Pakistan announced its test squad for its upcoming series against Sri Lanka in UAE on Sunday and while the team wore a familiar look, there were a few notable inclusions and omissions.
Aizaz Cheema, who impressed on his debut in Zimbabwe recently, got the nod ahead of Tanvir Ahmed in the 15-man team. Ahmed, who has been a consistent performer for Pakistan in the absence of the banned Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir and has played a good foil to Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz, has been included as a standby.
While Junaid Khan has shown a glimpse of his talent, his inclusion also comes as a bit of a surprise ahead of Ahmed considering the team already has a left-arm pacer in Riaz.
Umar Akmal, who has been erratic in the test arena, has made way for the experienced Shoaib Malik.
The squad is as follows:
Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Asad Shafiq, Imran Farhat, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan.
Standbys: Tanvir Ahmed, Mohammad Talha, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah.
The batting department is packed with experienced but has a surprising inclusion in Imran Farhat.
Is the left-handed Farhat, who has made a unexpected return to the test squad, the right-choice to partner Mohammad Hafeez at the top of the innings if he is picked ahead of Taufiq Umar?
What effect will Farhat’s inclusion, who has had an extended run and failed in international cricket, have on some of the younger batsmen trying to make it to the top?
Subject to pitch conditions, who should partner Gul and Riaz as the third seamer? And who will be in your XI for the first test that starts in Abu Dhabi on October 18?
The second test will be played from October 26-30 in Dubai, while the third test will take place in Sharjah from November 3-7.
Dawn.com invites its readers to give their views and suggestions.
Imran Farhat does not care about the right mix he has the right father-in-law. Pakistan and nepotism are the right mix. What a shame we select a player who dropped five catches during the first test in New Zealand that we lost only because of those dropped catches.
Some Karachi players like Sarfaraz Ahmed, Tanvir Ahmed and Fawad Alam are extremely unlucky people. I dont konw what Junaid was chosen ahead of Tanvir, when, the main stated reason for having Junaid is that he is FAST. gimme a break, Tanvir from what we saw in matches is faster and better. Secondly both Aizaz and Junaid are left handers on top of Wahab Riaz who is also a left arm bowler. What is this selection committee doing. Nothing against Junaid, but he is one right side of 30 so he has time. Secondly Adnan Akmal might be a better keeper than Kamran Akmal, his batting, just like Salman has left lot to be desired. Sarfaraz is not only at least as good a keeper as Adnan, he is definitely a better bat as well. So this fast bowling selection seems extremely stupid. I would have Gul, Riaz, Tanvir and Aizaz, two right arm and two left arm. In tests, Tanvir and Aizaz would haev been better pair than Gul and Riaz in my assessment.
Agree with u mate. Sarfaraz Khurram and Tanvir must be part of our test squad instead of akmal shoaib and junaid
ahmed it is not the case
please don’t be so biased for karachi cricketers
adnan akmal’s batting is far better than Sarfaraz Ahmad………. when sarfaraz was given a chance in the national side he did nothing with the bat while adnan showed his guts and batting abilities.
Aizaz is not a leftie mate
Where is Mohammad Yousuf?….Yousuf instead of Malik anyday! No point in including Malik in the test squad with Mohammad Hafeez also bowling off-spin.
I think batsmen like sharjeel khan, azeem ghumman should also be given a run instead of bringing back malik and farhat….
my XI:
Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Tanvir Ahmed
We all know why Imran Farhat is in the squad…..as far as Aizaz Cheema goes ….I think Tanvir should have been preferred!