Backup wicketkeeper: Rizwan in contention for Test squad

Aim is to decrease Sarfraz’s workoad during practice

KARACHI: Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan is in line to join the Pakistan Test squad in Dubai in the coming days after the team management on Tuesday requested for a backup gloveman for the ongoing series with England.

Head coach Waqar Younis and Test captain Misbahul Haq requested for a second option with one eye on the heat affecting the players.

The theory that is being presented by the management is that they cannot overuse Sarfraz Ahmed, who has already kept over 200 overs in the first Test and that the replacement would help out in the practice session to ease the workload on the senior wicketkeeper.

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When the selection committee members were contacted, they revealed that both Adnan Akmal and Rizwan are in contention but the team management is leaning towards the latter as he will be a part of the ODI squad as well.

“Rizwan is likely to get the nod over Adnan because of the team management’s preference,” a selection committee member told The Express Tribune. “We understand that the backup is being called to help out in practice sessions because Sarfraz remains Pakistan’s premier option and there is no talk of replacing him. The board has applied for the visa and whenever it arrives, the backup option will then travel to Dubai to join the team.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2015.

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