While Taufeeq and Imran look all set to take the opening responsibilities for Pakistan now, for the first time in many years we have a lot of choices in the middle order that will keep the batsmen on their toes. We will probably play three batsmen apart from the openers plus a wicket keeper and two all rounders probably Shoaib Malik and Razzaq followed by Sami, Shoaib Akhtar and Danish or Shabir depending on the track. Inzimam and Youhana have a confirmed place in the side that only leaves one open spot. Right now it will go to Yasir Hammed. But we also have Asim Kamal and Younis Khan along with Misbah and Saeed Bin Nasir knocking on selectors’ doors. So I guess Yasir will have to work very hard and come up with some exceptional batting if he is to retain his place in the side. This is the best thing that has happened since the rebuilding process. We have a lot of players who are talented enough and we can take the liberty of picking the one in the best form. I forgot to mention Faisal Iqbal’s name in the list. I think Pakistan now boosts a good strong batting line up and it is jus a matter of time before this turns into one of the most lethal batting line ups in the world. We have been playing with same players, the same batting line up for a while and most of the batsmen had confirmed places in the side as there didn’t seems to be a backup. Now for the first time everyone will play with the thought in mind that if he does not perform others are eager to take his place in the side.
The bowling looks equally promising. With Shoaib and Sami opening the bowling we have Gul and Shabir to back up if needed. Shabir was brilliant in the last test against Bangladesh and I think he should be persisted with during the upcoming tours. Kaneria striking form has made it even more difficult for the selectors so Shoaib Malik and specially Razzaq can’t take his place in the side for granted. I think the days of rebuilding are almost over and we will Inshallah emerge as a big force in the cricketing world in the near future.
But one weak link...the wicketkeeper ...we dont have any quality wicketkeeper left after the disappointing performances of moin khan and rashid latif behind the stumps...i think if we can have someone like gilchrist then it will be big boost for our team ...that really will turn our team into the world class team.
well we still lack a fast & furious strike bowler. Sami and Shoaib are there, but still we need a backup or third fast bowler of there calibre. Gul and Shabir are upto there task, but they both are not upto that 2 S's Standards...
and regarding WK, its going to be a big problem, Moin proved to be pathetic, Rashid went out of form suddely. But I think getting some of his composure back, Rashid can re-arrive in the team, with more detremined style. but Moin proved himself once again, a crap keeper and a waste of space for some one more usefull.
I agree with Munda upto some extent. I think we are lacking three things.
1. A furious one day batsman in the middle order
2. A geniune patient batsman in the middle order for the test (Faisal and Yaisr could be the choice if they stay all day on crease and make some 50 odd runs on one end and let the other batsman hit the boundaries every now and then, this stragety can kill any bowling attack in the world).
3. Either a quality keeper with mediocre batting ablity or an average keeper with good hitting. I would go for the former, if that is a choice. Rashid is good for couple of years.
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*Originally posted by LahoriMunda: *
While Taufeeq and Imran look all set to take the opening responsibilities for Pakistan now, for the first time in many years we have a lot of choices in the middle order that will keep the batsmen on their toes. We will probably play three batsmen apart from the openers plus a wicket keeper and two all rounders probably Shoaib Malik and Razzaq followed by Sami, Shoaib Akhtar and Danish or Shabir depending on the track. Inzimam and Youhana have a confirmed place in the side that only leaves one open spot. Right now it will go to Yasir Hammed. But we also have Asim Kamal and Younis Khan along with Misbah and Saeed Bin Nasir knocking on selectors’ doors. So I guess Yasir will have to work very hard and come up with some exceptional batting if he is to retain his place in the side. This is the best thing that has happened since the rebuilding process. We have a lot of players who are talented enough and we can take the liberty of picking the one in the best form. I forgot to mention Faisal Iqbal’s name in the list. I think Pakistan now boosts a good strong batting line up and it is jus a matter of time before this turns into one of the most lethal batting line ups in the world. We have been playing with same players, the same batting line up for a while and most of the batsmen had confirmed places in the side as there didn’t seems to be a backup. Now for the first time everyone will play with the thought in mind that if he does not perform others are eager to take his place in the side.
The bowling looks equally promising. With Shoaib and Sami opening the bowling we have Gul and Shabir to back up if needed. Shabir was brilliant in the last test against Bangladesh and I think he should be persisted with during the upcoming tours. Kaneria striking form has made it even more difficult for the selectors so Shoaib Malik and specially Razzaq can’t take his place in the side for granted. I think the days of rebuilding are almost over and we will Inshallah emerge as a big force in the cricketing world in the near future.
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would u like to give some credit to poor amer sohail now... after all he is the one who has spotted most of these players...even though he has a big mouth and he acts stupid most of the time on tv, the guy has some eye to spot the talent...any thoughts?
would u like to give some credit to poor amer sohail now... after all he is the one who has spotted most of these players...even though he has a big mouth and he acts stupid most of the time on tv, the guy has some eye to spot the talent...any thoughts?
[/QUOTE]
He didn't spot them. He just kept cycling through the available lot and the good players took their chances. Why else was Aasim Kamal not given a chance against Bangladesh and Saeed Bin Nasir kept out?
I think we are being optimistic here. Besides Inzi, Youhanan and Taufeeq (to some extent), we have some names who have performed well in a couple of innings. It remains to be seen who will score consistently. It will be good if we are able to get one or two good batsmen out of the whole lot.
Razzaq may be a good one day choice but he is not test material. Other than a decent effort in the last test, his bowling lacks the bite. We just don't want someone who can throw his arm for 20 overs and goes with figures of none (or 1) for 60 odd.
We have the openers. We need a 1 down batsman to play a solid innings, which is Youhana. We havent had a good 1 down for nearly a decade now. One that is consistant and that can still bat in the 15 overs if early wickets fall. Inzi down at 2. 3 down we can have any tom dick and Harry.
I do believe Misbah-ul-Haq is also a wickie? We could bleed him for the matches?
Bowling. 2 fasts, a medium pacer and a spinner or 2. Following on Wasim, Waqar, Aaqib and then Mushi. Keep a diversified bowling attack which will keep the batsmen on his toes.
I prefer for ODI:
1. Shoiab
2. Sami
3. Saqi
4. Razzaq
5. Gul
6. A leg spinner or a medium pacer like razzaq
I prefer for ODI:
1. Shoiab
2. Sami
3. Saqi
4. Razzaq
5. Gul
6. A leg spinner or a medium pacer like razzaq
[/QUOTE]
My team for ODI would be:
Yasir Hameed (wicketkeeper)
Imran Farhat
Yousaf Youhana
Inzimam
Aasim Kamal
Shoaib Malik
Abdul Razzaq
Muhammad Sami
Shoaib Akhtar
Shabeer Ahmed
Danish Kaneria
My Team for tests:
Taufeeq Umer
Imran Farhat
Yasir Hameed
Yousaf Youhana
Inzimam
Aasim Kamal
Shoaib Malik
Muhammad Sami
Shoaib Akhtar
Shabeer Ahmed
Danish Kaneria
Yasir kept wickets part time in England. I think we should further develop him into a better keeper. If we can resolve this problem of having a good wicket keeper who is equally good at batting, then we can play around with a lot of choices.
I don't understand love for Asim Kamal. Yes he played one good solid inning of 99 then he scored 1 and 38. Does that cement his place in the side? He has to play a few more games to show what he is worth. We don't know how he fares in ODI.
We have competition b/w Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal and Asim Kamal for test side, Misbah has to compete with Yasir Hameed or someone else to come into ODI side.
Though our batting seems to be pretty strong but we have to see its performance in NZ as NZ seems to have bowling pitches where both India and NZ struggled to score good.
We have two S's, but no back up "strike bowler" either for tests or ODI. Shabbir and Gul need more time to be considered genuine "strike bowlers", for now they are more in supporting mode.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Changez_like: *
I don't understand love for Asim Kamal. Yes he played one good solid inning of 99 then he scored 1 and 38. Does that cement his place in the side? He has to play a few more games to show what he is worth. We don't know how he fares in ODI.
We have competition b/w Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal and Asim Kamal for test side, Misbah has to compete with Yasir Hameed or someone else to come into ODI side.
Though our batting seems to be pretty strong but we have to see its performance in NZ as NZ seems to have bowling pitches where both India and NZ struggled to score good.
We have two S's, but no back up "strike bowler" either for tests or ODI. Shabbir and Gul need more time to be considered genuine "strike bowlers", for now they are more in supporting mode.
[/QUOTE]
If we don't give Aasim Kamal more chances how will we know his true potential or lack of it? So unless he proves a failure he should be kept in the team. He looks good for now.
I say it’s too soon to declare that we have a set opening pair. I am very pleased with the way Taufeeq and Imran are performing right now but I’ll wait for at least one series out of Pakistan against quality bowling to think that opening places are secure.
For now I only think Yousuf and Inzimam (fitness permitting) as automatic selection for at least next 2 years. Taufeeq and Imran has to show their consistency and temperament out of Pakistan. For middle order we have lots of choices and we can make a choice depending on the form and conditions of the game.
As far as bowling is concerned Mashallah we are shaping up quite well in the department. With Shoaib and Sami as opening pair and have a privilege to choose from Shabbir, Gul, Kaneria, Saqi, Razzaq, Shoaib Malik as 2nd string bowlers.
As far as wicketkeeper is concerned, I'll stick to Rashid as far as he is available. Only thing i want to emphasis is that we need a Keeper-Batsman not Batsman-Keeper of course Gilchrist is an exception and its hard to find someone like him in near future.
What kind of credit should Amir Sohail get?? Does it make sense to keep players like Misbah and Saeed Bin Nasir on the sidelines and give Asim Kamal a chance?? Now just because he scored a century no one will question it but Saeed was included in the test squad agaisnt Bangladesh and then dropped without playing a match and we give Asim Kamal a chance. Misbah who has always proved him mettle in ODI's was not given a chance but Asim Kamal got it. Why???
As far openening in concerned I agree that one series doesnt prove anything, though they both played excellently in the series, not to mention handled a very good opening pair Ntini and Pollock but even if one of them fails we can always promote Yasir as opener and bring in an extra middle order batsman. Plus we also have the young and exciting Salman Butt waiting for his turn on the sidelines.
I think as long as opners are doing good we should bring Yasir Hameed at one down if opners fails then we can either bring in Salman Butt or open with Yasir and have Youhana come one down.
The only logical choice for a standby wicketkeeper is Taufeeq but I dont know if we want to take a chance of taking one of the best slip fielder we had in decades and ask him to keep wickets. If we are really hurting for an extra bowler or batmsman then I guess Taufeeq can keep wickets.
Along with Sami and Shoaib we dont have another strike bowler so we might be hurting there a little. Danish can come in the team but he is a horrible batsman and I think in that regard Shabir is better then him. Shabir also bowled very well agaisnt South Africans but I think if we want to have variety Danish shoukd play. Shoaib Malik has improved his bowling a lot. Speicially in the ODI's. He has been economical and chips in with a wicket or two. I think Shoaib is developing into a very lethal all rounder. He plays with a very straight bat and is getting more control over his bowling. His batting display in the first ODI was enough to prove his batting skills so long as he keeps a tidy line as a bowler I think we can trust him to bowl his 10 overs without any big hiccups.
Interesting analysis....
It would be nice to see Taufiq Umar keep the wickets so it opens up space for a nother batsman. I think we hsould have seperate ODI and Test teams so more players get chances. That way a guy like Asim Kamal does'snt get leaft out. I think Yassir is also pretty solid in his place, I can't see him getting dropped, after all we need to develop another solid middle order run makes with Inzi on his way out and prone to injury. With Imran Farhat ensuring his place on the team, I can see his brother being brought in to play Wicketkeep in the near future once Moin moves on...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by CM: *
We have the openers. We need a 1 down batsman to play a solid innings, which is Youhana. We havent had a good 1 down for nearly a decade now. One that is consistant and that can still bat in the 15 overs if early wickets fall. Inzi down at 2. 3 down we can have any tom dick and Harry.
I do believe Misbah-ul-Haq is also a wickie? We could bleed him for the matches?
Bowling. 2 fasts, a medium pacer and a spinner or 2. Following on Wasim, Waqar, Aaqib and then Mushi. Keep a diversified bowling attack which will keep the batsmen on his toes.
I prefer for ODI:
1. Shoiab
2. Sami
3. Saqi
4. Razzaq
5. Gul
6. A leg spinner or a medium pacer like razzaq
[/QUOTE]
Have you been watching cricket lately? Saqlain is totally out the picture now. Its Malik all the way now.