Tags:
Journalism of Courage
As they did during their tour of New Zealand, Pakistan are expected to play five batsmen, a keeper, an all-rounder and four bowlers. Here’s how it should shape up
SOFT AT THE TOP
Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed, with a combined experience of 34 Tests may be low-profile but they aren’t wet behind the ears. Batting averages of 32, 46 and 53 mean that Pakistan’s 1, 2 and 3 can safely be put under the ‘potential stars’ category. But Taufeeq and Farhat finished the Kiwi tour earlier this year without putting up a single 50-run opening stand. Their batting styles are Diet-Sehwag. Not exactly the Real McKoy but neither the stone-walling Chopra sort
WEIGHT IN THE MIDDLE
The Big Daddys: Yusuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul Haq, Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan. Not as weighty as India’s, of course, but more street-smart. Hameed at No 3 and Razzaq six can’t match their Indian counterparts Dravid and Yuvraj. Youhana is likely to play the Dravid role while Inzi can be either Sachin or Laxman (or Nehra), depending on his mood. Moin at No.7 balances the scales: in the last Test series against New Zealand Moin was the lone Pakistani centurion.
EQUAL TURN
If Anil Kumble’s Perfect 10 proved a thing for the Pakistan, Saqlain too has shown his liking for Indian batsmen. The second spinners in the side too are on par, if only in their inexperience. Kaneria and Kartik/Powar haven’t been part of any Indo-Pak duel
THE PAK PACE MUSCLE
Advantage Pak. Shoaib and Sami can turn a match upside down in the blink of an eye. Shabbir has the pace and bounce which could trouble the Indians and Razzaq is what India will miss in Ganguly. The only problem could be the heat, which could sap energy and turn pace into peace
