Cricket: Selectors delay announcing Test squad
Wahab Riaz ruled out of remainder of the series against Australia
KARACHI:
As Pakistan continue to lose key players in the series against Australia due to injuries, former captain and current chief selector Moin Khan has revealed a delay in the announcement of the Test squad.
The team will now be named after a four-day match between Pakistan A and the Australians, which will be played from October 15 to 18 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The first Test will begin from October 22 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The chief selector sought approval for the delay from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and it was decided that a tentative 18-member squad would be named shortly.
“The delay was forced on us owing to injuries to a bunch of frontline players — all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez, and pacers Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz,” said Moin.
The recent blow to the national side has been that of Wahab, who was ruled out of the two Test series yesterday.
The 29-year-old left-arm paceman hurt his knee during the second ODI Australia in Dubai on Friday, and after an MRI has been advised two to three weeks rest.
Junaid, suffering a knee injury, will be examined today, but he is in danger of being ruled out for a month. Despite this, he said yesterday that Pakistan’s preparations for the World Cup were going strong as the series against Australia was going to be extremely helpful.
Meanwhile, according to a report from the PCB’s medical panel, Hafeez, who injured his hand, may have a realistic chance of playing in the Test series.
“Stitches on Hafeez's wound have been removed and he has been advised to start batting with the help of support," said the PCB.
The selectors now face a dilemma as they are short of front-line pacers. Umar Gul is unlikely to play as he has just come back from injury and they will be looking to handle Muhammad Irfan with care ahead of the World Cup.
The only recognised bowlers left are Muhammad Talha, Rahat Ali and Bilawal Bhatti, who have a combined experience of just 11 Tests between them.
As Pakistan continue to lose key players in the series against Australia due to injuries, former captain and current chief selector Moin Khan has revealed a delay in the announcement of the Test squad.
The team will now be named after a four-day match between Pakistan A and the Australians, which will be played from October 15 to 18 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The first Test will begin from October 22 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The chief selector sought approval for the delay from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and it was decided that a tentative 18-member squad would be named shortly.
“The delay was forced on us owing to injuries to a bunch of frontline players — all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez, and pacers Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz,” said Moin.
The recent blow to the national side has been that of Wahab, who was ruled out of the two Test series yesterday.
The 29-year-old left-arm paceman hurt his knee during the second ODI Australia in Dubai on Friday, and after an MRI has been advised two to three weeks rest.
Junaid, suffering a knee injury, will be examined today, but he is in danger of being ruled out for a month. Despite this, he said yesterday that Pakistan’s preparations for the World Cup were going strong as the series against Australia was going to be extremely helpful.
Meanwhile, according to a report from the PCB’s medical panel, Hafeez, who injured his hand, may have a realistic chance of playing in the Test series.
“Stitches on Hafeez's wound have been removed and he has been advised to start batting with the help of support," said the PCB.
The selectors now face a dilemma as they are short of front-line pacers. Umar Gul is unlikely to play as he has just come back from injury and they will be looking to handle Muhammad Irfan with care ahead of the World Cup.
The only recognised bowlers left are Muhammad Talha, Rahat Ali and Bilawal Bhatti, who have a combined experience of just 11 Tests between them.