Cricket: Latif criticises Sami snub
Former captain believes fast-bowler is in the form of his life.
KARACHI:
Known for his candour, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has again criticised the national selection committee for overlooking fast-bowler Mohammad Sami from the 15-man squad announced for the upcoming Asia Cup.
Pakistan have included three pacemen in the side – Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema and Wahab Riaz – for the four-nation tournament to be held in Bangladesh from March 11 and Latif felt Sami’s form should not have been overlooked.
The out-of-favour paceman, who has played 35 Tests and 83 One-day Internationals, bagged 39 wickets and scored 579 runs in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class competition, before claiming 17 scalps in the Pentangular Cup in just 2 matches. He also ended as the joint-leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in the Bangladesh Premier League.
“Sami’s in the form of his life,” Latif told The Express Tribune. “He’s by far the best genuine fast-bowler in Pakistan at the moment.”
Latif’s comments come after Cheema and Riaz’s failure to contribute substantially in the recent series and Latif felt Sami’s inclusion was deserved.
“When a player is performing well, he should be utilised. If Sami doesn’t qualify for selection even after all these performances then I don’t know when he’ll get a chance.”
‘A handy option in Twenty20s’
Meanwhile, outgoing bowling coach Aqib Javed believes that Sami can come in handy in the shorter format of the game.
“I’ve followed his performances recently and he can be a good addition to the T20 squad,” said Aqib. “He’s an attacking bowler, excellent fielder and a handy batsman.”
However, the former Pakistan fast-bowler remained sceptical of Sami’s effectiveness in Test cricket. “He can’t bowl longer spells effectively but he can be really handy in short bursts.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2012.
Known for his candour, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has again criticised the national selection committee for overlooking fast-bowler Mohammad Sami from the 15-man squad announced for the upcoming Asia Cup.
Pakistan have included three pacemen in the side – Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema and Wahab Riaz – for the four-nation tournament to be held in Bangladesh from March 11 and Latif felt Sami’s form should not have been overlooked.
The out-of-favour paceman, who has played 35 Tests and 83 One-day Internationals, bagged 39 wickets and scored 579 runs in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class competition, before claiming 17 scalps in the Pentangular Cup in just 2 matches. He also ended as the joint-leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in the Bangladesh Premier League.
“Sami’s in the form of his life,” Latif told The Express Tribune. “He’s by far the best genuine fast-bowler in Pakistan at the moment.”
Latif’s comments come after Cheema and Riaz’s failure to contribute substantially in the recent series and Latif felt Sami’s inclusion was deserved.
“When a player is performing well, he should be utilised. If Sami doesn’t qualify for selection even after all these performances then I don’t know when he’ll get a chance.”
‘A handy option in Twenty20s’
Meanwhile, outgoing bowling coach Aqib Javed believes that Sami can come in handy in the shorter format of the game.
“I’ve followed his performances recently and he can be a good addition to the T20 squad,” said Aqib. “He’s an attacking bowler, excellent fielder and a handy batsman.”
However, the former Pakistan fast-bowler remained sceptical of Sami’s effectiveness in Test cricket. “He can’t bowl longer spells effectively but he can be really handy in short bursts.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2012.