Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
I love the feeling when Pakistan have embarrassment of the riches. (in the batting department). I hope they drop Razzaq for this test and bring in MoYo.
Sri lankans are back to their ugly cricket style in no time (relying solely on Murali to win them matches). This is the reason I dont like SL team and probably never will.
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
Did we ever get any update on his wife status?
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
Malik lost his ailing father during the home series against India and after that also broke up his engagement with his long-time fiancÈe, an Indian national for personal reasons. Sources close to Malik said he had decided to break up his engagement with the Indian girl as his parents were never happy with the match and he took the decision after the death of his father to whom he was very close; but he put these things behind him on Thursday to play perhaps his best hand for Pakistan.
The 26-year-old, who started his career as an all-rounder, has now opened in his last six Tests for Pakistan and said he was now feeling more comfortable in the opener’s role. “I definitely feel more comfortable and responsible now. I’m happy to play at any position my team wants me to play. If they feel I’m a long-term solution to the opening problems, I’m ready to keep on opening the innings,” Malik said.
Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said he saw Malik as a permanent answer to the long-standing problems with the opening pair. “He (Malik) definitely showed all the qualities today that are required for a successful opener. It was an extraordinary innings from him in very hot conditions and given the pressure we were under. He really showed a lot of maturity to bat for over seven hours and he has shown he can continue to open the innings,” Inzamam stated.
Tragedies no barrier for Shoaib Malik
Now that Malik is (more or less) confirmed for the opening position, who will be selected as his partner? Will we still try the alternative of Butt and Farhat in every other match, or will it be Farhat for the time being?
I would put my money on the latter.
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
Sri Lanka’s champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is a big crowd puller and popular figure, has dismissed talk of his retirement after the 2007 World Cup and said he was good enough to continue for another two to three years for his country.
“I know there has been talk of me retiring after the World Cup next year but as things stand I’m sure I’ll go on for at least another two or three years. I’m feeling quite fresh apart from a few little niggles here and there but that is part of international cricket,” he added in an interview.
He also conceded that people had asked him whether he might just consider playing Test cricket and retire from One-day Internationals. But he said he would not be doing this and if he carried on playing it’ll be because he is fit and good enough to play both forms of the games.
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
Malik did show lot of maturity, but his innings was not a "chanceless" inning, I still have some doubts about him but as "short term" fixes he might be okay untill the end of England visit. I'd rather have Yasir Hameed and Salman Butt open than Farhat + Salman/Malik atleast for Test matches.
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
Sanath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan opener, has announced that he will retire from Test cricket following the current series against Pakistan. However, he will continue his one-day international career and is available for the World Cup next year.
When asked whether Faisal’s knock of 60 would cause a selection problem should Mohammad Yousuf return to the side for the second Test, Inzamam replied: “As a captain it is good to see youngsters performing well. I am always happy when there is a problem in the selection because it means there is competition.”
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
dhobi_bhai: do u think Malik is a good choice as an opener in England? We all know his weakness of playing his shots in the air too early. England got him out easily in recent test series. It will be really difficult for him in the seaming conditions of England. I would rather use a specialist opener in England, and push Malik down the order.
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
I would agree with your statement. I am, however, more keen on resisting with Imran Farhat in the team, alongwith either Salman Butt or Yasir Hameed (as Captain1 Bhai has mentioned above). Granted that both Butt and Farhat have a tendency to constantly hang their bats outside the off-stump, when they do get in their normal full-flow, it is hard to stop the flow of runs, especially in the case of Farhat. Malik, alongwith Razzaq and Akmal, can provide his services and will also be more valuable down the order, as he (and Razzaq) are very dynamic in their state of plays according to the match situations.
On another note, I am having second thoughts of whether or not Sami should be a part of England tour (give the English seam conditions).
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
^ Inzi jaisay khotay sikkay (captain) ne chhor dia to tum bhee jaan chhor do Sami ki 
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
I don’t know how big the touring party would be, but I would like to see Sami in it coz his pace could be helpful on seaming and bouncy wickets. I am not a fan of Sami, but we can give him some side matches in England, and see how he performs. There is always a chance that Shoaib Akhtar wont be able to make it to the tour.
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
considering if Shoaib Akther is fit and I really hope Saqlain Mushtaq gets well in time, touring party would be pretty much like this
Batsmen:
I. Haq*, M. Yousef, Y. Khan, S. Butt, I. Farhat, F. Iqbal
All-Rounders:
A. Razzaq, S. Malik, S. Afridi
Bowlers:
S. Akther, M. Sami, M. Asif, R. Naveed, U. Gul, D. Kaneria
W-Keeper:
+K. Akmal.
Standby:
I. Rao, Jamshed Ahmed, Shahid Yousef and Anwar Ali
If possible I would like to add Saqlain Mushtaq if he is not fit then Bazid or A. Rauf (left arm spinner) but me no selector 
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
M. Sami
At this point, even though we (and I myself) have ridiculed and trashed Sami several hundred times in recent history, I do believe that in the vested interests of the team and given the condition of the wickets during the season (as Ganja has mentioned), my first preference out of all the bowlers would be Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Asif (aside from Shoaib Akhtar).
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
nice thought(s) but aren't we getting off-track already, lets get back to the 2nd test match b/w Pakistan vs. Srilanka :D
I read in this thread that Razzy is not fit 100% any conformation on that?
if so would, whom would you play? a bowler or a batsman?
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
arcobi: read today’s jang, they say that Razzaq is unfit:
http://jang.com.pk/jang/mar2006-daily/31-03-2006/khail.htm
so it looks like Yousuf will replace Razzaq to solve selection dilemma and every1 will be happy 
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
I read in this thread that Razzy is not fit 100% any conformation on that? if so would, whom would you play? a bowler or a batsman?
^ Arshad Khan, whether he fits as specialist batsman, specialist bowler or specialist uncle :D
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
A breather!
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
If I were you, guys, I'd take Jang's breaking news with a great deal of salt.
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
I think the primary reason is that a lot of people wanna see BOTH Iqbal and MoYo play.
Not me. I'd sit out MoYo and play Iqbal.
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
^ meine tau bachpann mein post kiya thaa, aap ne ab parha hai?
Re: Srilanka vs. Pakistan 2nd Test match April 03-07, 2006
*Guys can we stick to the second test match first and worry about England series later? *