The selection of Pakistan’s squad against South Africa (SA) and Zimbabwe has raised questions about compromise on fitness and performance.
Senior sports journalist Abdul Majid Bhatti criticized exclusion of Azam Khan of Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan’s squad despite his impressive performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 6 which was suspended midway.
جنوبی افریقا اور زمبابوے کے لئےتین فارمیٹ کی ٹیموں کا اعلان، شرجیل خان کی فٹنس پر سمجھوتا کیا گیا ہے تو اعظم خان کیوں نظر انداز، شائد فرق ایک فرنچائز کاہے؟ وہاب ریاض اورشعیب ملک کی واپسی نہ ہوسکی، لاڈلا آصف علی پھر ان. @TheRealPCB @MuhammadWasim77 pic.twitter.com/xJBKcSpeRP
— Abdul Majid Bhatti (@bhattimajid) March 12, 2021
The journalist also raised a question on selection of Sharjeel Khan in T20I squad.
Majid claimed that the selection committee compromised on the fitness of the left-handed opener but Azam Khan was overlooked despite great batting display in PSL 6.
Justice for @shani_official. Why Imran Butt and Abid Ali included in test squad after pathetic performance against SA, Shan Masood is currently 3rd highest List ‘A’ average in the World (57.46). Fractionally behind only Kohli and Bevan. Highest List ‘A’ Average in Pakistan.
— Abdul Majid Bhatti (@bhattimajid) March 12, 2021
“The form he has recently shown in the domestic T20 events, Sharjeel Khan deserves an opportunity to improve his fitness”, Majid shared a quote by chief selector.
فٹنس کے پروٹوکول تبدیل، شرجیل خان کی کارکردگی اہم ہے فٹنس نہیں, ٹیسٹنگ لیول کم کم کررہے ہیں ,چیف سلیکٹر کا انکشاف @TheRealPCB @MuhammadWasim77
— Abdul Majid Bhatti (@bhattimajid) March 12, 2021
The journalist questioned if certain PSL franchises were given preference over others.
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The inclusion of Asif Ali in the batting line-up did not please Majid Bhatti as well and he declared the late-order batsman a ‘favorite child’.
The choice of openers for the tour also offended him and Majid Bhatti asked why Shan Masood was not considered to be a part of the team.
Surprise inclusions
The young and dynamic Shahnawaz Dhani has been included in the test squad.
Meanwhile, Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan will also travel with Pakistan’s Test team. Mohammad Wasim Jr has also made in the limited-overs squad.
Meanwhile, Imad Wasim, Pakistan’s premier T20I spin option, has been dropped from the squad as Muhammad Nawaz gets a reward for his performance in the home test series against South Africa.