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Writer's pictureJonathan Turner

GameDay Squad Cricket Squad Preview: Pakistan

Even though Pakistan haven’t been in a CWC final for some time they are still a very good tournament team. They are a very well-balanced side, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make it through to the knockout stages. Get the inside scoop on Pakistan's Cricket Squad for the upcoming GameDay Squad competition with an in-depth analysis and preview. Find out who to watch out for!


Cricket Squad Preview


Squad


Shaheen Afridi – Bowler

Iftikhar Ahmed – All-rounder

Hasan Ali – Bowler

Babar Azam – Batter

Shadab Khan – All-rounder

Usama Mir - Bowler

Mohammad Nawaz – All-rounder

Haris Rauf – Bowler

Mohammad Rizwan – Wicket Keeper

Agha Salman – All-rounder

Abdullah Shafique - Batter

Saud Shakeel – Batter

Imam ul-Haq – Batter

Mohammed Wasim – Bowler

Fakhar Zaman - Batter


Batters


After looking at the recent form for all the Pakistan players with a batter position designation, it isn’t pretty reading. When applying the GDS scoring to their stats over the last ten games played, I’ve come up with the following fantasy point averages for the batters.


Babar Azam – 54 points

Abdullah Shafique – 30 points

Saud Shakeel – 24 points

Imam ul-Haq – 60 points

Fakhar Zaman – 29 points


Azam and ul-Haq are the pick of the batters for me. They both should be starting in most matches and they are carrying more pre-tournament form than the other batters. Over Azam’s last ten games he has scored two 100s, two 50s and has five scores of 29 or less. Over ul-Haq last ten games he has scored five 50s and four scores of 24 or less. The other three batters only have scored two 50s and 30+ scores over their last 18 innings combined. The last thing I will mention is that Saud Shakeel has bowled the odd over here and there in the past. He might provide some sneaky upside if called upon to roll his arm over during the CWC.


Bowlers


Pakistan goes into the tournament with five players with a bowler position designation in GDS. When applying the GDS scoring to their stats over the last ten games played, I’ve come up with the following fantasy point averages for the bowlers.


Shaheen Afridi – 85 points

Hasan Ali – 63 points

Usama Mir – 58 points

Haris Rauf – 82 points

Mohammed Wasim – 63 points


Pakistan has a well-balanced bowling attack that will likely be spearheaded by Afridi and Rauf. Over Afridi’s last ten ODSs he has bowled 80.4 overs, taken 20 wickets and averages 3.7 dot balls an over. Over Rauf’s last ten ODSs he has bowled 74.5 overs, taken 23 wickets and averages 3.3 dot balls an over. These two bowlers are the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers for me. Hasan Ali will likely play more matches than Mir and Wasim so I will rank him as my third bowler.


Cricket Squad Review

All-rounders


Pakistan doesn’t have as many all-rounders as other teams and head into the tournament with four players that have the all-rounder position designation in GDS. They all spin bowling all-rounders. When applying the GDS scoring to their stats over the last ten games played, I’ve come up with the following fantasy point averages for the all-rounders.


Iftikhar Ahmed – 68 points

Shadab Khan – 71 points

Mohammad Nawaz – 52 points

Agha Salman – 47 points


When choosing which all-rounder to play in your squad it really depends on where Pakistan is playing, who their opposition is and the pitch conditions. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Pakistan play at least three or possibly all their all-rounders in most of their matches. The batting all-rounders are Ahmed and Salman. The bowling all-rounders are Khan and Nawaz.

Due to recent form Ahmed and Khan are the pick of the all-rounds for me. Over Ahmed’s last ten ODSs he has one 100, one 50, two 30+ scores, three scores between 17-28, bowled 31.4 overs, taken 5 wickets and averages 2.5 dot balls an over. Over Khan’s last ten ODSs he has two 30+ scores, six scores of 21 or less, bowled 81.4 overs, taken 12 wickets and averages 2.8 dot balls an over.

There will be times where both Nawaz and Salman are good starting options in your squad. Keep an eye out for future Pakistan match previews to get a leg up on your competition.


Wicket Keeper


Mohammad Rizwan is the only player from Pakistan that has a wicket keeper position designation in GDS. When applying the GDS scoring to Rizwan’s stats over his last ten games played, I’ve come up with the following fantasy point average for him.


Mohammad Rizwan – 56 points


Predicted Starting XI


1. Zaman

2. ul-Haq

3. Azam

4. Rizwan

5. Shakeel

6. Ahmed

7. Khan

8. Nawaz

9. Ali

10. Afridi

11. Rauf


 

Cricket Squad Review


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