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While Shane Warne has named himself cricket’s soap opera, that title surely belongs to these brilliant, bickering geniuses of the ODI scene. In between drug-test failures and reprieves, Oval strikes and open dressing-room feuds Pakistan can play the most exhilarating cricket on the planet. Mohammad Yousuf scored more runs in Tests last year than any man in history and he will be the leading actor with support from proper batsmen Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, and hard-hitting mavericks Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal. With Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif back from the brink to bowl alongside Naved-ul-Hasan, only Australia can come close for sheer talent in their ranks. Unfortunately, we have been here many times before. After carrying all before them on the way to the 1999 World Cup final, Pakistan then capsized to an embarrassing 132 all out against the Aussies at Lord's. That is their only final except the 1992 victory under Imran Khan, an event so revered in Pakistan that it is closer to mythology than historical fact. Six defeats in 18 internationals in the year before the World Cup is excellent form, first-round elimination at last year’s Champions Trophy less encouraging. As ever with Pakistan it is unwise to rule anything in or out.
Inzamam-ul-Haq - as likely to open his mouth for a pie as a fielding change, Inzy is the quiet man of international cricket captaincy. The Oval strike shows that he has the dressing room behind him but tactical moves are often as slow as his running between the wickets. Like the team he leads, an enigma.
Younis Khan - while Pakistan can liberally sprinkle master-blasters through their order, it is still proper batsmen who win the majority of ODIs. Centuries will be necessary more often than not at the business end of the tournament and Khan, a more extravagant stroke player than Inzy or Yousuf, is their best bet for consistent, quick high-scoring. The vice-captain also has the sharpest tactical mind in the squad and his innovative leadership must come to the fore for a repeat of '92.
Naved-ul-Hasan - Shoaib Akhtar may be cleared and restored but recent fights with Bob Woolmer show that the Rawalpindi Express will never be a sleeper. Moreover, the Caribbean pitches will require intelligence, humility and perseverance, all greater strengths of the more understated half of a formidable bowling attack.
Nobel Laureate Nils Bohr said that prediction is difficult, especially about the future. Quantum Theory has nothing on Pakistani cricket.
