Versatility the ace up Pakistan's sleeve

Kamran Akmal has been in stunning form and might continue to open in ODIs © Getty Images

The casualties of Pakistan's recent resurgence have been many. No longer is there any great intrigue, no stark factionalism, no panic-ridden instability, no surprise selections of unknowns, boards have not been overturned, captains have not faced revolts, no last-minute pull-outs, not much controversy or scandal. On the Pakistan front, to the great dismay of everyone, only stability, confidence, good form and very little surprise is to be found.

It's not as if you can argue against it and call for the good old days; results are famously pig-headed and can't be questioned. As Pakistan prepare to take on India at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, they have won 10 of their last 12 matches, eight of their last 10 against India, the last match against them in Peshawar and have generally stirred everyone enough to start talking, very quietly, about World Cups and favourites. Disturbingly, all is well and good. Inzamam, fit and ready to play again, slyly admitted it. "The boys will obviously be confident from their Test win but ODIs are a different game altogether. We can't look to those results too much," before adding, "we have a little edge but not too much."

So when they step out tomorrow, very little should be different in identity from the series against England. Although it is has been suggested Shoaib Malik will open, it seems unlikely given that Kamran Akmal scored two hundreds in succession opening against England and has three in all as ODI opener. Inzamam hinted as much ("Our openers against England performed very well so we might stick with them") but that there is any uncertainty at all only points to Pakistan's greatest strength as an ODI side: versatility.

Malik can open if needed but he can also steer chases from one-down or come in for a closing overs bash. And he'll generally bowl a full, economical quota of overs. Shahid Afridi, as opener, lower down or in fact anywhere, generally produces devastating results. And he'll also bowl his overs. With Abdul Razzaq also in form, Pakistan can call on three, floating and highly-potent multidimensional players; a more flexible team is difficult to find right now.

If there is one consolation, a concession to old Pakistan, it is that their fielding, though much improved, does at least betray its eccentricity on occasion. Throughout the Test series and the series against England, lapses were plenty and when asked Inzamam said only, "We have been working on our fielding for two to three days so we hope it will be better in the ODIs."

Too many matches may have been played between the two countries in the last two years and too many more may be scheduled, but in the build-up to the World Cup next year, all of them will assume some sort of significance. Pakistan is flush with enough depth in their squad to start talking of a rotation policy and if circumstances allow, players are likely to be changed, as are positions at some point in the series. Inzamam explained, "Very rarely do you get the chance to select matches you want to play. Against England we had that opportunity. It isn't just for me that policy, it applies to the whole team. We have a rotation policy in now so that if a series is decided, we can change players, try out new players."

But flexibility (though perhaps not so much feel good) is not an exclusive Pakistani preserve. Their opponents tomorrow have also experimented their way to eight wins in 12, tinkering mostly with their batting order and players' roles. In any case, it is difficult to imagine that India will subside as easily as they did at home last year.

Whatever does unfold, it will be amid an excitable atmosphere. Overlooked for the Tests, Arbab Niaz Stadium has been abuzz with fans and much excitement at the prospect. In the two Khans, Younis and Arshad, and Shahid Afridi local representation is keenly anticipated. Umar Gul, also from the region, has not been ruled out by Mohammad Asif's emergence as Inzamam admitted. "It's difficult to say in ODI cricket about Asif. He has just come in and has to play more matches before we get an idea about his potential. He bowled well in the Tests and we hope he will in the ODIs."

Local representation or not, since India last visited, only one international has been held at this cozy stadium. Large enough to hold 18,000 locals and small enough to suggest many sixes, tomorrow promises much by way of excitement for a cricket-starved region.

Pakistan (probable)
1 Salman Butt, 2 Kamran Akmal (wk), 3 Younis Khan, 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Shoaib Malik, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Abdul Razzaq, 9 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, 10 Shoaib Akhtar, 10 Mohammad Asif, Supersub: Arshad Khan.