A few fit men

Usually, on the eve of a game, the speculation surrounds the playing XI - who will make it and who'll be left to ferry the drinks. On Thursday morning at the Eden Gardens, you had a bizarre situation where people wondered whether Pakistan could even get eleven fit men on the park come start of play on Friday. The back problems that have plagued Umar Gul's career have struck again, while Delhi's winter chill and smog have severely enfeebled Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, the two most experienced new-ball bowlers. Shoaib Malik, the captain, limped around and appeared unlikely to play, while Misbah-ul-Haq was just recovered from the flu bug that laid him low in Delhi.

It really can't get much worse, and it defies belief that Pakistan didn't arrange to fly in a replacement as soon as Shoaib succumbed to a chest infection. As Malik said at the press conference, Pakistan have no option but to win this game. Going in with one fully fit pace bowler - Sohail Tanvir has one Test cap to his name - is hardly a recipe for success.

A wish list presumably headed by Iftikhar Anjum has been sent to the selectors, but with no direct flights from Pakistan to Kolkata, the chances of an eleventh-hour saviour are slim to say the least. Up to the north, in the Chandigarh suburb of Panchkula, Abdul Razzaq prepares for his ICL debut. What price a charter flight, and a "Come back, son, all is forgiven"?

Comments

[Dileep]

Good point about Arafat and county experience. Was surprised that he didn't make the one-day side given that he can bat a bit too.

[Tan Pawar]

I think one bowler they need to try is Yasir Arafat. He was brilliant with Sussex a few seasons back and had a decent season with Kent this year. He has experience and is an attacking wicket taking option who bowl straight with pace.

[Dileep]

Azhar Mahmood would really be clutching at straws! But seriously, if both Shoaib and Sami miss out, Pakistan are in big trouble. Even if passed fit, will they last the distance in these humid conditions? Doubtful.

[v]

They can even call up on Azhar Mehmood , who in my opinion is more of a front line bowler compared to dibbly dobblies that razzaq offers and can also really rub it in with his lower order batting on his day.

[avinash subramaniam]

razzaq might bite...if offered the captaincy. :-)