Pakistan's tour of Australia/Australia announce squad (Merged)

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by armughal: *

sorry but u got it wrong....
aussies have no clue on how to play shoaib when he gets his line straight.... :)
ofcourse its lucky for aussies since this happens just once a blue moon....
[/QUOTE]

They can't play turbonator/ they can't play rawalpindi express straight line, Yet they have dead straight as dodo Glen Mcgrath and they have reasonable spinners (off spinners). However they have a nag of scoring runs on any surface, ofcourse defeat comes along with some excuses (like when the lost the last test in india).
every player has its weakness and strength, you need to do your homework as in to understand how to frustrate the batsman and encourage him to play the faulty stroke again and again.
And that is the only thing they (pakistani) need to do in the test matches.

P.S: Shoaib malik is not a book batsman and I am sure you can find many weakness of his but yet somehow he comes up with big scores.

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This tour will also expose Inzimam moronic Captainship, Youhana Inabaility to bat against world class bowlers outside Pakistan, Bob highly overrated coaching, etc.........Just wait and see.

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well atleast shoaib malik comes up with score unlike some of our batsmen. also i don't know many book batsmen except maybe dravid. Ponting is the next person that gets close to him. so shoaib malik getting score is not a surpurise since he applies himself.

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Inzamam confident of good showing Down Under

Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s captain, confident in the faith the selectors have shown in him by confirming his position for the the next three series, is upbeat about his young side’s chances on the forthcoming tour to Australia. Speaking to Wisden Cricinfo, Inzamam said, “These are Pakistan’s best players and I feel it is a balanced team. Conditions in Australia are difficult but the way they have performed in the last few months, I am confident that they can perform very well there. I am going there to win, there is no compromise on that.”

The composition of the squad has been questioned in some quarters for containing only two specialist openers and the omission of Taufeeq Umar. But both Wasim Bari, the chief selector, and Inzamam defended the decision, arguing that Yasir Hameed, till now the future of Pakistan at one-down, is now to be considered an opener as well. Bari told us: “Hameed can go one-down and as an opener and we are considering him seriously as an opener – if Andrew Hall can work as an opener then why not Hameed? Yasir has opened in ODIs before and we are confident he can do it.”

The selection of Kamran Akmal as the sole wicketkeeper, ahead of the discarded Moin Khan and Rashid Latif, may well signal the end of an era for Pakistan behind the stumps. “We want to give Akmal responsibility, we want him to develop now because potentially he is very good and if you give someone like him responsibility he will develop faster,” said Bari.

Inzamam played down fears of not having any back-up: “I don’t want to put pressure on Akmal by taking an extra keeper, in case he fails. I want to give him a free hand for this tour.”

The selectors, said Bari, were impressed in particular with the newcomers Mohammad Khalil and Mohammad Asif. “Khalil, in particular, is a very fit young man, and he impressed in the trials. He gives us variety as a left-armer, and with Asif, who is tall and gets good bounce, we have adequate back-up. But we will miss Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul.”

The recall of the experienced Shahid Afridi for the Test squad, after a considerable period, also came under scrutiny, with some former cricketers questioning the need for a third allrounder, and one unproven at Test level. “He has developed well recently, especially his bowling,” asserted Bari. “I feel he can be called upon to do a job as a utility member for the Tests – he gives an extra option to the captain.”

But, as selector and captain pointed out, it will be the younger players who will need to perform and establish themselves on this tour. “Australia are the strongest team in the world – it will be a tough series and they need to fight it out,” said Bari. “It’s time for players like Farhat and Hameed to step up to the next level.”

To see picture of the day go to::
http://mannan.zabvision.edu.pk

special thanks to cricinfo pakistan :slight_smile:

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[QUOTE]
Originally posted by ehsan: *
Normally, the host and visiting teams agrees to a 'Memorandum of Understanding' that obliges sides to be full-strength. *
[/QUOTE]

Considering the way the Aussies are playing right now...does it really matter whether the opposition is full-stength or not. They will beat the crap out of the other team anyway.

I think for an evenly-matched contest, Australia should organize a series between their "A" and "B" teams.

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Re: Inzamam confident of good showing Down Under

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by am@islamabad: *
Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan's captain.. is upbeat about his young side's chances on the forthcoming tour to Australia.

[/QUOTE]

Why do people pay attention to (and quote here) statements like this , I will never know.

When was the last time you heard a captain say before a series - "I am not optimistic about our chances in this series. I think we will be routed".

I also don't know why journalists ask questions to players which have only one obvious answer.

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Pressure will be on Australia in Test series, says Pakistan skipper](http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/041129/3/7shq.html)

KARACHI (AFP) - Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting’s world champion side will be under pressure during next month’s Test series against a touring team loaded with young players.

“Pressure will not be on us, it will be on Australia who have to guard against their reputation,” Inzamam told AFP on Sunday.

“I know that young Pakistani players are dangerous and can achieve what no Pakistan team has achieved before.”

Pakistan team will train in Perth for a week before opening the tour with a warm-up one-day game against Cricket Australia (CA) Chairman’s XI in Perth on December 7.

They then play a four-day side game against Western Australia from December 9-12 in Perth, before playing the first of three Tests from December 16, also in Perth.

“We have not won a series in Australia on eight tours but we don’t care about the past, its a young team and if players play up to their potential we can beat Australia,” said Inzamam, one of four survivors of Pakistan’s last tour to Australia in 1999.

Inzamam’s deputy Yousuf Youhana, express pacer Shoaib Akhtar, and allrounder Abdul Razzaq also played in the last Test series Down Under in which Australia blanked Pakistan 3-0.

Pacer Mohammad Sami, allrounders Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, and batsman Younis Khan have played in one-day games in Australia before.

The Aussies also humiliated Pakistan 3-0 in the series played at neutral venues in Sri Lanka and Sharjah two years ago after Australia refused to tour Pakistan over security fears.

“We have a very good side which is showing signs of improvement under pressure,” said Inzamam.

“We have the 1992 World Cup win in Australia and our 2-1 win over Australia in the one-day series just two years ago as inspirations and we know that with a combined effort we can do that again,” he said.

Squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Yousuf Youhana (vice-capt), Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Rana Naveed-ul Hassan, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Khalil, Mohammad Asif

Bob Woolmer (coach), Haroon Rasheed (Manager)

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Inzamam unconcerned about sledging in Australia
Wisden Cricinfo staff
November 29, 2004

Inzamam-ul-Haq has indicated that the underdog tag would suit Pakistan just fine in the three-Test series in Australia. Speaking to the media just before the squad’s departure to Australia, Inzamam marked out Danish Kaneria, the 24-year-old legspinner, as a key member of the bowling attack.

“It is good that no one is rating us high. It means the pressure will be on the Australians as they have a reputation to play for,” Inzamam said. “I am also happy that Kaneria is being underestimated as a bowler. But I think he is going to be our key bowler in Australia. The pitches there will help his style of bowling and he will get bounce and assistance. He will be very important for us.”

Inzamam was also unconcerned about his side being subjected to sledging by the Australians. “Sledging has never been a major issue for me. I believe this is all part of the competitive nature of the sport. I am not concerned with the ability of my young players to handle any sledging tactics by the Australians,” he said, before adding that his players weren’t averse to giving it back if they copped it. “Our players are prepared to be tested mentally on the field. They know how the Australians play. We will not go complaining to anyone about sledging. We will give what we get from them.”

Pakistan have never won a Test series in Australia, and have in fact lost their last two series against them – in Australia in 1999-2000 and in Sharjah and Colombo in 2002-03 – by 0-3 margins. However, Inzamam chose to look at some of their more memorable moments in Australia: “We have the 1992 World Cup win in Australia and our 2-1 win over Australia in the one-day series just two years ago as inspirational factors and we know that with a combined effort we can do that again.”

Pakistan begin their tour with a warm-up one-day match against Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI in Perth on December 7. They will then play Western Australia in a four-day game before the first Test at Perth from December 16.

© Wisden Cricinfo Ltd

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Riaz afridi is performing good in domestic :k:

Riaz Afridi 9-4-12-5

will there be any chances of him or any other bowler being selected for VB series?

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Rao iftikhar is really frustrated at not being selected :hehe:

Two Sialkot batsmen retire hurt after being hit

From our correspondent

SIALKOT: Two Sialkot batsmen had to retire hurt to get medical attention as play finally began late on the second day of their four-day, seventh-round 47th Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Cricket Championship match against Rawalpindi, here at the Jinnah Stadium on Sunday. The first day had been totally ‘fogged out’ as the visibility made it absolutely impossible for the players to get onto the field of play.

**In the 10 overs’ play yesterday, Sialkot made 62 runs without losing any wicket but four batsmen were seen in occupation of the crease, with opener Imran Nazir and Sufyan Munir having to return to the pavilion.

Both were hit by deliveries sent down by Rawalindi skipper Rao Iftikhar as, on yet another day with the light not very good, he bowled his fast-medium stuff dangerously. Imran was hit in the groin area while Sufyan had his foot brusied by an unexpectedly fast one.**

Imran had, however, before returning to the pavilion scored some very quick runs. His unbeaten 39 was made in 24 minutes off just 25 balls. The other three batsmen failed to get even into double-figures. The two Rawalpindi bowlers used both conceded at least 30 runs each in their respective five overs.

The encounter between the hosts and Rawalpindi was originally to have been staged at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi but it was shifted to Sialkot. The sixth-round match between Rawalpindi and Lahore Blues at the Pindi Stadium last week started very late on the second day as the ground management had watered the pitch profusely which didn’t dry out in time.

While an inquiry was conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) into the affair that caused the match to be played only on two days and a portion of a session instead of the full four days, the Pindi Stadium was denied the holding of the fixture between Rawalpindi and Sialkot, perhaps as punishment.

Sialkot, who ended as runners-up to Faisalabad in last season’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Championship, again enjoy being at the second spot in the ongoing competition as, prior to the start of the seventh-round, they had collected 33 points from three wins and three draws in their six matches.

Rawalpindi are still unbeaten, but they have won only one of their six previous games. Five matches ended as drawn and they have a total of 18 points to their credit.

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Pakistani pacer Khalil aims for Pathan-like success in Australia](Yahoo is part of the Yahoo family of brands.)

KARACHI (AFP) - Pakistan’s uncapped pacer Mohammad Khalil hopes for a surprise maiden tour of Australia to equal that of Indian rising star Irfan Pathan who emerged as his country’s key bowler last year.

“If Pathan can succeed on his first tour why can’t I,” Khalil told AFP before the Pakistan team’s departure late Sunday.

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“I also have the example of Pakistani great Wasim Akram who surprised the world by taking 10 wickets in only his second Test on his first tour in New Zealand 20 years ago,” Khalil said.

The 20-year-old Pathan made his Test debut in Australia last year where India squared a four-match Test series 1-1.

The 22-year-old pacer Khalil is one of the two uncapped players in Pakistan’s 17-man team for three Tests in Australia and a tri-nation one-day tournament, also involving the West Indies.

The first Test starts in Perth from December 16.

Hailing from Lahore, Khalil like Pathan also bowls left arm.

Right arm pacer Mohammad Asif, 21, is another newcomer in Pakistan. Both earned places in the national team with prolific wicket taking in domestic matches.

“Both are exciting, Asif looks a real good prospect and he swings the ball. Khalil is very accurate,” Pakistan’s English coach Bob Woolmer said.

Pakistan are also seeking former captain Wasim Akram’s guidance for Khalil to help him get the inswing like Pathan, said Woolmer.

But Akram said he won’t be available in Australia.

“I have seen him (Khalil) bowl in a match and he is good but since I have politely turned down an offer to do commentary in Australia I won’t be there,” he told AFP.

Akram had passed useful tips to Pathan during India’s last tour.

“My advice to all newcomers and experienced bowlers in Pakistan team is to bowl accurate because there is very little margin of errors against world class Australian batsmen,” he added.

Pakistan open the tour with a warm-up one-day match followed by a four-day side game - both in Perth before the start of the Test series.

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^
do u think he will make it to the playing XI?????

i think the lineup will be like:
yasir
salman
malik
inzi
yoyo
razzaq
akmal
akhtar
sami
kaneria
????????

did i miss someone????

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Inzamam and his men arrive in Perth: Pakistan hoping to catch Australia on the hop

A youthful Pakistan cricket squad arrived in Perth Monday night bristling with confidence at the daunting task which confronts them in the upcoming Test series against Australia.

The Pakistanis have never won a Test series in Australia and will spend close to a month in Perth as they build up for the first Test with the home nation starting at the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground on December 16. But the Pakistanis still believe they can catch the Australians on the hop and coach Bob Woolmer said his young team may have a few tricks in store.

“I hope to surprise Australia,” he said. “I suppose everyone does these days, don’t they? We’re expecting a really tough tour, we’re looking forward to it. I think we’ve got a very nice, young, balanced side.

“Probably not quite ready yet, but on the other hand, you never know. They’ve got some serious talent and maybe we can give someone a surprise.” The Pakistanis have scheduled three tour matches in Western Australia staring with a three-day run out against a Western Australian Second XI on Wednesday. They will then take on a Chairman’s XI in a one-day fixture at Perth’s Lilac Hill ground on December 7 before a four-day clash starting on December 9 against the full Western Australian team.

Of the 17-man touring squad, only captain Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdul Razzaq and paceman Shoaib Akhtar have played a Test match in Australia. The busy schedule is designed to have the visitors in peak form heading into the three-Test series and which also includes a triangular one-day competition against Australia and the West Indies. “We’ve actually come a week earlier so we can get used to the conditions here,” Woolmer said.

“It’s not so much the pitches, it’s more the light and the brightness and just getting used to Australia in general.” Pakistan has won just four of the 26 Test matches between the two countries in Australia. The other two Tests on this tour will be played in Melbourne and Sydney.

Squad: Inzamamul Haq, Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Asim Kamal, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Rana Naved, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Khalil.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by armughal: *
^
do u think he will make it to the playing XI?????

i think the lineup will be like:
yasir
salman
malik
inzi
yoyo
razzaq
akmal
akhtar
sami
kaneria
????????

did i miss someone????
[/QUOTE]

Younis Khan..

Younis khan is a very good test player. After Yousuf and Inzi, he has the best footwork. He has the patience and can stick around longer on the wicket than Razzaq, Yaisr or should I dare to say Malik? With Younis,Inzi and Yousuf we have a solid middle order.

I'm still not sold over Razzaq's place in the test squad. We should try him the first test and see if he is effective utility player in the Australian pitches otherwise give another specialist batsman or bowler a shot

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i think we should try razzaq in 1st test...

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Tomorrow the first three dayer starts and Shoaib is likely to sit out of that one but all top batsmen would play. Hoping to see a good start to the tour.

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I wouldn't expect our original pacers to bowl in practise matches. The new kids should get a shot, maybe a good performance will affect the final eleven. As for the batting, ALL our batsmen need as much practise as they can get.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by skhan: *
I wouldn't expect our original pacers to bowl in practise matches. The new kids should get a shot, maybe a good performance will affect the final eleven. As for the batting, ALL our batsmen need as much practise as they can get.
[/QUOTE]

Shoaib Akhtar has been included in Pakistan's team to play against the Western Australian 2nd XI in a three-day match at the James Oval starting on December 1. Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Asif, the medium-pacer, will also get a chance

by cric info

I hope shoaib dont get hurt but getting a bit extra!!!

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I tried to resist commenting on that, but couldn’t… argghhh

Go back and take a look at Shoaib Malik’s scores… in Pakistan then Sri Lanka then ICCCT then Pakistan again and you’lll know if he really has “improved” :wink: I wish he can play outside sub-continent :bummer:

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Well did you really look at his scores? flashback what about Holland?
well the biggest test is ahead so wait and see