Salahuddin Ahmed (Sallu) Photo © CricInfo

The Pakistan team which did so well at Sharjah with four back-to-back wins, still failed at the last gasp, capitulating to Sri Lanka. It was Pakistan's catching in the final that turned the ending into a damp squib for them. Yet it was their fielding which had helped raise the level of their game in the league matches.

And in my view the three youngsters, Shoaib Malik, Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi – not necessarily in this order – who had brought about this metamorphoses in Pakistan's traditional weak link should have been part of the 17-member squad which has commenced its tour of England.

Malik is out, understandably because he has been reported for chucking as he was thus not available for selection. Though its likely he would get restored in due course, after a visit to one of the correctional gurus in England or by some university from Down Under granting him a clean bill of health. Imran Nazir, highly talented but short of runs in his recent outings in both forms of the game, quite predictably, didn't find favour with the selectors. But Shahid Afridi's exclusion is a trifle inexplicable. Afridi may not always score runs but he is a tremendous all-rounder who could be extremely valuable in both forms of the game. And when he is in his element, he can devastate any opposition. That is why his exclusion is bound to raise a few eyebrows.

Akram's inclusion, though I wonder why it was made at the last minute and after such a lot of fuss, further strengthens Pakistan's pretty strong attack. With skipper Waqar Younis at the other end himself having a point or two to prove, we might see some really belligerent stuff. Considering that the back-up is in quality all-rounders Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood, one wonders whether young pace prodigy Mohammad Sami would get a chance in the Tests.

One area of concern, however, would be Shoaib Akhtar, who having gotten his all-clear for the second time as far as his action goes, is reportedly still not completely fit to send down his thunderbolts. Concerns about his fitness have meant that he has not travelled with the team, and will be joining the squad only if he is deemed physically capable.

Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed, the off-spinner and the leggie, have enough experience of English conditions, though one has reservations about their having a role in the first half of the summer. Perhaps they are there to acclimatise themselves for the three-way one-day tournament that commences later in June, in relatively dryer conditions.

Personally, I have little doubt that Pakistan has enough firepower in bowling to take care of England.

The moot point, however, is whether the batsmen would provide them with enough runs on the board to be able to carve out victories?

I believe that a whole lot would depend on Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq – the duo of veterans who were in good nick recently. But then conditions in England would be different, and they would have to come to terms with them rather quickly. If they score runs, and carry the team along, Pakistan might end up winners for a fourth successive time in England.

In their own backyard, the England pace and seam attack of Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick and Dominic Cork is quite a handful – as the West Indies would vouch, as last season they lost the series 3-1 despite having drawn the first blood.

So, the Pakistan batting would have to produce something special. I have great faith in Saeed and Inzamam, and given support they should be able to put England on the back foot. Pakistan will, I believe, miss Moin Khan. For one, it would be far quieter behind the stumps, but apart from that he, with his experience and ability, could have been really handy in front of the stumps as well.

Ed: Salahuddin Ahmed (Sallu) is a former Test cricketer, and has served as a PCB selector nine times; his last stint (1999-2000) was as chief selector.

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