Today, an explosive spell of bowing by Pakistan left arm spinner, Abdur Rehman saw him acclaim his career best figures of 9-65. Bowling for Somerset against Worcestershire at Taunton, Rehman put in a spell 24 overs that showed why he's one of the most consistent performers on the world stage. Only Peter Trego picking up the eighth wicket of the innings, denied Rehman the chance to capture the perfect ten.

Speaking to KheloPakistan's Imran Asghar after the days play, Rehman was understandably pleased with his performance. "I am really happy that I performed for my team. I am bowling with good rhythm at the moment and hope to take this experience with me when I return to Pakistan". He added "Playing in these conditions will InshAllah help me in the future. If and when required and I play for Pakistan in these shores, I will have experience of these conditions".

Already having a Test fifty to his name, Rehman was adamant that not only his bowling but batting and fielding was coming on leaps and bounds. "After games and days off my time is spent in the nets. I am working really hard on my batting. I see batting as a important aspect to my game". Though Rehman primarily plays as a specialist bowler for Pakistan, he looks at it differently, "It is essential that I contribute with the bat when I play. It would be wrong for me to think that I have bowled and done my job. I genuinely believe I can became a good batsman". 
 

It might seem over the top to suggest that Pakistan have gone from also-rans to leading contenders for the T20 World Cup in the course of two wins against a poor Australia side, but we have seen a lot of good in the last couple of games, enough for Pakistan fans to be quietly optimistic ahead of the World Cup in Sri Lanka.
 
The first and most important reason for this is that Pakistan’s selection committee haven’t repeated the mistakes that they made for the Sri Lanka tour, whereby they erred in selection. The worst pick was that of Khalid Latif, who has failed miserably in his International T20 career with an average of 4.85 and a Strike Rate of 66.66, both of which place him as one of Pakistan’s worst batsmen in T20s, below batting superstars such as Mohammed Sami and Umar Gul.

Being an early 80's child I have been accustomed to seeing some of the best pace bowlers the history of cricket has seen, not least from the land of fast bowlers, Pakistan. Pakistan have always had an abundance of riches when it comes to pace bowling, bowlers that would reach many peoples World elevens aplenty. There has never been a shortage of quality, until now.

Nature can't be blamed for this dearth in talent, as Pakistan had the best new ball pair in the World at this time. Sadly they chose to go in the wrong path, rather than write their own bit of greatness in the history of Pakistan fast bowling. The demise of the two Mohammad's, Asif and Amir, brought the pressure on Umar Gul and he was left with the responsibility to lead the attack.

To be fair, Gul started with great endeavour. He seemed to rise to the new added pressure on him. He saw this, a chance to come out of the shadows of Asif and Amir and make his own mark. Gul seemed a match winner, someone finally repaying that huge potential that everyone knew he had. Before this he had only really done it in Twenty20 cricket, with ODI's to some extent. Now Gul had arrived in Test cricket too, someone that had gained the respect of his teammates and opposition alike.

KheloPakistan.com got a chance to meet up with Pakistan Under-19s, Imam-ul-Haq. Sixteen year old Imam, born in Lahore made his Pakistan Under-19 debut against India in the Asia Cup. He made 88 at very good pace and followed that up by scoring 50 and 69 against Malaysia and Afghanistan respectively. Imam, then had a disappointing final against India as he only managed 10.

Nephew of Pakistani legend, Inzamam-ul-Haq, is highly thought of within Pakistani ranks. His rise to prominence has been quick, despite only playing Under-19 level this year. Playing at number 3, Imam started his World Cup with a disappointing 25; though he is confident that he can go on and achieve big.

Imran Asghar (IA): Salaam Imam, thanks for taking the time out to speak to us during such a prestigious time for you.

Imam-ul-Haq (IuH): No problems Imran bhai. It's my pleasure to be speaking to you.

IA: Tell us about your young but fledging career?

IuH: I started playing cricket and took great interest in the game. I kept playing cricket with passion and just concentrated on enjoying playing. Then this year I got a chance in PIA's Under-19 team and performed really well. My performances started to get noticed and people started to say I will get picked for the South Africa series. That never materialised, but Allah knows best for one and it might have been beneficial to my career in the end. I carried on my good form and then was selected for the Asia Cup. Then I debuted against India and scored 88. The next two games I also made half centuries. We have had 3 practise games recently and I performed too. I am now representing my country in the World Cup.

16th June 1999, I was sitting right behind the end a certain Shoaib Akhtar was bowling. As he walked up to his run up, my father shouted Pakistan Zindabad and the whole stand got in full voice. Shoaib ran in and bowled a peach of a Yorker to the New Zealand captain, Stephen Fleming. That was my first, of many, live memories off the Rawalpindi Express. 

Before that World Cup semi-final, at Old Trafford I had seen Shoaib bowl a few times. Most memorable was his introduction to Rahul Dravid and then Sachin Tendulkar in Kolkata earlier the same year.  A young Shoaib bowled two balls in a row that can only be bettered in comparison by Wasim Akram's heroics in the 1992 World Cup final. Sheer pace and unrivalled energy that was never seen before was at show as India was silenced. 

That World Cup in 1999 was unique. Pakistan played some kamikaze cricket and it can be argued that Shoaib was the showman off the team. Oozing sheer class and youthful exuberance, Shoaib dominated the World of cricket in that edition. He catapulted Pakistan into the final, where Pakistan was outclassed by the Australian team but what was always remembered was the cricket played by Pakistan. For the sake of comparison, the modern Barcelona team in football with Messi in full flow was Pakistan and Shoaib in that World Cup. 

In Pakistan’s penultimate Pool A match at the Riverbank Arena, fans were treated to some enticing and electrifying hockey in what was otherwise a grim

 and miserable day due to the rain.The match was a do or die situation for Pakistan who needed to win in order to have any chance of progressing to the semi-finals. 

South Africa started strongly with Thornton McDade scoring in only the first minute of play putting the South Africans into the lead. 25 year-old Abdul Haseem Khan scored then scored the leveller for Pakistan. South Africa then once again took the lead as Justin Reid-Ross scored off a penalty corner.Pakistan then scored two goals in quick succession thanks to Shafqat Rasool and Abdul Haseem Khan for the second time in the match. With Pakistan in the lead, the Proteas hit back once again with Reid-Ross scoring his second goal of the match in the last minute of first-half play. The score at Half-time being 3-3.

Pakistan’s Olympic campaign suffered a big blow when they lost 4-1 at the hands of Host nation GB in the Pool A hockey match. Pakistan was hoping to win the match in order to secure the points that they desperately needed to progress to the further stages of the tournament.

However the hosts did not allow such a victory as they enforced a crushing defeat at the Riverbank Arena. Team GB pressed there case for victory in only the 4^th minute of play, as James Tindall scored for the home side. He was then backed up by the good British defence that did not allow Pakistan the opportunity to level the score. Jonty Clarke then scored the second goal for the home side as GB extended their advantage on the Pakistanis.

In the second half, British star Ashley Jackson stole the show with two goals in relatively quick succession to put the home side in a secure position from which there was no coming back for Pakistan. Captain Sohail Abbas salvaged some pride for Pakistan as he successfully scored in the last minute off a penalty corner.

The group standings are still the same with Pakistan positioned in third. Pakistan now have two matches remaining, against South Africa and Australia. 

In the recently concluded Pool A Hockey match, Pakistan secured a good win against South American giants Argentina. With Argentina tipped to win

the game comprehensively, following some poor hockey from the green shirts. However they impressed a decent Pakistani contingent at the Riverbank Arena in London and delivered a 2-0 victory, with Muhammad Imran and Captain Sohail Abbas being the scorers.

Though Argentina played decent and defensive hockey, the lapse in concentrations cost them two penalty corners on which Pakistan were able to capitalise and secure the win. Pakistan are now placed third in the pool with hosts GB above them in second due to a better goal difference and the mighty Australians sitting nicely at the top of the pack.

Pakistan’s next match is on the 3^rd of August against hosts GB, and the green shirts will be hoping for another win to almost secure their involvement in the next stages of the competition.

Pakistan has named their Twenty20 squad for the Australian series and the World Championship that follows that. I for one was not best pleased with its look. Iqbal qasim left a couple of flaws to my liking, though now that the dust has settled it’s high time to back the players selected and will Pakistan on. Pakistan reached the final of the inaugural World Championship, in 2007, but were beaten by arch-rivals India. The Younis Khan led side in 2009 went one better as they secured Pakistan a major world tournament. The third and most recent one was held in the West Indies in 2010. Michael Hussey inspired Australia to knock Pakistan out in the semi-final stage. Australia were then completely outplayed by England in the final. Here is a low-down on the Pakistani 15 man squad and their chances of success this time around in Sri Lanka.

Player analysis:

Mohammad Hafeez:

The skipper off the new look Pakistani team and someone Pakistan will have to look at for both experience and performance. Hafeez has been one of the best all-rounders in world cricket. He has grown in stature within the team and his batting will be the key for Pakistan. When you add his consistent off-spin and his excellent fielding to the mix he would have to perform to his full capabilities for his nation to have any chance. 

Nasir Jamshed:

Jamshed is an aggressive opener who should not have been dropped when he initially was. Compact and also elegant, Jamshed is a typical left handed batsman. When he made his comeback in the Asia Cup many eyebrows were raised, though he answered his critics with a fruitful tournament. A finger injury ruled him out of the recent series against Sri Lanka but his comeback now will be vital to his career and his team’s prospects.

Imran Asghar of KheloPakistan had the opportunity to speak to Pakistan Under 19 star Mohammad Nawaz. The interview was arranged by a good friend of the website, Sunny Sheikh, who I would like to thank wholeheartedly. Mohammad Nawaz is an all-rounder that bats in the middle order as well as bowls left arm orthodox spin. Hailing from Rawalpindi, Nawaz seems destined for a long and illustrious career. This is what happened when Imran spoke to the upcoming star.