Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly considers Shoaib Akhtar as the biggest threat to his team's batting line-up ahead of Sunday's day-night game against Pakistan in the Asia Cup cricket tournament.
"Shoaib was the best bowler of Pakistan when we toured them earlier this year and he remains their lynchpin," said Ganguly as he took a look at every individual Pakistan player.
Imran Nazir: One of the talented crop of youngsters now making headlines in Pakistan cricket. Haven't seen him much but he played that practice game against us before the start of the series in Pakistan. From what I have seen of him, a very talented batsman.
Yasir Hameed: An extremely good player. He loves driving and thus looks extremely attractive. But penchant for driving can also bring about his downfall. He was in good nick against us and a batsman to watch out for.
Shoaib Malik: A good all-rounder for Pakistan. If he comes at number three, it must be to push up the scoring rate. He is very good with his onside strokes.
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Inzamam-Ul Haq: The lynchpin of Pakistan batting. Extremely cool and solid. Can nudge around and also hit big strokes. Can shift gears without notice. He is believed to be a hesitant starter but it can't be seen as weakness. Most batsmen are hesitant starters.
Yousuf Youhana: An extremely experienced presence in the middle order. Along with Inzamam, he is the heart of Pakistan batting. Like his skipper, extremely flexible with his strategy. Can use the field route but also hits big strokes.
Younis Khan: He was seen in the one-day internationals against us and can hold the innings together. He made a couple of scores in the 30s and 40s against us and looked solid. Later it was said he should have been tried in the Tests also. But you can't presume things in cricket. He might not have come off in Tests which is totally a different format of the game.
Moin Khan: It is wrong to believe that Moin Khan's best days are behind him. He is still a very dangerous customer. His performance in 1999 might make it appear as if that was his peak but he can still turn a match on its head.
Abdur Razzaq: Imagine Razzaq coming in at number eight! It has to be a strong Pakistan line-up. As a bowler he has lost a bit of pace but still is extremely handy. And then he is a big striker of the ball. It does appear though that he hits seamers better than he is able to do it against spinners.
Shoaib Akhtar: The lynchpin of Pakistan attack. I thought he was the pick of Pakistan bowlers when we toured earlier this year. He was the only bowler who needed watching out. He must be keen to do well. I am not in a position to comment about what effect it would have on him if he bowls from a shortened run-up. I think it is all a matter of finding the right rhythm.
Mohammad Sami: An extremely sharp and skiddy fast bowler. A youngster who can bowl really fast. He is one of the truly talented young fast bowlers in world cricket.
Shabbir Ahmed: His height is an advantage to him and he is a kind of fast bowler who relies on a good line and length. A good supporting cast to Shoaib and Sami.
