Re: 5th ODI: Pakistan v South Africa on 29 Oct 2007 @ Lahore
I would definetly pick Rao for this game. He has the most wickets so far in this tournament and his line and length bowling has been excellent. He along with Rehman, and Afridi have done a good job in the middle overs tying down the strong SA batting line up. If anyone, I'd drop Gul as has been the least impressive so far even though he has been fairly decent.
Hameed also needs the boot...I've been saying this for a while and I stil, stand by it, Hameed is not the answer to opening woes. He has struggled on these flat pitches against quality bowling, he will get murdered on SA and Aussie pitches. I'd play Nazir in this game...because he is a gamble but it'll be worth it considering the form of all our openers. If he clicks, that gives Pakistan a clear edge. I'd open with Nazir and Akmal and save Afridi for the lower order.