KARACHI:
The national selection committee, led by former Test cricketer Moin Khan, is pondering over bringing back discarded left-arm spinner Raza Hasan and fast-bowler Wahab Riaz for the series against Sri Lanka.
The six-member committee met in Lahore last week and several options were explored for the Test and ODI squads likely to travel to take on hosts Sri Lanka.
It has been learnt by The Express Tribune that left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman may lose his place to Zulfiqar Babar in the Test side while Raza Hasan, who only played in T20Is for Pakistan back in 2012, is set to be named in the one-day team in place of Rehman.
Rehman has been short on confidence after being on the radar for bowling three dubious consecutive no-balls, giving away eight runs in the side’s Asia Cup match against Bangladesh.
Additionally, Wahab, who last played in the longest format of the game in 2011 and in the ODIs in 2013, is also being considered for the Test side to bring in a much-needed pace to bolster the attack.
Wahab’s inclusion will most likely be at the expense of Bilawal Bhatti, while Junaid Khan and Mohammad Talha will retain their spots in the pace attack.
Promising youngster Ehsan Adil has also been weighed in after his solitary Test against South Africa last year. The selectors believe he has the ability to perform well in Sri Lanka conditions where the pitches are best suited for fast-bowlers.
“The selectors are trying to explore different options for the Sri Lanka series as they want to bring depth in the team ahead of the ODI World Cup next year,” said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official.
“They want to go for a squad that strikes the right balance and their plans have been discussed with PCB Chairman Najam Sethi, but the formal announcement of the team is likely to be made on Thursday.”
Meanwhile, there has been a difference in opinion between the members over the inclusion of Younus Khan in the ODI side, as some feel there are already players like Misbahul Haq and Asad Shafiq who have a similar playing style to Younus.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2014.
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Selectors are doing good to consider Raza Hassan for the ODI's by doing this they can have a better idea about his present form and fitness..we all know he is good prospect for the future all he needs a bit of confidence from selectors. Secondly, I am failed to understand why Rehman being negelected and Zulfiqar given edge...everyone knows last time Rehman played in Sharjah UAE versus Sri Lanka where he gave a good performance then whats the reason to ignore and consider Zulfiqar who is not bad either but when you have Rehman fully fit he should be the first choice keeping in view his record and perforamance in test cricket over the year. Wahab Riaz why again when we have Muhammad irfan fit again and Sadaf Hussain another left arm fast bowler unchecked so far (although he is performing consistently in domestic circles). Selectors please open your eyes and have a broader view for prospects..players like Sami Aslam, Imamul Haq, Usman Salahuddin, Haris Sohail waiting for their chances but selectors like to recall players like Faisal Iqbal,Muhammad Sami,imran Farhat, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Zulfiqar babar, Shoaib Malik and kamran akmal. We nee new faces with bright future we dont need people who are with the team frequently but nil perforamnce.