Forgettable debut for Fawad Alam

Do I feel bad for him or what? Golden duck against Fernando and did not bowl a single ball. Poor chap. Rehman, another left arm spinner, had reasonable figures today, as did Hafeez. When Asif was being spanked all across the park, why did Malik not bowl Fawad Alam?

I had a feeling his debut wouldn't be that far off, especially since Razzaq didn't do anything useful in the 2nd game. By having won the series already, Pakistan could afford 2 debuts this morning. I have no clue about Fawad Alam, but from what I read on Ahmer's blog and in the news, he seems like he might be pretty cool.

However, in terms of utility players, unless and until Afridi, Razzaq, Hafeez retire, Fawad is still some ways off. Sadly he had his chance to bat and to prove himself, but a surprise full toss did him in on the first ball he faced.

Does this mean his time is up? I doubt it.

I think he'll be back, but I don't think he's ready for a permanent place in the playing XI just yet. I have no clue how he bowls, and he seems to be bringing the same thing to the table as the other allrounders on our squad. Sadly, there is no denying that a fighting debut 50 from him today might have made his place on Pakistan's next 15 member squad a certainty. Too bad for him.

Imran Farhat's father in law has declared war

Not really sure why Imran Farhat is complaining to his father in law about not making it into the team. That makes him even more a pussy than we thought him to be. Here is a picture of Farhat getting bowled and looking like a fool.

So apparently Farhat phoned the selectors asking them why he hasn't been included in the squad. Well, Farhat, you're not exactly a great player, plus you wear a bandana. And lastly, you make your daddy-in-law fight your battles for you.

The selectors have put him on probation for 6 months. Does this mean he can't play for the international team for 6 months? Let's hope so...

Too many allrounders in Pakistan squad for Abu Dhabi series

One would have thought thing might have changed with a new selection committee, new captain, and new goals for the PCB after the disastrous World Cup. But seems like they are continuing the trend of pumping the side full of allrounders. Since Inzamam and Younis Khan are not in the ODI squad, the logical strategy would be to search far and wide for some authentic middle order batsmen. I liked the 31 member camp before this squad was selected. It seemed like they were on the right path. There were plenty of specialist batsmen in that unit.

Why in the world do we require 8 chaps to bowl in every team that goes on to the field? This squad has no less than 10 bowlers, 5 of which are specialist!

Bowlers: Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Najaf Shah.

Allrounders: Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Abdul Razzaq

Batsmen: Yasir Hameed, Salman Butt, Imran Nazir,Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal (?)

We have no batsmen
Out of the remaining members, Imran Nazir also bowls a bit, which I suppose counts for something, because he can't bat too well. Salman Butt is back the squad. It is his turn after all, while Mohammad Yousuf is the only guy on the team who can actually bat. Akmal is no batsmen. On a side note, I hope they don't make him open. Even I am better than him against a seaming ball. In fact, this should be a sub-heading.

Please don't make Akmal open
Not much more to say about this. He sucks.

I feel bad for Yasir Hameed
He went to South Africa just before the WC in the squad. Now he gets selected for the next tour right after the World Cup. Yet he wasn't good enough for the WC. He must be cursing the PCB...as am I. Fucking douchebags!

Fawad Alam makes the squad. Will he make the team though?
Ahmer should be pleased as hell about this selection. It was deserving, it would seem, from the mountain of runs he has scored on the domestic circuit. I wish it was in place of Razzak though, rather than alongside him. They bring the same thing to the table. I doubt they will both play.