Faisal Iqbal has shown immense credibility ever since they have stepped foot on English soil, and should be given a go ahead of Afridi. No need to pack our team with all-rounders all over the place. Afridi and Malik should be told to sit on the bench for Faisal.
If it were upto me, I would have recalled Mushtaq Ahmed in the squad, at all expenses. Mushtaq + Kaneria + Farhat; the need for Afridi is eliminated!
For the life of me, I don't understand why the selectors haven't emphasized the inclusion of Mushtaq in the team, especially when the captain has spoken so highly of him in the recent past. Seems as if Samiullah Niazi of all people has now replaced Mushtaq, since that dog-gone Bari has decided to turn his back to anything that is even remotely related to this much-deserving leg-spinner.
Dhobi Bhai, I like Mushtaq too, but he is too old. N with Samiullah he doesnt look like he can trouble anyone, hes like a Irfan Pathan who can barely swing the ball and cant bat.
With all due respect, your point is valid, Afridi786 Bhai, but even keeping in mind his age bracket, he holds a proven track record in English counties that nobody else has the capability to match. To this date, Mushtaq is quite possible the best bowler that has consistently troubled English batters with his consistent wicket-taking deliveries at more than regular intervals.
The logic that is put into place by these selectors - I understand the callup of Niazi and would support him as well but why have the they totally shut the doors on Mushtaq? Why? If he can get several five-fers in back-to-back matches spanning over the course of several days, why turn the back on him providing the lone reason of his age group? We are here to win matches based on our past performances, not look at anyone else's age and blood group to see whether that person is a fit for the likes of that ridiculous decision taken by Bari.
As per cricinfo, Sami is the latest addition to the injury list. This is getting ridiculous, someone has to take responsibility of this appalling state of fitness of the players during a long lay off.
The likes of Rao, Nazir and Samiullah won't win you any test matches. There is a limit to how much Kaneria can do. Too bad we don't have any of those U19 bowlers at our disposal. But like Woolmer said, "we have better bowlers". Too bad they can't stay fit.
This will be a golden opportunity for England to reverse their fortunes and take advantage of Pakistan's injury ridden side. Even at full strength, winning against England in England would have been a challenge. Now they will need a miracle.
Shoaib Malik
Imran Farhat
Younis Khan
Mohammad Yousef
Inzamam-Ul-Haq
Abdul Razzaq
Kamran Akmal
Mohammad Sami
Umar Gul
Shahid Nazir
Danish Kaneria
Even though I would really like to see Afridi playing...however I would rather include a specialist fast bowler such as Nazir or Niazi in the line up. To win a test match...you need to bowl out the oppostion twice. But with Razzaq being the 3rd and last seamer, that wont be possible...and like someone said above...Kaneria can only do so much. Inzamam and Woolmer must have faith in the bowlers. Shahid Nazir is a great bowler, swings the ball a lot..he just needs to get the in rythem...and I think he should have played in the practise game.
^^ How is he struggling ? He won us one of the side games when the top order collapsed and has been in good form recently in test cricket. What exactly do you expect from Yousaf ?
First of all its Yousuf not Yousaf :D Secondly, its been a long time since he has proven himself reliable at No. 5 or 4. He looks short on confidence lately. Faisal Iqbal has shown brilliance lately and definetly deserves a chance. Now who can be dropped, thats another question. But YK, Inzi and Moyo must not think they are irreplacable. MoYo and YK has taken it for granted, seems like. They must perform on a more consistant basis.
Smooth bhai ka dimaagh kharab hogaya hai Lahori, rehne do. Yousuf ko drop karain gay to runs kaun karega? Farhat? Come on bhaijan, Yousuf and Akmal will shine in this series I feel.
