Pakistan vs NZ - 3rd ODI @ Abu Dhabi - Monday, Nov. 9, 2009

Yes not having yousuf was wrong but not including a talented player like Umar Akmal is also criminal. I am a strong critic of Malik as a test player but at the same time accept that he is a very useful ODI player. Currently we cannot afford to drop any of these 3 from our middle order.

Younis's form with the bat has been pathetic this year. As I have said earlier as well, how can someone justify a spot in the team when he has scored 420 runs in 19 ODIs with an average of 22. While on the crease he slows down the run rate so much so that you start praying for his dismissal.

I don't know what to say in this situation. Ideally a batsman which such a form should be dropped. The only reason he is still playing with his horrible form with the bat is because he is the captain. If it is really important to accomodate him in the side then I guess they could have played without Salman Butt and sent Kamran Akmal as an opener.