif Ali
Fahim Ashraf/Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi
Junaid Khan
Abid Ali
Mohammad Rizwan
Haris Sohail
Fahim Ashraf/Imad Wasim
Mohammad Aamir/Usman Shinwari
It's concerning that only 15 players are allowed for such a long tournament. Should've been 18, imo.
I excluded Hafeez because he's unlikely to be fit before the 14 April fitness test.
Tough to pick between Shinwari and Aamir.
Thoughts?
@Ahmad94 @Rehan_24 @Perfect Square @Na Maloom Afraad @Aoun13 @hammadahmed88 @El Loco
This is a good team. My only concern is a lack of aggressive options at the top of the lineup. I don't think Imam, at least for now, is well suited for modern ODI cricket. But it might be too late to sub in another opener like Abid Ali or Ahmed Shehzad. (On a side, I thought it was quite ridiculous to favour Umar Akmal over Shehzad in the Aussie series). I'd be tempted to open with Sarfraz or Babar, and bring in Harris Sohail in at 3. I am reluctant to move Babar from 3 because he's going really well there, but he comes in with an early wicket so often that he's almost an opener anyways.
Also, I see you have Faheem and Imad as interchangeable. I also had this dilemma when thinking about the team. In a perfect world, I would have them both. But then you'd lose Asif Ali and we have seen how desperately Pakistan needs a heavy hitter down low as well. I tend to favour Imad as there are still three seamers in the lineup and, for now, Imad has proven more handy with the bat. Finally, I know he's been struggling monumentally, but I am very tempted to start Amir over Junaid. Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but wouldn't it be great if he can gain some form just for the world cup. It also helps to know that someone like Virat Kohli ranks him quite high. Perhaps his name alone can give him a psychological edge over some batters? I'm not sure though. That's a tough final spot to fill. Hate to leave Abid Ali out, but it might be undue pressure on him to start his career off with the world cup. Here's my lineup and squad.
Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Harris Sohail
Shoaib Malik
Sarfraz Ahmed
Asif Ali
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Hasan Ali
Shaheen Afridi
Mohammad Amir/Junaid Khan
Bench:
Mohammad Rizwan
Fahim Ashraf
Junaid Khan/Mohammad Amir/
Imam-ul-Haq