Image Source : GETTY Pakistan’s new chief selector Muhammad Wasim rewarded a number of prime performers of the home season and included 9 uncapped gamers within the squad, which might be trimmed to 16 gamers forward of the primary Test.
Six gamers, together with Shan Masood, Haris Sohail and Imam-ul-Haq, from the latest New Zealand collection had been axed as Pakistan’s new chief selector Muhammad Wasim on Friday introduced a massively overhauled 20-member squad for the two-Test dwelling collection in opposition to South Africa.
Wasim rewarded a number of prime performers of the home season and included 9 uncapped gamers within the squad, which might be trimmed to 16 gamers forward of the primary Test.
Top scoring batsmen Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, allrounder Agha Salman, left-arm spinner Nauman Ali, off-spinner Sajid Khan and quick bowlers Hasan Ali and Tabish Khan — all obtained call-ups for the collection starting on January 26 on the National Stadium right here.
The selectors additionally upgraded younger batsman Abdullah Shafique to the Test squad though he was chosen for the New Zealand tour as a specialist T20 participant and failed in his two outings.
Similarly, the selectors have additionally referred to as up pacer Haris Rauf, one other T20 specialist for the two-Test collection.
The selectors additionally dropped six gamers from the dismal tour of New Zealand with Wasim insisting that quick bowler Naseem Shah was not within the Test squad as a result of he had an harm.
About the ouster of left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar, Wasim mentioned the selectors had gone for specialist spinners in Nauman and Sajid Khan retaining in thoughts it was a house collection.
Other gamers dropped from NZ tour embody skilled pacers, Muhammad Abbas and Sohail Khan.
Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Tabish Khan, Haris Rauf and Imran Butt are but to play Tests for Pakistan.
Wasim, a former Test participant, insisted that selectors would observe a horses for programs coverage now and the squad had been picked retaining in thoughts the situations in Pakistan for the SA collection.
“Ideally we would like to have players who can adapt to all conditions like Babar Azam but we need time for that. But we want to develop players who can play in any conditions,” he mentioned.
Wasim additionally mentioned that Haris Rauf had been inducted into the Test squad as a result of the selectors felt that the bowling assault lacked aggression in New Zealand and he would deliver that ingredient to the tempo assault.
Wasim additionally mentioned that the selectors had accomplished their finest to acknowledge the highest performers of the home season.
“This is a reward for his or her constant efficiency, arduous work and perseverance throughout a troublesome season performed below the strict Covid-19 protocols. This can also be an endorsement that home cricket might be valued and revered, and can stay a stepping stone for worldwide cricket.
“All these gamers who aspire to symbolize Pakistan on the international stage won’t solely need to function in it but additionally carry out on the anticipated ranges to earn the selectors’ nod.
“Even the players who have been dropped will not go out of the system and will be closely monitored.”
Pakistan Test squad for SA collection: Babar Azam (C), Muhammad Rizwan (VC), Imran Butt, Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan, Haris Rauf, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Yasir Shah. Faheem Ashraf, Muhammad Nawaz.
The South African staff will attain Karachi on Saturday.
