Pakistan vs West Indies: Pre Series Build Up Thread

[Zainub]

No, not really. I think the PCB is trying to encourage local ravalries. And I think I'd go with that. I don't think crowds will turn up if PIA take on Habib Bank. And in any case PIA and Habib Bank imploy these very players who are now playing for different cities. If they were to be allowed to take part in these competetions they'd have to field second string sides.

These associations are in place so that cricketers don't have any problems with reguards to financial problems, regional cricket has not been a sposored affair until last year, that's why Imran Khan's ideas of scrapping away association cricket have gathered little support from elsewhere. Now though situation is quite different, these Twenty20 matches are getting national and international coverage (via Channel 3 and Ten Sports respectively) as well as Radio Coverage by FM 91. And the event is a fully sponsored affair, with ABN Amro (that's a bank by the way, whose head is a massive cricket freak) being in the lead. Even first class matches from the Quide-a-Azam Trophy got television coverage this season. (And all that coverage was on Free-to-Air State Television). Finances are less a problem now. At least that's what the impression I get.

By the way Paoli I'm wondering why you think we'll lose.
Also please tell me why you like the nicknames, I don't personally.

[Paoli]

Thanks for the enlightening Zainub...

Why I think Pakistan will lose??? I just think the Windies will be able to bounce back from a disappointing series against South Africa and take on Pakistan on their own hill. The West Indies is usually the birthplace for fast bowlers; Pakistan is the graveyard. In saying that, Pakistan have a lot of young fast bowling talent but they are largely untried in the Windies. I believe the likes of Daren Powell and Fidel Edwards will have the last laugh.

The nicknames??? I dunno, maybe because they sound Western!!! I just think good quick thinking nicknames suit Twenty20 cricket.

[Zainub]

It's interesting you say that despite Shoaib coming back in form, and some of our batsmen (arguably) being in the best form of their lives. In any case, I hope we prove you wrong . I don't mind nicknames, but I just think they should at least have some connection with the actual team. There are no dolphins and zebras in Karachi.

By the way, in case anyone is interested in following the competetion, you can do so here:

http://www.ncp.com.pk

[Shaka]

I think Windies will be smarting too after their defeat at the hands of SA, and there is always the danger that Pakistan will ease off after a good tour of India and be caught napping. I still think though that with so many bowlers possibly coming back into contention, we will be on our toes in that dept at least. Good to see Umar Gul bowling again and making a super return by the looks of it.

[Zainub]

I'm not too sure how much one can make of someone's form with only four overs of bowling under thier belt per game , but nevertheless Umar Gul, Shabbir Ahmed and Shoaib all look fit - regardless of form. There is a question mark over Sami though, he's having a surgery on his heal , and that will put him out for at least 3 to 4 weeks, meaning he will most probably miss the entire one-day series. If he recovers quickly enough he might be fit in time for the test series. In that case Pakistan will have a very postive selection headache, that of trying to chose 3 from this lot: Sami, Shabbir, Shoaib, Umar, Rana...Quite a pentalet (is this a word?) is you ask me!

Anyway, update on the 20Twenty competetion, it's fair to say that so far so good. It's been a success, and get's getting people to talk about it. For once, we can say well done PCB!

[King Aragorn]

The ODI squad has been announced. Changes might well be made when the test squad for the WI tour is announced this Monday. Cricinfo report here.

I can't really understand why Moin Khan was selected. Kamran Akmal is a natural behind the stumps while Moin Khan really does have butter fingers. Moin's batting might be slightly better than Akmal's but the young lad just saved us a test match by making a century. What more can we expect from him? Now, Akmal will always be afraid of Moin Khan replacing him due to one bad performance.

Malik is also part of the squad. There were chances that he could be banned for a few games. I hope that he'll be part of the test squad as well. What he did in the 20-20 game was wrong but banning him from playing is a punishment too hard I think.

In the meanwhile, just to confuse you all, BBC is reporting that Malik will be banned after all. Maybe it'll be a test match ban.

Shoaib Akhtar is not in though. Perhaps the selectors want him to play tests only? After all, the fast bowler has himself said many a times that there is too much workload on him. He should be a happy man now, if he gets selected for the test side.

As for the 20-20 matches, my team, Faisalabad Wolves has made it to the finals! They'll be playing a strong Karachi side later today.

[Paoli]

I guess it just shows Shoaib's marketing value, the Cricinfo headline is "Shoaib not included in Pakistan ODI squad"!!

[Zainub]

I'm confused, big time, there are conflicting reports about the squad every where. Dawn has quoted Wasim Bari as saying with refrence to the composition of the team that "nothing has been confirmed yet", he also refused to confirm or deny that the PCB had decided not to recall Shoaib. He said a 16-man squad will be announced by the ad hoc committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday after a meeting of the national selection committee at Lahore the same morning.

Originally Posted by Bari

How can I say that we have finalized the squad when we (the selectors) have yet to meet for discussion. We have received the medical reports of these fast bowlers (i.e. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul). But we are still waiting for the fitness report from team trainer (Grant Compton). Until then, we can’t say for sure who’s going to be selected in the squad.

Full story here: http://dawn.com/2005/05/01/spt4.htm

Quite frankly I'm a little sick and tired of all this confusion over whose fit and whose not, and seeing it materalise over and over again before the start of virtaully every series we play I'm at this stage somewhat indifferent to the whole debate. I'm much more concerned in that context about these rumors of Moin Khan being given a come back.

I sincerely hope they are all just rumors. I see no point in calling him back now given Kamran Akmal's performance has been thoroughly satisfactory in the recent past. No point what so ever in trying to put the young lad under pressure by including Moin in the squad. Even if a stand by wicket keeper was needed at all, someone younger the like of Zulqarnain Haider (who I presume is right now away in Namibia playing for Pakistan A) or the Faislabad Wolves wicket keeper Mohammad Salman (who impressed one and all with both his wicket keeping and batting skills) could have been selected. Selecting Moin Khan seems totally uncomprehendible as far as my opinion is concerned. He's represented Pakistan many times, he's got his chance, and even though he is in considerable form with the bat WRT current season, but he is not the best keeper in this country, not by a distance. It's time now for others to be given a chance. If only Moin Khan was a good sport, he would have already retired by now, & all this would have never happened.

On a side note, congratulations to the Wolves on their succes in the maiden 20Twenty Cup, in the most nail bitting of finals one could have hoped for they beat the Dolphins by 2 wickets. The match was witnissed by a record breaking crowd at the Gadaffi. There is one thing calling being filled to capacity. But the Gadaffi yersterday was filled way over capacity, more than 40,000 people were jamed inside in whatever space they could find including hundreds sitting on the roof (this exercise was actually quite dangerous if you ask me!). And that is not it, commentators said hundreds of people waited outside the staidum throughout the match waiting to go inside, but due to already packed stadium couldn't do so. For the record, yersterday was the LARGEST EVER crowd gathered at the Gadaffi Stadium Lahore to see a match of cricket, for all matches, including international matches, and the world cup final of 1996. Now that's astonishing. And proves just one thing, 20Twenty is here to stay, and its taken the followers of sport in this country by storm. An Instant hit.

[workkey]

i agree with ZB over the selection of moin khan....and also thanks to ZB for giving this avtar idea..

[Shaka]

I think Moin was picked as a reward for having an outstanding domestic season, more of a recognition of his efforts than a serious selection issue. I like this policy and hopefully it will encourage players to perform at domestic level rather than rely on their reputations to guarantee a spot.

Congrats to Faisalabad Wolves btw. I'm not a glory hunter (stand up Man U fans), Faisalabad is very close to my home base in Pakistan. Hence cool avatar has been adopted.