Experienced campaigners Younus Khan and Umar Gul were overlooked as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee announced a 16-man squad for the One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia to be held in the UAE.
Fast-bowlers Mohammad Sami and Rahat Ali, while wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who were part of the ODI series against Sri Lanka, were also sidelined from the three-match rubber that starts on August 28.
On the other hand, former captain Shoaib Malik and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal made their way into the squad.
Left-arm pacer Junaid Khan, who was snubbed for the Twenty20 series against Australia and the World Twenty20, has been added, while fast-bowler Anwar Ali also earned a recall.
Left-handed Nasir Jamshed, who missed the Sri Lanka tour due to injury, also features in the squad.
Not a career threatening snub for Younus: Qasim
The team was announced following a meeting between the selectors and head coach Dav Whatmore. Captain Misbahul Haq gave his feedback on the team selection to chief selector Iqbal Qasim before departing for the ongoing Sri Lanka Premier league.
According to the chief selector, the decision to overlook Younus was taken unanimously by the selection committee and the team management.
The former captain struggled for runs in recent assignments, leading to the debate of restricting the seasoned batsman’s career to only Tests.
However, the snub has not been termed a threat to Younus’ ODI career by Qasim.
“There are no casualties,” Qasim official told The Express Tribune following the team announcement. “The players who are snubbed are just rested. Similarly, Younus has also been rested. The senior players, including Gul and Sami, were not in good form in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. They have been given a break and that may help them to regain their form.
“We have tough series lined up ahead against India and South Africa and we don’t want to dent their confidence any further.”
‘Kamran brought in to strengthen batting’
Commenting on Kamran’s return to the ODI squad, Qasim said the wicket-keeper was recalled to bring depth to the batting. Kamran hit a quickfire half-century in his first match of the Sri Lankan Premier League and it’s his form that prompted the selection committee to give him the nod.
“Our team has been struggling in the batting department for the last few series. Kamran has better batting credentials and he’s in good form. His inclusion will improve our batting strength.
“Meanwhile, Sarfraz should not lose hope as he will get ample chances in the future.”
He added Malik was the best suitable candidate to replace Younus.
“We are up against top opposition and wanted to replace Younus with an experienced middle-order batsman and Malik was the best option.”
The chief selector added Junaid is undergoing a process of development and will slowly and gradually find his place in all formats.
“Junaid is working hard and showing significant improvement. After the Tests, we have included him in ODIs and he will get chance in Twenty20s as well.”
Pakistan squad
N Jamshaid, M Hafeez, A Ali, A Shafiq, Misbah, U Akmal, K Akmal, S Afridi, S Tanvir, A Cheema, S Ajmal, I Farhat, S Malik, A Rehman, J Khan, A Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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Akmals: Fixers friends, injury fakers, butter fingers. Imran Farhat: Susar ki PURCHEE Shoaib Malik: politician and group maker.
We pray that some day Pakistan cricket is cleaned from these negative elements.
sad to say but even on independence day punjabi mafia has taken over the team and filled it third class low character corrupt punjabi speakin players god bless pakistan
@JJ: i second that... this guy has the proverbial nine lives of a cat
where is Abdul Razzaq?
imran farhat is a reflection of what is wrong with our nation as a whole. 12 years and still counting, this guy is yet to prove himself. I guess he is not going anywhere, and will probably retire "respectfully". he is taking up some other deserving players' right, and he can thank his father in law for it. what a mess! What a lesson for aspiring cricketers. Go team!
Why Shoab Malik is there , how many chances you will give to this players who has no skills at all
Shuaib Malik and Kamran Akmal are the players with a penchant for spreading 'bad blood' in the team. In addition, their performance borders on the mediocre or no performance at all.
Sidelining M. Sami and Sarfaraz Ahmed is a bad move. This is a clear distinction between pulling the plug on clean players and fouling up the atmosphere.
Cricket in Pakistan is being played with excuses, fast talk and adhocism and essentially without an institutional book of laws (constitution). Salams
Why imran farhat is there , how many chances you will give to this player who have no skills at all.