Six key Pakistan players to watch against England
By Muhammad Ali
Inzamamul Haq: 35-year-old Inzamam is one of the finest batsmen in contemporary cricket. He is the fourth batsman in the world after Indiaââ¬â¢s Sachin Tendulkar, West Indies Brian Lara and Australians Allan Border and Steve Waugh to have completed ten thousand runs in Test cricket. He has matured tremendously since his appointment as captain of the Pakistan team. He is neither athletic nor super-fit. He had trouble in handling Shoaib Akhtar. Over the years he has consolidated his position as pillar of the national outfit. Sometimes his lethargy in the field has let down the team. He is Mr Dependable, and he has proved this on a number of occasions. Inzamam is in form and likely to give England a run for their money.
Muhammad Yousuf: The 31-year-old batsman created quite a stir two months back when he announced that he had embraced Islam and was no longer Christian Yousuf Youhana. There was a widespread speculation that he had converted so that he would be more eligible to become Pakistanââ¬â¢s next captain. But Yousuf denied that he embraced Islam to become skipper of the national team. He said he listened to his former teammate Saeed Anwar and was impressed with his preaching. Yousuf is not only backbone of the team but also has a permanent place in the middle-order. An average of 47.46 with 13 centuries in 59 Test is a clear indication of his class. He has an impressive record in one-day internationals also. The artistic batsman is expected to play a crucial role against England.
Shahid Afridi: A massive talent. Afridi is an aggressive batsman, a tremendous hitter of the ball, an improving leg spinner and a brilliant fielder. Since debut, Afridi has seen many highs and lows in his career. The 25-year old cricketer did wonders for Pakistan in the series against India in April-May this year. He can be extremely exciting and sometimes very frustrating. Though his average needs improvement but with strike rate of 78.71 in Tests and 108.20 in shorter version of the game, Afridi can be a trump card for his captain and coach.
Shoaib Malik: A brilliant all-rounder in the making. The off spinnerââ¬â¢s bowling style is a carbon copy of his senior colleague Saqlain Mushtaq, whom he calls his mentor. His bowling action came under scrutiny in October 2004 and after playing primarily as a batsman for the next six months, he was advised to undergo elbow surgery to correct his action. Most of the critics consider Malik as an ODI player, but the gifted player wants to be acknowledged as a potential Test player as well. Since departure of Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail, a wonderful pair in the mid-nineties, Pakistan have been facing ââ¬Ëopenersââ¬â¢ dilemma. Chief selector Wasim Bari thinks that Malik could develop into a Test opener. So the former Gloucestershire all-rounder has put his hand up to open. Didnââ¬â¢t make a bad fist of it either at his first attempt, scoring 13 and 64 in the West Indies in June this year. It is hoped that, along with Salman Butt, Malik can give a solid start to the Pakistan innings in both forms of game.
Danish Kaneria: The only second Hindu to play Test cricket for Pakistan. This wrist spinner will create trouble for the England batsmen. His whirling approach is reminiscent of Abdul Qadir. He made his Test debut against England on their last tour, cut his teeth on Bangladesh and in county cricket for Essex, and went to the front in Australia a year ago. He played a dazzling role for Pakistan during tour to India this year. Against the batsmen who routinely demolish leg spinners, Kaneria picked up 19 wickets from three Tests and helped Pakistan draw the series 1-1. The spinner is a burgeoning talent who is rapidly turning into a key match-winner with his leg-breaks.
Muhammad Sami: 24-year-old Sami is a whippy fast bowler who made a good impression on his Test debut against New Zealand in 2000-01. He consistently bowls around the 90 mph. Like Shoaib, Sami bowls flat out, with plenty of bouncers and reverse-swinging yorkers, and enjoys the occasional magic spell. But he is not economical, not even in county cricket when playing for Kent. However, he is improving with passage of time. With better rhythm, his pace has gone up and he is becoming more confident. He is slippery and could well be a threat in home conditions with partners lanky Shabbir Ahmad, Shoaib Akhtar and Rana Navedul Hasan.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?p...1-11-2005_pg2_9
near kadafi stadium while i was comming back frm school
akistanFlag: :BVICTORY: :banana: 
