Pakistan have vast pool to choose from for SA tour

KARACHI: Pakistani officials will be facing selection headaches when they sit down next week to finalise their squad for the tour of South Africa.
Unlike the situation before Pakistan’s previous away tour ñ against England this summer ñ it is not an issue of unavailability of players but stems from the fact that they have a vast pool to choose from.
With the expected return of fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Shabbir Ahmed, Pakistan have received a huge boost ahead of next month’s series against South Africa that is expected to be played on pace-friendly strips.
Shoaib and Asif, who missed the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy after failing a dope test in October, made them themselves eligible for selection after successfully appealing against doping bans earlier this month.
Medium pacer Shabbir Ahmed’s one-year ban for illegal bowling action ended on Tuesday and he is now expected to be cleared by the ICC following positive reports on his action by biomechanics experts.
In the absence of the pace trio, several other fast bowlers, especially the young Umar Gul, made an impact while playing for the national team. The talented medium pacer was Pakistan’s most successful bowler this year and has consolidated his place in the Test line-up. Even if Shoaib and Asif return, he will certainly find a place in the squad for South Africa.
Medium pacer Shahid Nazir, brought back from international wilderness, also made full use of the surprise opportunity and bowled well in England and later on flat tracks at home.
With a performance in the one-dayers against the West Indies earlier this month that earned him the man-of-the-series award, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan is also back in business.
The medium pacer had been suffering from a lean patch since making his international comeback in September following a groin injury.
Mohammad Sami, generally regarded as an under-achiever, also came across as an improved bowler when he played in a couple of one-day games against the West Indies and should be in contention for a Test return after a forgettable summer in England.
“It is great to see that for a change we have so many bowlers to choose from,” says chief selector Wasim Bari. “But in the meantime, it also makes things tough for us,” he explains.
Bari agrees that Pakistan will choose a pace-oriented attack for South Africa but said that the touring party will only be finalised next week after getting input from the team management.
Pakistan also face a tricky question whether they can choose a second string specialist spinner for the tour following the successful debut of Abdul Rehman. The left-arm spinner is now in the run for a Test spot along with Danish Kaneria. Then in batting, opener Yasir Hameed showed he is in prolific form with a couple of good outings against Brian Lara’s men. He could find a place in the squad as cover for Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat ñ the two batsmen who have become Pakistan’s regular openers in recent months.
Bari and company will also discuss the selection of a substitute wicket-keeper for the tour that comes just ahead of next March’s World Cup in the West Indies.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer has supported the idea of keeping two wicket-keepers in the squad just in case regular gloveman Kamran Akmal suffers any last minute fitness problems before the World Cup.
Pakistan have included ‘A’ team wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider in their 25-man preliminary squad for the tour of South Africa.
Pakistan’s expected Test line-up: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Sami, Shahid Nazir, Danish Kaneria.