In the tumult of activity on Wednesday as the Gabba readied itself for its Test match, it emerged that one of Pakistanis had advised of a change to the spelling of his name. But which one, and to what? For broadcasters and scoreboard operators, the matter was urgent.

Who, and what? It is the question that applies whenever Pakistan visits, more than to any other touring team.

The Pakistan team pose for a photo at the Gabba ahead of the first Test. Credit:Getty Images

Once, a player called up late was interviewed by phone by an Australian journalist at Hong Kong airport en route. Done, he asked the journalist to let the captain know he was coming. Pre-internet, pre-mobiles, it is not so improbable as it sounds. But it tells a tale. We're never sure of what we're getting. Nor, sometimes, are they. They are the disorientals.

This time, we might have expected, for instance, two brilliant left-arm quicks, Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz. They did come, but only for three T20s, a flash in the plan. Did you see them? Nor did I. It transpires that both are retired from red-ball cricket. Amir is all of 27.