**Official** Pakistan and England in the UAE 2015/16

[broadyfan94]

Mon Oct 5 - Tue Oct 6 10:00 local (06:00 GMT | 07:00 BST)
Pakistan A v England XI
Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Thu Oct 8 - Fri Oct 9 10:00 local (06:00 GMT | 07:00 BST)
Pakistan A v England XI
Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Tue Oct 13 - Sat Oct 17 10:00 local (06:00 GMT | 07:00 BST)
1st Test - England v Pakistan
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Thu Oct 22 - Mon Oct 26 10:00 local (06:00 GMT | 07:00 BST)
2nd Test - England v Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Sun Nov 1 - Thu Nov 5 10:00 local (06:00 GMT)
3rd Test - England v Pakistan
Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Sun Nov 8 (50 ovs)
TBC v England XI
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Wed Nov 11 (50 ovs) 15:00 local (11:00 GMT)
1st ODI - England v Pakistan
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Fri Nov 13 (50 ovs) 15:00 local (11:00 GMT)
2nd ODI - England v Pakistan
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tue Nov 17 (50 ovs) 15:00 local (11:00 GMT)
3rd ODI - England v Pakistan
Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Fri Nov 20 (50 ovs) 15:00 local (11:00 GMT)
4th ODI - England v Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Mon Nov 23 (20 ovs)
United Arab Emirates v England XI
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Nov 26 (20 ovs) 20:00 local (16:00 GMT)
1st T20I - England v Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Fri Nov 27 (20 ovs) 20:00 local (16:00 GMT)
2nd T20I - England v Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Mon Nov 30 (20 ovs) 20:00 local (16:00 GMT)
3rd T20I - England v Pakistan
Sharjah Cricket Stadium


= = = = = = = = = =

I know its a little bit early but now the ashes have been returned home what are the steps for the future. We've got a big winter ahead with 7 tests against two teams which will be stiffer competition than the aussies. This is who I would bring along to Pakistan.

Cook
Robson
Hales
Bell
J Taylor
Root
Stokes
Bairstow
Buttler
Ali
Rashid
Anderson
Finn
Broad
Wood
Rushworth



First XI

Cook
Hales
Bell
Root
Ali
Stokes
Rashid
Broad
Buttler
Anderson
Finn

For me the Opening slot is a tricky one , we've tried so many here, since strauss retired and none have been successful. We've just got to do what Australia did for a while , when they could not find a spinner and keep on trying different players hopefully Hales is a success.

Bell will have Taylor and Bairstow breathing down his neck with Root likely to replace him at 3 should he fail.

I don't think Ali's contributions with the ball are good enough to suggest he should be our frontline spinner that being said his batting has been marvellous and deserves a spot in the top 6. For me you either bat Ali in the top 6 or drop him.

Buttler keeping has been marvellous this summer but should his form continue with the bat Cook may decide he wants a keeper who can bat.

I think this is the perfect series to bed in Rashid, hopefully he has a brilliant one day series against Australia. Looked brilliant against new Zealand, lets give him these three tests and see what he's got.

So what are your thoughts. I like how we've got batting down to 9 as well as 6 strong options in Bowling in Anderson, Finn, Broad, Stokes, Rashid and Ali.

This Would actually be the team I would like to see us defend the ashes with, with bell being replaced by Taylor if his form does not pick up and possibly woods coming in should Anderson retire before this point.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I think there are 4 players in your squad who won't be picked for a start. Robson has failed in tests and done nothing to warrant a return to the side this season averaging in the mid 30's. Hales is not a test player and I can't see Taylor or Rushworth getting selected either.

I have a feeling Ballance will return to the squad if he scores a few runs for Yorkshire between now and the end of the season as he showed last summer he can build an innings and on pitches like that his technical fault won't be exposed so readily. The opening slot is up for grabs but we can't go back to Robson given his lack of runs this year. Think Woakes may get in as back up to Stokes as all rounder so we will continue to bat deep.

 

[91Jmay]

Buttler hasn't been marvellous behind the stumps, if we are picking a keeper to bat that low it won't be Buttler.

Cook
Lyth/Hales
Bell/Taylor
Root
Bairstow
Stokes/Woakes
Buttler
Ali/Rashid
Broad
Wood/Footitt
Anderson/Finn

That is who I'd take unless Lyth fails again at Oval then I might boot him and take a flier on Borthwick/Ansari for a spin bowling top order player.

 

[Black_Warrior]

You have to play two spinners. Based on the last series, Swanne and Panesar were quite a handful and contrary to popular belief, Pakistan are not as great at playing spin as India and Sri Lanka.

Having said that, I am not sure if either Rashid or Ali have the experience and skill of Swann and Panesar to trouble Pakistan. They milked Lyon for a lot of runs and Lyon is a better spinner than Ali.

The opener is still a tricky position. I am not sure if Compton is still in the reckoning but the guy scored 2 test hundreds which is more than anyone else they have tried have achieved. I am not sure how he has been doing in FC but if he has had a decent season, I think he should be given a go.

 

[Dan]

1. Cook
2. Ansari
3. Bell
4. Root
5. Bairstow
6. Stokes
7. Buttler
8. Moeen
9. Broad
10. Finn/Wood
11. Anderson

12. Taylor
13. Rashid
14. Wood/Finn
15. Woakes

16. Davies/Hildreth

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And pick Ansari!

 

[Niall]

Mooen opening is so obvious for the UAE, hopefully they don't waste him at 8.

 

[91Jmay]

Ali
Cook
Bell
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Rashid
Broad
Finn
Anderson

Yeah I could go for that, in UAE Moeen should do well as an opener with potential to really set the tone. Gives us two spin options and 4 seam options as well.

 

[Dan]

Moeen opening? Please God no.

What a way to ruin your specialist spinner than to confuse him about his role, yet again.

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

Ali, Bairstow and Stokes in the top 6 with Bell struggling and Rashid at 8.

If Yasir and Pakistan's top non spotfixing seamers are fit, you will lose.

This current Pakistan test team is building nicely. Beat Australia, drew with NZ, beat Sri Lanka.

 

[Niall]

Moeen opening? Please God no.

What a way to ruin your specialist spinner than to confuse him about his role, yet again.

He will be grand.

He is good against spin and not a total wildcard which what Lyth or Hales would be and to be fair has experience opening.

Hafeez had had to shoulder plenty of the Pakistan bowling over the years and has done just fine.

 

[harsh.ag]

He will be grand.

He is good against spin and not a total wildcard which what Lyth or Hales would be and to be fair has experience opening.

Hafeez had had to shoulder plenty of the Pakistan bowling over the years and has done just fine.

What good is that in an opening role?

 

[91Jmay]

What good is that in an opening role?

His main weakness is the short ball at pace, so in the UAE he suits it fine. He can be a bit loose outside off stump but so can Lyth/Hales or any other bloke we'd pick.

If Rashid plays, he'd play as the frontline spinner.

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

A sad thing about the Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif is with Yasir and the current Pakistan batting line up, they could have well been the best test side in the world right now.

 

[Niall]

Ali, Bairstow and Stokes in the top 6 with Bell struggling and Rashid at 8.

If Yasir and Pakistan's top non spotfixing seamers are fit, you will lose.

This current Pakistan test team is building nicely. Beat Australia, drew with NZ, beat Sri Lanka.

Its a 50/50 series for me.

New Zealand proved Babar is far from unplayable, while Rahat Ali is a guy I wouldn't trust not to get injured again.

Masood gunned it against Lanka, but I still remember him looking an absolute mess against New Zealand.

Hafeez's bowling will be hugely missed as well.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

A sad thing about the Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif is with Yasir and the current Pakistan batting line up, they could have well been the best test side in the world right now.

Not our fault they were corrupt is it.

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

Its a 50/50 series for me.

New Zealand proved Babar is far from unplayable, while Rahat Ali is a guy I wouldn't trust not to get injured again.

Masood gunned it against Lanka, but I still remember him looking an absolute mess against New Zealand.

Hafeez's bowling will be hugely missed as well.

I agree about Hafeez. He may not play if not cleared to bowl. But that Pakistan batting line up and Yasir gives them the edge for me.

I don't know which seamers they will select, that is why it could be 50/50 if a strong England team is selected. It may be that Stokes, or the "Wood/Finn" bowler is replaced by Rashid. But I would be surprised if Rashid causes Pakistan more trouble than Yasir causes England.

 

[TheJammyTurtle]

I think youve got to have Moeen in the top 6 in the UAE if your gonna play two spinners.Hes not a frontline spinner but I'd have him as a second spinner and he gives you so much balance in that side as hes more than capable of batting top 6 and allows you to keep your three frontline seamers plus Stokes,maybe even a third spinner and only 2 seamers if needed.I'd probably say Bairstow is most at risk of getting dropped if that was to happen.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Well Bairstow or Buttler would have to go you would imagine. Keep one in as keeper and replace other with Rashid. Think that may well be how we go out there.

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

I think youve got to have Moeen in the top 6 in the UAE if your gonna play two spinners.Hes not a frontline spinner but I'd have him as a second spinner and he gives you so much balance in that side as hes more than capable of batting top 6 and allows you to keep your three frontline seamers plus Stokes,maybe even a third spinner if needed.I'd probably say Bairstow is ms=ost at risked of getting ropped if that was to happen.

Then Pakistan are favourites to win. Stokes or Finn/Wood needs to be replaced by Rashid if two spinners are to be played. 4 seamers and 2 spinners is excessive. For all the joy of the Ashes victory, only Root is performing great with the bat in the top 7 for England. Cook has been useful this winter as well.

Bairstow could replace Butler as the keeper, but who bats for England? Lyth? Will Bell make runs in the UAE?

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah Pakistan are rightfully favourites, our batting line up and spin to many questions.