Something about Nothing

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 ?

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!.

Team victory is more important than nay thing in Cricket. You alway see on player making an effort to win the team. This usually happens with Pakistan, but in their openign match against SL they win by 5 runs. Great Win.

Pakistan Captain banned for few matches, Board president steps out, two players doped out, and now Pakistan steals the win.

I am sure that SL will be thinking, look guys, Inzy is out, their bowling attack is -2 and there is everything there for us to win, go out and steal the victory. But the combined team effort of the whole team gave them one of the most rememberd vicotries. I am really proud of OUR team.

Hats Off to Younus Khan, Woolmer, Waqar Youns, everyone who contributed to win. Hats Off !!!!!!!!!.

PS Also keep winning the other matches, and you can give Afridi a relax too.

Its not unusual for some one to bash out the management who expelled him/her out. But some times these scenarios unfold some really interesting facts.

As Zaheer Abbass exposes the Oval incident, according to his statements, Inzamam was real culprit after that incident, and when everyone was willing to play, Inzamam simply refused, as Abbass says :

Pakistan’s management is not happy with Inzamam at the moment.

I requested him to go into the field at The Oval, chairman Shaharyar Khan requested also, and a few members of the cricket team, but he refused.

 Interesting news links :

• BBC Sport | Cricket
• CricInfo
• CricInfo - PCB Official Resign
• BBC Urdu