The Cricket Thread - ICC Cricket World Cup England & Wales 2019

[Hassan Aftab]

Smith is no surprise. He has been in top batting form and playing as a 'part-timer' since at least last year and though he started off primarily as a spinner, his batting has always been impressive.

It's the resolute performance with the bat on pitches like these that mainly surprised me about Smith. He has been performing in the domestic circuit for a while now, but playing on Asian soil has been an uphill task for foreigner players of late. He richly deserves that no. 3 spot in Test matches just as much as the ODIs.

 

[umer rashid]

I still believe Misbah is not good choice for 2015 wordcup, He performed well in test series, but naturally he is not aggressive captain. We even can't chase 200 runs due to this defensive mindset. On other side, Younus khan is perfect choice, as we saw his successful captaincy in t20 worldcup.

 

[Hassan Aftab]

I still believe Misbah is not good choice for 2015 wordcup, He performed well in test series, but naturally he is not aggressive captain. We even can't chase 200 runs due to this defensive mindset. On other side, Younus khan is perfect choice, as we saw his successful captaincy in t20 worldcup.

Niether Misbah's, nor Younis's epic performances in these tests can be a precise measure of their ability as batsmen in the ODIs. It's a whole different ball game and while the two can be match winners on their day in Tests, they have hardly registered individual match winning performances on the ODI level of late. It's a given that Misbah will play the world cup for the obvious reason that he is captain but I strongly feel that given his approach to batting he really needs to promote himself to the no. 3 spot. It's really what the team demands and a gallant move on part of a captain leading the side. Moreover, it leaves room for others coming down the order to express themselves better by playing more naturally with more overs on offer.

Younis could still be a part of the side batting at 4 or 5 but I am certain that instead they'd accommodate Asad Shafique and Fawad Alam or Sohaib Maqsood in the mix. Regardless of my admiration for Younis, I believe his exclusion from the ODI team won't matter too much to the team's chances. It's really a hit or miss thing.

 

[umer rashid]

Younis could still be a part of the side batting at 4 or 5 but I am certain that instead they'd accommodate Asad Shafique and Fawad Alam or Sohaib Maqsood in the mix.

Younis has good performance at 3rd place. Either include him or not. 4 or 5th is not his batting order.

 

[TheRaja]

Hafeez doesnt deserve to bat at the top. Younis has played at no 3 position, he can play a big role to stabilize Pakistan batting in ODIs.

 

[gameon]

I still believe Misbah is not good choice for 2015 wordcup, He performed well in test series, but naturally he is not aggressive captain. We even can't chase 200 runs due to this defensive mindset. On other side, Younus khan is perfect choice, as we saw his successful captaincy in t20 worldcup.

After his performance in test series, Misbah has showed that he can put his foot on the accelerator if required. And his captaincy was never a big issue unless he gets too defensive. As he has been the captain of the ship for the last four years, there aren't enough reasons left to replace him. We have to put faith in his ability.


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[Benighted]

Misbah is an extremely limited batsman. It is no secret that he can hit the big ones, but other abilities are more important at the position he plays in the ODIs. And neither can it be expected that he will replicate performances such as this in ODIs, because it took a 400+ lead to get him out of his defensive shell. You won't find that situation in ODIs and he will never dare to go power-hitting there.

There is plenty of more tuk tuk to come.

 

[umer rashid]

After his performance in test series, Misbah has showed that he can put his foot on the accelerator if required. And his captaincy was never a big issue unless he gets too defensive. As he has been the captain of the ship for the last four years, there aren't enough reasons left to replace him. We have to put faith in his ability.


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We have not much question about Misbah batting, but he have not ability for singles and doubles, When no boundary, then the game stucks & becomes defensive, this is the area where younis khan has advantage, his delicious sweep shots, singles, doubles which is vital in pressure situation. Just take the example of this test match when there was need to force Australia as batting, so that we win with margin & inning, Misbah preferred Pakistani batting, And he took defensive route. Remember,I am not talking about his boom boom batting. I', talking about defensive captaincy.

 

[Hassan Aftab]

Misbah has always had the ability to put his foot on the accelerator and there are those rare moments in Tests when he does that. However, he does not ever seem to carry that approach in limited overs format. Safety first has always been and seemingly will be Misbah's priority. Trouble is, when he comes out to bat at 5 or 6, the team neither benefits much in terms of runs nor does it get a move on with his rather hesitant approach to running between wickets. As a result, the team somewhat comes to a standstill whereby the likes of Afridi and what's left of the low order and the tail hardly gets five overs to add more to the total. Simplest solution is for him to take more responsibility and promote himself to no. 3 spot. That might well solve a lot of issues.

I understand the temptation to play Younis given that this would be pretty much his last world cup and he's coming fresh off a test series where he has performed, tremendously well. However, it would be important to assess his form in the ODIs that are to follow. If he does well on no. 4 or 5, he could very well take either of those spots and replace Fawad or Sohaib in the team. He is a better person to play at 5 than Misbah simply because he won't contribute to stoppage in the run-flow with his ability to rotate strike and run quickly between wickets. SO I think he is a better choice in those spots where he can assist other batsmen and possibly play with the tail if he lasts that long.

 

[umer rashid]

What is future of shahid afridi? Will he participate in 2015 world cup? I think he is very handy. If bad day on bowling, then he is good fielder, and he can PACE inning on his day.

 

[Hassan Aftab]

What is future of shahid afridi? Will he participate in 2015 world cup? I think he is very handy. If bad day on bowling, then he is good fielder, and he can PACE inning on his day.

I have absolutely no doubt that he will play the 2015 world cup. He has the ability to bat down the order on pitches like those. I am not so sure of his ground fielding anymore; he comes across as a lazy fielder of late. I don't think there would be much assistance for spin as much as there will be for pace so it will be important for Shahid, Ajmal and possibly Hafeez to bowl a strict line and length.

 

[Pleasant]

I have absolutely no doubt that he will play the 2015 world cup. He has the ability to bat down the order on pitches like those. I am not so sure of his ground fielding anymore; he comes across as a lazy fielder of late. I don't think there would be much assistance for spin as much as there will be for pace so it will be important for Shahid, Ajmal and possibly Hafeez to bowl a strict line and length.

what i think Fast wickets helps shahid afridi in bowling as his bowl skids more than spin so bowling those quick deliveries what he does is gonna support him

 

[umer rashid]

Ajmal and possibly Hafeez to bowl a strict line and length.

Ajmal is banned, while hafeez has issues of throwing the ball, Hafeez future is at stake, ajmal is finished in cricket by ICC.

 

[Hassan Aftab]

Ajmal is banned, while hafeez has issues of throwing the ball, Both future is at stake

The whole point of having Saqlain assist Ajmal with his bowling action is to bring him back just in time for the World Cup so I am certain he will make a comeback. Hafeez has no issues; he did get to bowl in the Test series and no eye brows were raised. Regulators seemed to go crazy over the actions of off spinners during the Champions League for some reason.

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what i think Fast wickets helps shahid afridi in bowling as his bowl skids more than spin so bowling those quick deliveries what he does is gonna support him

That's a fair comment; if he bowls within his limitations and exploits the conditions well he could actually make it work to his own advantage.

 

[Ottoman]

Pakistan's squad for the first NZ Test

Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Shan Masood, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar

We're going in with an unchanged squad. I'm fine with it as long as Hafeez is dropped from the playing XI in favour of a proper opener.

 

[umer rashid]

We should introduce new blood in test series., need more new faces.

 

[Hassan Aftab]

Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Shan Masood, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar

We're going in with an unchanged squad. I'm fine with it as long as Hafeez is dropped from the playing XI in favour of a proper opener.

I hope they replace Hafeez with either Shan Masood or Taufeeq Umar. The rest of the squad could pretty much remain the same unless they are tempted to replace Rahat Ali with Mohammad Talha.

 

[Ottoman]

I hope they replace Hafeez with either Shan Masood or Taufeeq Umar. The rest of the squad could pretty much remain the same unless they are tempted to replace Rahat Ali with Mohammad Talha.

The alternatives aren't very encouraging. Both Taufeeq and Shan have had a lean run over the past few months with a string of single figure scores.

I would promote Azhar Ali as opener (which is his natural position in FC) and slot in Haris Sohail as our new #3 .

 

[Hassan Aftab]

The alternatives aren't very encouraging. Both Taufeeq and Shan have had a lean run over the past few months with a string of single figure scores.

I would promote Azhar Ali as opener (which is his natural position in FC) and slot in Haris Sohail as our new #3 .

I personally feel it isn't fair to write off Shan Masood just yet considering the fact that he has only played a couple of test matches to date. They should allow him a longer run and decide if he actually deserves the opening spot or simply do away with him for good and try fresh talent instead as you suggest. However, shifting established player slots fresh off a victory might not be a good idea in my opinion.

 

[TheRaja]

Exclusion of Hafeez is a very good decision. I would like to see younis at no 3 in Tests and ODIs. Haris sohail should be given a chance.