Selection Problems

[gangstacocacola]

After a magnificant test and odi series win against the west indies, I am sure Pakistani selectors will now have a headache on who to select in the test and one day series against South Africa and in the world cup.

Openers - Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed

Batsman - Inzamam, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Shoaib Malik

Allrounders - Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal

Fast Bowlers - Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Rana Naved, (Shabbir Ahmed???),Mohammad Sami, Rao Iftikar, Shahid Nazir, Saimullah Khan

Spinners - Danish Kaneria, Abdul Rehman

Who would you chose for a 14 man squad for test, and ODI's?

[ll0OoO0ll]

Originally Posted by gangstacocacola

After a magnificant test and odi series win against the west indies, I am sure Pakistani selectors will now have a headache on who to select in the test and one day series against South Africa and in the world cup.

Openers - Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed

Batsman - Inzamam, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Shoaib Malik

Allrounders - Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal

Fast Bowlers - Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Rana Naved, (Shabbir Ahmed???),Mohammad Sami, Rao Iftikar, Shahid Nazir, Saimullah Khan

Spinners - Danish Kaneria, Abdul Rehman

Who would you chose for a 14 man squad for test, and ODI's?

Interesting scenario !!!

I think Faisal Iqbal, Rao Iftikhar, Shahid Nazir, and Samiullah Khan may not make it to the final 14, while Shabbir is still out of touch and PCB remains reluctant to bring Shoaib and Asif in the lime light due to possible WADA/ICC's intervention.

Personally, I would've preferred Yasir Hameed over Younis Khan though.

[Rachael]

If WADA were not taking legal action to ensure Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif DO have to serve mild sentences... this pair would surely be first choice. My guess is that Shahid Nazir would be the obvious third seamer... with Danish Kaneria nailing the fourth specialist bowler spot and Umar Gul currently outdistancing the more accomplished (though out of form) Rana Naved as first reserve.

I'm not convinced that such a quartet needs an all-rounder in support...

Younis Khan, Inzi and Mohammed Yousuf are obviously first choice at 3-4-5... but that still only gets us to 7 of XI.

Right now I'd be reluctant to name anyone else as pretty-much certain for the next 4-5 years, least of all Kaman Akmal (who currently seems to be the only option as 'keeper despite being in a slump with the bat and nothing special with the gloves).

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by gangstacocacola

... who to select in the test and one day series against South Africa

Openers - Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed

Spinners - Danish Kaneria, Abdul Rehman

Salman Butt has been doing very well in domestic cricket this year. Batting average of just under 50. I think I'd give him a go in place of Farhat.

Rehman for the ODI's in SA.

[gangstacocacola]

I think rehman should be our spinner in the ODI's, however, if he does play I dont see Afridi fitting in our team. I would'nt pick Salman Butt as he always has problems with the moving ball. Hafeez i think should be picked as one of the openers. Hameed is in very good form, better form then Farhat, however, with farhat we get the left/right combination. With Farhat though, he is always inconsistent.

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by gangstacocacola

If he (Rehman) does play I dont see Afridi fitting in our team.

I agree.

Originally Posted by gcc

I would'nt pick Salman Butt as he always has problems with the moving ball

Most openers do, I believe. But I think the only problem Salman has had, is that in him has not been placed the same amount of confidence as with others like Razzaq and Malik.

Why can't the selectors just pick Salman and tell him: Okay, you (along with Hafeez) are going to be the opening pair for the 3 tests against SA?

[Wanderer]

Pakistan named a 25-man list of probables for the SA tour:

Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousaf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Shahid Nazir, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Rao Iftikhar, Shahid Afridi, Zulqarnain Haider, Yasir Arafat, Shabbir Ahmed

No surprises...But since I am not a Shoaib Akhtar fan, I hope his ban is upheld... Samiullah Khan did not make it, but Asim Kamal did.

15 Days till the boys arrive here...the squad would have been trimmed down to about 15... A lot can happen in 15 days.

[gangstacocacola]

they will probably set up camps and in a week or something will name a 14/15 test squad that will tour in south africa. im looking forward to this tour to see how we will do in your conditions.