The ODI series vs England is almost over. Whether the series finishes 4-1 or 5-0, it's been a chastening experience with Pakistan playing an outdated mode of ODI cricket. Some underperforming players must go and the selectors need to decide which younger players need a decent run in the team to see if they have got what it takes.
Sadly, I don't think Azhar should be dropped right away as there aren't the alternatives available. He bats too slowly and his captaincy has been called into question too often.
The ones to go forwards with:
Sharjeel - He's shown that he has the ability to be a biffer at the top
Azhar - can't change too many players and he has scored a couple of 80s, albeit too slowly for the modern age
Babar Azam - Not even 22yo and he's already scored 5 ODI 50s in 14 innings.
Sarfraz Ahmed - Glad to see him move up the order, simply because he's wasted batting with the tail.
Mohammed Rizwan - Good SR, young enough to keep getting better
Mohammad Nawaz - 22yo, good SR for his 4 ODI innings. Worth giving time.
Imad Wasim - Has put in some decent performances recently. Scored runs, taken wickets, been economical. Just has to be more consistent.
Hasan Ali - Not played much and still only 22. Give him some time to see if he improves enough.
Mohammad Amir - He's been a mixed bag with some good performances and some poorer stuff. Showed he can bat. He's the main bowler and needs to step up more.
Pakistan were well known and respected for their bowling, but that currently looks shaky especially since the loss of Ajmal. Hafeez could stay if he was bowling, and bowling as well as he was before being banned for chucking.
These two, at anywhere near the top of their game, would make a huge difference. Pakistan could go in with three or even four spinners, a couple of decent all rounders and a strike bowler or two.
Pakistan need to give most of the above players enough time to shine. If they've got enough talent, they'll make it.
Which pakistan ODI players should remain?
posted on 4/9/16
Even though Malik posted a decent score today, I'd still let him go.
posted on 4/9/16
Barbar, Sarfraz, Rizwan, Imad Wasim and Amir should stay.
Nawaz should be given some time. Sharjeel idk, seems to have 1 shot in his locker which is flicking everything down leg side.
Gul and Wahab should be nowhere near the one day squad. Hafeez should only play if he can bowl.
Shame players like Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood haven't lived up to the hype.
posted on 4/9/16
Sharjeel is great when it clicks. England did work him out by bowling full outside off stump. He has to go away and work on how to drive a ball that's pitched up. He's 27 and should have learnt, or been taught, that already. I'm not a fan of Azhar these days but, until someone else comes along, his decent series will keep him in the team.
posted on 5/9/16
The thing is I only remember him clicking once and that was against a very poor Ireland team. One of the reasons i would keep Sharjeel is because we lack big hitters in this side. Don't have any players that can clear the boundary.
I wouldn't mind keeping Azhar but he really needs to speed things up like he did in his recent games.
posted on 5/9/16
Sharjeel only averaged 20.00 in his five innings which is poor. But he has power and can score very quickly. I don't know how he has come this far without being able to drive the ball. Imagine if he could pull anything short for 4 or 6 and drive pitched up deliveries for 4.