Rao Iftikhar likely to play final ODI

Ken Borland

February 13, 2007

Rao Iftikhar Anjum: all set to play at the Wanderers © Getty Images

Rao Iftikhar Anjum, one of several back-up seamers called to South Africa during Pakistan's troubled tour, looks set to get the call-up into the starting XI for the final one-day international at the Wanderers on Wednesday.

It is to Inform you that the Live Scores-5th ODI Pakistan VS SouthAfrica will be Available here.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, hinted on the eve of the game at "two or three changes" to their side for a match they must win to level the series 2-2, one game having been washed out by rain. While he wasn't entirely forthcoming on some of the other changes, he was pretty direct when it came to the inclusion of Anjum, the 26-year-old swing bowler from Islamabad.

"Rao Iftikhar will definitely be given a chance, in the last year he has bowled very well," Inzamam said ahead of the team's final practice session. Rao Iftikhar could come in for Mohammad Asif, who is suffering from an elbow problem and should be rested lest he tear a ligament there ahead of a World Cup in which he will be a key bowler for Pakistan. That could mean a reprieve for Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. He has had a torrid time in the series but he will play unless Mohammad Sami recovers from his back strain.

Kamran Akmal is another player who has had a miserable series opening the batting, and he could be moved down the order with Imran Nazir and Shoaib Malik opening the batting. While Inzamam was talking about "hard work", "seeing and learning from our mistakes" and "taking responsibility" as being necessary if Pakistan were to recover from their ten-wicket mauling in Cape Town, South Africa were not taking their cushy position for granted.

"This is a pressure game for us because we really want to win the series, so that means it's like a final," Shaun Pollock said. "We are really motivated because if we lose we don't win the series."

Pollock did not agree that Pakistan were dead and buried after South Africa's bloodless coup at Newlands last weekend, in which they achieved victory with 36 overs to spare. "They have some very dangerous match-winners and some amazing talent. If they click as a unit, they will be very difficult to beat," Pollock cautioned. "But the results will look after themselves if we make sure we are on top of our game, we know our game plan and we use it to put pressure on them.

"The team is looking good, well-balanced, and everybody knows their roles. We have the talent and ability to do well, whether we need to chase 430 or bowl sides out cheaply. We just have to make sure the right South African team turns up on the day."

Ken Borland is a journalist with the MWP Sports Agency in South Africa.

© Cricinfo

Pakistan recall stars to face SA

One-day international, Centurion:
South Africa v Pakistan
Match starts 0800 GMT Sunday

South Africa and Pakistan will ring the changes for the opening game in their best of five one-day series in Centurion on Sunday.

Key players from both sides sat out Friday's Twenty20 game, which the home side won by 10 wickets.

Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq faces a pre-match check on a back problem.

But the tourists look certain to recall new ball bowler Mohammad Asif, who took 19 wickets in the recent Test series, and batsman Mohammad Yousuf.

South Africa, meanwhile, will be reinforced by the return of Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel.

They have won 11 out of 16 previous one-dayers against Pakistan on home soil and having dominated India last December, will be looking to repeat that form just six weeks ahead of the World Cup.

But Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan has played down the significance of the Twenty20 result.

"We had new boys in the team who are not used to playing in South Africa," he said.

---

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Kallis, Loots Bosman, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andrè Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Roger Telemachus.

Pakistan (from): Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Imran Nazir, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Zulqarnain Haider, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Asif, Abdul Rehman, Shabbir Ahmed, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Sami.

Smith hails South Africa display

Captain Graeme Smith hailed South Africa's "fantastic" effort as they thrashed Pakistan by 10 wickets in their Twenty20 game in Johannesburg.

Smith blasted 71 off 40 balls and Loots Bosman 53 off 32 after their bowler restricted the tourists to only 129-8.

"It was a fantastic day, we bowled well and finished the game well," he said.

"There was a bit in the wicket with the new ball and we bowled superbly with it. We got out of it what we needed to and Loots and myself had a bit of fun."

The Proteas won with a remarkable 51 balls to spare after Smith and Bosman established a world record for any partnership in Twenty20 cricket.

The openers hit six sixes between them and the skipper added: "There was a short boundary on one side and we were trying to cash in on that.

"The one-day series will be totally different"

Younis Khan

"Loots got the momentum started and I just carried it on."

Pakistan were without regular skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq (back) and stand-in captain Younis Khan said the team's confidence would not be shaken ahead of Sunday's first ODI in Centurion.

"Whenever we play like that it hardens us and makes us more motivated," he explained. "The one-day series will be totally different.

"If we had got a score of 170-plus that would have been a good target but we've just come into this from a Test series.

"This wicket was a lot different and some of the guys had just come from Pakistan and are not used to these wickets.

"But this was good for them before the first one-dayer, we've had a wake-up call."

Ntini savours 300-wicket landmark

South Africa paceman Makhaya Ntini was delighted to record his 300th Test wicket before his home supporters.

Ntini, in his 74th Test, said: "It's been a marvellous day, to take my 300th wicket at home was great.

"Not all of us get to do that. It means more than anything to do it in front of your own people, in that atmosphere."

South Africa are 26 behind at 115-3 but Ntini is hopeful, adding: "The wicket is an absolute belter, once you get in, there is nothing the bowler can do."

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Imran Farhat was cleared of breaching the International Cricket Council's code of conduct for claiming a catch off Ashwell Prince that television replays showed had bounced.

"The umpires got together and watched the replays of the incident, and decided that the fielder should have known the ball had bounced," match referee Chris Broad said.

"I felt that until they had seen the slow motion replay no-one had questioned whether the ball had bounced. There was no blame laid at the fielder's door."

Live Scores-2nd test pakistan Vs southafrica(day 2)Stumps

19-01-2007 at Port Elizabeth, Day 2 of 5
Close
South Africa won the toss and decided to bat
South Africa 1st Innings
124 all out (40.0 overs)
Pakistan 1st Innings
265 all out (76.0 overs)
South Africa 2nd Innings
115 for 3 (52.0 overs)



Click here to see the previous Scorecard
Umpires: B R Doctrove, P D Parker
South Africa: G C Smith, A B de Villiers, H M Amla, J H Kallis, H H Gibbs, A G Prince, M V Boucher, S M Pollock, P L Harris, A Nel, M Ntini
Pakistan: Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif
South Africa 2nd Innings
115 for 3 (52.0 overs)

Shoaib shines as wickets tumble

Second Test, Port Elizabeth, day one (stumps):
South Africa 124 v Pakistan 135-6
Live Scores:
Shoaib Akhtar marked his Test comeback with four wickets but fellow paceman Makhaya Ntini helped South Africa fight back on day one of the second Test.

Shoaib, back after a drugs ban was lifted, and Danish Kaneria (3-36) helped skittle the Proteas for 124.

Mark Boucher (35), Graeme Smith (28) and Jacques Kallis (24) all failed to capitalise on a blameless surface.

But Ntini (4-18) removed Mohammad Yousuf (32) and Younis Khan (45) as Pakistan finished 11 ahead on 135-6.

It was a frenetic passage of play on a pitch that contained few real terrors.

Shoaib took only three overs to strike in his first Test appearance for 11 months, AB de Villiers under-edging behind in an attempt to pull a ball from outside off-stump.

Hashim Amla quickly followed when he gloved a catch down the leg-side and leg-spinner Kaneria, introduced after only an hour, was soon in on the act.

Skipper Smith greeted his introduction by hitting him over mid-off for four, but his attempt to drive the next ball resulted in a nick which deflected off Kamran Akmal's gloves and looped up for Younis to take at slip.

Ashwell Prince flashed outside off-stump at the recalled Mohammad Sami, having been dropped four balls earlier by wicket-keeper Akmal.
Herschelle Gibbs, available pending an appeal against a two-match ban for making racist comments during the first Test, joined the procession as the hosts went to lunch on 64-5.

He was lbw sweeping at Kaneria for two after being dropped by Akmal the previous delivery and Pakistan struck a big blow soon after the resumption.

Kallis was undone by a beauty from Shoaib which was angled in and straightened to find the edge and Shaun Pollock lazily flicked a leg-stump half-volley from the "Rawalpindi Express" to square-leg to make it 89-7.

Boucher attacked with three fours and a swept six off Kaneria but he perished trying a repeat, while Mohammd Asif (2-34) polished off the tail.

Ntini recovered some ground for South Africa when Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed were caught at third slip and Mohammad Hafeez miscued a pull to leave Pakistan on 19-3.

Yousuf - Test cricket's leading run-scorer in 2006 - looked in the mood for another big innings as he launched several sumptuous drives.

It took a debatable lbw decision, when Pollock swung the ball back into the right-hander, to end that prospect and a stand of 60 with Younis.

The aggressive Akmal (33) was fortunate to survive a caught-behind appeal from Andre Nel on 28.

But after a stand of 56 Younis edged a snorter from Ntini to gully and Akmal hooked Nel to deep square-leg to provide a final twist to a day of mayhem.

Full hour show required to win over SA at Port Elizabeth: Woolmer

PORT ELIZABETH: Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer has said that Inzamam's squad will have to give 100 per cent of their abilities to win the second Test to played here from Friday against South Africa.

Pakistan squad practised here at St Georges Park Stadium for three hours on Wednesday. Un-fit pacer Umer Gul bowled only nine over and speed-star Shoaib Akhtar bowled in full rhythm. Woolmer said that Gul's injury did not bother him much during the match practice while his inclusion in the possible team for second Test will be announced on Friday morning.

Woolmer added that Muhammad Sami would play if Umer Gul's injury remained uncured.

scorecard-1st test Pak Vs southAfrica(Day 2)

11-01-2007 at Centurion Park, Day 2 of 5
In Play
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat
Pakistan 1st Innings
313 all out (96.5 overs)
South Africa 1st Innings
143 for 4 (44.5 overs)





Umpires: S A Bucknor, B R Doctrove
South Africa: G C Smith, A B de Villiers, H M Amla, J H Kallis, H H Gibbs, A G Prince, M V Boucher, S M Pollock, A Nel, P L Harris, M Ntini
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Nazir, Naved-ul-Hasan, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif

1st Test-Pakistan Vs Southafrica

As u all might be knowing already that the 1st test between pakistan Vs Southafrica will be played today(thursday).The match will start at 1:30pm PST (GMT +5).
Pakistan after reaching Southafrica has faced a lot of pre-match injuries,off which most important one is of Umar gul.He is the main striker and his absence can really affect Paki world-class bowling attack.A lot of Ups and Down are in Pakistan cricket at the moment like always.
Whereas,If we take a look at graeme Smith and his men,they must be very confident after outclassing India in both the ODI's and Tests.Still if they want to win,they'll really have to work hard.u know,cricket is a game of uncertainities:)
SA coach while talking to Internatinal media said that Pakistan will miss there star batsmen Muhammad yousuf-which might not be able to play in the whole series and for sure in the 1st test due to a complicated pregnancy to his wife-but still pakistan's batting is very strong.He said that he can't believe if Shoaib akhtar has been made part of playing XI.
Do remeber to visit my blog on anf after 1:30pm for latest news,stories and match scorecard.I'll try my level best to keep u people informed.
If u ready my posts,please leave your comments.They really appreciate people like me to think of more even.........:)
Related Posts:
First Test between Pakistan VS SouthAfrica
Shoaib ruled out of 1st Test

Pakistan in South Africa 2007

January

6-8 v South Africa A, Kimberley

11-15 1st Test, Centurion

19-23 2nd Test, Port Elizabeth

26-30 3rd Test, Cape Town

February

2 1st ODI, Johannesburg

4 2nd ODI, Centurion

9 3rd ODI, Port Elizabeth

11 4th ODI, Cape Town

14 5th ODI, Durban

Shoaib losing race against time ahead of South Africa tour

KARACHI: The indifferent form of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has alarmed Pakistani cricket authorities since returning to competitive cricket after being controversially cleared of a drug-related ban earlier this month.
Well-placed sources told this correspondent on Sunday that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are double-minded whether to recall Shoaib in their squad for next month’s important tour of South Africa after watching his lacklustre bowling in a few domestic games recently.
It is quite visible that Shoaib, known in the cricket world as the ‘Rawalpindi Express’, is yet to gather pace after missing Pakistan’s last two assignments - the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy and the home series against the West Indies - because of a doping ban.
The world’s fastest bowler turned out to be quite harmless for local cricketers when he starred for Rawalpindi Rams in the ongoing Twenty20 Cup in Karachi.
Shoaib took just one wicket in two matches as his team crashed out of the event at the first hurdle.
Shoaib, 31, also played a four-day Patron’s Trophy game for KRL where he did show some sparks by taking three wickets against WAPDA after going wicketless in the first innings. KRL lost that match.
National selectors have made it clear that Shoaib will have to prove his form and fitness in domestic matches to earn a recall in the Pakistan team for the tour of South Africa. The proof they need, however, is not yet visible.
Now Shoaib has one more platform to show the PCB, national selectors and the Pakistan team management that he is still an asset - a conditioning camp getting underway in Lahore from tomorrow.
The injury-prone Shoaib is a part of a 25-man list of probables, which would form the brief conditioning camp during which Pakistan would pick their squad for the Test series against South Africa getting underway with the first match at Centurion from January 11.
“Shoaib is walking on thin ice,” said an official on the condition of anonymity. “His fitness history is far from encouraging and might become a stumbling block for the bowler’s international return in the current circumstances,” he added.
Shoaib, who has taken 165 wickets from 42 Tests, is one of the several fast bowlers in contention for the tour of South Africa.
They include Mohammad Asif, who was initially banned along with Shoaib for doping last month. Asif has made an effortless return to competitive cricket after being cleared by an appeals committee of any doping offences and is all set to spearhead the Pakistani attack in South Africa.
Then there are more pacers who have shown good form in recent international outings like Umar Gul, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shahid Nazir, Mohammad Sami and the lanky Shabbir Ahmed, who has been allowed to return to international cricket after serving a 12-month ban for an illegal bowling action.
Time is running out for Shoaib as Pakistan are to announce their touring party for South Africa within the next few days. He will have to come out with a convincing display of fast bowling and he will have to do that quickly.

The force is with us, declares Younis Khan

KARACHI: Younis Khan believes next month’s possible comeback of three key fast bowlers including Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif would make Pakistan the best bowling team in the world even ahead of world champions Australia, writes Khalid Hussain.
The Pakistan vice-captain said that his team would gain a huge pace advantage once Shoaib Asif and another previously banned medium pacer Shabbir Ahmed return to international cricket during next month’s tour of South Africa.
“We would have a bowling attack stronger than Australia’s if Shoaib, Asif and Shabbir return to the squad,” Younis told ‘The News’ in an interview here at the National Stadium.
“We are already equipped with some good bowlers but once these three are back our attack would be awesome,” added the prolific middle-order batsman.
Shoaib and Asif are available for selection for the tour of South Africa starting from January 4 after being cleared of doping offences by a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appeals committee earlier this month. The duo was previously banned after testing positive for illegal anabolic steroid nandrolone in October.
Shabbir, also a lethal medium pacer when at his best, was last week cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after serving a 12-month ban for an illegal bowling action. The trio has been included in a list of 25 probables invited for a conditioning camp starting in Lahore from tomorrow in preparation for the tour of South Africa.
“All these three are valuable bowlers for their wicket-taking abilities and you need such players to win Tests against strong opponents,” said Younis who was a part of an under-strength Pakistan team that suffered a 0-3 defeat in a four-Test away series against England this summer.
Pakistan played without the trio which was unavailable either due to injury or suspension for the tour of England. But Younis pointed out that even without them, Pakistan rode on a good showing from pacers Umar Gul, Shahid Nazir, Abdul Razzaq and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria to beat West Indies 2-0 in a home Test series this season.
“The one thing that makes me very optimistic about our team’s future is that bowlers like Umar Gul, Shahid Nazir and Mohammad Sami have been performing impressively in recent times and Rana Naved is also regaining good form,” he remarked.
“I must say that once we have all our pacers ready for national duty we would be better off than even Australia in this department of the game,” he added.
Australia, the number one side in Test and one-day cricket, is widely seen as a team with the world’s most lethal bowling attack that includes two of the world’s top strike bowlers Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
“Nobody can argue that Australia are a great bowling side but I believe, God willing, we are on the way to getting better than them,” he said.
Younis, who has led Peshawar Panthers into the semifinals of the under-progress Twenty20 Cup here, is looking forward to an exciting series against South Africa where Pakistan would play three Tests, five One-day Internationals (ODIs) and a Twenty20 game ahead of next spring’s World Cup in the Caribbean islands.
He believes Pakistan would be in a good position to win the series but was quick to add that the players will have to really apply themselves in what would be demanding playing conditions in South Africa.
“The South Africans are a top side but we are good enough to beat them. By applying ourselves and showing self belief we can do it,” he explained.
Yousuf down played fears that Pakistani batsmen would flop on bouncy South African wickets against some of the world’s most dangerous bowlers on the tour. “The going would be tough but I am confident we would be ready for the challenge,” he said.
Younis said that it is very important for Pakistan to do well in South Africa as it would enhance their confidence before the all-important World Cup.

Naved-ul-Hasan keen to cement Test spot

After a disappointing few months, riddled with injury and poor form, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan is back and he wants more. Some of the ODI form he displayed last year, when he was the second-highest wicket-taker, was evident in his series-winning performance against the West Indies recently. But nailing down a Test place still eludes him, something he hopes to put right on the tour to South Africa.

Naved-ul-Hasan took 11 wickets at under 12 in four matches against the West Indies to win the man-of-the-series award. Four wickets in the final game on a flat pitch at Karachi won him the match award as well. Speaking to Karachi-based daily Dawn, Naved-ul-Hasan said, "Obviously I'm happy to play some part in helping Pakistan win the one-day series but it was a team effort."

One of the reasons Pakistan did so well against the West Indies was their successful shackling of Chris Gayle up the order. Naved-ul-Hasan was instrumental in this, claiming his wicket in every match. But clearly, another left-hander was the prized wicket. "Gayle, no doubt, is a fine player but the bowlers always have a chance against him because he takes too many liberties at the start. But personally, dismissing Brian Lara twice (including first ball dismissal at Lahore) was very satisfying since he's still a great batsman."

The last of his eight Test appearance was against India, at Lahore in January this year, and South Africa offers an opportunity to make up for lost time. "My greatest wish is to play Test cricket because that is something I've not been able to do for almost a year now. I hope luck on that front will change for me on the tour of South Africa."

Naved-ul-Hasan was dropped after the Champions Trophy, as he struggled to find a groove after injuring his groin playing for Sussex in the County Championship. That injury saw him miss the Test series against England. "That was a huge disappointment for me personally since the conditions in England would have suited my style of bowling especially after the experience of playing county cricket with Sussex. But you can't sit down and regret it. Perhaps, it was predestined that I miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of playing a Test match at Lord's.

"I wasn't expecting to make such a comeback after spending the best part of this year on sidelines through injury and lack of form," he said. "But I always knew that once I regain peak fitness I would be able to get back into the groove of playing for Pakistan again," he added.

His return to form further boosts Pakistan's pace resources, already strengthened by the probable returns of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif and the progress of Umar Gul. "In hindsight perhaps the break did wonders for me because I got the time to rethink about my bowling. I got back to the basics and gradually started to gain in confidence. Now there is a healthy competition for places in the Pakistan squad. If I'm lucky enough to play, my job would be to give nothing less than the best."

© Cricinfo

Imran Farhat says 'I enjoy playing at bouncy-tracks'

KARACHI: Imran Farhat, one of the major contenders for Pakistan cricket team's opening squad, said that South African wickets will be different from local tracks but "I enjoy playing at bouncy-tracks".

Talking to Geo news here on Sunday at National Stadium, Farhat said he fixed his place in the squad through massive effort and would try to sustain his performance.

Farhat added that skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and other senior players supported him throughout his international career, vowing to play long-innings in future.

Yousuf is the best among the rest

The record-breaking Mohammad Yousuf would definitely be under pressure to perform in South Africa after such a gigantic performance in 2006.


Pakistan have produced several world class players in different sports and many of them have won numerous laurels for the motherland but very few were encouraged and honoured as Mohammad Yousuf has been during the last couple of weeks. Though a lot has been written about Yousuf's calendar year feats, some of his aspects and landmarks remain untouched entirely.

Very few know that Yousuf is probably the only batsman in Test history who struck four centuries in a three-Test series. Soft-spoken Yousuf grabbed two more world records which were overlooked strangely. He became the first player who succumbed to three 190 plus scores in a year and five 150 plus scores in a calendar year are another rare feat.

Yousuf earned another honour at Multan when he completed his 6000 Test runs in only 120 Test innings. Former captain Javed Miandad (133 innings) was the previous fastest 6000 runs scorer for Pakistan. Even world class batsmen like Ricky Ponting (125), Brian Lara (126), Rahul Dravid (125), Greg Chappell (129) and Inzamamul Haq (135) consumed more innings than Yousuf in reaching the landmark.

Yousuf, who equalled Javed Miandad's Test centuries record in a mere 73 games, is probably the second fastest to reach 23 hundreds after Donald Bradman. It is worth mentioning that Yousuf is still 51 Tests behind Miandad's 124 career matches even then he has managed to level the centuries tally which shows Yousuf's consistency and amazing potential.

The upcoming South African trip would provide Yousuf a golden chance to extend his run of centuries and half centuries. He can grab a couple of more world records in South Africa if he manages to score century or half century in the first Test innings at least there.

It may be recalled here that South Africa and Sri Lanka are the only countries which are missing from Yousuf's centuries list. The record-breaking Mohammad Yousuf would definitely be under pressure to perform in South Africa after such a gigantic performance in 2006.

In other words we can say that the South Africa tour would be a test of Yousuf's batting skills. Remember during his last trip in 2002-03, he hammered a whirlwind fifty in a Test off just 27 balls at Cape Town. This time he is in a position to provide much needed inspiration to the Pakistan cricket team in South Africa where the green flag-bearers have never won a Test or ODI series.

Razzaq to miss S Africa Test series after injury

Karachi: Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq has been ruled out of the upcoming Test cricket series against SouthAfrica due to a calf muscle injury in his right leg.

"Razzaq has a grade two tear in his right calf muscle and has been advised complete rest for four weeks," a top official PakistanCricket Board said on Friday.

"He hurt himself during the final one-dayer against West Indies this month and was complaining of pain. He underwent which showed upthe tear," PCB Director Saleem Altaf said.

Razzaq, who has played 46 Tests and 224 one-day internationals,has been an integral part of the Pakistan team owing to his senority and experience.

Altaf said Razzaq had been advised an initial four-week rest period but he might require more time to gain full fitness.

Pakistan play the first Test in Johannesburg from January 11 followed by Tests in Port Elizabeth from Jan 19 and in Cape Town from Jan 26.

National selector Iqbal Qasim said the selectors would now probably look for a replacement in a two-day conditioning camp being held in Lahore on December 28 and 29.

"We are not really sure when he will be available for selection now," he said.

Pakistan slip to fourth spot in ODI rankings

Pakistan won the ODI home series against the West Indies but slipped to fourth spot in the ICC ODI rankings. According to the latest ratings issued by the ICC, India remained at sixth spot and would have slipped another place had the West Indies won their just-concluded series against Pakistan. New Zealand now face Sri Lanka in a five-match series starting December 28. Australia is still the No.1 team followed by South Africa.
I mean how can this happen?

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.