Former cricketers question Jamshed's selection

Image
Press Trust of India Karachi
Last Updated : Feb 08 2015 | 9:50 PM IST
Former cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Yousuf today expressed surprise over selection of opener Nasir Jamshed as a replacement for injured Muhammad Hafeez in the World Cup squad.
"I just don't understand what the tour selection committee and management is doing. I would have thought that Shoaib Malik or Saeed Ajmal would have been better choices to replace Hafeez," Akhtar said.
The former fast bowler pointed out that Malik had recently played a lot of cricket in Australia and his experience would be invaluable to the team in the World Cup.
"This Pakistan squad is not balanced and I just don't know what the final playing eleven is going to be now," Akhtar added.
He also made it clear that if the team fared badly in the World Cup then all office bearers and officials should hold themselves responsible and there should be no passing of the buck.
On the Pakistan and India opening match on February 15, Akhtar said the Adelaide pitch was very good for batting and he would prefer to play just two specialist pace bowlers and rely on spinners.
"Both sides have been struggling in recent times so it should a good close contest but in my view the approach of the captain will decide this very big match," he added.
He noted that Mahendra Singh Dhoni was not a great player but he had earned respect by coming to the rescue of his team time and again under pressure.
"He leads from the front that is his hallmark and I think even our captain will have to show courage if Pakistan is to win this match."
Former captain Muhammad Yousuf was more scathing in his criticism, saying that Misbah lacked heart and courage to inspire the team in these difficult times by coming up the order at number three.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 08 2015 | 9:50 PM IST

Next Story