So it's settled then - Umar Gul to take the new ball?

[iZeeshan]

If Shoaib Akhtar comes back, there is no doubt that Umar Gul should be taking the new ball. He bowls excellently, great line, great pace, great length and control. He uses variations and best of all, provides early wickets instead of a bowler the opposition can target, thereby releasing any sort of pressure Akhtar creates.

Surely this should be obvious to the coach and captain by now? What does everyone think?

[Hando]

It would be Ideal, but..
If Akthar comes back, then Wahab's out
Akthar can't bowl at death, So we need more over from Gul
Therefore Razzaq would have to open with him as he's only dangerous with the new bowl...


So no

[freelance_cricketer]

Not bad at all.
Pacy, swings and is threatening. Only if he can keep his line, he can do wonders with the new ball. I would have an attack of Shoaib, Gul, Wahab, Afridi, Razzak, Hafeez
Haven't seen Junaid's bowling and Rehman is not good at all

[Golden arm]

Originally Posted by freelance_cricketer Not bad at all. Pacy, swings and is threatening. Only if he can keep his line, he can do wonders with the new ball. I would have an attack of Shoaib, Gul, Wahab, Afridi, Razzak, Hafeez Haven't seen Junaid's bowling and Rehman is not good at all

rehman is sign of defensive captaincy by afridi.
i would rather risk saeed ajmal.

[Energy]

Opening with Gul and Shoaib against Australia would be ideal in understanding who is the better of the two since the game is not a knock-out. I feel Gul is more effective under seaming conditions because he does not swing the ball. The line and length has definitely improved but really, true test will be observed against the likes of Watson and co.

[hasanmehmoodkhan]

i wanna see junaid play man hes prob better then wahab

[freelance_cricketer]

Originally Posted by Golden arm rehman is sign of defensive captaincy by afridi. i would rather risk saeed ajmal.

Bhai us se ache to humare damaad jee ko hi ley lete
He can bat as as well

[Fawad2010]

two spells of 5 overs from Gul, 5 at the start, 5 at the death, unless he is struggling in the first overs.

[Markhor]

Agreed,I don't like the idea that players like Gul and Riaz should strictly bowl with the old ball only.If your country needs you to play there,for the sake of balance in the team,then make that sacrifice and do it.

[rhussain33]

Originally Posted by Hando It would be Ideal, but.. If Akthar comes back, then Wahab's out Akthar can't bowl at death, So we need more over from Gul Therefore Razzaq would have to open with him as he's only dangerous with the new bowl... So no

Theres your answer dude... Unless we play three seamers, and drop a batsmen, playing Ajmal also...

[NO 1 AFRIDI FAN]

Yeah he is good with the new ball. Him and Shoaib should open, with wahab coming in for rehman.

[amirfanforlife]

Originally Posted by hasanmehmoodkhan i wanna see junaid play man hes prob better then wahab

Same.
He did well in the practice match, he should be given a game.

[intothevoid]

Our defensive selection is going to hurt us. I think Rehman has done NOTHING to continue to justify his selection.

IDEALY my XI would be

1. Hafeez
2. Umar Akmal (WK)
3. Asad S
4. YK
5. Misbah
6. Razzaq
7. Afridi
8. Gul
9. Wahab
10. Ajmal
11. Shoaib

But I know dropping Kamran is wishful thinking, so a realistic alternative is

1. Hafeez
2. Kamran
3. Shafiq
4. YK
5. Misbah
6. Umar Akmal
7. Razzaq
8. Afridi
9. Gul
10. Wahab
11. Shoaib

We don't need 3 spinners - Afridi and Hafeez can bowl 10 each, that is more than enough. At least Hafeez has a better chance of taking wickets than Rehman!

Also this way we can open bowling with Gul and Shoaib, with Wahab and Razzaq first change, and have plenty of death options between Gul / Wahab / Afridi

[NZPakistanFan]

I totally agree. There is no doubt in my mind that Gul should open. Even if it's for 2-3 overs, you want both your best bowlers to start with concentrated pressure against the opposition. Razzaq is an ideal 'second change'. I'm even to go throw the cat amongst the pigeons and suggest that, with both Afridi and Hafeez more than capable as spin bowlers, that we drop Ajmal and Rehman altogether (unless the pitch is obviously slow and good for spin). The team looks much more balanced with a bowling order that goes AKhtar, Gul, Riaz, Razzaq, Afridi, Hafeez.

[hashmist]

Agreed. We have to open with Akhtar and Gul, it is easy to release pressure against Raz. I say drop Raz, he hasn't been able to do much with bat or ball. But then again our Capo has a lifetime affair with Popeye, so he aint getting dropped anytime soon. In which case we should drop Rehman and play Wahab, so Akhtar and Gul can open and Wahab and Gul can close. And we would still have 2 spinners in Afridi and Hafeez.

[lipton]

Originally Posted by hasanmehmoodkhan i wanna see junaid play man hes prob better then wahab

oh god another juniad lover.

[Khan6575]

Originally Posted by lipton oh god another juniad lover.

Oh god another tea lover

[NZPakistanFan]

Originally Posted by hasanmehmoodkhan i wanna see junaid play man hes prob better then wahab

I'm not so sure playing a guy, who has never played a ODI before, in the world cup is such a great idea. Khan looks to have great potential, but the cut and thrust of world cup cricket is a different level altogether from what he's played before. I actually think it was a mistake bringing him along as part of the squad, but since there hasn't been any serious injuries thus far, it has not been an issue.

[iZeeshan]

Well, for those saying that we need Gul at the death, that is still certainly possible. It's not like he bowls 10 overs at the death lol

He's virtually ineffective in the middle overs, whereas Wahab occasionally does get a wicket at first change due to his pace/bounce

I think Gul should bowl 4 at the start, then probably his last 6 somewhere between the 35-50th overs.

All I know is that all three, Shoaib, Gul, and Wahab should be playing in the XI somehow.

[Theo_14]

Originally Posted by NZPakistanFan I'm not so sure playing a guy, who has never played a ODI before, in the world cup is such a great idea.

It was always going to be a risk taking a inexperienced bowler to the World's biggest stage which is the World cup.

But then in today's world - especially in football and some formats of cricket you do tend to see International teams bringing in inexperienced players to the sides and hiding them up their sleeve so they can be considered as a "secret weapon" it could either be a risk or a success.

However although it's not a great idea but it could prove to be a clever idea, afterall Junaid Khan has played on sub continent pitches since he ever started playing cricket so that's not a issue and the 'confidence' issue is going to be a short term problem for him Junaid Khan - if he gets a game against Australlia and takes a coupe of wickets then I'm pretty sure that'll motivate him and boost his confidence.

I actually think it was a mistake bringing him along as part of the squad, but since there hasn't been any serious injuries thus far

Even if he doesn't get a game (which I hope doesn't happen) then I guess it will be a good taste of experience for Junaid Khan as he's witnessing Pakistan win and lose games, understanding the pace/tempo of the game and the atmosphere in the locker/changing rooms - it will benefit him but I think it's vital he gets a game under his belt, he could be a hidden gem who could prove to be vital for Pakistan, you never know.. It's happend before with Aamer and Tanvir (Different formats but still..) and I don't see why he can't be a sucess either.

[Uhaymid]

Originally Posted by Hando It would be Ideal, but.. If Akthar comes back, then Wahab's out Akthar can't bowl at death, So we need more over from Gul Therefore Razzaq would have to open with him as he's only dangerous with the new bowl... So no

We must open with our 2 best bowlers.. a wicket or 2 early means that when Razzler comes in at first change he is not under pressure.. and can just contain


Best scenario for Razzler is to come after 8 overs have been bowled and the opposition are 1 or 2 down.. ball is still doing smth and loss of wickets means opposition are not trying to hit like crazy...

[musti]

Nothing is ever 'settled' in Pakistan cricket

[Waq]

We are an indecisive bunch!!!

It was only in recent years we came to the conclusion that Gulla was useless with the new ball as he had no control and suited for the death overs due to his yorkers!

Gul may have performed well but we need to see consistency with the new ball. On the other hand, he is a paid professional and probably the spearhead of our attack so if he needs to open then so be it.