^ I disagree - we're far from having solved the problem - we've only improvised with Afridi... Afridi's consistency is better down the order and that's where he should be.
In the next little short run, Butt should stay, and Yasir should be given a fair chance.
At least on flat pitches of India-Pakistan, Afridi is probably gonna be a permanent opener for both forms of the game. It solves several problems in one go. You get more depth in your batting, and even if Afridi fails 3 out of 5 times, its no worse than our other "proper" openers put up... like Messrs Taufeeq, Yasir, Imran etc.
Butt has also cemented his place.
The rest of the top order is predictable... though I will most certainly tend to play Shoaib Malik for tests too. He is a real all-round player, and brings a lot of stability to our batting.
I agree with Faisal, we can't judge our top and middle order batting performances on Ind/Pak's flat tracks. Their real test would come in one month time, when they visit carabeans. Its not that in WI the wickets are WACA like, but the conditions are different and they have some life in them. A little difficult than sub-contenant.
Salman has sure gained more confidence with this ODI series and will stay for another two seasons atleast before we reserve this slot for him for next 10 years. On the other hand, I would say either Hamid or Younis Khan should be tried out in Test matches on opener position. A good player can play at any number if he is eager to do so. Inzi and Yoyo have different nakhray, but they do their job on their prefered positions so nobody can raise the finger on those two. But if Younis has signalled Woolmar to open the innings, as it was reported before 5th ODI, than he should be tried at that position in WI atleast.
And yes, Afridi must not open for Pak, outside sub-contenant. We already ruined some good 6 years of his career as a forced opener. Let him play his natural game at No. 7
I think Salman Butt needs to be lot more consistent... he sometime throws away his wicket like in last match, and playing alongside Afridi he needs to score runs in 9 out of ten times because 1 / 10 time Afridi will handle it alone.:) but surely Salman Butt has got every thing to be a good opener but it is the consistency in which he is lacking... i think he get overly nervous sometime... and he has to work hard to further cement his place in the team.
Otherwise i think Inzamam and Malik are lot more consistent and dependable players now... lastly we need to keep it in mind about the state of indian pitches. WI will have different surfaces somewhere between indian and australian grounds.
Salman-Afridi might work in ODIs, but Test opening is still gonna be a question. Afridi shouldn't open in Tests, a play who can stay for extended period of time is required in Tests... a Shoaib Mohammad or Wasti will do. Also, as pointed earlier we have to see what happens in WI tour as wickets will have some life in it. Yasir should be given a full run in WI tour, atleast in Tests.
Salman Butt should be given confidence that he is playing for whole next series in both forms of the game. Afridi should only open on subcontinent pitches and that is how Bob intends to use him IMO. WI pitches are not entirely different from subcontinent one so Afridi will open there as well. But in other conditions like England and SA ones, dont be surprised if Younis khan opens in one dayers.
For test matches, Yasir Hameed should be given more chances and confidence by the management and selectors.