South Africa series: Hafeez appears certain to lose Test berth
Moin rules seasoned campaigner out; Masood, Shehzad tipped as replacements .
Hafeez has struggled for runs in 2013 and could lose out on a place in the Test squad for the upcoming South Africa series in the UAE. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
The mystery surrounding the selection of the final squad for the Test series against South Africa is likely to continue for another week as the 15-man line-up for the two matches is now expected to be named in the UAE.
The team, which was to be announced after the three-day practice game that ends in Lahore today, is now tipped to be named during or after the two practice matches in the UAE, featuring all the 28 Pakistan probables.
These matches include a three-day practice match between Pakistan A and South Africa, starting on October 8, while the remaining Pakistan players will be involved in a two-day game against the UAE on October 9 and 10.
However, The Express Tribune has learnt that Mohammad Hafeez appears certain to be axed from the Test squad for the series against the Proteas starting on October 14.
The Pakistan Twenty20 captain is struggling for runs in the longer format, managing just 102 runs from his last 10 innings. Additionally, he could score only 22 in the Lahore practice game planned ahead of the team selection. With Hafeez’s off-spin bowling hardly being used in Tests, the selectors are contemplating dropping the seasoned campaigner.
“There are four contenders for three slots for the openers,” said an official close to the selection committee.
“These include Khurram Manzoor, Shaan Masood, Ahmed Shehzad and Hafeez — who has the weakest case among all.
“The selection committee prefers youngsters for this series. Dropping Taufeeq Umar and Imran Farhat was the part of the same plan as the duo is still struggling to cement their place long after making their debuts.”
Meanwhile, the official said the selectors were against the idea of including two specialist wicket-keepers in the final squad.
“Adnan Akmal is favourite to retain his place over Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan.”
He added that Umar Akmal was not certain to make a Test comeback with Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Umar Amin appearing favourites to fill the batting slots with captain Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan.
Moin rules out Hafeez inclusion in Test squad
Pakistan manager Moin Khan, who claimed that team selection was not his domain, signalled the decision has been taken to drop Hafeez.
“Hafeez’s current form is not good that’s why he is not in the Test squad for the time being,” said the former captain while speaking to reporters in Lahore.
“But at the same time, he is a cricketer with immense potential and has contributed a lot for Pakistan. He is our Twenty20 captain and we cannot write off a player of his calibre.”
The manager while confirming a delay in team announcement said it will take four to five more days to finalise squad.
Azhar, Shafiq shine on rain-interrupted day
Meanwhile, only 28 overs could be bowled on the second day of the practice match between the Chief Ministers XI and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chairman XI in Lahore before rain stopped the post-lunch proceedings.
Azhar and Shafiq, who resumed the penultimate day’s play on 134 for three, remained unbeaten and took the PCB Chairman’s XI score to 197 for three in 77 overs. Azhar reached 80 off 187 deliveries while Shafiq was playing on 46 from 127 balls.
The Chief Ministers XI, led by Younus, were bowled out for a paltry 90 on the opening day after fiery figures of six for 27 by left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2013.
The mystery surrounding the selection of the final squad for the Test series against South Africa is likely to continue for another week as the 15-man line-up for the two matches is now expected to be named in the UAE.
The team, which was to be announced after the three-day practice game that ends in Lahore today, is now tipped to be named during or after the two practice matches in the UAE, featuring all the 28 Pakistan probables.
These matches include a three-day practice match between Pakistan A and South Africa, starting on October 8, while the remaining Pakistan players will be involved in a two-day game against the UAE on October 9 and 10.
However, The Express Tribune has learnt that Mohammad Hafeez appears certain to be axed from the Test squad for the series against the Proteas starting on October 14.
The Pakistan Twenty20 captain is struggling for runs in the longer format, managing just 102 runs from his last 10 innings. Additionally, he could score only 22 in the Lahore practice game planned ahead of the team selection. With Hafeez’s off-spin bowling hardly being used in Tests, the selectors are contemplating dropping the seasoned campaigner.
“There are four contenders for three slots for the openers,” said an official close to the selection committee.
“These include Khurram Manzoor, Shaan Masood, Ahmed Shehzad and Hafeez — who has the weakest case among all.
“The selection committee prefers youngsters for this series. Dropping Taufeeq Umar and Imran Farhat was the part of the same plan as the duo is still struggling to cement their place long after making their debuts.”
Meanwhile, the official said the selectors were against the idea of including two specialist wicket-keepers in the final squad.
“Adnan Akmal is favourite to retain his place over Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan.”
He added that Umar Akmal was not certain to make a Test comeback with Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Umar Amin appearing favourites to fill the batting slots with captain Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan.
Moin rules out Hafeez inclusion in Test squad
Pakistan manager Moin Khan, who claimed that team selection was not his domain, signalled the decision has been taken to drop Hafeez.
“Hafeez’s current form is not good that’s why he is not in the Test squad for the time being,” said the former captain while speaking to reporters in Lahore.
“But at the same time, he is a cricketer with immense potential and has contributed a lot for Pakistan. He is our Twenty20 captain and we cannot write off a player of his calibre.”
The manager while confirming a delay in team announcement said it will take four to five more days to finalise squad.
Azhar, Shafiq shine on rain-interrupted day
Meanwhile, only 28 overs could be bowled on the second day of the practice match between the Chief Ministers XI and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chairman XI in Lahore before rain stopped the post-lunch proceedings.
Azhar and Shafiq, who resumed the penultimate day’s play on 134 for three, remained unbeaten and took the PCB Chairman’s XI score to 197 for three in 77 overs. Azhar reached 80 off 187 deliveries while Shafiq was playing on 46 from 127 balls.
The Chief Ministers XI, led by Younus, were bowled out for a paltry 90 on the opening day after fiery figures of six for 27 by left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2013.