The business area of this tour.
I have my expectations measured for PAK batting & bowling in this series, but barring rain, the determining factor between 4-0 & 2-2 could be the catching of PAK team. I don't think, this ENG side has the batting strength like 2010, may be tail is longer; but they'll struggle against PAK attack, unless Cook & Root has a great series. On contrary, PAK has NO CHANCE to contest, if they are to get Cook & Root out 20+ times in this series. Already, PAK is going with WK standards of 2006; a series, which should have ended 2-1 for hosts, could have ended 3-1 in favor of tourists had KAkmal been efficient (& Asif, Sohaib fit for whole series).
I think, 2nd slip is the most dynamic spot - edges often don't carry to hands, therefore the 2nd slipper needs to dive front, while edged squire cuts fly faster & on the rise at 2nd slip. Besides, 2nd slipper needs to cover both left & right as the 1st slip stands 2 metres behind, so soft edges has to be covers by 2nd slip while often 3rd slip is kept wide, particularly if the 2nd slipper is a right hander; sometimes when only 2 slips are used, 2nd slipper stands at a flying position between 2nd & 3rd slip. The best I had seen was Mark Waugh, to me a better all-round fielder than Jonty - Hooper, Viv, Greg, Graham Roop, Botham, Azhar, Bobby Simpson were also outstanding 2nd slipper.
1st slipper should be a bucket hand - less mobile, limited reflex, but a SAFE Bucket - grasps everything that comes straight. The best I had seen were tubby Taylor, Mahela, Big Mac, Fleming, Lloyd, Ian Chappel, Smith, Rahul, Sunny. One vital quality of Taylor, Ian, Mahela, Sunny or Smith, standing at 1st slip was their judgement - what to go for & what to leave for Hilley, Marsh, Sanga, Kirmani or Boucher. Statistically, 2nd slip drops most catches as he attempts more & covers more, while 1st slips KPI is conversion of regulation catches - I can't recall when I had seen or heard Tubby Taylor or Fleming dropping a sitter. On a side note, the worst 1st slipper I had seen was MoHa, a timid soul, who 'll drop almost everything when the match is hanging in balance; off course excluding Wasim, when in AUS, he used to bowl 60+ overs/Test & Khan used to rest him at the only slip.
For PAK, best available 2nd slipper is between YK & Asad; but Asad is good at Gully as well, a position as vital as slip in UK, therefore YK should stand at 2nd slip. He is excellent 2nd slipper, but somehow he bolts it under pressure - something that doesn't go with his batting. Still he is the best option for the hot seat. Misbah is "workable" at 1st slip, while PAK should try to build Yasir at 3rd slip - a position intelligent teams used for bowlers who might need to bowl 35+ overs in last 2 days of a 5 day game, after 1st 3 days work load - here intelligent team is any one but Pakistan & bowlers need to bowl 35+ overs in day 4 & 5 were/are Warne, Kumble, Vettory, Swan, Lyon .......... even Md. Rafique of a minnow. In fact, someone Clive Lloyd used to put a 6'10", 18 stone giant bird at 3rd slip to give him proper rest. I am writing this, because last I can recall is Maqsood & even Md. Irfan fielding at back-ward point - that's Pakistan special fielding intelligence for you. Hope this insane Arthur could fix some sanity & restore insanity in the proceedings.
If Babar Azam makes the team, then I would put him at 3rd slip, while I 'll never use Yasir on a spot (back-ward point), where your prime spinner 'll need to move constantly for whole day & easily can bruise finger or palm trying to dive or slide - exactly the spot where he fields these days.
Azhar should be made permanent Forward Short Leg, while Aamir can field at mid-on or 3rd slip depending on his catching ability, but never on line.
khar
