Pakistan tour of England - June 2003

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Pakistan squad for England tour

*Pakistan Cricket Board - May 27, 2003 *

The Pakistan cricket selectors Tuesday announced a 16-man squad for next month’s tour to England. Pakistan will play three one-day internationals on a three-week tour.

The chairman of selectors Aamer Sohail, in a statement, said he was delighted with the progress the young team was making. “We won in Sharjah and were the losing finalist in Sri Lanka which means that we are on the right track. And keeping this in mind, we have tried to make minimum changes in the squad.”

The selectors left out allrounder Abdul Razzaq, opener Taufeeq Umar, middle-order batsman Faisal Iqbal. Taufeeq has been replaced by Imran Nazir, Misbah-ul-Haq comes in for Faisal, Azhar Mahmood, who was one the nine players to be dropped after the World Cup, has also been recalled whereas uncapped Bilal Asad replaces Abdul Razzaq.

“Azhar Mahmood has been included keeping in view his excellent form with the bat and the ball in the English County Championships for Surrey. He is a utility player who, we strongly believe, will make a difference to the outlook of the team,” Aamer Sohail said.

He said Imran Nazir was back as he has been in touch with the game. “Besides, is not only a popular choice of the followers of the game but we also tested him in nets on Monday evening. He looked in good nick.”

The former captain defended the exclusion of Taufeeq saying: “He looked completely out of sorts in Sharjah and Sri Lanka. Although he is an excellent prospect and a future asset, he is getting out in a similar fashion which means that he has a flaw in his technique. I am sure he will sort out his problem.”

Misbah-ul-Haq, who played in Sharjah but was left out for Sri Lanka, further strengthens the middle-order. “Misbah was a borderline case for the tour to Sri Lanka and I think he was very unlucky to miss the bus. But he was never out of reckoning as evident from the fact that he is back in the side. I think his inclusion will give more batting options to the captain.”

On the exclusion of Abdul Razzaq, Aamer Sohail said, “Razzaq has struggled with his bowling and looks a bit tired. In his place, we have included Bilal Asad who is a batting allrounder and has performed exceptionally well in the domestic circuit averaging 63 in the just concluded domestic season and 1,260 first-class runs at 42 in the 2001-2002 season.”

Inzamam-ul-Haq, one of the mainstays of Pakistan middle-order batsman, was not considered for selection because "he has not played cricket recently. But we are aware of his talent, experience and potential and it is just a matter of time that he will be back in the side.

“In the rebuilding phase, consistency has to be the key and I think we have more or less stuck to the select group of players. The tour to England will be a grueling and testing one for the youngsters but I am sure that it will be a great learning experience for them as well. The conditions there test your abilities to the limits and the England team has also done well in the recent months,” Aamer Sohail said.

Squad:
1-Mohammad Hafeez
2-Imran Nazir
3-Faisal Athar
4-Yasir Hameed
5-Yousuf Youhana (vice-captain)
6-Younis Khan
7-Misbah-ul-Haq
8-Shoaib Malik
9-Bilal Asad
10-Azhar Mahmood
11-Rashid Latif (captain, wicketkeeper)
12-Shoaib Akhtar
13-Mohammad Sami
14-Shabbir Ahmed
15-Umar Gul
16-Danish Kaneria

Itinerary:
June 5: Arrive and transfer to Edinburgh
June 7: One-dayer vs Scotland, West of Scotland CC, Glasgow
June 9: One-dayer vs Essex, Chelmsford (d/n)
June 11: One-dayer vs Northamptonshire
June 14: One-dayer vs Leicestershire, Grace Road
June 17: First one-day international, Old Trafford (d/n)
June 20: Second one-day international, AMP Oval
June 22: Third one-day international, Lord’s
June 23: Departure

Samiul Hasan
General Manager – Media
Mobile + 92 300 8424 389
27 May 2003

© PCB

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No Inzi :(.

Does anyone have any info on Bilal Asad?

No Afridi :bhangra:

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but there is Imran Nazir :)

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No place for Razzaq and Inzamam

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2003/MAY/187398_PAK_27MAY2003.html

Abdul Razzaq, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Taufeeq Umar and Faisal Iqbal have been left out of the Pakistan squad for the short tour to England – but there is a place for the suspended Shoaib Akhtar.

An out-of-form Taufeeq, who played in Sharjah and more recently in the Bank Alfalah Cup in Sri Lanka, has made way for the more aggressive opener Imran Nazir. Misbah-ul-Haq has replaced Faisal Iqbal who also failed to impress in Sri Lanka, while Azhar Mahmood, currently playing for Surrey and dropped after the World Cup, has been recalled. A new face, uncapped Bilal Asad replaces Abdul Razzaq.

In the recent Sri Lanka triangular, a young Pakistan squad made it to the finals but lost to New Zealand. This performance has pleased chief selector Aamer Sohail who said: “We won in Sharjah and were the losing finalist in Sri Lanka which means that we are on the right track. And keeping this in mind, we have tried to make minimum changes in the squad.”

Aamer had good words too for Azhar Mahnood. “He has been included keeping in view his excellent form with the bat and the ball for Surrey. He is a utility player who, we strongly believe, will make a difference to the outlook of the team.”

Aamer added that Imran Nazir came back after a recent trial where “He looked in good nick” but the selectors felt that Taufeeq “is an excellent prospect and a future asset, but he is getting out in a similar fashion which means that he has a flaw in his technique. I am sure he will sort out his problem.”

Bilal Asad, who has come in for Abdul Razzaq, is a batting allrounder who performed well in Pakistan domestic cricket with an average of 63 and scored more that 1,200 runs the previous season.

The omission of note was Inzamam-ul-Haq who has been the bulwark of Pakistan batting in the past. Aamer offered him some consolation. “He has not played cricket recently, but we are aware of his talent, experience and potential, and it is just a matter of time before he will be back in the side.”

Shoaib Akhtar is also included, but he will need to sit out the first of the ODIs following his two-match ban in Sri Lanka.

The Pakistan selectors have stuck with the young players who they brought in after the dismal performance in the World Cup. The feeling is that a tour to England is always tough and they hope to hone the skills of the younger players in an effort to carry on the rebuilding process.

Pakistan are due to play warm-up games against Scotland and three county teams, followed by three ODIs against England. The tour kicks-off with a game against Scotland on June 7.

Pakistan squad Rashid Latif (capt), Yousuf Youhana (v-capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir, Faisal Athar, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Bilal Asad, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmad, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria.
Coach: Javed Miandad
Manager: Haroon Rasheed

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bilal asad is an all-rounder, more of a batsman than a bowler....
right-handed batsman and a medium pace bowler....

he had a marvellous domestic season where he averaged more than 60 with the bat, scoring well over 1000 runs....

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I personally have known this Bilal asad guy, he was my friend in islamabad :hula:

very aggressive batsman and a good accurate bowler :k:

I wish him well…

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Over all the team has made some posotive changes, Razzaq definitely needs to shake up his body and start bowling again at his prime.

Imran Nazir makes a comeback and i wish he gives innings an early impetus which is so badly needed plus he gives further oomph to already rejuvenated fielding side.

Azhar mahmood has been in tremendous form off late in the county circuit and i m sure he will be an important member for Pakistan in coming games...

Bowling line is full of potential, no worries there, Inclusion of Azhar gives it a much needed support in middle overs...

I will take Aamir words when he says that Inzi will be back in the side in no time :). I ms ure he will play the test series against South Africa

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good to see nazir n misbah back!

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I am satisfied with the new lineup, Faisal and Taufeeq had to go and nice to see Mizbah coming back.
Overall, great picks, I like the concept of the selectors introducing new faces every tournament.

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  • Name: Bilal Asad

  • Born: 17 November 1978, Jhang, Punjab

  • Major Teams: Islamabad Cricket Association, Public Works Department.

  • Known As: Bilal Asad

  • Batting Style: Right Hand Bat

  • Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium




**Career Statistics:
FIRST-CLASS
 (1995/96 - 2002/03)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave 100  50   Ct  St**
Batting & Fielding   54   92   4  3394  151   38.56  ** 7  21**   39   0

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI    5  10    SR  Econ
Bowling             430.1   76  1488   47  31.65  4-17    0   0  54.9  **3.45** :k:

**LIST A LIMITED OVERS
 (1993/94 - 2002/03; last updated 25/05/2003)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave 100  50   Ct  St**
Batting & Fielding   31   28   1   579   83   21.44   0   3    7   0

                      O       R    W    Ave   BBI   4w  5w    SR  Econ
Bowling              79.1   406   10  40.60  4-40    1   0  47.5  5.12
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DA BEST OPTIONS

considerin the current players been made avaliable i think the best squad wud be

PAKISTAN

  1. IMRAN NAZIR
  2. MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ
  3. MISBAH UL HAQ
  4. YOUSUF YOUHANA
  5. YOUNIS KHAN
  6. SHOAIB MALIK
  7. AZHAR MAHMOOD
  8. RASHID LATIF + ( C )
  9. SHOAIB AKHTAR
  10. MOHAMMAD SAMI
  11. DANISH KANERIA

i seriously don't understand bilal asad instead of abdul razzak, we already have so many all rounders, plus inzi shud be playin as well, but best of luck to pakistan and hopefully they will win

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High hopes from Imran Nazir and Muhammed Hafeez:jhanda:…

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brilliant! Just what I'd hoped for.

If Hafeez continues to educate his game as he's doing, and Nazir's in good nick- then we have a lethal combination on our hands!

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No Bhanja nor Taufeeq :bhangra::bhangra::bhangra:

Rawalpindi da munda! :jhanda::jhanda::jhanda:

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I think Hafeez & Imran Nazir should be a good combo, I don't know if Bilal Asad will be tried as opener or @ 3rd spot.
Bilal Asad played as opener for Allied Bank he could be pair with Imran Nazir or Faisal Athar.

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Time to kick some real white English butt..ehaaa

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Squad:
1-Mohammad Hafeez
2-Imran Nazir
3-Faisal Athar
4-Yasir Hameed
5-Yousuf Youhana (vice-captain)
6-Younis Khan
7-Misbah-ul-Haq
8-Shoaib Malik
9-Bilal Asad
10-Azhar Mahmood
11-Rashid Latif (captain, wicketkeeper)
12-Shoaib Akhtar
13-Mohammad Sami
14-Shabbir Ahmed
15-Umar Gul
16-Danish Kaneria

**I THOUGH THEY CAN ONLY TAKE 15 PLAYERS? or is it 16

Does this mean one more player will be Axe**

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I hope Imran Nazir proves me wrong. He struggles to keep his wicket in slow pitches let alone the English conditions.Aamir sohail said he was a popoular choice among the followers but didnt mention anything about his current performance in domestic cricket. That says something about him.

We are hopeless in Opening slots so it wouldnt hurt to recall Imran Nazir. He is young,aggressive has a good technique and he is also under Javed's guidance. SO yeah I personally don't have any major problem with his inclusion.

Finally they recalled Misbah ul Haq. The reason he was left out was because of his poor technique right? wonder how he maintained a healthy average of over 50.00 in domestic circuit. Even in ODI he performed very well.

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Good to see Nazir back in the team. And no Faisal, Taufeeq or Razzaq :bhangra: :bhangra: :nuch: I would really like to see yasir or Faisal Athar opening with Nazir. If we’re talking about technique, then Hafeez no where close to being a good batsmen. Like Taufeeq, I think he is just too slow for the one day game. Good luck to the Pakistani Team!

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I agree Hafeez is too slow, While Taufeeq played good prior to WK2003, I don’t see him as Opener in near future. It will be most like Imran Nazir with Yasir Hameed or Faisal Athar. I don’t know why they haven’t try misbah as a opener.