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

[smash84]

Shafiq batting at six is an absolute cert.

Fawad is the most obvious choice to replace Misbah once he retires so makes sense he is in the squad.

yeah, totally forgot about shafiq

 

[Pothas]

Ansari might be able to do a Compton in India style job but I don't really think that is what we are looking for, glad he is going but I think he is competing with Rashid for the second spinner spot. Bell should open but there is no indication that this will happen, really I think it will be Ali and as much as I don't like the idea I might just prefer it over Hales.

 

[hendrix]

Stokes has quite clearly proven he's international class, and is in a category ahead of Ali - who himself I think is not far off proving it either.

 

[marc71178]

In what aspect has Stokes proven himself international class? Catching?

 

[GIMH]

In what aspect has Stokes proven himself international class? Catching?

Depends what you class as proven. He's certainly prove he can play a top class innings and bowl a top class spell but obviously his consistency isn't there yet.

 

[Furball]

He's definitely proven that he is international quality with bat and ball. I'd define international class as someone who does it consistently enough, which Stokes has definitely falled short in.

 

[mr_mister]

misbah and younus probably wont play beyond 2016 right? so that opens the door to fawad alam and who? umar akmal? shoaib malik? nasir jamshed?

 

[Niall]

misbah and younus probably wont play beyond 2016 right? so that opens the door to fawad alam and who? umar akmal? shoaib malik? nasir jamshed?

Harris Sohai and Babar Azam have been around the squad recently so they are next in line after Fawad. I'd expect Rizwan will come under consideration as well, who else? Umar Amin was captain of the recent a team and toured England in 2010. Sami Aslam made his debut as opener against Bangladesh, although with Shezhad, Shan and Hafeez ahead of him we may not see him again. Manzoor also competing for back up opener spot.

Umar could have been an absolute beast in test cricket if not such an arse, that century in NZ was lovely. Sadly he is a million miles away now.

Malik would be a dour choice, but pretty sure he has a good record in four day cricket over the years, probably would do a job in the sc at least.

 

[Marius]

What's Zafar Ansari's background?

I see he was born in Berkshire but he has a very exotic name for an Englishman. What is his ancestry? Pakistani?

 

[morgieb]

What's Zafar Ansari's background?

I see he was born in Berkshire but he has a very exotic name for an Englishman. What is his ancestry? Pakistani?

His dad is Pakistani, yeah. Think his mum is white though.

 

[Prince EWS]

Bit of background:

 

[Daemon]

I hope some day there is so much migration and inter racial boning that such questions are never brought up or cared about

 

[marc71178]

Depends what you class as proven. He's certainly prove he can play a top class innings and bowl a top class spell but obviously his consistency isn't there yet.

That's my problem. It appears he's likely to play as number 6 and 4th seamer here but I expect at best 1 ton or a couple of 50s in the 3 games averaging low to mid 30s and barely any bowling.

To me he's still too much of a bits and pieces player and needs to either command selection as a frontline batsman or as a 3rd seamer. In this series I'd be tempted to pick Rashid (who's now the best legspinner ever such is the way his bowling seems to be hyped every time he isn't selected) in place of Finn/Wood and bat him 9, which just about allows for Stokes to bat 6 in my mind.

I certainly don't like Stokes at 6 if it's Buttler then Rashid at 7, 8 (with Moeen presumably opening).

From the squad selected I think I'd go:

Cook
Hales
Bell
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Buttler
Ali
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

I certainly don't think the idea of 4 seamers plus 2 spinners is a goer.

 

[marc71178]

I hope some day there is so much migration and inter racial boning that such questions are never brought up or cared about

Most people don't care but when it's talking about the English cricket team, people still love to make digs.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I hope some day there is so much migration and inter racial boning that such questions are never brought up or cared about

we all know what future people will be tbh

 

[JRC67]

I certainly don't like Stokes at 6 if it's Buttler then Rashid at 7, 8 (with Moeen presumably opening).

From the squad selected I think I'd go:

Cook
Hales
Bell
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Buttler
Ali
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

I think that would be the probable team in the selectors mind ... with question marks over Buttler, Hales, Taylor, Bairstow. Need 2 spinners as there won't be any seam friendly pitches and I can't imagine a third seamer getting through a lot of work, unless it reverse swings for a dozen overs or so with the old ball.

 

[Daemon]

I hope some day there is so much migration and inter racial boning that such questions are never brought up or cared about

Not sure why PEWS liked this post given the headaches he faces with provinces and Skippos

 

[Viscount Tom]

Skippos greatest captain.
--
There is an element of England only ever picking on runs scored when we've had our greatest success when we picked players who looked like they had the makings of a test cricketer rather than ooo they've done all right in CC,

 

[mr_mister]

What about Hick and Ramprakash lol? They both looked like they had the makings right?

 

[wpdavid]

That's my problem. It appears he's (Stokes) likely to play as number 6 and 4th seamer here but I expect at best 1 ton or a couple of 50s in the 3 games averaging low to mid 30s and barely any bowling.

To me he's still too much of a bits and pieces player and needs to either command selection as a frontline batsman or as a 3rd seamer. In this series I'd be tempted to pick Rashid (who's now the best legspinner ever such is the way his bowling seems to be hyped every time he isn't selected) in place of Finn/Wood and bat him 9, which just about allows for Stokes to bat 6 in my mind.

I certainly don't like Stokes at 6 if it's Buttler then Rashid at 7, 8 (with Moeen presumably opening).

I think it's fair to say that Stokes is there as much on potential as performance at this stage.
I'm happy enough with him in the side as a fourth seamer who will occasionally bowl a golden spell at this stage. And I can live with him at six with a bit of insurance at7,8 and 9.
tbh the performance of most of our batsmen nowadays doesn't convince me there are better alternatives in the wings. Apart from Root, most newcomers have struggled.
And I do suspect he's mentally knackered after the Ashes, as was Buttler.
I've said before he reminds me of Flintoff a year or so before he became consistently good at test match level.