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*Official* Pakistan v South Africa in UAE
- Thread starter Paul S
- Start date
Black_Warrior
Cricketer Of The Year
What would be your best Pakistan ODI XI currently?
Last edited:
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
The biggest question for me is what to with Hafeez. Even just looking him as a bowler alone he's been fantastic with the ball for a long period in ODIs now, and he's played some really good innings against weaker attacks too. I don't think you can justify leaving him out but at the same time I don't think he should be batting in the top three on a regular basis given how vulnerable he is against good bowling; I'd probably look at moving him down to six or seven and let him know he's in the side more as the second spinner than as a batsman. I'd bring Azhar Ali into the top order.
I think the other big question is the wicket keeper. If Umar Akmal wants to back himself as a proper keeping option then he should start keeping at domestic level in both formats as well; I'd have no real issue with picking him as ODI keeper if he took it seriously. I can't help but feel it's just a bit contrived at the moment though. He's obviously not a very good wicket keeper at the moment but he goes surprisingly well for someone who has done is so sparingly since he graduated to professional cricket; if he worked at it properly I'd be more than willing to give him the gloves in all formats actually. If he'd rather back himself to make it as a batsman though then that's up to him (and it'd probably be an encouraging sign actually) and I'd bring in Sarfraz,
Aside from that I'd back some batsmen who could support a good attack, without worrying too much if they could subsidise bowling attacks when they didn't perform. Pakistan have an excellent attack in ODI cricket, particularly at home, so they can be more conservative in their batting selections knowing their bowlers can defend par scores. Under this logic I'd bring in Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam to guard against collapses and ensure solid foundations.
Something like:
1. Jameshed
2. Shehzad
3. Azhar
4. Fawad
5. Misbah
6. Akmal
7. Hafeez
8. Afridi/Wahab based on pitch conditions
9. Ajmal
10. Junaid
11. Irfan
It's an aggressive opening combination but some real - as New Zealand fans would put it - "cake" players rather than icing players in the upper middle order to ensure there's no collapse when chasing or that and a decent, dependable score given your attack can be reached when batting first
Another I'd consider, and I know this will be unpopular, is Shoaib Malik. He hasn't contributed anything in a while but he had a fantastic record batting at 3 in ODIs for a long period; he really knows how to build an innings in the format and his domestic output was excellent last season. He's my backup for a top order spot if Jamshed or Shehzad, who are definitely project players, didn't work out. I'd be quite happy to push Azhar up to open if need be.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
No-one is going to back me on Malik. 
He wouldn't be in my first choice side anyway; he's not in my eleven.
I just think Pakistan can really afford to be conservative in their batting and pick players to contribute to consistent mid-range totals given their bowling, particularly at "home".
He wouldn't be in my first choice side anyway; he's not in my eleven.I just think Pakistan can really afford to be conservative in their batting and pick players to contribute to consistent mid-range totals given their bowling, particularly at "home".
Mostly to the PCB's seemingly lack of commitment to the team. Even as an outsider, the most fun part about watching Pakistan in action was to see a bunch of ragtag rebels who could kick ass and take names when they wanted to. These days, even when they do perform well, you can see the off-the-pitch politics reflect in the body language of the team.
No, I totally agree with you. But sometimes its frustrating that players with talent have much more to worry about than the strategy of the match.
Langeveldt
Soutie
I've always preferred Tahir over Peterson, at least Tahir can win you the odd game.. SA have done nicely here but I don't bank on them chasing much over 200 well..
Stapel
International Regular
Not really a surprise there...
Stapel
International Regular
Choke Inc. calling the South Africa batting line..
Choke Inc. calling the South Africa batting line...
Yes.
Line connected.
TBF, the line needs to stay connected for a decent while!
slowfinger
International Debutant
Shahid AFRIDI BHAIYA!