Imran Farhat’s 107 for Pakistan A against India has earned him a return to the Pakistan squad for the first Test against India. Farhat was dropped from the Pakistan squad in December 2004 after a poor series against Australia but impressive domestic form and the century have sealed his place. The selectors have dropped Yasir Hameed who is suffering from typhoid, Raffatuallah Mohmand and Asim Kamal from the squad for the first Test.
**Pakistan
** Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan (vice-capt), Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Yousuf , Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan, Mohammad Asif.
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan (vice-capt), Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Yousuf , Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan, Mohammad Asif.
I don't know why we need Arshad Khan especially when we are going for fast and bouncy pitches, maybe it wouldn't have mattered because Sami is certain to play and Asif is ahead of Gul currently but i don't see why we need Arshad Kha in TEST squad
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
brahamchari u should congarulate Pakistan for Ganguly' inclusion in the squad as well, we will also make sure that AGAR BEKAR gets picked ahead of Zaheer or R P Singh by giving him wickets in the warmup game :):)
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
SPOT ON!!!!!
This is the lineup i wanted even before the squad was announced, i would have given Asif a chance ahead of Sami but with Imran giving him tips and all, it's unlikely so we will go with Sami for now.
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
If the pitch is indeed suited for fast-bowling attack (as been rumored heavily recently), I would drop Kaneria and include Razzaq in. If he is unable to shine through his bowling, at least there is a chance that he will post a respectable score. Kaneria is a lost-win cause (On the other hand, Razzaq is not a win-win substance, either).
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
Another advantage of including Razzaq in the team is Lahore's pitches have always been a batsman paradise, and including him in the final squad would increase our winning shares.
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
Remember the theory of playing your best bowlers??? show me ONE good reason why Razzaq should replace Danish on ANY track in the world. Danish is an aggressive legspinner and concedes lots of runs but at the end of the day, he wins you matches. Leg spinners get lot of PHAINTY before they learn to bowl consistently in the right spots, Kaneria MUST play in tests (as long as hes he is FIT).
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
I agree with your statement; albeit I was refering to the structure of the pitch, (which is rumored to be suited for fast bowlers, where Razzaq will come into play) as well as the location of the match being played, the ground which is known as a batsman's paradise. Having those two variables being taken under consideration, I do realize the fact that Danish is indeed an agressive bowler, and has gotten much-needed breakthroughs for Pakistan before. However, I look at it in a manner in where if Danish indeed fails, he will not be any helpful via his batting "skills", while on the other hand, Razzaq has a chance to shine in either/both departments.
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
I believe Sami is not missing out on the first one, especially after his session with Imran. Hence, Gul doesn't look like a possibility, at least not to me.
On another note, your reason for including Kaneria is the same as mentioned above, I am taking?
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
Kaneria is a wildcard, in my opinion. If he is dropped, in case, I would really want Razzaq to come in, which would increase our chances in both departments.
In any case, Kaneria's inclusion is pre-defined as well, supported with strong arguments.
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
Razzaq isn't much of Test player anymore. His bowling has lost sting, he will get wickets by batsmen's mistakes not because he is a threatening bowler. His batting is much more suitable for ODIs, his only "patient" knock was in India when he partnered with Kamran Akmal.... I don't remember his other recent knocks in Test matches (how much Test has he played recently anyway?).
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
Well, yes, but since Akmal is in the team, I think there might be another solid knock waiting for us in the back of the woods.
The last five (5) test matches he played includes batting average of 21.88 (almost six points lower than his regular average). He has taken wickets at regular intervals, average slightly above, at 38.26. Granted he hasn't been on top of his game recently, considering the above variables that are discussed, I think he should be given a chance . We can always bring back Kaneria for the next two tests.
Re: Mubarak ho jee, Imran Farhat recalled for first Test
On the opposing side, the credentials for Razzaq on this particular ground hasn't been particularly impressive. He has played a total of three (3) tests, with batting average of 16 and bowling average of 41.
Kaneria has been very impressive with his averages, making him stand out at 17.04. That is mighty fine, for a bowler like him.
But remember, Razzaq's scorebook is from almost four years ago.