Niall
International Coach
Mohammad Hafeez yet again has been called for pelting,so once again his value to the test team has came up for debate.
I am somewhat torn on the fella, he has averaged over 50 in the last 2 years with the bat and has averaged something like 70 in the last 12 months. He got a double against Bangla and a few massive scores against Australia and NZ either. The guy has been playing on roads obviously for a while now, but the runs still have to be earned.
Also if cleared, he provides a useful 5th bowling option which is always handy on a flat pitch especially if you are carrying passengers like Junaid Khan.
However Pakistan in 2016 will be on their travels away from the SC and he opening in England and NZ and this is where the concern is for me. He will fail horribly as he has for the most of his overseas career if asked to deal with the likes of Boult and Anderson at the top.I want Azhar opening and Sohail at 3 as I think they may be able to deal with the new ball. Hafeez you could hide down the order I suppose, but he is worth a spot at that age especially if he can't bowl?
Its hard to justify Pakistan need to be getting some younger players in to replace the old guard over the years and I'd rather have Younis and possibly Misbah overseas for the next year or two as I think they have some sort of chance in foreign conditions.
What would you do with the all round superstar? It does seem cruel to be seriously debating the spot of a guy who has been so prolific with the bat, but heh that is what we do on forums.
I am somewhat torn on the fella, he has averaged over 50 in the last 2 years with the bat and has averaged something like 70 in the last 12 months. He got a double against Bangla and a few massive scores against Australia and NZ either. The guy has been playing on roads obviously for a while now, but the runs still have to be earned.
Also if cleared, he provides a useful 5th bowling option which is always handy on a flat pitch especially if you are carrying passengers like Junaid Khan.
However Pakistan in 2016 will be on their travels away from the SC and he opening in England and NZ and this is where the concern is for me. He will fail horribly as he has for the most of his overseas career if asked to deal with the likes of Boult and Anderson at the top.I want Azhar opening and Sohail at 3 as I think they may be able to deal with the new ball. Hafeez you could hide down the order I suppose, but he is worth a spot at that age especially if he can't bowl?
Its hard to justify Pakistan need to be getting some younger players in to replace the old guard over the years and I'd rather have Younis and possibly Misbah overseas for the next year or two as I think they have some sort of chance in foreign conditions.
What would you do with the all round superstar? It does seem cruel to be seriously debating the spot of a guy who has been so prolific with the bat, but heh that is what we do on forums.