Stani Army

Pakistan have made a number of changes to their Test squad for the two-Test series against South Africa starting this Friday. The most surprising is the inclusion of Adnan Akmal, brother of Kamran and Umar. Adnan, who is the second youngest of the three, keeps wicket and was called in as replacement for Zulqarnain Haider. Regarded as more of a specialist wicket-keeper, Adnan has been quoted as saying that he believes he is the best wicket-keeper in Pakistan. I’m not sure what older brother Kamran will think of that but I guess we will soon find out about the younger man’s credentials.

Want your child to play for Pakistan? Name him Akmal!

Adnan averages just under 23 runs with the bat in the domestics, which is 11 fewer than Haider and 7 fewer than his brother Kamran. If he is any good at keeping though, expect him to cement a place in the side as Zulqarnain has gone into retirement and Kamran is well known for his blunders with the gloves. It means it is a complete turnaround for the Akmal family

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Coming in to this Test series, there was concern regarding the two rookie batsmen that Pakistan were about to chuck into the deep end in their first Test at Lord’s. The irony is that the more established batsmen were the ones that let Pakistan down. Not only did Umar Amin and Azhar Ali impress with their ability, but it was clear that they have the temperament and cognitive capacity that the likes of captain at the time, Shahid Afridi, lack. So which players were a success and which a failure in the first Test?

Will Imran Farhat survive for the second Test?

Imran Farhat - FAILURE

Probably the one player on the edge of selection that does not divide opinion amongst fans. It is clear, from his second innings stroke if not from anything else, that Farhat is not suited to the Test arena. He’s been around for quite some time so had to step up and contribute in an already weak batting line up. Though he did take two good catches, he failed miserably with the bat with scores of 4 and 24. Expect him to be dropped for the next Test.

Salman Butt - SUCCESS

Recognised his importance and responsibility and was one of only three batsmen to pass 50 in the whole Test. Loss of concentration led to his downfall on both occasions but was unfortunate not to get the only century of the game when he was stumped for 92 in the second innings. We would have been embarrassed had it not been for his contributions of 63 and 92 in this Test.

Azhar Ali – SUCCESS

Showed good temperament and sound technique. Was dismissed by good balls on both occasions from Ben Hilfenhaus. Contributed 16 and 42, a decent showing in his first Test. Very able in the field also. Must look to pick up more singles off his defensive shots though.

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With Shahid Afridi announcing his return to the Test scene, is he nailed on to become captain in all three formats? If the recent Twenty20 World Cup was anything to go by, he certainly still has a lot to learn as captain, but this was probably to be expected.

The good thing is that Test game is much slower paced than Twenty20 and will give Afridi time to think over any decisions and confer with other players. He would also be able to get the input of the coaching staff during drinks breaks, at the end of sessions and at the close of play.

Apart from Afridi, who else is there as possible Test captain? The only other likely candidate, Younis Khan, is still serving his indefinite ban and is waiting on his appeal to be heard. This hearing will definitely not come in time for for him to be considered for the ODI captaincy as his appeal has been adjourned until the 29th of this month with the Asia Cup captain to be named on the 25th. Chances are that the Asia cup captain will probably be Afridi, and this, along with Younis’ ban and Afridi’s desire to return to the Test side, may have made the decision to keep him as Test captain merely a formality. With Afridi’s request in the media of a quick resolution to the damaging allegations surrounding the Pakistan team, he is beginning to sound the part of captain at least.

As a player, I think his return to the Test scene will give us a much more potent and balanced side. The argument is that his batting is not up to Test standard

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Reports emanating from England suggest that Danish Kaneria may well be one of the two players from the county club Essex involved in a match fixing scandal. Though no names have officially come out, one newspaper reported that Kaneria, along with a lesser known member of the county club, were involved in fixing last summer.

The allegations first surfaced last month but the club was not able to comment due to an on-going Police investigation which is yet to be completed. The interesting thing was that Kaneria did not meet up with his club Essex for the start of the County Championship as it was said he was taking part in a domestic tournament in Pakistan. This raises suspicion even more that he is one of the players involved as it likely Kaneria would have chosen to come over to England and play for his county rather than take part in domestic games in Pakistan.

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When Danish Kaneria was chosen as our sole spinner ahead of Saeed Ajmal for the 2nd Test against New Zealand, I must admit I had my doubts. The reasons were that Ajmal’s recent form was excellent and Kaneria hadn’t been very exciting in the past. But, that was the old Kaneria as I was about to find out. As the ball ran to the boundary in the 2nd Test, I saw a slim chap racing after it and could not believe what I was hearing when the commentator referred to him as Danish Kaneria.

He ain't heavy...Kaneria is lifted by a team mate as Imran Farhat appreciates his new figure

Having picked up three wickets in each innings of the 2nd Test, Kaneria ripped out the heart of the New Zealand middle order with four wickets in the on-going 3rd Test, after the fast bowlers were finding it difficult to break through the New Zealand line up. The benefits of a fitter Kaneria are clear to see

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