Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
dude why should I worry, i think you should worry since you will be one hot commodity on this forum during and after the test series. Everyone will love to have you then
Please feel free to post your predictions till then
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
There is a 50/50 chance in the first test for Pakistan in the absence of Inzimam and Malik and due to the return of Lara. Unless our middle order plays really well with some heroics from Danesh, Afridi and Rana in the bowling departments, this is anybody's game.
The second test could be predictable based on first test's performances by WI's batsmen.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
I will count inzi’s absence as a setback but not malik. Even if there was no suspension, still it would have been really difficult for him to get into the playing 11. And once inzi is back in the 2nd test, malik’s chances will be more bleak until and unless they play him as an opener for which there is already a competition.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
Is Bazid really a natural opener. He did'nt look like one in the last ODI. He seemed more like middle order batsman, in the Younis Khan mould. I would prefer seeing Afridi open the batting...rather than Bazid being forced in if thats not his natural position.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
fkhan2's right, Malik's absence does'nt bother Pakistan a bit. PCB was smart, they gave him a 1 test ban because they knew he would'nt be playing one anyway. Had they given him an ODI ban, that would have been a BIG setback.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
**If he has to get into the side his only chance is as an opener i guess otherwise he will sitting in the dressing room. Once inzi is back, there is no way he can join the middle order in presence of inzi , younis, youhana, and kamal who have cemented their positions for the time being. Allhamdollilah there is a healthy competition going on between different players right now and in such a situation there is no such thing as a natural position. **
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
All iam saying is that the person who is best suited for the opening slot should be sent in. I dont know where Bazid plays in the domestic circuit, but all iam saying is if Yasir is better suited and more capable of playing as an opener than he should be chosen. Likewise for Bazid.
But the main issue will probably be the bowling. The WI batting will be a lot more formidable now, and getting them all out twice in a match wont be that easy.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
Bazid is a middle order batsman in domestic cricket. Usually comes at one down or 4th place. He plays the role of Younis Khan for his team. Put it that way.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
**Pakistan look to rewrite history as first Test begins in Barbados today
By Muhammad Ali**
BRIDGETOWN (Barbados): Pakistan, led by Younis Khan, are looking to rewrite history when they take on the West Indies in the first Test starting at the Kensington Oval here on Thursday (today). No Pakistani captain has won a Test series in the Caribbean. This is Pakistan’s sixth tour to the islands. The previous tours were in 1958, 1977, 1988, 1993 and 2000. The two countries have played 39 Tests so far, with the hosts winning 13, Pakistan 12 and the remaining 14 ended without result. In the West Indies, Pakistan have played 19 Tests –– winning three, losing nine and seven drawing. Pakistan’s best result to date in the West Indies came in 1988 when, under the legendary Imran Khan, they drew a three-match Test series 1-1.
The poor form of the West Indies team in their series against South Africa and drubbing at the hands of Pakistan in the recently concluded one-day series has given the visitors further reason for optimism. At the same time Pakistan are also aware that historically the Caribbean has not been a happy hunting ground for them. But Pakistan are determined to rewrite history and walk all over their opponents. Pakistan raised their cricket stock last month when they drew a three-match Test series 1-1 and then won a six-match one-day series 4-2 after losing the first two games in India.
Although Pakistan are without express bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul, who are out with fitness problems, there is still depth and variety in the bowling attack with Rana Navedul Hasan, Shabbir Ahmad, Iftikhar Rao, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi and Danish Kaneria and enough firepower in the batting line up, which Pakistan displayed during the shorter version of the game. Younis is leading the team in the first Test as regular captain Inzamamul Haq has to sit out after being handed a one-match ban for showing dissent to an umpire during their 168-run win over India in Bangalore. Talking to the media, Younis showed his resolve to rewrite history for his country. “Playing in the West Indies is a great challenge but I am confident that my team has the talent and determination to register Pakistan’s first ever Test series win here,” he said on the eve of the match.
Younis added that the West Indies, despite their poor showing, could still pose a big threat. “West Indies can be dangerous, especially on their grounds with quality players like Brian Lara. So we will take them seriously,” said Younis. “We need a team effort, just like we did in the ODIs. The ODIs result has given us a lot of confidence and psychological advantage over the home team. For us the tour is also significant as it gives us a great chance of breaking a 50-year old jinx of never having won a Test series in the islands.”
Younis said leg spinner Kaneria was Pakistan’s the trump card. Kaneria, rested for the ODIs, took 19 wickets in the three Tests against India. “Kaneria is one of the best leg spinners in the world. With each match he’s getting better. He’s our main wicket-taker.”
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said he was not bothered by the fact Pakistan won the one-day series. “Every series is a new series. What has happened in the past does not bother me. This team stands a good chance of winning if they play as they did in India and in the ODIs,” said Woolmer, who took over as coach in June. However, Woolmer disagreed with assessments that the West Indies are a one-man team, relying heavily on master batsman Brian Lara. “Lara is a phenomenon, but others like Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Wavell Hinds are also good players, so we will not take them lightly.”
West Indies have recalled Lara for the two-Test series against Pakistan. Ian Bradshaw has been included in the 13-man squad for the first time, following his consistent efforts in the one-day internationals, while Devon Smith, Reon King and Corey Collymore also return. Xavier Marshall, Dwayne Smith and Pedro Collins are the players omitted from the current one-day squad. Surprisingly, Lara has played just seven of his 115 Tests against Pakistan since making his debut against them at Lahore in December 1990 with his last Test appearance against them being at Karachi in December 1997. Since then he has missed the 2000 and 2002 series at home and in Sharjah.
West Indies have high hopes of rebounding from the trauma of the hiding they received from Pakistan. West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul put up a brave face and said the hosts would give their best to outshine Pakistan. “We are looking forward to the Test series. It is going to be tough because Pakistan are a good side, but our guys are geared up. Against South Africa and in the one-dayers against Pakistan our performance was very inconsistent. We need to get it to be more consistent. If we can achieve this, it will be good for us. Everybody is still positive, so the main thing for us is to keep our heads up and keep going.” He expected a renewed approach from the team, and believed that Lara, who was rested for the ODI series against Pakistan, would add another element to the team. “He is rested and will return invigorated,” the captain said. “As the senior player in the team and the leading personality in world cricket, he will also inject a deeper sense of professionalism.”
Squads:
West Indies (from): Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Courtney Browne (vice captain), Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Bravo, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Reon King, Brian Lara, Daren Powell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith.
Pakistan (from): Younis Khan (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Arshad Khan, Asim Kamal, Bazid Khan, Danish Kaneria, Iftikhar Anjum, Kamran Akmal, RanaNavedul Hasan, Salman Butt, Shabbir Ahmad, Shahid Afridi, Shahid Nazir, Yasir Hameed and Yousuf Youhana.
Umpires: David Shephered and Darrel Hair
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_26-5-2005_pg2_1
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
**Pakistan aim for historic victory **](BBC SPORT | Cricket | International Teams | Brilliant Lara punishes Pakistan)
Pakistan have a first Test series win in the West Indies in their sights after a clean sweep of the three one-day matches between the two sides.
But they must manage without skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq for the first game in Barbados because of a ban imposed for showing dissent to an umpire.
Younis Khan will lead the team in Inzamam’s absence.
West Indies, meanwhile, await a fitness report on all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who twisted his left ankle last weekend.
If he is unable to play, local boy Ian Bradshaw is likely to make his Test debut at the age of 30.
The West Indies batting line-up will be strengthened by the return of Brian Lara, who was rested for the one-dayers, and Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer is wary of the impact he could have on the game.
“I’ve seen him get 501, I saw him on television get 400. He’s also got 375. Brian Lara’s not a bad player - he can make a difference,” said Woolmer.
He is confident, however, that his side will rise to the challenge, even without Inzamam, their captain, leading batsman and most experienced player.
West Indies fans hope Brian Lara can revive their fortunes
“There are a lot of strong individuals in the side. They have faith in what they are doing and that’s why I think they are playing some good cricket at the moment,” Woolmer added.
Bazid Khan is the most likely replacement for Inzamam, which would enable him to emulate his grandfather Jahangir and father Majid in playing Test cricket.
The only previous instance of three generations of the same family playing Test cricket was George and Ron Headley (West Indies) and Ron’s son Dean (England).
West Indies coach Bennett King has, meanwhile, admitted his players struggle to match the professionalism of some other teams.
“We’re at an interesting time in our cricketing development within the West Indies,” the Australian said.
"Our cricketers are probably the only cricketers that are still amateurs.
"Nearly all the other countries that are above us are full-time professional cricketers. They spend all their time with good resources and facilities, practising their cricket.
“Our cricketers don’t have that luxury, and until we start matching some of those standards, we’re always going to be a little bit behind the eight-ball, I believe.”
The match is the last at the Kensington Oval before the commencement of major reconstruction work which will see it transformed in time for the 2007 World Cup.
West Indies (from): S Chanderpaul (capt), C Gayle, D Smith, R Sarwan, B Lara, W Hinds, D Bravo, C Browne (wkt), I Bradshaw, D Powell, C Collymore, F Edwards, R King.
Pakistan (from): Younis Khan (capt), Yasir Hameed, Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Bazid Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wkt), Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria, Rao Iftikhar, Shahid Nazir, Arshad Khan.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
GOOOOOD NEWS 
:k:
**Pakistan’s Youhana to return home from Caribbean **
KARACHI: Pakistan batsman Yousuf Youhana will miss the first test against West Indies starting on Thursday to return home to be with his ill father.
“He will be returning home by Saturday because his father is very ill and he wants to be with him,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director Abbas Zaidi said on Thursday.
The 30-year-old is Pakistan’s most experienced batsman after captain Inzamam-ul-Haq with 59 test and 199 one-day international appearances.
Zaidi said Youhana was not in a state of mind to play the test and did not know if he would return for the second test in Jamaica in early June.
Inzamam and allrounder Shoaib Malik are already unavailable for the first test in Barbados.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
WI won the toss and they are batting first...........Youhana not playing...going back to home...his father is in serious condition !!
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
Pakistan Team:
Bazid, Yasir, Younis, Akmal, Salman Butt, Asim Kamal, Afridi, Razzaq, Naved, Kaneria, Shabbir.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
Ehsan bhai who is going to open the attack? :)
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
Naved is bowling. Teaser welcome back.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
WOOW First ball and Rana sahib swinging in the air.
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
Youhana is not playing :( His father illness is for real or it has something to do with His and Razzaq's tu-tu-main-main ?
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
This is the best chance WI have to do something as Pakistan is playing without Inzi , Yoususf and Malik :(
Re: Pakistan vs West Indies: 1st Test @ Barbados
Naveed two no balls in his first over.
WI 6/0