If Saeed Ajmal won't get you, Abdul Rehman will - Raja

[Energy]

The spin due of Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman have appeared together in 3 tests sharing a total of 29 wickets from a possible 60 with the strike percentage standing health at just short of 50%. Agreed with the fact that the pitches have played an important role, but on the same surfaces, we saw the Windies and Proteas seam-bowlers get a bundle of wickets as well.

On the other hand, the potential lack of test-level seamers remains a slight cause of concern, and with the spinners performing admirably well, it seems that the fast-tide is slowly but surely being about to change. A lot of emphasis is given to spinners and there seems to be a whisper than spin is fast becoming Pakistan's bowling strength.

Still early days but do you possibly see the spin twins become the bowling strike-force for us in the distant future? Or is it just a one-time flash in the pan and another seamer will soon take over as the bowling flag-bearer yet again?

[BoomBoomCricket]

Depends on the opposition.

Depends on the conditions.

[abc_to_xyz]

No, sadly I can't see any fastie... Sohail is undeveloped.. Amir.. well...

[cricfan4ever]

against stronger teams we will need a couple of wicket taking seamers...Tanvir for all the banter/teasing he gets including from myself has shown the knack to pick up wickets...Riaz bowls with close to 90 mph pace consistently and has the ability to take wickets in a bundle...but we do need a couple more seamers in the ranks...Gul has really not been upto the mark in Test matches, he's great for ODIs & T20 but we really need premiere fast bowlers who can spearhead the attack...

Junaid Khan looks decent, must get a proper run before we can make a fair assessment on him...likes of Sadaf Hussein, Mohammad Talha, Aizaz Cheema, and Sohail Khan should also be kept in mind for the pool of talent available in fast bowling...selectors should experiment with these bowlers for the next 4 years or so, and given them time...

even Asif had to go back to domestic after just his 1st test because he was rubbish, but when he returned he was a world class bowler...Amir took about a year to start showing his world beating talent, so we have to be patient...

[Energy]

against stronger teams we will need a couple of wicket taking seamers...Tanvir for all the banter/teasing he gets including from myself has shown the knack to pick up wickets...Riaz bowls with close to 90 mph pace consistently and has the ability to take wickets in a bundle...but we do need a couple more seamers in the ranks...Gul has really not been upto the mark in Test matches, he's great for ODIs & T20 but we really need premiere fast bowlers who can spearhead the attack...

Junaid Khan looks decent, must get a proper run before we can make a fair assessment on him...likes of Sadaf Hussein, Mohammad Talha, Aizaz Cheema, and Sohail Khan should also be kept in mind for the pool of talent available in fast bowling...selectors should experiment with these bowlers for the next 4 years or so, and given them time...

even Asif had to go back to domestic after just his 1st test because he was rubbish, but when he returned he was a world class bowler...Amir took about a year to start showing his world beating talent, so we have to be patient...

That's the entire discussion about mate. Do we play 2 seamers and stick to the spin duo or do we revert back to playing the traditional format with 3 seamers and 1 spinner (either of them both)?

Most nations utilize 3 seamers on top of the attack and rarely use the combination of 2 full-time spinners. But it looks like spin will be the way to go for us in the near future and both Ajmal and Abdul Rehman look firm to hold on to their spots in most conditions unfortunately.

[majiz]

Guys it was a turning pitch against a team who cannot play spin, let us not get carried away.

[cricfan4ever]

That's the entire discussion about mate. Do we play 2 seamers and stick to the spin duo or do we revert back to playing the traditional format with 3 seamers and 1 spinner (either of them both)?

Most nations utilize 3 seamers on top of the attack and rarely use the combination of 2 full-time spinners. But it looks like spin will be the way to go for us in the near future and both Ajmal and Abdul Rehman look firm to hold on to their spots in most conditions unfortunately.

obviously it will depend on pitch conditions...but for now I think you are right, we'll be seeing more of Ajmal & Rehman bowling in tandem in tests until we can unleash another quality new ball seamer in tests...

it'll be between gul, riaz, and tanvir to fill 2 slots for fast bowling, while Ajmal-Rehman take the remaining 2 for 4 specialist bowlers in test team...ideally if Junaid Khan can show penetrative ability than he may just be selected in test XI making it the traditional 3 seamers (Tanvir, Junaid, Gul/Riaz), 1 spinner attack (Ajmal)...

but hey, if we can continue to take 20 wickets rather comfortably and win matches, I won't mind how long it goes on for!!

[kkmix]

That's a good combination of two spinners, one brings the ball in and other takes it away ... They have done very well recently ... specially Rehman because he was never the first choice spinner for Pakistan ... and Pakistan was doing okay without him ... but full credit to him for outbowling Ajmal few times and getting a nod ahead of Ajmal. And Ajmal is always a threat to any batsmen, so the combination is good. My only problem with these two is that they don't flight the ball often, they go too flat which becomes easier to play. Add to that, we have Hafeez, who is a very good bowler. In my opinion, he can just get in the side for his bowling only. Sometimes he looks more threatening than the two frontline spinners. So he is a bonus to the bowling lineup. Congrats Pakistan for the win today.

[Energy]

^ Agree with what you say. But such is the lack of current seaming talent that even on green tops, we might need to play the spin duo since it has become our bowling strength.

[kkmix]

^ Agree with what you say. But such is the lack of current seaming talent that even on green tops, we might need to play the spin duo since it has become our bowling strength.

hey if they can get the job done on a green top, then why not. From what I have seen, spinners are also successful on a green top. So it won't be too bad.

[PB]

Mehh, Danish and Ajmal combination would have been better me thinks..

A proper leg spinner and a proper off spinner.

[Cosmic]

Danish Is a liability now a days fielding pathetically batting evry body knows


so rehman an ajmal goood combo

[hasanmehmoodkhan]

ajmal is class rehman is an average bowler who can bat

[Fireworks11]

Raja must have been excited at the time he said this.

[Energy]

Time for a useful bump I suppose. Is spin partnership ko nazar nahi lagay Inshallah.

[MRSN]

Amen!