While Ahmed Shehzad and Sohail Tanvir make their comeback to the squad, the selectors also included former captain Younus Khan in the Twenty20 squad – a format he retired from following Pakistan’s triumphant 2009 World Twenty20 campaign. Younus, however, made himself available for all formats following his clearance by the PCB prior to the South Africa series.
Misbah, Afridi retained as captain
The Pakistan Cricket Board has retained Misbahul Haq as the captain for the longer format of the game while Shahid Afridi will lead in the three Twenty20s that precede the Test series.
“The upcoming tour of New Zealand is extremely important for us as it will help in the preparation for the World Cup,” said chief selector Mohsin Khan. “After receiving clearance from the PCB, the committee has selected the best available combination of seniors and youngsters.”
Kamran missing again
Meanwhile, no reason was given for the omission of Kamran, who was also overlooked for the South Africa series with younger brother Adnan preferred for the tour. Kamran was also missing in South Africa when Zulqarnain Haider was named in his place.
Haider, however, fled UAE on the eve of the fifth ODI with Adnan sent as replacement for the Test series.
The wicket-keeper was omitted for the desert series because of fitness worries as he had undergone an appendicitis operation only days before the squad left for Dubai.
However, his brilliant form in the Quaid Trophy, including a 268 last week, refused to convince the selectors to include him in the squads.
Malik puzzled by his omission
Former captain Malik also faces another tour on the sidelines as he has not been considered for national reckoning since the tour of England in the summer.
“I have no idea why I’ve been dropped from the squad,” said Malik.
“My confidence level is very high right now and I think my performance was enough to justify my selection for the New Zealand tour but I don’t know what exactly went wrong. They [ the PCB] should reveal the reasons behind my omission.”
Kamran, too, expressed surprise over his omission, especially after, according to him, he has regained full form and fitness following the surgery.
“I have played ample cricket after recovering from my injury,” said Kamran, who plays for NBP. “I am playing in the Quaid Trophy with full fitness and my performance is proof enough of that.”
Yousuf’s mysterious absence
Most surprising, however, was middle-order batman Yousuf’s omission. The batsman came out of retirement for the latter part of the England tour after the team management sent an SOS for him as Pakistan’s batting faltered against the hosts in the Test series. Yousuf was pulled out of the UAE-bound squad days before the team’s departure due to fitness concerns.
“The PCB didn’t clear Kamran and Malik, while Yousuf was dropped on fitness ground,” Mohsin told AFP.
“The hosts will be very difficult to beat on their home ground, but our team has recently shown great qualities of fight back and we hope it will settle down in the near future.”
Twenty20
Shahid Afridi (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Adnan Akmal (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanvir Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz (subject to fitness)
Test
Misbahul Haq (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Younus Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz
All-rounder Shoaib Malik
“I have no idea why I’ve been dropped. My confidence level is very high right now and I think my performance was enough to justify my selection for the tour.”
Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal
“I have played ample cricket after recovering from my injury. I am playing in the Quaid Trophy with full fitness and my performance is proof enough of that.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2010.
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