Preparations to confront the Indian squad in the Tests and one-dayers have started with the calling of 22 probables to a short camp at Qadhafi Stadium by the newly-appointed Chief Selector, Wasim Bari.
It is not known if the list was the result of a detailed discussion on the merit and demerit of the invitees to the Qadhafi Stadium or there was a total consensus of all the selectors on the form and fitness of the probables. It is also not clear if captain Inzamamul Haq, who had just returned after performing Haj, was also taken into confidence as most of the experts feel that the skipper, being the commander on the field, is the real technocrat and his opinion is usually vital on the outfit, even though it may be for camp drills.
Many are surprised over the early announcement of the names of the probables for the Lahore camp is set to start on Feb 24. They also think that the training exercises should have begun much after the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy matches would have reached a half-way stage or more than that.
As one goes through the fans of the game many be feeling satisfied that at least the spin department has been strengthened with the recall of Saqlain Mushtaq, an off-breaker of note, who will form a fine duo with Danish Kaneria, a leg-breaker, for slow attack from both ends of the crease. This is usually an Indian stratagem of putting into operation Kumble and Kartik or Harbhajan Singh on the two sides to put pressure on the batsmen.
It is not known why Saqlain was sidelined for a considerably long time and Shoaib Malik was considered his peer as an off-spinner. The game's experts bracket Saqlain with Sri Lanka's sorcerer Muralitharan and Australia's cunning leg-break wizard, Shane Warne, whose ban has now ended and he may be called back into his country's set.
Danish Kaneria was quite a success during the many series recently, including those played against New Zealand. A Saqlain - Kaneria combination may hopefully harass and worry the Indians on the Pakistani pitches. Both give plenty of air to their deliveries. It will be a splendid sight to behold, with one sending well-flighted off-spin, the other shrewdly bowling off-breaks.
One finds that Waqar Younis, who is still busy in the domestic circuit and has not announced his retirement from competitive cricket, has not been included among the invitees to the camp. Perhaps the former Chief Selector, Aamir Sohail, has some personal grudge against Waqar as he was ignored in the series played against Bangladesh, South Africa and New Zealand. Waqar had been a ferocious fast bowler, an expert of reverse swing. Besides, he has the experience factor with him like Zaheer Khan, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid of India, which may count a lot in Test and one-day skirmishes. Waqar's control of length and line had been admirable. He would have given considerable trouble to the Indian outfit, usually vulnerable to pace and swing, as seen in their duels against Australia. Their plight against seam bowling, especially in the finals ties of the one-day tournament, both at Melbourne and Sydney, was seen to be believed. One does hope that the selection panel makes a review of the list to later on strengthen the squad to face the Indians.
The combination of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami is good enough but the addition of an experienced trundler still going strong will be welcome and should be taken in the national interest. Both Shoaib and Sami are sending a number of bumpers, which will be struck effortlessly to the boundaries. Here lies the role of the Chief Coach, Javed Miandad, who should see to it that this flaw in their bowling is removed and they become as accurate as Zaheer Khan of India, Kallis of South Africa, Glenn McGrath of Australia and Vaas of Sri Lanka. Most probably the strip will be made fast to suit the swingers of Pakistan. However, if the deliveries of Shoaib and Sami are awry how can they contain the strokes of the Indian batsmen, particularly their upper order?
The Indians have returned to their country after a heavy schedule Down Under. They had displayed their strength and resilience in the Test matches against Australia and in the earlier part of nascent cricket confrontations but miserably failed in the later ties of the one-dayers. In the finals at Melbourne and Sydney they spluttered out like a wet squibb. Particularly surprising was the disappointing failure of such organised batsmen as Tendulkar, Sehwag, Ganguly, Dravid and even Laxman on such wickets apparently docile. There were a large number of Indian supporters to back up their side but the squad's fall from grace came as a considerable surprise to them.
The huge Australian score of 359 proved a tall order for the Indian batting-line in the second final. But their confused and amateurish handling of the Australian attack was shocking, when one saw it lacked variety which is necessary to win duels.
The Australian fielding was too swift both in pickup and throw and assured in catching. The whole Australian conglomerate was head and shoulders above the Indians in the finals.
The Indians have returned depressed and the Pakistanis should cash in on their psychological wounds suffered Down Under to their advantage. In any case the selection of the probables as well as the team itself later on should be fair and transparent to lock horns with the arch-foe.
Most probably there will be a revival in the Indian attitude on the tour of this country for the record shows that they beat Pakistan in every outing in the World Cup.
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