By Kamran Abbasi
November 12 2003

Kamran Abbasi very kindly writes for PakPassion and points out just who he thinks are the future stars of Pakistani Cricket, players he thinks have a bright future, players which have the potential,which players may be eligible for comebacks, the relative unknowns and also the no hopers. Predicting the future has its hazards. Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society in the 19th Century, made some formidable predictions: radio has no future, x-rays will prove to be a hoax, and heavier than air flying machines are impossible. A cricketing equivalent might be Wasim Akrams promise to whip Australia in their backyard in 1999—Pakistan lost the Test series 3-0. But when your recent past—and much of your present—has been so horribly mangled by players, selectors, and administrators, looking to the future is probably an uplifting experience. Perhaps, though, there is good reason to be upbeat, Pakistan cricket has emerged with optimism from the series with South Africa—and that despite the predictably unhelpful antics of players, selectors, and administrators. Polish your crystal balls, roll your dice, and look to the stars: (criterion for selection is under 25s only)

1. Stars in the Making (Players for whom a bright future is assured):

Taufeeq Umar. Pakistani players too often lack maturity and when the crunch comes they are unable to apply themselves. Taufeeq is a rare Pakistani cricketer. He knows which balls to leave and attacks decisively. He is not short of skill either. A star already with years of success to come.

Mohammad Sami. Replacing Wasim and Waqar is no simple task. Shoaib Akhtar needed a worthy partner. Mohammad Sami has stepped effortlessly into the breach. An economical run up unleashes fearsome speed but unusual line for a Pakistani bowler. Openers succeed when they complement rather than mimic each other. Sami is the perfect foil for the Rawalpindi Express, as well as being a lithe fielder and adept batsman.

Danish Kaneria. There were some doubts about Danish. Was he simply a bully, plucking Bangladeshi wickets for fun but failing to impress against the rest? Well one series against South Africa put paid to that theory. Danish displayed incredible control and variation for a young spinner and has firmly established himself as Pakistans number one leggie. Mushtaq Ahmed was always touted as Abdul Qadirs heir, but perhaps that honour sits more comfortably with Danish. Watch out world.

2. Stars for the Taking (Fruits waiting to be plucked)

Imran Farhat. What is selection without judgement? It is not all about how many runs a player scores or how many wickets a player takes—especially early on in a young career. Imran has always looked a player of immense ability. He plays aggressively all around the wicket, and any player that can attack can also defend—he just needs to be taught how. Against South Africa Imran showed that he can bat with patience and judicious shot selection. He still always looks like he is about to do something crazy but that creates an inherent fascination in watching him fight with his demons. With the right grooming he can become a great batsman.

Shoaib Malik. How does an off spinner get into the team when Saqlain Mushtaq is in it already? You might wait for Saqlain to self-combust but you might also make the rest of your game irresistible, which is what Shoaib has set out to do. There is huge potential here. Shoaib is one of Pakistans most orthodox batsmen, he has a sound technique, and attacking flair to boot. What is more he is a smart fielder and a smart cricketer. There was a worry that Shoaib was one of those spinners who rarely turns a ball but the pleasant surprise is that he now gives the ball more rip than he used to and has better variation. The future looks bleak for Saqlain, especially in the one-day game.

3. Stars in the Baking (These guys have potential but could go either way)

Umar Gul. Lanky, gangly, and rather too mechanical, Umar is not your classical Pakistani fast bowler. But he does have two great assets. One is a high delivery and the second is an awkward line outside off stump. South Africa took a fancy to him but Umar is still young and will learn much about varying line and length when the heat is on. Speed is good too, for a teenager, and he will get quicker. I do not often agree with our chairman of selectors but I do on this one.

Yasir Hameed. This young man has all the shots and a sound defence but the real question is whether or not he has the right temperament. I suspect he does. Too often he gets carried away with his strokeplay and gets himself out. If anyone can coach him out of that habit, Javed Miandad can.

Faisal Iqbal. You might snigger at this. Yes, he is Javeds nephew. But Faisal has always struck me as a player with time and flair. He has a good range of strokes though is perhaps a little too impetuous. Any batsman who impresses Shane Warne must be a good player—and Faisal did that. I hope he does not lose out because he is Javeds nephew?

4 Stars by their Faking (These guys will never make it)

Mohammad Hafeez. I felt positively about Hafeez until the South Africa series. He seemed a sensible cricketer, limited but determined batsman, handy off spinner, and agile fielder—a good man for a one-day team. But South Africa exposed him. Most players have a bad run of scores but it was the manner of his demise that changed my mind about him. Sadly, he was completely out of his depth as a batsman which meant that his utility bowling and fielding were no longer of value to the team. We do not want players who cannot mix it with the big boys.

Junaid Zia. Pakistan cricket is not short of wannabe fast bowlers. Go to a net session for any representative team at the domestic level and you will see what I mean. Bowlers like—and better than—Junaid go through their paces, probably wondering why they have never been selected for Pakistan. They do not have to think too hard. I would like to be kind to Junaid—he should not be condemned for an accident of birth—but the question is why should we select a sub 80mph man when we have much quicker pace bowlers in abundance? Unfortunately Junaid is no Shaun Pollock either.

5 Stars for Reclaiming (Bring ‘em back—sometime)

Shahid Afridi. I have always loved the way Afridi plays, there is something exhilarating about his approach. Is he rash? Yes. Is he impulsive? Yes. Is he beyond salvation? No. Think back to the innings Afridi played against India in Chennai. He played straight with good shot selection, and he was not rash or impulsive. Afridi is an easy scapegoat when things go wrong but I believe that his failure is one of coaching and guidance. With the right mentor he would be dynamite. Afridi v Hafeez? No contest. Afridi v Shoaib Malik? Close but you could have them both in the one-day team.

Imran Nazir Much of what I’ve said about Afridi applies to Imran too. We have a great talent for squandering talent in Pakistan and here is another example. Remember that many of our players arrive on the international scene raw and uncooked, and for the last decade or so there has been a vacuum in terms of guiding and mentoring these players. That is why Pakistan cricket needs a coach.

6 Stars just waking (The very young with talent to burn)

Salman Butt. I have not seen much of him—few people have—but watching him in the flesh at Multan, Salman struck me as a player with so much time that he does not know what to do with himself while he is waiting for the ball to arrive. With lots of young openers around someone is going to lose out—I hope his time will come.

Salman Qadir. I have seen Salman in the nets and he is a very accomplished batsman. He also has a sound temperament, as proved by his recent performance against India U19. I think Salman is one to watch.

7 Stars you guys love rating (Pakpassion favourites I have not seen)

Abdul Rauf. Cavalier_Carver: “Lets hope Rauf is really as good as everyone claim him to be.... What a treat that would be...Akhtar-Sami-Rauf...byebye WI pace quartet, hello Pakistani 3-prong!”

Shahid Yousuf: Lahoria: “Without a doubt Shahid Yousaf is the brightest star in the team.”

Riaz Afridi. Jo111: “This guy is a hero in the making. India have found Pathan. We have found Riaz Afridi.”