Taufeeq, Hafeez named in probables for Australia Tests
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LAHORE: Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar were the surprise inclusions as Pakistan named a 19-man probables squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia.
The injured Hafeez was expected to be miss the entire series and also the preceding games against New Zealand while Taufeeq Umar makes a comeback to the national fold after having played his last Test in 2012.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan approved the names of the probables drawn up by chief selector Moin Khan in consultation with coach Waqar Younis and captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
The squad will be trimmed to 15 after the four-day match between Pakistan ‘A’ and Australia (Oct. 15-18) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The two-Test series commences on October 22, 2014 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Probables: Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Harris Sohail, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Ehsan Adil Attaullah, Sarfraz Ahmed, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah, Raza Hassan
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Comments (21) Closed
Oct 14, 2014 05:17pm
This bowling attack cannot get Australia out twice in test matches. Result will be another whitewash.
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Oct 14, 2014 05:33pm
Last chance for both of them to prove their real worth and cricketing talents.
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Oct 14, 2014 06:13pm
To be honest, I feel that Taufeeq Umar is the best opener we have gotten since the retirement of Aamir Sohail & forced retirement of Saeed Anwar. He has the best average to show for it and best techniquce. Yes we tried Khurram Mansoor a few times, and he hasn't been able to convince us about himself. I feel this bowling attack is very weak. Our middle order is set, 3. Azhar Ali. 4. Younis Khan, 5. Misbah 6. Asad Shafiq, 7. Sarfaraz. Don't think there is an tinkering needed there. I guess Mohammad Irfan is being kept away from tests for him to not get injured before the world cup. Without Junaid Khan, your test bowling attack looks very weak and it's certainly very inexperienced.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:19pm
What a nice surprise. Frankely, didn't expect this from Moin. Sami Aslam, Haris Sohail and Imran Khan on probables list is a very good choice. I hope Sami plays a game or two here and then against NZ, him and Haris get a full series. Taufeeq Umar has always deserved his chance as he has the best batting average among our opners. I don't see much in Raza Hasan at this time and Shan Masood was never a complete batsman.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:23pm
Our bowling is weak and another whitewash can only be saved by getting a draw. May be PCB should use this series to try out Sami Aslam, Haris Sohail and Imran Khan.
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Oct 14, 2014 07:28pm
I hope Sami Aslam gets as many chances as did Umar Amin. He will be a new Saeed Anwer inshaAllah. I also believe that Ehsan Adil should play as one of the seamer.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:08pm
Make absolute turner.Dropping Taufeeq Umar was poor idea.Nobody should have disturbed him .Pakistan will need to rely on spin,There is no second thought about same.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:12pm
Pakistan will not risk Hafeez as a bowler as if he is reported he cannot bowl at the WC. Even in WC Pakistan cannot afford to use Hafeez in the first group of matches and hope that they will reach 2nd stage without the help of Hafeez.
Sami Aslam and Yasir Shah will sit out during the tests. The selection committe were wise in not selecting Fawad Alam and Umar Amin and also didn't risk Irfan. Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan are not available. So the test will test the forms of Younus Khan, Azhar Ali and a couple of fast bowlers for inclusion in the WC.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:18pm
Good to see Taufeeq back in the frame. He didn't deserve to be dropped in the first place. Nasir Jamshed & Khurram Mansoor tried and failed. I think the playing is looking like 1. Taufeeq Umar, 2. Ahmed Shahzad, 3. Azhar Ali. 4. Younis Khan, 5. Misbah 6. Asad Shafiq, 7. Sarfara, 8. Zulfiqar Babar 9. Talha, 10. Ehsan Adil, 11 Rahat Ali.
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Oct 14, 2014 09:40pm
Mohammad Sami would be a better choice in the given circumstances.
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Oct 14, 2014 10:16pm
Taufeeq and Hafeez "probable" means we will "probably" lose.
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Oct 14, 2014 10:30pm
NOt Hafeez again.
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Oct 14, 2014 11:26pm
Rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic!
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Oct 14, 2014 11:59pm
@Shahid Mohammad Sami really? Bhai, check his test bowling average. One of the worst in history for someone who has taken above 50 test wickets. Bowling average of 52.74 after 36 test matches.
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Oct 15, 2014 02:35am
We need at least 5 bowlers. Asadq to be replaced with Hafeez, if he is fit.
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Oct 15, 2014 07:00am
@Haq How many times has Taufeeq Umar failed? Regards
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Oct 15, 2014 07:34am
@Haq
Yes I know and have been the biggest of Mohammad Sami's critics for years. But just now After losing Wahab, Junaid, Umar Gul and Irfan we are left with Talha, Rahat, Balawal Bhatti, Anwer Ali, Cheema and Sohail tanveer. And when I look at these names then I would prefer Yasir Arfat and Mohammad Sami over them.
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Oct 15, 2014 11:14am
The inclusion of both these players is extremely crucial in Test Series, as Pakistan has already beard the brunt of their exclusion in ODIs. Both are quite experiences players, and they will provide some necessary strength our faltering batting line.
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Oct 15, 2014 11:29am
Both test matches will finish in three days, Australia need 40 overs to finish pakistan two innings.
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Oct 15, 2014 11:33am
Best Team for future from this is rest misbah(as injured).
Sarfarz as captain,Shazad & shan/Taufeeq as openers,Younis,Hafeez,Shafiq,Ehsan,Imran,Raza,babar,Yasir.
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Oct 15, 2014 04:24pm
Can not believe that Fawwad Alam,s name is missing. With first class of over 55 and highest of 296 he
should have been an automatic choice for Test.
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