Couldn't be a better ending for PCB... Come on let's think long and hard about it. The big and long hard struggles for the PCB and their fans. But I think finally Pakistan have fought through it, and have made a WORLD CUP WINNING TEAM.
Previously this Pakistan team had so many problems it was getting to be a joke, but the Pakistan fans did not see the funny side.
But at the end of December Pakistan looked like world champs, well looking to the future they did.
Team Pakistan had so many issues, the summer of 2006 was not to go as hoped.
Ball tampering issue in England - opening issue, spinner for the One day internationals, and finally bowling issues, but they fought hard and now they have appeared to have solved every problem that needed to be solved.

The issue in England really hurt the boys, it hurt their pride and their spirits. They felt cheated and not given an opportunity.
Inzi got suspended for the ICC Champions Trophy, Younis didn't want to captain, but then backed down and changed his mind.
They went through the ICC Champions Trophy the hard way , their openers failed like in all series.
Pakistan was looking for two reliable openers as this was a problem that had been affecting them all year. then another big problem got in their way, they Pakistan needed prime spinner.

They forced DANSIH KANERIA - ARSHAD KHAN,and YASIR ARAFAT(who did well in my opinion) to take that place but without any luck.
Another issue that was bothering Pakistan them was that they could not find true opening bowlers, they had found Umar Gul but no one else to back him up. Rana Naved, we all thought had it in him, but he proved to be to expensive.
Rao Anjum (GREAT BOWLER) also at best is not a prolific wicket taker.
Gul, and in particular Shoiab had been facing injury, but every cloud has a silver lining, and out of this came a guy who could be the future, the future of Pakistani cricket MOHAMMAD ASIF. He was fit to go..
Gul struggled in the middle while Asif did well, then Shoiab was back and ready to bowl... Then all a sudden PCB had banned both for 2 years. What was to happen next??

It seemed like Pakistan had lost any hopes of winning the World Cup.
But then the month of December came,and with it the series against the West Indies, the series that was going to be the most important series of the whole year.
This was the final chance to prove if Pakistan had any chance of success in the WORLD CUP.
The ending is so perfect now all we need is to actually win the WORLD CUP it would make a dream fantasy come true.
Asif and Shoiab are back, the bowling true. Gul is bowling at his best as is Rana Naved. Pakistan have found a prime ODI bowler in Abdul Rehman, and DANI for Test cricket.
Shoiab and Razzi for all-rounders, and Yousuf is breaking records - Inzi is getting his form back after a long comeback.
But Pakistan's main big problem appears to have been solved. The opening batsmen - two people I like to call Mohammad Hafeez and Yasir Hammed seem to have got what it takes for the number one and two positions..
And lastly Shahid Afridi has proven his inconsistency. Everything is solved for the world cup there are so many bowlers too pick from:ASIF,GUL,SHOIAB,NAVED,ANJUM,ARAFAT.
I think Pakistan will be the team to beat in the world cup now.
Just look at the team I think will, and should play:

1.Mohammad Hafeez,
2.Yasir Hameed,
3.Younis Khan,
4.Mohammad Yousuf/Inzamam-ul-Haq,
5.Shoiab Malik,
6.Abdul Razzaq,
7.Kamran Akmal,
8.Mohammad Asif,
9.Umar Gul,
10.Shoiab Akhtar,
11.Abdul Rehman..
This is my Pakistan DREAM TEAM.


That just sums the whole season for PAKISTAN, to complete a 'Fairy Tale' ending, will be if they do win the World Cup.
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CRICKET IS IN MY BLOOD

Good article.... i agree Pakistan will be a strong contender for the WC!!!

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