Why Pakistan’s Think Tank Must Reconsider The Playing Eleven

Pakistan’s tour game against Kent for surely, exposed certain loopholes in the team’s strategy. So, here is a look at what they are and why Pakistan’s think tank must reconsider the playing eleven.

Read: Talking Points After Pakistan Win Their Tour Game Against Kent

What Really Is The Plan?

Pakistan by now has revealed a plan that allows for Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq to open and makes way for Babar Azam at number 3, Harris Sohail or Mohd. Hafeez at number four and Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik at number 6 and 7 respectively. Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf have been given the all-rounder and finisher’s role at number seven and eight while Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi has been chosen to lead Pakistan’s pace attack. Shadab Khan is expected to lead the spin department once and if he regains full fitness and for now the green caps -plan to bank on Yasir Shah to deliver the goods in the middle overs.

Read: 3 Unhealthy Behaviors Pakistani Cricket Fans Must Not Indulge In This World Cup

Why The Batting Order Is Flawed

The batting frankly looks pretty weak. Both Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed placed in the middle order are searching for form. Therefore, Pakistan cannot afford to drop Haris Sohail from the number four position in which case Mohd. Hafeez (once fit) has got to be batting at number 5. Hence, Sarfraz eventually will have little choice but to drop down to number six.

Malik is running out of time and thus, cannot be accommodated in the playing eleven if he keeps flooring opportunities. Dropping Malik then would be a difficult decision but one that Pakistan must take particularly, if Mohd. Hafeez is fully fit which certain media reports suggest he is.  

Read: 4 PCB Officials Who Are Likely To Lose Their Job If Pakistan Doesn’t Do Well In The World Cup

Yasir Shah’s Place Requires To Be Reassessed

Yasir Shah might be a very successful bowler at the Test level nevertheless, he is most definitely been of no use whatsoever at the ODI level. Needless to say Pakistan should play Shadab if he is fit.

However, if Shadab doesn’t recover then the green shirts are better off giving depth to the batting line by selecting another batsman in the playing eleven in which case Shoaib Malik can be accommodated at six and Sarfraz at seven. The fifth bowler’s job then can go to Mohd. Hafeez and Haris Sohail; both of whom are pretty capable to keeping things tight during the middle overs of a game. Additionally, in conditions where pacers might be of more help Pakistan can also experiment and play an additional fast bowler.  

Both options at least add value to the playing eleven and enhance captain’s options with a specialist instead of Yasir Shah who has turned out to be an absolute liability in the playing eleven so far.