Pakistan World Cup squad penpix by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 24th February 2007

 

Inzamam-ul-Haq (RHB/SLA/capt)
Age: 37. ODI appearances: 375. First cap: v WIS, Lahore, Nov 22, 1991
Don't get fooled by his laid-back approach on the field or the number of times he has got run out or run others out. The big man is a sublime batsman capable of destroying any attack. Hopes to make his last World Cup tournament a winning one.
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Younis Khan (RHB/RALB)
Age: 29. ODI appearances: 148. First cap: v SRI, Karachi, Feb 13, 2000
A fearless batsman who drives with flourish on both sides of the wicket. The most improved batsman in the Pakistan team and an agile fielder close to the wicket.
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Azhar Mahmood (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 32. ODI appearances: 142. First cap: v IND, Toronto, September 16, 1996
The forgotten man of Pakistan cricket was originally overlooked for the squad but got his chance when Abdul Razzaq pulled out with an injury. Bags of experience as a gritty all-rounder who started his career with three Test centuries against South Africa.
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Danish Kaneria (RHB/RALB)
Age: 26. ODI appearances: 16. First cap: v ZIM, Sharjah, Oct 31, 2001
He was surprised when picked for the World Cup after being ignored for the one-dayers in South Africa. Now gets a chance to show that leg-spinners also have a role to play in the slam-bang world of limited-overs cricket.
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Rao Iftikhar Anjum (RHB/RAM)
Age: 26. ODI appearances: 26. First cap: v ZIM, Multan, Sept 30, 2004
He is another addition to Pakistan's seemingly endless production of new ball bowlers. Possesses a wily outswinger and produces good yorkers with the old reverse-swinging ball.
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Imran Nazir (RHB/RALB)
Age: 25. ODI appearances: 65. First cap: v SRI, Visakhapatnam, March 27, 1999
The prodigious opener who loves to go after the new ball. Has not justified the early promise but remains a dangerous batsman at the top of the order and is one of the good fielders in the side.
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Kamran Akmal (RHB/WK)
Age: 25. ODI appearances: 62. First cap: v ZIM, Bulawayo, Nov 23, 2002.
Many consider him lucky to make the World Cup after a modest tour of South Africa but he is a gutsy wicket-keeper and a useful batsman anywhere in the order. Pakistan will be hoping he regains his form behind the stumps.
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Mohammad Sami (LHB/RAFM)
Age: 26. ODI appearances: 79. First cap: v SRI, Sharjah, April 8, 2001
Late call-up when Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were ruled out through injury, Sami has plenty of experience to call upon. One of the few players to have claimed a Test and ODI hat-trick.
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Mohammad Hafeez (RHB/RAOB)
Age: 26. ODI appearances: 44. First cap: v ZIM, Sharjah, April 3, 2003
Am opening batsman and handy off-spinner, he has not got as many chances as he deserved. But he performed well enough in South Africa to confirm his World Cup berth.
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Mohammad Yousuf (RHB)
Age: 32. ODI appearances: 233. First cap: v ZIM, Harare, March 28, 1998
Formerly Yousuf Youhana before he converted to Islam from Christianity in 2005, he is a prolific run-getter who has delivered more often than not. Hopes to continue a dream year with the bat that could propel Pakistan's hopes at the World Cup.
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Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (RHB/RAMF)
Age: 28. ODI appearances: 61. First cap: v SRI, Sharjah, April 4, 2003
The typical bits-and-pieces cricketer so vital for a team's chances at the World Cup. He bowls the reverse-swinging yorker almost at will and can contribute useful runs low in the order.
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Shahid Afridi (RHB/RALB)
Age: 26. ODI appearances: 237. First cap: v KEN, Nairobi, Oct 2, 1996
One of the most destructive batsmen in the game, he can win - or lose - a match on his own. Will not change his aggressive style at the crease despite being told by coaches and captains to first settle in before going after the bowling. He is also a wicket-taking leg-spinner.
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Yasir Arafat (RHB/RAMF)
Age: 24. ODI appearances: 7. First cap: v SRI, Karachi, February 13, 2000
Another late call-up in the wake of Shoaib's and Asif's withdrawals. He is a handy lower-order batsman capable of grabbing vital, quick runs and a dangerous customer with the ball with his skiddy medium pace.
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Shoaib Malik (RHB/RAOB)
Age: 25. ODI appearances: 134. First cap: v WIS, Sharjah, Oct 14, 1999
He is the yo-yo of the team, shifted up and down the order, but has still done enough to cement his place in the side. Also a valuable off-spinner who can keep runs in check in the middle overs. A man to watch at the World Cup.
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Umar Gul (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 24. ODI appearances: 25. First cap: v ZIM, Sharjah, Aril 3, 2003
Injuries have taken a toll on this excellent new ball bowler, but his superb control of line and length made it impossible for the selectors to ignore him. Gave up squash to take up cricket and now goes to the World Cup knowing it could make or break his short career.
Career details: Click Here

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)