For the last three months I have been a first-hand witness of the present Pakistan team’s performance at the international level while I was in the UAE, covering the matches against Australia and New Zealand. I can easily, therefore, say that covering their exploits against two tough opponents was one of the unforgettable experiences that I have had over the years during my career.

Away from home, friends and family and with all the pressure and stress to go with it, Pakistan not only played entertaining cricket but also turned out to be an excellent outfit all round, both against the Aussies and later against the Kiwis.

Well handled, well led and disciplined in every respect, they not only dented the Australian pride by bringing them to their knees while blowing them away in both the Test matches, they also displayed a similar resolve and ability when the New Zealanders caught them off guard after having lost the first Test to earn a draw in the Test series.

The ODI series was also a close affair and just as tough where the Kiwis better team on the day won the seriesedged Pakistan 3-2 to win the series. Those who really excelled for Pakistan in the UAE include Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed. Misbah-ul-Haq and, of course, Younis Khan. The spin twins Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah also emerged as the surprise package to bamboozle Australia by sharing as many as 26 wickets between them.

For me and for the team I am sure it was a delight to watch Younis back in the fold and batting like a dream to inspire Pakistan’s resurgence, bringing back in them the confidence which no doubt prompted the rest to emulate his feats. Captain Misbah, who had been struggling with the bat prior to the contests, also came into his own to blast the fastest hundred ever and join Sir Viv Richards at the top.

Seeing what I saw and knowing what I know by my own experience in this game, I would have personally focused on the players for the World Cup who were already in the frame for the last three months, rather on those who were not even part of the entire season.

Moin Khan, the chairman of the selection committee who successfully also managed the team in the UAE, described his choice of players as a gamble that he and his team of selectors have taken. True, in life one has to gamble and the risks it involves also has to be taken into consideration. My only fear is my own doubts about some of the players that have been chosen for the mega event.

My point in question is the selection of Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood. Both are talented individuals but after having been given ample opportunities, they certainly have not been able to deliver when it mattered. Umar is an entertaining batsman but his impetuosity and lack of concentration results in his downfall more often than not. Moreover, he was not in the frame in the last few months in any form of the game.

Sohaib has the ability to perform but is always lured into playing in the air rather than down the ground and that is where he loses his marbles. Both lack the temperament and the ability to stick around. Sadly for Sohaib, a wrist injury had kept him out and now he is back without any top level exposure or opportunity to get in the groove.

I would have instead preferred both Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, both being technically sound batsmen and with the proven ability to maul any bowling on their day. Fit and in form, they would have been the right combination.

Another cause for concern is the choice of Sohail Khan who no doubt has been doing well in domestic circuit as a medium-pace bowler. Five years ago, he played for Pakistan in the ODIs but has not been in consideration for a while. And now he is picked on his domestic form. Whether he will be able to deliver when playing at international level remains to be seen. But now he is part of the team and I would love to see him do well.

I personally would have preferred Rahat Ali and Anwar Ali rather than some of those who are lucky to be in the squad. Junaid Khan’s fitness is always questionable and we hope that he survives the pressure of playing on heavy surfaces in Australia.

I am glad that even minus his bowling, Hafeez is in and so is Yasir Shah who could be a handful on Australian wickets.

For those who are not in, I commiserate, and for those who are in the squad I congratulate, wishing them and Pakistan all the success at the World Cup.

Published in Dawn January 11th , 2014

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