Wednesday, February 13, 2002 Pakistan are on an upward curve. Although they have not really been tested since the tour of England, Waqar's players have done everything that was asked of them — and that is win convincingly. This shows that the team is gearing up well.

The real challenges, however, lie ahead against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia at home before a trip to South Africa. What Pakistan really need to focus on is grooming players to step into the team if any of the first eleven lose form or are injured. This has always been a problem in Pakistan because players break through thanks to their talent, but with little grooming.

Australia has ready-made substitutes who can fill a slot without the team's performance being affected. South Africa is some of the way there as well. In Pakistan, we end up grooming players once they are in and around the Test squad. That has to change.

A particular problem area for Pakistan is the opening slot. Too many players have been brought straight in and then thrown out without much opportunity. With Saeed Anwar injured, and his future plans unclear, the lack of a suitable replacement is worrying. It would be more sensible to take Saeed out of the equation and groom a new opening pair instead of relying on him to return. What Pakistan need to do is identify their first-choice openers and give them an extended run in the team.

I think Faisal Iqbal is worth a try as opener. He has been in and out of the team for over a year and is familiar with the environment. Majid Khan was converted to an opener and he played with great success. There is no vacancy in the middle order on current form and this might be the best way to use Faisal's talent. It is better than calling up another player out of the blue.

Another question for Pakistan is whether or not Shahid Afridi is just a one-day player or if he is a Test player too. They should decide one way or the other and stick with it. The present way of using him is unsettling for him and the team. There is a lot of criticism of Afridi's temperament but he has now scored two Test centuries in a handful of Tests. His time with Leicestershire has also helped him mature as a cricketer.

Taufeeq Umar has done well too, although he has not really been tested. It makes sense to take some firm decisions and develop the chosen players. Of course, Saeed Anwar would still walk into the team if and when he returns, but his partner and his understudy would at least be ready.

The rest of the batting line up is settled and in form. Except Inzi, that is. I understand that he has been concerned about his father's health but I have spotted a flaw in his technique that has crept in the last few games. I'll gladly tell him what it is if he looks me up the next time he is in Lahore.

Javed Miandad, Pakistan's most prolific batsman and later their coach, was talking to Kamran Abbasi. His column appears every Wednesday.

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