While Pakistan will look to select as many experienced players as possible for their limited-overs tour of India in December, Shahid Afridi will not be a sure pick, according to chief selector Iqbal Qasim.
“India tours have always been tough ones,” Qasim said in Lahore. "We are wary about India being a very strong host and we want to pick a combination very carefully. Expect no sweeping changes. We need to strengthen the combination with experience but there is always room for an outstanding young talent.
“Nobody, not even Afridi, gets an automatic place in the side at the moment. Afridi is a fine player and has performed well in past, but the upcoming [domestic] Twenty20 cup is the opportunity for him to perform and we will watch him. I am optimistic about him, as he has done a lot in past and still has a lot of cricket left in him.”
Pakistan’s selectors will pick the squad for what is their first bilateral series with India since they toured India in late 2007 after the conclusion of their domestic T20, which ends on December 10. Pakistan had droppedseniors Younis Khan and Umar Gul from the one-day squad for the three-match series against Australia in the UAE in August-September; the selectors plan to back experience could see them return. It appears Imran Nazir, Mohammad Sami and Abdul Razzaq’s places will also be debated by Qasim’s panel.
Qasim also hinted that Mohammad Yousuf, the veteran batsman of 90 Tests who hasn’t played any cricket in over a year due to personal reasons, could be in contention for Pakistan’s tour of South Africa early next year. “We obviously need experienced batsmen for the difficult South Africa tour, and we intend to use Yousuf’s services if he steps up and shows us he’s in form.” Pakistan play three Tests, followed by two T20s and five ODIs in South Africa in February and March.
Yousuf had said earlier this year that he is keen to make a comeback to the national team and was asked by the selectors to play domestic cricket first. He hadn’t played any domestic tournaments since June 2011, but has been included in Lahore’s team for the national T20, and had applied - though is yet to be cleared by the PCB - to play for Port Qasim Authority in the ongoing first-class President’s Trophy.
Re: Afridi not a sure pick for India tour - Pakistan chief selector
Yes I do remember what this guy did in India in last tour of India. He chickened out against a good quality, aggressive cricketer that plays for his country’s honor.
Re: Afridi not a sure pick for India tour - Pakistan chief selector
Waleed, why is it that you bring in comparisons with Misbah everytime someone talks about Afridi? just wondering… why not compare him with other better performing players in the team that he should aspire to outperform. If Misbah is indeed so bad, then why use him as a benchmark? I simply don’t get this philosophy of ardent Afridi supporters.
Re: Afridi not a sure pick for India tour - Pakistan chief selector
The comment by Qasim is unnecessary. He could/should have just said, 'no player is a sure pick for India tour. selection will be based on performance and merit rather than seniority or reputation of a player'
but we know that's never going to happen. Qasim has his own favourites, Sami for example
Re: Afridi not a sure pick for India tour - Pakistan chief selector
afirid shd be kicked out....immediately.
at the age of 41, it is hard for him see the ball anymore! and he cant bowl either coz of barapha!
What about Malik then? Shoaib Malik
He is going to dance in a reality show now ??
Waleed, why is it that you bring in comparisons with Misbah everytime someone talks about Afridi? just wondering... why not compare him with other better performing players in the team that he should aspire to outperform. If Misbah is indeed so bad, then why use him as a benchmark? I simply don't get this philosophy of ardent Afridi supporters.
Oh i was just teasing ehsan uncle cz he is a huge fan of Misbah
The comment by Qasim is unnecessary. He could/should have just said, 'no player is a sure pick for India tour. selection will be based on performance and merit rather than seniority or reputation of a player'
but we know that's never going to happen. Qasim has his own favourites, Sami for example
Bro Afridi has been in the team in last 5 6 years due to his own performance not because of someone's Ihsaan or parchi's like Malik,Sami and etc
Re: Afridi not a sure pick for India tour - Pakistan chief selector
Here is my opinion...Afridi still has the GUTS to make a *wham bam *come back while on tour in india. As far his need and position in the team, if PCB would truly select based on merit then he can only come back as a low low order all rounder who can bowl on indian wickets and take 2-3 wickets per game. On merit, PCB then would select quality players who are up and coming youngsters and have shown ability and give them a front line chance. On merit, Afridi's age would be the main limiting factor for selection. Again, provided PCB selection would be based on MERIT alone, which we know is not the case when old game players such as IQ are among the selectors. They select losers such as Sami, Tannu and others.
Alo, as far as big hitting is concerned Umar, Nasir, and Ahmed Shehzad can destroy any attack if they get set. However currently there is no good all round replacement for Afridi. That does not mean Afridi is indispensable.
I have always been an afridi fan, but I am also a fan of the Pakistan cricket team winning more than losing by quality of game rather than dumb luck!
Will be selected Insha Allah
