Pakistan's Opening problems

[Zainub]

Imran Farhat was dropped because he had an under par series against India, an under par Asia Cup, and an under par Champions Trophy. I beleive he is talented, but he did not make it easy for the selectors.

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

as far as his weekness in shufling across his stumps is concerned I think that is result of the over criticism that was pounded on him after his relative slow paced run scoring - he wasn't that tentative always.

Excellent point Zainub. I think he was trying to prove he could score quickly during the ODI's and it probably affected his technique. I would love for Taufeeq to get back in the test side. It's difficult to forget in that debacle series in South Africa before the World Cup how he was the one batsman who showed any spine...that too against the opening bowlers. He's a tremendously competitive player and these guys are priceless to most teams.

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

Imran Farhat was dropped because he had an under par series against India, an under par Asia Cup, and an under par Champions Trophy. I beleive he is talented, but he did not make it easy for the selectors.

Agreed...but nobody is stepping up to claim the opener spot in his absence. Till now he is still the only candidate apart from Taufeeq who has had any sort of success since the World Cup.

[Zainub]

You have a point as well, but you can't argue with the selectors on his dropping, that was my point. I'd probably pick him for the Aus tour my self anyway, Farhat will get opportuntities to build up some form in the Quaide Azam trophy until then.

[Shaka]

Hi Zainub,

I think the selectors could be justified in worrying about his ODI form but unless there are any standout candidates for the opening slot then maybe Imran should be given the chance to build on his improvement? My view is that he has progressed from being a reckless shot player to a player that has shown quite a lot of application and patience since his recall after 2001. Just had a look at his stats since he returned to the team in 2003/4. Interesting reading (scores bolded):

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41 58 DNB 3 0 W 1st Test v SA in Pak 2003/04 at Lahore

128 8 DNB 0 0 D 2nd Test v SA in Pak 2003/04 at Faisalabad

20 - DNB 2 0 D 1st Test v NZ in NZ 2003/04 at Hamilton
20 14 DNB 1 0 W 2nd Test v NZ in NZ 2003/04 at Wellington
38 24 1/31 2 0 L 1st Test v Ind in Pak 2003/04 at Multan
101 9 DNB 1 0 W 2nd Test v Ind in Pak 2003/04 at Lahore
16 3 2/69 0 0 L 3rd Test v Ind in Pak 2003/04 at Rawalpindi

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For a young batsman willing to learn those aren't disastrous scores by any means. Two of those hundreds set up wins against very decent opposition, and only three single figure scores which does sem to indicate that he is quite competent at playing the new ball.

[Zainub]

I don't disgaree with you any where what so ever. His one day performance has been up and down but at test level I would settle for those returns given what some of the others did during a similar time span . When Umar and he batted together against South Africa (in Pak) and NZ (in NZ) it was the closest we got to Sohail and Anwar - the best part was that the two of them despite not always making big scores in most cases played out the new ball which consequently allowed Yasir Hameed at one down to bat more comfortably in his inate front footed style.

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

When Umar and he batted together against South Africa (in Pak) and NZ (in NZ) it was the closest we got to Sohail and Anwar

Yes..Aamir Anwar were once described as "the two left-handed guns" by Scyld Berry!

I also thought these two look like a natural combination and for me both have the abilty to attack fast bowling and have shown the application to play defensively against the new ball. Salman Butt is probably more talented than either but he's young and has a bit to learn WRT shot selection.

[Zainub]

May be you are right about Salman needing to go back and play a few more first class matches - he's so taleneted I would definately want him in our future sides but at the moment in terms of the Aus tour and the magnitude of the challanges it poses Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar would be the safest, most reliable option we can opt for.

[Shaka]

I think Salman is our top future talent. I just think he is inexperienced and needs a bit more grooming before he can claim the opening spot as his own. But just like Farhat I was happy to see his application in the last match he played, he was making a big effort to play patiently before he was out. I think he will be our next Saeed Anwar in maybe a year's time.