KARACHI: Uncapped duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Nawaz were rewarded on Saturday for their superlative showing in the ODI clean sweep against the West Indies when both were named in a 14-member Pakistan squad for next week’s first Test in Dubai.

Babar, 21, hit three consecutive centuries while aggregating a record 360 runs in a three-match One-day International series during Pakistan’s 3-0 triumph, while the 22-year-old Nawaz grabbed seven wickets — the most by any bowler during the just-ended rubber.

From the playing XI that Pakistan fielded at The Oval during the series-levelling victory over England last August, senior batsman Younis Khan and newcomer Iftikhar Ahmed are missing while openers Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood were not considered for selection for the upcoming Test.

While addressing at a crowded media conference here at the National Stadium, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said the squad for the maiden day-night Test to be staged at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium from next Thursday was picked only for the series opener.

“Since Younis Khan is unavailable as he is recuperating from the bout of dengue fever, we focused on those players who will be on duty for the first Test. Younis told us that he would require 10 days to regain complete fitness and therefore he is expected to be available for the remaining two Tests of the series,” Inzamam said.

Axed Hafeez told to regain form

“Babar and Nawaz deserved their places after doing so well during in the one-day series. We didn’t select Hafeez and Shan since we felt it would be pointless to keep them in the squad. It would be better not just for Hafeez and Shan but other contenders as well to be playing in the ongoing domestic matches. And if they perform to [our] expectations then they will come into consideration for the future Tests.

“Moreover, Hafeez has a decent track record while playing Test matches in the UAE in last six years. But we have to base our thinking on different lines and the requirements of the team at this point in time. It’s unfortunate that someone has to miss out. But Hafeez now has the chance to go back and play matches [in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy]. There is nothing better than playing matches rather sitting in the dressing-room and not being able to play for the country,” maintained the chief selector.

While both Babar and Nawaz are expected to make their Test debut, Inzamam disclosed that Mohammad Amir is expected to join the squad by Monday.

“As you know Amir rushed home after the second one-day match to attend to his ailing mother who is hospitalized. She is making good progress and hopefully Amir will be able to join the team by Monday at least,” the chief selector, who was flanked by fellow selector Tauseef Ahmed and advisor to PCB chairman for south Salahuddin Ahmed, remarked.

Considering the series opener is a day-night fixture with the pink Kookaburra balls, the selectors have named five pacemen in the squad. Apart from Amir, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Imran Khan are the other quick-bowling options available for skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Commenting on Babar’s much-anticipated inclusion in the Test team, Inzamam stressed the 21-year-old talented batsman is ready to make his mark in the longest format.

“It is no joke scoring three centuries on the trot. He’s a special talent who has done extremely well at the first-class level (averaging 41.13 from 26 appearances] and all of us [including Misbah and head coach Mickey Arthur] agreed that Babar has the potential to play in Tests as well,” the former Pakistan captain said.

“Likewise, Nawaz is a genuine all-rounder who has performed as a batsman at the domestic level (averaging 32.41 in 29 first-class games]. Given the conditions of the UAE, he is someone could be handy against the West Indies.”

Inzamam dispelled the impression that Pakistan’s whitewash of both T20 and ODI series was diluted by an under-performing West Indies side.

“Don’t forget the West Indies won the World T20 this year with more or less the same combination. Even then Darren Sammy [who led the champions] was found complaining in the media about the attitude of the West Indies Cricket Board,” Inzamam emphasised. “Whatever issues are going behind their team is not our problem because the simple fact is Pakistan won fair and square and if they [West Indies] didn’t give their best it is not our fault.”

In the meantime while talking to a group of reporters Inzamam later said the International Cricket Council (ICC) should review judging the Test team rankings’ system to make it fair for all sides.

“This sound very complicated. I mean to say we were the No 1 Test side just for a short period and now India have reclaimed that spot because they won the latest series [against New Zealand]. The ICC should look closely how this [system of judging teams] work,” he said. “Look at this way. We will be playing only eight Tests this season and India as many as 13 and all of them at home. Suppose if we beat Australia in Australia this time then that should get more weightage from the ICC to recognize a significant achievement.”

Squad: Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Imran Khan, Zulfiqar Babar.

Published in Dawn October 9th, 2016