He took a five wicket haul for Sussex today. Have only seen him once on TV, how good is he. Is he quick, does he move the ball. I know he is considered an all-rounder. Perhaps worth drafting him in for the second test, anything is better than Rao Ifitkar and Sami.

Would rather give Shahid Nazir a chance but Arafat also looks good.

Surely there must be a better bowler than Rao out there, I can't believe they've bothered calling him up. Further I can believe Asif has been sent back when all indications were that he was getting better and would be fit for the second test match.

So without Akhtar, Rana and Asif and with Flintoff back in, Pakistan are going to get a real drubbing this series.

I don't understand why they can't get treatment here to be honest. My worry is also that Younis Khan will miss the bulk of the series. Will mean that Butt,Farhat and Iqbal will have to step up.

Bowling wise things are a total mess, we will not win a test match with this attack.

Sami should just stick to bowling quick because he does jack all with the ball.

Is YK out of the next match too ? It can't get worse !!

Yasir Arafat's average speed is around 87-88mph. He has clocked a few deliveries over 90mph and with Sami's current drop in pace he's Pakistans fastest 'proven' bowler after Akhtar. Mohammad Irshad and Yasir Ali are both supposed to be faster but we havent seen them at the international level so we dont know with any certainty.

Arafat is also a handy batsman too. Below is an exclusive interview with him...

The Yasir Arafat Interview

Rao Iffthikar what In gods name are we doing, calling up rao iffthikar.


In ODI's he bowls a very good line and thus is difficult to score against but this guy isnt going to take wickets in Tests what the hell are we thinking.


He is like a Razzaq but with a bit more spite.

Arafat's action reminds me a lot of Waqar and Arafat also has a fast bowlers mentality. He attacks, attacks and attacks which means he can be quite expensive too.

Yasir is pretty sharp. Seen him in some ODI stuff.

Yasir is a bit of a poor mans Waqar,,,, Thats not a dig at Yasir thats just simply saying waqar was a world conquering and deadly bowler.

Yasir has a bit of Waqar about him, but still a poor mans version.

quote:

Originally posted by Mercury:
Yasir Arafat's average speed is around 87-88mph. He has clocked a few deliveries over 90mph and with Sami's current drop in pace he's Pakistans fastest 'proven' bowler after Akhtar. Mohammad Irshad and Yasir Ali are both supposed to be faster but we havent seen them at the international level so we dont know with any certainty.

Arafat is also a handy batsman too. Below is an exclusive interview with him...

The Yasir Arafat Interview

I saw Yasir Arafat in the ODI vs India earlier this year and also in the Eurasia cup of 'A' teams.

Unless he was holding something back in both the tournaments, I wasn't much impressed with Arafat. And Irshad was even more disappointing. But Anjum wasn't better either!

I think Arafat is better than Anjum but I do not think any of them are better than Gul!

yasir is a typical short heighted pakistani bolwer who although has a pace but doesnt posses any bounce or swing abilities..so inshort he is not much different to sami who also have a pace but is normally skiddy and mostly bowls the usual short stuff with some rare yorkers to surprise batsmen.
i would agree to the idea tht we should ist give shahid nazir a chance as he is more experienced,has abilities to swing the bowl either ways and above all is rite now at the peak of his carrer.
i think inzi and company are doing a real unjustice with the guy by just making him sit on the bench,when the reality is tht he is blossoming at the domestic level.
Moreover since he has already played on international level before and in england as well so there are less chance of him getting overwhelmed by the condition in englnad while playing against in england,as compared to the likes of yasirs,samiullahs etc who are too new to deal with the pressures of such a high profile series

Just thought this was a revival of the Despots and Dictators XI thread...

In that case I'd vote for a support gig from that Heavy Metal band, Walid Jumblat and the Druze.

We should see some fireworks...

Yasir Arafat is certainly one for the future...

Keep him in the dressing room. Not a good time to be out there with the Israelis hopping mad ATM.

Suggested player song:

Hey Mr Taliban
Give me your Bin Laden
Daylight come and you gonna get bombed.

quote:

Originally posted by Farhat:
Yasir is a bit of a poor mans Waqar,,,, Thats not a dig at Yasir thats just simply saying waqar was a world conquering and deadly bowler.

Yasir has a bit of Waqar about him, but still a poor mans version.

Living up to Waqar isn't an easy task, the best post-war strike rate is only challenged by Akhtar.

Arafat isn't that bad and with Waqar as the bowling coach he would surely benefit.

Yasir Arafat will certainly be in the one day squad later this summer and may even get a look-in for the remaining test matches. Rao Iftikhar is crap and I have no clue why the selectors have him on stand by.