Comment: The Pakistan playing XI that is most likely to win in Hamilton

The side I propose has three changes to it, due to the pacy and green track at Seddon Park

KARACHI: After the limp surrender in Christchurch, Pakistan find their backs firmly placed against the wall. A defeat or even a draw at Seddon Park in Hamilton will not only cost the visitors valuable International Cricket Council ranking points, but also finish their three decade long unbeaten record at Black Caps’ own backyard.

Pakistan have been supremely dominant in New Zealand and the domination is now under serious threat with the tourists lagging behind in the series for only the second time in the last three decades.

Winning is the only option for acting captain Azhar Ali, who has a huge challenge ahead of him against a rampaging Black Caps outfit determined to overcome their backlash in India by recording a 2-0 win against a team that has had the wood over them even on their own turf.



Azhar must give himself the best chance of winning by fielding a team that has match winners and players who are more likely to take the attack to the hosts. Pakistan have to do the running in the game, hence they need game changers in their playing 11.

Here’s an 11 that can possibly deliver for Azhar and coach Mickey Arthur provided that the Seddon Park pitch is pacy and green as was the case in the Test against Sri Lanka last December, a pitch that leaves Yasir Shah — Pakistan’s top-ranked bowler — redundant.

After all the ‘horses for courses’ mind-set saw pacer Wahab Riaz cool his heels in Christchurch, despite a seven-wicket haul in the preceding Sharjah Test, as Younus Khan, Ross Taylor, Misbahul Haq and Babar Azam fell to short balls — Wahab’s favourite weapon — one begs to raise the question, “Did Pakistan misread the Hagley Oval pitch?”

My playing eleven for Hamilton:

Azhar Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Younus Khan, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Amir, Imran Khan/Yasir Shah.

The side I proposed has three changes to it from the preceding Test, with Misbah of course unavailable, and Sami Aslam and Rahat Ali benched for the Seddon Park Test.

Sami and Rahat have both shone brightly in recent games, but they don’t fit in the ‘go for the kill’ requirements for Hamilton, and benching them has nothing to do with their form or talent, it is more based at whether they fit in the scheme of things for a make or break game.



Yasir Shah’s induction is a no-brainer if the sun continues to beat down in Hamilton — especially in the last two days.

But if the pitch retains its freshness leading up to the spin of the coin, Pakistan can field a bowling attack of Amir, Wahab, Sohail and Imran, with Nawaz replacing Yasir to hold New Zealand batsmen on one end as the quicks are unleashed from the other.

Imran’s strength is his accuracy and ability of nibbling the ball off the seam; he can run in for long spells too and can play the role of a workhorse with Wahab, Amir and Sohail going for the jugular. His presence provides Azhar with more variety and balance in his pace attack, two right-armers, and two left-armers.

New Zealand fielded four pace options of varying speeds and prospered in Christchurch, so there’s no harm in taking a leaf out of their book, especially with the conditions in play.

The first three days invariably settle the game on a green track, and Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood reportedly believes that the tourists should ‘hang in there’ and try and extend the game to fourth and fifth day’s play.



However, that’s exactly the approach that backfired in Christchurch. Pakistan aimlessly occupied the crease in the second innings before imploding and eventually handing the hosts a cakewalk win.

Pakistan have to hit the ground running, they can’t repeat the follies of Hagley Oval and play a wait-and-see game. If the pitch loses its greenish tinge even by a fraction before the toss, Pakistan should induct Yasir instead of Imran, yet the approach has to be of taking the bull by the horns.

Remember, the only option for Azhar’s men is a win; they lose the series even if they play out a draw. And of course a defeat will bring an end to their stranglehold over the Black Caps.

Azhar needs to mix caution with aggression, and there’s always a thin line between aggression and recklessness, but even if a couple of reckless dismissals occur, the captain, who is thrown in the deep end due to Misbah’s unfortunate absence, must stick to a positive and proactive game plan.

All the best Azhar, give it your best shot.