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Inzamam-ul-Haq (CAPTAIN)
Born: 3 March 1970, Multan, Punjab
Major Teams: Multan Division Cricket Association; Multan, Faisalabad Cricket Association; Faisalabad, Rawalpindi Cricket Association, United Bank Limited, National Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan.
Known As: Inzamam-ul-Haq
Pronounced: Inzamam-ul-Haq
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Test Debut: Pakistan v England at Birmingham, 1st Test, 1992
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Lahore, 2nd ODI, 1991/92
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Many years ago, that discerning spotter of cricket talent, Imran Khan, predicted that an upcoming Pakistani youngster held out the promise of becoming the best batsman in the world one day. And after a decade of battling it out with the best in the world, burly Inzy (for he was the one singled out for the praise) has fulfilled the master's prophesy, and lived up to his early promise, by taking slots 1, 4 or 6 in the latest cricket ratings.
Since his debut against England at Birmingham in 1992, the big man, as foreign cricket commentators are fond of calling him, has chalked up an impressive record in both versions of the game. Although the cold print does not reveal his complete mastery of the bowling when in full flow, or the brute force and the sheer savagery of his assault, it is a fair reflection of his overall consistency, despite one or two bad patches, layoffs due to injury, and his bane, the running between wickets. In 72 Tests so far, he has scored 4962 runs (13 hundreds, 29 fifties, with a highest of 200 not out) at an enviable average of 46.37. What is even more remarkable that 10 of these 13 Test hundreds have come abroad. His ODI performance in 243 matches has produced an awesome 7926 runs (7 hundreds, 59 fifties, with a top score of 137 not out) at an average of 40.43. No doubt, something for the statisticians to crow over.
Inzy's biggest enemy, on numerous occasions, has been himself. His laid back style and lazy, unruffled air, which is his hallmark even in the tightest situation, has often led to his downfall. It sometimes degenerates into a seemingly bored indifference, a lack of commitment, loose shots, lapses of concentration, and the inevitable, sometimes farcical, run outs in which he has been frequently involved.
But, in the end, all that must be accepted as something inexplicably intertwined with his genius and rare gift as a batsman. And though there may be gasps of dismay from the spectators at the ludicrous situation of Inzy and his fellow batsman somehow contriving to be at the same end, the Pakistani crowds love him despite all his foibles and lapses.
But, of late, one has to concede that Inzamam had become the most dependable of Pakistani batsmen. Commencing with his appointment as vice-captain in 1999, he has virtually been Mr Consistency, and in the year 2000 he made 1000-plus runs in both Tests and one-dayers – 1090 runs in 12 Tests, 4 hundreds, six 50s, average 60.56; 34 one-dayers, 1074 runs, 1 hundred, nine 50s, average 42.96.
He carried that great form into the ongoing year as well, with a Test hundred in New Zealand and subsequently three big 50s which landed him the Man of the Tournament award in the recent ARY Gold Cup at the desert emirate of Sharjah.
At the moment, the highest rated Pakistan batsman in the world, his team would be looking up to him to contribute big runs and revolve the middle order around him during the England series.
The many magnificent innings he has already played for Pakistan and the sheer delight he has provided to fans, would live in memory for a long while and tilt the scales easily in favour of the 'big fella'.
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Yousuf Youhana (VICE CAPTAIN)
Born: 27 August 1974, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Bahawalpur Cricket Association; Bahawalpur, Lahore Cricket Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Water and Power Development Authority, Pakistan.
Known As: Yousuf Youhana
Pronounced: Yousuf Youhana
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Test Debut: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 2nd Test, 1997/98
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Harare, 1st ODI, 1997/98
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Elegance personified
There is an extravagant flourish in his strokes, a seeming effortlessness, graceful footwork, exquisite timing and an exaggerated high backlift reminiscent of Zaheer Abbas. Yousuf Youhana is the highest star on Pakistan's cricket horizon and has established himself as one of the most exciting batsmen in contemporary cricket.
Born on August 27, 1974, Youhana has proved his mettle in both genres of the game. In the abridged version, the youngster has the eye and reflexes to maintain a brisk run-rate. Making his intentions clear at the very outset, Youhana shows a ready willingness to dance down the wicket to the flighted hall and loft it high and straight over the are between mid-off and mid-on. The fast men of the game also fare no better against his onslaught.
In Test cricket, Youhana displays his versatility by executing superb ground shots that unerringly bisect the fielders. His elegance and range of shots make comparisons with the great Zaheer Abbas inevitable. Youhana has blended his command over ground and aerial shots into one consistent technique which serves him equally well in both forms of cricket. His earlier failures were due to 'soft' dismissals, a careless defensive push to lob a catch, a sudden lapse in concentration, or just a failure of temperament.
But all of this was before the advent of coach Javed Miandad. The latter has spent long hours teaching Youhana the simple tricks to overcome his flaws. To many observers, however, he appears obsessed with style and this proves to be his undoing on many occasions.
Still, not many middle-order batsmen can boast a strike-rate of 67.69 per cent in one-dayers, and should he overcome his impetuosity, his Test batting average would be much higher than the current 40.37 per innings.
Miandad's hard work was visible during Pakistan's last tour of the Caribbean, where Youhana made two back-to-back Test hundreds and this form continued to serve him well during the Asia Cup held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he was named the Man of the Tournament, and also against England at home. Ravi Shastri chose to describe him as a "street smart cricketer", a tribute that would have greatly pleased Miandad.
Youhana starts off by rotating the strike, stealing ones and twos by nudging the ball past the close-in fielders. So good is his initial tempo that one barely notices the first unruffled 20-odd runs. Once he has a measure of the wicket and the bowling, he shifts gear and starts looking for boundaries by placing the ball through the gaps. Once his innings has gained momentum, he shifts up another notch to really cut loose and send the ball flying to all parts of the ground. From what we have seen of him so far, once can safely state that Youhana's best form is yet to come. Still 26, Youhana is the batsman, to watch for in the next few years. Indeed, to some experts, he is in the same mould as Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Waugh.
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Yasir Hameed
Born: 28 February 1978, Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province
Major Teams: Peshawar Cricket Association; Peshawar, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Other: Wicket-Keeper
Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Break
Test Debut: Pakistan v Bangladesh at Karachi, 1st Test, 2003
Latest Test: Pakistan v India at Rawalpindi, 3rd Test, 2003/04
ODI Debut: Pakistan v New Zealand at Dambulla, Bank Alfalah Cup, 2003
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
Yasir Hameed stamped his presence in international cricket with two Test centuries on debut - against Bangladesh at Karachi in August 2003 - becoming only the second player to achieve that feat. Frail of build, Yasir's game is all about pure timing, and the elegance and ease with which he picks gaps in the infield is remarkable. Good technique coupled with a great eye have helped him in his career so far. His exploits in the one-day arena have been as impressive, and he has forged a superb combination with Imran Farhat at the top of the order: against New Zealand at home the pair put together a record four consecutive hundred partnerships. The early signs are promising, but Yasir has, of late, shown a worrying tendency to waste his starts, making pretty 20s and then throwing it away, often by flailing at wide ones outside off. He will need iron out that flaw to become a long-term No. 3 in Tests. Quick in the field with a safe pair of hands, Yasir is also a useful addition to Pakistan's slip cordon.
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Moin Khan
Born: 23 September 1971, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Teams: Karachi Cricket Association; Karachi Cricket City Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan.
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Other: Wicket-Keeper
Test Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Faisalabad, 2nd Test, 1990/91
Latest Test: Pakistan v India at Multan, 1st Test, 2003/04
ODI Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Multan, 3rd ODI, 1990/91
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
Renowned for his combative skills, Moin Khan has spent most of his career slugging it out with Rashid Latif for the keeper's gloves. His batting ability has generally kept him in front although Latif is a better keeper. An effective rather than stylish batsman, Moin relishes a crisis and has held together Pakistan's lower order time and again. His quick feet and improvisation are even more productive in one-day cricket where he scores at speed. Behind the stumps, he is the chirpiest of keepers and the stump mike has revealed his full repertoire to the world. "Well bowled" and "shabash" are his most familiar soundbites. As captain, Moin struggled to get his way amid Pakistan's incessant in-fighting and was too defensive, as when England triumphed in the gloom of Karachi. Moin played through most of the 2003-04 season, missing only the last two Tests against India due to injury. However, his wicketkeeping form wasn't entirely convincing, and with Kamran Akmal staking a strong claim, Moin's days as an international cricketer might be drawing to a close.
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Younis Khan
Born: 29 November 1977, Mardan, North-West Frontier Province
Major Teams: Peshawar Cricket Association; Peshawar, Habib Bank Limited, Pakistan.
Known As: Younis Khan
Pronounced: Younis Khan
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Leg Break
Test Debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi, 1st Test, 1999/00
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Karachi, 1st ODI, 1999/00
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
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Naved-ul-Hasan
Born: 28 February 1978, Sheikhupura, Punjab
Major Teams: Lahore Division, Sheikhupura Cricket Association, Pakistan Customs, Allied Bank, Herefordshire, Pakistan.
Also Known As: Rana Naved
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup, 2002/03
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
Hasan made his debut in Sharjah immediately after the disastrous 2003 World Cup, at which time he was competing with Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik and Azhar Mahmood for the allrounder's spot. Few backed him then despite some impressive early performances and he was dropped soon after, allegedly because of disciplinary problems. But now, with Razzaq and Malik going through indifferent patches with bat, ball or both, and Mahmood fading away, Hasan has worked his way back into the reckoning, mainly on the back of an impressive domestic season in 2003-04. A marathon, successful spell of bowling in the Patrons Trophy final in January – a tournament in which he was leading wicket-taker – brought a call-up to the squad, and a return to the team for the ODI opener against India in Karachi. In a game full of memorable moments, Hasan's stood out – his first over went for 24 runs but he replied with three crucial wickets. As with most Pakistan bowlers of pace, he can bowl a reverse-swinging yorker almost at will. His change of pace, as Virender Sehwag will testify, is another useful weapon. As a lower-order, hard-hitting batsman, he has had little opportunity to impress at international level.
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Shahid Khan Afridi
Born: 1 March 1980, Khyber Agency
Major Teams: Karachi Cricket Association, Habib Bank Limited, Leicestershire, Pakistan.
Known As: Shahid Afridi
Pronounced: Shahid Afridi
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Leg Break Googly
Test Debut: Pakistan v Australia at Karachi, 3rd Test, 1998/99
Latest Test: Pakistan v New Zealand at Lahore, 1st Test, 2002
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Kenya at Nairobi (AK), KCA Centenary Tournament, 1996/97
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Seeing Shahid Afridi in action, one is bound to check the fast forward button, but the man has that inborn speedy touch to whatever he does in life. The 21-year-old from Karachi loves to meet the challenges of life without wasting too much time. Often his hasty approach earns him the flak and people tend to write him off. Yet Afridi likes to prove people wrong. Molded on a jet-set pattern, Afridi's life took a speedy turn and the little known player transformed into one of the most popular cricketers of the world in a flash. It is nothing less than a fairy tale success story. A SOS shifted Afridi from an Under-19 series in the West Indies to the four-nation One-day tournament in Kenya. Like a witch's broom, Afridi wielded his willow to the best effect thrashing the Sri Lankan attack. He recorded the fastest One-day hundred off only 37 balls, which contained record equaling 11 sixes.
Afridi belongs to the North Frontier tribal areas where the inhabitants hate to lose a battle, and Afridi is no different from the rest. He wants to dominate the bowlers all the time. After his almost supernatural stint in Kenya, people expected the same mauling of the bowlers every time he walked out to bat. His detractors reckoned him a mere One-day player and believed he may never play a Test, as his style didn't suit the longer version of the game. Again he proved them wrong. When he played his first Test against Australia in Karachi in 1998, he unleashed his leg spin to the utmost effect taking five wickets in the first innings. In his second Test, he hammered 142 against India at Chennai to guide Pakistan to a 12-run victory in the match.
Afridi introduced probably the fastest spin delivery the game has seen in recent years. Bowling unorthodox quick leg spinners with an occasional shooter, he has surprised and beaten many a batsman.
Afridi's performance in One-day internationals played during 2000 does not present a healthy picture. In 27 matches, he has managed to score 604 runs at an average of 24.16, which contains three fifties. However, the picture is a bit encouraging as far as the longer version of the game is concerned. Taking part in five Test matches for Pakistan during the last year, he has scored 240 runs at an average of 30.00. He has also added nine wickets to his credit during the same period.
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Abdur Razzaq
Born: 2 December 1979, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Khan Research Labs, Lahore Cricket Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Middlesex, Pakistan.
Known As: Abdur Razzaq
Pronounced: Abdur Razzaq
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Test Debut: Pakistan v Australia at Brisbane, 1st Test, 1999/00
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Lahore, 2nd ODI, 1996/97
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
A natural with both bat and ball
Taciturn and not given to emotional displays of exuberance, lanky Adul Razzaq is generally acknowledged by experts to possess all the makings of a genuine world-class all-rounder. His composure, his calm and collected manner, whatever the situation, clearly marks him out as a natural, both with the bat and the ball. When he lays into the bowling it is with a controlled, coolly calculated power, executing his flowing strokes with a straight bat and sound technique. It is a measure of his immense talent that he is even deemed competent to bat at the one-down slot, although his usual place is much lower down the order.
He is a man for all seasons. He can go for the big shots straightaway, or patiently graft his innings with shrewd singles and twos. But his real work for his side lies in his penetrative fast howling. He can swerve the ball both ways, has a fine yorker and can bowl a deceptive slower ball. He has mastered the intricacies of reverse swinging the old ball at this relatively young age, although like other Pakistani bowlers, he can occasionally be wayward in line and length.
Such instances though are few and far between, and generally he is quite stingy with runs as he chips away at wickets, which especially reflects in his one-day career figures of 70 matches, 100 wickets. An average of 23.81 per wicket.
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Azhar Mahmood
Born: 28 February 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Teams: Islamabad Cricket Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Rawalpindi Cricket Association, United Bank Limited, Marylebone Cricket Club, Surrey, Pakistan.
Known As: Azhar Mahmood
Pronounced: Azhar Mahmood
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Test Debut: Pakistan v South Africa at Rawalpindi, 1st Test, 1997/98
Latest Test: Pakistan v England at Manchester, 2nd Test, 2001
ODI Debut: Pakistan v India at Toronto, Sahara Cup, 1996
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, 2nd ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Azhar Mahmood, the right-arm medium pace bowler and middle order batsman of immense potential, made his entry into the Test arena with no less than a bang. Playing in his first Test against the visiting South African team in 1997, he made 128 in the first innings and 50 in the second without being dismissed on either occasion.
Azhar has talent in abundance. As an all-rounder of great utility, he is a captain's player who can deliver the goods in both forms of the game - a middle order batsman of enormous talent and a seam bowler who can chip in with wickets in the time of need.
Barring injuries, the latest being the fractured ankle which kept him out of action for the most of 2000, he has been more or less a permanent member of Pakistan team both in Tests and One-dayers. However, his hard hitting but orthodox batting skills have particularly been extremely useful in the limited version of the game. Time and again he has provided the team with some valuable quick runs at the end of the innings.
Azhar hails from Rawalpindi, having played most of his cricket for the city before being recruited by United Bank limited. He represented Pakistan at the junior level and a successful tour of New Zealand helped him establish a great deal. He was declared the "Player of the Tournament" in a national competition in 1995-96, paving his way into the national team for the second Sahara Cup One-day tournament in 1997.
Azhar then earned his Test cap after a successful tour to England as a member of Pakistan "A". He took 25 wickets and scored more than 400 runs to prove his credentials as an all-rounder.
Unlike most Pakistani pacers, Azhar is not much of a swinger but rather employs the seam to bowl off and leg cutters. In a very short time he has learned to vary his pace with great effect. In test game he bowls with extra speed and occasionally gets enough pace and bounce to trouble the best of batsmen. His remarkable close catching feats round off his all-round cricket abilities. Having already become a permanent member of the team, Azhar is expected to polish his talents with the maturity that comes with experience.
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Shoaib Akhtar
Born: 13 August 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Teams: Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan International Airlines, Rawalpindi Cricket Association, Somerset, Khan Research Labs, Pakistan.
Known As: Shoaib Akhtar
Pronounced: Shoaib Akhtar
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Test Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Rawalpindi, 2nd Test, 1997/98
Latest Test: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, 2nd Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Harare, 1st ODI, 1997/98
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Paarl, 4th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Rated, along with the Australian Brett Lee, as one of the fastest bowler of the world, Shoaib Akhtar was never interested in cricket in his childhood. It is interesting to note though that he developed a fancy for fast bowling only after seeing Waqar Younis, the man whom he replaced in the team, bowl his deadly yorkers. Flatfooted by birth, Shoaib matured as a fast bowler in the domestic seasons. He plays for Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan where his raw talent was harvested by some sensible coaching.
Hailing from Rawalpindi, this strongly built pace man is a story of transformation of a problematic youth to a popular pace man and a very outgoing personality. A negative disciplinary report by the manager of Pakistan "A" on their tour to England in 1996 put brakes on his career, although he took 25 wickets during that tour. He was selected for the Sahara Cup 1996 but was dropped on disciplinary grounds.
However, shaking aside the image of these youthful misdemeanors, he has now come of age and with his destructive pace destroyed many a batting line up of the world. His five-wicket haul at Durban in 1997-98, which helped Pakistan win their first ever Test at South African soil was just a premonition of the things to come. He duly played his part in Pakistan's victory over India in the first match of the Asian Test Championship by grabbing eight wickets in the match. His two yorkers perishing Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar on consecutive deliveries remained the talking point for some time. His performance during the World Cup 99 was stunning as he relished upon the fast and bouncy English pitches. His bowling speed reached figures of up to 99 miles per hour speed on a number of occasions. Visibly pumped by the unique publicity in the media, he has tried to acquire the magical figure of 100 m/h only to put extra strain on his back.
Shoaib's damaged back kept him out of international cricket for quite some time. He did not only miss out his much-hyped stint with the English county Nottinghamshire, but also had to sit out during the tours of Caribbean, Sri Lanka and the home series against England. He has been picked for the tour of New Zealand after proving his fitness.
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Imran Farhat
Born: 20 May 1982, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Habib Bank Limited, Lahore Cricket Association; Lahore City Cricket Association; Lahore, Pakistan Reserves, Biman Bangladesh; Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Pakistan.
Also Known As: Romi
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Leg Break
Test Debut: Pakistan v New Zealand at Auckland, 1st Test, 2000/01
Latest Test: Pakistan v India at Rawalpindi, 3rd Test, 2003/04
ODI Debut: Pakistan v New Zealand at Auckland, 1st ODI, 2000/01
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
A gifted young left-handed opener who is finally coming to grips with international cricket, Imran Farhat had a brief spell in the Pakistan side after success with the national under-19 and A sides. Farhat bears more than a passing resemblance to Saeed Anwar but is more of a bludgeoner than a sweet timer. He was rather too cavalier in his early appearances in the Test arena, and was promptly discarded after the tour to New Zealand in 2000-01. However, he tightened his game and achieved much more success in the 2003-04 season. Tempering his impressive array of shots with better defensive technique, Farhat scored a deluge of runs in the home series against South Africa and New Zealand, being involved in a record four successive hundred partnerships with Yasir Hameed in the one-day internationals against New Zealand. He also notched up his first century in both Tests and ODIs during this season, and then went on to score a vital 101 in Pakistan's victory against India in the Lahore Test.
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Salman Butt
Born: 7 October 1984, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Lahore Cricket Association; Lahore City Cricket Association; Lahore, Pakistan
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Test Debut: Pakistan v Bangladesh at Multan, 3rd Test, 2003
Profile:
An aggressive left-handed opening batsman, Salman Butt made impressive strides at age-level matches before making his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2003-04. He played in the Under-19 World Cup and also toured South Africa with Pakistan's Academy team, smashing 233 against the South African Academy side. His strokeplay is not in doubt – he is known for providing electrifying starts in all forms of the game. What he lacks, though, is a tight defensive technique. The technical deficiencies were evident on his Test debut, where he mixed daring strokes with play-and-misses outside off. If he works on those flaws, Butt could be a regular in the Pakistan team for quite a while.
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Mohammad Sami
Born: 24 February 1981, Karachi, Sind
Major Teams: Pakistan Customs, Karachi Cricket Association, National Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan.
Known As: Mohammad Sami
Pronounced: Mohammad Sami
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Test Debut: Pakistan v New Zealand at Auckland, 1st Test, 2000/01
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, ARY Gold Cup, 2000/01
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Mohammad Sami, the slender right-handed pace man hailing from Karachi, has a dream start to his international career. Little known in cricket circles until now, what to speak of the common man, he has risen to international fame almost overnight. Having played only one domestic tournament - the Quaid-e-Azam (QEA) Trophy 2000-01 - apart from a four-day game against England, the lad has been chosen to represent Pakistan for the tour of New Zealand.
Sami, who in his stride looks very much like the former Test player Aaqib Javed, gave a few impressive performances while playing for Pakistan Under-19 last year. Although his QEA Trophy record is not very outstanding but it certainly presents an encouraging picture. Taking part in six matches of the Trophy, he took 42 wickets at an average of 16.11, with his best of 6 wickets for 72 runs. His performance in the final of the Trophy is particularly worth mentioning. Pitted against a strong batting line-up of Lahore Blues, Sami bowled his heart out, taking five wickets for 64 in the first innings. And his victims included names like Abdur Razzaq and Wasim Akram.
The 19-year-old lad has ascended only the first step to a stairway, which leads to unrivaled fame and glory. The tour to New Zealand should prove a good learning experience for him as a number of old-timers like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdur Razzaq will be there to teach him the tricks of trade.
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Shoaib Malik
Born: 1 February 1982, Sialkot, Punjab
Major Teams: Gujranwala Cricket Association; Gujranwala, Pakistan Reserves, Pakistan International Airlines, Sialkot Cricket Association, Pakistan, Gloucestershire.
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Break
Test Debut: Pakistan v Bangladesh at Multan, Asia-Test, 2001/02
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Faisalabad, 2nd Test, 2003/04
ODI Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Sharjah, Champions Trophy, 1999/00
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
A tall offspinner in the modern mould, Shoaib Malik doesn't look much like Saqlain Mushtaq, but everything else about his bowling, from short-stepping run-up to the doosra or wrong'un, are carbon copies of his senior colleague. Shoaib's abilities in the field and with the bat – he has notched up a couple of hundreds in one-day internationals – have made him a regular member of Pakistan's ODI line-up, but a Test berth has proved harder: he played two matches in the 2001-02 season, and then came back to play three matches against Bangladesh and South Africa in 2003-04. However, with Danish Kaneria proving to be a more incisive spinner in Tests, it seems unlikely that Malik will earn a regular Test spot.
Born: 3 March 1970, Multan, Punjab
Major Teams: Multan Division Cricket Association; Multan, Faisalabad Cricket Association; Faisalabad, Rawalpindi Cricket Association, United Bank Limited, National Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan.
Known As: Inzamam-ul-Haq
Pronounced: Inzamam-ul-Haq
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Test Debut: Pakistan v England at Birmingham, 1st Test, 1992
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Lahore, 2nd ODI, 1991/92
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Many years ago, that discerning spotter of cricket talent, Imran Khan, predicted that an upcoming Pakistani youngster held out the promise of becoming the best batsman in the world one day. And after a decade of battling it out with the best in the world, burly Inzy (for he was the one singled out for the praise) has fulfilled the master's prophesy, and lived up to his early promise, by taking slots 1, 4 or 6 in the latest cricket ratings.
Since his debut against England at Birmingham in 1992, the big man, as foreign cricket commentators are fond of calling him, has chalked up an impressive record in both versions of the game. Although the cold print does not reveal his complete mastery of the bowling when in full flow, or the brute force and the sheer savagery of his assault, it is a fair reflection of his overall consistency, despite one or two bad patches, layoffs due to injury, and his bane, the running between wickets. In 72 Tests so far, he has scored 4962 runs (13 hundreds, 29 fifties, with a highest of 200 not out) at an enviable average of 46.37. What is even more remarkable that 10 of these 13 Test hundreds have come abroad. His ODI performance in 243 matches has produced an awesome 7926 runs (7 hundreds, 59 fifties, with a top score of 137 not out) at an average of 40.43. No doubt, something for the statisticians to crow over.
Inzy's biggest enemy, on numerous occasions, has been himself. His laid back style and lazy, unruffled air, which is his hallmark even in the tightest situation, has often led to his downfall. It sometimes degenerates into a seemingly bored indifference, a lack of commitment, loose shots, lapses of concentration, and the inevitable, sometimes farcical, run outs in which he has been frequently involved.
But, in the end, all that must be accepted as something inexplicably intertwined with his genius and rare gift as a batsman. And though there may be gasps of dismay from the spectators at the ludicrous situation of Inzy and his fellow batsman somehow contriving to be at the same end, the Pakistani crowds love him despite all his foibles and lapses.
But, of late, one has to concede that Inzamam had become the most dependable of Pakistani batsmen. Commencing with his appointment as vice-captain in 1999, he has virtually been Mr Consistency, and in the year 2000 he made 1000-plus runs in both Tests and one-dayers – 1090 runs in 12 Tests, 4 hundreds, six 50s, average 60.56; 34 one-dayers, 1074 runs, 1 hundred, nine 50s, average 42.96.
He carried that great form into the ongoing year as well, with a Test hundred in New Zealand and subsequently three big 50s which landed him the Man of the Tournament award in the recent ARY Gold Cup at the desert emirate of Sharjah.
At the moment, the highest rated Pakistan batsman in the world, his team would be looking up to him to contribute big runs and revolve the middle order around him during the England series.
The many magnificent innings he has already played for Pakistan and the sheer delight he has provided to fans, would live in memory for a long while and tilt the scales easily in favour of the 'big fella'.
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Yousuf Youhana (VICE CAPTAIN)
Born: 27 August 1974, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Bahawalpur Cricket Association; Bahawalpur, Lahore Cricket Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Water and Power Development Authority, Pakistan.
Known As: Yousuf Youhana
Pronounced: Yousuf Youhana
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Test Debut: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 2nd Test, 1997/98
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Harare, 1st ODI, 1997/98
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Elegance personified
There is an extravagant flourish in his strokes, a seeming effortlessness, graceful footwork, exquisite timing and an exaggerated high backlift reminiscent of Zaheer Abbas. Yousuf Youhana is the highest star on Pakistan's cricket horizon and has established himself as one of the most exciting batsmen in contemporary cricket.
Born on August 27, 1974, Youhana has proved his mettle in both genres of the game. In the abridged version, the youngster has the eye and reflexes to maintain a brisk run-rate. Making his intentions clear at the very outset, Youhana shows a ready willingness to dance down the wicket to the flighted hall and loft it high and straight over the are between mid-off and mid-on. The fast men of the game also fare no better against his onslaught.
In Test cricket, Youhana displays his versatility by executing superb ground shots that unerringly bisect the fielders. His elegance and range of shots make comparisons with the great Zaheer Abbas inevitable. Youhana has blended his command over ground and aerial shots into one consistent technique which serves him equally well in both forms of cricket. His earlier failures were due to 'soft' dismissals, a careless defensive push to lob a catch, a sudden lapse in concentration, or just a failure of temperament.
But all of this was before the advent of coach Javed Miandad. The latter has spent long hours teaching Youhana the simple tricks to overcome his flaws. To many observers, however, he appears obsessed with style and this proves to be his undoing on many occasions.
Still, not many middle-order batsmen can boast a strike-rate of 67.69 per cent in one-dayers, and should he overcome his impetuosity, his Test batting average would be much higher than the current 40.37 per innings.
Miandad's hard work was visible during Pakistan's last tour of the Caribbean, where Youhana made two back-to-back Test hundreds and this form continued to serve him well during the Asia Cup held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he was named the Man of the Tournament, and also against England at home. Ravi Shastri chose to describe him as a "street smart cricketer", a tribute that would have greatly pleased Miandad.
Youhana starts off by rotating the strike, stealing ones and twos by nudging the ball past the close-in fielders. So good is his initial tempo that one barely notices the first unruffled 20-odd runs. Once he has a measure of the wicket and the bowling, he shifts gear and starts looking for boundaries by placing the ball through the gaps. Once his innings has gained momentum, he shifts up another notch to really cut loose and send the ball flying to all parts of the ground. From what we have seen of him so far, once can safely state that Youhana's best form is yet to come. Still 26, Youhana is the batsman, to watch for in the next few years. Indeed, to some experts, he is in the same mould as Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Waugh.
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Yasir Hameed
Born: 28 February 1978, Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province
Major Teams: Peshawar Cricket Association; Peshawar, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Other: Wicket-Keeper
Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Break
Test Debut: Pakistan v Bangladesh at Karachi, 1st Test, 2003
Latest Test: Pakistan v India at Rawalpindi, 3rd Test, 2003/04
ODI Debut: Pakistan v New Zealand at Dambulla, Bank Alfalah Cup, 2003
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
Yasir Hameed stamped his presence in international cricket with two Test centuries on debut - against Bangladesh at Karachi in August 2003 - becoming only the second player to achieve that feat. Frail of build, Yasir's game is all about pure timing, and the elegance and ease with which he picks gaps in the infield is remarkable. Good technique coupled with a great eye have helped him in his career so far. His exploits in the one-day arena have been as impressive, and he has forged a superb combination with Imran Farhat at the top of the order: against New Zealand at home the pair put together a record four consecutive hundred partnerships. The early signs are promising, but Yasir has, of late, shown a worrying tendency to waste his starts, making pretty 20s and then throwing it away, often by flailing at wide ones outside off. He will need iron out that flaw to become a long-term No. 3 in Tests. Quick in the field with a safe pair of hands, Yasir is also a useful addition to Pakistan's slip cordon.
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Moin Khan
Born: 23 September 1971, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Teams: Karachi Cricket Association; Karachi Cricket City Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan.
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Other: Wicket-Keeper
Test Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Faisalabad, 2nd Test, 1990/91
Latest Test: Pakistan v India at Multan, 1st Test, 2003/04
ODI Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Multan, 3rd ODI, 1990/91
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
Renowned for his combative skills, Moin Khan has spent most of his career slugging it out with Rashid Latif for the keeper's gloves. His batting ability has generally kept him in front although Latif is a better keeper. An effective rather than stylish batsman, Moin relishes a crisis and has held together Pakistan's lower order time and again. His quick feet and improvisation are even more productive in one-day cricket where he scores at speed. Behind the stumps, he is the chirpiest of keepers and the stump mike has revealed his full repertoire to the world. "Well bowled" and "shabash" are his most familiar soundbites. As captain, Moin struggled to get his way amid Pakistan's incessant in-fighting and was too defensive, as when England triumphed in the gloom of Karachi. Moin played through most of the 2003-04 season, missing only the last two Tests against India due to injury. However, his wicketkeeping form wasn't entirely convincing, and with Kamran Akmal staking a strong claim, Moin's days as an international cricketer might be drawing to a close.
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Younis Khan
Born: 29 November 1977, Mardan, North-West Frontier Province
Major Teams: Peshawar Cricket Association; Peshawar, Habib Bank Limited, Pakistan.
Known As: Younis Khan
Pronounced: Younis Khan
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Leg Break
Test Debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi, 1st Test, 1999/00
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Karachi, 1st ODI, 1999/00
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
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Naved-ul-Hasan
Born: 28 February 1978, Sheikhupura, Punjab
Major Teams: Lahore Division, Sheikhupura Cricket Association, Pakistan Customs, Allied Bank, Herefordshire, Pakistan.
Also Known As: Rana Naved
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup, 2002/03
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
Hasan made his debut in Sharjah immediately after the disastrous 2003 World Cup, at which time he was competing with Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik and Azhar Mahmood for the allrounder's spot. Few backed him then despite some impressive early performances and he was dropped soon after, allegedly because of disciplinary problems. But now, with Razzaq and Malik going through indifferent patches with bat, ball or both, and Mahmood fading away, Hasan has worked his way back into the reckoning, mainly on the back of an impressive domestic season in 2003-04. A marathon, successful spell of bowling in the Patrons Trophy final in January – a tournament in which he was leading wicket-taker – brought a call-up to the squad, and a return to the team for the ODI opener against India in Karachi. In a game full of memorable moments, Hasan's stood out – his first over went for 24 runs but he replied with three crucial wickets. As with most Pakistan bowlers of pace, he can bowl a reverse-swinging yorker almost at will. His change of pace, as Virender Sehwag will testify, is another useful weapon. As a lower-order, hard-hitting batsman, he has had little opportunity to impress at international level.
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Shahid Khan Afridi
Born: 1 March 1980, Khyber Agency
Major Teams: Karachi Cricket Association, Habib Bank Limited, Leicestershire, Pakistan.
Known As: Shahid Afridi
Pronounced: Shahid Afridi
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Leg Break Googly
Test Debut: Pakistan v Australia at Karachi, 3rd Test, 1998/99
Latest Test: Pakistan v New Zealand at Lahore, 1st Test, 2002
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Kenya at Nairobi (AK), KCA Centenary Tournament, 1996/97
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Seeing Shahid Afridi in action, one is bound to check the fast forward button, but the man has that inborn speedy touch to whatever he does in life. The 21-year-old from Karachi loves to meet the challenges of life without wasting too much time. Often his hasty approach earns him the flak and people tend to write him off. Yet Afridi likes to prove people wrong. Molded on a jet-set pattern, Afridi's life took a speedy turn and the little known player transformed into one of the most popular cricketers of the world in a flash. It is nothing less than a fairy tale success story. A SOS shifted Afridi from an Under-19 series in the West Indies to the four-nation One-day tournament in Kenya. Like a witch's broom, Afridi wielded his willow to the best effect thrashing the Sri Lankan attack. He recorded the fastest One-day hundred off only 37 balls, which contained record equaling 11 sixes.
Afridi belongs to the North Frontier tribal areas where the inhabitants hate to lose a battle, and Afridi is no different from the rest. He wants to dominate the bowlers all the time. After his almost supernatural stint in Kenya, people expected the same mauling of the bowlers every time he walked out to bat. His detractors reckoned him a mere One-day player and believed he may never play a Test, as his style didn't suit the longer version of the game. Again he proved them wrong. When he played his first Test against Australia in Karachi in 1998, he unleashed his leg spin to the utmost effect taking five wickets in the first innings. In his second Test, he hammered 142 against India at Chennai to guide Pakistan to a 12-run victory in the match.
Afridi introduced probably the fastest spin delivery the game has seen in recent years. Bowling unorthodox quick leg spinners with an occasional shooter, he has surprised and beaten many a batsman.
Afridi's performance in One-day internationals played during 2000 does not present a healthy picture. In 27 matches, he has managed to score 604 runs at an average of 24.16, which contains three fifties. However, the picture is a bit encouraging as far as the longer version of the game is concerned. Taking part in five Test matches for Pakistan during the last year, he has scored 240 runs at an average of 30.00. He has also added nine wickets to his credit during the same period.
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Abdur Razzaq
Born: 2 December 1979, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Khan Research Labs, Lahore Cricket Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Middlesex, Pakistan.
Known As: Abdur Razzaq
Pronounced: Abdur Razzaq
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Test Debut: Pakistan v Australia at Brisbane, 1st Test, 1999/00
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Lahore, 2nd ODI, 1996/97
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
A natural with both bat and ball
Taciturn and not given to emotional displays of exuberance, lanky Adul Razzaq is generally acknowledged by experts to possess all the makings of a genuine world-class all-rounder. His composure, his calm and collected manner, whatever the situation, clearly marks him out as a natural, both with the bat and the ball. When he lays into the bowling it is with a controlled, coolly calculated power, executing his flowing strokes with a straight bat and sound technique. It is a measure of his immense talent that he is even deemed competent to bat at the one-down slot, although his usual place is much lower down the order.
He is a man for all seasons. He can go for the big shots straightaway, or patiently graft his innings with shrewd singles and twos. But his real work for his side lies in his penetrative fast howling. He can swerve the ball both ways, has a fine yorker and can bowl a deceptive slower ball. He has mastered the intricacies of reverse swinging the old ball at this relatively young age, although like other Pakistani bowlers, he can occasionally be wayward in line and length.
Such instances though are few and far between, and generally he is quite stingy with runs as he chips away at wickets, which especially reflects in his one-day career figures of 70 matches, 100 wickets. An average of 23.81 per wicket.
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Azhar Mahmood
Born: 28 February 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Teams: Islamabad Cricket Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Rawalpindi Cricket Association, United Bank Limited, Marylebone Cricket Club, Surrey, Pakistan.
Known As: Azhar Mahmood
Pronounced: Azhar Mahmood
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Test Debut: Pakistan v South Africa at Rawalpindi, 1st Test, 1997/98
Latest Test: Pakistan v England at Manchester, 2nd Test, 2001
ODI Debut: Pakistan v India at Toronto, Sahara Cup, 1996
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, 2nd ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Azhar Mahmood, the right-arm medium pace bowler and middle order batsman of immense potential, made his entry into the Test arena with no less than a bang. Playing in his first Test against the visiting South African team in 1997, he made 128 in the first innings and 50 in the second without being dismissed on either occasion.
Azhar has talent in abundance. As an all-rounder of great utility, he is a captain's player who can deliver the goods in both forms of the game - a middle order batsman of enormous talent and a seam bowler who can chip in with wickets in the time of need.
Barring injuries, the latest being the fractured ankle which kept him out of action for the most of 2000, he has been more or less a permanent member of Pakistan team both in Tests and One-dayers. However, his hard hitting but orthodox batting skills have particularly been extremely useful in the limited version of the game. Time and again he has provided the team with some valuable quick runs at the end of the innings.
Azhar hails from Rawalpindi, having played most of his cricket for the city before being recruited by United Bank limited. He represented Pakistan at the junior level and a successful tour of New Zealand helped him establish a great deal. He was declared the "Player of the Tournament" in a national competition in 1995-96, paving his way into the national team for the second Sahara Cup One-day tournament in 1997.
Azhar then earned his Test cap after a successful tour to England as a member of Pakistan "A". He took 25 wickets and scored more than 400 runs to prove his credentials as an all-rounder.
Unlike most Pakistani pacers, Azhar is not much of a swinger but rather employs the seam to bowl off and leg cutters. In a very short time he has learned to vary his pace with great effect. In test game he bowls with extra speed and occasionally gets enough pace and bounce to trouble the best of batsmen. His remarkable close catching feats round off his all-round cricket abilities. Having already become a permanent member of the team, Azhar is expected to polish his talents with the maturity that comes with experience.
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Shoaib Akhtar
Born: 13 August 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Teams: Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan International Airlines, Rawalpindi Cricket Association, Somerset, Khan Research Labs, Pakistan.
Known As: Shoaib Akhtar
Pronounced: Shoaib Akhtar
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Test Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Rawalpindi, 2nd Test, 1997/98
Latest Test: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, 2nd Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Harare, 1st ODI, 1997/98
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Paarl, 4th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Rated, along with the Australian Brett Lee, as one of the fastest bowler of the world, Shoaib Akhtar was never interested in cricket in his childhood. It is interesting to note though that he developed a fancy for fast bowling only after seeing Waqar Younis, the man whom he replaced in the team, bowl his deadly yorkers. Flatfooted by birth, Shoaib matured as a fast bowler in the domestic seasons. He plays for Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan where his raw talent was harvested by some sensible coaching.
Hailing from Rawalpindi, this strongly built pace man is a story of transformation of a problematic youth to a popular pace man and a very outgoing personality. A negative disciplinary report by the manager of Pakistan "A" on their tour to England in 1996 put brakes on his career, although he took 25 wickets during that tour. He was selected for the Sahara Cup 1996 but was dropped on disciplinary grounds.
However, shaking aside the image of these youthful misdemeanors, he has now come of age and with his destructive pace destroyed many a batting line up of the world. His five-wicket haul at Durban in 1997-98, which helped Pakistan win their first ever Test at South African soil was just a premonition of the things to come. He duly played his part in Pakistan's victory over India in the first match of the Asian Test Championship by grabbing eight wickets in the match. His two yorkers perishing Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar on consecutive deliveries remained the talking point for some time. His performance during the World Cup 99 was stunning as he relished upon the fast and bouncy English pitches. His bowling speed reached figures of up to 99 miles per hour speed on a number of occasions. Visibly pumped by the unique publicity in the media, he has tried to acquire the magical figure of 100 m/h only to put extra strain on his back.
Shoaib's damaged back kept him out of international cricket for quite some time. He did not only miss out his much-hyped stint with the English county Nottinghamshire, but also had to sit out during the tours of Caribbean, Sri Lanka and the home series against England. He has been picked for the tour of New Zealand after proving his fitness.
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Imran Farhat
Born: 20 May 1982, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Habib Bank Limited, Lahore Cricket Association; Lahore City Cricket Association; Lahore, Pakistan Reserves, Biman Bangladesh; Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Pakistan.
Also Known As: Romi
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Leg Break
Test Debut: Pakistan v New Zealand at Auckland, 1st Test, 2000/01
Latest Test: Pakistan v India at Rawalpindi, 3rd Test, 2003/04
ODI Debut: Pakistan v New Zealand at Auckland, 1st ODI, 2000/01
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
A gifted young left-handed opener who is finally coming to grips with international cricket, Imran Farhat had a brief spell in the Pakistan side after success with the national under-19 and A sides. Farhat bears more than a passing resemblance to Saeed Anwar but is more of a bludgeoner than a sweet timer. He was rather too cavalier in his early appearances in the Test arena, and was promptly discarded after the tour to New Zealand in 2000-01. However, he tightened his game and achieved much more success in the 2003-04 season. Tempering his impressive array of shots with better defensive technique, Farhat scored a deluge of runs in the home series against South Africa and New Zealand, being involved in a record four successive hundred partnerships with Yasir Hameed in the one-day internationals against New Zealand. He also notched up his first century in both Tests and ODIs during this season, and then went on to score a vital 101 in Pakistan's victory against India in the Lahore Test.
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Salman Butt
Born: 7 October 1984, Lahore, Punjab
Major Teams: Lahore Cricket Association; Lahore City Cricket Association; Lahore, Pakistan
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Test Debut: Pakistan v Bangladesh at Multan, 3rd Test, 2003
Profile:
An aggressive left-handed opening batsman, Salman Butt made impressive strides at age-level matches before making his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2003-04. He played in the Under-19 World Cup and also toured South Africa with Pakistan's Academy team, smashing 233 against the South African Academy side. His strokeplay is not in doubt – he is known for providing electrifying starts in all forms of the game. What he lacks, though, is a tight defensive technique. The technical deficiencies were evident on his Test debut, where he mixed daring strokes with play-and-misses outside off. If he works on those flaws, Butt could be a regular in the Pakistan team for quite a while.
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Mohammad Sami
Born: 24 February 1981, Karachi, Sind
Major Teams: Pakistan Customs, Karachi Cricket Association, National Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan.
Known As: Mohammad Sami
Pronounced: Mohammad Sami
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Test Debut: Pakistan v New Zealand at Auckland, 1st Test, 2000/01
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Durban, 1st Test, 2002/03
ODI Debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, ARY Gold Cup, 2000/01
Latest ODI: Pakistan v South Africa at Cape Town, 5th ODI, 2002/03
Profile:
Mohammad Sami, the slender right-handed pace man hailing from Karachi, has a dream start to his international career. Little known in cricket circles until now, what to speak of the common man, he has risen to international fame almost overnight. Having played only one domestic tournament - the Quaid-e-Azam (QEA) Trophy 2000-01 - apart from a four-day game against England, the lad has been chosen to represent Pakistan for the tour of New Zealand.
Sami, who in his stride looks very much like the former Test player Aaqib Javed, gave a few impressive performances while playing for Pakistan Under-19 last year. Although his QEA Trophy record is not very outstanding but it certainly presents an encouraging picture. Taking part in six matches of the Trophy, he took 42 wickets at an average of 16.11, with his best of 6 wickets for 72 runs. His performance in the final of the Trophy is particularly worth mentioning. Pitted against a strong batting line-up of Lahore Blues, Sami bowled his heart out, taking five wickets for 64 in the first innings. And his victims included names like Abdur Razzaq and Wasim Akram.
The 19-year-old lad has ascended only the first step to a stairway, which leads to unrivaled fame and glory. The tour to New Zealand should prove a good learning experience for him as a number of old-timers like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdur Razzaq will be there to teach him the tricks of trade.
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Shoaib Malik
Born: 1 February 1982, Sialkot, Punjab
Major Teams: Gujranwala Cricket Association; Gujranwala, Pakistan Reserves, Pakistan International Airlines, Sialkot Cricket Association, Pakistan, Gloucestershire.
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Break
Test Debut: Pakistan v Bangladesh at Multan, Asia-Test, 2001/02
Latest Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Faisalabad, 2nd Test, 2003/04
ODI Debut: Pakistan v West Indies at Sharjah, Champions Trophy, 1999/00
Latest ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lord's, NatWest International, 2004
Profile:
A tall offspinner in the modern mould, Shoaib Malik doesn't look much like Saqlain Mushtaq, but everything else about his bowling, from short-stepping run-up to the doosra or wrong'un, are carbon copies of his senior colleague. Shoaib's abilities in the field and with the bat – he has notched up a couple of hundreds in one-day internationals – have made him a regular member of Pakistan's ODI line-up, but a Test berth has proved harder: he played two matches in the 2001-02 season, and then came back to play three matches against Bangladesh and South Africa in 2003-04. However, with Danish Kaneria proving to be a more incisive spinner in Tests, it seems unlikely that Malik will earn a regular Test spot.
Health and Fitness
