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*Official* Pakistan v South Africa in UAE

Black_Warrior

Cricketer Of The Year
I think part of Pakistan's problem here is their ridiculous balance; I've said it a thousand times before but there's just no need to have six frontline bowlers. Having both Afridi and Hafeez in the top seven is just a waste, unless you pick a specialist wicket keeper at eight which they haven't. One of the bowlers or bowling allrounders has to go for a batsman, and as much as people will whinge about him slowing the scoring rate down, I'd go with Azhar. He has an excellent List A record and he's made runs in this ODIs he's played, albeit slowly.

With a good bowling attack, Pakistan should be basing their side around that and working towards a batting lineup that can consistently make scores at par or even just below par, not the current lineup that is set up to make 160 regularly and 330 once in a blue moon. A consistent top order that actually makes runs and sets a platform - even at a slow rate - will do wonders for the side.
What would be your best Pakistan ODI XI currently?
 
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Prince EWS

Global Moderator
What would be your best Pakistan ODI XI currently?
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.
 

smash84

The Tiger King
I like yor team except for Shoiab Malik. Not only does he have bad performance but he also has a bad effect on team spirit (which isn't much to begin with)
 

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
No-one is going to back me on Malik. :p 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".
 

Webcomics

Cricket Spectator
What kind of indiscipline are you referring to here?
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.
 

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..
 

smash84

The Tiger King
I meant serious batting woes in terms of finding any decent talent and I don't see them coming in the next 2 years either
 

salman85

International Debutant
Cricinfo Commentary FTW!

Seems like a good delivery from the description on cricinfo.I still hate Tanvir, but i'll take this wicket :D
 
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Stapel

International Regular
Ah, always funny to see a whole fielding side appealing with this typical 'come-on-umpire-how-can-you-not-give-this-out' expressions, yet not even considering a review when the umpires says it is not out.
 

salman85

International Debutant
Choke Inc. calling the South Africa batting line..

Choke Inc. calling the South Africa batting line...

Yes.

Line connected.

:D
 

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