Cricket conversations and Pakistan's playing XI

Last week, a TV host suggested that Umar Akmal had wanted to come up the order for a long time and for him to display his full potential he should be slotted higher up in the lineup.

Another friend messaged me suggesting that Pakistan had to do something drastic and show positive intent by taking advantage of field restrictions during the first power play. Shahid Afridi had opened for Pakistan in the entire first half of his career and he ought to be better than 'Big Nas', he argued.

Considering Younis Khan had already been tried as an opener earlier in the tournament, none of the above seemed completely absurd or entirely improbable. Not in Pakistan cricket at least.

Since Pakistan arrived in New Zealand earlier this year, they have tested all possible playing combinations and have tried to play their best XI in every game. Their injury prone, ace fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has played practice games, warm up games and all group games. He has shown sign of niggles and an old recurring problem with his gluteus, but the team management has given him little respite.

With Waqar Younis at his side, one would have expected Irfan to be managed better. The large gap between games has helped him recuperate and be ready for each challenge. However, he has played the last three games within a week’s duration, including ones against UAE and Zimbabwe. It has not helped that these games have been must win encounters for Pakistan, thus the (un)necessary reliance on Irfan.

With all its idiocies and follies, false hope and betrayal, there is still *that* magic in Pakistan cricket which surfaces every now and again. — Photo by AP

Leg spinner Yasir Shah picked up five wickets in the two practice games against England and Bangladesh with an impressive economy rate of 4.3 RPO. But after being sent to the cleaners by India in the first game, he lost confidence of the tour team management.

The fast bowlers have done well to get Pakistan back in contention to qualify for the quarter finals, but the bowling attack lacks dimension and could seriously be tested in the latter half of the tournament. Perhaps in bigger grounds and relatively spin friendlier pitches like Adelaide and Sydney, Pakistan could possibly employ a horses for courses approach and the Messi look-alike may get a shot at redemption.

A few days before the game against South Africa, I received a message: “Harris might open with Ahmed Shehzad. Sarfraz will replace Nasir but is expected to play down the order.”

While all sorts of dressing room leaks circled the cricketing grapevine, this one was more believable. Earlier, head coach Waqar Younis had publicly cast doubts over Sarfraz’s batting technique.

The following day I received news that Haris had pain in his heel and had not participated in Friday’s practice session. Who was going to open for Pakistan? Nasir Jamshed could not possibly have been given another chance, or, could he? Another leak confirmed that Sarfraz was to open against Dale Steyn and company.

After Sarfraz’s match-winning performance on Saturday and Younis Khan’s supporting role, the Pakistan team selection committee is under the scanner once again. With Haris expected to return for the do-or-die game against Ireland, one of the current middle order batsmen could be dropped from the playing XI.

“To be honest, I see a strong possibility that Sohaib Maqsood, instead of Younis Khan, will be asked to sit out the next game in order to allow Haris Sohail back into the team. Based on the types of shots that both Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood have played in the last few games, I would expect one or both to be dropped,” thinks Saeed Ajmal.

It seems that Ahmed Shehzad and Misbah-ul-Haq are the only batsmen who are completely sure of their place in the side. The rest walk into bat knowing that there is an axe hanging on their head and the innings could be their last of the tournament.

Sarfraz fought valiantly under duress but this insecurity often adds to failure and restricts players to perform at an optimal level.

“I was under a lot of pressure and it felt like I was making my debut,” said Sarfraz after receiving the Man of the match award. He averaged 36.28 in ODIs and 67.54 in Tests, with a strike rate of 100.39 and 73.71 in the respective formats in 2014. His ODI average was only bettered by Fawad Alam (69.00) and Ahmed Shehzad (39.31) amongst players with eight or more games and his Test average was the highest in the country, ahead of Younis Khan (66.5) in the same period.

As the Pakistani batsmen continue to be criticised for playing conservative cricket, something the experts say belongs to the previous century, the only two specialist batsmen with a career strike rate of over 80 might be fighting for a place in the XI. They are arguably the most naturally gifted batsmen in the country, but with career averages below 35, both Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood come across as expensive, uncut rocks that have been poorly polished.

The public, ex players, current players, media and the tour management, all appear to be unsure of the best playing combination, but everyone has a strong opinion on team selection.

Recently, a rickshaw driver in Karachi told me that Imran Nazir was still the best opener in Pakistan and explained how Misbah had “finished the Maza and Jazba” of Pakistan cricket and that he was not an “original Pathan”.

I did not want to ask what that meant; perhaps I already knew how he felt. Answering in his own language I added that, “‘I loved Imran Nazir but he averaged only 24 in a ten-year career because he played like a 'true' Pathan. Misbah, Afridi and Younis Khan may all be playing their last few ODI games and the Pakistan team needed all the support and prayers of their people.’”

“Prayer is the only way we will win,” he responded and we parted ways after finding some common ground.

With all its idiocies and follies, false hope and betrayal, there is still that magic in Pakistan cricket which surfaces every now and again. And there is nothing else that turns this country on or connects its people the way a cricket conversation can.

Shaan Agha tweets @shaanagha1 and can be found on Game On