Champions Trophy: Pakistan Squad

[iHammad]

Asif returns to Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 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 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. Mohammad Asif's ban expires on September 22, the same day the ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin Source: http://www.cricinfo.com/iccct2009/content/story/420694.html

[Sachinism]

The junkie is back Looks a good squad.

[iHammad]

The junkie is back Looks a good squad.

:omg: no gaali from an indian!

[Sachinism]

lol Look just coz I didn't put them down, doesn't mean they aren't gonna get thrashed :giggle:

[DomainK]

Keep the nandro flowing.

[Texy]

What happen to Sohail Tanvir? he burst into the scene and now he's nowhere to be seen?

[undisputed]

I'm expecting a play eleven like this.. the champions trophy will be ours! 1. Imran Nazir 2. Kamran Akmal 3. Younus Khan 4. Mohammed Yousuf 5. Umar Akmal 6. Misbah al Haq 7. Shahid Afridi 8. Rana Naved 9. Umar Gul 10. Mohammed Aamir/ Ajmal 11. Mohammed Asif

[Texy]

if only akhtar comes back....it's gonna be the famous AAA attack

[DomainK]

if only akhtar comes back....it's gonna be the famous AAA attack

From what I have heard, Akhtar looks like Inzamam these days.

[vvvslaxman]

AAAAG attack i heard in other words CCCCC attack (C-crap)

[Guest Hiten.]

I am expecting Pakistan and India to go through the next stage as WI and Aus are relatively weaker than the former ones. India has a slight advantage over Pakistan ahead of their clash and I expect us to win comfortably with SRT making a return to the fold.

[DomainK]

I am expecting Pakistan and India to go through the next stage as WI and Aus are relatively weaker than the former ones. India has a slight advantage over Pakistan ahead of their clash and I expect us to win comfortably with SRT making a return to the fold.

I am not sure Pakistan will make it past Australia. They will win the dead rubbers after they are knocked out.

[iHammad]

I am not sure Pakistan will make it past Australia. They will win the dead rubbers after they are knocked out.

we will see abt that kameeno:finger: :winky:

[Guest Hiten.]

we will see abt that kameeno:finger: :winky:

Banter is okay, but don't get abusive.

[iHammad]

Banter is okay' date=' but don't get abusive.[/quote'] yeah like u guys don't dont believe me? chit chat and politics forum par dekh :finger:

[Lord]

so they have left out Razzaq for Asif.could have left out Rao. Razzaq provides a batting option

[Sooda]

Pak have a pretty good chance with the druggie back- that is one good attack. Not sure what kind of rhythm Asif will be in after not bolwing for a year though. Gul, Asif, Ajmal, Afridi and Rao (I agree it should have been Razzaq). Not half bad. If they can keep their heads down and bat ok then they could go all the way

[Lord]

good bowling attack but problems in batting.Yousuf wasnt needed,there is enuf experience in Younis,Malik n Misbah.instead some one like Ahmed Shehzad could have been in allowing Akmal to be back at the finshing role where he is good. it will be a good Indo-Pak encounter. India has an edge in batting n Pak has the edge in bowling.i still believe India will win though

[Shane]

No Shabbir Ahmed? It would have been a nice SAAAG attack.

[Lord]

No Shabbir Ahmed? It would have been a nice SAAAG attack.

instead its NAAAAG attack with Naved-ul -Hasan,Aamer,Asif,Ajmal,Afridi,Gul