Pakistan without Shoaib Akhtar and Asif

[PNTGlobal]

What in your opinion will be impact on Pakistani team wihtout Shoaib Akhtar and Asif. Do you PCB should give chance to Sami ?

 

[Sureshot]

If they play us then I'd love them too.

There might be a thread on this, not sure though.

 

[JamesyJames3]

It's going to have a major impact on Pakistan. Their bowling will be very weak, especially with Rana out of form. Gul is going to have to take on a big work load and step up if they are to have any success.

 

[Dare]

well before the two were banned they were the team alot of people favoured to win the world cup now people are not giving them a chance. for the series against the Windies it might have a big impact, depends how Kaneria and Gul bowl since Kaneria does really good on Pak pitches. and as for Sami im not really sure he is only 25 might still have somthing left in him but i would rather give a chance to one of the paceman from their under 19 team that won the world cup this year.

 

[F4rrukh]

yes.. it will be very hard for Pakistan now, a big challenge for gul and sami if he comes back..

 

[Afridi no 1]

i think sami should come back... if he doesnt come then it would be a tough challenge for Gul.....

 

[SaiSrini]

I think Pakistan are deflated right now with the banning of Akthar and Asif. Esp. without Asif who has been a top bowler in recent times. they need their other fast bowlers to come to the party. but it would be tough for them to find a guy like akthar and asif before the world cup. its going to be a challenge for pakistan, an enormous one!

 

[angryangy]

Shabbir Ahmed's ban finishes in December, if he has got his action legal, he would be very handy, perhaps even capable of leading an attack.

It's a long shot, but the once renowned Saqlain Mushtaq is not yet 30, with many potential years of service left in him. If the PCB could realise that they need to look at strike bowlers of any sort now, turning to such a former champion could well be the answer. 'Rebuilding' might be the buzz word, but you can't develop youth without a bit of experience to guide them.

 

[nightprowler10]

Good point about Saqlain. The last management used Miandad and Saqlain as scapegoats for Pakistan's mediocre performance against India in 2004, hopefully someone will remind this management of this absolute gem of a bowler whom we threw away like a piece of trash.

 

[m_vaughan]

Dunno about Saqlain, I thought his decline was rather too sudden and surprising. But he dint impress me at all in the 2004 series. I have the same feelings about Sami.

As far as missing Akhtar and Asif is concerned, I think its better Pakistan put the issue behind them. Akhtar's career is most probably over, but Asif will come back in a year's time. But in the mean time, the likes of Gul, Razzaq, Rana etc. have shoulder some additional responsibility, and something that might make them improve as a bowler.

 

[Dare]

well both Saqlain and Mushy should get a chance, Saqlain hasnt been performing but he is younger while Mushy is 36 i belive but he has been one of the best bowlers in english county for last couple of years. but i still think that Anwar and that other opening bowler from the under 19 world cup team should get a chance, Anwar can really swing the ball.

 

[nightprowler10]

Dunno about Saqlain, I thought his decline was rather too sudden and surprising. But he dint impress me at all in the 2004 series.

Yes he was pretty much crap in the 2004 series but really, that was the only bad series he had, and then he was suddenly dropped. He was averaging under 30 even up to that point.

 

[Pak_cricketer]

Saqlain averages 22 in ODI's which isn't bad at all for a spinner.