PAKISTAN PROFILES

Inzamam-ul-Haq (c)

  • Born: 03.03.1970
  • ODIs: 375
  • Role: Batsman
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 39.67
  • Strike-Rate: 74.24
  • Bowl: Left-arm slow
  • Average: 21.33
  • Economy: 6.62

Has captained Pakistan since 2003, when he returned to the side after a dismal World Cup campaign. Among the most experienced players in the limited-overs game and a vital cog in the middle order. His prolific runscoring and incisive captaincy more than compensates for his infamous fielding and running between the wickets.

Mohammad Yousuf

  • Born: 27.08.1974
  • ODIs: 233
  • Role: Batsman
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 41.77
  • Strike-Rate: 74.47
  • Bowl: Right-arm offspin
  • Average: n/a
  • Economy: 6.00

The lynchpin of Pakistan's batting line-up, having improved markedly since converting from Christianity to Islam. Gathers his runs through orthodox, composed strokeplay rather than exuberance and broke several Test batting records in 2006. Must rank alongside Ponting as the greatest batsman in the world today.

Younis Khan

  • Born: 29.11.1977
  • ODIs: 148
  • Role: Batsman
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 31.60
  • Strike-Rate: 73.74
  • Bowl: Right-arm medium
  • Average: 101.00
  • Economy: 6.65

One of Pakistan's most important middle-order batsmen, who comnines flamboyance and determination to consistently prolific effect. One of the few Pakistan players to come out of the 2003 World Cup debacle with his reputation intact, although his best performances have generally come in the Test arena where his record is exceptional.

Imran Nazir

  • Born: 16.12.1981
  • ODIs: 65
  • Role: Opening batsman
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 23.55
  • Strike-Rate: 76.73
  • Bowl: Right-arm legspin
  • Average: 48.00
  • Economy: 5.87

A talented and aggressive opening batsman, Nazir has perhaps surprisingly enjoyed more success in Test than one-day cricket. He favours the back foot and is particularly strong through the offside, but a lack of footwork can leave him exposed at the highest level. Looked set to miss out on World Cup selection, but his outstanding fielding got him the nod over Yasir Hameed.

Mohammad Hafeez

  • Born: 17.10.1980
  • ODIs: 44
  • Role: All-rounder
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 19.04
  • Strike-Rate: 58.41
  • Bowl: Right-arm offspin
  • Average: 34.09
  • Economy: 4.43

A player who can contribute in all three disciplines, Hafeez is one of the ever-growing crop of Pakistan youngsters trying to establish themselves at the top of the order. His batting is neat and tidy, while the same can be said of his offspin, which will provide a handy back-up option. Where he truly excels is in the field, patrolling the crucial backward-point region.

Shahid Afridi

  • Born: 01.03.1980
  • ODIs: 237
  • Role: All-rounder
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 23.17
  • Strike-Rate: 108.58
  • Bowl: Right-arm legspin
  • Average: 35.82
  • Economy: 4.61

Hard-hitting all-rounder with the tendency to be brilliantly destructive or destructively abysmal. His maiden one-day international innings yielded the fastest century recorded, off just 37 balls. His dart-like legspinners can be highly effective in the shorter format. A proven matchwinner on his day, and one of a very small group with a one-day strike rate above 100.

Shoaib Malik

  • Born: 01.02.1982
  • ODIs: 134
  • Role: All-rounder
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 33.64
  • Strike-Rate: 77.01
  • Bowl: Right-arm offspin
  • Average: 34.47
  • Economy: 4.46

Since his one-day international debut in 1999 he has batted in every conceivable position, but has recently slotted in at number three or four to lend some power-hitting to the top order. His unorthodox bowling action has been reported twice, but cleared both times. Has a wealth of experience despite only just turning 25.

Kamran Akmal

  • Born: 13.01.1982
  • ODIs: 62
  • Role: Wicketkeeper
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 24.88
  • Strike-Rate: 83.27
  • Bowl: n/a
  • Average: n/a
  • Economy: n/a

Made his first-class debut at the age of 15 and hasn't looked back. Made a stunning start to international cricket and has great promise with the bat as well as the gloves. Struggled desperately in England last year but holds the record for the fastest Test hundred, which he achieved against India in 2006.

Azhar Mahmood

  • Born: 28.02.1975
  • ODIs: 142
  • Role: All-rounder
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 18.30
  • Strike-Rate: 77.22
  • Bowl: Right-arm medium
  • Average: 38.92
  • Economy: 4.63

The veteran all-rounder's World Cup chances appeared to have gone when he was left out of the initial squad, but Abdul Razzaq's unfortunate knee injury opened the door. An aggressive lower-middle-order batsman and canny medium-pacer, he has surprisingly struggled to hold down a regular place for Pakistan in either form of the game despite numerous stunning displays for Surrey.

Danish Kaneria

  • Born: 16.12.1980
  • ODIs: 16
  • Role: Bowler
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 3.00
  • Strike-Rate: 33.33
  • Bowl: Right-arm legspin
  • Average: 49.16
  • Economy: 4.56

The big surprise in the Pakistan squad. While the wiry legspinner is an integral part of the Test XI, his lamentable batting and comical fielding mean he has rarely featured in the shorter form of the game. Before World Cup selection, Kaneria had played just seven ODIs under Inzamam and Bob Woolmer’s leadership, and none against a major opponent since December 2005.

Yasir Arafat

  • Born: 12.03.1982
  • ODIs: 7
  • Role: All-rounder
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 12.00
  • Strike-Rate: 78.68
  • Bowl: Right-arm medium
  • Average: 58.25
  • Economy: 5.97

Called into the squad at the last minute after Shoaib and Mohammad Asif were ruled out through injury, all-rounder Arafat has another chance to earn himself a regular role in the side after playing seven ODIs in seven years. A skiddy bowler and capable hitter, he is undoubtedly better than his embryonic stats suggest. Has played for Scotland and Sussex in English domestic cricket.

Mohammad Sami

  • Born: 24.02.1981
  • ODIs: 79
  • Role: Bowler
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 11.45
  • Strike-Rate: 63.36
  • Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
  • Average: 29.16
  • Economy: 4.96

When the 20-year-old Sami burst on the scene, hurtling the ball down at 95 mph and taking eight wickets on Test debut, he looked like becoming one of the stars of the game. But for reasons that aren’t obvious – he is physically fit and a hard worker – it hasn’t happened. The pace has dropped, and only Shoaib’s injured knee got Sami in this squad.

Umar Gul

  • Born: 15.10.1982
  • ODIs: 25
  • Role: Bowler
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 11.33
  • Strike-Rate: 47.88
  • Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
  • Average: 29.43
  • Economy: 4.59

Another of Pakistan's pacemen, he lakes the explosive pace and swing of Shoaib or Asif, but a combination of height and pronounced seam movement make him a difficult opponent. Beginning to establish himself in the side in both forms of the game.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan

  • Born: 28.02.1978
  • ODIs: 61
  • Role: Bowler
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 13.38
  • Strike-Rate: 76.99
  • Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
  • Average: 27.16
  • Economy: 5.53

An important member of Sussex's trophy-winning side, Naved has established himself in Pakistan's squad with his exploits. His reverse-swing is particularly useful but his place in the team is under threat after some below-par performances in recent times.

Iftikhar Anjum

  • Born: 01.12.1980
  • ODIs: 26
  • Role: Bowler
  • Bat: Right-hand
  • Average: 44.50
  • Strike-Rate: 57.41
  • Bowl: Right-arm medium
  • Average: 48.68
  • Economy: 4.60

Swing bowler who forms part of an impressive battery of back-up seamers. Continually impressive on the domestic circuit and has taken his chances at international level when they have come along.

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