Pak is missing the firepower and mainly Shoaib.

[Serendipity]

However Umar Gul would have been helpful as well.

No prejudice against Inzi but that is the argument against the traditional batsmen captains, their vision is tinted by batting point of view and are USUALLY defensive in nature.

Ponting is exception in an exceptional team.

Soem Passion in bowling and fielding pls rather than 6 batters falling to a silly/overly aggressive/borderinng a suicide pull n hook mission.

[hasan316]

Shoaib is in South Africa.

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/FrameSet.aspx?s=ImagesSearchState%7c0%7c0%7c-1%7c28%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c1%7c%7c%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7 c0%7c0%7c0%7c2%7c%7cshoaib%7c15744190666232823%7c0 %7c0%7c0%7c0&p=2&tag=1

[DotCom]

2 names:

Shoaib and Afridi
equals = missing aggression

replaced with

pull-fever

[waqar_ahmad]

2 names:

Shoaib and Afridi
equals = missing aggression

replaced with

pull-fever

the only thing afridi is missing is a brain

[sajad mohammed]

the only thing afridi is missing is a brain
it looks like you've got the same problem, afridi should be inthe test team ahead of iqbal at number 6, look hes averaging over 45 at number 6, and hes a handy bowler, even benaud said this before about afridi when pak toured to aus last time, that afridis leg spin bowling was very underrated, this coming from a great from the past, i even think afridi would get in the aus test team at number ahead of symonds and watson if he was australian, but no inzi has his lapdogs like iqbal an the vastly overrated razzack

[161]

over the last 10 test afridi has had a bowling average of 32 where as danish has averaged 38 over that same period .... so even purely as a bowler ... afridi should have been playing.

[KB]

I just hope that if Pakistan play Akhtar the next Test, they ensure that he is fit enough to the last the distance. Playing 4 bowlers, they cannot really afford a bowler breaking down mid way through a Test.

[waqar_ahmad]

it looks like you've got the same problem, afridi should be inthe test team ahead of iqbal at number 6, look hes averaging over 45 at number 6, and hes a handy bowler, even benaud said this before about afridi when pak toured to aus last time, that afridis leg spin bowling was very underrated, this coming from a great from the past, i even think afridi would get in the aus test team at number ahead of symonds and watson if he was australian, but no inzi has his lapdogs like iqbal an the vastly overrated razzack

sadly, i think u have theat problem not me. what is ur obsession with these bits and pieces all rounders. let me ask u a question, how many bits and pieces players do u want in the team. malik is there, so is hafeez. what i dont understand is that y cant some people get this very simple point that u need specialists. can u expect afridi to fire on a consistant basis with the bat, i dont think so. and as far as our bowlign is concerned, i dont think u should put someone in at 6 as a bowler unless he is a genuine all rounder. i think u r confusing cricket as a game of all rounders rather than a game of specialists

[sajad mohammed]

sadly, i think u have theat problem not me. what is ur obsession with these bits and pieces all rounders. let me ask u a question, how many bits and pieces players do u want in the team. malik is there, so is hafeez. what i dont understand is that y cant some people get this very simple point that u need specialists. can u expect afridi to fire on a consistant basis with the bat, i dont think so. and as far as our bowlign is concerned, i dont think u should put someone in at 6 as a bowler unless he is a genuine all rounder. i think u r confusing cricket as a game of all rounders rather than a game of specialists
out of all the allrounders afridi should be in, his stats are good enough in tests to warrant a place at number 6, let me ask u who would u have iqbal who is a complete failure and is living in his uncles reputation, and im against playing bits and pieces like malik is not good enough at tests, so is razzack, but afridi is hes proved it with stats he has, just because he failed in the onedayers it doesnt mean to say drop him intests, anyway i dont think hes intrested in tests anymore, and i dont balme him the way hes been treated, so hameed should be there if afridi isnt

[Saqlain_doosra]

Let shave Arshad Khan in test team, as he's pure bowler and not bits and pieces. Probably score more then Faisal Iqbal at the moment.

[slix10]

2 names:

Shoaib and Afridi
equals = missing aggression

replaced with

pull-feverI agree. Bring em back! Shoaib and Afridi the aggression force.

[Serendipity]

Well, strong points for and agaist Afridi as usual. Aafridi could not have done worst than Faisal or any other middle order?

I think we do need a solid No: 6 whoever that is. I think they wanted Shoaib M but he is injured. IMO Asim Kamal shoudl be tried in next test with Shoaib, Asif, Gul, Kaneria and Nazir/Sami. Lst should spark some comments!

[OZGOD]

I hope you guys aren't expecting the world from Shoaib when he returns. I think you'll get more out of Gul personally. Is Shoaib fully fit?

[shan]

we missed him badly. At least in 2nd test we will get wickets from other two bowlers as well not just from Asif.

[Serendipity]

I hope you guys aren't expecting the world from Shoaib when he returns. I think you'll get more out of Gul personally. Is Shoaib fully fit?

WELL WE ARE NOT EXPECTING THE WORLD OF HIM but between Asif, Gul, Shoaib and Nazir or whoever they go for, along with Kaneria/or may be some other spinneR, we ARE ABLE to take 20 wickets. Of course we need more spine and runs from middle order, inshallah, Yousuf and a solid No6 should sort this out.


The day started off with South Africa needing 130 runs with 7 wickets in hand. At that point of time it was just advantage South Africa. Amla and Kallis looked very solid out there, they played the waiting game to precision and cashed in on the lack of intensity and lack of discipline from Pakistan. In the end it was a comprehensive victory. South Africa now lead the three match series 1-0 as we move to Port Elizabeth for the second match of the series. CRICINFO.

[offcutter]

next game

Hafeez
Farhat
Younis
Yousuf
Inzi
Hameed
Akmal
Akhtar
Gul
Kanaria
Asif

I think this line up is the second best test team in the world
it also has a perfect balance between experience and youth

[The_Cricket_Devil]

next game

Hafeez
Farhat
Younis
Yousuf
Inzi
Hameed
Akmal
Akhtar
Gul
Kanaria
Asif

I think this line up is the second best test team in the world
it also has a perfect balance between experience and youth

Hameed out, Kamal in and I agree

[hasbeen]

Hameed out, Kamal in and I agree

kamal should never have been dropped from test team. however he hasn't been in good form for a while now domestically and didn't bat in tour match. hameed has made a decent 65 odd in 1st test. how the hell can u can choose kamal in front of hameed????????????

it will be too much of a risk to bring in kamal as its a crucial test match on friday and hence stick to the tried and tested hameed.

[Serendipity]

I would bring in another spinner to be honet, perhaps the young leggie Abdur Rehman and Kamal at 6. I agree would be hard on hameed after one failure but he had many chances before. may be one more test to see that he has learnt.

Other possibilities are tinkering with Nazir' spot but he has shown some determination lower down.

[Serendipity]

Going the PP poll, it seems that we want Akmal or Afridi at 6 then? any chance of taht happening guys?

[Sheikh_Chilli]

The way Afridi has started throwing away his wickets,
it would be criminal to involve him with the Pak team.
On bouncy tracks, forgetabouthim.

Asim Kamal is a kid with a huge heart. I still remember
the nearly matchi-saving innings he played against
India with a fractured elbow. He should have been
given a chance well before that ******** tattoo Faisal.
If I were Faisal Iqbal, I would be so embarrassed, that
I would voluntarily give up my place to somebody more
deserving.


Sheikh Chilli

[OZGOD]

Has Asim Kamal done something to not get a go? Has he suffered from loss of form in domestic cricket or something? He seemed to just drop off the radar after a great series on OZ (relatively speaking).

[Serendipity]

Well, he is certainly not a kid but her what he is about, not bad i think, what do you guys think?. All he need a consistent run in the Team with support from seniors:

Asim Kamal

Pakistan

Player profile

Full name Mohammad Asim Kamal
Born May 31, 1976, Karachi, Sind
Current age 30 years 231 days
Major teams Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan Customs, Pakistan International Airlines
Batting style Left-hand bat

Statsguru Test player



Batting and fielding averages
class mat inns no runs hs ave bf sr 100 50 4s 6s ct st
Tests 12 20 1 717 99 37.73 1518 47.23 0 8 104 6 10 0
First-class 81 127 12 4278 164 37.20 8 27 66 0
List A 30 27 4 790 63 34.34 0 6 11 1
Twenty20 8 7 1 151 49 25.16 111 136.03 0 0 4 0

Bowling averages
class mat balls runs wkts bbi bbm ave econ sr 4 5 10
Tests 12 0 0 0 - - - - - 0 0 0
First-class 81 114 76 2 1/6 38.00 4.00 57.00 0 0
List A 30 12 30 0 - - - 15.00 - 0 0 0
Twenty20 8 0 0 0 - - - - - 0 0 0

Career statistics

Statsguru Tests filter
Test debut Pakistan v South Africa at Lahore - Oct 17-21, 2003 scorecard
Last Test Pakistan v England at Lahore - Nov 29-Dec 3, 2005 scorecard
First-class span 1997/98 - 2006/07
List A span 1999/00 - 2005/06
Twenty20 span 2005/06 - 2006/07

Profile

Wisden overview
A left-hander of more obduracy than flair, Asim Kamal is the sort of batsman who can bind the middle order together, allowing others to bat around him. He is typically minimalist, particularly well equipped with a fluid cover-drive, but his meat and drink are nudged singles and patient spells of batting. After five seasons of domestic cricket, Kamal finally made his Test debut against South Africa, at the relatively ripe age of 27. Like so many others of late, Kamal was impressive in his first match, missing out on a hundred by just one run. Coming back into side for the Tests against India, Kamal continued to impress. In a series where most of Pakistan's batsmen gained notoriety for throwing their wickets away, Kamal showed rare discipline and composure, batting well with the tail to score two half-centuries. He further consolidated his reputation as a gritty customer during Pakistan's 2005 tour of India, scoring 91 in the first innings of the first Test. His safe catching at gully came in handy on several occasions on the same tour. S Rajesh (April 2005)

Related articles and news

Shoaib left out for South Africa tour (Dec 29, 2006)

Kaneria and Kamal steer Karachi Zebras to victory (Dec 21, 2006)

Asim Kamal finds form in draw (Dec 9, 2006)

Hameed and Kamal likely to be recalled (Oct 31, 2006)

Sialkot start well chasing 369 (Apr 15, 2006)


View the full list of 28 related articles

Related images

Matthew Hoggard successfully appeals for Asim Kamal's wicket

Asim Kamal celebrates his excellent diving catch to dismiss Kevin Pietersen

Asim Kamal takes an excellent diving catch to dismiss Kevin Pietersen

Asim Kamal pushes one to the off side

While most Pakistan batsmen could not battle the accuracy and aggression of Anil Kumble, one man, Asim Kamal, who is having a very good tour of India, stood amidst the ruins once again and compiled a stroke-filled fifty.


View the full list of 21 related images

[Serendipity]

and here is Faisal's - Last line is quite funny given what most ppl have been saying here!

Faisal Iqbal

Pakistan

Player profile

Full name Faisal Iqbal
Born December 30, 1981, Karachi, Sind
Current age 25 years 18 days
Major teams Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Pakistan Reserves
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm medium
Relations Uncle - Javed Miandad

Statsguru Test player, ODI player



Batting and fielding averages
class mat inns no runs hs ave bf sr 100 50 4s 6s ct st
Tests 18 32 2 773 139 25.76 1755 44.04 1 5 96 4 12 0
ODIs 18 16 2 314 100* 22.42 519 60.50 1 0 24 4 3 0
First-class 105 163 17 6116 200 41.89 13 33 82 0
List A 91 84 14 2463 123 35.18 4 16 23 0
Twenty20 8 8 2 173 42 28.83 152 113.81 0 0 1 0

Bowling averages
class mat balls runs wkts bbi bbm ave econ sr 4 5 10
Tests 18 6 7 0 - - - 7.00 - 0 0 0
ODIs 18 18 33 0 - - - 11.00 - 0 0 0
First-class 105 138 98 1 1/6 98.00 4.26 138.00 0 0
List A 91 51 83 0 - - - 9.76 - 0 0 0
Twenty20 8 0 0 0 - - - - - 0 0 0

Career statistics

Statsguru Tests filter | Statsguru One-Day Internationals filter
Test debut New Zealand v Pakistan at Auckland - Mar 8-12, 2001 scorecard
Last Test South Africa v Pakistan at Centurion - Jan 11-15, 2007 scorecard
ODI debut Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Lahore - Feb 19, 2000 scorecard
Last ODI Pakistan v West Indies at Multan - Dec 13, 2006 scorecard
First-class span 1998/99 - 2006/07
List A span 1997/98 - 2006/07
Twenty20 span 2005/06 - 2006/07

Profile

Wisden overview
A gutsy strokeplayer with a sound defence and an attitude to boot, Faisal Iqbal is an exciting middle-order prospect for Pakistan. A prolific performer at junior level, Iqbal's elevation into the Test team was criticised on ground of nepotism - he is Javed Miandad's nephew. But he demonstrated that he was worth that Test cap with an aggressive counter-attacking 83 off 85 balls in the first Test against Australia in Colombo in 2002-03. He was particularly impressive against Shane Warne, using his feet superbly to seize the momentum for Pakistan, and he did it all with a swagger that was refreshingly reminiscent of his uncle. He couldn't repeat his performance in the rest of that series, or in the two Tests he played in South Africa in 2002-03.

A hiatus followed from the national side though he remained a performer at domestic level. It seems to have finally paid off when in 2005-06, on the back of an astonishingly successful domestic season, Iqbal was called up to play for Pakistan against India in his hometown of Karachi, as a replacement for the injured Inzamam-ul-Haq. A failure in the first innings meant pressure in the second was plentiful; it didn't seem to affect him as with some assured, trademark backfoot play and composed defence, he scored an attractive maiden Test hundred, eventually assuring Pakistan a comfortable win. He got another opportunity in the very next Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo and didn't disappoint; if his previous noteworthy innings had been attacking ones, here was a good, honest rearguard, as his 60 helped Pakistan see off Murali on the last day to secure an honourable draw. Soon after, at Lord's, he was called on to display similar traits to eke out another battling last-day draw.

Opportunities will continue to hinge on injuries to one of Pakistan's solid middle order or any of the allrounders for the moment but he is now sweetly placed to cement his spot when Inzamam retires, ahead of the likes of Hasan Raza and Asim Kamal.
Cricinfo Staff

Related articles and news

Pulling up short (Jan 11, 2007)

Inzamam likely to miss out (Dec 11, 2006)

Hameed and Kamal likely to be recalled (Oct 31, 2006)

Iqbal to replace Inzamam for Champions Trophy (Oct 3, 2006)

Asif strikes after Iqbal boosts lead (Aug 19, 2006)


View the full list of 25 related articles

[Serendipity]

Same old story?

[deviously~fading~away]

it looks like you've got the same problem, afridi should be inthe test team ahead of iqbal at number 6, look hes averaging over 45 at number 6, and hes a handy bowler, even benaud said this before about afridi when pak toured to aus last time, that afridis leg spin bowling was very underrated, this coming from a great from the past, i even think afridi would get in the aus test team at number ahead of symonds and watson if he was australian, but no inzi has his lapdogs like iqbal an the vastly overrated razzack

What a post lad! The sad part is that in our country their are either people who hate Afridi or love him & sadly for Afridi's career this trend continues through to the PCB officials.

[deviously~fading~away]

sadly, i think u have theat problem not me. what is ur obsession with these bits and pieces all rounders. let me ask u a question, how many bits and pieces players do u want in the team. malik is there, so is hafeez. what i dont understand is that y cant some people get this very simple point that u need specialists. can u expect afridi to fire on a consistant basis with the bat, i dont think so. and as far as our bowlign is concerned, i dont think u should put someone in at 6 as a bowler unless he is a genuine all rounder. i think u r confusing cricket as a game of all rounders rather than a game of specialists

Give me a bits and pieces allrounder who has a better bowling & batting average than a so called specialist anyday!

[Serendipity]

Afridi Mania guys but I can see where you ar coming from. How about Akmal though, has not been that ad has he? not as allrounded Afridi though but who is!

[Sultan Yusuf]

Had we had shoaib we would have been batting again already with a nice 30 run lead!

[Monsee]

...and Asif looking at 50 overs in the 2nd innings, then breaking down in the middle of that ...after that Inzi and Yousaf operating with the 2nd new ball

What a dream they are: Two Best Batters and then picking up the bowling whenever Shoaib feels the urge to retire in the 2nd innings

Waah waah

[Sultan Yusuf]

hahaha monsee - funny guy, what you lack elsewhere, you make up with humour.....hey the kapil dev one was the best....do that again, hilarious!

Anyway I hope you weren't too upset that your prophecy of doom was not fulfilled today (i.e. Asif did play)

[Monsee]

hahaha monsee - funny guy, what you lack elsewhere, you make up with humour.....hey the kapil dev one was the best....do that again, hilarious!

Anyway I hope you weren't too upset that your prophecy of doom was not fulfilled today (i.e. Asif did play)



Theek hai Paajee...

BTW, how did it feel reading that Asif Iqbal article?

[Sultan Yusuf]

Theek hai Paajee...

BTW, how did it feel reading that Asif Iqbal article?

Asif is a great man, but seems like one's age is catching up with one. No doubt about it!!

[Monsee]

Asif is a great man, but seems like one's age is catching up with one. No doubt about it!!



Yep, as long as he served the purpose (i.e. reporting issues with your point of view) he was a genius!

Now either he is an old Sathiya hua Man or he has no credability since his name was supposedly in ICC blacklist (No proof required though suince ICC is such a fair and unbiased organization) :15:

Get it

[Monsee]

Repeat post

[Sultan Yusuf]

Yep, as long as he served the purpose (i.e. reporting issues with your point of view) he was a genius!

Now either he is an old Sathiya hua Man or he has no credability since his name was supposedly in ICC blacklist (No proof required though suince ICC is such a fair and unbiased organization) :15:

Get it

My last comment was a joke and more of an attempt at an Iqbalism....

By the way, I think you're confusing me with Ayubi - he was a bigger asif iqbal fan than me!

Regardless, I have a lot of respect for Asif Iqbal. It's his opinion and I respect it. I'm not gonna turn on him and start accusing him of anything just because he wrote something that I don't agree with. His views are always interesting to read.

[Monsee]

Intersting and yet not true?

[Sultan Yusuf]

Intersting and yet not true?

It's his opinion, I can't agree with it just because it is Asif Iqbal!

Monsee, you really need to chill out a bit. Seems like the last few days have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for you. It seems you get a craving to get something off your chest every so often. Research has shown that cravings only last for between 30 to 90 seconds. If you can hold yourself back for those 90 seconds or so you can conquer it. Good luck, we're all rooting for you!

[Monsee]

It's his opinion, I can't agree with it just because it is Asif Iqbal!

Monsee, you really need to chill out a bit. Seems like the last few days have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for you. It seems you get a craving to get something off your chest every so often. Research has shown that cravings only last for between 30 to 90 seconds. If you can hold yourself back for those 90 seconds or so you can conquer it. Good luck, we're all rooting for you!



:6: :6:

You do love me...I was worried until now!


Seriously, Naved...sulking is far worse for helath; you need to let go of that too.

BTW, sometimes I get the impression you are related to Mr. Sourceman (The News reporter)...judging by how you always know how things went in the dressing room and yet you don't even live in Pak

[Sultan Yusuf]

:6: :6:

You do love me...I was worried until now!


Seriously, Naved...sulking is far worse for helath; you need to let go of that too.

BTW, sometimes I get the impression you are related to Mr. Sourceman (The News reporter)...judging by how you always know how things went in the dressing room and yet you don't even live in Pak

One step at a time monsee keep practicing and you'll get there! I'm on your side, come on show em!