There is an old English saying that "when one door closes, one opens". Something of that sort has happened to Pakistani cricket in the last 18 months. There was always going to be a void once the two Mohammad's, Asif and Amir, were caught spot-fixing. Finding that sort of quality is hard, if not impossible. Pakistan were blessed with two off the best new ball bowlers in World cricket.
Umar Gul was the obvious choice to the lead from the front. He was the experienced campaigner and a bowler that could change a game on its head single-handedly. Gul did a superb job, from being the back-up seamer he had now been burdened with the tough task of leading the attack for one off the most coveted nations, when it comes to pace. It was hard enough anyhow but bowling without a regular new ball partner adds to the pressure and demand off the job.
The one person that has not let Pakistan down is Aizaz Cheema. Though on the wrong side of his career, Cheema has performed whenever called upon. Bowling consistently at a very good pace, he seems to have the knack of picking up wickets and seems unperturbed in pressure situations, as was seen in the Asia Cup final. Though with Pakistan trying to build a team for the future, his place does come into doubt.
GeoSuper