What should be the best Pakistan side for tour of New Zealand?
Pakistan cricket may be run by people who are not serious about their work, but the way the Pakistan cricket team drew the test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, is truly commendable. The team survived a spot-fixing scandal in England and went down fighting in both the tests and one day series, which is no small feat.
The next mission for Misbah ul Haq and his side would be to go to New Zealand and play a couple of Tests next month. The selectors might have short listed their ‘best’ squad but with people as biased as Mohammad Ilyas in the selection committee, merit can be expected to take the backseat. The former test cricketer is the father in law of Imran Farhat who, despite his wretched performance in all forms of the game, gets selected for all three - tests, one dayers and twenty20 international. The re-emergence of Taufeeq Umar is likely to put a halt to the career of the swashbuckling opener who has done more harm than good for the team. With Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar has formed a capable opening pair which could provide Pakistan with good opening stands in the future.
The improving Azhar Ali has made his claim on the number 3 spot by scoring consistently since his test debut in England this year. His 237 runs at an average of 79 with 3 half centuries in 4 innings indicates his potential. With senior players like Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq in the side, Azhar Ali is set to prosper in the future. Talking of Younis, the former Pakistan captain seems to have taken a liking to the number 4 spot - considered the most important in any side. He might have to relinquish it if and when Mohammad Yousuf returns from injury, but with Mohammad Yousuf (or Younis Khan) at 5, Misbah ul Haq at 6 and the methodological Asad Shafiq at number 7, Pakistan can have a middle-order that can give any side a run for their money. Although he managed 180 runs at an average of 60 against South Africa in the test series, Younis brings loads of experience which can help the youngsters as well as those struggling for runs.
Misbah ul Haq may be new to captaincy and test cricket, but he is the most hardworking cricketer in the side, a perfect role model. With a Masters in Business Administration degree to back his claims, he showed with his batting that the selectors were not wrong in choosing him for the desert safari. He was by far the backbone of Pakistan batting during the recently concluded series, with 220 runs at an amazing average of 110.
Pakistan might recall Kamran Akmal for the series against New Zealand and beyond, but Adnan Akmal didn’t fare badly in his first test. He showed good glovemanship qualities and might be a threat to the elder brother in the future. Pakistan should do away with Umar Akmal, the third brother, if Mohammad Yousuf gets fit for the tour, otherwise he might be asked to tag along as an extra batsman, considering he has scored a century in New Zealand.
As for the bowling department, its about time that Pakistan should stick with Saeed Ajmal in one dayers and T20, and Abdur Rehman in tests. The left-arm spinner was one of the main reasons Pakistan managed to draw the second test, and with him at number 9, batting would get the depth it needs. Pakistan shouldn’t include the over-tried http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314 since he is readable and expensive, just like Saeed Ajmal in tests.
Pakistan might have to drop a batsman to select three pacers if the pitch demands so. They can also call in Mohammad Hafeez for his off-spin and Younis Khan for his medium pacers. As for the three genuine bowlers, Pakistan can include Wahab Riaz (if fit), should include Tanvir Ahmed considering he took 6 wickets against a formidable side, open the bowling with the dangerous Umar Gul (who can at times bat as well) and do away with Mohammad Sami. With players like Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif suspended, Pakistan can try these newcomers without any fear. Mohammad Sami has been unlucky at times but he has failed to impress even when asked to spearhead the attack. He can also tag along for the same reason as Umar Akmal, he took 5 wickets on his test debut a decade ago in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754.
Pakistan selectors always consult http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 does manage to send a team closer to this one, they are bound to improve their test rankings.
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