Analysis of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Squad against Australia – Part 1 - Opinion
The selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), headed by the former Test left-arm spinner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
The series will commence with the first match at Sharjah on August 28, and will be followed by three T20s in September, ahead of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World T20 2012, to be held in Sri Lanka.
Selectors opted for experienced players for the World T20 but have thrown in a number of surprises in the ODI squad. Some of the senior players like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604, who have been extremely inconsistent in the 50-overs format in the recent times,
have been dropped from the side, although the chief selector maintains that they have been rested, taking into account Pakistan’s hectic international schedule in the coming months.
While announcing the team, the former cricketer from Karachi expressed that the seasoned duo has been an asset for Pakistan over the years, performing brilliantly in all formats of the game. Qasim however, believes that both the experienced cricketers needed
a break from international cricket to regain their form and confidence.
"For a while Gul and Younis have been struggling and they have been dropped only to give them a break," the chief selector said. "Both have contributed a lot for Pakistan and we need them to be fresh ahead of the busy schedule. They desperately need a break
to manage their workload."
One of the unexpected exclusions was the left-arm fast bowler from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Multan-c819, Rahat Ali, who made his debut during the tour of Sri Lanka. The 23-year-old cricketer failed to impress in the only ODI he played, conceding 34 runs in the four overs he bowled without
getting a wicket.
However, it was widely expected that Rahat would be given more chances before being dropped, but the selectors opted otherwise and selected http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Anwar-Ali-c45231 in the ODI squad for the first time.
The chief selector is of the view that Rahat needs to work harder in the domestic cricket and should come back strong; whereas, Qasim was all praise for the right-arm fast bowler from Karachi, who has been doing well in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy since the
last couple of seasons.
He hopes that Anwar will gain useful experience through the series against the Aussies and will serve the Green Shirts well in the coming years.
"The selectors have decided to drop http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahat-Ali-c83301, who needs more grooming and he is a future prospect, while Anwar Ali has been in the pipeline for quite a long time. He has been included to get some confidence and much-needed exposure," Qasim expressed.
Selectors have tinkered with the fast bowling combination, dropping http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Junaid-Khan-c77037, the left-arm fast bowler from Matra, who did exceedingly well in the Test series against the Islanders, picking up fourteen scalps in three matches, has returned to the 50-overs format and is likely to be the spearhead of Pakistan’s bowling
line-up in UAE.
Some of the former cricketers are of the opinion that the selectors should have kept faith in Sami and Gul, especially because they have to represent Pakistan in the World T20. However, their exclusion is a warning to all the senior players that they must
perform consistently in order to retain their places in the side.
To be continued...
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