KARACHI: Pakistan’s newly elected chief selector Shahid Afridi has hinted to include fast bowler Mir Hamza and wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed in Pakistan’s final XI for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
Afridi was appointed interim chief selector by Pakistan Cricket Board’s management committee chairman Najam Sethi on Saturday after the Mohammad Wasim-led selection committee was dissolved following a change in PCB affairs.
Afridi’s first major decision – taken a day earlier in consultation with captain Babar Azam – was to include Hamza, Sajid Khan and Shahnawaz Durman in Pakistan’s Test squad for the home series.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Afridi said that the players have been included after seeing their performances and Pakistan’s strength.
“I understand that Naseem Shah is not fully fit so it was good to add two fast bowlers to the team and we have been carrying the promise for so long, when will they get a chance?”
“Also, since Shaheen is not around, it was necessary to have a left-hander hence Hamza was included,” Afridi said, adding that the fast bowler has performed well and deserves to play now. are
Afridi added that managing the players’ workload is important and this is something that Babar has also emphasized.
“We have players who are playing all formats consistently. We need to strengthen our bench so that there is no problem if someone is rested,” said the former captain.
Babar’s wishes
He also mentioned that there are some seniors in the side who have been warming the bench for a long time. “I am meeting Babar Azam tonight and we will discuss how to proceed.”
Afridi added that he wants to see Babar among the great captains and will support him to be as good a captain as he is a good batsman.
He also emphasized the need to adopt a revolutionary approach in cricket, saying that Pakistan must move beyond the old-school ideas of producing ordinary wickets.
“We can definitely, develop pitches like South Africa or Australia. Why do we keep preparing the same slow turn wickets every time? We have produced good wickets in the past, we can do it again, we cannot be a top team if we keep adopting the old style mentality,” he concluded.
Test squad
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imamul Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Durmani, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood
Revised itinerary
26-30 December – First Test, Karachi
January 2-6 – Second Test, Karachi
January 9 – First ODI, Karachi
January 11 – Second ODI, Karachi
January 13 – 3rd ODI, Karachi
