Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq put Pakistan’s opening defeat to South Africa down in part to lack of preparation time.
But he was confident a stronger touring side will be in a better position for the rest of the three-Test series.
“We did not have enough time for practice but that’s not an excuse,” he said after the seven-wicket defeat.
“Mohammad Yousuf is coming, Shoaib [Akhtar] is there and Umar Gul is fit so we will have stronger bowling and stronger batting.”
Pakistan had just once three-day match before the Test series, and have little time to recover before the second Test starts in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
At least record-breaking batsman Yousuf will be with the side after staying at home to be with his wife as she gave birth.
Pace bowler Gul is recovering from an ankle problem.
And Shoaib - called up initially to replace Gul - has taken time to regain fitness after taking time away during a successful appeal against a drug ban.
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
I would like to see Kaneria dropped jus to shake him up and play one of Rana/Nazir/Sami (depending upon the pitch of course as Port Elizabeth is renowned for slow and dusty pitches)
Plus I also hope Gul is immediately in the sort of form that made him the highest wicket taker for Pakistan last year.
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
Not advisable to drop Kaneria. He bowled very well in the 1st innings and did not get some border line decisions in his favor.
Don't decide on the basis of just the 2nd innings effort.
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
^ Have you seen him bowl during England series? Indian series? Lanka series? windies series? I dont argue on the point that he is our number one spinner but he needs to be taken out of comfort zone.
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
Comfort zone? How about duntoo (Akmal)? His wicketkeeping once again was pathetic, have u seen his performance in the last few series? Kaneria may not be getting wickets but has a tremendous psychological effect on the other side, plus his bowling has'nt been wayward, luck was not on his side otherwise for test matches he is our best spinning option. Therefore, I disagree with your view that Kaneria is in a comfort zone, maybe its the dopey captain who cannot strategize, make the right field placements or motivate his players. Maybe, its the moronic think tank which left Shoaib Akhter back home and took an injured Gul to the tour, or maybe its just fate.....
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
I dont agree that he is our # 1 spinner. We have a huge amount of talent in our domestic cricket but no one gets to be given a chance and its always Kaneria. We took 17 players to SA and only 1 of them was a spinner. He has been given too much comfort for his position and alot of guarantee. If you have Mushtaq Ahmed as assitant coach, why not take 2 spinners on the tour so that they can benefit from his experience and coaching. Hafeez maybe used as #5 bowler but he does not fit the bill of a test bowler.
Alot also is the fault of the PCB selection committee for this.
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
so who will get the boot, or they will just switch/swap Yousef for Faisal? other dilema is that if they make yasir open he will be under more pressure.
IMo
1) Hafeez (coz he can bowl as well, maybe I am wrong)
2) Yasir ( lets hope woolmer can guide him like he did wonders for Malik)
3) Younis
4) Yousef
5) Inzi
6) Kamal
7) Akmal
8) Akther
9) Gul
10) Danish
11) Asif
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
I think the only changes would be Yousaf in for Faisal and Akhtar in for Rana. There have been conflicting reports on Gul's injury. It was suppose to be a small niggle and he was going to play the first test, then it was a little more serious so he couldnt play the first test. Now some reports suggest he is coming back in the next test, some reports suggest he might not even be able to play the world cup as he might require 3-4 months of rest. So we'll see what happens when the team is announced for the second test.
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
One Change kapta'an no. 1....
I think ....replace Hafeez with Hameed and add Nazir....I think we need an all rounder like Nazir proved himself in the first test, down in the tail.
So ,
Farhat, Hameed, Younis, Yousuf, Inzi, Akmal, Asif, Akhtar, Gul, Kaneria,Nazir
or
drop Danesh and then keep Hafeez as well (depends on wicket condition).
then
Hafeez, Farhat, Hameed, Younis, Yousuf, Inzi, Akmal, Asif, Akhtar, Gul, Nazir.
Re: Yousuf, Akhtar and Gul will return for 2nd Test
I don't think the openers need to be changed. They gave decent enough starts and have had some success in recent past. Yousuf for Faisal and Shoaib and Gul for Rana and Nazir mak sense. I personally would like to see Mushtaq play instead of Kaneria but that is not going to happen.