Re: Pak V NZ 2nd Test.
If I was selector, I would not have included Shan (or any batsman) in test team until he played enough domestic cricket and showed his performance in last 50 first class innings with good averages of **at least 40 plus (ideally 45 plus), **but I am not selector.
On the other hand, if I was selector than Ramaiz Raja would have never been in team with first class average ~ 36 (test average 32) when there was another batsman he used to replace most of the time (Shoaib Mohammad) whose first class average was ~42 (test average 44). If I was selector than most players who play in Pakistan team would not be there.
If I was selector than Fawaz Alam (Karachi) would have been in team as his average (56.64) in first class is highest any Pakistani player ever had and only 23 players have higher average in history than him. I would also included Haris Sohail (Sialkot) in the team as his first class average (52.01) is 4th highest for any Pakistani (last name in the list below). Other two Pakistani name in the list is Miandad whose first class average was (53.37) and Hanif Mohammad whose first class average was (52.34)
Records | First-class matches | Batting records | Highest career batting average | ESPN Cricinfo
If a player cannot make runs in domestic cricket and post first class average above 40 … than what such player would do in test other than make runs if lucky, that is all. But in Pakistan, players get in test team because of parchi aur tasub, and not performance, so what one can expect from them?
But then I am not selector, am I?
Thanks God you are not selector else Azhar never get place in test team who has an average of 36.63 in First class.
Yes I always support Fawad to be in Test team and not in T20 or ODI in down order. He should be in test team as opener or in top order.