SELECTION MISTAKE

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.