Pakistan's golden generation has arrived, or has it? Three generations of talented cricketers are currently converging at a time when on the surface Pakistan cricket seems in peril. The reasons for decline are simple, Ijaz Butt, his sycophants, and everyone's favorite President, Asif Ali Zardari. It would be useless to rehash the problems Pakistan faces, but amidst the dark gloom of terrorism, incompetence, corruption, homesickness, and factionalism Pakistan still continues to churn out very talented players. During these dark times Pakistan managed to discover Mohammad Aamer, Umar Akmal, and Ahmed Shehzad each player making debuts in their teenage years. Both Akmal and Aamer have played their part in winning matches for the country Umar Akmal concentrating mainly on T20's where his Red Bull driven stroke play is encourages. Ahmed Shehzad has also had some success but lack of discipline off the pitch has not helped his cause, although a sparkling start to the domestic season has him back in the reckoning. Pakistan have also faired well in discovering a few other very good cricketers who may not have the natural talent of a Umar Akmal or Ahmed Shehzad but whose talents fit the eclectic requirements of cricke. In Azhar Ali, they have found a proper test batsman who puts a price on his wicket. Like most batsman he is susceptible to moving deliveries on his off stump but since his test debut he has shown the much needed qualities of grit and determination. Fawad Alam an ugly left handed batsman from the port city of Karachi scored a lofty 168 on his debut as an opener after Pakistan had been bowled out for 92. In Pakistan's last three one day series against Australia in Australia, England in England, and South Africa in the UAE Alam has shown an ability to manipulate the bowling in the middle overs. Other players like Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Nasir Jamshed, Azeem Ghumman,Rameez Alam, Naved Yasin, Sheharyar Ghani, Khurram Manzoor, Shahzaib Hasan, Hammad Azam, and Khalid Latif have shown glimpses of a bright future for Pakistan's batting ranks. The same can be said about the bowling unit.
The sudden departure of Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif arguably the best tandem of opening bowlers in the world has certainly hurt the short term bowling standard in test cricket.The rebirth of Shoaib Akhtar supported by a combination of Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, and the best triumvirate of spinners in the world has eased the loss in one day cricket. But as we all know test cricket is a different ball game. Test cricket is the land of the complete, players with a low cricket IQ fail to prosper at this level, think Mohammad Sami. With that being said, the future stars of Pakistan cricket have the raw skills to maintain Pakistan's legacy of churning out excellent fast bowlers. Who are these men of great skill? The emergence of Wahab Riaz no matter how controversial is one of a bowler who went back to domestic cricket and through hard graft bettered himself. There are others, Junaid Khan, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Talha, Anwar Ali, Tabish Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir, and Asad Ali all possess the physical tools to be successful. Asad Ali for instance is not quick or imposing but his strong suit is simply his understanding of the art of taking wickets. Junaid Khan is a left arm quick bowlers who bowls in the high 80s with a bit of swing and brain is already being touted is the man to replace the potentially disgraced Mohammad Aamer. These bowlers are supplemented by other bowlers. We will discuss those bowlers and that most important creature that turns good test sides into great test sides, the spin wizard.
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