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| May 28, 2003 | Wednesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 25,1424 |
Azhar and Imran recalled for England 1-dayers
LAHORE, May 27: Azhar Mahmood and Imran Nazir were among four changes in the 16-man Pakistan squad for next month’s tour of England while Abdul Razzaq, Faisal Iqbal and Taufiq Umar were axed on Tuesday.
Apart from Imran and Azhar, batsman Misbah-ul-Haq and uncapped all-rounder Asad Bilal of Islamabad and Allied Bank were picked for the short tour where Pakistan will play three One-day Internationals.
Commenting on the selection, chairman of selectors Aamir Sohail, accompanied by fellow selectors Saleem Yousuf and Shoaib Mohammad, said that the team was picked after considering the performance of all players who figured in the two post-World Cup tournaments in Sharjah Cup and Sri Lanka.
“The team is passing through a rebuilding stage and this factor was considered while finalising it,” Sohail said.
About Razzaq’s exclusion, Sohail claimed the all-rounder looked fatigued and so it was decided unanimously to rest him.
“Razzaq’s fielding and bowling were not impressive in Sri Lanka and the selection committee preferred to give him a rest”, he explained.
When asked if Razzaq goes to resume his county cricket then what purpose this ‘rest’ will serve, Sohail stated: “We can’t force him to take full rest and not to play in county cricket, it is upto him to rest or otherwise.”
The chief selector said that Azhar has been showing good form for Surrey in county cricket, therefore, he was included in the squad. Azhar was one of the eight players of the Pakistan World Cup team to be axed for the Sharjah Cup.
Sohail conceded that both Taufiq and Faisal Iqbal got several chances and failed to perform, thus opening the doors for Imran and Misbah.
Misbah, who played only one match in Sharjah Cup and scored 40, was overlooked for the tri-series in Sri Lanka and for which the selection committee was criticised.
Regarding the recalling of Imran, the chief selector called him a “popular choice” because media and the public had been demanding for his inclusion.
When asked whether Imran had got rid of technical flaws in his batting which ultimately sidelined him for the World Cup, Sohail remarked that Imran had almost removed those shortcomings and it was why he got the nod.
“We have seen Imran batting in a couple of local tournaments and found that the player has improved his technique,” he claimed.
Sohail explained that Faisal Iqbal had been tried at No 3 but he failed and now Yasir would be asked to bat at this important spot.
The chief selector added that Bilal Asad’s performance at domestic level forced the selection committee to give him a chance. Bilal, a right-handed batsman who bowls right-arm medium-pacers, averaged 63 in 2002/03 season scoring 1260 runs with three centuries and six half-centuries.
When asked if experienced openers like Saeed Anwar or Saleem Elahi were not a better choice in place of Imran especially on the seaming pitches in England, Sohail claimed the playing condition in England had changed and hopefully the young guns would deliver.
Regarding Inzamam-ul-Haq, who had not been considered for selection after a dismal World Cup, Sohail said that the great batsman was an asset but he would be considered in future. However, Saleem Yousuf later said that Inzamam’s fitness problems were proving to be a hurdle.
The squad leaves for London on June 5. Pakistan will play four one-day practice games before the England matches.
Squad: Rashid Latif (captain, wicket-keeper), Yousuf Youhana (vice-captain), Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, Faisal Athar, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Bilal Asad, Shoaib Malik, Danish Kaneria, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmad and Azhar Mahmood.
Coach: Javed Miandad. Manager: Haroon Rasheed.
Schedule:
June 7: v Scotland (Glasgow).
June 9: v Essex (Chelmsford, D/N).
June 11: v Northamptonshire (Northampton).
June 14: v Leicestershire (Leicester).
June 17: 1st One-day International (Old Trafford, D/N).
June 20: 2nd One-day International (The Oval).
June 22: 3rd One-day International (Lord’s).
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