http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 vs. Australia: Shoaib Malik and Saeed Ajmal likely to return for Headingley Test
Pakistan will play the second and final test match of the MCC Spirit of Cricket Series against Australia in Headingley on Wednesday. Pakistan will look to make a fresh start after receiving a severe blow in the shape of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482’s decision to retire from test cricket after the Lord’s test match that Pakistan lost by 150 runs. Salman Butt will be taking up the reigns of leading the Pakistani team which will be a test of character for the opening batsman. Afridi’s decision may turn out to be a blessing in disguise since a specialist batsman will replace him to give Pakistan’s batting line up the much needed push. Pakistan has lost 13 consecutive test matches against Australia and is desperately searching for a test victory against the Kangaroos.
Ponting will be looking to improve from where he left Pakistan. His prime bowlers did not pick up many wickets and it was only because of Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 and Marcus North that Australia bagged 20 wickets in the first test match. The left-handed Butt was the lone performer in Pakistan’s batting line up as he faces the challenge of captaining this inexperienced team as well. Experts suggest that Pakistan can only win if Salman Butt gets the same respect as Shahid Afridi did when he was the captain.
Shahid Afridi will not be playing the final test which makes Shoaib Malik the automatic choice to replace him. Malik will add strength to the Pakistani line up along with some decent spin bowling as well. Shoaib Malik, who had also captained Pakistan in the past, will act as a confidence booster for the squad that lacks experience. Some media reports are suggesting that Saeed Ajmal will replace http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314 in the spin department. It will not be an easy decision for Pakistani selectors since Danish has impressed in the first test match. Spin wizard Shane Warne also praised the accuracy and control of Kaneria. Saeed Ajmal on the other hand is in great form as well and has consistently performed in T20 and ODI formats for Pakistan. If Ajmal is played instead of Danish, it will be a blow to Kaneria’s confidence that has impressed everyone in last test match at Lord’s.
It’s a difficult decision for Pakistan’s think-tank in England since both players have proven their worth. Former spinner and pioneer of the magical “doosra”, Saqlain Mushtaq believes that Pakistan’s management is in a difficult situation since both players are equally good. He said, "I don't mind to pick either of the two. Danish is a world-class bowler, and can damage the Aussies as well. He has got experience. But Saeed Ajmal is good; too so both are capable of giving trouble to Australia. Danish has been in a good form and he has been bowling very well. He did well in the first Test too, if we can put runs on the board Danish can more much better and put more pressure."
The Australian batting line up has plenty of left-handed batsman and some cricketing pundits believe that Ajmal is can pose more problems for the left-handers. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saqlain-Mushtaq-c88743 however feels that Danish is more experienced which gives him an extra edge over Ajmal.
Pakistan’s bowling is currently doing just fine. It’s the batting department that has caused all the trouble. With Malik in the squad, chances are high that Pakistan will get the required batting depth that it lacked in last test match.
Assistant coach Ijaz Ahmed has also hinted that Mohammad Yousuf might be called for the test series against England while Yousuf in a press conference also showed his willingness to play for the national team. The veteran batsman explained that he is willing to play under any captain and he respects the decision of the PCB with regards to the test captaincy.
Ijaz Ahmed added fuel to selection speculations when he said, “These are the only two players we are talking about, Younis Khan and Yousuf. Let’s see, it might be decided about Yousuf. Yousuf might be coming here.”
It will be interesting to see if Mohammad Yousuf will adjust under Salman Butt since the veteran batsman openly called Butt "a little lazy runner". Butt is currently content with the youngsters in the squad who have shown signs of technique and temperament for test cricket. He was impressed by Umar Amin and Azhar Ali along with former greats who have also praised the two youngsters.
Pakistan will look to restrict Simon Katich from scoring his 11th consecutive fifty while http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 will try to stop the inform Salman Butt. Pakistan will have another specialist batsman in the form of Shoaib Malik which they did not have in the last test match.
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