Selectors have included fresh blood in almost the entire Pakistan A team with chief selector Mohsin Khan calling it the right time to build a squad for the World Cup.
“It’s time for youngsters to be given an opportunity and a fair chance,” said Mohsin.
“I think they deserve a chance and if we don’t give these youngsters a chance, then we will never know whether they will sink or swim in the top tier of cricket.”
With the PCB choosing to ignore Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf not ready to make a comeback, the board has felt the need to inject young blood in the team. Pakistan selectors named Under-19 team captain, Azeem Ghumman, to lead Pakistan’s A team that includes opening batsman Khurram Manzoor, fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan, while veteran batsman Misbahul Haq, Mohammad Hafeez and Faisal Iqbal, Khalid Latif, and bowler Yasir Arafat – all central contracted players to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)– have been overlooked.
The selectors have picked up a 15-man squad from the special stipend category which was introduced for the top performers and budding under-19 players in the domestic season. Asad Shafiq, Junaid Khan, Aamir Sajjad, Naveed Yasin were the top performers domestically, while Ghumman, Hammad Azam were the emerging stars who made their way from the under-19 circuit.
“It’s not like we have ignored the senior player. But young talent needed to be uncovered and the tri-nation series is very important to reveal the talent so the ball is in their court to prove themselves,” added Mohsin.
Talent pumped up
All-rounder Hammad Azam, who impressed the selectors by scoring 173 runs in 6 matches and getting dismissed only once in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, is looking forward to cash in on another opportunity at the top level. “I never left my hopes despite having been dropped right after the World Twenty20,” said Hammad.
“Though I got disappointed but my passion for the games remains the same and I knew I will be handed another chance to prove myself.”
Promising fast-bowler, Tabish Khan, believed his hard work proved a fruitful outcome after being selected for the top level.
Meanwhile, batsman Aamir Sajjad – overlooked for the England tour – has faith in his efforts. “I will continue the good work and will consider the Sri Lanka tour as another trial to find a place in the Pakistan senior team,” said Sajjad .
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2010.
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