The T20s are done and dusted. Now comes the real business i.e. test cricket
This is likely to be our test batting
Mohammad Aamer
Shoaib Akhtar
Mohammad Asif/Umar Gul
Kaneria
Is it good enough?
Re: Test Batting!
Most of time the first down player is the best batsman of your team. I don't know why they persisted with sending Umar Amin so early. Overall, the test squad is weak and has no legs to match up with the Australian team.
When it comes to bowling, Australian players have consistently shown weakness when playing spin bowlers and with Ajmal, Kaneria and Abdur Reham we have one positive aspect in the team. Bowlers will make the game for Pakistan, let's see if the batsmen can step up!
Re: Test Batting!
hopefully no Shoaib Akhtar. He was could hardly complete his quota of 10 overs in asia cup and had started limping, panting and making weird faces by his sixth over.
Re: Test Batting!
and of course Pakistan cricket's cursed conjoined twine Imran Farhat, what can we do!
Re: Test Batting!
Shoaib Akhtar is not in the test squad.
Re: Test Batting!
i dont understand why Imran Farhat keeps coming back. I'd rather give Yasir Hameed another go than try farhat again.
so heres what it should be:
Salman Butt
Yasir Hameed
Umar Amin / Azhar Ali (dont know much about either of them)
Shoaib Malik
Umar Akmal
Shahid Afridi
Mohammad Aamer
Mohammad Asif
Umar Gul
Kaneria
One can always hope that Hameed will show the same class he showed against India all those years ago
With the team that we have braved to take to the Britishland, I know two things for sure.
Rest is irrelevant, who plays and who doesn't. One player might add twenty more than the others but the team doesn't have juice to survive even on Faislabad pitch, let alone the seaming heaven.
Time will prove that I am not pessimistic but telling the truth.
Re: Test Batting!
I think its very important for Pak to realize that the T20 wins have NOTHING to do with the real stuff coming up.. the test series... most Pak players are able to stand up and show moments of brilliance in T20s but when it comes to doing it for a few hours more (ODIs).. they are not able to do the same.... and when it comes to doing it for a few days.. its even worse..
I expect Waqar to understand this atleast if not Afridi... and hope the guys are able to stand up and perform...
Go Pakistan !
Re: Test Batting!
Yasir Hameed 
Mohammad Aamer
Shoaib Akhtar (Can’t bowled 6 over continuously) 
Muhammad Asif
Umar Gul
Kaneria
Pakistan should play with two spinners (Ajmal/Kaneria) and three fast bowlers (Amir, Asif, Gul). Fitness would be the key to survive the season. I hope Amir is not overused.
As for the top order - Yasir, Umar Amin and Fawad Alam show alot of promise, however PCB will go with the tried and tested Malik and Farhat.
I think they will play Yasir Hameed at No. 3. Its too risky to play Umar Amin at that position since he is new in the squad and they need expereince. Most likely they'll persist with Butt & Farhat at the top, however, I'd like to give Azhar Ali a chance instead of Farhat. Shoaib Malik, although never proven to be test cricketer, will play all 6 tests this Summer because he is influential player (pawaa). Damaad would probably play all 6 tests too, though I am hoping for Pak to try new faces.
I would like to see Tanvir bowl ahead of Umar Gul in test matches.
Guys, for those who post messages on these forums. Please at least know your test squad. There is no Fawad Alam or Shoaib Akhtar in the test squad.
Salman Butt Imran Farhat Umar Amin (perhaps) - I think this has to be Yasir Hameed's spot. * Shoaib Malik *- unfortunately. Should be Umar Akmal at 4. Umar Akmal - *should be Umar Amin * Shahid Afridi
Mohammad Aamer Shoaib Akhtar * No Shoaib Akhtar in the test squad. Mohammad Asif. * Umar Gul - * I hope Tanvir Ahmed * Kaneria
Is it good enough?
No its not.
My Wish List Squad from the announced:
1. Salman Butt
2. Azhar Ali
3. Yasir Hameed
4. Umar Akmal
5. Umar Amin
6. Shahid Afridi
7. Zulqarnain Haider (WK)
8. Mohammad Aamir
9. Tanvir Ahmed
10. Mohammad Asif
11. Danish Kaneria
*Most Likely Squad *
1. Salman Butt
2. Imran Farhat (Hopefully Azhar Ali) - but we'll find out tomorrow with the 2-day match who opens. That person will most likely open the test match too.
3. Yasir Hameed
4. Umar Akmal
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Shahid Afridi
7. Kamran Akmal
8. Mohammad Aamir
9. Umar Gul
10. Mohammad Asif
11. Danish Kaneria
Re: Test Batting!
the best 11 pak can put out is
Salman Butt
Imran Farhat
Yasir Hameed
Shoaib Malik
Umar Akmal
Shahid Afridi
Kamran Akmal
Mohammad Aamer
Umar Gul
Danish Kaneria
Mohammad Asif
Yasir Hameed has experience and I hope they pick him ahead of Umar Amin who is too raw right now. In bowling the only dilemma they have is to choose between Danish and Ajmal but I hope they pick Kaneria and see how he responds. Afridi is there to support him well as well as Malik.
But middle order comprising of Malik, Afridi and Akmals is a bit shallow to be honest! Lets hope they step up and perform...
Re: Test Batting!
^ Saby why do you think Farhat should be picked ahead of Amin. Maybe Amin will score the same as Farhat but at least we will be giving him international exposure.
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^ Farhat's last few tests with Butt have brought some consistently good opening partnerships AND he himself has not played THAT badly. So I will not exclude him just like that and hope he does not disappoint.
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^ I would rather look to the future than these failed once in a blue moon openers we have got and give the new guys the exposure they deserve.
Thanks for the correction and that is the right decision IMO because Akthar did not look match-fit in the T20s
But the squad does n’t matter because remember this (the Australian leg of the test series in England) is a ‘home’ series for Pakistan and they can pick n choose + replace players as and when they like
So as far as I am concerned both Akhtar (he might play one or two tests against England) and Younus are available for test matches provided Butt sahib can let go of his big ego
Re: Test Batting!
apparently the goal with shoaib is to keep him as a wildcard test option with the hope that he'll improve his fitness during the tour. ummeed pe dunya qaim hai
^ I would rather look to the future than these failed once in a blue moon openers we have got and give the new guys the exposure they deserve.
Their chance will come. Imran Farhat knows Yasir Hameed is picked and is a better open than him (both technique and stats wise) so will be careful not to fk it up! Lets hope so....
No point opening with Farhat. He will drop 4 catches while standing in the slips all day, and then when he goes out to bat he'll offer a dolly to the Aussie's in the slips to add to our wounds.
Salman Butt, Umar Amin, Yasir Hameed, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Amir, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria is probably the best team we can play at the moment.
There is a question mark over Gul's test bowling - but Shoaib Akhter is still not 100% match fit and Gul is still a way better option than Wahab Riaz.