Starts on Wednesday - March 16 in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta).
After an amazing match in Mohali, where India had the upper hand for four days, only to see it all crashing down on the fifth day by a gritty rear-guard action by Pakistan late-order, the psychological advantage may already have swung Pakistan’s way.
However, India still feels they have the bowling attack and the batting power to win a test match. What changes will Pakistan make to finally overcome their test win draught?
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
Yes India has a better bowling attack because Pakistan batting is weak, Simple!
What changes well this is a tough ask, well considering everyone was banking that our quickies were the answer in India, Danish showed that with determination and correct application, Indians are just batsman, who have to give respect to the bowlers who bowl well, Now after saying that we need 3 spinners and two quickes to work with our spin attack.
1) Shahid Afridi
2) Taufeeq Umer <--- I think he deserve's another chance, no matter he dropped catches
3) Yasir Hameed /Younis
4) Yousef Youhanna
5) Inzimam ul Haq
6) Asim Kamal
7) Abdul Razzaq
8) Kamran Akmal
9) M. Sami <---- we have no other choice.
10) Arshad Khan
11) Danish Kaneria
12) Rana Naveed.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
I know how everyone doesn't want to see Younis Khan in the team, but I bet there's going to be a lot of politics surrounding his designation as a VC and like it or not, the team will have to make do with him. We can hope that this last match turns out to be uncharacteristic of better performances to come.
Also, having seen our splendid openers, I would opt for Afridi any day... he can't be worse than what we just saw of our openers - besides, he brings much more to the team as a bowler.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
^ And as a fielder.
I would like to see younis khan kicked out and shoaib malik in. Also take out out Salman Butt-erfingers and bring in Afridi but bat him at number 6-7 still as that position suits him most.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
ditto… I sure hope they regroup and work on their fielding… I’d like to see the same 180 we saw in Australia with their fielding in the last two matches.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
Fielding is something they all need to work on. Thats a given. I doubt if the team management will want to make large-scale changes in the team after just one test match. Thats not how Bob Woolmer's mind works. So, I won't be surprised if there is only one or no change for Kolkata.
Afridi's place is in the lower order batting, not as an opener. That experiment failed many times. And unfortunately, after the performance in 2nd innings, we don't have any vacancy in the lower order. Sami can't go. Kaneria is a gem. Rana is there to stay, as you can't play a test with Razzaq and Sami being the only two fast/medium-fast bowlers. So tough luck for Arshad Khan and Afridi. The only one who can get lucky is probably Yasir, and it will be a coin-flip between Salman and Taufeeq, with a slight edge to Taufeeq bcz of his 44 in 1st innings.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
Umar I agree with you but the fact is sometimes a much undeserving rest can do wonders for you but again I would say he is not a bad 1-down option, considering our top 3 and his starts in Australia he is a good candidate as well.
Well I doubt his appointment as a VC is not a right move, I do not see an resemblances with the KHAN factor here but, overall I would say he is better than Shoaib Malik, Yes he missed or perhaps played the worst test match of his life, who doesnt!
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
Only two changes as far as I am concerned.
Younis and Taufeeq out
Yasir and Arshad in.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
^^ that will leave us with one batsman short.
I will go with the following lineup
Taufeeq
Yasir
Malik
Yoyo
Inzi
Afridi
Akmal
Sami
Rana
Danesh
Arshad
5 Solid batsmen, 2 allrounders, one wicket keeper batsman and three specialist bowlers. :k:
I know its not a great solution, but in given circumtances, this would be the best combination. Everyone has his role well defined. Malik will bring good fielding too and atleast can assure you of 40-50 in each innings. With Yasir and Taufeeq at the top it will be a right left combo for Pathan and Jaheer bhai to coupe with.
Razzaq has to go, despite of his brilliant resistance yesterday. But keep in mind that it was a pure batting track with a very little for bowlers on the fifth day. Harbi and Kumble will do trouble to him on Kolkata pitch. Plus we need more spinners ourselves. So I will go for Arshad. Sami and Rana will do the attack and then its all upto three spinners to make Gangs and Co.'s like miserable. Afridi will bring not only another leg spin option, but fine fielding and some batting support as well. And this would be last chance for Taufeeq.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
^^where is Asim Kamal 
how on earth you can leave him out after such a performance! :o
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
Thats an awful team. You can't play three spinners against India.
And you can't drop Younis, Razzak and Asim Kamal after 1st test (for different reasons), either.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
Dropping Asim Kamal was really "smooth".....
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
My bad :elmo: I give Arshad another rest and play Asim. He just dropped out of my mind. I am his admirer since his first test when he scored 99 and ever since he is standing like a rock with taienders after ugly batting collapses earlier.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
younis and taufeeq out
yasir(what can we do… we r running out of batsmen) and afridi in
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
[quote]
Fielding is something they all need to work on. Thats a given. I doubt if the team management will want to make large-scale changes in the team after just one test match. Thats not how Bob Woolmer's mind works. So, I won't be surprised if there is only one or no change for Kolkata.
Afridi's place is in the lower order batting, not as an opener. That experiment failed many times. And unfortunately, after the performance in 2nd innings, we don't have any vacancy in the lower order. Sami can't go. Kaneria is a gem. Rana is there to stay, as you can't play a test with Razzaq and Sami being the only two fast/medium-fast bowlers. So tough luck for Arshad Khan and Afridi. The only one who can get lucky is probably Yasir, and it will be a coin-flip between Salman and Taufeeq, with a slight edge to Taufeeq bcz of his 44 in 1st innings.
[/quote]
Disregard the fact that I want three changes:
Afridi/arshad for Slamaan
Hameed for Younis
Malik for Taufeeq,
I guess Faisal's team will be chosen with having arshad khan in the team.
-Rana ans sami - we need them both for sure.
-With kanaria, we need afridi or arshad.
My Dream team
Yaser Hameed
Taufeeq Umer
Afridi
Yoyo
Inzi
Kamal
Razzaq
Akmal
Rana
Sami
Kanaria
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
you got it! he is not afraid of catching the ball :k:
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
NO matter who we put in or out.. We still cant put up a match against india.. seriously I say Lets quit and leave
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
all i want is to kick younis out!, that's it. i don't care what the rest of the team looks like.
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
Though I'd personally like to see Taufeeq, Salman and Younis out for Yasir, Shoaib and Afridi, it is highly unlikely that Bob and Inzi will bring in so many changes.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Salman has scored a century in Kolkata ground so chances are less for him being dropped.
Younis is vice-Captain.... hence "automatically in", he might be given a full series run no matter what.
Taufeeq has not been given a proper run as opener in any series lately.
Cons:
Salman has not scored in last few outings in Tests and was bad in fielding.
Younis was horrible in batting and fielding
Taufeeq was bad in batting and fielding too.
My conclusion:
Changes due to performance:
Taufeeq is the only likely player in my mind who may face the axe, but who comes in? IMO Yasir might get the nod.
Changes due to course (pitch):
Arshad/Afridi might come in for Rana. (I personally would like to keep Rana in.... but then who to drop, other than players mentioned above?)
Re: 2nd Test - Pakistan vs India - Kolkata
I would like to stick with the current team..but since the management must be under a lot of pressure on the tope 3 spots, the only change i would make is bring Yasir in for Butt.
Younis Khan always performs when the team is ready to boot him out...that's why his highness, though highly average, is still around. He has a lot at stake and he will perform.