Pakistan make three changes for New Zealand tests

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
1

Pakistan have recalled off-spinner Arshad Khan and middle-order batsman Younis Khan for the three-test series against New Zealand starting on March 8 in Auckland.

Uncapped wicketkeeper Humayun Farhat was also named as one of the three changes by the director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Munawwar Rana.

``The three players are leaving for Auckland on Wednesday evening. There is a possibility that another player might fly out later this week,‘’ Rana told Reuters by telephone from Islamabad.

While Younis is being sent as a backup to Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is out of action for at least two weeks because of a groin injury, Arshad appears to have been called up due to a lacklustre performance by Saqlain Mushtaq in the one-day series which is locked 2-2.

Saqlain conceded 63 runs off his 10 overs in the fourth one-dayer at Christchurch, including 24 off the last over.

``Humayun is being sent to take pressure off (captain) Moin Khan,‘’ Rana said.

Humayun, 20, is the brother of opener Imran Nazir who is in New Zealand. Humayun has scored 937 runs in the ongoing first-class season besides accounting for 53 batsmen behind the wickets.

Rana said the team management would decide which players should be released after the conclusion of the one-day series. The decider will be played in Dunedin on Wednesday.

While Arshad Khan is a reasonable spinner he is no match to Saqlain and replacing Saqlain with Arshad Khan will be a mistake. Younis Khan will be a good replacement for the injured Inzamam. Any comments on Humayun Farhat.

2

i wonder if inzy injured ] can play in test or is he replace by younis khan ?

i hope inzy can play in test.

3

Arshad is obviously not as talented but he`s more hard working, steady and consistent than Saqlain. Saqlain needs to be dropped once in a while to shake him up. Mushtaq Ahmed didnt deserve to go to NZ, Danish Kaneria should have been there in his place, but if Mushy is already there, then maybe Moin should play Mushy today and in the practice game and go into the first test with Mushtaq Ahmed as his first choice spinner. If he wants to go for 2 spinners then he can add Arshad in.

Humayun is a young and talented keeper and batsman. But as long as Moin is skipper, Humayun cant play. We're already tried playing Moin as a batsman and Latif as the keeper which failed. Its not going to work. As good and as talented as Moin is, he`s a late order player and not a middle order batsman. Nevertheless, Humayun may keep in the two side games to gain some experience which is good enough for him at this early stage of his intl career.

4

[quote]
Originally posted by ehsan:
**

Humayun, 20, is the brother of opener Imran Nazir who is in New Zealand.
Wednesday.

**
[/quote]

Wow! I didn't know Humayun Farhat was Imran Nazir's brother.
I thought his brother was Imran Farhat.

Thank you, come again