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LAHORE: In an abrupt move that apparently shows indecisiveness, the interim selection committee on Tuesday included three teenaged cricketers namely all-rounder Arafat Minhas, batter Basit Ali and fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan in the Pakistan Test squad for the ongoing home series against New Zealand in Karachi.
“As part of its strategy and vision to develop, grow and incentivise high-performing talented youngsters, the Men’s Interim Selection Committee has added three top-performers from age-group cricket to the Pakistan Test squad with the objective of providing them international exposure and experience,” stated a PCB press release issued on Tuesday.
Arafat was adjudged best all-rounder of the Pakistan Junior League where he scored 178 runs and took nine wickets for Gwadar Sharks, while Bahawalpur Royals’ Basit was named player and best batter of the PJL after finishing as the top-scorer with 379 runs.
He also featured in the U-19 series against Bangladesh in Multan in November.
Zeeshan, Basit’s team-mate at PJL, was declared the best bowler of the tournament with 14 wickets.
Last Saturday also, the interim selection committee had made three additions to the Test squad, announced for the above-mentioned series by the previous selection committee headed by Mohammad Wasim. The players were pacers Mir Hamza and Shahnawaz Dahani, and off-spinner Sajid Khan.
However, after just one day, the interim committee excluded two of them — Shahnawaz and Sajid — to let them compete in the ongoingPakistan Cup, which somehow signals the selectors have no clarity in their plan.
Shahid Afridi, the head of the interim selection committee, said they were eyeing the future.
“We are not only looking at the present, but also have an eye on the future. In this relation, we have added three top performers from our age-group cricket so that they can spend time with their stars in the national side and learn how to plan and prepare for high pressure matches,” the former Pakistan captain stated.
“Although the three players will not be available for selection, this initiative will fast track their progress and provide them better awareness, understanding and knowledge about the rigours and demands of top-grade cricket.”
Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2022
