Pakistan team needs younger players: Mushtaq Mohammad – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mushtaq-Mohammad-c78109, the former Pakistani skipper, has suggested that the selectors need to inject youth into the national ODI squad, in order to turn the team’s performances around after the shocking 4-0 defeat to England, and prepare a formidable side for
the 2015 World Cup.
Comparing the performances of both sides in the recently finished ODI series, Mushtaq observed that the English had a “youthful and energetic side”, while the Men In Green “looked an aged and tired unit.”
The majority of the current Pakistan team is above 25 years of age, with only a handful falling below that limit - notably, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 is 37 years old, while star all-rounder Shahid
Afridi is 31, and spin master http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859 is 34.
Mushtaq was of the view that the selection panel should work on grooming youngsters for ODIs and T20s, and further give them an extended run in the squad, which will adequately help them prepare for the 2015 World Cup.
“All other teams are introducing younger players and planning for the 2015 World Cup, but Pakistan seem to be reluctant to do this,” he pointed out.
The 68-year-old also proposed the appointment of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898 as captain, whom he felt was the best candidate for the role.
“Hafeez is a smart cricketer,” the former batsman said. “He’s intelligent, very knowledgeable and can work well with a young group.” He went on to propose that Hafeez be allowed to lead the One-Day and T20 teams.
The 31-year-old all-rounder performance in the opening T20 against England was impressive, where he took two crucial scalps at the expense of a mere 18 runs.
“Give him the captaincy now so that he has time to establish himself and give youngsters a proper chance. That way, Pakistan cricket will reap the rewards,” the former skipper said.
While current captain Misbah-ul-Haq has been under fire for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, it remains to be seen whether Mushtaq’s advice is considered by the PCB.
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