Pakistan v West Indies - Brisbane

[Maranello]

In one-dayers, Malik is probably the second best batsman in the team, after Inzamam, and definitely the form player of the past 12 months. He needs to go in earlier than Hafeez or Youhana since he can play fast bowling well, and can utilise the first 15 overs much better than these other guys. He is as explosive a batsman as Abdul Razzaq or Afridi, but also has much more to his game (eg a brain and great temperament).

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1

what if hafeez was at no.3 and malik went in at 6, with youhana at 5?

That makes sense as well. I don't see any sense in having Yoyo or Inzamam batting at number 3 just to stem the over the top and unreasonable criticism coming from some irate journalists and fans. If Hafeez is going to play it should be as an opener or at no 3. He just doesn't bat aggressively enough to come in later in the order. Kamran Akmal is definitely worth another go as an opener, I have seen him make quick 20's and 30's before in ODI matches and if he can do it at that position it would be priceless. We have plenty of hitters down the order so we won't miss him there. I also believe he has the shots to succeed as a pinch hitter. Not quite as gung-ho as Afridi, if he can just show a touch more patience he can definitely come off.

[Zainub]

Hmm..that plan doesn't sound to bat either...I guess (in fact I personally think) Hafeez's postion in the batting order must be dictated by wheather or not Akmal's experiment as pinch hitter comes of good or not, if it doesn't I'd probably send Hafeez at 3, Inzi 4, Malik 5, Youhanna 6 , if it does, than Malik 3, Inzi 4 Hafeez 5 Youhanna 6...sound's wierd, but somehow makes sense to me

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

hafeez would be a liability at no.6 because he aint gonna come out gung-ho afridi style is he now? which is what you may require him to do.

as you said Shaka, no point having inzy at 3 because some angry and pessimistic fans want him to retire and 'stop hiding behind youngsters'.

so i think no.3 and no6. are interchangeable between malik and hafeez. inzy and youhana should be no.4 and 5.

anyway i want Windies to win! so hopefully the selection will go wrong on pakistan's part

[Zainub]

Speaking of WI, are they going to make changes in their team?

[Shaka]

Found this interesting quote from Woolmer re Malik's bowling action:

"He's going for re-testing on Monday, It'll be interesting. We've been working on his action to try and correct it. I've watched him. And I cannot see any semblance of a throw at all, not one. A genuine throw and a bowl with a slightly bent arm are two different things. Hopefully, the university in Perth will clear him."

While the ICC rules state that a fast bowler's arm can flex up to 15 degrees, only five degrees is currently permissible for spinners. However, under the new proposals, 15 degrees would be the norm for all types of bowlers.

The sooner these new proposals come into force the better. It's annoying that a bowler like Malik is having to sit these games out when there's clearly a big difference between his action, which looks perfectly legal to the naked eye, and Murali's.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

well all of Malik's bowling is 'illegal' isnt it, whereas it was just murali's doosra?

[Shaka]

My point was that Murali's doosra is pretty easy to spot, but with the likes of Malik, Saqlain and Harbajhan not many people can see much wrong. As a result we get these pedantic arguments quibbling over 5% or 6%. Still...let's just hope that we come to a satisfactory conclusion soon and it doesn't drag on much longer.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

anyway i think murali is the greatest spinner ever and im glad he is bowling again.

back to the topic, when will there be news about malik's action? we dont want him able for the indian series do we

[Shaka]

Incidentally, one thing the Windies will have in their favour is the Brisbane pitch is quite a quick one if I remember right. It should suit their bowlers a lot more than our medium pace trundlers. Should be a good test for our batsmen.