End of the Warmups

Well, the two warm-ups are over, and if this was intended to be an audition, things are about as clear as mud for all concerned. Pakistan won both of the matches, so at least that should be good for overall confidence. While the matches were 13-a-side, the positives are easy to accentuate, with the negatives a little bit harder.

Mohammad Hafeez did well in both matches, as also stated in Dawn. Inzamam spoke highly of Hafeez, and I hope this is a statement of confidence to keep Hafeez in the squad for the duration of the tournament. Pakistan has to choose a pair of openers and stand by them, for better or worse, till the end of the tournament does them part. While there are bits and pieces which will continually need to be addressed, the presence of the top 5 of the batting lineup is not such a piece.

From the bowling stand point, all the bowlers got some good match practice, and its good to see that Umar Gul does not look to raw, after being away for a period of time. It will be difficult for Pakistan to decide on a playing 11 on the 13th against the West Indies, but what will make it easier, is the suspension of Shahid Afridi.

If Pakistan start off with Nazir, Hafeez, Yousuf, Inzamam and Younis, that leaves 6 spots. Kamran Akmal will take the #7 spot, with Shoaib Malik at #6. That leaves four bowling spots, one of which will be going to Umar Gul. After this things get a little hazy. One would expect that Gul will need an opening partner, which will likely be Sami. One of the other two spots has to go to an all-rounder, either Arafat or Mahmood, and the final spot will depend on Pakistan's read of the pitch. If a spinner is warranted, over and above Shoaib and Hafeez' spin, then Kaneria will play. If Pakistan truly value the presence of Naved as a true death bowler, than that spot will go to him. Against the West Indies, my read is that the playing 11 will read like:

Nazir, Hafeez, Yousuf, Inzamam, Younis, Shoaib, Akmal, Mahmood, Naved, Sami, Gul.

Lets see what the next few days bring.