Pakistan ready for England showdown
As Pakistan search for a Test win against England, much emphasis will be on the Mohammad Yousuf’s inevitable return.
BIRMINGHAM:
As Pakistan search for a first-Test win against England in England since 2001, much emphasis in Birmingham will be on the ‘will-he won’t-he’ saga revolving around Mohammad Yousuf’s inevitable return to the national side in order to set the record straight.
While Yousuf’s presence in the playing eleven will only be confirmed at the toss of the coin, Salman Butt, who had remained adamant he did not need the veteran to overturn Pakistan’s fortunes, hopes Yousuf’s experience would benefit the youngsters whom he has backed throughout the tour.
“I hope Yousuf’s presence has a good effect on the rest of the team, especially the young batsmen,” said Salman on the eve of the second Test at Edgbaston. “I’d love to have the guy with the most runs in Pakistan and the most hundreds [in the current eleven]. I would definitely like to use his experience but it’ll depend on what kind of state he’s in because I don’t want to be unfair to anyone.”
While ruing the haphazard manner in which Yousuf was called to the side, Salman will once again hope his batsmen adapt to the conditions and the swinging ball. Though Pakistan beat Australia in back-to-back Twenty20s at this ground last month, not much has worked for the batsmen since then with no centuries and only four half-centuries in the three Test matches so far - with one coming from Umar Gul in the first-innings at Trent Bridge.
Salman, Pakistan’s highest scorer in Tests this year, seems to have his batting affected since taking over the captaincy after Shahid Afridi retired following the first Test against Australia at Lord’s. His early dismissals have left the fragile middle-order exposed against the tremendous show of swing bowling by James Anderson who captured his maiden 10-wicket match-haul in Birmingham.
Considering Umar Amin’s poor show in the three Tests, Yasir Hameed, if not Yousuf, looks set to replace the left-handed youngster for the crucial Test against England.
Hameed, who is yet to feature against international opposition on the tour, last represented Pakistan over two-and-a-half years ago. It may mean a shuffle in the batting order with Azhar Ali shifted down to accommodate Hameed at the number three position.
With another good crowd expected to back both sides, Pakistan will need to do well before travelling back to the capital for the final two Tests of the series and the effort will need to come not only from the bowlers, but from the batsmen and the fielders too.
Pakistan captain Salman Butt
“I believe these young people have the ability. But we welcome the experienced person coming in, if he can do some good for the team.”
Former captain Inzamamul Haq
“There is always a combination of experience and youth that creates a difference. Otherwise you can’t win a Test match with youngsters alone.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2010.
As Pakistan search for a first-Test win against England in England since 2001, much emphasis in Birmingham will be on the ‘will-he won’t-he’ saga revolving around Mohammad Yousuf’s inevitable return to the national side in order to set the record straight.
While Yousuf’s presence in the playing eleven will only be confirmed at the toss of the coin, Salman Butt, who had remained adamant he did not need the veteran to overturn Pakistan’s fortunes, hopes Yousuf’s experience would benefit the youngsters whom he has backed throughout the tour.
“I hope Yousuf’s presence has a good effect on the rest of the team, especially the young batsmen,” said Salman on the eve of the second Test at Edgbaston. “I’d love to have the guy with the most runs in Pakistan and the most hundreds [in the current eleven]. I would definitely like to use his experience but it’ll depend on what kind of state he’s in because I don’t want to be unfair to anyone.”
While ruing the haphazard manner in which Yousuf was called to the side, Salman will once again hope his batsmen adapt to the conditions and the swinging ball. Though Pakistan beat Australia in back-to-back Twenty20s at this ground last month, not much has worked for the batsmen since then with no centuries and only four half-centuries in the three Test matches so far - with one coming from Umar Gul in the first-innings at Trent Bridge.
Salman, Pakistan’s highest scorer in Tests this year, seems to have his batting affected since taking over the captaincy after Shahid Afridi retired following the first Test against Australia at Lord’s. His early dismissals have left the fragile middle-order exposed against the tremendous show of swing bowling by James Anderson who captured his maiden 10-wicket match-haul in Birmingham.
Considering Umar Amin’s poor show in the three Tests, Yasir Hameed, if not Yousuf, looks set to replace the left-handed youngster for the crucial Test against England.
Hameed, who is yet to feature against international opposition on the tour, last represented Pakistan over two-and-a-half years ago. It may mean a shuffle in the batting order with Azhar Ali shifted down to accommodate Hameed at the number three position.
With another good crowd expected to back both sides, Pakistan will need to do well before travelling back to the capital for the final two Tests of the series and the effort will need to come not only from the bowlers, but from the batsmen and the fielders too.
Pakistan captain Salman Butt
“I believe these young people have the ability. But we welcome the experienced person coming in, if he can do some good for the team.”
Former captain Inzamamul Haq
“There is always a combination of experience and youth that creates a difference. Otherwise you can’t win a Test match with youngsters alone.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2010.