Test matches V West indies/South Africa

[Amjid Javed]

If worst comes to worst Both Asif and Akthar could be missing from the pakistan team for a while. This will take out a huge chunk of the teams potency in the bowling Ranks. Whilst pakistan have coped before in some series without Akthar its always been a case of the team only ever been able to muster one test win with a depleted attack, in some series thou that has been enought to draw or win a series.

However, as pakistan learnt in england with likes of Sami, Razzaq etc.. the attack was pretty impotent and powder Puff. Add to That Kanerias poor recent test form things could be tough in test matches if wickets arent to sporting for our bowlers.

Pakistan will need to start to identify a pool of bowlers they are going to use in these tests and future test matches. Akthars career may have not much to go and Asif should return hopefully at some point.

The likes of Rana, razzaq, sami dont look up to task at test level. Gul was the best bowler in England and Shahid nazir did an honest job.

I hope pakistan start to identify a few fringe team bowlers they could possibly look at najaf shah, Yasir arafat etc..

Whilst pakistan could fill the gap for west indies series with spinners in S.A without an genuine spearhead team could be in for a serious wooping!

I just hope team selection goes forward and not back to same old tried and tested rubbish!

[cavin420]

well perhaps this could be a blessing in disguise for the likes of Najaf shah, shahid nazir, yasir arafat e.t.c !

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by cavin420 well perhaps this could be a blessing in disguise for the likes of Najaf shah, shahid nazir, yasir arafat e.t.c !

then again we could go into test matches with an attack of rana, khalil and sami

[Farhan!]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed then again we could go into test matches with an attack of rana, khalil and sami

but we would need Shahid Nazir in the side to swing the ball around. Though, Rana also swings the ball, Nazir would be of great help to him.

[Mercenary]

I'd like to see Yasir Ali and Akhtar Ayub drafted in alongside Arafat for th Windies tour.

Love him or loathe him Razzaq needs to be in the test XI for the next two series whilst we are searching for replacements for Akhtar and Asif. Razzaq does step up to the plate when we have bowling problems. I'd like to see us play the following XI for the Windies tour...

Malik
Hafeez
Younis
Yousuf
Inzamam
Afridi
Kamran
Razzaq
Rana/Arafat
Gul
Kaneria

...If Rana/Arafat struggle then Ayub or Ali should be drafted in.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Mercenary I'd like to see Yasir Ali and Akhtar Ayub drafted in alongside Arafat for th Windies tour. Love him or loathe him Razzaq needs to be in the test XI for the next two series whilst we are searching for replacements for Akhtar and Asif. Razzaq does step up to the plate when we have bowling problems. I'd like to see us play the following XI for the Windies tour... Malik Hafeez Younis Yousuf Inzamam Afridi Kamran Razzaq Rana/Arafat Gul Kaneria ...If Rana/Arafat struggle then Ayub or Ali should be drafted in.

I can see that bowling attack with razzaq/rana getting a pasting!

id rather see malik bat at 6, s nazir is better option then Rana right now with Arafat/N shah been tested as 3rd pacer in side.

[Amjid Javed]

If we dont do well am sure usual excuse of we didnt have akthar/asif will arise. Pakistan needs to start to ensure the team has best back up possible been selected rather than usual paper over cracks job we get!

[Easa]

Yeah, Merc completely agree with that team. I posted the same one on a different thread.

[pakistani pride]

Still hard to think akhter and asif wont be there !

However we have enough fire power in our ranks to face any team BUT PCB needs to show some balls and select players on merit.

[Inswinging Yorker]

ok..so you lost out on shoaib & asif .

well then it is an opportunity for someone to stand up and be counted

[Has]

Step up Gul and Rana, and hopefully Nazir.

[PlanetPakistan]

It's a very dangerous series for us because the W Indies have started to play really well under B Lara. We all know about their batting and now with the likes of Taylor, Edwards and Collymore their bowling lineup looks in good shape too....so yea it will be a good contest.

Here is my PAK team for the 1st test

1- M Hafeez
2- I Farhat
3- Y Khan
4- M Yousuf
5- Inzi
6- Afridi
7- Kamran
8- A Razzaq
9- U Gul
10- S Nazir
11- Kaneria

[Has]

Farhat
Hafeez
Y.Khan
MoYo
Inzi
Malik
Akmal
Rana
Gul
Nazir
Danish

[Has]

At the very least we should use this opportunity to be either the making or breaking of Rana and Nazir.