After arguably, one of his finest performance as a test bowler in recent times, the biggest question about Shoaib Akhtar was not whether he can bowl well, it was whether he can actually play two tests in a row and remain fit. Lo and behold, his chances of playing the second test now appear dicey as he has been diagnosed with flu and chest problems. It would appear that the steroids are creating all kinds of problems for Mr Ac-tor (ok, so this is pure conjecture on my part and is actually light hearted so don’t get your panties in a bunch on this comment :-P).
And while Umer Gul now appears fit, I will call Akhtar’s absence as “Sami’s Curse”. That bugger can’t take a wicket if his life depended on it, and he just can’t get himself injured either so he will be out of the team. He is just stuck with our team like a leech and due to sheer dumb luck, one or the other front-line bowler keep getting injured so Sami uncle can keep on playing and giving us heart-ache.
Shoaib Malik is also a doubtful starter for the second test as he has injured his ankle while playing, you guessed it, soccer!
Injuries are part of the game, and top class athletes suffer injuries all the time, one would hope they get injured playing the game they are supposed to be playing (and getting paid for). These practice injuries are a nuisance (remember Rajjak bhai got hit on the knee while batting without pads in the nets).
Anyway, without both Shoaib’s in the team, its any body’s guess how Pak will fare in the 2nd test.
Shoaib Akhtar not playing will be a huge blow. For all of Gul's improvement, Shoaib remains the real threat. Malik being out may be a blessing in disguise for Pak if it means someone like Younis will now be making on-field decisions.
I don't even understand how all of a sudden Gul is fit. Last time we had heard he was out for the 2nd game. I hope this isn't a typical Pakistani knee jerk panic reaction where Gul is being pushed to play because everyone else are dropping like flies. Remember what happend to Asif when he was playing despite the elbow niggle with painkillers. End result is that he is unavailable when we need him most.
All in all, a sorry injury situation but this shouldn't be surprising for any Pak supporter. We have seen these injury epidemics many times before at crucial junctures. Just when the Indians thought they couldn't have it any easier :).
Why are our important player so injury prone? They get injured one after another. This happenbed during Enland series too, if I remember it correctly.
It shouldn't be that hard for Indians to beat our "B" team.
^ Because non of them is a professional player .... ok I am not talking about them not getting paid as professional but I am talking about them not taking care of themselves as professionals do ......
^^ One dimensional. Will need to develop variety. Haven't heard much about him since that performance.
On a similar note, Sohail Tanvir should work hard at developing the inswinger. He won't get many batsmen out in Tests otherwise. Since Wasim Akram is in India too, it would be ideal if he could spend a little time with Tanvir and teach him the inswinger, say, before the third Test.
^^ One dimensional. Will need to develop variety. Haven't heard much about him since that performance.
On a similar note, Sohail Tanvir should work hard at developing the inswinger. He won't get many batsmen out in Tests otherwise. Since Wasim Akram is in India too, it would be ideal if he could spend a little time with Tanvir and teach him the inswinger, say, before the third Test.
One dimensional for sure, but very very effective and something which is missing in Pak's line up. He is a real talent.
Next under 19 WC will take place in few months time. It has been almost 2 years when we saw the brilliance of Anwar Ali, Jamshed Ahmed, and Akhtar Ayub. After the tournament, PCB said that it is still too early to try these bowlers in the national team since they are way too young. Are they still on bottle feeding? Shame on PCB
keep in mind those players you just named played against other under 19 players. Surely PCB has tested them in nets and also watching them in domestic circuit. Why would you want them to start playing at age 21? Give them time to get a bit mature and if they have the material they will find their way into the nationals. This is the problem with pak nation. If someone performs well ONCE at junior level, we just start jumping on the band wageon to promote those players to the nationals.
Instead of that, it would be good to have iftikhar anjum back in the test team. He desourves to play in the test after great ODI performances.
