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Karachi: The Pakistan team management is in a dilemma over selecting the final eleven for the opening Test of the two-match 'home' series against Australia commencing from Tuesday at the Lord's, England.
"The problem facing the selectors is that the senior players including Imran Farhat and Shoaib Malik have failed to get going so far in England in the side matches and in the two Twenty20 internationals that Pakistan won against Australia," one source said.
"But in contrast some of the youngsters who have been picked for the England tour including Umar Amin, Azhar Ali and even the recalled Yasir Hameed have done well in the side matches against Kent and Leicestershire.
"The problem now is whether to stick to the experienced opening pair of Salman Butt (who is in good form) and Farhat or to try out a new opening pair with a youngster being pushed up to open the innings with Butt," the source added.
It will be the first time in 100 years that a neutral Test would be played at the Lord's - a situation that has come about since foreign teams have refused to tour Pakistan on security grounds.
Australia also backed out of touring Pakistan in 2008 and since then Pakistan has split the 'home' series into different phases at neutral venues with the two Tests now scheduled in England this month.
The tour selectors are well aware how important it is in English conditions to get a solid opening start with Australia facing no issues with their opening pair at all.
"There is also pressure on the tour selectors because the middle order with the exception of Umar Akmal who has been in great form and even captain Shahid Afridi is lacking depth and experience at the moment," the source said.
Already the Pakistan Cricket Board, the selectors and the tour management in England have been criticised for leaving out former captain and senior batsman Younis Khan and in-form Faisal Iqbal and Khurrum Manzoor from the Test squad.
"There is some pressure on them because if the batting flops in the Tests then obviously the Board, the selectors and the team management would have to face more criticism over the exclusion of Younis in particular," the source said.
Even former captain and PCB Director-General Javed Miandad has openly lashed out at the Board and selectors for not picking Younis and Faisal.
Other sources pointed out that it was a new look batting line-up that is touring England and there are solid chances that one or two youngsters might get Test caps in the first match as Shoaib Malik has also struggled with his form so far on the tour.
"Malik has not got runs in either the T20 internationals or the side matches and that is a sign of worry for the tour selectors and also how to strike a proper balance for the first Test.
"Pakistan, however, appears well covered in the bowling department with Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif in good form and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal also doing well.
"There is also a dilemma whether captain Afridi should play as a specialist batsman or an all-rounder which would mean going in with four specialist bowlers," the source said.
