Pakistan Tour of the West Indies - July/August 2021

[qpeedore]

Welp, that hope of 50 didn't last long. Two beautiful balls from Shaheen though.

 

[ahmedleo414]

Unbelievable bowling from Pakistan, now they just have to capitalize on this

 

[ahmedleo414]

Once again, Imran butt is gone without troubling the bowlers

 

[CerealKiller]

Can Azhar open now? He’s already playing as an opener basically

 

[CerealKiller]

Need a Root-esque innings from Babar. We need at least 200 more runs.

 

[AsadRM]

We had all the momentum with us and rain comes in :/

Babar, Rizwan and Faheem really need to step up today! They must target a lead of 250 at least

 

[AsadRM]

Once again, Imran butt is gone without troubling the bowlers

His selection was always a little baffling to be fair. He averaged in the mid-30s all his career and had one good season of FC and came into the XI against South Africa.

His slip fielding is world-class, but, unfortunately, we can't really play a specialist fielder. I am not sure how good he is against spin, but if he isn't any good, the Bangladesh tour this December could be his last.

 

[AsadRM]

Honestly, I'd take Azhar as an opener and Saud Shakeel at 3 right now. Imran Butt over Abid, solely because of his slip catching, in the hope that he finds some form eventually.

Saud Shakeel at #3 is a little iffy as well. He struggles against genuine pace early on. Although he is arguably the best player of spin in the country. That might even work for a couple of series as the next series are in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. But that is no long-term solution. Azhar isn't really a world-beating opener either. You take out his 300 against WI and his average worsens massively to the 30s as an opener. Plus, form isn't really the problem for Imran Butt. His technique is poor, and if he can't play pace on Pakistani and West Indian pitches, you can imagine how well he would do in SENA.

Your idea isn't bad but it doesn't really address the problem. It's just a makeshift solution.

Now that's the problem. What's the solution?

In my opinion, I would go back to Shan Masood at the top. And partner him with Abid Ali, ideally. If not, then I would be tempted to give a shot to the domestic openers such as Abdullah Shafique, Zain Abbas, Omair bin Yousuf etc. Azhar as an opener will be my last option in do-or-die games on rank-turners only with Saud at #3. Kamran Ghulam can be brought in as well at #3 if needed.

This would be my top-order for WTC cycle 2021-23:

Shan Masood/Imran Butt
Abid Ali/any good opener from the domestics/Azhar Ali (Azhar only if Saud has to come in at #3)
Azhar Ali/Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam

This isn't perfect, but one good thing is that all the players are experienced and excellent against spin, which Pakistan will mostly be facing this WTC cycle with Away Tours to SL and Bangladesh, and home series against Eng, NZ, and Aus. They aren't bad against pace either.

With the ages of Fawad Alam, Azhar Ali, and Abid Ali, catching up the following will become far more regular in Pakistan's XI after this WTC cycle: Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, and Kamran Ghulam

 

[CerealKiller]

Saud Shakeel at #3 is a little iffy as well. He struggles against genuine pace early on. Although he is arguably the best player of spin in the country. That might even work for a couple of series as the next series are in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. But that is no long-term solution. Azhar isn't really a world-beating opener either. You take out his 300 against WI and his average worsens massively to the 30s as an opener. Plus, form isn't really the problem for Imran Butt. His technique is poor, and if he can't play pace on Pakistani and West Indian pitches, you can imagine how well he would do in SENA.

Your idea isn't bad but it doesn't really address the problem. It's just a makeshift solution.

Now that's the problem. What's the solution?

In my opinion, I would go back to Shan Masood at the top. And partner him with Abid Ali, ideally. If not, then I would be tempted to give a shot to the domestic openers such as Abdullah Shafique, Zain Abbas, Omair bin Yousuf etc. Azhar as an opener will be my last option in do-or-die games on rank-turners only with Saud at #3. Kamran Ghulam can be brought in as well at #3 if needed.

This would be my top-order for WTC cycle 2021-23:

Shan Masood/Imran Butt
Abid Ali/any good opener from the domestics/Azhar Ali (Azhar only if Saud has to come in at #3)
Azhar Ali/Saud Shakeel
Babar Azam

This isn't perfect, but one good thing is that all the players are experienced and excellent against spin, which Pakistan will mostly be facing this WTC cycle with Away Tours to SL and Bangladesh, and home series against Eng, NZ, and Aus. They aren't bad against pace either.

With the ages of Fawad Alam, Azhar Ali, and Abid Ali, catching up the following will become far more regular in Pakistan's XI after this WTC cycle: Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, and Kamran Ghulam

What about Imam in Tests?

 

[AsadRM]

What about Imam in Tests?

You can't be serious with that

I can't predict the future but Imam at present is definitely among the worst options to be fair.

 

[CerealKiller]

You can't be serious with that

I can't predict the future but Imam at present is definitely among the worst options to be fair.

How come? His game is pretty defensive.

 

[AsadRM]

How come? His game is pretty defensive.

He can't play a swinging ball. He has serious issues with short deliveries. He has been getting lbw against pace with head falling over for God knows how long (2019 WC India game being a classic example)

Other than that, he averages 35 in FC and 25 in Tests after playing 11 Tests.

 

[CerealKiller]

He can't play a swinging ball. He has serious issues with short deliveries. He has been getting lbw against pace with head falling over for God knows how long (2019 WC India game being a classic example)

Other than that, he averages 35 in FC and 25 in Tests after playing 11 Tests.

Test opening scene looking extremely bleak at the moment.

 

[qpeedore]

5 more to go. Come on Windies! (Was out for much of today, went to get my second dose of the vaccine.)

Those dropped catches will come back to haunt us...

 

[ahmedleo414]

I don't think Pakistan have a chance at winning this at all, they lost early wickets again. One more wicket down, and they're pretty much done