Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

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So then we r heading toward the last Test match of This series … Inzi already said that the late start + weather wil have a role in the result

My Pak line-up would be
Malik
Butt
Younis
Yousaf
Inzi
Asim
Akmal
Rana
Shoaib
Sami
Dani

Match data:
Qaddafi Stadium Lahore
29th Nov. - 3rd Dec
Start time is at 5:00 AM GMT (10:00 AM PST; 6:00 AM Central European Time)

The Lahore wicket is expected to have more bounce but will probably be another fine strip for stroke makers so expect a high scoring game again

For the weather forecast look here:

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

Ok fresh from Inzi's interview from Geo: Mohammad Asif has been added to the original squad, and Inzi said they will be playing another all rounder in place of Afridi.

Hmmm, we might not see Sami in Lahore and I think it will be a good thing. Don't know why we're going for an all rounder (Razzaq not available so guess it will be Yasir Arafat). I would go for Asim Kamal. Two newbies in such a pressure situation doesn't sound good to me.

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

You are rite skhan. Asif is included and most likely will replace Sami. Its time for Sami to pack his bags for good, he is useless.

Pakistan call up Asif for Lahore

Cricinfo staff

November 24, 2005

Asif tore through England's batting for Pakistan earlier in the tour © Getty Images

Pakistan have recalled Mohammad Asif, the 23-year-old fast bowler, for the final Test against England at Lahore next week. Asif played his only other Test against Australia at Sydney in January, where he went wicketless, but was impressive against England when he played for Pakistan A and took 10 wickets in the match.

Asif is the only new player in the Pakistan squad and replaces Shabbir Ahmed who is travelling to Australia for further remedial work on his action. When Asif made his debut he impressed the Pakistan management with his gutsy attitude and approach despite an onslaught by the Australian batsmen.

Shahid Afridi, who is banned for one Test after scuffing up the wicket at Faisalabad, also drops out but has not been replaced. Abdul Razzaq was not considered as he has yet to fully recover from his elbow injury, although he is hopeful of being available for the one-day series.

Wasim Bari, the chief selector, said: "We don't want to disturb the balance of the team which is very good. The best thing about this team is their fighting spirit even when the chips are down."

Pakistan squad Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Hasan Raza, Mohammad Asif.

Malik
Butt
Younis
Yousaf
Inzi
Asim
Akmal
Rana
Shoaib
Asif
Dani

Considering Rana and Asif as specialist bowlers, we have four, and if these four can't do the job then adding an allrounder will do no good. Specially if its someone new to Intl level.
Malik, Butt and Younis should come between the spells of regulars to give them some support. Most of the teams in the world use this method and it works. Our main front liners should do their work. Playing Asim instead of an allrounder will give us extra depth in the batting which will help us building up a big score to bring Poms under pressure once again.

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

I have been wanting to chop Sami off our team for far too long but unfortunately our PCB also loves his hostile bowling in every 4-5 Test matches, he rarely is successful. I hope Asif doesn’t take too much pressure as it will be last match of the series. He has performed brilliantly in side match and perhaps domestic cricket as well, I hope he doesn’t become Taufeeq Umar in bowling.

The other report said that Afridi will be replaced by another all-rounder, I don’t see another all rounder in the original squad to replace him… are they going to request a replacemet?? so who is it going to be?

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

M Asif replaces Shabbir, whether he replaces Sami has not been said or confirmed. Yassir Arafat seems to be the potential allrounder to replace Afridi.

Sami's performance has been very disappointing and he needs to be rested. Being young and talented he has the time and ability to make his way back into the side.

If Sami was not ticking then Shoaib Malik was not clicking. His average in the last four outings has been 26.50 with a high score of 39 only. On pitches which favored batsmen such an average does not justify his inclusion. Having said that for the millionth time, its highly unlikey Inzi/Woolmer wud want to make any changes at the top.

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

^ thanks for ur input on Malik.

What hurts the most...
What hurts the most...
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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

ok, I must've missed some news about Yousaf Yohanna, so does anybody has any idea why isn't he playing?

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

Well, the positive outcome from the Faisalabad test is that Sami didn't take 2-3 wickets on the last day, and hence can't make a claim for the Lahore Test. Asif will play in place of Sami, and Afridi will be replaced by Asim Kamal (or maybe Hasan Raza could be given another chance). Lahore's wicket is more lively than Multan or Faisalabad, so hopefully it'll favor the fasties.

The Avatar Changers
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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

we need to kick out Sami for at least a series or2. i think Sami should get replaced by Asif
1)Malik
2)Salman
3)Younis
4)Inzi
5)Yousuf
6)Asim/Raza
7)Akmal
8)Akhtar
9)Rana
10)Asif
11)Danesh

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

Because there is no more Yousuf Youhana…Go Figure.

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

when I saw shazadqu's post, I thought about replying to him and informing him to contact some1 regarding this matter since he has apparently done him PHD in this topic. But I had to leave for a moment. Lo and behold, I come back and look what I find. It's some1 to the rescue again.

Why Did Fuzon Change Shafqat Imanat Ali
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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

After reverting to Islam, his name is Muhammad Yousuf and hence, is playing with that name.

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

Another twist to the tale, Bob Woolmer in column has said that Mushtaq Ahmed may well be making his return to international cricket in Lahore. Two spinners and two pacers?

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

yea why not, if ur gonna play 5 specialist batsmen only, with kamran, and 2 spinners, and 2 pacers! last time pak played a test in lahore was against india i bieleve umar gul took 5 wickets, it helped seamers! so we’ll s what kinda wicket they prepare, probably a batting strip!

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

Mushtaq's inclusion will be stupid IMO. If anything, Pakistan should continue with similar pitches and strengthen pace department i.e. drop Sami and add Asif, that should be the only change in bowling. For batting, Afridi is out due to ban, so Asim Kamal or Hasan Raza should be added. No more changes.

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

That should be the team Pakistan will be playing for the Lahore test. Regardless of malik’s performance, it is not a good idea to make any change at the upper order so late in the series. Unfortunately that cannot be said for sami. He has done nothing to justify his selection for the last test. I don’t know why they are talking about including another allrounder in place of Afridi. Razzaq is not fit and I don’t see any other player except Asim Kamal to replace afridi. And plz no mushtaq ahmed at all.

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

I think Mushy is just another red herring thrown in by Bob, in fact that was the sole purpose of his selection in the squad. According to local newspapers Mushy hasn't even been bowling much in the nets.

It would be a bold decision to drop Sami and include the newcomer Asif, but I hope Pakistan makes that decision. If nothing else, Asif can't do any worse!

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

The good thing about the malik is that in no single instance he got out in less than 5 overs... Although he hasn't scored but atleast due to him our first down and middle order doesn't have to face the new ball... So this has saved from any batting collapse which were so normal in last decade..

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

Vaughan is now saying that they can square the series by winning at Lahore. Didn't he say 3/0 before the start of this series. Inshallah by the end of the Lahore match England will be down 2/0.

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Re: Pakistan V England 3rd Test Match, Lahore

Insallah