ISLAMABAD – Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed finally weighed in onthe Fawad Alam debate saying that only 16 players could have been selectedout of 25.
Speaking to the media on the last day of the taring camp at Gaddafi Stadiumon Saturday, Sarfraz said that if it was up to him he would have picked all25 players, who attended the camp.
Pakistani skipper also said it was not that a player who had been selectedfor the current tour, would never be picked again. He also remarked that abalanced team has been selected for the tour of Ireland and England.
He also dismissed the rumours that Fawad Alam had not been picked on thebases of his playing techniques or any other managerial issues.
“This is completely untrue that Fawad was not picked up on the bases oftechniques, management issue or any other fault in him”, he added.
“Fawad has not played a Test since 2009 but he was called to the camp asone of the probable players who could’ve been selected for the upcomingtour. Just because he was called it does not mean it was a done deal thathe would be picked for the team. Since Usman Salahuddin and Saad Aliperformed better, hence they were picked,” he explained.
The Pakistani middle order was once again questioned, with the 16 membersquad going to England consisting of four opening batsmen and a spinner anda wobbly middle which could turn dangerous for Pakistan against a team suchas England. Shahdab Khan being the only spinner in the team could also be acause for concern.
However, Sarfraz shared that they had called four spinners to the camp, ofwhich Shahdab Khan had been the best.
With the conditions in England being cold, Sarfraz hinted that there was apossibility that they might bench the spinner and instead rely on anon-regular leg-spinner such as Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq.
The Pakistani captain also added that he was looking forward to theirencounter against Ireland who would be playing their first ever Test match.
Pakistan will take on Ireland in a test match on May 11, before playing atwo-match test series against England on May 24 and June 1.