Pakistan still struggling with team combination

The true strength of Pakistan's line-up for the World Cup was at test against South Africa, and they fared poorly in the one-day portion of the tour. After a very successful tour in Zimbabwe, where the team made a clean sweep in both the series, the real challenge was South Africa, one of the top teams in international cricket. The main problem facing the Pakistan management is team combinations, with doubts about who to play and who to drop.

The Zimbabwe ODI series was ideal to help blood the openers, a chance to cash in against somewhat weak bowling, and Saleem Elahi and Taufeeq Umar did exactly that. It appeared as if the opening combination may have finally settled.

Sadly, the South African pitches exposed reality very quickly. Taufeeq Umar, though highly talented, looked totally out of sorts, while Saleem Elahi has a terrible habit of playing with the angled bat, making him a major candidate for a catch in the slips.

Youhana, Inzamam and Younis Khan on the other hand, justify their place in the batting order, and are bound to fire sooner or later. That leaves the opening slots up for grabs.

With Faisal Iqbal looking in good touch, he deserves an opportunity, and Afridi is desperately needed for his all-round skill. Pakistan does need some aggression at the top of the order to try throwing opposition bowlers off their line and length. Aside from that, Pakistan desperately needs a sixth bowler, as one saw in the first one-dayer, when Razzaq was not in form.

The question however remains, which player is to be selected as the wicket-keeper for the World Cup. Rashid Latif although brilliant with the gloves, just isn't a competent enough batsman, which means it is necessary for Kamran Akmal to be inducted into the team. The Pakistan think tank should seriously consider having Kamran Akmal in the lower middle order to lend much greater balance to the side.

On the other hand, the bowling department does not require too many changes, with strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar likely to be fit, could be swapped with Mohammed Sami in the less important games and Sami could also come in to give some rest to Waqar and Wasim. Thus Wasim, Waqar, Saqlain and Razzaq are automatic selections in the squad. Although it was disappointing to see Razzaq a bit rusty after a long lay off, he can be excused. He however should not be asked to bowl at the death because Wasim and Shoaib Akhtar are fitter candidates for that job. Special mention must be made of the superb effort by Wasim Akram to get back into form. Hhe did prove that in the early games in South Africa, till he was hurt, and that is exactly why he is regarded as the best bowler in contemporary cricket. Waqar too led his team from the front in the later games to grab key early wickets and one hopes he continues to show a rejuvenated effort.