Return tour: In quest of a ‘versatile’ 16

Selectors mull over choosing same squad for ODIs, T20s in South Africa.

KARACHI:

The hastily arranged tour of South Africa is proving a headache task for the national selectors, who have been asked to choose one squad for both Twenty20s (T20s) and One-Day Internationals (ODIs).    

Soon after the completion of the home series that is currently underway in the UAE, Pakistan will embark on a short South Africa tour featuring two T20s and three ODIs from November 20 to 30.

According to a PCB official, the host board has sought a pool of 25 team members including both players and officials for the entire tour, which means that the selectors are to pick one squad for both formats.



An official close to the selection committee confirmed that the panel will hold a final discussion with the team management before the team announcement, which is likely today.

“It’s a tricky task as compared to what the selection committee has been exercising in recent years,” the official told The Express Tribune.

“Initially, the squad was to be announced on Monday. But the team management was unclear and wanted to assess players after the fifth and final ODI in Sharjah.”

Currently Pakistan’s UAE-bound T20 and ODI squads have 11 players in common – Ahmed Shahzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanvir and Sohaib Maqsood.

Amidst the tricky situation, the selectors are also mulling on team management’s request to recall veteran Younus Khan in the ODI squad.

“Younus’ selection is not confirmed and a decision will be made after a final telephonic conversation between the selectors and the team management.”

The official disclosed that the selection committee was not sure about Younus’s return.“The selection committee is not keen to include Younus and wants to persist with youngsters.

“The players who have a good track record of adapting well in both formats will get preference. Both the selectors and team management will definitely have to compromise on some players.”

Sethi defends team’s performance

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Interim Chairman Najam Sethi, who saw the national team conceding the fourth ODI and the series to South Africa, defended the team’s performance.

“We have youngsters who need experience,” Sethi told reporters in Lahore upon his return.

“The team managed to reach close to the targets and even the South Africans were unsure about their victory till the very end.”

The interim chairman also expressed the resolve to let players take maximum exposure in domestic tournaments abroad.

“The previous boards did not encourage players to play overseas.  But I will like to give maximum exposure to our cricketers. We will give permissions and NOC to help players playing leagues and domestic tournaments abroad.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2013.

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