Something about Nothing

Reappointment for Mushtaq Ahmed

Posted by mansoor - 31/12/06 at 05:12:32 pm

You would never understand what is behind the scenes in Pakistan Cricket. Now look at the latest happening, as the have called back Leg Spinner (also famous for googly) Mushtaq Ahmed. As Nasim Ashraf said : Mushtaq has impressed me a lot with his cricketing knowledge and I think he can be a better choice for the South African tour
Now, what help Mushtaq bring to the South African (fast) wickets what he could no do for Pakistan on the (Slow and Spin-fvaour) Indian wickets ?, what is the point that I am missing here ?

Pakistan against South Africa

Posted by mansoor - 29/12/06 at 06:12:37 pm

Its a long time since I blogged about anything, but expect this blog to me much more regular.
South Africa vs. Pakistan is the next big series for both teams. They both will play 3 Tests , one 20/20 (What’s the point of 20/20 here ?) and 5 ODI. The last ODI is on 14 Feb, and then after almost one month, Pakistan will start World Cup with West Indies on 13 March 2006.

Pak-SA series is crucial to both of the teams, as both of the teams will looking to go with a good moral in World Cup.
What are my predictions for this Series, well i see think the Test series will end with a draw, or possibly SA will win with 1-0. Why i am saying this because of their good performance in the recent tests.

For ODI i think Pakistan will win, much will depend on the bowling Pakistan, as Waqar’s help to the bowlers (if they listen) will definitely add something extra. The full line up is as follows :

- Mohammad Hafeez
- Imran Farhat
- Yasir Hameed
- Shoaib Malik
- Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt)
- Younis Khan
- Mohammad Yousuf
- Asim Kamal
- Faisal Iqbal
- Kamran Akmal (wk)
- Zulqernain Haider (wk)
- Shahid Nazir
- Umar Gul
- Mohammad Asif
- Mohammad Sami
- Danish Kaneria
- Rana Naved-ul-Hasan

Two key players have not been in the team, Shoaib Akhtar who is left-out because of fittness and Abul Razzaq is injured. Muhamamd Sami has been included in team, IMHO Sami is a good player but some how they are not giving him chance, he is only called when one of the key bowlers have been given rest or they are inured. Asim Kamal is also a very promising batsman, and in my opinion the reason for Asim Kamal that he has been labeled as a Test player, which he is totally wrong, I want to see him play more ODI’s. Zulqernain Haider has been included to cover up Kamran Akmal’s poor performance, i think that they will include him in at least One Test and if it all goes good then probably give him chance in 2 (may be 1) ODI, but i feel putting a new Wicket Keeper to test right on the edge of World Cup doesn’t some hoe fits will. I am really happy not to see Shahid Afridi in the team, come one PCB you have wasted enough on Afridi !!!!. The only extra person that i see in this team is Imran Farhat, if you ask me , i really don’t see any potential in this guy, and pity to those who compare this Imran Farhat with Saeed Anwar. You can’t beat the class of Saeed Anwar with this slopper, and adding a band on your forehead doesn’t makes you any how similar with Aamir Sohail at all.

That’s all for the SA-Pak series, but before ending, Pakistan should remember that SA is coming to this series with a good victory of 4-0 over India, so better watch out on this.

And finally, Eid - ul - Adha Mubarak to all of the Muslims around the world!.

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