Pakistan tour to India was quite
successful indeed - with the victory in ODI series & T20 rubber being
levelled - but as always there were lessons to be learned regarding - but not
limited to - composition of the squad.
Overall squad was
well-selected but I think Ehsan adil was fit & should have been included in
atleast one squad.
Afridi was drop
rightly from ODI squad due to his pathetic performance in recent times.
Ahmed Shehzad was
given his due spot in Twenty20 but should have replaced Imran Farhat in ODI as
well.
Umer Amin &
Haris Sohail must have been included in both teams -T20 & ODI - but
probably you can give benefit of doubt to the chairman & entire committee
responsible for selection of team as not everyone can be satisfied with limited
spots being available.
On the eve of the
start of 'test series of the year 2013' between Pakistan & South Africa, I
am analyzing what lessons are learned from previous experiences.
First of all the
selection of Nasir Jamshed in the test squad for the 1st time is encouraging ,
exciting and at the same time worthy & deserving opportunity for Jamshed to
make a statement and not just show glimpses. Injury to Taufeeq umer seems to
make a way for his test debut but choosing Imran farhat as cover for Taufeeq
once again compel us to question selector's direction as to why once again we
are going for tried & tested failure rather than giving chance - of atleast
remain with the team - to any youngster like Khurram Manzoor , Ahmed Shehzad
etc on a very difficult tour like South Africa.
Farhat might not
get a single chance & he neither deserves it but why not to accommodate a
future prospect?
Regardless of the
results in the series, this tiny-looking careless shown by the selectors may
dent any youngster's confidence which may result in big disasters in opening
stocks for the future.
