ICC Cricket World Cup - May/July 2019

[Bigby Wolf]

SA's jersey for the WC looks more like Pakistan colors.

 

[Bevab]

I’ve seen Asif Ali constantly hyped up on these forums. Is he really that good? The only time I’ve seen him play was in the Asia Cup where he was absolutely clueless. Plus, his domestic stats are quite poor, barring that strike rate. He seems to be a good T20 player, but that doesn’t automatically translate into good ODI form as shown by the likes of Munro. And he doesn’t seem to be a part time bowler either. Is it worth having a pure slogger down at 7 who can’t bowl, which might mean that Malik and Hafeez would have to bowl 10 overs between them?

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I’ve seen Asif Ali constantly hyped up on these forums. Is he really that good? The only time I’ve seen him play was in the Asia Cup where he was absolutely clueless. Plus, his domestic stats are quite poor, barring that strike rate. He seems to be a good T20 player, but that doesn’t automatically translate into good ODI form as shown by the likes of Munro. And he doesn’t seem to be a part time bowler either. Is it worth having a pure slogger down at 7 who can’t bowl, which might mean that Malik and Hafeez would have to bowl 10 overs between them?

The problem for Pakistan is that they have no hitter. Apart from Zaman and Malik, both of whom are not finishers, they lack batters who can go at 200. Asif Ali is perhaps the only one who can go some.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Apart from Zaman and Malik, both of whom are not finishers, they lack batters who can go at 200. Asif Ali is perhaps the only one who can go some.

Are you sure ? Because for years he has been doing that job now. He usually comes in after 30 overs takes a bit of time and then unleashes himself in the final 10 overs. In Asia Cup he was crucial in a win against Afghanistan who were probably the best team after the Tournament Champions India in death overs. And he is doing this even in T20 format where he comes in after 12 overs and goes big in final 5 overs. While Zaman is used like the way India used Shikhar Dhawan in early stages of his career and yes he is not a finisher I agree but Malik has been Pakistan's finisher for about half a decade now

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

I think Faheem Ashraf is a guy who is really handy for the team in tough situations. I remember he won a match for Pakistan in CT'17 warm-up against Bangladesh out of no where but it is upto Pakistan how they use them. Pakistan's Captain gives me least confidence with his batting. He should rather open

 

[Bevab]

The problem for Pakistan is that they have no hitter. Apart from Zaman and Malik, both of whom are not finishers, they lack batters who can go at 200. Asif Ali is perhaps the only one who can go some.

But wouldn’t his inclusion simply mess up the balance of the side? I remember Mickey Arthur claiming that Asif Ali was batting a position too high at 6, which means he’d have to bat at 7. They’d have to hope Hafeez and Malik bowl well enough to contribute 10 overs between them nearly every game. His average inspires no confidence either, although I guess for a pure slogger it isn’t bad.

And I guess you’ve forgotten about Wasim, who’s been the finisher for Pakistan whenever he plays. I’d rather have him at 7. Also, if Malik regains the form (a big if) he had a couple of years ago, Pakistan wouldn’t really need an inconsistent and raw Asif Ali.

 

[CerealKiller]

Imad Wasim should bat at 6, as he takes a few balls to get going, with Asif at 7. Shadab is a long-term no.6, remember, he's got 3 50s in 3 Tests in the UK and Ireland. But currently Imad has a great record in the last 10 overs, and he can be the 5th bowler.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

But wouldn’t his inclusion simply mess up the balance of the side? I remember Mickey Arthur claiming that Asif Ali was batting a position too high at 6, which means he’d have to bat at 7. They’d have to hope Hafeez and Malik bowl well enough to contribute 10 overs between them nearly every game. His average inspires no confidence either, although I guess for a pure slogger it isn’t bad.

And I guess you’ve forgotten about Wasim, who’s been the finisher for Pakistan whenever he plays. I’d rather have him at 7. Also, if Malik regains the form (a big if) he had a couple of years ago, Pakistan wouldn’t really need an inconsistent and raw Asif Ali.

Two things I'll say- Malik will make runs, and he will make crucial runs. Hafeez is the most underrated off spinner of all time. I worry more about his batting. He is a slow coach and he overthinks everything. I'm not sure about Wasim at 6. I know Ali has been inconsistent, but boy that man has talent. He's their best chance. I don't see one good hitter otherwise.

 

[SaiSrini]

My question - how did Navdeep Saini become the first and the only standby for the India WC squad? What gives him that spot over people like Khaleel and Chahar? Saini has not even played for India yet. Khaleel has been playing for India and even Chahar has debuted already.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

My question - how did Navdeep Saini become the first and the only standby for the India WC squad? What gives him that spot over people like Khaleel and Chahar? Saini has not even played for India yet. Khaleel has been playing for India and even Chahar has debuted already.

His pace is what the selectors are looking at. He is one such bowler who consistently bowls above 150 kph. If he develops to bowl a yorker at that pace he can trouble few of the best batsmen of the world !!!! He just needs to have a bit more control which he isn't having at all from what I've seen this IPL

 

[Targaryen]

His pace is what the selectors are looking at. He is one such bowler who consistently bowls above 150 kph. If he develops to bowl a yorker at that pace he can trouble few of the best batsmen of the world !!!! He just needs to have a bit more control which he isn't having at all from what I've seen this IPL

A big thanks to Ashish Nehra.

We would want someone like Zaheer Khan to coach our bowlers and not Ashish Nehra. I'm sure Navdeep Saini would've been much better by now if he was given a good training under an experienced bowler like Zak.

 

[Targaryen]

Though this discussion of Ambati Rayudu was over, I would like to add my views to it. Not that it really matters but it will mean that I've said something about him. Lol

On a serious note, Ambati Rayudu was indirectly teased by selectors to be our no.4 for World Cup. Yes, they shouldn't have done that if they don't want him in the final squad for WC. But there was no need for him to act that way. India is a land where millions of players dream of representing the country on International level and if it is the World Cup, it becomes even more exciting. So, terming Rayudu's actions as 'emotional' is nothing but act of covering up.

Ambati Rayudu has some issues of behaving in public for long time now. He was once seen physically assaulting a man in public. He is a sportsman and have been representing the country for a while now. He shouldn't be doing it as it passes wrong message to the society. Many young cricketers see these players as their idols and if they keep doing such things, it will surely bring the sense of negativity among young talents.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

A big thanks to Ashish Nehra.

We would want someone like Zaheer Khan to coach our bowlers and not Ashish Nehra. I'm sure Navdeep Saini would've been much better by now if he was given a good training under an experienced bowler like Zak.

The problem for Saini is/was that he was at RCB. If you take out the 2018 IPL thread, you will find I was desperate to have him in the side even back then. I saw him bowl about 5 overs in a Ranji trophy game and he was on the button. I then had the good fortune of seeing him bowl in training to AB and VK who were treating the other bowlers like garbage. Must have seen him bowl 3 overs each to them at full pelt and I was convinced of his talent.

I also feel Zak is the man for training these young Indian bowlers and not Ash.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

On the discussion related to our bowling coach what people aren't seeing is the contribution of Bharat Arun. I feel like he is very under-rated coach. Look in 2015 WC we were scared of a 1st round exit. The batsman had forgotten to score runs and the bowlers had forgotten to bowl. And what resources did we had ? Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was useless without swing those days, Shami who had the habit of bowling boundary ball every over or two, Umesh Yadav who was same like Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma who never had pace nor variety except for the slow ball and a medium-paced bouncer. And this guy Bharat Arun under the Captaincy of MSD trained the bowlers in such way that our bowling unit bowled out 7 outo of 8 sides they played and only time they failed was the Semi-final against tournament Champions Australia. Then look at the recent South Africa Test series last year. Our bowlers took all 60 Proteas wickets, look at England Test series our bowlers took 84 out of 100 English wickets then look at Australia tour all 70 wickets in 7 innings. So in all our bowlers got 214 wickets in 18 innings in Overseas Test Series. Shows the contribution he has made as a coach. It is not necessary to have a bowling coach as a legendary player. I would say one thing, Excellent students aren't always great Teachers. So we have a decent bowling coach who has worked hard on the bowling of our team, and we don't need to have anyone else atm

 

[SaiSrini]

His pace is what the selectors are looking at. He is one such bowler who consistently bowls above 150 kph. If he develops to bowl a yorker at that pace he can trouble few of the best batsmen of the world !!!! He just needs to have a bit more control which he isn't having at all from what I've seen this IPL

But where is the experience? Playing in the WC has been mostly about having the experience (atleast a few games). Saini has not got that at all. I'd definitely punt higher on Khaleel or even Umesh (if you put Deepak Chahar on the same level as Saini). Saini just came out of nowhere to be the only fast bowling backup for the WC.