Pakistan lost to SA due to the poor efforts of our bowlers-and whilst I rate them highly as a bowling attack, and Waqar was just superb, I feel the team is fast becomming overly reliant on Shoiab to skittle opposition like he did in the recent “super challange” series against Australia.
Akram is old and well not what he once was, and whilst Saqi is class he has dipped below his former glorious self, whilst Razzaq is a fine stock bowler but hardly a destroyer-leaving us with a certified wrecking crew of Waqar and shoaib (with Sami as the stand-by). In Shoaib’s absence the side loses too much bite and becoems unable to terrorize batting line-ups. This reliance on him is not good for our cricket, he is injury prone and moody and ultimately we could become less competitive unless we wien ourselves of Shoaibomania when it comes to winning games.
The same aplies now in tests too, Waqar and Wasim have really “aged” in test cricket-and saqi is ruined due to his over exposure to ODi’s-leaving us reliant on Akhtar again-and that is the basis of a weak side-however talent we are!
I differ with that!
Shoaib has only been outstanding in the last couple matches.
2nd ODI against Australia was won because of Wasim magic.
Though he may not have the same power.
Even without Shoaib Pakistan bowling lineup is best in the world.
The match against South Africa was really horrible due to poor pitch.
Our bowlers rely on pace, bounce and swing to get wickets and while others rely usually on line length to take wickets.
Even without Shoaib Pakistan can win this.
He just adds an extra glare to the bowling lineup.
But no doubt he is the most in form bowler in the team currently but I don't think the pitch in Tangiers would have done wonders for Shoaib like the ones in Australia.
All Pakistan needs is Wasim get back into the form like he was in Australia and wickets will be falling very quickly.
I really hop Sami gets a chance to play eventhough the pitch will do him no good.
Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis hold the position of Gods in Cricketing terms, but both are not what they once where-wasim esp has declined in all aspects as he approaches 37~ and with his diabetes. A fit wasim is always good, but he can no longer run through a side (at least you would expect him to any more) like he did with such frequency for 12-14 years. waqar too can go through patches of indifference before producing a jaffer of a show ala today.
Shoaib is the ONE Pakistani bowler who is currently playing who can beat the batsmen purely with pace through the air, in any conditions and at any time. sami is not that fast, and with his open chested action and skiddy arm he loses some impact and thus "rushes" less batsmen. He also lacks the sheer pace through the air to shatter defences-and that leaves us only one man who at any time in any condition can beat any bat in the world-and who would be expected too. Akram and Younis may occasonally bring the goods like they used to-but there test records post 1997/8 are proof that they have lost the bite-and Shoaib is now the main force in our side. sadly in his absence the team seems unable to scare oppositon and the bowling appears a case of "great names" but little substance-certainly when compared to an attack inclusive of Shoaib.