Re: Squads for Twenty 20 World Cup
Pretty balanced squad I would say. While I was surprised to hear about Razzaq's ommision (discussed in a seperate thread) I actually dont think Yousaf's exclusion should come as a big shock. He is lucky this is happening in 20-20's and not during a test or ODI series as that would have bad for both him as well as Pakistan cricket team. But the message sent by the selectors is pretty clear, shape up or face the axe. As Osman Samiuddin rightly pointed out **At his best, Twenty20 cricket is to Razzaq what water is to fish. **But his bowling has been pedistrian at best of late and we havent seen a whole lot of fireworks as well for some time now.
Osman Samiuddin was wrong in giving the example of Ponting when discussing Yousaf's exclusion though. Never mind the fact that after his record breaking year in tests Yousaf still couldnt pass him in ICC rankings. IMO not only is Ponting a better batsman than not just Yousaf but almost everyone in world cricket he is much more destructive than Yousaf and he is also a lot more than just a great batsman. He is the captain of the side and one of the best fielders in world cricket while it wont be too far from the truth if one calls Yousaf one of the worst fielders in world cricket. Yousaf on the field is a liability, Ponting on the other hand is an asset. We try to hide him in the field, if it's a packed off side field and the bowler is bowling an off stump line we place him somewhere on the leg side. If we are going to be world beaters then we need people who put 110 % when they are on the field. B atting aline isnt enough if you're gonna be a bumb on the field. Same holds true for Razzaq, he has an added advantage, atleast on paper, of bowling but as a fielder we can do without him just as well as we can with him. Players need to change their attitudes and start looking to improve all aspects of their games. Otherwise the wish to overcome the Aussies will remain just that, a wish.