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Zainub · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2005, 11:12 AM

BBC Sports reports here that Pakistan have recalled allrounder Azhar Mahmood, openers Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar, and pace bowled Rao Iftikhar Anjum for the triangular VB series, each of 'em is expected to arrive in Australia in time for our first warm up game against a strong Australia A side on January 12th. Inzamam is included in the 16 man squad, apparently because the "team management" has ensured his particupation, this means Danish Kaneria, Asim Kamal, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami (who was asked to rest and given time to recover in time for the series against India) and Imran Farhat will all return home following the completion of the final ongoing final test in Sydney.

Pakistan squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (Capt), Taufeeq Umar, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Kamran Akmal (Wkt), Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Khalil, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

So, just when we were talking about Mohammad Hafeez he gets a recall, I must say I didn't expect his recall to the fold this early, although Taufeeq Umar's inclusion was widely anticipated. Last time Hafeez played for us, his off spin brought more success than his batting, hopefully the case will be different this time. He is one hell of fielder though, and it will be interesting seeing how we use him this time around. As good as Taufeeq Umar's record is at test level, he has never played any inning of note in limited overs cricket, so he must grab on to this opportunity of cementing his place in the side once and for all, and concentrate on just batting and not what people have to say about his technique or anything. I guess for starters he will still have to compete with Yasir Hameed for an opening slot alongside Salman Butt - it might come down to who does better in the 2 warm up games we are scheduled to play, a 50-overs-per-side contest against Aus A on 12 Jan at Adelaide, followed by a 20-overs-a-side game the next day on the same venue.

This might also be just the right series to bring some one like Azhar Mahmood back into the fold, we're scheduled to play 6 games , and 2/3 more if we qualify for the finals - enough time I would think to give most of the guys in the squad a bit of a go. Over all squad looks stronger batting wise, and some what thin on fast bowling resources - Shoaib and Rana are perhaps the only proven performers, the former too has only been able to get a run in the side because of injuries to Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, well he's either hit or miss in one-days, Mohammad Khalil and Rao Iftikhar Anjum are both inexperienced and I'm not sure what to expect of them in their first tour away from home - over all there is a look of uncertainity about it...or may be its just that I'm being too skeptical...alas the after affects of hearing too much Mark Nicholas and Bob Willis are becoming all too evident...