Saqlain likely to be dropped from final

The Pakistan cricket selectors were considering to drop off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq from the starting line-up and introduce Shoaib Malik as the latest Test opener.

Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar Monday admitted that the 14-man squad would be trimmed to 12 Tuesday and also agreed it was being seriously considered to promote off-spinner Shoaib Malik at the top of the order. "But these two decisions would only be finalized once I sit with the captain and vice-captain. We have our options open," Mudassar said.

Shoaib is being tipped to open the innings along with Taufiq Umer in the presence of Shahid Afridi after he scored a century in the second One-day International against Indies in Sharjah.

Saqlain, who took a career-best eight for 164 when he played the last time around here against England 18 months ago, is likely to be dropped as the Pakistan think tank feels that he is out of form and the track prepared for the final is to assist seamers. The pitch has lot of grass and curator Mohammad Bashir believes the base was hard.

Besides, Pakistan has changed no less than a dozen openers since the England series and this move will certainly create more chaos and confusion on top of the order, particularly as Pakistan is pitted against a more professional and balanced Sri Lankan team. However, it was immediately clear that at least Mudassar was against the idea of playing Shoaib Malik as opener but might be outvoted.

"I think to play Abdur Razzaq in top order in England was a great mistake. And if I have to take strength from that decision, I think we are better suited not to play him (Shoaib Malik) in the openers slot," Mudassar said. "Technically maybe Shoaib is better suited to play in the top order in one-dayers but not in Test cricket. It is a different ball game," he added.

The former Test opener minced no words in saying that he disagreed to the idea of playing Shoaib as opener. "I favour Shahid and Taufiq to open the innings." However, Mudassar said even if there was not a consensus but it was agreed to play Shoaib as an opener, "we would strictly abide by it."

Mudassar predicted that stakes would be against Shoaib if he opens the innings for Pakistan. Promoting Shoaib on top of the order means either Shahid Afridi or Abdur Razzaq will bat at No 8. Needless to say that both are multi-talented cricketers who equally share four centuries between them.

"If Shoaib opens the innings, Shahid Afridi will go down. He has scored a century in the last Test match so we have to be very categorical as to what we are doing."