|
|
|
| January 19, 2007 | Friday | Zilhaj 28, 1427 |
Match-fitness of Shoaib, Umar crucial: Woolmer
PORT ELIZABETH, Jan 18: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on Thursday said the visitors will be finalising the playing eleven for the second Test on Friday morning after assessing the complete match-fitness of fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul.
"To be honest, we are still looking at different options,” said Woolmer rather candidly while talking to newsmen during the team’s nets session here.
“Shoaib is keen to play, so is Umar Gul. The only doubt we have is that Shoaib hasn't bowled for long spells in Test cricket for nearly a year and on the other hand, we don’t want to rush Gul if it has even the slightest of risks for his career.”
Umar, who missed the first Test with an ankle injury, bowled in the nets at St George's on Wednesday and showed no ill-effects of the ailment that sidelined him a week ago.
Nevertheless, Woolmer feels it would be a risky move playing both Gul and Shoaib in the same Test and he might take the cautious route and include Mohammad Sami, perhaps, in place of Shahid Nazir.
"That is the problem we have. God forbid, if Shoaib breaks down and if we played Umar Gul and he also broke down at some stage in the match, then we would have just two bowlers left in the team and we don’t want that to happen."
But while the former England Test cricketer showed a few concerns regarding the bowling line-up for Test, he appeared delighted at the return of Mohammad Yousuf to Pakistan ranks.
“It is great to have Yousuf back. He is in terrific form and his return is crucial to our fortunes.”—Agencies
|
|
|
|
