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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has backed the selection of young players instead of relying on old guard in the national team’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
Zaheer’s comments came, on Wednesday, after former captain Mohammad Yousuf appeared for a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy last week, raising questions of a possible comeback into the national side.
“Considering Mohammad Yousuf will be injustice to young batsmen,” Abbas said.
The batting maestro was full of praise for the record-breaking batsman, but said his distance from the cricket field for over two years does not reflect well on his form.
It was reportedly under the supervision of Pakistan’s recently-hired head coach Dav Whatmore, that Yousuf gave a fitness test in Lahore.
Chairman of the National Selection Committee, Iqbal Qasim had, however, poured cold water over Yousuf’s hopes by saying that since Yousuf had not played domestic cricket for over 18 months, the selectors will not consider him for the national team.
Reiterating Qasim’s stance, Zaheer said: “It is difficult for selectors to pick players who have not played domestic cricket for so long.”
Abbas, who has also served as the national team’s manager, said the team’s recent on-field success (apart from a 5-0 one-day battering at the hands of England), could be affected by the inclusion of an estranged batsman.
Pakistan are set to play three Test matches, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches against Sri Lanka and Abbas said the tour will test the players, given the humid conditions.
“We have beaten Sri Lankan in the UAE but things will be different on the upcoming tour.”
Selectors are expected to announce Pakistan’s squad for the tour to Sri Lanka on May 12. Until then, it cannot be ascertained if Yousuf will be on the plane to Sri Lanka.
