Shabbir Ahmed injured too

When I wrote a while ago about Pakistan's medical nightmares, I had thought that things already were as bad as they were going to get. I didn't realize that things could sink even more. Shabbir Ahmed, who two weeks ago was injured, was then pronounced fit and put on a plane to South Africa, pulled a groin after just 4 Twenty20 overs. And now, its bad enough that it won't improve over the next week, so he's going home. Pakistan's medical board, along with their physios who check fitness are a JOKE. First they send Umar Gul and Shoaib Malik, while injured to South Africa, play the injured, not-injured game with Shoaib Akhtar, and now again with Shabbir Ahmed. What a crock.

Inzamam turned down for Shabbir?

It appears that the Shabbir Ahmed situation, like most things in Pakistani cricket was mixed in with politics. It appears that the PCB turned down Inzamam's request for Shabbir Ahmed. While fitness may have been an issue, is it more politics or what? Who is to say.

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Shabbir not going to South Africa

So, after Umar Gul and Shoaib Akhtar, even Shabbir Ahmed is injured. Looks like his opportunity to make a comeback in South Africa is gone, given his knee injury. There must be something in the water for these cricketers, or perhaps the Pakistani apparatus has been unable to condition the players appropriately, so that they can stand up to the rigours of international cricket. Its not going to be easy in the third test for Pakistan.

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Shabbir and Razzaq heading to South Africa?

With Shoaib Akhtar heading back, and Umar Gul and Shoaib Malik still injured, it appears that Abdul Razzaq and Shabbir Ahmed have been asked to be prepared to head to South Africa if the team so decides. Could be welcome help for the team in the third test, but they should really think about giving Fawad Alam a go here, whose performances in first class cricket keep going from strength to strength.

Sarfaraz Nawaz upset over Shoaib and Shabbir

More fallout for the PCB over some strange decisions over the last few days. Here, Sarfraz Nawaz blasts the PCB for not selecting Shoaib and Shabbir for the SA tour. Sarfraz had been working very hard with Shabbir over the past year, on the direction of the PCB to ensure that his reaction became appropriate, without him losing any effectiveness. As reported previously, about Shoaib Akhtar storming out of Nasim Ashraf (Chairman PCB)'s office, Sarfraz has sources which tell him that Inzamam and Shoaib, despite many of the pictures to come out of the camp, were going at it multiple times during the training camp. I think someone should come out and comment on this straight up. Its not like the rumours are ever going to disappear, but I think if this is true, both Inzamam and Shoaib, as senior members of the squad have to be taken to task, and held to account. There have been more comments from Imran Khan and Aqib Javed, who after having seen Shoaib Akhtar in various first class and Twenty20 matches feel that he was quiet up to required fitness levels.

Another fact Sarfraz raises, I was not aware of. It appears that according to the Qayyum commission, held in 2000 to look into the match fixing scandals, Mushtaq Ahmed was found to be culpable enough, that the recommendation was that he be kept away from any position of responsibility with the squad. Yet, Dr. Nasim Ashraf, despite promising to clean house, has brought him right back in. Someone needs to sort this out for us.

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Pakistan pick squad for South Africa

As expected and reported, Shoaib Akhtar and Shabbir Ahmed have been left out of the squad, as has been Shahid Afridi. One hopes that the Pakistani team will not have to suffer due to the absences of Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi, the only two real match winners in the squad. Perhaps rightfully so, Shahid Nazir has been retained, but the come back for Mohammad Sami really does bother me. His form has not been substantial in any way, and in fact he has struggledeven in the first class realm. Taking Asim Kamal, Faisal Iqbal and Yasir Hameed along in a squad of 17, really doesn't give any confidence to the current squad, and gives no certainty to any of the players.



My Starting XI:



Mohammad Hafeez

Shoaib Malik

Younis Khan

Mohammad Yousuf

Inzamam

Faisal Iqbal

Kamran Akmal

Umar Gul

Shahid Nazir

Rana Naved

Danish Kaneria

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Shoaib Akhtar and Shabbir Ahmed may not make the squad

With the Twenty20 cup and then the conditioning camp, atleast one thing is somewhat clear. Shoaib Akhtar and Shabbir Ahmed are not going to be ready. After the initial report from Khalid Husain in Jang (referred to in an earlier post), Khalid H. Khan raises the same issues in Dawn. It appears that despite multiple days and practice sessions, neither Shoaib Akhtar nor Shabbir Ahmed appear to be in match form.

While that is understandable for Shabbir, who has not really played at the highest level for about a year now, Shoaib Akhtar was playing till October, and then was supposedly practicing on a daily basis. More disconcertingly for the Pakistani squad, is the fact that while over this period, Mohammad Asif was able to retain his fitness, Shoaib Akhtar was not able to retain or recover his fitness. One wonders how much time is left for a pacer with Shoaib's pace, Shoaib's run-up and Shoaib's body wrenching action. However, the squad still retains hope that even if Shoaib is not ready for the test series, he may be able to make a comeback for the ODI series.

I still wonder though, about the decision making process with the batsmen, and the rest of the squad. According to this report, Shahid Afridi is still being left out, and Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Faisal Iqbal and Asim Kamal are all being taken along. How even a few of them will be able to play, I am not sure.

Inzamam, Younis and Yousuf will take 3 spots, with Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik to definitely figure in the lineup. With Kamran Akmal, with Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif and Danish Kaneria that only leaves 2 spots, with one being an opener. While Imran Farhat or Yasir Hameed (Yasir Hameed in my opinion) will fill that spot, Pakistan will have to pick a pacer for the last spot, which will be one of Naved, Shahid Nazir or Sami(They can only go wrong if they choose Sami). I can't figure out any permutation, barring injury, where Faisal Iqbal or Asim Kamal will get a shot. Taking Zulqarnain Haider along is a good idea. Might help to push Kamran Akmal a little bit, whose performance with the gloves has been shoddy of late.

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Pakistan's End of the Year Test Rankings

With 2006 rapidly coming to a close, its a good time to review some of the standings from the ICC, as it relates to Pakistan. It has been an up and down year, and the rankings can now provide a reasonably objective form of assessment.

Within the test realm, Pakistan began the year in 4th position, behind England and India. Over the course of the year, chiefly because of wins over both of them at home, Pakistan was able to rise to third place within the realm of test cricket. A reasonable achievement, which could have been improved upon, if the team had performed even marginally better in the England series over the summer.

If one examines the batting rankings, they really do highlight Pakistan's problems well. With Yousuf at a personal all-time high at #2, and Younis Khan and Inzamam at 9 and 11 respectively, one would expect that the batting lineup was well taken care off, specially when Pakistan and Australia are the only two teams to have 3 batsmen in the top 11. However, the problem arises when we see that the next Pakistani player doesn't show up till #36, which is Imran Farhat. Australia and England have seven batsmen in this zone, India four. While one could perhaps question the skill level of the remaining Pakistani test batsmen, none of the others have received any kind of extended run. The selectors and the coaches have to really provide answers and explanations for their inability to shore up the batting reserved, specially with the upcoming (probably within the next two years) retirement of Inzamam.

Within the bowling, things do look somewhat better. Pakistan has the most bowlers in the top 30, but their first doesn't come up till Shoaib Akhtar at #9, and then Danish Kaneria at 16. Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif are lower down in the 20s, but the intriguing position is that of Shabbir Ahmed at #27. If not for the year long suspension, it is very likely that Shabbir could have been very close to the top of test cricket bowlers with the series over the course of this year.


All in all a year which may seem more intriguing and interesting through the eyes of tabloids and sensationalism, which does not have a lot to show for it in the statistical arena, for the team or for individuals.

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Huh? Shabbir Ahmed still not cleared?

I'm finding this odd. Shabbir Ahmed has been named to the training squad for the upcoming South African tour and World Cup, while the ICC still has not ruled on his current status. While I appreciate the confidence the PCB is showing in their own testing and estimation of Shabbir's action, the PCB may be taking stands against the ICC when perhaps they don't need to be taken. First they pick a fight over Shoaib and Asif, and now a potential fight over this issue. Looks like the old habits at the PCB have not changed under the new leadership.

Clear but impotent?

Shabbir Ahmed has made a comeback. It appears that his new action has been cleared, and given Pakistan's current situation as far as fast bowling goes, it may not be long before his 5 wickets/match are given a call back (51 wickets, 10 matches). Shoaib and Asif's current situation, Rana Naved and Sami's inability to get any meaningful wickets and the PCB's unwillingness to give Shahid Nazir and Samiullah Niazi an extended run all seem to point towards a Shabbir comeback. More interestingly though, all will harken back to the last test he played, against England. After an ineffectual first spell, he came back to take Trescothick's, Jones' and Giles' wickets and thats where he got tagged for the final time with problems with his bowling action. Let's hope that doesn't happen again.

Shabbir Ahmed to appeal to the ICC again

Sarfaraz Nawaz may have done the job. It appears, according to reports in The News, that Shabbir Ahmed's action has been suitably reformed. Given this change and improvement in action, the PCB is going to try to appeal to the ICC again. I must say, the PCB has really stood by Shabbir Ahmed through this difficult time, and they should be commended on this brave stance.

Work continues on Shabbir Ahmed

The PCB hasn't given up yet on Shabbir Ahmed. It appears that Sarfaraz Ahmed has become the de facto bowling coach of last resort for the Pakistani squad. Having his contract extended by 3 months should allow him time to try to correct Shabbir's action. It still remains to be seen how the ICC will respond, after banning Shabbir for one year just in December.

Shabbir ban upheld

Shabbir Ahmed is out of cricket for 12 months. The previously applied ban by the ICC has been upheld, and despite work with Sarfaraz Nawaz, the ICC is not satisfied with changes. This may be end of Shabbir Ahmed's career, unless has displays further physical and mental fortitude and is able to modify his action and come back strongly in a year's time. He can continue to play in domestic and first-class cricket.

BBC SPORT | Cricket | International Teams | Pakistan | Sarfraz helps out banned Shabbir

IT appears the PCB has asked Sarfaraz Nawaz to help out Shabbir Ahmed with his bowling action. Hard to see how this will help, but only time will tell.

Pakistan wrap it up strong

Twelve-odd overs was all it took for Pakistan to wrap up a 136 run victory over the WI. The WI started the morning at 114-6 with no established batsmen, and apart from Courtney Browne, a fairly long tail that refused to wag. After Powell fell in the sixth over, Browne, King and Best followed him back to the pavilion in short order, ending the inning at 143. Danish Kaneria bowled impressively to end with figures of 5-46 in the innings, and the man of the match award. Shabbir Ahmed also took 4 wickets, to end with match figures of 8-119.

After the devestating loss in the first test, with Inzy, Malik and Youhana missing, Pakistan recovered strongly in this match with strong performances from all their players. Kamran Akmal specially impressed with a 49 in the first innings, and 9 dismissals to his credit. Shabbir Ahmed also had a strong performance, with a cloud hanging over him due to concerns with his action.

Pakistan have much to look forward to in the upcoming cricket season. A disappointing tour of Australia was followed by steadily improving performances in India and the WI. There is much to look forward to in the upcoming season!

Pakistan West Indies Day 3

So Pakistan began the day behind, with the West Indies at 275-4, and Brian Lara at 125 and in fine fiddle. They had something to cheer
for, getting Sarwan out on the last ball of the previous day as he was looking
quite confident at a slow and steady 55.

They ran into trouble early on the day with Dinesh Kaneria being cited
for bowling too close to the wicket and stepping into the danger zone.
Having their only strike bowler being taken away must have been
frightening, but Pakistan responded with fire. Shabbir Ahmed took
three good wickets, sending the in-form and dangerous Lara, Browne and
Powell back to the pavilion with the new ball. Shahid Afridi chipped
away, and ended up taking the last three wickets to fall, including
the threatening Hinds.

All in all, it was a nice recovery by Pakistan to restrict the West
Indies to 404 all out, and a lead of only 30. Kamran Akmal acquitted
himself well, after the dashing 49 in the first inning, and 5 well
taken catches. Shahid Afridi is truly declaring himself as an all
rounder to reckon with, with 3 more wickets in the first inning.

Pakistan need a good start and some good partnerships for the early
wickets to pull ahead. With two and a third days to go, a result is
definitely in the cards. Pakistan has to drive hard, as they are
behind and desparately need a result.