Pakistan's tour of South Africa- Squad and news!

First of all lets show respect to the wonderful pace attack of South Africa- Steyn, Philander, Morkel and Kallis....

Pakistani bowling attack may consist of the following PACE bowlers and 1 spinner

Irfan
Junaid
Gul
Ajmal

There are serious question marks over Irfan's fitness and many think he can't play test cricket. I personally will play him in the first test match, he can really trouble the left handers. Overall SA have the better batsmen, better bowlers and better fielders but the Ajmal factor gives Pakistan an outside chance.

It will be a cracking series if Pakistani batsmen show up, which is unlikely.

PlanetPakistan wrote:First of all lets show respect to the wonderful pace attack of South Africa- Steyn, Philander, Morkel and Kallis....

Pakistani bowling attack may consist of the following PACE bowlers and 1 spinner

Irfan
Junaid
Gul
Ajmal

There are serious question marks over Irfan's fitness and many think he can't play test cricket. I personally will play him in the first test match, he can really trouble the left handers. Overall SA have the better batsmen, better bowlers and better fielders but the Ajmal factor gives Pakistan an outside chance.

Pretty much entirely how I'd sum it up.

As Mr Philcric says, Pak's batting will really have to go some.

SO what's their first choice batting lineup then? Something like-

Hafeez
Taufeeq/Jamshed
Azhar
Younis
Misbah
Shafiq/U.Akmal
K.Akmal/A.Akmal

?

I reckon that'd be the side - Shafiq and Taufeeq. TBH, I reckon the only two that haven't got question marks over them are Misbah and Younis - the rest are unproven outside of the Asiatics IMO. Azhar has real talent and Hafeez is solid. Unconvinced on Taufeeq, Jamshed and Shafiq in terms of becoming Test entities.

Shafiq should play for sure, he had a tremendous series in SL.

It is also time for Jamsheed to make his test debut.

Adnan's keeping has been quite impressive so he should continue to play despite him not being a good batsman.

PlanetPakistan wrote:Shafiq should play for sure, he had a tremendous series in SL.

It is also time for Jamsheed to make his test debut.

Instead of Taufeeq?

Yes, Taufeeq hasn't done much since his double century vs SL in 2011. More importantly Jamsheed is too good to not be given a chance.

PlanetPakistan wrote:Adnan's keeping has been quite impressive so he should continue to play despite him not being a good batsman.

an adenoid problem

Faisal Iqbal is once again selected....

Now that is funny.

I would have selected Adnan over Sarfraz but it seems the selectors want a better batsman instead of a Keeper( Bad idea)

Irfan- Brilliant selection
Ehsan Adil- Solid youngster
Haris Sohail- Saw him bat once and he looked rubbish in seaming conditions

This has to be the first time since 2003-04 that NONE of the Akmals have been selected for a PAK squad.

Adnan Akmal dropped because he isn't fit according to the selectors

This seems to suggest the opposite...
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/597565.html

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-domestic-2012/engine/current/match/597573.html


Also, there is no news of him picking an injury during these games.

I think i get it

Faisal Iqbal is a solid fielder so may be he is picked as a substitute fielder.

PlanetPakistan wrote:This has to be the first time since 2003-04 that NONE of the Akmals have been selected for a PAK squad.

The Pak squad has changed bookies?

Faisal Iqbal? FFS.

So it is becoming clear that the selectors were asked to select Sarfraz for non cricketing reasons. I guess same can be said about Faisal Iqbal but that issue hasn't been brought up yet.

Only one wicketkeeper in Pakistan's test squad? That's extremely risky.

Umar Akmal top scored in the president's cup final today, in the match last week he scored 107 against Faisalabad.

It is amazing how Faisal Iqbal can be in the team ahead of Umar, it really is total nonsense.

At least Irfan and Ehsan Adil are on the tour

Yes, Irfan was an excellent selection for the tour of India and is a good gamble for SA as well. Also happy they went for a young pace bowler(Adil) instead of Sami

What's Adil like, PP? Is he FAST?

Well last year i saw him bowl a few overs during the U19 world cup and he wasn't overly impressive. He is a tall, skinny bowler who bowls at around 130-135 KPH and tries to bowl in the "right area" so not overly exciting.
The other pace bowler from Vehari named Zia Ul Haq was far ahead of Ehsan in the U19 world cup but Ehsan has some how managed to pick more wickets in the FC season so far.