Probables named for the India series

18 probables have been named for the upcoming camp to prepare for the series against India.

Some interesting points are raised by the Dawn article, with which I must also concur. There are the usual suspects: Inzamamul Haq, Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, Rana Navedul Hasan, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria and Arshad Khan. Asim Kamal and Yasir Hameed are being maintained as the batsman in waiting, while Riffatullah Mohmand has been brought into the squad.

Riffatullah is a 29 year old opener, playing for Peshawar and WAPDA. He has had some strong performances over the last little while, with three centuries in the previous first class season, and a strong 55 playing for Pakistan A against England. Another article says that he has truly impressed Inzamam, and that has been the reason why he has been brought in. This is despite having Bazid Khan and Imran Farhat under central contract, receiving Rs. 75,000 (1300 USD) a month. He may be a good find, but don't Bazid and Farhat deserve another chance? This is while Taufeeq Umar. Misbah-ul-Haq, Hasan Raza, Faisal Iqbal and Zulqarnain Haider are maintained under retainer.

Umar Gul has also been recalled, and rightfully so. After recovering from a stress fracture, he is deserving of a chance with Shabbir out and Sami's performances sub-par at best. Mohammad Asif after some strong performances has been recalled and should get a better chance in the upcoming series to show his skills.

All and all, good selections. I'm still not sure how the opening dilemma will be sorted out by the selectors.