National selectors to scrutinise pacers’ fitness
Aside from Muhammad Irfan, Pakistan currently lack a 100% fit pacer who can be termed an automatic choice and can be drafted into the final 15.
The likes of Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Bilawal Bhatti and Ehsan Adil will all need to prove their fitness in the 50-over matches before the squad is named by the deadline of January 7.
Meanwhile, the trio of Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir and Rahat Ali are fit and remain in contention for the mega event.
“Our planning has been thrown into frenzy by too many injuries with the World Cup so close,” one of the selectors told The Express Tribune.
“We have several choices as far as the batting department is concerned, but the real worry for us is to select fully fit pacers.
“The selectors are keen to see how Junaid and Gul bowl during the Pentangular Cup matches because they are our senior bowlers with experience, while there are question marks on the fitness of both Wahab and Bhatti.”
It has been rough sailing for Pakistan cricket recently, as star spinner Saeed Ajmal and experienced all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez were prohibited to bowl by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to illegal bowling actions.
Though there is still hope that Hafeez will be able to clear the official test before the mega event, Ajmal has admitted he would be unable to get cleared in time.
However, Pakistan have different options available in the spin department in Shahid Afridi, Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar, while Haris Sohail has filled in for Hafeez.
“Fast-bowlers will be crucial in Australia and New Zealand and we need to select a pace battery that can bowl throughout the tournament effectively without breaking down. The pacers will hold the key for any team that is looking to fight for the title,” concluded the selector.
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I would like to see Anwar Ali get a longer run in bowler friendly conditions. His talent is very very obvious, he should be given free rein to plow his trade.
Ehsan Adil, Wahab, Sohail Tanveer, Bilawal Bhatti....they have all been given long runs in the game and they have all failed to convince that they belong in the playing 11.
if Malik, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir and Asad Shafiq are selected the I along-with my whole college will not watch the word cup and we hope that Pak crash out in first round only to save us the torture.