Pakistan selection committee is yet to finalize the squad for the upcoming World Cup in England as the national team is currently playing an ODI series against Australia.
With a number of candidates still awaiting the announcement of the squad, two candidates remain likely to be selected despite their extremely poor track record in recent times.
Yasir Shah and Mohammad Amir, both have played a pivotal role for Pakistan at the international stage, but are slowly becoming a liability especially in limited overs cricket.
Set apart by different challenges, both players are united when it comes to delivering sub-par performances.
Analyzing the Statistics
OUT: Yasir Shah, IN: Mohammad Nawaz
Despite a world-class Test career, Yasir Shah has found it difficult to replicate similar performances with the white ball. Spanked around at will by the batsmen, Yasir’s inclusion in the World Cup squad will remain a huge question mark.
Excluding the series against Zimbabwe, Yasir Shah’s numbers look like this:
| Overs | 120.3 |
| Runs Conceded | 700 |
| Wickets | 9 |
| Average | 77.77 |
| Strike Rate | 80.30 |
| Economy Rate | 5.80 |
Pakistan will likely have three spinners in the World Cup squad; Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez. If the selectors are unsure about Hafeez’s action then who should they consider if not Yasir? The answer is glaringly obvious: Mohammad Nawaz.
The PSL 4 winner, who rallied alongside the national team captain Sarfraz Ahmed, played a crucial role throughout the tournament. Although his performances still don’t match up against Karachi Kings’ Umer Khan during the PSL, Nawaz’s international experience in crunch situations and contribution with the bat are two important factors that could outweigh the youngster from Karachi Kings.
OUT: Mohammad Amir, IN: Wahab Riaz/Junaid Khan
Apart from losing his pace and swing since his return to cricket, Mohammad Amir has also lost the aggression and venom which he possessed once. His deteriorating performances along with a lack of threat are unfortunately becoming a huge liability for Pakistan.
After the 1st ODI against Australia, it marked his 10th ODI game where he failed to pick up a single wicket in his last 15. Failing to pose any threat, his ODI career is heading towards a sad ending.
Here is how Amir has performed ever since the ICC 2017 Champions Trophy final against India:
| Overs | 101 |
| Runs | 463 |
| Wickets | 5 |
| Strike Rate | 121.20 |
| Average | 92.60 |
| Economy | 4.58 |
Although Amir’s economy rate is somewhat acceptable, the lack of wickets from a premium bowler will always be highlighted. With no variety or pace, Amir will struggle in English conditions.
Instead, Wahab Riaz should be included in the squad alongside Junaid Khan. Both these players are playing at a very high level and can yield remarkable results for Pakistan granted if they are given the confidence to do so. While Wahab Riaz was dropped due to lackluster form, Junaid has always bowled well whenever offered a chance at the international stage.
Yasir Shah & Muhammad Abbas only for Test Player (Both Not Feasible for ODI/T20)
Agar Kisi Main Chal Gaye to Iska Matlab Nahi WC19 Main Consider Kiya Jaye :
Amir is better than Wahab :
Wahab mostly wide or no ball karwate hai international match main
Amir need some focus on match with high speed at least 147 Plus : then takes wickets :
Head Coach & Bowling Coach should compelte focus on amir : He is a Game Changer.
only focus on current performance not the names,amir performance is very poor,include speedy and fit bowlers ,no need of yasir in one days.
Agreed with Wahab’s performance. Wahab ka australia wala spell nikal do to uskay career main koi bhi promising spell nahi milay ga… I think Junaid Khan is better option among the lot. Amir can be good in swinging conditions.
I think Wahab is out of question and Amir/Junaid both should fly to England for WC.
Irfan senior despite being a poor fielder is another alternative for Amir
Indeed Amir is a match winning player. He performed some brilliant piece of act on the field and won so many matches for the country. Amir and junaid will be a best opening pair in WC2019.
انگلش کنڈیشنز میں محمد عباس اور محمد عامر بہترین رہیں گئے اب اگر آپ اس کنڈیش میں ان سے پرفامنس کا سوچ رہے ہیں تو یہ بے وقوفی ھوگی جس سے ٹیم کو نقصان ھوگا آسڑیلیا سے ہار کو دیکھنے کے بجائے ورلڈ کپ پر نظر ھونا چاہیئے جو کمزور ہیں ان کو آزمائے جائے پھر ایک ٹیم تیار کی جائے جو فائنل ھو انشاء اللہ بہتر نتائج ھوں گئے
Junaid khan and ruman raees both are better options . Ruman raees has variations , which can be useful in english conditions . Usman shinwari is also not bowling good . I think Ruman and Junaid should be included in the squad .
Muhammad Aamir game changer hai or khas kar England ki wickets pr…Dubai ki daba wickets hain wahan Aamir kiya perform kry gay. In Shaa Allah England ki wickestds pr hiran pershan kr dy ga sab players ko.. don’t drop Aamir..
World Cup 2019 squad should be selected accordring to recent performances, fitness and form. Not by names. Pakistan should have settled ODI team for World Cup 2019 by now such that players got at least 20 – 30 ODI’s experience under their belt. That’s how Pakistan cricket is. It’s just couple of months away and we are still doing experiments. But if experiments were required then would have been better to take a look at bowlers like Umer Khan, Haris Rauf and Musa Khan.