If that isn't an incentive to spread more of the gospel, I don't know what isRichard said:So Kenya and Bangladesh are barred from having their own threads?
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!
Just 4 specialist batsmen(butt,Malik,Inz,Yousuf), and with Afridi opening the innings and a wkt likely to fall early (especially against the likes of Aus,SA) this team is unlikely to cross 200 total on most Onedayers!Richard said:Personally I'd give serious consideration to Afridi opening.
I find that anyone seriously willing to discard Salman Butt in ODIs in favour of Imran Farhat crazy. Butt CAN play, at least in one-dayers. Give him time, I'm near enough certain he'll end-up being a superb ODI opener.
I don't think Younis Khan should be in the team, so right now I'd go something like...
Salman
Afridi
Shoaib Malik
Inzamam
Mohammad Yousuf
Abdur\l Razzaq
+Kamran Akmal
Mr. X
Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan
Mohammad Asif
Shoaib Akhtar
.
I'd also say Butt will be back because Farhat is a lot like Gambhir - fritters away starts after some explosive strokeplay. But the lineup you've listed is quite weak, especially when one of the 5 specialist batsman has a 50% chance of getting out very early. Razzaq is not good enough to bat at #6. As for Younis, he can only play if he's batting at #3, otherwise he's useless. If Afridi opens, Younis has to play to provide some stability.Richard said:Personally I'd give serious consideration to Afridi opening.
I find that anyone seriously willing to discard Salman Butt in ODIs in favour of Imran Farhat crazy. Butt CAN play, at least in one-dayers. Give him time, I'm near enough certain he'll end-up being a superb ODI opener.
I don't think Younis Khan should be in the team, so right now I'd go something like...
Salman
Afridi
Shoaib Malik
Inzamam
Mohammad Yousuf
Abdur\l Razzaq
+Kamran Akmal
Mr. X
Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan
Mohammad Asif
Shoaib Akhtar
Clearly, most places are assured - as I say, I certainly hope Salman can make himself bulletproof before the tournament. I've often been of the opinion that the only point in playing Afridi in ODIs is if he's going to open. Shoaib Malik is clearly capable of batting anywhere in the top four, but I've always felt Inzy and Yousuf should be at four and five respectively. Razzaq and Akmal are useful to have coming in hopefully with 10 or so overs left.
Aside from Asif, though, it's not impossible the attack might get caned. Shoaib can be unhittable and unplayable at the same time of times, but he can also be easily both when on the wrong day.
Younis Khan is a poor ODI player wherever he bats.IndianByHeart said:Just 4 specialist batsmen(butt,Malik,Inz,Yousuf), and with Afridi opening the innings and a wkt likely to fall early (especially against the likes of Aus,SA) this team is unlikely to cross 200 total on most Onedayers!
Younis Khan is a good OD player if he bats at one down and not at number six slot.If he is atall to be replaced then he should be replaced by a batsmen rather than a bowler.
But Younis only rarely does provide any stability. A place simply cannot afford to be used on him, let alone at three - Malik simply must bat in the top four.adharcric said:I'd also say Butt will be back because Farhat is a lot like Gambhir - fritters away starts after some explosive strokeplay. But the lineup you've listed is quite weak, especially when one of the 5 specialist batsman has a 50% chance of getting out very early. Razzaq is not good enough to bat at #6. As for Younis, he can only play if he's batting at #3, otherwise he's useless. If Afridi opens, Younis has to play to provide some stability.
Putting Razzaq that high would give Pakistan a genuine tail, which isn't good considering the batting depth India and Australia have (even South Africa, then, with Hall coming in so late). Malik should be in the top 4 I agree, but let's be realistic, Younis won't be dropped because he's the next captain. So might as well make best use of him at #3 and push Malik up to open. Besides, it's not like Butt and Farhat are consistent enough an opening pair to be given the full reins up top. So make those two compete for one spot, with Malik at the other. Then Younis, Inzy and Yousuf. Afridi is a must at #6. Then Razzaq/Akmal at 7 & 8. These days you should have batting down to 8, not 7. India have Pathan or Powar (actually more like Dhoni or a specialist bat with Pathan coming at #3), Australia have Lee or Hogg ... and those teams not only have stronger top-orders than Pakistan, but the aforementioned #8s are all better bats than a Rana Naved coming in at 8.Richard said:But Younis only rarely does provide any stability. A place simply cannot afford to be used on him, let alone at three - Malik simply must bat in the top four.
I'd say Razzaq is perfectly good enough to bat six - if he starts looking poor, just move Akmal up 1 place.