The national selection committee named eight batsmen, a wicket-keeper and seven bowlers for the event to be played in England next month. The veteran Younis Khan, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi were the most notable exclusions from the squad.

Of the squad, former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad had recently said that keeping the team’s recent performances in South Africa in mind, the selectors should have inducted one more batsman instead of packing it with five pace bowlers.

Meanwhile, former batsman and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed had gone as far as saying, “To me, and to a lot of people who understand the game and the conditions in England, this is the most unbalanced squad ever selected for tour of England. If one looks at the composition of the squad it has three openers in Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat and Nasir Jamshed, only two genuine batsmen in Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq, a wicket-keeper batsman in Kamran Akmal who is clearly on a decline, a struggling all-rounder in Shoaib Malik.”

But Qasim was quick to reiterate that there had been quite a lot of thought put into selecting the squad.

“I think it is a well balanced combination. We’ve got experienced batsmen along with youngsters and same in bowling,” the chief selector told APP prior to his departure to Islamabad to attend Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Governing Board meeting on Tuesday.

Captain Misbah-ul Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Imran Farhat, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, and the talented southpaw Umar Amin are the names Pakistan will pick from when deciding on its batting order and Qasim believes the final XI will wear a very balanced look despite the inclusion of flagging veterans Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik.

“We have selected Malik and Kamran on the basis of their experience and past track record with consent of the skipper and chief coach,” he said.

Pakistan are drawn in Group B alongside arch-rivals India, the West Indies and South Africa. They play the West Indies at The Oval, London on June 7 before squaring off with South Africa (June 10) and India (June 15).

Defending champions Australia, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand form Group A.

The squad will also play two one-day matches each against Ireland and Scotland in May before the Trophy.

Pakistan’s batting revolves around Mohammed Hafeez, Younis Khan and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and the trio will have to make good of their experience. -File photo

The first hurdle for the Pakistanis on this challenging tour of South Africa will be to adjust themselves on the hard and bouncy pitches — which is what professionalism is all about.

Whether it is a bouncy track, a seaming one, spinning or double-pace, a good batsman should perform in any condition. Gone are the days when batsmen used to hide behind excuses like weather, pitch and umpiring for their failure.

Pakistan’s recent victories have all come in almost similar conditions like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Sri Lanka and India. South Africa, however, offers a considerably sterner challenge for the tourists, especially keeping in mind the current form of the Proteas who are ranked as top team in the world, and the fact that they will be playing in their own backyard

When Misbah-ul-Haq’s men whitewashed England 3-0 in the UAE in Tests, it was mainly due to some magnificent bowling by wily spin twins Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.

And yet, it was a different story in ODI and T20 matches that followed as England batsmen countered the Ajmal-Rahman duo by cleverly changing their strategy. Rather than playing the lethal Pakistan spinners from within the crease, Andrew Strauss and company frequently used their feet to nullify the threat, especially left-handers in the English side.

One is also reminded of the great Michael Hussey blitz in World T20 semis that took the game away from Pakistan in Ajmal’s last over and the recent onslaught by India’s Yuvraj Singh against the same bowler.

In that backdrop, I will suggest that Ajmal bowls over the wicket to the left-handers in South Africa including their tail-enders.

When he bowls round-the-wicket to left-handers, Ajmal’s ‘doosra’ becomes simple off-spin for them and they are able to play it with ease.

If we compare the batting line-ups of both the teams, the hosts clearly have an edge due to their top five experienced players including Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacque Kallis, A.B De Villiers and Alviro Peterson.

In contrast, the Pakistan batting revolves around Mohammed Hafeez, Younis Khan and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq backed by talented but inexperienced Nasir Jamshed, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Haris Sohail who are yet to be fully tested in world cricket.

But yes, Pakistan has a definite edge over South Africa in the spin department as we have the services of world’s best spinners in Ajmal, Rehman and Hafeez who are capable of running through any top-class side and are sure to trouble the South African batsmen in the three-Test series.

In comparison, South Africa entirely relies on its fearsome pace attack spearheaded by the world’s best bowler Dale Steyn and well supported by tall Morne Morkel and lethal Vernon Philander who has terrorised the best of the batsmen in recent months with his nagging length and swing.

Pakistani-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who has been inducted into the SA squad at the last minute due to an injury to left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, is unlikely to pose much problems to our players due to lack of variety in his bowling.

I must admit here that I am eager to watch beanpole pacer Mohammad Irfan in action at Johannesburg and other venues which are known to be bouncy tracks. However, Irfan must carefully guard against any injury in the series because his previous record shows that he is prone to breaking down in key matches.

Much is also expected of the ever-improving Junaid Khan and workhorse Umar Gul and if they are firing on all cylinders, Pakistan can really make it a contest.

It will be gross injustice on my part not to praise skipper Misbah and team manager Naved Akram Cheema for their mature, even-handed approach in dealing with the players tour after tour.

It has been a most difficult task for them, I am sure, but they have done their job impeccably to guide the team to several fine victories and, more importantly, keeping the unwanted controversies at bay.

And lastly, my humble advice to the management committee is to always field your best eleven in every match which is key to any team’s performance.

I wish all the best to our team for the tough assignment ahead and would like to tell them that they will have nothing to fear if they have the concentration and application of a Hanif Mohammad and the determination and never-say-die attitude of an Imran Khan.

The writer is a former Test cricketer and chief selector

“The objective is to help my team, and the style is to play hard.” -Photo by AFP

Pakistan’s emerging batting talent Nasir Jamshed has termed the tour of South Africa his first real test and says he is ‘desperate’ to face the best bowling attack in cricket.

Jamshed, largely seen as an ODI specialist, earned a spot in Pakistan’s Test line up after a brilliant run in the T20 and ODI series against India recently, his ability to hold fort in those high-pressure fixtures giving the selectors hope that the 23-year-old will replicate his form in the five-day game.

Taking confidence from those performances, Jamshed feels he’s ready for the challenge of Test cricket, if and when the opportunity comes.

“Test cricket is what every player dreams about. I have done well in limited-overs cricket so far, and I’m ready for the Test challenge. As a batsman, adapting to a lengthy format isn’t a big thing. I have all the strokes and am working on my defence to make it more sound. Test cricket requires a lot of mental strength and fitness. I can’t claim to have achieved these but I am improving,” Jamshed said in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.

“In India, where conditions are never easy, my target was to stay at the crease throughout the 50 overs. It tested my temperament and fitness, but when you have settled, you start enjoying it. Now I can easily shift gears to Test cricket.”

If picked ahead of regular Test opener Taufeeq Umar, Jamshed will not only face the challenge of the top fast bowling attack in the world but also completely alien conditions. The bulky left-hander, never one to run away from a contest, is, however, relishing the upcoming battle.

“There is a big gap between an average player and a world-class player. A world-class player can adapt himself to any condition within no time. I haven’t played outside the subcontinent so far in my career, so I am yet to face a tough bowler. The South Africa series, without a doubt, will be my first real test. I am prepared to face the world-class bowlers in their backyard. They are the No. 1 team, have the best fast bowlers, and I am desperate to face them.”

Jamshed’s addition in the Test side will give captain Misbah-ul-Haq and the team management some selection headaches with the Pakistan line up boasting of Taufiq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq in the batting order. Whether the solid youngster finds a slot in the playing XI it remains to be seen but he is confident about his prospects whenever the opportunity comes to don the whites.

“It took time, but I am now an improved batsman, and the process of learning never stops…As an opener my role is clear: to score runs. The objective is to help my team, and the style is to play hard.”

Will Pakistan pick Jamshed or Taufeeq or both? -Photo by AFP

In-form left-handed opener Nasir Jamshed, pacers Mohammad Irfan and Ehsan Adil and Haris Sohail are the fresh inclusions to a Pakistan Test side that is a mix of a few veterans, some tried and tested names making comebacks and several who have cemented their places in the transitional phase that squad recently went through.

With Jamshed’s recent run in India, the temptation to play him will be great but as an opener, the two men he could possibly replace are Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez. Hafeez’s ability with the ball gives him an added advantage but Taufeeq has also been consistent ever since making a comeback to the Test side in 2010 after a gap of almost four years.

There is a possibility of Hafeez moving down and taking the gamble of putting Taufeeq behind the stumps, the latter unlikely to happen on such a challenging tour, but clearly Jamshed’s inclusion could give Pakistan some much-needed impetus at the top.

Sarfraz Ahmed will look to cement his place after already having received several chances but Adnan Akmal’s omission comes as a surprise keeping in mind his stable performances.

Irfan and Adil’s addition to the pace attack will excite Pakistan fans and together with Junaid Khan, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman they should give the Pakistan management some selection headaches before the first Tests starts.

HAVE YOUR SAY:

What will your final XI be out of the names below? Do you agree with the squad picked and who do you think has missed out on a deserving spot?

Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Haris Sohail, Faisal Iqbal, Taufeeq Umar

Asad Shafiq will not be in consideration for the ODI and T20 squads for India. – File photo by AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq’s inclusion in the limited-overs squads for India became doubtful after he sustained an injury during a domestic Twenty20 tournament in Lahore, DawnNews reported on Friday.

Shafiq, who was representing Karachi Dolphins in the country’s premier T20 competition, injured the middle finger of his left hand while fielding during a match against Bahawalpur Stags on Monday.

The injury was confirmed after he underwent scans on his left hand and has been ordered a four-week rest by doctors, a DawnNews report said.

The 26-year-old batsman from Karachi is the second player to have been ruled out of the India tour, with all-rounder Abdul Razzaq earlier being declared unfit by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) medical board.

The PCB’s selection committee is expected to announce the one-day international and Twenty20 squads for the Indian tour on Saturday.

Despite the loss there was much to cheer for Pakistan. Foremost amongst them was the emergence of Junaid Khan as the potential leader of the pace attack. He had hinted at doing exactly that during an injury-ravaged second half of 2011, but a series in which he took 14 wickets at under 22 could be the signal of him accepting the responsibility that so many before him have failed to grasp at. Much has been made of how good, statistically, his start has been in Test cricket (after eight Tests he has 27 wickets; by comparison Aamer had 21 wickets at the same stage, while Wasim Akram had 28). But his excellence goes beyond just numbers. His bowling on the fourth day of the second Test – on a track as dead as the parrot John Cleese once held – was reminiscent of Shoaib Akhtar of yore, bowling full pelt on a wicket that offered him nothing. For a Pakistani pace attack, bereft of life – how else to explain the continuing existence of Mohammad Sami – one series loss must surely be worth the potential Junaid showed.

The positivity was not restricted to the bowling, though. This series offered proof of the continued significance of Azhar Ali – who is slowly becoming the man around whom this batting order is to be built. Azhar’s virtues – patience, hard-work, decision making and sheer bloody mindedness – are not what the average Pakistani fan romanticises about. But his record and his performances are silencing his doubters one at a time. Since his debut, in July 2010, only Kumar Sangakkara has faced more balls than him in Test cricket. But he is no Mudassar Nazar – a man who seemed to believe that his role as a batsman was to drive the bowlers and the spectators mad, rather than score runs. After 24 Tests, he has scored more runs than any of the trio that formed Pakistan’s greatest ever middle order (Inzamam, Yousuf and Younis) had scored at the same stage in their careers. Azhar’s posters may not adorn many bedroom walls, but his value as the lynchpin for Team Misbah cannot be underestimated.

Still though, Azhar has needed support. The drops in the form of the team’s senior citizens this year has been stark – Misbah’s average from 2011 to 2012 has fallen from 70 to 42, Younis’ corresponding figures are 85 and 36. At the end of last year, it would have been difficult to place your bets on Asad Shafiq to provide that support. He had averaged under 40 over the calendar year, and going into the England series had only two 50+ innings in 15 innings; all this despite the inflation provided by a tour of Bangladesh. The faith that had been given to him – something that has often been denied to many of his contemporaries and predecessors – seemed misplaced. But Asad Shafiq walked into last chance saloon and emerged victorious. He continued the theme of aborted starts in the England series, but his 40s and 50s had far more bearing on the games, in a low scoring series, than they had had previously. He has followed that with the Sri Lankan series where he has averaged over 60, and had three 50+ scores in five innings. It is going to be interesting to see whether this is the beginning of a purple patch or another file to be placed into the cabinet titled ‘Pakistani false dawns.’ Considering the application that has been used in many of the innings, the latter might be a safer bet.

But this is Pakistan, lest we forget. To wager on the future of the national team is as good an investment as a wishing well. Three years ago, Pakistan went to Sri Lanka with a similarly rejuvenated team – a team, and a captain, that had just captured the World T20 title. Pakistan lost the series by a score-line which was harsh to them. The captain would not play another Test match for 15 months. The best batsman in the series would play only one match after it. There were a multitude of reasons for why Younis Khan and Fawad Alam were ostracised in the aftermath of that tour – but few which could’ve been predicted when that tour finished.

So, as always, it would be idiotic to predict – or expect – anything with regard to the Pakistan team. Much more logical to stay on the bandwagon and see where it goes.

The writer is a sports nerd, and does not believe that opinions other than his own are valid. He can be found presenting his opinions as fact on his blog.

The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.

‘My performance has made me more aware of my role besides giving me a clearer idea as to what I could achieve in the future.’ -Photo by AFP

KARACHI: Emphasising that a string of impressive outings with the bat in the recently concluded series in Sri Lanka has boosted his confidence level, promising Pakistan Test batsman Asad Shafiq says that giving match-winning performances for the country in the long run remains his ambition.

“The century in the final Test [in Pallekele], the second of my career, under testing circumstances has enhanced my self-belief and this confidence should help me in doing well in the coming matches,” Asad said while talking to Dawn on Monday.

“My batting performance in Sri Lanka has made me more aware of my role besides giving me a clearer idea as to what I could achieve in the future. While seeking to learn further from mistakes I look forward to improvement for future contests,” the soft-spoken 26-year-old added.

The right-handed middle-order batsman, when asked to comment specifically on his man-of-the-match feat in the final Test, attributed the second-innings century to the first-innings knock of 75.

“The first-innings effort lifted my spirits and it really helped me reach the three-figure mark in the second innings,” Asad, who has played 16 Tests so far, remarked.

The player, who amassed 257 runs at a healthy-looking 64.25 in the recent Sri Lanka Test series, was absolutely satisfied when his view was sought on his number six batting position. “The decision regarding batting position is the prerogative of the team management, and moreover I am also totally comfortable with my batting spot.”

When reminded that he averages an impressive 42.57 in Tests but not-so-attractive 29.92 in 32 One-day Internationals, Asad acknowledged he required to make ground in ODIs, adding he was working hard on it.

Asad, who made his Test debut against South Africa in November 2010 at Abu Dhabi, asserted that he always believed in playing according to the demand of the conditions. “I always seek to adjust according to the distinct requirements of Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s and try to give my best in all of them.”

Asad commended Azhar Ali, another richly-talented young batsman in Pakistan line-up who has already made his mark in Test cricket with some high class innings. “Azhar has been phenomenal with the bat, and played magnificently in Sri Lanka. I have good understanding with him and it certainly helps both of us in building partnerships in the middle order.”

Asad reckoned that credit for his emergence as one of Pakistan’s prominent young cricketers could not be given to any one individual. “Captain, coach, senior players and my relatives, all encouraged and helped me reach this stage.”

Insisting physical fitness was crucial to extending his international career, Asad said he was anticipating a tough limited-overs series against Australia in the UAE.

“Considering it will be the last competition for us before the World Twenty20, the Australia series is very important for us,” he said.

Asad Shafiq. -Photo by AP

KARACHI: Diminutive Pakistan Test batsman Asad Shafiq is set to make a rare appearance on the local club scene when he turns out for the star-studded Pakistan CC in the final of the KCCA Abdul Dyer Cup Inter-club cricket tournament against Nazimabad Gymkhana at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium here on Wednesday.

Apart from Asad, who topped the batting averages in the recent Test series in Sri Lanka, Pakistan CC — arguably the strongest side at this level with numerous titles already under their belt — also boast of national team’s limited-overs wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed and hard-hitting batsman Rameez Raja in addition to a number of talented players in their line-up.

Nazimabad Gymkhana, in sharp contrast, may be lacking star names but are capable of surprising their fancied opponents.

The final will be graced by former head of the PCB’s national selection committee Salahuddin Ahmed, who will be the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony at 4:30pm, according to KCCA tournament secretary Touseef Siddiqui.

Teams (from):
Pakistan CC: Adnan Kaleem (captain), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Rameez Raja, Shaharyar Ghani, Fazal Subhan, Faraz Ahmed Khan, Javed Mansoor, Fakhar Zaman, Rumman Raees Khan, Rizwan Khan, Nauman Alvi, Babar Aga, Anwar Ali, Ali Asad, Fawad Khan, Shan Masood.

Nazimabad Gymkhana: Owais Ahmed Rehmani (captain), Farhan Iqbal, Faraz Patel, Mansoor Ahmed, Iqbal Shaikh, Junaid Naeem, Zakir Malik, Zaheer Abbas, Mirza Shoaib, Sheroze Sanaullah, Imran Ali, Shahid Ayub, Talha Butt, Mohammad Sikander, Ali Mudassar, Athar Abid, Mohammad Sufyan, Nawaz Khan, Saif Ashraf.

“The Test defeat was also unfortunate. But the performance of young players like Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Junaid Khan assured Pakistan has a good future.” -File photo

LAHORE: Captain Misbah-ul-Haq Saturday said Pakistan’s future was secure with the emergence of promising young players despite losing the Test and one-day series on their tour of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan lost the five-match one-day series 3-1 and three-Tests 1-0 on the tour which ended on Thursday. They levelled a two-match Twenty20 series 1-1.

The Test defeat ended Pakistan’s unbeaten run of seven series since losing to England on the 2010 tour which was marred by spot-fixing allegations in the Lord’s Test.

That unbeaten streak also included a 3-0 whitewash of world number one Test team England earlier this year.

Misbah, who captained Pakistan since their defeat against England in 2010, deplored the defeats on the Sri Lanka tour.

“Defeats in the one-days and Tests are disappointing,” Misbah told reporters on the team’s return home Saturday.

“We could have won the one-day series but our fielding let us down in the last two matches.”

Pakistan hired former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore as head coach and Englishman Julien Fountain as fielding coach earlier this year, but their fielding has still been a gray area.

“The Test defeat was also unfortunate. But the performance of young players like Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Junaid Khan assured Pakistan has a good future,” said Misbah.

“Our junior players did very well in the Tests. Ali, Shafiq and Junaid have done well in the series and with their performance we can say that our future is secure,” said Misbah.

“In difficult situations these players performed well for us. The way Adnan Akmal played (in Pallekele Test) with a fractured finger is a good sign. Junaid is a big plus.”

Ali scored two hundreds in the Tests, while Shafiq hit a match-saving century in the final Test at Pallekele which ended in a draw.

Sri Lanka won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs while the rain-hit second Test in Colombo also ended without a result.

Left-arm paceman Junaid took 14 wickets in the three Tests, including five-wickets hauls in the second and third Tests.

Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez said team’s loss in the first T20 match was due to inexperience.

“We had a number of new players in the Twenty20 so the first match was lost because of inexperience but we came back well to win the second game,” said Hafeez.

Azhar Ali top-scored with 136 off 284 balls. -Photo by AFP

PALLEKELE: Pakistan’s Azhar Ali smashed a second century in successive matches on Wednesday to leave the final Test against Sri Lanka poised for an intriguing finish.

Azhar made 136 as Pakistan wriggled out of a corner to post 299-8 in their second innings by stumps on the fourth day in Pallekele, a lead of 188 runs with two wickets in hand.

The tourists now have three sessions on the fifth day to conjure a series-levelling win on a wearing pitch that will offer some turn to prolific off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

But Sri Lanka remain favourites to win or draw the match and clinch their first series victory in three years since beating New Zealand at home in 2009.

The hosts won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs before the second in Colombo was drawn.

Sri Lanka’s South African coach Graham Ford conceded it was hard to predict how the Test will end.

“The way it has swayed back and forth over the four days, I don’t think anyone can say what will happen tomorrow,” said Ford.

“The game is still pretty much even. Pakistan has a very good attack but we too will be confident of doing well on the last day. This is what makes Test cricket so
exciting.”

Azhar, who made 157 in the Colombo Test, held the innings together for six hours, hitting 13 boundaries in his fourth Test century and the third this year.

The 27-year-old put on 94 for the second wicket with his overnight partner Mohammad Hafeez and 48 for the third with Younis Khan after Pakistan resumed the day at 27-1.

But the most crucial partnership came towards the end of the day when Asad Shafiq (55 not out) helped Azhar add 100 for the fifth wicket after Younis and skipper Misbah-ul Haq had departed quickly.

Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath sparked a lower order collapse in the final hour as Pakistan slipped from a comfortable 276-4 to 299-8.

Fernando had Azhar caught behind and then claimed his 100th Test wicket by trapping Mohammad Sami leg-before.

Herath claimed Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal leg-before, but Shafiq saw out the day for Pakistan in the company of Adnan Akmal, who batted despite a hairline fracture in his left hand.

“It was disappointing to get out because Asad and myself had decided to see out the day,” said Azhar.

“But I am happy to get another century. I have batted well this year and want to make good use of my form.”

Azhar did not rule out a Pakistan win on Thursday.

“We have the bowlers to do the job for us,” he said.

“I think the total we have is good enough to defend.

“The wicket has slowed down, but there is still something in it for the bowlers.”

Hafeez, who also hit a century in Colombo, made 52 when he was dismissed just before lunch with Pakistan two runs away from wiping out the first innings deficit of 111 runs.

The Pakistan vice-captain edged a wild drive off Fernando to Tharanga Paranavitana in the slips.

Pakistan went to lunch at 119-2, in front by eight runs, after Younis had given his team the lead by tapping Angelo Mathews for a single to point.

Herath dismissed both Younis and Misbah and ended the day with 4-64.

Fernando finished with 3-65.