Can Pakistan shock Australia/,>

[Aussie-Youhana-fan]

So Pakistan has just gone down to the Western Australia side in Perth. Once again all reports are saying that the Pakistani batsman are not getting their bodies behind the ball and inturn, getting caught behind.


When I look at the side that they had playing this match, can someone tell me why Shoaib Malik would be in their plans for Perth??? I have never been a huge fan of his, as I think his bowling is not quite up to international standard on a consistant basis, and his batting is suspect to strong bowling line-ups.

There will be no need to have him playing in Perth!!!!

Younis Khan is another who I feel is playing out of position. To me, he is NOT a number 3 in test cricket, and going by the scorecards from Perth, they have him pencilled in for that spot in the upcoming test.

The batting is always going to be the problem on this tour. Too much responsibility will fall on Inzamam and Youhana to post a decent score. I will be very suprised if any of the openers pass 30 in any innings.

Not having Taufeeq as a back-up on this tour is going to be fatal.

To me, the line-up for the first test should be like this...

1. Butt (deserves his chance thru form in the practice matches)
2. Farhat (not completely sold on this guy yet)
3. Hameed (this is his BEST position)
4. Inzamam ( lots of pressure and expect him at the crease EARLY)
5. Youhana ( the rolls royce of cricket, enough said)
6. Younis (showed some form early, but not last game. Not a #3)
7. Razzaq ( their best allrounder by far)
8. Akmal (glad he's been given a chance)
9. Sami (obvious reasons)
10. Shoaib (picks himself. Needs his mind to be on the job)
11. Kaneria (best spinning option)

Pakistan need to get off to good solid starts. If Inzamam and Youhana are at the rease at 3 / 50, then there will be trouble. I get the feeling Razzaq is going to have to play a VERY important role this tour.

[Zainub]

I understand your sentiments, but Younis Khan cannot de dropped down from number 3 after he's scored a match winning hundred in that position in just our very last test, fair to say it was in different conditions, but he also scored a 100 against WA 2nd XI from that same position, and has been one of our slightly more successful batsmen in this tour so far. I'm not willing to write him off just yet. Yasir Hameed in what ever opportunities he has got in the tour so far hasn't proved he is himself capable of handling the number 3 spot either to well. Having him at 3 would mean having 3 very, very inexperienced players at the top of the order. A relatively older head like Younis Khan would to me seem the more appropriate choice at least for the short term. I don't think personally Woolmer is keen on playing him at 3. He has been quoted as saying that 3 players are fighting for the opening spot, Hameed, Farhat and Butt, which makes me believe he doesn't see him as an option at 3. Shoaib Malik will also be more than likely to include in the first XI for the 1st test starting Thursday, Woolmer rates him highly, and believes he has got the potential. I'm personally still in two minds about what should be done. There are 2 options available; either we drop Malik in favor of a specialist bat, like Asim Kamal or specialist bowler, like Khalil/Asif. I agree though that not having Taufeeq in the squad has not proved to be the wisest choice we are ever likely to make.

[Shaka]

Yasir might have to be brought in as an emergency opener as Imran Farhat is struggling to make any impact. Hameed's self-confidence and aggressive nature might be a better bet than an opener who is struggling for form in Australia. Plus, Yasir has been brought up on Peshawar pitches which are Pakistani version of the WACA