June 17, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 16, 1424

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KARACHI, June 16: Old Trafford, where Pakistan play their first one-dayer on Tuesday, is a venue where Aamir Sohail, current national chief selector, scored a double century in his first appearance in England.

Not many are expecting such a feat from the present young squad, but the kind of potential that the likes of Yasir Hameed and Mohammad Hafeez have shown, cakewalk can’t be one of the options that the England team would be looking at.

England is a different battlefield. The usual green-top surfaces and squally winds make the cherry swing in the air and seam off the pitch. Runs are not there for the taking.

And looking at James Anderson’s recent performances, Hafeez will really have to muster all his talent to make an impression in front of the probing eyes of cricket and pundits.

Yasir’s showing in the practice matches has been right out of the top drawer. He is a batsman that one is really keen on watching. If he can accumulate runs in England, he will surely have few impediments on his way to becoming a permanent member of the team.

In the absence of controversy-prone Shoaib Akhtar in the first match, Umar Gul might have an outing whereas Shabbir Ahmed is likely to share the newball with Mohammad Sami.

Both Shabbir and Umar have shown good line and length in the previous few outings but lacking real pace. In this time and age line and length would only do if you’re a bowler of Glenn McGrath’s class.

So who’s going to shoulder the responsibility in England? Obviously the senior lot. If the young blood manages to make early inroads into the England team, consider it a bonus. Those who really have to act their age are Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan and Rashid Latif.

Sami, however reliable, is still raw. Shoaib Malik, however talented, is mercurial. Danish Kaneria, however wily, is an edgy customer. Therefore, the experience three or four members of the squad have their work cut out.

And one thinks that Shoaib Akhtar is neither senior nor experienced. He’s a loose cannon. Depending on him had always been a dicey game.