DUBAI, Jan 21: Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad on Sunday hailed cricket selectors’ idea of trying out in-form youngsters in the national team against Zimbabwe, emphasising that there was no dearth of talent in the country

“Some fine youngsters have been picked for the Zimbabwe ODIs in Nasir Jamshed, Samiullah Niazi and Kamran Hussain which in my opinion is a big step in the right direction by the selectors,” said Mushtaq. “Every team in the world has gone through this sort of phase because when players like Inzamamul Haq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis leave it takes years to fill the void,” he added while speaking to mediamen here. “We are going through a rebuilding process and patience and persistence is the need of the hour.”

Mushtaq who coached Pakistan during the 1999 World Cup added: “Pakistan should groom a pair of dependable openers and the Pakistan Cricket Board should constantly look out for new faces.”

Commenting on coach Geoff Lawson’s performance, Mushtaq said the Australian should be given some time with the squad as he was a qualified coach and had played the game at the highest level.

“It is a bit early to criticise him. Give him a year and then we can gauge his performance. I hope he will improve the fitness levels of team and inculcate discipline which is primary ingredients for success at any level of the game.”—Agencies