Somehow cricket in Pakistan has continued even without Shoaib Ahktar.
Their other Shoaib, the logical, sane and less talented one, is still their captain.
But a week is a long time in Cricket.
In Pakistani cricket a week is several life times.
Since Shoaib Malik’s showing at the 2020 world whatever it was, his team has struggled.
A look at the current line up against Bangladesh gives you an idea why.
Salman Butt averages about 30 in both forms of the game, and so far has done nothing other than have a cool name. 
Nasir Jamshed is not somewhere you keep jars, but is actually a young cricketer who is yet to confirm his place in the side, and yet to make a big splash in general.
Younis Khan is the Pakistani version of Elvis, except that he isn’t as sexy, cool, or talented (ummm) as him.
Mohammad Yousuf is a top class international player, probably the only one in the side, he is also a scientologist. 
Shoaib Malik is the youngest looking 26 year old Pakistan has ever had. He may actually be the age he claims to be. Will be a very handy cricketer, but right now is just a cricketer.
Misbah Ul Haq has the same surname as Inzy and a lovely cricket backside. He can bat, but probably won’t be around for long.
Shahid Afridi is Shaihid Afridi.
Kamran Akmal is a male model, who dabbles in wicketkeeping. Used to be a sh1t hot batsmen. Now is not. 
Umar Gul is a player who is destined to be called Sea. The boy can bowl, but is never going to be an out and out match winner.
Sohail Tanvir is a quick who can also bowl spin. So far I am yet to see him bowl either particularly well, but could be a handy one day option.
Iftikhar Anjum is Rao Iftikhar, true story.
Not a lot of high priced cattle for Malik to play with there.
Chris Rogers just talks about moving to Victoria and the selectors take away his national contract. Quick work boys!
Its probably the weakest Pakistan side in over 2 decades..Hopefully they will come around…They are working there way up – Zimbabwe then Bangladesh… they shud play the Windies next followed by England and the Kiwis..Then they shud worry abt the big 4..
Too early to pass a judgmnt on Gul. The guy claims to be 23, and can be quite a handful if he is completely fit.
John if he claims to be 23, does that make him 32 in real life?And i’m making a judgment on the team as it stands, i actually think he has something, but he is still along way away from being a big time player.
Yousuf is a non-entity. He lives at 3rd man and nobody talks to him. Not even the spectators. At least make him vice captain!
NC – did u see the run out Yousuf effected yesterday?He’s not captaincy material so no point making him VC. He has no captaincy exprience – he doesnt even captain his department not his regional team.Misbah has captained Faisalabad for 7 years now and ideally is suited to the VC role as he is more of a thinker than Yousuf.Yousuf is a great batsman no doubt, but he lacks the strategic head required for a captain.Only Misbah, Younis, an Afridi have that in the present Pakistan side. And Malik relies on them on the field.
ckoGul is 23! Thats a joke. He’s approaching 30 at least.He averages over 30 in both ODIs and Tests.His only note worthy performance in int’l cricket is the 5 wicket haul he took against India back in 2004. He carried the Pakistan attack single handedy in England in 2006 and was unlucky with wickets.But apart from that he hasn’t done much in either form of the game. Injuries haven’t helped but he’s not in the same league as Asif or Sohail Khan, who hasn’ played yet. Even Sohail Tanvir has more wicket taking ability than Gul.He did impress in the T20 world cup but bowling yorkers for 4 overs doesn’t make one a great bowler.
Q -that was a lame attempt at a joke. jokes apart, Yousuf is Pak’s Dravid in many ways. And the end is nigh for both.
Dravid’s ODI career is over but he’s got 2-3 years of test cricket left in him..Yousuf, I think, has another 4 years left… in both forms..