Key men Down Under by Silly point

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Event:

Pakistan in Australia 2004/05

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The team is selected and almost ready to go. The selectors have, more or less, chosen the best side possible. Some selections could be questioned but there is certainly nothing glaring. But lets air these grievances nevertheless.

 

Yasir Hameed: 'has somehow miraculously righted his technique and is now said to be batting very well' © PCB

First, and most contentiously, Yasir Hameed's recall. The batsman was dropped after a poor run of form during which the deficiencies in his technique were shown up with alarming regularity. Since then he has not played a first class game but has somehow miraculously righted his technique and is now said to be batting very well. But Woolmer and Inzamam have enough faith in him to not only select him but select him as a standby opener and that also against an attack that ruthless against any player showing even a glimpse of a weakness. Hameed displaces Taufeeq Umar who, had he been in any form, should have been an automatic choice. But the news is that since his injury the opener has not found any semblance of form. So it is fair enough to leave him out in his current form.

 

The second point of contention is Asim Kamal's selection over the younger, more promising and in-form Bazid Khan. It is not everyday that a batsman scores a triple century. In contrast, Kamal looked completely out of sorts during his Test outing and has not done anything in the domestic tournament to contradict this. However, Kamal showed excellent temperament and a decent technique against India in the last Test series and has been persisted with as a result. Again, fair enough. Kamal deserves another chance but certainly bad luck for Khan. Nevertheless, Bazid can console himself in the knowledge that Australia may not have been the best place to make his Test debut. His time will come.

 

It is also a positive sign that two young quicks, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Khalil, are on the tour. Naved-ul-Hasan has made the team in the absence of Shabbir Ahmed but if one of the youngsters shows early form it may be worthwhile pushing them into the Test team rather than use the whole hearted but limited Naved-ul-Hasan. In fact, the presence of Khalil and Asif should remind Mohammad Sami and Shoaib Akhtar that there is no need for them to take their place in the team for granted.

 

Finally, Kamran Akmal has shown enough behind the stumps to deserve his place as the current keeper. His batting remains suspect and it should be the young reserve keepers - Zulqarnain Haider and Humayun Farhat - that snap at his heels rather than those past their 'sell by' date.

 

In recent weeks some have worried for Azhar Mahmood and felt he is being left out in the cold. The other day he was training with others and to most watchers seemed unfit and overweight. With all the talents he possesses his well-wishers would suggest he quickly regains fitness if he has the desire to get back into the fray.

 

All in all, the selectors should be commended on picking a decent squad. Australia is always a difficult tour but some will come out of it harder and better players. Others may find their careers coming to an uncomfortably early finish. Nevertheless, here's a list of those likely to be key players during the series.

 

Inzamam-ul-Haq - Pakistan's one world-class player. As talented a player as any of his generation, Inzamam will carry the batting on his shoulders. If he strikes form, Inzamam will be the mainstay of any score that Pakistan make. The Australians will aim for an LBW early on in his innings. Growing in confidence as a captain.

 

Yousuf Youhana - A simple but classical batting style but doubts over his mental toughness remain and nowhere is this likely to better exploited than in Australia. For a man with so much talent, Youhana has underperformed. This is exacerbated by the fact that he has rarely ever come off in a crisis situation. Still without a Test hundred against Australia, the vice-captain must perform on this tour if he is to silence his critics.

 

Younis Khan - Inexplicably out of the team for 13 months, Khan made an excellent hundred under pressure in his comeback Test against Sri Lanka. Has the maturity, experience and mental approach to bring much needed stability to the team. Also represents a much needed 'century' batsman rather than someone who is likely to throw his wicket away after a strokeful 40.

 

Shoaib Malik - The biggest plus point for Pakistan since Bob Woolmer took over has been the emergence of Shoaib Malik. Woolmer has invested a considerable amount of trust in his players and a number of them have responded well. Malik is an outstanding example of this. The young allrounder has shown the mental resilience and will to improve that could see him play a key role with both bat and ball in Australia.

 

Mohammed Sami - It is time for the Karachi pacer to move from 'promising' to actually delivering. Woolmer has said that Sami is lacking in confidence but some early wickets on the tour could make Sami and Shoaib the opening partnership that troubles even the mighty Australian batting line up.

 

Abdul Razzaq: "Over the last couple of years, Razzaq's bowling has declined alarmingly" © PCB

 

Abdul Razzaq - It is also time that Abdul Razzaq step up and show that he should be considered a genuine Test allrounder. Over the last couple of years, Razzaq's bowling has declined alarmingly. He has lost a yard of pace and the reverse swing and seam movement that made him Sachin Tendulkar's bete noire at one point has deserted him. But there are signs that under Bob Woolmer, the introverted Razzaq, has begun to regain some confidence and form. This may be the tour which reveals whether Razzaq is genuine Test material. If not, it may be time to look elsewhere.

 

Shoaib Akhtar - You can't not comment on Shoaib Akhtar. Recently has tended to produce his best against weaker opposition while losing heart (and fitness) against tougher opponents. If Pakistan are to make a fist of the series Down Under, it will be essential that Shoaib remain fit, focussed and committed. If he fails early on don't be surprised if Shoaib takes shelter behind yet another injury in which case, he may no longer find a place in a squad that is looking for team spirit and commitment.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2004 Silly Point)