Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt)


Age: 36
Right-hand batsman
Average: 39.67
Strike rate 74.24

Captain since Nov. 2003, the World Cup provides the perfect opportunity for Inzamam to be ranked among the top captains of his country. A fine top line batsman with loads of experience, Inzamam has generally led the side well despite being saddled with fitness problems to his main bowlers.
His critics, however, contend he lacks the insight and initiative for one-day cricket and tends to sit back when the going gets tough on the field.

  Shahid Afridi


Age: 26
Right-hand batsman, right-arm leg-break bowler
Average: 23.17
Strike rate: 108.58
Economy rate: 4.61

One of the most destructive batsman on his day and holds the record for the fastest century in one-day cricket in balls (37) against Sri Lanka at Nairobi in 1997. Also the joint holder of the second fastest one-day hundred against India in 2005 from 45 balls.


Kamran Akmal
Age: 26
Right-hand batsman, wicketkeeper
Average: 24.88
Strike rate: 83.27

Despite a tough time behind the stumps in Pakistan's last three series in England, against the West Indies and in South Africa, Akmal remains one of Pakistan's brightest hopes in the Wrld Cup and has already scored seven international hundreds.
Apart from his keeping, he has been used as an opener and in the middle order and his unorthodox style has been of great value for Pakistan.


Rao Iftikhar Anjum
Age: 26 
Right-arm medium-pace
Economy rate: 4.60

Another of the young crop of Pakistan players, he has adjusted well in the international arena after some phenomenal performances in domestic cricket. With fitness problems troubling the main bowlers he could turn out to be Pakistan's workhorse in the long tournament.


Yasir Arafat
Age: 24
Right-hand batsman, right-arm medium-pace
Average: 12.00
Strike rate: 78.68
Economy rate: 5.97

The all-rounder joined the squad after Shoaib Ahktar and Mohammad Asif were ruled with injury.

Capable lower-order batsman but his strongest suit is his bowling. Will be fighting for playing time with spinning all-rounders Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi.


Umar Gul
Age: 24
Right-arm fast-medium bowler
Economy rate: 4.59

Now struggling with a ankle injury, Gul was one of Pakistan's great success stories last year when he spearheaded the attack in the absence of the top bowlers. Has improved a lot and can be a handful on his day. He is a key component of the bowling attack but was sent back from South Africa with fitness problems without playing in the test series.


Mohammad Hafeez
Age: 26
Right-hand batsman, right-arm off-break bowler
Average: 19.04
Strike rate: 58.41
Economy rate: 4.43

Hafeez is probably the most under-rated player in the Pakistan side. Easily the top fielder in a side not famous for their fielding standards, his organised approach to batting at opener and his ability to bowl tight off spin are invaluable.


Danish Kaneria
Age: 26.
Right-arm leg break bowler
Economy rate: 4.56

Still struggling to establish himself in the one-day squad, Kaneria is a leg spinner in the orthodox style and tends to concede extra runs but he has the experience and skills to come good any time. His impressive test record of 198 wickets in 46 matches should serve him well in the World Cup.


 
  Younis Khan


Age: 29 
Right-hand batsman
Average: 31.60
Strike rate: 73.74

One of the five most experienced players in the side, Younis has shown phenomenal form in the last two years and has scored runs against every opposition at the critical number three position. Team vice-captain who led Pakistan in the last Champions Trophy.

 
  Shoaib Malik


Age: 25
Right-hand batsman, right-arm off break
Average: 33.64
Strike rate: 77.01.
Economy rate: 4.46

Shoaib's solid presence in Pakistan's unpredictable lower order has been invaluable in recent years. A quiet and unassuming character with batting which depends more on grafting than powerplay he has shrugged off an nagging elbow problem. His off-spin bowling, despite being reported twice by match officials, adds an extra dimension.


Rana Naved
Age: 28
Right-arm medium-fast bowler
Economy rate: 5.53

An old man of the team despite being just 28 years-old. His selection raised eyebrows in Pakistan as he has struggled for form in South Africa. He conceded 92 in eight overs at Centurion and than went for more runs in the following matches. Has the ability to reverse swing the ball and bowls a good yorker but has not been on song with a high economy rate of 5.53 runs.


Imran Nazir
Age: 25
Right-hand batsman
Average: 23.55
Strike rate: 76.73.

A hard-hitting opener, Nazir made a comeback to the one-day team in South Africa this year after being ignored by the selectors since 2003. He produced one cracking innings in the one-dayer at Durban but consistency and shot selection remains a big problem with him.

 Mohammad Sami



Age: 26
Right arm medium-fast bowler
Economy rate: 4.96

Sami is the highly-pedigree replacement for Akhtar.

After a good start to his career against the Black Caps, Sami has since be overtaken in the pecking order by Rana Naved, Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif.

But if the mood catches him right, he has the ability to match Akhtar's strike bowler capability.


 
  Mohammad Yousuf


Age: 32
Right-hand batsman
Average: 41.77
Strike rate: 74.47

Pakistan's in-form player and the answer to problems in the middle order. Has been in prolific form since 2005 with a string of hundreds and bowlers now put a high value on his wicket.
On West Indies' pitches he will be the key to Pakistan posting or chasing big totals.


Bob Woolmer
Age: 58 
Coach

After coaching South Africa for five years between 1994 and 1999, including two World Cups, Woolmer knows he carries the load of expectations of millions of passionate cricket followers in Pakistan in this World Cup.
Has has done an impressive job with the Pakistanis since joining them in July 2004 but has yet to guide them to a major one-day title.