Saleque Sufi
January 21, 2010, 6:01 am
|Quick Share
MelbourneJanuary 21, 2010 (Crickettomorrow.com) - Pakistan Cricket team got a kangaroo white wash in its recent three match test series in down under. The 5 match ODI starts tomorrow at Brisbane. Then sides will play T20 match at MCG. Pakistan has announced two different squads for these engagements.Although whitewash sounds one sided affair yet Pakistan was not absolutely devastated by Australia in the test series. They should have won the second test at Sydney as they dominated the first 4 days and surprising lost the test due to wrong strategy, poor fielding and batting panic on the last day. Experts termed Sydney test as great escape for Australians. Pakistan had their moments on the other two tests at MCG and Hobart as well. Now they will encounter ODI and T20 with the following squads.
Squads: One-dayers: Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Yousuf (captain), Shahid Afridi (vice-captain), Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Aamir, Sarfraz Ahmed, Fawad Alam, Younis Khan, Rao Iftikhar, Khalid Latif, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.
Twenty20: Shahid Afridi (captain), Imran Farhat, Fawad Alam, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Shoaib Malik, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Aamir, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Asif.
As can be seen from above the return of some better experienced players, some ODI and T20 specialists will make them more competitive. Only genuine omission of the side is Abur Razzak through wrist injury. The return of experienced and quality Batsman Yunis Khan at Pakistan top order and two very high-quality all rounders Shahid Afridi and Rana Naeedul Hasan with strengthen the team considerably. Pakistan is T20 world champion .The T20 at Melbourne after ODI will definitely create lot of enthusiasm. Shahid Afridi and Rana Naveed have already made some impacts in Australia’s domestic T20- KFC T 20 tournament.
In the recent test series Pakistan top order batting regularly suffered due to absence of experienced Yunis Khan. Tour management and captain were sending SOS for him since the start. At one stage Shahid Afridi also expressed interest to make test come back. But PCB selection committee did not listen. Pakistan struggled with inexperienced under performing lot and suffered the ignominy of white wash.
Batting appears to in much better shape than tests. If we were selectors we would have selected the first eleven like this for ODI.
Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Yunis Khan, Mohammad Yusuf, Umer Akmal,Shahid Khan Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Rana Navedul Hasan,Umer Gul, Mohammed Aamer and Mohammed Aasif for matches at Brisbane and Perth. While for Sydney Saeed Ajmal can be played in place of one of the pacer.
The above team has very talented batting and bowling resources. Salman Butt and Imran Farhat are good attacking openers. They play lots of square of the wickets strokes skilfully. They were in good touch in tests. Pakistan had neither great problem at No 3. Neither Faisal Iqubal nor Khurram Manzoor looked suitable for it. Now Pakistan got back Yunis for ODI. If Yunis is in tune he is an attacking no 3 batsman. He can make lot of difference.
We all know about Yusuf. He can pace his innings appreciably and can always act as building brick. World has all ready seen what Umer Akmal is capable of. This young mini dynamo can explode in right groove. Now team management has to decide about Kamran Akmal. He is definitely a match winner with the bat. But Shahid Afridi’s bowling is an important factor in ODI. Can Kamran keep well against him?He struggles to keep against leg spin. Young Sarfaraz looked a better keeper than Kamran. The presence of explosive boom boom Afridi will definitely make an impact. He is a player who can alone change the complexion of a match will explosive bowling, good aggressive bowling or an exceptional piece of fielding. A few overs of Afridi at the wicket can take the game away from the opponent. He is a constant source of inspiration in the team. He continues to chirp and boost team morale. Rana Naveed is also a more than useful all rounder. Naved can bat well in top order also if required. With Aamer, Gul and Aasif Naved will make the Pakistan pace attack look formidable. If team management feels Aajmal can be a better choice to hunt Aussies in tandem with Afridi with his doosras that can be done also.
The only concern with this team is fielding. Presence of Yunis in the sip and Afridi anywhere must lift the fielding anyway.
Aamer and Aasif will continue to trouble Aussie top order. Umar Gul and Naved in middle overs and Umer Gul and possibly Afridi at the death will be hot to handle.Pakistn lost semi final to Australia in ICC Champions trophy at South Africa ,but that was only just. This will be revenge time for Pakistan.
Pakistan T20 team under explosive Afridi is a proven lot. Another specialist Imran Nazir will join the team. Veterans Yusuf and Yunus will not be there. But there will be plenty of fire power and excellent penetrative bowling in the team. Australia will be tested to encounter T 20 champions.
Pakistan is better suited to ODI and T20 and possibly will perform much better. The cricket fans will have lot to feast in the next couple of weeks for sure. Injection of fresh legs will create new energy. The team is on tour for almost three months. There can be some fatigue. But if Pakistan can win the first ODI at Brisbane that will lift the side agreat deal. This talented team deserves much better than what it achieved so far. Yusf must be more pro active with his approach and attitude.
January 21, 2010, 6:01 am
