Who should replace Afridi?

[Zainub]

Afridi played an important role in this match; took 4 wickets and scored 90 odd runs. But his mid match moment of madness means he'll have to miss the next test. He's not the kind of player you can easily replace, but we won without him in Multan so it shouldn't concern everyone too much. It's a blow still though.

Question now is who to replace him with? Abdul Razzaq is still unfit (all the news about him being fit before the 2nd test turned out to be wrong) so we can't replace him with an all rounder.

Between Asim Kamal and Hasan Raza if we want to go for an extra batsman or between Arshad Khan and Mushtaq Ahmed if we want to go for the extra bowling option. Although Mohammad Asif has also been added to the squad after Shabbir Ahmed pulled out of the remainder of the series. He is to fly to Australia (again) for work on his action.

I'm certain I don't want an extra bowler, that would lengthen the tail too much, but I'm not sure if I should stick with Raza (for the sake of consistency) or bring back Asim (who shouldn't have been dropped in the first place IMHO).

If you're sure who you want to see in the side, put forward your cases for either of the five options in the poll or may be even some one totally new. Just for the sake of good chit chat . Vote away ladies and gents.

[Zainub]

Just to let everyone know that I've messed up the poll, and I'll try and fix it shortly. Stand by.

Edit: Ern, the great, has done a miracle, and fixed the poll (thank you Ernie). Now everyone can vote.

[John]

My knowledge of Pakistani cricket is limited. So I voted for Kamal looking at his record.
I would also replace Danesh for Mushtaq Ahmed if its going to be the same umpires. I think the more experience in the side the better. Mushtaq will be able to handle running on the wicket.

[Zainub]

Danish Kaneria will not be dropped. And it's unlikely Mushy will be picked either. I think we're 1-0 up in the series, so we'll probably in all likelihood go in with the extra batter, make it a lovely flat pitch, win the toss, put on 700 (Inzi getting a 300 and Butt a 200) and then try and bowl out England two time, if we do that, utopia, otherwise let's take the 1-0.

People can call this negative if they like, but I'm desperate for a series win, ages since our last once against a proper team.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Zainub

People can call this negative if they like, but I'm desperate for a series win, ages since our last once against a proper team.

If negative thinking gets you a 1-0 series win, that's all that matters as far as pakistan are concerned.

[workkey]

the best approach is to attack

so in my opinion..mushi for afridi
asif for sami

[Zainub]

Mushy is finished as test cricketer IMHO. I've seen him bowl off late, and he didn't look threatenning at all.

Sami I think bowled his heart out in both innings and could easily have picked up more wickets, I don't know how many times I will change my mind about him. In the advent of the 1st test, I thought he shouldn't have been picked, then by the 1st innings, I though he was finished as a test bowler altogther, and then the 2nd innings changed everything. I think here he's bowled decently in both innings and Bobby and Inzi will be reasonably happy although he could do no worse then get a whole big bag of wickets.

I don't think playing Asim Kamal or Hasan Raza would be a negative or defensive approach, as I said, we could chose to bat first and put on 700 and then look to bowl England out twice. This is perfectly attacking and positive.

[workkey]

ZB i respect your opinion about Sami but just look at his poor record ....21 tests and 58 wickets ...dont u think that umar gull with a winning spell last time when indians were here or Asif who took 10 wickets in the warm up match deserve more then him

[greg]

I went for Mushy for the simple reason Bell got a double ton against him so at least one England bat should be able to pick him.

[workkey]

i didnt knew that ...oops