I chose just to select three upcoming prospects out of hundreds Pakistan has to offer. My selections maybe arguable, but I based my choices on raw talent, recent performance, and the ability to have an immediate impact on the team - which these players have shown.
(Shown Right)
“Bazid Khan has a good orthodox batting technique and equable temperament which have helped him score heavily
in domestic cricket in Pakistan. He was part of the national Under-19s when he was just 15,…..On the fringes of the full
Pakistan side for some time, Bazid averaged over 70 at home in 2003-4, and was finally blooded in a triangular one-day
tournament early in the following season.”(Biswas). Bazid Khan has made an impressive debut on the national side during
Pakistan’s recent series against West Indies scoring 66 runs in his third ODI (one day game). Well, looking at it from
another angle he should be getting plenty of opportunities with the team considering he is the son of the former Pakistan
Cricket Board chief and the nephew of legend Imran Khan. As long as he stays focused and consistent I see him playing on this
team for years to come.
“He can bowl reverse-swing - a prerequisite for Pakistani bowlers, when the ball gets a bit rougher, with good control over his yorkers. Iftikhar has performed consistently well in the domestic circuit since making his debut three years ago, taking over 200 wickets on the generally lifeless pitches of Pakistan. It was his stellar performances in the current domestic season that brought him to national attention. Iftikhar led his team - the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited - to victory in the Patron's Trophy final against WAPDA, taking seven wickets in the first innings and ending with ten in the match.”(Samiuddin). Another wave of Pakistani pace bowlers with lightning speed. Has had limited opportunity with the national side, but shows flashes of a world bowler. A little more refinement on length and control of his bowl and he should be set for some great matches.
“A fast bowler of growing repute, Umar Gul is the latest in Pakistan's assembly-line of pace-bowling talent. He had played just nine first-class matches when called up for national duty in the wake of Pakistan's poor 2003 World Cup….Gul isn't in the Shoaib Akhtar category in terms of pace, but his exceptional control and ability to extract seam movement marks him out as a bowler who should serve Pakistan cricket for a long time.”(Rajesh). An interesting bowler from North Western Frontier province bowls medium pace but has very strong control over the ball. He can swing the ball only some bowlers’ dream of at such a young age of 21. Although, held back this year with a back injury shouldn’t tarnish his prospects of coming into the bowling attach and unleashing his talent.