VB Series: Pak v Windies at Perth

[Shaka]

This the final 11 I would go with, and taking into account Malik's absence as a bowler, it's probably the best balance line up I can think of.

Salman Butt
Kamran Akmal (wk)
Mohammed Hafeez
Inzimam (capt)
Yousuf Youhana
Shoaib Malik
Abdul Razzaq
Shahid Afridi
Naved Rana
Mohammed Khaleel
Iftikhar Rao

[Zainub]

My only change would perhaps be Hameed in for Hafeez, already plenty of bowling options in that team in the form of Abdul Razzaq Shahid Afridi Rana Naved-ul-Hasan Mohammed Khalil and Rao Iftikhar Rana, Hafeez's off spinners might not be needed at all, and if that is the case, I would trust Hameed more with the bat and pick him at 3 instead

[Shaka]

Yes that's a fair point, but having a 6th bowler is always a nice option, and as Hafeez did well in his last match against Windies I have a feeling he might get the nod. But I think you are probably right, we could do with a genuine top order player in there with Akmal already being used as a makeshift opener.

[Maranello]

Yes that would be my team too. So two changes from the Aus team: Akmal instead of Younis and Hafeez instead of Yasir.

I will definitely play Hafeez instead of Yasir. Gives us more bowling options, and as Akmal is batting at the top, we don't really need the additional opener in Yasir. Going into a crucial match with only 5 bowling options is always risky. It worked the other day against Aus, it will not always work, there will invariably be one of Rao/Rana/Khalil/Razzy who will have a shocker and Hafeez provides cover for that. Also, two spinners give greater options if we are defending and need to dry up the run scoring.

In any case, Hafeez did well enough with the bat in the last WI game (though got caned with the ball), so probably not a risky move to include him. If we do get a good start from Akmal and Butt, we have the option of playing Hafeez lower down the order (at 6 or 7) would only send him at 3 if openers get out early. If Hafeez does go at 3, Inzamam and Youhana should come in at 4 and 5, so Malik will play at 6. He has the game and the temperament to bat nearly anywhere in a ODI order, and with his explosive hitting and decent strike rate should be an asset at 6 too.

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Maranello

I will definitely play Hafeez instead of Yasir. Gives us more bowling options, and as Akmal is batting at the top, we don't really need the additional opener in Yasir.

Also bear in mind that we could play Malik at 3 if the decision was made to leave Yasir out. I just think there's enough batting down the order to include a sixth bowler, especially as he can bat too. Although Hafeez hasn't made many runs in the VB series, you could say the same about Rana before yesterday. Sometimes players need to get a run in the team before they are settled enough to produce their best. Iftikhar Rao, while not maybe putting the fear of god into a batting line up, has looked more than useful in his last couple of outings. Not a great death bowler, but can be given a long spell with the new ball to get round that.

Khaleel also looked much improved and he looks like he can bowl near the end too.

[Maranello]

A solid performance by Pakistan and they are through to the finals.

Pak 307 from 50 overs, WI all out for 277 in 48.1 overs. Scorecard here.

Youhana got a good hundred and was man of the match, Inzamam continues to silence his numerous Pakistani critics with very accomplished batting performances. Naved-ul-Hasan kept up the good work of the previous game with excellent and controlled bowling, both with the new ball, and impressively, at the death. A special mention to Shahid Afridi, he seems to be in the batting and bowling form of his life of late, another invaluable contribution with the ball, and a couple of great sixes - is there a better six hitter in world cricket? I doubt it.

[Paoli]

Yeah a very good win. 2-0 in the finals but if Afridi can get his game on. And perhaps a pinch hitting role. Pakistan have a chance. If only there were two Afridi's.

[Shaka]

A good batting performance set up the win, with a very classy knock from Youhanna, another big fifty from Inzi and the now customary fireworks at the death from Afridi. What a turnaround in his career since coming back into the team after Woolmer's appointment. In truth Pakistan were helped to their total by probably the most listless ground fielding I've seen from a West Indian side. They failed to put Pakistan's batsmen under any pressure and that certainly won't happen againast Australia.

Pakistan's bowling looked a bit pedestrian but the wicket was a belter so that should be taken into account. Naved Rana was the exception with probably the best bowling anyone has produced so far for Pakistan. Looked a class above the rest of the seamers and figures of 4-29 didn't flatter him at all. I still think a 6th bowling option might be an idea against the Aussies but I can't see us changing the team now. Yasir plays the Aussies far better than Hafeez and Pakistan will want as strong a batting line up as possible.

[Seamer]

Great to see Pakistan have finally found form and made the finals. Considering the losses they have suffered through injury and bereavement, it is a credit too them. Should be a very interesting final series!

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Seamer

Great to see Pakistan have finally found form and made the finals. Considering the losses they have suffered through injury and bereavement, it is a credit too them. Should be a very interesting final series!

Don't think they will have enough firepower in their bowling ranks to seriously challenge the Aussies but considering the setbacks I think they have done pretty well and they'll certainly give it a go. Pakistan's middle order batting has been impressive for a while now in ODI cricket. When Shoaib Malik is allowed to resume his bowling and we get a couple of the quicks back from injury I think that's a helluva strong team to be honest.