Faces of the Hope

Pakistan’s tour of Australia is an important one as the team needs to identify the new faces who can take their cricket forward especially at a crucial time when Test Cricket is about to return in Pakistan after a decade, In such a scenario we take a look at two groups of new faces one of which include some young cricketers while the other comprises off domestic stalwarts

A  stern test awaits the Pakistan Cricket over the next month or so, the series against Australia and Sri Lanka will not mark the start of Pakistan’s quest for Test Championship but after almost 11 years the Test Cricket will return to the Country. At such a crucial juncture, the Gabba test starting from Thursday will be a critical one for them. The Pakistan squad touring Australia contains the number of new players. These players can be divided into two groups one of them contains players who are young and the other contains those who are new to the International scene but has been grinding in Pakistan’s domestic circuit for years. Here is a look at some of them

Group 1- The Domestic Stalwarts

Can Abid Ali get the much-deserved chance?

1. Abid Ali: 12 years of Domestic Career, 100 First Class Games, 7007 Runs, 18 Centuries, That is how much Abid Ali has waited to be selected for Test Squad, possibilities are that he might end up the tour without playing but ever he has the chance to get the elusive Test Cap, it is now as the Pakistan opening slot is one which is most vulnerable. He has shown a Glimpse of his temperament in One day series against Australia and Sri Lanka.

Iftikhar Ahmed - At 29, time to repeat Misbah's Story

2.Iftikhar Ahmed: Another cricketer similar to Abid Ali is Iftikhar Ahmed. The 29-year-old who has been quite impressive on his return to the International Cricket has grinded out for almost 8 years in the domestic arena and has played over 63 First Class Matches with an impressive average of 40.88. Iftikhar is almost certain to play at Gabba,if he does so he will mark his inspiring return to the team after a gap of 3 years.

Kashif Bhatti - It's now or never 

3. Kashif Bhatti: A slow left arm spinner who has 331 wickets at 22.98 in 84 matches, Kashif Bhatti was selected as the second spinner to Yasir Shah for Australian tour. It has been the years of patience for Bhatti which at last seemed to be paying off. While he might not play at Gabba but if Pakistan decides to go with two spinners on flat Adelaide Oval pitch, Bhatti might be in for a dream Test Debut at the age of 33. Known for his excellent control he might be perfect partner for attacking Yasir Shah.

Mohammad Rizwan - Time to live up to the expectations 

4. Mohamamd Rizwan :  Mohammad Rizwan was only 16 years of age when he made his debut during the Christmas Holidays of 2008. In him it was clear Pakistan had found a great talent. However due to strong competitor in Sarfaraz Ahmed and his own inability to take advantage of the opportunities he got, he couldn’t establish himself in the National team. This is the reason this tour and upcoming season will be crucial for him to establish as the first choice Wicket keeper for Pakistan as it might be difficult for him to have such an opportunity once Sarfaraz returns.

Group 2- The Young Guns

Muhammad Musa - let's take a Look into PSL Star

5. Muhammad Musa: 19 Year old Muhammad Musa Khan is one of the three teenage fast bowlers in whom Pakistan is banking hopes for the future. He has impressed everyone with his performance in PSL and his height has also been a factor for his selection on the ongoing Australian tour. Till now he has taken 17 wickets in 7 First Class Matches at 37.52 and those  who have seen him bowling believe that those numbers are bound to improve in future .

Naseem Shah - Doesn't matter if I am 16 

6. Naseem Shah : 16 year old Naseem Shah have been in news since he was selected for the Australian trip . He has been hailed as future of the Pakistan fast bowling and has impressed everyone with his speed and temperament. He came in limelight when he picked 6-59 on his first class debut as a 15 year old in 2018 and when he picked 9-111 against Sindh in October 2019, he made it hard for the selectors to not pick him for the daunting tour down under. He has 27 wickets in 7 matches at 16.66 and it was his performance alongside his mental toughness (when he decided to stay with team in spite of the death of his mother) that made him 237^th Test Cricketer and 9^th Youngest player ever to play Test Cricket,at Gabba.

All these players may belong to different age groups and may have different fights on their hand but there is one thing which is common, all of them are faces of hope for Pakistan cricket.