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Haris Rauf And...? Rizwan Could Drop These Non-Performing Pakistan Players Vs Bangladesh

Debashis Sarangi

Pakistan have lost two successive matches [Source: AP]Pakistan have lost two successive matches [Source: AP]

After losing two consecutive matches, Pakistan will face Bangladesh in their final group-stage match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. The high-octane face-off will take place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan have been miserable in the tournament, incurring crushing defeats against India and New Zealand. As they have already been crashed out of the Champions Trophy, the hosts would be desperate to finish their campaign on a winning note. 

With their pride at stake, Pakistan might decide to drop some non-performing players against Bangladesh, as mentioned below. 

1. Haris Rauf

Criterion
Wickets
Avg/SR
Since Zimbabwe ODIs654.83/56.5
In Champions Trophy267.50/51

(Haris Rauf's recent ODI stats)

  • Experienced fast bowler Haris Rauf has had a tournament to forget. In two Champions Trophy matches, Rauf has managed only two wickets at a horrible average of 67.50 and a strike rate of 51. 
  • Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have also failed to strike at crucial junctures. However, Shaheen is Pakistan's only left-arm pacer, and Naseem has bowled comparatively better than Rauf as far as economy is concerned. 
  • On the contrary, Rauf's economy of 7.94 suggests that he has failed miserably to control the flow of runs. Although he has the x-factor of extra pace, it won't be surprising if Pakistan replace him with Mohammad Hasnain for the final group-stage match.  

2. Tayyab Tahir

Innings
Runs
Average/SR
252.50/45.45

(Tayyab Tahir's stats in Champions Trophy)

  • Prominent middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir looked sublime in the Tri-Nation series. However, he has struggled with poor form in the Champions Trophy, scoring five runs across two outings. 
  • Tahir's modest returns were a major reason behind Pakistan's sub-par performance in the tournament. Thus, considering his horrible form, the hosts might replace him with either Usman Khan or Kamran Ghulam in this game. 

3. Imam-ul-Haq

  • Experienced batter Imam-ul-Haq got a surprise recall into the ODI team following Fakhar Zaman's unfortunate injury setback.
  • However, the southpaw got out cheaply against India, being dismissed for ten runs. More importantly, his strike rate of 38.46 earned Imam massive backlash, as fans accused him of playing an outdated brand of cricket. 
  • So, although Imam is a 72-ODI veteran, Pakistan might bring Usman Khan in order to ensure dynamism at the top. It's worth mentioning that Usman has scored 681 runs at a blistering strike rate of 117.61 in List-A cricket and can play the aggressor's role to perfection.