An interesting observation about Pakistan Cricket; do you remember, who was the last regular left-arm spin bowler in Pakistan team (other than of course Saeed Anwar, Imran Farhat, Amer Sohail and Inzimam-ul-Haq); where are those regular left-arm spinners in Pakistan?

Good to see Wicket-Keeper Kamran Akmal defying all his critics, including myself, with a sweet maiden century against Windies; it was initially not easy to bat in the first twenty overs, as ball was seaming and swinging too much during that time; still Akmal really played well and needs all the praise and an extended stay in the team is due.

Do you know Kamran Akmal became 23 years old on January 13, 2005; he has a brother by the name of Adnan Akmal; interestingly 20 years Adnan Akmal has also taken up wicket-keeping and is a good batsman as well; so he has become a competitor of his own brother; initially when Bob Woolmer saw both the brothers in the nets; he wanted to pick the younger brother Adnan into Pakistan team, but selectors and Captain preferred Kamran because he had already played earlier for Pakistan.

Now with Shoaib Akhtar out for at least till the first week of February 2005 and Mohammad Hafeez reported for wrong bowling action, Pakistani bowling is further depleted.

I am not sure, if Captain and Coach would like to play Shoaib in VB finals (hopefully Pakistan will qualify for the best of three finals); they may like to preserve Shoaib for the historic and more enthusiastically awaited Indian tour by Pakistan.

Also Mohammad Sami is not in form and back in Pakistan; so Pakistan has no real attacking bowler left in Australia; as such they need to quickly fly Kaneria back to Australia.

Why Kaneria, Asim Kamal and Mohammad Asif, who did not play all that bad in Test matches, plus Imran Farhat, who had at least well-acclimatized in Australia, why they were sent back in the first place, is still a mystery.

What is the use of keeping Taufeeq Umar and Rao Iftikhar and now Mohammad Hafeez to remain as spectators during the tour (hopefully all the playing batsmen would remain fit)?

In the mean time, just like Windies, twenty overs would require Abdul Razaq, Salman Butt and Younis Khan (or Yasir Hameed, who ever is played) to bowl them; meaning Pakistan will be using seven bowlers to bowl the 50 overs; what does this mean; probably 300+ runs by Aussies in the next two games against Pakistan and a huge stunning century by Sarwan and Lara against Pakistan; hope not.

Here is the probable line-up for the next match:

1) Salman Butt (considered as future captain by Ramiz Raja and wants the process to start with him becoming vice-captain before we enter Year 2006)

2)Kamran Akmal

3)Younis Khan (considered as future captain by Imran Khan) [or play Yasir Hameed]

4)Shoaib Malik (considered as future vice-captain or even captain by Ramiz Raja)

5)Inzimam-ul-Haq (Ramiz thinks he needs to play only as batsman and captaincy burden given to someone younger)

6)Yousuf Youhanna

7)Abdul Razzaq

8)Shahid Afridi

9)Azhar Mahmood

10)Naved-ul-Hassan

11)Mohammad Khalil (may be preferred over Rao, since he has been here in Australia since the test series, plus being left-armer brings some variety)

12)Rao Iftikhar Anjum

13)Taufeeq Umar

14)Mohammad Hafeez

15) Shoaib Akhtar