Life without Younis, Yousuf, Inzamam...
With a 2-0 lead, we should be thanking our lucky stars that the series can't be lost! Tomorrows game, though not inconsequential, is going to be quite amusing, and unpredictable from Pakistan's point of view. If Razzak is made captain, it will be due to his seniority and nothing else. He hasn't exactly got the leadership credentials. Shoaib Malik, who has captained his domestic team in many games, would probably be my choice.
I have some concerns, however, about tomorrow's game against the West Indies. Not only is there no clearly defined leader left in the camp, but there are characters on the team that are louder than most. Afridi, if he plays, is not one to keep his opinions to himself. He has 200+ games, and quite rightly so, considers himself as a senior player. In fact, Afridi probably has the most leadership qualities that one desires in a captain....yet he is barely making this squad.
Cricket, more than other sports, needs a captain that everyone can turn to. I just hope the game doesn't turn out to be a free for all. Then again, its only 1 game. But I like to worry...
Anyway...
Regardless of captaincy, pressure will be on the batsmen to perform. There will come a time when Younis, Yousuf and Inzi will not longer be playing, and these fellows will have to start shouldering the burden. This is as good a time as any to see how good the Pakistani batting bench strength is.
8 comments:
I am excited to see Yasir Hameed back in the fray.classy player!!! btw, any idea where imran nazir is? imho, he was/is a better option than Imran Farhat at the top of the order.. and is salman butt in line for a recall?
you know something we have like 6 guys for that opening slot...and to be honest, i just have no clue who is actually a better option.
mohd hafeez
imran farhat
imran nazir
yasir hameed
salman butt
there really is no science to it. Nazir is clearly not in favor at the moment. He is languishing in the domestic season. Currently Hafeez and Farhat seem to be the flavor of the month and are pretty useless themselves in my opinion.
Everyone likes 2 or 3 of these guys more than the others...and I swear....there is no difference. pick any 2 out of a hat and then hope for the best....
such are the sad state of affairs at the top of the order
if we are discussing odi's why not have shoib malik up the order? the guy has all the strokes in the book and i think he comes way too low in the order to make any impact.
for tests, salman butt and md. hafeez ( because they provide a right left combo and are less likely to play a wild slash early on) with hameed coming in the middle order.
Imran Nazir pulverized us in the practise match in 2003 and it was a shocker that he has not featured in the pakistan scheme of things since.
I think you're talking about Taufeeq Umar...or am I wrong? He scored a fast 100 against India playing for Pakistan A. That was a bad start to the tour which you guys won!
That was a good tournament.
Well - I don't have any reservations against your lineup.
I just feel the middle order should have middle order batsmen. If Younis, Yousuf and Inzi do NOT play, then we shoudl play Hasan Raza, Bazid Khan, Misbah ul Haq, Faisal Iqbal sort of players.
Yesterday we played with 7 allrounders. All of whom are batting allrounders. In order to win games, you need a few people atlesat who are great at something.
I like the fact that Pakistan has this depth. but they should be used fleetingly. They can't be relied on to make the biug 100's because they CAN"T make the big hundreds.
I think from all the players you mentioned and we discussed. Shoaib Malik and Razzak would be in my final 11 no matter what. As far as the openers go.
whatever..:) pick anyone
I think there is always a transition period. When Miandad left people always thought who will takeover as the lead batsman. It was Saeed Anwar and Inzi frankly the rest stunk and were up to no good. I think with inzi leaving in a year or two probably after the Australia tour to Pakistan Younis khan, yousuf, yasir hameed and faisal iqbal will takeover. they just need some damn openers.
oh yeah i definately agree. shoaib malik and razzaq will usually play but you have to play specialists batsman. i dont mind the openers being specialist because there isnt much special about them. but faisal coming in at six doesnt make sense. Also i think u r right abt misbah ul haq, the guy is 32 but look at katich and some of the other aussies its not about the age its abt ability and maturity. Same with asim kamal. i think he shud be our test no. 6 is all conditions. he is a good player not really given a fair shake. also whatever happened to bazid khan. he looked a little nervous but seemed to have a decent technique. also i think hasan raza shud remain in the fray he is a decent player
akefen and homer - thanks for your thoughts.
Akefen - i feel like you're reading my mind though I will disagree with you about Paksitan needing openers.
I am so disillusioned with all our openers, that I couldn't care less which 2 we pick.
As far as the middle order goes, Bazid, Misba, Hassan Raza,...these are the guys that should fill in when the MoYo, YK, and Inzi retire, or are hurt...
This whole bloody experiment of playing these allrounders, has not only messed up the allrounders (they can't take wickets, nor can they bat) but its taken our mind away from the goal. Get some players who can make the big runs, the big 100's...
Homer - Malik should play, though both you guys will disagree with me when I say he should play as our one down batsmen and Younis Khan should not play. I have written up a post before this explaining my reasons for why I feel YK shoudl not be in the ODI team.
Asmi Kamal and all these guys put a price on their wicket. Its players like them that Pakistan need to bolster our batting order. (after Inzy and all go..)
misbah ul haq, hasan raza and asim kamal are the great talents who never were in pak cricket. kamal was impressive against us and has a sound temperament.. misbah ul haq reminds me of md. waseem, another good middle order bat who just faded away.
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