Pakistani Batting - The Top Contenders
Misbah ul Haq
By Waheed
September 26 2004
For the Tri Nation Series Pak have the opportunity to rest Yohanna and Inzy and try some new batsmen. Yohanna and Inzy have nothing to prove against the likes of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Pakistan also need to find the right combination for the Test Matches coming up against Sri Lanka and Australia.
1. Misbah ul Haq:
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 30.
International Experience:
3 Test v Aus struggled like all the batsmen with Average ~13.
11 ODI's spread over 2 years average ~35 with 2 fifties vs Aus.
Domestic Record:
The Best Record in Domestic Cricket for 1st class and limited overs cricket.
Scores big Centuries HS 204*
Excellant ratio of 50+ scores every 2.6 innings.
Excellant conversion rate of 50s to 100: 40%
Good Solid Player all the shots in the book, can play the big shots aswell.
Struggled against Shane Warne in the tests and supposedly has a poor technique, although no body in domestic cricket has been able to stop him from scoring every year.
One of the few successes for A Team on Kenyan tour, followed that up with 130 against Zimbabwe in side game.
M----I----NO--Runs--HS----Ave----100---50
71---115--10--5388--204*--51.31--17----26
59---55---12--2092--107*--48.65---5----12
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Misbah ul Haq: Should be considered for ODI and Test Squads.
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2. Saeed Bin Nasir
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 25.
International Experience: N/A
Has been selected in 14 man squads but never made it too the final 11.
Domestic Record:
Brilliant Domestic Record, Second only two Misbah Ul Haq.
Excellant ratio of 50+ scores every 3.3 innings.
Average Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 27%.
Saeed bin Nasir must be the most unluckiest player, to have never represented his country.
With People like Imran Nazir, Faisal Iqbal, Naved Latif, being tried dropped and retried again.
And other players who have an ordinary record at domestic level getting a chance before him.
Imran Nazir avg 34 and 28 in domestic cricket... avg 23 in 61 ODI games.
Naved Latif avg 32 and 37 in domestic cricket... avg 23 in 11 ODI games.
Shadab Kabir avg 32 and 36 in domestic cricket... avg 0 in 3 ODI games and avg 21 in 5 Tests.
Farhan Adil avg 35 and 33 in domestic cricket... avg 16 in 1 Test match.
Mohammed Wasim avg 32 and 29 in domestic cricket.. avg 23 in 25 ODI games.
My heart goes out to him, I don't know what else he has to do to get a chance. Top score of 186* in limited over cricket is just one example of the talents of this man.
M----I----NO--Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
44---72---9---2781---133----44.14---6----16
41---38---7---1602---186*---51.67---4----7
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Saeed bin Nasir: Should be considered for ODI and Test Squads.
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3. Hasan Raza
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 23.
International Experience:
5 Tests spread over 7 years. Selected at age of 14 and then disgarded. Average ~35.
Made superb comeback against Australia after the debacle at sharjah, was the only shining light scored 2 high quality fifties in low scoring game. With lots of grit and determination, looked at ease against Mcgrath, Gilliepie and Warne.
Followed it up with 46, 11 and 4 against Zimbabwe and was promptly dropped, NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
16 ODI's batting mostly at six spread over 4 years. Average ~19.
Scored 14, 77, 18 in comeback series and was dropped. 77 was against the WI.
"Supposedly is weak against short pitched bowling and has attitude problem" - Selector Speak justifying decision to ruin the career of one of the most talented batsmen pakistan has ever produced.
Was recently Captain of Pakistan XI against Zimbabwe, and showed he was a team player by not using his captaincy to bat higher up the order infront of other rivals, Faisal Iqbal. In the end he never got a chance to bat.
Domestic Record:
Fantastic Domestic Record second only to Misbah and Saeed bin Nasir.
Excellant ratio of 50+ scores every 3.4 innings.
Good Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 40%
Scores big hundreds. Highest Score 256.
M----I----NO--Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
97---155--25--6151---256----47.31---18---27
99---85---21--2527---115*---39.48---4----15
In an interview before playing for Irish side Glendermott, Hasan said "I’m confident that I can score heavily for Glendermott. It’s my aim to make between 1000-1500 runs."
Hasan Raza was a revelation in his first year with Glendermott. His pre season boast that he would score well over a 1000 runs was well and truly passed. In the end he scored 1504 runs at 100.27, to finish well clear of his nearest rival.
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Hasan Raza: Should be considered for Test Squad.
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4. Bazid Khan
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 23.
International Experience:
N/A
Domestic Record:
Good Domestic record in both forms of the game, especially limited overs.
Does not go on to convert the fifties into substantial scores.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 4.1 innings.
Poor Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 23.8%
M----I---NO--Runs--HS----Ave----100---50
57---86---4--2899--193*--35.35---5----16
53---49---7--1952--116---46.47---3----17
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Bazid Khan: Should be considered for ODI Squad.
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5. Salman Butt
Left Handed Oppening Batsmen. Age 20yrs.
Slow Left Arm Spinner.
International Experience:
1 Test cap v BAN 2003. 1 ODI v WI 2004.
Domestic Record:
A Very good start to his domestic career particularly in limited overs cricket.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 4.3 innings.
Excellant Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 44%
Very Promising Left Handed opener in the mould of S.Anwar, attacking batsmen.
Needs to also work on his bowling if he wants too have better chance of playing in ODI's.
M----I----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
22---39---3----1300---137----36.11---4----5-
38---38---3----1689---118----48.25---5----8-
O------W----Ave-----BBI-----5---10----SR----Econ
58.3---4----60.75---4-82----0---0-----87.7--4.15
50.4---6----46.33---2-28----0---0-----50.6--5.48
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Salman Butt: Should be retained in ODI Squad.
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6. Imran Farhat
Left Handed Oppening Batsmen. Age 22yrs.
Leg Spinner.
International Experience:
11 Tests spread over 4 years. Average ~ 32.
Started to form a good solid oppening partnership with Taufeeq Umar, has 2 centuries and 2 fifties.
Scored 3 Succesive 100 partnerships with Taufeeq against SA, followed it up with 4 successive 100 partnerships against weakened NZ team at home with Hameed.
But has struggled with form and injury since then apart from hundred against India. Gets out in 20s to often playing shots away from his body and giving slips catching practice.
Needs to improve judgment outside off stump if he is to continue a promising career.
Farhat it also prone to throwing away his wicket to spinners if he gets bogged down for an over or two, often coming down the wicket too early.
Farhat is a more than usefull leg spinner, and should be used more often in ODI's and Tests. He does spin the ball, just needs more control over flight, tends to bowl the odd half tracker and is punished.
Domestic Record:
A good solid domestic record especially in first class cricket.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 4.1 innings.
Good Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 37%.
An excellant bowling record for a part time leg spinner, averaging ~28 runs and ~25 runs in both forms of the game. Hase taken 5 wickets 5 times in total.
Has a strike rate of a wicket every ~29 balls !!!
If he can work on his economy which is ~5 with more control he would be an ideal batting allrounder for ODIs.
M----I-----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
70---123---8----4706---216----40.92---11---19
83---81----6----2480---138----33.06---6----9
O------W----Ave----BBI-----5---10--SR----Econ
69.5---58---28.24--7-31----2---0------------
287.3--59---24.81--4-13----3---0---29.2--5.09
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Imran Farhat: Should be retained in ODI and Test Squads.
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7. Asim Kamal
Left Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 28yrs.
Reserve WicketKeeper.
International Experience: 4 Tests, 3 Fifties. Averging ~58.
A very resiliant dependable batsmen as he has shown in his brief test match career. Has already played a couple of gutsy fighting innings which have won him the hearts and minds of Pakistani fans. Need more players like Asim Kamal who don't throw their wickets away, make the opposition earn their wickets.
Looked at ease from the moment he made his debut against SA, scoring an agonising 99. At ease playing the pace bowlers and equally adept at playing the spinners. Showed he has the abilities to play aggressive innings and transfer his skills to the limited overs game in final game against India.
Fitness and Fielding is the only thing holding Asim Kamal from establishing him self in both forms of the game. Potentially could also play as wicket keeper batsmen if his keeping improves.
Domestic Record:
A good domestic record, particularly in first class cricket. Needs to play more regularly in Domestic limited over games and score heavily to convince selectors about his credentials for ODI game.
Excellant ratio of 50+ scores every 3.3 innings.
Good Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 33%.
M----I----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
53---83---10---3083---164----42.23---8----17
27---25---4----756----63-----36.00---0----6
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Asim Kamal: Should be considered for Test Squad.
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8. Naumanullah
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 29.
International Experience: N/A
Domestic Record:
Good Domestic Record.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 3.3 innings.
Poor Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 27%.
M----I----NO--Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
64---99---6---3345--171*---35.96----6----22
59---56---11--1842--110----40.93----2----16
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Naumanullah: Should be considered for A Team.
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9. Qaisser Abbas
Left Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 22.
Slow Left Arm Spinner.
International Experience: 1 Test Cap v ENG in 2000.
Domestic Record:
Average First Class Record, Poor record of converting 50's to 100s: 10%
Good Ratio of 50+ scores every 4.7 innings.
Advantages: Pakistan don't have many left handed batsmen in the middle order who bowl spin aswell could be usefull in ODIs.
Good Strike Rate and Economy for batting allrounder: 44.1 balls and 4.5 economy.
M----I----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave----100--50
56---89---5----2700---168----32.14---2---17
77---71---18---1818---106*---34.30---2---11
O------W----Ave-----BBI-----5---10----SR----Econ
522----38---30.47---4-16----0---0-----82.4--2.21
514.3--70---33.08---4-33----2---0-----44.1--4.50
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Qaisser Abbas: Should be considered for ODI Squad.
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10. Faisal Athar
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 29.
International Experience: 1 ODI in 2003.
Domestic Record:
Good Domestic Record.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 3.9 innings.
Good Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 35%.
M----I----NO--Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
32---54---2---2054---167----39.50---5----9
21---21---0---728----91-----34.66---0----6
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Faisal Athar: Should be considered for A Team.
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11. Taufeeq-Umar
Left Handed Oppening Batsmen. Age 23yrs.
Off Spinner and Reserve WicketKeeper.
International Experience:
22 Tests. Averaging ~45. 4 Hundreds and 9 Fifties.
18 ODIs. Averaging ~26 with 3 Fifties.
Ever since making his debut, Taufeeq has looked apart as a solid test oppener, Has a very good record against the likes of SA. Has recently been out of form, and has let small technical faults creep into his game. Does not move back and across to cover the line of the ball and not aware of where his off stump is.
Has a very good temperament and knows his own game, plays within his limits and is a future Pakistani Captain in the making. Has formed a good oppening partnership with Imran Farhat and is a very good slip fielder to both fast and spin bowlers.
Domestic Record:
Has very similar records in both forms of the game aveaging close to 40, But is considered a Test Cricketer by the selectors.
Excellant ratio of 50+ scores every 3.5 innings.
Poor Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 26%.
Has a good bowling record for a part time bowler averaging ~29, Needs to bowl more often to develop this aspect of his cricket to become a 3-Dimensional Cricketer if he wants to be considered for ODI's.
M----I-----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
67---118---5----4417---176----39.08---9----25
72---72----10---2445---151*---39.43---5----12
O------W----Ave----BBI-----5---10----SR----Econ
93.4---12---28.08--3-33----0---0-----46.8--3.59
108.3--20---29.10--5-39----0---1-----32.5--5.36
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Taufeeq Umar: Should be considered for Test Team.
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12. Yasir Hameed
Left Handed Oppening Batsmen. Age 26yrs.
International Experience:
10 Tests. 2 hundreds and 3 fifties. Averaging ~49.
39 ODI's. 3 hundreds and 9 fifties. Averaging ~42.
Made a dream start to his late chance in Test Cricket with 2 centuries on debut against Bangladesh. Has continued to score runs heavily in both forms of the game, particularly in asian sub continent. Still needs to prove him self away from home.
Regularly scores 40's but needs to learn to make match winning contributions when he is in form. Has a tendency to gift his wicket to the opposition attempting to play aggresive shots over the infield, when that is not his natural game. If he learns to play to his limitations and stop playing shots away from his body outside the off stump early in his innings, he has the potential to be a great player for pakistan.
Domestic Record:
A good solid domestic record in both forms of the game.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 3.5 innings.
Average Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 31%.
M----I-----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100---50
74---119---11---4242---207----39.27---9-----20
97---92----8----3145---127*---37.44---5-----18
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Yasir Hameed: Should be retained for Test and ODI Teams.
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13. Ashar Zaidi
Left Handed Oppening Batsmen. Age 23yrs.
Occaisonal medium pacer.
International Experience: N/A
Domestic Record:
Good start to his domestic career especially in limited overs cricket.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 4.1 innings.
Very Poor Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 16%.
Did score a double century against the zimbawean tourists in side game.
M----I----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100---50
28---49---3----1618---127----35.17---2-----10
22---21---2----801----109----42.15---2-----4
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Ashar Zaidi: Should be considered for A Team.
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14. Asif Zakir
Right Handed Oppening Batsmen. Age 21yrs.
International Experience: N/A
Domestic Record:
Excellant Start to his domestic career.
Excellant ratio of 50+ scores every 3.1 innings.
Excellant Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 42%.
Highest Score of 176* in limited overs cricket shines out, Asif looks to have a bright future ahead of him. He made 61 runs in side game with Zimbabwe.
M----I----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
12---22---0----781----136----35.50---3----4
8----8----1----542----176*---77.42---2----3
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Asif Zakir: Should be considered for A Team.
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15. Shahid Yousaf
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 18yrs.
International Experience: N/A
Domestic Record:
A very promising start to his fledgling career the signs are good.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 3.6 innings.
Poor Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 20%.
M----I----NO--Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
12---18---2---640----118----40.00---1----4
24---23---2---698----95-----33.23---0----5
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Shahid Yousaf: Should be considered for A Team.
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16. Faisal Iqbal
Right Handed Batsmen. Age 23yrs.
International Experience:
10 Tests and 17 ODI's - Averaging low 20's in both.
Made a good start to his career scoring 40, 50 and 60 away to NZ in 2001, but has not got on from their.
Started of well against Australia in comeback game scoring 80 and 39 but lost his composure and with it the game.
Very confident player, sometimes his over confidence gets the better of him. Needs to tighten up his game if he wants to suceed at the top level.
Domestic Record:
A good domestic Record, particularly in 1st class game.
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 3.6 innings.
Average Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 28%.
M----I----NO----Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
62---91---8-----3438---200----41.42---7----18
80---74---11----2177---123----34.55---4----14
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Faisal Iqbal: Should be considered for A Team.
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17. Mohammad Hafeez
Right Handed Batsmen. Age 23yrs.
Off Spinner.
International Experience:
3 Tests vs Bangladesh. Average ~42. 1 Century and 1 Fifty.
22 ODI Games as Oppener. Average ~19 with a very low strike rate of ~51.
Picked after the world cup disaster and given a good long run in the team to prove him self. Did not do justice to his talents, looked out of depth at the top level as an International Oppener. Limited shotmaker more suited to Test Cricket. Very good fielder and off-spin bowler will have to improve his batting significantly to have a chance again in either side.
Domestic Record:
Poor Domestic Record for an oppening batsmen average ~30.
Average ratio of 50+ scores every 4.5 innings.
Poor Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 25%.
Very good domestic bowling record in limited overs cricket, Economy of ~4 and Strike Rate of ~40.
M----I----NO--Runs----HS-----Ave-----100--50
53---90---3---2726----177----31.33---5----15
66---66---2---1883----131*---29.42---2----12
O-------W----Ave-----BBI-----5---10----SR----Econ
525.4---44---31.00---5-46----2---0-----71.6--2.59
475.3---71---26.64---4-23----2---0-----40.1--3.97
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Mohammed Hafiz: Should be considered for A Team.
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18. Younis Khan
Right Hand Middle Order Batsmen, Age 27yrs.
International Experience:
28 Tests: 5 hundreds and 9 Fifties. Averaging ~37.
107 ODI's: 1 hundred and 19 Fifties.
A Very solid and Reliable middle order batsmen, who had a good start to his test career but was not able to carry that form into the ODI game. Wrongly identified as an ODI player and persisted with for too long, resulting in loss of form in Test Cricket and a place in test team aswell.
A very calm and collective player, good range of shots. Equally good against spin and pace. Only problem is the inability to lift the the tempo of his game, and has frequently got out when looking good.
Domestic Record:
Excellant ratio of 50+ scores every 2.9 innings.
Excellant Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 43%.
Poor Domestic Limited over record.
M----I----NO--Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50---Ct--St
69---108--12--4709---221----49.05---16---21---76---0
131--127--19--3527---144----32.65---2----25---66---0
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Younis Khan: Should be considered for A Team.
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19. Shaoib Malik
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen, Age 22yrs.
International Experience:
5 Tests: Average ~28. Highest Score 47. Bowling 7 wickets at ~42 runs every ~80 balls.
79 ODIs: Average ~29. 4 Hundreds and 5 Fifties. Bowling 73 Wickets at~34 runs. Econmical ~4.2.
Domestic Record:
Poor Domestic Batting record in 1st class cricket, averaging only ~23.
Scores big runs but not often enough, to force his way into Test Team as a batting allrounder.
Has the potential but needs to be more consistant batting higher up in the order for his domestic teams should help.
Poor ratio of 50+ scores every 7.6 innings.
Good Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 40%.
Good domestic bowling record with wickets costing ~27 runs. Suprisingly has taken a high number of 5+ wicket hauls in both forms of the game with a good strike rate for a spinner.
M----I-----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
53---76----10---1544---130*---23.39---4-----6
141--110---19---3031---143----33.30---6----13
O-------W-----Ave-----BBI-----5---10----SR----Econ
1431----154---26.99---7-81----5---1-----55.7--2.90
1126----169---28.14---5-35----6---1-----40.0--4.22
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Shoiab Malik: Should be retained for ODI Team.
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20. Abdul Razzaq
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 24yrs
International Experience:
28 Tests: 3 Hundreds and 4 Fifties. Average of ~29.
Bowling: 54 Wickets at ~36 runs every ~74 balls.
170 ODIs: 1 Hundred and 17 Fifties. Average of ~30.
Bowling: 191 Wickets at ~29 runs every ~39 balls, Economy 4.4
Domestic Record:
Good ratio of 50+ scores every 5.0 innings.
Average Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 32%.
M----I-----NO---Runs----HS----Ave-----100---50
83---125---18---3632----203*--33.94---8-----17
218--187---42---4306----112---29.69---1-----24
O------W----Ave------BBI-----5---10----SR-----Econ
2222---252---31.15---7-51----9---2-----52.9---3.53
1631---268---28.14---6-35----8---3-----36.5---4.62
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Abdul Razzaq: Should be retained for ODI Team and Test Squad.
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21. Aamir Bashir
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 32.
International Experience: N/A
Domestic Record:
Average Domestic Record particularly in first class cricket.
Average ratio of 50+ scores every 5.3 innings.
Poor Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 19%.
Scored a hundred in the side game against Zimbabwe.
M----I----NO--Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
152--242--18--6632---205----29.60---9----37
122--113--21--3546---124*---38.54---4----27
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Aamir Bashir:
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22. Usman Tariq
Left Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 21.
Bowls Leg Spin
International Experience: N/A
Domestic Record:
Average Domestic Record particularly in first class cricket.
Excellant ratio of 50+ scores every 3.4 innings.
Poor Conversion rate of 50s to 100: 17%.
Promising Leg spin bowler with 67 wickets at a cost of ~27 runs.
M----I----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
63---103--11---3525---210----38.31---5----25
48---47---4----1317---131----30.62---2----8
O------W----Ave------BBI-----5---10----SR-----Econ
555----67---27.29----5-103---2---0-----49.7---3.29
107----15---38.00----4-31----1---0-----42.8---5.32
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Usman Tariq: Should be considered for A Team.
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23. Ashraf Ali
Right Handed Middle Order Batsmen. Age 25.
International Experience: N/A
Domestic Record:
Only started playing last season, had a brilliant season.
M----I----NO---Runs---HS-----Ave-----100--50
4----8----1----481----141----68.71---3----1
10---9----2----434----156*---62.00---1----3
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Ashraf Ali: Should be considered for A Team.
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Summary:-
Test Batting Squad:
1. Taufeeq Umar
2. Imran Farhat
3. Yasir Hameed
4. Inzamam-ul Haq
5. Yousaf Yohanna
6. Misbah ul Haq
7. Saeed Bin Nasir
8. Hasan Raza
9. Asim Kamal
10. Abdur Razzaq
ODI Batting Squad:
1. Imran Farhat
2. Salman Butt
3. Yasir Hameed
4. Inzamam-ul Haq
5. Yousaf Yohanna
6. Misbah ul Haq
7. Saeed Bin Nasir
8. Bazid Khan
9. Qaisser Abbas
10. Shoaib Malik
A Team Batting Squad:
1. Ashar Zaidi
2. Asif Zakir
3. Naumanullah
4. Younis Khan
5. Shahid Yousaf
6. Faisal Athar
7. Faisal Iqbal
8. Mohammed Hafiz
9. Usman Tariq
10. Ashraf Ali