Okay, so there's a few Pak fans on here so thought I'd create this article, however your all welcome to comment
With the recalls of Umar Akmal & Wahab Riaz, what team would you play vs England in the first test. Personally I feel, Umar Akmal should walk into the team, we need something different, he has shown form in domestic cricket and in the last couple of ODI series. So, the batting order should look normal, with the exception of Asad Shafiq, who is replaced by Umar Akmal, in my view
1) Taufeeq
2) Hafeez
3) Azhar
4) Younis
5) Misbah
6) Akmal
7) Akmal (wk)
Now, the bowling will be difficult for Misbah & the coach. 3 seamers & 1 spinner + hafeez? OR 2 seamers + 2 spinners + hafeez? And which seamers?
Despite Cheema bowling so well recently, he's just one of those players that would still find it hard to get into the team in my view - don't ask me why. Umar Gul is a definite, and despite Junaid bowling well vs the lankans, he's recently recovered from an injury. I'd play Wahab. With Rehman & Ajmal.
Or... this is definately a long shot... Play Umar Akmal as the wicketkeeper & play 3 seamers & 2 spinners + hafeez. We will need all the recourses available, England ARE the best team in the world and they will be hard to bowl out, even in the sub-continent.
Discuss
Pakistan team for first test vs England?
posted on 14/1/12
hi fellow fan, it looks like you made an error. Thankfully we have got rid of Akmal the keeper, please do not remind us of his name now. lol
Besides agreed Umar Akmal should make it to the playing eleven, and I do hope he utilizes his capability to the fullest in this tour, he is a very very talented player!
Others are all automatic selections, with the exception of Junaid and Wahab. They will both contend for the place for the new ball partner for Umar Gul, but I have a feeling that incase Junaid is fit, he will be preferred over Wahab.
posted on 14/1/12
infact I just realize, you are talking about the youngest Akmal, thats fine
posted on 14/1/12
Batting I agree with but Hafeez has a tendency to not do it against the better bowlers so this is a big chance for him. Umar Akmal has to come in and ideally if he could split Khan and Misbah that would be ideal.
Bowling wise we need 2 front line spinners so both Ajmal and Rehman come in with special mention to Yasir Shah. Gul has one seam bowling spot and if fit Junaid to get the other. Cheema is a ok bowler but England will find him easy to play compared to Junaid and Wahab.
posted on 15/1/12
I say bring bak afridi and call up Ian Blackwell. He may not be from Pakistan but just offer him a passport. England have nicked foreigners like that Irish fella and pieterson in the past so why can't pakistan. Bring in Ian
posted on 15/1/12
The question surely is where do you see Pakistan's difficulties?
Can they take 20 wickets with 4 frontline bowlers? Will the pitch offer any assistance to the seamers?
If you play Umar Akmal as keeper, he has a ready made excuse should he fail with bat or gloves.
Rehman has to play as he is a leftie and KP will be worrying himself already.
I'd take the risk of playing Umar Akmal as keeper, but keep Shafiq in the team. He isn't good enough but I think you need the extra batsman rather than bowler as Hafeez can bowl well enough and Younus can turn his arm over if needed.
It should depend on the pitch.
posted on 15/1/12
1) Taufeeq
2) Hafeez
3) Azhar
4) Younis
5) Misbah
6) Akmal
7) Akmal (wk)
8) Rehman
9) Gul
10) Junaid/wahab
11) Ajmal
No chance will umar akmal keep in test, he's been brought back after a period out and needs to prove himself with the bat, let alone given extra keeping responsibilities.
If Junaid is fully fit, he'll be picked due to his good performances vs the lankas, but wahab isnt that far behind him in my opinion, so would be happy with either.
posted on 15/1/12
that line up is probably the best afridi but i am far from convinced about ali - too slow and goes into his shell far too readily. end result he score maybe 1 or 2 off his last 30 balls and then gets out.
posted on 15/1/12
Agree, he is very slow and seems clueless against spin..... he's had enough games now and been around the scene long enough to step it up now. Big big series for him.
My concerns are paks top 3 vs quality bowling. If we lose 3 quick wickets, it could be curtains!!