Cricket is the game of uncertainty. Things do turn around quickly in limited-over cricket because a lot depends on how you play on that given day. Similar is the case of Pakistan team. They are at their best when playing attacking cricket. When put in a no-win situation, they bounce back aggressively. This indicates that the boys have the courage to brave the onslaught of pacers on turning wickets, provided they apply true skills and focus on the target.
Pakistan, are in Group "A" of eight-nation Champions Trophy. They will be facing West Indies on September 23, followed by India on September 26 and Australia on September 30. The 2009 Champions Trophy was originally to be hosted by Pakistan but was moved over to South Africa for security reasons.
Anyhow, the national selection committee has announced a 15-member squad, omitting all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, who was reportedly struggling for fitness during Sri Lanka tour earlier this month. Chief selector Iqbal Qasim, announcing the team, said: "We had a tie between Abdul Razzaq and Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan when it came to selecting an all-rounder, so the best one was picked."
RESERVATIONS: While people have expressed their reservations over the inclusion of Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf, who were also struggling to gain form during the Sri Lankan tour. They were advised by no less a person than former coach and batting maestro Javed Miandad to take rest for some time and concentrate on their training. He said if a player was not performing well, he should stay away from cricket until he got the urge to play again.
QUITE SATISFACTORY: About the batting department, which on paper looks quite satisfactory, but all depends how our batsmen play on that particular day. The bowling department has been strengthened with the inclusion of pacer Mohammad Asif. He will be supported by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Umar Gul and young Mohammad Aamir.
Asif was brought back in the team following a one-year ban, due to expire on September 22, having proved his fitness to the selectors during the practice matches earlier this month. But he will not be able to attend the camp starting from September 1.
ATTACKING CRICKET: As compared to the 2006 tournament when 21 matches were played over 29 days, this time just 15 matches will be played in 17 days in what is a much shorter and sharper format. Having a glance on the previous ICC Champions Trophy results, the subcontinent teams, including Pakistan, were supposed to be masters in our conditions.
The Champions Trophy confirmed the belief that the Asians are unsurpassed when it comes to piling up records, but fall short of what matters most - winning the matches and titles consistently. It is interesting to note that Pakistani batsmen occupy top slots in most one-day appearances. Among bowlers, Pakistan have a battery of top bowlers.
UMAR GUL'S DREAM: Umar Gul has said his team is desperate to break the jinx when Pakistan, who have never beaten India in an ICC tournament, face the archrivals on September 26. "While every match will be important, the game against India, as always, will be special for both the sides," he opined.
"For us, the match is also important for the simple fact that we haven't beaten them in an ICC event and we're desperate to break that sequence," he added. "I believe we have an excellent team for one-day and it is the combination that makes us a quality side. The return of Mohammad Yousuf and Rana Naved had provided further impetus to the side, which is bubbling with confidence after its victory in the ICC World Twenty20 in England in June.
"But we're aware that it is not going to be easy at all in South Africa and we'll have to be at our best all through to win," Gul said. Meanwhile, the PCB appointed all-rounder Shahid Afridi as vice-captain, replacing Misbah-ul-Haq. Though captain Younis Khan was opposed to the appointment of Shahid Afridi, the PCB did not pay heed to suggestion. Moreover, the PCB appointed Mohtashim Rasheed, younger brother of former Test batsman Haroon Rasheed, as fielding coach.
PAKISTAN'S PROSPECTS: About Pakistan's chances of winning or even reaching the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy, cricket pundits have ruled out Pakistan being favourites for the event as it lacked various playing techniques. They opined that due to weak fielding, wayward bowling and inconstancy in batting, the national team was not fully equipped to play in the ICC Champions Trophy against world-class teams, like Australia and South Africa.
As regards the players' casual approach to the game, one cannot predict when would they click. They are capable to beat any team in the world provided they want to win. Time and again it has been proved that Pakistan, when confronted with trying conditions such as a seaming pitch, have usually played a bad hand.
This gives the impression of a formidable talent on batting-friendly tracks, but once they are exposed to extravagant swing and bounce, they seem to throw in the towel to admit that they have been defeated. It is no secret that every Pakistani batsman has made known his habit of chasing the ball away from his body against top class bowlers. In situation like these Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal are somehow capable of playing better cricket. Anyhow, if Pakistan want to do well at the competitive cricket, a lot of hard work on the part of coach Intikhab Alam lies ahead.