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Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali is not too hopeful for Pakistan's batsmen ahead of the test series in New Zealand. "I envisage big problems for the top order in New Zealand" stated Basit who represented Pakistan in 19 tests and 50 ODIs in the 1990s.

by Saj Sadiq

17th November 2009

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali is not too hopeful for Pakistan's batsmen ahead of the test series in New Zealand.

"I envisage big problems for the top order in New Zealand" stated Basit who represented Pakistan in 19 tests and 50 ODIs in the 1990s.

Basit continued "If the sun isn't shining, the weather is cold and the wickets are soft, then get ready for some low scores from Pakistan's batsmen. The problem is if you look through the squad you have a number of players who are technically weak, especially against the moving delivery and in seaming conditions. A lot of the Pakistani batsmen are fine when its 20 over cricket, but put them in a 5 day match situation in difficult conditions and I fear they will be "found out".

Responding to a question regarding whom he thought Pakistan's key batsmen were in New Zealand Basit stated "Imran Farhat, Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal are the players who I think will score the bulk of Pakistan's runs in the test series. I would definitely play Umar Akmal in all 3 tests, he is such a great talent and I sincerely hope that he keeps out of player politics. If he can do that, then I think he will be a mainstay in the Pakistan team for many years".

Basit who was one of the selectors that picked the Pakistan T20 World Cup squad before being removed from the post by the PCB further added "I think Imran Farhat and Salman Butt should open the batting, as I feel Khurram Manzoor still has some technical flaws in his batting and will struggle in New Zealand".

Basit when asked about the issue of captaincy and the lack of options for the selectors once Younus declared his unavailability in New Zealand stated "I dont really rate Yousuf as a captain. I dont think he is a very impressive captain and is tactically quite weak. He is certainly nowhere in the league of Younus Khan when it comes to tactics and innovation".

Basit feels that Pakistan's bowling lineup in New Zealand will rely heavily on 17 year old Mohammad Aamer. "Aamer is a very talented young bowler, but the selectors, coach and captain need to be careful with him
as they are playing him far too often and not resting him when they should be. As for the other seamers, Umar Gul has not been all that great with the new ball and as for Asif, he will be an unknown quantity as he has not played international cricket for such a long time".