Pakistan Squad for Australia

[Zainub]

The Pakistan Cricket Board have announced the following 17 man squad for the country's tour to Australia: Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Khalil, Rana Naved, Danish Kaneria. Reserves: Bazid Khan, Rao Iftikhar and Taufiq Umar

Hmm, not sure I would have selected the same 17. I wouldn't have left Umar for all the money in the world...I had a thought right from the beggining that Woolmer wasn't for some reason I'm not aware off too impressed with him from the onset, and so it has turned out. I'm really disapointed that we aren't going to Australia with the best opening batsman in this country right now. What a shame, anyway, hopefully Butt will do a good job with Farhat. I can't stress enough on the need of them having good tours. Its going to be very, very important I think. Also dispointed that none of the fast bowlers we selected in the A side and talked so much about have been given a chance. Hoping though, that we are proven wrong, and these guys do eventually turn out to be the right selections. Don't know what to say of Afridi's selection, I'm so surprised I really don't know what to say, I thought Woolmer had singled him out as a one-day specialist, but its good that he has so much faith in some one's potential, that's going to give Afridi a lot of confidence, will be interesting seeing if we can be adventourous enough to give a him a test, I don't think it will happen.

[vvvrulz]

I agree, leaving Taufeeq out is a pretty big mystery to me. They don't give him an awful lot of game time. Why on earth was Yasir Hameed left out of the last ODI versus India? He to me is one of the rising stars of Pakistani Cricket.

Apart from all that though, the squad is looking very stable, and they have the potential to give Australia a run for their money.

[Zainub]

A/c to Woolmer Hameed was left out of the side so that he could work on his shot selection out side off stump, he indicated there and then, that he wasn't actaully being thrown out of the team's plans for good, but just being given time (precisely 1 match) to work on an aspect of his game the coach thought he was letting him self down in.

[vvvrulz]

Ah right. Yeah it would be a pity if he was left out permanently, he is a good prospect.

[haseebbutt007]

I agree with u both . I think Taufeeq should have been given a chance for australian tour . he is no doubt our best test opener as his past record suggest for the time being . The second thing which goes in his favour is his experience of playing in difficult situations in South Africa .

[haseebbutt007]

I am also not impressed with the inclusion of Shahid afridi in a TEST SQUAD . I can't understand his role in test cricket . He can be a handy plyer to have in ur side if u r playing one day matches . But the demand of test matches is the players who r either a complete batsman or a complete bowler . But I am afraid Afridi is neither a complete batsman nor a complete bowler . I think Taufeeq fits in the squad in the place of Afridi

[haseebbutt007]

Muhammad Asif 's selection is justified by his recent form in the first class matches . He is the leading wicket taker this season so far . He is a very dangerous bowler with good speed . He can be dangerous in the conditions of Australia provided he is given a chance to play.

[haseebbutt007]

I am not happy with the selection of MUhammad Khalil in the squad . His performance in domestic competitions is poor . His first class record also is not very impressive rather it is poor . There are many other bowlers such as Abdul Rauf , Waqar Ahmad , Wasim Khan and Yasir Arafat who deserve more to be a part of squad than Muhammad Khalil . I don't think his selection is based on merit ?????????

[vvvrulz]

I totally agree, Afridi is no more than a one-day utility, much like that of Ricardo Powell of the West Indies. A quickfire 40-odd is no good to anyone in test cricket.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by haseebbutt007

I am not happy with the selection of MUhammad Khalil in the squad . His performance in domestic competitions is poor . His first class record also is not very impressive rather it is poor . There are many other bowlers such as Abdul Rauf , Waqar Ahmad , Wasim Khan and Yasir Arafat who deserve more to be a part of squad than Muhammad Khalil . I don't think his selection is based on merit ?????????

Inzamam and Woolmer are both decent and thoutful men, they would not select anyone unless it was merited. All the bowlers you mention were in the camp, they all bowled to the likes of Inzamam and Youhana there. Whoever impressed most with his potential would have selected - maybe the other guys take more wickets in first class, but were found wanting in the camp when bowling to Test standard batsmen.

You are saying the others guys deserved a chance more purely based on statistics - Inzamam, Youhana, Woolmer actually made the decision based on what they saw, and based on playing the bowling of all these guys.

In any case, one should not assume bias here, there and everywhere! Better to think the best of one's fellow beings, makes for an easier and altogether more pleasant life :-)