What’s surprising is the omission of Shahid Afridi. Is he unavailable for the series? If not, then he should’ve been an automatic selection based on his bowling alone. He earns his place in the team in place of Danish Kaneria.
Between Mohammad Aamer and Abdur Rauf, only one should get the cap, and my vote is for Mohammad Aamer. This way we could have Saeed Ajmal AND a legspinner. It’s also surprising how Cricinfo has put Misbah and Faisal Iqbal’s name for the No. 5 spot. I think this is no contest, and Misbah wins hands down.
Our bowling does look weak for a Test side. In 2006, it was Mohammad Asif who won us the Test. This year, I don’t see a fast bowlers making a significant impression on the batsmen.
Re: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, First Test, Galle, Jul 4-8, 2009
Abdur Rauf seems pretty decent. He's tall, and his bowling action is very similar to Mohammad Asif. He has definitely bowled some wicket taking balls already without success.
Re: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, First Test, Galle, Jul 4-8, 2009
64.2
Umar Gul to Mathews, OUT, very unfortunate end to a promising innings, Gul bangs it in short down the leg side and Mathew shapes to pull, he goes through with the shot too early and ends up gloving it, the ball balloons off hus gloves and Akmal is alert enough to change direction and take the catch jumping to his right
AD Mathews c †Kamran Akmal b Umar Gul 42 (78m 57b 6x4 0x6) SR: 73.68
