Zaheer Abbas slams selection of 'past their prime' Pak players for Zimbabwe tour

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has slammed the selection of senior players in the squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe series, saying that it makes no sense to recall them as they have failed to perform despite getting numerous opportunities.

According to The Nation, 'Asian Bradman' Abbas feels that the Zimbabwe tour was the perfect stage to give youngsters a much-needed run, just like arch rivals India did.

Stating that none of the recalled players have performed extraordinarily in the domestic circuit, Abbas questioned the reasons behind their inclusion for Zimbabwe, although he believed that the selectors may have done that so that the players can firm their places for next two to three years taking full advantage of the weak bowling from Zimbabwe.

According to Abbas, he could not understand what the selectors are trying to prove by again giving a chance to the same group of players who are past their best and have nothing to prove now, adding that instead of taking these 'liabilities', the selectors should have given chance to fresh and budding talent to help them gain international exposure.

Abbas also said that had the selectors chosen younger players for the squad, they could have found new talent to be utilised in the series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, adding that the selectors have committed a big blunder and done a grave injustice to the upcoming players.

Abbas also said that as the team is great need of strengthening the opening and middle order department, the selectors could have checked the worth and depth of young players had they given them a chance, adding that there is hardly any good batsman after captain Misbah-ul Haq and Younus Khan, who can carry the burden in the middle of the innings.

Stating that the Twenty20 format is not the platform to judge the abilities of any player, Abbas also said that the best way of judging their qualities and depth is the longer version of the game for which a young player must prove abilities in Test matches.