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

[smash84]

Junaid is in the test squad, I am hoping he will come good.. Riaz, while these are not the most conducive conditions for him, is still a force, his spells in Sri Lanka helped Yasir get wickets from the other end.

England's batting on the other hand other than Root is quite a big question mark. They won the Ashes on the top of their excellent seam bowling and Root...England's batting will give competition to Pakistan's on being the weakest batting line up in the world today.

I expect low scoring games but let's see.

In suitable conditions with Misbah, Younis, (and shafiq perhaps) our middle order is ok.

As weldone mentions definitely better than zi, wi, ban, and sl.

 

[hendrix]

You're forgetting sarfraz

 

[theegyptian]

Can't say I'm particularly enthused by this series especially since the Ansari injury/ Patel callup.

Ali opening would be the third choice of my options(Behind Bell and Hales). Needs to be concentrating on his bowling. If he was second spinner, yes, I could see him opening but he's gonna be the first spinner and most likely bowling lots of overs and his impact as a spinner is likely going to be key on the series.

 

[wpdavid]

Can't say I'm particularly enthused by this series especially since the Ansari injury/ Patel callup.

Ali opening would be the third choice of my options(Behind Bell and Hales). Needs to be concentrating on his bowling. If he was second spinner, yes, I could see him opening but he's gonna be the first spinner and most likely bowling lots of overs and his impact as a spinner is likely going to be key on the series.

Who'd bat at 3 if Bell opens? Taylor, I suppose.

I'm not as concerned by Ansari not being there, as hopefully the 3rd spinner won't play anyway. And even as a Surrey man, I don't think he's all that just yet.

 

[theegyptian]

Who'd bat at 3 if Bell opens? Taylor, I suppose.

I'm not as concerned by Ansari not being there, as hopefully the 3rd spinner won't play anyway. And even as a Surrey man, I don't think he's all that just yet.

Root or Taylor. I'd be looking to play Taylor. After Cook and Root I'd see him as the most likely to make a defining contribution with the bat.

Yes don't get me wrong Ansari is no great. But seeing Samit close to international selection again in test cricket is a massive buzz kill.

 

[smash84]

You're forgetting sarfraz

yeah him too, but even putting him in our batting overall still isn't better than aus, eng, saf, or nz

 

[WalkingWicket]

This series, along with the SA one, will really define Root as a player. Whilst he does have talent, we haven't seen him seriously perform outside the UK (one century on a flat-as West Indies pitch), and he could well just be a flat-track bully. Centuries in the UAE or South Africa against quality bowling attacks (well, Shah) would definitely change my opinion.

 

[FBU]

Ya, and Broad is younger and has more pace. Anderson is not getting any younger. Pace is going to be important in the UAE.

Look at the stats of the fast men..
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Black_Warrior]

This series, along with the SA one, will really define Root as a player. Whilst he does have talent, we haven't seen him seriously perform outside the UK (one century on a flat-as West Indies pitch), and he could well just be a flat-track bully. Centuries in the UAE or South Africa against quality bowling attacks (well, Shah) would definitely change my opinion.

While I agree with you that the UAE series followed by the South Africa series would be a huge test, perhaps the greatest test in Root's career so far, and also a huge test for the England team, I am not sure about dismissing his performances in England just because they were at home. I have seen him score the tough runs in difficult conditions, just because they were at home does not make them less valuable.

Having said that, yes it will be a test for him to handle Yasir in these conditions, and then Steyn in South Africa...I think he has the ability to come good..but let's see

Both are better than Zimbabwe, West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

well let's leave out Zim and BD for the time being, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Pakistan and England are of a similar standard I would say..in terms of their test batting now.

 

[Black_Warrior]

So guys, what would be your Pakistan XI? I guess the main question is who would be opening?

There are 2 spots available for 3 players - Shehzad, Hafeez who has a 226 this year, and Masood who has a match winning hundred in one of Pakistan's greatest test victories.

Shehzad, the guy who hasn't done jack**** is not getting dropped, so its Hafeez vs Masood for 1 spot.

Openers
Azhar
Younis
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Wahab
Babar
Yasir
Junaid

 

[Niall]

So guys, what would be your Pakistan XI? I guess the main question is who would be opening?

There are 2 spots available for 3 players - Shehzad, Hafeez who has a 226 this year, and Masood who has a match winning hundred in one of Pakistan's greatest test victories.

Shehzad, the guy who hasn't done jack**** is not getting dropped, so its Hafeez vs Masood for 1 spot.

Openers
Azhar
Younis
Misbah
Shafiq
Sarfraz
Wahab
Babar
Yasir
Junaid

If Junaid starts the first test ahead of Rahat or Imran Khan, heads need to roll, both have been pretty good recently while Junaid has been living in trundlers paradise.

Don't think he will thankfully.

Babar is a tricky one, no other obvious spin option that isn't a mental punt and with Hafeez banned you rely need to be playing another spinner bar Yasir against England. I just fear is past it, he won't be destroyed, but he won't come anywhere near matching Rehman back in 2012.

The openers is a tricky one, all three you can make strong arguments for and even against, I'd probably go for Shezhad/ Hafeez as both have not let Pakistan down in the UAE.

Shan? I know his last innings was awesome, but I recall him against NZ, and he was dire especially against spin, I fear for him against Rashid and Ali.

 

[Black_Warrior]

If Junaid starts the first test ahead of Rahat or Imran Khan, heads need to roll, both have been pretty good recently while Junaid has been living in trundlers paradise.

Don't think he will thankfully.

That was my team..in all likelihood selectors will go for Rahat or Imran or might even go for both and senselessly drop Riaz.

The openers is a tricky one, all three you can make strong arguments for and even against, I'd probably go for Shezhad/ Hafeez as both have not let Pakistan down in the UAE.

Shan? I know his last innings was awesome, but I recall him against NZ, and he was dire especially against spin, I fear for him against Rashid and Ali.

The argument for Shehzad?

 

[Niall]

That was my team..in all likelihood selectors will go for Rahat or Imran or might even go for both and senselessly drop Riaz.




The argument for Shehzad?

He has the numbers on his side. I think even in these conditions he will struggle against Anderson though.

Dreading watching him in England trying to see of the new ball.

 

[smash84]

yeah I definitely want to see Imran ahead of junaid.

Shan Masood needs to be given a long run. I believe the guy is a hard worker and makes the most of his talent. Just the kind of batters we need at the top of the order.

 

[GIMH]

This series, along with the SA one, will really define Root as a player. Whilst he does have talent, we haven't seen him seriously perform outside the UK (one century on a flat-as West Indies pitch), and he could well just be a flat-track bully. Centuries in the UAE or South Africa against quality bowling attacks (well, Shah) would definitely change my opinion.

Flat track bullies tend to ton up on day one on an overcast day in swing friendly conditions when the oppo have already been rolled for 60, sure

 

[Black_Warrior]

I really wish (not that it will ever happen) that Pakistan would just do away with both Shehzad and Hafeez in the test squad and open with Azhar, this allows you to play Fawad in the middle order.


Azhar
Masood
YK
Misbah
Fawad
Shafiq
Sarfraz

That looks a much stronger line up than the one involving Shehzad and Hafeez at the top.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Shehzad's a crap batsman in all forms of the game.

 

[Dan]

Flat track bullies tend to ton up on day one on an overcast day in swing friendly conditions when the oppo have already been rolled for 60, sure

Haha yeah, certainly still a few critiques of Root available, but 'flat track bully' certainly isn't one of 'em.

 

[smash84]

Misbah, please stay

England series looms as Misbah's swansong | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[the big bambino]

Odds are good that Aamir will eventually be back in the Pakistan side though I was wondering if any Pakistani posters can tell me news on the likelihood of Md Asif ever playing international cricket again?