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Champions Trophy 2009
Asif returns to Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy
Cricinfo staff
August 21, 2009
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Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif's rehabilitation is almost complete after he was named in the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy, having been out of international cricket for over a year. Asif is one of five pacemen for the tournament, but there is no place for allrounder Abdul Razzaq, who took four wickets from three matches on his comeback to ODI cricket in Sri Lanka earlier this month. Razzaq was, however, dropped for the last two games. Opener Nasir Jamshed, who was part of the ODI squad in Sri Lanka, has also been excluded.
"Asif is back after he satisfied with his fitness and this is the best possible team for an event which is regarded as the toughest of all the events as the world's top eight teams compete in it," Iqbal Qasim, Pakistan's chief selector, told reporters in Lahore. Razzaq's exclusion, mildly surprising given his impact at the World Twenty20 in June on his return from an ICL-exile is believed to be a tactical one; given a long, solid middle order, Pakistan prefer a bowling allrounder at number eight, rather than a batting one. "We had a tie between Razzaq and Naved-ul Hasan when it came to selecting an allrounder, so the best one was picked," Qasim said. "It was not a case of Razzaq not performing well."
It is the return of Asif, however, that will make the headlines. The fast bowler last played for Pakistan in July last year; he was banned by the Pakistan board soon after in September after testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone at the inaugural IPL. The ban ends on September 22, and the ICC has cleared him to play in the eight-team tournament that starts on the same day in Johannesburg.
After being included in the 30 probables for that tournament, Asif attended an Under-23 training camp in Karachi to assess his match fitness. He took 1 for 23 in a practice match during that camp, impressing Rashid Latif, who was overseeing the camp. But despite his selection, Asif can't take part in Pakistan's conditioning camp leading up to the Champions Trophy because his ban expires after the camp finishes.
Pakistan's squad has only one specialist opener in Imran Nazir, who only returned to the side in Sri Lanka after leaving the ICL; alongside Jamshed, Salman Butt also doesn't find a place in the squad. Until Sri Lanka, Butt was Pakistan's one steady opener, with eight ODI hundreds to his name, but an alarming dip in form and confidence during the tour has done for him.
Many eyes will be on Umar Akmal, wicketkeeper Kamran's 19-year-old brother, who made such an impact in Sri Lanka and was Pakistan's highest scorer in that series.
Pakistan: Younis Khan (capt), Imran Nazir, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Naved-ul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal (wk), Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar, Saeed Ajmal.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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They should have included Razzak in the 30. The guy is such a weapon. Someone rightly called him a game changer just as good as Afridi. The guy can bat and bowl. I think he got axed to make room for Asif. They should have found a place for him.
Posted by ZubairPeer on (August 26 2009, 06:40 AM GMT)I think the selectors have done a good job, however RAZAAQ's exclusion is always questionable. I think with the conditions in South africa, he would have been a better buy as an allrounder, in place of RAO or even MISBAH. RANA,s selection is justified. And pakistan team always need an extra strength in batting. RAZAAQ could have been an ideal player for both batting and bowling in S.A. MISBAH needs a break and RAO, even though is a good bowler has never been a match winner nor has ever turned a match on its head. The one good thing is that the selectors have ommited Mr. BUTT. And have persisted with IMRAN NAZIR.
Posted by SAJ.K on (August 26 2009, 04:37 AM GMT)Mohammed Yousaf is one of the best cricketers of all time but he always seems to struggle in big ODI tournaments Razzaq isnt the most consistent but he can change the game almost as quickly as Afridi can.
Posted by ROOMIDAHERO on (August 25 2009, 18:20 PM GMT)Razzak's omission seems wrong. Nazir needs a proper run in the team to get his rythym and timing.he is known as a 20-20 player but also has 4 test centuries in his short test career. Rao is lucky and perhaps one out of Yusuf or Misbah should have been dropped.Malick is not a sure bet anymore. Fawad should be persevered with. he is in the making and should be supported. Rana Naved is playing intelligent n wily cricket and deserves to be in the 15 and so does Razzak.
Posted by sgbaloch on (August 25 2009, 11:27 AM GMT)i think ahmed shahzad should be selected in place of fawad alam or shoaib malik because ahmed is doing well in the tour of srilanka. in 3 one dayers he almost scored 2 hundreds , but unfortunately he was dismissed on 91 in third odm against srilanka A , before it, he played a brilliant ining of 130 in just 96 balls. he played a major part in the two victories of pakistan A against srilanka A. On the inclusion of ahmed shazad , there would be two specialist openers in the team. on the other hand i think razzaks exclusion is not justifying. thank u
Posted by imirfan on (August 25 2009, 10:42 AM GMT)I think we should change Pakistan team's coach also. gues what wasim akram has applied for coaching the kolkatta knight riders. I am sure if we pay him well he will become our team's coach. Wasim was a great player but not sure how much better coach is he but still worth trying. might be good for Asif,Amir and umar gull. Am i wrong?
Posted by Aahd on (August 24 2009, 04:04 AM GMT)In the games in Srilanka Razzaq was constantly edging the balls sent in by the spinners. He still hasn't learned to play spin even to the extent of being able to play it for singles. In limited over cricket that is a huge drawback. To add to that, his bowling lacks potency. Of course he'll have his day once in a while but he is in no manner the world's best all rounder as someone claimed here...he's hardly even in the list. He does not qualify.
Posted by Dr.Asif on (August 24 2009, 03:47 AM GMT)I have been reading all the comments. I am totally agree with all the fans of ABUDL RAZZAQ's. He is a world class allrounder and he was the one guy who has given the right balance in T20 world cup. He has proved himself all over the world batting anywhere at any position. I would like to draw the attention on Shoaib Malik. He is the guy who has to drop. He only manages to score only one fitty in his last 10 ODI innings or rather 2 fities in last 12 ODI innings. His scores are from latest to oldest are as: 12, 0, 9, DNB, 27, 30, 7, 24, 19, 54, 11, 13, 10, 66. Regarding Fawad Alam, he should be utilized properly rather than giving him a joy trip. As far as selecting experience middle order is concered i think YOUNUS, MISBAH, YOUSUF can do that much better with UMER AKMAL and SHAHID AFRIDI. If Malick has dropped and Abbdul Razzaq would have been in the team, it would be a great balance and depth in batting line as well. Do Wake up PCB regarding Shoaib Malik. He should be dropped PCB 4 FYI
Posted by pak_raza on (August 23 2009, 19:23 PM GMT)i dont understand why they need Rao iftikhar who is a only a bowler when they can have Razzaq who is superb all around. they already have like 4 specialist fast bowlers and its not like Rao will actually get to play a game with all those bowlers.
Posted by ateequrrahman on (August 23 2009, 16:09 PM GMT)i request cricinfo staff to forward all these messeges to PCB. There is no reason to drop abdul Razzaq from the team. He has shown his class more times than anyone else in this team. If he would have been in any other country in the world hould have been permanent member or may be captain of national team. But its very sad for cricket fans they are missing such fine player who can do any duty in any type of cricket. which he has proven many times. He can bat at any no, can bowl at any situation. Wake up PCB.