These are probables not definite, but to open the bowling with Razzaq. 
Pakistan abandon idea of triple spin attack](http://www.cricketnext.com/news1/next/reutersoct03/reuters158.htm)
By Abdul Waheed
FAISALABAD, Pakistan, Oct 23 , 2003 (Reuters)
Pakistan have dropped the idea of playing three leg spinners in the second and final test against South Africa starting on Friday.
“I think if we go in with three spinners it would not allow us to play positive cricket. It would be a negative move. I think we will play the same spinners that we did at Lahore,” Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq told reporters on Thursday.
Pakistan’s spinners claimed 12 victims to help the hosts to an eight-wicket victory in the first match of the series in Lahore.
Pakistan will be without strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, who is serving a three-match ban, and Mohammad Sami who has a viral infection and ankle problem.
“We will feel their absence,” Inzamam said. “The pitch I don’t think will take turn from the first day as it did in Lahore, but it will start turning from the second day onwards and our spinners again have a lot to do.”
South Africa skipper Graeme Smith believes Shoaib’s absence will be significant.
“I think a lot of the pressure came from Shoaib, who bowled really well and knocked down the top order,” he said. “Hopefully, our batters will take more responsibility and play positively against the spinners.”
Pakistan’s victory in Lahore was only their second in 10 tests against South Africa and their first at home.
Although Pakistan beat Bangladesh recently, they have not won a home series against a top-ranked team since 1997 when they swept West Indies 3-0.
“That is a big motivating factor for us,” said Inzamam, who missed the first test with a hamstring injury. “We want to win this series badly.”
Pakistan have made three changes, Inzamam replacing Yousuf Youhana who captained the side in his absence and seamers Abdul Razzaq and Shabbir Ahmed coming in for Shoaib and Sami.
South Africa are likely to bring in spinner Robin Peterson for seamer Andre Nel.
“I think in many ways the defeat at Lahore, though disappointing, as we let ourselves down in many areas, has given us a goal to fightback,” Smith said.
“We have a long season ahead of us and we have to knuckle down for the next five days.”
Pakistan (from): Inzamam-ul-Haq (Capt), Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Asim Kamal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Moin Khan, Shabbir Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmed, Danish Kaneria, Mansoor Amjad.
Teams: South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (Capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Neil McKenzie, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Paul Adams, Robin Peterson, Andre Nel.
^^We still have 3 spinners in the team...and only 2 pacers...not a good idea to drop Umar Gul at this time...Pakistan may land in troubles at times... :)
**Originally posted by Decent 6Chora: *
"I think if we go in with three spinners it would not allow us to play positive cricket. It would be a negative move...*
Why playing spinners would be a negative cricket?
**
Pakistan will be without strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, who is serving a three-match ban, and Mohammad Sami who has a viral infection and ankle problem. **
Now that is bad :(
*South Africa skipper Graeme Smith believes Shoaib's absence will be significant. *
After the game he does realise that Shoaib made the difference :)
*Pakistan have made three changes, Inzamam replacing Yousuf Youhana who captained the side in his absence and seamers Abdul Razzaq and Shabbir Ahmed coming in for Shoaib and Sami. *
So Shabbir is very likely going to play tomorrow.
*South Africa are likely to bring in spinner Robin Peterson for seamer Andre Nel. *
Good, that crack won't be playing in next game.
The young guy is to bring the drinks/messages/supplies etc…
**Originally posted by Decent 6Chora: *
....
Pakistan (from): Inzamam-ul-Haq (Capt), Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Asim Kamal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Moin Khan, Shabbir Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmed, Danish Kaneria, Mansoor Amjad.*
When we have Inzi, Taufeeq, Imran, Yasir, Asim, Shoaib Malik, Moin in batting then we shouldn't play Abdul Razzaq, we should have picked up Umar Gul, Jaffer Nazir, Najaf Shah or any other fastie.
So is it final that Sami will not play tomorrow ? If yes, then our bowling will be very weak :(
PCB should give new guys a chance in next Test since our main bowlers are sitting out. We have to look for backup/replacement. So Pakistan won't face this problem when ever Shoaib and Sami sit out for whatever reason.
This is the first time Pakistan lack seamers. They ought to give new fast bolwers chances to prove themselves.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ehsan: *
These are probables not definite, but to open the bowling with Razzaq. :(
[/QUOTE]
That dear guppies tells the whole story about backup pace bowlers
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Changez_like: *
*South Africa skipper Graeme Smith believes Shoaib's absence will be significant. *
After the game he does realise that Shoaib made the difference :)
[/QUOTE]
Well that was the original plan :)
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zero_one: *
That dear guppies tells the whole story about backup pace bowlers
[/QUOTE]
Not really, its story about PCB selection and grooming new players.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Changez_like: *
Not really, its story about PCB selection and grooming new players.
[/QUOTE]
That's what i meant Maybe i wasn't clear enough in pointing out at PCB ..... but a country like Pakistan where its much easier to find a pace talent than other asian cricket nations it's a sorry state that we've to handover the newball to bowlers/allrounders like Razzaq ...... I mean what about guys like Mohd. Akram, Mohd. Zahid etc. etc. ???? or are we suddenly poor of real pacer's ???
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saby: *
Well that was the original plan :)
[/QUOTE]
Well, don't fool yourself that, that was the original plan...Pak management is simply unable to make plans and opt to go on 'good luck'...Shoaib just took the wickets in that match...sometimes he is successful and the other times he is not...
Cricket is more or less like a gambling game...but we Pakistanis mostlly go on the good lucks and not plans...I don't think anybody has some planning qualifications or training or any kind of that experience...at least not within the PCB...
How come we have most injuries while SA not...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zero_one: *
That's what i meant Maybe i wasn't clear enough in pointing out at PCB ..... but a country like Pakistan where its much easier to find a pace talent than other asian cricket nations it's a sorry state that we've to handover the newball to bowlers/allrounders like Razzaq ...... I mean what about guys like Mohd. Akram, Mohd. Zahid etc. etc. ???? or are we suddenly poor of real pacer's ???
[/QUOTE]
The Mohammed Zahid who terrorized batsmen of the calibre of Lara, who made Lara play of his backfoot throught his innings is dead....what lives now is now is nothing but an average medium pacer. His back injury destroyed his whole career....Mohammed Zahid is finished.
As far as Mohammed Akram is concerned, he has been a victim of PCB's stupid policys, i dont see him coming back now. He's prob close to 30 now....I remember Imran Khan mentioning, that Mohammed Akram will be the bowler of the future for Pakistan...but things did'nt work out...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Sharaabi: *
As far as Mohammed Akram is concerned, he has been a victim of PCB's stupid policys, i dont see him coming back now. He's prob close to 30 now....I remember Imran Khan mentioning, that Mohammed Akram will be the bowler of the future for Pakistan...but things did'nt work out...
[/QUOTE]
I've seen this guy bowling in county and his action + pace are far better than Razzaq or even Shabbir but its sad to see PCB ignoring him like this .... he's got something called RYTHEM in his action
Well, I am not available on friday, monday, tuesday on GS KK...because I have to work...I would love to that Pakistan win this match but we are at odds...minimally we should draw this match under the present circumstances...to win this series...
Our bowling side is weaker, so we have to depend a lot on spinners and a very hard and accurate fielding...
Last but not least, letting SA play the first innings could be better, if possible...and get them out within 115 overs...keeping a lower RR like 4- will be plus for Pak...so long...
With Sami and Shoaib out of action the only way to survive this test is to bat SA out of it. Our batsmen will have to put up a massive score of around 500+ and use up good part of 2 days. Apart from that I don't see any other way out. Razzaq playing instead of Gul might indicate that PCB also wants a long batting line up as well.
I want Paksitan to win the series, so lets forget about trying to win the match. Go out bat sensibly and bat them out of the match. Draw the match and take the series and send the cry babies home.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ehsan: *
With Sami and Shoaib out of action the only way to survive this test is to bat SA out of it. Our batsmen will have to put up a massive score of around 500+ and use up good part of 2 days. Apart from that I don't see any other way out. Razzaq playing instead of Gul might indicate that PCB also wants a long batting line up as well.
I want Paksitan to win the series, so lets forget about trying to win the match. Go out bat sensibly and bat them out of the match. Draw the match and take the series and send the cry babies home.
[/QUOTE]
If Pak wins the Toss then Batting first would be very significant and as Ehsan bhai said ..... Bat at least two days to reach a figure of 550+ to have a go at SA with the spinners since the pitch at Iqbal Stadium is said to take Spin from the 2nd day on ......
Insha'Allah Pakistan will win this 2nd Test and with it the series
^^Well, 500-700 is possible for Pak to make runs provided our first 8 batters maintain the will to stay at crease without doing stupid things and playing with responsibility while keeping in mind that we don't have a very strong pace attack at this time... :)
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zabardast: *
Well, don't fool yourself that, that was the original plan...Pak management is simply unable to make plans and opt to go on 'good luck'...Shoaib just took the wickets in that match...sometimes he is successful and the other times he is not...
Cricket is more or less like a gambling game...but we Pakistanis mostlly go on the good lucks and not plans...I don't think anybody has some planning qualifications or training or any kind of that experience...at least not within the PCB...
How come we have most injuries while SA not...
[/QUOTE]
Excusez moi, Do you think SA were actually cherishing the propsect of facing Shoaib in the second test?? I bet Not and this was in my mind one of the motivational factors behind complaint