LAHORE: The ICC’s decision to suspend senior Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez over an illegal bowling action has once again created serious problems for the team as far as the opening slot is concerned and has triggered a fresh debate as to who are the best choices to represent the country in the World Cup which is to be held in Australia-New Zealand next year.

With barely two and a half months left before the commencement of the ICC World Cup 2015, it is unlikely that Hafeez will make a swift return as a bowler since going through the remedial measures and remodelling the bowling action is a long and tedious process.

And if Hafeez is not allowed to bowl in the World Cup, his selection purely as a batsman in the playing XI is questionable, especially keeping in view his chequered form in limited overs cricket.

In 2014, Hafeez has played nine One-day International matches scoring just 248 runs at an ordinary average of 27.55 with his highest score being 75.

In the T20 format too, his record is unimpressive and he has scored just 66 runs in six matches at 11.00 this year.

The last chance for Hafeez to salvage his form with the bat are the four remaining ODIs against New Zealand. He could score just six runs in the opening match on Monday in Dubai.

Selectors’ choice Nasir, Sharjeel and Sami struggling for form

On the other hand, the national selection committee headed by Moin Khan has submitted the names of 30 probables to the ICC for the World Cup which include two regular openers in Ahmed Shahzad and Hafeez besides three others including Nasir Jamshed, Sharjeel Khan and Sami Aslam who all have struggled for form this season.

It seems the selectors, while picking up a strong middle-order for the mega event, did not hold serious in-dept discussions over the openers’ slots.

Besides the opening problem, Pakistan also face serious issues on the availability of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and unfit paceman Junaid Khan which considerably dents the national team’s bowling strength.

While Saeed has been banned by the ICC for his illegal bowling action, Junaid is nursing a knee injury and is unlikely to recover in time for the World Cup.

In such a situation, the selectors have the opportunity to replace three players on technical grounds for the mega event.

It will be better for the selectors to thoroughly assess the performance of the players in this season of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy to bring suitable replacements, especially in the opening department.

Though discarded Imran Farhat is one of the best choices for the opening slot, another prolific opener Naeemuddin of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited should also be considered by the selectors.

In the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy 2014-15, Naeem has accumulated 977 runs from 10 matches at an impressive average of 61.06 with five centuries and one half-century.

Last year too, Naeemuddin had scored around 900 runs but surprisingly neither he nor Imran were given a chance by the Moin Khan-led selection committee, not even in A team or any other outfit during the last two years, which is indeed a raw deal.

Published in Dawn December 10th , 2014