SQUADS

Noddy bhai's squads as at 30.07.04 would be :

ODI

Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Salman Butt, Yousaf Youhana, Inzamam Ul Haq, Asim Kamal, Naveed Latif, Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Rashid Latif, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed, Umar Gul, Rana Naveed, Mansoor Amjad - Throw him in check his mental strength, if it doesnt work, bring Dani in and keep Saqqy in reserve.

RESERVES

Azhar Mahmood - Reserve all rounder and highly experienced, in my view a very destructive one day player, Yasir Arafat - Reserve all rounder and seamer, deserves a spot due to his very consistent performances in domestic cricket Shoaib Khan- My outsider, top order batsman. Has some class. Faisal Iqbal - Mentally strong and I would play him in ODI cricket to make him think about his game Saqlain Mushtaq - Reserve offie, is it still there

TEST

Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Yousaf Youhana, Inzamam ul Haq, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria

RESERVES

Azhar Mahmood - RESERVE ALL ROUNDER, Shahid Nazir- RESERVE PACER - Experienced cricketer and should be a better bowler second time round, Hasan Raza - Play him where it is likely to turn, Farhan Adil - Misbah ul Haq -Is he good enuf or is it a case of collecting the airmiles, tell him then if he is needed or not as you have Farhan there, I have picked 17 players for a OD Squad as such and a smaller squad of 14 for a Test squad. If I were to extend the squad on the Test, I would include Afridi, to make him think about his cricket. There isnt a gud enuf keeper that I would bleed right now, possibly Zulqarnain, but its a big jump
A TEAM

Shoaib Khan - has some style Mohammad Hafeez (capt) - classy cricketer for this level, looking to bridge the gap, Shahid Yousaf - top order bat, Saeed bin Nasir, Atif Zaidi, Shadab Kabir, Aamir Bashir - 30 odd year old, real quality, Azam Hussain - left arm spinner/bat, Hidayatullah Khan - leggie, Adnan Akmal - keeper bat, Zulqarnain Haider - keeper bat, M Khalil - left arm seamer, Yasir Ali - pacer, Jannisar Khan - all rounder/seamer, Bilal Asad - all rounder, Mohammad Asif - pacer, Riaz Afridi - pacer.
A TEAM RESERVES

Sufyan Munir Ahmed Zeeshan Saeed Ajmal Aqeel Ahmed Fawad Alam Salman Qadir
On Muhammed Zahid

This kid has serious speed and all the attirbutes of a paceman of the highest order. Mean on the field, very skiddy bouncer, movement and bounce and the height which was very important. If he had had the backing he would have been right up there with the best in Pak cricket if not world cricket.....He went to play county cricket with a stress fracture and that more or less ruined him. He came back in the last 12 mths, but its not the same being fast medium. Shows that kismat was against him, as he was special. This guy was express....I thin pace wise, in the same era, possibly a fully fit Aamir Nazir was close. Zahid was ruined by other people who saw him as a real threat at the top level,. I have mentioned this b4 in a similar thread abt Zahid... They wud overbowl him and this lead to serious problems with his fitness and the stresses of being a truly sharp bowler. Also having a long run up didnt help him and his body was slimly built. His recall was overdue but he didnt have it in him to be confident to succeed which is a real shame.
On Aamir Sohail

When was the last time a Pakistan chairman of selectors had won 3 series ?? I dont think there has been one for some time, unlike Bari who was sacked after the world cup and then brought back in !! Anyway, I think he did wat he had to do good or bad, he did introduce some players for the future. i am not pro or against I am saying he did what he did knowing the facts and politics of our cricket. Some things were forced upon him, some things he took upon himself to do, some things he did with pressure from above etc The older players didnt do well, and I admired him wiping them all out, even if it didnt make the odd player happy....legend or not... He followed his orders and was made a scape goat in some circles.... I am only taking the facts of the situation....and from my own experiences and wot i saw...NOT HEARD
On Younis Khan

Well, I think he has a job on his hands, trying to displace fellow RLCA'n and Karachiite, Asim Kamal. Asim, is more technically correct than Younis, who does rely on the sweep in Test matches to get him out of trouble. He obviously is far more experience than Asim at the highest level, yes, but I think he should stick to ODI's for the time being. Whilst giving Asim the chance to develop further. There will be a spot openign up in the next year or so once Inzi decides its enough for him. I think then Youni will be back in the frame. I think MYK is the next skipper to be honest and he is due to fill that slot in the not too distant future....If Inzi goes in the enxt 12/18 mths like I think he will then Shoaib Akhtar will get it in my opinion, with Youni being a slightly longer term option, as I think Shoaib doesnt have much in the tank fitness wise. YK is someone who I thought would play for Pak, when he burst onto the scene in the 99/00 season and scored masses of runs. He in my opinion, has a limited technique, and relies on the sweep, to get him out of trouble, when in fact it puts him into trouble as well, i mean playing across the line for all of a run, when u can slam that same ball down the ground and possibly get 2... He is a very hardworking player in terms of on and off the field, and a decent slipper. Plus he is experienced now. Yes, he is def future pak captaincy material no doubt, he is humble and honest. He has learnt to fight his way back for when he was dropped from the nz bound squad a few years back and got selected as a replacement and slammed a ton down the selectors throats.. I like him as a person and a friend....He knows he has a fight on his hands for the 6 spot in test matches.....may the best guy win.. I think Youni is a good choice. The role and added responsibility of VC should enable him to take cahrge mentally in his mind, to convert 30's into bigger scores, which he ahs not done in the past for someone of his limited ability. He is suited to both types of the game and needs to stop playing the sweep which gets him out or into more trouble than shud be.
On Rashid Latif's Academy

Rashid is getting a lot of sponsors for this and puts money himself in, also the KHI test players have all donated parts of their match fees into the programme. Also when in 2000 or 2001, I helped Rash a lot in using my contacts to get them 9 matches against county sides, as well as some league games we managed to get help with via the ECB and some local boards. That tour DHL contributed a lot of money to help them. We got excellent feedback from them and they wanted more games. Durham played several first teamers in the 3 day game against them, there were other county 3 dayers, and mainly one day games on county grounds... Thats correct he has links with the MQM, but the local government have been very helpful with him too.
on Naveed Qureishi

He has played Test Cricket. Can bat anywhere in the top 4 but is generally an opener. He has started to bowl medium pace and some off spin also and did quite well in the domestic 1 day games a few years back. On side player. His father is president of Pindi Cricket Association.
on Muhammed Irshad

Irshad, stocky build, height maybe 6ft at a max. Has pace, raw, all over the place and a bit of shoaib hype also. Need experience and has a good captain at FC level in Hafeez. Run up is too long for my liking, has a no ball problem, runs like Shoaib. I am in the UK so I havent seen Irshad since March time. He needs games, someone to help him on the field and in the practice sessions. From my sight of him and shirt time I did work with him, i felt his run up was far too long, his mental approach was not there, and had a no ball problem as well as being vert raw in cricket. This is a guy who does menial work lifting things !!! Irshad isnt as quick as Shoaibi but he is quick in pace and has a run up thats too long with a no ball problem, but the basic ingredient is there, and it needs to have other things built around it, which I am sure will come very quickly. Pace isnt going to hurt anyone unless it is used right and his lines are chanelled correctly, hence no go to Oz.
on Rao Ifthikar

Rao - Captain WAPDA, tall and slim built, very experience seamer in FC level, bowls outswing and fast medium at best. Good action I really dont know why the fuss over Rao is.. But time will tell you all, he is an honest seamer and no better 3rd seamer than Rana or Shabbir or Umar...
on Shahid Afridi

I wud disagree with you slightly regards Afridi. One score in 3 ODI's versus India, is not consistent, I personally would have rather he got 3 scores of 30 plus and gave his team a start in the games, as opposed to the loss of an early wicket.
on Saqlain Mushtaq

Saqlain shoud not have played the Test, I think he also played a ODI versus SA in Faisalabad. He isnt and wasnt fit if you asked me, and he had lost his zip and sparkle to take wickets. He was dropped like Mushy was after his test comeback. I spoke to Saqqy last week to se ehow he was receovering after his knee op. He was in very good spirits ad the swelling had gone down quite a lot. The odl Saqqy is still an asset to the national team. The recent Saqlain was very much jaded, and his biggest problem was that his doosra was well worked out by most top batters. Also his delivery stride had become far too long, which helps a batter to see his action much more. Saqqy is past it as a bowler at International level now.
on Azhar Mahmood

Azhar. He is a dilemma I agree, he is good enuf for the ODI stuff if nothing else, and I dont know why he played all the 5 ODIs in NZ...He did look out of shape, but again thats understandable. He too has had recent injury problems, and its not uncommon for Pak players to 'hide' injuries, especially if they are in and out. Ajju was and still can be a useful cricketer for Pak. The thing is certain factions wanted him out when he was in line to be the skipper....and thats when he was peaking as an Int player. Then all of a sudden after 3 hundreds in no time at 3, he was being sent in lower down that killed him personally. He still can perform, but Razzaqq has that role and if he fails then I see Woolmer bring him back somewhere. Ajju even played in the FC seaosn bac home, and I saw one game at Lahore where he was really running in and bowling as quick as he has done for some time.
on Imran Nazir

Imran Nazir, I totally agree with, that he shud go back to the drawing board but Farhat, no as he has a long term future in the Pak team in 1 and 5 day cricket. I didnt ses his inns so cant say if he was or wasnt out of sorts. What has Imran Nazir done : 1 ton in 59 knocks...and a 50 every 7.5 innings....averaging less than 24 and a SR of @ 76 per 100 balls. The proof was in the pudding..he hasnt got it anymore.. Do you think he will play in the other games, I dont think so, now with Youni getting runs?? I think Woolmer can do all he likes with him, but Imran Nazir will be Imran Nazir in the middle, its all in his mind....he cant overcome it in my opinion. He doesnt cut it anymore. I kept saying it...now its all being backed up All the natural talent and flair in the world. For me he hasnt got it upstairs where it matters. In both players cases, I think it got to their heads, playing this type of cricket at such a young age. More so in Hasans case. Bowlers talk between themselves now, and video and tv coverage means an International cricketer, can watch whoever he wants around the world, at vitually a click of the remote. Imran needs to sort himself out against all types of bowlers, he even struggles in domestic cricket if you see the last few years stats for him.
on Salim Malik

Yes, had plenty of time, and great wrists that pushed the ball on the onside with effortless ease. We all say that his record would have been even better if he hadnt got into bad company... He was awesome even in FC games, when he was set....Quick feet, very light also. Malik was a class act in my book. He got involved in things he shudnt have but anyway, he was a quality player for me.
on Salman Butt

You need not worry abt Salman's fielding. H eis young and fit, and more than adequate in the field at International level. U also need to look at Salmans FC career before this year. You may find he was averaged less than 20...As he hardly played any FC cricket, as he was away with the junior teams. Also, I dont think the 233 he made in SA was classed as a 1st class game, which if it did would boost his stats even further. Abt his bowling, its not a str8 forward answer. Personally, it adds a dimension to his batting and you guys may know he has captained Pak at almost every junior level, so his future may be mapped out for him, once he cements his place...He can bowl both with ease, so it depends on the match situation I would think. I dont think he has any probs in taking bowling on at all, as he is used to being under pressure as a skipper.... Anyway, I feel that he will play when the time is rite, and the best thing is it makes him hungry as he has been given a taste with a test debut and being a squad member for a series. He showed that he has the flair (dont all left handed batters though !) and some short comings abt his shot selection, so he went away and scored buckets of runs and improved his bowling. If he does well on another A tour then they just cant ignore him for a spot in the top 3....in either format of the game..... Its hard to say about what they do as they are unpredictable as we all know. I hope to see SB in the side very soon on a personal note so that some of my hard work will have paid off. I was a little surprised that he wasnt the 'reserve' opener, as he has a bowling bow to his armoury now. It doesnt surprise me due to the boldness of the chief selector, salman has done all he can, as i told him in a chat to keep scoring runs, wot more can he do... I think they maybe giving last chance saloon to Imran N and then Salman is possibly the replacement long term...Its not as if Imran Nazir is old and past it is he ? Salman has been thru the system from under 15 level and they know what he can do....Salmans FC career apart from this year wasnt great but he has converted it and he will be even better with more games in that arena...He has ability and most of all temperament to do well He will be there very very soon
on Saleem Elahi

I mentioned Saleem many times recently that I feel sorry for him, but people dont understand he is a far better option than Nazir, Taufeeq also as they seem to label him a Test player. Butt isnt ready for them. I dont know why he isnt in, but with the recent failure of Nazir, I would b surprised if he is in the fold again. He was really distraught when I last saw him in the camp and the practice games where he didnt even get a bat in those games prior to the India series. Its like if he failed then they wud say he cudnt score in the practice games, and if he did get runs, they wud only say it was only a practice match. I think he could become a solid ODI player and back up Test bat, given half a chance, he got runs and was steady in SA and Zim AND becoming a bit of a player and in form with Taufeeq... Hope he doesnt fall by the wayside to b honest as I rate him as good enuf. mentioned yesterday that I felt sorry for Saleem not being in the side....Now he is being talked about again,. Well , 3 ducks in 47 inns, is a far better record than Imran Nazir....he performed in SA and Zim, and a conversion rate of a ton every 11.50 innings, together with a 50 every 6th inning or thereabouts. He averages close on 37 with a SR of just over 71 runs per 100 balls.
on Rana Naved ul Hasan

Rana has a FC ton to his name. If you didnt know Essex were very close to signing him and he has a big fan in Graham Gooch also, I think Rana is a very under rated all rounder in Int Cricket. And he coudl do a good job in certain conditions and places. I didnt know Inzi and Co were or have been making these statements, if they have then wot better to give him a go.... People like Croft/Silverwood/Carter do it in domestic county cricket and it works and sometimes it fails.. It cud be the chance that Rana needs... Rana is more attacking and will go for runs but he will take wickets....and his batting is very useful believe me he is no mug....He will prove to be a very useful 2nd seaming all roudner after Razzaq and he is the incumbent in front of Yasir Arafat, Azhar Mahmood and all the others that are trying to get in. Rana was close to giving up cricket just over 2 years ago......
on Taufeeq Umer

Taufeeq needs to re adapt his technique for OD cricket, he shuffles across his sticks a little too much, apart from that he can play one day cricket well.
on Shehryar Khan

But ur talking abt Shehryar Khan who may not last as long as Shoaib. The man knows very little about cricket in my view. He cudnt control the team in the 2003 WC, and now u really think he can control the PCB...I personally dont think so.
on Abdur Rauf

Rauf isnt rated by the top brass, he cant reverse it. Rauf is borderline, I think he doesnt have enough attributes as an international pacer to b honest. Rauf seems to have upset some1 or simply not in the plans of the selection committee.....He is tall, we did work on his reverse swing in the NCA, and he is a lower oder bat who is able to bat.
on Farhan Adil

Farhan Adil is a decent batter, but opens the face of his bat too much and will be suspect until he sorts that out, Farhan isnt a bad batsman, and has been playing FC for some years now, previously with Habib Bank. Yes, he also attends Rashid Latif Cricket Acadamy. Farhan is now in the UK and his flaw is he plays with an open bat too much, in that the gully comes into his game as far as a bowler is concerned as thats where he would get him out. Maybe he will get another chance, but we have many many 1 Cap wonders dont we !!!
on Saeed Bin Nasir

Saeed BN is an interesting case, as I believe he has what it takes, he knows how to build an innings, but his fielding is poor and he has been seen at A team level, so whether this batch of selectors rate him or not, is up for debate. SBN isnt good enough either. His fielding is poor and remember this, he isnt near the A team at the minute either. He can build an innings but isnt good when it comes to ODayers where u need quick and agile fielders, this is his problem.
on Imran Khan

Imran really concentrated on his batting when he was injured, and towards the end of his career Imran bhai, was really a top class bat. Unlike Younis, Imran bhai was far more experienced actually played to his limitations. Younis has the odd fault and also needs to convert his 30s into something bigger. Imran bhai I would suggest converted far mroe 30's in to 50's..
on Naved Latif

I think Naveed had natural talent, you may not beleiev it but players on the circuit will tell you. He wasnt and hasnt been given a run, in his last game but 1 for pak didnt he get a ton against the windies, or some thing like that...I cud be wrong... He didnt even know he was playing in the fbd odi, the nite before, and only on the day.....how do u metally prepare urself.... I think Naveed is one of the most destructive batters on the sub continent...sorry to disappoint you....I understand your comments, but look at the larger story... He did well on the A tour in India if you have forgotten... Also the best reader of a dua in Pakistan and top guy I personally feel Naved Latif has been ruined as an International Cricketer as he is awesome when he gets going as far as players are concerned.
on Azam Hussain

Yes, Azam is a very good cricketer. He is in the Academy and A team squads, but didnt make the last 20 if my facts are correct but am not 100% sure. He is only 18 or so, and needs games.....He had a decent domestic season this winter as well/
on Muhammed Hafeez

Hafeez has ability and I still maintain he is a very high quality cricketer in this manners and thinking abt the game. It was a shame he struggled a bit but it made him go away and think more about his game. I would class Hafeez as a genuine all rounder, but his path into the team seems blocked at present, until Imran Nazir goes, and then maybe they could try him for something at a later stage....It just opens the options for us whihc can only b good.
on Imran Farhat

The problem with Imran Farhat is he has to go on now, cameo 20 and 30 arent good enough for someone of his ability...I pushed very hard for his comeback and he knows I said to him that when times are good you gotta score big, coz the bad times are around the corner, and u will curse urself when u were in form that you didnt get some big scores... He has to go on....and on...
on Asim Kamal

Also another player who I would seriously think about is Asim Kamal, even at the top of the order as he has the technique and the prowess with his shots to go aerial.
on Mansoor Amjid

yes mansoori can bat no problem, he is no mug at all and I believe he will become an international standard all rounder in time and with games under his belt. He has the right attributes....
on Tariq Mehmood

Yes, 'Murali' can do things others dream about, but he has been called by the ICC panel in the U19 WC, and one of those who had to call him was Waqar Younis......The PCB will not disrespect him nor his judgement and also the ICC are watching closely, as Tariqs arm was too far bent from my information.
on Imran Sabir

Imran Sabir is not seen as anything special from what seems to be what is in the camps at present. He needs performances to nudge the selectors at least. Imran Sabir could figure in the future. I think he has a little bit of pace coupled with a good action, is tallish and u just dont know.
on Umar Gul

Gul does have more potential, indeed whereever there is sideways movement Umar will take wickets and on flatter wkts he will keep it tight..
on Misbah ul Haq

Misbahs technique is not quite suited to number 3, he is another who cud be slotted in to 6, and then given time and confidence shud go up, but he is a yoyo spare man, in and out and travelling the world....
on Faisal Iqbal

He has great mental strength and now his mamu has gone, maybe, and a small maybe he could see light at the end of the tunnel..He is suspect against PACE...Personally, he is up against it with Youni coming back, and then Asim Kamal, and one or two others.
on Shahid Nazir

Also a point abt S Nazir, he is still good enough to do a job in Int Cricket, he is skiddy in pace and experienced enough to know whats required of him, he could be utilised in a bring the others on. If I was a selector I wud push for him. Plus Faisalabad did well in domestic...this particualr season.
on Atiq uz Zaman

Very competent keeper. Atiq is pro ing for CARNFORTH CC. He has more or less given up hopes for playin for his country now from conversations I have had with him.
on Hasan Adnan

Bit leg sided when playing his shots, but real high class straight driver of the ball. Seems like he is being well looked at by Dave Houghton Hasan is a very good player ! He is short in height and I wud say abt 5/7 ish and thinly built. Very easy stance and strong leg side player but drives very well from wot I have seen.
on Waqas Chugtai

Waqas is well known to me, is from Sheikhupura. Is about 21 I think and plays for Habib Bank now.....Is an outswing bowler and not quick in real pace terms, is a real work horse of a bowler. Great attitude. Did attend trials for U23 tour to SL, but didnt make it.He is in UK proing. Took 4 wkts in 4 balls last week form what he told in his league
on Hidayatullah Khan

Hidayat is definately one for the future, he is short in height but still growin. His cousin is UMAR GUL. He can bowl and has all the varieties that I saw in the Academy nets, flipper, googly the lot.
on Mohamed Wasim

Wasim is looking to open the battign for NEW ZEALAND very soon !!! He was flawed in his technique in that he was all leg side in the main. But people ruined him and his confidence.... Good player !
Players to Watch Out for

5 batters : AAMIR BASHIR: Considered too old by the selectors, think he is 30 yrs old, but boy can he bat. SHOAIB KHAN: Peshawar and Wapda top order bat, had a tremendous season. Possible outsider for A team slot. Can bat, is 25 also, so played some FC cricket and done the rounds. Suited to longer version of the game. SALMAN BUTT: Ready.... SAEED BIN NASIR: Can put an innings together, he has wot it takes at the top level and be a good number 3, needs to improve other areas of his game. BAZID KHAN: Give him a try, if he is good, play him, or tell him he isnt good enough. Not my choice in this. Others to consider: Hasan Adnan, Farhan Adil, Babar Naeem 5 bowlers : MANSOOR AMJAD: U19 and U23 winner, soon ready to compete with Kaneria for the leggies spot, can bat also. IMRAN SABIR: I like the look of him, I think he may have what it takes to play at a higher level. Seems composed, accurate and more fast medium than anything. M KHALIL: The flavour of the moment with the left armers in Pakistan. H ehas played and tasted some Test cricket and the level below. Done ok. He can improve, needs more cricket at all levels. Again more fast medium than anything, decent attitude. Needs to show some more work with the bat. RIAZ AFRIDI: Big strong kid. Ability with bat and ball. Has some presence also on a field. Needs some more FC games to improve and learn. ABDUR RAUF: Has pace, height, hits the deck. So why not play him and see if he has it. Who doesnt like him ???? Others: Tahir Mughal, Jannisar Khan, Samiullah Niazi,
on Hasan Raza

He has good temprament, his tehcnique has been worked upon, and improved after two good innings in Sharjah not so long back. As he is KHI based, I have not seen anything of him close up recently, but he was in the camp for a series, and he looked very solid. Also his bowling has come on a little bit. Personally, he is suspect against pace, which you have pointed out already. Hasan is suspect against pace bowling, and good pacers who swing the ball.
on Fahad Masood

As I have said on several threads about our pacers, this guy would be an excellent seamer where there is a bit of lateral movement. I reckon he is perfect for UK conditions. Has a bit of pace and can hit the deck, not very tall, but stocky in build.
on Mohamed Sami

his stock ball is the outswinger and hence his catches or wickets go behind the sticks... He has had some dollies go down....And then a good bowler takes the tail out with the other ball like you say, LB and BLD.
on Irfan Fazil

Irfan is playing for Lahore and was injured so didnt turn out for Habib Bank this year. His action has changed a little bit but he still has a fair bit of pace.
on Afaq Raheem

Afaq is a very good prospect, I saw him in the u19s when they were in the National Academy and also the national u19 trials that were held last summer all over Pakistan. He stands tall and has a decent technique for facing the new ball
on Zulqaranin Haider

I think Haider is a very competent cricketer and he could be really foceful with the bat, kyu ke khul ke kehlta...... He has some ability.
on Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib is very likely the next skipper, I think he is breathing down the neck of Yousaf very hard for the captaincy....
on Fazl e Akbar

I rate Fazle and am very surprised at his performance with the ball so far. When I say he is the best new ball bowler in Pakistan I say it with conviction and experience, he is just awesome in our conditions
on Najaf Shah

dont think Najaf is Int standard right now, he does have an attitude problem, and I think he is injury prone, and could do with some work in the gym to build his strenght up. I am talking about just over 12 mths ago when I saw him, and if BW says he was close to making it on the tour, then he can say what he likes, but personally, I dont think he is tellign the whole truth. Najaf, is a bowler who has an easy run up and approach to the wkt. He is fast medium at best.